BRO. SMITH: Being the only Sabbath-keeper in this neighborhood I have not had the privilege of meeting with my brethren and sisters since I left our home in Durand. There a few were in the habit of meeting once or twice a week and on the Sabbath for prayer, and though sometimes there were only two of us we had many joyful seasons. I bless God for past privileges, and would rejoice to have the same again.
I rejoice for what I have learned of the Health Reform and am trying to profit by it. I have been a slave to tea and coffee all my life; also the nervous headache was my almost constant companion for two years before I left off its use. Bro. Sanborn was here two years ago and discoursed on health, and I made up my mind to ascertain by quitting its use, whether tea cured, or made, the headache; and now I scarcely know what the headache is, and enjoy much better health than formerly. Let me say to the readers of the Review, if any such are slaves to tea, be entreated by one who knows its effects, to abandon its use at once. You will have better health and a clearer mind; and as God requires us to worship him in our spirit and body which are his, I feel for one that I must reform before I can claim the promise.
I feel my weakness, and unworthiness, and my hope to be small; but small as it is, I would not exchange it for a world like this. It is what cheers me on my lonely way. My prayer is that God may enable me to walk circumspectly before my family and neighbors, and adorn my profession with a godly walk and conversation. In looking over my papers to find something to read, my eye fell on the sermon by Bro. Bourdeau, Advances of God's People under the Messages, and the Dangers of Backsliding; and as I read, it seemed new to me. Thank God for the sermons in the Review. They are like bread to my hungry soul. How could I do without it? I ask an interest in all your prayers that I may be an overcomer, and meet you where we may part no more.
LOUISA PRESSON
A Thriving Church in Hartland
By A. J. Goodrich
SISTER A. J. GOODRICH writes from Hartland, Me.: There is a little church here in a thriving condition, numbering twenty-three in all, striving to be overcomers. We have some blessed meetings, and a prosperous Sabbath School, in which the children are much interested. May the Lord gather in the children, is my prayer, that we may travel together to Mount Zion. Thank God that we have ever seen the light of present truth.
REPORT FROM IOWA.
By D. T. Bourdeau
SABBATH, June 1, I met with the church at Pilot Grove, and spoke to them on various points preparatory for the Conference. The first four days of the following week, Mrs. Bourdeau and myself spent in writing, and in visiting several families of the dear brethren and sisters of this church, and among other things, set forth the reformed dress in its true light, showing its many advantages over the mode of dress generally worn by women, and over that mode of dress usually known as the American costume. Our labors were appreciated as a part of the work of the Health Reform, as appeared from quite a general readiness to adopt the reformed dress. How plain it is that the time has fully come to take another step, and move out in this branch of the Health Reform.
From June 6, to June 10, I attended the business sessions and religious meetings of the Iowa Conference. Sweet union prevailed in all the business transactions, in which the presence and assistance of Bro. Loughborough were appreciated. The Lord also aided in preaching. Four discourses were given. Subjects presented, Humility, Self-denial, The folly of laying up treasures on earth in these last days, and the Health Reform. Owing to previous heavy rains, there were not as many Sabbath-keepers present as there were last year, yet there was a good representation from the different parts of the State, and we think an advancement could be seen in the churches on various points. On Sunday the attendance was very large, nearly as large again as could be convened in the meeting-house, and owing to the size of the congregation, and the excessive heat of the day, the meetings were held in a grove near by. The interest was intense as Bro. Loughborough gave the closing discourse, showing some of the structures and functions of the human system, and how necessary and interesting it is to know ourselves physically and mentally as well as morally. We have good reasons to believe that this Conference has given a new impetus to the cause in Iowa, the effects of which will appear and be realized until the work closes.
It was decided at the Conference that Bro. G. I. Butler and I should go with the tent, and we are now on our way to our field of labor. Brethren, pray for us, that the Lord may go with us, that an effectual door may be opened before us, and that some souls may be led to obey the truth, and flee from the wrath to come. D. T. BOURDEAU.
Marion, Iowa, June 13, 1867.
REPORT FROM TUSCOLA CO., MICH.
By I. D. Van Horn
AFTER passing through the Conference at Battle Creek, which was the best and most profitable to me of any I ever attended, I left May 29, for this county. I arrived at Tuscola village the evening of the 30th, and at the beginning of the Sabbath held my first meeting. I found the friends of truth all ready to receive me with glad hearts, and felt to rejoice with them that it was my privilege to meet with this dear people again. The roads were very muddy and the weather some rainy during our stay here, but notwithstanding all this we had a good attendance throughout. Some were with us from Vassar and a few from Watrousville.
