Preaching in Orleans and Monroe County
By J. B. Frisbie
DEAR BRETHREN: The reason why I have not written oftener through the Review has been that I have not had anything of much interest to write; as I have not pretended to devote my whole time to preaching since my father's death, but am in hopes that the way may be open again soon for me to devote all my time to preaching the present truth. I date back one year ago, when I commenced a course of lectures in Orleans, where a number were convinced of the truth, and some ten commenced to keep the Lord's Sabbath. Others would no doubt, had it not been that Methodist influence was greater than that of Bible truth. I made a second visit to that place last fall and found a few still holding on, while others had given up. Some others however expected to commence when I left, which would keep the first number good. Last fall I visited Monroe county, Mich., which was the first time that the third angel's message was ever preached in that county to my knowledge, where one or two were trying to keep the Sabbath. I soon learned that seven or eight more had commenced to keep the Sabbath, and among the rest was Bro. Owen, a Methodist class leader, of good report among all that knew him, as being a devoted Christian. He became fully convinced that he ought to keep the Sabbath, and work on Sunday, the first day of the week; for which his brethren took up a labor with him, and finally brought his case before the class. He requested the privilege of a meeting with the preacher and some of his best brethren, to convince him of his error if he had embraced error. He was told that they wanted no controversy with him; but the preacher rather advised him to leave the church by withdrawal, as they would have to turn him out. So he accordingly withdrew; and then the preacher told him it was the worst step he ever took in his life, and thought he would be sorry. I have just made a second visit to that place. I this time gave fifteen lectures to attentive congregations. Seven or eight more decided to keep the Sabbath by the time I left, and about as many more expressed that they were convinced of the truth of the Sabbath, and some thought they might keep it. During my stay there, by the request of Bro. Owen an appointment was given for a meeting at the prairie school-house in his district; but no sooner was the appointment circulated than the steward of the Methodist class commenced his railing opposition against Bro. Owen's people and myself, and said that if I came into their neighborhood I would get tarred and feathered. He ordered the appointment to be counteracted by giving the school teacher orders to say to the scholars that there would be no meeting. Notwithstanding all this, the house was nearly filled with people at an early hour, and I commenced preaching when the steward came in before me and commanded me to stop right where I was, as he was one of the officers of the district, threatening the law on me, and swinging a cudgel before me at the same time. I sat down, and he went out. After an interruption of more than half an hour, by the help of the director, who I believe was not a professor of religion, who told this professor (the steward) that his preacher would be shut out if I was, he consented to let me preach, and came in and heard me himself. I gave Sunday a thorough reviewing, and offered one hundred dollars for the first divine testimony in favor of Sunday, that would amount to such testimony as would be received before a court, to clearly convict a criminal. When the meeting closed, the director said he had one request to make of me: he wanted me to remember if we ever became a numerous people, not to persecute the weaker; as it had most always been done. The next night the circuit preacher, Eld. Black, was in the congregation, when I took up the subject of the utter destruction of the wicked after their resurrection. After I had passed through my subject I gave opportunity for questions as usual. This elder commenced in rather an imposing manner, calling it ignorance to apply the language of Scripture in such a way. He finally wanted to know if I took the Scriptures literally. I told him I did, the plain reading, and the figurative I applied to literal facts. He then jumped upon his feet and said he was a millwright, and wanted to know what I would take for myself, as he wanted to buy me. I told him I would be a servant for one plain passage of scripture that said that Sunday was the Sabbath, or that the soul was immortal. He then commenced quoting what Jesus said to the woman of Samaria, John iv, 14, instead of chap. vii, 38, which he evidently designed to refer to, and appeared confused and sat down. I told him the text he meant to refer to was figurative, and Jesus explained it to be the Spirit. He made some other remarks, a lady disputed him, and he left, while the congregation clapped their hands and stamped with their feet, as he went out, to manifest their indignation for his attempted impudence. I made the remark that I was sorry that the solemnity of the meeting should be disturbed, as I had come there to do them good. Strange as it may appear to some, that people that were once a humble, persecuted people, have become a proud and persecuting people. Truly, turn our eyes where we will, to the religious world, it speaks to us "Babylon is fallen." I am reminded of the time when Bro. Hastings came out from the Free-Will Baptists in Chester, when a Baptist preacher stood at the head of a swearing rabble, strengthening their hands, while they were threatening tar, feathers, a rail &c. I am satisfied that, were it not for the laws of this free country, in many places the present truth could not be preached. The same spirit is in the world, to crucify Jesus and release Barabbas. I am sorry to say that most lies and slander that come against us start from professors of religion; as it was in the days of the apostle with the self-righteous Pharisees, who thanked God that they were better than others.
J. B. Frisbie.
Battle Creek, Mich.