QUESTION 3. Will there be two conflagrations of the earth, one at the second coming of Christ, and another at the end of the 1000 years? J. Bishop.
REPLY. That there will be a conflagration near the time of Christ's second coming several scriptures prove. Rev. xviii, 8, 9. "Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire. And the kings of the earth who have committed fornication, and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning." Verse 18. "And as many as trade by sea, stood afar off, and cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city?" If great Babylon only is destroyed by this fire, it is quite easy to know nearly over what surface of territory this conflagration will extend; for we understand from Rev. xvi, 19, that the great city was divided into three parts when the cities of the nations fell, consisting of the Catholic, Greek and Protestant Churches, covering mostly the continent of America, and also that of Europe, with the exception of Turkey. No wonder Mohammedan and Pagan merchants shall weep and mourn when they shall see such extended, such vastly superior commercial interests, "in one hour come to naught."
As additional testimony respecting this conflagration, Joel, i. 19, 20, is introduced. "O Lord, to thee will I cry, for the fire hath devoured the pasture of the wilderness, and the flame hath devoured all the trees of the field." "The beasts of the field cry also unto thee: for the rivers of water are dried up, and the fire hath devoured the pasture of the wilderness." As a guide to the chronology of this event, the reader is directed to verse 15. "Alas for the day! for the day of the Lord is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come."
Verse 18 shows us by what means are brought about the destruction, at least, of all domesticated animals. "How do the beasts groan, the herds of cattle are perplexed, because they have no pasture. Yea, the flocks of sheep are made desolate."
In Jer. ix, 10, there are declarations somewhat similar to the above extracts from Joel. "For the mountains will I take up a weeping and wailing, and for the habitation of the wilderness a lamentation, because they are burned up, so that none can pass through them, neither can men hear the voice of the cattle; both the fowl of the heavens and the beasts are fled; they are gone." These scriptures, though unfulfilled prophecy, and consequently we doubtless have an imperfect understanding of them, give us some clue to the events which will transpire at and near the time of the first conflagration.
There will be another conflagration after the 1000 years and the second resurrection which we expect will be universal throughout the earth, except where the location of the beloved city is, the object of which is to destroy the wicked, to annihilate every wicked spirit, and to reduce all solid, liquid and aerial bodies to their simple elementary principles, to be compounded again at the new creation, in such a manner as to forever exclude the miasma of death from the utmost limits of that sanctified territory.
Respecting this conflagration, David's testimony is, "Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup." Ps. xi, 6. Malachi's testimony is, "Behold the day cometh that shall burn as an oven, and all the proud, and all that do wickedly shall be stubble; and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch." Mal. iv, 1. That this is on the earth, the second and third verses show; but Prov. xi, 31, taken in connexion, or compared, with these verses shows it more conclusively. "Behold the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner."197The wicked will be recompensed in the old earth at the time it is destroyed: the righteous in the new.
Other testimony might be brought from the Old Testament to show the certainty of this final conflagration; but these two witnesses from among the prophets are deemed sufficient; hence we pass to the testimony of the holy apostles, Paul, Peter and John.
Paul's testimony, [2 Thess. i, 7, 8.] is, "When the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ." Macknight's translation of this passage, which we deem far preferable, is as follows: "When the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven, with his mighty angels, inflicting punishment with flaming fire on them that know not God," &c. I am not aware there is elsewhere in all the Bible an intimation that the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven in flaming fire; but with the clouds of heaven. But Macknight's transposition of the language is such as not to show that he will be revealed in flaming fire, but will be revealed inflicting punishment with flaming fire; which translation is not only consistent with itself, but strikingly harmonious with all other scriptures. As evidence that this punishment inflicted with flaming fire, is at the second and last conflagration, the 9th verse is adduced, informing us that they shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, which could not be said of those who are destroyed at the first conflagration. That destruction is not everlasting, because the wicked will all have an existence, afterward, at the second resurrection.
