Earlier text: To the OvercomerBrief Practical Thoughts.
By John Nevins Andrews
Here are two passages from the Koran, in which Mahomet gives his testimony relative to future punishment. Thus in the fourth chapter of the Koran, page 67, of Sale’s translation, we read: “Verily those who disbelieve our signs, we will surely cast to be broiled in hell fire; so often as their skins shall be well burned, we will give them other skins in exchange, that they may taste the sharper torments; for God is mighty and wise.” This is a very horrible idea, but is it not a necessary provision in order that the wicked may be made to burn forever? If the flesh of the wicked man is made immortal so that the fire cannot feed upon it, then the fire can cause him no pain. But if the fire has power to consume them, they must be utterly devoured by it, unless indeed such an expedient as that proposed by Mahomet should be brought into requisition. God has never used such language. He does not kindle the fire to preserve, but to consume and devour the wicked. The very fact that the smoke of their torment ascends from the burning lake shows that one of two things must be true: 1. Either the declaration of David will stand, that “the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the Lord shall be as the fat of lambs; they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away;” Ps. 37: 20; 2. Or, we must accept the doctrine of Mahomet, that when one skin is burned thoroughly, a new one will be given to replace it. Here is Mahomet’s description of “the death that never dies.” Koran chap. 14, page 206: “Hell lieth unseen before him, and he shall have filthy water given him to drink; he shall sup it up by little and little, and he shall not easily let it pass his throat because of its nauseousness; death also shall come upon him from every quarter, yet he shall not die; and before him shall there stand prepared a grievous torment. This is the likeness of those who believe not in their Lord.” Which is true, Mahomet, who says the wicked shall not die in the execution of the sentence, or the Bible which tells us that the wages of sin is death, and that this penalty is to be inflicted in the lake of fire? It is evident that we have not such a life now in possession. Our present life is as a vapor that appears for a little moment and then vanishes away. But there is a life, the gift of God to man, which shall endure so long as its Giver shall exist. This life will be conferred on those who seek after it, rather on those who do this so effectually that they stand forth completely purified from their sins, and perfect overcomers through the grace of God. Men are to have this great gift when God sees in them a character worth preserving. He will immortalize no evil thing. The boon of a life that shall never end, is one that is given only to the pure in heart. Time of the Meeting at Troas.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
“And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together.” Acts 20: 7, 8. This meeting was held upon the first day of the week. Of this there can be no doubt; for it is positively so stated. It was also held in the dark part of that day, in the night. There were many lights there; Paul preached till midnight; then Eutychus fell out of the window, and Paul went down and healed him. Verses 9, 10. “When he [Paul] therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed. . . . And we went before to ship, and sailed unto Assos, there intending to take in Paul; for so had he appointed, minding himself to go afoot.” Verses 11–13. It was an all-night meeting, and in the morning Paul went on foot alone to Assos. But on what night was this held? Saturday night, or Sunday night? Sunday advocates generally assume that it was on Sunday night and that Paul went on his journey Monday morning. But a little consideration will show that this could not be the case. The Bible time of beginning the day was not the same as our Roman or heathen time, which we all use now. In the Bible the day begins and ends at sunset. Thus in Gen. 1, we read, “The evening and the morning were the first day,” “The evening and the morning were the second day,” &c. The day began with the evening. The beginning of the first day must regulate the beginning of all following days. To Israel, God said, “From even unto even, shall ye celebrate your Sabbath.” Lev. 23: 32. The even is at