Earlier text: JESUS IS COMINGEXPERIENCE IN HEALTH REFORM.
By Roxanna C. Baker
I HAVE realized for some time that I have great reason to thank God for the health reform; and I would hereby acknowledge my gratitude to the great “Giver of every good and perfect gift,” that he has vouchsafed the light upon this important subject at the present time. Though my obedience to physiological law has been very imperfect at best, yet the benefit I have received is very apparent to myself and all my friends. About ten years ago I received a little glimmer of light on the health question by reading a few numbers of the Water Cure Journal. At that time I left the use of pork, and have scarcely tasted it since. I tried to live hygienically for a little while, but soon relapsed into most of my old habits again. My friends laughed at my “notions,” as they called them, and it was impossible, under the circumstances I was in, to be strictly hygienic. I think my constitution and capabilities for enjoying good health were naturally very good, for I do not recollect being sick much in my childhood. My dietetic habits had always been very bad. I had been permitted to eat between meals, and at all hours, and of all sorts of food. My good, indulgent mother, in the kindness of her heart, never dreamed that she was thus planting the seeds of dyspepsia in our systems. How many fond mothers are ruining their children’s health by the same pernicious practice. Since I was quite young I have been troubled more or less with indigestion. The little insight I obtained, at the time above mentioned, into the principles of hygiene, was too confused and imperfect to be of much benefit to me. My knowledge of the proper use of hygienic remedies was necessarily very limited, and my application of them, I have no doubt, very unskilful. Nevertheless, an interest was awakened which prepared me to receive with joy the light that shines so clearly at the present time. As it was, my health declined until I was a pale, melancholy, nervous dyspeptic, but little comfort to myself or my friends. The days and months dragged wearily by, for pain and distress, or a feeling of languor and exhaustion, quite as hard to bear, were my daily portion. Thus I lived for several years, sometimes feeling a little better, but never really well and comfortable. I used graham bread when I could get it, which was some help to me. I also understood, to some extent, the value of water and pure air. When the subject of health reform began to be agitated among us as a people, my husband and myself immediately took hold of it and tried to carry it out in our family. We abandoned the use of all flesh-meats and condiments, and our bread has been almost wholly of unbolted flour. I was quite feeble in health at this time, and performed my household duties in much pain and weariness. I adopted the system of two meals a day, and it was not long ere I was sensible of an improvement in my health. About this time our little daughter (one year old) was attacked quite severely with bloody dysentery, which rapidly reduced her flesh and strength, so that I was quite alarmed about her. An article had just appeared in the Laws of Life, giving directions how to treat this disease. These directions I tried to follow faithfully. I fed her on gruel made of sifted graham flour, and administered enemas of tepid water many times a day, and tried to restore the equilibrium of the system by the use of wet compresses and mild baths. I am thus particular in stating my method of treatment, thinking, perhaps, it may benefit some anxious mother. The disease was soon checked and she was again playing about the house as usual. But I was scarcely relieved of my anxiety concerning my child ere another trial befell me, which strongly tested my faith in the health reform. My husband was cutting hay on a very wet marsh—it was late in September and the weather quite cool—and he came home night after night with his feet wet, and both feet and limbs chilled through. I was apprehensive for his health and warned him of his danger, but as he had for the greater part of his life been robust and healthy, he paid no attention to it. At length he began to complain somewhat of not feeling very well, and one night he was taken down with chills and violent pain in his head. I tried to administer a pack, but it proved a failure, probably from my lack of skill in giving it. He grew rapidly worse, and it was a clear case of typhoid fever. I persevered, however, in the use of water, notwithstanding some of the neighbors advised me to send for a doctor, for they considered him in a very dangerous condition. The first thing that perceptibly relieved him was a hot sitz and foot-bath, taken conjunctively, and given at the highest temperature that he could bear, taking special care to keep the head cool. A strong miasmatic odor filled the room as he came from the bath perspiring profusely. The power of the disease began to be broken at this time, and