Brethren: With feelings of my unworthiness, and liability to run into the devices of the enemy of all good, I send to you the following confession. And although mere words cannot heal wounds that have been inflicted; yet I hope that by actions in the future I may cause the injuries inflicted to be healed.
On the 16th of May, 1865, I visited your place to attend the General Conference, with my mind poisoned to a considerable extent against you, and hence I was on the lookout to see if I could not find something by which I might have the wherewith to reproach you.
After the Conference, my mind being still more poisoned, when I arrived home I began to circulate impressions of what I had seen in Battle Creek, among my brethren in Iowa, such as that the church was getting proud, and fashionable, and were not following out the testimonies. I saw individuals with fashionable hats and bonnets, and artificials in them, but did not stop to inquire whether they were of Battle Creek or not, but in my state of mind conveyed the idea that they were all of your place. Since I have come into a position where I could stop and reflect and investigate, I am satisfied that said insinuations and reflections were wrong, and that I have by my influence placed you in a false position before the brethren of Iowa.
Brethren, I have been deeply under the influence of Satan, and in this condition, I have done you a great wrong and wounded the cause severely, and while you were so kind in taking care of me and providing for all my wants, I was preparing to inflict wounds upon you.
Oh may God in mercy pity and forgive me that great wrong. Of all wrongs committed none are more flagrant than mercies abused. Oh how could I do so! Yet I did it, I did it!
In order that I may place you in your true position before the brethren let me say that I was in the wrong, and not you. I think I can to-day survey the critical position I was in. And although I have acted so cruelly and altogether unwarranted toward you, and while I would not extenuate myself, yet permit me to say that I was poisoned in my mind toward you and blinded by prejudice. Yet I ought not to have been in such a position. I should not have given place to the enemy.
And now may I hope that when you see in me a consistent course of conduct, and that I am trying to make amends for my faults, I may hope for your forgiveness, and to be restored again to your confidence. I will try to find out my place in the message, and struggle more earnestly to live out the truth. And may the Lord forgive me all my sins.
To Bro. and sister White I would say, I have also deeply wronged you, and caused you much anguish of heart and mind. I have listened to reports against you, and although while at Battle Creek enjoying your hospitalities, I had a good opportunity to talk with you about said reports, I waited until I came home, then began to spread them, thus alienating the minds of the brethren away from you. I did not stop to investigate them, and while you were far away I was trying to injure you. Oh, why did I do so! You had never harmed me in any way.
On the 30th of June I went to Pilot Grove to meet you and Bro. Loughborough, not as brethren, but as enemies; and while there trying to fight my own way through, you fully sustained your reputation as honest, consistent Christians under the third angel's message. Oh, I feel sad when I think how I have been working for the enemy. Can such wounds be healed! such stains be washed out! I am now fully satisfied that God is leading this people, and that the visit of Bro. and sister White, and Bro. Loughborough, was not only timely, but blessed of God, and under his guidance; and that great good has already resulted therefrom. I went there without any confidence in the testimonies of sister White, and also with doubts on our position in regard to the sanctuary. I would now say that my feet are taken out of the miry clay, and fixed upon the sure foundation of truth, the testimonies not excepted.
And here I freely confess to you, that I have not only deeply injured you, but also the cause of truth. Words alone are a poor balm for wounds. But if you can still regard me as a brother, though an erring one, I will try to adorn the truth I profess, with a godly walk and conversation in the future. And may the Lord forgive me my sins, and strengthen me in every good word and work.
To the brethren in Iowa I would say, My feet had well nigh slipped, and I was fast losing sight of the landmarks of truth. You that I have had an influence upon while in this state of darkness and doubt, I ask your forgiveness. And let me here say that my experience, though a sad one, has taught me that to doubt this truth, and the instrumentalities used to bring it out by the Lord, is to speedily lead one into the enemy's dark dominions, where he can be taken captive at his will. Oh, doubt not this truth. Fear not its ultimate results. Put not forth your hands to steady the ark, as I thought to do. And though angry waves may roll high, God will take care of this truth, and bless its upbuilders, and send confusion and weakness upon those who, like some people anciently, thought to stay the work of God. I shall try in the future to humbly follow on where the Lord may lead. Pray for me.
Yours hoping for eternal life.
W. H. BRINKERHOFF.
Lisbon, Iowa, July 12, 1865.
RESPONSE OF THE BATTLE CREEK CHURCH.
