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Review and Herald, Vol. 41, No. 16.

THE STATESMAN ARTICLES
Earlier text: THE OLD MAN IN THE MODEL CHURCH

Objections to the Sabbath Answered.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

ELEVENTH OBJECTION.

Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. Rom. 10:4.
Answer. We agree that this means the decalogue, but we do not agree that it means that Christ has put an end to that law. End does not always mean termination. It is very frequently used as meaning the object of a thing, as James 5:11. “Ye have heard of the patience of Job and have seen the end of the Lord.” This certainly does not mean that the Lord died in the days of Job. James means to say, “Ye have seen the object of the Lord in the afflictions he brought on Job.” The word end is used in that sense in the text. Christ is the object of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. That is, those who believe in Christ receive grace from him which enables them to carry out and accomplish the object of the law—that is to obey the law and be righteous men. 1 Tim. 1:5, is another illustration of the use of the word end, “Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned.”
Would any one claim that by the term, end of the commandment, Paul meant that the commandment had died? Every one knows better. That is not Paul’s meaning. The simple meaning is this: The object of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart. Precisely the same is the meaning of the text in Rom. 10:4. But take our opponents’ view of it a moment. They say that this text means that Christ put an end to the law. Very well; to whom did he end it? Paul says, “To every one that believeth.” Then it is ended only to the believer; but to the unbeliever it is not ended, and hence is still binding on him. According to this, a man should keep the law of God till he is converted, and then should not obey it any longer! What an absurd conclusion. We think this objection is not worthy of a more extended notice.

TWELFTH OBJECTION.

Every day is alike. Rom. 14:5. One man esteemeth one day above another; another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
Answer. This text is often quoted by those who claim that any one-seventh part of time devoted to God is all that is required, men who claim that we must keep one day in the week, no matter which, provided we are conscientious about it. We will answer them first:—
Paul says, “One man esteemeth one day above another.” I esteem the seventh day above other days; you esteem the first day above other days. Of us both, Paul says, Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. Now if I am fully persuaded that the seventh day is right and you are persuaded that the first is right, why, we are neither one to be condemned. One is as good as the other. “That will do very well; but read a little farther: ‘Another esteemeth every day alike.’ Here is a third man who regards neither the seventh day, nor any other day. He esteems every day alike, working seven days in the week. What does Paul say about him? Precisely what he says about the other two—let him be fully persuaded in his own mind. ‘He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it.’ He is just as near right as either of us. Now if this has any reference to the Sabbath whatever, it does most certainly demolish all Sabbaths;—the first day, the seventh day, or any other Sabbath day, because it clearly teaches that the man who regards no day is just as acceptable to God as the one who does regard some day. Are our first-day keepers willing to accept this position? We know that they are not; hence they are the last men who ought to quote this text against the seventh-day Sabbath, for it is a sword that cuts both ways, and slays their Sunday Sabbath as well as God’s Sabbath. We think this is a sufficient answer to them.
But there is another class who can make a more plausible use of this text; viz., that there is now no holy time—no day to be kept sacred. Does this text when fairly understood teach that doctrine? We think not for several reasons.
1. In this very epistle to the Romans, Paul does most emphatically teach that the law of God, of which the Sabbath is a part, was not abolished by Christ, but is still holy and binding. Thus in chapter three he says: “Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid; yea, we establish the law.” Verse 31. And in chapter seven, verse 12, he says of the same law, “Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.” Christ says that every jot and tittle of the law shall stand till heaven and earth pass. Matt. 5:17–19.
James says, referring to the ten commandments, that whoever breaks one of the least of the commandments is guilty of all. James 2:8–12. We know that the Sabbath was a part of that law. Hence all these texts do teach that the Sabbath is still binding. 2. There is no record that Paul ever disregarded the Sabbath himself; but, on the contrary, so far as we have any record, it shows that he ever kept it, called it the Sabbath, attended meetings upon it, preached, held prayer meetings, and read the Scriptures that day. See Acts 13:14, 15, 27, 42–44; 16:13; 17:1–3; 18:1–4.
3. John, on the isle of Patmos, A. D. 96, was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, which shows beyond controversy that there is a day in the Christian dispensation which belongs to the Lord, which is distinguished above the other days of the week as the Lord’s day.
4. It is not reasonable that the Lord should abolish all sacred time, and leave no rest-day to his church. Both men and animals need a day of rest from physical labor as often as one day in seven. The Christian church needs a day for meeting and devotional services. Without this, the church would soon lose its power over men. The very men who advocate the no-Sabbath theory, never practice what they preach. They find it necessary to keep a Sabbath day as well as other people. Their works show that they do not believe their own doctrine.
5. Paul in this chapter has no reference whatever to the Sabbath day. It is not the subject he has under consideration. Manifestly he refers to feast days and fast days—days similar to our New Years, Christmas, Thanksgiving day, &c., which were observed by the Jews. Thus he begins the chapter: “Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. For one believeth that he may eat all things; another who is weak, eateth herbs.” Verses 1, 2. It is the days connected with the eating of herbs and the like, of which a complete list may be found in Leviticus 23. But the objector insists that Paul says, “another man esteemeth every day alike”—every day must include the Sabbath day; hence Paul does include that day. We think that this does not follow. I make a bargain with a man to work every day through harvest. Will anybody interpret that to mean that he was to work for me seven days in the week? Certainly not. If we should put it in writing in that very form, no court would interpret that to apply to any more than the regular six working days of the week. So Paul uses it in this place. The Sabbath was a holy, sacred day, ever recognized by the people of God from the creation, and definitely guarded by one of the ten commandments, which law he everywhere honors as still holy and good.
I will now show that the phrase, “every day,” when referring to things not lawful to be done on the Sabbath does not include the Sabbath day. Ex. 16:4. “Then said the Lord unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law or no.” Here the Lord distinctly says the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day. This is the very term that Paul uses in Rom. 14:5, which our opponents urge must include the Sabbath. But read a little farther. “And it came to pass, that there went out some of the people on the seventh day for to gather, and they found none. And the Lord said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws? See, for that the Lord hath given you the Sabbath, therefore he giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days; abide ye every man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day.” Verses 27–29. How is this? Did not God say that they should go out and gather a certain portion every day? Certainly he did; and yet when some of the people interpreted that language as these moderns do, observe what a rebuke they received from God. They not only found no manna to gather on the Sabbath, but God sharply reproves them for going out to seek for it. Why was that? Simply because the Sabbath was a holy day, in which it was not proper to do such work; and when God said they should gather a certain rate every day, they ought to have known that he did not include the Sabbath day. These modern Sabbath-breakers deserve the same rebuke that those received there; and we fear that they will be as greatly disappointed in the day of Judgment, as those were at that time.
D. M. CANRIGHT.
Alden, Minn.

