Review and Herald, Vol. 16, No. 15.
THE ORIGINAL, NATURE, PROPERTIES AND USE OF THE LAWPage 1
Earlier text: THE ORIGINAL, NATURE, PROPERTIES AND USE OF THE LAWCheering indeed are the accounts that come in from different parts of the field relative to the progress of the cause. God is blessing the feeble efforts of his people to advance his cause in a wonderful manner. And it is to be feared that many do not realize this, and do not prize the blessings of high Heaven which favor the cause of present truth. 1. God is preparing the people to hear the message, and is inclining their hearts to hear it, and in some instances the most touching Macedonian cries, "Come over and help us," come from those who have hitherto been indifferent upon the subject of religion. And it is generally the case where ministers oppose, and where unpopular Bible truth is discussed, that those called by the churches outsiders, are found sympathizing with the truth. The monotony of stereotyped orthodoxy has become painfully wearisome, while plain Bible truth possesses a stirring power which captivates the candid, unprejudiced hearer. 2. The truths for this time are so plainly revealed in the word of God that it is comparatively an easy task to defend them, and expose the popular fables of the day, so that in most cases where they are opposed or discussed, the truth gains a victory. The more able the opponent, the greater the victory. This should lead those who hold the truth, and battle for the truth, to humble gratitude to the Author of divine truth. 3. Our publications are just what the cause needs. In them the great truths connected with our message are clearly stated. And although they accomplish comparatively little without the living preacher, yet our preachers could do but little in establishing churches in the present truth without them. These publications have been written with great care by those who felt the importance of the work, and whose sole object was the advancement of the cause of present truth. A great work has been accomplished in this respect. And the church should prize this great blessing very highly. Now if they wish to set Bible truth in a clear manner before their friends, for a trifling sum they can do so by purchasing and giving them our publications. 4. Another great blessing with which God is favoring this cause is that he has inclined the hearts of his people to sustain it. All that has been asked of the church to do in assisting the publishing department has been done. The groaning of the Power Press moved by steam power, which we this moment hear below, which prints eighteen copies of the Review in a minute, reminds us of this. WERE WE AS A PEOPLE PREPARED to hold church property legally, and more means were called for to carry forward the increasing business of the publishing department, our people would at once raise it. There are hundreds of brethren and sisters among us who would esteem it a pleasure to cast into the treasury from five to one hundred dollars each to place the publishing department on the best grounds possible. Again, our Missionary operations in new fields are being fully sustained. While Eastern brethren are liberally contributing to this object, Western brethren, young in the cause, are making spirited efforts to sustain the cause among themselves. This is as it should be. We give it as our opinion that among our smallest wants is the want for means. Our brethren are ready to take hold anywhere that promises to advance the cause. Our preachers, East or West, standing in the counsel of God, will have success. And our brethren seeing this, will regard it as their highest privilege to sustain them. We do not say that all professed Sabbath-keepers will feel and act thus, but our brethren will. And when they liberally hand out their means they expect that it will accomplish something, and it is right that they should. Among our greatest wants is a want of consecration to God and the great work to which he has called us. This is deeply felt in every department of this work. It is the high privilege of our preachers to bear a living, burning testimony that will find its way to the hearts of the people. O, how God wants to pour his Spirit upon his chosen servants. We must be allowed to suggest that there has been a shunning to bear a plain, pointed testimony against sin and error, and for the truth. This brings spiritual darkness upon the minister. He loses his power with God and with the people, and the church, without realizing the cause, becomes feeble. May God revive the living, cutting testimony among us. The want of consecration is felt in our weekly paper. And here it is felt most deeply, as the Review gives tone to the cause everywhere. Hundreds scattered away alone have no other preacher and conference-meeting than the Review. It should go to them every week filled with sound doctrine, good instruction, rich experience, and plain and fervent exhortation. This is what the church needs everywhere, but especially the lonely ones. We want a living paper, a living ministry, and a living church. But before this can be, the testimony to the church of the Laodiceans must go through in power and do its work. With us there is pride, love of the wealth and spirit and fashions of this world, covetousness, selfishness, love of ease, &c., which keeps the dear Saviour from coming into that close relation to us which is our high privilege. O God, give these words power to reach the dear reader's heart—"Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and sup with him and he with me." Rev. iii, 20. Just open the door, and Jesus, that lovely guest, will come in. This language describes no common blessing. God help the dear brethren to understand