The Vinton record. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1866-1891, 1874-01-01
LETTER FROM REV. Ii. A.
PALLiSTElt.
To the Brsthres and Sisters of
the Church of Ohrsst, ,Oor,
shiping at McArtArr, Vinton
COudtv, Ohio 4: o.

County, Ohio:
DEARLY BEtovED IN TIE LORD
Eight months have come and
gone since in tears we tepa.
raied. Then were broken the
links of friendships chain
which had been fashioned and
welded during almost a three
years ministry In your midst.
Doubtless you feel that many
letters ought TO have pissed
between us aud the long fight
CT days and weeks which has
intervened. Such hasbeen my
hearts resolve and purpose.
Never for a moment has this
duty, this sacred duty. been for
gotten. And though pressing,
urgent Claims upon my time
have thus far prevented, yet my
lervent prayers IN your behalf
have not ceased to ascend to
The throne of the heavenly
grace. Coming to a strange
town and new congregation
my energies have been taxed
10 their utmost. OF burdens
heavy and anxlelies perplexing
we have had our share. You
loo. have had your toilsome ex.
periences. But, thank God,
here and there unutterable joys
have been granted to cheer and
bless us. And tonight finds
me sitting by the lamp, en-
deav0ring, in the stiffness, TO
put a lew thoughts together
that may serve TO comfort and
edify the little faithful flock
"whose works of patience and
labJrs OF love" will ever live IN
the recollec ion OF me and
mine. The PsaImlst yerv beau
tiIully has expressed that
which | also would implore:
May The words OF my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable IN thy sight o
Lord, my Strength and py Re
deemer.' And may God give
YOU the hearing ear and the
understanding heart to profit
by what shall be written.
Having been Tor some time
deeply interested in the book
Ol Hebrews. it has seemed Il,
and appropriate TO endeavor in
this commu licaIion. to lay bare
before you some Of the treas
ures which have been brought
to the surface by faithful dig
eIng, and should your enjoy
ment in handling he few mug |
gets gollen be equal to the
pleasure derived from my own
patient search, this epistle will
not have been penned in vain
Some may call it a sermon, and
others boldly presume, chang.
ing Tho figure, that | avn only |
sending a few grains of wheat
which have been cracked and |
ground and maslicated here. |
But such is not the case. What
ever you listen TO now most
assuredly springs fresh and
flows Ou, of heart beating in |
holiest sympathy with the band
Of faithful ones in Christ Jesus |
NEE ting in Macarthur, a heart
always upliited by your tri-
umphs, cast down by your de-
leats. Time, however, presses,
and these remarks Introductory
must close.
Therefore we ought to give the
more earnest heed to the things which
We have heard, lest ut any time we
should let them slip. For If the word
spoken by angels was steadfast, and
every transgression and disobedience
received just recUmpeuse Of reward;
how shall We escape If we neglect so
great salvation; which at the first be-
gan to be spoken by the Lord, and
was confirmed unto us by them that
heard hiu; God also bearing them
witness, both with signs and wonders.
and with divers miracles, and gifts Of
the Holy Spirit. according to his own
willS-H.bre,os ii chap. 4 us.
The central thought in these
vorcoo 10 tho 0ranf aaIvnfinn