Earlier text: The Day of the Lord Will Come as a SnareTract Distribution.
By W. G. G.
THE readers of the REVIEW have frequently had their attention called to the subject of tract distribution, and its importance has been set before them by Bro. White, by whose untiring labors a book fund has been created, which is enabling the servants of God to do much in the direction of spreading the truth by means of our publications. It is not, therefore, for the purpose of supplementing his labors and appeals that we now speak, but to give a few items of experience and observation, which will serve to illustrate the importance of this work. While on a recent visit to the northern portion of the State, we had the pleasure of visiting with a brother who is one of the firmest friends of the cause in the State. His entire family are with him in the truth, are all ardent workers in the Sabbath-school cause, and exert a wholesome, saving influence in community. And this was all brought about by the instrumentality of a tract on the Sabbath question, which had accidentally, or perhaps we should say, providentially, fallen into their hands. We are in constant receipt of letters from brethren and sisters in all parts of the country, who are with us heart and soul in the work of the third angel's message, and who have never heard the voice of the living preacher of these truths. By some means a tract or pamphlet came in their way, and they read it; at first perhaps from mere curiosity, but with increasing interest as its importance became manifest to them. Desirous of investigating further, they have sent for other tracts and books, until they have become soundly converted to the truth; some of them being absolutely more thoroughly conversant with the theory of truth than many who have enjoyed the privilege of hearing preaching for years. Some of the advantages of the thorough but judicious distribution of tracts may be stated as follows: 1. Their power for good. Nearly all our publications are ably written, and well prepared. They are the fruit of earnest labor and arduous study; and after passing through the hands of a vigilant publishing committee, are qualified to set forth the truth in the clearest manner. When one of these books falls into the hands of a thinking person, it is, unlike the spoken sermon, always at hand, to repeat its arguments and its proof texts, until they have made their impression upon the mind. Their value is also greatly enhanced by the fact that they can often find their way to places inaccessible to the preacher of the word. Many a man will admit the silent preacher into his house when his doors are effectually closed against the servants of God; and many a hard heart has yielded to the influences of truth when brought in this manner, which was proof against all preaching and argument by word of mouth. 2. Their cheapness. The labors of the faithful minister of the gospel are necessarily expensive. Sometimes, at a considerable outlay of means and expenditure of time, the preacher is able to report a few acquisitions to the ranks of those who wish to honor God in the observance of his truth. And while these labors are necessary, and could on no account be spared, yet the publications are often powerful auxiliaries in the work; sometimes even accomplishing independently more than the most faithful labors of the ablest ministers. A single tract or pamphlet, costing only a few cents, has frequently been the means of converting an individual, and sometimes an entire family, to the truths of the last message. And when such has been the case, the expense of the entire edition of that work sinks into insignificance compared with the value of a soul saved to live forever. 3. They supply a want which can be met in no other manner. At the present time the number of faithful laborers in the great harvest field is very small, especially when compared with the magnitude of the work before us, which we know must be accomplished before the coming of the King of glory. This want has greatly crippled the cause in its progress, and were it not for the fact that our publications have in a measure supplied that want, the condition of things would now be much worse than it is. Our books can be multiplied, and pushed out into the field, faster than ministers can be made. Brethren who have means, but upon whom God has not laid the burden of preaching the truth, can serve as faithful stewards in the use of the money intrusted to them, and liberally help in the spread of truth by means of the publications. The Publishing Association, under the judicious management of our worthy president, is prospering as never before; and has well been denominated, “the right arm of our strength,” as a people. And who shall say that it will not be a most potent means, in the hands of God, of bringing about that ardently-hoped-for time when the “loud cry” of this message shall arouse the attention of a guilty world to the great truths which are so dear to us. While we are praying the Lord of the harvest to send forth the laborers, let us be faithful to the interests of the cause in its present state; and in the fear of God act well our part, in whatever station of life we may be placed. A whole family in Heaven! Who can picture or describe the everlasting joy? No one absent. Nor father, nor mother, nor son, nor daughter, are away. In the world below they were united by faith, and love, and peace, and joy. In the morning of the resurrection they ascend together. Before the throne they bow together in united adoration. On the banks of the river of life they walk hand in hand, and as a family, have commenced a career of glory which shall be everlasting. There is hereafter to be no separation in that family. No one is to lie down upon a bed of pain. No one to wander in the arms of death. Never in Heaven is that family to move along in slow procession, clad in the habiliments of woe, to consign one of its members to the tomb. God grant that, in his infinite mercy, every family may be thus united.—Rev. Albert Barnes. Unity of the Church.
