Letters | AdventAI

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 14, 1863

Letters.

"Then they that feared the Lord, spake often one to another."

From Bro. Palmer.

BRO. WHITE: As I was reviewing the past, my mind rested on the events which transpired six years ago to-day. Brn. Bates and Waggoner had pitched the tent in Colon a short time previous, and I had attended their lectures, but had not fully decided to obey. I was then a member of the Baptist church, and, with many of its members, attended a Sunday school celebration at Mendon. Immediately in front of the wagon in which I rode, was a wagon filled with children, and on a tall staff was a chart upon which, in large letters, was printed the ten commandments, and as I read and re-read them, the fourth seemed to be more conspicuous than any other. I could only ask myself the questions: Am I this day doing the will of God? Is this the holy Sabbath-day? Is this Sunday school celebration a thing pleasing in his sight?

The day passed away, and to me it was a day of anxious care and perplexing thought. In the evening I hastened to the tent and heard the claims of God's holy law presented with power, and left the tent resolved to do my duty, to forsake the day of man's invention, and instead thereof to keep holy the Sabbath-day.

How often since, have I felt to praise God that Brn. Bates and Waggoner were ever sent with the word of life to Colon; but oh how sad the thought that so many of those who were so dear to me, and who listened to the truth at that time hardened their hearts and rejected it, and are now left without hope and without God in the world! How sad a sight a fallen church destitute of that spirit of kindness, brotherly love, patience, and zeal for God's glory, which make the church the light of the world! How painful the scene enacted a short time after, when a committee appointed by the church waited upon all those who were keeping the commandments of God, to urge them to forsake the law of God, and keep the Sabbath of the man of Sin! And when said committee were asked to show wherein we were doing anything contrary to the will of God, and the Bible was offered them, they refused to consult it, but excused themselves by saying that they were appointed to ask us to walk with the church according to its Articles of Faith, and report answer, which was their whole duty. At the next covenant meeting we were called upon to say why we should not be expelled, or rather, why they should not withdraw from us. The Bible was then presented, and they were asked to show wherein we walked contrary to its teaching. They said we must be tried by the Articles of Faith. I then read to them one of their articles of faith, which says, The Bible is the sole book of appeals by which all human conduct and creeds must be tried. But not so. Prejudice, and hatred to the law of God must prevail; and with exultation we were voted out. Thanks be to God, it served to open our eyes, and showed us where we ourselves were standing before we became enlightened.

Since that time I have often erred from the direct path of duty, but the restraining power of the Lord has ever been manifest to call me back to duty, and to-day I can say with the psalmist, "Thy word is very pure, therefore thy servant loveth it."

I am living where Spiritualism reigns and flourishes, but thank God, his word is a sure support to uphold his people, and a deadly weapon to slay the enemies of Christ. My hope is in God. In him alone do I trust, knowing that he is ever found of them that seek him aright.

My prayer is that the Lord may abundantly keep his servants who minister in holy things, and in due time direct some one this way, to present the truth to a few honest souls in this place.

Yours waiting for the appearing of our Lord. CHAS. L. PALMER.

Sturgis, Mich., July 3, 1863.