the going down of the sun. Deut. 16: 6. In the New Testament the day was reckoned in the same manner, as may be seen by Mark 1: 21–32. Jesus went into the synagogue on the Sabbath, and healed the sick. The Pharisees thought it wrong to be healed on the Sabbath, but “at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils,” and he healed them. Why did they wait till the sun had set? Because then the Sabbath was passed. The Jews reckon time so to this day, as everybody knows. Hence, in the New Testament, as well as in the Old, the first day of the week begins at sunset Saturday evening and ends at sunset Sunday evening. Now this meeting at Troas was in the night part of the first day of the week; therefore it was on what we now call Saturday night. If it had been on Sunday night, it would not have been on the first day of the week, but the second. That this is so, is acknowledged by some of the best authors as the time. I have before me “The Life, Times, and Travels, of St. Paul,” by Conybeare and Howson. It is highly recommended by Bishop Simpson of the M. E. church and by others. Of this meeting at Troas they say, “The labors of the early days of the week that were spent at Troas are not related to us, but concerning the last day we have a narrative which enters into details with all the minuteness of one of the gospel histories. It was the evening which succeeded the Jewish Sabbath. On the Sunday morning the vessel was about to sail.” Of Paul’s journey that day to Assos they say, “He pursued his lonely road that Sunday afternoon in spring among the oak woods and streams of Ida.” Vol. 2, pp. 206, 209. This is a very candid admission. It shows absolutely that neither Paul nor the early Christians did regard Sunday as a holy day. Twenty miles the apostle traveled on foot that Sunday to meet the vessel at Assos. He did not go there to hold a meeting, but simply to reach the vessel which he immediately entered. At the same time the apostle was making this long journey on foot, the other disciples were getting the vessel around the cape to meet him at Assos. Indeed, they started with the vessel while he was yet preaching at Troas; so that none of them regarded Sunday in the least. Not in Darkness.
By Roswell F. Cottrell
“YE, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.” Yet professors of faith in Christ seem determined to be in darkness. They intend to be prepared for death. They think that will answer every purpose, even if the day of Christ should come upon them as a thief. So they close their eyes to the evidences that the advent is near, even at the doors. They seem to have made a covenant with death to take them to Heaven, and are at agreement with the grave, therefore the coming of the Lifegiver does not seem desirable to them. See Isa. 28 : 14-22. That the people may not be in darkness concerning the approach of the day of Christ, the Lord has prepared a threefold warning to precede it. The three angels of Rev. 14 : 6-12 symbolize the three solemn warnings that are to be loudly proclaimed in the world immediately preceding the coming of the Son of Man. Christ will not come till these warnings have been given and heeded by all his saints who shall be living at the close of the third and last. These may all be given, and yet the unbelieving not recognize them, and consequently not know of the approach of the day of Christ, any more than the antediluvians knew of the approach of the flood. Notwithstanding the preaching of Noah and the building of the ark, they “knew not till the flood came and took them all away.” And so the Saviour says it will be with men in the day of his second coming. But can these thrilling warnings be given, and yet real Christians, true believers in the word of God, be ignorant of the fact that the day of Christ is at hand, and they not be expecting it when it comes? It is impossible. What absurdity to suppose that the last great conflict between light and darkness, truth and error, should take place as marked out beforehand in prophecy, and yet the true soldiers of the cross not be aware of it, and their great Captain come unexpectedly to them to crown them victors! No! This will not be. On the contrary, those that have gotten the victory in this last great struggle will exclaim when Christ shall appear, “Lo! this is our God; we have WAITED FOR HIM, and he will save us.” Isa. 25 : 9. Danger of becoming Worldly-Minded.
