Earlier text: THE NEW JERUSALEM NOT A MAGNIFICENT EMBLEM.MEETINGS IN WISCONSIN.
By Isaac Sanborn
In my last report I referred to a promise of Eld. Bushly, E. P. M., to preach against the Sabbath, which he did yesterday, first-day; and I confess that never till then did I see the prophecy in 2 Tim. iii, 5-9, have such a fulfillment: “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof; from such turn away; for of this sort are they which creep into houses and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts; ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth; men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. But they shall proceed no further, for their folly shall be made manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.” 1. That we could not understand the days of the creation week to be literal days, but indefinite periods of perhaps thousands of years in length. 2. That it was just fifty days from the day that the children of Israel left Egypt to the giving of the ten commandments. In the evening I showed by the fourth commandment that his first position was a perfect failure. I also showed from Ex. xix, 1, that it was in the third month after they left Egypt that they pitched in the wilderness of Sinai; therefore the Elder could not tell what day of the week they left Egypt, and therefore it was not on the Sabbath, as he affirmed. 3. He said we could not keep the Sabbath and sail round the world. I answered by supposing that his two men were twin brothers, leaving New York on the fourth day of last July, both being 21 years old that day. One year from that day they both got back to New York, and one says he is two days older than the other. Thus showing that their loss of time was only imaginary, and not real as the Elder supposed. 4. He asserted that there was not one passage in the New Testament showing that the apostles ever met on the Sabbath for religious worship; but I showed him the following scriptures: Acts xiii, 42-44: “And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath. . . . And the next Sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.” Acts xvi, 13: “And on the Sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made.” Acts xvii. 2: “And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them and three Sabbath days reasoned with them out of the Scriptures.” 5. The Elder asserted that the Jews commenced counting on Sunday the first day of the week and therefore Saturday was the seventh day of the week, which is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: Remember it and keep it holy. Then he asserted that if we kept any particular day of the week regularly we kept the seventh day. Here I showed that the Elder denied his own position and was against reason and common sense, for I showed that God taught the Jews to count the days of the week as they are now counted, as all who believe the Bible must admit, by first pointing out the seventh day of the week by the bill of manna on the six working days, and withholding it on the Sabbath, for forty years. This is also proved by the resurrection of Christ on the first day of the week, which was the day following the Sabbath, or seventh day. Now as the Elder taught, and some believe, that if we keep any day of the week it will answer for the seventh day, I wish to illustrate that position in the following manner: We will suppose that there are six silver candlesticks, placed in a row before us, numbered 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6; then a gold one numbered 7. Let these seven candlesticks thus numbered represent the creation week. Now if Eld. Bushly, or any other person, was told that if they could find the seventh candlestick in the row they might have it as a gift, does any one think they would take either of the silver ones, and then contend they had the seventh or the gold one? All will answer, No; there never would be such a mistake made. Then as there is but one golden candlestick in the row, so there is but one holy day in the week, which God says is the seventh day, and therefore is the last day of the week, the one before the first day of the next week, and the day upon which God rested after laboring six days in creating the heavens and earth, the sea, and all that in them is. And after he had rested upon it he sanctified and blessed it, and called it his holy day, and tells us if we will turn our feet from the Sabbath, from doing our pleasure on his holy day, and call it a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable, and shalt honor him, then we shall delight ourselves in the Lord. Isa. lviii, 13. But why is it people do not see the Sabbath and cease trampling it under their feet by doing their pleasure upon it? See Eze. xxii, 26: “Her priests have violated my law and have profaned my holy things; they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they showed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my Sabbaths and I am profaned among them. . . . And her prophets [teachers] have daubed them with untempered mortar [false positions], seeing vanity and divining lies unto them, saying, Thus saith the Lord God [the first day is the Sabbath], when the Lord hath not spoken.” In chap. xiii, 4, the Lord says, O Israel, thy prophets are like the foxes in the deserts. Travelers tell us that these foxes are very cunning. As they burrow in the ground, they make many holes to their hiding place, so that when the hunter puts his trap at one place the fox will go out at another, and so on. This peculiarity illustrates the characteristic of the latter-day prophets or teachers. Eld. Bull, of this place, first took the position that the ten commandments were all binding. In two weeks from that time he said they were all done away. Two weeks later Mr. Bushly took the position that they were all binding. But why can they not all tell the same story about it. For the simple reason that they have no Bible proofs to sustain them. Eld. Bushly at the close of his sermon against the Sabbath said he would answer every argument that I would offer, if he did not die, but after I got through my reply in the evening he tried to make fun of the subject, and then gave notice that he would preach in four weeks on the immortality of the soul, which I expect to hear and review at half-past 2 P. M. of the same day, which will be on November 24, at the Okey brick school-house. The good work is still onward in this place. The people are turning to the Lord. It is truly a solemn time in which we are living, yet we see ministers and professors of religion scoffing at the last solemn work that God is doing in the earth, fitting up a people for the coming of his Son. I am glad that it is our privilege, brethren, to lift up our heads and rejoice, because our redemption draweth nigh. May the Lord help us all to live so that we may say when he comes, “Lo! this is our God; we have waited for him and he will save us, . . . we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.” Isa. xxv, 9. Pray for me, brethren, that God may give me wisdom to do the work of an evangelist. THE LATE MEETINGS IN N. Y.
