Observer Mocks Adventists While Lamenting Church Barrenness
From Advent Herald and Morning watch of 1845.
So says the New York “Observer,” at the commencement of a long article, in which it mourns that “the Lord has departed from us,” that “the heavens are shut up,” &c. But while mourning over the barrenness of the churches, and supplicating the genial influences of the Holy Spirit, its editor has to go out of his way to say, that Millerites, Mormonites, and other fanatics equally wild, “can get up an excitement.”
Now, Mr. “Observer,” we wish to whisper in your ear, that so long as you blaspheme God by connecting a belief of Christ’s soon appearing—a belief that rests alone on the scripture, and for which we are taught in the scriptures to pray—with Mormonism—a phantasy that professes to be by other revelations than those in the Bible,—so long will God send barrenness and leanness to your soul. Point us to the church which the Holy Spirit has deigned to bless, while opposing the doctrine of Christ’s coming!—Point us to the sermon, or editorial, against that doctrine, that has been instrumental in the awakening of a single soul! The instance cannot be found. God has marked all opposition to this doctrine with a curse. And he will only bless those who cease to oppose. If, then, you in sincerity feel the need of a revival, lay aside your opposition to those who are looking for that “blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.”
COMMUNICATIONS
By Joseph Harvey Waggoner
From Bro. Waggoner.
Dear Bro. White.—After parting with Brn. Cornell and Loughborough at Alden, Ill., I went to Sauk County, Wis., my late residence, where I had a happy time in meeting with those whom I love in the faith. I held a two-days' meeting in Dellona township, where a number embraced the truth of the third angel's message. Four were baptized during my stay in that county. And I here wish to say to any of the brethren who may hereafter travel in this State, that that county should not be forgotten. Baraboo, the county seat, is forty miles from Madison, in a Northwestern direction.
From that place I came North, to meet Brn. Stephenson and Hall, according to appointment. Sept. 10th to 13th, we held meetings at Waukau. We found the “little flock” there strong in the faith; and to me this was a most happy meeting—it being the first time I had seen them since I first proclaimed the message to them. After the meeting in the evening following First-day, we repaired to the water, when Bro. Stephenson and four others were planted in the likeness of our Saviour's death.
On Fourth-day, Sept. 14th, we commenced meetings at El Dorado. (Rosendale.) In that place Brn. Stephenson and Hall had labored successfully two days, (Sept. 3rd and 4th,) and a number embraced the Sabbath at that time. The Lord worked for his truth at our meeting there. On the Sabbath, the threshing machine running in the neighborhood was stopped, and all attended the meetings. In this community the Harbinger has been much read and its position endorsed by many; and a faithful presentation of the claims of God's law, and the place of the message seemed to carry all before it. On First-day we had the pleasure of baptizing twelve joyful followers of Christ, including Bro. Hall. The interest was so great that we concluded to remain over Second-day. A few more having expressed a desire to be baptized. On the morning of the third day we again repaired to the water. Just as we arrived at the water side it commenced raining; we took refuge from the storm in a saw-mill, and improved the time in presenting the Commandments of God and Faith of Jesus. The Spirit of the Lord was there, and gave power to his truth. When the storm ceased, ten more willing ones “put on Christ” in the ordinance of his appointment. A large number of those in attendance passed the school-house on their way home. Their desire to hear more was so great, that they pressed Bro. Hall, who was with them to stop and preach to them. He complied with their request, and left an appointment for the succeeding Sabbath.
We are all made to rejoice in view of what God has done at that place; and much yet remains to be done there. It was with difficulty that we could break away from them. O, for more laborers! An extensive field is opening before us here—the calls are urgent from all quarters. More laborers are wanted in the West. Who will come and help us? We feel more and more determined to press onward, and endeavor to faithfully present this crowning truth of Revelation. Though some of us labor under embarrassing circumstances at present, our trust is in God, and we expect his mighty arm will bring deliverance. The work is the Lord's, and he will sustain it. Praise his holy name.
To the dear saints scattered, I would say, awake112to righteousness, and put on the whole armor; for the salvation of God is near to come. O that we may all be found watching.
Your brother, waiting for Jesus.
