Review and Herald, Vol. 31, No. 19.
OVERCOMING, OR INDIVIDUAL EXPERIENCEPage 1
Earlier text: LIFE INCIDENTSA SUPPOSED OBJECTION CONSIDERED.
By E. Goodrich
By those who believe that the Sabbath ceased with the former dispensation, a kind of indirect objection is frequently urged in the following language: “If the Sabbath is binding in this age, why did not our Saviour teach that it was?” The above is by no means a fair or proper way of treating any question; for while it assumes none of the responsibilities of offering anything, yet it claims all the benefits of affirmation; for it supposes a fact and demands a decision upon said fact, challenging proof to the contrary—thus throwing all the burden of proof upon others. Now as it seems that any view worth holding is worth stating and defending, if it be a fact that both the Sabbath and the commandment guarding the sacredness of the same were peculiarities of the Jewish dispensation, why not have the moral courage to say so? Why not say, Resolved, That both the Sabbath and the commandment guarding the same, were peculiarities of the Jewish age, and ceased with the same; therefore we have an unfounded right to live in open disregard of these, and to teach others to do the same. The above demand, and the language in which it is contained, are perfectly reasonable; for if it be a fact that both the Sabbath and the law for the observance of the same ceased with the Jewish age, it is both the right and duty of every Christian to act and teach in accordance with this fact. The unwillingness with which many take anything like a positive position on this question, impresses one very unfavorably, and reminds him of the chief priests and the elders of the people of whom the Saviour asked, “The baptism of John, whence was it? from Heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From Heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not believe him? But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all men held John as a prophet. And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell.” Touching the objection referred to above, it is false; for our Saviour taught in every possible manner both the sacredness and the observance of the Sabbath. Now all teaching is embraced in three points: (1.) Doctrine, (2.) Reproof, and (3.) Corrections. And there are only two ways of preaching any truth: (1.) Theory, (2.) Practice. To the former (that is theory) belong all those distinct statements and definite propositions whereby any right or duty is declared, or any course of conduct recommended. While the latter embraces all those illustrative examples, all those forms and customs, and every action whereby it is shown how theory is to be applied. And in the demonstration of truth, it does not matter whether the theory is presented and then the example, or first the example and then the theory, as an explanation of the example. At the time that our Saviour made his advent to earth, the Jewish church had so far apostatized from the true faith, they had so far corrupted the worship and law of God, that we cannot regard them as the proper representatives of God’s will; but we are to have Jesus the great Master, teacher in all things. The first plain and direct reference that we have in the New Testament to any controversy upon the observance of the Sabbath, we find in Matt. xii, 2, in which the disciples of our Lord are accused of doing that which was not lawful to do on the Sabbath day. And the point of dispute is neither the sacredness nor the perpetuity of the Sabbath, but the manner in which it should be observed. The Saviour after justifying the disciples by reference to certain examples, as of David eating shewbread, and that of the priests who in the temple profaned the Sabbath day, and were blameless, declared his right to determine this question by laying down the proposition: “For the Son of man is Lord, even of the Sabbath day.” A lord is a ruler or one who has authority or jurisdiction over any matter. And here is indeed a very broad and positive proposition of right and authority—a proposition from the decision of which no one has a right to appeal. And upon all questions upon which the Saviour has pronounced, we should regard his answers as final. And we may continue to read from the same chapter: “And behold there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him saying, Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath days? that they might accuse him. And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and it fall into a pit on the Sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it and lift it out? How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the