Earlier text: BOTH SIDES OF THE SABBATH QUESTIONWould He Have Believed?
By Dudley Marvin Canright
A SHORT time since, I was detained over night with a man who had a copy of “The Prince of the House of David.” He extolled it very highly as being a most excellent book, and wished me to read a chapter. I complied with his request, and read the conversation of Rabbi Amos and John, disciples of Jesus, with the learned Gamaliel and his disciple Saul, who were unbelievers. All these had just witnessed the baptism of Jesus, when the Spirit rested upon him, and the voice came from Heaven in fulfillment of the Scriptures. Ps. ii, 7; Isa. xi, 2; xlii, 1. The former urged these signs as a proof that Jesus was the Christ. The latter tried to account for them on some natural principle, as unbelievers always do. Saul said that doubtless the voice was produced by a sorcerer whom he observed to be in the crowd. They also objected that, according to the scripture, Micah v, 2, the Christ must come out of Bethlehem, and of the seed of David, Ps. cxxxii, 11, which they supposed was not true of Jesus. They said if he had fulfilled these conditions, they might begin to have faith in him. But when John and Rabbi Amos proved that Jesus was born at Bethlehem in Judea and of the house of David, they were not so ready to believe as they had professed themselves; but still objected that there were many born in Bethlehem of Judea and of the seed of David, who were nevertheless not all Christs, thus unwittingly objecting to the very proof they had demanded. Here my host remarked, How blind Gamaliel and Saul were, and what very flimsy and senseless objections they opposed to the plain, convincing proofs that Jesus was the Christ. He thought any one must have been bigoted indeed who could not see the fulfillment of the prophecies in Jesus and his mission. I then asked him if he thought that he would have believed if he had been there, and had seen all those signs? Oh yes, he knew that he would have believed with half the evidence. Thinking this a good opportunity to introduce present truth, I asked if he would believe the signs of Christ's second coming if they were as plainly fulfilled as those of his first advent? Certainly he would when they were fulfilled; though he did not think they were yet. I then took the Bible and read concerning the signs in the sun, moon, and stars, which were to precede the second coming of Christ. Although he could not deny that these signs had transpired, and even said that he had often heard his parents speak of the falling stars in 1833, yet he was not willing to believe that Jesus was soon coming. We then noticed the other signs, such as the warlike attitude of the nations, the phenomenon of modern Spiritualism, the three messages of Rev. xiv, the visions of Daniel, &c., &c. To all these he replied, “It may be as you say; but we can't tell anything about it. Any smart man may get up a theory, and make it look plausible enough. If I were as well versed in the Bible as some are, probably I could explain it in an entirely different way, and make it look just as plain.” I seriously questioned the truthfulness of the statement that he would have believed the signs of the first advent if he had seen them. The Jews did fix up the prophecies, and explain away the signs so as not to recognize Jesus as the Christ; but they did it to their own destruction. He thought that he could do the same with the present signs of the times if he was only smart enough. I could but admonish him of the fate of his predecessors whom he had just condemned for the same action. But this man is not an exception; he has plenty of brethren to assist him in his arduous and perilous task. We meet almost daily with professors who are very liberal in their condemnation of the Jews because they rejected the first advent of Christ. Nevertheless, they obstinately close their eyes to the signs pointing to his second coming, which are now pouring in upon us from the heavens, the earth, the moral, religious, and political, worlds. Was there, according to the prophecy, Isa. xl, 3, one solitary voice raised in the wilderness of Judea, Matt. iii, 3, to announce the first advent? So, in obedience to the injunction, Joel ii, 1, hundreds have sounded throughout the four quarters of the globe, the glorious news of the second advent. Was the first advent definitely located at a certain period by one prophecy? Dan. ix, 25-27. Behold, we have numerous chains of prophecy locating the second advent, all terminating within a few years of the present time. See Dan. ii, vii, viii, ix, xi, xii; Matt. xxiv; 2 Thess. ii; Rev. xii, xiii, &c. Was the first advent heralded by the appearance of one star which was seen by a few men? Matt. ii, 2. Many prophets, Isa. xiii, 10; Joel ii, 10, 31; Matt. xxiv, 23; Rev. vi, 13, have predicted as a sign of the second advent, a great phenomenon of the stars which has been seen by millions. Thus we see that many signs which proclaimed the first advent were to appear with vastly increased power to usher in the second. If men will not heed these signs when they are fulfilled before their eyes, what will they heed? I greatly fear that nothing but the voice of God, Heb. xii, 26, will ever awake them from that fatal slumber into which they have been betrayed by the cry of peace and safety. Report from Bro. Fuller.
