Earlier text: THE LOVE OF THE TRUTHJUSTIFICATION NOT SANCTIFICATION.
By JOS. CLARKE
It is only within a few years that I have fully believed in the Scripture doctrine of complete sanctification. It was thoroughly wrought into my education that perfection of holiness was unattainable in this life; and the examples of some pretended perfectionists of the Oberlin stamp gave me a disgust for the name. Under the instruction of Spiritual Gifts and Testimonies, I see the doctrine practically and clearly exemplified: Justification is an instantaneous work of the Spirit of God; it is pardon and acceptance. Sanctification is a gradual work, often reaching through years, or a lifetime, of growth in grace; during which the Christian is tried, tempted, proved, tested, and every day repairs to the mercy-seat for fresh pardon and renewed evidence of justification; and by continued effort, becomes strong and victorious, and when he overcomes any sin, is so far sanctified; when he overcomes the last besetment, is sanctified fully. Now the mistake of these nominal perfectionists lies, I think, here: They mistake justification for sanctification. The anxious one comes to God in prayer, receives the blessing of full pardon, and acceptance (which is justification), and being ignorant of the fact that this pardon is conditional, straightway infers that he is a subject of complete sanctification, and believing this, often settles down into a soothing, flattering, complacent mood, often ending in ruin and shipwreck of what might be a good hope, if rightly understood. Justification is once or often experienced, with great joy. Sanctification is wrought out with labor and pain, trials and suffering, often ripening under circumstances adverse and afflictive. Justification is the work of a moment. Sanctification is a growth, continued, and gradual, often most rapid when the person is most cast down and tried; because then he is most laborious and patient. Justification is experienced as often as a fresh pardon is granted. Sanctification is rather wrought out than experienced; just as an education is gained by various means. Justification is always the same. It is the answer of a conscience cleared of condemnation; but it is liable to be clouded in a moment, by a sinful thought, desire, word, or act. It is gained by repentance, prayer, humble confession of sin, a settling down of the will into the will of God, and subjugation of the carnal heart, for the time. It is to sanctification what rain and sunshine are to the growth of the tree. Many such experiences are necessary to sanctification; many experiences of pain and trial, many of joy and praise, many of grief and suffering, before the work of sanctification will be complete. Do not, then, point us to a time when you were sanctified. The tree of a century would not say to us, At such a point of time, I grew to be a lofty oak; but, By these means, I have gradually become what you see me to be. Do not mistake the means for the end, lest you confound terms, and make shipwreck of your soul. THE IOWA CAMP-MEETING.
By George I. Butler
It is through a misunderstanding that a report of this meeting has not been previously written. This was a meeting which will long be remembered by those present as a solemn, heart-searching time; a time for confession, for breaking down before the Lord; a time in which some of that Spirit was manifested which is spoken of by Joel, the prophet, when the ministers of the Lord should weep between the porch and the altar, and say, Spare thy people, O Lord. It was not a time of joy and rejoicing, but of humility and contrition. This gives a reasonable ground for hope that its effects may be lasting. The course of the work among us, as a people, of late seems to be taking this direction, which should be regarded as a hopeful sign. Is it a fact that our individual cases are soon coming before the Judge of the quick and dead? Is it a fact that we are worldly, selfish, covetous, and proud? How clear, then, that deep contrition before God, instead of rejoicing, should characterize our actions. Such was the case at our Pilot Grove meeting. The servants of the Lord who came among us, spoke the word with power, and plainly set before us our sins. We were rejoiced to see Bro. White looking so well after the labors and cares through which he has been passing, the past year. Truly, God has blessed him, and wrought for his people. Sr. White appeared to be enjoying better health than for some time in the past. May God still bless them in this respect, and make them strong in mind and body to labor on in the cause of present truth. Shall we be permanently profited by this camp-meeting? It will all depend upon ourselves. We cannot237say that our duty was not set before us. We cannot plead ignorance of God's will concerning us. We cannot in the day of wrath say that we were not faithfully warned of our danger, if we are forever lost. Our confessions and vows, renewed again and again before God, will also witness against us if we do not make a special effort to serve God better in the future than we have in the past. The thought is a sad one that many of the persons who were so penitent and made such humble confessions, will, in a short time, forget all about them, and go on as careless and worldly as ever. Warning after warning comes, and we rouse up for the time being, in many instances to sink back into darkness and sin deeper than before. So it will be with many till the decree go forth, “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still; and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still.” On the other hand, we will hope for better things with some. We cannot but believe that there were many honest souls there, who will take hold of the work of God with increased zeal and finally inherit eternal life. On the last day of the meeting, Bro. Andrews led thirty-two down into the water in the ordinance of baptism. May they truly walk in newness of life. The friends of the cause in this State feel very grateful to God and his faithful servants for the labor they receive from time to time, and hope they may still be remembered in the future. A TOUR EAST.
