I BEGAN meetings in Toledo under most discouraging circumstances. The Pharisees, Scribes, and Sadducees had allied together to keep us out of all the houses of worship in the place. We succeeded in getting a very uncomfortable room over a store-house. This however we could not have procured, had not the proprietor been an outsider. We began lectures there and the interest rose as we progressed. We engaged for a debate on the Sabbath and immortality questions with Eld. Edwards, Baptist minister. This opened the way for me to get into the Baptist church for the debate. We discussed eight evenings during harvest, and had a good attendance all through. The victory on the side of truth was perfect. It was universally conceded by the unprejudiced that the views we advocate, were sustained in the discussion.
The orthodox kept up the fire after we closed. I heard a Mr. Menson preach on the soul's immortality the next day after we closed the debate. He evinced117a sore dissatisfaction with the defense of the popular theory. I reviewed him on Sunday night. The following Sunday, two sermons were preached on the Sabbath question, by Mr. Dodd, Presbyterian minister. These we replied to on Monday evening.
Six have decided to keep the Sabbath, and a number more are interested, but want more time to investigate.
Besides those, about three-fourths of a S. D. Baptist church decided on the immortality and soon coming of Christ, and the rest of the truth, so far as they heard. A good work is going on with them. We hope to see this whole church come into the truth. They are a good and upright people, honest, and want the truth. Their minister, Eld. Babcock, treated me with much kindness, and showed himself a good Christian man. He invited me to preach for them all I could, which I did by preaching every Sabbath. He is investigating, and I hope that he will see the truth and come out. The work is well established and the prevailing opinion is that it cannot be overthrown. The enemies' pickets have all been driven in, and hide behind the breastworks of their sacred desks where they feel safe. They here advised their hearers not to bear us; but the honest ones are unruly and will bear for themselves. I hope and look for a greater ingathering of souls there from these meetings. May God give us a goodly increase. I send eleven subscribers for the Review. B. F. S.
Counsel for the Pulpit
In the pulpit avoid the queer and the jocose; but indulge freely in the strong, the apt, the striking, the sublime and the pathetic. Remember that the pulpit is not the place of "man's wisdom," but where God speaks through man. Therefore, suffer the Holy Ghost to regulate his own instrumentality. In the sacred place, proclaim all the truth; speak, and fear not, for thy God is with thee.
How to Live.
By John Nevins Andrews
I WISH to speak in behalf of this series of excellent tracts now offered in one bound volume for $1.25. The information here embodied, is of more value than thousands of gold and silver. Most people, however well informed in other matters, are quite ignorant concerning the laws of life and health. To them disease and death are the result of causes over which they have no control. In their minds there is not one idea of personal responsibility concerning their own health or that of those who are under their care. The mass of our fellow-men live as though there were no such thing as natural laws governing our being; or if any have a dim consciousness of the fact that such laws exist, they act as though they could violate them without any injurious effect upon themselves. Even many of those who acknowledge the authority of every jot and tittle of the moral law, seem to attach no importance to a knowledge of the laws of their own being, and no guilt to a violation of those laws. But the author of the moral law is the Creator of mankind. The highest creative wisdom is exhibited in the organization of man. His frame may be compared to the most wonderful piece of machinery, and one adapted to the greatest possible variety of purposes. The owner of any valuable machinery, takes great care to understand the nature of that machinery, and to be sure that it is used according to the design of its author. But man, whose own being is the most wonderful mechanism, seems to suppose that he may with impunity, disregard the laws of his being which the Creator has ordained as the conditions of life and health. And when sickness follows, as sooner or later it must, then man in his ignorance lays it all to God's mysterious providence, when his own bad habits of life have been the direct cause.
Thank God that with us as a people, this is being changed. Light has begun to shine upon us. We begin to understand not only that temperance is a Christian virtue, but also that it is the real foundation of good health, and we are learning something of what it is. The idea that we may live as we please, eating everything that a depraved appetite may crave, and then may resort to medicines (most of which are active poisons) to recover from diseases which we thus bring upon ourselves, is being superseded, I am happy to say, by the plain common-sense truth that medicine does not and cannot cure disease; and that there is one way, and but one, for us to secure and preserve health, viz., that we live according to the laws which the Author of our being has implanted within us.
