p. 110 | Review and Herald, Vol. 44, No. 14. (9/22/1874)

Who Was Machiavel?

By J. S.

CROLEY, in his Apocalypse, speaks of the ten kingdoms formed from the Roman power. His authority for the number and names of these kingdoms is Machiavel’s History of Florence, liber 1. Other commentators on the Scriptures also claim that the Roman power was divided into ten parts, or kingdoms. While the former may be charged as sectarian or of making the interpretation to suit their case, no one can say this in the narration as set forth by Machiavel? What Machiavel asserts is a strong link in the chain of Advent faith. It corroborates prophecy. Gibbon has given the general features of Rome’s fall, and Machiavel particularizes. Both together erect a beacon which gives a true signal to the voyager on the ocean of time. Their united testimony in favor of Bible truth forms a fortress like a Gibraltar. Says the Encyclopedia Americana:—

Machiavel was born in Florence, in 1469, of a noble family. On account of his distinguished talents he was early appointed chancellor of the Florentine Republic. He was afterward advanced to the post of Secretary of State. He was four times plenipotentiary at the French court, twice at that of the pope, and twice at that of the Emperor Maximilian. The writings of the immortal Florentine may be arranged under four heads,—history, politics, belles-lettres and military treatises. His eight books on the history of Florence, written at the command of Clement VII., begin with the year 1215 and end in the year 1492. His extensive knowledge of the Latin authors gave him the key to the treasures of Roman history. We find him so conversant with Livy, one of the ablest Latin historians, that he writes a treatise called: “Discourses on the ten books of Livy.” The eminent Rousseau and Montesquieu, French authors, have drawn freely from his works.

But we have other testimony: Macaulay, author of the History of England, says of Machiavel: He was through life a zealous republican. The same year that he composed his manual of Kingcraft, he suffered imprisonment and torture in the cause of public liberty. We are acquainted with few writings that exhibit so much elevation of sentiment, so pure and warm a zeal for the public good, or so just a view of the duties and rights of citizens, as Machiavel. There is no reason whatever to think that those among whom he lived saw anything shocking or incongruous in his writings. Abundant proofs remain of the high estimation both of his works and his person, and so they were held by the most respectable among his contemporaries. Clement VII. patronized the publication of the very books which the Council of Trent in the following generation pronounced as unfit for Christians. His public conduct was upright and honorable, and when his views of morality differed from those around him, it seemed to be for the better. The last great work of this illustrious man was the history of his native city.

Florence about four hundred years ago contained 175,000 inhabitants. Her 80 banks conducted the commercial operations not only of Florence, but of all Europe. The history of Florence was written by order of the pope, who at that time was its sovereign. In speaking of the merits of said history, Macaulay says: The relations of all its points are strictly true, but the numerous incidents which lighten the interest, the words, gestures, the looks, are evidently furnished by the imagination of the author. It is in style, ancient. Classical histories, says Macaulay, are romances founded on fact.

History classes our subject in company with such characters as Galileo and Michael Angelo.

The accuracy of Machiavel’s division of Rome into ten parts is made quite apparent by an examination of the seven trumpets of Revelation, and, notwithstanding the church of Rome has pronounced his works accursed things, although an English cardinal has assailed his character, and a French Protestant has written against him; yet will the evidence history furnishes, help dispel the insinuations of falsehood which the enemies of truth would array against prophecy. J. S.

Battle Creek, Mich.

Another No-Sabbath Argument.

By J. H. Waggoner

If there is no obligation to keep the Sabbath in this dispensation, we think its opposers will be likely to find the true reason some time, for their brains are as prolific with reasons as Egypt was with frogs. None of those yet devised, however, seem to answer the purpose, for they show their dissatisfaction with them by constantly raising new ones. The last one is the product of an ingenious preacher in Indiana. He said, when the Saviour answered the question, what good things should be done to inherit eternal life, he quoted only the precepts on the second table of stone. As he did not mention any of those on the first table, none of them are now binding. Of course the Sabbath, being contained in one of them, is not now in force!

This is frank, and right to the point. It is strictly consistent with every principle which makes void the fourth commandment. It is true that, according to this reasoning, profanity and image worship are no sins, but what of that if the Sabbath can be disposed of? Every theory of Sabbath abolition tends to the same point; to the utter abolition of the highest moral obligation.

