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Review and Herald, Vol. 24, No. 3.

Spiritualism

Review and Herald

Jun 14, 1864

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 14, 1864

Spiritualism.

By M. E. Cornell

THE BIBLE clearly points out the wonders of spirit-workers as a sign of the last days. False christs and prophets were to work "great signs and wonders," (Matt. xxiv, 24,) and Christ should come "after the working of Satan with all power and signs, and lying wonders." 2 Thess. ii, 9. And just before the great battle, spirits were to work miracles, and go to the kings of the earth and the whole world. Rev. xvi, 14.
Their deception was to be so great that, if possible, the whole elect would be deceived. "Some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils." We now see a complete fulfillment of these predictions, in the various workings of modern Spiritualism. There never was, and never can be, a more perfect fulfillment of prophecy.
It is no wonder that the spirits oppose the Bible; for they know it advertises their deceptions, and warns faithfully against them. The Bible contains truths for this generation, which will shield them from the deception. The mass will not receive these truths, and, therefore, will be lost. "Because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusions, that they should believe a lie, that they all might be damned who believed not the truth." There is nothing to prevent both Catholics and Protestants from getting into the awful snare. Their faith in regard to the conscious state of the dead, spirits of the dead hovering over mourning circles, &c., has just prepared the way for Satan's master-piece of deception. Those who hold the popular view cannot oppose Spiritualism with any strength or consistency. Their mouths are closed beforehand, and the deceiver of the whole world triumphs over them.
The following cutting rebuke upon a Catholic, who wrote against spiritualists, would apply to many Protestants who have tried to oppose them:
Delrico, a Catholic author, in his 'Disquisitions,' says: "It is a truth recognized not only by the Catholic faith, but by true philosophy, that the souls of the departed can return and are in the habit of returning in the divine power and virtue. I am, therefore, astonished that a Catholic of much learning and judgment, should treat such spirits, not as those of the dead, but as demons. To dare to treat as a lie, or as a chimera, a faith accredited by the most orthodox and holy doctors of the church of Asia, Africa and Europe—a faith based upon all the monuments of ecclesiastical history—upon the traditions of the fathers—upon the acts of councils—upon the pages of Holy Writ, preserved from age to age, and delivered through the hands of the whole succession of pastors, is, in truth, an audacity hitherto unheard of."—Tom. II.*, Quæst. 26, Sect. 1.
Of late, the spirits are constantly revealing that a new party or government is soon to be organized under the direction of spirits. In describing the new power, they make frequent use of the following: "Religio-Political association or party," "Grand Unitizing Church," "Union of Church and State," &c. In the Banner of Light for May 7, 1864, they declare that "A system will be unfolded, sooner or later, that will embrace in its folds Church and State, for the object of the two should be one and the same." "It is possible that when the child, Organization, is born, it will have to be cradled in a manger."
When they have accomplished this, the image to the beast will be made. See Rev. xiii, 14. The crisis is fast approaching. Let the warning be given, and all be ready.
M. E. CORNELL.

Teachings of Christ and Belial Contrasted.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

"ALL scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." 2 Tim. iii, 16, 17.
"The Bible is no better than any other book."—J. Langworthy.
"It is like a wornout garment—good in its time."—Wiltsie.
"The Bible was written by designing men, and has been the source of much error and misery."—Warner.
N. B. Spiritualists believe most of the Bible, and even lecture from it, when among those who have faithin it.
"The hour is coming in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life, and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation." John v, 28, 29.
"There is no such thing as absolute evil; it is simply undeveloped good."—Mrs. Wiltsie.
N. B. "Woe unto them that say concerning evil, it is good." Isa. v. 20, margin.
"All unrighteousness is sin." 1 John v, 17. "For the wages of sin is death." Rom. vi, 23.
"There is no sin."—Mrs. Wiltsie.
"Sin, indeed, in the common acceptation of that term, does not really exist."—A. J. Davis.
"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." 1 John i, 8. "Whosoever committeth sin, transgresseth also the law; for sin is the transgression of the law." Chap. iii, 4.
"No laws are ever transgressed."—Wiltsie.
"It will be found impossible for man to transgress a law of God."—A. J. Davis.
"Pray without ceasing." 1 Thess. v, 17, "And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint." Luke xviii, 1.
"Prayer is nothing but solemn mockery."—Warner.
Yet in public, Spiritualists stretch forth the hands in the most solemn manner, and say, "We thank thee, thou God," &c.
"Hypocrite, one who puts on the appearance of sanctity or virtue which he does not possess."—Webster.
"In the day that thou eatest thereof, thou shalt surely die." Gen. ii, 17. "The soul that sinneth, it shall die." Eze. xviii, 4. "The wages of sin is death." Rom. vi, 23.
"There is, strictly speaking, no such thing as death."—Spiritual Age.
D. M. CANRIght. Coldwater, Mich.

