Review and Herald, Vol. 35, No. 24. (5/31/1870)

Review and Herald

May 31, 1870

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 31, 1870

CHRISTIAN RECREATION.

By Ellen G. White

BY MRS. E. G. WHITE.

I HAVE been thinking what a contrast would be seen between the gathering that we are having here to-day, and such gatherings as they are generally conducted by unbelievers. Instead of prayer and the mentioning of Christ and religious things, we should have the silly laugh and the trifling conversation. Their idea would be to have a general high time. It would commence in folly and end in vanity. We want in these gatherings to have them so conducted, and to so conduct ourselves, that when we return to our homes we can have a conscience void of offense toward God and man; a consciousness that we have not wounded nor injured in any manner those with whom we have been associated, or had an injurious influence over them. Here is where very many fail. They do not consider that they are accountable for the influence they daily exert; that in all their associations in life, they must render an account to God for the impressions they make, and the influence they cast. If this influence is such as shall have a tendency to draw the mind away from God, and attract it into the channel of vanity and folly, and lead persons to seek for their own pleasure, in amusements and foolish indulgences, they must give an account for this. And if these persons are men and women of influence, if their position is such that their example will affect others, then the greater sin will rest upon them for neglecting to regulate their conduct by the Bible standard.

The occasion we are enjoying to-day is just according to my ideas of recreation. I have tried to give my views upon this subject, but they are better illustrated than expressed. I was here on this ground about one year since, when there was a gathering similar to this. Nearly every thing passed off very pleasantly then, but still there were some things objectionable. There was considerable jesting and joking indulged in by some. All were not Sabbath-keepers, and there was an influence manifest that was not as pleasant as we could wish.

But I believe, that while we are seeking to refresh our spirits and invigorate our bodies we are required of God to use all our powers at all times to the best purpose. We may associate together as we are here to-day, and do all to the glory of God. We can and should conduct our recreations in such a manner that we shall be better fitted for the more successful discharge of the duties devolving upon us, and our influence be more beneficial upon those with whom we associate, especially upon an occasion like this, which should be of good cheer to all of us. We can return to our homes improved in mind, and refreshed in body, and prepared to engage in the work anew with better hope and better courage.

We are of that class who believe that it is our privilege every day of our lives to glorify God upon the earth; that we are not to live in this world merely for our own amusement, merely to please ourselves. We are here to benefit humanity and be a blessing to society. And if we should let our minds run in that low channel that many who are seeking only vanity and folly permit their minds to run in, how can we be a benefit to our race and generation? how can we be a blessing to society around us! We cannot innocently indulge in any amusement which will not fit us for the more faithful discharge of ordinary life duties.

We want to seek the elevated and lovely. We want to direct the mind away from those things that are superficial and of no importance, and that have no solidity. What we desire is, to be gathering new strength from all that we engage in, from all these gatherings for the purpose of recreation, from all these pleasant associations. We want to be gathering new strength to become better men and better women. We want from every source possible to gather new courage, new strength, new power, that we may elevate our lives to purity and holiness, and not come down upon the low level of this world. We hear many who profess the religion of Jesus Christ speak often like this: "We must all come down upon a level." There is no such thing as Christians' coming down upon a level. As we embrace the truth of God, and the religion of the Bible, this is not coming down, it is coming up upon a high and elevated level, a higher stand point where we may commune with God.

For this very reason Christ humiliated himself to humanity, and took upon himself our nature, that by his own humiliation, and suffering and sacrifice, he might become a stepping stone to fallen men, that they might climb up upon his merits, and through his excellence and virtue receive from God an acceptance of their efforts to keep his law. There is no such thing here as coming down upon a level. It is the elevated and exalted platform of eternal truth that we are seeking to plant our feet upon. We are seeking to be more like the heavenly angels, more pure in heart, more sinless, more harmless and undefiled.

