Earlier text: The AtonementCOMMUNICATION FROM SISTER WHITE.
By Ellen G. White
God is punishing this nation for the high crime of slavery. He has the destiny of the nation in his hands. He will punish the South for the sin of slavery, and the North for so long suffering its overreaching and overbearing influences. All heaven beholds with indignation, human beings, the workmanship of God, reduced to the lowest depths of degradation, and placed on a level with the brute creation by their fellow-men. And professed followers of that dear Saviour whose compassion was ever moved as he witnessed human woe, heartily engage in this enormous and grievous sin, and deal in slaves and souls of men. Angels have recorded it all. It is written in the book. The tears of the pious bond-men and bond-women, of fathers, mothers and children, brothers and sisters, are all bottled up in heaven. Agony, human agony, is carried from place to place, and bought and sold. God will restrain his anger but a little longer. His anger burns against this nation, and especially against the religious bodies who have sanctioned, and have themselves engaged in this terrible merchandise. Such injustice, such oppression, such sufferings, many professed followers of the meek and lowly Jesus can witness with heartless indifference. And many of them can inflict, with hateful satisfaction, all this indescribable agony themselves, and yet dare to worship God. It is solemn mockery, and Satan exults over it, and reproaches Jesus and his angels with such inconsistency, saying, with hellish triumph, Such are Christ's followers! These professed Christians read of the sufferings of the martyrs, and tears course down their cheeks. They wonder that men could ever possess hearts so hardened as to practice such inhuman cruelties toward their fellow-men, while at the same time they hold their fellow-men in slavery. And this is not all. They sever the ties of nature, and cruelly oppress from day to day their fellow-men. They can inflict most inhuman tortures with relentless cruelty, which would well compare with the cruelty papists and heathens exercised toward Christ's followers. It will be more tolerable for the heathen and for papists in the day of the execution of God's judgment than for such men. The cries and sufferings of the oppressed have reached unto heaven, and angels stand amazed at the hard-hearted, untold, agonizing suffering, man in the image of his Maker, causes his fellow-man. The names of such are written in blood, crossed with stripes, and flooded with agonizing, burning tears of suffering. God's anger will not cease until he has caused the land of light to drink the dregs of the cup of his fury. At the Roosevelt conference, when the brethren and sisters101were assembled on the day set apart for humiliation, fasting and prayer, Sabbath, Aug. 3, the Spirit of the Lord rested upon us, and I was taken off in vision, and shown the sin of slavery. Slavery has long been a curse to this nation. The fugitive slave law was calculated to crush out of man every noble, generous feeling of sympathy, that should arise in his heart for the oppressed and suffering slave. It was in direct opposition to the teaching of Christ. God's scourge now is upon the North, that they have so long submitted to the advances of the slave power. The sin of Northern pro-slavery men is great. They have strengthened the South in their sin, and sanctioned the extension of slavery, and acted a prominent part in bringing the nation into its present distressed condition. I was shown that many realize not the extent of the evil which has come upon us. They have flattered themselves that the national difficulties would soon be settled, and confusion and war end; but all will be convinced that there is more reality in the matter than was anticipated. Many have looked for the North to strike a blow, and the controversy be ended. I was pointed back to ancient Israel held in bondage by the Egyptians. The Lord wrought by Moses and Aaron to deliver the children of Israel. Miracles were performed before Pharaoh to convince him that they were especially sent of God to bid him to let Israel go. But Pharaoh's heart was hardened against the messengers of God, and he reasoned away the miracles performed by them. Then the Egyptians were made to feel God's judgments. They were visited by plagues. While suffering under the effect of the several plagues, Pharaoh consented to let Israel go. But as soon as the cause of their suffering was removed, his heart was hardened. His mighty men and counselors strengthened themselves against God and endeavored to explain the plagues as the result of natural causes. Each visitation from God was more severe than the preceding one, yet they would not release the children of Israel, until the angel of the Lord slew the first-born of the Egyptians. From the king upon the throne, down to the most humble and lowly, was there waiting and mourning. Then Pharaoh commanded to let Israel go. After the Egyptians had buried their dead, Pharaoh relented that he had let Israel go. His counselors and mighty men tried to account for their bereavement. They would not admit that the visitation