Guarding the Wrong Point.

By A. S. Hutchins

It is a fact, perhaps generally overlooked, that many men are inclined to guard themselves the strongest where it is least required. "Watch thou in all things," is the exhortation of the word of God. But here, as on other points, we are liable to fail, by bringing our strength to bear in the wrong direction. To illustrate:
Bro. A. is a man of very generous habits. In every charitable enterprise he is ready to assist, and is constantly seeking opportunities to do good. He is ever afraid there will be found in him some little or covetous act. Some there are of this class, who hardly dare cherish the conviction that they do their duty to any around them.
But Bro. B. is naturally of directly the opposite disposition; the wants of the cause, the cause of the poor and needy must often be carried to him. And without much of the grace of God to help him, long cherished fears immediately step forth to guard him, lest he should do too much. It would be well if a portion of A.'s force could be called over to help here.
Bro. C., through great conscientiousness and caution, and much prayer, has learned to watch himself with the strictest jealousy. His wrongs seem like mountains, while those of others are almost unnoticed. He is ever ready to apply to himself reproofs which belong elsewhere.
Another greatly fails in the opposite direction. The injunction, "Fret not thyself because of evil doers," is forgotten, and he may even fret himself because of those whom he fears may do evil. Herein is manifested a lack of that communion with God, and with his own heart, that the Christian should enjoy.
But, thanks be to God, that the gifts in the church are tempering the body together. That the dilatory will be urged on and helped forward, and the impetuous checked and rendered more thoughtful; that there be no schism in the body.
Oh, for wisdom to improve under the chastening rod, and learn to tread the humble, useful pathway that our dear Saviour trod.
"He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction; but he that refuseth reproof erreth." Prov. x, 17. "He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul; but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding."
A. S. Hutchins.

Heaven.

By V. O. Edson

Oh, Heaven, sweet Heaven! I long to be there, And join in those beauties and glories most fair. There free from temptation and sorrow and pain, I long with the King in his beauty to reign.
I'm weary of earth with its sorrows and strife; 'Tis full of temptation, with danger 'tis rife; Oh, Heaven, sweet Heaven! my soul longs for thee; Sweet rest of the faithful, fair land of the free.
Oh, Heaven, sweet Heaven! the saints' happy home; No longer they pilgrims and strangers shall roam. I long in thy beautiful bowers to dwell, And help the glad song of redemption to swell.
T'is there we shall meet, with the friends we hold dear, Who long have been parted, while sojourning here. Oh, Heaven sweet Heaven! friends meet on thy shore, Where parting, and sighing, and death, are no more.
V. O. EDSON.
Palermo, N. Y.

Iniquity Abounds.

