p. 168 | Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Review and Herald, Vol. 32, No. 11. (9/1/1868)

Earlier text: ARE THE COMMANDMENTS ABOLISHED?

ANGELIA J. EDMUNDS

By Angelia J. Edmunds

From Sr. Edmunds.

BRO. SMITH: With feelings of gratitude, I attempt to write a few lines this morning. God is very good. He has watched over me. He has kept me from the cruel devices of the enemy, with which he has been trying to ensnare my feet. I am thankful for the words of warning we have through the gifts of the Spirit, and also that I have had a heart to heed the admonitions there given.

My brethren and sisters, God knows where our danger lies. Let us hasten to comply with his requirements while the light of his countenance shines upon us, lest the light that is within us become darkness, the Judgment work in the most holy place find us sleeping, and the sentence be pronounced upon us, “Filthy still.” I think of the children of Israel, how that they did all “eat the same spiritual meat; and did all drink the same spiritual drink.” “But with many of them God was not well pleased; for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples, and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore, let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall.”

I am more than ever confirmed that we are living in the last days, when “evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived;” and I do feel determined, with the help of my Heavenly Father, to profit by the words written for our instruction in the word of God. I look over my past life, and see that I come far short of reaching that perfection to which I wish to attain. I have not heeded the admonitions of older persons as I should. I have been imprudent, placing too much confidence in the honesty and sincerity of those who professed to love the truth.

I do desire to do right, and be an ornament to the cause I love so much, conducting myself in such a way that I may occupy a position where I can, with the blessing of God, be the means of doing some good. I want to confess all my faults, no matter how humbling it may be, that my sins may go beforehand to Judgment. Sad, indeed, will be the condition of those who will not confess and forsake their sins while Jesus is pleading for them. Soon he will cease pleading. In that day there is no mercy. Now mercy lingers. Delay not while there is time and opportunity to repent. “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”

My trials have been severe of late. While my confidence here has been shaken, I have still found Jesus faithful, and these words are cheering: “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you.” “Ye have in Heaven a better and an enduring substance.” “Cast not away, therefore, your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.” Yes, Jesus is soon coming. Does not this thought cheer you? While many shall call on rocks and mountains to fall on them and hide them from his face, we, if faithful, shall exclaim, “This is our God, we have waited for him, and he will save us.” Oh! may not one who shall read these lines be of that number who shall draw back unto perdition, but may we all believe to the saving of our souls.

I feel very unworthy, but I want to find a low, humble place at the foot of the cross, and there plead for mercy. Pray for me, that my sins may all be forgiven, and that I may with the dear saints sing the song of victory in Heaven.

ANGELIA J. EDMUNDS

Johnstown, Mich.

MRS. L. J. GEROY

By Mrs. L. J. Geroy

From Sr. Geroy.

DEAR READERS OF THE REVIEW: I have a desire to serve God, and have felt it my duty for some time to write and make known what the Lord has done for me. I was thrown upon a sick bed, and there had ample time to review my past life. I was brought near the gates of death, and that without a hope in Christ; but God in his tender mercy heard the prayers of his children in my behalf, and I was raised up again. I prayed to God to spare my life, determined that I would try to serve him with a full purpose of heart. Oh! how unworthy I am of such great blessings as have been bestowed upon me all my life long, and how little I have appreciated them. How great is the goodness of God to spare the lives of the wicked, and to give them a chance to repent of their sins. God is good, and his mercy endureth forever. I ask the prayers of commandment-keepers, that I may prove faithful unto the end.

I am trying to keep the Sabbath. I want to humble myself before God, that he may continue to show mercy unto me. I have got a great work to do. My calling is no small thing. If I live up to what I profess to believe, I have got to work continually. There is no standing still for me. I feel as though I had more to do than all the rest, because I have known the way and departed therefrom. I have wandered far from God. I have grieved the great Being who gave me life, and moreover I have sinned against, and grieved, his dear children. For all this I am sorry, and humbly ask the pardon of God, also of his children, that have known me. I feel myself too unworthy of a place among God's people. I feel myself entirely too unworthy to take God's name upon my sin-polluted lips; but what else can I do, but to try to undo what I have done wrongfully? Even if I make many mistakes, it is better to try to do right than to continue willfully in sin. I want to get more of the love of God in my heart. I need more of the spirit of prayer to keep me from temptation, and the snares of Satan. I feel it necessary that I should set a good example before the world, and my family; and this I am determined to do by the grace of God.

I love the REVIEW. I love Sabbath-keepers. They look good to me while passing by to their place of worship. I should like to be one of their number, and for this end I shall try hard to humble myself before God, until I may be accounted worthy a place among them here, and an inheritance on the new earth.

