p. 264 | Untitled article

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, October 8, 1867

EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE, NO. 3.

SEPT. 24. Crossing the Mississippi at Rock Island at 7 A. M., we soon had the privilege, for the first time, of breathing the pure air of Iowa, and setting our eyes on its boundless prairies. Reached Washington at a little past noon, where we were met by Bro. H. Nicola and R. M. Kilgore, and taken to the hospitable home of the latter. Having partaken of refreshments, the rest of our party went on with Bro. Nicola to his home in Pilot Grove, the place of the meeting, while we remained to finish reports for the paper, and other correspondence. Arrived at the encampment on Thursday morning in good time for the meeting. Found the Iowa tent erected, and brethren and sisters assembled and assembling from every quarter for the season of worship. The tent was pitched in the edge of the grove near the S. D. A. meeting-house, the seats of which were used to seat in part the tent, the house, meanwhile, furnishing a good home for quite a large number of those who had come in from a distance.

It was to us a matter of no small interest to stand upon the very spot where a little more than two years ago the cause of present truth in this State encountered such fierce and bitter opposition, in the unreasonable and underhanded defection of two who were then public laborers in this work; but where the truth triumphed, and these unhappy victims of the deception of the enemy were brought to see and heartily confess the snare into which they had fallen, only, however, alas! to return to it more blindly and unaccountably than they had been taken in it at the first. It was also a matter of rejoicing and thanksgiving to God, that Bro. and sister White, who have been passing through the deep waters of affliction, and whom their enemies would have been glad to see completely swallowed up, as they predicted they would be—it was a matter of thanksgiving that they were able once more to visit this spot, where they last met the brethren under so unfavorable circumstances, and to see them now in the enjoyment of a good measure of health and strength, Bro. W. preaching six of the seven discourses given at the meeting, and sister W. bearing her testimony on every opportunity with a sense of constantly-increasing physical strength and vigor.

In happy contrast also was this meeting with the former in still another respect. Not now as then did they come to meet a spirit of hardness and strife, but hearts full of sympathy and love, grateful for their presence, ready to stay up their hands, and join with them in gratitude for the good occasion upon which we had met.

To speak of each meeting in order, would be too statistical for the brevity of this report. Like the Convocation in Wisconsin, the meeting was a good and blessed season for those assembled. The attendance of brethren was not so large as in Wisconsin; but on first-day the attendance of those without was even greater, there being about fifteen hundred people upon the ground.

The social meetings were good, showing on the part of those engaged in them, an interest in the cause of truth, and the individual work of preparation for coming events that now devolves upon us. The feelings of the brethren seemed to be well expressed by one who said that he had supposed heretofore that his whole interest was in this work; but he concluded not, for he found it was now rapidly increasing.

The subjects brought before the meeting were well adapted to the condition of the cause, and the wants of the brethren in this State. In his opening remarks, Bro. W. dwelt upon the difficulties through which the cause has passed in this Conference, referring to those who have doubted the leadings of God's providence and the genuineness of the work, and the lessons we may learn from their experience; most of them having already made shipwreck of their faith.

Friday afternoon the time was occupied by sister White on the instruction we may derive from the history of the children of Israel, and God's dealings with them; which were ensamples unto us, to the intent we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. A powerful and impressive exhortation was given to keep free from the example and fashions of the world, and to exclude from our families the unconsecrated, and every influence which would tend to corrupt our children, and draw them away from the sobriety of the last message of mercy to mankind.

In the evening a discourse of much interest to the brethren was given by Bro. White, on the subject of Advent experience. There were but half a dozen in the entire congregation of some three hundred Sabbath-keepers, who had had an actual experience in the first and second messages. Yet the others had virtually had an experience in them by receiving the truth of those messages, as they took their stand upon the third. Such experienced in a few days as they were receiving the truth, the feelings and emotions which characterized those messages, and which covered, with those who were actually engaged in them, months or perhaps years of time. The first message was one of rejoicing; “Fear God and give glory to him.” The work of the third message, is of a far different nature. This is a heart-searching work of preparation for the great day, connected with the hour of judgment and the finishing of the ministration in the sanctuary above. That message found utterance in shouts of joy and glory; this oftener in tears. None should therefore feel dissatisfied if they do not have the feelings which characterized the Advent people in 1844. We do not want to go back twenty-three years for the feelings and spirit of that time, but we want to receive the spirit of the present time in reference to the advent, and accept the solemn feelings which the present solemn message is calculated to produce.

