Earlier text: The Sin of Sabbath-BreakingDrawing Back.
By George Ide Butler
DRAWING back from what? From something very important; for those who do so, draw back to perdition. Heb. 10:39. Then nothing short of destruction eternal awaits those who draw back. And, reader, it is you and I who are exposed to this danger. So it becomes us well to consider the subject and what we are in danger of drawing back from. Our old-fashion theologians would tell us that it was drawing back, or backsliding in general, that is referred to in our text; such as losing our love for Christ and becoming a worldling, without even the form of godliness. But I shall try to give some reasons to show that something special is brought to view in this connection from which it is dangerous to “draw back,” and I believe many of us are in fearful danger of finding perdition if our faces are not set the other way. “For yet a little while and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry,” says the apostle. Does he mean that from the time he was writing this letter to the Hebrews, in A. D. 64, till Christ comes it would be but a little while? If Paul uses language in this way, certainly the conclusions of our opponents are legitimate, and we cannot tell the generation or century, or even in what thousand years Christ would come, and he would squarely contradict himself when he tells the brethren they will not be in darkness that that day should overtake them as a thief. And Christ, also, when he says after the appearance of certain signs, we may “know he is near, even at the door.” If eighteen hundred years are but a “little while,” how do we know but thousands of years more might also be included; for the one would no more contradict the established usages of language than the other. To be sure, with God, a thousand years is as one day, and eighteen centuries may be but a little while, but this epistle was not directed to God to instruct him, but to man; and I dare say, there never was a man but would think eighteen hundred years was a great “while.” As the apostle uses language intelligibly, we must understand him as speaking prophetically, looking forward to those who would be living at a time when his words would be true, and when the instruction would be fitting and important. This manner of speaking prophetically in his epistles is used elsewhere by the same writer. For instance, when he speaks in 1 Thess. 4:17, “We which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air.” Paul certainly knew he should not be alive and remain till Christ comes; for he plainly tells us in the second epistle his coming was in the far distance. So in the expression, “a little while,” he is speaking of a class who would move out on some important truth and be in danger of drawing back from it. And that truth was intimately connected with the Lord’s coming, and there would be a disappointment connected with it in reference to that event, making the assurance necessary that the event would be certain. “It will not tarry.” And all this at a time when the apostle could say with truth, his coming would be in a “little while.” What a striking argument we find between the position here laid down by the apostle and the great Advent experience. First the signs of Christ’s coming are given. The sun and moon are darkened, the stars fall in 1833. The next thing heard is the ringing tones of the advent proclamation among the hills of New England, till in a few years the world had heard the sound. The Lord is near, even at the door. Our Saviour declares this to be his position as soon as the signs were fulfilled. Matt. 24:33. So his people were authorized to make the world aware of it. The first message is proclaimed, bringing us down to the Judgment hour. And here comes a disappointment, a bitter one that tried the faith of all, and since that we have been living in the waiting time when it is duty to “watch,” Luke 12:32, 48, and in the time of the saints’ patience. “Here is the patience of the saints.” Where? Under the third angel’s message. This time of patience is also brought to view in the scripture under consideration in Heb. 10:36. “For ye have need of patience, that after ye have done the will of God ye might receive the promise.” And the very next thing the apostle says, he assures us it will be but a “little while” till Christ will come. These verses being connected by the word “for,” we understand the promise and the coming of Christ refer to the same thing. And as patience implies disappointment, we learn that just before the Saviour comes such a disappointment will be met by God’s people, and that the grace above referred to will be called into requisition. They had done the will of God in proclaiming Christ’s coming near, and the coming of the Judgment hour. While passing through this bitter trial of their faith, great patience is necessary. They are urged not to cast away their confidence, for in that there is great “recompense of reward.” The apostle seems to realize, as forcibly as any of us can, that “watching” is a trying process. Any of us who have waited long for expected friends, or spent the dreary night watching for the cars, know how it is in common things. So the Adventists, who have been in this condition spiritually for ten or twenty years, can realize it as none others can. The evidences seem clear that the coming of Christ is near, but still we look. “Now the just shall live by faith.” Faith in what? Faith in the very subject under consideration. “But if any man draw back, My soul shall have no pleasure in him.” Draw back from what? From the very position this scripture recognizes the Adventists as having taken—an advanced position and expectation that Jesus’ coming is at the door. And the apostle tells us plainly if we do “draw back” from this, we “draw back to perdition,” eternal destruction. There is some importance, then, in the Advent doctrine. And here is where we take square issue with any man or sect who tells