Earlier text: MARK XVI.THE LITTLE FISH.
By C. G. DANIELS
WHILE reading the article under the heading, “Too Busy to Freeze,” in Review Vol. xxxi, No. 5, my mind ran out on my own present but sad experiences; and then was carried back to former days; and I fancied I was taking a pleasant walk down the hill to Bro. Kellogg’s little rippling brook, and there I beheld a numerous company of little fishes. They all seemed to be trying to make their way up the stream, though the swift current would sometimes get the advantage of some of them, and carry them down the stream a short distance; but they would rally again and again, and come up with the company. They all seemed to show signs that there was danger below, and they were constantly trying to make riffle after riffle, marching onward and upward to the fountain head. These things caused me to reason thus: Why is not this little brook frozen, while the bosom of the great river below is covered with a strong bridge of ice that nothing can remove until the warm rays of the summer sun shine upon it, and mellow its congealed condition, and the fleecy snow is caused to flow down the sides of the mountains in liquid currents? The reason of the little brook’s not freezing is this: it is fresh from the bosom of the warm earth. But as this stream winds its way down the ravine, it mingles with the wild water from off, the surface of the earth, and loses its own warmth received from old mother earth, and is soon congealed by the piercing winds. But why do the little minnows try so hard to stem the current and get up to the fountain head? 1, Because it is more congenial to their health and well being; and 2, Because if they suffer themselves to be carried down the stream by the strong current, they are liable to be swallowed up by the large fish, or frozen up in the ice. Now this brings to mind the time when I first embraced the third angel’s message. I think I was in company with all my brethren, constantly bathing in living streams that flowed fresh from the throne of God; and while I continued faithful, gaining riffle after riffle, and getting closer up to the fountain head, I remained healthy, and grew in grace and the knowledge of the truth. But, oh! my dear brethren, I have suffered the waves to carry me down the stream into the deep, wild waters, where I am liable to be swallowed up by the Devil’s sharks, or frozen up entirely—unless the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings, and cause the rays of divine grace to shine into this cold heart of mine afresh, and the melting influences of the Holy Spirit to invigorate my feeble and almost wasted energies to start anew for the fountain of life. Oh! that I may at last gain an entrance with all the faithful, through the pearly gates, and be permitted to eat of the fruit of life’s fair tree, and drink of the water of the river of life. Dear brethren and sisters, I pray that my present experience may not be yours; but let me exhort you to keep close to the fountain head of present truth, where the stream never freezes, and where good angels ever stand keeping guard over the flock of little innocent minnows, and beating back the great fishes that are wishing to swallow them up. Dear brethren, pray for poor, unworthy me, that if I am, like Jonah, to be swallowed up of some great shark, I may again be cast ashore and be found doing the bidding of the Lord. C. G. DANIELS. MANNERS often make fortunes. APPEAL TO THE FRIENDS OF TRUTH.
By D. T. Bourdeau
BRO. WHITE'S “Appeal to the Friends of Truth,” in regard to making special efforts to circulate a certain class of our works more thoroughly, is reasonable and compatible with our profession; therefore I most heartily endorse it, and would stand by it in word and in deed, for the sake of the right and the advancement of the cause that we all profess to love. The value that I place upon the works referred to, from my own experience, would lead me to redouble my efforts and diligence to place them within the reach of others who can be helped by them, and to invite my brethren and sisters to do the same. I am not formal in my remarks; I mean and feel what I say. That I am what I am, is by the grace of God, which was wrought mercifully in my behalf through the mighty agencies of his blessed word, and the productions of the gift of prophecy that is among us, and of which I am not ashamed. These productions stand next to the Bible in my estimation; and how can it be otherwise when I believe them to come from the same source that the Bible does, and when I have received so much help from them? I believe that the cause demands that I should here state that, though I am naturally skeptical, Sr. White's consistent life, in connection with her writings, has done more toward establishing me in the present truth than any other agency besides the Bible. I make this statement more especially for the benefit of those who are not personally acquainted with Sr. White. It was difficult for me to embrace present truth. I looked upon everything that was new and that purported to be truth, with a cautious and jealous eye, demanding good reasons for every new position. And even after my judgment was convinced, I wanted to see the practical workings of the theory, reasoning like this: If this is the truth, those who live it out, and