By R. F. Cottrell

As set forth in a recent number of the Review, every kind of iniquity is on the increase. A vast number are trying every scheme to rob the public treasury, or to make money in every unlawful way that they are capable of inventing. Some who would seem to be great lovers of liberty and haters of slavery, engage in purchasing men for soldiers as cheap as they possibly can, and then turn them over to the government at the highest bounty, and thus enrich themselves with that which is justly due to the soldier, and heap up to themselves the price of blood. Others enlist to get the bounty with the intention to desert the first opportunity. "War demoralizes." And how many, that before becoming soldiers sustained a good character, have sunk to the lowest depths of vice and infamy. And it is remarkable how eager even the little boys are to rush into the army, and will try every means, even perjury itself to attain an end they think is so desirable. Boys of all ages between fourteen and eighteen abscond from their parents and get admitted into the service, by testifying under oath that they are of the age required by law. Some parents have thus been forced to the alternative to suffer their boys of fourteen or fifteen years to go into the service, or suffer the consequences of their false swearing. How awfully corrupt the veriest youths and striplings are becoming! Disobedience to parents at home, anarchy and rebellion everywhere. Surely, the world has about reached the full measure of its guilt. The day of the Lord is at hand.
R. F. Cottrell.

The Punishment of the Wicked—Is it Material or Mental?

By M. W. Howard

A QUIET derisive smile, might perhaps be deemed by two classes a fitting answer to such an inquiry. The one class—those who take the Bible as it reads, believing that God has said what he means, and means what he says. To these the asking of such a question may well be regarded as superfluous. The other, those who choose to clothe the language of the Bible in such symbolic metaphors, that one may form one opinion, another, another, and so on without limit; but would allow none to take it, in its plain literal sense. To these also, it might seem superfluous; for such would have all believe, "that the worm that dieth not, and the fire that is not quenched," is remorse.
But if the word of God is to be our criterion, then can we bring proof that cannot be put aside by incredulous sneers; for it must make men think, and thinking, they will no longer be mental automatons, swayed just as the pressure is brought to bear upon them; no longer held by their greatest danger, servility to superiors in matters of faith. And yet a proper deference to the opinions of others is commendable; and because of this tendency in mankind to lean upon the opinions of contemporaries, we will cite a few who are acknowledged standards, as we refer to the word of God, which shall decide the matter.
Spurgeon and Ryle, each eminent living teachers, hold the materiality of future punishment; and a quotation from Chalmers shall speak for him. In his sermon on Rom. v, 10, he says, "Willing to escape the pain of hell—this you are now, but not willing to be Christians,—willing that the fire and your bodily sensations be kept at a distance from each other—this you are now, for who among you at present would thrust his head among the flames? Willing that the frame of your animal sensibilities shall meet with nothing to torture it. You will be as willing then to be delivered from material torments as you can be now." This is strong language: strong as any modern fanatic might use, yet the name of Thomas Chalmers stands enshrined in the heart of many a sober Christian of sound doctrine.
We are aware there is a class, to whom this doctrine is an offense, its preaching, foolishness to their ears, and its phraseology tires and disgusts. But is this a reason why the plain teachings of the Bible should be softened down, to pander to the demands of an age, degenerated into "torpid unconcern" or into active and haughty defiance, to a doctrine, distasteful to the carnal heart? a reason that the real significance of Scripture language should be set aside, and in its place be substituted the fanciful imaginings of men, which savor far more of the school of Dante, than of that of Christ?
Hooker in his "Ecclesiastical Polity" lays down a rule, broad and explicit, which all fanciful expositors will do well to heed. "I hold it" he says "a most infallible rule in expositions of sacred scripture, that when a literal construction will stand, the greater the deviation from the letter it is the worse." And who does not find this true? for the literal significance set aside, all moorings are gone and one may drift hither and thither as he lists, without security.
