Earlier text: DAUBING WITH UNTEMPERED MORTAR"BLESSED ARE THEY THAT DO
By James White
His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city." Rev. xxii, 14. The principle object of introducing this oft-repeated text is to consider whether we really do the commandments. To profess them is one thing, to do them is another. But we will first notice the persons introduced in the text. They are, first, the speaker who pronounces this gracious blessing; second, the persons addressed; and, third, the person whose commandments are spoken of. 1. The speaker is the Lord Jesus Christ. The book of Revelation is the revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him to show unto his servants. John was the chosen instrument through which Jesus the Revelator spake. Chap. i, 1. Jesus, then, is the speaker. But, to settle this point beyond all doubt, read chap. xxii, 12, "And behold I come quickly, and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be," and verse 16, "I Jesus have sent mine angel," &c. 2. The persons addressed are the servants of God. The revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things, &c. Chap. i, 1. Jesus then addresses the servants of God. The blessing of the text is offered to the church of God on conditions that they do his commandments. 3. The person whose commandments are spoken of, is God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. The commandments here mentioned, then, are not the commandments of the apostles, not the commandments of the Son, but the commandments of the Father. The revelation of Jesus Christ to John was given as late as the year of our Lord 96, which was about sixty-five years after the crucifixion, resurrection and ascension of Christ. And it is a fact of much interest that at that point of time the Son of God calls the attention of the church to the Father's commandments, with the promise that they shall enter the gates of the golden city, if they do them. Then how say some that the Father's commandments were abolished at the cross? God grant that the facts above stated may help such. But we wish here to inquire of those who profess faith in the perpetuity of all ten of the Father's moral precepts. Do you really keep these precepts? If you do, they will lead you to love God supremely, and your neighbor as yourself; for these two principles are the basis of the moral law. The blind Jew may seek to live according to the letter of the moral law; but while gold is his worshiped god, and he lives for himself, without regard for the wants of others, he fails to do the Father's commandments. The Christian, with all his profession of faith in Christ, shutting his soul up to wealth and to self, is no better than the infidel Jew. The blessing of the text is promised to those only who do the commandments of God. We must come still closer, and inquire of Sabbath-keepers. Do you really keep the Sabbath? Here is the Sabbath law. "Remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor and do all thy work; but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God; in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day; wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath-day, and hallowed it."61 The words, "Remember the Sabbath-day," suppose danger of forgetting it. Six days God gives to man to labor for a livelihood, while he reserves one only to himself. That is his, "the Sabbath of the Lord thy God." In six days man is required to do his work, called, "thy work." On the seventh day he is required to rest from the work necessary to a livelihood, and spend the day in the worship and work of God. "In it thou shalt not do any work, (called thy work—necessary to a livelihood) thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates." Here we would notice that the wife is left out. Every good wife would be willing to rest on the Sabbath if her husband desired it, out of respect to her lord; but if she does not respect her head enough for this, he should not compel her to keep the Sabbath. But with the son and the daughter it is not so. It is the duty of the parents to require them to keep the Sabbath, as much as to keep it themselves. If it be said that young men and young women are too old to be compelled by their parents to keep the Sabbath, then we reply, they are too old to be at home. Parents should first use every argument patiently, and every possible means to lead their offspring into the path of truth; but when all such means fail, and the deciding point comes, whether the commandment of God is to be bartered and sold for the society of rebellious children, then every parent who trembles at the word of the Lord, and prizes eternal life, will decide in favor of the commandment. But we have not only a duty in regard to our children, but our cattle, and the stranger within our gates. He who suffers his team to work on the seventh day, does not keep the Sabbath. And how can Sabbath-keepers take unbelieving boarders? How can they be in partnership with them, and keep the Sabbath according to the commandment? But we may be right in all the above named particulars, and yet not enter fully into the spirit of the Sabbath, to keep it as we should. The following language from the prophet is to the point: "And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of paths to dwell in. If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable; and shalt honor him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words; then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it." Isa. lviii, 12-14. We must look upon this prophecy as setting forth the Sabbath reform