Christian life in our days is full of activity. It finds pleasure in planning, giving, and working for Christ’s cause. This spirit of consecration gives joy to all Christians who recognize it, and inspires confident hopes in the aggressive movements of the church. But it conceals also a great peril. All Christian power springs from communion with God, and from the indwelling of divine grace. One can do good to others only as his heart pulsates with love to Jesus and has a present experience of his love. We can impart only what we receive. Any stream will run dry, unless fed from unfailing springs. Any Christian labor will be fruitless, and Christian zeal be like sounding brass, unless the soul waits daily on God, and finds new strength in prayer and in study of the Bible.
R. F. COTTRELL
By R. F. Cottrell
Obituaries.
THERE is a remarkable difference between Bible obituaries and those of the present day. We quote a few obituary notices from the Bible as specimens: “And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years; and he died.” “So Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the Lord. And he buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Beth-peor; but no man knoweth of his sepulcher unto this day.” “Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city.” In Heb. 11, the apostle speaks especially of the faithful of the times then past. In this chapter we find the following, which we may call a model obituary on the occasion of the death of the faithful: “Died in faith, not having received the promises.”
The following is extracted from a modern obituary, seemingly Christian: “On Saturday, when apparently dying, her sister said to her, ‘Lucy, if the angels come for you, and you see father and mother, let us know it, if you can.’ She said she would. In a few hours she revived again. Sunday morning she said in a whisper, ‘Yes, yes, they have come.’ Her sister asked, ‘Who have come?’ ‘Father, mother, and all of them! Glory! glory! glory!’ . . . And now Jesus has come and taken her to himself. . . . The clouds at length separated; Jesus came as he promised; and her disembodied spirit ascended to the church triumphant.”
What a contrast between this and the utterances of the Bible! Does the Bible teach that dead men and women are angels? No. But Jesus promises the righteous that they shall be “as the angels,” or “equal unto the angels.” When? After they are “accounted worthy” of a part in the world to come, and are raised from the dead. Luke 20:35, 36. When do the angels come for the people of God? When Jesus comes again and raises them from the dead. Matt. 24:30, 31. When does Jesus take them to himself? At his second coming. John 14:1-3; 1 Thess. 4:16, 17. In what clouds does Jesus come again? and how? In the clouds of heaven, and as he went away. Matt. 24:30; Acts 1:9-11. When do the saints join the church triumphant? When they can shout victory over death and the grave at the resurrection. 1 Cor. 15:52, 55.
Where is the text of Scripture that speaks of disembodied spirits? It is not. Such an entity is nowhere recognized in the Scriptures. What consolation do the Scriptures offer to those who mourn for the dead in Christ? The resurrection from the dead at the second personal coming of Christ. 1 Thess. 4:13-18. What to pious mothers who mourn the death of their infant children? That “they shall come again from the land of the enemy.” Matt. 2:16-18; Jer. 31:15, 16. Is there a text in the Bible which contradicts the harmonious teaching of all those referred to above? There is not. What then of the case of the rich man and Lazarus? By a figure the dead are represented as living and speaking, as in other texts of Scripture. Isa. 14:9-11; Eze. 32:21, 27. The hell of the rich man and Lazarus is the hades of the Greek language and the sheol of the Hebrew, in which place or state inspiration has positively affirmed that “there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom.” Eccl. 9:10.
R. F. COTTRELL
Conviction of Sin.
By Jos. Clarke
THIS should never be stifled, nor dissipated from the mind. The great trouble is, our convictions for sin, and our remorse on account of it, are not nearly as deep and pungent, nor as continued as they should be. Even after our sins are pardoned, we are far safer to have a deep, settled conviction of sin still remaining upon the mind, as it makes us more humble, and watchful, and considerate, and we shall have a greater dread of sin, than if we were wholly relieved of the terror, and remorse which true conviction arouses in the mind.
The godly man trembles at the word of God, and stands in awe of God’s judgments; while the wicked man, denies God’s law, and stands as firm as Dathan and Abiram, in the very presence of the Judgment. Why is this? The good man has never thrown off conviction, while Dathan and Abiram profess holiness already theirs, and see not their corrupt motives.