After a discourse, Sabbath forenoon, by Bro. White, on Luke xxi, 34–36, Bro. Geo. I. Butler was solemnly set apart to the work of the gospel ministry by prayer and the laying on of hands. Prayer by Bro. Bourdeau; right hand of fellowship and charge, by Bro. White.

In the afternoon we listened to an affecting farewell discourse from Bro. Bourdeau, as he took his leave of the brethren of this State among whom he has labored for more than a year, to return again to the East. Text, 2 Cor. xiii, 11: “Finally brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.” This text, which is a sermon in itself was well set forth. May the brethren carefully remember, and scrupulously heed, the instruction which Bro. B. labored to instill into their minds from these precious words of the apostle.

At 6 P. M., sister White spoke for one hour upon the health and dress reform, setting forth the subject in a manner to remove all misunderstanding, and enable all to act understandingly and with uniformity in these matters. At 7, Bro. W. spoke on the subject of baptism, after which the evening was spent to a late hour, in the answering of questions, and the examination of candidates for baptism. Twenty-six offered themselves, and were accepted as fit subjects, either by vote of the members present from the churches which they proposed to join, or where none such were present, by vote of the entire congregation. Among the candidates were many youth and children whom it was pleasant to see taking up the cross, and starting in the service of their Divine Master. Bro. Butler administered the ordinance, on first-day morning, at the nearest place, some four miles distant. A good season was enjoyed at the water's edge.

Preaching first-day forenoon by Bro. White, and in the afternoon by Sr. W., closing with a solemn appeal to the people to prepare for the coming Judgment. The evening meeting was omitted to give the brethren opportunity to prepare to return to their homes on the morrow.

Thus, ere we were aware, the pleasant four days of meeting had sped like an arrow away, bringing the sad hour of partings and farewell greetings. And as the beholder witnessed the quivering lips and falling tears, he could truly have said, Behold, how these love one another! We separated, never more to all meet again in this pilgrimage state, but each cherishing a hope now bright for the better land. How many will ever see this hope realized? How many will safely land on the immortal shore? And how many will leave the wrecks of their ill-guided barks, amid the perils of these last days? Let us each resolve to gain the heavenly land. We may all go through if we will.

The brethren consider the cause in this State in a better condition now than at any previous time. Its friends, it is true, are not so numerous as they have been in times past. Those who were brought into the truth wrong, never partaking of the right spirit, have left it, as it was almost certain that they would. But those that remain are having an experience that will be of lasting benefit to them. They have another spirit, and are learning to value vital godliness and holy living, in connection with the truth, more than mere theory and a spirit of contention on the points of our faith.

This meeting will result in good. We shall confidently look for encouraging and lasting fruits, as the brethren, imbued with its good spirit, bear its influence to their several homes. The cause has many firm and staunch friends in this State, men of too much sterling integrity and moral worth, to prove recreant to the truth which they now so ardently love. We believe that from this time on, there will be a gathering influence, and a growth in grace. May the labors of Bro. Butler in the State be blessed of Heaven, and other faithful men be raised up to assist him in his arduous work.

The weather throughout both meetings, with the exception of one rainy night in Wisconsin, has proved most delightful. Everything seemed to conspire to render the meetings most pleasant seasons. A spirit of perfect union apparently pervaded all hearts, and the blessing of the Lord was upon his people. To his name be the praise.

It has been a great privilege to us to see the faces of many friends of the truth, with whose names we have long been familiar. May an acquaintance, commenced through the Review, that good medium of communication among the little flock, and now strengthened by the privilege of seeing each other's faces, and grasping the friendly hand, be perpetuated forever in the kingdom of Heaven. Blessed hope. We thank the brethren for their cordial greetings and words of sympathy, and hope to hear from them often for the paper, on our return to the Office.

Bro. and Sr. White, accompanied by Bro. and Sr. Bourdeau, hold meetings next Sabbath and first-day at Mt. Pleasant, from which point we expect to return home.