Earlier text: Historical Department.AT EASE IN ZION.
By M. E. WILLIAMS.
Taking our ease, resting when we should be hard at work; asleep when we should be thoroughly awake; half or more than half dead, when we should be alive in earnest! Can this be said of any of us with truth? Is it possible that any of us have so little interest in our own eternal welfare? Have we forgotten the cunning, vigilant foe, who is ever in pursuit of us like a hungry wolf, ready to pounce upon us the moment we are off our guard? Have we forgotten that we were not commanded to sleep but to watch? The Judge is near even at the door. Are we all ready to render up our account? Have we attained to a waiting position? If not we certainly should not be at ease. Are any of us losing little by little our interest in the truth, reaching out a little more every day after the world, its honors and vanities, possibly not aware of it ourselves, and yet it may be true? Others may see our danger though we may not. Are we fully consecrated to God, and earnestly crying, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do; and then watching to see what he will reply to us? And when he shows us the work he wants done, do we hasten to set about it? If it be some little sacrifice to make, some little cross to bear, do we hasten forward saying, Even for thy sake, dear Saviour; cheerfully will I do it? Or do we feel that the Lord requires grievous things of us that we cannot do? Will we let a depraved and pampered appetite stand between us and God, eating and drinking things that he has made known to us were contrary to his will? Or shall a desire to dress, and appear like the world stand between us and God, and cause him to hide the light of his countenance from us? Ah! when we get down low at the very feet of the dear Saviour; when we realize a little the magnitude of the sacrifice he made for us; counting his life not dear unto him for our sakes, we will count nothing too dear to give up for his sake. No sacrifice too great to make, were it life itself. No cross too heavy to bear. Yea, we will count all joy that we can endure for his sake. At ease in Zion are we, and souls perishing all around us for lack of knowledge? We know that soon the door of mercy will be closed forever, and what are we doing to save sinners? When we see God's wrath poured out upon them, shall we feel that we have done all we could to save them? Will no neglected opportunity, when we might have spoken a word of warning, come up before us? When we meet the unbeliever, would he judge from our appearance that we were deeply concerned for his soul's welfare? Do they not often go away from us thinking, That person pretends to believe the Lord is coming soon to destroy us; but I cannot think he believes it, for he acts and talks like the rest of us; and I heard one say of a believer, He is worse than he was before he professed to believe such things. We are all preachers in a certain sense; our life and example preach a sermon every day, and what do they teach? Do they teach that with humility we are walking with God; pressing nearer to him every day; that we are striving with all our power to live to his glory, and doing all the good we can? Or do they teach that we are just as eager for riches and honor, just as proud, as full of vanity and levity as the worldling, and thus give the lie to our profession? When we live so that we reflect the image of Jesus, and show by all our acts that we believe what we profess, then talk the truth to others, it will not seem altogether like an idle tale to them. I do desire to so live in future that I may not be altogether an unprofitable servant, but that I may have that earnestness to get ready myself for the Lord's coming that is necessary, and do what I can for others.
M. E. WILLIAMS.
Randolph, N. Y. REPORT FROM OHIO.