Sabbath days. Then said he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole as the other.” This scripture just read, contains a very plain and forcible argument in vindication of that which is lawful to do on the Sabbath day. The argument contains examples of sound logical reasoning, and it concludes with a plain and conclusive proposition; and the whole is completed by an illustrative example which demonstrates the truth as a problem that is solved. We have, therefore, in this chapter and the lesson that it contains, everything necessary to a full and complete argument in defense of the Sabbath and its proper observance. We have doctrine, we have reproof, we have reproof, we have corrections, we have theory, and we have practice. And by turning our attention to Mark ii, 27, we have another plain proposition declared: “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath;” and the conclusion: “Wherefore the Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath.” This lesson is also enforced by an illustrative example showing the truth. And if we add to this array of testimony, the fact that our Saviour, at the very297beginning of his ministry, declared, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law or the prophets; I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill;” also the fact that he observed the Sabbath; we have an amount of evidence sufficient, it would seem, to convince any one that Jesus taught both the design, the sacredness, the perpetuity, and the proper observance of the Sabbath day. We may add to the above, the fact that the apostles, and the churches established by them, observed the Sabbath day. And if all the facts contained in the foregoing are insufficient to show that the Sabbath belongs to, and is binding in, this age, it is difficult to conceive what would be evidence in the matter. But if we are to suppose that the Sabbath was abolished with the Jewish age, and that neither Jesus nor the apostles enforced its observance, we may ask, Have we a Sabbath in this age? and if so, upon what authority, either in precept or example, does it rest? Does it rest on divine or human authority? And having answered these questions, we may continue to ask, How oft are we to have a Sabbath? for if the original Sabbath was destroyed, the order of time ordained at the beginning was broken up; and if this be broken up, who can tell what the new order of time is, whether we are to have a week of seven, ten, or forty, days each? In other words, if God’s order of time, ordained at the beginning, was destroyed, why retain the divisions of time into periods of seven days each? Again we may ask, By what authority is the sacredness of the fourth commandment transferred from the day upon which God rested, and which he sanctified and blessed, to some other day? All these, and many more such questions may be asked; but if the Sabbath be not binding in this age, enough. THEY SLEEP IN JESUS.
By Ellen G. White
THE recent obituary notice of Sr. Nichols, wife of Bro. Otis Nichols, of Dorchester, Mass., called to mind the fact that many of the faithful friends of present truth, who from the Second-advent ranks were the first to embrace the Sabbath, now sleep in Jesus. They bore the Sabbath cross when it was heavier than it now is, on account of its friends being few, and its enemies and their persecutions being many and bitter. Now the Sabbath cross is comparatively light, because of the many friends of the Sabbath, and the well-known fact that the Sabbath of the Bible is clearly sustained by sacred and secular history. Bro. and Sr. Nichols were among the first to embrace the Sabbath, and liberally hand out their means to sustain the cause in its infancy. It was money from her hand that bore our expenses from their door, in 1844, to the first Conference of believers in the third message, held at Rocky Hill, Conn. Of these who then bore the cross, and with their means sustained the cause, and have since toiled and suffered for the good of others, and have died in hope, it is said, "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors, and their works do follow them." Among these are also my venerable parents. They both rest in hope: my mother in Illinois, my father in Connecticut; but when the trump of God shall awake the dead, and they be caught up to meet their Lord in the air, these who have toiled side by side in their Master's vineyard, will meet in immortal vigor, to see in many of those who shall be saved by the influence of the third message, the fruits of their labors and their prayers. Learning that my father was very feeble and near his end, and that he was anxious to see me before his death, I left my