At a meeting of the church July 22, 1865, the following preamble and resolutions were adopted in reference to the foregoing communications from Brn. Snook and Brinkerhoff:
Whereas, At the late General Conference at Battle Creek, the utmost unanimity of sentiment seemed to prevail, no word being spoken by brethren from Iowa or elsewhere, that there was any cause of disagreement or occasion of trial, therefore
Resolved, That at the close of that meeting, as expressed in the report published in Review, we had no suspicion that there existed on the part of any one, the least want of harmony, or that any causes were at work calculated to bring disunion into the body.
Resolved, That under this state of things, we received with surprise and grief the news that Elders Snook and Brinkerhoff, immediately on their return to Iowa, set zealously to work spreading abroad false reports about us, of which they said nothing while here—reports calculated not only to prejudice the brethren and sisters against us as a church, but to inflict the infinitely deeper injury upon them of weakening their confidence in the precious cause of present truth.
Resolved, That we esteem above all the treasures of earth, the present truth, and that we shall endeavor, in the future as in the past, to live it out, not countenancing in dress or actions what we have any reason to believe is not in harmony with its pure principles, or in accordance with a spirit of true humility.
Resolved, That we unanimously invited the Conference to this place, and cheerfully took upon us its cares and labors, for the good of the cause, which such meetings are calculated to promote, and that we shall ever protest against any persons' going forth from our hospitality, rendered heartily and to the best of our ability, and received by them as cordial friends, to traduce and misrepresent us. But
Whereas, Brn. Snook and Brinkerhoff have seen the wrong which they have committed, and have sent us their confession, which seems to be ample and sincere, therefore,
Resolved, That we receive it as such, and cheerfully extend to them the hand of forgiveness, and when they have shown themselves by their future course, true to the principles of Christianity, we shall be happy to see them again in our midst.
Resolved, That we believe the recent visit of Bro. and sister White and Bro. Loughborough to Iowa was especially ordered of the Lord, and that we see in this thing evidence which we cannot doubt, that God's hand is still in the cause of present truth to guide and defend it. E. S. WALKER, Church Clerk.
Extracts from Letters.
Sister C. McNeil writes from Hinsdale, N. H. : I think it time for Christians to arise and trim their lamps that they may be ready when their Master appears. I desire to be perfected in all the Christian graces. I long to see the day when the church will be fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and when she will be clothed with salvation as with a garment. I believe the Lord is leading out a people and preparing them for translation when Jesus comes. I desire to be one of that number who are led and taught of God, and be able to escape the last great plagues that are coming on the earth.
The way begins to brighten. The last loud message will soon go forth. This world's rude strife will soon be ended and Christ will come again. Surely we may begin to lift up our heads and rejoice for our redemption draweth nigh. A little while, and all tears will be wiped away, and not one jarring note be heard through Heaven's wide domain.
Heaven is worth striving for. Though it costs us some self-denial, and some struggles here, they will soon be ended, and we in realms of light shall see our Saviour, and adore with infinite delight.
I am striving to keep all the commands and ordinances blameless, that I may have an abundant entrance into his everlasting kingdom.
Bro. A. Green writes from Gilsum, N. H. : We feel greatly to thank the Lord for the light of present truth which now appears to be shining brighter than ever. The people here are being stirred up on the question concerning the Sabbath, mortality, &c. We feel that the loud cry is soon to go forth. We want to yield our whole hearts to the Lord, act our part in this good work, go through with the remnant, and with them stand on Mount Zion.
Bro. C. L. Davis writes from Eddington, Me. : The caterpillar has been doing a destructive work in this part of the country this season. Hundreds of acres have been stripped of everything by these devouring animals. They marched in a track about three-fourths of a mile wide, and took every green thing before them except the white maple. Before them like the "garden of Eden," and behind them "a desolate wilderness." They do not turn out for water, nor houses. One woman said that she swept out a washbowl full when she would sweep her floor; and others said that they would scrape off a peck at a time from the outside of their houses.
"Lovest Thou Me?"
By D. T. Taylor
O brothers and sisters growing old,
Do you remember the time
When your soul was strong and your heart was bold,
And your love was in its prime?
When you scaled the mountain of God in prayer,
And you carried the victor's palm;
Till your praise rang out on the holy air,
And your life was one sweet psalm.
When every vision of earth seemed fled,
And grace did your being enthrall;
And passion and pride and sin were dead,
And the Saviour was all in all.
How the might of your loyal prayers prevailed
Till the dark one strove in vain :
And the King of Glory removed the vail,
And our Eden appeared again !
