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saith the Lord Almighty.’ ‘Having therefore these promises, dearly
beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and
spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.’
“The work rests upon us to perfect holiness. When God sees us
doing all we can on our part, then He will help us. Angels will aid
us, and we shall be strong through Christ strengthening us. Do not
neglect secret prayer. Pray for yourself. Grow in grace. Advance.
Don’t stand still, don’t go back. Onward to victory. Courage in the
Lord, my dear boy. Battle with the great adversary only a little longer,
and then release will come, and the armor will be laid off at the feet of
our dear Redeemer. Press through every obstacle. If the future looks
somewhat clouded, hope on, believe on. The clouds will disappear,
and light again shine. Praise God, my heart says, praise God for what
He has done for you, for your father, and for myself. Commence the
new year right. Your mother, E.G.W.”
The meeting at West Enosburgh, Vermont, was one of deep interest.
It seemed good to again meet with, and speak to, our old, tried friends
in this state. A great and good work was done in a short time. These
friends were generally poor and toiling for the comforts of life where
one dollar is earned with more labor than two in the West, yet they
were liberal with us. Many particulars of this meeting have been given
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in the Review, and want of room in these pages alone seems to forbid
their repetition. In no state have the brethren been truer to the cause
than in old Vermont.
On our way from Enosburgh, we stopped for the night with the
family of Brother William White. Brother C. A. White, his son, intro-
duced to us the matter of his Combined Patent Washer and Wringer,
and wished counsel. As I had written against our people engaging in
patent rights, he wished to know just how I viewed his patent. I freely
told him what I did not mean in what I had written, and also what I did
mean. I did not mean that it was wrong to have anything to do with
patent rights, for this is almost impossible, as very many things with
which we have to do daily are patented. Neither did I wish to convey
the idea that it was wrong to patent, manufacture, and sell any article
worthy of being patented. I did mean to be understood that it is wrong
for our people to suffer themselves to be so imposed upon, deceived,
and cheated by those men who go about the country selling the right
of territory for this or that machine or article. Many of these are of no