God’s good Spirit looks down into the deep ocean of man’s thoughts, and sees the hidden spring and cause of each act of sin; and if we ask him he will unfold it to us; but let us not grieve away the Spirit. Just at this point we are in most danger. We may say to such painful thoughts, This is a disease of my fancy. I cannot own to such a sin, or to such a base motive; it is impossible. Or we may excuse our fault, and justify ourselves at the cost of strict integrity. This course will effectually shut out the light of Heaven from our hearts.
God does not propose to make this a place of happiness at present; but it is a place of discipline. It is a fitting-up place; and we can have no surer mark of God’s favor than to experience deep contrition of heart for sin, unless the joy that follows pardon is a greater evidence of favor.
Sinner, backslider, and most of us are, or have been such, let no one of us shake off or despise conviction for sin. It is an evidence that God is calling to you to come to him.
Jos. CLARKE.
Time Is Short and Eternity Near
TIME appears very short, eternity near; and a great name, either in or after life, together with all earthly pleasures and profit, are but an empty bubble, a deluding dream.
What Are Idols.
By S. B. Whitney
“And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols?” 2 Cor. 6:16.
Anything that the affections are set upon to such an extent as to lead us to disregard the claims of God’s law is an idol. Prominent among these are the hurtful indulgences that a perverted appetite clamors for; as is shown by the testimony in the same connection, relative to the temple of God. “For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them,” &c. Also 1 Cor. 6:19: “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you?” &c.
Corroborative of all this is the apostle’s testimony relative to those who serve “their own belly,” and “whose God is their belly.” Rom. 16:18; Phil. 3:19.
I was forcibly reminded of the truth of this by an incident that occurred a few days since. A gentleman had purchased books upon present truth, to the amount of forty cents. He remarked to an old lady present, who claimed to have been a professor of religion over fifty years, that they were worth more than a pound of tobacco. Said she, in reply, “No taint! I’d rather have the tobacker.”
Another incident will illustrate the same point. Recently I was visiting an aged and much respected friend, who is favorable to the present truth, but has not fully embraced it. He has, however, professed sanctification for a number of years. In our conversation at the table, I recommended the health reform for the physical ailments of which he was complaining. He replied, “There is too much self-denial in that for me.” This led me to mentally inquire whether there is any antagonism between self-denial and sanctification. The Saviour says, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me;” and the grace of God teaches self-denial as its first lesson. Luke 9:23; Titus 2:11, 12. How, then, can we be sanctified before we have learned this primary lesson in following Christ and holy living? Let those answer who can.
S. B. WHITNEY.
There Is Much Pending on our Words.
By Daniel T. Bourdeau
“By thy words,” says Christ, “thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” This will take place in the Judgment. How careful, then, we should be here, that our words may be such that we shall not fear to meet them in that dread day toward which we are fast approaching.
Very often the course and salvation of those around us depend on our words. The case of the ten spies who brought back from the land of Canaan an evil report illustrates this truth. The Israelites had come to an important point in their history. An encouraging report from these spies, in connection with the cheering testimony of Caleb and Joshua, would doubtless have influenced the masses of the children of Israel to press forward and enter the promised land. But, unfortunately, at this critical moment, the ten spies, through fear and unbelief, spoke discouragingly, and shut the greater part of the congregation from the land of promise.
These things are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. 1 Cor. 10:11. We are called upon to bear an encouraging testimony to those around us. Our words will prove to many a savor of life or of death. Especially is this true in our social meetings. The tongue can there be a tree of life, whose fruit is strengthening and encouraging. It can be refreshing, like a fountain of pure water, to the thirsty soul, or it can be used unwisely in expressing fear, doubt, and discouragement, and lead weak souls to forsake the narrow way and enter the broad path that leads to death.
Let us then take heed to our ways that we sin not with our words. D. T. BOURDEAU.
To Correspondents.
By Uriah Smith
Bro. Smith: If you would give us through Review the light you have on the return of the Jews from Babylonian captivity, i. e., as to whether or not some of all the different tribes did return under the grant of Cyrus, you would gratify some of the readers of your paper. We should be thankful for the scriptural argument on the point. A CORRESPONDENT.
Answer: We think that some of all the tribes did return, for the following reasons:—
1. When the ten tribes revolted, Jeroboam received from the Lord the offer of a sure kingdom, like that which he had established with David, if he would keep his commandments. See 1 Kings 11:26–40. Verse 38 reads: “And it shall be, if thou wilt hearken unto all that I command thee, and wilt walk in my ways, and do that is right in my sight, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as David my servant did; that I will be with thee, and build thee a sure house, as I built for David, and will give Israel unto thee.”
