IN some hour of solemn jubilee,
The massy gates of Paradise are thrown
Wide open, and forth come, in fragments wild,
Sweet echoes of unearthly melodies,
And odors snatched from beds of amaranth,
And they that from the crystal river of life
Sprung up on freshened wing, ambrosial gales!
The favored good man in his lonely walk
Perceives them, and his silent spirit drinks
Strange bliss, which he shall recognize in heaven.
COLERIDGE
A traveler, after a long journey when he is weary and faint, and sits down, if he sees the town before him, it puts life into him, and he plucks up his feet and resolves not to be weary till he be at his journey's end. O, look at the crown and white robe set before you, and faint if you can: get on the top of Mount Nebo,—look on the land of promise,—those good things set before you; taste the grapes of Canaan before you come to Canaan. NALTON.
All superior minds are enterprising. They are marked by an activity which conceives and attempts greater things than the surrounding multitudes. Their spheres of effort may be various, their powers unlike, their measures of success very diverse, yet all minds which impress themselves upon others, and accomplish much for good or evil, are characterized by a forth-putting energy and courage. Little souls are timorous. They venture nothing; they do not aspire; they do not grow! for they shrink within themselves, listless and inactive.
Among those sent from Kadesh Barnea to explore the land of promise, were Caleb and Joshua, men of true enterprise, and their subsequent career showed them possessed of a persevering and sanctified energy. They never lost the impressions of their visit to the goodly land; the beauty of its prospects, and the security of the covenant of Jehovah's pledge of possession to them. "And they came unto the brook Eschol, and cut down from thence a branch with one cluster of grapes, and they bore it between two upon a staff; and they brought of the pomegranates and of the figs; and they said, We came unto the land, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it." Are not we in the wilderness? is not Canaan before us? are not clusters of Eschol presented to us? Shall we not taste of the same and quicken our steps toward the Better Land?
Older and discerning Christians remark an unusual spirit of worldliness in the churches. It is feared by judicious fathers and mothers in Israel as well as by younger Calebs and Joshuas, that there are tokens of defection; evidences of a desire to return to Egypt; and that idolatry, in the form of covetousness, is stealing upon the hearts of the people of God. Well may they tremble for the sacramental host when they find Aaron sanctioning the dance around some golden calf, and witness such ingratitude for deliverance, such readiness in yielding to the seductions of neighboring idolaters; when they hear, too, such complaints of the weariness of the way, and the absence of Egyptian luxuries; and behold such reluctance to go forward at God's command, and take possession of the promised land. Strange it is and deplorable, that fugitives, under the sanction of God's own right arm, should sigh for a return to bondage and darkness!
The worldly spirit deals with things present. It is not far-reaching or far-sighted, but its range is bounded by the horizon of time. It has no wings; it is of the earth, earthy. Whence comes the manna? why gushes water from the rock? whither guides the pillar of cloud and of fire?—are questions it never asks. It knows not how to soar; how to anticipate and trust; how to see him who is invisible, and to repose under the shadow of his wings unmindful of the wilderness, and unalarmed by foes.
But the heavenly-minded man walks by faith,—that faith which is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. And, among the great varieties which hold possession of his soul, no one has a firmer lodgment than that of the saint's everlasting rest. All the circumstances of his present journey, all his remembrances, point to a Better Land, that is a heavenly. But most of all, the word of the Lord hath settled it. Did he not swear unto Abraham, "I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession?" In the horror of great darkness that fell upon him, did not a smoking furnace and a burning lamp pass between the cloven pieces, to ratify the covenant?
"Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying, in David, To-day, if ye will hear his voice harden not your hearts. For if Joshua had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. There remaineth, therefore a rest to the people of God." O, yes, in every assurance of the covenant-keeping Jehovah; in every believing aspiration of patriarchs and prophets; in every mystery and miracle from Messiah's incarnation to his ascension; in every teaching and motion of the Holy Spirit, in his word and in the souls of the sanctified on earth, there is a pledge of Canaan to come. The spiritually-minded know this. They know that if they are Christ's, then are they Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. Heaven is to them no mere poetic sentiment; no speculative conjecture, or philosophical deduction; no traditionary record; but an assured certainty. Though not having received the promises, they have seen them afar off. The heavenly-minded man has heavenly things in mind. The objects and occupations of the world above are not mere matters of record in the Bible, themes suggested as his eye lights upon Baxter's Saint's Rest,—interesting subjects upon which he once heard a lecture,—items of pantology, about which he has no doubt, and as little thought; they fill his mind,—they are present to his eye; they are home acquaintances. Fully persuaded of their existence, and expecting presently and personally to enjoy them, he often turns to the directory of Canaan, which inspiration supplies. He passes round by the ascent of Akrabbim, he goes up from Kadesh Barnea, he traverses the valley of Eschol and Jordan, he surveys Carmel and Hermon, and that goodly mountain, Lebanon; he wanders over the clad hills, and among the palm-groves and olive orchards, till he seems naturalized and domesticated there.112
Yet, our conceptions of heaven are modified by our temperament, condition and habits. Robert Hall, a sufferer from the first to the last hour of his pilgrimage, remarked, "My chief conception of heaven is rest." "Mine," replied the amiable Wilberforce, "mine is love—love to God, and love to every bright and happy inhabitant of that glorious place." Both were right, and both will also find, what they likewise knew on earth, that the Lord Jesus Christ is the chief charm and glory of that world. No believer can meditate intelligently, for any length of time, upon heavenly objects, without having his thoughts drawn to the person of the King of kings, and Lord of lords. He it was who came down from heaven. He it is whom God raised from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: and hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all." He, the way, the truth and the life—He, the Alpha and Omega of all gracious manifestations, and all sanctified aspirations—the bond, the harmonizer of eternity and time, of the infinite and the finite, of the divine and the human—he, in every believer the hope of glory, must, to all saints, seem the chiefest among ten thousand, the one altogether lovely. "Blessed," do they cry, "blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus."
"I in them, and they in me!" O, the mystery of that mutual indwelling! "I will dwell in them." O, the condescension of Immanuel, to convert a child of the dust into a temple for himself; to come and sojourn, ay, be a tent companion with him! "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any man will hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." And when Christ comes he always brings heaven with him. Whoever sups with him feeds upon hidden manna, the true bread which cometh down from heaven. But, to commune thus with Christ, to call him elder brother, to find he is not ashamed to call us brethren, is not that to be heavenly minded? It is heaven in the heart; it is glory begun; it is salvation anticipated. "Whom, having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable, and full of glory; receiving the end of your faith even the salvation of your souls."
Others are "of the world;" they think of the world, speak of the world, live for the world; whose minds the god of this world hath blinded. True, in the midst of this intense worldliness, there may be abundant discourse, poetic or speculative, about heaven, which, at best, has only an aesthetic influence, and has nothing to do with sanctification. But that occupation with celestial themes, which the Holy Spirit fosters, has a mighty assimilating power. By it the soul is elevated and ennobled. Its field and its powers of vision are enlarged, and the relative proportions and value of things seen and unseen are more clearly appreciated, and practically felt.
Worldly-minded men are like common pendulums, that feel every disturbing influence; the heavenly-minded man is like that of Foucault; though connected with the earth, and moving with it, still it keeps faithfully and majestically to its own independent plane of vibration, while surrounding objects rotate continually. Yea, more:
"His hand the good man fastens on the skies.
Bids earth roll, nor feels her idle whirl."—Selected.
S. P. FRENCH
By S. P. French
From Bro. French.
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—I am still interested in the present truths of the third angel's message. I believe it to be the last message of mercy to a fallen and guilty world; yet I rejoice that Jesus loves and smiles on those that love him, and keep the Father's commandments.
The Review comes to us a welcome messenger. We read it with pleasure, and love the truths it contains. We believe that Christ's coming is near, even at the doors.
S. P. FRENCH
Nov. 4th, 1854.
FOREIGN NEWS.
There is nothing very definite from the Crimea. The allies were to begin the siege at all points on the 10th or 12th inst. Nevertheless, speculators were busy in circulating a report that the place had already fallen.
THE WAR.—The latest official dispatch is of date no later than October 3d, and is from General Canrobert to the French Minister of War. No fresh military operation had been effected since the taking possession of Balaklava. The two armies (French and English) were established in an excellent military position, the English drawing its materiel and provisions from Balaklava, and the French, from two small bays to the North of Cape Chersonesus. The position of the two armies had naturally determined their mode of distribution on the ground before Sevastopol. The French will have the left of the attack, from the sea to the southern fort; and the English will take the right from the southern fort to the ruins of Inkermann. The French army is divided into two corps—the first under Gen. Forey, and composed of the third and fourth divisions, will make the siege; the second under the command of Gen. Bosquet, and comprising the first and second divisions, will form the corps of observation. The Turkish division will be placed in reserve, according to circumstances. Similar arrangements have been made by the English; one portion of their force will assist in the attacks against the place, and the other part, forming a corps of observation, will be united with the corps of Gen. Bosquet. These arrangements (says Gen Canrobert) are of a nature to remove all doubt as to the result of the siege.
