REMARKS. We are in favor of Bible equality. But as far as means is concerned, equality does not call for five dollars or any other sum from every brother. The Bible requires according to what a man hath. One man can pay yearly $200 as well as his poorest brother can two dimes. In order to carry out strict Bible equality in the matter introduced by Bro. McCormick, some should pay more, others less.
But our brother has set his figures vastly too low. It is said that the next draft will take about one in three of able-bodied men, liable to the draft. And it is supposed that this proportion of Seventh-day Adventists will be drawn; that is, one in three. In this case if each should pay into the treasury $100, the same would be sufficient to pay $300, for all drawn at the coming draft.
But it is probable that in many places the quotas will be filled without a draft. In other places it will be partly filled, so as to reduce the numbers to be drawn. Should they be reduced one half, $50, each would be sufficient; but it would be far better to raise a sum too large than one too small, which might result in a hundred and one difficulties and trials.
We are in favor of raising a fund for the benefit of our efficient preachers who are liable to a draft. And we would set the sum for each to pay into the treasury at $100. These faithful and true laborers who have not the $100, have friends in Christ who would gladly donate this sum for them. The interest we have in this matter for our fellow-laborers in particular is sufficient to induce us to pledge $100 to such a fund, for the benefit of those only who pay, or their friends for them, the sum of $100 each into the treasury.
If this war continues, God only knows what it will do for even non-combatants. Unless Heaven interposes, they may not always be treated with that respect and mercy which they now receive. In respect to our duty as non-combatants in reference to the war, we promise, providence permitting, to speak more fully next week.
J. W
Was Adam ever Immortal.
By John Norton Loughborough
ON page 147, Chap. vi, under the head of future punishment, in Bro. Loughborough's excellent work "Hope of the gospel," we read: "By transgression Adam became mortal and has transmitted mortality to his posterity," &c. Is this the doctrine of the church? Can immortality become mortal? Was Adam created Immortal?
JACOB HARE.
RESPONSE. Bro. Hare: In response to your question whether immortality can become mortal, I should give it as my view that we have no record of any absolutely immortal being becoming mortal unless it be in the case of Christ. He was in glory with the Father before the world was; was made in the likeness of sinful flesh; took hold not of the nature of angels, but of the seed of Abraham. His prayer at last was to the Father, "Glorify me with the glory I had with thee before the world was." He has ascended up where he was before. All this would seem to show that a change had been wrought by which an immortal being became subject to death, even the death of the cross. But this even the Scriptures claim was a great mystery, too deep for us to fathom, especially as God has not been pleased to reveal to us the process by which such an act was accomplished. He has only revealed the facts.
But the above would not prove that there was any liability or likelihood that any overcomer, made immortal, would lose that high estate. Neither does my work, if rightly understood, convey the idea that Adam was created immortal and then made mortal. You quote the expression "Adam became mortal," and ask, Was Adam created immortal? I have not claimed that he was created immortal, but on the contrary I state on page 63, as follows: "Says the objector your testimony from Scripture seems to show that Adam was not created immortal, yet I believe that we are immortal. We inquire, from what source do we derive our immortality? It must be inherent, derived from Adam or else it comes to us directly from God. We reply, we did not get it from Adam; for he did not have it himself." Neither should I claim that Adam was created mortal, but he certainly occupied a different position before his transgression from what he did after. Before his transgression he had a right to the tree of life. By obedience and partaking of that tree his existence would have been perpetuated eternally. He chose to take of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. He was shut away from the tree of life, and became absolutely mortal. He was not absolutely immortal69before, but his immortality was inherent in the tree of life. By obedience and partaking of that tree he would have lived forever. This is what I mean by saying on page 147, "Adam became mortal," &c.
Yours hoping for eternal life.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
Dartmouth, Jan. 6, 1865.
The New Call for Men.
