IF all who stand to-day fully convinced of the truth would immediately obey it, how prodigiously would it swell the ranks of commandment-keepers. Those who have had much experience in preaching the word know that the hard spot in the battle is to induce men to commence the practice of Christian duties that are urged upon them, even after they are persuaded that the word of God demands it at their hands. To convince the judgment, is a comparatively easy work; to lead men to that which is the vital part of conversion, a reformation of life, is a more difficult matter.
To openly acknowledge the claims of duty, to avow a clear understanding of what God's law requires, and yet refuse to obey, is a position so strange, so presumptuous and indefensible, that few are willing to own that that is where they stand. Multitudes, as it is easy to see, are fully convinced of the truth, who will not in so many words acknowledge it, yet some in unmistakable language confess their true position. Thus a friend writes:—
"For about six months I have been reading on the Sabbath question, and it has fully convinced me that the seventh day is the only day to keep and conform to God's commandments. It may be that I never shall keep the seventh day as the Sabbath; but notwithstanding this, I freely confess that the seventh day is the only true Sabbath to keep."
If others would be as frank in the expression of their views, we think there would be many more testimonies to the plainness of the Sabbath truth. But how shall we account for his words when he says, "It may be that I never shall keep the seventh day as the Sabbath"? Why not keep it? Since you see and acknowledge that God requires it, why not? Such a position under such circumstances is a most inexcusable and dangerous one. What excuse will such persons render for their course in the great day of accounts? Others who refuse to keep the Sabbath profess to have some reason for so doing. They take those things for reasons which of course are no reasons, and no doubt force their consciences to the acceptance of excuses with which they are not themselves satisfied. Nevertheless they think that they can make some show of reason for their course of action when they shall be required to answer for the deeds done in the body.
But he who acknowledges God's will, yet refuses to obey it, confesses judgment beforehand. On such points as are covered by his confession, at least he bars the way against all excuses. He advertises himself in advance as one who, when the King comes in to examine the guests, will be speechless. Sins of ignorance, and sins of judgment, have some palliation; but sins deliberately committed against light and knowledge, none. "If I had not come," says Christ, "and spoken unto them, they had not had sin; but now they have no cloak for their sin."
How can persons occupy such a position and calmly contemplate the future? Some indescribable infatuation must be upon them. We would earnestly entreat them to offer no longer willful provocation to the judgments of Heaven. We would plead with them to make haste to obey that which they know to be truth. Delay not to keep the commandments of God. Confer not with flesh and blood. Give no weight to worldly objections in the scale of moral duty.
Most deplorably wretched among the lost will be those who have plunged on to perdition with the light of truth glaring in their very faces, and the voice of duty tenderly imploring them at every step to turn into the way of everlasting life. Pollok, saving only his wrong idea of the duration of future punishment, forcibly describes the condition of such:—
"And as I listened I heard these beings curse Almighty God, and curse the Lamb and curse The earth, the resurrection morn, and seek, And ever vainly seek for utter death. And to their everlasting anguish still The thunders from above responding spoke These words which through the caverns of perdition Forlornly echoing fell on every ear— 'Ye knew your duty but ye did it not.' And back recoiled again a deeper groan. A deeper groan! Oh, what a groan was that!"
U. S.
"Hear ye, Hear ye, Hear ye!"
By Dudley Marvin Canright
As I was passing by a court house, I stopped and looked. I saw a man standing in the door of the court house crying with a loud voice which was heard far up the streets, "Hear ye, hear ye, hear ye!" What did he mean? Listening a little farther, I soon learned that the hour had come for the county court to set, and he was giving everybody warning to that effect. The destiny of several men was now to be decided. Some were indited for stealing, and some for murder. For long weeks and months, with trembling anticipation, they had been dreading this hour. Now the day had come, the court was opened, and these cases must be decided. In order that every man might be ready, this proclamation was made beforehand; and this I learned was the custom always at the opening of a court.
Now I thought if the judges of earth do this in order that all may be warned and ready for this earthly judgment, shall not the Judge of all the earth give a warning to the inhabitants of the earth when the day of his judgment is at hand? It certainly is reasonable, to say the least.
Looking into the word of God, I find that the Lord has solemnly declared that he will give a warning to the world just before the hour of judgment and the second advent. Now hear the word of God: John, the revelator, was shown things to come. He had a view of the judgment and the second advent of Jesus. He was shown also what would precede these events. So, just before the advent, he says that he saw an angel proclaiming a solemn message to the world, and he tells us that that message was an announcement that the hour of God's judgment had come. Here is what he says: "And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come; and worship him that made heaven, and earth, the sea, and the fountains of waters." Rev. 14:6, 7.