sick husband in Brookfield, Nov., 1866, and went alone to see him. He was living with one of my sisters, in Kensington, Conn. When I met my dear father, I saw a great change had come over him since last we parted. I at once saw that the feeble-burning taper of life must soon go out. As we met, he wept like a child, and expressed his gratitude that I had made the sacrifice of leaving my sick husband to come to see him. He often remarked that he felt that it was our last meeting, and that he felt that he could not be denied the privilege of seeing me and hearing me speak once more to the people. I immediately sent for my three sisters, living in Maine. They all came, and together we, five sisters in all, surrounded the bed of our dying father, who had then passed his fourscore years. But before these sisters came, we enjoyed a Sabbath meeting in which my father took part. Although very feeble, he was dressed, sat up during the meeting, and finally arose and bore an excellent testimony. His mind was very fruitful on Bible subjects, and he seemed sweetly ripened for the heavenly garner. This was his last testimony, and its memory is precious. In two weeks I enjoyed another Sabbath with my father. The large kitchen was well filled with brethren and sisters, some from a distance. My sisters from Maine were present, and there I had the privilege of speaking to them. It was suggested that the meeting be at the next house on account of my father's feebleness; but this he would not listen to for a moment. He stated that this would be the last time he should hear me speak, and he could not be denied the privilege. It was a most solemn, affecting meeting. This was evidently the last meeting we should all enjoy together in the present state of things. One at least, of our family, would be severed from us before we could meet again. And the solemn inquiry was, Shall we all meet again in that world where sickness and death will be known no more? This visit with my dear sisters was most satisfactory, and I trust profitable. Although we were not practically agreed on all points of religious duty, yet our hearts were one. My father, as he sank nearer and nearer the grave, did not lose his clearness of intellect, but to the last his mind was active, and especially fruitful in the things relating to the kingdom of God. He often stated that it was a great pleasure to him to have so many of his children around him in his last hours. His patience in his afflictions, and willingness, and even anxiety to have the hours of his probation close, were remarkable. The praise of God, and grateful expressions of his goodness were continually upon his lips, and thus he died. He sleeps in Jesus, and we are awaiting the coming of the Life-giver to break the fetters of the tomb, and release the captives from their prison-house, and reunite the severed links of the family chain. All who have kept the word of his patience, shall be exalted to the right hand of God, and be rewarded with an inheritance in the better world, and possess everlasting life. We cherish feelings of the tenderest regard for our dear Bro. Nichols. More than twenty years since, we shared his hospitalities when friends were few and poor. For several years nearly all the means necessary to bear our expenses came from his purse. And although his lot may still be in the furnace of affliction, he should be comforted with the fact that his was the great privilege of doing for the advancement of the cause of truth, when one dollar would count more than one hundred at its present stage. May the sentiment of his heart be in harmony with the words of the prophet, so frequently quoted as his house more than twenty years since: "Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive shall fall, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls; yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation." BACKSLIDING.—All serious declension in religion begins in negligence of closet duties. These are meditation, self-examination, reading the Scriptures, praise, and prayer. A close walk with God insures regularity, and alacrity in performing these duties. But an indisposition for them is one of the first signs that spiritual health is failing. We can go to hell without intending to do so, without putting forth any efforts to that effect. But to go to Heaven requires prayers, self-denial, vigilance, running, wrestling, fighting.—Dr. Plumer. Present and Future Realities
We treat present things as realities, and future and eternal things as fables; whereas the reverse should be our habit. SOME men are like pyramids, very broad where they reach the ground, but grow narrower as they reach the sky. FALSE SYMPATHY.
