CONFESSION by F. Wheeler

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 3, 1861

CONFESSION.

By F. Wheeler

DEAR BRO. WHITE: We are taught to confess our faults one to another, and pray one for another that we may be healed. I wish to confess and forsake all my faults and sins. I would confess my wrong course toward Bro. Abbey and family. I have watched for their faults, and in my blindness noticed things that I ought never to have noticed. I have nourished a fault-finding spirit, and have conversed about them to others of things that I ought not, much to their injury, and the injury of those with whom I have conversed. I have been unwilling to receive any explanation of things wherein I thought them wrong. I have been engaged in this work when my attention should have been turned to correct the faults of my own family. I deeply regret the course I have taken, and would ask their forgiveness, and would say to all with whom I have conversed, that I am sorry for the course I have taken. They have been very kind to us, and wherein we have failed to appreciate their kindness, we are heartily sorry.

I have also to confess that I have murmured against Bro. and Sr. White, and have thought them too severe, and have spoken of them to a few of my brethren in a way calculated to prejudice their minds against them. I am sorry that I have been left to do thus, for they have been our sincere friends, both as to temporal and spiritual things; and I believe in what they have said, they have designed it for our good. I am heartily sorry for this my wrong course, and hope they will forgive me, and that the brethren to whom I have spoken will consider that the blame is on me, and not on them.

I wish also to say that for years I have had the most perfect confidence in Sr. White's visions, but in my darkness, and through the temptations of Satan, I have been led at times during a few months past to doubt them, and have expressed these doubts in a few instances to others. I am sorry that I ever doubted them, and desire that no one may be influenced by the doubts I have expressed. I believe they are from the Lord, and intend to fully heed the correction I have recently received, and to profit by all the instruction given through them, and intend to counteract as much as possible every wrong influence I have exerted.

I desire to confess my every sin, and to be united with my brethren in the closing work of the gospel age. I have been slow to see and confess my faults,—also slow to engage in the work of organization. I regret this, and intend for the future to be more diligent, believing it will accomplish a work in bringing the church on higher and holier ground.

I humbly ask forgiveness of God and of all my brethren, and ask an interest in their prayers that I may be enabled to reform from every sin, and walk the narrow way of obedience to the whole truth.

Your unworthy brother.

F. WHEELER.

Hubbardsville, Mad. Co., N. Y.

P. S. Mrs. W. wishes to say that she heartily unites in the above confession. F. W.