The following article is taken from the fifth edition of a work with the above title, printed in London, 1653. The book was written in defence of the "orthodoxal doctrine of the Church of England," respecting festivals, against the "Sabbatarian novelties," as they were called, of the Puritans. While it demolishes the claims set up on behalf of Sunday or Lord's Day, it fully establishes the claims of the Sabbath or Seventh Day. And it is worthy of note here, that it is not possible to refute any of the erroneous views in regard to the Sabbath and Lord's Day, without taking positions which necessarily lead to the observation of the Seventh Day. How much easier it would be to fasten the claims of the Sabbatarian institution upon the consciences of men, if we were satisfied to take the fourth commandment as it reads, and enforce it by "Thus saith the Lord."
"The third opinion is, of the new Sabbatarians, who dream of a middle way betwixt a Jew and a Christian; and thus they usually lay down in two propositions. The first is, That the Lord's Day, or first day of the week, namely Sunday, may be called the Sabbath: the next is, That the observation of the Lord's Day is a moral duty, enjoined by God himself, and declared both by the doctrine and practice of Christ and his apostles. The first appearance of this kind of teachers was in the year of our Lord 1595, near the end of the reign of Queen Elizabeth: and because they are neither able to produce direct Scripture, nor solid reason for what they say, they labor to support their conceits by fallacies, falsities, and wrestings of God's holy word, as upon scanning their proofs will be manifest to the meanest capacity.
"For their first proposition, they alledge two reasons why the Lord's Day may be called the Sabbath. One is, because the Sabbath signifies a rest; and therefore the Lord's Day being a rest, may be called the Sabbath. But to this we answer, it is false that the Sabbath signifies a rest; for when by custom of speech a common name is restrained to a particular place, thing, or person, it then becomes a proper name, and so losing its community, does signify that only particular, unto which by custom of speech it is applied; as for instance, the temple is a common name, signifying the Church; yet in London, where by custom of speech this name, The Temple, is restrained to an Inns of Court, it is false and absurd to say you were at the Temple and mean the Church of St. Giles. In like manner the Sabbath is a common name, signifying the rest; yet in the Christian Church, where by custom of speech, according to God's holy phrase throughout the Old and New Testament, this name, the Sabbath, is restrained to the Jewish weekly festival, it is false and absurd to speak of the Sabbath, and mean the Lord's Day. Their other reason why the Lord's Day may be called the Sabbath, is, because the Lord's Day succeeded in the room of the Sabbath. But if this argument be good, then may baptism be called circumcision, the Lord's Supper the Passover, and King James Queen Elizabeth.
"As for the second proposition, wherein they assert the morality and divine institution of the Lord's Day, we shall here notice only three of their reasons. The first is, because Adam, according to God's command, kept the Sabbath in the state of innocency. . . . But what is the sanctification of the Sabbath spoken of by Moses in the second chapter of Genesis, to our observing the Lord's Day? That was appointed to be kept on the seventh and last day of the week; this is kept on the first day of the week: that was the day in which God rested from his work of creation; this is the day in which God began to create the heavens and the earth: that was our Saturday; this is our Sunday. Their second proof for the morality of the Lord's Day, is from the fourth commandment, where they seek to corrupt the very text, and would persuade us that for the seventh day, we must read a seventh day; as if God did not there set apart a certain day of the week, but left it to man to keep which of the38seven be pleased. Unto which we answer, that this conceit is not only against the letter of all our translations, but even repugnant to the sense of the commandment; for the words are express that God blessed and hallowed the Sabbath day; that Sabbath day was the seventh day; that seventh day was the day in which God rested from his six days' work of creation. Nay, grant it were true (as these men would have) that this special precept does exactly oblige us, and that no particular day of the seven was by God appointed to be kept holy, then we may set apart Monday, or Tuesday, or any other day to God's service, as well as Sunday; and so, by their own argument, the Lord's Day is no more moral than any other day of the week. Their third proof is from the title or name, Lord's Day, which (say they) cannot be for any other reason, but because it is of the Lord's institution. We answer, this is false; for the Lord's Day was not so called because it was instituted by the Lord, but because it was dedicated to the Lord; as we commonly say, Saint Mary's Church, or Saint Peter's Church; which no man did ever imagine were built or founded by Saint Mary or Saint Peter."