By C. O. Taylor
The Lord is good, and greatly to be praised. Our State Conference was the best since we have been organized. Then we had a rich feast at Roosevelt, listening to stirring testimony and hearty confessions. The two meetings have done much to quicken the church in this county. All that went to Roosevelt, were very thankful for the privilege of being present. They brought so much of the good spirit of the meeting home, that some who did not go, were quickened and revived. Testimony No. 13 has done much to set things right in the minds of the honest. The enemy was overthrowing the faith of some, leaving others in doubt and wonderment. I think I can safely say, that there was never more confidence in the visions, than at the present time; and it is working well. It leads to stronger faith and confidence in the message, that it is the work of God, and that he has not cast off his people. Then with this confidence comes a deeper work of consecration, an opening of the heart, and letting the Saviour in. From the General Conference, 1866 to ’67, may justly be called the dark year to the cause, in some respects. During the present year thus far, light has been breaking in, and the general impression is, that a great work is just before us. May I not say that it has commenced? Last Sabbath and first-day was Monthly Meeting for this county. It was the largest and best we ever had at Mannsville. After holding meeting at the meeting-house during the day, Sabbath, we met at Bro. Lowry’s, at half-past four, for prayer, and to attend the ordinances at six. The prayer-meeting became so interesting, that it continued till eight. Six or seven came forward for prayers. Some of them praying for themselves, and all expressing desires and determinations to serve the Lord. The hearts of the parents were turned to their children. A good work commenced. We met at 9, on first-day, at the meeting-house for prayer. I spoke at 11, from the words, “What is truth?” and while I endeavored to call their attention to many points that were truth, the Spirit helped in urging the solemn truth, that we had but a short time to repent of our sins, and get ready for the coming of the Lord. In the afternoon, after a few fervent prayers had been offered for God to work, we gave such as wished to be prayed for, an opportunity to come forward, when about twenty came. Some wanted a deeper work of grace; others wanted to return from their backsliding; and others came to seek the Lord for the first time. The spirit of confessing and repenting took hold of all. A great and good work was done in that direction. Confessions were also made by the old members of the cause and church, of the worldly-mindedness and lack of consecration, which emptied the heart, and gave a large place for Jesus. The dark clouds have not all, as yet, passed away from Mannsville; yet they are beginning to break and scatter. The individual work must be continued with us all, Adams Center, Nov. 12, 1867. REPORT FROM BRO. CORNELL.
By M. E. Cornell
The good work is still going on in this place. Eleven have been baptized. A deep solemnity pervades the meetings. At almost every meeting some one or more make a start for the kingdom. In several families the family altar is erected for the first time. Tobacco, jewelry, and other idols, are being put away with a hearty good-will, and the testimonies begin to ring with humble expressions of confidence in the third angel's message, present truth, the Lord's soon coming, &c. From thirty to forty speak in the social meetings. At the last meeting six more arose for prayers. There has been a steady advance from the first, and there is a prospect of many more being gathered in. For all this we thank the Lord and take courage. Brethren pray for us.
M. E. CORNELL.
Tittabawassee, Nov. 12. To Fill a Church.—Dr. Chalmers' receipt for filling a church, is to fill the pulpit well.—Howe. SELFISH CHOOSING, THIS OR THAT.
