p. 15 | Review and Herald, Vol. 25, No. 2. (12/6/1864)

Papal Supremacy.

WHEN DID IT COMMENCE?

In 538 A. D. we say. In 533 says the new-time theory. This point, it seems to us, can be settled without spending much time, or wasting many words.

What are the prophecies respecting the period of papal supremacy, or, which is the same thing, the 1260 years? We find the first in Dan. vii, 25. Speaking of the papal horn, the prophet says: "And he shall speak great words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and think to change times and laws; and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time."

In the book of Revelation we find the same period several times brought to view. Twice it marks the time during which the woman, or the church, should dwell in the wilderness, and once it is given to denote the continuance of the seven-headed and ten-horned beast of Rev. xiii.

Now what facts of history have we from which any one can argue the commencement of this period of 1260 years? Answer. In 533 A. D. Justinian issued a decree constituting the pope the head of all the churches. In 538 he was enabled to remove the obstacles that stood in the way of the carrying out of that decree, and place the man of sin upon the pontifical throne. From which of these events shall we date the period in question? Shall we date it from the time when Justinian formed the purpose of making the bishop of Rome the head of the churches? or from the time when he was able to carry that purpose into execution? Which do the various prophecies we have quoted, demand? The language of Daniel is that the saints times and laws should be given into his hand for a certain time. When were they given into his hand? We can determine this point by one question; namely, Had Justinian never been able to put into execution his decree concerning the pope, would the saints have been given into his hand? Assuredly they would not. All must admit this. Then had the events never been accomplished which were accomplished in 538, Justinian might have decreed till the day of his death, and the saints would only have laughed at his abortive legislation, and bid defiance to the paper fulminations of the man of sin. It was the events, then, of 538, that gave the saints times and laws into the hands of the pope. But they were to be given into his hands for 1260 years. From what point then, are we to date this period? From 538 of course. There is no other point in the annals of time.

Try it again. The woman, or the church, was to go into the wilderness, and be nourished there for 1260 years. What was to cause the church thus to go into the wilderness? The elevation of the man of sin. But had the decree of Justinian never been accomplished, would the church have been obliged to flee into the wilderness? By no means. But her wilderness state was to continue 1260 years, and must beyond question, be dated from these events which drove her into that state; which were the events of 538.

And what event was to mark the termination of those days? This is clearly indicated in Rev. xiii, 10. Speaking of the blasphemous beast, the papacy, which was to "continue" forty-two months, John says, "He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity. He that killeth with the sword, must be killed with the sword." Was this accomplished in 1793, where the 1260 years would end if commenced in 533? We answer, No. But in 1798, which was 1260 years from 538, the pope was taken prisoner, he was literally led into captivity, and died in exile.

Should the present dispensation continue beyond the year 1868, and it thus become necessary for those who live on time, to fix another date, we venture to predict that the position here set forth, would, without much hesitation, be adopted, and essentially the same arguments be used to establish it; in other words that the time-ists would argue as strenuously for 538 as the commencement of the 1260 years, as they now do for 533.

But what is the object of dating from 533? Answer. That is the year from which if we commence the 1335 years, they will end in 1868; and, with the new-time theory, that is apparently enough. But suppose 533 marks the commencement of papal supremacy, what authority have we for dating the 1335 days from that point? What says the prophecy? Dan. xii, 11, 12: "And from the time that the daily [sacrifice] shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and sixty days. Blessed is he that waiteth and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days." We presume no one will deny that these two periods, thus introduced together, have the same starting point. And what is that starting point? The answer that is given us is, From the time that the daily shall be taken away. This daily has often been shown through the Review to be not a sacrifice but an abomination, referring to Paganism. And no Adventist will deny that the

abomination that maketh desolate, spoken of in connection with it, is the papacy. Now the margin reads, From the time that the daily shall be taken away, "to set up" the abomination that maketh desolate, &c. Hence from the time that paganism is taken away, in order to the setting up of the papacy, these periods are to date. And when was paganism taken away? In 508, thirty years before the papacy was set up. But granting that the papacy was set up in 533, there is not one particle of evidence for dating the 1335 days from that point. Indeed it is directly contrary to the prophecy so to do; for that declares that they are to date from another point. Thus this theory has not coherence enough to stand, though we grant one half of its assumed foundation.

Organization.