By N. Fuller
BRO. WHITE: After writing my last report, I continued meetings until February 4th. Several more came out, and are keeping all the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. Feb. 6th, I attended meeting in Ulysses, we had a profitable season for the church. The 13th, met with the church in Alleghany Co. N. Y. Bro. A. Lanphear, has spoken of the interest of this meeting, which I trust will long be remembered by the church. The 16th, commenced meetings on Night Creek, eight miles from Wellsville, in company with Eld. Baker. We continued meetings until the first day of March. The interest seemed to be favorable. Twelve as near as I could ascertain arose when a vote was taken to see how many would keep all the commands of God, just as they were written. I have learned since they were not all keeping the Sabbath, that promised. Oh may the Lord help them to take173hold of his covenant and keep all his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life and enter in through the gates into the city. But the work is not done there yet I trust. Two copies of the Review are sent there. March 5th, attended quarterly meeting in Ulysses, Pa. This meeting was one of deep interest to the church. Some were expecting to go West. We did not all expect to meet again on the shores of mortality, and we shall not as circumstances have since turned, in all probability. After the above meeting I went to Farmington and held a few meetings. Organized a church of ten members, March 13th. Two more were ready to join, making 12 in all. This church adopted the plan of Systematic Benevolence. Bro. O. P. Rice, was set apart to the office of Elder. Bro. R. is approved of God, and his brethren; and if the few in Farmington, could have had his influence, as their leader, they no doubt would have been saved from the distracted state into which they had fallen. Organization, the very thing we foolishly fought against, is doing what nothing else could for the remnant church. Oh may the Lord speed on the work of gathering and bringing into order until the last saint is prepared for the coming of the Just One. Report from Bro. Bourdeau.
By D. T. Bourdeau
Bro. White : The coming of Brn. Loughborough and Pierce was timely, and their labors among us were appreciated. We felt like saying, Speak, Lord, through whom thou wilt, only let thy name be glorified. Let the cause advance, and the church be strengthened, and encouraged and built up in their most holy faith. Sabbath, the 12th inst., met with the Richford church in Sutton, C. E. Had a good time in speaking on true conversion. Three of the youth took a stand for the truth. As I returned home I learned that my brother had enjoyed freedom with the church in Fairfield, and that one more had spoken in favor of the truth. Last Sabbath, met again with the Richford church, and dwelt on some of those characteristics which make us a peculiar people. I also tried to show the difference between the present work and the work of the nominal churches. I was glad to see the youth still encouraged to press on with God's people. Yesterday (Sunday), had a free time in reviewing a discourse by a Methodist revival preacher on the reasons for keeping the first day. We were encouraged in seeing the interest manifested by the brethren in scattering our works. Hope that good will result from this effort to defend the truth.
