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Review and Herald, Vol. XXXI, No. 14

A FEW THOUGHTS ON REV. XXI, 7.

Review and Herald

Third-day, March 17, 1868

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, March 17, 1868

A FEW THOUGHTS ON REV. XXI, 7.

By Eld. P. C. Rodman

BY ELD. P. C. RODMAN.
TEXT.—“He that overcometh shall inherit all these things.” (margin.)
We propose to notice the subject of overcoming. We consider it important; for he that overcometh shall inherit all these things. Then if we do not overcome we shall not inherit them, and so must be worthy of death.
I. What are we to overcome?
II. What shall we inherit if we overcome?
I. What are we to overcome?
1. We are to overcome self, or our carnal inclinations, and bring our powers to bow in humble submission to the will of Him who has called us to glory and virtue, being led by the Spirit of God. “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” Rom. viii, 14. But how can we know that we are led by the Spirit of God and not by the carnal or fleshly mind? “For they that are after the flesh, do mind [or obey] the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.” Rom. vii, 6. And these are contrary, the one to the other, so that if controlled by the carnal or fleshly mind, we cannot be obeying the truth or law of God; for “Thy law is the truth.” Ps. cxix, 142. So we are disobedient and cannot be saved with God’s loyal people, unless we repent and do works answerable to an amendment of life.
But what are the works of the flesh? Answer. “Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like; of the which I tell you before, as I have told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” Gal. v, 19–21.
But you may say, We are not guilty of all these. Perhaps not; but are you innocent of them all? for instance idolatry? You say we do not worship idols. Are you sure? The apostle says, “Beware of covetousness, which is idolatry.” You may say, We do not covet riches to serve our lusts and carnal desires. Now look closely; for you do not want to be deceived and come short, by not being an overcomer. Have you brought your whole body into subjection to the will of God, or do you love to gratify your lusts and have them to lead you, instead of the Spirit of God? Do you do all to the glory of God? “Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Cor. x, 31. Do you do thus? Do you do all that you do for this great object, or do you, when you are persuaded some kinds of food you have been in the habit of eating and come to love the taste of, knowing they are not the most healthful, continue to eat them, because they taste good? for the same reason may the tobacco-user and rum-drinker continue to smoke, chew and drink. Would you approve of such a course in them? You answer, No; it would be unreasonable; for they would prove themselves slaves to appetite. Pray, show the difference between the case of the tobacco-user and rum-drinker, and your own. Are you not as really serving appetite, and so proving yourself an idolater? Christians should eat to live; for the living praise the Lord, but the dead praise him not. Then if we pursue a course in eating and drinking that weakens our powers, shortening our days, we in a sense rob God by offering to him a lame sacrifice, and ceasing to praise him for the length of time that it was our privilege to.
Brethren, awake to righteousness and sin not. Make not a god of appetite. Hear the apostle speak of those that serve the god of appetite: “For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ. Whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.” Phil. iii, 18, 19. The apostle here gives to the idea of controlling the appetite, great importance. Shall we do it and be overcomers, and be saved from destruction? or shall we be careless, not informing ourselves, and ignorantly and wickedly go on to destruction when the way is being made plain for us to know ourselves, that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made,” so that we can if we will, glorify God in our bodies and spirits which are his?
Hear the apostle speak again: “Know ye not that they which run in a race, run all; but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air. But I keep under my body and bring it into subjection, lest that by any means when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” 1 Cor. ix, 24–27.
Here again, self-control is taught us as the way to victory; and is it not apparent that indulging the appetite by eating highly-seasoned food and stimulating meats, and drinking stimulating drinks, has been one cause why so many have fallen and given up the struggle for eternal life, thinking that perhaps they will be saved somehow, or that by some means they will reach the overcomers’ reward by being overcome; and so are being deceived?
But to return. We inquire, What is the fruit of the Spirit? It is “love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance; against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” Gal. v, 22–24. Then they are a loyal people, are they not? No law disobeyed, no law to condemn. So they have no penalty to suffer. Surely such a people will love, will have joy, and rejoice in the Lord, and praise him in the congregation of the righteous, for his victorious grace that has been given them, and because he has enabled them to live in obedience, thus overcoming self and bringing themselves into subjection to the will of God.
2. We are to overcome the world. Here some may say, I do not care what the world thinks of me, neither do I care for its frowns or court its favors. Now don’t be too fast. Let us inquire, first, do you obey the Lord cheerfully in all things, or do you sometimes neglect to obey for fear you may be thought singular in some things? I have known some to stay from meeting on the Sabbath because some of their friends came to see them, for fear they would be offended if they went, never for a moment thinking that the Lord might be displeased by their not going. Others will try to excuse themselves from obeying the instruction given the church through the Testimonies, not because it is not best for them to obey, both for health of body and mind, but because they fear they will appear singular; that their friends would not come to see them, and they would not want a visit from them if they should eat and drink and dress so peculiar. But will the Lord forsake and leave us if we cheerfully live up to the light brought out through the instrumentality of his own choosing, upon whom he is pleased to let the Spirit of prophecy rest? I think you answer, No. Then if we do not obey them for fear of the frowns of the world and neglect of friends, by whom are we overcome? “For of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.” 