Brethren, Beware!

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 30, 1862

Brethren, Beware!

Deceit and hypocrisy are still practiced, not only by the people of the world, but also by some professing better things. But by their fruits ye shall know them. Matt. vii, 20. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit, is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Luke iii, 9.

Wm. B. Davis, a late member of the Seventh-day Adventist church of Avon, Wis., left this place about three weeks ago, destination unknown; but he said he intended to go to Michigan, Ohio, or some place where he could settle in a community of Sabbath-keepers. After he left, numerous reports were circulated of his dishonesty. Therefore the church appointed a committee to investigate the truthfulness of the reports; and at a meeting appointed for that purpose December 21st, the committee reported as follows:

1. Said Wm. B. Davis borrowed a bridle of one man and a saddle of another, saying he wanted to ride a few miles and back; but the facts show that he borrowed them for the express purpose of riding away with them, and did start immediately on his journey.

2. While taking his goods to the depot for transportation, they were about to be attached for a debt of $11.00, but he got a man to be his security for the debt, and said he had agreed with another man to pay the debt. The man positively denies it, and says that Davis was owing him $18.00, and left without paying him. The man that went his security for the $11.00 has the debt to pay.

3. He sold Bro. Putnam one ton of hay, and afterward disposed of it to another man, and thus left the country, being indebted to Bro. P. for wood, work in harvest, threshing, &c., to the amount of $10.00 or more.

4. He told numerous and willful falsehoods to the brethren, promising to pay them before he left, and telling some of his creditors that he had made arrangements with men that were owing him to pay certain debts, which proved to be false, thus abusing the confidence of the brethren.

After a careful and candid investigation of the above, the church appointed a committee of three to write out a statement of the facts, as a duty we owe to our brethren, to God, and the world, that our brethren abroad may not be taken in by him, that we may clear the cause from all the reproach possible, and advertise to the world that we indorse no such men nor conduct in our midst.

Done by order of the church. JOSEPH G. WOOD, H. W. DECKER, } Committee. JOHN RICHARD,

P. S. We say in behalf of sister Carrie Davis, wife of Wm. B. Davis, that she is not implicated with the above, but is a member in good standing in the Seventh-day Adventist church at Avon, Wis., and we sympathise with her in her deep trial. J. G. W.