Meetings at Newark, Mich.
By Moses E. Cornell
WE commenced meetings in this place Tuesday evening, March 4th, and continued until Wednesday, March 12th, including ten lectures. Most of the time the house was crowded, and good attention was given to the word spoken; yet many were doubting the divinity of the Scriptures. They were ready to admit that we had the truth if the Bible was true. But after our investigation of the state of the dead and the destiny of the wicked, they seemed to view the Bible in a different light. That odium cast upon it by those who represent it as teaching the doctrine of "endless torture of the wicked" was removed, and they began to read the Scriptures with interest. While a company were on their way to the meeting one evening engaged in very earnest conversation about the change in the minds of the people, we overheard the following:— "What do you think is going to happen! Mr. C. took down his Bible this morning and read two chapters!" At this the company expressed much astonishment. Newark is a lake port and several vessels are wintering there, and two or three Captains of vessels became interested, and one I think decided to keep the Sabbath with his vessel the coming Summer. About $10 worth of books were taken and seventeen subscribed for the Review. An opportunity was given for those who were decided to keep the Sabbath to manifest it by rising, and ten rose up; two or three others had been heard to say they should hereafter keep the Bible Sabbath. The friends kindly remembered our expenses and contributed for the same. May the Lord reward them all, especially those whose hospitality we shared while there. All seemed anxious that we should remain longer, but we deemed it expedient that we get out nearer the Rail-road before the breaking up this Spring. Our next appointment is in the town of Trowbridge, between this and Paw Paw station. During our stay at Newark we had the opportunity of hearing a funeral discourse from Eccl. xii, 7. The occasion was the death of a young man, caused by the fall of a limb from a tree; his brains were thrown out and it was supposed that he had not time even to speak a word. He was called an honest, industrious young man; but he made no profession of religion at the time of his death; he had attended parties of pleasure and balls among the wicked, yet this minister declared without qualification, that his immortal soul was now praising God in heaven!! The discourse was entirely controversial, presenting as he supposed, hard arguments against what he was pleased to term the "annihilation view." He talked loudly about the "immortal soul leaving the body at death, and singing the song of victory," &c., and quoted Socrates for proof, but did not even attempt to prove it from the Scriptures. His sermon was reviewed the same day and the Bible view of the subject was presented. The darkness was driven away by the light of the truth. This minister was like one that heard us in Allegan a few weeks ago, who—after listening an hour and a half to a discourse showing the Bible faith and hope, and the importance of consulting Jesus Christ and the apostles—got up and made an attempt to demolish our position by the "great swelling words" of some commentator, mixed with sarcasm and ridicule, and finally closed with the following, "I warn you against all such 'new lights,' and recommend you to examine diligently what was written just this side of the apostles by the early christians." He would not recommend the light (Bible) which would manifest his darkness. I have just learned that the minister that had so much to say about the "wonderful luminary in Monterey," has given out word that he will show at his next appointment by a man in Illinois, that those who are keeping Saturday, are keeping the true first day, while those who keep Sunday, are keeping the true seventh day after all;" and says he, "won't this make them feel rather cheap!" This seems almost incredible yet those who heard him are sure he said it. "Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as potter's clay," says the Prophet. While men are "darkening counsel" with "words without knowledge," and "putting darkness for light," O let us "walk by the light of the fire that God has kindled," ever rejoicing in the truth. Amen.