Review and Herald, Vol. 24, No. 6. (7/5/1864)

Review and Herald

Jul 5, 1864

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 5, 1864

An Enemy Hath Done This.

E. Bowen, D. D., Methodist, lately preached a semi-centennial sermon, in which occur the following remarkable passages. Having preached in that body for the past fifty years, he is well prepared to contrast the Methodist ministry and people of the present day, with what it formerly was. If the change in other churches has not been so marked, it is simply because other churches did not in the beginning take the high stand the Methodists took. They are all now fast descending to the same irreligious level. Who can look on this picture, and then doubt but that these churches have rejected truth and shunned crosses by which God designed that their godliness and spirituality should be kept alive. The Lord grant that Seventh-day Adventists may never by the adoption of creeds, and the rejection of the gifts of the Spirit, set bounds to their own advancement. We find our quotation in "The Earnest Christian" of June, 1864.

But O the change that has come over our ministry in later times! How lamentable the defection observable within a very short period. Popularity is now the goal; and in order to reach it, the style and manner of preaching must be changed. The plain simple style of Jesus, of Wesley, and of Hedding, must give place to a turgid, bombastic display, which makes the illiterate masses gape and stare instead of "bringing them to repentance and to the knowledge of the truth." Popular sins must not now be meddled with, as they are too delicate a subject to be treated of in a popular assembly; or, belonging exclusively to politics, the Christian minister has nothing to do with them. Such is the pretext. The true reason is, that few of us can hew to the line in respect to these sins, but the chips will fly in our own face. And then, it would offend our fashionable hearers—driving them from our congregations, and cutting off their support—which will never do. The doctrines, the duties, the institutions of the gospel, every thing connected with religion, must be popularized and adapted to the public taste. "The offence of the cross must cease;" and cold essays, interspersed with anecdotes and poetry, and embellished with rhetorical flights and flourishes, must succeed to the preaching of "repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ."

And besides all this, there is a numerous class of the community who can only visit places of amusement; and to secure the attendance of these, as well as to gratify our own carnal inclination, we must convert the Church into a sort of play-house; where the most fastidious pleasure-taker can find the entertainment he seeks. Our bombastic, highfalutin, moralizing declamation will not suffice for this class of hearers. There must be something to excite their risibilities, and fill their mouths with laughter; something of the ludicrous and the funny; something of the comico-pious type, by which the almost universal taste of mankind will be gratified, and the highest degree of popularity and patronage secured.

The responsive "amen" of the devout worshiper is no longer looked for or desired among us. Nor is there much in our pulpit exercises to call it forth. Much less do we tolerate the old-fashioned Methodist shouting in our congregations. Such manifestations of pious joy would be esteemed quite disorderly—a palpable interruption of the order and solemnity of Divine worship—and not to be allowed in the house of God. But while we shrink from these pious demonstrations, lest our fashionable hearers should suspect us of sympathizing with a religion the world hates; we can well endure the bursts of carnal laughter, and rounds of clamorous cheering, excited by our comical, pantomimic, merry-making exhibitions, and might not be greatly disturbed in our feelings, were the scenes of the declining apostolic Church to return; when the people, instigated by the preacher, were accustomed to exclaim as he was proceeding with his discourse—"bravo, eloquent, most learned, second Apollos," and the like; to the very great satisfaction of their humble-minded pastor. Such a course has now become the highway to popularity, and must be resorted to at all events, for we must be popular, and there is no other way to gain our end. But the theme is too painful to be pursued, and we turn from it with disgust. Suffice it to say, we exceedingly loathe this religious buffoonery—this charlatanism of the pulpit—this holy fun—so much in vogue among the ministry of our day, and we would now and forever bear our protest against it.

"'Tis pitiful To court a grin, when you should woo a soul; To break a jest, when pity should inspire Pathetic exhortation."

We are deeply pained with such shameful prostitution of the sacred desk. Nor do we find any relief to our feelings in the reflection that the period is not distant when, at our present rate of deterioration, it will be impossible to distinguish between the pulpit and the stage.

Which is True?

By E. GOODRICH

TOUCHING the final destiny of the wicked, there are three different views entertained by those who believe the Scriptures. The first view is that the wicked, the finally impenitent, are to suffer eternal conscious misery. The second view is the doctrine of universal salvation, which teaches that all men are to be finally holy and happy. The third teaches that the ungodly are to be utterly and forever destroyed.

