The Review and Herald is designed to be strictly confined to those important truths that belong to the present time. We hope to be able to send you this enlarged size of the paper quite often, containing a simple and clear exposition of those great and sanctifying truths embraced in the message of the third angel, viz: the "commandments of God and the faith of Jesus." It is truly lamentable to see Second Advent papers, that once advocated the pure, naked and cutting truth, applicable to the time, now devoted to the discussion of questions foreign from the present truth, which cannot possibly benefit the dear saints that are perishing for spiritual food. Among other charges given to Timothy by the Apostle Paul is the following,—"But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes." This we intend to do. And with much pleasure do we look forward to the predicted period, when the sheep, that have been scattered on the mountains of Israel since a cry at midnight, shall be gathered into the unity of the faith, the rubbish blown away, and the precious "jewels" all brought into the clear light of the third angel's message, and in this second "casket" "shine" forth with "ten times their former glory."
We call the special attention of the brethren to the articles, in this number, from the publications of the Seventh-day Baptists. They are clear, comprehensive, and irrefutable. We intend to enrich the columns of the Review and Herald, with extracts from their excellent works on the Sabbath.
We also design to get out a large pamphlet, containing the same matter from their publications, that we publish in the paper. Such a work, judiciously circulated, will certainly do a great amount of good.
HOW SHALL WE CIRCULATE PUBLICATIONS?
As our list of names is small, we can send them to but few; and it is impossible for us to give them a wide and faithful distribution, unless the brethren situated in different places help in the work.
First, they should be sure to send the names of those who would candidly read, and
Second, every brother and sister should do all in their power to seek out those who would read with profit, and obtain suitable publications for them. There is a large amount of the "Advent Review," that should be circulated immediately. My brethren, it is time we that were all interested, and zealously engaged in spreading the truth.
We shall send this number to all those whose names are on our list. Then we shall drop the names of those who have expressed no wish for the paper. It is a pleasure to send it free of charge, especially to the "poor of the flock." We once more ask those who wish the paper, and have expressed no desire for it, to notify us immediately by letter. If any are not able to send means, we beseech them not to let this stop them from writing. We greatly desire to hear from such; and will cheerfully pay the postage on their letters.
PUBLICATIONS.
The "ADVENT REVIEW," containing thrilling testimonies, written in the Holy Spirit, by many of the leaders in the Second Advent cause, showing its Divine origin and progress. 48 pages. Also the five numbers of the "Review," and the "Extra," by Bro. Hiram Edson.
The "Present Truth, No. 1. The WEEKLY SABBATH taught and enforced in the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. 28 pages.
The Seventh-day Sabbath NOT ABOLISHED. The article by Joseph Marsh, editor of the "Advent Harbinger and Bible Advocate," REVIEWED—36 pages.
The Third Angel's Message.—16 pages.
The Sanctuary, 2300 Days, and Shut Door. 16 pages.
Bro. Miller's Dream, with notes. 12 pages.
The above publications may be had by addressing Elias Goodwin, Oswego, N. Y., Otis Nichols, Dorchester, Mass., or James White, Paris, Me., POST PAID. Terms—Gratis. Those who would consider it a pleasure, are invited to help bear the expenses of publishing, as the Lord has prospered them.
As we have no time to answer the many letters received, we have concluded to acknowledge their receipt in the paper. Be careful and see that your letters are receipted.
[Letters received since November 20.]
Lentha A Lockwood; S. R. Burgess; Joseph Bates, 2; F. M. Shimper; Emily C. Briscoe; J. T. Wilcox; S. G. Butler; Otis Nichols; H. Bishop, $1; Enoch Jackman, $1; Chastina B. Spaulding, $1; Martha Lockwood, $3; Hatsel Pennfield and others, $6; Leonard Hastings, $5.
For the Review and Herald.
## THE LAODICEAN CHURCH.
We believe that this state of the church exists, and that it is composed of second advent ministers and people, who have backslidden and become "lukewarm."
When and where did this state of the church commence? We believe that it commenced in 1845, at the conference in the city of Albany, N. Y., with the two leading teachers in the advent cause, as chairman and secretary pro tem., viz: William Miller and J. V. Himes, and sixty-one acting ministers and delegates. See Advent Herald, May 14, 1845, page 105.