But how shall we conduct ourselves in order to render obedience to these vital laws? Where shall we obtain the needed instruction on this important subject? I am happy to be able to point you to a single volume, moderate in size, unexceptionable in character, and full of the choicest information on this interesting topic. "How to Live" is precisely what its title imparts. If my advice could have weight, I would have this volume in every family of our people; and I would have it read and re-read till all the family from eldest to youngest understood its straight-forward common-sense teachings. The cost of the volume is such that it is within the reach of all, and it will pay for itself many times over to those who will obey its words of wisdom.
J. N. ANDREWS.
Norridgewock, Maine, Aug. 30, 1865.
Truth vs. Error.
By D. M. Canright
"NO MATTER WHAT YOU BELIEVE, IF YOU ARE ONLY SINCERE."
TRUTH is the opposite of error. It is fact as opposed to fiction. Jesus gave it the general definition of being the word of God: "Thy word is truth." Closer still, it is defined to be the law of God: "Thy law is the truth."
God is the great author of all truth, and all his laws and actions are founded on its eternal principles. On the other hand, Satan is the author of all error and falsehood. "He is a liar, and the father of it." It has ever been his great work to oppose and darken God's truth by his falsehoods. It is no matter by what means this is done, if he can only accomplish his object. Whatever, therefore, tends to darken, to cover up, to suppress truth; whatever tends to depreciate its value; whatever strengthens error, or countenances falsehoods; so far builds up the kingdom of Satan, and opposes the kingdom of God. Hence we can readily see that it must make a vast difference whether a man believes and teaches truth or error.
Of late, many are taking the position that it makes no difference what a man believes, if he is only honest in his belief. But we can see that this is just the way that Satan himself would argue; for, if he can get men to value truth no higher than they do error, they will care but little which they do receive. He can then lead them captive at his will. Hence, we may set it down as an invariable rule, that the man who teaches this doctrine is doing the work of Satan, and opposing the work of God. Truth has not the least fellowship with error. Every word spoken in favor of error, every act that countenances it, and every neglect to expose it, is so much done in favor of Satan, and against God.
In the conflict between the North and the South, every man who spoke in favor of the rebellion, or did anything to uphold it, or even pretended to be "neutral," was counted an enemy to the Union, and justly so, too. The government was in deadly conflict with its enemies. It needed all the strength and resources which it could command. In such a time, whoever did, or said, anything favoring the South, so far weakened the Union, opposed the government, and strengthened the South.
So in the case before us: Satan and this world are in rebellion against God. Error and falsehood are the mightiest weapons that they are using against his government. Whoever, therefore, whether knowingly or ignorantly, countenances error, either by word or deed, or silent consent, is doing so much to strengthen the enemies of God and oppose his government.
"But," says one, "it does not make any particular difference what we believe, if we are only honest and sincere in our faith. It is the devotion of an honest heart that pleases God, no matter how the devotion is shown." This reasoning is generally used as an excuse for disobeying some plain command of God which cannot be evaded in any other way. The proposition, when fairly analyzed, assumes that it would be just as well for a person to firmly believe a lie as it would to believe the truth. But will this reasoning hold good, when applied to natural laws? We will test it: A man firmly believes that fire will not burn him. Now, if he puts his hand into the fire, will he not be burned? Certainly he will. He disbelieved evidence which was sufficient to teach him better, deceived himself, and had to suffer the consequences. Thus we see that the laws of nature will not vary to suit any man's belief, however honest he may be.
But does God carry out the same principle in his moral governments? If a man is only honest and sincere in his belief, will God punish him if that belief should happen to lead him wrong? "Oh no," say a host of modern professors, "God will not punish him, because he was sincere in his belief." So says the wisdom of this world.
But what says the word of God? Are men at liberty to believe or disbelieve what God has said, and still be innocent? The case of Eve will illustrate this point exactly. God placed Adam and Eve in the garden, and said to them, "Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it; for in the day that thou eatest thereof, thou shalt surely die." Gen. ii, 16, 17.
This command of God was plain, positive, and unequivocal. But soon the tempter comes to Eve, and begins to reason with her. He tells her that the fruit is good, that it will make her wise, and that it will not result in her death as God had said. At length Eve is persuaded that the tempter has told her the truth, and that, after all, the fruit will do her no harm, although God had said that she must not touch it. She now sincerely believes that she can eat the fruit with impunity. Of this transaction, Paul says: "And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression." 1 Tim. ii, 14. Yes, Eve was really deceived; therefore she was sincere in believing that she could just as well eat of the fruit as not. As people generally act just as they believe, so did Eve. She put forth her hand and took of the fruit and ate it. Now comes the test. Will God regard her belief, or will he not? She could plead in all truth, "Lord, I was sincere in what I did. I verily believed that the serpent told me the truth, and that you had lied to me." What a plea that was to offer before the great God! To charge him to his face with deception and falsehood!! Did the Lord accept this excuse? No; he immediately drove them from the garden, and pronounced the penalty of death against them.
