p. 160 | Review and Herald, Vol. 9, No. 20. (3/19/1857)

Earlier text: THE TWO-HORNED BEAST.—Rev. xiii

Harmonizing Present Views with Scripture

By E. R. Seaman

From Bro. Seaman.

BRO. SMITH: As I have been requested of late to harmonize some of my views which I presented in "Messenger," No. 10 with my present position, I would embrace this opportunity, and seek to follow the injunction to give a reason to all that may ask of my faith with meekness and fear; and I do not expect to be held responsible for any previous views, farther than they can be harmonized with the Bible.

The first point that claims attention I hardly need refer to; that is, the silence in heaven of half an hour, as supposed to conflict with the views of many on the cleansing of the Sanctuary. I consider that you have answered this, showing conclusively that the chronology of the event, can in no wise conflict with the common views entertained on that subject, which places it (the half hour silence) beyond the period of cleansing. The objection to my present position of faith has been urged on the ground of the supposed disharmony of the visions with the Bible.

The subject of the immortal saints' having wings, is supposed by many to conflict with the divine testimony. We are informed by the Saviour that in the resurrection the saints are as the angels of God, which are in heaven. Mark xii, 25. And St. Paul in discoursing on the resurrection, says, [1 Cor. xv, 49.] As we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. It then only remains to be shown that heavenly beings have wings. We have the testimony in Isaiah vi, 2. Angels are every where represented as flying. This being the case, I think it would be as absurd to suppose that they fly without wings through the midst of heaven, as it would to think of men's walking on the earth without legs.

The subject of grapes on silver wires referred to may have been the best language that could have been employed to express the appearance of things referred to. The phrase is not altogether unscriptural; for the Scriptures speak of apples of gold, &c., and the above expression doubtless may be considered illustrative of the purity and highly refined quality of some of the fruits of Paradise; for there will exist no poisonous substance in the new earth. Poison produces death; but there shall be no more death.

Another objection made by myself, and held by many, is the assumption that the power or delusion that is to deceive the remnant, is a false prophet in the church to be developed before the end of probation. The fact that there are to be developed false christs and false prophets just before the end, is a clearly revealed truth; and by an examination of the Scripture testimony on the point, we shall be better able to determine who they are, and from whence they emanate. The great fact is first briefly stated in Matt. xxiv, 24. Men have arisen this side of the tribulation of the saints, who have professed to be Christ, and those also that have professed to be his prophets. It is not necessary to prove this. But mark the distinguishing characteristics: they are to show great signs and wonders, so that if it were possible they will deceive the very elect; and as we are not informed in this chapter from whence they emanate, or who they are, we must seek other testimony from the Scriptures of truth. If we cannot get all the truth on any given point in one place, we must seek it in another; and I thank the Lord that this subject is as easy to be understood as any other. If we call up Paul's testimony here, I think the point of inquiry is settled in every mind. First, his evidence in 2 Thess. ii. In this familiar chapter the coming of the Lord is discoursed upon; and commencing with the 8th verse, we have a history of a class of persons who are unquestionably the very mediums of Satan, and are to show the workings of Satan with all power, and signs, and lying wonders. Now mark! the Saviour says, Will show great signs and wonders. This then in 2 Thess., without doubt, is the very class referred to by the Saviour. Who are they? Answer. Wicked men and women that have rejected the truth, and are given over to believe a lie that they all may be damned who believe not the truth, (the gospel in connection with the Lord's coming) or, be punished with everlasting destruction, as in another chapter. From whence then does this deception emanate? Every one can see clearly that it comes from Satan through his active agents or mediums. Read the chapter, my erring brother, again. I think there is great light here on this point, that is not easily controverted. The church of God have nothing to fear from false christs or prophets being manifold; for by their fruits they are easily known.

Again in 2 Tim. iii, we have a description of a class of professed Christians, who are to resist the truth, even as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses. Here we are carried back to the type, and shown the analogy and exact similarity of the condition of the true Israel of God just before their final deliverance. How was it then? Why, the magicians were already in the land, and could apparently perform miracles (Ex. vii, 11) before Moses and Aaron were sent to Pharaoh. So it is now: the modern magicians are to work in the land with great signs and lying wonders; and as they are deceiving the world thereby, will not God restore the gifts at this time? Yea, verily, he will. And as God set the bounds anciently in which the folly of these magicians was made manifest, so the time is coming when the remnant shall be terrible as an army with banners, and these modern magicians must likewise confess that this is the finger of God when the plagues shall be poured out. The seven last plagues are as sure to come as the facts which now exist are before us.

