Review and Herald, Vol. 8, No. 11.
Christianity Requireth a Renunciation of the World, and All Worldly TempersPage 1
Earlier text: Christianity Requireth a Renunciation of the World, and All Worldly TempersYE ARE NOT OF THIS WORLD.
By Editor
This declaration of our Saviour to his disciples is now beginning to be more fully illustrated in the excitement and agitation which is at the present time pervading this nation. People may wonder that we take so little interest in, or rather that we manifest no desire to take part in, the great excitements and political contests of the day. But the motives by which we are actuated may be easily told. He whom we have acknowledged to be our Lord and Master, and whom we are willing to have "reign over us," has declared that his kingdom is not of this world. Following in his footsteps, looking to those mansions which he has gone away to prepare for us, and waiting the time when the kingdom and dominion under the whole heaven shall be given to the saints of the Most High, we confess ourselves pilgrims and strangers on the earth. Suppose we were the soldiers of some earthly monarch, and were marching through an enemy's land to our own kingdom; would it be right in us to halt by the way, and engage ourselves in the peculiar questions which might concern the country through which we were passing? Ought we to connect ourselves with them, and locate our treasures in their territory? When we should do this, would we not be traitors rather than true and loyal soldiers? So it is with us. Though in a spiritual sense, our warfare, our pilgrimage, our march through an enemy's land, is none the less real. Political parties are raging, the public mind is in a state of feverish excitement, and political demagogues are stretching every nerve, each to secure the success of his own party, and the election of the rulers of his own choice; but we care not to engage in any of these questions; for our ruler is already chosen, and his inauguration-day is fast approaching. The political parties of the earth are each liable to see their hopes defeated, and their expectations disappointed. But we are liable to no such casualty. There is no possibility of his being defeated who is soon to reign over us. No councils of men can thwart the decrees of the Almighty. But, says one, have you then no sympathy for the rights of justice and humanity? nor for the downtrodden and the oppressed? nor for the claims of right over those of wrong? To be sure we have; but how are these evils to be remedied? Neither John C. Freemont nor James Buchanan can remedy the injustice, the deceit, the oppression, the sin and suffering even of one portion of this Union, nor of one State, nor of one County, nor of one Town, nor of one District. So long as sin is in the world it will bring forth its fruit; it will prompt men still to do deeds of villainy and guilt. But when our King cometh he will remedy all these, and more than these. When his dominion shall be established "from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth," not one portion of the earth merely will be ruled in equity and righteousness, but it will all be so. All wrong shall be righted, all oppression made to cease, all sin destroyed, all suffering relieved, all death be banished, all tears be wiped from every eye, all the curse be removed, all the earth be renewed, all happiness be restored to man, all his subjects be made immortal, and crowned with everlasting joy. Till this time comes earth will never behold that state of peace and happiness and prosperity which men would fain witness. A lifeless church with all its formal efforts to convert the world, is making no advance towards it. It cannot be accomplished by raising any artful demagogue to the summit of political power. It can only be accomplished by Him who "was manifested that he might destroy the works of the Devil." Therefore in him our hope is centered. We shall point others to him as the only source from which help may be expected. We shall endeavor to serve him as loyal subjects, and be prepared for his appearing and kingdom. Is Satan divided against Himself?