the conditions. That which shuts the door of your heart, and bars him out, must be put away, so you must realize the terrible force of these words, "I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot. I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing: and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love I rebuke and chasten; be zealous, therefore, and repent." Some, when this subject was dwelt much upon a few years since, seized upon it to give force to their fanatical ideas of selling and disposing of property. Others used it to enforce their extreme notions in regard to plainness of dress, while some others, who were perpetually dwelling upon others' faults, instead of searching for their own, took fresh courage in their blind work. These deceived persons exerted a sad influence on the conscientious, and the church generally where their influence reached. Each had his peculiar notion to enforce, and all must come to it before the Saviour, in the language of the text quoted, would "come in and sup" with his people. These things, with the opposition of some others to plain testimony, had a most discouraging influence, and but little has been said upon the subject. But it is our opinion that the church is now prepared to be benefited by the testimony. Let each take it home. Liberality is a virtue, rightly exercised; but if we are so liberal as to give to others this testimony which is an affectionate appeal to our own hearts, we shall meet with a loss without benefiting others. Jesus stands at the door and knocks for admission. Yes, he blesses our feeble efforts in some degree to advance his cause. Let us be thankful for this, and reach out for the fullness of his saving power. He visits his people now and then with the dews of heaven; but, O, for the droppings of the latter rain. He visits them with the teachings of some of the gifts, which should kindle in them strong desires for that time when they will all be restored, and the church be able to read their own experience in the book of Acts. The cause is onward, and ere long will move with great power; but, mark, the church must be thoroughly converted first, and fully consecrated to God, and to his holy work.
J. W. ORGANIZATION.
By O. Nichols
DEAR BRO. SMITH: I read from the Review that at the tent-meeting in Fairfield, Iowa, a church was "organized" by adopting articles of faith "from the Bible as the only rule of faith and practice," subscribing to the same, and sur-naming themselves "The church of the living God." Now after a consideration of the objects of church organization, that it is for the advancement of the cause of truth, and the last message of mercy for the world—and the objections that have been so much urged against it—I am impressed that it is right. I cannot see in this case that any righteous principle is transgressed, nor that it will have an immoral tendency, so long as the church strictly adhere to the principles of "the law and the testimony" for their faith and practice. The subscribing to articles of faith unto the Lord, and making themselves a name is referred to by Isaiah xliv, 5. "One shall say I am the Lord's ; and another shall call himself by the name of Jacob ; and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the Lord, and surname himself by the name of Israel." Order was an established principle with the apostle Paul. A legalized organization seems to be expedient for the church to hold their property legally, such as meeting-houses, office of publication and press, money invested in the cause &c. But many are startled, and say "this is making the church with Babylon, and partakers of her fornication. We think not. Babylon is an apostate church. Compare the figurative terms, "Whore, harlot, whoredom, fornication" which represent Babylon, Rev. xvii, with Eze. xvi, 15–35; xxiii, 2–45; Hos. iv; Jer. iii, 1–14; Isa. lvii, 3–8; Nahum iii, 4. From these references it will be seen that Babylon's "fornication" has no reference at all to the church conforming to the laws of the civil government for the regulation of temporal concerns, but otherwise, "spiritual fornications" signify expressly acts of apostasy, " the departure from "the law and the testimony," and the worship of Jehovah, to an unlawful connection with idolatrous sects, or false religious sects of every kind. We will present a few Bible reasons in favor of Christians' availing themselves of such civil laws and provisions as will favor the cause of truth and their temporal concerns. 1. The church of God was permanently subjected to the authority of the governments of the world in their captivity to Babylon, from which they have never been free. 2. The civil powers were ordained by God, and Christians were commanded by the apostles of Christ to submit themselves unto them "to every good work." Peter charged the holy people to "submit to every ordinance of man, for the Lord's sake." Rom. xiii : Titus iii, 1 ; 1 Pet. ii, 13–15. Paul availed himself of the privilege of a Roman citizen, and appealed unto Cæsar to avoid the judgments of the Jews. Ezra would not act independently of the king of Babylon, when he went up to Jerusalem to restore the law and the worship of God. Although "the hand of the Lord was upon him" in this mission, yet Ezra applied to the king for lawful authority, and he "granted him all his request." Ezra vii. For these reasons we think it right for the church to avail themselves of the civil powers when practicable for the cause of truth. DEAR BRO. SMITH: Since writing last we have heard from Marquette, that the cause is still prospering there. Bro. C. B. Wheelock writes under date of Aug. 13th: “Brn. Loughborough and Steward: Having a few moments leisure I will write