p. 121 | Untitled article by John Harvey Waggoner

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, August 6, 1867

REPORT FROM OHIO.

By John Harvey Waggoner

According to previous arrangement, I met Bro. Van Horn in the Toledo depot the morning of July 4th, having left home a little after midnight. We spent Sabbath and first-day at Lovett’s Grove. Here we learned that it would be necessary for us to go to Orwell, and we decided to go immediately, so as to return and spend as much time as possible in this county before the Conference.

We arrived in Bloomfield, Trumbull Co., the residence of several families of the Orwell church, on Thursday, the 12th. I felt sad as I went there; not sad to go and meet with them, which is ever a pleasure, for the friends there are dear to me; but to think any thing should exist to make it necessary for the ministers to go there for special labor. But such work must sometimes be done, unpleasant as it is. In this case, it was not a hard matter to ascertain where the difficulty was, as the spirit which troubled the church, and was likely to injure the cause, plainly manifested itself; and, fortunately, the church were united in opinion as to the nature of the cause. This was a great relief to our minds, as it is a great grief to any minister to find a church lacking discernment, and divided over evils existing in their midst.

The nature of the difficulty may be known by those who remember Bro. Clarke’s recent brief article, entitled, “Is it of God?” We found fanaticism of a dark type existing with two members, one of whom had withdrawn from the church, and both withdrawn from the meetings because the brethren and sisters would not accept certain “manifestations” as from the Spirit of God. We found it to be a very jealous spirit, harsh in its denunciations of all who would not instantly coincide with all of its manifestations, which were by no means calculated to perfect and unite the saints in faith and love, nor edify the body of Christ. Where God’s Spirit abounds, its graces will also be shown; and there we have always found a mild, loving, humble, teachable spirit, bearing the marks described by Paul in 1 Cor. xiii. In all our labors in the churches, we have never been able to “gather grapes from thorns,” nor “figs from thistles;” and we pity those, yes, we greatly fear for their standing, who sympathize with a jealous, fault-finding spirit. We firmly believe in the gifts of God’s Spirit, and pray that they may be largely increased among us, but we are admonished to “believe not every spirit, but try the spirits, whether they are of God,” and to “prove all things.” This becomes very necessary at this time, while Satan is working in so many ways; and a lack of discernment is a serious lack, as nothing will more certainly insure the downfall of impulsive believers, especially if they are inclined to give way to be led by their “impressions.” May the Lord give the spirit of a sound mind to all the waiting remnant.

We visited and held meetings with them over the 15th. Tuesday, the 16th, went to Wayne and had meeting that evening. Returned to Orwell the 17th, in time to meet with the church for prayer, and on the 18th had a business meeting. As the parties disaffected would listen to no counsel nor warning, but persisted in their refusal to walk with or fellowship the church unless said “manifestations” were accepted, no alternative seemed to be left but to withdraw from them. Final action, however, was deferred till Sunday, the 21st, at which time a vote was taken to that effect.

The last Sabbath we were there, the 20th, we were pleased to meet with others coming from Chardon, Geneva, Huntsburg and Wayne, and I enjoyed a highly-prized privilege of setting before them the claims of the Health Reform. This testimony was well received, as most of them are earnest reformers. The Dress Reform is being carried out conscientiously by a number. This is, no doubt, the severest trial that many of the sisters have been subjected to, especially where the reasons for our course are little known. Yet there seems to be an increasing willingness to move out in it. I do not doubt that it will be soon generally adopted by our people if a careful, judicious course be pursued. I am inclined to believe that most of the churches are moving toward it as fast as they are instructed up to it. With many, the question as to what the Dress Reform consists in is not yet settled, and it is consistent with prudence to move cautiously until sufficiently instructed to move safely.

Before the close of our meetings there, the following resolutions, unexpectedly to us, were presented and unanimously adopted. We insert them for publication, as it is not always that the cares and labors of committees are appreciated.

Resolved, That we as a church appreciate the sympathy and watchcare of the State Conference Committee, and that we hereby express our heartfelt thanks to them for sending us help in our time of trial.

Resolved, That we appreciate the faithful labors of our beloved brethren Waggoner and Van Horn in trying to restore union in our midst, and that we will strive with them to live out the principles of the truth which we profess, that we may at last stand a redeemed company on Mount Zion.

And I would express a hope that the past trial may be an admonition to all of them to walk before God in humility and strict obedience. It is dangerous to neglect any point of duty. Probably the cause of the darkness and trial in their midst was a jealous feeling toward the plan of Systematic Benevolence. The path of every duty is the path of safety.

We left Bloomfield in time to hold a meeting in Chardon Sunday evening, the Disciple meeting-house being opened for our use; meeting there, also, Monday evening. We found the few remaining in Chardon firm in the faith, and were pleased to hear encouraging words from Bro. Warner, who has removed to Minnesota.

Learning that Sr. Bane had been suffering a long sickness, we went to visit them on Tuesday, 23d, and had meeting in the school-house in their neighborhood. We missed Sr. Hutchinson in the little company, and hope soon to see Sr. Bane an inmate of the Health Institute, which seems to be the only hope of such enfeebled ones. We always enjoy a visit there, and would have been glad to be able to call on all the friends, but circumstances prevented. We hope they will keep near the Saviour in humility and love of the present truth, and avoid, as far as possible, the spirit of strife and contention which seems to pervade their opposers. The will of God is that by well-doing we put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.

Another privilege we enjoyed on this trip was a visit with Bro. and Sr. Sweet, in Cleveland. Though we esteem it a privilege to claim the blessing promised to those who believe without seeing, we always prize the society of those who have passed through the previous messages and still hold on, walking up to the advancing light of God’s truth, as revealed in prophecy. May the Lord safely keep them to the appearing of the beloved Saviour, for whom they have long waited.

Yesterday we returned to Wood Co., feeling some better than when we left; better in health, and gratified at the good state in which we were able to leave the cause where we have labored.

J. H. WAGGONER.

Portage, O., July 26, 1867.