Review and Herald, Vol. 46, No. 25. (12/23/1875)

Review and Herald

Dec 23, 1875

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 23, 1875

THE TURKISH DIFFICULTY.

By Wm. Penniman

BY. WM. PENNIMAN.

It is interesting to the student of prophecy, and especially to those who believe in the soon coming of Christ, to watch the progress of those events which indicate that the final consummation is near, and that the time is at hand when the everlasting kingdom of God will be set up, and “the kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ.” To understand the prophecies, we must, by the help of God, not only look into the history of the past, but also consider events transpiring at the present time.

To prove that this question as it pertains to Turkey is working out results in accordance with the word of God, we refer the reader to “Thoughts on Daniel,” remarks on Chap. 11:40–45. This work, published nearly three years ago, in commenting on a part of the forty-fifth verse, contains the following:—

“And mark, also, how applicable the language to that power [Turkey]: ‘He shall come to his end and none shall help him.’ This plainly implies that this power has previously received help. And what are the facts? In the war against France in 1798–1801, and in the Crimean war in 1853–6, Turkey received the assistance of other powers, without which she would probably have failed to accomplish her object. And it is a notorious fact that since the fall of the Ottoman supremacy in 1840, that empire has existed through the sufferance of other powers. Without their pledged support, she would not be long able to maintain even a nominal existence, and when that is withdrawn she must come to the ground. So the prophecy says the king comes to his end, and none help him; and he comes to his end, as we may naturally infer, because none help him; because the support previously rendered is withdrawn.

“Have we any indications that this part of the prophecy is soon to be fulfilled? As we raise this inquiry, we look not to the dim and distant ages in the past, whose events so long ago transferred to the page of history now interest only the few, but to the present, living, moving world. Are the nations which are now on the stage of action with their disciplined armies, and their multiplied weapons of war, making any movement looking to this end?”

“All eyes are now turned with interest toward Turkey; and the unanimous opinion of statesmen is, that the Turk is destined soon to be driven from Europe.”—Pages 338, 339.

From the following quotation, taken from the New York Weekly Witness of Dec. 2, we can see how nearly the thoughts expressed above accord with the facts in the case.

When the “lately sick but now dying man” is driven from Europe, we may look for a further fulfillment of that prophecy.

“A sudden change has recently come over the Eastern Question. It has now reached a critical stage. So far as can be ascertained it is obvious that Austria is no longer uncertain what part she is to take. Some assurances must have passed between the emperor of Austria and the czar. All the indications point in the direction of the semi-independence of Herzegovina. The great powers seem to have determined that the degree of freedom now enjoyed by Servia, Montenegro, and Roumania, shall be extended to Bosnia and Herzegovina. The object of this is not difficult to perceive. It is clear that the dismemberment of Turkey is meant. Province by province has been placed in a position of real though not ostensible antagonism to the Porte, and the probability is that when Bosnia and Herzegovina are severed the stay of the Turk in Europe must be short.”

“The understanding between Russia and Austria must have included an arrangement for the preservation of peace among the Transleithan subjects of the latter; for if the Slaves on the other side of the Austrian frontier should unite in one form of government when Bosnia and Herzegovina have thrown off the Turkish yoke, there is no saying how soon this union movement might extend into Austria.”

“As it is therefore apparently certain that Bosnia and Herzegovina are to be set free, the grand bone of contention becomes more defined, and the powers which will take a share in the struggle for its possession have great interests at stake. Germany does not regard with favor any further advance of Russia into Europe. To the ‘land-hunger’ of the new empire, the control of the mouth of the Danube by Russia would be very unpalatable. The possession of Constantinople by the czar would be still more disagreeable to Germany, as she is exceedingly ambitious of becoming a great maritime power, and the fewer aspirants to the place she covets in Europe the better are the chances for her success. Cooped up by Constantinople on the one hand and by Copenhagen on the other, any Russian fleet in the Black Sea or the Baltic would be of little avail in a war to be decided by a naval engagement.

