I was traveling over Anti-Lebanon. It was a bright summer day, and near noon. Weary and way-worn, I rode down from a bare mountain ridge into the wild and beautiful valley of Hebron, and dismounted beside a little fountain, under the “shadow of a great rock.” A group of some fifteen or twenty shepherds were there, too, resting during the heat of the day, and their flocks, amounting to several thousand sheep and goats, filled nearly the whole of the valley. At first I was greatly annoyed by the too near approach of both men and animals; but when the time came to lead the flocks away to pasture again, I watched their motions with intense interest.
The shepherds rose, went into the middle of the dense mass of animals, and then separating, walked away slowly in different directions. As they went, each kept uttering a peculiar cry, or call. The sheep heard, and they began to separate one from the other. I observed the whole mass was agitated, as if the sheep and goats had been driven thither by some unseen power. Gradually they formed a series of dense, moving columns, following in the footsteps of the shepherds, and drawn after them with their voices. I also observed that while each shepherd wound his way through the united flocks, some of the animals fled at his approach, frightened at his voice, and others hastened toward him “for they knew his voice.” In a short time they were led off, and the fountain was completely deserted, not a sheep or goat venturing to lag behind.
Then the calls of the shepherds were heard, echoing from rock and cliff, now dying away in the distance, while the flocks were seen obedient to the calls, following, in long distinct streams, the guides whom they alone knew and trusted. As I sat there gazing with mingled pleasure and wonder on that strange and instructive scene, it brought to mind another scripture illustration. One shepherd led his flock by a zig-zag path, up the almost perpendicular bank of the glen. Behind it two young lambs trotted along at the feet of their mother. At first, they frisked and jumped lightly from stone to stone, but soon they began to fall behind. The poor little things cried piteously when the path became steeper and the rocks higher, and the flocks more and more distant. The mother cried, too, running back and forth—now lingering behind, now hastening on before, as if to wile them upward.
It was vain. The ascent was too much for their limbs. They stopped, trembling on the shelving cliff, and cried. The mother stopped and cried by their side. I thought they certainly would be lost; and I saw the great eagles that soared in circles round the cliffs far overhead, sweeping lower and lower, as if about to pounce upon their prey. But no! The plaintive cry of distress had already reached the ears of the good shepherd. Mounting a rock, he looked down and saw the helpless little ones. A minute and he was standing by them; then taking them up in his arms; he put them one on each side in his bosom, in the ample folds of his coat, which was bound round the waist with a girdle.
The lambs made no attempt to run away from him. They seemed to know what he was going to do when he lifted them in his arms; and the little creatures lay there with their heads out as contentedly as an infant in its mother’s bosom, while the shepherd scaled the dizzy heights again, and took his place at the head of his flock. It may be easily imagined with what deep interest I have ever since read the beautiful words of Isaiah: “He shall feed His flock like a shepherd; He shall gather the lambs with His arm and carry them in His bosom.”
“So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?”
Some have taken the position on this text that the pronoun “these” refers to the fish. Then Jesus asked Peter if he loved him more than the fish, and trying to make this look somewhat consistent, they say that he had reference to Peter’s trade, which he must give up entirely, and feed the lambs of Jesus.
We consider this a mistaken view for the following reasons:
1. Peter had left his trade long before this time. “Behold, we have forsaken all and followed thee.” Matt. xix. 27. It is no proof that he had turned to his trade again because he occasionally cast out a net.
2. It was after they had “dined” or eaten, that this conversation took place, and it looks inconsistent to present the Saviour as saying, “Lovest thou me more than this fish which we have eaten?”
3. The pronoun “these” cannot refer to the noun “fish” in verse 13, for the one is singular and the other plural, also in the original, which forbids the idea. Moreover, it is unnatural to go so far back to find the noun referred to.
It is not very difficult to find the true antecedent to this pronoun. In verse 14 we read: “This is now the third time Jesus showed himself to his disciples.” Verse 15, “So when they (the disciples) had dined, . . . Lovest thou me more than these (disciples)? This we believe to be the grammatical and natural construction of the language.
This also makes good sense with the context. Peter loved his brethren. And no doubt his attachment to those who, with him, had forsaken all things, and been so intimately connected with the blessed Jesus, was very great. But the time is approaching when they must be separated, and each one labor in the field which the Master would open before him. Then their love for Jesus would be tested.
