Earlier text: Infidel Objections to the Bible Answered. No. 20.DANGER, DANGER.
By D. F. NEWTON
“Go forward, press onward, a moment’s delay
May thicken the shadows that rise o’er your way.
This waiting and wasting the summers that fly,
Will leave you a sluggard, to linger and die.”
DANGER? Certainly! imminent. Go on, on, else you are gone. What, stop short of salvation, full, entire, complete? How dare you, when it is for you, purchased at a price infinite? You believe in the conquest of sin triumphantly, every sin; and yet you stop short of it. Why suffer the Canaanites to dwell in the land? Has not God told you to destroy them, root and branch, forthwith, and not suffer them to live or breathe? Die they must, else you die. You conquer or are conquered! You triumph or they triumph! Your sins are pardoned. Your soul is converted. You love the truth. Praise the Lord for this. Furthermore, you believe it your duty and privilege to rise above the world; be steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding, rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks. That perfect love is attainable in this life. That “holiness to the Lord” should be your motto, written on your forehead, gate and door post. And yet you linger, stop short of it. The pearl of great price is not yours. The baptismal power is not yours. The tongue of fire is not yours. You know your duty and do it not. What is this but robbery! robbing God, your own soul; you stumble yourself; you stumble others. What is the cause of the numerous backslidings, and apostasies? the crucifying of the Lord of glory afresh? the pernicious errors that are flooding the land! error on error, mischief on mischief, ruin on ruin, damnation on damnation? fires that burn to the lowest hell? Have not all these, and yet more, resulted from halting between two opinions, stopping short of the high and holy calling, the faith of assurance? You acknowledge the present low state of Zion, her dead, stupid, lifeless formality, and the cause is, you know, the lack of consecration, a faith that works by love and purifies the heart. And here you are still halting between two opinions, exposed to these dangers, a stumbler of stumblers. Instead of being a blind guide, as you are, a wall of offence, a stumbling stone, think how much you might do; what glory to Jesus you could bring; what a sparkling crown might be yours, were you to obey God, take him at his word, follow on, and on, to light on light, hope on hope, joy on joy, salvation on salvation, glory on glory! Christian perfection is the perfection of the Christian grace. This also we wish, even your perfection. Christ died to procure it. He gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works.” Titus ii, 14. “The blood of Jesus Christ, his son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John i, 7. The Holy Spirit is waiting to impart it. He is frequently called the Holy Spirit, not because he is more holy than the Father and the Son, but because it is his office to communicate holiness. 1 Peter ii, 22. The Word is the instrument which the Spirit employs to effect it: “Sanctify them through thy truth, thy word is truth.” John xvii, 17. “Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.” John xv, 3. “That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Tim. iii, 17. The ministry has been established to promote it. “He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers: for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,” Eph. iv, 11, 12. God commands it: “Walk before me and be thou perfect.” Gen. xvii, 1. “Be ye therefore perfect even as your Father, which is in Heaven, is perfect.” God promises it. “Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean; from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.” Ezek. xxxvi, 25. “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.” Matt. v, 6. There are many examples of it recorded in the Scriptures. It will secure your safety. If you do these things ye shall never fail. It will conduce to your peace and triumph in death. “Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright; for the end of that man is peace.” Psa. xxxvii, 37. “Lo an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter i, 11. It will qualify you for an exalted station in Heaven.” “He that soweth sparingly, shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully, shall reap also bountifully.” 