“Austria has little to gain by the further aggression of Russia unless that power will protect her from any fresh annexation by Germany. Disraeli has spoken for Great Britain. British interests are to be jealously guarded, and this means, if it means anything, that the Bosphorus and the Dardanelles will be closed against the exit of a Russian fleet in the direction of Egypt or India. Very much will depend upon the sympathies and aspirations of the persons who may be in charge of the government of France as to the part she will take in the final disposition of the lately ‘sick’ but now dying ‘man.’ Italy will be guided by the course Germany will pursue, as the papal claims prevent her leaning towards France.

“The actual solution of the difficulty would therefore be sought in what Germany might be willing to do. Bismarck will not allow the map of Europe to be changed to any great extent without making the new boundaries of states conduce directly to the advantage of Germany. What Germany wants is additional sea-coast. The possession of Belgium and Denmark would reconcile that power to a very considerable modification of her present views with regard to Turkey.

“Events are evidently watched carefully at Berlin. It is not impossible, as has been suggested, that there is a hope of extending the German Empire some day to the Adriatic—a contingency not so absurd as it looks at first sight, if the condition of Austria is considered. If Germany finds that Turkey will be rent asunder without any benefit to herself, Austria will receive a persuasive message from Berlin presenting several forcible reasons why Russia should be kept at a distance. Turkey may be maintained for a few years in possession of the small amount of territory remaining to her after the Christian provinces are all independent through the jealousy existing between the great powers, but the end of Turkish rule in Europe, with the complications which must ensue, cannot be far distant.”

The Sabbath and the Centennial.

By M. B. Miller

THAT which attracts the attention of a nation is often instrumental in drawing out national sentiment. Thus, the coming Centennial Exhibition is effectual in awakening public feelings and interests on the “American Sabbath,” as the following extract, which we clip from the Independent Republican of Dec. 6, 1875, will show.

Shall we not take advantage of this arousing on the Sabbath question by calling the attention of our fellow-men to the only true Sabbath, that of the fourth commandment?

M. B. MILLER.

Parkville, Dec. 13, 1875.

An effort is being made to induce the Directors of the Centennial Board to reconsider their determination to close the Centennial Exhibition on Sunday. Several religious organizations have protested against the proposed desecration of the Sabbath, and we notice that the American Bible Society will decline to occupy the apartment assigned them for the display of their books, if the exhibition is to be kept open on Sunday.

The Philadelphia Evening Telegraph, in an article against closing the doors on Sunday, says:—

“The Sunday revenue may be as much as half of the whole receipts, and from a money view alone it is worth while to inquire whether this return is not of more consequence than that which is likely to accrue from assurances to a restricted class of people that Sunday is to be kept ‘sacred.’ But, in fact, it will be impossible to close the Exhibition; the managers know it as well or better than any body, and the talk on the question is deceitful and misleading. If the claims of working people, and the immense accession of revenue could be disregarded, we should not find it possible to resist the pressure of the foreign element, which would view such a course of action in the light of a personal indignity. We are not to invite the world here, and then bind it to a line of action of which it has no conception.”

There is a great principle involved in this question, which should not lightly be set aside on any plea of mere expediency. If this were a heathen country, ignorant of Christianity and ignoring it entirely, there would be some force in the argument of the Telegraph. But Christianity and the Christian Sabbath are recognized in the common statute law of the State in which the Exhibition is to be held, and ours is regarded as peculiarly that country whose God is the Lord. It was his gracious favor which guided us through the perils of our war of Independence, the inauguration of which we are about to celebrate, and our gratitude will be irreverently manifested by conducting the Exhibition in a way which will ignore his Sabbath, and turn it into a day of amusement, drunkenness, and crime, defying the laws of God and man.

The Exhibition will remain open six months, day and night, so that none will be deprived of the opportunity of visiting it as often as they may desire. Foreigners, it is true, have been invited to participate in the celebration; but we want to show them the beauty of our free institutions, and the quiet of the American Sabbath, as compared with the noise and gaiety of the European Sabbath. They should not expect us to conform to their way of spending the Sabbath, but, as our guests, we have a right to expect them to conform to ours.

This is a serious question, and we trust the Board of Directors will firmly resist all attempts to turn the Exhibition into a scene of Sabbath desecration, where, on every Lord’s day, the baser portion of the population would hold a carnival of drunkenness and debauchery. The Christian population would consider themselves outraged by such a course, and would be compelled to withdraw their sympathy from the enterprise. The Exhibition will be regarded as reflecting our national character, and it would be better that it should not be held at all than to result in giving us the reputation of a nation of Sabbath-breakers. If the prosperity which has marked our career through the past century is to be continued, it must be through the continued smiles and gracious favor of the God of the Sabbath.—Franklin Repository.

