Earlier text: LIFE INCIDENTS.SUGAR PARTIES.
By A. S. Hutchins
“And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.” Luke xxi, 34. This solemn injunction, which fell from the lips of the Saviour, was spoken to guard his people in the last days, from the stupefying sin of gluttony, and all excesses in eating and drinking, as well as to caution them against having their minds overburdened with the cares of this life. And it is certain that if we heed not this admonition, our minds will be unbalanced, and we are driven from a watchful and prayerful attitude, which we are taught in the same connection to maintain. “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and stand before the Son of man.” With these most impressive warnings before us, we ask, Can Christians attend sugar parties, consistently with their faith? I refer to those large gatherings which are so common in some parts of the Eastern States, where a large amount of sugar is usually manufactured annually by many farmers, and where it is customary to invite friends, neighbors, and townsmen, to eat of this luxury while sugaring off. Here the good and the bad, the professedly pious, and the profane swearer, the filthy tobacco-eater, and the delicate lady come to feast themselves, not unfrequently to surfeiting, from the same vessel; and we are sorry to say, that sometimes the Sabbath-keeper, the health reformer (?) may be found there also. All else, perhaps, but mirth and hilarity are forgotten for the time; but the occasion is a merry one, the sugar is sweet, and the time is pronounced a “good one.” But we are constrained to ask: 1. Is this the proper place for you, my Christian brother or sister? Can you here get nearer to your divine Master, and prepare your hearts better to do his will, to convince men that you most solemnly believe in the last message of mercy to a world lying in wickedness, and that you are striving to heed its warning notes, and prepare to meet the soon coming King in all his glory? Would it not be better far to deny yourself of the fleeting pleasure and gratification of this occasion, and spend the time in reading the Bible, Spiritual Gifts, or other good books; in prayer, or in visiting and administering to the wants of the sick? Would you not have a consciousness that in so doing you were imitating more closely the example of Him who “went about doing good?” And finally, Would you not in this way be more likely to secure to yourself the watchcare of holy angels, and the presence of the Spirit of God? What we do for the salvation of our fellow-men, we must do quickly. We have no time to waste, and we should avoid sad mistakes to mourn and lament over hereafter. 2. We ask, Is the sugar party above described, the place for health reformers to be found? Is it not doing sad injustice to the principles of health reform, to eat hot sugar as usually eaten on this occasion, and laying our integrity, as reformers, open to be questioned? We believe, and teach that our meals should be taken at regular hours, and that nothing should be eaten between meals; and the reformer who has not learned that it is a violation of the laws of health to eat at different hours between meals, whether it be much or little, has not advanced far in the reform. Again, the unhygienic influence of sugar when eaten freely, is worthy of consideration in this connection. It deranges the digestive organs, overtaxes the liver, deteriorates the blood, reduces and weakens vital energies, and tends to a prostration of the entire system. This penalty may not overtake you speedily, but be sure that you will sooner or later be beaten by few or many stripes, if you persist in a violation of kind nature’s laws. Will Christians who have the light upon the subject of the health reform, who feel and appreciate its righteous principles, sanction such gatherings by mingling in them? For one, setting aside custom, I am unable to see any reason why the community should expect the liberal, hard-laboring farmer to annually feed out in this way, from 50 to 150 lbs. of sugar, more than they should expect the merchant, on returning from market each spring, to open fifteen or twenty boxes of raisins for his friends to eagerly devour; or than that the honest dairyman’s wife should yearly call in her neighbors to feast themselves by consuming two or three of her first tubs of butter, or eating up half a dozen of her new cheeses. “Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.” Health Institute, March 17, 1868. THE RELIGION OF THE AGE.
By James White
Men will persist in denouncing us as uncharitable because we apply the prophecy of the fall of Babylon, Rev. xiv, to the position of the fallen, formal, worldly, pleasure-loving churches of the present day. With some, charity seems to consist in finding excuses for all manner of evil, or denying its existence. But Paul says charity “rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth.” To tell the truth as it is revealed in God’s prophetic word, and fulfilled in the sight of all the world, is no breach of charity, but a duty we owe to our fellow-men, to point out wrong and warn of danger. It seems truly singular that the tendencies of religionists is so little known and understood by themselves, while so well known to the world at large. The following exhibits the unconsecrated passion for music so greatly prevailing in the churches. “The character of the music in many of our churches is excellent, and the prices paid for it are liberal. The Second Presbyterian Church, which has the finest quartette choir in the city, appropriates $3,750, of which $1,400 is paid to the contralto, Mrs. Mattison, a singer of remarkable excellence. The organist receives $600, the soprano $600, and the tenor and bass each $500. Trinity Church pays $2,700, the First Presbyterian, $2,900, St. Paul’s Universalist $2,300, and so on. The First Baptist Church has a huge choir of some fifty singers, with the largest organ in the city, and the music is very impressive. The leader receives $1,000, and the organist $600, which covers the whole expense. The music in some of the Roman Catholic churches is very classical and excellent.”
