SUPPLEMENT
TO ZION’S WATCH TOWER AND HERALD OF CHRIST’S PRESENCE
— To The Readers Of "The Herald Of
The Morning"
JUNE 1879
"Dear
Friends:"
"I have
been a Bible student since I first had my attention called to the second coming
of our Lord, by Jonas Wendell, a Second Advent Preacher, about 1869,
who was then preaching the burning of the world as being due in 1873. But
though he first awakened my interest on the subject, I was not a convert,
either to the time he suggested nor to the events he predicted. I, in company
with others in Pittsburgh, organized and maintained a Bible class for the
searching of the Scriptures, meeting every Sunday."
"We
reasoned that, if Christ’s coming were to end probation, and bring irrevocable
ruin upon ninety-nine in a hundred of mankind; then it could scarcely be
considered desirable, neither could we pray with proper spirit, "Come,
Lord Jesus, Come quickly!" We had rather request-much as we should
"love his appearing"-that he remain away and our sufferings and
trials continue so that "if by any means we might save some." Not
only so, but great masses of scripture referring to the Millennial glory and
teaching that "All nations which thou hast made shall come and worship
before thee," &c., &c., would be left unfulfilled if at His coming
there should be a wreck of matter and a crush of world."
"We first
saw Millennial glory-then the glorious work which is offered us as His Bride;
that we are by faith the "seed of Abraham;" and as such, heirs of the
promises, &c., in whom "all the families of the earth shall be
blest." (Gal. 3) This most certainly points to a probation in the future
after He has come. Thus, speedily, steadily and surely God led us to recognize
the second coming of our Lord as being not the sunset of all hope to mankind,
but the rising of the Sun of Righteousness with healing in his wings."
"The Lord
gave us many helps in the study of His word, among whom stood prominently, our
dearly beloved and aged brother, George Storrs, who, both by word and pen, gave
us much assistance; but we ever sought not to be followers of men, however good
or wise, but "Followers of God, as dear children." Thus growing in
grace and knowledge for seven years, the year 1876 found us."
"Up to this
time we persistently ignored times and looked with pity upon Mr. Thurman’s and Mr. Wendell’s ideas. (the
latter was preaching the same time as Bro. Barbour; viz: The burning of the
world in 1873.) We regarded those ideas as unworthy of consideration, for
though we believed the event "nigh even at the doors," yet we
recognized the fact that the church will be withdrawn-translated-before there
would be any open manifestation to the world, or, in other words, the two
stages of Christ’s second advent, viz: coming for his saints, and coming with
all his saints."
THE WATCH TOWER
JULY 15,
1906
"Among
other theories, I stumbled upon Adventism. Seemingly by accident, one evening I
dropped into a dusty, dingy hall, where I had heard religious services were
held, to see if the handful who met there had anything more sensible to offer
than the creeds of the great churches. There, for the first time, I heard
something of the views of Second Adventists, the preacher being Mr. Jonas
Wendell, long since deceased. Thus, I confess indebtedness to Adventists
as well as to other denominations. Though his Scripture exposition was not
entirely clear, and though it was very far from what we now rejoice in, it was
sufficient, under God, to re-establish my wavering faith in the divine
inspiration of the Bible, and to show that the records of the apostles and
prophets are indissolubly linked. What I heard sent me to my Bible to study
with more zeal and care than ever before, and I shall ever thank the Lord for
that leading; for though Adventism helped me to no single truth, it did help me
greatly in the unlearning of errors, and thus prepared me for the Truth."
"I soon
began to see that we were living somewhere near the close of the Gospel age,
and near the time when the Lord had declared that the wise, watching ones of
his children should come to a clear knowledge of his plan. At this time, myself
and a few other truth-seekers in Pittsburgh and Allegheny formed a class for
Bible study, and from 1870 to 1875 was a time of constant growth in grace and
knowledge and love of God and his Word. We came to see something of the love of
God, how it had made provision for all mankind, how all must be awakened from
the tomb in order that God’s loving plan might be testified to them, and how
all who exercise faith in Christ’s redemptive work and render obedience in
harmony with the knowledge of God’s will they will then receive, shall then
(through Christ’s merit) be brought back into full harmony with God, and be
granted everlasting life. This we saw to be the Restitution work foretold in
Acts 3:21. But though seeing that the Church was called to joint-heirship with
the Lord in the Millennial Kingdom, up to that time we had failed to see
clearly the great distinction between the reward of the Church now on trial and
the reward of the faithful of the world after its trial, at the close of the
Millennial age—that the reward of the former is to be the glory of the
spiritual, divine nature, while that of the latter is to be the glory of
restitution—restoration to the perfection of human nature once enjoyed in Eden
by their progenitor and head, Adam."
BIBLE EXAMINER
VOL. IX. NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 1, 1854. NO. 3.
FROM J. WENDELL.
Edinboro, Penn,
Janurary 18, 1854.
