Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 30, 1870
Go Forward.
By L. D. Santee
“SPEAK unto the children of Israel that they go forward.” Ex. 14:15. We have chosen these words for our text, for they are just as applicable to us as they were to the children of Israel, when they stood wavering on the margin of the Red Sea. My heart is filled with a solemn awe, as I see great events converging to the consummation of all things. Day after day the heavings and groanings of this sin-cursed earth, speak its approaching dissolution. The great lines of prophecy have swept into the past, and those who were students of prophecy supposed years ago that the predictions concerning our dispensation were all fulfilled, and that the coming of the Just One would cut short the measure of iniquity, and the angels would gather the harvest of the earth; and yet the year 1870 finds us still probationers. The vision lingers. The long suffering of God is still offering mercy to all that will forsake their sins and accept pardon through the atoning blood of Jesus. For years the last angel that will precede the coming of Christ has been uttering his solemn warning. The commandments of God and the faith of Jesus have been preached, gaining a few followers and a host of opposers.
The last sands of time are crumbling away beneath our feet, and the scenes of eternity are almost upon us.
There is an old proverb that the way to judge of the future, is by the past. If we adopt this as a criterion, we should expect upon our nation and upon our earth speedy destruction. In all past ages when men have filled their cup of iniquity, God has destroyed them. We might call your attention to the deluge, to the cities of the plain, to the destruction of the Egyptian host, to the judgments visited on the Jewish people as evidence that the Almighty will not permit sin to go unpunished forever.
How is it with us to-day? Almost every secular journal brings to us dark records of violence and crime. Murder and rapine abound; and the murderer, to serve party ends, is sometimes screened from justice. Trials have occurred recently that will be a dark blot on our judicial code as long as there is a criminal tribunal. Truly in the language of the prophet, Judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off; for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter. In the political horizon we can clearly discern a gathering tempest. The nations of the old world are arming for the conflict. Now and then comes a rumor of actual war, but it is only a breath that precedes the bursting of the storm. The vast immigration to our shores from all countries, makes our broad land a point of interest, to all the nations of the old world. Many of the presses predict that Catholicism will soon contend for the supremacy, and that the ships that weekly land scores of Irish, are bringing to our shores a mental element that shall deluge our land with blood from sea to sea. We cannot speak with certainty of this, but in the tone of the Catholic journals, and in increasing Catholic immigration, we see indications that may well cause alarm.
There is one thing more I wish to notice while speaking of political disturbances. We, as a people, believe that the prophecy found in Rev. 13:15–18, will be fulfilled by the enactment of a law enforcing the observance of Sunday. The enactment of this law as a general law, will be just before the coming of Christ, and will probably mark the close of probation. And is not woman suffrage, (which will undoubtedly be carried) to act an important part in the passage of this law? Woman has more of a religious element in her character than has man. She was, as has often been remarked, last at the cross and first at the sepulchre, and she will labor earnestly for moral and religious laws. Thus it is that those who are conscientiously acting from a false application of ideas, will strive to rivet on all the fetters forged by popery, and to extinguish forever the sacred memorial instituted by the Almighty.
We have reached that point when the Revelator says, The nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead that they should be judged. The investigative Judgment is now going on. As soon as the cases of the dead are decided, judgment passes to the living. Those who are accounted worthy to stand, are sealed with the seal of God. Command is given to the angels to hold the winds until the sealing work is accomplished. Rev. 7:3. Will the sealing angel come to us, or will he pass us by as unworthy? May the words of our text ring in our ears. Speak unto the children of Israel that they go forward. Cast off every hinderance. Put away every besetting sin. Add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge temperance. Let your hearts be solemn before God. Walk carefully from day to day. Crucify the lusts of the flesh. Go forward until you are entirely consecrated to God. Then while men's hearts are failing them for fear of the things that shall come upon the earth, while men drunk with the wine of Babylon are rushing down to perdition, when signs in the heavens, the earth, and the sea, tell that the day of his wrath is come, you can claim the precious promise found in the prophecy of Joel 3:16: “The heavens and the earth shall shake, but the Lord will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.”
