THE ADVENT HARBINGER by Editor

Publishing Committee · Rochester, N. Y. · Jul 4, 1854

THE ADVENT HARBINGER

By Editor

STILL continues its unrighteous course of publishing misrepresentations of those who teach and observe the fourth commandment. It not only publishes the faults of erring ones among us, greatly exaggerated, but it contains statements unfavorable to Sabbath-keepers which are utterly false. We have frequently corrected these misstatements found in the Harbinger; yet Eld. Marsh, the Editor, continues the same unchristian course. We cannot longer hope that he will do us justice, judging from the past.

"The dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." Rev. xii, 17. Here are two classes: one is imbued with the spirit of the dragon, making war on those who keep the commandments of God; the other class are the commandment-keepers. To which of these classes the Editor of the Harbinger, and several of his Correspondents belong we leave the reader to judge.

As we have often referred to the injustice of the Harbinger, we shall not at this time burden our readers with lengthy remarks upon this unpleasant subject, but will notice several recent thrusts at the commandment-keepers by several of its Correspondents.

In the Harbinger for June 3d, A. N. Seymour makes several false statements and misrepresentations under the head, "The Shut Door Sabbatarians." We will first remark that Mr. Seymour and the Editor of the Harbinger, both know that they do injustice to that body of Advent believers who observe the fourth commandment, in applying to them the name of "Shut Door Sabbatarians." This is one means of representing Sabbath-keepers in a wrong light. From this, the uninformed would receive the

idea that we believed that what is called the "Door of mercy" is closed, when we believe no such thing. It is true that in 1850 we published statements of Wm. Miller, J. B. Cook, Joseph Marsh and others in which they gave it as their opinion that the door was shut, and that the harvest of the earth was ripe; but nothing of the kind can be found in any of our publications for the last two years. And more, we have repeatedly corrected and reproved the Harbinger for misrepresenting us in this manner.

But Mr. Seymour goes on to prove that Sabbath-keepers make a test of Mrs. White's visions. It appears that he has had an interview with C. P. Russel of Jackson, who has been set aside by the Sabbath-keeping church there as unworthy of their fellowship, and has taken his statements to enrich the columns of the Harbinger! We would here state that through the influence of H. S. Case C. P. Russel and some others, the church at Jackson have in time past made some fanatical moves, and continued in a state of trial up to the time of our visit with them one year since. These two men had succeeded in dividing the church so that they then held no public meetings. It is true that Mrs. White had a vision in Jackson one year since, and bore testimony to what she saw of the unchristian course of Case and Russel. But the vision was not made a test of fellowship. These men were disfellowshipped on account of their unchristian conduct. And when Russel's case was brought before the church some weeks after, and the vote was taken to withdraw fellowship from him, he then stated like the following: "Then I shall understand that I am cut off from the church because I do not believe the visions."

Bro. S. T. Cranston then arose and corrected him, and stated that fellowship was withdrawn from him because of his unchristian walk. That some of the brethren in Mich. have moved rather fast in some cases in their zeal to establish Church Order, is evident, but not with Case and Russel. Their injudicious movements and fanaticism was a cause of reproach, and although the brethren mourn that they could not reform them, yet they thank God that the cause is free from their baneful influence.

To show in what light Mrs. White's views are held by those who are acquainted with them, we give the following from "Experience and Views," page 64:—

"I recommend to you, dear reader, the word of God as the rule of your faith and practice. By that Word we are to be judged. God has, in that Word, promised to give visions in the 'LAST DAYS;' not for a new rule of faith, but for the comfort of his people, and to correct those who err from Bible truth."

Mr. S. then speaks of a great re-action, and states, "such an explosion is beyond my ability to describe." It is true that brethren have labored faithfully to establish Church Order in Michigan the past Winter, and have suffered some severe trials from a few disorderly spirits; but being free from them, the Church in Michigan are enjoying union and prosperity such as they have never before witnessed.

What an "explosion!" Why, "some ten stand aloof watching the movements!" Numbers are continually added to the church. Our congregations were generally twice as large as they were one year since, and the cause is going ahead in Michigan. These facts encouraged the brethren to obtain their Tent.

Mr S. further states, "It is no great wonder to me that Mr. White calls for $3,000 at the present crisis." We have not called for $3,000. We did say in Vol. V., No. 11:—"We are publishing a series of Tracts, standard works, which will cost about $2,000. In order to go forward with the work, and to meet all our other expenses, we should receive about $1,000 on the REVIEW the present month." So it is $1,000 instead of $3,000, and the reason given why the friends of the cause should pay in advance for the REVIEW, was that we might have means to publish the series of Tracts. Would not Peter call this man "a busy-body in other men's matters?" It seems hard work for him to tell the truth any way. In his present feverish state we would cite him to the good advice of the Apostle:—

"And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business." 1 Thess. iv, 11. Others of Mr. S.'s false statements and slanders are too mean to be noticed. We leave him and the Editor to enjoy all the honor they may receive from pursuing such a contemptible course.

The Harbinger for June 10th, contains an article from Mrs. Seymour on the "Cleansing of the Sanctuary," and in that article she professes to quote from the 24th page of Mrs. White's Tract, "Experience and Views." But she changed, to suit her unrighteous purposes, most of the sentences she quoted from the Tract!!! We would recommend the Supplement to Experience and Views to all who have read the first work, as it contains some important explanations. Please compare them with Mrs. S.'s quotations!!!

She then states, speaking of Sabbath-keepers, "They have ceased preaching repentance, saying it is too late! They have stifled their sympathies for the impenitent, and have virtually said, Sinner, you cannot turn to God and live," &c. Now all this is entirely false. Those who have read our publications, especially for the past two years, and have known any thing of the labors of the brethren in the Sabbath cause, know that Mrs. S. has penned untruths, and that the Harbinger has published the same. Mrs. S. and the Editor of the Harbinger profess to know much concerning Sabbath-keepers, and if they know as much about them as they profess to, they know that the above statements from Mrs. S.'s pen are downright falsehoods.

It is true that Case, Russel and some others took exclusive views relative to the shut door, and for a while manifested a rash spirit; but such errors have been fully corrected, and Brn. Cornell, Cranston, Frisbie, Fitch and others have been preaching to the sinner repentance toward God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, in Michigan, from the time they commenced to speak in vindication of the Sabbath, and many sinners have been converted to God as the result.