or judgment was from God, and they pursued after the children of Israel. When the Israelites beheld the Egyptian host in pursuit, some upon horses and some in chariots, and equipped for war, their hearts failed them. The Red sea was before, the Egyptian host behind. They could see no way of escape. A shout of triumph burst from the Egyptians to find Israel completely in their power. The Israelites were greatly terrified. The Lord commanded Moses to bid the children of Israel go forward, to lift up the rod and stretch out his hand over the sea and divide it. He did so, and the sea parted and the children of Israel passed over dry shod. Pharaoh had so long withstood God, and hardened his heart against his mighty, wondrous works, that he in blindness rushed into the path God had miraculously prepared for his people. Again Moses was commanded to stretch forth his hand over the sea, "and the sea returned to his strength," and the waters covered the Egyptian host and they were drowned. This scene was presented before me to illustrate the selfish love of slavery, the desperate measures the South would adopt to cherish the institution, and the dreadful lengths to which they would go before they would yield. The dreadful system of slavery has reduced and degraded human beings to the level of the brutes, and the majority of slave-masters regard them as such. Their consciences have become seared and hardened as was Pharaoh's; and if compelled to release their slaves, their principles are unchanged, and they would make the slave feel their oppressive power if possible. It looked to me like an impossibility now for slavery to be done away. God alone can wrench the slave from the hand of his desperate, relentless oppressor. All the abuse and cruelty exercised toward the slave is justly chargeable to the upholders of the slave system, whether they be Southern men or Northern men. The North and the South were presented before me. The North have been deceived in regard to the South. They are better prepared for war than has been represented. Most of their men are well skilled in the use of arms, some of them from experience in battle, others from habitual sporting. They have the advantage of the North in this respect, but have not, as a general thing, the power of endurance and valor that Northern men have. I had a view of the late disastrous battle at Manassas, Va. It was a most exciting, thrilling, distressing scene. The Southern army had everything in their favor, and were prepared for a dreadful contest. The Northern army was moving on with triumph, not doubting but that they would be victorious. Many were reckless, and marched forward boastingly as though victory were already theirs. As they neared the battle-field, many were almost fainting through weariness and want of refreshment. They did not expect so fierce an encounter. They rushed into battle and fought bravely, desperately. The dead and dying were on every side. Both the North and the South suffered severely. The Southern men felt the battle, and in a little would have been driven back still further. Northern men were rushing on, although their destruction was very great. Just then an angel descended and waved his hand backward. Instantly there was confusion in their ranks. It appeared to the Northern men that their armies were retreating; when it was not in reality so; and a precipitate retreat commenced. It seemed wonderful to me. Then it was explained, that God had this nation in his own hand, and would suffer no victories to be gained faster than he ordained, and no more losses to the Northern men than in his wisdom he saw fit, to punish the North for their sin. And in this battle had the Northern army pushed the battle still further, in their fainting, exhausted condition, a far greater struggle and destruction awaited them, which would have caused great triumph in the South. God would not permit this, and sent an angel to interfere. The sudden falling back of the Northern troops was a mystery to all. They knew not that God's hand was in the matter. The destruction of the Southern army was so great that they had no heart to boast. The sight of the dead, dying and wounded gave them but little courage to triumph. This destruction, occurring when they had every advantage, and the North great disadvantage, caused them great perplexity. They know that if the North have an equal chance with them, victory is certain for the North. Their only hope is to occupy positions difficult of approach, and then have formidable arrangements to hurl destruction on every hand. The South have been strengthening themselves greatly since their rebellion first commenced. Then if active measures had been taken by the North, this rebellion would have been speedily crushed out. But that which was small at first has increased in strength and numbers until it is a most powerful rebellion. Other nations are intently watching this nation, for what purpose I was not informed, and are making great preparations for some event. The greatest anxiety now exists among our national men. They are in great perplexity. Pro-slavery men and traitors are in their very midst, and while they are professedly in