Voice from Vermont by Stephen Pierce

Publishing Committee · Rochester, N. Y. · Jan 9, 1855

Voice from Vermont.

By Stephen Pierce

SOME weeks since at a meeting in Waitsfield, brethren being present from a large section of central Vermont, action was there taken to ascertain the minds of the several churches in the state relative to a paper published in Michigan, called the Messenger of Truth.

Bro Edwin Churchill was then appointed to communicate the above action of the church, to each of the several agents in the state, except those who were present, requesting an expression from the church in each of their respective districts; and also that they would communicate the same to the writer of this article, who was then appointed to communicate a summary of such intelligence to the Editor of the Review and Herald for publication.

We deemed it proper thus to do, that the publishers of the Messenger might not remain in suspense as to the feelings with which their paper is received by the saints in this State. Some had made up their minds to request its discontinuance; others had ordered it stopped, but still they continue to send it. Therefore the propriety of expressing ourselves as a body is evident. Communications either verbal or written being received from each of the several agents in the state except one, it is thought not best to defer the publication of this article another week, in order that the saints in Panton might be heard from. It is desirable, however, that they should speak also that the unanimous voice of the church may be heard in this matter.

The church generally have expressed their approval of the action taken by the brethren at Waitsfield; for the so-called Messenger of Truth comes to us laden with fruit, as chilling to the soul of every lover of truth, as the icebergs of the north. So far as heard from, the saints have expressed their unqualified disapprobation of the Messenger, and hereby request its publishers to discontinue it without delay: believing it to be, not what it purports to be, but rather a messenger of falsehood and error; consequently we disapprove of the course and conduct, spirit and object of those who conduct it: hereby manifesting on our part, a disposition to "have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them;" that those who are endangered by this deceptive work may take the alarm and escape, ere the dread simoon of that pestilential desert be inhaled to such an extent, as to infuse its fatal miasma through all the soul.

If that paper gives "meat in due season" we greatly misjudge: we conclude rather, that true saints would starve to death if they could have no better food. If much of its contents do not consist of slander and evil-speaking, then we mistake as to the meaning of the words. For this reason we think that every Christian will ultimately reject it, as being opposed to the spirit of the gospel. Even if it were free from this characteristic and gave us wholesome doctrine, we should consider it uncalled for, as we have the Review, well located, and stored richly with present truth, answering all the demands of the church at the present time.

The Review has been conducted and sustained from its commencement by the ablest advocates for truth; men the most distinguished for heavenly wisdom and experience; by the concentrated energies of such men as "have borne the burden and heat of the day." Now does that wisdom which is "without partiality," dictate that we should exchange that paper for another? We trow not; unless there shall be a lamentable deterioration manifest.

We conclude not to repudiate the labors of Bro. and Sr. White, and others who have been pioneers in the cause of truth, because they have been faithful to admonish us for errors and reprove us for faults; but rather to love them for their works' sake. "Let the righteous smite me, it shall be a kindness; and let him reprove me, it shall be an excellent oil which shall not break my head."

And here we raise the warning voice to all, against the evils of envy, hatred and malice. Envy is defined to be, "pain felt at the sight of superior excellence or happiness." As hatred seems to be the offspring of envy, so malice seems to be that of hatred. We have a striking example of these characteristics in the conduct of Joseph's brethren towards him. We know what the result was. A still more striking example occurs in the conduct of the Jews towards the Lord Jesus Christ, in whom all excellence met. "For envy they delivered him;" in their hatred they exclaimed, "If he were not a malefactor we would not have delivered him;" and in their malice "they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified!"

Dearly beloved, let us suppress every rising of these malignant dispositions lest they increase upon us by such imperceptible degrees, that we find ourselves at last so engulfed within the dread circle of that maelstrom of passion, that we shall have no ability to extricate ourselves. Rather let us seek righteousness and seek meekness that we may be hid in the day of the Lord's anger.

It has been suggested by some of the leading brethren here, that the churches in other sections of the country imitate the example of the churches in Vermont as above, by giving an expression of their views on the same subject.

By order and in behalf of the Church. STEPHEN PIERCE. Roxbury, Vt., Dec. 28th, 1854.