The prominence given on the prophetic page to that Antichristian abomination, the Papacy, renders of more than ordinary interest any information concerning that huge system of iniquity. The following sketch of the Inquisition, the climax of all its nefarious schemes by which it has shed the blood of the meek and humble followers of Jesus, gives a concise and thrilling view of the character and workings of that infernal institution. And what will be of special interest to Seventh-day Adventists, is the fact that this institution was devised and put in operation against the Waldenses, who, we have good reasons for believing, were observers of the Lord’s Sabbath. See History of the Sabbath, pp. 296-303. Thus the little horn, the Man of Sin, who has sought to raise himself above all that is called God, and to change his times and laws, is ever found directing his most hellish rage against those who firmly adhere to the unchanged and unchangeable requirements of the Most High. We find this sketch in a work entitled, “The Great Red Dragon,” by A. Gavin, formerly one of the Roman Catholic priests of Saragossa, Spain, pp. 400-404.
This tribunal, the most infamous by which the history of the world has been disgraced, was instituted in the beginning of the thirteenth century, for the purpose of completing the extermination of heretical pravity from among mankind. Its introduction and establishment constitute the most awful demonstration that could possibly have been given of the apostasy of the Papal church, and a most unequivocal and dreadful proof of her Antichristian character. Anything more abhorrent to justice than the procedure of this tribunal—anything more revolting to humanity than the punishments which it imposed—anything more at war with religion than the spirit which it displayed—anything, in short, more entirely destructive to the peace and the happiness of mankind, than its existence and operation, it is impossible to conceive. It did not seem enough to the profligate ecclesiastics who sought to become masters of the world, that they had imposed restraints upon liberty of thought, and induced an almost universal midnight darkness, and gained the implicit reverence of almost all the princes and the nations of Europe; there seemed to be some formidable institution still wanting in their system of degradation, by which their unhallowed triumph, wheresoever it was not fully achieved, might be completed, and which might seem like some almighty giant standing at the gate of the gloomy edifice which they had reared, and frowning destruction on all by whom it should be assailed. This institution they found in the court of the Inquisition. Organized for the avowed purpose of punishing and exterminating heresy, it came, in the course of a few years, in consequence of the extensive interpretation which that term received, to take cognizance of every thing which the Inquisitors thought proper to regard as a crime. It was heresy, to reject even one tenet which had been sanctioned by the councils or the court of Rome; to read an interdicted book; to be kind to an excommunicated person; to utter an unguarded expression respecting the Papal authority; or even to manifest natural affection to the dearest earthly friend, who had incurred the censure of the church. In consequence of such an extensive interpretation of the crime of heresy, the life of almost every man was put under the power of this most extraordinary tribunal. Soon after the establishment of the Inquisition, positive crime was not necessary in order to bring persons under the cognizance of that ruthless court: it was sufficient to be suspected of heresy, and the slightest degree of suspicion, however destitute of foundation, was enough to involve those to whom it attached, in proceedings which might terminate in their temporal ruin, and their death. Even when no ground for suspicion existed, accusations were basely fabricated, and the innocent and unsuspecting were imprisoned; that their property might be forfeited, and their all sacrificed to the avarice and villainy of the church.
The mode of proceeding which this court adopted in the prosecution of its victims, was not less extraordinary and unjust, than that by which they were brought under its power. Secrecy, dishonest and tyrannical secrecy, under cover of which the most flagrant crimes might be perpetrated, was its peculiar characteristic. The apprehension of the unhappy victims of inquisitorial villainy was not permitted to transpire. Generally, in the dead hour of night this deed of darkness was done; and with so much dexterity was it conducted by the familiars of the holy office, that not only those who lived in the same neighborhood, but even those who were members of the same family, in many instances, knew nothing of it. One striking example of this is mentioned by the historian of the Spanish Inquisition, in case of a father, three sons, and three daughters, who, although they lived together in the same house, were all carried prisoners to the Inquisition, without knowing any thing of one another’s being there, till seven years afterwards, when those who were alive were brought forth to an Auto-da-fe.
