Earlier text: Scripture NotesTHE SIGNS OF THE TIMES.
By Rainbow
Politicians generally do not trouble themselves about prophecy, and when they are perplexed by the entanglement of unexpected events, and can see nothing clearly, they are content to wait, in the hope that the political mist will clear away. We do not therefore, expect of them any attempt to account for what puzzles them, by a reference to the prophetic Scriptures. It is, however, worth noting that politicians—under which designation I include statesmen, and men of thoughtful mind, who are active politicians without being what we understand by the term, statesmen—are greatly perplexed, not merely by recent events in Europe and America, but by the movements of modern thought, and the democratic tendencies of the times. It is my business to study politics, and I have opportunities of frank intercourse with those who know what is passing in the minds of men whose public utterances, with which we are all familiar, afford but little evidence of the perplexity they feel. Let me refer to some of the causes of this perplexity. In the first place, there is a strong, uneasy feeling that the tendency of European society is to adopt a democratic form of government, and that this must ultimately, and at no distant period, pass into the form of military despotism, upheld by the forces of democracy. Such a government exists in France, but in that land it does not sufficiently represent popular ideas to be permanent in its present shape; and persons who have recently had opportunities of familiar intercourse with the French people, have noted that there is a general expectation of some catastrophic change in that country. The author of John Halifax, who has just returned from France, which she visited for the first time, and where everything appeared to her with freshness and clearness, because it was entirely new, tells us that beneath the polished manners, and the gentle and courteous speech of our neighbors, she detected a latent fierceness, which blazed up when political questions were discussed, and that things were said which she may not repeat, because she feels they were confidences reposed in English honor and in English reticence. Other visitors to France, accustomed to the country, and familiar with the highest persons in the State, are not unaware of this same temper of the public mind that the author of John Halifax illustrates by a reference to the gardens of Portici, blooming on the lava-roof of Vesuvius. A catastrophe in France is certainly among the events which would not surprise any statesman. But it is at this point that perplexity commences. What would follow the catastrophe? The deluge first, but what next? We have been “shooting Niagara” in England, but the “after.” Are we not all of us—at least, those of us who think with any earnestness—wondering with Mr. Carlyle at the may be or must be to come. It is the same with France. What is to replace the Imperial Government, if it should fall? Some good people have a very lively notion that Napoleon III. is the anti-Christ, who will shortly develop into something he has not hitherto seemed to be. I confess that I regard with much more apprehension that which is to follow him. The Peace Conference at Geneva, with its declaration of war against everything that is old or established; its denunciations of religion “as incompatible with peace;” its scheme for a “social revolution,” and the formation of an European republic under the name of “The United States of Europe,” and its “religion of humanity”—a “religion” with not only Christ, but God also left out of it—is to my mind an uglier and more dangerous fact than the French empire. It is easy to say that the men who met at Geneva are wild dreamers, whom nobody sympathizes with. I answer, that they represent the restlessness, and dissatisfaction, the bitterness, and the wild hopes of many thousands of the population of the chief States of Europe. If we look out of Europe, we shall discover other causes of perplexity. There is democratic America, visibly tending to despotism. The popular representatives have set aside the law and constitution, because those stood in the way of the instant gratification of their passionate desires; and we see the chief of the republic vainly striving to uphold somewhat of the authority of a constitutional king, with which the fathers of the republic clothed him, while his masters, the Congressional representatives are making holiday. The presidential election is drawing near, and the candidates are generals, who recommend themselves to the thoughtless democracy, because they represent “the god of forces.” I am sure I am correct in saying that the political state of America is a source of great perplexity to statesmen. I will not further refer to politics in the present paper. The Eastern question, and the other questions which crowd upon the mind, shall be left alone for the present, in order that a few words may be said about the movements of modern thought, which are more important than events, inasmuch as they are the cause of events. What a tangle we are all in—that is, men, everywhere. In China the revolution of ideas has commenced, for the study of mathematics will change the disposition and the attitude of society. Before long we shall have impregnated a nation of 400,000,000 souls with European knowledge and European ideas; and thus have created a new and colossal force in the world. China will take its religion also from Europe; but not, as I think, the religion of Christ. The Chinese mind is not unsophisticated, or there might be ground for hope: but fortified by its philosophic atheism against the reception of the faith which was “foolishness to the Greek.” What I should expect at the utmost—except as the result of the direct and special intervention of God—is a form of Theism such as that which is being adopted by the educated Hindus; but it is far more likely that the Chinese will take up with the new “worship of humility,” when it has fairly been launched by the apostles of the great Western republic. From China, let us turn to Turkey, where Mohammedans have abated their pretentions, and are to share the government with Christians. This, I take it, is the beginning of the end of