As but one of the above positions can be true, which is the correct one? But as my object is not so much to decide as to obtain a rule by which the question may be measured, and a satisfactory result reached, the foregoing views may be treated as suppositions. And admitting that it was the design of the prophets and apostles to teach that the wicked would be eternally tormented, we may ask, Have they used language the best calculated to teach such a doctrine? In a word, have they used the strongest language that could be used in setting forth such a sentiment. If they have not, then there may be a doubt as to their design in teaching the doctrine.

Again: If we are to suppose that it was the design of inspiration to teach that all are to be finally saved, then we may reasonably expect the doctrine to be expressed in the plainest and most positive manner.

And again: If the doctrine that the wicked are to be utterly destroyed is the one designed to be taught in the Scriptures, we may expect to find that those who wrote upon the subject have used the strongest language in their possession, whereby such a sentiment might be inculcated.

To repeat: Is the doctrine of eternal conscious misery taught in the strongest manner in which it could

have been taught had this been the design of those who wrote concerning the matter? This will hardly be claimed, even by its most zealous advocates; for there are many ways and places in which the sentiment could have been presented in a more forcible manner than it is.

Again: Admitting that universal salvation is true, is the language through which and by which the doctrine is taught all that it could be? Certainly not; for there are many instances in which the doctrine might have been set forth in a more positive manner, and in a much stronger light. When the question was asked, Lord, are there few that be saved? (Luke xiii, 23,) instead of saying, 'Strive to enter in at the strait gate, for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able,' how easy it would have been for the Saviour to say, Ye do greatly err, not knowing the eternal purpose of God. For verily I say unto you, all are to be saved. And instead of saying to his apostles, '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,' (Mark xvi, 15, 16,) how much more in keeping with the doctrine of universal salvation to have said, He that believeth and is baptized shall be the more easily and happily saved, nevertheless all are to be saved.

Again: In the parable of the net cast into the sea, which gathered of every kind; inasmuch as when the net was brought to land only the good were gathered into vessels, while the bad were cast away, the doctrine that all men are to be saved was not so clearly defined as it might have been. And although neither space nor propriety will permit to refer to them, nevertheless there are an untold number of just such instances in the above, showing that if it had been the design of Christ and his apostles to teach universal salvation, they could have used much more appropriate language than what they did use.

And as touching the doctrine of destruction, how does the language used by the prophets and apostles compare with what it might have been had they wished to teach this doctrine? In the last chapter of the Old Testament we read: 'For, behold, the day cometh that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble; and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.' Whether the prophet Malachi did or did not wish to teach the destruction of all the ungodly it seems very difficult to imagine how he could have taught the thing more positively, had he believed it; for the language is all that it could have been had this been his design.

Again: In the parable of the tares and the wheat, while the wheat is gathered into the barn, the tares are gathered in bundles to be burned. And admitting that Christ did not wish to teach the destruction of the wicked, it must be admitted that the figure used is as strong as any that could have been used had he wished to teach it. But as the design of this brief article is to invite attention to the above topics, if any are hereby induced to give the subject of men's final destiny a more thorough investigation, the object of the writer will be accomplished.

E. GOODRICH.

Edinboro, Pa.

Aaron and Christ.

How fair was Aaron to the view, When in his splendid garments drest; He wore his robe of heavenly blue, Above his long and snowy vest.

His ephod and his girdle white, Were wrought with purple, gold, and red; Upon his breast shone jewels bright, A costly mitre on his head.

No priest like him dwells now on earth, But there is One beyond the sky; Ah, who can set His glories forth, Or who with him in beauty vie!

O, fairer than the sons of men! O, fairest of the hosts above! What tongue can tell, what eye hath seen The glories of the God of love!

But though a sinful priest must die, That none may on his prayer depend, Our sinless priest still lives on high, And his fair days shall never end.

An Illustration.

By Joseph Clarke

Bro. —— was preaching upon the twenty-fourth chapter of Matthew, and comparing the signs of summer at hand, as shown by the budding fig tree. Enlarging upon this principle, and applying it, he said: Some years ago I was in ——. It was late in the Spring, and the vegetation was coming forward rapidly, when unfortunately a frost came and blasted the high expectations of the husbandman. What then did you do? Did you sit down in despair and say, Summer is not coming? Was any one so foolish as to give up his hope of a crop? Far otherwise. Each one might be seen replanting his field, as confident of approaching summer as if no frost had nipped the buds of spring.

