Letter from J. B. Cook to F. G. Brown, written April, 1843.
By J. B. Cook
DEAR BROTHER BROWN:—It gives me pleasure to be able to add my humble testimony to yours, relative to our glorious appearing, and the influence of this truth on the heart and life. "In the mouth of the three witnesses every word shall be established."
It is an interesting fact, that there are several ministers, one of the Episcopal church, another of the Baptist, and another of the Congregational, whose deep and awful convictions of these things may be expressed in your own language. Indeed, all with whom I have conversed, who are waiting for the coming of Jesus, have substantially the same experience. In most instances, it is in advance of all ordinary Christian experience. It cuts the soul loose from the world, lifts it above the earth, and fills it with glory and with God. They feel, speak, pray, and sing with unwonted energy. They are more like the first Christians than any whom I have known. On the day of Pentecost they felt so deeply, spoke with such power, and were so much above the fear of man, that unbelievers said, "These men are filled with new wine." It was not natural for poor men to feel so happy and independent. It was not common for uneducated men to utter such strong emotions in such resistless argument, without something to excite them. It is apparent, also, that the Second Advent friends have something that is not natural to them; therefore, they ascribe it to some cause.—They know that we do not drink wine, and they dare not say it is from Satan; hence they aver that we are crazy. Anything to set aside the agency of the Holy Ghost. A fact may not be amiss: One of my good deacons, who felt obliged to account for my depth of feeling for the salvation of men, and burning love to Christ and his appearing, said, in a neighboring city, that I must be crazy. He called several times, from sheer sympathy, to see me; we did not dispute, but sung, and then bowed in solemn prayer till all prayed.—The good deacon, though he felt like a great sinner under awful conviction, was touched, and made more willing to look at our Lord's coming. In a short time he became quite as crazy as his so much pitied pastor. But now he knows "we are not
mad." No upright mind can long ascribe this spiritual phenomena to any other agency than that of the good Spirit, which applies the most overwhelming truths to the soul.
Judging from facts, which have come under my own observation, I should think that thousands have had an experience, in all its leading characteristics, like our own. Our spirit is one—our views, our language, our desire the same.—Each pulsation of my soul beats in unison with yours. Six ministers, as I have learned very recently, say their experiences agree with ours.—There is a flood of light poured on our minds from the Bible. The seals of the prophecies seem broken off, and the mysteries unraveled—indeed, the Sacred Volume seems all light, the blessed Saviour its fullness, and the glory to be revealed as in open vision. I have learned more of the present and prospective condition of man, more of Christ and his kingdom, during the past few weeks, than during all my former life. My soul reposes on God, and seems satisfied with its having, at least, a clue to his purposes relating to man.
The nature and reality of our experience may be seen by contrasting it with those who have opposed the speedy coming of our Lord. Were we in a delusion, and our opponents basking in the sunshine of truth, we might expect to see them just so much more spiritual and separate from the world, and zealous for the Lord of Hosts. But alas, their Lord seems, as he says he will, in the parable of the talents, to have taken away what they had. Many of them lose their interest in prayer, even for inquiring souls. I have seen them go straightway into darkness, their lamps go out, and they feel and say that they are wretched. Now my brother, "do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?" "Make the tree good, then the fruit will be good." The truth is adapted to our minds. It sits easily and naturally on our hearts. It is attended by the good Spirit, makes us at home with God in prayer, at peace with ourselves, and to feel compassion toward all mankind. If, therefore, any feel at war with themselves, and in sympathy with the wicked, they have proof positive that they are wrong—radically wrong. This experimental truth is so simple that every mind can grasp it. Every one, not a stranger to themselves and to truth, must see that when love to God burns within, till it absorbs the whole soul, and our eyes are opened to see that we should warn the world, doomed to fire—when we are "crucified to the world, and the world to us," we must be actuated by a spirit that is not of this world. It is the good Spirit, which has no sympathy with sin, in the church, or out of it. This experience, standing out in such striking contrast with that above stated, is a strong confirmation of prophecy. Thousands who do not receive our views, say that we are in the last days, but the Spirit must be "poured out" according to prophecy. Now we may ask, where are any more remarkable proofs of this fulfillment, than in cases like our own, among those who believe the Lord's coming at the doors?