2 Cor. ix, 6. “They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that turn many to righteousness, as the stars for ever and ever.” Dan. xii, 3. Must have this superlative grace? Assuredly. How can you, how dare you, delay, live and breathe an instant, without laying your whole being on the altar, and receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit? Read, write, pray, preach, testify for Jesus, and give thanks as you ought! open your lips at all, as the Lord requires, without this holy unction, this overflowing grace! Impossible. Rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing, as God commands, give thanks always, be careful for nothing, glorify your heavenly Father in every relation of life, without this tongue of fire? Never—never. Must have it? Unquestionably, brother. Why hesitate a single moment? You do it at your peril. God commands you to present your body a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto him, which is your reasonable service; to be steadfast, immovable, always abounding, to be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might;—to be filled with the Spirit. It is your duty, your privilege, to obey God, have respect unto all his commandments, especially touching a holy, consecrated life. It is as much your duty to put on the whole armor of God, to be wholly and unreservedly given up to his service, as it is for any sinner to repent, turn from his great wickedness and open rebellion against the Most High. How can you, with any degree of consistency, warn impenitent sinners to turn from their wicked ways, flee the wrath to come, while you are living in open disobedience to a plain and positive precept? “Be ye holy, for I am holy.” The command to be holy now, to cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, is just as plain and positive as the command to repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Beloved, it is not optional whether you will, or will not, obey God in this holy, consecrated life; you are solemnly bound to do it, as a matter of positive requisition. The voice is louder than SEVEN THUNDERS from high heaven, “wash, and make you clean.” “Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts.” Reckon yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Your usefulness, your happiness, your safety, your eternal life, pend on this obedience. It is God that speaks, not man. Moreover, there are no lions in the way, no giants, the sons of Anak; the pathway is open, the wayfaring man, though a fool, need not err therein. Touching this baptismal fire, the promises are ample. The Spirit is given to profit withal. The Spirit and the bride say, Come, and whosoever will, let him come. Brother, sister, will you have it? will you accept this offered mercy—this purchased salvation from all sin? Will you comply with the conditions, lay all upon the altar, give up all for Christ, bring all the tithes into the store-house, take God at his word? Will you do it? Will you do it now? Will you? To obtain this blessing when all is on the altar, a holy, unyielding violence of faith or humble trust in God is necessary. Let that described by the poet be yours:
> “Fix’d on this ground will I remain,
> Though my heart fail and flesh decay;
> This anchor shall my soul sustain,
> When earth’s foundations melt away;
> Mercy’s full power I then shall prove,
> Loved with an everlasting love!” Rest now and forever here, and you are now, and shall eternally be, the saved of the Lord. The talents which we have received are many and great. What people breathing on earth have had plainer instruction, or more forcible persuasions, or more constant admonitions, in season and out of season? Sermons, till we have been weary of them; and Sabbaths, till we profaned them? Excellent books in such plenty that we know not which to read? What people have had God so near them, or have seen so much of Christ crucified before their eyes, or have had Heaven and hell so open unto them? What speed should such a people make for Heaven? How should they fly that are thus winged! And how swiftly should they sail that have wind and tide to help them! A small measure of grace beseems not such a people, nor will an ordinary diligence in the work of God excuse them. All our lives have been filled with mercies. God has mercifully poured out upon us the riches of sea and land, of heaven and earth. We are fed and clothed with mercy. We have mercies within and without. To number them, is to count the stars and the sands of the seashore. If there be any difference betwixt hell and earth—yea, or Heaven and earth—then certainly we have received mercy. If the blood of the Son of God be mercy, then we are engaged to God by mercy. Shall God think nothing too much or too good for us, and shall we think all too much that we do for him? When I compare my slow and unprofitable life with the frequent and wonderful mercies received, it shames me, it silences me, and leaves me inexcusable.—Christian Treasury. WELL ANSWERED.—A person who suspected that a minister of his acquaintance was not truly a Calvinist, went to him and said: “Sir, I am told you are against the perseverance of the saints.” “Not I, indeed,” answered he; “it’s the perseverance of the sinners that I oppose.” “But that is not a satisfactory answer, sir. Do you think that a child of God cannot fall very low and yet be restored?” He replied: “I think it will be very dangerous to try the experiment!” VOICE OF THE WEST vs. ADVENT REVIEW.
