"I do not think the Advents are very consistent in putting up such an Office of publication as they have in Battle Creek. It is good for a hundred years to come. What do they want of such a building if the world is coming to an end so soon? I think they have here given us a complete denial of their faith."
Such is the import of remarks not unfrequently made by Parthians, Medes, Elamites, Cretes, Arabians and Gentiles generally about the Office of publication, here in Battle Creek. Now it is astonishing how much more these people know about our faith than we do ourselves. They can instantly detect the least inconsistency between our faith and actions, and so remarkably acute is their vision that they can see it with equal clearness whether it exists or not! And as ready as they are to detect every discrepancy, they are no less ready to make them known. Just as though we were so obtuse as not to understand our faith well enough to know what course of action would comport with it, or else were so reckless as to deliberately do those things which would contradict or deny it. To hear them talk about "our faith," one would conclude that we believed something like this: That everything was to close up in a few months, and we had nothing under the sun to do but to sit down and fold our arms in idleness, and make the best shift we could when the crisis should come. If they really think that such is our faith, we can assure them that they will have to better acquaint themselves with it, or an authorized version of it will never come from them.
We do indeed believe that time is short, and that the end of all things is at hand; but we believe also that a mighty work is to be accomplished in the short time that intervenes. This work is expressed in the imagery of inspiration, by an angel coming down from heaven, and the whole earth being lightened with his glory. This means something more than that believers in present truth are to content themselves with a limited sphere of action. It denotes a greater work than that of individual preparation. It brings to view a work in which it will become those who are engaged therein, to make use of every improvement, and every convenience, which the science and ingenuity of the present age have brought to the knowledge of man.
Why then do not people sometimes talk to us in this way: You have made preparations to carry on an extensive business. It must be that you are expecting a great work to be done, and that you have strong faith in the stability, progress, and prosperity of the cause in which you are engaged? Yes, sir, would be our reply, and it is for this very reason that you see here this substantial building, with its airy and convenient rooms, the best style of power-press that the country affords, the steam engine, and all the machinery necessary for the successful prosecution of the work in the publishing department.
But to look upon these things as carrying out our faith, would be to condemn themselves. Noah condemned the age in which he lived by his faithful course in preparing for the flood. Lot condemned the cities of the plain. But it is only a faith that is carried out by consistent works that condemns its opposers. Just detect a discrepancy between faith and works, and the faith at once loses its power, and the world pass on unimproved thereby. Hence when some seem so anxious to involve us in inconsistency and contradiction, is it not to shield their own necks from condemnation? Is not this the reason why they are so much more inclined to take the first, instead of the second, view of the operations of the Association in Battle Creek?
Let us now suppose a little on the other side. Suppose that when the time comes for the message to go with that power with which we expect it soon will go, when a most efficient Office of publication will be needed, one which can furnish books and papers almost without number, and promptly and rapidly, suppose that then we had made no provision for that time, and no conveniences of this kind were at hand—what then? "Ah!" the opposer might justly say, "you did not believe in the success of your cause; you had no faith in your work, or you would have been prepared for such an emergency as this." Against any such source of detriment to the work, of mortification to ourselves, and cause of just reproach from without, we intend that the way shall be forever hedged up.
"But your building is ornamental." Ah! what of that? Does it follow that the Association expects that the building is going to stand forever because they have had it so erected as to present a respectable appearance from without? But let us look a moment at the faith of our accusers on this point; for they have faith and works as well as we, and it may be that their own course will shield us from their censures in this thing. If they are consistent in their charge against us, then they should never ornament anything except that which is designed to be permanent. But how is this principle carried out? Almost everywhere we see time and expense lavishly bestowed upon the works of a day. Especially on public and festive occasions, there are everywhere present scenes and appendages, prepared with almost infinite pains, which it is well known will perish with the occasion. Why all this time and expense, since these things are not to continue? We might approach them and say, How nicely you have made your preparation! What pains and expense you have bestowed upon every department! How beautiful are all your arrangements! You certainly must expect that this occasion is to last forever!
Will not our friends set their own house in order here, before questioning the domestic arrangement of ours. When they will do this, and vindicate their own course, then will we patiently sit down before them on the stool of examination, and grant them the privilege of catechising us to their hearts' content, respecting a few brackets under the cornice of the Office, by which it is saved from a blank and cheerless appearance to the passer-by.
