Another Ascension-Robe Slander Exploded.
BRO. SMITH: I send you some testimony in regard to Ascension Robes, that perhaps is of interest enough to find a place in the REVIEW. There has been a great deal said in this place, within the last six months, on this subject, especially at the time of Bro. Andrews' lectures here, and since; which, together with other influences, has created much prejudice. Elder Lugg, Methodist, has taken a very active part in the matter, both in the pulpit and out. He said he never heard it disputed by any one before. He supposed it susceptible of positive proof. Among other assertions he said there was a Mrs. Green in Marquette, Wis., that had a robe prepared in 1844, as hundreds of others had, and had kept it ever since. He gave me the name of his main witness, Mrs. McCracken, a near neighbor of hers; but many of them had seen the robe out bleaching. I wrote to Bro. Edward Hallock with reference to it, and he has very kindly furnished me with testimony to the point. I thought it might be interesting to some of our brethren who are young in the cause, and not well prepared to meet such influences. I presume these persons would have no objections to having their names used. If such men as Eld. Lugg would give a little more 'heed to that law which says, Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor, it would save much trouble; but there is a blessing promised in Matt. 5: 11, 12, to those who are thus slandered. I send you the letters I received from Bro. Hallock, that you may dispose of their contents as you think best. If you publish any of them, please send me a dozen numbers of the paper for free distribution. I showed these letters to Eld. Lugg. He seemed rather surprised, and said he would write out something to exonerate himself. He has failed as yet to present it. Yours in love of the truth, A. B. WILLIAMS. Clinton, Wis. The following are the letters referred to above by Bro. Williams: DEAR BRO. WILLIAMS: I received your communication yesterday, and went directly to see Mrs. Green. I have her statement as to her ascension robe, in her own handwriting, which I send with this. She also stated that if that was not sufficient she would write more, and that she would give $100 for reliable proof that an ascension robe was made during the '44 movement. She said there never was one made. She wished me to see her neighbor, Mrs. McCracken, as she did not believe that Mrs. McC. had ever told such a thing; for she was a truthful woman. Mrs. Green is a first-day Adventist, seventy-two years of age. I went directly to see Mrs. McCracken. She said she was acquainted with Mr. Lugg, and admitted that she had joked with him some on the subject, but seemed very much surprised at the advantage he had taken of it. I also inclose her written statement. If we can be of any more use in the matter we are at your service. We are looking forward to that happy day when the refuges of lies will be swept away. In love, E. HALLOCK. STATEMENT FROM MRS. GREEN.
As I am one whom the enemies of the truth refer to in speaking of ascension robes, I hereby certify that I have been anxiously looking for the King in his beauty; but the assertion that I ever prepared a cloth robe for ascension is false, and utterly devoid of truth. I will give the sum of one hundred dollars to any person of truth to prove the assertion. MARY GREEN. STATEMENT FROM MRS. MCCRACKEN.
BRO. Lugg must have misunderstood me to say that Mrs. Green had her ascension robe prepared. She has clothes laid by in case of her death, as many other persons have. This is all of which I have any knowledge. M. A. MCCRACKEN.