Earlier text: IMMORTALITY OF THE SOULThe Lord has ever required his people to be holy, and without holiness no man shall see the Lord. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Nothing short of a perfect consecration to the will and service of God is acceptable in his sight. Says Paul, And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit, soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thess. v, 23. We must be given to God without reserve, in order for this to take place. The Lord never accepts of half the heart. It must be a full surrender; and there must be a continual living up to the light given. In order to the development of a perfect character, God has given us a perfect law by which to live. Nothing short of a perfect submission to this law, in the Spirit as well as the letter, will do. In past generations the claims of this law have not been understood by the mass of christians. Yet doubtless God has accepted of every fully consecrated heart, knowing their willingness to walk in all the light they saw. The times of this ignorance God winked at, but now he commandeth all men everywhere to repent of their violations of the fourth commandment, and keep the Sabbath of the Lord. With this light shining upon our pathway, it is in vain to talk of holiness and sanctification without walking in the light. Yet we find men whose professed holiness and sanctification serve as a perfect shield to ward off the rays of divine light which are now shining from the word of God. Their language seems to be, "I am sanctified, and am under the constant guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Lord blesses me continually, which he would not do if I were transgressing the fourth commandment; therefore the first day of the week is the christian Sabbath." Such holiness as this God abhors. It does not exceed the righteousness of the scribes and pharisees, and the Lord has said that such shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. Some people have the faculty to work themselves up into an excited state of mind, and they then fancy that they are the peculiar favorites of the Almighty. That they are under the immediate direction of the Holy Spirit. Instead of bringing themselves into subjection to the law of God, they make God approve of all they do. Others, that are living nearer to the requirements of God, feel a constant sense of their unworthiness. They cannot feel as others feel, and therefore go doubting their acceptance. Doubtless both these classes are in error. The conscientious, desponding one should look up, and by93faith claim the promises of God. And both classes should know that feeling is not faith. The poor publican went to his house justified, rather than the boasting pharisee. Brethren, let us strive for holiness, for entire consecration, perfect sanctification. It is for us to enjoy, or God would never have required it. But let us seek for it in the appointed way—by obedience to God and the exercise of faith in Christ. One of these alone is insufficient; we must keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. We must, if we would be translated as Enoch and Elijah were, walk with God as they did. O that every thought may be brought into subjection. The commandment is exceeding broad, but no impracticability is required of us. But in regard to the profession of our attainments in christian perfection, let us be as modest as the Apostle Paul. Said he, "Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect; but I follow after," &c. Let us follow after, knowing that it is not a vain pursuit; but let us not boast of our attainments, but leave that to the judgment of God. Satan is pleased to have a person profess high attainments in holiness, even perfect sanctification. When one is sufficiently exalted for that, the enemy will seldom, if ever, fail to bring a reproach on the cause of truth through him. We may enjoy the presence of the Spirit of God, and be led by that Spirit. And unless we have the Spirit of Christ, we are none of his. But all is not of the Holy Spirit that is said to be in these days of apostasy. That Spirit never leads a man to transgress the word of God. By their fruits ye shall know them. THERE are extremes in everything. One by the ridiculous lengths and disgusting foppery of pride, may render himself offensive both to God and all christian men. Another may place himself so far upon the opposite extreme as to border on filth and squalor, and thus become no less offensive. We can hardly consider it a virtue, if, in our endeavors to avoid the first extreme, we get upon the latter. We have heard of its being charged against some Sabbath-keepers that they had not pride enough to be decent. We fear that in some instances, and in the common acceptation of the term, this charge is too true. To that form of expression however, we take some exception. We cannot speak of a person's not being proud enough to be decent; for no pride is involved in decency. A person may in all points manifest the most scrupulous decency, and yet from the sin of pride be free as an angel. Pride is in the most unmeasured terms condemned in the word of God; and those who harbor it are held up as objects of God's hatred here, and doomed to devouring fire hereafter; but decency is a duty everywhere enjoined upon us, as a duty which we owe to those around us, and to God. Mark God's dealings with his ancient people, and see with what strictness this was enjoined upon them. Let all things, says Paul, be done decently and in order. If this is a good principle in the regulation of churches, it is no less so for families and for individuals; and it applies no less to a condition than an act. It is no less our duty to be decent than to act decently. Away then with the false idea that a man must be dirty in order not to be proud. Neatness and decency every one can and should maintain, in their dwellings, in their person, in their dress, in their speech, in everything. Let none then be proud, but let all be decent. SPIRITUALISM.