especially those who are at the head of the work, will be as much better than others, as their profession is higher than theirs. And under this head I had the evidence that I desired. To God be all the praise. And are there not others who are in the same condition that I was in? and have I nothing to do to help them? Are we, who have received such tokens of love and long-suffering, always to take a passive position, and take no active part in the great work before us? God forbid. I need not recommend the other works that Bro. White mentions. They have gained a reputation among us. All such works should be fulfilling the object for which they were published. One idea that Bro. White advances is ponderous to my mind, and deserves the serious attention of this people; and it is how that the energies of our preachers can be saved to be spent in new fields, by scattering these works more thoroughly among the brethren. We are all ready to admit that we need more ministerial help; but are we as ready to preserve that which we already have, to be applied to the best possible advantage? This can be done by having our publications do the work assigned them. But these publications are not conscious, and they will not act alone. They need to be kept moving, and this requires means, and judicious hands to circulate, who need not necessarily be ministers, though these have a great part to act in this matter. How I have longed to not be detained by those professing the truth, that I might use the strength God has given me where the truth has not been proclaimed, and not enter into other men's labors. And this is the case with other preachers. We have something to do besides supporting our preachers: we must labor and lift with them, that they may not break down under their heavy burdens. A liberal support is appreciated by them, as it enables153them to devote their energies in the cause. But what is money given to ministers in comparison with relief from burdens that others should bear, and which, as they are rolled upon preachers, hinders them in the work of advancing the truth among those without the pale of the church? What is gained in supporting preachers, if they are checked and crippled in other directions? They might as well support themselves in laboring with their hands, as far as the advancement of the cause is concerned, and have the co-operation of the church while they do labor in their office, as to be wholly supported by the church, without having their help in other respects. Here is a point at which many can step in by their means and judicious labors, to relieve preachers, and save them from premature graves. My soul cries out within me, Lord, stir up thy people on this important subject. Help them to favor thy servants, that other laborers may be thrust into the field. For how can God send more laborers, until the church prepare the way for those already in the field to labor to advantage, until the church work for themselves and with their preachers in every branch of this extensive work? Again, we all look forward to the time when our works will be scattered like the leaves of autumn, to reach all who can be reached. And why not commence now to bring about this time by raising a Tract Fund? Why not try the experiment now, as far as our strength goes, and not wait for others to do a work that we ought to engage in ourselves? It is too natural to roll our burdens and responsibilities on others. We must work. But one great object of this move is that our people may become posted on all points of present truth, that we may be enabled to present an unbroken front to the enemy. The Dragon is to be wroth with those who have the testimony of Jesus, or Spirit of prophecy, as well as keep the commandments of God; and how can those stand by the truth then who are not previously settled upon it? There is no evading it. The contest will surely come, and we should prepare for it. But some will fear to sacrifice. The Devil will tell them to be sure and invest their means in some other enterprise; that those at the head of the work are after their money. Mistaken souls! It is not your money. You are not your own. You are stewards over the means that the Lord has entrusted to your care. He requires that which is his own to advance his precious cause; and if you do not do your duty, others will be raised up to fill your place and wear your crown. God is not dependent upon you, but you are very dependent upon him; and he has made it a part of his wise plan, that to be favored by him here and hereafter you must deny yourself, and sacrifice for his truth. Therefore we invite you to do this. But many will say, We have no means, and therefore cannot give. This is a nice point to meet; for there are some worthy souls who have but little or no means to command, and from whom God does not require even as much as they are disposed to give. We would be very careful in presenting the subject before such. But nearly all can do something, according as the Lord has prospered them; and very often those who would excuse themselves on the ground of destitution, have had means, and have applied it to their own advantage, without planning for the Lord, to give him his due. They have forgotten that God and the advancement of his cause should be first; and when they are called upon to help