A LITTLE boy had often amused himself by looking over the pictures of a large Bible, and his mother one day asked him, “John, do you know the use of the Bible?” He said, “No, mother.” “Then, John, be sure and ask your father,” was the advice she gave him. Soon afterward, John ran up to him and said, “I should like to know, father, what is the use of the Bible?” His father said, “I will tell you another time, John.”
A few days after, the father took his son to a house where was a woman very ill in bed, and began to talk to her; she said that she had suffered a great deal of pain, but hoped that she was resigned to the will of God. “Do you think,” said the father, “that God does right to permit you to feel so much pain?” “Oh! yes,” answered the woman; “for God is my heavenly Father, who loves me; and I am sure that he would not permit me to suffer as I do, if it were not for my good.” He then said, “How is it that you find your sufferings do you good?” She replied, “My sufferings are good for my soul; they make me more humble, more patient; they make me feel the value of the Saviour more, and pray more, and I am sure all this is good for me.”
John had been very attentive to this conversation, and the tears stood in his eyes while the afflicted woman was talking. His father looked at him, and then said to the woman, “My good woman, can you tell me what is the use of the Bible?” John was extremely eager to hear her answer. The woman, with a stronger voice than before, said, “Oh! sir, the Bible has been my comfort in affliction.” “There, John,” said his father, “Now you know one use of the Bible; it can give us comfort when we most need it.—Anecdotes for the Family.
Religion a Necessity.—
Religion is not merely a duty, it is a necessity. You might as well talk of the duty of breathing, or the duty of having the pulse beat, as to talk of the duty of being religious. It is a duty to breathe, to be sure, and it is a duty to have the pulse beat; but we do not talk of these things as being duties. It is one of the indispensable necessities that we should breathe, and that our pulse should beat. And I regard religious life as not only a duty, but a necessity. You cannot be a man and not be a Christian. And everything that makes you relatively better than your fellow-man is an indication that you are so far on the way toward a Christian manhood.
The Cross.
QUAINT is the thought and construction of the following poem, yet never has the story of the cross been told with more truthful simplicity:
Blest they who seek,
While in their youth,
With spirit meek,
The way of truth.
To them the sacred Scriptures now display
Christ as the only true and living way;
His precious blood on Calvary was given
To make them heirs of endless bliss in Heaven.
And e'en on earth the child of God can trace
The glorious blessings of his Saviour's grace.
For them he bore
His Father's frown;
For them he wore
The thorny crown;
Nailed to the cross,
Endured its pain,
That his life's loss
Might be their gain.
Then haste to choose
That better part,
Nor dare refuse
The Lord thy heart,
Lest he declare,
“I know you not;”
And deep despair
Shall be your lot.
Now look to Jesus, who on Calvary died,
And trust on him alone who there was crucified.
A Plea for the Little Folks.
DON’T expect too much of them; it has taken forty years, it may be, to make you what you are, with all their lessons of experience; and, I dare say, you are a faulty being at best. Above all, don’t expect judgment in a child or patience under trials. Sympathize in their mistakes and troubles; don’t ridicule them. Remember, not to measure a child’s trials by your standard. “As one whom his mother comforteth,” says the inspired writer, and beautifully does he convey to us the deep, faithful love that ought to be found in every woman’s heart, the unfailing sympathy with all her children’s griefs. When I see children going to their father for comfort, I am sure there is something wrong with the mother.
Let the memories of their childhood be as bright as you can make them. Grant them every innocent pleasure in your power. We have often felt our temper rise to see how carelessly their little plans are thwarted by older persons, when a little trouble on their part would have given the child pleasure, the memory of which would last a lifetime. Lastly, don’t think a child a hopeless case because it betrays some very bad habits. We have known children that seemed to have been born thieves and liars, so early did they display these undeniable traits, yet we have lived to see these same children become noble men and women, and ornaments to society. We must confess they had wise, affectionate parents. And whatever else you may be compelled to deny your child by your circumstances in life, give it what it most values, plenty of love.—Episcopal Methodist.
Good Manners
Young folks should be mannerly, but how to be so is the question. Many good boys and girls feel that they cannot behave to suit themselves in the presence of company. They are awkward, clownish, and rough. They feel timid, bashful and self-distrustful, the moment they are addressed by a stranger, or appear in company. There is but one way to get over this feeling, and acquire easy and graceful manners—that is, to do the best they can all the time, at home as well as abroad. Good manners are not learned, so much as acquired by habit. They grow upon us by use. You must be courteous, agreeable, civil, kind, gentlemanly and womanly at home, and then it will become a kind of second nature to be so everywhere. A coarse, rough manner at home, begets a habit of roughness which you cannot leave off, if you try, when you go among strangers. The most agreeable people we have ever known in company, are those who are most agreeable at home. Home is the school for all the best things.—Ex.
