p. 78 | Review and Herald, Vol. 15, No. 10. (1/26/1860)

LETTER FROM BRO. BATES.

By Joseph Bates

Bro. Smith: I have been with the churches in Allegan and Otsego the two Sabbaths in this month. The trials they have experienced with some of their number who were unwilling to be squared by the divine testimony, has borne heavily upon them. But, thanks to the Lord, they are moving onward again with their faces Zionward, striving to enter into the strait gate.

There is a man by the name of Cranmer, whose home is near Galesburgh, Mich., who has been endeavoring to stir up the people in this region by preaching the second advent of the Saviour, and that the seventh day is the Sabbath. And when asked who is engaged with him in this work of reform, he replies that "we (himself and followers) believe and teach the same as the Battle Creek church, except the visions of Mrs. White, and a part of the midnight cry, and some of the work in the Sanctuary." All of which is in agreement with the "Messenger" party who came up here a few years ago and suddenly scattered, divided, and were cut off

and died in a hopeless and desperate condition without the least remedy in their case. What more can this party expect from the hand of an unchangeable God, who are striving to get up a second edition of such miserable work, that will not only ruin them, but prevent those who listen to them from ever coming to the knowledge of the truth as given by the third angel of Rev. xiv, 9-12.

I was invited to give a series of lectures at the stone school-house, five miles north of Otsego, where I commenced the 8th inst., when I was told that Mr. Cranmer had also preached there. I closed with the third lecture, because the people would not come out to hear. I was told by some that did come, that they had heard this subject (the Sabbath, Sunday, &c.,) over and over again, and it was the same thing. In reply to my inquiries, I was told that Mr. Cranmer was the only man who had preached the Sabbath there.

JOSEPH BATES.

Otsego, Mich.

“FREE INVESTIGATION.”

By James H. Waggoner

MANY seem to think that we are opposed to free investigation because we are unwilling to publish all they may choose to write, or to enter into public discussions whenever and with whomsoever they shall see fit to say. We pity their ignorance. The freedom they would like to see us have would be to be bound to their skirts, and obliged to spend our time and strength to gratify their ambition and self-esteem. We have a choice in what we publish—otherwise we should be unfit to publish anything—and we shall hold to the right to exercise this choice.

It sometimes happens that a person gets strongly imbued with the idea that he has a special duty to correct our errors. We have seen several such. As a consequence the office is soon flooded with manuscripts on exploded theories, and so-called arguments that have so often been answered that we sometimes fear our readers will grow weary with the repetition, and unless these are laid out in full before our readers, the cry is raised that we are afraid of investigation! And for fear this cry will not affect the purpose, they frequently add that the circulation of our paper would be greatly increased if we would only change our course in this respect, and sometimes vile, insulting language is used to express their feelings toward us.

We wish these remarks might be read by a few of these self-willed spirits, and that they would take to themselves the assurance that we are not moved by their cries nor threats. We have been in the service too long to regard the clamors of those who are so lost to principle themselves as to think to sway us by appealing to our selfishness or our fears. Some thousands of readers, who have known our course for years in the past, can testify that we have never shrunk from an open, fair investigation of principles. And when it has been deemed proper to enter into the field of controversy, we have as far as possible chosen an honorable, candid opponent, and only deemed it proper when we felt that the cause of truth demanded it.

We will only add, that if any are very desirous of extending the circulation of a paper, and helping the publishers to public favor by the weight and influence of their productions, we would advise them to send them to some paper published for such purposes.

J. H. W.

NEW TIME.

By A. S. Hutchins

Bro. Smith: Not long since I heard four discourses in Wolcott, Vt., from a New Timeist, who believes the Lord will come this year, 1860. His position is that the first angel's message was proclaimed in 1844, the second in 1854, and that the present movement is the third. So you see no account is made of about a dozen set times for the Lord's coming, besides these, since 1844. Perhaps so few were interested in these times, and so feeble were their efforts that they are not regarded as worthy of notice.

