BRO. WHITE: Through the kindness of some friend, I suppose, you very obligingly send me the Review. I shall not attempt to say how pleasingly welcome it is to me. Confined as I am with rheumatism, unable to walk, and scarcely able to write, and seldom seeing an Adventist of any class, or a Seventh-day Baptist (I am associated with the Seventh-day Baptist church, in N. Y.), I very highly prize the Review, and am profited by it, for its spiritual conformity to the teachings of Christ and the apostles. You will therefore accept my humble thanks for the great favor you thus confer on me. When the Sabbath Recorder was published in N. Y., I recommended an exchange with the Review, and thus I had the reading of it until the Recorder was removed to Westerly, R. I. I have felt the loss of the Review, and would gladly have subscribed for it, but I am poor, have had much sickness, and being some of the time (now especially) dependent upon my friends, I have been unwilling to ask for it free, for I thought it might not be right, and having no personal acquaintance with you, or any of the publishing association, I could not feel free to ask.
I have often wished I could be at your meetings. I believe that even now, I might be healed. I have full faith in Jesus, if the conditions are complied with. If the Lord does not do for me, I cannot expect to write many more letters. That is a task now, which used to be a pleasure, and I should not have undertaken this, but I want you to know that I am not indifferent to your kind sympathy and favor.
The Sabbath question is well advocated and defended in the Review, from which much interesting information may be obtained, and many are, no doubt, instructed, edified, and benefited by reading articles of so great research, and study. I think I have been over the whole ground in a quite thorough manner, having commenced studying the subject to refute a tract published by Bro. Bates about 1845 or 6, I believe; but I was greatly astonished to find myself refuted by the word of the Lord. I thought my brethren would be easily convinced that God had never instituted or commanded but one weekly Sabbath, that of the fourth commandment of the decalogue; so I presented the subject to the brethren and sisters, but, to my grief, it was strongly opposed, and had very little if any good influence on any of them. And being alone (my family opposing), as I supposed, in this great and wicked city, I observed alone, for some time, the (seventh-day) Sabbath of the Lord, and still continue its observance in joyful obedience to God's command.
It seems passing strange to me, that men of learning and deep study, and withal professing godliness, should persistently refuse to admit the divine authority of the fourth commandment, while they readily acknowledge that authority in the other nine. God rested the seventh day, sanctified and blessed it, called it the Sabbath, and commanded it to be kept holy, by remembrance of himself; and he has thus honored, appointed, or distinguished no other day; nor has he ever cancelled the obligation of the day which he sanctified and blessed. This I think precludes all successful argument for a change of the Sabbath. One thing I would like to know,—if there had never been a Sabbath until after the resurrection of Christ, is there any evidence on which to base the idea of a weekly Sabbath? I think it would be very difficult, if not impossible, to find any such thing; therefore the idea is obtained only from the institution ordained of God from the beginning. If God the Father, or Jesus the Saviour and Redeemer, has said one word about a change of the Sabbath, then they who advocate a change should give that word as authority. I can take nothing less than that; and if those who profess to take the word of God for their only guide, would abide by it in this case, there would be but one mind about the Sabbath. One possitive assertion from God is worth more than one hundred inferences, (Burnham's "100 reasons why we should keep the first-day") and that we have in the fourth commandment. Paul says, 1 Cor. xi, 1, "Be ye followers of me as I also am of Christ." Also chap. iv, 16. "Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me." Phil. iii, 17. "Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk, so as ye have us for an example." Again 1 Thess. ii, 14: "For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judea are in Christ Jesus."
Thank God for these testimonies of Paul. They include Paul's Sabbath-keeping for many years, at least to A. D. 64. Do first-day (Sunday) keepers understand this? Then follow Paul. I think it safe to follow him in keeping the Sabbath, as well as in other things. The Lord helping I intend to heed Paul's instructions as a follower of the Lord Jesus.
The Lord bless you, and reward you for your kindness to me. Hoping for eternal life in Jesus Christ, I am,
Affectionately yours,
J. CROFFUT.
Brooklyn, N. Y.
Extracts from Letters.