By SHINING LIGHT
“For that they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord.” Prov. i, 29. Reader, have you a right to choose this thing or that thing as fancy dictates, things spiritual or temporal, without first seeking wisdom from above, the Lord’s counsel for direction? Can you? dare you? “In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Prov. iii, 6. “’Tis yet, through grace, within our power
To choose what we would be;
On the decision of an hour,
Depends eternity.” To follow our own leadings is unwise, dangerous, rebellious. We have no right, as creatures of God, sustained by his bounties, in whom we live, move, and have our being, to choose for ourselves. Submission, unreserved, is our position at the feet of Jesus, saying, “Lord, what wilt thou have me do? Speak, for thy servant heareth.” Let God choose? Certainly, our friends, our occupations, our place of residence, our associations, our fields of usefulness, our thoughts, our words, our actions, our prayers, preaching, exhortations, testimonies, our conversations; all our public and private ministrations, should be exclusively under the movings or dictation of the Holy Spirit, that wisdom which cometh from above, “which is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.” “The preparation of the heart, and the answer of the tongue are from the Lord.” “I created the fruit of the lips, peace, peace, to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the Lord.” Isa. lvii, 19. “There is not a word in my tongue,” saith the Psalmist, “but thou knowest it altogether.” “We are, we were not! here our mind
Looks round with hopes and fears.” This permitting God to choose for us in all things is no more nor less than living by faith every moment—watching unto prayer—“being careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, making known our requests unto God.” Here is safety, peace, salvation. Reader, how is it with you? Are you attempting to choose for yourself, running before you are sent? taking the reins of government out of the hands of the Almighty? Beware of shoals and quicksands! What shall we think of a blind man choosing to walk without a safe guide through dangerous passes, or on the verge of a fearful precipice, exposed momentarily to the liability of being dashed to atoms? God says, “I will bring the blind by a way they know not; I will lead them in paths they have not known. I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight; these things will I do unto them and not forsake them.” Moses said to the Lord, “Except thy presence go with me, take us not up hence.” “Go to now, ye that say, To-day or to-morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell and get gain. Whereas ye know not what will be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will we shall live and do this or that. But now ye rejoice in your boastings; all such rejoicing is evil. Therefore, to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” James iv, 13–17. “This hour, this moment, let us take
The narrow, upward path;
This hour, this moment, all forsake
The broad down-road to wrath.” From Sister Barnes.
By Alice H. Barnes
BRO. SMITH: I have thought some one might be encouraged by a few words from my pen, as my own heart has been while reading the testimonies of others in the Review. For nearly three years past I have been trying to be an overcomer. I love the true Sabbath of the Lord, and hail with delight its weekly return. Its holy hours of peaceful rest bring strength to heart and life. Most highly do I prize the sermons that come to me each week through the Review. They are twice precious to me on account of my entire deafness, and inability to hear the living preacher. How good the Lord is to give me so many helps. How ungrateful shall I be if I do not improve them, and try to live out the holy principles taught in the third angel’s message. Eternal life is offered me on condition of obedience. Shall I turn aside and feed on husks, or unhealthy food, and thus lose life, eternal life? I am invited to come and partake of the water of life freely. Shall I indulge my appetite with drink that is not for health, and thus fail to drink the sweet water of life? Brethren and sisters, a great work is before us. Are we in our hearts saying, “My Lord delayeth his coming,” and thinking there is no danger of indulging a little longer in some sinful lust of the appetite or other evil propensities, and thereby endangering the hope of having our sins blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come? The enemy is trying all his arts to destroy us. Oh, that with energy, zeal, and perseverance,355we may take hold of these things, and overcome, that we may be found among those who are without fault before the throne of God. Each week my heart is cheered with the news that comes from the different fields of labor, that souls are embracing the truth and taking their stand with the people of God. Truly the harvest is great, and the laborers are few. Let every lover of the Lord’s appearing earnestly pray that more laborers may be sent into the harvest. I think much of the lonely ones who cannot meet with those of like precious faith. Your hearts are sad, and often weary, with longings for communion with the people of God. Look up! Lift up your heads, for your redemption draweth nigh. “Soon the joyful news will come,
Child, your Father calls, Come home.”
Home at last! will soon be the joyful cry of the weary and tired ones. Cheering thought! Blessed hope! No more pain nor suffering there. No more sin to mar our joy. We shall see Jesus, the dear Saviour who has died for us, and washed us from our sins in his own precious blood. Is not this worth living for, worth striving for? I have much to overcome; I sometimes think, more than any other Sabbath keeper. Yet I believe the promises of God are sure, and such a sinful and unworthy one as I may yet overcome, and have a home with the pure and blest. Almost every Sabbath it is my sweet privilege to meet with the people of God. Though all to me is silence, yet as I sit there and watch the varied emotions that pass over the countenances of the brethren and sisters when they speak of their hopes and joys, I seem to catch the sweet influence, and my heart glows with gladness at the thought, that if faithful, I too may overcome, and stand with them on Mount Zion. Written from selections from the Psalms, and dedicated to the brethren and sisters of North Dartmouth, Mass. BOUNTIFULLY with thee the Lord hath dealt;
Unto thy rest return.