favor of the Union, they have an influence in decisions, some of which even favor the South. I was shown the inhabitants of the earth in the utmost confusion. There was war, bloodshed, want, privation, famine and pestilence, in the land; and as these things were without, God's people began to press together, and cast aside their little difficulties. Self-dignity no longer controlled them. Deep humility took its place. Suffering, perplexity and privation, caused reason to resume its throne, and the passionate and unreasonable man became sane, and acted with discretion and wisdom. My attention was then called from the scene. There seemed to be a little time of peace. Then the inhabitants of the earth were again presented before me, and everything was in the utmost confusion again. Strife, war and bloodshed, with famine and pestilence, raged everywhere. Other nations were engaged in this confusion and war. War caused famine. Want and bloodshed caused pestilence. And then men's hearts will fail them for fear, "and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth." The unbelieving world will soon have something to think of besides their dress and appearance; and as their minds are torn from these things by distress and perplexity, they have nothing to turn to. They are not prisoners of hope, and therefore do not turn to the "Strong Hold." Their hearts will fail them for repining and fear. They have not made God their refuge, and he will not be their consolation then, but will laugh at their calamity, and mock when their fear cometh. They have despised and trampled upon the truths of God's word. They have indulged in extravagant dress, and have spent their lives in hilarity and glee. They have sown to the wind, they must reap the whirlwind. In the time of distress and perplexity of nations there will be many who have not given themselves wholly to the corrupting influences of the world and the service of Satan, who will humble themselves before God, and turn to him with their whole heart and find acceptance and pardon. Those among Sabbath-keepers who have been unwilling to make any sacrifice, but have yielded to the influence of the world, are to be tested and proved. The perils of these last days are upon us, and a trial is before the young which they have not anticipated. They are to be brought into most distressing perplexity. The genuineness of their faith will be proved. They profess to be looking for the coming of the Son of man, yet some of them have been a miserable example to unbelievers. They have not been willing to give up the world, but have united with them, have attended picnics, and other gatherings of pleasure, flattering themselves that they were engaged in innocent amusement. Yet I was shown that it was just such indulgences that separate them from God and make them children of the world. God owns not the pleasure or amusement seeker as his follower. He has given us no such example. Those only who are self-denying, and who live a life of sobriety, humility and holiness, are true followers of Jesus; and such cannot engage in and enjoy the frivolous, empty conversation of the lovers of the world. Isa. iii, was presented before me. I was shown that this prophecy has its application to these last days; and the reproofs are given to the daughters of Zion who have thought only of appearance and display. Read verse 25: "Thy men shall fall by the sword and thy mighty in the war." I was shown that this portion of Scripture will be strictly fulfilled. Young men and women professing to be Christians, yet having no Christian experience, and having borne no burdens, and felt no individual responsibility, are to be proved. They will be brought low in the dust, and long for an experience in the things of God, which they failed to obtain. *War lifts his helmet to his brow,
O God, protect thy people now.* A day of heart-rending anguish is before us. I was shown that pointed testimonies should be borne, and those who will come up to the help of the Lord, will receive his blessing. But Sabbath-keepers have a work to do. Hoops, I was shown, were an abomination, and every Sabbath-keeper's influence should be a rebuke to this ridiculous fashion, which has been a screen to iniquity. It arose from a house of ill-fame in Paris. Individuals were shown me who will despise instruction, even if it comes from heaven, and they will frame some excuse to avoid the most pointed testimony, and in defiance of all the light given, and testimony borne, will put on hoops because it is the fashion, and risk the consequences. I was shown that some have been fearing they should become Babylon if they organize; but the churches in Central New York have been perfect Babylon, confusion. And now unless the churches are so organized that they can carry out and enforce order, they have nothing to hope for in the future. They must scatter into fragments. Previous teachings have nourished the elements of disunion. A spirit has been cherished to watch and accuse, rather than to build up. If ministers of God would unitedly take their position and maintain it with decision, there would be a uniting influence among the flock of God. Separating bars