Vol. 1 No. 1 • AN AMERICAN CASSETTE MINISTRIES PUBLICATION • June 1985

This newsletter is being produced at the request of many readers widely scattered on several continents. In the providence of God, information regarding the 1888 message of Christ’s righteousness, as it was presented nearly a century ago, has penetrated widely. Many are inquiring if perhaps the Spirit of God is again motivating thoughtful people to study and to proclaim the message that Ellen White identified as "the beginning” of the latter rain and the "loud cry."

Is this message merely a passing fad, an impotent excitement? Or is it possible that deep-seated conviction has gripped hearts, as was the case a century ago?

This Newsletter is an attempt to assess the true situation. The Committee of Five who sponsored the Camp Mohaven Conference. April 9-14 do not wish to run ahead of the Lord; neither do they wish to lag behind His leading. A work must be done world-wide to prepare a people for the coming of the Lord. But human pride and self-sufficiency must have no part in that work.

We are convinced that the 1888 message, as Ellen White endorsed it, is valid. A. G. Daniels said 60 years ago concerning the 1888 message, "All these long years they [many] have held a firm conviction and cherished a fond hope that someday this message would be given great prominence among us, and that it would do the cleansing, regenerating work in the church which they believed it was sent by the Lord to accomplish." (Christ Our Righteousness, p. 36)

"These long years" have been many, far more than Daniells could have imagined. And the opposition to the message has been far more virulent and determined than he could have foreseen. Nevertheless, we believe that a sane, reasonable, measured, sustained and intelligent effort to acquaint others with the reality of the message will enjoy the Lord’s blessing. Truth is utterly invincible. We pray for the heavenly gift of discernment to recognize the true leading of the Lord.

A corrosive spirit of cynicism and harsh fault-finding is painfully evident on all levels of church fellowship. In history, personal relationships have always been strained or exacerbated in times of frustration. An outstanding and tragic example is the deterioration in human decency that characterized the internecine quarrels of the Jews before the disaster of 70 A. D. But the very slightest tinge of such a negative spirit should have no place among Seventh-day Adventists, "and so much more as ye see the day approaching."

We are living in the Day of Atonement, when God's people are "pressing together" in genuine brotherly love, considerate of one another in the Spirit of Christ. This is the time to gather warmth from others' coldness. We hope that a genuine heart appreciation of the essentials of the 1888 message will bear good fruit to the glory of God! If this message can produce such fruit—harmony, unity, an intelligent grasp of truth, the grace of contrition, and holy, humble boldness for the right, God will indeed be glorified.

Future issues of this Newsletter will depend on reader response and support. Helpful letters or comments will be included in our next issue. When you write, tell us if you think we should print the next issue in larger type. We are trying to reduce the cost of production and mailing but don't want to give you eyestrain.

NEW BOOK ISSUED BY PACIFIC PRESS

THE GOOD NEWS IS BETTER THAN YOU THINK is the title of the newest book by Robert J. Wieland presenting essentials of the 1888 message. It has just been published by Pacific Press and is available through ACM. See Page 5.

 

APPOINTMENTS, PAST AND FUTURE

The speakers at Mohaven have been busy since the 1888 Message Conference with additional appointments scheduled into summer and fall.

Elders Donald K. Short and Robert J. Wieland held a Wednesday-to-Sunday Seminar on the 1888 message in the West Fayetteville church, Ind. The attendance was excellent and a keen interest was shown by many church members.

On May 10 and 11 Elder Wieland presented a Seminar in the Eureka, Calif., church and May 22-27 in Murray, Ky., again with good attendance and interest.

American Cassette Ministries scheduled Elder Alexander Snyman to make 13 presentations in a Seminar at Yuchi Pines, Ala., May 24-30.

June 14-19 Elder Wieland will make three presentations at the Firm Foundation Conference to be held in the Hendersonville, NC, church. One of his assigned topics is, "How to Meet the Problem of Apostasy Within the Church."

Elder Snyman has been asked by American Cassette Ministries to hold a three-week Crusade in the Allentown, Pa. area sometime in August.

October 11-13 are the dates scheduled by Elder Jerry Justeson for Elders Short and Wieland to hold a Seminar in his Claverack, NY, church.

Additional appointments will be announced in the next Newsletter for the information of those who wish to attend or invite friends and relatives to do so.

1888 MESSAGE BEARS FRUIT

From many quarters there has come evidence that the inspiration received by the group of about 120 people who attended some or all of the meetings of the first National 1888 Message Conference was not just a brief, superficial experience. It is a joy to see that the message that brought revival where it was preached by Elders Jones and Waggoner and Ellen White following 1888 still has power to deliver God's children from sin and fill their hearts with praise.