By B. McCormick
THE President of the United States, has issued another call for Three Hundred Thousand volunteers to fill up the ranks of our armies. In all probability the most of that number will be obtained by drafting. Now we in common with others, are subject to said draft. In all probability some of us will be drawn. I propose that we raise a draft fund, to redeem those who may be drafted.
We as a people have plead for equality. I think there should be equality in this, as well as in other things. I have known some of our brethren, who have been drafted, that had to make quite a sacrifice to raise the $300. Some have had to borrow. Others had to sell their homes.
Some of our preachers, who have been drafted, have had to raise their exemption money by subscription. If we all felt an interest in this, acting on the principle laid down by the apostle, while one member suffers, all the members should suffer with it, I think a sufficient amount might be raised without any one's being compelled to suffer.
While the $300 clause was of universal application, the people of the world formed themselves into clubs to assist each other to pay their commutation money. Should we not be as consistent as the world in this respect? I presume it would not exceed five dollars apiece, to redeem every brother who may be drafted. I propose that all send in their amounts to the Treasurer of the General Conference, subject to the order of any brother who may be drafted that will give satisfactory evidence that he is a member of any of our churches.
B. MCCORMIC.
Menomonie, Dunn Co. Wis. Jan. 7, 1865.
Appetite.
By E. Goodrich
It is a matter of general remark and complaint with both men and women, that their appetite, compared with what it was in childhood, is very poor. And frequently you will hear the man say, "Oh, how I wish I relished food as I did when I was a boy." And the young husband remarks to his wife, "O Jane, I wish you could bake such rye and Indian bread, and make such mince and apple pies as mother used to make when I was at home," when very likely the truth is, that the wife thus addressed, as a cook, compared with her mother-in-law, is as three to one. The fault is in the perverted palate of the young man, and not in the cook.
But why is it that we do not experience that exquisite pleasure in eating and drinking that we did when we were children? One fact no doubt is, that the demands of a growing body are proportionately greater than those of a matured one. And not only this, but in childhood all the sensibilities of our nature (physical, as well as mental or moral), are chaste and acute compared with manhood. In maturity, the system in all its parts and feelings, is more or less rigid.
But these are not all the reasons, neither can we regard either as the main one, for the great lack of appetite or relish for food in those of older years. For the principle by which the system is supplied, whether in process of construction or in repairing damages sustained, in both cases is the same. And while the zest with which we eat our food may be regarded as the gratitude of nature for wants being supplied, and hunger the language of the body calling for help, it follows that the joy that fills our being as we eat, must result from the wants of our system and the loudness and intensity of the voice of hunger. A full soul will loath the choicest sweetmeats, whereas to an hungry one the bitter is almost sweet.
How can we expect to experience great pleasure in eating when we are not hungry? and why should we expect to be hungry while the wants of the system are already supplied? And the principal reason why we older people do not have the same relish for food as when we were children, is not because of the deafness of our system to appreciate the favors it receives, but it lies in the fact that the wants of our bodies are supplied before they are permitted to manifest themselves. In other words, we drink before we are thirsty, and eat before we are hungry; and the natural consequence is, that we are neither thirsty nor hungry.
If there are those who have any doubts of the truth of the foregoing, a slight observation of children, and a few examples of manhood, will be quite sufficient to rectify all such unbelief. The child, if left to his own way, rarely eats a full meal—enough at once to serve him until the next meal-time, and as the mother will not have any piecings, the consequence is, that he becomes very hungry indeed; so hungry that his very being bounds with joy as he begins to eat. But how is it with the man? Why, in the majority of instances, he eats more than enough to supply the demands of his nature; and as this habit is continued time after time, and day after day, the consequence is, that his appetite is continually cloyed. But take the soldier who is forced to march all day and perhaps all night with but very little food and no water at all. How does he feel as he nears the clear cool stream, or the well stored camp? Has he any complaints to make about his loss of appetite, or lack of fine flavors in the food?