Br. Storrs: The light of
"life, only through Christ," is spreading in these parts, though not
without opposition. The other evening I preached on the subject and, after I
close, a Methodist minister arose and spoke in defense of their
"traditions," and closed by saying we made man like the beast. I
remarked, in reply, that we did not make man like the beast, but God declares
he is so; and then quoted #Ec 3:18,20; Ps 49:20. Thus, while God declares man to be
"like the beasts that perish," you correct the Almighty, and say man
is like God. Where is your authority? Where your proof from the Bible? I
admit you have, in the Bible, one proof text for your position, and only one,
viz: #Ge
3:4-5.
But I reject your witness; he stands impeached by all the other witnesses, as
well as by direct testimony, that he is a liar from the beginning. The
discussion lasted till near midnight. I then told him I should be happy to meet
him at any time, and discuss the question, but he would not agree to meet me.
It has created quite an interest, and I am invited in every direction to come
and preach the word of life—all new places. I have been here but a few weeks,
and the traveling has been bad—no sleighing nor wagoning; consequently, I have
remained near home; but the prospect seems fair for doing good, but the
blessing of God, which I pray may rest upon all our efforts. Amen.
THE WORLD'S CRISIS
12-27-1871
From
Bro. J. Wendell.
BRO.
GRANT: -- I left home for Norwalk, O., Thursday, Oct. 19th, where I arrived the
same evening, and had the privilege of attending their weekly prayer meeting. I
found it good to be there; preached to them every evening, and three times on
Sunday; also Monday and Tuesday evenings. On Saturday and Sunday was their
regular quarterly meeting; hence he had the privilege of meeting brethren and
sisters from the surrounding churches. The Lord blessed us in our labor of
love; the church was strengthened in their faith and hope, and the Lord added
to their number such as we hope to be saved when Jesus comes. We were earnestly
urged to remain longer time with them, but we had engagements we felt in duty
bound to meet.
Wednesday,
Oct. 25th, in company with Bros. Alling, Jefferson, and Judson, left the dear
friends of Norwalk, and went to Fairfield, where we had the privilege in the
evening of meeting a good congregation in their commodious new chapel and
speaking to them on the subject of our "blessed hope," and the time
of its realization. May the Lord bless the word to them.
Thursday, Oct. 26th, left Fairfield for the Ohio State Conference, Nevada, where we arrived on Friday. Here I met many who sought the Lord a few years ago, during one of the most extensive revivals I ever witnessed. God bless them. I had the opportunity of speaking to them five times on the "present truth." May they with me be ready to meet the Bridegroom when he shall return.
Sunday,
Nov. 5th, met with the church in Pittsburgh, Penn., and remained with them
about four weeks. We had meetings three times during the week, and three times
on Sunday. After I had been there two weeks, Bro. G.W. Stetson of Ohio came to
my help, and is to remain till the 17th inst., at which time (if the Lord will)
I am to return, and remain with them for a season. The meeting thus far have
resulted in great good. The church in Pittsburgh have been like sheep without a
shepherd. On the last Sunday I was with them, the church unanimously invited
Bro. Clowes to be their under shepherd, to which he consented. Bro. Clowes was
until recently a minister of the M.E. church of Pittsburgh. Last summer (as was
noticed at the time in the Crisis) he was tried for what they called heresy,
and expelled from their conference. God bless Bro. Clowes. He is a true man,
one who loves the truth of God more than the praise of men.
Edenboro,
Pa., Dec. 6th.
Bro. Grant:
Since closing my labors with the N.Y.S. Mission Tent last fall, my labor has
been with the church in this place, and in an adjoining county. During the
winter we had Bro. G.W. Stetson of Ohio with us in a protracted effort for four
weeks, which resulted, we humbly trust, in much good; the church was revived,
and wanderers were induced to return. To God be all the glory. Amen.
The church in
Edinboro numbers something over 100 members, but they are scattered over a
territory of several miles, and for a few years have had no pastor, but only
occasionally a sermon—they had become scattered as sheep without a shepherd. At
the close of our protracted meetings, Bro. Stetson was invited by the church to
take the pastoral charge of the same, which he consented to do from May 1 next.
May God bless pastor and church is my prayer. Amen.
Should my life
and health continue, I shall (if the Lord will) after May 1 go ‘into the
regions beyond,’ and proclaim in the ears of this doomed world the swift
judgment of God and give to the household ‘meat in due season.’
Jonas Wendell
THE
WORLD’S CRISIS Wednesday, September 10, 1873
G.
W. STETSON
He was born December 25th,
1815, and fell asleep August 14th, 1873. Age fifty seven years, seven months,
and fourteen days. He experienced remission of sins in Syracuse, N.Y., about
1843, and united with the M.E. church. About 1845 he came into the truth of
life and immortality in Christ only, of his soon coming, and reign with the
saints on earth renewed, and the everlasting destruction of the finally
impenitent wicked. He began preaching these views at Syracuse, in 1847, and was
instrumental in bringing Bro. C.B. Turner into the faith. HE was committed to
what has since been called, "the 1854 movement," and was very
sanguine in the correctness of the chronological data given, as reaching to
"the end of the days," and the time of the promised blessing. The
time passing without a realization of the expected event, his "faith
failed him," as a result of overweening confidence in human computations
of time, and human misapplication of data divinely given; and he turned aside
from "the word," and got out of "the way," and for several
years "went astray."
