LETTER FROM JOHN D. PRIDMORE 1839

For the Signs of the Times.

Versailles, Ripley Co., Ia., March 5, 1839.

DEAR BROTHER BEEBE:—I wrote a part of this letter some weeks ago, expecting to send on the names of five or ten more subscribers, from a distant neighborhood, but sickness prevented the individual through whom I expected them from coming; but I expect in a short time, they will be forwarded on. The “Signs” are gaining ground here, and while they continue, as they have done, to vindicate truth, I hope they will continue to spread. Through their columns, many of the weak and tempted followers of Christ have often been comforted and edified. The frequent communications of brethren from different quarters have often been cheering to the tempest-tossed soul while wandering alone, enquiring for the footsteps of the flock. When one has been traveling for a long time alone, among strangers, how does it gladden his heart to meet someone acquainted with his native place! Just so with the believer who lives in the midst of professors who are conforming to the world, he feels that he is by himself; a stranger to all around: then it can only be comforting to such a soul to meet with an epistle from some other pilgrim, portraying his own feelings; their hearts are at once united, although they may be strangers and separated by mountains of snow and rivers of ice; their affections naturally run together; and how many have the Signs found about in this situation! It has often brought gladdening from some old acquaintance to hear they are still on the way to Zion, and have not been “decoyed” nor “frightened” from the narrow and straight, pressing forward, impressed for battle, sustaining and encouraging their fellow soldiers; reminding them of the promises of the Captain of their salvation; saying, “Fear not little flock; it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom,” &c.

But while the Signs have often been the bearers of good news, they have often borne tidings of a trying nature; they have told us of difficulties and revolutions in churches, of wolves in sheep’s clothing, &c. Well, I do not expect the children of promise will ever be clear of trouble until these mortal bodies are laid in the dust. Sore trials sometimes prove a source of rejoicing in the end. When a church has met with the buffettings of satan for a length of time, and the flock been scattered and divided, let them but hear the good Shepherd’s voice and how quickly they will huddle together in a solid body, and with a jealous eye watch on every hand for the enemy!—Trying seasons prove good soldiers; they become attached and learn to prize their liberties, desiring not to be entangled again with the yoke of bondage. I am but a child (if a child at all) and my experience tells me churches should be guarded in receiving members; it will not deter the true believer in Christ, to be plain with him; his heart’s desire is to know the truth.—When love is not the ruling motive of an individual in joining a church, I think he is not likely to prove a blessing long in the society of God’s people who are all taught by one Spirit; and as they discover the Spirit of Christ in each other, they become attached and linked together in the cause of truth. Yet while we are clogged with mortality, I do not expect we shall all see alike in every particular; but in all essential points, believers are the same, and ought to bear and forbear as to things of minor importance. Sometimes the learned and the unlearned (as it regards human education) in expressing themselves appear to differ widely, yet when they come fully to understand each other they are not very far apart. While brethren continue to write in the spirit of meekness I have no doubt the “Signs” will prove a blessing to the church.

Dear brother, I am poor in the things of this world, but I hope still to be able to take your paper; therefore I hope none of your able correspondents will stop writing because they happen to differ in opinion on some points. All agree that salvation is by the free and sovereign grace of God, unmerited by any act of obedience on the part of the creature; in the mind of the Eternal, his subjects of grace ever stood complete, even before time began—with God there is nothing new nor old; from eternity to eternity he remains the same; his chosen people ever stood complete in the person of Christ, but the creature man knew nothing of this before he had an existance in this world of sorrows. When the power of Divine Grace opens a creature’s eyes to see his true situation by nature, and he feels the weight and burden of his guilt upon him, he is far, very far from feeling justified before his Maker: it is not until his burdened soul is set at liberty, and he is made to rejoice in believing in Jesus as his only Saviour, that he feels like pleading justification. If ever I felt anything of the justifying righteousness of Christ, it was more than eight years after I saw that I was a guilty, helpless, and hell-deserving sinner.

Although I have differed with some who have written on Justification, I have fallen out with no one on that account. And as the subject is to be changed, I would be glad for Brother Beebe, Brother Trott, or some other of your correspondents to write on the subject of Faith, hope, and charity. I think it would be edifying to many here.

May the God of all grace strengthen and support you and all his valiant soldiers, to the edification and comfort of the scattered flock, is the prayer of

Your afflicted brother in Christ,

JOHN D. PRIDMORE.