MR. EDITOR, DEAR BRO.: A short time ago, a small pamphlet was put into my hands, with a request that I would read it. Said pamphlet is entitled, "The Truth Found; A Short Argument for the Sabbath, by J. H. Waggoner."
Well, sir, I have read the pamphlet without conviction, although the author says, "ten men, or ten thousand, must come to the same conclusion, if they reason legitimately;" i. e., must come to his conclusion. But, sir, I arrive at very different conclusions on this subject, and it will be for you and your readers to judge, whether I reason legitimately.
Our author says:
"1. God made the world in six days.
"2. He rested the seventh day.
"3. He blessed, sanctified, or hallowed the seventh day.
"4. He commanded that the seventh day be kept holy."
True, sir, I admit it all. But here permit me to interrogate you: To whom, when, and where, was this said? Answer. To Israel, after their deliverance from Egypt, and while encamped on the plains of Sinai. Thus, we see, that this Sabbath law was given to Israel, God's peculiar people, and formed a part of their national code; a code which was peculiar to that nation only.
I would like to know by what authority Mr. Waggoner, and all others of the Sabbatarian School select one precept from the law given to Israel, and enjoin its observance upon their fellow-men, and reject all the rest. If they enjoin it because God commanded it, then, for the same reason, they are bound to observe all the rest; the offerings, sacrifices, new moons, circumcision, the redemption of the first-born, &c., &c., because they are all equally his commands.
Again, I would ask Mr. Waggoner, or any one else of his faith, how they make it appear that precepts contained in a law given to a nation 3500 years ago, are binding upon people or nations to whom they were not given, neither were required by Jehovah to keep them; but who are of that class whom the apostle Paul styled, "aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise?" If Mr. Waggoner can show that the nations who existed prior to the giving of the law on Sinai, whether before, or subsequent to the flood; and if he can show a command requiring all nations, whether contemporary with Israel, or subsequent, to obey it, then he can establish his point. But if he cannot do so, then all his arguments are futile and vain, and not worth a straw; for apostolic teaching has settled the matter, that "where there is no law, there is no transgression."
He has no more right to require men to obey the "law of Moses," than he has to call upon American citizens to obey the code of Napoleon III. He may say, he does not do so; but he does in part; and he has no more authority to enjoin that part, than he has to enjoin the whole. If Jesus or his apostles had said to the disciples, "Remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy," &c., then it would have been binding upon disciples but upon none else; not because Moses had commanded it, but because Jesus had incorporated it among his precepts.
These arguments are sufficient to settle the matter, with every reasoning, reflecting mind.
I will now quote his closing argument, and inference, by which he supposes he has clenched the matter. He says:
"The commandment enjoining the observance of the seventh day, like the other parts of God's law, is as definitely and clearly expressed as language can be made to express ideas. But no repeal can be produced. Hence we can have no hesitation in adopting the following conclusion: The requirement to remember the seventh day or Sabbath to keep it holy, is still as binding on man as are the other precepts of God's holy law."
The reader will perceive that the gist of this argument is, that as no repeal can be shown, therefore, the law is in full force. But does he not see that the nation to whom the law was given has gone out of existence? therefore it did not require a formal repeal of the law, to annul its obligations. Would not the man be justly considered a simpleton, who would contend that the laws by which Nabuchadnezzar governed the Babylonish empire are still in full force because he cannot find a repeal of them? But is not the man equally so, who contends that a law which belonged to a people whose nationality ceased 1800 years ago is still in full force. It is strange how obtuse some men are on certain points, though they may be able to reason correctly on other subjects.
Again, supposing that the Sabbath law is in force, where is the Sabbatarian who keeps it? For if the law is in force, it is in force in all its requirements. Therefore, the man who regards it as the law of the Lord, is bound to keep it inviolate on pain of death. Hence, he must not kindle a fire in his dwelling on that day, whatever be the inclemency of the weather. Neither must he cook victuals on that day, nor do any kind of labor, neither he nor his family, nor his cattle, nor any one who may be sojourning with him. Death is the penalty enjoined by the law upon the transgressors. Neither is he allowed to travel beyond a Sabbath-day's journey, which is 720 paces, or about two-thirds of a mile. Therefore it is a very serious matter for a man to place himself under a law so strict in its requirements, one breach of which is a capital offence, and which can only be satisfied with the life of the offender.