Near the close of his book, after having examined each of the positions here referred to, he comes directly to his design, and says:—
"In vain, therefore, it is, and most absurd, for you our opponents to charge us with befooling and misleading the people. Your own practice, your own doctrines, shall bear witness betwixt us.
"You who say one while, that God did not appoint the seventh day, the day on which he rested, to be kept holy, but a seventh day, and so one day in seven be observed, no matter which of them; another while, that by this commandment God enjoins us to keep holy the first day of the week on which he began his work of creation—Do you not befool and mislead the people?
"You who (forgetting your own doctrine of the fourth commandment) do teach, that the keeping holy the first day of the week, or Lord's Day, was appointed and practised by Christ and his apostles, yet cannot produce so much as one example for it, much less a precept—Do you not befool and mislead the people?
"You who infer, because St. Paul, and the disciples at Troas, spent the whole night of the first day of the week in praying, preaching, and heavenly conference, in regard he was to leave them and depart on the morrow; therefore, St. Paul and the disciples at Troas met that night to keep holy the day past; therefore the disciples at Troas met every first day of the week, to keep that day holy; therefore the Church at Philipi, the Church in Cilicia, and all Christian Churches, did then keep holy the first day of the week; therefore all the apostles did constantly keep holy that day; therefore Christ and his apostles appointed the first day of the week to be forever celebrated, instead of the Sabbath—Is not this pitiful logic? Do you not befool and mislead the people?
"You who tell stories of an old Sabbath and a new Sabbath, a Jewish Sabbath and a Christian Sabbath, a Sabbath of the seventh day and a Sabbath of the first day of the week; that so you may slyly fix the name Sabbath on the Lord's Day, and then persuade the simple and ignorant that all those texts of Scripture wherein mention is made of the Sabbath day, are intended for the Lord's Day; when indeed to call the Lord's Day the Sabbath, is as senseless as to call Sunday Saturday, or the first day the last day of the week; when throughout the Old and New Testament we have not the least intimation of any other weekly Sabbath, save the old, Jewish, seventh day Sabbath; when you yourselves confess that the name Lord's Day, is more proper and particular, and less obvious to exception, than the name Sabbath; and that the name Sabbath is in dignity inferior to both Lord's Day and Sunday—Do you not befool and mislead the people?
"You that condemn the yearly observance of Christ's birthday as heathenish, yet acknowledge this feast to be a constitution of the ancient primitive Church—Do you not befool and mislead the people?
"Take ye heed; these are not small matters; consider well with yourselves what it is to stand guilty before God of belying Christ and his apostles, and willfully wresting the Holy Scriptures. Be advised; take time while time is to repent of those notorious slanders wherewith you have aspersed the ancient approved ways of God's worship; and let the sincerity of your repentance appear by the speedy abandoning of your unchristian practises and principles; lest the heavy judgment of seducers, to wax worse and worse, fall upon you, and God in the end deliver you up to such strong delusions that you should believe your own lies.'—Sabbath Tract No. 5.
Christ and the Sabbath
By F. M. Shimper
DEAR BRO. WHITE—I would be glad to say a few words to the dear brethren and sisters, who have not, as yet, embraced present truth. In my intercourse with them, I am often met with the following objections. 'If I have Christ formed within, it is enough.' 'It is Christ that saves, not the Sabbath. Outward observances avail not; it must be an inward work. The Spirit guides into all truth, and you Sabbath folks require an assent to your faith and practices, making the commandments a test of salvation.' I wish to inquire of these dear brethren, if they did not meet with the very same in 1843 and '44? When you felt the truth of God like fire shut up in your bones, and you must speak, were not your hearts pained by such reasonings? As though to love and obey the truth, was making the merits of Christ of none effect. Getting up another Saviour; lessening the importance of vital piety; giving heed to strange guidances, and necessarily begetting a dogmatical, proselyting spirit. O how far from the reality. How different from the true effect of God's word upon the heart.
