Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 27, 1876
CAN WE KNOW?
By Dudley Marvin Canright
BY ELD. D. M. CANRIGHT.
Text: “But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.” 1 Thess. 5:4.
Dear reader, we ask your candid attention to the following important scriptural propositions:—
1. The prophecies of the Bible can be understood. Is not the holy Bible a revelation from God? Certainly. But if any part of it is not to be understood, that part cannot be a revelation. Why should God give to men a book which they cannot possibly understand? This would be unwise and unjust. No; the Lord has not done so. Read 2 Pet. 1:19; Deut. 29:29. But we are specially enjoined to hear and understand the book of Daniel. Jesus says, “When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place (whoso readeth, let him understand).” Matt. 24:15. So of the prophecies of Revelation we read, “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein; for the time is at hand.” Rev. 1:3. These scriptures plainly declare that these prophecies are to be read and understood.
2. The second advent of Christ will be literal. It will not be spiritual, symbolical figurative, or in any way mystical. He once came to this earth actually, personally, literally. He was born of a woman, walked on our earth, breathed its air, ate of its fruit, drank of its water, died, arose, and ascended to Heaven. This same literal Jesus is really coming back again. Listen to what the angels said to the apostles when Jesus ascended to Heaven: “Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” Acts 1:11. Who is to return? This same Jesus. How? Just as he went into heaven. Language could not be plainer or more positive. John exclaims, “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him; and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.” Rev. 1:7. In harmony with this Paul says, “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first.” 1 Thess. 4:16. Notice, the Lord himself is to come. It is not to be somebody else; it is not simply his Spirit, but the Lord himself. The language of Jesus upon this point is as plain as language can be. “Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth; behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” “And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven; and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” Matt. 24:26, 27, 30.
3. The second advent of Christ was the constant theme with all the apostles and Bible writers. For this they looked, and watched, and hoped, and longed, and prayed. If they warned sinners, it was in view of that event; if they comforted saints, it was with that hope; if they consoled themselves it was in view of this. The coming of the Lord was constantly on their lips. I have space to quote only a few scriptures. Please take your Bible and look out the rest. “For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.” Matt. 16:27. “So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Cor. 1:7. “For our conversation is in Heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.” Phil. 3:20. “When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” Col. 3:4. “And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.” 1 Thess. 1:10. “So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” Heb. 9:28. “Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord.” James 5:7. See also John 14:3; Acts 1:11, 26; Titus 2:13; 1 Pet. 5:4; Rev. 22:20. But what a sad change has come over the professed church of Christ! In these days, little or nothing is said about the advent any more; and those who do preach about it are despised and persecuted. Reader, why is this?
4. The apostles did not look for the coming of the Lord to take place in their day. Now we hear men everywhere say, “You can tell nothing about the coming of the Lord. He may come to-night, or it may be ten thousand years hence.” But this is not the way Bible writers talked. They did not think it would come in their day; but they did teach that after certain things had happened it would come. Thus Paul says, “Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, that ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means; for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition.” 2 Thess. 2:1–3. By this we see that Paul knew the coming of the Lord was not near in his day. The great apostasy must first come. Peter knew that he would die before the Lord came. See 2 Peter 1:14. And Jesus warned them not to look for that event too soon. Matt. 24:6. But all those things have come to pass of which Paul, and Jesus, and all the prophets spoke; hence we should now look for it.
5. No one knows the definite day or time of the second advent. This is so plainly declared that it is strange that any person could believe otherwise; for thus Jesus said, “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” Matt. 24:36.
We have no sympathy with those who set the day or year for the Lord to come. We have never done it, and have always opposed those who do set the time. When we begin to preach in a place, our opponents are anxious to give the impression that we are those fanatical people who are constantly setting the day for the Lord to come. Be it understood that this is a slander. We do no such thing.
6. We can know when it is near, can know when the last generation has come. To this proposition we invite the careful attention of the reader. There are two extremes upon this question, both of which are entirely wrong and unscriptural. The first extreme is to set the definite time for the Lord to come. This is in direct opposition to the plain word of God. The other extreme is to teach that nothing can be known about it; that it may come to-night, or that it may be ten thousand years in the future. This position is just as far from the truth as the other, and is just as squarely opposed to the Bible, as we will now show. In answer to the question, “What shall be the sign of thy coming?” Jesus said that there should be signs in the sun, moon and stars, etc. Luke 21:25, 26. Then he says, “And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” Verses 27, 28.
