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THE ADVENT HARBINGER

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Publishing Committee · Rochester, N. Y. · Oct 14, 1852

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 3, No. 12.

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THE ADVENT HARBINGER.

By Editor

IT is extremely unpleasant to occupy space in the REVIEW AND HERALD, in noticing the unchristian treatment, and abusive language of the conductors of the Harbinger toward those who claim the right to teach and keep all the commandments of God. We have stated our design and ardent wishes, to meet our opponents upon bible ground. We have felt determined to maintain this position, and if those who oppose us choose to stoop to the mean work of attacking character, to carry their points, not to notice them. We have had our eyes open to the course pursued by the Harbinger, in its difficulties with the Advent Herald, for years. And with astonishment have we looked on and seen its course relative to "Boston difficulties" with which was connected Weethee, Needham, and others. And we have become perfectly satisfied that it is in vain to expect justice of the Harbinger, especially in matters where its interest is concerned. And were it not that justice to the cause of truth, and our much injured brethren, demands that we should speak of the abuse of the Harbinger, we should keep silent. We have no idea of noticing all the misrepresentations, and low, unchristian language of the Harbinger relative to Sabbath-keepers, for our time and space can be better employed; but it may be duty to notice a few things for the benefit of those who may be in danger of being deceived.
We refer the reader to an article in the Harbinger for Aug. 28, 1852, headed, "Vain Talkers," written by "C." [Crozier.] In speaking of the REVIEW AND HERALD, he says:
"The conductors of that paper have been requested to publish corrections of the falsehoods that have appeared in its columns from the pens of those men and their associates. But this they have refused or neglected to do. By such refusal or neglect they have forfeited all claim to respect, either as Christians or honorable men."
Without doubt, "C." refers to the article sent to us by C. W. Low, C. Crawford Jr., M. Whitaker and Nathan Richardson, headed, "Mr. Joseph Bates' Misrepresentations," published in the Harbinger for July 10th. It is true we did not publish their article. Those men were strangers to us, and as their article possessed a bitter spirit, they entering into that slanderous strain so common to the Harbinger, ranking Sabbath-keepers with Shakers and the followers of S. S. Snow, raising a warning against us, as a class of deceivers, we say that no reasonable person of common sense, will decide that it was our duty to publish it; or if we did, not till we had learned the particulars in the case. The following from the article will show its character:
"In conclusion, we would say to the brethren and sisters generally, be on your guard, that ye be not deceived by the false statements and misrepresentations of Mr. Bates and his associates, for this is their general course in attempting to prove their false theories."
Under these circumstances, we gave the following note in the REVIEW AND HERALD for July 8th.
"TO CORRESPONDENTS.—C. W. Low, C. Crawford, M. Whitaker, and N. Richardson.—Your communication is received, and relative to it we remark as follows: 1. The nature of the case is such that we should greatly err to publish it without a more thorough knowledge of it. 2. Those who have read our publications know that we have not the least sympathy for Shakerism, or the heretical teachings of S. S. Snow. 3. Your sweeping remarks relative to 'Mr. Bates and his associates,' seem much like the bitter remarks of others who have endeavored to prejudice the people against Sabbath-keepers. 4. We shall forward your communication to Bro. Bates, and if you have been misrepresented, it will be a pleasure to him to correct."
It will be seen that we did not refuse to publish their article, notwithstanding its abuse; we only wished time to obtain a thorough knowledge of the matter. But at the close of their article when published in the Harbinger, its Editor gives the following unrighteous, bitter
"NOTE.—The Review declines publishing this statement. This is unfair, as it has previously given the opposite side of the matter. But this is not to be wondered at, for misrepresentations, and fearful perversions of the plain word of the Lord, are prominent traits of that paper."
In the REVIEW AND HERALD for Aug. 5th, Bro. Bates replied to the charges of misrepresentation brought against him, showing them false. And in the REVIEW AND HERALD for Sept. 2d, is the following testimony to the point:
"It is in defense of truth, and the character of our beloved Bro. Joseph Bates, that we send you this statement for publication in the Review and Herald; for we learn that the article published in the Advent Harbinger of July 10th, entitled, 'Mr. Bates' Misrepresentations,' signed by C. W. Low, C. Crawford Jr., M. Whitaker and N. Richardson, is made use of, in prejudice the minds of many that otherwise might listen to the truth, and likewise to the injury of the character and influence of Bro. Bates. Therefore, we feel constrained (painful as it is to publicly expose the errors of those we love) to say that their statement made in the Harbinger, is not correct. It contains many errors and misstatements. And we further say that the statement made by Bro. Bates in the Review and Herald of May 6th, of the manner in which that meeting commenced, and progressed, to its painful close, was correct."