APOSTASY AND CRIME by John Nevins Andrews

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 20, 1869

APOSTASY AND CRIME.

By John Nevins Andrews

THE readers of the REVIEW will be pained to learn that Eld. Nathan Fuller, of Wellsville, N. Y., has been guilty of violating the seventh commandment. Of his wickedness there can be no doubt, as he has confessed himself guilty of this great iniquity. The clerk of the church of which he was a member writes that at a meeting of that church, held June 25, 1869, Mr. F. “sent a request to be dropped from the church, stating that he was guilty of charges alleged against him for violating the seventh commandment; that he was the wickedest man that lived; that he had no hopes, but expected to suffer the pains of the second death.”

Such criminality is appalling. But it is necessary that it be exposed at the earliest moment that it becomes known. Here is a man, had in reputation as a Christian, who has fallen into shameful sin and crime. Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he also fall. It is proper for me to state that I have been greatly deceived in the case of this man. Though my acquaintance with him has been quite limited, for I have only met him occasionally, yet having never seen in him any evil thing, and particularly nothing of an immoral or licentious nature, and having found him apparently very self-sacrificing, zealous, and faithful in the work, I had confidence in his integrity and uprightness of character. In good faith I have commended him to the brethren as a man of virtue and piety. Also, after the serious sickness of himself and family, when I learned of his pecuniary distress, I wrote an appeal in his behalf, which was published in the REVIEW, and generously responded to by the brethren. Whether he was then unworthy of all confidence, I cannot say. But this present development of his wickedness leaves the past a matter of just doubt.

Certainly there may well exist in such a man’s breast a “fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.” And now, if there are any more such sinners in Zion, God grant that they may be exposed. It is time that fearfulness should surprise the hypocrites. Men that can, under the cloak of piety, plot the ruin of others, and that can turn the grace of God into lasciviousness, deserve the devouring fire for their portion, and are not likely to fail of their just deserts. The fire of gehenna, prepared for the Devil and his angels, will be the portion of all those men who are the ministers of Satan, while they wear the outward appearance of the ministers of righteousness. Their end shall be according to their works. “Verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth.”

J. N. ANDREWS.