“Yet doubts still intervene, And all my comforts fly, Like Noah’s dove I flit between Rough seas and stormy skies; Anon the clouds depart, The winds and waters cease, While sweetly o’er my gladdened heart Expands the bow of peace.”

MRS. L. J. GEROY

Jaff. Co., N. Y.

A Reader Grateful for the Review

By Wm. E. Everett

BRO. WM. E. EVERETT writes from Faribault Co., Minn.: I feel very grateful to the brethren and sisters for the light and truth of the REVIEW. I save the sermon to read every Sabbath morning. I think them the plain truth of God's word. The book of Revelation has always seemed a sealed book to me; but now I see light in its pages. As I look on the fields that are ready to harvest, and see so few to labor in the fields, it brings to my mind the words of Christ, “Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth more laborers into the harvest.” I hope I shall be able to help the cause of truth some. I can send the paper to my neighbors and friends, and spread the truth in that way. Some are convinced of the truth, but as yet choose to go with the multitude.

Sabbath Keepers in Tuscola County

By C. D. Cook

Bro. C. D. Cook writes from Tuscola Co., Mich.: It cheers my heart to read the encouraging testimonies of dear brethren and sisters scattered abroad. I feel that I have great reason to praise the Lord for his goodness in sending two more families of Sabbath-keepers within our reach. Six months ago there were but three of us who kept the Sabbath; but now there are ten who can meet together for prayer and conference meeting on the holy Sabbath. I can truly say, Praise the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me praise his holy name. Brethren and sisters pray for us that we may be bright and shining lights before the world, and that our numbers may be increased by the addition of such as shall be saved.

Myself and companion would like to be baptized the first opportunity. I believe if we could organize a church here others would join us. I would say to all who wish to purchase a home in a good country of farming land, that this is a good place, and land is cheap. And if there is a Sabbath-keeper who wishes to find employment as a farmer, whether single or a man of a family, I would like to hire by the month, or let land to work. For further particulars address C. D. Cook, Akron, Tuscola Co., Mich. Brethren, come and see for yourselves, and help us to organize a little church, and get ready to meet the Lord.

Obituary Notices.

By A. S. Hutchins

Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth.

DROWNED, in Wolcott, Vt., Aug. 6, 1868, Bro. James Heath, aged 62 years and 3 months. Bro. Heath went out to pick berries. His long absence caused his affectionate companion anxiety for him, as he was not usually well. She went in search of him, and found his lifeless body in deep water. His clothes were all lying upon the bank of the river, and the opinion of all is, that he went in to bathe (as he occasionally did), and that his death was accidental.

I had been personally acquainted with this brother more than a score of years, and had ever considered him a devoted and consistent Christian.

Some fifteen years since, his attention was called to the Sabbath question, and an interest awakened in his mind on the subject by reading a few tracts, which I left in the town where he then resided, while passing through that county. About nine years since, he embraced present truth under the labors of Bro. Sperry and others in Wolcott. In his last testimony at Wolcott, and also at Bordoville (to which place he had just moved), he spoke words of good cheer to the church, of his ardent love for the brethren, and of his willingness with them to suffer future trials, in hope of rest in the kingdom of God.

On Sabbath, the 8th, more than the meeting-house full of attentive hearers listened to a discourse from Rev. xiv, 13. Elders Stone and Bourdeau were present, and assisted in the solemn duties of the occasion. All seemed to sympathize with our bereft sister, and the afflicted children. May Heaven’s blessing rest upon them.

A. S. HUTCHINS.

Vermont State Conference

Appointments.

And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of Heaven is at hand.

Vermont State Conference.

The sixth annual session of the Vermont State Conference will be held in Enosburgh, Vt., commencing Thursday, Oct. 1, 1868, at 9 o’clock, A. M. It will be borne in mind that the ministers and licentiates belonging to this Conference should come prepared to present written reports of their labors, receipts, and their expenses during the year; and that each church also should be represented in the sessions of the Conference, by delegation, or by letter.

The religious meetings will commence Friday morning at 9 o’clock, and continue till the next Sunday evening. It is expected that the brethren and sisters generally in Vermont and Canada East will attend. A cordial invitation is extended to brethren and sisters in adjoining States to come to this Conference.

We hope that Bro. and Sr. White, and Bro. Andrews, will be able to favor us with their presence and labors at this meeting.

Let us all pray that God may meet with us by his Spirit, and that this meeting may prove a great blessing to all who shall attend.

VT. STATE CONF. COMMITTEE.

The next quarterly meeting of the S. D. A. Church of Monroe, will be held at Monroe, Wis., Sept. 19. We hope to see all the scattered brethren present.

JOSEPH. G. WOOD.