2 Pet. ii, 19. “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world; and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” How then shall we show our faith in the third angel’s message as taught by this people? You answer. By humble obedience to the utterance of its voice in the health reform and all other points. Has not the testimony been given that before the loud crywill be heard, ministers and people must come up in this part of the work? If Jesus could not do many mighty works in a certain place because of their unbelief, will not our unbelief hinder his work among us? It is a fearful thing to stand in the way of the work of God. “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good,” and so be co-workers with God, and he will give us the victory over self and the world through our Lord Jesus Christ. But if we are stubborn and refuse to obey, we shall be overcome and deceived, because we received not the love of the truth that we might be saved.
3. Another and third enemy to overcome is Satan; and a powerful foe he is, because of his wisdom and strength. He is also a decided enemy, and with malicious art watches each unguarded heart. To lead away from the truth, he works through the two foes previously mentioned, stirring up the enemies of God, the carnal mind and the world, to lead us to grieve the Holy Spirit, whereby we are sealed unto the day of redemption. For if he can persuade us to be carnally minded, it is death eternal, and so we are ruined; for the friendship of the world is enmity with God. Rom. viii, 6. James iv, 4.
Surely, then, Satan must be overcome. But how shall we successfully resist such a powerful foe, who is the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the hearts of the children of disobedience? Let the apostle answer: “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time; casting all your care upon him, for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary, the Devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. Whom resist, steadfast in the faith.” 1 Peter v, 6–9. By faith are we united to Christ, and to God. Then if we stand fast in the Lord, let us know that he that is for us is more than all that can be against us. Then let us hold fast the beginning of our confidence without wavering, firm unto the end; for it hath great recompense of reward.
The judgment cry has led us to look for the Lord. The third angel’s message is informing us what we need to do; to escape the unmixed wine of the wrath of God, when probation ends. Have we confidence in this work? or does our confidence begin to waver as the testimony comes closer and closer? Beware. Satan will throw in doubts here, if possible, and overcome us. We have need of patient continuance in well-doing, until a moral character is formed, such as will enable us to say, Satan cometh and hath nothing in me. The last stain is taken from me, and my garments are washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb.
But to keep the Sabbath of the Lord, and obey the testimony, makes me so different from the world, that it is a cross; but if we would be victors and wear the crown, we must bear the cross; and as the cross is in obeying present truth, it is by obeying we prove ourselves the disciples of Jesus; for my sheep, he says, hear my voice, and they follow me, and I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish. Again he says, Be of good cheer. I have overcome the world. And it is he that is to destroy death, and him which hath the power of death, that is, the Devil. Will he not lead us to victory? He will. Then heed his voice as he speaks in the third angel’s message; for there is nothing required but what is for our good; and if for our good it will be to our hurt not to do it. Let all take hold of health reform in the fear of the Lord as he leads the way. Don’t linger; for while we wait, Satan advances with his host and may ensnare us. Don’t begin to murmur, and wish to dictate as did ancient Israel, who were swallowed up, or fell in the wilderness; but like Gideon’s men, embrace the simple instrumentalities at the first bidding, and cry aloud and spare not, against all immoral and unhealthful habits of these last days, and so hasten on the loud cry of the third angel. Then will truth bear away the victory, and we shall share in its triumph with the 144,000, and join in singing the new song.
II. What shall we inherit? The text says, “All these things.” They are spoken of above. “And I saw a new Heaven and a new earth, for the first Heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of Heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of Heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write; for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the water of life freely.”
Is there not enough here to stimulate us to endure to the end? The same shall be saved. To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. Rev. ii, 7. And so he that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. Then we shall be no more exposed to the world, and liable to be drawn away from God and his truth. “He that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations.” So shall we be safe forever. “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed with white raiment, and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.” We shall reach the city, for we shall be marked as the property of God, and directed to the New Jerusalem, in care of holy angels. “Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out; and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God which is New Jerusalem, which cometh down out of Heaven from my God; and I will write upon him my new name.” Shall we not then yield unto him, and bid him come in and control our entire being in all we do and say, having him to sup with us and we with him? If we will thus do, being overcomers, he will give us to share with him in his throne or power even as he has overcome and is set down with his Father in his throne. Shall we not say, It is enough? Lord command and we will obey. If need be, we will suffer with him, that we may also reign with him. Yes, give me affliction with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. Let us have respect unto the recompense of reward. Amen.