D. T. Bourdeau. Report from Bro. Sanborn.
By Isaac Sanborn
PURSUANT to appointment I commenced meetings at Elkhorn Grove, Ills., where Bro. R. F. Andrews had previously given a course of lectures, the result of which was that quite a number commenced keeping the Sabbath, and living the truth. I protracted the meetings two weeks. Bro. Andrews assisted me much at these meetings. The meetings closed the third of April, with the following results : fourteen were baptized, and a church of twenty-one members organized, with S. B. fund of $200 a year. I speak not to flatter when I say that I never have seen a company of Sabbath-keepers so young in the cause who were so determined to receive the whole truth, and to live it out in their daily walk and conversation, as these are. I trust they will all be faithful to the end. I sold at this meeting about $18 worth of books, notwithstanding Bro. Andrews had previously sold about $40 worth. I also got two new subscribers for the Review. I consider it a very profitable meeting to us all. I trust all will be faithful to the end, that we may all stand on mount Zion with the 144,000. I arrived at Johnstown Center in time for the quarterly meeting the 9th and 10th, which was thinly attended on account of the rain and bad going. I gave two sermons, and baptized five, and four were added to the church. Others are deeply interested. May the Lord help them, is my prayer. This Week's Review
By Editor
THIS WEEK'S REVIEW.—Bro. Smith is still patiently following Eld. Preble in a pointed, yet Christian style. We hope all will give his review a careful reading. We say read both sides critically. True, we tax your time and patience in re-printing the lengthy quotations in Eld. Preble's articles, which have no bearing on the subject. But he has his way in presenting the subject, and as we proposed to give both sides complete, we earnestly invite you to patiently read both sides. The reports from preachers this week are few and brief, but to the point, and deeply interesting. In all such reports the facts of interest only, should be fully and clearly stated; in as few words as possible, if they occupy but ten lines. Never try to fill your sheet; but write to the point, and when you have said all you have to say, stop. It would be exceedingly interesting to the readers of the Review to hear from all these messengers each week, or at most once in two weeks. The good words from the pens of Brn. Gurney, Sawyer, Canright, Saunders and others, are worthy of especial attention. We want the paper filled with original matter—not wishy-washy, wordy, dreamy, prosy, but—full of life, in fewest words that can fully express living thoughts. Many thanks to the friend who sent in the selection entitled, "A Cheerful View of the Future." We hope it will do the complaining, whining, murmuring, much good, and lead them to be cheerful and happy in God. Such a selection is worth more than forty miserably written articles. To you who wish to contribute something for the Review, and cannot spend time to get good pen, ink and paper, and write with care, we recommend the scissors. Clip from your reading matter such good articles as "A Cheerful View of the Future," and forward them to this office and receive our thanks. It will be seen by the communication from sister Curtiss that a good man has fallen. God bless the widow and the fatherless children. Obituary notices, this week, are many and short. Some of them have been delayed, on account of their length, for several weeks. We finally decided to cut them down about nine-tenths, and publish them. Such notices, to secure insertion, must be brief. Those who wish to give a sketch of the life, last sickness and death of their friends, should publish a book. The Review must be as free as possible from local and personal matters, and filled with matter of general, living interest. Bro. E. B. Saunders speaks for himself. It seems that he is not turning Spiritualist. It was reported in Battle Creek that he and the Church at Eagle Harbor, N. Y., had sent for Eld. Hull to come and lecture to them on the subject of Spiritualism. The simple facts in the case are these: There is no Church at Eagle Harbor, and Bro. Saunders' correspondence with us has been more expressive of Christian affection, and of living, humble faith, since the apostasy of M. H., than at any other time for the last five years. A Cheerful View of the Future.
