Publishing Committee · Rochester, N. Y. · Jan 10, 1854
Review of the New Time Theory.
By E. Everts
It seems necessary, in this time of strong delusion, that we should examine ourselves, to see if we are in the faith. We need line upon line, line upon line, daily.
I am reminded, by the many positions of the opposers of the present truth, that while the true church has but "one head, [Christ,] and speak the same things, and glorify God with one mouth," the harlot church is aided by the dragon of many heads, whose name is legion.
Truth affirms that "the vision for an appointed time," after the "tarry" of 1844, "spoke," on the tenth of the 7th month, had its end, and did not lie.
It was so plain that he who run could read it. Yes, the preaching of time which was accompanied by God's providence, by a corresponding work, ended short, precisely at the time appointed: A. D. 1844.
Light on the Sanctuary shows that the judgment commenced on the tenth of the 7th month, at the end of the 2300 days, and our High Priest commenced cleansing the Sanctuary and true Tabernacle which is in heaven, because of the iniquities of the people of God in all their uncleanness, A. D. 1844. Lev. xvi; 1 Pet. iv, 17.
But infidelity towards that work, has led to a multitude of erroneous views. For a while, some advocated that the end of the 2300 days must be in the future, but presumed not to disconnect from them the 70 weeks. This showed the necessity of commencing the 70 weeks at another period, than B. C. 457. To this the Advent Herald, March 2d, 1850, objected; maintaining that it is demonstrated by more than twenty concurrent eclipses, that the prophetic period of the 70 weeks commenced B. C. 457. This sustained the view that the 2300 days ended 1844. To escape this, came the denial of the connection of the 70 weeks and the 2300 days. This glaring error of disconnecting those periods, is now healed. But how? By acknowledging the true starting point, 457 B. C., the connection of the 70 weeks and the 2300 days, and consequently their end A. D. 1844! No! But after acknowledging their connection, then denying their commencement, and end, which have been so firmly established.
The strong delusion is going through Maine, N. H., Mass. and part of Conn., like fire in stubble, as one of its advocates told me; and now it is making progress here in Vt. Base coin comes from wrong authority; although it aims to imitate every feature of the true, to deceive; but he that is conversant with the genuine, by comparing them, can detect the counterfeit.
Let us examine this new doctrine in part, as far as I learned from a preacher of it. He said that he saw the connection of the 70 weeks and the 2300 days; then set about solving the mystery of their end. He said, that he first ascertained the end of the 70 weeks, by taking the account of Paul and Barnabas (Acts xiii) to be the ending of the seventieth week, of confirming the covenant, which was A. D. 45. Then he sought for a corresponding event, to mark their commencement; this he found by taking the decree of Nehemiah, to be the twentieth year of Artaxerxes' reign B. C. 445. This, said he, just admitted the required time of 490 years, ending A. D. 45; then he added the remaining 1810 of the 2300 years, which brings us to A. D. 1855. Then, whatever may be the Sanctuary, its cleansing will be ended, and it will be fitted for the saints' abode.
Now, said he, I set about settling the much disputed point, the cross; this he did by allowing all the confirmation week to the apostles; which places the cross seven years prior to A. D. 45, which is A. D. 38, and makes Christ's age 38. He said, that even the apostles doubted Christ's being the Messiah till after the resurrection, which took place at the end of the sixty-ninth week, A. D. 38. How calculated this sort of reasoning is to deceive them whose lamps are gone out. Once, Adventists were proverbial for having for their companion the Bible; but with many now, how sad the reverse.
Why all this liberal theory, that can bend to events or dates, applicable, or foreign to the fundamental basis of the question at issue? It appears to be this: because the event expected in 1844, was not realized. Feeling keenly the disappointment, many doubted the genuineness of the work; called it mesmerism: some doubted the correctness of the calculation of the time; but where the defect was, neither they nor any of our opposers could tell. Unwilling to yield the position that the earth is the Sanctuary; unwilling to allow what we and they once challenged our opponents to disprove, that the 70 weeks and 2300 days are connected, and commenced in the seventh year of the reign of Artaxerxes, B. C. 457, and ended A. D. 1844; therefore comes this scattering and diversity of sentiment.