This message as you will see is to be proclaimed near the end of the world. Every nation must hear it. Notice how definite that message is. "The hour of his judgment is come." Not is coming; not shall come at some indefinite time in the future; but it is come.
Here, then, the word of God emphatically declares that there will be a most solemn warning to the world, preceding the judgment and the second advent. Many scriptures all through the Bible plainly teach the same reasonable doctrine. We will give one quotation to prove that the day of the Lord is at the judgment. "But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up." 2 Peter 3:7-10.
This, then, is the day of the Lord. Now, that there is to be a solemn warning, proclaiming this day at hand is thus shown by Joel. In chapter 1:15, he says: "Alas for the day! for the day of the Lord is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come." Here is a reference to that day of the Lord. Again he says: "Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain; let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; for the day of the Lord cometh, it is nigh at hand." Joel 2:1. Blowing the trumpet is always to give an alarm, to warn the people of the coming danger. So the Lord says, "Blow the trumpet and sound the alarm." How extensive is this to be, and what is it for? The answer is given,-"Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble." Something terrible is coming. When is this to be, and what is it to be? The answer is also given to this: "For the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand." Ah, here we have it! When the day of the Lord is coming, when it is nigh at hand; then the Lord says that the trumpet must be blown, and the inhabitants must be warned.
The Scripture must be fulfilled; these prophecies must be accomplished. When will it be done? At the very time specified-when the day of the Lord is at hand. This, then, shows that there must be a warning when the second advent is nigh at hand. So our Saviour says that at the second advent it shall be as it was in the days of Noah. Matt. 24:37, 38. Now, how was it in the days of Noah? Was there a warning then or was there not? We are all familiar with that event, and we know that the Lord raised up Noah and gave him a solemn warning for that generation. All the righteous believed then and prepared themselves for the flood. The wicked also heard it, but did not believe it. They paid no attention to it. They did not prepare themselves for it, and as the consequence, they were all destroyed. Jesus says it shall be so in the last days. So there must be a warning here. The righteous must hear the warning, the wicked also, though they will not believe it. As we have shown before, the Lord always warns the world of any impending crisis. He sent a warning before the flood, he sent a warning before the fall of Sodom and Gomorrah, he sent a warning before the overthrow of Ninevah, and he sent a warning by raising up John the Baptist to prepare the people for the first advent of our Saviour. Both Jesus and his disciples warned the Jews of the destruction of Jerusalem. And now shall the last great, fearful day come, and not a note of warning be sounded to the world? This is not reasonable. It is not Scriptural. There shall be a last final warning to the world. This will be the most solemn, the most extensive, and the most thorough of any that the race have ever heard.277That time has now come. God in his providence has thrust out his servants and everywhere over the land they are raising the cry, "The Lord is coming, the judgment is at hand. Oh, ye nations of the earth, prepare to meet your God."
Some say, "It is no matter if the Lord is coming if we are only prepared to die." Oh, my brethren, this is a deception of the devil. This is utterly untrue. You must look at this in a very different light, for you are deceived about it. Stop and think a moment! Is the world to be warned of the second advent? Then somebody must give that warning. The wicked will not do it certainly, men who have no faith in it will certainly not do it. It must be done by the men who do believe it. It will cost a vast amount of means to warn the doomed millions of this generation. It will cost money, it will cost labor. Hundreds of men are needed to engage in the work. Tracts must be printed, papers must be published, and printing houses must be built. Great sacrifices must be made. Who will do this work? God has said it shall be done, and it will be done. The Lord always works by men. He uses men to accomplish his work. Who will believe the Lord and his servants and assist in this great work? D. M. CANRIGHT.
Interesting and Curious.
By John Norton Loughborough
‘‘The Interior furnishes the following list of the Presbyterian clergy who hold to Second Adventism:—
‘‘Dr. S. H. Kellogg, professor of theology in Western Theological Seminary, Allegheny city; Dr. John T. Cooper, professor of theology in the W. P. Theological Seminary, Allegheny city; Dr. W. G. Moorehead, professor in the U. P. Theological Seminary at Xenia, O.; Dr. Willis Lord, late professor in the Theological Seminary of Chicago; Dr. N. West and Dr. J. G. Reaser, late professors in the Theological Seminary of Danville; Dr. John T. Duffield, professor in Princeton College; Dr. E. R. Craven, of Newark; Dr. Charles K. Imbrie, of Jersey city; Dr. Chas. S. Robinson, of New York; Dr. S. R. Wilson, of Louisville, Kentucky; Dr. Robert Patterson, of San Francisco; and others.
