A brief statement of our present tour, thus far, may be interesting to the readers of the "Review and Herald." The conference at Camden, which commenced Dec. 25th, was a profitable meeting to those present. By reason of a heavy snow-storm but few attended from a distance. We were happy to find Bro. Baker at the place of meeting when we arrived. The word preached found way to some hearts who have recently become interested in the present truth. May the Lord keep them.
By reason of stormy weather and ill health we were unable to attend the conferences at Pitcher and Bath. This was a great trial to us. But Bro. Baker attended both. Those meetings have proved a great blessing to the brethren, and have been the means of bringing others to the knowledge of the truth. The Lord has blest his truth, spoken by Bro. Baker, at Wheeler, and several have come out clear. Our meeting here at Bath commences this evening. Bro. Baker is with us. We expect the Lord will meet with us, and that much good will result from the meeting. We go from here to Pitcher, Oswego and Lorain.
At Oswego we found the brethren in trial, caused principally by the distracting influence of some who have put altogether too much confidence in dreams. We were exceedingly grieved that any professing to believe in the present truth should put such a stumbling-block in the way of those who are weak in the faith. We presented the Word as the only rule of faith and duty, and all seemed to come right again. The erring confessed, and the weak were much encouraged and blest. The Lord has done much for his dear people in Oswego. Brn. Wedrick, Benson, and Patch with their companions, who have recently embraced the Sabbath, are now strong in the truth.
We also visited the friends at Rochester and Greece, and had meetings of much interest with them. In the vicinity of Rochester many are becoming interested in the Sabbath, and we expect that the Lord will raise up a strong company in that region to stand in the battle in the day of the Lord.
We find that in many places our views of Bible truth are grossly misrepresented, therefore many honest seekers after truth have a large amount of prejudice that must be removed before they are prepared to listen profitably to the evidences of our position. All that is necessary is, that our real views should be understood, then the sincere will gladly embrace them.87
We were never more confident that the truth would triumph gloriously than now. We never realized the importance of all the brethren moving in the counsel of God as we now realize it. Our opponents are active.—They have their eye on us, and are ready to do what they can to hinder the progress of the cause of truth. Dear Brethren, let us be active. We should know that there is a great amount of prejudice against us as a people. Let us, in the strength of the Lord, so live, and so present the truth of the Bible, as to break down this prejudice in the minds of the honest. There is mighty power in the simple truth of the word of the Lord, when spoken by one whose heart is subdued by the grace and filled with the Love of God.
Brethren, can you weep over the erring and deceived children of God? If not, get a little lower. O, get down into the valley where salvation's stream flows sweetly, and drink. May the Lord help us to speak the truth in love, and show to all around that God is with us.
Bath, (N. Y.), Jan. 23d, 1852 J. W.
Encouragement from the Bath Conference
By Sarah Griggs
From Sister Griggs.
DEAR BRO. WHITE: We were disappointed in not seeing you at the conference in Bath, yet the Lord was with us, and we were encouraged and strengthened in meeting with the dear saints, by hearing their testimonies to the truth, and work of God, and the faithful labors of Bro. Baker in declaring the third angel's message, and the glorious truths connected with it. Light shone very clear on the shut door, and cleansing of the Sanctuary in heaven, where our great High Priest has entered to finish the work of atonement.
Ye servants of the living God, who are seeking out and feeding the lost sheep of the house of Israel with "meat in due season," be of good courage. "Fear not the reproach of men, neither be afraid of their revilings for great is your reward in Heaven.
My heart is joyful in anticipation of the time when our Father's children will all be gathered home: then the conflicts of this life will have passed away, and ye who have followed the example of Christ in his humiliation will be exalted to inherit the kingdom he has gone to prepare. O praise to God for the increase of faith and strength he gives me.
Though now we are scattered abroad, and are pilgrims in a strange land, we have the same spirit of adoption whereby we cry Abba Father, and angels as ministering spirits to guard us from evil, and comfort our hearts while toiling here amid trials and afflictions: yet nothing that we may be called to endure is worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed. Let us therefore gird on the whole armor of light that we may be able to resist the influence of dark spirits by which we are surrounded, and stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, and take heed that we are not entangled with the cares of this life, and the spirit of worldly mindedness, which is one of the snares of these perilous times, by which the enemy will strive to divert our minds from the truth, and that preparation we must have in order to stand without an intercessor when Jesus comes out of the Sanctuary, having laid aside the garments of the priest's office, and taken the garments of vengeance, to render a just recompense to his adversaries.
Let us be clothed with humility and grieve not the Holy Spirit whereby we are sealed unto the day of redemption, nor rest short of the hourly witness in our hearts that we please our Father in Heaven, and are covered with the covering of his Spirit, that we may be hid in the pavilion of the Almighty in the time of trouble. Enoch before he was translated had this testimony that he pleased God, and this abiding testimony must we have to obtain final de88liverance. O, my Saviour, grant us that preparation we must have to live in this mortal state and be accepted of God without a mediator. I want the preparation now and dare not put it off, expecting to receive it at the descent of the latter rain. I know that my Redeemer is mine and I am his, and am willing to do or suffer anything for his sake.
Yours in hope of Eternal life, SARAH GRIGGS.
Avoca, (N. Y.), Jan. 14th, 1852.
OBJECTIONS ANSWERED.
By R. F. Cottrell
BY R. F. COTTRELL.