Now they are prepared to abandon plain fulfillment of prophecy, and assume that the decree in the seventh year of the reign of Artaxerxes, answers not the instruction mentioned to Daniel, "to restore and build Jerusalem;" because to it is added, "the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times." Therefore the decree of the seventh is rejected, and that of the twentieth year of Artaxerxes is taken; because it was under the superintendence of Nehemiah, that the street and the walls were built in troublous times.
Now, by reading the work under Nehemiah, it is plain that his work in building the street and wall, could not alone answer the instruction mentioned to Daniel; but it required the work of Ezra, commissioned to him by the decree of the seventh year of the reign of Artaxerxes, 457 B. C., "to restore and build Jerusalem;" which must commence the seven weeks, which end with the completion of the walls. Even it is evident that Ezra understood that his grant permitted the restoration of Jerusalem in all particulars; viz. repairing the altar; offering sacrifices; appointing judges and magistrates; and building the house or temple of God, and the wall. Ez. vii, 17, 25, 26; ix, 8, 9.
Here let us notice three points of the views of the new-timeists: 1. That the 69 weeks reach to the cross. 2. That Christ was not known to be the Messiah, till after the resurrection. 3. That all the "confirming of the covenant one week," was done by the apostles, and ended A. D. 45; which terminated the seventy weeks. Also they contend that Christ was crucified A. D. 38.
Now it appears only necessary to ascertain at what point we find the Messiah; for that point ends the 69 weeks; and 69 weeks prior to that point, must be the decree to restore and build Jerusalem; from which point it is seven weeks, and three score and two weeks, unto Messiah the Prince. Messiah, according to Bolls' lexicon, is the Anointed; the Christ; the Saviour of the world; the Prince of Peace. We will examine the assertion that Christ was not known to be the Messiah, during his ministry, before the cross. "John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." Andrew said, "We have found the Messias." Nathanael said unto Christ, "Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel." The woman at Jacob's well said, "I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ; when he is come he will tell us all things. Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he." And many of the Samaritans said, we "know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world." The devils said, "Let us alone: what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth! art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art; the Holy One of God." "And devils came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God." "Peter said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God, Jesus said, Flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven." At Christ's baptism the Holy Ghost testified by descending in a bodily shape like a dove upon him; and a voice came from heaven, and testified, saying "Thou art my Beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased." All this, and much more might be added to this clear testimony, that the Messiah was manifested at the commencement of his ministry. This fact settled, it settles the termination of the 69 weeks. After Jesus was baptized, he preached, saying, "The time is fulfilled." (Accomplished—Campbell.) Mark i, 15. What time? No time can be found to be fulfilled, but the 69 weeks, which are accomplished at "the Messiah the Prince," when he was baptized. This, according to Usher, was A. D. 26. Here is fixed the termination of the 69 weeks.
"And after three score and two weeks (from the end of 7 weeks, allowed to build Jerusalem) shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself." Dan. ix, 26. How long after 69 weeks, or Christ's baptism, before Messiah was cut off, or crucified? This may easily be ascertained, by ascertaining the length of Christ's ministry, from his baptism to his cross where he was cut off. This may be determined by the number of yearly passovers he attended. We find that but four passovers occurred during his ministry, which he attended; [John ii, 13; v, 1; vi, 4; xiii, 1;] and at the fourth he was crucified. These four passovers could not cover more than three and a half years. These three and a half years added to Usher's chronology of Christ's baptism, A. D. 26-7, could not extend beyond A. D. 31; where must stand the cross. Clear, it is, that as at his baptism, the 69 weeks ended, so at his cross, the end of three and a half years more202must be the midst of the week, where Christ caused the sacrifice and oblation to cease, by becoming our passover, sacrificed for us. Christ said, 'Sacrifice and offering and burnt-offering and offering for sin thou wouldst not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.' 'By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.' Heb. x, 8-10.
Does any one doubt that Christ's being offered on the cross, 'caused the sacrifice and oblation virtually to cease,' by the above commentary of Paul; and also, from the circumstance that 'the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom,' when Christ hung on the cross: [Matt. xxvii, 51:] showing the rejection of that typical economy?