you a line to let you know that through the grace of God we are still alive, and still have a hope of immortality and everlasting life. Our faith is increasing. We have been lonesome since you left, but we have been made to rejoice in serving the Lord. We had a good meeting Tuesday night at Bro. Ticknor's, also at Bro. Noble's Sabbath eve. But on the Sabbath-day the meeting was one long to be remembered. It would have done you good to be there; for the Spirit of the Lord was there. Probably Marquette never was visited with such a prayer-meeting. There were fifty grown persons present, and ten children, all Sabbath-keepers but two, and all belonging in this vicinity but one family. Over forty took part in the meeting. There were some fourteen or sixteen Sabbath-keepers that I know of in our vicinity that were detained from attending the meeting. You have estimated the number of converts too low. There are some sixty that I can number here that keep the Sabbath, to say nothing of the children of those families. Friend Lang (a Methodist preacher) has been in Marquette the most of the time since you left. His labors do not appear to be blessed of the Lord. He does not have the luck to turn any back, but all appear to grow stronger in the Lord. We expect the Mackford brethren next Sabbath and what shall we do for a house large enough for the meeting? I expect we shall have to go to the warehouse. Mr. Elkin's house was full last Sabbath. I will take the responsibility of sending love and best wishes to you both for the little band in Marquette, praying that the Lord will prosper you at Lodi, and that great good may be done there through your ministration. Pray for a poor unworthy worm of the dust that I may ever be found faithful, and at last meet where parting shall be no more.” C. B. Wheelock. Our meeting is still in progress here in Lodi. We have had large and attentive congregations all day today (Sunday) to-night a tent full sat almost with breathless attention, while Bro. Steward gave a history of the fulfillment of the first angel's message. The interest comes up at every meeting. We expect to see a good work here. Pray for us that the Lord's work may move on in power. As the tent season is nearly closed, the brethren in Ills. and Wis. may wish to know how we are situated as to means. We would say that we have used up the means the brethren have raised to run the tent, and $15, that Bro. Lathrop borrowed for us. Besides this our expenses have exceeded receipts some seven dollars. The brethren have given us encouragement that they would do something for us after harvest. We would say that those who wish to help in this matter can do so by sending their means to L. Lathrop, Freeport, Stephenson Co. Ills. J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
T. M. STEWARD. HOLINESS, OBEDIENCE TO THE THIRD ANGEL'S MESSAGE.
By B. F. Robbins
The conditions of the covenants which God has made with his people in all dispensations, are designed by obedience to make his covenant-people a holy, sanctified people. The obedience of Abraham to the conditions of the covenant God made with him secured to Isaac and Jacob the fulfillment of the promise made to their father Abraham. Gen. xxvi, 3-5. “Because that Abraham obeyed my voice and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes and my laws.” The conditions of the covenant with the children of Israel at Sinai were designed by obedience to make them a holy people. “Obey my voice.” Ex. xix, 5–8. “If ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then shall ye be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people.” “And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests and an holy nation.” Three days afterward God spake in the hearing of the people from the summit of Sinai, the ten commandments, as the conditions of the covenant, by obedience to which they were to be his peculiar treasure, and a holy, sanctified people. It is the design of the new covenant especially; for the conditions of the covenant are transferred from the tables of stone, and written by the Holy Spirit in the hearts and minds of his people. “For this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord: I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts, and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people.” The condition of obedience in the third angel's message is the condition of the covenants, and designed to accomplish the same work by obedience to bring out a holy, sanctified people, keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. In fact, a real heart obedience to this message is holiness, because the commandments are God's prescribed rule of perfection or holiness. Now as believers in the message of the third angel, as those who profess to be the remnant people mentioned by the prophet Joel, and identified by the revelator by peculiar characteristics which make that remnant a peculiar people from all others, we must be holy, and the reasons why we should be are weighty. Because God commands us to be holy. “Be ye holy, for I am holy.” Jesus commands us, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” The apostles and primitive churches were holy, and this is evident from their lives and labors. The address of the inspired apostles to the churches of their age is an acknowledgement by the Spirit which inspired their epistles, that those churches were sanctified, and the attainments of apostolic Christianity should and must be the attainments of God's remnant people now. Our position amid the rapidly fulfilling prophecies of the last days, the end near, and the Master soon to come, the great work to be accomplished, makes the attainment of holiness indispensable to the remnant as