A DELUSION CONFESSED by Thomas M. Steward

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 22, 1861

A DELUSION CONFESSED.

By Thomas M. Steward

To all the dear saints scattered abroad: As the question has often been asked by my correspondents, "What is the nature of the work at Mauston?" I would now like to give you my views in regard to it. Further, I feel it my duty to do so; I feel I am fully prepared to do it; and my prayer is that the Lord will save us from all the delusions of Satan in these last days. You are well aware that the work had just begun

when Bro. White was here, and of course I was not decided. I begged of them to let me alone until we had investigated the subject to our satisfaction. I had reasons for doubting, but I wanted to give it a thorough testing. The reason I advocated it, was not because I was established in it, but because I could not see any thing trampled under foot regardless of feelings. So I watched it with intense anxiety. At times I detected faults, but then I was answered with, "It shall all be made plain by and by," which made me look for plainer demonstrations. At times I would express doubts, and then the answer would come, "Doubt not." So I would have to give it up for the time. Then I would try to reason with, and advise them to let judgment decide. But then it would be shown that I was in a dreadful trial or under a temptation.

So I finally thought that I would let it develop itself, and I encouraged them to trust in the Lord, and submit to be anything, or to see anything. I can now see where I was partially blinded to the visions, for they did not relate them all. The visions of the future were so in accordance with our views of the progress of the third angel's message, that I was really in hope it would prove a blessing to us and to all God's saints.

I want you should understand that the visions have placed the third angel's message in the front all the way through; and they gave us some very good instruction in perfect accordance with the Bible. Finally I began to think it was coming out right. But I was waiting for full satisfaction. So I prayed that the Lord would develop it to my satisfaction. I had not preached it, and did not intend to until I had evidence to defend it. So in all my preaching I confined myself to the Word. We had as we supposed many of the gifts. But I was not satisfied with the development of these gifts. But on the night of Jan. 2, while at Portage, it did begin to develop a new feature, and all that were together and under its influence completely lost control of themselves (or gave up to be controlled by the unseen power), and the scenes that followed I cannot describe. I was away at Cascade holding meetings, having left the day before. These scenes commenced at Bro. Billings, where there were present my wife, Sr. Kelley, and Bro. and Sr. Billings. These scenes continued until the evening after the Sabbath, when they became convinced that it was a delusion. And now we are unanimous in pronouncing it the work of the enemy. We fully and freely denounce it. I love the truths of the third angel's message as ever, and I intend to advocate it to the world. Brethren, beware of the strong delusions of these last days! This sketch will give you our views in regard to the nature of it.

T. M. STEWARD.

Kingston, Wis., Jan. 10th, 1861.