‘‘The Presbyterian Weekly pronounces the doctrine of Second Adventism ‘certainly unscriptural according to Evangelical Standards.’ What especial relation this doctrine holds to what is called ‘Evangelical Standards’ we will not undertake to say. There must be liberty of opinion somewhere; and as the Westminster Confession does not touch upon the subject it is possible one may hold to the doctrine and be a true blue Presbyterian. But to preach the doctrine even though it create dissension in the church—that is quite another matter, and we believe none of the brethren named have been guilty of that folly. Some forms of belief, like truth itself, are not to be declared at all times.’’
It is a matter of interest to the believer in the truly scriptural doctrine of Christ’s coming to learn that men occupying prominent positions are giving attention to the subject. It is a little curious to us what kind of ‘‘Evangelical Standard’’ the Presbyterian Weekly has which ignores a doctrine which is taught in every thirtieth verse in the New Testament, and is made the only hope of God’s people.
The spirit which inspired the belief that none of the above named ministers had been guilty of the ‘‘folly’’ of preaching the doctrine if it made ‘‘dissensions in the church’’ must be a different spirit from that which actuated John in Revelation when he prayed ‘‘even so come Lord Jesus.’’
Southern California Camp-Meeting.
By W. M. Healey
This meeting commenced on the morning of September 10, and lasted six days. The weather being quite warm and Brother Loughborough much worn from previous labor he was seized with a fainting spell on the second day of the meeting so that he was unable to do as much preaching as he otherwise could have done, but God blessed and strengthened him so that we were not deprived of his labors. He gave attention to practical matters particularly the rise, progress and needs of the cause, holding that now is the time spoken of by Luke in the twelfth chapter when we should sell what we have and give alms, by so doing provide for ourselves bags without holes, as this was to be done just previous to the second coming of Christ. Brother Wood gave two discourses, showing clearly that we are the time when Jesus is soon to come, and his people are to be looking for him.
The writer preached several sermons on the law, and showed from the Word of God that there were many "wonderous things" in it.
We also preached upon the signs of the times, among other things pointing to the spirit of animosity that exists between capital and labor, and showing the fearfulness of capitalists to invest their wealth as fulfilling to a certain degree the prophecy of James 5, for rich men to weep and howl for the misery that is coming upon them, at which time says James, "stablish your hearts brethren for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh." Again he says, "Ye [rich men] have condemned and killed the just and he doth not resist you," and we find those who are looking for the Lord are not engaged in the conflict between capital and labor; they have a better hope.
The social meetings were good and there seemed to be a general desire to rise higher in the Christian life. Altogether the camp-meeting was a success, and we trust the brethren and sisters will endeavor to carry out in their lives the good resolutions there made.
W. M. HEALEY.
Letter From England.
THE following is an extract from a private letter from Brother Ings. He says:—
My first visit in England was to Southampton, where I have several cousins. I gave them reading matter, and I was astonished to see the effect our publications had. I brought quite a quantity with me; but the demand was so great that I found it necessary to order more from America, and now I am expecting the second lot every day, and find myself in great need of them. It seems to me that this field has been neglected so long that God would show us as a people how far we are behind his providence, by using those not in the truth to scatter his message. People wanted tracts to give to the members of their churches; others wanted them to give to their neighbors; some wanted them to send away, and to-day hundreds are reading who knew nothing about these things two months ago.
I have spent several weeks in doing missionary work. I have visited nearly two hundred families. I am treated with respect, and have found many interesting cases. Several are convinced; and if a course of lectures could be given I should look for a harvest of souls. I shall try, by the help of God, while I am here to prepare the way for Brother Loughborough, so that he may have a foothold. He would find many friends to the truth here. The way would be opened for lectures; and, this being a seaport where vessels are constantly leaving for all parts of the globe, it would make an excellent point for doing missionary labor.
I find as good people in England as in any country I have been in, yet all the medium class have all they can do to live, and in consequence it might be quite a while before a mission here would be self-sustaining; but I think when the people see the truth they will be more stable than those in America. Of course, obstacles and trials would be found here as well as elsewhere; but I believe God is ready to set his hand to the work in this island.
We shall all welcome Brethren Loughborough and W. C. White, and their wives, on this side of the ocean; and if it should be in the order of God to send his worn servants, Brother and Sister White, here they too would receive a hearty greeting from all of like precious faith.
Peculiarities Concerning the Sabbath.