Mohammedanism. Roman Catholicism is losing its influence over the popular mind everywhere, except in Spain and England. I do not except Ireland, where the spirit of Fenianism is at war with religion. In Ireland the tendency is to Theism, and “the religion of humanity;” in France the churches are full of women and girls, but the men, and even the boys, are absent. Is there any one wise enough to tell us what people in England believe in just now? What they did believe, in a more or less ineffectual way, some years ago, we know; but the fountains of the great deep of human thought have since then been broken up, and men are drifting. Drifting whither? Some to the modified Romanism of the Ritualists, for the want of a staff to lean upon; some to Socialism, though not separating themselves from a church whose creeds contain this article—that Christ is the Son of God; and others, to the sheer precipice of hopeless Rationalism—the “darkness visible” of utter unbelief. A similar perturbation is going on in America, where not less than 3,000,000 persons are stated, on the authority of Mr. Hepworth Dixon, to be “Spiritualists,” or persons who believe that they hold intercourse with, and have revelations of truth from, the unseen world, through the agency of the spirits of persons who have died. Nor is this the only evidence of perturbation in that great transatlantic continent, which is likely to exercise so great an influence on the affairs of the world. There the “unlicensed liberty” of religion has produced new faiths, numerous and monstrous, which strike at the very foundations, not only of Christianity, but of society and morals. What the Rationalism of Germany is doing for the destruction of faith, the religious theories of America are doing for the overthrow both of faith and morals. These are things which I think justify me in saying, that the present times answer to the description of the last days in Luke xxi, 25, 26: “And there shall be * * * upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; * * * men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth.” I think that since the Gospel was first preached, there has never been a time when the perturbation of thought was so general as now. There have been great crises and revolutions, but a handful of persons contributed to produce them. Now it is the popular mind that is agitated, the whole conscious fabric of society that is in the throes of a vast catastrophic change.—Rainbow. “I am weary of straying; oh, fain would I rest,
In the far distant lands of the pure and the blest
Where sin can no longer her blandishments spread,
And tears and temptations forever are fled!” I am weary of hoping, where hope is untrue;
As fair and as fleeting as morning’s bright dew.
I long for that land whose blest promise alone,
Is changeless and sure as eternity’s throne. I am weary of loving what passes away.—
The sweetest and purest, alas, may not stay!
I long for that land where all parting is o’er,
And death and the tomb can divide hearts no more! I am weary, my Saviour, of grieving thy love;
Oh when shall I rest in thy presence above?
I am weary, but, oh, let me never repine,
While thy word and thy love and thy promise are
mine!” A SWEET child lay panting away her life after passing through long weeks of pain. Some one whispered in her hearing, ‘I think that this is death.’ ‘No,’ cried the little sufferer, ‘I am not dying now I’m sure, for I do not feel as if I was quite ready for Heaven yet. I know that Jesus has begun a great work in my heart, and that he will not take me away half finished!’ If this dear lamb, with all her patience and love, and with a firm hope in Christ, felt that she was but ‘half finished,’ how poorly prepared for the company of the redeemed are those whose hearts and hands are fixed on the things of this earth. She seemed to others, even then, sanctified; but as she approached nearer to God’s holiness, she saw more clearly the hidden evils of her heart. Well may we, who live amid the turmoils of business and pleasure, ask if the work of sanctification be even begun in us. If sure of this, we should grow in grace every day. Many real Christians manifest no anxiety to have the great work “finished.” We see them one day at the table of the Lord, and the next making merry with his foes at the dance or the wine cup. They may say, ‘My Lord and my God,’ but those with whom they mingle, who cry, ‘Crucify him, crucify him,’ will despise them as hypocrites and traitors; or they will stumble over their inconsistencies and perish. A foundation well laid and a building going up, though ever so slowly, is a fair sight, giving promise for the future; but a building, however costly, half finished, where the sound of the hammer has ceased, and the rank weed has crept through the floors, is a picture of desolation. We are, if indeed chosen and called, temples which the hand of the Master is adding to and beautifying from day to day, until we shall be complete in him. FIRST, to escape trouble by running away from duty. Jonah once made the experiment; but he soon found himself where all his imitators will in the end find themselves. Therefore, manfully meet and overcome the difficulties and trials to which the post assigned you by God's providence exposes you. Second, to become a Christian of strength and maturity without undergoing severe trials. What fire is to gold, that is affliction to the believer. It burns up the dross and makes the gold shine forth with unalloyed luster. Third, to form an independent character except when thrown upon their own resources. The oak in the middle of the forest, if surrounded on every side by trees that shelter and shade it, runs up tall and sickly; but away from its protectors, and the first blast will overturn it. But the same tree, growing in the open field where it is continually beat upon by the tempest, becomes its own protector. So the man who is compelled to rely on his own resources forms an independence of character to which he could not otherwise have attained. Fourth, to be a growing man when you look to your post for influence, instead of bringing influence to your post. Therefore, prefer rather to climb up hill with difficulty, than to roll down with inglorious ease. THE CHURCH AND THE WORLD.