his symptoms soon became more favorable, and ere long there was a decided amendment. I followed the water treatment strictly, keeping him on a very low diet till he was out of all danger. In a few weeks he began to gain very rapidly, and felt much better than he did before his sickness. The next spring he was again attacked, more violently, if possible, than before. His whole frame shook and jerked, and the pain in his head was so severe that he groaned with every breath. We prepared a hot bath and put him into it. In ten minutes the pain in his head was relieved. He retired to rest, slept sweetly, and rose in the morning quite well. I have no doubt had we understood the water treatment as well in the former instance, many days and nights of suffering might have been prevented. I have experienced great benefit myself from the use of water in various ways, and by a proper attention to diet I am no longer a poor dyspeptic. I enjoy my plain hygienic fare with a keen relish, and unless I eat in a greatly fatigued condition, am not troubled with indigestion. I enjoy better health, and feel more cheerful and happy, than I have for years before. The two-meal system we consider an important part of the health reform. I have eaten but two meals a day, with the exception of one short interval, for the27past three years, and consider this to have been one of the greatest means of restoring my health. For the benefit of some who think three meals are absolutely necessary for those who labor hard through the long days of summer, I would say that my husband has worked hard all through the past spring and summer on two meals a day only, and much of the time eaten a cold dinner, his work being too far from home to return to his dinner. Yet he has enjoyed unusually good health, and hardly complained of fatigue. Our two children, two and four years of age, eat but two meals a day, and they are bright, strong, active children. I wish more of our brethren would realize the importance of this branch of the health reform. It would be quite a help to their poor, jaded, over-worked wives. I think Bro. H. F. Phelps’ remarks on this subject were right to the point. We are trying to understand and live out the health reform in all of its branches, not forgetting to include the dress reform. Though my pride has received a severe blow, yet I would thank God for any thing that shall enable me to overcome the love of the world. I hope we shall all look upon this subject in its true light, as a blessing that God has graciously granted for our best good. I realize that it has indeed proved a blessing to myself and family. Again I would say, Thank God for unfolding to us this important branch of present truth, and may he enable us to live it out still more fully. ROXANNA C. BAKER. Mackford, Wis., Nov. 4, 1867. GOD'S JUDGMENT vs. MAN'S JUDGMENT.
By L. C. Hutchins
Man's judgment censures men of God, as though the chief of sinners.
God's judgment waiteth long to prove who are of glory winners.
Man's judgment casteth Joseph low, and sends the just to prison.
God speaks and lifts the fallen up, to height of power arisen. After the heart of Israel, of old, a king was given,
All beautiful; strange that from such, the kingdom should be riven.
Yet, in the humble shepherd boy, acting his lowly part,
God sees his people's future king, man after his own heart. The prophet sought 'mong elder sons, yet waiting for the truth,
Bids Jesse call his youngest one, anoints the ruddy youth.
Before king Saul, in innocence, the youthful minstrel played,
Adroitly fled, while the blank wall the murderous weapon stayed. Adullum's cave received him then, and thitherward there went
Father and mother, friend beloved, and many a malcontent.
From rock to rock, God's chosen fled, and dwelt with the wild goat,
Refused to smite his foeman's head, but severed there his coat. He could not trust repentant Saul; in God he rested calm,
And deep affliction wrung from him the soul-assuring psalm.
Long years of trial mark the life of Israel's early king,
And so, through tribulations deep, God doth his people bring. And later still, there standeth one from brethren separated—
Upon the cross, and crowned with thorns, there hangs God's consecrated.
'Twas man condemned the innocent. Away with him they cried,
A wicked murderer they chose, while him they crucified. Be not cast down, then, humble soul, the Lamb of God was slain,
His footsteps mark the road for thee, the blood-stained way is plain.
It was no path of flowers below a loving Saviour chose,
He walked the path his friends must tread, and from a grave arose. Misunderstood and misconstrued, yet, Christian, walk content,
Since, faithful to his promise still, the Comforter is sent.
Though good men cast thee out, and all proclaim thee low and vile,
God teacheth thus to scorn this world, and choose a Father's smile. This is the road the prophets, and God's chosen all, have trod,
And thus 'tis best to walk the earth, and meekly bear the rod.