By M. E. Cornell
SPIRITS DENY THE FALL OF MAN.
"Man never fell. . . . The idea of total depravity or original sin, in the human race, is an absurdity, a relic of the past, developed in mythological times."—Spirits through Finney, Messenger No. 11. THEY DENY THE RESURRECTION.
The Spiritual Telegraph, No. 34, speaking of the resurrection of the body of Christ, says: "It was contrary to immutable law, hence could not be." Of Lazarus the spirits also said, "Were you there sir, to know that his body was putrid? It was not." "Your angelic fathers, by the wisdom of God, are allowed to come unto you, and do away with the wicked precepts of your Bible."—A. W. Hoar, medium, p. 95. THEY DENY THE EXISTENCE OF THE DEVIL OR EVIL SPIRITS.
"I asked if there was any Devil? Answer. 'No!' Are all spirits happy after death? Ans. 'Yes, measurably.' What church is nearest right? Ans. 'Universalist doctrine is nearest right.'"—Telegraph No. 3. "There are no bad spirits, that is, no devils or demons. Those spirits we have conversed with will not allow us to use the term."—Supernal Theology, p. 71. "The spirits utterly disclaim all truth in the imaginations of individuals who believe in the doctrine of evil spirits."—Teacher, p. 116. Remarks. Seducers, like the first murderer generally carry a mark, but always deny their true character, and assert their perfect innocence to throw victims off their guard. Satan has always denied his own existence, or advertised himself dead. But the Bible advertises him "working with all power and signs and lying wonders to deceive," and this is why the spirits are trying to destroy the confidence of the people in the Bible. "Ye shall not surely die," but "be as gods, knowing good and evil."—Gen. iii, 4, 5. M. Barnum, (Spiritual lecturer) says: "For death is not death! There is nothing in life that can die! But all that there is of thought, and feeling, and life in the man, will continue to live."—Discussion with Van Waggoner. The Banner of Light, of Feb. 20th, 1858, speaking of the death of Mr. Wright, says, "Another soul has been resurrected from death unto eternal life." That these lies of Satan have become popular cannot be denied. President Fairfield, now Lieut. Governor of Michigan, on the death of Eld. David Marks, says, "Die! It is not death! It is but the budding forth of eternal life."—Letter to Mrs. Marks. Prof. Finney of Oberlin College in preaching the funeral sermon of Eld. Marks, said: "Death has no more to do with him. He lives for ever. Do not let us conceive of him as to be carried and left in yonder grave-yard. O no. He is beyond the reach of death and the grave. We may carry the frail tabernacle in which he lived, as we might carry the clothes he wore, and leave them in the grave. But Bro. Marks will not be there. No, there is no dark, cold, damp grave to him, but bathed in the sun-light of heaven, he walks the golden streets and gazes upon the ineffable and unsullied glories that surround him for ever."—See Biography of Eld. D. Marks. Contrast the above testimony concerning death, with that of Job on the same. That the contrast may be more apparent we put the pronouns "he" and "him" in italics. Job xiv, 1, 2. "Man that is born of woman is of few days, and full of trouble. He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and CONTINUETH NOT. But man dieth and wasteth away, yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he? As the waters fail from the sea, and the flood decayeth and drieth up; so man lieth down, and riseth not; till the heavens be no more they shall not awake nor be raised out of their sleep. O that thou wouldest hide me in the grave, that thou wouldest keep me secret until thy wrath be past, that thou wouldest appoint me a set time and remember me." — "If I wait, the grave is mine house, . . . They shall go down to the bars of the pit, when our rest together is in the dust." "For I know that thou wilt bring me to death, and to the house appointed for all the living." Job xvii, 13, 16; xxx, 23. "His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth, in that very day his thoughts perish."—Ps. cxlvi, 4. If the truth is not yea and nay, then verily Prof. Finney's position cannot be true; for there cannot be a more palpable contradiction, than exists between the above two descriptions of death. "Thy word is truth." Amen. Columbus, Ohio, Jan. 5th 1859. CALL TO THE PLAINS OF ONO. NEH. VI.