By I. D. Van Horn
Dec. 18, 1867, I left Battle Creek, for my field of labor in Ohio. I arrived in Bowersville in time to spend the following Sabbath with the little band of commandment-keepers, who had so recently begun to do the will of the Lord during the labors here with the tent. They were all glad to see me, and the day was profitably spent. On the Monday following, Bro. Waggoner joined me here for the purpose of continuing the discussion with Eld. Moore which had been postponed to this time by his (Moore’s) request. But Eld. Moore failed to appear, and did not come till two days after the appointed time fixed by himself. When he did come, he refused to go on with the debate, and stated as a reason that we had backed out. But we read the correspondence in public by which all saw how the matter stood in its true light. By our being present there to vindicate the right, the truth has not lost anything, but on the other hand its friends were much strengthened. We began a series of meetings which resulted in much good; for we took up the propositions yet pending for discussion and gave them a thorough examination before the people. Thus we left the cause in that place free from reproach, and those interested in it much encouraged. Jan. 16, left Bowersville to fill the appointment for meeting at Bellville. I was welcomed in this place by the little company of Sabbath-keepers, who cheerfully and with earnest invitations extended their hospitality to me. The society in this place is not large, and mostly composed of female members, yet they are firm and zealous in the truth. Last September they were deprived of a public place to hold meetings, and the inconvenience of going from house to house was very great. Under these circumstances they determined to build a house of worship. Some thought they were not able to do so, and being opposed by some in obtaining a site for the house, things began to look quite dark. But the more zealous ones pushed the matter ahead, and this gave courage to the others, and to the astonishment of the people of the place, they soon had a house 24x32 up and enclosed. They soon after had it plastered, which was all dry and nice at the time of our meeting. Temporary seats were arranged for the present, which made it quite comfortable for all who had a desire to attend. They will seat it in the spring. Our meetings in this place were blessed of the Lord to the good of the society. I was with them twelve days, and gave during the time fifteen discourses. We held also four business meetings at which various matters pertaining to the meeting-house and the society were considered. Six united with the church, making their present number twenty-eight, besides some who had moved away. We were unable to elect an elder under the present circumstances, but left them much encouraged, and appointed Bro. Grant as their leader for the present. They are carrying out the plan of Systematic Benevolence, as well as they can in their present condition. They saw, by the straight testimony to which they listened attentively, the high moral standard we have taken as a people, and the most, if not all, of them we think will come up to it. They have not adopted the health reform in all its branches yet, but we have reason to think they will not long be behind in this. May the Lord help them, and may they take courage and go forward. We believe there will be jewels in Bellville, whom the Lord will take to himself when he comes in all his glory. Dear brethren and sisters, seek not your own will but the Lord’s, and remain steadfast in the way of life. Appleton, O. Jan. 31, 1868. GOD'S FAITHFULNESS IN INSTRUCTING.
By H. C. MILLEN
I stood among the piles of back numbers of the Review, and of the Reformer, and I thought, Truly it is as God has said, For precept hath been (margin) upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, there a little. “But the word of the Lord was unto them precept upon precept; precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, there a little;” &c. Isa. xxviii 10, 13. “Since the day that your fathers came forth out of the land of Egypt unto this day, I have even sent unto you all my servants the prophets, daily rising up early and sending them.” Jer. vii. 25. So the Lord said of ancient Israel: “I have sent also all my servants the prophets unto you, rising up early and sending, saying, Return ye now every man from his evil way, and amend your doings * and ye shall dwell in the land which I have given to you and to your fathers; but ye have not inclined your ear, nor hearkened unto me.” “Howbeit I sent all my servants the prophets unto you, rising early and sending, saying, Oh! do not this abominable thing that I hate; but they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear to turn from their wickedness,” &c. Jer. xxxv, 15, xliv, 4. And I thought, He is still repeating this unto us, unto me now, and, oh! shall we, shall I, prove like our fathers, negligent of his instruction? Here, week after week, month after month, have these faithful white-winged messengers come to our doors with line upon line, precept upon precept; and how many have we heard and obeyed? How many have we hastened to carry out in the life? How many things do I that are wrong in his sight, which they have reproved, once, twice, yea many times? And have I not perhaps read them and failed to remember them? Will these rise up in judgment and condemn me? Oh! my Lord help us, help me to consider thy ways, and with gratitude remember thy care; that Thou art the source from whence all blessings flow. It was said anciently, “The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib; but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.” Yes, it is our lack in considering. And why is it we neglect to meditate? God said of our fathers, “They have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink. They are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink: they err in vision, they stumble in judgment.” Isa. xxviii, 7. May not our stupidity of mind, our failure to believe the testimonies, or to rightly interpret the visions that have been given, and our poor judgment in spiritual things be in a great part owing to our being swallowed up of meats and drinks? “O wake thy slumbering people;
Send forth the solemn cry;
Let all thy saints repeat it,
The Saviour draweth nigh!
May all our lamps be burning,
Our loins well girded be;
Each longing heart preparing
With joy thy face to see.” H. C. MILLEN.
Monroe, Wis. CHRISTIANITY is the most perfect kind of knowledge; it must essentially produce the most perfect kind of happiness. It is the golden, everlasting chain, let down from heaven to earth; the ladder that appeared to the patriarch in his dream, when he beheld Jehovah at its top, and the angels of God ascending and descending with messages of grace to mankind. Conference Department.