These people say there is no repeal of the law. Well, let us see. The law was designed to give life to those who kept it inviolate. Hence it is written, "Ye shall therefore keep my statutes and my judgments; which if a man do he shall live in them." Lev. xviii, 5; Eze. xx, 11. And the apostle Paul testifies that it "was ordained to life; and that it was holy, just and good;" and yet he found it to be unto death, because of the weakness of the flesh. Rom. vii, 10-12. But what the law could not do, because it was weak through the flesh, God has done by his Son, who fulfilled the law and made it honorable, and opened a new way to life, through which the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us by walking according to the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus, who hath made us free from the law of sin and death. Rom. viii. The law then failed to accomplish the purpose for which it was given, so far as Israel was concerned; but Jesus having attained to the righteousness which is by the law, and the life it promised, he has abolished it—taken it out of the way. Hence Paul says, "Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holy day, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath." Why? Because these observances were only "a shadow of good things to come." Col. ii, 14-17. And in Gal. iii, 19, the Apostle shows that the law was only intended to last "until the seed should come to whom the promises were made." Here, then, it is clear that the law is repealed, the Sabbatarians to the contrary notwithstanding; and that it was repealed, as Paul says, "because of the unprofitableness thereof."
Therefore, I would say to every believer in Christ Jesus, in the language of the Apostle, "Stand fast, therefore, in the liberty—wherewith Christ hath made you free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage."
Z.69
REPLY.
MR. EDITOR: A friend has furnished me the October No. of your paper, in which an anonymous writer (Z) has made some comments on a small pamphlet written by me on the Sabbath. He says:
"I have read the pamphlet without conviction, although the writer says, 'ten men, or ten thousand, must come to the same conclusion if they reason legitimately; i. e., must come to his conclusion.'"
This remark is so manifestly unjust and unfair, that if your readers had the privilege of reading my tract I would not need to notice it. The paragraph from which the above sentence is extracted does not refer to the Sabbath, but to truth in the abstract. My remark is, "Ten men, or ten thousand men, must come to the same conclusion if they reason legitimately and from established or evident truths. To suppose otherwise is to suppose that opposite conclusions can be drawn from the same truth, which is absurd." This proposition is so fair and so evident that all reasonable men must admit it. Whether I have reasoned legitimately and arrived at correct conclusions is another question, though "Z" may not comprehend the difference.
Your correspondent writes as follows:
"Our author says: '1. God made the world in six days. 2. He rested the seventh day. 3. He blessed, sanctified, or hallowed the seventh day. 4. He commanded that the seventh day be kept holy,' &c. True, sir, I admit it all. But here permit me to interrogate you. To whom, when, and where, was this said? Answer. To Israel after their deliverance from Egypt," &c.
When I am interrogated I object to having another answer for me, unless he answers correctly according to my mind. The three facts first stated above may be read in the second chapter of Genesis. I was not aware that it had become custom to give all history as well as all law to the Jews. My design was to show, what is indeed easily shown, that the commandment was based on these facts, as old as creation, and was not peculiar to the Jews. That it was given to the Jews does not disprove my position, for all "the oracles of God" were also—both the old and new covenants. See Heb. viii, 8; Rom. ix, 4; iii, 1, 2; and especially Acts vii, 38. Christ says, "Salvation is of the Jews." Will Z. reject it for that reason? I shall not.
Again your correspondent says: "If Jesus or his apostles had said to the disciples, 'Remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy,' &c., &c., then it would have been binding upon disciples, but upon none else."
This is worthy of note; it is the position to which all objections really tend, and amounts to this: The Sabbath, and all the law of the Old Testament, is not now binding, because Jesus and his apostles did not enforce it. But if they had enforced it, it would have been binding on none but disciples; that is to say, there is nothing binding but what they enforced, and what they enforced is binding only on disciples, and of course, there is nothing binding on them who are not disciples! Then they are not subjects of redemption or of judgment! After coming to such a conclusion it seems strange that he should add, "These arguments are sufficient to settle the matter with every reasoning reflecting mind."
