A Mystery by J. H. W.

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 27, 1875

A Mystery.

By J. H. W.

In the World’s Crisis, of April 21, is a notice by “M. G.” of the great union revival meetings in San Francisco, under Mr. Hammond. In this report “M. G.” says:—

“The denominational walls are as flat as were those of Jericho, when they fell in the time of Joshua. Every Christian is now allowed to unite with every other Christian in the glorious work of leading sinners to Christ. There is no sacrifice of any peculiar theological views, but a sweet loving union of hearts.”

A lay brother once spoke in a “union meeting” in San Francisco, of his love for Jesus, and the “blessed hope” of soon seeing him at his coming in glory, and he brought three ministers to their feet who in an excited and indignant manner said, “We must ignore this doctrine—we cannot permit such things in our meetings.” In Vallejo at the recent “union meetings,” while the views of others, such as believe in the world’s conversion, natural immortality, and endless torment, were freely spoken, those Adventists who attended were obliged to exercise a care to keep their “peculiar theological views” in the back ground. All this gives an air of mystery to the report in the Crisis. In the San Francisco Chronicle, a short time before the Crisis’ report was written, appeared the following interesting notice:—

“Mr. Editor: Through the medium of your valuable paper I would ask what constitutes a union meeting? All orthodox churches have been invited to participate and take a part in the exercises. And one would suppose that a spirit of love, such as actuated the Great Teacher, would be manifested. But a careful observer will not fail to notice the silence which they maintain to one of their number, who for mental ability, and biblical research, has not his equal on the Pacific Coast. And, as yet, no place has been assigned him; never called upon to pray or to speak. On several occasions when he has attempted to do so, Mr. Hammond has taken particular pains to call upon others (after he has heard his voice) to fill up the time, that he may not be heard. Is that Christian courtesy? It has become so notorious, and commented upon, in behalf of others I would ask, why is it? If they are honest and sincere, why this discrepancy? Truly, a casual observer will notice that this bond of unsectarian love that has, to a certain extent, prevailed throughout these meetings, is undergoing a very material change under the influence of a spirit which is the opposite of brotherly love. Surely, a spirit of unison, that should characterize these meetings from beginning to end, should have for its foundation, charity. Why ask a minister on the platform, and then treat him with such indifference that he not only feels it, but the public discerns it? OBSERVER.”

Who can “put that and that together” so as to relieve the mystery? It appears from this that an “eminent divine” has been snubbed by Mr. Hammond, and this so that “he feels it,” and “the public discerns it,” yet “M. G.” reports no sacrifice of any one’s peculiar views, but a sweet union of hearts in these meetings. Has he less discernment than “the public” in this particular case, or was the report in the Crisis “calculated for the latitude of Boston” and not for that of San Francisco? Who can explain?

Personally or denominationally we have no interest in the case of the individual mentioned in the above notice, but we have an interest that the truth should be known; that people should understand that “the blessed hope” of the gospel is ignored in the so-called “union meetings.” This will explain why Seventh-day Adventists have taken no part in them. It justifies our course and relieves us from the charge of sectarian exclusiveness; for while popular denominations fully speak their views in these meetings, we cannot do so without subjecting ourselves to open rebuke, even though our views are scriptural, and the expression of them clothed in the very language of Scripture. True reformers have always preferred truth to “union.” It was so with Jesus and his apostles; so with Luther; so with Wesley; and we are willing to follow their example.—J. H. W. in Signs of the Times.