When they shall see these signs begin to come to pass, then they are to look up, watching for the Lord to come. After giving the parable of the fig-tree he says, “So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.” Verse 31. How plain this declaration is. When they see these signs come to pass, they are to know that the kingdom is nigh at hand. Then we can know something about it, we can know when it is nigh. The next verse tells us how near we can know: “Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.” Verse 32. What generation? The answer is given. When ye see these things begin to come to pass, then this generation shall not pass away. See verses 28–32. That is, when the last generation has come, to them the Lord will begin to give the signs of the end. So when we see the signs commence, then we are to know certainly that that generation is not to pass till the Lord shall come. The same plain truth is stated in Mark 13:29; Matt. 24:32–37.
That the righteous will not be in darkness concerning the coming of the Lord is plainly declared by the apostle. “But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.” 1 Thess. 5:4. And Jesus says, “If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.” Rev. 3:3. Those who do not watch will be overtaken as by a thief; but if they do watch will they also be thus overtaken? No, indeed; for having seen the signs of the advent near, they are expecting and watching for it.
7. In all similar events in past ages the Lord has ever given a warning to his people, and even to the wicked, of what is coming. How was it in the days of the flood? The Lord did not bring the flood in a moment, without any warning; but long beforehand he revealed it to Noah, the only righteous man upon the earth, in order that he might be prepared for it. Then through him the Lord warned the ungodly world of what was coming, though they did not believe it. So at the overthrow of Sodom, the Lord first revealed to Abraham, his righteous servant, what he was about to do. See Gen. 18. Then he warned Lot of what was coming, that he might be prepared. Through Lot he warned the ungodly inhabitants of Sodom, but they mocked at him. So when the Lord proposed to overthrow Nineveh he sent his servant Jonah to warn them.
At the first advent of Christ the Lord by special providence raised up John the Baptist to go before him with a solemn message announcing his immediate coming. The righteous in that generation were not only expecting him to come soon, but they knew that that generation would not pass till he did come. See the case of Simeon and Anna. Luke 2:25, 36. For eighty-four years Anna had been waiting in the temple watching for the coming of the Lord; and Simeon knew that he should not die till he saw the Lord. Numerous other similar cases might be mentioned, all teaching this one fact, that the Lord is a merciful being, not willing that any should perish. He always gives, not only his servants, but even the wicked, a fair warning of what is coming.
Is it reasonable to believe that the Lord would warn the world of such events as the flood, the fall of Sodom, the first advent, etc., and yet will give no warning when the final close of all things is about to take place? Consider what a wonderful event that will be. It will be the Judgment of the great day; it will be the coming of Christ with all the glory of the Father, and the millions of angels. The dead who have slept for thousands of years will be raised. It will be the end of probation, the closing up of all human history. Everything on this earth shall come to an end, and God’s controversy with man shall close.
Reader, do you think that such solemn and awful events as these will transpire without one breath of warning either to saint or sinner? I beseech you to stop and think of this matter. If these things are so, it is all-important that you should not be deceived about it. If they are not so it will not harm you to investigate the matter. Are you willing to learn the truth, or do you choose to remain in darkness? You now have a chance to learn all about this important subject if you will. Present your objections, and we will answer them. Come and hear. But if these things are so, are you ready, and could you with uplifted eyes, exclaim, “Lo, this is our God, we have waited for him, and he will save us?” Are you reconciled to God? Is your peace made with Heaven? Do you love Jesus? Are you living a holy life? Are you prepared for the Judgment? What are you doing to secure eternal life? Remember that God has claims upon you. If you do not attend to these things, you will lose your soul. You have the Bible, the gospel, and every possible advantage you could ask. Will you disregard all these things, and be lost at last?
THE CADI'S STRATAGEM—A TURKISH TALE.
By Sel.
