Report from Bro. Loughborough by John Norton Loughborough

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 19, 1867

Report from Bro. Loughborough.

By John Norton Loughborough

FROM the evening of Jan. 7 to Jan. 9, I spoke four times in the Oakland meeting-house. My stay there was necessarily short, as it was simply an appointment thrown in after my other arrangements for the trip were made. I tried to fit my subjects as nearly as possible to the condition of the people, but their true condition, in every respect, I did not exactly know. I found by inquiry that there had been some doubting in the minds of some, relative to this cause, whether the hand of God was really manifest in leading out this people with the third angel's message, or whether the message might not be true, and the gift of prophecy as manifested with the message be false. The extent of doubting on this subject, however, I did not learn till the meetings were over. But, had I known precisely their condition, I don't know as I could have made any better selection of subjects to fit their condition than those to which the Spirit of the Lord seemed to guide me.

I can see no way in my own mind to separate the gifts of the Spirit of God from the work of the third angel's message. But, as presented in Isaiah's prophecy, those in the last days who will not hear the law of the Lord, say “to the seers, See not, and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things,” &c., Isa. xxx, 10. Paul, in his address to the people who are not in the dark concerning the coming of Christ, says: “Quench not the Spirit, despise not prophesyings, prove all things, hold fast that which is good.” 1 Thess. v, 19–21. Greek critics tell us that the word which is here rendered prophecy, literally signifies “exercising of the gift of prophecy.” Then there is to be in the last days an exercising of the gift of prophecy that is good: people will be in danger of letting go of it—despising it. So we are exhorted to hold fast to it. Where shall we look for true manifestations of this gift in these last days, if not with that people who have the light of the law of the Lord? a people who are trying to keep that law? trying to get nearer, and still nearer to the Lord? trying, instead of quenching the Spirit, to cherish it, love its fruits, and regard its teachings? trying in their lives to exemplify the true principle of that law, in loving God and our fellow-men? These two things in these prophecies of the last days are connected together: the law of God, and the gift of prophecy. Here is a people proclaiming these truths of the last days; and in their work they have pressed steadily on the last fifteen years; why, is this not the work of God?

Somewhat on this wise we tried to exhort the wavering ones, and encourage the faithful ones at Oakland. We trust our effort was not in vain there. We enjoyed some freedom in speaking, and the church, for the most part, seemed to feed on the word. There was a good representation from those without, at our meetings. We are glad to learn that there is an increasing interest to hear the truth, and some are embracing it. If the church gets into good, working order, undoubtedly a number might be gathered into the truth there.

We also introduced the Health Reform. This, with the other topics, met with a good reception. In all places on this trip we have given this topic some prominence in our remarks. The church are gradually coming up to the work of reform; but how few realize, or, as yet, have entered fully into the real spirit of the Health Reform. We want to make this a matter of conscience. It is a means to help us on in the great work of preparing to go and dwell with holy angels.

May the Lord arouse us all to a sense of the greatness and holiness of the work in which we are engaged. May we be enabled to press together, to press on with the body of God's people, be found in our place to bear our part of the burdens and responsibilities of the work, that finally, like a perfectly-organized and drilled body of soldiers, we may move on in unison and strength to the last conflict, be among the victors, and share a victor's crown.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.

Battle Creek, Feb. 1867.