THE proper ventilation of meeting houses is a subject in which all who love to be found in the courts of the Lord have a vital interest, as all are more or less affected by the atmosphere therein, according to the state of their health, and the texture of their physical organization.
We are so constituted as to be greatly dependent on the quantity and quality of the air we breathe, for the amount of electricity we have in our system, and it is this subtle agent that we inhale that propels the life-current, the heart acting as the regulator. If impure air is taken into the system, it is deprived of that quantity of life-force which it demands by the laws of its own being, and which the Creator intended it should have when he breathed into man's nostrils the breath of life.
God has given us an atmosphere forty-five miles high, and even this could be exhausted in time, did it not contain within itself the means of its own purification, one of which is, that trees and plants live on carbonic-acid gas, which is exhaled from the lungs of men and animals, and by some mysterious process, only known in nature's secret laboratory, is decomposed, the oxygen returning to the atmosphere. It is a matter of scientific experiment that a man exhales twenty-four cubic inches each minute, of this poisonous carbonic-acid gas, and inhales an equal quantity of the life-giving oxygen, thus rendering a very large quantity of air impure, and unfit to be breathed over again in one hour.
Is it any wonder then, when a congregation is assembled on the Sabbath, without any thorough ventilating process, that the meeting is characterized by dullness, inattention, drowsiness, and a general feeling of stupor, with here and there a burning cheek, distressed palpitation of the heart, headaches, etc., etc.
Is it any wonder that the free Spirit of the Lord does not circulate freely from heart to heart, believing as we do that whatever hurts the body affects the mind, as it only exists in an organized form?
Is it any wonder that ministers so often complain of ill-health, standing as they do, elevated above the congregation, and taking in at every respiration the poisonous exhalations that might escape if proper means were in use? God is not honored nor glorified by his people's neglecting to observe the laws that regulate a healthy atmosphere. I would that some instrument, bearing the same relation to the purity of the air that the thermometer does to the heat, was in use, that nature's proportion of twenty-one pounds of oxygen to seventy-nine of nitrogen could evenly be maintained through the entire meeting; thus insuring as pure air for the closing services as for the opening song of praise.
"Throw open the window and fasten it there,
Fling the curtain aside, and the blind,
And give a free entrance to heaven's pure air;
'Tis the life and the health of mankind.
"Are you fond of coughs, colds, dyspepsy, and rheums,
Of headaches, and fevers, and chills?
Of bitters, hot drops, and medicine fumes,
And bleeding, and blisters, and pills?
"Then be sure when you sleep that all air is shut out;
Place, too, a warm brick at your feet,
Put a bandage of flannel your neck quite about,
And cover your head with a sheet.
"But would you avoid all forms of disease,
Then haste to the fresh open air,
Where your cheek may kindly be fanned by the breeze;
'Twill make you well, happy, and fair.
"Then open the window, and fasten it there,
Fling the curtain aside and the blind,
And give free admission to heaven's pure air;
'Tis light, life, and joy to mankind."
M. H. L.
REMARKS. The above lines of poetry were probably written in summer, and will not seem extravagant when applied to the warmer seasons. The philosophy of health in most cases is greatly neglected. The place of worship, whether it be the meeting-house or school-house, should be warmed at so early an hour, that the heat of the stoves be not on the increase as the speaker arises to address the audience. But one man should be allowed to tend the fires, and he should understand his business. He should never suffer the room to get so heated as to make it necessary to lower the windows to cool the house. The windows may all be lowered one or two inches in a cold day, but never so low that speaker or people can feel a strong current of keen air blowing upon them. Never!
The most ignorant farmer who, perhaps, cannot read a word, acts like a philosopher when he drives his team to market in a cold winter's day. If his team be warm, he seeks the best shelter, and covers his horses with blankets till they be cool and dry. Christians assembled for the worship of God sometimes act like idiots, or mad-men, in reference to their speaker and themselves.