A pious widow's cottage chanced to stand
Hard by the Calif's palace; and he sought,
For his own use, to buy her bit of land;
But all in vain—the land could not be bought!
“It was my husband's home,” the woman said,
“Who, dying, left it to his loving wife;
Here will I dwell in honor of the dead,
Nor with it part until I part with life!”
The haughty Calif's anger knew no bound,
That thus the dame withstood him to his face;
By force he razed the cottage to the ground,
And built a grand pavilion in its place.
Straight to the Cadi then, the widow goes,
And asks for justice at his honor's hand;
“Leave me awhile,” the Cadi said, and rose;
“Allah is great, and hears your just demand!”
Then with an empty sack he took his way
To the pavilion, where he chanced to meet
The Calif at the door. “Great sire! I pray
A little of the earth beneath your feet;
“Enough to fill,” the Cadi said, “this sack.”
“’Tis granted!” said the Calif, laughing loud;
“Now, please to put the load upon my back,
Most potent prince!”—and reverentially bowed.
“Nay,” said the Calif, “I should surely fail,
Should I essay to lift a load so great;
For such a task my strength would not avail;
A porter would be crushed beneath the weight.”
“Prince of believers!” said the Cadi, then,
“If this be even so, how wilt thou fare
In the great day of final Judgment when
The weight of all this land thou hast to bear?”
The Calif, stricken with remorse, exclaimed,
“Allah is Allah—be his name adored!
For wit and wisdom thou art justly famed;
This day shall see the widow's land restored.
“And for this wrong I did the woman's land,
In tearing down her house, I thus atone;
This fine pavilion in its place shall stand;
For, with the soil, the building is her own!”
—Sel.
Noble Deeds Versus Cruel Destruction of Life
NATIONS can better win success by noble deeds than by the cruel destruction of human life for selfish aims.
MINNESOTA CAMP-MEETING.
By Ellen G. White
BY MRS. E. G. WHITE.
We should have been on the camp-ground at Eagle Lake, Minnesota, Thursday evening, June 24, 1875; but we learned that there was an impassable break in the road, occasioned by the severe storm of the previous night, which would detain us twenty-four hours. We took a room at the Jewell House, and were weary enough to have a thorough night's rest at Winona.
Friday noon we took the cars at Winona and went on about sixteen miles, and came to a halt. We were informed that we could go no farther, for the freight train in passing over the repaired break had broken through. We remained on the track six hours. This delay brought us to Eagle Lake at three o'clock Sabbath morning. We met a hearty reception from our brethren. Nearly everything upon the ground was drenched by the recent heavy rain, but they did not appear discouraged. Meetings had been in session since Thursday. Three discourses had been given with good effect.
Sabbath morning meetings were commenced under the tent for prayer and conference. Bro. Smith made appropriate remarks at the beginning of the meeting. I felt free in speaking about fifteen minutes, entreating all present to improve this opportunity of seeking the Lord. Our first work should be to search our own hearts and put away from them everything that is grievous to the Spirit of the Lord. Here in this convocation meeting was a favorable time for all of us to humble our hearts, by confessing our sins and faults, and to come near to God by repentance and faith, that we might feel an assurance of his love.
We lack in faith and love. We must exercise faith in God and cherish love in our hearts for him, love for the truth, and love for one another. We must do this if we prepare the way for the Holy Spirit.
Many then bore testimony, the substance of which I will give as the brethren and sisters spoke.
A sister says she is one of the most needy. She has had quite an experience in the work, but has not made that advancement which she might; she now feels that she must make an entire surrender to God.
A brother says he cannot be satisfied until he becomes strong through Jesus and gains the victory over sin in his own heart.
Another brother is thankful God has spared his life to be present at this meeting. He has come to gain strength to be a better Christian, a man devoted to God, carrying out his faith in his every-day life.
A sister says she is determined to live like a humble follower of Jesus. Her trials sometimes seem greater than she can bear; then, again, she thinks these trials are to help her to endure and be a more perfect follower of Jesus. She wishes her daily life and her conversation to redound to the glory of God. She wants to be approved of her Heavenly Father.
A brother says he came a long way to this meeting, that he might receive a blessing here; he did not want to go away disappointed. He feels that he has an individual work to do; he wants to accomplish this work; he wants the crown that is to be given to the faithful.