Bro. C. Brooks, having spent most of his days in slavery, but now recovered his freedom, writes from Spencer, Ohio: When I came to the North, my first thought was to find the people of God, and with them serve him and get to Heaven. I believed that God had a true church, but now came the difficulty. As I could not read God's word, how to find it I could not tell; but the thought came into my mind that I had better go to school and learn to read. This I did; and oh, how glad I felt when for the first time in my life, I could read for myself, though a man nearly thirty years old. All went well with me for the time being, and I went on, as I supposed right. If you have been misled as I have been, then you know how to pity me. I had no thought but that the first-day Sabbath was of divine appointment. So last winter, a friend, as I was reading, asked me if ever I saw the first-day Sabbath in the word of God. Not thinking, I said, Yes. Where? said he. I told him I could not find it then. He gave me one month, then three, and then four. I have read the Bible through, and no first-day Sabbath can I find. Cannot some one come out here and preach the word? Wherever the Review has been read, the call is, Come.
Sister S. J. Hunt writes: My faith is growing stronger as we are nearing the haven of eternal rest. The vintage of earth is fast ripening, and the final harvest is near. Only a few more meetings and partings, a few more conflicts and victories to be won over long cherished sins, and trials that tend to cut loose from earth and prepare a people for the coming of Jesus. Yes, the coming of Jesus! What a joyful thought! Brethren will you be ready? Sisters will you be ready? Shall I be ready? may God grant overcoming grace that we may.
Sister E. Davis writes from Coloma, Iowa: I have but recently embraced present truth. Since I embraced religion I have been a member of the United Brethren church. I attended the lectures of Elder B. F. Snook, a few weeks at Sandyville. One of his discourses was based on the mark of the beast and the seal of the living God. From that time there appeared no way for me to evade the Sabbath of the Lord, without going into deep condemnation and darkness. I resolved to obey my Lord and ever keep all his commandments; and now I rejoice that God has been pleased to make me a humble receptacle of the glorious truths of the third angel's message. I am rejoicing in the Lord, and have strong faith that ere long there will be administered unto me an abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord Jesus.
BRO. A. Pierce writes from Eldora, Hardin Co., Iowa: I am still trying to live out the last message of mercy to a fallen world, by keeping all the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. But how hard I find it sometimes to get along here alone with no one to associate or counsel with. I often compare myself to a person burning green timber with no kindling to keep the fire alive. It requires a great deal of exertion to keep the fire going. And yet under all these discouraging circumstances I still believe in all the great Bible doctrines as held and taught by the Seventh-day Advent people. I have been hoping and wishing and praying now for over nine years that some of the preaching Brn. would see it their duty to come this way. There is probably here as good a field to break into as other new places where there has been no preaching; and if some one would come, I can bespeak the court house, and I think a good congregation to speak to. I feel to rejoice at the prosperity of the cause in other places, and believe that God is in the work and has set his hand for the last time to gather the lost sheep of the house of Israel; and that he will gather them from the low valleys and the lofty mountains and they will soon come to their own border.
Sister L. A. Burroughs writes from West Charleston, Vt.: For about ten years I have been a firm believer that the seventh day is the true Sabbath of the Lord, and have been trying to keep it, and all the commandments of God; but there were some things connected with the third angel's message that I did not clearly see till two years ago last June at a Conference meeting in Irasburg, when Brn. Bourdeau and Hutchins presented the truth in so clear a light that I fully embraced it. And I feel to praise the Lord that he gave me an ear to hear, and a heart to believe, and established me in the truth. Although I meet with some trials, temptations, and afflictions, I still feel to press my way onward. Truth is very dear to me. My love for it grows stronger and stronger every day. I know trials are necessary to purify us; and I had rather suffer affliction with the people of God, than enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.
"Trials make the promise sweet;
Trials give new life to prayer,
Bring me to my Saviour's feet,
Lay me low and keep me there."
L. G. BOSTWICK
By L. G. Bostwick
From Bro. Bostwick.
BRO. WHITE: Since our conference, I have attended the Quarterly Meeting at Oakland, and have also attended my appointments. The Quarterly Meeting at Oakland was good. We enjoyed much of the Spirit of God. These dear brethren are trying to let their light shine; and the Lord is blessing them. When I arrived home, I learned for the first time that I was drafted. I at once reported at the Provost Marshall's office, and received a furlough. I then started on to fill my appointments. I found the brethren at Kickapoo in a divided state, and in trial one with another. I endeavored to depict before them the solemn times in which we live, and show them the importance of pressing together and laying aside their little difficulties. The Lord was with us, and the brethren began to confess their wrongs; and in a little while every thing was made right. Those that were using tobacco laid it aside. Two were added to the church; and we had truly the best of the wine at the last of the feast. We left these dear brethren encouraged to press on toward the prize.
