Memoir of Rev. Joseph Badger / Fourth Edition

by E. G. Holland

The latter part of the winter, 1843, he visited the congregation of Rev. C. E. Morrill, at Union Springs, Cayuga County, N. Y., and delivered over twenty sermons to his people; under their united labors several were converted to God. Soon after this, he visited Lakeville, twelve miles south of his residence, where, twenty-five years previous, he had assisted to organize a church, and had, for the first nine years of their history, held the pastoral charge over them. Here he continued his efforts for three weeks, baptized twenty persons, collected and concentrated the scattered strength of the society, and continued with them one half of the time through the year. They put on strength and were revived. He speaks of the general complaint throughout the country of religion being at a low ebb, as having its primary cause in the wild zeal with which new theories are pursued to the neglect of prayer, the church, the simple Gospel and its claims. He strongly persuades professing Christians to return with fresh zeal to their holy devotions, to the simplicity of the means of grace as their only hope for securing the prosperity of Zion.

"What a state society has been in far two years past.[58] The sun is darkened by the locusts from the bottomless pit, and the Christian atmosphere in every neighborhood in the land seems impregnated with some poisonous vapor to ruin the soul and to paralyze the energies of the innocent child of God. Never shall we see the evil remedied until ministers come home to the gospel, rely on that, and on that alone, for the salvation of men; know nothing among the people but Jesus Christ and him crucified; leave their wild speculations, encourage the improvement of all the gifts in Zion, and teach and encourage practical religion in every heart. Never shall we be delivered from the incubus that hangs so heavily upon us until church members leave their high-headed racing after new theories and come home to the prayer meeting and conference, be content with the simplicity of the Gospel, know their Master's will and do it, and sit at the feet of Jesus clothed and in their right mind."

In September, 1843, the death of his son-in-law, Rev. Seth Marvin, a man of good ability, of fine and noble nature, of rich fountains of religious experience, and of an oratory peculiarly divine for the awakening of all the heavenward feelings of the human heart, was an event that called out the sympathies of his inmost life; and in the Palladium, vol. 12, p. 97, is a long obituary from his pen, possessing the grace of tender love, combined with a clear, comprehensive statement of the life and qualities of that lamented man.

To this year also belongs his action in regard to that great excitement, which took a temporary hold on the different denominations, known under the name of Millerism. Though we would speak reverently of every form of human hope, regarding all that is strong in religious phenomena as being at least mythologically true, we cannot but honor the independent position Mr. Badger assumed on this subject, at a time when many others either embraced the doctrine, or favored it as a means of promoting popular revivals in their congregations. With a clear vision he penetrated its claims, acknowledged the degree of truth he thought it contained, then spoke of its defects of doctrine, logic, and temper, declaring its probable future results on the welfare of religion and the churches. He early saw the effect in the cause, and in 1842, withstood the tendency of the paper he had so long conducted, whose editor was then guiding it into the service of that system.

Let it not be thought that we speak sectarianly on the subject here introduced, for substantially we concede all that man ever has or can hope for. "New heavens and new earth" were promised us in 1843; and though Nature did not condescend even to frown or smile at those who told her fortune, she knows very well that new heavens and new earth will ultimately come. The progress of the solar system through space will alone bring new heavens physically; and changes now at work in terrestrial nature shall yet exhibit a new earth. Be patient; myriads of years, which are God's seconds, will do the work. Is not the earth now good enough for thee, thou latter-day saint? Be patient; it is now much better than you are; it flowers are more fragrant than your virtues, its fountains are purer than your actions, its music of bird and brook is sweeter than your Sabbath melody, and it rolls in its orbit far more majestically and truthfully than you have ever pursued the circuit of your duties. He who has divine life in him always sees a new earth and a new heaven. "The Lord shall come;" yes, more and more in proportion as man is capable of receiving him. He has come, does come, and shall come; and in the symbolical, higher sense, who that believes in God or man dares to despair of a new heaven and a new earth in the mental, moral, and social conditions of humanity? Who does not hope for a more perfect state? In the great substance of these questions there is never a quarrel; this only fastens on the details which make up the form. Texts may be skilfully quoted; but we are to reverence the whole of God's scripture. Creation is full of holy, living texts; and he who sees His laws in nature as an everlasting scripture will never be moved by alarming interpretations that men may put on the visions of Patmos and Palestine, or the princely dreams of old Assyria. Mr. Badger believed, doubtless, in the personal second coming of Christ; he held firmly to the law and the prophets; but there was a certain something in him which no proof texts could ever dupe into theories anti-common sense or anti-natural. We give a few quotations, which show earnestness, decision and strength.