Now in all soberness, has not this matter been carried far enough to satisfy all who have any regard for the honor and the word of God? Are all the opposers of the Sabbath of the Lord so blind that they cannot see the intent of such a theory? or are they so lost to a sense of moral restraint that they can publicly advocate the abolition of moral obligation, and leave the world free to idolatry, to false worship, and to profanity, and not blush for their course? May the Lord spare his people in these days of error and delusion, and lead the honest of heart to see and acknowledge “the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.”

J. H. WAGGONER.

That your Prayers Be not Hindered.

By Jos. Clarke

1 Pet. 3:7.

It appears from this passage, disjointed as I have quoted it, that our prayers may be hindered. Any wrong course of life, any neglect of duty, any open or secret sin, may hinder, not only answer to prayer, but even cause us to cease to pray; for who will continue to pray when God is not in our prayer, and faith is frozen out?

It is an old and true saying, that praying will make us leave off sinning, and sinning will make us leave off praying. This being so, how careful we should be to both cease from sin and continue in prayer. Such a course persevered in, will solve the most difficult problems in life, and untie its hardest knots, and overcome its greatest difficulties, and will finally conduct us to the mansions on high.

Who has not felt that his prayer was hindered when he left for even a moment the path of rectitude to wander in the paths of sin? and who has not felt that his prayer was hindered when duty was neglected, or when the world came in with its cares or its charms?

Of all sin, no one is more disgusting to the Spirit of God than discord, whether it is social, domestic, ecclesiastical, or civil. It is a heinous sin, and is potent to banish good angels and all good from the scene. Oh! let us cherish the spirit of peace and love. Jos. CLARKE.

God's Judgments.

THE Christian Statesman of Sept. 12, 1874, thus speaks of the calamities that have been, and are still, afflicting the land:—

“Destructive forest fires are raging in New Jersey, and in the vicinity of Newburgh, New York. The eastern part of the country is suffering from a protracted drought. The water supply of Philadelphia is greatly reduced; the play of fountains has been stopped, and the utmost economy in the use of water, and caution in avoiding fire, have been enjoined on the citizens. The late crops are impaired, and the price of food has risen in consequence. The business portions of Russellville, Kentucky, and Greenville, Mississippi, are reported to have been destroyed by fire. Thoughtful men will see in all this, continued evidence of God’s displeasure with the nation. It is not without cause that he ‘stays the bottles of heaven, when the dust groweth into hardness, and the clods cleave fast together.’”

Idleness and the Ruin of Men

The ruin of some men dates from some idle hour. Occupation is an armor to the soul.

Medina, Wis.

By C. W. Olds

I commenced meetings here July 14, in the tent, and remained seven weeks. Held in all fifty meetings. Our congregation averaged about one hundred. The interest was good to the last, and the majority acknowledged the truthfulness of our position, and feel to tremble under the cross. Twelve publicly expressed a willingness to obey. The last two weeks of the meeting Bro. O. A. Olson was with me, and helped me much, for which I feel very thankful.

Feeling our work done here for the present, Sept. 2, we removed our tent to Lind, Waupacca Co., where I have held five meetings with increasing congregations. Sept. 5, 6, attended the quarterly meeting at Fremont. Three were baptized, and four united with the church. We all felt that it was good to be there. I expect to remain at Lind as long as the interest may demand, trusting in the Lord to gather in honest souls for the kingdom. C. W. OLDS.

The Maine Conference.

By J. B. Goodrich; Timothy Bryant

THE S. D. Adventists of Maine held their eighth annual Conference on the camp-ground near Skowhegan, Sept. 4, 1874. Conference called to order by the president. Prayer by Eld. J. N. Andrews. The following churches were represented at the Conference: viz., Canaan, Hartland, Cornville, Woodstock, Deering, N. Jay, So. Norridgewock, Athens, Brunswick.

Six Sabbath-keeping companies partially organized were with their delegates taken under the watchcare of the Conference: viz., Smyrna Mills, Somerset Mills, Bradford, Bridgewater, East Dover, and Richmond.

Voted, That Brn. Butler, Andrews, and all other brethren in good standing in their respective churches, be invited to take part in the deliberations of the Conference.

The Secretary’s report of the doings of the last Conference was called for, read, and accepted.

Voted, That the President appoint the various committees, whereupon the following were appointed: Nominating Committee, Geo. I. Butler, J. C. Choate, Charles J. Gifford; On Resolutions, J. N. Andrews, Wm. H. Blaisdell, R. S. Weber; Auditing Committee, I. C. Choate, J. A. Davis, Joseph Hilton, James A. Dickey, Ansel T. Gifford, C. R. Davis; On Licenses, G. W. Barker, Wm. Morton, Geo. W. Washburn.