There might be force in the illustration of the passing away of the laws of Babylon, if it could be shown that Jesus subverted and overthrew the government of his Father, as the Persians did that of Babylon. Or there would be a parallel if Cyrus had gone to Babylon, not to do his will, but the will of Belshazzar! If I am "obtuse" in this matter your correspondent has taken a singular course to prove it.
Again he says, "Death is the penalty enjoined by the law upon the transgressors. . . . Therefore it is a very serious matter for a man to place himself under a law so strict in its requirements, one breach of which is a capital offence, and which can only be satisfied with the life of the offender."
Permit me in turn to interrogate Mr. Z. You probably believe in obeying the precepts of the gospel, or the "law of faith." Do you think that disobedience to this law is anything less than a capital offence? Is the gospel less strict in its requirements than the law? Is laxity in a law any recommendation to it or to the lawgiver? And is it not a very, very serious matter to place yourself under a system or law so strict that its despisers are counted worthy of sorer punishment than they who despised Moses' law! A careful consideration of these questions may lead you to discover some of the errors into which you have fallen; or at least convince you that if your position has any show of strength and reason, it has nothing more.
I think that you, Mr. Z., misapprehend the nature and design of the gospel, as much as you appear to think I misapprehend the law. You well remark, that "the law was designed to give life to those who kept it inviolate." Why then was it found to be unto death? Because it was not kept; hence the necessity of the gospel, which would not have been necessary if the law had not been broken. I would like, then, to inquire, What has the gospel done for you? Were you ever under the condemnation of the law? If not, from what does the gospel redeem you? Or does the redemption of the gospel extend beyond the jurisdiction of the law? If so, from what curse is the redemption? I think, from your remarks, that there are many points in this subject that you have not considered: and it would be well for you to consider them in their relations before you insinuate that I am a "simpleton" for taking the opposite of your position.
J. H. WAGGONER.
Burlington, Mich., Nov. 8th, 1858.
Deliverance in the Furnace
Christ is in heaven to answer all objections which may be brought against your justification, and to supply you with all grace for your sanctification.
When the furnace is hottest, deliverance is nearest.
Review of Truth Found
By Editor
The following article in review of Bro. Waggoner's pamphlet, "Truth Found," appeared in the Gospel Banner of Oct. last. Bro. W.'s reply was published in the November issue of the same paper. They will be of interest to our readers as showing how little our opponents understand the weakness of their position, or the strength of our own.
THE SANCTUARY AGAIN.
By James White
LAST week we promised more on the two vails this week. Says Paul, "And after the second vail; the tabernacle which is called the holiest of all." Heb. ix, 3. Certainly, Paul understood that there were two vails, and that the second was between the holy place, and the most holy. The first is called a "hanging for the door of the tent." Ex. xxvi, 36. "Hanging for the tabernacle door." Chap. xxxvi, 37. "Hanging at the door of the tabernacle," Chap. xl, 28.
Paul regarded this as the first vail, and so may we. When we compare these two vails we find them very nearly alike.
FIRST VAIL.
Ex. xxvi, 36, 37. "And thou shalt make a hanging for the door of the tent, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, wrought with needlework. And thou shalt make for the hanging five pillars of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold, and their hooks shall be of gold: and thou shalt cast five sockets of brass for them."
Chap. xxxvi, 37, 38. "And he made a hanging for the tabernacle door of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, of needlework; and the five pillars of it with their hooks; and he overlaid their chapiters and their fillets with gold: but their five sockets were of brass."
SECOND VAIL.
Ex. xxvi, 31-33. "And thou shalt make a vail of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen of cunning work: with cherubim shall it be made. And thou shalt hang it upon four pillars of shittim wood overlaid with gold: their hooks shall be of gold upon the four sockets of silver. And thou shalt hang up the vail under the taches, that thou mayest bring in thither within the vail the ark of the testimony: and the vail shall divide unto you between the holy place and the most holy."