But to make the subject clear, and shew the importance of searching for truth, I would mention a personal acquaintance who 'walked with God,' and had long enjoyed close communion with Him. When the 'Advent near' was proclaimed, she loved it, but rested, having the witness that 'Christ is mine now,' and looking for the 'Spirit to guide into all truth,' without the act of 'hearing' and examination on her part. She neglected to search diligently to see whether these things were so, and consequently suffered not the deep disappointment and reproach of God's people. But, she lost, and knew not why or how, as she afterwards expressed, the power she formerly had with God. Alas! she had not embraced what was then 'present truth,' had failed of its sanctifying influences, and was not prepared for that which followed.
O my dear brethren and sisters, next to the 'Gift of His dear Son,' I praise God that he has led me along step by step in his trying, saving truths of these last days, until I am now found under the third angel's cry, striving with my whole heart to keep the commandments of God, and the faith, or teachings of Jesus Christ. Not 'till the Midnight Cry did I so fully realize the importance of the preceding messages. But O, then I felt how improbable it was, that those who rejected them would receive this. I saw that one only prepared the way for another, and thus it appears to me quite through the perfect chain.
But I do rejoice that some have been enabled to embrace these truths as a great whole. May the Lord enable them, with those who have known this way, to stand, and enter into his rest. We hail with gladness the 'Advent Review and Sabbath Herald,' believing it just adapted to the wants of the household; and most sincerely hope each will contribute a 'mite' by writing, that it may be known whether the commandments are to them 'grievous' or not. Praise the Lord, my soul witnesseth, they are a delight. And here may I ask, does not holy writ (not we) make the keeping of them a condition of life? Yea, even the love of God itself? See John's Epistles. And are not those that do them (all of them) blessed, 'that they may enter in through the gates into the city,' &c.? But it is argued, you thus make the righteous dead enter without having kept them. We answer, they lived up to the best light they had. Now the temple of God has been opened in heaven, and the clear light shineth. O let us come to the light, that our deeds may be reproved, and we henceforth walk as children of the light. In hope. F. M. SHIMPER.
[From the Harbinger and Advocate.]
By E. P. Butler
[From the Harbinger and Advocate.]
FROM BRO. E. P. BUTLER.
DEAR BRO. MARSH:—I have almost from the commencement of your publishing the Voice of Truth, been a subscriber for your paper, but after much reflection, have concluded to stop it.
I am a stranger to you, but have many times rejoiced for the acquaintance I have formed with you through your paper. I have never been in the habit of writing much (and especially for publication). I should shrink from the present task, did I not think duty required I should give you some reasons for my stopping the paper. And should the Lord enable me to convey to your mind the same friendly feeling which I have in my own breast, I shall not wound your feelings; nor will you think me the less friendly. I leave it for others to heap praises and flatteries upon ministers and those to whom we look for instruction in spiritual things. From experience and observation, I have learned that they seldom (if ever) result in any good; nor are we disposed to use them, if our minds are deeply imbued with the Spirit of God: neither are the world nor nominal professors disposed to use them with those who are wielding successfully the sword of the Spirit.
I embraced fully the belief that the Lord was soon coming, in Jan. '43; and expected he would certainly come at the close of that Jewish year, and was greatly disappointed in not seeing him. And, like yourself and others, I was more seriously disappointed, in not seeing the Savior coming in the clouds of heaven, on the tenth day of the seventh month, (1844,) when the cry was made: Behold, the Bridegroom cometh!—Go ye out to meet him.
