J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH by John Norton Loughborough

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 18, 1908

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH

By John Norton Loughborough

Early Experiences in the Publishing Work — No. 5

In the early days of the proclamation of the third angel’s message the work was confined almost exclusively to those who had been in the first and second messages. This was so for two reasons: (1) It was the Lord’s purpose that those who had been in the former messages, should have an opportunity to be assured that the past movement was indeed the work of the Lord, and learn of its connection with the third angel’s message which was to follow the other two; (2) As stated by Sister White respecting those early times, in an article in the REVIEW of Nov. 20, 1883, “It was then next to impossible to obtain access to unbelievers. The disappointment in 1844 had confused the minds of many, and they would not listen to any explanation of the matter.”

The work of Elder Joseph Bates, as a pioneer in planting the message among the advent people, led him to make constant inquiry for those who had been in the former movement, and who still held fast faith that the Lord’s coming was indeed near. His burden was to visit such, and explain to them the clear line of truth which established the past movement as indeed the work of the Lord, and, as some expressed it, “enable them to find their moorings.”

Again Elder Bates was moved upon by the Spirit of the Lord to write and publish. He readily saw that it would be a great aid in the work if he could have reading-matter to place in the hands of the people, showing how the Lord has led, and fulfilled his word, in this great second advent movement. So he entered upon this third effort in printing, by writing a book of eighty pages addressed to “The Little Flock.” The title page of this book was “Second Advent Waymarks and High Heaps, or a Connected View of the Fulfilment of Prophecy, by God’s Peculiar People, from the Year 1480 to 1844; by Joseph Bates.” Imprint of Benjamin Lindsay, New Bedford, Mass., 1847. Quite a portion of this tract was reprinted in the Bible Training School, Nos. 1-5, 1907. When Brother Bates had written his book on the “Waymarks,” he found himself again without the necessary money for publication; but his earnest prayers ascended to the Lord to open the way that the important document might be printed. The Lord moved upon the heart of a young widow to dispose of her cottage. She said she “could go out to service, and get along without the house and lot.” Having sold the place, she put in the hands of Elder Bates the needed amount of money for the printing of this third book, which was soon on its way confirming the faith of the “little flock.” The Lord did not leave the widow to suffer because of this sacrifice, which was indeed a proof that the cause of God and its advancement was the first great object in life before her. Although the remainder of her life-time was a period of widowhood, she was spared many years, and died steadfast in the faith. The son of her youth, and his descendants, are rejoicing in the hope of soon meeting that devoted mother in the kingdom of God.