with their means, they will say, “Oh, I cannot! let the wealthy who have their thousands come forward.” But will such be excused in the day of Judgment? Will they bring their flimsy excuses then? But some who have not ready means now, may have it soon, if they will plan and labor as faithfully as they do to pay the debts they owe to man; and they can, in the future, be prepared to respond to calls for help by laying aside occasionally a few mites for the Lord, and by not feeling at liberty to use what they devote to God for other purposes. Is not this the way that even poor people contrive to pay their debts? Why not use the same wisdom with regard to God, to whom we owe all we are and all we have? It is in doing this that many in moderate circumstances outstrip the wealthy in sacrificing for God. We should learn wisdom from what we pass through. If, as we travel in a new road that we are likely to go over again, we come to a bad place that is difficult to pass over, wisdom would dictate that we try to better it, that it may be easy to pass it the next time. So when we come to a season of the year when we cannot command means as readily as at other seasons, we should so plan in our money matters as to have, as it were, a little balance on hand when we come to it again. Thus we will be like minute-men, prepared to help at any moment. Oh! that all were imbued with the spirit that David had, when he and his people had sacrificed freely to prepare to build a house for the Most High. On that interesting occasion, David blessed the Lord before the congregation, and said, “Blessed be thou, Lord God of Israel, our Father, for ever and ever. Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty; for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. Now therefore, our God, we thank thee and praise thy glorious name. But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee. For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers; our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding. O Lord, our God, all this store that we have prepared to build thee an house for thine holy name cometh of thine hand, and is all thine own. I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all these things; and now have I seen with joy thy people, which are present here, to offer willingly unto thee. O Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this forever in the imagination of the thoughts of thy people, and prepare their heart unto thee.” The cause of truth and reform in all its branches must be sustained, and for our brethren to do this properly, not leaving one branch to suffer, while another is overdone, the comparative importance of the several branches, as far as possible, should be understood. We do not claim to fully understand this matter, and only wish at this time to make suggestions, and offer a few reasons, and shall be glad to hear from others on the subject. In importance does not the subject of the several branches of the work rank as follows? 1. The ministry. The proper support of our ministers seems to me of the first importance. Are they in want from sickness, or from other causes, they should at once be relieved. If they are hindered in their work, the cause is hindered and suffers. Do they cease from labor for want of means, the cause ceases to progress. And more—without their labors the cause loses ground. We would call attention to the General Conference fund which must be very low at this time. The amount of missionary labor is large the present year, and will require about $2500 to meet expenses, and next to nothing is coming into the treasury for this object. Churches and individual brethren who have means to help the cause should remember that missionary labor is first in importance. 2. The publications. The Review and Instructor, I would suggest, should be of a size, and at such a price, as to sustain themselves after sending a few hundred copies to ministers, and to the poor, free. Our larger books, and our pamphlets and tracts generally, should be sold at prices to meet cost. Tracts, and a class of reading of vital importance to the cause, yet objectionable to the unconsecrated, should be given when certain persons refuse to purchase. In close connection with the work of our ministers, and next in importance to the ministry, is the circulation of our publications. 3. Widows, orphans, and the worthy, suffering poor in general, have claims on the church of Christ. Careful readers of the sacred Scriptures cannot fail to see this. We do not say that such persons should look to the church for support, and be made to understand that the church is to free them from care and labor necessary to their sustenance. Such persons need the especial watch-care of the church, and more or less assistance in helping themselves. Good counsel is all many such persons need. 4. Health Institute. This is a noble enterprise, whose ultimate object is the salvation of men and women. The relief of the afflicted here is worthy of the efforts of the people of God. But to raise them from feebleness, and to free them from disease, so that they can better secure eternal life, and, also, be a help to others in the way of life, is the great object of this institution. Much can be done in this direction for the salvation of souls. More can be done, with the