us that it makes no difference whether we believe this doctrine or not. God’s word places his people in the last days in the position of waiting, expectation. His people will stand there, must stand there, to meet his approval; and perdition is the penalty of not being found there when the light has been fully given, and time sufficient for an intelligent decision. “If any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.” These words, of late, have come with great force to my mind. If I understand this correctly, God is more displeased with the man who “draws back” from this light, than with those who have never embraced it. Should not this be so? Have not such had more than common light? Shall we not be responsible for the light we receive? And again, should we not expect that as soon as a man began to “draw back” he would lose the evidences of God’s love from his heart, the witness of his Spirit? And is not this the condition of many among us as they begin to put off the coming of that day, in the same ratio, the love of God, the sweet assurance that we are his, also leaves us? And when our faith in the nearness of this glorious event has been strengthened, does not the darkness flee away, till we get out into the world and lose the sense of these things, and our minds run out after large farms, and future provisions for our children, and we think as it has been a long time since it was proclaimed, it may yet be a long time before it will come, and we shall have time to secure this world and also the other. Do we not then immediately realize that God has “no pleasure” in us? I believe this is evident to every Adventist who knows anything of the converting power of the Holy Spirit. What a terrible condition those are in spiritually who tell us the coming of the Lord does not seem as near as when I first believed. I never heard one express such a sentiment but that there was also a declaration of backsliding connected with it. The two things go together, and will as long as God says he has no pleasure in those who take the “drawing back” position; and I fear the number of those among us occupying it may be reckoned by thousands. Not many perhaps would confess it by word, and some do not realize it themselves. But actions show where they are. We know how men did act when they really thought the Lord was coming in 1844. The service of God was precious. Secret prayer was attended to. God’s word was read. Property looked small. The fashions of the world somehow dropped off which are now so hard to pull off. Men’s minds had something else to dwell upon than how to lay up wealth for children’s children. Yes, the nearness of Christ’s coming is what we need to separate us from the world, the flesh, and all our enemies that are overcoming us. The world has such a hold upon men we need this to break us off from it. “But,” says one, “how shall I regain this faith, if I have lost it?” I know of no better way than to go over and over the evidences given in the Bible of its nearness, accompanied with earnest prayer that the Holy Spirit may give them force upon the mind. Dwell upon them, and consider such solemn declarations as we have been giving, and draw in the wanderings of the mind after the world and its vanities. I am satisfied the devil is deceiving a great many on this point, and that they are looking away off in the distance, away from the source of light, until it is evident to everybody, unless it be themselves, that their light has become darkness, and that God has “no pleasure in them.” Brethren and sisters, this “drawing back” is to “perdition.” Let us rather “believe to the saving of the soul.” For the just shall live by faith. GEO. I. BUTLER. Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, Nov. 15, 1871. The Chicago Fire and the Coming of the Lord.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
REV. R. PATTERSON, D. D., thus truly spoke with regard to the lesson taught by this wonderful fire:— “The lesson to other ungodly cities. It is not because Chicago is worse than many other cities, but because she is more prominent, that God has selected her as the theater of judgment. Those eighteen men on whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye they were sinners above all men who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you nay; but except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. God does this thing for an example, for a warning. Let Cincinnati take heed. If God spared not Chicago, let St. Louis tremble and repent. Let Philadelphia, and New York, and Pittsburg, turn from their iniquities, and live. For the day of the Lord is coming, and these fires are its predicted forerunners, when sudden destruction shall come upon every ungodly community, like a thief in the night, like travail upon a woman with child, and they shall not escape. Immediate repentance is the grand lesson preached to every ungodly man and woman by the smoldering ruins of Chicago. Come to Christ now for pardon, oh! sinners, wherever you are, and he will save you from the everlasting burnings which shall consume all the enemies of God. The Lord is coming with flaming fire to take vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.” The prophet says, “I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke . . . before the great and terrible day of the Lord come.” Joel 2:30. Can ye not discern the signs of the times? By Dudley Marvin Canright
