Review and Herald, Vol. 39, No. 2.
The Uses and Abuses of Gifts, and Their Relation to DressPage 1
Earlier text: AngerEnduring to the End.
By I. Sanborn
“But he that shall endure unto the end the same shall be saved.” It seems that many at the present time, who profess to be the followers of Christ, have forgotten that he plainly teaches that all his disciples were to be especially subjected to trials and afflictions. David speaks of the wicked in Psa. 73:5: “They are not in trouble as other men, neither are they plagued like other men.” Again he says: “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.” That is, the time is coming when Jesus will come and set up the kingdom under the whole heaven, and put the righteous in possession of it. Then there will be no more pain, death, disappointment, persecution nor affliction. Oh, precious deliverance! Oh, happy day! May the Lord soon bring it to all the faithful. But until then, the people of God will have many afflictions, sorrows, and trials, and persecutions to endure. But he that shall endure unto the end the same shall be saved. Our Lord well knew that Satan and his angels would be enraged at the remnant who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, and would make war upon them and endeavor to get them into trouble, more or less, daily. There are many ways in which the enemy approaches the disciples of Christ, while they may think that they ought to be exempt from such sufferings and trials because they are trying to serve the Lord. They seem to forget that David and Paul thought that afflictions were necessary for them. Paul says that he besought the Lord thrice to remove his, but instead of the Lord’s removing the affliction, he told him his grace should be sufficient for him. Now if it was necessary for Paul to suffer affliction, why is it not for some of us, at least? Persecution in all its various forms seems to be the appointed result of faithful godliness. Paul says that the godly shall suffer persecution. And Jesus says, Happy are ye when they shall say all manner of evil against you, falsely, for my sake; then look up, for great is your reward in Heaven. But how few there are that are willing, under these deep trials and afflictions, to rejoice, or who live in such a way that they can rejoice. But how many there are that are more inclined to murmur than rejoice, while passing through trials that are as necessary to the perfection of our faith, as the trial of gold by fire is for its purification. “Knowing that the trial of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” The work of patience is experience. How many of us lack patience; and therefore, how often we get out of the way, and fret and complain and murmur. May the Lord help us to let patience have her perfect work. The great enemy of our souls seems to be exerting himself to get all the remnant involved in debt, so that their minds will be over-charged with the cares of this life, and the day of the Lord come upon them while they are not prepared for it. How do such apply Paul’s statement, “Owe no man anything”? We believe it would be better to do as the Lord says, that is, having food and raiment, therewith to be content. John saw the remnant before the throne without fault. Now it seems to me that if we are to appear before the throne without fault, all who are involved should make haste to free themselves from debts, and especially that all should be prompt in paying for the good paper they read. Jesus says: “The words that I speak unto you shall judge you in the last day.” How then shall we appear before God in the Judgment in debt for even the religious paper we read? The Saviour, looking down to this time, says: “Many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity [that is, transgression], shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” Here the Lord has his eye on the prophets of spiritualism, and many others who are engaged teaching false doctrines. Truth comes in contact with these, and this causes a great amount of opposition and discussion, which must be borne with patience. Peter says if we do well and suffer for it, and take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For this is thankworthy if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully, for even hereunto were ye called, because Christ also suffered for us. If Christ has called us to suffer grief and persecution, let us remember that the grace of God is sufficient for us, that we may endure it patiently to the end. And so we shall be saved. I. SANBORN. Noble Thoughts Amid Misery