Lest any of its infernal secrets might be disclosed, no sounds were permitted to be heard throughout the dismal apartments of the Inquisition. The poor prisoner was not allowed to bewail his fate, or, in an audible voice, offer up his prayers to Him who is the refuge of the oppressed; nay, even to cough was to be guilty of a crime, which was immediately punished. A poor prisoner, we are told by Limborch, was on one occasion heard to cough; the jailors of the Inquisition instantly repaired to him, and warned him to forbear, as the slightest noise was not tolerated in that house. The man replied that it was not in his power to forbear; a second time they admonished him to desist; and when again, the poor man unable to do otherwise had repeated the offense, they stripped him naked, and cruelly beat him. This increased his cough, for which they beat him so often, that at last he died through the pain and anguish of the stripes which he had received!
From the moment that the hapless victims of this dreadful tribunal were arraigned before it, an utter violation of justice characterized every step of the proceedings that were instituted against them. No information was given to the wretched prisoner respecting the crime of which he had been accused. The grand object of the Inquisitors was to make him inform against himself; with his accusers, or the witnesses against him, he was never confronted; nay, he knew not even their names. He was told that the holy fathers never proceeded save on the most unquestionable information; was exhorted to reflect on his past life, and tell ingenuously the sins which he had committed; and was assured that ingenuous confession would procure for him a mitigation of the punishment which his crime might deserve. Rarely were their efforts unsuccessful. By operating successively on their victim’s hopes and fears—now fawning and then frowning—one while affecting to pity, another while uttering dreadful menaces; at one time deluding him with promises of speedy deliverance, at another, threatening racks, and dungeons, and burning flames; or if these methods availed not, by a train of excruciating torments, in the invention of which more than human ingenuity seemed to have been employed, and in the application of which more than human cruelty seemed to have been displayed; and, by tedious confinement in some solitary, noisome, dungeon, where his eye never saw the light of heaven, and no sounds ever fell upon his ear, save the clanking of his fetters, and the stern voice of the man who daily brought him his miserable pittance of bread and water;—in this way did the Inquisition generally bring their unhappy prisoner to accuse himself, to confess crimes of which he was innocent, and thus to become the instrument of his own destruction.
It was against the poor, but memorable people, known by the name of Waldenses, that the operations of this infernal tribunal were first directed. Dwelling in the deep sequestered valleys of the Alps, and greatly unknown and unheeded by the rest of the world, this interesting people preserved for many ages, the purity of Christian worship and Christian manners; and their little region was the scene of light and verdure, while all around it was darkness and desolation. But persecution entered their peaceful retreats. It was not to be brooked by the haughty priests at Rome, that this simple people should remain strangers to the Papal yoke, and be permitted, without interruption, to worship God according to his word, apart from the Roman abominations. In the ears of surrounding princes their atrocious heresy was proclaimed; and it was declared to be more meritorious and pleasing to Heaven, to undertake a crusade against them, than even against the infidel possessors of the Holy Land. Armies were accordingly assembled at the nod of the pontiff; against a people of whom the world was not worthy, was the tempest of their ungodly fury let loose; and the lone valleys of the Waldenses, where the sound of war had never been heard, became the scene of outrage and ruthless devastation. In this truly Antichristian work of extirpating heretics and heresy together, was the Inquisition devised and established to yield its aid—as if the ordinary operations of pontifical vengeance would have too tardily accomplished the annihilation of this weak, unresisting, harmless, people. The detail of its atrocious proceedings in their ill-fated land—of the havoc which it made among the humble disciples of Jesus Christ—of the tortures which it inflicted—and of the martyring flames which it lighted up, will remain in the historian’s page an indelible memorial of its character, and of the monstrous wickedness of the system that gave it birth. Over this devoted and truly Christian people, among whom the truth of God was preserved, when all the surrounding world had forsaken it, did persecuting Rome, after ages of bloodshed and martyrdom, gain a melancholy triumph;—the crossed banners of Popery floated over deserted villages, and the wrecks of conflagrated towns, and the poor remains of the Waldensian church, driven to strange lands, or retired to the mountains and lurking-places of their own beloved land, wept in secret over its sad desolations, and cried to Him who is the refuge of the oppressed, that he would arise and plead his own cause.
