Earlier text: HOLINESS TO THE LORD. 1VERSE 1. And when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. Ques. What had these women been doing during this holy Sabbath day? Ans. They had been resting “according to the commandment.” Luke xxiii, 56. Q. Was their coming to anoint him an evidence of belief, or unbelief, in his resurrection? A. Unbelief. Supposing him dead, and having no knowledge of his rising on the third day, they came to pay their last respects to his remains. Q. Was this anointing the same as embalming? A. It was probably the same. “They took the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.” John xix, 40. Q. Inasmuch as Nicodemus and Joseph had already anointed him (John xix, 38, 39), why should these holy women now do so the second time? A. In order to especially show their love and reverence for their Lord. Dr. Clarke says that as the embalming by Nicodemus and Joseph was hurriedly performed, they now, after the Sabbath had passed, came to complete the work. Bitter indeed must have been their disappointment as they saw Him in whom centered all their hopes laid away, cold and inanimate, in the dreary tomb. Those alone of his disciples who saw the time pass in 1844 without bringing their Lord from Heaven, can realize the depth of their sorrow at this time. VERSE 2. And very early in the morning, the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. Q. How are we to understand the record in Matt. xxviii, 1, where it says, “In the end of the Sabbath,” &c.? A. Lexicographers and commentators are generally agreed that the original has the signification of “The Sabbath being past,” &c. “After the end of the week: this is the translation given by several eminent critics.”—Clarke. Q. How can we harmonize the fact of the women here coming at sunrise, with the statement in John xx, 1? A. Probably those who loved the Lord commenced coming to the sepulchre very early in the morning, even before it was light, not having slept, perhaps during the whole night. The discrepancy which there seems to be between these two writers is easily explainable, we think, from the fact that there was a continual coming and going from the sepulchre at this time, and John receives his knowledge of the event from the account given by Mary, who probably was on her way while it was yet dark. VERSE 3. And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? Q. How did they know a stone was placed at the door of the sepulchre? A. Mary Magdalene and others “beheld where he was laid” when Joseph “rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre.” Mark xv, 46, 47; Luke xxiii, 55. Q. Did they know that he had been previously embalmed? A. According to the different evangelists, some of these women, at least, followed after, witnessed the operation of embalming and beheld where he was laid. VERSE 4. And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great. Q. By whom was the stone rolled away? VERSE 5. And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment: and they were affrighted. Q. Who was this young man? Q. What facts may we learn from these statements? A. That these heavenly beings do not grow old, for we learn that the “morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy,” at the creation of the world; and yet here is one of these same beings, about 4000 years after, having the appearance of a young man. Also, they sometimes appear in the person of men. Q. Was this the same angel that rolled away the stone? Q. What was the appearance of the angel that rolled away the stone? A. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow. Matt. xxviii, 3. Q. What effect did the appearance of this angel have upon the guard? A. It caused them to shake and become as dead men for fear of him. Matt. xxviii, 4. VERSES 6, 7. And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.
But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him, as he said unto you. Q. Why this injunction to tell his disciples and Peter? A. That Peter might be assured that he was still a disciple. From the course he had pursued relative to denying his Lord before his death, he might doubt whether he had any part with them, and the Lord took this course to re-assure him. Peter’s heart sank within him after his Lord’s crucifixion, and he said to his fellow-disciples, “I go a fishing,” or return to my old occupation for a livelihood. But afterward, when he was sure that Jesus had risen, he stated that he had been “begotten again unto a lively hope.” 1 Pet. i, 3. Q. When did he say he would go before them into Galilee? VERSE 8. And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man: for they were afraid. Q. How were the disciples told to go? Q. Who met them on the way? VERSE 9. Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. Q. Where may we find a particular account of this meeting with Mary? Q. Was this before or after the previously-mentioned incidents occurred? VERSES 10, 11. And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept.
