Review and Herald, Vol. 37, No. 18.
Discussion at Rochester Colony, MichPage 1
Earlier text: Grace to Sustain in TrialEarthly Glory vs. Religion.
By John Matteson
CHARLES V., emperor of Germany, king of Spain and lord of the Netherlands, born in the year 1500, fought sixty battles, in most of which he was victorious, conquered four kingdoms, added eight principalities to his dominion, and was almost unparalleled in worldly prosperity and the greatness of human glory. Yet before his death he became convinced of the emptiness of earthly magnificence, and decided to spend the rest of his days in religious retirement. Voluntarily he resigned all his dominions, luxuries, and pleasures, and chose a retired home in a small valley in Spain, where he spent the rest of his time in religious exercises and innocent employments. Here he enjoyed more solid happiness than all his grandeur had ever yielded him, which he expressed in the following short but comprehensive testimony: “I have tasted more satisfaction in my solitude, in one day, than in all the triumphs of my former reign. The sincere study, profession, and practice, of the Christian religion, have in them such joys and sweetness as are seldom found in courts and grandeur.”—Power of Religion, p. 63. This is truly a good testimony from one who tried both ways. JOHN MATTESON. Minnesota.
By I. D. Van Horn
After my meeting at Riceland, as given in my last report, I met with the Brush Creek church, who had arranged to have their meeting at Wells, on Sabbath and Sunday, March 18, 19. There was quite a general attendance of the friends of the cause of present truth, and we enjoyed a good meeting. Some discouragements rested upon the cause here; but the Lord gave liberty in declaring his truth, and a good degree of freedom was manifested in our social meeting. But the best meeting of all was our business meeting on Sunday morning. Here we learned the cause of their discouragement. Some difficulties existed; but they were all happily removed, and then the blessing of the Lord rested upon us. Confession followed and much weeping. A uniting influence came into the meeting. The way was opened, and eight united with the church. I left them a happy people. Sunday afternoon, Bro. Kelsey took me to his home six miles, and in the evening, according to appointment, several of his neighbors came through a severe sleet storm to his house, and I spoke to them with freedom. A good impression was left on their minds. The next morning, Bro. K. took me with his team about eight miles to Bro. Schram’s. They suggested that we have meeting in their neighborhood that evening. I consented, and soon two men were on horseback going from house to house giving out the appointment. Quite a good number came together, and the Lord gave freedom to speak to them. It was manifest that here was a good opening for the truth. The people were very anxious to hear more. Tuesday, the 21st, we rode twelve miles, and at 2 p. m. met with the Jo Davis church. We held six meetings with them. Our business meeting resulted in much good. Courage arose in the hearts of all. Their interest to carry out the truth was renewed. There was a good interest to hear the truth on the part of the people where the meetings were held. Some wrongs were made right here also, and we left them in better condition than we found them. Our meeting with the church in Tenhassen, Sabbath and Sunday, the 25, 26, resulted in much good. We found them much discouraged and divided by severe trials. The Lord guided in the selection of subjects, and the straight testimony told with good effect on all. We had two business meetings, the last of which continued in session four hours. We struggled hard with the enemy; but he gave way, and the free Spirit of the Lord came in, and there was a breaking down and melting of hearts before it. Many confessions were made. Washington Morse, though he does not belong to this church, made confession, and took some stumbling-blocks out of the way of others. This let Bro. Merry free, and he began to confess. With many tears he regretted his rashness in his having thought of withdrawing from this people. He asked the church to bear with him a little longer and try him again. By a unanimous rising vote they accepted his confession. Other wrongs were settled. A complete victory was gained for the cause. If now they will seek counsel of the Lord, and learn wisdom by the things they have suffered, they may be a happy people and enjoy much peace. We left them enjoying the blessing of God. The 28th and 29th, we enjoyed a good meeting at Shelbyville. There are but a few living in this place, and there is no organized church. We could do but little more here than give them courage to continue on in the good way. They were not prepared to enter into organization. Sabbath and Sunday, April 1, 2, we had an excellent meeting at Pleasant Grove. The disciples kindly granted us the use of their