expenditure of a tithe of the means by a well-directed care for widows, orphans, and the worthy poor. Still more can be done through that mighty engine—the press. Our people must read. The public must have a chance to read and become intelligent relative to truth and duty. But above all, and to which all else are but appendages, is the ministry. May God bless those called and chosen servants of his people, and may those who wish to aid in the great cause of present truth care for them in temporal matters with all that tenderness and interest manifested by a faithful shepherd of the flock of Christ. THIS is a question which has elicited no little discussion, and upon which there is, even now with a few a difference of opinion. As a practical question of present importance, it was recently examined in our Bible Class, as reported in No. 7, present volume. A correspondent has just written taking exception to the decision of the class, that public prayer is supported by the Bible, both in the language of inspiration, and in the practice of holy men of old. In the examination of this question by the class, considerable light was elicited, and we should be glad could a more extended report have been given. Those who do not believe in public prayer, appeal to Matt. vi. 5, 6, in defense of their position. This is the only text they have, and to this they make their first, last, and final appeal. It is so with the correspondent aforesaid. They will emphasize the passage like this; “But thou, when, thou prayest, enter into thy closet,” &c. As though it meant, and might be read, Every time you pray, and whatever kind of prayer you utter, enter into thy closet. And every argument to the contrary they will meet with a persistent reiteration of this language, as if it covered all the ground and admitted of no qualification. But is this so? Let us candidly inquire into the import of these words. Upon what point was our Lord speaking? To what kind of prayer did he have reference in giving this direction? The context has a bearing in all these questions, and that bearing must be allowed, if we would come to correct conclusions. Now let us read the passage: “And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are; for they love to pray standing in the synagogues, and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily, I say unto you, they have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.” Such is the language which is supposed by some to lie like an impassable barrier in the way of public prayer. But we inquire, Was it public prayer which the Lord reproved, on the part of these hypocritical Scribes and Pharisees? It must be evident to all that only the kind of prayer made use of by them at the corners of the streets, is what Christians are commanded to pray in their closets. If there is no distinction, then all our praying is to be done in our closets; but if it has reference to a particular kind only, then that only is what we are commanded to enter into our closets to pray. We inquire again, therefore, whether it was public prayer in which these hypocrites engaged at the corners of the streets. Have we any evidence that they prayed at these places with an audible voice? If such had been the case, the record would no doubt have been that they prayed to be heard, as well as seen, of men. There is no intimation that this was public prayer; but every consideration in the matter proves that it was not. Bishop Horne informs us that it was the custom of the Jews in the days of our Lord, those who were really devout, and those who wished to appear so, to pray three times a day after the example of David and Daniel. And these were not acts of public worship at all, but their own individual and private devotions. And so scrupulous were they in this practice, that when the stated periods arrived for their devotions, whether they were in the market, the streets, or any other public place, they would instantly cease from their avocations, whatever they might be, and engage in their devotions. And it hence came to be the case, that those who wished to make a show of their piety, managed to be at these stated hours of daily prayer, in the synagogue or in the street, that men might behold them in their acts of devotion, and they thus gain a reputation for unusual holiness and sanctity. It was this practice which our Lord reproved. He did not reprove public prayer, but he did reprove offering secret prayer in public. There is nothing in his language to show that it is wrong to engage in audible prayer, in public or family worship; but it is wrong to bring our secret devotions out of our closet and make a public display of them before men. Then what is the kind of prayer about which our Lord is here speaking? Secret prayer. What is the kind which he says we should perform in our closets in the presence and for the ears of God alone? Secret prayer. When you engage in your secret devotions, enter into your closet and shut your doors about you. The language has no reference to public prayer whatever, and no one has any right to quote it on the question of the propriety or impropriety of that practice. But when we remove this text, the controversy is settled; for then we have nothing against it, and much both by way of approval and example, in its favor. REPORT FROM BRO. WHITE.