And only to the faithful meek, is the sure promise given,
Of persecutions here, with grief, and rest secure in Heaven. Rochester, Dec., 1867
By W. Sutliff
BRO. SMITH: I think I feel very much as the “mourning captives” did when they “sat down by proud Euphrates stream.” But hope brightens up as I see the “omens of the coming day.” I have watched with much interest the agitation of the Sabbath question in the United States, and have come to the conclusion, that if it increases in the same ratio that it has for three years past, the great crisis will be reached in a short time. Oh, how I long for the time to come! And yet, when I think of my unfaithfulness, and my poverty in spiritual things, I cannot help but doubt that I am so soon to be delivered from this world of sin. I have great fears that I shall be found wanting. I feel like crying out, “unworthy!” whenever I think of meeting Jesus. How sweet the name of Jesus sounds to me, since I came to realize that this same Jesus is surely to come and take his poor children home. Yes, I want to see Jesus. He is my friend. He has died to redeem me, and I hope and pray that I may so live that my name may be found written in the book of life. I have before me a copy of the American Messenger, and under the heading “Sunday Laws,” I find the following: “The Sabbath war is raging from New York to San Francisco.” And again in the same article: “It would be a shame if any of our political parties or legislatures, could so far forget their duty as to sacrifice that holy day to the wishes of rum-sellers, saloon-keepers, and those who hate all restraints of the selfish passions of corrupt human nature. The Christian community will not stand such tampering with the eternal principles of morality; the people will rise en masse against any party that breaks down the barriers of vice, and shakes the moral foundation of our government.” W. SUTLIFF. Mesopotamia, Ohio
By M. E. Reynolds
DURING my brief experience in the third angel’s message, I have, many times, been made to rejoice in the Lord because of his special care over his people in these last days, in shedding upon our pathway the light we so much need, and without which there would be little if any hope of successfully withstanding the wiles of the enemy, and thereby overcoming the world, the flesh, and the Devil; but never did I feel its importance as I have since reading Testimony No. 13. My soul is stirred within me, as I have read and re-read it. And while I read, and reflect, I can but ask myself, Shall I be numbered among those who will get above the simplicity of the work and lose eternal life? I feel my proneness to wander from the God I love, and treat with too much indifference the straight testimony. Often has the enemy tempted me to think too much stress was laid upon our mode of living, dressing, &c., and that we were really making ourselves unnecessarily conspicuous in the eyes of unbelievers, and had it not been for the testimony at hand, to strengthen in the hour of temptation, ere this, I fear, I might have yielded to the suggestions of the enemy of all righteousness. But God in his goodness gives us line upon line; and here, on pages 66 and 67 of No. 13, is my memory refreshed, and my heart quickened to give all diligence to these things, that I may make my calling and election sure. Surely the Lord will require of us no unnecessary sacrifice, and while he in mercy condescends to give us the light, and lead us in the way of life, may we show our love by humble obedience to all his requirements. My heart yearns over such as have felt their duty in these matters, yet dare to yield to the temptations of the enemy and gratify the lusts of the flesh. May the Lord in mercy quicken such hearts, is my prayer. The apostle says, Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he is tried he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. James i, 12. In Rom. vi, 16, we read, “Know ye not that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? May the Lord help us to carefully and prayerfully consider these matters, and choose the path of humble obedience to all his requirements, seeking righteousness and meekness; and it may be that we shall be hid in the day of his fierce anger. M. E. REYNOLDS. HARRIET WHITE
By Harriet White
BRO. SMITH: I can say I love the truths of the third angel's message, and I want my heart fortified by obeying it. I feel very solemn while writing. I feel that I must have the eyesalve, the white raiment, and the tried gold, that I may be ready when the King, in his beauty, shall appear. I want to be hid in the pavilion of the Lord in the time of trouble. I feel it is time to make haste. I want all the buyers and sellers turned out of my heart, that my dear Saviour may come in and sup with me and I with him. I have scattered some of those books I got at the Office. I am in hopes some of our messengers will come here and preach to the people. They never heard any of our Advent brethren. It might be the means of doing a great deal of good. The churches are all going down. There is no interest in them. I can plainly see Babylon is fallen. Money seems to be all they think of; but soon they will throw it to the moles and bats. My prayer is that I may not be weighed in the balance and be found wanting. They that trust in the Lord shall be as Mount Zion, never to be removed. Yours in hope of eternal life. Washington County, Wis
By Amanda Udell
BRO. SMITH: For the first time I write a few lines for the Review. I embraced the third angel's message under the preaching of Bro. John Matteson, about a year since, and have ever since been striving to keep all the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus. I thank the Lord for present truth, and am trying to live it out, that I may go home with his remnant people. I want to live so as to be ready for Jesus' coming, that I may meet him with joy and not with grief. AMANDA UDELL. Little Prairie, Wis
By William Carthy