As bees breed no poison, though they extract the deadliest juices, so the noble mind, though forced to drink the cup of misery, can yield but generous thoughts and noble deeds. A forgiving heart is one of the noblest things which a man can possess. Men and Things.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
Dear brother, are you becoming uneasy in your old home, or may be, your new one? Are you dreaming of riches of the West and imagining you can live there so easily? Are you about to break up old and dear and hallowed associations, and leave friends and brethren and all that has been sacred to you? Stop, I pray you, and take a word of advice from the thousands who have tried it to their sorrow. Read this: “This little bolus of good advice is rolling around in the exchanges, and the sentiment is heartily endorsed by The Tribune. We have so many letters from men in Kansas who would go to Oregon, and from settlers in Oregon who would know more of orange-growing in Florida, that we beg our restless readers to remember the just old saw about the rolling stone.—[Ed. Tribune. “A large proportion of the American people are restless, roving, scattering, driven about from place to place by every spring freshet of popular excitement. Their desire for quick gains and their perpetual motion wears them out prematurely. They build houses for life-time residences, and are ready to sell out their newly-built homestead a week after it is finished—for perhaps less than it cost—and off they go, perpetually swinging around the circle of chronic change. To the pleasures of home and neighborhood attachment, to repose of feeling and content of mind, and love of objects around them, they are strangers. The fruition of trees they plant they rarely witness. Of all their possessions, they have nothing home-like to gladden their hearts. The gardens they lay out, the furniture they buy, and the houses they build, afford no home-loving memories. After wearing out half a life-time in perpetual change of habitation, with little gain and great loss, they see in their past career nothing but failure! Habits wayward, the mind perplexed, the purpose cowed, their energies baffled and disappointed, they surrender to fate, and accept in moody despair their abject situation; and often, with conscience seared and morals wrecked, without friends or home, they settle down too late, and die among strangers.” Almost every day I find families here in the West who exactly fill the above bill. Peace and contentment are strangers to their homes, if they have any; there are no sacred places, around which their memories can linger. An uneasy, dissatisfied feeling has come over them which darkens all their life. To me, this is the hardest and saddest part of my life. I have to be continually breaking off old associations, the dearest friendships, and the most sacred attachments, and form new ones. Often my heart murmurs and almost rebels against it and I can bear it only from a sense of duty. Let me advise you, friends, from the depths of my soul to “Get a home and keep it.” That spiritualism is rapidly gaining ground is sufficiently evident from the respect with which eminent men are coming to speak of it. Beecher says of it: “One would think that a delusion which, for the magnitude of its pretensions, the number of its victims, and the duration of its power to baffle the scrutiny of the shrewdest, is the most extraordinary in the history of humanity, might be deemed worthy of some more serious notice than the contemptuous jest with which Prof. Huxley dismisses it. And this all the more because the boasted expose by the great English Faraday was really such a pitiable display of learned weakness.” A clergyman, writing of the Chicago fire, relates this sad case: “One very sad case is related. A lumber merchant received news the week before that the great fire in Northern Wisconsin had destroyed his pine woods and his saw mills, losing him $300,000. Sunday night his lumber yard in this city was burned, and on Monday morning his residence on the North Side was swept away and his two children perished. He was taken to the asylum, insane.” Alas! how unstable, how insecure, is all earthly joy. How unwise to build our hopes in a world like this! Important Meetings in Vermont.
