p. 32 | This Week's Review by Editor

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 26, 1865

This Week's Review.

By Editor

The reader will find in this number many testimonies which speak loudly concerning the present demoralized state of the world, and not the world only, but the church also. And these testimonies we gather from those who cannot be accused of being in anywise predisposed in favor of Adventism. What mean such utterances as we give under the heading "The Crisis of the World," from the editor of the Christian Press, and the extract concerning the nearness of the end, from "Pulpit Themes" in Sr. Howard's "Gleanings Arranged," and the "Increase of Crime" from the Earnest Christian? Is the truth becoming so plain that to doubt is impossible? Is God preparing the hearts of the people for a great work soon to be accomplished? Let us so trust and pray. We rejoice to have the minds of the people everywhere called to these things by those against whom they can certainly have no prejudice.

— The record of the increase of crime is startling. See the little item concerning crime in N. Y. City; an increase of 3,000 criminal cases in one quarter, being at the rate of 12,000 a year in one city. Read again the "Increase of Crime" from the Earnest Christian, in which it is shown that many of the perpetrators of high outrages are professed followers of Christ and still maintain their position in the nominal church. Who can doubt the application to such of Paul's language to Timothy, therein quoted?

— "The Old Error Repeated," shows clearly the great mistake the professed church of the present day is making. As the Jews, the popular church of their age, stumbled over the first advent of Christ, so the churches of the present day are stumbling over the second advent. We would that they might awake to their course. The honest will. Reader, if you have church-members in your neighborhood who are willing to investigate these things, show them this article.

— "Expecting the Saviour, an Essential Feature in True Christian Character," is another article to the point, showing the important place which the doctrine of the second coming of Christ holds in the records of revelation. It is an extract from a sermon by Dr. M'Caul. Let all church-members read this also. No class of persons urge, more frequently than they, as an excuse for neglecting the doctrine of the advent, that it is of no consequence whether or not we believe it, or know any thing about it. If we are only prepared for death, that is enough. It may help such to be told by one of their own number that if they oppose and reject the doctrine, they show that they lack at least four essential features of a true Christian character. This, and the article just mentioned, are from writers of the highest order.

— The Discussion at Portland, is brought down in this number to the close of the first evening. We are condensing as much as is possible to do and still preserve a full summary of the argument used. We think it will be of interest to the reader; if not for the sound arguments used in favor of the Sabbath, at least for the novel objections brought against it.

— The extracts given under the heading "A Forlorn Hope," we commend to all who believe that the world is growing better. If evil is good, and darkness light, the condition of the world is improving, but not otherwise.

— As an evidence of the progress that has been made in the heathen world, we are sometimes told that the worship of Juggernaut is done away, &c. Read the short article "Sacrifices to Juggernaut," and see what was done in India only little over a year ago, notwithstanding that land is under the rule of professedly Christian England.

— Bro. Aldrich tells what is what in relation to "Old and New Style." We need a multitude of little tracts answering this, and other common objections, to be used like grape shot against the ranks of the opposition. Until we get these, the reader should thoroughly post himself when such articles as this appear, or carefully preserve the paper for future reference as circumstances may require. He also gives us some good advice concerning "How to Live." To be sure he does not tell us how it is "to be taken," as a preventive of cholera and other diseases; but the book itself will explain that.

— A cheering report from Bro. Sanborn shows that the Lord is still ready to work for his people. We are thankful that here and there the "cloudy pillar is brightening on Israel's side." How many of us are imploring the Lord for a great increase of his work in our midst? How many are sighing and crying for all the abominations done in the land, and pleading in the language of the Psalmist, "It is time for thee, Lord, to work; for they have made void thy law."

— Other items of interest in this number we need not enumerate. While the practical part is not overlooked, such as, Clear Views, Knocking at the Door, The Terrible Chain, &c., it contains as a whole, arguments and evidences for our position which can but cheer and encourage the weary pilgrim's heart.

*"Children, let your lamps be burning, In hope of Heaven; Waiting for our Lord's returning, At dawn or even."*