By Jos. Clarke
Of all the evils which afflict those who have the care and responsibility of others, in schools, families, churches, societies, and nations, none are more annoying and mischievous, than those which arise from false and misplaced sympathy. Of the evil effects created by false sympathy, none but an unprejudiced, just, and experienced person, can have any adequate idea. Indeed, it is reserved for the eye of Omniscience alone to measure the length, breadth, and depth of this evil and its far-reaching influence. In the common affairs of life, this influence is so manifest as to call forth the strongest expressions of deprecation for that blind affection, which exerts all its influence in behalf of the reproved, but erring one, who is undergoing the pangs of correction for a wrong; or on the other hand, we admire that wise fortitude and self-control, which restrains the overflow of love, and does violence to an unwise manifestation of natural affection toward a favorite child, or associate, which would otherwise defend a moral wrong. How often is the faithful teacher baffled by the parent, who should be his co-worker and friend. How often the father is baffled in his efforts to promote the order and propriety of his household, by sympathy at home. Or does the too indulgent father sometimes destroy the authority of the mother who is inclined to restrain the waywardness of the child? And here in our own once happy country, we see Southern rebellion upheld and nourished by Northern sympathy. And does it not sometimes happen that ring-leaders in crime walk forth as free citizens, because of misplaced sympathy? Why is it that Jefferson Davis is to-day at large, while his menial, Wirtz, of prison notoriety, fills a felon's grave? Is it not because of sympathy for fallen greatness and pride? Why has Satan, in his fall, brought so many angels with him? Is it not because of mistaken sympathy? In every trial in church or State, offenders have some to sympathize and share their wrongs. A little boy of some four or five years of age, the son of a sea captain, who had often been with his father upon the ocean, was one day racing upon the masts and rigging of the ship, with a monkey which also belonged upon the vessel. He finally reached the top-mast, and balanced himself upon the main truck. The Captain seeing his idolized child in this perilous situation, from which there seemed no way of escape, ran instantly to his cabin, seized his gun, and apparently with stern authority, commanded his boy to jump into the sea; at the same time with his gun threatening to shoot, unless his command was instantly obeyed. Only a moment elapsed, and his child was swimming in the sea, and half a dozen sailors were soon in the water to rescue their favorite. What if some sympathizing friend had interposed between the father and the child as it stood upon the main truck? How quickly it would have fallen upon the deck! No, every one saw that to oppose the father, would be death to the child, and all waited in breathless silence the event. So violent was the struggle, in the father's bosom, that he nearly fainted with agitation and fear; but his firmness saved his child. Not less important is the case of every erring one who is corrected; and a word of sympathy, thrown in at such a time, between right and wrong, may prove the destruction of a soul, or of many souls. Many a family, many a neighborhood, and society, and church, and nation, has been ruined by this cause; and this same false sympathy once jeopardized the happiness of Heaven, and consigned legions of once happy angels to dark despair. Let us then beware of sympathizing with wrong, be it ever so friendly and smooth. The principles advocated by this people are truth; let us beware of doubters. Exhorting one another, and so much the more as ye see the day approaching. Heb. x, 25. This Department is designed to fill the same place in the paper that the Conference or Social Meeting does in the worship of God. Speak often one to another to comfort, edify and aid each other in the way of holiness and true Christian experience. BRO. SMITH: As I have so often been encouraged by reading letters from Brethren and Sisters, I want to express my gratitude to our kind Heavenly Father for all the means he is using, to strengthen and encourage those who are deprived of attending meetings. I cannot attend meeting often, and when I do, I cannot hear; hence I prize the pages of the Review. How many admonitions and warnings it brings to us! How often I am led to exclaim, How good the Lord is to one so unworthy as I. Oh! how I rejoice to think of the instruction given us through the gifts of the Spirit, and through persons who are endued with wisdom from on high. If faithfully heeded, they will purify, and prepare a people for Christ’s soon coming. I feel like redoubling my diligence, and doing all in my power to save myself and others. There is no time for me to stand idle. I feel a great responsibility in bringing up my children. When I read the piece in the Review, headed, “A mistake of parents,” I felt that I was a parent, and that to God I must account for the training of my children. Let us all look well to this important work which God has assigned us, lest we come short at last. SWINE ABOMINATION.
By M. E. Cornell
The term swine may be said to be a synonym of “scavenger.” A scavenger is one that gathers up and carries off the filth. No animal in existence collects and consumes so much filth as the swine. Outside and inside, and in all its habits, the hog is the filthiest of the filthy. Wallowing in the most filthy places, and eating the most abominable garbage in existence, and being filled with scrofula and all corruption, the swine has become the representative of all abomination and uncleanness. Look at that herd of swine. See how they scratch themselves against every stump, stone, and fence-corner. Now see them running, and squealing as they go, to cool themselves in the mud and water. They are burning with scrofula and itch, which they have during life. “In such detestation was the hog held by the Jews, that they would not so much as pronounce its name, but called it ‘The strange thing.’ * In impurity and grossness of manners, this creature stands almost unrivaled among the order of quadrupeds.”