By Alonzo C. Bourdeau; Daniel T. Bourdeau
The meetings which were held in West Bolton, Dec. 7, and in Bordoville, Dec. 9 and 10, were very important to the cause in Vermont. Bro. James White did not attend these meetings on account of having a severe cold brought on by exposures in traveling. But sister White attended them, accompanied by Sr. Hall. Three meetings were held in West Bolton which were well attended, especially the one in the evening when the large school-house in which they were held was literally packed. There were about two hundred and fifty present. Sister W. spoke one full hour in each meeting—three times in one day. Her principal theme was the humble, self-denying life of Christ upon which she dwelt with great clearness and power. Nearly all present seemed to feel the necessity of coming up more fully to the perfect pattern. How little we see in us to boast of! How deficient our labors, and poor our sacrifices, when we keep in view the disinterested and sacrificing life of Christ! The interest was intense. The truth was received with great eagerness, and never was the word spoken indorsed more generally by a promiscuous crowd. We have reason to believe that whatever prejudice might have existed in regard to sister White was entirely removed. The friends generally expressed a strong desire to have Bro. and sister White spend at least two weeks with them in West Bolton the present winter. There were eight meetings held in Bordoville. Three of them were preaching meetings and five were social. Sister White labored especially for the church. One interesting feature of the meetings was, that though Sabbath afternoon nearly one hundred persons came forward to the anxious seats for prayers, yet the evening following, at a meeting held to continue the same work, we came to a halt where neither preachers nor people could cause the work to progress; at which point special testimonies were given to individuals present; and as these were indorsed, light and freedom broke in. We could but thank God for his condescension in granting us assistance in this our time of need. No regular meeting was held Sunday evening. The meetings closed at 3 P. M. But at 5 o’clock we realized what was more profitable to us and to the cause than a common meeting would have been. Sister White had spoken in the afternoon on the last days being like those of Noah, and was on the point of leaving for Berkshire to make sister Alida Kellogg who was on her dying bed a farewell call, when the two youngest sons of Bro. John Saxby—Brn. Parmenas W., and Arthur J., and sister Edna, wife of Bro. Parmenas—who had been in a backslidden state, came to our house to bid sister White good bye. At this point, sister White felt the real burden of their cases, and a special yearning after them for their salvation, and gave them rich instructions. She then kneeled down with them, and prayed for them with great earnestness, faith, and tenacity, that they might return unto the Lord. They yielded and prayed, promising to serve the Lord. The Spirit of the Lord drew nearer and nearer. Sister White was free, and soon, unexpectedly to all, she was in vision. She remained in this condition fifteen minutes. The news spread, and soon the house (Eld. A. C. Bourdeau’s) was crowded. Sinners trembled, believers wept, and backsliders returned to God. The work was not confined to those present as we have since learned. Some who had remained at home were powerfully convicted. They saw themselves as they had never done before. The angel of God was shaking the place. The shortness of time, the terrors and nearness of coming judgments and the time of trouble, the worldly-mindedness of the church, their lack of brotherly love, and their state of unreadiness to meet the Lord, were strongly impressed upon the minds of all. A reform is started; hearty confessions are being made; brethren are coming together; and those who had assumed the stewardship of others are feeling measurably the responsibility resting upon them. Surely the Lord has wrought and he shall have all the praise. May the work deepen and widen until we are all prepared to stand in the Judgment. God keep us from the wiles of Satan, and help us to be thorough. As preachers, we are trying to see our lacks, and design by the grace of God, to be wholly consecrated to the Lord, and to the interest of his sacred cause.
A. C. BOURDEAU,
D T. BOURDEAU.
Bordoville, Vt., Dec. 13, 1871. Switzerland.
By James Ertzenberger
