The Common People by Roswell F. Cottrell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 15, 1878

The Common People.

By Roswell F. Cottrell

When Christ was on earth, it was said that “the common people heard him gladly.” The common people were those who were not distinguished by eminent places and professions, such as priests and rulers, scribes, doctors, and lawyers. The common people heard Jesus gladly, and would have embraced the gospel, had not the men of eminence stood right in their way. To the scribes, Pharisees, and lawyers he said, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of Heaven against men; for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.” Matt. 23:13. “Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered” (margin, forbade). Luke 11:52.

These leaders and professed teachers of the gospel opposed the teaching and claim of Jesus, and so hindered all they could from believing and obeying the gospel. As it was then, so it is now. The leaders of the people have taken away the key of knowledge, that is, the true principle of the interpretation of the word of God; with false interpretations and baseless arguments they oppose the message of the word of God for the present time, and by their whole weight of influence and authority hold back the common people from hearing and embracing the truth.

I see this exemplified at present at Newfane, Niagara Co., N. Y. Bro. S. B. Whitney has been laboring here for several weeks, with a tent; and as he had no tent-master, but only occasional help, I am here to assist for awhile. There is a great interest. People residing here tell me that never before was this community so stirred on religious subjects. The opposition is strong in purpose, though weak in argument, and still weaker in proof. But when some of the common people break away from the restraint of the opposing influence, and come and hear a discourse or two at the tent, they say to us, as one recently said, “If I don’t keep away from your meetings, I shall have to accept of your faith.”

Opposition discourses multiply. To appearance, some have been waiting for the tent to leave; but seeing no immediate prospect of that, ministers are being called from abroad to help. One came to preach in one of the churches, but was invited to speak in the tent, and did so. After hearing a review of his effort, he made an appointment to preach again on the subject, which was that of the Sabbath, in the Methodist church, on the next Sunday forenoon, declining the offer of the tent; at the same time Eld. Whitney announced that he would review him at the tent in the evening. It was evident that a large crowd would come out to hear, and so the Baptists offered their house, which was larger, for the occasion. We attended, of course; but were surprised to hear it announced that the minister would give a second discourse on the subject in the church that evening, thus putting an appointment in the way of ours, which had been given in his presence, and had been re-iterated to large congregations during the week. Under these circumstances we could not feel free to take up our appointment, and there were two large meetings in this little village the same evening. The Baptist house, a large one for a country place, was nearly filled, and the tent was full, and many standing around on the outside and others sitting in their carriages. I mention this to show the extensive interest on the Sabbath question. Notes were taken of the evening discourse in the house, and it was afterward reviewed at the tent. Next Saturday evening, another champion from Monroe county is to preach on the same question in the same house, and is to be reviewed Sunday evening at the tent.

Though but few have taken a decided stand on the truth, yet we think much good must result. The Lord is evidently calling the attention of the people to the last message. We have the privilege of the tent ground till the snow flies, and can remain as long as it shall be duty. The brethren are taking measures to build a house of worship.

Brethren, pray for us, that we may be guided by heavenly wisdom, and that God will take care of, and control, the opposition, so that many may be saved. Pray for “those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth.” And pray especially for the common people, that they, having the key of knowledge restored to them, may not be hindered longer from entering in.

Reports of our meetings are being published in the Lockport daily and weekly papers, so that many are having their attention called to the truth for our times.

R. F. Cottrell.