By D. T. Bourdeau
In this busy season, while farmers are engaged in harvesting, there is, with many, danger of becoming worldly-minded and neglecting the prayer and Sabbath meetings. They think they have so much to do that they cannot find time to attend the evening prayer-meetings; and when the Sabbath comes, they feel justified in resting at home. Some claim that they are too sick to be at the Sabbath meetings; but if you watch such, you will generally see them heartily and earnestly engaged at their secular work as soon as the sun has disappeared Saturday night. These things are not as they should be. They show that the mind has lost its balance between earth and Heaven, and that the world prevails. They manifest the true condition of the heart. Those who are so easily turned away from religious meetings, are the very ones who need them the most, and who should be the most faithful in attending them. It is when men and women have much to do that they need the divine aid that is obtained at religious meetings. Religion is not a hindrance in our secular matters, but a real help. They enable us to accomplish full as much in the long run, and to do what we do better, and with more ease and satisfaction. They lead us to seek for only that measure of worldly prosperity that will be most promotive of the glory of God and of our present and future well-being. How selfish it is to devote the Sabbath merely to animal rest, while it is designed to be a rest from our own work to be employed in the nobler work of our Creator. Those who do this do not sanctify the Sabbath unto the Lord, but use it in promoting their own secular interests. They crowd seven days' work into six, and rest the seventh that they may do the same the next week. They might as well divide up their work equally between the seven days of the week. They rob God of holy time. And this keeping away from meetings has a bad influence on weak brethren. You will hear them reason like this: There will be but few at the meeting, and it won't pay for me to go. This is very poor reasoning. It has the bad example of others for its leading premise. It would be wiser to reason thus: There will be but few present; hence the greater the importance of my attending to encourage and help by my presence and example when the wheel rolls hard. When brethren and sisters all absorbed in the things of this world, make out to attend meetings, they are in a poor condition to work for the Lord and delight themselves in his worship. They are not in their element. Their minds have been running in a worldly direction, and they cannot easily dwell upon heavenly things. They could talk fluently of their farms, their horses, their cattle, their butter and cheese, and their worldly prospects; but when they should speak for the Lord or engage in prayer, they are silent, or if they speak at all it is with coldness and barrenness of soul. They have no living experience. Their hearts are not in the work. How much better it would be to not hurry so much about earthly things, to think and talk more of Heaven and the preparation for Heaven while attending to our worldly interests, and to keep in a watchful and prayerful frame of mind, having different subjects of prayer before us growing out of our wants and the wants of others. Thus religion would be spiced in our worldly matters; we would enjoy the blessedness of our final home by anticipation and have, as it were, a Heaven on earth. We would long to meet with God in the assemblies of his saints, and our hearts would be tuned to worship him acceptably. Brethren and sisters, when the things of this world so engross our minds as to lessen our taste for prayer, reading the word of God, and attending religious meetings, then put it down that we have lost our balance and are backsliding. Then let us turn right about, relinquish our strong hold on the world, and turn our interests and energies in a heavenly direction. Christianity as a System of Broad Principles
CHRISTIANITY is not a system of precise legislation, marking out with literal exactness everything to be done and everything to be avoided; but an inculcation of broad principles. Reigning Lusts Break Through the Strongest Bonds
REIGNING lusts break through the strongest bonds. Joseph Bates Visits Michigan Sabbath-Keeping Churches
By Joseph Bates