We are seeking for purity and holiness of life, that we may at last be fitted for the heavenly society in the kingdom of glory; and the only means to attain this elevation of Christian character is through Jesus Christ. There is no other way for the exaltation of the human family. Some talk of humiliation, and of the sacrifice they make because they adopt the truth of heavenly origin! Surely this is not accepted by the world, it is not received by the unbeliever. They may talk of those that have embraced the truth, and sought the Saviour, and represent them as leaving everything, and giving up everything, and making a sacrifice of everything that is worth retaining. But do not tell me this. I know better. My experience proves this to be otherwise. You need not tell me that we have to give up our dearest treasures, and receive no equivalent. No, indeed! That God, that Creator, that planted the beautiful Eden for our first parents, and has planted for us the lovely trees and flowers, and everything that was beautiful and glorious in nature for the human race to enjoy, designed that they should enjoy it. Then do not think that God wishes us to yield up everything which it is for our happiness here to retain. All he requires us to give up is that which would not be for our good and happiness to retain.

That God who has planted these noble trees and clothed them with the rich foliage, and given us the brilliant and beautiful shades of the flowers, and whose handy and lovely work we see in all the realm of nature, does not design to make us unhappy; he does not design that we shall have no taste, and take no pleasure in these things. It is his design that we shall enjoy them. It is his design that we shall be happy in the charms of nature, which are of his own creating. It is right that we should choose such places as this grove for seasons of relaxation and recreation. But while we are here, it is not to devote our attention to ourselves merely, and fritter away precious time, and engage in amusements which will encourage a disregard for sacred things. We have not come here to indulge in jesting and joking, in the senseless laugh and foolish talking. We here behold the beauties of nature. And what then? Fall down and worship them? No, indeed. But as you behold these works of nature's let your mind be carried up higher to nature's God; let it be elevated to the Creator of the universe, and then adore the Creator who has made all these beautiful things for your benefit, for your happiness.

Men and women will delight in lovely paintings; but where do the artists get their ideas of these things to put upon the canvas? From nature's beautiful scenery. Persons are ready to worship the talent which can produce a beautiful drawing; but where do those who devote their life to this work obtain their designs? From nature, only from nature; and yet these individuals will devote the entire strength of their being, and will bestow all their affections upon their tastes in this direction. Yet art can never attain the perfection seen in nature. Many withdraw their minds from

the beauties and glories of nature that our Creator has prepared for them to enjoy, and devote all the powers of their being to perfection of art; yet all these things are only imperfect copies from nature. The Maker of all these beautiful things is forgotten. I have seen many who would go into ecstacies over a picture of a sunset; but at the same time, they could have the privilege of seeing an actual and glorious sunset almost every evening in the year. They can see the beautiful tints with which nature's Master and invisible Artist, with divine skill, has painted glorious scenes on shifting canvas, and carelessly turn from the heavenly-wrought picture to paintings of art, traced by imperfect fingers, and they will almost fall down and worship them. What is the reason of all this? It is because the enemy is almost constantly seeking to divert the mind from God. But when you present God, and the religion of Jesus Christ, will they receive them? No, indeed. They cannot accept of Christ. What! they make the sacrifice they would have to make to receive him? Not at all. But what is required? Simply their heart's holiest and best affections for him who left the glory of the Father and came down to die for a race of rebels. He left his riches, his majesty, and his high command, and took upon himself our nature, that he might make a way of escape—to do what? To humiliate you? To degrade you? No, indeed. To make a way of escape for you from hopeless misery, and to elevate you to his own right hand in his kingdom at last. For this, the great, the immense, sacrifice was made. And who can realize this great sacrifice? Who can appreciate it? None but those who understand the mystery of godliness, who have tasted of the powers of the world to come, who have drank from the cup of salvation that has been presented to us. This cup of salvation the Lord offers us, while with his own lips he drained, in our stead, the bitter cup which our own sins had prepared, and which was apportioned us to drink. Yet we talk as though that Christ who has made such a sacrifice, and manifested such love for us, would deprive us of everything that is worth having!

But what good would he deprive us of? He would deprive us of the privilege of giving up to the natural passions of the carnal heart. We cannot get angry just when we please, and retain a clear conscience and the approval of God. But are we not willing to give this up? Will the indulgence of corrupt passions make us any happier? It is because it will not, that there are restrictions laid upon us in this respect. It will not add to our enjoyment to get angry, and cultivate a perverse temper. It is not for our happiness to follow the leadings of the natural heart. Will we be made better to indulge them? No. They will cast a shadow in our households, and will throw a pall over our happiness when indulged in. Giving way to your own natural appetites will only injure your constitution, and tear your system to pieces. Therefore God would have you restrict your appetite, have control over your passions, and hold in subjection the entire man. And he has promised to give you strength if you will engage in this work.

