Statements of Elder J. V. Himes.
By Editor
IN THE REVIEW of Nov. 8th, we published a letter from Bro. J. H. Waggoner, in which he speaks of conversation with Eld. Himes at Detroit, Mich., a few days previous, at which time Eld. Himes told him that "believers in the third angel's message did not keep the Sabbath according to their profession." "That on conference occasions," "especially in Vermont," they traveled from twenty to forty miles on the Sabbath to attend meetings; and when not absent from home, they cut their wood, &c., on that day, and generally made it a day of visiting, after the manner in which many nominal Sunday-keepers observe that day." We addressed a note to Bro. Waggoner on the subject in that number of the REVIEW, with the intention of answering his letter more fully. We have waited to hear from brethren in the East relative to these things reported by Eld. Himes. We now give the following from Bro. E. P. Butler, of Waterbury, Vt. DEAR BRO. WHITE:—In consequence of the reports made by Elder J. V. Himes to Bro. Waggoner, and Bro. Everts, which reports say, as published in the Review of Nov. 8th, that believers in the third angel's message did not keep the Sabbath according to their profession; that in Vermont they travel from twenty to forty miles on Conference occasions on the Sabbath; that when at home they cut their wood on that day, and generally make it a day of visiting; I would say, (as you have called upon the brethren in Vermont to speak out plainly, and give information on this subject,) that my place of residence is near the center of the State of Vermont, and as the State is but about one hundred miles in width, I have occasionally visited most of the brethren through the entire width of the State, and am acquainted with the brethren generally fifty miles to the north and fifty miles to the south of where I reside. And I think that one hundred miles square through the center of the State will embrace most of the believers in181the third angel's message. Situated as I am, I know not but my opportunities for learning the truth relative to these charges are as good as any brother's in the State.
Your remarks relative to the brethren's meeting together the day previous to the commencement of the Sabbath on conference occasions, is correct. This has been the case as far as I have any knowledge where conferences have been appointed, and the brethren came from any considerable distance. We have been more or less in the habit of going from town to town on the Sabbath; as these towns are six miles square we frequently travel from five to ten miles to meet our brethren. I think if Elder Himes had been in the habit of riding after a team of his own, as we are accustomed to, he would not have made the statement that we rode from twenty to forty miles to attend meetings on the Sabbath. The brethren of Vermont do feel that there is great importance attached to keeping the seventh day holy. We would therefore cheerfully invite Elder Himes, and all who see us in danger of transgressing the fourth commandment, to admonish us. As to the charge of chopping wood when at home on the Sabbath, I have not heard, to my recollection, of a case of the kind among all the Sabbath-keepers who are in fellowship with the body. One case where an individual is said to have cut wood and cleaned clocks on the Sabbath, the person has not certainly for a year professed to be with us. If any thing can be said to clear Elder Himes from falsehood in making the declaration that believers in the third angel's message generally made the Sabbath a day of visiting, I would gladly do it. I would say that some apology might be made if possible, that Sabbath-keepers often get together on that day to worship God where there is but few of them; but have never heard of any Sabbath-keepers visiting their neighbors generally, much less that the body of Sabbath-keepers are in the habit of visiting. As to the assertion that Bro. S. W. Rhodes has been, and is now deep in spiritual wifery, I never heard of anything of the kind until Bro. Everts informed me that Elder Himes charged him with it. Of the many reports and accusations put in circulation in Vermont, against believers in the third angel's message, Bro. Rhodes has had to bear his share, as he has occasionally been in the State. We have often heard of his being harsh, severe and uncharitable, and sometimes abusive to his opponents; but must confess that the charge filed in against Bro. Rhodes, by Elder Himes is unlike what we have taken to be his character. We would in all good feeling call upon Elder Himes for his evidence of the truth of these charges. We wish him to call the names of individuals. If the charges will stand against the body, they may be sustained against individuals. We hope no degree of delicacy will prevent plainness on this subject, that we may find where these Sabbath-breakers are, and where those are who hold to "spiritual wifery." Certain it is that these charges preferred against us will do us no good unless they enable us to find the transgressors. We hope if these sins have not passed under his immediate view, but if he has relied upon his friends in Vermont for information, he will not for this excuse himself, but will mention the names of his informants, that we may inquire of them; for we who believe in the third angel's message, here, even in Vermont, do desire to search out all our sins that we may get rid of them. We want the truth that we may be sanctified through the truth. "Thy word is truth." Nothing else will satisfy us but light from the word of God. We do verily believe that when the third angel ceases sounding, mercy to hypocrites and sinners is gone forever. Waterbury, Vt., Dec. 1st, 1853.