By James White
FEBRUARY 1 and 2, Bro. Andrews, Mrs. W. and self held meetings with the Orleans church. The attendance and interest were good. At this meeting we introduced the case of Sr. Hannah More, now sojourning with friends in north-western Michigan who do not observe the Bible Sabbath. We stated that this servant of Christ embraced the Sabbath while performing missionary labors in Central Africa. When this was known, her services in that direction were no longer wanted. She returned to America, to seek a home and employment with those of like faith. We judge, from her present location, that in this she has been disappointed. No one in particular may be worthy of blame in her case; but it appears to us that there is either a lack of suitable provisions connected with our system of organization for the encouragement of such persons, and to assist them to a field of useful labor, or those brethren and sisters who have had the pleasure of seeing Sr. More have not done their duty. A unanimous vote was then given to invite her to find a home with the brethren in this vicinity until General Conference, when her case should be presented to our people. Bro. Andrews being present, fully indorsed the action of the brethren. On returning from this meeting, Mrs. W. was taken very sick. She suffered from frequent fainting, and great depression of spirits. Bro. Andrews decided to fill the appointments in Gratiot Co. alone. While all were at meeting fourth-day evening, she fainted, and we supported her for one hour in a breathless condition half of the time. We felt an unusual spirit of prayer, for her. Bro. Andrews on returning prayed earnestly. She then enjoyed sweet sleep in which she had most encouraging dreams, and the next morning arose much refreshed. Our captivity was turned, and we decided to accompany Bro. Andrews to the appointments. Sabbath, Feb. 8, we found a large hall at Alma, Mich., well filled. Mrs. W. and self occupied the forenoon, and Bro. Andrews the afternoon. Mrs. W. spoke in the evening. The attention was good. But there is evidently a great want of consecration and vital godliness among the brethren in this county. Bro. Nelson, the elder of the church, was on a visiting tour, and suitable arrangements for the meeting were not made. Eighteen of our brethren from another county sought entertainment at public houses. They did not complain of this, neither was any one in particular deserving blame in the matter. It was unfortunate for the meeting that elder Nelson should be absent at this time. The people were to have the labors of Eld. Andrews, and no pains nor means should have been spared to have all the Sabbath-keepers in the vicinity present. There are many calls for our united labors, and we do not feel it our duty to visit those places where there is not sufficient interest to make our labors the means of good, to the neglect of those places which fully warrant the expectation of great good. On first-day we spoke to a large congregation who gave the very best attention. Mrs. W. spoke on health and dress reforms in the afternoon, and Bro. Andrews gave a most solemn and searching discourse, in the evening, on the Christian life, the reward of the just, and the righteous judgment of God on the wicked. We then decided to discontinue our meetings at Alma and give the brethren time to make provisions for a large gathering at some future time. Learning that our much-esteemed sister Jeffrey, of Ithaca, was sick, second-day we called to see her. She was some better, but confined to her bed. We had a good visit and a free praying season, and left for this place. She handed us $10 for book fund, $5 for Bro. Fuller, and handed Mrs. W. $5, which it is a pleasure for her to give to this afflicted minister of Christ. We are all, this morning, in usual health, resting at Bro. Sevy's. Our appointment for next Sabbath and first-day is at Tittabawassee. Brethren, pray for us. Address us at Greenville, Montcalm Co., Mich. Greenbush, Feb. 11, 1868. AMBITION often plays the wrestler's trick of raising a man up merely to throw him down. TO THE FRIENDS OF PRESENT TRUTH IN OHIO.
By John Harvey Waggoner
You have doubtless all read Bro. White's “Appeal,” and I have had the opportunity of pressing it upon the minds of some in our late meetings. But I cannot see you all, and I take this method of calling your further attention to it. Your Committee hope that you believe with them that the Gifts of God's Holy Spirit are the Heaven-appointed means “for the perfecting of the Saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ;” and we have ever noticed, as might be expected, that those who most rely upon their aid, “grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,” while those who neglect their counsels grow lukewarm, and those who oppose them invariably make shipwreck of their faith. We need to have these Testimonies more perfectly established in our households, and in our hearts. As those who bear a responsibility and must give an account, we affectionately urge and entreat you to take this matter in hand. Carefully read again that Appeal. We shall have circulars sent to every church, and we request you to act immediately. We have been praying for God to revive his work in our State. When our efforts are so directed and energetically put forth that God can bless them, we may look for an answer to our prayers. Most of you are aware that we have been and are making efforts to have Bro. and Sr. White visit Ohio. Though this may not be immediately accomplished, we shall still press our request, hoping to receive a compliance therewith at their earliest convenience. And you will readily perceive that we could present our request with more assurance, and they would probably feel greater desire to come, if you show that you appreciate their labors, and are willing to second their efforts to advance the cause. Phil. iv, 17. J. H. WAGGONER,
For the Committee. A HOME IN HEAVEN.