Allow me to say some things, which I feel compelled to, though they may seem severe. They are severe, however, only because they are, I solemnly believe, true. Nothing but the truth searches out and shows up what is opposed to the simplicity of Christ. My mind seems to have been like that of the prophet of God, in the chambers of imagery. The views I have had of the church are awfully solemn. It gives me no pleasure to allude to them—I should not, but from a painful conviction of duty, "That which makes manifest is truth." It is manifest to me, that the ruling spirit of this world controls most professors in their dress, in their sanctuaries, in the order of their worship, in the rage of a popular ministry, and in the means for perpetuating such a ministry as the worldly, rather than the spiritually minded, will follow and applaud. The minister who pleases the rich, and secures their attendance by the poetry and eloquence of his sermons, is praised, on the same principle that a successful lawyer or mercantile adventurer is. "Men will praise thee when thou doest well for thyself." But alas, this kind of doing well by a minister, is,127I solemnly fear, but a device of the devil to destroy souls. There are many powerful elements in our nature which the tempter employs to make us worldly. They are employed with tremendous effect to make professors dress fashionably, walk to the house of God fashionably, sit up in church fashionably, worship fashionably, preach and pray fashionably, and, though deeply pained to record it, truth adds, go to hell fashionably! Fashionable disciples of a crucified Jesus! The sin of the Pharisees was unbelief. It was occasioned by their yielding to the spirit of the world. "How can ye believe, who receive honor one of another, and seek not the honor that cometh from God only?"
When we with Christian faithfulness say these things to those who most need warning, they regard us a little as Ahab did Elijah: "Art thou he that troubleth Israel?" But were we silent, these very ministers would mark our inconsistency.—Many ministers and people unite to hinder the breaking of the slumbers of the church by the revealed truth that Christ is coming. Alas! that they do not see that opposition to his Second Advent is more sinful than was the opposition of the scribes and Pharisees to him at his First Advent: then he came to suffer and die, now he is coming to be glorified. He is coming to reward all his injured servants. O, it is "far more exceeding" sinful for them to oppose the Saviour's coming now, than eighteen hundred years ago. They have more light—they oppose the destruction of the man of sin, the consummation of Christ's glory, and the happiness of all his servants. They would perpetuate the reign of sin and Satan, and see hundreds of thousands going weekly to perdition.
That the church is seeking to perpetuate the existing state of things, is seen in all that is said and done to resist a change. It is seen in the advice given to ministers to adapt their discourses to the taste of respectable ungodliness. Thousands of pastors would lose their places, did they not conform, and leave sin in its more specious forms unrebuked. One minister just told me that his people wanted him to cater to the Unitarian palate of his audience. Many ministers need no such advice from without to induce them to such a course.—They are too "wise and prudent" to risk much on God's word. They want a "sign"—something to insure them. So did the chief priests; and so they were damned. Could I speak in thunder tones, I would say to every one who is fearful to follow the word and Spirit of God, "O ye of little faith."—You tell a sinner to cast himself on God—why don't you? Unbelief in a minister of Christ is far more sinful than in a skeptic, whose mind has always been darkened. Their excuse is, that there are difficulties about the prophetic periods; but you are right in saying that if we set aside all the evidence from that source, we ought still to expect the speedy coming of our Lord. Thousands have become assured of it, by the current language of Scripture, sent home to the heart by the Spirit.
It is not for me to judge or set at naught my brother—but it is for me to give full utterance to truth, when our Lord has written it on my heart. He has written out two classes of ministers, as plainly as he has two classes of people. Matt. vii, 21-27. One class digs deep, and does God's will at all hazards—does not, dares not, flinch, though traduced and despised: these stand. The other class do many things—achieve wonders—are highly esteemed, but they build on human wisdom and prudence, which is folly—'tis sliding sand. This class "fall" forever.