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS OF AMERICA: During a whole year you have heard little or nothing of your thankful brethren and sisters and the work of God in Switzerland. My correspondence has been very limited, and but a few have known of the state of things here, although there have doubtless been many anxious to hear. Perhaps it was wrong to report nothing for the dear ones in general, and I ask you to pardon me, and us all. I now will try to give you a statement of things of the past and at the present. Last winter, I labored mostly at Tramelan to instruct the dear friends of the cause more perfectly in the truth. This was according to their desire. During the mean time I visited other places to speak the word also to others. In all, I spoke eighty times, and mostly in French. My courage was good and my own soul blessed. The brethren received more light; feeble ones became strengthened. There seemed to go on a good work. A few had decided to follow the Lord and to keep his holy commandments. But it became of them as it is written in Matt. 13: 5, 20, 21. The devil became angry and tried his might. He troubled us first from without, but soon his terrible influence was felt even among us. The occasion of this was a difficulty on account of the question of going before the magistrates. Myself became involved in it, and this in such a way that I considered it best for me, to speak no more publicly. Our meetings suffered, but were continued. God's erring children were obliged to experience that they did wrong. And I especially felt sad and mourned over the state of things. Sometimes it seemed to me that it would overwhelm me. Discouragement came upon me. And the devil tried hard to induce me to leave the field. But I knew, and do still, that this is the Lord's work on which we stand, and the truth is of God which we hold. Having tried to settle the matter by different ways, I became convinced that it was not in human power to do it. And finally, I committed the entire matter wholly to the Lord. And lo! the Lord did work for us. Already before this, I had been learning that not all my steps had been aright. And therefore I tried to confess my errors, humbling myself before God and before my brethren. Blessed be the Lord! he is willing to forgive, and he does forgive. Yes, I know it. I feel it. Commencing in September, we had a second Conference to consider the matter once more. This time the Lord wrought for us mightily. Satan was obliged to leave the camp, and the Spirit of God came in and took hold of the hearts of his erring children. There were none who had not erred in some way. We confessed our sins, and humbled ourselves before Him who searches the hearts of men, praying him to pardon us. It was a solemn season. As we arose we could feel in our hearts that the Lord was performing a great work. We forgave one another. And the kiss of reconciliation was a hearty one. It was a refreshing season. In regard to going before the magistrates we decided it was best to avoid it, if possible. May the Lord preserve us from troubles of this kind. A few who kept the Sabbath improved the occasion to give it up. Since peace was made, they have been cordially invited, and visited by others and myself, but without success. A few others have not joined with us although they observe the Sabbath still. And I fear they will turn away wholly. It appears from their sayings and actions that they think the way to life too narrow for them. They needed correction before. May the Lord pity them! Those who attend the meetings are enjoying the blessing of God. And I can but say the Lord is turning to us. May his holy name be blessed! Before our difficulties were settled I tried to prepare weapons for the great war, translating some tracts to have them printed. And since then I continue to employ the time in this manner between other ministerial labors. I have also again taken up public labor. May I have heavenly wisdom and light from on high. By invitation, I visited this place once and spoke the word several times. Made also a visit to Basle. Went also to other places to speak the word. Administered the Lord's supper three times. Baptized twice; in all, five new ones, of whom three were members of the Methodist church. I firmly believe that these new members will be an honor and a blessing to the work. Others are convinced of the truth, but have not taken hold of it yet. May the Lord help them to move in the right direction! One brother, who was disfellowshipped a year ago because he gave up the Sabbath, is returning to the Lord with true repentance. He was obliged to pass through much affliction; was taken sick and brought very low. In his distress he requested the prayers of the church. The Lord answered, and by his grace this brother was able to come from a distance of 250 miles to visit the brethren at Tramelan. He is doing pretty well, and I hope he will be able to go out soon to tell to the people what a great work the Lord has done for him. Nov. 4, we celebrated the Lord's supper at Tramelan. Our dear Bro. A. Vuilleumier could not attend, being confined to the bed on account of sickness. In his case too, we could see the efficacy of prayer. While