DEAR BRO. WHITE: I have been forcibly struck of late in witnessing the confidence some seem to have of entering the kingdom, while living in the violation of the fourth commandment.
I called upon a sick woman a few days since, who has been afflicted with swellings in the head, extremely painful, so that for seven weeks past she said she had realized but one night's natural sleep; and spoke of the wonderful manner in which God had sustained her. Said she had received grace just as she needed, and added, I have had the greatest evidence of my acceptance with God during my affliction that I have ever had; and quoted these words, "Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now keep I thy law."
I carefully introduced the Sabbath, and referred to her sickness as the means, perhaps, that God designed to bring her where these things might reach her. Her bosom began to swell with emotion, and she broke out, saying, "Christ! Christ! He is all to me. He is every thing. Your Sabbaths, away with them. If you have not got the love of God in your soul what good can these things do."
I replied, we may have the love of God in our souls, and feel that Christ is all to us, yet search for the truth, and try to find out our own errors, that we may put them away. (It seems to me that the love of Christ will constrain us to these things.) She broke out in a strain louder than before, saying, "If I have Jesus Christ formed within, the hope of glory, what do I want more? What more can I have?" Another aged and honorable lady who sat by, joined with her, saying the same words. Now, then, if one commandment is to be discarded, as not worthy of our notice, then others may be disposed of in the same way, and finally no commandment be binding on us. (Under grace as some would have it.)
Another idea conveyed, is, that we cannot observe the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, and at the same time be in the possession of the love of God.—Now is it so, that obedience to God's commandments takes the place of love, and therefore love is made void? I do not understand it so. The Beloved Disciple, John, did not thus comprehend love; for he testifies, saying, "This is the love of God that we keep his commandments." Again, "He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him." And Jesus, himself, says, "If thou wilt enter into life keep the commandments." The apostle James understood it, for he said, Faith without works is dead, being alone. "Shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works." So say I.
Now I understand works to be the product of faith and love. We first hear, then believe, next obey.—And what does the keeping of his commandments signify; but to live them out. Then we must necessarily act, which produces works. It is nevertheless, the fruit of faith and love, (for a person would not be apt to bring forth fruit so contrary to the carnal nature if he did not love God,) and can be called nothing more nor less than obedience. Then if we must do the things he requires, in order to prove to God that we love him, I know of no way to excuse myself when he says, The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God, in it thou shalt not do any work; but to rest "according to the commandment." Neither dare I call the observance of the Sabbath "unnecessary works," that has been or ought to be done away.
I would ask how a person can, willingly or knowingly, reject even the least of God's commandments, and maintain justification through Christ. Did Jesus die to justify us in sin, or to justify for past sins, when we should have thoroughly amended our ways and our doings? To me the latter seems more reasonable. Paul says "sin is the transgression of the law." What law? It cannot be that law of rites and ceremonies which only pointed to Christ, of which he is the end for righteousness to every one that believeth, and which was nailed to his cross; but it must be that law which convinced Paul that he was a sinner, slew him, and led him to cry out, "O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death!" It convinced him of sin and justly condemned him, and he pronounced it holy, just and good, (yet it could not take away past sins; but Paul found a man that could, that man Jesus, who was crucified for our offences, that satisfied the claims of that law which required the death of every transgressor.)—Then if sin is the transgression of that law, how can we be justified from our sins until we cease to violate any part of it? If we would comprehend the extent, the length and breadth of the claims of that law on us, we must go to the life and teachings of Jesus. He fulfilled it, that is lived it out, and by so doing, magnified it and made it honorable. It does not say that he did it "away," but "made it honorable."
I praise the Lord that he lets a little light shine into my poor heart in this time of satan's triumph.—One more idea from the expression, "If I have Jesus Christ formed within, the hope of glory, what more can I have? While opposing some of his sayings, seems to me is flattering one's self that as soon as God has forgiven their past sins, and they are made to rejoice in Christ Jesus, because of his mercy towards them, they are then perfect in wisdom and knowledge, and are prepared to carry out the designs of God without further search.
