Letter by Rev. John Winebrenner

Church of God - Letter written by Rev. John Winebrenner

Harrisburg, May 30, 1859

My dear Nephew J.P.W.,

Upon my return home on Saturday I received your letter in reply to mine sent you from Baltimore. I have no words fully express my emotions of grief of sorrow-- yea, the indignant feelings which arise in my breast upon the ______ harsh & cruel treatment you have received at the hand of relatives and brethren in the church. It is a burning shame to practice such selfishness & revenge about mark it, for them, the day of ____________ will come!

And a ____ my dear _________ you have got into the high school of tribulation where you will learn somethings you could not have learnt in any lower __________ __________.

1. You will now be able to distinguish __________ your true & false friends. The __________ will forsake you, and join your ______________ ________ to slander you & persecute you. The ____________ will ____________ ______________, and stick closer than a brother.

2. You will now also have ____________ of _____________ to _________________ & ____________________ the strengths of your Christian ___________, better than ever before.

If your religion is well founded & your faith & patience, are ______________ of the Father's right hand _______________, now is the time for the full development__ of ______ facts. Stand fast therefore, ____________ yourself like a man & be strong.

The Poet says __________________________

my dear brother nephew, my prayers is, & shall be,, that God may support you & yours; - That you may realize _______ the truth of the _________________ _____________________ by the poets, in the ______ _____, and like Job of old, prove yourself to be a patient _________________ man. I like Paul _________ for none of ___________ things to move you, but closer to the Lord with purpose of heart & all things shall work together for good. Your compassion in tribulation ________ Winebrenner

N. B. Mrs. W. has had a ___________ _________ of _______, but is now ________________. Uncle Ezra Cramer is dead & buried. He was buried yesterday, a week ago. The rest of the friends are well. Our church case will soon be decided we think, & we hope all will come right. This case has taught us to know our friends at home & abroad ___ the heat of battle, we see the difference between the brave & the cowardly. Tell Bro. Hartman, I received his note, & feel thankful that he has good remembrance of us. Touching my ______, _____ only say, do for me what you can. I have full confidence you will do right & willfully defraud no one. If I can get a situation for you here, will you take it? We would like you to come & live with us. Write soon. My love & best respects to all the friends & faithful in Christ Jesus. Your Uncle____________ John Winebrenner