February 19, 1854, Lincklaen, New York1 The Whites visited the believers in Lincklaen, New York, on February 18 and 19, 1854, as part of a three-week itinerary in New York State, returning home to Rochester on February 21. See: James White, “Appointments,” Review, Jan. 24, 1854, p. 8; idem, “At Home,” Review, Feb. 28, 1854, p. 48.
Courtesy and Kindness. 1EGWLM 417.2
Previously unpublished. 1EGWLM 417.3
Influence of Samuel W. Rhodes on believers in Lincklaen, New York; traits required of ministers. 1EGWLM 417.4
The Lord showed me in vision last evening the state of things in Lincklaen [New York] and vicinity. 1EGWLM 417.5
I was shown the shortness of time,2 On the shortness of time, see Ms 3, 1854 (Feb. 12), note 11. An allusion to the ark of the ancient Hebrew sanctuary, a symbol of God's presence in the camp of the Israelites. Compare the language used here with the following passage in Ms 1, 1854 (Feb. 12): “A death-like stupor has hung upon the people of God. The reason is, the ark is not with them, for the holy commandments have been broken, and God has taken it away in His anger.” Identity: For several reasons it seems clear that Samuel W. Rhodes is being referred to: his inclusion among “the lecturing brethren,” the reproof for his severity, and his influence on the Lincklaen group. S. W. Rhodes, a well-known traveling preacher in the 1850s, had, according to Review accounts, made at least five visits to the Lincklaen believers prior to this. Regarding his severity, see note 5, below. See: Bro. Rhodes, “Extracts of Letters,” Review, Aug. 19, 1851, p. 16; “Conference at Bath, N. Y.,” Review, Sept. 16, 1851, p. 32; E. A. Poole, “From Bro. Poole,” Review, July 8, 1852, p. 39; G. W. Holt, S. W. Rhodes, “Appointments,” Review, Aug. 19, 1852, p. 64; Samuel W. Rhodes, “Appointments,” Review, Jan. 6, 1853, p. 136. Eight months earlier, on June 2, 1853, Rhodes's harshness and overbearing manner had been the focus of Ms 1, 1853 (June 2). He apparently accepted the reproof, as evidenced by a letter to the Review some weeks later in which he confessed to an “overbearing, oppressive spirit.” Little seemed to have changed in the long run, however, since Ellen White returned to Rhodes's problems in this area in several letters written in the 1850s and 1860s. See, for example Lt 8, 1857 (July 19); Lt 16, 1859 (Oct. 28); Lt 5a, 1861 (Apr. 5); Lt 4, 1870 (Mar. 23). For Rhodes's letter of confession in 1853, see S. W. Rhodes, “Letter From Bro. Rhodes,” Review, Aug. 11, 1853, p. 55. An expression borrowed from Revelation 6:6. Identity: The only “Poole” mentioned in the Review before 1858 is “Bro. E. A. Poole.” His address is given as Lincklaen, New York. The address matches the opening line of this manuscript, which places the persons and events “in Lincklaen and vicinity.” His first name, Ezra, and the name of his wife can be found in census sources. See: Search term “Poole” in Words of the Pioneers; 1860 U.S. Federal Census, “Ezra A. Poole,” New York, Chenango County, Lincklaen, p. 215; 1880 U.S. Federal Census, “Ezra A. Poole,” New York, Chenango County, Lincklaen, p. 148A.
I saw that the lecturing brethren should above all others possess a kind, courteous spirit. They must bear and forbear and lay by a hasty, fitful, uneasy spirit, and for the sake of precious souls must bear to be opposed with a bitter spirit, and not retaliate. But if the messenger of God lets self rise and bears down upon the opposer with an impatient spirit, it is just what the opposer wants. He goes away with all the natural, irritable feelings of his heart awake, saying as he goes, I am as well off as he is. He is no better off than I am. I know he has not the Spirit of God. He is not a Christian. 1EGWLM 418.1
But if the servants of the Most High should possess a meek, forbearing spirit, and for the sake of the souls of others if they have no hope of the opposer, suffer their abuse with patience, keep the heart uplifted to God, praying for strength, He would let angels of God strengthen them, and arrows of conviction would be fastened in the hearts of unbelievers. God would be glorified, and others would take knowledge of them that they have been with Jesus. I saw that Brother Rhodes should not cut so much with his words, but hold forth the truth and let that cut them, and even exercise wisdom in this. Do not bring the most denouncing truths from God's Word to bear upon the opposers, for it will only irritate and stir up their wrath. 1EGWLM 418.2
I was pointed to Jesus. He knew what was in man's heart. He took upon Himself man's nature, yet He was the beloved of the Father, the Son of the Most High God. The hearts of all men, and the result and effect of every word He spoke He knew perfectly. And man, frail man, must not feel that he is authorized to speak with that authority, and rebuke in such a cutting manner and with that assurance, that the Son of man did. Weak, failing man knows not the effect of what he says. By being severe and rebuking in a sharp manner, [he may] drive souls from the truth and close their ears from ever listening to it, and they may be lost in consequence of some mismoves of the messengers, whose mission was to save souls. Who can tell the worth of a soul for whom Christ died? Christ pitied the fallen race of men and consented to give up the glory He had with the Father, and took upon Himself man's nature, that He might sympathize with them in their woes, and then to die an ignominious death upon the cross to redeem them to His Father. He suffered every indignity, slight, and scorn without a retaliating look or word, when He could have had legions of angels to assist Him had He asked His Father. 1EGWLM 418.3
Said the angel, Follow His example in these things and ye will adorn your profession. Servants of God are ye, coworkers with Jesus and the third angel. Do ye possess a gathering spirit? I saw that Brother Rhodes has not possessed the meek spirit of Jesus as he should, and unbelievers even in this place have been borne down upon, and testimonies have been borne them which God did not dictate and which wounded the precious cause of God. I saw that Brother Rhodes’ influence upon this band has not been good, but has injured some, and this is one cause of the church being in so low a state. I saw that some have carried out the example set them by Brother Rhodes, especially two of the brothers Swan8 Identity: Samuel Swan (1821-1881), a member of the Lincklaen group, had four sons in their 20s and early 30s, all living locally at the time of the 1850 census. Three of them are known to have joined the Sabbatarian movement, Samuel Prentice in 1850, Charles D. possibly at the same time, and Julius Augustus in the early 1880s. Nothing is known of William W. Swan's relationship to the church. See: Roger Swan, “The Swan Family: Descendants of Samuel Swan and Harriet Smith,” November 2002, http://rootsweb.com/~nychenan/swan-ged.htm (07/20/2005); obituary: “Samuel P. Swan,” Review, Aug. 2, 1881, p. 94; obituary: “Julius A. Swan,” Review, Mar. 20, 1913, p. 286; obituary: “Charles D. Swan,” Review, Feb. 25, 1873, p. 87.
I saw that the course taken toward Mr. Crandall9 Identity: The identity of “Mr. Crandall” has not been established.
I saw that every one that professes the truth, wherein they have manifested an overbearing spirit should take it away and leave the blood of his soul upon his own head. He may take advantage of the brethren's confessions. If he does, he will have that sin to bear, and the brethren will be clear. I saw that Mr. Crandall was not right, and that he never has been fully in the angel's message. He was living in open violation of the fourth commandment, “Remember the Sabbath day … stranger that is within thy gates.” I saw that God could not approbate him while transgressing this commandment. I also saw he not only transgressed it openly [himself, but] by suffering labor to be done by his son, his manservant, and maid servant. 1EGWLM 419.3