Again, we may take the merchant who has but little to do in his counting room, and yet who feeds himself almost constantly to gluttony, all the while complaining of poor cooks and insipid food. Let him continue his walk or ride into the country an hour or two beyond his regular dinner or supper time; or let him miss one or two meals altogether; do you not think the cooking would greatly improve in his absence? Most assuredly it would in his estimation. But enough. A word to the wise is sufficient. And let those who are afflicted, diligently apply the remedy.
E. GOODRICH.
Edinboro, Pa.
Meetings in Mich.
By Joseph Bates
BRO. WHITE: From Dec. 15-19, 1864, I held four meetings with the church in Oakland, one in Shelby one in Rochester, Oak Co. All but one of the meetings were well attended, and interesting; testimonies were good, and a manifest desire to hear. Bro. Hough very kindly helped me with his team over the road from Pontiac to his house in R., and from thence to Memphis. I met Bro. Lawrence on the road going to his appointments in northern Indiana.
Dec. 20-26, held seven interesting meetings with the church in Memphis. Three members offered themselves to the church and for baptism. Much interest is manifest in the church and Sabbath-School to learn the present truth, in the third angel's message, and press forward in the precious cause of their master. The meetings closed with a good attendance of the members to the ordinance of the Lord's house.
Dec. 28 to Jan. 2, 1865, held six meetings with the church in Lapeer, at the close of which, difficulties which had caused some trial in the past, were healed, and union and good feeling restored; and the blessing from the Lord came upon us while waiting before him in the ordinances of his house. The brethren are in good earnest to move forward in the completion of their commodious brick meeting-house. The Lord direct and strengthen them, and the church also in Memphis to complete their house of worship is my prayer. On our way to Lapeer 27th ult., we visited the scattered brethren in Hadley, and enjoyed a very free meeting with them in their school-house.
Jan. 2-5, held three meetings with the church in East Thetford. They earnestly request that the ministering brethren will visit them as often as they can. They express a wish and readiness to go forward with the remnant.
Jan. 5 and 6, held one meeting in Linden. There are some twelve members here belonging to the church in Tyrone, distant seven miles.
Jan. 7-10, met with the church in Tyrone. Here we held five interesting meetings with them, and the brethren that came in from Linden, and others from Milford. At the close of this series of meetings eight new members united with the church, and all participated in remembering the sufferings of our dear Lord and Saviour.
Jan. 10-12. Now holding meetings with the church in Milford, Oak., Co.
JOSEPH BATES.
Milford, Oak., Co. Jan. 11, 1865.
Our Precious Hope.
By E. B. Saunders
How precious is the hope of the Seventh-day Adventists. The hope of eternal life—of life without an end. Just think of it? What mind can grasp the idea! Then too it will be a life without pain or sorrow, sickness or death; with real tangible bodies which will inhabit a real place, a country, with real sunshine, real fruit and vineyards, houses and land, rivers and mountains, light and glory, joy and praise forever.
Then too the hope of seeing Jesus our lovely Redeemer with our own eyes, of worshiping at his feet, and casting our glittering crowns before him, and with our golden harps swelling the rich notes of praise to "Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins, in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God, and his Father; to him be glory and dominion forever and ever, Amen."
Then the comforting hope of seeing our dear Christian friends, who have long since moulded back to dust. How wonderful! How far beyond all human reasoning is this great truth! How grand the thought that the sleeping nations are to awake from their dusty beds, and receive the reward for their deeds; if righteous a joyful welcome home to the city of God; if wicked, to miserably perish in the lake of fire.
Then to see the gigantic persons of the first inhabitants of earth, as they come up in all their majesty and greatness, while the feeble puny race now living, will together with them, be swiftly carried by the living chariots home to Zion, the City of our God. There our crooked, dwarfed forms will straighten and expand, until we obtain that noble stature first given to man.
Then we shall know how to live, how to eat and drink, work and worship, and with our faces full of the sunshine of glory, we shall render unto God an acceptable offering of grateful praise and thanksgiving for our great salvation.