By Editor
The Voice of the West has several times of late thrown out to its readers that the Review has ceased to exchange with it; intimating that it has been guilty of a great discourtesy; and it is sorry to state that it is not a “model of a Christian paper,” &c. Under these circumstances it may be proper for us to state the facts in the case for the benefit of such of our readers as see the Voice, and who cannot fail to get a wrong impression from the representations of that paper. That some months ago we did withhold the Review as an exchange, is true; that we did it without cause or provocation, about which the Voice says nothing, is not true. Some time last winter the Voice ceased to come to this Office. For four weeks we received none. Meanwhile we received a number of letters from different correspondents asking if we had seen such and such statements in the Voice, and if we designed to notice them. What the statements and articles referred to, were, we could not tell, as they were in the missing numbers. We then wrote to the Office of the Voice, stating that for some reason that paper had failed to appear among our exchanges, and requesting the back numbers to such a date, if they had them to spare. In due time they were received, also the current number for the week in which we wrote, and then the paper again stopped coming. In three weeks we were again inquired of by a correspondent respecting articles in these last missing numbers of the Voice, but we had no way to find out what they were but to send to that Office again for them. To thus be obliged to write for every paper we wished to see, was extremely annoying, to say the least. As the Voice was thus continually publishing from its correspondents attacks upon our positions, we thought best to have the paper, and then we wrote again, inclosing a year's subscription price, stating that the paper had not been received for three weeks, and that we had now concluded to subscribe for it, and that it might be sent to our address; also that we wished the missing back numbers. The paper then commenced coming to our address; but no notice was taken of our request for the missing numbers. None came, nor any explanation why they were not sent. We afterward got them by advertising through the Review for them. At this point, not before, we ceased sending the Review as an exchange; and we did not think it would require any special discernment, to ascertain the reason why; for when it becomes necessary, in order to secure a paper, to subscribe for it, the sending of the Review as an exchange, is a gratuity which we are not “model” enough to continue. When the Voice commenced coming to our address on subscription, it also commenced again coming to the Review, but after a time ceased; which the Voice now says it does not consider any discourtesy. Certainly not. This is not where the discourtesy comes in. On receiving the articles alluded to above, we found them to be only the contributions of an irate individual down in New Hampshire; who manifests the marvelous consistency of professing to love the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, and then falling into ecstasies over the attacks of its bitterest enemies, and bidding them Godspeed in their unholy work. We did not consider his communications worthy of any notice; nor has our mind changed in the least, though he has since in the same paper, made a very pugnacious flourish at us, by saying that it is because we dare not do it. Another matter must be alluded to here, as we hope to have no occasion to refer to this subject again. The reader will remember a few weeks ago an article from W. C. G., reminding the Voice that we had not received the promised copy of the work of T. M. Preble on the Sabbath question, for the prospectus which we published in No. 8, present volume. The Voice thinks we should have stated that the probable reason that we failed to receive the work was because we failed to notify the publishers that the prospectus had been inserted. We supposed the Voice had access to the Review, as it goes to Buchanan, and from time to time items appearing in the Review have been quite promptly noticed in the Voice. As it appears that the Review was not seen by the managers of the Voice, it would not have been out of place for them to conform to the custom in such cases, and request a marked copy of the paper containing the notice, if it was inserted; in which case we should have sent it. If at the expiration of our subscription, March 12, 1868, the Voice sees fit to exchange with the Review we shall be pleased to do so. REPORT OF THE MAINE CONFERENCE.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
THURSDAY evening, Oct. 31, we, with several others, went to Skowhegan to meet the friends who came on the cars. Among these we were happy to greet Bro. and Sr. White and Bro. Andrews. It gave us new courage to once more see these tried servants of God. Although we had read of the improved condition of Bro. W., yet we were not expecting to find him so much improved in every way. He seemed so cheerful and happy that we were reminded of former years. To God be all the glory. Friday morning a large number of brethren and sisters came in from all parts to attend the organization of the Conference. All appeared to have a deep interest in the cause of God, and to be willing to labor to advance it. A hard battle has been fought in this State over the subject of order. Many have had a wrong idea of organization, and a fear that our brethren who came to labor here wished to rule them. We have labored to remove all these unfounded fears, and were now rejoiced to see order established here with the hearty approval of all but a few disorderly spirits. Bro. White and Bro. Andrews favored us with their counsel and experience. Sabbath evening Bro. and Sr. W. spoke with freedom to a full