THE Conference at Vergennes, was held June 11th and 12th. About fifteen brethren and sisters came from Grand Rapids, and a number from North Plains and Ionia. The congregation was large. The word was spoken with freedom, and some decided to keep the Lord's Sabbath.
But we did not see as much good accomplished at this meeting as we hoped to see, or as we saw in other places. A miserable influence had been exerted in the community by the disgraceful proceedings of one Mrs. Alcott and an Elder Nathaniel Pease. We are informed that Mr. Pease came from Massachusetts about one year since. This Mrs. Alcott has been a noted fanatic for some years. A brother from Grand Rapids, stated that Mr. Pease was not the first man that she had deceived. The poor man was really an object of pity. He seemed perfectly under the control of this wicked woman, who evidently was as full of spiritual magnetism—or the spirit of the Devil—as ever good old Stephen was of faith, and the Holy Ghost. We came out in plain terms against their course, and warned the congregation to beware of them, while pursuing the course that they were then taking. The friends of the present truth then voted to withdraw all fellowship from them.
Then they began to plead "charity." We were at once charged with a lack of this excellent grace. It was stated that we were commanded to love our enemies, &c. This they said we had not done, but had been harsh and denunciatory. Mr. Pease grew quite earnest on this point. He broke in upon us in a disorderly manner, and would speak, although requested not to. He became very earnest. But what was the matter? Why, we had not been meek, kind and charitable. So on he went, vehemently denouncing us because, as he thought, we had been denunciatory, and finally called us all a set of "black-hearted hypocrites!" Here we were reminded of a jealous advocate of peace. Peace he would have, if he had to fight for it.
Our beloved brother Cornell, gave a course of lectures at Vergennes some months since, which had a good effect, and the prospect was fair that quite a church of Sabbath-keepers would soon be raised up in that place. But unfortunately for the cause, Mr. Pease professed faith in the Sabbath, and advocated it, while pursuing a course perfectly calculated to bring disgrace on any cause with which he might be connected. This had disgusted many, and kept them from the truth. All hands were wrecked; but a few were endeavoring to struggle on. We hope they will not hesitate to have no fellowship for the unfruitful works of darkness; but rather reprove them.
The beloved disciple, who, in his epistles, dwells much upon love, has said, "If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed; for he that biddeth him God speed, is partaker of his evil deeds." Whatever church or individuals, shall welcome the enemies of gospel order and bible holiness to their tables, will call down on themselves the frown of God, and inflict a wound on the precious, bleeding cause of Christ. But, says one, did not the Saviour teach that we should feed our enemies? We reply, that he never taught that we should receive into our houses the enemies of God and man, and feed and clothe them as we should the humble servants of God. "If thine enemy hunger, feed him." And no less than this would we do to the hungry, famishing beast of no value to us. The noble soul of the real Christian is happy to relieve from distress, either man or beast. But it is no virtue in us to harbor and feed persons whose very presence brings darkness and death to our own souls, and whose daily walk is wounding the precious cause which is dearer to us than life itself. They have no just claim to the fellowship and sympathy of the consistent christian, and should not be welcomed over the threshold of his door, after knowing their real character.
We are confident that the cause in Vergennes will rise, if its friends persevere. We hope they will not be discouraged, if it takes some time to talk down, and live down, the bad influence exerted by the two individuals above mentioned. We sympathise with them in their discouragements, and would say to our traveling brethren in Michigan, do not forget the dear brethren in Vergennes, North Plains, Ionia and Grand Rapids. They should all be visited as often as once in four weeks, and should hear the pure word of the Lord from the lips of some one of God's chosen ministers.
