THE CAUSE IN LAPEER, MICH.
By M. E. Cornell
Bro. Smith: I find a still increasing interest in present truth in Lapeer and vicinity. I have visited several neighborhoods since my return here, and find many anxious inquirers after truth. The requests for more lectures are very urgent in all these places, besides eight or ten other places which we have not yet visited. Bro. Lawrence was with me at Lapeer last Sabbath, and baptized eleven willing souls. On First-day he spoke with good freedom in a new place, and the truth took effect. For want of better arguments, both preachers and people are circulating all sorts of falsehoods with the obvious intention to create prejudice and destroy our influence. At one time it was currently reported that we were arrested by an officer, while at Oxford, for searching a young man's pockets and stealing $10. The facts were that two Methodist ministers were arrested on the camp ground for searching a young man's pockets, supposing that he had liquor. The principal design of circulating this, appeared to be to destroy the confidence of the friends who had subscribed for the meeting-house; for they at the same time prophesied that a post of it would never be raised, and that the "tent men" would never be seen again in Lapeer. In view of this, our return was timely. All confidence is restored; the house was to be raised yesterday; and every prospect is favorable to its entire completion by the 1st of November. A general investigation is again going forward; and the church is having several new accessions. "All kinds of twisting and turning" are done in the vicinity of Lapeer, to avoid the "gaps" made in the moral law. Eld. Thomkinson (Protestant Methodist) says, "The moral law of Sinai is abrogated." Eld. Borden, in an article in the Lapeer Republican, concludes as follows: "Now, in the light of these facts, are we not to suppose, either first, That the Jews observed the wrong day, and that God indicated to us this fact, by finishing the work of redemption on the day after, which is the Christian Sabbath; or second, That the day is not in itself holy, and, therefore, any day may be observed without violating the laws of God if we sincerely devote one seventh of the time, weekly?" Eld. Woodruff (Presbyterian) says: "The first day of the week is the only Sabbath, and any other day is against Christ." While Eld. W. has the Sabbath changed from the seventh to the first day of the week, Eld. B. makes it "ignorance and presumption" to pretend to point out either day definitely. And Eld. T. takes a short cut and abolishes the whole law. While the Presbyterian says any other day than the first is against Christ, the Methodist man says any day may be observed without violating the laws of God. At the beginning of a discourse the sentiment is "the first day and no other," and before the close "it is impossible to find the seventh day, because no man can find the first day." Surely this is confusion confused. We cannot deny that they are Babylon; for their language is confounded. Since the above sentiments were advanced, I have received the following through the mail: "Eld. M. E. Cornell, Dear Sir: Although a stranger I wish to say that I listened with deep interest to your lectures in Lapeer. I am not a professor, yet I have been glad to hear what I believe is truth. For fear that you would not learn how low our clergy have stooped, I have enclosed their articles to you. I think they deserve a reply, not for the sake of the argument used, but to show them up in their true light. I hope you will succeed in obtaining help in your work in this section as you request in Review & Herald.
"Yours respectfully, &c." There is a famine for hearing the word of the Lord. With a short notice the houses are filled to overflowing with anxious hearers. Who is sufficient for these things. Truly the harvest is great, but the laborers are few. May the Lord direct the steps of some of his servants this way. M. E. CORNELL.
Oxford, Mich., Sept. 24th.