The fire is built about twenty minutes before the time for the speaker to take the stand, and when he is fairly under way, warming up in the heat of his discourse, the stove or stoves begin to pour out a dreadful heat. The sweat rolls down his face, his voice becomes husky, he calls for water. The windows are dropped from one to two feet, the icy breeze pours into the windows upon the speaker wet with sweat, and upon the smothered audience, and they all take a severe cold. The veriest ignorant Dutch farmer would consider it a crime to treat his horses with as little wisdom.
It is true there are sudden changes in the atmosphere, and that we assemble sometimes in rooms where it is impossible in a cold day to have the house comfortable to all. Some are too warm, others too cold. But we would appeal to our brethren to avoid as far as possible those extremes which are wearing away the lives of our preachers, and endangering the health of the people.
We usually sleep with two windows open at opposite sides of the room, summer and winter, and take a cold-water sponge-bath in the morning, hence a healthy atmosphere, not destroyed by heat, is most congenial to our feelings. But few men have as strong lungs as we have, notwithstanding they were once broken down and weak. But few women have the strength of lungs that Mrs. W. has, though she has been given over by physicians to die with consumption. Had we allowed ourselves to be smothered in close sleeping-rooms, and given up to every pain and ache of the lungs, and throat, and head, and kept up a perpetual dosing with this and that medicine, we might now be silent in death, or dragging out a miserable existence, of no benefit to any one. Air, water, and light, are God's great remedies. If the people would learn to use these, doctors and their drugs would be in less demand.
Essentials and Non-Essentials.
By R. F. Cottrell
THE leading argument, put forth in an effort against the light on the Sabbath, at Bronte, C. W., recently referred to in the Review, was that it was not essential to salvation whether we keep the Sabbath "according to the commandment" or not. Of course, the speaker did not express it in precisely this language; but the argument had no force nor meaning, if this was not the conclusion to which he designed to lead his hearers.
My reply was, "Preach the word;" that word which was all given by inspiration, and is all "profitable," and consequently has no non-essentials in it, and which thoroughly furnishes the man of God unto "all good works," hence, those are not good works that are not in accordance with this word. All that is revealed is essential, the non-essentials are all left out.
But supposing a portion of what God has commanded, is not essential, or, in other words, men may be saved without obedience, (which is absurd,) and supposing the author of the word had given us notice what those parts were which might be disobeyed with impunity, what man would be mean enough to want to enter the city of God, doing just as little as he could in the service of the Lord and be saved, and committing every transgression possible and escape damnation? What honest, whole-souled man would want to enter the kingdom knowing that it would be stocked with a race of such ungrateful niggardly cravens? For my part, I hope for better company, if ever I join the host of the redeemed.
Only think of an ambassador of Christ—a minister whose imperious duty it is to preach the word—standing up before a congregation and talking of some things not being essential to salvation, as his first, (if not his best) argument to evade the simple and plainly revealed truth of the fourth commandment. He did indeed adduce another argument, which perhaps he considered stronger still, namely, that it is utterly impossible to ascertain which the original seventh day of the week is, from the fact that the rulers of the Roman empire, in the dark ages of the Christian era, changed the reckoning of time; alluding to the introduction of the New Style. But before he got through, he asserted that the Christians had really kept the first day of85the week, from the time of Christ's resurrection to the present!
But the reason why so many non-essentials in religion exist, is because we cannot understand the requirements of God alike. If we cannot understand them alike, of course we shall not practice alike, and who is to blame? Not the man that cannot understand, of course. How inconsistent then the exhortation of Paul! "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind, and in the same judgment." To speak without irony, the stubborn will of man creates these impossibilities, and causes the demand for all these non-essentials.
Next comes the demand for a liberal extension of Christian fellowship, just wide enough to cover all those in like case—not able to ascertain the will of God concerning their duty, and consequently practicing some, and neglecting others of these necessarily resulting non-essentials. One is as deep in the mud as the other, and there must be a spirit of toleration and charity toward all that have the form of godliness, at least to all those we are pleased to call evangelical and orthodox. But woe to those that would disturb this tranquil state of things by preaching the word and insisting that men should, to use the words of our friend in Canada, "come to the very letter."
