Review and Herald, Vol. 11, No. 12. (1/28/1858)

Review and Herald

Jan 28, 1858

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 28, 1858

THE BEAUTY OF GOODNESS.

By Crayon

Hassan, the wood-cutter from morn till night, Toiled at his heavy task among the trees With willing hand; and with a heart upright, Three times a day he prayed upon his knees. At last long years of work had worn his strength; His arm no more could level hearty blows, And scarcely would his toil, at greatest length, Supply the simple wants the poor man knows. Still he worked cheerful on, with humble trust, That for his needs the Lord would yet provide. One day he prayed "O Prophet! O Most Just! Who hold'st the highest place by Allah's side—" "Thy servant now is poor, and weak, and old, And still, if Allah bids, will labor on; But if the prayer be right and not too bold, Do thou pray for him that his task be done." "Pray the Most Wise, that to a single day, The allotted earings of my life be send; Then let my breath pass peacefully away, And in abundance let my labors end." That night the wood-cutter in slumbers lay, When to his sleeping eyes a vision came— The Prophet's form shining with light like day— The Prophet's voice addressed him by his name. "Hassan, thy prayer is heard; life's lengthened years The Almighty crowds into a single day!— To-morrow's sunset ends thy cares and fears— To-morrow brings thy age's destined pay!" With mornings dawn, the old man grateful wakes, And, duly turning west-ward, kneels in praise, As his prayer-carpet from the ground he takes, A heap of money meets his startled gaze! The Almighty's gift he knows. "To-day, my last— The day on which my labors are all done— Shall, with this bounty, happily be passed, And others' blessings greet my setting sun." A feast he makes—he welcomes in the poor, And for himself a single meal he saves. The feast is finished;—at the open door, A stranger stands, who for admission craves: "Have pity on an outcast,—give me food, And peace rest on thee." With a quick reply; "Come, eat with me," says Hassan; "God is good! What matter, if with half a meal I die!" The stranger ate, and grateful took his way, Hassan was left alone, when once again, A cry disturbed the calm of closing day— The cry of one in hunger's bitter pain. The old man hastes to help the beggar in, And gave him all that for himself he meant Wishing, indeed, it had more plenty been, And feeling in his heart a sweet content. Fasting, but peaceful, Hassan slept that night, The blessings of the poor to heaven rise, And, borne by angels clothed in holy light, Enter the pearly gates of Paradise. That night, once more, the Prophet's form appeared He spoke to Hassan, and he sweetly smiled; "The blessings of the poor the Lord has heard; The Lord approves thee as his worthy child. "And now he bids thee as his steward, live— Live out thy destined, lengthened years below; To thee his gracious hand will freely give, And what he gives do thou again bestow." Long years, in happiness, old Hassan lived— The poor pray'd for him; Allah heard their prayers: And when life closed, he that pure joy received, Which for his faithful the Most High prepares. [Crayon.]

THE NATURE AND TENDENCY OF MODERN SPIRITUALISM.

By J. H. Waggoner

BY J. H. WAGGONER.

(Continued)

By the prophecies examined we have shown that

We live at the time when these great wonders are to be expected; when the truth will be resisted as it was in the days of Moses.
The description of the locality applies to this country, where this work has arisen. See remarks on Rev. xiii.
False christs and false prophets have arisen.
They are under the influence of "seducing spirits."
Their teachings are the "doctrines of devils." That they "show great signs and wonders," as the Saviour prophesied, we have not particularly noticed, as no evidence from us is needed on that point. The facts of the physical manifestations are placed beyond a doubt. In proof that there is often shown super-human power and intelligence we can refer to the spiritual papers, which have abounded with evidences, and to the experience of Gov. Tallmadge, Judge Edmonds, Dr. Hare, and hundreds, yes, thousands of others, in every part of the country, and in foreign countries. No fact can be better attested. Thousands have been convinced by the manifestations of power alone. We have sometimes wondered that any would be deceived by such displays of power, when the Scriptures plainly point them out, and give warnings that all may understand. But again we notice that there is very little genuine faith in the Scriptures, in these days. The Scriptures say that in the last days perilous times will come; men will have the form of godliness, but deny the power thereof; iniquity will abound and the love of many wax cold; and they that live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But men believe that in the last days iniquity will not abound; the State will protect the church from persecution; the world will be converted; and that it will not be as it was in the days of Noah and Lot. The Scriptures say that in the latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils; and many who have long taught that the Bible is the word of God, now reject the doctrines of the Bible for the teachings of these deceptive spirits. And the truth has been so perverted that many profess to be converted from infidelity to a belief in the immortality of the soul by the influence of Spiritualism; and learned Doctors and Professors who have failed to find evidence in the Bible to sustain this unscriptural notion, now gladly hail this new ally by which alone they can maintain the position they have taken before the world. In a sermon by "Rev. A. D. Mayo, in the Division-St. Church, Albany," he says:

