How often our attention is called to this subject in the word of God, and in the written and unwritten experience of God's people. How often are we warned not to neglect the closet, by those who are living near to God? And the lost apostate dates his first step in apostasy to the neglect of secret prayer.
In a commercial country, if the imports exceed the exports, bankruptcy is sure to follow. So with the Christian. In the closet, he imports from Heaven, grace for the day; and until night, in his intercourse with his associates, there is a constant call for the exercise of the Christian graces; and if he has failed to obtain in the closet a sufficiency, his profession is dishonored. If the demand is greater than the supply, spiritual bankruptcy is sure to follow, though he may be blinded to the fact, until his name is struck from the books of Heaven.
The farmer, especially, is called at early morn to the active duties of this life; and how often does he attend faithfully to these, and put off those relating the highest life until a late hour, or forget them altogether, until pressing cares and company, chill his best and noblest thoughts.
Brother farmer, let us every morning present our petitions to that bank which never fails to pay; and let us spend the dewy hour of morn in meditation, prayer, and reading God's word, that the day may be spent with God.
JOS. CLARKE.
The Commentary.
Tell me the meaning of Scriptures. One gem from that ocean is worth all the pebbles of earthly streams.—M'Cheyne.
“I SHALL BE SATISFIED.”
THE following beautiful lines were published some years since in the Review. As they are again offered for the paper by a friend, C. P. Whitford, we give them another insertion. They will bear not only repeating but even committing to memory.
Not here! not here! not where the sparkling waters
Fade into mocking sands as we draw near;
Where in the wilderness each footstep falters—
I shall be satisfied—but oh! not here!
Not here—where every dream of bliss deceives us,
Where the worn spirit never gains its goal;
Where, haunted ever by the thoughts that grieve us,
Across us floods of bitter memory roll.
There is a land where every pulse is thrilling
With rapture earth’s sojourners may not know,
Where Heaven’s repose the weary heart is stilling,
And peacefully life’s time-tossed currents flow.
Far out of sight, while yet the flesh infolds us,
Lies the fair country where our hearts abide,
And of its bliss is nought more wondrous told us
Than these few words, “I shall be satisfied.”
Satisfied! Satisfied! the spirit’s yearning
For sweet companionship with kindred minds—
The silent love that here meets no returning—
The inspiration which no language finds—
Shall they be satisfied? The soul’s vague longing—
The aching void which nothing earthly fills?
Oh! what desires upon my soul are thronging
As I look upward to the heavenly hills!
Thither my weak and weary steps are tending—
Saviour and Lord! with thy frail child abide!
Guide me toward home, where all my wanderings
I then shall see thee, and “be satisfied.” [ending
“For there are three that bear record in Heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, and these three are one.”
Now this verse is not found in any Greek manuscript earlier than the fifteenth century. It is found only in three Greek manuscripts, and one of these is a copy of a printed Testament. Really, then, it is found in only two Greek manuscripts, and these not earlier than the fifteenth century. We must be very careful how we proceed with regard to the word of God. It is proper that the fact should be stated—it is in no ancient document whatever. It first appeared in a Latin Vulgate of the eighth century. It is not, however, found in the old manuscripts of the Vulgate. It appeared in the first printed copy of the New Testament—Complutensian—translated from the Latin Vulgate in 1514—hard history—by a Catholic editor.
In the Protestant edition by Erasmus, 1516, it did not appear, not being found in his manuscript. Erasmus was found fault with, and such was the pressure brought upon him, that he promised to insert it, providing it could be found in the Greek manuscript. About two years after some one wrote to him that there was a Greek manuscript which contained it, and so in his third edition he inserted it. Doubtless the Greek manuscript was of modern origin. Our earlier English Bibles put this verse in italics, and bracketed it as spurious.
Luther never would put it in his version. He was importuned to do so; but the last act of his life was to bring out a new edition, and he refused to put it in. But mark you, just as soon as the breath was out of his body they put it in. (See Neander on the passage in his commentary on the Epistle.)