The cross plainly stands according to the Scriptures, in the midst [middle] of the one week, the seventieth, during which he was to confirm the covenant with many. Dan. ix, 27. This fact shows that the apostles had but half of one week, three and a half years left them in which to confirm the covenant. Now as the cross stood in the Spring, A. D. 31, the middle of the seventieth week, three and a half more, the confirming, by them that heard him, [Heb. ii, 3] must bring us to the Autumn of A. D. 34, where end the seventy weeks, or 490 years of the 2300, [Dan. viii, 14] which leaves 1810 years to transpire after the Fall of A. D. 34, which end A. D. 1844, 10th of the 7th month, sacred time. Then the Sanctuary, according to time and type, law and prophets, must be cleansed.
We ask where the Bible plainly calls the earth, or Palestine the Sanctuary? We unhesitatingly say, Nowhere! Out of the 146 texts, where the Sanctuary is expressed, two or three, only, are claimed [Ex. xv, 17; Ps. lxxviii, 54] as referring to the earth, or Palestine. But, on examination, it is clear that they refer to the true, Bible Sanctuary, which God commanded Moses to make, where the High Priest officiated between God and his people; which is brought to view under the Levitical dispensation, in Ex. xxv, 8, under the gospel, Heb. viii, 2, and on the New Earth, Rev. xxi, 3; Eze. xxxvii, 26, 28.
In regard to the apostles' confirming the covenant, alone, one week, it conflicts with the plain proof, that Christ's ministry extended to the middle of the confirmation week, and during that time, he confirmed that he was the 'Saviour of the world.' As he declared—I have greater witness than that of John: for 'the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me. John v, 36. These works of healing the sick, casting out devils, forgiving sins, and raising the dead, declared his salvation; 'which,' says Paul, 'at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them, who heard him.' These texts plainly show that Christ first began to confirm the covenant, and it was finished by the apostles.
Dear brethren, may the Lord impress us with a deep sense of these truths. May the Lord help us to walk in the light, lest it in us become darkness as it is in those whose lamps are gone out. O, for grace to walk softly; knowing that the last work in the heavenly Sanctuary is closing. How few the months or days may be, when in heaven, there will be no Intercessor, no Days-man for poor sinners; destinies of mortals will be sealed; the filthy will be so still, and the holy, ever holy be; when the Son of man, with his sharp sickle, will harvest the earth; when the downfall of kingdoms will come; the land be soaked with blood; the slain be from one end of the earth to the other; for they shall not be lamented, neither gathered nor buried. 'In that day shall this song be sung: We have a strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks. Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in.' 'Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.' O, may this be our end. Amen.
New Haven, Vt., Dec. 28th, 1853.
REST IN HEAVEN.
By Nelson
SLEEP not, the Saviour cries,
On this low, earthly ground;
Press on—above the skies,
There shall your rest be found.
CHORUS.
Where the pilgrim reposes, the fields are all green,
There day never closes, nor clouds intervene:
O the forms that are there, such as eye hath not seen;
O the songs they sing there, with hosannas between,
While the river of life flows freely.
On earth cold storms will rise,
And clouds obscure the sun;
For rest the weary pilgrim sighs—
But there his work is done.
My soul, be not dismayed,
But gird thee for the race:
I'll ask his hourly aid
To reach that happy place.
Nelson.
Reasons why so Few Receive the Present Truth.
By J. B. Frisbie
BY J. B. FRISBIE.
THE carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God neither indeed can be. Why? Because the law is holy, just, good and spiritual; while the carnal mind is sold under sin.
John iii, 19, 20. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil; for every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 2 Cor. iv, 4. The God of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not.
Luke viii, 12, 14. The devil taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. The cares, riches and pleasures of this life, choke the word that it bring no fruit to perfection.
2 Thess. ii, 9-12. Christ's 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. For this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie; that they all may be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Heb. iii, 13. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To-day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
James i, 22-24. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves; for if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass; for he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way straightway and forgetteth what manner of man he was.
2 Tim. iii, 13. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. Chap. iv, 3, 4. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers having itching ears; and they (the hearers) shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
James ii, 5-9. Harken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world, rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? Do they not blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called? If ye fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well; but if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. As it is now, so was it when our Lord was on earth, when "the common people heard him gladly."
1 Cor. i, 26. For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.
John vii, 48. Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him?
John xii, 42, 43. Nevertheless, among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
Luke xii, 8. Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God.
There is not the least doubt that many are convinced that we have the truth, but dare not confess it for fear of being turned out of the synagogue; and at the same time despise to go with such a little, scattered, poor and world-despised flock; but Jesus has said, "Fear not little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."
