p. 179 | Review and Herald, Vol. 36, No. 23. (11/22/1870)

Review and Herald

Nov 22, 1870

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 22, 1870

To the Churches in California.

By John Norton Loughborough

DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: I have had it in my mind for several weeks to say a few words to you, through the REVIEW, which I now attempt. We have reason for gratitude to God that the effort made to spread the truth on this coast has not been without fruits, and that a goodly number, amid all the pressure of opposition, cares of life, and Satan's snares, still maintain a love for this cause. But it does not become us to settle down in a spirit of self-complacency over past attainments. How much greater progress we ourselves might have made, and how much greater our influence for good might have been, had our zeal been in proportion to the importance of the work in which we are engaged, and adequate to the short time in which we have to work. But he prospers best in life, who profits by his mistakes in the past; so it may be with us here, if we do as we should in all respects relative to the future, “redeeming the time.” The most of you who have taken hold of the Sabbath, desire to make progress; but, with many of you, the Christian life, and cross-bearing, and burden-bearing, is a new work.

“Diligent application to business, is the price of success in any enterprise.” In the work of serving God, it is those who are active, are ready to do every duty in its time, that make progress; while those who fail in this, are almost at a stand-still, or else lose their interest in the work.

We need to avail ourselves of all the means of grace within our reach. These commence in our hearts, and at home; but they do not end there. We must daily read the word of God, examine our own hearts in the light of God's word, striving to learn our own faults, with a determination to put them away. In order to do this aright, we must daily have our times to go before God in secret, pleading with him for strength; and not do this in a hurried manner, as a mere form, but plead until we realize that our petitions are heard. With those who have families, what a source of strength is the family altar, and what an influence for good it exerts upon our children, and those near to us, if rightly conducted. Let us remember that God threatens a curse for this time on “the families that call not on his name.” These duties rightly performed, bringing us to taste of the divine, create in us a relish for the public worship of God. They strengthen us to withstand the temptations and trials of the world, and self, and Satan.

It is made a duty, in the Scriptures, for the people of God to assemble themselves together on the Sabbath for “a holy convocation”—religious meeting. “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another, and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Heb. 10:25. As we try every day to have before us, as the greatest object, our advancement in Christian duties, we do not feel, when the time of public meeting comes, a lack of disposition to assemble with God's people; but we long for the assembly of the saints, and, like David, can say, “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.” Ps. 122:1. When thus assembled for the worship of the God of the Sabbath, does he not regard us? Assuredly he does; and that promise of Mal. 3:16, is ours: “Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another; and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him, for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name.” The one who has a sense of this promise, as well as of what follows in verse 17, will not say, when the time of meeting comes around, “I am tired; I think I will not go to meeting to-day.” Yes, you have become so weary following your secular pursuits that you will dare to take God's time, in which you should assemble with his people, to simply get physical rest, so as to use your recuperated strength to yourself through the next week, to act the like again on the next Sabbath. I am sure, if we realize these things as they are, that we shall do so no more.

Some desire to make advancement. Look over those of your acquaintances who have started in the service, who have made advancement; those who have been active, who have availed themselves of the means of grace, and been ready to do duty promptly whenever they saw it; and who are ye that are desiring progress, but making little? Are you availing yourself of all the means of grace within your reach, and doing your duty in all respects? When met with God's people, they are encouraged to see you; but do you also gladden them still more by bearing your humble testimony? Some say they do not believe in a religion which is “all talk and no do.” Neither do I. Have “faith that works,” and overcome “by the blood of the Lamb and the word of your testimony.”

I have found, by observation, that a lack of energy in attending the social meeting, creates a lack of interest to attend the preaching of the word. Judge of the feelings of the minister, when, with a sense of the want and condition of the people of God, he has tried, prayerfully, to select portions with which to instruct, reprove, and encourage the flock; but, alas! when he rises to speak, he finds that some of the very ones who need the help he has for them, have thought they were not in need of it, and have stayed at home to take rest. It is hopeful they will not be asleep when the Master comes.