By Roswell F. Cottrell
“Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; that they may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one.” John 17: 20-22. “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” 1 Cor. 1: 10. “For I know this, that after my departure shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.” Acts 20: 29, 30. “Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing; for they shall see eye to eye, when the Lord shall bring again Zion.” Isa. 52: 8. “Till we all come in the unity of the faith.” Eph. 4: 13. Though many hold that the present divided state of Christianity is undoubtedly the best thing, since under these circumstances every class of minds can find a home somewhere in the midst of this confusion, yet there are others who are impressed with the thought that it would be even better should the Saviour’s prayer be answered, the apostle’s exhortation heeded, and the prediction of prophets verified. And this thought has inspired many devout hearts to pray with the Saviour for this object, to endeavor “to keep the unity of the Spirit,” and to believe the time will come when the watchmen shall see eye to eye, and all “the wise shall understand,” while none of the wicked do, and that the event will be realized at the appointed time, that is, in the “time of the end,” or “when the Lord shall bring again Zion;” at the “glorious appearing;” for “when the Lord shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory.” Ps. 102: 16. Now as the time draws near, we witness various efforts for unity, as though it were still the prevailing idea that unity is better than division. Passing by Spiritualism, which proposes “to unite mankind in one harmonious brotherhood, and convince skeptics of the immortality of the soul,” we observe that there are at the present time three great movements already inaugurated, having in view the special object of the unity of the Christian church. 1. The Roman church has called its Ecumenical Council, and declared the infallibility of the pope as the bond of union. In this, it must be admitted, they are consistent with themselves; for since they claim a head of the church on earth, it is proper that all the members of the body should be directed and controlled by that head, so that there shall be “no schism in the body.” 2. The Protestant Ecumenical Council has been called, and although its session has been postponed, yet its proposed scheme of union is before the people in the published programme. Of course there must be some principle of union adopted on which to form an “Independent American Catholic Church.” The bond of union that has been proposed is, “An open communion, and the recognition of one evangelical ministry, by the interchange of pulpits, thus to make visible the unity of the church.” A sermon is to be preached upon the occasion, “showing (as near as I can express it from memory) that denominational distinctions are not inconsistent with true Christian unity.” In other words, that one may be of Paul, another of Apollos, another of Cephas, and yet all of Christ. 1 Cor. 1: 13; 3: 3, 4. They can all agree upon certain unscriptural dogmas; but wherein they disagree on the revealed doctrines of the Bible, they can compromise these as things non-essential, agree to disagree, and so form a sort of union which perhaps I cannot characterize better than by the expression, harmonious jargon, or disjunctive conjunction. It amounts to about this: “I can fellowship whatever of Bible truth you hold, provided you will acknowledge my errors upon these subjects to be equally as good as the truth.” By such mutual concessions and compromises the “visible unity” of the church is to be effected. 3. The third movement for unity, which I mention, takes revealed truth for its basis, and proposes a perfect and heart-felt unity in faith and practice as far as the doctrines and duties revealed in the Bible are concerned. A unity that will answer the prayer of the Saviour, harmonize with the exhortation of apostles, and fulfill the predictions of prophets. No human council has been, or will be, called to lay the platform. It was laid by inspiration eighteen hundred years ago. “Other foundation can no man lay, than is laid.” Each plank in the “commandments of God and the faith of Jesus” is still sound. And the means to be used to bring the remnant of the people of God upon this platform are all provided, described and predicted by the Son of God, apostles and prophets. A special