The Fast in Battle Creek by John Norton Loughborough

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 15, 1866

The Fast in Battle Creek.

By John Norton Loughborough

THE season of humiliation, fasting and prayer, appointed by the General Conference Committee, was generally observed by the church in this place, and has been indeed a season of refreshing to us; not that it has been characterized by flights of joy simply; but, as we have tried to humble our hearts, confess our wrongs, and as individuals get near to God, we have experienced those blessings that are usually followed with greater earnestness and activity, and a deeper settling into the cause of God.

We had tried here, as a church, for some days previous to the fast, to prepare our hearts by searching up our wrongs, that the fast with us might be "an acceptable day to the Lord."

As we entered upon this season, our minds were impressed with the importance of an entire suspension of all business and an observance of fast days corresponding as nearly as possible with the quiet of the Sabbath. These ideas were more fully ratified by an examination of Isaiah lviii, 3, which, to say the least, speaks of a wrong mode of fasting in the last days, and of course is a good guide as to what fasting is acceptable to God. "Behold in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labors." Our minds were, that a fast is not simply an abstinence from food, either in whole or in part; but a laying aside of care, pleasure, light conversation, and whatever would tend to hinder access to the Lord.

In the former part of the fast a discourse was given showing how God in ancient times had regarded the humiliation and fastings of his people, and what we might expect in this time in view of his unchanging nature. In the close of the fast another discourse was given on the final triumph of the work of God in the loud cry of the third angel's message. All our meetings were principally of a social character, in which about all participated

The praying seasons for the reviving of God's people, and the restoration of his servants, were especially refreshing, so much so that it seemed evident to all that the Lord by giving us freely of his Spirit said to us, "Yes, I accept you, and will work for you."

Bro. White was in such feeble health that he could be with us but little in our meetings: yet he expressed confidence in the prayer of faith. The people of God here who have witnessed his trials and burdens in the past felt called upon to make his case a special subject of their prayers. The Lord is working for his servant. He has been greatly blessed in answer to prayer, and we trust the power of the enemy is broken.

Brethren, hold on to the arm of the Lord, and as you love this servant of the Lord, and love the advancement of the cause of truth, do not cease importuning with God till an entire restoration is accomplished. We have no doubts but God will raise up Bro. White, and that he will yet go forth to labor in this cause.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.