All the above testimonies harmonize, and we believe synchronize with Peter's testimony, found in his second Epistle, chap. iii, 10: "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in the which the heavens shall pass away with great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also; and the works that are therein shall be burned up." Verse 12. "Looking for and hasting unto the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements melt with fervent heat." There is, in some particulars, such a remarkable resemblance between the descriptions of Peter and Malachi, as to lead the candid seeker after truth to conclude they both describe the same event. Although in the last quotation there is nothing which answers to the declaration, "All the proud, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble," yet verse 7 reveals that "the heavens and the earth which are now are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men." Thus we find by this connection that the descriptions of these inspired witnesses are identical. And although one has some particulars in his description which the other has not, and the reverse, they are so diversified that each elucidates the other's testimony.
With John's testimony our remarks on this point will close, though other testimony might be adduced. Rev. xx, 9. "And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them." Verses 7 and 8 inform us that this occurs after the 1000 years are expired, and Satan is loosed out of his prison; and after he had been out to deceive the nations. The events mentioned in verse 9 agree in time and place with those recorded in verse 10. "And the devil who deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night forever and ever." Verses 14 and 15 close John's record of this subject. "And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." We know that this testimony cannot be fulfilled till after the second resurrection, because there can be no second death till there is a second life. And further, "Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power." Hence John has here given us a description of the second conflagration.
By comparing the two classes of Scripture above, the one as applying to the first conflagration, and the other to the second, we see they will not interchangeably apply to same event. For instance, the burning mentioned in Rev. xviii, 8, 9, 18, applies to a part of one generation of men only; while that in Rev. xx, 14, includes all whose names are not found written in the Lamb's book of life. Nor does Rev. xviii, compare with Mal. iv, 1, as in the former instance, a part of the same generation are weeping over the destruction of their contemporaries, while in the latter case all the proud, and all that do wickedly will be stubble. Nor can we apply Joel i, 19, 20, and 2 Peter iii, 12, to the same event; for in the former the beasts of the field cry, for the rivers of water are dried up, and the fire hath devoured the pasture of the wilderness: a partial and superficial work being done by this fire, and perhaps brought about by natural causes, such as a continued drought; while in the latter case the melted elements seem to constitute a universal lake of liquid fire. And so by comparing the other scriptures, contained in the two classes, we find similar discrepancies. S. P.
THE GIFT OF TONGUES.
The following paragraph has been going the round of our exchanges:
TONGUES AND TRANSLATIONS.—When the gospel was first preached to all nations, it was necessary to give a diversity of tongues; a tongue for each nation: and this was done by divine power. But in this second promulgation, as it were, of the gospel, the work will probably be carried on by a diversity of scriptures; a translation for each nation. Instead of the gift of tongues, God, by his providence is giving to mankind a gift of Scriptures.”—Claudius Buchanan.
A summary manner, truly, of accounting for the cessation of the gifts of the Spirit; and one which might appear very plausible, did we not happen to know something that the Bible says upon the subject. That the gift of tongues has been employed, as upon the day of Pentecost, to convey the gospel to people of other languages, is not to be denied; but is this its only or even its primary, object? What says Paul? Hear him. 1 Cor. xiv, 2. 'For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue, speaketh not unto men, but unto God; for no man understandeth him. What? Is not the tongue given for the express purpose that men may understand? But here we have the declaration of Paul that sometimes, at least, the gift of tongues is conferred when no man understands it. 'Wherefore,' continues he, [verse 13.] 'let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.' Again, 'if any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course, and let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence.' Verses 27, 28. Now if the gift of tongues was conferred upon the disciples only that they might preach the gospel to those of other languages, where would be either the necessity of an interpreter, or any propriety in Paul's language? There would be neither. Therefore the suggestion given in the above extract is a point-blank fallacy.
It may be asked then, What was the object of tongues? This question Paul answers in verse 22: 'Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not.'
We are all aware that the manifestation of the gifts of the Spirit, which attended the early promulgation of the gospel, is a thing unknown among the mass of professed Christians of the present day. If some plausible reason could be assigned for this state of things, other than the degeneracy and apostasy of the church, it would no doubt be very soothing to many consciences; but the Bible does not furnish it. No. We have yet to hear a single necessity urged for such manifestations in the days of the apostles, which does not exist now; and that passage of the Bible where the cessation of these gifts is even insinuated, is yet to be shown.
THE CAUSE IN THE WEST.
