Just before the coming of the Son of man, he informs us that among other signs upon earth, the waters of the great deep will be unusually agitated. He expresses the fact by saying, "There shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring." Sea travelers tell us this is now true. Fourteen hundred shipwrecks are said to have taken place in the Mediterranean sea during the first week of December, 1863.
We are fully satisfied that all the signs which the Saviour and apostles gave as tokens of his second coming, will be literally fulfilled, as was the darkening of the sun and moon in 1780, and the falling of the stars in 1833. The distress of nations is being felt, and their death-pains are rapidly increasing. Yet they understand it not because led by blind leaders who promise them days of peace. But when they shall say peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them. .... But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. If we do not wish to be in darkness, we must take heed to the sure words of prophecy, from which cometh our light. One chief reason why so many are groping in darkness, is because they neglect the prophecies. He is not wise who does. Others see light, but will not walk in it, lest they receive reproach from the enemies of truth; they put their light under a bushel, and thus show they are ashamed of the words of Jesus. Such can have no ground to hope for acceptance at the coming of Christ. It will not do to make the least compromise with error or the workers of iniquity. Now is the time to be firm and bold, consecrating all to the Lord. We are rapidly nearing the heavenly harbor, where stormy seas and angry waves foam no more,—where all will be peace, love, and joy, for ever and ever. Shall we meet on that happy shore?—Sel.
None but Jesus.
A LITTLE more than thirty years ago, one of England's greatest men—eminent alike as a scholar, an elegant writer, and a statesman—lay on his death-bed.
He breathed with great difficulty; and when one by his bed-side spoke to him of the love of Christ, he answered, slowly, pausing after each word—"Jesus Christ—love—the same thing," while a smile of exquisite sweetness played on his features.
After a long silence he said, "I believe—" "In God?" asked one suggestively. "In Jesus," was his calm reply.
He never spoke again except to say—in answer to the inquiry how he felt—"Happy." Such was the last scene in the life of Sir James Mackintosh, the essayist, jurist, statesman, philanthropist, associate of Wilberforce, and classmate and friend of Robert Hall.
One of the greatest minds of his own, or any age, was peaceful and "happy" in the faith of Jesus—to him the incarnation of Divine love.
He had studied the literature of all ages. He was familiar with the great writers of Greece, and Rome, and England, and even the learning of India.
His own history of philosophy shows us the vast range of his reading.
But as the needle turns to the pole, so his mind turned at last toward the pole star of our common Christian faith.
He found in all the clustered constellations of intellectual greatness that crowded the firmament of time, only one "Star of Bethlehem."—N. Y. Observer.
Wear a Smile
WEAR A SMILE.—Which will you do, smile and make others happy, or be crabbed, and make everybody around you miserable? You can live among beautiful flowers, and singing birds, or in the mire surrounded by fogs, and frogs. The amount of happiness which you can produce is incalculable, if you will show a smiling face, a kind heart, and speak pleasant words. On the other hand, by sour looks, cross words, and a fretful disposition, you can make hundreds unhappy almost beyond endurance. Which will you do? Wear a pleasant countenance, let joy beam in your eye, and love glow upon your forehead. There is no joy so great as that which springs from a kind act, or a pleasant deed, and you may feel it at night when you rest, and at morning when you rise, and through the day when about your daily business.
Lynxville Quarterly Meeting
By Thomas Demmon
From Bro. Demmon.
BRO. WHITE: Pursuant to appointment we met with the Lynxville church the 12th and 13th, and held our first Quarterly Meeting since its organization by Bro. Sanborn. Bro. L. G. Bostwick preached four times, I trust with profit to many that heard. There appeared to be a determination manifested on the part of the brethren and sisters to move forward, and help this message to rise. The ordinances of the Lord's house were celebrated on first-day, at 4 o'clock P. M., at the school-house, publicly, thus giving heed to the injunction of the Scripture, "Let your light so shine before men," &c. While engaged in washing feet Bro. Bostwick showed up the necessity of the ordinance, accompanied with an exhortation to live out the solemn truths of the third angel's message, and get ready for the soon appearing of Jesus. There were other stirring testimonies given, which I trust served to link heart to heart, so that we may stand shoulder to shoulder, in these trying times, when the wicked rage, and persecute God's children.
