Visiting the Brethren
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Thus we continued until we arrived at Melbourne. We expected
to meet opposition there. Many who professed to believe in the near
coming of our Saviour fought against the law of God. We felt the
need of strength from God. We prayed that the Lord would manifest
Himself unto us. My earnest prayer was that the disease might leave
my throat, and that my voice might be restored. I had the evidence that
the hand of the Lord there touched me. The difficulty was instantly
removed, and my voice was clear. The candle of the Lord shone about
us during that meeting, and we enjoyed great freedom. The children
of God were greatly strengthened and encouraged.
Meeting At Johnson
Soon we returned to Vermont, and held a remarkable meeting at
Johnson. On our way we stopped several days at the home of Brother
E. P. Butler. We found that he and others of our brethren in northern
Vermont had been sorely perplexed and tried by the false teachings
and wild fanaticism of a group of people who were claiming entire
sanctification, and, under the garb of great holiness, were following a
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course of life that was a disgrace to the Christian name.
The two men who were leaders in the fanaticism were in life and
character much like those we met four years before in Claremont,
New Hampshire. They taught the doctrine of extreme sanctification,
claiming that they could not sin, and were ready for translation. They
practiced mesmerism, and claimed to receive divine enlightenment
while in a sort of trance.
They did not engage in regular work, but in company with two
women, not their wives, they traveled about from place to place, forcing
themselves upon the hospitality of the people. Through their subtle,
mesmeric influence, they had secured a large degree of sympathy from
some of the grown-up children of our brethren.
Brother Butler was a man of stern integrity. He was thoroughly
aroused to the evil influence of the fanatical theories, and was active
in his opposition to their false teachings and arrogant pretensions.
Moreover, he made it plain to us that he had no faith in visions of any
sort.
Rather reluctantly Brother Butler consented to attend the meeting
at the home of Brother Lovejoy at Johnson. The two men who were