How necessary that we seek a closer union with the saints of God, and seek meekness that we may be covered in the coming storm. We need also to understand before it is too late, the dealings of God among us. To the law and the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.

The church of God is now under the solemn counsel of the Judgment, while the Saviour is closing up his work in the Most Holy Place of the heavenly Sanctuary; and every soul that is not afflicted shall be cut off from Israel. How solemn the moments as they pass! The sweet Spirit of Jesus is striving with all that have an ear to hear. O come, my brother, my sister, wake up! the Judgment is passing! open the door of your heart and let Jesus in! He says he will come in and sup with us. I have proved and know him true. The spirit of our meeting at Boston has shown the same to every one present. The same spirit that we had in 1843-4, was with us, and the last work is commenced that will end in glory if we are faithful. But it will cost all we have and are. May the Lord guide us safely through, is my prayer, and help us to get eye-salve to see our true condition.

Unworthily I remain yours. E. R. SEAMAN. Lancaster, Mass.

Emeline Wilson

By John Byington

DIED of consumption, Jan. 28th, 1857, at her father's house, in Norfolk, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., Emeline Wilson, daughter of Lewis and Salina Haskell, in the 22d year of her age.

Sister Emeline embraced religion and was baptized when about ten years of age, under the preaching and labors of Advent people. She exemplified her profession in coming out from the world, in plainness of dress, in a life of prayer, and in choosing a place with the church of God in the house of prayer.

She was married to Bro. Elon Wilson, two years, the coming March, before her death. Her husband was then keeping the Sabbath with her, but, a few months before her falling asleep in Jesus, he gave it up, which was a great trial to his dear companion. If he has not, may he soon return.

Our sister, after passing some heavy trials in the first of her illness, was, some two or three weeks

before her end, made wholly free in the Lord. Her mind was clear beyond a doubt. We had a free time at her funeral, in presenting the truth as found in 1 Thess. iv, 13-18.

Sr. E. has left one child, which we hope, with her husband, will yet be brought safely with her into the kingdom. JOHN BYINGTON.

A Call to Spiritual Renewal

Sister Mary Capen writes from Clarkson Center, N. Y.: "I am trying to live the life of the righteous; but by reading the Review and my Bible I realize in some degree my short coming. I have of late felt solemn. We are too many of us in a lukewarm state. O that we may be dead to the world, and alive to God."

OBITUARY.

By Merritt E. Cornell

Ellen Minerva, aged 9 years, only daughter of Bro. and Sr. Matthews, was instantly killed about four weeks since, in Saganaw Co., Mich. She was out where her father was loading a saw-log, and by the cattle springing forward without the word (which they had never done before) and breaking the chain, the log rolled back over her, killing her instantly. She loved the Lord and tried to keep the Sabbath, and influence her little brother not to play on the Sabbath.

Little Ellen was gentle and affectionate, beloved by all who knew her. She delighted much in singing hymns, and just before she left the house the last time, she sung,

"I never shall forget the day When Jesus washed my sins away."

This is truly a great affliction, but our dear Bro. and Sr. may be comforted with the hope that their daughter will soon come again from the land of the enemy. M. E. CORNELL.

Battle Creek, March 12th, 1857.

Extracts from Letters.

BRO. John Stowell writes from Washington, N. H., March 3d, 1857: "I feel truly thankful for that spiritual food we received here at the Conference, Jan. 23d and 24th. Brn. Hutchins, Sperry, Phillips, Pierce and Litchfield were present, although it was the coldest and most drifting time we have had this Winter, so that our brethren from abroad in N. H. did not meet with us, except Bro. Stephen Smith, of Unity. How good it was to see him again broken down before the Lord. Others caught the weeping, confessing spirit, and began to be zealous to repent, and it almost seemed that the ark of the Lord was again coming into our midst. Praise the Lord! I hope we shall by the grace of God be enabled to keep it with us now all our journey through.

