Earlier text: The DecalogueSigns of the Times.—No. 4.
The last days of our world's history, were, in the third place, to witness startling and wide-spread political commotions. The following are some of the predictions applicable to this part of the subject: Matt. 24:6: “And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars.” Luke 21:25: “And there shall be . . . . . upon the earth distress of nations with perplexity.” Joel 3:9, 10: “Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles: Prepare war, wake up the mighty men; let all the men of war draw near; let them come up. Beat your ploughshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears; let the weak say, I am strong.” We now have before us a few of the definite utterances of the prophetic word upon this subject. Thus was it to be in the last days: a warlike spirit should bestride the world, summoning the nations to arms; every breeze should be freighted with the sound of battle or the rumors of coming strife; every land should resound with the din of busy preparation for anticipated, but uncertain, conflicts; and the nations would be agitated by feelings of hatred, distrust, jealousy, and anger toward each other. If this is the condition of things at the present time to a sufficient extent to fulfill the prophecy, then we are certainly in the last days; and the end of all things is upon us. Are we witnessing the fulfillment of these predictions? This seems like an unnecessary question. It would seem to be sufficient to simply state what the prophetic word has uttered, and leave all to make their own application. And thousands would make the application if they knew what was written in the prophets concerning these things. There is no lack of attention bestowed upon the state of the world, nor of comment upon it. But the minds of the masses are not by this state of things carried forward to the ultimate conclusion of these scenes; because they are not aware of what prophecy has said should immediately follow in this train of events. The question for the student of prophecy to settle, is respecting the character of these events, whether they are remarkable or unusual as compared with events of like nature in the past; for, an event to be a sign must either be something entirely new and unheard of, or if an event of common occurrence, then of a very marked or unnatural character. Events that have occurred from the early ages of the world till the present day, could not be taken as signs of the end as we draw near the close of time, unless they were then to occur with more frequency or with some new and remarkable characteristics. There must be something connected with them, out of the usual course. Now there have been wars and political disturbances ever since Nimrod, the mighty hunter, established a kingdom on the banks of the Euphrates; and it would not be logical to attach any particular significance to events of this kind, unless there is something connected with them which marks them as unusual. But it is this very feature of the political commotions of the present day which elicits so much comment. They are of a nature before unheard of as respects their frequency and wide extent. And this is just what we think is pointed out in the prophecies. It is noticeable that as we draw near the end, evils of all kinds assume a more general and prevalent character. What have before existed in particular localities, as isolated plague spots, exceptions to the general rule, now breaking over all former bounds, manifest themselves in all classes, and everywhere. There have all along been wicked cities, Sodoms, Gomorrhas, Admahs, and Zeboims, towering above their neighbors, as monuments of rottenness and vice; but we believe there never was a time, as now, when scarcely a city could be found which did not almost equal them in corruption and crime. There have all along existed, probably, instances of human depravity, incarnations of evil, equal to any that can now be found on the earth; but we doubt if ever there was a time when, as compared with the present, more hearts could be found unmoored from all the principles of right, and swayed wholly by that which the prophet says is natural to the carnal heart, deceitfulness above all things, and desperate wickedness. The virus is all-pervading. Almost the whole mass is leavened. And as with sin, so with God's judgments against sin: the last of the seven last plagues is poured out into the air, and envelops the globe. Applying the same principle to the question in hand, we find prophecy pointing out in the last days a more general state of agitation, war, and strife, than ever before. The principal wars of the world in all past time, have been subjects of prophecy; but that which the prophetic pencil portrayed was generally the march of some particular power, monopolizing the attention of the world, as it won its individual way to greatness and renown. But now, says the prophet, looking over to the last days, Proclaim this among the Gentiles; let the summons go to all the nations, to prepare war, and wake up the mighty men; for now scenes are to transpire which will not concern some particular power and nation, to the exclusion of the rest; but all the world is to be engaged. So in Rev. 11:18: Under the sounding of the seventh trumpet, John says, in unqualified terms, The nations were angry. The seven trumpets are symbols of wars and strife. But look at the first six, and what do they portray? The progress and devastation of some particular power. The Goths, the Vandals, the Huns, the Ostrogoths, the Saracens, and Turks, are consecutively introduced upon the stage of action. But when the seventh trumpet sounds, the scene changes. Then not one nation alone arises in wrath against its neighbors; but all are angry. The spirit of war, leaving its perch upon the banners of a single power, wings its way to all the governments of earth; and commotion and strife, plots and counter-plots, threats of war and preparation for battle, are the order of the day. Is this an exact description of the state of the nations at the present day? Here we come back to the question which we have already said need not be asked. We have ascertained what the prophecy has plainly pointed out. And every intelligent observer of passing events, knows better than we can tell him, that the world to-day fulfills the description. South America is never at rest. Central America and Mexico are shaken with internal strife. Our own country has just passed through a terrible civil war; and on our western frontier, Mormon