In other parts of Europe was this bloody court soon erected, and, that the poor heathen who had never heard of the name of Jesus, might have a specimen of the tender mercies of Christian men, and might be gained over as converts to the Christian faith, its establishment was extended to Pagan lands. Nowhere, however, has its operation been more powerful and terrific than in the kingdom of Spain. Eight hundred persons have been condemned at once by one of its tribunals; and, in the year 1481, the Inquisition of Seville condemned to the flames no fewer than two thousand persons, and nearly twenty thousand more to various inferior degrees of punishment. During hundreds of years, the Inquisition has been the terror of the Spanish people, and has contributed more than any other institution to reduce to the lowest pitch of degradation their national character. ‘Its form of proceeding, is an infallible way to destroy whomever the inquisitors wish. The prisoners are not confronted with the accuser or informer. Nor is there any informer or witness who is not listened to. A public convict, a notorious malefactor, an infamous person, a common prostitute, a child, are, in the holy office, though nowhere else, credible accusers and witnesses. Even the son may depose against his father, and the wife against her husband.
‘This procedure, unheard of till the institution of this court, makes the whole kingdom tremble. Suspicion reigns in every breast. Friendship and quietness are at an end. The brother dreads his brother, the father his son.’
This is the tribunal of the Inquisition!—a tribunal more blasphemous, and dishonoring to the God of Mercy, and our Saviour Jesus Christ, and more awfully degrading to mankind, than any other institution that ever has existed upon earth. Everlasting infamy will rest upon its name; and the execrations of the wise and the good in all ages, will light upon the unhallowed system that gave it birth.
MEETINGS IN ILL. AND WIS.
By ISAAC SANBORN
My last report closed with my labors in Avon, Wis., Jan. 8. The following day I commenced a protracted meeting with the church at Rockton, which lasted five weeks; and as I found the church in rather a cold, indifferent condition, we commenced by holding prayer-meetings from house to house, and preaching occasionally. Much prejudice existed against Health Reform, caused by the inconsiderate course of some in the past; yet, with the help of the Lord, I believe that all was removed, and some who had been almost discouraged are now greatly encouraged, and begin again to go forward in the good work and rejoice in the blessed hope. Four were added to the church, and a few others commenced keeping the Sabbath. I do thank the Lord that he will always work with us when we consent to work in harmony with his will, and walk in the light.
February 8, I met Bro. R. F. Andrews in Quarterly Meeting at Monroe, Green Co., Wis. It was a very cold time, yet there was quite a large attendance, and the Lord helped his servants in preaching the word, and the brethren and sisters in their efforts to aid us in the work. This church has been steadily rising since the Convocation Meeting. Since then, several have been added to their number. They have also repaired their meeting-house, at an expense of more than two hundred dollars. They were also owing one hundred and fifty dollars on their house, which was all pledged and paid.
Four of these brethren, contrary to the light given them in Testimony to the Church, invested over one thousand dollars in a patent right, which is causing them much perplexity and anxiety of mind that they have been so disobedient. Oh! how much better they would now feel if the money was invested in the Western Health Reform Institute, where it would be a blessing to scores of invalids both spiritually and temporally. It would also bring them a fair interest, besides spreading the light of God's truth. Oh, that others may learn experience from what they suffer. Let me tell you, brethren and sisters, when we neglect the solemn truth that God has spoken to us through the visions that he has placed in our midst for our special good, we neglect the Lord, and will surely find, sooner or later, that the way of the transgressor is hard. But we would say, that these brethren are now much encouraged, and are striving to heed the counsel of the True Witness; also that the church is in a better condition than it has ever been before.
From Monroe, we went to the Rockton Quarterly Meeting, in Illinois, Feb. 16 and 17. Brethren and sisters from Johnstown and Avon churches were present. This was a good meeting for the Rockton church. The subject of Health Reform as connected with the third angel's message was the burden of our preaching, which removed all the prejudice against the reformed dress. Several of the sisters are now wearing it, and the rest are preparing to do so. This church is now prospering finely. May the Lord add to their numbers such as shall be saved, is our prayer.