But we ask, What may we expect from this move? Certainly a great, a powerful and stirring work, if it is what it is claimed to be. But is it? Can it be? The preacher believed he had more evidence for the advent of the Lord in 1854 than in 1844, and still more for it in 1860 than in 1854. He claims that the earth is the sanctuary. But three days in succession I asked him for one text of scripture teaching this view. Two weeks later I asked the same question, but was not referred to that one text either time.

At the close of the last meeting which I attended, (he had labored here about four weeks at this time,) I asked him the following questions, and received the answers given. Do you make a test of your preaching? No. Then you attach no importance to it? Certainly I do. Can I be saved if I do not believe in your time? Yes.

I had previously been told that those who rejected the '54 movement were rejected of God, were a "dead letter." Now in view of these things we ask, Can it be that this move on time again, is the last message? Can this be the last call to the supper? Is it the fulfillment of the divine command, "Go out into the highways, and hedges, and compel them to come in that my house may be filled?" Luke xiv, 23. And still it is not a testing message? Will God reject men for not receiving the first and second messages, and the third be rejected with impunity?

"And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice," &c. From this and other declarations respecting the last message, we conclude its truths are saving, sanctifying and testing, and that before its close it will break in upon the careless, ungodly world, and a slumbering and dreaming church, with notes awfully stirring and solemn. By it the slumbers of the sleeper will be broken for the last time.

Those who receive it and yield to its teachings will be prepared to stand when the Son of man cometh, while those who reject it will be spued out of his mouth. O, how important a wise decision! May we all make it ere it is too late!

In conclusion we ask, Can we suppose that after effort after effort has been made to fix a definite time for the Lord's return, that the right point is now found; and that its proclamation is the last message, and still that not testing? Praise the Lord for a clear, consistent and harmonious explanation of the past, and for "present truth," the ending of the 2300 days in 1844, the present work of cleansing the heavenly sanctuary, and our duty to keep all the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. Praise the Lord for a truth which is beautiful, powerful, and all glorious. Amen.

A. S. HUTCHINS.

CHRISTIAN PERFECTION.

By C. Drew

DEAR brethren and sisters, if we are what we profess to be, we must be holy. This blessing, I believe, is for us in this life. I think I have known something about it. But it will perhaps be urged that the New Testament declares that if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves. 1 John i, 8.

I answer, the tenth verse fixes the sense of the eighth: "If we say we have no sin," in the former, being explained by, "if we say we have not sinned," in the latter verse. 2. The point under consideration is not whether we have, or have not, sinned heretofore, and neither of these verses assert that we do sin now. 3. The ninth verse explains both the eighth and tenth: that if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

It may be thought that the case described in the seventh chapter of Romans, affords an argument against the doctrine of full sanctification in this life; but let it be observed that the apostle in that chapter personifies one under conviction, and not one who is made free by Christ, as all true believers are. This is evident from the scope and design of the apostle's argument. He first shows how we are convicted of sin; namely, by the law.

In the next place he describes his internal exercises while under conviction. Here we find his mind being enlightened, his conscience and will sided with the law, though that condemned him. In this condition he would fain have cast off sin, and performed every good deed. But not having received Christ by faith, he was continually brought into bondage to the law or power of sin in his members. Hereupon he cried out, Oh wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death? In that moment it was given him to see whence deliverance was to come, namely, through Jesus Christ our Lord, and laying hold on the hope set before him, he realized deliverance, and immediately broke out in the language of exultation, saying, There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit; for the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. Rom. vii, viii, 1, 2.

Thus it appears that these texts afford no support to the objection, but are perfectly consistent with the doctrine of salvation from all sin.

