MEETINGS IN N. Y by M. E. Cornell

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 27, 1862

MEETINGS IN N. Y.

By M. E. Cornell

According to appointment we met with the brethren at Roosevelt, Kirkville, and Hamlin. The meetings were of interest and profit. The social meetings were encouraging. Several who had been undecided in regard to the gifts in the church, took a stand for them. Others were stirred up to investigate. Some who felt reproved by the visions, saw no way to deny them but to say the gifts have been abolished; like those who are reproved by the Sabbath precept, they see no way of escape but to proclaim the death of the whole law. Those who deny the gifts have taken a step downward. Their second step is no-spirit, third, no-law, fourth, no-God. If the Bible is true, which most believe, then spiritual gifts are perpetuated, and as sure as the Bible rules for distinguishing true from false visions, are infallible, so sure the visions published among us are of God. We know them by their fruit. When we have tasted that fruit and found it sweet, all the world cannot make us believe it is bitter. Some who have been reproved by the visions complain that they are bitter; but it is because they are wrong. No chastening is for the present joyous. If the visions did not reprove our wrongs we should then have reason to doubt them. The Bible is true. It proves the visions to be of God, hence we cannot reject them without rejecting the Bible. If any candid man thinks otherwise we are ready to give him the proof from the Bible. We have often sung,

"We want the truth on every point," &c.,

and of course we want the truth on the gift question. When we consider that the apostle Paul has undertaken to tell us all about it, we must conclude that there is no excuse for ignorance. All we ask is that candid people investigate the subject.

I was greatly encouraged to find the Sabbath-keepers so well united, and see a ready response to the testimony on this subject. More than three-fourths of all I saw on this tour, heartily acknowledge the gifts. Now if they will only heed them we shall soon see a united people receive the power from on high.

This tour has been a pleasant one to me. I have formed many happy acquaintances, and hope some lasting good has been done. Many of these saints I shall probably never see again till I meet them on mount Zion. I have probably neglected duty in new fields while taking this tour in the churches, and visiting some relatives; I therefore hope that not much harm has been done, if not much good. Concerning my expenses, I will say they have been more than met, and I purchased some necessary clothing; besides, I have refused over $25.

I would say to those who have requested me to visit them, and I have not done so, that it is not for lack of desire, but for want of time. It is already tent season, and I have no time for rest, but have to prepare and enter at once into the labor, and I hope to be soon in my appropriate place in new fields. May the Lord reward all for their kindness to me, and we all be saved when Jesus comes. Amen.

M. E. CORNELL.