There is much danger that we may lose the spirit of the work of present truth. It not only requires faith in the general principles of the Christian religion, and a theoretical knowledge of the truth, but there is an importance attached to the work of God itself. Says the prophet, “I will work a work in your days which ye will not believe, though it be told you.” God was to work a work, and men would not believe. Men who profess to believe in God, and the principles of faith in Jesus Christ, often think it a light thing to oppose a religious work which they do not fully understand. Those who have little or no knowledge of a work, unless it be in open violation of the principles of godliness, would do well to heed the counsel of Gamaliel: “Refrain from these men, and let them alone; for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to naught; but if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it, lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.”
The work of God varies in character, while the principles of faith and obedience are ever the same. The special work of Noah and those living in the antediluvian age was to build an ark, and thus prepare for the flood. It required a knowledge on their part of the events about to transpire, and then the work of preparing for that event was present truth, and it was the special work for the time. Those who did not cast their influence in its favor were against it. However high their profession, nothing could save them but an interest in the ark. The flood destroyed them all. Salvation is found alone in the present truth. This has been exemplified over and over again in the history of the past, as Infinite Wisdom has seen fit to test the people upon a present truth. The apostle Peter writes: “I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.”
Just before the second coming of Christ, there will be a present truth. “As it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; but the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.” Luke 17: 26-30.
In Rev. 14: 6-12 we have a threefold warning to be given to the inhabitants of this world just before the Son of man takes his seat upon the white cloud. See verses 13, 14. This message will be given. Some will have all their interests identified with this work. They will give the warning, whether men will hear or forbear. They will have faith in it. They will lay their plans, invest their means, and shape all their interests as though they believed this work was of God. Scoffers will arise and say, “Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.” 2 Peter 3:4. Some of our own brethren will become exceedingly cautious, and say in their hearts, “My Lord delayeth his coming, and will begin to smite their fellow-servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken.” “But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to smite his fellow-servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; the lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, and shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matt. 24: 48-51.
The Saviour’s words in Luke 21: 34-36 are as follows: “And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.”
These scriptures clearly show that the lives of God’s people who have saving faith will be a living rebuke to the habits of the people in the last generation respecting eating and drinking. They will also conduct the affairs of this life differently from those who have no faith in the proclamation of the solemn truths which pertain to this time.
Our work is an aggressive work. It is making inroads into the ranks of the enemy by advocating, both by example and precept, the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus Christ. The Lord is coming, and to prepare to meet him is the work for this time. Happy are they who can hear and understand the voice of God’s providence, and bear a part, by a self-denying life, in warning the world of its approaching doom. We look upon the present facilities for labor, such as the cheapness of stationery and postage, the art of printing, and the various modes of travel, and the facilities for learning to prepare ourselves for this work, as special providences of God to enable every one to act a part in this closing work. Those who become overcharged with the cares of this life, earnest in seeking their own interests, and anxious to avoid self-denial and self-sacrificing labor, will find that they have made a great mistake. On the other hand, those who take up life’s burdens, and constantly keep before their minds the present work, always upholding the hands of God’s servants in seconding their efforts with their means and influence, will find in the day of Judgment that God is not unrighteous to forget their work and labor of love, which they have showed towards his name, in that they have ministered to his saints; but he will place upon the heads of such a crown of everlasting life in the kingdom of God. S. N. HASKELL.
TO CORRESPONDENTS.
M. A. Hutchins: For an explanation of Rev. 22:8, 9, and Rev. 19:10, see Man’s Nature and Destiny.
W. Crittenden: An article containing the substance of the one you send, entitled, “Terror from the Stars,” was published some time since in the REVIEW. Because the four great planets of our solar system, Jupiter, Uranus, Saturn, and Neptune come in conjunction at the time of their perihelia in 1880-1, people will attribute whatever judgments they may experience to this circumstance, rather than to any interposition of divine providence against sin. Unbelief is always glad of a loop-hole of escape, and is never better pleased than when it can assume the name of science.
W. S. Randall: The thrones of Dan. 7:9 we understand to be the seats, or thrones, of the four and twenty elders spoken of in Rev. 4:4. That these were thrones is evident from the statement that the elders who sat on them had crowns of gold upon their heads. And these are assistants of Christ in his priestly work. Rev. 5:10. The last clause of Acts 13:48 cannot be made to teach unconditional predestination. “As many as were ordained to eternal life believed.” Now if these were unconditionally predestined to eternal life, and were by the fixed decree of God to be saved, and nothing could prevent it, why did they believe? What necessity was there for that act on their part? If it is said that they could not have eternal life without believing, we reply that that is just the kind of ordination we understand the Bible to teach—one suspended upon sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth. But it is nowhere said that any are ordained to believe; that is a voluntary act.