The English press unanimously believe that Sevastopol must fall in a few days; but last advices from Constantinople are somewhat gloomy. The Turks, well aware that the expedition to the Crimea was undertaken against the advice of all the Admirals and Generals, with the exception of Marshal St. Arnaud and Sir E. Lyons, entertain strong doubts about the success of the siege.
In Asia the defeats of the Turks, though strategically unimportant, have weakened the prestige of the central power of the Sultan, and robbery and anarchy begin to show themselves every where. Greek freebooters infest the neighborhood of Smyrna, and Turkish robbers disturb the highlands of Armenia. Several French officers are said to have been murdered on their way to the Turkish army, and the army itself is demoralized by the frequent changes of commanders.
COMMUNICATIONS.
By Jno. Whitenack
From Bro. Whitenack.
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—Next to seeing friends is to hear from them; and as I hear from those I love, through the Review, I thought I would write and acknowledge my gratitude to God for the privilege I have in reading it. It is food to the hungry soul and comfort to the lonely pilgrim, in this dark world, where sin much abounds, and the love of many is grown cold.
I feel that it is by the grace of God that I am permitted to be numbered with those who are trying to keep the commandments of God. I hope that I may be accounted worthy to enter in through the gates into the city, and have right to the tree of life. I realize that the time is soon coming that we are to be tried. I am led to exclaim, Lord save, or I perish. Save, or I die. I praise God for the encouragement I receive from his blessed word. Cast not away your confidence which hath great recompense of reward, and fear not little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
I am your brother in affliction, hoping for deliverance and eternal life when Jesus comes.
JNO. WHITENACK.
WM. HARRIS
By William Harris
From Bro. Harris.
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—More than a year has passed since we have met with the saints in meeting, yet we have not forgotten altogether those who are struggling to overcome and keep the commandments of God, while I read the trials of others, while struggling here I can in some measure sympathize with them. Oh! if it was not for hope the heart would break. I hope for better times. When I look at the troubles and trials we have to pass through, I am almost ready to sink; but when I look into the Bible and see what God has promised to them that hold out to the end, and then see what Jesus has suffered for us I can exclaim, Lord help me to bear with patience, and live a meek and humble follower of Jesus.
I have been in the Advent, or in other words a firm believer in the Advent, since 1843, and some six or seven years I have been a believer in the Sabbath of the Bible; and the more I study and peruse the Word, the more I am convinced of its sacred truths.
Brethren I want to look forward and not back. When I look back, all is darkness; but when I look forward sometimes it seems as though I could see all the way through into the city. Brethren we have nothing to fear, if we live as we should, and keep the commandments of God, although the nations are getting angry, sword, famine and pestilence are in the land, and men's hearts are failing them for fear and for looking after those things that are coming on the Earth.
See the promises to the remnant by the mouth of David. Ps. xci. Here God promises to protect them in the time of trouble.
My determination is to press on, God being my helper.
WM. HARRIS
Nov. 5th, 1854.
MARTHA M. KIMBLE
By Martha M. Kimble
From Sister Kimble.
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—I would like to write a few lines of encouragement to the brethren and sisters in the Lord. I praise the Lord for the Spirit and power of the third angel's message. O, who would not live for God and have an inheritance in that glorious city.
The little church in Catlin are striving to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, and to be all of one spirit and of one mind. The time has come when we should have on the whole armor, and have our loins girt about with truth; for Satan is trying to cause division amongst us. May the Lord help us to be on our guard and have pure love one for another; for the time has come for the message to go with a loud voice and Satan knows it. He will stop its progress, if he can. My prayer is that we may be as wise as serpents and harmless as doves; be dead to the world and alive to Christ; live a self-denying life; do all we can to sustain the suffering cause of our blessed Lord. If we would reign with him we must also suffer with him; then we have the promise of a home in that blessed new earth where all will be peace and gladness of heart; where God will wipe away all tears from our eyes. "There shall be no more death neither sorrow nor crying neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things have passed away."
"Then o'er the bright fields we shall roam,
In glory celestial and fair,
With saints and with angels at home,
And Jesus himself will be there."
Your unworthy sister in Christ.
MARTHA M. KIMBLE
Oct. 28th, 1854.
C. S. GLOVER
By C. S. Glover
From Bro. Glover.
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—A few names of us are still trying to live up to the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Although the wolves have been among us and have divided the flock; those that are left still continue to assemble themselves together and the Lord evidently verifies his promise to us by meeting with us, and that to bless. I feel that the Lord is better pleased where a few meet to worship him, and are united, than where many meet and disunion, envy and strife are found. Perhaps you think we are all becoming discouraged; but this is not the case. God will have a pure people, and he will not suffer his children to become discouraged and disheartened so long as they keep on the whole armor and let not go the arm of the Lord. I feel to praise his name that he has kept me thus far. Although the weakest of all, my trust is in him. He will keep me if I remain firm on the rock Christ Jesus.
