DEERFIELD QUARTERLY MEETING.
By E. W. Darling
The Deerfield church held their Quarterly Meeting according to appointment Dec. 5 and 6. This church has been reduced by the members moving to other parts; yet quite a little company assembled, most of them coming from four to twelve miles. Eld. Stephen Pierce was present and gave three discourses. His words of exhortation, and faithful warning took good effect in the hearts of those that heard. Tears flowed, and some who had long held out against the Lord broke down and began to seek the way of life. Bro. Pierce seemed to have renewed his age, and was stirred with new life in the work of the Lord. We felt that he was God's ambassador, doing his work for the final Judgment, so soon to close in sentence upon all mankind. We hope that the long roads and dreary winters of Minnesota may not destroy his health, but may he still be spared, a father to the churches. Our social meetings were marked by confessions and resolutions to move forward with God's people; yet some still seemed indifferent. How much longer can the sinner safely put off repentance? How long before the lukewarm will be spued out? God knoweth. Let us beware. The little flock were much encouraged. One brother said this was the best Quarterly Meeting he had ever attended. The careful method of reading the Scriptures, introduced to us by the preacher, was worthy to be remembered. For example we are told by the apostle, If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God. What are the oracles? Stephen declares that the lively oracles were received by the fathers to give unto us, referring evidently to the law of God. Acts, vii, 38. And Paul claims this to be the chief advantage of the Jews. Rom. iii, 2. Thus we find the exhortation of the apostle, agreeing with the words of the prophet. To the law and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. Isa. viii, 20. By these scriptures we are admonished to frame our words according to the law of God.38 The subject matter of the discourse was quite similar to what has already been reported. There is however one point which I desire to notice. In Zeph. ii, 1, 2, the people of God are exhorted to gather together before the decree bring forth. This decree is usually called styled the decree of the image. Rev. xiii, 15; but our brother objected because that decree will never bring forth. He took the ground that this decree referred to the final closing sentence of the present session of the court of Heaven, which will soon bring forth in fearful consequence upon all mankind. “He that is unjust let him be unjust still; and he which is filthy let him be filthy still; and he that is righteous let him be righteous still, and he that is holy let him be holy still. Rev. xxii, 11. 1. Notice it does not say before the decree goes forth, but before the decree bring forth; that is, before the result of the decree or its execution be realized. 2. God does not warn men to fear and tremble at the decrees of men; but on the contrary the Saviour says, Be not afraid of them that kill the body. 3. The fierce anger of the Lord is spoken of in close connection as the result of the decree, and of not heeding the warning to gather into the unity of the faith, and to seek meekness and righteousness. 4. The fierce anger of the Lord is of far greater consequence to the people of God while on probation, than the wrath of man; and it is a duty to seek to escape the one; while it would be only foolish, at the present time, to be trying to evade the other.