J. H. WAGGONER.
Metomen, Wis., Sept. 25th, 1853.
From Sister Everett: Life and Death of Elizabeth E. Higgins
By Lucinda H. Everett
From Sister Everett.
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—I feel called upon at this time to give you a short sketch of the life and death of our only and beloved daughter, Elizabeth E. Higgins, and through your columns to distant and scattered friends, if you shall deem proper.
She was born July 23rd, 1829, and died July 5th, 1853, aged 24. Her constitution was slender, but her disposition was sweet, and her manners engaging.—From a little child she had many friends and every favor from them was met with the warmest gratitude. Still she needed a new heart, and she was taught to seek it of the Lord. At five years of age she gave her heart to Jesus, and for a considerable length of time, manifested in her life the power of godliness.—She however declined and lost her enjoyment till she was in her thirteenth year, she was then, the second time, awakened and passed through quite a struggle for a few days, but came out very clear and happy. She seemed to possess an ardent desire to do good.—The morning after she found peace, she went through the neighborhood and invited all to come to Jesus.—From that time she never wholly lost her enjoyment, but strove to hold on her way.
In the Winter of 1842, she was baptized, and united with the church in North Leverett, Mass., over which her father was then pastor.
In about a year from that time, she, with numerous other young friends, heard the first angel’s message: “Fear God and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come.” This message came, indeed with a loud cry, and, for a time, filled our meeting-house with tears and confessions; but many of them when the time passed, turned and ridiculed the idea; but not so with her, and a few others, who loved the appearing of Jesus.
In the Fall of 1844, she, with others, of the family, felt it duty to leave the church, and although it deprived her of the society of a large circle of friends, she cheerfully gave them up. There was however one object which was always very dear to her: that was the design of becoming a teacher of the youth. This she also relinquished, although it cost her many a struggle. She found that in order to teach, she must have a popular education, and associate with the popular; and besides, the prejudices of the people in our vicinity were such, that one who would fearlessly proclaim the coming of the Lord, just upon us, and live out the sentiment, would not be a very acceptable teacher.
In the Winter of 1852, she heard and embraced the third angel’s message. From that time the brethren who fear God and keep his commandments were very dear to her. O how she longed to be among them. She always had the impression that if she could get into such a company, she should be made whole.—She would often say, how I wish some good brother would come to Iowa.
She was, for a few years past, strongly impressed, at times, that she ought to devote herself in some way more fully to the work of the Lord; but circumstances were unfavorable. Her health was very poor, indeed, she was quite sick, much of the time, for three or four years past; still the impression followed her, and I have sometimes thought, had she given herself wholly to the Lord, and trusted him to direct, and strengthen her to do his will, she might now have been alive and well. After we moved to Iowa, she often spoke of there being jewels here to be gathered, and she longed to be in the work. She had a peculiar faculty to interest the young and draw them around her; but she is gone, and what is left undone by her, is undone forever.
Her sufferings for a long time were very great; yet she bore them all, I believe, without a murmur. When she found that she must die, she calmly submitted. She wished to have some young ladies called in, and earnestly entreated them to prepare to meet her in the kingdom. To one, who was a Catholic, she presented her Bible, saying, “read it all and obey it through life.”
The loss to us is great. We are a lonely family with but few to keep the Sabbath or tell of the coming of the Lord. We need much wisdom and grace; and I trust we shall have the sympathy and prayers of the brethren and sisters who may read these lines. We are waiting to hear what the Lord will speak to us, and what he would have us do. It must be he has some here to be gathered, who will hear his word, obey his commandments and “wait for his Son from heaven!” for his people are to “come from the East and from the West, from the North and from the South, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, in the kingdom. O brethren and sisters, I do entreat of you to remember us in your prayers; for our trials are many, and our strength small.
The warfare is ended, the lov’d one has fled,
And she who once cheered us, now sleeps with the dead;
That countenance so beaming, so joyous and mild
Was saddened by sickness, and robbed of its smile;
Yet calmness and patience, that bosom ne’er left,
Until the meek sufferer, of life was bereft.
Ah, Death, cruel monster! say, what hast thou done!
