Earlier text: Discourse with Brother CarverThe Seventh Month
By Editor
[We give the following excellent remarks upon “The Seventh Month” from the “Voice of Truth,” copied into the “Advent Herald,” of Jan. 8th, 1845, which shows the “original,” and at that time, the unanimous faith of the Advent body. Brethren, “call to remembrance the former days, in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great fight of afflictions.”] We have now reached a point in our investigations where a very important question arises. If the scriptures do not warrant the expectation of the appearing of Christ on the tenth day of the seventh month, more than on any other day, then it is asked, in what light are we to view the recent proclamation of his coming on that day? Was it all the work of man? or did God guide and bless the work? 1. Supposing the “tenth day” had been preached abstractly, it would have been powerless; it would have produced no more effect this, than on any previous year. There were other evidences which did, and we still believe do define the year of Christ’s coming. These evidences we then thought, and still believe, justified us in strongly looking for the coming of the Lord at the commencement of the present Jewish civil year, which answered to our October. And had the tenth day been left out of the question, we believe the virgins would have been waked up to some extent at least, to the work of trimming their lamps, by the proclamation of the approach of the first day of the Jewish civil year, the point of time in which we had good reason to expect the termination of the prophetic numbers. Hence, the foundation on which the recent cry was based, has not been in the least impaired by the mistake detected in the tenth day. 2. Judging a tree by its fruits, or a fountain by its stream, we cannot doubt that God was in the late movement among us. We admit there were some extravagances and wrongs, as might be expected, in a high state of religious excitement. Yet the general fruits are what give character to the cause that produces them. The fruits have been deep searchings of heart, full consecration of self and all to God, turning from sin, following the Lord in baptism, and a willing submission to all of his commandments and ordinances. A parallel cannot be found in the history of the church, since the days of primitive christianity. In short, if the nature of any cause can be determined by its fruits, we think we may safely decide that this work was of God.—With our present light we cannot honestly decide otherwise. 3. Admitting as we must, that the coming of Christ is at the door, then the parable of the ten virgins has a most striking fulfillment in the late movement among us. If the cry at midnight, was to be made in probationary time, then we have not a doubt that it has been made in the proclamation of the coming of Christ in the seventh month. And that it was to be made in probationary time, appears evident from the fact, that after being made, the virgins arise, trim their lamps; some call for oil—they are told what to do—they go to buy; and after all this, the Bridegroom comes. From these considerations we are constrained to look upon this work, though disappointed and mistaken in a certain point, as having the hand of God in it. Just such a work as the parable of the ten virgins, and other portions of scripture warrant us in looking for immediately before the coming of the Lord. In answer to the question how can this be the work of God, and yet be attended with so many disappointments? we simply answer, Moses expected an early deliverance of his people, but was disappointed, and cried out under his disappointment. “Wherefore hast thou so evil entreated this people? Why is it that thou hast sent me? for since I came to Pharaoh to speak in thy name, he hath done evil to this people; neither hast thou delivered thy people at all.” Ex. v, 22, 23. God however, did subsequently justify his own ways in their deliverance. And we doubt not he will deliver his people now when he has sufficiently tested their faith and love for him. Jonah was told to predict the day of Nineveh’s destruction; yet God spared the city. He also told Abraham to sacrifice his son; yet he commanded him to stay his hand from obeying his command. And will any one say the work of the Lord was not in these cases of disappointment and seeming contradiction? They will not, if they are believers in the bible. Then why say that God cannot be in a cause now that has been attended with some mistakes and disappointment on the part of his imperfect children? On this principle you may sap the foundation of every good cause. The conclusion of the whole matter is, 1. That though we have been disappointed and mistaken in the application of some scriptures, we are not disheartened, nor discouraged; from the consoling consideration that we have good evidence, that God has been with us. And though he has suffered us to meet with these trials, he has guided us by his hand, humbled us at his feet, caused us to search his word with more prayerful attention; and will, when sufficiently tried, work out our eternal deliverance. 