Some in Iowa we understand are meeting with persecution for the truth's sake. One sister has been turned out of doors for keeping the Sabbath. Others are threatened. It seems that we are getting into the time of trouble, and I believe that all our Christian graces must and will be tried, so that we shall have to stand by faith.
To the brethren and sisters scattered abroad, I would say, Stand firm. Remember that "in your patience possess ye your souls." Strive to cultivate a spirit of meekness, for such shall inherit the earth. Press together. "Let each esteem others better than themselves." By so doing, you will avoid much trouble among yourselves. Set your faces as flints Zion-ward. Let your motto be, "Eternal life." Let your lamps be trimmed and burning. I believe that this message will soon go with its loud cry, and the work will soon be finished in the heavenly sanctuary, when Jesus will lay by his priestly robes, and come to gather his faithful ones home. That you and I may be among that number is my prayer. Amen.
THOMAS DEMMON.
Kickapoo, Wis.
Healed Through Answered Prayer
By S. Guisinger
From Sister Guisinger.
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: It always rejoices my heart, to hear and know that God will answer prayer, when we go to him in faith, and according to his will.
God will manifest his power, and deliver his children from the hand of the enemy. I can testify to you of the power of God in my behalf. About five weeks ago I was suffering under the hand of affliction, and feeling but little hope of recovery from medical aid, I sent for the brethren and sisters, who followed the directions of the apostle James; and, blessed be the name of the Lord! he heard, and rebuked the fever; and I was able to attend the quarterly meeting that was held at Portage the day following. This was truly encouraging to me, and to all the rest of the brethren and sisters. It also strengthened my faith in the promises of God. Oh! may I be strengthened to live out the truth, and stand in my place, clad in all the armor of God.
Yours in hope of eternal life.
Portage, Ohio. S. GUISINGER.
Fasting, Prayer, and Immortality
By E. Macomber
From Bro. Macomber.
Bro. White: I would say for the encouragement of all who set apart the last Sabbath day for fasting and prayer, that with me the time was a very precious season. The Lord was with us by his holy Spirit and approbated the movement, and gave us the satisfactory evidence that our supplications were noticed, and that answers according to our requests would in due time be granted.
To his name be everlasting praises given,
Now in this world and at the last in Heaven.
Aug. 28, first-day, I listened to a discourse from Eld. F. Berrick on the subject of immortality and our duty to God and our fellow-men. If he had been a Seventh-day Adventist, he would not have been permitted to preach in the house that he occupied for the day; but no S. D. A. messenger could have delivered a more thorough commandment-message than he did.
1. He set forth the cause of man's rejection from the tree of life, namely, through disobedience, by which he lost the blessing of immortality.
2. He showed us from the scriptures how we are to gain access to the tree of life, and quoted Rev. xxii, 14, "Blessed are they that do his commandments that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city." Of course the commandments referred to, are the commandments of God the Father, because it is Jesus his beloved Son speaking to John on this occasion. So I think as the local Baptist minister remarked to me after the sermon, that Bro. Berrick could not dispose of the seventh-day Sabbath while holding to such views as these, and also remarked that the arguments produced by him in his discourse had entangled him in such a manner that he could not extricate himself without keeping God's commandments, the seventh-day Sabbath not excepted.
I would that Bro. B. might go on, continue in the good work, get baptized into the third angel's message, and sound the good news to the saints of God, as his gift well qualifies him for the work, with the keeping of the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Let us be found thus doing, and then when the Lord comes, we shall have right to the tree of life, and gain immortality that was lost or forfeited by disobedience.
And then, blessed be the name of the Lord! we shall shout, Victory, victory through Christ our everlasting King. Then the crowns of gold will be ours. Then the harps, that are all in tune, shall be ours, and a knowledge of the use of them also. Oh the harmony! How enrapturing the thought! Heaven's music will far excel anything of earth. Oh that all would obey, and have right to the tree of life.
