Review and Herald, Vol. 32, No. 23.
OUR FAITH AND HOPE; Or, Reasons Why We Believe as We DoPage 1
Earlier text: OUR FAITH AND HOPE; Or, Reasons Why We Believe as We DoTHE ORDER OF EVENTS IN THE JUDGMENT.
God the Father is in his own right the Supreme Judge of men and of angels. He purposes to bring all mankind into Judgment. Yet this work is only done in part by himself in person. It is by Jesus Christ that God is to perform the larger part of this immense work. The following proposition is worthy of serious consideration: 1. God the Father opens the Judgment in person, then crowns his Son king, and commits the Judgment to him. Dan. vii, 9–14: “I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of Days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool; his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him; thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him; the Judgment was set, and the books were opened. I beheld then, because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake, I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame. As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away; yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time. I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of Man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.” The Ancient of Days represents God the Father. That one like the Son of Man, who comes to the Ancient of Days, is none other than our Lord Jesus Christ; Matt. xxvi, 64; Mark xiv, 61, 62. It is, therefore, not the Son, but the Father who sits in Judgment as described in this vision. Those who stand in his presence either to minister, or to wait, are not men, but angels. This is a very important fact. Every student of the Bible is aware that the book of Revelation is a wonderful counterpart to the book of Daniel. This very phraseology respecting those in the presence of the Ancient of Days, is made use of in the Revelation, and with the evident design of showing who are the persons intended by Daniel. Thus John says: “And I beheld, and I heard the voice of MANY ANGELS round about the throne, and the beasts, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands.” Rev. v, 11. Daniel describes the opening scene of the final Judgment. The Father presides as judge. The angels of God are present as ministers and witnesses. At this tribunal the Son of Man presents himself to receive the dominion of the world. Here he is crowned King of kings, and Lord of lords. But men are not present to witness this part of the Judgment, or to behold the coronation of Christ. It is the Father and the Son and the holy angels who compose this grand assembly. Our Lord cannot act as judge, so long as he ministers as high priest to make intercession for them that come to God through him. Heb. vii, 24, 25. Nor can he act as judge until he is clothed with kingly power; for it is by virtue of his authority as king that he pronounces the decision of the Judgment. Matt. xxv, 34, 40. The coronation of our Lord at the Judgment-seat of his Father marks the termination of his priesthood, and invests him with that sovereign authority by which he shall judge the world. 2. The Ancient of Days does not hold the session of the Judgment, described in Dan. vii, upon this earth. Those who think this session of Judgment by the Father is to transpire upon our earth, understand that the “ten thousand times ten thousand” who stand before him, are the vast multitude of the human family, standing at his bar for judgment. But as this vision represents the Son as coming to the Father when he is thus seated in Judgment, it follows that if the Father is already upon this earth judging its inhabitants when the Son of God comes the second time, then the Father does not send his Son to the earth, but he comes first, and then the Son comes and joins him. Yet Peter said of the Father concerning Christ’s second advent: “He shall send Jesus Christ.” Acts iii, 20. It would also follow that instead of the Son of Man coming to gather his saints from the four quarters of the earth, he comes to find all mankind gathered at his Father’s bar. But we do know that when the Saviour comes he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and shall gather his elect from the four winds; even from the uttermost parts of the earth. Matt. xxiv, 31; Mark xiii, 27; 2 Thess. ii, 1. But should this difficulty be avoided by adopting the truth that those who stand before the Ancient of Days are angels, as those certainly must be who minister unto him, it follows that our Lord in coming back to our earth thus preceded by his Father and the holy angels, comes unattended and alone. But this cannot be true; for when Jesus comes again it will be with all the holy angels. Matt. xxv, 31; xvi, 27; 2 Thess. i, 7, 8. Again, the Saviour is crowned king at the Judgment-seat of the Father. But that Judgment-seat cannot be upon our earth, else the Saviour would have to return to this earth to be crowned; whereas he receives his kingdom while absent, and returns as King of kings, sitting upon the throne of his glory. Luke xix, 11, 12, 15; Matt. xxv, 31; 2 Tim. iv, 1; Rev. xix, 11–16. It is certain, therefore, that the Judgment scene described in Dan. vii does not transpire upon our earth. Indeed, were it true that immediately preceding the descent of the Saviour to our earth, God the Father should himself descend in his own infinite majesty, and summon mankind to his bar, and enter into Judgment with them, the subsequent advent of Jesus would hardly be taken notice of at all by men. But such is not the truth in the case. Matt. xxiv, 29–31; xxv, 31, 32; Mark xiii, 26, 27; Luke xxi, 25–27, 36; 1 Thess. iv, 14–18; 2 Thess. i, 7–10. 