BRO. SMITH: With your permission I will once more give my testimony in favor of the truth through the Review. It is a long time since I have written anything for its columns, but I love the glorious truths that it teaches none the less than when I first believed, for I know that our redemption is nearer now than then. Before the enlargement of the paper I felt as though I could not allow any lines from me to crowd out any other matter, and since its enlargement it seems just as well filled with important truths, and I have felt as little inclination to write. But Bro. H. F. Phelps, in writing on “Articles Selected,” in No. 24, encouraged me to throw in my mite. I can truly say that my only source of true happiness is the gospel of Jesus Christ and the beautiful and sublime truths belonging to the remnant. I desire to be one of the faithful ones that will give heed to the counsel of the true and faithful Witness, and to all whom God may appoint to lead and instruct the people. I have no desire to know, by experience, that dark despair of mind that those have felt who thought themselves lost forever. Oh! may I ever have confidence to look up to my God in time of trouble. I want to keep near my Saviour. I am traveling through a lonely wilderness. I do not want to get out of the sound of my Shepherd's voice, nor wander from the flock. The mountains are too dark and dreary for me to find the way alone. No, I must have a guide. Jesus will lead me if I am willing. Yes, he will take me by the hand, he will support my feeble steps. He says to us, “Fear not, little flock, it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” WILLIAM CARTHY. REFERRING to his late visit to this place, Bro. S. M. Abbott, of Will Co., Ill., writes: DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: Now that I am returned to my home again, and can reflect upon all that I heard, and saw, and experienced among you as a Christian people, I feel to lift my heart in gratitude to God. I look upon my visit among you as an important era in my life. In all my desires to visit you, I feel conscious that the first and uppermost impulse of my heart, was to glorify God. I desired to be fellowshipped by a people whose God is truly the Lord. Pray for me, that my life may be a shining light. Now I feel identified with you as a people waiting for the return of our Lord. I feel to sympathize with you in all your trials, and I know that you have many to bear. I resume my place here in Wilmington, with new motives to work, new hopes to inspire me, and new trials to prove me. Remember me as one of your number. “Well, you may say what you please,” said Smith, “I, for my part, cannot believe that God would first impose laws on nature, and then go to violate his own laws. What would be the use of making them, if they are to be so readily set aside?” “I dinna ken, sir,” said uncle, very reverently, “what God may do, or what he winna do; but I don’t regard a miracle to be a violation o’ the laws o’ nature. There’s nae violation o’ the laws o’ nature, or rather the laws o’ God, that I ken o’, save the wicked actions o’ wicked men.” “And what then,” asked Smith, “do you make a miracle to be?” “I regard it,” said uncle, “to be merely such an interference wi’ the established course o’ things as infallibly shows us the presence and the action o’ a super-natural power. What o’clock is it wi’ you, sir, if you please?” “It is half past twelve exactly, Greenwich time,” replied Smith. “Well, sir,” said uncle, pulling a huge old timepiece from his pocket, “it’s ane o’clock wi’ me: I generally keep my watch a bittie forrit (a little forward). But I may hae a special reason the noo for setting my watch by the railways; and so, see ye, I’m turnin’ the hauns o’t around. Noo, wad ye say that I have violated the laws o’ a watch? True, I hae done what watchdom wi’ a’ its laws couldna hae dune for itself; but I hae dune violence to nane o’ its laws. My action is only the interference o’ superior intelligence for a suitable end; but I hae suspended nae law, violated nae law. Weel, then, instead o’ the watch, say the universe: instead of moving the hands, say God acting worthily o’ himsel’; and we hae a’ that I contend for in a miracle: that is, the unquestionable presence of an almighty hand working the divine will. And, if he sees fit to work miracles, what can hinder him? He has dune it aftener than once or twice already; and wha daur say that he’ll not get leave to do’t again?” THE REVIEW FREE.
By J. H. W.
I am frequently asked concerning persons to whom the Review is sent free, whether they are worthy; and the Secretary often receives letters from persons unknown to him, stating their inability to pay for the paper, and if not directly requesting it to be sent free, it is easily seen that is the design. As might be expected, it is sometimes found that the papers are sent to those who are not worthy, and sometimes a minister may request it to be sent, and circumstances may so change that he would not advise its continuance after a time. And thus it continues to be sent a longer time than is proper. The publishers cannot know everybody, and the responsibility cannot justly rest on them. Ministers cannot be everywhere, nor continue to know the circumstances of all with whom they become acquainted. Therefore the responsibility clearly falls on the officers of the respective churches, where, or near where, those persons reside. Every local elder should consider it a part of his duty to keep the publishers informed in regard to such cases, and remember that the worthy poor will receive it free, and freely so; also that the paper hardly sustains itself, and the Association cannot afford to throw the paper away. In no case can a person be entitled to the Review free who habitually uses tea or tobacco. Will the elders of the churches look to this matter? J. H. W. Thank Bro. W. for the foregoing remarks. His suggestions are right, and should be strictly complied with. The Review should go free only to the worthy poor. Will the elders of the respective churches see to this matter? J. M. A. HOW DID HE DO IT?