house of worship. They have our thanks. At our public meetings, the house was crowded with attentive hearers. They seemed hungry for the truth. Our business meeting here also, proved to be the best of all for the church. There were some difficulties in the church, and as far as they could be, they were removed. The reason of there not being an entire settlement, was that some of the disaffected ones refused to attend the meeting. How sad it is, at such times as this, for some to be so controlled by the enemy as to stand in the way of the work of the Lord. But a good work was done, and our labor with this church told with good effect on the community around. I have no doubt that an effectual door is open for the truth. But there is so much to do, and the laborers are few. May the Lord keep their hearts till they can hear the truth. This meeting completed my round of appointments. I found some good brethren and sisters who had the cause at heart in every place, but they were much in need of help. I was astonished to find that in no church was there an ordained elder, except the Riceland church. Some have not celebrated the ordinances for two years and more. This ought not so to be. We hope the way may open for a more full setting of things in order in every place. We shall try to labor to this end. We would seek the Lord for wisdom, and be guided by his hand. Rochester, Minn., April 4, 1871. Meetings in Michigan.
By Joseph Bates
MARCH 11, 12, with Sabbath-keepers in Greenbush and Duplain. At the latter place, met with Bro. Cornell, who was giving the people a course of lectures. A Disciple minister was sent for, who came from St. Louis, Gratiot Co., in haste, to see what could be done. God's law-abiding people, and others in the community, were becoming deeply interested to hear. The Lord bless and set home the truth. We closed our meetings at Greenbush Sunday evening. March 14–21, visiting from house to house, and holding meetings on the Sabbath and first-day in Ithaca. This church is struggling to hold themselves in the message, and seemed very glad to have us come and see them where they were almost hedged in, at their homes, on account of their deep muddy roads. Spent one week with the church and brethren at Alma. Here the Methodists were laboring for revival meetings. We held eight interesting meetings with the church and people. The visiting Methodist minister attended all our meetings but one. He said it was a new chapter to him. Three other persons in Alma professed to believe the Sabbath. The brethren were encouraged and strengthened. March 28–31, with the church in Spring Brook. Some who had been almost discouraged, and unwilling to keep up their stated meetings, and walk together in love, were revived in their minds, and encouraged and resolved to labor on and overcome. Our meetings were encouraging. March 31 to April 3, with the church in Matherton, Montcalm Co. Sabbath and first-day, held four meetings. The church was encouraged, and resolved to press forward. Some from other churches and outsiders attended, and manifested much interest to hear, and receive tracts to read, as also they did in other places we have named, and many railroad passengers, who often take them many hundreds of miles, where the living preacher has not been privileged to go. Sabbath, the 8th, with the church in Monterey. The Lord strengthen and bless his people. Monterey, Mich., April 10, 1871. Light Found.
By John S. Montgomery
It is with pleasure that I relate a little of my past experience, and what I now enjoy. I have, for the last fifteen years, been a member of the Methodist church, trying with them to serve my divine Lord, but making many crooked paths. I ever tried to be a Christian; but there seemed to be something between me and God, between what I was and what I desired to be, a devoted Christian. What it was I now think I can tell. About six weeks ago I was conversing with a neighbor of mine on scripture subjects, and in our conversation she explained some passages of Scripture that I had studied upon, but could not understand; and now I am happy to say that in place of the first day of the week, I have embraced the Lord's holy Sabbath. And although opposition may arise, and foes may oppress, I am determined to stand up for the truth, and ever be found in the path of duty. We are comparatively few here, there being only five of us, who are Sabbath-keepers; but God is with us, and he will help. We are doing all we can to spread the truths of the gospel, hoping in the prayers of our friends elsewhere. EMILY L. CANRIGHT
By Emily L. Canright
What rewards await the just,
By-and-by, by-and-by,
Who in Jesus put their trust,
By-and-by;
Far above this world of care,
In a land that's bright and fair,
And we'll all be gathered there
By-and-by, by-and-by,
And we'll all be gathered there,
By-and-by. Of that city who can tell
By-and-by, by-and-by,
Where the holy ones will dwell
By-and-by?
