p. 292 | Untitled article

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

THE WORK STILL ONWARD.

From witnessing the good work of the Lord in the meetings in Wisconsin and Iowa, hearing a testimony borne adapted to the present wants of the remnant, and seeing it joyfully received by those who heard, we have returned to witness a good work for the church in this place.

We were gratified, as we saw the beneficial effects of the labors of Bro. and Sr. White here, Sept. 14, that they proposed to hold further meetings with us on their return from the West; and we have had still more reason to be gratified as we have seen the progress of the meetings themselves. They commenced Friday, Oct. 11, and up to the present writing, twelve meetings have been held. We believe substantial progress has been made. The work has moved slow, perhaps too much so; but there has not been anything which has seemed to be excited and flashy, but a calm and candid consideration of wrongs which have led to spiritual declension, and an earnest and persistent purpose to put them away.

It is a time of close self-examination, and deep searching of heart with many. Some good confessions have been made, good positions taken, and resolutions formed. There is a pressing together on the part of the church. We desire to discover and put away all the evils of which we have been guilty, and get into a place where we can stand by those who are called to lead out in this great work, and stay up their hands.

We rejoice in the plain and searching testimony, so necessary for these times. We believe there is no desire on the part of any to have sins covered up, or that the “hurt of the daughter of my people” should be “healed slightly.” It is owing to the lack of such testimony and such a work in the popular churches of the land that we see them morally dead, and given up to every species of worldliness and pride. That these meetings, involving an investigation of various matters over which misunderstandings and wrong feelings have existed, will result in a better understanding of the position we should occupy, and strong and impregnable union for the future, we fully believe.

The Lord is restoring Bro. White, and giving both him and Sr. White a testimony for his people richer in experience and stronger in power, than ever before. With this blessing vouchsafed to his cause, we also confidently expect another; namely the revival of his work in all parts of the field.