and Indian difficulties continue to perplex and agitate us. Canada is in a ferment over Fenian troubles. England is at her wits' end over the Irish question. The continent of Europe is transformed into a vast arsenal. Three millions, two hundred and twenty-eight thousand, nine hundred and twenty-one soldiers sap its industries, garrison its barracks, and pretend to keep its peace. Trouble is brewing between Egypt and Turkey. The eastern question is threatening, through the multitude of interests that center in the Ottoman power, to involve all Europe in blind and furious strife. And all are familiar with the rival maneuvers of England and Russia for supremacy in Asia. Such is the aspect which the world presents to the outlook in 1870. All is commotion, like the troubled sea when it cannot rest. All answers to the prophetic description. All betokens the approach of the battle of the great day when He whose right it is to rule and reign, shall make all wars to cease by breaking the bow and the spear in sunder, and dashing the nations in pieces with a rod of iron. And while a proud, ease-loving, and worldly church is led by the enemy of all truth to look for the golden age, and cry, Peace and safety, and persistently declare that the nations are about to beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruninghooks, the governments of earth are summoning their mighty men to awake, and bidding their subjects beat their ploughshares into swords and their pruninghooks into spears, and prepare for instant and earnest strife. In this clarion note of war, the drowsy church seems to see nothing to disturb its dream of coming peace and prosperity. In it, the governments of earth hear only a call for self-defense; warriors hear only a call to glory and renown; but the student of prophecy hears a summons to prepare for the world's last change, and to be ready for the opening of the day of God. Who will read aright the lessons of the hour? We are always delighted with good testimony in favor of the truth; and that delight is greatly enhanced when we meet with such testimony where we are not expecting it. It is then like coming suddenly upon a rare flower in the wilderness, or a refreshing oasis in the desert. The unexpectedness adds greatly to the pleasure of the discovery. It was with such emotions that we came across the following testimony in favor of the Sabbath in a work entitled “Man in Genesis and in Geology” by Jos. P. Thompson, D. D., LL. D. Not that we would liken this work to a wilderness or a desert; for, as a whole, it is excellent on the subject upon which it especially treats, namely, man, in reference to the claims of geology and the record of Genesis, rooting up most thoroughly that blatant theory that the human race has come up from the zoophyte through the tadpole and the monkey; though we are sorry to see the author frightened by the quaker guns of pretended science, into the concession that the seven days of Genesis are seven vast periods of time, and to see him also borne away by the tide of popular opinion into the view that the day of the Sabbath is a matter of complete indifference as regards the institution. But notwithstanding these things, in the principles he lays down in the extract which we give below he surrenders the citadel, and leaves the vantage ground wholly to the truth. Having established the propositions he here defends, we scarcely care what contradictory arguments he thereafter sets up; for he who occupies this position commands the field; and all the bamboo breastworks of error are easily swept away by the batteries of this strong hold. He maintains that the Sabbath was instituted in the beginning; that it was a well-known institution before Sinai; that the reason upon which it is based does not pertain to the Jewish commonwealth, any more than to any other people; and that it is perpetual in its nature and obligation; and so far, in behalf of all the friends of the Sabbath, we thank him for giving to the truth the strength of his sound logic, and the weight of his great name. Beginning with the subject of the week on page 116, he says:— “The blessing and the hallowing was the solemn establishing of the institution, since such a formality would hardly have been entered upon for a mere passing occasion. It was with reference to an institution to be continued through after-times; and the proof of this appears all along in the early history of the race. For instance, we trace the division of time into weeks, in the account of the flood, where Noah is said to have sent forth the dove at intervals of seven days. Again, in the life of Jacob, we find mention of a week as a recognized division of time, and so in other portions of the early history of the world. Some have supposed that this division was suggested by the phases of the moon; the lunar month being subdivided into four equal periods. But the phases of the moon, at the point of transition from one to another, are too obscure to have suggested this as a division of time so early in the history of the race. That would imply a knowledge of astronomy, which we can hardly suppose to have been then attained. The year and the month are marked off on the great dial of the firmament, as is the shortest division of the day and the night. The lights in heaven are for signs and for seasons, and for days and for years; but there is nothing in the phenomena of Nature which corresponds to the seventh-day division in a manner so striking as to have impressed upon an unscientific observer such a measurement of time. This would require much nicety of astronomical observation; and hence we must regard197the week as an arbitrary division, and look for its explanation in some other quarter. The week was a widespread usage among the nations of antiquity. The Egyptians and the Hebrews had it, and so had other early people of the East. It was well known, also, far back in Hindoo and Chinese history. This general consent of antiquity to a division of time which is not strongly marked as a division of Nature, can best be accounted for upon the supposition of some common tradition as its source; and what more reasonable than the statement of the text, the designation by Jehovah of a sacred day to be observed by man from the beginning of the world? The exceptions to this seven-days period in the history of nations are just enough to prove the rule; for the usage prevailed among those nations that were connected most nearly by language and emigration with that part of Asia which was the cradle of the human family.