"We, in America, were getting so far away from that sublime doctrine, in our life and theology, that human nature could endure it no longer, and by a great rebound has shown how the soul of man needs the assurance of an endless existence. I look upon the alliance of this movement with mesmerism as accidental and temporary. The tipping tables and rattling wainscots will, in good time, be left with other prodigies in the hands of curious men of scientific leisure for experiment; but this great cry of the popular heart after a rational faith in immortality will shiver numberless churches, and burst the bonds of many a man now enfolded in materialism or petrified into theological marble. We shall learn out of it what it means in the 19th century to believe in the immortality of the soul; and it will be found that this doctrine will come to us fraught with vaster relations, suggesting larger duties, and elevating with nobler aspirations, than to the darkened masses of the early ages of Heathenism or middle ages of Christianity."

The Editor of the Spiritual Age, however, better understands the relation of table tipping, &c. to this new theory—he knows that from such a diversity of views as is taught by the spirits, it would be impossible to reduce a system that any reasoning mind could embrace, and that all Spiritualists confidently and necessarily appeal to the evidence of physical power as the ground work of their theory. The Editor remarks: "In discussing the subject of Spiritualism, the able author takes very comprehensive views of its developments and ultimate uses, regarding it as a 'great cry of the popular heart after a rational faith in immortality.' He seems however to have overlooked the fact that this rapping, 'tipping of tables and rattling of wainscots,' is fast reducing our faith in immortality, hitherto but conjectural, to a scientific verity, and thus constituting it that 'rational faith' which the popular heart of the nineteenth century demands." By reference to the reports of the Committees appointed to examine the Fox girls, and to enquire into the causes of the rappings, as well as to the experience of Gov. Tallmadge and others, it will be seen that Spiritualism arose and spread, not by the influence of the truths taught, but by the air of "mystery" which was thrown around it; solely by the evidence that the "raps" were not produced by the mediums. The Editor is doubtless right. By these alone their faith is reduced to a verity. The same is clearly shown by a writer in the Spiritual Clarion, as follows: "Old sects, which had stood the battery of a thousand pulpits, have surrendered at the tipping of a spirit-hand on their unconscious tables. * The little pine wainscot that shook the air in a small room in Rochester, has echoed to the ends of the earth, and shakes old creeds like the judgment thunders." But God has spoken on this subject. His words are plain, and easy to understand, though they may not, like the words of the Enemy, meet the applause of the "popular heart," or even penetrate the "theological marble" upon which the ecclesiastical edifice of modern times is built. The Lord says, "The soul that sinneth it shall die." Spiritualism is based upon the first doctrines that the Devil ever taught to man. "Ye shall not surely die." Since that time the immortality of man, or endless life in sin, has been his favorite doctrine. Amongst the heathens who did not like to retain

God in their knowledge, it flourished under the name of the immortality of the soul. When the "Man of Sin," the Roman hierarch arose, this doctrine, with many other corrupting influences of heathenism, was engrafted into the creed of the professed Christian Church, and henceforth became the foundation of a belief in purgatory, and the means of the aggrandizement of the priesthood. Protestants inherited it from the Catholics with but very little modification. More modernly it took the milder and more seductive appearance of Universalism; and lastly it has been more strongly developed as Spiritualism, with all its attendant wonders, falsities and dangers. A belief in the first proclamation of this falsehood, resulted in the expulsion of our first parents from the garden of Eden, and the loss of their lives: a sad comment on the teachings of the enemy. And the word assures us that the result will ever be the same. "The wages of sin is death;" says the word of God. "No!" says the enemy, "there is no such thing as death: it is only a transition to a higher life." The Lord says, "The soul that sinneth it shall die." "The soul is indestructible, and cannot die;" replies the enemy. Thus they defy the power of God, trusting in their deathless nature for an escape from the penalty of the divine law.

