TO THE REVIEW by M. E. McKee

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 25, 1876

FromThe Review and Herald, Review and Herald, Vol. 47, No. 21.

TO THE REVIEW.

By M. E. McKee

DEAR REVIEW, most welcome guest, Thus my words are oft addressed When, from overflowing heart, Tears will unforbidden start, Tears of joy for news I hear Of the progress everywhere, East and West, and South and North. News to me of greatest worth Is to know the cause is moving, And good souls all things are proving.

The dear REVIEW from week to week Brings food my weary soul doth seek. It is my pastor, teacher, friend; I’ll read it, then will gladly lend. My precious Bible much I prize; It clears the mist before my eyes; It shows me clearly wisdom’s path, How to escape Jehovah’s wrath. It tells what God for man hath done, In giving his beloved Son To die that man in Heaven might live, If he the gift would but receive. It speaks of threatenings, dangers, blessings, Of pardoning love, of sins confessing; It tells what in these latter days God’s people all should heed; it says The wicked shall not understand, But wise men over all the land Shall see, and shall discern the signs That mark Christ’s coming; and the times In which we live adown the stream Of prophecy are clearly seen. If we believe God’s word is true, Like Noah we’ve a work to do.

This is your mission, dear REVIEW. God speed the cause and bless it too, Till every nation, kindred, tongue, Shall hear the message loud and long. And this is why my heart is stirred To deepest depths at every word That tells of those who for the truth Forsake the errors of their youth, Because I see your friends and mine As idle spectators recline; Because I long for every soul Who sees a part to embrace the whole; Because I too would bear a part In bringing joy to others’ heart. I can conceive no greater joy, No higher theme my tongue employ, Than bringing souls to see the truth Who, seeing, shall obey, forsooth; The harvest field is large and wide, It lies about on every side; The errors of the Church of Rome with Protestants have found a home; God’s word has quite perverted been, As Paul says, by the man of sin. The pastors teach for greed and gain, And have not sought the blind and lame; While many from them turn away Because they’re quite as good, say they, As those who serve both loud and long With false hearts underneath their tongue. “Come out of her, my people,” come, Is God’s command, and still they come; For “Babylon is fallen,” and “Be separate” is God’s command.

God speed your mission, dear REVIEW; May all who bear a part with you, Be Heaven inspired in heart and pen To warn and bless their fellow-men. God bless the laborers everywhere Shall ever be my earnest prayer. M. E. McKEE. Saginaw, Mich., April 27, 1876.