a preparation for usefulness in the work before us, and for the coming of Jesus. But what are the conditions of holiness in order to its attainment? The same they ever were. The apostle Paul says to the Corinthians [2 Cor. vi, 17, 18], “Wherefore come ye out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord,” and “Touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” I know that in part at least we as a people have complied with the conditions mentioned here. We are separate from the corrupt churches of this age. We are separate, I trust, from the corrupt politics of this nation. Our sisters have renounced the corrupt fashions as prevalent in the nominal churches. But are we wholly separate? Is there no worldly conformity in our deportment and conversation? An entire separation is the requirement in order to be the sons and daughters of the Lord. The conditions require of us an entire transformation from the world, a renunciation forever of its customs, follies and fashions. But I am aware that the separation required will subject you and me to contempt and reproach from the church and the world, to the imputation of self-righteousness, of being singular, &c. Can we, like our Master, endure such things? Are we willing to be esteemed fools for Christ's sake? Can we sacrifice the esteem of friends, and be treated by them contemptuously and coldly? But again the apostle says [Rom. xii, 1], “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” Here we are required to sacrifice or dedicate to God unconditionally, irrevocably, and eternally, all that we have and are, and the sacrifice to be actually laid upon the hallowed altar. Here is required a consecration of all we have, of all we love, to God, to be disposed of according to his most holy will. And while considering the nature of the sacrifice required as a living, entire, unconditional one, do we doubt our strength to make it? Remember, if determined to do it, the aid of the Spirit is promised, and his assistance will enable us to accomplish it. Now let me ask, Are we willing to make the sacrifice of ourselves, all our powers of body and mind, to the service of God, to be employed as his word and providence shall dictate? This implies a faithful discharge of duty, as required by his word and Spirit. Are we willing to consecrate all we possess to God? I know with most of us our worldly possessions are but little, for but a very few of the rich will receive the humbling truth of the last message. But are we willing to consecrate that little? Are we willing to resign our dear earthly friends to God's disposal? Our affectionate wives, our tender, loving husbands, our precious children—can we give them up to the disposal of God's most holy will for life or death? Are we willing to sacrifice our will, and sink entirely into the will of God in all things? Are we willing to sacrifice our unbelief, and make a covenant with God to believe his word, and live a life by faith on his Son? Are we willing at all times and in all places to bear testimony to the truth and faithfulness of our covenant-keeping God? Now here is the consecration required of us all as the condition to the promises of holiness, and is in fact but obeying the third angel's message; for that requires at least all that we have specified. But do we any of us hesitate in view of these requirements? Think how weighty and powerful the reasons which press us to immediate compliance with the conditions of holiness. Let me present a few reasons why we should decide to-day. 1. Because God requires it of us as our reasonable service. 2. Because it is the only reliable evidence that we are the sons and daughters of God. 3. Because holiness is an indispensable qualification on the part of the remnant church to receive the promised gifts of the Spirit; and because it is our only preparation for usefulness, and for the coming of the Master. Now permit me to answer two or three questions which may arise in the mind of the brother or sister who may read this: Will the consecrated and holy be free from the trials and conflicts of life? No; but they are the only ones really prepared to meet and overcome them. Jesus was tried, and many were his conflicts. Will they be free from the temptations of our enemies? No; Jesus was tempted; but temptations are not sin unless we suffer ourselves to be overcome by them. But do you, reader, inquire, How may I attain a clean heart? Do you say, I have sacrificed all to God: my all is on the altar? Then “This is the will of God even your sanctification.” Surely if our will is consecrated to God it is in harmony with the will of God. He wills you to be holy, and so should you will to be also. Does this look like presumption on your part? Is not the presumption on the other side in remaining unholy? Our will is a controlling influence, and it will control your decision. Dear reader, which will you make? Let me press the question, Will you be holy? I ask not, Will you be holy to-morrow, or at some future time, but now? God wills you to be holy now, and I ask, Is such your will? This is not a question of time, but of will; “for now is the accepted time.” “To-day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” Let me ask my brother or sister, Have you resolved to sacrifice all upon the Christian's altar, most holy? for Jesus is our altar, and our sacrifice laid upon him is holy. Is unbelief sacrificed? If so, then one act of faith on our part completes the work. Believe that the blood of Jesus cleanseth from all sin. Not that it will, or that it can, but that it does now, and for me. Amen. If the blood of Jesus cleanseth now, then, blessed be God, I have a clean heart. The blessed work is done for me, and all the glory