Praying and Saying Prayers.
JEMIMA was a little girl,
Who many prayers would say;
But, oh! she had a wandering heart,
And, therefore, did not pray.
She kneeled beside her little bed,
“Our Father,” to repeat,
The while she twisted into knots
The corner of the sheet.
Her roving eyes, as there she knelt,
Were never closed at all;
She’d count the roses on the rug,
The stars upon the wall.
And, “Gentle Jesus, meek and mild,”
Her careless tongue would say,
When all her thoughts were of the doll
That on the pillow lay.
Ah! ’twas no wonder that she grew
Ill-tempered, proud and rude;
For if a child should never pray,
How can a child be good?
Dear readers, Shun Jemima’s fault,
And heed the words I say;
When you kneel down to say your prayers,
Be certain that you pray.
To Talkative Young People.
BISHOP BERRIDGE being once visited by a talkative young lady, who, forgetting the modesty of her sex, and the superior gravity of an aged divine, engrossed all the conversation of the interview with small talk concerning herself. When she arose to retire, he said, “Madam, before you withdraw, I have one piece of advice to give you; and that is, When you go into company again, after you have talked half an hour without intermission, I recommend it to you to stop a while, and see if any other of the company has anything to say.”
Perhaps this advice may be useful to some of our little readers.
Honoring Mothers.
DURING a long and varied life, I have had much to do with children, more especially with boys. As a rule, I could predict the future career of a boy by noting his conduct toward his mother. Boys who are dutiful and affectionate toward their mothers, have usually turned out well. Unkind and disobedient lads I have usually found to become bad men. There seems to be the divine blessing resting upon loving and obedient children. It is, I am sorry to say, a very common thing for school lads to ridicule a boy who consults the wishes and obeys the counsels of his mother. It requires great moral courage to resist the effects of ridicule.
Youth's Department.
By James White
“FEED MY LAMBS.”
Willie and Johnny.
I HAVE a touching little story to tell about these two boys. But first let me say that, within the past year, both of them have been baptized, and now belong to the same church in Montcalm Co., Mich. Willie has been regarded, by all who have known him, as a well-meaning child from his infancy. Johnny is an orphan. His father was a faithful minister of the gospel, and died in full faith of the present truth. His good mother soon fell asleep in hope. But on her dying bed committed her three children to the especial care of Willie's parents. This fact has ever made Johnny very near and dear to them, and has served to form a strong bond of union between their dear Willie and Johnny.
In the summer of 1867, Johnny came to live at the ample home of Bro. F., about three miles distant from the home of Willie; and it was thought best for these two boys to spend a day occasionally together. So one day Johnny came to the home of Willie, and as they were doing something in the garden, Johnny hurt Willie; by no means willingly; nor was it for a want of tender regard for him, for these boys were very tender of each other's feelings. It was purely an accident. But Willie's pain was such that he cried aloud. This called Willie's mother to the door, and fearing that he was seriously injured, she earnestly inquired, “What is the matter, Willie?” The boy could hardly speak for pain and crying. And he did not wish to answer the inquiry out of respect to the feelings of his brother Johnny.
The sight, notwithstanding the pain and weeping connected with it, was truly beautiful. There stood Johnny with his arm around his brother, saying, “I did not mean to hurt you, Willie;” and there stood Willie, doing all he could to suppress his weeping, answering, “I know you did not mean to hurt me, Johnny.” The anxious mother still called out, “What is the matter, Willie?” And soon as Willie felt that he could answer in a manner to help the feelings of both his mother and Johnny, he said, in a manly tone of voice, “Please, mother, do not be troubled about me. Just leave us to settle our little difficulties between ourselves.” The mother was at once relieved of her anxiety. Willie's pain subsided, and the two boys seemed happier than ever in the society of each other. What a noble feeling lived in their bosoms after that scene, if never before, that they were fully able to settle their little troubles themselves. Let older disciples be instructed by these Christian boys, and learn the happy art of settling their little troubles among themselves.
JAMES WHITE.
Praying and Saying Prayers
The Baptists publish a paper in Chicago, called The Standard, which has a department for youth and children. The poetry, “Praying and Saying Prayers,” is taken from it. Children, read those verses carefully, for they contain a good lesson.
As the Twig Is Bent
JUST as the twig is bent the tree inclines.