Ans. The same wrong seems to be brought to view in both cases, but the conditions in one case are the reverse of those in the other. Thus in Matt. 5, the person in the wrong is supposed to feel convicted of the wrong, and is then instructed to act accordingly. In Matt. 18, we are instructed how to act toward one who does not see or acknowledge his wrong.
ANSWERED BY LETTER. M. Haynes, H. H. Brunsteter, H. S. Boyd, E. P. Daniels, Albert Waters, D. Phillips, J. O. Carlson, L. McCoy.
NOTES FROM KANSAS.
By D. T. Bourdeau
Having enjoyed the privilege of attending our General Conference, and nearly one month's profitable stay at our good Sanitarium, I attended the Southern Kansas camp-meeting with Bro. and Sr. White and Bro. Haskell.
This was indeed a refreshing season. The presence and labors of Bro. and Sr. White removed a great amount of prejudice that had been raised against them and their work, especially against our views on temperance, which had been greatly misrepresented. Sr. White's clear, reasonable, and forcible exposition of Bible temperance was appreciated by many outside of our ranks as well as by our brethren; and her discourse on progressive sanctification was very instructive, and must have been a great relief to those who had been annoyed by the preaching of the spurious article,—instantaneous sanctification. She showed that those who are the farthest advanced in holiness are the last ones to boast of sanctification and perfect love; that the nearer we get to God the more we see the need of humbling ourselves in view of our imperfections, and in view of the great work we have to do to imitate our perfect pattern; that those who boast of sanctification while indulging in calumny, and breaking God's commandments and encouraging others to do the same, are very inconsistent; and that if such men as the prophet Daniel, the man “greatly beloved” of God, and the beloved apostle, the disciple whom Jesus loved, could unite with others in the work of confession and humiliation, and if they felt to recoil under the sense of their unworthiness when wrapped in holy vision, and seeing the spotless purity of God and Heaven, we should be exceedingly modest in our pretensions to holiness.
Bro. White's discourse giving the reasons of our faith and hope was triumphant, and we trust that his valuable remarks on the Christian ministry will not be forgotten; and who that loves the missionary work could help thanking God for Bro. Haskell's instructions on this subject and on the subject of sacrifice?
This meeting was indeed a success, so far as setting the duty of the people before them, and receiving the heavenly indorsement is concerned. The day before the meeting closed, as most of the congregation engaged in the work of humbling themselves and seeking the Lord, God set his seal to the work by drawing especially near to his people by the illuminating and strengthening influences of his Spirit. It was a season long to be remembered.
Since the close of this meeting, I have been actively engaged in carrying on the same good work for the Oswego church and those connected with it. Here the opposition has raged high, and precious souls have been prejudiced and misled. But I have visited much and have spoken eight times, fortifying the disputed points of our faith, and several are coming to the light and settling on the sure foundation of the messages.
Here I unexpectedly met dear brethren and sisters with whom I formed very pleasant acquaintances in Iowa twelve years ago, when there was not an organized church in Kansas. Now there are nearly as many Sabbath-keepers in Kansas as there were in America when I embraced the truth, and four camp-meetings must be held in one season to meet the wants of the cause here. And this is but a sample of what has been done in other fields. May God speed on the work to its most glorious conclusion!
I shall not forget the French in the West.
D. T. Bourdeau.
A Golden Sentence from Spurgeon on Right and Wrong
A GOLDEN sentence from Spurgeon, and worth repeating: “Right is right though all condemn, and wrong is wrong though all approve.”
THE WISCONSIN CORNER OF THE MINNESOTA CONFERENCE.
By John Olive
This corner comprises the St. Croix Valley, and part of Dunn county. There have been a few Sabbath-keepers in this section for some time; but during the past year nearly fifty have been added to our numbers under the labors of Eld. Samuel Fulton, and his wife, who has rendered him valuable assistance. In the summer of 1877, Eld. Fulton assisted in bringing out a company of ten or twelve in Beldenville. About a year ago he returned with his wife, and they have labored here most of the time since; and by the Lord’s blessing they have brought out small, but seemingly very promising, bands of believers at New Centerville, Lucas, Weston, and Eau Galle, besides laboring at Rock Elm and Beldenville.