"It begins to look like a short work now; and what is done must be done quickly. I want the eye-salve, and white raiment, or in other words, to be like those waiting the return of the Lord from the wedding. O that all the remnant were now fully awake, realizing their situation and the time in which we live! Then the loud cry would soon be heard, and heeded by all the honest. Even so let it be.

"May the grace of God be with you and all the servants of the Lord, and may there be such a living cry put up in faith by all the Church of God that the remnant may be ready to hail the glad day."

Gratitude for the Review

Bro. E. Davis writes from Oxford, Wis., March 2d, 1857: "We feel grateful for the Review. We think the price of it is small compared with the rich fund of truth which it contains."

A Power Press.

By James White

THERE should be a Power Press in the REVIEW AND HERALD Office as soon as it can be obtained. We think a statement of the condition of things is necessary at this time.

1. With our Hand Press, it takes three days of each week to print the REVIEW AND HERALD. Should the circulation of the REVIEW AND HERALD be doubled, (which we may hope it soon will be,) there would be no room for the INSTRUCTOR; and a large amount of work, such as preachers' hand-bills, commandment cards, &c., &c., would be shut out.

2. But the great reason why there should be a Power Press in this Office as soon as possible, is to re-print most of our publications. Should the Hand Press run continually, day and night, we think it would not do all our printing, and supply the call for books the present year. Many of our most important works are all sold, or nearly all sold. There are left of the Sanctuary, by J. N. Andrews, eight copies; of the Signs of the Times, none in paper covers, a few only, bound; the Two-horned Beast, &c., all sold a year ago; the Four Universal Monarchies, twenty-seven copies only; History of the Sabbath, fifty; Truth Found, three copies only. Then there are our works on the Immortality theme, the Three Angels of Rev. xiv, and most of our Sabbath works must be revised and re-printed within one year.

3. There are but few young men, at this day when printing is mostly done by steam power, who become press-men; and there are less who can constantly work a Hand Press, without breaking down in health. Our first press-man bled at the lungs. We then hired the REVIEW AND HERALD, and all our books, excepting some small tracts, printed on a Power Press. Bro. T. B. Mead came to the Office expressly to work the Press, and although he did only the lighter press-work, was obliged to leave the Office on account of spitting blood. Bro. Belden has been obliged to leave the press several times for similar reasons.

4. The increasing interest on the subject of publications calls for a special effort to furnish them in the best form, and at the lowest prices possible. Some of our published works can be condensed, and two or three of some of them can be put in one. There should also be a series of small tracts carefully prepared for distribution, which had we a Power Press on which to print them, would come very low; hence a large amount of reading could be scattered with little means. Preachers could also have our larger works lower, which would assist them in their arduous, two-fold labors as preachers and colporteurs. The following from Bro. Churchill will give an idea how many feel on the subject of publications:

"I feel that the time has come when our publications should be spread broad-cast over the land, free of charge, as they were in 1844. I think all the messengers should have tracts on the subject of the Sabbath and other points of present truth, to give to all that want to examine our position as they visit new fields. If I am correct, I want you to send five dollars worth of tracts to every messenger that is in the field, that is supported by the church. The tracts should be small so as to get as much reading as possible for the amount of money. I believe the time has come when we should begin to act as though we believed what we profess. Yours with much love. H. E. CHURCHILL. Barton Landing, Vt."

Bro. Churchill's plan is a good one. None can use publications so well as preachers, where an interest is awakened by preaching. It would be of little use to scatter books broad-cast where there is no special interest with the people. But we have not a variety of the small tracts in the Office, and cannot have to any considerable amount till we first have a Power Press on which to print them. The Bible Student's Assistant, now being revised, will be doubled in size. A portion is given in this paper. Two editions are sold. This will be one of the good small tracts for circulation. Fifty thousand copies should be printed immediately. Such an edition, twice the present size of the work, could be printed on a Power Press, and furnished for $2,00, or

less, per 100. Another small edition of this work will be printed on the Hand Press, and cannot be sold less than $1,00 per 100.

We have now given some of the reasons why there should be a Power Press in this Office as soon as possible. To obtain the Press, and get it in motion, will cost between two and three thousand dollars. It may not cost more than two thousand. This may seem like a large sum to be raised by donations in this covetous age. But several have told us they wished to put in one hundred dollars each. More than twenty such can be found. Let all those who wish to give one hundred dollars if necessary, for a Power Press, to be the property of the Church, managed by the Publishing Committee, send their names to the Office immediately, that the necessary means may all be pledged before the Battle Creek Conference, that measures may then be taken to obtain the Press. J. W.

