p. 125 | CHURCH AT MILL GROVE by R. F. Cottrell

Publishing Committee · Rochester, N. Y. · Dec 5, 1854

CHURCH AT MILL GROVE.

By R. F. Cottrell

At this place there was a little company of Sabbath-keepers, numbering about half a dozen, not connected with any church, who had been meeting together regularly on the Sabbath for years before the first volume of the REVIEW AND HERALD was published in Maine, which paper providentially fell into our hands. We were advent believers also; we looked not to death for a realization of our hope, but to the coming of Christ and the resurrection. We also believed that the advent drew near, but had no very definite idea of the termination of the prophetic periods—thought (how unreasonably!) that they would never be understood by mortal men. Consequently we looked upon the past advent movement, not as a fulfillment of prophecy, but as a human excitement upon the best of subjects, having no better foundation, in respect to time, than mere guess-work, and that it had proved a total failure in this respect.

This was our position, as near as I can state it in brief, when we commenced reading the REVIEW. We were slow enough in adopting its sentiments and views in respect to time and the past movement; for three fourths of a year was spent in cautious and prayerful examination, before one of us dared believe that to be a special work of God and a fulfillment of prophecy. The reception of this truth did not separate us, though some were more slow to believe than others. About this time three Seventh-day Baptists, who had met with us at intervals, took a decided stand with us; and some others embraced the truth, a part were young—children of believers.

Some of that happy company have removed to a distant part of the country; others have fallen asleep. But the Lord has added others through the instrumentality of the third message, so that there are now fifteen souls who are, we trust, determined to share with the "remnant" in tribulation and in victory. One of these seldom has the privilege of meeting with us, but the others we always expect to see on the Sabbath, unless very bad weather or some other just cause exists for their absence. Two of these embraced the truth the past summer. They have thus far been faithful, and we trust they will hold fast till they see the King in his beauty.

As a church we never were so well united and strong in the truth as at the present time.

But it is with deep regret that we say that some, who have received the truth in this place, have turned away from the holy commandment which is the burden of the message. Not having root in themselves, they were not prepared for the trials and afflictions of the people of God, so they endured but a short time. Would that they might see their condition, and that God might grant them repentance unto life.

We have also grief and sorrow of heart for some of our young people, most of whom have professed religion; but never have, with one exception, faithfully filled their places in the church. We have been glad that the truth has held a restraining influence over them, but sorry that their want of zeal and faithfulness have evinced that their affections were not on things above, but on things on earth. Some of them have never, to our knowledge, confessed their faith in the present truth.

Those who have not faith enough to take a decided stand on anything, are so much under the influence of the Enemy, that it is no wonder if some Satanic breeze should sweep them away. We fear that some of them will be lost. But if it be so, we determine it shall not be for want of forbearance and long-suffering on the part of the church. We shall still try to persuade them to take a decided stand for the truth, and go heart and hand with the church.

But, as we said before, the church is growing in strength and unity of faith, and soon we hope to meet the faithful on Mt. Zion, and help swell the song, of triumph, with the harps of God.

R. F. COTTRELL. Mill Grove, Erie Co., N. Y., Nov. 27th, 1854.