No pain or death shall enter there,
No gathering gloom, no harrowing care,
But joy shall reign supremely there,
By-and-by, by-and-by.
But joy shall reign supremely there,
By-and-by. We shall sing redemption's song,
By-and-by, by-and-by,
We shall wear a glittering crown,
By-and-by.
Soon our conflicts will be o'er,
And on Canaan's happy shore
We shall meet to part no more
By-and-by, by-and-by,
We shall meet to part no more,
By-and-by. Work of the Tracts.
By Mrs. E. M.
ONE year and a half ago there was only one Sabbath-keeper in this vicinity. She was convinced in regard to the Seventh-day Adventist doctrine under the labors of Eld. Sanborn, several years ago, in Wisconsin. She moved soon after to Iowa, and has lived up to her belief ever since. About one year ago, through her influence, we received books treating on the second advent and third angel’s message. My husband was of the Presbyterian belief, but by throwing aside all prejudice, and by reading and comparing passages of Scripture, we became convinced on the Sabbath and second advent questions, also in regard to the immortality of the soul. About one year ago I commenced keeping the Sabbath of the Lord, and soon after another woman in our neighborhood commenced keeping the day. About four months ago we had the pleasure of having our husbands join us in taking a stand to keep the ten commandments, the fourth one not excepted, that making six of us. We have for four months met alternately together on Sabbaths at our homes to read and pray, and praise God. MRS. E. M. Otranto, Iowa. Sharpsville, Ind.
By W. C.
Those who meet at this place for worship are much scattered, living in three different counties, Howard, Tipton, and Clinton. Some have to travel seven miles to attend meeting; yet we hold our meetings every Sabbath unless the going is extremely bad. We are not organized yet, but hope to be this spring or summer. I am happy to say that not one of our number has given up the blessed hope so dear to the Christian; but one more has concluded to go with us to the Father's house. Our social meetings are precious seasons. Bro. Waggoner preached a few sermons at this place about twelve years ago, and the seed sown at that time is springing up yet. The brethren and sisters generally are anxious that he shall attend our next camp-meeting. We feel like expressing our thanks to God and the brethren of Michigan for the timely aid sent us in the persons of the Brn. Lane. May God keep them humble and energetic in his cause. Sharpsville, Tipton Co., Ind. Good News.
By A. H. Vankirk
My heart was much cheered this morning by reading the testimony of Bro. Kellogg in REVIEW No. 15, and like the man who had found the lost sheep, I can truly say, not only, “Rejoice with me,” but say, Let us all rejoice with Bro. K. in his great victory. May this not only prove a good lesson to him, but to all who are striving to overcome. Let our united prayers ascend to Heaven in behalf of the cause everywhere, and especially that none of God's servants called to proclaim the third message should fall out by the way. Truth Embraced.
By MARSHAL ENOCH; FLORIMON DEPAS
We are rejoicing in the Lord, that he has opened our eyes and led us to see the true and right way, and given us grace to enter the path which we must follow, to reach that heavenly home which is promised to those only who keep his commandments. We are convinced that we were not keeping the Sabbath of the Lord when we kept the first day of the week. We have no proofs that God ever changed the Sabbath. Now we are striving to live the lives of good and faithful Christians. MARSHAL ENOCH,
FLORIMON DEPAS. Lapeer, Mich.
By R. J. Lawrence
I COMMENCED meetings in Lapeer, March 25. There was a good attendance on the part of the church. But few in from without. There was very good interest manifested by most of those that attended. We closed first-day, April 9. The church was much encouraged. Two were baptized. The ordinances were celebrated. Systematic Benevolence was renewed, and an elder and deacon elected. They have the means provided to finish paying for their house, and are quite spirited and united in providing means to pay for the additional lot they were obliged to buy to save their house. We anticipate better days for the church in Lapeer. R. J. LAWRENCE. Ausable, N. Y.