Then did God unjustly punish Eve when she had simply acted out her firm belief? But what did she believe? Why, she firmly believed that God had lied, and that Satan had told the truth! Strange faith this! No; it was absolute unbelief. A wicked disbelief of what God had told them. Could the Lord now accept this as obedience to his commands, as sincere devotion to him? Certainly not. Simply disbelief of his word deserved the severest punishment, even though they had not carried that unbelief into practice.
Of unbelief, Paul says, "And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith; for whatsoever is not of faith is sin." Rom. xiv, 23. Faith is a firm belief of what God has said. Unbelief is the disbelieving of what God has declared. This he has declared to be a sin punishable with the second death. "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." Rev. xxi, 8.
This is neither unreasonable nor unjust; for God first gives men sufficient evidence, or facts, upon which to found their faith, and then requires them to believe him. Now, if they do not believe, they despise God and bring upon themselves his wrath. There are many illustrations of this in the Scriptures. Paul says of himself, "I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth." Acts xxvi, 8.
He was sincere in his belief that Jesus was an impostor, and that the Christians were heretics, and that he was doing right in persecuting them. But upon what did he base his belief? Nothing, except his blind prejudice. Doubtless he had heard of the miracles of Jesus, and of the proofs of his mission, but did not believe them. At least, he had listened to the inspired sermon of Stephen, and had seen the glory of God resting upon him. Yet this was not sufficient evidence to convince him. He still believed just as he did before. Now he could plead that he was sincere in his belief. "I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth."
Now the question is, Was his belief acceptable with God? or did the Lord hold him responsible for what he believed? In short, was the doctrine true, that it makes no difference what a man believes, if he is only sincere? Let Paul himself answer. Speaking of himself, he says: "Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious, but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in UNBELIEF." 1 Tim. i, 13.
This forever cuts off the plea of sincere belief when one has closed his eyes to the evidence of God's truth. It is no more belief, but absolute unbelief; and all unbelief is sin. Does Paul say that he was a child of God when he was in this state of ignorant unbelief? No; he says that he was a blasphemer, a persecutor, and injurious. By this, it is very evident that it makes a vast difference whether we believe the truth, or an error.
This subject is put beyond all dispute in 2 Thess. ii, 7-13. "For the mystery of iniquity doth already work; only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: even him whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie; that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness."
God sends out his light and truth backed up by sufficient evidence to convince men that it is his truth. Then if they will not be convinced, if they close their eyes to the light which God has sent them, and if they118believe not the truth, but have pleasure in unrighteousness, God leaves them to their own ways to believe a lie, that they may be damned. This proves beyond dispute, that after a man has heard and rejected the truth, however firmly he may believe in an error, it will do him no good, but will only make his damnation sure.
It is dangerous to trifle with God and his word. When he speaks, we must obey. When he sends a message to the world, he chooses his own agents to deliver it. We cannot dictate to God, nor can we reject his truth without impunity. Jesus says to his ministers, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be damned." God sent Noah to preach to the Antediluvians, but they did not believe him, and hence were all damned. They sincerely believed that Noah was a fanatic; but their sincerity did not save them. So it was with the Sodomites and the Jews. And so it is now. God is sending a message to the world, but men will not believe it. When all other excuses fail them, they calmly fold their arms, settle back upon their dignity, and say, "Well, if I am only sincere in my belief (?), that is all that God will require of me." But what is it that you are believing so firmly with which God must be so well pleased? Why, simply this: You believe that God's message is of the Devil, and that his truth is a lie! This is belief is it? No; it is absolute unbelief. Eve could plead such a faith as that, and so could every infidel who has ever despised the word of the Lord and rejected his counsel.
Dear friend, if you are standing upon such a sandy foundation as this, we would advise you to examine it again before risking eternal life upon it. "Be not deceived; God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."
D. M. CANRIGHT.
Health. No. 4.
By J. S. Lay, M. D.