Several of these first class and well-paid singers in the churches also receive large salaries in the operas. In fact, the celebrity they have acquired in the theatre is the cause of their being employed in the churches. Is this worship? or what is it? Is this singing “with the spirit” and the understanding? We call it a shameful mockery of the sacred appointments of God. The N. Y. Clipper thus commends the church for its love of vanity and sport: “THE CHURCH AND SPORT.—The world moves. We are glad to find that our brethren of the church are showing a more liberal disposition than formerly, touching our sporting pastimes and those who indulge therein. During the past year, various church fairs have been held, at which, prizes of different kinds were offered for competition. A great fair is now in progress in Philadelphia, for the very laudable purpose of raising a fund for the founding of a home for the aged and infirm members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of the Philadelphia Conference. The attractions are materially increased by the exhibition there of the magnificent set of base ball implements, to be awarded as prizes to the two base ball clubs receiving the highest number of votes from the patrons of the fair.
The following we copy from the World’s Crisis: Last summer, while attending camp-meetings in Illinois, we saw in the depot a flaming hand-bill, announcing that a so-called orthodox church in that place would give an excursion to Rock Island, where a fair was being held. As an inducement for everybody to go, it was stated that the excursion would be on the last day of the fair, when the celebrated horse, Dexter, would be made to exhibit his speed in trotting! Think of it! The saints of Jesus Christ getting up an excursion to a horse race! A notice has just been sent us, of an entertainment adapted to the winter season, gotten up professedly for the benefit of the church. The brother sending it, says, “This is the way we get money for preachers out here.” It reads as follows: Rev. Mr.:— Dear Sir: An entertainment will be given in McLean, on Thursday evening the 19th of December, 1867, for the benefit of the — church.
Oysters, and everything eatable, will be served. Good music will be discoursed, and speeches made by eminent men.
The speeches and music at the church, and supper at the Kellogg Hall—for all of which, one dollar will be charged for adult persons, and fifty cents for children under twelve years.
If good cheer, good music, eloquent speeches, and plenty to eat, served with smiling faces and delicate hands, can entertain you, come and bring all connected with you.
PHILADELPHIA COM.
A highly respectable correspondent from Brighton, Ill., writes us: “The — church are having a fair and festival here. The worst kind of gambling is going on. One doll, which cost them about five dollars was run up to near fifty. One man put his daughter’s name down seventy times, at ten cents a time, but after all lost his money and the doll. Their preacher made a wooden elephant, which his members rode around the hall two at a time, at twenty cents a pair. After they got through with it, one of the stewards of the church bought it for ten dollars.” What would John Wesley and John Knox think of such proceedings in churches professing to believe the doctrines which they taught? One of the most common forms of religious festivity and trifling is found in the mis-called “mite societies.” Should we tell what transpires at these places, we fear many would consider us prejudiced; so we copy the following from the Western Christian Advocate, and certainly no one can object to the witness. It purports to be written by a “wife’s cousin” to the minister: “It was Thursday evening when we arrived in town, and the preacher said it was mite-society evening, and they would expect him and his wife; but as Cousin had to do a little extra washing, and fix up a bed for our children, she staid and I went.
We met two girls at the door where the society was held, one had a book and one a plate. The one with the plate said, “We don’t charge preachers,” but did not take the plate down. The preacher put in a bill; and, as they said nothing to me, I suppose he paid for both. I did not get much acquainted. I sat in a corner all the evening. The only person that said anything to me was a stout lady that complained of rheumatiz; said to the preacher that she had not been to class or prayer-meeting for more than a year, her health was so poor. As Uncle John would have said, they were the laugh-iest set I ever saw. They mixed round for two hours, and I could not see the fun. I’ll warrant they would have tired out in less than half the time in a prayer-meeting.