Now it seems to me that then is the time that we should begin to search the scriptures diligently for truth, that we may obey and please him who hath called us to the fellowship of his Son, lest we be again brought into condemnation. Peter, no doubt, had Jesus Christ formed within, yet he was not perfect in knowledge or understanding. No doubt, however, but he was willing to be convinced of his errors, that he might repent of them. So must we be. I feel like trying every point, and every principle, and see if it is on a good foundation, that when the storm of the seven last plagues shall descend, to sweep away the refuge of lies and the hiding-places, my house may stand, being founded on the rock. O I do want to do his will, work for him, and have respect unto all his commandments, statutes and judgments. He is good and faithful in all his sayings. My soul is witness to it. His promises never fail. Whatever we ask we receive, because we keep his commandments, and he will withhold no good thing from them that walk uprightly.
S. PECKHAM. Volney, N. Y., May 7th, 1852.
Finding the Third Angel’s Message
By A. S. Hutchins
From Bro. Hutchins.
DEAR BRO. WHITE: Though not personally acquainted with you, yet I trust you will allow me a space in the columns of the Review and Herald, sufficient to declare some things that God has done for my soul within a few months past. For I fain would publish them from the burning equator to the icy poles! I have professed to be a follower of Christ for twelve years, and have had, within that time, some strong evidences that God, for Christ's sake, had forgiven my sins; and from a sense of duty, I have been preaching most of the time for five years past with the F. W. Baptist denomination.
Last July, I met for the first time with some of the dear brethren at Waterbury, who were firm believers in the third angel's message. Up to that time I had not so much as heard whether there was any third angel's message, having never formed much acquaintance with the Advent people or their views.—But one thing I did know, and had known it for years, that there was a famine for the bread of life in the land where I had traveled and lived.
Notwithstanding the idea of keeping the seventh day as the Sabbath, at that time seemed quite unnecessary to me. Yet I could not resist the impression that God was with, and blessed this people in their meetings of worship, abundantly. I was soon led to examine closely the evidence offered and urged for the observance of the first, instead of the seventh day, as the Sabbath; and to compare them with the plain declarations of God's holy word. And, as might be expected as a natural result, I was soon stoutly convicted in my heart, that "the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord."
Sometime in the month of August, I listened with much interest, to two lectures delivered on the sub24ject of the third angel's message, by Bro. Holt, at Irasburg. So clear, conclusive and overwhelming were his arguments in favor of the position he assumed upon this subject, and so thrilling his appeals to the congregation to get ready for the fast, hastening events of the future, that the determination settled deep into my heart to leave a fallen church, and all that was near and dear in this world, and connect myself with the church of the living God, with them to suffer, toil and be redeemed.
But on returning to the church of which I was a member, the hour—yea, the dark hour of trial met me! Solemn thoughts in swift succession revolved in my mind, when I thought of leaving so many kind brethren and friends, and of coming out upon a subject where my name would be made a proverb by all my former acquaintance. Here, for want of greater moral courage and strength of faith in God, I stumbled and was in darkness during a long cold dreary winter, not however without often pleading with God in prayer for strength to discharge my duty. Though I confess at times, while attempting to call upon his name, I felt keenly the force of the wise man's words, "He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination."
But after staying in Babylon till the last mullein stalk of food had been consumed, and there was nothing left for my soul but certain death by starvation, the final decision was made, and I am now among that happy company that "keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." Yes, glory to God! My soul is happy! And my prospects for heaven are most cheering and consoling. I had not the most distant idea that there was half the life, power and glory in the third angel's message, till I knew it by happy experience. This message seems to have been sent out to gather up the children of God just when it was most needed—just where nothing else would or could have been used as a substitute. Seems, did I say? Yes, more. We know this to be a fact.—Like the "life-boat," used where no other one can be, to rescue the drowning man whose vessel has been wrecked upon some dangerous coast, the message comes to us offering all honest souls, whether perishing upon the coast of Babylon, or sunken down in darkness, by reason of Christ's not appearing in 1844, as they expected, a safe and speedy conveyance to the haven of endless bliss.
