The Spirit Manifested During The First Union Conference Held in Nashville

A mistake was made in trying to finish one of the buildings in time to accommodate those who attended the Southern Union Conference held in Nashville about a year ago. In the effort to have everything convenient For those who came, those in charge labored for a time under heavy pressure, greatly taxing their physical and mental strength, and thus endangering their lives. They thought that if the buildings could be completed, the visiting brethren would be so favorable impressed by the good beginning made, that their fault-finding would be changed to commendation.SpM 284.4

For one of the office-rooms, a carpet was purchased, costing seventy-five cents a yard. Some office furniture, too, was secured. The purchase of these things might have been delayed, but should not be regarded as a sin. Nevertheless, small transactions of this nature were seized upon by some of the delegates, and condemned. Their minds were open to receive wrong impressions, they were imbued with a spirit of criticism, and they dishonored the Lord. Blinded by prejudice, they could not see that the motive was good which prompted the laborers to make these purchases. The workers in Nashville had borne the burden of much extra labor and wearing night work in order to make it possible for the meeting to be held there. They hoped that their work would be approved. They did everything that they could to accommodate and make comfortable the guests who came. But what was seen by him who seeth in secret? A little group of men here, another of women there, communicating to one another the leaven of criticism. If they had had the Spirit of Christ, they would have commended instead of criticizing.SpM 285.1

It gave me much pleasure to see in the building where I had a room, some of the articles of furniture that had once been in my own home in Battle Creek. I saw a sofa and a chair that formerly belonged to my husband, Also some sets of furniture and other conveniences that I had given to be used where most needed. But many of these who were cared for at the meeting, dishonored God by their criticisms. They gave but little encouragement to the men who had worked almost beyond human endurance in order to make them comfortable. I was on the ground. I speak the things I know. The Lord has not pronounced the judgment, that those so forward to condemn have pronounced. He was not pleased with the spirit of accusation, and of imagining evil where no evil existed.SpM 285.2