Then came hot coffee, and pickles, and ham. Then charaids, I think they called them. I know they made some raids that upset my chair.
At 11½, P. M., the preacher and I left, and as a girl ran to get our hats they said, “Oh, it is early yet,” but I overheard some one say, “Let the preacher go. The fun is just begun.” On our way home I asked Cousin—the preacher—what was the object of the mite society? “Oh,” said he, “the money goes to pay current expenses, but social improvement is the main object.”
I wondered greatly at the lively interest taken by so many outsiders in church affairs; for outsiders they must have been, as their diversions were not taken in the name of the Lord, according to rule in the discipline. At least the only mention of the Lord’s name I heard was in the prayer of the preacher for a blessing on the pickles, ham, and hot coffee at 10½ o’clock.
These are mere samples. To join in sports, plays, lotteries, raffles, and sociables,—“to eat and drink with the drunken”—is a sign of the times; these things everywhere abound in the churches. To “hunger and thirst after righteousness,” is antiquated and unpopular. How much we need to watch and pray, in these days of peril! “The pure testimony cries out separation.” May the Lord assist us all to keep our robes spotless, lest we also be “led away with the error of the wicked,” and fall from our “stedfastness.” WHEN a Christian is about some notable enterprise for God's glory, then will Satan lie, like a serpent in the way, or as an adder in the path, to bite the horse's heels, that the rider may fall backward. AGAINST whom doth Satan multiply his malicious assaults? Against those in whom God hath multiplied his graces. Satan is too crafty a pirate to attack an empty vessel; he seeks to rob those vessels only which are richly laden. From Sr. Jessep.
By Minerva Ann Jessep
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: For the first time I take my pen in hand to say a few words for the encouragement of others. I have been a reader of the Review, and have been encouraged while reading the letters therein. I am young in the cause, but I want to grow more and more as God shows me by his Holy Spirit. The time is short in which to get ready to meet our blessed Saviour. Oh! such mercy as he has shown to a fallen race! How small a sacrifice we can offer. Only think of the crown of thorns on that sacred head; think of the great drops of blood he sweat in the garden; and then that shameful death of the cross; and all that he suffered for such a rebel against his holy word, as I have been. But I want to live faithful, so that I may be one of that happy number that will inherit the earth made new. Only a few more days, or years at most, and time will be no longer; only a few more trials for God’s people, and he shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying; neither shall there be any more pain, for the former things are passed away; and God says, He that overcometh shall inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. What a precious promise! to be the sons and daughters of God. Dear brethren and sisters, I want to meet you there. There, if faithful, we shall all meet around the throne; and there shall we meet with those we love who are now sleeping. “As Jesus died and rose again
Victorious from the dead,
So his disciples rise and reign
With their triumphant head.”
I want to dwell in that happy land with our blessed Saviour. Grant Co., Wis., March, 1868. DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS IN CHRIST: It has been my delight in conference for nearly half a century to bear my testimony in favor of the truth as I understood it; but I am astonished to see how liable I have been to be led astray. I truly thought that I was doing God service in standing out against the Sabbath of the Lord. Oh, what a mistake! when I was brought to defend it by the word of the Lord I first saw my blindness. I have been led to cry out, Glory to God in the highest, that I have been permitted to live long enough to see my mistake while there is time to repent and seek pardon. I have long felt, when reading the letters from the lone ones, that it would be a privilege to add my feeble mite, if possible to encourage some lone one to hold on a little longer; for Jesus will come and will not tarry. For almost thirty years I have been looking for him, and still my faith grows stronger and stronger. Oh, the evidence, how bright it shines! is it possible that that same Jesus that trod the streets of Jerusalem, hung on the cross, is about to return to claim his weary ones? Blessed thought! can we not with patience bear the frowns of this wicked world a little longer? Yes, my brother, my sister, stay you upon the promises; be strong; gird you like men; be strong in the power of his might; let Satan rage and vent his spite. We know that Jesus will conquer, therefore do not fear; every struggle brings us nearer home, and when we feel that God is for us who can do us harm? when we get a glimpse of the goodly land how earnestly we should strive to so live like Jesus that we may win some of our friends to love and embrace the truth. Lord help.