E. Macomber.
New Shoreham, R. I.
Extracts from Letters.
Bro. D. D. Haines writes from Haverhill, Mass. : I would say that I am not weary in this good cause. The truth shines brighter, and my love for it increases. I am trying to live out the truth and Christ is more precious to me now. I am striving to keep all God's commandments, and delight in the Law of God. I love the precious truth of the third angel's message, although I find it very humbling. It was just what I needed to see my duty, and to be purified through obeying the truth, and doing the will of God.
Bro. E. E. Jones writes from Linden, Mich. : The day appointed for fasting and prayer by the people of God, was a day long to be remembered by the little branch of his church at Tyrone. The children seemed greatly interested. Four of them resolved to go with their parents to the kingdom. We felt that the Spirit of the Lord was in our midst, for which we did greatly rejoice.
Pray for us that we may be faithful and exert a holy influence around. We would like to see Bro. Bates again. We felt that his visit was timely. Some were strengthened by his example of living faith. All were encouraged to press forward to obtain the prize that lies at the end of the Christian race.
Obituary Notices.
By Solomon Myers
DIED, Aug. 26th, 1864, of congestion on the brain, John Nelson, only child of Bro. Caleb A, and sister Permelia S. Bates, aged 17 months 24 days. The writer made a few remarks from 1 Cor. xv, 26, to an attentive congregation, who seemed to sympathise deeply with the bereaved parents.
SOLOMON MYERS.
Note from Bro. Ingraham.
By Wm. S. Ingraham
BRO. WHITE: Our tent-meeting at South Bend Indiana closed August 28th. I tarried one week after we took down the tent, and labored some during the week. On Sunday Sept. 4th, I baptized fifteen. It was a precious season. About twenty-five are keeping the Lord's Sabbath.
WM. S. INGRAHAM.
P. S. My labor in connection with Bro. Waggoner this summer has been very pleasant. The Lord has blessed our labors for which we feel very grateful.
W. S. I.
Question.
In the constitution of the General Conference we read : "Each State Conference shall be entitled to one delegate in the General Conference, and one additional delegate for every twenty delegates in the State Conference." My question is, How many delegates must a State Conference have in order that it may send two delegates to the General Conference?
AnswER.—Twenty. A State Conference is entitled to one delegate in the General Conference, without any reference to the number of delegates of which such State Conference is composed; and after that one delegate for every twenty delegates composing the State Conference. Thus if a State Conference consists of twenty delegates from the churches, that Conference can send two delegates to the General Conference; if consisting of forty delegates, three in Gen. Conference; if of sixty, four, and so on.
Note from Bro. Loughborough.
By John Norton Loughborough
Our meeting is still progressing here. Eleven have subscribed for the Review. Bro. Cornell has had quite a siege with fever for most of the time since the meeting commenced, but Brn. Howard and Stratton have assisted in speaking to the people for the last week. Their help was a relief to me. The attendance is good. Tent full yesterday and evening. About 500 voted for us to remain another week. We trust many will be led to obey the truth. If rains do not hinder our meeting, we shall have interesting times this week.
J. N. Loughborough.
Note from Bro. Steward.
By T. M. Steward
BRO. WHITE: I have been holding meetings at Marquette for a week with increasing interest. The last two evenings the house was full to overflowing and they gave good attention while I pointed them to the Sanctuary in Heaven. I intend to continue my meetings there over another Sabbath and first-day. May the Lord bless these efforts to the salvation of precious souls. The church in Marquette is still advancing. May the Lord prosper them.
T. M. STEWARD.
Note from Bro. Bates.
By Joseph Bates
ThE Monthly Meeting for Allegan, Allegan Co., was held in Watson, Sep. 10. This was a good gathering, a fair representation of the churches. They were encouraged, strengthened, and blessed of the Lord.
JOSEPH BATES.
Report from Bro. Taylor.