of these last days. This reform is not only in theory, in regard to the day; but the prophecy relates to the spiritual manner in which this hallowed institution should be honored. It even reaches to our words. Six days are given in which to do our work. On these days we may converse upon the business of the six days; but on the seventh day, worldly labor, worldly thoughts and worldly conversation, all must be laid aside in order to keep the Sabbath. But in a family of children many things will occur on the Sabbath to lead the mind and conversation to worldly things: How necessary, then, the first clause of the Sabbath law, "Remember the Sabbath day." The Sabbath was made for man, male and female, yet it is to be feared that the rest of the holy Sabbath is broken in many families by unnecessary cooking on that day. The Sabbath being made for man, for the entire race, its observance is required equally strict during all time. We will go back to the giving of the manna to the children of Israel in the wilderness, and see the specific directions there given touching the subject of cooking on the Sabbath. "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. And it shall come to pass that on the sixth day they shall prepare that which they bring in; and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily. And it came to pass that on the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for one man; and all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses. And he said unto them, This is that which the Lord hath said, To-morrow is the rest of the holy Sabbath unto the Lord; take that which ye will bake to day, and seethe that which ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning." Ex. xvi, 4, 5, 22, 23. It was a violation of the rest of the Sabbath for them to cook their manna on the seventh day. And is it any less a violation of the holy Sabbath to cook our food on that day, which can be cooked on the sixth day? We have the account [Num. xv, 32-37] that while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man that gathered sticks upon the Sabbath-day, for which he was stoned to death. We are not told for what purpose he gathered them; but probably to kindle a fire. As they had need of fires only to wash their clothes, and to cook their manna, and were commanded to cook on the sixth day food necessary for the seventh, this act of gathering sticks for a fire was evidently a violation of the law of the Sabbath contained in the fourth commandment. The Israelites while in the wilderness did not need fires on the Sabbath-day. They were in a mild climate; their food was rained down from heaven, and their clothes were miraculously preserved. "There was not one feeble person among their tribes." Ps. cv, 37. For them, under such circumstances, to kindle fires on the Sabbath, was an open violation of the Sabbath law. We are differently situated. We live in an age when the race has become comparatively feeble, and in the cold season of the year we kindle a fire on the Sabbath as an act of mercy and necessity, the same as we would water an ox or a horse, or lift a sheep from a pit. Such acts, the "Lord of the Sabbath" pronounced "lawful." But it is evidently wrong, and a violation of the Sabbath, to neglect to make those necessary preparations for the rest of the holy Sabbath which can be consistently made on the sixth day. The Sabbath law did not oblige the Jews to suffer either cold or hunger; neither does it us, for "the law is holy, and the commandment holy, just and good." But for us to kindle fires, in summer or winter, expressly to cook food on the Sabbath, that it may be warm and better indulge the appetite, is no less a sin than the cooking of the manna on the Sabbath in the wilderness. Brethren and sisters, be entreated to put away this unnecessary cooking on the Sabbath as a sin in the sight of God. Plain food, cooked on the sixth day of the week, is sufficient on the Sabbath for all persons in health. The lessons taught by the Lord of the Sabbath touching acts of mercy and necessity on the seventh day, are sufficient to guide us in all cases of sickness. Be careful and not rob God of any of his holy time. Do you work till the sun goes down and then spend from five to sixty minutes in doing chores, shaving, washing and preparing for the Sabbath? If this be your custom, then you rob the God of heaven. "Will a man rob God?" Beware! Do not thus mar the first end of the Sabbath. As the sixth day is drawing to a close, make all necessary preparations for the Sabbath. Do all this while the sun is shining, and let the Sabbath find you and yours waiting at the altar of prayer for the Sabbath to come. An excellent time for family worship—the reading of the Scriptures and prayer—just as old time is passing from the sixth day of the week to the seventh. And be careful and not mar the last end of the Sabbath. Give God all his time. Again, as the Sabbath is closing, and you are entering upon another week of care and toil, what an excellent time for family devotion. In this way preserve both ends of the Sabbath, and make it a delight through all the day, and the blessings promised faithful Sabbath-keepers in this life will be yours while strangers here, and at the end of your pilgrimage you will find the golden gates of the city of God open to receive you, and Christ and angels to welcome you to the tree of life, and to all the joys of the kingdom of God for ever. Amen. J. W. Murmuring Under a Light Cross
He that murmurs under a light cross, goes the right way to provoke God to send a heavy one. MEETINGS AT TIPTON, IOWA.