Chap. xxxvi, 35, 36. "And he made a vail of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen: with cherubim made he it of cunning work. And he made thereunto four pillars of shittim wood, and overlaid them with gold: their hooks were of gold: and he cast for them four sockets of silver."
The two vails were made of the same material, same colors, and in the same style. There was this difference; there were five pillars at the first vail, and four at the second. And the sockets of the first were of brass, while those of the second were of silver.
J. W.
TENT OPERATIONS IN THE WEST.
By J. H. Waggoner
I WISH to make a statement for the consideration of the friends of the cause in the western field.
It is well known that the Tent now in Iowa is unfit for use, and that if anything is done in that State with a Tent, a new one must be procured. I expect to start for Indiana in a few days, and have been requested to spend next season in that State. I have also been requested to return to Iowa in the Spring. In either case I am desirous of getting a Tent, as one is needed in Indiana.
I have no choice in the field, but am willing to go where it is thought best; but if a Tent is procured for either State, something must be done immediately by the friends who have the means to aid. It would be much better to order our Tents made, as they might be improved for our use, but in order to do this it must be done soon.
As I shall be traveling, I will request those interested to correspond with Eld. James White, Battle Creek, Mich.
J. H. WAGGONER.
Burlington, Mich., Jan. 12, 1858.
J. W
By James White
REMARKS.—A Tent is needed in Iowa, and the brethren there can get one if they think so, and sustain it the coming Summer. But the cause there is young, and they have not yet learned to sacrifice. A Tent is needed in Indiana. The friends in that State are few, but we judge willing to raise means for a Tent if necessary. The cause is one, and we propose that the friends of the cause West raise the necessary sum to purchase a Tent, and have Brn. Waggoner and Hull go forth into the harvest with it, as the Lord may direct them. We hope to hear from the friends West without delay. How much will each raise? and when? All who have any interest in this matter, will please let it be known at once.
Brethren in the West. Should you fail to do your duty in this matter, doubtless the devoted friends of the cause East would send a Tent West, and sustain those who should preach in it. But we feel confident that you will not be willing to be deprived of the privilege of, and blessing in, doing your duty in sustaining the cause West. The friends West are few and scattered, but some of them wealthy, and can do much if they lay their plans for it. The friends East are numerous, mostly poor, but many of them liberal. Covetousness, and slothfulness in putting forth efforts to advance the cause, is destroying our vitality everywhere. "It is hard times," is the great excuse, and instead of pushing the bar-der, many are waiting for better times, and are going to sleep over "hard times." Now, brethren, if we have in these remarks said truth, then it is time to awake, and do what God requires. Speak out freely, brethren, and fully on this subject. Doubtless we may be able to stir up one another, to provoke to love and to good works.
J. W
FOOLISHNESS.
By J. Clarke
The cross of Christ is foolishness to them that perish, but the world admire the fine sermons which the nineteenth century affords.
Salaried Drs. and polished Revs. do at this period of time produce sermons, rich in such matter as feeds the carnal desire, and as tickles the itching ears of the gay crowds which flock to hear their wise and eloquent discourses. This is not foolishness to them that perish. No, no. They feast on these finely polished discourses, and their dreams are sweet, because their consciences are untouched and dormant; but talk to these unthinking crowds of Christ's soon coming, of a Sabbath profaned, talk of a standard of holiness like the decalogue, talk of impending judgments, or speak of any unfashionable truth, and they will sneeringly say, "It is all foolishness."
J. CLARKE.
Spiritual Obituaries.
The following paragraphs are cut from the columns of the Spiritual Age; and as many of the readers of the Review are probably not provided with Spiritual literature, it is given for their consideration. We see by reading this, what the tendency of the immortal-soul-dogma is. It leads men to entertain the most ludicrous views of God's dealings with his children, and also of the hope of a future life. It has completely paved the way for the Spiritual Philosophy, and is leading most of the world to cry, Peace, peace, when they should lift up their voice like a trumpet, and show the house of Israel their transgressions and sins.
