p. 190 | ADDRESS TO THE BRETHREN IN SOUTHERN IOWA

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 13, 1862

ADDRESS TO THE BRETHREN IN SOUTHERN IOWA.

By William H. Brinkenhoof

BRETHREN AND SISTERS IN THE LORD:—An all-wise Creator has in mercy toward us, spared our lives until the present time, and we have enjoyed the great privilege of beholding the light of present truth. The commandments of God and faith of Jesus, the last message of mercy, has dawned upon our minds, and enlightened our understanding. It is through the goodness of the Lord alone that we enjoy these things.

While we realize all these blessings, and reflect upon what God has done for us in days that are in the past, it would be but reasonable for us to expect that those who have been favored with these blessings, and who are looking for the soon coming of the Saviour, and claim to be his "peculiar people zealous of good works," would show forth in their lives all the manifestations of the Spirit of truth, the fruits of which are "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance." Gal. v, 22, 23. It is the privilege of God's people, and their duty also, to grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, 2 Pet. iii, 18, and to let their light grow brighter and brighter unto the perfect day. We have also enjoyed the privilege of having the words of eternal life proclaimed unto us. The straight testimony has been given, and the testimony to the churches made known unto us. Yet notwithstanding all this, we are not making that progress in divine life, according to the means and opportunities given us. In some of the churches in Southern Iowa, who profess to keep the commandments of God and faith of Jesus, there is a great lack of love, spirituality, and humility; but in its stead a cold and lukewarm feeling is manifested, a lethargy and benumbing influence exercised, and an almost total disregard of the testimonies given for the church,—darkening influences spreading and causing divisions amongst us, and a negligence to clothe ourselves with the whole armor of God, Eph. vi, 13–18, and by this means allowing the enemy of souls to enter and wound us severely.

While we are in this condition, we are causing our brethren elsewhere to lose confidence in us, and to some extent, the Lord of hosts has withdrawn the influence of his holy Spirit from us. Now whose fault is all this? Manifestly our own. Of all sins committed, none are more flagrant than mercies abused, Heb. vi, 4–10, and none more deserving the severe judgments of heaven. God has done for us all that can be done, and in the language of Isaiah the prophet: "What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? wherefore when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes?" Isa. v, 4. We are in danger of being spued out of the mouth of the faithful and true witness, and when this is done whose condition can be more desolate than ours? 'Tis fearful indeed.

Dear brethren, if we ever expect to arise, and live in the message, now is the time for action. Let us cry mightily unto God, and turn unto him with our whole heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning, and rend our hearts and not our garments, and turn unto the Lord our God; for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. Joel ii, 12, 13.

Brethren, in love allow me to urge upon you the following for your consideration:

1. We must humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, pray to him earnestly, that he would look upon us a little longer, and let us try to arise and bring forth fruit. Hear the language of the Saviour: "Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig-tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: and if it bear fruit, well; and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down." Luke xiii, 7–9.

Brethren, why do we reject the gifts? Do we believe the Bible to be the book of God? Yes, surely. Will it "thoroughly furnish us unto every good work?" It says so. If there is any doctrine clearly taught in the Bible, it is spiritual gifts, and consequently must be a good work. Has not this doctrine been most clearly set forth? It certainly has. But do you say, We believe them; we do not reject them by any means; we know that they should be in the church. A good profession truly; "but as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." James ii, 26. Are we living out the testimony for the churches? "Oh, well," says one, "I believe in the gifts, but I am not so certain about the testimony." A poor subterfuge truly. Doubt the testimony; what is the matter with it? Did you ever find any thing in it contrary to God's word? you must answer, No, I have not.

Now brother, allow me to point out to you the difficulty.

If this testimony "prophesied smooth things," we could all receive it, but as it cries aloud, and spares not, we do not like it. In Rom. xiii, 14, we are commanded to "put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof." See also 1 Pet. ii, 11; Gal. v, 24. The testimony points out some of those fleshly appetites, and for this reason some do not like it. Let us see if this is not correct. We go to a brother and commence interrogating him on the subject. "Do you receive the testimony?" "Well, I cannot say that I do." "Do you abstain from all the fleshly habits of this age, pointed out in the word?" "No, not quite, I smoke some, chew a little tobacco, drink my coffee and tea," and the sister adds, "I wear small hoops!"

This shows at once why we do not want the testimony, as we cannot live it out, and at the same time bow to our fleshly appetites; and rather than mortify our members which are upon the earth, we sacrifice all that is good and pure. Oh, do not dishonor God any more; throw away that enemy to health, cleanliness, and holiness—tobacco. God says, "If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy." We are shown what we must do, and let us live it out. This one case must suffice as an example of all those who are defiling themselves.

Brethren, this is one cause of our low condition. Now let me entreat you to cast aside all of your idols, and in the language of the poet—

"The dearest idol I have known, Whate'er that idol be, Help me to tear it from thy throne, And worship only Thee."

If we do not put away these things, how can we be a part of that glorious church? Eph. v, 27. "That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish."

Arise and cleanse yourselves as churches from this filthy habit. See that your leaders are free from this practice, and are living out the testimony, for they must be ensamples to the flock [1 Peter v, 3], and if they have not purified themselves by obeying the truth, they have no business to occupy such a station, for if the blind lead the blind both will fall into the ditch.

Brethren, let us purge ourselves, do our duty, and the Lord will bless us. Away with our coffee and tea. It destroys our health, and wastes the money that belongs to the Lord and his cause. Sisters, show to the world that you are the meek and lowly followers of the Saviour, and not of the fashions of the world. Let hoops and jewelry be cast aside, "and whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel, but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price." 1 Peter iii, 3, 4.

The subject of Systematic Benevolence must claim our attention briefly. In most of the churches it has been adopted; but instead of carrying it out it has dwindled down, and in some places died out. Brethren, I will not try to bring any testimony in favor of it, as you all have examined the subject, and know it to be right, and the only way by which an abundant supply of means can be raised to support the cause. Some complain a great deal about not having messengers visit them, and preach to them. But the ministers have but little faith in doing any good, as the testimony given would not be received, and their time and labor would be lost, and they compelled to hear the reproaches and bitter feelings of those whom they would gladly benefit. And some if asked to do something for the messenger's temporal welfare, (and they cannot live without their daily bread,) always find themselves too poor. Yet every difficulty is surmounted, when the carnal appetite requires food. Brethren, Jesus is soon coming, now is the time to do something for the cause; now is the time to lay up treasure in heaven; soon it will be too late; soon our cattle, horses, farms, and money out at interest, will do us no good. O brethren may a burden of souls rest upon you, and cause you to lend liberally to the Lord. Then do not reject systematic benevolence, it is the very thing we want, and if we prosper we must have it. Some of our churches are living it out, and the united testimony

is, that it is resulting in good.

Now, in conclusion, brethren, lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset you, and obey the testimony given, from the heart, and you will be active again. Yea, lively stones in the house of God. The Lord will bless, and our brethren will gain confidence in us as a people. The messengers will have no dead churches to work over, and souls will be converted to God. Amen.

WM. H. BRINKENHOOF.