By M. E. Cornell
We continued meetings here over four Sabbaths, the interest of the “common people” increasing until the last. Fifteen have fully decided to keep the Sabbath, and several others are deeply interested, but we have not yet heard what their conclusion is. Bro. Jesse Dorcas and family will now have the privilege of regular Sabbath meetings. Heretofore they have had to go twenty miles in order to be with Sabbath-keepers on the Lord’s day. Bro. Dorcas talks of renting a house for Sabbath meetings here. Seven take the Review, and two the Youth’s Instructor. We are encouraged to hope that more fruit will soon be manifest, from the fact that during the last week, the weather was so extremely cold (the thermometer ranging from 24 to 27 below zero) that many of those interested were not able to be out. They had supplied themselves with books and we trust will come out on the right side. The Methodists began a protracted effort which took away some for a time; but it only lasted about one week. The minister remarked to one of his members that “there was not religion enough in that church to warm a flea.” The Episcopalian minister returned from a tour in the Eastern States and found his son much interested in our meetings, and forbid his coming any more. This was a great affliction to the young man, for he had fully decided to become a Christian and live out the truth. Near the close of our meetings a Disciple preacher, by the name of Lucas, gave a public challenge for a discussion upon the law and Sabbath, which we accepted for the cause’s sake; it being the unanimous vote of the congregation. Two propositions were made:- Resolved, That each of the ten commandments given on mount Sinai is now binding.
- The first day of the week is appointed by divine authority as the day of religious worship.
On the affirmative of the first proposition we proved,- That the ten commandments existed before, and independent of, the Sinaitic covenant, and therefore they could not be affected by the passing away of that covenant.
- That each of the ten commandments grow out of natural relations which still exist.
- Their being written on stone indicates their superiority and perpetuity.
- That Paul in this dispensation proved all the world guilty by that law. Rom. iii, 19.
- The fact that the Law-giver associated the Sabbath precept with the other nine moral precepts clearly shows that it is like them, moral and unchangeable.
- God rested upon the seventh day for an example to man, and blessed it “for man,” and sanctified it, or set it apart for a religious use; all of which is more than equivalent to a mere commandment to keep it.
Eld. Lucas, in his first reply, made two admissions that were fatal to his no-law and no-Sabbath positions, as follows:- He admitted that the ten principles existed, but denied that there were commandments for them until Sinai.
- “God’s resting on the seventh was for a higher and more glorious design than a mere human institution.”
In Eld. L.’s first speech on the second question I noted the following points:- “The apostles were authorized to give laws.”
- “A commandment is not needed to ‘divinely appoint’ the first day as a day of worship.”
In reply we said that divine wisdom saw that a precept was necessary in the former dispensation to appoint the seventh day as a day of religious worship, and therefore (as God is unchangeable) another day cannot take its place except by positive enactment. The victory for truth in this investigation was easy and complete. Ministers and lawyers were free to admit that the Eld.’s effort against the law was an entire failure. The result was good. The truth seemed to shine brighter than before. O, that men would cease to oppose God’s holy law, and learn that it is not made void by faith. M. E. CORNELL.
Tipton, Iowa. The End Crowns the Whole
By James White
A short race, a rough pilgrimage, a dangerous voyage, a fierce combat, a hard day’s work; and then a glorious prize, a happy end, a good home, a complete victory, and an eternal reward; fear not, the end crowns the whole. IMMORTALITY OF THE SOUL.