Adjourned to the call of the chairman.

SECOND SESSION.

Prayer offered by Eld. Geo. I. Butler. The Nominating Committee reported the names of the following brethren for the officers of the Conference for the coming year, and they were elected: President, J. B. Goodrich; Secretary, Timothy Bryant; Treasurer, Samuel T. Grant. For the two remaining members of the Executive Committee, Geo. W. Barker, Wm. Morton. Camp-meeting Committee, Geo. W. Barker, Hiram E. Tuck, T. S. Emery.

Voted, That the credentials of Eld. J. B. Goodrich be renewed, and that the license of Wm. H. Blaisdell also be renewed.

Voted, That the matter of selecting camp-meeting grounds for another year be referred to the Executive and Camp-meeting Committees.

The secretary’s and treasurer’s reports showed the standing of the Conference to be as follows: No. of churches, 9; No. of members, 185; No. of Sabbath-keepers not yet united to any church, 91; No. paying S. B. 142; No. of Sabbath-school scholars, 217.


Amt. of S. B. pledged to Conference,	$935.77
Amt. in treasury at commencement of the year,	21.85
Rec’d during the year,	738.19
Total,	760.04
Paid out during the year,	$757.79
Bal. in treasury at date,	2.25
Amt. pledged to book fund,	563.00

Resolved, That we acknowledge with gratitude the mercy of God in giving to us the light of his truth, and that we declare our fixed purpose to walk in that light, and to exemplify its excellence by living in accordance with its holy principles.

Resolved, That we will, according to the ability which God gives us, assist in all the enterprises connected with the advancement of the cause of truth. Adjourned.

J. B. GOODRICH, Pres.

TIMOTHY BRYANT, Sec.

To the Church of S. D. Adventists.

By J. B. Frisbie

Dear Brethren: Over twenty years ago I started out to preach the third angel’s message. I left father, mother, and the world, believing with all my heart in the near coming of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. I settled my family in the western part of Battle Creek village. We commenced a small prayer-meeting of about five or six. I had encouragement that by laboring one-half of the time with my hands to support my family, I could lecture the other half of the time, as the friends of the cause at that time were few.

As I labored, God gave me some little success, which encouraged me to labor on until the civil war, until the dark and cloudy day in our experience. Then I moved back to Chelsea Mich., where there were no Sabbath-keepers, fell sick and became discouraged, and lost the shield of faith, and sank back in part where I was when the truth first found me. But praise be to God, I never lost my love for him or for my dear brethren, whom I believe prayed much for me. The Lord has answered their prayers, and my mind has been troubled at times, that all was not right.

My daily prayer has been, O Lord, lead me into the truth. I have not publicly opposed the church, nor united with any other, and do not think the Lord ever entirely left me. I believe he put it into my heart to attend the Michigan Camp-meeting, and led my brethren to reach out the hand of brotherly love and kindness, and lead me where the Lord could pour out his Spirit in great power upon me, and let me see myself as I was, poor, blind, and weak, without the strength of God. I see again new beauty in the third angel’s message, and in the great unity and harmony of this people above all others. Babylon is certainly fallen, and her light has gone out. The fulfillment of prophecy and the signs of the times put it beyond doubt. The end is near.

Dear brethren, I want to come back all right, fitted up anew for the great work before us. I wish to put myself again under the watchcare of the church. If you should see fit to receive me, unworthy as I have been, I want you to put me into the place where I can work to the best advantage for the cause for time to come, that I may redeem the time that has run to waste. I feel too weak to go out to labor alone. If it should be desired that I go out to lecture again, I would like the company of some one to assist in all the labors incident to the raising up of new churches in new places, in the power of the Spirit of God. May the Lord help me to profit by my past experience.

J. B. Frisbie.

Prophecy No. 8: Symbolic Lines of Prophecy

By W. H. Blaisdell

Prophecy.—No. 8.

We next turn our attention to prophecies which are clothed in symbolic language, and which point out events that would occur in consecutive order in the history of the world, among certain nations and governments of earth.

These prophecies are brought to view by the introduction of certain symbols consecutively arranged, so as to constitute what may be termed lines or chains of prophecy, each one pointing out a certain class or series of events that would successively transpire, beginning with the days of the prophet, and extending on through the various phases of these governments to the end of time.