I have been with the brethren in meetings at Waterbury, Morristown and Johnson, and in each of these places we have felt in all our meetings, that "The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them." The first, second and third message of Rev. xiv, 6-12 are clear to my mind, and my heart rejoices to be with you in this noble cause, my dear brethren, for I regard it as the work of God, and no argument brought from any source will be sufficiently strong to shake my faith on this point, unless it proves also that I have been wholly mistaken in all of my religious experience for twelve years past.
A. S. HUTCHINS.
Johnson, Vt., May 31st, 1852.
Salvation and Obedience
By Elizabeth Dow
From Sister Dow.
DEAR BRO. WHITE: In conversation with a friend not long since, upon the importance of keeping the commandments of God, it was remarked as follows: "The seventh-day folks are calculating to be saved by the law. I look to the gospel for salvation." Now I would inquire, Can any one have a well grounded hope of salvation by the gospel, who does not yield willing obedience to the requirements of the gospel? And what are these requirements? Are they anything more or less than the "righteousness of the law fulfilled in those who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit?" Those who delight in the law of the Lord have no other gods before them, consequently, they are ever ready to make "a covenant with him by sacrifice."
Let us look at a few gospel requisitions, as expressed by the Saviour and his inspired apostles. Says Jesus, "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth;"—"Sell that ye have and give alms;"—"Be perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." Says the chief Apostle, "Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth;"—"Be not conformed to this world;"—"Let each esteem others better than themselves;"—"Look not every man on his own things, but also on the things of others." Hear also the disciple whom Jesus loved: "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world;"—"He that saith he abideth in him, ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked."
Now methinks the individual who can cheerfully comply with the above, will find nothing grievous in
"The Law of Ten Commands
On holy Sinai given."
O, how delightful to contemplate those commands, as a wall of salvation beside the narrow way, "strait as a rule can make it." [Bunyan.] How safe to walk by such a rule, ever looking unto Jesus, without whom we can do nothing.
"O, may my feet ne'er turn astray,
Nor rove nor seek another way."
ELIZABETH DOW.
Newport, N. H., May 25th, 1852.
Conference at Norfolk
By George W. Holt
From Bro. Holt.
DEAR BRO. WHITE: The Conference in this place has closed. This meeting I believe was of divine appointment, and the blessing of God attended it. A goodly number came together in the spirit of meekness, union and love. There are more Sabbath-keepers in this region than I expected to find, and the number is increasing. Some at the meeting confessed their faith in the present truth for the first time, and their intention to obey it. The work of the Lord is moving forward gloriously; the truth has taken deep root in some hearts, and others are under deep conviction. The heart of the fathers are turned to their children, and the heart of the children to their fathers.
The Conference was held at the house of Bro. Lewis Haskell. Bro. and Sister H., with their four daughters, are all in the truth. The Ark of the Lord rests in their house. The truth of God had free course, the Spirit was poured out freely, and the brethren were much blest and encouraged. Finally the truth bore away the victory, and the children of the Lord triumphed.
Bro. and Sr. Penoyer have been afflicted by the death of their oldest daughter, aged seventeen years. She embraced the Sabbath last winter, after Bro. Rhodes had passed that way, and continued steadfast in the present truth until she fell asleep in Jesus a few days since. G. W. HOLT. Norfolk, N. Y., May 29th, 1852.
Conversion to the Present Truth
By J. R. Towle
Bro. J. R. Towle writes from Woodbury, Vt., May 30th, 1852:
“I hardly know how to express myself in regard to the present truth, which has brought salvation to my poor sinking heart. The third angel's message found me in the waste, howling wilderness, bewildered and faint. I was sick of the church, [Babylon,] and left it about four years since, and fell in with the Laodiceans, and there I came very near starving to death.
While looking for help from the Most High, one of God's messengers, Bro. Ingraham, came along, and by the help of the chart, showed me the position of our High Priest, and the holy commandments, especially the fourth, “Remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy.” The Lord gave me light, and strength, and power to overcome the past, and take hold of the present truth. It is clear as noon-day to me.