The next Quarterly Meeting for the Pilot Grove, Washington, and Iowa City churches, will be held at Pilot Grove, Sabbath and first-day, Sept. 5 and 6. Meeting to commence with the beginning of the Sabbath.

H. NICOLA.

A meeting for the brethren of Vernon and Fairfield with the Mt. Pleasant church will be held at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, Sept. 5, 6, commencing with the Sabbath. Those desiring baptism will have opportunity at this meeting. Bro. Butler is expected.

A. A. FAIRFIELD.

Business Department.

Not Slothful in Business. Rom. xii, 11.

Business Notes.

The Post Office address of D. W. Johnson is changed from Springfield, Mass., to Battle Creek, Mich.

RECEIPTS.

For Review and Herald.

Annexed to each receipt in the following list, is the Volume and Number of the REVIEW & HERALD TO which the money receipted pays,—which should correspond with the Numbers on the Posters. If money for the paper is not in due time acknowledged immediate notice of the omission should then be given.

$1.00 each. V N Cudworth 33-1, J Bradley 32-11, Mrs O E McCord 32-11, H Gould 38-1.

$1.50 each. Eld J Byington 33-1, D W Johnson 33-1, A Vanbyoc 32-13, C E Craner 33-9.

$2.00 each. E R Farnsworth 33-1.

$3.00 each. Wm Van Gieson 34-1, C Owen 34-1, H Keeney 33-14, Mrs Thompson 34-9, D N Fay 34-1, W P Clark 33-1, Sarah Bowers 33-14, Wm E Newcomb 34-1.

Miscellaneous. Charles Higgins $2.50, 33-17.

Books Sent by Mail.

Wm Harold $1.66, W D Sharpe 1.32, H C S Carus 83c, Foss Burnham 50c, Mrs O E McCord 3.00, Zera Brooks 70c, S H Bonfoey 22c, George Smith 15c, Thomas Alverson 25c, Wm Cottrell 25c, W V Wancil 2.00, H H Butler 1.00, W F Crous 70c, W E Newcomb 50c.

Received on Book and Tract Fund.

J T Ashley 50c.

Receipts for Benevolent Fund.

H Keeney $2.00, C W Lindsay 10.00.

For California Mission.

J T Ashley $1.00.

On Shares in the H. R. Institute.

C W Lindsay 25.00.

A WORD TO THOSE WHO SAY, AND DO NOT.

By L. C. Canright

Often do we hear individuals express themselves as having confidence in our views, especially in the testimonies; but at the same time their whole course contradicting what they so strongly affirm. For instance, in the writings of Sr. White, which we acknowledge to be of the Lord, we find it plainly stated that the Lord would be pleased to have his people adopt a reform in dress. Test. No. 12, p. 39, ¶2. After this has been fully explained and understood, there are still those who have confessed the truth and reasonableness of it all, wearing a dress far different from the one recommended. Why is this? They believe the testimonies, and the importance of living them out. But, says one, “I am going to adopt the reform dress as soon as I can get the time.” This seems to be the excuse of many, a lack of time. But is there not enough importance to this, viewing it only in the light of health, when the spare moments are so long coming, to take time?

But this is not what has impressed me so particularly of late as another thing which has had some weight on my mind. While there are some who have had comparatively little experience in the way, and, as it were, half questioning the testimonies, adopting the reform dress, there are others, as we have said, professing faith in them, with years of experience, still wearing the long dress. Can we not see the influence it must have on the minds of the weak and unbelieving? It reminds me of the illustration used by our Saviour, of a certain man who had two sons; and he came to the first and said, Son, go work to-day in my vineyard; and he answered and said, I will not; but afterward he repented and went. And he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir; and went not. Whether of them did the will of his father? They said unto him the first. Sisters, let us exemplify our faith, not only in word, but in deed.

L. C. CANRIGHT.

South Lancaster, Mass.

Paper Size and Price Reduced

At a meeting of the Trustees of the S. D. A. Pub. Association, held Aug. 27, 1868, it was decided, as the enlarged size and increased price of the paper tends to limit its circulation among the poor, to return to the original size, and former price $2 per year. Those who are willing to let their credits stand as at present, are invited to do so. Those who wish them extended, can have them so arranged on application.

Camp Meeting Report Delay

The next paper will probably be delayed a few days in order to get in a report of the campmeeting.

Note from Bro. Byington.