Says the Religious Encyclopedia: “It was avarice, a contempt of the law of Moses, and a design to supply the neighboring idolaters with victims, that caused whole herds of swine to be fed on the borders of Galilee. Whence the reason is plain of Christ’s permitting the devils to throw the swine into the lake of Gennesareth. Matt. viii, 32.”
The heathen nations could eat the swine and offer them in sacrifice to their gods, but God’s people were forbidden to even touch them. “Of their flesh shall ye not eat, and their carcass shall ye not touch: they are unclean to you.” Lev. xi, 8.
“Ye shall therefore put difference between clean beasts and unclean; and between unclean fowls, and clean; and ye shall not make your souls abominable by beasts, or by fowls, or by any manner of living thing that creepeth on the ground, which I have separated from you as unclean.” Lev. xx, 25.
The prophet Isaiah speaks of a people that provoked God to his face, “which eat swine’s flesh, and broth of abominable things is in their vessels.” Chap. lxv, 4. “They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one tree in the midst, eating swine’s flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together saith the Lord.” Chap. lxvi, 17.
Here we see that swine’s flesh is classed with the abomination and the mouse, and both are abominable things. Dr. Clarke says the sentence in Matt. vii, 6, should be transposed thus: “Give not that which is holy to dogs,
Lest they turn again and rend you:
Neither cast ye your pearls before swine,
Lest they trample them under their feet.”
Here dogs and swine are classed together, both are unclean, and neither is fit to be food for man. Here it is custom to eat the hog, and in China, they eat rats and puppies! Where is the difference? Can Bible believers use swine’s flesh for food? Can they eat such to the glory of God? Both reason and the Bible are against its use. The law of distinction between clean and unclean beasts was not ceremonial, but founded in nature. We are forbidden to eat swine, because it is unclean and not fit to eat. It is unhealthy food. Much of it is full of the trichina, or pork worm. Only think of eating thousands and millions of boiled and fried worms! It is certainly safest and best to abandon the use of pork forever. A word to the wise is sufficient. “Our knowledge of the trichina” (tre-ki-na), says a writer in Moore’s Rural New Yorker, “dates from 1835. It was first described by Prof. Owen of England from species of muscle sent to him by a London anatomist. “It appears that what has been called the ‘sausage poison,’ in Germany, causing the death of hundreds, is now proved to be the trichina spiralis infection. The symptoms were the same as the recent cases of this wonderful infection. ‘One instance occurred in Hettstadt in 1864. One hundred and three persons, mostly men in the prime of life, partook, on a festive occasion, of the German sausage, duly smoked and fried. The trichina disease appeared in several of these individuals the next day, and eighty-three out of the above number evidently died from the malady. “It would be satisfactory to know whether trichina, and the disease caused by them, have always existed; but upon these points we must confess our entire ignorance. We know that a species of tapeworm is derived from ‘measly’ pork, and that the hog was pronounced an ‘unclean’ animal by the Jewish Lawgiver. “The trichina is normally present in the rat, and is occasionally found in other animals, but its evil effects in the human family are due entirely to the use of pork. A pound of meat may contain 600,000 worms, and the hog affected to this extent appears to be in good condition, and finds a ready sale. We have remarked on the strange vitality of the trichina. It will remain alive after the meat has become putrid or frozen. When taken into the human stomach, the cyst dissolves and liberates the worm. In two days it increases to two or three times its former size; and in about a week the female trichina brings forth its living young, each month produces from 100 to 200, and perhaps repeating the operation several times before it dies, or is expelled from the body. The minute young worms penetrate the intestines, and in a very short time find their way to the muscles, where they rest, and after a short period cease to grow. They then become invested with the cyst, &c. It is estimated that 30,000,000 may exist in an adult subject. “No breed of swine is exempt from trichina.” THE CROSS.
