Removal to Michigan
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live with the people of God. They despised reproof, and would not
be corrected. They had an opportunity to know that theirs was an
unrighteous warfare. They had time to repent of their wrongs; but self
was too dear to die. They nourished it, and it grew strong, and they
separated from the trusting people of God, whom He is purifying unto
Himself. We all have reason to thank God that a way has been opened
to save the church; for the wrath of God must have come upon us if
these corrupt pretenders had remained with us.
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“Every honest soul that may be deceived by these disaffected ones,
will have the true light in regard to them, if every angel from heaven
has to visit them, to enlighten their minds. We have nothing to fear
in this matter. As we near the judgment, all will manifest their true
character, and it will be made plain to what company they belong. The
sieve is moving. Let us not say: Stay Thy hand, O God. The church
must be purged, and it will be. God reigns; let the people praise Him.
I have not the most distant thought of sinking down. I mean to be right
and do right. The judgment is to set, the books are to be opened, and
we are to be judged according to our deeds. All the falsehoods that
may be framed against me will not make me any worse, nor any better
unless they have a tendency to drive me nearer my Redeemer.”
From the time we moved to Battle Creek, the Lord began to turn our
captivity. We found sympathizing friends in Michigan, who were ready
to share our burdens and supply our wants. Old, tried friends in central
New York and New England, especially in Vermont, sympathized with
us in our afflictions, and were ready to assist us in time of distress.
At the Conference at Battle Creek in November, 1856, God wrought
for us. The minds of His servants were exercised as to the gifts of the
church. If God’s frown had been brought upon His people because the
gifts had been slighted and neglected, there was a pleasing prospect
that His smiles would again be upon us, that He would graciously
revive the gifts, and they would live in the church to encourage the
fainting soul, and to correct and reprove the erring. New life was given
to the cause, and success attended the labors of our preachers.
The publications were called for, and proved to be just what the
cause demanded. The Messenger of Truth soon went down, and the
discordant spirits who had spoken through it were scattered. My
husband was enabled to pay all his debts. His cough ceased, the pain
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and soreness left his lungs and throat, and he was gradually restored to