p. 133 | ‐GONE TO SEED.‐ by R. F. C.

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 9, 1858

‐GONE TO SEED.‐

By R. F. C.

A FRIEND who makes no profession of religion, on being inquired of concerning a brother of his, replied that he was a Universalist ‐gone to seed.‐ By this expression he wished to be understood that his brother had ‐progressed‐ from Universalism to Spiritualism. I was struck with the aptness of the expression; and as I reflected upon it, I thought it was evident that Spiritualism was the natural result to which, not only Universalism, but every other ism which teaches the natural immortality of the soul, tended.

Spiritualism is the grand result of the unfolding scheme of Satan, which was commenced when he first whispered in the ear of the mother of all living, ‐Ye shall not surely die.‐ And when fully embraced, the scheme of the great Adversary is completely successful, and the poor, deluded subject of his deception is ripe for destruction. The word of God is set at naught, and his language is, ‐Let God and Jesus go, and redeem ourselves, and progress in eternal happiness.‐ When a man has reached this point, he is ‐gone to seed;‐ he is a tare of the field fully matured. This is the result of that pride of heart, generated by the false idea that he is immortal and can not die. He fancies himself a god ‐knowing good and evil,‐ and consequently declares, ‐Man is his own judge—in his own scales weighed.‐

How solemn the thought that the harvest of the earth is almost ripe. Soon it will be said, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, for her grapes are fully ripe. May the Lord speed on the Third Angel’s Message, and thus ripen the wheat for the heavenly garner. The great harvest can be but a very little in the future. The sins of Babylon have almost reached to heaven, the cup of her iniquity is almost full. Soon her plagues will come in a day, death and mourning and famine. Spare thy people, Lord! is my prayer. R. F. C.

BRO. SMITH: Since my last report from Hillsdale, I have been laboring on in the good cause of the Lord, and though I have not seen the immediate effects of my labors, in the conversion of souls, yet I trust that some seed has fallen into good ground, and that the fruit will be seen hereafter.

At Green Spring I met with the church on the Sabbath, and on First-day had a meeting in the grove near the spring. I also visited the brethren at Townsend, Sandusky Co. Here I found some friends with whom I was connected in the Seventh-day Baptist church in this place, some twenty-five years ago. I was glad to see these old friends again, and especially to find them striving to walk in the light of the Third Angel’s Message. Some of this family had swerved from the holy Sabbath commandment, and were in danger of being carried away with the flood of Spiritualism. I visited, and labored with them, and found they were not given up to hardness of heart, but were yet susceptible of good impressions, and seemed honestly desirous of knowing the truth.

I felt a spirit of earnest prayer for them, that they might be saved from the power of the enemy, and I cherish the hope that they may be saved from the jaws of the lion.

The next Sabbath and First-day I had meetings at Troy, Geauga Co., O., where the parents of Bro. R. N. Chaffee reside. The weather was unfavorable, as it rained all day on First-day. Still a considerable number attended, and some from quite a distance. This is a new place, the truth not having been preached in that vicinity. May the Lord help Bro. and Sr. Chaffee to back up the truth there, by a godly walk and conversation. I also visited Bro. Stewart at Cleveland, who is laboring to spread the truth by means of publications, which he distributes to railroad and steamboat passengers as they arrive and pass through that city. The Lord bless his labors.

Since my arrival at home, I have been into some new places, in one of which there were a number of Seventh-day Baptists, and, in some instances, I think that the ‐middle wall of partition,‐ which stands between them and the present truth, is giving way. I allude to the doctrine of natural immortality. The fearful strides of Spiritualism, the base and bulwark of which is this very theory, will open the eyes of the honest, and cause them to examine candidly the claims of the last message.

I attended the last monthly meeting with the brethren north and east of this place. It was held at Bro. Buckland’s, in Carlton, Orleans Co., which is an entirely new place, in respect to the proclamation of the present truth. The people came in on the Sabbath as if anxious to hear, and on First-day we removed to a commodious school-house, which was well filled. Bro. Wheeler met with us, and brethren were present from Wilson, Olcott, Orangeport, Barre, Clarkson, Parma, Rochester and Mill Grove. A daughter of Bro. and Sr. Buckland has decided to obey the truth, and was baptized in the lake toward the close of the Sabbath, and also the mother, who had not been immersed. Last Sabbath our friends and brethren from Bennington met with us at Mill Grove, and next Sabbath we go to meet with them.

I am still determined to press forward in this good work, and labor in his cause, who has done so much for me. I am thankful to God that I have been kept from sickness and accident while traveling, and thankful to his people, who have kindly administered to my wants and necessary expenses. I hope that their liberality will not be thrown away, but that it may prove to have been used to the glory of God.

Yours to see the end of the race. R. F. C.

Mill Grove, N. Y., Aug. 24th, 1858.