By L. E. MILLNE
How cheering to the weary saint as he journeys through the dark vale of tears, that this is not his abiding home. We look forward with loving eyes to that heavenly home, that city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is the Lord. There are many mansions prepared for those who love Christ's appearing. We shall not always live in this world of sorrow and affliction. No, weary soul, Jesus, our beloved, is soon coming, to take us home to the blest inheritance of the saints! Oh those living fountains, those walls of jasper, those gates of pearl, those streets of transparent gold, how glorious to contemplate! But the most blessed of all is, the beautiful city is just before us. A few more conflicts, a few more trials, our warfare is accomplished, our sorrows ended. Who will be permitted to enter that beautiful city? Only those who have clean hands and a pure heart, and have not lifted their eyes unto vanity. Oh! should not the attractions of that heavenly home cause us to be diligent in our Master's service and make our calling and election sure. Oh! the blessed assurance of faith is ours to enjoy. Then, though we meet with scorn and reproach, and all manner of evil is spoken against us falsely, because we love the law of the Lord, which is better to us than thousands of gold and silver, we may rejoice with exceeding joy, for great is our reward in Heaven. Can we not endure hardness as good soldiers? We have not yet resisted unto blood. Let us remember the sufferings of Christ who endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, and had not where to lay his head. He bore our sins and carried our griefs. If we sin, we have an advocate with the Father. Yes, Christ our blessed advocate ever lives to make intercession for us, and our kind heavenly Father can never turn away the face of his Anointed. Every petition we ask in Christ's name, shall be granted unto us, and no good thing will be withheld from those that walk uprightly. How sweet to contemplate the joy that awaits the faithful. In our heavenly home all sighing will be past, all trials forgotten, and an eternity of bliss will be ours to enjoy. Reader, will you be there? Will you seek an inheritance among the blest, that will never pass away? Will you be prepared in that great, that solemn day, to look up with confidence and say, Lo! this is our God, we have waited for him and he will save us? The bright day is dawning, the saints will all sing
The praises of Jesus our heavenly king;
For soon we shall leave this dark world of pain,
And our sweet home in Heaven eternally gain.
O come, my Redeemer, come quickly, I pray,
Why tarriest thou? Why dost thou delay?
I'm weary of waiting, I long to be free,
And dwell in bright mansions forever with thee. WHY DON'T YOU WRITE?
By MARY J. COTTERELL.
Readers of the Review, why don't you write for its pages? You can write, and you ought to try to help make our paper one of interest. Why don't you? There are many whose names appear once in six months, once a year, or once in two years, who might write oftener; many who have never written for the Review who might, would they only make an effort, and add greatly to the interest of our paper. I have some five or six in mind now, and I could soon count up as many more, whose pens might be wielded with power. Don't say you have no talent for writing. If all the writers of the Review who think they have no talent, should lay aside their pens, I fear our paper would cease to be ours, and be almost a bundle of selections. Only now and then, would we find anything in regard to our Saviour's soon coming, and very little of the “meat in due season” would the eager ones find as they searched its pages, very little would it contain of the “line upon line, precept upon precept,” so needful to spur us up to diligence in the work of preparation to meet our Lord; and few and far between would be the words of cheer. Seldom would our drooping spirits be revived, as they now are, by the report of some refreshing from the divine presence; and an ingathering to the fold of Christ, of precious souls. Think what a change this no talent for writing would make in our paper if yielded to by all, as you are now yielding. If you could only write as well as Bro. A., or Sr. B., then you would write. Well, perhaps you might, like me, add your little mite; it may do some good, even though it is not of much importance. But there are many who have the talent, and still let it go unimproved. They have the power to illustrate, and set their ideas forth with a clearness of diction to be envied, and ability to combine depth of thought with beauty of expression. They have ideas of their own which might benefit the public, but they are silent, or nearly so. I cannot think that they are careless of the prosperity of the cause our paper advocates. Is it so? No time to write? Is this the plea? It will not hold good, I fear. It is very seldom that there is not a way where there is a will. Whatever may be the excuse, let it have a faithful examination, before you adopt it as good. We are sojourners in a strange land, journeying to our home, seeking our Father's house. There are dangers in the way, pitfalls, snares, and