p. 1 | MEETINGS IN OHIO by M. E. Cornell

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 31, 1859

MEETINGS IN OHIO.

By M. E. Cornell

THE last four weeks I have been giving lectures in three different places in the town of Hanover, Licking Co. The first week my time was occupied in a school-house and a Disciple meeting-house, with very attentive congregations. But when the Disciple preacher, Eld. Walker, came, he found there was much interest manifested in the lectures on the prophecies, and perhaps seeing his craft was in danger, (he was preaching for a salary) took it upon himself to preach a discourse against the Sabbath and unconscious state of man in death. The effort was evidently to raise prejudice against me, as I had not yet introduced either subject. Having permission to speak, I remarked that I could not subscribe to a portion of the sermon, but that it was a rule with me never to controvert the views of another in their own meeting, but I would exhort to take the Bible, and by investigation "prove all things and hold fast that which is good."

Eld. W. then said that if I replied to his discourse he should answer it, and proposed to meet me in public discussion. I did not at the time accept it; but after some consideration and prayer, and hearing that the report was going out that I was afraid to defend those points, I accepted, and the engagement was made for two days, six hours each day. The common arguments were used, such as Paul's desiring to depart, the rich man and Lazarus, the law abolished, and apostolic example for first day. The victory was an easy one, although the greater portion of Eld. W.'s members, and personal friends made themselves believe (or pretended to believe) that he gained a great victory, but the disinterested or unprejudiced said his failure was complete. Even some of the Methodists that held the same views, acknowledged that he entirely failed to prove his points. One man said he came prejudiced in Eld. W.'s favor, and expected that he would triumphantly overthrow every argument that could be raised in favor of the Seventh day Sabbath, or the unconscious state of man in death, but he must confess that nothing but a few inferences were brought against the many and positive scriptures we had quoted. The discussion has caused many to thoroughly investigate those points, and the "Bible Student's Assistant" has been in good demand.

At the close of the discussion I requested the privilege of the house to finish my course of lectures, but Eld. W. was fearful, and advised the church not to grant it. I then referred to an article in their paper complaining most bitterly of the Methodists and others in Marietta, Ohio, for using the "lock-out argument" against Alexander Campbell. This appeared to take them back some and they finally decided to consider the matter at their next meeting; at which they agreed to open their house upon the condition that they should have half the time to reply. This I regarded as only a proposal for continued discussion, which they well knew I would reject, as the people wished the lectures.

They dare not leave the people with the Bible in hand to quietly hear and thus decide for themselves; but they must have a minister present to dispute and thus prevent rather than aid a free, candid investigation. I judge thus because they consider Eld. W. one of their most candid men, and he could not get along in the discussion without raising the cry of "Millerism," and quoting a report that most of the Gilboa church had given up our views and gone back. To this I replied that it must be for want of better arguments and to raise prejudice that Eld. W. had mentioned the report about the church at Gilboa; besides I knew the report to be utterly false, having just heard directly from there. This caused some squirming and it was soon apparent that the report originated with one of their own members who was chairman of the board of moderators. He arose and stated that he read it in the Advent Review, and he would produce the paper and prove the report correct. I then replied that if he could find such an idea in the Review concerning the church at Gilboa, I should have a confession to make. The paper was brought (Vol. xiii, No. 11.) and the letter of Bro. Wm. S. Foote of Pendleton, Ohio was read before the audience. The claim was that the letter stated that a few came out and a few had gone back; a "few" minus a "few" left nothing. We replied that there was no demand for confession, as the letter had reference mostly to Pendleton which was eight miles from Gilboa.