would102be broken to fragments. Hearts would flow together and unite like two drops of water. Then there would be power and strength in the ranks of Sabbath-keepers far exceeding anything we have yet witnessed. The hearts of God's servants are made sad by meeting, as they journey from church to church, the opposing influence of other ministering brethren. Individuals have stood ready to oppose every step of advance God's people have made. Those who have dared to venture out have their hearts saddened and distressed by the lack of union of action on the part of their fellow-laborers. We are living in solemn times. Satan and evil angels are working with mighty power, with the world on their side to help them. And professed Sabbath-keepers, claiming to believe important, solemn truth, unite their forces with the combined influence of the powers of darkness to distract and tear down that which God designs to build up. Their influence is recorded as those who retard the work of advance and reform among God's people. The agitation of the subject of organization has revealed a great lack of moral courage on the part of ministers proclaiming present truth. Some who were convinced that organization was right failed to stand up boldly and advocate it. They let some few understand that they favored it. Was this all God required of them? No: he was displeased with their cowardly silence, and lack of action. They feared blame and opposition. They watched the brethren generally to see how their pulse beat before standing manfully for what they believed to be right. The people waited for the voice of their favorite minister in the truth, and because they could hear no response in favor from them, decided that the subject of organization was wrong. Thus the influence of some of the ministers was against this matter while they professed to be in favor. They were afraid of losing their influence. Some one must move here and bear responsibility, and venture his influence; and as he has become inured to censure and blame, he is suffered to bear it. His fellow-laborers who should stand by his side and take their share of the burden, are looking on to see how he succeeds in fighting the battle alone. But God marks his distress, his anguish, his tears, his discouragements and despair, while his mind is taxed almost beyond endurance; and as he is ready to sink, God lifts him up and points him to the rest for the weary, the reward for the faithful; and again he puts his shoulder under the heavy burden. I saw that all will be rewarded according as their works shall be. Those who shun responsibility will meet with loss in the end. The time for ministers to stand together is when the battle goes hard. Grass River, St. Law. Co., N. Y., Aug. 16, 1861. SABBATH and first-day, Aug. 10 and 11, we spent with the brethren at Mannsville, N. Y. The church here have passed through some severe trials since we visited them near two years ago. Then there was apparently a good state of union; but soon after some made Spiritual Gifts a test in this way: They would not hear their brethren, older in the message than themselves, say anything about them in meeting, so after some contention they left. The brethren had their choice, to shut out what they firmly believed to be from heaven, or to let those go who would bind their consciences in this respect, and manifest that spirit against the testimony of Jesus set forth in Rev. xii, 17. They took the wise course to secure a clean conscience, and give freedom to the spirit of truth. On Sabbath the meeting-house was full. Eld. Sumnerbell, Seventh-day Baptist, and Eld. Turner, no-Sabbath Adventist, were present. We spoke twice on the Sabbath, but much regretted that we were worn, weary and unwell at this meeting, which injured its interest. We decide that our time between meetings, when not traveling to appointments, must be spent in resting, instead of visiting and laboring from house to house. First-day we spoke twice to a full house. We felt that the blessing of God was with us. At the close of the afternoon service, the brethren enjoyed a more social season. Mrs. W. spoke in relation to what she had seen at Roosevelt in regard to church order, and the struggle of our nation, and its effect upon the cause. It was a season of interest. Second-day we met at Bro. Lowrey's with Bro. S. W. Rhodes. He deeply feels his past errors, and wants to be right. But he has so long wove into his confessions his ingenious manner of criminating others, and his masterly style of self-defense, that many really dread to have him attempt a public confession. And well they may. We told him his only hope was to let the cause of self go unpleaded, and confess his own wrongs. Not in public, for he could not resist the temptation to criminate others and defend self; but through the REVIEW, or by letter, or in private families, and let the Lord and the brethren plead his cause. It seems to us that the Spirit of God is unwilling to let this man go. We venture the assertion that his only hope is in confessing his own wrongs without touching the wrongs of others, or giving them the least advice in spiritual things. THE OBJECTS OF CHRIST'S DEATH.
