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p271 (E?) L Bevir, Our part is simple; to hold close by the Lord, and to do His will; all else is loss, and disappears. With Him all is blessing, and for ever, only now we have to go on by faith. It is a blessed thing, too, to be strangers where He was a stranger. Soon we shall be with Him in the house where no stranger comes - all are at home there.

I think our readings in Switzerland were blessed; several of those who were at the Nîmes study were at them, and enjoyed and, I believe, profited by them greatly. We were more able to enter into the word than when at Nîmes. Hearers came too, considerably to the evening lectures. The need of something surely true and solid is felt. Everywhere it is felt that religious institutions are breaking up. In Geneva the state has abolished ordination, and names the pastors. In Neuchâtel the rather larger half of the National body has left the State, all having been left by law to their own consciences. The doctrine taught, however, s as bad as elsewhere. This kind of thing is going on everywhere, and felt to be going on by those who are in these systems, but they have no faith to act, trusting God. I believe our two months' studies have been blessed. I feared when I got to Germany, my long disuse of the language would make my fitness for service more than doubtful, but when I got into the German atmosphere, it seemed to come back naturally, and many words I had forgotten came back to command. Of course I made mistakes, but not so as to in any way hinder my intercourse with the brethren, or my speaking in the assembly, for which I was thankful.

I am very thankful for the news of your last letters. It seems to me that God has especially manifested His power in Italy. Years ago I felt I could not go there to oppose what was in presence of the poor Roman Catholics, nor could I go with what was, and I laid it up with the Lord to abide His time, and if He had anything in which He could use me, He could keep it for me. I believe it is just going on right: founding in godliness, and though seemingly small in extent, it may spread hereafter, but the basis most important in such a country, is that evil be not allowed. The gracious Lord be with you.

Dillenberg, June, 1874.

[52173E]

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