2. That notwithstanding, to the church and the world, we have met with a complete defeat; yet we think we know, from the very best of evidence, that our victory will soon be won. And their perfect security is a strong evidence in our favor. Now that day could come upon them as a snare—when they least expected it. Till now, it could not have so come on them; for very many who were not ready, were looking for it. Nothing but a little delay has in the least impaired a single evidence on which our precious faith and hope rest. And shall we give all up because of a few moments delay? No, never! We will exercise patience, that after we have done the will of God we may receive the promise. 3. That we have now passed all the prophetical land-marks, from the first down to the very last, before the actual coming of Christ in the clouds of heaven. The only time we now have in which to look for this glorious event, is daily, nay hourly. 4. That our chief work now is, to “comfort one another,” “hold fast the profession of our faith,” not “draw back unto perdition,” “let no man take our crown,” have our loins girded, our lamps burning, and we constantly watching and ready to meet the Lord at his coming. It now appears that we can do but little more for the church and the world. “None of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.”—Advent Herald. Subscribers and Agents for the Review
By Editor
We have erased a large number of names from our list, of those we have not heard from. But if we have struck off the names of any who should have the paper, we hope to be informed of it, and we will send it to them immediately. Those who send for the paper, should state whether they wish the back numbers, and how many. We invite all the brethren and sisters to act as agents for the Review and Herald, to obtain subscribers, and collect means to defray the expenses of publishing. The Lord will reward them when our labor is done. We again call the attention of the brethren to the following wise suggestion of Bro. Rhodes—“Would it not be well for some one in each band to write, and send in the names of such as wish the paper, and stop such papers as are not wanted?” [From Bro. Bingham.]
By Hiram Bingham
BRO. WHITE: Through the medium of the "Review and Herald," permit me, an unworthy yet trusting friend of truth to give a few words of my experience for the encouragement of such as are of doubting mind. God has promised his Son, a seed to serve him; therefore his Spirit will do its office work upon such as will heed it, and thereby their minds will be opened to the instruction of the blessed word which is able to make us wise unto Eternal Life. In 1832, I became very sensibly alarmed for my eternal welfare. I saw that without holiness I was forever lost. After a few days of awful distress, I found peace in believing, and felt the sanctifying influence of grace, and a free and full pardon of all past sin, and was freely justified, and lived for days and weeks, growing in grace, and in the knowledge of the word of life. After a few months the sects began to strive for the mastery, and in a few weeks we (the numerous converts,) were divided up into flocks or parties for a reward to the priests, who had labored to convert and secure us. It happened to be my lot to be drawn into the Methodist net, and immediately I was elected a leader, and officiated a few months, when, as I studied, I found the word and their rulers did not agree, and I withdrew; not without discovering that my mind had greatly fallen. And I was indeed lean and barren, under the trial I had passed through. Again, I committed my way to the Lord in tears and sorrow, and found that peace I had lost, and lived alone for some time. At length I found a people who, like myself, did not believe our blessed Saviour was the Eternal God. I found them to be humble and devoted, and had little sectarian influence. With them I walked and worshiped, until the Spirit moved the cry to prepare us for the coming judgment. My mind was stirred; I felt that God was in the move. I obtained a lecturer and gave the note of alarm. Hundreds professed to believe and sought to obey; but alas for the