By S. B. Whitney
During the last quarter I have spent but about three weeks in active labor in the field. Most of this time was spent at Ausable Forks, where there seemed to be an interest on the part of some to hear, but without special result. The remainder of the time I have devoted to reading, writing, studying and visiting, when home duties did not require my attention. Our quarterly meeting is just past, during which we had a good season attending to the ordinances. The brethren and sisters are taking their stand on all the truth as fast as the light shines, and receiving the blessing of the Lord in return. S. B. WHITNEY. Confession and Renewal
By D. B. Staples
I WISH to confess my sin in wandering and backsliding from the Lord, for the last two years or more. Like the wicked and slothful servant who hid his Lord's talent in the earth, I buried mine, and it became dim, and increased not. I laid down my testimony, omitted duty in meeting and out, in my family and among my neighbors. But through the goodness and mercy of my kind Heavenly Father, I have been permitted to see my true condition, and have been led to cry, as did the publican, “God be merciful to me, a sinner.” My prayer still is that the Lord will have mercy and forgive, and I want all my dear brethren to forgive me, and aid me by their prayers to pay unto the Lord my vows. I will try in the future, the Lord helping me, to bear my testimony for the truth, which I have never doubted. The Lord has borne with me long; and while I have merited nothing but wrath, I have obtained nothing but mercy. And while the Lord has been abundant in mercy to me, he has remembered my dear companion; and she is now a helpmeet indeed with her prayers and kind offices. And still another, our oldest daughter, thirteen years of age, has been awakened to a sense of her true condition without a Saviour, and has been led to confess her sins and fly to the arms of her Redeemer, and we trust has found pardon. Truly, the goodness of the Lord is wonderful. Love and harmony are now the inmates of my little family. Bless the Lord, O my soul. D. B. STAPLES. JERUSHA WISEL
By Jerusha Wisel
I HAIL with gladness the weekly visits of the REVIEW. It is all the preaching we receive; but its stirring, pointed articles, it would seem, might arouse the most stupid soul to action. A few of the scattered members of the S. D. A. church in Salem meet every Sabbath for prayer and social meeting, which is a blessed privilege. I often think of the lonely ones who have not even one of like precious faith to commune with. Such indeed need our sympathy and prayers. But they have what is far better; Christ is especially near to those who have forsaken all for the truth. No doubt many of the dear sisters who are struggling alone to obey the third angel's message, have often felt that if they could only have their husbands to go with them in the observance of the Sabbath, and help them train their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, their burdens would be light. Dear, lone sisters, look to Christ for sympathy. Cast all your burdens on him. His eye reads the secrets of the heart, and his sympathy readily adapts itself to every want. We have thoughts, moods, feelings, joys, and sorrows, that we could not impart to any but man's friend, however near and dear; but Christ comes down to us in the secret chambers of the heart, and breathes life and sweetness there. He applies the balm with infinite skill, never irritating and wounding. He knows the full power of human infirmity, and he is ever ready to deliver the tempted and tried ones. Only let us hold fast to his strong arm by faith and prayer. The warfare, though severe, will not last long; and if we can at last stand with the redeemed on Mount Zion, and hear that welcome, “Well done,” we shall feel that it is enough. If your hands cannot be usefully employed, attend to the cultivation of the mind. Woodburn and Knoxville, Iowa.