But the course of Jeroboam was one of continual and persistent rebellion against God; and for this cause God uttered the threat that he would give Israel up. 1 Kings 14:16.
In 2 Kings 13:22, 23, we read that in the days of Jehoahaz, God had compassion on Israel for the fathers’ sakes, “and would not destroy them, neither cast he them from his presence as yet.” This language implies that they were at some subsequent time cast from his presence, and held no longer in any peculiar relation to himself. And this finally came to pass as we read in 2 Kings 17:22, 23: “For the children of Israel walked in all the sins of Jeroboam which he did; they departed not from them; until the Lord removed Israel out of his sight, as he had said by all his servants the prophets.” Verse 20 says that he rejected the seed of Israel and cast them out of his sight.
If this language does not denote the utter casting off of those to whom it refers, we know not what language could express such an idea; and we do not believe that those who were thus rejected, were then of any more account in God’s sight, or that their descendants, as such, were ever to be any more in his sight, than were the apostate nations when Noah was saved from the flood, or when Abraham was called out from his people.
Were, then, ten tribes lost, and only two saved? We answer, No; for when Jeroboam, instead of obeying God, plunged into idolatry, all the members of the ten tribes did not follow him in this, but returned and joined themselves to Judah and Benjamin. We read this in plain terms in 2 Chron. 11:13–17. Jeroboam and his sons cast off the Levites from executing the priest’s office unto the Lord. They, therefore, out of all their coasts, resorted to Rehoboam, at Jerusalem. Verses 16, 17: “And after them out of all the tribes of Israel such as set their hearts to seek the Lord God of Israel came to Jerusalem, to sacrifice unto the Lord God of their fathers. So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah,” &c.
The only promise the ten tribes had of continuance was on the condition that they should seek the Lord; and all who did set their hearts to seek him, joined themselves to Judah. So while the great body of the ten tribes persisted in rebellion against God, and were finally cast off by him and perished, a remnant out of every one of them still adhered to the house of David.
Hence the ten tribes were all represented in the kingdom of Judah. And when Judah went into captivity, these tribes went also. When Judah returned, they likewise returned.
After this event, the name Israel is applied to the Jews who were thus restored from captivity.
In Ezra 10:9, especial mention is made of the men of Judah and Benjamin, and in verse 25, of Israel, among those who had returned from the Babylonian captivity.
Neh. 11:20, speaks of “the residue of Israel.” And chap. 12:47, says that “all Israel, in the days of Zerubbabel, and in the days of Nehemiah, gave the portions of the singers,” &c.
Lastly, the new covenant, which our Lord confirmed, was made with Israel. Jer. 31:31–34. In verse 31, the prophet speaks of the house of Israel and the house of Judah. So it is certain that the whole Jewish nationality is meant. In verse 33, they are all spoken of as the house of Israel. Paul, in noting the fulfillment of the prophecy, Heb. 8:8–12, uses the same terms. The twelve tribes of Israel were therefore in existence in Judea in the days of Christ; and the ideas which some entertain about ten lost tribes, and their restoration in the future, are wholly without foundation in either reason or Scripture. U. S.
Quarterly Report of the N. Y. and Pa. T. & M. Society.
By B. L. Whitney; E. H. Whitney
THE second State quarterly meeting of the N. Y. and Pa. T. & M. Society was held at Bucks Bridge, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., March 13 and 14, 1875.
A general meeting for the directors of the southern and western districts was held at Niles Hill, Allegany Co., N. Y., a week previous to this meeting, at which the reports for these districts were presented; but we here give a summary of all the reports for the quarter.
Meeting called to order by the President. Minutes of the last meeting read and accepted. The report of labor for the quarter was then read, which was as follows:—
No. of families visited, 1021; No. of letters written, 196; new subscribers obtained for REVIEW, 13; Instructor, 175; Reformer, 559; The Voice of Truth, 893; No. of REVIEWS distributed, 807; Instructors, 242; Reformers, 386; No. of pages pamphlets and tracts distributed, 285,163. There were also 83 bound books furnished to public libraries, numbering about 30,000 pages.
Money received during quarter:—
On membership, $ 9.00
Donations, 295.02
Book sales, 35.90
Total, $ 339.92
Donations have also been made through the Society for the Kansas sufferers to the amount of $156.45.