Thou hast taken our loved one, to thy dismal home,
Thy work soon is over, thy wages are won,
Destruction’s thy portion, the lake is thy doom;
Then haste the glad morn, when the dead saints shall rise,
And with the Redeemer mount up to the skies.
LUCINDA H. EVERETT.
Iowa City, Iowa, Oct., 1853.
Bradford, Me., Sept. 26th, 1853
By Barbara Strout
From Sister Strout.
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—When I realize the great goodness of God to us, I feel to bless his holy name. I am thankful that I ever enjoyed the blessed privilege of perusing your paper; for it is truly meat in due season. I noticed an article headed, “The image of the Beast,” which I read with great interest. I am glad the attention of all is called to this point.—My heart rejoiced within me while I read that the image-makers had commenced their work; for I believe that God’s Word must all be fulfilled to the letter.
The saints have a blessed promise that the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus will be a shield to them in the day when Jehovah’s wrath is poured out upon the wicked. Glory to God for his blessed promises, for I believe very soon that they will all be realized.
Now we can say as did the Macedonian brethren, “Come over and help us;” for we are so dull of hearing that we need line upon line, and precept upon precept. There has no one been here with the third angel’s message since June last, when Brn. Wheeler and Barr were here, who labored faithfully with us; and, truly, their labors were not in vain in the Lord. My prayer is that the Lord may bless all his servants who are laboring in his vineyard.
From your unworthy Sister, striving for the kingdom. BARBARA STROUT.
Bradford, Me., Sept. 26th, 1853
JOHN S. MATHEWS
From Bro. Mathews.
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—It is with much pleasure that I hear through the Review from our dear brethren; and to hear that they are trying to keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. I feel to rejoice in God for his goodness to me, in showing me the light of his Holy Sabbath, that has been so long trodden under foot; but praise the Lord the breach is being repaired. Myself, my wife and two children are striving to keep the commandments.—When I can hear or read God’s holy truth, it is more than my meat and drink.
I know that I have been led into darkness by talking over little trials that have existed in our band; but I now mean by the grace of God to let such things alone, and be looking and preparing for Christ’s soon coming.
Yours in hope of that glorious kingdom.
JOHN S. MATHEWS
Rochester, Oakland Co. Mich., Sept. 21st. 1853.
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Conference Appointments for Springfield, Washington, and New Haven
Appointments.
We will meet with the brethren at Springfield, Mass., the 15th and 16th; Washington, N. H., the 22d and 23d. New Haven, Vt., the 28th and 29th.
THERE will be a meeting of the brethren in Washington, N. H., and vicinity, Oct. 21st, for the benefit of the church, that the church may get into a place to work for the Lord during the meeting. Lectures will be given the 22d and 23d. Brethren, come to the conference praying. Let none of the brethren come to be weights to the cause.
A general invitation is extended to all who wish to come and hear the reasons of our faith. Brethren in New Hampshire, get humble, and pray in faith to the living God to meet us in power at Washington. Have you little trials? Settle them at once, leave them at home, or stay at home yourselves. It is too late to have the work of God hindered by petty trials. We hope that brethren in other places will take heed to the above. It is too often the case that we have to labor hard all through a two-days meeting to get the brethren in a place to work.—Ed.
PROVIDENCE permitting, I will hold meetings as follows: With the Brethren at Orangeport, Sabbath, Oct. 15th. Olcott, First-day, Oct. 16th, and continue two or three evenings.
J. N. Loughborough.
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—By the request of the brethren, Gardner, Burwell, Bragg and others in New Haven, Vt., and vicinity, I address this note to you, desiring a conference of the brethren at my house on your return from the East. We wish your attendance, with that of other laboring brethren, and a general assembling of all the brethren and sisters.
E. E. Everts.
New Haven, Vt.
Bro. Baker and Andrews design attending this conference with us. Brethren, be ready to work for the Lord.
James White.
There will be a Conference in Locke, Ingham Co., Oct. 14th, 15th, 16th, where the brethren may appoint. We hope all those who feel interested will attend the above meetings as far as practicable.
H. H. Nottingham.
Wm. S. Ingraham.—You will find the receipt of your letter and $1, in No. 13. The address is changed as directed.