The Lord gave us good freedom as we tried to do our duty by opening the plain, practical truths of his word to the consideration of all present. This was especially the case on the Sabbath while dwelling on that important subject, the Health Reform. I never saw the deep necessity of its full adoption by us as a people, and the vast importance attached to it as connected with the third angel's message, as I did on this occasion. The social meeting that followed told the effect it had on the hearts of all present. Nearly all testified of their willingness to adopt the dress reform with the rest.
Our meetings here were all encouraging and resulted, we have good reason to believe, in the advancement of this little band in the divine life. A few have gone back, leaving the narrow path and simplicity of the truth to walk again with the world. Oh how can those who have once seen by faith the inviting glories of the home of the saints, barter it away so cheap as to exchange it for a few pleasures and conveniences in this evil world? Let me say to you my dear friends that you are not aware of the dangers you thus place yourselves in. Already the solemn scenes of the judgment are preparing the righteous for their final change, and the terrible wrath of God will very soon be visited on a guilty world. How can we expect to escape this wrath if we have not made our peace with God? And our peace with God is made by a self-denial on our part, and thus fully conforming to his will. May those still holding on, take heed to themselves lest they too fall from their steadfastness in Christ, and, yielding to Satan, go down to ruin and destruction. There are enough here to still have good meetings, and to exhort and encourage one another as they approach nearer the great gathering day.
Tuesday, June 4, I came to Vassar, and in the evening had a good meeting. The little company here are dwelling together in union, and their influence among the people is such as to make many of them anxious to hear the truth. We shall visit them again.
Wednesday evening we also enjoyed a good meeting at Watrousville. On my way to Centerville I stopped at Wahjamega, where I gave a discourse on the two laws to an attentive audience who were much interested to hear.
Last Sabbath and first-day I enjoyed a good season with the friends in Centerville. When I first came into the county I heard that they had all given up the truth, but I found it far different when I came among them. A few have grown cold and given up, but the most of them yet remain firm. I had some good meetings with them. Quite a number were present from Watrousville. The Lord gave us help to speak forth the plain truths of his word, and his blessing was manifested in our social meetings.
The Health Reform was quite well received, and new resolutions were made by the friends to live it out. On Sunday evening we had a special meeting for the church. Nearly all were present, and we conversed freely with them on the health and dress reform, answering their questions, &c., which proved to be one of the best meetings we have held among them. The minds of most of them were freed from all doubt, and they expressed a willingness to live out the reform in all its branches.
At this meeting we re-organized S. B. for this conference year to the amount of $97.38, which was more than it was last year, and does not look much like the cause all going down in Centerville. May God help them to remain faithful to their trust and do their work with an eye single to his glory. Last evening I spoke again with much freedom to the friends in Wahjamega on the ever-stirring theme of Eternal life. I find the people much interested to hear the truth.
This cause is the Lord's, and when his servants try in humility to do their duty, he is ever ready to help and encourage them. Oh! that we may all live so as to be able to pass safely through the perils of the last days, and finally stand with the redeemed on Mount Zion.
I. D. VAN HORN.
Tuscola Co., Mich., June 12, 1867.
ENCOURAGING.
By A. S. HUTCHINS
WITHIN six months, our excellent Review has been doubled in its size, so that we now have a weekly paper of sixteen pages, going forth bearing the light of heaven and the burning, saving truths of God's sacred word, to all its numerous readers. And as I have read it in its recent enlarged form, I have been led to exclaim, This is truly a matter of encouragement. Every true friend of the cause can not but hail its weekly visits with real satisfaction.29It would certainly be a matter of encouragement to us all, if we could buy double the amount of flour or grain or other necessary articles for fifteen dollars, that we could six months since for ten dollars, and especially if the articles were superior in quality to those bought six months since.
And that this is the case, when applied to the Review, I think will not be denied. For I believe with its enlargement each time it has grown better. Every week it brings its readers a carefully prepared Sermon on present truth. Now if we had only the Sermon and should pay the regular price for the Review, they would cost us, postage included, only a fraction over six cents each. And are they not worth that?
But we have more: There is the Commentary, the Historical department; and the Editorial with its stirring, living truths, and the Conference department with its cheering epistles, and the News and miscellany showing the signs of the times, and other valuable items, which when all put together cost the reader less than one sixteenth part of a dollar. Now who can say other wise, than that this is encouraging?
