Untitled article by Uriah Smith

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 31, 1865

Notes by the Way. No. 4.

By Uriah Smith

A BOOK has been published to the world called "Pauline Theology," setting forth the teachings of Paul in reference to the state of man in death, and the destiny of the wicked. And while this book is very excellent, clearly showing the views of Paul upon the subject of which it treats, yet this is only one item in Paul's theology. Paul has set forth instruction upon many other points, some theoretical, and some practical, which should not be overlooked. That portion of his teaching in which we are just now specially interested is a very practical subject to which he alludes in Acts xxvii, 3: "And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself." As Paul assures us that he kept back nothing that was profitable, we may safely infer that he advanced nothing that was unprofitable, and hence may conclude that, in his estimation, a person might occasionally, with profit to himself, go to his friends and be refreshed.

After a long absence from our native place, we are now tasting the sweets of a practical application of this hint of the apostle's. We can testify that this is a most excellent item of his theology, and that he used none too strong a term when he implied that by carrying it out, a person would be "refreshed."

Starting from Rochester, N. Y., from which place our last note was written, on the evening of the 17th inst., by a prosperous journey we reached this place the 19th, when a long cherished desire of our heart was gratified in taking by the hand, and again looking upon the face of a dear mother, from whom we have been parted for the space of ten years and four months. This meeting is to us doubly precious from the consideration that to her early and faithful religious instruction, we are chiefly indebted for our present interest in eternal things. We meet as possessors of the same life-giving truths of these last days, and travelers together, to the not-far-distant land of eternal union and eternal youth. May she reach it this side the portals of the grave.

When we last went from this place, we left an only sister near her end under the fell power of consumption, much nearer than we then expected. She long since went to her rest, and we meet her here no more—no more till the world's great and only hope is consummated in the appearing of our Redeemer, and the bright morning of the resurrection arrives, bearing the precious freight of blissful re-unions, and its eternal weight of glory. Hasten the glad day! is the prayer that is drawn from the heart, as at every step we behold the world's changes, and the world's evils.

Sabbath, the 21st, we enjoyed a precious season with the few in this vicinity who are alive in the cause of the Lord. As they take the pains to come from thrice to thirteen miles around, to meet upon the Sabbath to exhort one another, that the spirit of truth may not die out of their hearts, and their light may not go out before the world, the Lord meets with them to own and to bless. It was so upon this occasion. We were rejoiced to meet these faithful pilgrims; and we felt that God's people, whether they live in Michigan or New Hampshire, are all one. May they still have strength to hold on, till all this section is shaken with the truth, as we believe it will be, and the Lord adds to their numbers such as shall be saved.

A few weeks spent here renewing former and pleasant acquaintances with persons and things, will complete our vacation from Office duties. The season is favorable for rest and repose. A New England autumn, proverbially pleasant, is here. The bracing air of our native hills is refreshing and invigorating. And Nature herself, having now accomplished the burden of the year's labor, borne her harvests and ripened her fruits, has arrayed herself in the most fantastically colored apparel, as if to enjoy a little gala day of rest and festivity, ere she sinks to repose before the cold foot-falls of approaching winter.

With serene and joyful anticipation we look forward to that time when nature shall wear more brilliant hues than are yet known to earth, and when its gorgeous coloring will not result, as here, from its elements of decay; but where there will be every form and tint of beauty which can please the eye, all fruits that will be good to the taste, and every influence that can fill with joy unutterable the souls of immortal beings. But a few more seasons, at most, will complete their rounds, ere the day of deliverance comes, for which the whole nation now groans and travails.

U. S.

West Wilton, N. H., Oct. 22, 1865.