This subject has been more fully discussed in the schools than any other. It has had a multitude of defenders, and on the other side it has been discussed with equity, and the conclusion is that they are not genuine.—Dr. Conant.
BATHING: A QUESTION.
By H. C. MILLER.
By many the duty to bathe the whole body and keep it clean, is entirely neglected. Many admit the force of the instructions to the children of Israel, in regard to bathing, so far as that people were concerned in the typical service, but have linked it with those ordinances which were abolished and taken out of the way, and so avoid a present application. And they think they see evidence that it is a non-essential in the course of our Saviour in eating at times with unwashed hands; not understanding that he was laboring to overturn the teachings of Jewish extremists, instead of teaching inattention to bodily cleanliness. But Jesus has taught us duty in this respect, it seems to me.
Now I want to ask a question: If Jesus said to Peter, when he wanted our Lord to wash the rest of his body lest he might have no part with him, “He that is washed,” or, “he that has previously bathed (other translation), needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit,” John xiii, 9, 10, what would he have said had he been talking to one whose body had been innocent of the cleansing power of soap and soft water for three, six, or twelve months, or even from some point immediately subsequent to childhood, and who thought it only necessary, before taking part in the ordinance, to wash the feet and ankles as far as they would probably be exposed?
H. C. MILLER.
Monroe, Wis.
Trials and Increased Faith
Trials being sanctified, increase faith; and faith being increased, is again put to the trial.
THE REMARKABLE DREAM OF WM. MILLER.
By James White
In the Review of April 9, is the vision of Joseph Hoag with remarks from the editor. This reminded us of the wonderful dream of William Miller, and our remarks and notes written seventeen years since and printed in the little paper entitled “The Present Truth,” which we published at Oswego, N. Y., in 1850.
As we have this morning read the dream, given nineteen years ago, and our notes penned two years later, and have looked back over the past seventeen years, we have been led to exclaim, What a remarkable fulfillment! Those who were acquainted with this dream at the time of its first publication, will be glad to call to remembrance the former days; and those who have never seen it, will certainly be interested in its perusal. JAMES WHITE.
REMARKS MADE IN 1850.
The following dream was published in the Advent Herald more than two years since. I then saw that it clearly marked out our past Second Advent experience, and that God gave the dream for the benefit of the scattered flock.
Among the signs of the near approach of the great and terrible day of the Lord, God has placed dreams. See Joel ii, 28–31; Acts ii, 17–20. Dreams may come in three ways; first, “through the multitude of business.” See Eccl. v, 3. Second, those who are under the foul spirit and deception of Satan, may have dreams through his influence. See Deut. xiii, 1–5; Jer. xxiii, 25–28; xxvii, 9; xxix, 8; Zech. x, 2; Jude 8. And third, God has always taught, and still teaches his people more or less by dreams, which come through the agency of angels and the Holy Spirit. Those who stand in the clear light of truth will know when God gives them a dream; and such will not be deceived and led astray by false dreams.
“And he said, Hear now my words; if there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.” Num. xii, 6. Said Jacob, “The angel of the Lord spake unto me in a dream.” Gen. xxxi, 2. “And God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night.” Gen. xxxi, 24. Read the dreams of Joseph [Gen. xxxvii, 5–9,] and then the interesting story of their fulfillment in Egypt. “In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night.”—1 Kings iii, 5. The great image of the second chapter of Daniel was given in a dream, also the four beasts of the seventh chapter. When Herod sought to destroy the infant Saviour, Joseph was warned in a dream to flee into Egypt. Matt. ii, 13.
“And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.” Acts ii, 17.
The gift of prophecy, by dreams and visions, is here the fruit of the Holy Spirit, and in the last days is to be manifested sufficiently to constitute a sign. It is one of the gifts of the gospel church.
“And he gave some apostles; and some prophets; and some evangelists; and some pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” Eph. iv, 11, 12.
