The last work of Moses was to write the book of Deuteronomy. The Hebrew title to this book means “repetition.” Lest Israel should forget their early experience, God rewrote the laws and reviewed their history. He would have us also remember all the way that the Lord has led us.
Six years before the destruction of Jerusalem, the book of Hebrews was written. In this book the apostle exhorts the brethren in these words:—
Call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;9and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used. For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
The mind of the apostle is then carried down to the near coming of the Lord, thus showing that the experience of the people of God at this time will be similar to that of the Christians at that time, and that, therefore, they will need the same exhortation:—
For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
The apostle applies this instruction to those living near the second coming of Christ. An object-lesson for our day and experience can be found in the book of Acts, where is recorded the early experience of the disciples. Many of these experiences will be repeated shortly before the coming of the Lord. The message to the Ephesian church also is full of instruction for us.
These words become especially applicable to the people of God at the present time. Three steps are required of them to return to their first love:—
They are to remember from whence they are fallen.
They are to repent.
Then they must do their first works.
The prophecies of Daniel and Revelation were the study of the people of God in the early history of the advent movement. The words of the prophets were sweeter to them than honey and the honeycomb. They fed upon the sacred pages.
The believers were social in their church relationships also. They took pains to visit one another, that they might study the blessed hope together. They talked over their experience, and especially the truths that had led them to become a separate people.
Business was secondary. The progress of the work, the gathering in of souls, was the theme of conversation. They forgot their trials, which were not few. Their meetings were well attended. If any of their number were sick, their homes were visited, and earnest prayer was offered. Time and again, in answer to the earnest prayer of God’s people, the sick were restored. There are many today who are rejoicing in God that were brought from death’s door in those times. It was not because they feared death that they desired to live, but that they might bear witness to the truth.
Our brethren and sisters were not then as numerous as now, neither were the modes of conveyance what they are at the present time. It was not uncommon to drive from ten to twenty-five miles for a general meeting. Unconverted friends were brought to these meetings, as well as the sick and afflicted. Meetings were held for several days at a time, and souls were converted. My mind reverts to the visit of Elder James White and his wife and Brother J. N. Andrews to the Washington, N. H., company, when all the young people and backsliders connected with the company were converted. Many of those converted at that meeting are still laboring in the cause. Elder E. W. Farnsworth was one of the number.
THE CHURCH AT WASHINGTON, N. H.
Opposition and persecution were greater then than at the present time. But this was what they expected. They took joyfully the spoiling of their goods. They rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for Christ’s sake. Some arrests were made because it was said they disturbed the peace by praying for the sick in the night season. On one occasion, in the State of Maine, the sheriff and his posse of six men came to a place where our brethren held their meetings. The power of God was manifestly present as the sheriff ordered the arrest of the leader. There was such an excitement over the matter, and such an interest taken in the case, that they concluded to use the meeting-house for a court room. But no two of the witnesses agreed in their testimony, and the trial became a scene of confusion and sport for those present. As they could find nothing with which to accuse them, the prosecuting attorney said, “We understand that you have some strange songs you sing.” The leader, Elder Damon, replied that they had, and if desired, they would sing him one. The old meeting-house rang as all joined in singing,—
“As I was down in Egypt’s land,
I heard, and my heart was glad,” etc.
They were released, and the court was dismissed. They all returned to their homes happy that they were counted worthy to suffer for the truth. But amid it all, souls were converted, and rejoiced in the truth.
At that time we had no foreign missions. Our people were mostly very poor. A few had some means, and they, as in the days of the apostles, sold their possessions, and distribution was made as the poorest had need—not carelessly scattered to encourage idleness, but the suffering were helped. The cause was built up. Some would give nearly their all to purchase facilities to spread the truth. I have yet to learn that one such individual ever came to want. God watched over them, and his providence provided for them. God is the same today. If we sacrifice to carry forward his cause, God will bless us. When the Saviour comes, and the angels are sent to gather the redeemed, the Saviour will say, “Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.” Ps. 50: 5. If we make no sacrifice, shall we ever be gathered? Now is the time for sacrificing; by and by will come the gathering. Will you be gathered in that day?