How to Convert Companions to the Truth.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

IN many cases only the husband, or the wife embraces the Sabbath, while the other is very much opposed to it. In other cases, Sabbath-keeping sisters marry unbelievers who, in a short time, bring to bear every influence they can to induce or compel their wives to give up the Sabbath, even though they had made fair promises to the contrary before they were married. Such cases are constantly coming to our attention. Frequently these sisters are brought into great trial and perplexity. They do not know what to do. They love their husbands and their family. They love to have peace and harmony, and for this they are willing to do anything consistent. But they also fear God and love his holy Sabbath and the present truth. They feel fully persuaded that if they give this up they will go into the dark, backslide from God, and lose their souls. This is a very trying position in which to be placed. And it requires great wisdom to always know just how to act.

Having observed a good deal upon this point, I wish to offer these persons some advice. The first duty of every individual is to God. Nobody can come in and release us from that, not even a husband, a wife, a child, or a parent. God has the first claims, and his claims upon us are always compatible with our duty to our families and to all others. Hence, no one can be conscience for us in these matters. When a woman marries a man she does not give up her individuality, nor can she throw the responsibility of her actions upon her husband. She has a conscience of her own, and a duty to God, which she cannot leave with another, whatever suffering it may bring upon her. This is distinctly taught by Jesus. See Luke 14:25–32. Hence the companion should be firm, unwavering, and fully decided in obeying God, whatever the other may say about it.

But would it not be best to yield somewhat, for the time being, to pacify the unbelieving husband? For instance, to not be baptized, not join the church, not attend meeting, go to some party with him on the Sabbath, or something like that? No; decidedly. I have observed cases where this has been tried, and always with the same result. It always encourages them to press you the harder, and persecute you the more. They see by this that you are of a yielding disposition, and that if they only press hard enough and long enough you will finally yield the whole ground. If you wish to encourage them in the notion, then take this

course, and they will be sure to make the most of it.

But suppose your husband threatens to leave you, or commit suicide, or to do some other evil thing, what then? My observation is that persons who make such threats are the very ones who never carry them out. I have seen this tried over and over till I am satisfied that there is no danger in that direction whatever. Many cases have come under my observation. In one case the husband gave his young wife twenty-four hours to give up the Sabbath or part with him. Of course she felt terribly about it. She did not know what to do. Her sister advised her to stand by the truth any way—to trust in God. She gave him her decision; and now mark the result. Instead of doing as he had threatened, it brought him to his senses. He began to investigate the truth, and now is rejoicing in it with his good wife. If she had yielded, in all probability he never would have examined it any farther.

Another case lately came under my attention—that of a husband who opposed his wife most bitterly for long years. But the wife held steadily on to the Lord, and finally he came to himself, became friendly, and did all he could to help her live out the truth.

Many such cases as these are constantly occurring, all of them showing that the best and only wise course to take is to go straight ahead in your duty to God. The Lord can turn men about in a marvelous manner when we least expect it. But we must carefully walk before him, and do our duty, or he will not work for us. Do not be too soon discouraged nor lose your faith. Do not yield when the pressure comes hard. That is the very time to gain a great victory for yourself and for the truth. D. M. CANRIGHT.

“THE NINETY AND NINE.”

[The following is one of Mr. Sankey’s favorite hymns, which he sings with thrilling effect at the Moody and Sankey revival meetings. It was written for Mr. Sankey by a lady in England, but the music is Sankey’s own.]

There were ninety and nine that safely lay In the shelter of the fold, But one was out on the hills away, Far off from the gates of gold; Away on the mountains wild and bare, Away from the tender Shepherd’s care.

Lord, thou hast here thy ninety and nine, Are they not enough for thee? But the Shepherd made answer: One of mine Has wandered away from me; And although the road be rough and steep I go to the desert to find my sheep.

But none of the ransomed ever knew How deep were the waters crossed, Nor how dark was the night that the Lord passed through. Ere he found his sheep that was lost, Out in the desert he heard its cry, Sick and helpless and ready to die.