But let us not forget the publishers and Editor. They need to be encouraged by seeing all arrears promptly paid; and by receiving forthwith the names of all who have not paid in advance, with three dollars to pay for the next two volumes, accompanied if possible with the name of some friend of yours whom you have induced to subscribe for the Review, or to whom you will send it one year and pay for it yourself.
The Editor needs to be encouraged with many good and well written communications, letters and choice items of Christian experience from all the dear saints whose hearts are in the work of the third angel's message. Yea he needs to be encouraged by the fervent, effectual prayers of the righteous in all parts of the great and fast ripening harvest field.
Dear brethren and sisters, as you value the paper forget not to pray for those who prepare it and send it out to you.
A. S. HUTCHINS.
Health Institute, B. C. Mich.
REPORT FROM BRO. WHITE.
By James White
Through the great goodness of the Lord I have so far recovered from the shock of parting with my teeth as to be able to harness and also put out my horses and go to town on business for our builders.
Sixth-day the 14th, self and wife went to Orange, about thirty miles, and spent the Sabbath. As the weather was very hot we improved the cool of the morning to go as far as Bro. Olmstead's in Orleans, between the hours of five and seven in the morning. Much of the way was shaded by the oak, the maple, and the pine. The ride was delightful.
Sabbath morning the little church assembled as usual at Bro. Howe's. I had excused myself from preaching in the absence of teeth, but being pressed, found that my speech had improved very much. I spoke to the youth thirty minutes with ease and much satisfaction. Mrs. W. spoke an hour and a half, and then followed an excellent social meeting.
We enjoyed this visit very much. For the first time in two years, first-day morning, I hoed a row of corn ten rods in length. Second day morning at five we left for home, and took our first meal for the day by the road-side, and reached home at five in the afternoon. We now expect to keep house again in two weeks, and appoint July 4th to dedicate the new home, when we shall be happy to see our brethren and sisters at ten o'clock A. M. May the Lord meet with us, and may our home and our lives be sanctified to his service. And may our new home be a place for holy cheerfulness, and may jesting, joking, and unholy trifling and foolish talking, never be heard in it. In the name of God we will not have it.
I have been much exercised in regard to the ordinances, and suggest that Sabbath, the 29th, would be a good time for the churches and brethren in this vicinity to assemble at Fairplains. I would also suggest that 2 o'clock in the afternoon would be the best time to spend an hour in washing the saint's feet, and the Lord's supper. I have also felt much upon the ordinance of baptism. And as there are some who should be baptized, I believe the Lord will give strength to go into the water and perform the sacred rite.
JAMES WHITE.
Greenville, Montcalm Co., Mich., June 18, 1867.
MONTHLY MEETING IN CONVIS, MICH.
By John Sisley
The last Monthly Meeting in Calhoun Co., was held at Bro. Wm. Smith’s, in Convis, on the second Sabbath in June. It was one of the best ever held in this place. Bro. Byington was present with “meat in due season.” The social meeting was encouraging and truly a blessed season. One who embraced the Sabbath years ago, but had never united with the church, not realizing the importance of organization, s. B., &c., made a humble confession and desired to go on unitedly with God’s people.
The next Monthly Meeting will be held in Burlington, on the second Sabbath in July.
JOHN SISLEY.
Convis, Mich.
ENDING OF THE 1260 YEARS.
Next week will close the extracts we propose to give under this head, in the Historical Department, and will contain the record of the captivity of the Pope, his death in exile, the suppression for the time being of the papacy, and finally its restoration by the same power that brought it down. These historical facts are full of interest. We have chosen to introduce such lengthy quotations, 1. To show the character of the papacy at that period. It was fitting that it should be humbled to the dust, at the very time when it was exhibiting some of its vilest manifestations. 2. To show how events were working years beforehand to accomplish the downfall of the Pope, and to show how plainly the hand of God was visible in these events. There is scarcely a more distinct and well-defined prophetic fulfillment than this, or a more clearly-marked prophetic date than 1798. Here we enter through the great gateway which leads us into “the time of the end.” From this time on, the church begins to have clearer views of its position in the world’s history, evidence increases, signs multiply, fresh tokens appear, of coming deliverance. So it has been to the present day. Now we can lift up our heads, knowing that our redemption draweth nigh. The aspect worn by every thing around us, shows that the great consummation will soon be reached. “Let us be ready to hail the glad day.”