By W. C. G.
Elder Himes, editor of the Voice of the West, has been laboring among the Freedmen in Memphis. In his journal he gives an account of some of his expositions of Scripture, in which we find the following: “When I came to Acts xx. 7, I took occasion to speak to them on the ‘first day of the week’ as the Christian Sabbath. I showed them how it should be kept. All unnecessary labor should be avoided. On Saturday everything should be done to prepare for the Sabbath as a day of rest and worship. All fishing and hunting, and such recreations, should be given up entirely, and the day spent in the service of God.” Will Elder H. please give us the text of scripture which he made use of in teaching them to avoid all unnecessary labor on the first day of the week, and the precise chapter and verse which forbids fishing and hunting on that day? We can point to several texts in which such work is forbidden on the seventh day of the week, or the Sabbath of the Lord, but have been searching in vain for many years for a single text to show that the first day of the week is the “Christian,” or any other Sabbath, save that of the “Man of Sin.” It is to be hoped that Elder Himes’ teachings on the subjects of man’s nature, the advent, &c., were more scriptural than his authority for Sunday-keeping, or else that he has some light on the latter subject which we have not yet seen. Will he please give it to the world, that we may be blessed with it also? The following from the N. Y. Observer, shows how matters are progressing in the nominal churches of the present day. The reader may judge for himself whether such service can be acceptable to Him who requires all his worshipers to worship Him in spirit and in truth. If the prophetic description of the professed church in the last days is not about met, what shall we look for next? The Observer says:— The newspapers, sacred and profane, the English and American, are just now giving their attention to the invasion of our churches by operatic singers. Even our sober-minded friends of the Philadelphia Presbyterian, under the significant head of “Shameful,” and on the authority of some other paper says: A few Sundays ago, in one of the New York Presbyterian churches, the place of the regular prima donna was temporarily supplied, during her absence by another. The new voice was the subject of conversation, as some of the worshipers beguiled their homeward way, thus:—“Who was she?” “Who can she be?” The answer was, “She is a young, timid girl, quite unaccustomed to such a congregation. Did you notice how she trembled?” It came out the next day that the timid young girl was one of the performers in the “Black Crook.” The “Black Crook” is something or other, we know not what, that is going on nightly in one of our minor theatres, and is said to be the most indecent of the spectacles, but suited to the present tastes of theatre-goers. They have their theatre in Brooklyn, over the water from us, called the Academy of Music, and one of the newspapers says: Miss Florence A. Rice, the favorite cantatrice of Dr.——’s Presbyterian church, had a splendid benefit concert at the Academy on Monday night. She was assisted by Pattison, Thomas, Simpson and Mme. Martines. The audience was very large and proportionately enthusiastic. The London Musical Standard has its attention arrested also by the progress of the Holy Opera in the United States, and says, under the head of American choirs: Mr. Brock, the well known minister of a large denominational chapel in Bloomsbury, has lately visited the United States. In the course of some remarks upon American church music, he mentions visiting a church, the choir of which consisted of four persons, two ladies and two gentlemen. By this choir a hymn of Wesley’s was sung in the manner following: The first man sang the first line, the first lady sang the next, the other lady sang the third line, and the last man completed the verse. The effect may be imagined. And the same progress in the high art of church music has been attained in some of the London churches. One of the papers says: A visitor at the church of St. Catherine Cree was astonished a few Sundays ago, to hear the Litany prefaced by a long tenor solo, “rendered by a professional gentleman,” and followed by the performance of another solo by a young lady, standing upon a stool or hassock for the better elevation of her person. As the music took up much time, the clergyman announced that he had not time left to preach his sermon in full, but he would have it printed. The regular opera is beginning to feel the effect of this church rivalry. Our Academy of Music was opened last Monday evening, after being closed a week or two on account of the strike in the chorus singers. On Monday a young gentleman called upon a lady friend, and asked if she would go with him to the opera that evening: “O no,” said she, “I went twice yesterday.” “Why you forgot,” he said, “yesterday was Sunday.” “Yes I know,” she answered; “but I went to the holy opera.” We have recently adopted a plan in this church, which promises so much for our spiritual advancement, that we are induced to mention it for the encouragement of our brethren abroad, and, perhaps, for the benefit of some other churches who may wish to act on the same plan. As our church is so large that there is scarcely ever time, either at our Sabbath or evening meetings, for all to take part, and