Ministerial Lectures.

By Stephen N. Haskell

Some general remarks have already been made upon the nature and design of the ministerial lectures which are now in contemplation. Their importance, as a means to fit men and women for usefulness in the cause of God cannot be overestimated. Our preachers are few, and there is not a single Conference that does not call for help. From the Southern States, also, the cry is, Send us help. Beside these, there are calls from the Danes, Swedes, Norwegians, French, and German, of our own land, and letters from Europe which show that there are openings in France, Spain, Italy, and in other parts of the Eastern continent. These calls must be met by us. But at this time, we lack the men who are qualified to do the work, which must be done in the wide harvest field.
To do what lies in our power toward their preparation for the work, we have decided to establish a school at Battle Creek, where suitable instruction shall be given to fit for usefulness those who are willing to give themselves to the service of God. But as many of our people who should have the benefit of this school cannot visit Battle Creek to attend it, we have adopted a plan of ministerial instruction within the limits of each Conference. This will bring the instruction within the reach of all. It is, therefore, the imperative duty of those who wish to qualify themselves for usefulness in this sacred work to attend these lectures and participate in their benefits. We cannot too strongly urge this upon our people. It is not designed to call ministers from their fields of labor; but the object is to benefit those who contemplate entering the work, and also to instruct any who feel interested in a more perfect understanding of the present truth.
It will require an effort and cost a sacrifice on the part of those who attend. But the benefit to be obtained is worth vastly more than all it can possibly cost. The interest we have in the truth, and the estimate we place upon that understanding of it which will make us useful in its advancement, is shown by the sacrifices made for it.
God calls for volunteers in his cause; and there are hundreds of men and women among us whose hearts beat with lively emotion when they hear of the earnest appeals from every quarter, “Come over and help us.” But when they consider their own disqualifications, their hearts sink with sadness. All such should avail themselves of the privileges offered by the present arrangement. None should think of waiting until they are partly through, before commencing, or leaving before they close. The entire time should be devoted to learning what can be learned that will be of practical benefit in the future.
To the friends in New England, I would say, Possibly there may never be another such a course of instruction given in New England, and perhaps not in other Conferences, except where the denominational school may be located. Therefore it is very important that you avail yourselves of this opportunity, even if it be at much sacrifice.
God is loudly calling upon his people by his providence and by his Holy Spirit, to arouse from that state of lethargy into which they have fallen, and to buckle on the armor anew, and to take hold of the work of God as though they were in earnest. We therefore hope to hear from many in the New England States that will be interested in these lectures, and will attend them. Address me at South Lancaster, Mass.
S. N. HASKELL.