“Again, the Fourth Commandment treats of the Sabbath as an institution already known. “REMEMBER the Sabbath day to keep it holy.” This is not merely an emphasis for the future. It does not mean simply—keep in mind hereafter this day with a view to its sacred observance; the word remember recalls the past. An institution entirely new would have required a different phraseology. For instance, it would have been enjoined in some such language as this: Thou shalt keep a holy rest every seventh day. But the Sabbath day was recalled as an institution known to their fathers, and formerly to themselves, to be ‘remembered’ as something that ought to be known, but had been allowed to slip out of mind. We find mention of this day in the history of the Israelites in the wilderness before the giving of the law at Sinai. When the manna appeared, it is recorded that ‘on the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for one man, and all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses. And he said unto them, ‘This is that which the Lord hath said, To-morrow is the rest of the holy Sabbath unto the Lord;’ and on the following morning Moses said, ‘To-day is a Sabbath unto the Lord; to-day ye shall not find it in the field. Six days ye shall gather it; but on the seventh day, which is the Sabbath, in it there shall be none.’ Ex. 16: 22, 23, 25, 26. From this it is evident that the institution of the Sabbath had long been known, although its observance may have pretty much died out among the children of Israel during their sojourn in Egypt. Now, it was revived with the memory of the patriarchal times and the history of creation, and reinforced by specific command as an institution to be remembered. Furthermore the primary reason for keeping holy the Sabbath does not at all pertain to the Jewish commonwealth, but belongs to the history of humanity. It existed from the day of the first man, and is perpetual in its nature and obligation.
Report from Bro. D. T. Bourdeau.
By D. T. Bourdeau
I ARRIVED at Bordoville, Vermont, the 4th inst., since which time I have been resting up, exercising with my hands, studying to make a transition in my labors from the English to the French, and laboring with the churches of Enosburgh and Richford. During my absence of two years, a great change has taken place in these churches. Some have died, others have moved away, while a few have embraced the truth. Still greater changes of a different nature may be expected. The signs of the end are too ominous to be doubted. The coming of the Lord is very near. The present efforts for the formation of the image are enough to arouse us, though it is not one twentieth part of the evidence we have. Our time to labor for ourselves and others is short. We should be up and doing. We should emerge out of self, and feel more for perishing souls around us. Though all do not preach, all have a part to act. All can work. Each one should be looking up the lost sheep. Pamphlets can be handed out judiciously, and earnest prayers can be offered for the advancement of the cause. And those upon whom the burden rests of helping with their means, should not be backward. Their opportunities to help will not last long. Their strength is transferred to their property, and unless they awake to earnestness, others shall be raised up to take the crowns they might have worn. They may be tempted to think that the preachers are eager after their means. But what the preachers want is to see them prosper in doing their duty; and no church can prosper while neglecting to give their pecuniary aid to advance the cause. This is why the preachers should be pointed on this duty. But it is a nice thing to touch, and liable to be neglected, and those preachers who have business qualifications and moral courage to help the church financially are likely to be put in the shade by some. Yet this is the very kind of help that is needed by those who prize it the least. And oh! the importance of the churches’ so coming up on all points, that they can be helps to those who embrace the truth, and a source of encouragement to preachers returning from their arduous labors in new fields. Here the churches can gather or scatter. Dear brethren and sisters, let us arouse to the times in which we live, and work while the day lasts; for the dark night of trouble is coming in which no one can work. Bordoville, Vt., May 24, 1870. Life and Immortality.