many slippery places, where great care is needful that we pass safely. And it is our duty to help each other as we pass along. Sometimes a word of cheer, sometimes one of warning. Between the rough and thorny places, there are smooth, even paths, leading through pleasant bowers, and amid beautiful flowers, and all along the way we meet pleasant, agreeable persons, whose tones, and honied words, are calculated to draw our minds from the journey on which we have started, and make us forget our Father's home. They speak only of the beauties around us, and of the pleasures they enjoy in these delightful bowers; and we are in great danger of pausing to listen to the enchanting music which is wafted on the air, and of sitting down to rest in these tempting places. Perhaps we wonder a little whether there is danger lurking here; it seems almost impossible, and we begin to pluck the flowers, and chant to those delicious strains. But words of warning come to us from some fellow-traveler, and we become aware that we are on dangerous ground; we find to our sorrow that there are thorns concealed beneath these bright flowers, and we fling them down, resolving not to be again allured from our journey, and breathing a prayer for help, start onward. How grateful we should be for these words of warning. Had it not been for them we should perhaps have lost all desire for seeking that home which we only see by faith, and been lulled to sleep. The very air which floats around us is stupefying, and only by actively, and steadily moving forward can we resist its influence. Then let us give heed to the warnings which come to us, and be ever ready to gently warn others. Sometimes when we come to the rough and slippery places we get discouraged, and begin to think we may as well give up, that our strength is not sufficient, and looking at the difficulties in the way, we lose sight of the promised rest. Suffering our eyes to be thus drawn from the light ahead to contemplate only the roughness of the way, darkness soon closes around us, we forget the precious promises our gracious Father has given us, and with a sigh of despair we are just ready to sink down, when a cheering voice says, Take courage, weary, despondent one, a little longer urge thy way onward, only a little longer, and thou shalt reach the haven of eternal rest. Look upward and thou shalt receive more strength. Do thorns pierce thy feet? remember that thy Saviour's brow was torn and bleeding; bound about by a crown of thorns. And dost thou forget his sufferings? Another gentle voice whispers, The promise is sure. “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Fear thou not; for I am with thee; be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” Thus we are reminded that 'tis not in our own strength that we are to tread the rugged path. We take fresh courage, fix our eyes upon the light, by faith reach155forth and grasp our Father's outstretched hand, and clinging to this never-failing support, we are enabled to keep our footing. Are we not thankful for these words of cheer? They have inspired our hearts with fresh ardor, brought to mind the glorious hope we had lost sight of, and we again start onward with firmer resolutions, and more determined zeal. Many of these faithful warnings, and kind words of cheer come to us through the columns of the Review. And shall we not give as well as receive? A bit of our experience may be of use to some one else. Come brother, sister, take your pen, and give our Editor “a variety to select from.” WHILE I was down in Egypt's land
I heard my Saviour was at hand.
The midnight cry was sounding,
And I wanted to be free,
So I left my scoffing brethren,
To sound the Jubilee. They said that I had better stay
And go with them in their old way;
But they scoffed at my Lord's coming,
With them I could not agree,
So I left their painted synagogues
To sound the Jubilee. 'Twas thus I joined the Advent band,
Though just come out from Egypt's land,
They were on the road to Canaan,
A blessed, praying company,
And with them I am proclaiming
That we're near the Jubilee. They call us now a noisy crew,
And say they hope we'll soon fall through;
But we then were growing stronger,
Both in love and unity,
Since we'd left old mystic Babylon
To sound the Jubilee. We were then united in one band,
Rejoicing Christ was just at hand,
To reward his faithful children
Who were glad their Lord to see.
Bless the Lord, our souls are happy,
Sounding forth the Jubilee. Though opposition waxed strong,
Yet now the battle won't be long;
I've been through the fiery furnace,
And no harm was done to me,
I've come out with stronger witness
That we're near the Jubilee. If Satan comes to tempt our minds,
We'll meet him with these blessed lines,
Saying, Get behind me Satan,
I'll have nought to do with thee;
I've come out of Babylon,
And I'll sound the Jubilee. A little longer here below,
And home to glory we shall go.
I believe it; I believe it;
Hallelujah, I am free
From all sectarian prejudice
To sound the Jubilee. We'll soon remove to that blessed shore,
And shout and sing forevermore,
Where the wicked cannot enter
To disturb our harmony;
But we'll wear the crown of glory,
With our king eternally.