SABBATH and first-day, June 10 and 11, I held six encouraging meetings with the church in Leighton. June 12–15, I visited from house to house, and held meetings with the church in Gainsville and Caledonia. June 16–18, I met with the Sabbath-keepers in Bowne. Owing to family difficulties, they have been brought into deep trials for some months in the past. They now feel more encouraged to press forward. We hope they will not forsake the assembling themselves together, and will press forward in this patient waiting of the saints. June 18–20, I spent in Vergennes. Here I met with Bro. Waggoner, who had been holding a two days’ meeting. The brethren were much encouraged. We enjoyed a profitable season together in visiting and praying with the scattered brethren. June 21–26, I was in Hastings. Here are a few families of Sabbath-keepers, trying to keep the commandments of God. We spent the Sabbath and first-day holding meetings with them, and celebrating the ordinances. They express a readiness and courage to go forward and still labor on in the good cause of the Lord. July 1, we had a profitable Sabbath meeting and Sabbath-school, and celebrated the ordinances of the Lord’s house with the church in Monterey. Sunday, July 2, I held meetings with the church in Allegan. Some were baptized. May the Lord strengthen, bless, and encourage his remnant people to overcome, and press their way onward to meet their coming Saviour, is my prayer. JOSEPH BATES. Sabbath-Keepers at Black Wolf, Wisconsin
By R. C. Benham
R. C. BENHAM writes from Black Wolf, Wis.: My companion and myself are the only Sabbath-keepers in this place; but thanks to our Heavenly Father, he strengthens us to press onward. We have no preaching of the present truth near us; but the REVIEW comes weekly laden with present truths which we love. We could not do without it. I read in the REVIEW, of May 30, a report from Bro. Matteson, under date of May 19, from Neenah, Wis., and I rejoiced that a minister of the third angel's message was so near, although I could not be permitted to go and hear him. Oh! may God speed on the work everywhere, and may he help me to form a character in conformity to his will, that I may at last come off more than conqueror, is my prayer. Bulwer, a man of genius, and greatly admired by some, said in a letter to a gentleman in Boston, in 1843: “I have closed my career as a writer of fiction. I am gloomy and unhappy. I have exhausted the powers of life, chasing pleasure where it is not to be found.” How much better if Bulwer had discovered his mistake at an earlier period! Had he employed his gifted mind in strengthening the cords of virtue, in repressing unholy passions instead of fanning them, how different would have been his review of life! “I am gloomy and unhappy!” Richard Baxter said no such thing at the close of his useful life. He had written much, but he had not “chased pleasure where it was not to be found.” John Bunyan made no such record at the close of his; nor did Owen, or Edwards, or Brainard, or Wesley, or Fuller, or Scott, or Payson. Men will reap as they sow, in spite of all their hopes and efforts to the contrary. We have often thought of the Italian actor in Paris. He was gloomy and unhappy, like Bulwer. He consulted a physician. His physician advised him to mingle in scenes of gayety. “Especially,” said he,31“go to the Italian theater, and if Carlina does not dispel your gloom, your case must be desperate indeed.” “Alas! sir,” replied the patient, “I myself am Carlina; and while I make all Paris full of laughter and merriment, I am dying with melancholy and chagrin.” What a commentary on those pleasures in which so many indulge to keep up the spirits and drive away melancholy! “Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on.” “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things will be added unto you.” Matt. 6: 25, 33. Burden not your heart with care
How your wants to meet,
The raiment you may need to wear,
Nor food that you will eat;
Nor what shall quench your thirst, nor yet
How all life's thousand needs
Shall by your ceaseless toil be met,
As day to day succeeds.
But seek ye first God's kingdom in
His glorious righteousness;
Establish it your soul within
Your daily life to bless;
Then will your Heavenly Father's love
Your every want supply—
Supported by his watchful love
No clouds shall dim your sky.
—Sel. Report from Bro. Waggoner.
By Joseph Harvey Waggoner
THE meeting at Vergennes, June 17 and 18, was held in the M. E. meeting-house. Brethren came from Greenville and other places. The outside interest was good. This I attributed mainly to the daily influence exerted in that community. Bro. Van Deusen is a judicious man, and a laborer for the cause. May the Lord bless his efforts. At St. Charles I found a strong interest to hear on spiritualism. Moses Hull had recently been there, and in his usual style had assailed the churches and their faith. The contrast between Moses Hull as an advocate of the Bible and its truths, and as an assailant of the Bible, a derider of its teachings, was apparent to all, and by no means to the credit of his present views. By request I spoke twice on spiritualism, being