3. The session of the Judgment by the Ancient of Days precedes the advent of Christ to our earth. When he comes the second time it is “in the glory of his Father.” Matt. xvi, 27; Mark viii, 38; Luke ix, 26; 2 Thess. i, 7, 8. But it is when the Father sits in Judgment that he gives this glory to his Son. Dan. vii, 14. Indeed, the very majesty of the Father as displayed at this tribunal, will attend the Son when he is revealed in flaming fire to take vengeance on his enemies. 2 Thess. i, 7–10; Ps. i, 3–6; Matt. xxiv, 30, 31; Matt. xxv, 31. We are certain, therefore, that the revelation of Christ in his infinite glory is subsequent to that tribunal at which that glory is given to him. On this occasion the Father is judge in person, and the Son presents himself to receive the kingdom. But when the Son of Man comes to our earth, having received the kingdom, he acts as judge himself. 2 Tim. iv, 1. But it is evident that our Lord’s work as judge is at a later point of time than that Judgment scene at which the Father presides. We are certain, therefore, that the tribunal of Dan. vii, 9–14, precedes the descent of our Lord from Heaven. 1 Thess. iv, 14–18. 4. The coming of the Son of Man to the Ancient of Days, is not the same event as his second advent to our world. This has been proved already in the examination of other points. Thus it has been shown from the coronation of Christ, that the second advent must be at a later time than the Saviour’s act of coming to his Father in Dan. vii, 13, 14, to receive the kingdom. Again, to make this the second advent, we must have God the Father and the host of his angels here upon our earth when the Saviour comes again. But this, as has been shown, involves the contradiction of the plainest facts. We cannot, therefore, doubt that the coming of Jesus to the Ancient of Days as he sits in Judgment, is an event preceding his second advent to our earth. 5. The coming of the Ancient of Days, in this vision of Daniel’s, is not to this world, but to the place of this Judgment scene. With regard to the place of this tribunal we will speak hereafter. We have already proved that this session of the Judgment precedes the second advent, and that it is not held upon our earth. This fact establishes the truthfulness of this proposition. 6. The destruction of the little horn does not take place at the time when the Ancient of Days sits in Judgment, but at a point still later when the Son of Man descends in flaming-fire. We have proved that when our Lord comes to this earth the second time, he comes as king, and must therefore come from the tribunal of his Father; for at that tribunal the kingdom is given to him. But the Man of Sin, or little horn, is destroyed by the brightness of Christ’s coming. 2 Thess. ii, 8; i, 7–10. Whence it follows that the destruction of the little horn is not at the Father’s Judgment-seat, but at the advent of his Son, at a still later point of time. But were it true that the Judgment scene of Dan. vii is opened by the personal revelation of God the Father to the inhabitants of our earth, we may be sure that there would be no Man of Sin left to be destroyed afterward by the brightness of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have already proved that the destruction of this wicked power is when Christ comes to our earth; and that he does not thus come till he has first attended in person this tribunal of his Father. And to this statement agree the words of verse 11: “I beheld THEN because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even TILL the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.” It appears that even while this grand tribunal was in session, the attention of the prophet was called by the Spirit of God to the great words which the horn was speaking. “I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake.” But Daniel does not represent his destruction as coming at once even then. He says: “I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.” The period of time covered by this “till” is thus filled up: The Son of God comes to his Father’s judgment-seat and receives the dominion, and the glory, and the kingdom; then descends to our earth in flaming fire, like that which comes forth from before his Father, and by the brightness of his advent destroys the little horn. 2 Thess. i; ii. It is when our Lord thus comes, that this wicked power is given to the burning flame. And this is really the very point marked in verses 21 and 22 for the termination of the war against the saints. “I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them: until the Ancient of Days came, and JUDGMENT WAS GIVEN TO THE SAINTS OF THE MOST HIGH, and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.” But, even while the Most High sits in Judgment to determine the cases of his saints, the little horn is, according to verse 11, uttering great words against God. When, however, the saints have passed the test of this examination, and are counted worthy of the kingdom of God, their Lord, being crowned king, returns to gather them to himself. It is at this very point of time, the advent of the Lord Jesus, that judgment is given to the saints of the Most High, as is proved by comparing 1 Cor. vi, 2, 3, with 1 Cor. iv, 5. And thus we have marked again the advent of Christ as the point of time for the destruction of this wicked power. 