By John H. Waggoner
In the kind providence of God, I was permitted to attend the New York Conference. It was an occasion of many privileges and blessings. Some of the friends in that State I had seen before, but most of them I met for the first time, and our acquaintance was formed under the most happy and pleasant circumstances. There, also, I met, for the first time, Eld. D. T. Taylor, so well known by reputation to all who love the appearing of the Lord. Though the association was brief, it was one for which I shall long feel grateful. The words spoken by Bro. and Sr. White and Bro. Andrews, were heart-searching and instructive; and the lessons imparted to the ministers by their testimonies were well calculated to increase a sense of responsibility in those who are called to carry this holy message. The evening of the 25th was the occasion of a special favor. While Sr. White was leading in prayer, “The angel of the Lord came down,
And glory shone around.”
It was a solemn time. The humiliating testimony, that we all need converting to the spirit and power of the present truth, has rested with weight on my mind, and my earnest prayer is that I may realize it still more and more. As a professed teacher of present truth, I am far from being satisfied with myself. I have followed my own heart’s ways too much. I have not hungered and thirsted after righteousness as I should. But if we all need converting anew, how deplorable is the condition of the lukewarm and the careless! and “where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?” So near the closing scenes of the Judgment, and yet so nearly asleep—so little realization of the times in which we live and the impending danger. Oh! what a responsibility to be a watchman in these days of peril! yet what a privilege to labor in such a sacred cause—a cause in which all Heaven is interested. I have never moved out with more trembling than at the present time. I deeply regret that I have ever suffered myself to be bound with burdens that a servant of Christ ought not to bear, and my desire is to be free in the work of the Lord. I look at the wants of the cause, and my own weakness, and I can but cry out, “Who is sufficient for these things?” May I have grace to find my sufficiency in God. Looking at the past, I see that I have lost much time, and labored to great disadvantage while the enemy has had his chains of darkness thrown around me. Weak and feeble as I am, I still desire to “redeem the time, and rise above the enemy’s cruel devices. Thank God that I feel some courage to take hold of this work with renewed diligence and zeal. Beloved brethren and sisters, all, pray for me. South Lancaster, Mass., Nov. 1, 1868. REPORT OF MEETINGS.