I was invited to finish my lectures in the Protestant Methodist chapel at Brushy Fork, where I continued without molestation until some of their members were about deciding to keep the Sabbath, and a general interest was awakened when they requested me not to preach any more on the Sabbath question, to which I replied that I must do my whole duty. But it became more and more evident every day, that two or three of the would-be rulers of the Synagogue were anxious to have the lectures close; so they announced that there could be no more evening meetings, as the oil was out. A gentleman then offered to furnish oil till the lectures were through. The next excuse was that my preaching had made one man crazy, and I could have the house no longer; so they gave out that there would be no meeting in the evening, and sent me word not to come. I however went, and having permission, occupied the school house near by, which was well filled notwithstanding the unfavorable report. I spoke from Acts xix, 23, "And the same time there arose no small stir about that way," and referred to the charges brought by the wicked against those who stood in defense of the Law of God in ancient time. Elijah had troubled Israel, 1 Kings xviii, 17. Paul and Silas exceedingly troubled the city and taught unlawful customs, &c. Acts xvi, 20, 21. They had turned the world upside down, &c. Acts xvii, 6.

They also said Paul was "mad" and called his manner of worship "heresy;" but none of these things moved him, for his house was on the rock (law of God and gospel of Jesus Christ) and no storm could affect it in the least.

After reading Acts xix, 26-29, I transposed it and read again to apply to the present circumstances, as follows:

"Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at the Bounds school house, but also at the Stone meeting house, and now at Brushy Fork, and community, this man hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that is no Sabbath which men have ordained. So that not only this our church is in danger of coming to nought, but also that Sunday the great goddess of Christendom should be despised, whom all Brushy Fork and the world worshipeth."

I then stated the true cause of the man's derangement which was the bitter opposition and persecution he received from his brethren and others because he had decided to keep the Sabbath. Some scoffed at him, others threatened to prosecute, &c., until his trial of mind was so great that for two or three hours he was bewildered. His own brother who was present at the time, believes the above to be the true cause. But the man that was most urgent for me to occupy their house, whose words at first were smooth as butter, but at the last were drawn swords, was the very one to start the report that "Cornell's preaching had set George Drum crazy." In less than 48 hours it went to adjoining towns and counties; but while the report was circulating, and even before ever it started, that confusion of mind was gone and Geo. Drum was in his right mind nearly as usual; and thus it appears that the reporter was more beside himself than the reported; for while the one was taking it upon himself to close the meeting house against the wishes of the majority of the members and to take up another's appointment without permission, the other was quietly minding his own business.

"Behold how great a matter a little fire kindleth," when the "unruly tongue fans the flame." But He that can cause the wrath of man to praise him, has overruled it all for good. Many of the members have no fellowship for the course pursued against me there, and do not hesitate to express the same

in public and private. Many have taken books and a lively investigation is going forward.

Brother and sister Iden who first heard the truth at Gilboa now rejoice that several of their friends and others have embraced the Present Truth, and rejoice with them in the same blessed hope. I enjoyed two social meetings with them, and was not a little encouraged by the cheering testimonies of those that seemed to feel as well as think. They have arranged for semi-weekly prayer meetings and I hope they may grow in the knowledge of the truth, and that when speaking, praying, or singing, they will not do it merely for the noise, but in spirit and truth, and in the spirit of Present Truth. We are to exhort one another so much the more as we see the day approaching; and to fulfill this we will talk about the approaching day and the events connected with it. To speak of being rewarded at death is not scriptural. Paul says 'If any man speak let him speak as the oracles of God.' O how good it is to hear the warm hearted and humble speak in the language of Canaan.

The battle here was a hard one. Most of the time there were muddy roads and dark nights. By much exposure, walking from one to three miles to and from meetings, thus taking frequent colds, the difficulty in my throat has been much increased, so that I have considerable pain at times. But the Lord has greatly blessed in time of need. When all was dark and doubtful the Lord heard from the top of Carmel. When I ascended there were signs of a great drought, but when I came down there was a sound of abundance of rain. The cause is the Lord's and he alone can prosper it. How true that whenever we feel that the race is not to the swift, that it is not by might or power, but by the Spirit, then doth the Lord work by us to his own glory. Praise the Lord for victory.

Let none of the brethren think that our interest in the cause is waning, because we have not reported as encouragingly as heretofore. Efforts have been made but the weather has been so unfavorable—so much rain and mud that but few could attend in country places in all the north part of this State. My labors the past winter, both of body and mind, have been more wearing than usual, still I see no cause of discouragement. The truth is taking a deeper hold, and the way is opening for a greater work, which may the Lord hasten in his time.

M. E. CORNELL.