For joys, removed from thee, my soul,
No more so sadly yearn. Merciful kindness o'errules all,
All storms and calms the same;
No way so dark but light may come
To make the right grow plain. Oh! may we with each dawning day
As one the Lord hath made—
Thus recognize all from Him
Why need we be afraid? He will not utterly forsake,
Though oft we feel alone—
Like strangers wandering o'er the earth—
Yet, still He guards His own. Rich mercy fills the very earth,
His judgments all are right;
In faithfulness He doth afflict—
The darkness leads to light. Are we not his? Will he not save?
His promises are sweet;
His word a light unto our path,
A lamp unto our feet. A hiding place we find in Him,
A sure, protecting shield,
Salvation freely granted all,
And endless love revealed. A FEW THOUGHTS.
By M. J. COTTRELL
“A crown of glory bright,
By faith I see
In yonder realms of light,
Prepared for me.”
I was sitting alone, singing those words when the question, Shall I ever wear a crown? came with great force to my mind; and I involuntarily paused in my singing and looked at this question, which was no new one, but which had come to me with a new and vivid light, bringing with it a reality I never before felt. Shall this form ever be clothed in a robe of white, one of Heaven’s pure, spotless garments? And shall this head ever wear a crown? I seemed to see myself in the simple yet richly-bright attire, as though a picture were held before me, and with trembling I questioned, Can it ever be? I think I have never fully comprehended the reality of these things of which we speak so often. Not that I have not believed that the saints will be clothed in real robes, and wear real crowns, but I have never before thought of my own self personally, really and truly, this body, this identical I, as standing among the purified. And still with trembling I questioned, Can it ever be? I am so weak, and bend so easily to surrounding circumstances. I have grown to love the approbation of the world so much, that a constant, mighty effort alone can save me. Little have I thought that I was striving harder to please earthly friends than to please him who is a friend above all others. But I fear that this is so. My young friends, Satan will make us think that we are serving the Lord when we are not, if he can; and he is so artful that he can easily get the better of us, unless we are constantly looking above with earnest, heartfelt desires for strength and wisdom. Let us try to humble ourselves, to bow low and cry to God for a deeper work of grace in our hearts, not our neighbor’s, or brother’s, or our sister’s heart, but our own; and if we get where we cannot see any thing wrong about us, let the burden of our prayer be, Merciful God, show me myself as seen by thee. I will try to deny self, take up every cross in the path, and tread with unwavering feet where duty points; and I know that if this is the steady purpose of my daily life, I shall not be left to meet the cruel foe alone. A fearful time is opening before us, and darkness may close around us. Yea, I feel that it will, through which no ray of light will shine, and dreadful doubts come to us, when our only safety will be in looking with steadfast gaze to God, saying, My trust is in thee, I will wait, pray and trust. And the struggle will not be brief; we have forgotten that we are to be tried. Shall it be found that we are all dross? God help us to feel our need of his help. —Our ease in Zion makes me feel awful. Who shall reform the reformer? Ah, poor dead Methodists! I have seen preacher's children wearing gold—brought up in pride.—Bishop Asbury. ACKNOWLEDGMENT.
By James E. White
DEAR BRN. AND SISTERS: I have lately thought it was my duty, as well as privilege, to write a few lines for the Review; not so much to instruct any one, but to free my own mind. Some five years since, I, with thirteen others, went forward in the sacred ordinance of baptism, and was united to the church at Battle Creek. For about three years I have been far upon the back ground. It seemed as if none of the faithful admonitions of my parents could have any influence over me whatever. In this condition I went away from Battle Creek to school last winter, and not being fortified by the grace of God, I was easily led away by the enemy into the world. I went into all their amusements and parties of pleasure, and, in fact, was one of them. I tremble whenever I think how near I came making shipwreck of my faith entirely, and going so far that the Lord would never call after me again. I continued in this way until my parents wrote for me to come home and attend a series of meetings which were being held here. I came, and at last began to see where I was. But I had very hard feelings against father, which I at that time did not fully give up, and soon fell back into the same backward state. I took part to a great extent in the prejudices that were then felt against him, and I fear, did more than any other one, to injure him. This fall I attended the good course of meetings that were held in this place, and I have again made a start, and I want this time to get everything out of the way. I have tried to confess my past sins before the church and before God. I feel that he has heard my prayers and praise him for it. I tremble when I think I have hindered my parents, which I am confident I have, in this great work, and I feel to ask forgiveness of them, of God, and of his people. But I will say that from this time, God being my helper, I mean to serve him better than ever before. I desire an interest in your prayers, that I may hold out faithful, and at last stand with you upon Mount Zion. 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 often one to another to comfort, edify and aid each other in the way of holiness and true Christian experience. From Sister Preston.
