REPORT by Merritt E. Cornell

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 28, 1868

REPORT

By Merritt E. Cornell

THURSDAY, April 16, went to Greenville. While on the cars, a circumstance occurred, which shows the necessity of Bro. White's article on Clerical Slander.

A Presbyterian minister from Gratiot county was making special efforts to attract attention to himself by his endeavors to amuse the passengers. Among other things, he stated that Mrs. White had a vision at St. Louis, Gratiot Co., that she was to leave her husband, and take another man; that a man might have as many wives as he chose. He then made some, not very refined, remarks and witticisms, which excited laughter in some, but disgust in the pure minded. In the cars were several clergymen, and many intelligent ladies and gentlemen from several different States. Of course we could not let such a base slander pass, and a wrong impression go to so many different places; we therefore watched for a chance to correct the misstatement.

An intelligent Jew soon entered into conversation with him, and turned the tables on him by relating an old slander against Martin Luther, that he had a child by his own daughter, &c. The minister was aroused. Said he, “It is a base slander, invented by his enemies. There is not a particle of proof of any such thing.” He then came down upon the Jew with the most cutting reproof for making such a statement from hearsay evidence.

Now our time had come. The measure he had meted to others had been immediately measured to him again. We then stated to the passengers that we had known Eld. White and his wife for sixteen years, and that the statement made by the clergyman was an unmitigated slander. First, Mrs. White never had a vision in Gratiot county; and second, she never had a vision any where, of any such nature as had been stated. We then challenged him to stop at Oswasse with any of his friends as witnesses, and we would secure for him one thousand dollars, on the condition that he should make good his statement. We urged him to the task with such earnestness, that all in the car appeared to be convinced that he had uttered a slander. He was embarrassed, and said faintly, “I heard so”!

An intelligent Infidel, from Dearborn, Mich., then rose up, and made some very pointed remarks on hearsay evidence and condemning a whole body of people, because of a story about some one of their number. “Shall I,” said he, “call the Methodists a set of cut-throats, because several of their preachers are now in our penitentiary? Shall I condemn all ministers, because one in our town ran away with Bro. M.'s wife, last week?” By this time, the tide was turned completely. Several of the passengers expressed themselves very freely to me, and were anxious to know more about it. I would have given $5.00 for 100 of Bro. White's tract, “Clerical Slander,” to distribute in that car. As I was about to leave the Office, Bro. Amadon suggested that I might need a few tracts to distribute on the cars, and I took about 40 “State of Churches,” “Features of our Times,” &c. These were taken eagerly, and ere this, some have gone to half a dozen different States. We shall hear from them again not far in the future.

April 17 to 20, spent at Bro. White's, at Greenville. The meetings over Sabbath and first-day were of interest. The testimony of Bro. and Sr. White was with power. This was the first opportunity I had had of seeing and hearing them since Bro. White's recovery. The half had not been told me. Nothing, for years, has done me so much good as this short visit at Bro. White's hospitable home.

Here I witnessed zeal, humility, consecration to the cause, self-sacrifice, and earnestness, which has inspired me with new courage. I heard Sister White read some of the manuscript for Testimony, No 15, and I believe it to be of great importance to the cause at this time. Our brethren abroad knew but little of the amount of labor in writing and speaking, besides other cares, performed by these care-worn servants of God. I can report that God is with them of a truth; and I believe he will guide them continually.

At Bro. White's, I met Bro. M. G. Kellogg, whom I had not seen for nine years. I was very glad to see him, and find that his interest in the truth had not abated by his long sojourn in California. We shall long remember this visit, and the many dear friends of the cause we saw at this meeting.

Bro. Howe, of Orange, kindly brought us on our way to Ionia, where we took the cars for St. Charles. At Ionia, we had a short interview with our dear friend, Sewell Pierce, formerly of Maine. No brother could have greeted us more warmly. When no other could be induced to take the job of building the meeting house at Norridgewock, Maine, the Lord put it into the heart of friend Sewell to step in and supply the lack. Though he has not made any profession, yet he loves the truth dearly, and is ready to sacrifice for it. We expect ere long to see him rejoice in hope. He is entitled to the kind regards of all our people. May Heaven's blessings follow him.

At St. Charles, the brethren came together on short notice, and we had a profitable time. Some remarked that it was the most profitable meeting they had enjoyed there for many months. Some have taken a new start. May the St. Charles church soon see better days.

On board steamboat for Saginaw.

M. E. CORNELL.

April 21.