But after all, what's the use of blaming Spiritualists too much for their incongruous notions? Their whole scheme is 'rooted and grounded' in these egregious errors which have long been taught and fostered by the Orthodox(?) church. And how fast is this latter-day delusion spreading among all ranks and classes; God is dishonored, the Devil is glorified, and we may soon expect the world, as a mass, will be 'led captive by him at his will.' So says Scripture, and so we believe.
G. W. A.
Churchianity vs. Christianity.
By The Rev. J. H. Jones
[The Rev. J. H. Jones, in writing to the American Missionary has a few thoughts which we think are quite opportune, and worthy of being read by all the readers of the Review.—G. W. A.]
CHURCHIANITY is doing much harm to Christianity at the West. The teachings of Christianity are, "Submit yourselves therefore unto God," "Draw nigh to God and he will draw nigh to you," "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up," "Be ye holy, for I am holy," "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets." But Churchianity does not require submission to God, nor holiness of heart and life. The feelings which it labors to excite are the fear of hell, and a desire to go to heaven. And as many as possess these feelings are invited to join the church, with a promise that the "good old ship" will carry them with perfect safety to heaven. Churchianity cares not whether a man is anti-slavery or pro-slavery, a temperance man or the contrary. He may gratify his own taste for liquor, if he will not disturb the peace of the church by agitation. Its chief ambition is to build a large church that will be popular with the world. Christianity labors to build up a holy church that will be acceptable to God, and a bearer of light to the world. Churchianity may be seen in the log school-houses of a new country, as well as in the costly edifices of large towns. I have to contend against it in all parts of my field. Its influence is most deleterious to "pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father." . . . . .
To censure and expose the anti-scriptural conduct of men who preach such a gospel, is unpleasant; but the interest of true religion demands it. If those who have charge of the sheepfold knowingly receive wolves or bears, or even goats, among the sheep, they will find trouble, and suffer loss. In preaching the gospel, or inviting persons to join the church, we must be guided by the teachings of Christ and his apostles, "As many as walk after this rule, peace be upon them and upon the Israel of God."
Letters.
By J. M., & M. S. Avery
“Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another.”
From Bro. & Sr. Avery.
Bro. SMITH: We have too long omitted to acknowledge the mercies and long-suffering of God toward us. We feel thankful as we realize that he still loves, and is mindful of us as a little church. We believe the Laodicean message is having its designed effect in this place. The line is being drawn, and the precious are separating from the vile. We have received much strength and encouragement from the recent visit of Bro. S. W. Rhodes, and we are truly thankful for the straight, plain testimony given by him, directed as we fully believe by the Spirit of God. He faithfully set before us from the word the condition of the children of Israel, after their deliverance from Egyptian bondage, their murmurings and complaints against Moses, the servant of God, and also the fearful judgments that befell them, and that "these71things happened unto them for ensamples: and were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come."
The plain, cutting truth seemed more than some could bear, and caused them immediately to manifest the manner of spirit they were of. O that we may faithfully heed the admonitions that we have heard, live up to the light we have received, and never be left (as others have been) to reject the counsel or testimony of one of God's servants. When we find ourselves in the fearful condition that we cannot bear reproof or rebuke from them or the church, we may settle it in our hearts that we are far from God. And if the straight testimony which God's servants may at times deem necessary to give, is met by us with a spirit of self-justification, a desire to retaliate, have our own will, &c., we are then indeed in a state soon to be spued from the mouth of the true Witness.
Some that have been with us formerly, seem to have departed from the advice of Paul, “We beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and to esteem them very highly in love for their works' sake, and be at peace among yourselves.”
We have the blessed assurance in the word, that if we endure chastening, God dealeth with us as with sons. O then, if we receive chastening, let us with patience endure, that we may finally come forth as tried gold, and as we are going through the purifying process, we may rejoice if we endure, inasmuch as we know thereby, that we are the children (or sons) of God.
Our numbers are now but few, yet we mean to overcome. The truth is indeed precious to our souls. We want to so run that we may obtain the glorious prize that awaits the faithful at the end of the race. May we all, dear brethren and sisters, fully realize the solemnity of these passing moments, and be preparing ourselves and our children to stand in the judgment approved of God.