By George I. Butler
Upon my arrival home from the North, after an absence of nearly four months, I found urgent invitations to visit several places. So I remained at home one day only, and visited Woodburn, Iowa, where I organized a church last fall. There seemed to be quite an interest to hear among the people. I continued holding meetings for a week, twelve in all. There have been several taking hold of the Lord's Sabbath here, of late. Some of them have never made a profession of religion before, and are of that class of people who give promise of being permanent. I have not seen a greater readiness on the part of the people for a long time to attend meeting while business was driving. There seems to be a zeal in the work that is truly refreshing on the part of many. Tuesday morning, I baptized ten, and thirteen were admitted into the church. The church now numbers thirty-six members. I could but contrast the present state of things with what I found there about two years since, when I first visited the neighborhood. There had formerly been a small company there, but they had mostly become discouraged and given up the truth. We thought the place had been burned over, as the saying is, and that there would be little use in trying to do anything there. But the few friends hung on so hard for lectures, that to gratify them, as much as anything, Bro. Morrison went there. One man said that this was the fourth time he had heard these things; and now as the result, we have a live church of thirty-six members, and others interested. I feel that I need more faith. From Woodburn I went to Knoxville, partly to assist in selecting a site for the Southern Iowa camp-meeting, and partly to labor for souls. After hunting part of three days, we found a pretty fair place two miles north of Knoxville, on the farm of Mr. Garretson. Sabbath morning, we found quite a good congregation assembled in the house of prayer, though the notice of the meeting had been short. Our meetings were good. Monday, I baptized seven; the same number were received into the church. Most of these were persons in the active period of life, and some of them I have felt a deep interest in for a long time. Some had been hesitating for two years. They now took their stand. I felt much encouraged. This church has been coming up within the last two years. I hope yet to see further advancement. The people in this section are anxious for the Southern Iowa camp-meeting to be held in their vicinity. We trust good will be accomplished by it. Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, April 5, 1871. The Poor.
By Ellen G. White
Some who are poor in this world's goods are apt to place all the straight testimony upon the shoulders of the men of property. But they do not realize that they also have a work to do. God requires them to make a sacrifice. He requires of them to sacrifice their idols. They should lay aside such hurtful stimulants as tobacco, tea, and coffee. If they are brought into straightened circumstances while exerting themselves to do the best they can, it will be a pleasure for their wealthy brethren to help them out of trouble. Many lack wise management and economy. They do not weigh matters well, and move cautiously. Such should not trust to their own poor judgment, but counsel with their brethren who have experience. Those who lack good judgment and economy are often unwilling to seek counsel. They generally think that they understand how to conduct their temporal business, and are unwilling to follow advice. They make bad moves and suffer in consequence. Their brethren are grieved to see them suffer, and they help them out of difficulty. Their unwise management affects the church. It takes means from the treasury of God which should have been used to advance the cause of present truth. If these poor brethren would take a humble course and be willing to be advised and counseled by their brethren, and then are brought into straightened places, their brethren should feel it their duty to cheerfully help them out of difficulty. But if they choose their own course and rely upon their judgment, they should be left to feel the full consequences of their unwise course, and learn by dear experience that “in a multitude of counselors there is safety.” God's people should be subject one to another. They should counsel with each other, that the lack of one be supplied by the sufficiency of the other. I saw that the stewards of the Lord have no duty to help those persons who persist in using tobacco, tea, and coffee. I saw that some have excused themselves from aiding the cause of God because they were in debt. Had they closely examined their own hearts they would have discovered that selfishness was the true reason why they brought no free-will offering to God. And some will remain in debt. Because of their covetousness, the prospering hand of God will not be with them to bless their undertakings. They love this world better than they love the truth. They are not being fitted up and made ready for the kingdom of God. If a new patent passes through the country, men who profess to believe the truth have found a way to raise means and join the enterprise. God is acquainted with every heart. Every selfish motive is known to him, and he suffers things to arise to try the hearts of his professed people, to prove them, and develop character. In some instances the Lord will suffer men to go on, and meet with an entire failure. His hand is against them to disappoint their hopes and scatter what they possess. Individuals who have really felt an interest in the cause of God, and have been willing to venture something for its advancement, will find it a sure and safe investment. Some will have a hundred-fold in this life, and in the world to come life everlasting. But all will not receive their hundred-fold in this life, because they cannot bear it. They would, if intrusted with much, become unwise stewards. The Lord withholds it for their good; but their treasure in Heaven will be secure. How much better is such an investment as this! The desire that some of our brethren possess to earn means fast, leads them to engage in a new enterprise and invest means, and their expectations of making money are not realized. They sink that which they could have spent in God's cause. There is an infatuation in these new enterprises. And notwithstanding these things have been acted over so many times, and the example of others is before them who have made investments and have met with an utter failure, yet they are slow to learn. Satan allures them on, and makes them drunk with anticipated hopes. When these hopes are blasted, they suffer many discouragements in consequence of their unwise adventures. If means are lost, the person looks upon it as a misfortune to himself, as his loss. But he must remember that it is the means of another that he is handling, that he is only a steward, and God is displeased with the unwise management of that means which could have been used to advance the cause of present truth. The unfaithful steward must give an account of his stewardship at the reckoning day. Sabbath Reform.