By Editor
"The lamp of science has cast a broad, clear light: ghosts and goblins, fairies and mermaids, loving darkness rather than light, have receded before its beams. But we find the ejected legion ensconced in a dark room under a table, not under a bed or bushel. From this table come responses, raps, voices, revelations, communications, demonstrations, &c. Pluto uncaps his Hades and spirits no longer in prison come forth testifying to their existence, knowledge and power. They annihilate the doctrine, 'Death an eternal sleep,' and veto the dogma of the Millerite creed that the soul dies with the body. Satan is divided against himself—Spiritualism versus Millerism." The above is copied by the Advent Herald from the Hartford Religious Herald of May 15th, to which it replies that it is not true that Mr. Miller ever entertained the view above imputed to him, and that no one who holds to "Millerism" in all things, entertains it, and no one holds it who does not dissent from Mr. Miller and Millerism in that particular. We would inquire of the Advent Herald who at the present time entertains the views of Wm. Miller "in all things?" Does the Herald profess to? We can show from its own testimony, that it has from time to time given up and denied some of the fundamental principles on which Mr. Miller's theory was based. But Mr. Miller entertained no peculiar views in regard to the state of the dead. His belief on this point was the general belief of the day; and therefore to correct an erroneous belief here, is not half so great a departure from Millerism as to yield some of the main points on which his system was based. Again, we do not understand the genius of Millerism, if by it we are to be confined to the views of Wm. Miller on all minor points, and in every particular, or if we are to be excluded by it from the reception of any newly developed truth, so that the path of the just may not be as "a shining light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day." We claim to be the true adherents to the principles of interpretation set forth by Wm. Miller. Further experience, and more study has thrown new light upon our pathway and brought out new treasures for us from the great storehouse of wisdom; but we surrender no truth of the past. The Herald has thrown no new light upon our present position, or the events of the future, but has been giving up the past. Who here has departed most from "Millerism"?85It is not to be wondered at that the world should connect the belief of unconsciousness in death with Adventists; since so large a majority of those who profess to be such, entertain it; and the Herald must be aware that a portion at least of its own readers are firm in this belief. It seems difficult for people to understand, or at least to correctly represent, our position. They can hardly speak of us without branding us with that motto which was adopted some more than a half a century ago in the cemeteries of Infidel France—"Death an Eternal Sleep." We entertain no sympathy for such a theory. The Religious Herald admits that the agencies now at work in raps and revelations, emanate from Satan. It is the professed object of these spirits to convince the skeptic of the immortality of the soul. Now do the Religious and Advent Heralds realize that they are being taught this doctrine from the very lips of Satan and his legions? and are they willing to receive instruction from such a source? If the doctrine of the mortality of man, is to be called, Millerism, the matter stands most emphatically, Spiritualism vs. Millerism. But it is admitted that Spiritualism is of the Devil; therefore Millerism cannot be; for Satan is not divided against himself. It is no evidence that a doctrine is erroneous, because it is contradicted by the Devil. The "Sunday Bands" have been stopped by Lord Palmerston, ostensibly in compliance with a strong letter written to him on the subject by the Archbishop of Canterbury; but really, so they say, because the Scotch members threatened to abandon him, if he did not put an end to an innovation so utterly obnoxious to Presbyterian Scotland. Lord Palmerston, while yielding, however, keeps one foot on the other side of the fence, by declaring that it is against the convictions of his own judgment. There is great rejoicing among all the friends of the "English Sunday," on account of this result. CAN any of us ask this question in sincerity? Are we conscious of no lack? Perhaps we can say in truth that we have followed in theory all the light that has been given; that we believe all the truth that has been shown; but after we have said this, can we honestly ask, "What lack I yet?" The young man who came to Jesus, had kept all the commandments from his youth up; doubtless he felt very well satisfied with his moral attainments; but when he asked the Saviour the above question he received an answer that sent him away sorrowful. We remember that there is a practical part as well as a theory to all truth, and that it is possible for us to come short in this. Doubtless we are all very well satisfied with our theory. The Bible is rendered harmonious; the truth is plain and consistent; this we all believe, and perhaps we are in danger of priding ourselves on the clear chain of Bible truth that can be presented. But when we come to the every day work of living out these truths before the world; of letting our light shine before men, can we see no lack? Let us test ourselves by the Bible pattern of a Christian. "If thou wilt be perfect," said Jesus to the young man. With the Bible we are to be thoroughly furnished unto all good works. And when all the members of the church can bow before the throne of Him who knoweth the secrets of all hearts, and ask sincerely, What lack I yet? we may expect that there will be no lack of the Spirit of God among his people. "Knowledge shall be increased."