By B. M. Adams
BRO. SMITH: I was deeply interested in reading in the Review and Herald of the 8th ult., the extract from "Robert W. Landis on the Immortality of the Soul," together with your appended remarks. The contrast that you gave was well expressed of what revelation informs us in contradistinction to the author's inferential addenda of "a principle of intelligence." But from your iteration of a popular sentiment, when speaking of man as being "formed of the dust of the ground, his organism being perfect and complete, only waiting to be endowed with life; . . . the breathing into his nostrils the breath of life; the imparting to him the vital principle, which set the organism in motion,"—I infer that you apprehend that man was formed from the surface dust of the ground, like clay in the brick-maker's mould, and then the breath imparted. Much of the error that surrounds the popular and prevalent question of man's inherent and God-imparted immortality is, I apprehend, from the association of the special procedure of man's formation, and subsequent reception of his life from Deity, as different from all other beings of the creation. I think that this can easily be disproved from two plainly expressed passages of scripture; and that man derived his being in common with all animals, and came forth "out of the ground" like them and the grass, or other vegetable matter. For, In Gen. i, ii, and iii, we have the modus operandi of God's bringing forth [chap. i, 24, 25], of the beasts and the cattle; that the earth brought them forth. In chap. ii, 9, it says, "And out of the ground made the Lord God to grow everything that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food, the tree of life also, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil." Chap. iii, 19, says, respecting man, "In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken; for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return," Man is thus proved to have come "out of the ground," from under the surface, in common with the animal and vegetable issues. But, in order to set forth the point more explicitly, I would now quote the authority of another writer than Moses (who now-a-days—both with professors of theology and geology—is not held in very high credit), and that is David, the psalmist and prophet, who thus philosophizes on his being [Ps. cxxxix, 14–16]; "I will praise thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works, that my soul knoweth right well. My substance (margin: strength or body) was not hid from thee when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance yet being imperfect, and in thy book all my members were written (margin: or what days they should be fashioned), which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them." The inquiry will occur here, Of whom was David speaking? Was it simply of his own personal individuality? That could not be so, strictly; for in Ps. v, 13 [sic] he alludes to himself as in "my mother's womb." But, I ask, is he not alluding to our common and head progenitor, Adam, the first? Undoubtedly, it seems to me. And in that aspect, does not this passage of holy writ show forth, most beautifully, as well as marvelously, how God wrought in the bowels of the earth, to bring together the particles of earth (dust), of iron, lime, &c., and combine them into man—as also in separate combination, each living thing—and caused them to appear on the surface, where the atmospheric air subtly set their organism in motion. His breath is the natural result of coming to the surface of the earth, "out of the ground." A learned Hebraist of this city informs me that the verse [Gen. ii, 7] which describes Adam's breathing, ought to be, and could be, clearly translated, "from out the ground man became a vigorous breather." To all of us who are familiar with the birth either of children or animals, the idea can be realized that the contact of any perfected organism with the atmosphere, instantly imparts "the breath of life," and "a living soul" is born. In this simple apprehensive view, it seems to me that man's special claim to being endowed with any peculiar attributes of "a principle of intelligence," at his creation, more than any other animal organism, is entirely disproved. But man in this day, prefers the evil knowledge that the old serpent beguiled our first mother to believe and receive, "Ye shall not surely die," in preference to the forewarned information of his Creator, that death would issue from the "tree of knowledge of good and evil," to whose poison and life-destroying banfulness, there was—and can be only one antidote—"the tree of life;" and man was expelled from the garden to prevent his living forever through eating of the latter. From that day to this, mankind seem bent on taking the assertion of the serpent as truth, rather than the word of God—that death is a result of sin, not only now, but in the beginning. Viewing this question—the life and death question—as I do, that life and death are set before us, and that life can be obtained only in and through Jesus Christ (Adam the second) the Life-Giver, how tremendous are the consequences outflowing from the doctrine of the father of lies, since they who believe not the word of the Son of God, "shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him" (or them). For "our God is a consuming fire." But "the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ his Son." BE YE ALSO READY.