Some people are very curious about the future. They want to know what is to be, and hence, they consult fortune-tellers, and believe in notable signs, dreams, lucky days, and kindred vagaries. They are the descendants of the ancient astrologers and necromancers. They may be quite happy in the superstitious view which they take of time to come, but their happiness does not arise from proper ideas of life. There is a class, however, who seldom look forward with any degree of satisfaction. They are almost sure to behold portentous evils. They may not trust in dreams, or consult in fortune-tellers, but imaginary evils exert a wonderful influence over them. There is always some bitter experience in reserve for them. They see it as a reality. At home some ill is yet to befall themselves or families—they will be sick, or poor, or experience some other unknown something that is grievous. Abroad, the cars will meet with some serious accident, or the steamboat sink or burn. And when a painful experience actually comes, they say, "It is just what I have been expecting for a long time. My mind was made up." They really appear to derive a kind of satisfaction from sad events when they are nothing more than they had long anticipated. Even some professing Christians are found among this class. Forgetting the Divine injunction, "Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof," they create imaginary troubles, that darken their minds and sadden their hearts. Though professing to believe that God governs the world in infinite love and wisdom, they behave as if all things were subject to blind chance alone. Contentment! that sweet, angelic grace, that converts the human heart as by magic, into a paradise of peace, so that even great clouds of darkness become light, and arrows of pain are sharpened with love—they scarcely know or care what it means. They never were content like Paul, and they never expect to be. That apostolic character presents a singular contrast with themselves, and perhaps they view it with a kind of distrust; thinking after all, that it is one thing to preach and another to practice contentment. At any rate, if their conduct is not strange for professing Christians, then Paul must have been an odd man, content as he was with even stripes and imprisonments. Trial after trial came to him, day after day, until it seemed as if the Future had nothing in store for him, and yet he was content—a cheerful happy man. There are some followers of Christ now who resemble Paul. They are content because they "commit their ways to the Lord." They have faith, and therefore they never yield to despondency, by creating imaginary evils. They have made up their minds to take things just as God sends them, so that thay have no reason to imagine evil. They leave trouble to the Lord's disposal, well satisfied that "All things work together for good to them that love him." They feel that he has governed the world very well in the Past, and have confidence that he will in the Future; therefore as they look forward, cheerfulness comes into their hearts, as an angel of peace. "Whose trusteth in the Lord shall be safe;" they know it from happy experience, they feel it clear down in their hearts. The skeptic may press them with arguments which they cannot answer, but it does not shake them from this strong hold. They have tried the promise, and found it true in letter and spirit, and ten thousand skeptics cannot darken their minds at this point. They are very much like the simple, good woman, who "didn't know what anybody wanted of a God if it wasn't to trust in." So they trust in him, and look forward with a glad heart. A cheerful view of the future is alone consistent with a true Christian life. "What," says one, "do you mean that the widow, in her abode of want and wo, with a brood of little ones to care for, should take this cheerful view? May she not be excused, though a Christian, in cherishing some doubts about