We might mention a thousand other things, insignificant in themselves, but having a direct bearing upon the great events just before us. When we leave the political, and turn to the physical features of our world, we are no less struck with wonder and amazement. We cannot use the old proverb already quoted, here; for the throes and convulsions of our earth within the last three or four years are without precedent. Tidal waves have carried death and ruin to many a shore. How often has the wail of despair gone up from falling cities and a trembling earth! Volcanoes that have slumbered for ages, have burst forth, and in their terrible activity, present a vivid representation of the day when the elements shall melt with fervent heat. We will not sadden you by a recital of the long list of casualties that have occurred from storm and lightning, whirlwind, fire, and flood. Thank the Lord, we can say in the language of the poet:
“Oh storm and earthquake—wind, and warning thunder,
Your hour is coming—one wild outburst more,
One other day of war, and wreck, and plunder,
And then your desolating reign is o’er.”
It is terrible to think that the world is so careless and thoughtless while destruction is swiftly approaching. They heed not the warning voice that thunders in the tempest, that is heard in the earthquake, and that resounds in the waves that wash every shore. Their Bibles they do not read, and their ministers preach pleasing fables, instead of pointing to the darkly-brooding heavens, and warning sinners to seek shelter before the day of wrath. Oh! could there be some awakening agency that could rouse the careless, some resistless power that could stir the hearts of men, then might we hope for better days. But alas! God’s truth is unheeded, his law is trampled upon, and his name mocked.
I wish to notice what is necessary for us to do that we may escape the dangers that are coming upon the earth, and enjoy life in the eternal future. We have a great work to do before we can stand without fault before the Judge of quick and dead. The apostle Peter, in showing how strict that Judgment will be, asks the question, “If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?” Many of us are covetous. Some seem to think if their s. b. is promptly paid, that the Lord has no further claim upon them. And they add farm to farm, increasing their possessions to be swept away in the day of the Lord’s anger. Give liberally of your abundance,2not carelessly, but where you are sure that the blessing of God will attend it. The apostle says that covetousness is idolatry, and oh! that his earnest warning might sink deep into the hearts of those who are trying to live out present truth, and whose hearts are filled with the cares of this world and the love of gain. Paul says, I tell you before as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Gal. 5:21.
Pride is another evil that, like a hidden cancer, eats out all that is pure and noble. Oh! what multitudes are going down to eternal death because they lack humility. It is the greatest cause of dissensions and troubles in the church; but it will soon cease forever. Those that will not bow must break. Listen to the words of the prophet Isaiah: The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day. For the day of the Lord of hosts shall be upon every one that is lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up, and he shall be brought low. May the Lord give us humble and contrite hearts, that at his coming we may be glorified.
Indifference is a failing that prevails to an alarming extent among us who profess to be looking for the revelation of the Lord Jesus. How careless we are! Are the roads bad, or the weather inclement? our meetings are not attended. Spiritual lethargy is to be fought against. Watch and be sober. Pray much. Pray earnestly. There is no heart so lowly but that an altar may be erected there that shall burn with a sacred fire, and from which the soul’s petition may arise as sweet incense to God. Eternity is almost upon us. Shall our portion be for weal or woe? Shall we sit with hands idly folded while the battle rages around us, and at last be swallowed up in the fiery vortex! Or shall we fight the good fight of faith, and lay hold on eternal life? Oh! let us present our bodies to God, a sacrifice holy and acceptable. The Lord forbid that we remain lukewarm until probation closes, and we are lost forever. Oh! that we could point out all the faults that hinder the Christian in the work of overcoming; but space forbids, and our knowledge is too limited. Pray for more strength. Die to self. Live for Christ. My heart is full. Oh! that I could write something that should lift up the lowest heads, and confirm the feeblest knees. The most of those whose eyes meet these pages I shall never see upon this earth.
“Shall we meet beyond the river,
Where the surges cease to roll?”
May the Lord give to you and me, dear reader, a home where there shall be no end or diminution of joy. Amen.
L. D. SANTEE.
FEAR NOT.
By E. B.
Fear not! fear not, my little flock,
Your Father has in store,
A kingdom fair to give to you,
Where grief can come no more.
Fear not what man can say or do,
Reproach is all in vain;
He cannot take that love away
Obedience will gain.
Fear not! for thou art mine, redeemed,
Through sacrifice so dear,
The precious ransom I must have,
Though legions interfere.
Fear not; be strong, O fearful heart;
I am thy God, rejoice!
By my right hand I will uphold;
Dost thou not hear my voice?