By H. M. Kenyon
"Therefore be ye also ready; for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh." Matt. xxiv, 44. That this language is addressed to the church, is evident. It was a private interview between Christ and his disciples. "The disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us when shall these things be," &c. We find in this chapter a series of events marked out by which the traveler on the world's highway, traveling to mount Zion, may know his whereabouts, and how far he is from home. "Now learn a parable of the fig-tree. When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh. So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it (margin, he) is near even at the doors." Luke tells us that when the fig-tree putteth forth leaves, we know of our own selves that summer is nigh. Thus we may know when we see these signs fulfilled, of ourselves, that our redemption draweth nigh. Although the evidences may be so clear, yet there seems to be danger of our being deceived, and coming short of the prize at last. We are told by Luke how we may be deceived. He says, "Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares." We have one common foe, who, although he failed to allure the Son of God from his purpose, and frustrate the plan of salvation, is none the less vigilant and active in bringing his forces to bear against those who are striving to follow their Leader, and make their way through this world of sin and sorrow to that land of rest, where sickness, sorrow, pain and death, shall never come. The last effort which Satan made with our Lord, which undoubtedly was the strongest, was, that if he would fall down and worship him, he would give him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them. But Jesus met him with the words that are written, "Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve." But how often is it the case, that we let this world, with all its cares and perplexities, almost imperceptibly get into our hearts, and before we are aware of it, we are following, step by step, the fashions and maxims of the world, until we are more the servants of the world than the servants of God. There is a way marked out in which we may resist all these temptations. Jesus has been tempted in all points even as we are, and is able to succor all those that are tempted. When Jesus was about to leave his disciples he said, "In the world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." John xvi, 33. We must cast all our care on him, for he careth for us. Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the Devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour, whom resist steadfast in the faith. 1 Pet. v, 7-9. For this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 1 John v, 4. The promise to the overcomer is, "He that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I have overcome and am set down with my Father in his throne." Precious promise to the overcomer! If we would overcome we must be watchful and prayerful, and ever on our guard. The perils of the last days are upon us. Satan has come down with great power, knowing his time is short, and in view of these things how necessary it is that we heed the command of Christ, Watch, therefore, for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. Matt. xxiv, 42. Paul, speaking of the coming of the day of the Lord, says, Therefore let us not sleep as do others, but let us watch and be sober. 1 Thess. v, 6. And the testimony of Peter is, But the end of all things is at hand, be ye therefore sober and watch unto prayer. May the Lord help us to present ourselves and all that we have unto him, a living sacrifice, and be not conformed to this world (for says James, He that is a friend of the world, is an enemy of God), but have our loins girt about with truth, and our lights burning, and get in readiness, that when our Lord shall come we may say, Lo, this is our God, we have waited for him, and he will save us. Monterey, Allegan Co., Mich. SUSTAINING GRACE.
By Mrs. R. Smith
Homeless was my blessed Saviour,
Patient too mid all his grief;
Why be downcast, sad, desponding,
When he'll freely give relief? O, 'tis not that I am homeless,
Nor that I am suffering pain,
But my Saviour seems hid from me,
And my hope does not sustain. I would daily have the witness,
That my dear Redeemer lives;
That He's interceding for me,
And my every blessing gives. Live then for this blest approval,
Not one sin allow a place;
God commands us to be holy,
While we run the Christian race. He is holy who hath called you,
So be ye, in word and deed;
To enjoy the Saviour's presence,
We must to our ways take heed. None can have this full salvation,
While to one known sin a slave;
Jesus came to free and pardon,
And from sin his people save. Fearless then go forth to battle,
Conquering sin through Christ the Lord;
He'll assist while we're obedient
To the teachings of his word. Glorious conquests have been witnessed;
God for ever is the same;
We may all be strong and mighty,
Through his great and holy name.
MRS. R. SMITH. GOING HOME.
By Lucinda B. Kendall
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS, scattered abroad: I want to say a word of consolation to you, while trying to press your way onward through the land of the enemy. It is that we are going home. How many times that one word, home, has cheered me onward when trying to breast the storms and tempests of life. As the way-worn traveler, after having long been exposed to the noontide heats and midnight chills, rejoices at any new indication that home is near, so has my poor heart rejoiced that we are nearing our Father's house of many mansions, where we shall meet all the dear saints that we have loved here on earth. Though some are separated by distance, and others are torn away by death, yet they will come again from the land of the enemy. O, blessed thought! It cheers me on. We shall meet them all. Not one will be forgotten. The lonely ones, too, will be all gathered. O brethren, these things begin to assume a reality they never before possessed, to me at least. We'll go on. A few more trials and we shall be in sight of home, sweet home. "Then they that feared the Lord, spake often one to another."
