LOPPING off the branches of sin is labor in vain, and always to be renewed; there is no way but laying the axe to the root.
The Sealing Time.
By J. A. Gregory
WHILE angels hold the winds of strife,
Soldiers of Christ arise;
And onward with the message go,
Till you shall win the prize;
Pause not, nor linger by the way,
Remember ye Lot's wife!
Look not behind, nor more delay,
The prize is endless life.
Though for awhile peace there may be,
Yet it not long will last;
The stillness of the deep blue sea,
Omens the stormy blast.
And it is so with kingdoms now,
A calm upon the main,
But war and tumult, soon more rife
Will spread o'er earth again,
Up then, and work, and watch and pray,
Nor seek here for repose;
Throw ease and pleasure quite away,
Our work here soon will close;
And then if faithful we have been,
We'll have a rich reward,
Eternal life shall be our gain,
As says the faithful word.
J. A. GREGORY.
Durand, Wis.
What to Do with Trouble.
WHEN we are fully conscious that the cup of adversity lifted to our lips by the hand of God, is lifted by one who tenderly loves us, and whom we supremely love, it becomes sweet—even as the bitter waters of Marah became sweet when touched by the wand of the prophet. Says a great writer—alluding to a fact in natural history—"The cutting, irritating grain of sand, which by accident or incaution has got within the shell of the pearl oyster, incites the living inmate to secrete from its own resources the means of coating the intrusive substance, and a pearl is the result. And is it not, or may it not be even so with the irregularities and unevenness of health and fortune in our own case? We too, may turn diseases into pearls."
Letters.
By Editor
"Then they that feared the Lord, spake often one to another."
This department of the paper is designed for the brethren and sisters to freely and fully communicate with each other respecting their hopes and determinations, conflicts and victories, attainments and desires, in the heavenly journey. Seek first a living experience and then record it, carefully and prayerfully, for the comfort and encouragement of the other members of the household of faith.
A Sister’s Testimony and Appeal
By Harriet I. Wescott
From Sister Wescott.
BRO. WHITE: I am still trying to press my way on to Mount Zion. I believe that God is with his people, and hears and answers prayer. Praise his name. I am encouraged to see such prospects of peace in our land, that the third angel's message may go forth with power, and all the honest in heart may be prepared for the coming of Jesus. Oh how important it is that we all move in unison, and order all our ways aright before the Lord. I often tremble with fear lest the enemy of all righteousness creep in unawares and lead me astray. Having none to counsel with, I crave your prayers that I may be enabled to do my whole duty to God and my fellow-men.
I would say for the encouragement of all who may be afflicted with asthma, that I have been much benefited by leaving off the use of pork. I can say with the woman mentioned in Mark v, 26, that I had suffered many things of many physicians and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, until about three months ago, when I threw away all medicine and made up my mind to try the health experience of some of the brethren; and thank the Lord for the result. When I came to read Disease and its Causes in Nos. 1, 2 and 3 of "Health, or How to Live," I wonder that I am alive. What sin and error Satan has brought upon poor fallen man. What love and long forbearance God has shown. But his Spirit will not strive with man much longer. Let us heed it then while time and opportunity are allotted us, lest he come unawares, and we hear the sad lamentation, the summer is past, the harvest is ended and my soul is not saved.
Yours striving for the kingdom,
Harriet I. Wescott.
Loganville, Sauk Co., Wis.
Extracts from Letters.
M. A. Newman writes from Windsor, Eaton Co., N. Y. I first began to keep the Sabbath, July 23d, 1864. I was then in Victor, N. Y. For some time my mind had been exercised on this subject. I was very much troubled; for I could find nothing in God's word to justify me in observing Sunday as a holy day. Quarterly Meeting was held in Victor, and, although Satan came near preventing my attendance, yet the Lord had a care for me, and I was permitted to be there. I could not resist the plain, cutting truths of the word of God. Neither did I wish to; I wanted to do his will, and was glad to find a humble people who believe not in taking the world with them, but in forsaking all and following Christ. I thank God that I ever heard the third angel's message. What precious truths. Oh, I rejoice in the truth and feel like pressing nearer to God! Never did I have sweeter peace. Never a brighter hope of eternal life. Oh that all would search into these truths, and come to the light that their deeds might be reproved. I want to see my sinfulness and to overcome fully through the blood of the Lamb and the word of my testimony. I want to be able to stand before the Son of man when he shall come. Remember me in your prayers.
