“If the act is right, the manner is of little consequence,” says Bro. Self-will. Condescend to listen a moment, my brother, and let me illustrate. Suppose a child is learning to read, and he should tell his teacher, “It’s no matter how I read, if I only read.” Or suppose the mechanic should direct his apprentice how to hold and move the plane, and the apprentice should retort, “If I only make good work, it is no matter how I hold the plane;” or the merchant should give his clerk instructions as to his deportment in the store, and the clerk should undervalue those little civilities enjoined upon him, and should persist in his boorish manners, contenting himself with his honesty and sincerity. Such a course on the part of the child, the apprentice, or the clerk, would completely ruin their prospects; every one can see this. How wise the children of this world are in their sphere; and should the children of God be less wise? Is it less important to cultivate an agreeable way of speaking, of praying, of singing, of conversation? Is there a person who would not be agreeable to his customers? Is there one who would not consider it a duty to please his patrons, as far as consistent with the truths of God? Even Daniel strove to please his captors, and Christ pleased his parents and associates, as far as duty permitted. Duty to God was first, and next, love to man. Doubtless his general deportment was unexceptionable, and his manners agreeable. Christ pleased not himself; that is, he yielded in all affairs of no moral consequence, in order to please his associates. J. C.
Progress of the Cause at Neosho
From Bro. & Sister Carter.
DEAR BRO. SMITH: Bro. W. M. Allen came to this place last July and lectured on the law of God and prophecies in the district west of this, also in the "Good Templar's" hall at Neosho. Considering the season of the year, there was an interest manifested on the part of the people to hear. Five have decided in favor of the present truth, and have commenced keeping the commandments of God, three of whom were baptized. Another one said one week ago last Sabbath that she should keep the Sabbath. Others appear favorable. We hope to see others take a decided stand in obeying God by keeping all his commandments.
Seven years ago this fall we came to this place. At that time there were no Sabbath-keepers here; neither did we know that there were such a people in existence as Seventh-day Advent people. But soon after we formed acquaintance with Bro. L. M. Bodwell, then deacon of the F. W. Baptist church in this place, who was investigating the Sabbath question, as taught in the Review and publications from the Review Office.
Bro. B. and companion commenced early the next spring to keep the Sabbath. He had also offered us the books and papers for investigation, after which we became convinced of our obligation to keep the Sabbath. Accordingly the next August we commenced to keep the Sabbath. We (four in number) established a little prayer-meeting on the Sabbath, which has been kept up with interest till the present time, with now and then one embracing the present truth, such as we trust shall be saved.
There have been upwards of thirty Sabbath-keepers here, but quite a number have removed to other parts of the country, which has reduced our number to about twenty. We can cheerfully say, we as a little church here have been much strengthened and confirmed in the blessed hope, by the Lord's messengers who have called on us at different times when passing through this place.
We still feel interested in perusing the Review from week to week, believing it to be well calculated to bring us to a knowledge of the truth. We therefore hope that it may be sustained.
Yours in love,
A. G. & A. A. CARTER
Rubicon, Dodge Co., Wis.
P. S. Should any of the Lord's messengers pass through on the Milwaukee and La Crosse R. R., we should be highly gratified to have them call on us. Our residence is one mile south of Rubicon Station and eighty rods east.
A. G. C.
Trials and Hope in Saginaw
By L. M. Guilford
From Sister Guilford.
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: For the first time do I attempt to write in behalf of the cause I love. It is some over a year since we commenced trying to serve God by keeping his commandments. O what slow progress we make. It seems at times as if the enemy would get the rule over me. Trials deep and sore have been mine, but God in his mercy has not entirely left me. A ray of light is at times to be seen in the thick darkness that overshadows me. 'Tis then I feel like exclaiming, "His loving kindness endureth forever."
We are a lonely few, in the back woods of Saginaw. Still we trust the God of Israel is on our side, and if we trust him fully, he is more than can be against us. Brother Rhodes is the only one that ever visited and explained to us the great truths that are in the Bible. I feel grateful that I ever had a heart to obey. Though I make but little progress in the cause of present truth, it is a cause I love. It is cheering to know how the truth is rising in the West. We earnestly hope that some one of the messengers may see it duty to come to Saginaw the coming winter to present before this people the perils of the last days.
Pray for your sister that she may overcome all besetments, and stand with the remnant on mount Zion.
L. M. GUILFORD.
Fremont, Saginaw Co., Mich.
BREVITIES.
By J. C.
ILLUSTRATIONS when well applied, are like “words fully spoken,” like “apples of gold in pictures of silver;” but when ill applied, vice versa. It requires taste and judgment to use illustrations aright, and when there is a failure to do this, the wrong impression is given, and truth is baffled. I once heard the Christian race compared to a horse in full speed; and as the horse could not be stopped on account of the momentum he had acquired, so the Christian could not be hindered for the same reason.