Our quarterly meetings were appointed for the express purpose that all the church, by making a little extra exertion, might have the benefit of preaching once in four or six weeks, without our few ministers on this coast having to take time from labor in new fields to go to every church. What, think ye, are the feelings of a minister, when he rides much of the night to get to and from the quarterly meeting, to meet one solitary church, and perhaps one or two members from one or two other churches, and they say, “Our church gave up their meeting to attend this quarterly meeting, but I dont know why they are not here.” Why? Perhaps they have thought it a good time to get some physical rest, instead of having a spiritual feast. There seems to be some failure in our quarterly meeting arrangement. The lack is somewhere. Where is it? We have thought perhaps the church considered that one sermon and other duties would not pay the effort of getting to and from the meeting; so we have decided for the present round to have all the quarterly meetings two days' meetings, and see how that will work. Other changes still will have to be made soon. The calls for labor in entirely new fields here, must be responded to; then, as new companies are raised up, they, for a time, will need, and should have, more ministerial labor than the older companies. At the same time, the older companies must not be neglected. It may be duty, at the next State meeting, to so arrange the quarterly meetings for the older churches, that they will be further apart than now, and have them two days' meetings, and make it a point to attend them. Think of it, brethren.

Meanwhile let us avail ourselves of the present means of grace, that we may obtain that growth which will enable us to stand alone, if need be, that perishing souls around us may have the light. What I have said of neglecting meeting on the Sabbath, is only applicable to a few cases here in this State. I trust those few will reform. The neglect of the quarterly meetings has resulted from a lack of realizing the benefit of them. If we all now take hold in these meetings as we should, they will be a source of good

to ourselves, and to our interested friends, who should be induced to attend them.

Another point that I will say a few words upon, is our finances. It was decided by the Committee of this State, after our State meeting was organized, to make this mission self-sustaining, and release our Eastern brethren who have such promising fields in other directions to claim their aid through the General Conference fund. A burden was taken that was new to the most of you, and s. b. was organized only in one church, Petaluma.

By economy in the expenditure of means, and the promptness of most of you, we have come to that point where we can say, for the first time, The California mission is out of debt. But if this could be said of all who still have unpaid pledges on the s. b. books, there might also be surplus means in the treasury with which to push out the work into new fields. We are not fault-finding in this matter. The majority of you have made a fine start, both in pledging and paying s. b. For instance, Petaluma closes its fiscal year, all square on s. b. Healdsburg closes its first year, overpaid. Green Valley closes its first quarter, square. Santa Rosa closes its first year with all the active members square. As a general rule, those who are behind are those who are dilatory in other matters also. Now, a little calculation and foresight can cure all this tardiness. Although it is the treasurer's office to act as collector also, do not make it his duty to call on you for the sum you have pledged to the Lord's treasury. Pay up your dues. Have you pledged beyond your ability to perform, have the book adjusted accordingly, and then be as prompt in rendering to God, “the things which are God's,” as you are in rendering, “to Caesar the things which are Caesar's.”

We plan for our taxes to the government; and why should we not plan in relation to our freely made pledges to the Lord, and pay all our vows? But, says one, If the cause is out of debt, there is not that necessity of my paying up with promptness. “Faithfulness becometh” the house of the Lord; and “Cursed be he that doeth the work of the Lord deceitfully”—negligently, margin—are the declarations of holy writ.

With the large field of promising labor that is open before us on this coast, we should have more laborers. And if we all do our duty with promptness, the present laborers will not only be kept free from embarrassment, but we may have wherewith to sustain another laborer. Let us be active and do our part, praying God to still work and raise up laborers.

Time is short. A mighty work is to be done in getting these truths before our fellow-men. Shall we come short on this coast, in manifesting our gratitude for the truth? or shall we diligently fulfill the trust committed to us, of trying to do all we can to warn our fellow-men of what is coming? There are some interesting cases of persons' embracing the truth on this coast, by reading our publications. I have thought a fund should be raised here outside of our s. b. funds, with which to purchase tracts to be distributed freely at meetings, where there is an interest awakened, and to put books and tracts in the hands of the candid, who may not be so situated as to purchase them. I have distributed, on my own account, the last year, some $30 worth. I did not know but others might wish to share in the work. Some may say, Did we not send $100.00 to the general book fund? Yes; but they had already sent us $100.00 worth of books, which are mostly distributed, and doubtless they would send us more, should we ask them to. But, after our brethren East have bought the tent, and sent laborers here with it, and in the main sustained the work here for one year, shall we not do all we reasonably can, to sustain the work in this State, without demanding more of their means?