You said you would no more the Spirit grieve,
But keep the end in view;
You said you would never the Saviour leave,
And vowed to prove faithful and true.
Have you turned your back on the Crucified ?
Have you flung His cross at your feet?
Can you bear, with a heart all cold and dead,
That searching eye to meet?
Come back to the loving Lord once more,
Come home to His faithful arms;
Thy cup of bliss shall again run o'er,
And the world will lose its charms.
See! the golden doors on their hinges bright
Roll back, and far within
The angels wait, in their robes of light,
And are bidding us enter in.
—D. T. TAYLOR—in Voice of the West.
Obituary Notices.
DROWNED in Beaver Lake, on Sunday, June 18th, G. S. Shepard, dentist, of this city, aged 37 years, 8 months, and 14 days. He leaves a wife and five children.—Dodge Co., (Wis.) Citizen.
Business Department.
RECEIPTS.
For Review and Herald.
Annexed to each receipt in the following list, is the Volume and Number of the REVIEW & HERALD to which the money receipted pays. If money for the paper is not in due time acknowledged, immediate notice of the omission should then be given.
M Singer 28-1, A Horr 27-21, A R. Knight 29-20, Nancy Clark 28-1, L G Morsan 28-1, J Sorenson 26-13, Mrs A Clark 27-1, Sarah Miller for Fanny Freeman 30-6, C Johnson 26-1, P E Ferrin 29-1, L Pinkerton 27-1, A Pinkerton 26-7, Maria Hackett 28-1, I M Davis 26-1, J A Luke 27-4, J P Chamberlain 28-1, S T Chamberlain 27-14, E Chandler 27-14, J Morrill 26-1, W Martin 27-1, D Robbins 27-4, O M Pattee 27-1, A Worster 27-1, Mary Aderton 26-1, E D Davis 28-1, H H Smith 28-1, E Brunsman 28-1, W A Raymond 27-1, A G Phelps 28-14, Lovina Chandler 27-1, A Wattles 27-9, J H Butcher 28-1, Mrs E Bullis 26-18, M W Porter 27-1, each $1,00.
W Livingston 28-1, E Rogers 28-1, J Jones 28-1, T E Morey 28-1, M J Kay 28-1, D Andre 30-1, R P Stewart 29-1, James Wall 28-1, H G Washburn 27-4, B Foos 27-1, E B Carpenter 28-7, L Sargent 26-1, J Craig 27-22, N B Morton 27-1, D T Shireman 26-12, W Bolser 28-1, H A Fuller 28-1, W Sutliff 26-10, M Dennis 28-1, Lucretia Day 28-8, J Clarke 28-1, W Grant 28-1, N Keezer 26-16, M J House 28-1, T Paton 28-7, E Doty 28-7, E Hamilton 28-8, W McPheter 28-1, each $2.
J L Adams $4, 30-5, T Hare $2,50, 28-14, C G Knowlton $3,58, 28-1, W C Peck $3, 28-1, L A Case $1,50, 28-1, S A Doud $1,50, 28-1, J Rood $1,50, 28-1, E A Belknap $1,50, 28-1, A L Malin $1,50, 28-1, D Perry $1,50, 28-1, H Decow $1,50, 28-1, L Wilmarth $1,50, 28-1, A Graham $1,50, 28-1, O A Pickle $1,50, 28-1, S Smith $1,50, 28-1, L M Martin $1,50, 28-1, H Gray $2, acct in full, G Grettenberger $1,50, 27-1, M T Olds $5, 29-1.
Books Sent By Mail.
J Troxel $2, J H Mallory 15c, W Sutliff $1, A Green 50c, A H Clymer $1, C C Belden 50c, John C Reed $1,00, F W Thurber 22c, E Brunsman 70c, A W Cummings 55c, W Cottrell 50c, L Chandler $1, O F Brockway $2,34, M Foreacre 75c, F H Chapman $1,50.
To Pay Expenses on Draft Publications.
E S Griggs $1, A W Cummings $1, Daniel Carpenter $1, W McPheter $1.
General Conference Missionary Fund.
Vermont State Conference $16, Church at Portland, Me., $29.
Cash Received on Account.
John Matteson $10, H Nicola $1,22, E D Place $25, H H Smith $1, D M Canright $2.
For Bro. Bourdeau.
H Nicola $5, Mary Nicola $5, Buel L Whitney $5, D H Gould $5.