So do those who look for the soon coming of Christ still continue to look for this glorious event, although the chilling frost of bitter disappointment fell heavily upon them in 1844, crushing, for a time, their hopes, and filling them with sorrow and dismay. Confident as ever they look for summer, as signified by the unmistakable signs of the times, and the accumulating evidences now presented before us. Would the farmer for one frost give up his hope of summer? Would he not be deemed insane who would thus deceive himself? And shall we not act as wisely who look for Jesus' coming, as those who look for summer when spring unfolds her beauties?

Joseph Clarke.

Glances at Passing Events.

By Editor

We give the following items as we find them compiled in the Prophetic Times for June 1864.

THINGS IN EUROPE.

THE political and moral aspect of Europe, and indeed of the whole world, is becoming "worse and worse," with no signs of a change for the better. It seems to us that every careful student of prophecy, and observer of the signs of the times, must see that we are very near the end of the age. "A few more rising and setting suns," and the pilgrim's lonely journey ends. Praise the Lord for the bright light now shining on the prophetic page.

An English correspondent of Zion's Herald writes:

"The clouds are lowering everywhere in Europe. Rapid reference need only be made to mangled Poland, Russian dissensions, Danish complications, and incomplete Italy. The worst, however, is to be apprehended from France, and the agitation which stirs the empire of that wonderful man who holds in hand a well-disciplined army of 800,000 men. The sound of discontent in France forebodes foreign wars, and the summons of a Congress was but the artifice of a far-sighted, but not very scrupulous ruler to arouse his subjects to gain time.

"This diversion will not long endure, and whilst a heavily taxed people chafe beneath financial embarrassments and difficulties connected with Mexico, it is not at all improbable that Napoleon will avail himself of any opportunity that may seem to require him to throw his sword in the scale, hoping thereby to extend his own Mediterranean frontier from Mentone to Genoa.

"The most alarming sign of the times, so far as Britain is concerned, has a religious aspect. We refer to the new and attractive forms in which ancient and exploded infidelity is now exhibited in high places. The Essays and Reviews ran their brief career of popularity, and are well-nigh forgotten. Even the hardihood of Bishop Colenso's more ill-mannered and audacious attacks on Moses and the Prophets have ceased to interest, and his more recent productions have 'dropped stillborn from the press.' But they have left behind them the trail of the serpent, and helped to make more dangerous the insidious and sentimental skepticism of Dr. Stanley and his abettors.

"It is impossible not to feel that we live in 'perilous times' when unbelief scarcely masked stalks forth in our seats of religion and of learning, and boasts that it insinuates its poison into royal palaces. It is also feared that the Colleges of the Independent denomination have been tainted, and that some of their most eminent teachers are promulgating dangerous errors. Professors Davidson and Godwin have already been ejected from their Colleges, but in each case a considerable minority of the committee gave proof of unmistakable sympathy with the deposed men."

No fact is more apparent than that infidelity is rapidly advancing in all civilized countries. Several years since, the New York Independent stated that four-fifths of our earnest-minded young men were decidedly skeptical; and since that time, infidelity has advanced more rapidly than ever, till we now find but few, comparatively, who fully believe the Bible.

SPIRITUALIST CONVENTION.

The Spiritualists have recently held a large convention in Mercantile Hall, Boston, on Feb. 24th, 25th, 26th. They are gaining ground rapidly. They are very jubilant over their great success. Their ranks are fast filling up with those who hold the first positions in the social and political world,—men and women of intelligence. They have become disgusted with the fashionable, popular religion of the day, and have been driven to a semi-infidelity, thence into Spiritualism; from which but few, we fear, will ever be delivered.

One important feature of the convention was talk about "ORGANIZATION." They think the time is at hand for active measures for their object. It was advocated that the present existing laws of the country should be abrogated, instead of making more. Mr. Loveland said, "Our first work will be to abrogate laws." They are laying plans to unitize the world into one great body, and say the "first thing is to remove obstructions." It was remarked that the object of the convention was to provide a "platform" for future operations.

It was stated in the convention that "many prominent men at the Capitol (Washington) are becoming interested in Spiritualism."

It appeared to be the general sentiment of the conference, that there is no standard of right and wrong. Each should do what is right in his own eyes, without regard to God or the Bible.

Read in this connection, the first three verses of the fourth chapter of Paul's first epistle to Timothy, and learn what Spiritualism is, and what it is to do in the world. This is a prophecy upon which the Holy Ghost, in Paul's day, laid very special stress, and blessed is he who gives proper heed to what "the Spirit speaketh expressly."