By James White

AN army must be organized; a meeting must be organized; a school must be organized; and system is regarded as indispensable in any business transaction of any magnitude and importance. It is said, "Order is Heaven's first law." Order is the delight of good angels. Satan by rebelling against the organization of Heaven fell, and has since been a special enemy of good order. "God is not the author of confusion." The Devil is. The saints on earth should be in sympathy with Heaven, and not with the author of confusion.

The great objection in the minds of some against Seventh-day Adventists, is, their organization. And for their benefit we now take up the subject. Now what have Seventh-day Adventists done in the line of organization? They have done only what seemed absolutely necessary. They have moved no further than the necessities of the case have driven them. They formed a Publishing Association, because they could not see any other way to successfully conduct the publishing department.

In 1850 we commenced the publication of the Review and Herald on our own responsibility, because there was then no other person or persons to take hold of this work. In the same way we commenced the publication of books and tracts. But as we were without means, we did business on borrowed capital. The friends of the cause liberally donated from time to time to purchase printing material, presses, &c., but in order to reprint and keep on hand a full assortment of our publications, we had to give our notes for money which the friends of the cause put into our hands, generally without interest.

In 1860 we were in debt at least $4,000. It is true that we had in our hands in printing material, presses, stock, and in books and tracts, to the amount of $10,000, of which we were the only legal owner, yet it was not ours. And in case of fire this would have been swept away, and we left $4,000 at least worse than nothing.

In addition to this, we were charged with exercising the one-man power—being editor of the Review, and in reality proprietor of the publishing department—with making it a matter of speculation for personal advantages, &c.; and it was decidedly an unhappy position for any man to occupy unless he was ignorant of all justice, and unfeeling to all injuries.

We resolved to stand it no longer, and called on our people to form a Publishing Association, which could annually elect its trustees, and into whose hands we could make over the property intrusted to our care. This was finally accomplished, but not without a struggle against the prejudices of many. Now editors and trustees are elected annually by the members of the Association. And all who labor in connection with the publishing department receive moderate wages, below mechanics generally, and if profits should arise from the business, they would add to the property of the Association without being the least benefit to any particular person or persons.*

With such a basis for our publishing department, the friends every where have been free to take stock and to donate. After we made over to the Association, property to the amount of every dollar that had been donated to the office from first to last, for presses, printing material, book fund, &c., and $1,200 more for the use of this property, there was still in our hands, in books which we sold to the Association, an amount sufficient to pay our debts. Thank God for the freedom of being able to "owe no man anything."

The almost unparalleled prosperity of the publishing department of the Seventh-day Adventists, must be attributed mainly to the fact that it is not owned by one man, but by the body; and is not controlled by one man, but by the body. If money is wanted, let the friends of the cause be apprised of the fact, and it comes freely into the treasury. The Devil knows that it would be too glaring an imposition to raise the cry of speculation under present arrangements, and as his only resort, he would inspire prejudice in the minds of those who are willing to be prejudiced against that wholesome, and reasonable organization which has so effectually stopped his mouth.

It is a matter worthy of notice, that the very persons who had so much to say about the one-man power, and speculation, were the first to oppose the organization of the Publishing Association, by which both the means and the control of the publishing department, were put out of our hands. Which displeased them most, having these in our hands, or putting them out of our hands, we know not. They were tempted, pettish, and faultfinding of those things of which they knew but little, and we very much doubt whether any action on our part, whatever it might have been, would have pleased them.

But it is objected that the Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association was instituted according to law, and that the property is held lawfully. To us, this is one of its highest recommendations. Do the Scriptures anywhere forbid the people of God the right of legal business transaction? If they do, then to hold real estate legally is a sin. Away, then, with your deeds of farms and building lots, and all this care and expense in securing good title. But in order that publishing for Seventh-day Adventists may be carried on, and they cannot dispense with this powerful means of spreading the truth, somebody must hold the deed of the ground where the publishing house stands. And we ask, wherein is it worse for several brethren to associate themselves together according to law, and hold it in their incorporated name, and transact business in that name, than for one of them to hold it, and transact business legally in his own name? The laws of Michigan provide for both. Is one wrong? then both are wrong, and law and order are a mistake. Such a position will do for the savage and the shattered faunatic; but sober reason and pure religion may inquire, What principle taught in the sacred Scriptures is violated by either?

