Year: 1865

THE Pres OF ST. CLAIRsvILLE TO THE
| CHURCHES UNDER ITS CARE:


Brethren Bel0red in the Lard:


| We have been this second time waiting


for the promise which we have heard Of
| Jesus. Refreshed In soul, and united in
sentiment rs to the necessity of a time of


refreshing from the presence of the Lord.
we send you this letter. The dropping state


of religion and the want of unity and har-
mony in the work Of the Lord, and tho
boldness Of Satan and his emissaries are
known TO all ard should be rhourned over


by all Gods children The desire for a


change in the moral aspect OF our heritage;
and for greatly elevated standard of piety.


has already been poured out upon many of


Gods servants, Ministers and Layman.-
This indicates His willingness to bestow a


still greater blessing. Brethren, the bless


ing desired is not temporary religious ex-


citement ouch as may have been enjoyed in
I times past, but an outpouring of the Holy


Ghost, commensurate with the promise of


God, and such as will reproduce the apostolic
| type OF religion in the whole church. That
slowed upon US by the God and Father of
onr Lord Jesus Christ. we address you in
| His name and in the spirit of love, exhort-
ing that every stumbling block be put out
of the way. 10 this end, let there be an
honest putting away Of the old earef of mall
Ice and hatred, and prayerful following af.
ter the things that make peace. Let there
be d faithful searcn on the part of every one.
in his own heart, lest there should there lurE
the sin Of Achan--the coveting of the gold
ell wedge and the Babylonish garment.
Moreover, we exhort to the faithful put
ting away Of worldly onformity-especial-
ly, in providing for and goin e to the pro-
nliscuous dahce--ih providing for and in
dulging in the habit of using wine" and
strong drink, which things are mt only mot
convenient, but especially do they ''grieye
the Holy Spirit Of God. - We would espe-
cially stir up your minds 'by way Of re-
ulenlbrance" to the duty Of prayer as The
great means Of bringing doun the promised
Comforter: Too many families heads
OF which profess christianity--are placed iii
the catalogue of those upon whom God has
said he will pour out his fury, because they


"cail not upon His name" regularly 10 pray.
er morning and evening. How many neg
icct the duty OF secret prayer is known ohfy
to God. The, rnultitudes they stay away
from the weekly prayer-meeting and from
the week day service Of the SANCTUARY are
known and mourned ovdr by the ministers
and elders within our bounds. We would
therefore earnestly press II upon all under
our care that the great means to secure the
return of the Holy Spirit to our hearts, our
families, and our churches, is the faithful
end constant drawing nigh to God; In secret.
family, social and public prayer. We would
also have you to remember that giving Of
aims is WORSHIP, and no more to be omit
ted than prayer and the hearing of the word,
and would therefore urge it upon you all to
exercise; and to pray to God to cultivate
within you the grace IF giving, thst thereby
all the tithes may be brought into the store.
house OF Gol. Then may we expect Him to
open the windows of heaven anc r,our out
upon ms a blessing Till there shall be no room
20 receive it.


And now, Brethren, we ptay Cod that bo
FOR Christ sake would grant You, accord
ing to the riches Of his grace, to be strength
ened with might by the Spirit in the inner
man; that Christianity dwell in YOU bv
faith; that ye being rooted and grounded in
love, may be able to comprehend with all
saints what is the breadth ard length and
derth and height, and to know the love Of
Christ, which passeth knowledge. and that
ye may be filed with an the fullness Of God.


Now UNTO Him that is able to do exceed
ing ahundantly above all. we ask, or think,
according to the power that worketh in us
unto Him be glory in, the church BY Jesus
Christ throughout all ages, world sithout
end. AMEN