By O. J. Lawrence
I LEFT home Sept. 15, for Greenbush. The 16th, had a meeting; spoke with some freedom, of Israel in the wilderness in contrast with the present. The remarks were well received, judging from the testimonies which followed. Thursday, the 17th, went to Ithaca. Friday, visited several families. Learned that the camp-meeting had greatly benefited those of them who attended it, and that its influence was being felt by those who did not attend. Sabbath, I spoke twice, and we had a good social meeting. There are some here holding on to the truth, while a few have dropped off. First-day, preached a funeral sermon at the Nelson school-house to a very attentive audience. Tuesday, went to Seville. This church is poor and quite scattered. Many of them are quite infirm and without teams. For these reasons and want of sufficient interest, they have had no meetings during the summer. They need help. Thursday, I traveled on foot some ten miles, and visited several families on my way to Alma. Sabbath, the 26th, spoke with great liberty, on the fall of Babylon and the lukewarm state of the church. The church seemed much stirred by it. In the afternoon, I spoke on the neglect of salvation. First-day, P. M., I spoke on the fall and recovery of man. This church is suffering very much on account of the influence of several Adventists among them; and I know of but one way for them to overcome it; and that is by humbling themselves, and elevating the standard by making the Testimonies and reform more prominent. Tuesday, I returned to Ithaca, visiting several families on my way. Wednesday, visited Eld. Nelson; and spent about five hours very pleasantly with him. I felt to say in regard to him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. Oh! that such men would take hold of the truth. Sabbath, I spoke twice, and once on first-day. The church seemed much revived. Monday, visited Sr. Underhill, in Fulton. She has been sick some time, but is firm in the truth. Tuesday, came to Greenbush, and held meeting Thursday evening. Friday, came to Duplain. Sabbath, spoke twice, and we had a social meeting. The brethren from Greenbush were here. We had a very interesting meeting. First-day, I spoke in the school-house at the Colony; in the evening, at a school-house four miles northeast. The friends at Duplain need some labor, to bring them fully into the truth, and into church order. I have decided to return there and to Gratiot soon. Monday, I returned home much encouraged to labor on. I would here say that I feel greatly blessed as the result of the camp-meeting. I never saw my utter poverty and helplessness as there. May this ever be before my mind. 0. J. LAWRENCE. MEETINGS AT RANSOM CENTER.
By H. A. ST. JOHN
ACCORDING to appointment, Bro. Joseph Bates met with the church at Ransom Center, Oct. 10, 11. This series of meetings, we believe, has been conducive of much good to this people. It should be a matter of very great encouragement to the little flock, that the light of present truth is growing brighter and brighter as they near the consummation of all things. Our dear Bro. Bates clearly set before us the importance of cutting loose from the world, and consecrating ourselves, and all that we have, to the Lord. He explained to us how we had entered the third watch, and that the return of our Lord from the wedding was not his coming in the clouds of heaven, as we had formerly supposed; but that it referred to his coming from the most holy to the holy apartment of the heavenly sanctuary, at the close of probation, and just prior to the pouring out of the seven last plagues. These solemn truths produce a better harmony in the word of God, and are certainly of sufficient moment to arouse the Laodicean church from their lukewarmness, to an earnest seeking for the gold, white raiment, and eyesalve, within their reach. The meetings were interesting, instructive, and profitable throughout. Those on Sunday were well attended by candid hearers. After the forenoon meeting on first-day, five willing souls followed their Lord in baptism, and arose, we trust, to walk in newness of life. Four of them were children. The ordinance meeting, evening after the Sabbath, was the best we ever attended. Most of us feel like consecrating ourselves to the cause of God now as we never have done before. Oh! that we may pay our vows unto the Most High. Now is the time to quicken our pace if we would not be left behind in the glorious work of God now going forward in the earth. Pray for us. “DAY UNTO DAY UTTERETH SPEECH.”