By R. F. Cottrell
"Now, on the supposition in this case that the law had been as just as it was inexorable, what was needed, and what would have met the whole difficulty, was some device like an atonement—some arrangement by which the majesty of the law could be asserted and its proper influence secured, while at the same time the desire of the monarch's heart to release the offender could be gratified."—Barnes. The case referred to in the text is that of the princes and presidents of Babylon vs. Daniel, reported in the book of Daniel, chap. vi. For the context, the reader is referred to Review, Vol. xviii, No. 10, p. 74. I have heard a preacher, as soon as he had read his text, deny what the text asserted. But I can say that I believe the text, and shall proceed to its elucidation. I. The law of God is inexorable and equally just, demanding its penalty—the death of the transgressor. Hence the law cannot justify and save the sinner. This shows the need of an atonement. II. The objects of the atonement. On this part of the subject there is controversy. According to the text, the objects of the death of Christ are, 1. That the majesty of the law could be asserted. In this our author agrees with more ancient commentators. Jesus says, "Think not that I am come to destroy the law or the prophets; I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." Matt. v, 17, 18. Paul says, "Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid! Yea, we establish the law." Rom. iii, 31. But the objector considers the death of Christ as an "arrangement by which" the law might be abolished, or at least that a few jots and tittles might pass from it, before the passing of the heavens and the earth. 2. The second object of the atonement as given in the text is, that the "proper influence" of the law might be "secured." To secure the proper influence of the law is to secure its obedience. But an abolished law demands no obedience. It should have no influence whatever. On this point our Saviour says, as a conclusion drawn from what he had said of the law, as above quoted, "Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven," &c. Paul also agrees with our text. Says he, "For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin (transgression of the law) in the flesh; that the righteousness (precept, Whiting) of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Rom. viii, 3, 4. Again, "What then? shall we sin (transgress the law) because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin (transgression of the law) unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?" Rom. vi, 15, 16. James teaches christians to obey the "whole law," but I will not take time and tax your patience to quote his testimony. James i, 22-25; ii, 8-13. 3. If an arrangement can be made by which the majesty of the law can be asserted, and the future obedience of the sinner secured, "the desire of the Monarch's heart to release the offender can be gratified." The grateful heart wants God to be pleased in his salvation as well as himself. But it would seem that those who meddle with the law, to abolish or change it, are seeking to find how far they can please themselves, and how little they may do to obey God, and yet be saved. The atonement will not reach them, because its objects are not attained, in their case. They exclude themselves from the benefits of the atonement, because they dishonor and oppose the "majesty of the law," will not let it have its "proper influence" upon them, and seek their own will and pleasure, instead of the will and pleasure of the great Monarch of the universe, who would be highly gratified in their salvation, provided it could be effected in a way that "the majesty of the law could be asserted and its proper influence secured."
R. F. COTTRELL. MEETINGS IN POTTEN, C. E.
By A. S. Hutchins
DEAR BRO. WHITE: Under the labors of Bro. Evans, there has been some interest awakened in the cause of present truth, in Potten, this summer. A few have embraced the Sabbath of the Lord. There has been, and still is, bitter opposition to the truth in that place. I have spent one Sabbath and two first-days there since Bro. Evans left. While there first, I had an appointment to preach in the school-house on first-day, but the night previous to this the old school-house was burned down, it was believed purposely. This suspicion was heightened from the fact that the school-books were all carried across the road and safely laid away. But this neither discouraged nor prevented us from holding our meeting. Aug. 4, Elds. Merrill and Blake, who had left their flock here for weeks, came to settle the minds of the people on the Sabbath question, by showing that the first day is the Sabbath for the gospel dispensation. reached the place about the time Eld. Merrill was commencing the difficult task, upon which he entered in good earnest. His positions were new, and important, if correct. He attempted to prove, first, that the seventh-day Sabbath was a type of the rest which the Jews would have enjoyed, had they received Christ at his first advent; but as they did not, both the type and the proffered rest were lost. Second, that the seventh-day Sabbath was then changed to the first-day, which is the type of our future rest. As might be expected, Eld. M.'s stroke against the Sabbath killed all the ten commandments. This was a terrible slaughter to prove the expiration of a type and the change of the same, but how could this otherwise be effected? As these discourses closed we found we were left in midnight darkness as to the number of the commandments now binding, and as to how and by whom they became obligatory. I gave notice that I should review these discourses at 5 P. M., the same day, and invited the preachers to be present and hear for themselves, but they did not come. The hall in which these discourses were preached was refused us, but a dwelling-house was opened in which I spoke with freedom to a goodly number of friends, nearly all of whom are satisfied that we have the truth on the Sabbath question. May the Lord help others to walk in the light while they have it. Now is the time to endure persecutions and hardships for the cause of our divine Master; but soon the time will come for the faithful to reign with him. O, may we be of that number. GOOD WORKS.