We believe that the realization of these hopes is just at hand. The coming of Jesus marks their commencement. And if such is our hope and desire, why should we not long for the coming of our absent Lord? If then our sorrows end, while before us is an eternity of unspeakable joy, why should we not express our desires to every one that our Lord might speedily return. O how sweet, how glorious, how precious is the advent hope? It is above price. Let us love it, cherish it, and live it, till we are called to realize it in all its glory.
E. B. SAUNDERS.
Penfield, N. Y.
A Divine
By Luther
A DIVINE.—Three things make a divine—prayer, meditation, and trials.—Luther.
Why We Prize the Review.
By Stephen Nelson Haskell
We love the Review. We hail its weekly visits with gladness. We know not how we could do without it. The following are some of the considerations why we prize the paper.
1. It warns us of the danger of being led astray by the "Lo here's and lo there's." A few years since the messenger party started under full colors, with sails hoisted, and a fair breeze for a prosperous voyage, and cried "Come on board anti-visionists, age-to-come believers, and all disaffected ones." A timely warning was given. Some who were hesitating, did finally give heed to the warning, and were led to rejoice in process of time that they did not sail in that "leaky boat," as she was wrecked upon the reefs of iniquity. Other crafts have "sailed along side" since then, under various titles, and have called for the disaffected ones to come on board. But a timely warning has been, and is being given, and those who give heed to the warnings will yet be led to rejoice in it.
2. It treats upon doctrinal points. The "third angel's message" is like getting hold of the right end of a snarled rope. It brings things all out straight. The various links in the prophetic chain is made clear by a correct understanding of the third angel's message. Hence we have weekly treats upon doctrinal points, which if thoroughly examined will enable us to be rooted and grounded in the faith.
3. It keeps us posted on the progress of present truth. Scarcely a week passes but we have items of interest from nearly all quarters of the great harvest field, showing that in spite of opposition the cause is steadily advancing, which is a source of encouragement to those who love present truth and believe in its final triumph.
4. We have the experience of different individuals who are trying to serve the Lord. Many who have never seen each other, and probably will not in this life, but are serving the same God, having the same hope, the same faith, the same baptism, the same calling, and are looking for the same things. While they possess different temperaments and are placed under different circumstances there is a variation in their experiences; yet in their variations there is a similarity, which produces a harmony, like the different notes upon a musical instrument; all of which shows that God is in the work, leading them by the same truth, fitting them for the same home, and to enjoy the same blessings, even in his "presence where is fullness of joy, and at whose right hand there are pleasures forevermore."
Who would not thank God for a paper like this. It is truly meat in due season to the waiting flock of God.
S. N. HASKELL.
Turned Out of the Synagogue.
By Sister E. O. Underhill
Sister E. O. Underhill writes from Spring Brook, Mich.: It has been almost five years since I began to keep the Sabbath. I had been a member of the Methodist church some four years, when my brother sent me a little package of papers and a few books. Previous to this, I had never heard of the commandment-keepers. After reading the works, mother thought it our duty to keep the seventh day instead of the first. We did so, and by so doing lost our seats in the church. Our minister said he had been acquainted with the Saturday-keepers; and that he knew no good of them; that they were too beggarly to even have a name. And in visiting us one day to try to prove that Sunday was the right day to keep, his eyes rested on the prophetic chart that was sent us by the same brother. His first exclamation was, "Skunks and woodchucks! What have you here?" He then ordered it to be torn down and burned, as he said it was "poison, poison, deadly poison." My mother told him it should not be burned till she had the proof of its all being wrong. He then stalked out of the room, saying that we were all bound for perdition, and we must leave the church, or we would take others along with us.
This, dear reader, is a little of our experience. We try to profit by all this. We will never lose by obeying God. I do not care for the vacant seat in the M. E. Church, if we can only have a place in the earth made new. Oh that God would give us patience to live, and religion enough to journey on.