By N. Orcutt
INSPIRATION very often makes use of natural objects, and events of every day occurrence, that are as familiar as household words, to illustrate and enforce the duties and obligations which fill up the warp of life. Thus the way is made so plain, that none need err therein, and the great lessons we have to learn, are brought down, so to speak, to our finite capacity. Thus principles, which, if abstractly stated, might, in the hurry and bustle of life's busy scenes, be passed unheeded and unappreciated, clothed in familiar garb, are made attractive, arrest our attention, become part of our stock of knowledge, contributing to fit us for usefulness, and to guard us against the snares of Satan,—against the dangers that beset life's checkered pathway. Brought in this manner before our minds, great truths, by their simplicity, charm, and attractiveness, are treasured up in memory's storehouse, occupying a place there that otherwise might be held by the false and pernicious principles emanating from the great champion of error, the enemy of all good. A vacuum in the human mind can only extend, or be the result of, imbecility, or idiocy. The rich soil, prepared by the great Husbandman, if not sown with good seed, will inevitably produce noxious weeds. Created with a capacity for238improvement, in all that is good, and true, and elevating; if no progress be made in the work of overcoming, of improvement, the opposite tendency will be manifest, every time. We are not so constituted as to remain stationary. We are always either gathering with the Saviour, growing in grace, while we gain a daily experience, or scattering abroad, while we yield the ground to the enemy. While we are at all times, whether we realize it or not, bearing either the fruits of the flesh or of the Spirit, as we are guided by the Spirit of God, or led captive by the enemy at his will, how manifest the goodness and mercy of God, in condescending to simplify, by a variety of illustrations, giving line upon line, and precept upon precept, endeavoring to win us to himself. How truly has he said of his rebellious people, “Though I taught them, rising up early and teaching them, yet they have not hearkened to receive instruction.” Jer. xxxii, 33. By these varied illustrations, the truth, in its relations to us, or in the relation we sustain to it, has become so intimately connected with the natural objects with which we are surrounded, with the minutiae of every-day life, that its heaven-born principles are continually enforced upon us. As day after day passes in rapid succession, we are reminded that the time here allotted us to form and develop characters, is fast passing away, and that each day, with its privileges and blessings, will very soon meet us in the Judgment, and by the sum of this daily record, we shall be justified or condemned. We may derive instruction, encouragement, and consolation, or receive reproof, or admonition, from almost every circumstance in the daily routine of life. We awake from sleep in the morning, from unconsciousness, to meet the obligations and duties of life; and as we arouse from slumber, to grapple with its stern realities, to enter upon its toils and labors, we are admonished that we should shake off the apathy and drowsiness which the enemy strives to force upon us; that we should awake to righteousness, to a sense of the solemnity of the times in which we live; to realize our weakness and inability, in our own strength, to accomplish the great work before us; and to the paramount importance of a constant, persistent effort to complete that work before the day closes. We arise from our beds, to enter upon the duties of a new day; so should we arise to newness of life, determined to achieve some victory, to avoid the errors of yesterday, to see to it that to-day we have a better, clearer record in the great ledger above; that there may be recorded some progress in the great work of overcoming our foes. We robe ourselves. We should remember the necessity of being clad with the white robe of righteousness; that soon an examination will reveal whether we have on the wedding garment or not. We remember that this robe is provided by Him who has bidden the guests to the marriage feast, and proffered for our acceptance. We should let the consideration rest with ponderous weight upon our minds, that when the Master comes to examine the guests, if found without the garment so generously provided for our use, and so indispensably requisite for the occasion, it will be forever too late to make amends for our neglect. Hunger urges nature's claims for sustenance; and this reminds us that daily we need to partake of food, to supply our oft-returning, physical wants. Without it our strength and vigor depart. We no more feel the buoyancy and elasticity of health. So with our spiritual wants; daily they too must be supplied. The bountiful provision, so graciously given in the past, does not suffice for the present. And, while we feel a sense of our wants, we hunger and thirst after righteousness, and long to be filled with all the fullness of God. If, in any degree, we feel ourselves to be wanderers in a strange land, and, like the prodigal, we begin to be in want, we leave the husks to the swine, and return to our Father's house, where there is bread enough, and