By John Byington

BRO. SMITH: I did not learn of the appointment for the camp-meeting until I had made arrangements to visit a sick and aged natural brother in Vermont. I concluded to delay the visit for the meeting, but receiving a letter informing me of his great anxiety to see me, I concluded to go immediately. We arrived in Ogdensburg the 21st, a few minutes too late for the cars. Finding a private conveyance I passed through Lisbon to Morley by the Wesleyan chapel which I labored hard to build, some eighteen years ago, just before embracing the Sabbath. I passed down Grass River three miles to Buck's Bridge, where stands the Methodist Episcopal chapel, parsonage barn, and sheds, all of which I assisted in erecting some thirty-five years since. Here stands our plain Advent church which I labored hard to finish just before leaving for Michigan ten years ago this fall.

Here I spent last Sabbath. We had an interesting meeting with the brethren, some of whom I had not seen for ten years. First-day I was with brethren in Norfolk at the house of Bro. Haskell, who had long labored to maintain the truth. Here I met Bro. and Sr. Lawrence, she is feeble in health. I would gladly get back to the camp-meeting, but probably cannot.

J. BYINGTON.

Knapp's Station, Aug. 23, 1868.

“ST. JOHN’S BREAD.”

AUG. 24, we received by mail a singularly shaped package, which, on opening, was found to consist of four pods of the locust tree, which grows on the borders of the Mediterranean Sea. Bro. M. G. Kellogg, M. D., now on his way to California, sent them to us from N. Y. City, with the following note:

“Bro. Smith: Please find inclosed a few “locusts,” generally known as St. John’s Bread. They grew near the Mediterranean Sea, and are said to be of that species of vegetation on which John the Baptist subsisted, when his meat was ‘locusts and wild honey.’ I am inclined to think that John was a vegetarian.”

These pods are from four and a half to six inches in length, one inch in width, and about half an inch in thickness. The bean-shaped seeds are small, and the pulp of the pod, which is the principal portion of it, has about the taste of dates. If this kind of fruit abounded in the region where John preached, we should think it probable that it constituted the body of his living. For our part, we should much prefer it to the grasshoppers.

“FREELY YE HAVE RECEIVED, FREELY GIVE.”

Why are springs enthroned so high, Where the mountains kiss the sky? ’Tis that thence their streams may flow, Fertilizing all below.

Why have clouds such lofty flight, Basking in the golden light? ’Tis to send down genial showers, On this lower world of ours.

Why does God exalt the great? ’Tis that they may prop the State; So that toil the sweets may yield, And the sower reap the field.

Riches why doth he confer? That the rich may minister In the hour of their distress, To the poor and fatherless.

Does he light a Newton’s mind? ’Tis to shine on all mankind. Does he give to virtue birth? ’Tis the salt of this poor earth.

Reader, wheresoever thou art, What thy God hath given, impart; Hide it not within the ground; Send the cup of blessing round.

Hast thou power? The weak defend: Light? Give light; thy knowledge lend. Rich? Remember him who gave; Free? Be brother to the slave.

Called a blessing to inherit? Bless, and richer blessings merit; Give, and more shall yet be given; Love, and serve, and look for Heaven.

HABITS OF LIFE.

By Jos. Clarke

By daily and hourly performance of duty, and in the frequent exercise of acts of benevolence, and piety, and devotion, and filling all the recesses from labor and care, with meditation and reading, we shut the door against the attacks of impiety, and profanity, and presumption, and lay the foundation for stability, and permanence of character.

By regular habits of living, of labor, and diet, and devotion, and usefulness, we anticipate the danger beforehand, and arm ourselves against the most malignant darts of the enemy.

Habits of irregularity, or slothfulness, in any of these things, are the doors by which Satan enters, to seduce the pliable, easy soul, which by its negligence, invites the ready foe. Jos. CLARKE.

Self-Control Is True Freedom

No man is free who has not command over himself, but suffers his passions to control him.—Pythagoras.

MICHIGAN CENTRAL RAILROAD.

On and after July 1, 1868, Passenger Trains will run on this road as follows:

GOING WEST.

LEAVE.	MAIL.	DAY EXP.	EVE. EXP.	NIGHT EXP.
Detroit,.......	6:45 A.M.	9:30 A.M.	5:25 P.M.	9:10 P.M.
Battle Creek,	12:45 P.M.	2:15 P.M.	11:30 P.M.	2:00 A.M.
Chicago, Arrive,	7:40 P.M.	8:00 P.M.	6:30 A.M.	8:50 A.M.

GOING EAST.

LEAVE.	MAIL.	DAY EXP.	EVE. EXP.	NIGHT EXP.
Chicago,.....	5:00 A.M.	8:00 A.M.	5:15 P.M.	9:30 P.M.
Battle Creek,	12:03 P.M.	1:48 P.M.	11:30 P.M.	3:37 A.M.
Detroit, Arrive,	5:55 P.M.	6:30 P.M.	3:40 A.M.	8:25 A.M.

☞ THESE trains all run by Chicago time, which is fifteen minutes slower than Detroit time.