Untitled article by Daniel T. Bourdeau; George I. Butler

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, October 22, 1867

REPORT FROM IOWA.

By Daniel T. Bourdeau; George I. Butler

The day following the close of our meeting at Laporte, we journeyed to Marion. The friends of the cause at Anamosa and Lisbon assembled with the brethren at that place, at the house of Bro. Hare, upon the Sabbath.

We had two discourses and a social meeting of good interest. Quite a number were present of those who formerly believed with us in all the present truth, and gave good attention to the word spoken. We trust the friends of the cause felt strengthened by the meeting.

From Marion we went to Knoxville to meet our appointments. Found a good congregation present Sabbath morning at the house of worship. We tried to bring forth from the storehouse those truths which were adapted to their condition, and trust God's blessing may attend their efforts to advance in the way of holiness. Owing to many discouragements in the past this church has not made that advancement which they might have made had everything been managed with wisdom and judgment in years gone by. But we trust a goodly number from Knoxville may stand on Mount Zion with the remnant people of God.

On our arrival at the place we learned that Elder Brinkerhoff was there, and had been holding meetings, the principal object of which was to draw away all he could from among us, though he had said if we would live up to the doctrines we profess, we should be saved. We learned also that he intended to challenge us to a discussion on the points of difference between us. Accordingly Sabbath afternoon he handed in a written challenge for a discussion. And as he had said much in regard to the matter beforehand in the community, we thought it best to notice the challenge in public. Therefore Sunday in the forenoon, we took it up before a fair-sized congregation. After reading the challenge, we read the resolution upon debating in the General Conf. report which advises S. D. Adventist ministers not to engage in discussions unless the interests of the cause plainly demand the same, which resolution Elders Snook and Brinkerhoff voted for in General Conf. May, 1865. We declined to accept his challenge.

1. There was not a sufficient reason for any discussion. None of the friends of the cause in Knoxville and vicinity desired any, and only those who make it their business to war against us, or those who sympathized with them, have any such desire. We hardly felt duty to stop our work to satisfy such a spirit.

2. The matters of difference between us, have been discussed once already. At Pilot Grove, Iowa, in the summer of 1865, Elders White and Loughborough being present, and Elders S. and B. also. After preliminaries had been arranged the discussion went on as long as S. and B. desired, and would have gone further had they chosen. Many who were present expected and desired to hear the discussion on the visions, and Bro. and sister White stood ready on their part, but Elders S. and B. did not wish it then. Why should they now?

This discussion was a very peculiar one on some accounts. Not only did some of those who came to that meeting strongly sympathizing with them, upon hearing Bro. White's powerful testimony, change their opinions, and become warm friends of the truth, but Elders Snook and Brinkerhoff themselves made humble confessions of their wrong course and asked the forgiveness of Bro. and sister White, and others, and after having full time to deliberate wrote out confessions for the Review, in which they confessed they had been led by Satan, and warned their brethren from following their example, and stated they believed the testimonies &c. These confessions may be found in Review of July 25th, 1865. We believe they were well qualified to give good advice in the premises, for who is better prepared to warn others than those who have been in Satan's hands, and for the time being been released? We trust all will heed the warning. And now they have returned to what they themselves have confessed was the snare of Satan. Under the circumstances, therefore, we thought there had been all the discussion that was called for from the hands of S. D. Adventist, to say nothing of the propriety of waiting to see where Elders S. and B. will turn up: for at first they only thought they should give up the visions, but now they have come out against ten or a dozen important points of the truth! All this in the space of two years. Where will they be in two years more?

3. Again, all the arguments are within reach of those who desire to investigate further the differences between us. Our publications in which our views are expressed are scattered over the land. Also Elders S. and B. have published their views on these same subjects. Bro. Smith has taken up many of their objections to the visions. Their arguments on the two-horned beast have also been noticed publicly through the Review. So any person can post himself for a few cents upon all points in the controversy. By this we showed there was no need of our time being taken up in entering into any public discussion upon these subjects.

4. We did not admit for a moment that our ministers were under obligation to discuss with those who have withdrawn from us every time they may choose to come in our way. Messrs. Stephenson and Hall, Shortridge and Hull, and Snook and Brinkerhoff, have chosen to go out from us. We cannot admit the possession of any right on their part, to take up the time of our ministers in endless discussion where there is no call for them. We think we have more important business to attend to.

5. We tried to show the spirit with which Elder B. regarded our people, reading from his writings that they were the most “bigoted, self-conceited” people in existence, and that some of our leaders were guilty of wilful “deception,” &c., and with other hard sayings showing forth his feelings toward the people he formerly mingled with. As we were reading these passages from his writings he bowed his assent from his seat. We contrasted these feelings with his course in coming to our weak brethren and professing sympathy and love for us, making it to appear there was not much difference between us after all; that we were agreed upon the Sabbath and Advent doctrine &c., but before getting through, leading away their minds from the visions and casting doubt and darkness over their minds. We desire all our brethren to understand this matter as it is, and realize that he has no real feeling of sympathy for us, but makes it his main object to tear down and destroy. We told all, that when they understood the course of these men, and knew their object, all who desired to go with them, could do so, and welcome.

6. Finally, we called attention to one important point which fully reveals the nature of the work Elders B. and S. are engaged in. While they tell our brethren where they go that if the S. D. Advent people live up to the doctrines they profess they will be saved at the Lord's coming, and while they are teaching that Christ is coming in a year or two, yet they are making a mighty effort to tear us down while the whole world is lying in wickedness at our very doors. Surely such a course shows for itself who are engaged in the Lord's work.

At the close of the meeting, we held a business meeting with the church. Three were disfellowshipped for breaking the Sabbath, and two for manifesting no interest in meetings, and for other reasons. Though living within a short distance they had not attended meetings for many months. Two more were censured for similar reasons.

Our esteemed brother, Benn Auten, was duly ordained as elder of the church by the laying on of hands, and the Lord witnessed to the same by the outpouring of his blessed Spirit. May the Good Shepherd help our dear brother to be faithful in his charge as an under shepherd, till the Master shall return and bestow a glorious reward upon his faithful people.

As our meeting closed in Knoxville, we felt encouraged to hope that there were better times before that church. And although we are in the shaking time, and some are being shaken out, yet we expect to meet some in the kingdom, from Knoxville.

From K. we journeyed to Sandyville, and commenced our meetings Thursday evening. Gave three discourses and hold one social and one business meeting there. As this church is passing through a deciding time with many, and as former trials have not lost all their unpleasant influences, and as there is too much worldliness, and too little consecration, our meetings were not so interesting as we could desire. We hope, however, some good was accomplished. In our business meeting several were disfellowshipped, and others censured for various reasons. Two were admitted as members of the church. Resolutions were passed requesting absent members to report as often as once in three months, and expressing the mind of the church that absence from the meetings for a month without good reason was proper cause for labor, &c.

We hope to see a stronger effort made to take hold more earnestly in the great work of overcoming, by the members of the church. We believe God has some jewels in Sandyville. May the Lord help them to make a mighty effort to get into the work for these last days, and be prepared and fitted for the coming kingdom of God.

D. T. BOURDEAU.

GEO. I. BUTLER.