By Charles P. Whitford
FROM the first it has been the faith of Seventh-day Adventists that clear prophecies were recorded in the Bible of a Sabbath reform; and in harmony with this belief they are proclaiming the evidences upon which their faith is based. In Isa. 56:1, 2, we read: “Thus saith the Lord, Keep ye judgment, and do justice; for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed. Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the Son of Man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil.” From this testimony we learn that when God’s salvation is near to come, and his righteousness to be revealed, then a blessing is pronounced upon the man that lays hold of the Sabbath, and keeps it. From the testimony of Paul in Rom. 13, we learn that when the long, dark night of sin is far spent, then God’s salvation is near to come. Then will his righteousness soon be revealed. And when this time fully arrives, we learn from the prophet that a blessing is pronounced upon the man that lays hold of the Sabbath. We think that here a Sabbath reform is evidently and clearly pointed out; a coming back to the true Bible Sabbath; the Sabbath of the fourth commandment; for how else could it be said, Blessed is the man that layeth hold of it? Had we always observed the Sabbath, it could not properly be said of us that we had laid hold of it; but having embraced it as the truth of God, and trying to shape our lives in accordance thereto, it can be very properly and truthfully said that we have laid hold of the Sabbath. And we can testify that to us the Sabbath is a delight, the holy of the Lord, and honorable; and while we have tried to keep it as such, the promised blessing has been verified unto us. But while we are among those who believe in a Sabbath reform, we greatly deplore the movement which is now in progress to maintain the observance of the first day of the week. The “Young Men’s Christian Associations” are rapidly becoming a power in the land, and they declare that “the Christian Sabbath must and shall be preserved.” In union with this association, the evangelical churches all over our country are raising an alarm that the Christian Sabbath, which they denominate one of the free institutions of our country, is being endangered. Time has sufficiently demonstrated that these combined efforts in the past to sustain this so-called free institution by the word of God, have all proved fruitless; until now they see and feel the necessity of an immediate and combined effort to preserve this darling institution by the strong arm of the civil law. This movement of itself is sufficient proof of the sandy foundation upon which the observance of the first day of the week is based. But very few of our people are aware of the depth and extent of the movement which is now in progress to secure a religious amendment of the constitution. It is proposed that the Christian principles of the people be incorporated into, and become an integral part, of the constitution, and that these principles shall form the basis upon which our government shall rest; and then it is proposed that the national policy be shaped according to them, so that no person can hold an office of trust or profit whose life has not been conformable thereto. Who can fail to see that such a condition of things would be a virtual union of church and State—a going back to the religious despotisms of the dark ages? No one but Christians to hold any office. But who shall determine who are Christians? Why, the ruling churches of course. All others will be branded as heretics, and all rights denied them. So far has the agitation already progressed that public documents are everywhere circulated, a national association has been formed to carry forward the movement, and national conventions are being called in all parts of the country, and all American citizens are called upon to unite heartily in the work proposed. The success of the “proposed amendment” virtually destroys one of the first principles upon which our government was founded; viz., “All men shall have the privilege of worshiping God according to the dictates of their own conscience.” When the time shall come that the constitution of our country enforces the observance of the first day of the week as the Sabbath, what will be the fate of those who conscientiously believe and lay hold of the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, and dare to keep it? They will be considered outlaws, and branded as heretics. This is where we are surely drifting. The time is evidently near when an image to the beast will be formed. A time of trouble and persecution is before us, but the saints of God will be delivered out of it. “Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” “What I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.” Mark 13:37. How much pain and anguish we should all avoid did we but heed these words of Jesus, and watch. Satan watches with a constancy that knows no