U. S.
How the Primitive Christians Regarded Death.
By Uriah Smith
FROM recent explorations in the catacombs of Rome, some interesting facts in regard to the faith of the primitive Christians, have come to light. We find the following description in the Oberlin Evangelist, entitled, The Catacombs of Rome:93
"Prof. Jules Delassney spoke in the Chapel Sabbath evening, June 29, on the testimony to the life of primitive Christians that comes down to us in the catacombs of Rome. He has devoted himself with great diligence to the personal exploration of these remarkable recesses underneath the city of Rome, and has furnished himself with several hundred copies of inscriptions and pictorial illustrations from these ancient sepulchres. It is wonderful how much may be done with such aid to re-produce the thoughts, the faith, and the exultant piety of those Christian men and women, some of whom heard the gospel from the lips of the apostles themselves.
"The seven mountains on which Rome stands are volcanic. The masses of ashes and other volcanic remains lying from forty to one hundred feet below the surface was long ago found to make an admirable cement, and immense excavations have been consequently made in obtaining it. They were already vast in the days of Nero. Hither therefore Christians resorted to escape his persecutions, and here the remains of many who fell martyrs to the Christian name were buried. Mr. Delassney thinks these subterranean passages, if extended in one line, would reach nine hundred miles: that interments continued during at least ten generations, and numbered not less than six millions. The inscriptions on their tombs are brief and simple, bearing a most impressive testimony to the great points of their faith in Jesus. The word death is not there. They all sleep in Jesus—in hope of the resurrection when God wills. One verb for sleeping, and one other for rising again, complete the vocabulary of verbs in the literature of the catacombs. Their creed is in five words, Jesus Christ, God's Son, Saviour. The epitaph over one of the youthful ones of those times is expressive: Here sleeps—ten years old—God's little lamb. The pictorial delineations represent the saints with uplifted hands and eyes, imploring, yet hopeful, trusting, and waiting.
"So those mute pictures and dumb inscriptions testify to the simple faith of men who faced death without fear, in the love of Jesus and in the confidence of a better life beyond. Being dead their graves are made to speak. As the monuments and recovered alphabet of Egypt cause her ancient life to re-appear before the men of these generations, so do the inscriptions and memorials of the catacombs bring up before us the identical saints of Nero's life, and show us how they lived, suffered, and triumphed, through the grace given to his people by their faithful Friend above. No one, it seems to us, can examine this testimony without a deep and pleasing impression of the reality of the great facts of Scripture and early church history; and of the preciousness and power of that simple faith which so raised them above the fear of tortures, losses of all, and even death itself. The Christian world is deeply indebted to such antiquarians as Prof. Delassney, for their labors in bringing out from underneath the rubbish of the ages such a mass of testimony to the Christian Rest, and also for making it accessible to the people. We hope he will by and by give it to the world in a volume."
So then among all the millions of epitaphs which mark the resting-places of those primitive Christians, the modern idea of life in death is utterly discarded. Death, in accordance with the uniform teaching of the Bible, they represented as a sleep; and it seems they looked forward to the resurrection as their only hope of a future life. The epitaphs of the present day show too plainly the effect of nearly eighteen hundred years of apostasy from God, and departure from the plain truths of the sacred record. Those ancient tombstones, inscribed almost under the eye of the inspired writers themselves, contain no such contradictory motto as this: "Go thy way, thy son liveth." Would not such mottoes have been as frequent then as now, had they contained the truth? Thanks for those ancient records which reflect so clearly the light of truth from the time of those early disciples—records which speak volumes, the force of which no sophistry can evade.
U. S.
All These Things are Against Me.
By Uriah Smith
Such was the pathetic exclamation of Jacob, when his sons returned from Egypt where they had been to purchase food, to relieve them from the pressure of a terrible famine, and where they had left Simeon as a pledge that they would bring down their younger brother, Benjamin, with them when they came again. 'Me,' said he, 'have ye bereaved of my children. Joseph is not.' He supposed Joseph to be dead. 'Simeon is not.' He counted Simeon, retained in custody in Egypt, the same as dead. 'And ye will take Benjamin away.' To all outward appearance his circumstances were indeed dark, and afflictions were accumulating upon him? But was it in reality so? Were these things against him? No: they were all for him. Joseph himself afterward declared that it was God who had ordered these events to preserve to the children of Israel a posterity in the earth, and to save life by a great deliverance. What to desponding Jacob appeared to be proofs of God's displeasure, or evidences of his vindictive judgments, were in reality so many links in the chain of his mercy, by which he was working for his good, and to save him and his posterity alive in the earth.