This organization proceeded by a series of conferences in the cities of Philadelphia, Baltimore and Boston. Page 112, Col. 3. The result was most cheering to their hearts, particularly to J. V. Himes and S. Bliss. See Col. 3 of the same page; also the Herald for May 21. We think that this organization was completed April 5, 1846, in the city of Rochester, N. Y. See VOICE OF TRUTH, April 22, page 25; also page 29, Col. 1, "Conference Address;" "Our brethren, east, west, north and south, are harmoniously, (with a few exceptions,) united in the faith and hope of the gospel, and well engaged in extending their benign influence and blessings to others. They are making preparations for going to work the PRESENT SEASON understandingly, and effectually, for the SALVATION of PERISHING THOUSANDS around them."
The editor of the Voice of Truth was not ready to unite at the first conferences; for he, with some others, adhered strenuously to the Cry at Midnight. See his article on this point, in the Voice of Truth for June 11, 1845, and then his decided change in Nov. 11, 1846. Here we see the perfect union with the advent editors and their adherents. See the view of the Laodicean church by the editor of V. T. Aug. 13, 1845, published since in the Advent Review Extra. This shows the decided change and departure from the Philadelphia state of the church, where they all professed to be, at the tenth day of the seventh month, 1844. See the "Advent Review," of 48 pages, published at Auburn, N. Y., containing their thrilling testimonies.
Undoubtedly they were then in the right state of the Church, and holding fast that to which they had attained, viz: the change from Babylon, or the Sardis state of the church, to the Philadelphia state.
When they changed from the Philadelphia to the Laodicean state, we believe they influenced hundreds of honest souls to go with them.—These are the ones we are trying to seek out, by this article, and every other possible way, and show them their perilous and helpless condition, and utter destruction, if they do not forsake them and turn back immediately to the open door in the Philadelphia church; for there is no promise, or hope for them where they are. See Rev. iii: 16, 19.
Let us just take a general retrospect of the downward progress of the Laodiceans. For six successive years, viz: from the fall of 1844 to the spring and fall of 1850, the most of these leading members have been aiding and assisting each other in changing the chronology, i. e. the world's history; to prove that they were on the true position. What have they gained? Answer, nothing but disappointment and confusion. This, too, in direct opposition to their standard work. (Advent Shield.) It has not proved to be their shield, that is clear. Six times, did we say? yes, more. Some have moved the time for the termination of the 2300 days, from fall to spring, for six years in succession, and thus they have almost finished a circle, (if seven years would make one,) instead of gaining one inch the right way.
The Advent Herald for March 2, 1850, at last came out and proved to a demonstration that the position of the tenth day of the seventh month, relative to the end of the 2300 days was right. But, said one of them to me; nothing was accomplished. Daniel was told that the sanctuary should be cleansed; but nobody knew anything about it, NO, NOT EVEN HIMSELF! In 1844, it moved the whole church to change their position into the open door, in the Philadelphia state of the church, and to sacrifice their houses, lands, and personal characters to the God of Israel, because they believed it, and that the Lord Jesus also was coming. In the Laodicean state now, the opposite is the case. If proof is wanted, read the Advent Herald, the HIGHEST PROFESSED STANDARD published in the world, to enlighten and prepare the church of God for the great and dreadful day of the Lord, right upon them.
What is the matter? Answer—personal character is at stake. Who is in the wrong? The greatest difficulty is in ascertain who among them is right. Just call at the city of Boston, where, in 1844, the citizens trembled under their thrilling appeals, to be ready for the coming of Jesus. What now? The reverse. Slandering and devouring one another with their Extras, Vindicators, &c. &c. Is this the true church? God forbid! Why, methinks the very angels in heaven would shudder to see them appear there in their present state. Will they grow any better? If the past is a criterion by which to judge, we answer, never, no, never. Then you that hope for salvation, flee quickly, flee, I say, for your lives! You have not one moment to spare. Utter destruction awaits every soul that is found in this Laodicean state.
To get a right understanding of the Laodicean state of the church, let us examine a few things concerning the seven states of the churches. The first, second and third chapters of Revelation present to our view seven distinct and different states of the church under the gospel. Some have supposed that these churches described in the second and third chapters of Revelation were literal, because there were seven literal churches in Asia Minor, bearing the same names.—But we think the bible definitions of these names describe the spirit and qualities of the seven states of the churches. They cannot be literal, for several reasons. First, this is a revelation, or prophecy of the future. "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants, things that must SHORTLY COME TO PASS. Rev. i, 1. John had his vision, A. D. 96, but the literal churches existed A. D. 60, 36 years before. Second: "I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches," &c. Ch. xxii, 16. This brings us down to the close of time. Nothing has been known of those literal churches for hundreds of years. More may be said on this point, if necessary; let this suffice now.8
As the first four states of the church were in the past, (about A. D. 1798,) let us confine our exposition relative to the last three, which are all in an organized state, at the present time.