Some who object to the doctrine of future punishment, would have it believed that the theory of hell-fire is a peculiarity of the New Testament—thus broadly insinuating it as an innovation. We are glad that they concede that the teachings of one Testament is too explicit for equivocation. It is to be expected that "our Saviour Jesus Christ" through a dispensation "that brings life and immortality to light," 2 Tim. i, 10, would also disclose more fully the penalty of the ungodly. And so he does; for none need mistake when Christ says a class "shall be cast into a furnace of fire;" "Shall burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire;" "The withered branches are to be cast into the fire and burned." "These shall go away into everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his angels;" "They shall have their part in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone." See also the language of 2 Thess. i, 7-9. The import of these and many like passages none should mistake. With the last quoted passage in view, read Isa. lxvi, 15, and decide if they be not parallel passages, also compare Isa. lxvi, 24, with Mark ix, 43-47. Are any ready to object that the language of one, is borrowed from the other? Granted. More is now conceded than was expected, and yet common honesty demanded as much; for now it must be conceded from their own inferences, that the doctrine is not peculiar to one Testament.
While in this mood let Isa. xxxiii, 12-14, be read. "The people shall be as the burnings of lime, as thorns cut up shall they be burned in the fire . . . who shall dwell with devouring fire—who shall dwell with everlasting burnings? Also chapters ix, 18, 19; x, 16, 18; xxiv, 6. It is fully understood that these passages with the more explicit one in Mal. iv, 1, 3, is sought to be explained away as fulfilled in the destruction of Jerusalem; but the contexts of each and all carry the scenes forward to the consummation of all things, of which the destruction of Jerusalem and the Jewish nation, was but a type, the antitype yet being future.
Defeated, "shut up to the faith," do any inquire as is often done as a subterfuge, what can be worse than mental sufferings? I answer in the language of Old Testament Scripture "The burnings of lime—devouring fire—everlasting burnings—a day that burneth as an oven, that shall burn up the wicked root [Satan] and branch (the wicked) the perishing of the wicked, the enemies of the Lord being as the fat of lambs consumed; into smoke, says the Psalmist shall they consume away; or, in the words of Chalmers: Your bodily sensations in contact with fire—the animal sensibilities wounded and tortured by material torments.
This literal view conflicts, it is true with the received notions of most Christian theories of the present day; but not more than these notions conflict with the word of God. This is clearly shown by Isa. xxv, 8, 9, which plainly teaches that when death is swallowed up of victory, the resurrection, is as unmistakably stated in 1 Cor. xv, 54, is the salvation of the righteous. So too Isa. xxvi, 19, 20, illustrates as plainly "that when the dead men shall live together, when the dead body shall arise," shall the people of God be safe in heaven. As clearly too is this inculcated by the words of Christ, Matt. xvi, 27: "For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father, with his angels; then he shall reward every man according to his work." Also, Luke xiv, 14: "For thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just." See John v, 28, 29; Phil. iii, 20, 21; 1 Thess. iv, 14-17.
To Origen is awarded the unenviable reputation of being the first allegorical expositor, as also the first who inaugurated preaching from detached verses of Scripture. And so well has he been patronized, that to this day, the habit of reading and understanding the Bible textually, instead of by the subjects as are other writings, binds most persons with almost Romish thrall. A few energetic minds break away, learning for themselves "to take heed to the doctrine," by doing which Timothy might "both save himself and those who heard him." 1 Tim. iv, 16. And would there were more such persons, since so much comes to us by tradition and since that cannot be "pure and undefiled" doctrine, which shrinks from having the light of God's word fall eagle-eyed upon it.
M. W. HOWARD.
Malone, N. Y.

