Letter from Brother Solomon S. Page
The letter below will explain itself. How should the hearts of
God’s people be gladdened by such indications of the Divine
blessing as are furnished in the history of this young man: —
Edina, Sept. 23rd, 1850
Dear Sir, — Be pleased to permit a stranger, (not in Christ I
hope,) to communicate with you, and thus make an acquaintance,
which I think I ought to have done long since, even when I was
first connected with this mission. But I beg leave to make an
apology, for one particular reason. I thought the information
forwarded to you by Messrs. John Day and John H. Cheeseman,
would be sufficient, so far as personal qualities, descent, &c.
concerned.
The lamented Mr. Clark knew me when I was but a boy; he
gave me a good start in my education, and I continued there until
November 1848. During the time I staid there, the counsel of Mr.
and Mrs. Clark and the wooings of the Holy Ghost, were such, that
if the Lord had taken me away in my sins, I had no cloak for my
sins, I mean I had no excuse, but that I would none of his counsels,
&c. I was subject to many a serious thought, though when Messrs.
J. Clark and John H. Cheeseman used to tell me to give up all, I
could not possibly do it, it seemed to be too great a task for me to
accomplish. At a certain time, I thought I gave up all, but to
believe, I could not. After praying a long time, my mind was so
much weaned from the world, that I cared not for any thing that
fancy might present. In course of time, 1 felt as another person.
But did these impressions continue? I answer, not so. The cares of
the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, soon entered in my
mind, and turned it from heaven to earth.
After my return from the Association of 1848, in January,
1 849, 1 took charge as an assistant to Mr. Cheeseman in the school
at Edina. At the same time, under the patronage of Mr. Cheeseman
I was adding to my small stock of learning. But can I say that the
Spirit of God left me entirely to join to my idols? I trow not. That
good monitor did not leave me, until the work, I trust, was
accomplished. Why should I not claim Christ as mine, and I as
his? I truly feel sometimes, that I would not change my spiritual
comforts, for all this sinful world can give. Hence 1 trust that I am
no more an alien, but a fellow-citizen of the covenant of promise.