7. The destruction of the little horn is not the same event as the taking away of his dominion. Compare verses 11 and 26. The one follows after the sitting of the Ancient of Days in Judgment; but the other precedes it by a certain space of time. Yet, if we read181 the chapter without strict attention, we would be very likely to conclude that not the little horn alone, but each of the first three beasts had their dominion taken away at the Judgment. See verses 11, 12, 26. This, however, cannot be. For the dominion of the first beast was taken away by the second, though his life was spared; and so of each one to the last. But the little horn has a special dominion over the saints for “a time and times and the dividing of time,” or 1260 prophetic days (see verse 25; Rev. xii, 6, 14), which is taken away at the end of that period. There remains even then a space of time to “the end,” during which, his dominion is consumed and destroyed. He wars against the saints, however, and prevails until the judgment is given to the saints at the advent of Christ (1 Cor. iv, 5; vi, 2, 3; Rev. xx, 4), when he is given to the burning flames. Verse 11; 2 Thess. ii, 8. 8. The coronation of Christ at the Judgment-seat of the Father is the same event as the standing up of Michael. Compare Dan. vii, 13, 14; xii, 1. For Michael is Christ, and his standing up is his beginning to reign. Michael is the name borne by our Lord as the ruler of the angelic host. It signifies, “He who is like God.” See Dr. A. Clarke on Dan. x, 13, and Jude 9. This must be our Lord. See Heb. i, 3. He is called the archangel. Jude 9. This term signifies prince of angels, or chief of the angelic host. See Dr. A. Clarke on Jude 9; also Barnes’ notes on the same; also Watson’s Theological Dictionary. But this is the very office of our divine Lord. Heb. i. Michael is the great prince that standeth for the children of God. Also he is called our prince. See Dan. x, 21; xii, 1. But this can be no other than Christ. Acts v, 31. The standing up of Michael is his assumption of kingly power. See the use of this term in Dan. xi, 2, 3, 4, 7, 20, 21. But it is Jesus who takes the throne of the kingdom, and not an angel. Dan. vii, 13, 14; Ps. ii, 6–12. Our Lord receives his dominion at his Father’s judgment-seat. Dan. vii. A great time of trouble follows, at which Christ delivers every one found written in the book. This is a plain reference to the examination of the books shown in the previous vision. Compare Dan. xii, 1; vii, 9, 10. This shows that the judgment scene, of Dan. vii, relates to the righteous, and that it precedes their final deliverance at the advent of Christ. The thrones of Dan. vii, 9, will be noticed hereafter. THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS OF EUROPE.
By Editor
The readers of the REVIEW have some knowledge of the fact that there are in Europe some fifty Sabbath-keepers who are also waiting for the revelation of the Son of God in the clouds of heaven. These are principally found in the Cantons of Switzerland, though a few reside elsewhere. We have reason to believe that these brethren and sisters are persons of real piety and moral worth. They are manifestly people of intelligence, who are able to give the reasons for their faith and hope. We cannot take any credit to ourselves for being instrumental in raising up this company of commandment-keepers. Eld. M. B. Czechowski, a Seventh-day Adventist minister, a native of Poland in Europe, and formerly a Roman Catholic priest, went to Europe several years since, under the auspices of the various bodies of first-day Adventists. His sympathy was somewhat withdrawn from the S. D. Advent people in consequence of some unfortunate circumstances which arose some little time before his departure to Europe. The most of the trouble was caused by mutual misunderstanding. We have no severe censure to place on Eld. C., nor do we wholly exonerate ourselves from blame. We should have taken greater pains to explain things that were misunderstood by him, and should have had greater interest in this noble-hearted man. Yet we were not wholly without reason for being perplexed at his course of action, and for finally leaving him to do whatever he pleased, without attempting to influence him. Eld. M. B. C. felt deeply for Europe. We do not doubt that the Spirit of God was impressing his mind. But as he found that we were not ready to send him to the Old World so soon as he thought it duty to go (for we thought the time had not come for him to do this), he sought aid from the first-day Adventists. This was extended to him by them, and by their aid he went to Europe. In sympathy, he was with them; in doctrine, he was mainly with the Seventh-day Adventists. But we supposed that he had given up the observance of the seventh day. It was, therefore, much to our surprise that we learned, some two or three years since, that Eld. C. was not only adhering to the Sabbath himself, but that he had raised up a body of Sabbath-keepers in Switzerland. About two years ago these brethren opened communication with us by letter. The last spring we invited Bro. Albert Vuilleumier, elder of the church, to attend our General Conference, pledging ourselves to meet the expense. As he could not come, the Swiss brethren made choice of Bro. James Ertzenberger to come in his stead. He arrived at Battle Creek June 15. He was able to converse fluently in German and in French, but wholly unable to speak English. We have become very deeply interested in this dear brother. He has given the best of evidence that he is a man of God. He has attended all our camp-meetings west of the State of New York, and thus many have had an opportunity to form some acquaintance with him. We are certain that he will ever be held in affectionate remembrance by all who have become acquainted with him. He has made great progress in learning the English