I thank the Lord for the light that shines from his word. The Bible used to seem so dark to me; but now it all seems plain. A child can hardly lose the way. I prize the Review. How often I have been strengthened by reading the many testimonies contained in the letter department. I have read Spiritual Gifts. They will be the means of doing much good,71if people will only heed their counsels and warnings. I believe in the soon coming of Jesus. May we so profit by the light and instruction we have received, as to be prepared at his coming.
Experience of a Drafted Non-combatant.
By James White
BRO. WHITE: I would like to say a few words to my dear brethren, through the Review. I feel to praise the Lord for his abundant goodness to me, while passing through the trial which I am called to endure. I was drafted Nov. 2, 1864, from Poysippi, Wis., and not having the money to pay my commutation, I was under the necessity of leaving my kind family, and the sweet influences of home, and mingling with those who to all appearance have no fear of God before their eyes.
In accordance with the instructions given through the Review by Bro. J. N. Andrews, I reported myself as a non-combatant, and upon the presentation of the evidences of my position, received a certificate from the Provost Marshal, giving a statement of the facts: 1. Showing that I had procured evidence and satisfied the board of enrollment that I was a non-combatant, within the meaning of section 17 of the act approved Feb. 24, 1864. 2. That I was entitled to the benefits and privileges of said section.
When I arrived at Madison I presented my papers to the officers at headquarters, and was then informed that I must be consigned to some regiment and company, and sent South for duty, and that the officer commanding the regiment would procure my transfer from the ranks to the hospital in compliance with the aforesaid section of law relating to non-combatants.
I was accordingly sent to this place, and soon after arriving presented my papers to the commander of the regiment. He told me that he could easily arrange matters for me; that he would detail me as a cook. I protested against his arrangement as not being according to the law, of which he appeared to be entirely ignorant. After stating to him the provisions of the law, he agreed to forward my papers to headquarters for inspection. Accordingly the next day my certificate was sent away, and after waiting ten days, it was returned as not sufficient evidence to grant me the benefits and privileges of the law!
You can judge something of my feelings on being thus disappointed in my expectations. During these ten days that I was waiting, I lay with our regiment upon an open field, without tent or shelter of any kind, two nights and one day. The first night a cold, piercing wind blew upon us, causing us, in spite of all our efforts to keep warm by running and jumping, and building fires to warm ourselves by, to tremble and shake violently with the cold. Indeed, I thought that before morning some of us must certainly perish; but by the goodness of God, our lives were preserved, though many were taken sick from that night's exposure.
We spent the next day more comfortably, the wind ceasing to blow so hard, the cold also abating; but as the night drew on it became evident that we were to have a storm. The wind began to blow, the air became very damp and cold, yet notwithstanding all this, the men prepared the best they could for the night by digging trenches, and wrapping themselves in blankets, and lying down in them in order to be sheltered from the cold wind. But just as we had laid down, the order came to pack up and be ready to march at a moment's warning. The order was instantly obeyed by all, and just as we were prepared to march, it began to rain and snow, and continued to do so until past midnight. The men seemed impatient to march, rather than stand still, exposed to the storm; but no order came. Hour after hour came and passed away, the storm coming down upon us with relentless fury, until the men were completely drenched. Some might be seen standing around half-smoldering fires, others lying upon the ground, screening themselves as best they could; but from the storm from above, or the water which ran upon the ground, the greater part were thoroughly wet. By morning light many were so cold and stiff they could hardly stand upon their feet.
The next day was spent by us on the same ground, in a state of painful suspense; hoping that we were soon to return to our more comfortable camp, which we had left two days before, yet fearing that we might be ordered to march at any moment, but where, no one of us could tell. At 4 o'clock P. M., we were ordered to march, and continued it until about 5 o'clock the next morning. The night was very dark, and during the latter part it rained very hard.