It is a little over two years since I was forced by dying235love and the truth, to yield my stubborn will to the will of God. I had vainly thought that the first day was the Sabbath according to the Bible; but I find to my utter astonishment there is not one word of evidence in the whole word of the Lord. Thank the Lord for so plain a way. Yes, it is a blessed way, for it is the Lord's way. I feel thankful, too, for the health reform; it has been a blessing to us, and will be to all that will practice it. I feel that God is truly blessing his people; and I am still trying to find a place here where this truth can be held up. Many in this place feel anxious to hear, but the churches are all closed against it; but I still hope that some way will open for good to the people. Yours for the truth,
Wyoming Co., N. Y.
A. B. DIBBLE. From Bro. Styles.
By E. Styles
DEAR BRETHREN: I once more take my pen to write a few lines for the Review. I esteem it a great favor to read the many encouraging letters from week to week in the Review. Thus I feel it my duty to bear my testimony with the many who speak in this way. I have been trying for eight years to live this truth, but in weakness. My trials with the enemy are numerous. I am trying to live up to all the light on the health reform; but some oppose. Some of our sisters have adopted the health and dress reforms, while others oppose; but the sifting time has come, and who will be able to stand? Those with clean hands and pure hearts. Blessed are they that do his commandments and have the testimony of Jesus, which is the spirit of prophecy. Then, dear brethren and sisters, to you God speaks, and approves a reform in dress as well as in diet. How dare we say any thing else? But let the Lord mark out the way, then will come unity, and strength, and perfect love; then will our light shine, and the enemies of the truth be discomfited. Come, dear brethren and sisters, let us awake and repent, for our salvation is nearer than when we believed. When we do all that the Lord says, then we may have confidence and not be ashamed. Then shall we have an influence to gather with Christ, and finally see his salvation, and stand on Mount Zion and sing the song of redeeming love. E. STYLES.
St. Joseph Co., Ind. From Sr. Hicks.
By Harriet Hicks
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: I want to speak to you all again through the Review. My faith in the third angel’s message grows brighter and stronger with each passing week, as evidences thicken around us. I am more and more satisfied we have the truth for the present time, and I want to live it out. I feel deeply the need of those of like faith, to help me on my way, but I have a helper, a friend that sticketh closer than a brother, and am encouraged to press my way on toward the mark for the prize, eternal life. Yes, eternal life is what we are aiming for, and God assisting me, I mean to win. No more loneliness; no more wishing for those of like faith to associate with; but all will be of one mind; all will worship around the great white throne of God, and sing his praises forevermore. Glorious thought! we shall ever be with the Lord. Brethren and sisters, is not this worth striving for? Let us be faithful a little longer; the crown is almost in view. Soon our Saviour will come to gather the faithful home. I have found sweet peace in striving to consecrate myself to the Lord, though I find many temptations in the way; but the Lord is a present help in time of trouble, and will deliver me out of them all. My husband keeps the Sabbath with me, but is not a professor. He is trying to quit the use of tobacco; it has been a severe struggle; it made him quite sick, but I think he will overcome it. We are very lonely here, and have endeavored to dispose of our home that we might move to where there were Sabbath-keepers; but our efforts in that direction have been futile; perhaps the Lord has a people here, and some of our ministers may yet come here to present the truth. We had reason to suppose Bro. Blanchard would visit us, but he has not done so. Your sister, striving to overcome.
HARRIET HICKS.
Vigo Co., Ind. From Bro. Sherman.
By B. C. Sherman
BRO. SMITH: We wish to say to the brethren and sisters that the church at Rockton seems to be trying to make some little advancement in spiritual things; and although some appear indifferent, yet the majority are trying to get nearer the Lord. We feel there is a great work for us to do preparatory to the meeting of our Lord and Saviour in peace. Some seem sensibly to feel their condition, and appear to be in earnest to prepare to meet Jesus at his coming. May the Lord help us all to get ready. We have had many good prayer and social meetings since Jan. 15, and our prayer still is that God will deepen his work in the hearts of his children, and grant that those who are still indifferent may be awakened and put shoulder to the wheel. Brethren, pray for us, that we may make the service of God the first, and great object of our lives, that we may be fully prepared to meet him when he comes to make up his jewels, and to enjoy that rest that remains for the children of God. From Bro. Youll.