“And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets,” &c. 1 Cor. xii, 28. “Despise not prophesyings.” 1 Thess. v, 20. See also Acts xiii, 1; xxi, 9; Rom. xii, 6; 1 Cor. xiv, 1, 24, 39. Prophets or prophesyings are for the edification of the church of Christ. There is no evidence in the word of God that they were to cease before evangelists, pastors and teachers were to cease. But says the objector, “There have been so many false visions and dreams that I can not have confidence in anything of the kind.” It is true that Satan has his counterfeit. He always had false prophets, and certainly we may expect them now in this last hour of deception and triumph. Those who reject such special revelations because the counterfeit exists, may with equal propriety go a little further and deny that God ever revealed himself to man in a dream or a vision, for the counterfeit always existed.
Dreams and visions are the medium through which God has revealed himself to man. Through this medium he spake to the prophets. He has placed the gift of prophecy among the gifts of the gospel church, and has classed dreams and visions with the other signs of the “last days.”
My object in the above remarks has been to remove objections in a Scriptural manner, and prepare the mind of the reader for the following
DREAM.
I dreamed that God, by an unseen hand, sent me a curiously wrought casket, about ten inches long by six square, made of ebony and pearls curiously inlaid. To the casket there was a key attached. I immediately took the key and opened the casket, when, to my wonder and surprise, I found it filled with all sorts and sizes of jewels, diamonds, precious stones, and gold and silver coin of every dimension and value, beautifully arranged in their several places in the casket; and thus arranged, they reflected a light and glory equalled only by the sun. I thought it was my duty not to enjoy this wonderful sight alone, although my heart was overjoyed at the brilliancy, beauty and value of its contents. I therefore placed it on a center-table in my room, and gave out word that all who had a desire might come and see the most glorious and brilliant sight ever seen by man in this life. The people began to come in, at first few in number, but increasing to a crowd. When they first looked into the casket they would wonder, and shout for joy. But when the spectators increased, every one would begin to trouble the jewels, taking them out of the casket and scattering them on the table. At this time I began to think the owner would require the casket and jewels again at my hand; and if I suffered them to be scattered, I could never place them in their places in the casket again as before; and I felt I should never be able to meet the accountability, for it would be immense. I then began to plead with the people not to handle them, nor take them out of the casket; but the more I plead, the more they scattered; and now they seemed to scatter them all over the room, on the floor, and on every piece of furniture in the room. I now saw that among the genuine jewels and coin they had scattered an innumerable quantity of spurious jewels and counterfeit coin. I was highly incensed at their base conduct and ingratitude, and reproved and reproached them for it; but the more I reproached, the more they scattered the spurious jewels and false coin among the genuine.
I then became vexed in my very soul, and began to use physical force to push them out of the room; but while I was pushing out one, three more would enter, and bring in dirt, shavings, and sand, and all manner of rubbish, until they covered every one of the true jewels, diamonds and coins—until they were all excluded from sight. They also tore in pieces my casket, and scattered it among the rubbish. I thought no man regarded my sorrow or my anger. I became wholly discouraged and disheartened, and sat down and wept. While I was thus weeping and mourning for my great loss and accountability, I remembered God, and earnestly prayed that he would send me help. Immediately the door opened, and a man entered the room, when the people left it; and he, having a dirt brush in his hand, opened the windows, and began to brush the dirt and rubbish from the room. I cried to him to forbear, for there were some precious jewels scattered among the rubbish. He told me to “fear not” for he would “take care of them.” Then, while he brushed, the dust and rubbish, false jewels and counterfeit coin, all rose and went out of the windows like a cloud, and the wind carried them away. In the bustle I closed my eyes for a moment; when I opened them, the rubbish was all gone. The precious jewels, the diamonds, gold and silver coins lay scattered in profusion over all the room. He then placed on the table a casket much larger and more beautiful than the former, and gathered up the jewels, the diamonds, the coins, by the handfuls, and cast them into the casket, till not one was left, although some of the diamonds were not bigger than the point of a pin. He then called upon me to “come and see.” I looked into the casket, but my eyes were dazzled with the sight. They shone with ten times their former glory. I thought they had been scoured in the sand by the feet of those wicked persons who had scattered them, and trod them in the dust. I saw they were arranged in beautiful order in the casket, every one in its place, without any visible pains of the man who cast them in—I shouted with very joy—and that shout awakened me.