A sister says that she loves Jesus, but feels that she has not the spirit of prayer and deep sympathy for his cause that she should have.
A brother says that he wants to get right before God, and thanks him for the good he has received during this meeting. He has here realized the blessing of God. Another brother says he has been admonished of the fact that the minister cannot do the work assigned to him. He must perform it himself; he must humble his heart, confess his sins and live a better life; contact with the world has had a chilling and withering influence upon his spirituality. To-day he wants to be sanctified through the truth. It is the truth that makes us free. Another brother testifies that he is earnestly seeking for sanctification through the truth.
A brother bears testimony that it is good to be engaged in the work of God. He has been trying to redeem the failures of his past life. In searching his heart, that he might the better understand his own defects, he has felt the blessing of God. He wants to derive all the benefit possible from this meeting.
A brother rejoices that he feels a hungering and thirsting for righteousness. He desires the Christian graces to be continually growing in his character and life.
A sister rejoices to meet so many friends interested in the truth. She had made a great effort to come to the meeting, and was trying to overcome the enemy and make sure of the kingdom.
One brother says he is reminded by this gathering of the great assembly which shall meet, from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and shall sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of Heaven.
A sister feels most unworthy of all. This is the first camp-meeting she has attended. She thanks God for the good she has received.
A brother says he was at the camp-meeting one year ago, and there resolved to live a better life. He thinks he has made some progress and has been struggling to gain a victory over his sins. Another brother came to the meeting hoping to receive the blessing of God, and he has not been disappointed. He says if we place ourselves in a right position toward God, we may have a rich flow of his Spirit in our hearts.
A brother says he is seeking to bring his body into subjection, that appetite and passion may be under the control of his will.
A brother says it is good for him to be here. He has progressed some since one year ago. If we put our trust in God he will not forsake us. He has been blessed this morning. He sees that he has done many things that are wrong; he has indulged appetite to his injury; he has used tobacco; he feels that it is necessary for him to overcome this unnatural appetite. He wants to serve God with his whole soul, mind, and strength. The Lord has a work for him to do, which no one can perform for him.
Another brother says that God has spared his life and granted him the desire of his heart in enabling him to come to this camp-meeting. He wants to put himself in the way to receive the blessing of God. He has been afflicted—been brought near the gates of death; he had promised the Lord to surrender all to Christ. He has been searching his heart and finds he has much to do to perfect a Christian character. He has suffered much pain because of the violation of the laws of his being. He feels that he has been taken into the stripping room, where, through a severe process, the Lord has brought him to see himself, in all his sinfulness. He must make clean work for eternity.
A sister says she is thankful that God has spared her life to enjoy this privilege. She wants to be a Christian; she knows it is a great thing to become one, for it is to be Christ-like. She does not want to be almost a follower of Jesus, but a full, earnest, cheerful disciple of her Saviour.
Another sister expresses great thankfulness that she has the privilege of attending the meeting. She has been keeping the commandments of God.
A Swedish sister desires the help of God, that she may smooth off the sharp and rough points of her character. She wants to see her companion love and obey the law of God. A brother says he came a long way to attend this meeting, hoping to obtain more strength and grace; he has not been disappointed. He wants to live the life of a faithful Christian.
Another brother says he wants to stand as a witness for God. He is unworthy to bear the name of Christian; his life has not done honor to his profession; if God will be so gracious as to spare him to meet his friends in camp-meeting another year, he will endeavor to have a better testimony to bear.
A sister says she wants the rubbish removed from the door of her heart, that the spirit of Jesus may come in. Her heart has been troubled; she has carried her burden to Jesus, and knows that he will not forsake those who trust in him. She wants to be worthy to be called, with truth, a child of God. Her trials have been great, but God will not call her to pass through more than he will give her grace to endure.
A Swedish brother says that one year ago he promised that he would go home from that meeting and try to live up to his profession; his efforts have been with some success, but as he looks back to-day and sees how many crooked paths his feet have made, he feels deeply humbled. He is inclined to be hasty and impatient of speech in his family; he will make more earnest efforts to overcome this failing; he must be right at home in his actions and example, and he will be in the strength of God.