Feb. 23 and 24, we met with the church at Clyde, Ill. I had not met with this church for over two years, and truly my heart praised the Lord as I met those young people who gave their hearts to the Lord when I was there three years ago, also the older brethren and sisters, and others who have since then joined themselves to the Lord, to see them all so earnestly engaged in striving for the kingdom. On Sabbath afternoon, in our ordinance meeting, the Lord poured upon us so much of his Holy Spirit, with its melting power, that every eye ran freely, while deep interest was manifested for poor sinners present. Two young men made a start for the kingdom, one of whom had formerly been a great persecutor of the truth, but, like Saul of Tarsus, behold, now he prayeth! Oh, that he may now prove a faithful servant of God, until the coming of the Lord. This was a meeting that we shall long remember. The next day we had a free time on the subject of the new birth.
On Monday, we received Testimony No. 11, for which we praised the Lord. We then protracted the meeting for one week, visiting from house to house, and preaching evenings. The greater part of our labor here was upon the subject of Health Reform as connected with the third angel's message, and was well received by all. The reformed dress is well received, and nearly all are making haste to walk in the light. Near the close of our meetings, one more made a start to go with us.
On Sabbath morning I spoke from Eph. vi, 4: “Fathers provoke not your children to wrath, but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” It was wonderful to see what an interest the little children manifested as we addressed about one half of our sermon to them. Brethren in the ministry, I am fully satisfied that we manifest too little interest in the children. The Lord helping, I will reform in this respect. Says the Saviour, “Feed my lambs.”
On first-day morning, I spoke from Titus iii, 8: “This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God may be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.” After showing that the establishing of the Western Health Reform Institute at Battle Creek was reckoned among these good works, the Lord backing it all up with the Testimony to the Church, fourteen shares were taken in the Institute.
In the evening we spoke from John xii, 35: “Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you; for he that walketh in darkness, knoweth not whither he goeth.” As we contrasted the condition of the Jewish people at that time with that of the people near the coming of the Lord, or the remnant to whom the Lord is now speaking by the gift of prophecy, and realized, in some measure, the great work that is before us, and the shortness of time in which to accomplish it, also the dreadful woe pronounced upon the servant of God who fails to give a portion of meat in due season, I felt that the Lord opened my mouth anew in this blessed cause, which I love more than anything else in this world. The church all seemed to realize the importance of immediate action in the great work before them (that is, soul work) in order to keep pace with the light as it shines upon us. May the Lord help them and all others of like precious faith, to walk in the light, is my prayer.
ISAAC SANBORN.
Elk Horn Grove, March, 5, 1867.
QUARTERLY MEETING AT PINE ISLAND.
By H. F. PHELPS
By request of Bro. Ingraham I send the following report of the Quarterly Meeting at Pine Island.
It was thought advisable to change the place of meeting from Orinoco to this place. Meetings commenced with the Sabbath and increased in interest till the close. Bro. Pierce and Ingraham were present. At the first meeting we listened to a discourse from Bro. Pierce, on love, from the following words. “Love worketh no ill to his neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” Rom. xiii, 10. It would, perhaps, consume too much time to notice all the points of interest in this and the following discourses; hence we pass on.
Sabbath, at nine o’clock, we met for a prayer-meeting. The attendance was good, but there was not so much freedom as is sometimes manifested. Bro. Ingraham then took up the subject of the gifts, which we believe was a subject chosen in the right time and place. The presentation of the truth here last summer by Bro. I., was the means of removing a great deal of prejudice from the minds of some; still “the visions,” and “that prophet,” stood in the way; but we believe that the eyes of some were measurably opened to see that these things were to continue “till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.”
In the afternoon, Bro. Pierce gave us some Bible rules whereby we may detect false prophets, and also decide which are the true ones. See Deut. xviii; Matt. vii, 15, 16. He also showed that holy men lamented when these gifts failed, Psa. lxxiv, 9; Lam. ii, 9; 1 Sam. iii, 1; and that a time is coming when all shall lament, “for they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it.” Amos viii, 11—14. It is not that there will be no Bibles that they will lament, No! for every house may contain one; every family may have one or more; but this famine will be “of hearing the words of the Lord.” There will be no prophet then; no preacher; no one to expound the word of the Lord, for the door of mercy will then be closed. No more opportunity for sinners. Oh! that we may be on the Lord’s side in that day.