The effect of this on my mind has been extremely consoling and happy.
WM. MILLER.Low Hampton, N. Y. Dec. 3, 1847.
To its catalogue of errors I might add many more, such as the “thousand years” of Rev. xx, 4, 7, in the past, the 144,000 of Rev. xiv, 1, those who “arose and came out of the graves” after Christ’s resurrection, the no-work doctrine, the doctrine of the destruction of all infants, &c.
These errors were so industriously propagated, and urged upon the waiting flock that the time Bro. Miller had the dream, the true jewels were “excluded from sight,” and the words of the prophet were applicable—“And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off,” &c. See Isa. lix 14. At that time there was not an Advent paper in the land that advocated the cause of present truth. The “Day Dawn” was the last to defend the true position of the little flock; but that was a number of months before the Lord gave Bro. Miller this dream; and in its last dying struggle, poured the weary, sighing saints into 1877, then their final deliverance. Alas! alas! No wonder that Bro. Miller in his dream “sat down and wept” over this sad state of things.
HOW TO COME TO CONFERENCE.
We do not speak of route nor mode of conveyance, but of the purposes and feelings with which we wish all to come to this great annual gathering. We shall be happy to see our friends from every direction, those who are endeared to us by the strong ties of the truth, and those who are desirous of learning and embracing that which is so precious to us. And in behalf of the church here, we wish to say to all our brethren and sisters,
1. Do not come as strangers. Though we may never have seen each others' faces, if we have sincerely sought an interest in Christ, we are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise; we are all members of the same family; having the same faith, walking the same road, loving the same truths, having the same interests, cherishing the same hope, and expecting soon to join immortal hands on the glorified shore. Then let us act toward each other with the same familiarity, frankness, cordiality and love, that would become the members of a harmonious and happy household.
2. Do not come as spectators, simply to see what others may have to say or do. In the meetings do not feel that they are for others, not for you, and suffer yourselves to be bound by a feeling of restraint. Let all fear of man be put away; and let each one consider himself an individual member of that company upon whom it is now incumbent, not simply to listen to the good words of hope and encouragement that others may have to utter, but to all speak often the one to the other, and to exhort one another and so much the more as they see the day approaching.
3. Do not come to criticise and find fault. And while we say this, we do not wish nor ask any one to shut their eyes to any wrong. But we will suggest what would seem to us to be a proper course: If any one shall see things here, which do not, on a careful and charitable consideration, appear to be in accordance with right and truth, let him inquire of some member of this church concerning them. Such inquiry will be respectfully entertained, and an explanation, if the matter is susceptible of one, will be given. Above all things we protest against persons' locking up in their own bosoms what they may suppose to be wrongs in us, yet parting with us with apparently the most satisfactory and friendly feeling, and going away with hearts filled with bitterness, calculating to spread reports which will be to our discredit and injury. Such a course is instigated from beneath not from above. We know not that there is any occasion for these remarks at this time; but our experience in the past, prompts us to write them.
4. Remember that on such occasions where the crowd is large, there is much to be done, and many to look to. No one should therefore expect a large amount of particular personal attention, nor feel slighted if they do not receive it. Each one must contribute to, as well as draw from, the general fund of entertainment. In this way the occasion may be made one which will be uninterruptedly pleasant and full of good cheer.
5. Come with much prayer that the Lord will show us some special token of his love, revive his work, and advance his cause.