Report from California: Meetings, Funeral, and Baptisms

By John Norton Loughborough

California.

My last report was made just after our State Conference. The next Sabbath and first-day, I spoke three times to good audiences in Green Valley. Two more persons were present at this meeting, who have lately embraced the truth by reading tracts and papers. Surely we see enough fruits of tract distribution in this State to stimulate every one to become an active worker in the missionary cause, yet there are too many who excuse themselves from improving opportunities of doing good because of their business cares. May the Lord arouse us all to a sense of the shortness of time, the magnitude of the work to be accomplished, and the responsibility that rests individually upon those who have the light.
On Monday, Feb. 24, I attended the funeral of Warren Palmer, a son of Bro. and sister Palmer of Bloomfield, aged nineteen years, who fell a victim to quick consumption, after a sickness of only about three months. He was impressed with the importance of obeying the Lord, at our late camp-meeting. During his sickness, he gave his heart to the Lord, and died trusting in the Saviour. I had opportunity, on this funeral occasion, to speak with freedom to a large, attentive, sympathizing, and deeply interested audience. May God help many to carry out convictions they received there.
Feb. 25, I baptized, at Santa Rosa, a son and daughter of Bro. Ferguson of Bloomfield, who took their stand to obey the Lord the evening after the funeral. The 26th, went to San Francisco, where I parted with Bro. and sister White on the morning of the 27th, as they started on their eastern journey. I thank the Lord for the privilege I have had of enjoying their society and counsel for the last five months. As the train was bearing them from my sight, I thought in my mind, and felt in my heart; “These are faithful servants of the Lord, precious in his sight. While doing God’s will, he can, and will, send his angels to care for them, and bear them safely on their journey, although it may be their lot to meet cold and storms by the way.” My heart was lifted to God that it might be even so. To-day, I get this cheering word from Bro. White: “Council Bluffs, Iowa, March 3. We are on time, usually well. The trip has been very pleasant, and we feel that we are in the line of duty.” Many feared they would be blockaded in the snow, but, thank the Lord, in his providence, he has ordered it otherwise.
Feb. 28, I went from San Francisco to Woodland, to attend the dedication of the new meeting-house. Here I found a nice house of worship 32x46, all complete, with hard finished walls; wood work inside grained and varnished; carpeted, pulpit and aisles; good fixtures for lighting with gas; plain sofa in the pulpit. The outside is well painted and finished in good taste, with plain belfry and a good bell. The whole is worth, including bell, $4000.00. Only a few hundred dollars of debt remain upon the house, which it is designed to have all cleared by the first of September next.
Bro. Cornell has labored almost incessantly upon the house for the last four months, but it is due to state here that we are largely indebted to outside friends in Woodland for their liberalities in money, materials, and labor to forward this enterprise. It was they who urged the matter of purchasing a bell, and their liberalities that placed it in the belfry.
As the varnish upon the seats was not sufficiently hard to occupy the house, I spoke, eve of the Sabbath and on the Sabbath, in the Court House. Our opening and dedication service in the church was on first-day morning, March 2, when every seat was filled with attentive listeners. A little over $94.00 were passed in at the close of the service toward defraying the indebtedness on the church.
The interest in our meetings was such that I concluded to remain over another Sabbath and first-day, and assist in holding meetings each evening. We had, in all, fifteen meetings in nine days. In these meetings, I spoke twelve times, and Bro. Cornell three times. Beside this, the sisters had several afternoon prayer-meetings. A general prayer and social meeting was held each evening, one hour before preaching. As a result of these meetings, already apparent, we would report that the church was brought into active service, and several took their stand to obey the truth. Bro. Cornell still continues these meetings and is to have a baptism next first-day.
A business meeting was held March 8, in which twenty-eight gave their names at $1.00 each as members of our State Missionary Society, and sister W. E. Wood was appointed librarian and N. M. Grayson was appointed business agent of the seventh, or Woodland division, of the California State Missionary Society. Figures were also given in on S. B. to the amount of $385.10 per year, which will be raised still higher, as all the members were not present at the meeting.
Four persons who commenced to keep the Sabbath five months ago, and at that time requested their names dropped from the records of the church of which they were members, were publicly excluded from the same church during our meeting, on the ground that they had written a slanderous letter to the church, and had charged the church with keeping no day at all. By special request, I here insert a copy of the said letter, that all may judge of its slanderous character, if such it be.
WOODLAND, SEPT. 6, 1872.
“To the officiating elders of the — church at Woodland:—
“We, the undersigned, being fully established in our life-long conviction that the ten commandments are the moral law of God, and still obligatory on mankind, cannot conscientiously remain in fellowship with those who now openly declare that it is abolished. We do, therefore, respectfully request that our names be dropped from your church records.”
Yesterday, I left Woodland, and came to this place. I commence meetings in this vicinity to-morrow evening. There are some half a dozen already keeping the Sabbath, who are anxious for meetings. Part of these moved from other places, and one family have come out by reading tracts. My courage is good to labor on in this cause. If all humbly strive to do what we can, there will be a rapid advance of the cause in California. May the Lord speed on the work here and everywhere.
J. N. Loughborough.
Red Bluffs, Cal., March 11, 1873.