Bro. Turner becoming
acquainted with these facts in his life, moved with true Christian
philanthropy, came to Edenboro in the winter of 1864-1865, and proved
instrumental in Bro. Wendell's recovery and restoration. He resumed
"preaching the word," and his labors were owned and greatly blessed
in Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, and New England, from 1865 to 1871; since when
he has been in failing health. I had particularly noticed that, for the last
year especially, his powers of life, and memory seemed to be failing him
rapidly; but during the same time his faith, love, purity of life, and
spiritual mindedness, were as markedly and correspondingly increasing. He had
settled on 1873 as the year in which "the hope of seeing Jesus and being
made like him" should be realized by a waiting and expectant church, and
set forth the reasons for his hope in a little work entitle, "Present
truth," or "Meat in Due Season," to which Bro. E. Wolcott (of
Keysport, N. J.), has added an essay on "The End." (I have a supply
of these, for free distribution. Send stamps with orders for mailing.)
From June 15 to July 5th,
Bro. Wendell was with the N. W. Pennsylvania mission tent, conjointly with Bro.
Sweet and Ongley, and thence to July 10 at the "Time Conference," in
Rochester, N.Y. From there he came home to adjust some pecuniary matters
preparatory to his return to the Mission Tent. On Aug. 7th, he called to see
Bro. Goodwin at the pump factory in E., and as he was about to pass form the
upper to the lower story, made a misstep at the head, and was precipitated
headlong to the bottom of the stairs, by which he received severe internal
injuries, from which he never fully recovered, and which probably, hastened his
dissolution. But on Wednesday evening, Aug. 13, by request, in absence of the
pastor, he led the prayer and conference meeting, and much edified all present
by his unusual fervency in prayer, exhortation, and singing. "What a
friend we have in Jesus" was the last hymn he ever sung with us. On
Thursday the 14th, he went to the Sabbath School picnic in most excellent
spirits, and seemed to be very happy in the Lord. When time for adjournment
arrived, he got out his horse to return home, but seeing a lad in trouble from
a fickly horse, he went to his assistance, where he overtaxed his physical
strength, and returned to his own buggy quite exhausted. But he got in and took
the lines from his niece, to start home, but immediately loosened his hold,
dropped them, and fell over backward in his seat, dead. He gave but two slight
gasps for breath, and all was over. "He had shed his last tear, and fought
his last battle, his warfare was over, and life's agonies ended."
On Saturday, Aug. 16th, at
2 P.M. his funeral was numerously attended at our chapel, when all the clergy
of our village came to observe his obsequies, sympathize with his bereaved
family, and participate in the services of the occasion. The writer endeavored
to impart instruction to eager listeners, and comfort for mourners by
discoursing from Psalm 27:13014. Medical opinion is divided between apoplexy
and heart disease as cause of death.
Edenboro, Pa.
West Meriden Conn. Oct. 1, 1873
When the report reached us that our dearly beloved and highly esteemed brother in the Lord and in the ministry of the gospel of the kingdom of God immediately near, had fallen asleep, we could hardly believe it true.
When, however, that report was so confirmed as that we could not doubt its correctness, we were made sad beyond the power of language to express. We saw Bro. Wendell for the first time at the Fairport camp meeting. That meeting was our last, but during the few days we were with him at that meeting, we learned to esteem him very highly as a genial, kind spirited man, and to love him as a devoted, faithful Christian. He was an earnest lover of the appearing of our Great King, and was therefore deeply interested in those prophecies which treat especially of his glorious advent.
By
a thorough and prayerful study of those prophecies he became fully convinced
that our Lord will return to earth this present year, 1873; and, as many of our
dear brethren know, sent out a synopsis of his faith in this great truth in a
printed essay, broadcast through the land. He fell asleep ere the great
consummation day had dawned, but in full confidence that all the beloved of our
Father will enter on an endless existence before this present year shall end.
It
has seemed strange to us that so good a man, so faithful and efficient a minister,
should be cut down by the fell destroyer in the midst of his usefulness, and at
a time when his labors are so much needed. But God's providences are
inscrutable, and there must be some good reason, understood by the infinitely
wise disposer of all events, why he suffered the shaft of death to strike down
one so noble, so good, and so useful in the church. While our hearts are
bleeding in this great bereavement, we are comforted in the knowledge that he
has fulfilled a noble mission, and if he is called to lay off his armor a
little sooner than his peers, it is because his work being better done he is
more thoroughly ripened for the great harvest day. We shall see him in a few
weeks, beyond the reach of death, at the appearing of our great Life giver,
when she shall come to bestow immortality on all the good, both dead and
living. God grant we may all be ready. May our loving Father give abundant
grace to comfort the hearts of our dear brother's deeply afflicted family, and
enable them to be all prepared to meet the loved and lost one where
"Death
enters not, and not one sigh
E'er
ladens zephyrs wing;
Unfading
immortality
Is
stamped on everything."