house of attentive listeners. This was the first time that they had ever visited this place, though but a few miles from his native town. Hence the people were anxious to see and hear them. Sabbath morning we came together to enjoy a social meeting. Many good testimonies were given in favor of the truth. Some ideas advanced, and the manner in which some spoke, called forth from Bro. W. remarks to this effect: “Some who profess to worship God, show by their irreverent words and careless way of speaking in the house of God that they have no idea of the majesty of the Divine Being, and the solemnity of his worship. They speak about the great God as they would about a horse or any common thing. They seem to aim to call forth a laugh from the congregation by saying some odd or witty thing. This is all wrong, and an evil in the sight of God, that should not be countenanced among our people.” These remarks were timely and much needed by some who profess to believe the truth. He also spoke with regard to the scattering, withering influence of disorder, and mentioned a notable instance of it. This stirred some very much, and it was thought to be unwise, severe, and out of order. But subsequent events proved it to be just what was needed. At 10½ A. M., Bro. W. spoke on the subject of baptism, showing its nature, its use, and who are its proper candidates. It appeared very plain from Bible evidence which was introduced, that those who have been baptized and then have backslidden far from God, should be baptized again, when they again die to sin and begin again to live for Christ. But the most important point was, that those who were baptized while in error, and while breaking the law of God, should be re-baptized when they received the light of truth and begin to keep the law of God. This was made plain by many pointed arguments. We hope soon to see the effects of this discourse, and feel confident that we shall. Sabbath afternoon Sr. W. spoke with her usual clearness and force upon the subject of health. She showed its importance, and its connection with the work of God in these last days. It was much needed here, as but few have adopted in full the Health Reform. Many realized its importance as they never did before, and resolved to take hold of it immediately. On Sunday the house was crowded to overflowing, and some went away for want of room. It was thought that about five hundred found seats. Bro. W. spoke on the subject of the Law and Gospel. This was a deeply interesting subject, and the Lord gave his servant clearness and power in presenting it. As we listened to him, it seemed to us that God had restored Bro. W. to more than his usual strength and clearness of thought. We hope and expect to see fruit of this labor here. In the afternoon Sr. W. spoke to the people on the subject of the humiliation, sufferings and glory of Christ. The Lord was in it. The falling tears told that it reached the heart. The gentle, convincing Spirit of God was there to soften the hearts of opposers and convince the inquirers. In the evening, she spoke on the subject of dress. This was listened to with deep interest by our brethren and sisters and many others. Much prejudice on this subject was removed, and its importance is beginning to be felt. Thus closed the religious meetings of our first Conference in Maine. We can say emphatically that they were good. But to the cause, the business meetings were far more important. I know that there were some, who profess to be in the message, that would have given much to have kept Bro. and Sr. White337away. They thought that they did not need them nor their help. They “feared for the cause” if they should come. They feared that these servants of God who have led out in the work from its foundation, would not “use caution enough, and would hurt some one’s feelings!” But, thank God, they came, and came in the Spirit of God, and came just in time to save the cause from reproach and confusion. Both of them fearlessly bore their testimony against wrongs, and against those who stood in the way of the work of God. It cut close and deep, and in some places where we did not look for it. But let every man be found wrong, rather than that the sacred work of God be reproached. Never before did I so fully realize the great importance of the gifts in the church, and never did I have so strong faith in them as now. Many, nay, nearly all, felt the same. Thank God for the testimonies. We also realized that God has laid upon Bro. W. a work that no other man could do. The cause needs all the gifts, each one in its place. Deep wrongs had existed here which had gone unrebuked; murmurers and fault-finders had been listened to, feared, yielded to, and coaxed, till they were about to triumph. Sr. White pointed out these things with faithfulness, in the spirit of meekness. May the Lord ever spare them for their work. They labored, and not without effect, to impress the minds of the people with the exalted character of this work. It is not a common work, but a special work, a holy work, a searching work, a work for the Judgment. To bring it down on a level with the common religion of the times, to mix them together, will not do. The standard must be raised high. If men cannot come up to it, then let them turn away; for they would only be a curse to the cause if it be lowered to meet them. Make straight work, make clean work, and God will take care of the consequences. May the Lord give us holy boldness, and help us to fear more to offend God than rich and influential men. These men, if petted, and coaxed, and yielded to, are always a reproach and a hindrance to the cause. Let them come right or not come at all. Well, this Conference has been a school to us which we shall not soon forget. We now confidently look for better times. “As many as I love I rebuke and chasten.” For myself, I never felt so