Lord, whence are those blood-drops all the way That mark out the mountain’s track? They were shed for one who had gone astray Ere the Shepherd could bring him back. Lord, whence are thy hands so rent and torn? They were pierced to-night by many a thorn.

And all through the mountains, thunder-riven, And up from the rocky steep, There rose a cry to the gate of Heaven: “Rejoice, I have found my sheep!” And the angels re-echo around the throne: “Rejoice, for the Lord brings back his own.”

C. GREEN

By C. Green

Gratitude.

Of the few redeeming qualities possessed by the human heart, perhaps there is none in which so many excellent traits are blended, and which is more to be admired, than that of gratitude. Many claim it to be a natural trait; that is, if it is not in the heart, it cannot be drawn forth by favors, kind acts, nor by the force of circumstances. Their reasoning seems plausible; for sympathy and timely aid bestowed upon the unenlightened savage have called forth this virtue in as great a degree as when conferred on those possessing the advantages of a much higher intelligence.

Favors bestowed upon the grateful are not soon forgotten. The words, “Thine own friend, and thy father’s friend forsake not,” were written for those who are prone to forget favors, and need precept upon precept to keep in lively exercise what emotions of gratitude they have. But there are persons who have a heart to appreciate a good deed, whether it be a kind act, a sympathizing word, or a salutary reproof. By such, favors are not only highly valued, but are also remembered during a lifetime.

While this virtue may be called suddenly into exercise, it may be as lasting as the relations connected with it. By this we are reminded of a circumstance connected with Joseph’s brethren, at the time he made himself known to them. He sought in various ways to bring to their minds the heinous sin of which they had been guilty in selling him into slavery. The arrest of Benjamin, the accusation that he had stolen the cup, and the decision that he, and he alone, should be retained, while the others were suffered to return to their homes, caused them to feel sensibly their past wrongs.

Judah realized their true condition, while Benjamin felt its force more directly upon himself. As the youngest son, he had become since the loss of Joseph, the favorite child of an aged father, and no doubt he had often heard his parent mourn and lament the supposed death of the son of his old age. How would his absence be endured by his bereaved father? Turning from this view of his situation, he saw himself doomed to a life of slavery—no more to greet his friends, nor to enjoy their society nor the pleasures of home. He saw himself the victim of a contrived plot, convicted by strong, though circumstantial, evidence. We may imagine that scene better than it can be described.

Joseph, though apparently severe, was no less affected, than his brethren. No doubt he watched with anxiety the sorrowful countenances of each, and awaited with interest the result of his stratagem. Judah now ventured his plea. Briefly, but clearly, he gave the history of his father’s family, alluding to the loss of Joseph, its effect upon his father’s mind, Jacob’s reluctance to let Benjamin go, and his own surety for the lad’s return. He now, to clear himself and save his father from the loss of his favorite son, offered himself to take Benjamin’s place.

This conduct proved to Joseph the deep repentance wrought in the hearts of his brethren, and his course is written for our instruction if ever placed in like circumstances; but we are left to conjecture how Judah’s offer affected Benjamin. Gratitude must have filled his heart, and the knowledge that he had so noble a brother could not always have been kept within his own breast. He no doubt rehearsed the incident of the stolen cup to his children, in connection with the account of Joseph’s making himself known, but Judah’s plea and offering received due respect and attention each time the story was told. Neither was it forgotten in after generations. If for a time the memory was suffered to become dim, it was revived again in all its freshness and beauty. Once the crown lay between the two tribes. A long and bloody war showed the power of the contestants; but when Benjamin yielded, he gave all, and never withdrew his allegiance as did the other tribes, but remained true and loyal to Judah, so long as they remained a nation and a distinct people.

C. GREEN

Battle Creek, Mich.

The Prohibition.

By M. Wood

Paul gives a gracious yet solemn admonition, applicable to many professed followers of Jesus in these days, in the words: “Be not conformed to this world.” This language is addressed to Christians; and Christians are Christ’s living epistles to a fallen world. They are to tell of a Saviour’s love, breathe his spirit, and testify of his merits. They are to herald to every nation upon earth the glad tidings that Jesus is soon coming.