"Mr. Editor: Sir,[59]—Night before last the Palladium came to hand, which I hastily read, and retired from the scene with disgust. Last evening I read carefully the articles which to me were offensive, with the hope that I might be so far reconciled as to excuse myself from the task of offering my dissent publicly to some opinions which you have taught and endorsed. But, Sir, I retired again with grief and increased dissatisfaction. I said, Is it possible that I have lived to see the 'Palladium,' which was brought into existence by a few choice spirits, (some of whom are gone to their graves,) over whose destinies for seven long years I watched with such vigilance, now become the slave of a deluded party, and a channel through which error, delusion and ruin shall be poured into the bosom of the church of God? I have not written for the Palladium these many months only when I could not avoid it; and would not now if a sense of my duty to the public would allow my pen longer to slumber.

"The error of which I complain is not that you and others teach that the Saviour will come personally the second time, to reward his saints and destroy his enemies. This all Christians believe. But the great error lies in the fact that Mr. Miller and his followers teach what plain contradicts common sense and existing facts in relation to the Ottoman dominion and the Holy Bible. They teach that Christ has no kingdom on earth; of course, no laws, no subjects, no institutions, and no government. Also they fix the time of the Saviour's coming. In this they assume to be more knowing than the angels of God, or Jesus Christ when he was on earth. This looks like being wise above what is written, or like the old-fashioned Calvinists divulging the secret will of God. They also denominate their mission the 'Midnight Cry.' This I most cordially approve, and think that nothing could be more appropriate; for certainly such obvious errors could never proceed from the kingdom of light. The apostle represents his brethren as being the children of the day, not of the night or of darkness. Those who walk in darkness know not at what they stumble. Mr. Miller and his disciples have thrown about themselves such a cloud of absurdities that they are all enveloped in midnight darkness, and thus make their midnight cry. Essential pillars may fall out in their temple and they know it not. The day of grace was to close in 1840, and they in 1842, at the very close of the year, boast of their converts, spread abroad their canvas, and declare their chain is yet perfect.

"Its motive to action is wrong. The lever used and the means employed is terror; the principle which moves to action is fear. A class of orators are got up who assume uncommon sanctity, have a set of arguments founded on mathematical calculation upon the prophecies, which common sinners are not capable of contradicting. Another class of arguments drawn from history, which common men have not the means at hand to contradict, are presented; then bringing all to bear on the one great point that God will burn up the world next year, is it strange that converts are multiplied? They serve God for fear he will burn them up if they do not. Take away this fear and they will hate him still. Such repentance is very liable to be spurious. Men are sick and afraid to die, and they repent; but I venture to say, there is not one instance out of fifty in which they carry out the principles and sustain the character of Christians when restored to health. The love of Christ should constrain men, the goodness of God should lead them to repentance, and they should appreciate all his claims upon their service. They should, from choice, submit to his government, and love him because he first loved them. The Gospel plan is the best. Light and intelligence are the great influence to be applied to the noble intellect of man, to move him to virtuous actions and reforms. I do not see how we can say it matters not what motives we present, or what means we adopt, if we only get men to repent. The Mormons put on sanctity, put forth efforts and make converts by wholesale; but this is no proof that their doctrine is true, or that the cause of pure religion is essentially benefited by their revivals.

"2. Its spirit is wrong. It is a peculiar trait in the Christian religion that it always inspires its subjects with humility, kindness, charity, whilst error is generally attended with pride, egotism and cruelty. For thirty years past I have seen many false prophets and false religions rise and fall, and uniformly a vain, vaunting, self-righteous spirit has attended them all. But I have never witnessed more of it in any case than in Mr. Miller and his followers. Just look at Mr. M.'s reply to Simon Clough, as published in the Palladium. The egotism and insult seen in that reply can scarcely be found in the English language from the pen of any man who makes any pretensions to Christianity. I have not conversed with one of them who could hear a cogent argument against their doctrine without exhibiting pride and passion. They cannot bear contradiction. They are the wise virgins, and the rest of their brethren are the slumbering and foolish who will be shut out of heaven; they often refer to a passage in Daniel which says 'the wise shall understand,' and have no hesitation in considering themselves 'the wise' and their brethren as the 'wicked' who shall not understand. They know it all, and are more confident than seven men who can render a reason.

"3. Their heads have a peculiar shape. There are men in every church, and have been in every age, who are constitutionally inclined to fanaticism. They cannot stand in excitement; they cannot hold still. There are two classes of them, who have ever been an annoyance to the church. The first are fond of the marvellous, are always driving into speculative theories, are never at rest. The last or new theory is always the true one, and they soon ride the new hobby to death, and then seek another. It matters not how absurd the doctrine. It may contradict the Bible, it may rend the church asunder, it may prostrate all good order in society, it must be forced and driven ahead, and have its day. They are always a class of Jehus ready for a new scheme. The second class are those of weak minds, who are moved by passion. Any excitement takes them along with the multitude. Human nature being thus constituted, is it strange that converts are made? I know of several of Mr. Miller's associates whose lives have been one scene of changes. Should 1843 pass away and the world not be destroyed, they will in no wise be discouraged. Instead of repenting of their folly and mourning over the havoc and disorder they have caused in the church, and the infidels they have made, they will be driving ahead in some new scheme, and will wonder that the poor backslidden church and the poor blind ministers cannot see their great light, and will not appreciate their astonishing usefulness."