There were two incidents connected with our journey to Vergennes, that we will here mention. While on our way to the place, we called at a neat looking log house to get some refreshments. The lady of the house seemed very kind. Soon it was known that we were holding meetings, and she urged us to have some in her neighborhood. We informed her of our appointments, and that we could not, possibly. She began to speak freely of her exercises of mind, and of the state of the professed people of God. And as the Sabbath, the Second Advent, and the state of the world and church, were spoken of by one of our company, she wept freely. She said she had been to witness the spiritual manifestations, but could not believe in them; for she could not give up her Bible. We left a few tracts, and as soon as our horses were partially rested, we were obliged to pursue our journey; for we had quite a distance to travel that day, and the Sabbath was drawing on. But as we journeyed and reflected, our feelings were indescribable. The stranger that had kindly entertained us, was a sample of thousands, especially in a new country, who are starving for spiritual food, and whose minds the Spirit of God is opening for the reception of the present truth. But, O, the dreadful thought! These poor souls have not on the whole armor of truth, and are daily exposed to the damning influence of what is called "Spiritualism." [Spirit manifestations.] When once immersed into that heresy, they are beyond the reach of truth. These persons, not knowing their danger, like the innocent bird, are in danger of being decoyed into the fatal snare that will hold them fast forever.
Michigan is dreadfully cursed with spiritualism. The "spirits of Devils working miracles," have penetrated even the most wilderness portions of the State. This is so, more or less, in the other States. And while precious souls are in danger of being deceived by them, and having the fetters of hell fastened on them forever, those who see their danger, cannot help feeling deeply their exposed condition. O, God, have mercy! O, Christ, pity! Lord of the harvest, raise up and qualify laborers to enter the already white fields! May God raise up friends of the cause of truth, who shall, through the Press and living Preacher, send the truth, and the warning to these perishing souls, ere Satan and his legions blind them with the last great deceivableness of unrighteousness, that is to shut up its thousands in darkness until the day of the Lord come upon them as a thief.
The other incident was on our return from Vergennes to Jackson. In the heat of the day, we called at a house to rest and sleep, as we had journeyed in the night when it was cool, to favor the horse. And while being refreshed with sleep, Bro. A. A. Dodge, who kindly took us from place to place, entered into religious conversation with the lady of the house. She freely spoke out her views of the condition of the nominal church, and stated that she and her daughter, who was from home school-teaching, had sent in their request to be dismissed from the church to which they belonged. She stated that her husband (then from home) was a professor of religion, but was not connected with any church. That he believed that he could live a christian, and go to heaven, better out of the church than in it. This was also the opinion of herself and daughter.
This lady then asked Bro. Dodge what scripture authority he had for observing the first day of the week as the Sabbath. The reply was, "I will tell you before we leave." It seemed quite remarkable that she should ask him such a question, when she had not the least intimation that we were Sabbath-keepers. Before we left, our views of the Sabbath, Second Advent, &c., were made known in a brief manner. We proposed a season of prayer, which seemed very desirable on the part of the lady, and as we bowed, we were highly gratified to see her children bow down also. By this time it seemed hard to part; but duty urged us on our journey. Here we left a few tracts, and our kind friend weeping. May God bless that dear family.
June 18th and 19th, we held meetings with the brethren in the vicinity of Franciscoville, who met at C. S. Glover's barn, in Sylvan. This was the largest and much the best meeting we held in the State. Several brethren came in from a distance. On the Sabbath the congregation was large. The subject in the forenoon, was the commandments and law of God; in the afternoon it was the Sabbath.
A prayer-meeting was appointed for First-day morning at nine o'clock, and at the hour more than three hundred people were assembled. Two or three prayers were offered, then the time was occupied by different brethren, who spoke to the point, with freedom and power, till half past ten, when we took the stand and spoke nearly two hours on the first and second angel's messages of Rev. xiv, 6-8. It was thought that there were four hundred people present. We never had a better hearing. In the afternoon we spoke about two hours on the third message of verses 9-12, and at the close of our remarks we felt this solemn subject, and the condition of the congregation, as we hardly ever felt before. This message lays open the close of probation. Christ no longer a priest, but on the great white cloud, while the vials of God's wrath in justice are being poured out on those who reject the commandments of God. O, solemn thought! This, the last merciful message ever to be heard by a lost world; and yet the multitude refuse to listen to, and obey the sweet voice of mercy now calling for the last time on the unprepared to get ready for the scenes of the day of wrath.