message has been described in prophecy (Rev. 14: 9-12), and the Spirit and providence of God now concur in its fulfillment. The scheme needs no human touch; it has God for its author, and he is pledged for its completion. The papal scheme may unite Papists, and it may not. A class will go with him who claims to be the “Infallible One.” The plan of Protestants will doubtless succeed so far in uniting the scattered hosts of confusion as to attain its end, viz., to obtain civil legislation to enforce the doctrines and commandments of men. The divine plan will not fail to unite the class for whom it is intended—the remnant of the seed of the woman, “which keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” This is certain; for those who do not heed the final gathering call, will be found with the enemies of God, and will certainly drink of “the wine of the wrath of God.” When each scheme has gathered its proper class, the harvest of the earth will be ripe. Alas! who shall live when this point is reached? [The following, which we find under the above caption in the Sabbath Recorder, is part of a stirring appeal from Eld. A. H. Lewis to his brethren, the Seventh-day Baptists. Will not Seventh-day Adventists find in it much that they can apply to themselves?] The way is now opened for the spread of the truth. This is our golden opportunity. It is the time for “sowing beside all waters;” for doing much, and, under God, expecting much. At such time, it is unwise and criminal to act upon plans no larger than those which were laid during the years of self-defense. Then it was enough to defend a few fortresses. Now the banner of truth must be carried into a thousand new fields. What? Do you say we have no forces? Then we must draw recruits from the ranks of the enemy. There are good, earnest men and women all over the land, who are at heart true Sabbath-keepers, but who need instruction. These will rally whenever the banner is planted within their reach. They are waiting for the truth, waiting for us to come to them. Brethren, we must go forward—a long way forward; and we must go now. Our churches must be taught to rely more upon themselves, and to send their pastors into the field. We are too much like an army of “home guards,” each defending the other. This leads to indolence, and churches grow weak and sickly with wordliness. No wonder. To pay a pastor for “doing the religious,” while we serve ourselves, is a sure road to death. God never ordained that plan for circumstances like those which surround us, if, indeed, he ever ordained it at all. If it has been well enough in the past, it cannot be adhered to in the future without serious loss. But, says the objector, “Why seek to proselyte others, when we are unable to keep all of those who are born to us?” For that very reason. Men will always leave an idle army. Give them something to do, and they have no time to think of deserting “An idle brain is the devil’s workshop;” and idle reformers (?) are the prey of every evil influence. Indeed, an “idle reformer” is a contradiction in terms. Such a thing cannot be. We repeat it—Seventh-day Baptists must go forward—a long way forward; MUST go now. Do you ask what is to be done with the compromisers, the men who make the Sabbath subservient to convenience, money-getting, and popularity? Go on and leave them. God will reconvert all whom he can use, and the rest better be left behind. Above all, there must be more praying, more communion with him who is our hope and our life. We must go in the wisdom of God, breathed upon by the Holy Spirit, and guided by the angels of truth. Report from Bro. Matteson.
By John Matteson
AUGUST 1-10, I spent in Battle Creek, translating tracts and reading proof. Went to Alaiedon, Mich., where I remained three days. Held ten meetings, visited five families, and baptized four willing candidates. Four were added to the church. Went back through Battle Creek to Chicago. Visited some with our Norwegian friends. Arrived at Racine, Aug. 18. Visited three families. A family from Switzerland have here recently embraced the truth, and meet with our Danish brethren. Had a severe attack of sickness which threatened to unfit me for duty for some time. I was taken in the night. In the afternoon, the brethren came from Raymond, 16 miles, to take me out there to commence labor next day, which was the Sabbath. I got up from the bed, and ventured out. Preached the next day, though I had to stop once in a while from severe