When we commenced publishing, fifteen years since, we had no idea of the extent of the work, and that it would ever be necessary to employ a capital of $25,000, in the publishing department of the cause of present truth. Then there were but a handful of Sabbath keepers, and we saw no need of that organization which has since become necessary. This, by some, is referred to as proof that we have backslidden. They say, You are doing business on a different scale from that on which you first started. True; then the entire business amounted to only $377, for the first eight months. During the last eight months, the business of the association has not been less than $18,000. A different scale, indeed. We affirm again, as we leave this point, that we have urged organization only where it was absolutely demanded by the necessities of the case, and then we have recommended the simplest form possible that would answer the purpose.

Fifteen years since, we had no meeting-houses. We had no use for them, as our small assemblies could be convened as well in private dwellings. We then saw no need of legally organizing religious societies to hold houses of worship, for we had none to hold. But as the message has gathered its thousands to the Sabbath, besides Tents, or "the Cotton Churches," as they are sometimes called, houses of worship, as a matter of stern necessity, have been built in most of the free states. These houses of worship must be held legally, if held at all. Deeds must be held, either in the names of persons, or of religious societies, organized according to law.

"But can you not trust some good brother to hold your place of worship for the church?" Answer. If it be wrong for a religious society to hold a place of worship—if that church is criminally leaning upon the arm of the law in such a case—it would be equally wrong, and leaning upon the arm of the law, for one brother to hold it. And who would contribute toward building houses in such a case? The chances of their being retained for the benefit of the church would depend upon the honesty, or life, of the one brother who might be selected to hold the deed. Should he backslide, he could close the house of worship. Should he die, his heirs could do the same.

The Adventists of Cincinnati, Ohio, built a place of worship called the Tabernacle, on a brother's lot. Satan tempted this brother, he yielded, got possession of the key, locked out the congregation, and the place built and consecrated for the worship of God was turned into a vinegar establishment. But soon they built a Chapel on a brother's lot whom they could certainly trust. He played a similar trick, and the Advent people were driven to worship in a private dwelling, and the cause went down. Was God honored in this? Did holy angels rejoice? Or did this sacrifice to a blind conscientiousness, unenlightened by the word of God, cause Satan and his angels to shout with great delight over the victory gained. And in the final settlement of affairs will not the question be asked, "Who hath required this at your hand?"

"But it is doing like all the churches." When it can be shown that it is a sin for the various churches to build houses of worship, and hold them legally, then this may be considered a real objection. The law provides but one way for all religious societies to hold houses of worship, and we may avail ourselves of the benefits of that, or have none, as we please. But is it wrong to do anything which the churches do? These very friends of disorder build their dwelling houses like their Methodist and Baptist neighbors, and hold their deeds just as they do. Is it not the duty of Christians to labor to do right, without desiring to be different from others, only when the pure principles of a consistent Christianity require them to differ? Do others love the world more than Christ? They should differ, and love Christ most. Do others revenge the rival Sabbath of the Papacy? They should differ so far as to keep the commandments of God. These and many like differences are commendable. But to differ, for the sake of differing and being odd, appears to us no part of the Christian religion.

Seventh-day Adventists claim that their simple church organization and discipline are scriptural, and that these are entirely independent of their legally organized societies to hold church property. The civil law has no more to do with dictating their church organization, and their church discipline, than it has in directing their manner of worship. Then let no one confound these which are distinct. One is necessary conformity to the requirements of the civil law, to properly hold church property. The other is simply carrying out scriptural order and discipline in the church.

We have been quite definite and lengthy on this subject, first, because some who observe the Sabbath, are laboring under mistaken views of what Seventh-day Adventists have done relative to organization; and, second, because it seems necessary to meet the influence of those who delight to misrepresent us. We want the facts to appear, and the honest undeceived.

We found it reported in Maine, that as a condition of church membership, all were required to send one-tenth of their property to Battle Creek. This slander was doubtless started in consequence of our successful plan of systematic benevolence. We hope all those who may hear this scandal will have the privilege of reading the plain statements of facts relative to our system of benevolence which we have given.

