Where Do you Stand? by Roswell F. Cottrell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 28, 1875

Where Do you Stand?

By Roswell F. Cottrell

“OFFENSES will come;” causes of trial and of stumbling will arise. Whenever they do arise, it is of much importance to be found in the right position. Trials are to purify us, not to prove our ruin. Let us take the right position, though it may be painful, that we may be found approved. “I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest.”

Not having had the privilege of meeting with the brethren for some time, I have not been particularly informed concerning the trial which I learn is agitating, in some measure at least, our portion of the field. But I have learned that it has been asked, “How does Bro. Cottrell stand in respect to this?” And it was inferred that I waited to see; as if I were non-committal. Now, since sympathy injudiciously exercised is almost sure to injure the ones to whom it is extended, it may be duty for me to show where I stand, and why. I will say, then, in a word, I stand with the body and with those long tried and proved in the work.

“Do you venture to decide without hearing both sides?”

I cannot be said to have heard either side.

“Do you purpose then to go it blind?”

I do not think I am blind; but think I can render a reason. I have been connected with this cause for nearly twenty-four years. I did not embrace the doctrine of the third angel’s message in process of fulfillment till I had weighed the evidences and was fully satisfied. I have many times re-considered, but have never recalled the decision. And when dissensions and factions have arisen, as that known among us as the “Messenger party,” about 1856, God, I think, has given me to reason like this: The evidence is perfect that the time is come for the third angel’s message to be proclaimed, and that the work is already begun. If this is so, this work is a special work of the Lord for the present time. And when the Lord does a special work, as, for example, the bringing of Israel out of Egypt, and leading them through the desert, his work moves on harmoniously, never revolutionizing in its course. Men may fail, for all are fallible, but the work which God inaugurated moves on from the beginning to the end. If a Moses falls short of the goal, he is succeeded by a Joshua upon whom he has laid his hands, that the entire work may be seen to be one.

So God helped me to reason in my early experience in this work. And later, when, about 1860, I blundered into the gap on the question of organization (not the scriptural organization of the church, but a legal organization of a publishing association), and begun to see that I had rebellious sympathizers who were ready to follow my lead and uphold me in the wrong, it was given me of God to tell them plainly that if they wished to know my position, that they might join my standard and follow my lead, they would find me with the body. I had no intention to desert or rebel.

This position on the unity of God’s work has proved safe thus far, and will prove safe every time. When God sets aside his chosen servants, the pioneers in this his work, we shall all know it. Till then, let every one know that he who disparages them, disparages the work in which they are engaged.

My dear brethren and friends, let the language of our hearts be, Let reproach fall upon

me; for I am sinful and it is my due, and, rightly improved, it will work for my salvation; but let not the blessed cause of God suffer reproach. R. F. COTTRELL.