Earlier text: Warning to Wealthy Parents.

Bro. J. N. Andrews.

I was shown, Dec. 10, 1871, that Bro. Andrews is a strong man in some things, while in others he is weak. His desire to please his friends leads him to discommode himself, and to make wrong moves, which have crippled his labors so that they have not been as efficient as they might have been.

In his anxiety to please special ones, he injures them. He gives them too much of his time and attention. While he is flattering himself that he is helping them, he is doing them injury, and making their salvation more difficult. They do not rightly interpret the special interest he manifests in them. Some flatter themselves that they have superior qualifications that Bro. Andrews discerns and appreciates. His object is good; but his efforts in these things are frequently misdirected, and injure instead of benefiting them.

Bro. Andrews made too much of Bro. Howard in the State of Maine. He estimated his abilities too highly, and gave him too much influence.

Bro. and sister Hale, of Maine, were also injured by receiving undue attention from Bro. Andrews. They became jealous of my husband, myself, and other brethren and sisters, because they did not receive as much attention from them. Bro. and sister Hale were a great trial to the church. They were most of the time on the contrary side, seldom in union with the church. They could seldom be found twice of the same mind. They had a way and will of their own, which they wished others to follow; but they were not willing to be led. They were both independent, willful, set, and unyielding. They had their points to carry, and were unwilling to submit their will and judgment to that of the church. Here Bro. Andrews failed, both in discernment and judgment. He thought to pacify and to please Bro. and sister Hale, and remove all occasion for jealousy. His precious time and strength were taxed in this effort which only did injury. Faithful dealing, mingled with kindness, would have been exactly what they needed. The undue interest Bro. Andrews manifested for them was like daubing them with untempered mortar. Plain truth, appropriate173to their condition, spoken to them, would have been like laying the ax at the root of the tree. The attention Bro. Andrews gave them led them to expect the same consideration from their brethren; and if they were not flattered, their jealousy was excited. They thought their brethren did not appreciate them, and that they were very essential to the church. They thought their judgment should be respected above the judgment of the brethren. They would not have been placed in this position of temptation, if it had not been for the special and uncalled for attention of Bro. Andrews.

While Bro. Andrews was giving time and attention to these unconsecrated ones, to save them from trial, he allowed burdens and responsibilities to drop with weight upon my husband, who was then too feeble to bear them. Bro. Andrews did not mean to do wrong in any way; but he had his mind centered upon a few, and neglected to lift the burdens where they most needed to be lifted. Bro. Andrews exalted Bro. and sister Hale, and they, in their turn, thought Bro. Andrews a perfect man. They believed in his discernment, and thought themselves greatly abused by others because they did not make as much of them as Bro. Andrews had done. When Bro. Andrews’ friends claim his attention,174he will make considerable sacrifice to please them, and he frequently robs the cause of God by devoting to their personal benefit time and strength which God would have him use in a more important work. Bro. Andrews frequently injures the very ones he thinks he is benefiting. This error in Bro. Andrews is the result of cultivating one set of faculties, while he allows others to lie dormant, so that he is not well balanced.

My husband could not understand how Bro. Andrews could not discern the burdens that must come upon him in having to take the responsibility of deciding important matters, while he could devote so much time to those who had no weight of the cause of God upon them. This one case was presented to illustrate the many.

The Lord gave Bro. Andrews light while he was living at Kirkville, N. Y., that he was not in the right place. I was shown that he should be located where there was a church, and where he would not be called to bear the entire burdens of his own family, neither be called out to bear burdens for others when he should come home weary from his labors. I was shown that he should be where it was most pleasant for him, and where his surroundings would be cheerful and agreeable. His hands should be strengthened by the sympathy,175kindness, and prayers, of his brethren. And, in his absence, his family should have the tender watchcare of the brethren and sisters. The church should make the case of his family as their own. They should be sympathetic and considerate. This responsibility on the part of the church would not only remove a great burden from Bro. Andrews, but they, in their turn, would be blessed as they exercised their kindness, and gave living expression of the feelings of their heart for the servants of God.