It was also reported that we have become so rich that our yearly taxes amounted to $1,000. This is not the way the Devil likes to have things go. To meet these slanders so industriously circulated by our enemies, we will briefly state the following:

1. No person is compelled to pay one cent into the benevolent treasury.

2. All, with the exception of the aged, infirm, and widows who are poor, are simply invited to enter upon the system which calls for only about one per cent annually of what they are worth. For instance, if one is worth $100, it calls for $1.00 each year. If he is worth $1,000, it calls for $10.00 annually. If he is worth $10,000, it calls for only $100 annually of his wealth.

3. Each person is left to assess his own property, and act freely in the fear of God.

4. We pay into the s. n. treasury of the Battle Creek church, about $40 annually; and beyond this we have no more to do with the funds of Seventh-day Adventists than Abraham Lincoln has to do with them.

5. Our entire annual taxes amount to less than $25.

6. The treasurer of the Michigan State Conference resides at Battle Creek; hence funds for this conference are sent to Battle Creek. Church treasurers in other States, send funds to their State treasurers wherever they may be located, to be used in their several States for the support of the cause. They are no more required to send their funds to Battle Creek, than to Jerusalem or to Mecca.

And, finally, the good order, activity, and prosperity of Seventh-day Adventists are attracting the attention of the world. Some admire, others are stirred with hatred, and there is a general feeling with certain classes that the work must be stopped. One starts a falsehood, and a thousand love to repeat it. And it will be seen that the scripture phrase, "Whosoever loveth and maketh a lie," applies to a large class. Some manufacture, others peddle the scandal, and the Devil is highly gratified. But God lives and reigns, and by his help the principles and practices of Seventh-day Adventists will be fully set before the people, that they may be able to judge righteously between them, and those who misrepresent and slander them. J. W.

THE EARTH WILL BE EMPTIED OF ITS INHABITANTS AT THE SECOND ADVENT

By R. F. Cottrell

Day of the Lord, No. 4.

THE EARTH WILL BE EMPTIED OF ITS INHABITANTS AT THE SECOND ADVENT.

The saints will go to the Father's house in Heaven. That they will be "caught up to meet the Lord in the air" will not be disputed by believers in the word; but some think they will go no further in that direction than the atmosphere of our earth—that they have no promise of going to Heaven. Let us hear the word on this point.

Our Saviour said to his disciples, "Great is your reward in Heaven." Matt. v, 12. But some one will say, "They have a reward in Heaven, but it will be brought to them, when the holy city descends to earth; they will not go to it."

Let us inquire. Enoch and Elijah have never died; they are living somewhere at present. Where are they? In Heaven, is the reply; the time came that "the Lord would take up Elijah into Heaven by a whirlwind," and it was done: "Elijah went up by a whirlwind into Heaven." 2 Kings ii, 1, 11. "Enoch was translated that he should not see death;" he could not be found on earth; "for God took him." Heb. xi, 5; Gen. v, 24. It is reasonable to infer from these examples, that all the saints, when made immortal, will enjoy the same privilege.

But we have something better than inferences. We have positive testimony on this point. When the Lord Jesus was about to leave his disciples and "go to the Father," he said to them, as he had before said to the Jews, "Whither I go, ye cannot come." Jno. xiii, 33. "Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterward." Verse 36. Here is a positive promise to Peter that he should, at some future time, follow him to the place where he was then going; and verse 1 informs us that the time "was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father." He said himself, "I go to the Father." Chap. xiv, 12, 28; xvi, 10, 17, 28. The word whither means "to what place." Then the question of Peter, and the Lord's answer, are equivalent to this: Lord, to what place goest thou? To what place, or, to the place where I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me (there) afterward.

Peter has the promise of following Jesus to the Father's house; but is his case to be an exception to a general rule? Is he, in this, to be favored above the rest of his disciples? Not at all. Our Lord continues: "Let not your heart be troubled; ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." Chap. xiv, 1-3.

This is addressed, not to Peter alone, but to all the disciples. The Father's house is capacious. It has many mansions. There is room there for all the saints of all ages. Jesus has gone to prepare the place for their reception. He is coming to earth again. What for? to remain here with his disciples? for them to receive him to themselves? No. Said he, "I will come again, and receive you unto myself." Or, as Campbell renders it, I will return and "take you with me," that where I am, ye may be also.

Thus it is proved by positive testimony, not only that the saints will be caught up from earth at the second advent, but, that they will be taken to those mansions in Heaven which Jesus said were in his Father's house, the place to which he went when he left the earth.