By Raymond F. Cottrell
THERE are some peculiarities with the opposition to the Sabbath. Those who hold that the Sabbath has been abolished, teach that it was two thousand five hundred years after God rested upon the seventh day and blessed and sanctified it, before any one was under obligation to keep it holy; that from Adam to Moses no one was bound to recognize the day as sanctified; that then it was binding on the Hebrew people only down to the cross of Christ, to which it was nailed, since which it is not binding. And yet it is admitted that Isa. 66:22, 23, teaches that the Sabbath will be observed in the world to come. To evade the bearing this fact has on the question, the attempt is made to befog the subject by inquiring, “What Sabbath?”
The peculiarities, then, of the opposition are these: From the time the Sabbath was sanctified, i. e., set apart to a sacred use, there is a void of some two thousand five hundred years during which it was not binding; then it was binding for some fifteen hundred years; then there is a gap of some two thousand years in which it is not binding, and then it will be binding to all eternity in the world to come. This is singular indeed; especially that such an arrangement should be attributed to the Creator and Disposer of the universe. It looks much more like childrens’ play.
The Sabbath has its peculiarities also. Its law was placed by the finger of God in the midst of nine moral precepts, precepts that no sane man can deny to be binding on all the human race. And, compared with these nine precepts which are universally and perpetually binding, the Sabbath has several peculiarities.
1. Its institution is described in the record of the creation; whereas none of the other nine precepts are found in the record of several hundred years.
2. The Sabbath existed and was kept by Israel in the desert before they came to Mount Sinai, where the law was given in form by God himself. Ex. 16:23, 30. The keeping of any one of the other nine separately is not found in the record up to that time; though all were kept by Abraham. Gen. 26:5.
3. The Sabbath precept was a part of God’s law more than a month before that law was written on tables of stone. Ex. 16:4. This is not definitely revealed of any other precept of the decalogue.
4. The Sabbath precept is the only one of the ten that refers us back to the creation of the world for its origin. Ex. 20:11.
5. The Sabbath is mentioned oftener in the New Testament than any other commandment of the ten.
6. The Sabbath is the only precept of the ten that we are distinctly taught shall be observed in the new earth. Isa. 66:22, 23.
Is it not truly remarkable that a precept thus fortified should be the one singled out for abolition and destruction?
R. F. COTTRELL.
Report of Meetings.
By John Norton Loughborough
Since my last report I have held one meeting in Sacramento and attended the two California camp-meetings. I had an interesting time in Sacramento with the little company there. A vote was passed by the church, requesting Brother Butler, as soon as consistent after his arrival in California, to spend a little time there and organize the church.
Our northern camp-meeting has already been spoken of by others. It was the largest and best camp-meeting we have had in California.
The southern meeting which closed yesterday morning was of the same character as the northern. We had excessive hot weather most of the time during the meeting, which with lack of shade made our situation physically uncomfortable, yet the grace of God carried us above all this, and we had the best meeting yet held in that southern field. There were forty tents upon the ground and two hundred and fifteen campers. Last year there were twenty-two tents and one hundred and thirteen campers. Twenty-five were baptized and six others signed the covenant, a large portion of these decided upon the ground. The preaching of Brethren Healey, Wood and the writer was practical and close, and the Spirit of God set it home to hearts.
The brethren and sisters took hold to lift in the various enterprises connected with the cause. They pledged $1,530 of new stock to the Oakland publishing fund and $571 to the British mission, besides donating four ounces of jewelry to the British mission. The children contributed $6.35 of their little savings for the mission. The meeting has been another powerful lever to exert its influence in extending the truth in that part of the State.
The work was started in Fresno and Tulare counties a little over two years ago. Now there are eight places where regular Sabbath meetings are held, one hundred and forty-five names are now on the covenant, of those still firm in the truth. The pledges to systematic benevolence fund amounts to $914.40 per year. Most are paying the missionary one-third. The district has quite a stock of books and tracts on hand, and over $16 to its credit in the State tract and missionary treasury.
If they go forward in the name of the Lord, their numbers will doubtless more than double in the next two years. God bless and advance the work. J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
Oakland, Cal., September 17, 1878.
Business Meeting.
A business meeting of the Seventh-day Adventists was held at the southern California camp-meeting, September 15, 1878, at 9 A. M.
Meeting called to order by Elder J. N. Loughborough. Prayer by Elder W. M. Healey. J. L. Gilbert was elected secretary.
Reports of committees being in order the committee on licenses, consisting of Elders Healey and Wood and Brother Bell, reported as applicants for colporteur's licenses the names of W. M. Smith, Geo. Hutchings and Wm. Bell.