the future? No doubt some sad thoughts will obtrude themselves upon her mind, but if true faith in God triumphs over her adversity, she will love to anticipate to-morrow, and next week, and next year, just because he who doeth all things well, will be there to rule. Her heart rejoices in the view, and if she be poor, with many dependent ones around her, it is about all the cheerful view she can have in this dark world. So that we say, yes; the poor widow, however hard her lot, must trust in the widow's God, and be very thankful and happy, too, that there is a widow's God for her. What else can she do? Will she be any better or happier, have any more bread for hungry mouths, or grope in lesser darkness by foreboding evil? Certainly not. Then wisdom, not to say Christianity, bids her take this cheerful view of time to come. And the same is true of every probationer, though nothing but clouds and storm meet his anxious gaze. The believer can but see that such a view of the future, alone, is honorable to God. He is the sovereign Ruler and disposer of events. All things are ordered by him. He doth his pleasure in the armies of Heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth. His wisdom and goodness are concerned in whatsoever come to pass. Not a sparrow falls to the ground without his notice. Even the very hairs of our head are all numbered by him. He "careth" for us. This is the believer's creed. Can he forbode evil, and live in sadness, because he beholds no light in his path, without dishonoring God? Whether designed or not, his doubts and forebodings imply that God will order or allow something that will not be for the best—that all things will not work together for good to the faithful. Here is the sin of distrust. The saints should ever keep in view that sublime and cheering truth—"Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, to-day and forever." However sad the vicissitudes of his life, or frowning the future, there is one direction in which he may turn, and behold no change. While earthly thrones and governments may be overthrown by the revolutions of time or the assaults of contending armies, the throne and reign of his Master and King are eternal. Revolutions will not jostle it; time will not remove its foundations; it will stand from everlasting to everlasting. His fellow-men may be "unstable as water," blown about by every wind of doctrine, betraying his confidence as often as it is reposed in them, and causing him to feel that human nature is a cheat and a lie. But the Master whom he serves is the same through every age. His word is sure as law, his promise certain as destiny, his character changeless as his throne—"The same yesterday, to-day and forever!" How satisfactory, to contemplate the unwavering career of even mortal man! one who is never moved from right by the wiles and treacheries, the allurements and threats of a wicked world; who pursues the even tenor of his way, turning neither to the right hand nor left, true to himself, his race and his God! He stands a pillar of strength amid the shifting, changing crowds of humanity around him. He inspires confidence and hope in desponding breasts, and clusters thousands of hopeful hearts around himself. And then how sadly disappointed when relentless death strikes him to the dust! Yet the fatal blow may fall at any moment, and this pillar of society be toppled down. Think, then, of Him who is "the same yesterday, to-day and forever." Come joy or sorrow, health or sickness, life or death, He is the same, ever-present, ever-living, ever-faithful Friend and Ruler. Love once bestowed upon him is never disappointed by a blow from the Destroyer. Faith once reposed in him is never cheated by fitful purposes. This is abundant cause for looking cheerfully into the future. "The Lord is my strength, I will not fear though the earth be removed, and the mountains be cast into the midst of the sea."—Happy Home. The Signs of These Days.
