[We have received a letter from this brother, and would say that in view of his past course, the brethren assembled at Rochester, Nov. 20th, chose Brn. Orton, of this city, Arnold, of Volney, and Lampson, of Clarkson, to prepare a letter of admonition for him. This they did. The letter was then read, and it was the unanimous expression of the meeting that it should be sent to Bro Wyman. The following is his reply sent to us for publication.]
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—I will now improve the first leisure moments after receiving the letter from the committee, to address you, and the church in Rochester. I would say that I feel very thankful for the kind spirit that you have manifested towards unworthy me, after having grieved the Spirit of God, and bringing a reproach and a wound upon his suffering cause, and bringing a burden upon you and the household. I confess that I am guilty of these wrongs.—I frankly acknowledge that I have been exerting an influence that has been decidedly wrong, (supposing that I was doing the will of God.) I now see that I have been far out of the way, and have rendered myself unworthy of your confidence, and the confidence of the church. I am heartily sorry for the wrong that I have done, and would repent in dust and ashes before God, and humbly ask you to forgive me, and those that I have influenced against you. I am sorry for the trials that I have brought upon his people.—And while I realize what I have done I can hardly forgive myself.
IRA WYMAN.
Barre, N. Y.
Letter from Sister Shimper.
By Editor
[We have received a letter of confession from Sr. Shimper. It is certainly just that this should be published, also the statement of the council which we give, as this council has previously given a statement in the REVIEW, that Christian fellowship was withdrawn from Sr. Shimper. Here is her statement:—]
I can now freely say, that my accompanying Bro. Washington Morse, as he went to teach the truths of the third angel’s message was wrong. Also, I now see, that it was my privilege, as well as duty, to have submitted to the voice of the church, though my own mind was not clear, and thus have left the responsibility with them. This, I now consider gospel order. Further, I now believe that our great subtle Foe took advantage of a deep sense of the momentous time in which we live, the all-important truths connected with the last message of mercy, and the preciousness of souls, for whom Christ died, and caused me to mistake the true path of duty, which I most humbly and heartily deplore before God and man. I regret it, deeply regret it, and earnestly solicit the prayers of God’s people, that it may be overruled for the good and final salvation of those who have been affected by it. For myself, I yet hope to feel, that, though the chastening of the Lord for the present is grievous, it yieldeth the peaceable fruits of righteousness, and with the remnant to be permitted to stand even on Mount Zion with the Lamb.
Yours in trial,
East Bethel, Vt., Nov. 29th, 1853. F. M. SHIMPER.
S. O. HITCHCOCK
By S. O. Hitchcock
From Bro. Hitchcock.
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—I write a few lines to testify of my belief in the perpetuity of God’s law, which the Apostle called holy, just and good, and to which our Saviour referred, when he said: “Till Heaven and earth pass, one jot or one title shall in no wise pass from the law till all be fulfilled.” Christ did keep the moral law, and therefore became a perfect Saviour; fulfilled the ritual law, and nailed it to his cross. At the expiration of the 2300 days, commenced the cleansing of the sanctuary, by opening the door of, and entering, the Most Holy Place; around which door the little remnant will cluster, and with deep contrition of heart watch every event, keeping all the commandments of God, that through faith in the final atonement, the blessing of the Great High Priest may rest upon them, when he leaves the Sanctuary, and their sins be put upon the head of the scape-goat, and borne away, which fulfills the type.
Four or five years since I was firm in the belief of a Temporal Millennium. When I heard Bro. R. V. Lyon upon the Second Advent, and found that the close of the 2300 days, as rehearsed by him, was near the time which I had for the commencement of the Millennium, it led me to search more closely the word of prophecy; and by so doing, I found to my satisfaction, testimony and evidence that the coming of Christ was at the door. A goodly number in the same region believed, and run well for a time; but, at length, forsook the assembling of themselves together till our meetings were thinly attended. In this situation Brn. Baker, Wyman and Ingraham found us, and presented the third angel’s message. About that time our much loved Bro. Wheeler visited here, and quite a number of us embraced the message.