Fear not! though through the valley dark
'Tis best for thee to go;
I'm with thee there; my rod and staff,
The deepest shadows know.
Fear not! for I am with thee still,
Through ev'ry conflict sore,
When hosts encamp and earth removes,
I'll guard thee yet the more.
Fear not! of value great are ye,
My jewels pure and fair;
My promises I'll not forget—
Come home, these mansions share.
Fear not! no harm shall thee befall;
Stand, and salvation see,
Thy faith hath made thee whole at last;
Thou hast the victory!
E. B.
Reproof.
By T. M. Steward
“Let the righteous smite me, it shall be a kindness; and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head.” Ps. 141: 5.
“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; be zealous therefore and repent.” Rev. 3: 19.
“And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him. For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the Father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards and not sons. Furthermore, we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence; shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous; nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; and make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.” Heb. 12: 5–13.
With this instruction before us, how meekly should we hear the reproofs we may receive from the Father of spirits, through whatever channel he may choose, remembering he does it for our profit, that we may be partakers of his holiness. What a condescension for the God of Heaven to take us in our sinful state to fit us up for adoption into his family, to make us sinless, holy, pure, and spotless beings. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. He knows our weakness and our temptations, and he pities us as a father pities his children. If we do wrong, he is grieved and kindly sends us help, if we will accept it. He chastens us for our profit, that we may be partakers of his holiness.
I think, that of all his children, I have the greatest reason to be thankful. He has borne with me so long, and now sends me a token of his love by reproving my sins, and revealing to me the secrets of my heart. Dear brethren and sisters of Wisconsin and Illinois, I want to confess to you that I feel greatly humbled in view of my past course in this great and good cause. I have never doubted that this is the work of the Lord, and that the third angel’s message is now being given. My failure has not been a lack of faith in our theory, but in suffering the enemy to come in and sow seeds of envy and jealousy in my heart, and to alienate my feelings from my brethren, and thus cause me to lose the spirit of the message. I feel thankful that the Lord has not left me to perish in my sins, but has sent me another testimony to show me my errors that I may put them away before Jesus leaves the sanctuary. I know of no way to dispose of sins, but to confess and forsake them, and seek pardon through the atoning blood of Jesus our great High Priest. I will try, by his grace, to make thorough work, that I may heed this testimony. I accept it with all my heart. I want to go over the whole ground and leave no stone unturned. When I first embraced the message, I did not understand the nature or the magnitude of the work to be done; yet I loved the truths, and the Lord blessed me abundantly. Instead of humbling myself for this as I should have done, I became exalted over it, and the enemy planted seeds of jealousy in my heart toward God’s chosen, humble, and faithful servants; and when the “Messenger” party arose, notwithstanding I could see a wrong spirit with them, yet I sympathized with them in their feelings toward Bro. White, and my influence was in their favor. I feel to regret this very much, and I am sorry I have not taken more pains to make this right. I am satisfied I have grieved the Spirit of God in this, and wounded the feelings of Bro. White. May the Lord pardon his servant for this evil, and I humbly ask the forgiveness of Bro. White, not because I am worthy, but for Jesus’ sake. After this I felt so strong and confident in myself that I thought I could go through without help, and so took an independent stand without inquiring how the Lord would carry on his work. The Lord could not countenance this self-sufficiency, so he left me to try my skill alone. Satan soon got the advantage of me, blinded my eyes, filled my heart with pride and self-righteousness, until the Lord saw I was going to injure his cause, and he kindly sent his servants to warn me of my danger. They came to Mauston and found me in the midst of fanaticism, encouraging and sustaining it by my influence. They kindly and faithfully pointed out my danger. They did their duty, and if I had been teachable, humble, and consecrated, as I ought to have been, I should have been saved the shame and remorse of bringing a fearful stain on the cause of God. I was so stubborn and so blinded, I would not yield to their judgment, and the Lord left me to the folly and wickedness of my course. Oh! what a stain was brought upon the cause in that part of the field. I fear I do not realize its extent. I feel deeply to regret my course. I beg of the Lord that he will forgive me my wrong in this thing. I was all wrong. Could this atone for my sin, I would be willing to water my path to the kingdom of God with my tears. But my only hope is in the precious blood and ministration of Christ. The Lord kindly sent me a testimony that my heart was not right in his sight, and pointed out some of my wrongs. I accepted the testimony by
a nominal assent, but my proud heart kept me from humbling myself as I should, so I did not meet the mind of the Spirit in this. I am satisfied I have grieved my heavenly Father, and my dear Saviour, by refusing to profit by the reproof, and thus to make straight paths for my feet. I now see that my course has been a great injury to the brethren and sisters of my acquaintance.