But what effect will talking or writing have upon those who hear or read, if we ourselves are conformed to the world, and show that we are ensnared by its fascinating allurements? How very inconsistent to be one day at the Lord’s table, showing forth his death, and another, in the giddy dance, keeping time to the sound of music; or to spend a portion of the morning in reading the Scriptures which are able to make one wise unto salvation, and in the evening sit down at a game of cards or visit the theatre or opera. Neither should time and money be spent in adorning the person in costly array, in open violation of the rules laid down by the apostle in 1 Pet. 3:2–4. How much conformity to the world there is among professors of that religion which requires us to mortify the flesh with its affections and lusts. How many follow the fashions of the world, and seek after its pleasures and gay amusements?

Dear reader, are you conforming to the world to avoid its frowns and to escape persecution? If so, remember you are no better than Jesus, and he was persecuted. Think of his words: “Marvel not if the world hate you; for ye know that it hated me before it hated you.” But how can the world hate those who conform to it and so much resemble it? It cannot. It does not. There is not that distinction between professed Christians and the world which there ought to be. If we were the temples of the Holy Ghost, if Christ dwelt in us, if we lived in close fellowship with God, and walked in the light which God has been pleased to give unto us, could we be so conformed to the world as many of us are? M. WOOD.

Boston, Mass.

The Need of Our Times.

Not eloquence in the pulpit nor wealth in the pews, but the reviving influence of the Holy Spirit. Spurgeon says, “The Holy Spirit is able to make the word as successful now as in the days of the apostles. He can bring in by hundreds and thousands as easily as by ones and twos. The reason why we are not more prosperous is that we have not the Holy Spirit within us in might and power as in early times. If we had the Spirit sealing our ministry with power, it would signify very little about our talent. Men might be poor and uneducated; their words might be broken and ungrammatical; there might be none of the polished periods of Hall or glorious thunders of Chalmers; but if the might of the Spirit attended them, the humblest evangelist would be more successful than the most eloquent of preachers. It is extraordinary grace, not talent, that wins the day. It is extraordinary spiritual power we need. Mental power fills a chapel, but spiritual power fills the church.

“Oh! we know some before whom we shrink into nothing as to talent, but who have no spiritual power, and when they speak they have not the Holy Spirit with them; but we know others, simple-hearted, worthy men, who speak their country dialect, and who stand up to preach in their country with power. Hearts are broken, souls are saved, and sinners are born again. O Spirit of the living God, we want thee! Thou art the life, the soul, the source of thy people’s success. ‘Without thee they can do nothing; with thee they can do everything.’”—Sel.

Wisdom: The Ways of Pleasantness

By Jos. Clarke

Wisdom.

“Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.” Prov. 3:17.

It is believed by the great mass of mankind that the path of the righteous is a very gloomy and painful one. They imagine that the life of the Christian is one of continual sorrow and unhappiness. But nothing could be more incorrect than this view. The first dawn of a genuine religious experience upon the converted soul is often a period of such happiness as words cannot describe. The very fact that his peace is made with his Judge; that he has applied to Jesus for the pardon of sins of which he has deeply repented; that he sympathizes with God in hatred of sin and love of holiness; and that he loves God and his people—all these are in his favor.

But, greater than all, the faith the Christian exercises in God buoys him up above the world. God by his Spirit moves upon his heart, and first convicts, then pardons, then comforts him. These operations of his Spirit God would not grant to one who had no faith in his word; and this faith reconciles man to God, through Christ. Such a condition of things would bring peace to the sinner, even if this life were all, and there were no future beyond.

But there are additional reasons which should make the life of the Christian one of continued enjoyment. He is now in the school of Christ; he knows the way to God, and thus his communication with Heaven is never severed, except by his own neglect; and good angels are now specially interested in his behalf.

The future reward should not be left out of the account in our list of reasons for Christian peace and joy. No! Like Abraham, the people of God look forward, with unspeakable joy, to that city which hath foundations, whose maker and builder is God.

Such a foundation being laid, it is not strange that the Christian is happy, calm, and self-possessed, even amid opposition and hatred.