By J. Clarke
NEHEMIAH was using his best energies, with all the skill, ability and capital he could command, to rebuild the prostrate walls of Jerusalem, and for this purpose he had by his influence and wealth, gathered around him many of the Jews, who had been carried captive into Babylon, and they, led on by him, were steadily and laboriously progressing with the work, in spite of the efforts of the enemy, who were determined to first hinder, and then put an entire stop to the work. The heathen around about them, had tried to terrify Nehemiah and his countrymen, and failing in this, now they would try artifice; and so the invitation was sent to Nehemiah to meet them in some of the plains of Ono. Perhaps they meant to assassinate him then, or they would perhaps by thus getting him to consult with them, gain an advantage by his virtually acknowledging their right to call a conference; or some other artful design. But Nehemiah saw through their design; well he knew that he was clothed with authority from Artaxerxes, and what cared he for the howlings of such wolves as Sanballat, and Geshem, and Tobiah, and Gashmu? They might threaten or coax, it was all alike to his manly heart. He had a great work to do, he could not come down to attend to their wolfish or foxy councils. No: not he. Little did Sanballat dream of the spirit that gave life to the heart of the governor, Nehemiah. So now we are employed in rebuilding the prostrate walls of spiritual Jerusalem. One stone after another is laid. The builders are in motion, and in spite of the enemy the walls are steadily rising. Much rubbish is to be removed, much hard labor to be performed, but the wall must rise, for the Scripture says it, but the enemy says, no. Sanballat and Geshem, and Gashmu, and Tobiah, are intriguing and threatening, and in every way endeavoring to hinder and stop the work; but the builders have the sword in one hand, and the implements of labor in the other. Nothing daunted they labor night and day upon the wall, and will until the last stone is laid. No laborer thinks of stopping to notice the Geshems or the Tobiahs of the 19th century. No, they know too well that their Artaxerxes has clothed them with authority, and why should they do anything but smile at the howlings of the gaunt wolf that screams defiance? The Nehemiahs do not fear them. "Egotism," says one, "what has that to do with present truth?" It has no connection with it brother, and if you or I are tinctured with it, the sooner we get rid of it, the better. Egotism is self-commendation; and a species of pride which will mar our spiritual enjoyment, drive away from us the Holy Spirit, and shut us out of the heavenly city. It is a sin which may be within our hearts while we are unconscious of it. The most common way for it to manifest itself is, for us to feel ourselves above most of our brethren, with regard to a knowledge of divine things, when at the same time there may be about us those who could (perhaps) instruct us in the first principles of christianity. And as to spirituality they may be far in advance of us. The Apostle Paul tells us that "they that compare themselves among themselves are not wise," and that "not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth." Let us remember that the humble publican went down to his house justified, rather than the proud Pharisee. The Bible tells us that "charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up," and that though we have all faith, so that we can remove mountains, and have not charity, we are nothing. We have in the Bible many cases of the manifestation of God's displeasure towards those who were disposed to commend, or exalt themslvs. In Luke, ix, it is said that James and John were so much offended with the Samaritans, that they asked the Saviour if it was his will that they should command fire to come down from heaven and consume them? But Jesus turned and rebuked them saying, "Ye know not what spirit ye are of." The seventy disciples sent out by our Lord, returned, saying, among other things, "Even the devils are subject to us through thy name." "In this," said Jesus, "rejoice not that the spirits are subject to you, but rather that your names are written in heaven." In Num. xx, 10, we are told that at the water of Meribah, Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation of Israel together, before the rock, and said, "Hear now ye rebels; shall we fetch you water from the rock?" Shall we do it? In this they exalted themselves before the people, as if it was by their own power that the waters gushed forth. But what was the answer of the Lord? "Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them." Neither of them were permitted on account of this sin to enter the earthly Canaan, and if we are guilty of the same kind of sin, unrepented of, shall we be permitted to enter the heavenly Canaan? It illy becomes those who profess to believe that their Lord is coming, and that he is now even at the door, to indulge in pride and worldliness. Do not let us find fault with the sins and follies of Babel, and at the same time have our own garments stained with her filth! We have but a short time to work in, and oh, how much there is to be done! God is able and willing to give us grace, that we may be cleansed from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit. He that overcometh shall inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. Rev. xxi, 7. "Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another." DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: We are living in an interesting period of time, (perilous though it may be,) yet deeply fraught with interest to the children of God, especially so, to those who have the light on present truth. We as a people profess great things; we profess to believe that the Saviour is soon coming to redeem his chosen people. We believe that it will be in this generation. Are we getting our hearts in order for that solemn event? How it stands us in hand to be examining ourselves, and comparing ourselves with the standard, and study to be approved of God; and then our efforts in behalf of others will be to some purpose. I for my own part feel the need of a deeper work of grace in my heart in order to suitably improve the short time I may have to work. It will be a very holy people that will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. They will be pure and upright in all their ways; they will have cleansed themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit. (That is, they will have cleansed themselves from the filthy use of tobacco and every other unnecessary drug; they will keep their persons as well as their houses clean.) Their trust will be wholly in the Lord, and in the efficacy of the precious blood of Jesus Christ that cleanseth from all sin. Their robes have been washed and made white; they have had their eyes anointed with eye-salve, and see clearly their duty, and have done it as they went along—have done it indeed not to be seen of men, but with an eye single to the glory of God. They have got the gold tried in the fire, and they are rich. They have been willing to give up their good name and their worldly substance, if they had any, for the sake of a treasure in the kingdom. They have been willing to suffer the loss of all things in this world, that they may attain to the possession of all things in that better land. Dear brethren and sisters, who of us shall be prepared to stand when the Saviour shall come? for he is like a refiner's fire and fuller's soap. Oh how important it is that we seek earnestly for the Spirit of the Lord to help us to nerve ourselves up to the work of getting ready, that we seek to overcome our evil tempers and habits, our pride of heart, our vanity of mind, our proneness to light and trifling conversation, and everything that is contrary to the pure love of God in the heart. May the Lord help us to keep humble and low at the feet of Jesus, and possess our souls in patience, and overcome the powers of darkness that we may be saved in the day of his coming. Your in love,
HANNAH CLOUGH. Embracing the Third Angel’s Message
By Mary E. Wagner
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: I feel that the Lord has impressed upon my mind the duty of addressing you through the Review. I first heard the Third Angel's Message from the lips of Bro. Cornell, one year ago last August. It did not then find a resting-place in my heart. I thought it did not concern me; that I could live a christian life without embracing it. But the more I read God's word, the more I felt that it was truth; that I could not be saved unless I obeyed it. But I delayed until last May. I knew if I embraced the truth that I should be forsaken by friends, and have to suffer much persecution. I read in the word of the Lord that all who lived godly in Christ Jesus should suffer persecution. I have realized this. But when I put my trust in the Lord I feel that his grace is sufficient for me. I am trying to keep all the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. I expect to meet with trials and opposition now. I believe that the christian life is a continual warfare through to the end. I want to be willing to suffer with Jesus that I may rejoice with him. I am now deprived of the privilege of meeting with those of like precious faith; but I do not feel discouraged, for the Lord has promised never to leave nor forsake his children. I know that I must watch and pray lest I enter into temptation. We need much of the Spirit of God to stand alone in these perilous times. When I think of the straitness of the way to eternal life, I sometimes feel that I cannot go through; but I have resolved to strive to enter in at the strait gate. Eternal life is worth striving for. It is not like this life, full of sickness and sorrow. There tears will be wiped from off all faces. I have afflictions to pass through, but I believe they bring me nearer the Lord. These light afflictions which are but for a moment work out for us a far more exceeding, and eternal weight of glory, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. There is nothing in this world for which I want to live, but to prepare to meet the Lord when he comes. I thank my Heavenly Father for giving me something to bear for his Son's sake. I want to rejoice when I am made a partaker of Christ's sufferings. I realize more sensibly every day that we are living in the last days. Everything around us shows this; besides the word of God teaches it. Wicked men and seducers wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. Satan is working with all power and signs and lying wonders. In view of what is coming upon the earth I tremble, and wonder if I shall be kept from falling. I feel like crying mightily to God for aid that I may be able to stand. O I do feel thankful to God for his holy word to read, which tells us what we must do to have shelter from his wrath that is soon to be poured out upon the wicked. I want to get on the whole christian armor. I want to set my affections on things