THE JOYS OF PARDON.

Earth has a joy unknown in Heaven— The new-born peace of sin forgiven! Tears of such pure and deep delight, Ye angels! never dimmed your sight.
Ye saw of old on chaos rise The beauteous pillars of the skies: Ye know where morn exulting springs, And evening folds her drooping wings.
Bright heralds of the Eternal Will, Abroad his errand ye fulfill; Or throned in floods of beamy day, Symphonious in his presence play.
Loud is the song—the heavenly plain Is shaken with the choral strain— And dying echoes, floating far, Draw music from each chiming star.
But I amid your choir shall shine, And all your knowledge shall be mine: Ye on your harps shall lean to hear A secret chord that mine will bear.

ONLY IN THE LORD.

By James White

These Words (1 Cor. vii, 39.) were written to the Corinthian church in reference to marriage. It was true then that the marriage of believers should be only in the Lord. It was then important to the welfare of the church, and the salvation of its individual members that the marriage relation should be entered into only in the Lord. And, certainly, as the church enters the perils of the last days, the importance of adhering to this injunction is greatly increased.
“Only in the Lord.” By this we understand the apostle to teach that marriage of believers should be according to the will of God. This institution was originally designed for the glory of God and the good of man. And after the fall, when Satan would make the worst of this sacred relation between man and woman, and lead them to abuse it, and in every way possible to violate it, God taught his servants that this union should be in him.
Abuses of the marriage relation and violations of the law of marriage, called down upon the wicked in the days of Noah and Lot, the judgments of the Almighty in the form of flood and flame. And those who believed in God, who were beguiled into any violation of the plan of God in relation to marriage, received marked tokens of the displeasure of the God of Heaven. Read Spiritual Gifts, Vol. iii, chaps. 11, 12, and 13, and learn the care which the Lord manifested that his servants should preserve pure the marriage relation. And also learn from these chapters, and from the Bible, that Satan has been most successful in linking the faithful with infidelity and idolatry by wrong marriages. This was the great sin of the Israelites, which caused the spirit of murmuring from the mixed multitude to be diffused into the entire camp, which proved their ruin.
Separation from the world is as truly taught in the New Testament as in the Old. Union with idolaters and infidels is shown by the sayings of Christ, and in the epistles of the apostles, to be as wrong in the present dispensation as it was in former dispensations. Christians must, in order to be united with Christ, refuse union with the unbelieving world. If they do not, they will be lost. God means what he says. Where the love of the world is, the love of the Father is not. And he who would be a friend of the world, is the enemy of God.
And the closer this unholy union with men and women who have the spirit and love of this world, the greater the sin, and more fearful the danger of being overcome and lost. If believers should be guarded against union with unbelievers in a general sense, they should be against the close union of marriage in particular. Therefore, those believers who enter into a life-long union with unbelievers, in the close relation of marriage, do so in open and direct violation, in the highest degree, of the teachings of the New Testament in relation to the people of God being separate from the world.
Those believers who are united with unbelievers will be sustained in the performance of duty if they trust in the living God. But if those believers who are free choose to unite themselves with unbelievers in the face of the historical facts of the Old Testament in relation to the sin of intermarrying with unbelievers, and the plain declarations of the New in regard to unholy alliances with the world, they take a fearful step in the dark, which may embitter the entire life, and place them where they may find it exceedingly difficult to claim the promises of God in affliction. May God pity those who are already in this condition, and save others from recklessly flinging themselves into the arms of cruel unbelief.
We would say to the unmarried among us, Be not deceived. As long as you stand, after being properly instructed, where you can act rationally in this matter in the fear of God, you will not be in danger in this direction. But your danger is in being deceived. In that degree that unbelievers gain your affections, to that degree do they obtain your confidence, and, therefore, to the same degree are you exposed to their deceptions. Your only safety is in ever being on your guard. If in an unguarded hour you suffer your affections and confidence to be placed, in a degree, where they should not be, ere you are aware of danger, you are in a condition of mind that cannot view things in a proper light, and cannot reason correctly. And to just that degree that affection and impulse overpower reason, to that degree you are insane. And it is then that Satan comes in, and draws upon the tender cords of affection and sympathy in order to assist in your life-long union with some unworthy object of your love, in the hope of making your ruin complete.
Be not deceived. The numerous and painful instances of deception played off upon young women who appeared devoted to the present truth, should be a warning to all others. In these cases the deceiver generally professes to be very favorable to the Sabbath, and expresses a desire to investigate, when, as most cases prove, he despises the truth in his heart, and he waits in disguise only until he has gained the object, when he manifests unbelief, indifference, opposition, and, finally, persecution and abuse, if thought necessary, in order to drive from the truth the one he pledged at the marriage altar to love and cherish as long as they both should live.