If, years in the past, when the Office of publication was in Rochester, N. Y., the brethren and sisters in Rochester and vicinity had been less selfish and less jealous of those whom God had selected to bear the heaviest burdens, while standing in the most responsible positions in connection with the cause and work of God; if they had shown their faith by their works; if they had been consecrated to God, and really loved the truth, and shown fruits of the same by manifesting a personal interest in the success and advancement of the work of God, the Office of publication would not have been removed from Rochester.

The painful experience we had in Rochester while our brethren neglected to share our burdens was marked of God. At this176time, Bro. Andrews was on the wrong side. Instead of lifting the burdens where they most needed to be lifted, he was with the murmurers and the jealous ones. He occupied a position where, if his course was questioned by my husband, he felt aggrieved, and the impression he gave to others by his words and deportment led them to settle in their minds that my husband and myself were wrong. Brn. Orton and Lamson did not receive the correct impression; and a large circle connected with these thought Bro. White was severe and overbearing, and they felt justified to array themselves against us, because so good a man as Bro. Andrews was abused by Bro. White. The carrying out of their peculiar feelings of sympathy, led them to unite in blinding the eyes of Luman Masten to his own case. They daubed him with untempered mortar, crying, Peace, peace, to the dying man going down into the grave with his sins unconfessed. This unsanctified sympathy has proved the ruin of thousands.

The feeling of dissatisfaction, with some, was carried to downright rebellion. The attachment of Brn. Lamson, Orton, and Andrews, and the Stevens family, was of that character to deceive and blind the eyes of all. Bro. Andrews’ being in the ring was a stay and support to the whole. Repeated testimonies of warning had been177given, and, if Bro. Andrews had stood clear from the influence of these friends with whom he was connected, and to whom he gave his sympathy, he would have discerned the wiles of the enemy, and not been found at all with that class who were deceiving and being deceived. He was himself giving wrong impressions to others, and they were deceiving him. I was shown that “he that justifieth the wicked, and he which condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the Lord.”

The Lord gave me a testimony that unless there was an entire change in the brethren and sisters of Rochester and vicinity, the Office of publication would be removed. But the spirit that controlled Dathan and Abiram, and the princes of renown, controlled the minds of this company who set themselves against the light.

According to the light given, Rochester was left. I saw the angel of mercy turning from Rochester. Said the angel, As surely as they have done this, so surely will I repay, saith the Lord. In view of all the past, although Bro. Andrews had deeply felt his error, yet his settling in Rochester, amid the very same ones who were united in their sympathies to war against us, was not wise.

Bro. Andrews should cultivate traits of character wherein he is deficient. He has178done wrong by flattering those who were unconsecrated, by his special attentions and strong attachments. The Lord has, in his word, warned against, and set forth the evil of, crying peace when he did not speak peace. The Lord has, through testimonies, warned, reproved, and cautioned, in regard to the inclination of Bro. Andrews to flatter and to sympathize with those who are his special friends. He has greatly injured them in so doing.

Bro. Andrews’ settling in Rochester with the very ones who sustained one another in their former murmuring and jealousy was not as God would have it, for several reasons: 1. Bro. Andrews’ influence would be very limited in Rochester, and he could not while at home exert an influence upon brethren and sisters which would tell upon the cause of God. 2. Bro. Andrews was not in the midst of a church who could bear the burdens of responsibility which must necessarily come upon him located in as central a place as Rochester, where there were but very few, and these needed much care and continual labor. 3. Bro. Andrews was obliged to entertain much company, and was compelled to exercise close economy in order to keep clear from embarrassment. Although brethren and sisters were liberal, yet a care was brought upon the family, which ought not to have179been borne by them. 4. Bro. Andrews was called upon to do errands and little business matters for others while in Rochester, which occupied his precious time, and told upon his strength. His house was as a hotel.

As one after another of the brethren have been removed by death, Bro. Andrews has been left almost alone, with more and greater care. All these things should have been convincing to Bro. Andrews in regard to his duty. But that which should have told with the greatest weight of all was, the fact that the Office of publication was removed because of unfaithfulness of those who should have felt the deepest interest in the cause and work of God. This company who bound themselves together by cords of unsanctified sympathy would not receive reproof and counsel. The straight testimony was irksome to them. And they determined to separate themselves from us, and they left Rochester. Rochester was a central place, and the house of Bro. Andrews has been like a hotel. If Bro. Andrews had exercised his reason, and if his judgment had been unbiased, he could have seen before this that he had made a mistake.

