The Cause in Princeville, Ill.
About ten years ago the message was preached first in this place. A few came out and took a stand on the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. The soon coming of the Lord was their pleasing theme. A church was organized, which has gradually increased in numbers, and with many of the members knowledge and spirituality have also increased. The Lord has planted the vine, and still nourishes it. Difficulties and trials have been experienced by us, and many who once were members here are members no more. Some have broken the covenant and brought shame and sorrow to us. They follow no more in the humble path the Master trod. They have gone into sin, having loved this present world. But does not a tear moisten the eye of such when they remember the sweet and melting seasons we have had together in the prayer and social meetings? Oh! what a gentle, cementing spirit moved our hearts and made us feel that our souls were knit together even as Jonathan’s soul was knit with David’s, when we have followed our Master’s example in washing feet. Some have gone to other places to live; some east, some west; some have carried the holy fire kindled here to their new abodes, where now it is brightly burning. Would that we could say this of all. Absent ones are not forgotten. Our love is still the same. We are longing for the glad day when we shall meet in the kingdom of God. Oft the ardent prayer ascends from the same altar for absent ones we love, who have often bowed with us there. The 3d and 4th of this month, our quarterly meeting was held. Several were absent. Sickness kept some away who desired to be present. We did not receive letters from all the absent ones. Every one who is numbered with us should feel it duty to represent himself at the quarterly meetings. Sabbath, at eleven, I tried to speak from Heb. 12: 28. The Hebrew letter is peculiarly applicable to us, as the circumstances that occasioned it were in many respects similar to those of our own; and the design of the epistle was to accomplish what we need accomplished for us. The letter was written to the converted Jews in Judea, who were then in a state of poverty, affliction, and persecution. The doctrines they had embraced were so contrary to the corrupt principles of those about them, that those who held to them were despised and persecuted. Although the Lord had said to the wicked Jews many years before, “If your house is left unto you desolate,” and had foretold the destruction of the holy city, yet their worship was carried on with great pomp, and the host of learned priests and scribes, together with their gorgeous synagogues, made their worship imposing. It was a time of trial to the followers of Christ. Many persecuted ones forsook the Christian religion and turned to the Jewish. Those who loved show and approbation more than the humble path of truth, of course, went with the Jews. Thus many apostatized from Christ, and it perhaps was feared that there would be a general apostasy. This state of things called forth this epistle. The doomed city had not yet fallen, but the cup of her iniquity was fast filling up, and her final overthrow was near. But seven short years, and Jerusalem was in ruins. The design of the epistle was to establish the wavering disciples, and prevent them from apostatizing from Christ, to participate in empty, formal worship. The most powerful arguments against apostasy are found in this epistle. If we are correct, our position is like this. Babylon is doomed to overthrow. The cup of her iniquity is fast filling up, and wrath is pending. But the priests, with giant minds and noble appearance, and the costly edifices in which they so grandly officiate, seem to forbid the idea of an overthrow as much as did the imposing scenes in Jerusalem, its overthrow, when the Hebrew letter was written. The popular assemblies invite us to be numbered with them, and forsake this self-denying, cross-bearing way. We know that wrath is threatened, and that our Lord has promised to come. But wrath has long slumbered, and our Lord tarries. Many apostatize. It is a time of trial. Read, dear friends, in this epistle, the condition of apostates, and tremble. Read also the portion of those that endure and hold fast. See how faithfully the apostle instructs, warns and encourages. In this letter he first shows that Christ is superior to angels. Then, that he is superior to Moses. His priesthood excels that of Aaron or Melchisedec. He shows the weakness of the blood of beasts, and the power of that blood that speaketh; shows that the many sacrifices only typified the one great sacrifice. The land of Canaan is spoken of with reference to the everlasting inheritance of the saints. A host of holy men and women are referred to, to inspire faith in them, “who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight,” and others who were tortured, mocked and scourged, stoned, sawn asunder, tempted, and slain; all of whom endured as seeing him who is invisible, having heard his word and believed, and now wait a better resurrection. The apostle exhorts the poor, despised company, in order that they may gain strength to “forsake not the assembling of themselves together.” He does not say that they should go to the learned priests, and attend their devotional services to gain strength, but to “exhort one another, and so much the more as they see the day approaching.” They were approaching the day when the rejected city of Jerusalem should be destroyed; we are approaching the day when Babylon shall receive her just deserts from God. The warnings, the exhortations, and the encouragements, given in this letter, are suited well to us. Let us heed them. I trust all who attended our quarterly meeting felt paid. We had a good social meeting Sabbath afternoon, and in the evening, a solemn ordinance meeting. On Sunday we held a business meeting, and at eleven, Bro. W. E. Bliss spoke concerning that wisdom that is from above. During the summer, three persons have been disfellowshipped by this church. Some have received letters of commendation. I trust there is still life in the vine planted here, and that it will continue to grow, till the coming of Him who died for it. May we have the prayers and such help of our brethren as they can render. Princeville, Ill., Sept. 7, 1870.