ROSWELL F. COTTRELL by Roswell F. Cottrell

Publishing Committee · Saratoga Springs, N. Y. · Nov 25, 1851

ROSWELL F. COTTRELL

By Roswell F. Cottrell

From Bro. Cottrell.

DEAR BRO. WHITE: There is a little company in this place who are trying to "follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth." Our hearts were refreshed and encouraged by Bro. Rhodes, who called on us, and held a meeting a week ago. I thank God for the consolation and encouragement I have received from this interview, and hope we may be favored with another visit from him, or some other of the traveling brethren.

My early education was such, that I have believed in the personal appearing of Christ, according to the Scriptures, from my youth. In 1843 and 1844, I heard the solemn cry, "The hour of his judgment is come," and though I felt no disposition to oppose it, and thought I loved his righteous appearing, yet I was not disappointed when the time passed by. I saw the proclaimers of the Advent in darkness in regard to the commandments of God, and bowing to an institution of Papacy; and perhaps this was the reason I did not believe. But since I have heard the message of the third angel, which was since the commencement of the Review and Herald, I have reviewed carefully the whole movement, and the solemn inquiry in my mind has been, Was it from Heaven or of men? After some nine months careful and cautious examination, I have just arrived at the decision. I believe with all my heart, it was from Heaven. I cannot believe that God would suffer Satan to get up so exact a fulfillment of the prophecies to deceive the lovers of Jesus Christ—those who wait, and look for his appearing. If any one inquire how I can believe all this, since Christ did not appear according to the expectation of his children, I answer: We are instructed [Rev. xiv] that an angel should fly through the midst of heaven, saying, "Fear God," "for the hour of his judgment is come," and yet there is time for two other messages to follow in succession, before the Son of man is seen on the white cloud.

I greatly rejoice that when "the temple of God was opened in heaven," his children on earth saw, by faith, "the ark of his testament."

Yours in the blessed hope,

ROSWELL F. COTTRELL

Mill Grove, (N. Y.), Oct. 19th, 1851.