My family have now moved to Savoy. We are alone here in the faith of the present truth. Brethren, pray for us that our faith fail not. I believe that time is short, and our deliverance is near. It is my determination to obey God, by keeping all his commandments, and having an eye continually upon that beautiful kingdom, having respect unto the recompense of the reward, that I may with Paul receive a crown at the appearing of Christ.
S. O. HITCHCOCK
Savoy, Berkshire Co. Mass., Dec. 2d, 1853.
Report from Salem
By Joseph Harvey Waggoner
From Bro. Waggoner.
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—In company with Bro. Case I left Jackson, Mich., on the first day of the present month, and arrived at Salem, Ind., on the 3d. We found the brethren at Salem in trying circumstances; but we had liberty in presenting the word, we trust to the lasting benefit of some. We remained there, till the 20th inst. During our stay, ten were baptized—all firm and united in the present truth. Others, I think, will be ready to go forward in this ordinance as soon as opportunity offers. At Bristol, Elkhart Co., I parted with Bro. Case—he going north to Van Buren Co., Mich. Bro. Case is fully determined to continue in the good work, and find an entrance into the kingdom of God. I stopped at Kingsbury, Ind., and had a short, but very pleasant visit with Bro. Catlin. Bro. C. is firm in the truth, and wishes to be remembered by the brethren in his lonely situation. I also called on Bro. G. R. Clarke in Chicago, and I trust our visit was profitable, as it was mutually agreeable. In regard to the cause where I have been, I wish to say, that in outward appearances it is not prospering as in months past—conversions to the faith are not so frequent; yet in all the churches there is an increasing desire for holiness, and a determination to cast off the weights and remove the stumbling blocks. This is truly a cause for rejoicing, for when his children are living humble, and separating themselves from impurity, then God will work with and for them. I pray that the spirit of self-examination may increase and abound, till we shall all be purified unto Christ, a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
By letter received from Brn. Hall and Stephenson, I learn that God has been blessing their labors since I parted with them. My prayer is that we may all walk by faith and not by sight, and never be discouraged by what we may see, but always encouraged by what is promised.
Yours in love, J. H. WAGGONER.
Alden, Ill., Nov. 27th, 1853.
Withdrawal of Fellowship from Wm. A. Raymond
By Joseph Harvey Waggoner
THE church at Alden, McHenry Co. Ill., consider it their duty to make a statement of their action in the case of Bro. Wm. A. Raymond, in order that the cause of God be not reproached. They deem it necessary to withdraw fellowship from him for the following considerations:—By his injudicious and unchristian course he has brought a reproach upon the cause of Christ. He has refused to remove the causes of offence, after having promised so to do. He has accused the church of injustice and abuse in their labors with him, after having confessed the wrongs with which he was charged, and acquiesced in the action of the church; and he has aggravated his offences by taking counsel with those not in the present truth, endeavoring to enlist their sympathies in his behalf, to the prejudice of the church, and the injury of the cause of truth in the community.—Deeply feeling the necessity of obedience to the words of the Apostle, [2 Thess. iii, 14, 15,] “If any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother,” they withdraw their fellowship from him, until he shall, by a godly life, remove these offences; and they pray that God may grant him repentance unto salvation. Done by order of, and in behalf of the church, at Alden, Nov. 27th, 1853.
Attest. J. H. WAGGONER.
The True Disciples of Christ
By Harvey Myers
From Bro. Myers.
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—I am truly thankful for this opportunity of communicating a few lines to my dear brethren and sisters in the Lord.