Matt. xxi, 31. Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you; i. e., chief priests and elders. The same difficulties lie in the way of our present day chief priests and elders, we fear. We find when we present the Sabbath to them they will immediately contend for a change in the day from the seventh to the first day by order of Christ and the apostles. Show that to be groundless, and they will turn another way and say it does not make any odds what day, if we only keep a seventh part of time. Then show the fallacy of such an idea, and they will then turn round and say, Who knows which the seventh day is? We then show them this plainly, and they will then make a clean sweep that the law of God was abolished at the cross, and down went Sabbath and all. Show them the folly of this, and by this time they get impatient, and hastily and carelessly say it don't make any odds: our forefathers kept Sunday, and died happy and we will trust our salvation on the same foundation; and it was good enough for them and it is good enough for us. So Gallio-like they go, caring for none of these things. Acts xviii, 12, 17.
Hosea iv, 6, 9. My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. And there shall be, like people, like priest; and I will punish them for their ways, and reward them their doings.
Jer. xxiii, 21, 22. I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied. But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings.
Eze. xxxiv, 1, 3, 6. Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flock? Ye eat the fat, and clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed; but ye feed not the flock. My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them.
We have but little faith or hope of the many pastors of the day ever coming into the truth. We really believe if the ministers of all denominations should preach the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, that it would not be six weeks before the world would be turned about to keep it. But oh! the fearful howling and crying that must soon come upon them. Are they to be pitied for this after they shall cause millions to stumble and fall into destruction? Jer. xxv, 34-38.
FALSE CHRISTS.
By Raymond F. Cottrell
Our Lord in giving a brief outline of the world's history, from the first to the second Advent, twice gives warning of false christs that should arise.—His first words are, Take heed that no man deceive you; for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ, and shall deceive many. This may refer to those false christs that arose soon after; for history informs us that different individuals did arise about that time, professing to be Christ, and deceived many. The 69 weeks of Daniel were ended, and the Jews were looking for Christ. But having rejected and crucified the true Messiah—having filled up the measure of their iniquity—and now suffering under the just judgments of God, they were prepared to be deceived by, and follow any impostor who should promise them deliverance from the Romans. They, who in rejecting Christ declared, "We have no king but Caesar," were now ready to listen to any deceiver, promising them deliverance from Caesar. We may here see the fatal consequences of rejecting the truth, as revealed to us by the prophets. This same Jesus promised to come again, and gave signs of that event, which have been fulfilled before the face of this generation. And now if we reject the Advent doctrine, founded as it is upon the words of Christ, do we not reject him? Do we not plainly show that we are ashamed of Christ and his words, and thus crucifying the doctrine of Christ's coming, shall we not be prepared for the strong delusion of the false christs of which I am about to speak?
Our Lord passes down the stream of time to the period of the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet, to which are given 1260 years, [Dan. vii, 25,] and having passed this period he says, Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there, believe it not; for there shall arise false christs, &c. This, I think, refers to persons professing to be Christ in his second Advent, for the following reasons:203
1. It is mentioned immediately after the Papal abomination, which, as I have before remarked, had a period of 1260 years allotted to it, and is introduced by the word then.
2. It is said, they shall show (not pretend to show,) great signs and wonders. This was not fulfilled by those ancient false christs; therefore it remains to be fulfilled just before the second Advent.
3. The deceiver with which Jesus furnished his disciples, proves this point. In his first Advent he grew up from childhood like other men; in his second, he will be seen coming in the clouds of heaven. Hence he says, If they shall say, Behold, he is in the secret chambers, believe it not; for as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Thank the Lord! none need be deceived in this matter, and none who believe his word, and trust in his promises will be.
But what an awful delusion will come upon those who follow the Jews in their example of unbelief! How awful to awake from their dreams of peace and safety when it is too late! The hour of temptation is swiftly coming upon all the lovers of the world. Reader, do you love Christ? Then love his righteous appearing. R. F. COTTRELL.
Communication from Bro. Warren.
By S. B. Warren
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—Though I feel myself the most unworthy of any that profess the advent faith, yet notwithstanding this, a few thoughts have been pressing with some weight upon my mind, which I would communicate through the Review for the consideration of every brother and sister who believe in the speedy coming of our Saviour. I feel that degree of interest in the cause of Christ that I never felt before. As I look around upon mankind and behold the ten thousand schemes Satan has plotted to deceive them, I am led to ask, Who, among the vast number who profess faith in Christ, will finally shine among the blest in heaven?