More testimony might be brought to prove this proposition, such as that of the saints' standing on the sea of glass, which is before the throne of God in Heaven: Rev. xv, 2; iv, 1, 2, 6; and that of the "voice of much people in Heaven," Rev. xix, 1, rejoicing at the overthrow of Babylon recorded in the preceding chapter; &c., but the testimony adduced is amply sufficient for those who are satisfied with positive declarations of the word, and therefore I will not pursue the subject further. The saints of God leave the earth and go to Heaven, at the second advent and first resurrection; and at this point of time commence their reign with Christ a thousand years.

R. F. COTTRELL.

Report from Bro. Loughborough.

By John Norton Loughborough

WHEN my last report was made, Bro. Cornell and myself were holding a tent meeting at Brunswick, Me., with large congregations, and good interest. The sickness of Bro. Cornell and his companion, greatly crippled our force, so that our effort there was not as thorough as it otherwise would have been. A few, however, have come out on the truth, and others are investigating. But we cannot expect the masses to embrace an unpopular truth in a popular village, especially if many of those whose attention is arrested by the truth, study to know how to please their popular friends, instead of learning the lesson of entire submission to God, let the consequences be as they may.

Since the close of the tent season, I have accompanied Bro. and sister White in their appointments in Maine, Vermont, and Rhode Island. I can say for myself, that I have been greatly benefited in this trip, not only by their instructions in spiritual things, but also by the excellent information they imparted on health, diet, &c. I am satisfied their visit, though made under somewhat discouraging circumstances, has told for the advancement of the cause of truth.

And here I would say, that the instruction I have received on health, I am trying to practice. For the short time I have been striving to live strictly in accordance with the laws of life, I have been greatly benefited. It is, however, about one year since I commenced a reform in relation to meat-eating. As I had been in the habit of using meat three times a day when I could get it, for the first two months in reform I ate meat only once a day. Then for a couple of months I only ate meat twice a week. Then for a month once a week. Then for three months once a month. And for the last four months no meat has passed my lips. And for the last two months I have eaten but two meals a day. Never was sleep sweeter, or health better, or my mind more cheerful, since I first started in the service of God at the age of 17 years, than for the last two months. With the short experience I have had, I would not, for any consideration, go back to the meat, spice, pepper, sweet cake, pickles, mustard, headache, stomach-ache and gloom, and give up the good wholesome fruit, grain, and vegetable diet, with pure cold water as a drink, no headaches, cheerfulness, happiness, vigor and health.

But I do not urge these things upon others, or judge them about their meat. But I do esteem it a privilege to tell them what a temporal blessing I have found in this direction.

Since Bro. White's return to Michigan, I spent Sabbath, Nov. 12th, at Portland, where I preached twice. The little church there are much encouraged of late, from the tokens of good they see in their midst. May all the honest souls there that wish to serve God in sincerity, be gathered into one body.

Wednesday evening, Nov. 16, I spoke to a few at Bro. Howland's, in Topsham. I was glad to learn that some have come out decided on the truth since the Brunswick tent-meeting.

Last Sabbath and first-day I spent here. Spoke once on the Sabbath to a little company of Sabbath keepers. I spoke twice yesterday at Bryant's pond, and after the second meeting we repaired to a beautiful pond near the meeting house, where a son of Bro. Davis, who has of late come out to serve the Lord, was buried with Christ in baptism. A few months since, this young man was brought very near the grave by the power of disease. During his sickness, his mind was greatly distressed concerning his condition. His desire was not to get well, but to find acceptance with the Lord. I learned his condition by a letter from his parents, and tried to write words of encouragement to him. I was made glad to see him at the depot on my arrival in this place, recovered from his sickness and happy in the Lord. Since his recovery he has not forgotten his vows, but desires to walk carefully before the Lord.

I expect to have a meeting here Wednesday evening to complete the organization of the church, and then go on to North Jay. J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH. Woodcock, Me., Nov. 21st, 1864.

Liberty to be Damned.

FREDERICIK the II. of Prnssia, received a petition from one of his districts praying that a certain clergyman be suspended from preaching, because he held that the punishment of the wicked would come to an end. The King took his pen and wrote the following:

I have considered the above petition, and do hereby give my royal permission to all my loyal subjects to

be damned to all eternity if they choose it. But I do positively forbid their quarreling with their neighbors who are not willing to keep their company so long.