6. Come with hearts unalterably set in the resolution to contribute your part for the further success of the work of the Lord. Each day adds to the evidences that we are in the closing hours of time. All who learn the truth must learn it soon. All who are to be saved, must be saved soon. We stand on the threshold of the eternal kingdom. It is time that all who wish for a part therein, were entering upon the work of the great preparation.
THE CLOSING HOURS OF PROBATION.
By Robert F. Cottrell
How solemn the thought that we are upon the very verge of probationary time!—that the moment is at hand that shall decide the destiny of all living, so that the harvest of the earth shall be fully ripe and prepared for the sickle. How precious are the moments that shall intervene between the present, and the one in which it shall be said, “He that is filthy let him be filthy still, and he that is holy, let him be holy still?”
How ought we to feel and act, in view of these things? Should we be willing to let any of our precious time run to waste? Should we let worldly interests absorb our time and strength? Should it not rather be our greatest anxiety to devote ourselves wholly to the service of God and the salvation of our fellow men! Those who believe these most thrilling truths—that the last warning to mankind is now being given, and is doing its solemn, its fearful work, ought to be, and must be, such a people as the world has never seen since the Christian church was first established. Primitive Christianity and primitive zeal, devotedness and self-sacrifice, should, and must characterize us. Then, and not till then, may we expect the message to go in the demonstration of the Spirit and of power. When we, as a people, fully cast off our lukewarmness, our mission will be felt and appreciated by honest seekers after truth. Do you believe this? Then what a responsibility rests upon us. Oh, let us feel it.
Is it not time for the people of the Lord to enter into a covenant to seek the Lord with all the heart as did the ancient people of God, when they found themselves in a similar condition to that in which we find ourselves? “And they entered into a covenant to seek the Lord God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul.” 2 Chron. xv, 12. “And all Judah rejoiced at the oath; for they had sworn with all their heart, and sought him with their whole desire; and he was found of them.” Verse. 15.
I have seen the happy effects of entering into such a covenant, upon a large number of believers in the present truth. There are many that have rejoiced at the oath, and found the Lord ready to reveal himself, as he does not to the world. Still keep in mind the covenant, brethren and sisters. Do not go back from it. Rejoice at it, and hold it sacred and inviolate, till He shall appear who shall pronounce the everlasting covenant of peace to his people. And let those who have not, enter into it. Without a resolution equal to entering into such a covenant, we cannot be prepared for the latter rain. Who then will be on the Lord’s side? Who will awake from his lukewarmness? Let him enter into a covenant to seek the Lord, to seek him now, and seek him with all their heart, until he shall be found—until he come in and sup with us and we with him. His promise will not fail. He is ready to bless. He stands at the door and knocks. Who will open the door? Who will accept the proffered blessing? R. F. COTTRELL.
FUNDS IN THE WRONG PLACE.
By John Harvey Waggoner
ELD. Alfred Bennett of the Baptist church, traveling agent of the Missionary Union, in a time of commercial failures, when the plea of “hard times” was urged as an excuse for withholding funds from the Lord’s work, made the following striking remarks:
“No one in the country had put his money into the Lord’s treasury, and failed on that account. In all the States through which I had passed, and among the thousand bankruptcies which had occurred, and among them hundreds of church members—among all, not one could be found who attributed his ruin to his giving in the cause of God. No—it was putting his funds in the wrong place, where the blessing of God could not rest upon it.”
Here is a thought worthy of attentive consideration, especially at this time when the cause of truth in the publishing department, Institute, &c., require considerable means. I have often wondered to see brethren who professed to be the Lord’s servants and stewards, invest hundreds in some patent right, or other foolish or doubtful speculation, and losing it all, take it so complacently as if it was hardly a matter of regret; while a tenth part of the sum was placed hesitatingly in the cause of God, and then watched with jealous feelings lest it should not show satisfactory results. To watch over the interests of the cause, and for the result of means bestowed therein is right; but why this difference? Have we forgotten that “the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof?” Why put our means in Satan’s reach, as though it belonged to him, and withhold from Him who has purchased us with a greater price?