above, not on things on the earth, and to run with patience the race which is set before me. I rejoice that I have heard the present truth; that I did embrace it. I believe that those who reject it are left in darkness. Dear brethren and sisters, let us arouse and realize the solemnity of the times in which we are living. Let us come to the help of the Lord against the mighty. We are frowned upon by the world; especially those having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof. This is evidence that we are right, or have the truth. Jesus says, Marvel not my brethren if the world hate you. It hated me before it hated you. Let us be willing to sacrifice everything for eternal life. May this blessed hope buoy our spirits up while we are traversing these low grounds of sorrow. There is a vast prize at the end of the race. Let us so run that we may obtain. We have many precious promises upon record for our encouragement. O let us be up and doing. Let us not sleep as do others; but watch and be sober. If we have Jesus for our friend, whom have we to fear? He is the one that "sticketh closeth than a brother." What an exalted privilege, that when we feel worn down by the cares and afflictions of this life, we can approach the great Creator of the universe and ask him for help and strength. Dear brethren and sisters, I ask an interest in all your prayers, that I with you may keep all the commandments of God, and have a right to the tree of life. Columbus Grove, Putnam Co., Ohio, Jan. 15th, 1859. MARTHA C. STILES
By Martha C. Stiles
BRO. SMITH: While reading the counsel of our blessed Master to the Laodicean church, "To him that overcometh, will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne," I was led to enquire, How did Christ overcome, and must we not follow in his footsteps, and overcome the world, the flesh, the Devil, as he did to receive the promise in his coming kingdom? I conceive the subject to be of vast importance to the remnant; for Jesus is to present to the Father a church without spot, or wrinkle, one that shall come behind in no gift. We read, The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us; for verily he took not on him the nature of angels, but he took on him the seed of Abraham. For in that he himself hath suffered, being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted. And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation to all them that obey him. It became him for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through suffering. The import of these Scriptures, and many others, to my mind is clear, that Jesus, the Son of the living and true God, the beginning of God's creation; by whom he (God) made the worlds; the rich exalted Jesus; the first in the multitude of heaven; condescended even to take our nature, and face the enemy. He was tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin. Read his life. What suffering, what humiliation, all for us fallen creatures doomed to eternal death! After a life of deprivation and suffering, last and most cruel, he suffered a most ignominious death upon the cross, before that heaven-daring multitude. And while bearing our sins he cries out, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? He lived our example, and died our sacrifice. Without that example where should we look for a pattern of Christian perfection? Without that sacrifice we are lost for ever. Christ overcame. He kept his Father's commandments, and they are exceeding broad. They cover a vast field. The law of God was perfect, in David's day, converting the soul. But the carnal mind is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can it be; therefore we must crucify the carnal mind, by obedience, and this is the way we overcome. Dear brethren and sisters, can we be made free indeed? Is there no force to these words, "Then said Jesus to those Jews that believed on him, If ye95continue in my word then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any. How sayest thou, ye shall be made free? Jesus answered them, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. If therefore the Son shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. Another, The God of all grace who hath called us unto his eternal glory, by Jesus Christ, after that ye have suffered awhile, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. Dear brethren and sisters, let us not deceive ourselves. We must overcome. We must be made pure. It will cost us much, but we can have perfect victory. Jesus says, Exept a man deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me, he cannot be my disciple. How many are pleasing themselves with a vain hope I know not; this one thing is sure, God's word defines a strait and narrow way that leads to eternal life, and declares that though many shall seek to enter there be few that find it. This is the victory that overcometh the world, even your faith. Without faith it is impossible to advance one step in favor with God. We must have a living faith to overcome this wicked world. Satan is powerful. He will seek to destroy us, but God is mightier than he. Our God will deliver. He has promised an hundred fold in this life with persecution, and in the world to come life eternal. Is not this enough to induce us to forsake all for Jesus? to count not even our own lives dear unto us, that we may win the prize at the end of the journey? Thank God, there is no uncertainty. The prize is sure to every one that runs the race with patience. Portland, Me., Jan. 1859. LORD'S PRAYER ILLUSTRATED.