The road was one continued mud-hole from three inches to one foot in depth. After we were ordered to halt we built some fires with rails from fences near by and then lay down upon the ground to rest as best we could. I was so fatigued, I soon fell asleep, and did not wake until daylight. I immediately made some coffee in a kettle which I had brought with me and gave it to the men; and the expressions of gratitude and thanks which they gave me, seemed almost to repay me for the troubles I had undergone.
At one o'clock we were ordered to retreat, and at 12 o'clock the next night, reached our old camp, so tired and exhausted, I felt but little desire to live any longer. Yet I felt willing to suffer all that my kind Heavenly Father should see fit to send upon me. My earnest prayer to God was for patience, and submission to his will.
Never before now, have I experienced such a sense of my own weakness and dependence upon God. It seemed that every earthly prop had failed and the mercy of God was my only plea. Nor was it in vain. Jesus is very precious to me. I feel that truly "he leads me like a tired child." All my sorrows and griefs are borne by him. When I feel burdened I hear his lovely voice saying, "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Oh, how sweet the rest which he gives.
The wickedness and corruptions of the army cannot disturb it, so long as we meekly sit at his feet and learn of him. This I have found by the goodness of God to be true.
I feel it a privilege to ask an interest in the prayers of God's people, that this affliction through which I am passing may (as I hope and trust it has been in a measure), be sanctified to my present and eternal good; that by it I may be better prepared for the service of God the remaining days of probation and that it may please God to restore me again to my family, and that finally I may reign with his people on Mt. Zion.
I am trying to do what good I can here in the army. But I find it to be a very wicked place. Such dreadful profanity I have never before heard; but, thank God, there are some few exceptions to this general rule. I have had some very interesting conversation with a few who seem to have ears to hear the truth. I send one dollar for the Soldiers' Tract Fund and ask as large an addition to this sum as is in your judgment proper to be sent to me for distribution among the soldiers.
May God bless you all. May we each become more deeply imbued with the spirit and power of the present truth, that we may become wise unto salvation, escape the plagues that shall come upon the ungodly, and join in the song of triumph over the beast and his image, is the prayer of your unworthy brother,
P. H. CADY.
P. S. This has been written amid a great deal of camp confusion. If any brother can give me a definition of Hospital Duty in the sense of the law, they will oblige me. Address, P. H. Cady, Co. K. 37th Regt. Wis. Vol., Washington, D. C.
Something Wrong.
By C. F. Hall
Bro. White: Being drafted into the service of the United States in October last, on reporting, I presented my claims as a non-combatant, which were allowed, and made an affidavit in accordance with instructions given by the Provost Marshal. Before leaving the State my papers were given to me with instructions how to proceed with them. I was told that I should be sent South and assigned to some regiment, and there by the proper officers, would be assigned to hospital duties.
After staying some time at Madison, and being put to some trouble to get exempt from duty, while there, I was sent to this place (Virginia) when I immediately presented my papers to one of the commanders who immediately put me under guard, at the same time uttering terrible oaths, calling me a rebel, and saying they were going to clear the country of such rebels as I was. He wanted to know on what ground I wanted to be assigned to hospital duties. I stated my position, and told him there was a law for exempting non-combatants. He cursed me again, saying that that law had been repealed, and he would show me that I would take a gun. The guard that was put over me was ordered to load his gun, and if I stirred one inch to shoot me; meanwhile the colonel was sent for to come and take care of me. After about thirty minutes I was sent for by the colonel, who asked me some questions relative to my faith. I was frank in stating our position, relative to bearing arms, and engaging in war. He said that all the men that were sent to him were expected to be fighting men; but he would send my papers to Washington, and when he received an answer from them would give me the full benefit of it; but advised me to obey orders until such time, which I promised to do. Four weeks have passed, and I have heard nothing of my papers yet, and have serious doubts about their having been sent.
The opposition to non-combatants in the army is so great, that one of the commanding officers said if it was in his power he would hang me in a minute.
