HEAVEN, we suppose, is a place: in other words, there is a locality called heaven. Our very natures ask for some region—city—building, as our home, and our own; and our Saviour's words most clearly point to such an abode; particularly his prayer for those who should believe on his name—"That they also whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory which thou hast given me." "Be with me where I am,"—it is where he went with his glorified humanity—to prepare a place for his disciples. Here we have it in language which perfectly meets the case, and comes right home to our heart. "In my Father's house are many mansions; I go to prepare a place for you." That place is heaven, certainly a heavenly place, because Christ prepares it; and especially because Christ is there, and fills it with his glory.
There will be this Infinite Presence, and also this grand negation—no sin there; "nothing that defileth, or worketh abomination, or maketh a lie." Whoever enter there, enter in a state of perfect and confirmed holiness;—all that can taint or disturb left behind. This consciousness of an eternal parting with sin, that a deforming stain nor a painful thrill can ever reach them more,—this standing up in heaven, erect and emancipate finally from the base and galling chain,—is enough to fill the soul's whole capacity with the most vivid and joyous emotions. Sin away, all evil away; rest perpetual and eternal,—"such remaineth to the people of God"—REST—a great word this in the compass of its blessedness, greater than we now can know; not torpid, indulged ease, but the incapacity of weariness; the absence of assailing temptation, of the beating storms of adversity, of the heaving blasts of passion—none of these,—but the calm, the peace, the rest of the soul. Rest, refreshment, renewing vigor amidst the ceaseless activities of service. There will be these in that world. The idea of activity—service there, is as strongly set forth in the Bible, as the idea of rest. They rest not day nor night, but serve and worship God continually. Yet heaven is a rest: and these two qualities, at once a rest and a service, make it, as one alone could not make it, heaven. It is no extravagance to imagine that the privilege of service, the opportunity of doing good,—of kindly offices, of communicating happiness, will not be wanting in heaven. Society, companionship, then, is another boon and privilege we discover, as we look through the gates into the city;—society without selfishness. Distinctions unquestionably there will be—gradations and ranks in the heavenly economy; one star differing from another star in glory. And yet no ambition, no envy,—all dwelling in harmony—all rejoicing in any honor or privilege attained by others; this distinction or honor, "like the perfumes worn on the person, becomes more sensible and grateful to others who stand near, than to the wearer himself." All will be shedding abroad the perfume of benignant affections wherever they go. There will be also the particulars of society, the recognition of friends. And will it not be something to recognize friends in such a scene, and clad in such habiliments,—something to come together, converse together, live together, with hearts all wedded as one by the pervading glow of holy love?
There will not only be the growth of affection, but, we conceive, the growth of knowledge also. We do not undertake to say that knowledge of every kind will come without effort. We may reasonably hope it will not be so; for such an arrangement must be taking away one blessed source of satisfaction, one salient spring of joy, found in the privilege of acquiring knowledge. The powers then possessed will doubtless be admirable for this service; the mind exalted, the heart made pure, the body glorified, and all adapted to the work; the appetite eager and sharp, and the greatest subjects pressing on the attention. Every inquisitive mind that goes from this world, where he saw through a glass darkly, to heaven, has a great many subjects laid by, laid over for the higher powers and the better opportunities of that state. And we may suppose they will there be the first on his docket of inquiry. Those hard-twisted, Gordian knots, he here could do nothing at all with; those he will notice, if notice he can, even there. Whatever has tried him, overtasked him, and brought him to a stand in this world, he goes there, we may suppose, with a sort of passion to master and to know. And when those higher powers and clearer lights let him into the solution, it cannot be otherwise than that his soul will feel the excitant thrill through all its emotional capacities. How many facts about Christ, for example, we have a desire to know. We can ask the questions; but earth is no place for the answer. How many deep things pertaining to the great scheme of redemption. How many wonderful things pertaining to the works of God and the worlds of immensity—the laws of his physical, as well as his moral universe—these all are beyond and above us. And all sense will abide as a study and a scrutiny for that other and that higher state. And can we there come to them, and master them, and fill our souls with them, without a heavenly satisfaction? Especially when we consider, that they all help to reveal God, the grandeur of his being, the harmony of his attributes, the ineffable glories of his essence. Can we study them, and be enlarged by them in our conceptions, without also being enlarged and exalted in our own blessedness?
