Signs of the Times, Book 1 - Ellen G. White

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 large number of the congregation. The single charge preferred
was that we had walked contrary to their rules. Upon our 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. 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. If the hope of
their Saviour's soon coming was mentioned, a feeling of displeasure was
manifested against them, and they were conscious of arousing a bitter spirit
of antagonism. We also reminded them that certain persons who had not
attended class-meeting for a year were yet held in good standing.
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 future. We answered that
we dared not yield our faith nor 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. My
father in his defense received the blessing of God, and we all left the vestry
with free spirits and happy in the consciousness of right and the approving
smile of Jesus. We felt the assurance that God was on our side, and he was
stronger than all that were against us.
The next Sunday, at the commencement of love-feast, Elder B ----- 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
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