BRO. SMITH: For the first time I undertake to say a few words through the Review, and feel it my duty to give in my testimony to the present truth. I believe we are having the third and last message of mercy to the world, and my prayer is that the Lord will help me to live in accordance with this belief. By the grace of God assisting me I am determined to endure to the end; for the promise is to such that they shall be saved.
It is now about one year since Brn. Bates and Waggoner left the impression on my mind that it was necessary to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus; and at that time I took a new start to know the will of the Lord and to keep all his commandments. I have no desire to even look back, but am determined to go on to know the Lord and his will concerning me.
My dear companion is striving with me to overcome and to heed the admonition to buy of him gold tried in the fire that we may be rich towards God, and raiment that we may be clothed, and eye-salve that we may see clearly the way of life.
We have no time to lose. I feel the need of a deeper work of grace in my heart, for the time draws near when he that shall come will come and will not tarry. May the Lord help each and every one of us to be in earnest; to be zealous and repent. May we realize that without holiness of heart no man shall see the Lord. My great desire is to hear the blessed invitation of Jesus, Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. Blessed hope of life and immortality beyond this world of sin and sorrow.
L. SCHELLHOUS
Colon, Mich., July, 1858.
CHARITY.
By J. Dorcas
It is said by one, that, "charity is the perfection of human nature." This is a good idea. But human nature, unaided, especially by the grace of God, can never arrive at that state of perfection, in which this grace can be exercised so as to please God, and save our souls.
A great deal might be said about charity; but in this article I would beg the privilege, merely, to stimulate to the free exercise of it among the brethren. In the first place, I would say, that none are truly commandment-keepers, who do not live in the daily practice of this grace. See 1 Tim. i, 5. "Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, &c." And they who are not subject to the Law of God, have the carnal mind. Rom. viii. 7.
Fleshly minded persons may go to great lengths in doing kind acts; but let us see to it that we are "spiritually minded" in all our kind offices toward each other. To know when our charity is right, see Paul's rule, "It edifies," 1 Cor. viii, 1, also all of chap. 13. In short, charity is that preparation of heart that will enable us to do right, in a right manner, from a right motive. This should be applied in every day life. 1 Cor. xvi, 14, "Let all your things be done with charity." We need not be afraid of going too far in the practice of this heavenly grace, if we have attained to the prerequisite, "have fervent charity among yourselves." 1 Pet. iv, 8. In view of this grace abounding, Paul rejoiced greatly. See 2 Thess. i, 3. "We are bound to thank God always for you brethren, because the charity of every one of you all towards each other aboundeth." But be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 1 Tim. iv, 12. And if, in the discharge of every duty, we should obey the injunction of Peter, "Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity," peace may be with us all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen. 1 Pet. v, 14. Now abideth faith, hope, charity.
*"And ever thus in this lower world,
Should the banner of love be wide unfurled,
And when we meet in the world above,
May we love to live and live to love."*
J. DORCAS.
Fremont, O.
A New Sabbath Keeper in Vermont
By C. A. Chase
From C. A. Chase.
BRO. SMITH: I have had the privilege of seeing and reading the Review through the kindness of sister Bean, and being very anxious to take it I now write to have you send it to me. I have been striving to keep the Sabbath since January, that being my first of keeping the seventh day. I found favor in the sight of the Lord, if I can judge from past experience of the enjoyment that I had whilst I was with the nominal church.
If I know my own heart I can truly thank the Lord for his continued mercies to me. I am the only one in this town that keeps the Sabbath; and it is my prayer that God will send some more of his messengers this way. I heard Brn. Barr and Bean last winter, and the truth that was there presented, it seems to me, no honest or candid man could reject. I believe that the Lord will yet bring out more to search for the truth, and raise up a host of saints to have their lamps trimmed and burning, and oil in their vessels.
I am determined to so live as to be ready to meet Christ at his coming.
Yours striving to overcome,
C. A. Chase.
St. Albans Vt., June 13th, 1858.