By Dexter Daniels
Exhorting one another, and so much the more as ye see the day approaching. Heb. 2, 25. This Department is designed to fill the same place in the paper that the Conference or Social Meeting does in the worship of God. Speak often one to another to comfort, edify and aid each other in the way of holiness and true Christian experience. Bro. Smith: For a long time I have felt as though I would like to say a few words to the saints scattered over the wide harvest field, and as I have received letters from different ones, they have asked me why I did not write for the paper. I would say that it is not because I have lost my interest in the paper, or in the present truth; but I have often thought that if I could write as well as some of the brethren, I would write something every week. My faith is strong in this last work. I embraced the Advent doctrine in 1842, and was one of those that met with the disappointment in 1843; but when the time passed by, my faith was unshaken. I still believed that God had led us up to that point, for I saw from the word of God that the vision was to be sealed up until the time of the end, or, which was the same to me, the last generation, and as the vision was then understood, I knew that the time of the end had come; and I fully believed that some time in this generation, Christ would come and the resurrection would take place. And although I have been buffeted by the enemy and cast down and afflicted, yet my faith in the truth has staggered not, I have always believed that there would be no generation beyond this, only the generation of the redeemed, and so I believe now. The third angel's message, I embraced about fifteen years ago. I kept the Sabbath for a few months in 1845, but through the influence of those in whom I had the utmost confidence, I gave it up for awhile; but I had no rest day nor night until I repented and began to keep it again. About that time I was visited by our much beloved Bro. Joseph Bates. He spent a day or two with me at my place of residence in Chicopee Falls, Mass., and although I felt established in the Sabbath, the visit was timely, and his preaching was most in due season. I saw clearly that the temple of God was opened in Heaven at the end of the 2300 days, and Jesus, our great High Priest, had entered it, to cleanse the sanctuary, and by faith I saw the ark of his covenant. Since then I have kept the Sabbath of the everlasting covenant, or law of God, and I think I can say, it is a delight unto me, the holy of the Lord, honorable. The time has fully come for the breach to be restored, and I want to be among the blessed ones that are helping restore it, that I may with them stand in the battle of the day of the Lord. Although all my brothers and sisters have forsaken me because I am a Millerite, as they call me, I am trying to live consistent with my faith. They are most of them professors, but do not love the Advent doctrine. But I know that friends cannot save us in the day of wrath that is just before us. The Lord must be the hope of his people now, or he will not be their hope then. I choose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God now, that I may be delivered with them then, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. The health reform has been a blessing to me indeed. I have been subject to the bilious colic ever since I was a small boy. As often as five or six times in the year, I would have that terrible complaint, sometimes so severely that I would not get over it for a month. If any one could have told me what to do, to be free from it, I would have given all that I was worth. I tried everything, consulted all the doctors I was acquainted with; but none of them could do me any good, and I sometimes thought that I must die. But since I have left the use of tobacco, coffee, tea, and meat of all kinds, I have not had that so-much-dreaded complaint, once. Bless the Lord for the health reform! I have removed the cause, and the effect has ceased. Oh! how much suffering would be saved if people would live up to the laws of health. Truly God has led his people in a way that they knew not; he is making darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. God is now trying his people as he did anciently. It appears to me that God is now pleading with his people face to face, like as he plead with our fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt. Eze. xx, 35–38. I feel thankful for the Testimonies. The Bible, the Testimonies, and the Review, comprise our Sabbath library. God has truly shown his people marvelous things, to encourage them to go on. God says, “Behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her,” &c. Hos. ii, 14–23. Oh! that I could realize more that God is speaking to us by the gift of prophecy. Where there is no vision, the people perish. This I realize more as I talk with Adventists and other church members. They know nothing of the present work of God. I believe that the latter rain will soon come, and God is preparing his people for it. But none will receive it only those who are ready. What a fearful time is this. God has shown us that the drops of the latter rain will be caught in clean vessels. My heart says, O Lord, search me, help me to search myself and wash in the fountain that is now opened for sin and uncleanness. Zech. xiii, 1. Let us, brethren and sisters, drink of that water, and plunge into it and be clean, and be ready for the latter rain. It appears to me that now is the time. The church is coming up, leaning upon her Beloved. O Lord, grant me a place among them, is my daily prayer. From Sister Sprague.