By Eliza A. Preston
BRO. SMITH:—I would like to publicly acknowledge my gratitude to God for his goodness and mercy in preserving and raising up Bro. and Sister White, and in permitting these faithful servants of his to come among us once more. They came to us in the fullness of the blessing of the Lord, and we receive it as the voice of the Good Shepherd, for their testimony was quick and powerful, well calculated to cut away from us all our idols and every clog that would unfit us for the race set before us. It was accompanied with the sweet gathering spirit that attends the faithful testimonies. Never did I witness the leveling hand of the Lord laid upon his people as in the meeting at Roosevelt, N. Y. It gave no one a chance to triumph over another, but each of us a good opportunity to humble ourselves low at the foot of the cross together, and pay our broken vows by seeking the Lord with all the heart. I am glad Bro. Andrews extended the invitation, and I earnestly hope that no one that enjoyed the rich feast will fail to receive the full benefit of the meeting. It may be our last call, the last privilege of the kind we shall ever enjoy. I can truly say it was the best meeting for me that I ever enjoyed at Roosevelt. I am sorry that we were not better prepared to help stay up the hands of the servants of the Lord. I would say for the encouragement of those dear brethren and sisters, that called on us during the meeting, and especially those brethren that turned in to sympathize and pray with and for my afflicted companion, that he began to amend from that very hour; and has been gradually coming up since that time. It is good to have him at our altar of prayer once more where we each try to humble ourselves before the Lord; and we feel to praise God that he does let the sweet melting influence of his Holy Spirit rest upon us. We humbly crave an interest in the prayers of God's people and by his grace assisting us we will try to overcome and meet you in that better land where the inhabitants shall no more say, “I am sick.” Oswego Co., N. Y., Nov. 1867. From Sister Doud.
By Sarah A. Doud
DEAR SISTERS: For some time past I have thought to write to you respecting the dress reform, but have waited, hoping that all who have not unbelieving, or opposing husbands, would be willing to adopt it on the testimonies given; or that some sister who had taken up the cross would speak out and call your minds to this subject. I am almost afraid that some of you have forgotten that there is such a thing as a reform in the matter of dress, judging from the indifference manifested. Some time has elapsed since the light came, and so few have adopted the dress, that certainly it must have slipped the minds of some. Last spring there was a moving out, and those who then took up the cross have been benefited, and blessed; but since the first stir passed, you have relapsed into the old way of things, and seem to think there is nothing more to be done. I cannot think so. What is light for one, is light for all, and intended for all; that all alike may be benefited thereby. Let us reason a few moments. What are the objections, or excuses? “Oh! I can’t be so different from everybody else, I should be laughed at.” And, “I could get along with a dress shorter than I now wear, but the pants, they look so. They make me think of the squaws.” And, “I do not see the use of it; if I had out-door work to do it would be different.” And, “The brethren have no sacrifice to make. I want to see them disfigure themselves in some way.” And the worst, yet truest, and I think the sum, of all excuses is, “My heart is too proud; I must keep one hand hold of the world. I have friends in the world who would think me a disgrace, and would not speak to me should they see me in a reform dress.” Now, what do the Scriptures say respecting our standing with the world. Paul, after speaking of our bodies, says, Rom. xii, 2, “And be not conformed to this world,” &c. Again, 1 Pet. i, 14: “As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance.” Again, 1 Jno. ii, 15: “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world,” &c. And Jno. xv, 19: “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own, but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.” The texts are too numerous to mention, that tell us plainly what our duties are respecting the world, and leave us all without excuse. For it is impossible for us to keep right with God and with the world at the same time. We cannot serve two masters. God in great mercy makes known our duty to him, and what he would have us do to be right in his sight. He has not left us to perish in darkness. Bless his holy name for his loving-kindness toward us. Who should not be willing to bear crosses and forsake the world for the sake of the crown laid up in store for his beloved? Dear sisters, let us all be willing to take up this cross. Perhaps some will say as I have been told several times, that misery loves company, and that I am urging upon you that which is of no practical importance. Now this is not so. I love the reforms very dearly. I have been benefited by them, and blessed, and strengthened in taking up crosses. Nor can I think that God will show us what is for our good and is pleasing to him, and it not be of importance. I feel to thank God for the light he has given us from time to time through the visions, and earnestly hope that every sister who has the privilege, will walk in the light. It will subdue a proud heart effectually, and will say to the world, “I am none of yours.” May God for Jesus’ sake help us all. Yours striving to overcome the world, the flesh, and the Devil. From Bro. Avery.