The next objection I shall notice is the supposed benefit of having some sin reigning in us to keep us humble, endear Christ to us, and cause us to hunger and thirst after righteousness. Does not this objection involve the principle so severely reprobated by the apostle, Let us do evil that good may come? Let some sin remain to keep us humble? &c. Whose damnation, says he, is just. Those who bring this objection appear not to consider the absurdity it contains. Did any one ever suppose that sickness produces health, that darkness produces light, or weakness strength? And yet this would not be more absurd than to suppose that sin can produce humility and make us hunger and thirst after righteousness. No, sin never produces these effects, but quite the contrary. It does not make us more humble but proud. It does not endear Christ to us, but renders our hearts cold towards him. It does not cause us to hunger and thirst after righteousness, but dims our spiritual sight, weakens our desires after holiness, shakes our good resolutions, slackens our pace, and produces untold mischief. The experience of every Christian will refute this objection. Every Christian knows that when he had more sin than he now has, he was more proud, had less love to Christ, and less hungering and thirsting after righteousness; and also, that the more holy desires and affections prevail, the more he hates and dreads sin, and ardently desires to be freed from all sin, and made comformable to the will of God. And it may truly be said that none are so penitent and humble, none value Christ so highly, none admire the beauties of holiness so much as those who are saved from all sin. We shall never hate sin with a perfect hatred, nor love God with a perfect love, till we are sanctified wholly; till we can say with the apostle, I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me; and the life I now live, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Gal. ii, 20.

C. DREW.

Belfast, N. Y.

MEETINGS IN WISCONSIN.

By Isaac Sanborn

BRO. SMITH: I left home the seventh of November, and went into Bro. Stanley's neighborhood, at Hundred Mile Grove, sixteen miles north of Madison, where I had previously given twelve lectures, and where I gave about twenty more in the three weeks that I stayed there.

At the close of the meetings we went five miles to find a suitable place to attend to the ordinance of baptism, and five followed their Lord in that ordinance, thereby saying to those around them that they would walk in a new life. O Lord, help them! is my prayer. When I left, twenty-six were keeping the Sabbath, as near as I could learn, and quite a number of others were convinced of the truth. O that the Lord may help them to choose life that they may live. Many of them are heartily engaged in the work of the Lord. I also received eleven subscribers for the Review and Herald, and sold about twelve dollars' worth of books. I went to North Leeds, seven miles, and preached three times to quite a congregation. The Lord gave much freedom, and the assurance that my labor was not in vain. There I met Bro. H. Patch, and two Bro. Bessons of Mackford, who urged me to go to their place to preach. I finally consented to go, and accordingly commenced meetings there the 23d of Dec. Here I found some twenty-two or three brethren and sisters struggling for eternal life, by keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. They have had no preaching since Brn. Waggoner and Andrews were there. Some of those brethren have lived there for five years, and have had but one privilege of eating the Lord's supper. I preached five times in the school-house to attentive congregations, and on Monday the brethren and sisters all met at the house of Bro. Patch, for the purpose of taking into account the necessity of organization, according to the rules laid down in the word of God. I spoke awhile on that subject, and then proceeded to organize a church, after which we attended to the Lord's supper; and truly the Lord fulfilled his promises to us. John xiii, 13-17. It was a time that will be remembered by us all. The next morning two were baptized.

I will say here that the church at Mackford have adopted the plan of systematic benevolence, and find that it works well.

From here we went to Rubicon, and found a few on their way to Mt. Zion. Here I stayed over Sabbath and first-day. Sabbath morning two sisters walked seven miles to the meeting, while the thermometer stood 27º below zero. This shows their love for the truth. The Lord blessed them for the sacrifice they made. Here I organized a church, after which we attended to the Lord's supper. This church also has adopted the plan of systematic benevolence.

In conclusion I would say for the encouragement of all, that the cause is onward in Wisconsin. The truth has great force and power connected with it. I reached home the 4th of Jan. The 6th I drove sixteen miles east to the Ban school-house, where I had given a few lectures before I went to Hundred Mile Grove. Here I found that four had commenced keeping the commandments of God. The next day, during the Sabbath, I met with the church at Avon,

four miles west of the Ban school-house. After meeting five were baptized. I have preached to-night at the school-house, and expect to be here a few days. May the Lord lead others in this place into the truth, is my prayer.

ISAAC SANBORN.

Jefferson, Wis., Jan. 6th, 1860.

FASTING.