By H. P. Sprague
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: While reading one of the communications in the Conference Department of the last Review, the thought occurred to me that it was as much my duty to improve upon my one talent as for others their ten. Nearly a year and a half ago I first heard the truths of the third angel's message proclaimed. A little previous to this time an Adventist family became our near neighbors. I soon learned that they had weekly prayer-meetings at their house, and I was invited to attend. I was at that time very bitterly opposed to the views of the Adventists, but as I had confidence in the piety of this family I decided to go. And I being in the way, the Lord there led me by his Spirit to pledge myself to investigate the Sabbath question and receive the truth whatever it might cost me. I had not been like the noble Bereans who “searched the Scriptures daily whether these things were so;” but had been content to follow the traditions of the fathers, consequently I believed in first-day observance. I immediately commenced an investigation of the subject and to my great surprise I could find no ground for keeping the first day of the week; but everything in favor of the seventh. But now a heavy weight rested upon my mind. I clearly saw it was my duty to keep the Lord’s Sabbath; but the cross appeared so heavy it seemed for a while impossible for me to lift it. After a severe struggle I was enabled to throw myself on the promises of God and move forward in the path of duty, leaving the consequences with Him. I have never for a moment regretted taking this step. As soon as I moved forward in the performance of this duty, my heart was filled with sweet peace, such as the world can not give. About this time Eld. R. F. Andrews came to our place; and through his preaching I was led to believe that what I had before thought to be pernicious doctrine was Bible truth. Through prejudice and the pride of my unsanctified heart, I have been slow to receive many of the truths connected with the third angel’s message, but I can say I see more and more beauty in these truths, and feel that they are increasingly dear to me. I have been called to pass through deep afflictions, but the loving arm of my Heavenly Father has been my constant support. A heavy burden of care still rests upon me, but Jesus kindly invites me to cast it upon him. At times I am enabled to do this. I know it is my privilege always. My husband and two sweet babes rest in the grave. My heart thrills with joy when I think of the near coming of the Saviour, and that I, if faithful, shall meet those dear ones again never more to part. My four remaining children are all believers in present truth, have been buried with Christ in baptism, and I trust are walking in newness of life. Pray for us that we may press on in the narrow way, and finally be an unbroken family in our Father’s kingdom. Adams Co., Wis., Jan. 22, 1868. HEAVENLY LONGINGS.
By C. H. ROGERS
How the longing heart goes out for God,
When tossed on life's rude surging tide,
When faith points up the narrow road,
That leads us to the heavenly bride. Like a weary child we long to rest,
Where sin and sorrow come no more,
Our weary heads on Jesus' breast,
And know our trials all are o'er. Dear Jesus, Lord, we sigh for thee,
We wait, we watch, we humbly pray,
Come set the pining captive free,
Cut short the hours of thy delay. With joy we hail the signs thou'st given,
To mark thy swift return again,
When we shall reach our long sought haven,
And thou shalt take the spoil and reign. Then blow, ye rudest tempests blow,
Though earth's strong pillars all be riven,
For in our longing hearts we know,
That we are nearing home and Heaven. From Sister Foster.
By P. A. FOSTER
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: Although nothing has appeared in the Review from me for a long time, yet my love for the truth has not abated, though it is sometimes sorely tried through the deceitfulness of sin; for Satan has come down in great power, knowing that his time is short. And especially does he exert all the influence in his power, to lead away the minds of the youth. I know this by sad experience; for I am too apt to fall into his snares, and be led away in the paths of sin and folly. And I have often thought that if Jesus were here upon earth, he would address the same words to me that he did to Peter of old, “Satan hath desired to have you, that he might sift you as wheat.” Though we are separated from those of like precious faith, and surrounded by the wicked on every hand, yet we enjoy many privileges. The Review and Reformer are constant visitors at our home, and, indeed, we could not live without them. They seem like old friends. Some of the ministering servants of Christ have visited us occasionally, which has been a source of great strength and comfort to us, as we were just moving out upon the truth; and we cordially invite them to come again. Bro. Taylor was here the first of September, and most of our family had the blessed privilege of being buried with Christ in baptism—a privilege, which once I would have blushed to own; but, thank Heaven, I now know more about what privileges are than I used to. This earth which has long borne the revolutions of time, has grown old like a garment, and is fast approaching its dissolution. Already the earthquake's distant moan reminds us that the pent-up fires of earth are growing impatient with their long confinement, and are about to burst in wrath upon this world with its sin-loving inhabitants. I tremble as I look about me, and see to what a fearful extent wickedness is carried. As I see those who lived right, under the light of the first and second angel's messages, scoffing and taking the name of the Almighty in vain, surely I think he cannot tarry much longer. His wrath must be appeased. Yes, the thunders of that long-looked-for day will soon burst upon an unprepared world. And yet there will be one little company, who will be prepared to meet their descending Lord. My prayer is, that I may be found in that small and hitherto despised company who shall have come up through great tribulation, and shall have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb who reigneth forever and ever. From Sister Fulton.