In Matt. xxiv, 42-51, our Lord has given us a pair of scales in which all ministers may be weighed. One class is free to avow their expectation of their Lord's coming. They do not fear a failure; therefore they say to the household, be ye ready, trim your lamps, have them well filled and burning. Let your work be all done and well done.—Now what says the Judge? "Blessed is that servant"—"He will make him ruler."
The other class is not looking for the Lord's coming. From some cause they say that our Lord is not now to be expected. They call their fellow-servants, who would rouse the household, weak, or deluded, or insane. O, that they would read their doom! They say to others, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be damned." My soul is pained to see ministers living in disregard of more plain and pointed descriptions of their character and their doom, than did the scribes and Pharisees. If courtesy or charity demands silence of me as to the doom which Jesus has written out before-hand, for those who say their "Lord delayeth his coming;" then are they required, on the same principle, to hush the note of alarm, given to arouse the unbelievers in their congregation! No, no, it is not charity to be silent. It is treason to Christ, and cruelty to man, either to suppress or misconstrue the doom of the unbeliever, or the unfaithful minister.
My brother, we must renounce all our ideas of faith and spiritual guidance, and become infidels in heart, before we can cherish a doubt as to which of the above classes we and all other ministers should belong. At all events, I go for trusting all with God—for following the Lamb whithersoever he leads. When the truth is seen, it should be received, though it subject us to a banishment in our day, as painful as was that of Roger Williams.—Nay, it should be proclaimed, though it consigned us to the fiery furnace, seven times heated. I hear the Judge saying, "If any man come to me, and hate not father and mother, wife and children, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple." These are fearful words, because they cut off so large a portion of those for whom we would entertain a hope.
Our Lord is coming—no one can dispute this except they be ignorant, or at heart infidels. Then let us preach his coming, in public and in private. If our ministering brethren shut us out, it will be one fearful token against them. Isa. lxvi, 3. "Hear the word of the Lord, ye that tremble at his word. Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the Lord be magnified: but He shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed." I pity them, from my soul. Father, forgive them. Amen!
The accompanying letter shows the progress of my mind in relation to the Second Advent, and is at your service. Adieu.
Yours in the blessed hope,
J. B. Cook.
A Christian Secretary Embraces Advent Truth
By J. B. Cook
From the Christian Secretary.
Middletown, Jan. 30th, 1843.
BRO. BURR:—I feel very solemn in making this communication. It may surprise some, make others think me weak and wavering, and others still, that I am as Festus thought Paul, mad; but no—I "speak forth the words of truth and soberness."—My object is, in part, to forestall false reports of what is passing here. We are having Second Advent meetings in our church, and my views and feelings have undergone a great change. It began last August, by a singularly sweet and holy influence, which led me to pray over and investigate this subject. It was not by human agency, for I was alone with God. It was not from a prepossession in its favor, because I was as much afraid of it as many unconverted men are of religion. If I were ever led by the Holy Spirit, or if I knew what this leading is, that blessed guide of God's people led me solemnly to contemplate this subject. Having been very much engaged through the Winter, my investigations have proceeded slowly, till the 21st inst., when brother Stoddard began to lecture. I need not describe the great change of which I have been the subject. Suffice it to say, I have never, since my conversion, felt so much like a young convert as I do now. I fear neither poverty, nor reproach—indeed, I dread nothing save the displeasure of God. My prejudice, my pride, my desire to please men, seems to be gone; so that I am the Lord's freeman. Let me say, then, that I am solemnly persuaded that the doctrine of our blessed Lord's speedy coming is of God.
