NEW HAVEN CONFERENCE. This meeting was held in the school-house near Bro. E. Everts'. As the weather was cold and stormy, but few of the brethren from other parts of Vermont assembled. The company present, however, was not small; about as many as could be entertained, and seated in the small school-house. The meeting at first moved quite heavily; but near its close the brethren began to get free. The Word was spoken with freedom. Our last meeting was indeed a precious season. The subject of going home, to the saints' eternal home, was dwelt upon by most of the many who spoke of their joys and their hopes. The meeting closed at half past eight in the evening, and the brethren went into Bro. Everts' house to consider some church matters; but two repenting, weeping sinners followed us. They wept aloud. We gave them a chance to speak, then prayed for them; and they prayed for themselves.—Again the Spirit of God was poured out upon us, and the brethren continued to speak and rejoice till about 11 o'clock. We then had a meeting of two hours, in which time the wants of the cause were considered. And it was decided that there were those present that should be ordained to the work of the Gospel ministry, and that there were those (not present) who profess to teach the present truth, who were not worthy of the confidence of the church, as teachers. At 1 o'clock at night we adjourned to 8 o'clock in the morning, when the subject of ordination was again taken up. And it was the unanimous expression of all present that our dear Bro. J. N. Andrews, A. S. Hutchins and C. W. Sperry, should be set apart to the work of the ministry (that they might feel free to administer the ordinances of the church of God) by prayer and the laying on of hands. And as Bro. Joseph Baker and the writer performed the solemn duty, the Holy Ghost came down upon us. There, bowed before God, we wept together, also rejoiced.
It was then decided that the cause in Vermont required that other brethren in different parts of the State, who labor more or less publicly, should also be set apart by the laying on of hands, that they might administer the ordinances of the gospel. It was the unanimous expression of all present, that Brn. E. P. Butler of Waterbury, Elon Everts of New Haven, and Josiah Hart of Northfield, should thus be set apart. And while engaged in this most solemn duty, the presence of the Lord was indeed manifested. We never witnessed a more melting, precious season.—The very atmosphere around us seemed sweet as heaven. How cheering to the Christian to know that his honest endeavors to do his duty are owned and blest of Heaven!
The brethren felt it their duty to express their opinion relative to Ezra Eastman and J. R. Towle, who profess to observe the Sabbath, and teach the present truth. All were agreed in expressing their disapproval of their past injudicious course, as they have traveled among the brethren; and that they do not consider them proper persons to teach the present truth. And while they travel from place to place149(doing no real good, but, rather, harm,) apparently to get their living, they are unworthy the confidence of the people of God.
Probably the cause has suffered more by individuals moving out of their place, and taking upon themselves the work to teach, than by any other cause.—Satan, doubtless, pushes out some to take this stand, while some others, less conscientious are tempted by the loaves and fishes to go from place to place among the brethren. The cause in Vermont has suffered in consequence of some such drones.
The brethren in the vicinity of New Haven have suffered severe trials in times past in consequence of the course pursued by Henry Allen, and Wm. Mayhew who is now in the West. Allen now teaches the no-Sabbath heresy. Our brethren in the West should understand that the brethren in Vermont have no confidence in Wm. Mayhew as a religious teacher.
Says Paul: "Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which ye received of us.
For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us; for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labor and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you. Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.
For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. But ye, brethren, be not weary in well-doing. And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed." 2 Thess. iii, 6-14.
The good old gospel rule is certainly excellent in disposing of these weights and burdens to the cause. Says the Apostle: "Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear." 1 Tim. v, 20.
We would not say a word to discourage the conscientious, trembling soul, who is being moved upon by the Spirit of God to labor publicly in the cause of God. We would say to such, go forward trusting in the Lord. Those called of the Lord, who are in the work, will desire to labor where the present truth has not been named, instead of entering into the labors of others. They will not spend their time in going from place to place among the brethren where there is little or nothing for them to do.