Work in the United States

Dearest brother,
I am working away here, so that I have nothing very new to tell you. There is inquiry, and a good deal of it among those interested in the things of God, consciences awakened as to the state of the church and learning truth, astonishment at what is found in scripture; for work, not truth, is the American line of things, and an activity which leaves the saints and the world all mixed up together. Still the truth is working in a good many souls. I have sometimes meetings three times a day. I do not at present look much to lecturing, though I have lectured.... There is, I think I have said, much inquiry, but endless opinions, and grace not bowed to, nor the word, though it is getting a hold of serious minds it never had. There are many things to encourage, many things to try, but all is a beginning, everything has to be shown - the most elementary truths of Christianity. Man is set up, and Christians so used to it, that all God's thoughts have to be brought in as new things. A hundred truths which would be quoted to prove other points among you, and recognized by all, have, when referred to, to be shown from scripture, and the main point left till they were so shown. Still truth is enjoyed by many, and many have largely gained in it. Kind love to the brethren. May much grace be on them all.
Affectionately yours in the Lord.
Chicago, November 7th, 1872.
Work in the United States
The work of God is going on in the United States; the conviction is extending that we possess something that they do not possess. Preachers, elders, etc., have come to Boston for the daily Bible readings. They acknowledge also that we understand the scriptures better than they do; they often oppose, but often defend, so that in some aspects brethren are entering on a new phase of work. Our whole work remains always the same, to present Christ and the truth, accomplished salvation, and His coming; but this makes the responsibility of brethren still greater. God is opening doors; but His power alone can work upon hearts, to make them walk with Christ, and give up the way of this world. But the movement in every way is remarkable. The Lord is about to come.
New York,
April, 1873.
Work in the United States
You will be glad to hear that at Boston the readings ended in acting on not a small number of souls, and some eight or ten are come into communion, and some doors, small as yet, but real, opened for work. -, whom I named, is in Ohio with an uncle, where there are souls inquiring. The said uncle, being blessed through the tracts, has sent five hundred dollars (nearly a hundred pounds) for free distribution tracts. Here there are more than twenty going on happily, but save one or two emigrants, the work is yet to do. M. spoiled it, they are in two or three divisions, but annihilationists and all came to hear me. I had a growing audience; I have been down to Vineland. I leave, if not to-morrow (Thursday), Monday (D.V.), for Chicago. I have been (my brain) quite done up, seriously so, living in boarding houses, thank God, however, with a testimony; but it is dreary work. The cold has been great, and for the time, is - thick ice the day before yesterday, but I have had the kindest care here at L.'s, who is himself ill and laid by, and am very much recruited, but I had a somewhat serious warning that I am not so young as I was. But there is One who is the same yesterday, to-day, and forever. I look more and more for Him. What you say is sorrowful, but I felt it more, I think, forty-eight years ago, when I saw it coming on, now I take it more for granted, and look above, and then to see what has to be done. It is a sifting-time, but those that are His will be more and more weaned, and learn to look above. I should, in view of these things, humanly speaking, be glad to be back in England, but I have a toilsome look-out before mg in the west, but with no distrust as to the Lord's will, only I am grown old to do it.... New Zealand remains uncertain.
Affectionately yours in the Lord.
Philadelphia,
April, 1875.