Peter loved his divine Lord. But to test and strengthen this love and prepare him for the coming contest with the powers of darkness, Jesus places this high and heavenly calling before him in the most impressive manner, never to be forgotten till another should carry Peter where he did not like to go. How these repeated questions appealed with divine power to the zealous Peter. It made him search his own heart through and through, and sink in his own estimation until he was humbled and grieved. But in after years he found that to be sweet and good which was at first bitter, and like an iron pillar it upheld him, while the storms of opposition exhausted their strength in vain.
The office of feeding the lambs of Jesus is a dangerous office. Those who are foremost in the battle are most exposed to the fiery darts of the enemy. They need a deep experience, and thorough preparation. Sometimes they are brought into very strait places. Everything looks dark. They must drink a bitter cup. Then Jesus says, “Lovest thou me? lovest thou me?” We are almost sinking. We are grieved and proved to the quick. It is a heart-searching time.
But as the diamond shines brightest in the dark, so faith appears most precious in trials. With eyes full of tears we look to the Lord. Faith clings to his compassionate heart. Love rests its head on his bosom. Hope sees a smile on his face. With trembling lips we stammer, “Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee.”
JOHN MATTESON.
Wisdom and Speaking Well
“A MAN should never be ashamed to own he has been in the wrong; which is but saying, in other words, that he is wiser to-day than he was yesterday.”
“Do not speak well of yourself, if you desire to be spoken well of by others.”
The Visions.
By Adolphus Smith
PROVIDENTIALLY I believe, the book of objections to the Visions published by Messrs. Snook and Brinkerhoff, and the reply thereto by Bro. Smith in several successive numbers of the Review, were put into my hands some months since. Having carefully perused them, and not being at that time a member of the Advent church, I thought myself not altogether unqualified to judge of their merits. I saw plainly that the objections were not instigated by a spirit of meekness or Christian charity. My subsequent acquaintance with some of those who endorse the objections, as compared with those who receive the visions, has gone far to confirm my first opinion.
The objections as noticed in Review No. 17, bear upon their very face their own refutation. “Ellen’s visions!” said my wife, “How contemptuous! She is not spoken of as one believed to be an erring sister, nor does the objector show a disposition to correct such error in a humble, Christlike manner, but seeks to embitter others against the object of his malevolence.”
The objectors have evidently felt themselves wounded through the visions, as has been declared through the Review, and have unwisely risen up in rebellion against them.
“Pride goeth before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.” “He that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” If any desire preference, let them first learn humility. If any are envious because of honors bestowed upon others, it is evident that they themselves are not worthy of like honor.
“We have the Scriptures complete,” say some, “what need of the visions?” I reply by asking what need of the visions of Zacharias, Mary, Anna the prophetess, and the Shepherds of the East at the time of Christ’s first advent? The people of that generation had the Old Testament Scriptures which testified of the coming of Christ; what more needed they?
At Christ’s first advent he was born in a stable, wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger; and all this was thought worthy of special revelation from Heaven corroborating the testimony of Scripture.
At his second advent “a fire shall devour before him, it shall be very tempestuous round about him,” the thrilling trump of God shall animate the dead; the elements will dissolve; the everlasting hills be moved; while myriads of the redeemed shall swell the shout of “Glory, glory to God! Worthy is the Lamb!” and Heaven with its countless hosts shall reiterate, “Glory.” And shall we not for all this have some revelation now, saying, “This is that which was spoken by the prophets?”
As the stupendous events that are to close the drama of earth’s mortal history approach, it is a wonder to me that revelations are not more frequent, and I can only account for the deficiency, on the hypothesis that the church is not sufficiently holy to receive them.
ADOLPHUS SMITH.
Wyoming, Mich., Nov. 5.
A Word to Professors.
By S. A. SANTER
WHAT is the state of the church at the present time? Is it all awake to the times in which we are living? Are we trying by our conversation and holy living to set an example before the world, that they may know assuredly that we are expecting and earnestly longing for the appearing of our Lord and Saviour? Is this the position we occupy? Or, are we asleep as it were? Are we not getting too much entangled in worldly affairs? I fear that this is our state. We feel that we are rich and increased in goods and have need of nothing. How have the professed Christians of these last days grown cold, and how have we, as a church, become lukewarm. We know that we have the truth and that it is all-powerful, for nothing can be brought to bear against it that can overthrow it. With these convictions too many of us have become boastful, and have neglected heart-work.
