Matters in Iowa by William S. Ingraham

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 23, 1866

Matters in Iowa.

By William S. Ingraham

BRO. WHITE: I reached this place last Friday, and find a bad state of things. I was requested by H. E. Carver, to preach yesterday, but declined until the following questions were acted upon :

1. All that believe that the great Advent movement under Wm. Miller and those connected with him, embracing in their faith the ending of the 2300 days of Dan. viii, 14, in 1844, was a fulfillment of the first angel's message of Rev. xiv, 6, 7, manifest it by standing up.

The second and third messages were then voted on. This placed things in a shape where I could see that some had given up their faith in the messages. I then claimed that as Eld. Snook had changed his views on some points of our faith, and as some present did not know exactly where he stood, justice demanded that he should answer the following questions by saying yes or no.

1. Do you believe that the two-horned beast of Rev. xiii, is a symbol of our government?

The answer was, No.

2. Do you believe that Sunday-keeping, as you have preached in the past, is the mark of the beast?

Answer, I am not decided.

3. Do you believe that the seventh-day Sabbath is the seal of the living God?

Answer, Not prepared to say.

4. Do you believe that the three messages of Rev. xiv, were given before the preaching of Wm. Miller?

Answer, I do.

Eld. Snook takes the position that the third angel's message was fulfilled in part by the Waldenses. This position will most surely involve a change of his faith on the seven last plagues. I have not seen Eld. Brinkerhoff, but am informed by those that have heard him talk and preach, that he agrees with Eld. Snook.

When we consider the changes these men have passed through within a few months' time, who can have confidence in their ability to lead out in any important work? So rapid has been their downward course that with great zeal they are trying to demolish the very truths that took them from the pit and clearly pointed out the way to shun the wrath to come. We deeply deplore their condition. The great truths of God's word do not propose to save any but those who continue obedient. A Hymeneus and Philetus could err from the truth, deny the resurrection, and overthrow the faith of some. Eids. S. and B. were in the midst of rebellion no longer ago than last June; and were made to realize to some extent, by the faithful labors of God's messengers at the Pilot Grove meeting, last June, the wrong course they were pursuing, and confessed their sins. But we find them again in a second rebellion worse than the first.

Knowing the object of these men, my duty demands that I should raise a warning voice. Let brethren beware of them.

WM. S. INGRAHAM.

Marion, Iowa, Jan. 7th, 1866.

We, the undersigned, were present when the questions referred to above, were asked and answered, and can testify that this letter represents the facts in the case.

ROBT. F. ANDREWS. THOMAS HARE. S. E. ARMSTRONG.