we were engaged in prayer for him he felt better. Nov. 5, we were greatly encouraged to see him restored so that he could take part in the deliberations of the Conference which had assembled to consider the mission. An executive committee was chosen to take the general supervision and the charge of the great work. We felt that the Lord was with us and moving on the hearts of his people. Now the sincerity of hearts was to be tested. To pray is an easy thing, but to give is quite a different thing. To advance the cause here we need tracts. To get them we want means. Although there were but seventeen members present, the others being prevented from attending, not less than one thousand dollars in gold were pledged for the good work. This shall be used to get different tracts on the present truth. A few translations are already at the printing office. Great and solemn is the work, wide the field, short the time, and much to be done. May the Lord help to improve it best. We have had severe trials to pass through. But it cannot be denied, that some good has been done by it. The terrible storm has passed by, and the air has become purified. We enjoy a refreshing season, and it seems as if a new era had begun. May it be for the eternal welfare of many souls. Nov. 17, I left the dear brethren of Tramelan for this place to give a course of lectures. The Lord permitting, they will commence next week. May the Lord direct in all, and prosper his holy work to his honor and glory. May sinners be converted. May backsliders return, and may God's people be prepared for the soon coming of our heavenly Master. May we all be counted worthy to enter in through the gates into the city! Remember the work in Switzerland! Pray for us! The brethren and sisters of this country send their sincere love to the dear ones of America. Yours humbly,
JAMES ERTZENBERGER. Chaux de fonde, Switzerland. P. S. My P. O. address will remain as before, Tramelan, Jura bernois (closed mail via England), Switzerland. H. M. KENYON
By H. M. Kenyon
EVENINGS of Oct. 5 and 6, held two meetings at Jamestown, Ottawa Co., where I held meetings last spring. Here is one sister keeping the Sabbath, as the result of these meetings, and others are satisfied in regard to the truth, but for different reasons, do not as yet step out upon it. Oct. 7, held two meetings with the brethren at Gaines, Kent Co. They are here united and making some advancement in the work. The 9th, held two meetings at Leighton, Allegan Co. The 29th and 30th, by request, attended the quarterly meeting at Potterville. Brethren and sisters were present from Charlotte and Oneida. Had a good meeting. The Spirit of the Lord was present, and all seemed determined, to make an advance step in the work. Nov. 15, left home to join Bro. Lamson in St. Clair Co. The 18th and 19th, accompanied Bro. L. to his appointment at Greenwood. Here are seven families keeping the Sabbath, the result of Bro. L.'s labors the past summer. They all appear firm and decided in the truth. We returned to Memphis in time to hear two interesting discourses from Bro. Van Horn. The 24th and 25th, with Bro. L., at Smith's Creek. Here Bro. L. has labored for several weeks. Quite an interest has been awakened, and several are keeping the Sabbath, and others are deeply interested. Considering it not best for Bro. L. and myself to labor together, in company with Bro. Wakeling I went to Lakeport, twenty-five miles north of Memphis. Commenced meetings Nov. 30. Held meetings as long as the people would come out to hear. It seems to be a very unfavorable time to hold meetings in this place at present, it being very near the lumber district. The recent fires are the cause of extensive lumbering, so that many are away from home, or preparing to go soon. I left for home Dec. 13, feeling clear that I had tried to do my duty at least. Sabbath, Dec. 16, was with the brethren at Monterey. Evening after the Sabbath, re-organized our Sabbath-school. A good interest15was manifest in this work. The brethren here have recently organized a tract society. We hope for better times in Monterey. I commence meetings soon at Hamilton, in this county. I earnestly desire heavenly wisdom, to guide me in this work. CHARITY COVERS A MULTITUDE OF SINS.
By Rebekah Smith
Could we love God with all the heart,
And as ourselves our neighbor,
'T would save disquietude and strife,
'T would save unpleasant labor. No prejudice would then be raised
Against a friend or brother;
'T would all be covered by the love
We'd feel for one another. Be wrongs all righted far as known,
In kindness and in love;
With confidence we then could claim
Assistance from above. I feel as done to me the wrong
My brother has to bear;
What e'er the cause, I'd help him rise,
And in his sufferings share. Think those above all others vile,
Who thus have gone astray?