By James White
It is becoming apparent that the West is emphatically the great field of labor in the Third Angel's Message. This, of course, would include all the northern States where it has not been preached to any great extent; viz., Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota; but our present remarks are intended more particularly for those sections where efforts have already been made to spread the truth.
What are the difficulties that meet us in these fields and what is required to render labor effectual? In one sense, the difficulties are the same everywhere, as the heart of man is the same in all places; yet there are peculiar difficulties in the West where the present truth has been taught.
The first and most prominent is the influence of those who formerly professed and preached the truth, whose unchristian course has brought a reproach that is yet felt, especially in Wisconsin. As a brother has remarked, we have been apt to suppose that all who embraced the Third Angel's Message were honest; and when Stephenson and Hall professed the faith, we hoped that its sanctifying influence would correct their worldly habits, and Campbellite principles. For a time their course seemed to justify our expectations; but in 1854, their horse trading alone brought more disgrace on the cause than all their preaching ever benefitted it. Their friends have more than once been caused to blush by hearing them lauded as "smart preachers and good horse-jockies." It is with shame that I think such things have ever been transacted among us; but "facts are stubborn things." In the neighborhood where the Message first found J. M. Stephenson, a single horse trade entirely destroyed his influence. And in the village where it found D. P. Hall, a practised horse-trader told me that "Dwight Hall was the sharpest horse-jockey in Fond du Lac county." It is just to say that these things were never countenanced by us; but we hoped they would be corrected. In this we were disappointed, and the issue is well known. One wrong led to another, and to accomplish their selfish, ambitious purposes, they resorted to the basest practices. It was testified at our meeting at Koskonong, that Hall confessed that at the time of his visit to Rochester, he pretended to be Bro. White's friend, in order to get all the information he desired concerning the Office, &c., and then returned to Wisconsin, saying that Bro. W. was speculating on the property of the church; that the Office was owned by him, and so on. What a comment on such reports was the resignation of Bro. White as Editor! He had borne the burden (which had several times brought him to the verge of the grave) as long as he could endure it; he was compelled to throw it off; and thus the church of necessity chose another Editor.
And it is a source of happiness to all concerned, that our present arrangements leave the Editor free, in part, from the burdens which Bro. W. so long and faithfully bore. The course of Stephenson, in his eastern tour, was similar to that of Hall. He went the professed friend of Bro. White, but in reality his enemy, as his conversation with his own friends, and his subsequent actions and letters proved. In this we have learned a lesson: to be more careful when we approve as ministers, and to seek the assurance that devotion to God, and not selfishness, is the ruling motive of those who volunteer to preach the truth. These matters we regret to speak or think of; but it is due to the cause in that State, that the people know how we look at these things; also to the brethren who may hereafter labor there, that they may understand in what manner the cause has been disgraced, and what unhallowed influences they will have to meet. That a bitter prejudice exists there is no wonder; indeed, we are gratified to know that our opponents despise such actions, and we hope that the brethren in that section will bear in mind that "well-doing" is the only means of removing the ill feeling that prevails in many places against the truth.
Another difficulty to be met in that State is the long continued efforts to amalgamate the Message with opposing doctrines and errors, particularly the Age-to-come. This has been persevered in to such an extent that many of the most honest-hearted, and with the best apparent intentions, have imbibed views of the prophecies subversive of the first principles of the present truth. This arises from the fact that they have not thoroughly studied the harmony of the scriptures on the present truth, nor the relation of the present truth to the prophecies and to the other scriptures. It has long been a matter of regret that we had not more Bible students among the number of Sabbath-keepers. Most of them are mere Bible readers. Many of our best publications are but little read. Very few can be found that understand the subject of the Sanctuary as presented in our pamphlets; and the same remark will hold good in regard to other points. Were our books all carefully read by our brethren and sisters generally, they would find themselves prepared to meet almost every objection that could arise against our faith. We often find those whose minds have been perplexed for weeks, and even months, on points that are made perfectly clear and satisfactory on a single page of a tract on their own shelves; and when it is pointed out they wonder that they had not noticed it. The cause cannot progress on. The laborers are few, and the churches will be weak, and necessarily demand the time of that few unless they prayerfully search for the light of truth, to be sanctified thereby. These remarks are applicable to all parts of the field, especially at this time when so many theories seem to be obtaining in our very midst. Much of the precious time of the laborers, and even of the Editor of the REVIEW, is taken up in refuting and exposing fallacies and fanciful notions springing up almost everywhere, some of which are claimed by their propagators as the all-important truths which are to silence all opposition, and give the Third Angel's Message life and power; yet in most cases they strike at the very foundation of our position. This is the work of the Enemy, the dreadful consequences of which we cannot enumerate or even notice now. We would be far from despising the weak members of the body, knowing that the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee; nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. But if the feet aspire to be heads, or the hands to perform the office of an eye, there will be confusion. Our present convictions are that we need a larger proportion of hands and feet in the body, or else the present supply must perform their office more faithfully.