We are reprinting below excerpts from some of the letters received since the Conference:

"That week at Camp Mohaven has been the turning point in my life. . . . I had never heard the 1888 message before that week. . . . I am thrilled! My wife and I have been searching for something that was lacking everywhere we turned. . . . For the first time in my life I have had victory over my sin. Do not take me wrong—I am not bragging . . . nor am I perfect, but Jesus has come into my life. For the first time I have known such peace and joy.

"I pick up the Bible, which I used to read for a pious act, and it comes alive, righteousness by faith is all through it. It is the gospel! Why did I not see it before? I am such a babe in this new-found truth. . . . I used to try to work my way to heaven, salvation by works. All I wanted was to save my miserable skin, didn't think about Christ or the vindication of His character. . . . I praise God for bringing me to those meetings. Now I want to tell everybody." —Lowell Canter, Butler, Ohio

"The beautiful light of our 1888 Message Conference at Camp Mohaven lingers on in my heart. It was a Spirit-filled time."—A dele Laszlo, Cedar Springs, Mich.

"We have returned to church since the Mohaven conference. We felt it necessary to go back to the point where we left. The dear folks welcomed us back with joy and love and we are grateful." —Lenore Taylor, Brocton, N. Y.

“I was only able to attend six of the meetings held at Mohaven, but I rejoice in the Lord over the Good News that I heard there. I have just received the tapes from the meetings and once again my heart is thrilled to hear the messages. . . . New light was opened to me about the Gospel and how it truly sets one free. . . . My prayer now truly is, 'Let there be revival, Lord, and let it begin with me." —Janet Cox, Heath, 0hio

"I honestly believe that . . . the 1888 message . . . is the foundation that our people have been starving for spiritually, its lack the root of all our problems as a church today." —Thomas Tucker, Candler, N. C.

"We have never regretted for a moment the investment in time and money required for our attendance at this conference. The fellowship with so many new friends, manifesting such a high degree of consecration, was most precious. The food was excellent, prepared in harmony with true principles of health reform. We all voted together to thank the leadership of the Ohio Conference for permitting us the use of this beautiful property. The meetings served to make more clear to my own mind all the essentials of the 1888 message. And none more so than that justification by faith is indeed the third angel's message 'in verity.'" —Elder Paul Felt, Franklin, GA.

(Elder Felt has prepared an excellent summary of the truths which were the foundation of the 1888 Message Conference. To obtain a copy, write to him at R t. 3, Box 342-B, Franklin, Ga. 30217 — and enclose $1.00 to cover duplication and mailing.)

"I continue to get positive reports of the Seminar you had at Camp Mohaven. Some are critical but most are very positive. I wanted to affirm you in your efforts to provide spiritual renewal and retreat opportunities for our people here in Ohio." —John W. Fowler, Mt. Vernon, Ohio

1888 MESSAGE CONFERENCE SAMPLER NOW READY

To introduce people who did not attend the 1888 Message Conference at Camp Mohaven to the spiritual feast enjoyed there, a 90-minute cassette has been prepared which provides excerpts from three of the full-length recordings made by American Cassette Ministries.

For each $5.00 TAX-DEDUCTIBLE GIFT American Cassette Ministries, P.O. Box 922, Harrisburg, PA 17108, a packet will be mailed to a name and address you provide. The packet will include:

1888 Message Conference Sample cassette Brochure listing complete set of tapes from the conference plus additional sermons by Elder Alexander Snyman Sixteen-page reprint of sermon by Elder Robert J. Wieland,

“1888—1985; Is the Message Relevant Today?”

Price of package includes postage to any address in U.S. or Canada. ORDER AS: CAT. #G—1

Sampler cassettes ONLY are available in quantities of five or more to one address for a TAX-DEDUCTIBLE GIFT OF $3.00 each. ORDER AS: CAT. #G-2

Funds received from the 1st National 1888 Message Conf. Sampler cassettes will be used to promote the 1888 Message.

A PERSONAL APPEAL

Few of us realized that we were joining a team of evangelistic workers when we came to Mohaven last April. But this is what happened, is happening, and will continue to happen until Jesus comes to take His bride home.

For me, conviction was firm from the beginning of the planning stage that this meeting would open up in ever-enlarging circles until the whole earth should be covered.

Another conviction that I faced was, where would the money come from to pay for this advance? Some conclusions came pouring into my mind! One of those was that Elders Short, Snyman and Wieland should not try to bear this burden along with their other work. Their talents must be used in preparing material that will serve the people. Another was that they should not be handicapped with preparing the Newsletter and later, a Journal.