By D. W. Hull

THERE are few duties more plainly set forth in the sacred word than our duty to fast. Indeed, it seems to have been taken as an admitted fact, that all God's

children would fast. The duty was so plain that it seemed hardly necessary to enjoin it. Hence our Saviour, when he speaks of the subject, takes it for granted that the Lord's children will fast, and he tells us how to fast. Matt. vi, 16. "Moreover when ye fast, be not as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance." But how is it at present? Do we have many fasting Christians? I fear not.

If Christ were to address this language to you, dear brother or sister, (and he really does,) what would you reply? I think it would be something like this: "Lord, I seldom ever fast, and therefore I do not disfigure my face." Ah! is there not as great a fault in you in this respect as there was in the wicked Pharisees? While they did wickedly in glorying in their fasting, you fail to do your duty by pursuing an opposite course.

"But the days will come, when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days." Luke v, 35. Who shall fast? Ans. The "children of the bride-chamber." If this class of people are to fast, where are they? They can certainly be distinguished by their much prayer and fasting, as well as by merely keeping the Sabbath. How unlike our great Pattern we are? Christ fasted forty days and nights, yet there are scores of Sabbath-keepers who do not fast one day in forty, and perhaps not a few who never have fasted!

What, never fast? and we living down here in the time when we are almost daily expecting Christ's second appearing? in the time of the judgment? On the day of atonement the people were required to afflict their souls. Lev. xvi, 29. We live in the antitype of that time, at the very time when we expect the gifts to be restored. Yet Christ tells us plainly, speaking of casting out a certain demon, that this kind goeth not out except by prayer and fasting. Matt. xvii, 21.

It was after a long abstinence that Paul was enabled to predict the ultimate safety of the ship's crew. Acts xxvii, 21-24. In Dan. ix, 3, we learn that he fasted and prayed, because he did not understand the vision. Evidently this was the way in which Daniel approached his God. See also chap. x, 3. That God's children ever have fasted, please see 1 Kings xxi, 9; 2 Chron. xx, 3; Eze. viii, 21; Ps. lxix, 10; Jer. xxxvi, 9; Jonah iii, 5.

Joel i, 14. "Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the Lord your God, and cry unto the Lord." With such passages as the one just quoted, and others referred to, it seems to be the duty of every church to appoint its fast-days.

Joel ii, 12. "Therefore also now saith the Lord, Turn ye, even to me, with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning."

The duty is plain. And if we ever expect to get into a place where the Lord will bless us, we must have our fast-days set apart. D. W. HULL.

HOBBIES.

By J. Clarke

A wooden horse upon rockers is called a hobbie-horse, and they are intended for an indoor amusement for children. There the hobbie stands lifeless and inane, unless some youth bestrides the image, when a motion is produced, forward and backward, forward and backward, day after day, the same unvarying motion.

So when we hear a man always harping upon some particular point, we say he is "riding a hobbie." In religion, people very often take up some particular point in morals, to the neglect of other points, and dwell upon this until it becomes quite disgusting. Thus, H., when you talk with him, always falls to lamenting the faults of the brethren; this one is so and so, such a one is thus and so, and another is thus and thus; no one right but himself. H. rides a hobby, and that hobby is the faults of his brethren.

M. nominally keeps the Sabbath, talks much about it, but it has no hold of his heart and life; he is just as careless as ever. The Sabbath is only kept in name by him. You would not suspect he was a Christian, until you hear him descant upon the Sabbath. Alas, M. only makes the Sabbath a "hobby."

O. is a Bible reader, never read much in other books, has the Bible by heart, is full of curious ideas on the Scriptures, asks many questions of you on the Scriptures, but when you have answered him, he has some quirk of his own, so smart and ingenious that he fairly nonplusses you out of your own common sense ideas; and if you attempt to substantiate your own position, you soon find that you are in the shade; O. fattens up on the mortifications he thus produces upon those he so seriously questions, and then surprises with his own Biblical knowledge. O. is not much different from the world around; in fact, the Bible is to him only a sort of "hobby."

