Sister E. Lindsay writes from Hillsborough, Ind. : "It is now a little more than two years since I heard the third angel's message proclaimed by Brn. Waggoner and Hull in Iowa City. I started then to seek for eternal life and a home not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. I feel that the goodness of God has followed me all the days of my life; nevertheless I have had some very severe trials, but God has given his promise that if I put my trust in him, his grace shall be sufficient. O, has he not been merciful to me amid all my trials and afflictions? He has shown me the road to life, and given me a desire to walk therein. I sometimes feel very lonely; for there are none of like faith near this place. I often wish that I could meet with God's people on the Sabbath-day. But, dear brethren and sisters, if we are only faithful we shall meet ere long to part no more. May God help us to keep his commandments and the faith of Jesus, that we may have a right to the tree of life. Beloved friends, let me beg an interest in your prayers that I may be counted worthy to escape the things that are soon coming upon the earth, and to stand before the Son of God when he comes to judge the quick and the dead."
Sister A. Allen writes from New London, Iowa : "I believe the time is not far distant when if faithful we shall not be strangers to each other. We have no preaching of present truth here, being all alone in the cause. We feel very lonely as we have removed to Iowa from the East, where we had a few of like precious faith to meet with on the Sabbath. It has been about eighteen months since I embraced present truth, and I still rejoice in it. I have had some precious seasons with those that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. I have much to overcome, but I am determined by the grace of God to overcome all and at last stand with the remnant on mount Zion."
Bro. W. F. Crous writes from Vinton, Iowa : "For the first time I seat myself to write a few lines to the Review. It is now six months since I with my wife and others embraced the third angel's message and commenced keeping the Sabbath of the Lord under the labors of Brn. Cornell and Snook, at Vinton. We praise the Lord that our ears were ever saluted with the sound of the gospel in its purity as taught in the word of God. Present truth, O, how plain! What great reward in keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. We ask the prayers of our scattered brethren and sisters that we may continue to the end and be gathered home with the remnant of God's people when Jesus comes."
Sister E. H. Van Ornum writes from Edwards, N. Y. : "My heart is often encouraged by reading the precious testimonies in the Review. I love the truth it advocates. I feel that I have great reason to bless the Lord and thank his holy name that he has shown me the truth and enabled me to embrace it. I desire to be free from the world and ready to meet the Lord when he comes. I would cast off all the weights that hang about me, and in their stead put on the armor of God. My heart is in union with God's dear people, and with the message they are trying to obey. 'My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed.' Then let me stand with the remnant and strive for eternal life with them."
Sister C. Bowen writes from Liverpool, N. Y. : "We have not a wavering doubt as as regards the soon coming of the holy and the just One to reward his faithful children. God's precious truth that I have heard has taken deep root in my heart, and I praise the Lord for it. I am determined by God's assisting grace to fight manfully the battles of the Lord until the victory shall turn on Israel's side. Thanks be to the Lord that he has given us the evidences in his word, and the sure signs in the heavens, of the glorious return of the nobleman that has been so long from his waiting church. My mind has often reverted to Nov., 1833. I then beheld one of the literal signs in the heavens long foretold by our Saviour. At the place where I was at that time, the old men and women prayed for the first time in all their lives for mercy, supposing that the day of judgment had come, or was about to come. For a description of that phenomenon see Rev. vi, 13."
Sister E. Gibson writes from London, C. W. : "I feel it a privilege to let the brethren and sisters know that I am trying to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. I thank the Lord for the blessed privilege of reading the cheering letters from the dear saints. It cheers my heart to hear from the scattered ones. I thank and praise God for the blessed hope I have of soon meeting them. I can adopt the words of the psalmist, 'Truly God is good. Praise the Lord, O my soul.' Dear brethren and sisters, I feel to thank God that I have his holy word, which teaches me to look forward to the soon coming of the Saviour. I want to live so as to enjoy God's blessing here. He has promised to be the widow's God, and a father to the fatherless. Praise the Lord for all his blessed promises. They are yea and amen in Christ Jesus the Lord."