The low spiritual condition of the popular churches of the land, is a fact plain to all careful observers. Church members themselves see it, and not a few are frank to own it. They know that the world speak well of them; but they, perhaps, do not think of the words of Christ: “Woe unto you when all men shall speak well of you.” And this language is applicable to them; for the reason why men speak well of them is because they do nothing to disturb their carnal security, or mar their visions of coming peace and prosperity, though they should still pursue a course of wickedness and sin. And the woe is pronounced upon those thus spoken well of, because so in olden times the false prophets were spoken well of, from the fact that they spoke smooth things and prophesied deceit to the people. Church members know that “the world caresses the church;” but they do not stop to think what a condition this shows them to be in, as tested by the declaration of the apostle, that they who will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. They know that the line of demarkation between the church and the world is almost wholly obliterated; but perhaps they do not often think of the sentence which Inspiration has pronounced upon such a state of things, that, whoso will be the friend of the world is the enemy of God; and how the Lord has said that his people are not of the world. With these remarks we commend to the reader the following frank statements from Prof. S. C. Bartlett, of Chicago, as we find them in the N. Y. Independent: “The men that are shy of showing their religion have not died out. Religion now is in a different position from Methodism then. To a certain extent it is a very reputable thing. Christianity is, in our day, something of a success. Men “speak well of it.” Ex-presidents and statesmen have been willing to round off their career with a recognition of its claims. And the popularity of religion tends vastly to increase the number of those who would secure its benefits without squarely meeting its duties. The church courts the world, and the world caresses the church. The line of separation between the godly and the irreligious fades out into a kind of penumbra, and zealous men on both sides are toiling to obliterate all difference between their modes of action and enjoyment. Half-converted men ally themselves to the church as a place of safety; and complacent ministers invite the men “of no church at all” to the table of the Lord. In our recoil from Ritualism there is no small disposition to disparage Christ’s own solemn ordinances; and in this mixing of the church and the world there is the strongest tendency to a general watering of religion.”
