Communication from Bro. Wheeler.
By Frederick Wheeler
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—I would say for the encouragement of the dear saints scattered abroad, that the Lord is still with the remnant here in the East, who are striving to obey the last message of mercy to this perishing world. I have during the past Winter, visited most of the brethren in western Massachusetts and Connecticut, and also spent some time among the Seventh-day Baptists in Rhode Island; and found some among them quite interested to hear on the subject of the Lord's near coming. I have also visited most of the brethren in Maine and some other places. I find the churches where I have labored, united (with very few exceptions) in the truth, and striving to heed the Apostle's injunction, to "mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned, and avoid them." As a general thing there appears to be a rising in spirituality, and a growth in grace among them. But yet I fear that there is too much indifference, too much holding on to the things and spirit of the present world. There is power in the present truth when fully believed and obeyed, to cut us loose from the present world; to make us free in the Lord, and give us the blessed assurance of soon entering our eternal home. There is, I find, in many places quite an ear to hear on the reasons of our hope; many who seem to be enquiring, Are these things so? On the other hand, there are many ready to oppose, but truth is mighty and will eventually triumph; and those who are found obeying the truth will triumph with it. How conflicting are the positions taken by the opponents of the truth. They tell us if we keep the Sabbath we are fallen from grace; for Paul says, say they, that Christ is become of no effect unto you; whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. Gal. v, 4. And then if this does not satisfy the enquirer after truth that it is wrong to keep the Sabbath, they will quote Rom. xiv, 5: "One man esteemeth one day above another, another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind." Now say they, every day includes the Sabbath with the other days, and Paul says it don't make any difference whether we regard it or not. If we regard the day to the Lord it is well; and if we do not regard the day it is just as well. Now let us put their positions together. First, they make Paul teach in Galatians that if we keep the Sabbath we fall from grace. Second, he teaches the Romans that they might do as they choose keep it or not. How strangely indifferent Paul must have been to the welfare of the Roman church! Entirely immaterial with him whether they fell from grace or not!!! But unfortunately for their argument Paul does not speak of the Sabbath or the law of God, the ten commandments, in either of the above quotations. Surely error marks out to itself many crooked ways; while truth moves onward in one straight course. The word of God presents to man a royal law growing out of the relation that we sustain to him as our Creator; and the relation we sustain to each other. This law the apostle proves all to have broken. "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God;" Rom. iii, 23; and "sin is the transgression of the law." 1 John iii, 4. From sin we are justified through faith in Christ, the great sacrifice who has been set forth as the propitiation for the sins of the whole world. Rom. iii, 25; 1 John ii, 2; iv, 10. And being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Having the Spirit of Christ implanted in us (for if any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his) we like him delight to keep the commandments of God, the Father, and the teachings of his Son. Or in other words we retain our justification by a faith made perfect by works or obedience. How much of the Spirit of Christ we need in these last days! The more we have of his Spirit, the more we shall delight to do the commandments of God. We need much of the Spirit of Christ that we may thereby exhibit the excellency of those truths we profess to believe. I still feel to rejoice in God for his goodness to me; and I feel strong in the glorious hope of soon seeing the King in all his beauty. How cheering to the way-worn pilgrim is that "blessed hope." Without this hope how dark the prospect now before us! While the nations of the earth are preparing themselves for war, and the dark cloud of the great day of Jehovah's wrath seems gathering in the distance, and the cry of distress and suffering are borne on every breeze, the eye of faith beholds beyond these dark scenes, the bright glories of an eternal day. The evidences are thickening around us daily that earth's great drama is about to close. What is done for the salvation of our fellow men must be done quickly. Then let us gird on the gospel armor anew for the closing conflict. The truth of God must be our shield and buckler. With our feet firmly planted on the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, we may hope to abide the storm and reign with Christ for ever. Surely in view of these things it becomes us to search our own hearts and to know that our ways please God. It is the power of the truth we need. A living active faith that manifests itself daily in a holy life and a godly conversation. In the Spirit of Christ I desire to labor, having his love the moving principle in all my efforts, that when he shall appear I may be prepared to receive some humble place among the blessed, and participate in the glories of the earth made new. Yours in hope.
Washington, N. H., Apr. 27th, 1855.
F. WHEELER. P. S. I have consulted with the brethren here with regard to the proposed change in the terms of the Review. All seem desirous of having a weekly paper, and in favor of the proposed change in the terms. Let the price be fixed so that the paper may be sustained and you relieved from the perplexing embarrassment under which you have so long labored.
F. W.