When the message first arose and when we first received it, with what zeal we labored in the service of our Master. How we loved it and enjoyed meeting with those of like precious faith. The Spirit of God was with us. But there has been a decline; we have substituted theory for practice. Let us hear the counsel of the faithful and true Witness. “I know thy works that thou art neither cold nor hot; I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm and neither cold nor hot I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest I am rich and increased with goods, and have need of nothing, and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked; I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich, and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, . . . and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.” The love of God is still extended to us. “As many as I love I rebuke and chasten; be zealous therefore and repent.” He has rebuked and chastened us on account of our pride and lukewarmness. When our ministers were prostrated by disease, and the earnest prayers of God's children were offered in their behalf, how signally they were answered. Should our fasting and praying cease here? Is there not a great work yet to be accomplished? Oh let us take warning and get humble in the sight of God.
We are indeed living in a time when Satan is seeking to hold God's people in a state of inactivity. It is truly alarming to think that we are quietly submitting to his influence when we have so many warnings to flee from the wrath to come. God's servants are crying as of old, “Prepare to meet thy God.” The day of the Lord is at hand. The signs that precede the Saviour's coming are fulfilled. Soon he will come to reward the righteous, and “to take vengeance on them that know not God and obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Let each one of us ask ourselves the question, Am I prepared to meet him in peace? There must be an individual work in getting ready for that event. A mere profession will profit us nothing. It must be in the heart, and shine out in our lives. There must be an awakening among Christ's professed followers. It seems that we are waiting a compelling power from God to arouse us. But if this is what we expect we will have to wait in vain. There must be a zeal manifested on our part. Truly the remnant people of God should come up on higher ground. While we remain in a lukewarm condition we are stumbling blocks to sinners, and a reproach to God's holy truth.
May we be enabled to ascertain our true condition, have on the whole armor of God, and finally gain an entrance into the holy city.
S. A. SANTER.
Gridley, Ill.
Our Silent City.
All that tread the globe are but a handful to the tribes that slumber in its bosom.—W. C. Bryant.
HAVE we not all one there?
An aged sire—circling his ripened brow
The blended hues of time's toil, joy, and care,
A nimbus of white light, radiant as snow;
When by our fireside beamed that light no more,
We said the blessing, thence, had passed away;
When all the daily, duteous care was o'er
Which called to lip and eye that kindly ray,
When feeble step and failing speech were still,
With slow pace sought we then that Holy Hill,
And in our Silent City's peaceful breast
Gave the spent mortal its last home of rest;
Henceforth that sacred place demands our care—
Have we not all one there?
Have we not all one there?
Maternal arms folded above a heart,
In every pulse of which our pulse had share,
Of whose life-spring our life-spring was a part;
Those arms, like the embracing love of God,
Shielded and shut us in from every ill,
Straightened and smoothed the path our first steps trod,
Composed the aching head or wayward will;
In their cold stillness shall they be forgot—
Say, has the earth a holier, dearer spot?
Oh, with what eager footsteps should we come
To beautify that Silent City Home!
Untiring as was hers, should be our care—
Have we not all one there?
Yes, we have all some there—
Our Silent City streets are peopled well;
They could not stay our time—fruits here to share,
There cannot reach them where in light they'll dwell;
But the dear casket left for memory,
We will enwreathe with Nature's fairest forms,
Art, too, affection's promptings shall obey,
Till cold, damp Fear into Faith's likeness warms,
Till aching hearts like hushed ones there find peace,
As though earth's beauty heavenly hopes increase;
And lingering footsteps, like the lingering day,
Shall o'er our Holy Hill-top love to stray.
All hearts, all hands, in the blest toil may share,
For we have all some there.
—Living Age.
Here and There.