Except we all repent we shall
Be likewise cast away. Those only who have overcome,
Who've been made white and tried,
Will through earth's final, closing scenes,
Be able to abide. He's coming through whose blood alone,
Our sins must be forgiven,
Through whom the victory we must gain,
Or be unmeet for Heaven. Too soon we cannot know we're saved,
And made in Christ complete,
In love all ready, waiting, stand,
Our coming Lord to meet. West Wilton, N. H., Dec. 5, 1871. Osceola, Iowa.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
The Lord favored us with the finest of weather, and good roads for this meeting. We had a large gathering of our leading brethren and sisters from all parts of southern Iowa—Woodburn, Mt. Pleasant, Sigourney, Monroe, Knoxville, Sandyville, Adel, Peru, Afton, Leon, Decatur, &c., &c. Our only disappointment was the absence of Bro. Butler on account of his sickness. Our new house was entirely done and ready for use. Aug. 30, we preached the first sermon in the tent in Osceola, with only one Sabbath-keeper in the place, but plenty of enemies. Sept. 22, the first hour's work was done on the house. Dec. 5, it was all finished, complete to the turn of the key. In money, work, and material, it has cost us $1825.00, every dollar of which is paid, and we have some in the treasury besides. Considering all the circumstances, and how very scarce money now is, it seems to us almost a miracle. It is a hard argument for our enemies here to get over. All say that we have the neatest house in the city, though not the largest. We spared no pains nor means to make it just what we wanted, and all feel well pleased with it. It gratified us much to be able to say to the congregation, at the dedication sermon, that we had no begging to do, no collections to take up. To the Lord be the praise. Brn. Morrison, Hare, and McCoy, assisted in speaking to the people. There were present about one hundred and twenty-five Sabbath-keepers, most of whom have embraced the truth within the last eighteen months. Seldom have I enjoyed a sweeter and more encouraging meeting than this. Our hearts were united in love more closely than ever. It has done much to encourage and strengthen the friends, and the cause here. The outside interest and attendance seem as good as ever. While new ones are coming out on the Sabbath, not a single soul of all those who embraced the Sabbath in the tent, has given it up. I remain another week, and then go to Peru for two weeks. Clark Co., Illinois.
By Catherine Kittle
DEAR brethren and sisters in the Lord, be of good courage. The Lord has set his hand the second time to gather Israel. He is in this work. We need not fear. He will lead it on to victory. He is a prayer-hearing and a prayer-answering God. He has heard our prayers and has sent his servants here to preach his down-trodden truth in Clark County. Four years have passed since we enjoyed such a blessed privilege. We praise God's holy name for his goodness and mercy toward the children of men. Some have taken their stand with the people of God, and are keeping all the commandments. May the Lord help them all to be faithful, and add such to his church as shall be saved. Remember us here in Clark County. We need your prayers. Encouragement in the Advent Hope
By L. Martin
Bro. L. MARTIN writes from Bennington, N. H.: My heart is cheered by the epistles in the REVIEW. I feel like thanking God and taking courage. It looks very plain to me, that the end of the Christian race is very near at hand, that deliverance is soon coming to all the faithful ones of earth. I have believed in the glorious Advent doctrine since 1843. I believed with all my heart that Jesus would come in 1844. How many have made shipwreck of their faith since that time. And were it not for the love and tender mercy of our God, where should any of us be now? I had the privilege of attending the late meeting at Washington, and hearing the precious truth once more from our dear Bro. and sister White. I can say, Good is the word of the Lord. I bless God that he is raising up many in different places to take a stand upon the truth. SISTER S. E. White, of Sonoma Co., Cal., sending us the following article, says: “I find the enclosed article in our county paper, and its statements are so significant that I send it for the REVIEW. How can people think a millennium is coming, when they look at such facts as these? I rejoice that my eyes have been opened to these signs of the times; and that we, as a people, can read in them the evidence that our redemption draweth nigh. How careful ought we to live! How near to God we should be at all times, so that he can deliver us from sin and temptation. I feel like living nearer to God than ever before, and to be getting ready for his appearing; for he will soon come and not tarry.” “THE WORLD TURNED UPSIDE DOWN. “At no period of the present century has there been so many disasters as have occurred during the past twelve months. The world seems to be turned upside down. The year opened with the terrible war between Prussia and France. This was succeeded by the revolution at Paris. Since then famine has visited Persia with all its attendant horrors; the cholera, Turkey and Russia; great and most destructive fires, in our own country; devastating earthquakes in South America; terrible floods in China; immense tidal waves on the Atlantic Coast; drought in California; the destruction of the whaling fleet in the northern seas; the unprecedented ravages of small-pox in Buenos Ayres, South America, by which many tens of thousands of people lost their lives. “The political world also seems but little less disturbed. All Europe seems to rest upon the crust of a volcano, and scarcely a crowned head rests easily upon its pillow. Poor France, still bleeding and torn by the terrible ordeal of fire and iron hail through which she has passed, and impoverished by the mighty debt left her as a legacy by the unfortunate conflict with Germany, lies prostrate and struggling amidst great difficulties to assume an upright attitude. She has only a temporary government, which is liable to be overthrown at any moment. Revolution threatens her on every