FOR some time past the cause has not been as prosperous in the vicinity of Oswego, N. Y., as in many other places. We felt when we made the appointment that our labor would be principally for the church. But when we arrived in the city we found hand-bills up for lectures on the Sabbath and First-day.
The brethren came in from the region round about, and on Sabbath morning we assembled in a small, commodious Hall in Bro. Carpenter's new building. Our number on the Sabbath was about 150, with very few exceptions, professed believers in the present truth. Bro. S. W. Rhodes was present. The day was spent in plain, close remarks relative to what constitutes a Christian, and our present duty. It was plain to be seen that the church was on the background, and we trust that all felt it.
The principal causes of the low state of the church we consider to be these: first, leading brethren have erred which has lessened confidence, and has had a scattering, saddening influence; and second, brethren have not always taken a scriptural course relative to little differences of opinion, and little trials arising among them. As to the first mentioned cause, full confessions of wrongs have been made, and humiliation has been manifested, sufficient to restore full confidence. Relative to the latter, the whole congregation of saints covenanted together, henceforth to follow strictly a scriptural course in all differences and trials arising among them, and to have no fellowship for an unscriptural course in such cases.
In all cases of private differences and trials among individual brethren, the course stated by our Lord is the only safe one, and must be strictly followed.
"Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church; but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican." Matt. xviii, 15-17.
The great object of our Lord in presenting this course evidently was to save the church, especially the young and the weak, the burden of hearing all the little trials that might arise among brethren. In most every case, this course will prove effectual in settling all differences; it will restore confidence with those concerned, in each other, and the church will be saved a burden.
But it is a shame, and a disgrace to many who profess to be Bible Christians, and the followers of Christ, that they will disregard this rule of Him whom they style their Lord, and if they feel that their brother or sister is in the fault, and has wronged them, instead of going directly to them, as the Lord directs, they will go to all the church first and magnify the supposed fault of a brother or sister. Such a course is calculated to produce hard feelings with the one supposed to be in the wrong, bring the whole church into trouble, discourage the weak, and drive away those who come to inquire for the truth.
The church in Oswego and vicinity have solemnly covenanted to take a scriptural course in these things in the future. If this covenant is kept, and if the faith of Jesus (all the principles of the New Testament) is lived out by them, they will be saved many unhappy trials, they will grow in grace, the power of God will be with them, the servants of God will have freedom when they visit them, (and not have to labor with burdened souls most of their time for the church,) many souls will be anxious to hear the truth, and there will be strength in the church to bring them out into the freedom of the truth.
We will here notice another passage from the lips of the great Teacher, in his sermon on the Mount. "If thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee, leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift." Matt. v, 23, 24.
From this we learn, that if a brother comes into the assembly of the saints, and there remembers that one of his brethren has something against him, he is not to take a part in the exercises of the meeting. His prayer or exhortation would not be acceptable to God in such a case. Or, rather, we learn from these words of our Lord, that the saints should have such tender watch-care over each other, as to lose no time and spare no pains in removing all trials from each other, so that when they assemble to worship God, love and unity may prevail, and their united worship ascend with acceptance, a sweet-smelling savor before the Almighty. But there have been too many cases in the vicinity of Oswego, as well as some other places, where brethren, who neglected their duty out of meeting, have come together professedly to serve God, have talked out each others' faults, which has grieved the Holy Spirit away from them. Those who have thus trampled on the mercy of God, and the plain teachings of Christ, and have repeatedly grieved and driven from them the Holy Spirit, are very weak, and seem to be void of judgment in the things of the Spirit of God. Although they may have professed the truth for years, many who have just been converted are able to instruct them in the first principles of religion.
The brethren in the vicinity of Oswego have now taken a good stand in favor of gospel order and discipline, and we may hope that these unpleasant things will forever cease from among them. Heaven grant that it may be so. Notwithstanding this sad state of things, several have recently embraced the truth.
On First-day we gave two lectures. The Hall was filled with attentive hearers. The prospect now looks fair for a good work. If the church gets right, and keeps right, the Lord will work for them, and raise up a people for his name in Oswego.