And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not. Q. How were the words of these women regarded according to Luke’s account? VERSE 12. After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country. Q. What shall we understand by his appearing in another form? A. He probably appeared in the form or garb of a traveler, his countenance not being changed. Q. Where may a detailed account of this interview be found? Q. Who were those two disciples spoken of? A. Cleophas or Alpheus, and probably Peter. VERSE 13. And they went and told it unto the residue; neither believed they them. Q. What is here meant by the residue? A. The remainder of the eleven disciples, thus showing these two to be of the eleven. VERSE 14. Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. Q. Is there any evidence that the disciples were here assembled to celebrate the Lord’s resurrection? Q. Is there any evidence to the contrary? A. The apostles did not then believe he had risen. They were together because they undoubtedly all abode in one place, and at this time were partaking of an ordinary meal. VERSE 15. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Q. How broad is this commission? A. Broad enough to cover all probationary time, and embrace all nations. Q. Had this commission been previously limited? A. It had been restricted to the Jews. VERSE 16. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. Q. Is believing necessary to salvation? Here quite an interesting discussion took place upon the subject of baptism. It is evident that baptism is not as essential to salvation as believing, else the hundreds and thousands of honest-hearted disciples of Christ, who have died with a good conscience answered by sprinkling or pouring, will not be saved. The Lord requires the earliest possible compliance with all his requirements, yet there may be circumstances where it would be impossible for persons to be baptized, who are owned and accepted of God. Q. Of what is baptism the figure? A. It prefigures the death and resurrection of our Saviour. VERSE 17. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; Q. How long was this commission to last? Q. May devils be cast out and people speak with new tongues in this age? A. They may if they have faith. Some interesting ideas were here thrown out relative to the church not being wholly responsible for the great sin of unbelief in these last days, but that the Man of Sin would have to bear very much of it, it being through his agency that the church had been led into the gross darkness in which she has been for so many long ages. But now that light and knowledge upon the word of God are spreading, and the church coming up out of the wilderness, we must individually bear this sin as the light comes to us. Q. Why do these things not occur? A. On account of the great lack of faith on the part of the church. VERSE 18. They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them: they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. Q. Is there any Bible instance of any one taking up a serpent without harm? Q. Is there any later promise of the above nature? VERSE 19. So then, after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into Heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. Q. Was Christ taken up at this time, or later? Q. How long after his passion was he taken up? Q. What office does Christ now fill? VERSE 20. And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. Remark. These signs spoken of continued to follow the disciples of Christ as long as they exercised that faith which it was their privilege to do, but when they began to lose their confidence, permit doubts to come in, and unite with the world, they were no longer able to perform these things; the Lord on account of their unbelief, not abiding with them as formerly. How much of the book of Job shall we regard as inspiration? And if not all, what part? The mind of the class seemed to be that it was all written by inspiration. The fact that there is therein recorded the sayings of different individuals, which conflict and contradict each other, is no proof that their sayings were not written by inspiration. In certain places in the Bible, Satan is represented as saying certain things which are not truth, yet we know that such sayings are written by inspiration. We would not, however, use such contradictory sayings to prove any doctrine. We believe that those portions of Job which we use to prove doctrine are generally the saying of Job, and not the sayings of those different individuals. [Bro. Gage being again absent holding a meeting in Bedford, one less qualified has been called upon to report the proceedings of the Bible Class this week; therefore, any deficiencies that may appear, may be attributed to that fact. E. G. RUST.] Tell me the meaning of Scriptures. One gem from that ocean is worth all the pebbles of earthly streams.—M'Cheyne. Report of the Battle Creek Bible Class.
REPORT FROM BRO. RODMAN.