By L. D. Santee
HERE we see much of sorrow. Darkness often obscures the worn earth's surface. Clouds hide the sun. The heavens are often overcast and seem to weep over the curse which has rested like a dark pall upon the earth, so darkly and so long. The whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain. All nature languisheth. The trail of the serpent is everywhere visible. Decay and desolation, corruption and mortality, are indelibly stamped upon the earth's bosom. Oh, what a change since the morning-stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy. Here we are brought forth in sin. Our days are few and full of trouble. Our frames are racked with anguish, and scorched with burning fevers. Though we are happy to-day, the morrow may bring bitter weeping. Here our friends are torn from us by the ruthless power of the destroyer. Vain is our sorrow. Vain are our tears. The loved and lost are wafted away from our embrace into the land of the enemy. Here friendship's chain is often broken. Cherished friends turn coldly from us. Here we confess that we are strangers and pilgrims on the earth; that this earth is not our abiding place. But in view of the future, we can be glad through toil and pain. Beyond the storm and gloom of our fallen existence, is the radiance of God's everlasting kingdom. Here is labor; yonder rest. Here is the cross; there the crown. Here the desert lies stretched out a picture of desolation; there the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water. May the Lord preserve us blameless until he comes, and at last may we dwell forever in the saint's eternal home.
L. D. SANTEE.
Gridley, Ill.
How it Looks
By L. A. B.
To see a professed follower of Jesus take from his mouth a quid of tobacco, (2 Cor. vii, 1), then sit down and ask God's blessing upon a huge piece of swine's flesh.
L. A. B.
Uninjured by the Fall.
By Dr. C. S. Henry
THREE things appear to be uninjured by the Fall—the song of birds, the beauty of flowers, and the smile of infancy; for it is difficult to conceive how either of these could have been more perfect had man remained holy; as if God would leave us something pure to remind us of the Paradise we have lost, and point us to that which we shall regain.—Dr. C. S. Henry.
The Passions.
The passions are a num'rous crowd,
Imperious, positive, and loud,
Curb these licentious sons of strife;
Hence chiefly rise the storms of life;
If they grow mutinous, and rave,
They are thy masters, thou their slave.
Ascending to Bless and Descending to Serve
ARCHBISHOP LEIGHTON said he loved a life divided between ascending up to Heaven to procure blessings, and descending upon earth to diffuse them.
“To enjoy to-day, stop worrying about to-morrow. Next week will be just as capable of taking care of itself as this one, as it will have seven days’ more experience.”
THE VIGNETTE.
We still cling to the ark of the Lord. No device more appropriate for our publication could be chosen than that divinely-appointed repository of the ten commandments. The cherubim upon the mercy-seat, are represented as standing, not sitting or kneeling; and this we believe to be their real position. Thus standing they stretch forth their wings, shadowing the mercy-seat. From above and between these the shekinah or glory of the Lord was manifested; and beneath them the high priest came as he approached to minister before the ark.
The motto in the circle surrounding the ark, is a part of the prophecy announced by John in Rev. xi, 19: "And the temple of God was opened in Heaven; and there was seen in his temple, the ark of his testament." This takes us at once into the inner sanctuary of present truth. For it is owing to the fact that we have reached the time of the fulfillment of this prophecy; that the temple of God has been opened in Heaven; that there has been, and is being, seen there the ark of his testament; that that ark suggests the existence, beneath the sacred mercy-seat, of the tables of God's righteous law; that those tables contain the fourth commandment; and that that commandment enjoins the observance of the seventh-day;—it is owing to these facts, that such a paper as the Advent Review is published, and such a people as Seventh-day Adventists exist. The proclamation of the third angel's message, and the revival of the Sabbath truth as a fulfillment of prophecy, here find their center and foundation.
The significance of the cross and crown represented upon the shields on each side of the circle, will be understood by all Sabbath-keepers. The cross comes first for keeping the very law contained within the ark; and for the same work the crown subsequently follows. And it is one of the most remarkable phases of religious development, that we have reached a time, when, in a nation granting the largest toleration, and enjoying the fullest light of the gospel, the greatest cross known to religious experience is found in simply keeping the law of the great God. But when the cross has been faithfully borne, the race run, the faith kept, the crown will be gained, not for doing these things, but in doing them; for He whose words are faithful and true has testified, "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city." Rev. xxii, 14.