But these remarks will apply with less force to the West than to the East, inasmuch as one of the most pressing wants of the West has hitherto been almost entirely neglected. We refer to a work on the198prophecies, or the Age-to-come. On our late trip West, the inquiry was raised in almost every place, why we have no work on that subject. In many places the brethren are continually assailed by ministers and others who have made the Age-to-come almost their sole study; and who seem to know, and care for, nothing else. It cannot be expected that the brethren and sisters should be able to meet all the wiles and fallacies of these cavaliers (for they are nothing else) without assistance from those who are called of God to the work of studying and preaching; neither can the preachers do the work without the assistance of pamphlets and tracts. And it would have been a great pleasure to us to have been able to give them some satisfaction in reference to the matter of their inquiries; but the present position of the cause in regard to the means and facilities for producing and publishing such a work, must of necessity cause its indefinite postponement. Yet it is the firm conviction of messengers and others in the West that no thorough and effective system of labor can be devised or entered upon without the assistance of a work on this subject. At present, regrets are all that can be offered on this subject; and so it will be till the spirit of sacrifice for the truth shall more extensively prevail, and the church generally feel more of the burden of the cause.
J. H. W.
(To be Continued)
MEETINGS IN VT. AND MASS.
By J. Bates
In accordance with the arrangement of Bro. Bingham, our general meeting was held in Morristown, Vt., April 3d and 4th. Here our heart was made glad in meeting with many of our dear brethren and sisters who had for many years maintained their position in the Third Angel's Message. They came in from Stowe, Irasburgh, Eden, Wolcott, Bakersfield and Johnson. The Sabbath was a refreshing season from the presence of the Lord. The brethren seemed in earnest to renew their choice. They rejoiced that notwithstanding afflictions, sorrows and sore trials had sometimes pressed them heavily, the same was working for them a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. On First-day our company was increased by others coming to learn our position. We hope they will continue to seek, and eventually obtain immortality, eternal life.
April 5th, we had an interesting meeting at Roxbury, Vt. Here we met with Brn. Barr, Pierce, and others which we had known many years in this precious cause; also brother and sister Phillips, returned from Mich.
The 7th and 9th we spent with the brethren in Sutton. The brethren are some scattered apart here and find it difficult to get together, especially in the present unsettled state of the roads. Still quite a number came together and we had a solemn meeting on the 8th inst., and the quickening Spirit was manifest in the brethren to arise and become more united in the bleeding cause of God, than they had been the past season, and overcome the things that tended to weigh them down and keep them in the lukewarm state. The Lord strengthen them to perform the good work.
At Clinton, Mass., April 10th and 11th, we met with the brethren from Lancaster, Worcester, Princeton and Charlestown, and others that came to hear of our faith. The Lord gave edge to his truth, and his people were aroused and quickened in their minds and manifested renewed desires to serve him more faithfully and rise with the message. On First-day we held our meeting in a commodious hall to accommodate an additional class of hearers, but a very few of them came. They seem to be so much absorbed in the work of revivals now all over the land, that they have no time to heed the claims of God's holy law, or even to hear about the second coming of Christ.
On the 14th inst. I came to my family in safety after an absence of nearly six months. I thank and praise the Lord for preserving them and unworthy me, and permitting us to meet again. I thank the dear brethren where I have passed on from Mich. to Mass., for assisting me with means to defray my necessary expenses.