language. It seemed very necessary that he should remain in this country long enough for this, that he might prepare himself to translate our works into German and French. We regard the circumstances of this case as a wonderful call to us from the Providence of God to send the present truth to Europe. We cannot refrain from acknowledging our backwardness in this work. But it is in our power to redeem the past, by discharging our duty for time to come. We learn that the office of publication established by Eld. M. B. C., in Switzerland, or, more properly speaking, the building which he erected on a lot of land purchased by him near Lake Neuchatel, is mortgaged for nearly all it is worth. This must be paid up, or the property will pass into the hands of worldly men, the first of next January. Eld. C., from financial embarrassment, has suspended the publication of his paper, and is in Hungary. His family are still occupying a part of this building. We think this property, which serves as printing office, chapel, and dwelling-house for Eld. C.'s family, should not be lost. We have had no hand in raising the means which purchased it; but as it is mortgaged for very nearly its full value, and is, we suppose, certain to be lost if we do not redeem it, we think we may, under these circumstances, honorably take hold of the matter. We do not wish to take what does not belong to us; but if we can clear this office from debt, so that the Swiss brethren can own it themselves, it seems very important to do so. As it will cost very nearly its full value to do it, we do not see that others can complain of us in so doing, especially as they do not see fit to engage in this redemption themselves. Here, then, is the need of some $1500 or $2000 in gold. And we have one other matter of this kind to set before our people. Bro. A. Vuilleumier, and his brother Edward, are watchmakers of high repute for the excellence of their work. In consequence of the recent failure of a bank in England, they have met with such heavy losses as to involve all their property, and that of some other of the Swiss brethren who were bondsmen for them. In this time of pecuniary distress, they ask us to aid them in the following manner. They do not wish anything as a donation. But they ask us to advance them means, and let them have time to pay in their excellent watches. We think they should have help. Those who are willing thus to aid these worthy brethren, may send means to this Office, and we will take care to forward the same, and also to have the watches sent to this Office. We are happy to present, in the Conference Department, a brief communication from Bro. Ertzenberger. It will be seen that he has made much progress in learning our language. We hope that Bro. E. may speak to us often through the REVIEW. Book and Tract Department.
By Editor
Cast thy bread upon the waters; for thou shalt find it after many days. EDITED BY ELD. JAMES WHITE. THE world is full of books. Many of them are worthless, and not a few are injurious upon the minds and morals of the readers. This is a reading age. The people will have books. The press is a mighty power to elevate or to sink. But good religious books are comparatively scarce. Books for the time, or those treating upon present truth and present duty, compared with the many books of our day, are as the drop of water to the ocean. Much is being done with books. The publications upon Spiritualism have found their way among all classes, and are doing their terrible work. Infidel books have ruined thousands. And should not Christians also be active in the circulation of good books? Seventh-day Adventists, above all others, should engage in the circulation of our publications with a will to work and to sacrifice. God is preparing the way before us. The people are ready, and many are anxious, to read our publications. The people must have books. Who will unite with us in saying, By the grace of God, the people shall have our publications? They should be circulated judiciously. It is no use to cast pearls before swine. From our publishing house we can survey the entire field, and are best prepared to control, in a great degree, the matter of book circulation. Our preachers are situated to do the work next best. Then next come the rank and file of the churches everywhere. They can purchase at lowest figures, and circulate as they please. We do not invite those who have not sufficient interest in the circulation of our publications to purchase them, even if they have to earn the money to pay for them by labor, to assist in the work of circulation. None such need to ask for tracts. Let those who have money to spare, or energy to earn it, engage in this work. The Lord's poor can have books for their own reading, free. And when the Lord calls them to circulate our publications, he will give them money to purchase them. We call upon those who have the Lord's money, to donate to the tract fund liberally, and, also to purchase largely to circulate themselves to those who will candidly read. Our churches, especially in villages and cities should form missionary societies, and engage in searching out the sincere, and furnishing them with our publications. There is work enough to do. Oh! for a heart to engage in it cheerfully, and pursue it fervently and patiently. The Advent-Christian Times for Nov. 16, 1869, says: “Last week brought us an order from a brother in a Western State to print for him one thousand copies of Adventism, which he wished to put into circulation in the section where he resides. This looks like earnest work. Such liberal sowing must result in some fruit to life eternal.”