As it was, over three thousand years ago, so it may be to-day. As it was with Jacob, so it may be with us. God may be working for our good, in what may seem to us but afflictions and misfortunes. From any standpoint which we are able to take, his ways may be inscrutable. But shall we, while passing through the furnace to that state of purity to which he designs to elevate us, or traveling in the way of his own choosing, to the goal to which he designs to bring us—shall we in any of the way sink down in discouragement and exclaim, All these things are against us? They are not against us. Have we not the promise that all things shall work together for our good, if we love God? Wait; and we shall one day be permitted, even as was Jacob, to scan the whole ground, and behold the beautiful pattern which God was working out in the lights and shades of life. We shall see that what we esteemed our greatest afflictions were our greatest blessings, essential to our deliverance and salvation. The lesson he would meanwhile have us learn and practice is, a firm trust in him in deepest afflictions, hope in discouragement, and patience in the hour of trial.
DAVID, still menaced by his pitiless foe, fled to Achish, king of Gath, of the Philistines, and Achish gave to David the country town of Ziklag, where a temporary quiet was afforded to him.
Seasons of rest are generally short to those who would act for God, especially to those who are chosen of God to lead out in holy warfare; and so it proved in this case; for David, on returning to Ziklag after a short absence, found the place in ashes, and desolate. The Amalekites had, during the absence of David and his little army, burned the town and carried captive the families of David and his soldiers; and now grief and disappointment filled their hearts.
Some blamed their leader (David) and talked of taking his life; but David, calm and fearless, "encouraged himself in God," and inquired of God through Abiathar the priest (who had been driven by the cruelty and tyranny of Saul to seek an asylum with David) whether he should pursue his enemies.
David did not move by impulse, though pressed by his reckless, disappointed soldiers, and threatened by the worst of them, but coolly and calmly waited for the answer of God. Pursue, overtake, recover all, was the reply. David did so, and after a rapid march overtook the enemy, routed them with great slaughter, recovered all, and took great spoil.
It happened that in the heat and fatigue of pursuit, some two hundred of David's men (out of his six hundred) becoming faint and weary, had stayed behind in the way by the brook Bosor, and guarded the stuff (baggage) by the consent of David.
Returning triumphant and laden with spoil, the vast stores of the conquered army, some of the worst of David's soldiers taunted those whose strength failed, who had been left with the "stuff" at the brook Bosor, and claimed that those only should share the spoils who took active part in the battle. David instantly detected the injustice of such a decision, and with wisdom and firmness decided that "as his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike."
Application: There is almost a mania with some to go into the thickest of the battle: nay, some wish to lead on the heat almost as soon as they come into the work of the Lord; and no doubt some are called and chosen for this very work.
But there must be a working church at home, on the farm, in the shop, and at the anvil. In all the departments of business, Christianity must be represented and exemplified; and talent can be consecrated here, and will be, by the people of God.
It is a mistake to suppose that because a brother has fine talents, and ardent devotion to truth, and can talk, pray, sing, and exhort, with edification to all, that he must of course preach the message. I do think the young novice would often be better off with a little caution in this matter.
I have no fear of discouraging those whom God has94called into this important work. God will sustain and lead out such; but the object of this article is to help outburden those who are weighed down with false burdens, and are grieved because they cannot take the responsible position of messengers.
In an army there are many places of trust, and much labor to be done; but all the men of talent cannot be colonels and captains, or majors and generals; but talent is needed in the ranks, and for subordinate posts.
Paul enumerates the different gifts: apostles, prophets, teachers, miracles, gifts of healing, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Then he expostulates. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? &c., &c.
I pray that men may be raised up to proclaim the message, men of God, chosen by him; and also I as fervently pray that incompetent men may be prevented from taking this responsible place.