Fashionable Murder.
NOTHING but an imperative sense of duty could induce me to pen what I am about to write. Letters from different sections of the country, and from physicians too, are so urgent that I should write on this subject, that I may not choose. I have no fear but what I am about to write will be read; but I wish it might be solemnly pondered. I am about to speak,30and plainly too, of the practice of producing abortions. If any of my lady readers shall complain of a want of delicacy, I beg them to remember three facts; first, that the practice is fearfully common; second, that probably they are every week associating with those who are guilty of the practice; and third, that seventy-five per cent. of all the abortions produced are caused and effected by females. What then of delicacy?
It is well known that families of children, of this generation, in New England, do not average but three and a half each. I speak of our native population. With foreigners it is different, and the cause of the difference will soon be mentioned. By the advertisements of almost every paper, city and village, in the land, offering medicines to be effectual “from whatever causes” it is needed,—by the shameless and notorious great establishments fitted up and advertised as places where any woman may resort to effect the end desired; by the confessions of hundreds of women made to physicians, who have been injured by the process; and by the almost constant and unblushing applications made to the profession from “women in all classes of society, married and unmarried, rich and poor, otherwise good, bad or indifferent,” to aid them in the thing,—do we know of the “frequency of the crime.”
As a class, the medical profession have taken a noble stand. The desolations have become so fearful that, as the guardians of human life, they are compelled to do so; and society owes a debt of gratitude to Dr. H. R. Storer, of Boston, especially for his powerful arguments, lucid arrangement of facts, patient investigations and earnest and eloquent remonstrances. Among his writings on this subject, the little work entitled “Why Not?” is a “book for every woman,” and I wish every woman might carefully read it. But the medical profession cannot arrest the evil, and they tell me they need, and must have, the moral power of good people to aid them. Even now, as I have reason to fear, all the profession are not beyond the reach of personal appeal, nor an enormous fee, and I do wish that every such an one could see that a fee steeped in blood, and crimsoned with shame, cannot bring a blessing to his family.
I am sorry to learn from undoubted testimony, that the practice is far more common among Protestants than among Catholics—Dr. Storer says, “infinitely more frequent,” and this accounts, in part at least, for much larger families of the Irish Catholics. There is nothing in Protestantism that encourages or connives at it, but there is vast ignorance as to the guilt of the thing. But in the Catholic church, human life is guarded, at all stages, by the confessional, by a stern denunciation and by fearful excommunications. The rule in the Catholic church is unbending.
“Sedulam operam dent Sacerdotes, ut quantum poterunt, impediant illud scelus quo adhibitis chirurgicis instrumentis infans in utero interficiatur. Omnis foetus quocunque tempore gestationis editus baptizetur, vel absolute, si constet de vita; vel sub conditione, nisi evidenter pateat eum vita carere.”
The Roman Catholic Bishop of Boston says, eloquently and powerfully, “The very instant conception has taken place, there lies the vital germ of a man. True, it is hidden in the darkness of the womb, and it is helpless; but has sacred rights, founded on God’s law, and so much the more to be respected because it is helpless. It may be already a living man, for neither mothers nor physicians can tell when life is infused; they can only tell when its presence is manifested, and there is a wide difference between the two things. At any rate, it is from the first moment potentially and in radice a man, with a body and soul destined most surely, by the will of the Creator and by his law, to be developed into the fullness of human existence. No one can prevent that development without resisting and annulling one of the most sacred and important laws established by the Divine Author of the universe; and he is a criminal, a murderer, who deals an exterminating blow to the incipient man, and drives back into nothingness a being to whom God designed to give a living body and an immortal soul. From this it follows that the young woman, whose virtue has proved an insufficient guardian to her honor, when she seeks by abortion to save in the eyes of man the honor she has forfeited, incurs the additional and deeper guilt of murder in the eyes of God, the Judge of the living and the dead. Who can express what follows with regard to those women, who, finding themselves lawfully mothers, prefer to devastate with poison or with steel their wombs rather than bear the discomforts attached to the privilege of maternity, rather than forego the gaieties of a winter’s balls, parties and plays, or the pleasure of a summer’s trip and amusement.” To all this I say do minus.
News and Miscellany.
Can ye not discern the Signs of the Times? Matt. xvi, 3.
—A case of cholera occurred in Norfolk, Va., the 7th.
—A jury of negroes were impaneled at Navasoto, Texas, on Friday, June 14, the first ever recorded.
