THE CONFERENCE by Roswell Fenner Cottrell

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 25, 1867

THE CONFERENCE.

By Roswell Fenner Cottrell

It is truly cheering to hear the good report from the late session of the General Conference—to hear of the unity and unanimity that prevailed. It shows that the Lord’s hand is in the work in which we are engaged, that the Spirit of Him who prayed that his disciples might be one was present to help his servants in the great work of publishing the last message to mankind. The spirit of repentance and contrition which was manifest there, as well as in the smaller assemblies of our people, is encouraging. Before honor is humility. He that humbleth himself shall be exalted. But where there is a spirit of self-laudation, the Spirit of God is grieved. I will strive, with my brethren, to be zealous and repent.

I am well pleased with the resolutions under the caption, Seventh-day Baptists. I felt sorry to see the expressions in the Review which called for this action. It is our business to enlighten and save all that we can, of all denominations and of no denomination; and we should be careful not to embitter any denomination against us and the truth we hold. If we think the conduct of individuals reprehensible, we should not stigmatize a whole class. The people to be benefited by the message we have been called to proclaim, are connected with various denominations, and it is reasonable to hope that a large proportion of that people, who are the only ones who in common with ourselves maintain the perpetuity of the entire law of God, in the letter as well as in the spirit, will yet see that God is in this message, and embrace it. And, brethren, you will certainly allow me to feel, as Paul did, for “my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh,” and that my “heart’s desire and prayer to God” should be for their salvation. As the contest waxes hot upon the Sabbath question, it will be seen by the lovers of God’s law that our message is from Heaven and not of men; and those who have zeal enough for the right to lay down their lives for it, will unite and present to the enemies of truth an undivided front. But merely nominal Sabbath-keepers will abandon the right and yield to the demands of the lamb-dragon to save their lives.

Brethren, let us humbly pursue the work to which the Lord has called us, and in due season we shall reap the reward of eternal life. Let us do justly to all, giving “none offense, neither to the Jews, nor to the Greeks, nor to the church of God.” Let us be courteous and tender of all, so that we may by all means save some. For God has called us to the work of saving men, not condemning them. In a little while we shall see all the true-hearted united in the truth.

R. F. COTTRELL.