to spare. Constrained by his love, we throw ourselves upon his mercy, pleading his forgiveness, and in humility asking to be assigned only a subordinate place in our former home. We perform our morning ablutions, to prepare to surround the earthly board, with food to satisfy the demands of nature, and as we thus remove physical impurity, we see how morally and spiritually unfit we are to partake of the rich repast to which the Spirit and the Bride invite us. We remember, with gratitude, that there is a fountain opened for sin and spiritual uncleanness, that while ruined by transgression, a Saviour's blood is efficacious to cleanse from the foul stains of sin, and prepare us, with clean hands and a pure heart, to ascend into the hill of the Lord, to stand in his holy place. We must be washed, made clean, the scarlet and the crimson become white as wool or snow, or we never can partake of the fruit of the vine, with the dear Redeemer, in the kingdom of God. We partake of earthly food to nourish and strengthen our decaying natures. As we feel invigorated and refreshed thereby, our minds go out in contemplation of our Father's table, spread with the rich bounties of the bread and water of life. By faith we partake of meat that the world knows not of, “which endureth unto everlasting life.” We hear the Saviour say: “I am that bread of life.” “This is that bread that cometh down from Heaven, that a man may eat thereof and not die.” John vi, 48, 50. “Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him, shall never thirst.” John iv, 14. The supply is inexhaustible. Day by day, we may draw from Heaven's full storehouse, a rich, ample supply for every spiritual want. We eat, and are refreshed. We drink of life's healing stream, and feel the “well of water springing up into everlasting life.” We labor with our hands, to lay up an earthly treasure, to supply our physical wants in the future; a commendable object, if we make the effort subordinate to the great and only true object of life. The exertion, thus put forth, should bring forcibly before our minds the transcendent importance of laboring zealously for durable riches in righteousness, to lay up a treasure “in Heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, nor thieves break through nor steal.” If the effort put forth be in proportion to the value of the object of that effort, shall we not remember that while earthly treasure is liable to fail, an earthly inheritance to be wrested from us, the heavenly inheritance is incorruptible, undefiled, and fadeth not away? How will our earthly wants, which can be supplied by earthly treasure here, sink into insignificance, when compared with the necessities which present themselves in connection with that period which is only spanned by eternity—necessities which naught but a treasure laid up in Heaven can supply. Though we now fail to estimate each at their proper value, we may see that the heavenly inheritance demands our first attention; that our most earnest efforts should be put forth, to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. We can realize the importance of seeking first the kingdom of God, of making to ourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness, that we may share infinite wealth with him who was rich, yet for our sakes became poor, that we, through his poverty might become rich. We go out and behold God's handiworks, as exhibited in the great book of nature. Notwithstanding the effects of the curse are everywhere visible, we see much that we delight to gaze upon. Although every page that is unfolded to our view, is blotted and stained by the effects of sin, yet enough of beauty and harmony remains to aid the imagination in picturing its transcendent loveliness, as it emanated from the plastic hand of Him who, as he looked abroad upon the world he had made, pronounced it “very good.” We dwell with delight upon the sure promise of the ultimate restoration of nature, now so marred, to more than primitive beauty and loveliness, as it bloomed when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy. Now, all is discord and confusion; then, all will be peace. Now all nature groans under the ever-increasing effects of the curse. Then, in the sweet fields of Eden, there will be no more curse. Here, death, which came in consequence of sin, reigns triumphant, severing the strongest earthly ties, causing the heart to bleed, and the tear to fall. There death no more wears the defiant look of a conqueror. He is a vanquished foe. There will be no more death; the last tear will be wiped away. There will be heard the triumphant shout, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” Weeping, sighing, and sadness, will give place to joy, joy unspeakable, and full of glory. Here, we mourn when called to part with those we dearly love. There, all the sorrows of the past will be forgotten in the ecstasy of that meeting, when with immortality clad, we greet them on Beulah's fair plains. Here, we sigh for some token of our Father's presence; there, “the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.” There “we shall be satisfied when we awake with his likeness.” How true that “day unto day uttereth speech.” May we listen to, and profit by, the rich lessons of instruction contained in that utterance. MEETINGS IN WISCONSIN.