—An unmistakable case of cholera occurred at New York June 17.
—It is stated that the nominal price of board at the Saratoga hotels, this season, is $4.50 per day! Let those think of this who consider $8 to 12 per week exorbitant for board, instruction, and treatment at the Health Reform Institute.
—The Paris correspondent of the New York Times says that financially considered the great exhibition has not yet proved a success. The attendance of nearly forty thousand people a day is necessary to cover the mere running cost, while thus far the attendance has not averaged over twenty-five thousand. There will be a greater rush in months to come, but it is evident that the extravagant receipts anticipated will not be realized.
—Gov. Brown of Georgia is an earnest advocate for reconstruction on the ground that the South should get back into Congress as quick as possible, so as the sooner to be able to repay the radicals for the humiliations received at their hands.
—The Lincoln, N. C. Courier says freedmen are being shipped from the South, ostensibly as emigrants to Liberia, but in reality to be sold to Cuban planters. A gentleman from South Carolina, a prominent rebel leader, purchased a few weeks ago in Cuba, where he has a plantation, one of his former slaves.
—There was a desperate fight Monday afternoon, at Calvary Cemetery, near New York, among the members of a funeral party. It lasted an hour. Women and men were engaged on either side. Clubs, knives, and stones were freely used, several persons severely injured, and one child is reported killed. The neighboring inhabitants were so frightened that they hid themselves in the woods.
—Mr. Bodesco, Secretary of the Russian Legation, arrived on the Pereire, with the Russian-American treaty signed by the Czar.
—The cable reports that the populous and wealthy city of Birmingham was yesterday helplessly subject to the fury of a mob. The riot is called anti-Popery. If so, it is probably in opposition to the ritualistic movement in the Church of England which has aroused so much indignation. Troops have been sent to the city with orders to take energetic measures, and by this time order is probably restored.
—Robert Ottarson died at Springvale, Pa., recently. He had been insane for thirty years, but recovered his senses on his death bed, and conversed intelligently of occurrences that transpired the day and week previous to his insanity, making inquiries about a yoke of oxen which he had valued, of the work on the farm, and of old neighbors who had been dead for years, while the intervening space was a perfect blank in his memory.
—Wendell Phillips writes to the Anti-Slavery Standard of this week a letter of considerable length in favor of confiscation which he pronounces “the only trustworthy barrier against another revolt.” He desires the large estate of the South parceled out among the freedmen.
—Florence, June 21.—The startling intelligence has been received from Rome that two hundred armed men had thrown themselves into the city, it was supposed, with the intention of proclaiming a republic; but the desperate attempt failed, and 40 of the revolutionists are in prison.
—A poor widow, says the Detroit Tribune, was recently arrested at Binghampton, N. Y., at the instance of an over-officious neighbor, for setting out tomato plants on Sunday, they having been received too late to put out on the previous evening.
—Paris, June 21.—The government has decided to make a considerable reduction in the army.
The Surratt Trial.—The Surratt trial is now under full headway, and the developments already made, point to the conviction of the culprit. After so much delay, a very good jury is said to have been selected.
Crops.—The Chicago Journal says, we are informed from reliable sources that the crop prospect, not only in the West but throughout the United States, were never so promising as now. As one of the best evidences of this, we learn that Messrs. McCormick, of this city, are manufacturing 10,000 reapers and mowers the present season, which they believe will fall at least one thousand short of meeting the demand for them.
A Terrible Disease.—The Lewiston Journal says: A short time since a son of Deacon Muzzy, of South Paris, Me., complained of a severe pain in his heel. Soon the flesh seemed to become dead and commenced to slough off, and has continued until the ankle bone and both bones of the leg have become exposed, as well as the cords and tendons. The disease is still progressing. When the boy is lying on his side with no support for the foot, the joints will fall open so that the whole inside of the joint can be seen. The disease is pronounced phlegmatic erysipelas.
Important from Mexico.—A San Luis Potosi dispatch to the N. Y. Herald, date not mentioned, says that Maximilian, Mejia, Miramon and Castillo were being tried by court martial, and it was expected that sentence of death would be pronounced on the following day, and that the prisoners would be immediately shot. Maximilian had served notice on the President denying its jurisdiction on international grounds: “I am a government,” he says, “recognized by every power in the world, except the United States, and can only be tried by a legal congress of nations.” It is reported that previous to his capture, Maximilian offered to abdicate and use his influence to cause an immediate surrender to Juarez, in return for which he asked the lives and safe conduct out of the country for himself, his German officers etc. The proposals were returned. The Emperor and Mejia are placed in separate cells.