This is where you and I will do our part in the team play. We will count it one of our responsibilities to raise money to make it possible to glorify our Lord and carry to every hungry soul the marvelous message of his agape.

May I ask you to send a check or money order to AMERICAN CASSETTE MINISTRIES, P.O. BOX 922, HARRISBURG, PA. 17108 upon the receipt of this Newsletter. Make the check payable to: AMERICAN CASSETTE MINISTRIES. Your contribution is tax-deductible and a receipt will be promptly provided for income tax purposes. How much should you give? Talk it over with the Saviour; it is His work and He will prosper it.

God has providentially preserved the charitable giving deduction in the income tax reform being developed in the Congress. I do not believe that this should be my motive for giving but it does help in making more money for the cause.

Elsewhere in this Newsletter will be found reports of victories gained, hearts reached and divine blessing poured out. It is unquestionably clear that the Saviour is ready to assist our feeble efforts to quickly advance His cause.

It cheers my heart to know He is counting on you and me. We must not disappoint Him! “Be strong and of a good -Harold R. Coats, ACM Wills & Trust Officer

MOHAVEN THROUGH THE EYES OF ONE PARTICIPANT

A chemically dependent agnostic who became a baptized Seventh-day Adventist Christian seven years ago, Richard Desmond had not attended church for a year when God led him to the 1888 Message Conference at Camp Mohaven.

Fear that the conference might be "somewhat of an offshoot situation," concern about his wife's reaction to taking a week of his vacation without the family, "an incredible number of ploys that Satan used to try to stop the trip" were all surmounted as he was "becoming more aware of my spiritual emptiness."

"I really experienced God's power as I saw Him put my family life together to the point of realizing a happy Christian home. I had grown in understanding but now I was thoroughly confused. . . . The real essence of my problem was in the area of overcoming sin. As I had studied and prayed it became clear to me that it is God's desire for us to be overcomers. I also knew that it was only God's power working in us that can give us that experience, but after a year of knowing this there didn't seem to be the kind of victory God talks about in my life….

"With this as a personal background, the conference began. It is hard to put into words the joy the entire campground felt as we experienced the challenge to know God in a uniquely close way. We shared our cabin with three brothers from Florida and together had much prayer, worship, study and fellowship.

"We were thrilled as we heard the mature ministers leading out present a balanced view of the most powerful message our denomination has ever received but somehow lost sight of. The Bible, Spirit of Prophecy and, most of all, Christ crucified were brought to the forefront as issue after relevant issue was presented. There was more of a spirit of earnest seriousness rather than emotional appeal.

"I was shocked by how much I didn't know about the basic building blocks of Christian growth. I found that for all my previous understanding I really felt I was 'rich, increased with goods and in need of nothing.' I saw that I was 'wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked.' I found that in my relationship with Him I had tried to conceal my true motivation—that of earning a seat in heaven. I found that in me is the capacity to commit any sin in the world, that I am truly guilty of the most heinous crime ever conceived — crucifying our loving Saviour.

"As I was shown the difference between the old covenant and the new covenant, I found myself on the wrong side. I now knew why a key attribute of righteousness by faith is the power to lay man's glory in the dust.

"I also gained a glimpse of Jesus' love for us; how Emmanuel is His name because He truly is God with us; that His experience was infinitely more difficult than mine and yet He didn't sin. The power He received from His Father He wants to transfer to us. The 'second death' that He experienced means that no other has to unless he resists God's love and tramples over a crucified Christ; that all He accomplished for me was while I still had enmity against Him. This great love is now the drawing power in my life to bring it in harmony with Him and glorify Him.

"What a wonder it was to return to my family and begin a new relationship with them. To establish a more prayerful experience with my wife and to teach my children of God's pure love that propels us is now a reality."                                — Richard Desmond

THE 1888 MESSAGE IN PRINT

ALL BOOKS AVAILABLE FROM AMERICAN CASSETTE MINISTRIES:

THE GLAD TIDINGS by E. J. Waggoner                                             CAT. #EWB-1     $5.95

THE MYSTERY OF 1888 by Donald K. Short                                    CAT. #DSB-1      $5.95

AN EXPLICIT CONFESSION DUE THE CHURCH                                CAT. #WSB-1     $3.00

By Robert J. Wieland & Donald K. Short

THE KNOCKING AT THE DOOR by Robert J. Wieland                      CAT. #RWB-1     $5.95

IN SEARCH OF THE CROSS by Robert J. Wieland                            CAT. #RWB-2     $5.95

WILL MARRIAGE WORK IN TODAY’S WORLD?                                 CAT. #RWB-3     $5.95

by Robert J. Wieland

DANIEL AND OUR DAY by Robert J. Wieland                                   CAT. #RWB-4     $5.95