Do you place your funds where God’s blessing can rest upon them? The “widow’s mites” were blessed because given willingly, and were all she could give. A sister purchased a “circulating library” at the Review office for a few dollars, and placed it in a country post-office, where the present truth was unknown, by which an interest was created, and soon calls were made for a preacher. When the truth was presented by a preacher hearts were all ready to receive it, and more could be done there in a week than is done in some places by laboring hard for a whole month. The interest on that outlay, to that faithful sister, cannot be reckoned by any commercial “per cent.” “She has done what she could.” A brother invested five hundred dollars in a patent right and lost it. Has he done what he could? The warning had been given but he did not heed it because—2 Cor. iv, 4.
Though my observation has been limited I am well satisfied of this, that enough has been sunk among S. D. Adventists in the last few years in patent right speculations to put the Institute and Publishing Office beyond all present want for means. And those “who would be rich” by such hazards have found that,235though their calculations failed, the Scriptures did not,—they have “pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” “If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous riches, who will commit to your trust, the true?” See Mat. xxv, 21. Who mourns for unfaithfulness in this respect! Who will be warned betimes, and put their means in the reach of God’s blessing! J. H. WAGGONER.
CALLS FOR HELP.
These are coming in almost constantly from every direction. The more a person loves the truth, the more desirous he naturally is, that it should be made known to his friends and neighbors; and his mind turns at once to the living preacher. Such persons greatly desire the labors of some one capable of presenting the truth; and they do not always realize but what some one can come if application is only made.
For instance, we have just received a letter from a brother, telling how fervently he loves the truth, how interested he is in the reports of the messengers, and rejoiced at the progress of the cause, but feeling almost grieved to think that no one responds to his call and comes to his help.
The principal reason, and in many instances the only one, why these calls are not responded to, is because the preachers are not to be had. It would take twice the number of preachers we now have to meet the calls that come in; while five or ten times the number could find ample fields for labor, where there is a flattering prospect of accomplishing great good. In those parts of the field which are best supplied with help, the Saviour's words are emphatically true, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few;” while in other portions it would only be expressing the truth to give it a still sadder version, and say, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers”—are not to be found.
Meanwhile let those who are so desirous of having the truth proclaimed in their neighborhoods, attend well to the following particulars:
1. Live consistent and Christian lives. Commend the truth by your daily deportment, to all candid observers; so that, if a preacher should at some future time visit your place, he would not be obliged to labor under a vast amount of prejudice against the truth, occasioned by the disorderly walk of one of its professors. A person who is living away from Sabbath keepers, the only representative of the truth in his place, cannot be too careful on this point.
2. Having laid a good foundation, by a godly and consecrated life, then the way is open for you, courteously and on all proper occasions, to try to induce your neighbors to read books and papers, and so disseminate the truth in a measure among them.
3. Pray the Lord of the harvest to raise up laborers to go forth into his harvest; and believe him that his promises will be fulfilled, and that your patient waiting and honest efforts will not fail of their reward.
APPEAL TO MOTHERS.
By Daniel T. Bourdeau
We left Knoxville this morning about two hours before day, intending to reach this place in time to take the train for Fairfield. But as we were detained in crossing the Des Moines river by an unusual amount of snow and ice floating down the river, occasioned by a recent snow-storm, we failed to make a connection, and must stop in this place over night. And as we have a few leisure moments, we are deeply impressed with the conviction that in no better and more profitable way can we employ our time than in calling the attention of the readers of the Review to the work indicated by the heading of these lines.226
We call the attention of parents and youth to this work. 1. Because of its importance, which will be seen, not only in perusing its pages, but also by comparing the instructions it contains with what other able and judicious writers have said on the subject upon which it treats, with the laws of our being, and with what the Sacred Scriptures teach on the subject. 2. Because from our own observation in traveling among the churches, we fear, we know that all have not read this work, and that many of those who have, have not given it the serious attention that it demands. We are satisfied that quite a number of well-meaning youth are kept from embracing the truth, for a want of proper instruction on this subject; and that parents and preachers may labor and pray for them while mercy lasts; but they will fail to turn them to the Lord, unless the parents take hold of this matter in the manner pointed out in the work herein recommended.