So we will keep the ark of the Lord with us, that we may be like typical Israel, who "triumphed when they had the ark;" or like the house of Obededom, made rich by the blessing of God while the ark of the Lord abode there.
OUR DEPARTMENTS AND MOTTOES.
By Editor
“The Sermon.”“Preach the Word.” Paul said that the time would come when men would not endure sound doctrine, but would turn their ears from the truth, and be turned unto fables. 2 Tim. iv, 3, 4. That time, according to his prediction, has come; and in view of it, he charges the ministers of Christ to “preach the word, be instant in season, out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all long suffering and doctrine.” Sermons in which the word is preached, by its great and searching truths being presented in power before the hearer or reader, are in these days exceedingly valuable. Such sermons, Seventh-day Adventists want. But with the present scarcity of laborers, the living preacher is but occasionally heard by any of them, and by some of them never. But all can hear them through the Review. Therefore we say to the preachers, in behalf of all the church, Give us a Sermon for every number of the Review. It is not so difficult a task as it might at first seem. Who of them cannot write out one sermon on some of their familiar themes once in six months; and some are well able to furnish two in that time; and this would supply the paper, and feed the hungry flock. We have several sermons on hand, and others engaged; and we hope to hear from others soon.
“The Commentary.” This department is opened for the purpose of presenting from week to week, short comments upon some text or texts of scripture, either to explain those which are difficult to be understood, or to call attention to others which are of more than ordinary interest and importance. There are things new and old in the great storehouse of God’s word. Let them be brought out, that the interest of us all in its life-giving study may be daily increased. And here we shall depend largely for help upon the ministers. No class are better prepared to bring out matters of interest to our readers than they. Shall we have their co-operation here? As they go from place to place, and queries are presented to them, they see at once upon what passages the brethren are seeking light; and when they give them the desired information, will they please remember that others will be glad of the same light, and so report it for the Review? But while the ministers are especially called upon, others are not by any means excluded. We believe this department can be made one not only of great interest, but of sterling value. And what more appropriate motto for this department could be found than the beautiful words we have chosen from McCheyne? “Tell me the meaning of scriptures. One gem from that ocean is worth all the pebbles of earthly streams.”
“News and Miscellany.” Under this head we shall aim to give as often as practicable, connected and well-digested articles on the current news of the day. Such articles, though they may speak of events not remarkably recent, will impart to the reader more information and give him a better view of the state of the world and the course of events, than can be gathered from the more recent fragmentary telegraphic dispatches. Especially shall we endeavor to carefully sift the floating items of news, and preserve only such as have some special significance, or are worthy of remembrance. It is of no special consequence to know that somebody’s horse ran away in Ill., or a man accidentally shot himself in Iowa, or another was drowned in N. Y., or a grindstone burst and killed another in Ct. Every item of this kind it would be impossible to collect; and if all such could be gathered, they would fill a sheet weekly larger than the N. Y. Tribune; and who would be the wiser for their perusal? We shall endeavor to present that which is reliable and which will give a general idea of the more important events that are transpiring in our own and foreign lands.
“Conference Department.” This name is given to the department devoted to short and familiar communications from brethren and sisters, as this portion of the paper, especially, is designed to partake of the nature of the prayer and conference meeting, where the people of God may speak freely and frequently to each other respecting their experience and progress in the way to Mt Zion. Let it be well filled with spirited testimonies, that its readers, especially the scattered and lonely ones, may rise from its perusal, feeling as they would, if they had just been to a lively and spiritual prayer-meeting.
“Publication Department.” Our friends will be glad to see our list of publications revised and re-written, the notice of each work being so enlarged as to give the reader a better idea of its character and contents. It has also been thought advisable that there should stand in connection with our Book List, a brief notice of the Association, and the different periodicals here issued, that even the casual reader may understand the basis and character of our work. We desire to see a great and speedy increase of activity in our Publication business. Our periodicals, our books, and our views, must be got before the people. The promulgation of the last message of mercy is not a work to be done in a corner.
And finally, as Paul said to the Corinthian brethren that when they were come together, every one had a psalm, a doctrine, a tongue, a revelation, an interpretation; so let it be with the Review; and let all contribute their mite, as the Lord may direct, to give life and interest to the paper, and make it a still greater blessing to the cause of truth.
THE HEALTH REFORM.
