p. 15 | IOWA by J. H. Morrison

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 6, 1876

IOWA

By J. H. Morrison

I went to Bradford, Iowa, and remained for three weeks, holding in all thirty-seven meetings. I found this once happy little church sadly confused by the age-to-come-ists, and having all confidence that it is the truth of God.

When the advocates of this doctrine are asked to set forth the pillars of their faith, why do they not appeal to some of the well-defined chains of prophecy, reaching from some specified point in the past into the future age? It is because these prophecies say nothing in its favor. It seems to me, if this doctrine was truth it would be worthy of a place in the prophetic chain. Take up these chains, link by link, and the very link that should introduce that age as a day of light and glory to the world is declared to be a day of darkness and gloominess.

This little company, after contesting the point, were forced, as honest seekers after truth, to renounce the age-to-come-ism as a great error and deception of Satan.

One aged sister, an early Sabbath-keeper, who has been its strong advocate, was compelled to admit the truthfulness of the arguments against it. I hope this experience may serve as a safeguard to this sister in the future; and also open the eyes of this good sister, both to the truth and to the dividing and distracting influence of this fascinating error. See Rom. 16:17.

Since the camp-meeting, I have visited Newton, Iowa, where I had some freedom in speaking the word. We had a good meeting and the presence of nearly all the brethren, and, above all, the presence of God. A deacon was ordained, the ordinances were administered, and six baptized were taken into the church.

J. H. MORRISON.

Pleasant, Iowa, June 25, 1876.