pain. Preached again on Sunday, and administered the ordinances. This meeting with our Danish brethren was one of great interest. One sister had come 200 miles to attend it. Another sister was soon to move to Iowa. May the Lord bless and sustain these dear sisters, who have suffered so much opposition, and yet endured with patience. I remained here six days. Held seven meetings, visited a few families, and translated “Sufferings of Christ.” One dear brother united with us here after he had examined the reasons of our faith and hope for about two years. Some of the brethren have moved away from Raymond. May the Lord help those who remain to be a “light in the world,” and to gain precious souls by their godly conversation. Aug. 25, I visited my own home, after an absence of one year and ten weeks. Remained at home with my family two weeks and five days. Felt very thankful to God who has so kindly spared our life and health. Translated “Departing and Being with Christ.” Translated twenty-five hymns, and selected and copied one hundred and fifty Danish hymns for a hymn book. Held fifteen meetings with the church, which includes our quarterly meeting. This was well attended by brethren from Little Prairie and Johnstown. I had the privilege of baptizing one more of Bro. Olson’s family. This interesting family now numbers nine who are members of the church, and one of them trying to preach the message. May the Lord bless them all, and make them an unbroken family in the kingdom. Sept. 15 to 19, attended the Michigan Camp-meeting. The Lord truly strengthened his worn servants, Bro. and Sr. White, at these meetings, and much good was accomplished through their arduous labors. May the Lord still go with them, and bless them much in the far West. Went to Battle Creek, and remained there a few days to counsel with Bro. White. Attended the funeral of Bro. Aldrich. How unexpected was this. How soon the brittle thread of life may break. Who is the next one to be carried to the “congregation of the dead?” How wise to prepare for the Judgment while we enjoy life and health. Went to Alaiedon to attend their Quarterly Meeting. Labored with them four days, till Sept. 27. Held nine meetings. There is still good interest to hear in this vicinity. Our meetings were well attended and very interesting. Sickness prevails much, and hindered the meetings some. Three members, who had ceased to walk with us, were disfellowshipped, and142three new ones were added in their place. Two were baptized. One young brother had been baptized at the camp-meeting. May the Lord bless these dear brethren much, and help them to stand fast in the truth and abound in their labor of love till the Lord shall appear with a crown of glory. I am now with the Danish people in Montcalm, still trying to labor and to win souls to Christ. I am sorry that so little is accomplished, yet I am thankful for the few souls which are gained here and there. Pray for your unworthy brother in Christ. Greenville, Mich., Oct. 10, 1870. JOS. CLARKE
By JOS. CLARKE.
“Thus did Job continually.” Job 1:5. Job was evidently a man of great attainments in the Christian life. He had been highly spoken of by the Lord. As a man of God, he stood pre-eminent. Now, where was the secret of his virtue and patience and greatness of character? It seems to me that the fifth verse of this chapter unfolds to us the secret of all this; and shows to us the source from which he gained his strength, and his manner of obtaining it. From this verse it is manifest that his anxiety for his sons, and his desire for their spiritual welfare, caused him to draw near to God, and to supplicate him perseveringly, lest his sons might offend God by irreverence or profanity, or by murmuring against their Heavenly Father. It also appears that this was not an occasional anxiety, felt for a time, and then lost in an ocean of worldliness; but it was his continual practice. He daily rose at an early hour to ask Heaven’s protection for himself and family. He feared lest his children should offend God. This fear was so strong as to cause him to rise very early in the morning, to offer prayer and sacrifice to God in their behalf. He knew the waywardness of youth; its dangers, and its difficulties, and its snares; and his fears prompted him to prayer and sacrifices to God. Hence we conclude that it had been the constant practice of Job to begin the day with prayer, and a solemn consecration of himself and all he had to God. Our Good Camp-meeting.