Popery.

By Jesse Hiestand

Hundreds of years since, when intellectual and moral science was a wilderness an assembly of divines, as they are called, affecting to cast off popery undertook to stereotype the theology of the church and to think for all future generations.

Every uninspired attempt to frame for the church an authoritative standard of opinion which shall be regarded as an unquestionable exposition of the word of God, is not only impious in itself, but it is also a tacit assumption of the fundamental dogma of the papacy.

The assembly of divines did more than to assume the necessity of a pope to give law to the opinions of men; they assumed to create an immortal one or rather to embalm their own creed and preserve it as the pope of all generations without change or alteration. To reform the church of Rome is hopeless; but it would be better for them to have a living than a dead pope. A living dog is better than a dead lion; so a living pope is better than a dead and stereotyped confession of faith and unalterable dogmas.

Jesse Hiestand.

Note from Bro. Canright.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

Bro. WHITE: Our meetings in this place closed yesterday. We have been here nearly six weeks and have given forty-eight lectures. The interest steadily increased till the last days of our meetings, when the house was crowded as full as it could be. Fifteen have commenced to "keep the Sabbath day according to the commandment."

We have obtained twelve subscribers for the Review, and sold over $40, worth of books. We feel that the Lord has been in this work. To him be all praise. In the adjoining district, the people offered to furnish us wood, lights, board, &c., if we would give them a course of lectures. But circumstances would not permit us to do so. May these brethren and sisters live out the truth and honor God.

D. M. CANRIGHT.

Jackson, Ind.

Letters.

"Them they that feared the Lord, spake often one to another."

This department of the paper is designed for the brethren and sisters to freely and fully communicate with each other respecting their hopes and determinations, conflicts and victories, attainments and desires, in the heavenly journey. Seek first a living experience and then record it, carefully and prayerfully, for the comfort and encouragement of the other members of the household of faith.

From Bro. Frisbie.

Bro. White: I was called on to give two discourses on the death of two soldiers, about three weeks ago, in the town of Leslie. I also attended a funeral in the village of Leslie on the death of Bro. Hulet's oldest daughter, about thirteen years old, whose mother died last summer, and whose father was drafted and has gone to the war. The only mourner of the family left there, was a little sister about eleven years old. It was an affecting scene.

I have been lecturing at Scovell's Corners. It was just before the Presidential election, so the excitement ran mostly in that direction. It was also dark and rainy most of the time, which made the interest rather small.

At the Crary school-house, since election, the interest has been better, but quite an amount of prejudice to meet. On the whole, the meetings were profitable, and some prejudice removed. We stayed as long as we could. Before we left, we called for an expression to hear further, a goodly number voted to hear more. But the calls are in different directions to hear, so that we have been hardly able to decide which way to go first. We conclude to go to Salem, Washtenaw Co., next.

J. B. Frisbie.

Chelsea, Mich.

Obituary Notices.

DIED, Oct. 5, 1864, at Ft. Gains on Dauphin Island, of sunstroke and malaria, Lieut. James M. Edmunds, son of Loring and Maria M. Edmunds, aged 27 years, 9 months and 2 days. Aug. 26, he bade his affectionate parents, loving brothers and sisters farewell, to engage in his country's service.

Brother, thou art gone to rest, While troub'lous scenes of life, Are deep'ning fast and FASTER still; Thou'rt hid from this world's strife; Brother, thou'rt hid from this world's strife. ELLEN S. EDMUNDS. Ann Arbor, Mich., Nov. 27, 1864.

DIED in Sturgis, Mich., Oct. 6th, 1864, Ellsworth Myron, only son of Edward P., and Louise P. Smith, aged three years, eight months and nine days. His death was caused by a kick from a horse. His sufferings were great, but they are past. His father was absent at the time, and only returned in season to attend the funeral. I hope to meet him in the morning of the resurrection.

Sleep on, dear son, in quiet rest, Till all earth's mournful scenes are o'er, Then wake to life among the blest, To dwell with Christ forever more. I'll meet thee then, yes, meet again, Thy smiling face immortal fair. Thy wounds and woes and cruel pain, As here, will ne'er be suffered there.

Rest thou in peace, not long to stay, Within the grave's dark chill abode; Our King soon comes to bear away To realms above each child of God. Come, Saviour, King, down from on high, Thy saints to change and end their strife, Bare us from earth above the sky, Where we shall share eternal life. LOUISE P. SMITH.