The sin of Adam and Eve caused a fearful separation between God and man. And here Christ steps in between fallen man and God, and says to man, You may yet come to the Father; there is a plan devised through which God can be reconciled to man, and man to God; and through a mediator you can approach God. And here he stands to mediate for you. He is the great High Priest who is pleading in your behalf; and it is for you to come and present your case to the Father through Jesus Christ. Thus you can find access to God; and if you sin your case is not hopeless. “And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”

I thank God that we have a Saviour. And there is no other way whereby men and women can be exalted except through Jesus Christ. Then let no one think that it is a great humiliation on his part to accept of Jesus Christ; for when we take that step, we take the first step toward true exaltation; we take hold of the golden cord that links finite man with the infinite God, and elevates us that we may be fitted for the society of pure and heavenly angels in the kingdom of glory.

Be not discouraged; be not faint-hearted. Although you may have temptations; although you may be beset by the wily foe; yet, if you have the fear of God before you, angels that excel in strength will be sent to your help, and you can be more than a match for the powers of darkness. Jesus lives. He has died to make a way of escape for the fallen race; and he lives to-day to make intercession for us, that we may be exalted to his own right hand. Have hope in God. The world is traveling the broad way; and as you travel in the narrow way, and have principalities and powers to contend with, and the opposition of foes to meet, remember that there is provision made for you. Help has been laid upon One that is mighty; and through him you can conquer.

Come out from among them and be separate, says God, and I will receive you, and ye shall be sons and daughters of the Lord Almighty. What a promise is this! It is a pledge to you that you shall become members of the royal family, heirs of the heavenly kingdom. If a person is honored by, or becomes connected with, any of the monarchs of earth, how it goes the rounds of the periodicals of the day, and excites the envy of those who do not think themselves so fortunate. But here is One who is king over all, the monarch of the universe, the originator of every good thing; and he says to us, I will make you my sons and daughters; I will unite you to myself; you shall become members of the royal family, and children of the heavenly King.

And then says Paul, “having therefore these promises dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord.” Why should we not do this, when we have such an inducement, the privilege of becoming children of the Most High God, the privilege of calling the God of Heaven our father? Is not that enough? And do you call this depriving you of everything that is worth having? Is this the giving up of everything that is worth possessing? Let me be united to God and his holy angels, for this is my highest ambition. You may have all the possessions of this world, but I must have Jesus; I must have a right to the immortal inheritance, the eternal substance. Let me enjoy the beauties of the kingdom of God. Let me delight in the paintings which his own fingers have colored. I may enjoy them. You may enjoy them. But we may not worship them. But through them we may be directed to Him and behold his glory who has made all these things for our enjoyment.

Again I would say, Be of good courage. Trust in the Lord. Do not let the enemy rob you of the promises. If you have separated yourselves from the world, God has said that he will be your father, and you shall be his sons and daughters. Is not that enough? What greater inducement could be presented before you! Is there any great object in being a butterfly, and having no substance nor aim in life? Oh! let me stand on the platform of eternal truth. Give me immortal worth. Let me grasp the golden chain that is let down from Heaven to earth, and let it draw me up to God and glory. This is my ambition. This is my aim. If others have no higher object than to dress up with bows and ribbons, and fantastic things here, if they can delight in outward display and satisfy their souls with it, let them enjoy it. But let me have the inward adorning. Let me be clothed with that meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. And I recommend it to you, young ladies and young men, for it is more precious in his sight than the gold of Ophir. It is this which makes a man more precious than fine gold, even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir. Just so with you, my sisters, and you, young people; it will make you more precious in the sight of Heaven than fine gold, yea, than the golden wedge of Ophir. I recommend to you, Jesus my blessed Saviour. I adore him. I magnify him. Oh! that I had an immortal tongue that I could praise him as I desire; that I could stand before the assembled universe and speak in praise of his matchless charms. And while I adore and magnify him, I want you to magnify him with me. Praise the Lord, even when you fall into darkness. Praise him even in temptation. “Rejoice in the Lord always,” says the apostle; “and again I say rejoice.” Will that bring darkness and gloom into your families? No, indeed; it will bring a sunbeam. It will be the gathering of rays of eternal light from the throne of glory, and scattering them around you. Let me exhort you to engage in this work, scatter this light and life around you, not only in your own path, but in the paths of others with whom you associate. Let it be your object to make those around you better; to elevate them; to point them to Heaven and glory and lead them to seek, above all earthly things, the eternal substance, the immortal inheritance, and the riches which are imperishable.