R. F. COTTRELL.
Report of Meetings.
Sabbath, Jan. 24th, we met with the church at Burlington, spoke twice, and baptized seven, among them Bro. J. H. Waggoner's two oldest children. Brethren came in from other places, and nearly filled the Methodist house. They need a place of worship, but are not able to build one large enough to hold the people on such occasions. We cannot advise our churches to build until they are able to build houses of sufficient size to hold the people on quarterly-meeting occasions.
Sabbath and first-day, Jan. 31st and Feb. 1st, we were with the church at Hillsdale. We spoke four times with some freedom. Several not in the Sabbath heard with deep interest. The brethren enjoyed a good communion season on the Sabbath. This church, as well as the church at Burlington, has suffered under influences which they are now rising above. They are weak for want of an experience in the things of God for themselves. There has been too much lording it over God's heritage, which has not been favorable to the healthy growth of that degree of independent faith necessary to the formation of true Christian character. Christians should not be self-willed bigots, nor trembling slaves; but God's humble, teachable free-men.
Let ministers and people reason together. Let the minister gently lead the flock, and the flock follow, so far as he follows Christ, the minister having due respect for the judgment of the flock, and they honoring the position in which Christ has placed him, for Christ's sake.
In the evening of the 3d, we met with a few of the torn flock at Marshall, and here we were more disgusted than ever with the course of those who would drive the flock with a whip. How different with the Master. Said he, "My sheep hear my voice, and they follow me." Those who in Christ's stead beseech men to be reconciled to God, will do best to lay down the whip, and, imbued with the Spirit of Christ, give the gospel call in melting strains of love and mercy. True, the minister is often under the necessity, as Paul says, to "reprove, rebuke, exhort;" but let him bear in mind that the same apostle in the same verse says, "with all longsuffering and doctrine." 2 Tim. iv, 2.
The appointments at Burlington, Hillsdale, and Marshall were Brn. Loughborough and Byington's. By their kindness they fill ours in Northern Michigan, and give us theirs nearer home.
Sabbath, Feb. 7, we met with the brethren at Convis. The school-house was well filled with attentive hearers. The recent labors of Bro. Frisbie in Convis have awakened a good interest, and several have commenced to keep the Sabbath of the Lord. We spoke twice on the Sabbath, and twice on first-day.
In consequence of sickness in our family we did not leave home till Sabbath morning, and returned after two meetings. We did the same on first-day. We drove our team sixty miles, preached four times, and were up with our sick children a part of both nights, in the period of forty hours, and are this (Monday) morning at our table writing. Better wear than rust.
The Truth a Heresy.
By B. F. SNOOK
THE time has been when the church was tested by the truth; when the church received the truth. The great prime truths of the gospel are the first and second comings of Christ. To his first coming cling all the graces and blessings of pardon, the Holy Spirit and sanctification. To the second are attached our hope for final salvation; for deliverance from mortality to immortality; with all the glories of his heavenly kingdom. This glorious doctrine was joyfully received by the primitive church and continued to be a cardinal doctrine so long as she retained her purity.
Gibbon says "The ancient and popular doctrine of the millennium was intimately connected with the second coming of Christ. The assurance of such a millennium was carefully inculcated by a succession of fathers from Justin Martyr and Irenaeus who conversed with the immediate disciples of the apostles, down to Lactantius who was preceptor to the son of Constantine."
It was not long, however, before the true and Bible doctrine of Christ's reign on earth was rejected as a poison heresy. Gibbon further says, "The doctrine of Christ's reign upon earth was at first treated as a profound allegory, and was at length rejected as the absurd invention of heresy and fanaticism."
This was in the days of Constantine when the former purity of the Church had been succeeded by numerous corruptions—when her primitive glory had departed. The enemy stepped in and imposed his fables and traditions upon her, and led her astray. And though many great and good men have since believed and taught the truth, the church, as such, has denounced and does yet denounce, the true doctrine of the millennium and second coming of Christ as heresy. Why is this the case?