Yesterday my companion and myself went several miles in company with Bro. David Chase to visit his sick daughter, (sister Shaw,) a professed Adventist. She had declined being visited by any physician. This was the twenty-fourth day that she had been confined to her bed without receiving any food except occasionally a few spoonfuls of water. When I questioned her respecting her faith, she said she had now decided to keep the Lord's Sabbath and serve him more faithfully if he permitted her to live. We followed the inspired rule given to James. When we had prayed and laid hands upon her, she rose up and requested to be dressed. In a few moments, to the astonishment of her friends, she was walking about in the sitting room, praising the Lord and joined with us in singing a hymn. A cousin of hers, who had just come a number of miles to see her, was invited to come in. Said he, Why Mary, is this you? Yes, said she, the dead is alive. And when he was leaving for home, said she, Tell your friends there has been a miracle wrought. Surely, brethren, the Lord is a present help in every time of need. He is indeed the Physician of his people.
This declaration is true in respect to the people of God in every age. But the Apostle appears here to have especial reference to those who should live in the close of the gospel age; when "it is but a little while and he that shall come will come and will not tarry." How important then that those who profess to believe that they are in the time of waiting, and expecting soon to behold that same Jesus return again, should heed this admonition. The importance and nature of true faith are clearly set forth in the word of God. But without faith it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Heb. xi, 6. Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Rom. v, 1. But this faith is an active principle. A dead, inactive faith will not avail with God to obtain pardon. It must be a deep moving principle that leads the sinner to throw himself on the mercy of God in Christ; and believe that God accepts him through Christ; that takes hold on the merits of Jesus for his justification. But the work of faith does not stop here. The just shall live by faith. Not simply faith as an abstract principle, but a faith that embraces and obeys (at least so far as we can comprehend it) the whole revealed will of God. And this faith must produce corresponding works. Abraham believed God, and it was imputed to him for righteousness. But his faith was perfected by works. See James ii, 21-24; Gen. xxii, 9. Noah also, a righteous man, "being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith."
As it was in the days of Noah, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Matt. xxiv, 37. As then God gave warning, and the righteous had faith; so in these last days God has given warning through his word of the approaching doom of the wicked world. The consecutive prophecies point to the present time as the closing period of the gospel age. The signs that Christ gave to precede his coming, [Matt. xxiv, 29,] have been fulfilled. The angel of Rev. x has uttered forth his mighty voice, and also with uplifted hand declared that time should be no longer; thus bringing us to the days of the voice of the seventh angel, the finishing of the mystery of God, the judgment-hour period of the angel of Rev. xiv, 6, 7, the time of the cleansing of the Sanctuary of Dan. viii, 14, when the solemn warning of the Third Angel is being given, the last message of warning to the world, ere the nations drink the wine cup of Jehovah's wrath. These are truths to be believed in the last days. These are truths, my brethren, in which we profess to have faith—faith by which we profess to live.
But is our faith active? Does it move the heart and stir us up to corresponding works? works by which our light shines out before men, carrying conviction to the honest seeker after truth, that there is a reality in our faith? "Faith without works is dead." Genuine faith works by love, purifies the heart and overcomes the world. Gal. v, 6; John v, 4; 1 Pet. i, 22. Is our faith of this character? Does it bring us nigh unto God and give us sweet communion with him? Does it give us the assurance that we love God supremely and our neighbor as ourselves? If so, all will be on the altar. Not there in word merely, but in deed and in truth. We shall seek opportunities to use the means that God has entrusted to our stewardship to advance the interests of his cause. We shall feel a labor of soul for the salvation of our fellow men. We shall seek to get deep into the work of God. Living faith will give victory over the world. It will purify the heart and enable its possessor to get the victory over every unholy passion, every wrong desire, and bring the entire affections of the heart into sweet obedience to the law of Christ. It will open the door of our hearts that Jesus may come in with all the graces of the Spirit. But alas! how many that profess to be living by faith, give fearful evidence that their faith is but a dead, inoperative one—a mere theory of present truth without the power.
Thou lukewarm one! God speaks to thee in love through the counsel of the faithful and true Witness to the Laodiceans. Wilt thou hear his voice and "be zealous and repent?" Exchange thy dead, inoperative faith for a living principle that gives joy and peace. Dream not that you are preparing for translation while your affections are on the things of earth and you are making little or no effort to set them on things above. Rest not contented with your state while unholy or unsanctified passions reign within. God's grace is sufficient to overcome them.