As it was in the days of David, some must abide with the stuff, and such, if faithful, will share the rich rewards of the righteous. We all need especial direction of God, especially the ardent and impulsive, lest we, being too hasty, or beyond this, presumptuous, fall into Satan's snare; or on the other hand, lest want of success, or lack of encouragement, bring on discouragement and a state of gloomy inaction, perhaps ending in despair and murmuring thoughts.
Gideon knew, when the miracles of the fleece had been wrought, see Judges vi, 36-40, that God had called him to do a mighty work, and David was strengthened by the success he had in his conflict with the lion and the bear, to press forward amid difficulties.
But while there were but few such as David and Paul, there have been many a Philemon and Onesimus, many a Lydia, many a Dorcas.
We have no account that Cornelius ever became an apostle, or Jason, or Aquila, or Mnason, or Aristarchus, or Rufus, or Gaius, yet each was himself—natural, unaffected, quiet, zealous, useful, strong in the faith. Amen.
J. CLARKE.
Meetings in Michigan.
By Joseph Bates
BRO. WHITE: Our monthly meeting in Watson, Allegan Co., Mich., was held Sabbath, Aug. 9. The heavy rain-storm during the previous night and Sabbath morning we feared would be a hindrance to the brethren who had from nine to fourteen miles to travel, from Monterey, Allegan, and Pine Creek.
Nothing discouraged by the threatening rain-storm, a goodly number came together in holy convocation, and received the blessing of the Lord. We had a sweet, melting time. The Lord was graciously pleased to strengthen his believing children after their extra exertion and assembling at their appointed place. Our meeting closed after the members of the conference had united in celebrating the Lord's supper, to meet again at Pine Creek, the second Sabbath in September.
Our meetings with the church at Pine Creek the first Sabbath in August were encouraging.
The work on the new meeting-house here is progressing rapidly, for the brethren have "a mind to work." It will soon be given into the hands of the masons.
JOSEPH BATES.
Monterey, Mich.
Tent Meeting at Adam's Center, N. Y.
By M. E. Cornell; John Nevins Andrews
THIS meeting continued about six weeks, and a good attendance and interest was manifested to the close. The tent was located close by one of the Seventh-day Baptist meeting-houses, and when it rained or was windy we occupied their house. This was a great kindness to us, while trying to get through with the old tent so full of holes. Much of the time we struggled against discouragements of various kinds, so much so that we are astonished at the result, though from the circumstances it is difficult to report all that is due. When a vote was called to know who would keep the Sabbath, fourteen arose. We asked those who had professed to keep it, but were resolved to keep it better than before—to keep it according to the commandment—to arise, and over one hundred arose. There are probably more than fifty who are fully decided as to the truths we preach. Meetings are appointed for every Sabbath at their meeting-house. They took a supply of our hymn books, and about $20 worth of our books, exclusive of the History of the Sabbath, of which twenty-two copies were taken. We obtained eighteen paying subscribers for the Review.
While bearing our testimony against pride, a minister remarked that we bore on too hard; it was right to speak against it in a proper manner, &c., to which we replied, that his manner of speaking against it was evidently defective, for he had been there several years, and his members were growing in pride every day. But our testimony bore its own fruit. Several have laid off their gold, &c. Many were greatly rejoiced to find they could understand the Bible. It was a new book to them. Some of our social meetings were good, and we trust it will be there as in most other places, that they will have the best freedom when the preachers are about their business in new fields.
About $15 were raised toward our expenses, and much kindness shown us, for which we return our most sincere thanks. May the Lord still work for that people, is our prayer.
We returned to the west part of the State, because we saw no opening in the section where we were, and because we could go up on the lake very cheap at this season of the year.
M. E. CORNELL.\nJ. N. ANDREWS.
Rochester, N. Y., Aug. 13, 1862.
Reading God's Word With Relish
When we rightly read God's word, we read it with a relish; which always leads us to give glory to God for so great a favor.
Who Will Be on the Lord's Side?
By Martha D. Amadon
In Review No. 9, is a short appeal to the young, which has done me much good.
I have often questioned why there was no more zeal among the young, why we so seldom hear from them, why those whose minds are perplexed with other cares, must alone feel the burden of their case, why we do not oftener see devoted growing Christians among those who have few or no burdens to bear. Why is all this?