Thus far we have been treating of the manifestation of God through his truth and works. We advance now to more direct matters—to heaven as the place of the immediate manifestation of the glory of the Godhead. It is no circular knowledge we now refer to; no matter of remote inference; but of direct vision. There are in the Bible some remarkable expressions, such as, "We shall see him as he is," "Shall see face to face." Here we cannot and live. There we shall and live for ever. The "face" is where all the attributes and affections concenter, and beam forth as from an unclouded sun—called by Peter "Excellent Glory,"—literally, the magnificent glory. The backside of this, the reflex and half-eclipsed stroke of it, we are told, turned Moses into a fountain of radiance, glowing too intensely for his countrymen to bear the unvailed sight of him. What a glory it shall be, when instead of the retreating backside, the near and open face shall be seen. Can you bear it? Yes; then and there. Can you imagine the effect? It will be to make you like him,—bringing you at once into a resemblance and vital union,—pervading you and flooding you with glory. It is this which refines and elevates the character, and which will make you, if there, a very partaker—putting you in possession of the Divine holiness; and what is more wonderful still, making you a partaker—putting you in possession of the Divine nature. And this fact must open upon you the flood-gates of the Divine blessedness. The glory of God becomes your glory; the rest of God, your rest; the joy of God, your joy. The mandate was, the step and the stride now is,—to enter into the joy of your Lord;—to take the possession; to let it surround and fill you; and how strangely it will ravish you;—and the joy shall grow "unspeakable and full of glory;" and love shall wake up all its intensest ardor, and praise call into service all her sweetest strains.
There will be in heaven worship, doubtless, in its gentlest song, and its loudest and universal acclaim—all the harmonies of its sound; the involved and exciting mysteries of music; the powers of its eloquence and its expression exhausted on that work of praise, when the redeemed shall cry: "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive power, and riches and wisdom and strength, and honor and glory and blessing;" then the sublime response, the thundering chorus from innumerable voices shall be heard: "Blessing and honor and glory and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne and the Lamb for ever." How great a matter it will be, to be found at length in heaven. How amazing! "Then to grace how great a debtor!"
Have you a hope of heaven,—expecting to be there? And how is it with you? Are you captivated with the love of this world,—carried away with its fascinations? buried up in its cares, covered and defiled with its sweat and its dust? It is not right, not fitting? Beware, or you come short. See to it that you do not,—that yours is a heavenly spirit, a heavenly life. Then the end will be heavenly, unspeakably glorious.—Independent.
Renouncing All for Christ
By Editor
If you renounce all for Christ, you must expect to be counted a fool: and if you do not, you cannot be called a Christian: "Except a man deny himself he cannot be my disciple." —Ed.
Letters.
By Elizabeth H. Olmstead
"Then they that feared the Lord, spake often one to another."
From Sister Olmstead.
Bro. Smith: I feel like giving in my testimony with those scattered ones who are keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. I feel to praise the Lord for a willing mind to hear the truth and to do his will.
I have kept the Sabbath about two months, and in so doing have met with persecution, and I expect to meet more; for the apostle says in 2 Tim. iii, 12, "Yea, all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution," &c. So in the world we must expect tribulation. But if we look at the sufferings of Jesus for us, we shall not think of murmuring or complaining on account of our light afflictions here, which are but for a moment. When we consider how he was treated when upon earth, and that it was for our sake, O who would not be willing to suffer with him? Who would count any sacrifice too dear for his sake who has done so much for us?
For one I can say, Let me have my portion with the poor despised Nazarene; let me share his reproach and his sufferings, if I may but share his glory.
Yours hoping for eternal life at the appearing of our Saviour.
ELIZABETH H. OLMSTEAD.
Orleans, Mich.
The Cause in Orion, Michigan
Bro. C. M. Hemmingway writes from Orion, Mich.: "I write to you in behalf of the brethren and sisters in Orion, to let you know how the cause of present truth prospers here. There are seventeen Sabbath-keepers who meet at this place. Our meeting yesterday (Sabbath) was a meeting long to be remembered by all present. The Lord met with us. All expressed a desire to be dead to the world and alive to Christ and his cause.
"The subject of sending an invitation to some of the messengers to come and spend two or three weeks the coming winter, was taken into consideration. It was decided that we invite Bro. M. E. Cornell to come and spend what time he may think profitable the coming winter, as he is best acquainted here, and knows the wants of the people. Will Bro. Cornell answer through the Review, or by letter, if he can come, and what means he may want to get here with."
NOTE.—As Bro. Cornell is now laboring in the distant field of Iowa, and will perhaps remain in that section the coming winter, the church in Orion had perhaps better extend their invitation to some other one.—ED.
Extracts from Letters.
Bro. Ferciot writes from Lovett's Grove, Ohio: "I am thankful to God that my heart still beats in unison with the third angel's message; and I can say with others of my brethren and sisters, that the good admonitions and kind rebukes received from the messengers, and likewise from my brethren, have done me good. The Message has done great things for me, whereof I am glad. But there are greater victories to gain, and more to overcome, and I need great watchfulness, that I may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. I do not feel like giving up the struggle until the victory is mine. By looking at the past, I can see in some measure where I have been lacking, and how the tempter has been trying to overcome me in different ways; but I feel thakful to God through the Lord Jesus Christ, that I have been enabled to overcome some of my besetments and sins. We read that it is by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony that we are to overcome."