By Ellen M. Fulton
DEAR BRN. AND SISTERS: Being now deprived of the privilege of meeting with those of like precious faith, to worship God on his holy Sabbath, I desire to bear my testimony in favor of the truth through the Review. Eight years since, at the age of thirteen, I received the ordinance of baptism, and resolved to walk in newness of life, and strive to overcome all evil, that I might be prepared to meet my Saviour with joy. Since that time I have ever loved this precious truth, and in a weak way tried to live it out in all its advanced steps. But as I look back and see the follies, errors, and short-comings of those years, my heart feels sad; and I would here say to the young, Oh! do not neglect to watch and pray. There is where I have failed. That is why I have been so weak to resist temptation. If the precious time worse than wasted in trifling conversation had been employed in communion with my Heavenly Father, seeking strength from on high to overcome my many besetments, I should have made more progress in the good cause. Oh! that the young could realize the importance of employing their youthful days in getting a thorough knowledge of all the holy truths of the Bible. Then, when their minds are free from care, it is so much easier to study and remember what is learned than when one's mind is occupied with the care of a family. But with all my sin and folly, the Lord has ever been merciful to me. Oh! the wonderful love of God to his unworthy creatures! His love has followed me all my life, and still he bears with me. When I draw near to him, and form new resolutions to serve him better, he is ever ready to bless; and I find sweet words of comfort and courage in his Holy Word, promises of forgiveness to those who sorrow for their sins after a godly sort. What great blessings we as a people have in all the knowledge of all the perfect chain of truth connected with the messages and Christ's soon coming. Then in this important time comes in the health reform. How could we ever have been prepared for what is before us, without its purifying effects. I can say that the whole truth in all its branches is clearer to me than ever before. I am determined by the help of my heavenly Father, to be faithful in living it out, that I may at last, through the merits of my precious Saviour, gain an incorruptible inheritance. From Sister Keith.
By Persis M. Keith
Bro. Smith: My companion and myself have been firm believers in the doctrine of the second Advent of our dear Saviour, since 1843, but it is only since last June that we have observed the true Sabbath. We had always been taught to keep the first day of the week; but since the Lord has opened our eyes, the Bible has become a new book to us, and every thing is so plain, that it seems impossible for any one to err in reading it that has common understanding. Our friends and neighbors, especially the church members, are all turned against us. They will not read our papers nor our books. Oh! that their eyes may be opened before it is forever too late. It would be a great consolation to us to have some of the ministers come to this little out of the way place, called Branch, three miles from Coldwater city, where we live. Although we are of the poor of this world we would be willing to divide with any good Seventh-day Adventist preacher that would preach present truth with power, and wake benighted souls in this place. We are living in a time when sin and wickedness abound, and the love of many is waxing cold. Oh! for an outpouring of the Spirit of God. As for me and mine, we are determined, with divine assistance, to serve and love God; for he first loved us. We are trying to keep his commandments, and to overcome all evil with good, that we may, with the dear saints of God, have right to the tree of life. How sweet the name of Jesus sounds to me. I want to see Jesus, yet when I think of meeting him, how unworthy I feel. But I know he is my friend, and that he has suffered and died on the cross to redeem such unworthy rebels as we are. Hence we feel to put our trust in him. He says, Him that cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out. What a precious promise! Some kind friend has sent us the Review and Sabbath Herald free for over six months. He has our thanks, whoever it may be. We would not receive it so, if my companion or myself were able to work, but he being 85 years of age, and myself 72, we cannot do much. We are alone here, so far as our faith is concerned. There is not another Sabbath-keeper nor Second Adventist that we know of nearer than Burlington. We never heard an Adventist preach, nor went to one of their meetings; but we love the Review. We should feel very lonely without it. We love to read the good sermons and exhortations, and the testimonies of the brethren and sisters. Although they are now strangers to us we shall know each other in Heaven. We are trying to live the health reform and have succeeded in part. We should be very glad to have the Review continued. From Sister Cowdrey.