weakness of human nature, and our distrust for grace, many have fallen and Peter-like denied their Lord. When this cry came, our little church unanimously, and with joy, received the glad tidings. But when the second angel sounded—"Come out of her my People"—many began to look for their creed, and turned to look it up, and left us and walked no more with us. But O, when I call to mind the thrilling and soul-stirring cry "Behold the bridegroom cometh," my mind leaps for joy, and I feel carried back to that happy hour, in the fall of '44, when I walked out upon my farms for the last time, often I had warned, and with tears and many prayers intreated my friends. I bade them adieu, and felt that I was called to die while yet alive. But we were destined to another and still more severe trial, to fit us for the yet future kingdom. The time passed, and I truly felt like keeping the dying sacrifice good; but in a few weeks, at a conference at Waterbury, there was a mighty effort made to stir up the little band to go to work and again sound the first angel's message. There I wept, and cried to God for help, by his grace, that I might not fall, while my mind thus recoiled. I felt to say, I cannot go, I cannot feel to work again the work I have finished. But at last my mind rested upon the idea that we might be blessed in gleaning after the harvest, and I began to unite with those who thus felt and labored, and often engaged in recounting the evidences of our hope. I have often been cheered while passing through these years of darkness and doubt, when I could, with humbleness, bow and reverently dedicate my wandering powers of mind to him who knew my sincerity and desire for redemption. But God will not leave his humble, trusting children to perish by the way, if they are willing to be led by the Word and Spirit. Something near a year since my mind became considerably stirred as I heard from one and another that the Advent people were getting up another excitement. On examination I found that there was yet another angel, the third, of warning and mercy to sound, and stir God's humble children to an examination of their position, and a preparation for the coming judgment. As I read I was moved, and more and more convinced of my conformity to the requirements of the image beast. I distinctly saw the broken law, and rejected Sabbath, in a most striking sense. It was too much. I fell under it, and in Jesus' name besought my Father to again forgive my folly, sin and ignorance, and in November I called my family around the alter of prayer one blessed Sabbath morning, with a heavy heart, and told them my conviction, and asked them to unite with me in observing God's Royal Law. My men (being Adventists) acknowledged it but just, but struck against me, as did my companion and children. I bowed the knee under the most trying circumstances I have ever seen, since I had a being, and with the hardest spirit upon me. But, blessed be God, as I bowed my blessed Saviour met me by his Spirit. I was filled even to rejoicing, and praise and thanksgiving. But oh, the family's sympathy; my reputation was gone, and I had become a dupe, deluded by the Devil, and my influence was gone. They wept over me, they rebuked, they chided; but my trust was in God, and I prayed for sustaining grace and light upon the blessed Word. And although entirely alone for months, praise God, I have been sustained while examining the Word, and daily have I received light upon the different points connected with the closing message. The Heavenly Sanctuary, oh how beautiful! But as the light is before the world, bright shining as the sun, I close, exhorting my dear brethren to be of good cheer, committing their ways to the Lord, and in faithful labor in the truth. Although entirely alone but a few months since, God has now given me more in number to strengthen my hand, and encourage my mind, than Noah had in his Ark. And yet, blessed be his holy name, his arm is not shortened, nor is his ear shut that he cannot hear. I now have three ministering brethren to go with me, praise the Lord, and yet I expect more. Truth is mighty, and I expect will yet strike the ear of all the benighted, sleeping Advent believers in the north of our state, and many of them will heed the cry, restore the breach of the fourth command, and exhibit the patience and faith of the gospel, and so observe the Royal Law, that by faith in Jesus, they will be numbered to make the 144,000 that will be fitted for translation when our blessed Saviour shall appear. This is the faith and prayer of your unworthy, yet confiding brother, HIRAM BINGHAM.
Morristown, (Vt.) Sept., 1851. EXTRACTS OF LETTERS.