Probably there is no other cause which alone produces, directly and indirectly, so much disease and premature death, as does drug medication in all its varied forms and combinations. Under the most trifling ailments, people resort to poisonous drugs and noxious compounds, even, in many cases, resorting to them while in health, with the mistaken idea that by so doing they are going to preserve their health and ward off disease, when in fact they are taking just the course to make themselves sick, and are preparing the way for a heavy doctor's bill and a broken-down constitution.
I have often been surprised and astonished at the profound ignorance of the great mass of people in regard to the injurious effects of the so-called remedies of the day and the avidity with which they swallow any pernicious compound, no matter what, if it is only said or advertised to be good for any particular disease that they may suppose themselves to have, or expect to have, thinking that if it does them no good, it will do them no harm; not realizing that the medical compounds which are offered to the public, or are administered to the sick, are composed principally of poisons, and have a tendency always to make well persons sick, and also a tendency to kill instead of curing those to whom they are indiscriminately administered. How much better and more sensible would it be for people to obey the laws of life and health so as not to become sick, or if by a violation of those laws they become sick, to return to the obedience of the same and thereby get well. II. S. LAY, M. D.
Dansville, N. Y.
Note from Bro. Rodman.
By P. C. Rodman
THE following is a brief report of some of my labors. I was in Exeter, R. I., Sabbath and first-day, July 8 and 9. Had a good time with the few on the Sabbath; not quite as many in on first-day as usual; preached three times with some freedom.
The 15th and 16th still in this vicinity. Met with the few that love present truth on the Sabbath; God was with us. First-day, preached at Lafayette village; usual free time in speaking the word of truth. I think others will soon obey the Lord in all his commandments. Oh that they would like David make haste and delay not.
The 22d and 23d in South Kingston. Held four meetings; spoke with freedom, to respectable congregations. Brethren in good spirits, some of them growing in grace and in the knowledge of the truth.
The 29th and 30th, with the brethren on Block Island. The church is holding on, but there is not as good an interest as there should be. Some of them had grieved each other; tried to remove the trouble by having those in fault meet, and be reconciled; trust they were, and that they will watch and pray all the more fervently, and be vigilant.
Aug. 5 and 6, still on the Island. Meeting at Bro. John Dodge's on the Sabbath. Had a good free time talking of the hope; a number of cheering testimonies were given. The Lord was with us to bless. The ordinance of the Lord's supper was attended to with profit, I think, to all who took part. Visited during the week as is my custom, preaching to one, two, or three, sometimes more, as the case may be, and trying to lead to the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world.
The 12th I was with the brethren in North Kingston. On first-day, the 13th, went with them some fifteen miles up the bay in a sloop, to Patience Island, where Bro. Elisher Tefft resides, and held meeting in his house. His is the only family on the Island. They welcomed us heartily, and were not a little comforted. Bro. T. and wife are trying to live out their faith before those with whom they have deal, on Prudence Island and elsewhere.
The 19th and 20th. Have been here and on Prudence Island since the 13th. Held some meetings; one evening meeting; others in the daytime. Found one that is looking for the Saviour, on Prudence Island; hope he will keep the commandments of God, and meet him in peace.
The 26th and 27th, with North Kingston brethren. A good, soul-cheering time to me; others decided to obey God in keeping his Sabbath. Praise the Lord! they are coming; yes, all that have the love of the truth will be saved from the snare of the wicked, if they only follow on to know the Lord, whose going forth is prepared as the morning. Wish we could have Bro. Cornell here this fall, and lay seige to the strongholds of error in the name of Israel's God. I believe good might be done.
As ever, truly yours.
P. C. RODMAN.
Ashaway, R. I., Aug. 29, 1865.
Communication from Bro. Nelson.
By Francis Nelson
Bro. White: I have often, during the past year, been encouraged by reading communications from the brethren and sisters in different parts of the land. I would be glad if the Letter Department of the Review was better filled, and we could hear from all the churches often. I have often thought of writing, but excused myself on the ground that I am not a "ready writer."
The church at Alma, which was established through the instrumentality of Brn. Van Horn and Canright, is prospering, and "takes delight in the law of the Lord, and in his law meditates day and night." Our Sabbath meetings increase in interest. Most of the members take an active part in prayer, exhortation, and in bearing loving testimony for Jesus. I think there have been but few instances of absence from our meetings without good cause. There are a number who do not belong to our church, some of whom have lately started, that take an interest in our meetings, and testify in favor of the Sabbath of the Lord; but we have our trials in common with the people of God. We are surrounded by scoffers in high places, and would heed the exhortation in 1 Peter, fourth chapter, commencing with the twelfth verse: "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trials which are to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you. But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's suffering, that when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy."