There is nothing that more effectually proves the existence of the Devil than his efforts to persuade men that he does not exist. In no way could he render the field of his operations so smooth, and the accomplishment of his purposes so easy, as to establish mankind thoroughly in the belief that they had no such foe, against whom they must watch, and whose approach they must resist. Hence his unceasing efforts to this end. And he is meeting with marvelous success. Millions are already deceived into this fatal delusion. Men of ability and papers of reputation and influence, openly advocate it. We are reminded of this by last week's N. Y. Tribune, which contains an article opened in the following Devil-gratifying strain: "A few years ago, M. Du Chaillu treated this torpid, blasé nineteenth-century society of ours to a new sensation. He discovered the Gorilla. This beast, as he described it, was one of the most dreadful monsters ever let loose upon a miserable world. The old horned Devil of our grandfathers that now happily, or unhappily, as the reader may think best, is decided to be an extinct creature, was a mere tame, purring, pussy-cat, compared with this inhabitant of the African jungle. The new comer, if we were to believe M. Du Chaillu, had all the deformities and hideous traits of our old friend Satan, with enough additional ingenious, ugly features, both of mind and person, to set up fifty new Tract Societies, each with a peculiar style of fiend warranted to have no resemblance to the fiend of any other establishment." With pleasure we turn from the utterances of such a writer, who seems to consider himself specially called to make a mock of divine things, to an article which appeared in the Independent of the same week, from J. P. Gulliver, of Chicago, on Fighting the Devil, and which we commend to the careful perusal of all, especially to believers in present truth, against whom the Devil, in these last days of his wrathful efforts, will make his most specious attacks: "We hesitate not to aver that belief in a personal Devil—a veritable ‘lion, going about roaring and seeking whom he may devour’—is a prime element in all genuine spiritual manliness. Paul had it when he declared that he was wrestling with these ‘spirits in high places.’ Luther had it when he saw the giant form of Satan, in a bodily shape, prowling about him in the Castle of Wartburg; and his performance with the inkstand, though slightly ridiculous, is not a bad example of the kind of treatment recommended by James in the familiar verse, ‘Resist the Devil and he will flee from you.’ Indeed, there is no escaping, on hermeneutical grounds, from the intense personality which the Greek article gives to Satan in the New Testament. The Devil—Ho Diabolos—looks out upon us, through the Scripture phraseology, as veritable a reality as a lion behind the bars of his cage. The Devil of the Bible is not merely a devil; still less is it an abstract principle of evil; least of all, is it a mere popular superstition, introduced historically or scenically, like a dragon in a tragedy, to give spice to the narrative at the expense of its truthfulness. "The intelligence who appears in the scenes of Christ's temptation; who led out Judas to the betrayal; whose ‘snares,’ ‘works,’ and ‘children,’ we are to avoid; who fought with Michael, and who is expressly defined as being ‘that old serpent, which is the Devil and Satan,’ must be a veritable person. The man who wrings all personality out of such language, simply tortures it by his exegesis, instead of illuminating it. Such an interpreter, with the same machinery of criticism, would eliminate from the sacred record Christ's deity or humanity, as might happen to please his fancy; would convert God himself into a principle, and substitute for all the chief narratives of the Bible a train of myths and legends. And the moment we eject personality from the universe we put an end to responsibility, we make love and hate, which are the essence of virtue, impossible except in their lowest forms; in fact, we destroy moral gravitation, and set all the spheres careering wildly through a void emptied of all governing forces. We cannot in the highest sense love virtue, unless we see it in a person. We cannot hate evil with any zeal, unless it reveals its ugliness in personal character. We laugh at the Puritans for their belief in witches. But, after we have stripped off the cheap misrepresentation with which an ungrateful and irreverent posterity seem to delight in draping all their doings, we shall probably find that in this matter of evil spirits they were, as usual, much nearer right than their self-complacent critics. "The first thing we have to do, then, in ‘fighting the devil’ is to see him, as David saw the giant striding across the valley of Epes-dammin. In fact, we had better see him as Luther did at Wartburg than not to see him at all; and if we can hurl the contents of our inkstand at him with as good effect as did the doughty reformer, we shall do good service in the great battle. In fact, there is nothing the Devil dreads so much as a plucky inkstand, unless it be a godly life. As soon as we get our eyes open, nothing will be easier than to see ‘THE TRADUCER’ (which is the translation of ‘Ho Diabolos’). He will appear on every side: ‘now squat like a toad’ at the ear of credulous innocence; now erect in a pulpit; now handling with shadowy fingers the delicate types of a popular magazine, or coarsely smoothing the columns of some daily newspaper; next blatant in a political caucus; plausible and orotund in the Senate Chamber, or dictating thick, tipsy words in the Cabinet, and constantly, with wonderful diligence and ubiquity, creeping into shops and stores, bar-rooms and drawing-rooms, inculcating the most monstrous lies, persuading men to believe the most patent absurdities on every conceivable subject, and shouting high above the rest the primal falsehood of them all, ‘Thou shalt not surely die.’ There is no hypothesis which so fully accounts for all the stupidities, sophistries, deceptions, and plottings, which penetrate society in every direction, like a net-work of electric wires, as the theory of a personal Devil commanding an army of inferior spirits ‘whose name is Legion,’ sitting himself as grand operator, at the central battery of mischief, thence directing ‘the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.’" WHO SHALL BE ABLE TO STAND?
By G. W. A.