That manifestations of power, "signs and wonders" are produced by the enemy of righteousness to deceive the world and draw them away from the truth, is plainly taught in 2 Thess. ii; though it is urged that this scripture does not refer to the present time. The word rendered after, in verse 9, signifies according to, and is so rendered in many other texts, and in this verse in some translations; hence it is concluded that it refers altogether to the manifestation of the Man of sin. But if the manifestation of that wicked one is according to or agreeing with (Webster) the working of Satan, it certainly shows that the working of Satan is not entirely confined to the revealing of that power; for a thing cannot properly be said to be according to the same identical thing. On the other hand, the construction of the chapter has given the reader to suppose that it was a question of time and referred exclusively to these days: (1.) The chapter introduces the coming of Christ. (2.) The word rendered revealed, according to both Greenfield and Robinson, signifies to uncover, bring to light, disclose, manifest, &c., and refers to the Man of sin in verses 6 and 8. (3.) The word rendered coming signifies coming, arrival, advent, &c., and is used in reference to the advent of our Saviour in verse 8. (4.) The same word, parousia, coming, or advent, is used in verse 9, but is not used in any of the preceding verses when the revelation of the Man of sin is spoken of. (5.) The words, "even him," are supplied, and if the passage is read without these, the "coming" in verse 9 seems clearly to refer to the "coming" in verse 8, which is the coming of the Lord. Beyond this many scriptures show that in the last days, just previous to the coming of Christ, there will be seducing spirits teaching falsehoods, false christs, and false prophets, showing great signs and wonders. Whether the different Greek versions will justify the common reading of verse 9 we have not now the means to determine; but the different translations we have at hand all give it the sense of "according to." But allowing that it specifies manner instead of time, we think the conclusion is not altogether warranted that it refers exclusively to the works of the Papal power.

As the manner in which Satan works is now more fully understood, we think there is good reason to doubt whether the "pretended miracles" of the Catholic Church have all been mere pretense; for (1.) That wicked, persecuting power has ever claimed to have power to work miracles, and professed to work them; and multitudes have been led to the full belief of its errors in them. (2.) We have clearly proved that Satan works with miraculous power in the last days, as he did in the days of Moses and of Christ. (3.) The rise or manifestation of that wicked one is according to Satan's working with power and signs and lying wonders. Though Satan worked through the Magicians of Egypt, and through sorcerers in the days of the Saviour, and probably through the monks and friars of the Catholic Church, his working has never been so prevalent and extensive as in the last days. We speak of Spiritualism now as in its infancy, yet the evidences or phenomena upon which it rests are of the most startling kind, and so numerous and convincing to those who are open to such deceptions, that it is not to be wondered at that its converts are numbered by millions. It is "in the last days" that "men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith," resist the truth as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses: that is, by counterfeiting the works of God, and professing to be commissioned of him while resisting and perverting the truth of his word. It is in the last days, that the "Two-horned Beast" (the United States) works miracles to deceive them that dwell on the earth, and thus lead them on to the destruction threatened in the Message of the Third Angel of Rev. xiv; the last warning ever to be given to this wicked world. In this country has this work arisen, and is now spreading far and wide, even to all parts of the world. Thus we mark the perfect fulfillment of the prophecy.

The awful threatening of Rev. xiv, 9-11 refers to the pouring out of the seven last plagues in which is filled up the wrath of God. Chap. xv, 1. These are all poured out after the priesthood of Christ has closed and probation has ended; hence, they are said to be "poured out without mixture." Under the pouring out of the sixth plague, the nations are gathered to the battle of the great day of God Almighty, called the battle of Armageddon; and they are gathered under the deceptive influence of "three unclean spirits like frogs," which go out of the mouth of the dragon or Paganism, the beast or Papacy, and the false prophet or Protestant Republicanism. They are explained to be "the spirits of devils working miracles" thus showing again that Satan's great work of deception is in the last days. "For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth, and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty." Rev. xvi, 13, 14.

