Life sketches of ellen g. white

The Church Trial -- Not long after, we were notified to be
present at a meeting to be held in the vestry of the
church. There were but few present. The influence of my
father and his family was such that our opposers had no
desire to present our cases before a larger number of the
congregation. The single charge preferred was that we had
walked contrary to their rules. Upon asking what rules we
had violated, it was stated, after a little hesitation,
that we had attended other meetings, and had neglected to
meet regularly with our class. p. 52, Para. 2, [LS15].
We stated that a portion of the family had been in the
country for some time past, that none who remained in the
city had been absent from class meeting more than a few
weeks, and they were morally compelled to remain away
because the testimonies they bore met with such marked
disapprobation. We also reminded them that certain persons
who had not attended class meeting for a year were yet held
in good standing. p. 52, Para. 3, [LS15].
It was asked if we would confess that we had departed from
their rules, and if we would also agree to conform to them
in the future. We answered that we dared not yield our
faith or deny the sacred truth of God; that we could not
forego the hope of the soon coming of our Redeemer; that
after the manner which they called heresy we must continue
to worship the Lord. p. 53, Para. 1, [LS15].
My father in his defense received the blessing of God, and
we all left the vestry with free spirits, happy in the
consciousness of the approving smile of Jesus. p. 53,
Para. 2, [LS15].
The next Sunday, at the commencement of the love feast,
the presiding elder read off our names, seven in number, as
discontinued from the church. He stated that we were not
expelled on account of any wrong or immoral conduct, that
we were of unblemished character and enviable reputation;
but we had been guilty of walking contrary to the rules of
the Methodist church. He also declared that a door was now
open, and all who were guilty of a similar breach of the
rules would be dealt with in like manner. p. 53, Para. 3,
[LS15].
There were many in the church who waited for the appearing
of the Saviour, and this threat was made for the purpose of