But, thank God, a few have ears to hear, and hearts that can feel the power of divine truth. And from the strict attention paid to the word spoken, and the falling tear, we judge that many at the meeting at Sylvan had convictions that they were hearing the29truth. And we expect that those convictions will never wear away, but that they will take their stand with the band of commandment-keepers.
At the close of our discourse in the afternoon, Bro. Nottingham, who preaches to the Advent people in that vicinity, came out decidedly on the present truth. Bro. Francis Bezzo, another Advent preacher, who heard the four lectures we gave at the meeting, stated that he was satisfied that we had the truth on the Sabbath, but should have to examine the Sanctuary question more before deciding upon it. We also had the pleasure of baptizing six dear brethren and sisters, in the small lake near by.
Bro. J. B. Frisbie seemed to have the armor on at this meeting. He spoke freely of his former prejudices and opposition to the Sabbath and Sabbath-keepers, the change that had taken place in his feelings and views, and that he was now with us in sentiment and in sympathy. We first saw this dear brother at the Jackson Conference, and when introduced to him, and there shook the friendly hand of him who had so strongly opposed us through the Harbinger, but now was greatly humbled under a sense of his past wrongs, that he had opposed the truth and people of God, our feelings could not be easily described. We wept aloud. We both wept, and there mingled our tears of gratitude and joy. The acquaintance formed with Bro. Frisbie, was indeed happy. We trust that by the help of God he will prove a blessing to the cause in the West.
The good cause in Michigan is indeed onward. The Lord is raising up ministers to preach the word to the people, men of good judgment and ability, men who know also where the humble path to heaven lies. May God bless their labors. Bro. S. T. Cranston is giving himself wholly to the work. And we hope that other preaching brethren, seeing that the time has come for the last merciful message to be given, will be ready to move out as the Lord may direct, and open the way before them. There is enough to do in the West. The people almost every where are ready to hear. In many places they are calling and calling for help, for some one to preach to them. May God help his servants to throw themselves on his almighty arm, and go forth with the humble, weeping spirit of their Master, that they may return with joy, bringing their sheaves with them.
Much prejudice has been created in Michigan, that might have been prevented, if some of those who first preached the truth there had used more wisdom. The enemies of truth have held the failings of the brethren in the worst light possible. But the labors of Bro. Joseph Bates, in that State, about one year since, and the consistent, persevering course of Bro. M. E. Cornell since that time, has done much to remove cruel prejudice against us. In many places it is completely broken down.
And there is another thing that has served greatly to advance the cause of truth in Michigan. The bitter opposition of the Harbinger, its course pursued towards Brn. Bates, Cornell and others, have opened the eyes of many. The position of Elder Seymour has been, as we were informed, that every man that kept the seventh day would go to hell, and that he would fight the Sabbath as long as God would give him breath. This could not be otherwise than very unfavorable to the no-Sabbath cause. And let it here be remembered that he has entered many complaints against Sabbath-keepers, because they had no little charity, and possessed such a war spirit. His case also, may be well illustrated by the Peace Man, referred to in this article.
The kind attention that we received from the dear friends in Michigan, was more than we deserved. They did all in their power to make us comfortable and happy. And, although we refused to receive from the hands of a few free-hearted brethren, quite liberal sums, yet the expenses of the journey were more than met by the small sums from the hands of the brethren and sisters and the dear children. May God still bless those dear brethren in all their future efforts to advance his cause, and raise up many more through their instrumentality to glorify his name in keeping his commandments and the faith of his Son, Jesus Christ, and finally may we all meet in the kingdom of God.