Orleans County, Vermont.

By D. T. Bourdeau

HAVING enjoyed a good meeting with my brother and the friends at East Charleston, Sabbath, March 1, the next day I moved my family and baggage to Barton Landing. The next day we went to Bro. Litchfield's, in the town of Westmore. Toward the last of the journey, we got lost in a heavy snow storm, and Mrs. B. partly froze four of her fingers in driving while I was keeping the sleigh balanced in passing through deep snow. The next day was town-meeting day, and we left appointments for lectures in a school-house at the outlet of Willoughby Lake, half a mile from Bro. Litchfield's, and with great difficulty we reached the hospitable home of Bro. Parkers, at Brownington village. We spent the rest of the week in making profitable visits in the Colby neighborhood, in West Charleston. This was our first opportunity of visiting the brethren and sisters in this section. We had a very pleasant interview with the family of Bro. Palmer who embraced the Sabbath last summer, and who received further instructions on our views with joy and eagerness.
Sabbath, the 8th inst., I spoke twice at Bro. Jesse Barrows, in the village of Irasburgh. Several of the neighbors were in. In the forenoon, the pastors of the Methodist and Congregationalist churches were among our attentive listeners. But we were disappointed in not seeing our brethren from West Charleston, and other neighboring towns, as it was a quarterly meeting occasion. Did sickness, or our light thaw, hinder? The next morning, I came to this place with Mrs. B., our child, and light baggage, and spoke three times. Notwithstanding very unfavorable weather and bad roads, we have held nine meetings here. Some are interested. We hope that the weather will permit us to remain over next Sabbath and Sunday. It is so late in the season that it would be unsafe to remain longer. Our stay with Bro. Litchfield's family has been pleasant. His daughter-in-law and her two oldest children have recently embraced the truth. His son is very near to us. May he soon decide to walk in the narrow way with his wife and children.
Last Friday, to save a long journey and see some that I might otherwise fail to see, I crossed the mountain between here and East Charleston on foot in following a foot path which was badly filled in with snow. This was rather a wearing trip; but we had a good meeting at East Charleston the next day, and were encouraged to learn they had had an excellent meeting the Sabbath before. It is good for young believers to learn to do without a preacher.
While on this trip, and reflecting on the wants of the cause in this section, the following plan struck my mind with force: To have three monthly meetings in this county; one at Irasburgh, another in Charleston, and another at Westmore, and to have one of these meetings happen in connection with the quarterly meeting for this district. It seems to me that this arrangement, for the present, will have an encouraging influence on all, tell more on outsiders than merely to have a handful meet together, and will bring useful gifts into service which would otherwise rust in staying in their own locality, where there may be nothing special for them to do unless it is to bury their talents in the earth. At such meetings, the wants of the cause could be inquired into, systematic labor could be organized, and, if necessary, arrangements could be made for help to be sent to different points between the monthly meetings, and more monthly meetings could be held where there is the greatest interest, passing by points where no special help is needed. But planning and talking will amount to nothing without making an effort to attend these meetings. Carrying out such a plan has been the secret of success in many places. I solemnly believe that more good could be accomplished by this systematic labor without a preacher, than with the most eloquent preacher without a missionary spirit and systematic labor on the part of the church.
D. T. BOURDEAU.
Westmore, Vt., March 18, 1873.

