LETTER FROM MARY M. MATHER, DECEMBER 29, 1850

Another letter showing the spirituality and wisdom of a sister in Christ - ed.

Barrington. December 29, 1850.

Brother Beebe.

I have been for some time pondering over the propriety of my writing to you. Feeling my incompetency. And knowing my unlikeliness to my Lord and master. Till at length. I have come to the conclusion. To offer my feeble testimony as professing to be one of that number. That is everywhere spoken against.

In the first place, I wish to speak of the Church of which I am a member. August 1st. 1835. The first old School Baptist Church of Tyrone organized herself into a separate body. From the new light or Mission Baptists, her number at that time being 26. Under the pastoral care of Elder Samuel Bigelow. The Brethren and sisters having become disgusted with the protracted effort system carried on by the Barrington Church, of which they were members. Elder Jonathan Ketchum. Being their first pastor at that time. They there resolved to form a separate body, and accordingly did so, thereby drawing upon themselves to sneers and taunts of the charitable community. But this disturbed them not inasmuch as they felt that they were commanded. To stand aloof from the commandments of men, and not to give heed to profane and old wives' fables. They were fully convinced that communion could not exist. Where there was no union, and that Christ was not worshipped in booths and tents, nor in any of the high places, and that the worship him. Must worship him in spirit and in truth. They, therefore, resolved that all religious institutions aside from the church were not and could not be supported from Bible testimony. And therefore they would utterly discard them altogether. They believe that Christ is the head of the church. And that each Member must be planted together in his likeness, and that because he lives, they shall live also. And that nothing short of a crucified and risen savior will answer the demands of the justice and holy Law. Thereby excluding the idea of working ourselves into the favor of God.

In June 1838. Your unworthy correspondent publicly put on Christ by uniting with this body and following him into the liquid tomb under the charge of Elder Samuel Bigelow. The church at this time enjoyed the sweets of fellowship one with another. Although three of their number had been taken from them by death. One of which was Solomon Wilson. I lay a licentiate minister. A brother much esteemed by them. In 1840, another was added by baptism. Since that time a number have been added by letter, some excluded, some dismissed, and if I mistake not, seven have died, of which elder Bigelow was one, much lamented by the Brethren and Sisters. This seemed the beginning of sorrow, and not long after these two brothers that were much esteemed, (James and Samuel Meade) were taken to that rest that remains for the people of God. This was a sad stroke upon this little body. She was almost ready to halt. But the all-seeing eye, whose watchful care is over the lambs of his flock, and who carries them in his bosom, has buoyed her up until the present now. Strange as it may seem, the little church has had seven ministers, members of her body, 4 Elders. One of them are much as streamed Jewett and three licentiates. But at present, she is endeavoring to hold up a visibility without a pastor. The present number if I mistake not being 19 and some of them reside 12 or 14 miles from the place of meeting.

The church at present in peace and harmony. Though feeling very much the need of 1 to go in and out before them. She would truly be glad to see ministering brethren, to hear them proclaim the everlasting gospel. Her strength is alone in him who rules, and none can let or hinder. She would rejoice to see sinners flocking to the standard of Prince Emmanuel. But she has such strong faith that Christ is fully able to accomplish his own work. And that too in his time that he thinks it would be blasphemy to raise up one puny arm in order to help the all wise, all powerful, omniscient, omnipresent being to save one soul. Any Old School Baptist brother or sister in good standing. Would be quarterly received and welcomed if they would call on this body. Her covenant meeting is held the third Saturday in each month, and the Sabbath following is devoted to prayer and conference. For one, I would earnestly invite those who may be traveling to call on us, and at the same time I feel deeply to sympathize with brethren and sisters who are deprived of gospel preaching. Although I am not entirely. My mind has often led to the Brethren and sisters at South Dansville having had the pleasure of attending the Allegheny Association last July. Consequently, I learned a little of their history. A good old sister informed me that she had not heard a gospel sermon since their last annual meeting. O thought I! must those who prized the preaching of the gospel so much be deprived of this blessed privilege.

As I arrived within the neighborhood of the meeting. The evening before I found that the brethren and sisters were in great suspense in regard to the administration of the word on the following day. They knew of no one that would be likely to come, for, as they said at their last annual meeting, there was no one. But that bold defender of the truth? Elder Sawyer, and he was so far advanced in life they feared he could not reach there. But the Lord was better to them. Then all their fears. On arriving at the place appointed for the meeting, they found a goodly number of ministers, brethren and sisters from a distance. Truly thought I. There is a God in Israel, yes. Blessed be his holy name. He knows just what his people need and how many trials they are able to stand, and he will not suffer in the betrayed any more than they are able to bear. For, he says, as their days shall their strength be. Oh then. Howell strengthening to know that we have a high priest who can be touched with the feelings of our infirmities, whose all-seeing eye is watching over us for good. I was much pleased with their meeting. There appeared to be a oneness of sentiment and feeling manifested, and as brother Moyer said, the gospel was preached in its primitive purity. I truly felt to rejoice and be thankful to the great head of the church for his unbounded goodness to that people at that time. My very soul was made glad, and I felt to say, with Ruth. Your people shall be my people and your God my God. I would say to the ministering brethren, do bear the brethren and sisters at Dansville in your minds. And Tyrone also.  None know what it is to be deprived of the administration of the word. Only such as have experienced it. I am lengthening this scribble somewhat farther than I expected I should when I commenced. But believing that brother Beebe belongs to the same family with good old Job, I trust he will have patience with me. I have been a constant reader of the signs for the year past and have been edified and comforted while perusing the different communications from brethren and sisters. I have truly felt thankful that there was a way whereby they. Could communicate their feelings and views of Scripture one with another. I find I have been most edified from their communications of the Savior. Of experimented religion. I think there is nothing that serves to strengthen the weak and those that are ready to halt more than communing one with another, telling each other our trials and our joys. Old Howard boys up the sinking soul to know that others have passed through the same doubts and fears, the same trials of faith the same resolves to set a better example before the world. And found their utter inability to accomplish one good thought, word or deed. Without the divine aid. Yes, my beloved brethren and sisters, perhaps you have not the least idea of how many times this unworthy worm of the dust has been enabled to glorify God when reading your communications, especially when they were well-savored with humility and gentle and kind feelings manifested for each other. Oh, the love of God. How sweetly it draws its subjects and cements them together. It binds them up in one bundle of love and fits them for an eternal inheritance at the right hand of God.

Your unworthy sister in tribulation,

Mary M. Mather.