A SKETCH OF THE RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE PRESENT TRUTH.
By James White
HAVING been connected with the cause of what we call present truth from its very commencement, we may be allowed to speak freely of the past and present prosperity of the cause. As early as 1844, a few Advent brethren in the vicinity of Washington, N. H., embraced the Sabbath of the Fourth Commandment. These did not see the Sabbath reform in connection with the Third Message of Rev. xiv, and not holding the Lord's Sabbath as a test of Christian fellowship, did not feel the importance of giving the light to others, as many now do, and some of them went back to the Roman Sabbath. Some of these, however, have since returned to the truth. In 1845, Bro. Joseph Bates investigated the Sabbath question, and immediately commenced observing and teaching the weekly Sabbath of the Bible. Several Advent brethren in Massachusetts and Maine embraced the Sabbath about that time. Bro. Bates wrote and circulated gratuitously a small work on the Sabbath, which confirmed us on the subject. It reached several in Conn., and with Bro. Bates' personal labors, brought over to the keeping of the true Sabbath several in Western New York, Vermont and New Hampshire. These were generally the poor of this world, and the few who had means did not realize that on them rested the responsibility of sending the truth to others. In the Autumn of 1847, Bro. Bates sat down to write a work of more than 100 pages on the Sabbath, with only a York shilling at his command, and we were chopping cord-wood for daily bread where we could earn but fifty cents a day. We two were alone in publicly teaching the Sabbath. Under such circumstances we could do but little in the cause. We state these things to show our brethren the humble manner in which this cause commenced, and the sacrifices then made to spread the truth. Those who are acquainted with the facts in the case know that Bro. Bates' labors were greatly blest in Vermont. We well remember when our faithful brother felt deeply impressed with a sense of duty to labor in that State, and being destitute of means, resolved to start on foot from Fairhaven, Mass. A Sister had come from Maine to Mass., to work at one dollar a week, and in this way raise means to spread the truth. She had earned but two dollars when she went to her employer and asked for five, which she obtained, and gave to Bro. Bates to help him to Vermont, and God blest the mission greatly. Our brethren who take but little interest in spreading the truth should not blush at this simple narration. He who notices the sparrows, saw these things, and set his seal of approbation. And was not this act written in the books from which all are to be judged according to their deeds? And did not the angels, who rejoice much over one repenting sinner, rejoice over this simple means of sending the light of present truth among the green mountains of Vermont? Will not that sister receive her reward? Dear brethren, we write not these things to shame you. We wish to state facts, that you may be led to seek for the humble path of obedience in which those walked who were first in this cause, and that you may enjoy the blessing of that entire consecration which then rested upon them. In the Spring of 1848, in company with Bro. Bates, we attended a Conference in Conn. There were probably twenty-five Sabbath-keepers present. Here we first saw Bro. Holt. We were all much encouraged at this meeting. Bro. Holt soon began to bear testimony for the truth. Bro. Bates began to labor more extensively as the way opened before him. At this time we had an invitation from Bro. Edson to visit Western New York, and hold a Conference with them. We were destitute of means; but with feeble health we entered the hayfield to earn the necessary means. And when fainting beneath the noon-day sun, we would bow before God in our swath, and cry to him for strength, rise refreshed and praise his holy name aloud, then mow on again. In five weeks we earned enough to bear our expenses with Mrs. W. to the Conference. Bro. Bates joined us at this meeting. The notice had been given to all in the Empire State who were in sympathy with our views, and there was a general rally, yet not over forty present. And what a confusion of sentiments among this few! A spirit of discussion and contention for points not important prevailed, so that we who had come so far could hardly have chance to give our message, and the meeting would have proved a failure, and the good brethren would have separated in confusion and trial had not the Lord worked in a special manner. The Spirit of the Lord rested upon Mrs. W., and she was taken off in vision. The entire congregation believed that it was the work of God, and were deeply affected. She related to them what she had seen, which was given to correct some errors among them, and in melting strains exhorted them to leave their errors, and those points on which they had differed, and unite on the important truths of the Third Message. And on that blessed evening, the brethren sacrificed their babel of sentiments, and united on the truth. And what was the result? Harmony began to prevail, and many came flocking to the standard of truth. Soon the Lord laid the case of our beloved Bro. Rhodes on Bro. Edson and others. He had labored faithfully and spent a good property in the first and second Messages, but being wounded by the backsliding and covetousness of professed Advent brethren, he left the flock in a state of despair, and sustained himself by hunting and fishing in an uninhabited part of the State of New York. Bro. Edson in company with others, visited him several times, with the design to induce him to come among the brethren, and in all traveled with his team near one thousand miles, and finally, with the special help of God, gained the object. When Bro. Rhodes first came among the brethren, despair was stamped upon every feature. But soon hope and faith revived, and he became a successful laborer in the cause. A few numbers of the little sheet called the Present Truth had been published, which, with Bro. Bates' publications, were a great help in the cause. Then preachers traveled on foot, or in second class cars, or on steam-boat decks for want of means. The testimony they bore was pointed. God worked with them mightily, and the cheering news of conversions to the truth were coming in on every hand. Several brethren sold their farms, and handed out their means to advance the cause. Young men and women could then give of their wages to help preachers on from place to place, and to provide for their families at home, and to publish books and papers to circulate. All seemed to give cheerfully, and God blest the cheerful giver. Ministers and people then felt for souls, and labored for them as though the coming of the day of God was a frightful reality. But in those days of the greatest prosperity of the cause there were trials, and these trials generally arose in consequence of a disposition to draw off from the great truths connected with the Third Message, to points of no vital importance. It has been impossible to make some see that present truth is present truth, and not future truth, and that the Word as a lamp shines brightly where we stand, and not so plainly on the path in the distance. Hence the order of events a thousand years hence, or just before or after the coming of the Lord, has been the all-absorbing theme with some, and present truth, and present duty have been sooner or later lost sight of. The present truth! THE PRESENT TRUTH!! has been, and by the grace of God ever shall be, our cry. Let others draw off with the deceitful plea of "Free Investigation," or "The whole truth;" but if God has given us a special message and work, it is perdition to leave it. The dangers and sad results of introducing theories of the future in the place of the present Message are fully illustrated by the course of Elders Stephenson and Hall. Three years since they had the fellowship and sympathy of the church. Wisconsin was then a promising field of labor. Brn. Waggoner and Phelps had traveled hundreds, and probably thousands of miles on foot, and had faithfully sown the seed of truth. It was springing up all around. At this point of time S. and H. professed the Sabbath without renouncing their views of the future age, but agreed to unite with us on the present truth. By this they obtained influence in the REVIEW, which gave them influence among the brethren, and they immediately began to lead them step by step into the future age, and away from the Third Message, until a large portion of those who once kept the Sabbath in Wisconsin have turned from it, and those that remain, are in a scattered, discouraged condition. These are the results of leaving the present truth. It is said of one who looked back into Sodom, "Remember Lot's wife." So it may well be sounded in the ears of the escaping remnant, Remember Stephenson and Hall.