By Editor
Bro. D. Daniels, of Chicopee Falls, (Mass.), writes Aug. 30th, 1851: "With my eyes full of tears of joy, I attempt to write you a few lines this morning, to give my thanks to you and Bro. Rhodes, and to all the dear saints who have felt interested for me, in sending me the 'Review and Herald,' and those that have prayed for me. O, this seems like heaven. I do believe that this is the Philadelphia church, glory to God. Can it be that there should be any one in this world that would care for me enough to try to hunt me up, and to try to save me. "I received the paper Thursday after dark, but did not read much until this morning. I can almost say as Philip said to Nathaniel, 'I have found him of whom Moses and the Prophets have written.' I must believe that this message is from God. It seems some like '43. There seems something worthy to be called love in the pages of the 'Review and Herald.' How different from the other papers. They have believed me to be in error, but never have come to me in love to try to save me as the Bible requires them to do. But on the contrary, have tried to put me down by telling many things that were not true, and finally cast me out without knowing the truth. So they have hated me, and cast me out for the truth's sake. Praise the Lord, O my soul, that I am counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. But I feel this morning that God has raised me up, and shown me a people more worthy of my attention. To them I am joined in spirit forever." Sister A. R. Smith writes from 67 Warren Place, Boston, Aug. 27, 1851: "It is with much reluctance that I send you these verses, [see first page,] on a subject which a few weeks since was so foreign to my thoughts. Being as it were a child in this glorious cause, I feel unworthy and unable to approach a subject of such moment, but as I've written for the world, and wish to make a full sacrifice, I am induced to send. "I feel willing to do and be anything for God. I want to be unreservedly given to his work, that I might be the humble instrument in his hands of doing some good. I rejoice in the glorious light in which, by His infinite mercy I've been led. But I still feel that I've much to overcome; and I desire an interest in your prayers that I may be kept by the power of God, through faith unto salvation. "I will give you a short account of our meeting last Sabbath. It was well attended. Some were in who have not embraced the last message, especially one from Brooklyn, N. Y., who was to speak the next (first) day at Cochituate Hall. His arguments presented in opposition to our views, entirely vanished32before the clear light of truth, and only tended to strengthen us, and inspire with fresh courage and zeal in defence of our position. And although no lecturer was present, yet each one was ready to bear his testimony, and the Lord was indeed with us by his Spirit and power. The beauty and harmony of the scriptures was clearly dispensed, and the 'word' had free course and was glorified. It was truly a refreshing season to each one of the dear children. "Our brother confessed that the Spirit was with us, and as an honest seeker after truth, will further examine the evidences of our faith. We hope and trust good will be the result." Bro. H. S. Case writes from Jackson, (Mich.), Aug. 24th, '51: "I wish to say to you, and also to the friends scattered abroad, that I feel grateful to God for his blessing and protection of late while traveling over the field of my former labor, in the state of New York. To find some of those who started for the kingdom in '43 and '44, strong in the present truth, was not a little pleasing to me, after an absence of six years, and passing through so many sore trials and discouragements. "I never witnessed such sweet, heavenly meetings or conferences as were enjoyed at Camden and Milton. Truly, the Spirit of God was manifested, and the work was intelligible, and I know that the Lord met with us while the saints worshiped before him. "After I left you at Milton, I went to Manlius, Bath, Martin's Hill, Elmira, Owego, Pitcher Springs, Belisle, Liverpool and Lorain. In all these places I found some that love the present truth." LETTERS.
By E. L. H. Chamberlain
To all the scattered saints in Christ Jesus I send greeting— God is at the present time most manifestly gathering his people into the unity of the faith, and to a more perfect understanding of his revealed will to man, and this is to be brought about under the sounding of the third angel's message. Rev. xiv, 9—12. Never did the holy scriptures shine with that light and beauty as they do now, and more especially the book of Revelation is unfolding its glorious light as never since Jesus sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John, on the Isle of Patmos; saying, blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein, for the time is at hand. Write the things which shall be hereafter. God in his providence brought out a people from their spiritual bondage, and led them step by step through the first and then the second angel's messages, and now is giving them the third and last message to fit them to pass through the "time of trouble such as never was." Oh, my dear brothers and sisters, my whole soul cries out, Praise the Lord for his wonderful goodness to the children of men. I want to tell you a little of what I have seen of late in