A VISIT TO BROTHER “ELIHU.” by R. F. Cottrell

Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · April 1, 1880

FromThe Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 55, No. 14

A VISIT TO BROTHER “ELIHU.”

By R. F. Cottrell

BY ELD. R. F. COTTRELL.

I took a little pains recently to visit the brother who wrote the tract called, “Elihu on the Sabbath,” which has been so extensively published within the last twenty-five years. He was ninety years of age in January past, and is still able to walk about quite nimbly. His article over the signature of Elihu was written a little this side of 1830, published in the organ of the S. D. Baptists, and then put out in a tract. One of these tracts was found in a house in Connecticut, and came into the hands of Bro. White. From that time, numerous editions have been published in the English and other languages. Little did he think when he penned that article what the effect would be. He did not know that the little ball which he set in motion would roll on till the end of time, and tell in the Judgment in the cases of so many This may teach us the importance of sowing the right kind of seed at all times. Though past the time of active labor, he is still speaking, as I said to him, not only in his own tongue, but in the German and other languages.

He has some peculiar views that have become stereotyped with him, in which he does not agree with S. D. Baptists nor with us. He does not, and probably will not, at his advanced age, recognize the fulfillment of the third angel’s message. He has come down to the present from former generations, and may be of the class to whom the Lord says, “I will put upon you none other burden. But that which ye have already, hold fast till I come.” Rev. 2:24, 25. He used to take pleasure in the explication of those portions of Scripture which are figurative, such as Solomon’s Song; and some twenty-five years ago or more he suggested to me that “the company of two armies” (chap. 6:13) were S. D. Baptists and S. D. Adventists. His address is Benj. Clark, Alden, Erie Co., N. Y.