“WOE unto them that join house to house, that lay field to field, till there be no place, that they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth.” The sin here rebuked is that of adding house to house and field to field, which a covetous, grasping, and worldly disposition leads many to do. It seems to me that this sin is particularly prominent here in the West. Worst of all, those who are talking about the end of all things being at hand, are guilty of this very thing. There is a brother who is not contented to buy a sufficient amount of land for a fair farm, all he can reasonably work; but he looks away on years ahead and thinks how land will rise; so he purchases twice as much land as he needs, or can pay for, gets in debt, and then undertakes to work it out. He urges himself through six days in the week as hard as he can drive; denies himself and family many of the comforts of life, and gives but little or nothing, and that grudgingly, to the cause of God or to the poor. Ask him for anything, and he has a ready excuse always at hand, “My debts, my debts, they must be paid. I must pay my honest debts before I can give much to charitable purposes. When I get out of debt then I will give liberally.” Poor deceived soul! No doubt he thinks he is excusable and that his motives are all good. But when will he get out of debt? It will be years at the shortest. Rather, why is he in debt? There lies from forty to two hundred acres of land uncultivated and unused only to pay taxes on. But let this man get out of debt, and is he as liberal as he had promised? No; there lies an adjoining forty. How much he wants that. By strict economy he can make a fair payment on it, and so buys it and runs into debt for the rest. Thus he goes on adding field to field and house to house, always pleading his debts and lack of ready means, till his head is gray and life is nearly all spent. God’s cause has suffered, souls have been lost, the poor have not been fed, and now he dies and leaves his money to curse his children who will scatter it in one quarter the time he gathered it. But what is worst of all, these men are the very last ones to see and feel this. Describe their condition exactly in a sermon or an article, and they will indorse it all as the plain truth, and remark how it fits such a brother, and think he must see it. Pious souls! they have not the slightest idea that it means them. Missionary Societies.
By John Matteson
S. D. ADVENTISTS need to become missionaries, and the move in this direction is certainly timely. Some churches resemble a large family of grown children, hanging around home, having nothing to do. They become selfish and idle; and idleness is a mother of evil. A key that is used keeps always bright. Rust eats more than labor wears. The early churches abounded in “labors of love,” and from them “sounded out the word of the Lord, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place,” so that their faith was spread abroad. 1 Thess. 1:3, 8. “Their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.” If they, with their smaller facilities, could work so fast, how ought we to be stirred up to work now, when the time is so short, and the means for spreading the truth are so bountiful. Oh! that God’s people would get into a position where the Lord could pour his blessings upon them. Then they would forget self, and live for others, to do others good. This was the spirit of the Master. It was also the spirit of his immediate followers. Through the dark ages thousands of noble men and women sacrificed their lives to spread the truth and gather sheaves for the garner. And shall the closing work be one of selfishness and idleness? No; a thousand times, No. The last message of mercy will stir the people. It will stir them mightily. Those who will not work can be excused. They can be excused from the work, and also from the crown. Others will step into the ranks and fill up the armies of Israel. The battle of the Lord will be fought. The humble and self-sacrificing ones will gain victories. Those who watch and pray, and truly wait for the return of their Master, will not be glued to this world. They that sow in tears are soon to reap with joy. Some excuse themselves. They have received only one talent. They are afraid to use it, and think the safest way is to hide it in the earth. What a terrible delusion. Many say they lack consecration. If they were only more consecrated, then they could labor. God knows that this is too true. But what a miserable excuse. Let the call for labor arouse you to see the necessity of immediate consecration. Let it lead you to give up all you are and have to the Lord; to subdue your perverted appetites and passions, and submit to the Lord in all things; to draw water from the wells of salvation until your own soul shall be full of love to labor for others in meekness and love; to suffer and toil until the glorious rest of the kingdom shall abundantly reward all your toils. Brethren, spread the truth. Take hold of this work in earnest and in the fear of God. It does no good; some sins have a seeming recompensation or apology, a present gratification of some sort; but anger has none. A man feels no better for it. It is really a torment; and when the storm of passion has cleared away, it leaves one to see that he has been a fool, and that he has also made a fool of himself in the eyes of others. Who thinks well of an ill-natured, churlish man, who has to be approached in the most guarded and cautious way? Who wishes him for a partner in business, or a neighbor? He keeps all about him in nearly the same state of mind as if they were living near a hornet’s nest, or a rabid animal. An angry man adds nothing to the welfare of society. He may do some good, but more hurt. Heated passion makes him a firebrand, and it is a wonder if he does not kindle flames of discord on every hand. He is a bad element in any community, and his removal would furnish occasion for a day of thanksgiving. Since, then, anger is useless, needless, and without apology, why should it be indulged in? RUNNING.—Running calls into action a large proportion of the muscles of the body, equalizes the nervous forces, greatly promotes the healthful circulation of the blood, and strengthens and develops the lungs. To derive the greatest benefit from it, it should be practiced regularly every day, commencing moderately at first, and increasing the distance and speed as the running power increases. Reasons for having Family Worship Before Breakfast.
