Remarks on the Two Laws.
By Justin Edwards
Under the Jewish dispensation were incorporated two kinds of laws. One was founded on obligations growing out of the nature of men, and their relations to God and one another; obligations binding before they were written, and which will continue to be binding upon all who shall know them, to the end of time. Such are the laws which were written by the finger of God on the tables of stone, and are called moral laws. The other kind, called ceremonial laws, related to various outward observances, which were not obligatory till they were commanded, and then were binding only on the Jews till the death of Christ. There were also two kinds of Sabbaths, or days of rest. One was a day of weekly rest; and the command to keep it holy was placed by the Lawgiver in the midst of the moral laws. It was called, by way of eminence, "THE SABBATH." The command to keep the other Sabbaths was placed by the Lawgiver among the ceremonial laws, because it was like them, as the command to keep the weekly Sabbath was like the laws with which it was associated. One class were fundamental, permanent, universal moral laws; the other class were local, temporary ceremonial laws. One had their origin in the nature and relations of man; the other, in the peculiar circumstances in which, for a time, a peculiar people were placed. One would be binding in all ages upon all who should know them, and the other would be binding only upon the Jews till the death of the Messiah. Sabbath Manual Nos. 1 and 2. It is with much pleasure that we give the following cheering letter from our dear Bro. Rhodes. DEAR BRO. WHITE: Since I last wrote a few lines at Elmira, (N. Y.), Sept. 23d, 1851, which were published in No. 5 of the "Review and Herald." I have not been idle. I returned from that tour of six or seven hundred miles through the south and west of this State to Camden, on the 26th of Oct. I found a few precious souls, by the way, after leaving Elmira who had "ears to hear," and who readily received the truth. After my return to Camden I felt it to be my duty to visit Jackson, Mich. We held meeting four days in succession, during which time the Lord wrought for us. I had liberty in explaining to the Church much of the prophecies of the book of Revelation, while the blessing of the Lord rested upon us, and greatly refreshed, strengthened, and united in love, the saints of God. I returned to Oswego Oct. 24th, and spent the following Sabbath with the Church in that place. On First-day morning six of the children of the brethren were buried with Christ in baptism. We truly felt that the Lord smiled upon us while we obeyed our Saviour in this ordinance. After baptism we broke bread and washed the saints feet, following the worthy example of our dear Lord and Master. I am sure it was the most interesting and solemn communion season that I ever attended, on account of the presence of the Lord. I spent Sabbath, Nov. 15th, with the Church in Volney; had communion, and quite a refreshing season with them. Visited the saints in Camden, and am prepared to say they have that strength that arises from perfect union. I spent the last two Sabbaths in Boylston, where I had much labor, and trust I saw the fruit of the Spirit of the Lord manifested among the saints. There is not far from twenty in the vicinity of Boylston who are making strong efforts to obtain the kingdom. The Lord signally blest the Church last Sabbath and First-day, with drops of the "latter rain." Praise the Lord. I wish to say to all the saints that I feel strong in the Lord, and of good courage to go without the camp, and cry aloud the last solemn, sanctifying message, Rev. xiv, 9-13. Salvation does attend this truth: "I am confident that I shall not be disappointed while I pray, expect and look for the Lord to do great and glorious things for us through the power of the commandments, the keeping of which is the condition of the latter rain, Deut. xi, 13-19. I do greatly praise our God for the increasing and glorious light, of present truth, which so brightens our pathway to heaven. I know not how to be thankful and humble enough for the unspeakable goodness of God in granting me a place among the humble followers of the Lamb, whom my soul loveth with an undying, and increasing love. How sweet to me is holy communion with the pure hearted people of God. I do hunger and thirst after righteousness, and earnestly desire that I may be humble enough to glorify our blessed God with my whole being. I feel that nothing shall be too great for me to suffer, if I may but go with, and be one among those that John saw in holy vision, standing on the Mount Zion, harping with their harps, and singing a song that no man could learn, but the hundred and forty four thousand. Rev. xiv, 1-4. The Lord has of late ravished my soul, while I have been traveling, and reading and committing to memory the prophecies in Revelation, from the tenth chapter to the end of the book, and in comparing one portion of the book with the other. I now see a light, a beauty, a glory, and a harmony in this book, that I never could have seen had I not committed it to memory. I feel as I once expressed myself in 1843, that my faith is eternally fixed, and that nothing shall be able to separate me from the love of God, his truth, and his people. My meditations are sweet. My mind is wrapped up in contemplating the word of the Lord touching the sublime and awfully grand scenes that await the present Church of Christ, prior to, and at the resurrection of the just. My soul leaps, at the thought of heaven, and beats high for immortality. I must ere long meet with angels, and tell them what Jesus has done for me. I long to mingle eternally with the celestial beings, who always behold the face of our Father, which is in heaven. In a little while from this if faithful we shall enjoy an eternal weight of glory. We will not be disheartened by any apparent discouragement; neither will we be dismayed at any of the sons of Anak. Be of good cheer, my dear tried brother, and in Jesus' name, turn the battle to the gate. The cause is the Lord's, and it will move triumphantly onward. No power can stop the wheels of the Lord's car which is now rolling toward the kingdom, propelled by the Holy Law of God, carrying holy passengers to the Holy City. [See Rev. xxii, 14.] Although Jacob may be small, yet soon the least of the saints will be as David, and the house of David as God. And that company seen by the Prophet to be as fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and as terrible as an army with banners, will soon appear in the field of action, clothed in white raiment, with the armor on (The commandments of God and the faith of Jesus) in marshal array, well disciplined, ready for the last mighty conflict. I break off writing as abruptly as I have written, and say publish all, a part, or none, as you see fit. I mean to go to Heaven with you. I love you more and more, and want to see you and talk much with you.
S. W. RHODES.