On Judging Justly.—
A perfectly just and sound mind is a rare and invaluable gift. But it is still much more unusual to see such a mind unbiased in all its actings. God has given this soundness of mind to but few; and a very small number of those few escape the bias of some predilection, perhaps habitually operating; and none are at all times and perfectly free. I once saw this subject forcibly illustrated. A watchmaker told me that a gentleman had put an exquisite watch into his hands, that went irregularly. It was as perfect a piece of work as was ever made. He took it to pieces and put it together again twenty times. No manner of defect was to be discovered, and yet the watch went intolerably. At last it struck him, that possibly, the balance-wheel might have been near a magnet. On applying a needle to it, he found his suspicions true. Here was all the mischief. The steel work in the other parts of the watch had a perpetual influence on its motions; and the watch went as well as possible with a new wheel. If the soundest mind be magnetized by any predilection it must act irregularly.—Sel.
Obituary Notices.
DIED, in Deerfield, Steele Co., Minn., on the morning of April 6, 1865, of brain fever, after an illness of 11 days, my brother, Eddie A., son of Washington and Olive Morse, aged 16 years, 3 months and 11 days.
Eddie had been a member of our Sabbath-school since its first organization, was baptized by Bro. Sanborn nearly two years ago, since which time he endeavored to live a Christian.
Much of his last sickness, while in possession of reason, was spent in prayer. During his illness he was patient, cheerful and especially grateful to those who watched over him.
The last ten hours of his life seemed to be a release from his former dreadful sufferings, and he passed away with the morning light, without a struggle.
"A face had changed in the shadow,
Of the early lonesome dawn,
The pulse had ceased its throbbing,
And the fever all was gone."
We have laid his noble form away with many tears, to rest just a little while till the mandate comes, "Awake and sing ye that dwell in the dust."
Rest, once blooming brother,
Soon Jesus from the skies
Will bring thy fadeless garments,
And bid thee to arise.
Harriet I. Farnum.
DIED, at Cambria, Niagara Co. N. Y., April 24, 1865, Eld. Russel Weaver, aged 76 years and 9 months.
He was an early settler in the county and a minister of the Christian denomination. He embraced the Sabbath about eighteen years ago, which he observed ever after. Since my acquaintance with him, he has professed faith in the Advent near; but never, I believe, fully embraced the third angel's message. He leaves a large family of children and grandchildren to mourn his loss, but not as those who have no hope.
I preached at his funeral from a text selected by his daughter, Job xiv, 14, which she said was a favorite text with him.
R. F. Cottrell.
Smiles and Tears
SMILES that fade in tears, are like stars half quenched in mists of silver dew.
Vast Armies and Their Movements.
THERE have been vast armies and grand movements in ancient times. Here is a record of some of them : Sennacherib, the Bible tells us, lost in a single night 185,000 by the destroying angel. The city of Thebes had a hundred gates, and could send out at each gate 10,000 fighting men and 200 chariots, in all 1,000,000 men and 2,000 chariots. The army of Zerah, king of Ethiopia, consisted of 1,000,000 of men and 300 chariots of war.
Sesostris, king of Egypt, led against his enemies 600,000 men, 24,000 cavalry, and 27,000 scythe-armed chariots; 1491, before Christ, Hamilcar went from Carthage, and landed near Palermo. He had a fleet of 2,000 ships and 300 small vessels, and a land force of 300,000 men. At the battle in which he was defeated, 150,000 men were slain. Ninus, the Assyrian king, about 2200 years before Christ, led against the Bactrians an army of 1,700,000 foot, 1,700,000 horse, and 16,000 chariots armed with scythes.