Yours hoping for redemption.
J. M., & M. S. AVERY.
Locke, Mich., Dec. 27th, 1858.
A NEW YEAR'S ADDRESS
By L. M. Gates
TO THOSE ENGAGED IN PROCLAIMING THE "PRESENT TRUTH."
Servants of Christ! who in his service stand,
And nobly labor to sustain his cause,
Who cast aside the favor of the world,
Its honors, titles, dignities resign,
And lay your wealth, your time, your talents, all,
With cheerful hearts upon God's altar, pure,
A willing sacrifice. To you is given
God's final message to a sinful world,
Of mercy, to proclaim. Upon you rest
Responsibilities of awful weight;
And still more truly, awfully sublime
Is your important mission. Forth ye go
Upon your Master's errand; gird about
With panoply divine: your armor faith,
Salvation's helmet, and Christ's righteousness;
Your sword, the Spirit's own eternal truth;
Your hearts o'erflowing with the love divine
Of Him who died for you, for all our race.
Salvation for the lost, your only theme;
Love for the dying souls of men, alone
Constrains you to forsake your happy homes,
Your kindred friends, and creature comforts all,
And without purse or scrip, go boldly forth,
Proclaiming to a lost, apostate world,
These most unpopular, unwelcome truths.
Time almost ended, mercy's open door
Just ready now to close, forever close.
Man not immortal, but in danger of
Eternal death. The seventh day is still
The holy Sabbath of the Lord our God,
No marvel that your waiting anxious hearts,
Surcharged already with the weight of souls,
Should sink within you, when with fervor deep
In all sincerity, you men entreat
To flee the wrath to come, ere time no more
Shall give them for repentance any space,
While they with deafened ear and hardened heart
Laugh you to scorn, and scoff at what they term
A doctrine most absurd, fanatical
Indeed, the most improbable caprice
That ever heterodoxy could invent.
With you, dear brethren, in these trials sore,
Our hearts can sympathise; but ne'er forget
In the most holy place, there's One above
Who marks your sighs, and bottles every tear;
Who notes your trials all, and heeds them with
Unceasing, unabated, pitying love.
Toil on! ye veterans of the cross, toil on!
Another year of warfare now is o'er,
Its sorrows and its joys are ended, all
Its lights and shadows numbered with the past.
Another year of watching, waiting time
Has dawned upon you. The very last, perchance,
Of hope and mercy, granted unto man
Before the fatal fiat shall go forth,
He that is filthy shall be filthy still.
The fervent, humble prayers of God's elect
Attend, and follow you, to help sustain
Your hands, that Amalek may not prevail.
Jesus has passed through all these trials, too,
And to your weakness tempers every blast.
Watchmen on Zion's battlements stand fast,
With unfurled banners, armor bright, fight on,
Impregnable to Satan and his host,
A mighty phalanx. You are now sent forth
Like John the Baptist, by the great I AM,
To herald the Messiah. Well, fulfill!
Unto the end, your great, your high commission
Soon the Archangel's trump shall wake the dead,
And call the nations from their slumber forth;
Then with the ransomed throng shall you ascend
To meet the King eternal in the air,
And enter, through the gates, that city fair,
Which needeth not the sun nor any light.
There, freely shall you pluck ambrosial fruits
From life's fair tree; and of that river drink
Whose streams make glad the city of our God.
Then on your heads shall your Redeemer place
Most glittering crowns, with stars bespangled o'er,
Seals of your faithful ministry on earth.
There, dressed in robes of spotless white, with palms
In your right hand, before the great white throne
You'll stand, and join the never-ceasing song,
Salvation to our God forevermore.
For reigneth now the Lord omnipotent!
O beatific state! Glory to God!
And to the Lamb who died, yet lives again;
O joy ineffable! earth's trials o'er,
Sorrow and sin can never enter here,
Nor sickness, pain, temptation e'er assail.
Salvation to our God and to the Lamb!
Even so, Lord Jesus, let thy kingdom come.