Connecticut. I have for weeks thought much of the scattered flock of God in this state; and last first-day morning I started east in company with Bro. Belden, to try to fulfill Jer. xvi, 16, last part, and I think God has been glorified in our tour through Windham, Tolland and Hartford counties. We labored hard for six days, searching for the "hidden jewels," and I can say to the praise of God, that in almost every town we found one or more that had an "ear to hear." God did grant unto us much of the power of the truth. Never did I feel its weight and importance as now. I have felt in some instances as did Isaiah when he said, "cry aloud and spare not," &c. I see the gross darkness that prevails among the professed Advent people. But thanks be to God, the third angel's message, that is sounding louder and louder, will bring to light every honest jewel, and they will be polished up for the "second casket." Truth is mighty to the pulling down of the strong holds of Satan. Nothing, I think, that has gone before, has had half that effect to arouse the Israel of God, as will soon be felt by the third angel's message. This follows the two that have preceded it in our experience. How simple, natural and plain. All that are truly honest at heart must see and understand the third angel, who declares with a loud voice, "If any man worship the beast and his image," &c. How important to understand this message. This message will wax louder and louder until the 144,000 are sealed with the seal of the living God. Amen. My Brothers and Sisters, we are just about entering upon the "time of trouble such as never was." And seeing these tremendous scenes are just before us, "what manner of persons ought we to be in all holy conversation and godliness," looking and praying for the "latter rain" to fall upon us, to ripen us for the garner of the Lord. I exhort you, as did Paul, "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. Prove all things, hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil, and the very God of peace sanctify you wholly, and I pray God your whole spirit, and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. From your unworthy brother, expecting to come up through great tribulation,
E. L. H. CHAMBERLAIN. Middletown, Sept. 1st, 1851. Reply
By John Nevins Andrews
REPLY. 1. The observers of the ancient Sabbath of Jehovah, are charged with disingenuousness [want of fairness,] in stating that the word Sabbath is never applied to the first day of the week. The word Sabbath, indeed, signifies rest, and it is applied to the seventh day, because God rested on that day. No other day can be called "the Sabbath of the Lord," until he shall have rested on such day. The New Testament, as it now stands, contains no hint that anything of a sabbatic character, pertains to the first day of the week. But (to speak in plain language) it is wrongly translated, "and Sabbatarians do or ought to know it." Well we are glad that you cannot sustain your charge by an appeal to the common version. Candor will oblige you to admit that fact. 2. You sustain the charge thus, if we are able to understand you. The Greek words translated "first day of the week," are not rightly translated, but should be rendered "one of Sabbath," or "the one of Sabbaths." Yet you affirm that "the one of Sabbaths" is the identical first day of the week. How do you know it? If it ought not to be translated the first day of the week, how dare you say that that is the real meaning of the text. 3. After repeating the text, as you consider rightly translated, you ask, "Does not this indicate that one series of Sabbaths there ended, so far as obligation to observe it was concerned, and a new series was introduced?" We can only answer, you have given an ingenious guess. Will you also tell us who instituted this new series of Sabbaths? On what day of the week are they to be celebrated? What law enforces their observance? As the Scripture is silent with regard to such matters, as now translated, can you not give an amended version? 4. Perhaps you may reply, that as "the one of the Sabbaths" succeeded to "the end of Sabbaths," it must have been the first day of the week. To say the least this is a question of doubt. For the phrase "the end of Sabbaths," is certainly not very definite. But there is nothing whatever to show that Acts xx, 7, and 1 Cor. xvi, 2, have any reference to the first day of the week, if your new translation changes them to "one of the Sabbaths." 5. But you have pointed out one exception in Rev. i, 10. The first day is there called "Lord's day." Who told you so, Bro. Litch? Are you not in this also "wise above what is written?" "The Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath." But in what text of Scripture do you read that he has "put away" his holy day, [Isa. lviii, 13,] and chosen another? Have you not made an unwarrantable addition to the Book of Revelation. See chap. xxii, 18. 6. The Editor of the "Herald," however, exposes the fallacy of the whole matter. His "remarks" show that the word Sabbath is used in a secondary sense meaning the whole week, other words determine the day of the week. The first of the week, therefore, has no claims to the character of Sabbath, and in this respect is like the thousand and one "cunningly devised fables," that men prefer in the place of the commandments of God. J. N. A. CONFERENCE AT BATH, N. Y.
