p. 62 | My Position by O. DAVIS

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 17, 1865

My Position.

By O. DAVIS

Bro. White: As I feel that my name as it appears in the "Hope," and my connection with those that are not in union with the body in which the third angel's message has had its rise and attained its present influence and gathering power in the Lord, leads at least to a suspicion that I am not in sympathy and belief with that body, I would say that such is not the fact nor ever has been, with some partial exception, since I first understood the message.

I have moved with those that were not in union with the body because I lived at a distance from those brethren, and such a movement seemed to open the only field of action. But I feel it duty to say that my position has been a continual source of trial from the different views held by the brethren, some of which I could not harmonize with the message and the present work of our High Priest, and from an influence the tendency of which was to undermine confidence in the brethren I had formerly acted with, and to whom we were mainly indebted for what present truth we had, and I had almost said for all that was worth having.

I have had trial also from some of the gifts as manifested among us. I will speak particularly of the gift of tongues. And while I admit that the gift belongs to the church, and do not condemn every manifestation of it, yet as it has been exercised by those who were wrong themselves, and by those in whom it would fraternize with those who were exercising the gift manifestly under the influence of Satan, I have felt that the shield of experience and a consistent position in present truth was needed.

Feeling deeply these trials and an opportunity offering through the visit of Bro. Cornell among us to try to harmonize the difficulties existing between those with whom I was then moving and the main body, I felt it duty with others to bring about a meeting of both sides and to see how far the difference might be reconciled. Several meetings were held and resulted in uniting seven of us with the body and leaving others favorably disposed.

In conclusion I would say that my sympathies are with those who have borne the burden of the message from its rise; and I would be in that position where I can exert a gathering influence. We have been much blessed by the labors of Bro. Cornell among us. Some have come out on the truth, and others are investigating. May the time be not far distant when there shall be a company here united in gospel order.

In love and hope, thy Bro. in Christ, O. DAVIS. North Berwick, Me.