By L. E. Millne
“Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me.” Yes, Saviour dear, I'll take thy cross,
Deny myself, and follow thee;
Nor shun the trials, pain, and loss,
That well I know are waiting me.
Though pain and anguish be my lot,
And friends depart, I'll falter not;
My Saviour dear will guide me still,
And all his promises fulfill. Ye are my friends, if ye but share
My cross and sufferings here below.
I'll guard you with the tenderest care;
All needed grace I will bestow.
I'll comfort you with love divine,
On you, I'll cause my face to shine;
With Satan's host, though sorely tried,
Forever with you, I'll abide. Oh! then thy cross I'll gladly bear,
And suffer all thy righteous will;
I'll tread this path though thorns are there,
And follow on my journey still.
The patience of the saints is here,
Who look for Jesus to appear
With glory crowned; he soon will come,
To gather all his people home. Lift up your heads, ye saints, rejoice;
Redemption now is drawing near.
We hear the angel's warning voice,
Our glorious Lord will soon appear.
Oh! how we long, and weep, and pray,
For that bright morn, that endless day,
When all our sufferings will be o'er,
And we shall tread the golden shore. Shabbona, Ill., March 13. CHILDLIKE FAITH.
By S. S. Bartlett
We sometimes hear people say, in speaking of the Testimonies, “I can't see it,” “I don't understand it.” Well, suppose you do not! Is it for us to question the Almighty? Shall poor, frail, mortal man, say to the Ruler of the universe, What doest thou? or Why doest thou thus? “Jesus said to Peter, “What I do, thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know hereafter.” John xiii, 7. Said Thomas, when told by the other disciples that the Saviour had risen, and that they had seen him, “Except I shall see in his hands the prints of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side I will not believe.” Jesus saith unto him, “Reach hither thy finger and behold my hands, and reach hither thy hand and thrust it into my side; and be not faithless, but believing.” And Thomas answered and said unto him, “My Lord and my God.” “Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed; blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” John xx, 25, 27–29. There is such a thing as a blind faith, a believing without seeing, and I believe it is well pleasing unto the Lord. Not long since a little child came to my house on Sunday. My little girl told her that Sunday was the Pope's day. She inquired of me “Who was the Pope?” I told her he was a wicked man who wished to make every one keep the first day of the week, instead of the holy Sabbath of the Lord. Soon she ran home to her mother, saying, “O ma! you're keeping the Pope's day.” I stood rebuked before the unquestioning faith of this little child. An older person would have said, “How do you know which is the Sabbath-day?” “Has not a day been lost?” “Has not time been changed?” or “The world is round, therefore we cannot keep the Sabbath day,” &c., &c. But this little one, unlearned in the wisdom of this world, had no arguments to bring, no doubts to solve, not even a question to ask. I had said it and that was enough. This is the faith we need; a simple, childlike trust and confidence in the wisdom and goodness of our Heavenly Father. Such had David when he said, “I was dumb; I opened not my mouth, because thou didst it.” Ps. xxxix, 9. “Though he slay me yet will I trust in him.” Job xiii, 15. Oh! let us buy largely of this “gold tried in the fire, that we may be rich; and may our prayer continually be, ‘Lord I believe, help thou my unbelief.’” S. S. BARTLETT. Testimony from Washington County
By Mary S. Foster
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: As a part of our paper is set apart for the brethren and sisters to converse with, and edify one another, upon the soul-stirring themes of present truth, I gladly embrace this opportunity of adding my testimony to the many that are weekly penned by the “watching, waiting ones.” I am truly thankful that God in his “loving kindness and tender mercy,” has spread the truth so far that it has reached our door, and been received by all the members of our family. And I feel to thank God that he ever inclined the hearts of his careworn messengers to visit us. I believe their efforts to proclaim the truth in this place have not been lost. Although none of our neighbors have embraced the truth, yet they understand why we try to be so different from them, in not “running to the same excess of riot.” And I hope and pray that there may be some here who will yet heed the call, “Come out of her my people;” and “be ye separate.” Pray for us, that the Lord may carry on the good work which he has begun here, and that we may be accounted worthy to overcome this “present evil world,” and reign with Christ throughout the unending ages of eternity. MARY S. FOSTER.