At the passing of this time, I believed the door was shut, nor was I alone in this belief. Yourself, and almost every other Advent believer, for months after the passing of the time, believed their work for the world was done. And as Bro. Miller expressed it, in his letter to Bro. Himes, Adv. Her., Dec. 11, 1844: 'We have done our work in warning sinners, and trying to awake a formal church. God in his Providence has SHUT THE DOOR.' You say, in the Voice of Truth, Nov. 7, 1844, in describing our position: 'We cheerfully admit, that we have been mistaken in the nature of the event we expected would occur on the tenth day of the seventh month; but we cannot admit, that the Great High Priest did not on that very day accomplish all that the type would justify us to expect. We now believe he did.' George Needham, in Voice of Truth, March 19, 1845, says: 'I am and have been convinced, since the 10th day of the 7th month, that our work with the world and the foolish virgins, is done. I must deny that glorious movement as the work of God, or can come to no other conclusion.'
These quotations (you are aware) might be given to almost any length. But I forbear. I wish now to ask, whether Bro. Needham, or any of his brethren, are wise enough now to come to any other conclusion.—I ask, whether removing the bounds of time (the 2300 days) has had any other effect than to destroy our faith in all these movements being of God. If we have not had the true midnight cry, when, and where, and how, can we have it?
Such has been the interest I have felt on this great subject, I have designed to neglect no means, nor refuse any necessary expenses, to learn39our true position and whereabouts. While the light was shining from our publications, I took all the Advent papers I had knowledge of; and there has been much good matter in them, but I have been constrained to believe that most (if not all of them) lost their light on our present position, soon after the 10th day of the 7th month. Is this the 'way of the just, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day?' Where is the love that existed among us, previous to the Albany Conference?—Where is the church of Brotherly Love, of which the Lord said: 'Thou hast a little strength, and has kept my word, and hast not denied my name'? Rev. iii, 8. And to whom will the 9th verse apply?
I think, Bro. Marsh, you might define the position, and mark the organization of the Laodicean church more definitely now, than you did in the Voice of Truth, Aug. 13, 1845. I am glad that you stood aloof from, and protested against, its organization. But I fear even you have too much conformed to the powers that be. Let us bestir ourselves and repent. Here is our only hope. 'As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten.' Those that are 'rich and increased in goods, and have need of nothing' now, I fear will find, when it is too late, that they are 'wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.'
We have another testing truth before us, viz: The Third Angel's Message. And I very much fear it will be too close a test for some of the leaders in the Advent movement. Leaders don't love to be led.—But the Lord will abase the high, and exalt the humble. 'The last shall be first, and the first last.' I have been greatly blessed in meeting with the Seventh day Sabbath and Shut Door brethren. They hold to the past and define our present position. I believe they have the truth, and that God is leading them by his Spirit.
Yours, in the bonds of love, E. P. BUTLER.
Waterbury, Vt., Nov. 23, 1850.
THE REVIEW AND HERALD.
By Editor
"Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth."
PARIS, JANUARY, 1851.
☛ THE CHART.—We stated in our last that "about 240" would cost "near $250." But we have since seen Bro. Nichols, and have ascertained that 300, (the number to be published,) will cost not less than $400. Of this sum, Bro. Nichols pays $75. As the Chart costs much more than we anticipated, it is necessary that the price should be more than was stated in No. 4. The price, therefore, will be $2,00 each, a small sum for such a treasure. Bro Nichols has spared no pains to have the work done correctly and well. We are much pleased with the arrangement of the Chart, and the execution of the work; and we are satisfied that it will be a great help to those who teach the present truth, and prove a blessing to the scattered flock. Those whom God has called to give the message of the third angel, can have it free. Those who wish, can send in their donations, and if more is received than enough to pay for the Chart, it will be used in publishing the "Review and Herald." All letters relative to the Chart should be addressed to Otis Nichols, Dorchester, Mass., (Post Paid.)
J. N. ANDREWS
By John Nevins Andrews
CONFERENCE AT MELBOURNE, C. E.—This meeting commenced Friday, Jan. 11, and closed Sunday evening. A goodly number of brethren and sisters were in attendance. Here we met Brn. Bates, and Hollis, who are laboring much in the Lord. The solemn presence of God rested down upon us, whilst we listened to the important truths of the Bible, relative to our present position. Some things not in the order of the Gospel were happily corrected, and a stronger bond of union, we trust, cemented together the hearts of God's people. The word of God had free course in our midst and was glorified. May the blessing of Almighty God rest upon the dear brethren in that place and vicinity.