By Isaac Sanborn
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." Eph. ii, 10. Dear reader, let us look at some things in the above text, which I think are applicable to us all. How are we created in Christ Jesus? Answer: By putting away old things, or our own ways, and becoming new creatures [2 Cor. v, 17], and walking in the ways that God has foreordained that we should walk in. To illustrate: God has foreordained that we should remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy, which is a good work, as all must admit. And not only should we keep the fourth commandment, but all the other nine, which are also good works, before ordained of God for us to walk in. But is this all? No. See 1 John ii, 23. And this is his commandment that we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ. Paul adds in 1 Cor. xv, 3, that Christ died for our sins, that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day, according to the scriptures. But will it do simply to assent to this by saying we believe it? No. Paul says [Rom. vi, 17], God be thanked that ye (or that though ye) were the servants of sin, ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. This form we understand is clearly brought to view in the first five verses of this same chapter, as follows: What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we that are dead to sin (or transgression of the law, which is sin) live any longer therein? Now comes the form of doctrine: Know ye not that so many of us as were (or have been) baptized into Jesus Christ, were baptized into his death; therefore we are buried (not sprinkled nor poured), with him by baptism into death. This will prove our faith genuine and perfect, and is one of the good works ordained of God that we should walk in; for Jesus says, Go teach all nations, baptizing them; and he also says, As the Father said unto me, so I speak. This then is another good work for us to walk in. But is this all? No; Paul says [Heb. x, 25], Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as ye see the day approaching. This then is another good work. But do we see the day approaching? Yes. Do we not see that it hasteth greatly? Dear reader, are you preparing for the great day? May God help you to get ready, by watching and praying, lest you enter into temptation, and the enemy make you think there is plenty of time to seek a preparation for that great and notable day of the Lord. May God grant that we may all get ready, by obeying the truth, and be saved with his people in his kingdom.
ISAAC SANBORN.
Davis, Ills. God's Truth Cannot Be Overthrown
It is a grand thought that no force on earth can permanently set up a lie; and the combined energies of the world never can pull down God's truth. “Then they that feared the Lord, spake often one to another.” DEAR BRO. WHITE: I wish to say through the Review, a few words to the brethren generally in regard to my past and present position on the subject of organization. I would here confess that in feeling and judgment I have been opposed to organization as my brethren have been laboring to carry it forward. I have in two or three instances in meeting, and more frequently in private conversation with brethren, spoken against it. In so doing I now see that my influence has been against those who have been laboring hard to advance the cause of present truth, thus increasing their burdens, and especially the burdens of Bro. and sister White. I now deeply regret the course I have taken. I design to profit by the correction I have recently received, and design in future to be found in unison with my brethren in the work of organization, as well as in all other portions of the work of present truth. I would ask forgiveness of all that have been grieved by my course on this subject, and would say to any that I may have influenced against organization, that I wish to remove that influence, and to invite them to unite with the brethren in this work. Yours in hope of immortality. Waiting for Jesus the Life-Giver
By Wm. T. Henton
Bro. White: It has been now about sixteen months since I commenced keeping all the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. I can say to-day that I bless the Lord for the present truth, and give glory to his holy name for what he has done for us, and for what he is still doing for us. I feel encouraged to go on, as I see the fulfilling signs around on every hand. It is enough to encourage the follower of Christ. It is enough to encourage us to mount up above the trials of this unfriendly world. Soon our Saviour will come and will not tarry. Our Saviour told his disciples on the mount of Olives, as recorded in Matt. xxiv, that he would come again, and it would be as in the days of Noah. How was it in the days of Noah? Was he not preaching the coming of a great flood, and the destruction of all the wicked? and how few believed. Just so now. God's messengers are preaching the coming of Jesus, and how few believe. O, let us take warning by these words of our Saviour, and try to gain an inheritance in the earth made new. I can say that God is on the giving hand. Let us turn to the Lord and he will turn to us, and let us resist the Devil and he will flee from us. Yours waiting for Jesus the Life-giver.
WM. T. HENTON. PERILOUS TIMES.
By E. W. DARLING.
Living in perilous times,
Knowing that danger is nigh,
Seeing an increase of crimes,
Help I would ask from on high. Snares without number are laid,
Satan with power has come down,
He and his angels invade
Those who would seek for a crown. Father and Friend of the youth,
Guide on my desolate way;
Lead me in mercy and truth,
Teach me to watch and to pray. Wisdom of thee I would ask,
Words at thy bountiful hand;
A heart to perform every task,
Strength to be able to stand. So in thy kingdom at last,
Happy, immortal and free,
Sorrows and dangers all past,
I shall be ever with thee.
E. W. DARLING.
Wawkon, Iowa. WHO IS HE THAT CONDEMNETH?