By C. O. Taylor
Bro. White: I was with the church at Roosevelt, Sept. 3d and 4th, being the Monthly Meeting for Oswego Co. Our hearts were cheered by meeting brethren from the churches of Oswego city, West Monroe, Kirkville, and Verona. The attendance was large, the attention good. Three were baptized, and one united in church fellowship.
The 10th and 11th I spent with the church at Mannsville. The most of the church at this place were present, and a good meeting it was. We were comforted with many a warm testimony for the truth. The church at M. is doing well. They have been seeking meekness, and the Lord is leading them in judgment. The work of reformation has well begun, and it depends upon them to carry it on. God is willing to help.
The church at this place hail with joy the few remarks of Bro. White in No. 15, relative to the State Conference being held here. We hope there will be a larger gathering than last year, and that it will last longer. Let every church in the Conference be well represented by regularly chosen delegates; also a large delegation of lay members from the same, and the churches not organized and belonging to the Conference. Come one, come all. Come with hearts of love and zeal for the truth and its Author, which has done so much for us, and promises to do more than heart can think.
Friends can reach here from the South at 7 A. M., and 1 and 8 P. M. From the North at 8 A. M., and 4 and 9, P. M. A committee will be at the depot on the arrival of trains, till the hours of the Sabbath.
C. O. Taylor.
Adams' Center, Sept. 12, 1864.
Book on Slavery.
By John Nevins Andrews
Bro. Smith: I have a quantity of the work to which you referred in a recent number of the Review, entitled "The Bible Against Slavery." The N. Y. Independent pronounces it the best work of the kind. I will send it post-paid for thirty-five cents. Those who wish it will please address J. N. Andrews, Box 648, Rochester, N. Y.
I have also bound libraries of our office publications in five volumes. These are as complete as I could make them and are bound in a neat and substantial manner. These I will send by express at six dollars a library.
Address as above. J. N. Andrews.
Business Department.
By Editor
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.
A R Knight 26-20, H J Rich 26-1, M H Swarthout 26-11, L Marsh for C P Thompson 25-12, R Wood 26-17, J W Dodge 26-17, O B Jones for Mrs J Wilson 26-1, O Frizzle 25-1, W Elden 26-17, N Danforth 26-17, J Lambert Jr., 26-17, J L Stetson 26-17, L C Andrews 26-17, Lovina Keay 26-17, Peter Baldwin 26-17, E Bullard 25-1, S Whitney 25-13, S B Whitney 26-7, A Laidlaw 26-17, S L Downer 25-1, E Loudon 26-11 $1 each.
J T June 26-14, L Marsh 25-16, Mary A Stoel 24-9, A Worster 26-2, G F Evens 26-17, M Chapman 26-14, R J Cowles 26-11, $2 each.
F Broderick 25-1, H Hopkins 25-1, N Cameron 25-1, 50cts each.
J Glover $2,05 26-16, G E Gregory $3.00 26-1, T M Morris 96c 25-1, A J Estes $3,00 28-8, M Edwards 60c 25-17 Mary E Beach $5,00 31-1 S S Van Ornum $4,00 28-14, J M Aldrich $3,00 27-1, H Lindsay $3,00 27-22, J H Grandy $3,00 25-15, W James $2,15 26-8.
Books Sent By Mail.
A Robinson 56c, Jacob Butcher $5,75, Mrs. E H Steel 75c, Mrs. W Treadwell 17c, J Glover 25c, J W Ellis $2,55, Mrs. O D Washburn $2,75, J G Wood 25c, J E Roberts 50c, E Loudon 25c, J R Stone $1,08, I C Vaughan $1,48, E Macomber $4,03, T M Morris $1,54, F T Wales 83c, P Cornell 25c, J A Demill $2,75, Mrs B S Brooks 12c, L A Bramhall 75c, D H Gould $1,00 Z Marsh 32c, A Wattles 83c, H Howe 25c, E P Cram $1,00 W James 85c.
Soldiers' Tract Fund.