much confidence in the third angel’s message as now; I never prized the gifts as now, never loved God’s tried servants as now. The faithful labors and continued care of our dear Bro. Andrews for the people, are appreciated by them. May the Lord help us to heed his many faithful admonitions to us. You wish with all your heart the success and triumph of present truth? Why? There are many reasons which are laudable and good, but there is one particular in which there may be danger of our cherishing a wrong spirit, and to this we therefore wish to call attention. To those who are whole-hearted in the truth, nothing upon earth is more precious than this cause. Their best interests center upon it. The strongest cords of their love entwine around it. Their hopes are bound up in it. In its prosperity they rejoice; in its adversity they mourn. The toils and sacrifices necessary to carry it forward, they welcome as desirable burdens to bear for its advancement. But this cause has its foes. Its promulgation has developed an unusual number of the same characters from whom Paul prayed to be delivered, and whom he styles “unreasonable and wicked men.” These are bitter in their opposition to this work. They labor to arrest its progress. Over every indication of its decline, they raise a shout of exultation. They predict its failure. They greedily seek for flaws in the private lives or public walks of its defenders. And they would fain persuade themselves and others that our course is folly, and our hope a phantom. Now it would be very much in accordance with human nature for personal feelings to arise in our hearts against such individuals, and for us to wish for the success of this work for the gratification of these feelings, that their mouths might be stopped, their folly be made manifest, and we feel that a triumph had been achieved over the enemies of the truth. If any of us are in any degree inclined to such feelings, let us immediately commence to guard against them. We know the truth is destined to triumph, and we desire its immediate advancement; but there is a better motive for this than the one above-mentioned. This is the last message of mercy to a perishing world; and sinners are lying all around us in darkness and danger. Carelessly and ignorantly they are hastening to the Judgment. They must be warned. Then let us work and pray for the success of this cause, not that we may triumph over our opponents, but that souls may be saved, and God’s name be thus glorified. This is the great object. This should be the all-absorbing motive. Let us make every other consideration subservient to this, seek to realize the value of souls, and their startling danger; and earnestly desire the prosperity of the cause of truth, that the warning may be wide spread, the honest receive the light, and so be saved in the impending day of the Lord Jesus. REPORT FROM OHIO.
By I. D. Van Horn
My last report reached to Oct. 7, since which time I have been laboring alone in the vicinity of this place (Bowersville), Bro. Waggoner having gone north to attend the Quarterly Meetings. Oct. 9-13, I spent in a neighborhood near by, visiting and holding meetings, which served to allay some prejudice, and the minds of some were led to see that we had some foundation for the truths we advocate. During this time, on the Sabbath, I met with the few who have accepted the truth in Bowersville, gave them a discourse, after which a few testimonies were borne. This gave us encouragement, and we felt that our coming to this place was not in vain. The same day we organized a Bible Class, and since that a good interest has been manifested in the study of the prophecies and other portions of the Bible. Oct. 14, the way opened for me to go to Port William, a small town about four miles from Bowersville, where I have been laboring almost constantly for three weeks: I gave them twenty lectures, while, during the same time, I met with the friends at Bowersville every Sabbath, preaching to them, and instructing them in their Bible Class. The trustees of the Methodist Protestant church at Port William kindly granted me the privilege of occupying their house of worship for my meetings, for which they have my sincere and hearty thanks. Being deprived so often of going into meeting-houses of other denominations to hold meetings, we believe we are prepared to appreciate the kindness of those who grant us such a privilege. Many that have listened to the plain points of present truth as they have been set before them, have become convinced of their duty, but have not yet sufficient moral courage to come out and take a full stand. I think we can safely say that three or four, if not more, will move out in all the truth, as the result of our meeting there. May the Lord bless the work, and carry it on in the hearts of those convicted of their duty. Sabbath and first-day, Nov. 2 and 3, were good days with us here. I met with the little company in Bowersville on the Sabbath, and gave them a discourse on “The hope of all the Bible writers,” proving them all to be “Second Adventists,” that is, they all taught in harmony the doctrine of the second advent of Christ, and the resurrection and glory of the saints at that time. We also proved them all to be Seventh-day Adventists, for they all observed the Sabbath of the Lord. After this meeting we enjoyed a good Bible Class, and were much interested in tracing down the “prophetic periods,” which showed us that we are now amid the scenes of the judgment of the saints. On first-day we went to Port William, where I gave a discourse on Baptism, or scriptural conversion, after which we baptized five who accompanied us from Bowersville. Truly the Lord is good to those who put their trust in him. We ought to praise him as long as we live. Yes, let our lips praise him, and our souls magnify his holy name. I. D. VAN HORN.