Bro. J. Chase writes from North Leeds, Wis. : "I never felt more firm in the doctrine of the second coming of Christ,—his being near, even at the door, and the necessity of a preparation to meet him then as I have of late. Truly when I look abroad upon the nations of the earth and see their anger and the wickedness of the inhabitants of earth, the workings of Satan in various ways, it looks to me as though we were living in the last days. Let us then my brethren and sisters take to us the whole armor. I am a firm believer in the three angels' messages of Rev. xiv. 6-12, and that the third of these is now being proclaimed; and I do believe that it is the last message of mercy that will ever be given to this wicked world. I would also say that I believe in the gifts set in the church. I have never known any one to reject them and to fight against them, but he lost his religion."
DREAMING AND IMMORTALITY.
DREAMING is claimed by some to be an evidence of the immortality of the soul, because it is said the mind never rests, but is active even when the individual is asleep. The following extract will however show the reverse of this:
"In a case reported by Dr. Pierguin, observed by him in one of the hospitals of Montpellier, in 1821, he saw, in a female patient, part of whose skull had been removed, the brain motionless and lying within the cranium when she was in a dreamless sleep; in motion and protruding without the skull when she was agitated by dreams; more protruded in dreams reported by herself to be vivid; and still more so when perfectly awake, and especially if engaged in active thought or sprightly conversation. Similar cases are reported by Sir Astly Cooper and Prof. Blumenbech."—A. Cooper's Lectures on Surgery, by Tyrrell, Vol. i, p. 279. Elliotson's Blumenbech, 4th edition, p. 283.
LETTERS.
"Then they that feared the Lord, spake often one to another."
From Bro. Sharpe.
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: We as a church in Green Spring are trying harder than ever to arise. We have been somewhat encouraged of late by there being two more added to the church; and since the above addition to our number we have been much encouraged by the outpouring of the Spirit of God in our hearts. We have been led to believe from these manifestations that the church is arising, and are determined to be ready for the coming of their Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, when he shall come with all the holy angels.
It is a great pleasure to me to worship God, although the world may scoff and frown upon me. The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.
Dear brethren, it makes my heart rejoice to think that the Lord is our strength in time of affliction and trouble, and I am determined to press my way onward and upward towards the mark of the prize of our high calling which is in Christ Jesus.
Dear brethren and sisters, let us not give up present truth, but press onward towards that kingdom of immortal glory where sickness, sorrow, pain and death cannot come. In conclusion I would say that I am determined by the grace of God to come up to my high and exalted privilege and get the gold tried in the fire, that I may be rich: the white raiment, that I may be clothed, and anoint my eyes with eye-salve that I may see my duty day by day; and be ready for an abundant entrance into God's everlasting kingdom.
Yours in hope of eternal life.
W. D. SHARPE.
Green Spring, Ohio.
Teaching Through Scripture History
Use of Scripture History.—God certainly had a purpose in making history and biography the broad basis of all Scripture. Is it not manifest that, by putting so large a portion of his Word into this narrative form, he thereby sought to attract and interest the youthful mind? If so, it will profit by the indication. It is wise to follow, in our own instructions, the Divine pattern thus set us. Religion never speaks more gracefully than when she speaks by example. It is chiefly through the living voice of example that she speaks to the young in all the Scriptures. To inculcate Bible truths, through Bible characters, whether from the pulpit, the press, or the teacher's chair, is to adopt the Bible's own method of instruction. And certainly it is one which experience proves to be most effective, as it is the most pleasing.
A COMING ETERNITY.—
By Irving
And Paradise, Paradise lost, is awaiting you, and stands before you with unfolded gates; and time hasteneth past, and eternity prepareth itself to roll on for ever. And the body loseth its strength for labor, and its relish for sensual things; and both hasten to an end; and rest cometh, and refreshment in the presence of God; and every blessing of our first parents, with every superadded blessing which arises from the sense of dangers past, from the glorious knowledge of redeeming love, and from the certainty of salvation, and deliverance, and eternal security.—Irving.
The Bible’s Gift to Children
He that puts a Bible into the hands of a child, gives him more than a kingdom, for it gives him a key to the kingdom of heaven.—Dr. Buchanan.
BE OF THE SAME MIND.
