From here we proceeded to Laura Ohio, visiting the meeting and the Friends so instructively, mutually, then we attended meeting at Plainfield, Ind., and a gathering at Sugar Grove, and other visits all so helpful to us all, long to be remembered. From here we wended our way to dear Friendsville, N.C., where we had a meeting and visited to comfort, leaving at once to be at the Byerly's in the Kickapoo Indian Mission in McLeod, Okla., visiting the Indians and others and three meetings all so instructive mutually, and hospitable.
Thence we proceeded towards the distant point of Pasadena and finding the Monthly meeting occurred on Fourth day evening arrived there timely to the surprise of all but to our comfort, where we are to be located for a while in the interest of pure Truth.
As we travel and visit in this general way, my mind goes out to our Friends everywhere, in the deep interest which I feel toward the household and family of God, toward the believers all over this land of ours, that we may all know of the government of the true spirit of Christ, remembering,-- "The letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life." [2 Corinthians3:6.]
It surely is time for rededication, for a new birth unto righteousness, for that preparation so necessary that we may be prepared to be called into service, prepared for that field which is whitening unto the harvest and the prepared laborers evidently so few.(1)
There is a hunger and thirst among more than our own people, as we are prepared for it the world will be found to be our field, as our eyes are anointed we will find those who are hungering for the bread of life. One incident revives--At a filling station and store attached a very attentive and obliging young man attracted my attention, wanted to know what we were, etc. I told him some called us Quakers, but I said Webster says in the Dictionary, that was a name given in derision, but that we were known as Friends and Christ called such as did His will His Friends.
I asked him what he was he said a Catholic, well I said you believe in Christ, and God, so do we, where is the difference, if you do His will you are Friends, well he said, "I have learned something this morning I never knew before," and why not? The children are crying for bread and there is none to give them, it must be earned, must be received as Christ broke the bread and handed to His disciples to hand to the multitude.
My, beloved Friends, there is a depth to religion, there is still an inwardness necessary, I often fail and so I can feel sympathy and encourage all to persevere.
So many things can take our attention, too much dwelling upon the condition of Religious Society will hinder us, too much attention to technicalities may take the place of attention to the spirit of Christ, His discerning spirit.
Deeply instructive is the scripture where it is written, "Who is so blind as my servant or deaf as the messenger whom I have sent, seeing many things, yet thou observeth not, opening the ears, yet he heareth not, who is so blind as he that is perfect."(2) Marvelous.
We know that eventually the Apostolic Church failed, then the Religious Society of Friends who were raised up in life and multiplied, yet to have gradually fallen from that integrity which they knew and obtained in the midst of persecution.
The desire for entertainment too often prevails and takes the place of that devotion Christ would beget and which we cannot but believe he is standing at the door of each heart and knocking for a full entrance. [Revelation 3:20.]
Oh will we keep him out, will we rob Him of his right, will we not become willing to take up the cross convinced that truly, Christ's cross is Christ's way to Christ's crown where there is no cross there can be no crown.
With a sincere desire for a rebirth of all Friends everywhere as I sit and write in this distant land, where I seemed called for a little time, that the life may more and more be evident for where Christ is will be life, joy, and peace, unto which I commend us all.
From your friend, I trust in the Truth,
1. 1.... A combination of Matthew 9:37 and Luke 10:2 with John 4:35.
2. 2.... From Isaiah 42:19.