By Pierre Bernard
Our Father—
By right of creation,
By bountiful provision,
By gracious adoption; Who art in heaven—
The throne of thy glory,
The portion of thy children,
The temple of thy angels. Hallowed be thy name—
By the thoughts of our hearts,
By the words of our lips,
By the works of our hands. Thy kingdom come—
Of providence to defend us,
Of grace to refine us,
Of glory to crown us: Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven—
Toward us without resistance,
By us without compulsion,
Universally without exception,
Eternally without declension. Give us this day our daily bread—
Of necessities for our bodies,
Of eternal life for our souls. And forgive us our trespasses—
Against the commands of thy law,
Against the grace of thy gospel: As we forgive them that trespass against us—
By defaming our character,
By embezzling our property,
By abusing our persons; And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil—
Of overwhelming afflictions,
Of worldly enticements,
Of Satan's devices,
Of error's seductions,
Of sinful affections: For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory for ever—
Thy kingdom governs all,
Thy power subdues all,
Thy glory is above all, As it is in thy purpose,
So it is in thy promises;
So be it in our prayers,
So shall it be to thy praise.
Amer. S. C. WELLCOME
By S. C. Wellcome
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: I praise the Lord for what he has done for me. He has showed me my sinful and lost condition while walking in disobedience to his commands, and revealed to me the way of life and salvation; and I was enabled by his grace to yield myself up in obedience to his requirements, submitting my own will to his; and while presenting myself a living sacrifice to God, I laid hold of his promises by faith, believing that he accepted the sacrifice, unworthy as it was. Having nothing but sinful self to give, and that being all that he required, he shed abroad his love in my heart by the Holy Ghost, and I was enabled to rejoice in him, the God of my salvation. O what glory filled my soul! what a fullness in Jesus! what perfect love to God and man! It seemed that I was bathing in the boundless ocean of his love. What peace in believing, and joy in the Holy Ghost! I was enabled to reckon myself all the Lord's, and his Spirit witnessed with my spirit that I was his child; and glory to his name, I still have that witness in my poor heart, and rejoice that the longer I travel in the way that was cast up for the ransomed of the Lord to walk, the brighter the way appears. Sometimes it seems that I can see the gates of the holy city by faith, and have a foretaste of the joys in store for the weary pilgrim. O my brethren and sisters, let us have that faith in God that brings a present salvation, that does not have to look back to past experience and an old hope to depend upon for salvation, but that which enables us to come fully to the throne of grace and ask, believing that we receive; having a firm reliance in God's word, which enables us to depend wholly on him; knowing our own weakness, for the just shall live by faith, and having a living faith we shall render implicit obedience to all the commands of God. Our wills are lost in the will of God. His law will be our delight. We shall be saying continually in our hearts, Lord, teach me what thy will is, and by thy grace I will do it. O let us watch and pray in these perilous times, and not rest without a present evidence in our hearts that we are saved from sin; that we are prepared at all times to meet our blessed Saviour; for when he comes how little faith will he find on the earth! How few will be keeping the commands of God and the faith of Jesus! how few imitating the meek and lowly Jesus! O how I tremble sometimes while I see the example set us to follow. How humble, how self-denying! His only object to do good, even at the expense of extreme suffering, and the shedding of his own blood; and then to see our unwillingness to suffer for him, how unwilling to deny ourselves here and follow our Master. Even when we meet together for social worship, how afraid we are that we shall not speak or pray just right. We think of what others will say; and some think they ought to write occasionally for the Review, but fear they cannot write just as they ought, therefore we never hear from them; is this self-denial? O may God give us that perfect love that casts out fear, that when he says, Go, we shall be ready to start on any errand he has for us to do. We want to love God so fervently that we shall fear to offend him even in the smallest matter. If we have the principle of obedience in our hearts as it should be, we shall be willing servants and obedient children. We shall deny ourselves of everything that is wrong. We shall not seek to please the eyes and ears of our fellow-men, but to be pure in the sight of the Lord; for God's people must be pure in order to stand justified before him. It is a day when many have a form of godliness, but God knoweth the hearts of men. He is not deceived; all that work righteousness will be accepted of him; and if accepted of him we shall have strength to live in the evil day. Although all the powers of darkness be in array against us, we shall come off victorious if we lean on the arm of the Lord. There is but a little handful of us in this place that are striving to live in obedience to God's holy law; but our trust is in God. We have had to pass through trials which would have been grievous to bear had not our Father been with us to protect us and to comfort our hearts; for many that profess to be followers of Christ, instead of meeting with us to see what kind of people we were, have