BLESSINGS.

By L. D. Santee

“A faithful man shall abound with blessings.” Prov. 28:20.

What if we hear the battle’s crash, Man with his fellows fighting, Or see the cannon’s dreadful flash The lurid darkness lighting; What if the tempest shades the sky, The sun’s glad light repressing, Yet in God’s own appointed way, Shall come to us a blessing.

We sometimes seek the joys of earth, And find them turned to sorrow; The pleasures that to-day have birth, Must perish with the morrow. And oftimes we are chastened sore, Until we cease transgressing; Then God his consolation pours, And we receive a blessing.

But if we labor for the right, Are gentle and forgiving, Soon will the city come in sight, Where none are sad and grieving; Oh! let us then our lives amend, Our weaknesses confessing, And God in mercy then will send Us every needed blessing.

L. D. SANTEE.

Dixon, Mo.

The Reformers’ Opinion of the World’s Conversion.

The leading Reformers, as individuals, have left their most decided testimony against all such notions.

Luther says: “This is not true, and is really a trick of the devil, that people are led to believe that the whole world shall become Christian. It is the devil’s doing, in order to darken sound doctrine, and to prevent it from being rightly understood. * Therefore, it is not to be admitted that the whole world, and all mankind, shall believe on Christ; for we must perpetually bear the sacred cross, that they are the majority who persecute the saints.” (Walch’s Luther, vol. 11, cols. 1082–88.)

A guest having suggested to him, that, if the world should last, there might yet be many improvements, Luther exclaimed: God forbid! it would be worse than all the past. There would arise many other sects, which are now hidden within the hearts of men. May the Lord come and cut all short, for there is no hope of improvement! Again, he says, “That the Papal Church should reform is an impossibility; neither will the Turks and Jews. * I see nothing else to be done but to say, Lord, thy kingdom come!” And again: “You will ere long see wickedness prevail to such an extent that life will become a heavy burden, and everywhere the cry will be raised, God, come with thy last judgments!” A millennium of blessedness on this side of the day of Judgment was heresy to him.

Melanchthon’s views were equally unmistakable. His own words are: “The true Church will always suffer persecution from the wicked to the end of time, and in the church itself the good and the evil will continue blended together.” He believed and affirmed, with Luther, that the world was rapidly approximating the day of Judgment, so rapidly that the idea of a millennium first he could only regard as utterly heretical. The Mahometan empire and the Papacy he identified with antichrist, and claimed that they would stand till Christ himself should come.

Calvin calls Luke 18: 8 “a clear prediction of Christ; that from his ascension into Heaven until his return, men will everywhere remain in unbelief.” On Matthew 24: 30, he says: “There is no reason why any person should expect the conversion of the world; for at length (when it will be too late, and will yield them no advantage) they shall look on him whom they have pierced.” And on 1 Corinthians 15: 51, 1 Thessalonians 4: 15, 2 Thessalonians 2: 2, &c., he shows plainly how adverse was his understanding of the Scriptures to the notion under consideration.

Knox thus expresses himself in his treatise on Fasting: “What were this but to reform the face of the whole earth, which never was, nor yet shall be, till that righteous King and Judge appear for the restoration of all things.”—Prophetic Times.

Sermons Without Blade.

PASSING along the road the other day, we thought we had found a very beautiful knife. On picking it up, it was found to be only a handle without a blade. So do we hear very beautiful sermons—well written and well read—but they are without blade. They cut no cancers of sin, and carve out no models of piety. Sermons, like knives, to be valuable, must have blades.

Rules for Daily Living.

By C. H. Bliss

WHEN you arise in the morning, return thanks to the Giver of all good, for his protection over you during the past night. Ps. 5: 3.

Do not commence the business of the day, without premeditation, and asking divine guidance. Ps. 143: 8.

Form no plans, nor engage in any thing during the day, except in the performance of which you can a conscience void of offense toward God and man. Prov. 3: 5, 6.

Do not get angry during the day, though you have severe trials; but should your anger perchance arise do not attempt to say or do any thing, until your passion has subsided. Eph. 4: 26; James 1: 19, 20.