This is yet future, as we have said that the plagues are poured out after probation is ended. For this reason some suppose that the present work of evil spirits is not the fulfillment of prophecy, as they go forth under the sixth plague. But under the sixth plague they are seen going "out of the mouth" of these three great contending powers, and it is evident to all that they cannot come out of the mouth of any power until they get into the body, and even into the heart; for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. The second beast has two horns like a lamb, but he speaks as a dragon; that is, his profession is lamb-like, but his acts or laws are dragonic. It must be plain to every one that the speaking of any government is the enactment and execution of its laws. Therefore the fulfillment of Rev. xvi, 12-15, is when the work of Spiritualism is endorsed and maintained by legal enactments. And that this will take place we need not hesitate to believe when we consider what progress it has made for the last four or five years in this country, and how many eminent men and statesmen have become believers. Gov. Tallmadge and Judge Edmonds are the most prominent, because of the interest they took in it in its first stages. When Judge Edmonds first became a convert to Spiritualism it was a new and unknown theory, and of course unpopular; therefore he resigned his office as a matter of prudence. But many of the believers of Spiritualism are much better known to the American public than Judge Edmonds was previous to his conversion to that theory, but the times are so changed, and Spiritualism has grown and prospered so that it is not necessary to resign any position or office on account of a belief in its teachings. The Spiritual papers some time since boasted of a large proportion of the members of Congress as believers. Thus the way is being prepared for the last great work in this country. The Emperor of France has been much interested, and an American medium by the name of Hume became a favorite at the French court. But to particularize is not necessary. It is going to all parts of the world, and receiving favor with the multitude wherever it goes.

We have briefly given our reasons for believing that the ecclesiastical or church power of this country constitutes one of the horns of the two-horned beast of Rev. xiii. Like the civil power, or Republicanism, it is mild and lamb-like in profession, but upholding slavery and war, and testing the faith of their members and others by their creeds instead of the word of God. That they are eager for the honours of this world none can deny. Some of the most determined and pertinacious office-seekers in the country will be found amongst the clergy. They not only seek and hold the office of chaplain to Congress, and there pray that God will bless and smile upon the deliberations of those whose course is one of avowed wrong, and who uphold the most iniquitous practices, but they will take the field and pray to God that their armies may be successful in overpowering and killing their fellow-men. The members of the various churches vote for men to execute the laws of the land, they knowing these laws to be cruelly unjust. At the political gathering, the air is made to ring with the loud huzzahs of the professed followers of Christ, whose voices are scarcely ever heard at the prayer-meeting. Their strongest sympathies are with Cæsar—their first acknowledged allegiance is to the laws of the land.

(To be Continued.)

A LETTER.

By J. A. Wilcox

Bro. Smith: The following is very nearly the copy of a letter which I wrote a day or two since, to some old friends of mine where I lived a number of years in my boyhood days.

Dear Friends: I have been thinking for some time past of writing to you, and as an opportunity presents itself, I cheerfully embrace it for that purpose. When I look back to the days of my childhood, I can never forget your kindness to me in my younger days. Although I then thought I had a hard time and saw much trouble, as children are apt to think, I now assure you I had no good reason for thinking so; but since I have grown up, I can truly say I know what trouble and afflictions are. However, I believe they have worked for my eternal good. I feel that I can say indeed as did David of old, "It has been good for me that I have been afflicted; for before, I went astray." These light afflictions as Paul calls them, have had a tendency to wean my affections from the fading toys of earth, and led me to feel the need of Jesus the Saviour of sinners, as my friend, and to place my affections upon him, and a more enduring substance in the world to come. Yes dear friends, mortality is written in bold characters upon all things of an earthly nature, and they are rapidly passing away like the morning dew before the rising sun. Death is taking one here and another there, and we know not how soon it may be our turn. But suppose our lives should be lengthened out one hundred years, what is this when compared to a long eternity? but I do not expect this will be the case. For there is abundant evidence that the second coming of Christ is very near, even at the doors. Yes, I firmly believe still, he will soon appear in all the glory of the Father and all the holy angels with him. O, what a glorious and sublime scene that will be to those who are prepared for it; but awfully solemn and fearful to the wicked. But some will say, how is it that you, a few poor, deluded Millerites know more than everybody else? If what you believe is truth, why don't our great and learned men understand these things so? There are some well-authenticated facts which firmly establish sound reasons why they do not. Let the mind be carried back to the days before the flood. Do we find the truth applicable to that generation, popular? no indeed; so unpopular was it, that we find only good old Noah and family warning the world of its approaching doom by the flood. Methinks I hear the scoffers of that day conversing among themselves, and denouncing Noah as a poor deluded fanatic. "And don't you think," says one, "the old fool is building an ark on dry ground, and says a flood is coming that will destroy all that will not believe in his stuff." Perchance they meet with Noah occasionally while he is building the

ark, thus making his faith perfect by his works and showing to the world that he believes what he had been and still is preaching, and no doubt they ask him the following questions, or much the same: Do you suppose you know more than everybody else? Talk about a flood! what nonsense; why don't our great and learned men preach it if it is truth? Why, there is Rev. Mr. A. and Dr. B., you well know them, and everybody calls them great and good men; they don't believe and preach any such doctrine as you talk about. I cannot believe that you and your family know more than all the world besides. Well, did their scoffs and jeers prove that what he preached was not truth? and did they daunt the moral courage of Noah? No, indeed. He walks right along in the path of duty, fearing God more than man, doing his duty cheerfully in warning his fellow men as God had enjoined upon him, and in due time commences to prepare the ark. After it is finished, God tells him and family to go into it, and they are shut in by him and are safe.