Though we are not sure of heaven till we get there, yet God has said in his blessed Word, “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal: ‘the Lord knoweth them that are his.’”
At this present day it seems that not only the worldling, but the professed christian, is fully resolved on having riches. Their out-stretched arms and eager grasp is after the world. They have forgotten what God has said: “If ye love the world the love of the Father is not in you;” and that, “Whosoever hath this world’s goods and seeth his brother hath need and shutteth up his bowels of compassion, how dwelleth the love of God in him?” But the time has now come when the honest, true Christian will have an ear to hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. The time has positively come when our love is to be brought to a test. “For this is the love of God that we keep his commandments.”
But while I would here admonish brethren and sisters who believe in the present truth, of a few things, I will also take the admonition to myself. Let us not think for a moment that simply because we are Sabbath-keepers, we shall have a right to the tree of life, and enter in through the gates into the City. “Let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall.” Our enemies are numerous, and they are multiplying on every hand in proportion to our zeal and love for the cause of Christ. “If ye will live godly in Christ Jesus, ye shall suffer persecution.” That brother or sister who has no trials, no persecutions, but glides easily and smoothly through the world, has but little reason, if any, to believe that they are true christians. God requires no more of us than we through grace are able to perform. But he does positively require that we keep every one of his commandments, even though by an obedience to them we are brought in contact with the laws of sinful, erring man. The law which wicked men have made, says, Keep the first day of the week for the Sabbath; but God’s law says, The seventh is the Sabbath. “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than man.”
St. Paul no doubt taught many things which appeared strange to the unbelieving Jew and Gentile nation, and which no doubt was the occasion of their severe persecution. But where shall we look to find the sincere, ardent love of the meek and lovely followers of Jesus, which we read of in the apostolic age? Among what band of brethren, in what church or society, shall we now look for an exhibition of that pure love? Most assuredly we find it not in the fallen, corrupt churches of Babylon. I ask, Shall we find it among the Advent brethren, or those who keep the Sabbath? Ah, I fear there is too little of that love, even among those who are trying to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Is it true, brethren and sisters, that we love one another as God requires us? “For he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?” Christ says in John xv, “This is my commandment, that ye love one another as I have loved you.” If ye have that genuine love towards each other, of which the Scriptures so frequently speak, we shall seek each other’s present and future, temporal, spiritual and eternal good. Is it not a fact too true to be doubted, that Satan is now, at this time, rallying his forces against God’s remnant, who are trying to stand up boldly in defense of Bible truth? Satan is exerting all his power to set down, if possible, his dividing foot and cause division in the ranks of God’s dear children. He is now calling to his aid those who, we are sorry to say, have learned to use the tongue of slander. But we rejoice and our hearts are made glad, while we read, “Who shall harm you if ye be followers of that which is good;” and, “They that are for us, are more than they that are against us.”
Brethren, our trust is in the strong arm of the mighty God of Israel. We are called upon to go more frequently than ever, into our closets, and there before our God, pour out our souls in ardent prayer for each other, for our enemies and for the cause of truth. We must not only pray much, but we must watch with all diligence, lest our enemies come in upon us secretly. God has sent forth his messengers of truth to proclaim the last notes of warning to all who have ears to hear and a heart to understand. The enemy of all good has also gone forth to sow, if possible, the seeds of discord and strife among those who are looking for and loving the appearing of our Saviour. He that truly loves his brother and loves his Bible, and loves his God and loves to pray, will take no part in the spread of a report unfavorable to the cause of Christ, or which, in its tendency, would perhaps wound the feelings of a child of God. Prov. xviii, 19, says, “A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city;” and in chap. xxvii, “Open rebuke is better than secret love.”
When reports come to our ears, what such a brother or sister has said or done, we are to give no credit to them, until we have good evidence to believe, and are truly convinced that there is an act of trespass; then we have an infallible rule laid down by Christ himself, in Matt. xviii: “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone; if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother; but if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established; and if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church; but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican.” O that God would lead us into all truth, and help us to act upon pure, gospel principles, is the sincere, fervent prayer of one who is trying to be in readiness for the coming of the Blessed Saviour.