The Cause in N. Y by John Nevins Andrews

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 14, 1862

The Cause in N. Y.

By John Nevins Andrews

BRO. WHITE: Since parting with Bro. Cornell in Rochester, I have found the Lord present with me to aid in his work. I deeply regretted that Bro. Cornell should leave this State, yet felt constrained to acquiesce in his decision. I spent Sabbath and first-day, Sept. 20 and 21, with the brethren in Adams' Center. I found them still interested in the truths preached during the tent-meeting in that place. I think there are quite as many walking in the truth as we expected would obey it. But while some are taking a stand for the truth that we did not expect, others that felt its force deeply for a time, are now manifestly ashamed to identify themselves in any manner with it. Thank God that the truth is not destitute of the cross.

The meeting in this place, Roosevelt, the past Sabbath and first-day was attended by the brethren in this part of the State very generally. It was a good season, because the Lord met with us. The report of our business proceedings will be furnished by Bro. Arnold. I think there is much reason to hope that those things which have hindered the work in this region will be removed out of the way. It is the purpose of my heart to do all in my power for the furtherance of this object by bearing a faithful and searching testimony to those who profess the truth.

We are now laboring to prepare for the organization of a State Conference. Our brethren feel that it is essential to their prosperity as a people. We are trying to rise by confessing our own faults, and seeking pardon for the same, instead of bestowing all our care upon others. What gives me some degree of confidence is, that the tender, melting Spirit of God is doing its work upon the hearts of our brethren. If this work be not resisted, the cause of God will be revived in this region where it has so long been hindered.

Let me say that we do most earnestly request your attendance and that of sister White at our coming State Conference. I do feel that my heart is strongly united to yours, and that I desire to hold up your hands in the great work in which you are engaged. I trust that events will not dispel my confident hope that the brethren in this part of the State are about to shake off the bands that have so long held them down. If you can see it in the order of God to attend the proposed Conference, I do trust that you will come.

I wish to say that what you have written relative to the drafting of men by the government meets my hearty approval. The state of my head is such that I cannot undertake to present any argument on this subject; but I would refer the brethren to the article of Bro. Waggoner's in Review No. 17, entitled, "Our Duty and the Nation." It is a candid statement of the subject in the light in which I have viewed it from the beginning. I beg those who are so ready to denounce submission to the draft to read the article of Bro. Waggoner's once more. When the time of trouble opens upon us, our relations to our government and our fellow-men will be changed, for probation will then have ceased. But that time has not arrived.

Perhaps I ought to say a few words relative to myself. My general health is good; but the difficulty in my head is such that it appears to me nearly certain that I shall be compelled, at least for a season, to desist from all mental labor. I do not now see any alternative. This brief statement must explain my silence in the Review. The effect of meetings upon my head is very unpleasant indeed, but not so serious as that of writing. I ask the counsel and the prayers of the friends of truth. J. N. ANDREWS.