By I. Sanborn
Since my last report, I have been holding meetings at Waterloo, Grant Co., Wis. We had twelve meetings in all. On Thursday evening, after a very solemn discourse on the importance of not being unequally yoked together with unbelievers, 2 Cor. vi, 14, Bro. Alfred King, of Cassville, and Sr. R. Hunnewell, of Johnstown Center, all of Wisconsin, were united in holy matrimony. We truly believe this union to be according to the will of God. Our Quarterly Meeting was an excellent one. On the Sabbath three were baptized, and five united with the church. Others are still interested. We were favored with the presence of some of our brethren from Sand Prairie church, and also cheered with their testimonies. The Lord gave me liberty in holding forth the importance of watching our words, and our actions, and our motives, that we may be ready to meet our dear Saviour when our names are called for, and our cases decided in the heavenly sanctuary. Dear brethren and sisters, who of us will stand the test, and come off victorious? I am well satisfied that unless there is a great change among us for the better, there will be many that will be found wanting, and whose names will be blotted out. Will it be mine? Lord, help us, is my prayer. I. SANBORN. MONTHLY MEETING AT PINE ISLAND, MINN.
By H. F. Phelps
We feel like giving a brief report of this meeting. It was truly a good meeting. The meeting was held at the house of the writer. We had feared the attendance would be small; but in this we were happily disappointed. As the hour of appointment drew on, the brethren began to come in, and we soon had a house full. We were not privileged with a preacher; but the time was well filled by nearly all trying to do what they could. The first meeting was a prayer and conference meeting. The Spirit of God was manifest to indite our petitions for us. It was a good, solemn time. In the afternoon we attended to the ordinances of God's house, Bro. Harlow officiating. This was truly a melting, heart-searching time; and as we tried to wake up, in view of our position in the morning watch, God blessed our endeavors. As we tried to give a feeble testimony, showing that the Master would soon come to reckon with his servants, that it was necessary to awake out of sleep, God blessed our feeble efforts. Tears were freely shed, confessions were made, and good resolutions were formed. A few, however, seemed to manifest a spirit of indifference. May God pity those who will not awake now. This was the most solemn meeting we have ever had in this place. To God be all the praise for his light and truth, and may we all be able to walk in it, so that when Jesus shall come to reckon with us, we may be ready. Pine Island, Minn., Oct. 26, 1868. MEETINGS IN MICHIGAN.
By Joseph Bates
AFTER closing my series of meetings in Hillsdale, as by last report, I accepted a kind, voluntary offer, from Bro. I. C. Vaughn, to take me in his carriage some fourteen miles to Ransom Center, where I was received and kindly cared for at the dwelling of Bro. and Sr. A. J. Emans, who have kept their house fitted up for the special purpose of holding religious social meetings with their brethren and sisters. The church are now erecting a neat and convenient meeting-house, pleasantly located in the village, which will accommodate from two to three hundred hearers. During our stay in Ransom Center, from Oct. 6-12, visiting from house to house, some expressed their regret at not being prepared to attend the good camp-meeting held in Wright. All seemed anxious to be benefited by the light on present truth, which was presented there. We hope they will. While there we held seven interesting meetings with them, and were much blessed in the celebration of the ordinances of the Lord's house. Five were buried with Christ by baptism, and received into the church. Our last meeting was well attended, and books and tracts were readily accepted. We hope they will be carefully read. October 13, came by railroad to Burr Oak. Brethren from Sturgis and Colon and vicinity were gathering. During this and the following day, we held four profitable meetings, and three persons were baptized. Two of them were received as new members into the church. Bro. D. M. Canright's mother was one of them. Thence, I passed by railroad and stage to visit the churches in Northern Indiana. Is the Pope upon the point of abandoning his field—perhaps surrendering—that he has lately called an Œcumenical Council of all his bishops and archbishops, and in an apostolic letter addressed to all non-Romish religious organizations urges them to return to the bosom of the church? Does the military maxim which has been so often proved in conflicts of arms, hold good in religious revolutions also? Is there confusion, and not wisdom, in a multitude of religious, as well as military, counselors? Does this calling of a council, and the sudden change of the former curses and excommunications to