p393 [Mr Ulrich] MY DEAR BROTHER, - I have been excessively occupied, which has delayed my writing. I hardly think I shall get west again, but there is more possibility of it than there was. I had a strong pressure on my spirit as to being in Europe, to do what I could as a testimony against the flood of infidelity that presses all around. Meanwhile, it has broken out in the Free Kirk of Scotland, so that the whole question of the authority of the Bible is in question there. I was sent to for an article for the Bible Herald, and I have sent, and am sending an article to it. It holds up the standard on divine ground, if there be no hope of convincing those already infidel. This has somewhat - though done hurriedly in the midst of constant work, perhaps overwork, at Boston - quieted my spirit in this direction. I have held up the flag, or, to use the scripture figure, blown the trumpet, and I hope, as He promised when they did so, the Lord may appear, acting in grace. I feel how utterly powerless I am, indeed, in certain respects anybody can be, because the eyes with which we see what is divine the adversaries of the truth have not got. Still the Lord can work, as He has promised, if the trumpet be blown. Whatever comes, unless the Free Kirk act decidedly, its influence is gone for all godly people. …

Affectionately yours in the Lord.

1877