By Joseph Harvey Waggoner
This subject has been too much neglected of late in the Review. And it has been suggested that the Reformer is to take the place of the Review in this department, so that it is no longer necessary to write for the Review on this subject. This, I think, is a mistake—a very great mistake.
1. There are many brethren and sisters who do not take the Reformer, and to them the Review is the only medium of instruction on this subject; and they are very often most in need of it.
2. The Health Reform is present truth, and should be treated by us as such. But the Reformer is not a denominational paper, and is not designed to advocate the question in that light.
3. No other paper can take the place of the Review7in any department appropriate to it. It is the organ of the remnant people of God on every question of present truth and present duty.
4. There can be no excuse for neglecting it in the Review more than in the social meeting, where it is so often and so appropriately introduced. The letter department is the conference meeting of the scattered ones; the only place where “the fellowship of kindred minds” is enjoyed by many lonely lovers of the message of warning for this age.
5. Many earnest brethren and sisters ought to write for the Review, who have no duty, or feel none, to write for the Reformer. And if they do not write for the former, their testimonies are lost to the cause which just now needs our special attention.
May we not hereafter look for many spirited, warm-hearted testimonies from those who have been blessed, bodily and spiritually, in living out this important truth? We know many—very many who have been blessed in this respect, who go their way like the nine lepers who were cleansed, while very few return, like the “stranger,” to “give God the glory.”
And finally, I confess that I have been remiss in this respect: I have suffered “much to do,” “circumstances,” &c., to step in as an excuse for not oftener speaking on this subject, to the scattered flock. I invite my brethren and sisters to join with me in “redeeming the time.”
J. H. WAGGONER.
Ithaca, Mich., Nov. 15.
VOLUME XXIX.
By Editor
This week, the Review, entering upon its twenty-ninth volume, in enlarged form and new dress, offers the hand of greeting to its many readers. It presents some new features which we doubt not will be acceptable to all its friends, and tend to increase its circulation and greatly enlarge its sphere of usefulness. That the changes that have been made, especially the enlargement of the paper, have been called for, we believe the event will fully prove. The state of the world and the wants of the cause of present truth have for a long time demanded that the Review should be capable of bearing a more extended testimony. We have for some time past been aware of one special deficiency in this respect, a lack of carefully prepared arguments of greater or less length, setting forth and defending the main points of our faith. This want we intend shall hereafter be supplied, so that they who will take the Review for one volume, and carefully read it, shall know what Seventh-day Adventists believe, and why they believe it.
As the shades of twilight fast deepen into the blackness of night, so moral darkness is shutting down upon the world. Perils, the perils of the last days, by which is meant no ordinary perils, are thickening around us. In ever-lessening circles, and with ever-increasing velocity, the world is being drawn into the great whirlpool of coming destruction. Much is yet to be done in the way of warning sinners, and arousing the church. Those who have charge of the publishing department feel like taking hold of the work anew. Will these feelings meet a response from all parts of the field? We believe they will.
The enlargement of the paper will add greatly to the labors and responsibilities of those connected with the office; but these will be cheerfully borne, if the Review, as it goes forth to the homes of its patrons, may be esteemed a dearer friend, and meet, if possible, a warmer welcome.
THE NEW HEADING.
By Editor
In bestowing a brief remark upon the changes that appear in this issue of the paper, our heading claims foremost mention. In the first place all will agree that it sets a good example to the flock in being “scrupulously plain;” but with all its plainness it is neat and elegant. It possesses such distinctness, that it can be read at a glance; while it is bold, and prominent, without being out of proportion or aiming at display. And we design that it shall be an index to the character of the paper—a paper proclaiming important truth with a plainness that cannot be mistaken, and a boldness that has no fear of all the powers of error.
REPORT FROM IOWA.
By D. T. Bourdeau
After parting with my brother, I held six meetings in Civil Bend, Mo., in which I gave six discourses on various practical subjects, organized a church of nine members, who seemed to be well united both in spirit and in theory; organized Systematic Benevolence amounting to $83.00 per year; and established a Sabbath School and Bible Class, and a weekly prayer-meeting. At the close of our meetings we all repaired to a stream on Bro. Mallory’s farm, where Bro. and Sr. Jilz, formerly from Pennsylvania, were buried with Christ by baptism. This solemn and refreshing scene closed up our pleasant experience with the brethren and friends in Civil Bend.