By John Taylor
MATTHEW xxiv, 12 reads, "Iniquity shall abound." 1 Tim. vi, 10. "The love of money is the root of all evil." 2 Tim. iii, 1-5. "In the last days perilous times shall come. Men shall be covetous, . . . unholy, . . . fierce, traitors, . . . lovers of pleasures," etc. Jeremiah xxiii, 29-33. It would appear from the following that the above scriptures are being fulfilled to the very letter at the present time. Says the Portland Transcript of Jan. 23d, 1864, in a leading article on Bible Dishonesty:— "One of the dark features of the present war, is the immense amount of dishonesty . . . permeating every department of the public service, thieves in the treasury, thieves shaking hands with rebels (traitors) in the Custom House, everywhere men defrauding the government, a general grab-game, and he who gets the most is the best fellow. If by mistake a fraudulent contractor is clapped into jail, a three-thousand-dollar bribe brings a Senator to his aid, and he is soon at large again. This is a dark picture, and in contemplating it one is forced to ask, Is public virtue dead? Is there no honesty?" Dr Wayland on the times, said, "Where iniquity abounds, the love of many is apt to wax cold, and the Spirit to depart. Such evils threaten us. Prodigious sins are at work in our nation. No one can tell what course it is best things should take." "Human wisdom is vanity. It is powerless at the problem of this crisis." Says the Boston Traveler of Oct. 6th, 1863, Lord Clarence Paget, (of England,) says, "An agonized world waits to hear what this crisis portends." Says the New York Herald of Jan. 16th, 1864, "M. Thiers (of France) thinks that the present policy of France may entail upon Europe a general war; which shall last beyond the time of the present generation." And the Portland Advertiser of Jan. 25th, 1864, on the news from Europe, from the London Times, says of the German war, "It must before long sweep in its ever widening vortex every power of the European continent." Says the Herald of Jan. 30th, 1864: "The Mexican question has assumed a new phase in France, . . . and given Napoleon the opportunity to enter into the coming contest, in Europe, with the forces at his command untrammeled, as expressed through their representatives, that he may be ready for the great struggle which it is now almost impossible for Europe to escape. All the powers of Europe are assuming a most formidable aspect, when all Europe shall be convulsed with a general war." Says the New York Herald of Feb. 6th, 1864, on the news from Europe, "The new French loan of twelve millions met with an extraordinary success. The applications within a few days amounted to one hundred and sixty millions, or eight times the amount required." So it appears the treasures of gold and silver are at his command. Now what do we find in our country? Said Rev. J. E. Rankin, before the united Congregational churches at Lowell, on twelfth page of his discourse, "This war is a judgment of God for our atheism and infidelity. We have legalized it, and set to it the seal of State." Fourteenth page. "This system of oppression which has caused our war, atheism has culminated." Says O. A. Bronson, "We are drifting away from Christianity," and he expects that when we shall have parted with its doctrines we shall abandon its morality, especially in what relates to the sanctity of marriage. Hence the following in the Washington Star, D. C. of Nov. 30th, in an article on the morals of Washington,174—"A resolution was introduced, stating that houses of prostitution and gambling cannot be successfully prohibited. The joint committee suggest amendments to license and regulate such houses." One member stated that "prostitution was horribly on the increase." Another member arose and said, "The members of Congress are the best customers of such places." Says another paper, "War sadly demoralizes." And we should think so by the following advice in a piece called, "The War Cry," in Zion's Herald of Dec. 23d, "Arise! gird on your armor strong! Grasp sword and bayonet. March onward in Jehovah's strength. Your souls on victory set. Fight till your country's soil shall drink the last fell traitor's gore." Now for the effect. See Boston Journal of July 9th. Carleton, on the battle of Gettysburg, says: "It rained shot and shell, knocking over the marble slabs in the cemetery, disemboweling horses, tearing up the graves. The air was full of wild, hideous noises. The low buzz of round shot, whizzing of the elongated rifle bolts, screaming and screeching, the sharp stunning explosion of shells overhead and all around; the earth shook with the tremendous concussions of two hundred pieces of artillery, the enemy came with cheers and yells, like Indians sounding a war-whoop; they rushed upon our guns, we blew them from the muzzles, and filled the air with legs, heads, and arms. Still they came with demoniac screams. The rebels rushed up to the rifle pits, men nerved themselves for desperate efforts. It was the fury of tigers. Foes became impaled on each other's bayonets, and fell to the ground together." This was Thursday's fight. He then gives Friday's: "The lines mingled there were a confused mass of men. Swords were swinging in the air. There were pistol shots, musket shots, bursting shells, tornadoes of grape and canister; there were cuts, thrusts, explosions, flashes, clouds of smoke, yells, curses, groans, hurrahs, an infernal uproar, men falling, heads blown off, arms and legs blown into the air,—a horrid indescribable scene of confusion, carnage, death, . . . horrible to behold." Speaking of another part of the battle he says, "It begins, the infernal din and uproar, three hundred guns firing with the utmost rapidity. You see the attacking forces, solid shot flow through them,—shells make great gaps, men toss their arms wildly and fall headlong. Still on, up to the muzzles of the guns,—they are blown away, mangled torn, piled in heaps,—they melt away, you cannot burn straw in a candle flame with greater rapidity, the ground is thick with dead, they lie thick as fallen leaves of autumn." Oh! hail happy day! which ends all the gory scenes of earth, when the blood-stained garments will be changed to robes of righteousness. This tottering, reeling earth dies hard, but prophecy declares such shall be its last hours of life. When the Prince of peace comes, the will of God will be done on earth as it is done in heaven. Oh! who would not pray, "Thy kingdom comes?"—JOHN TAYLOR, in World's Crisis. The Lord Told Me.