If you are not yet sufficiently satisfied of the importance of the subject before us to make the duty it inculcates a matter of conscience, pray God to open your eyes that you may see the corruptions of this wicked age. Use your own eyes and senses, and observe the words, physiognomies and actions of most of the children and youth around you. Go to the Insane Asylum at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, as I have done, or to the one at Brattleboro, Vermont, or to others in other parts of the Union, and ask the superintendents of those institutions what is one of the main causes of the insanity of their patients, and see what they will say. See if they will not tell you that it is the foul, health and soul-destroying transgression that I allude to, which has been the cause of the sad degeneracy of many of them. That some were promising young men and women, but that they ruined themselves by this vice.
Lay aside false delicacy, and mercifully do your duty to your children; and when the snare is broken, and they see where they have been, they will thank you, and will soon be where they can begin to appreciate the solemn truths for these last days. Do you say that this is too delicate a matter to touch? Then cease reading your Bibles; for they use great plainness in exposing and condemning this abominable sin. Never read why the cities of the plain were destroyed. Never read the first chapter of Romans, and other passages which treat on the same subject. But if this awful sin is not too delicate to commit, is it too delicate to be exposed? Can sin go where righteousness cannot? Has it come to this, that you will be thus duped by Satan, and give him the ground to ruin your dear children? Will you not be responsible for the lives of your children if you neglect your duty? I beseech you to read up on this subject, and act accordingly, and I shall have the satisfaction that these lines were not written in vain.
D. T. BOURDEAU.
Pella, Iowa, March 26, 1867.
CLOSING REPORT FROM MAINE.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
It has been so long since I have reported, that I can now only give a brief notice of our meetings since last writing.
Feb. 7th, Bro. Andrews came back to Maine and stayed till the 25th. We were all glad to meet him and sorry that he could stay no longer. We shall try to heed the good counsel which he gave us.
Athens. Feb. 27 to March 6, I was at Athens. I found all holding on here and some new ones starting. The Sabbath School was growing in number and in interest. I found, however, that some of them were not willing to organize nor let the others. I felt sure that this was wrong, but hope that they will soon see it and do better. They purchased a library worth $22.00.
Hartland. March 7 to 15, I was at this place. A sweeter season I have not enjoyed in Maine than I had here. All seemed willing to come into order, and to do their duty. Hence, God has been blessing them much. Four made a start to serve God, and three were added to the church. One day we had a class-meeting, or an inquiry meeting. It was a very solemn time which none of us will soon forget. Then we attended to the ordinances for the first time in this church. I can not describe what a melting time we had. We found Jesus' words true; “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” I expect to see this church prosper, as they are moving out on the light as fast as they see it.
Norridgewock. March 16 to 27, I spent at this place. It has come to seem very much like home to me. Our Monthly Meeting held here was a very good one indeed. A good company came out and the Lord met with us. These meetings have been a great benefit to the cause in Maine.
Since my last report, above a dozen have come into the truth here. For six months, from one to five have embraced the Sabbath about every week. We now number over one hundred grown persons.
Our Sabbath School is doing finely. It numbers about one hundred.
Here also we had an inquiry meeting. Eight were received into the church. Bro. Putnam was chosen elder of the church. He has been a great help to the cause here, and we all highly appreciate his labors. We had the ordinances here also for the first time. We think that no church can long prosper and neglect any thing that the Lord has given us to do. It is best to do like holy ones of old, walk in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord. Then we shall be blameless.
It was with many tears that I parted with this dear people. May the angels of God watch over them for good.