By John Matteson
CHRIST “has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” How? Not by telling us that all men possess an immortal soul; for that is not found in the gospel at all. And the heathen nations have believed this and do believe this, who never heard anything about the gospel. Nor did Christ bring immortality to light by telling that there should be a resurrection from the dead; for this was plainly declared by the prophets hundreds of years before Christ came. For instance, Dan. 12: 2, “And many of them that sleep the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” How then has Christ brought life and immortality to light? By his own resurrection. “Who hath abolished death,” One of the definitions given of the Greek word here rendered abolished, is vanquish. Christ has vanquished or conquered death, in that he triumphantly rose from the grave. Then he became the first fruits of them that slept. Then he opened up a way for the fallen race to get out of their prison-house, the grave. And this wonderful fact of a risen Redeemer becomes the great burden of the gospel. “I declare unto you the gospel . . . that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures. And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.” 1 Cor. 15. Nobody disputes that he died and was buried, But did Christ rise again? Did he come forth from the dark tomb? On this rests our whole hope of salvation. And right here the apostle brings in a large number of witnesses. “Seen of Cephas, then of the twelve. After that he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once. . . . After that he was seen of James, then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also.” If Christ is not raised our faith is vain. But now Christ is risen from the dead, by which the apostles were begotten198again unto a lively hope. 1 Pet. 1: 3. By which also we may be begotten unto a lively hope. “When he shall appear we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” 1 John 3: 1. Decision.
By R. F. Cottrell
It is well to decide questions of importance, and not have them perpetually coming up in the mind as subjects of debate. Indecision is a great fault of fallen, unbelieving humanity. It prevents one from serving God acceptably, as it divides the mind—giving only a part to God. Our duties to God are plainly expressed. Hence there is no occasion for hesitating. There is something wanting in that heart that delays obedience to a plainly-expressed command. Men are now being called upon to decide in regard to one of the plainest duties of the moral law; but when convinced, they are slow to obey. As it has been expressed, there are “multitudes in the valley of decision;” though I do not think that scripture (Joel 3: 14) has its application at the present time, but to the actual “concision,” or cutting off of the people in the valley of Jehoshaphat in the day of the Lord. But those who will escape that doom must come to a decision now. How important to have a plain question of duty decided at once and forever! It is dangerous to delay obedience under the excuse of waiting for more light. It is dangerous to do as Balaam did—to ask God again concerning that which he has plainly and expressly spoken. We need no sign from Heaven, and we shall have none, to convince us that we ought to obey the written word. Has God spoken? Is it his word? Then obey. Do not insult Heaven with the question whether it is right to obey. If one gets an answer to such prayers, it will be more likely to be a permission to have his own chosen way and continue in the way of disobedience, the end of which is death. Do you believe God? Then you have no occasion to hesitate. Do what he says. He will not revoke it, nor grant you a special dispensation or indulgence. And the sooner you decide to believe and obey his word, the better. “I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies. I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.” Ps. 119: 59, 60. Report from Bro. Strong.
By Philip Strong
Since Conference I have spent the most of my time at home in Orleans. Have had three Sabbath and first-day-evening meetings. Four have been baptized and united with us, and the most of our number appear to be trying to overcome. I have spent one Sabbath and first-day in Bushnell. Held four meetings. They were much encouraged to go on; but they need to take a more thorough stand on discipline. June 14 to 15 spent with the friends at Leighton. I was much encouraged with the interest they manifested in getting out to Sabbath School, Bible Class, and all their meetings. They have had some trials since they started; but wisdom and patience have been used, and the Lord has helped them. Two were baptized and added to their number. From June 16 to 20, I spent with the scattered ones in Mecosta Co. Held four meetings, and left them much encouraged. Some arose for prayers. The 20th returned by way of Cedar Springs. They have long been calling for organization at this place. I held six very interesting meetings with them. Seven were baptized, and a church or class with a leader was organized, numbering thirteen. Systematic Benevolence was organized, to commence June 1, and the name of Cedar Springs given to the church. They ask for the watchcare of the Conference. I think that there is an interest to hear in this place; and if the friends take a straightforward course in the cause, next fall or winter will be the time, as there is no house to be had at present. In all these meetings the Lord has blessed, and I hope that I shall be profited by them. Patience.