John B Webber $1,00, Adeline Dalgrien 25c.
General Conference Missionary Fund.
Church at Block Island $16,20, C F Hall $5,00, Church in North Jay, Maine (s B) $33,00, Church in Portland, Maine (s B) $24,60.
Cash Received on Account.
S H King $4,00, C Swarthout for J B Frisbie 80c, S B Whitney $20,00.
Books sent by Express.
J M Aldrich, Lockport, N. Y., $9,49, I D Van Horn, St Johns, Mich., $50,06.
Appointments.
By James White
THE New York State Conference of the Seventh-day Adventists, will be held with the Adams' Center church, September 30th, and October 1st, and 2d.
Sixth-day September 30th, will be devoted to the business proceedings of the Conference. The first session will commence at 10 A. M. Ministers and delegates should reach the place of meeting on fifth-day evening. Meetings of worship will commence Sabbath evening. CONF. COM.
P. S. We are happy to state that Bro. and sister White will attend this meeting.
PROVIDENCE permitting Eld. James White and wife, and, probably, Eld. J. N. Loughborough, will hold meetings in Maine as follows:
Kendall's Mills, October 8th and 9th.
China, “ 15th and 16th.
Cornville, “ 22d and 23d.
JAMES WHITE.
Illinois and Wisconsin Annual Meeting
THE next Annual Meeting of the Illinois and Wisconsin State Conference will be held at Clyde, Whiteside Co., Illinois, commencing Oct. 6th, at 7 o'clock P. M., and continuing over Sabbath and first-day. CONF. COM.
Appointments in Michigan
By Joseph Bates
PROVIDENCE permitting, I will meet with the churches in Bowne, Kent Co., Mich., Sept. 17; Lowell, or Vergennes, evenings of 20, 21; Wright, Ottawa Co., Oct. 1; Fair Plains, Montcalm Co., 8, West Plains, evenings Oct. 11, 12; Orleans, Ionia Co., Oct. 15.
JOSEPH BATES.
JOSEPH G. WOOD
By Joseph G. Wood
THE next Quarterly Meeting of the church of Avon, Rock Co., Wis., will be held the first Sabbath and Sunday in October next. A messenger is expected. We hope to see a general attendance.
JOSEPH G. WOOD
Let This Be Done.
By J. M. Aldrich
INCLOSED are three dollars for my next year's subscription for the Review. Let all who are able do likewise. I think there can be none among us of this class that are willing to receive the Reveiw at less than cost. Those who are really not able to pay the above price, and still want the paper should by all means have it, either free, or at such price as they may feel able to pay. Let all such, be perfectly free to express what they desire in the matter. We are one brotherhood, and should have no delicacy about letting our real wants be known.
We can all well afford to do without a great many things, that we might desire, and no doubt many things that we do have; but not one of us can afford to do without the Review. But the Review, like all other good things of the present life, costs money. But what of that? Is it not abundantly good for the cost? Indeed, it is. So says every lover of present truth. Then surely we need not be frightened in view of the high price of paper and printing. I regard our paper cheap enough at the amount inclosed. How many are of the same mind?
Such is my answer to the question, "What shall be done?"
J. M. ALDRICH.
Subscription Renewal
So say I; and herewith I send three dollars for my next year's subscription. HARMON LINDSAY.
Business Department
By Editor
OUR Business Department this week does not come up to its usual proportions. An extra amount of other office duties has so encroached upon the time of the Secretary that many business matters are necessarily deferred till next week.
Edwin Shults
Edwin Shults. For Book on Slavery see notice by Bro. Andrews in another column.
A Contribution to the Review
By Editor
Bro. J. B. Tinker of Watson, Mich., appropriates $1.50 to help publish the Review, in response to "What shall be done?"
Review Circulation Report Delayed
By E. S. W.
Owing to a press of work in the office I have not been able to prepare the report of the committee on the circulation of the Review, for the month of August in time.
I have now decided to let the matter rest until after the close of the present month and then report for the months of August and September. In the mean time send along the subscribers. E. S. W.