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: Suffer for a few moments the word of exhortation while your unworthy brother shall attempt to speak unto you. How solemn is the time in which our lot is cast! We are standing on the very threshold of the eternal world. The next great event will be the appearing of the Son of man on the white cloud. What we do to be ready for Christ’s appearing must be done quickly. There is no time for the spirit of dalliance now. Already we have been too tardy in the great work of overcoming and drawing nigh to God that he may draw near unto us. But mercy still lingers, and the Spirit and the Bride say, Come. Oh! who will be so unwise as to slight Heaven’s proffered boon, and thus fail of the grace of everlasting life? The present is an hour of decision with many. As the prophet says, “Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision.” All things go to show that the stay of the church in this world of sin is short. The aspect of the times is ominous. The great signs of the times, moral, political, and religious, tell us in language unmistakable, that the end of all things is at hand. The condition of both the church and the world proclaims this startling truth in the most emphatic manner. These are the days of vengeance, in which all things written in the law and prophets for this time may be accomplished. Truly, in the language of the poet, “We are living, we are dwelling,
In a grand and awful time.” The great question with every person now should be, What must I do to be saved when Christ comes? Not every one that says, Lord, Lord, shall be saved in the kingdom of Heaven, but he that does the will of God in Heaven. Let us all show by our godly walk and holy conversation that we have been born from above, and that our citizenship is in Heaven, from whence we soon expect our Lord and Saviour. Now is the time to prepare for the latter rain, the mighty refreshing, which will soon prepare the harvest of saints for the garner of the Lord. Let us all frequently ask ourselves the question, Is the work of grace progressing in my heart, which shall fit me to stand in the day of war and battle just before me? Those only who are perfect overcomers, who stand complete in all the will of God, will at last sit down with Christ on his throne. With many, the work will not go deep and thorough; it will be too much of a surface work; and when the King shall come in to see the guests, they will be found wanting—not having the wedding garment on. May Heaven kindly grant, dear reader, that it may never be thus with you and me. The present is a solemn, searching time for the church in Battle Creek. Our meetings are generally characterized by such a spirit of earnestness and solemnity393as we have never known before. There are very few meetings of a happy, joyous character, but they are generally solemn as the judgment. We trust that, as a general thing, the church is trying to dig deep, lay the foundation sure, and get ready for the appearing of the Son of God. But this is not true with all. Some do not seem to get much burden in the present work of confessing, agonizing, and drawing near to God. Still we pray that God in his sovereign mercy will pity such, and open blind eyes, and soften hard hearts. You have all doubtless learned ere this, from Testimony No. 13, that God is no respecter of persons, and that he will sooner reprove sin in those who stand in high places than in those who occupy some other position in this solemn work. Let the sad experience of the Battle Creek church during the year past be a lesson to all. May it lead the people of God in other places to purge out the old leaven of malice and wickedness, and to so improve upon the means of grace that they, with us, may become a lump holy unto the Lord. God is good, brethren and sisters, and for this we will bow the knee, and reverently bless his holy name. Don’t, I beseech you, ever take this church for an example,—at least, it will never be safe to follow us only as we follow Christ. We believe it should be the all-engrossing topic now, how we can open the door of our hearts and let the Saviour in. Those hearts which are cleansed and purified by the blood of Christ, will soon become his ‘habitation through the Spirit.’ How searching in this judgment work! Who shall be able to stand? The axe is now laid unto the root of the tree, and the spirit of judgment and of burning is at work with the church. How thankful we ever should be that now, as in days of old, there are those who know what Israel ought to do. Let God and the Lamb be praised for this, and may there ever be with us that grateful spirit which would say, ‘Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth.’ Brethren and sisters, pray for the prosperity of the work of God. And while, in view of our unfitness for the great work, the feeling seems to be, ‘Who is sufficient for these things,’ may we be able to say with the apostle, ‘I can do all things through Christ strengthening me.’