By John Nevins Andrews
We never shall have done with this estimable grace. In it we possess our souls. The time never will come in this state of things when we can dispense with patience. We shall have things to vex, annoy and trouble us always. But we must never fail to exercise our souls in patient submission to the providence of God. We must not be vexed, or fretted, or rendered impatient. Our souls must be kept in perfect peace. Indeed it is all possible that the peace of God shall dwell in our hearts and that all the ills we meet, only make us more peaceful and submissive to God. Patience must have her perfect work, and when that work is fully wrought we shall be made meet for the inheritance of the saints in light. Our sorrows will not always last. The time will come when they shall end forever. We must not murmur at these sharp thorns. They are so many witnesses testifying to us, “This is not your rest.” Let us thankfully accept their testimony and act with reference to the coming rest. That will surely be glorious. Let us labor to enter into it. Our rest will be certain, and speedy, and lasting, and infinitely precious. When the rest comes, then farewell to all our sorrows and our anguish.
J. N. A. Fear God and work righteousness.
Another Ascension-Robe Slander Exploded.
BRO. SMITH: I send you some testimony in regard to Ascension Robes, that perhaps is of interest enough to find a place in the REVIEW. There has been a great deal said in this place, within the last six months, on this subject, especially at the time of Bro. Andrews' lectures here, and since; which, together with other influences, has created much prejudice. Elder Lugg, Methodist, has taken a very active part in the matter, both in the pulpit and out. He said he never heard it disputed by any one before. He supposed it susceptible of positive proof. Among other assertions he said there was a Mrs. Green in Marquette, Wis., that had a robe prepared in 1844, as hundreds of others had, and had kept it ever since. He gave me the name of his main witness, Mrs. McCracken, a near neighbor of hers; but many of them had seen the robe out bleaching. I wrote to Bro. Edward Hallock with reference to it, and he has very kindly furnished me with testimony to the point. I thought it might be interesting to some of our brethren who are young in the cause, and not well prepared to meet such influences. I presume these persons would have no objections to having their names used. If such men as Eld. Lugg would give a little more 'heed to that law which says, Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor, it would save much trouble; but there is a blessing promised in Matt. 5: 11, 12, to those who are thus slandered. I send you the letters I received from Bro. Hallock, that you may dispose of their contents as you think best. If you publish any of them, please send me a dozen numbers of the paper for free distribution. I showed these letters to Eld. Lugg. He seemed rather surprised, and said he would write out something to exonerate himself. He has failed as yet to present it. Yours in love of the truth, A. B. WILLIAMS. Clinton, Wis. The following are the letters referred to above by Bro. Williams: DEAR BRO. WILLIAMS: I received your communication yesterday, and went directly to see Mrs. Green. I have her statement as to her ascension robe, in her own handwriting, which I send with this. She also stated that if that was not sufficient she would write more, and that she would give $100 for reliable proof that an ascension robe was made during the '44 movement. She said there never was one made. She wished me to see her neighbor, Mrs. McCracken, as she did not believe that Mrs. McC. had ever told such a thing; for she was a truthful woman. Mrs. Green is a first-day Adventist, seventy-two years of age. I went directly to see Mrs. McCracken. She said she was acquainted with Mr. Lugg, and admitted that she had joked with him some on the subject, but seemed very much surprised at the advantage he had taken of it. I also inclose her written statement. If we can be of any more use in the matter we are at your service. We are looking forward to that happy day when the refuges of lies will be swept away. In love, E. HALLOCK. STATEMENT FROM MRS. GREEN.
As I am one whom the enemies of the truth refer to in speaking of ascension robes, I hereby certify that I have been anxiously looking for the King in his beauty; but the assertion that I ever prepared a cloth robe for ascension is false, and utterly devoid of truth. I will give the sum of one hundred dollars to any person of truth to prove the assertion. MARY GREEN. STATEMENT FROM MRS. MCCRACKEN.
BRO. Lugg must have misunderstood me to say that Mrs. Green had her ascension robe prepared. She has clothes laid by in case of her death, as many other persons have. This is all of which I have any knowledge. M. A. MCCRACKEN. THE RIFT IN THE CLOUD.
By Sarah F. Sharpe
TUNE.—“The Brown Church in the Vale.” CHEER up, O my soul, though in darkness
The black lowering clouds thee enshroud,
Behind them the sun shines in brightness,
And see, there's a rift in the cloud. CHORUS.—Cheer up; why this useless repining?