two discourses more than I expected to give. The last was in the Methodist house, which was kindly offered, as it was larger than the house of the Adventists. It was filled with an attentive congregation, to whom I endeavored to present the contrast between the faith and practice of Christians on some of the most prominent points of Bible morality and the teachings of spiritualists on the same points. The evidence relating to the latter was drawn entirely from their own writings, and therefore could not be a misrepresentation. The church of St. Charles have erected an excellent house of worship; of moderate size, yet large enough to accommodate their monthly gatherings. In its design and finish it is a credit to the builders. Dedicatory services were held Sunday afternoon, June 25. The number of believers from abroad was not large, but the house was filled by the citizens of the place. This was a very busy day, and I labored beyond my strength. In the morning the church met for the election of elders, and to consider the subject of organizing a society for tract distribution. Two were baptized. Two public discourses were given (afternoon and evening), and in the afternoon the elders were ordained. I believe the church and cause are rising in St. Charles. A request was sent to Bro. Smith, president of the Conference, for a grove meeting to be held in Brady, Kalamazoo Co., July 1–4. This was forwarded to me with a request for me to attend it. On returning to Battle Creek from St. Charles, I learned that my letter, accepting the invitation to go to Brady, was miscarried and had not reached its destination. As the time was near, and no notice given, it was thought best to throw up the appointment. This was the more gratifying to my feelings, as, on learning the circumstances, I became satisfied that a grove meeting at that place was not called for. Such a meeting is not the best calculated to help the believers there, and the influence of it would be worse than lost upon those without while those professing the faith stand as they have stood. I throw out this word of caution for all who may think of appointing such meetings. A four days’ grove meeting is an important matter, involving much labor. Unless the believers stand where they can fill with the preaching, and back up the word spoken with their testimony and their example, the efforts of the minister will be in vain. I had been strongly urged to attend the monthly meeting in Jackson Co., but could not consent to do so on account of the proposed meeting in Brady. That being disposed of, I concluded to attend this. It was held in a school-house near Rives Junction. Of course all were disappointed to see me there, and I was equally disappointed to find the house filled, quite a number being only interested in our faith. Our meeting was a good one. I wish to say to the friends in Jackson Co. that I do not think their arrangements for monthly meetings the best. They are much scattered, and to gather for a single meeting on the Sabbath involves too much travel and labor on the Sabbath. Were these meetings held every other month or quarterly, and then two full days, the result would be better. It would be more of an object to get a minister to attend them, and the brethren and sisters would have time to lay aside worldly cares and attend to the worship of God. The Sabbath would be better kept. This matter will be considered at their next meeting, which will probably be at Leslie. HOLD yourself too good to do evil.
Illinois: Meetings, Baptisms, and Camp-Meeting Preparations
By T. M. Steward
WHILE I was at home in April, we had a meeting on the 22d. Bro. R. F. Andrews attended. We had quite an interesting time. The Lord seems willing to work for us when we get out of his way. I remained at home, with the exception of making a trip of two weeks to Northville to see about camp-meeting, until after our quarterly meeting, May 20 and 21. There was quite a good representation from Avon and Johnstown churches. The Lord gave some freedom in presenting his word. On first-day there were quite a number in from the neighborhood who listened with interest. After our forenoon meeting, we repaired to the bank of Rock River, and five willing souls were buried with Christ in baptism. Six united with the church. Some others are under deep conviction in this place (Rockton), and I hope will soon take a stand with God’s remnant people. I left home May 25, and came to Northville to make arrangements for camp-meeting. Found Bro. Andrews there ready for the work. With quite a good deal of labor, we fitted up the ground the best we could under the circumstances. The interest is still good at Northville. May the Lord bless them. T. M. STEWARD. Essex Co., N. Y.