THE REVELATION OF THINGS TO COME                                         CAT. #RWB-5     $6.95

by Robert J. Wieland

THE BROKEN LINK by Robert J. Wieland                                          CAT. #RWB-6     $1.50

A SUMMARY OF THE HISTORY AND CONTENT OF                           CAT. #RWB-7     $1.50

THE 1888 MESSAGE by Robert J. Wieland

1888-1985: IS THE MESSAGE RELEVANT TODAY?                            CAT. #RWB-8     $  .50

by Robert J. Wieland

GOLD TRIED IN THE FIRE by Robert J. Wieland                                CAT. #RWB-9     $5.95

THE 1888 MESSAGE - AN INTRODUCTION                                       CAT. #RWB-10   $5.95

by Robert J. Wieland

THE GOOD NEWS IS BETTER THAN YOU THINK                              CAT. #RWB-11   $5.95

by Robert J. Wieland

SHIPPING VIA UPS: Orders up to $25.00 add $2.00                            ORDER TOLL FREE

$25.01-50.00 add $3.00                                                                        1-800-233-4450

There are also excellent articles from the pen of Elder Wieland in recent issues of

Signs of the Times.

American Cassette Ministries

P.O. Box 922

Harrisburg, PA 17108

PHONE (717) 652-7000

1888 MESSAGE NEWSLETTER

The 1888 MESSAGE NEWSLETTER is a publication of American Cassette Ministries and is distributed free of charge.

We solicit your letters and testimonies regarding the 1888 Message so that others might be encouraged to get involved.

EDITOR: Helen Cate                   Phone (616) 299-2021

Address all 1888 MESSAGE NEWSLETTER

correspondence to: AMERICAN CASSETTE MINISTRIES

P.O.BOX 922 HARRISBURG, PA 17108

PHONE (717) 652-7000

 

"The Lord in His great mercy sent a most precious message to His people through Elders Waggoner and Jones. This message was to bring more prominently before the world the uplifted Saviour, the sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. It presented justification through faith in the Surety; it invited people to receive the righteousness of Christ, which is made manifest in obedience to all the commandments of God . . . It is the three angel’s message, which is to be proclaimed with a loud voice, and attended with the outpouring of His Spirit in a large measure." TM 91, 92

 

American Cassette Ministries [Letter]

 

June 10, 1985

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

We are pleased to provide you with the first issue of the new "1888 Message Newsletter”. Helen Cate, the sparkplug of the committee of five who planned the 1st National 1888 Message Conference has consented to be the Editor of this newsletter and has done a fine job on this first issue. It will be published from time to time and carry news on the advance of the 1888 Message as well as information on speaking engagements, testimonies, new tapes and books available, Etc.

We look back to the 1st National 1888 Message Conference at Camp Mohaven in April and consider it an important milestone in the 10 year history of this international lay ministry. It was our first real exposure to the 1888 message.

Coming away from that memorable conference we were under deep conviction that here was a powerful message of truth that contained the answers to the problems facing the SDA Church today and constitutes the message to be given to the world. A message that must at all cost be given to our people around the world as soon as possible. We have accepted this challenge and have agreed to give this message top priority in our seminars and promotions.

We believe that it is time for all of us, laymen and ministers alike, to put our shoulders to the wheel and really get behind this message. Let s share it with everyone with whom we come in contact. As headquarters for the promotion of the 1888 Message, American Cassette Ministries will be the source of the ”1888 Message" books and tapes and the scheduling of seminars. With our nationwide toll free WATS lines and fully computerized order entry system we are in a position to handle your orders promptly, generally the same day.

Please prayerfully consider the appeal on Page 3 of this newsletter. American Cassette Ministries is a legitimate non-profit ministry recognized by the Internal Revenue Service. Your contributions are tax-deductible. This ministry operates under the highest Christian standards and principles. Elder H.R. Coat, a retired Conference Wills & Trust Officer has assumed that position with American Cassette Ministries, as an unpaid volunteer worker, to serve you in the area of wills and trusts. Your generosity will provide the funds necessary to promote the 1888 Message and to support those employed full time in giving this message. We are here to serve you. Thank you and God bless you.

 

Yours in the tender bond of Calvary,

AMERICAN CASSETTE MINISTRIES

A. L. Newhart Jr.

President

ALN/nc

"AMERICAN CASSETTE MINISTRIES. A NON-PROFIT CORP., HELPING PREPARE AMERICA TO MEET JESUS CHRIST"

P.O. BOX 922 HARRISBURG, PA. 17108 PHONE 717/652-7000

Introducing