By Editor
IN the numerous exhortations of the apostle to be of the same mind, all speak the same thing, and be joined together in the same judgment, how much is included? Does he mean that we should all entertain the same theory of truth, and that merely? He means that, no doubt, and, we think, much more. The mere belief in the same theory of truth, though embraced in that unity to which the apostle exhorts us, nevertheless will not alone answer its demands. If sameness of theory is all that is necessary, this characteristic is possessed by other classes much more completely than by the people of God, inasmuch as their numbers are much greater. Look at almost any denomination in the land; look at the Catholics, a body more numerous than all the Protestant sects put together, and who, though somewhat divided among themselves, present nevertheless the greatest body of people led by the same theory, of any class who profess the religion of Jesus. Come to the smaller Protestant sects. Take the Baptists, Methodists, and others; and we find them, as bodies, as perfectly joined together in theory as could reasonably or scripturally be required. If therefore the apostle only looks at theory, and unity in this respect alone is the characteristic of the true people of God, all the sects can lay claim to this, as well as the remnant of the true church.
But we believe the unity mentioned by the apostle will be a characteristic of the true church, especially in the last days, and, among other things, distinguish it from all the fallen and lifeless denominations in the land. And we believe this, because we apprehend that more than mere unity of theory is included in the matter. Two men may believe alike and yet be at enmity in heart. Schisms and divisions may rend a body of believers, and yet their theory remain intact. How is it with the sects? Look at the bitter animosities, personal hate and jealousy existing among many of their members. In too many multitudes of cases, the hearts of those who believe alike are cased in selfishness, destitute of sympathy for each other, and actuated more by a spirit of war than of love. And by all these they show that they are not occupying the ground marked out by the apostle for the church of Christ.
The apostle would exclude all these. We must have that unity of feeling, that christian sympathy and brotherly love for each other which Christ designed as characteristics of his followers. The apostle well expresses it in another place as the "unity of the Spirit."Eph. iv, 3. It is that which will make us not only one in faith, but one in spiritual judgment and feeling. Let us then remember that while the unity to which the apostle exhorts us cannot be attained without unity of faith, it embraces much more than this. For such a unity let us seek. Let us sow wide its seeds, and sedulously cultivate its growth in our midst.
"AS GOD HATH PROSPERED HIM."
By J. H. W.
Some of the brethren have objections to the plan of systematic benevolence adopted by the Conference and the churches, and are unwilling to subscribe to any amount weekly, referring to the words of Paul quoted above to sustain them. They say they do not know how God will prosper them, and therefore will not promise anything. In this they commit two great errors.
First, they pervert the text. The Lord requires a tithe according to what they possess; and until this is given in cheerfulness they cannot expect to enjoy the approbation of God. The Lord is now bringing up the churches and individuals to this test-point, and we are sorry to see any withholding from the Lord that which is his, and thus incur his displeasure.
Second, they distrust the promises and providence of God. They do not devise liberal things, and they cannot expect to stand. Satan takes advantage of their lack of interest, and binds their energies, and as time passes on, and they find themselves less able and less disposed to give, they do not realize that withholding tends to poverty.
The time is soon coming when "they that possess shall be as though they possessed not." How necessary then that we use this world as not abusing it.
J. H. W.
Please Pay Your Review Office Debts
By James White
Those who owe the REVIEW Office for Books, the REVIEW, or INSTRUCTOR, will confer a great favor by paying their indebtedness, as the money is now wanted to meet the expenses of the Office, and to pay for material now being delivered for the new Office building.
J. W.
GOD DISHONORED
BEWARE lest, in cherishing the delusive hope that the law of God will be mitigated, you sin against your own soul by grievously dishonoring him. For upon whom do you rely to mitigate the law, if not upon the Lawgiver himself? You picture God under the image of a feeble father, not to say a weak old man, from whom you can obtain everything by tears; whom circumstances, which he doubtless had not foreseen, can cause to change his purpose; a God who retracts his threats, who compounds with the corruption of men, and who dares bring to his tribunal only a law accommodated to the sins of his creatures!
Business Department.
By Editor
Business Notes.