By M. P. Stiles
Our good camp-meeting is now in the past. With what eager longing have we looked forward to that event. Many of us, while contending with the adversary, have hoped, after making use of this means of grace, which a gracious God has provided for us, to return with our hearts burning anew with the love of God, and to have the armor girded more closely about us, and to be in every way strengthened to go forward in the work until we can say, Blessed be God who giveth us the victory, through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. We read of a sower who went forth to sow his seed, and as he sowed, some fell by the wayside, and the fowls of the air devoured it. And some fell upon a rock, and it withered for lack of moisture. And some fell among thorns, and they sprang up and choked it. And other fell on good ground, and sprang up and bare fruit an hundred-fold. The Saviour defines it thus: Those by the wayside are those that hear; then cometh the devil and taketh away the word out of their hearts lest they should believe and be saved. They on the rock are they which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; which for awhile believe, and when tribulation or persecution arises, fall away. And that which fell among thorns, are they which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares, and riches, and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. But that on the good ground are they which, in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. Now a question of great interest to us all is, Which of these characters shall we develop? Are our hearts all unbroken, unsubdued? Have we come up to this point in the Judgment with our hearts so uncultivated as not to be able to receive and hold fast such testimonies as we have heard. “Blessed are your eyes, for they have seen, and your ears for they have heard.” “But take heed how you hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.” Margin, thinketh that he hath. We that are alive to-day, and can claim the dear Saviour as ours, have the greatest reason to praise God, and adore him, for his mercies toward us. First, in the tarrying of the vision. We should recognize his loving hand in that the vision has tarried. What would have been our present position, or that of the most of us, had there been no disappointment? We should undoubtedly have been in our graves, waiting the second resurrection. And nothing is more certain than that, though we are living in the full blaze of the light of prophecy, and startling fulfilment of events, unless we hasten to redeem the time, and heed in its fullest sense the counsel of the True Witness, it will still be our portion, and that very soon. The evidences of the nearness of the great event for which we should all be waiting, are positive, strong, and accumulating. The work is deepening. The hearts of the consecrated are being drawn up to God and Heaven; they are seeking that perfection of character that will insure them protection in the fearful “hour of temptation” which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth,-143 Oh! let us awake! and press with courage on! Let us go forward! though the Red Sea lie before us, and more than Pharaoh’s host is behind, let us advance and trust in Israel’s God to cleave the waters before us and lead us safely to the other shore. Meetings in Orleans County.
By A. S. HUTCHINS
Agreeably to appointment, I held meetings on Sabbath and first-day, Sept. 3 and 4, at the house of Bro. C. F. Worthen, in Charleston. These meetings, we feel confident, told favorably on the cause. On Sabbath, three natural sisters of Sr. Worthen, for the first time found strength of purpose, by assisting grace, to publicly express their desire and resolution to bid the world adieu, to connect themselves with the people of God, to follow in the footsteps of the dear Saviour, and keep all the commandments of the Father. Here our hearts were made glad. Here old and young wept and rejoiced together. On first-day, I spoke with good freedom to the brethren, and to a number of friends, who paid good attention to the word spoken. Our hearts were drawn out in love and anxiety for the salvation of this people. May God bless the word of life to which they so attentively listened, and the reading of tracts which they took, to their present and future good. In the afternoon, we repaired to the water, some miles away, where I baptized the three sisters above spoken of. Sabbath, the 10th, we had a refreshing monthly meeting at the house of Bro. H. W. Burrows, in Ironburgh. There was a general turn-out from the church to the camp-meeting, the good fruits of which were manifest here. What a marked contrast we have seen between brethren and sisters who made the sacrifice to attend the camp-meeting, who there consecrated themselves anew to the work of the Lord, and those who could not make the sacrifice in this direction, but who find time and means to spend in attending public worldly gatherings, where neither themselves nor their families can either do good or get good. Sr. Boyd, of N. H., was present at this meeting, and was by vote received into the church. May she, with her four daughters, previously referred to, so run the Christian race as to win the prize. And may this widowed mother also have her other dear children to go with her. First-day, 11th, I spoke again in Charleston, in a school-house, on the subject of prophecy. Spoke here again on third-day evening. The Sabbath following, spoke twice at Bro. Worthen's, and on first-day, twice again at the school-house. The Lord strengthened me to speak in these meetings, and blessed me in the presentation of the truth, both publicly, and from house to house, for which I praise his holy name. When I left C., I felt confident that one man and his companion, who had never professed religion, would decide to keep the Sabbath. I have learned that they were at meeting the next Sabbath, and that both of them spoke. May the brethren and sisters here live near to God, keep humble, let their light shine, and they may reasonably expect to see more added to their numbers. There are many souls outside of the church, who, in their convictions on the truth, and in sympathy, are near to us. May the Great Shepherd gather them into the fold. Amen. Wolcott, Vt., Oct. 9, 1870. God regulates the movements of conscience, and God allows of no apology for sin. He can forgive it; he can forget it; he can blot it out as a cloud, and a thick cloud; he can bury it in the depths of the sea; he can carry it away so that no more mention shall be made of it; but he never, no, never excuses it. Reasons Deserve an Answer
He that can render a reason, is worthy of an answer. Report of the Ohio Conference.