"But thou O Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, even to the time of the end : many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased." Dan. xii, 4. Who, when he looks over the present age of Railroads, Steamboats, Printing Presses, and Magnetic Telegraphs, can doubt that we are now in the "time of the end," and that the above prophecy is having its fulfillment. The following testimony on one item of modern improvement is to the point: "In the year 1272, the wages of a laboring man were just three half pence per day; and at the same period the price of a Bible fairly written out was £30 sterling. Of course, a common laborer in those days could not have procured a copy of the Bible with less than the entire earnings of thirteen years! Now a beautiful printed copy of the same book can be purchased with the earnings of one day! "Take another view of the same subject. An ordinary clerk cannot make a fair manuscript copy of the Bible in less than three months. With a common printing-press, work equivalent to printing a copy of the whole Bible can be done in ten minutes; and with a steam-press of the most improved construction, the same work can be done in one minute. "Christian reader, why was it that God, in his providence, reserved the discovery of the art of printing till the age of the Reformation? and why is it that even the power of the press has been multiplied threefold in the age of Bible and Tract Societies? Is it not that his people may at once proclaim the message of his love to all who know it not? Woe be to us, if, with such a power placed in our hands, we fail to improve it." WILL HE BE A WELCOME VISITOR?
By John Harvey Kellogg
"And unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin, unto salvation." Heb. ix, 28. Here we see a promise that the Saviour is to make a visit to this earth for the salvation of those that look for him. Will he be a welcome visitor to you? How will you receive him? Will it be with joy or with grief? Look at the Jews: they expected the Messiah, and yet when he came they rejected him. This was because his works were good, and theirs were evil. They were deceived: they looked for a Saviour, but not for Jesus: they looked for a personage that would manifest a character like themselves: they were wicked; and because Jesus did not justify them in their wickedness, they rejected him. How is it with you? Perhaps you think that the coming of the Saviour is near, but do you feel in your souls that you are ready to leave the things that you enjoy here, and receive him with joy? or is there a desire to enjoy the good things of this life awhile longer? a putting far away the coming of the Lord? My brethren and sisters, beware, O beware; for these things will drown men in perdition. Is there a desire to appear better before the world than what you really are? O be not deceived, but know that the humble follower of Christ always manifests his true character. There is no hypocrisy with him; he walks under no false garb. Perhaps your heart is filled with pride of appearance, pride of dress; if so, you are not looking for the coming of Jesus, but you are looking at yourself; all swallowed up in self instead of the truth of God; building up yourself instead of advancing the cause of truth; and instead of leading your brethren and sisters to Christ by a holy life and godly conversation, you by your example deny the truth, make a lie of your profession, and those that you might help you lead away from the Lord. With such a character as this, how will you receive the Saviour? Will he be a welcome visitor to you? Can you say, "Lo this is our God, we have waited for him, and he will save us?" My brethren and sisters, it is close work. Let us look well at the steps we take, and be not deceived. If we are looking for any one, our life will tell who it is; our character will show our idea of the character of him for whom we are looking. Who is it that we are looking for? Is it for the babe of Bethlehem? him who was cradled in a manger? If so, look at his humility. Is it for the man of sorrows? the man acquainted with grief? If so, think what he suffered for us. Is it for the man that wore a plain, seamless coat? Then remember that there was no pride there. If this is the person that we are looking for, we shall imitate his example. His character will be seen in our life all the way through. We read in 1 John iii, 2, 3, "But we know that when He shall appear we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself even as he is pure." Are we purifying ourselves? Are we daily getting the victory over sin, self, and temptation? Are we getting meek and humble? Are our actions an imitation of the lovely Jesus? Are we holy in all manner of conversation? Is our mind drawn out after the truth of God, and is our heart filled with his love? Are we doing all we can to have the truth we profess, understood and practiced by those around us? Finally, is our example one that in every respect is worthy of imitation? If so, then we can truly welcome the Saviour at his coming. Then we can say with joy, Lo this is our God, we have waited for him and he will save us. Battle Creek, July 6th, 1856. INTELLECTUAL INDEPENDENCE.