“One brother a few months since ordered 20,000 tracts for circulation in Chicago. The Missionary Society there have also circulated 20,000 of one tract, besides others. And for a brother in New York we printed 20,000 copies of the same. We want more such men, who will ‘sow beside all waters.’”
That is what we want. And we believe God will raise up brethren and sisters in all parts of the field who will delight in this work of sacrifice. The express brought us a neat little box the other day, charges prepaid. We opened and found lying beneath the following note, twelve dollars in five-cent pieces. “Bro. White: Inclosed in this box, which I express to you at this date, please find twelve dollars.
“This money I received of the brethren and sisters of the Clyde church, and at the Clinton Junction Camp-meeting. It has been given me, mostly in five-cent pieces, with the understanding that I should forward it to you, to aid you in the good work of distributing books; in other words, to be appropriated to the Tract Fund. G. W. COLCORD.
“Coleta, Ill., Nov. 17, 1869.”
Bro. M. B. Cyphers, formerly of Skowhegan, Me.,182 now of Greenville, Mich., wishing to express his gratitude to God for health and worldly prosperity, does, as well as says: “Inclosed, please find money order for fifteen dollars, as a thank offering to the Lord, to be used as you and Bro. Andrews may think will best glorify God.”
The receipts for the book-fund during the last week have been $87.95. The value of the books given the week past is $24.89. Brethren, let this good work move forward. R. F. COTTRELL
By Roswell F. Cottrell
THE CLOSING MESSAGES.—NO. 16.
The second evidence that a moral fall has come upon the nominal churches of our land and the world, which we will mention, following the great advent proclamation of 1844, is the advent of what is called spirit manifestations; which we might denominate, (considering the great number possessed of foul spirits in the days of the first advent of Christ,) the second advent of the devil and his angels. The first of these modern spirit-rappings were heard in 1847; just after the public mind had been called to examine the evidences of the second coming of Christ at hand. We shall not investigate the grand doctrine of Spiritualism, in these papers, in order to show its falsity in the light of the Bible, but will simply say that it is self-evident to every thoughtful believer in the Scriptures, that Spiritualism is a monstrous evil; because it has made and developed an astonishing amount of infidelity in the churches, as well as in the world. Its progress has been unprecedented and unparalleled by any movement affecting the faith or the infidelity of the people, since the world began. In the short space of a score of years its converts are numbered by millions; and all these are infidels, rejecting the great truths revealed in the Bible. Such a tremendous evil could not suddenly burst upon our world, but by God's permissive providence; and his providence would not permit it without a cause. That cause must be departure from God and rejection of his truth. It must be “because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” “And for this cause,” we read, “God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie; that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” Now what great truth had been before the people, and had been rejected by the mass of the churches professing Christianity, just before the strong delusion of Spiritualism burst forth like a flood of pent-up waters, carrying away thousands upon thousands of professed Christians into open infidelity? It was the thrilling truth, made indisputably clear from the prophecies of the Scriptures, that the second advent of Jesus Christ was at hand. Light on the prophecies was increasing. Prophecies fulfilled and fulfilling gave overwhelming testimony to the truth of divine revelation, so that the evidences of the truth of the Bible were stronger than ever before, when suddenly the greatest outburst of infidelity occurs right in the heart of Christendom—in the field of the greatest prophetic light and truth. What is the cause? Truth has been rejected. The churches rejected the clearly-expressed doctrine of the personal advent of Christ, and chose to have in its stead a spiritual coming and reign, something not taught in the Scriptures, and lo! the restraining influences of the Spirit of God are withdrawn, and the demon Spiritualism comes up, and, as if in mockery, seems to say, Behold the spiritual coming and reign which ye desired!