As I was desirous of visiting all the churches in this district as T. and M. director, Eld. Fulton and myself met by appointment at Beldenville, Oct. 5, and held four meetings besides one in which the interests of Sabbath-schools were discussed, and, we hope, some new life added to the school. On Sunday Sister Fulton spoke in the church at Ellsworth on Bible hygiene, and all the friends, and also those not of our faith, pronounced the discourse one of the best they had ever heard. May the Lord bless her, and keep her humble and devoted.
Monday we went to New Centerville, where there are now, I believe, twelve keeping the Sabbath, besides seven who live at some distance, but who can meet with them on the Sabbath.
Leaving Sister Fulton to hold the interest here, we proceeded to visit Lucas, Weston, Eau Galle, Rock Elm, and Warrentown, Wis., and Lake City, Minn., where we closed our labors.
We started out in much fear and weakness, both of us leaving home with difficulty. But duty seemed to call us, so we cast our care on the Lord, and we believe he heard us, and helped our weakness. Wherever we went, we found most of the brethren active and interested; though I am sorry to say in two or three places the enemy had crept in, and a few seemed to be out of the way. This was very distressing. We had good, attentive audiences. Eld. Fulton preached almost every day, and also in the evening, though sometimes we had social or T. and M. meetings in place of preaching. We tried to bring up all the interests of the cause. We also organized Sabbath-schools and T. and M. societies wherever there were none, supplied the societies with tracts, sold about a dozen Bibles, and as many copies of the “Bible from Heaven,” obtained about fifteen new subscribers to our papers, and sixty dollars on camp-meeting pledges and as S. S. and T. and M. money. It is fair to state that most of this money came from Lake City, as that is the largest and nearly the oldest church in the district. May the Lord bless these liberal brethren, and help them to remove every root of bitterness, and to perfect holiness in the fear of the Lord.
Wherever we went, we met kindness, and most of the brethren seemed ready to be instructed in every good work, though a few seemed puffed up, contentious, and grumbling. As usual, the grumblers were not workers. We were much pleased with the brethren in the new churches. They seemed to be persons of intelligence and moral worth. May the blessing of the Lord rest upon them. JOHN OLIVE.
Prescott, Wis., Nov. 11, 1878.
AMONG THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS.
By J. P. Henderson
Editor Review: The following I clip from the Herald and Presbyter (Presbyterian) of Cincinnati, Ohio. It is pleasant to know that those not of our faith sometimes speak well of us. And it is more pleasant to know that our people are in truth practicing those things found in God’s “golden rule,” so that the outside world are compelled to acknowledge our adherence to the standard of morality. Would that some things the writer has said of us were true to the letter. “Are strictly honest,” yes, we mean to be; but how many notes run past due. How many promises we fail to meet. Every such act is a violation of the precept, “Thou shalt not steal.” Again, “They are chaste in their conversation.” How many of us are guilty of idle words which shall be brought into Judgment. Matt. 12:36. How many are guilty of improper language in times of trial or vexation, all of which “cometh of evil.” Matt. 5:37. If others speak well of us, it should not lead us to self-righteousness, but incite us to greater carefulness, so that we may not only pass the criticism of men, but stand in the Judgment of God also.
J. P. Henderson.
Battle Creek, Mich., Aug. 14, ’78.
Mr. Editor: Battle Creek is so called by reason of a battle fought here in 1835, between the whites and the Indians, on the banks of a small creek. The town is thriving, has a population of about 6,000, and considerable manufacturing is done.
It is also the “head center” of what is known as the “Seventh-day Adventists.” They have a society of about 1,000 members, and are somewhat clannish in their social relations. Fifteen years ago they were looked down upon and ridiculed, but they quietly pursued the even tenor of their way, and by upright dealings in all their business relations, and by practicing outwardly what they professed to enjoy inwardly, they have gained the respect and good-will of the entire population. I do not believe a single citizen can be found who would not deeply regret their going away. I do not wish to say that “all men speak well” of them; for that would bring them under the Saviour’s disapprobation—“Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you;” but their total abstinence from the use of all intoxicating liquors—imitating, in this respect, the “Rechabites” of old—and tobacco in every shape, form, or kind, necessarily has a beneficial influence on the entire community. Oh that all professing Christians were as abstentious in respect to these two great evils. How much power we could wield on the side of Christianity were we free from these vices.