The reports of the district secretaries, which with hardly an exception were promptly furnished to the State secretary, show a marked improvement in regard to reports, a much larger proportion of members reporting than formerly. Several new members have been added during the quarter, who have embraced the truth through the efforts of the Society in the distribution of publications. The subject of arrangements for district meetings was considered, and the following resolution was adopted:—
Resolved, That we recommend that monthly meetings be established in each district under the supervision of the director of the district, and that, as soon as consistent, arrangements be made so that the ordinances may be celebrated as often as once a quarter.
It was also recommended that these meetings be held over Sabbath and first-day, and that a portion of the time at each meeting be especially devoted to the Tract Society work. It was also suggested that librarians be requested, in making the reports for their churches to the district secretaries, to state the number of members who have reported.
We were again favored at both our general meetings with the labors of Eld. Haskell, which added much to the interest and profit of the meetings. Most of the time was occupied with religious exercises, which were enjoyed by quite a number who have recently embraced the truth.
B. L. WHITNEY, Pres.
E. H. WHITNEY, Sec.
Revivals, Oyster Suppers, and Church Lotteries.
How do these exercises harmonize with each other? In the Weekly Press, of March 5, 1875, published in Adrian, Mich., we find the following:—
WOODSTOCK, MARCH 2, 1875.
ED. PRESS:—On the evening of the 26th of February, an oyster supper was had at the residence of Thomas Hackett, the proceeds to be used towards the purchase of a bell for the Union Church. Notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather, at an early hour Mr. Hackett's parlors were filled to overflowing, with members of the church and invited guests, who had assembled for no other purpose than a good time in general. After listening to some choice pieces of music, rendered by L. H. Bedell, it was announced that the ladies had furnished a splendid bed-quilt which was to be disposed of by the wheel of chance. Tickets were sold to the amount of $13, and the drawing showed L. S. Lacoe the lucky person. It was then announced that supper was ready and all marched to the dining hall, where the tables were groaning under their heavy loads of nice things, prepared for the comfort of the inner man. Great credit is due the ladies who arranged the tables in such elegant style, and may they long live to hear the chimes of their anticipated bell over the pleasant lakes and on the hill-tops for many miles around. The ladies feel jubilant over the fact of having added $35.45 to said fund. After supper and until the “wee hours,” they enjoyed themselves in the highest of glee.—Y. I. Z.
“That’s All.”
By D. H. Lamson
THESE words escaped the lips of a minister a few days ago, while reading the REVIEW at the house of a friend. The lady of the house loves the Advent faith and the Sabbath, but the husband, to whom these words were addressed, does not profess to love either.
The above expression was called forth by seeing in the paper, a report of meetings, in which it was said that several had commenced to keep the Sabbath.
“That’s all,” he repeated, to ears that do not need to be prejudiced. “Only keep the Sabbath and you are all right. No faith, no repentance, is required; only keep the Sabbath.”
The wickedness of the insinuation is no less apparent when we consider that it came from the lips of a professed minister of the gospel of Christ. Had he, and others who ever since the rise of the Sabbath reform have echoed these words, had a due regard for the second great commandment, we should not be thus foolishly charged; and had they had even a slight regard for the first, the fourth command, which goes far toward making its fair proportions, would not be so lightly esteemed. To the really ingenuous soul, it would be far more gratifying to believe in a degree of honesty in our religious opponents.
But let us try this gentleman, and all others who, like him, are continually rearing this chaffy obstacle in the way of truth. Suppose he or you, reader, were sent, as a missionary to a land where every moral duty was professedly practiced but one, and that one was the requirement to have no gods but the Lord. You see the false gods revered, and temples for their worship reared in every hamlet, town, and city. These people may say they worship the true God through the idol; but would you not cry to God for help in arguments and for influence that should induce them to forsake their unhallowed worship and regard only Him who made the heavens and the earth?
Suppose, too, that you were sometimes successful; that before your eyes the idols were cast away, the temples razed to the ground, or turned into a place of worship for the true God, would there be any joy in your heart? If you had an organ through which you could proclaim such good news to the world, would you not say that so many had turned away from idols to the worship of the true and living God? Would it not be the burden of your work to bring this about? And would it not be your chiefest joy, to see it, in some cases, accomplished, especially if you knew that it was done for the sake of Christ and the truth?