PUBLICATIONS.
The law requires the pre-payment of postage on Bound Books, four cents for the first four ounces, or fractional part thereof, and an additional four cents for the next four ounces, or fractional part thereof, and so on. On Pamphlets and Tracts, two cents for each four ounces, or fractional part thereof. Orders, to secure attention, must be accompanied with the cash. Address, ELDER JAMES WHITE, Battle Creek, Michigan.
The Hymn Book, 464 pages, and 122 pieces of music, . 80 12
" " " with Sabbath Lute, . $1,25 12
" " " Calf Binding, . 1,00 12
" " " with Lute, . 1,50 12
History of the Sabbath, Sacred and Secular, . 80 12
" " " in paper covers, . 50 10
Dobney on Future Punishment, . 75 16
Spiritual Gifts, Vol. I, or the Great Controversy between Christ & his angels, and Satan & his angels, . 50 8
Spiritual Gifts, Vol. II. Experience, Views & Incidents in connection with the Third Message, . 60 8
Spiritual Gifts, Vols. I & II, bound in one book, . $1,00 12
Spiritual Gifts, Vol. III, Facts of Faith, . 75 8
Spiritual Gifts, Vol. IV, Facts of Faith & Testimonies to the Church, Nos. 1-10, . 75 8
Sabbath Readings, a work of 400 pages of Moral & Religious Lessons for the Young, . 60 8
The same in five Pamphlets, . 55 8
" " twenty-five Tracts, . 50 8
Appeal to the Youth, Bound, . 60 8
" " " Paper Covers, . 30 2
" " " without Likeness, . 15 2
The Bible from Heaven. . 30 5
Both Sides. Review of Preble on Sabbath and Law, . 20 4
Three Angels of Rev. xiv, and the Two-horned Beast, . 15 4
Hope of the Gospel, or Immortality the Gift of God, Which? Mortal or Immortal? or an Inquiry into the Present Constitution & Future Condition of Man, . 15 4
Modern Spiritualism: its Nature and Tendency, . 15 4
The Kingdom of God: a Refutation of the Doctrine called, Age to Come, . 15 4
Miraculous Powers, . 15 4
Appeal to Mothers, . 15 2
Review of Seymour. His Fifty Questions Answered, . 10 3
Prophecy of Daniel—The Sanctuary and 2300 Days, . 10 3
The Saints' Inheritance in the New Earth, . 10 3
Signs of the Times. The Coming of Christ at the Door, . 10 3
Law of God. The Testimony of Both Testaments, . 10 3
Vindication of the True Sabbath, by J. W. Morton, . 10 3
Review of Springer on the Sabbath and Law of God, . 10 3
Christian Baptism. Its Nature, Subjects, & Design, . 10 2
Key to the Prophetic Chart, . 10 2
The Sanctuary and 2300 Days of Dan. viii, 14, . 10 2
The Fate of the Transgressor, . 5 2
Matthew xxiv. A Brief Exposition of the Chapter, . 5 2
Mark of the Beast, and Seal of the Living God, . 5 1
Sabbath Institution and the Two Laws, . 5 1
Assistant. The Bible Student's Assistant, or a Compend of Scripture References, . 5 1
Truth Found. A Short Argument for the Sabbath, with an Appendix, "The Sabbath not a Type," . 5 1
An Appeal for the Restoration of the Bible Sabbath in an Address to the Baptists. . 5 1
Review of Fillio. A Reply to a series of Discourses delivered by him in this City against the Sabbath, . 5 1
Milton on the State of the Dead, . 5 1
Brown's Experience. Consecration — Second Advent, . 5 1
Report of General Conference held in Battle Creek, June, 1859. Address on Systematic Benevolence, &c., . 5 1
The Sabbath, in German, . 10 2
" " Holland, . 5 1
" " French, . 5 1
On Daniel II & VII, in French, . 5 1
ONE-CENT TRACTS. The Seven Seals—The Two Laws—Essence for Sunday-keeping Examined—Personality of God—Wesley on the Law—Judson on Dress—Appeal on Immortality.
TWO-CENT TRACTS. Institution of the Sabbath—Sabbath by Elihu—Infidelity and Spiritualism—War and Sealing—Who Changed the Sabbath—Preach the Word—Death and Burial—Much in Little—Truth.
THREE-CENT TRACTS. Debney on the Law—Milton on the State of the Dead—Scripture References—The Mark of the Beast and Seal of the Living God—Spiritual Gifts.