Now here was a grievous mistake, for the Christian is sustained by God, not by the momentum he gains; and besides, this momentum supposes peril, for the horse often fails and breaks his neck by this very thing; whereas the Christian goes on steadily, and the more force he acquires from God, the safer he is, while the more momentum the race-horse acquires, the more danger.
“The legs of the lame are not equal; so is a parable in the mouth of fools.” Prov. xxvi, 7.
Taken up with trifles now! Oh, how many who are looking for translation are taken up with trifles! Instead of keeping the world beneath their feet, it is allowed to engross the whole mind. What shall we eat, and drink, and wear, are important questions; but O, how small in comparison with those weighty, sublime interests now at stake, relating to the future! O, let us continually be deeply impressed with the weighty and terrible realities before us, and upon us; and as we mingle (unavoidably) with the wicked, the hypocritical, and the profane, as we exert all our powers in present and daily duties, let us bear about with us in our hearts the witness that Enoch had. Let our hearts be heavy with the fine gold, and our whole being constantly sensible and alive to the fact that we are undergoing the strictest scrutiny of Him whose eyes are as a flame of fire, and in whose presence angels worship. Let us remember as we repair to our daily toil, and (unwillingly) hear the idle talk, the witty remarks, the jest of the profane, and the useless tale of scandal, the political debate, and the noisy acclamations of the blinded crowd, that we are pilgrims and strangers here, and the city is near, nearer at every step, and the way more and more perilous. O, how can we trifle, or be entertained with trifles!
“Commit thy way unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.” But says one, How can I bring these little affairs before the Judge of heaven and earth? It would be profane to mention my little every day anxieties to him who is so great. Stop, brother, does he not notice the falling sparrow, and are not the hairs of your head all numbered? Commit all to him, mind and body, worldly and heavenly treasures, to him trust your interests, he can prosper you, and when he sets his hand to deliver you, none can hinder. He can give sun and rain, or blasting and mildew, frost and drouth. He can increase your flocks and herds, or send the murrain and the plague, and shrink them to nought. He can give you skill to wisely arrange your business, or be can leave you to Satan, who may confuse your mind, tangle your affairs, disturb your peace, and ruin you temporally and spiritually. “The Lord giveth wisdom. Out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.” Then fly to him, and do not grudge the time necessary for devotion. It is a wise outlay. It is your best capital, your surest investment.
We cannot force the mind; it must move involuntarily. The movements of most minds, on moral subjects, are slow. The understanding must be convinced, before the conscience can be reached; and conscience sometimes labors in her painful task long before the will is influenced. Be patient; wait until arguments and evidences have had time to do their work; especially should we forbear and wait the slow movements of the dull mind of the erring one, who perhaps may yet return. If you have no hope, do not throw any obstacles in the way, but always keep a noble, forgiving heart within your bosom, to welcome the returning wanderer, who perhaps may cherish even now better sentiments than you credit him for, and whose heart even now struggles to free itself from Satan’s influence.
Many a powerful speaker has lost his power when he descends from the stand. To speak well, requires arduous labor; but to feel the sacred fire constantly, to be just as plain, as convincing, as conscientious, as unyielding in familiar conversation with loving friends; to carry the gospel sword with us all the time, in our daily walks, to meet the sycophantic brother, who pours his slanderous, one-sided tale into our ears, with stern impartiality, to reprove with just discernment our equals who would intimidate or overpower by the established influence of social or so-called moral institutions, to be always just, always impartial as well to our host who loads his table for us with choice viands, and to the benefactor who rescues us from the fangs of poverty, and to the faithful ally who has always stood alongside to stay us up, to deal as plainly with these as to the sour opposer who throws sand and vinegar into our eyes;—this is indeed a Godlike virtue.
J. C.
NOTES ON MEN AND THINGS.
By Wm. S. Foote
A PHILOSOPHICAL EXPLANATION.—A writer in a late paper in accounting for the appearance of meteoric bodies in our atmosphere, more numerous during the month of November than at other times, says, "The earth in its annual orbit, passes through a part of the region of space during that month, where meteoric bodies are more numerous than elsewhere." This may help to quiet the minds of those who inquire, "Where is the promise of his coming," but we who are looking for the "glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ," are reminded by it of the fulfillment of the prediction in Matt. xxiv, "the stars shall fall from heaven," particularly fulfilled on the night of Nov. 13, 1833. Praise the Lord for his often re-iterated kindnesses to those who love his holy law.
SPECIMEN OF MODERN THEOLOGY.—A short time since, a Methodist preacher at this place remarked during a funeral discourse, that "It is foolish to suppose that the garden of Eden was a small spot of ground, paled in like an old woman's two-penny garden, when it undoubtedly embraced the whole earth." We felt somewhat disposed to ask him, where our first parents were driven to, and what their condition was, after being driven from the garden. He also remarked during the same discourse, that "Soon the wicked will all stand upon the sea of glass, where their sins will be reflected into their faces, and they will thus become their own judges!"