1. We would observe that a belief of the popular doctrine of the immortality of the soul has done much toward overthrowing the belief of the truth. From this they believe in immediate rewards and punishments at death; thus setting the gospel aside which says, "Ye shall be recompensed at the resurrection of the just." Luke xiv, 14; "God knoweth how to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished." 2 Pet. ii 7; and superseding the necessity of the resurrection, coming of Christ and the judgment.
The imaginary idea of an eternal home away beyond the bounds of time and space where righteous immortal souls dwell in perpetual bliss always singing, &c., has completely overthrown the Bible doctrine of a home in the new earth. The earth renewed, replenished, overspread with beauty, and blessed with rolling waves of righteousness which rise and flow from pole to pole, has no charms for them. They say that such a doctrine is sensual and earthy. Their natures rise against it. This, we opine, is for the same reason that good wholesome food is nauseating to the sick.—Not that the fault is in the food, but in the one who rejects it. So with these poor souls who are sin sick—chronic religious dyspeptics, whose appetites have feasted on error so long that truth is nauseating to them. They love to summons all their powers to hate it.—These are they who dream of golden days just ahead; who speak peace to their neighbors, while mischief is in their hearts; who say, My Lord delays his coming. They are in Egyptian darkness; and well may they believe that when Christ comes, he will come as a thief in the night, for it will be certain to be unto them according to their faith.
But we rejoice that that event will not come upon all as a thief in the night. "But ye brethren," says Paul, "are not in darkness that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light and the children of the day: we are not of the night nor of darkness." 1st Thess. v, 5. The true Christian will therefore have knowledge of the great event and will be looking for it, and hence will not be in the dark when it comes.
The Lord is soon coming. The great and dreadful day of the Lord is at hand; and a guilty world is ignorant of the awful destruction which is fast coming, while the slumbering church is yet folding her arms upon her breast and saying, "A little more sleep and a little more slumber." Peace, peace, peace! "when there is no peace to the wicked saith my God." O for some clarion voice from heaven to arouse the sleeping saints from their deadly slumbers! O for the loud voice of the third angel's message to go forth and carry the news of the soon coming of Christ! Let the proud Pharisee cry, Heresy and delusion; but let the faithful servant cry, My Lord cometh. Get ready, get ready. May the Lord help us so to do.
B. F. SNOOK.
Will our Children be Saved?
By H. L. Doty
Our hearts have been made glad by the news that comes from different parts, that tells of the youth becoming interested, and some of them obeying the truths of the third angel's message. To every one whose heart is imbued with the spirit of the message, this will cause feelings of joy, and will call forth the earnest prayer that the work commenced will, by the blessing of God, spread until every place where the truth has a foothold shall feel its influence. And especially the parent who has children unsaved will feel a deep interest in the work. Many parents have no doubt asked the question while with anxious thoughts they have looked after the welfare of their children, Will the church here partake of the Spirit, and share in the general outpouring? Like causes will produce like effects. This is true in the material world, and is no less true in the spiritual. When God has had a special blessing to bestow upon his people, he has always required of them a preparation for that blessing; and he has never failed to bestow the blessing on those who obeyed him by making the required preparation.
Here, then, is the answer to the foregoing question. If we, as a church, are in that state of readiness that God requires, we shall share in the blessing. These thoughts have rested with some weight upon my mind since reading Bro. White's article in No. 6 of the present volume, headed, The Cause. Let me quote that part which has a bearing on the subject we are considering: "In every place where the message has been lived out by those who have professed it, and the testimonies which God in mercy has sent have been received, to the putting away of idols, we may now expect a precious ingathering of souls."
By this light, dear brethren and sisters, let us examine ourselves, and if we can respond affirmatively to the questions that the words above quoted will suggest to the thinking mind, we shall find ourselves occupying a position where we may with confidence expect that our labors for our children will be blessed of God to their conversion.
