A Good Word from Ohio by Wm. Cottrell.

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 25, 1868

A Good Word from Ohio.

By Wm. Cottrell.

Bro. Smith: I would say that the little company here at Bowersville are, I believe, making some progress. Peace, love, and Christian fellowship prevail among us as a church. Our Sabbath meetings are growing in interest. As we reflect that we are nearing the final consummation, we do most earnestly pray that we may see ourselves as God sees, and be sanctified through the truth, and consecrate ourselves, with all that we have, to the Lord. The wrath of the dragon seems to be increasing here in this community. It is manifested through professors of Christianity in circulating slanders and falsehoods of various kinds. A certain minister in our town has been taking some pains to procure and circulate some of the Snook-and-Brinkerhoff documents here, that are written against the visions of Sr. White. It did, for a time, seem to affect the mind of one Sabbath-keeper; but, praise the Lord, this same person has since united with the church.

We have had four additions since our organization, and we believe that others will yet come into the church. There are great efforts being made to draw some of our number away from the truth. The opposition to the visions grew to such an extent that some of the brethren thought it would be well for me to give a discourse on the perpetuity of spiritual gifts, which I accordingly did a few Sundays ago. I had a good hearing and good liberty while bringing the Scripture evidence of the perpetuity of gifts. I believe that the Lord blessed the truth to the good of some of the hearers. One leading Methodist, a class-leader, said in the conclusion of our meeting, that he only took issue with us on one point, and that was the gift of apostles. Eph. iv, 11, 12. He thought the apostolic office ceased with the twelve. Some of our members said they felt stronger than ever before. Praise the Lord for present truth! for outside of it there is no salvation for us.

After Snook and Brinkerhoff had gone off in rebellion, Sr. White had an interview with said Snook in Iowa. He then professed himself satisfied, and wrote his confession for the REVIEW; and it was published. I should feel thankful to you or any one else that would send me that number of the REVIEW containing his confession, as I wish for our brethren to see it; for none of them have ever seen it, and my paper containing it is lost. Send without fail, and after they have seen it, I will re-mail it, if desired, to the owner. Yours in love, Wm. Cottrell. Greene Co., Ohio.