By S. B. Whitney
My last report closed with the notice of the fact that the M. E. minister had made an effort against the Sabbath in Vermontville. We reviewed his discourse with evidently good results, and some half-dozen more have embraced the Sabbath, making about twenty in all. We still hope for more. Our Sabbath meetings are interesting, and the friends all seem firm. Our second quarterly meeting here is just past. The meeting was excellent, and the church seemed refreshed and encouraged. Keene, N. Y., June 26, 1871. Present Truth Brightens on the Pacific Coast
Bro. J. G. Walker writes from Santa Rosa, Cal.: My companion and I were converted to present truth under the preaching of Brn. Bourdeau and Loughborough. I have been rejoicing in the truth and in the hope of eternal life for about two years. I had heard much said about the Millerites, but thought they were a party of foolish fortune-tellers. The prospect for present truth here on this coast at present is very bright; and there are many honest souls rejoicing in the truth, thankful for the zeal of the brethren in the East, and the love they manifested in sending us the last message of mercy. I trust that we may all consecrate ourselves to God and die to self daily, that we may claim the promise at the end of the race. Letter from Bro. C. D. Rumsey, New York
Bro. C. D. Rumsey writes from New York: I trust that if I am faithful a short time longer, I shall see my Saviour's lovely face, and meet you all on Mount Zion. Pray for the lonely ones, who have no communication except by the REVIEW. May God prosper those who love the truth and keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Sister E. Simonds on the Knoxville Camp-meeting
SISTER E. SIMONDS writes from Afton, Iowa: I have never doubted since I began to keep the commandments of God that this is the true people of God. But I felt this more forcibly at the Knoxville Camp-meeting. I can truly say that was one of the bright spots in my pilgrimage, and will long be remembered by me. I will, with God’s assisting grace, meet you in the better land. Sister L. A. Holcomb on Keeping the Sabbath
By L. A. Holcomb
SISTER L. A. HOLCOMB writes: It is over two years since I commenced to keep the Sabbath. I thank God that he ever called me, poor and unworthy as I am. Let us never compromise with the world, the flesh, nor the devil. May God help us all to take the Bible for our counselor. Pray for me, that I may overcome everything that is sinful in the sight of God, and have a home with all the faithful. Sister Calkin Thankful for the Review
Sister Lois Calkin, writes from Martin Co., Minn.: The REVIEW has been sent free to me for a number of months. I am very thankful; for it has been a welcome friend to me, especially when I was in Iowa, where I saw no Adventists. May the blessing of the Lord rest upon our dear paper, and upon those who have the charge of it; and may it prove a blessing to all who read it. I am trying to live wholly for Jesus. He is a precious friend. I believe we are living in a time when we need to be every moment on our watch. My dear brethren and sisters, let us be faithful and strive to be prepared to work for the Lord; and we may be counted worthy to dwell in that beautiful land, and wear a crown of immortal glory. Sympathy for the Sorrowing.
THERE are few things harder to bear, in our intercourse with our fellow-men, than the repellent coldness it is often our lot to meet, when our bowed hearts are yearning for sympathy and kindness. Men may lightly estimate another’s sorrows—may talk boastingly of the strength and courage with which they could sustain the weight under which other shoulders bend; but only the heart to which the suffering is given, knows its extent and bitterness. It is not easy for a proud and self-reliant spirit to understand the shrinkings of the heart whose powers of endurance suffering has weakened, nor can such an one comprehend the agony they sometimes inflict upon a sore and bleeding heart, by the cold indifference that turns with a “don’t care” from a suffering fellow-creature. Why should they, upon whose path the sunshine brightly beams, shut their hearts to the claims of sorrow? why turn indifferently from those upon whom the storm and sleet have beaten, and withhold the word that would make the heart glad? Oh! how much more of hope and gladness might illumine this vale of tears, if men made self-gratification less an object of ambition, and sought more to emulate Him to whom no heart ever went in vain for sympathy. There are none so low that Jesus will not regard—no grief so slight he will refuse to listen to its moan. Then may we willfully pain one heart to whom he has given life? make darker by word or act the already darkened way? May we add to the grief of those whom God has wounded? taunt another with weakness because we are strong? Joseph’s brethren, when in their affliction they remembered former cruelties, uttered a sentiment posterity would do well to consider. “We are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul when he besought us and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us.” Who shall say that the weakness we deride to-day shall not be ours to-morrow? that the storm-cloud which has robbed another’s life of its brightness will not yet enshroud us in gloom? “When He giveth quietness, who then can make trouble? and when he hideth his face, who then can behold him? whether it be done against a nation, or against a man only?” “If every pain and care we feel
Could burn upon our brow,
How many hearts would move to heal
That strive to crush us now.”
—Sel. Granville, Vt.