They have a college, attended by about two hundred and fifty students from all parts of the world, and their professors rank among the ablest men of the day. Their publications supply three large printing offices with all the work they can attend to, and they are now erecting a fourth, which will have a capacity greater than any two of the others. Their papers, periodicals, and books find a circulation all over the entire world, and they state that the demand is steadily increasing. Their methods of preaching their doctrines to the “unconverted” are after the “tabernacle-tent” manner. Where they have no organized society, they take a large tent, and, with a few of their “apostles,” go from place to place and hold a series of meetings, the length of which depends on their success. They preach the “fundamental doctrines” of the Bible, and insist on “immersion” in “baptism.”
The peculiar feature of their teaching, and what especially gives them prominence and notoriety as a sect, is the strict observance of the seventh day,167which they claim commences at sundown Friday evening and continues until sundown Saturday evening, basing their belief, as they think, on God’s word. They are extremely particular in keeping this time holy, but on the day which we hold sacred they pursue their daily avocations as usual. They look for a “second coming,” but set no time for the event.
This “sect” has very recently finished a “Sanitarium,” at an expense of some $50,000, for the cure of diseases of all kinds. The diet is very plain, and the patient is required to submit fully to their directions; and I learn that they have been quite successful in their mode of treatment. The location is very healthy, and the arrangements made for the comfort and welfare of the patients cannot be surpassed. What they do, they do well; and under the supervision of Dr. Kellogg, I have no doubt, they will largely benefit suffering humanity.
The “Adventists” are engaged in building a very large church at this place, to be called the “Tabernacle Church,” and costing some $30,000. It is being built on the co-operative plan. All members of the sect in all parts of the world contribute each ten cents a month. They carry this peculiar feature out in all their church enterprises, everywhere. They are rather “Pharisaical” in their giving to all the church enterprises, “giving tithes of all that they possess,” generally giving one-tenth of their income. They do it cheerfully and freely; and may not that be the reason why they are so successful in all their business relations? They are noted for close dealing, but are strictly honest, and shrewd, sharp traders. They have no poor among them, and appear happy and prosperous. They are chaste in their conversation, and believe in “Bible holiness” and “heart purity” as among the essentials in order to get to Heaven. They have no hope for the wicked beyond this world. Total annihilation is to be their doom. They so preach it, and it ranks among their “articles of faith.”
Leaving out the question of what constitutes the true Sabbath, the utter annihilation of the wicked, and saying nothing about “immersion,” they are a sect that all Christians would do well to pattern after in many respects. What the church needs to-day is a positive Christianity. It needs—and the world demands of it—an outward exemplification of that spirit, we claim to possess inwardly,—a showing forth, by our daily walk and conversation, by our honesty in business affairs, that we are “Israelites” indeed and in truth, “in whom there is no guile.” Are there not many more professors than possessors? D. J. DeC.
WISCONSIN
By Ole Andres Olsen
Clay Banks, Door Co.
We commenced meetings at Clay Banks July 19, and continued them, with the exception of intermissions to attend general meetings, until Nov. 3. My brother joined me in the work there Sept. 26. The Lord has greatly blessed his truth. Over thirty have commenced the observance of the Sabbath. Twenty-six followed their Lord in the ordinance of baptism, of these only one was making a profession of religion when the tent was pitched there. They have commenced the building of a house of worship. May the Lord continue to bless them. If they are faithful, others will join them. The interest there is good.
O. A. Olsen.
BOWLING GREEN, OHIO.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
We have labored at this place about ten days. The Lord has blessed us with the most beautiful weather, and with good roads.
This is the largest church in the State, there being over a hundred Sabbath-keepers here. The older members have been in the truth twenty years; but a large share were added about five years ago. Such large churches are always in great danger of trial, and this one has not escaped. Severe trials here for two or three years, have had quite a withering influence upon the church. Several had given up entirely; others simply held on to the Sabbath. Many took no part in public meetings; some used tobacco, others tea and coffee. Feathers and jewelry were put on, circuses and dances were attended by some. The whole church only took five copies of the REFORMER and about the same number of the INSTRUCTOR. The S. B. had run down very low, and little was done in the T. and M. work. In fact, the brethren were generally discouraged. Of course there were some personal trials between families, as there always will be when the devil gets hold of men.
