WESTERN TOUR by James White

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 13, 1860

WESTERN TOUR.

By James White

WEDNESDAY morning, Nov. 28th, Bro. Weaver took us to the cars at Anamosa, paid our fare to Dubuque, and parted from us with feelings of brotherly tenderness which we shall not soon forget.

In the evening we took the boat for La Cross, Wis., where sixth-day morning we took the cars for Mauston, and found Bro. Steward waiting to take us to his house. We had been suffering much for several days with pain, soreness and fever of the lungs, and feeling the lack of sleep and rest, with an application of cold water, in the form of a compress upon the lungs, we found sweet rest in blessed sleep for a short time. Then Bro. Ingraham and Sanborn drove up, whom we were exceedingly rejoiced to see, and we seemed to forget our sickness. That evening we went out and preached in a school-house full of attentive hearers. From that point we began to improve, and after speaking on the Sabbath, and three times on First-day, we felt usually well, and exceedingly free in the Lord. How precious are such evidences that one is in the path of duty. We now feel better in regard to health and freedom of mind than we have felt at any time for the last three months.

In regard to the church in Mauston and vicinity, it may not be duty to speak very definitely at present. Here is quite a body of Sabbath-keepers, and there are a goodly number in the vicinity. Bro. Steward has ably defended the leading points of our position in this community, and shares the respect of his brethren, and the community generally. But we judge that the brethren in this section are behind on the subject of church order and consecration of themselves and their property to the cause of God.

It is true that these are hard times, and that many of the brethren are poor, but we do think that if they felt the importance of church order and systematic benevolence, they would sustain the cause among them. Bro. Ingraham received $1 at this conference, Bro. Sanborn nothing, and we, of course, expected nothing, and were not disappointed. Our expenses from last conference in Iowa were $8.

But a spirit of consecration has recently arisen in this part of Wisconsin of a very doubtful character. It appears to consist of words, feeling and exercises not of a very intelligible and edifying kind. It has evidently arisen from taking the extreme view of consecration, without being balanced by those cautions against the deceptions of Satan and fanaticism so often found upon the sacred page. We felt exercised upon the subject, as the articles of "M. E. A." were being published in the REVIEW, and should have presented some cautions in connection with those articles had we not been otherwise employed. The history of Luther, the Wesleys and others, who by the power of a living faith led the church from the dark shades of error and formality to a clearer light, proves the necessity of the mind being balanced with caution. And he who sees no danger of caution here is not far from some delusive snare of Satan.

While we write these things with feelings of respect and pity for those who have fallen under a delusive spirit in this part of Wisconsin, we do it under a sense of duty to those who may be in danger of being drawn under the same delusive influence. We expect to be censured for mentioning these things, but do not fear the censures of a few for a short time, as we do the doom of the unfaithful watchman.

We think it our duty to state something of the appearance of this work here, which is called by some "The Reformation," but to us it looks more like a deformation. Many things, however seem orderly, intelligible, and beautiful. But it never seemed right to us when four ministers were present, for a sister to open the meeting. But she excuses herself on the ground that she felt it her duty. Well, a brother preacher says it was his clear duty to pray. Query. Could both be impressed at the same time? Certainly not, unless we adopt the plan practiced sometimes by the reformers here, to all pray aloud at once! But the sister did not have liberty in her opening prayer, showing that her evidence was a mistake.

Again, while we were preaching, a sister broke out in an opposition shout, so we waited some time for her to get through. It was with difficulty that we finished the discourse. She said she could not help it. This we are somewhat inclined to believe, for when labored with afterwards, and evidences of her errors presented, she would generally begin to shout, and show that she was controlled by some spirit.

This reformation, as it is called, has passed some very important decrees. It is said that one or more have the spirit of prophecy, and that they have seen things of the deepest interest. For instance, the body of Sabbath-keepers sustaining the REVIEW, have been seen branded as follows—"Advent," "Babylon," "Fallen," "Organization." This is too significant to need comment. Also, that Sr. W.'s writings, excepting her first little tract, were all wrong. And many things of the like, too numerous to mention.

It will be seen at once that if we had any faith in this work, we should be brought into rather a close spot, as we had along with us, 200 copies of the Spiritual Gifts, Vol. 2. A few took this work. Others would have taken it, but for the want of ready cash. They requested us to leave some with Bro. Steward so that they could get them; but as he declines, and wishes us to take Vol. 1 which he had on hand, we take the burden off his hands, and the friends will be obliged to get them through the post office, or of Bro. Russell at Mauston.

Bro. S. has grieved over his lonely position in the message, but if he follows those things which condemn the body, and that which the body regard as important to its prosperity, and thus shuts himself away from the body, his complaints will appear out of place.

We leave these dear, mistaken friends with our pity and our prayers, that they may speedily be recovered out of the snare of the Devil, and find their places in the ranks of those who are being united upon, and sanctified through, the truths connected with the Third Angel's Message. J. W.

Mauston, Wis., Nov. 7th, 1860.