O for that faith that takes God at his word; that embraces present truth with confidence and enables us to act with holy boldness and zeal in the work of God; that loves to sacrifice in blessed assurance of a reward of a hundred fold here, and eternal life in the resurrection morn.
Ye desponding ones, who are honestly seeking God with all the heart, and by living faith are striving to overcome, yet feel temptations and trials severe, look up. Jesus lives above the cloud. He knows thy state, he hears thy cause before the Father. Rest on the promise of his word, and thou canst not fail.
The just shall live by faith. But if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. May we be of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
F. Wheeler.
Glenmore, N. Y., Apr. 19th, 1858
A Request to Stop the Instructor
Sister M. M. Osgood writes from Bronte, C. W., Apr. 26th, 1858: DEAR BROTHER,199"I have felt very uneasy about receiving the Review and Instructor without sending pay, or asking that they might stop for a while. It seemed as though I could not do the latter, and waited hoping to forward some money, but the prospect looks dark. I must now request you to stop sending the Instructor once or twice till I can obtain means to pay. The postage on them as I receive from this office is 15cts a package, or a penny currency for every sheet. I cannot think this lawful, but must submit. The poor who need teaching, and whom I love to teach, find it easier to receive lessons, than I to receive money. I am glad they are willing to receive, and were I to be the only loser, would not be troubled at my non-receivals.
But believing as I do, the Instructor to be the best paper for youth now extant, I feel very anxious to put it into their hands. The parents as yet are not sufficiently interested in the truths it illustrates and enforces, to pay for it for the children. I find my pupils are like some children of a larger growth. They are pleased with, and interested in, that which they have earned by exertion, faithfulness and obedience. It has seemed a trial to tell them they must do without for awhile; but justice to you demands it. I disposed of some clothing, with the intention of forwarding the pay to the Review Office; but just then our landlord brought unlooked for and unjust claims against us, which I met rather than to strive, believing that it was better to suffer wrong than give any occasion for reproach to the cause I love. I know the Lord is good, and though man proposes wrong, he will finally dispose all for the best. Yea verily, he will cause all things to work together for good to those that love him. If my heavenly Father sees fit to carry on his blessed work through the instrumentality of another, why should I grieve? I know he does not need my labor, influence, or means.
"I have had some such soul-cheering views of Jesus within a few weeks, that it seemed as though anything would answer for me the little while I might stay here, if I may but win Christ and be found in him at last not having on mine own righteousness, but that which is through the faith of Christ. Although my faith has been sorely tried at times, yet at others it has been greatly strengthened. Immediate and unmistakable answers to prayer have been granted me, and I begin to feel indeed that he is faithful who promised. I have been accustomed to ask for great blessings, and sometimes for less ones, expecting God would answer in his own good time and way, and occasionally asking, expecting to receive soon; but blessed be the Father of our Lord, he has led me to ask for just what I wanted, and to expect my request to be granted. I have asked, and received to the joy of my heart. I do not always have the same degree of faith in exercise, but when I do ask and receive, it fills my heart with gratitude to think that God will heed the cries of one so unfaithful as I have been, so unworthy of the least token of his love.
"I fear that I have done wrong to trouble you with so much which cannot be interesting to you; but I want to talk with some one who loves to think of the soon coming Saviour. I feel almost alone. Excuse this trespass, and pray for one who desires to be delivered from this body of death, and to mind alone the things of the Spirit.
Your sister striving to understand all the requirements of the Father and Son, and to obey."
NOTE. We are happy to send the Review and Instructor free, and will in future mail the latter in double sheets, which will reduce the postage one-half.—Ed.
Extracts from Letters.
Bro. J. G. Post writes from Portland, Ct.
"Bro. SMITH: As it has been some time since I addressed you by letter, I thought I would say that the Lord is good to us in old Connecticut as in Michigan. Though we are few and small, yet we live by faith on the Son of God, and are looking for his soon coming to gather his own to their reward, and give the sinner his doom. And when I think of the judgment, I am constrained to say, O Lord,
"Keep us little and unknown,
Loved and prized by God alone."