From the time of their receiving the Sabbath, the brethren in this place have suffered from various causes.
1. When they embraced the Sabbath some six years ago, they did not hear on all the branches of the message, and were left to study and work their way out as best they could, without the aid of the living preacher.
2. As the result of indifference on the part of some, and of a want of thoroughness in first planting the standard of truth among them, a few were unprepared to keep pace with the message in its onward march, which rather crippled those who wished to move along with the body. But this evil was remedied by organization, in which the standard of truth was exalted, and a call was made for volunteers to rally around it. The standard could not be lowered. For in lowering the standard to suit the tastes of some on certain points, the way would be opened to lower it to meet the tastes of others on other points, and there would be no end to sacrificing the truth. The practical truths of the message would soon be held as unimportant, and there would be a failure in preparing a people for translation.
In organizing, we set forth the following principles: The sanctifying truths of the message are a test to those who understand them, and to those who might have seen them, but have willfully closed their eyes against them. God himself makes them a test. He tries men with them. If they were not a test, then we might as well disregard them as receive and practice them, and it was not important for God to reveal and enforce them. God does not trifle with men, and should not be mocked. When God speaks he means what he says, and life or death depends on the course we pursue in regard to his word. But some may fail to fully understand certain portions of truth, such as those which relate to spiritual gifts, for instance, for a want of opportunity to peruse them, or because they are naturally possessed with a skeptical turn of mind; yet they cherish and manifest a good, humble, and teachable spirit, which, if followed, will lead them into all truth, and lead to love the brethren and to be tender and kind toward them. They hate sin and their evil habits, and are determined by the grace of God to overcome, and even ask their brethren to pray for them. We would patiently teach such, and receive them as the Lord receives us, and try to bear with them and do them good. But those who manifest an independent and rebellious spirit, by saying they will not believe, and will do as they please, and it is nobody’s business, etc., should be dealt with in a different manner. Not that we are to repay them with the same spirit that they manifest to us; but we cannot fellowship their course, or endanger some who might be led astray by their example, by receiving them into the church.
3. The brethren in Missouri have been retarded in their progress by the late rebellion, with which they had no sympathy, but on account of which they were pressed for a time. But thank God the scales are now turned on the right side in Mo. Slavery is abolished in that State. Enterprising emigrants of the anti-slavery sentiment are coming in rapidly from the East; and we consider Mo. as a promising field of labor. If the brethren in that State will continue the good-begun work among them, and lead a consistent life, others will doubtless be added to their numbers. This can be done without Sabbath-keepers from abroad colonizing among them.
We were five days in returning to Sandyville, Iowa, and suffered some from the prairie winds and from weariness; yet we felt the sustaining hand of the Lord, and were free and could rejoice most of the time. On our way from Mo. we held a profitable meeting at Osceola, where we were glad to see that some of the youth were under religious conviction, and were leaning toward the right way. May they fully decide to walk in it.
Last Sabbath we met with the church at Sandyville; spoke with freedom on trials, or suffering with Christ. Had a good social meeting, attended to the ordinances, and established a Bible Class and Sabbath School. We felt for the dear lambs of the flock, and felt the importance of teachers being simple and affectionate, and having the cases of the young at heart. While they adhere to, and teach, theory, they should not overlook its practical bearing. They should aim to benefit, often pointing the children to Jesus, and simplifying the plan of salvation; taking them as it were in the arms of their faith and affections to the “Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world.” If this is done, it will be an easy matter to get up a revival among them. But if this is neglected, if parents and teachers fail to do their duty, how can we expect to reach them?
We also felt constrained to leave the following advice with regard to the Bible Class, not because it applied at Sandyville more than elsewhere, but because of its importance: Express your opinions with modesty, without urging them. Lay your opinions at the feet of your brethren and sisters, remembering that the power of conviction is in the truth and Spirit, and not in your driving your ideas into others against their own will. This will never do the work, but will generally produce the same in others, and cause unpleasant feelings, selfishness, rashness, and unkindness, where sweet union, tenderness, and love, should exist, and will defeat the object that should be gained by studying the Scriptures.