Now, dear brethren and sisters in California, do not get the impression that I am complaining of you. You have been exceedingly kind to us, gratuitously moving us and our tent from place to place, and helping us in various ways. The same promptness and good-will that has been manifested by you in the past, if carried out by all in the future, will keep the work free, and greatly extend its borders. Shall we dedicate ourselves unreservedly to God, ready to do his will in all things, and share largely of his blessing? So may the Lord help us all to do.

A sister, on hearing this proposition, gives $10.00 for a book fund; who else in this State wishes to share in this matter? Let those respond who can, and who wish so to do, when they see me, or write to me at Healdsburg, Sonoma Co., Cal.

If others denied themselves of tobacco and other injurious articles, and, with means so saved, sent the tent and truth to this coast, what can we do to send it to others? “Consider it, take note of it, and speak your mind.” Pray that God may bless and guide in the work here. Your brother in Christ,

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.

THY WILL BE DONE.

We see not, know not—all our way Is night; with Thee alone is day; From out the torrent's troubled drift, Above the storm our prayer we lift, Thy will be done!

The flesh may fail, the heart may faint; But who are we to make complaint, Or dare to plead, in times like these, The weakness of our love of ease? Thy will be done!

We take, with solemn thankfulness, Our burden up, nor ask it less, And count it joy that even we May suffer more, or wait for Thee, Whose will be done;

Though dim as yet in tint and line, We trace Thy picture's wise design, And thank Thee that our age supplies The dark relief of sacrifice, Thy will be done!

And if in our unworthiness Thy sacrificial wine we press, If, from Thy ordeal's heated bars, Our feet are seamed with crimson scars, Thy will be done!

If, for the age to come, this hour Of trial hath vicarious power, And, blest by Thee, our present pain Be liberty's eternal gain, Thy will be done!

Strike thou, the Master, we thy keys, The anthem of the destinies! In memory of Thy loftier strain, Our heart shall breathe the old refrain— Thy will be done!

Submission.

By Jos. Clarke

"Thy will be done in earth, as it is in Heaven." Matt. 6: 10.

"I saw that many would have to learn what it is to be a Christian; that it is not in name, but it is in having the mind of Christ, submitting to the will of God in all things." Testimony No. 3, p. 15.

Submission to God, a resignation of one's affairs, plans, hopes, and everything, to the mind and will of God, is an act which must follow repentance, and is followed by joy and peace in believing.

Submission to the will of God comprehends much. This act of submission is not only a laying down of the weapons of rebellion, but it is a putting on of the armor of God, and a full enlistment in the army of Emmanuel.

He who submits to God fully and intelligently, feels that he cannot consistently shrink at any cross or self-denial which God requires at his hand; and while he carries out this principle in his daily life, he has the assurance in his own heart that he is accepted of God; but it is a withdrawing of this act which causes darkness, backsliding, and apostasy.

The repentant sinner often submits himself to God, wholly, as he avers; but when tests and crosses come, he shrinks first, then utterly refuses to deny himself, little thinking that, in thus shrinking, he is, in fact, undoing his act of submission to the will of God.

The sinner, in submitting his all to God, does, in so doing, change masters; and virtually says to God, Henceforth I am thine. I now throw off my allegiance to the world, the flesh, and the devil, and commit my all into thy hands. Rule over me, O my Creator, and reign within me. Create within me a clean heart, and renew within me a right spirit.

This act of submission admits of no mental reserve. Should the sinner say in his heart, I submit to thee, O my God, upon conditions that thou perform for me this or that, or should he reserve for himself license for certain favorite plans, schemes, or indulgences in certain sins, or pleasures, or pursuits, his act of submission would bring no light, joy, or peace; for God would reject his plea.

No mortal can perform this act, until he feels his need of a Saviour, so that he is willing to lay down his life and his all for eternal life. His appetites and passions, his wealth and talents, his influence, his affections, are all laid upon the altar, as Abraham laid his son upon the altar at Moriah.

Reader, are you daily striving, by self-examination and prayer, to do the will of God? Have you ever fully laid down your weapons of rebellion? Have you ever ceased to make war with God for an hour or a day? Has God been in all your plans, and hopes, and pursuits, and pleasures?

