A SKETCH OF THE RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE PRESENT TRUTH.
By James White
IN 1850 we commenced publishing the REVIEW AND HERALD at Paris, Me. As friends were few, and generally poor, we chose this country location to save expense. Here we found some joys and many sorrows. Our hearts were often cheered by the success of the few traveling brethren, in bringing some to the truth. But those were days of poverty, deprivation, toil and anguish of spirit. We labored ardently to bring some to a knowledge of the truth, divided our scanty purse with them, and at the same time were suffering for the comforts of life—and because they could not rule us in the work to which God had called us, became bitter enemies, and at times turned the hearts of many of our brethren against us. These things saddened our spirits, and carried us almost into the grave. With feeble health we traveled from town to town, from State to State, preaching the Word, and holding conferences, and at the same time issuing the REVIEW once in two or three weeks. About this time Bro. J. N. Andrews commenced his labors, which was no small reinforcement. Faithfully has this dear brother labored in the cause of unpopular Bible truth, which is now blest with his clear expositions of Bible truth in some of our most important publications. These speak to the hearts of many, though he at present is nearly silent. Worn with labor, and greatly reduced in strength, so much so that there could be but little hope of his recovery, he left the work to find rest, and if possible, recover his health. We are happy to learn that his health is greatly improved, and that he desires again to devote himself to the work. Bro. Andrews has shared quite largely in the disappointments of those who have for a few years past moved to the West without means. We hope the time is not far distant when our dear brother and fellow-laborer will engage again in the cause of present truth, when those who have so long desired it, can read from his pen, hear his voice in defence of the truth, and in return supply all his wants. We left Paris, June, 1851, to attend conferences in the State of N. Y., and finally, by the advice of brethren, issued No. 1, Vol. II, of the REVIEW, in a new and much improved dress, at Saratoga Springs, N. Y., Aug. 5th, 1851. Up to this time we had had no permanent home, but had traveled as the way opened, and had stopped to write and publish where brethren made us welcome. Our two dear boys were from us, and six hundred miles from each other. This was a sacrifice. Some give a little of their abundance and call it a sacrifice; but such know nothing what it is to sacrifice for the truth's sake. By this time quite a host of brethren had been raised up, especially in Vt. and N. Y. Bro. Ingraham took a stand with us, and some others we might mention. Our publications were a great help, and preachers were self-sacrificing and active. In March, 1852, a General Conference was held at Ballston, N. Y., when it was decided that the REVIEW should be published at Rochester, N. Y., and that the necessary sum should be raised by donations to purchase type, hand-press, &c. A Financial Committee was chosen, from which, however, we received but very little assistance. But as the good hand of the Lord was in the work, and the brethren having a mind to work, we were able to get printing materials together, and to issue No. 1, of Vol. iii, of the REVIEW at Rochester, N. Y., May 6th. This was a new and important era in the progress of the cause. Here commenced Bro. Andrews' Letters to O. R. L. Crozier, which not only exposed the weakness of the no-Sabbath heresy, but the deceitful manner in which some who held it handled the word of God. Success attended the cause east and west. Brn. Phelps and Waggoner through incessant toil raised up witnesses for the truth in many places in Wisconsin. Brn. Cornell and Cranson were greatly blest in Michigan. Bro. Bates was having his usual success in "all the world," or, in the different States, and in the Canadas, through which he so rapidly passed, and the other brethren in the State of N. Y., and New England were reporting success. In the Autumn of 1852 we attended a series of conferences in Central and Northern N. Y., Vt., N. H., Mass. and Me. These meetings were generally attended with great success. On this tour we first met with our much beloved Brn. Byington, Hutchins and Barr, who continue firm friends of the cause, and devoted laborers. We rejoice that so many have escaped the deceptive power of Spiritualism and other heresies, and that they now stand firm in the truth. We also feel an undying love for those dear ministers of Jesus who took their stand with the truth, and have toiled and suffered much. God bless you, dear brethren; the chief Shepherd is very soon coming; then, O then, the crown of unfading glory, and the weary pilgrim's eternal home and reward. We would say to other dear brethren who should labor publicly, but are kept from doing their duty by home cares, unwilling friends, or great fear of moving too fast, break away, launch out, do your duty. Remember, your talent will be required with usury. It is evident, however, that with the increase of numbers in 1852 and 1853, there was not a corresponding increase in consecration and in the graces of the Spirit. The truth was being more clearly brought out, and many were embracing it, and at the same time the standard of consecration, self-denial and sacrifice was being lowered among us as a people. There was a great increase of numbers. The scripture evidences of our position were the themes of public lectures, and close, practical preaching was evidently too much neglected, and most Sabbath-keepers became quite satisfied with the form without the power. Hypocrites crowded into the ranks. Men destitute of principle, and having a seared conscience, professed the Sabbath. And the spirit of the world prevailed in the body. About this time Stephenson and Hall joined the ranks with all their Campbellism and Age to Come, which have no more agreement with the spirit of the present truth than darkness with light, Belial with Christ. Wisconsin was a promising field of labor till these men entered it. Bro. Waggoner had sacrificed his home in spreading the truth in that State, and Bro. Phelps had labored ardently, and with much success. But alas! wolves in sheep's clothing entered the fold, and have accomplished their work of death. When we were in Eldorado, Wis., June, 1854, Elds. Stephenson and Hall stated to us that they were firm believers