If Bro. Andrews had for a time located at Adams’ Center, he could have exerted an influence for good over that church.180But Bro. Andrews was not pleased with the prospect of making his home at Adams’ Center. His inclination was to listen to the persuasion of his friends with whom he was well acquainted, and settle in Rochester. While he was hesitating, Bro. Taylor moved to Adams’ Center, and Bro. Andrews felt that his way was hedged up. Bro. Taylor has not been a blessing to the church at Adams’ Center, but a burden. He was not qualified to give that large church the very help they really needed, and must have, in order to prosper and increase in grace and in the knowledge of the truth. The church has been growing weaker under Bro. Taylor’s labors, instead of stronger. Bro. Andrews reasoned that the Lord had closed up his way in going to Adams’ Center. But he was too slow. He did not move quick enough.

Bro. Andrews was acquainted with the reasons of my husband’s objection to his settling in Rochester. In view of the past, God bade us flee from Rochester, because his blessing would not prosper his work there. The persuasion of friends and relatives drew Bro. Andrews to Rochester, while my husband sought to draw him away from Rochester. This has led Bro. Andrews to feel very sensitive of censure in reference to his remaining in Rochester.

The influence of a few friends balanced181the matter with Bro. Andrews. It would have been for the salvation of Alva Orton had his parents moved with him from Rochester to some more retired place. But Bro. Andrews’ locating there made it hard for them to leave. Bradley Lamson should not have settled in Rochester. It is a hard place to live the truth and to bring up children aright. Since the death of Bro. Lamson, sister Lamson should have moved from that wicked city, and placed her children in a community more favorable to their forming a Christian character. The sight of the eyes and the hearing of the ears in a wicked city like Rochester blunt the conscience and stupefy the sensibilities to eternal things. Good and evil are placed nearly upon a level. Bro. Andrews’ living in Rochester has influenced, or held, the others there. They seemed rooted, and no influence could be brought to bear upon them of sufficient force to start them from Rochester. These believers in the truth were not wise in bringing up their children in that wicked city.

The Lord gave direction to his disciples if they were not received in one city to go to another. The same counsel he would have his children now follow. If God’s peculiar people can have no influence in a city because it is given to pride and idolatry, if they cannot fully do the will of God,182there are other towns, villages, and cities, to which they can flee, where their surroundings may be less objectionable.

The friends of Bro. Andrews had high expectations of seeing a great ingathering in Rochester; but their expectations have not been realized. The view my husband took in regard to Bro. Andrews’ locating at Rochester greatly burdened Bro. Andrews. He prayed over the matter, and nearly sacrificed his life in the struggle, with Rochester friends and his own inclination on one side, and the entreaties of my husband on the other side. The exercise of prayer brought him into a state of great feebleness of body. His sad condition was charged to Bro. White’s opposing Bro. Andrews in his staying at Rochester. When the circumstances were taken into the account, with all the Lord had shown in reference to Rochester, Bro. Andrews presumed upon the mercy of God when he asked for clearer light than he already had.

We are not left to choose for ourselves, and do those things most agreeable to us, and leave undone those things not pleasant to our nature. It is not for us to stand questioning, but to obey.

When Bro. Andrews applies himself to the study of subjects, he concentrates his entire mind upon the matter before him, and neglects real duties which some one183must do, whether they love to do them or not. Bro. Andrews applies himself to the study of subjects, and then is lost to everything else, which results in the neglect of the real duties which need to be done. When Bro. Andrews takes hold of matters, he frequently carries them too far. He concentrates his mind upon the matter before him, and is of no practical advantage for anything else. He engaged at one period in reading exercises, and robbed himself of necessary sleep in order to read. This pleasurable exercise was carried to extremes, and was a serious injury to his health. His habits were not in harmony with physical law. This extra tax unfitted Bro. Andrews for doing many things which ought to have been done, and that he positively could not do without injury to his health. His physical nature called for the sleep that his reading and study had deprived him of. In meetings, and upon important occasions, nature required the sleep she had been robbed of, and sleep would come upon Bro. Andrews like an armed man. It seemed an impossibility to shake off the stupor that would take hold of his senses. Frequently, when his labors were very much needed, and when his senses needed to be fully awake and keenly sensitive, he was utterly unable to do anything requiring mental exertion. Yet at the184same time, Bro. Andrews did not reason from cause to effect. He was much attached to his own routine of very early rising, and extending his labors far into the hours apportioned for sleep.