A Sabbath Keeper’s Prayer
Sister Laura C. Hutchins writes from Ganges, July 1st, 1858: ‘It is now one year and a half since I felt it my duty to keep holy the seventh day. I have met with but one or two of like faith. I feel that the Lord has blest me in my endeavors to do his will, I feel greatly the need of grace to enable me to ‘deal justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with my God.’ I should like to meet with those who profess the Advent faith, and see for my self whether their faith is manifest by their works; for I know they are everywhere spoken against. My prayer is that the people of God may arise and let their light shine.’
O B I T U A R Y .
By J. B. Frisbie
SISTER Polly D. Rice of Chester, Ottawa Co., Mich., died, of consumption, July 1st, aged 32 years, leaving her husband and two children to mourn her loss. She embraced the Sabbath about six years ago, in the city of Grand Rapids. She lived out her faith as near as she could. We hope that the family and friends, will live up to the good example set by her. I visited her a few days before her death, and found her resigned to the will of the Lord. Her hopes of salvation were bright. I preached on the occasion to a congregation of attentive hearers, taking as a subject, 1. The purchase of Christ. 2. The gift of God. 3. The reward of the saints. The impressions made on the occasion I trust may be lasting.
J. B. FRISBIE.
Live for Christ
Jesus lived for you, and requires in return that you should live for him.
IMPORTANCE OF A TEACHABLE DISPOSITION.—Dr. Taylor, of Norwich, England, once said to me, says the excellent Mr. Newton, "Sir, I have collated every word in the Hebrew Scriptures seventeen times; and it is very strange if the doctrine of atonement, which you hold, should not have been found by me." I am not surprised at this: I once went to light my candle with the extinguisher on it; now, prejudices from education, learning, &c., often form an extinguisher. It is not enough that you bring the candle; you must remove the extinguisher.
TRUTH AND ERROR.—If you want truth to go round the world, you must hire an express train to pull it; but if you want a lie to go round the world, it will fly: it is as light as a feather and a breath will carry it.
Tent Meetings in Michigan.
By M. E. Cornell; R. J. Lawrence
In consequence of the continued cold, rainy weather, our commencement was two weeks later than we expected. We met with the church at Shelby two Sabbaths, and the Lord gave power to the word to the awakening of the lukewarm, much to our encouragement. On the second First-day night were buried by baptism in commemoration of the burial and resurrection of Christ the Saviour of the world.
Our first meeting in the tent was at Canandaigua, Oakland Co. We found the people much prejudiced at first, but their prejudice gave way as they learned our true position, and heard the evidence from Scripture. Our meetings were well attended and supported. We heard of a goodly number that decided to keep the Lord's day, instead of the day the Pope sanctified. Two were baptized on the last day of our meeting. Books were taken very liberally, considering the hard times. About $14 dollars' worth were taken. Thirty-five subscribed for the Review.
A certain minister thought to do us much harm by the cry of "wolf," but the Lord caused the wrath of man to praise him. It all turned out for the furtherance of the work of reform.
We were all very much comforted by a visit from Bro. White who was with us the last two days of the meeting. His testimony on the Sabbath, one Law-giver, &c., seemed to be a complete hinder on what had gone before, and we all felt that it was enough, and we were free to learn them to choose whom they would serve. If the Lord be God, then keep his Sabbath; but if the Pope of Rome be God, then keep his Sunday.
We are now in Lapeer. We came to this place and had no friends, only as money made them; all was dark, and we felt that truly the Lord must work or our efforts here would be a failure. But when we had walked by faith nearly two days in advertising and preparing for a meeting without the least encouragement, suddenly we were surrounded by friends ready to help us in pitching and seating the tent, and welcome us to their homes. Our almost involuntary cry was, "This is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes." The clouds are gone, and we feel confident that the Lord is going before us, and to him be all the glory.
M. E. CORNELL.
R. J. LAWRENCE.
Lapeer, July 15th, 1858.
Meetings in Northern Mich.
BRO. SMITH: We have just returned from our Northern trip. We finished our lectures in Chester, Ottawa Co., where we trust good has been done in the name of the Lord. Some few embraced the Sabbath, and there is hope that a number more will soon.
We met the church in Wright three Sabbaths, and tried to strengthen them by showing the importance of union, and a good understanding of Bible truth, and a large share of the Spirit of the Lord, that their prayers might be spirited, and their testimonies short and pointed. Experience may be taught, but must also be learned. It is much easier to hear another's experience than it is to learn one for ourselves.