By P. C. Rodman
At the close of my last report I was laboring with the church at Washington, N. H. The labors of Bro. and Sr. White and Bro. Andrews were blessed of the Lord to this church. Wrongs were confessed by the erring, and some twelve or more of the children made a start to obey the Lord and be overcomers; so that when the above-named servants of God had to leave to attend their appointment in Enosburgh, Vt., it was thought best for me to stay over the following Sabbath. I did so, and held seven meetings which I think were profitable and interesting. Had good freedom in bearing testimony. The brethren sought the Lord earnestly, and the children that had made a move, advanced, as was fully evident, except one, so that I felt to say, Good is the Lord, and his mercy is toward them that fear him. Jan. 2, started for Dartmouth, Mass., to join Bro. Howard in holding meetings with the church there. After staying over night with Bro. Rice, in Boston, went on my way, and arrived at Bro. G. L. Ashley's next day. Found Bro. H. waiting. We had nine meetings with them. This church was in a deplorable condition, having had but very little labor bestowed upon them for years. They had become weak by removals and deaths, until they had given way to discouragement, and Satan had them nearly at his command. But we dealt faithfully and kindly with them, and the Lord blessed the effort, so that we left them encouraged and decided to make a faithful attempt to overcome; and they will if they persevere in obedience to the truths of the third angel's message. Jan. 9, Bro. J. T. Ashley took us on our way to Fall River. There we took the cars for our appointment with the church at Curtis Corners, R. I. Arrived the same evening at Bro. Tucker's, where we were welcomed by himself and family. This church is laboring under some discouragements, and needed help. This we tried to impart. There was quite a good attendance on Sabbath by brethren from other churches. Wish they could all have stayed through the meeting, so as to have had the benefit of the faithful testimonies of Brn. Howard and Haskell, who did the preaching; for the Lord blessed his word and good was done. But we did not see all accomplished that we might if all had humbled themselves as we must, to enjoy the comfort and help of the Holy Spirit in leading us into the liberty of the children of God. After holding seven public meetings, and one to arrange S. B. for 1868, Bro. Howard returned to Dartmouth, and Bro. Haskell and myself to Ashaway. Found Satan had been hard at work here, and some had been too willing to be influenced by him, so that, our time being short, it was nearly all spent in trying to get them into working order. Bro. H. labored with interest and some success. We helped what we could, holding eight meetings with good results, but not all that might have been accomplished if all had stood at their posts when we began, or had taken hold afterward; but the Lord worked with us, to his name be the praise; and I do hope to see every one of this little company pressing their way to the Mount Zion. The 22d, after the blessing of being at home a few days, left my family in good health as usual, to struggle on without me amid care and temptation, trusting the Lord will care for them, comforting and restraining them as they may need, and, in company with Bro. Haskell started for the Lancaster Monthly Meeting. After two and a half days' drive, reached Bro. Haskell's home. When I come to reflect on the state of the cause in Dartmouth, Mass., Kingston and Ashaway, R. I., I think I can understand better why Satan is trying to distract this people and keep them in a sickly state, without salvation. He knows that if they come up in the work as they should, he would not only lose them as his subjects, but the children would follow their parents, and also friends around would be drawn in, and embrace the truth. This idea was confirmed by the report Bro. Howard brought us from Dartmouth when I met him at Lancaster. Again, in these places they are behind on the health reform, especially the sisters. Does not this speak strongly in its favor? for where they have taken hold of it faithfully, they are united and prospering, the Lord adding to their numbers; and where they rather oppose, by being slow to move, and begin to question the Testimonies, there Satan comes in and divides their hearts, and they lose the good Spirit of God, and so peace departs. God is the author of peace in all the churches of the saints. Judge ye, who is dividing his people. Our meeting at Lancaster was a success. Some few came in from other places. Held three social meetings, seven or eight discourses were given, and the church was comforted and confirmed. One from Vernon, Vt., who had been backslidden for years, started anew; another confessed his desire to be a Christian and go with this people. The 27th, Bro. Howard started for Maine, to join Bro. Canright. I tarried here and held two meetings, speaking at some length in each. A good impression was left upon the minds of those who came in to hear, so that I feel that if the church is faithful, the Lord will add to their numbers such as shall be saved from among their neighbors. The 30th, started for Washington, N. H., to attend Monthly Meeting. Arrived at Bro. C. K. Farnsworth's about 3 P. M. In our first meeting, Sabbath eve, after I had spoken a short time, nearly all took part, which was interesting to me, as it gave evidence that there was a mind to work in the work of God. Thus his work is made to prosper among them, in their growing in grace and in a knowledge of the truth. Washington, N. H., Feb. 3, 1868. It is very indiscreet and troublesome ambition which cares so much about fame; about what the world says of us; to be always looking in the faces of others for approval; to be always anxious about the effect of what we do or say; to be always shouting, to hear the echo of our own voices. A WORD TO THE DESPONDING.