I know there is the Instructor, but it is mostly devoted to the children who need it all.
But those who are approaching manhood and womanhood, why may not they manifest a zeal in the work of God? Why may they not tell of an experience in the things of God, simple though it be?
Fearful is the time in which we are living, solemn the moments, and unless our hearts swell with emotions of interest now, where shall we find ourselves when far more fearful days draw on? It is unsafe to live on in security now. It is all-important that duties small and great be well performed, that we be faithful over a few things now, if we would finally be made ruler over many things.
I remember well when my heart was first touched by present truth. I remember how warm were the prayers and exhortations of the young then. How full of interest were the prayer-meetings in private dwellings. It was a sacrifice to remain away from one of them. Praise to God often floated on the air from those dwellings.
But trials and tests came, and where now are those who fought the battles of the Lord then?
Some seem to have become weary in the warfare, and have turned their backs upon the celestial city. They have found something else to satisfy the longings they had then for eternal life.
Some toiled on with helmet, sword, and shield, till it was their lot to fall at their post, and of them it is written, "Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord from henceforth."
They sleep in Jesus, and no more shall we hear their songs of praise and shouts of victory until they join in the everlasting triumphs over death and the grave. O may our hearts be united again as then! Others are still toiling on, hoping to the end. But are all our powers enlisted in the work of God? Are we striving for the strait gate and narrow way?
Does each day tell of duties well done, trials well borne, and complete victories over our wily foe? Do we love the way of the cross, so that, forgetting the things which are behind, we press forward to those which are before? or do our duties, unfulfilled, lie in our path, piercing our feet with thorns? How faithfully should we tread the path of holiness, so zealously pursued by holy ones of old! Then can we with confidence ask to be sheltered from the gathering storm in the future?
How grateful will the words, "Well done" fall upon our ears at last! Anxious fears often fill our hearts now, lest we fall in the hour of temptation coming on all the world to try them. How then will joy fill the breasts of all who hear it said to them, "He that is holy, let him be holy still."
O that the young, with one consent, may stir up themselves to call upon God to work for them. We have all need to pray, "Gather not my soul with sinners nor my life with bloody men." May none rest until, like Enoch, who was a type of those who will be translated without seeing death, they have the evidence that God approves of them, a hope in God which cannot be shaken by winds or tempests. Then will our bark abide every storm and anchor safely on the eternal shore.
"We'll stand the storm, it won't be long,
We'll anchor by and by."
MARTHA D. AMADON.
Great Fire in St. Petersburg.
By N. Y. Post.
REVOLUTIONARY INCENDIARISM. Our foreign files bring us startling news from Russia—including further accounts of the revolutionary schemes in that great empire, and of incendiary attempts to destroy the capital by fire. St. Petersburg is not a city which would easily burn up. To pass along its wide avenues and look upon its universal stone and stucco palaces, it would appear almost impregnable to the flames. It has ample facilities for quenching fire in summer, for it is cut up with large canals, and the Neva, a wide and inexhaustible river, runs almost through the middle of the city. Yet we learn that notwithstanding all this, some thirty fires had taken place in the city during the two weeks preceding the departure of the last European steamer. The city has been placed under martial law, trade and commerce is at a stand-still, and even goods ordered from England to St. Petersburg have been countermanded. The committee of the bank has passed a resolution for the unlimited prolongation of the credits hitherto opened to large commercial firms, whose establishments were burnt in the late conflagration. A Syndicate has likewise been appointed for the purpose of opening credits to smaller shopkeepers.
These fires have a political significance, and therefore create a sensation disproportionate even to their great extent. An imperial decree has been published declaring that rapine, murder, incendiarism and destruction of crops is to be punishable with death.
The statements that a third of the city has been destroyed are greatly exaggerated, and it is acknowledged that the burnt district includes only the poorer and inferior portions of the city. Yet the loss is roughly estimated at from two and a half to five millions dollars of money. None of the great palaces or public places near the Neva have been destroyed.