We have reason to question the sincerity of ninetenths, at least, of those who profess regard for the religious sentiments of Seventh-day Adventists at the very time they wish to gain the hearts and hands of believers. If they really wish to investigate, they will investigate. If they engage in this work in earnest, they will grow stronger and stronger. And, if they have sufficient intellect and decision of character to be a proper head of a family, they need only a few days, or weeks at most, to decide on all points of present truth. Those who want months and years, to study and decide, have not sufficient force of character to do more than to take care of themselves.
But many of these persons will profess to be favorable to the Sabbath, and even profess to believe it, yetbreak the Sabbath every week. They profess faith in the health reform, yet use tobacco, tea and coffee, and eat pork. Of how much weight are all their sanctimonious pretensions? When thrown into the scale of proof that they are downright hypocrites, they are weighty. Otherwise, they are lighter than feathers.
But as surely as Satan had a hand in the improper union of the people of God with those of the idolatrous nations by marriage, as recorded in the Old Testament, in order to destroy thousands, just as certainly will he seek to captivate and destroy precious souls in these last days by improper marriages. It is Satan who leads that Spiritualist to profess to be shaken as to Spiritualism, and at the same time make pretensions of regard for the truth of God’s word. He appears so changed! He is so kind and mild! But he is a Spiritualist inside. The power of Spiritualism, which is the power of Satan, is with him. The demon now acts the part of an angel of light, and there is such a fascinating power in his words and movements that the innocent bird is even charmed into the jaws of the serpent.
Will the church awake to this subject? When she shall stand where she should, with scripture distance between her and the world, then will the dangers that threaten the ruin of the youth in our midst be removed. Until she does, Satan will delight himself in forming a life-long link between them and the world, in order to destroy their influence here, and secure them to himself in the end.
Paul addresses the church at Corinth in regard to unholy union with men and women of the world, in the following language:
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers; for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? and what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? and what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” 2 Cor. vi, 14–18.
From this important portion of the word of God, we may learn: 1. That the condition of being sons and daughters of the Lord Almighty is separation from “unbelievers,” “unrighteousness,” “darkness,” “Belial,” “infidels,” and “idols.” 2. That although the language of Paul does not apply to marriage alone, but to unholy union with the world in general, it does most certainly include marriage. 3. That those who comply with the condition, and separate themselves from the world, can claim the promise of being sons and daughters of the Lord Almighty. Such are not orphans, but have a Father in Heaven.
Those who barter away their birthright and heirship to the eternal inheritance of the saints for a little of this poor world, make a poor trade. Those who are free in Christ, and strong in faith and hope, had better remain so. Before they sell their birthright, let them think of Esau who sold his for a mess of potage. After the miserable sale was made, careful seeking with tears could not help the matter. His birthright was gone forever. Keep out of so poor a market, dear friends. If you give yourself to the Lord, he will give himself to you, and you may enjoy the assurance day by day, that you are sons and daughters of the Lord Almighty. And at last the Lord will give you life eternal and the immortal inheritance.
Only in the Lord. The marriage of believers is not always in the Lord, as they are sometimes out of harmony with the laws of life and with common sense. The glory of God and the good of the parties are the worthy reasons for the marriage of believers. Fancy and impulse govern the world in marriage. Principle should control Christians. Believers do not move in the Lord— 1. When the brother that has reached the noon of life, takes a wife about the age of the eldest of his motherless children. The influence of such a marriage is often bad upon his children. Why not take a wife, if he should have a second one, near his own age? The laws of life and common sense more than inquire, Why not? The evil results of such union are often seen in the failing health of one of these of different ages, in the constitution and temperament of the second crop of children, and the lack of harmony in the family in consequence of a want of respect for the new mother, by the grown-up children, and her inability to lead them.
2. Believers near the same ages, are often so different in temperament, taste, and education, that a union would be a life-long curse to both parties.
3. Many should never be married at all. Unless a man has sufficient health, mind, moral culture, social qualities, and force of character, to provide liberally for a family, and make a wife happy, he should not take one. Some marry who should remain single, and be assisted over the uneven road of life by the counsels and, perhaps, the more tangible help of others. They have not the good judgment, or the good energy, or the good health, to act a respectable and proper part in family relation. It is sometimes the case when persons possess sound judgment, energy, and health, yet lack in some one or more of the other essentials, that one of the party gets badly cheated. But where there is a decided lack in good judgment, health, and energy in both parties, both get terribly cheated.
4. There are those called in the providence of God to fill stations more or less connected with this work, who are happy as they are, and would be far happier and more sure of life eternal to remain as they are. These sometimes marry, and in so doing take themselves out of the hands of Providence. “Only in the Lord,” brethren and sisters, where you can better glorify God, and fasten your hold stronger on eternal life, are you justified in taking upon yourselves the duties and responsibilities of the married life. “Only in the Lord.” Amen. JAMES WHITE.