J. N. ANDREWS
A Testimony in Favor of Present Truth
By J. B. Sweet
Dear Bro. White—Although a stranger to you, yet I take the liberty of writing you a few lines. I should have written you before now, but I am a man that follows the water for the support of my family; therefore, I am absent from home the greater part of the sailing season. I have now just returned home (having been absent about four months) to stop through the winter. Since my return, I have been reading a small book, the "Advent Review," and also the "Present Truth." I think your views in regard to certain prophecies being fulfilled in '43 and '44, are correct. I do not hesitate to receive your views in regard to the judgment hour cry, the tarrying time, and the Midnight Cry. I believe that many of the Adventists have been, and still are in an indifferent state; and I think the most of them might with propriety claim the Laodicean state for their position. For myself and family, I can only ask the Lord to grant us repentance unto life. I feel very thankful that you have been so kind as to forward me your paper. I think it is meat in due season, and feel to praise the Lord for it.
I should be glad, Dear Bro., to have your paper continued, but my limited means will not admit of it at present, and to ask it gratis is more than I can do. If you can do me the kindness to continue the paper, as soon as the means is in my hand you shall have it.
Yours, J. B. SWEET.
Oxford, Ohio, Dec. 24th, 1850.
DUTY TO OUR CHILDREN.
By Joseph Bates
"Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments. [See Deut. v, 1.] Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: and he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse." Mal. iv, 4—6.
There is no doubt but what we are living in the very time of the fulfillment of this prophecy. How important then, that parents, who keep the statutes and judgments, turn their attention to their children, and teach them the commandments of the Lord; that they with them "may enter in through the gates into the city." The parents must feel the responsibility that now rests upon them. The salvation of their children depends on their strict attention to cultivate their minds to serve God, by precept and example. All that are saved now, must keep the commandments of God, in accordance with the third angel's message.—Rev. xiv, 12. No matter how much else we do, if this third and last message is unheeded, we cannot be saved, any more than those who are now condemned for rejecting the first and second messages in verses 6—8. When the Master of the house (the Lord Jesus) rose up and shut to the door, all honest believers, that had submitted to his will, and children that had not arrived to the years of accountability, were undoubtedly borne in on his breast-plate of judgment which is over his heart.—The names of all that fully keep the commandments are retained. These that do not, will have their names erased before Jesus leaves the Holiest.
The children, that are taught, and that keep the commandments of God, as they come to the years of accountability, are believers just as fully as adult persons, that are now embracing all of the commandments, in addition to what they believed before.
It is true, some persons that are ignorant of this message may, and undoubtedly will be saved if they die before Jesus leaves the Holiest.—I mean those that were believers before 1844. Sinners and backsliders cannot get their names on the breast-plate of judgment now. God in infinite mercy has borne with our ignorance on this subject until now; and our children have been neglected as they should not have been.—Let us then do all that our hands find to do towards their salvation,10we are rejoiced to know that many are doing their duty. Bro. White has spoken out on this subject, in the "Present Truth." Also Sister Whitcomb; yet there are some, that are not doing all they can, in the way of instructing their children at home, and in taking them with them to the Sabbath and other meetings. God wants to save the children, as well as their parents.
Moses was especially instructed about this thing. "Specially the day that thou stoodest before the Lord thy God in Horeb, when the Lord said unto me, Gather me the people together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may TEACH THEM CHILDREN." Deut. iv, 10. "Thou shalt keep, therefore, his statutes and his commandments which I command thee this day, that it may go well with thee, and with THY CHILDREN after thee," &c. Verse 40.
See also Deut. xi, 19—21. And ye shall teach them your CHILDREN, [my commandments which I command you this day. See verse 13.] speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.—And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates," &c.
When the whole people promised to keep this covenant, God said, "O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their CHILDREN FOREVER." Chap. v, 29.
Isaiah also, when teaching of things that would come to pass in the last days, says, "For I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will SAVE THY CHILDREN." Chap. xlix, 25. "And all thy CHILDREN shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy CHILDREN." Chap. liv, 13.