Speak gently, and deal kindly, at all times. Micah 6: 8.

Do not misuse, in any way, the things with which God has blessed you. 1 Cor. 7: 31.

Accommodate others when ever you can although it cause you some trouble. Matt. 5: 42.

Living the truth is better than talking it; therefore pray much, and say but little. Luke 21: 36; Prov. 17: 27.

If in your deal with your fellow-men, you cannot make the exact change, remember, that to give is better than to receive. Acts. 20: 35.

If a man comes to your door hungry or destitute of clothing do not permit him to pass until you have supplied his wants. James. 2.

Let your words be few and well chosen. Prov. 10: 19; Matt. 12: 36.

Idle away no time. Prov. 6: 6, 11.

Do not let little inconveniences prevent you from laboring. Prov. 20: 4.

Be merciful to your dumb brutes, although they may provoke you. Prov. 12: 10.

Strive not to perform some great thing, but discharge faithfully all your little duties. Luke 16: 10.

When you sit down to the table, to partake of the bounties of Heaven, remember you are eating to live, not living to eat. Prov. 23: 1.

If you know of any good deeds to be done, during the day, attend to it the first thing in the morning. Eccl. 11: 6. C. H. BLISS.

Peoria Co., Ill.

The Michigan State Christian Convention on the Sabbath Question.

A CORRESPONDENT has sent us the full published proceedings of the State Christian Convention of Michigan, held last January. Its tone upon the Sabbath question can be seen from the following extracts:

Pres. Mahan said: The Sabbath was made not for Baptists or Presbyterians, but for man. It was the common property of all.

Mr. Fisk said: The persons who attacked the Christian Sabbath were nearly the same persons who favored the expulsion of the Bible from our schools. The Sabbath was necessary to the human family, both in a physical and moral sense. No nation had ever existed permanently which did not have its foundation on a religious idea. The cry for changing the Christian Sabbath into a holiday was put afloat by the foreign born population and those of foreign parentage. It was not raised by the native population. If this land was to be preserved we must preserve the Christian Sabbath. This country belonged to the Sabbath-loving class. It was founded by reverers of the Sabbath. It was our duty to go for the protection of the Sabbath by legal measures. If our Sabbath was destroyed as a sacred day, the speaker believed that the nation would be destroyed. He would rather the idea of a Christian Sabbath should be destroyed entirely, that it should cease to be a day of rest, rather than it should be changed into a holiday. Government had a right, it was its duty to throw its legal protection around the Christian Sabbath; for the morality of the nation was its life.

Rev. Mr. Williams, of Somerset, said the question was whether we should Americanize the foreigners who come to our shores, or whether they should foreignize us. It was a question whether we should be allowed to keep our Sabbath at all. The foreign idea of freedom was license, the American idea was freedom to do right. We must uphold the sacredness of the Sabbath. The kingdom of Heaven or the kingdom of hell must go down. Inseparably connected with the Sabbath question was the very existence of our country.

Rev. Mr. Bangs, of Ionia, was impressed with the idea that there was a God in this question. When the nation legally sanctioned an evil, God would punish us as a nation. Should we, as a nation, legalize the desecration of the Sabbath? This was the question; for the advocates of Sabbath license asked to be legally protected in their Sabbath breaking.

Mrs. Comstock opposed the practice of Sabbath visiting. If it was not right for men and horses to work on the Sabbath, it was wrong for women to be compelled to do the work incident to entertaining company. The lady thought the Jews would not respect the Sabbath unless compelled to do so by legal enactment.

Rev. Mr. Carman, Hudson, opposed Sabbath funerals as a desecration of the day.

Rev. Dr. McCarthy said the convention could not resolve the people into observing the Sabbath. About one eighth only of the people of Detroit attended any church. It was the duty of Christians to attend to the strict observance of the Sabbath in their own families.

Rev. Mr. Donnelly, of Port Sanilac, thought Christian example should be so set as to attract unbelievers to the observance of the Sabbath. So long as Christian people would make the Sabbath a day of labor, or pleasure seeking, and visiting, it was useless to agitate for the better observance of the Sabbath by others. If foreigners came to our shores they should be taught to observe our Sabbath.

Mothers, Speak Low.

