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GEO. O. STATES

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 9, 1906

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 83, No. 32.

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GEO. O. STATES

By GEO. O. STATES

Lessons From Past Experiences — No. 2

GEO. O. STATES

Soon after that meeting in Sylvan a meeting was called by H. S. Case to learn how many were disposed to stand by him in his work of opposing the visions of Sister White. When the test came, about one half the believers took their stand with him. They all declared how firmly they believed the Sabbath and other parts of the message; that every part was right except the visions; and that they would always keep the Sabbath and firmly stand for the truth.
They soon started a paper called the Messenger of Truth, which was filled with misrepresentations of our work, and set forth the great things they expected to accomplish when those who were led by a woman had gone down. This was indeed a trying time for the believers, as we were ridiculed for standing by the Testimonies.
For a time it looked very discouraging, and the time of our loyal ministers was occupied in exposing the falsehoods which were uttered by the Messenger party. As fast as one falsehood was exposed, another was invented, and we thought surely that must be exposed. About this time Sister White was shown that if we would keep at our work, preaching the truth regardless of any such people as the Messenger party, they would yet go to war among themselves, and soon our numbers would be doubled. Following this instruction from the Lord, our work advanced as never before, and the leaders in the opposition began quarreling among themselves. The leader, H. S. Case, soon gave up the Sabbath, and for years lived in northern Michigan, working at fishing. He became a very profane man, and died in that condition.
When his paper ceased, his followers either gave up the Sabbath or took their stand for the whole message. Thus ended the first open opposition, proving the truthfulness of 2 Chron. 20: 20: “Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.” In following later oppositions we shall see that they have all been of the same character as the first.
Cedaredge, Colo.