Quarterly Meeting in Wisconsin.
By William Russell
OUR Quarterly Meeting held Jan. 19 and 20, was well attended by the brethren and citizens of this place. A few brethren came in from other parts. Bro. R. F. Andrews was with us to preach the word. The Lord gave him good liberty in presenting the truth. Meetings commenced with the Sabbath, opened with prayer by Bro. Gilding of Dell Prairie, followed by a few others, after which Bro. Andrews made some general remarks pertaining to the duty of Christians. Sabbath forenoon he spoke to us from the parable of the “Ten Virgins,” showing its application to the Advent people in the past, and its connection with other scriptures, thus showing the fulfillment of prophecy in the history of God’s people. This was indeed meat in due season. We felt much strengthened in faith, and more fully determined to see the end of the Christian race. Met again in the afternoon to commemorate the death and sufferings of the dear Saviour. In the evening, I, by the urgent request of Bro. A., and a desire to give him rest, spoke to a full house on the subject of “Health Reform;” and although intending to speak only a short time, before I was fully aware of how time was passing, an hour and forty minutes had elapsed. I felt obliged to close, leaving the people still anxious to hear. What a theme the Health Reform presents! How full of interest to all! Yet many still cling to their idols and prejudices, professing to see the hand of God in all other moves his people have made, but do not quite see it in this. Is it not because their god is their appetite, and their senses so benumbed and appetites so perverted from a normal standard, that they cannot see how anything can be good, or health and strength preserving, unless containing a mixture in some way of hog’s lard, or some equivalent, and made strong with salt, pepper, and similar ingredients? Such know not the natural taste of the many good things God has given them; they stand in the way, they will neither go in themselves nor suffer others to enter. Sunday forenoon and in the evening, Bro. Andrews spoke with much freedom to a full and attentive house, on the evidences in favor of the Sabbath, contrasting them with evidences for the first-day as a Sabbath. We think much prejudice was removed, and all were left without excuse. None but the willfully blind could help seeing how very forcibly it is enjoined on all who would enter life, to keep the commandments of God, which emphatically enjoin the observance of the seventh day. Notwithstanding we had heard and read much on this subject, it never seemed so clear before, and the assumed evidences for Sunday looked absurd in the extreme. We think all truth will look clearer as we merge further and further into the glorious light now shining forth both from the laws of nature, which are also the laws of God, and from the Scriptures of truth, concerning our spiritual and temporal, or physical good. May we all become fully cleansed, purified and sanctified, soul, body and spirit through obedience to the whole truth, is my prayer. WILLIAM RUSSELL.
Mauston, Wis.