By James Youll
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: For some time past I have been deeply impressed to write a few lines for the Review. We are commanded to speak often one to another. The Review is the only means we lone ones have to speak through. We commenced to keep the Sabbath in August, 1864, under the preaching of Brother R. F. Andrews, near Shabbona’s Grove, Ill. Well might I say, “God moves in a mysterious way, his wonders to perform,” for I was driven so far by popular errors, that I had denied the authenticity of the Bible, and even the supremacy of God. But ever blessed be his holy name that I was caused to believe in him. The first seventh-day sermon that I ever heard, convicted me that I was a daily breaker of nearly all of God’s law, either in thought, or action, and like the prodigal son, I resolved to return to my Father’s house, and I found him merciful. We now live in Delaware Co., Iowa, and are trying to keep pace with the Lord’s people, although we live nearly thirty miles from any Sabbath-keeper, and meet with much opposition, but we have nearly all the seventh-day publications, and we try to place in the opposer’s hand, the one that will suit his case the best; and every one that will read may have a chance, so that a good many admit the perpetuity of God’s law, and other points of Advent faith, and there is a great desire manifested for seventh-day preaching, and our daily prayer is that God in his kindness will send one of his servants this way. Brethren pray for us. Conference Department.
By M. S. Burnham
Exhorting one another, and so much the more as ye see the day approaching. Heb. x, 25. This Department is designed to fill the same place in the paper that the Conference or Social Meeting does in the worship of God. Speak one to another to comfort, edify and aid each other in the way of holiness and true Christian experience. Bro. Smith: As I have never written any thing for the columns of the Review, I thought I would try and pen a few lines, to show that we appreciate the labor that Bro. Loughborough has bestowed in Allegan the past winter. A course of lectures was what we had been praying for. The Lord has heard our prayers and it has resulted in strengthening the church, and bringing some into the truth. Although we had been praying for a minister to come this way, I think, as a church, we little thought what responsibility would rest upon us, as a result of a course of lectures. I was led to fear and tremble lest the work should be marred by our lack of consecration; but thanks be to God, it has been otherwise. From the commencement, Bro. Loughborough had good freedom in presenting the truth, although at first there were but few outside of Sabbath-keeping brethren present. As the meetings progressed, the interest increased, and in spite of the efforts of the ministers of the different churches, to scare and induce people to stay away, at times the house was filled to its utmost capacity, and a deep feeling of solemnity seemed to rest on all present. Some who dared not be found inside of an Advent meeting-house, would stand about the doors and windows, so eager were they to hear. The result of the meetings, as yet, has not been so strikingly manifest; but prejudice has been removed, and a class has been benefited that never have been reached before. Ten have decided to keep all of God's commandments, and go through to the kingdom. I rejoice to see the work go on. The Lord has showed his willingness to work for us, and my prayer is that we may so humble ourselves that God can do a mighty work here, and prepare a people for Christ's coming and kingdom. Since Bro. Loughborough was here, the four different churches have been holding revival meetings, the Presbyterian with apparent success. The report is, that forty have been added to the church. Yet in the minds of some there is a vacuum that is not filled. The food of which they have been partaking, has not been prepared in a proper manner to satisfy, and the inquiry is, “When is Mr. Loughborough coming back again?” I pray that God will open the way for Bro. Loughborough's return at an early day. Allegan, Mich., March 8, 1868. From Sister Wright.
By Mrs. B. Wright.
BRO. SMITH: For the first time I will try to write a few words to the brethren and sisters through the Review, feeling my unworthiness. I have not made that progress in spiritual life that I desire, yet I feel to thank God that my life has been spared to hear the third angel's message, and that I had a heart to receive it. I was a member of the M. E. Church for six years. One year ago last June when Bro. Van Horn and Lawrence came here with the tent I was much prejudiced against them, and would not go to hear them at first; but out of mere curiosity finally went to hear them. I found my prejudices were leaving me, and to day I thank God that these brethren were sent here. Our little church here now numbers about twenty-eight. We have built a very comfortable little Meeting-house and have it nearly all paid for. We have had a good many discouragements, but have so far overcome them. We are trying to keep the commandments of God and the faith of his dear Son as best we can. It was a great cross to me to separate myself from the church that I had long been a member of, and which was endeared to me by many ties; but the Lord strengthened me, and to day I love the holy Sabbath and present truth; and I praise the Lord for his goodness in showing me the light, yet my heart longs for more of his love, and my daily prayer to God is that I may grow in grace and in the knowledge of his truth. I want to be one of that number that will outride all the storms and difficulties of life and finally land in the city of the New Jerusalem. Dear friends, we are living in the last days, and it becomes us to be pure and holy if we want to enter in through the gates into the city. Dear brethren and sisters pray for me, I need your prayers to sustain me in my efforts to obtain that rest that remains for the people of God. Richland Co., Ohio, March 10, 1868. From Bro Holley.
