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The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, January 28, 1868

Conference Department.

Exhorting one another, and so much the more as ye see the day approaching. Heb. x, 25.

This Department is designed to fill the same place in the paper that the Conference or Social Meeting does in the worship of God. Speak often one to another to comfort, edify and aid each other in the way of holiness and true Christian experience.

From Sister Bean.

Dear Brethren and Sisters: I feel very unworthy to speak through the Review, yet I wish to say that ever since the conference at Enosburgh last September, I have been striving with more diligence than ever to overcome all my wrongs. That meeting was made a blessing to me, and I feel I have gained strength and have been very much blessed, yet I am not what I should be, but by the grace of God I do believe I shall yet overcome. The late meeting at Enosburgh that Bro. and Sr. White have attended, has been a blessing to me. Although I did not attend, feeling it a duty to stay and let others go, when my children came home I then heard how the Lord was at work with his people and for the children. My heart was made to rejoice and praise the Lord; and I thank the Lord that he has thus far restored Bro. White, so that he, with Sr. W., can be in the great harvest-field. I never shall forget how my heart leaped for joy when I saw the first report from Bro. White after his long confinement. My prayers, with the thousands of others, had been going up that he might be restored, for it seemed they were so much needed to help lead on the Israel of God; and now, when I realize our danger of falling by the way, like ancient Israel, I often fear and tremble; but thank the Lord, there is no need that any of us should fall, if we will only take heed to the word of the Lord, and to the Testimonies to the Church. How wonderful it is that the Lord speaks to us by vision, and how strange that we, as a people, do not take better heed. I feel that it is the duty of all the brethren and sisters under this last message, to have Spiritual Gifts and Testimonies to the Church, and read often, and practice and profit by them. If we do this, we shall never fall, and so an abundant entrance shall be administered to us into the everlasting kingdom. The Lord help us, is my prayer, to live out the whole truth and be sanctified by it. I long to love my Saviour more and serve him better.

“Do you love Christ? I ask not if you feel, The warm excitement of that party zeal, Which follows on while others lead the way, And makes his cause the fashion of the day; But do you love him when his garb is mean, Nor shrink to let your fellowship be seen? Do you love Jesus, blind, and halt, and maimed? In prison succor him? nor feel ashamed To own him, though his injured name may be A mark for some dark slanderer’s obloquy? Do you love Jesus in the orphan’s claim? And bid the widow welcome in his name? Say not, “When saw we him?” Each member dear, Poor and afflicted, wears his image here; And if unvalued or unowned by thee, Where can thy union with the holy be? And if thou thus art to the body dead, Where is thy life in Christ, the living head? And if dissevered from the living Vine, How canst thou dream that thou hast life divine?”

M. Bean.

Stowe, Vt.

Bro. C. Avery writes from Pleasantville: It is about five months since I embraced the Advent doctrine. I have many temptations, but I feel strong in the faith, and determined to press my way onward to the golden city which is just before us. I love the Review, with its testimonies, and the good sermons that it contains from week to week.

Bro. E. H. Van Ornum writes from Edwards, N. Y.: I have long delayed writing for the Review, but I know that if I had the privilege of meeting with those of like faith, I should give in my testimony. Then they that feared the Lord spake often to one another, and the Lord hearkened and heard, and a book of remembrance was written. I would say for the encouragement of those who have done their duty to me, that I am very thankful, but regret that I did not heed their counsel before. But I rejoice that the Lord is so long-suffering and kind as to enable me to see my condition, and realize my need. To him be all the praise. I truly desire the eyesalve, that I may see, and the white raiment, that I may be clothed. He knoweth our frame, he remembereth that we are dust. How kind, how merciful, how gracious, long-suffering and compassionate is the Lord toward his creatures! For this I would ever praise him.

Sister A. Mullen writes from Monroe Co., Wis.: I wish to say to the lonely, scattered ones, that I deeply sympathize with them in being deprived of the great blessing of meeting with Sabbath-keepers. I have not enjoyed the privilege of hearing a sermon on present truth for eight years, except through the Review; and I have often felt like giving up in despair; then the Review would come to me with so many encouragements to the sad and lonely ones, that I would still try to press onward. And I have felt more determined for the past year, with the help of the Saviour, to try to overcome my faults, that I may be numbered with the blood-washed throng and enter in through the gates into the city, than ever before.

My husband earnestly urges me to write for some of the preaching brethren to come here and give a few lectures. He feels very desirous to hear, as he has never had an opportunity to hear a sermon on present truth, and there are a few others here who have expressed the same wish. My earnest prayer is that the Lord may direct some one here, that the people may hear and believe. I feel sure that good might be accomplished, yet we know that the harvest is great and the laborers are few.