p. 38 | Reply to A. N. Seymour by J. B. Frisbie

Publishing Committee · Rochester, N. Y. · Feb 21, 1854

Reply to A. N. Seymour.

By J. B. Frisbie

BY J. B. FRISBIE.

In the Harbinger of Feb. 4th, there is a letter by A. N. Seymour, dated Jan. 1st, 1854. He writes that "Eld. Nottingham and wife became converts to seventh-day Sabbath-keeping last June, but became thoroughly disgusted with Sabbatarian principles and influence, by being associated with them four or five months. They doubtless were honestly led into that snare, and have as honestly abandoned it. O, that every other honest soul may do the same!"

We are well satisfied that Eld N. was not deceived in what the Sabbath Advent brethren believed before he embraced their faith. Eld. N. has been disfellowshipped by the brethren at Sylvan, for the unchristian spirit that he manifested, also, the denial of the Spirit of God to operate on the mind of believers, separate from the Word, and that God has nothing to do in calling men to preach, &c. We understand he was not disfellowshipped for not believing the visions. It is not very strange that he should become thoroughly disgusted with Sabbatarian principles, &c., after he began to mistrust that he would not be accepted to go with the message, and was silenced and disfellowshipped by the church. As to his honesty, we leave others to judge.

Eld. S. says, "There is evidently a re-action taking place in their ranks." If by re-action, he means that we will not fellowship such as do not walk according to the Bible rules for Christians, &c., we have long thought that such a "re-action" ought to be among some others—that it might be better for them. We do not like to boast of our prosperity or numbers. But in this case there may be nothing wrong to mention something as we now understand the matter. About one year and a half since, there were perhaps less than fifty Sabbath-keepers among us in the State of Michigan, with one messenger. Now there are over two hundred, with three or four messengers constantly in the work. Sabbath-keepers are increasing almost daily. It is the Lord's work.

S. says, "Some have not gone so far into the delusion as to lose all sense of duty and consistency; hence they cannot be made to subscribe to all tests of their leaders." If it is a delusive snare to get people to keep the commandments of God that they may not be sinners, and obey the gospel of Jesus that they may be saved when he comes, we plead guilty; for these are the tests. S. says, "their teachers, as I am credibly informed, impose upon their adherents the necessity of believing that Ellen White's visions are equally inspired with the visions of Daniel and John, and if they do not believe this, they must be tried and disfellowshipped."

That "credible" informant has "credibly informed" that which is not so. We will quote from the last page (64) of the book, the object for which the visions are given: "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."

Solomon says, [Prov. xxix, 18.] "Where there is no vision the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he." We will insure that no brother or sister has, or will be, disfellowshipped, who obeys the pure teachings of the Bible. This is all that God, the Bible or the visions require us to do.

S. says, "This is one of the doctrines which they imposed on Eld. N. and wife." When Eld. N. told me that we did this, I told him plainly that it was the Bible and not the visions that we tried, tested and disfellowshipped by. Why should he now tell this, unless for an excuse?

S. says, "Never have I been more thoroughly imbued with a knowledge that it is an inglorious delusion of Satan, than at the present moment." What is such an inglorious delusion of Satan? To give us visions for the comfort of his people, and to correct those who err from Bible truth? that calls upon us to keep the commandments of God, be much in prayer, and have faith in exercise, to seek for holiness of heart, meekness of soul, devotion to God, to obey all that he has required in his Word? Is this the work of Satan? truly, then must he be a brighter angel of light than I had supposed him to be, insomuch that his kingdom is divided against itself, therefore it cannot stand. Mark iii. 24-26.

It is not Satan's work to rebuke sin and teach holiness of life, as the visions do, according to the Bible; while it seems that which teaches controversy is of Satan. We are bound to believe all that accords with the Bible, and its plain teachings, wherever found.

S. says, "And I look forward, earnestly desiring to see those honest hearts who have been led astray from the path of duty and truth, return to their former faith."

We should regard those who leave the present truth, in the light of 2 Pet. ii, 22. "But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed, to her wallowing in the mire." Why such a desire for commandment-keepers to return to their former faith, and have them become Sabbath-breakers that they may become sinners; for Sabbath-breaking is a sin, a transgression of that law, of which James (ii, 10) says, "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all"—Sabbath not excepted.

S. says, "I could write much which I have learned of late, which is perfectly reckless of justice and consistency, that might cause you to mourn over the weakness of frail humanity; but as sufficient has already been said on the subject to arrest the attention of the church, probably it might not be judicious to protract the matter to any great extent." This looks as if it was thrown out to prejudice the minds of the readers of the Harbinger.

As to the sincerity of S. we have nothing to say at present. I should rather thought he would out with what was so perfectly reckless, that we could find it; for if there is any such thing wrong among us, we want to find it and get rid of it. We rather think it is an unjust insinuation, designed more for an effect than a reality.

S. says, "May the Lord guide them and us out of all error into truth, and save us, is my prayer."

We respond, Amen to this prayer, believing that if S. is sincere in making it he will yet learn, like my unworthy self, that it will be far better to keep the commandments of God than to fight them, even if we have to keep God's holy Sabbath, that was made 2500 years before a Jew existed.