It looked like a discouraging field of labor. We felt satisfied that we must have the special blessing of God, or the needed reform could not be accomplished. And as we sought God earnestly, we felt that he did help us in a remarkable manner. We held meetings evenings and daytime nearly every day. One encouraging feature from the start was that nearly everybody attended all the meetings promptly. We found them heartily sick of the state they were in, and most of them anxious to find some way out. But it was not so easy to get out; hence we held meeting after meeting all day, praying, preaching, exhorting, and confessing, with scarcely a ray of light.
It was apparent, and all confessed it, that a large share of the church, and particularly the young people, never had been converted to God. It was only a surface work which did not hold the soul in the hour of trial. We endeavored to deal thoroughly upon this point, until all should feel it. The whole of the last Sabbath from ten o'clock in the forenoon till sunset was spent in fasting and prayer, confessing sins, and seeking God. It was indeed a solemn and heart-searching time. Brethren confessed to one another, to their companions, to their children, and to God. Many times the whole congregation was in tears. Nearly all the backsliders were reclaimed, and quite a number who had never made a profession started to serve God. Those who had fallen back on the health reform, had taken up the use of tobacco, had attended parties, and done other things which were wrong, made full confessions, and solemnly vowed to God and the brethren to quit these things forever. We felt greatly encouraged.
Four, heads of families, embraced the Sabbath, and about twenty-five youth and children commenced to serve the Lord. We obtained a good number of subscribers for our periodicals, and sold a number of dollars' worth of books. About a dozen joined the tract society. We preached on the tithing system, and with only one exception all signed a solemn covenant to give to the Lord one-tenth of their income for the coming year. On Monday Bro. Burrill went eight miles and baptized fifteen.
There is much more that might be done here. We were tempted to stay another week to solidify the work; but there is so much to do in the whole State that we could not do it. We find it an immense work to look after all the officers and their books, in the T. and M. society, Sabbath-school, churches, and Conference. Very little or no attention has been paid to these in this church.
On the whole, we feel greatly encouraged at this beginning of our work in Ohio. We shall remember these brethren with the deepest love, and gratitude to God. We desire our brethren to expect that the Lord will do a good work in their churches also, and to prepare their hearts for it.
D. M. CANRIGHT.
The Reapers, Where Are They?
By L. D. Santee
I list for the sound of the reapers as they gather the golden grain;
I look on the world's great harvest, and my heart is filled with pain:
There's many a sheaf to gather before the twilight gray,
The fields are ripe for the harvest; but the reapers, where are they?
Yearnings so sad and painful trouble my heart to-day;
Many a sheaf that might be saved the wind is wasting away;
Many a soul to Christ would come, while it is “called to-day;”
The fields are ripe for the harvest; but the reapers, where are they?
The harvest work is heavy, the reapers are pale and wan;
But the time of resting soon will come, when the Master will say, “Well done.”
Loving hands and earnest hearts the Master needs to-day:
The fields are ripe for the harvest; but the reapers, where are they?
There is pressing need of reapers on the world's great harvest plain,
Many are they in the shades of death who stretch their hands in vain:
Many are they in darkness who wait and watch and pray;
The fields are ripe for the harvest; but the reapers, where are they?
“Go work to-day in my vineyard,” and He points to the golden grain:
Oh! may the zeal He has wakened never slumber again!
Even now the day is waning, now is the setting sun,
The sickles will rest from labor, and the reapers' work be done. L. D. SANTEE.
KENTUCKY AND TENNESSEE SABBATH-SCHOOL ASSOCIATION.
By S. Osborn; M. L. Williams
At the general meeting held at Powder Mills, Ky., a State Sabbath-school Association for the Kentucky and Tennessee Conference was organized. The meeting was held Oct. 26. Eld. Canright was chairman, and M. L. Williams secretary.
The following officers were elected: President, S. Osborn; Vice-president, G. K. Owen; Secretary and Treasurer, M. L. Williams; Executive Committee, S. Osborn, Clinton Owen, J. T. Crockett.
Voted, That each member pay one cent every week, that the treasury may not be empty. S. OSBORN, Pres. M. L. WILLIAMS, Sec.
PACIFIC COAST.
[Abridged from the SIGNS OF THE TIMES.]
Santa Rosa, Cal.
Nov. 4, Bro. Healey and Rice report that forty-five have signed the covenant here, and others are almost persuaded.
Reno, Nevada.