Wednesday evening, 27th we enjoyed a sweet prayer-meeting at Skowhegan. The Lord is hearing the prayers of the few there, and bringing others into the truth. At this meeting Bro. Atwood came out decided on the Sabbath. He became convinced by hearing the arguments against it. May God make him very useful here.
The 28th, Bro. Stratton and I came to Topsham and held a meeting in the evening. All are holding on here but need help.
The 29th to 31st was our Monthly Meeting at Portland. A goodly company, the largest that we have had in this section, came out to this meeting. The Lord especially met with us and we had a refreshing time—the best meeting by far that I have ever attended in Portland.
We closed the meeting by celebrating the ordinances. There was something very sweet and encouraging about this meeting. We feel that this church is on the rise. One was added to the church. We all felt very glad to have Bro. Stratton with us at this place. His labors are acceptable and profitable to the brethren and we hope to see him this way in the future more than we have in the past. A change of fields with the preacher, and a change of gift with the people, often prove a great blessing to both.
Thus closed my labors in Maine. I spent nine months there. With gratitude I acknowledge the mercy and blessing of God upon me during this time, as also the kindness of many dear friends to me. I feel sure that it was in the providence of God that I went to Maine, and I have a great desire to go back there if it is his will. I now go home to spend a few weeks in Michigan. D. M. CANRIGHT.
REPORT FROM BRO. INGRAHAM.
By Wm. S. Ingraham
As I find myself hedged in on every hand by high water, and as my report of labor at Brush Creek failed to reach the Office, I send another.
I tarried in that place about three weeks. Fifteen in all embraced the Sabbath, but some are not very firm in all the truth. Two Seventh-day Baptist preachers, not having energy enough to enter new fields and plow their way through and convert people to the commandments of God, thought it would be a fine thing in our absence to warp the minds of the people, and prejudice them against us, by crying “prophet” and “annihilation,” in order to get those that had embraced the Sabbath and had not time as yet to investigate the whole truth, so as to anchor down firmly upon it, to join their church. The course they pursued was to visit among the people and turn them aside. But all they accomplished was to weaken the weak, and cause them to halt somewhat, and doubt the propriety of walking so straight, and being quite so strict, as our people require. None of them joined the Seventh-day Baptists. I have just made them another visit, and find that they have their Sabbath, prayer and social meetings.
I firmly believe if it had not been for the influence of the blind preachers that more than thirty would have embraced the truth. As soon as they began to fight and oppose, it discouraged some that were interested. As far as my experience goes, the Seventh-day Baptists are among our bitterest enemies, and have been for years. In common their faith is the same as other denominations. Many believe in a temporal millennium, the mortality of the soul, and eternal misery; and they hold to the old trinity notions. Still when they speak of the commandments of God, they boast of carrying the old flag so long. As well might a McClellan boast of standing at the head of a noble army, unfurling to the breeze the star-spangled banner with the bright eagle crying freedom to all; yet through his tardy movements the flag trailed in the dust, and he was superseded by another.
I expect to visit Brush Creek again before long. May the Lord help those who have started on the truth, to quit themselves like men and be strong.
Wm. S. INGRAHAM.
BRIEF REPORT.
By James White
SABBATH, the 13th, we spent with our dear brethren at Convis, making three successive Sabbaths that we have labored with this church. And we are happy to report that good results have followed. The church is revived, and we trust that a good work is going on with backsliders and the youth. Two more arose last Sabbath and expressed good desires and determinations. May others of the dear youth who help fill the seats at Sabbath meeting, take up the cross and follow the Saviour.
We spoke only about forty minutes. As the day was warm, and the ceiling of the house low, and there was a lack of air, we felt a faintness coming over us and we sat down. But Mrs. W., ever ready to make up our lack, arose and spoke with freedom an hour and a half. We plead for air in the house of God. Heaven has liberally given it without money and without price. We have not taken a cold for a year and a half, and the reason is simply this, we have a current of air through our bed-room, and sitting-room, and cannot speak in a close room. Again, we say, we plead for good fresh air, such as fills all out doors.