The Third Letter of Matthias Servaes, Written to J. N

Peace and joy in the heart, through the working of the Holy Ghost, be multiplied to you, and to all believers who are in Christ Jesus. Amen. Indeed, also to those who are willing to recognize God as the supreme good, and who desire, purely out of love, as an obedient child does his father, to serve and follow Him with a true and firm confidence, through faith in Jesus Christ, steadfastly and immovably to the end. Amen.

Dear brothers, we have received the breakfast you sent us; thanks to God for it. I send you in return a little out of my poverty; receive it also with thanks, and share it with our other fellow members, wherever it is profitable for edification and improvement, wherever it is needed, wherever it is edifying for the hearers. Whenever you compose, write or speak anything, do it all to the praise of the Lord, and compose it as a hymn of thanksgiving, through Christ, to the God of heaven, that He has given His people such a faith, which is not dead, but works by love, so that they have forsaken and hated everything, and out of love (such as a child owes his father), have held faithfully to their God even to death. But leave out the count and everything else, as much as possible; for he says that he was vilified in the hymn of Thomas the printer, which was certainly not the intention, though it is taken that way. He says that though he meant it well, he was rebuked for it by many. Therefore, my brother, whatever you do in word and in deed, do it all to the praise of the Lord, and give thanks to God the Father through Him.

Furthermore, my dear brother, I inform you that Henry Altruyscher, who lives in the Egelstein, and usually sells red wine there, has been here to see me. He entered into conversation with me, and wanted to know where I got my office or ministry. But I recognized him, and wanted him to tell me his name. He said that he did not know it. But I asked further, and said: "Do not people call you Henry?" He said several times that he did not know. Then I told him to go away and repent, since I did not want to talk with him. The count was displeased, and angry with me, and determined to persuade me to enter into conversation with Altruyscher; but I said: "No; I will not do it."

I wanted to inform you of this very briefly, my dear brother; for I do not have time to write much; besides, I am closely watched. And I desire that you walk steadfastly in the fear of God, with all humility, meekness, kindness, and goodness. And do not please yourself; but much rather try to please your neighbor for his good, to edification; and tell this to the others also. With this I commend you to the grace of God. Remember us in your prayers before the Lord, as we also, through the grace of God, intend to do for you and for all men, as much as the Word of the Lord teaches us. But may the God of peace and of all grace, who has called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, make us perfect in every good work, to do His eternal, immovable will, and cause our works to be pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ. Indeed, may He also confirm, strengthen, establish, and prepare us who are ready here to suffer, through Him, reproach for His name's sake, if this is to be. To Him be honor and might forever. Amen. Otherwise, we are still well in body and soul. We are in good hope that we shall help fulfill the number of those who lie under the altar, and shall rest with them, and wait for the glorious reward of all the pious. Greet the brotherhood in Christ Jesus in my name. The grace of God be with us all. Amen.

MATTHIAS SERVAES, of Kottenem.