Bro. Smith: We are now just in the midst of a revival of the feelings and interests of this community on the great subject of Bible truth. Bro. Cornell is here, and the enemy is not very well pleased to have the dormant Christians in these parts aroused to a sense of their whereabouts. And the fact that the Lord has a humble few, even in Tipton, who are willing to come out and be separate, produces a tremendous stir in Babylon. We feel bound to express our gratitude to God for the saving power of his truth in this place, and our confidence that a little church will be raised up here, in fulfillment of the third angel's proclamation, "Here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus." You will, doubtless, soon have a full report of the meeting, but nevertheless I desire to say to the saints scattered abroad, Pray for us. We are happy to learn that the church in Iowa City is recovering from the affliction it has been laboring under in consequence of the course of some half-hearted adherents. The churches also at Lisbon and Mt. Vernon are prospering, for which we are truly thankful. Our meetings still continue at this place, and no doubt there will be a church established, as a goodly number have already come out. G. W. STRICKLAND
By G. W. Strickland
BRETHREN AND SISTERS: Though I have been long silent, still my hope is in God. O that blessed hope! It is like an anchor to the soul. It is my whole desire to honor God in everything, and to follow in the footsteps of my blessed Lord and Master. It is my determination to live for God and the cause of truth. I praise the Lord for the light that shines from his blessed word. Lord grant that it may grow brighter and brighter even unto the perfect day. O what a treasure God has given us. I bless the Lord that he ever sent his messengers this way that I might hear the truth of God's word in its purity. I am thankful for the cheering news from brethren scattered abroad. I rejoice to hear that the glorious work of God is prospering. Your brother, waiting for the appearing of our Lord, A Solitary Witness for Present Truth
By Josiah Hebner
Bro. Smith: I am still striving, in my weak way, to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. The Review is a welcome messenger to me, laden with truth. It cheers my heart to read its testimonies from the dear saints scattered abroad. I feel to regret my neglect in writing to let my brethren and sisters know that I am still looking for the day near when all the saints of God will meet from different parts of the earth to part no more forever. Although I am alone here in all the doctrines of the third angel's message, I thank God that he has a people, although peeled and scattered, of like precious faith. This people is my people, and their God is my God. I believe the time is near when the third angel's message, the last message of mercy that will be given to this world, will go with a loud cry. I want more of the love of God and his Spirit to guide me in these last days of perilous times. Dear brethren and sisters, my heart is with you in your labors of love and affection towards God's dear saints. He will reward you. Amen! As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto the household of faith. Remember us in your prayers. Yours truly, waiting for the kingdom of Christ to come.
Audley P. O., C. W. W. J. & A. J. MILLS
By W. J. & A. J. Mills
Bro. SMITH: We would say that our interest in the truth is still unabated, and we are still striving to live as becometh those who are looking and hoping for the soon coming of our Saviour. We do feel to praise our heavenly Father for his mercy, that he ever permitted us to hear the truth proclaimed in its purity, and gave us hearts to obey it, even though we had to go in direct opposition to all earthly friends. We feel that the approbation of our heavenly Father is much better than that of an earthly parent. We can truly say that for the past few weeks we have felt that Jesus was more precious to us than ever before, that in answer to earnest prayer we have been enabled to gain the victory over some of our evil besetments, and have felt some of that peace and joy in our heart which the world can neither give nor take away. We do praise the Lord for his goodness and for all his loving kindness towards us, and mean to still press forward and strive to have on the wedding garment, ready to go forth to meet the Bridegroom with joy when he returns from the wedding. We desire an interest in the prayers of those who have access to a throne of grace, that we may continue faithful, and at last come off conquerors through Jesus Christ our Lord P. S. We would be much pleased if some of the preaching brethren could see it duty to come this way and give a course of lectures; for we think some good might be done. Conway, Mich., Jan. 1st, 1860. JANE M. JEWELL
By Jane M. Jewell
Bro. SMITH: For the first time I write a few lines for the Review. I want to give in my testimony on the Lord's side. It is only about ten months since I embraced the Sabbath of the Lord, through the labors of Bro. Frisbie. I feel to thank God that I was led to embrace present truth. I feel like pressing my way through to the kingdom. Although I meet with trials on the way, I am determined by the grace of God to overcome every evil, and run with patience the race set before me. Testimony from Twin Grove
By Samuel Mountford
Bro. Smith: It is now about one year since we had the privilege of hearing Bro. Sanborn lecture on present truth. At that time myself and wife were Methodists, but on seeing the truth held up by the side of error, we gladly exchanged the traditions of men for the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. We still feel like pressing our way on to mount Zion. May the Lord help us to prove faithful. We believe that we are living in the last days. The coming of the Lord is near, even at the doors. This belief is verified by the unerring word of God. Brethren and sisters, pray for us that we may grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth from day to day. Let us gird on the whole armor and be ready to meet the Lord when he comes. Yours in hope of eternal life.