—the millennium without Christ, which ye have chosen! And yet the churches which have laid the foundation and opened the way for Spiritualism, look, with a calmness amounting to indifference, at the rising tide of infidelity in their very midst, and, of the two, would prefer Spiritualism to Adventism. Now Adventism is what the Bible expressly and plainly teaches, and Spiritualism is the greatest infidel raid against that holy book that was ever put in motion. And the fact that God has permitted this strong delusion to come upon the churches and they are destitute of armor to oppose it, nay, are in every respect well prepared to receive it, is a sad evidence of their fallen condition morally, and goes to show that the proclamation of the fall of Babylon in 1844, just before the rise of Spiritualism, was from Heaven and not of men. The churches professing Christianity have so far departed from the faith, “giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils,” and in addition to this, have rejected the increasing light upon the prophecies, which is increasing evidence of the truth of revelation, that God has given them over to the strong delusion of the devil, and infidelity is sweeping them away as a flood. But God has a chosen remnant there, as in the days of Elijah the prophet, that have not bowed the knee to the power of apostasy, and a voice from him will yet call them forth and thus save them from the awful doom that is coming upon Babylon. 1 Kings xix, 9-18; Rom. xi, 2-5; Rev. xviii, 4. MAINE STATE CONFERENCE.
By L. L. Howard; Charles Stratton
The third annual session of the Maine Conference of Seventh-day Adventists was held at Norridgewock, Oct. 7, 1869. The meeting was called to order by the President, and prayer offered; after which the Conference elected a Secretary pro tem. It was then voted that Elders J. H. Waggoner and M. E. Cornell be invited to participate in the business of this Conference. Voted, That all brethren present, who are in good standing with their respective churches, be invited to take part in the discussion of business. Minutes of the last annual meeting were then read by the Secretary. Ministers and Licentiates belonging to the Conference present, were, Brn. L. L. Howard, J. B. Goodrich, Chas. Stratton, Abram Barnes, W. W. Putnam, and W. H. Blaisdell. Credentials and reports of delegates were then called for and read before the Conference, showing the following churches to be represented: Topsham, Norridgewock, Woodstock, Athens, Cornville, Canaan, Hartland, China, Portland, Falmouth, and North Jay. Brn. J. H. Waggoner, J. B. Goodrich, and M. E. Cornell were then made choice of by the Conference to act as a Committee on Nomination. Voted, That the Chair be empowered to appoint an Auditing Committee of six lay members, to assist in settling with ministers. The following brethren were then appointed: Isaac Fellows, Wm. Morton, Henry Atwood, Snow Halsburg, Stockbridge Howland, and Joseph Carlton. Adjourned to the call of the Chair. Prayer by J. B. Goodrich. The Committee on Nomination presented the names of the following brethren, who were unanimously elected as officers of the Conference for the ensuing year: Geo. W. Barker, President; Wm. H. Blaisdell, Secretary; Wm. J. Haynes, Treasurer; Asa B. Atwood and J. C. Choate to act with the President as Executive Committee. J. H. Waggoner, J. B. Goodrich, and M. E. Cornell, were appointed a Committee on Resolutions. The church in North Jay was received into the Conference. The Auditing Committee then brought in their report. The reports of the Secretary and Treasurer were then called for, which showed the standing of the Conference as follows: number of churches, 12; number of church members added during the year, 29; number of losses, 12; gained, 17; present number, 247; and 27 have commenced to keep the Sabbath, not united with the church. Amount of S. B. pledged to the Conference, $1030.83. Paid out to ministers, $824.05. Paid for Blanks, Postage, &c., $10.94. Balance due, $195.84. The following resolutions were unanimously adopted: Resolved, That we are in favor of the organization of a New England Conference; and we hereby authorize our Executive Committee to report us in any convention that may be called for that purpose, and to merge this Conference into such N. E. Conference when it is organized. Resolved, That we believe it to be our duty to confess before God our inconsistency in acknowledging the Testimonies to the Church, and neglecting them in our lives; and especially in regard to the health reform; and we earnestly request all of our brethren and sisters to make this a matter of conscience, and so act as to turn away the frown of God from his people, and take away the reproach which rests upon his cause in consequence of our professing a truth which we disregard in practice. Resolved, That we also acknowledge our great wrong in disregarding the instructions of the Testimonies on the subject of purity of life and thought, and the warning given of the dangers surrounding us by reason of the licentious tendencies of the age; and we will try to humble ourselves with those who have been more immediately afflicted with the development of this evil in their midst. And we humbly ask God to give us grace to realize and feel our responsibilities as husbands and wives, and especially as parents, to guard our children from the snares which the enemy is laying for their destruction. Voted, That W. J. Haynes adjust the accounts of the Conference. Voted, That the proceedings of this Conference be forwarded to the REVIEW AND HERALD for publication. CHARLES STRATTON, Secretary pro tem. REPORT FROM BRO. CANRIGHT.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