In making this inquiry we shall notice a few of the most prominent characteristics that we should expect to see in one that professed faith in, and was living out, the teachings of the third angel's message. A prominent feature in our faith is the second advent near. Do our plans, our engagements, our words, and our actions, all tend to carry conviction to the minds of our children that we believe what we profess? If they do, our children will feel their force, and will be affected thereby; but if we by word or deed deny our faith in this particular, our efforts to impress them with this truth will be a failure.
The third message draws a line of distinction between those who heed its warning and all the rest of the world; so much so, that it makes them a separate and peculiar people: separate from the world, its spirit, its pursuits, and its ambition, peculiar in their hopes, their aspirations, &c. Are we this separate and peculiar people? Or, in other words, is the message so wrought into our being that it may be said of us, that there is hardly an interest that we share in common with the rest of the world?
We profess to be commandment-keepers. A prominent feature that distinguishes us from the rest of the world is our observance of the fourth precept. Do we keep it according to the commandment? Do we from our hearts call the Sabbath a delight? Do we while yielding obedience to the fourth precept hold proper views of the binding obligation of the other nine?
These are a few of the questions that crowd upon the mind while viewing the responsibilities that rest upon parents, and the part that God designed they should act in bringing their children into covenant relations with himself. But this is not all. The great work of getting the truth before those who have ears to hear requires means; and to get the necessary means God's people have according to the teaching of the Word adopted a system that draws equally upon all. Now are we heart and hand with the body in this movement? Do we give of our substance to carry the truth to others? If we do, God's blessing is upon us, but if not, we have no more cause to expect the blessing we desire than would the Israelite who in the former dispensation withheld the required offering. The conditions and the blessing are plainly set forth in the word of God: "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it." Mal. iii, 10. Let us heed these words, and cease robbing God by withholding that which he86requires at our hands, that we may receive the promised blessing.
Let us inquire further, for this matter is worthy of a careful search. Bro. White speaks of the testimonies' being "received to the putting away of idols." Upon this point I fear we shall find more that have been remiss than upon any other test that has been brought to bear upon us. Let us look into our hearts, and in the fear of God ask the question, Have we put away our idols? Here let us pause, and in our mind repeat the solemn inquiry, and then in view of the blessing we desire, and knowing that the eye of God is upon us, answer truly; and if we have not, let us seek forgiveness for our half-heartedness, and resolve that we will no longer be remiss in this matter.
There is one more inquiry that claims our attention, which we must notice before we leave the subject. The duty of parents to their children is a subject that has been dwelt upon in the testimonies, and if God has spoken to us in reference to this matter, we certainly dare not refuse to listen. No one will doubt for a moment that the probabilities of our children's becoming obedient to the truth is enhanced by being taught to reverence and obey their parents. Have we discharged this important duty that we as parents owe to our children, that they by learning to submit to our authority may more willingly submit to the government of heaven? There are but few who will not regret their unfaithfulness in this matter. But past unfaithfulness is no excuse for continuance therein. Let us awake to a sense of our duty, and awake to act, for the time is short in which we may work to make amends for the past.
Let us quote from the testimony, and remember that it is God that speaks; it may stimulate us to greater faithfulness: "The curse of God will surely rest upon unfaithful parents. The false sympathy and blind love of parents causes them to excuse the faults of their children, and pass them by without correction, and their children are lost in consequence, and the blood of their souls will rest upon unfaithful parents."
He that would stand acquitted must be faithful in all things. Let us gird on the armor and enter into the conflict, and be prepared for the refreshing when it comes.
H. L. DOTY.
Salem Center, Ind.
Meetings in Wisconsin.
By William S. Ingraham
Bro. White: I have just returned home from the north part of the State. I gave a number of lectures in Duran, as the result of which seven embraced the truth and the scattered Sabbath keepers were brought into church organization. We left a church of fourteen members; and others will soon join them. Some of our brethren live on the north side of the Chippewa river and could not attend our last meeting in consequence of the river being so high they could not cross.