Dan. 2:31–44 contains the first prophecy of this class to which we propose to refer. “Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible. This image’s head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass, his legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay. Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces. Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.”

Daniel, to whom the secret was revealed, informed the king that God designed to make known to him by means of this dream what should come to pass hereafter. Verses 19, 28, 29. Now we inquire in regard to the instruction designed to be given by means of the symbol here introduced: Is it a subject of mere conjecture and speculation, the meaning of which perhaps can be ascertained, and perhaps not? or does its interpretation lie among mysteries perfectly unfathomable and incomprehensible to the human mind? We think that neither of these two positions can be true, from the fact that Daniel proceeds to give an explanation of the meaning of the dream; and it is therefore but reasonable to suppose that, if he undertakes to show its meaning, he would do it by using plain language, not symbolic of itself, else the interpretation would be just as dark as the symbol, and hence would need still another interpretation before its true import could be ascertained. On examination, we shall see plainly that although it is a symbolic prophecy, yet its interpretation is strictly literal.

Daniel says: “This is the dream; and we will tell the interpretation thereof before the king.” Verse 36. “Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of Heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory. And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold.”

Thus we are informed by Daniel what is symbolized by the head of gold. He applies it to the literal kingdom of Babylon, which then held the sceptre of universal dominion, and of which Nebuchadnezzar was king at the time he had this wonderful dream. This kingdom was founded by Nimrod, the great grandson of Noah. Gen. 10: 8–10. It continued nearly seventeen hundred years, under different names, till the time of its overthrow in the days of Belshazzar who was its last king.

“And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee.” Verse 39. To ascertain what was symbolized by the breast and arms of silver, the second division of the image, we have only to learn what kingdom succeeded Babylon. In chapter 5:28 we are furnished with information respecting this point. “Thy kingdom [Babylon] is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.” Here we learn that the Babylonian Empire was succeeded by the Medo-Persian. We can also learn the same facts from historical records. This subjugation of the Babylonian Empire was accomplished in the year B. C. 538. Thus we see that the interpretation of the second division of the image is strictly literal, explained by the prophet to mean the literal kingdom of the Medes and Persians.

“And another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth.” Verse 39. What is symbolized by this portion of the image? In chapter 8:5–7, 20, 21, we are informed that the Medo-Persian kingdom was conquered by Grecia. This conquest was effected by Alexander in the year B. C. 331. It is said that Alexander conquered the world and then wept for want of more worlds to conquer. Here then we have the literal kingdom of Grecia, which for a while ruled the world, holding the sceptre of universal dominion, symbolized by the brass, the third division of the image.

“And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron; forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise.” Verse 40. What is symbolized by this division of the image? It must be the Roman kingdom which succeeded Grecia in the dominion of the world. It dates in prophecy from B. C. 161. It was Rome that held the sceptre of universal dominion when the decree went out from Cæsar Augustus, a Roman Emperor, that all the world should be taxed. Luke 2:1. The historian refers to Rome as the mistress of the world!

“And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potter’s clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay.” Verse 41. What is symbolized by the feet and toes of this image, consisting of iron and clay, as here brought to view? Daniel shows this to be a representation of the ten divisions into which the Roman kingdom should be divided. These divisions of the Western Empire of Rome were accomplished between the years A. D. 356 and 483. The names of these divisions as given by Machiavel, Bishop Lloyd, and others, are as follows: 1. The Huns in Hungary, A. D. 356. 2. The Ostrogoths, in Mysia, 377. 3. The Visigoths, in Pannonia, 378. 4. The Franks, in France, 407. 5. The Vandals, in Africa, 407. 6. The Sueves and Alans, in Gascoigne and Spain, 407. 7. The Burgundians, in Burgundy, 407. 8. The Heruli and Rugii, in Italy, 476. 9. The Saxons and Angles, in Britain, 476. 10. The Lombards, in Germany, 483.

Verses 41–43 point out these ten divisions, and also the fact that all efforts to unite them again into one general government would prove ineffectual. This has been strikingly fulfilled, for, though efforts have been many times put forth in this direction, they have as many times failed, and though these divisions have undergone some changes in regard to extent of territory, boundary lines, &c., yet they have been, and to some extent are still, known as the ten divisions of Western Europe. Thus we see that the prophet gives a literal interpretation and meaning to each division of the symbol here introduced.