flagging. Shall we be less watchful than our enemy? Do we realize that we are living in the perils of the last days, when our adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour? Then let us watch and be sober. Watch constantly day and night. Soon our cases will be passing review in the court above. Solemn thought! In Experience and Views, p. 59, sister White says, “I saw that none could share the ‘refreshing,’ unless they retain the victory over every besetment, all pride, selfishness, love of the world, and over every wrong word and action.” How careful we should be to watch every thought, word, and act. We are admonished to keep our hearts with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Shall we come up to the time of refreshing unprepared to share the rich blessings? Will the star of hope then go down in utter darkness? O brethren and sisters, it must not be so. Let us arouse and gird on the armor anew; and keep our watch, that when the Lord comes, we may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. Time is short, and what we do must be done quickly. Eternal life is ours if we endure to the end. May we all remember and heed the word of our Saviour when he says, Watch. Lively Meetings at Poy Sippi
By M. J. Duelund
BRO. M. J. DUELUND writes from Poy Sippi, Wis.: Our meetings here are lively and interesting. We are very much edified in using our new hymn book. Those who came out last winter, when Bro. Matteson was here, are all firm in the truth. Yet we very much need some help in this place, being surrounded with so many dangers and difficulties. If we can only once get well started, I trust we shall never stand still till the Master appear. My prayer to God for his people is, that we may all learn more to live in the fear of the Lord and depart from evil, that we may be victorious and rejoice with exceeding great and heavenly joy at the glorious appearing of our own blessed Lord. Convinced, but Not Persuaded.
By P. STRONG
WHILE laboring this winter in Oceana Co., Mich., one that attended my meetings used the above expression. He had attended nearly all the meetings, and raised many objections against the Sabbath; but as the meetings progressed, his objections were all taken away. Will he break away from former associates, and obey the unpopular truths of the word of God? Let his testimony answer; and undoubtedly it is the answer of many in our land that have heard, and do not obey. He gave his testimony in covenant meeting to this effect: I have tried to live a consistent life before God, and he has blessed me; the objections in my mind against the Sabbath are all taken away. I am convinced that God's law is binding. I am convinced that the seventh-part-of-time theory is not correct. I am convinced that time has not been lost. I am convinced that those texts which are brought forward to prove the Sunday Sabbath, do not prove it. I am convinced that the seventh day was blessed in the beginning, and is for all to obey. I still intend to investigate, and if I am persuaded to keep the Sabbath, I then shall change. Paul says, “Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.” I am convinced, but not fully persuaded. It is a saying that all things being equal, the smallest atom will change the scales. If this is true in worldly things, it is also in spiritual. If we allow our prejudices and the profession of the mass to govern us, we never shall be persuaded to obey any truth that causes a sacrifice. Paul speaks of a class that will be convinced, but not persuaded, because they do not receive the “love of the truth, that they might be saved.” 2 Thess. 2:10. Such evidently see a harmony in the truth, but the applause of the world would have to be forfeited to obey it. It is a fearful thing to be persuaded into a wrong cause. Jehoshaphat was persuaded to join affinity with Ahab, which came near costing him his life. 2 Chron. 18:1. The true prophet of God warned them not to go to battle. Verse 16. But the four hundred false prophets prophesied success, and they were persuaded, but Ahab lost his life. Again, when Jesus was resurrected, the soldiers were persuaded by the priests to tell a falsehood, and say he was stolen. Their judgment was convinced by unanswerable evidence that he was raised; but the love of a good name and money persuaded them. Paul almost persuaded king Agrippa to be a Christian. He was convinced; but in lifting the cross to win an eternal crown, his earthly crown was in danger. The atom in the scales was on the side of the world, and we have no evidence that Agrippa was ever fully persuaded to be a Christian. It is a good thing to be fully convinced and persuaded to obey God. Why? “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Rom. 8:38, 39. Oh! that all men would be persuaded to practically apply David's prayer, “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” Ps. 119:18. All then would be united on the day to worship. P. STRONG. Our Blessed Hope.