By Wm. Chinnock; H. Hodgson
THE eighth annual session of the Ohio Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, was held at Clyde, on the evening following the Sabbath, Sept. 24, 1870. Conference was opened with prayer, after which the following committees were chosen: On Nominations, Eld. James White, Eld. I. D. Van Horn, and Bro. O. Mears. On Resolutions, Elds. White and Van Horn, and Bro. John Mears. Important and timely remarks were made by Bro. White, and after a brief session, the Conference adjourned to the call of the President. On Sunday morning, Conference met. The Committee on Nominations reported thus: For President, Wm. Chinnock; Treasurer, O. F. Guilford; Secretary, H. Hodgson; Conference Committee, Wm. Chinnock, George Bisel, J. Q. A. Haughey; Auditing Committee, Bro. T. F. Emmons, of Mercer Co.; H. Hodgson, Jos. Clarke, J. Q. A. Haughey, Eld. I. D. Van Horn, Wm. Chinnock. Report of the Committee was accepted, and confirmed by the election of the persons nominated, each separately. On Sunday afternoon, Conference met again, when calls for labor were received from Mercer, Paulding, Henry, Wood, Muskingum, and Clarke counties. Bro. White recommended that these calls be responded to as soon as possible. On Monday afternoon, the Committee on Resolutions reported the following: Resolved. 1. That this Conference express its thanks to the General Conference Committee for their care of the cause in Ohio, by sending us help.
2. That we express our thanks to Bro. and Sr. White, for their faithful labors at our Camp-meeting, and for their interest in the prosperity of the cause in our State; and we invite them still to remember us, and labor for us, as the providence of God may open; and we promise them our sympathy and support. This report was accepted, and the foregoing resolutions unanimously adopted, as the sense of the Conference. The church of Bowling Green were empowered to retain one-half of their s. B. fund, if necessary, for the purpose of repairing their meeting-house. Calls for labor were again discussed with much interest. During these sessions of the Conference, the following brethren received license to improve their gifts in proclaiming the truth; viz., A. A. Hutchins, Wm. Cottrell, Hiram A. St. John, Henry Hodgson. No. of members at the commencement
of the year, 192
No. of members at present,
Amount of s. B. fund pledged for
the present year, $1,220 01 Received during the year, $1,285 67
Paid out during the year, 610 61 Clyde, Ohio, Sept. 26, 1870. N. G. HERRINGTON
By N. G. HERRINGTON
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: For the first time I avail myself of the privilege of speaking to the scattered ones of God's children, through the columns of this zealous defender of God's word. I often feel that it would be a great pleasure to be permitted to meet with His people; but I have received great encouragement from the testimony of others through the REVIEW, and it is this that makes me venture to send in my testimony, hoping that it may cheer the heart of some lone pilgrim on the way to eternal life. About eight months ago I first began to learn the true way to eternal life; although for some years previous I had been a professor. Yet when the truth found me I was in a fallen state, backslidden from God; but I shall ever have cause to thank him for sending one of his faithful servants to bring the last message of mercy to me. Disgusted with popular Christianity, I had again turned to the world to seek the happiness I did not find in the church. Still I was not satisfied; and oft times felt deeply the need of a Saviour's love, and would pray that if there was a God, he would send me the truth and I would obey. And he did send me this last message by Brother Strong; and by God's help I can and will obey. I received much encouragement from the brethren and sisters at North Liberty when first starting in the truth, for which I have often thanked God. Pray for me, brethren and sisters, that I may ever be found faithful on the Lord's side, and prepared to meet him when he comes. TITLES of honor add not to his worth who is an honor to his titles. The Danger of Procrastination
By Jos. Clarke
PROCRASTINATION is always dangerous when moral duties are enforced. If worldly matters take the precedence of spiritual things in our minds, it is an alarming symptom of decay. Self-examination should be conducted without mercy or leniency; but the examination of the character of others should be deferred until we are sure of duty in the matter. If there were no self-denials, no crosses to bear, there would be no tests of love to God, and we could not be sure of the genuineness and purity of our motives. We should not be anxious for higher and more responsible positions, but improve the present opportunities of doing good; and thank God our lot is no harder, and that our burdens are so light. Instead of imagining our burdens heavy, and our trials unusually afflictive, we should make light of ours, and go to sympathizing with those in deeper trial than ourselves. We should consider reproofs needful and pleasant, and flattery useless, unpleasant and unprofitable. Many feel too much responsibility for others; but others feel it far too little. If we would love to work for God, we should always give God's work the preference. If we do our own work before we do God's work, we shall soon deem the work of God distasteful and unpleasant. Reprovers are usually looked upon with dislike; this is because darkness is more esteemed than light; because evil is more esteemed than good. THE WAY TO LISTEN TO THE GOSPEL.—