Semiramis, employed 2,000,000 men in building Babylon. She took 100,000 prisoners at the Indus, and sank 1000 boats. A short time after the taking of Babylon, the force of Cyrus, consisted of 600,000 foot, 120,000 horses, and 2000 chariots armed with scythes.
An army of Cambyses, 50,000 strong, was buried in the desert sands of Africa, by a south wind. When Xerxes arrived at Thermopylæ, his land and sea forces amounted to 2,624,610, exclusive of servants, eunuchs, women sutlers, &c., in all numbering 5,283,220. So say Herodotus, Plutarch and Isocrates.
The army of Artaxerxes, before the battle of Cunaxa, amounted to about 1,200,000.
Ten thousand horse and 100,000 foot fell on the fatal field of Issus.
When Jerusalem, was taken by Titus, 1,100,000 perished in various ways.
The army of Tamerlane, is said to have amounted to 1,600,000, and that of his antagonist, Bajazet, 1,400,000.
Business Department.
RECEIPTS.
For Review and Herald.
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PUBLICATIONS.
The law requires the pre-payment of postage on Bound Books, four cents for the first four ounces, or fractional part thereof, and an additional four cents for the next four ounces, or fractional part thereof, and so on. On Pamphlets and Tracts, two cents for each four ounces, or fractional part thereof. Orders, to secure attention, must be accompanied with the cash. Address, ELDER JAMES WHITE, Battle Creek, Michigan.
The Hymn Book, 164 pages, and 122 pieces of music, 80 12
" " " with Sabbath Lute, $1,25 12
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" " twenty-five Tracts, 50 8
Appeal to the Youth, Bound, 60 8
" " " Paper Covers, 30 2
" " " without Likeness, 15 2
The Bible from Heaven, 20 5
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Three Angels of Rev. xiv, and the Two-horned Beast, 15 4
Hope of the Gospel, or Immortality the Gift of God, 15 4
Which? Mortal or Immortal? or an Inquiry into the Present Constitution & Future Condition of Man, 15 4
Modern Spiritualism: its Nature and Tendency, 15 4
The Kingdom of God: a Refutation of the Doctrine called, Age to Come, 15 4
Miraculous Powers, 15 4
Appeal to Mothers, 15 2
Review of Seymour. His Fifty Questions Answered, 10 3
Prophecy of Daniel—The Sanctuary and 2300 Days, 10 3
The Saints' Inheritance in the New Earth, 10 3
Signs of the Times. The Coming of Christ at the Door, 10 3
Law of God. The Testimony of Both Testaments, 10 3
Vindication of the True Sabbath, by J. W. Morton, 10 3
Review of Springer on the Sabbath and Law of God, 10 3
Christian Baptism. Its Nature, Subjects, & Design, 10 3
Matthew xxiv. A Brief Exposition of the Chapter, 5 2
Mark of the Beast, and Seal of the Living God, 5 1
Sabbatic Institution and the Two Laws, 5 1
Assistant. The Bible Student's Assistant, or a Compound of Scripture References, 5 1
Truth Found. A Short Argument for the Sabbath, with an Appendix, "The Sabbath not a Type," 5 1
An Appeal for the Restoration of the Bible Sabbath in an Address to the Baptists, 5 1
Review of Fillio. A Reply to a series of Discourses delivered by him in this City against the Sabbath, 5 1
Milton on the State of the Dead, 5 1
Brown's Experience. Consecration — Second Advent, 5 1
Report of General Conference held in Battle Creek, June, 1859, Address on Systematic Benevolence, &c., 5 1
The Sabbath, in German, 10 2
" " Holland, 5 1
" " French, 5 1
On Daniel II & VII, in French, 5 1
ONE-CENT TRACTS. The Seven Seals—The Two Laws—Reasons for Sunday-keeping Examined—Personality of God—Wesley on the Law—Judson on Dress—Appeal on Immortality.