By Roswell F. Cottrell
1. We worship God before we serve ourselves.
2. The Bible represents the most prevailing prayer as accompanied with fasting.
3. The mind is more active and clear before eating, because a portion of nervous energy is called from the brain to the stomach to digest the food.
4. A family of children and hired help are more naturally and easily collected and held together before the meal than after. REASONS FOR HAVING EVENING WORSHIP EARLY.
1. The day begins with the setting of the sun. It is well to begin each day with the worship of God. This is especially so in respect to the Sabbath. To have all worldly business laid aside, preparations for the Sabbath and chores all done, and begin the day with his worship, shows a respect to the Creator, whose finished work we keep in memory, the omission of which can hardly be justified. 2. The setting sun, the expiring day, the evening twilight, are most suggestive and impressive, and therefore this season is best adapted to prayer and meditation. 3. The worship of God must be more acceptable before our spiritual perceptions are benumbed with drowsiness. 4. The children, who should go to bed early, and who need the benefit, are not only present, but awake and in a condition to be benefited. “Early, my God, without delay,
I haste to seek thy face.” WHATEVER God has predicted in his word, to be done, will be accomplished at the time specified. No power, high or low, great or small, will be able to prevent what he has said will come to pass. He will put his hand to it, and it will move forward. He will do it through his own appointed agencies, so that others can share in the good work, and have it said to them in the end, “Well done.” The third message, of Revelation 14: 9–11, has been written for 1800 years, has been in reserve, to come forth at the proper and appointed time, to stand out before the people, as its Author has declared—to accomplish in its mission just the thing mentioned, that is, a solemn warning, and the bringing out, gathering together a people possessing the three traits, or characteristics, mentioned in verse 12. There need be no fear as to the result, or of a failure in the end. The truth referred to has been moving among the people for more than twenty years. It has found its way to the hearts of many. Others are inquiring, and want to hear. Such is the case in this section. New fields are opening, new interests are being awakened, new ones are coming to see and feel the claims of God’s law upon them. I have just closed, for the present, labor in a neighborhood, where a few years ago we could not get a hearing. I have had good congregations, and the best of interest given to the word spoken. Several have commenced to keep the Sabbath. I trust others will soon, when they examine it more. I find the people some timid, or anxious to know that they are moving right before they commit themselves, which is all proper, and which we recommend. It is because some have turned away from the Sabbath, and others have not lived as they should that brings this timidity. They do not want to bring a reproach on themselves, or a good cause. Fields that have been blighted by the professed friends of truth, are hard ones to enter. Yet, even in such, the Lord is preparing people to hear and receive the truth. The Book and Tract Society has proved quite a success the short time it has been in operation. It has done good when the work has been pushed. It has created an interest to hear, and made it much easier to get the truth on the mind. They have received some rays of light by reading. I fully indorse all that has been said in the REVIEW on this subject, and mean to do what I can to help it on. I go to another new field to-morrow, where half a dozen have commenced to keep the Sabbath the past summer, mostly by reading. Indiana.
By E. Brackett, Jr.
At the close of our good camp-meeting, I came to the southern part of this State where I spent the next Sabbath and Sunday with the brethren in Bowling Green. Held four meetings in the Baptist church with good attendance. On Monday, I left for Bro. Williams' in Green Co., by the way of Patricksburg, stopping with the brethren there a day or two visiting from house to house. Arrived at Bro. Williams' on Wednesday. This family have been keeping the Sabbath little over a year. They came out under Bro. Lane's labors at Pottersville. I found them still firm in the truth and very anxious for a course of lectures to be held in their school-house, so I made arrangements to commence the next night. The house was well filled and the interest seemed to be good which has continued to increase during the meetings. The house not being large enough to hold them, they were obliged to stand at the door and windows. Was joined by Bro. Lane a few days, which added to the interest of the meetings. Have been here between four and five weeks and have held thirty meetings. Since presenting the Sabbath question, have held three interesting meetings on the Sabbath. Eight have expressed a determination to obey the Lord by keeping his commandments. I still look for some more to obey. Nearly all are convinced of the truth, but will not accept it. The ministers are doing all they can to hold them back and keep them from attending my meetings by visiting their members and holding meetings near by. I now go about three miles from here to commence a course of lectures in the Gray school-house near Freedom. May the Lord go with me and assist in the presentation of his word is my prayer. E. BRACKETT, JR. But Two of Many.