By John Q. Foy
As I think of how many there are who are bowed down by sore temptation, almost ready to give up, driven almost to despair by the suggestions of Satan, to whom he is saying, “It is no use trying, you might as well give up; only a few will be saved; and there are so many who are better than you are,” &c., &c.,—when I think of this, and realize the weakness of human nature, and the almost unlimited power of this cruel adversary, how I wish that I might speak words of encouragement. But I am at a loss how to begin, or what to say. The very ones who most need encouragement, who are most sorely tempted, are generally the last to be encouraged by anything that may be said; and Satan is so busy, and knows so well how to attack them that everything designed for their benefit is turned by him into a new weapon with which to attack them, and only tends to drive them still nearer the brink of despair. Although, as I sincerely believe, God has a special care for such, and to such apply the words of our Saviour, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven,” yet Satan well knows that it is not his purpose to save them independent of their own efforts, and so long as he can make them yield to these feelings of discouragement, and thus keep them from their duty, he is satisfied. Now if Satan is so intent on our destruction, and is so zealously engaged in the accomplishment of his purpose, is it not an evidence that there is yet hope in our case, and that God is willing to save us? Or must we charge him with such consummate folly as would be manifested in making such efforts for the destruction of those who are already beyond the reach of mercy. “But,” says one, “the harder I try, the oftener I am overcome.” Strange indeed! Think you, that when we are carelessly dreaming of our own destruction, expecting and hoping for nothing better, that shrewd enemy would take special pains to arouse us? Alas, no! We are already too securely in his power. It is when we, being made aware of our danger, make an effort to elude his grasp, when God in pity and compassion reaches down his arm to deliver, and lifting upon us the light of his countenance, dispelling the darkness with which we have been enshrouded, causing hope to revive,—it is then that this arch-fiend, seeing his prey about to be taken from him, rallies his forces, and renews the attack. And he knows just where to begin. At one time he may suggest that we are deceived, and thus cause doubts to arise in our minds; and we, by harboring these doubts, drive the Spirit of God from our hearts, and again we are in darkness. At another time he may throw us off our guard, causing us for a moment to forget our weakness, and we, by becoming careless, and ceasing to watch, and perhaps by neglecting prayer, lose the blessing; then, taking still farther advantage of us, he suggests, and generally with more or less success, that it is of no use for us to try. Here let me say, Prayer is our only hope, and has the enemy been so far successful in his efforts to discourage us that our seasons of prayer are less frequent, and our petitions less earnest, then has he gained a great victory over us, and we may be sure that so long as we neglect this imperative duty, this invaluable privilege, we shall be unprepared to withstand his fiery darts, and to resist, successfully, his evil insinuations. “Prayer makes the darkest cloud withdraw,
Prayer climbs the ladder Jacob saw,
Gives exercise to faith and love,
Brings every blessing from above.”
Then how important that we spend much time in prayer; not satisfied with praying merely morning and evening at the family altar, but pray in secret, and the promise is, our Heavenly Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. Do we feel poor and unworthy? Do we, discovering the deceitfulness of our own hearts, and realizing our weakness, feel utterly insufficient for the task before us? Then should we, after making up our minds to be wholly the Lord’s (for God requires the whole heart), plead with him for the Holy Spirit to aid in this great work (for truly it is a great work, that of overcoming sin and Satan, of subduing self, and bringing our wills into complete subjection to the will of God, and every thought and feeling of our hearts into conformity to the Spirit and teachings of Christ, and requires more true courage and more real generalship than the act of subduing a nation, or even of quelling a civil rebellion), always bearing in mind, the suggestions of the enemy to the contrary notwithstanding, that so long as we are so sorely tempted and tried, the Spirit of God is yet striving with us, and we are yet within the pale of his mercy. But why is it that we are so easily discouraged? Not so is it in things pertaining to this life. Here we may encounter difficulties and disappointments, and no matter how great, they must and will be surmounted. “Try