By Editor
There will be a Conference at Bath, Steuben Co., N. Y., to commence Friday, Sept. 26th, at 6 o'clock P. M., and hold over the Sabbath and First-day. The scattered brethren are invited to attend. It may be expected that Brn. S. W. Rhodes and Joseph Bates will attend this meeting. Providence permitting they will also hold a Conference at Bingham or Ulysses, Potter Co., Penn., to commence Friday, Oct 3d, at 6 o'clock P. M., to hold over the Sabbath and First-day. The brethren there will please fix upon the place to hold the meeting, and address a line to Bro. Rhodes at Bath, N. Y., in season to be received by him before the conference there. If the brethren in Allegany Co., or any part of this State, desire Conferences, now is a good time. They can make their wishes known to Bro. S. W. Rhodes, who will be at Lincklaen, (N. Y.), Sept. 19th, and at Bath, Steuben Co., the 26th. There will be a General Conference of the brethren in New England and Canada East, at Sutton, Vt., to commence Friday, Sept. 26th, at 9 o'clock A. M., and hold three days or more. Those coming from abroad will please inquire for A. R. MORSE or HARVEY CHILDS, who will be ready to entertain them. Brn. Holt, White and Andrews may be expected to attend this conference. The traveling brethren, one and all, are invited to attend. In behalf of the brethren. ☞ As it may be expected that the meeting at Sutton will be a large one, we would suggest the propriety of those living within one or two days' ride taking bed-clothes with them. CONFERENCE IN CONNECTICUT.
By E. L. H. Chamberlain
There will be a General Conference, "if the Lord will," at Berlin, Ct., at the house of Bro. Joseph North, two miles east of the Depot, to commence on Friday, Oct. 3d, and hold over the Sabbath and First-day. We desire to see a general gathering of the Advent brethren from all parts of the State. "He that hath an ear let him hear." We also hope to see some from other States. And we do earnestly pray that God will send us some of his faithful messengers to break unto us the bread of life, giving to the household meat in due season. Those who come by the Cars, will stop at the Berlin Depot, where they will find a carriage on the arrival of the 12 M. and 3 P. M. trains, on Friday the 3d of October. In behalf of the brethren,
E. L. H. CHAMBERLAIN.
Middletown, Sept. 8th, 1851. CONFERENCE IN ILLINOIS.
By Hiram S. Case
There will be a Conference at Cold Spring Prairie, McHenry Co., Ill., to commence Oct. 3d. Bro. Case and Bowles expect to attend. The scattered brethren are invited to come to this meeting. In behalf of the brethren,
H. S. CASE. ☞ The Conference at West Milton will be held at the house of Bro. Horace Cushman. Letters received since August 28th.
By Editor
A. R. Smith 2, H. S. Case, L. Kellogg, A. E. Randall, A. Woodruff, S. W. Rhodes 2, A. S. Coburn, D. Daniels, E. L. H. Chamberlain 3, A. R. Morse, R. Moran, H. S. Gurney, O. Hewett, F. M. Shimper, Otis Nichols. Saul Strong, $30; L. Titus, Geo. Morse, A. Armon, C. Wetherbee, Alfred Chase, H. Lothrop, A. Hazeltine, O. Bartlett, Wm. Dolley, L. Woodworth, Joseph Jackson, M. Steembarg, Sarah Griggs, H. Roode, Joseph Hanson, S. Swan, C. P. Finch, T. Finch, E. A. Pool, B. C. Bancroft, a Friend, J. B. Sweet, $1 each; O. Hewett, C. Swan, 50 cents each; Wm. Lassel, Mrs. D. Strout, 25 cents each; T. Bailey, 60 cents. For the Pamphlet entitled 'Experience and Views.'