Why go ye with head lowly bowed?
Look up; the bright light is shining
Down through a rift in the cloud. Cheer up, O my soul, though much sorrow
Is caused thee by scorn of the proud;
Cheer up, you may see on the morrow
The light through a rift in the cloud. Oh! think of your Lord torn and bleeding,
And mocked by a blood-thirsting crowd,
And see, through that Lord who is pleading,
Bright hopes through a rift in the cloud. Yes, cheer up and shake off thy sadness,
And tell of salvation aloud,
Through the truth which gives thee much gladness,
And to thee is a rift in the cloud. SARAH F. SHARPE.
Clyde, Ohio. Temperance.
By G. W. Mitchell
WHEN Demetrius Poliorcetes declared war on the Island of Rhodes, and besieged the city of Rhodes, he discovered in the suburbs an artist, earnestly at work in his shop. Demetrius, surprised at his quiet industry amidst the din of battle, inquired of him the cause. The artist replied, “Demetrius has made war on the Rhodians, and not on the arts and sciences.” For this reply, the prince put a guard around his premises, that he might continue his labors without molestation. This artist was the celebrated Protogenes, a native of the city of Caunus, in Caria. He was at work at that time on his master-piece, which was bought by the city of Rome, and hung up in the temple of peace. On this painting, Protogenes labored seven years, and during that time, he ate nothing but lupines, a kind of pulse, boiled in water, that “the delicacy of his taste and imagination, might not be affected by his diet.” What a lesson can the Christian learn from this heathen artist! Temperance is one of the Christian graces; and I know from experience, that it requires a continual effort to attain to it. One of the great sins of the present day, is gluttony. Let us strive to be temperate in all things, that we may be cleansed from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit. “The Sword of the Spirit.”
By S. H. Bonfoey
THIS, the Scriptures declare, “is the word of God.” And why is it not as powerless to do its work without the aid of the Spirit, as any other sword unless some one wield it? This thought came impressively to mind while reflecting on that point of doctrine as believed by the body of Disciples: “No spirit except in the word of God.” I consider this as much a suggestion of the enemy as that the devil exists only in the dispositions of mankind. How beautiful, consistent, and plain, is the truth; while men's garbling is as contradictory and blinding to the human mind as Satan could desire. May those who have “bought the truth, sell it not,” but live so consecratedly as to become “sanctified through” it. Then can the Holy Spirit dwell within, and wield its own sword, which is “quick and powerful, and sharper than a two-edged sword,” doing its work with unerring certainty. S. H. BONFOEY. Christianity’s Power in Death
“If ever Christianity,” says Robert Hall, “appears in its power, it is when it erects its trophies upon the tomb; when it takes up its votaries where the world leaves them, and fills the breast with immortal hope in dying moments.” BRO. SMITH: If you deem best, please send forth the following noble words of that profound statesman, Channing. They breathe the spirit and power of present truth in pointing out true moral worth; and no appreciative mind can fail to be benefited by their careful perusal. H. G. B. “I call that mind free, which masters the senses; which protects itself against the animal appetites; which penetrates beneath the body, and recognizes its own reality and greatness. I call that mind free which escapes the bondage of matter; which instead of stopping at the material universe and making it a prison wall, passes beyond it to its Author, and finds in the radiant signatures which the universe everywhere bears of the Infinite Spirit, helps to its own spiritual enlargement.” “I call that mind free, which sets no bounds to its love; which recognizes in all human beings the image of God and the rights of his children; which delights in virtue and sympathizes with suffering wherever they are seen; which conquers pride, anger, and sloth, and offers itself up a willing victim to the cause of humanity.” “I call that mind free, which is not passively framed by outward circumstances; which is not swept away by the torrent of events; which is not the creature of accidental impulse, but which bends events to its own improvement, and acts from an inward spring, from immutable principles which it has deliberately espoused.” “I call that mind free, which protects itself against the usurpations of society, which does not cower to human opinion, which feels itself accountable to a higher than man's, which respects a higher than fashion, which reverences itself too much to be the slave or tool of the many or the few.” “I call that mind free, which through confidence in God and in the power of virtue has cast off all fear but that of wrong doing, which no menace or peril can enthrall, which is calm in the midst of tumults, and possesses itself though all else be lost.” “Finally, I call that mind free, which, conscious of its affinity with God, and confiding in his promises by Jesus Christ, devotes itself faithfully to the unfolding of all its powers, which transcends the bounds of time and death, which