Z. talks vain-gloriously of himself, his experiences, his illuminations, what he has done, what he has said, what he has thought, where he has been; in fact, Z. talks more of himself than any one else; self is the subject of thought and conversation; in prayer, he prays mostly for himself, exhorts about himself, and would sing about himself, only there are no hymns of that description; to be plain, Z. makes himself, dear self, a "hobby."

K. descents much upon baptism; it is baptism first, and last, and in the middle, and all over. It is the grand desideratum, the marrow, the pith, the sum, of sincere piety with him; only agree with him on this point, and all is right. Baptism is K.'s "hobby."

Another makes a hobby of election, another of something else. Men of the world have their hobbies, some this, and some that; but the religion of Christ has no hobbies. Its principles are ever consistent and true. They rise in grand and symmetric beauty, like the architecture of heaven, expansive, regular, noble. The more they are studied in the light of present truth, the more they seem to expand, stretching away in loveliness and beauty, like the domes and turrets of the celestial city, glistening in the dazzling light of heaven. This system of weighty truths, so simple, yet so deep, so grand and sublime, they show nothing narrow or contracted, and he who truly drinks into the spirit of this glorious message, cannot long ride upon a hobby. J. CLARKE.

DUDLEY M. CANRIGHT

By Dudley Marvin Canright

From Bro. Canright.

BRO. SMITH: I am trying to obey God by keeping all his commandments, the fourth not excepted, and to follow my Redeemer in the narrow way to life. I thank the Lord that he has shown me the light of present truth, in permitting me to hear the call of the third angel's message. It has been about five months since I embraced the truth. I was then living in the State of N. Y., near Brn. Cottrell and Buckland, and was present at the tent-meeting, and heard Bro. White's sermon on first-day. I there came to the conclusion to keep the Sabbath of the Lord; and by his grace assisting me, I have been enabled to do so. But I was soon called to leave those dear brethren there, and come to my home in this State. It seems very lonesome indeed to keep the Sabbath alone, and to see my friends all at work, but I thank the Lord that I have his precious word to read, which I find to be doubly dear since I embraced the present truth.

I also believe the Lord has children here who will yet see the light of his truth. I would to God that some messenger might come this way, for the harvest truly is ripe, but where are the reapers? Let us pray the Lord of the harvest that he may send them forth to gather it into the garner. Does not Elijah's God still live? and will he not hear and answer those that cry unto him? Surely he is faithful to do all he has promised. I feel encouraged to press on. My mother kept the last Sabbath, so that I shall not be alone hereafter in keeping the seventh day, for she intends to obey God by keeping his Sabbath henceforth. May the Lord bless all who are honest in heart, and grant us admittance into his everlasting kingdom.

Yours in hope of salvation.

DUDLEY M. CANRIGHT

Kinderhook, Mich.

GEORGE BUSK

By George Busk

From Bro. Busk.

BRO. SMITH: I would say in behalf of the little church in Parkville, that we are all of us striving to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, and come into the unity of the faith. There are about

twenty-six of us here who are trying to follow the Lamb. We have now three weekly prayer-meetings, one on Wednesday evening, one on Friday evening, and one on the Sabbath at 11 o'clock. The Lord is with us here. We have some good meetings. The Lord seems to bless and strengthen us. This little church is growing stronger in the Lord. They are becoming more confirmed in the truth of the last message of mercy.

The third angel's message is a message that will cut us loose from the world. It will separate the vile from the pure, and the vicious from the holy. We feel thankful that we have ever heard the sweet warning voice, and that the light has ever shone upon our pathway; and as we have seen the light, we pray God that we may walk in it. We have adopted the systematic benevolence plan.

GEORGE BUSK

Parkville, Mich., Jan., 1860.