At the day of Pentecost, Peter points to the same day that Malachi does. "And it shall come to pass in the last days, (saith God,) I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions," &c. Acts, ii, 17. "For the promise is unto you and your children," &c. Verse 39.
When God, by his outstretched arm, recovered ancient Israel from the power of the king of Egypt, their children were included, and went out with them, and finally entered the promised Canaan. God in setting his hand the second time to recover the remnant of Israel, has shown by his prophets, that the children will come with their parents. See Jer. xxx, 20; Eze. xxxvii, 25; Zec. x, 7, 9. Praise our God, we have the evidence that he is now doing this very work among the remnant. Let us look at it also in the example or type according to Paul. 1 Cor. x, 6, 11. The Lord said unto Moses, "Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my LAW, or no." Ex. xvi, 4. This LAW was the keeping, or restoring the seventh-day Sabbath. Proof, verses 27—30. Here the children were included with their parents; so also in the other passages quoted above. So now, in the second and last time, when God is recovering the true Israel, that are keeping and restoring the same seventh day Sabbath, with the keeping of all the commandments of God, they will have their children, that are in like manner obedient, to go with them into the heavenly Canaan.
With what energy and zeal should the parents who keep the commandments, grasp these precious promises for their dear children; and beseech God for help and strength from the Holy Sanctuary, to bring their children to him, before "the great and terrible day of the Lord shall come." At which time their wicked children will be cut down before their eyes, if they have neglected to lead them to God.
With us, we have set apart a portion of the Sabbath to pray with and instruct all the children that come to our meetings, and have already felt the blessing of God attending it. Sensible we are, that our time in doing any more for our children is short. It must be done quickly, or it will be too late. JOSEPH BATES. Fairhaven, Mass., Nov. 24, 1850.
SANCTIFY THEM THROUGH THY TRUTH: THY WORD IS TRUTH.
By F. M. Shimper
How full and comprehensive is the prayer of our divine Lord and Master, for the sorrowing disciples, as he was about to leave them for a season; though sweetly assured that he will come again and take them to himself, yet, in the interval they have need not of the comforter only, but also, of the sanctifying power of truth. Of this the "Good Shepherd" was aware, and consequently prays, sanctify them through thy truth; and O praised be his name forever, he prayed not for them alone, but for all who should believe on him through their word. Dear brethren and sisters, do we know in our own souls the answer to this all important petition, as God has made it our privilege, nay more, our duty to know it. Even though we proved all the consecrating power of the gospel to the 10th of the 7th month, '44, there laying ourselves, our all, in holy dedication on the altar, yet, in the deep anguish of that disappointment have we not almost turned back, thinking there is no more truth for us, and perhaps now begin to feel that there is need of no more. But stop a moment dear brother, dear sister, and look within. Upon close examination do you find all that deadness to the world, and life in Christ, you would desire in view of eternal scenes? Is every passion subjugated, and every feeling in sweet unison with the bright spirits of "the better land," or, in other words, in accordance with the pure principles of the gospel? Ah, no. Methinks the result of heart-searching, is, I am far from what I should be, and what I must be to enter into life. If so, let us praise God that there is more truth for us, yes, glory to his ever blessed name, even for us. The favored John saw a third angel which followed the two, whose messages in the time of their proclamation, were attended with great power, (as our own and thousands of souls witnessed,) and how fully adapted to the wants of the scattered flock, in their patient waiting time, is the burden of this third angel's message;—"The commandments of God and the faith of Jesus." Truly the former cries brought us out here, and the third makes plain our duty, while waiting the return of the Nobleman.
F. M. SHIMPER.
The True Midnight Cry
Bro. Lewis Martin, of Bennington, N. H., writes, Jan. 1st, 1851:— "Bro. White—We receive your paper, and we are highly pleased with it; for it is just what we believe, and what we have experienced. I thank and praise God that I have not forgotten the Cry that was made in 1844, "Behold the Bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him."—That was the true Midnight Cry. I thank God that he gave me a disposition to heed that Cry. I have just read Bro. Bates' article in the last "Review and Herald." It is good. There are a few of us here, strong in the faith that the parable in Matt. xxv, was fulfilled in the fall of '44. That is, it ended there, down as far as the shut door. We are endeavoring to keep the Sabbath of the Lord our God "according to the commandment."
