More Clerical Slander by D. H. Lamson

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 13, 1872

More Clerical Slander.

By D. H. Lamson

The nature of the opposition to the truth in Almont, Mich., has not differed materially from that in other places, only in degree. All public effort against us has not only been insignificant, but puerile. Argument failing, slander of the most detestable character was resorted to. A minister of the place stated to me in a private conversation that we harbored among us those that believed in, and practiced polygamy, and that in its worst form; that a man might marry a wife and her sister, &c., and these, living with all at the same time; and that he knew of the circumstances, stating that the parties were living at the time near Rochester, Mich., making our crimes equal in enormity to those practiced by the Mormons in Utah, or in the seraglios of the Turk. The name of the party was given me, yet we should have thought but little of it were it not that this same minister was going about among those who were becoming interested in the truth, and poisoning their minds with such disgustingly, wicked and false reports. We concluded that the cause demanded an investigation, and as the party in question lived but twenty-three miles away, Bro. Lane hired a conveyance and repaired to the spot, having in his company a friend from this place to witness to any statements that might be made. Fortunately, the man himself was found, who, over his own signature, witnessed by two of his brothers that were also present, gave this testimony that he never was a Seventh-day Adventist, and was never so considered by any of his neighbors. This was also corroborated by several of his neighbors, members of the Seventh-day Adventist church at that place, and also signed by the Methodist minister located there, as also the elder of the Baptist church over a separate statement written by his own hand.

Armed with a document so concise and explicit, Bro. Lane returned the same day in time for the evening meeting. A meeting had been appointed for prayer and conference before preaching. Many testimonies were given, and the Spirit of the Lord was indeed in our midst. Between the conference meeting and preaching, the statements of Eld. J. T. Hankinson were called up. Parties were present to whom he had reported them. Then the report of Bro. Lane was read. There never was a clearer vindication. All breathed freer, and hearts that before had been trembling with a fear that all was not right were now ready to step out into all the light of the present truth. Surely, the wrath of man has been made to praise the Lord, and the pit which the wicked has dug, in it has he fallen himself.

Our first week-day prayer meeting was held at sister Noble's last evening, Wednesday, July 24. It was well attended, and every one bore their part in the meeting. The Lord was with us, for which we praise his name. Not far from forty are keeping the Sabbath. May we all learn to love the whole truth and each other, and be saved when our Lord shall appear! D. H. LAMSON.