By S. M. HOLLEY
DEAR BRO. SMITH: I have so often been encouraged by the cheering testimonies in the Review, I thought I would add my mite. I am just recovering from the lung fever. We had a good physician, but with all his skill and the aid of kind brethren and companion, they could but give temporary relief. At last I felt that I could endure but a little while longer. They tried to persuade me that I would get well. I told them there was no earthly power could save me; then they wished to know if they should not send for the elders. I said yes; my only hope is in God. They dispatched a messenger immediately, and my companion and self began to confess our faults and plead with God to forgive my sins, and resolved that if our lives were spared we would consecrate ourselves anew to his service. While in this mood the pain all left me, and has not returned; bless the Lord. My good brethren soon came and found me perfectly easy, praising God. It is one week to-day since I was healed, yet my strength is steadily increasing, for which I feel to thank God. Dear brethren, I am very thankful to my kind heavenly father for sparing my unprofitable life, and giving me health once more to serve him. I am determined to consecrate myself anew to his service. I never felt the shortness of time as at present. I feel very thankful to my kind brethren for their kindness to me in my sickness. May God bless them. I think I never saw my brethren and sisters striving so hard to overcome as at present; there is not one but seems to be striving to get nearer the Lord. May God help them. I have been cheered greatly of late in reading the testimonies of good brethren and sisters. Oh! may God bless the editor and assistants of this good paper. May the Lord bless Bro. and Sr. White, and raise them to health and strength again. I have often been encouraged in reading the testimony of Bro. and Sr. W. I have always been a firm believer in the testimonies, and I pray they may have a sanctifying influence on my life, and on all who read them. Yours striving to overcome. From sister Brown.
By Alida Brown
BRO. SMITH: I have so many times been cheered and strengthened by reading the testimonies from the brethren and sisters that I esteem it a privilege as well as a duty to say a few words in favor of the truth I have for many years professed to love. I love it still. It is more precious to me than silver or gold, or anything this world has to bestow. When I realize God's goodness to us in leading us along step by step, my heart is filled with gratitude for his love and condescension toward us. I love the health reform, and am trying to live it out. But when the dress reform came I was poorly prepared to receive it for I was weighed down with sorrow, and it seemed to me that Satan desired to sift me as wheat. But the Lord has stood by me to strengthen me and through him I have gained the victory, and to him be all the praise. Dear sisters, we have been praying that we might come out from the world and be separate, and when the trial came how we have stood back and halted. May the Lord forgive us and strengthen us to bear every cross, is my prayer. God's people must be tested, and I hope none will go away sorrowful, like the young man who loved his riches. I am thankful for the Review; it comes richly laden with truth, and is a treasure to me. It is nearly all the preaching I get, for it is not often I can meet with those of like precious faith. Last Sabbath I met with my brethren and sisters at Princeville; we had a good social meeting. They have had no preaching since Bro. Blanchard and Andrews left there the first of Dec. They seemed to be firm in the truth. I am striving to press on with God's remnant people, that when Jesus comes I may have a home with them in his kingdom. ALIDA BROWN. From Sr. Tenney.
