DEAR BRO. WHITE:—The following remarks in relation to the cause in Lincklaen, I submit to your judgment. Publish them accompanied with any remarks of your own, in whole or in part, or burn them, as you shall deem most conclusive to the interests of the cause of truth.
It is nearly three years since our attention was aroused by the proclamation of the third angel's message. The doctrine of the Sanctuary shed a clear light upon the past; while the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, and the fearful denunciations of the angel against all who should receive the mark, spread out the field of Christian duty broad before us. For a time we rejoiced in the light; and although there were some things we could not understand, yet we waited in patience, and the spirit of teachableness for the fulfillment of the promise—"What I do thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know hereafter." The Sabbath was a delight, and we truly hungered and thirsted for its weekly return. How cheering, how inspiring, to mingle hearts and voices on the day that JEHOVAH had appropriated to his own especial service, undisturbed by the vexing cares of a busy life. It was truly manna in the wilderness, and as the Psalmist tells us, "angels' food."
But the blessing was too rich to last. The evil eye of the tempter was upon us; and before we were aware, the leaven of jealousy had begun its work, and a spirit of oppression and fault-finding had brought forth its bitter fruits. We were thrown into heavy trial; and for a year past it has been manifest that there have been two spirits among us. That spirit of mutual confidence and hearty co-operation essential to progress, has been wanting, and we have been sliding backward and sinking under discouragements.
We were divided in opinion with reference to some transactions among us; some approving, and others feeling that they could not be justified, by the word or Spirit of God, or by the example of the Man of sorrows. Among the latter I class myself. We were told that a great amount of labor had been bestowed upon us; but that we had not brought forth corresponding fruits—that the standard was trailing in the dust, when we ought to have made high attainments in the spirit of the truth.
We had meeting after meeting, to search out the cause of our low estate, which were said to result in the removal of the stumbling blocks; but when the excitement of the occasion had passed, we found ourselves only the lower. Some of us began to pray that we might be left to "exhort one another;" and when it was intimated that it would be a long time before we should have preaching again, "we thanked God and took courage." And if I have any discernment in spiritual things, the Lord was pleased and manifested his approval by his presence and blessing in our gatherings. We felt strongly encouraged that he was about to revive his work among us; and when it was suggested that we have a conference, and that we could not prosper while there were difficulties unsettled, we replied: We thought it better to wait awhile, and try a new way to remove difficulties; we had tried the old one too long already. If we could not settle difficulties ourselves, others could not do it for us so as to be satisfactory.
So far as I am aware, there have been no feelings of personal alienation among those who have continued to meet together, but a mutual distrust of the other's "way" of promoting the cause; a distrust honestly entertained, yet so strong as to constitute a hindrance to our prayers. On the one hand it was believed that the course pursued among us was wrong—prompted by a wrong spirit, and carried out by wrong measures; and that the door of usefulness was thereby effectually closed against us. On the other, the course was justified; and they feared that by deviating from it, we should become corrupted and lose our souls.
Under these circumstances we were (some of us at least) fully persuaded that our only ground of hope was, to "cease from man whose breath was in his nostrils," and directly "seek the Lord till he rain righteousness upon" us; and I think it was in carrying out this purpose that the Lord blessed us with the encouraging indications to which I have alluded. I was much blessed; and at times had such a sense of the faithfulness of God, in his providential care over his creatures, that I could say in the fullness of my heart, While Jehovah reigns and retains his own right arm, I will never give it up. I believed he would work deliverance for us; and as to the how I was not careful. Still I was seeking for it by perseverance in the way we were pursuing; and my hope with reference to the contemplated meeting was, that the time might be occupied in lectures upon present truth, and trials not be mentioned.
But it was not God's way. At the first meeting the subject was alluded to, and the different views brought out. It was made a subject of prayer, that the Lord would work for us, and show up the right and the wrong, and lay the burden where it belonged. And prayer was not in vain. Although his way is in the darkness, yet his footsteps were manifest; and I think not a doubt remained on the mind of any one, that the Lord was especially with us, and in his own way bringing the true cause of our trials to the light.
In reference to the Conference I will simply say that it reversed the decisions of former meetings, in relation to the cause of our difficulties; lifted off the heavy burdens that some had long borne; rebuked in strong terms the course that had been pursued among us, and denied having any fellowship with it; gave us a true view of the character and spirit of the third angel's message, and what should be the character of those who profess it; laid out before us our appropriate work and what God will require of us; in a measure removed the prejudices existing against the present truth, and opened a way of access to the minds of some around us; and in short, has introduced quite a change of views and practice among us, for which we render praise and thanksgiving to God.
Dear Brother, I regard the visit of yourself and companion to this place as a special providence of God. My heart is bound with you by ten-fold ties, and my prayers shall follow you as you go from place to place to prepare the way of the Lord, and take up the stumbling blocks out of the way of the people. May the Lord give you strength equal to your day, give you access to the hearts of the people, keep you in the vale of humility; and when the King comes, give you a crown of righteousness that shall not fade away.
Yours for that liberty where the Spirit of the Lord is.