My case is not a solitary one. There is another brother here, who refused to take a gun, believing it to be his duty so to do. He was put under arrest forty-eight hours, and then given thirty minutes to decide between taking a gun, and being court-martialed, and subject to the punishment that would follow, being told that the whole term of his service should be filled up with one continued series of punishments, and he should carry a gun if they had to strap it to him; and if they ever came into a battle he should be put into the front. Under these afflicting circumstances he consented to take his gun and obey orders; at the same time he received a promise from them of the full benefit of a decision from the war department at Washington. Bro. — says he thinks he ought not to bear arms; but not knowing what actual duty is in such a case, and believing that those of more experience are better qualified to judge, we present our cases before you. If you should deem it proper to publish this with remarks, please send me a copy.
In hope of eternal life when the Lifegiver comes.
C. F. HALL.
Camp near Petersburg, Jan. 4, 1865.
P. S. Bro. J. B. Ingalls joins in the above. Our P. O. address is, Co. E., 6th Regt. Wis. Vol., Washington, D. C.
Obituary Notices.
DIED, of ruptured blood vessel, in Faribault, Minn., Nov. 24, 1864, Bro. Milton W. W. Warren.
Bro. Warren's attention was called to present truth a few months since, by reading some of our publications. He afterward attended one of our Quarterly Meetings at Deerfield, and came out upon the Sabbath and present truth, so far as he understood it. His daily walk was consistent, and we believe he sleeps in Jesus.
F. W. MORSE.
DIED, of spotted fever, Jan. 8, 1865, at Ithaca, Gratiot Co., Mich., after an illness of two days, Sr. Mary A. Allen, aged 34 years. She leaves a husband and two children, and a large circle of friends to mourn her loss. Sr. Allen, from her youth, has professed faith in her Lord, and when the tent was in this place last summer, she and her husband readily accepted the truth, and commenced keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. She lived long enough to unite in fellowship with the church, but not to meet with them afterward. She rests in hope. Remarks on the occasion, by the writer, from 1 Thess. iv, 13, 14.
I. D. VAN HORN.
Faith Amid Trial and Loss
By Fanny Freeman
From Sister Freeman.
BRO. WHITE : I would like to let the dear scattered ones of like precious faith, know that I am striving to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. For the past two years I have not had the privilege of reading the Review, or meeting with any one of the remnant church. Yet my Saviour has been very precious.
It has been the will of my Heavenly Father to chasten me very sore. Two years last August my husband, (Edwin A. Freeman,) enlisted and went into service, in about five months after his enlistment, he was taken sick and placed upon a hospital boat to be sent to St. Louis, and farther accounts we have not been able to learn of him. It is thought by all that saw him in his sickness that he must have died. His last letter to me was dated the twenty-second of Jan., near two years since. He was then very sick. It has left me with six small children in this city among strangers without means of support.
The way has been very dark, yet often has this precious promise borne me up amid all trials; "I am thy God. I will still give thee aid. Though thou passest through deep waters they shall not overflow, or through the fire, thou shalt not be burned." "My grace is sufficient for thee." It is my desire that I may come forth as the refined gold and the purified silver, purified from all dross.
I do not know of any one that keeps the seventh-day Sabbath in this place but myself; but I can say it is my delight and I hope that, unworthy as I am, I may yet attain unto that rest that remains for the people of God. Oh that God may make his chosen servants as flaming fire, the word preached quick and powerful, that the spirit and power of Elijah's God may rest upon them to the bringing down of strong holds, and sowing of the seeds of truth and righteousness. I desire an interest in the prayers of all, that I may be faithful to the end.
I have felt very diffident about sending for the Review, being unable to pay for it; but receiving a few numbers from a dear aunt, it was like meeting an old friend; and they so revived me that I could not refrain from writing to have the paper sent.
Yours in hope.
FANNY FREEMAN.
Oshkosh, Wis.
Our Gracious Privilege.