By AURELIA L. COWDREY
DEAR BRN. AND SISTERS: I have felt for some time a disposition to speak to you through the Review. I do not have the privilege of either social or public meeting; but as I read your soul-stirring testimonies from week to week, my heart is warmed and cheered, and I feel strengthened to urge my lonely way onward through this wilderness world to that better land, “long, long ago” promised to the Israel of God. I feel to praise God to-day for his unspeakable goodness and mercy to me, in opening my eyes to see the light of truth, and giving me a heart to receive it. My faith is firm and unshaken in the cause which I love. My whole soul responds to every advance move in the truth. The health reform has been an angel of mercy to me, and all the sacrifices we are called upon to make are only for our good. Let us then go fearlessly on. What if we are looked upon as fanatical? What if scoffers do scoff and deride us? When a duty is made plain to us, through the gift of prophecy, shall we stop to enquire what the world will say of us? God forbid! I beg you will pray for unworthy me that I may have grace and wisdom to direct me in my ways, that I bring no reproach upon the cause I love so well, but that I may stand firmly and nobly for the truth, and at last share with you in the final triumph of the saints. To the ministers, I would desire to tender my sincerest thanks for the sermons provided for the paper from week to week, and also say that I look with anxious eye each week, the first thing, as I open my paper, to see if there is not some appointment for preaching near enough for me to attend. I had fondly hoped that Bro. and Sr. White would pass through Connecticut and so hold a meeting on their way from their New England tour; but I was doomed to be disappointed. I hope to be resigned to my lot, and have grace to stand in just the place the Lord would have me. From Sister Hoxie.
By LOUISA G. HOXIE
BRO. SMITH: Knowing that we are to work as well as pray, I would be found trying to occupy the one talent that may be committed to my care. I embraced the third angel's message, under the preaching of Brn. J. H. Waggoner and I. D. Van Horn, about four months ago, and I thank the Lord that he sent those faithful servants to labor here in this part of his vineyard. I doubt not that they had the Spirit of God to assist them in pointing out the truth so plain. I am trying to live it out so that I may be ready when the Saviour comes. I love my Bible better and better the more I learn of the truth. I want to be more like my dear Saviour, to have his meek and quiet Spirit to guide me in all things, that I may not be drawn away of the evil one; for I know that as a roaring lion “seeking whom he may devour,” he attacks us on our weak points. We are to watch and pray that we may have strength to resist him. I have been very much encouraged by reading the reports from Maine, of our neighbors and friends. A little over three years ago when we moved from there, there was no church, and no Sabbath-keepers at Norridgewock, while now, praise the Lord, there is a goodly number. I am trying to separate myself from every influence that would lead me to set a higher value on earthly than heavenly things, and I pray that I may enter into it, with more zeal and earnestness, not be lukewarm, but put on the whole armor of God. I am trying to live out the health reform as far as I know, believing that it is a part of the Christian's work to be temperate in all things. SISTER R. WHITEIS writes from Brenton Co., Iowa: I embraced the Advent faith when the tent was in Vinton, Iowa, in 1860. Many received the word with gladness, but soon got weary in well doing, and turned back to the weak and beggarly elements of this world. The next year the tent was set in Marysville and quite a number received the truth there. But now they are all scattered. Two of them went with the defection in this State. They liked that way so much better as they do not have to lay aside their idols. I was in Marysville a short time ago and found a preacher there by the name of Buck. He calls himself an apostle, keeps the seventh day, says he can heal the sick, and do many mighty works, but says there is no resurrection of the wicked. The two persons I spoke of above, are now going with Mr. B. They both lead very inconsistent lives, and still call themselves Seventh-day Adventists. I feel sorry that such things do exist, but will not be discouraged by it. My desire is to lead a holy life. Oh! that I may have grace to help in every time of need. I want more of that love that casteth out all fear. I pray that God may send some true servants of his into this neighborhood. I believe that great good might be done. The people all seem to be asleep. Apparently all they care for is fun, fashion, and money. BRO. M. PEPPER writes from Alton, Ill.: My sister and myself are the only Sabbath-keepers