Nov. 5, according to appointment, I met with the brethren at Durand, and am still holding meetings with them. The Lord has been with us to some degree. On first-day one was baptized and added to the church; and we feel that the good work of the Lord is onward. Here seems to be a good field for labor. My prayer is, that God will speed on the work.
L. G. BOSTWICK
Durand, Wis.
Drafted Brethren at Pilot Grove
By Samuel Tomlinson
From Bro. Tomlinson.
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: Two of us at Pilot Grove, Iowa, have been drafted: Bro. Mathews and myself, both of us being poor in this world's goods, but rich in faith. Praise the Lord. It was quite a trial for us to think of leaving our companions and little children to go out and be exposed to the evils and corruptions we should evidently meet; but by the assistance of our good neighbors and dear brethren we have been able to borrow $300 each, until we can meet the demand.
I realize to some extent that the perils of the last days are coming upon us, and how necessary it is that the Lord's children be united so that they can stand shoulder to shoulder and not murmur at any trial, but let us rather rejoice that our redemption draweth nigh; all trials will work together for good to them that love God. Will you remember your brethren in trial who are striving for the victory, and aiming to meet you in the glorified kingdom where the nations will learn war no more forever?
SAMUEL TOMLINSON.
Richmond, Iowa.
Obituary Notices.
By H. L. Doty
DIED, in Salem, Ind., Oct. 23, 1864, sister Susanna Bell, daughter of sister Fox, aged eighteen years and twenty-six days, after an illness of between one and two weeks. At the last visit of Bro. and sister Byington, some two months since, she professed faith in the Saviour and united with the church. The short time she walked with the church was characterized by a devotedness worthy of the emulation of all who knew her. She leaves a sorrow-stricken husband, mother, and three brothers to "weep o'er prospects blighted;" but they sorrow not as those that have no hope. That they may seek an interest in the Saviour, and with her share eternal life is our earnest prayer.
Funeral attended by the writer.
H. L. DOTY.
D. W. MILK
By D. W. Milk
DIED, in Chesaning, Mich., Oct. 13, 1864, of Typhus fever, Sr. Cornelia, wife of O. F. Walker, aged 26 years, 4 months, and 19 days. She leaves a husband and three small children to mourn her loss. She died in bright hope of a future life.
D. W. MILK
Repentance and the Sins of the Heart
Reader, if you would know the heart of your sin, then you must know the sins of your heart.
When godly sorrow takes possession of the house, it will quickly shut all sin out of your heart.
Repentance is an invaluable grace, for it is the bestowment of an invaluable Saviour.
Business Department.
RECEIPTS.
For Review and Herald.
Annexed to each receipt in the following list, is the Volume and Number of the REVIEW & HERALD to which the money receipted pays. If money for the paper is not in due time acknowledged, immediate notice of the omission should then be given.
Mrs W Smith 26-1, D J Burroughs 26-1, M Kittle 25-14, A Horr 26-1, Betsey White 27-1, L A Kellogg 26-1, J Wildman 27-1, E A Davis 25-2, N S Raymond 28-1, O Davis 25-18, H Burdick 26-1, J M Daignean 26-1, Anna Whitmore 26-1, D Richmond 26-1, N A Lord 26-21, L Onks 27-1, J G Salisbury 26-14, J D Conklin 26-1, Leander Kellogg 26-1, A Pinkerton 26-1, Harriet Anway 25-1, M E Rust 26-1, E Pomroy 26-1, A J Richmond 26-1, each $1.
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Subscriptions at the Rate of $3.00 per year.
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Review to Poor.
C Walker 50c, Mrs L W Jones $2.00.
Cash Received on Account.
R Baker $1.00, C L Palmer $5.25, Joseph Bates 26c, Noah Hodges $2.05, H F Lashier for J Bostwick $1.50, H C Blanchard $40.00.
Soldiers' Tract Fund.
Mrs L W Jones $1.00.
Michigan Conference Fund.