side. Spain has accepted a foreign king, but the discontent is great, and the government by no means on a permanent footing. Poor old Austria is tottering to her grave as an empire. The process of dismemberment steadily advances, and it is rumored that the Emperor, Francis Joseph, seriously contemplates abdicating, because he feels himself unequal to the emergency. There is great popular discontent in England. The Republicans are gaining ground rapidly, and a revolution cannot be postponed long. Prussia, having emerged triumphantly from an armed encounter with France, is consolidating her power, and is, perhaps, the strongest empire in Europe to-day; but there are elements of discord there also, which are matters of serious concern to the government. The same may be said of Italy. “Underneath the surface in all these countries there are elements at work which will sooner or later result in revolution and the overthrow of kingly government. The people, the great masses who have heretofore been ignored by the governing classes, and treated purely as hewers of wood and drawers of water, are beginning to assert their manhood. And although their first efforts at self-assertion are crude, and many of their ideas wild and visionary, they will doubtless persevere until they revolutionize the existing governments, and eventually, when intelligence becomes more generally diffused, succeed in establishing governments based upon the rights of man and administered for the common benefit. “But we set out to call attention to the remarkable occurrences of the past year. Disaster after disaster has followed in such rapid succession that it is difficult to keep pace with them. Is the world approaching a crisis involving a new order of things? Are there to be further physical phenomena, climatic changes, etc.? Are we upon the threshold of an era of revolution and wars to result in the establishment of republics throughout the civilized world? People laugh at what they consider the visionary ideas of the International Society, but it cannot be denied that they are becoming a power and are destined to control the destinies of the world to some extent, unless some means are devised to crush them. This the European governments are combining to do, but the result is by no means certain. We trust that the misfortunes of the past twelve months will not be repeated in the next. We have had horrors and troubles enough, but our destinies lie in the hands of Him whose ways are past finding out, and whose displeasure should teach mankind that there is safety alone in obedience to his commands.” J. M. GALLEMORE
By J. M. Gallemore
It is with pleasure that we now attempt to speak a word in behalf of present truth, which, we are happy to state, becomes clearer to our mind, and more precious from day to day. Our greatest wonder is, that more do not see the truth, embrace it, and come out fully on the side of the Lord, keep his commandments, and walk humbly before him. Could the people, or would they, see that the last warning message was now going forth to a dying world, there would certainly be a mighty humbling before the Lord, and the precious truths connected with the near advent of the Saviour would have the proper solemn and sanctifying effect. But for unbelief and lack of watchfulness, this mighty and crowning event must “come upon the world as a snare.” Solemn thought it is; but they who believe divine inspiration cannot doubt it. Man though will not go down unwarned. The Lord is the same now and forever, and he has never dealt thus; and why should the world scoff at the idea that God’s faithful servants are now engaged in the solemn work of delivering the last warning message to the world prior to its destruction? It is a thing impossible for the faithful watchman to answer the interrogation, “Watchman, what of the night?” The truth looks plain, though, aside from our own family, we know of no Seventh-day Adventists hereabouts. Alone, we are endeavoring to live out the truth as best we can. We accepted it over two years since at Hamilton, and as we get deeper into the light of it the more precious it becomes. It has never been publicly proclaimed in this place, but we hope that in the order of providence it may be soon. The people here know but little or nothing about it, as a general thing. There appears to be a few honest souls here who might be warned and fall in with the truth. A Wisconsin Reader’s Encouragement
By J. A. Lanphere
Sister J. A. Lanphere writes from Wis.: The first news that we had of the dear people who are sending abroad the holy and ennobling thoughts published at the REVIEW Office, was by hearing a first-day Adventist elder ridicule them, because of a person they called Ellen White. This was some two or three years ago. We did not so much as know where to address, till we learned it from some tracts left at Burns by a brother. While reading the soul-thrilling testimonies in volume two, tears could not be suppressed. While hearing the stirring appeals for help, how earnest our longings have been to help ease the burdens of the dear ones who have laid themselves and all that is precious out for that dear Saviour and his people. Of the publications that are being issued at Battle Creek, I feel as if I dare not receive the light only as I lift my heart in prayer to the holy One to help me and all to live it out. I have never before written anything for the press, but desired to let you know that there are hearts here who earnestly desire to help all we can, if no more than to breathe a prayer to Heaven constantly for the dear people who have spread abroad so much light and truth. Hope for the Glorious Future
By A. Geer; E. Geer
BRO. and SISTER A. and E. GEER write: Our interest in this good work is increasing, and our prayer is that God may bless the laborers and speed the message. Our hearts are warmed up, and our prospects are brightening for the glorious future, and although we have passed the meridian of life yet we cannot look down into the grave. Our heads are lifted up; for we know that our redemption draweth nigh. We long to see the King in his beauty, and meet all the redeemed host. Lame Offerings.