DIED in Reedsburg, Sauk Co., Wis., Nov. 26, 1864, after an illness of eight days, of putrid sore throat, our youngest daughter, Ada Aulena, aged one year, five months, and fourteen days. J. & E. F. HUNTER.

M. S. AVERY

By M. S. AVERY

From Sister Avery.

Bro. White: I would say to the scattered ones that I am still trying to walk in the narrow way and mean by the grace of God to continue therein until I reach the end of the Christian's race. Although sometimes the way looks dark, and earth in its present condition seems like a dreary place, I can look joyfully to the glorious future, when the curse shall be removed forever, and earth no longer groan under the wrongs and oppressions of tyrants and usurpers. I for one, love to contemplate the Saviour near. The glories of the heavenly kingdom I hope to share at his appearing. And when the saints "possess the kingdom," and the new earth in all its loveliness, is their eternal home, I hope for a place with the redeemed, then. How can a single follower of the Lord be weak and faltering with such great inducements to urge him on, when Zion, the glorious city of our God is just in sight? when in a little while, the pearly gates will open and the "righteous nation, that keepeth the truth shall enter in?" As I contemplate that heavenly place, I can but exclaim with David, "Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King;" and, "God is known in her palaces, for a refuge."

Dear brethren and sisters, may we all be ready for a happy entrance through those gates. I mean to try more than ever for the perfect victory over sin, and be more diligent and persevering in the way, for as I see the signs of Jesus' coming, so fast fulfilling, I feel the necessity of stepping fast knowing that the time is short. May God help me to improve it to his glory. I am truly thankful for the privilege of the weekly perusal of such an excellent paper as the Review. Oh, how much I prize it. I too can say with others, that next to the Bible, in my estimation, stands the Review. I do love its teachings, and every truth it advocates. I humbly trust that I may receive lasting benefit from that worthy article, "The Soul Neglected" found in No. 22, last volume. May God bless the Review and its conductors, that the true light may continue to shine, till every honest soul shall be gathered into the fold.

In hope of life only through Christ.

M. S. AVERY

Locke, Mich., 1864.

Aggregate Labor of Mankind.

Along with the compassion that is excited by listening to a tale of want, there is apt to arise, at that time, a feeling of astonishment that such a thing should be in a land like this. Perhaps, however, the true wonder is that want is not universal. One half of the race die before they have contributed an iota to the world's sustenance or their own. One half of those who survive the period of childhood are women, who do not, as a general thing, contribute directly to the production of wealth. Of the men, many are sick, many are old, many are lazy, many are idle, many are wasteful, many are parasites. Those who do work, and live to the age of three-score years and ten, spend one third of their lives in bed, one twentieth at the table, one sixth in recreation. Much of their time is wasted in mistakes. Much of what they succeed in producing is swept away by fire and flood. During half of the year nature sleeps. One harvest in five produces a failure. Only a fraction of the earth's surface is capable of cultivation. A large part of the general labor is absorbed in the production of luxuries, in repairing the damages of war, in preparing for future conflicts, in the transportation of produce, and in journeys. Probably not more than one-tenth of the whole amount of human force is expended in earning the world's daily bread. The standing marvel, therefore, of society is, not that any should suffer want, but that there should be any who do not.

Encouragement for the Review

By Lewis Martin

From Bro. Martin.

Bro. White: I would say that I continue to read the Review and Herald, and I am interested from week to week. I like to read the reports of God's faithful servants who are proclaiming the last message of mercy to this wicked generation. May God bless them all abundantly is my prayer. I also like to read the heart-cheering epistles from the dear brethren and sisters. May the Lord enable them still to write good matter for the paper, that the remnant church may be edified.

I realize, in some degree, that we are doing up our last work. May we have it well and faithfully done. We must have the Review, if paper is high. The most of us can do something toward purchasing paper. God loves the cheerful giver; and what we do must be done quickly. A home in glory will be worth more than ten thousand worlds like this.

We have had many good meetings the past summer at West Wilton and Peterborough. May we all be prepared to participate in that great meeting at the marriage supper of the Lamb.

Yours in hope. LEWIS MARTIN. Bennington, N. H.

Continue reading: MRS. F. JEFFERY