WE regret to say that there are but few, comparatively, who are independent in their thoughts. That class who make it a virtue to differ with every one else, are the slaves of caprice and vanity, instead of intellectual freemen. True intellectual independence no more disregards historic facts, scientific truths, and reason's gems, than political liberty defies law, order, and justice. Children generally regard the opinions and theories of their parents as being as precious as their birthrights. It is true that the opinions of the aged, experienced and wise, should have their proper influence; but is it proper that intellectual identity should be given up? To the Great Teacher, we are responsible for our faith and opinions. Can we transfer those responsibilities to another, or must we stand for ourselves, approved or condemned? How can we determine how we would have others do unto us, and the consequent duties which we owe to them, unless we think for ourselves. Intellectual slavery prevents the free exercise of the intellect, and of course, the mental improvement resulting from such exercise. Another evil resulting from this mental servitude is, that it regards hoary headed doctrines, however erroneous, and long established usages, laws, and institutions, however bad, as sacred relics of the past; not to be changed or even questioned. By it demagogues control parties, and lead them to the support of measures inexpedient, or positively wrong. It forbids the Bible to the common people, or imposes the opinions of councils, priests, doctors, or reverends, on them, as possessing almost if not equal claims on their minds and consciences. The reverend divine stands before the people and saith, "thus meaneth the Lord," and they answer, yea. The son believes what the father does, the father believes what his pastor does and the pastor has made it his business for years to believe what the fathers thought the apostles believed. When this tyranny enters the moral world, it exalts human notions and human laws above divine authority and divine law. It suppresses the verdict of reason, and stifles the convictions of conscience. How ignoble it is to yield to slavery, that intellect which kind heaven gave thee to improve. Let us listen to advice, revere the opinions of the wise, examine evidence, keep both ears wide open to the voice of reason, and carefully avoid a stubborn spirit; and yet be independent. Let us examine the ground on which we stand, even if it hath the land marks of the fathers upon it. Give us a little originality of thought, shake off the yoke of mental bondage, and be a man—an intelligent thinking man. You owe this to yourself, to the author of your being, and to the cause of mental progress, and mental liberty—Chris. Tel. Fourth of March.—Why Selected.
By Rural New Yorker
Do our readers generally know the reason why the Fourth of March was chosen as the day for the inauguration of the President of the United States? It was selected because the Fourth of March in every year, commencing from the first inauguration, cannot come on a Sunday for at least three hundred years. This fact shows the great regard which the framers of our Government had for the Sabbath.—Rural New Yorker. Charity and Self-Publication
By Hutton
That charity which longs to publish itself, ceases to be charity.—Hutton. CHURCH ORDER.
By J. B. Frisbie
Rom. xiii, 1-10. Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God; the powers that be, are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God; and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: for he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience' sake. For, for this cause pay ye tribute also; for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor. Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. 2 Cor. xii, 20, 21; xiii, 1, 2. For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strife, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults: and lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness, and fornication, and lasciviousness, which they have committed. This is the third time I am coming to you: in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established. I told you before, and foretell you, as if I were present, the second time; and being absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned, and to all other, that, if I come again, I will not spare. 1 Cor. v; vi, 1-11. "It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife. And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, to deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us; therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. I wrote unto you in an epistle, not to company with fornicators: yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters: for then must ye needs go out of the world. But now have I written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner: with such a one no not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
"Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more, things that pertain to this life? If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church. I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren? But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers. Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded? Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren. Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." The higher power is God's power. The powers that be ordained of God are God's ministers who bear rule in the church by the authority of God's law; who bear the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God, a "revenger of all disobedience," according to law in the mouth of two or three witnesses. Paul says, "I have judged already"—when ye are gathered together—deliver such an one to Satan. Therefore put away from yourselves that wicked person. Then he condemns the idea of brethren going to law to settle their difficulties before the unjust. But that all matters of differences should be brought before one in the church competent to judge, or before the church or saints, or before the ministers of God who bear the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God, and should be ready on all points to give the Bible testimony. 2 Thess. iii, 1-6, 11-15. Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified even as it is with you: and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for all men have not faith. But the Lord is faithful, who shall establish you and keep you from evil. And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you. And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ. Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work and eat their own bread. But ye, brethren, be not weary in well-doing. And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. It is the duty of the church then to obey and to execute discipline in all cases according to the word. It is further the duty of the church to pray for their ministers. Eph. vi, 19; Col. iv, 3; 1 Thess. v, 25. In all these places the apostle makes request for the prayers of the brethren, that he might be assisted of God to preach the word, &c. Why not now just as important as ever? Then, brethren, pray often for the messengers of the Lord. In the close of this lengthy article we will notice one more point with extreme caution. That is, giving and receiving. Hirelings work for wages. But God's ministers work for God, and not for wages in this world. A number who have labored in the Office, and in the wide-spread harvest field, have already fallen victims to disease and death. Theirs is a life of toil, care, anxiety, deprivations, that we fear sometimes the brethren do not realize in its proper light. We all give our time, believing with all our hearts that this is the Lord's work, the Third Angel's Message, the last message to this fallen world. And ere long the plagues of God are to fall on the guilty heads of the wicked, and sweep them all away with the besom of destruction. And then what will houses and lands be worth? And Israel can never be gathered unless the church obeys Luke xii, 29-36: And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after; and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added unto you. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell that ye have, and give alms: provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. And even so hath the Lord ordained, that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. 1 Cor. ix, 14. Those who spend all their time in spreading the truth, and many having little or no means of their own, must look to the church to have their expenses borne, or they must be under the necessity of laboring in some other employment. Is it not the duty of the church to see to this, and make some inquiries after these matters? The Lord Jesus said it was more blessed to give than to receive. Acts xx, 35. "And God loveth a cheerful giver." 2 Cor. ix, 7. We make it understood that this cause is of the Lord, and is to be taken care of by free gifts, free-will offerings; and that the Lord will bless the cheerful giver. What does look worse than duns in a religious paper? And why is it that those who have the Review should be backward to send in the sum of one dollar in six months? It may be thought that the paper is high priced. But look at the original matter in its columns every week, then consider the extra help it needs to prepare and set it up, with those weekly chaff papers whose columns are filled with advertisements and selected matter; papers that we should feel it would be lost time to read. COMMUNICATIONS.
By P. E. Ferrin
"Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another" BRO. SMITH: It seems a long time since I first thought I would write and give in my name as one of the little few who are trying to keep the Commandments of God and to walk in accordance87with his holy, just and good law, throwing aside the traditions of the fathers and the commandments of men. I say it seems a long time, because I have been thirsting for more of the present truth. It is now almost one year since myself and companion embraced present truth and commenced to keep the Sabbath according to the commandment. Since that time I have lived without the Review except a few numbers which I have received from Bro. Palmer and my father-in-law. We feel quite lonely here, being the only ones in this vicinity to my knowledge who keep the Sabbath, and I feel that I have need of the Review and pamphlets to aid me in studying the Bible, in order that I may safely meet those who oppose me in the doctrines that I have embraced, and not bring a reproach upon the glorious cause. Last Winter I visited Bro. Lindsey and Everts of Round Grove, where I attended meeting on the Sabbath with those who could say it was their meat and drink to do their Master’s will. I feel like a pilgrim and stranger in a strange land, yet it is my determination by the grace of God to press my way onward, hoping to enter in through the gates into the city, and drink of the water of the river of life freely. Then shall we see God as he is, and praise him as we ought. DIED May 30th, Hannah L., wife of Bro. Robert Barnes, aged 32 years. By this sudden death Bro. Barnes has lost a true-hearted, christian companion, and the church one of its most devoted, faithful members; one that has honored the cause by consistently keeping the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus. The funeral attendance was very large. After the services, by the side of our much afflicted brother, with the long funeral procession we started with sorrowful hearts for the resting place of our beloved sister. When we arrived at the destined spot, the thought that God's dear saints who have suffered patiently, kept the faith and finished their course, have a safe resting place on this sin cursed earth, where the wicked cease from troubling and the weary are at rest, added joy to our sorrow. While the saints deeply feel their loss, they "sorrow not as others which have no hope." Hartland, Me., June 1856. Opposition for Keeping the Sabbath
By Joseph J. Perkins
BRO. SMITH:—As communications from the brethren and sisters are cheering to us, we will not withhold our mite, hoping it may be beneficial to some in like circumstances. Myself and companion have been for two years past members of the Christian church in Macomb. It has been about one year since we were convinced of the importance of keeping the Sabbath of the Bible. This caused a ruler in the church to be angry with us, and he stated that he would not stand it, and we must leave the church or he would. A church meeting was therefore called to see what could be done; and our pastor proposed that we should dissolve the whole membership which was done by vote, giving each member a letter of commendation "to the church of Christ, greeting." My brethren, we are not at all discouraged by the opposition we meet with; but we are firmer in the present truth. We received Bro. Waggoner's visit with gratitude to God. It was like the coming of Titus to the primitive christians. The lecture he gave us has had a good influence over those who were present; but still we are opposed, not so much by those who make no profession, as by those who make the tallest profession. It does appear that as it was in the days of Sodom and the cities of the plain, so it is in these last days. How was it then? Did not the angels of the Lord smite the Sodomites with blindness both small and great? and is it not plain to every candid observer that blindness, yes gross blindness, is now covering the professed world? The world admit that we are on the eve of important events. Some say the conversion of the world is at hand; others say we are on the eve of a political revolution that is to prepare the people for the reception of the gospel. But one thing is certain: the elements of society, social, moral, political and religious are in motion; and this must increase as we approach the end which is even at the doors. Brethren and sisters, pray for us that our faith fail not, that when He who is our life shall appear, we may appear with him in glory. Yours in love of the present truth.
