TENNESSEE by P. D. Moyers

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 22, 1877

TENNESSEE

By P. D. Moyers

The first quarterly meeting was held with the church at this place, Feb. 3 and 4. Bro. Orlando Soule, having recently gone in company with Bro. G. K. Owen, to Franklin, Tenn., a distance of about one hundred miles from this place, to deliver a series of lectures, we were left to ourselves. We felt somewhat disappointed; but knowing that God is ever willing and able to help those that trust in him, we cast our fears on him, and went to work. On the Sabbath, I addressed the church from 1 Cor. 15:22; closing the exercises with a prayer and social meeting. On first-day I gave a short discourse on the subject of systematic benevolence, from 1 Cor. 16:2; after which the brethren presented their pledges for the quarter ending Feb. 4, some in full, others only in part, and one for the entire year. All seemed to be encouraged to make their pledges good by the close of next quarter, “and thus prove the Lord now herewith,” that they may receive the promised blessing. Mal. 3:10.

Many gave cheering testimony of the grace of God, rejoicing in the present truth. One exclaimed, “Oh! how I love the blessed Sabbath of the Bible, the day that God blessed and sanctified, the day on which God rested from all his work, the Sabbath that the holy prophets kept, that Jesus and his disciples kept and taught, the Sabbath on which the holy women that followed Jesus and ministered to him ‘rested according to the commandment.’” Luke 23:56.

We meet every Sabbath. The members of the church attend well. We have a very small outside attendance. Prejudice is very strong here yet. Professed Christians refuse to investigate the truth or read papers or tracts when they are given to them. But no wonder if they are blind; their teachers tell them not to hear, read, nor investigate, for the law of ten commandments is “Jewish” and not binding, and that all our papers, and tracts ought to be burned. May the Lord pity and forgive them, and give them hearts to understand, that “he that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.” Prov. 28:9. In vain do they seek the law at their teachers’ mouths, for they have “departed out of the way,” and “caused many to stumble at the law,” for they “have been partial in the law.” Mal. 2:7–9.

There are none so blind as those that will not see. The Saviour says, “Let them alone; they be blind leaders of the blind; and if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.” Matt. 15:14. May the Lord save all honest, willing souls from spiritual blindness. Brethren, pray for us, that we may be a burning and shining light in this land of darkness, and that our hearts may be fully established in the present truth, waiting for the soon coming of the Lord.

P. D. MOYERS.

Cumberland Co., Tenn., Feb. 5.