"I am sure if the world love us, it is a very sure evidence that we are of the world; for the world loves its own. The word says, Because ye are not of the world but I have chosen you out of the world; therefore the world hateth you. Now I am constrained to believe that the time has come when we, as believers in the soon coming of Christ, should live by faith and not by sight. We are living in a time of trial. There are many that seem to love the world, notwithstanding they say that Christ is soon to come; and when I hear of those who are hugging their money and putting it into banks for safe keeping until some future day, I think they love that more than they do God. If they loved God as well as they appear to love their bank stock, the messengers would not be under the necessity of stopping their labor in the gospel field to get bread for their children. O that God would pour his Spirit out upon those brethren that are able to help the poor until they shall see the importance of an entire consecration to God of all they have. Had I it in my power, the messenger would go on his way rejoicing. But it is my lot to be poor in this world's goods.
"Our little church stands well so far as I know at this time. I am some fifteen miles from the brethren; yet I sometimes go over to meet them, and get my strength renewed."
Striving to Overcome
Sister L. Mason writes from Pine Grove, Mich., Apr. 1858: "This is the first time I have taken my pen to write to the brethren and sisters through the Review, although I have been cheered many times while reading their letters. Some have expressed my mind better than I could have done it myself. I am trying to keep the Commandments of God and have the Faith of Jesus. I find when I live near to God, he draws near to me; and then I do not see so many thorns in my pathway. I have much to do before I can be presented faultless before the throne of God. I am striving to overcome my besetments.
"Satan is very busy trying to bring all into his snare that are at ease. It becomes us to watch and pray without ceasing. It is my daily prayer to be kept from the evil that surrounds us. Our Saviour gave us warning of these things. He has been mindful of us and warned us of the dark, deceptive works of Satan, just prior to his coming. O how ought we to love and praise him for his goodness to us."
SELECTIONS.
CHEERFULNESS OF CHRISTIANS.—Religion is mistaken by the worldling for a system of rigor and austerity, marking its votaries with melancholy, and supplanting every genial affection and innocent enjoyment. Let those who possess it, be careful to rectify this error by their own example. In their deportment, let them evince neither moroseness nor want of courtesy, but the graceful serenity of a hopeful, patient, and loving spirit. Let them cultivate the smile that can shine though sorrow, and speak those words that heal as a medicine; and not sink or repine as others, when "the desire of their eyes is taken away with a stroke." For who has such a right to be always happy, and on whom are such obligations laid to be ever cheerful, as those who "have the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come!"—Am. Messenger.
PARENTAL EXAMPLE.—In vain do children hear what is good, if they see what is evil. Virtue must be before their eyes, as well as sounded in their ears. Whatever parent gives his children good instruction, and sets them at the same time a bad example, may be considered as bringing them food in one hand and poison in the other: alas, food which by nature they distaste, and poison for which they have a natural appetency.
COVETOUSNESS.—Constantine the Great, to reclaim a miser, took a lance and marked out a space of ground the size of a human body, and said, "Add heap to heap; accumulate riches upon riches; extend the bound of your possession; conquer the whole world; in a few days such a spot as this will be all you will have."—Buck.
SUBMISSION TO THE WILL OF GOD.—The famous oriental philosopher, Lokman, while a slave, being presented by his master with a bitter melon, immediately ate it all. "How was it possible," said his master, "for you to eat so nauseous a fruit?" Lokman replied, "I have recieved so many favors from you, it is no wonder I should, for once in my life, eat a bitter melon from your hand." This generous answer of the slave struck the master so forcibly, that he immediately gave him his liberty. With such sentiments should man receive his portion of sufferings at the hand of God.—Bishop Horne.
MARAH AND ELIM.—Marah and Elim! How near they lie to each other! Thus near to each other are the bitter and sweets of life, the joy and the sorrow of time! Both in the same desert, and often times following each other in the progress of one day or hour. The bitter, too, is first—then the sweet. Not first Elim and then Marah; but Marah first and then Elim—first the cloud and then the sunshine—first the weariness, then the rest. In token of this, we broke off a small branch of palm from one of these Elim trees, and laying it on the similar branch which we had brought from Marah, we tied them together, to be kept in perpetual memorial, not merely of the scenes, but of the truth which they so vividly teach.—Bonar's Desert of Sinai.