By Editor
C. S. Hurlbut, $2; Harriet Cole, C. P. Finch, $1 each; Jane M. Lowrey, $1.40. THE SABBATH QUESTION.
By J. Litch
BRO. HIMES:—I was forcibly struck while reading several tracts with which I met while on my passage from New-York to Hartford, with the apparent disingenuousness of the writer. One argument on which he seemed to lay great stress in support of the seventh-day Sabbath, was this,—that Sabbath means rest,—that the seventh day is called a Sabbath in the New Testament,—the first day is not so called, but is always designated the first day of the week. The truth is,—and Sabbatarians either do or ought to know it,—the evangelists never in the language in which the gospels are found, (the Greek,) called the first day of the week anything else but Sabbath. For the information of those who are shaken in their minds on this subject, I will transcribe the Greek text in Italics, containing the words rendered by our translators first day of the week, and also the word rendered by them Sabbath, meaning the seventh day. Matt. xxviii, 1—English translation: "In the end of the Sabbath, as it begins to dawn toward the first day of the week." Greek—Opse de sabbaton, te epiphooskuse eis mian sabbaton. There the identical word in the same case, genitive plural, rendered Sabbath when referring to the seventh day, is rendered first day of the week in the very next clause of the verse. A literal rendering would be, if we adopt the principle of our translators of Anglicising instead of translating the word,—"And in the end of Sabbaths, as it began to dawn toward one of Sabbath." Does not this indicate that one series of Sabbaths there ended, so far as obligation to observe it was concerned, and a new series was introduced? At any rate, the first is as positively called Sabbath as the seventh day. And all four of the evangelists designate it by the same word. Mark. xvi, 2—Kai lian proi tes mias sabbaton—"And very early the one of Sabbaths," &c. Luke xxiv, 1—Te de mia toon sabbaton—"And the one of the Sabbaths," &c. John xx, 1—Te de mia toon sabbaton—"And in the one of the Sabbaths," &c. Thus the four evangelists do agree in calling the first by the same name they do the seventh day of the week, and that word as certainly signifies rest in the one case as in the other. Let no one, therefore, hereafter contend that the writers of the New Testament never call the first day, Sabbath, or rest, for no New Testament writer has called it anything else, except John, (Rev. i, 10,) where it is called the "Lord's day." J. LITCH. Philadelphia, July 16th, 1851. REMARKS.—Lest any should gather from the above that the word Sabbath is represented by the phrase "first day of the week," we add that Sabbath is simply translated week in those texts—other words indicating the day of the week. The word Sabbath is originally a Hebrew word, and signifies rest; but occurring at regular intervals, by a metonymy it became significant of the periods separated by these rests. So that we have the seventh day of the rest, and the first day of the rest, week, or Sabbath.—ED. [Advent Herald. Experience and Views Pamphlet
By Editor
The Pamphlet, 'Experience and Views,' of 64 pages, will be ready in a few days. The edition will cost about $100, of which $38.40 has been sent in. Those only who are interested in it are invited to see that the amount is furnished. Oswego Conference.
By Editor
It will be proper, and no doubt interesting to the scattered brethren, for us to give a brief statement of this meeting. The number of believers in the present truth at this meeting, was about one hundred. Brn. Holt and Rhodes were present, and bore the true testimony with much freedom. Here we met with Brn. Pool, E. D. Cook, Stocking, Alden, and many others for the first time, and we felt that our hearts were united in the truth, and in the love of Christ. The brethren came together in the spirit of the gospel, and perfect harmony and union existed quite through the meeting. It was frequently remarked during the meeting that this was like Second Advent meetings in 1843 and 1844. The brethren were greatly comforted, and strengthened in the truth. Some who had not heard all the reasons of our faith presented, became fully convinced, and now feel resolved to take their stand fully with those who keep the commandments of God. The principal subjects presented, were the 2300 days, the Sanctuary, the commandments and law of God in the New Testament, gospel order in the church of Christ, and the "good works" that God's "peculiar people" should, and will be "zealous" of. The subject of the seven-years time was not mentioned. In fact, we know of no one in this State, or in the west, who teaches it. Some may suppose from our remarks in No. 2, that the seven-years time is held by quite a large portion of the brethren; but it is not so. The view has been mostly confined to the state of Vermont, and we learn by Bro. Holt that most of the brethren there have given it up. But we will return to the conference. First-day, in the forenoon, Bro. Holt spoke on the commandments and law of God in the New Testament, in a very clear, spirited, and convincing manner. The truth seemed to take deep root in the hearts of all the brethren present. The brethren at Oswego are well united and strong in the truth. They have made strong efforts to help advance the precious cause, and are much blest in so doing. Though poor, they do much for the cause. Bro. Lillis is in union with the church there, having confessed his error referred to in No. 2. He and his companion and children are seeking to walk blameless before God. We had a very pleasant visit with them, and the other dear brethren in Oswego.