Restrictions Concerning Fasting

By Editor

NOTE. Perhaps a restriction or two should be borne in mind in connection with this subject. 1st. God "will have mercy and not sacrifice." There are some instances where abstinence from food would be productive of injury to the system. 2d. There may be danger of formality in this as in other duties; and such a duty entered upon as a mere form, fasting because the time is set to fast, and waiting with restless impatience for it to close, we could not consider of any merit. 3d. Instead of being distinguished by fasting, &c., we understand the import of our Saviour's directions on this subject [Matt. vi, 18] to be that such duties should be performed in such a manner as to be as little seen and known of men as possible.—ED.

A Call for a Preacher

Sister S. M. Swan writes from Orwell, Ashtabula Co., Ohio, Dec. 8th: "There are some in this place who have read my books and papers for the three or four past years, who are favorably impressed towards the truth, and the question is frequently asked me, Why do not some of your preachers come here? We think that if a messenger should come there might be much good done. I noticed not long since in the Review a call for a messenger from West Pierpoint in this county. It is not far from here, and I think there are openings in other places in this vicinity. If any brother should conclude to come, Bro. Chaffee will meet them either at Panesville or Ashtabula, or any intervening station on the Lake Shore R. R., provided they will give him sufficient notice."

THE LATTER RAIN.

By Cornelia Rice

Do we not sigh for the latter rain, And wait and watch and pray, When God will pour out his Spirit again, Like a pentecostal day?

When the angel comes down to lighten the earth, All the honest in heart he will call; From Babylon then we shall see them come forth, Proclaiming her final fall.

O hasten the day! cries the poor lone one, Its dawning I'm waiting to see, For then my companion, my brother, my son, May go to mount Zion with me.

But are we now ready this rain to receive? Ah no! is the fearful response; For if with one heart we did truly believe, We should feel its refreshing at once.

Get ready my soul, then let each brother say, In haste, my dear sister, prepare; While we pray for the ushering in of that day, Shall we fail in its blessing to share?

But remember we first must be purged of all dross, The furnace we need to abide; While we pass through the fire we shall suffer no loss, But only be made white and tried.

Then now let us seek for the gold that is pure, The eye-salve and raiment obtain, That in the last conflict we may stand secure, And the crown of the conqueror gain. Cornelia Rice.

Folsomdale, N. Y.

LETTERS.

"Then they that feared the Lord, spake often one to another."

From Bro. and Sr. Erb.

BRO. SMITH: Although strangers to you, yet we hope to be united in the same faith. We have not had the privilege of meeting any of the same precious faith since we came to Minnesota, with the exception of one family, and they live some fifteen miles from here. We expected that Bro. Ingraham would come this way, on his return back from the West, to give us more light, and to administer the ordinance of baptism. We are still striving to overcome all our besetments, and to run with patience the race set before us. It gives us great pleasure to know that the truth is proclaimed here, and we hope erelong to be partakers of its fruits. We are thankful to God for all the blessings of his word, in bringing us from darkness to light, to serve him, the only wise and true God. We are determined to try and serve him more than ever, by keeping ourselves free from the enemy, and to lay up our treasures in heaven. We see more and more our folly in laying up our treasures on earth, to vanish away. By the help of God we mean to devote more time and means to his cause in spreading the truth in Minnesota. We should like to know what is designed to be done here next summer for the spread of the truth. We hope that a good work may be accomplished.

Some of our neighbors would like to know more about the way of life than we can tell them. They read the Review and like it very well.

If any Bro. will come this way, my house is open for them. We live fifteen miles from Winona, and two miles from the New Boston Post Office, Winona Co.

We want the word of life to have free course among us. Pray that we may be found worthy to have right to the tree of life, and enter in through the gates into the city.

Yours seeking life through Christ. PETER AND CATHARINE ERB. New Boston, Min., Dec., 1859.

Comfort in Bereavement and Hope

By S. B. Ray

From Sister Ray.

Bro. Smith: I am still striving in weakness to serve the Lord. I feel very lonely since the death of my dear husband, and realize that there is but one true source from whence we may derive comfort in the day of adversity. I know that this severe trial was designed for my best good, and it will help work out for me a far more exceeding and an eternal weight of glory if I am rightly exercised thereby. I will try by the grace of God to so live in this world of care and disappointment, of losses and crosses, of scoffs and frowns, that when Christ shall come to make up his jewels I may be one of that happy number which shall have part in the first resurrection, on whom the second death will have no power.