Two of the number that embraced the truth in Duran were Eld. Richard Reed and wife. Eld. Reed was among the first ministers of Vermont to embrace the first angel's message. In connection with God's messengers he gave that cry. He was also connected with the second message. He has never had any confidence in any new time, but has always believed the Lord was in the first message. When he heard I was coming into the place he made up his mind to oppose me on the Sabbath, because he thought there was not importance enough to it to demand a change. But when he heard on the subjects of the three messages and sanctuary it revived new hope in him in regard to the past. His opposition to the Sabbath was gone. He said the power and importance of the Sabbath grew out of its connection with prophecy.
I visited Buffalo Co., where I found three Sabbath keepers: Bro. and sister Stiles and sister Mann formerly from Vermont. I gave three lectures at the house of Mr. Mann. He lives in Gilmanton in the Vermont settlement. I had a large number of old Vermonters to preach to. There was some interest manifested, but I was taken sick and could not follow it up.
WM. S. INGRAHAM.
Monroe, Wis.
The Map.
By J. Clarke
As we cast our eyes over the map of the earth's surface, and with the light of revelation beaming full upon the mind, showing what this earth was in its Eden state, and what it is destined to be in the future, as compared with its present ruined condition, one is deeply impressed with varied reflections.
Here are oceans, whose tides ebb and flow over three-quarters of the earth's surface. Here are snow-capped mountains and fertile plains, valleys clothed with verdure and beauty, and deserts of drouth and barrenness. Here are scenes of grandeur and beauty, mingled with desolation and ruin; zones of frozen snow and ice; volcanoes whose eruptions of liquid fire have buried cities in oblivion. Here are lakes and rivers, cataracts, maelstroms; disorder everywhere visible, even amid its fairest scenes.
Of all its area, deducting its oceans, and desert mountains, and barren wastes, but a small fraction is fit for the abode of man; and poor human beings, for want of room in more congenial climes, are crowded into frozen zones and desert regions, where want, ignorance, and poverty, reduce them to the lowest scale of human development; or in densely populated districts, many laboring in the crowded factory, or damp mines, become so deformed and reduced as hardly to claim the title of humanity.
As we still pursue the subject, we find the children of Adam divided by varieties of languages and dialects; varieties in religion; diverse in color; diverse forms of government; so different as to cause deadly feuds and animosities, prejudices, wars, and tumults.
As we glance our eyes over the map of Asia, our minds are carried back to the early history of our race.
The ark rested, having performed its work, upon mount Ararat. The tower of Babel was commenced and abandoned upon the plains of Shinar, and lo! what a variety of languages! Here too are the ruins of Babylon, once queen of the nations, the head of gold of which Nebuchadnezzar dreamed. Here the people of God groaned in a captivity of seventy years. Here Daniel studied, labored, prophesied, prayed. Here Cyrus, as general under Darius, opened the two-leaved gates, Isa. xlv, 1, and established the second universal kingdom, the breast and arms of silver.
Jerusalem has been the theater of sublime events, as the metropolis of God's ancient people, in which were developed the characters most beloved, and most detested. Here David and Solomon fostered the pure worship of Jehovah. Here too Zacharias the prophet was slain in a popular tumult. Here Simeon and Anna waited for the Advent of Christ, while Herod thirsted for the blood of his fancied rival. Here Jesus offered his life a ransom for lost man. Here the then popular church cried, "Crucify him!" Here the pentecostal shower fitted up the church for its period of tribulation. Here the ecclesiastical authorities put to a disgraceful death the devout and zealous Stephen; and here Paul took early lessons of Gamaliel.
Passing over into Macedonia, we find the birth-place of Alexander, whose military skill and power overturned the second kingdom, and established the third universal kingdom (of "brass"), the Grecian supremacy. And farther west, we find Rome, mighty and powerful, in due time waxing strong, undermining the Grecian influence, and finally establishing itself as the fourth universal kingdom.