I know some houses, well-built and handsomely furnished, where it is not pleasant to be even a visitor. Sharp angry tones resound through them from morning till night, and the influence is as contagious as measles, and much more to be dreaded in a household. The children catch it, and it lasts for life—an incurable disease. A friend has such a neighbor within hearing of her house, when doors and windows are opened, and even Poll Parrot caught the tune, and delights in screaming, until she has been sent into the country to improve her habits. Children catch cross tones far quicker than parrots, and it is a much more mischievous habit. When mother sets the example, you will scarcely hear a pleasant word among the children in their plays with each other. Yet the discipline of such a family is always weak and irregular. The children expect just so much scolding before they do anything they are told, while in many a home where the low firm tone of the mother, or decided look of her steady eye is law, they never think of disobedience, either in or out of her presence. O, mother! it is worth a great deal to cultivate that “excellent thing in woman”—a low, sweet voice. If you are ever so much tried by the mischievous or wilful pranks of the little ones, speak low. It will be a great help to you to even try to be patient and cheerful, if you cannot succeed. Anger makes you wretched, and your children, also. Impatient, angry tones never did the heart good, but plenty of evil. Read what Solomon says of them, and remember he wrote with an inspired pen. You cannot have the excuse for them that they lighten your burdens any, they make them ten times heavier. For your own, as well as your children's sake, learn to speak low. They will remember that tone when your head is under the willows. So, too, will they remember a harsh and angry tone. Which legacy will you leave to your children?

Christ Gives Grace and Strength

ALL must come to Christ first, and he will give the grace and power that they need; he will infuse the strength; he will correct the motives; he will purify the affections; he will put on the robe; he will work in them both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Amount of Liquor Sold in the United States in 1869.

[The statements in the following article from the Iowa State Register, April, 1870, are truly appalling, Let those who are dreaming of a temporal millennium at hand ponder them well. D. M. C.]

THE COST OF IT.

In an Eastern paper we find the following indictment against king alcohol. The counts in the charge, if true, are nothing short of terrible. The paper claims that the figures were taken from authentic and reliable reports for the year 1869, and recites them as follows:

$1,291,865,000 were paid direct for liquors drank in the United States.

$1,250,000,000 are to be added to this for loss of time and other expenses. This is estimated.

62,000,000 bushels of grain were used up to produce this liquor.

600 murders, and 400 suicides were directly caused by the use of it.

200,000 persons were sent to prisons directly through its agency.

200,000 more were sent to charitable institutions.

60,000 died drunkards, including 570 by delirium tremens and 350 by other forms of insanity brought on by rum, making at the same time 30,000 widows and 90,000 orphans.

The Armies of Europe.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

[THE following figures show what the spirit of war is doing in Europe. It is a dark picture for those who soon expect the millennium and reign of the Prince of peace upon earth. It looks more like preparing for the battle of the day of God. D. M. CANRIGHT.]

According to the estimates of a French collector of statistics, the armies of Europe are composed of 2,557,528 soldiers in active service, and 671,393 drill reserves. They are distributed among the several nations as follows: North Germany, 421,528 active soldiers, 298,113 reserves 95,000 reserves of the second ban. Austria, 540,000 of whom 240,000 are Hungarians; she has no reserve. Russia, 800,000 drilled soldiers; no reserves. Italy, 396,000 active soldiers; 173,250 drilled reserves; France 400,000 effectives, 200,000 reserves; its projected army will consist of 400,000 effectives, 400,000 reserves, 400,000 militia, capable of garrison duty. In Prussia, the whole able-bodied population, in France, five-eighths of the same class have received military instruction. It is calculated that the highest number of able-bodied soldiers between twenty and forty which any State can yield is ten per cent, of its total census. The highest number ever yielded has been but five per cent, or but half the maximum.—Union Hand Book 1870.

Pretense.

Dr. Scott, of New York, while preaching on the prophet Balaam, came to speak of earnestness, zeal and enthusiasm in the cause of God, and while referring to the objections to “excitement,” which are often made, he said: “A man who, in the midst of his family receives a bill larger than he expected, may walk up and down the room and tear his hair, and rave in his excitement, and no one blames the extravagance of his conduct. Men in the stock market may be wild with excitement as the prices are going up and down, and they are making or losing money, and this be only reasonable diligence in the pursuit of business! But the moment a man wakes up to the necessity of seeking the kingdom of God, or the church begins to be in earnest about the salvation of souls perishing in sin at her gates, we are told that this is enthusiasm, fanaticism, madness! The fact is, brethren, we are dying of respectability! afraid to be in earnest in the great work of the soul’s salvation, lest we be reproached for our zeal and earnestness, as if it were possible for us to be too much in earnest when the immortal interest of ourselves and our fellow-men are at stake! Our churches are dying of respectability. Oh! for the voice of one crying in the wilderness, to awake such people from their repose, and warn the careless multitudes from the wrath to come! O God, send help to the workers in this evil time.”

