I should be greatly grieved if "brethren" ceased to be an evangelizing company of Christians. Indeed, they would fade in their own spiritual standing, and probably get sectarian-not in theory, but in practice, because the enlarging principle of love would not be there. Thank God, it is not yet so. But grace alone can maintain the testimony. I confess I feel a sort of envy of those whom God has called to evangelize. My want of courage keeps me humble, but it would be better to be humble without it. But our part is to be where God calls us, and I trust I am ready to feed, if it be given me, the weakest of the flock, and count it a privilege. To souls getting peace and liberty, God has blessed me, but comparatively little in awakening, though He has also, where I have served in this way

God is not always awakening souls in a marked way:it is done in a place, and ceases; but souls may be converted afterwards. An awakening may again occur through other means; another layer being reached, and by those morally nearer their state. The evangelist may have to go on elsewhere . . .

At the beginning, brethren were engaged (and pretty much alone) in the roughest evangelizing- fairs, markets, regattas, and everywhere in the open air. Gatherings grew up, and the care of them became needful, though evangelizing went on and was blessed-and in a measure is, in many places. Others since have occupied the field who are really their followers under God. If even contention mix itself with this, if Christ be preached we ought to rejoice.

But the care of the scattered gatherings is most precious work, not altogether neglected, but the laborers are few. There is no reason why–should not exercise this local care for a time, and there is large room for it. If God still calls him to evangelize, he will find the craving after souls forcing him out to that work. At all times, we have to, as Paul says to Timothy, "do the work of an evangelist." Those nearer the state of the unconverted are often more apt for it. This may be imperfection, but so it is; and if they don't go on, they grow little, and meet little the spiritual wants of these last days …

Evangelizing in Christendom is different from evangelizing in heathenism. In Christendom it is necessarily separative, and hence the need of wisdom in that work; but sorry indeed should I be if it were given up. There is joy and gladness in conversions, even in heaven. But making a fuss about them, and writing up the people, I dread. God indeed bears with many things; still the feebleness of the work is felt afterwards … I am the Lord's servant, desiring only His will; when my work is finished, there it ends, and He will gather His own people, in which I shall rejoice in that day.

The Lord be with you and keep you near Himself -humble and serving; but get more of Him than you spend in service . . .

Dated, New York, February, 1875.