again,” is our motto, and we do try, and generally succeed. Now, making all due allowance for the strong foe we have to contend with, I am inclined to think there is a lack of interest, a want of energy on our part, a love of ease and an unwillingness to sacrifice. Says God, through the gifts of his Spirit, “Those who are willing to make any sacrifice for eternal life will have it.” What is there that we would not give up, what effort is too great to be made, if we may but obtain eternal life? True, there is great danger of self-deception; hence the exhortation of the apostle: “Prove your own selves.” But how are we to do this? By comparing our lives with the precepts of God’s word. Here our duty is made plain. “Abide in me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself except it abide in the vine, no more can ye except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches. He that abideth in me and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit; for without me ye can do nothing. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.” Jno. xv, 4-8. But how are we to know whether we abide in Christ? “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love, even as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.” Jno. xv, 10. Nor is this a work of small magnitude. Nor is it necessary in order to encourage those for whom these thoughts are intended, so to represent it. Those who are really honest, and really desire to know and do the will of their Heavenly Father, who have the cause of God at heart, who “love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity,” and realize the great “love wherewith he hath loved us,” and what he has suffered to redeem us, are willing, yea, esteem it a privilege, to “know the fellowship of Christ’s sufferings.” They have Heaven without any effort on their part? the reward without the labor, the rest without the toil, the crown without the cross? Never! Heaven would not be Heaven, nor could they enjoy that which they were at no expense to obtain. Reward sweetens labor, and vice versa. Thank God for the cross. With Paul we will “glory in the cross of Christ.” To those who are shrinking at the straightness of the way, unwilling to make the sacrifice, seeking to lay up treasure on the earth, desiring its riches, its honors, its pleasures,—to such I have only to say, Seek encouragement from another source. The Book of God affords you none except you repent. To such the language of the spirit of prophecy is, “Cut loose, cut loose.” Heeding it, you are saved; disregarding it, you are lost. There is no time to be thus wasted down here when the last sands of time are running out, “probation’s last hour expiring,” old earth, weary of the accumulated burden of almost six thousand years of sin and crime, about yielding to the throes of her last death-struggle, when victory, final, glorious victory is about to turn on Zion’s side, and they who have fought and bled, spent their lives in the cause of God, are soon to receive their reward, and realize the full fruition of their hopes, and to enter upon the enjoyment of greater bliss than ever the imaginations of mortals conceived. Oh! if all else is denied me, let me but hear the victor’s song! Time is fleeting. Jesus is soon coming. Satan’s hosts are raging. It is a continual warfare. Here is no rest, no place to lay down our armor. How important that we learn to exercise faith in God! Without him, the strong must fail. “The weakest believer in the truth,” says the Testimony, “relying firmly upon Christ, can successfully repulse Satan and all his host.” Says Paul, “I can do all things through Christ strengthening me.” “By thee,” says David, “I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall.” We may do the same. Let us take courage. Let us be in earnest, and like Bunyan’s pilgrim, putting our fingers in our ears, cry, “Life, life, eternal life!” Let us make up our minds to have eternal life at any cost, and persevere, and we shall have it. “Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.” Jas. iv, 7, 8. “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money [you who feel so poor, so unworthy, so destitute of everything that would recommend you to God], come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk, without money and without price.” Isa. lv, 1. “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts, and let him return unto the Lord, for he will have mercy upon him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” Isa. lv, 7. And so we might continue to draw from this inexhaustible mine these pearls of untold value. But let this suffice. Read these, and many other soul-cheering promises in the word of God, remembering, and carefully complying with the conditions upon which they are based, “for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” 2 Pet. i, 11. Hubbardsville, Madison Co., N. Y. REPORT FROM IOWA.