TOBACCO ON HEALTH

Tobacco - Using. No. 5.

TOBACCO ON HEALTH.

In addition to its deadly work on internal organs, and the general circulation of the fluids of the body, its effects are found on its surface. The skin is constantly impregnated with it, and is giving off its essences through the exhalent vessels. The perspiration, whether sensible or insensible, is tinctured with it. It prepares the skin to imbibe other hurtful agencies from the atmosphere. And not only this, but the skin of the tobacco-user is constantly giving off influences detrimental to those who are in close contact with him. Many a tobacco-user's wife, by constant sleeping with him has suffered ill-health. It is very easy to see the philosophy of this. The whole circulating fluids of her husband's body are impregnated with the poisonous stuff; his skin is consequently giving off a measure of those influences. The tobacco, affecting also his nervous system, affects his whole electrical circulation. The electricity of his body is impaired and poisoned by it; and his skin is constantly giving off those electrical influences. Why is it bad for young persons to sleep with aged people? Because of the electrical influences growing out of immediate personal contiguity. So the wife, by immediate contiguity with her husband, receives hurtful agencies from his body, saturated with tobacco.
No tobacco-user, therefore, is fit for a bed companion. He is giving forth pestilential vapors from all the pores of his skin. He is an embodiment of perpetual miasm. The immediate atmosphere surrounding him is inevitably impregnated and polluted with the constant effluvia which emanates from his whole surface. He becomes a perfect walking distillery of the deadly essence, sending forth its fumes and vapors into the surrounding atmosphere. His mouth is the mill which grinds out the weed, and his whole body the distillery for its essence. Put a chewer or smoker into a vapor bath, with no tobacco in the room, and in a short time the whole room will be strongly scented with tobacco effluvia that has emanated from his body. Put him into a warm bath, and get up perspiration; then put that water upon flies, or the vermin of plants, and it will instantly destroy them.
As just remarked, the influence of this article on the skin prepares it to imbibe hurtful agencies from the atmosphere. The man who uses it—other things being equal—is more liable to be affected by any atmospheric disease. The morbid condition of the skin, as well as internal surfaces, exposes the system to miasmatic and epidemic influences, which, otherwise, Nature could wholly, or comparatively, ward off. That fearful disease, the cholera, is vastly aided in its dreadful ravages by this means.
According to some statistics by Dr. Mussey, it appears that in 1833, Havana, with a population of 120,000, lost in a few weeks 16,000 people by the cholera. In Havana it is estimated that $10,000 worth of cigars are used daily. In Matanzas, with a population of 12,000, the cholera swept away 1500. Here is an eighth of the whole population in both places destroyed.
It is stated that in Campeachy, Mexico, about one quarter of the population died of cholera. Here it is said "everybody smokes cigars;" even children oftwo years old. It can be plainly seen that, in the Western and Southern States, where tobacco is more extensively used than in the Eastern States, cholera was more fatal than in the latter section.
Tobacco injures the constitution materially, also, by perverting the healthful agency on the glands of the mouth. The Creator, for wise purposes, put three pairs of glands in the mouth, called salivary glands. They are made for a specific purpose; to supply a fluid, called saliva, to be mixed with the food intended for nourishment, and prepare it for the stomach; without which the food is unfitted for the process of digestion, and for the nourishment of the body. While the food is being finely masticated by the teeth, these glands throw out their fluid, and it becomes intimately mixed with the fine particles of the morsel, which prepares it for the labor of the stomach.
Without the intimate mixture of this fluid with the finely broken particles of the food, it is impossible that what we eat shall fully answer the purpose for which it should be taken. The organs intended for its digestion cannot faithfully perform their several offices upon it. They cannot extract the proper amount of nourishment from it. The food consequently passes through the system without imparting that amount of nutrition for which Nature has designed it. Tobacco usurps the whole service of these glands, and stealthily carries off their secretions from their appropriate purposes. It causes the chewer to throw away this health-sustaining, life-preserving fluid. He is spitting away an essential element of his vitality. This is the great cause why tobacco-users are a much leaner set of men, as a general rule, than others. This shows how it is, also, that some who have ceased their spitting, and have swallowed their tobacco-juice, have increased in flesh. Swallowing the juice would be far more fatal, so far as simply the tobacco is concerned, because by so doing they get more of its poison. But saving the saliva—a fluid so essential to life—more than compensates for the increased damages of swallowing the syrup. This shows the great value of saliva for the purposes of life and health; the great service in the digestive process, and the extraction of nutrition from food for the support of the body; and its importance in preserving the tone and vigor of the digestive functions.
Tobacco perverts this Divine arrangement in another way. It brings these glands into unnatural exertion. It not only stimulates them by acting on their nervous susceptibilities, but sets on them by mechanical pressure. The act of chewing, whatever may be the substance, calls these glands into action by the motion of the jaws, and the muscles which sustain them. While the muscles of the mouth are at work, these glands are constantly secreting their fluid. The chewer of tobacco keeps his masticating apparatus constantly at work: while he is awake there is no cessation. So these glands are kept evermore at labor. They never find time to rest, and their fluid is constantly flowing.