By A. J. Richmond
"The Lord told me that I could keep Sunday, and I shall do so till he tells me not to." Thus spoke a Methodist friend, after hearing lectures on present truth. Upon being asked what he thought of the Sabbath question, he said, "I have been stirred up on the Sabbath question before, and the Lord told me I could keep Sunday." He had become satisfied by conversing and reading upon the subject, that the Sabbath was binding, and ought to be kept. It seems the cross was so great he could not obey the truth, but must have something to quiet his conscience, therefore he got away in secret to call upon the Lord for help. Help to do what? Keep the Sabbath and obey the truth, which he acknowledged to be binding? No. But if it was not time for him to commence keeping the Sabbath, and if the Lord wanted him to go on keeping Sunday, to let him be blessed. The blessing came, he was confirmed in his error, rejected the truth, has since listened to a course of lectures, and while his neighbors and relatives have received the truth, and are rejoicing in the light, his heart has grown hard, and he now takes the position that the ten commandments are abolished. This case reminded me of a brother that we heard one of the messengers speak of a few years since. He requested baptism, but was refused because of a certain habit indulged in, until he should reform. He went away to the Lord, and asked him to bless him in living alone, without uniting with the people of God. He got a blessing, was confirmed in his course, and went off deceived. And so Satan is deluding souls who are not willing to be purified by obeying the truth, but wish to climb up some other way. May the Lord deliver his honest children from the deceptions of the enemy. "The Lord told me" that "this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil;" that "the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God;" that "the Sabbath was made for man;" that "the Son of man is Lord of the Sabbath-day;" that "here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus;" that "blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have a right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city." May the Lord help us all to do his will, that we may know of the doctrine, and at last be found inside of the holy city. Loving and Living the Truth
By J. C. Gregory
DEAR BRETHREN IN THE LORD; I rejoice in what I consider to be the truth. I commenced to love, and to strive to live out the truth, September 12th, 1863, and from that time to this I have not seen a moment that I loved it less or would exchange it for error with all this world could afford me in addition to it; but on the other hand the more I read about it and study it, the more I prize it and the light shines brighter and brighter, and I hope and pray that it may continue to do so unto the perfect day. Satan may through manifold temptations cast a cloud of gloom over our minds for a time still the Lord is faithful and will not suffer us to be tempted above that we are able, but will erelong cause his face to shine upon us, and make us happy in anticipation of the joyful scenes of the "Earth Made New." Oh my dear brethren! let us get a little nearer to God, and receive from him fresh supplies of grace every day. Let us watch a little closer, over our thoughts, over our words, and also our actions. Let us strive a little harder, to overcome all our foes. Let us pray oftener and a little more earnestly, exercising a good deal more faith that we may receive a crown of everlasting life through our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming. A sincere lover of truth.
J. C. GREGORY. MRS. A. F. STANSELL
By Mrs. A. F. Stansell
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: I feel rather reluctant especially after the notes to "Correspondents," in Review April 12 in writing out my thoughts and experience for fear that it may not be sufficiently interesting. And yet, I need not fear; for according to rules, all communications are to be sifted, and the rejected laid upon the shelf where they will trouble no one—and I am willing to abide the result. I want to tell you how I love to read the Review. It has become very dear to me; and I now think with regret upon the many papers I destroyed without reading, at the time my father sent me a year's subscription. But I now welcome it with gladness. The last No. contained much that interested and strengthened me. "Father, take my hand." Is it not encouraging to those who are striving for the crown that we are permitted to ask this? Yes, he is ever ready to help those who will permit him, and I, who am so unworthy of his notice pray that I may be led by him who has promised to be to us "as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land." It is about two months since I first commenced to keep the Lord's Sabbath, and I love it, and have joy in believing that "the middle wall of partition is broken down," and the Sabbath is now truly a delight to me. The fourth commandment seems of much more importance to me than it did formerly. Heretofore I have only looked upon the Sabbath as a day of rest and not binding on us only to refrain from general labor. I thought it nothing wrong to find our own pleasure in taking a long walk after meeting was over if the weather was propitious, or reading some book foreign to the subject of religion if I chose, after reading the Bible awhile.175 I found no cross in keeping their kind of Sabbaths—they seemed to agree so well with the selfish craving of my nature, they were as easy to live as Spiritualism. Others around me who profess to be followers of Christ are keeping just such Sabbaths—and it is a common way of speaking, with Sunday keepers, that it matters not which day only if a certain day is established to keep for rest. Now we should respect God's commands, and keep the very day he established in the beginning, and in the manner he directed, or we fail to appreciate his holy word, or willfully scorn his law. "Then they that feared the Lord, spake often one to another."