I have not time to furnish you with but a brief statement of the hope that is in me. I had read the prophecies with much interest, and had learned something of what others have written, but still darkness, more or less dense, seemed to shroud them from my view. My understanding was not convinced. Now I am persuaded—my mind reposes in the persuasion that the truth is seen. To show that the clouds of darkness have shrouded this portion of God's word, this fact is in point.—An infidel, having read Prof. Stuart, said, "Well, he makes the Bible mean but very little, and that is the opinion I always had of it." I frankly confess that many of the prophecies have very little meaning in my view, if they be interpreted as they have been. Their obscurity has been increased—their darkness has been perpetuated, by overlooking their simplicity.
I got some views, thirteen years since, from Elder Frey concerning the Jews' return, which I have ever entertained, because I was sure he was an honest and unwearied student of the prophecies.—But just come out from the poetry and symbolic prophecy of the Old Testament, where the distinction between the national and the real Israel is not very accurately maintained, into the clearer light of the New. Here the Old Covenant is seen to have been vanishing away more than seventeen hundred years ago. Now don't supply another idea. "That which decayeth and waxeth old, is ready to vanish away (not restored.) "They that are under the law are under the curse," (not under the promise.) They adhered only to "the letter," which killed, and rejected the promise, which alone could give life. They invoked the blood of Messiah on them, and wrath came on them to the uttermost. These passages should be understood as they say. As many of the Jews as adhered to "the law,"—"the letter," the Old Covenant, have perished. This was so at the destruction of Jerusalem, and has been so since; by consequence all other Jews, as really as Gentiles, who are not brought off from the Old Covenant must perish, because the law cannot restore Jews more than Gentiles. If they be ever graffed in, it must be "by faith." If they ever become the children of God, they must believe in Christ. Gal. iii, 8-10, 26-30.
There are only two Jerusalems answering to the two covenants. The old has nothing left but a few fragments floating down the current of time.—It is a wreck from which none are saved, except those who are brought off by Christ. They must let go and betake themselves to the better Covenant which directs their minds to the Jerusalem above—"the city which hath foundations—the heavenly country." Now the obscure in prophecy should be interpreted by this plain, unambiguous language. Then all is clear, that the unbelieving Jews of our day are lost, as really as in the first age of Christianity, except they repent. The inheritance given to Abraham by promise, and which is "sure to all the seed," is the heavenly Jerusalem, and this is according to God's promise, "in the new heavens and the new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness." I mean to say that there is no third or immediate Jerusalem. As to the signs, I have not room to say but a word. It seems to me plain, that as the Jewish Christians had signs given them, by which they might know when to escape, so has our Lord given us signs of his second coming. Nay, he has fulfilled them in this generation literally. He says, therefore, "Know that it is nigh, even at the doors." This, then, is my solemn conviction, that the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. I lift up my head in hope, and say, "Even so, come Lord Jesus, come quickly."—Amen!
I do affectionately entreat my brethren in the ministry to give this subject a candid, prayerful investigation. You will be greatly blessed, if I may judge from my experience, in opening your pulpits as well as your hearts. But let others do as they may, I will not be among the "foolish virgins," nor among "the fearful and unbelieving."—May none of you be.
Yours, J. B. Cook.
"Brethren, pray for us."
In these closing hours of trial and darkness, how welcome is the kind greeting of a fellow pilgrim, whose eye is fixed upon the same star in the east.—How encouraging is the interchange of confidence and128the mutual expression of faith and zeal, and how unspoken the chord of union that binds to the cross of a coming Saviour. But for a little moment, we still meet to part again, and the farewell pledge is often spoken, “brethren, pray for us.”
Oh, it is a sacred word that often echoes long around the secret altar of the heart. And can we then forget! No, brethren, let us pray, and ever bring, in the prevailing hour, our fellow watchers, to the MERCY-SEAT.
The True Doctrine of the Bible
By S. Woodhull
From Bro. Woodhull.
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS:—With pleasure I write a few lines concerning the faith we profess.
We still hold on to the commandments, and are trying to keep them, regardless of the scoffs of the children of the Beast.