By J. A. Dayton
"IS ANY AMONG YOU AFFLICTED? LET HIM PRAY."
James v, 13.
BEAUTIFUL, heavenly words of cheer! With what solacing power do they come home to the bruised and chastened heart, a cure for every wound, a balm for every pain. As though the apostle would have said, Do any grieve over the loss of loved ones, snatched away by Death? do you weep that your strong love could not avail? that you can no more behold their loved faces, or listen to the music of voices which once possessed such gladdening power over the charmed circle of home? are your earthly hopes, over which the future shed so fair a light, dashed in a moment to the ground, leaving you in the darkness of despair? do friends, whose constancy and devotion you deem unchanging, turn coldly from you? is the eye of faith dim, and does Satan press you sorely on every side, seeming to leave no way of escape?—for any ill, and every bitter sorrow, here find a remedy.—"Let him pray!" Here, at the feet of Jesus bring every weary burden. Is there, can there be any thing more consoling than this? It is a cordial whose ingredients were composed by One who well understood our needs: a mixture of love, tenderness, and pity. It softens every pain, and stirs each stagnant pulse. Its healing power gives life to those spiritual graces, faith, hope, and love. Come then and be healed. If your faith is small, come. Weary and footsore, even while thorns still pierce your bleeding feet, come. Fear not. He who invites you gives you the blessed assurance that "like as a Father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him;" and though you feel unworthy, be not faint-hearted, Jesus is our advocate, cast all your care upon him, for he careth for you: think no wound incurable, no affliction too severe. He regards the fall of a sparrow, and even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Without price, he offers you the key to unlock the rich coffers of his grace, which contain the effectual antidote: "Let him pray."
J. A. DAYTON.
Chesaning, Mich.
Letters.
By Editor
“Then they that feared the Lord, spake often one to another.”
This department of the paper is designed for the brethren and sisters to freely and fully communicate with each other respecting their hopes and determinations, conflicts and victories, attainments and desires, in the heavenly journey. Seek first a living experience and then record it, carefully and prayerfully, for the comfort and encouragement of the other members of the household of faith.
Hope Through Trials and Persecution
By Ellen E. Walsworth
From Sister Walsworth.
Bro. White: I feel to praise God for the hope of the soon coming of our dear Saviour, although it will be through trials and persecutions that we must be purified and made ready to meet him. I believe that I can by the assisting grace of God, endure them all, and at last come off conqueror through him who hath loved us.
Never did the truths of the "third angel's message," seem more precious to me than now. Oh that our daily lives might show that their sanctifying influence is working upon our heart and fitting us up for eternal life. Oh let us be more in earnest in this great work of preparation, and let our light so shine before our unconverted friends, that they may see our good works and be led to glorify our Father which is in Heaven.
While listening to a discourse from Bro. Whitney, upon the Christian's hope, my heart was made to rejoice with the thought, that ere long our hopes would be realized, and we should be forever saved in the kingdom of God. Oh, glorious thought! With what rapture I look forward to the time when we shall receive our crowns, and those pearly gates will be swung open for the redeemed who have kept the law, to enter in and enjoy the glories of that blissful land.
Press on, weary one, be not discouraged with the trials of life, but remember that it is through trials, and through much tribulation we shall enter the kingdom of God. Says Paul, "For our light affliction which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more, exceeding, and eternal weight of glory." Oh, what glory that must be. "A far more exceeding glory" would not express Paul's mind upon it; but it was an "eternal weight of glory, which would last forever."
So with this hope before us, let us go on trusting in God, and he will commission holy angels to enfold us in their embrace, thus shielding us from the world. And when the waves of sorrow have gone over us, and the bitter cup is placed to our lips, with what tenderness and love will they whisper to us of "Brighter realms above where we will be
"Free from all sorrow
> Temptation and care,
> In the kingdom of Jesus—
> I long to be there."
ELLEN E. WALSWORTH.
Adams' Center, N. Y.