Yet this fire has consumed one of the most remarkable and characteristic features of St. Petersburg—the celebrated Apraxin Dvor, or, as it is called by the English residents, the Louse Market. This was a large space, some fifteen acres in area, surrounded by uniform rows of stores, and situated near the Gostinnoi Dvor, in the heart of the city, and but a few minutes walk from the Nevsky Prospekt, the Broadway of St. Petersburg. This Louse Market is the favorite resort of the poorer classes. It is entered by wide gates between the cordon of buildings which enclosed it, and which, quite respectable in appearance, would lead one to expect a regular and even elegant series of stores.
But once inside, all this changes. The entire area is covered by a most intricate labyrinth of streets or paths wide enough only for pedestrians, and flanked by little wooden houses, never more than two stories high and generally but one. Occasionally the paths expand into little open spaces filled with pedlers instead of houses. Every conceivable thing, and a great many that are not conceivable, could be bought here—from a ton of lead to an old pamphlet worth two copeks, from a feather bed to a needle, from a pianoforte to a broken candlestick.
The old bazar was destroyed, together with rows and rows of stores in the adjoining streets. The great government building, occupied by the Minister of the Interior, was in flames, while the soldiers and police were dashing around to rescue human beings from the flames, for it was useless to try to save property. The fire engines from Moscow five hundred miles distant, were sent for, but only staid one day, being needed in their own city, where four fires had broken out.
Toward evening the priests came out in their rich robes, flashing with gold and purple, and with banners and Greek crosses marched through the streets, the choristers chanting the magnificent chorals of the Greek church. At night the church porticoes and the halls of the palaces were crowded with homeless people, who would have starved but for government aid. During the night the Emperor came down from his country palace at Tsarskoye Selo and visited the frightened, weeping crowds, personally assuring them of his care and protection. For three days the conflagration continued, and at latest dates was not entirely subdued. The property destroyed in the stores and dwellings (apart from the edifices themselves) is estimated in St. Petersburg at 15,000,000 of rubles.
In some quarters this fearful fire is attributed to Polish incendiarism, and there are fears that it is not the last the city will suffer. The Gostinnoi Dvor, comprising the most important stores in the city, representing the local wealth of St. Petersburg, is closed day and night, and extra watchers are placed in all the public buildings. All St. Petersburg is in an excitement such as it has not known for many, many years.
The Two Great Monitors.
CAPTAIN ERICSSON has made a contract with the Government to construct two large iron-plated ships, which he believes will be the fastest and best sea boats, the most completely invulnerable, and the most formidable for attack, either at long range, or in close quarters, as rams, of any ships in the world.
They will bear a general resemblance to the Monitor, with such modifications as have been suggested by experience. One of them is to be 320 feet in length, and the other 341, with 50 feet beam. The vertical sides are six feet in depth, and are to be protected with iron armor plating, 10½ inches in thickness, backed with four feet solid oak.
The turrets are to be absolutely invulnerable. The contract provides that they shall be two feet in thickness, but the contractor has leave to reduce the thickness, provided he can satisfy the Department that less will be sufficient. A target has been constructed of thickness less than two feet, and forwarded to Washington for trial, but Capt. Dahlgren, who has been sending his 11-inch balls through a target like the side of the Warrior, with 30 lbs. of powder—making a clean hole at every shot—says that there is no use of firing at this target of Ericsson's until the 15-inch guns are finished. The turrets will be made of sufficient thickness to withstand the force of the 425-pounders with the maximum charges of the big guns.
The vessels are to be furnished with more powerful engines than any now afloat. Each ship will have two engines of 100 inches diameter of cylinder, with four feet stroke, to make 70 revolutions per minute, with boiler surface of 35,000 feet, and 1180 feet of grate surface. The boilers are of the upright water tubular pattern—a modification of Martin's. The propellers are Ericsson's patent, 21½ feet in diameter, and 30 feet 95pitch. The contractors guarantee a speed of 16 knots per hour—nearly nineteen miles.
The armament will consist of 15-inch guns, and will probably equal in destructive power that of any French or English ship. It is, however, as rams that these vessels will be the most formidable. Where the plates of the sides meet at the bow they form an iron wedge, 21 inches thick at the base, and terminating in a sharp edge. This wedge is sustained by the plates behind it, 10½ inches in thickness, six feet in depth, and extending the whole length of the vessel, forming the most powerful butting instrument that it is possible to conceive of. Captain Ericsson says, "It will split an iceberg."—Scientific American.
The Rise of the Third Message
By S. N. Haskell
From Bro. Haskell.