THE DRAGON-LIKE TALK.

By J. S. MILLER

“And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.”
The symbolic term dragon, as used in this text, is admitted by all Protestant commentators to mean Paganism. As the dragon brought to view in the twelfth chapter represents Pagan Rome, some may think that Pagan Rome alone is the power referred to in this text. If the prophecy said that he spake as the dragon, this application might be correct; but the indefinite article a being used, I see no reason why the dragon-like talk may not be looked for in all Pagan nations with which God’s people have ever been connected.
A nation speaks by its laws, and through its legal representatives. Now, if we can find how those Pagan nations with which God’s people have in the past been connected, have spoken, we shall have the key to the dragon-like talk of the two-horned beast. The first Pagan nation with which ancient Israel were connected, was Egypt. How spake the dragon in this case? Without entering into detail, we shall find what the dragon spake, in the words of Pharaoh to Moses and Aaron, as recorded in Ex. v, 1, 2. Moses and Aaron had related to their brethren how the Lord had appeared to Moses, and had performed the signs before them. “And afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness. And Pharaoh said, Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the Lord, neither will I let Israel go.” All the subsequent acts of Pharaoh were in harmony with this position first taken, until Jehovah interfered in behalf of Israel, and this audacious despot was overthrown while in the act of carrying out his wicked designs.
The next most prominent instance brought to view is the Babylonish captivity. Pagan Babylon had God’s people in their power. We shall find one instance of the way the dragon spake by reading the third chapter of Daniel. An image of gold was set up in the plains of Dura, and then went forth the decree found in verses 4–6. “Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages, that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up. And whose falleth not down and worshipeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.” All Bible readers know that this decree was carried into execution, and that the truth was vindicated in a most miraculous manner.
Again, in the sixth of Daniel, we find an account of certain individuals in high stations who wished to injure God’s people, and influenced the king to make a decree that no one should worship any being save the king. Thus we read in verses 4–9, “Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel, concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God. Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live forever. All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions. Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree.” The deliverance of Daniel from the den of lions was equally miraculous with that of the three worthies.
Our Saviour was crucified by Pagan Rome. The accusation was written by a Roman governor. The work was performed by Roman soldiers, in obedience to their superiors. In fact, the crucifixion of our Saviour was made the occasion of uniting political factions in the Roman nation. “And Herod with his men of war set him at naught, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate. And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together; for before they were at enmity between themselves.” Luke xxiii, 11, 12. But our Lord triumphed over the dragonic power—nay, over the grave itself; and to-day we are rejoicing in that triumph.
Many other instances to the same import might be brought forth from both sacred and profane history. But these are sufficient to bring out the point I wish to present. In each of these instances the civil arm was wielded against God’s people, and that for no other crime than that of being the worshipers of the God of Heaven. It is also true, that in each instance the civil power was exerted at the instigation of those who were the enemies of God and his truth. In Egypt, it was the magicians, astrologers and soothsayers, who became the controlling spirits and private advisers of Pharaoh. The presidents and princes who influenced the king of Babylon were of the same stripe. Our Saviour was crucified to appease the clamor of hypocritical Jews.
Reasoning, then, from analogy, may we not expect that the dragon-like talk of the two-horned beast will be of like character? It is true the dragonic spirit may be manifested in the fugitive slave law and laws of like character. But I think it can only be in a secondary sense. The dragon-like talk of those nations with which God’s people have in past times been connected, has been in direct reference to that people. Hence I do not see how the prophecy can meet its fulfillment until a decree goes forth from the government represented by the two-horned beast, that shall in some way attempt to deprive the remnant people of the liberty of worshiping God according to the dictates of their own conscience.
But we are not dependent on analogical reasoning to arrive at this conclusion. I do not see how Rev. xiii, 15, can be understood in any other light; for we read, “And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.”
J. S. MILLER.
Ashoway, R. I.