No sooner does a child of God come out on the broad platform of Apostolic truth, and begin to "restore the old paths," than some of the professed ministers, and disciples of Christ cry out in the language of Scripture: Be not carried about by every wind of doctrine. Now I have been looking at this wind of doctrine, to see upon whose head the judgments of following "wind of doctrine" will fall.
The whole matter is summed in a very few words. They will fall on those who have left the Gospel of Christ and his apostles. I, for one, feel willing to step close up to the great rule, and if I am too short or too long, let me be fitted accordingly. Who has the true doctrine? We say that Christ's coming is near, even at the doors. We say that the signs of his coming show that it is near. The working of Satan through spirit mediums show that it is near; and another prominent sign is the united opposition of the world and church to his coming, and their fallen condition in consequence of their rejection of the truth.
I ask, who has the true doctrine of the Bible?—Let the rule, or Bible itself, answer: "But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to smite his fellow-servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; the lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, and shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Matt. xxiv, 48–51. By these texts it is clear who have the truth.
The popular churches teach that there will be a thousand years Millennium before Jesus comes, and all, through their agency and instrumentality. But who did they get their agency from? If from God, then their doctrine is in the Bible. But as it can't be found, not even a shadow of it, we must conclude that it is a doctrine of the devil, or else one of their own make. In either case we want nothing to do with it.
In my estimation, the doctrine of a Millennium, as taught by the great mass of professing Christians, is a damnable heresy; for as I understand it, it is equivalent to saying, Where is the promise of his coming? and they say all things shall continue and grow better and better for one thousand years. But the Bible says, "the wheat and the tares shall grow together until the harvest." "Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived." It is damnable because it works in the same harness with the evil spirits. That is, it teaches the same doctrine; and we believe that these spirits "are the spirits of devils, working miracles," as brought to view in Rev. xvi, 14.
We believe that the earth is to be restored to its primitive state of holiness and beauty, and that the meek shall inherit it in all its loveliness. Glory, and honor, and power, be unto our God who has given us such views of the future. This world looks very gloomy when compared with the inheritance that God has in reserve for those who love him, and keep his commandments. We rejoice in prospect of being permitted to live in the earth made new.
"O when shall come the moment,
When brighter far than morn,
The sunshine of thy glory,
Shall on thy people dawn."
Blessed be God that that glory is about to burst upon his people; then we shall spend a thousand years with Jesus—free from a tempting devil, until the time comes for the earth to be cleansed and given to the saints of the Most High.
Because we are keeping God's holy day, on which he "rested from all his work," and are trying to so live that we may escape those things that are coming on the earth, and because we believe that the first and second angels of Rev. xiv, 6–8, have given their messages to the world, and that the third is now being given—for these views we are scoffed at, and they say it is a "wind of doctrine," and then try to draw our minds away from the truth, without ever once looking into the scriptures to see if these things are so.
The coming of the Lord, the establishment of his everlasting kingdom, the restoration of the earth as the inheritance of the saints, have been preached by God's messengers, and men have rejected them, and God has withdrawn his Spirit from them, and has suffered them to go to sleep, upon the very verge of the opening scenes of the future world. But thanks be to God who has preserved a little remnant, who have kept awake; and O may we become more and more awake, and more alarmed, than we have ever been, that when the "covering shall be drawn over God's people," we may all be found to have the seal of the living God in our foreheads. O then we shall mount up free from the shackles that now bind us to earth. How easy then to shout, glory!
We feel as though we wanted a deeper work of God wrought in us, that we may be able to give more glory to God, and be better prepared to stand the buffetings of satan, and the cruel mockings of the wicked. Those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, will have a "hard row to hoe," as the saying is, up to the time of the coming of our Saviour. This we may expect and prepare ourselves to meet; for Jesus said, through much tribulation shall ye enter the kingdom. The world is to hate us, if we are the Lord's. It can't help but do it; for it is led captive by satan at his will, and he has no sympathy with Christ or his followers. We have great need of encouragement and help from each other in this trying time. Our numbers are few, scattered in different parts of the country.