stood at a distance in order to stone us to death as they did Stephen of old, by reporting all manner of false stories about us to frighten people against us. But the Spirit of the Lord has been in our midst as we have met from time to time in our social meetings, and we are all striving to have on the whole armor of God, and to be filled with all his fullness. Some two or three have left off keeping the Sabbath, having loved this present world more than God. May God pity them and bring them to see their true condition. The little church held a two-days meeting at Fish Lake the 18th and 19th days of Dec. The school house was filled to overflowing. I was sick, confined to my bed, and therefore unable to attend, but many who did go say that it was the best meeting they have been to in the State. Some brethren were present from Mackford, Kingston and Poysippi. Some that were hungering and thirsting after righteousness were filled, and went home rejoicing in the God of their salvation. I think some prejudice was removed from the minds of Sunday-keepers in the vicinity. The preachers present were Elds. Perry, my brother, M. Wellcome, and Brn. Rood and Prentice from Dacotati. I hope and trust that much good will result from this meeting. There are some honest ones yet in this vicinity that I hope may be led to embrace the truth. O let us give all the light we can. May our daily lives correspond with our professions. Let us not only profess to keep all the commands of God, but may we keep them in sincerity and truth. Let us candidly yet earnestly urge upon those around us the necessity of obedience to God's holy law. We must continually pray for them, and if they do not immediately embrace the truth, we must not reject them and cast them off as reprobates; for we must remember what a struggle we had to give up our preconceived opinions; therefore we will patiently labor in the vineyard of the Lord, asking wisdom of him that giveth liberally and upbraideth not. May we be wise as serpents and harmless as doves, while the signs are so fast fulfilling and the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. Yes, praise God, the scattered flock will soon be gathered into the fold. May we all be prepared to meet our great Shepherd, is the prayer of your unworthy brother. A Little Band in Iowa
By Robert Garrett
BRO. SMITH: It is about six months since I embraced the present truth, and have tried to keep all the commandments. It was crossing for me to give up the world and its pleasures and be accounted as the offscouring of all things; but I am now willing to bear its scoffs and frowns, and be called anything or everything for my Master's sake. The Lord be praised that I am not alone. There are twelve besides myself who meet every Sabbath, and have precious seasons of prayer, in which the Lord does bless us. Bro. Dorcas met with us last Sabbath and gave us much encouragement, for which we are grateful to God. Cannot some of the messengers come this way soon and assist Bro. Dorcas. The cause is suffering in Iowa. O may the Lord help us to realize what an awful day is just before us. Yet peace and safety is the popular cry, with no thought of the sudden destruction that is to follow. I thank God that he has opened my eyes and heart to understand the teachings of his word relative to the time in which we live. We as a little band feel determined by the assisting grace of God to hold on to the faith until the Lord comes. Praise God for what he has done for us in the West. I believe the time is near when we shall see the Saviour coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. I have often thought when reading my Bible, that in the place of wisdom and intelligence, infidelity holds the reins in the popular churches of this our evil day. It is high time for us to wake up and gird on the whole armor of truth and righteousness, and fight manfully the battles of the Lord. May he lead us into all truth, help us discharge every duty, and save us in his everlasting kingdom, is the prayer of your unworthy brother.
ROBERT GARRETT.
Lisbon, Iowa, Jan, 1859. Never rest satisfied with another man's light, but follow Jesus, and you shall have the light of life. OBITUARY.
By Franklin H. Thurlow
DIED of typhoid fever in Paris, Me., Jan. 5th, 1859, Bro. Sylvanus P. Wilson, aged twenty-five years & six months, after an illness of about seven weeks. Amid all his sufferings he could say, "The Lord is good." We are cheered with the prospect of his coming forth at the resurrection of the just, clothed with immortality. He had seemed to be giving up the world and preparing for some event since the conference at Portland. We hoped it was to proclaim the message of the coming King; but in this we are disappointed. How soon are our fond hopes blighted by the cruel tyrant, death! As Job said, "Man that is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble. He cometh forth like a flower and is cut down; he fleeth also as a shadow and continueth not." He leaves a wife with two small children to mourn his loss; but they "sorrow not even as others which have no hope." We can say "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." May the Lord help them, with us as a church, to live so that we may be prepared to dwell with him in that land where God shall wipe all tears from our 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. "The winds breathe low; the yellow leaf
Scarce whispers from the tree;
So gently flows the parting breath,
When good men cease to be.
How mildly on the wandering cloud
The sun-set beam is cast;
So sweet the memory left behind,
When loved ones breathe their last."
FRANKLIN H. THURLOW.
Woodstock, Me., Jan. 25th, 1858.