Cholera in Brazil and Buenos Ayres.—At last advices cholera was raging in the Brazilian camp on the River Platte. Nearly 700 men had died in four days.
In Buenos Ayres the streets were filled with funerals, and people were dying on the piers, about doorsteps and everywhere. Crowds were rushing away, and every little hamlet in the interior was crowded with refugees.
Indian Hostilities on the Plains.—Omaha dispatches say late Denver papers are full of accounts of Indian depredations and murders. They also contain dispatches from Gen. Sherman to Gov. Hunt, in which the General says he has not troops enough to protect all exposed points, and the people, for the present, must fight the Indians themselves. He also advises Gov. Hunt to send men immediately to scour the Republican River country, and then send them to Fort Sedgwick where he will have them mustered into service for two months. Gen. Augur will scour the Platte to Laporte and cross to Snyder’s. Another party will scour the Lodge Pole and another to Laramie. Gen. Custer is expected to strike the Cheyennes that were stampeded last month by Gen. Hancock. Wagon trains, stages and ranchmen must collect and protect themselves. Gen. Sherman says the great bulk of the Sioux are not within 500 miles of Fort Sedgwick, and that the depredations are committed by small scattered bands, who, being successful in stealing horses, may combine and do something worse.
S. L. Hill, Division Engineer of the Union Pacific Railroad, was killed on the 12th, forty miles north of Laporte, and Mr. Archer, inspector of the road, badly wounded. Hill’s body was perforated by nineteen arrows and five pistol balls, and scalped twice.
An emigrant train was attacked at Douglas Station on the Atchison and Kearney route on the 8th, and $2,000 worth of stock run off.
A July Session of Congress Probable.—The 14 Senators who have been with the Wade excursion party have all expressed their intention of being present at the July session, and those who were still with Mr. Wade yesterday joined him in a telegram to Mr. Schenck of the National Union Congressional Committee at Washington to advise all Republican members to be present in July, that all obstructions to the legal reconstruction of the rebel States may be removed.
The Detroit Tribune says:—There is every indication that the country is about to plunge anew into a high state of political excitement. We take it for granted, that unless Congress intends to abandon its reconstruction policy entirely, it will hold a July session, and rescue its laws from the perversions of the President and his Attorney General. The two opinions of the latter functionary on the construction of the laws of Congress in relation to reconstruction, have left those laws without vital force or practical utility. There is nothing left but for Congress to again interpose its authority. We hope to see a quorum of Congressmen at Washington on the third of next month.
“TOO DEEP IN THE COUNTRY.”
By R. F. Cotterill
A PEDDLER called on us the other day. I took him to be a Jew, and so inquired of him if he was a son of Abraham. He said he was. I told him I also claimed to be a son of Abraham. That in our Christian Scriptures Paul who was a Jew teaches us that if we be Christ's, then are we Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise. I also informed him that we kept the same Sabbath that Abraham and all the holy men of old kept, as it was the only Sabbath of the Bible, of the New Testament as well as the old. But I found, in the conversation, that he was like some other Jews as well as professed Christians, that say they cannot afford to lose two days in a week, and so work on the Sabbath and rest on Sunday.
On the following Sabbath as we were on our way to meeting, near Gasport, we overtook the same Jewish peddler, with his pack on his back, making his way toward the station. After bidding him good morning, I remarked, You are out then upon the road on the Sabbath. We are going to meeting, you are about your business. Said he, “I must go back to Rochester, and I was so deep in the country that I could not get to the railroad yesterday, and so I go to-day.”
We passed on thinking that he was not the only one that was “too deep in the country” to keep the commandments of God. Those whose worldly gain prevents them from keeping the Sabbath of the Lord, are too deep in the country, and so are they that will not embrace the truth for fear of losing their good name.
Professed Sabbath-keepers whose worldly business leads them to encroach upon the sacred hours of the Sabbath, are too deep in the country. Those who work so hard during the week as to unfit them to attend upon the public worship of God on the Sabbath, are too deep in the country. In short, those that cannot find time to worship God and keep his commandments, are too deep in the country.
And let it be remembered that those who shall be found so deep in the country as to fail to reach the first train to the holy city, the heavenly Jerusalem, will never gain the heavenly country. Let our actions all testify that we seek a country, a “better country, that is, a heavenly.”
R. F. COTTERILL.