I have experienced of late a feeling of loneliness. We, in this new country of Gratiot, are isolated from the busy scenes of the world in general, which perhaps may be favorable to the development of thought in a contemplative mind; and no doubt we would be as ready to lay hold of the truth as though differently situated. But we feel that we are young in present truth, and it requires discretion to move amidst the jeers of popular theology.
Could we have some of the messengers labor with us, beyond their visits which we expect quarterly, I think it would result in much good. We are thankful for past labors. Bro. Frisbie made us a visit five years ago last spring. His preaching led us to search after truth. I wish Bro. Frisbie would come and see us this fall.
The tent meetings last summer, and the preaching of the word last winter, accomplished much, and I doubt not will be remembered beyond this gloomy world. But there is room, or rather great necessity, for more labor. Truly, the harvest is plenteous, and the laborers are few. Who will heed our cry, and "come over and help us?"
Francis Nelson.
Alma, Mich., Aug. 30, 1865.
The Christian Race.
By F. GOULD.
"WHEREFORE, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race set before us." Heb. xii, 1.
In the above, reference is probably made to the ancient custom of running races in the East, of which the apostle in his travels became an eye-witness. These races were a great source of amusement, and were witnessed by a large concourse of spectators. History informs us that it was customary for the competitors of the prize, to carry weights attached to their persons some length of time before running. At the commencement of the race, they would lay off those weights, and in the mean time restricted their diet to plain and nourishing food which would afford them the most natural strength, vigor, and activity. After taking such preparatory steps, they were ready to enter the arena. The apostle being an eye-witness, strives to make it (though a worldly amusement) instructive and profitable to himself and others, and by the way seeks to stimulate, stir up, and encourage his brethren, by comparing the Christian course to the figure brought to view. Hence he remarks, "Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race set before us."
The Christian is running a race; there is an object to be gained. Eternal life is placed before him at the end of the journey. But we cannot be successful in gaining the victory and overcoming, while dead weights and easily-besetting sins are dragging us down, and so giving the enemy a chance to lead us captive at his own will. The question arises, How shall we obtain the victory over our most-easily-besetting sins? In the first place, we are to watch, and set a double guard around the spot where the enemy will the most easily take the advantage. He knows our weakness, and consequently will concentrate his forces to that point. For instance a well-inclosed field, strongly fortified by a good fence, with the exception of one or two weak places, does not prove a sufficient safe-guard to stop the forces that may come against it. The weak places must be stopped; then all is safe.
The enemy is called in Scripture, a strong man, and the Lord Jesus Christ is said to be stronger than the strong man armed; hence it is necessary to call to our aid the graces of the Spirit, whereby we shall be enabled to ward off the fiery darts of the wicked one, fortify the citadel, and keep the enemy at bay. "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible." 1 Cor. ix, 24, 25.
Dear brethren, let us not be weary in well doing, but so live that at the end of our journey we can say119with the apostle, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day, and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."
F. GOULD.
Stowe, Vt.
A Prayer of Trust.
"Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him, and he shall bring it to pass."
Through all my path of life, dear Lord,
I love to trace thy sweet providing,
And on the covenant of thy word
Repose my all in calm confiding.
Here, in my heart, thy dwelling-place,
Oh! Master, work thine utmost pleasure;
Subdue my will, give grace for grace,
And grant thy Spirit without measure.
For all the work I have to do,
Give me, I pray, a fuller meetness,
That I may prove how strong and true
The love that knows no incompleteness.
Oh! stablish, strengthen, settle me,
Thy perfect will within revealing;
Through life, my dear Consoler be,
And draw me heavenward by thy dealing.
Just what I need from day to day,
Thou wilt provide with wise ordaining;
Thy goodness hedges in my way,
And binds me by love's sweet constraining.
And when, within this human heart,
Thy hand hath stirred some deeper yearning,
Thou wilt not bid me sit apart,
And crush the hope so newly burning;—
But thou my yielded soul wilt lead
Unto her perfect consummation,
Thy love supplying every need,
Fulfilling every aspiration!
Our Refuge.
By Rosina F. Phippeny
“Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us.” Ps. lxii, 8.