Bro. Andrews has not had correct views of how he should labor and preserve health. He has, by his course, formed habits which were every day weakening his physical and mental strength to that degree that if important occasions demanded extra effort, he could not bear the draught upon his mental powers without feeling it sensibly. Bro. Andrews’ reading was not in itself a sin. He thought it a religious duty; and when things were not done that needed to be done, he has said, in truth, I have done all that I could. This was so. But had his habits been more in harmony with the law of nature, he could, through careful and regular habits, have performed much more labor without injury to his physical and mental strength. He has come very near an entire break-down several times through his own wrong course, in being imprudent of the strength God has given him, and he has failed by so doing to glorify God in accomplishing the greatest amount of good.

Bro. Andrews has had much sympathy excited in his behalf, because he worked so hard, and was exhausted, when in many185instances he could have done the labor easily, if he had taken his usual hours of sleep, and if he had eaten more sparingly of even the simple food which forms his diet. He should have taken a portion of time for physical exercise, which would increase his power of endurance. The amount Bro. Andrews has at times placed in his stomach has called the brain nerve power to that organ, to carry on the work of the stomach, and has robbed him of vitality that he might have preserved. Bro. Andrews has a sacred duty to preserve the health God has given him. When engaged in writing, he enjoys the study of books, and does not give himself sufficient recreation and change. To read and write steadily is not best for the health, or for the clearest productions of the mind. Physical exercise should be united with mental effort. To write, then change and attend meetings, preaching the word, would invigorate and refresh the mind, and keep the brain in a better condition to put forth its strong efforts.

In Bro. Andrews’ locating in Rochester, he had many drawing upon him instead of his drawing upon others. His house has been the most proper place to hold meetings and entertain visitors. All these were a pleasure, but also a tax, and, when Bro. Andrews was at home, took much of186his time. His precious time was spent in accommodating his good brethren, while weightier matters were left secondary. The prospering hand of God has not attended the Sabbath-keepers in Rochester. A succession of very discouraging events have transpired, in the providence of God, which should have been interpreted by Bro. Andrews that his location was not in the order of God. But Bro. Andrews has fallen back upon his experience, which he thought was special evidence in favor of his settling at Rochester. But if God gave this experience, he designed to demonstrate to others the fact that he had called Bro. Andrews to Rochester for some purpose. That purpose has not been made apparent. Light had been given. The Lord had manifested in his providence, and through testimony, his will. The persuasion of friends, and his own inclination, led Bro. Andrews, in face of the light, to plead with the Lord for permission to remain in Rochester. The Lord permitted him to stay, and yet it was not the pleasure of the Lord for him to remain.

Bro. Andrews’ labors in Rochester and Olcott, and other places, have not been as successful as if he had been settled in some other locality. He was living among those who were acquainted with him, and he with them. He had, as it were, grown up187among them, and matured among them, and they were upon an equality. He sustained very much the same relation to the friends in and about Rochester and Olcott that the Brn. Lindsays, Lamsons, and Gaskills, sustain to one another. He is regarded very much as a member of the same family. Bro. Andrews is beloved by them all. All are pleased with his society, and chat and have a social time when together, and Bro. Andrews is not in their minds invested with the dignity his position gives him. Had Bro. Andrews located among his brethren who were comparatively strangers, it would have been more in accordance with the mind and will of God, and his influence would have been much greater.