TWO-CENT TRACTS. Institution of the Sabbath—Sabbath by Elihu—Infidelity and Spiritualism—War and Sealing—Who Changed the Sabbath?—Preach the Word—Death and Burial—Much in Little—Truth.
THREE-CENT TRACTS. Dobney on the Law—Milton on the State of the Dead—Scripture References—The Mark of the Beast and Seal of the Living God—Spiritual Gifts.
Review and Herald Illustrated, 5 1
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California Cattle Losses From Drought
Some idea of the desolation among cattle by the drought in California, during last year, may be had from the fact that out of a herd of sixty thousand cattle, owned by the largest herdsman in the State, not more than ten thousand will be saved.
Wildlife Returns to the South
Facts, especially such facts as the following, speak louder than words. It was stated a short time since by a correspondent of an English Journal, that owls had been heard hooting from the steeples of some of the deserted churches of Charleston, S. C. And now we find the following in one of our exchanges:
"Game is having a holiday down South. Deer and bears are reported to have re-appeared in districts where they had not been seen for many years prior to the commencement of the war. Quails and rabbits literally swarm in the desolated settlements of Virginia, and it is stated that last summer, partridges actually made their nests in some of the streets of Charleston."
Coal Beds.
IN Review No. 22, was presented good testimony from Humboldt's Cosmos showing that the present coal beds are the immense and now petrified masses of vegetable matter that were buried by the flood. Concerning the coal beds in England, we have the following testimony going to show that they are of vegetable origin. "In Devonshire, there are beds of coal seventy feet in thickness, and where these beds are deepest, there the coal is blackest and heaviest; and those nearest the surface have the appearance of wood, and burn with a flame similar to the flame of wood."
The Encyclopedia Americana bears the following testimony: "Coal, excluding anthracite, has been supposed to be of vegetable origin. There is a remarkable graduation from bituminated wood, to perfect coal. In some varieties, the structure, and even the remains, of plants, are apparent, and its chemical composition agrees with that of vegetable matter. It is difficult to determine, however, in what manner it has been formed, or by what operations the vegetable matter from which it has originated, has been so far modified, as to have assumed the properties under which it exists."
Monthly Meeting at Rochester
By R. F. C.
Our monthly meeting at Rochester, April 29, and 30, was an interesting meeting. Some were present from Oswego, Madison, and Allegany counties, and a fair representation from the churches in Erie, Niagara, Orleans, and Monroe counties. Our social meetings were good, and we had the pleasure of listening to four interesting discourses from Bro. Loughborough. A few came in to hear, of whom one was the Editor of the Earnest Christian. The general sentiment with us is, that the Lord is hearing prayer and preparing the way for the great work of the last message. R. F. C.
Women and Intemperance in New York
More than seven thousand women were arrested in New York city the past year, for drunkenness; and if it be thought by any that only “low people” would yield to an appetite for intoxicating drinks, we must tell them that we were informed by one whose word cannot be doubted, that already seven or eight hundred applications, enough to fill the capacious Inebriate Asylum at Binghamton, have been made in behalf of ladies.—Advocate.
Whisky Taxes and the National Debt
The New York Tribune estimates that the internal revenue tax upon whisky and tobacco alone, will, after making proper allowance for diminution of consumption and evasions of the law, be more than enough to pay the interest upon our national debt, even if it should amount to $2,500,000,000.
A Minister’s Raffle
Rev. G. F. Haskins; of Boston, has drawn a wherry in a raffle—four hundred and thirty-five tickets, at a dollar each. Some ministers don't approve of raffling, and some do.
Appointments.
The next Monthly Meeting in Western N. Y., will be held with the Clarkson church, in the neighborhood of Brn. Demarest and Smith, on the Parma line, as they may appoint, on the second Sabbath in June.
R. F. COTTRELL.
The next Quarterly Meeting of the Seventh-day Adventist church at Princeville, Ill., will be held the first Sabbath and first-day in June, which will be the 3rd and 4th of the month. We would like to see a general gathering of all the brethren and all those who feel an interest in the cause of present truth.