"RELIGION OF THE WORLD."

At the great Spiritualist mass meeting at Oshtemo, Michigan, June 26th and 27th, 1863, it was said in one of their prominent speeches: "Spiritualism, with its thousands of mediums and its millions of believers, stands forth to-day as the religion of the world."

We believe the saying to be true in a much broader sense than most people are ready to admit, who have not yet indorsed this new religion. But few are aware of the rapid spread of the principles embodied in the system of theology taught by the spirits and spiritualists. Like weeds, they are springing up all over the world, and having a most luxuriant growth, with very little hindrance; so that it is becoming "the religion of the world" in its extent.

It is emphatically "the religion of the world" in its character; that is, it is in keeping with the feelings of the natural man. It requires no reformation, no sorrow for sin, nor consecration to the Lord. All men and women, no matter how they live, are members of the "New Catholic Church," so called by the spiritualists. It is perfectly adapted to the taste of wicked men; therefore it meets with no opposition from the world. Men do not embrace this whole system at once, but first adopt some of these principles, and advance step by step till they are wholly engulfed in the depths of infidelity. Let all beware of this "religion of the world."

MORAL ASPECTS OF OUR TIMES.

The present times bid fair to be distinguished preeminently as a period of crime. The progress and the prevalence of even the grossest forms of wickedness, in different places and among diverse classes, are facts frightful to observe, and more frightful to ponder. Every newspaper is laden with the records of such. Dishonesty, licentiousness, violence, murder,—they do not meet us as exceptional instances: they make the staple of the news of the day; they load and darken the columns of all journals; till one trembles almost to take up the morning paper, is afraid to have it read in the family, and lays it down with a sense of heart-sickness, a saddening impression of the ineffectiveness of our means of public moral and religious instruction, a keen apprehension of what is to be expected in the future.

It is not the rich and luxurious alone among whom such evidences of viciousness abound. It is not those who are avowedly worldly and godless in their lives. Mechanics, merchants, farmers, teachers, physicians, lawyers, ministers of the Gospel, men high in social rank and in political influence, women as well as men, the young not only but the aged, in well-nigh equal measure, the refined and cultivated as well as the coarse,—all seem to be smitten with the foul contagion, and suddenly to break out with the vile and hateful leprosy of sin.

Not crimes of dishonesty alone are common; but the murder of wives, of husbands, of children, of the most confiding and affectionate friends, a horrible lustful

ness, the most flagrant and fiendish violations of faith,—all seem as common as the blossoming of trees, and are coming to be spoken of as familiarly and frequently, and with nearly as little apparent concern, as are the most ordinary and trivial facts.—Independent.

The financial article of the Evening Telegraph, has the following observations:

“The abundance of money afloat now is really doing harm. The millions amassed by army speculators invade every avenue of trade as a power unheard of before, and prices are forced up by the gamblers in all sorts of the necessaries of life, while many of the speculators who have become enriched are leading most disreputable lives. The wildest extravagance is seizing upon the imaginations of men; and in New York, some of the wealthy stock speculators are building marble stables for their horses, spending their evenings in gaming-houses and worse places, and absolutely throwing money around them with a profusion that sets at defiance all the laws of taste, sobriety, and morality. The war must be fought out quickly, or our National integrity and character will be dissipated in the wild orgies and Saturnalia of the hour. We can scarcely speak with patience of some things which we both see and hear in our midst, as to the atrocious use of wealth suddenly acquired; and sober citizens little dream of the transactions which now disfigure social life in large cities during the evenings and nights.”

Hints to those who read.

We must search the Scriptures to become acquainted with the truth. We must read and study the Scriptures as a means of advancement and sanctification. The Scriptures are far too much neglected. There is so much reading thrown in our way that we are in danger of neglecting the oracles of God. It is to be feared, that too few Christains are preparing to be mighty in the Scripture. It would be well if we were to read more in the Bible during the week, and then confine our reading chiefly to it on the Sabbath. We all need some time on the Sabbath for reading the Scriptures, meditation and prayer. There may be too many exercises, as well as too few. The tendency of an excess of public duty, is, to cause a neglect of private devotion. And the consequence of such a state of things is to render us superficial in our Christian attainments, governed by impulse rather than by principle. Were the Church more diligent in searching the Scriptures, her light would shine more clearly and constantly, she would be more steadfast and unmovable, her graces would flourish, her holiness increase, she would be sanctified through the truth, and her influence would be greater and more widely diffused. Let us love the truth, and let us manifest our love by the diligent study of God's holy word.