C. S. GLOVER
Sylvan, Mich., Nov. 8th, 1854.
Worthy of Imitation.
By Editor
THE following from an unknown "lover of truth," is gratefully received in this our time of need. The post mark of the letter is so imperfect that we cannot ascertain even the State it came from. This act is certainly worthy of imitation, more or less, by all "lovers of truth," who wish to see the light of truth shining forth to the world.
"Dear Bro. White:—Will you please to dispose of the enclosed $20,00 in the following manner: The Review & Herald $5,00; the Tract Fund $5,00; for the distribution of Tracts and papers among the poor, $5,00; the remaining $5,00 forward to Bro. J. N. Andrews. A Lover of Truth."
Two Recommended Tracts
By Editor
"THE STATE OF THE DEAD. By John Milton, author of Paradise Lost." The chapters in Milton's prose works on this subject have been printed in a Tract of 24 pp., by H. L. Hastings, Peace Dale, R. I. Price $3 per 100.
"THE THREE WORLDS; or, EARTH'S PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE." This is a Tract of 24 pp., published by H. L. Hastings, Peace Dale, R. I. We have read the work, and consider it excellent. Price $3 per 100. We design publishing it entire, but have space in this week's REVIEW for only a part.
To Correspondents.
By Editor
J. H. WAGGONER — We sent books on the “Law of God,” 50 to your address, 50 to C. W. Stanly, Baraboo, 25 to W. Lee, Rosendale, and 5 to W. H. Rapp, Markesan; and if a box of books is not soon ordered for your part of the State, we will send the same amount again to the same persons.
J. M STEPHENSON.—Sent you 2 letters to Hebron, Bark River, care of H Myers.
L. M. MORTON —The book (Bible vs. Tradition) was sent Oct. 17th, as you directed.
D DANIELS.—The $2, not received. We will send the REVIEW.
Books Sent.
By Editor
Geo. Smith, (a box) Norwalk, Ohio, Nov. 1st.—Money received
Henry Lyon, (a box,) Battle Creek, Oct 19th.
R. F. Cottrell, (a box,) Wende Station, Nov. 10th
E. Everts, (a bundle by Express for Brn. Sperry and Hutchins,) Vergennes
W. Fisher, (by mail) Lodi, Nov. 13th.
Tract Fund Report.
By Editor
Amount Previous to recent Donations $211.00.
Recent Donations 60.94.
Total. $271.94.
Books delivered to Henry Lyon, $5.00.
“ “ “ J. N. Loughborough, 3.00.
“ “ “ Joseph Bates, 4.00.
“ “ “ R. F. Cottrell, 5.00.
“ “ “ Hutchins & Sperry, 10.00.
Total. $27.00.
Amount on hand, $244.94.
Our present circulation costs $60 per week, or $3125, per year. Those wishing to ascertain the condition of the Office in regard to means, may compare the receipts with the above.
Letters.
C. S. Glover, W. Fisher, P. Grandy, T. Knight, Geo. Smith, R. Cummings, N. A. Gale, J. Lindsey, D. Daniels, H. L. Hastings.
Receipts.
E. Boutelle, Wm. Harris, C. Baily, A. Lee, D. Sherwood, O. Holcomb, A. P. H. Kelsey, A. W. Kelsey, I. R. Trembly, J. Simpson, Wm. Travis, S. Benson, L. Bailey, H. Childs, (should have been receipted in No. 1,) S. B. McLaughlin, Wm. Steer, M. Nichols, (should have been receipted in No 4,) M. Bartlett, Wm. Harrison, W. McLenerthan, R. Loveland, W. Peck, J. Griswold, each $1. A Lover of Truth, $5.
To send the Review to the Lord's Poor.
By Editor
C. Bailey, A. Lee, I. R. Trembly, J. Griswold, each $1, A Friend $2. I. Abby $12. W. McLenerthan, W. Peck, G. Ferry, each $0,50. O. Holcomb, R. Loveland, each $0,25.
For Books to be sent to Wisconsin
G. Ferry, each $0.50. O. Holcomb, R. Loveland, each $0.25.
For Books to be sent to Wisconsin.
P. G. Pitts, H. Child, each $1. A Friend $3.
For The Tract Fund.
P. G. Pitts, H. Child, each $1. A Friend $3.
A. P. H. Kelsey, S. Childs, each $1. H. Childs, R. Smulley, each $2. J. M. Lowry $3. S. Benson $4. E. P. Below, a Lover of Truth, each $5. Wm. Harris $0.69.