Rome, renowned in history as the birth-place of warriors, the iron of Nebuchadnezzar's dream, finally mixed with the clay, divided, weakened by intestine commotion, the prey successively of Alaric, Genseric, and Attila, plundered, burned, finally as the scarlet-colored beast, served to sustain the woman who was drunken with the blood of the saints. See Rev. xvii.
Not a province of Europe but is a witness to the purity of the religion of Jesus, and the ire of the dragon. Witnesses have everywhere sealed with their blood their faith in Jesus; and the blood thus shed has but intoxicated the power which has set itself up as the vicegerent of God upon earth. Spain has been famous for its inquisitions, France for its blood-red massacres and wholesale butcheries of the people; Germany for its councils of darkness. England has had its share in the worship of the great harlot; its Thomas a Becket, and its Henry the VIII, and its bigoted Mary; and many a martyr has felt the flame.
Roman-Catholic Poland and Hungary once could hunt the Christians for their mistress, the woman upon the scarlet-colored beast; but now they are no more. Scarcely a town or village in those countries but has witnessed the atrocities of religious persecution. Africa too has had her apostles and her martyrs; and long they struggled against the darkness of error; and the reign of Papal Rome has been so severe and so long, the poor church has yielded; and having drunk of the contents of the golden cup, all these countries, Asia, Africa, and Europe, can now boast of a Christianity, merely nominal, almost as heartless as the mother of harlots. Why? Because in the long reign of Papal terror, she [the woman], has worn out the saints. See Dan. vii, 25.
We turn westward to the land discovered by Columbus, and lo! a continent! Here we see the power brought to view in Rev. xiii, 11, coming up, peacefully, out of the earth; heretofore no wars or persecutions in establishing this government; but still and quietly it arose by emigration and labor, industry and internal improvement.
As we study the part this government is yet to act, according to the word of prophecy, see Rev. xiii, 11-18; xiv, 9-11, and as we read of the far-reaching consequences, see Rev. xv, 2; xvi, 2, we must believe that God has not left his scattered people without a witness as to what pertains to the last days of earth.
As the map delineates the earth's surface, so prophecy delineates future history, and past history throws light upon and explains the work of God.
The map proves the earth in ruins, with only a small fraction habitable for man. Its internal confusion is equally as great. Witness the vain attempts of geologists to prove "that He who made it," and gave its date to Moses, was mistaken in its age! Thus a new discoveries in geology are made, new theories are formed, and old ones exploded. Vain man would be wise.
But the map of the earth will be revised. It must remain as now, until the earth and sea give up their dead. Soon the righteous will arise. Even though mountains rest upon their ashes, they will be removed. The righteous being delivered, the earth will be desolate, Isa. xxiv, and so remain a thousand years. Rev. xx, 1-8. Then the resurrection of the wicked, Rev. xx, 5-15, and the final fires, 2 Pet. iii, which consume the wicked, will purify the earth. Mal. iv, 3; Rev. xxi, 1. Then caviling geologists will be dumb, and the earth be mapped anew. J. CLARKE.
Husband Accepts the Sabbath
By R. A. Worden
From Sister Worden.
Bro. White: I wish to say to brethren and sisters through the Review, that since my endorsement of present truth, I have been greatly blessed, and have reasons to "rejoice and be exceeding glad." When the light of the third message first dawned upon my mind, it was the beginning of a new era in my life. After my acceptance of the holy Sabbath (knowing that I was to be isolated from those of like faith) I promised the great Law-giver that I with his aid, would do all in my power for the advancement of Bible truth.
Since my return home, notwithstanding the false reports of a Methodist minister concerning our belief, etc., some have been persuaded to investigate for themselves, among whom is my husband. After searching the Scripture to find if these things were indeed so, he has come out and taken a decided stand for the Sabbath. Others acknowledge its perpetuity, but are waiting to hear it proclaimed by some of our preachers87
Much is done to prejudice the people from reading by an M. E. minister who tells them that he knows that we believe in everything that is ungodly, such as Spiritualism, Freeloveism, Universalism and he says every other ism that is low and degrading. Notwithstanding his wicked and slanderous reports, I believe the truth will yet walk out triumphantly in all its beauty and magnificence, and lead off willing captives the saints of the Most High.