hopes to advance forever, and which finds inexhaustible power, both for action and suffering, in the prospect of immortality.” "Pa," said a little boy, as he climbed to his father's knee, and looked into his face as earnestly as if he understood the importance of the subject, "Pa, is your soul insured?" "What are you thinking about, my son," replied the agitated father. "Why do you ask that question?" "Why, pa, I heard uncle George say that you had your houses insured and your life insured; but he didn't believe you had thought of your soul, and he was afraid you would lose it; won't you get it insured right away?" The father leaned his head on his hand, and was silent. He owned broad acres of land that were covered with a bountiful produce, barns were even now filled with plenty, his buildings were all well covered with insurance; but, as if that would not suffice for the maintenance of his wife and only child, in case of his decease, he had, the day before, taken a life policy for a large amount; yet not one thought had he given to his own soul. Grace to Sustain in Trial
God did not take up the three Hebrews out of the furnace of fire, but he came down and walked with them in it. He did not remove Daniel from the den of lions; he sent his angel to close the mouths of the beasts. He did not, in answer to the prayer of Paul, remove the thorn in the flesh; but he gave him sufficiency of grace to sustain him. If you would rise in the world, you must not stop to kick at every cur who barks at you as you pass along. A Sister’s Testimony of Present Truth
By Sister N. L. Bolinger
SISTER N. L. BOLINGER writes from Richland Co. Ill.: I have seen truth and light in God's holy word, since reading the REVIEW, that I never expected to see; and, thanks to our heavenly Father, I try to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. I feel like serving my heavenly Father more and more every day since I have seen the present truth, and better realize what Jesus has done for me. I feel my own unworthiness; but when I think of the promise in the words of divine truth, that if I will prove faithful and endure unto the end, I shall be saved, it gives me courage. I love to talk about Jesus, and to meditate on the Scriptures; and I try all the time not to build my treasure upon this earth, but to have my treasure in Heaven where moth and rust doth not corrupt. It did me much good when I saw Bro. Curl's letter in the REVIEW. I felt to rejoice and praise the Lord for his goodness. Oh! that my husband might see the truth; but I will be patient and trust all to the Lord. Sabbath-Keeping in Oregon
By Sister O. E. McCord
SISTER O. E. McCORD writes from Clackamas Co., Oregon: It may not be uninteresting to the brethren and sisters to know that my husband and self are also striving, though so far away from others of like faith, to honor and revere by our example the holy rest-day of the Lord our God. I thank the Lord that he ever put it into the heart of a kind friend to send us some tracts that led us to investigate this very important subject. We commenced keeping the Sabbath two years ago this coming July; and though we have met very great opposition from those from whom we had expected better things, yet we have been enabled by the grace of God to hold fast the truth according to his word. We are entirely alone, as there are none of like faith in this valley that we are aware of. We have not hesitated, whenever opportunity offered, to converse with those whom we met, and to distribute tracts to those who would receive them. Some entirely refuse to read them. Some who have been willing to read have confessed that what they present is the truth, and that they ought to act as well as believe; yet thus far they show no disposition to come out and face the certain opposition of the world. I have thought if it were possible for some one to come and personally set the truth before the people it might effect something toward forming a church here. If any Sabbath-keepers who are searching for new homes should conclude to take so long a journey, I think they might find comfortable homes here. The climate is mild, and is said to be in many respects more pleasant than the climate of California. I think the example and influence of a devoted band of Sabbath-keepers would go far toward spreading the truth among those who are now living in a state of indifference. We realize our lonely position, and humbly pray for aid from the Lord who is able to defend and protect all who will come unto him. Pray for us, that we may at last overcome every sin and hindrance, and enter into that holy city, where we may behold the face of Him who bore our sins that we might have eternal life. A Correction.
By H. G. Buxton
BRO. SMITH: Lest a wrong impression should obtain, I wish to say that in Eld. Wardner's last article in REVIEW, his informer was certainly mistaken in saying that my wife and I had taught that the “soul is nothing but the breath.” I have taught the same as Bro. Cottrell advanced in his article, that the word soul is one of the different definitions of a Hebrew word and a Greek word, and in some instances in Scripture is used as an equivalent for breath. See 1 Kings 17:17, 21. A definition cannot have a definition, but it may have an equivalent.
H. G. BUXTON.