It is said of the wicked, that God is not in all his thoughts. (Ps. 10: 4.) His plans, and pleasures, and pursuits, he follows from the counsels of his own will. This, alone, constitutes rebellion. The Christian has nothing which he really calls his own; all is consecrated to God; and all hesitation in giving up our loved plans, pleasures, pursuits, treasures, etc., wholly to the call of God, only manifests, either that the first act of submission was made hastily and partially, or, that the act has been reversed to a greater or less degree. This reversal is an act quite too common, and shows plainly the fickleness of our nature, and the weakness of our resolutions, and the power of the world, the flesh, and the devil, to lead astray.

To live constantly as we should, it is necessary to make a full submission of our all to God, and then to hold continually to this act; to hold this as a sacred contract or covenant with our Creator. It should be the constant effort and aim of the one making this act of submission, to study to know God's will, and then to do it with promptness and pleasure. It implies consecration in its fullest sense. It implies obedience to God's moral law, and a willingness to receive and abide by the testimonies of his faithful servants, and to receive and walk in the light, as fast as God opens and directs in reformatory movements. And he who lovingly submits his will to the will of God, will not only be willing, but anxious, to understand the word of God, for it is the rule of his life.

Such an act of submission as we have described stands opposed to prejudice and bigotry; it opens the mind to the influence of sound reason and truth; it tends to lead the mind to God for light, and supplicates the aid of the Spirit of God; it aims to root out error, and to establish itself in the truth; it has no self to gratify, for the very act of submission, well understood, contemplates an abnegation of self, and a baptism of the spirit of God; it stops at no self-denial; it is not a passive, tame, abject, gloomy state of the affections, but it results in a full consecration of all to God, and will be content with nothing short of a perfect conformity to the will of God, and an active participation in his service.

Submission to the will of God becomes a practical matter with the child of God, from his first experience in the divine life. As it was the most important step in his conversion, the one preceding his assurance of acceptance with God, so, in his daily experience, he finds that repetition of this mental act brings sweet peace and joy. When sorrow, and disappointment, and affliction, cause him to faint by the way, submission to the will of God brings a healing balm to his spirit. When he is tempted to murmur at the unforeseen trials which come upon him, submission turns his complaint to praise. When tempted to go astray from God, submission to the will of God protests against the dictates of the carnal mind; and as he yields himself a willing servant to God, he feels that Satan is defeated.

Such victories as these, over the enemy, are the only true victories; these elevate the soul to a true appreciation of the doctrines of the gospel. Here is the difficulty with many who profess the present truth: as, in the first message, a large number embraced the truth who had no religious experience, that is, had never submitted the will to God; but, from the weight of argument, had embraced the doctrine of the second advent; so, now, many have embraced the truth upon the Sabbath question, merely from the weight of argument, who have never really bowed the will to God.

Such are striving unlawfully; and until this heart-work is done, their work cannot be wholly acceptable to God. Such a service is not agreeable either to God or to the one who renders it; to the one who renders it, it is a blind groping in the dark; it is a fruitless search; an up-hill work, in which more is lost than is won. Toward God, this service is wholly barren. He cannot accept it, for it is carnal; it is Satan casting out Satan; bitter against bitter; it is a service as bootless as idolatry.

The carnal mind, undertaking to walk the narrow path, is, in fact, climbing up some other way; the pilgrim must come in by the door; as Bunyan describes, by the wicket gate.

He who has not made this surrender of his heart to God, has not yet changed his position; he is still a subject of Satan.

A man may be outwardly a fair professor of religion, yet inwardly a child of the devil. He may strive and pray to free himself from this bondage, and all in vain, until he make this full surrender of all; God will accept nothing else; he must come back and begin anew at the foundation. Too many will stumble here. They will not acknowledge themselves so deceived; such an acknowledgment would be too humiliating; they self-confidently presume upon God's mercy and their own righteousness.

This is a precious privilege to the true pilgrim, to surrender all to God; whether it is his will, his fair fame, or his fortune, it is all God's; his means, his time, his influence; it only causes joy to give up all to God. Jos. CLARKE.

Our Experience.

By R. M. Kilgore

Of the experience of my brother David, (the notice of whose death I have given,) and also ours, it might be well to chronicle a brief sketch.