Samuel Mountford. JONATHAN CHASE
By Jonathan Chase
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: Through the kind care of our heavenly Father I am permitted to live and to enjoy some of the blessings of the present life, and by faith behold, and take hold on, the promises of God as brought to view in his word. I think, brethren and sisters, that too many of us have been too backward in writing. We should write often, and try to stir up each others' pure minds by way of remembrance. We are living in perilous times, when some of the professed ministers of Christ, deacons and official members of churches are speaking out with a dragonic voice against those who keep the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ, and are using their influence against the truth. But God's truth is a unit and will prevail. Let us hold on to the arm of the Lord. My heart has been pained of late when I have seen abuse and ill treatment manifested against a humble child of God because she kept the commandments of God, by her own father, and that too, a deacon of the church. May God help us, my brethren and sisters, to have on the whole armor and stand fast in the faith of the gospel of the kingdom of God. I thank God for the privileges that I have had of late of hearing the message of the third angel proclaimed, I trust in the demonstration of the Spirit and in power. I believe the Lord sent Bro. Sanborn this way to proclaim the last message of mercy to a dying world; and I thank God that instead of being alone as I have been for a few years past, I have now a companion in the truth with me. Praise the Lord! In hope of eternal life when Jesus comes. North Leeds, Columbia Co., Wis. United in Christ Through Trials
By Irena G. Camp
BRO. SMITH: I have often thought while reading the communications from the dear brethren and sisters which have so often cheered my lonely heart, that perhaps some with whom I have formerly been associated might be glad to learn whether I am yet traveling with the dear saints to mount Zion. For the comfort and encouragement of such I would say that my face is still set as a flint Zionward, and I seem to feel a holy delight in suffering with Christ and his people with whom my heart is knit together in love. There seems to be something delightful in the expression, knit together. We well understand that when anything is knit together it cannot be separated without being torn to pieces. So with God's dear children. Even though they may have trials with each other, yet if each keeps the good Spirit, they will be united still. And I have been exceedingly comforted of late with the blessed assurance that nothing, neither life, nor death, nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus. Although we may be called to pass through deep tribulation, yet we may hear a voice saying, "Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer," for he who has brought us safely through so many severe trials can just as safely carry us through what remains if we trust in him. And we have reason to be encouraged when we see and feel that each successive trial brings us out more pure, and with an increased desire to prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God, and with an unwillingness to be brought out of the furnace until we reflect the lovely image of Jesus. Though I have for many years professed religion, and have enjoyed it in some degree, never did I love God and his dear people as I love them now. Never did I take such sweet delight in approaching unto God. My soul cleaves closely to him in every hour of trial. I truly feel that he is my only helper. In him is all my trust. I desire to consecrate myself fully to him, and have every act and every word tell for God and his precious cause. I want to abide in him and have his words abide in me, so that I may ask what I will, and it shall be done. "I want the witness, Lord,
That all I do is right;
According to thy will and word,
Well pleasing in thy sight." "Afflictions may press me, they cannot destroy,
One glimpse of his love turns them all into joy;
And the bitterest tears, if he smile but on them,
Like dew in the sunshine, grow diamond and gem." Yours in hope of life at the appearing of Jesus.
IRENA G. CAMP. Bro. E. Wood, formerly a minister in the Christian denomination, writes from Farmington, Pa.: "I am full in the belief that your views of God's truth are in keeping with his commandments and the faith of Jesus. Since I embraced the Advent views my mind has been clear upon many passages of scripture which were dark before. May the Lord help me to be faithful in the cause of my Master." DIED in Battle Creek, Mich., Jan. 2d, 1860, TERESA C., only child of Bro. and Sr. Loughborough, one year, ten months, and twenty-three days of age. Her disease was lung fever, which terminated in consumption. The lonely parents deeply feel their loss; but the blessed hope of the coming of Jesus, and the resurrection, which they have so long cherished, now sustains them.
JAMES WHITE.