p. 174 | NEBRASKA

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 29, 1879

NEBRASKA

Waverly, May 15.—Last Sabbath and Sunday I visited the David City church and held four meetings with them. This little church had been disturbed during the winter by certain men claiming to be ministers of Christ, but they had no credentials nor license from any religious denomination. They claimed to be endowed with the Holy Spirit, while the fumes of tobacco issued out of their mouths. They preached spirit, talked spirit, and said they had the Spirit of God, while at the same time they rejected the law of God, which the Spirit of God dwelling in Christ and the apostles never did. See Matt. 5:17-19; 1 Cor. 7:19; James 2:8-12. These men have formed a Union Band. Last Sunday they baptized quite a number. With these men, it is all Spirit.

Let no one think that I discard the workings of the Holy Spirit of God upon the hearts of his people. God forbid. I believe we must have the Spirit of Christ or we are none of his. But I do say that the Holy Spirit of God in these last days, will not contradict the word which in other times it inspired holy men of God to write; for “holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” 2 Pet. 1:21. Let us not be led away from the truths of God’s word by these spiritual movements, but try the spirits, and see whether they are of God or not. “Hereby know ye the Spirit of God. Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, is of God.” 1 John 4:1-3. What is it to confess Jesus? It is to keep his word and do it, and he taught us to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Rev. 14:12. Therefore to the law and the testimony; if they (the men who claim to have the Spirit of God and teach nothing but spirit) speak not according to the law and the testimony, it is because there is no light in them. Isa. 8:20. May the Lord keep this little company from this delusion.

From the David City church I returned to the Valparaiso church. Since my last report one more has been added to this company. May they walk faithfully and show by their daily walk and conversation that they are the Lord’s, that others seeing their good works may be led to glorify God. H. Shultz.

Omaha.—One young man has commenced to keep the Sabbath here. He resigned a situation as telegraph operator at $62.50 a month, thinking it would be of no avail to ask the company to make arrangements by which he could still keep it, as they work their employees seven days in the week and there were plenty of young men ready to take his place. But the superintendent, without solicitation, offered to put a young man in his place one night in the week, and still retain him in their employ. We believe God moved upon his heart to do so. This young man may make a valuable laborer, as he speaks the Swedish, German, and English languages, and could labor in these different tongues. He is already doing missionary work. Brethren, pray for him.

I distributed over 1,600 pages of tracts, and quite a number of papers. Sold $6.00 or $7.00 worth of books, obtained three subscribers for the Signs, one for the Swedish Herald, and sixteen for Good Health. Hope in the future to see fruit of the seed sown.

GEO. B. STARR.

Albion, Boone Co., May 18.