A SIGN OF THE TIMES.—During the last summer a multitude of the rich, gay and fashionable, were, as usual, assembled at Saratoga Springs, N. Y., and according to the N. Y. Observer of Aug. 23d, quite a number of them, among other modes of killing time, held what they called "A Sabbath Convention." The meeting was composed in part of two Governors of States, some Representatives of Congress, and several (so-called) ministers of the gospel. The writer of the article says, "The audience was such an one as can be gathered only at Saratoga. All parts of the country, all ranks of society, all phases of opinion, all professions and occupations united on the common ground of the Pearl of Days! Probably no two men thought alike on any other subject. Doubtless all did not agree as to the grounds on which public action should be taken, or as to the extent to which that action should be pushed. But I have no doubt, from the tone of the meeting, and from casual remarks I overheard, that if it had been put to vote, it would have been resolved by acclamation that our American Christian Sabbath—the precious birthright of our national independence, must and shall be preserved." The old adage that "Straws show which way the wind blows," may be applicable here. And although the Two-horned Beast is not yet fully developed, yet if our senses do not deceive us, we are fully satisfied that the proclamation of the truth is bringing to light spirit now partially buried in the hearts of the enemies of God, which will soon be seen in the horrid form mentioned in Rev. xiii, 15.
WHAT BLINDNESS!—The same paper in a review, or notice of a volume of sermons by preachers of different denominations, has this remark by the Editor—"One great object in grouping them together, has been to promote the Spirit of Christian union, which is now beginning to pervade the church, somewhat as in apostolic times." Is this blindness, or an attempt at deception? Is it possible for the Arch-enemy of souls thus to deceive men? The only thing which the fallen churches agree upon is opposition to the truth, which must be in order to the fulfillment of prophecy, and this they are now doing; so they call this the same spirit which pervaded the church in Apostolic times!
Wm. S. Foote.
Business Department.
Business Notes.
S. Osgood : There have been but four numbers of the Good Samaritan printed.
W. J. Hardy : There is nothing due.
C. W. Sperry : The Instructor has been regularly sent to A. W. Barton, to the P. O. named. It is paid to next January. Sr. Derby's money was credited on book, paying up to present time. We now give it in Review.
A. N. Curtis : Where is D. A. Spencer's Instructor sent?
S. Myers : Bryant C. Gay's name was entered when received, and the paper has been regularly sent ever since.
The P. O. address of J. Hebner is changed from Audley, to Whitby, C. W.
Receipts.
FOR REVIEW AND HERALD.
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LINES,
By Richard Baxter
BY RICHARD BAXTER.
CHRIst leads me through no darker rooms,
Than he went through before;
He that into God's kingdom comes
Must enter by this door.
Come, Lord, when grace hath made me meet
Thy blessed face to see,
For if thy work on earth be sweet,
What will thy glory be?
My knowledge of that life is small,
The eye of faith is dim;
But 'tis enough that Christ knows all;
And I shall be with him.
APPOINTMENTS.
By Isaac Sanborn
PROVIDENCE permitting, I will meet with the church at Lodi, Wis., Dec. 1st and 2d. Will the church at Hundred Mile Grove, and others in the vicinity, meet with us on the Sabbath?
Also I will meet with the church at Avon, Wis., Dec. 15th and 16th. ISAAC SANBORN.
Spiritual Gifts Vol. 1, or the Great Controversy between Christ and his angels, and Satan and his angels, containing 224 pp. neatly bound in Morocco or Muslin, . . . 50 "
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These small Tracts can be sent, post-paid, in packages of not less than twenty-five.
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Note from Bro. Cottrell.
By Roswell F. Cottrell
BRO. SMITH: It is not because of a lack of interest in the cause, that I have written so little for the Review for some time past. But a press of duties and necessary cares have prevented. There is still an interest, in this vicinity, in the truth. It is since my last report, I think, that another family in our town of Newfane, have embraced the truth. The Lord has raised up sister Rice of West Somerset to sufficient health and strength to ride to Olcott, some nine or ten miles, to meeting. Her daughter has sought, and we trust found, the Lord. On first-day, Oct. 28, she was baptized, thus manifesting her faith in him who died for our sins and rose again.
Sabbath, Nov. 3, I met with the church at Mill Grove. The weather was unfavorable, but we had a good meeting. Two young sisters were baptized, both of them young converts. One of them recently embraced the Sabbath, the other was an adopted daughter of sister Baldwin, and had consequently been accustomed to observe it.
I feel like striving for an entire consecration to the will and work of the Lord.
R. F. C.