Iowa Church Meetings at Knoxville and Woodburn

By H. Nicol

Iowa.

By request, I met with the Knoxville church and commenced meetings Feb. 8, and continued until the 18th, holding in all thirteen meetings. As these meetings have been reported by Bro. Auten, I will only add that I have reason to hope that there will be fruit in the kingdom of God as a result of them.
From here, in company with Bro. Benn Auten, went to Woodburn, and met with a few, Sabbath, the 22d. As the weather was very cold and stormy, there were but few present, so we improved the time for about three days visiting from house to house, ascertaining, as far as possible, the spiritual condition of each member. To this kind of labor, Bro. A. is especially adapted. His labors were greatly blessed to the good of others, and his help much appreciated by me. We found this church in rather a critical condition. A number of the members of the church are continuing right along in the use of pork, tea, coffee, and tobacco, the same as when the truth found them, though these were all convinced to a greater or less degree of the sinfulness of indulging in these hurtful habits when the truth was presented on these points by Bro. Butler and others. But they failed, in not making a personal application of these things to their own cases, and obtaining the victory over these idols at once, hence, the longer they continued in this course, the more their sensibilities became blunted, and the less their consciences condemned them, until they absolutely made themselves believe that they were doing right, and even tried to justify their course by the word of God. In this way, they were exerting an influence over others that had gotten the victory over these stimulants and had made a good start in reform. Some had gone back to these things, others were thinking of doing so, and there was quite a spirit of rebellion, the majority of the church being much prejudiced against health reform.
Under these discouraging circumstances, our meetings commenced, Feb. 25, and continued to March 4. We held, in all, ten meetings, continuing our private labors all the time we had between meetings. God greatly blessed our efforts until we had the happy privilege of hearing these dear friends renounce their idols and take their position with God’s people on the principles of reform. The backslidden were reclaimed, and one made a start, for the first time, to serve the Lord. At our last meeting, Bro. Jacob Shively was set apart as their elder by prayer and laying on of hands. This was truly a solemn and impressive occasion, and I believe this church is more closely united in Christian love and affection than ever before.
On our way to Peru, we had an evening meeting with the Osceola church. Gave a short discourse on Systematic Benevolence, then organized it to the amount of $240.00 per year. There are others to join, who were not present, who will raise it to nearly $300. This is doing nobly for this young church.
At Peru, March 8 and 9, we met friends from Adel, Winterset, Osceola, and Decatur. Had good freedom in talking plain, practical truths to these dear friends, and hope good was done. One was received into the church. Missionary work received a share of attention at each of the above-named places. In this part of the work we are very deficient, and confess ourselves unable to put the plan adopted by us into successful operation, and we sincerely hope we may soon be favored with the labors of Bro. Haskell, to especially help us in this department of the work.
On our way home, we called on Bro. Harvey Morrison, who had just returned from his field of labor and is very busy trying to shape his affairs so as to give himself freely to the ministry without being entangled with home matters. This encouraged us much. Had a meeting with the church at Coloma, and assisted them in business matters of a peculiar character, in which our help was much needed.
Sabbath, March 15, held two meetings at Knoxville. The last one was a communion season, the first meeting of the kind this church has enjoyed for six or seven years. They have not been in a fit condition to engage in these solemn ordinances, and now that difficulties are all settled, sins and backslidings confessed and wrongs righted as far as discovered, there is a degree of union that has not existed for years, perhaps never before. In this state of things how appropriate are the ordinances of the Lord’s house! How blessed it is to live so as to enjoy these seasons frequently. This meeting will be long remembered. H. NICOL.
Richmond, Iowa.