By Chas. Avery
BRO. SMITH: I praise God for what he is doing for me, and for the light I have received on the third angel's message and the Sabbath. It has become to me a delight to keep the holy Sabbath. The Lord has done a great work here since the grove meeting, and is still working. Five were baptized on first-day, Oct. 13. Bro. C. Sweet and Wm. Wild administered the ordinance. It was witnessed by a large congregation with whom a deep interest was manifested. Others are still coming out. Bro. P. C. Rodman arrived on sixth-day, and preached from 1 Pet. ii, 6, 7, a very interesting discourse. Sabbath morning he met with the few commandment keepers, and spoke from Isa. lviii, 13, a discourse just such as the children of God needed. Again, Nov. 2, I had the privilege of hearing from Bro. R. an interesting and instructive discourse from Dan. vii. Much interest was manifested by those who heard. It has made quite an opening in this place. Eleven have been baptized since the grove meeting above referred to. May God still bless. From Sister Shaw.
By Lydia Jane Shaw
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: I would improve upon the privilege that is granted to us through the columns of the Review, of speaking often one to another. I have not been so long silent for want of interest in the cause of present truth, but from a feeling of incompetence; but the weakest have a duty to do, and I feel that my whole heart is in this work. And how sweet to be allowed to do little services for Jesus. How blessed it is to have such a mighty friend who is interested in all that pertains to our good, to whom we can carry all our cares and perplexities, and joys and sorrows, and feel that he never is weary of listening to the wants of even the least of his children; but I do feel to rejoice for the light that God has given to shine upon my pathway, and I find it a delight to walk therein. I believe it is our privilege and duty to know our acceptance daily, and to have a daily experience, and I do want to be wholly consecrated to the service of my Lord and Master, that I may have clean hands and a pure heart when the Lord comes to make up his jewels, that it may be said to me, Thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many. The prospect cheers my heart to-day, and I feel his love down deep in my soul, and can say I love God, his law, and his people, and with them I hope to be able to go up and possess the goodly land. How cheering the hope which buoys the fainting heart above this cold, dark world of selfishness and sin, and points to the hour of Jesus' coming to take his waiting ones to himself. Here I would acknowledge the gratitude I feel for the privileges I have been permitted to enjoy during the past few months. I have formed many pleasing acquaintances, and enjoyed many precious seasons which will long be remembered. And what pleasure do I take in my lonely moments thinking of those with whom I have from time to time become acquainted, and think of the blessed seasons I have enjoyed with them, and to feel that the lone and tried ones are ever remembered by the church, and it fills my heart to overflowing with gratitude to God for the blessings he is bestowing upon me. But God's word assures us that if we trust in him he will withhold no good thing from those that walk uprightly. My trust is in him, and I feel determined by his grace to strive to press my way through to the kingdom. Yours, striving to overcome.
LYDIA JANE SHAW. From Sister Rich.
By Mary Rich
BRO. SMITH: One year has passed since the voice of the third angel's message sounded in my ears; and I now rejoice that I delayed not to keep God's commandments, and that I have a place among his remnant people. This people shall be my people and their God my God. The Lord has been as good as his word, yes, his grace has been sufficient for me thus far; and my determination is still to walk in the light. Though the way is so narrow as to cause us to tremble, yet if we are willing to be led by the Spirit of the living God, we need not fear; for the Lord has said, I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go. I will guide thee with mine eyes. It is good to know that angels are our helpers if we fear the Lord and keep his commandments, and that the end is everlasting life. May God in his mercy help us in the strait and narrow path till Jesus comes in the clouds of heaven.