A sister says she will now, just now, open the door of her heart and let her Saviour in. She desires to get nearer to God.
A brother says he is determined to walk in all the commandments of God. Last year he heard others give their testimony, but he did not take his cross nor do his duty; he now felt that he must confess his fault. Let us all confess our faults, and pray for one another, that we may be healed of our infirmities.
A Seventh-day Baptist minister says he came to this meeting, after weary weeks of anticipation, to obtain the blessing of God. That blessing he has found. He was deeply affected, said he was a stranger to the most of those present, yet he felt that he was brought near to his brethren through the love of Jesus Christ. He came for the purpose, first, of receiving the blessing of God. Secondly, to observe and hear. He wanted to ascertain if professing a greater light and deeper truth was accompanied by a fuller consecration; if we are no better than other people who do not profess to have received new and greater light, then our faith is of no more virtue than theirs. He was rejoiced and made glad to hear the testimonies that were reaching down into the heart, seeking a deeper work of grace, equally important as, and corresponding with, the great and sacred truths which are professed, seeking for a better, higher, diviner life. If this is your aim and object, as I trust and believe, let me call you brethren, and we will unite as one. Let no discouragement deter you; some have felt, as they have expressed themselves, almost like giving up, because of the trials that beset them. They should remember that these afflictions are helpers in their spiritual lives, if only they stand fast under them, and bind them closer to their Father.
Yesterday the storm broke down a tree upon the encampment; this tree had stood among many trees, sheltered and protected by them; had it stood alone, in the open ground, and been blown hither and thither, its roots would have struck deeper down, and become more firmly established in the soil; it could have then resisted the tempest, and stood firmly beneath the shock of the hurricane. When great trials oppress you and threaten to crush you, dig deep and plant your roots firmly in the unyielding truth and wisdom of God, that you may stand and be strong. After a quarter of a century spent in enduring the conflicts and storms of life, he was more determined than ever before to hold fast the hope and fight the good warfare to the end.
A brother says he cannot allow this meeting to pass and this precious opportunity to be lost without testifying as to what God has done for him. He has been, for years, seeking to serve God. He now sees, as never before, what slow progress he has made. He is just beginning to see the sharp points and rough corners of his character; he feels that these traits are becoming more firmly fixed; he has asked God to help him to overcome them, to cherish humility and to bear the cross; but the cross has lacerated him in bearing it. The commandments of God are very broad; he wants to claim the Father's blessing through obedience.
A sister says she is trying to keep God's law and to love her Saviour with all her heart. Another says she has been trying to prepare her heart to receive a blessing and has been amply paid.
Still another sister says that the more and better we love God, the better we can see our guilt in transgressing the law of God. The blinder we are to our sins, the less importance we attach to the keeping of that law. The better we love God's commandments, the more precious will Jesus be to us, and the more grievous will sin appear.
A brother says his heart has rejoiced since he came on the ground; he is glad to meet old familiar friends. The enemy has tried hard to get him, but he is determined to press his way to the kingdom, there to meet his brethren and sisters, and rejoice with them in the final triumph.
A sister testifies that she loves Jesus and present truth; she has to make quite a sacrifice, but the Lord blesses her in making it. A brother says he is thankful indeed for this great privilege.
A sister is determined to press onward and make sure progress Heavenward.
A brother says that seventeen years ago, in the State of New York, he enlisted in the army of the Lord; he had idols which he could not then give up; the truth did not take deep enough hold on his heart to enable him to overcome; he had been opposed to the gifts, but for five or six months he has been strong in keeping the law of God, and has patiently endeavored to break off his wrong habits. This brother came, and with weeping confessed the bitterness of feeling he has had toward me, and the hard speeches he has made to others in regard to me; he asked my forgiveness. I told him I forgave him as freely as Christ forgave me.
A brother says he has been keeping the commandments of God some two years; he feels more at home in the company of God's children than with his own relatives who oppose our faith; he feels that he must deny self and bear the cross.