Suppose you were met by some of the more zealous, yet misguided, with the question, “Why don’t you preach faith and repentance? Why don’t you preach Christ? Why so much about our idol-worship? We worship the true God through the idol, and do you not think the Lord will accept it? We are certainly sincere.” Oh! how blind they are, you would say, if they cannot see that Christ was manifested to take away just such work and sin as this.
It is just for this reason, and no other, that we say so much about the Sabbath. The command to observe it could be couched in no plainer terms than it is. The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God. Almost all men are disregarding it. We believe that the Lord requires its observance at their hand; and believing thus, should we not preach it? And when men are constrained to leave the Sunday substitute for the genuine Sabbath,135should we not rejoice just as much as though there had been a turning away from the transgression of any other commandment?
A man’s loyalty to an earthly government is shown by the way he regards its laws, and that man is the best citizen, who obeys them most faithfully. He is not seeking for evasions or substitutes, and will not be satisfied with them, but becomes in his own character their best exponent.
Certainly no man was ever yet justly condemned by human law without a precept to show his duty or forbid the act. The true Christian will seek to know, and is anxious to do, the will of God. He needs only the precept that points out his wrong, and he turns from it. He is filled with sorrow, if, through ignorance, he has been led to lightly esteem a single command of God.
Now will this gentleman, and others who are like him, be benefited by a few passages of Scripture? “Christ was manifested to take away our sins.” 1 John 3:5. “Sin is the transgression of the law.” 1 John 3:4. The law says, “The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God; in it thou shalt not do any work.” Ex. 20:10.
S. D. Adventists endeavor to do and to teach all the other commandments also; Matt. 5:19; and they know very well, as others ought to know, that the blood of Christ will never avail for those who are unwilling to do this. It does not matter how loud the profession, or how zealous a man may be, obedience will be found to be the final test.
A careful reading, and critical examination, of 1 John 2:4, is recommended as an excellent remedy for self-deception, and then, “let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God; for he will abundantly pardon.”
D. H. LAMSON.
Denmark, Europe.
By John Matteson
By a letter from Bro. M. A. Sommer, Denmark, I learn that himself and his friends are much interested in the truth, and have commenced to keep the Sabbath of the Lord. Bro. Sommer has read the Advent Tidende the last two years, as he has exchanged papers with us. He says that he has read it with much pleasure, and circulated it as much as possible among his friends.
M. A. Sommer has in principle mostly been agreed with the “Friends.” They have silent meetings and feel edified by them. He has for the last twenty years labored very actively and unselfishly for the gospel, as far as he has understood it, and is well known all over the kingdom. He has fearlessly attacked the wickedness and wrongs of the government and clergy in public speeches as well as print, for which he has often suffered imprisonment. Several of his friends in this country have embraced the truth.
He publishes a small monthly paper. It has a circulation of four thousand copies; two hundred copies come to America. He says he hopes his paper has helped to prepare the way for the Advent Tidende. This it has done. He asks permission to publish from the Tidende for the past three years as much as he can find room for in his paper. This request we are happy to grant, especially if he will give us due credit.
An editor in Norway, who publishes a religious paper to point out the wrongs in the established church and lead people to a better knowledge of the Bible, has taken several articles from Advent Tidende every month for the last year without permission and without giving credit.
Bro. Sommer has written largely on the second coming of Christ all last year. Himself and friends seem to be believers in the soon coming of our Lord. In the last paper we have received from him he has an article on the Sabbath and acknowledges the divine authority of the fourth commandment. He exhorts the people to throw away the doctrines and commandments of men, and to return to the true worship of God, obeying his commandments.
In his letter he asks to be further informed on all points of our faith, which have not yet been set forth in print, and adds: “It would be very desirable if you could send us some preachers who could proclaim the Advent doctrine and scatter your publications; for here are many believing souls who are ready to receive the message and obey the word of God.”
He states further: “The Baptists in Denmark are greatly stirred concerning the Sabbath. Most of the members are in favor of keeping Sabbath on the seventh day, but the teachers hold back and will not yield to the claims of the truth, for that would separate them from their Baptist brethren in other countries.”
The truth seems to be at work also in Denmark. For this I feel very thankful to the Lord. JOHN MATTESON.
YE DID IT UNTO ME.
By Phoebe Cary
Sinner, careless, proud, and cold,
Straying from the sheltering fold,
Hast thou thought how patiently
The good Shepherd follows thee;
Still with tireless, toiling feet,
Through the tempest and the heat—
Thought upon that yearning breast,
Where he fain would have thee rest,
And of all its tender pain,
While he seeks for thee in vain?
