TOUR IN WISCONSIN by J. H. Waggoner

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 25, 1858

TOUR IN WISCONSIN.

By J. H. Waggoner

BRO. SMITH : After our meetings at Round Grove, we went to Crane's Grove, Ills, where we found two families keeping the Sabbath. We held a meeting in the evening, (Feb. 23,) which we trust was profitable to all in attendance. Next day we went to Bro. Sanborn's in Green Co. Wis. We found Bro. S. and his companion and a few others, firm in the present truth. He took us on our way as far as Mt. Pleasant, but on account of sickness in his family, he was unable

to remain with us, or accompany us on our way north.

We remained at Mt. Pleasant over the Sabbath, and till Third-day, March 2d. Nothing had ever been spoken in favor of the Sabbath in this place, but much against it; and we regretted to find that prejudice against the truth was exceeding strong. But little interest was manifested to hear. The Expositor is read considerably, and the Age-to-come is emphatically the hobby. The tendency of the no-law teachings was plain to be seen in the absence of family prayer, and want of faith in the influence of the Spirit of God. Though the teachers of these churches profess to enjoy much more light than the denominations around that reject their views, we think that the Apostle's description of those of the last days will apply more forcibly to them than to any other class; "having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof."

On First-day, A. M., Eld. Collings of Ills. came in just before the close of the meeting, though he had an appointment at Twin Grove, about twelve miles south. He took occasion, without having heard more than our closing remarks, to denounce us as "perverting and mangling the word of God." Though he spoke in the evening, and remained there when we left, we could not by any means press him to even try to sustain his accusation, or speak on the point then at issue. In the afternoon Bro. Andrews spoke on the perpetuity of the law of God. Every point touched was cleared of all obscurity, and proved beyond the possibility of successful contradiction. Eld. C., though he spoke considerable on the subject, did not touch on the points presented by Bro. A.

Some of the positions of Eld. Collings were truly singular. He declared that the penalties of the law given to Israel were only temporal, to be inflicted by the rulers, and did not reach to the future. And so of its blessings; they referred only to their present life in the land of Canaan. According to this, no action done under that constitution, (as he sometimes termed that system,) can be a subject of future judgment. The murderer, if stoned, has had his punishment, or if he escaped, his escape was final. And so of the obedient: a happy life in the land of Canaan, was his only portion; and if either class, from Moses to Christ, are raised at the last day, their destiny cannot be decided by their actions in life. In regard to the "commandments and laws" kept by Abraham, (Gen. xxvi, 3-5.) he gave a trialogue as follows: 1. Come out from among thy people. 2. Walk through the land. 3. Offer Isaac. By comparing Gen, xxvi, with chap. xii, the fallacy and folly of such statements will be apparent; he had cause and effect reversed. And that we, as subjects of the covenant of grace, would develop better characters in keeping the above three commandments than in keeping the ten given on Sinai, may well be doubted! He also declared that the ten commandments were "the beggarly elements of the world," and many other things equally absurd. Yet many seemed to think there was great force in his arguments. Truly do the blind lead the blind.

On our way to our published appointment, we passed through Union, Rock Co.; but as we went by a hired conveyance, we did not have the opportunity of visiting there that we desired. According to request, the brethren made arrangements for our meeting at Koskonong, Jefferson Co. Words cannot express my feelings on returning to that place after an absence of over three years. Time was when the leaven of the Third Angel's Message pervaded almost the entire community. Parents and children united their voices at the altar of prayer. The Spirit of God deeply impressed the truth on willing hearts. Their meetings were characterized by fervent prayers and exhortations. But now, how changed! Though many retained a belief of the message, the Age-to-come had supplanted its spirit and power, the family altars were broken down; and the meetings when held, attended by but few, were scenes of contention and confusion. Had the faithless shepherds, Stephenson and Hall, plotted the downfall of the message from the beginning, they could not have wrought more effectually.

But the good Lord was pleased to honor and maintain his truth. Some have realized the fearful position they occupied, and were glad to hear the cry of the Third Angel again raised in Koskonong. Bro. Phelps has for some time past been waiting in hope that an effort would be made, to free the cause in Wisconsin from the influences that have so long bound it, and he hailed our appointment with joy. He said when he heard that Stephenson had turned away from the Sabbath he was fired with new zeal; and the influence of that act was about the same on all who delighted in the law of God. We had supposed that it would be quite different; but we presume that Koskonong may be considered a fair representative of the whole; and we found that they had so far lost confidence in him before that time, that not a single one, so far as we could learn, was the least shaken by his apostasy. As Bro. Phelps has spoken for himself in the Review, we need not speak of his present position; but it was with grateful joy that we heard him declare his anxiety to again enter the field and devote his time exclusively to the present truth. Also the result of our meeting with Bro. Mellberg was truly gratifying. He confessed his past errors with many tears, and has again set up the family altar, some time cast down. This brother has the ability to do good in the cause of truth, and we hope and pray that the Lord in his providence may call his talent into use. He feels a deep interest in his own countrymen, and the Norwegians. Of the latter seven or eight families are keeping the Sabbath. We left some books for distribution among them, as some of the younger can read them, and are already somewhat interested in the truths relating to the message.

We left Jefferson Co. cheered and encouraged. But we regret that Bro. Phelps' circumstances are not more favorable to his fulfilling his ardent desire. We hope, however, that the churches will do their duty in his behalf; and we would ask the Lord's faithful stewards to remember his case.

Yesterday morning Bro. Hart left for home, as his business seemed to call him. This we regretted very much, as we desired and had expected his assistance in our labors in this State. Bro. Andrews and myself arrived here last night, and commence meetings this evening. We shall remain here over First-day, the Lord willing.

J. H. WAGGONER.