How grateful I am for the promises that are left on record for our benefit; and for all those that are willing to humble themselves before the Most High. What would we do, poor sinful creatures that we are by nature, had we no place of refuge from the evils of this life, especially in these times; surrounded with all manner of evil which the arch-Deceiver of the human race is capable of inventing; and he certainly is an ingenious workman. It would be an utter impossibility to enumerate the various ways he employs to lead astray poor fallen man. Well he knows his power; and many are his strong holds, and innumerable are his emissaries sent by him throughout the world to deceive the unwary. Well he knows the shortness of his reign. A very clear reason why iniquity abounds in these times.
While these things are so, how necessary that we should trust in God at all times, and lay our troubles and perplexities before him. For in him alone is our strength and our refuge. I feel that “in God is my salvation and my glory; the rock of my strength, and my refuge is in God.” Ps. lxii, 7. When buffeted and tossed by adverse winds, how sweet the thought that we have an indulgent Father, a kind and loving brother to intercede for us.
When the heart is borne down with trouble and sorrow, and all seems dark and dreary, then may we find relief by looking upward. Ah yes, there is hope beyond the dark clouds, and by the arrow of faith we may pierce the gloom, and a ray of light from Heaven may suddenly beam upon us.
I praise God that there is a refuge for the weary pilgrims of earth. What could we do when tempted, and tried, reviled, scorned and persecuted, had we not God to aid us. Oh that we may have on the whole armor of God, that we may be able to withstand in the evil day, having overcome all, that we may stand when Christ comes, and have our loins girt about with truth, having on the breastplate of righteousness, and our feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; and taking the shield of faith, wherewith we shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And may we have for a helmet the hope of salvation.
If we are armed with these things, the darts of our enemies will fall harmless at our feet. And my sincere desire is, that we may have on the whole armor, so that we may be among the jewels to be gathered at the coming of the Just One.
Rosina F. Phippeny.
Ithaca, Mich.
ANNETTE L. GUILFORD
By Annette L. Guilford
From Sister Guilford.
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: I esteem it a privilege to say to you that I am still striving to walk in the narrow way that leads to eternal life. I am trying to stem the strong current that is setting in from the world. It is so strong that all will be carried along with it down to destruction, except those who realize its power, and plead earnestly with God for overcoming strength, that they may be able to resist it. I have found by experience, that much exertion is necessary in every advance step we take toward the kingdom. Yet I delight in the self-denying way, the rugged, thorny way; for it leads to where my Saviour is. He is my best friend, and I long to see him face to face, and hear his sweet voice say to me, "Come, ye blessed of my Father." Oh precious words! with what joy inexpressible will they thrill the heart of the way-worn pilgrim of earth. Having passed through the furnace, and drunk of the cup, and been baptized with the baptism, they will be prepared to appreciate the sweet rest, and all the joys of Heaven. I believe that I am willing to do anything or suffer anything that my Father sees necessary in order to prepare me for Heaven. I have made a covenant with God by sacrifice, placing all that I have upon the altar. I count nothing that I possess as my own; it is only lent me from the Lord. And I am not my own, and I earnestly desire to honor my Creator in my body and spirit which are his. I want to make thorough work in preparing for the great day of the Lord. With joy I behold the increasing signs of the speedy coming of our Saviour, and when he shall appear seated upon the great white cloud, I want to be
of those who will be caught up to meet him in the air, and so be forever with the Lord.
Yours in hope of eternal life.
ANNETTE L. GUILFORD
St. Charles, Mich.
A Mistaken View.
By Joseph Clarke
WERE I a person who possessed wealth, I could not say very plain things about the poor, but being untrammelled in this respect, I may speak out. It is a fact, that poor people are often unreasonably jealous of the man who possesses wealth. Within a few years, I have noticed this more than ever before.
I have noticed that most of our wealthy men have amassed wealth by steady perseverance and industry; or by trade, or good management; or by all these; and some have got wealth by foul means, but these generally keep it but a short time.
The poor are often jealous of the attention a wealthy man receives from his acquaintance. But I ask, does not his industry, and forethought, merit a degree of respect and esteem?
There is A. He is a poor man. Why? Perhaps he spent his youth and early manhood in self-indulgence. Perhaps he is slack in his business. Perhaps he is wasteful. Perhaps he never took the pains to amass even enough to buy himself a home. He had always a preference for a good warm place at the fire in cold weather, and a cool shade in dog-days; and, consequently, B, who scarcely ever thought of comfort, unless it was to earn something to make his family comfortable, has stolen a march on A who is puzzled to know how B gets along so well; and throws out vague hints of dishonesty against B, who would despise to disappoint a creditor, while A is always in hot water with those who are so unfortunate as to trust him.