I believe, could a messenger be sent here, that the strong holds of Satan would be pulled down, and the third message with all its truth and solemnity would reign triumphant. That that period may speedily arrive is my prayer.
I would say to the believers that the Lord has aided me in dispensing with all superfluities in dress, and at the table. I know that if I follow the faithful warnings given in the "Testimony to the Church" I shall not fail to walk in the light and glory of God.—I believe when the gifts cease to exist in the true, Church, it will be when believers have put on immortality and no longer need them. Praise the Lord for the glorious hope we have in present truth and for the beauty and harmony of the holy Scriptures.
Yours, hoping for life. R. A. Worden,
St. Clair, Mich.
Disheartened.
In our travels we meet many soldiers returning to their homes, who have been disabled on the battle field, or whose constitutions have been broken down by disease and medicine in the hospitals. Thus far, they all tell the same sad story. While officers are feasting on the choice things sent to the wounded and sick of the army, and reveling in drunkenness and debauchery, pulling political wires, the poor soldier is as little cared for as those in the darkest corner of Southern slavery. Said one to us, a few days ago,—"Six months' pay is now due many of them, but I do not believe there is one in five hundred in the army, who would not jump at the chance, like a hungry dog for a piece of meat, to give the whole of it to get a discharge." All testify that the soldiers, as a general thing, are "disheartened," "discouraged." All say, so far as we have obtained an expression of their feeling,—"Had we known what we were to pass through, and the treatment we were to receive from those in authority, we should never have enlisted." No doubt there are some noble exceptions, but it has not been our privilege to meet them.—World's Crisis.
L E T T E R S.
"Then they that feared the Lord, spake often one to another."
From Bro. Lashier.
BRO. WHITE: I feel truly thankful to you for your kindness in sending the REVIEW so long without receiving the pay for it. I can truly say it is a welcome messenger to us, and its teaching is well calculated to prepare the faithful children of God for the perils of the last days. The cause here is not as prosperous as we could desire, but some are trying to overcome the world. My heart is with the remnant people of God, and I desire so to live that I may stand on Mount Zion with the Lamb and the 144,000. I have had many trials and difficulties during the past year, but my confidence is stronger to-day than ever before in those truths which are embraced in the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. I believe that we should be united and earnestly contend for the faith once delivered to the saints that we may grow up into Christ our living Head. I desire to be a part of the whole body "which is fitly joined together and compacted," that I may have a sure place of refuge when the Lord riseth to shake terribly the Earth. Yours in the hope of eternal life at the coming of Jesus.
Pleasant Grove, Minn. H. F. LASHIER.
H. L. DOTY
By H. L. Doty
From Bro. Doty.
Bro. WHITE: As I have often been encouraged by the communications that have appeared in the Review, I have felt a desire to tell the brethren what the Lord has done for me. It is some over a year since myself and companion commenced keeping the Sabbath. At that time, the Sabbath and my duty to keep it was about all the light I had; but it was enough to call forth the determined opposition of those who were then my brethren (Church of God), which resulted in my alienation from them.
I had much tradition to get rid of, yet God in great mercy has shown me the light, and I have been enabled with trembling, and often much misgiving, to take step after step until now I rejoice, and for six or eight months past have been able to rejoice, in the whole truth, and praise God for the bright light that beams forth from the sacred page.
I believe that God is in the third angel's message, and from my inmost soul feel to praise him that its warning ever reached me, and that he gave me strength and a disposition of heart to obey. The hope that it inspires is a blessed hope, and the only one that will enable us to be calm in these days of trouble, while nations are trembling to their final overthrow, and men's hearts are failing them for fear of the things that are coming on the earth. For this hope I am willing to count all things loss; for it I mean to live; and if God counts me worthy, I hope to be willing to suffer for the truth's sake.