G. W. A. TASTE AND APPETITE.
By A. S. Hutchins
That our taste and appetite are capable of being so disciplined and changed, perverted or corrected, as to crave and relish those things which we once very much disliked, and which were even nauseating and injurious, or to disrelish and loathe that which was once palatable, is a fact which needs no proof. Thousands who have little by little created an appetite for strong drink, that liquid fire, have proved this, as from day to day they have poured down this poisonous mixture, till all the powers of nature have given away, and they sink to a drunkard's grave. The tobacco eater, snuffer and smoker; the tea and coffee drinker, and many who use poisonous drugs and medicines, as well as multitudes who use unhealthy and highly-seasoned food, know this to be true. With these facts before us, why do some reformers on the subject of health move so slowly. Why will they allow their taste and appetite to so far control them in changing from an unhealthful to a healthful diet, as some do? For I am sure that we should not have to make one-half the sacrifice of feeling to so far correct our taste and appetite as to relish the good, healthful diet which Health Reform offers us, that many have made to create an appetite for that which undermines health and strength and finally ruins its victim. Let the point be settled that we have been educated wrong in matters of diet, that we have eaten and drunken wrong, have used improper food, used it in improper quantities and at unseasonable hours, and in this direction strengthened all of our bad habits, and then can it be expected that we are going to get right, that we are going to eat and drink to the glory of God, without a gigantic struggle? without denying self? No! there is a battle to be fought, a victory to be gained, and a glorious triumph will it be to the conqueror. Could we find a class of individuals whose dietetic habits had always been strictly hygienic, their taste and appetite would be to them in this matter, what the well-educated, tender and good conscience of the Christian is in his high and holy warfare. But the vitiated and perverted appetite is no more to take the place of reason and judgment, than the seared and defiled conscience is to guide one in matters of religion. Health Institute, Nov., 1867. THE WAY OF ESCAPE.
By E. G. Rust
The only safe condition for us is to have our eyes anointed with the eye-salve, and to understand and know the time of our visitation. This we may do by daily searching the Scriptures with humble hearts, and taking heed to the sure word of prophecy, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place. God will provide a way of escape for those who humbly trust in his word, even though they do not know just how it is to be done. For example, behold the mercy and goodness of God to his children and disciples in the city of Jerusalem at the time of its destruction. As our Lord and Saviour was approaching Jerusalem, followed by the joyous multitude of his disciples, he beheld the city and wept over it; for he came unto his own and his own received him not. And as he wept, he said: “If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.” Luke xix, 41, 42. They had rejected and spurned the Messiah until they had become so blinded and prejudiced that the time of their visitation was now hid from their eyes. He immediately proceeds to inform them of the time of their visitation, the destruction of Jerusalem, but they believed him not. He says of Jerusalem, “For the days shall come upon thee that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, and shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.” His disciples drank in these warnings and retained them in their hearts, and we have no doubt that some who heard these words fall from the Master's lips, saw the fulfillment of his predictions, and were among those who fled to the mountains at the destruction of Jerusalem. In Mark xiii, 14, 15, our Saviour, warning his disciples of the same event, on another occasion, says: “But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation [the Roman armies], spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not [compassing the holy city round about] (let him that readeth understand), then let them that be in Judea flee to the mountains; and let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter therein to take any thing out of his house.” But the query at once arises, How could the disciples in Jerusalem flee to the mountains when that city was surrounded by the Roman armies? The disciples, believing their Saviour's words, now saw them fulfilled in part, and calmly waited for him to make a way of escape. I suppose they watched the Roman army and prayed for deliverance, according to his word. Suddenly they behold Cestius, who had encompassed the city with his armies, withdraw them, as Josephus says, “without any reason in the world.” Now the blinded Jews, not knowing the time of their visitation, rashly pursue the retreating Roman armies, thus leaving the way perfectly clear for the disciples to flee to the mountains, which they did, thereby saving themselves from utter destruction together with the Jews and Jerusalem. Here we see the great goodness and mercy of God in providing a way of escape for those who humbly trust in him. So will he provide a way of escape for us in every temptation and trial during the perils of these last days, if we only confide in him, watch and pray, and patiently wait for his salvation. He is a present help in every time of need. Amidst the darkness which surrounds us on every hand, our dear Saviour promises to be with us and lighten our pathway. “It is I, be not afraid.” Are we almost discouraged because our minds are so unfruitful, and we so prone to lose the blessing of God? Let us remember that we have not yet resisted unto blood striving against sin. Surely, for the great prize of eternal life, with the comforting assurances that our Saviour is ever with us, and that like as a father pitieth his children so the Lord pitieth them that love and fear him, we ever ought to have the same striving mind that our Saviour had. He requires us to watch and pray. “And what I say unto you, I say unto all, Watch!” MEETINGS AT TITTABAWASSEE.