JOSEPH J. PERKINS.
Macomb Co., Mich., June 28th, 1856. Testimony of Sister Haselton
By Sarah Haselton
BRO. SMITH:—I love to read the testimony of those who are striving to live godly in Christ Jesus, and hoping that it may be for the glory of God, and edifying to those who love him, I would testify of his goodness in revealing to me his truth. My heart is at this moment filled with love and gratitude to that high and holy Being who would thus condescend to reveal to so unworthy a mortal as I, his glorious present truth; and that my heart was ever open to conviction, freed from prejudice, and filled with such love. The Commandments of God and the Testimony of Jesus, O how precious and perfect! That our heavenly Father will help me to keep them is my earnest desire. For about two years I have received a number of tracts and also the Review from Bro. and Sr. Austin. In reading them, and reasoning upon the different theories contained in them, and in searching the scriptures, like king Agrippa, I was almost persuaded to be a Christian. I felt that I could not be a Christian unless I kept the Testimony of Jesus; or a child of God unless I kept his Commandments. It pleased the Lord to send Brn. Hutchins and Sperry this way, and may he reward them for their unwearied labor in proclaiming this truth. While listening to them I was both almost and altogether persuaded to try to be as they were—Bible Christians. I commenced keeping the Sabbath last August; I renounced my pretended or Catholic baptism, (sprinkling in infancy,) and was buried with Christ in baptism. In searching for truth I find that many learned Pagans embraced the Christian faith at an early age. The Gentiles were Pagans, and as the church began to decline and lose that Spirit which would have led them into all truth, they embraced many doctrines of the Pagans. The Pagans worshipped the sun on Sunday, and named the day in honor of it; but professed Christians make other excuses for honoring it, calling it holy, and robbing God of his Sabbath, and calling Sunday the Sabbath or Rest-day of the Lord. The Roman Catholic church has many other heathenish practices: such as sprinkling for baptism; and that man is immortal and goes directly to heaven or hell at death, thereby destroying the Christian's hope in the glories attending the resurrection, and also laying a platform for the Devil to work his wonders and deceptions upon this generation. In 1 Cor. xv, I find that it is not the natural man that hath immortality; yet Paul assures the Romans that by patient continuance in well doing all could obtain immortality and eternal life. The doctrine called the trinity, claiming that God is without form or parts; that the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, the three are one person, is another. Could God be without form or parts when he "spoke unto Moses face to face as a man speaketh unto a friend?" [Ex. xxxiii, 11.] or when the Lord said unto him, Thou canst not see my face; for there shall no man see me and live? And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a cleft of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by; and I will take away my hand and thou shalt see my back parts; but my face shall not be seen. Ex. xxxiii, 20, 22, 23. Christ is the express image of his Father's person. Heb. i, 3. In John xvii, 21, 23, is shown how the Father and Son are one. In Jesus' prayer to his Father (not to himself) he prayed for them that should believe: that they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us; and the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one; I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one, &c. The errors mentioned above are not only the doctrines of the Roman Catholic church, but the Protestant churches are poisoned with the bane of the mother church. I know it is hard for people to get rid of opinions formed from traditions of men, handed down through many generations; but we must get rid of them if we would be prepared to meet the Lord. I am striving to be prepared, and hope I shall soon be able to say, as Paul did to Timothy, I have fought a good fight; I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord the righteous Judge shall give me at that day, and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. Will those love his appearing that knowingly keep the traditions of the elders instead of the Commandments of God? I fear not. But the Lord will have a people prepared to meet him, who love his appearing; and who have waited for him. May I be one of that number.