"It is truly encouraging to me to read the warm-hearted testimonies from those who have had experience in the first and second messages, and to hear from so many whose hopes, desires and aims are the same. I feel willing that the world should know that I am on the Lord's side. Although many around us look on with derision, yet it cheers me to kuow that he that is for us is greater than all they that be against us."
Sin Is Opposition to God
SIN is an expression of opposition to God, a turning of the back upon him, a treating him with contempt. How awful!
Conference at Catlin
By Frederick Wheeler
Providence permitting I will meet in conference with the church at Catlin, Chemung Co., N. Y., commencing sixth-day, Oct. 14th, at 6 o'clock P. M., and continuing over Sabbath and first-day. It is desired that there should be a general gathering of the brethren and sisters in that vicinity.
F. WHEELER.
The Waldenses and the Sabbath
By Editor
We give this week some testimony respecting the Waldenses. It will be of especial interest to our readers in view of the probability according to the testimony of some historians, that they were observers of the true Sabbath.
Note to Bro. White.
DEAR BRO. WHITE: I would say in reply to your article in Review No. 19, in regard to the conference in North Plains, Mich., that the brethren so far as I have been able to learn (and I have seen the majority of them) are very anxious that the appointment should be changed, to hold over Sabbath and longer.
By request of the brethren,
Milton S. Kellogg.
Letters.
By Editor
Under this head will be found a full list of those from whom letters are received from week to week. If any do not find their letters thus acknowledged, they may know they have not come to hand.
J. D. Hough, E. Pratt, C. Stowe, M. Adams, E. Styles, D. T. Evans, Jane Bodley, M. Hull 2, C. F. Worthen, E. S. Luddington, G. W. Edwards, W. W. Miller, D. E. Overfield, Wm. P. Hale, P. P. Lewis, H. S. Gurney, M. H. Brown, M. M. Nelson, I. N. VanGorder, Chas. Woodman, A. S. Hutchins, J. N. Loughborough, Jas. Harvey, M. E. S., R. Cowles, Geo. Wright, M. S. Kellogg, Eld. D. P. Curtis, Jas. Cramer.
Which? Mortal or Immortal?
“WHICH? Mortal or Immortal?” is now ready for circulation. pp. 132, price 10 cts.
The Kingdom of God Book Delayed
By Editor
BRETHREN are frequently ordering the book on the "Kingdom of God," which was some time since advertised on the supposition that it would be immediately finished. It is however not yet completed. We presume Bro. Waggoner's situation and labors the past season have prevented his going forward with the manuscript. Brethren will therefore please not order any more of that work till it is announced as finished.
Help Needed in Dover and Bradford
Bro. Elbridge Green of Dover, Me., calls for help for that place. He writes that the third message has never been proclaimed there. He bespeaks a visit also from some of the messengers, in behalf of the brethren in Bradford.
Call for Labor in Angola
By Editor
THERE is a call for two or three weeks' labor in Angola, Steuben Co., Ind. Books and papers have been circulated in that vicinity, and the people manifest an anxiety to hear on present truth. Some already partially acknowledge its truthfulness. By giving timely notice a messenger would be met by some one from there at Coldwater, Mich. We gather these facts from a letter from Danl. Williams of that place.
A P P O I N T M E N T S.
By John Norton Loughborough
Providence permitting I will hold a conference in the town of Hanover, near Bro. William Carpenter's, to commence Sabbath, Oct. 29th, and hold over Sunday. Meetings on the Sabbath at half past ten A. M., and 1, P. M. On Sunday at half past ten A. M.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
Meetings in Michigan
ProvidENCE permitting, Bro. J. B. Frisbie will hold meetings in Jacob Walter's neighborhood, south of Monroe, Monroe Co., Mich., commencing Oct. 20th, evening, and continuing two weeks, if thought best.
Bro. F. will be at the conference in North Plains, Nov. 8-10th, and immediately after, give a series of lectures in Orleans. The friends in Benton may expect a visit from him after the meetings in Orleans.
Meetings at Convis
Bro. and Sr. Byington will meet with the church in Convis, Sabbath and first-day where the brethren may appoint, Oct. 22d and 23d.
General Meeting in Ohio.
A general meeting will be held, Providence favoring, at Lovett's Grove, Wood Co., to commence on sixth-day, Oct. 14th, and continue to the 17th. Provision will be made for the accommodation of all who will attend, and all are invited. Let every church be represented in this meeting. Important business will be considered. Those coming by R. R. from the east will stop at Perrysburg. Those from the south on the Dayton road will stop at Pecktown station, four miles west from Bro. Holt's.