What became of that generation in consequence of their unbelief? They passed along carelessly, neglecting the merciful warning which God sent them by Noah, and their minds were wholly engrossed with the cares and pleasures of the world, buying and selling, planting and building, marrying, &c., so that they had but little or no time to think of God and serious things until the flood came and swept them all away.

For the present we leave this sad picture, and pass down the stream of time till we come to the days of our Saviour. Do we find that the then present truths concerning the Messiah, were popular with the high priests, doctors, lawyers, &c., and the masses generally? Certainly not, but right the reverse; for we find that Jesus himself was found from time to time disputing with, and reproving them for their unbelief; so that we learn from the New Testament that the doctrines the Saviour taught were very unpopular, and that but few dared to confess him, especially among the great and learned ones. It was the common people that heard him gladly, [Mark xii, 37,] and but few comparatively of them.

The testimony of Christ and the apostle Paul, firmly establishes these facts. "For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. For God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise, and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty." 1 Cor. i, 26, 27. See John x, 24-27. "Then came the Jews round about him and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? if thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. Jesus answered them, I told you and ye believed not. The works that I do in my Father's name they bear witness of me. But ye believed not because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me." Nor was this unbelief confined exclusively to those who made no profession of religion; we find that many of the Pharisees and Sadducees (which were religious sects of the day as we may learn by reading Acts v, 17; xv, 5; xxiv, 5; xxvi, 5) did not believe on him. Mark viii, 31. And he began to teach them that the Son of man must suffer many things and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. See also John vii, 46, 47. The officers answered, "Never man spake like this man." Then answered them the Pharisees, "Are ye also deceived? Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him?" Many of those that did believe on Christ dare not confess him. John xii, 42, 43. "Nevertheless among the chief rulers many of them believed on him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; (here follows one reason;) for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God." There were but few that had moral courage enough to separate from those popular churches and be the despised followers of the meek and lowly Jesus, through evil as well as good report. Learning and learned men are both good in their proper place, but one great sin is, that learning is often perverted and made a wrong use of and much abused. If learning served men no better purpose on other subjects than it does in matters of religion, as a general thing, it would be of but very little use.

We trace the history of the man of sorrows down to the time of his crucifixion, and we find as a general thing he is despised and rejected of men, which is in harmony with the words of the Prophet respecting him. Isa. liii, 3. "He is despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief." When he was on trial before Pilate we find the voices of the high priests, scribes, &c., just as clamorous for his death as any; for we find that the voices of them and the chief priests prevailed. Luke xxiii, 23. In consequence of their unbelief and rejection of him, they are led on step by step till they lay violent hands on the Son of God and put him to a most cruel and shameful death. In consequence of their rejection and condemnation of the Messiah, mark what dreadful calamities befall them at the destruction of Jerusalem, as recorded by Josephus. They were finally destroyed as a nation. So we may learn that in all ages of the world, Bible truths, or truths relative to man's eternal good have been the most slighted; yea, the most solemn and precious truths have been trodden down as it were in the dust, by the great majority of mankind.

The signs in the sun, moon and stars, together with the present moral and political condition of the world, proclaim to us in language too plain to be mistaken, that the coming of the Just One is near, even at the doors. Yes, the signs which our Saviour predicted should immediately precede his second, personal appearing, have very nearly all transpired. There are solemn, yet glorious truths; but they are and will be scoffed at, and trampled under foot, not only by those who make no profession of religion, but by many that profess to be the followers of the meek and lowly Jesus. "But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be, for as in the days that were before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came and took them all away, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." Matt. xxiv, 37, 38, 39. Why did they not know? Was it because they had not timely warning? No; it was because they believed not the preaching of Noah, the man of God. Therefore they passed along heedless, their whole attention absorbed with the cares and pleasures of the world, and made not their peace with God, that they might escape the flood. Well, just so it is and will be in these last days. The great majority will scoff at the present truths, which are solemn, and indeed very important, relative to that awfully solemn scene when the seven last plagues will be poured out, and the second advent, which are just before us. See Rev. xiv, 9, 10; xv, 1; also chap. xvi. Hear what Peter said. "Knowing this first that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation." 2 Pet. iii, 3, 4. Please read the whole chapter.