as it is quite essential that every member should be active, we have adopted the plan of dividing the church into districts, each district embracing a certain number of families, who are to meet together at the house of some Sabbath-keeper in that district, and all take part. And if any seem to be upon the background, it is made the duty of the leader to inquire into their spiritual standing. These meetings are also designed as places where those not with us in the truth may be induced to come and start in the service of the Lord. We have five such districts in this church, where meetings are held on Sunday evening. These meetings, so far, have been seasons of great interest and refreshing; and the Spirit of the Lord is evidently working in connection with them, on the hearts of some who are not yet with us in the truth. Pray for us. Easy Church Membership: Attendance as Admission
We have long been aware that it was a very easy matter to become a member of any of the popular churches of the land. The conditions are very broad, the tests very slight. We were hardly prepared, however, for so liberal a proposition as set forth in the following paragraph, which we clip from a late daily. Simply to attend a church it seems, is getting to be, in the minds of some, sufficient for membership. The next step will probably be to vote the world Christians, and consider the millennium here. The Liberal Christian proposes a new and simple form of admission to the Church as follows: The old distinction between society and church had a meaning and a justification so long as only those belonging to the church were considered elect, or Christians. It has no meaning, no justification, in our liberal faith. We do not believe that the few who belong to the church and partake of the communion are saints, while the majority of the parish, who own the church edifice, call and pay the minister, and bear all the burdens of the enterprise, are reprobates. We all know that many of the very best men and women in the parishes do not belong to what is called “the church.” The distinction between church and society among us is a practical hindrance to the religious success of a minister. The sooner we get rid of this dead organization we have inherited from Calvinistic ancestors, or imported from foreign systems of faith, and build up our churches according to our own simple, beautiful, Christian idea, the sooner we shall get rid of a great encumbrance and prepare the way for a religious growth and our own proper religious influence. Let us have one organization, religious and financial, the Christian Church, counting whoever attends its services a member of it, and welcome him and his to all helping offices, activities and influence. At Home Again.
By Isaac Sanborn
Through the merciful kindness of our Heavenly Father, I am again permitted to return home to take a little rest, of which I am so much in need. I got home the eleventh of December, and shall remain at home till after the middle of January, the Lord willing. In this time I expect to attend the Dedication Meeting at Little Prairie, with Brn. Andrews and Blanchard, not to labor, but to rest and enjoy the occasion. I then expect to return to Cassville, or go to Trempealeau, as the Lord may open the way. I hope I shall still have the prayers of God’s dear people, that a door of utterance may be given me, that I may speak boldly the words of life as I ought to speak. Johnstown Center, Wis., Dec. 15, 1867. A WORD TO THE YOUNG.
By L. B. Hoyt
Some time ago, when looking forward to a time when I was expecting to be in young company, and feeling my weakness, and fearing lest I should not set a good example, I was, while at work, praying in my mind that I might be kept from saying any thing wrong, or bringing a reproach on the cause in any way, when the thought came to me, that if I would live right at that future point, I should commence now; and if I would live right till then, I should be prepared to set a good example then. And so it was. My mind was drawn out in prayer to God all the rest of the day, and when night came, I felt by the Lord’s help, that I could live right during the evening. Let us, those who are young in the cause, be faithful; and if we live faithful each moment, we shall be prepared to meet the Lord when he comes. I find when I look back, that I have been praying in the future too much; asking the Lord to take care of me next week, or next month, instead of now. Let us pray for help now. As the word of God says, “Now is the accepted time.” When I look forward and see what I must be, that I must be perfect if I would be an overcomer, my heart nearly sinks. It looks as though one so sinful as I am, could never enter the kingdom; but I know that Christ died for such as I, and so I am determined to keep trying. The kingdom is before us, and I want to be there. L. B. HOYT. Do you wish to be eminently successful in winning souls to Christ? Study THE BOOK. This is the two-edged sword that pierces to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, joint and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Machinery has been invented, which, worked by skillful hands, can furnish to order a greater number of nominal converts, manufactured in a given period; but “the truth” always makes children of God and heirs of immortality.—Mc Clelland. Upright Walking Is Sure Walking
UPRIGHT walking is sure walking.