Eld. B. A. Stephens reached Reno Oct. 18, and has given eleven discourses. The outside attendance has been small, owing to political excitement. He hopes for a better interest after the State election.
Eugene City, Oregon.
At Eugene City Bro. A. T. Jones has organized a church of seventeen members; S. S. $60.
MICHIGAN
By H. M. Kenyon
I have recently held meetings at Monterey and Otsego, Allegan county, and Gaines, Kent county. We had the blessing of the Lord at these meetings. At Monterey, eight were baptized, and eleven united with the church.
At Gaines a discouraging state of things had existed, but there is now quite an improvement. There are frequent additions to their numbers. Five were baptized at this meeting. The ordinances had not been celebrated for fifteen years; but at this time, while engaged in this solemn duty, the Spirit of the Lord came upon us and made all hearts rejoice.
There is a growing interest in all these places in the Sabbath-school work, the recommendations of the General S. S. Association being generally adopted.
H. M. KENYON.
NEBRASKA
By Chas. L. Boyd
Stromsburg, Nov. 13.
MEETINGS were held near Weeping Water, Nov. 2 and 3. We were all cheered by the presence of a company of the good friends from Nebraska City, also a load from Syracuse. A good interest in the tract society work was manifested, and a club was formed for the SIGNS. By request, I delivered a temperance lecture at Syracuse.
Last Sabbath and Sunday I spent with the church at Stromsburg. The director and secretary of this T. and M. district were present to assist in the work. Efforts were made to awaken an interest to labor for others, and the canvassers are at work.
Dear brethren and sisters, time is short. The night is far spent. What we do must be done quickly. CHAS. L. BOYD.
IOWA
By J. H. Morrison
Winterset, Nov. 12.
The meetings we have just held were excellent. The Spirit of the Lord moved in mighty power. Hard hearts were melted, sinners were converted, and the people of God were encouraged. Eight more took their stand for the truth, six were baptized, and fourteen were added to the church. We trust the work will still move on.
But a number have moved away from Winterset since the tent-meeting, leaving the little band not much stronger than they were before.
I now go to Indianola.
J. H. MORRISON.
MASSACHUSETTS
By G. F. Haines
Middleton.
We commenced meetings in Middleton Oct. 1, and closed Nov. 5. The interest was good. Eight have decided to keep the Sabbath of the Lord, and many others are investigating. The Danvers church showed a commendable zeal in attending these meetings and doing missionary work.
G. F. Haines.
ANGER
SENECA says: “Anger is an agitation of the mind that proceeds to the resolution of a revenge, the mind assenting to it. It is an idle theory to pretend that we cannot govern our anger; for some things that we do are much harder than others that we ought to do. Thrasippus, in his drink, fell foul upon the cruelties of Pisistratus; who, when he was urged by several to make an example of him, said: ‘Why should I be angry with a man who stumbles upon me blindfold?’ The moderation of Antigonus was remarkable. Some of his soldiers were railing at him one night, where there was but a curtain between them. Antigonus overheard them, and putting it gently aside, ‘Soldiers,’ said he, ‘stand a little farther off, for fear the king should hear you.’”
At another time his soldiers were taken into a foul road, and then they began to curse their leader. He went to them, without making himself known, and helped them out. “Now,” said he, “you may curse him who brought you into the mire, provided you will bless him who took you out.” Philip of Macedonia, the great king, was visited once by ambassadors from Athens. “Tell me, gentlemen,” said he, “what is there that I can do to oblige the Athenians?” Demochoros, one of the ambassadors, replied, that they would regard it as a great favor if he would be pleased to hang himself. Those around the king became very angry at this insult, but Philip coolly replied: “You, the rest of the ambassadors, pray tell the Athenians, that it is worse to speak such things than to hear and forgive them.”
Many Christian professors could learn lessons from these heathen philosophers. So many cannot understand how a man can endure the hard looks, the hard speeches, of those who are angry. It is more easy to bear all in meekness, than to wallow in the mire of anger with them. He who returns anger for anger is no better than he who was first angry. If the outward appearance of anger is so hideous, what must the mind look like? Reason cannot dwell where anger is; nor will good manners, friendship, good counsel, and sincere devotion find a lodgment in the angry heart. It is a vice that has neither pleasure nor profit in it.—Brethren at Work.
PRAY ONE FOR ANOTHER.
By Stephen Pierce
“If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death.” 1 John 5:16.
