Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1872-02-22
MARKRsAS, Feb. :, 1872.

siuW, u 1uh Vi ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.
Our meetings are fuller and more
solemn and earnest from day TO day.
Some have been awakened, and three
men have publicly chosen the good
way.
T. Satan has done what he could to
defeat us, bot eve are not ignorant ct
bis Devices" .a-.e vi
He got up show one night, anoth-
err of different sort the next, and a
dance the next night. ~By this kind
of strategy he will be likely to capt.
ure few, or rather to hold few Of
his captives. But we are not to be
driven off the field. We are full of
faith in the gospel Of Christ. We
are not ashamed of it for It is the
power of God and the wisdom Of
God unto salvation to every one that
believes it. There is quite a strong
and wealthy Univcrsalist Church
here. They have no minister now,
and no services. They are confessed
/ ly doing nothing to win souls to Jesus.
They do not even have prayer meet
ling. And whether theyslike to have
it so or not the thoughtess sinners Of
the place do in fact take their universal
ism as an argument against becoming
christians rather than for it. Now if
they are true christians, all this is
very unaccountable. Iftrue to Jesrs,
they must surely believe in prayer,
aud be full of care to carry forward
the work which lie came to do, viz:
"to save sinners" Bat in point Of
fact they have no anxiety about this
at all. Perhaps, however, they would
say that since Christ Jesus came
into The world to save sinners" he
will Of course save them, and so there
lis no need for any anxiety on our
part. l do not say this is their doc.
trine, but it certainly is the doctrine
they live up to. 1t may not be what
they preach, but it surely is what
they practice.
Now il they have the truth and
orthodox people have not, then TIER
influence on community and in the
world ought to BE greater for good.
And if all the orthodox churches
should give up their faith and become
uniyersalIsts the world would be
saved sooner and more perfectly than
it would be if all the Tniversalist
Churches should give up their idea
and become orthodox christians.
But who can believe tdat tins ,co,tM
be the case; Who can believe that it
the evangelical churches should cease
their revival work and their present
way, and begin to do as the universe.
list churches are doing, that more
sinners would be saved from their
sins, and the world be sooner para.
disc " Every tree is known by its
o,on fruits" Now if the fruits Of
universalism are life and health and
peace, as compared with the fruits Of
orthodoxy, then l must confess that
my organs of spiritual taste utterly
deceived me. l am exceeding sad to
write such things concerning any, who
have the name of Christian Churches.
Would God they were half as ear
nest to prove the salvation of all by
actually sacing sinners, as they are
to make good their theory by words
Should l see them full of prayer
and full of brotherly love aud holy
zeal to get sinners to put away their
sins and follow Jesus, this would 60
far to make me a UniversaIist, but
when ] soc that Universalism takes
these very qualities ont OF man,
am sad and sick at heart as | see PEG.
pie on every land, led away by its
talk.
| must tell you Ito change the top
icy a bit of joyful news from Brandon.
A young minister from Prairie du
Chem has been assisting Bro. Dixon,
and they have been greatly blessed.
Many have turned to the Lord. who
seemed a short while ago to be be-
You'd reach. Some for whom | have
often prayed, with utmost longing and
anxiety, but whom left as hard as
ever. have at last become obedient TO
the faith, two brethren came over
taom Brandon to this place to bring
me the glad tidings, and | am full
Of Joy at the news. Many Of our
friends, | am sure will rejoice with
me. There are also glad tidings
from many places. Let us sing
anew the song Of the angels glory