By M. F. Clark
WHAT a subject for thought to the mind of the Christian is the coming of our blessed Saviour. What a thought that the dead shall be raised and those that are alive and remain shall be caught up in the air to meet the Lord, be changed from mortal to immortal; to be free from sickness, sorrow, pain, and death, the troubles, trials, and privations, of this sinful world, and the infirmities of age; to be ever young, ever happy, and forever live in the presence of God and the Lamb; to join the holy angels in songs of praise around the throne of the Most High! How careful ought we to live! How prayerful, how zealous, should we be, lest we come short of the reward promised to the faithful. M. F. CLARK. The Origin of Writing.
By G. W. A.
In the Printer for February, 1864, there appeared an able article on the “Origin of Printing.” In it the writer makes use of the following language, which is interesting, to say the least. G. W. A. According to the chronology of Archbishop Usher, which, as it is that attached by authority to the English Bible, may be esteemed the standard system of this country, Babylon was founded by Belus, whom the learned have identified as the Nimrod of Scripture, about 2,232 years before Christ; and the tower of Babel was built by his successors about sixteen years after the founding of the city. Many authors have ascribed the origin of alphabetic writing to the Chaldeans; some have given to the Phoenicians the honor of the invention. Herodotus, Pliny, Plutarch, and others, signify that Cadmus, a Phoenician, settled in Boeotia about 1,500 years before Christ, where he built the city of Thebes; and that he was the first who taught the Greeks the use of alphabetic symbols. Here, perhaps, it may be well to suggest that Cadmus was cotemporary with Moses; and the time of his migration into Greece, making a little allowance for the discrepancies of chronologers, corresponds, as near as need be, with the time when the Israelites came into the possession of the promised land. Now Moses, we are fully assured, had been qualified to write the commandments of God at Sinai; and it is but reasonable to suppose that an art so valuable as writing would, when once learned, rapidly circulate among the most learned of the Hebrews. The inference, therefore, from these premises, is, that before he left Asia, Cadmus had, by an intercourse with some of the Hebrew people, learned the use of letters; and when he emigrated to Greece, he carried the art with him, in which country it was unknown until he taught it. Maurice on this subject, says: “I cannot, however, avoid owning myself very much inclined to join in opinion with Mr. Bryant, and other genuine sons of science, not infected with the French skeptical philosophy, that so divine an art could not have its origin in the unassisted powers of the human mind.” And the same author, after having adverted to a number of arguments relative to the first application of letters to the purposes of human correspondence, concludes his dissertation with the following energetic language: “In this state of uncertainty the mode of conduct for us to pursue, at once the most consistent with reason, the most conformable to true science, and the most agreeable to sound religion, is to conclude that though some sort of characters, as before observed, formed by the ingenuity of man, or founded upon the basis of the ancient hieroglyphic system, was occasionally used in the early ages of the world, that so divine an art—an art apparently so far surpassing human powers to invent, as alphabetic writing, in the perfection in which it has descended down to us from an Asiatic source, through the medium of the Greeks and Romans—could have its origin in inspiration only, and was at first revealed to man amid the awful promulgations at Horeb; amid the thunders that shook the basis of Mount Sinai!”