My dear brethren and sisters, I beg of you to forgive me, and seek a place at the feet of Jesus, and heed his counsel by the testimonies of his Spirit, and let him lead you to victory over all your sins. I now verily believe the Lord sent Bro. White to Mauston to help us. I am sorry I stood in the way to prevent the work.
And also at Marquette my influence was all wrong. I fear I have prejudiced some against the work of the Lord that can never be reached. May the Lord pardon me. I fear souls have stumbled over my course into perdition. Dreadful thought! Selfishness had so blinded my eyes, that I complained of others when I was in the fault myself. I have never realized the sinfulness of my course as I do now; and the earnest prayer of my heart is, that the Lord would show me the full extent of my wrong, and the corruption of my own heart, and roll the burden on me until I may have that godly sorrow for my sins that shall work a thorough repentance unto life not to be repented of. I have felt a barrenness of soul for months together. Then I would by wrestling with God in prayer get faint rays of hope and light. But I did not persevere as I should. I have not been as much in secret prayer as I ought, and as a Christian must be to meet the mind of the Spirit. It is dangerous to neglect secret prayer. Selfishness, stubbornness, and jealousy, have been the curse of my life. I feel deeply to regret that my past life has been a failure. But shall I give up in despair? Thou that teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? My instruction to others would be, Humble yourself before God, confess and forsake your sins, and by faith, seek pardon through the precious blood of Jesus, and you shall find mercy. I must find it in the same way; for God is no respecter of persons, only a respecter of character. I am thankful that the mercy-seat still covers the law of God, and by his grace I am going to seek meekness that I may be hid in the day of the Lord’s anger. I believe I can put away my selfishness with the Lord’s help, and that I can overcome my stubborn pride, and jealousy, by cultivating in their place the graces of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. While these abound in the heart there is no room for envy, jealousy, or selfishness. While I was at Battle Creek last spring, and attended some of the good meetings there, I made up my mind that jealousy should no more have place in my heart. I expected to have a struggle, but the Lord has helped me. I intend to persevere until I gain a perfect victory in the name of the Lord. I am determined to strike at the root of these evils, and in the name of the Lord to destroy them. I will be in harmony with this work, and in union with God’s dear servants, and his faithful people. As for me and my house we will serve the Lord. To give up these truths is sure death, and to stand in the way of this cause is destruction. I am fully determined not to be a hindrance to this cause any longer. I do desire the prosperity of this cause, and it shall have the preference to all my worldly or selfish interests. May the Lord help me to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
I feel sorry and ashamed that I have thus injured the precious cause I love and desire to help. I have been blinded, and been feeding on husks to no satisfaction. I will arise and go unto my Father and say, I have sinned against Heaven and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son, make me as one of thy hired servants. I am very thankful that in my efforts to return, the Lord has kindly met me with his Spirit. Oh! if he will only give me some humble place in his vineyard where I can show my love for, and devotion to, his cause, I will try to work out my salvation with fear and trembling. I will seek a thorough conversion of heart. I will seek to have83the love of Christ in me, and to love my neighbor as myself. May the Lord have mercy on me, and pardon my sins, and lead me in the way of life and salvation. I am willing to do anything to relieve the cause. May the Lord’s cause prosper in Wisconsin and Illinois. Brethren and sisters, pray for me.
Yours, hoping to overcome at last.
T. M. STEWARD.
Northville, Ill.
Society Frightened at Its Own Crimes.
The Washington correspondent of the Interior, of Chicago, sends to that paper, under date of Aug. 12, 1870, the following description of the present startling condition of society:
For the present, the church is relieved from the task of reminding society of its sins. The world has become its own accuser. As the leper of old uttered the sad warning, “Unclean,” so New York is startled at the loathsomeness of her moral leprosy, and utters a cry of disgust and horror. The echo of this cry all over the land shows that there is wide-spread alarm at the present condition of things. The leading secular papers describe the prevailing wickedness and the impunity of crime, in terms so strong and so decided as to satisfy the most earnest believers in human depravity. The orthodox preacher would give great offense to many, if he should use similar terms in describing the sinfulness of men.