By C. M. Tenney
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: While reading your experience, and words of encouragement in the Review, my hope has been strengthened, and my heart cheered. I have thought perhaps I might say a word that would help, or encourage some one, and if so, how glad I should be. It is three years since I learned the meaning of the Saviour’s words, “Whosoever does not bear his cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple.” Although I had been a professor of religion over thirty years, and read the word of God daily, my surprise was great to find, while trying to establish myself in the first-day Sabbath, that I had been living in continual violation of God’s commandments all my days. I immediately began to look around and inquire, What shall I do? and oh, the cross that presented itself before me! There was not a Sabbath-keeper within reach; but the Lord who is ever mindful of the needs of his people, called up the mind of a dear sister near by, to the same subject, and presented the same duty to her. We talked the subject over and over, wept and prayed together, and finally decided, come what would, we would try to obey God. Tongue cannot express the joy that then filled our hearts. Since then new light, new truths, and new duties, have presented themselves. In all of these I could see the care of God and his lovingkindness in leading his people. I praise the Lord for Spiritual Gifts; for the Health Reform; and when the reform dress was first introduced to us as a people, I thought it was well, but when I began to think in earnest of adopting it, my proud heart began to rebel, and my feet had well nigh slipped. It seemed that I could give a good and scriptural reason for every part of our faith and practice but that, and to bear the scorn and derision of all around, without a weapon with which to defend myself, was more than I could bear. But God, who is rich in mercy, and not willing that any should perish, bore with my murmurings, and I was brought to see that the great apostle Paul gloried in the cross by which the world was crucified to him, and he to the world; and while comparing my trials with his, I was ashamed, and tried to humble myself before God, resolving henceforth without questioning, to walk in the path of humble obedience. My prayer is that, as a people, Christ may dwell in our hearts by faith, that we being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and hight, and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge, that we might be filled with the fulness of God. Praise the Lord that he has lain help on One who is able and mighty to save. Brethren and sisters, let us gird on the whole armor anew, and see to it that we be prepared, in the strength of Christ, to stand amid the perils of these last days. From Bro. Cottrell.
By Wm. Cottrell
BRO. SMITH: I am very anxious to bear my testimony in favor of “Spiritual Gifts.” I have been reading them, and can bear testimony that what Paul says in Eph. iv, 12, is true; that they are for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. I am truly sorry that I did not get them sooner; the edification that I have received from the reading of Spiritual Gifts is almost incredible. All S. D. Adventists should have a full set of them. Don’t fail to get them, dear friends; nothing will be of greater benefit to you than the reading of those precious books. Bowersville, O., March, 1868. DEAR BRO. SMITH: I feel to thank the Lord that he in his great love and mercy permitted me to hear and obey the truth in regard the second coming of our dear Saviour; and the third angel's message, and all the kindred truths in connection with it. There are a few of us in Colon that have not denied the name of our glorious High Priest, nor ceased to keep the law of the Lord. I do rejoice in hope of soon seeing our dear Redeemer to make an end of sin, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to give all his dear people, that are ready and waiting for him, eternal life. I do hope and trust to be with God's people on the holy mount. Yours in hope.
ROBT. E. COPELAND.
Branch Co., Mich. BRO. ELIJAH EMERY writes from Maine: I can say for one that I am still looking for and loving the appearing of the Lord. I have been a believer in his coming over thirty years, and the time is now short; he will soon come and not tarry. May the blessing of the Lord Jesus Christ be with all who love his appearing. SISTER HARRIET WHITE writes from Portage Co., Ohio: I can say to the brethren and sisters scattered abroad, I love the truth of the third angel's message. I know the truth must have a deep work in my heart that I may stand in the day of the Lord. I am alone among the wicked of this world. I want to live as my Saviour would have me live. I am striving to open my heart and let my Saviour in, that he may sup with me, and I with him. The Review is an excellent paper; it helps me very much, and encourages me, when desponding, to lift up my head, for our redemption draweth nigh. BRO. C. G. DANIELS writes from Defiance Co., Ohio: The minds of thousands of otherwise good people have been prejudiced against the truth by an improper course. I speak from my own personal experience; when I first embraced the truth I learned fast, and the truth appeared so plain that I thought everybody that had any moral honesty would receive it at once, and I had a zeal for the truth but a lack of experience and forbearance. May God give wisdom to young Sabbath-keepers to know that the most successful way for them to preach the truth is to cultivate a meek and quiet spirit with an upright walk and godly conversation. HOPE.—In answer to many inquiries, we would say that we believe there is business for Seventh-day Adventists to enter upon for a livelihood, more consistent with their faith than the raising of hops, tobacco, or swine. And we would recommend that they plant no more hops, or tobacco fields, and that they reduce the number of their swine. They may yet see it their duty, as most consistent believers do, to keep no more. We would not urge this opinion upon any. Much less would we take the responsibility of saying, “Plow up your hop and tobacco fields, and sacrifice your swine to the dogs.” While we would say to those who are disposed to crowd hop, tobacco, and swine growers among our people, that they have no right to make these things, in any sense, a test of Christian fellowship, we would also say to those who have these miserable things on hand, If you can get them off your hands without great loss, consistency with the faith of this people whose publications and oral teachings have so much to say on the subject of reform, more than suggests that you should get them off your hands as soon as possible.
JAMES WHITE,
ELLEN G. WHITE.