Says the Saviour, They that do the will of my Father which is in Heaven, the same is my brother and sister and mother. By this expression is plainly designated the true disciples of the meek and lowly Jesus. Then we see that it is not those who profess, but those who possess the Spirit of Christ, and do the will or commandments of God the Father. Again, it is not all that say Lord, Lord, that shall enter into the kingdom of Heaven; but they that do the will of my Father which is in Heaven.
Says the true Shepherd and Bishop of our souls: ‘I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away; and every branch that beareth fruit he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit.’
These things have I spoken unto you that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
The Lord is adding to our number of such we trust as shall be saved. Brethren and sisters let us be faithful, and contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints. Let us fight the good fight of faith, and lay hold upon the hope set before us, and endure unto the end; for he who is our life will soon appear without sin unto salvation to them that look for him.
He which testifieth these things saith surely I come quickly. Amen, even so come Lord Jesus.
Yours in hope of the soon coming kingdom,
HARVEY MYERS.
Hebron, Jeff. Co., Wis., Dec. 1853.
Extract of Letters.
BRO. J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH writes from Milan, O., Dec. 1st, 1853: “I am about to leave this place to go to Clarksfield, some sixteen miles from this place, where some embraced the Sabbath under Bro. Bates’ labors. There is still an interest in that vicinity to hear the truth. Our meetings in Gaytown closed up last night. There has been a good interest manifested by a few. One has decided to keep the Sabbath.
“We are not without our trials; but they are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed. We feel encouraged to press on; for the prize will soon be given. The Lord is on the side of the commandment-keepers, and will bring them off victorious.”
BRO. E. GOODWIN writes from Oswego, N. Y., Dec. 4th, 1853:—“We are striving to overcome by the word of our testimony, and the blood of the Lamb, and to enter into life, keeping the commandments.—There are a few in this place who are willing to make a covenant with God by sacrifice, that they may be gathered together unto him when he comes. See Ps. 1, 5. We have been blessed and comforted by the visit of Bro. Bates; also of Bro. Hutchins, who held one evening meeting only with us. We had a sweet, heavenly time, and it had a good affect upon those that were in to hear. Several are convinced that we have the truth; but whether they will get strength enough to come out decidedly, the future will tell. I think if some one or two competent lecturers would come here and hold a series of meetings, much good might be done.”
Appointments.
By W. Phelps
THERE will be a Conference at Aztalon, Jeff. Co. Wis., to commence Sixth-day, Jan. 6th, 1854, and hold over Sabbath and First-day. Brn. Stephenson, Hall, Waggoner and others are requested to attend. Come, brethren, one and all!
In behalf of the friends, W. PHELPS.
New Tracts.
By Editor
The Sabbath by “Elihu;” 16 pages.
A True Picture, or Description of the Churches, by Robert Atkins; 15 pages.
We will send these Tracts and pay the postage, in packages not less than fifty, for one cent each.
We now design getting out a large edition of a series of twelve or fifteen Tracts, covering much of the ground of our faith, the size and price of those named. Notice will be given when they are published.
Letters.
L. Drew, W. Phelps, J. N. Loughborough , G. N. Collins, H. C. P., C. Smith, E. O. Smith, P. M., J. White, W. L. Saxby, J. Bates,
Receipts.
S. A. Jessup, D. T. Evans, J. Brown, Wm. Mott, J. Day, W. H. Brigham, W. C. Brigham, R. Cummings, A. H. Robinson, N. P. Clark, L. Stillman, S. Bailey, J. Forbs, E. Dow, R. Horr, A. A. Marks, C. Bailey, each $1.00.
J. F. Eastman, S. B. Craig, J. A. B. Calkins, A. Tuttle, G. Cobb, H. Myers, S. Snow, Sr. Bryant, B. F. Herbert, each $2.00.
M. G. Kellogg, F. R. S., each $3.00. L. Titus, S. Howland, each $5.00.
W. Chapman $1.90; L. Lowry $1.75; J. Wilcox $1.60; H. Wilcox $1.50; H. C. Crumb $1.30; N. Bain $0.75.