We are told that the question now is not alone whether our property, our homes, our lives, can any longer be defended from the thief, the robber, the assassin, or any other form of villainy, but whether civilization itself can endure.
Perhaps we shall believe that this is not putting the case too strongly, if we consider how nearly every day brings to us the knowledge of some new form of iniquity, till we are so familiarized with crime that it requires some most unusually shocking and brutal outrage to excite any attention.
There seems to be a superhuman ingenuity of wickedness in the newly-invented forms of sin, as if we had entered upon that period of Satanic manifestations which the Saviour said would occur in the last days.
It is not simply the increase of common crimes which is most alarming, though that is fearful; but the deliberate violation of the most solemn trusts by men whose integrity had been undoubted, the abuse of official position, the misuse of public funds, the peculations and cheatings in all departments of business, the mutual gigantic robberies in the great monied operations of the country, the brutality of outrage which would seem to indicate the incarnation of unclean devils among us, the insult offered to God by slaying men as if they were dogs, and the impunity with which such crimes are committed—these are the startling features of the case.
Inasmuch as we have not reached our present condition without adequate causes, and as these causes must be wide spread and general in their operations, it behooves frightened society to seek these causes out.
While human nature remains as it now is, crimes will increase in proportion as the fear of punishment is removed, and men lose their consciousness of the guilt of sin, and the seared conscience will feel little or no guilt, and punishment will not be demanded when men are taught to undervalue law and its penalty. If, then, we can discover the means by which the people have been taught to think slightly of the majesty of law and the necessity of penalty, shall we not find the main cause of the loosening on all sides of the moral bonds of society?
The war was doubtless in this respect a teacher of evil. Great wars bring with them great necessities. The fixed order and observances of society are interrupted, the rights of property are disregarded, life becomes cheap, crime must be winked at, laws, and even constitutions, yield to the real or supposed exigencies of the hour, and legal restraints give way to private will. The evil fruit of this remains, and ripens sometimes after the war is over. The almost general jail delivery occasioned by executive clemency, deadened the moral sensibility of our people still more, and made less clear the distinction between right and wrong.
Then came the demoralizing effect of the refusal to punish treason. It was a virtual declaration that the most sacred law of earth, that which guards the life of a nation, is worthy of no respect, and that the highest crime known to human law, treason against properly-constituted government, is not worthy of punishment. And when the majesty of the highest law is thus disregarded and insulted, and the highest crime escapes without rebuke, does not this necessarily beget contempt for all law, and encourage men to commit all lesser crimes?
False theories in regard to the nature and objects of punishment, and the efforts made to abolish capital punishment for murder, have also done much to lessen men’s respect for law and penalty. If we abandon the idea that the primary object of punishment is satisfaction for violated law, an avenging of public justice, we transfer our sympathy to the criminal, and it is apt to become such a sympathy as lessens our horror of crime, and our respect for the law.
And what shall be said of that somewhat indefinite thing called “Liberal Christianity,” embracing so many phases of belief as scarcely to admit of definition, and yet having one distinguishing feature, an aversion to law and penalty, a rejection of belief in the wrath of God, as presented in our orthodox standards. The theory which strikes out future punishment, that which most appalls the soul, or modifies it according to human conceptions instead of accepting the statement of the word of God, removes the moral restraints imposed by reverence for law and its penalty; and equally so does that theology which denies the sacrificial character of the Saviour’s death, by declaring that sin is not worthy of death, and the broken law of God demands no vindication. And must not the same be said of that allied system of liberal preaching which, while it admits, in words, the doctrine of law and wrath against sin, and punishment, so overshadows them with the love of God, as to produce nearly the same effect upon the hearers as if they were wholly denied. God is love; God in Christ is love supreme and infinite; but the very first step in the manifestation of that love was the death of the Son, both to show the sinfulness of sin, the wrath of an infinitely holy Being against it, and the necessity of vindicating his law. That, surely, is an unscriptural view of God’s love, which shows it as a mere regard for the individual, separate from his higher love for the universe, which he is bound, as Creator and Governor, to protect by his law.