By A. S. Hutchins
HERE is a small company of Sabbath-keepers so surrounded by the Green Mountains that it is not convenient for them to meet often with brethren in other places for meetings on the Sabbath. On the 7th inst., I preached the funeral sermon of Bro. D. F. Evans' companion, who passed away after a lingering and painful illness. It was a pleasure to meet with Eld. Harlow, Methodist minister, of Rochester, at this funeral. He firmly believes and faithfully sets forth the Bible doctrine of the restoration of this earth to its primeval purity, beauty, and loveliness, cleansed from all the terrible effects consequent upon the fall of man, and baptized with the glory of God, as the final abode of the saints. I have ever remembered as a pearl of great price, a sermon which I heard him preach on this subject, about eleven years since. I remained here over the Sabbath, and held three meetings with the friends. These meetings I believe had most a salutary effect both upon the minds of the brethren and friends. It is the privilege of these dear friends, not only to know the truth, but to feel daily in their hearts, and to reflect in their lives, its refining, sanctifying power, its divine efficacy to deter and turn us from sin and disobedience, to the highway of holiness and usefulness, to a close and sacred communion with the great Head of the church. One sister, who had been mostly confined to her bed for some nine weeks, was brought to the meeting on the Sabbath, by her companion. She returned home grateful for this privilege, and strengthened in the Lord. Now that Sabbath meetings can again be regularly held at the house of Bro. Evans, we hope the brethren and sisters will take courage in the holy war. “Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.” On my return home, I visited several scattered brethren, and had some good seasons in prayer with them. Truly, wisdom shows a narrow path, with “here and there a traveler.” A. S. HUTCHINS. Wolcott, Vt., June 29, 1871. Obituary Notices.
By W. B. Castle
Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth. Died, of scarlet fever, in Hillsdale, Mich., June 21, 1871, Frankie, the only son of A. and P. Gleason, aged two years, three months and fourteen days. A short funeral sermon by the writer, from 1 Cor. 15:26. W. B. Castle. THE following anecdote is related of the late excellent J. J. Gurney, by one who, as a child, was often one of his family circle:— One night—I remember it well—I received a severe lesson on the sin of evil speaking. Severe I thought it then, and my heart rose in childish anger against him who gave it; but I had not lived long enough in the world to know how much mischief a child’s thoughtless talk may do, and how often it happens that great talkers run off the straight line of truth. I was talking very fast about some female relative, who did not stand very high in my esteem, and was about to speak further of her failings of temper. In a few moments my eyes caught a look of such calm and steady displeasure that I stopped short. There was no mistaking the meaning of that dark, speaking eye. It brought the color to my face, and confusion and shame to my heart. I was silent for a few moments, when Joseph John Gurney asked, very gravely, “Dost thou not know anything good to tell us of her?” I did not answer, and the question was more seriously asked, “Think; is there nothing good thou canst tell us of her?” “Oh! yes; I know some good things, certainly; but—” “Would it not have been better, then, to relate these good things, than to have told us that which must lower her in our esteem? Since there is good to relate, would it not be kinder to be silent on the evil? ‘Charity rejoiceth not in iniquity,’ thou knowest.” It was our custom every morning for Miss Gurney and any little visitor she might have with her, to go, before breakfast, into the room next to her father’s dressing room, and repeat some portions of the Scripture. On the following morning I was desired to read in the 13th chapter of first Corinthians, and afterward to commit a portion of it to memory. There was no comment made on what I read; it was not necessary. The reproof was felt, even to the shedding of tears; but the kind voice and silent kiss soon spoke love and peace, and I was comforted. “A word spoken in season, how good it is!” Every one who visited his house must have been impressed with the superior tone of conversation there, with the absence of scandal and small talk; and when persons, rather than things, were a little too much in the discourse of the juniors, how ingeniously, and yet how kindly, has the subject been put aside, and some other matter of innocent interest been introduced in its stead!—Sel. Men and Things.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
A Creed in the Constitution.