A brother wants to stand as a witness for Jesus; he confesses that when he left home his motives were not right in coming to this meeting; he wanted to see what was to be seen, to visit with friends, and have a “good time;” but now he feels that he must have a work done for himself; he wants to be strong in the truth, to study his Bible and consecrate himself fully to the work of God.
A brother says he is glad that he loves God and loves his people. He has tried to keep the Sabbath for more than twenty years; it is his experience that “great peace have they who love Thy law.” He has unwavering faith in the Scriptures; he has no doubts regarding their truth; but he must have works accompanying his faith; for faith without works is dead, being alone. He desires to know the will of God and to live in obedience to it, and be sanctified through the truth. Brethren, let us hold on to God and his promises, pleading with him for strength to fight the good fight of faith and lay hold of eternal life.
A brother rejoices that he has this privilege. The meetings have done him good; he wants to make progress Heavenward; it is good for him to hear the testimony of those whom he knew years ago. He desires to be true to his profession. He has had trials; sometimes they seemed more than he could well endure; he has called upon God and laid his troubles before him, and he has been greatly strengthened in so doing.
A brother says he has rough ways that he wants to make smooth; he must break off from all things that hinder his advancement in the divine life; the love of God should be uppermost, and he should be willing to make everything subservient to His cause. He wants to gain the blissful shore. He wants all his acts and words to be in direct harmony with the will of God.
A brother says he believes the great and glorious gospel truths. He wants to go to the kingdom. He feels unworthy; he knows that it depends upon his actions whether he makes his way to Heaven or not. He knows that God weighs his deeds in the balance, and he wants a clean record in Heaven.
A sister says she thanks God for this meeting, but is sorry to confess that she lacks patience in her family; she wishes us to especially pray that she may overcome this sin.
A brother says he feels like pressing on; he has trials, and almost every discouragement with which to contend. He has set up idols and it is difficult for him to sacrifice them; he does not progress as he should if he had cut loose from these hindrances; he feels that he must give up everything that would be in the way of his spiritual advancement, and be diligent to make his calling and election sure.
A sister says she is thankful that she came up to this meeting. There was the appearance of a storm; she asked God that the storm might be stayed. It looked very dark all night, but did not rain, and they started the following morning. They rode a part of the way in the rain, but this she did not mind; she had received many rich blessings since she came on the ground. She had many trials, but thought they were all for the best, and would trust in God to bring her through them all.
A brother says he desires to serve God in spirit and in truth; he wants his daily life to be acceptable in the sight of God. He has but a short time to serve the cause of truth, he wants the principles of truth to be exemplified in his every act, and the fear of God kept continually before him.
Four now rose at the same time. A sister says that she is a great sinner and wants to be converted.
A brother says, “I feel thankful for what mine eyes have seen and mine ears have heard. These cheering testimonies have met a response in my heart. I want to be strong in hope and faithful in obedience to all the commandments of God, and at last receive the reward of eternal life.”
A Methodist sister says the Lord is here. She is thankful that he has given her enough of his Spirit that she can recognize the power and love of God manifested in the souls of this people. She is not of131this fold, but feels that the Lord is among them.
A sister says she feels that, only through Christ, can she overcome. She has faults that she must put away. During the past year, when she thought she was strong, she was made to see her weakness. She came to this meeting to find Jesus. She wants to hide behind that Friend, as sister White has shown us it is only through the assisting grace of the Redeemer that we can overcome and have eternal life.
A sister says she loves the Lord, but she often says and does that which is wrong; this has hindered her progress. She has had severe conflicts and passed through many trying scenes; but the Lord has sustained her, and been to her a very present help in time of trouble.
A brother says that he has learned it is good to serve God. He has dedicated his entire self to the Lord, and feels that it is too small a gift. He is determined to serve him to the best of his ability.
A brother says he has been trying for many years to keep the commandments of God. He can say with truth that it pays even in this life to serve God. He intends to try, from this day, to serve him more faithfully.
A sister says that it is good to be here. She thanks God that he has seen fit to call her into his service. She knows that if she does her part, he will not fail to do his. We may always trust him; for he will never forsake us.
A brother says he feels great need of humbling himself before God. He has been guilty of a disposition to find fault; he feels like asking the forgiveness of God and his brethren and sisters.
