CALEDONIA CONFERENCE by James White

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 3, 1860

CALEDONIA CONFERENCE.

By James White

We had the pleasure of attending this excellent conference. The Michigan tent was pitched in front of Bro. L. Gerould's house, and brethren came in from Wright, Bowne, Monterey and other towns around, numbering about one hundred and fifty. Brn. Lawrence and Whitney pitched the tent on Thursday, and Bro. Lawrence had spoken once or twice before we reached the place of meeting, just before the Sabbath. Bro. Bates gave an impressive discourse on the signs of the times that evening.

Sabbath morning the social meeting was very spirited and good, the brethren said, but we were unable to attend in consequence of a sudden attack of illness. Bro. Frisbie gave a practical discourse in the forenoon. We spoke in the afternoon on the Third Message, and in the evening on Bible conversion. First-day forenoon we spoke to a large assembly on the Sabbath question, leaving a division of the subject for the afternoon. And as we were about to dismiss the assembly, O. R. L Crozier rose up and asked the privilege to speak ten minutes. We objected, stating that the tent had been pitched at considerable expense, and the brethren had come in, many of them from a distance, to enjoy the privileges of a conference without being disturbed. We stated that if C. wished to speak against us, he should make an appointment and speak to his own congregation. Still he urged, and we refused.

After the assembly was dismissed, he sprung upon a seat and cried out, "Friends hear me." He then stated that elder White, at his last visit to that place, stated that he never run for any one, and was ready to meet him any time that he should get in his way, and that he had now come to accept elder White's challenge. We then stated that we had never challenged any one for a discussion, never engaged in a regular discussion, and never had been before challenged to a public discussion. C. then stated that he would speak in the street in front of the tent after the afternoon service. He improved well the hour of intermission stirring up strife in the assembly, making our place of worship a scene of confusion.

In the afternoon we called the attention of the assembly to the conduct of elder Crozier, and wished it distinctly understood that we regarded it unworthy of a Christian or gentleman. But to avoid so disgraceful an exhibition as an opposition meeting in the street, two rods from the tent, in that community which had treated us with respect, we would give elder Crozier the stand at the close of our discourse. We also made a statement of what we did say when last in Caledonia in relation to meeting our opponents. That we as a people were not in favor of public discussions, as the excitement and party feelings generally unfitted the people to investigate and decide properly, and had a bad influence on the cause of true religion. But that our brethren who gave themselves to the work of lecturing, when challenged by ministers who placed themselves between them and the people, did not run, but met them in defense of the truth.

After we finished our discourse, C. took the stand, and among his first performances, was a bold and wicked attempt to vote us down in our own congregation. He called upon all present who received the impression that elder White stated that he was ready to meet him in discussion to rise up. One woman and one man only got up. We then arose and said, Now we will put the vote properly. All present who heard us say anything like challenging elder Crozier to a discussion will please rise up. Not one arose. "Well, well," responded elder C.; but he evidently did not feel as well as he would have felt had a large number arisen that the report might go out that we had backed out, or had made false statements, shown up by a vote of the congregation.

Having failed in this wily attempt at abusing us, C. was not so well prepared to speak. His congregation was tired, and he had a hard job before him. He worried himself dealing out light blows against the truth, like one hold of the large end of the maul. Several wagon-loads left while he was speaking, and some others scattered, and some engaged in conversation in the tent. And some of his friends stated to our brethren that they were disappointed in the man. And so the fierce boaster slew himself.

In the evening we reviewed the discourse. The congregation listened with marked attention till past ten, when Bro. Bates arose and made most appropriate and spirited remarks, which called forth from the brethren the hearty response of amen! which might remind one of an old fashioned Methodist camp-meeting. And thus triumphantly the meeting closed. J. W.