By Julia A. Griggs
“Good is the Lord, and greatly to be praised,” I have often repeated the past three days while attending meetings in this place. The Spirit of the Lord is here to convince of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment to come. Sabbath and Sunday we gathered at the river, where twenty-two followed their Saviour down into the water. How impressive the scene! Angels, I doubt not, were there to witness and report the glad tidings in Heaven. May those who thus put on Christ before many witnesses adorn their profession by walking humbly with their God. We have listened to several searching, practical discourses by Elds. Cornell and Strong. Oh, that these truths may grow in our hearts and bear fruit to the glory of God. Evening after Sabbath we enjoyed a refreshing season in social meeting. Sinners were pricked to the heart, and with tears confessed the truth. Many wept as their friends for whom their hearts were yearning arose, for the first time, and expressed their determination to keep the commandments. Deep solemnity rested upon the congregation. The Lord was there. How precious such seasons. I count it a bright spot in my experience, to be laid away in the heart with other like memories, and called forth in hours of despondency and gloom to cheer and encourage the fainting soul. The Lord is willing to work for this people. He is waiting to be gracious. I trust there will yet be a greater ingathering of souls. May a spirit of humility and confession come in and take possession of every heart, then will the Lord manifest himself in power. Some are still hesitating and doubting. “Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision; for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.” Probation lingers a little. Who will be willing to renounce the world and take their stand with the remnant? God is testing this people with his truth. How will they decide? Will they choose a few months or years of pleasure, a few more dollars to “eat their flesh as it were fire,” or an immortal inheritance with the saints in light? Now is the time to obey the gracious call from Heaven. Too late some will acknowledge that they have heard the truth, “And when this cometh to pass (lo! it will come), then shall they know that a prophet hath been among them.” Never before have I so deeply realized the great burden resting upon the faithful messenger who is called to sound the last notes of warning—how they weep, pray, agonize, and plead with the people to be reconciled to God, laboring amid scoffs and reproaches, in weariness and pain. Oh! do we stay up the hands of the worn servants of God as we ought? Do we assist in bearing their burdens by earnest and importunate prayer to God in their behalf? And do we cry earnestly enough to the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers into the wide harvest-field now ready and waiting for the reapers? God grant that we may awake to all our responsibilities lest we be spewed out of the mouth of the faithful and true Witness. I am thankful that I have been favored with the acquaintance of so many friends of truth. I leave them with regret, yet hoping and praying that when the Lord shall send forth his angels with the command, “Gather my saints together unto me; those who made a covenant with me by sacrifice,” we shall meet again. Eternal life is set before us. Who will accept and inherit a glorious reward in a happy, peaceful land. “Where no storms ever beat on the glittering strand,
While the years of eternity roll!” Tittabawassee, Mich., Nov. 18, 1867. The Overcomer's Reward.
By M. M. Andrews
THERE are a great many promises held out in the word of God to encourage and strengthen those who are striving to overcome. Christ is our pattern. He has overcome. He came into the world and took upon him our natures, and was tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin; and he knows how to succor those that are tempted. How consoling this is to the tried and tempted ones. Truly, we have a warfare before us, and we should not be entangled with the things of the world, but put on the whole armor of God. “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” We may expect a hard contest with the powers of darkness, but we are able to come off more than conquerors through Christ who hath loved us and given himself for us. Our Saviour has promised, “To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.” There is a great work before us in order that we may be without guile in our mouths, and without fault at the appearing of Jesus; but let us rely on Him that is mighty to save, and in his strength press forward. Those who overcome will not be hurt of the second death, will be clothed in white raiment, and their names registered in the Lamb’s book of life, and confessed before our Heavenly Father and his angels. What an exalted privilege to be made pillars in the temple of God, to have written upon us the name of God, the city of God, and the new name our Saviour shall be pleased to write. But who is worthy of these things? Not I, surely. But I will strive to learn of Him who is meek and lowly in heart, and through his worthiness be numbered with those “who have overcome through the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony.” “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame and am set down with my Father in his throne.” How encouraging is this promise to those who are walking in the footsteps of Jesus. “He that overcometh shall inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.” What a blessed privilege to inherit the new earth, the New Jerusalem, where there will be no tears, no sorrow, no pain nor death. May both reader and writer have the overcomer’s reward at Christ’s appearing.