The Lord's Prayer.
The following paraphrase of the Lord's Prayer has been set to music in England. It is the best we have seen in any language—there is nothing wanting and nothing redundant:
Our heavenly Father, hear our prayer,
Thy name be hallowed everywhere.
Thy kingdom come, thy perfect will
In earth, as in Heaven, let all fulfill.
Give this day's bread that we may live;
Forgive our sins as we forgive.
Help us temptation to withstand;
From evil shield us by thy hand.
Now and forever unto thee,
The kingdom, power and glory be.
To the Friends who have Helped Bear our Burdens,
By N. Fuller
I would say, you have been very kind to me and mine. I feel under great obligations to you, also to God who has put it into your hearts to bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. May you each be faithful to the final close, and at the resurrection of the just you will receive a “crown of life.”
Now as several other objects demand means, such as the California Mission, Benevolent Association, &c., please use what you have to spare in different ways as the case demands, instead of helping us any more at this time. We are relieved of the embarrassment caused by our sickness. May God bless and reward you all, is my prayer. N. FULLER.
Wellsville, June 24, 1868.
Appointments.
And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of Heaven is at hand.
Our next Monthly Meeting in Rhode Island will be with the Ashaway church, July 18 and 19. We hope to see a good delegation from all the churches; also a gathering of the scattered brethren and sisters. Come to help and be helped. To this end consecrate yourselves to God, willing to work out what he works in you, to will and to do of his good pleasure; and come to stay through the meeting. Cannot Bro. Haskell or Canright attend this meeting? Come to Westerly on Providence and Stonnington railroad, and take stage to Ashaway. P. C. RODMAN.
No Providence preventing, I will meet with the brethren as follows:
Green Hill, R. I., Sabbath and first-day, July 11, 12. Ashaway, 18, 19. Curtiss Corners, 25, 26. Dartmouth, Mass., Aug. 1, 2. P. C. RODMAN.
To the brethren in the vicinity of Fairfield, Iowa. Agreeably to the instructions of Conference I will meet with you the beginning of Sabbath, July 25, where Bro. Smith and Caviness may arrange, and on the day following as may suit all. Brethren, let us strive to draw near the Lord that we may have his presence. A. A. FAIRFIELD.
The next quarterly gathering of the S. D. A. church at Mauston, Wis., will meet July 18, 19. While we write this note we feel a duty to earnestly exhort the scattered members of this church to make a decided effort to come out to this meeting. Eternal consequences hang upon the efforts we make now. Eternity, with all its glory, all its joy, and all its awful dread, is just before us; all our actions should be marked with fixed, unwavering decision. Are any backslidden in heart? come, and we will try to do you good. Are any joyful in the Lord? we need your help; come, brethren, and let us try and mutually assist each other, peradventure the Lord will hear us, and pardon our wanderings, and raise us up. May we expect a minister? C. H. ROGERS, Church Clerk.
The next Quarterly Meeting of the church of Avon, will be held at Avon, Rock Co., Wis., July 18, 19. Bro. Wood, from Monroe, is expected. Brethren from Albany and Rockton are invited. E. O. NELSON.
I desire to say that the first Monthly Meeting in this quarter will be held at Greenwood Prairie, July 25, where Bro. Gibson may appoint. Eld. Pierce will be at this meeting. H. F. PHELPS.
Papal Council.
By J. H. W.
THE Pope has ordered a general council for the fall of 1869, with a peremptory order that all summoned must appear in person or by proxy. There has been no general council since 1545, that of Trent, which was called only at the earnest solicitations of the States, and not by the wish of the Pope. The next preceding that was at Bale, 1431, and preceding that was at Constance, 1414, considered one of the most important of all the councils, by which John Huss, and Jerome of Prague were condemned. The council of Pisa in 1409, declared that the Popes were subordinate to the general councils, and much of the infallibility of the Roman church has always been claimed for these councils. By this will be perceived the importance of the present order. They are not called for slight reasons. Numerous national councils have been held in addition to the general councils. J. H. W.
DO SOULS SLEEP.
By James White
The Church Advocate commences an article against the faith of the Adventists on this subject, under the above head, in the following manner:
“Had this inquiry been proposed in the semi-heathen ages of Grecian philosophy or Roman mythology, the inquirer would have incurred the maledictions of the priest and people; but in the noon-tide blaze of this nineteenth century, the question can be asked, (and the dogma believed,) without evincing any great amount of heterodoxy.”