Love for God’s Precious Truth
Sister M. Ashley, of Dartmouth, Mass., writes—"I do find in my heart a love for God's precious truth, and I rejoice that the poor lost sheep are being gathered. Truly, God has set his hand to the work, and it will be done. Every 'jewell' will be gathered for the second 'casket,' and not one be lost. Glory to God, he has some precious 'jewells' in old Dartmouth, and they now begin to shine.
Your books are doing much; do send more."
ATTITUDE IN PRAYER.
By Joseph Bates
"I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting." 1 Tim. ii, 8. There is much Scripture testimony for this position in prayer. When Moses was to look to God to stay the mighty thunders and hail from Egypt, he went out "and spread abroad his hands unto the Lord; and the thunders and hail ceased."—Ex. ix, 33.
And in the war with Israel against Amalek, when Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. Ex. xvii, 11. "But Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword." Verses 12, 13.
When Job would be comforted in his deep trouble, he was directed to "stretch out his hands toward God." Job xi, 13. Again, "Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the Lord." Ps. cxxxiv, 2.
David in deep affliction, said, "I muse on the work of thy hands. I stretch forth my hands unto thee; my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land." Ps. cxliii, 6. When Nehemiah and Ezra gathered all the people together on their holy feast day, and read the law unto them, "Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God; and all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands; and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground." Neh. viii, 6.
The Lord directed Aaron how to bless his people, thus: "The Lord bless thee, and keep thee; The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee; The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace." Num. vi, 24—26. "And Aaron lifted up his hand towards the people, and blessed them." Lev. ix, 22.
When Ezra in deep trial would prevail with God, he says, "I fell upon my knees, and spread out my hands unto the Lord my God." See Ezra ix, 5.
At the dedication of the Temple, Solomon "kneeled down upon his knees before all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands towards heaven." II. Chron. vi, 13.
On that night in which our blessed Lord was betrayed, he retired a little from his disciples, and kneeled down, and prayed. See Luke xxii, 41. "And he led them out as far as to Bethany; and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them," and passed into heaven. Chap. xxiv, 50.
Much more might be adduced from the Old and New Testament, to prove the attitude of God’s humble praying people, when in prayer before him. But this may suffice; for every real Christian knows when he kneels before the Great and Mighty God, who is ever ready to answer every sincere petition, how instinctively the hands will rise with the voice, as though reaching for the very answer that the soul is crying for. Some may think it makes no difference, if they only get down from a standing position, how they present themselves in prayer before God. Let such practice the above plain Scripture rule, both in private and social seasons of prayer, and they will soon learn (if their hearts are right before him) that the apostle Paul, both saw, and felt the difference between the wrong and right position. Hence his earnest exhortation, "I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting."
In the great and dreadful day of the Lord, when destruction upon destruction is cried, and the whole land shall be desolate, as Jeremiah has prophesied in his fourth chapter, especially verses 19—31, the spreading forth of hands by the daughter of Zion, (the remnant in the time of Jacob’s trouble,) will be as universal as the day and night prayer; for "their souls will be wearied because of murderers."
JOSEPH BATES.
Fairhaven, Mass., Nov. 24, 1850.
Letters Received Since Jan. 2
By Editor
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The ADVENT REVIEW, containing thrilling testimonies written in the Holy Spirit, by many of the leaders in the Second Advent cause, showing its Divine origin and progress—48 pages. Also the five numbers of the “Review,” and the “Extra,” by Bro. Hiram Edson.
The Present Truth, No. 1. The WEEKLY SABBATH taught and enforced in the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments—28 pages.
The Seventh-day Sabbath NOT ABOLISHED. The article by Joseph Marsh, editor of the “Advent Harbinger and Bible Advocate,” REVIEWED—36 pages.
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