Wisdom in the text means the highest wisdom, such as is here described; and we must not forget, that God by his Spirit operates in power upon the heart which has made choice of this wisdom. Those who possess such wisdom as we have here spoken of will outlive the present state of things, and will shine in undiminished and increasing luster, while the ages of eternity roll on.

Faith in God is the foundation of the Christian’s hope. This is what gives life to what would otherwise be a dim and uncertain theory; for in every part of our history, the Spirit of God is present. And if we recognize this Spirit and cherish it, we shall be led along from one degree of wisdom to another, until we have the unutterable joy of embracing the One, who, as the Author of true wisdom, died a painful death, thereby showing the true value of wisdom, and winning man to embrace it. Jos. CLARKE.

How Long Will it Be before the Millennium?

By Wm. Covert

I AM constrained to wonder at the persistence with which the claim that a temporal millennium is near is maintained by the clergy of this country. Is it possible that they can believe that the world is growing better? I give below the headings of the record of crime as they appear in the Fort Wayne, (Ind.) Gazette, of Nov. 10, 1875:—

“Terrible Tragedy—Three Children shot by their Father. He cuts his little Daughter’s Throat, and Almost Severs his Son’s Head from his Body. Tries to kill his wife, and then Commits Suicide, &c.—A Girl’s Road to the Gallows—A Deadly Duel—A young Girl Shoots her Seducer—Shot Dead—A Noted Horse Thief—A Duel in New York—A Mob of Thieves—Saloon Affray—Death in a Saloon—Fatal Hallowe’en Sports—Horrible Murder—Savage Encounter with a Burglar—St. Louis Whisky Frauds—Murdered for Love—A Boisterous Negro—Shot by Mistake—The Children Murderer—Granted a Respite—Attempted Suicide—A Horrible Story—Clubbed to Death—A Determined Suicide—Bullying a Lover—Beginning of the Trial of Wall, the Murderer—A Horse Thief in Limbo—Villainous Attempt at Assassination—Bloody Row in a St. Louis Dance House—A Political Row—Whisky Frauds—An Editor Cow-hided—Jacobs, the Wife-Murderer, Sentenced—Murder of a Notorious Rough—A Defaulting County Treasurer—Attempted Incendiary—Gambler’s Fiend—Fatal Affray—Doomed to Death—A Counterfeit—Attempted Murder—A Citizen Mysteriously Disappears—A Murder Trial—Notable Divorce Case.”

All these crimes are reported in one week in a county paper. I learn from citizens of this county that criminal cases are multiplying to such a degree that the courts could not find time to dispose of them if they should remain in session all the time. Yet in the face of all this the clergy of the orthodox churches are constantly promising the millennium, and telling the people that the world is growing better. I suppose they intend to make up for their failures in devotion to the cause of Christ by legislation on the temperance question and by a national Sunday law. Surely the perils of the last days are upon us. Wm. Covert.

Tattling: The Sin of Talebearing

By J. Lamont

Tattling.

Tattling, or talebearing, is a sin indulged in more, perhaps, by church-members than any other one thing forbidden in the Bible. It is so easy to tell to a particular friend, what one has heard, and then repeat what he says to another, and so on, ad infinitum. This is done without once stopping to think whether it is right or wrong, what its effect may be, or what a flood of iniquity may thus be let loose.

But he would not tell it to any one except his special friends, not outside the church anyhow. Now this is the very thing forbidden. Lev. 19:16: “Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people.” The remainder of the verse places talebearing on a level with perjury: “Neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbor.” It must then be a great sin. The tattler, in order to carry on his nefarious work, must continually break at least two of God’s ten commandments, the eighth and ninth. The story is colored just a little. The very words are repeated, perhaps, yet with a tone and emphasis so different that an entirely different idea is conveyed from that given when the words were first used. Thus it becomes a falsehood; and just so far as it robs any one of his good name, fame, and reputation, it is theft.

Is it not murder, also, as it produces incurable wounds? Prov. 26:22. Does it not create and keep alive more divisions and difficulties in churches and communities than any other one cause? Let us imagine every tattler holding his tongue. Oh, what a peaceful time! Angry passions would cool down, old difficulties become extinct, dying as a fire for want of fuel. “Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out; so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.” Prov. 26:20.

