For the Signs of the Times. William Martin 1837

 For the Signs of the Times.

DEAR BROTHER BEEBE:—With a heartfelt sense of the goodness of God towards us, a poor weak and scattered people, speaking of our abilities or talents, we are weak, poor and unprofitable; yet when we are weak, then are we strong, relying with confidence on the promises of God, who says, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee, and no weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper.” Dear brother, the truths and sweets of these promises we have realized, and found that the battle is not to the strong, nor the race to the swift. The truth of these promises has been brightly displayed in the circumstances under which we have labored for the last twelve months. You have some knowledge from a former communication of mine, of the great distress and confusion amongst the Baptist Churches in these parts, occasioned by the world's wandering after the Beast; yea, and more distressing than all, we see many that we believe to be God’s children, turning to fables. Oh, I had rather see ten thousand wolves in sheep’s clothing wandering after the beast, than one that I believe to be a child of God; yet I am not left without hope, for upon a reflection, I know that God will bring those back with the rod, and they will experience the truth of the language of Paul, that no chastisement for the present seemeth joyous, but grievous; nevertheless it yieldeth the peaceable fruits of righteousness in them that are exercised thereby. For we have been blessed with the privilege within the last twelve months of seeing many like a Peter weeping bitterly, and saying like a David, we have sinned against the Lord, and oh, that I could once more see the time when Israel would forsake their strange gods, and no longer halt between two opinions; but if the Lord be God, follow him; but if Baal, follow him. Dear brother, our prospects here at present, are more encouraging than they were twelve months ago, when we were compelled to call a convention for the purpose of trying to rebuild the waste places of Zion; yet the prospect was so gloomy that only six churches sent representatives, the numerical strength of the whole amounting only 179—yet few and destitute as we were, we proceeded to business in which we resolved to have no fellowship for New Schoolism, and accordingly formed a separate association upon the Old School Baptist platform, but you may depend there was many a gunshot at us, and there was only one reason why they did not mortally wound us, (i. e.) their balls blew out at the breech of their guns, and you know the consequence when that is the case, the damage is done to the marks-man instead of the target.—And in fact, some of their best marks-men have shot so often, and the result been as above mentioned, that I don’t believe they will be able to shoot much oftener; and if they should get reinforced, we dread them not, for if God be for us, who can be against us, for their guns appear to be the same that were shot at our Heavenly Master. You remember how they bellowed out when he was standing at Pilot’s bar, “away with him, away with him! crucify him, crucify him!” but they could only do what God had predetermined should be done. Oh, when I think of what my Heavenly Master did and suffered for his elect children, that he might bring them nigh by his most precious blood. I know the servant is not greater than his Lord. And if they have done these things in the green tree, what will they do in the dry? He was wounded in the house of his friends, and our persecution of late generally comes from the same source.

I must now hasten to give you an account of our association in August last, a meeting which I think will not be forgotten. Four churches united themselves with us, which increased our association to 194, making in all 373. I should give you a more minute account of our association, but I herewith send you a minute of the same, to which I refer you for information. But suffice it to say that our meeting was conducted in peace and harmony. The entire satisfaction of the whole body brought us to remember bygone days. The ministers appointed to preach on the Lord’s-day, addressed a large concourse of people who appeared generally to be attentive and anxious to hear. Several of the New School were there also, who appear from the account they give themselves, to have heard too well, even things which were never spoken. But poor things, I reckon their feelings were much like Pharaoh’s when compelled to let Israel go, who afterwards repented of his liberality, and pursued them to the Red Sea, and was overwhelmed therein. The song of Israel, after having crossed the Red Sea, convinces us that they did not thank Pharaoh for his liberality. Neither do we thank our modern drivers for their liberality in letting us go, for we expect them to pursue us even unto the Red Sea, and the result to be like that of Pharaoh. By looking over our objection in the minutes to the mission subject, you will find the word Saturday Luminary occurs in several places, which I wish you to render Latterday Luminary if you give them a place in the Signs. The Signs of the Times receive a cordial approbation in these parts by the friends of truth. We should be highly gratified if some of our ministering brethren, correspondents of the Signs, would meet us at our next association, as we are very weak in the ministry. Dear brethren, do hear the Macedonian cry and come over and help us.

I remain yours as ever,
WILLIAM MARTIN.