This makes a very great draft upon the system. This secretion, of course, is formed from the blood, and costs the system an amount of this vital fluid which it cannot afford to spare. It is like a largely running issue or ulcer; it is draining the body of its vitality. It is like any other morbid or excessive secretion. How soon will Diabetes drain the system of its healthy blood! This extra secretion and exit of fluid in this way weaken the whole system. Almost a continued stream of this saliva is running from the mouth; so much so, that, especially considering its polluted state, a wish has often been in my heart, that a long tube could be fastened steadfast to every mouth containing tobacco, that would reach into some deep sewer, or some far-off quagmire, where the unwholesome, filthy, sickening stream could discharge itself, for the safety of 'all the world,' and the peace of 'the rest of mankind.'
Not only is tobacco-chewing doing this injurious work, but smoking also. The glands are in this case operated on, not only by its stimulus, but by the effort of the mouth in making its draft upon the pipe or cigar. Smoking, probably, does not make so great a draft upon these glands, as chewing; yet it keeps up a great taxation on them. Smoking may not do as great damage to health in this way, as chewing; but it probably makes as great, if not greater, inroad upon the natural arrangement of the nervous system, and the good quality of the blood. The essence of tobacco, in chewing or smoking, mixes with that portion of the saliva which is not spit off, but passes through the digestive organs into the circulation; so that it not only imparts the saliva for subserving the purposes of healthy digestion, but enters, with all its vile properties, into the rivers and streams of life.
Persons leaving off tobacco invariably find, after giving Nature a chance to recover herself from the effects of the abuses she has received, that they improve in health and flesh. This invariable, uniform testimony—where everything else is right—gives positive proof of its destroying agency. Some have excused themselves for using it, on the ground of being too corpulent; for the purpose of keeping down their flesh. This plea might have some little plausibility in it, provided the Creator of his body had perpetrated a blunder in his physical arrangement, and made him fatter than he intended. But this plea will not do; no blunder has been made in the original economy of his being. His system is made right, and will work right, if no violation of organic law shall derange it; and if any hereditary influence from violated law in his progenitors is bearing on him, his better way is, so to discipline himself into the path of Nature's law, that Nature herself can overcome, as far as possible, any such embarrassments; and then let him be content with being as fat as Nature originally intended him.
The great trouble is, as a general rule, that these fleshly, squabby men are too fond of pork and beef; of rich greasy gravies and fixings; and of other so-called good things of life. If they would curtail their rule of life to the principle of EATING TO LIVE, rather than LIVING TO EAT, they might be relieved from the burden of corpulency. When a man confesses himself so illy made that he is obliged to resort to such an unnatural, uncomely habit to bring him right, he makes an admission that is not only degrading human nature, but which cannot be true. In too many of these cases, there is another, and the more difficult argument to counteract, hid behind the curtain—the hardest argument in all the world to meet; it is embraced in three small words, which, if uttered by them, would stand thus, 'I LOVE IT.'
But the great and momentous question for every lover of tobacco to settle is, which will he value most—which love the strongest—health or tobacco: which prize the highest, health and soundness, or the deadly weed with its filthy gratifications! For he cannot always have both. If he will choose the latter, he must sooner or later part with the former.
The medical faculty have been greatly in fault on this subject. They have not brought their knowledge of the laws of life, and of the real properties of tobacco, to a bearing. They have recommended this dreadful poison as a medicine, without counting the cost; and they have not cried aloud against the extensive and destructive habit of tobacco-using as a luxury. They have not been ready to perceive and declare the deadly doings of this article in their patients, where this has been an important, if not the only cause of complaint.
While passing on the Gulf of Mexico, a man on board the steamer fell in conversation with me on the subject of his health. His case was complicated. He had dyspepsia, torpid liver, palpitating heart, weakness of spine—in short, almost everything that could grow out of a ruined nervous system. He was a man of apparently temperate habits, in the common use of the phrase, but had been from very early life—now about thirty-five—an inveterate tobacco chewer and smoker. No other great cause seemed to account for his complaint. He was now returning from a visit to two different cities for medical advice; but finding himself no better, was returning without hope of recovery.
What pained me more than all in this case was, to find not one of his medical advisers had even hinted to him that tobacco was doing him harm. Not one had discovered that this, which most obviously had done the whole mischief, was the cause of his complaints. After listening to me a while on this matter, he ejected his huge cud into the sea, threw away his tobacco, and solemnly declared it should never more have a chance to destroy him. He kept his pledge while we remained together on the boat, and if he has continued to subdue this created fleshly lust, he probably finds himself recovered or recovering from his complaints.
(To be continued.)