C, a thrifty farmer, embraces the truth, has a lovely family, who are industrious and thrifty. C dies. His children mourn his loss, but still keep up good habits, and keep up the farm, keep things neat and tidy, drive business, collect their debts, make money, and have plenty. A frets; for he has owed C a long time. He wonders that C with all his wealth, and his family should care for so small an amount. Does not A realize that this very trait, which hangs on for an old and honest debt, is the very principle which, working through a lifetime, keeps C from going to meeting shabby and mean in dress? This it is which entails upon his family good, warm and elegant clothing, good teams, good carriages, good house and barn, and buildings, orchard, &c., &c. Yes, it is so; and envy and jealousy are the tributes that ignoble poverty pays to industrious, frugal wealth.
There are honorable exceptions; but I have seen much to disgust, much to abhor in the poor. I speak not of the worthy poor, but I speak of that class of poor, who are like gnats and mosquitos, forever annoying larger bodies.
A poor man who is beloved, is like a bee, who builds his house just large enough for his own convenience, and extracts his livelihood from such sources as God and nature provide. Yet he differs from the bee—he does not sting. Such a man is humble and self-reliant. Ah! he is rich too!
JOSEPH CLARKE.
Conflict of Faith
By Bunyan
CONFLICT OF FAITH.—"If Satan and I did strive for any word of God in all my life, it was for this good word of Christ: Him that cometh unto me I will in no-wise cast out; he at one end, and I at the other. Oh what work we made. It was for this that we did so tug and strive; he pulled and I pulled; but, God be praised, I overcame him, and got sweetness from it." Bunyan.
The Sabbath
The Sabbath.—"If keeping holy the seventh day were only a human institution, it would be the best method that could have been thought of for the polishing and civilizing of mankind."—Addison.
Extracts from Letters.
Sister C. Weaver writes from Lockport, N. Y.: Brethren and sisters, let us be steadfast, always abounding in the work of God. Let us strive to be entire overcomers, have our lamps trimmed and burning, waiting for Jesus' coming to take his children home. God will have a pure people without spot or blemish. Are we all that profess to be followers of our blessed Lord and Master, letting our light shine? or do we sometimes shun the cross, because it is so great? Jesus' sufferings were great; cannot we bear the toil, endure the pain, supported by his word? "What is all our sorrow here, if Christ but counts us meet?" I feel like striving earnestly to overcome, that I may be numbered with the chosen ones, and at last be brought in to the kingdom of Christ.
Bro. A. B. Underwood writes from Wayne, Ohio: Bro. White: The cause of God we think is somewhat on the rise in Wayne. There is a strong bond of Christian union in the Advent band. The brethren and sisters are growing stronger,—a holy peace rests upon us as we meet from Sabbath to Sabbath. We feel indeed that this is the day that God has consecrated, blest, and sanctified, as holy time; when he rested from all his works at creation; and we esteem it a great privilege and blessing to obey the command of God,—"Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy." External opposition is somewhat dying away. Still the truth embraced in the third angel's message is loved and obeyed but by few. We are having an interesting, and profitable Sabbath-School, numbering between twenty and thirty scholars. We have good attention and order. A few Sabbaths since, we broke bread and administered the sacrament to the church in this place, and we felt the blessing of Christ, and his peace and salvation, while we remembered him in his sufferings and death, trusting that when he comes again we shall be permitted to drink the new wine of the Kingdom, when the earth and the heavens are made new, and delivered from the curse incurred by the fall of man.
Sister A. Johnson writes from Southampton, Ill.: As I realize that we are nearing the last day, my prayer is for a living faith that I may be able to stand in the day of the Lord's fierce anger, when he shall come to take vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. I want to be among that number that will be remembered when the Master comes to make up his jewels. The world has no charms for me. The loveliness of my Saviour, and the hope of one day meeting him, and being an inhabitant of those mansions that he has gone to prepare, is to me like the pearl of great price.
"Oh come, my Saviour, come away,
And bear me to the sky;
Nor let thy chariot wheels delay;
Make haste, and bring it nigh.
"I long to see thy glorious face,
And in thine image shine,
To triumph in redeeming grace,
And be forever thine."