J. D. Hough: Sent you labels by express Feb. 28.
J. G. Cheals: We have received your manuscript, but not your letter.
Receipts.
FOR REVIEW AND HERALD.
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 the omission should then be given.
P. J. Wilcox 1,00,xviii,1. J. Y. Wilcox (2 copies) 2,00,xviii,1. C. Lyman 1,00,xx,10. D. Litchfield 1,00,xvii,1. L. W. Shaw 1,00,xviii,13. M. W. Leach 1,00,xviii,1. S. R. Nichols 2,00,xx,1. Jno. Davis 1,00,xviii,8. L. Drew 2,00,xviii,1. E. S. Decker 1,50,xviii,14. J. Stryker 1,00,xx,1. I. D. Perry 1,00,xvi,14. D. Richmond (for B. Styles) 2,50,xvii,15. Wm. Gulick 0,90,xviii,8. N. N. Anway 1,00,xvi,1. J. Hillebert 0,50,xviii,16. W. Havirland (for M. Bassett) 0,50,xviii,16. Danl. Morrison 1,00,xi,1. A. Baker 1,25,xvii,10. R. M. Davis 1,00,xviii,16. N. G. Sanders 1,75,xviii,7. M. W. Hargrave 1,00,xviii,1. L. Pinch 1,00,xvii,7.
FOR MISSIONARY PURPOSES.—Ch. in Parma, Mich. (s. b.) $5. D. Richmond $2,80.
FOR EASTERN IOWA TENT.—Ch. in Wawkon, Iowa, $4,25.
PUBLICATIONS.
Supplement and Addition to Hymn Book, . . . 35 cts.
" in paper covers . . . 25 "
Sabbath Tracts, Nos. 1–4. This work presents a condensed view of the entire Sabbath question, . . . 15 "
The Three Angels of Rev. xiv, 6–12, particularly the Third Angel's Message, and the Two-horned Beast, . . . 15 "
Hope of the Gospel, or immortality the gift of God, . . . 15 "
Which? Mortal or Immortal? or an inquiry into the present constitution and future condition of man, . . . 15 "
Modern Spiritualism; its Nature and Tendency. This book should be in the hands of every family, as a warning against Spiritualism, . . . 15 "
The Kingdom of God. A refutation of the doctrine called Age to Come, . . . 15 "
Paul's Theology, or the Christian Doctrine of Future Punishment, as taught in the epistles of Paul, . . . 15 "
The Atonement, . . . 15 "
Prophecy of Daniel. The Four Universal Kingdoms, The Sanctuary and Twenty-three Hundred days, . . . 10 "
The Saints' Inheritance. The Immortal Kingdom located on the New Earth, . . . 10 "
Signs of the Times, showing that the Second Coming of Christ is at the door, . . . 10 "
Law of God, The Testimony of both Testaments, showing its origin and perpetuity, . . . 10 "
Vindication of the true Sabbath by J. W. Morton, late Missionary to Hayti, . . . 10 "
Review of Springer on the Sabbath, Law of God and first day of the week, . . . 10 "
Facts for the Times. Extracts from the writings of eminent authors Ancient and Modern, . . . 10 "
Miscellany. Seven tracts in one book on the Second Advent and the Sabbath, . . . 10 "
The Seven Trumpets. The Sounding of the Seven Trumpets of Revelation viii and ix, . . . 10 "
Assistant. The Bible Student's Assistant, or a compend of Scripture references, . . . 5 "
Nature and Obligation of the Sabbath of the Fourth Commandment—Apostasy and Perils of the Last Days, . . . 5 "
Truth Found. A Short Argument for the Sabbath with an appendix, "The Sabbath not a type," . . . 5 "
An Appeal for the restoration of the Bible Sabbath in an Address to the Baptists, . . . 5 "
Review of Crozier on the Institution, Design and Abolition of the Seventh-day Sabbath, . . . 5 "
Review (III) —A reply to a series of discourses delivered by him in Battle Creek, on the Sabbath question, . . . 5 "
The Fate of the Transgressor, or a Short Argument on the First and Second Deaths, . . . 5 "
Brown's Experience in relation to Entire Consecration and the Second Advent, . . . 5 "
Report of General Conference held in Battle Creek, June 3–6, Address on Systematic Benevolence, &c., . . . 5 "
Sabbath Poem. A Word for the Sabbath, or False Theories Exposed, . . . 5 "
Illustrated Review. A Double Number of the REVIEW AND HERALD illustrated, . . . 5 "
Spiritual Gifts Vol. 1, or the Great Controversy between Christ and his angels, and Satan and his angels, . . . 50 "
Spiritual Gifts Vol. 2. Experience, Views and Incidents in connection with the Third Message, . . . 50 "
Scriptural Doctrine of Future Punishment. An Argument by H. H. Dobney, Baptist Minister of England, . . . 75 "
Debt and Grace as related to the Doctrine of Future Punishment, by C. F. Hudson, . . . 100 "
Voice of the Church on the Coming and Kingdom of the Redeemer. A History of the doctrine, . . . 100 "
PENNY TRACTS. Who Changed the Sabbath?—Unity of the Church—Spiritual Gifts—Judson's Letter on Dress—Law of God, by Dobney (2 cts.)—Law of God by Wesley—Appeal to men of reason on Immortality—Much in Little—Truth—Death and Burial—Preach the Word.