Sunday, at 9 A. M., a business meeting was held, which was harmonious. The great lack here, and I fear it is generally so throughout this State, is in coming up on their s. B. pledges. And here we would as an example, give the cases of two brethren, not that we would praise any one when they have only done right, but when we see any one coming up and acting from principle, we would that others would do likewise. One brother, whose property has been down at $400.00, raised it to $950.00, for he did not wish to be another Ananias. Another brother, who had said, “Put mine down at $800.00,” after thinking the matter over a little, remarked, “There is no sacrifice about it. We only give one tenth of the increase, while the principal is still increasing.” He then raised his figures $250.00 more. Oh, that all would take heed to the testimony of Bro. White upon this subject.
Bro. I. then spoke upon the 2300 days, giving the reason of the disappointment of the Advent people in 1844. He showed that it was in the event, and not in the time, that they were mistaken. The time was right, but they thought the earth, or some part of it was the sanctuary, hence their mistake.
In the afternoon he took up the subject of the sanctuary, showing clearly from Bible evidence what the sanctuary is, what the cleansing of it is, and also that the last great work of our great High Priest is now being accomplished, and soon will be ended. Then it will be said, “He which is filthy, let him be filthy still,” “and he that is holy, let him be holy still.”
As to how much good these meetings will effect, the future alone can tell; but there was an interest and a spirit manifested so different from anything we have heretofore seen here, that we are confident that if these efforts could be followed up, a great amount of good could be accomplished. But we believe the Lord is able to work, and that he is at work upon the hearts of the people. But when will there be more laborers? Brethren, let us pray as Christ taught his disciples, that the Lord of the harvest would send forth more laborers, for the fields are already white unto the harvest. Let us pray in faith, and may we not expect a speedy answer? Thousands are waiting to receive the truth, and many perishing for the want of it. Will not the brethren who fail to come up on their s. B., thus crippling those already in the field by compelling them to labor with their hands for the support of their families, be in a great measure responsible, and unless they speedily repent, at last be found with the blood of souls upon their garments?
H. F. PHELPS.
BEAUTIFUL EXTRACT.
By Dr. Duff
Come, O Almighty Saviour!—in the infinite sympathies of thy boundless compassion. Come, O Almighty Spirit of all grace!—in the plenitude and overflow of thy soul-reviving and comforting influence. And may the blighting of once fondly cherished hopes, and the consequent prostrations of all high thoughts and lofty imaginations, be in this and all other lands, the discipline and the preparation for that night of storm, which is now so ominously brooding over the nations. And when the gloom is thickest, and the tempest of human passion loudest, and the rage of Satan, who cometh down in great wrath, fiercest,—may we have faith to discern in these the signs and presages of that hallowed morn which shall chase away the long dark night of ages,—the heralds and precursors of the speedy approach of Him, whose “coming like the morn shall be, like morning songs his voice.” Then, then,—amid the dawnings of millennial glory, and the jubilee of a once fallen but now renovated universe,—shall we find fresh emphasis in words of inspiration,—that “the hope of the righteous shall be gladness; but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.”—Dr. Duff, India.
MAKING EXCUSES.
By Ellet Joseph Waggoner
As remarked in a previous article, many excuses take the form of reasons in the minds of those who offer them; but as they do not rest on any good reason, those who offer them must be deceived as to their real nature. We cannot suppose that in all these cases there is an intention to evade the truth. In charity, then, we ought to endeavor to expose the deception.
It has been urged that, “in this climate, and especially in the winter, we need to eat meat to keep up a supply of animal heat.” To prove this, it is argued that in the extreme northern latitudes the inhabitants subsist entirely on flesh and fat. Let us notice a few facts on this point.
1. In the same latitudes and countries referred to, the reindeer will keep up sufficient animal heat to endure the severest cold, and perform the hardest labor; traveling 70 or 80 miles a day and drawing a burden, with no more stimulating or heating food than mosses and the twigs of trees. This proves that a degree of “animal heat” consistent with health, strength, and activity, may be generated on the simplest and coarsest vegetable diet. We have the same illustrated daily before our eyes in the cases of our horses which perform great labor in cold weather on uncooked grain and grass.