When Bro. Andrews has come to Battle Creek from time to time, he has overtaxed his strength in doing too much. Had he done only those things which needed to be done, which could not be done away from Battle Creek, his strength would have been sufficient for the burden and tax. But there has been a failure in doing those things which he should not have done, and in not doing those things which were positively necessary to be done. Bro. Andrews allowed his mind to take hold of subjects that were not important for the time, and which had no special bearing upon the188work which was suffering to be done at Battle Creek, and, in order to have done properly, called him hundreds of miles to do. When where the work was, Bro. Andrews did not feel and see its importance, and lay hold of it, and make it a specialty. He followed the bent of his mind, and became interested in Bible subjects, and when absorbed in his favorite Bible studies, he cannot see what is to be done, and work to advantage. The subject before him is the all-absorbing theme. Health has been sacrificed by night labor. He has robbed himself of rest and sleep, using up his vigor in doing things which could just as well be done at his own home in Rochester. The extra amount which he need not have done has severely taxed both physical and mental strength.

The cultivation of certain faculties to the neglect of others makes Bro. Andrews a one-sided man. When on the subject of the round world, Bro. Andrews could scarcely think or talk without dwelling upon this subject. He carried this matter to extremes. He wearied the readers and listeners to his lengthy arguments upon that subject. Precious time was used up in talking and writing upon that subject, which needed to be canvassed, but did not require so great thoroughness. Bro. Andrews was wearying himself and189others, and at the same time was leaving undone the weightier matters. And more recently, months of precious time have been used up in wearisome labor, chasing after the dishonest quibbles of a man who once kept the Bible Sabbath, but afterward rejected it. His opposition is so great upon the Sabbath question that he is insane upon the subject. The time spent in following Preble so closely and thoroughly has been a mistake. The readers of the Review have become wearied with the subject. A set of quibbles have been furnished the readers of the Review of no special weight only to deceive and darken minds. In these things, Bro. Andrews could not see his failings. He has pursued the subject with the greatest satisfaction to his own mind. Bro. Andrews has needed the help of his brethren. He should have had their counsel. They should have supplied his deficiency by their more equally balanced minds. When Bro. Andrews gets upon a train of thought following a subject, he knows nothing about leaving off when all has been said that is required, and that is profitable. The people of God are suffering for the truth which he should bring out at once upon the history of the Sabbath.

Relative to Leading Ministers.

The Lord would have Brn. Andrews, Waggoner, Smith, and White, stand united in the work of God. These have had experience in the work, and they should all share the burdens of responsibility in the cause. They may each have a particular work, for which they are best adapted, and which they love; but their attachment to one particular branch should not be indulged in, and lead them to leave the heaviest and most perplexing burdens upon my husband. If each one would take a share, and educate himself to have a general interest, as is proper, the burdens need not crush out the life of any one.

There is talent among Seventh-day Adventists, if they will use it in bearing the burdens of the cause and work of God. The Lord would have these brethren mentioned closely and firmly united to hold each other up in their mutual efforts in this great work.

The foregoing testimony I read before those who were assembled in the last General Conference at Battle Creek. My husband had felt deeply grieved in regard to the responsibilities laid upon him, and that Brn. Andrews, Waggoner, and Smith, did not bear the burdens that they could have191borne in the cause of God, and relieve him of some of the weight of care which was wearing seriously upon his health.

Brn. Waggoner and Cornell added greatly to his burdens, because of their manifest lack of judgment and the Spirit of God to unite with their efforts in seeking to settle church trials. They frequently left things in a worse condition than they found them. They were not calculated to deal with minds of every stamp. They let their own peculiar feelings control them. Both had victories to gain over self before they could labor successfully to set things in order in the churches. I was shown that neither of these brethren were calculated to build up the churches; but to sow dissension and divide, rather than to unite.

The severity manifested by Brn. Waggoner and Cornell, their lack of judgment in dealing with men and women who are in fault, and the many reproofs the Lord had given upon these very points, caused my husband’s fears to be aroused whenever he heard of their laboring with the churches. He felt that their labor should be in new fields, as the Lord had shown, and not among the brethren.

The interest and zeal that my husband has in the work and cause of God, his earnest desire for the prosperity and advancement of the work of God, inspired192him with jealousy for the cause of God. When my husband saw that Bro. Waggoner’s judgment could not be relied upon to put forth the most judicious labor in churches, especially in settling church difficulties, for his labors did not give evidence of being especially directed of God, he cautioned Bro. Waggoner, and presented before him his dangers, and begged of him to refrain from directing so much labor among the churches, and entering into church trials, as he was not the best adapted to help them.