LAYING UP TREASURES ON EARTH

By Merritt E. Cornell

Interesting Extracts. No. 2.

BY ELD. M. E. CORNELL.

LAYING UP TREASURES ON EARTH.

“The noted clergymen of New York are not to be reckoned among the poor of this world, though they may be rich in faith. Bishop Hughes is worth his million; Rev. J. W. Geissenheimer, of the Lutheran church, is worth a quarter of a million; Rev. A. R. Van Nest is reckoned at $200,000; and has a million more in prospect; Rev. Dr. Spring has $100,000, and his young bride three times as much more; Rev. Dr. Adams is worth $100,000; Rev. Dr. Potts $50,000, Bishop Janes about $100,000; Rev. Henry Ward Beecher and Dr. Storrs, of Brooklyn, are set down at about $30,000 each.”—Springfield Republican.

RELIGIOUS GAMBLING.

“A member of a church went to his Pastor and entreated his personal intercession with his favorite son, who had become ruinously addicted to the vice of gambling. The Pastor consented and seeking the young man, found him in his chamber. He commenced his lecture, but before he concluded, the young man laid his hand upon his arm and drew his attention to a pile of splendid volumes that stood upon the table, ‘Well said the young man, these volumes were won by me at a Fair given in your church; they were my first venture; but for that lottery under the patronage of a Christian church I should never have become a gambler.’ ”—Watchman.

“PREPARE WAR.”

Canada Prepares.—War expenditures in Canada in 1851, $84,087; in 1862, $613,500. They propose to double the number of their soldiers.

England Prepares.—Her war expenditures in 1863 were £15,000,000. More than doubled in ten years.—From the Daily Press.

“The nations of the world are in a state of fearful commotion. The manufacture of rifled cannon, minnie rifles, and death-dealing missiles of all sorts, was never so active in the world’s history, and there are no signs of cessation. War, and not peace, seems to be the predominant idea. The world is one vast camp, and the military power every where predominates.”—Boston Journal.

“The world is in an uproar; there is no prospect, either here or abroad, of much peace; invention has turned the whole genius of the age into the production of iron-clad ships, turreted batteries, ocean rams, rifled cannon, and all the other means of war. Nations are either quarrelling or on the eve of a conflict; thrones tremble; people are agitated; the very atmosphere is redolent of gunpowder, and in short look which way we will, we see little but the red signs of combat, hear little but the booming of the cannon, read of little but accounts of sieges and victories, and the number of men placed ‘hors de combat’ and the preparations made or making to overthrow or maintain intact political organizations. Verily in view of all these things this may be called, THE AGE OF DISORDER. Millerism ought to be delighted. Here are all the indices it wants as a prelude to its millennium. As for ourselves! when! oh! when shall an honorable peace restore our country to its original prosperity?—New York Mercury.

“A glance all round the world to-day shows us a singularly extended state of war, rebellion, disorganization, distress, and uneasiness. Nor can any satisfactory conjecture be made of any road through all these troubles to a peace beyond.”—New York Independent.

“The world is grown old, and her pleasures are past; The world is grown old, and her form may not last; The world has grown old, and trembles for fear; For sorrows abound, and the judgment is near.”

Ashfield, Mass., June 14, 1864

By Susan Elmer

When the Lord shall Build up Zion, he shall Appear in his Glory. Ps. cii, 16.

As we compare the early history of the church with that of the present, how great the contrast, how dark the picture! As we mark the downward course of the so-called Christian churches, we are led to exclaim with the prophet, "How is the most fine gold become dim!" Sad indeed would it be were things always to continue as at the present. But the Lord has promised to gather his children.

That Zion which now appears to be partly in ruins shall be built up. And as the people of God are to be offered up without spot, how can those who are breaking one of his commandments which is made so plain that even a child may not err, be called blameless! They cannot, and therefore the necessity of some soul-stirring message. That message is now being given. Hence we read, "Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and faith of Jesus." The Lord has set himself the second time to recover his people, and he will accomplish it gloriously. The lively stones will be gathered, and being built upon the foundation of the prophets and apostles, Jesus Christ being the chief corner stone, will constitute a most glorious building. The gifts which are now being developed, will then be perfected. The Saviour's prayer will be realized as his people will be made one, and thus be prepared for his coming.

