Brother Southwick’s Experience
By Milton Southwick
DEAR BRO. WHITE :—I wish to give you a little sketch of my experience. In 1817 I joined the Presbyterian church. I soon became dissatisfied with the position they took in reference to a Temporal Millennium, and the return of the Jews. I could not see how the promise to Abraham could be fulfilled to him and his seed in this life, since the promise was to be sure to all the seed, and they were rushing into their graves by hundreds every year. But when Wm. Miller commenced lecturing on the second appearing of Christ, I became interested in the glorious doctrine of the resurrection, and could then see that the promise made to Abraham and his seed would be fulfilled in the New Earth. David says, the meek shall inherit the earth, but the wicked shall be rooted out of it. "They are not all Israel that are of Israel * but in Isaac shall thy seed be called." Rom. ix, 6, 7. I could then see that if we be Christ's then we are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. It took me sometime to get the idea fixed in my mind that the Lord was coming in the Autumn of 1844. But at length I became satisfied from the evidence brought to view in the type, that this would be the case. I began asking myself the question, Am I prepared to meet him in peace? I found, on close examination, that if I were weighed in the balance I should be found wanting. I then enquired, Lord what wilt thou have me to do? I soon learned the will of the Lord in this matter, and in accordance with it, I dedicated myself, soul, body and spirit, and all I was in possession of, to his service. And O, the glory, the indescribable glory that shone around me in this act. I shall never forget it. Praise God, no, never. I also heard the message, Babylon is fallen, come out of her my people. I felt that it was from God.—I was resolved to do any thing and every thing that he required. I left the Presbyterian church, and received a great blessing in so doing. But, alas, my Lord did not come. I can truly say, I was disappointed. But God has always a comforting word for his children, glory to his name. While returning home from meeting one day, praying over the subject, I turned to my companion and said, there is a mistake in the event. The angel did not say to Daniel, then shall Christ appear, but, then shall the Sanctuary be cleansed. But I was in the dark as to what the cleansing of the Sanctuary meant. I still felt that I was a pilgrim and a stranger here, that this was not my home; but I was determined by the grace of God assisting me, to seek a City that was out of sight, whose builder and maker is God. I left Mooers, Clinton Co., N. Y., for Wisconsin where we have lived six lonesome years, without hearing111one lecture on the second appearing of Christ, or even the opportunity of conversing with one who was looking for that event. But we did not forget to look to God for deliverance. And it has, at length, come. Last March, a man by the name of N. Perry, a preacher, came to my house. In course of conversation he enquired, to what church I belonged. I told him I professed to belong to the body of Christ, and was looking for his second appearing. He said that there was some Advent brethren twenty miles distant, soon to hold a conference and I ought to go. I concluded so to do. We there found Brn. Phelps, Waggoner and Bates. The sound of an Advent brother's voice was music to my ears, and joy to my soul. I heard them on the third angel's message and other things connected with it, and it was a feast of fat things to my soul. I there learned what the cleansing of the Sanctuary is. Praise the Lord. I told them they must come to my place and lecture. Bro. Phelps complied with my request. The result has been, that some fifteen persons have embraced the Sabbath, and are now rejoicing in the present truth, trying to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Have we not reason to rejoice, and give glory to God for his goodness towards us, unworthy creatures? Yours in hope of soon seeing Jesus,
MILTON SOUTHWICK.
Oakland, Jefferson Co., Wis., Oct. 24th, 1852.