A gentleman once said to Rowland Hill, “It is sixty-five years since I first heard you preach, and the sermon was well worth remembering. You remarked that some people are very squeamish about the manner of a clergyman in preaching, but you then added: ‘Suppose one was hearing a will read, expecting to receive a legacy, would you employ the time in criticising the lawyer’s manner while reading it? No; you would give all your interest to ascertain if anything were left to yourself, and how much. Let that, then, be the way in which you listen to the Gospel.’” MRS. ELIZABETH JUDD
By Elizabeth Judd
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: I thought I would write a few lines to inform you that I am still striving to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. I feel thankful to my Heavenly Father for his mercies to me. His word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. I feel like humbling myself daily to the Lord, that I may be accounted worthy to escape the things that are coming upon the earth, and stand before the Son of Man. The thought of the coming of Jesus is precious to me. I am one of the lonely ones. I have not the privilege of meeting with those of like precious faith, but my heart is cheered by the weekly visit of my paper, with the many precious truths which it contains. A Call for Missionaries in Nebraska
By Hannah Clough
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: I feel a desire in my heart to communicate a few thoughts to you through the REVIEW. And first I would express my gratitude to God for his watchful care over me. I can truly say that I have found him to be an ever-present help in all my trials and bereavements. I have been called to lay away in the grave the last of my six children. But the Lord is good, and doeth all things well. I will still trust in his name. His promises are all yea and amen. I am far away from those of like precious faith, yet I will not murmur nor complain, much as I long for the society of the saints. I am still hoping that the Lord will send us some good missionaries that will present the third angel’s message to the people of Nebraska. The State is filling up fast, with an intelligent emigration from the East; also, from Europe and the Canadas. Surely it cannot be that this State will be passed by without hearing the last solemn warning. I see by the REVIEW that there are Sabbath-keepers in Burt County, but I have not as yet seen one since I came to the place. There has been quite an interest among some, to read our tracts, and some there are that oppose, mostly professors. What we need is, the living preacher, one that is willing to forego many of the comforts and conveniences of this life, for the sake of a harvest of souls. I am looking to the Lord for help. I request also an interest in your prayers, that the Lord would in his own good time qualify and send us out those that would be willing to suffer the hardships incident to a new country, without flinching, expecting their reward when the Saviour comes. Pray for me, also, that I may be kept by the grace of God, that I may not be a stumbling-block to others, but that by a well-ordered life and a godly conversation, I may commend the truth to others, and be saved by it myself, and finally, that we may meet on Mount Zion no more to part. Yours in hope. HANNAH CLOUGH.
Washington Co., Neb. Obituary Notices.
By P. A. Roberts
Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth. DIED, in Brighton, Iowa, Sept. 24, 1870, of typhoid fever, Rosa Hobson, aged 18 years and four months. Sister Rosa embraced present truth, and united with the church some 18 months since. Her start was good, and progress for the first year very encouraging. Then in time of temptation, there was some wavering; but before she was taken sick she expressed a desire to return and seek the Lord with all her heart. She was kind and patient during an illness of two weeks; and her friends and attendants trust that Jesus was with her in the trying hour. Our church has been organized nearly two years. Sister Rosa is the first of our number to be called away by death, and perhaps the least expected. Brethren and sisters, let us be reminded that we too are mortal; and let us give the greater diligence while in health, to make our calling and election sure, for so an entrance shall be ministered unto us abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. P. A. ROBERTS.