Well considered, indeed! It is not often that we see the doctrine of the immortality of the soul referred so directly to its origin by its advocates. The “sleep of the soul,” was very offensive to “Grecian philosophy and Roman mythology,” in the “semi-heathen ages,” when they bore such sway over the minds of men, says the writer; and he who questions the soul’s immortality was sure to incur “the maledictions of the priests” of these heathenish systems! Well, the times are not much changed in this respect. The “priests,” who prefer the teachings of “Grecian philosophy” to the Bible,—who attach more weight to the sophistries of Plato, than to the words of divine revelation,—are yet hurling their “maledictions” against those who deny this dogma of heathen philosophy. We were never a whit surprised that “Grecian philosophy and Roman mythology” should endeavor to protect their offspring; but it is surprising that those professing to believe and teach the Bible, should adopt, and be so solicitous for the welfare of this child of heathen superstition. The “Reformation” is not fully accomplished yet.
J. H. W.
The Early Christians thought that Azazel was the Devil.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
In St. Irenæus' work against the heretics, written about A. D. 185, I find the following verses quoted by him, which plainly shows the opinion then held as to who Azazel (Lev. xvi, 8, margin) was.
Irenæus quotes from a “saintly elder,” the following against the heretic Marcus:
“Marcus, thou former of idols, inspector of portents, skilled in consulting the stars, and deep in the black arts of magic. Ever by tricks such as these confirming the doctrines of error. Furnishing signs unto those involved by thee in deception, wonders of power that is utterly severed from God, and apostate, which Satan, thy true father, enables thee still to accomplish, by means of Azazel, that fallen, yet mighty angel. Thus making thee the precursor of his own impious actions.”—Irenæus Against Heresies, Book I, Chap. xv, p. 68. D. M. CANRIGHT.
BUSINESS AND PERSONAL.
A limited space will be given under this head for Business Notices from the brethren, at 20 cents per line for each insertion. Parties must give good reference as to their standing and responsibility.
For Sale.
ABOUT 100 rods west of the Review Office; a good house and lot, with well, cistern, and bearing fruit trees. A good horse will be taken as part pay on said property. For particulars and description, please address me at Battle Creek, or call at the premises.
S. B. WARREN.
Battle Creek, July 1, 1868.
The Health Reformer.
By Editor
We would call the attention of all the readers of the REVIEW to the July number of the Health Reformer, being the first number of the third volume. Below we give the table of contents, and the notice of the arrangements for the forthcoming volume, and recommend it to all. This number will be sent to many who have not yet renewed their subscription, whose names will be struck from the list unless they renew before the publication of the August number.
ITEMS FOR THE MONTH
Contents of the July No. of the Reformer.
GENERAL ARTICLES.—Exercise for Invalids—Ancient Health Reformers—The Chief Cause of Pain is Intemperance—Preserving Fruit—Damp in Houses—Get your Sleep—The use of Stimulants—Tobacco Against Whisky—Influence of Light on Depuration—Health of Women—A Story for Teachers—Editorial: The Food Cure—Deceived, not Reformed—Liver Complaint.
DR. TRAILL'S SPECIAL DEPARTMENT.—Change of Programme.—Visit to Battle Creek, Mich.—Visit to Northampton, Mass.—A Hygienian—Answers to Correspondents: The Pulse in the Pack—Crawley—Eczema—Hip Disease—Trichinosis—Pimpled Face—Dropsy of the Chest—Chronic Laryngitis—Greens—Narcotics—Antidotes—The Food Question in England—A Chapter of Horrors.
POETRY.—Self-knowledge—Farewell to the Waterfall.
ENTERTAINING PARAGRAPHS.—Scientific Medicine—The Truth, Unwittingly Told—Position in Walking—Purity—How to get Sleep—Death in the Pot—Plain Speech to Mothers—Singing—Effects of Tea on the Skin.
TO CORRESPONDENTS.—Lung Disease—Butter—Polyps of the Nose—Drug Disease—Cuts, Bruises, Sprains.
A Full Catalogue of ALL OUR PUBLICATIONS, will be sent anywhere (gratis) on application.
Business Notes.
J. I. SOULE: Give us your P. O. Address and we will fill your order.
D. A. ROBINSON: Yes.
J. E.: We are entirely out of Hymn Books. The matter of a new Hymn Book is now in the hands of the Gen. Conf. Committee. You need not send orders till notice is given.
W. P.: The reason why Truth Found was not sent is, the edition is exhausted.
C. S. BROCKWAY: Bro. White’s Book is not out yet. As soon as it is ready, notice will be given through the Review.
ELD. E. B. SAUNDERS: Certainly.
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