Conference at Battle Creek.

By J. P. Kellogg, James White,; C. Smith

PROVIDENCE permitting, there will be a Conference at Battle Creek, Mich., to commence April 10th, at 3 o'clock P. M., and hold three or four days. The Church at Battle Creek will make provision for all whose duty it may be to attend.

Preachers in this State, and those from other States, as far as duty may require, and their means admit. Let the Churches in each State see to the wants and expenses of those preachers who should attend this Conference.
The Corresponding Editors of the Review should be present if possible.
Those Churches who regard it as their duty, should send a delegation of one or more brethren.
Those who feel a deep interest in the advancement of the cause of Bible truth, and have means to devote to the cause, should be present.

The Church at Battle Creek would be pleased to entertain a general assembly of brethren and sisters, if it were possible; but their small place of worship, being nearly filled by the regular congregation; would not hold such an assembly, neither could they find room in their dwellings. There will be room enough in the Holy City, where all the saints will meet soon.

J. P. KELLOGG, JAMES WHITE, C. SMITH. } Committee.

Round Grove Church

By W. Mitchell, J. Hart, E. Everts

In meeting, decided to procure a Tent and necessary appendages, to be in the field of present truth in Ill., as soon as the season for traveling with it opens.

It was voted that Brn. W. Mitchell, J. Hart, and E. Everts be a committee to procure the Tent, &c., and also the committee to whom aid may be remitted by pledges or otherwise, from any who may wish to help.

Bro. J. N. Loughborough, by our unanimous request, consents to be one to go with the Tent. His whole being is in the cause.

W. MITCHELL, J. HART, E. EVERTS. } Committee.

Round Grove, Whiteside Co., Ills.

Business Items.

By Editor

Wm. C. Neggus:—Your letter did not reach us. We now send the hook.

J. E. Titus:—The INSTRUCTOR has been regularly sent to you at Leslie.

C. M. Lunger:—We mark your pledge, paid.

B. Hostler:—G. W. B.'s paper was marked with red ink at the close of Vol. VI, and stopped because there was no response.

Jno. Wilson:—Your $3 on pledge was received. Such money we do not receipt, but mark it, paid, on the list as published in No. 20, Vol. VIII. We mark Wm. C. Sevey's pledge paid, in the same manner.

Wm. Chapman:—We find your subscription so well paid up, that we send the dollar's worth of hooks from your present remittance.

C. C. Bodley.—We send the paper as ordered. Your remittance according to our terms in such cases pays one volume.

C. W. Sperry:—The INSTRUCTOR, two copies, is regularly sent to E. R. The poor can have it free. We send you bound Vols., and another book.

BOOKS SENT.—Almira C. Hudson, Mich. Jno. Smith, N. Y., T. Bryant, jr., Me. A. S. Hutchins, Vt. Wm. C. Neggus, Mich. Dr. J. Miracle, Pa. Wm. Chapman, Ills. C. W. Sperry, Vt. Moses Hull, Ind.

Bible Student's Assistant.

By James White

Two editions of this little work are sold. We are revising and enlarging it, and shall print a third edition as soon as possible.

We shall give most of it in the REVIEW. Will preachers and other Bible students examine it, and if in their opinion it needs correction, send their corrections to the Office immediately, that all such proposed amendments may be received before the book is printed. Let there be no delay as the type cannot stand but a week or two.

J. W.

Pledges for Power Press.

D. R. Palmer, . . . . . . $100.00. A. L. Burwell, . . . . . . 100.00. E. Everts, . . . . . . . . 100.00. R. Godsmark, . . . . . . . 100.00. John Byington, . . . . . . 100.00.

Receipts.

By Editor

Annexed to each receipt in the following list, is the Volume and Number of the Review and Herald to which the money receipted pays. If money for the paper is not in due time acknowledged, immediate notice of the omission should then be given.

FOR REVIEW AND HERALD.