My last report was from Richland, about four weeks ago. From there I went to Sigourney, and labored two weeks to set things in order. Partially organized. Fifteen joined at the time. Others will come in soon. Baptized four. Tobacco, I believe, has been entirely abandoned by all here. Since the Conference, we have organized s. B. amounting to $198.00. I see no reason now why this little company should not prosper. There is as good interest outside as ever. We have a good attendance at our public meetings, and have many warm friends whom we yet hope for. The camp-meeting was a very pleasant and, I think, profitable season to me. I felt new courage and zeal to labor on, hoping for the end soon. We deeply sympathize with the worn servants of God in their hard labors and many trials. My most earnest desire was and is, that we may have faith and courage to hold out to the end. Satan is not dead yet, nor is the battle won. From the camp-meeting I returned to Sigourney, and held a four days’ debate with Eld. W. G. Springer, Disciple, the one whom Snook reviewed. Eld. Higgins, lately from Ohio, was with him to assist, and Eld. Cornell of Brighton to post him on my position; also, about a dozen other ministers. The Sabbath was the question. Eld. S. made many admissions fatal to his theory, which his friends do not admit. He admitted, 1. That the seventh day was set apart to a holy use in Eden; 2. That it was a memorial of creation; 3. That there were two laws in the Old Testament; 4. That the ten commandments was a law by itself; 5. That it was perpetual in a certain sense; 6. That it was established by faith. It was amusing indeed to see him try to show that we were not obliged to obey a law that was established and perpetual! Matt. v, was a terrible thorn to him, on which he took a different position at almost every speech. Rom. iii, 31, he first said applied to the law of Christ. This was so manifestly false that he turned square around and said it was the ten commandments! He dreaded this chapter very much, as well he might. His main argument he founded on Acts xv and 2 Cor. iii. These of course were easily met. His efforts for the first-day Sabbath, or “Lord’s day,” as he called it, were simply amusing, the old story poorly told. When out of everything else to say, he attempted to introduce the visions, but was stopped by the moderators, of whom we had a good board. This hurt him much. Eld. S.’s forte was, not in strong or sound arguments, but in turning everything into ridicule, and in getting up a laugh. But this did not avail him, and, so far as I could learn, all admitted that he utterly failed to meet my positions. We think the impression will be good on the people. Sabbath after the debate, I enjoyed a very happy season with the friends there. The Lord met with us183 and encouraged our hearts. Oct. 17, I came to Monroe by earnest invitation to see about giving a course of lectures. Think it is a good opening. Have to wait till next week for a hall to be prepared. Came to Knoxville, 16 miles, to spend the Sabbath. Am feeling quite well once more. My address will now be Monroe, Iowa. Since the above was in type we have received the following in addition from Bro. C: I have been here about three weeks. Everything has been very quiet. The ministers say nothing publicly. They stay away and keep all away they can. Few or no stories have been circulated about us here as is usual. In short, I have had a very quiet time. The weather has been bad for the past week or more, so that with other things my congregation has not been large—about sixty usually. On account of failure of wheat, &c., every body feels very poor here this winter; hence I do not sell many books, nor get many names for the REVIEW. But I think a good, encouraging work will be done here. Yesterday we had our first Sabbath meeting. Several good testimonies were borne to the truth, and by a rising vote twenty-five decided in favor of the truth. We hope for a few more yet. Shall remain here some time yet, and open a field near by if possible. Evidently God is blessing the efforts of the friends here in circulating tracts before I came. Bro. Johnson, who was fifteen years a Methodist class-leader, and a prominent member of that church, has come out heartily on the whole truth. Others here also are well-informed, stable citizens. We also have good, encouraging news from the little company at Sigourney. We feel of good courage in the Lord and his truth. Monroe, Iowa, Nov. 21, 1869.