CHARTS, Prophetic and Law of God, the size used by our Preachers. Varnished, a set, with Key, . $4,00
A Set on Cloth, with Key, . 3,00
On Cloth, without Rollers, by mail, post-paid, . 2,75
Small Chart. A Pictorial Illustration of the Visions of Daniel and John 20 by 25 inches. Price 15 cents. On Rollers, post-paid, 75 cts.
Report from the Mich. Tent.
By Dudley Marvin Canright; I. D. Van Horn
SUNDAY, July 16, we closed our meetings in Vassar. We have been here six weeks, and have given fifty-four discourses. About the middle of the meetings, when the interest was the best, and we had the most important testimonies to give, it began to rain. Hardly a day has passed since without more or less rain. This interrupted the meetings and damped the interest very much.
The Presbyterians have a strong hold here, and have done their utmost against the truth. But the "common people" have listened with deep interest to the word of God, and the result is that about forty have embraced the truth, and are now keeping the Sabbath.
Last Sabbath we had a good meeting with these friends. Twenty cheering testimonies were given. Many of these brethren and sisters are starting to serve the Lord for the first time. They are sober, thinking people, whom the popular religion could never reach.
We think that a good work has been commenced here, which will be to the glory of God and the salvation of many precious souls. Although circumstances have been against us, yet the Lord has been with us, and has given success to the truth, for which we feel to praise his name. We are encouraged to labor on, firmly believing that this is the Lord's work, and that it will triumph in the end. We have sold $53 worth of books, and have obtained twelve subscribers for the Review.
To-day we move to Watrousville, eight miles northeast of this place. Our P. O. address will be Vassar, Tuscola Co., as before.
D. M. CANRIGHT.
I. D. VAN HORN.
Note from Bro. Ingraham.
By Wm. S. Ingraham
Bro. WHITE: When I returned home from the North I found the people were very anxious in Exeter to have a Tent Meeting. Boards for seats had been furnished. I could do no better than to pitch the tent. I have now been here over two Sundays, and have never seen better attention and larger congregations for this season of the year. Last Sunday I preached three times on the Sabbath question; after the close of my third discourse I took a vote to see how many believed we had the truth on the Sabbath. A large number arose, so many that I did not try to count them. I then called for a vote in favor of Sunday-keeping. Only three arose. What the result of the meeting will be I cannot tell yet. I have to do all the preaching myself, being alone. Bro. Decker takes care of the tent. I expect soon that Bro. Andrews or Steward will join me.
WM. S. INGRAHAM.
Exeter, Wis., July 18, 1865.
English Bibles.
By Editor
With the fall of gold the cost of English Bibles has come down so that we now offer them at the following reasonable prices:
MINION, Ref. after verse, Morocco, Gilt, $3,00, postage 28
Nonpareil, " " " " 2,75, " 24
Pearl, Ref. " " " " 2,25, " 16
Diamond, Marg. Ref., " " " 1,50, " 12
" without Ref., " " " 1,00, " 12
Appointments.
PROVIDENCE permitting, Eld. James White and wife will hold meetings in Michigan as follows:
Convis, Sabbath, August 5th.
Memphis, Sabbath and first-day, " 12th & 13th.
PROVIDENCE permitting, I will preach at Johnstown Center, Rock Co., Wis., Sabbath, August 12, 1865, at 10½ and at 2 o'clock, after which I design entering new fields.
ISAAC SANBORN.
PROVIDENCE permitting, I will meet with the church in
Allegan, Allegan Co., July 29.
Otsego, Aug. 5.
Vicksburg, evening of " 8.
Parkville, " " 9, 10.
Colon, " 12, 13.
JOSEPH BATES.
Monterey, Mich., July 19, 1865.
THE next Quarterly Meeting of the Mauston church of seventh-day Adventists will be held the 12th and 13th of Aug. We hope to see all the brethren that have a connection with this church present, as there will be some business of importance to transact at this meeting.
Will Bro. Ingraham attend.
JOHN R. GOODENOUGH.
Church Clerk.
God Is Good
God is good, let all the people praise him.
Locusts in Syria.
THE following is an extract from a letter from Syria dated May 3d, 1865: "The second crop of locusts are now hatching out, and a new swarm of the flying kind has also come from the South. In some parts of the country they are devouring every green thing. Millions have fallen into the sea, and the waves have cast them up on the shores in windrows. Yesterday they almost darkened the sky, and the noise of their flying was like the noise of a flock of quails."