The advancement of the kingdom of Christ in the world

This was followed about a month later by a communication “ To the Churches of Christ in the United States of America,” in which he urges them to come up to a higher standard of living for God, and with themselves to devote their property to the advancement of the kingdom of Christ in the world. The following is a brief extract: —

“ In the great increase that is to be made to the church in the latter days, the Prophet Isaiah sees them coming in crowds, and bringing ‘ their silver and their gold with them; ’ that is, devoting their wealth to the name and worship of Jehovah, to be employed in Ilis blessed service. And had any of those left their ‘ gold and frankincense ’ behind; or had they left ‘ the flocks of Kedar,’ with ‘ the multitude of camels’ and ‘the dromedaries from Midian,’ behind them, in the dark regions of idolatry, where they could themselves go back every day to enjoy them, — would they have been received and incorporated among the true Israel? Certaiuly not. They would have been rejected, as still devoted to idolatry, and possessing substantially the same character as before.

“ Now, beloved friends, the present are those latter days of glory foretold by the prophet. And have you looked to see whether the crowds that now come up to join themselves to the Lord are brumum ‘ their silver and their role with them? ’ Have you made any inquiry? Have you gone into any examination of the subject? If you have not, we in Constantinople have; and we have been amazed beyond measure to lilid that while there has been such a great increase of names to the records of the church, there has been comparatively little addition to the ‘ whole burut offerings and sacrifices ’ made to the Lord.”

To the widowed wife of a former missionary to Constantinople, then residing in this country, he sent the following playful invitation to attend the marriage of his daughter, which was to take place a few days later: —

CONSTANTINOPLE, June 2G, 18G0.

MY DEAR SISTER, — Our daughter Mary expects to change her name on the Gtli of July. Will you and Samuel and Frances and Charley grace the occasion by your presence? Do try and come. You will meet many of your old friends, and we will try and arrange every thing pertaining to the ceremony so that you shall get home before dark.