R. J. Lawrence $2,00,xi,1. Jas. Stiles 1,00,x,1. E. B. Stiles 1,00,viii,14. Elil. S. Bloomer 0,25,x,6. E. F. Davis 1,00,ix,1. Sr. M. M. Nelson 1,00,ix,23. Wm. Gardner 1,00,x,14. P. A. Gammon 0,50,x,1. M M. Lunger 1,00,x,1. J. Miracle 0,54,viii,14. Wm. C. Smith 0,25,x,10. A. H. Lewis 0,50,x,18. A. Lewis 0,25,x,9. T. Francisco 0,25,x,6. D. C. Mott 0,25,ix,21. Aaron Preston 0,25,x,10. Wm. Gleason 0,25,x,9. E. Purdy 2,00,xi,17. G. Lowree (for Mrs. E. Parker) 0,50,x,19. J. Stryker 1,00,xi,1. Jno. Place (for O. Place) 2,00,x,1. Mrs. Wm. Williams 1,00,xi,19. G. W. McElroy 1,00,xi,19. F. Swary 1,00,x,19. Wm. Chapman 1,50,xi,1. S. Dunklee 2,00,xii,1. Jas. Cornell (for Harriet Becker) 0,50,x,20. Chas. Andrews 2,00, (your 3 copies are now paid to x.1) C. C. Bodley (for N. C. Sutherland) 0,50,x,20. C. C. Bodley 100,x,1. J. A. B. Calkins 1,00,x,1. Danl. Stambach 1,00,x,13. Jno. Carter 1,00,x,1. Jas. Hogle (for Geo. Hogle) 0,50,x,20. D. T. Bordeaux 1,00,x,1. Jno. Saxby 1,00,x,20. Arad Town 1,00,x,1. W. Morse (for G. L. Shakelford) 0,28,x,7. H. Hopkins 2,00,x,1.

FOR OFFICE RELIEF.—R. J. Lawrence $3. M. M. Lunger $0,58,

Books for Sale at this Office.

By Editor

The price set to each publication includes both the price of the book, and the postage, when sent by Mail.

Hymns for those who keep the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus. This Hymn Book is designed to promote not only public worship, but also social and family devotions. It is a selection of Hymns expressing the faith and hope of the Church as set forth in the Scriptures of truth, free from the popular errors of the age. The Book contains 352 Pages, 430 Hymns and 76 pieces of Music. Price, 60 cents.—In Morocco, 65 cents.

Bible Tracts Bound in Two Volumes. These Volumes are of about 400 pages each, and embrace nearly all of our published Tracts. We are happy to offer to our friends the main grounds of our faith in a style so acceptable.—Price, 50 cents each.

Sabbath Tracts, Nos. 1, 2, 3 & 4. This work presents a condensed view of the entire Sabbath question.—184 pages. Price 15 cents.

The Three Angels of Rev. xiv, 6-12, particularly the Third Angel's Message, and the Two-horned Beast. This work maintains the fulfillment of Prophecy in the past Advent movement, and is of great importance in these times of apostasy and peril.—148 pages.—Price 12½ cents.

Review of Crozier. This work is a faithful review of the No-Sabbath doctrine as set forth in the Advent Harbinger by O. R. L. Crozier. It should be placed in the hands of those who are exposed to that heresy.—Price 6 cents.

The Bible Class. This work contains 52 Lessons on the Law of God and the Faith of Jesus, with questions. It is peculiarly adapted to the wants of those of every age who are unacquainted with our views of these subjects, especially the young.—Bound 25 cents. Paper covers, 15 cents.

The Sabbath. Containing valuable articles on 2 Cor. iii; Col. ii, 14-17, Who is our Lawgiver? The two tills of Matt. v, 16, Consistency, &c.—Price 5 cents.

The Law of God. In this excellent work the testimony of both Testaments relative to the law of God—its knowledge from Creation, its nature and perpetuity—is presented.—Price 12½ cents.

Sabbath and Advent Miscellany. This work is composed of seven small tracts on the Sabbath, Second Advent, &c., and presents a choice variety for those who commence to seek for Bible truth. Price 10 cents.

The Bible Sabbath, or a careful selection from the publications of the American Sabbath Tract Society, including their History of the Sabbath. Price 10 cts.

The Atonement. This work opens a wide field of Bible truth, and will be found a valuable assistant in the study of the great theme on which it treats.—196 pp.—18 cents.

Liberal discount on these works where $5 worth is taken. Address URIAH SMITH, Battle Creek, Mich.