I rejoice that God's commandments shine out from his holy Temple, into the minds of honest seekers after truth. There is great light in this truth. It has come, in just the right time—just in time to save my companion and myself from gloomy darkness and despair.
How clear the messages of the first and second angels look now! Before the third came, there were scales on my eyes relative to the first two. But now I see clearly how and why Bro. Miller began to reckon from B. C. 677. Now I see the 2,300 days, and why they should end when they did, in 1844.
I am strong in the belief that time is very short. I feel that I cannot rest, but must cry aloud and spare not, till the Lord shall send forth judgment unto victory, and all the precious ‘jewels’ are brought into the ‘second casket.’ May the Lord speed the message till the 144,000 are sealed.
I want to be humble, meek and mild, more like my Blessed Master; for the people are getting angry with God's truth, because the word of God cuts like a sharp, two-edged sword.—The third angel's message hews close, but, thank God, it is none too close. It is just what is wanted. Sinners in Zion are afraid. Fearfulness has surprised the hypocrite.
There is such a fullness in this truth that it has completely eclipsed my mind from my former course of proclaiming the gospel, for more than fifteen years past; that is, I see the sword is not muffled now to me. Naked truth shines out of God's word plainer than ever it did before. The Bible is its own expositor. Thank the Lord for his good Spirit that leadeth into all truth. There are several in town keeping the Sabbath with me. We hold our meetings every Sabbath when we are not absent. There is such a halo from the Lord thrown around the holy day, as I never before saw.”
Justified by the Law.
THOSE who proclaimed the time of the Lord's coming were met with one text, which was considered a perfect refutation of the Advent theory. Those who opposed the Advent faith, from the drunkard in the street up to the learned divine in his pulpit, were very ready to quote the words of our Lord, "No man knoweth the day and hour." And it was often said, "Why, these Advent men profess to know more than Christ, for he said that he knew not the day and the hour," as though the Son of God would be ignorant of his own advent, until he should find himself on the earth the second time!!
But such opposition against the advent was not as sinful in the sight of Heaven, as that now existing against the observance of the fourth commandment. We wish to refer to one text that is often quoted to prove that it is wrong and dangerous to keep the Sabbath. It is this: "Whosoever of you are justified by the law ye are fallen from grace."
This text may with propriety be quoted as applying to the blind Jew who rejects Jesus, but not to the Christian who keeps the commandments of God, and hopes for justification alone through Jesus Christ. And why should this text be quoted as applying to the case of the Advent brethren who keep the Sabbath? Admitting that Paul, in the word law, refers to the ten commandments, does the text then forbid one from keeping the Sabbath, and show Sabbath-keeping to be a sin? Certainly not. For Paul does not say, whosoever of you keep the Sabbath, or the commandments of God, are fallen from grace; but "whosoever of you are justified by the law."
On this point the brethren who teach and observe the Sabbath are grossly misrepresented by those who teach the abolition of the fourth commandment. We have never heard the idea advanced by any one of them, that they hoped for justification by keeping the law of God. And those who represent Sabbath-keepers as going away from Jesus, the only source of justification, and rejecting his atoning blood, and seeking justification by the law, do it either ignorantly or wickedly.—We will not be silent on this point. God's truth and the real faith of his down-trodden people, must be vindicated.
Now if the word law, in the text referred to, embraces the ten commandments, it embraces them all, and Paul places all ten on a level. Take away the Sabbath, and nine tenths of God's law remains, and if it is wrong and dangerous to keep the Sabbath, it is equally so to keep the other nine!
The man that refrains from murder, or theft, cannot expect justification on the ground that he has not imbued his hands in the blood of his neighbor, or stolen his goods; neither do Sabbath-keepers expect justification for keeping the fourth commandment. One may observe the letter of all ten of them, and, if he is not justified by faith in Jesus Christ, never have right to the tree of life.