On motion, the report was accepted, and the above named applicants were recommended to the Conference committee as suitable persons to receive colporteur's licenses.
The committee on resolutions reported as follows:—
Resolved, That we heartily endorse the resolutions relating to our general cause, as passed by our brethren at the northern California camp-meeting. Especially as regards the labors of Elder J. N. Loughborough, and the welcoming of Elder G. I. Butler to this Conference.
Resolved, That we feel under obligations to Messrs. C. Railsback, Heinland brothers Brownstone & Co., and others for free use of ground, lumber, and for other favors shown us to make our camp-meeting a success.
Resolved, That we ask the Conference to send us Elder W. M. Healey or Elder G. I. Butler to labor with us in this part of the State as much time this winter as they can possibly be spared from other fields of duty.
Resolved, That copies of these resolutions be furnished the SIGNS OF THE TIMES for publication.
W. M. HEALEY,
J. L. WOOD,
WM. BELL,
Committee on Resolutions.
On motion, the above resolutions were adopted.
On motion, the meeting then adjourned, subject to the call of the president.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH, Chairman.
J. L. GILBERT, Secretary.
Reports from the Field.
By Editor
(Condensed from Review and Herald.)
Vermont.
WEST TOWNSHEND.—Elder Sanborn writes: “We closed our tent labor September 1, to ship the tents to the camp-ground. There is still a deep interest, and the influence of the meetings is felt miles distant. Eight have commenced keeping the Sabbath as the result of our meeting.”
New York.
EAST MARTINSBURG.—Elders Wilbur and Bump write September 3: “We had a very interesting meeting here in our tent last Sabbath. After the discourse three persons of sterling integrity, one of whom had formerly held the position of local elder in the Congregational society, took their stand with us on the Sabbath and kindred doctrines.”
MANNSVILLE.—Brethren Brown and Wilcox write September 2: “The interest here still continues good and is extending. There are now between fifteen and twenty keeping the Sabbath, with a prospect of several more. The especial blessing of the Lord has been given in declaring the truth.”
Pennsylvania.
SUNDERLINVILLE.—Elder Saunders writes September 3: “The past week has been the most interesting one in our meetings here. Eight have taken their stand on the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, making twenty, in all, that have commenced to keep the Sabbath since the tent was pitched here.”
COUNDERSPORT.—Brethren Whitney and Robinson write September 2: “The interest here is still good, and we expect to continue our meetings as long as the weather is suitable. Six or seven have commenced keeping the Sabbath. There is considerable opposition manifested. A Methodist clergyman announced a lecture upon ‘Socrates.’ This drew quite a crowd, and the point made was upon the belief of Socrates in the immortality of the soul. He spoke of the wonderful support this belief afforded him in his dying moments, and then said he thought a belief that could give comfort and support to ‘that poor old heathen’ ought to support and comfort a Christian! We were glad to tell the people that as for us we preferred to believe what Moses, the prophets, and the apostles taught, and let those who chose to do so believe with ‘the poor old heathen.’ Not a word of Bible proof did he offer. We feel thankful for the truth.”
Alabama.
ATALLA.—Elder Burrill writes, August 26: “We have been here two months. Twelve have signed the covenant, and a few more are keeping the Sabbath. It seems almost impossible for the people to break away from the network of superstition which has so long encircled them.”
Wisconsin.
KENDALL.—Brother Snow reports Sept. 2: “We closed our meetings here Sunday evening, Sept. 1. Twenty-two have promised to keep the Sabbath, and many others are convinced. The interest has been good all the time, but is better now than at any previous time.”
Iowa.
BONAPARTE.—Elder L. McCoy writes September 5: “Since the close of the discussion, a deep interest pervades the entire town and vicinity. Conviction rests on a large portion of those who have heard. Ten or twelve have taken their stand, and we confidently expect as many more.”
CLARENCE.—Brother Dorces writes September 2: “Brethren Hart and Pegg have been in Clarence over seven weeks. They have labored faithfully. About fifteen have decided in favor of the truth, and many others are deeply interested. The congregations were good all the time, and the meetings closed last Sunday evening with a remarkably good interest.”
Minnesota.
ALEXANDRIA.—Elders Curtis and Battin report September 4: “We have given fourteen discourses here. Have had the best of order and attention in our congregation, which have ranged from fifty to two hundred. Those who attend give evidence of being deeply interested in the subjects presented. They accept reading matter readily.”
Michigan.
SPRING ARBOR.—Elder Byington reports meeting with a church of nearly fifty members at this place. He spoke three times on practical subjects. They are building them a house of worship.