By M. Wood; H. L. Wood
SOME eighteen months ago Bro. M. E. Cornell came to South Boston, to give a course of lectures, and, after searching several days for a suitable place to pitch his tent, the Lord directed him to an open field directly adjoining the house I then lived in; and, as a consequence, the tent was pitched rather nearer our windows than I cared to have it; for, like thousands of others, I was filled with prejudice. But I can say now that I thank God for ever directing Eld. Cornell to South Boston, to enforce upon us the claims of the law of God, as it reads in his precious Book of books. At that time, no man or woman was ever more set against hearing the truth than we were. But the tent was so near us, that, with our windows and doors closed, we could hear the singing very distinctly, and most of the preaching. And perhaps it would not be out of place to state here that it was the good singing which first attracted our attention to those blessed meetings. By degrees, prejudice gave way; for we could see that the Spirit of God was at work in his servants. After listening several nights from our windows, we became so much interested in present truth that we were anxious to hear every word of the speaker. Accordingly we locked up the house and went inside the tent; and I think that we can date our Christian experience back to that night. We were the only two that were brought out in this part of the city at that time; and we feel that we have indeed a great deal to thank the Lord for. Never do I cross the field on which the tent was pitched without offering up a fervent prayer to God that he will bless the efforts of Bro. Cornell, and all others who are engaged in so good a cause, as laboring for the salvation of precious souls; and that many more may see, with open eyes, the law of God just as it reads. Praise the Lord for present truth. My reading matter previously was novels and books of an exciting nature; I was a slave to tobacco; which, to say the least, is a filthy and unchristian habit. I had been heartily sick of it for several years, and tried to quit its use, but to no purpose. The enemy was too strong for me. But from the time I commenced keeping the Lord's Sabbath, it was no difficult task for me to give up my tobacco, and to lay aside novels, and find food in the Holy Bible. We thank the Lord that we are rejoicing in the straightness and narrowness of the way; and as the sixth day draws to a close, and the Sabbath199draws on, we hasten to have all our work put from hand and mind and pray God to teach us how to keep his holy Sabbath in an acceptable manner, that we may be owned and blessed of God, and in the great gathering day may be able to exclaim, “Lo! this is our God we have waited for him.” Pass on, earth's Winter, let thy reign
Of darkness cease; no more
Be seen thy terrors, or be heard
Thine awful tempest's roar. Come on, earth's Summer, with thy realm
Of light; let sea and river,
Nations and lands, bask in thy beams,
And peace prevail forever. Pass, mortal Life, with all thy strife
And all thy grief; no more
Be known thy pains; at last let toil
And weariness be o'er. Come, Immortality, oh, come!
From all our woe deliver,
And bear us to the balm and bloom
Of peace and love forever. Progress of the Cause.
By Merritt E. Cornell
He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. Meetings in San Francisco.
A SECOND course of lectures in our new hall is just closed. The interest continued good. A city missionary, having a salary of $100 a month, has taken a decided stand for the whole truth. Last Sabbath, five more were baptized. One of the number was sister Moore, mother-in-law of the Lieutenant Governor, who, with his family, was present to witness the ordinance, Sister Moore came up out of the water happy and free, praising the Lord. All passed off in good order, and the impression made on spectators was favorable. Next Sabbath it is expected that six or eight more will go forward. That will be the fourth baptismal scene here since our tent meeting. The initiatory steps have been taken toward organization, and it will be pushed forward as fast as possible, that we may be at liberty to answer some of the many calls for lectures in other places. The piercing cold trade winds, which have prevailed all summer, have ceased and the weather is most delightful—about like May and June in the Eastern States. This will continue until next April. My health is improving, and I have to thank the Lord for the courage I feel to go forward in this good cause of present truth! We still crave an interest in the prayers of all. M. E. CORNELL. New Hampshire.