When the tent was in Washington, where our parents and sisters embraced the truth, David and I were in the army, where we endured hardships, suffered in Southern prisons, and passed through hair-breadth escapes with our lives, untouched by the missiles of the enemy. At its close, we returned and found the family keeping the seventh day for the Sabbath, who, in their zeal and anxiety, rather overdid the matter by talking to us; but managed at last to get me down to Mt. Pleasant, where Bro. Ingraham and B. F. Snook were giving a course of lectures, and where I embraced the third angel's message, which then seemed most clear and beautiful, and made a harmony in the Bible that I had not seen before.

Now it came my turn to labor for my brother. The devil rolled a burden for him upon me. I thought I could make him and everybody else see as I did. Oh, how foolish! I thought I was rich and increased in goods, and had need of nothing; whereas, I was poor, miserable, blind, and naked. I was destitute of all the heavenly graces which I needed before I was fit to labor for others. How many there are, who, when they have first heard the truth, unwisely labor, with a misdirected zeal, for their friends, who will doubtless be turned away from the truth in disgust, by their injudicious course, but who might be reached if their principal labor were directed to getting themselves right, making a change in their daily deportment, and living a holy and exemplary life before them. This would talk more loudly, and be more effectual in bringing about the result which they so much desire to accomplish.

This has been something of our experience in the above case. By our unwise course, together with the powerful influence of the world, his friends, and his love for their approbation, he was kept from looking at the truth with any degree of candor. He afterward joined the United Presbyterian church, subsequent to which he acknowledged, and confessed with deep regret, that it was for the sake of being popular, and that he cared nothing whatever about religion, when he did so. He then began to look at the truth more favorably, and believed many of the truths of the third angel's message.

About two years since, he married a very respectable, but popular, young lady of the U. P. church, who previously had acknowledged the truth on the Sabbath question. From this time, the Lord began to call after them. One reverse after another came—accidents, the loss of property, &c., until disease settled upon him: first rheumatism, then consumption.

About the middle of August last, he decided to go North to regain his health, if possible. Preparations were made, their goods sent to the depot, and they had come as far as father's on their journey, intending to start on the cars in a very few days. By a more severe attack of chills and fever, he was unable to pursue the journey, and began to decline very rapidly. We despaired of his life. A burden of his case rolled upon us, not to talk to him, (unless the way should open before us), but to go to the Lord for help, praying that he might work for him, send conviction, and cause him to humble himself before God, and that he might be wholly converted, and a new heart be given him. We endeavored to take everything out of his way, by confessing our failings in the past. Soon we felt that God was working for him. His mind was restless and troubled. He would frequently say, “Nothing troubles me but my sins;” “God be merciful to me a sinner,” etc. Though others tried to console him with the fact that Christ died for sinners, that he should trust in him, for he was able to save; and if he could save the thief on the cross, he could save him; yet he was troubled, and had no peace of mind.

While watching with him, one night, he asked me to kneel down and pray for him, that his sins might be forgiven. I asked to free my mind before I should pray. We tried to faithfully set before him the scriptural plan of salvation: how our sins could be forgiven and atoned for; that we must realize that we have sinned, and confess and forsake our errors; that Christ did not die to save us in our sins, but from our sins. We exhorted him, in view of the Judgment, when his case should be examined, to look at the law of God and see if there were not some commandment which he was transgressing; and asked him to consider the issue when he should meet God over his broken law. We inquired if he did not think that the fourth commandment would then read just as it does now: “Remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy;” “the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God;” “in it thou shalt not do any work,” etc. We asked what right one had to work on the seventh day, if he should keep the first day of the week. “Not every one that saith, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of Heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in Heaven.” We told him that we could not pray in faith for God to forgive his sins, while we knew that he was transgressing God's law every week; for “if I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” Ps. 66:18. These words we felt, as they were spoken in love, and with tears.

Before daylight, while father was watching with him, he broke out in a flood of tears, and confessed that he had been convicted of the truth of the Sabbath for more than a year, and said that if the Lord would spare his life till another seventh day, he would keep it from the heart. It was doubtful whether this could be so; but his mind troubled him no more; he seemed calm and quiet from that time. He expressed his feelings to others, and sorely repented that he had not obeyed the convictions of his own mind; but his proud heart and his best friends had stood in his way.