L. M. GATES.
Trenton, Wis., Jan. 1st, 1859.
'BRIGHT SPIRITS—BEAUTIFUL SPIRITS.'
Cornelia ———, of Kingsbury, N. Y., in the sixteenth year of her age, passed from earth to the higher life, on the first of December, after a lingering illness of twelve months.
In her last hours, two little spirits that had been for some time in the spirit-world, appeared, and held sweet communion with her. Three other "bright spirits—beautiful spirits" drew near to strengthen and accompany her to their celestial home. Cornelia turned to her sister (a medium) and asked, "Will they wait for me?" She was assured that they had come to conduct her new-born spirit to the blissful realms where pain and sickness are never known. Then with childlike simplicity and innocence, Cornelia, with joy almost unutterable, exclaimed, "O happy, happy spirits, they will wait for me!"
For some hours before her spirit left, even down almost to her last moments, her whole countenance was lit up with a serene smile and heavenly joy that cannot be described. All persons present seemed to drink deeply of the same calm and heavenly influence.
Born into the spirit-world, Nov. 2d, 1858, aged 78, at Barrie, Canada West, William ———, in the full assurance of an immortal life. He was visited by his spirit-friends for two years before he left the earth-form, and was made very happy, as they appeared to him every night. He saw them and talked with them, and they would shake him by the hand. During his sickness the spirits constantly hovered around his bed, and he saw lights in his room continually every night. These lights were at first of a white, silvery color, and at the close, or near his departure, they became yellow or red. Many of the friends of different persuasions called to see him, and he astonished them all, as his language was not of this world's teaching. In his sickness he was eased from suffering, and at last bid all farewell, and closed his eyes in peace.
Sacrifices.
By Clarke
THE rich were to bring the most costly, the poor that of least price. Even in this requisition of justice how much mercy was mingled. If a man could not bring a bullock or a heifer, a goat or a sheep, let him bring a calf, a kid, or a lamb. If he could not bring any of these because of his poverty, let him bring a turtle dove or a young pigeon; and it appears that in cases of extreme poverty, even a little meal or fine flour was accepted by the bountiful Lord as a sufficient oblation. This brought down the benefits of sacrificial service within the reach of the poorest of the poor; as we may take for granted that every person, however low in his circumstances, might be able to provide a tenth part of an ephah (about three quarts) of meal to make an offering for his soul unto the Lord. But every man must bring something. The law stooped to the poorest of the people; but every man must sacrifice; for every man had sinned.
Reader, what sort of sacrifice dost thou bring to God? To him thou owest thy whole body, soul and substance; are all these consecrated to his service? or has he the refuse of thy time, the offal of thy estate? He requires thee to sacrifice as his providence has blessed thee. If thou hast much, thou shouldst give liberally to God and the poor; if thou hast but little, do thy diligence to give of that little. God's justice requires a measure of that which his mercy has bestowed. But remember that thou hast sinned, and thou needest a Saviour. Jesus is that Lamb without spot which has been offered to God for the sin of the world, and which thou must offer to him for thy sin; and it is only through him that thou canst be accepted, even when thou dedicatest thy whole body, soul and substance to thy Maker. Even when we bring ourselves a living sacrifice to God, we are accepted for his sake who carried our sins and bore our sorrows. Thanks be to God, the rich and the poor have equal access unto him through the Son of his love, an equal right to claim the benefits of the great Sacrifice.—Clarke.
E. C. STILES
By E. C. Stiles
From Bro. Stiles.
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: I can truly say the way grows brighter and brighter, and truth looks more glorious day by day. Truly the church is coming up out of the wilderness into which she fled during the days of tribulation. Yea, she is coming up leaning on the arm of her beloved, as clear as the sun, fair as the moon, and terrible as an army with banners. Truly, as the Psalmist says he did, so should we rejoice over God's word, as one that findeth great spoil.
I feel that my heart is fixed, trusting in God, to walk in all his commandments and ordinances blameless, and be among the number of Israelites indeed in whose mouth is found no guile.
E. C. STILES
Portland, Me., Jan. 2d, 1859.