We would remind both brethren and sisters that this meeting is not appointed for the purpose of visiting, eating and drinking, but to worship God, and labor in his cause. Come in the spirit of prayer, and endeavor to bring the blessing of the Lord with you.
J. H. WAGGONER.
G. W. HOLT.
JAMES WHITE
By James White
Providence permitting, we will meet with the brethren in General Conferences as follows:
We shall expect Bro. Loughborough to join us at the Lapeer Conference, and be with us at North Plains, Wright and Monterey.
Meeting at North Plains will commence in the evening of Nov. 8th. At Buck's Bridge, at 1 P. M.
JAMES WHITE
Conferences in Minnesota
By Wm. S. Ingraham
Providence permitting, there will be a Conference at Deerfield, Steele Co., Minnesota, to commence Oct. 14, 1859, at 2 o'clock P. M., and hold over Sabbath and first-day, and as much longer as thought proper.
Another Conference will be held at Bro. Moses W. Porter's, five miles north of Mantorville, Dodge Co., Minnesota, commencing Oct. 21st, at 2 o'clock P. M., and continuing over Sabbath and first-day.
I hope our friends will come together praying that success may attend our efforts to spread the truth in Minnesota. WM. S. INGRAHAM.
Books and Accounts.
BOOKS SENT since Sept. 15th. D. C. Pendill, Mich., 25c. Mrs. W. D. Williams, N. Y., 30c. F. F. Mighells, N. Y., 40c. Jno. Noyes, N. H., 60c. A. J. Richmond, Mich., 65c. L. A. Kellogg, Mich., 20c. J. Wilson, Mich., 15c. M. Wolf, Ct., 10c. B. Landon, Mich., 80c. H. W. Lawrence, N. Y., 10c. J. P. Rathbun, Mich., 10c. M. Adams, Pa., 24c. D. E. Overfield, Mich., 13c. E. True, Mich., 10c. J. Whitmore, Mich., 10c. I. N. VanGorder, O., 12c. Geo. Henckler, Iowa, 40c. C. E. Hull, Iowa, $1,00. D. P. Curtis, N. Y., $1,00. J. Harvey, Ind., $9,00.
SOLD ON ACCT. L. M. Locke, Ind., 30c. C. Woodman, Me., $2,00. M. Hull, $23,34. M. E. Cornell, $20,24. T. M. Steward, $1,00.
REC'D ON ACCT. I. C. Vaughan, $1,88. M. E. Cornell, $5,00. M. Hull, $11,35.
Receipts.
Annexed to each receipt in the following list, is the Volume and Number of the Review and Herald to which the money receipted pays. If money for the paper is not in due time acknowledged, immediate notice of the omission should then be given.
FOR REVIEW AND HERALD.
S. Pierce, 1,00, xvi,1. Jos. Edwards 1,00, xv,20. M. A. Eaton 1,00, xvi,1. W. A. Jackson 100, xv,1. N. Poss 0,50, xiv,1. M. M. Nelson 2,00, xvi,6. E. S. Luddington 1,00, xv,20. C. F. Worthen 1,00, xv,23.
FOR MICH. TENT.—J. P. Lewis $0,50.
FOR MISSIONARY PURPOSES.—M. A. Eaton $0,30.
Business Department.
By Editor
Business Notes
Sidney C. Perry: We do not undertake to return rejected communications, unless such a request accompanies the communication itself. The letter you refer to we do not find.
D. B. Staples: We send your queries to Bro. S. Pierce of Vt., who will doubtless give them attention.
Berkshire Conference Announcement
By A. C. Bourdeau
We are glad for the appointment given by Bro. White for a conference to be held in Berkshire, Vt. Brethren and sisters in this State, and Northern N. Y., are all invited to attend. We especially invite Brn. D. T. Bourdeau, M. B. Czechowski, and C. O. Taylor to be present at this conference. It is expected that the brethren coming from a short distance will be prepared to take care of themselves in part.
In behalf of the church, A. C. BOURDEAU.
P. S. If we do not hear from Bro. White before Oct. 11th, we will meet him with a team at St. Albans' depot the day following at 10 A. M. A. C. B.
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Which? Mortal or Immortal? or an inquiry into the present constitution and future condition of man. pp. 128, price 10c.
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Das Wesen des Sabbaths und unsere Verpflichtung auf ihn nach dem Vierten Gebote.
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By Uriah Smith
Debt and Grace as related to the Doctrine of a Future Life, by C. F. Hudson Published by J. P. Jewett & Co., Boston. 480 pp. 12 mo. Price $1,25.
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