in the Age to Come. We asked them if they had ever known one sinner converted, or a backslider reclaimed as the fruits of preaching Age to Come. The answer was, No. We then asked if that, in their opinion, much harm had not been the result of preaching Age to Come, in dividing the Advent people. The answer was, Yes. We inquired, Then why preach it? The reply was, We are willing to waive the subject, and unite on the Third Angel's Message, if those who oppose the Age to Come will do the same. (Reference was then made to some remarks against Age to Come, in the REVIEW by J. B. Frisbie, &c.) We then stated that we could speak in behalf of brethren East, and that they would be willing to waive the subject. At this point in the conversation, said Eld. Stephenson, The Age to Come is premature, it is future truth, it is not the present truth, and if the Third Angel's Message had been presented to us at the time the Age to Come was, we should not have taken hold of the Age to Come. At that time we bound S. and H. to our heart with the strongest feelings of sympathy and love. At their frank and apparently honest statement that they wished to waive the discussion of the Future Age, and unite on the Third Message, we wept tears of joy. We hoped much for the cause in the West. We spoke of them through the REVIEW in a manner to cause great confidence to be put in them by the brethren East and West. This, with their talent, gave them access to the hearts of all the brethren in Wisconsin. They soon, however, began to talk out their views of the Future Age in private, next in public. They next began to find fault with the REVIEW, and sow the seeds of jealousy and discord. Our beloved Bro. Waggoner became much discouraged at this state of things, and went to laboring with his hands. Bro. Phelps sympathized somewhat with those who were casting an influence against the REVIEW, and finally left the work through discouragement. The good cause in Wisconsin is almost a total wreck. We do not feel disposed to censure those in Wisconsin who have been deceived by S. and H. No one has been more deceived than we have, and probably no one has suffered more. And we freely confess that the compromise at Eldorado was wrong on our part. The REVIEW should have borne a plain, decided testimony against the Age to Come. If Bro. J. H. Waggoner had then spoken through the REVIEW, as he since has, on that subject, it probably would have saved many in Wisconsin from the deception they have been under, and we should have been saved many hours of keenest anguish. But his hands were tied, while S. and H. were acting a deceptive part. We now see that our anxiety to add numbers and strength to the ranks led us to take steps which exposed the cause to be injured by these men. We hope to be forgiven by all who have been injured by our lack of judgment, and may we learn a lesson by the errors of the past which shall be a blessing in our future course. While the disaffection was taking place in Wisconsin, a similar work was going on with some in Michigan and other places. Church discipline was urged through the REVIEW, which was very disagreeable to some in the ranks who wished to have their own way, and hated reproof and instruction. They chose to be teachers, when they should have been learners. They went out to teach the truth without being sent of the Lord, or approbated by the church, and sowed the seeds of discontent, disunion and death wherever they went. Some of them were labored with and reproved. Others did not receive as much approbation and attention as they desired. And not a few were rebuked of the Lord for their unchristian, reckless course. This aroused their jealousy and wrath, and finally they started a sheet of slander at Jackson, Mich., which met the feelings of all those who were ready to be inspired with jealousy and a feeling of hatred and revenge toward those who had reproved them for their wrongs, and they all poured forth their feelings of bitterness and wrath into this sheet. This was a cause of great grief to many dear brethren, and it appeared for the time that the precious cause was being injured. But this sheet was manifesting hearts, and purifying the body. It was evident to all decent people that those who would go with such a sheet were not fit to go with the saints. We will mention some of the leading men in this faction, and their position when last heard from. Wyman, rejected by his party for crime, and a town charge. Bezzo, their editor, fined $25 for presenting a pistol, and threatening to shoot a scholar in school. Case, run out as a preacher, and fishing on the lakes. Chapin, in a clothing store. Lillis, a Spiritualist, Russel and Hicks had denounced Bezzo and the publishers of their sheet hypocrites, and were standing alone. It seems that as soon as these restless spirits went out from the body by themselves, that they immediately went to biting and devouring one another until not one of the eighteen messengers of which they once boasted as being with them is now bearing a public testimony, and not one piece of regular meeting to our knowledge among them east or west. The true friends of the cause have been led by these things to see the necessity of bearing a bold and independent testimony for the truth, and for the gifts of the Holy Spirit. And that gift which was so despised by the faction, never was prized by the body as now. The faction has crumbled and disappeared, and the body has risen in union and strength. And78where one destitute of moral worth has left the ranks, four of real worth have joined the ranks of Sabbath-keepers. At the time of the disaffection, when the effort was to break down the REVIEW, the church property at the Office was only $700; since, it has increased to $5000. Then there were but about 1000 paying subscribers, now there are near 2000, besides quite a free list. We mourn our lukewarm condition. We have nothing to boast of. But thanks be to God who has given the truth the victory thus far through our Lord Jesus Christ. The truth will triumph. Though those who now profess it be laid aside for their unfaithfulness, God can raise up a faithful army to fight his battles, and wear the victor's crown. But those who have stood the storms of the past will not fall away now. Though many who have not the truth in them sufficient to move them cheerfully to action may be shaken out, and left behind, yet the faithful ones who have toiled on, groaning, sighing and crying for salvation and deliverance, will go through to the city of God, and share their everlasting rest.