Received from churches.—Church at Locke $3.25, Hanover $20.00, Hillsdale $30.00. St. Charles $100. North Liberty, Indiana $20.00. Eureka and Fairplains $25.00. Orleans $24.00. Chesaning $4.50. Orange $25.00. North Plains $10.00. Greenbush $27.00. West Windsor $27.00. Watson $2.00. Colon $7.50. Bunker Hill $7.50.
Received from Individuals.—E M L Cory $1.00, Albert Lewis 24c, R Godschark $10.00, John Sisley $2.00, Brethren at Leslie, Mich. $5.00, D Carpenter $3.00, C C Aldrich $6.00, Mrs F Jeffery $20.00, James Strong 75 cents.
Books Sent By Mail.
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Donations to Purchase a Stock of Paper.
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PUBLICATIONS.
The law requires the pre-payment of postage on Bound Books, four cents for the first four ounces, or fractional part thereof, and an additional four cents for the next four ounces, or fractional part thereof, and so on. On Pamphlets and Tracts, two cents for each four ounces, or fractional part thereof. Orders, to secure attention, must be accompanied with the cash. Address, ELDER JAMES WHITE, Battle Creek, Michigan.
The Hymn Book, 464 pages, and 122 pieces of music, 80 10
" " " with Sabbath Lute, $1,00 11
" " " Calf Binding, 1,00 10
" " " " with Lute, 1,25 11
History of the Sabbath, Sacred and Secular, 80 12
" " " " in paper covers, 50 10
Dobney on Future Punishment, 75 13
Spiritual Gifts, Vol. I, or the Great Controversy between Christ & his angels, and Satan & his angels, 50 6
Spiritual Gifts, Vol. II. Experience, Views & Incidents in connection with the Third Message, 60 8
Spiritual Gifts, Vols. I & II, bound in one book, $1,00 12
Spiritual Gifts, Vol. III, Facts of Faith, 75 8
Spiritual Gifts, Vol. IV, Facts of Faith & Testimonies to the Church, Nos. 1-10, 75 8
Sabbath Readings, a work of 400 pages of Moral & Religious Lessons for the Young, 60 9
The same in five Pamphlets, 55 7
" " twenty-five Tracts, 50 7
Appeal to the Youth, Bound, 60 8
" " Paper Covers, 40 2
" " " without Likeness, 16 2
The Bible from Heaven. 40 5
Both Sides. Review of Preble on Sabbath and Law, 20 4
Three Angels of Rev. xiv, and the Two-horned Beast, 15 4
Sabbath Tracts, Nos. I, II, III, & IV, 15 4
Hope of the Gospel, or Immortality the Gift of God, Which? Mortal or Immortal? or an Inquiry into the Present Constitution & Future Condition of Man, 15 4
Modern Spiritualism: its Nature and Tendency, 15 4
The Kingdom of God: a Refutation of the Doctrine called, Age to Come, 15 4
Miraculous Powers, 15 4
Pauline Theology, on Future Punishment, 15 2
Appeal to Mothers, 10 3
Review of Seymour. His Fifty Questions Answered, 10 3
Prophecy of Daniel.—The Sanctuary and 2300 Days, 10 3
The Saints' Inheritance in the New Earth, 10 3
Signs of the Times. The Coming of Christ at the Door, 10 3
Law of God. The Testimony of Both Testaments, 10 3
Vindication of the True Sabbath, by J. W. Morton, 10 3
Review of Springer on the Sabbath and Law of God, 10 3
Facts for the Times. Extracts from Eminent Authors, 10 3
Christian Baptism. Its Nature, Subjects, & Design, 10 3
Key to the Prophetic Chart, 10 2
The Sanctuary and 2300 Days of Dan. viii, 14, 10 2
The Fate of the Transgressor, 5 2
Matthew xxiv. A Brief Exposition of the Chapter, 5 2
Mark of the Beast, and Seal of the Living God, 5 1
Sabbatic Institution and the Two Laws. 5 1
Assistant. The Bible Student's Assistant, or a Compend of Scripture References, 5 1
Truth Found. A Short Argument for the Sabbath, with an Appendix, "The Sabbath not a Type," 5 1
An Appeal for the Restoration of the Bible Sabbath in an Address to the Baptists. 5 1
Review of Fillio. A Reply to a series of Discourses delivered by him in this City against the Sabbath, 5 1
Milton on the State of the Dead, 5 1
Brown's Experience. Consecration.—Second Advent, 5 1
Report of General Conference held in Battle Creek, June, 1859, Address on Systematic Benevolence, &c., 5 1
Sabbath Poem. False Theories Exposed, 5 1
Illustrated Review. A Double Number of the Review and Herald Illustrated, 5 1
The Sabbath, in German, 10 2
" " Holland, 5 1
" " French, 5 1
On Daniel II & VII, in French, 5 1
ONE-CENT TRACTS. The Seven Seals—The Two Laws—Reasons for Sunday-keeping Examined—Personality of God—Wesley on the Law—Judson on Dress—Appeal on Immortality.