This department of the paper is designed for the brethren and sisters to freely and fully communicate with each other respecting their hopes and determinations, conflicts and victories, attainments and desires, in the heavenly journey. Seek first a living experience and then record it, carefully and prayerfully, for the comfort and encouragement of the other members of the household of faith. JAMES SAWYER
By James Sawyer
Bro. WHITE: If one have a living Christian experience, it will be manifest in the life. It can without doubt in some measure be expressed by correspondence. Its effects will be apparent at home, and its influence will be shed abroad. Let not my "light be hid under a bushel," if words expressed in encouraging sentences form a part of the duty of life. It may be that the cares of life are engaging my mind too much, and that weekly or periodically I should endeavor to add a mite to the testimony of living witnesses. It may be duty to try to write once in a while. I have written at times and then destroyed my productions, thinking them of so little account. Years ago it was my desire to exert a moral influence by the pen,—and not only by the pen, but by all the ability God had placed in my possession. And I think it was none other than a strong desire to yield to moral obligation that induced me to embrace the Advent faith. Now is particularly a time when every means should be used to advance the cause of Christ in view of the coming of his kingdom. How fast evidences increase that God's Holy Spirit will not always strive with men; and yet how few believe the imminent future; but, "As it was in the days of Noah so shall the coming of the Son of man be." "Let every lamp be burning." H. S. GURNEY
By H. S. Gurney
BRO. WHITE: I still look forward with delight at the glorious inheritance of the saints, which we are assured by the signs of the times we shall have to wait for but a little longer, when the Son of God who has paid the price of redemption will appear in grandeur to introduce the purchased possession to those who fulfill the conditions of the inheritance. What a glory shines round this subject. Suppose ye, the angels do not rejoice in the glorious prospect? Yes, all in heaven rejoice, and so must we "look up and lift up our heads for our redemption draweth nigh." I love the assurance that the Lord is soon to come and gather his people and set them free from the bondage of sin and death. Midst all our trials and perplexing scenes, the blessed hope lifts us from our anxious care, and we rejoice, and our joy is unspeakable, being bounded in the love of God. Yet a little while and Jesus will come. Yes, he will come who is the resurrection and the life. He will come to be glorified in his saints. There is rest for the weary, where tears, and sighs, and groans, and anxious care, will forever cease; God shall wipe all tears from all faces, when the cause of evil is removed never to appear again. Let us then labor for that rest by persevering in all the ways of truth and righteousness, be an example to our children, in faith, in love, in zeal, in truth, in patience, in heavenly-mindedness, speaking often to them of the love and power in a compassionate Saviour, that when he appears in glory they may have had some experimental acquaintance with him. Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly. Amen. DIED in Irasburgh, Vt., April 5th, 1864, of dropsy, sister Sarah Smith, aged 77 years. Sister Smith was a believer in the immediate coming of the blessed Saviour. She had kept the Sabbath of the Lord some years. She sleeps in hope of eternal life, when the Life-giver comes.
A. S. HUTCHINS. Died, of consumption, in the town of Avon, Wis., March 14, 1864, Mary Ann Richard, wife of John Richard, aged 47 years.
WM. S. INGRAHAM. Died, at Culpepper, Va., March 13, 1864, my only son, aged 23 years. His disease was inflammation on the lungs, and typhoid fever.
SARAH ROBINSON. Died, Feb. 20, 1864, sister Mary A. Ross, wife of Bro. Cyrus Ross. Her disease was diptheria.
B. F. SNOOK. Died, in Benton, Mich., March 14, 1864, Catharine Inman, wife of Bro. Eldad Inman, aged 50 years, and 10 months.
F. E. SHOUDY. Died, Feb. 23, 1864, at Campbell Hospital, Washington, D. C., of bilious colic and inflammation, my brother, Orville Parmenter, youngest son of Lydia Parmenter, aged 28 years, and 4 months.
ELIZA A. LOVELL. Died, near Richmond, Iowa, March 13, 1864, Ezra H. Tomlinson, son of Samuel and Lucy Tomlinson, aged 1 year, 4 months, and 4 days.
S. & L. TOMLINSON. DIED in Aurora, Portage Co., Ohio, March 11th, 1864, of consumption, Sophonia Smith, wife of Whitney Smith, aged 66 years, 2 months, and 17 days. Also at the same place, March 27th, 1864, of typhoid pneumonia, Whitney Smith, aged 71 years, 3 months, and 18 days. Our glorious King will soon appear,
And call them from the cheerless tomb,
The blissful morn is drawing near
When he who is their life shall come.