Oh happy day! when Zion clad in her beautiful garments shall come up from the wilderness leaning upon her beloved, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners. Then shall the hills and vallies re-echo with the praises of prince Immanuel, and crowds flock to the water side to be buried with their Master in the liquid stream. There will be joy on earth and joy in Heaven. Then shall the watchmen see eye to eye. And when all is completed, then will the Lord appear in his glory.

But what words can express the joy of the church as the parting heavens reveal to their longing gaze Him whom their souls love. On every side are marshaled the host of angels. Strains of celestial music fill the air. Nearer and nearer appears the great white cloud, on which sits the Mighty Conqueror. A crown of brilliant glory now encloses that brow that once wore a crown of thorns. Instead of the mock reed, he now bears a scepter of power. That voice that was silent before his accusers calls forth the ransomed millions, shouting victory over death and the grave, while from the living saints bursts forth the triumphant strain, "Lo this is our God, we have waited for him and he will save us!" Then will the living be changed, and, together with the righteous dead, be caught up to meet the Lord in the air and so be forever with the Lord. Wherefore let us comfort one another with these words.

Susan Elmer.

Ashfield, Mass., June 14, 1864

Queen Victoria on Crinoline.

Her Majesty has addressed the following remonstrance to the ladies of England:

“WINDSOR CASTLE, AUGUST 1, 1863.

“LADIES: The Queen has commanded me to express the pain with which her Majesty reads the accounts of daily accidents arising from the wearing of the indelicate, expensive, dangerous and hideous article called crinoline. Her Majesty can not refrain from making known to you her extreme displeasure that educated women should by example encourage the wearing of a dress which can be pleasing only to demoralized taste. For the miserable idiots who abjectly copy the habits of those conventionally termed their betters, it is impossible to entertain anything but pity. But to the ladies of England this appeal to abandon the present degrading, dangerous and disgusting fashion is made in the belief that they will show themselves the rational and decorous persons they are supposed to be. I have the honor to be, ladies, your most obedient and humble servant.”

“C. B. Phipps.”

Our Friends Sleep.

PALE, cold and beautiful she lay, So full of life but yesterday; A smile upon her lip was playing, As if she had but just been saying, 'Tis sweet to die.

Her golden hair lay smoothly now Upon her fair, white angel brow; Her hands lay still and gently folded, As if of Parian marble moulded, So fair and white.

Her eyes were closed, as if kind sleep Had come upon her gently, deep— Fresh flowers within her hands were lying, Shedding their fragrance, softly dying, Less fair than she.

And hushed each voice, as if a sound Might wake that sleep so deep, profound. And eyes were dim, alas! with weeping For her, so softly, sweetly sleeping, Their cherished one.

The light had faded from their home: Their household joy, their darling one Will come no more—and gloom and sadness Will take the place of joy and gladness For time to come.

Aye, oft thou'lt list that voice to hear, Whose tones will never greet thine ear; Her smiles thou oft wilt see in seeming, And clasp her to thy heart when dreaming, Thine own again.

Look upward—in that Paradise, Where tears shall never dim the eyes, Thou'lt find the friend thou now art weeping, Safe in the fold of God's own keeping, Thine own again.

Startling Statistics

By Editor

STARTLING STATISTICS.—A writer in the Christian Mirror gives a tabular statement of the Congregational churches in 23 States and Territories for 1862-3, and in view of the result he thinks when nearly one fourth of the whole number of Congregational ministers in the land are reported as not in service, some public notice should be taken of the fact, as one not consistent with our normal condition. When there are 49 less ministers this year than last, and 72 less pastors, and 218 less stated supplies; where there are 16 more vacant churches, 568 more removals, and 140 more excommunications; with an average accession to each church of less than one and a half during the year; when the proportion of infant baptisms to the number of church members is only one baptism to 58 members, in a whole year; I think it highly proper that the state of things which these facts disclose, should be brought plainly before the notice of all, lay members, as well as ministers.

We think so too. It is a loud call to be up and doing.

Resisting Public Opinion

By Lyman Beecher

THERE is no living in this world, and doing right, if you cannot meet public opinion and resist it, when arrayed on the side of evil.

God Sends Trouble

WHO sends this trouble? My good and gracious God: let this silence every murmur.

Continue reading: BOTH SIDES OF THE SABBATH QUESTION