2. The inhabitants of Pitcairn’s Island, who seldom taste of meat, though in a warm climate, ’tis true, have fully established the fact that great strength and power of endurance may be obtained on a very plain diet.
3. A brother, who has spent much of his life on the ocean, told me that while his ship was lying some time at Cronstadt, there and at St. Petersburg he had an opportunity of learning the habits and diet of the Russian sailors. He said their ships were provisioned principally with brown bread, and that they told him they seldom tasted meat. Yet they were as hardy as any sailors he ever saw.
4. The inhabitants of the Highlands of Scotland, though living in a climate much colder than that of the Lowlands, seldom taste meat, living mostly on oatmeal; yet they are generally strong and healthy. See article in Reformer No. 7.
5. The opposite of the above plea has proved true by the experience of many individuals throughout the country, who have discarded meat, and who have found their strength increased and their health improved by the change. Of course the change must be made voluntarily, for people will reduce themselves and destroy their health by fretting and repining even though they have everything they can desire.
But let us look awhile at the argument as adduced in favor of meat-eating. The Esquimaux, some living as far north as lat. 70°, live on the fattest meat, and on that only. Can they raise grains and fruits there as we can here? They cannot. Has anybody ever been known to try the experiment of living there on fruits and good, healthy bread? They have not. Have we, then, any means of ascertaining that they are healthier and hardier living on fat meat than they would be living in a different manner? We have not. If they live on the best they can get, we can find no fault with them; here we can get better. The truth on this subject can only be fully learned by comparison; but the contrast has never been fully presented there; here it has; and experiment proves that the simpler diet is the better. Thus the supposed argument is shown to be no argument at all.
But more should be said on this subject. It cannot be too strongly impressed on the mind that it has a moral bearing; and it would seem better if the advocates of meat-eating could present higher specimens of humanity than those referred to. I remember reading a sketch of their habits by a traveler, who said he saw one awake from sleep in his hut, and who, without rising, took a living fowl which was within reach, and plucking off its head and feathers, devoured it raw, and then turned over to sleep again; and it is well known that their children will eat a piece of tallow candle with as much avidity and relish as ours will a ripe peach! This cannot be attributed to the necessities of the climate, but to habit and training; for practices equally filthy and disgusting are found amongst savages in warm climates. The natives of Australia, in a climate warmer than that of the Southern States, live on raw flesh, and will eat rancid grease as readily as the Esquimaux. Why do not our friends sometimes refer to them? It would help them to an argument in favor of a meat diet in summer.
It is easily demonstrated that by such a diet the disposition is perverted and depraved, and the lower passions stimulated. This should be a sufficient reason for adopting a plain diet with every one professing Christianity, and especially with those who are looking and preparing for the coming of the Lord. That this effect is produced, we may see by observing the habits and dispositions of various animals. All animals are fierce and blood-thirsty that live on animal food, without regard to climate; while those which live on vegetables are comparatively mild and harmless. And this view is greatly strengthened by the fact that the disposition of any animal may be changed where a change of food can be effected. Raise a dog on brown bread (he cannot be raised on white bread without other food), and he will be mild and playful. Transfer him to a butcher’s shop where he will be fed only on meat, and he soon becomes fierce and cruel. The Saviour likened his disciples to sheep; but give them a meat diet exclusively, and they would be better represented by tigers. It must be evident to every one that the prevailing hindrance to our overcoming, and developing to a high standard of Christianity, is impatience, irritability, fretfulness, or ill-temper. Says the angel (Rev. xiv, 12), “Here is the patience of the saints;” and we are hoping to see it; but it does not yet appear to any great extent. Nor do I think we shall be gratified with the sight till the reform in diet is more fully appreciated, and more fully carried out.
The truth is, brethren and sisters, we are generating too much animal heat. What we want now is coolness, moderation, patience. The race is greatly degenerated; our moral powers are weak, and our passions are strong. But the right is spreading, and it is too late to offer excuses. I have been led to pity some who argue in favor of flesh-food, yet complain that they find great difficulty in subduing self; in controlling their passions and tempers.