Now let us hear him tell what comes next: “And in the days of these kings shall the God of Heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.” Verse 44. Now we inquire, Where are we standing in this line of prophecy? Not in the days of the Babylonian Empire, nor the Medo-Persian, nor the Grecian, nor the undivided state of the Roman kingdom, for all those empires long since came to an end.

Where, then, are we? The answer is evident: We are far down the stream of time, in the divided state of the Roman Empire as represented by the feet and toes of the image, where it was smitten by the stone.

Yes! nearly fourteen hundred years have passed since the ten divisions of the Roman Empire were completed, and though we are not especially informed by this prediction how long these divisions will continue to exist, yet it is reasonable to conclude, even from this prophecy alone, that the history of earthly kingdoms as represented by this image is nearly finished, and that the time is not far distant when the kingdom of God shall be set up. And we may learn positively from the light of the sure word of prophecy as it beams forth from other prophetic scriptures that we are even now standing very near to that sublime and momentous event.

This will be a literal kingdom, finally established on the new earth; not to be overthrown and succeeded by others, as the kingdoms represented by this image have been, but when once established, it is to stand forever.

Never will it become a prey to the ambition of an Alexander, a Cæsar, or a Napoleon; never will its fair fields be laid waste by the mustering legions of contending armies engaged in deadly conflict; never will the fair city, the New Jerusalem of Rev. 21, the capitol of this peaceful kingdom, be made the spoil of conquering forces; never will its walls of jasper be demolished, or their beauty marred, by deadly missiles hurled from an enemy’s ranks; never shall an enemy scale those walls, or effect an entrance through those pearly gates; never will its streets of gold be polluted, its mansions sacked, or its inhabitants assassinated, by the merciless hordes of an overrunning and victorious army; never shall the peaceful sceptre of universal dominion be wrenched from the hands of its rightful king and ruler, the Son of God, whose right it is, Eze. 21:27, and of whom it is written: “He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of

his father David; and he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.” Luke 1:32, 33.

May it be the lot of both writer and reader to be subjects of that immortal kingdom.

“We have passed the coasts of Babylon, the Medo-Persian lights, We have left the Grecian landmarks far behind; We’ve been sailing down the Roman shore these many hundred years, And the chart declares the port we soon shall find.”

W. H. Blaisdell.

CHRIST IS MY ROCK.

Christ is my Rock—foundation sure, On which I build my faith and hope; ’Mid earthly tempests still secure, Exultingly my soul looks up— While furious winds and beating rain, And sweeping flood assail in vain.

Christ is my Rock—within whose side I’ve found a cleft—a safe retreat— There ’mid life’s woes I ever hide, And find in him communion sweet Till earthly storms shall all pass o’er, And I shall gain the heavenly shore.

Christ is my Rock—when hosts of foes In dread array my soul surround, And earth and hell my way oppose, They cannot my calm heart confound; The Eternal Rock is my defense— My refuge is Omnipotence!

Christ is my Rock—whence waters sweet In rich profusion ceaseless flow, To cheer me ’mid the burning heat As through life’s wilderness I go. Oh! thirsting souls come drink with me, These living streams—so pure—so free.

Christ is my Rock—beneath whose shade While wand’ring in this weary land, Drooping and faint my steps I’ve stayed, And ’mid the desert’s burning sand— Thus sheltered from the scorching sun, I rest me till the heat is gone.

Christ is my Rock—when wrecked by sin, And whelmed beneath despair’s dark wave, Death claimed me for his prey—Oh! then I saw an arm stretched out to save! And to that blessed Rock it led: The Rock that towered above my head!

Yes, there I found my rest, my hope, My peace, my joy, my happy home! Oh! how my thankful soul mounts up To think when earth’s dread storm shall come, In nature’s last convulsive shock, I shall exult in Christ my Rock.

Springville, Greenup Co., Ky.

By S. Osborn

I commenced meetings here Sabbath evening, Sept. 11, and gave four discourses in the school-house. Organized a church of nine, and baptized two. There are others we think will join soon. The most of these brethren and sisters have been keeping the Sabbath about two years, have kept up their Sabbath meetings most of the time, and have grown up in the truth. The interest seems to be as good as when I first came here, over two years ago. Systematic benevolence was pledged, amounting to $38.10.

I am now on my way to the Ohio Conference. We wish the prayers of all the people of God for the success of the cause in this mission. S. Osborn.

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