THE SUN-BRIGHT CLIME.

Have you heard, have you heard, of the sun-bright clime, Undimmed by tears, unhurt by crime; Where age hath no power o'er the fadeless frame For they live forever and know no pain. Have you heard of that sun-bright clime.
A river of water gushes there, Mid flowers of beauty strangely rare, And rich-plumed songsters flit through the bowers Of the tree of life on those golden shores, Over there in that sun-bright clime.
Soon the saints will roam those fields of light, In garments of beauty pure and white, And pluck life's fruit in the Eden bowers, Mid a thousand hues of fadeless flowers, Over there in that sun-bright clime.
Not long shall we wait for that sinless clime, For now we are nearing the end of time, Soon the Lord will come with his bride in white, To take us home where there'll be no night, Will you go to that sun-bright clime?

Dodge Co., Minn.

By H. F. Phelps

I WILL now give a summary of what I have done up to this time, as our labors are now closed at the stone school-house.
The heading of our last report should have been as above, and not Goodhue Co. About the time of our last report, Bro. Ellis decided it was best for him, in order to gain experience, to try a new field. So he left, while I remained to do what little I could, in poor health, visiting and praying with the people, holding meetings, &c. Remained two weeks. During this time the work seemed to deepen in those who had started. Much prejudice has been removed. Others seem convinced, but are waiting for a convenient season. The last Sabbath I spent with them was a good day. One more, a young man, made a good start. Last summer there were none in this neighborhood, now there are nine heads of families keeping the Sabbath. These, with four others near by, and as many children, who take hold in their meetings, Sabbath-school and Bible-class, may make things quite interesting if all do their duty. Have sold twelve or fourteen dollars’ worth of books, and given away some. Sent twelve six months’ subscribers, one yearly, for the REVIEW, and five subscribers for the Instructor. Besides, last fall, I sent forty trial trip subscribers for Reformer, having obtained them in about two days. I now join Bro. Ellis in Kenyon, Goodhue Co., where quite an interest is manifested. What the result of these meetings will be we cannot yet tell.
We are now right in the critical point. Several are convinced. One has made a start. We will try to do what we can; but God must give the increase. Brethren, will you remember us in your prayers. We will try to get nearer to the Lord. We hunger and thirst after righteousness. We must be filled. We see many mistakes during the past, but will try to improve. May God give us grace and strength.
H. F. PHELPS.

D. DOWNER

By D. Downer

Wisconsin.

SINCE my report of Feb. 19, I have labored one week at Waterloo. Our meetings were profitable, and attended by nearly the whole community. Many came out who have not attended our meetings for years, and others who have never been out to hear before. Some who were bitter opposers are now friends. Three more have taken a stand on the truth. We have reason to expect that others will soon follow.
March 1, went to Hurricane. Staid two weeks. The interest was unusually good. The people were nearly all interested. I labored there till the mud was so deep that I could not continue my lectures longer. I feel assured that with a few weeks’ earnest labor, there can be a large church organized there. We left many warm friends at Hurricane, with the promise to return. I left some tracts with them. The people were anxious to read, and are more than ordinarily intelligent.
I am now at Waterloo, doing what I can during the muddy season. Several are to be baptized next Sunday. Still seeking to overcome sin, and be a servant that God and men can trust, I earnestly crave a continuation of your prayers in my behalf.

D. DOWNER

Waterloo, Wis., March 18, 1873.

Vanity Gives No Respite From Passion

The most violent passions have their intermission; vanity alone gives us no respite.

Unbelief.