Bro. Waggoner failed to see the necessity for this care and these warnings from Bro. White. He did not see his dangers, and his mistakes in laboring with the churches in the past. His feelings rose up against my husband; for he interpreted that the cautions, advice, and reproof of Bro. White, were for the purpose of restricting his liberty, and controlling his labors. Brn. Andrews and Waggoner sympathized together in reference to these things.

At the General Conference last spring, I repeated that which had been shown me in Vermont, Dec. 10, 1871, that my husband had pondered over the past trials of his life too much. They looked to him unnecessary and unjust. He thought of the little sympathy and help he had received from Brn. Waggoner and Andrews,193while bearing the heavy burdens God had laid upon him, and the course of his brethren looked so mysterious and unexplainable in his mind that his confidence was shaken in almost everybody. He dwelt upon his trials and the neglect of his brethren until their errors were magnified before him, and he viewed them in a wrong light. His feelings were at times strong, and he was unreconciled to standing in the position he had done. He dwelt upon the inconsistent course of his brethren and their errors, when he should have been talking hope, courage, and faith, to his brethren. My husband was discouraged, and disappointed in his brethren, and Satan kept his mind dwelling upon these things until they became magnified in his mind. The effect of these thoughts was to dishearten, and take away courage and hope, and greatly injure his health. He thought at times that the ways of the Lord were not equal in his bearing burdens which were crushing him, while his ministering brethren, Andrews, Waggoner, and Smith, excused themselves from taking their share of these responsibilities.

The Lord reproved my husband for fretting under these things, instead of leaving all in his hands. I was shown that he had injured his health and courage by taking his case in his own hands. I saw that his194brethren would be rewarded according to their works. Their neglect to move at all times in the counsel of God was a great loss to them; for their reward would be proportionate to their successful labors; and, if their errors and lack were not seen and corrected, their eternal interest was endangered. Every time, Satan gained the advantage over them. They placed themselves upon his ground, and opened their own souls to his temptations. I saw that my husband should have faith, hope, and courage, and talk faith, and hope, and courage. Then he would close a door that Satan loves to enter to harass, and annoy, and weaken his physical and mental strength. I saw that in some things my husband had misjudged the feelings and motives of his brethren.

My husband received and acknowledged the testimony of reproof for him, and asked the forgiveness of his brethren for feeling as he had done. He did not and could not say that their course had been right; for God had reproved them. All present felt that my husband had done all that he could do on his part to meet the mind of the Lord. He took his position by the side of his brethren, pledging himself to do all on his part to unite his interest with them. His brethren acknowledged the testimony to them, and the Spirit of God195seemed to witness to the work and union of the hearts of these laborers in his cause.

After this, Bro. Waggoner commenced laboring with the church. The church at Battle Creek had been stirred by successful labor during the Conference, and they humbled their hearts before the Lord, and commenced where God had repeatedly pointed out that they should work if they would have his blessing; that is, that they should put forth individual effort for one another, and for backsliders and sinners. A wonderful spirit of freedom came into the meetings. Bro. Waggoner seemed to take the credit of this good work to his efforts. As he did this, he became lifted up, and thought that he was especially led out by God to do a work for the church. Then the Spirit of the Lord left Bro. Waggoner to move in his own judgment and wisdom. He seemed to take it for granted that he had been right, and my husband wrong. He overlooked the repeated and direct private testimonies that had been given him. He thought the warnings and cautions from my husband, which were in union with the testimonies of reproof, restricted his liberty, and brought him into bondage, that my husband had grieved the Spirit of God, and that this was the reason his physical and mental powers were becoming enfeebled.

Bro. Waggoner then acted out J. H. Waggoner. If the fears of his brethren had not been sufficiently aroused before, they certainly were at this time. He manifested the lack of judgment and discernment, after he thought he had been under the especial influence of the Spirit of God, to talk out his feelings of trial and the exercises of his mind for some time back, in regard to my husband’s cautions and reproofs, to a family he was making efforts to help, who seemed to be weak in the principles of our faith, and who resembled the reed trembling in the wind. The minds of two at least of this family were unbalanced, and the strong wiles of spiritualism were beguiling them by its pleasing, flattering, deceptive insinuations.