Notes of Early Experiences
How They Studied the Word
Sister White has written:—
My husband, Elder Joseph Bates, Father Pierce, Elder Edson, and others who were keen, noble, and true, were among those who, after the passing of the time in 1844, searched for the truth as for hidden treasure. I met with them, and we studied and prayed earnestly. Often we remained together until late at night, and sometimes through the entire night, praying for light and studying the Word. Again and again these brethren came together to study the Bible, in order that they might know its meaning, and be able to preach it with power. When they came to the point in their study where they said, “We can do nothing more,” the Spirit of the Lord would come upon me, I would be taken off in vision, and a clear explanation of the passages we had been studying would be given me, with instruction as to how we were to labor and teach effectively. Thus light was given that helped us to understand the scriptures in regard to Christ, his mission, and his priesthood. A line of truth extending from that time to the time when we shall enter the city of God, was made plain to me, and I gave to others the instruction that the Lord had given me.
Of a little meeting in Maine, in 1849, the book “Life Sketches of James and Ellen G. White,” gives an interesting picture. A teacher of error, who had misled souls and troubled the church, was present. While engaged in a season of prayer, the Spirit of God rested upon one brother. “His face was white, and a light seemed to rest upon it.” In the name of God he bade the troubler depart, and the man fled in fear.
The power of God descended something as it did on the day of Pentecost, and five or six who had been deceived and led into error and fanaticism, fell prostrate to the floor. Parents confessed to their children, and children to10their parents, and to one another. Brother J. N. Andrews, with deep feeling, exclaimed, “I would exchange a thousand errors for one truth.” Such a scene of confessing and pleading with God for forgiveness we have seldom witnessed. That meeting was the beginning of better days to the children of God in Paris, to them a green spot in the desert. The Lord was bringing out Brother Andrews to fit him for future usefulness, and was giving him an experience that would be of great value to him in his future labors.
Beginning of Periodical Work
In a recent REVIEW, Sister White reported her visit to the Middletown, Conn., camp-meeting last September, repeating the story of the beginning of our periodical work in those days of small things, but of great faith and consecration. In the same spirit of simplicity and trust our missionary work should be taken up to-day, when the facilities are so abundant:—
It was in Middletown, about 1849, that my husband began the publication of our first paper, a small sheet called The Present Truth. We were then living in Rocky Hills, seven miles from Middletown, and my husband often walked back and forth between the two places, though he was then lame. When he brought the first number of the paper from the printing-office, we all bowed round it, and with humble hearts and many tears besought the Lord to let his blessing rest upon the feeble efforts of his servant. My husband then directed copies of the paper to all who he thought would read it, and walked seven miles to the Middletown post-office, carrying the precious papers in a carpetbag. Again and again, before the papers were taken to the post-office, they were spread before God, and earnest prayers, mingled with tears, were offered to God that his blessing might attend the silent messengers. Very soon letters came, bringing means to help in the publication of the paper, and bringing also the good news that many souls were accepting the truth.
“As Ye Go, Preach”—“Instant in Season”
Elder Corliss’s series on early experiences gives this incident: Elder M. E. Cornell, now sleeping, was driving through Jackson, Mich., on his way to a place where he was to accept the pastorate of a First-day Adventist church:—
He heard that Brother Bates was holding meetings there, and determined not to hear him. But after driving through the town, he became so troubled over the matter that he turned about, and went to the meeting. It happened that Brother Bates was just talking on the Sabbath question. After listening for a few minutes, he turned to his wife, and said: “Angie, this is the truth; I must obey it.” “But,” she said, “what about your engagement for the year to come?” “That will have to be canceled,” he said, characteristically, and so the matter was settled. He then started north for Tyrone, the residence town of Sister Cornell’s parents. Arriving in the neighborhood, he saw John P. Kellogg (the father of Dr. J. H. Kellogg) in the field raking hay. “Hold the horse,” he said to his wife, “while I go and give Brother Kellogg the light.” Jumping over the fence, he ran to the place where Brother Kellogg was working, exclaiming, “I have light for you, Brother Kellogg.” “Well,” said Brother Kellogg, as he leaned on his rake, “what is it?” In a few moments the simple story was told, Brother Kellogg was convinced, and had resolved to obey. Turning as abruptly as he had come, Brother Cornell rejoined his wife, telling her of the victory just gained for the truth. Before reaching home, another neighbor was met, and he also promised to obey the truth. Arriving at the parental home, nearly the first thing was to repeat the simple message to the inmates, with the result that the next Sabbath quite a company of the neighborhood met together for worship.