It appears to me that it will not be long before this great event will transpire. How awful will be the scene when the trumpet shall sound to awake the sleeping millions!

The Lord grant that all who name the name of Christ may depart from all iniquity, and in that great day be found with their robes washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb.

Your unworthy sister. S. B. RAY.

Middleport, Ills.

Gratitude for the Review

By A. Smith

From Bro. Smith.

BRO. SMITH: I am thankful for the Review. Without it I should be destitute of a great amount of truth and instruction which it brings to me weekly, which I could not get from any other source. Through it I can hear from my brethren in all parts of the field; and it is truly cheering to me to hear that the message is so fast spreading, and that too, over so vast an extent of country; and that some, not only of our own nation but of other tongues also are proclaiming loud hosannas to God and the Lamb. And may the fire of God's love run from heart to heart, and from nation to nation.

I am trying to live a consistent Christian, though temptation, trials and opposition beset me on every side, and too often my feet well nigh slip, and were it not for God's love that burns in my heart, and for his precious promises and daily goodness to me, I should doubt and fall. But when I contemplate how unworthy I am, I am led to say, "What is man that thou art mindful of him?" Then how reasonable it is that we should render all our service to God. Let us then hold out faithful, for he says to encourage us, "My grace is sufficient for you." "I will be with you even to the end of the world." His word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path; then we should be encouraged to press on and have our hearts enlarged day by day, that we may have a share in the eternal inheritance. A. SMITH. Portage City, Wis.

HELEN E. GOODELL

By Helen E. Goodell.

From Sister Goodell.

DEAR brethren and sisters : I can say for one, I am striving for that crown of everlasting glory which is in reserve for me at God's right hand, and not for me only, but for you all who love his glorious appearing and kingdom. Though we have trouble here, what is it, when compared with that rest which remaineth for the people of God? I am determined for one to press my way onward through the rugged, thorny maze, and never stop short of the prize which lies at the end of the race.

Of late I have felt to prize my Bible above every earthly treasure, and the more I read it, the more I love its sacred teachings, as it points the way to the holy city, and to the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world. And next to that precious book do I prize the Review, which brings to my waiting heart, week after week, the cheering epistles of those of like precious faith scattered abroad. And it always rejoices my soul to hear of the progress of present truth in the great harvest-field. It makes me feel like girding on the armor anew, and puts within me a determination to go through let come what will.

The church in this place, I think, are progressing. Though they have many difficulties to contend with, yet most of those who enlisted under the banner of present truth, stand firm. But some of the good seed fell by the wayside, and has been picked up by the birds, and some fell among thorns and is nearly choked out. Yet praise his holy name, some fell on good ground and is bringing forth much fruit. O, I long for the time to arrive when we shall see Jesus as he is and forever enjoy the company of angels and of saints, where there will be none to molest or make us afraid. There we shall pluck the fruit of life's fair tree, and drink of the water of life's river, which will be pure and free. There sorrow and sighing will be done away.

“O I long to be there, and the thought that 'tis near, Makes me almost impatient for Christ to appear, To fit up that dwelling of glory so rare, The earth robed in beauty, I long to be there.”

HELEN E. GOODELL

Sandusky, Wis.

Encouragement Through Christian Fellowship

By J. S. Chaffee

From Bro. Chaffee.

BRO. SMITH : This morning while reading the letters in the Review, my heart was cheered, and I was made to feel that it is a duty and also a great privilege we have of speaking to each other in this way, while we are scattered here, and trying to make heaven our home at last. How cheering it is to hear from those who are striving to do God's will, who are hungering after holiness of heart and life, and are determined to keep themselves unspotted from the world. It is good to feel that we are in a state of entire submission to God, and have no will of our own, but simply desire that in all things the will of our heavenly Father be done. Then we are ready to do every duty in the love and in the fear of God, and that fear is a fear to offend. We want to live in that way that we can feel from day to day that our prayers are heard and answered; then we can have strong confidence, and know by experience that the promises of God are all sure and steadfast, that God is a rewarder of all those who diligently seek him.