Bowersville, Ohio, Nov. 4, 1867. SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST PUBLICATIONS.
By J. S. Miller
Since it becomes the duty of every Christian to avail himself of every means of grace which the Lord in his infinite goodness has placed within our reach, certainly to neglect to use such means of grace is to bring upon ourselves spiritual leanness. Prominent among the means of grace with which God is blessing his people at the present time, are the papers and books that are being issued by the Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association. I cannot better bring out the ideas which I wish to present to the reader than by referring to a little of my personal experience, and thus show what changes may be wrought, under the blessing of God, by the issuing of these silent messengers. It was about thirteen months ago that I first became acquainted with the little band of Seventh-day Adventists at this place. At that time I was so ignorant of the present truth that when I first heard them talk about the “third angel’s message,” I was under the necessity of inquiring what they meant by that expression. At that time I was a tobacco-chewing, tea-drinking, pork-eating, nervous dyspeptic. To-day I have a tolerably correct idea of the general principles of present truth, and have abandoned the use of tobacco, tea, coffee, fleshmeats and many other hurtful things. Although the improvement in my health has not been so great as that in my habits, yet the change for the better is quite perceptible, and the tendency is still onward and upward. The change in my theological sentiments has been as great as that in my habits of living, and, as I think, equally for the better. But what has brought about this wonderful change? I answer, it is due mainly, under the blessing of God, to Seventh-day Adventist publications. I would not ignore or undervalue the influence exerted by my brethren and sisters to bring about these good results; but where did they get their ideas with which they have been able to assist me? I answer, from the Review, Reformer, Instructor, and the little tracts and books that have from time to time been issued. It is true, we may not immediately see the results of the seed thus sown, but as surely as the seed is good, just so surely will some of it find lodgment in good soil and bear fruit, “some thirty, some sixty, and some an hundred fold.” There are at least two individuals among my acquaintances who came into the third angel’s message by means of the Review having been accidentally thrown in their way. One of them was a postmaster, and became interested through looking over papers which the subscribers neglected to take from the office. While I was made sad to think that any one under this message should neglect to read so valuable a paper, I rejoiced to find that those little missives had accomplished that whereunto they were sent. The other individual referred to was in the message several years in advance of all others in this section, his only preaching being such as he could obtain from the Review. But how the Review first found him out, is, even to this day, to him a mystery. Some one sent it to him for awhile, and he became interested, and as a result embraced the message. For several years he stood alone, like ancient Noah, declaring an unpopular truth. To-day there are within fifteen miles of him above thirty who are keeping all the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, and are proclaiming His soon coming. I do not mean to convey the idea that these have all been brought in as the result of reading the Review, for the word has been preached first by Bro. Cornell, and subsequently by Bro. Redman, but it is quite certain that their labors would have been much more effectual had the minds of the community been previously prepared by reading the papers and tracts which treat on the various truths that are being brought out under this message. A circumstance that has come under my notice this morning will serve to illustrate the advantages that may be gained by a judicious circulation of our publications. Last evening I handed Dr. Jackson’s valuable lecture on tobacco to a lad that works in the same place with myself. This morning the lad’s father, who works in the room with me, and who is an inveterate tobacco chewer, called me to him, and told me that he had been reading Dr. Jackson’s lecture, that he thought it was good common sense, and wound up by saying that he thought he should “wean off.” Now, whether he stops chewing or not, one thing is sure—the lecture has sent conviction to the man’s mind. What is true of Dr. Jackson’s lecture, is true of every book and tract published at the Review office. If people can be induced to read them, they are sure to carry conviction, and some of the seed sown will take root. Oh! that the brethren were fully awake in this matter. Do we love our neighbor as ourselves? If so, then let us present to our neighbors the light which others have so kindly presented to us. A word or two with regard to reading. Have you read all the books and tracts that are issued from the Battle Creek office? Do not say that you have no taste for reading, and cannot remember what you read. Create a taste. Cultivate memory. We are quite apt to eat when we are hungry. We are pretty sure to remember that which really interests us. You may have thought once that Graham flour made very coarse, dry bread; and