The Apostle says, "We glory in tribulations also; knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope; and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." Rom. v, 3-5.
"Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises; that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And besides this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth." 2 Pet. i, 4-12.
There is much to be learned from the parable of the sower. Matt. xiii, 3-24.
We left the church here in a prosperous and flourishing condition, and they may continue so if they keep humble, united and faithful. In addition to the thirty-eight that Bro. Rhodes baptized, there were twenty-two more baptized, which in all make sixty. Others are ready to move forward, and more will be soon.
The opposition preaching has turned and established some in the present truth. We entertain no fears of those "good ground" hearers who learn of our faith with a full determination to live it out, being "turned from the holy commandment delivered unto them," (the Sabbath;) but only such as love the traditions of men, as Sunday-keeping and other unscriptural doctrines that are not in the Bible at all, such as an immaterial God without body, the Son of God being his own father, heaven beyond space, that is nowhere, with an immaterial immortal soul just like God, being part of God himself, going to heaven or hell at death, that is, a part of God going to hell, then to be called out of hell to be united with the body to be sent back again to remain to all eternity to die the death that never dies, while the righteous may live the life that never lives.
On our return we called to preach in Caledonia, and found we had no message for the people until the church lives up to the light already received. By the help of the Spirit of the Lord the cause of darkness was found to be with a few who had not the spirit of the present truth. These we hope will make straight work before God soon.
J. B. FRISBIE.
S. W. RHODES.
Wishes, Suffering, and Judgment
Men usually follow their wishes till suffering compels them to follow their judgment.
Reasons for Belief
*If men were compelled to give a reason for every thing they profess to believe, one of two things is certain; either that reasons would become more abundant than they are in the present day, or that doctrines would be fewer.
A P P O I N T M E N T S.
By J. B. Frisbie; S. W. Rhodes
Providence permitting, it may be expected there will be meetings in the following places, as the brethren may appoint:
Windsor, Mich., Sabbath, July 24th, all day. First-day, where brethren may appoint.
Portland, Tuesday, 27th, at 5 P. M.
Ionia, Thursday, 29th, at 5 P. M.
Vergennes, Sabbath, 31st, and hold over First-day.
Bowne, Tuesday, Aug. 3d and 4th, at 5 P. M.
Grand Rapids, Thursday 5th.
Wright, Sabbath and First-day, 7th and 8th.
Caledonia, Tuesday, 10th, at 5 P. M.
Gaines, Wednesday, 11th, at 5 P. M.
Wayland, Thursday, 12th, at 5 P. M.
Monterey, Sabbath and First-day, 14th and 15th.
Allegan, Tuesday, 17th, at 5 P. M.
Otsego, Thursday, 19th, at 5 P. M.
Wherever it may be convenient the ordinances of baptism and the Lord's supper may be attended to.
We shall have on hand books of all kinds on the present truth. J. B. FRISBIE.
S. W. RHODES.
Business Items.
By Editor
S. Myers:—Received.
L. A. Bramhall:—The paper referred to has been sent to Oswego, N. Y. We now change to Owego, and extend the credit three months longer. Having no tract treating particularly on the Scape-goat, we send Review No. 4, Vol. ix, containing an article on that subject.
R. Sawyer:—A copy of Litch's Expositions and Miller's Lectures can be had at this Office for $1.
J. Barrows:—S. N. Smith's paper is credited on our book to Vol. xii, No. 1.
Books sent since July 11th, 1858.—R. Holland, Mich., Wm. H. Graham, Ct., B. Graham, Ct., Wm. Lawton, N. Y., H. Luce, Wis., S. C. Perry, Mich., A. Dixon, Ills., S. Myers, Ills., R. Sawyer, N. Y.
Receipts.
Annexed to each receipt in the following list, is the Volume and Number of the 'Review and Herald' to which the money receipted pays If money for the paper is not in due time acknowledged, immediate notice of omission should then be given.
FOR REVIEW AND HERALD.