The same plea used to be urged in favor of ardent spirits; and no one denies that they will produce that effect, firing up the system, and causing the blood to flow with great celerity, but at a great expense of physical and moral power. I feel assured that all true Christian Reformers will yet come to look upon the two causes as being much alike in their natures, and the effects certain and unavoidable. And parents will yet learn that it is as inconsistent to feed vile passions into their children with their food, and then try to teach, pray, or whip them out of them, as it would be to fill their stomachs with whiskey and then whip them for being intoxicated. The great majority among us are but just learning the virtue, the necessity, or the principles of this reform. Lord, speed on the light.
J. H. WAGGONER.
Wright, Mich., March, 1867.
D. T. BOURDEAU
By D. T. BOURDEAU
TESTIMONY NO. 11.
THIS testimony for the church has come to hand. I have perused it with care and great interest, and feel to thank God for the rich instructions it contains. How consistent and free from extremes is that portion which relates to dress. While it protests against slackness, it encourages that neatness, plainness, taste and modesty in dress which are in consonance with common sense, sound reason, and Holy Writ, and which must in time be exemplified by all our good sisters in the message. Some, owing to their extreme caution, and, perhaps, pride, will be in danger of moving too slow in adopting the mode of dress recommended, while others, through a great anxiety of doing right, with a lack of caution, will be liable to more rashly, go to extremes, and thus hinder the cause which they are so desirous of advancing. Those who have seen what is held out as the “American Costume,” can readily discover the wide difference between it and the mode of dress here recommended:—the one being a palpable violation of the prohibition, “The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man,” &c., Deut. xxii, 5, while the other makes that distinction between the sexes which modesty, reason, and the word of God require, and secures all the advantages which can reasonably be expected and derived from dress.
The remarks concerning “Our Ministers,” their lack of devotion and consecration, their worldly-mindedness, as well as that of the people, the Health Reform, and our duty to come up to it more fully in our practices as well as in our sacrifices to advance it not only among our people, but also among suffering humanity at large, are not less important and timely than those on dress. I have examined this part of the testimony with great solemnity, and I trust with some humility, trying my character by it; and I would cherish humble gratitude to God for his great love and condescension to us at this time, and mean by his grace to heed the instructions he has graciously given. Truly we are a highly-favored people to thus be noticed and instructed by the Lord. The Lord loves us; “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not.”
Thank the Lord, hereby we may know that we are the sons and daughters of the Most High. But we must improve by the corrections we receive at his hand, and not rebel and harden our hearts, lest he reject us for ever. Let us be zealous, repent and reform. This I mean to do. I do not feel above this testimony; for I do not yet claim to have attained to perfection, though I have made some efforts to walk in the light. Our work is close, searching and comprehensive, and the message to the Laodiceans will apply to us until we have fully overcome; for it is by this message that we are to be perfected. It is therefore not strange that close, cutting, practical truths should be brought to bear upon us from time to time. Yet it is by no means necessary that that part of the message which describes the people of God as being lukewarm, blind, and destitute of the holy unction, should apply to us until we have fully overcome. It is our privilege to be zealous in overcoming, to see ourselves, our true condition, as far as it will be for our good, and enjoy the Spirit's aid on our way to perfection.
How plain is it that the testimony before us bears the stamp of genuineness. If it came to us recommending a mode of dress that was immodest, extravagant, unreasonable and unscriptural, encouraging in ministers and people indifference, worldly-mindedness, love of gain, telling ministers to have separate interests, and blunting the truth to not hit favorite preachers, encouraging the brethren to run after every new patent, and invest their means in unprofitable enterprises, to be stingy and mean in their deal with one another, and with unbelievers, and to praise preachers to their faces to ruin them, to disregard the laws of their beings as exemplified and recommended by the Health Reform, and make no sacrifices to have them vindicated for the benefit of suffering humanity, then should we be justified in pronouncing it spurious, and unworthy of our notice and confidence. But, as its work and tendency are exactly opposed to the work above described, we feel compelled to receive it as genuine, and as agreeing, in its nature, with the Testimonies to the Church which have preceded it, and have, in harmony with, and through the word of God, been a mighty means of raising Seventh-day Adventists to their present state of unity and consecration.
D. T. BOURDEAU
In Adversity
In adversity,
The mind grows tough by buffeting the tempest:
But in success dissolving, sinks to ease,
And loses all her firmness.—Rowe.