here, and we are looked upon as holding very strange views; but we are striving to so live that we may, if possible, influence others to search into these blessed truths which we profess. I have scattered a good many papers and tracts, and pray that they may be the means of converting, and turning some from the error of their ways. It will soon be two years since I was led into the light of present truth. I thank the Lord that I may be counted as one of those who are keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. I can look back to the time when with hearts filled with gratitude and love to God. I made the vow that I would henceforth forsake the ways of sin and serve the Lord. But, alas! how often have I come short of fulfilling that vow. How often have I suffered unguarded and foolish words to pass my lips, and many other things not calculated to glorify God. The spirit is willing, but the flesh, how weak! still I am not discouraged. With God's assisting grace I must overcome. I view with longing desire the reward that awaits the overcomer. SISTER S. MEANS writes from Warren Co., Pa.: Often while reading the cheering testimonies from the dear brethren and sisters, I have felt that it would be a privilege and perhaps a duty to cast in my mite in favor of this glorious yet solemn truth; and I am thankful I have the privilege of thus numbering myself with the little company who are trying to keep the commandments of God and are obeying the testimonies of Jesus Christ. I love the Testimonies that have led out into such marvelous light. As I read them from time to time in connection with the Bible, they often cause the silent tear of heartfelt repentance to fall at the discovery of some subtle sin. My heart has often thrilled with joy as I have seen the beauties of the great plan of salvation pointed out as they are in the Testimonies. Pray for me, a lonely one, that I may yet be able to come to a more perfect knowledge of the truth as it is in Christ Jesus, and more than all, that I may be willing to do his will in all things. MEETINGS IN ALLEGAN CO., MICH.
By Joseph Bates
Since our last report, and during the frequent, and almost incessant snow storms during the month of January, we have been at home with the churches in Monterey and Allegan. Since Bro. Loughborough closed his series of meetings in Allegan the church in Monterey have been holding a series of meetings; in some of which we have re-read and re-examined testimonies Nos. 12 and 13. There was no dissenting voice in these meetings respecting the truthfulness and absolute necessity of all its bearings on us, and also on all the remnant people of God in the present stage of the third angel's message. How plain, simple, and consistent, when compared with the testimony of the prophets and apostles, that God our Heavenly Father has shown us through Sr. White, just what we need in reforming our habits in eating and drinking, the health and dress reform; to go forward now in union and communion one with another, and with our blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, finish up the mystery of God, and then be redeemed and stand “without fault before the throne of God.” Rev. xiv, 5. We were also greatly refreshed while celebrating the ordinances of the Lord's house, with the renewed determination and strong desires of the brethren and sisters in their testimonies to go forward to the consummation of the blessed hope. The church in Allegan have been endeavoring to advance in the good state which Bro. Loughborough left them in at the close of his series of meetings by the plain straightforward truths of God's holy word. By their request the Allegan County Monthly Meeting at Monterey, was changed to Allegan, Sabbath, Feb. 1. A number of sleigh loads of brethren and sisters from Otsego, Watson, and Monterey, enjoyed a good, profitable season and refreshing from the Lord. Business meeting in the evening at Monterey. By request and previous appointment, we held a meeting in a new school-house in Heath, about six miles west of M. We were told that some in this neighborhood were in Allegan a few times to hear Bro. Loughborough and wished to hear further. We gave them our position, they listened attentively and invited us to come again. We also distributed many of our small tracts, and some Reviews, which they readily received. From this meeting we returned in season to meet with the brethren in their extra meeting at M. In the circulation of books, as Bro. White says, let us be engaged. As the Lord in his great mercy has furnished us with light to learn, and take our position, so let us help others to do the same, by furnishing them with books from the Publishing Association. The church in Monterey are filling up their subscription list to aid in this work. The next Monthly Meeting will be held in Monterey on the first Sabbath in March next. Monterey, Mich., Feb. 3, 1868.