By A. M. Weeks

“So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.” Heb. 3 : 19.
In this text of Scripture we have a fact stated that is important to us, particularly so if, as is commonly conceded by Seventh-day Adventists, the journeyings of the children of Israel from Egypt toward the land of Canaan illustrates our position in the last days, as we are nearing the heavenly Canaan. That it is the children of Israel at that particular time that Paul refers to, see the verses preceding the text.
“It would seem the greatest ingratitude on the part of any people, after they had experienced so much of God’s mercy as the Israelites had, to doubt the leading of their Deliverer. But thus it was. After God had, with a mighty hand, wrested them from the grasp of their task-masters, destroyed their pursuers, miraculously supplied their wants, and, in every way possible, manifested his love toward them, they were guilty of unbelief to the extent that God, in all his love for them, could not permit them to enter the land of promise.”
But, before using much reproach, let us consider our own case, lest we, as in the matter of David and Nathan, pass judgment upon ourselves. The words of Paul in Rom. 2 : 1, may prove true of us. “For thou that judgest doest the same things.”
That the sin of unbelief is almost universal is apparent to all; especially to the religious teacher does this fact come with force. And this only appears as another sign that we are in the last days of the present age. Thus speaks our Saviour upon this point: “Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” Luke 18 : 8. Forcibly does the idea come to the mind that there will be a very small amount of that without which it is impossible to please God. The same sin is rife, when the Son of man cometh, that kept the Israelites out of the promised land.
Is this unbelief in the last days confined to the world’s people? Would that were the fact. Tremblingly do we read, “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” Matt. 24 : 12. Those that have once had their hearts warmed by the love of God and his truth are affected by the condition of society, and now their touch is chilling. They have an influence. Their insinuations are harbored. Thus is accomplished a falling out by the way, of many.
The evidence of the divine authenticity of our faith and hope is not always before the mind in all its completeness, of which fact Satan takes advantage. Unbelief steps in. The remedy is suggested in a continual review of the reasons that at first led us to embrace the truth. Sometimes it may be necessary to pray, “Lord, help mine unbelief.” Better offer such a prayer now, than, a short time in the future, to pray to “mountains and rocks” for shelter from the wrath of God.
Of how many that are now in the ranks of those who “keep the commandments of God” will it finally be said, “They could not enter in because of unbelief”? If all would make that earnest effort necessary to keep right in the sight of God, there need not be any. But alas! the testimony of Jesus tells us that that effort will not be made. As the children of Israel fell in the wilderness, even so many at the present time are to fall out by the way. Having come out of Egyptian darkness, and taken up our march toward the heavenly land, let us be diligent, possessing our souls in patience, knowing that he that endures unto the end shall be saved. Let us arise, rid ourselves of every weight, and press toward the mark which is at the end of the race. And may God give us deliverance. A. M. WEEKS.

M. E. GUILFORD

By M. E. Guilford

Perfection.

The standard of Christian perfection is a high and holy one. Says Jesus, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in Heaven is perfect.” Is it possible for mortals to attain to this high state of perfection? Yes, it is possible, or it would not have been required of us. And, nothing short of this perfection will entitle us to a place in the heavenly inheritance.
The word of God affords us ample instruction in the ways of righteousness, that we may be thoroughly furnished unto all good works. Christ is our perfect pattern. If we abide in him, and obey his word, the love of God will be perfected in our hearts, and we shall be able, “so to walk even as he walked.” And John testifies, “He that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he [Christ] is righteous.”
The ways and means for our advancement toward Christian perfection are clearly defined. Hear James: “Let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” And Paul: “Dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” And Peter exhorts: “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” And again Paul, in Col. 3: 12-14: “Put on therefore . . . bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering . . . and above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfection.”
“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.” Gal. 5: 22, 23. We must cultivate these graces of the Spirit, and labor earnestly and perseveringly, that the fruits thereof, in our hearts, may ripen unto perfection. To successfully accomplish this work, we must heed the counsel of the apostle Peter: “Giving all diligence, add to your faith, virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” And he adds, “For if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.”
Let us then encourage our hearts and press on. With our eyes fixed upon the prize—feeling our entire dependence upon Him who is mighty to save—with firm faith, relying upon the promises of God, may we get hold from above, and urge our way onward through the strife and conflicts of the Christian warfare, overcoming every obstacle, surmounting every difficulty, nor yielding the battle until, having washed our robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb, we can shout the victor’s song of triumph, and exclaim with Paul, “I have fought a 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.”
May we never lay down the armor, nor cease the warfare, until we are prepared to stand “without fault before the throne of God.”

M. E. GUILFORD

Castalia, Ohio.
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