Brethren and sisters, we often pray that God would stand by us. He has said, “Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end.” He will not leave the honest hearted, unless they leave him first, and neglect to pay their vows. When we have once started in the cause of Christ, we want to keep marching on, and not turning back or halting now and then. The prize is at the end of the race. He says, Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life. O I would say, Glory to God for the way of life and salvation, and that it is so plain that we can run and not get weary, walk and not faint.

I often hear brethren and sisters talking about trials, and I think if I should try I too might talk about them. Every heart knows its own sorrow, but amidst all our trials the grace of God is sufficient to buoy us up. If our trust is in God we shall be like Mt. Zion that cannot be moved, but abideth forever. I believe in growth in grace, and that unless we are going forward we are falling backward, because there is no standing-still place on the highway of holiness.

O I love to be among the little flock who are striving to do God's holy will. Although we have to hear many things from those that have a name to live and are dead, our peace may yet be like a river, and our righteousness like the waves of the sea. And although we are brought into very trying places, remember the promise, “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life,” and always think that it is the goodness of God that leads men to repentance. How thankful I am when I see the goodness of God to the children of men! I mean to be an overcomer.

Yours striving for immortality and eternal life through Christ. J. S. CHAFFEE. Ordino, Wis.

P. F. FERCIOT

By P. F. Ferciot

From Bro. Ferciot.

DEAR brethren and sisters: I can say it has been a groat help to me to read the many admonitions of those that are striving to overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony. I am very thankful to God that he has permitted me to see the light of present truth, though well aware that those that live it out will have many things to contend with. They will have to lay all on the altar, have their affections weaned from the things of this life and placed upon things eternal. It is by patient continuance in well-doing that we are to seek for glory, honor and immortality; the doers of the word and not the hearers only will be justified before God. It will not do us any good to make a mere profession of religion while our hearts are not right in the sight of God. It is for us to know for ourselves and not for another, whether we have the love of God in our hearts. I am fully persuaded that I have lived at too great a distance from the Lord. I have enjoyed many blessed privileges with his people, have felt his Spirit in my heart, and been made to rejoice with those that rejoiced in him; yet there appears to be a coldness in our midst; there is not that zeal, and that love one for another, that our Saviour speaks of, nor that entire consecration that should characterize us as the followers of the meek and lowly Saviour. My prayer to God is that he may enable us to examine ourselves by the light of his word, and see whether we are truly in the faith. It is our privilege and duty to be perfect Christians. The apostle James says: "If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body." I want so to live that I shall give no offense to any one, not to please myself, but God, and glorify him in my body and spirit which are his. I am satisfied that of those who live in this way, many will be constrained to say, They have been in the school of Christ; and our friends as well as some who are enemies to the truth, may be led to accept the last offers of mercy before it is too late.

Many have left the church in this place and now are enemies to the truth. I would request the prayers of God's children in behalf of those that remain that we may come up to our high privilege as a church, be zealous of good works, and have all the Christian graces developed in our lives and conversation.

In hope of eternal life.

P. F. FERCIOT

Lovett's Grove, O.

The Value of Humility

A MAN will never lose anything by humility, nor gain anything worth keeping by pride.

OBITUARY.

By H. E. G.

DIED in Sandusky, Wis., Dec. 8th, 1859, Wesley, youngest child of Bro. and Sr. Young, aged sixteen months. His disease was consumption. They miss their little one much, but do not mourn without hope; for they believe that it will be brought again from the land of the enemy. Its sufferings are over, and it is safely laid away iu the silent tomb, to sweetly sleep until the indignation be overpast. H. E. G.

Self-Loathing and Repentance

HE that never loathed himself on account of his sin, never yet repented.

Looking to Jesus for Eternal Life

Look from the world to Jesus, and for eternal life; this is looking to the purpose.

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