THE BETTER COUNTRY.

By M. J. Cottrell

[BRO. SMITH: The following beautiful poem I found several years ago, among some old papers bearing no credit “except ‘selected.’” I have never seen it in print, and never yet found any one who could give me any information in regard to its origin or author. Thinking it worthy a place in our excellent paper, I place a copy at your disposal. M. J. COTTRELL.]
Where is the better country, Where? Ye who have found it, lead me there; I long have sought a happy home, Yet weary, weary still I roam. I've tried by turn each pathway bright, My sun goes down, and all is night. I grope my way in sad despair, Where is the better country, where?
I catch at every beaming ray That shines upon my weary way; I'm taken captive by a flower That blooms and withers in an hour; And yet, whene'er my bosom tries To shield a flower, there it dies; Away the withered thing I throw, And sadly on my way I go.
An infant in its cradle smiled, Its look of joy my heart beguiled, But when I gazed a moment more, Its joyous brow was clouded o'er; Then sick at heart I heaved a sigh, And turned away my tearful eye;— How vain the search for pleasures here, With every smile there comes a tear.
I saw a shining, beauteous thing, It hung before me glittering, They called it friendship; and with joy My hand I stretched to seize the toy, It proved to be a gilded dart, Which e'er I knew, it pierced my heart; Then faint and bleeding, thus I thought Experience must be dearly bought.
I saw the star-bespangled sky, And then I fixed my earnest eye, One star grew brighter to my gaze, For me it seemed to shed its rays: I thought if I could soar afar, I'd hie me to that lonely star,— Ah me! 'twas but a meteor bright, It fled away—that star so bright.
As carelessly I moved along, I heard a soft delightful song; I turned aside to catch the sound, But no sweet songster could be found. It was my own canary bird, Whose faint receding notes I heard, He breathed farewell in every tone, The cage was there,—the bird had flown.
A beauteous, meek-eyed carrier dove Came flying with the speed of love, I caught and kissed him o'er and o'er; I knew the bird a letter bore; I broke the seal with eager hand, For tidings from a distant land, But oh! I shuddered while I read, It told me one I loved was dead.
The falling of a far cascade Most sweet, harmonious music made, It charmed me oft at even tide, And once by moonlight there I hied; But when I reached the chosen spot The tender music pleased me not. 'Tis thus with many things I meet; They're only at a distance sweet.
Long, long ago I left my home, For many a year 't was mine to roam; And when at last I there returned, Oh! how my heart within me burned; But every thing I saw was changed, And from my home I felt estranged; And then I cried in deep despair, Where is the better country, where?
Oh! he whose heart is fixed below Finds disappointment, change and woe. Where are the never-clouded skies? Oh! where the joy that never dies? Where is the music ever sweet? Oh! where the friends I long to greet? No more earth's changing scenes allure; Where is the land all bright and pure?
The land where all is pure and bright, That better land is out of sight;
And I must journey here awhile And see by turns the tear, the smile, Yet even now 'tis bliss to me That I one day that land shall see, And joyful wing my eager flight To that sweet country, out of sight.
Continue reading: CONVERSATIONS ON IMPORTANT SUBJECTS. NO. 5.