By George I. Butler
My last report closed with the meeting at Pilot Grove, Jan. 11 and 12. During the following week, I spent several days at the hospitable home of Bro. Kilgore, at Washington. At the request of Bro. K., I spoke in the district school-house one evening, upon the signs of the times. There was a good congregation present, and good attention paid by those who came out. Hope it was not a lost season to all. Jan. 18 and 19, held meetings at Fairfield. There was some interest manifested Sabbath and Sunday by the few who are left there, to attend the meetings and hear the truth. But things look quite discouraging at F. The brethren are quite generally scattered, making it somewhat difficult to attend meetings, and everything in the past, with the exception of within the last year or so, has had a tendency to sadden the hearts of those who are trying to live. There were at first over forty who came out nominally into the truth, but now only three of those who originally came out are with us. Others have been added, from time to time, since that,151so that there is a small church left. Many of those who came out at first, split off on organization, and some others in the last defection, while quite a number of those who remain need a mighty awakening, in order to come up to the standard of some other churches in the State, to say nothing of the great preparation necessary, to prepare us for the kingdom of God. While trying to speak the practical truths of the Bible applicable to these last days, that all might see their true condition, the Lord helped by his Spirit, and in our last meeting, Sunday, many on the back-ground were melted to tears. Some are trying to move forward with the body, and we expect a few, at least, will be saved in Fairfield. We hope the effort was not lost, and that all will quicken their pace in the great work of overcoming. Jan. 25 and 26, held meetings at Knoxville. A goodly number were present from Sandyville. I gave four discourses in all, Sabbath and Sunday, besides a conference meeting in which nearly all present took part. We had a very good meeting, but not that freedom I have seen in some other places since leaving home. The truth is, many have come to a stand-still; and many are getting further and further from the Lord. And while such are hesitating as to whether they will take an advance step, and have not concluded to be wholly for the Lord, but are looking back in the direction of the world, the Lord withholds his Spirit. The time has come when a decision must be made. As Bro. Smith wrote in a late Review, many are making that decision; and some, I fear, do not realize it—that their actions show they are deciding on the wrong side. These are very solemn reflections to me. How careless many are in regard to these things upon which hang eternal destinies. But while we are careless God's work goes on. Those who are making the needed effort, giving all for the kingdom, availing themselves of every means of grace, every help, have light in their dwellings; while those who take the opposite course, grow more and more indifferent, and, I fear, some of them will never realize the folly of their course till the wrath of God will be felt in their own persons. God is in earnest with us as a people and as individuals. We must walk while we have light, or darkness will be the consequence. Some in Knoxville see these things, and are trying to act upon them. Others, I fear, do not. On the whole, things in this church are taking a more favorable turn, and a gathering influence is to be seen. We trust it may increase. At Sandyville we met Sabbath and Sunday, Feb. 1 and 2. Quite a number were present from Knoxville. Very good attention was paid, and considerable interest manifested in the preaching. But there was a feeling of coldness plainly perceptible in all the meetings. We had a communion season to close with, Sunday afternoon, and I can but say that there seemed to be full as much interest manifested by some to be attending to their worldly business as to this solemn ordinance of the Lord's house. In short, some felt they could hardly spare the time. While this was observable, it fully explained the coldness felt in the meetings. It is unpleasant to make these observations, but if there is any sense in having reports at all, it is best to have those which give a truthful statement of matters. Yet there are a goodly number in this church who are trying to be found in the work, and who are in full union with the body; and I expect the Lord will yet work in Sandyville. There are some good omens to be seen, some hopeful signs; and I fully believe there will never be darker days for the prosperity of that church than some they have already seen. May God give grace to help all those who do feel like moving forward in the work of God. A few reflections force themselves upon my mind in regard to these churches and some of the trials through which they have passed. One great lack when they first embraced the Sabbath and kindred truths, and came out a separate people, was plain, practical teaching on the principles of the Christian religion as it has existed in all ages. What we call “present truth,” if I rightly apprehend it, is but truth which has been buried for ages and brought again to light, and some truths which have a special application in the last days. Honest souls are scattered all through the religious denominations of the present time, which as bodies, have fallen from the favor of the Lord by rejecting the doctrine of Christ's coming near at hand. These churches all have more or less truth mixed up with popular tradition, and since their moral fall have been growing more and more proud, worldly, and sinful, and are fast filling up with wicked men, so that the day cannot