Testimonies for the Church Vol 1 - Lansing SDA Church

Leaving the Methodist Church 43influence of my father and his family was such that our opposers had nodesire to present our case before a larger number of the congregation.The single charge preferred was that we had walked contrary to theirrules. Upon our asking what rules we had violated, it was stated,after a little hesitation, that we had attended other meetings, and hadneglected to meet regularly with our class. We stated that a portion of [43]the family had been in the country for some time past, that none whoremained in the city had been absent from class meeting more than afew weeks, and they were morally compelled to remain away becausethe testimonies they bore met with such marked disapprobation. Wealso reminded them that certain persons who had not attended classmeeting for a year were yet held in good standing.It was asked if we would confess that we had departed from theirrules, 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 truthof God; that we could not forego the hope of the soon coming of ourRedeemer; that after the manner which they called heresy we mustcontinue to worship the Lord. My father in his defense received theblessing of God, and we all left the vestry with free spirits, happy inthe consciousness of right and the approving smile of Jesus.The next Sunday, at the commencement of the love feast, thepresiding elder read off our names, seven in number, as discontinuedfrom the church. He stated that we were not expelled on account ofany wrong or immoral conduct, that we were of unblemished characterand enviable reputation, but we had been guilty of walking contraryto the rules of the Methodist Church. He also declared that a doorwas now open, and all who were guilty of a similar breach of the ruleswould be dealt with in like manner.There were many in the church who waited for the appearing of theSaviour, and this threat was made for the purpose of frightening theminto subjection. In some cases this policy brought about the desiredresult, and the favor of God was sold for a place in the church. Manybelieved, but dared not confess their faith, lest they should be turnedout of the synagogue. But some left soon afterward and joined thecompany of those who were looking for the Saviour.At this time the words of the prophet were exceedingly precious: [44]“Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for My name’s sake,