Dost thou know what he must feel,
Making vainly his appeal;
When he knocketh at thy door
Present entrance to implore;
Saying, “*Open unto me,
I will come and sup with thee*”—
Forced to turn away at last
From the portal shut and fast?
Wilt thou careless slumber on,
Even till thy Lord has gone,
Heedless of his high behest,
His desire to be thy guest?
Sinner, though he comes no more
Faint and fasting to thy door,
His disciples here instead,
Thou canst give the cup and bread.
If his lambs thou dost not feed,
He it is that feels their need;
He that suffers their distress,
Hunger, thirst, and weariness;
He that loving them again
Beareth all their bitter pain!
Canst thou then so reckless prove,
Canst thou, darest thou slight his love?
Do not, sinner, for thy sake
Make him still the cross to take,
And ascend again for thee
Dark and dreadful Calvary!
Do not set the crown of pain
On that sacred head again;
Open all afresh and wide
Closed wounds in hands and side.
Do not, do not scorn his name,
Putting him to open shame!
Oh! by all the love he knew
For his followers, dear and true;
By the sacred tears he wept
At the tomb where Lazarus slept;
By Gethsemane’s bitter cry,
That the cup might pass him by;
By that wail of agony,
“Why hast thou forsaken me?”
By that last and heaviest stroke,
When his heart for sinners broke,
Do not let him lose the price
Of his awful sacrifice!
—Phoebe Cary.
Ohio T. & M. State Quarterly Meeting.
By O. Mears; M. E. Underwood
The tenth State quarterly meeting of the Ohio T. & M. Society was held at Clyde, March 28, 1875. Meeting convened at 10:30 A. M. After the usual opening exercises, the report of the last meeting was read and accepted. The report of last quarter showed the following results:—
Increase of membership during quarter, 5; No. of families visited, 218; No. of letters written, 58; No. of new subscribers to our various periodicals, 335; periodicals distributed, 449; publications distributed, pp., 213,688; libraries furnished with bound books, 4.
The financial standing of the Society is as follows:—
Cash on hand at commencement of quarter, $ 338.74
Receipts, 263.56
Total, $ 602.30
Expenses, 325.51
Balance on hand, $ 276.79
The reading of the reports was followed by interesting remarks from O. F. Guilford and others, on the increasing interest of the work, its results in different parts of the world, and the courage which should be inspired in the hearts of those present to act a part in this closing work.
Adjourned to call of President.
O. Mears, Pres.
M. E. Underwood, Sec.
Jackson Co., Mich.
By E. R. Jones
COMMENCED meetings at the Landon school-house, town of Springport, Jan. 6, and continued them till March 14, with the exception of Feb. 27, when I met with the friends at Athens, and March 6, when I was snow bound at home. The greatest hindrance to our meetings was the weather, which was said to be the severest ever known in Michigan. At times the roads were impassable from drifted snow.
The congregations numbered from five to two hundred. Gave fifty-seven discourses, and seven or eight have fully decided to be of those who keep the commandments of God and faith of Jesus.
So far as human agency is concerned, what little was accomplished is to be attributed principally to the efforts of the family of Bro. Bramhall, who spared no pains to make these meetings a success.
E. R. JONES.
Yellow Springs, Ohio.
By Isaac H. Moser
Through the goodness of God we reached out for the truth when it was presented to us here at this place by A. O. Burrill and Wm. Cottrell about five years since; as we believed them to be men providentially sent out to sow the good seed of the third angel’s message. But we regret that some fell by the way side and it was trodden down and the fowls of the air devoured it. And some fell upon a rock, and as soon as it was sprung up it withered away, because it lacked moisture. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprung up with it and choked it.
But we thank the Lord for the hope that some fell on good ground, and will bring forth some thirty, some sixty, and some an hundred fold.
There are nine adults here, besides children, who are trying to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, that we may have a right to the tree of life and enter in through the gates into the city. We are trying to be some part of the light of the world, that others may see the light of the third message and accept of it.
We want our neighbors, our friends, our children, and all who will, to go with us to the promised land. We feel lonely without a preacher, but we will not covet to have preaching here, since it is needed elsewhere so greatly. Pray for us that we may not be all tares at the great harvest of the earth. We hope that there will be some wheat here when Jesus comes to thoroughly purge his floor and gather the wheat into the garner.