Fifth state, Sardis, signifies "that which remains, that are ready to die." Rev. iii, 2. "Her works are not perfect before God."—v. 2. Jesus warns them to get ready before he comes upon them. v. 3. "Thou hast a few names, even in Sardis, which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white; for they are worthy. He that overcometh the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life; but I will confess his name before my Father," &c. verses 4, 5.
This, we understand to be the present nominal church, the Babylon, which God's people came out from under the second angel's message, which closed up at the tenth day of the seventh month, 1844. They were then "about to die," and are now spiritually dead.
Those that came out of Babylon under the cry, in obedience to the call from heaven. Rev. xviii: 4, and overcome, i. e. continue in the third and other angel messages, Jesus will acknowledge before his Father, and their names will not be blotted from the book of life. Six years ago, there were thousands that did witness to the above state of things, of whom the greater part are alive unto this day, and the greatest portion are now in the seventh, or Laodicean state of the church. How did they get there? Answer—they passed into the sixth, or Philadelphia state of the church, in the fall of 1844; and staid there long enough to prove to their entire satisfaction that they had changed their position, to one which was true and clear. For proof, please read their own statements once more, in the "Advent Review" of 1850.
Symptoms of uneasiness were soon discovered in our leader. It was evident that his sphere of action was too limited to remain with those who had entered the open door in the Philadelphia church.
He sends forth an article in the "Morning Watch," for January 16, 1845, headed, "IN THE FIELD AGAIN;" and says "we have put the press in full operation again, our work—is to the saints, and re-arouse the slumbering churches.
We should agitate, AGITATE, AGITATE! until they see the falsity of their position." On he goes with conferences in Waterbury and other places in Vermont, and Western New York. See pages 21, 22. This strengthened him and others, so that the call for the Albany conference was made, to convene April 29, 1845. Hence we see the sudden change from a true position, to another. But, says the reader, what of that? Answer, he is the leader, and when he moves the others follow. You may ask again why confine this work for the whole church right here in this country? Because the great burden for the advent labor has moved out from this continent; something, no doubt, is doing in other countries; but this is the great field for the three Advent Messages. It is in vain, however, to attempt to prove that J. V. Himes has not been the leader and leading editor in the Advent cause, for ten years past. This does not prove that he has taken one right step since January, 1845. He has led on others to fulfill prophecy, to their utter destruction. I pity him, and really wish that his many, and deep trials had have driven him to God.
Sixth state, Philadelphia signifies brotherly love. This is the state that all advent believers were merging into, when that united thrilling cry was rushing through the land, like many waters, "Behold the Bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him." Babylon's Sectarian organizations (in the Sardis state) were shaken in every direction, and their most pious and efficient members were led and moved directly to the state of brotherly love. Not an advent believer went any where else, until the dispersion, after the cry ended. Chap. iii, 7, shows the shut door, and the open door, that no man can shut.
The Master of the house, our Great High Priest, in the Sanctuary in heaven, [Heb. viii, 1, 2; ix, 1—5.] rose up and shut the outer door of his daily ministration with the world, and no man can open it, and opened the door into the holiest of all; where the ten commandments are seen, [Rev. xi, 19,] and "no man can shut it." This was done when the 2300 days ended, on the tenth day of the seventh month, 1844, and no where else. Here was the perfect harmony of shadow and substance. Aaron once a year in the shadow; Jesus, in the substance at the end of 2300 years. This proves the day and year that the door was shut; and that the last, and only safe one was then opened for the overcomers in the Philadelphia church. The Philadelphia church kept the Saviour's word and have not denied his name. Those that left this state, and became Laodiceans, took the opposite, i. e., they did not hold fast his word, and hence they denied his name. See Rev. iii, 8.
Jesus, in verse 10, promises to keep all from the hour of temptation, or trial that have kept the word of his patience. That is, all that are patient waiters, in this state of the church, he will keep, when the decree goes forth from the Dragon [Rev. xiii, 15] to kill them.
Then Jesus is to come quickly, and the true church is exhorted to hold fast their experience in the past, verse 11. If they do not some one will take their crown. See what befalls those that give up their experience. Verse 9. In verse 12, is the precious overcoming promise to all in this church. They are to be pillars in the temple of God, and have the name of God, the Holy City, and Jesus' own new name written upon them. Here we see that all the precious promises are made to this church that believe in the shut door, and keep in the open door. They cannot be claimed by those remaining in the Sardis, or Laodicean state of the church.