Bro. WHITE: It truly cheers our hearts to hear of the progress of the truth in many places, especially the tent enterprise this season.
I have thought much of the rise of the third message. Only a few short years ago there were but a few, yes, very few, who kept the Sabbath from the message. Then the messengers would travel a long distance to meet with only two or three of like precious faith, and perhaps a little company of some half a dozen, more or less, would turn out to a meeting. When any one came into the Sabbath, it was a subject of special interest and remark, the numbers that kept the Sabbath were so few.
But the infancy of the third message is in the past. While Satan has fought it at every step and on every side, it has steadily risen higher and higher. The perfect harmony of truth has increased in beauty and loveliness, as it has shone more bright and clear. And while every other class of Advent people have been multiplying into various parties or sects, by differences of belief, and growing more and more like the world, the Seventh-day Adventists have been continually advancing in numbers and union, and becoming more unlike the world in pure principle. Think of the tent-meetings commanding a congregation of from eight to twelve hundred, and a little church being raised up in most places where the tents are pitched. Other bodies get up an excitement for a few days, but it proves in the end to be a fire of their own kindling. See Isa. l, 11. Their converts are strange children; a month devours them. Hosea v, 6, 7. They have not the truth, hence have not its sanctifying influence on their hearts to keep them from the spirit of the world.
Dear brethren and sisters, our responsibility must be great. We have seen the beauty and harmony of the third angel's message. We have also seen the condescension of the Lord to this people, in the manifestation of certain gifts, especially the gift of prophecy, in correcting wrongs and enlightening our minds in regard to events just before us. Publications that treat upon every subject that has a particular bearing upon the time in which we live are ready to hand. Truly, if we perish here our responsibility must be great. If the Saviour could say to the wicked Jews that all the righteous blood shed from righteous Abel to the blood of Zacharias should come upon that generation, Matt. xxiii, 35, 36, shall we not, if we reject the light and truth of the last message of mercy, be classed with them of whom it is said, And in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth. Rev. xviii, 24. No people on the earth have ever had the light of truth that we have; hence the responsibility that rests upon us never rested upon a people before us.
In view of these things we have something to do, an effort to put forth, an unreserved consecration to make, so that our entire will and being will beat in perfect harmony with the revealed will of God. May the Lord help me, with all the dear saints, to so improve the light that we do receive, that we may be sanctified through the truth, have the covering of the Lord drawn over us, and finally be saved in God's everlasting kingdom, is my prayer.
S. N. HASKELL.
Worcester, Mass.
A Lonely Sabbath Keeper’s Testimony
By M. Wells
From Sister Wells.
BRO. WHITE: I think I can truly appreciate the Review as it comes richly laden with truth; for I am one of the lonely ones, not having had the privilege of meeting with those of like precious faith since last September. Though I have been all alone, I can say I have grown strong in the Lord.
I became interested in present truth under the preaching of Bro. Hull, while he was laboring with the tent at Eagle Harbor, N. Y., last tent season. There the way of duty and eternal life were so plainly shown from the Scriptures, I could not refuse to walk therein. I had some opposition to encounter from those who deemed themselves my best friends; yet God gave me strength to take my stand with Sabbath-keepers. I would not now turn back for all the pleasures of a vain and trifling world. Though I find as I return among my former and youthful companions, it requires much prayer and watchfulness to walk in such a manner as not to wound the cause of Christ, it is my determination to live in such a way that the world may know that I have been found of him.
I was rather incredulous in regard to the visions until I gave the subject a fair investigation. Satan long whispered, "Spiritualism, Mormonism," but the good Spirit won the victory; and I find I progress much faster since I received them in full, than I did before. I want to lay aside every ornament save the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit.
I wish some messenger could see it his duty to come this way, for I think there are honest hearts here who would embrace the truth, could they have the privilege of hearing it proclaimed.
The signs of the times indicate the soon appearing of our Saviour, so that what is done must be done speedily. The harvest indeed is plenteous, but the laborers are few. Let those who enjoy the blessing of meeting together for prayer and praise, remember the lonely ones in their supplications, and may we all have on the wedding garment and be found without spot when Christ shall come.
Yours hoping to be fitted for translation.
M. Wells.
Clarendon, Mich.