May it not be found in the end, and on the broad scale, that the teachings of liberal Christianity, by lessening respect for law and penalty, and deadening the conscience to a sense of sin, tend to produce the very condition of society which so alarms us now! If so, the world may awake at length to the importance of an orthodox faith.
How Saints May Help the Devil.
THERE was a young minister once, preaching very earnestly, in a certain chapel; he had to walk some four or five miles to his home, along a country road, after service. A young man, who had been deeply impressed during the sermon, requested the privilege of walking with the minister, with an earnest hope that he might get an opportunity of telling his feelings to him, and obtaining some word of guidance or comfort. Instead of that, the young minister, all along, told the most singular tales to those who were with him, causing loud roars of laughter. He stopped at a certain house, and this young man with him, and the whole evening was spent in frivolity and foolish talking.
Some years after, when the minister had grown old, he was sent for to the bedside of a dying man. He hastened thither with a heart desirous to do good. He was requested to sit down at the bedside, and the dying man, looking at him, and regarding him closely, said to him:
“Do you remember preaching in such a village, and on such an occasion?”
“I do,” said the minister.
“I was one of your hearers,” said the man; “and I was deeply impressed by the sermon.”
“Thank God for that!” said the minister.
“Stop!” interrupted the man, “Don’t thank God until you have heard the whole story. You will have reason to alter your tone before I have done.”
The minister changed countenance; but he little guessed what would be the full extent of that man’s testimony.
Said he, “Sir, do you remember after you had finished your sermon, that I, with some others, walked home with you? I was sincerely desirous of being led in the right path that night. But I heard you speak in such a strain of levity, and with so much coarseness, too, that I went outside the house while you were sitting down to your evening meal. I stamped my foot upon the ground; I said that you were a liar; that Christianity was a falsehood; that if you could pretend to be in earnest in the pulpit, and then come down and talk like that, the whole thing must be a sham. And I have been an infidel,” said he, “a confirmed infidel, from that day to this. But I am not an infidel at this moment. I know better. I am dying, and about to be damned, and at the bar of God will lay my damnation to your charge. My blood is upon your head!” And with a dreadful shriek, and with a demoniacal glance at the trembling minister, he died.
—Heavenly Tidings.
“S. D. Adventists.”
WE find the following notice of the Oneida Camp-Meeting in the True Reformer, published by J. E. N. Backers, Scott, N. Y.:
This respectable denomination of Christians, held a Camp-Meeting at Oneida, commencing on fifth-day of last week, and closing last evening. The meeting was well attended. Twenty-eight tents were erected on the ground, and it was estimated that on first-day, not less than 3000 people were present. Quite a number of ministers were present, and the preaching was earnest and practical. We did not reach the ground until second-day afternoon, and only listened to two discourses, one by Sr. White, third-day afternoon, and the other by Eld. Littlejohn, last evening. Both of these were deeply instructive and interesting. The meeting was considerably interrupted by the heavy fall of rain, but everything was conducted with decency and good order. On second-day afternoon twenty-five willing candidates were baptized by Eld. J. N. Andrews.
We believe that this people are doing a great and a good work as able defenders of God’s broken law. We have never felt like opposing them, (although we do not see with them in every point of doctrine) and now, more than ever before, we bid them God speed in their efforts to defend his truth.
Hell Is in My Way.
A YOUNG lady was so strongly moved under the preaching of the gospel that she often wept. Her pastor watched her with interest, hoping to see her brought to Christ. After a time, not seeing her at church, he inquired concerning her of her widowed mother. She replied, weeping, “Ah, sir, my daughter has met with companions who are leading her sadly astray.”
The pastor did his best to bring back the girl. His efforts were in vain. She had given her heart to folly. But her sinful pleasure could not guard her against the assaults of death. Not many weeks after, while busy over her sewing, she suddenly dropped her needle and exclaimed, “Oh, I am dying!”
She was taken to bed. Looking wildly round, she said, “I see Heaven and hell before me. I can’t get to Heaven, for hell is in my way!”
These were her last words. Terrible words, were they not? But would not the same words be applicable to you, O impenitent sinner, if you were now on your death-bed? Would not hell be in your way too? Would it not be “moved from beneath,”—a stormy sea of fire,—to “meet you at your coming? You know it would. Why not go to Christ, then, for pardon? Would hell be in your way if you were a pardoned, instead of an impenitent, sinner? You know it would not. Why then delay? Why not flee to Jesus? Why not?