How much more frequently is it the case that if we see any of the brethren in the commission of a wrong, we are tried with them and indulge in a hopeless state of feeling in regard to them, instead of praying earnestly in secret that the Lord would forgive their sins. It is imperatively enjoined upon us to pray for even our enemies; and how frequently do the teachings of Christ enforce the duty of prayer.
When we pray for ourselves, our prayers may savor of selfishness; but when we pray for others, with that fervor of affection which the second great command enjoins, such prayers avail much, and they come up before the throne as sweet incense. May such prayers be more frequent among us.
How rich the promise, “He shall give him life for them that sin not unto death.” The writer confesses with sorrow that he has never appreciated it until within a few years. Lack of faith and love causes this deficiency;—lack of faith toward God in not realizing what he will do in answer to prayer; and lack of love to our fellows, it being enjoined upon us to love them as ourselves.
If the Israelites in their journeyings in the wilderness were a type of us “upon whom the ends of the world are come” (1 Cor. 10:11), nothing can be more instructive or profitable than the example of Moses in his continued fasting and prayer for Aaron and all Israel, when they sinned so grievously against God. At two different times this dear servant of the Lord, who was faithful in all his house, spent forty days in humble fasting and prayer for this rebellious people. Moses said: “I did neither eat bread, nor drink water, because of all your sins which ye sinned, in doing wickedly in the sight of the Lord to provoke him to anger. For I was afraid of the anger and hot displeasure, wherewith the Lord was wroth against you to destroy you. But the Lord hearkened unto me at that time also. And the Lord was very angry with Aaron to have destroyed him; and I prayed for Aaron also the same time.” Deut. 9:18–20. Had it not been for this importunate interposition on the part of Moses, doubtless these stupid idolaters would have been cut off at a stroke. And Aaron, for his astonishing weakness and sin, would probably have had his portion with hypocrites and unbelievers, instead of being raised to the high priesthood and being called by inspiration “a saint of the Lord.” We have no record of any other instance of such continued fasting and prayer. But who can tell how many souls were thus rescued from eternal death? Had it been but one, the reward would have been infinite.
“He shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that have not sinned unto death.” There is no chance for a doubt as to the success of our effort. The language is clear, unequivocal, and explicit. It is astonishing that its force has been hidden from us so long. When our prayers are exhausted upon self alone, unconnected with the interests of the cause of God, it is no wonder that they avail so little. But when they are offered with a great solicitude that our course of action may not be injurious but beneficial to the cause, such prayers will avail; but when the motive is based in selfishness, our prayers are altogether useless.
When shall we drink so deeply into that which is perfect that we shall ask what we will, and it shall be done unto us? Why do we not hunger and thirst after righteousness, that we may be filled? Has the infinite storehouse failed or become exhausted? Certainly not. It is even now overflowing, ready to pour inexhaustible riches upon our unworthy souls.
Oh! the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! STEPHEN PIERCE.
AWAKE!
By A. E. Flowers
Dear brethren and sisters in Missouri, let us awake to the wants of the cause here. This State is large. Many souls in it have not yet heard of the present truth. Has not the time come that they must hear? Our ministers are few, so let each one of us help speed on the work. We can all do something, though it may be but little. But if that little results in the salvation of a single soul, it will give us a star in our crown in the kingdom of God. While talking with men about this truth, the starting tear shows that it touches the heart.
“’Tis sweet to work for Jesus,
There is resting by-and-by.”
Let us arouse and work zealously for the Lord. A. E. FLOWERS.
Johnson Co., Mo.
HOW NEAR!
“Now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.” Rom. 13:11.
How near, my soul, how near,
Thy heavenly home appears!
The hour of thy deliverance comes,
The end of struggling years.
How near that end, how near!
Rest, peace, and perfect love,
The end of care and pain;
All earthly losses swallowed up
In everlasting gain.
How near that rest, how near!
How near the latest sigh,
How near the latest tear;
Then Jesus on his Father’s throne
In glory shall appear.
How near that day, how near!
Soon shall these earthly scenes
Forever pass away,
And I my Saviour’s face shall see,
In light of endless day.
How near that sight, how near!
Shadows and earth-born clouds
Now intercept faith’s view;
Yet hope, midst all, expects to see
Jesus make all things new.
How near that change, how near!
A few more nights and days,
A few more fleeting hours,
Then adoration shall absorb
All my immortal powers.
How near that time, how near!