TWO-CENT TRACTS. Institution of the Sabbath—Sabbath by Elihu—Infidelity and Spiritualism—War and Sealing—Who Changed the Sabbath?—Preach the Word—Death and Burial—Much in Little—Truth.
THREE-CENT TRACTS. Dobney on the Law—Milton on the State of the Dead—Scripture References—The Mark of the Beast and Seal of the Living God—Spiritual Gifts.
CHARTS, Prophetic and Law of God, the size used by our Preachers. Varnished, a set, with Key, $4.00
A Set on Cloth, with Key, 3.00
On Cloth, without Rollers, by mail, post-paid, 2.75
Small Chart. A Pictorial Illustration of the Visions of Daniel and John 20 by 25 inches, Price 15 cents. On Rollers, post-paid, 75 cts
Appointments.
By H. C. BLANCHARD
THE next Quarterly Meeting of the Seventh-day Adventists at Princeville, Ills., will be the first Sabbath and first-day in December, which will be the third and fourth of the month.
Come, brethren and sisters, and may the blessing of the Lord attend the meeting. H. C. BLANCHARD.
Corrected.
By Editor
In No. 15, last volume, we referred to the publication of our familiar hymn, "Long upon the mountains weary," in the World's Crisis, as original with a correspondent of that paper. We have since learned from the undersigned that the piece was sent to the Crisis office as a selection, but through some mistake was published as original. We now find in the World's Crisis of Nov. 16, 1864, the following:
"Bro. Grant: Will you please say through the Crisis that the poetry in the Crisis of Aug. 23, headed, Long have we waited, was selected from the Advent Review and Herald?
Luthera B. Weaver."
The Michigan Conference.
THE arrangement for district labor will be continued another quarter, commencing Nov. 21. Bro. Bates will labor in the Eastern district, Bro. Lawrence in the Central, and Bro. Byington in the Western. For the churches included in each district, see Review No. 16, last volume. These brethren will arrange appointments at their own convenience.
MICH. CONF. COMMITTEE.
Divine Guidance.
By John Nevins Andrews
Those who have any sense of the dangers by which the people of God are surrounded, will appreciate in a corresponding measure the value of divine direction and guidance. There are a thousand ways to death; but there is only one path of life. In all our matters, that have any moral bearing, whether great or small, we want the directing hand of our God. Now he has promised that he will guide the meek in judgment. Who are the persons thus designated? Are they not those who have submitted their will and ways unreservedly to God?
How are they to be guided? The statement is, that that they shall be guided in judgment. The meaning evidently is not that the judgment shall be superseded and treated as a thing of nought by the Spirit of God, but that that Heavenly Guide shall enlighten and instruct the judgment, and give to the meek Christian just views of duty and of the will of God concerning himself. If we may thus have our judgments sanctified by the Spirit of God, is it not of inestimable value to us to secure it? But let all remember this, that if our hearts are stubborn and our wills unrestrained we have not the slightest ground to believe that our judgments are thus enlightened by the Spirit of God.
J. N. A.
Rebuilding the Chattahoochee Railroad Bridge
The Construction Corps of the United States Military Railroads has just accomplished a great feat. The railroad bridge over the Chattahoochee, seven hundred and sixty feet long, and ninety feet high, destroyed by the rebels in their retreat, was rebuilt in four and a half days' work, and the cars were running the next day.
Meetings in Ohio.
By Jos. Clarke
Bro. Wm. Hutchinson is expected to hold meetings in Ohio at the following places:
Lovett's Grove, December 17 and 18.
Green Springs, " " 24 and 25.
Columbia, Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 of 1865.
Orwell, January 7 and 8.
In behalf of the Ohio State Committee.
Jos. Clarke, Secretary.