that you did not derive the strength from it that you did from the less wholesome fine dust. But was the fault in the bread, or was it in your depraved appetite? The same is true with regard to Bible truth. It may not at first seem palatable, but persevere, and you will eventually come to love the truth, and to discover that your spiritual strength is being renewed. Among the books recently published, I would notice: 1. Thoughts on Revelation. This is a book that will bear reading more than once. It should be in the possession of every person who has come into this message, and should not only be read but studied. Nearly every one of our little company read this work immediately after it was issued. We are now giving it a careful perusal at our weekly reading circle, an institution which we started a few weeks ago, and of which I can say, that it is becoming indispensable. 2. The Ministration of Angels. I have just finished reading this valuable work, and can heartily recommend it to all the readers of the Review. I have obtained from this book many valuable thoughts aside from the subject on which it treats. And last, though not least in importance, I would call attention to Testimonies Nos. 11, 12, and 13. Have you obtained copies of them? Have you read them? And, most important of all, have you resolved to live out all the faithful testimonies contained in them? “Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore, be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.” Eph. v, 14–17. Ashaway, R. I., Oct. 29, 1867. “HEARKEN unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings. For the moth shall eat them up like a garment; and the worm shall eat them like wool: but my righteousness shall be forever, and my salvation from generation to generation.” Here the Lord, by his prophet, addresses a people who know righteousness, in whose heart is his law; and exhorts them not to fear the reproach of man, nor be afraid of his revilings. Why? Because the moth shall eat him up as a garment, and the worm like wool. Says the Psalmist, “I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green hay tree, yet [notwithstanding his power] he passed away, and lo! he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.” Yes, the triumph is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment. Then why should we fear his revilings, or tremble at the reproach of mortal man? why have we feared it? why do we still! Is it not because the eye of faith has become dim, and we have forgotten that man, whose reproach we feared, is as grass, and as the flower of grass shall perish? Do we, have we, not lost sight of the great present truth that the end of all things is at hand? and that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Do we not, in seeking to please the unsanctified mind of man, by lowering the standard of true holiness, and fearing his revilings, lose sight of the exceeding great and precious promises God has given in his word? Do we not show by our works that we are not sanctified by the truths we profess, and forget that we are strangers and pilgrims in the earth, looking forward to a land, and for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God? And do we not show by our works that our affections are still here? not sanctified, but carnal? Are we keeping or breaking the first great commandment: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, thy mind, might and strength? yes and the second also: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself? What do our works teach? If we look to them we must acknowledge that we have had a name to live while we are or have been dead; we have sought the friendship of the world and feared their revilings, till we are in a place where we do not know the righteousness of God, and his law is not in our hearts. Oh, is it not high time to awake out of sleep; to humble ourselves in the sight of God, and seek him with all our heart, till he pardons all our sins, and heals all our backslidings; that we may know for ourselves that we are in favor with God; that our unworthy names are written in the Lamb's book of life? I believe it is the privilege and duty of every saint of God to seek and obtain a deep and living experience in the things of God now, not next week, next month, but now. We may know by experience that Jesus lives, and intercedes for us, that we are the children of God. Oh, what a privilege, to be in favor with God. To be in a place where we may have the promise verified: “Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in Heaven.” Oh, let us arise and get out of the dangerous place we are in, seek the Lord with all the heart, and get so much of his Spirit and love in our hearts that the fear of man will vanish from our minds, the fear of God take its place, and by faith, and by seeking the glory of God, be able to rejoice and be glad, knowing that we have a reward in Heaven, and if we should be called to pass through severe and trying conflicts by the way, may we be so filled with the Spirit of God that we may, with the apostles of old, rejoice at the privilege of suffering with Christ. Yes, we must cease to fear man's revilings, but sanctify the Lord God in our hearts, and keep his fear before our eyes; perfecting holiness in the fear of God, without which none shall see him; and get in our hearts his righteousness and salvation, which endureth forever.
ELVIRA B. STEVENSON.
Battle Creek.