be to God. But you inquire how I may know this? What is the evidence upon which I may rely that I am sanctified wholly? The word of God is its own evidence, and we can expect none aside from his word. His word says, The blood of Jesus cleanseth. Do we present ourselves, our all, a living sacrifice? Then the testimony of the truthful God in his word is, It is holy and acceptable. Amen. Is not this sufficient evidence, and can we ask for any more reliable? No. Can we believe this testimony? O doubt not God's faithful word. But you may again inquire, Does the attainment of holiness place us above the liability of committing sin? No: there is still danger, requiring on our part constant watchfulness and prayer. But suppose that under the influence of temptation we should be drawn aside so as to bring ourselves under condemnation, and we lose our confidence? “My little children,” says John, “these things I write unto you that ye sin not. But if any man sin we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Here is a perfect restoration to holiness on the condition of confessing our sins. Do we believe this promise? But in order to retain our confidence we must faithfully confess to our brethren our experience of the truth and faithfulness of God. It is for his glory and the encouragement of our brethren. “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” And now where I have failed in my imperfect instructions upon this vitally important subject, may the Holy Spirit supply the lack in the mind of every reader. And O may there speedily be a cloud of witnesses to testify in truth to the power and efficiency of the blood of Jesus to cleanse from all sin. Amen. TENT MEETINGS IN N. Y.
By R. F. Cottrel; John Nevins Andrews
We left Pompey Aug. 6, and pitched near North Parma, Monroe Co., and commenced meetings in the evening of Aug. 10. We have now been here at work ten days, including two Sabbaths and first days, with a good attendance the most of the time, and a deep and increasing interest. The prospect here is apparently as good as in any place we have been in this season. We left Bro. Sperry behind to baptize some at Pompey and at Kirkville, and sickness has prevented him from joining us as yet. We hope he will be able to join us soon. Brethren pray that the Lord will give his servants strength to labor in his holy cause. There is a need of laborers in the field. The harvest is great and the laborers are few. We remain another week—till first day, Aug. 20. Then if our work here seems to be done, we intend to go to Somerset, Niagara Co., where we expect to hold our closing tent meeting for this season. We cannot state positively in regard to that meeting, but now expect to commence there in the evening of Aug. 31. We desire the prayers of the people of God. R. F. COTTREL.
J. N. ANDREWS. North Parma, Aug. 20, 1860. MEETINGS IN VINTON, IOWA.
By M. E. Cornell
The interest of this meeting is extending considerable distance. Several evenings there have been loads from eight and twelve miles distant, and one man came seventeen miles to hear in the evening, and returned after meeting, reaching home at 3 o'clock in the morning. Two men and their wives came twenty-five miles with an ox team to hear and give us the urgent call of “Come over and help us.” They said the people were very anxious to hear, and if we could not come they must continue to pray for help; for the people are starving for the truth. Last Sabbath for the first, we had a meeting at 10 o'clock, which was attended by about sixty persons, who listened attentively to an account of the rise and progress of the last message. The people called “Disciples” were on hand for battle as usual. It seems that their champion McConnell, had written a letter volunteering his services if they were needed. Some of their members were disciples indeed, and were learning the truth fast. Their preacher seeing that they were in danger of losing several, took a livery team about day-break and started post haste for McConnell. After one day's delay, he came and spoke in the court-house to about sixty persons. His burden was, The law is abolished. At the same time we had about three hundred at the tent. This no-law champion sent up some propositions for discussion which he knew we would not accept, for we told him so in Marion. These were publicly read, and because we would not accept them, they raised the cry of “back out.” One of the propositions was the following: “The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments mark out the first day of the week as a day of religious service.” We told him in Marion that we would affirm as much of Wednesday or any other day. He also sent the following for us to affirm: “The spirit of man is mortal!” We told the people that we regarded the Elder's course as unworthy and insulting; for we had repudiated both these propositions in the presence of several witnesses. But this was a little “fox” game to save a sinking cause. Bro. Snook left last Thursday for Marion, and thence to his family near Fairfield. It was with much regret that I parted with him, to feebly labor on alone the rest of the season. Bro. Snook has many friends here who would rejoice at his return, especially among his former brethren, the Disciples. The tent will remain here this week only. We have not decided where to go next, are awaiting a letter from Rome. Bro. M. F. Sipe, who has had the care of the tent thus far will go home after this meeting. Will state the result here next week. M. E. CORNELL. Vinton, Iowa, August 20, 1860. Brotherly Love.