By H. A. St. John
BLEMISHED or unsound offerings were not acceptable to God in the old dispensation. The offerings of the children of Israel must not only be sound, but of the kind that God had prescribed. We have the same God now, and where is the scripture that teaches us that our God is any less particular in this, than in the former, dispensation. No such inspired language can be found. God has not become indulgent. With the same jealous eye he still guards the honor of his word, and the requisitions of his law. He that would transgress one of the least of the commandments of God, and offer to him a man-made substitute, is guilty of presumption, a grievous sin in the sight of God. All such substitutes are lame offerings, and he that willingly presents them does it at the peril of his own soul. When Jesus taught the people publicly from city to city, the Jews held to a tradition that nullified the fifth commandment. Our Saviour said to them with reference to this matter, “Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” Mark 7:7. Here was a lame, presumptive offering. God could not accept it; he had not required it at their hands. It was not only uncalled for, but it was plainly making void the commandment of God, and, consequently, a very great sin. The majority of Christendom at the present day, by offering to God the first day of the week as a substitute for the holy Sabbath of the Lord, the seventh day, do as effectually make void the commandment of God by a tradition, as did the ancient Jews. Keeping a day which God has never commanded, blessed, or sanctified, and calling it the Sabbath of the Lord, is making an offering unsound in every part, and what is more, diametrically opposed to the commandment of God. How can professors of the religion of Jesus, who fear God and tremble at his word, after once seeing the light upon this important subject, continue to offer to God in the place of his holy Sabbath an unsanctified substitute provided by the apostasy, and excuse themselves by saying that “God is not particular.” All such will find out, sooner or later, their terrible mistake. “God is no respecter of persons; but in every nation he that feareth him and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.” Acts 10:34, 35. Will working unrighteousness, disobedience to the law of God, do just as well? All unrighteousness is sin, and the wages of sin is death. God is testing the world; and the measuring rule is that only true standard of rectitude, the moral law. By this, man will be tested, and finally judged. The law of God, in all its length and breadth, will be presented by precept and example to the last generation of men. All Christendom will be either loyal or disloyal when the Lord comes; and the line of demarkation between these two classes will become palpably distinct. On the one hand will be those who make void the law of God, while upon the other will be seen a people, zealous of good works, who, like the psalmist, will have respect unto all the commandments of God. BELIEF.—There is no reason to doubt that God has created us with intellectual differences which are wholly involuntary, and which must tend to fix the determinations of the judgment. There are some men who, from their earliest years, seem incapable of admitting a truth without double the evidence with which others would be satisfied. Who, then, among us is to determine what mind is most correctly strung? Is the man who admits a proposition on one degree of evidence to condemn his brother who requires two?—Rev. James Martineau. Birds Must Fly for Their Food
God gives birds their food, but they must fly for it.