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Conference in Hillsdale

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Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 14, 1858

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 11, No. 10.

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Conference in Hillsdale.

By A. S. Hutchins; J. H. Waggoner

THIS Conference was held agreeably to appointment in the Review. We found the church in this place, somewhat pressed down with discouragements; and seemingly in some measure to have forgotten that now is the time to be zealous and repent, and to buy the gold tried in the fire, and white raiment; and to seek meekness that they may be hid in the day of the Lord's anger. Rev. iii; Zeph. ii.
Again it was quite evident that many had come to this meeting expecting to be blessed and strengthened, not considering that the requirement of the Lord is, first to return unto him. "Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts."
Under this state of things, we felt deeply humbled before the Lord, and sought his free Spirit by prayer and fasting. From this time forward the interest of the meetings continued to rise to their close.
About seventy-five Sabbath-keepers were together, and as the clear and forcible truths relating to our present position were presented to them, we all felt strongly impressed, yea, certain, that if those who profess to be keeping the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus, stand when the fast-hastening plagues fall upon the ungodly, they must greatly increase their zeal in this cause.
On Second-day, P. M., a meeting was held for the special benefit of the church. At this time the necessity of having a school for the children of Sabbath-keepers was considered. Many very appropriate remarks were made respecting the duty of parents to their children in these last days. All seemed to realize that the influence of district schools is demoralizing in the extreme, upon the minds of the young, and a unanimous expression was made for a school, the influence of which should be sacred and saving. A Committee of three Brethren was chosen to transact all needful business preparatory for such a school.
In the evening our meeting with the church was sweet, solemn and sacred. By following the example of our great Pattern, [John xiii] the hearts of the little flock were prepared to enter into self examination closely, before eating and drinking of the emblems of the broken body and shed blood of the Saviour. This led to many heart-felt confessions, which secured the rich blessings of heaven upon us. Praise the Lord!
In the last two meetings mentioned, the servants of God felt very deeply for the young members of the church, and were united in exhorting them to save themselves from this untoward generation. Many dangers and snares await the young, and threaten their destruction, which can only be escaped by a close walk with God. Among these is the practice of cultivating affection for each other, changing relations in life, and extending their cares, without carefully consulting the will of God, and keeping constantly his glory in view.
Says the Saviour, "As the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." Matt. xxiv, 37. From the two following verses, we learn that the Antediluvians madly and blindly rushed on in their selfishness, eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark. And knew not until the flood came, and took them ALL away. Thus will it be with this wicked generation. They heed not the sweet voice of mercy which sounds for their safety, and destruction will overtake them as a snare. But may those now keeping the Commandments of God be saved from that awful doom.
The evening following, a business meeting was held, in which Brn. I. C. Vaughan, and D. Stamback, were chosen and ordained deacons of the church in Hillsdale.
The next morning a young sister, that had resolved in these meetings to become a follower of Jesus, was buried with Christ by baptism.
We left the church in H. greatly strengthened in their purpose to serve the Lord. We hope we may meet them all again when the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads.
Bro. Loughborough was with us in this conference, and aided much in speaking the Word. Bro. White was unable to attend these meetings, by reason of other business, but we were happy to meet Sr. W., and hear her stirring and very comforting exhortations.
A. S. HUTCHINS. J. H. WAGGONER. Addison, Mich., Jan. 4th, 1858.