Washington Co., N. Y. MARTHA DUTCHER
By Martha Dutcher
BRO. SMITH: I desire to add my mite with the rest of the brethren and sisters in giving thanks unto the Lord for his goodness. How heartily do I feel to thank God that ever my eyes were opened to the truth, and that through the influence of the Spirit of the Lord I gave my heart to the Saviour, and to-day am one of those that are striving to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. It is a little over five months since I first began to remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. I have received much persecution, being the only Sabbath-keeper in the place; but it has only tended to draw me nearer to Jesus. It has helped me to realize more fully that he is a friend that will never leave nor forsake those that put their trust in him. There are no hours so dear to me as those of the holy Sabbath day. I do not feel it a trial, but rather a blessed privilege to rest upon the seventh day, the day which the Lord blessed and hallowed. I am one of the lonely-ones with no arm to lean upon but the arm of our Beloved; but I find that his arm is all-sufficient. I ask no greater blessing than to ever feel a Saviour's presence, and though I mourn the loss of a dear companion, still I sorrow not as those without hope; for I trust that he is fallen asleep in Jesus. “Asleep in Jesus, blessed sleep,
From which none ever wake to weep.” And I trust that I too may be ready to yield up all the joys of earth, and lay all upon the altar unmurmuringly. Oh! if there is one lonely one that may, perhaps, peruse these few lines, one whose heart is aching in its loneliness and desolation, one who feels as though his heart was buried in the grave with the form of some loved one, listen and hear in this bereavement the voice of the Saviour saying, Be of good cheer, It is I. Remember that he feels for your sorrow with a sympathy felt from experience. Remember how in anguish of spirit at the grave of Lazarus, Jesus wept; and put your trust in him. Believe in him. Believe in the comforting promises that he has given us, that they that believe in him shall never die, and that though they are dead yet shall they live again. Let us weep, not for the dead, but rather for the living. Does it seem that the clouds hang so heavy and dark that not one ray of light may penetrate through the gloom? Then let Faith bear you upon her snowy pinions forward to the time when you shall meet your loved ones again, nevermore to part. As I listen, I seem to hear, “harp strings touched by angel's fingers,” and it seems as though, “evermore their sweet song would linger,” in my heart, “We shall know each other there.” Pray for me that I may perform my duty faithfully, being ever desirous of being led by the good Spirit, in all things submitting myself to the will of Him who doeth all things well; and let us never mind the scoffs nor the jeers of the world, but strive to obey God in all his blessed requirements so that at last we may obtain eternal life. Hoping with all of God's dear children to gain an entrance through the pearly gates into the golden city. I remain your pilgrim sister, Praying for Faithful Messengers
By L. C. Hutchins
BRO. SMITH: I desire once more to express my interest in the momentous truths advocated by the Review, with my own hopes and desires in relation thereto. I have been pained by the affliction of the messengers; especially so when reflecting upon the fields whitening for the harvest. I have prayed the Lord to send forth more laborers, but fear my feeble aspirations have partaken far too much of the spirit of the poet, when he said, “Come let us pray that come it may, as come it will, for all that.” Bro. Waggoner’s letter is timely. I feel stimulated to entreat the Lord, by earnest prayer, that God would fit and send forth suitable messengers, to proclaim the last, loving message of warning and mercy to a sinful world, which I sincerely believe is now going forth. But such must first be baptized in the bitter waters of affliction, to prepare them for the solemn, self-denying work. So, indeed, must all God’s chosen ones. I believe the time is not far distant when severe trials and persecutions shall shake out the world-loving, the joking, the trifling, time-serving, and lukewarm among the people of God, and leave the solemn and warm-hearted alone to battle for God and his truth. Who shall be able to stand? Like those of old I feel to inquire, Lord, is it I? “Shall such a worthless worm as I,