J. H. Palmer 1,00,xiii,3. H. W. Gordon 0,50,xii,20. H. C. McDearman 0,64 xii,20. Jno. Saulsbury 1.00,xiii,7. S. A. McPherson 2,00,xiv,3. James Sawyer 2,00,xiv,7. R. Blantern 0,25,xiii,1. I. Rogers 0,25,xiii,1. Chas. Bostwick 0,25,xiii,1. F. Kittle 0,50,xii,18. S. Rogers 1,00,xiii,5. A. Richardson 0,25,xiii,1. D. Stafford 1,00,xiii,1. A. M. Cole 2,50,xiv,17. Chas. Buck 0,25,xiii,1. W. Hastings 0,25,xiii,1. F. Bostwick 0,50,xii,16. J. E. James 1,00,xiii,10. Wm. Merry 1,00,xui,1. H. Town 2,00,xiii,1. H. Rockwell 3,00,xiii,1. J. Lunger 2,00,xiii,1. J. M. Avery 1,00,xiii,1. Wm. Mills 1,00,xii,1. P. H. Cady 2,10 xiii,19. J. Johnson 1,00,xiii,1. A. Dixon 1,00,xiii,9. Phebe Vedder (for J. Butler) 0,25,xiii,1. O. C. Collins (for J. S. Miner) 0,38,xiii,1. M. Slayton 1,00,xii,1. N. Hough 1,00,xiii,14 E. M. L. Corey 1,00,xui,1. N. Landon 0,25,xii,23. H. Rowley 0,25,xii,23. J. Decker 0,25,xii,23. D. Waterman 0,25,xii,23. L. McCracken 0,25,xii,23. A. J. Whitmore 0,25,xii,23. M. Decker 0,25,xii,23. I. Haddrill 0,25,xii,23. E. Jones 0,25,xii,23. J. Gingell 0,25,xii,23. Wm. Potter 0,50,xiii,7. A. N. Curtis 1,00,xiii,1. E. Ingerson 1,00,xiii,10. Jno. Martin 1,00,xiii,1. C. Walker 1,00,xii,19. D. G. Needham (for C. Dugan) 0,50,xiii,1. H. W. Lawrence (0,50 each for A. Whitford & J. McGibbon) 1,00, each to xiii,10, Thos. F. Hubbard 1,00,xii,14.
FOR POWER PRESS.—Wm. S. Lane $1.
FOR MICH. TENT.—S. C. Perry $2.
The Paper Chart
By Editor
We had designed to furnish a larger share of the editorial matter for this paper; but our week has been almost entirely occupied in preparing for the press, the paper chart. To condense the greatest amount of information into a small space, and give such dates, important and prominent facts of history, with authorities, as shall meet the present want in this direction, has been a source of no small amount of study and anxiety. We have labored to make it suitable for the private study of believers in present truth, generally, and also convenient and valuable as a sheet of reference. If we have succeeded in this, all will at once see that it is just the thing to place in the hands of those who are beginning to investigate the subjects which so deeply interest us, or those whose attention we may wish to engage in their examination. By presenting prominent and interesting facts before the mind, and showing, as it were, at one view, chains of prophecy from their commencement to their close, some may be led to see the harmony of the prophetic word, and take an interest in these things who could not otherwise be reached. We hope it will be the means of spreading light and doing good.
Bro. O. Davis, of North Berwick, Me., writes: "I approve much of the plan of getting out a cheap chart. I think it may give light on present truth (if its style is easy and simple) where it would be difficult to get it in any other way."
For the information of those who have inquired, as well as all others, we would say that it will probably be printed before the issue of another paper. The reading it contains, in explanation of the symbols, is about equal, we think, to 24 pages of our common tract print. Price, single copies, 25 cts.; five for $1; $2 per dozen.
Discussion on the Law and Sabbath
By Editor
T. J. Whitesitt writes from Mt. Pleasant, Green Co., Wis.: "Bro. Smith: There has been considerable agitation this last winter and spring upon the Law and Sabbath. We wish to ask through your paper if there is any brother who will take up that subject and discuss it with some brother that we may choose, and have it published for the benefit of investigators."
We submit the above request to the messengers in the western field, that they may act upon it as their convenience or judgment may determine.