entreaties and arguments, indicate that the Pope is about to abandon the field, and give up the fight? Certainly the Pope has lately met with many sad reverses, and is no longer in condition to make a vigorous defense of his church against the assaults continually urged against both its spiritual and temporal authority. The restrictions placed on the latter by the success of the Germans and Italians have not been more exasperating or more significant than the curtailment of the former by the advancement made in general intelligence by the various nationalities of Europe. The present year has witnessed a most striking indication of the changed power of the church of Rome. The revocation of the Concordat with Austria and the revolution in Spain are the hardest blows the Papacy has suffered during the century. If there were any two countries in which the Pope and his adherents and the world in general supposed that the Roman church retained its power, they were Austria and Spain. But229it appears that even in these countries the church has little power over the consciences of the people, and inspires no terror in the minds of the ruling monarchs. A few months ago the newly-elected Parliament of Austria passed laws giving the Protestants the right to control their own schools and to teach their children whatever form of religion they pleased; allowing children of Catholic mothers by Protestant fathers to be reared in the Protestant faith, granting to Protestants the privilege of marrying according to their own forms and ceremonies without having their children pronounced illegitimate and debarred from all legal benefits, and finally permitting non-Catholic Christians to be enclosed in unblessed coffins and interred in unsanctified grounds without being eternally condemned in consequence. The Pope solemnly protested against this dangerous innovation, and called upon the Emperor and the faithful to hold fast to the Concordat, which had, from time immemorial, given the education, and salvation, and perdition, of all souls to the church. But the newly-selected, Imperial Council approved what the new Parliament, fresh from the people, had enacted, and the bold and sturdy Prime Minister, Von Beust, said to the Emperor, “sign!” And Francis Joseph signed, and in reply to the Pope’s protest, shrugged his shoulders and said, “I had to sign or abdicate, and I did not choose to abdicate.” The sturdy Beust also replied to the Pope’s letter, and briefly, but plainly, told Pius IX that he was meddling in affairs that did not concern him. Meantime, just across the Austrian border, in the city of Worms, another reply to the protest of the Pope had been prepared; and on the very day of the publication of his complaint the Protestants of all Germany, headed by their king, dedicated a magnificent monument to Martin Luther on the spot where just three hundred and fifty-seven years before, he had defied Pope and priesthood, and set in motion the vast and increasing Protestant reformation. The present revolution in Spain seems to indicate that the respect for Pope, and church, and priesthood, is not the blind spirit of reverence which Buckle thought “the capital and essential vice of the Spanish people.” It may have been, as the historian of civilization declared, “their sole national vice,” but it has not, as he feared, quite yet “sufficed to ruin them.” Like the people of many other nations the Spaniards have suffered intellectually from priestly influence; but they have not, as the late revolution has shown, been so broken in spirit as to accept without murmur an unworthy and ignominious submission. No more significant sign of the Spanish virtue, or more threatening to the Roman supremacy, has yet appeared than the banners carried in the procession at Madrid on October 3, at the reception of the revolutionist leaders, inscribed “Religious Liberty” and “Free Education.” Queen Isabella and her whole race in Spain and France have ever been faithful children of Rome. She has frequently protested her spiritual allegiance to the Pope, and often offered to send troops to the defense of Rome when she could hardly have mustered a loyal squad to defend her own person. Her vehement protestations and offers of aid were made, to propitiate France and the rest of Catholic Europe. She could send no troops to the Pope for the reason that the Spaniards refuse to serve in the Papal army. That little squad of ten thousand men is almost wholly composed of Swiss, Austrians, and Frenchmen. There is one Italian battalion, but no German nor Spanish organization of any character. The Pope's firmest foothold seems to be in South America; and should the cry of “united Italy” be once more inspired by the Republican movement in Spain, the Holy Father may yet turn longingly to the scene of his early labors as a Dominican friar in Brazil. But, alas! one of the most vigorous of the allies of Brazil has just chosen a former schoolmaster and editor to be its President. And what has the Pope to hope from a continent of republics, schoolmasters, and editors?