Seventh state, Laodicea signifies, the judging of the people, "These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true Witness." "I know thy works" that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot so then, because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot. I will spue thee out of my mouth." Verses 16, 17. This state neither cold nor hot, represents their unsettled state for six years past while they have been continually changing the chronology to prove the end of the 2300 days in the future, which they had acknowledged did end in the fall of 1844.
Jesus would have them either believe their true position or stop, and let the chronology alone; for as often as their calculations failed it caused their own and others faith to wane: and thus they have been continually sinking into a lukewarm state, neither one thing nor yet another. In this state it is impossible for them to be saved; for Jesus says that he will spue them out of his mouth, or destroy them.
"Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased in goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked" verse 17. If you want the truth on any point of doctrine, especially, any thing relative to the second coming of the Lord, the Advent Herald and Harbinger are the professed standards. They are professedly rich in Biblical knowledge. Their continued reading and writing on the subject of the advent, and all subjects connected with it, in the Bible, make them rich. And yet they know not that they are "wretched and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked." How! Answer, spiritually; because they would certainly know it, if they were literally in this state. Then with all their Bible knowledge, they have not got the need in due season. As their general conference last May, a question arose about their declaration of principles for the future. It was finally settled that the Address that they sent forth from the Mutual Conference of Adventists at Albany, N. Y., April 29, 1845, should be their principles of faith for this present 1850. It is true they have given the right view in the general, that was to guide them to the end of the 2300 days; but as they are to proceed on in their course of action, in their proclamation of an open door for Babylon, and all the world, just as they came from the Albany Conference in 1849, they prove clearly that they have gained nothing; made no progress. They have only run almost round a circle, in a five years race, beating the air, and now they declare their starting point from April 29, 1845, to be the best they can give for May, 1850. It looks clear that they have acknowledged their Laodicean state of neither cold nor hot. They have neither one position nor yet another. How unlike the path of the just, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
It is in vain for them to apply the Laodicean state of the church, now existing, (and must exist before Jesus comes,) to any other class of believers on earth. The shut door believers are in the Philadelphia church. The nominal church, are back of 1844, in the Sardis state, spiritually dead. "I counsel of thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, [present truth; that has stood the trial of six years opposition, and now is shining brighter and brighter,] that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment that thou mayest be clothed, [righteousness, or righteous acts of the saints,] and eye-salve that thou mayest see." [See the present truth.] Verse 18. Jesus counsels no one to buy of him earthly riches, &c., no; it is the present truth that the Laodiceans must have to be saved. "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; be zealous, therefore, and repent." Verse 19. Jesus still loves some that are in the Laodicean church, and calls on them to repent. If they were deceived by false teachers, they must leave them as soon as possible, and be "zealous" and "repent;" for every one that is found in that state when Jesus leaves the Sanctuary, and ceases to plead for the honest ones among them, will be destroyed. They must get back into the open door in the Philadelphia church that no man can shut, where they came from; for that is the only true church, or place of safety. Read, in verse 20, the last, loving message of Jesus to you,—"Behold I stand at the door, and knock. If any man hear my voice, and open the door, [the door of the heart,] I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." Jesus will commune with you if you will open your heart and receive the truth. "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne." Thus the promise is extended from verse 18th to the 22d. Now is the time to repent and turn to the truth. Be quick! Hasten for your life!!
Jesus is cleansing the Sanctuary, or is blotting out the errors of the house of Israel. When this work is finished, he will take his place on the great white cloud. Then, the seven Angels will pour out the seven last plagues. This will begin the "great day of his wrath," Rev. vi, 17. This is the day of Babylon's plagues. Her plagues will come in one prophetic "day, death, and mourning, and famine, and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her." Rev. xviii, 8.
"In all the land saith the Lord; TWO PARTS therein shall be cut off, and die; but the THIRD shall be left therein. God says he will bring the THIRD PART through the fire, and refine them. They shall call upon him, and he will hear them. He will say IT IS MY PEOPLE; and they shall say the LORD IS MY GOD." First part, SARDIS, the nominal church or Babylon. Second part, Laodicea, the nominal Adventist. Third part, Philadelphia, the only true church of God on earth, for they ask to be translated to the city of God. Rev. iii, 12; Heb. xii, 22—24. In the name of Jesus, I exhort you again to flee from the Laodiceans, as from Sodom and Gomorrah. Their teachings are false and delusive; and lead to utter destruction. Death! DEATH!! eternal DEATH!!! is on their track. Remember Lot's wife.