By P. C. Rodman
AFTER the New England quarterly meeting at New Ipswich, I went to Peterboro and held one meeting with the few Sabbath-keepers there. I called on them all. They need to humbly seek the Lord according to Zeph. 1:3, and I think the most of them have a mind so to do. I then went to Harrisville and gave four lectures to an attentive congregation. Obtained three subscribers for the Reformer, one for the REVIEW and the Instructor. I trust the people in Harrisville will not let Satan catch away the word they have heard, but ponder and obey, that they may be saved, according to Rev. 22:14. North Creek, N. Y.
By S. B. Whitney
SINCE my last report from this place, we have had two Sabbath meetings, the last of which was very solemn and interesting. There are now between fifteen and twenty keeping the Sabbath here, and they are among the most intelligent and substantial part of the community. A portion of them were first-day Adventists, but they had not become prejudiced against the present truth, and they readily and gladly received the third message. The Spirit of the Lord has wrought powerfully with the truth, and we hope for more to be gathered in. To the Lord be all the praise. Report from Bro. Matteson.
By John Matteson
I HAVE spent a few weeks with the Danish brethren and friends in Greenville and vicinity. Those who have once embraced the truth are firm, and have advanced some in the work of overcoming. Some more have become interested to hear and read the truth. After this, I stayed in Alaiedon a week, where we had some interesting and profitable meetings. A missionary society was organized, and we trust that the brethren will do what they can in this matter, and thus do good to themselves and to others. I am now at the Office, and shall probably remain here a while. JOHN MATTESON. Battle Creek, Mich., Dec. 1, 1871. Victory, Wisconsin.
By R. Asbury
Often have I seen in the REVIEW testimonies from the dear people of God that seemed to touch a chord in my heart, and cause a longing desire for a more intimate acquaintance with those of like precious faith. But from a feeling of incompetence, I have been deterred from making the attempt at corresponding for the public eye. Yet our people have learned that truth is beautiful, though advocated by a feeble pen; lovely, though presented in a homely garb. I wish for the present, however, to pen a few remarks in relation to our quarterly meeting just past. Our preaching brethren, Sanborn and Downer, had appointed to be present, as this was our first quarterly meeting; and the prospect of having two preachers more than elated the little band at Victory. Our anticipations of realizing a feast of fat things became suddenly checked by receiving notice at the beginning of a disappointment. The news was quite depressing. The harps of the saints seemed to be hung on the willow. Every effort to shake off this spell seemed to be in vain, until Sabbath evening in our social exercises it became manifestly plain that we were, and had been, lacking in personal efforts. It was soon felt and appreciated by all, that there was an individual work to be done. The hearts of God's children being humbled and prepared, the blessing from this forward to the close of our meeting was wonderfully enjoyed, and, we hope, will long be remembered. Praise the Lord. While the disappointment bore heavily on our hearts, and we grieved over our barren and cold feelings, the Lord had not forgotten us, but moved upon brethren and sisters from other parts of the country to come to our help. This added greatly to the interest of our meeting. A Growing Sabbath Interest
By R. K. McCune
DEAR BRETHREN: The REVIEW is the only preacher we have. It is, however, a good one, and comes about the beginning of the Sabbath filled with precious truth and valuable instruction. We should be very lonesome without our weekly visitor. And that is not all! It passes round from hand to hand, and neighbor to neighbor, with a happy greeting for all, until it is about worn out. Still it does not altogether supply the place of the living speaker. I did not know there was such an anxiety to hear a preacher until it was reported that Eld. Lane would not be here this fall, when quite a number expressed a desire to hear him. Some expect to move away about Christmas, and wish to hear him before they go. The truth not only holds on here, but is slowly spreading. There are now four white families keeping the Sabbath, composed of ten grown persons and eight or ten children. There are also some others convinced, who talk as if they would take hold if there was a church organized here. One colored preacher has, by reading, discovered the true Sabbath. He was a missionary Baptist. He is now very anxious to hear Eld. Lane, having heard only one of his sermons, which was on the Sabbath question. He then said it was an awful thing for him to come down here and teach such a doctrine as that; but he is now contending boldly with both white and black. We very much want a preacher. I think if Eld. Lane or some other preacher could spend the winter here, a good work would follow. We will help all we can with our means, and if a tent could be sent here for the coming summer, I believe there would be enough of God's people gathered up to raise the money to pay for it. There are some that believe our views are scriptural, yet they think themselves and their doctrines acceptable to God because they consider their religious excitement the work of the Holy Spirit. Will not some one give us an article in the REVIEW on this subject? Signs of Christ’s Coming in Wisconsin
By Sister J. A. Wood
SISTER J. A. Wood writes from Wisconsin: Signs portend that Jesus is soon coming. The world is in commotion, men's hearts failing them for fear, looking for those things that are coming on the earth. How feeble is the arm of man to stay the judgments of God! Witness the calamities that have been visited for a few weeks past on our guilty land. How many will acknowledge these things to be judgments from God and prepare to escape the great conflagration when none shall escape, only those who are redeemed from among men. There are a few here who are trying to keep the holy Sabbath. We maintain a Sabbath prayer meeting. When Eld. Sanborn came here, two years ago, I was bitterly opposed to the truth. I listened with attention and soon saw that his arguments were founded on the Scriptures. My first-day Advent friends brought in all their arguments to bear against the truth; but thanks be to the Lord that he gave me sustaining grace to overcome, although not without a struggle. And I have been receiving new light ever since. How foolish and contradictory the arguments are that are brought to bear against the truth. A Mind to Work.