We feel that we are growing firmer in the present truth, and our prayer is, that God would give us more patience, more faith, and more of his Holy Spirit, that we may be able to stand against all the wiles of the adversary. We talk these truths to our neighbors: some acknowledge it to be truth, but none, as yet, feel willing to make the proper sacrifice. We desire to leave them with the Lord, and trust in him to make his word quicker and sharper than any two-edged sword.
It gives us encouragement to hear from those of like precious faith. It would rejoice our hearts to see you; and we trust, if we are faithful, we shall soon be permitted to meet in the kingdom of God. We beg an interest in your prayers, that we may be strengthened and filled with the Spirit.
Yours in the truth, S. WOODHULL.
Olcott, N. Y., Oct. 1853.
COMMUNICATIONS.
By Henry B. Steadman
From Bro. Steadman.
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—I can truly say that the Lord is good in showing his children the true light that now shines, which is the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Although we live in a dark corner of the earth, yet the Lord has not refused to give us the light of his blessed Word. I thank the Lord for the truth—the third angel’s message, which is now proclaimed in the demonstration of the Holy Ghost. We read many cheering letters from those we never expect to see in this world, but whom we hope to meet in the kingdom of God, there to sing his praises, with all the redeemed in glory, for ever.
We meet with much opposition on our way; but we read that they that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
O may the Lord give us grace to overcome, that we may set with him on his throne. And may the Lord grant that his truth may prosper in this part of his moral vineyard.
Yours in hope of eternal life,
HENRY B. STEADMAN.
New Shoreham, R. I., Oct. 11th, 1853.
Growing Stronger in the Faith
By A. G. Phelps
From Bro. Phelps.
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—It is with pleasure that I address a few lines to you to acknowledge the receipt of that valuable paper, the Review, and contribute my mite for its support. It is read in my family with great pleasure, and I trust profit. We also think the Instructor is the right kind of a paper for the young. We pray the Lord to sanctify it to the good of the children of the remnant.
The little band in this place are growing stronger in the Faith, striving to keep all the commandments of God, and the testimony of Jesus Christ. We are surrounded with bitter opposers to the Advent, and they manifest still more hatred against the Sabbath of the Lord; but none of these things move us. We feel determined, by the assisting grace of God, to overcome every besetment, and every wrong word, thought and action, and get the victory over the beast and over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name, that we may stand on Mount Zion with the Lamb. We ask the prayers of God’s people.
Your unworthy brother, A. G. Phelps.
Packwaukie, Mich., Sept. 29th, 1853.
Appointments.
Providence permitting, I will hold meetings as follows : Oswego, N. Y., Sabbath and First-day, Oct. 29th and 30th, as the brethren may appoint. Manlius, Sabbath and First-day, Nov. 5th and 6th, as Brn Holt and Cook may appoint. Chester Factory, Mass., Nov. 8th, at 2 P. M. and 6 1/2 P. M., where Bro. Blair, and other brethren may appoint. Springfield, Nov. 9th, afternoon and evening. Boston 10th, 6 1/2 P. M. Fairhaven, Mass., Sabbath Nov. 12th.
J. Bates.
Joseph Baker and J. N. Andrews will hold meetings in Champlain, N. Y., or where Bro. Whipple may appoint, Nov. 5th and 6th.
We will meet with the brethren at New Haven, Vt., Oct. 28th and 29th.
James White.
☞ We shall probably be at home, about the 1st of November.
Ed.
To Correspondents.
By Editor
Bro. Clark, of Grand Rapids.—Your communication was received the evening we left Rochester. ED.
Wm. Graham.—Your money was received and credited on our books, for the Tract—“The Sabbath,” by Elihu.
Receipts.
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H. Penfield, E. Pike, D. Daniels, L. Roder each $2; a Friend $3; a Brother in Conn. $5; J. P. Rathbun $1,75; L. Woodworth $3,25 P. A. Gammons $0,40; B. B. Brigham $0,25, for A. B. S.; J. Van Leaven $0,50.