These small Tracts can be sent, post-paid, in packages of not less than twenty-five.
Home Here and Home in Heaven, with other poems. This work embraces all those sweet and Scriptural poems written by Annie R. Smith, from the time she embraced the third angel's message till she fell asleep in Jesus. Price 25 cents. In paper covers, 25 cents.
The Chart. A Pictorial Illustration of the Visions of Daniel and John. 20 by 25 inches. Price 15 cts. On rollers, post-paid 75 cts.
German. Das Wesen des Sabbaths und unsere Verpflichtung auf ihn nach dem Vierten Gebote. A Tract of 80 pp., a Translation of Nature and Obligation of the Sabbath of the Fourth Commandment. Price 10 cents.
Holland. De Natuur en Verbinding van den Sabbath volgens het vierde Gebod. Translated from the same as the German. Price 10 cents.
French. Le Sabbat de la Bible. A Tract on the Sabbath of 32 pp. Price 5 cents.
La Grande Statue de Daniel II, et les Quatre Betes Symboliques et quelques remarques sur la Seconde Venue de Christ, et sur le Cinquième Royaume Universel. A Tract of 32 pp. on the Prophecies. Price 5 cents.
These Publications will be sent by Mail, post-paid, at their respective prices. One-third discount by the quantity of not less than $5 worth. In this case, postage added when sent by Mail. All orders to secure attention must be accompanied with the cash, unless special arrangements be made. Give your Name, Post Office, County and State distinctly. Address REVIEW & HERALD, Battle Creek, Mich.
TO BRO. M. OF OHIO.
By J. H. W.
DEAR BRO.—You will find your questions to me answered in Testimony No. 6, a copy of which I send you. And permit me here to recommend to you, as well as to others, this Testimony. I have examined it with much interest, especially those parts referring to points and subjects that have fallen under my notice, and I am satisfied that its importance cannot be estimated. It is, as it purports to be, for the church—for God's tried and tempted people—for those who feel the need of help from the Lord in these perilous times. To those out of the church, who do not know the purposes of God nor the things of his Spirit; and to those "who are at ease in Zion," who have not been awakened by the words of the faithful and true witness [Rev. iii], it will be neither comely nor desirable. My prayer and hope is that the brethren in your State may realize its importance, and seek that conformity to God's will that will insure a revival of his work among you.
J. H. W.
Books Sent to John Bostwick
By James White
SEVERAL weeks since we sent a box of Books to John Bostwick, La Crosse, Wis. Has it been received?
J. W.
延期 of Round Grove Appointment
By James White
IN consequence of the weakness of some friends in other States, who credit the false statements in a letter or letters from a person in this city, who has kept up a mean warfare against the church since her arrival, we think it duty to remain one week longer, investigate and report next week; therefore cannot meet our appointment at Round Grove.
If Satan does not hinder, hope to be at the conference at Marion, Iowa, the 16th and 17th. J. W.