That the final end of the present movement for a religious amendment of the Constitution will be a creed is easy to be seen. Thoughtful men see this now and lift their voices against it. The Christian Union says:— “For even if the demand of the reformers were reduced as nearly as possible to the first principles of natural religion, the inevitable tendency would be (as in this experiment it has been) toward an increase of that amendment until it would attain to the proportions of a creed.” This is what is surely coming. When that is done, how easy to make Sunday laws and erect an image to the beast. The work moves on, and we have reason to thank God and take courage. We are not prepared to confess our faith in “the decrees,” but yet we like the principle which Mr. Beecher lays down in these remarks. He says:— “Another thing I perceive. It is always fair, as my father used to say, to fight the decrees, as long as you can; or as long as you do not believe that they are decrees; but when the thing is done, when the law of God is revealed by the happening of facts, one of the most striking evidences of sonship in any person is the completeness and the sweetness of his submission to the will of the Lord. “As long as the child was alive, David fasted, and prayed, and threw himself on the ground; but the moment the child was dead, and every one else began to mourn, he got up, and washed his face and dressed himself like a man, and asked for something to eat. The servants said, ‘What does that mean?’ And he—sensible old man that he was (he might teach a valuable lesson to many modern Christians)—said, ‘As long as the child was alive, how did I know but God would have mercy and spare him? but now that he is dead, that ends it. I shall go to him. He will not return to me.’ So he accepted the event, and went on his way. “So long as events that threaten our peace and prosperity have not happened, and are only threatening, we have a right to oppose our caution to them; but the moment a thing has happened, then it is the will of the Lord; and the next step is simply to bring ourselves into such a state of mind that we can say, with all our soul, ‘Let the will of the Lord be done.’” “Oh! how much rather should we, as soon as the Lord has overturned our plans, throwing us down with raw edges, begin to clothe ourselves with contentment, with resignation, with hope, and with all the sweeter Christian emotions! There is nothing better in this world than a great calamity dressed out in Christian experience. There is nothing that testifies of God more, there is nothing that so manifests grace in the soul, as standing right in an accomplished trouble, and saying there, not because we have to say it, but because the heart wants to say it, ‘The will of the Lord be done.’” “It is no use to cry over spilt milk,” says the old adage. There is sound philosophy in this. When a thing is done beyond a hope or possibility of undoing, then it is no use to fret and worry and chafe over it. No, it is high time then to be about something else; viz., if we have erred and sinned, to frankly and fully confess it, and try to do better. If we have simply made mistakes, then let us learn by them not to commit similar ones in the future. Life is too short to be spent in regrets and repinings. Happiest of all places this side of Heaven is a pious and peaceful home. Says Theodore Parker:— “Religion is majestic in the State; it may be grand in the church; in the church, building a great institution; in the State, swaying the destinies of millions of men. But piety looks lovelier and sweeter at home; not arrayed in her court dress, nor set off in her church regalia, but dressed in her homely week-day, working clothes. It is a little striking that the word piety, which so often rings in the Christian church, is mentioned only once in the English Bible, and then coupled with the admonition to show itself first at home.” What shall we say to the piety of that husband and father who is all politeness and smiles away from home, but the moment he enters his own house puts on a frown, finds fault, has the blues, and makes all feel unhappy around him? That is a spurious article. It wont stand the fire. “Watch ye, Therefore.”
By Alice K. Hersum
THESE are the words of our blessed Saviour. But how little are they heeded in these last days! How many there are among us that seem to forget these precious words, and are becoming weary. Their minds are engrossed with earthly things, and they are unfaithful in watching. It is impossible for us to have our minds engrossed with worldly cares, laying up treasures on the earth, and yet be in a waiting, watching position, as our Saviour has commanded. We cannot secure both worlds. In order to acquire the heavenly treasure, we must sacrifice the earthly. Then how important it is that we come out from the world and be separate, that we may be prepared to escape the delusive snares of Satan. He will lead us to take one step of advance toward the world. We may have no intention of going farther; but that one step has removed us so much farther from Jesus, and makes it easier to take the next, and thus we take step after step, until a profession, a name only, is all that distinguishes us from the world. I believe that time is short, that the time of trouble is not far in the future, and I want to feel deeply the necessity of unceasing watchfulness, that I may strive daily to overcome all my faults, and be among the waiting ones at last.