—Harper’s Weekly. —KING VICTOR EMMANUEL is selling the property of the Romish church in his Italian kingdom. In this way he has already realized over 174,000,000 of francs. THE teeth of the mastodon recently exhumed near Fairmount, Ill., are six inches long, three and a half inches wide, about five deep, and weigh twelve pounds each. Ku-Klux Murders and Outrages in Louisiana.—Gen. Hatch, the Assistant Commissioner of Freedmen's Affairs for Louisiana, has forwarded a special report to the War Office, showing that there were, during the year ending October 1, 1868, officially reported to him as committed in the State, one hundred and sixty-six persons killed, and two hundred and twenty-five assaulted and otherwise maltreated. This horrible list is made out in detail, giving the names and residences of persons murdered or assaulted, as well as of parties committing the outrage, whenever it could be ascertained, and also the action of the civil authorities. It appears that three-fourths of the number killed or outraged were blacks, and that their assailants were, in most cases, whites. In a large proportion of the cases the civil authorities took no action whatever, and in many more they took none till the guilty parties had been arrested by the military. Gen. Hatch says the list does not include the names of any persons abused and slaughtered in the riots of Brashear, Opelousas, New Orleans, and other points, and he is certain that in the country many more murders were committed, of which he never received official notice. The Lord’s Chastening Hand
By M. E. WILLIAMS
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: The Lord has been good to me, and shall I not praise him, yea, magnify his name? Many straight places has he brought me through, and has found it necessary many times to lay his chastening hand upon me. Sometimes I have felt that I was completely crushed; but these things have been for my good. Though these chastenings are grievous to bear, yet they will work the peaceable fruits of righteousness to those who are exercised thereby. In love are all these things sent to us; for “like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.” Oh! how comforting it is to know this when bowed down with cares, perplexities, and sorrow; also to know that we are to cast our care upon him, because he careth for us. “He knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.” He knows we cannot bear these heavy burdens alone; therefore, when we cry to him for help, his aid is ready. Never has the Lord seemed so near to me as he has the past year. I feel that I have learned what that spirit of adoption is, by which we cry, Abba Father! I often feel to say, My Father, my dear Heavenly Father! while such a spring of joy fills my heart as I cannot express. Then again I feel that I have grieved him by impatience or other wrongs, and I am grieved and troubled that I have been overcome. Oh! for strength to bear patiently the petty trials of every day life, which are often like the sting of nettles. It seems to me that we need more grace to bear these little trials that often come upon us without any warning, than we do to bear great trials; for we generally have some premonition of the approach of great ones, and therefore get our minds and hearts prepared to endure them. The less ones seem to us many times unnecessary and uncalled for; but, perhaps, God does not see them so, else he would not allow them to come upon us. If our patience were never tried, we should not know whether we have any or not. I have long been striving for patience and forbearance, and I feel that I have gained some. Still I know I must have more, if I am found among the overcomers when Jesus comes. But I hope God will so strengthen and help me with grace from on high, that patience may have her perfect work in me, that I may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. I feel more and more every day my utter weakness and dependence upon God, that in me is no good thing, and that I can do nothing of myself. Low at the feet of Jesus is the place where I wish to be kept, that I may be so truly humble before God that he can work through even me. I think I am willing to do what God requires of me, if I may only know what it is. I will count no cross too heavy, no sacrifice too great, if I may but obtain eternal life. I am weary of this world's strife, and see nothing worth living for only to do God's will, and strive to do good. Earth has lost all charms for me. I long for the better country, where there will be no sin to resist, no enemy to tempt, no more bitter anguish to endure. I must have a place there, let the cost be what it will. Pray for me, that I may endure to the end, and be ready to meet our dear Lord at his coming. Your sister,
M. E. WILLIAMS.
Cattaraugus Co., N. Y.