He wished that Bro. White might come and pray for him, and expressed the desire that he should preach his funeral sermon. Just as the Sabbath drew nigh, he said, “This is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God;” and told different ones, as they came into the room, the same words. He requested that we should hold our meeting there on the morrow; but on account of his weakness, and the feelings of his dear wife and others, we thought it not best. The Lord spared him, that he might fulfill his vow, and on first-day morning, at 9 A. M., he calmly and resignedly, without a struggle or groan, fell asleep, we trust, in Jesus. We laid him away with some grounds of hope that we, if faithful, should meet him again in the morning of the resurrection.

R. M. KILGORE.

Washington Co., Iowa.

An Appeal.

By Angelia J. Edmunds

How many are backsliding! How many are losing their first love! True advent faith is leaking out, little by little, so gradual that they scarcely realize it. Many, very many, are resting on their oars, and the turbulent current is swiftly floating them down stream. Some are slumbering, some are fainting. What can be said or done to arouse them? They are so cold, it is almost as impossible to make them realize their true condition, as it would be to awaken a frozen man.

Perhaps they can be aroused for a few moments, only to sink back into a more hopeless sleep; and must we leave them to sleep on? Will they persistently go down to destruction? Will they not heed the admonitions already given? Is their destruction sure? Yes, if they do not rally all their forces, and with a determination and will set about the work of resisting the lethargy Satan is casting over them; if they do not by much prayer secure the aid and strength of Jesus, they are lost, forever lost! Oh! my heart is sad when I see so many dear ones so heedless. Will you not arise and come with us? There is a prize at the end of the race. Eternal life, a robe, a crown, and a harp, for those who run well, and overcome every obstacle in the way, with Christian fortitude. Do not procrastinate. Come now, and we may enjoy the reward together there.

Dear friends, how can I leave you? But if you will not go with me, I must hasten; for holy angels beckon me onward. My brethren and sisters, if they will not awaken and go with us, shall we stop by the way, and fall asleep too? No; there is the greater need of our taking steps in advance; for if we rest content where they left off, we, too, may in a few weeks be as soundly asleep in regard to our true condition, as they now seem to be. One great help in the Christian course is the prayer and social meeting. We must not forget the assembling of ourselves together, “as the manner of some is,” but exhort one another; and so much the more as we see the day approaching. What day? “The day of the Lord.” “For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.” Heb. 10: 37.

There are many lonely ones. Their hearts would be joyful if they could meet with those of like precious faith. God will be with them and strengthen them according to their need; but if we, who have this great privilege, neglect it we shall be accountable.

Our Heavenly Father knew that if we neglected the assembling of ourselves together, “as the manner of some is,” (Heb. 10: 25,) we should surely sleep the sleep of spiritual death. In these last days we must heed this injunction. If this is not necessary, why were those sacred words written?

If our numbers are few, we can meet together in the fear of God, and claim the blessing; “for where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Matt. 18: 20. Will not that be a heavenly sitting together? We shall be loth to leave the place. We shall not be discouraged and lonely because we are few. No; the house will be to us filled with the presence of God, and we shall be ready to offer a prayer, sing a hymn, read a revelation, give an exhortation, or speak to the edifying of each other, as the Spirit of God shall give us utterance. “For ye may all prophesy, one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.” 1 Cor. 14: 31.

How can we discern between the righteous and the wicked? “Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another, and the Lord hearkened and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels [or special treasure], and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. Then shall ye return and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God, and him that serveth him not.” Mal. 3: 16-18. We are to overcome the devil by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. Rev. 12: 11. “But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you; for yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night,” upon all who shall cry peace and safety. “But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.” Therefore, let us not sleep as do others, but let us watch and be sober. “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.” 1 Thess. 5: 1-11.

To you who have traced the lines of prophecy, and know that prophetic time terminated in 1844; you who believe that the signs of Christ’s second coming are in the past, and that the next event will be the shaking of the powers of heaven, when all the tribes of the earth shall mourn; you that expect soon to see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory, while the last trump shall sound, and he shall gather his elect from the four quarters of the earth; to you whom Satan is fast lulling asleep, I would say in the words of one that long since saw your drowsy condition, “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand; let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.” Rom. 13: 11, 12.

ANGELIA J. EDMUNDS.

Johnstown, Mich.

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