A sister testifies that the Lord has been good to her. She praises his name for his Spirit which she has felt in her heart since she came to this camp-meeting. She feels that she must give herself and all she has into the hands of God, and trust him to keep and care for that which she has intrusted to him.
A sister says she is waiting for Jesus; she wants to be among the children of God when he shall appear. She feels that she must forsake her sins and obey the requirements of God, watching, waiting and praying, that she may be, at last, of that number that have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
A brother says he feels happy in the Lord, although he knows himself to be an unworthy follower and keeper of his commandments. He has had a hard time to get along, but he is not discouraged, but means to press on till he gains the reward of him who overcomes.
A Danish brother says he feels that the truth that he has heard is testing his heart. He knows that he must get nearer to God. It is an individual work that must be done in each heart, and his only course is to cling to the Father.
His heart beats in unison with the hearts of his brethren, and his soul cries out, “Your God is my God, and your people are my people.” If he cannot live in peace and harmony with his brethren in this world, he surely cannot in the world to come.
A Norwegian says he wants to try to seek the Lord and be a complete overcomer. He says that the Lord has been very good to him, and very merciful in his dealings with him. He has not a single complaint to make.
Four upon their feet at once. A brother says that it is good for him to be here. He is glad to hear these good, cheering testimonies. He is trying to seek God that he may have a correct understanding of his will, and do the work that God has given him to do. He feels that it is an important time for all. We must not neglect the work of God, and our souls should be fruitful in the knowledge of his will.
A sister says she rejoices in the good prayers and testimonies she has heard; they have done her good. She wants a new conversion to God and to his service.
A brother came up here with the desire and expectation of receiving a great blessing on this camp-ground. He thinks that it is necessary for him to humble his heart before God, before he can enter upon his work with renewed zeal. He feels that he must have the patience, meekness and humility of Christ. He is determined to be a better man, through the grace of God, that his labors may be acceptable to him. He wants to be a faithful servant of Christ, that he may share the glorious reward promised to them who remain steadfast to the end.
(To be Continued.)
SELF-DECEPTION
By H. F. Phelps
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked.” The carnal mind “is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.”
In view of these scriptures how very careful every one should be lest he should be deceived, and lose life at last. Nothing but entire consecration and obedience to the will of God can save us. It is a great thing to be able to understand the mind of the Spirit of God, and to detect the influence of Satan. The only safety is in clinging to the word of God. If a spirit leads me to use my tongue in speaking evil of my neighbor, and teaches another that he must keep the door of his lips, the word of God must decide against me, and it will be seen that my spirit is an evil one.
And how will it be in regard to the seventh and first-day Sabbaths? Says one, I have been greatly blessed while in the observance of the first-day as the Sabbath. I have prayed God to show me my duty, and if God will convince me that it is my duty to keep the Sabbath I will do it. Thus they rest, waiting for God to perform some miracle to convince them against their will. Evidently the word of God should settle this controversy, and the true child of God should say, “That word I will follow.”
Here is great danger of self-deception. Our kind Father in Heaven has graciously given us his law, has seen fit to choose his own rest-day, has never altered one iota of that law, and has never promised any other evidence aside from his word, assisted by the Holy Spirit, to convince his erring children. And the Spirit and the word agree.
The case of the trance medium spoken of by Bro. Osborn, in REVIEW, is a good illustration. This man, with others, read the Bible, and prayed God to guide him in his investigation of spiritualism. This man, for aught we know, had been a Christian. Where did he make his mistake? Evidently in looking into spiritualism instead of the word of God. There he would have found spiritualism denounced; he could have seen that the curse of God was upon it, and that it was a serpent from the bottomless pit. But he read the word, and then, with prayer upon his lips, went into spiritualism.
Oh! how many are making the same sad mistake in their investigation of the solemn work of the third message. They fear, yea, they are almost persuaded that this is the work of God. But they look at their circumstances, at the world, their worldly comfort, and at past experience, and finally settle down, with the word of God before them, and prayer upon their lips, waiting for high Heaven to convince them. Oh, fatal delusion! They will be convinced, but too late. May we be awake to the deception of the human heart, and overcome at last.