By M. E. Williams
So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof; for the people had a mind to work. Neh. 4:6. And thus a great work was accomplished; though their enemies were wroth, and tried in every way to hinder and discourage them. Though laughed to scorn, and threatened with war, they made their prayer to God, and went on with the work. A mind to work. This is just what we want now. There is a vast amount of work to do; and some are almost sinking under heavy burdens, while others are at ease in Zion. Ought this so to be? And shall it be any longer? Shall we not all earnestly and diligently engage in the work? How can we expect wages or reward unless we do work? Perhaps there are but few of us who will be able to do great things for God, but let us do cheerfully the little errands he may set us to do. If we have only one talent, we must not fail to use that to the best advantage; and we need not be ashamed of it. God gave us all that he thought best, and holds us just as responsible as to the best and full employment of that one, as he to whom he has given ten. Fearfully great is the responsibility resting upon him who hath ten talents intrusted to him; therefore envy him not. Are we doing all that we can? How many of us dare answer in the affirmative? The day is swiftly hastening on, when God shall call us to account for how we have used the talents he has given us. Oh! that none of us may be obliged to give up our talents to others because of unfaithfulness. Satan will invent many plausible excuses for us if we will let him, and so keep us from doing anything; but the Master says, Why stand ye all the day idle? Let us be faithful, ready for every good word and work, lest in the great day, the good we might have done, but did not, be required at our hands. The Seventh Day, Not a Seventh Part
We call him a man of judgment whose judgment agrees with our own. How natural! If the Sabbath is intended to require a seventh part of time merely, and not the seventh day, it was just as easy for a perfect Law giver to say so. RUSSIA is said to be arming herself swiftly and powerfully at every point. Immense supplies of machinery, steam boilers, and wire rigging, have been sent to the Southern ports. Cronstadt is being strengthened, and engineers are laying out new lines of defense in various quarters. Meanwhile the regiments of the line are at work in competitive rifle shooting, the cavalry and artillery are being remodeled on improved principles, and all these things are being pushed with the utmost dispatch. Can it be that Russia doubts the good faith of Prussia? or is it that she dreads her power? That one or both these suppositions is true, there can be little doubt. It is said that a profound dread of a fresh uprising in Poland, a universal insurrection, devised and prompted by German publicists, and backed by German bayonets, is the true secret of all these formidable preparations. The explanation is plausible as regards the Western frontier, but scarcely accounts for the vast operations in progress on the Black Sea. It is not to be denied that the relative position of Russia in Europe is seriously modified by late events—events that have placed the control of more than a million and a half of splendid soldiers, flushed with victory, at the uncontrolled disposition of a single power, and almost of a single will. At the same time it suggests but a sad prospect for the people, this bristling into war-like panoply of one great military power in the East the moment the great military power of the West has been struck down. There is nothing, it would seem, but fighting, or preparing to fight, and the accumulation of huge debts, that labor at last is called on to pay, to be looked for while present dynasties subsist and confront each other. Time will show what is to come of the czar’s gigantic preparations, but at present they have every indication of being forerunners of a conflict beside which the Crimean war will seem comparatively trivial, and which may have a greater effect on the future of Europe than even the dreadful contest the thunder of which has only just passed away.—N. Y. Times.