Safe at Home.

By John Nevins Andrews

Such will be the case at last with the people of God. Their toils shall cease, and their journeyings end in their safe arrival in the kingdom of God. So when the men of this world shall reach the lake of fire, the men who have sought the next world shall safely stand within the city of God. Those who make this world their portion shall have it for their portion; and when it shall be devoured by fire they shall still have their part in it.

But those who make the next world their inheritance shall have it when it comes. And it will come at last. “And when the world's distress comes, then the church's rest comes.” When the wicked reach their final retribution, the saints shall shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. And what inexpressible blessedness shall be the lot of those who thus overcome. Their wanderings shall then be past. Their sorrows are ended forever, and themselves safe in the house of their Father.

This blessedness shall soon be theirs: It hastes greatly. There is no reason to be faint hearted or dismayed. If the toil is painful the rest will be sweet. And every day shortens the intervening time. On all the wings of time it flies. Our time of rest is fixed, and it will come at last. Let us toil on. Our faith, and patience, and courage, must not fail. In due time we shall reap if we faint not. Our home is before us, and we shall certainly reach it at last, if we do only follow on to know the Lord. It is his prerogative to fix our time of rest. But it is ours to do our work well. The well done will come if we only do well. Then we shall cease our wanderings, and dwell forever at home. Till then, let us labor and not faint.

J. N. A.

The Close of Probation.

By Jos. Clarke

“The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.” Jer. 8:20.

“Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord. And they shall wander, from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east; they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it.” Amos 8:11, 12.

“He that is unjust, let him be unjust still; and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still; and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still; and he that is holy, let him be holy still.” Rev. 22:11.

The human race are upon trial. The time given us, is a time of trial. We are probationers; or it may be said that we are now undergoing trial.

What makes this subject of more intense interest to the race now than it was a thousand years ago, is, that the term of man's probation has nearly closed.

We are living in the time of the end, this side of the close of the 2300 days, the longest prophetic period given by Daniel. We live in the time spoken of in Daniel 12:9, “the time of the end.” The angel of Rev. 10 has sworn that time should be no longer; and the church has experienced the disappointment alluded to in that chapter. We stand in a time of unspeakable interest. To say with the poet that it is “a grand and awful time,” is using only such words as the occasion demands.

Zechariah, in the 9th chapter, 12th verse, styles the family of man, “prisoners of hope;” a term well chosen for us probationers held to trial.

As the trial proceeds to its close, the interest deepens, as eternal things and lasting consequences are at stake. Angels look on with the deepest solicitude. None are careless as to the result, but the prisoners themselves, who have fallen in love with their prison, who laugh at the clanking of their own chains, and fondly imagine their place of imprisonment a paradise, and their Judge to be like themselves.

God's law they despise, and insult the Lawgiver, by inserting a clause of their own. As if mere rebellion were insufficient, they thus add supreme contempt.

Prisoners of hope, probationers; yet who would suppose that men were prisoners, awaiting the decision of a court?

To those who wait anxiously for their Lord, this is a weighty matter. As they look forward to the final decision of the court of Heaven, they are moved to watchfulness and prayer. A spirit of grace and supplication is poured out upon them, and they cry out for a preparation of heart, for that dread day in which the hearts of all men will be made known.

At this moment, the trial is progressing. Our acts are all recorded, and all our words and motives. Nothing is hidden from our Judge. On the character of this record, our cause will be decided. Have we anything to plead? Can anything but the blood of Christ cleanse us from these stains? Can anything else save his intercession, serve to blot out the shameful record? Shall it not be our daily cry to him to plead for us? Is any sacrifice too great to make, that we may manifest our loyalty to his cause? Shall we shrink from his work, while we ask his intercession?

JOS. CLARKE.

Continue reading: New York Ministers and Fast Horses

CHRISTIAN RECREATION.*