MEETINGS IN OHIO by M. E. Cornell

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 12, 1861

MEETINGS IN OHIO.

By M. E. Cornell

ThE cause of truth perhaps demands that a brief report should be given of our meetings in this State. The attendance at Green Spring was much larger than I had expected. Brethren came from Gilboa, Leipsic, Wauseon, Ayersville, Lovett's Grove, Portage, Cass, Jackson, Fremont, Townsend, Milan, Wakeman, Cleveland, Attica, Republic, and Tiffin, and though greatly disappointed when they found that Bro. and sister White were not coming, yet they were ready to help bear their own burden, and also to pray for the Lord to sustain his servants.

The testimony in regard to spiritual gifts was quite generally received, and the majority were quite free to express their confidence in the gifts, and in those whom the Lord has placed at the head of this work. At the close of the meeting we could not ascertain that there were more than eight or ten out of about one hundred who were in any way disaffected.

The business meeting was truly interesting. With the exceptions referred to above, there was the most perfect harmony throughout. In the social meeting, when the time came for testimonies we remarked that as there were but thirty minutes before the time for preaching, it would be necessary for all to speak short and in quick succession. The hint was taken, and when the time was up thirty had given their testimonies. After such a meeting we could but feel at home in preaching the testimony of Jesus.

Some who had been discouraged, and almost ready to give up their hope, took new courage, and they seem now to have the "go through" spirit. The church at Green Spring are much revived, and it is to be hoped that it will be lasting.

At Lovett's Grove also we gave two discourses on the gifts, which were generally received. Some there had thought there was danger of exalting the gifts above the Bible; but this was shown to be impossible—that it was all pure, and like water, would seek its level. Take a small vessel and a large one, and connect them with a small tube, then if you pour water into the small vessel it will rise in the large one. So in proportion as our interest increases in that which the Holy Spirit communicates at one time, it will increase in all that it has ever revealed. Like the law, if we fail in one point we fail in all, because in slighting one we offer insult to all. There can be no danger that we will exalt the fourth commandment above the rest, because they are all of the same nature. We cannot have an increase of genuine love for the prophecy of Isaiah without a proportionate increase of interest in the book of Revelation. There is not a caution in all the Bible against thinking too much of what God has revealed, any more than there is against becoming too pure or too holy.

At Gilboa we found the seat of opposition to the name, "Seventh-day Adventist." The church there had heard three or four lengthy discourses against it, and still there were but three or four undecided. There were but three hours to devote to the discussion, and half of this we freely offered to T. J. B.; but to our surprise he brought forward not a single text of scripture to show that the name was anti-scriptural. After our reply we had a social meeting, and had a real melting season. The good Spirit of the Lord was there. Those who had been halting between two opinions came to a decision, and the brethren said they did not know of any that had been trying to keep the law that were opposed to the visions, or the name, when the meeting closed. Sister Butler spoke with freedom; said her sympathy was with the body, and that she could not reject the gifts without giving up the message. She solicits the prayers of God's people in this trying time. Sister Mary Waggoner said she had lived in Battle Creek some time, and that by becoming more acquainted with Bro. and sister White, her confidence was much increased in them, and also in the truth. The closing up of this meeting was good, for the Lord did truly bless and comfort his people.

The brethren generally think that the effect of this meeting would have been different upon T. J. B. if an "officious informer" had not come about fifty miles to prejudice his mind against us and the brethren. To go up and down among God's people as a tale-bearer is bad enough, but to misrepresent the testimony and motives of those who are walking in the fear of God and in the fellowship of all the saints, must be a grievous sin in the sight of God. It must be a bold, bad man that will take such a course, and as an individual, I do here protest against any person's being approbated in visiting the churches who is in any way disaffected, and especially who has a spirit of opposition to the body. "Mark them that cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned, and avoid them." Rom. xvi, 17. "Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of

Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed." 2 John i, 9, 10. A part of the "doctrine of Christ" is the unity and gifts of the church; hence any murmurer or fault-finder is not to be tolerated among us. Hear the apostle again: "But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one, no, not to eat." 1 Cor. v, 11. This eating doubtless refers to the Lord's supper; but the point is that we should not "keep company" with one that is a "railer." Again, in Gal. ii, 4, 5: "And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: to whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour."

False brethren may be unawares brought in, but when we see that they are fault-finders our duty is to reprove them, and not to listen to them, no, not for an hour.

Those who are presumptuous, self-willed, despise government (or discipline), and would subvert whole houses, should have no place among us. I hope all God's dear people will be faithful in this matter.

Brn. Clarke and Baker attended all our meetings, and rendered us good help in backing up the testimony. May the Lord continue to make them useful in their proper spheres in the cause of truth.

I received on this tour for Association, Review and Instructor, about $160, besides they were forward to remember to help me on after a godly sort, for which they have my hearty thanks. I do ardently pray and confidently hope that this is only the beginning of brighter days for the cause in Ohio.

M. E. CORNELL.