Richmond, Ind., Dec. 17, 1876

DEAR BROTHER T.-I have for some time been burdened because I could not answer your last letter. Business matters have pressed me very much of late, so that I seemed to have little time outside my necessary duties. I hope you have heard through Brother R. S. S. of our precious meeting together to break bread in the name of the Lord Jesus two weeks ago this day. Last Lord's- day and to-day my dear wife and I have remembered the Lord's death in the breaking of bread, and have found His precious promise realized to us, " There am I in the midst." We do, indeed, find that we enjoy closer communion with Him than ever before, and that He is far richer and more to be desired than all the systems of men. We ask that all those with you who call upon Him out of pure hearts will pray that even by such feeble folk as we are the Word may be faithfully spoken, and others added to bear testimony to the headship of Christ.
I hope that if any brother that you know travels this way, we may be favored with a call, for it would be sweet to hold fellowship with such. We hope the assemblies will sustain us by prayer and sympathy. It is our precious privilege frequently to present all who are standing out to Him. Of course we by no means neglect to present those who are still bound up in systems, but we are deeply exercised that many among them may see the truth. We sent in our resignation to "Friends" a month ago, and have been visited by a committee from them. We suppose they will soon report their opinion on the case. Whatever they do, whether they accept our resignations or not, we feel that we have thoroughly put all such things behind us, and look only to the Lord Jesus Christ, who has redeemed us. Hoping to hear from you soon, and to be able to write again soon to you, We are, yours in Him, A. B. AND WIFE.