—It has a quality alike distant from haughty, superciliousness on the one hand, and low familiarity on the other; it savors of the court of heaven, it cannot be imitated. Counterfeits are apparent, yet they are not always protested at first sight for various reasons. He who would entrap a friend to save himself, is not only not a Christian, but is what Noah Webster would term a villain. Webster is a good definer of words, and is generally relied upon. A Rare Fault.—Some men are exceedingly liberal by nature; Satan soon finds it out, and robs them lest they might perchance do some good with their money; thus it generally happens that good and liberal men soon become poor. Oh that good men were more discreet. "Nice Points."—The exact point where cheerfulness slides into hilarity, and the precise line between economy and meanness, and the dividing line between liberality and lavishness, between zeal and fanaticism, between moderation and slothfulness, between strictness119and severity, and the like, are often termed nice points to determine. What would you think of the man who would drive his carriage close to the brink of the precipice above the Niagara Falls, and not quite sliding off, should coolly calculate how much nearer he might drive to the edge of the rock, calling it a nice point? The Adder.—I would recommend to deceitful, revengeful persons, the unamiable character of the serpent species, who horrify alike the bold and the timid; think much of the slimy reptile, who slily wounds the heel of the innocent passer-by. To the Proud.—You will find that the ear of corn which has no grain upon it stands very erect, while the full ear bends down with its own weight. A Fact.—A coward cannot long remain a Christian, he will either become a hero or an apostate. No coward ever attained to a heavenly crown. Counterfeit.—One might cheat a broker with a coin of pewter, but let no sane man attempt to counterfeit a Christian virtue. Means.—The ripe scholar needs only books and instruments, and practice to advance in his studies, while the child needs the living voice. So the experienced Christian should go forward of himself, trusting in God. Public Worship.—Individual affronts, and private grudges (if such, alas, there be) are no more to be alluded to in public worship, than the collection of a sixpenny debt has to do with a public convention. Oh that people would reason and exercise common sense. Inalienable Rights.—If you visit a neighbor how careful you are not to disturb even the least of his family. How much more when we meet to worship God should we respect the feelings of all who choose to attend, always remembering that wherever we meet for worship, that place is (for the time) our Father's house; and who knows what might be his displeasure if even the least of his servants were treated with disrespect. Some are too ready to think themselves slighted. Such people are proud and are not aware of it. How beautiful the humility of the Syrophoenician woman whose humility and ready wit found such an appropriate answer. She was not offended when Jesus pleasantly spoke of giving the children's meat to the dogs. Her humility procured health to a daughter, and a lasting record. Had she pouted as many would do, and hurried off in a pet, complaining and murmuring, her daughter might have died a maniac, and we should never have heard of her humility and faith. Sorry and Glad.—We lament the fate of the wicked, but we are very glad that they are to be separated from the righteous; many are the miseries here from the close contact of good and evil; but it is almost over. Praise the Lord, O ye righteous. Begging.—It often happens that children of people in good circumstances get in the habit of asking for whatever takes their fancy: and if the child has a fair countenance, and good address, it often attains to a profound knowledge of the begging art, and the parent all the while blind to the disgusting habit; apples, candy, sugar all attainable by this low habit; and it sometimes happens that the children of the poor especially those of the lower strata, get this bold way of asking for favors. The refined and well bred person loses no credit in asking favors (all are more or less dependent), and there is a delicate way of making known our wants: but really it is such a pleasure to hear some persons ask a favor, while it is so different with others. Can you explain it? One thing, I would advise parents to take this burden upon themselves, and not harden their children to it. I am glad the coveting, grasping, insatiable beggar is an exception in the church. I have heard that there were two kinds of poor, the Lord's poor and the Devil's poor; and I must believe it so. Pertness of Children.—Who has not sat disgusted, indignant and sad, as he has listened to the miserable, flattering stories some parents tell about their children in their very presence. The child looks up as much as to say, "I'm not a common boy. Do you not see how my father is proud of his son? What feats I have performed! What wonderful things I have said!" Is there anything more flat, more simple than such a parent, and such a child? The parent shallow, the child pert, and both silly. Parents note the faults of your children, correct them, and let their virtues console your lonely hours. Elder — says that the soul is a spiritual body, with organized, spiritual brain and limbs; then he admits that the resurrected body is a spiritual body, and it too is an organized body, and he holds that there will be a reunion of these two bodies in the resurrection; here he finds a difficulty which he did not think of before; two different bodies united to make one, (what theological bungling). Yet it looks glorious to the Elder. Perhaps he has a taste for the Siamese twins. I am sorry to have to descend to such illustrations, but there is a cause. Alas for the times! MORNING COMETH.