Bro. Waggoner exalted himself, his judgment, and the spirit and power which was then leading him. He stated his great trials over Bro. White’s reproofs and warnings, but that now Bro. White was reproved by testimony, and that he was failing in health, and God was lifting him [Bro. Waggoner] up, and giving him freedom, that God had through testimony justified him, and condemned Bro. White, showing that he was right, and that Bro. White was wrong.

He made statements to several in the Office that any one who had discernment197could understand the purport of. It was Bro. Waggoner who gave tone to the religious excitement which was leading to fanaticism in Battle Creek. I do not feel, at the present time, like giving particulars. We were absent from Battle Creek at the time, but we felt urged by the Spirit of God to return immediately; for the enemy was at work, and the church was in danger. We commenced at once to counteract the work of confusion which had begun. The Lord helped us. Worn as my husband was, this additional anxiety did not tend to improve his health, or lessen his cares.

Bro. Waggoner had heard the testimony that Brn. Andrews, White, Waggoner, and Smith, should stand together in the great work before them, and all labor to one end, to advance the interests of the cause of God. Bro. Waggoner followed his own spirit, and overlooked the testimonies of warning which had been given to him. He should have known, by the repeated testimonies that the Lord has given him, that his judgment has been greatly perverted by home influence. His course has not been free from blame, even in his family. The spirit he met at his home, he carried with him in dealing with his brethren abroad. He has frequently been severe and overbearing, and made matters198more complicated than if he had never touched them. From the testimonies of warning the Lord has given Bro. Waggoner, he should have known that Battle Creek was not the place for him to labor.

Brn. Waggoner and Cornell have both shown great lack of faith and good judgment in talking with others in regard to their home trials, and creating sympathy for themselves. The Lord wrought mercifully to free them both from a curse which has crippled their influence, and nearly ruined their souls. They should both have praised God for their deliverance, and not shown their weakness by talking in reference to the matter, but kept to themselves their home troubles. These brethren have distrusted God, and shown weakness in talking so much before the people in the public congregation and in families, in regard to their physical infirmities. They said much about being exhausted, and experiencing a lack of strength, and their inability to labor. They wearied the people, and wearied the angels of God with their complaints, and the more they talked, the less strength did they receive from Heaven. They should have looked away from themselves to Jesus. He is a mighty deliverer, a strong tower, unto which the righteous run, and are safe. These brethren had no heavy burdens of the cause of199God upon them. They were so taken up with complaining, and in talking their unbelief, that God would not lay heavy responsibility upon them. And his grace and power were in accordance with their faith.

The worn condition of my husband after the Conference, in consequence of the additional cares and responsibilities of the work connected with the General Conference, was upon him. Bro. Waggoner interpreted, as did also some others, that the worn state of my husband was because he had been wrong, and the displeasure of the Lord was upon him. This was cruelty itself. After the testimony had been given that Brn. Andrews, Smith, Waggoner, and White, should stand together, uniting their interests for the advancement of the great truths which are testing the world, Bro. Waggoner forfeited my husband’s confidence by the course he pursued, and gave evidence how little he desired to carry out the design of God for this object. That my husband’s confidence in Bro. Waggoner was shaken, I cannot doubt, and that he has sufficient reason, I cannot question. My husband humbled himself before his brethren, and did all on his part to strengthen union of feelings and effort. I feel sad that Bro. Waggoner, who is a200strong man in Bible argument, should be so weak in many things where so much is at stake. This is not necessary. He might have strength from God, if he would obtain the victory over self. If he had followed the light, and if Bro. Cornell had followed the light, years ago, which God had given them, they might now both be mighty in word and the power of the Spirit of God, and their hearts and judgments would be sanctified, that they could deal with minds with the best results attending their labors. Self, in them, has not been crucified, and both are in great danger of making shipwreck of faith. The devil knows their special weaknesses, and he has communicated to his agents where they can be the most easily overcome, and at last gained to their cause. They are both in danger of being overcome instead of overcoming, because of a deficiency in their characters.

They can both, by taking hold of faith and the grace and power of God, while they do all that they can on their part, overcome self-confidence, get the victory over their peculiar besetments, and wear a crown of glory in the kingdom of God, brilliant with stars.

Continue reading: Missionary Work.