Now a little help for those who will not help themselves. Let their friends look their displeasure whenever they begin to untie the inexhaustible budget. It will have a salutary effect. Try it. “The north wind driveth away rain; so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.” Prov. 25:23. If it does not produce a radical cure, it will prevent a good many serious attacks. We say again, Try it. J. LAMONT.

God Is Love.

By Mammon

THE UNIVERSE DESIGNED TO DISPLAY AND ENJOY THE LOVE OF GOD.

“God is love:”—and the true theory of the universe is, that it is a vehicle or medium constructed expressly for the circulation and diffusion of his love. Full of blessedness himself, his goodness burst forth, at first, into a celestial creation, replenished with bright intelligences, invested with the high prerogative of approaching as near to the Fountain of excellence as created natures can, to derive their happiness immediately from himself, and to derive it to the full amount of their capacity for enjoyment.

But Heaven, with all its amplitude, was too confined for Infinite Love; he must enlarge the sphere of his beneficence; again his unconfined goodness overflowed, and this terrestrial creation appeared—an enlargement of Heaven. . . . By creating, at first, one common father of the species, he designed that each individual should feel himself allied to all the rest, and pledged to promote their happiness. And by rendering us necessary to each other's welfare, he sought to train us to an humble imitation of his own goodness, to teach us the divine art of benevolence—to find and fabricate our own happiness from the happiness of others. . . .

He meant every heart and hand to be a consecrated channel for his love to flow in. Had his great idea been realized, the world would have exhibited the glorious spectacle of a whole race in family compact; clothed in a robe of happiness, with charity for a girdle; feasting at a perpetual banquet of beneficence; hailing the accession of every new-born member as the advent of an angel, an addition to their common fund of enjoyment; and finding greater blessedness than that of passively receiving happiness in exercising the godlike prerogative of imparting it—a whole order of intelligent beings, having one heart, and one mind, a heart beating in concert with Heaven, and diffusing, with every pulse, life, health, and joy, to the remotest members of the body. The mere outline of the scene, as sketched by God in paradise, called forth audible expressions of his divine complacency; on surveying it from the height of the excellent glory, he pronounced it good, and the light of his countenance fell upon it.—Mammon.

Obituary Notices.

“Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth.”

Died, of lung disease in Brighton, Iowa, October 31, 1875, John Gibson, aged twenty-one years. The funeral services were held at the house of his parents. Brief remarks by Rev. Vincent from Job 1:21. P. A. ROBERTS.

Died, at Eaton Rapids, Mich., Dec. 6, 1875, sister F. L. Hutchinson, aged thirty years. Sister H. embraced present truth when Elds. Corliss and Jones held tent-meetings here in September, 1874. She was loved by all who knew her, and esteemed as one of the meek of the earth. Funeral services by Rev. Doust, Methodist. J. F. FERRIS.

Fell asleep in Jesus, in Pleasant Valley, Potter Co., Pa., Nov. 19, 1875, Betsey, wife of Joel C. Witter, in the forty-fifth year of her age. Her disease was inflammation of the stomach. Sister Witter embraced the Advent faith under the labors of B. F. Robbins nearly eighteen years ago, and remained faithful, earnest and devoted till her death. Remarks by the writer from Rev. 14:13. J. G. SAUNDERS.

The Chicago Fire.

By D. L. Moody

It was my sad lot to be in the Chicago fire. As the flames rolled down our streets, destroying everything in their onward march, I saw the great and the honorable, the learned and the wise, fleeing before the fire with the beggar, and the thief, and the harlot. All were alike. As the flames swept through the city, it was like the Judgment day. Neither the mayor, nor the mighty men, nor the wise men, could stop those flames. They were all on a level then, and many who were worth hundreds of thousands of dollars were left paupers that night.

In like manner, when the day of Judgment comes there will be no difference. When the deluge came there was no difference; Noah’s ark was worth more than all the world. The day before, it was the world’s laughing-stock, and if it had been put up at auction, you could not have got anybody to buy it for fire-wood. But the deluge came, and then it was worth more than all the world together. And when the day of Judgment comes, Christ will be worth more than ten thousand worlds. And if it was a terrible thing in the days of Noah to die outside the ark, it will be far more terrible for us to go down in our sins to a Christless grave. —D. L. Moody.

Continue reading: S. B. Books,—How They Should Be Kept