Who sometimes am afraid to die,
Be found at thy right hand?” It is truly lamentable that by mistakes, misapprehensions, and haste in words and actions, we so often bring afflictions upon ourselves and others. I am truly sorry for my own shortcomings, and desire to exercise toward others the same charity and forbearance which I now humbly ask at their hands. My mind has been solemnly affected while reflecting upon the injunctions of Scripture to reprove, rebuke with all long-suffering and doctrine. “Thou shalt not suffer sin upon thy brother, but shalt in anywise reprove thy brother.” While, no doubt, the duty to reprove sin rests with greatest weight upon the leaders of God’s people, who of us can complacently fold our hands, inquiring, Am I my brother’s keeper? beholding, and fellowshipping the wrong-doer, while the world mock on, and sinners are hardened. Would it not be well while prayerfully endeavoring to arouse from lukewarmness and put away our sins, to humbly, kindly, honestly, and faithfully reprove the sinner, remembering the time is at hand when “fearfulness shall surprise the hypocrites, and sinners in Zion shall tremble,” lest haply at the last day the blood of souls be found upon us? And would not such a course have a tendency to stop that undercurrent of gossip which flows from lip to lip, poisoning the stream of friendship, drying up the fountains of brotherly love, and distracting the church and the world, and which is the reverse of that charity which thinketh no evil? My heart is saddened with such things. God loves the sinner while he loathes the sin. Can his children do less? For my own part I see in such a course nothing contradictory or unforgiving, but the strictest consistency with true charity and holy living. Far be it from me to cast upon the church, or the ministry, or any one, any burden which should lie upon my own shoulders. We live in a peculiarly solemn time. Oh! to be prepared for coming judgment! This is, of all things, most important. For this I am willing to make all lawful concession to all—and, if need be, to have cast upon me undeserved obloquy. The Judge standeth at the door. To him I have committed all. So long as I am faithful I have no fears for my reputation, dear though it be. Having committed to Him all, He will not permit more than I can bear, since mine is his. Only be faithful! Poor, weak self! When shall I overcome? Thank God, through Jesus Christ our Lord, a way is open. Ten years’ experience has deepened the impression that it is far better to live out the truth than to contend about it, and such shall be my endeavors. I am thankful for the light upon health reform, and am striving to conform in habit to the laws of my being. I have never had the severe cross in this which has weighed upon most. Having been somewhat familiar with most of the principles of the reform from childhood, and practiced them in a measure, I have not been called at this time to omit, with but a very slight exception, stimulants or condiments for myself or family. I have eaten no pork for about three years, and find mind clear, and health good upon vegetable diet. Perhaps it is due the cause to say that, although skeptical in the beginning, I am convinced, upon trial, that two meals of graham are as satisfying to nature, as three of the fine flour with flesh diet. I will only add that I am thankful for open vision. I have for some years listened with candor to friends and foes with the book of God in my hand as the criterion by which to judge, and am compelled to say the work is God’s. But when I read humble confessions from those in high stations, I feel humble in view of my own shortcomings and theirs, and can only exclaim, Truly, “we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” It is not my forte to follow the leaders blindly, like sheep passing a gap in a fence. But upon patient, faithful investigation I hope to ever follow in the light of Bible truth. The world looks like a dark forest through which I am traveling. While scriptural present truth, as a lamp, just shows me where to place my feet in the narrow way. I see the light of eternity beyond, and dare not listen to the myriad syren voices calling to me from the tangled copse, lest for a moment I suffer my eyes to turn from looking straight before me, my attention to be diverted, and I forever lose sight of the pole star of my hope, and am lost.