Note to Brother Waggoner.
By James White
DEAR BROTHER:—For the sake of the cause of truth, which in many places suffers in consequence of false reports, repeated by such men as Elder J. V. Himes, we give this brief note. Having just returned from Vermont, as the REVIEW is going to press, we have not time to answer your kind letter at length in this number; but at some future time it shall be more fully noticed. We will, however, briefly state that Sabbath-keepers in Vermont and other eastern states usually commence their conferences on the evening following the sixth day, so that they assemble on the Sixth-day and not on the Sabbath. We have held conferences in Vermont, four Autumns in succession, and know this to be the general practice. The Sabbath should be kept holy; and we are certain that its real friends would gladly receive correction if they should be found faulty in its observance. That Sabbath-keepers in Vermont cut their wood on the Sabbath, and are in the habit of visiting on that day, we know to be untrue; and those who are acquainted with their course, know better than to make such assertions. That there may be individuals who fail to observe the Sabbath as strictly as they should, among professed Sabbath-keepers, we do not deny; though we know of none who are guilty of doing these things charged upon Sabbath-keepers in Vermont by Elder J. V. Himes. Many of our brethren in Vermont have been Elder Himes' warmest friends; and as they look to the past, and there see his untiring zeal in the Advent cause, they can but respect him. They have not forgotten slanders and reproaches that were heaped upon him for boldly defending the truth of God; and in the cruel "secret workings" of later years, as his character has been assailed by some of his professed Advent friends, they have felt to sympathize with him in his trials. Certainly, Elder J. V. Himes is not, or should not be, the man to engage in this mean work of slander. From him we might hope better things. But much to his dishonor as a Christian and Minister of Jesus Christ, he is guilty of reporting in the East as well as in the West, that which is untrue respecting Sabbath-keepers. Bro. Elon Everts of New Haven, Vt., states that in a recent interview, Elder Himes told him, among other things, that Bro. S. W. Rhodes "has been and is deep in spiritual wifery." We would not charge Elder Himes with making falsehoods respecting those who keep the fourth commandment; but his industry in reporting them, evinces his love for them, when made. We believe all these reports to be untrue, gotten up by the father of lies with a design to bring the truth of God into disrepute. Those who have read the REVIEW know the stand we have taken against spiritualizing views in all their forms. We have spoken out plainly against fanaticism. And if we know that there were those among us who are guilty of those things reported by Elder Himes, we would not only withdraw our fellowship from them, but would warn others against their influence. We hope that our brethren in Vermont and elsewhere will speak out plainly, and inform us if there are those, fellowshiped by the body, who chop wood on the Lord's Sabbath, or make that a visiting day. Or if they know of any grounds for the report that Bro. Rhodes or any other person, fellowshiped by the body of Sabbath-keepers, is guilty of the things reported of him, let them speak out. We want to know it if any of these things exist among us. And we would further say to our readers who may hear these reports from Elder Himes or others, you will do us a kindness to inform us immediately, whenever you may hear such reports. That some have embraced the Sabbath whose principles were not pure, is true; but they have either confessed and forsaken their errors, or have been disfellowshiped by the body. Be it known unto all men that God is "purifying unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works." We hope, dear brother, that these false reports will not stumble any of our dear friends in the West.—We think that these things will be overruled for good, and finally be a means of opening the eyes of the candid, and furthering the cause of truth. More hereafter.