By A. L. Wilkinson
The morning cometh, lo! 'tis nigh,
Behold far in the eastern sky
Its dawning rays appear.
With joy the saints the day behold,
By ancient prophets long foretold,
In glory drawing near. Lift up your heads ye sorrowing ones,
Behold your King, Immanuel comes
In beauty and in power;
Then those dear ones death tore from you,
Will rise again and greet your view
In that triumphant hour. Hail then with joy the rising beams,
For brighter, brighter now it gleams—
That grand auspicious morn.
We'll meet them there, the loved and lost
Who died in Jesus; what a host,
From death's rude grasp are torn. O sing for joy thou mourning saint,
Come dry your tears you must not faint,
The prize is almost won.
For those who to the end endure,
The promise of our Lord is sure,
He'll say to thee, "Well done," O swifter waft, ye wings of time,
And bear us to that blessed clime
To meet our Saviour there,
When he shall come the Prince of peace,
When all our pains and griefs shall cease,
And endless joys we share.
A. L. WILKINSON.
Owosso, Mich. L. N. Francis writes from Cass, Hancock Co., Ohio: "I would send a few lines to the Review that the brethren may know what the Lord has done and is still doing for me. The last ten or twelve years of my life I have been deprived of my eye-sight, and of course I have been likewise deprived of reading the word of the Lord for myself. But during this time the Spirit of the Lord worked with me. I have felt that there must be something done to secure eternal life in my Father's mansions; but how I was to receive the truth I scarcely know, as the Bible was construed in so many ways that I could understand but little of it. I almost sunk in despair of ever finding the straight and narrow path that leadeth to life. But in the year 1857, I think, Bro. Cornell pitched the tent near the town of Findlay, Ohio, and there gave a course of lectures, which created considerable excitement in this settlement. It was some time before I could be persuaded to go and hear for myself, as I thought perhaps it was another profession springing up only to add to the confusion that already existed. At last I made up my mind that I would go and hear what this new doctrine was. "I was too late to hear anything on the prophecies. I heard on the Sabbath and immortality of the soul, which I thought appeared to be very plain truths, but not knowing how the breach in the law had been made, or how we had been kept in the dark so long concerning those truths, they did not take a very deep hold on me. The tent moved to another place, and I was as yet very much in the dark. I could not rest my all upon a faith I knew so little about, and so became very careless about the ways of religion. But this world having no charms for me, I was led to make another effort to secure eternal life. My friends had taken books on the prophecies and the third angel's message during Bro. Cornell's lectures in this place. I thought I would hear them read. I did so, and was much encouraged. It gave me much light on the Scriptures. It gave me to understand how the man of sin had thought to change times and laws; how Sunday-keeping had come to be the mark of the beast, and likewise gave me much light on other disputed points. In the autumn of 1858 a debate took place between Bro. Cornell and Eld. Bulger, one of the United Brethren in a town some 120 miles distant from this place. It was on the law, and I think it was stated in this way: Resolved, That the ten commandments as given on mount Sinai are binding on all nations and in all dispensations. Elder B. strove hard to make it appear that this law was nailed to the cross and abolished. But his efforts to abolish the law only caused the truth to shine more brightly. Never did the truth on this point look more beautiful to me. Then it was that I took a decided stand on the side of truth, and I now delight in the law of God. Surely the Lord has done wondrous things for me. Yes brethren, I feel that in the perils of these last days I need the whole truth that I may be made able to stand, and know how to escape the things that are soon to come upon this wicked generation. And now, although the light of the sun may be of little or no benefit to me, I have received a light that shines much brighter. It is the light that lights me on my way through this gloomy world to mount Zion, and I know it will shine brighter and brighter until the perfect day."