The gospel arrangement is plain. God's law convicts of sin, and shows the sinner exposed to the wrath of God, and leads him to Christ, where justification for past offences can be found alone through faith in his blood. The law of God has no power to pardon past offences, its attribute being justice, therefore the convicted transgressor must flee to Jesus. "For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh, that the PRECEPT OF THE LAW MIGHT BE FULFILLED BY US who walk not according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit." Rom. viii, 3. Whiting's Trans.
But what a heresy is that doctrine, that one may be justified through the blood of Jesus, while living in violation of the law of God, or any portion of it. When we present the fourth commandment, many object, on the ground that there is a fullness in Christ. "Away with your Sabbath," say they, "Jesus is my Saviour," as though God's holy law was made void through faith, Says Paul, "God forbid."
On this ground the blasphemer, to whom we might present the claims of the third commandment, might say, "Away with your old commandments, there is a fullness in Jesus"; and on he goes, blaspheming God's holy name, and boasting of his faith in Christ. The horse-thief also, to whom we might urge the claims of the eighth commandment, might object on the same ground, and as he rides away upon his stolen horse, publish the fullness of the Saviour's love.
But it may be said that blasphemy and theft are forbidden in the New Testament. Very well. Let it here be understood that we are reasoning from the ground of the opponent that Paul refers to the ten commandments in Gal. v, and that Sabbath-keepers are fallen from grace. Dear reader, "Let no man deceive you."
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THE PAPER.
By Joseph Bates
THE Brethren will see, from the small sum receipted in this number, and the note relative to means in No. 2, that their help is much needed at this time to carry forward the paper.
An effort has been made to obtain a Printing Office, to be controlled by those who observe the Sabbath of the Lord our God, and we are happy to say that the plan works well. But let it be borne in mind, that in order for the Paper to be issued from the New Press, means must be provided to purchase paper, ink, &c., pay the foreman, pay rent, and supply the wants of a large family. Let all those who can, and who esteem it a pleasure to help sustain the Paper, help now, however small the sum, that the work may move on free from embarrassment.
JOSEPH BATES.
Rochester, June 10th, 1852.
Appointments.
By Joseph Bates
THERE will be a Conference of the Brethren at Fredonia N. Y., and vicinity, to commence June 19th, at 6 o'clock P. M., and hold over Sabbath and First-day. It is expected that the Meeting will be held at the house of Bro. J. Hamilton, or where he may appoint. The Advent Brethren in the place, and region round about, are respectfully invited to attend. If the Lord permit I shall attend this Meeting.
JOSEPH BATES.
JOSEPH BATES
By Joseph Bates
THERE will be a Conference of the Brethren in Jackson, Mich., and vicinity, to commence June 25th, at 2 o'clock P. M., and continue over Sabbath and First-day. The Advent Brethren in the place, and region round about, are cordially invited to attend. I expect (by divine permission) to attend this Meeting.
I shall be happy to attend to the wants of any of our Advent Brethren in the West who may wish to have Conferences of the like character in their vicinity during the Summer months. My Post Office address until July 1st, will be Jackson, Mich. If the Brethren wish their Conferences published in the REVIEW AND HERALD they will please signify it to me.
JOSEPH BATES
JAMES WHITE
By James White
We will meet with the Brn. in Conference at Wheeler, N. Y., June 19th and 20th, where Bro. Raymond may appoint.—Brn. in the vicinity are invited to attend.
We will also meet in Conference at Catlin, N. Y., where Bro. Truesdell may appoint, June 26th and 27th. Bro. T. wishes us to say that the Brn. in Bath and Elmira, and the region around about, are cordially invited to attend.
JAMES WHITE
JAMES WHITE
By James White
Bro. Joseph Bates was with us at our meeting, held Sabbath and First-day, May 29th and 30th. His visit and labors here have proved a comfort and blessing to us all.
He now intends visiting Reach, C. W., where he will hold meetings June 11th, 12th and 13th.
JAMES WHITE
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Publications.
THE REVIEW AND HERALD, Vol. I, bound in paper covers.
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EXTRA COPIES of Nos. 6, 8, 11, 12 and 14 of Vol. II.
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