But before witnessing the glorious appearing of Christ, the nations are to experience a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation. Dan. xii, 1; Jer. xxv; Eze. vii; Rev. xvi. That solemn time is just before us. There are sound scriptural reasons for believing so. The special signs in the sun, moon and stars, which our Saviour gave to show when his coming would be near, even at the doors, have been fulfilled in perfect harmony with his, and the Revelator's predictions, [Matt. xxiv, 28; Rev. vi, 13.] as history plainly shows.

The first and second angels' messages of Rev. xiv, which were based upon the prophecies of Daniel and John, and the signs of the last days, have been proclaimed to this generation by God's messengers. And now God is also warning the world by the Third Angel's Message, the last solemn invitation of mercy that the world will ever hear. See verses 9-12. When the world is sufficiently warned and pointed to the only way of escape, (which is by keeping the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus,) this message will close up, and mercy take its flight forever from the wicked. Then the wrath of God (which is the seven last plagues, Rev. xv, 1) will be poured out without mixture (of mercy) as threatened by the third and last message, upon those who do not heed its merciful warning. Rev. xvi describes that awfully solemn scene, and the withering effect it will have upon the wicked when the wrath of an offended God will fall grievously upon their guilty heads. When this is accomplished the next great and glorious event in this chain of prophecy is the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, coming to reap the harvest of the earth. See Rev. xiv, 15-17.

What will become of God's dear people in that time of trouble such as never was, to which we are rapidly approaching? Will the plagues hurt them? O no; for the promise of God is, "He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust; his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling." Ps. xci, 4, 10. The Third Angel's Message brings to light the truth, which David of old says is God's law, or ten commandments, and among them that long down-trodden fourth commandment, respecting the true Sabbath, [Ex. xx,] and that it is the duty of mankind to keep them all, the fourth not excepted. Rev. xxii, 14.

And now dear friends, in conclusion let me kindly entreat you to search the infallible scriptures and see whether these things are so, for we shall certainly need all the present truth to shelter us in the coming storm of wrath, and finally secure us an entrance through the gates into the city. Prove all things, hold fast that which is good. Why I have written thus is, I feel an ardent desire that all who have the least desire to love and serve God, may "escape all these things that shall come to pass and stand before the Son of man." Luke xxi, 36. I want also to clear my skirts of the blood of all men, and finally secure a happy, eternal home in God's everlasting kingdom.

From your sincere friend hoping for eternal life. J. A. Wilcox

"WHO IS MY BROTHER?"

"Who is my brother? 'Tis not merely he Who hung upon the same loved mother's breast; But every one whoever he may be, On whom the image of a man's impress'd. True Christian sympathy was ne'er designed To be shut up within a narrow bound; But sweeps abroad, and in its search to find Objects of mercy, goes the whole world round. 'Tis like the sun, rejoicing east and west, Or beautiful rainbow bright from south to north; It has an angel's pinion, mounting forth O'er rocks and hills and seas, to make man bless'd. No matter what their color, name or place— It blesses all alike, the universal race."—Sel.

THE RESURRECTION.

Robert Hall beautifully says: If the mere conception of the reunion of good men in a future state infused a momentary rapture into the mind of Tully, and if an airy speculation—for there is reason to fear that it had little hold on his convictions—could inspire him with such delight, what may we be expected to feel, who are assured of such an event by the true sayings of God? How should we rejoice in the prospect of spending a blissful eternity with those whom we loved on earth—of seeing them emerge from the ruins of the tomb, and the deeper ruins of the fall, not only uninjured, but refined and perfected, "with every tear wiped from their eyes," standing before the throne of God and the Lamb, in white robes, and palms in their hands, crying with a loud voice, "Salvation to God that sitteth upon the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!" What delight will it afford to renew the sweet counsel we had taken together, to recount the toils of combat, and the labor of the way, and to approach the throne of God in company, in order to join in the symphonies of heavenly voices, and lose ourselves amidst the splendor of the beatific vision!—Sel.

Never Fear Man If God Is on Your Side

Never fear man if God is on your side.

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