Dancing, Raffling and Other Amusements.

THE New York Observer, under the head of "Letter from a Frightened Pastor," publishes the following racy epistle:
MESSRS. EDITORS:—We are making great progress here in our quiet country village in New Jersey. We have known for a long time that your Christian people in New York had become so far emancipated from the old-fashioned, straight-laced notions of the Puritans, that you could have cards, and dancing parties, and private theatres, and all that sort of thing, but we never could see our way clear to go into them till this winter. The fact is, we have had no revival, and very little interest in religious matters for some time, and I suppose our people want some excitement, and, when the sanitary fair was proposed, they resolved to raise some money by getting up plays at private houses and charging half a dollar for admission. They have done it, and made a hundred dollars in three or four nights. They want the use of the church or lecture room for another, but I have set my foot down that this is carrying the thing too far. Indeed, I am not convinced that any part of the performance is right. Perhaps, it is early prejudice.
Am I so old fashioned as to be absolutely wrong? Is the march of christian nature such that private play-acting, dancing and card-playing are to be numbered among the christian graces? If the father and mother who go about playing petty farces in christian drawing rooms should chance to find their sons and daughters doing the same in unchristian theatres could they utter a single remonstrance? Suppose that I, as the pastor, should be invited to come and introduce the play of Poor Pillicoody with a suitable prayer, would it or not be considered an appropriate thing, or a huge joke? And suppose, between the acts, some one should propose that all should join in the good old hymn, "Life is the time to serve the Lord," what would he thought of it?
Perhaps, it may not be long before we shall have as an appendage to our prayer meetings or evening lectures a theatrical performance to draw the unconverted to the house of God! And possibly, at present rates, it may at no distant day, be considered quite the style to announce: "There will be an evening lecture on Wednesday evening, next, in the lecture room, by the parson, upon the first question and answer of the Assembly's Catechism, after which will be performed by the members of the Bible class, 'The Devil is not so bad as he is painted,' in which the last new convert will appear for the first time, to conclude with whist parties in the pastor's study, and waltzing in the Sunday school room." Whither are we drifting? [Coldwater Union Sentinel.]

Way to Avoid Calumny

WAY TO AVOID CALUMNY.—"If any one speaks ill of thee," said Epictetus, "consider whether he has truth ou his side; and if so, reform thyself, that his ceusure may uot affect thee." When Auaximauder was told that the very hoys laughed at his singing—"Ay," says he, "theu I must learn to sing better." Plato being told that he had many enemies who spoke ill of him—"It is uo matter," said he: "I will live so that uone shall believe them.">—Hearing, at another time that an intimate friend of his had spokeu detractingly of him—"I am sure he would not do it," said he, "if he had not some reason for it." This is the surest as well as the uoblest way of drawing the sting out of a reproach, and the true method of preparing a mau for that great and ouly relief against the pains of calumny—a good conscience.

What Is Faith?

WHAT is faith? A receiving into the mind the truth concerning Jesus, a going to Jesus as revealed in the truth, a committing of the soul to Jesus, a trusting in Jesus, and a living upon Jesus for all things, to the glory of the Father.
Continue reading: BOTH SIDES OF THE SABBATH QUESTION