be far distant when they will be in the condition spoken of by the Revelator, “the hold of every foul spirit, and the cage of every unclean and hateful bird.” Of course it is necessary that God's people be separated from this state of things. The Sabbath comes along as a mighty cleaver, with all the other important theoretical truths of the message, to bring out the honest into a separate place, where God can work for them with those agencies which he has prepared, to fit them for translation into his everlasting kingdom. The theory of the truth is of mighty importance to accomplish this object. But we have had abundance of evidence in the past, as a people, to ascertain this fact—that individuals may have a faultless theory, and never be Christians in deed and in truth. A Christian may be defined as one who takes Jesus Christ as a leader, and follows him. If a person really does this, the principles of love, benevolence, justice, meekness, and humility, will stand out clearly in his life and character. It follows from these principles that as soon as the theory of the truth has separated a people from the world and nominal Christianity, the work of preaching the plain, practical, heart-searching truths of the religion of Jesus should immediately commence, and be followed up, till all in the church should have their lives tested by them. And we believe a candid search among our churches throughout the field will verify the statement that in every case where this course has been pursued, good results have been attained in proportion to the faithfulness with which these ideas have been carried out. In my judgment these three churches have been great sufferers in consequence of theory's being dwelt upon when practice was more needed. Within the last year or two the great practical truths of God's word have been dwelt upon, and as a result, some are seeing their condition, while others rather hear theory. Some are making an effort to arise, but others stand back. But not only has much time been lost by the course which has been pursued, but, in all probability, some of those who might have been helped when they first came out with their hearts warm and tender, it will now be impossible to reach. After church difficulties and disappointments have caused many to lose their first love, it is hard to make them see the importance of the work, and make the mighty effort necessary, to shake off the lethargy and coldness of years. Another great cause of the stagnation to be observed in these churches is the lack of judicious church discipline in the past. They have been, in many respects, like a ship in a storm without a captain, an army in battle without a commander. Every one doing what seemed right in his own eyes, and these different opinions of what was right sadly disagreeing, causing confusion, inefficiency, and general discouragement. And perhaps one of the most unpleasant features of the case is, that many seem really to like this state of things, and are loath to change it for a better. In my judgment the only salvation of these churches, as organized bodies, is the establishment of judicious church discipline founded on the principles laid down by the gospel, and firmly carried out to the mark, in moderation and love, that all may learn that there is an authority in the church, and all its members must accept it or take the consequences. What is a family without a head? What is a nation without a head? The world, as a general thing, show much better sense than many of us. They never think of establishing any organized enterprise without having a recognized authority. Every railroad or insurance company has its head and by-laws, and every petty debating society throughout the length and breadth of the land. Shall not the church of God, the pillar and ground of the faith, recognize these principles, to whose trust are committed the mightiest consequences which have ever occupied the attention of man? We are very thankful that in these respects, there is ground for hope in Knoxville and Sandyville. And if those who have been placed at the head of these churches can be persuaded to stand firmly at the head, and lead matters in moderation and love, not for their own good but for the good of those over whom they have been placed, I believe better days are before these churches; if not, as organized bodies I have no hope for their future. In preaching I have endeavored, but in great weakness, to bring out the close, searching truths of the word of God just as they are revealed to us, let them hit where they would. We hope our brethren of experience and judgment at the head of the cause will consider our wants and our lack, and grant us that help which we need in the future, if it can be spared from other places. GEO. I. BUTLER. A PETITION.
By C. A. Ellis
Dear Saviour, low before thy throne,
In humble prayer I lie;
Oh! grant me my petition, Lord,
And hear my rising sigh.
I ask thee not for length of days,
For riches, nor for fame,
Nor worldly wisdom's brightest wreath,
To twine around my name. I covet not that on my brow,
The brightest gems should shine,
Nor gold, nor pearls, nor rich array,
Should deck this frame of mine.
But oh! I crave another boon,
It is that all my days
May in thy service be employed,
Devoted to thy praise. May righteousness, and faith, and love,
And grace, my riches be;
My fame and glory, that I am
A servant, Lord, to thee.
May my adorning be a heart
Of deep humility;
My clothing, richer far than gold,
A robe of purity. And, if this weary life should cease,
This frame resign its breath;
The anxious throbbings of this heart,
Be hushed at last in death;
I ask no monument to tell
Where these poor ashes lie,
But may my name be found in Heaven,
My record be on high. Selected for Review by C. A. ELLIS.