The believer, as one with Jesus, as interested in the perfect work of Jesus, as stamped with the image of Jesus, stands before God acquitted from all charge, free from all blame, and forever exempt from condemnation. His debts are all paid; his obligations are all met. He has a perfect righteousness; he is complete in Christ. Who, then, will condemn him? Will God the Father? No; for he has laid all his sins on Jesus, punished all his sins in Jesus, and exacted full payment for all his sins at the hands of Jesus. He liberated the Surety from the prison, and sent forth the Substitute from the tomb, to show that he was well pleased for his righteousness' sake. Will Jesus condemn him? Never: he preferred dying for him to condemning him. Condemn him! why, he is the purchase of his blood, the object of his highest love, and a member of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. Will the Holy Spirit condemn him? No; for he witnessed the obedience and death of Jesus as his substitute, he sprinkled the peace-speaking blood on his conscience, and testified to his acquittal at the bar of God. Will Satan? Yes, gladly would Satan do so, but he is not admitted into court; as a proved liar, his testimony will not be received; and as cast out by the Lord of life and glory, he has no power. “Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea, rather, that has risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” Oh the mystery of grace! though we condemn ourselves, and see enough in our hearts and in our conduct to condemn a thousand worlds, yet we are not, can not be condemned! Condemned! we are justified,—justified from all things, justified forever. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Rom. viii, 1.—Sel. GIDEON G. DUNHAM
By Gideon G. Dunham
DEAR BRO. WHITE: While reading the many interesting letters from brethren and sisters I feel like speaking a few words in like manner. If we cannot praise God under the third angel's message, I fear we never shall; for the wrath of God is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation upon all who do not heed the message. I feel to praise God for giving me a heart to obey his truth, for his goodness and mercy unto me for forgiving my sins, for the blessings I daily receive, for his love shed abroad in my heart. Dear brethren and sisters, I want to so live on earth that I may join in that praise spoken of in Revelation xix. That will be perfect, glorious, praise—the praise of the redeemed. My heart fills with joy and gratitude while thinking of that glorious time. O may none of us who profess the third angel's message fail of joining in that praise. We shall not fail if we heed the holy word. It is said in Isaiah xl, 31, "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, and walk and not faint." It is my heart's desire and prayer to God that I may overcome every sin, and wait upon the Lord to the end. He that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved. Matt. xxiv, 13. We believe the end to be near, and so much the more need have we to wait upon the Lord; for we are to be found at the coming of Jesus without fault before the throne of God. Rev. xiv, 5. There is a great work before us to do. We have no time to lose, and while peace and safety is the cry of many, let us, dear brethren and sisters, help to make up the little flock that shall receive the kingdom. If we are able to enter the kingdom, all tears will be wiped from our eyes. Never again will we have to lay our friends away in the silent grave; for they can die no more. Luke xx, 36; Rev. xxi, 4. For the former things are passed away. Add to this the society of bright angels, at whose presence righteous men in this life have stood with fear and trembling, the society of all the righteous of earth, with Jesus for our king, whose countenance is like the sun shining in his strength, besides the glory of the great God, so much above the glory of the sun that the great city hath no need of them, for the glory of God doth lighten it. Praise be to the Lord. Dear brethren and sisters, could we ask for more glorious promises than the good word tells us of? Nay, I think not. There can be no greater. Then let us look up and strive to cast away from us all things that would bind us down to earth, and have our minds placed on things above, which are pure, which are heavenly and eternal. Striving for the Kingdom
By A. Johnson
Bro. White: I take my pen to say a few words through the Review to the saints scattered abroad. I am still striving for the kingdom. I believe we are living in the last days, and I desire to be found with the remnant people of God, keeping all the commandments, and having the faith of Jesus. I am striving for a closer walk with God. The Review is a welcome visitor, as it is the only preacher we have. We would be glad to receive any of the messengers of present truth any time they can come this way. For truly the harvest is great, but the laborers are few. Pray for me, brethren and sisters, that I may be an overcomer. Bro. S. Warner writes from Providence, R. I.: "I trust in God that he will overrule these war times and their effects for our good and to his own glory. I hope the good cause of Jesus will continue to go on, redeeming sinners, and bringing them to the knowledge of the truth, as now brought out in the third angel's message. I feel to continue therein as far as in me lies; and with the help of my Lord and Master I hope to be with him in his kingdom. Blessed be his holy name! Brethren, I hope to meet you all there, and then we shall be acquainted with each other."