ISAAC H. MOSER.
Central Iowa.
By G. V. Kilgore; O. M. Millard
COMMENCED meetings at the school-house in Haines Grove, March 4, and continued most of the time for five weeks. The Lord blessed the word spoken, and last Sabbath nine covenanted to keep all the commandments of God. Others are interested, and are investigating. We hope they will yet become convinced of the truth.
Received $17 on book sales and subscriptions for periodicals. This place is about nine miles east of the State Centre church, and some of the brethren from that church will meet with these friends for a few Sabbaths.
G. V. KILGORE,
O. M. MILLARD.
State Centre, Iowa, April 12, 1875.
The Power of God.
By J. O. Corliss
God not only reveals his love in the salvation of man, but his power also; and this power, like his love, is manifested through the gospel. After man had forfeited by disobedience all claims to God’s favor, and brought upon himself the displeasure of Heaven, which resulted in death, a plan was devised which, if complied with on the part of the transgressor, would restore to him that favor, and thereby save him from the penalty of his broken law. Paul in giving his reason for not being ashamed of the gospel says: “For it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.” Rom. 1:16. He also tells us that the gospel, or remedy for sin, is the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, 1 Cor. 15:1-4; and because he lives, we are assured that if we exercise faith in him we shall live also, by the same power that brought him from the dead.
When the commandments of God are presented as a rule of obedience, whereby to secure these benefits and blessings, the assertion is often made that the governing power is now the law of love; hence the decalogue is no longer to be a standard of holiness.
This idea is taught so assiduously from the desk that it is incorporated into many testimonies at the class-meeting, and the language of the apostle John is quoted with evident pleasure, taking care, however, to emphasize a portion of it as follows: “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren.” 1 John 3:14. At times they are so wrought upon that strength is entirely exhausted and the mind becomes apparently unconscious of all surroundings.
This demonstration is called—“the power” and is so much coveted by many that a short time since in a protracted effort, from evening to evening a vote was taken by the congregation to determine who of their number should receive the “power” the succeeding evening.
There seems to be, however, an inconsistency in the use of the above text to sustain their position; not that the scripture itself is wrong, for that is the word of inspiration; but evidently the mistake is on the part of those who use it, since others are not granted the same privilege with themselves. Their love for the brethren many times extends just far enough to include those who belong to the same sect, while all others are excluded, and this is considered sufficient evidence of transition from death to life.
But should a Universalist make the same claim, it would be ignored. Why? Do they love each other less fervently? So far as outward appearances show, they do not. Do they attend upon a place of worship as regularly? Yes. Do not they enjoy the society of their brethren at the hour of worship? Apparently they do. May not these, then, use this text with equal propriety?
Take the spiritualists. Certainly it cannot be said they do not love each other, if their own protestations may be believed, neither do they restrict what they define as love to themselves; for they claim that all mankind are one common brotherhood, and there has been a power shown that has fascinated beholders, and often been sufficient to convince them of a supernatural co-operation. May not these also lay claim to a transformation wrought by the power of God agreeably to the above rule?
It may be said that this is a pseudo power and the tendencies of this so-called love, which often leads to the transgression of God’s law, show that it lacks in purity; but by using this standard as a rule, we subject ourselves to the same test, and bring criticism to bear upon our own actions. Now if our course is not in harmony with that law, may it not be said of us also that ours is not sincere love?
The apostle says: “By this we know that we love the children of God when we love God and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God that we keep his commandments, and his commandments are not grievous.” 1 John 5:2, 3.
Yet it is said that these are so grievous and inconvenient to carry out in life that they are even detrimental to our best interests. By reasoning in this manner, one essential fact is lost sight of, that, in the past, God’s power has been interposed directly in men’s interest only where implicit obedience has been rendered, which has ever cost the sacrifice of selfish inclinations and enjoyments, besides bringing upon them the reproaches of the world. The three worthies, when cast into the furnace, were saved from the fiery ordeal because of obedience amidst the most pressing opposition. Peter also was delivered from prison as the result of serving God in preference to his worldly interests. And even Christ pleased not himself, but became obedient to death, that he might be the power of God to those who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit, and thus have the righteousness of the law fulfilled in them; Rom. 8:4; the effect of which will be a hope, like the apostles, of which we will not be ashamed, and an entrance through the gates of the New Jerusalem.