LAURA C. TOLHURST
By Laura C. Tolhurst
From Sister Tolhurst.
BRO. SMITH: I desire to write through the Review to the brethren and sisters who wait for the appearance of our blessed Master, looking forward to the time when our captivity shall be turned, asking you to remember especially those who are called to stem the tide of opposition to the precious truths brought to light in the first, second and third angels' messages, without one earthly help or encouragement. I feel confident that all who are called to walk thus will join with me in the earnest request that incense from the golden censer may smell a sweet savor before the Lord of Sabaoth in behalf of those who are striving to overcome without the aid of brethren and sisters to cheer them on their way; whose lots are cast remote from Sabbath-keepers, and do not get the Review but once in two or three months, thus struggling amid trials, with the cause near and dear to their hearts. Satan full well knows the position of such, and does all in his power to overthrow them. With sin within, temptation and opposition without, the natural consequence is a lack of faith, and thus we are led into a place where all our help must come from Israel's God. Brethren and sisters, will you please remember us?
It is almost ten months since I commenced keeping the Sabbath. All has not been as I hoped it would be. God knows what is best for me, and will teach me to look entirely to him for help, that thereby I may learn my own weakness. God has bestowed upon me a great blessing in permitting me to see clearly the light upon the first, second and third angels' messages. I look behind; all is light. I look into the future; all is plain and sure as regards the work of God, and Christ's coming kingdom. Woe to me if I reject such great light. Better would it have been for me to have remained blind and deaf, like those around me. I do feel to cry mightily unto the Lord for grace and strength to overcome. An inheritance in the earth made new is all that can satisfy my spirit. Well do I know and see that favor with the world, and those who profess to be keeping the commandments of God, is lost. They seem to pity me as one that is led astray by every wind of doctrine. I do feel the force of the words, I'm a pilgrim and I'm a stranger.
To all the lonely ones I must say, Let us lift up our heads, knowing that the "trial of our faith is more precious than gold," and strive to attain to that frame of mind that trials will be sweet, knowing that in this way we are to be purified and made white. I have had some of these comforting feelings for the last two or three months. By the eye of faith I have been enabled to look beyond the trials of the moment to the time when this mortality shall be clothed with immortality, and such an inheritance in view, as a mansion in heaven, the company of saints and angels, in the presence of my Creator and Redeemer, is cheering. The prospect is so bright that sometimes the traveler forgets the trials by the way.
I write this letter, feeling that the lonely ones in an especial manner need the prayers of the brethren and sisters. It seems as if the powers of darkness were combined to overthrow me at times. But God is my helper, all my strength must come from him. God is a faithful promiser. The words found in Isa. xix, 20, have strengthened me. And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep and mutter; should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead? To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
Praise the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, praise his holy name!
Yours in hope of meeting with the blood-washed company around the throne in heaven.
LAURA C. TOLHURST
Columbia, Ohio, Dec. 20th, 1858.
The Death-Bed Counsel of Lockman
The wise Lockman being on his death-bed, ordered his son to approach, and said, "My son, when thou feelest a disposition to sin, seek for a place where God cannot see thee!"
OBITUARY.
By S. J. Gardner
Our beloved sister, Mary Ann, wife of Bro. James Aldrich, fell asleep Dec. 25th, 1858. She embraced the present truth five years ago last July, and has tried to live a consistent christian. Her desire has been to do the will of her Father in heaven. She resigned all into his hands. The so much despised Sabbath was her delight. We have no reason to doubt that she was accepted of the Lord. Said she, "All darkness is gone. I can see Jesus in the heavenly Sanctuary; his work is almost done! It will be but a little while that I shall sleep." O glorious thought! that if our friends or relatives are taken away by the enemy, death, and the way be strewed with tears to their resting-place, it will be but a little while ere the trump shall sound; when one stronger than he shall bind the strong man armed, and set the prisoners free. A discourse was given by Bro. Edgar, from Job xiv, 14, showing the beauty of the resurrection, &c.
S. J. GARDNER.
Vergennes, Mich., Jan 4th, 1859.