BRO. SMITH: I gave seventeen lectures in Middleville. Altogether I had a good attendance; and the attention was good with but little exception. I had considerable liberty in speaking, considering the prejudice that was in the minds of the people on account of reports about us. We trust some good has been the result of the meetings; if nothing more, to remove some prejudice, and set people to reading the Bible. Some few, I believe, have made up their minds to keep the Sabbath.
Middleville is one of the places that was wonderfully visited one year ago last winter with a modern revival, when many came out, but few held out. I should judge from all appearances that the place has been darker since than it was before, as it has been and will no doubt be in every place. I understood that three denominations united in the beginning and ended in confusion. They came to such a pass before the close of the distraction, that one preacher, in a quarrel about who should occupy the time, told another that if he preached at that time it would be under his feet. There are three preachers settled now in that little village, a Baptist, Methodist and Congregationalist. Each have a small handful of adherents, who are generally quite particular to attend their own meetings if any. If all three of the churches should assemble together, there would be but a small company. The religion of Jesus Christ is calculated to be a religion of union and love, not of disunion and confusion.
I have been thus particular in regard to this place, as it offers a specimen of the modern reformations—not reformation from error to truth, but a mixing up of sectarian jargon, and a preaching of what the Apostle calls “vain babbling.”1 Tim. vi. 20; 2 Tim. ii, 16.
I have become satisfied that it is harder to reach the hearts of the people after one of these false reformations, than it would have been before. This is Satan's object in carrying them on, viz., that the honest may become disgusted, and those who fall under the influence become hardened.
I learn that some have so little light in the things of the Spirit of God, that they think a mesmeric spirit is the genuine coin, not being able to discern between the true and counterfeit.
But say they, we have the Spirit and are happy, and have joy and power in our meetings. Very true; but where is the sweet love and union? It is not there. It cannot be found among them. This I learned before I left the churches, when traveling as a Methodist preacher. I did not then know the cause, as it commenced immediately after 1844; but now I understand it. They shall go with their flocks and with their herds to seek the Lord; but they shall not find him; he hath withdrawn himself from them. Hosea v. 6. J. B. FRISBIE.