Report from Bro. Cornell.
By M. E. Cornell
JANUARY 2d commenced lectures at Rocky Brook, near Peace Dale, R. I., in the Advent chapel. I gave in all thirty-two discourses. Forty-six subscribed for the Review and four for the Instructor. About $20. worth of books were taken during the meetings. I was invited here by Bro. Carpenter who had become interested in present truth while on a visit among his friends in Michigan. The good report he brought from his visit among Sabbath-keepers at Battle Creek, together with the books, Bro. White gave him to circulate, had created some interest to hear. The house was crowded most of the time, and some received the word with all readiness of mind, and others are still investigating. Regular meetings are established and they rejoice in the holy Sabbath. One of the number is Bro. Elder P. C. Rodman. He was absent holding meetings during most of the lectures, but when he came home he heard without prejudice. After a careful investigation he is fully decided to keep all of the Father's commandments. I believe the Lord can make him a blessing to the cause, both in precept and example. February 6th, in company with Bro. Rodman began lectures on Block Island. We gave in all twenty-six lectures, obtained fifteen subscribers for the Review and one for the Instructor. About $12.00 worth of books were taken during the meetings. This was a time of much interest. Being refused the meeting-house we commenced in a school-house. At first everything looked dark and discouraging, but soon the interest was so great that the house could not hold the people. The Baptist Elder came and invited us to occupy the meeting house. We did so, but the interest was soon so great that scores could not get into the house. There was such a rush for seats that the house would be crowded by sunset, and often before. It was remarked that there had been no such religious interest on the Island since 1842, when the whole Island was moved. There have been a few Sabbath-keepers there for several years. Brn. Bates, Gurney and others had visited them, but the good seed sown had been choked by the inconsistencies of some families, who were governed by a wild unteachable spirit. Every rule in the Bible shows their spirit to be false. They operate on their own hook and take a course disgusting to all candid people. It is hard to remove the deep seated prejudice caused by such men. I hope it will soon be known that we have no sympathy with such spirits. Block Island was first settled about two-hundred years ago, and now contains about fifteen hundred inhabitants. The whole Island was first owned by sixteen men. They divided it into seventeen parts and dedicated one part to the support of the gospel. The trees were all cut off before the memory of most of its135present inhabitants. It is about seven miles long, three wide, and fifteen from the main land. The Sabbath-keepers there have had but few privileges, but they are now encouraged by some increase of their numbers, and the prospect of much fruit hereafter. About $15.00 were contributed toward our expenses, and many earnest requests were made for us to return and hold more meetings. The majority of a large audience voted a call for Bro. Loughborough to visit them soon. March 2d we returned to Peace Dale and found an effort had been made to turn those who were interested back; and it had succeeded to some extent. Notes had been taken of the sermons preached against the law and Sabbath, and I gave notice of meetings, after getting the consent of the majority of the trustees to occupy the house. But there was such a bitter opposition, on the part of several to my having the house that I concluded to take back my appointment and choose peace in a small house before confusion in a large one. A large majority of the people were anxious to hear and we were perplexed to know what course to take. But, to our great joy, two meeting houses were offered us by the Freewill Baptists, and we made an appointment for the next evening. The interest was so great, that, notwithstanding the mud and rain, I gave four lectures to full houses. The people were greatly astonished to see Adventists use the lock-out argument on a free house, and manifest the very same spirit which they had complained of in others; especially when so large a majority of the people were anxious to hear us again. But all this was better for us than a course of lectures. The spirit of those who oppose the law was manifest to all. Thus it turned out according to the scripture, "We can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth." Those who advocate the truth may be shut out and those who believe the truth cast out, yet the truth will prevail. "Your brethren that hated you, and cast you out for my name's sake, said, let the Lord be glorified, but he shall appear to your joy and they shall be ashamed." Isa. lxvi, 5. Nothing could be found against Daniel, except concerning the law of his God. When Elijah reproved the violations of the second commandment he was called a troubler of Israel. 1 Kings xviii, 17, 18. When Stephen told the people they had broken the law they stoned him to death. Acts vii, 53, 59. Paul believed all things written in the law and prophets, and his worship of God was regulated by the law as well as the prophets, and for this he was called a heretic. Acts xxiv, 14. No marvel if the remnant which keep God's commandments, should feel the wrath of the dragon. See Rev. xii, 17. Those who suffer for the truth need not be ashamed. "Then shall I not be ashamed when I have respect unto all thy commandments." Ps. cxix, 6. Praise God for the truth. The truth may be despised but it cannot be overthrown. Fire will not burn it and the floods will not drown it. No man living can put down the law of God, or prove that the decalogue is abolished. Men have tried it, and have only goaded themselves. Their arguments are sure to be contradictory, as the poet has well expressed. "When men oppose that law of love
They lack the wisdom from above,
Deluded souls, they're in the dark
Without the truth, without the ark." Even so Amen!
North Somerville, Mass., March 12, 1864.