Obj. It requires both a command and a penalty to constitute a law. God's commandments were written on the tables of stone, and the penalty (death by the hand of man) in the law of Moses. When this was done away, the law was done away, for a law cannot exist without a penalty. Under the gospel the execution of the penalty is taken into the hands of God himself, who judges him a murderer who hates his brother, and condemns him to the second death.
Ans. A law must have a penalty. Read the tables, and see if there is nothing said about "visiting the iniquity" of those who disobey. In the fifth, the commandment with promise, LIFE is held forth to the obedient, in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. What land is that? The land promised to Abraham. What was promised to Abraham? "That he should be heir of the world." Rom. iv, 13. "For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God." Heb. xi, 10. The land of Canaan was only a faint shadow of "the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee." Life then in the promised land, (the land where the city is,) is the reward of obedience to the law of God. And this agrees with Rev. xxii, 14: "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life; and may enter in through the gates into the city."
If life is the reward of obedience, death is the punishment of disobedience. God will judge the ancients as well as the moderns, according to the disposition of the heart. He that hated his brother in ancient time was a murderer as much as now. God never put it into the hands of men to inflict the penalty of his law. The infliction of temporal death under the law of Moses was, like the rest of that law, a shadow—a shadow of the penalty which God will inflict on those who die in their sins. The full penalty of sin was, and is, and will be, eternal death. I repeat it, man never executed the penalty of the law of God. None but He that knows the heart can do it. Alas! for human wisdom. It can make the real law of God a shadow, and the shadow of the penalty, a reality.
Obj. The Sabbath must have been confined to a particular locality on earth, from the fact that the day begins and ends at different times in different parts of the earth.
Ans. This argument, taken in connexion with scripture testimony, charges God with folly. "The Sabbath was made for man," and man was made to inherit the earth. Human wisdom says, in order to keep the Sabbath of the Lord, we must begin and end it, all over the earth at the same moment; but the Pope's sabbath is more accommodating—it can be kept in any part of the world. Satan does not care whether you honor the Pope or not, if he can persuade you to dishonor God. Do you believe that Jehovah was ignorant of the shape and motions of the earth, when he testified by Isaiah that the time should come when all flesh should come from one Sabbath to another, to worship before the Lord? Isa. lxvi, 23. Will the Sabbath then be confined to the particular locality of Judea?
I must quote from a poetic argument written by Wm. Stillman, some thirty or forty years ago.
"And now to trace you round this rolling world,
An eastern, and a western route you've twirled,
And made out nothing by the spacious travel,
But what I call a wretched, foolish cavil.
And now to make you clearly understand
That Sabbath day may be in every land,
At least those parts where mortal men reside,
(And nowhere else can precepts be applied.)
There was a place, where first the orb of light
Appeared to rise, and westward took its flight;
That moment, in that place the day began,
And as he in his circuit westward ran,
Or rather, as the earth did eastward spin,
To parts more westward daylight did begin.
And thus at different times, from place to place
The day began—this clearly was the case.
And I should think a man must be a dunce,
To think that day began all round at once,
So that in foreign lands it doth appear,
There was a first day there as well as here.
And if there was a first, the earth around,
As sure as rates the seventh can be found.
And thus you see it matters not a whit,
On which meridian of earth we get,
Since each distinctly had its dawn of light,
And ever since, successive day and night,
Thus while our antipodes in darkness sleep,
We here the true, primeval Sabbath keep."
A man's attention is called to a truth which he is not obeying. He seems convicted of his error, but having a choice to continue a popular practice, he goes at work to reason himself into the belief that it is right, and any flimsy inference answers his purpose. It matters not if it impeach the wisdom of God, and make him just such a being as ignorant, short-sighted, changeable man.
If the ten commandments were ever abolished, how long was it before the nine were re-enacted? If there was no intervening time, they never were abolished; and if there was, Jehovah's creatures were under no obligation to him during that time. Judged by human wisdom, what an oversight our Heavenly Father committed in making an institution for man, that could not be universally enjoyed! What an oversight, to place a Jewish rite with the eternal law of right on the tables of stone, so that afterwards, when the error was discovered, the nine must be annulled to get rid of the one! This wisdom is not from above.
J. PHILBRICK
By J. Philbrick
From Bro. Philbrick.
DEAR BRO. WHITE: The keeping of the Sabbath in the third angel's message has endeared me to you, and all of like precious faith. How do we know that we love the children of God? John v. 2, 3 shall be the answer: "By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep his commandments:" For this is the love of God that we keep his commandments; and his commandments are not grievous.
I am thankful, that, while I was starving for the true word of life, the Lord was pleased to send Brn. Rhodes and Baker with the present truth. It reached my heart, and its clear light dispelled the darkness that surrounded me, and I was enabled to break away from the unhallowed influence of denying our past experience. Glory be to God's holy name. I will praise him unworthy as I am.
I feel solemn in view of that time when there will no longer be a mediator between God and man. And unless I have a pure heart, and my garments unspotted from the world, I shall not be able to stand in the great day of his wrath. Never did I feel the importance of being wholly consecrated, as now. And as the way grows straiter, and the battle stronger, I feel to gird on the armor closer, and fight valiently unto the end. If I am made a partaker of Christ's sufferings here, when his glory is revealed, I shall rejoice with exceeding great joy.
Yours in hope of eternal life at the appearing of Christ and his kingdom,
J. PHILBRICK
Washington, (N. H.), Jan. 13th, 1852.
LETTERS.
By Roswell F. Cottrell
From Bro. Cottrell.
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—Everything confirms me in the faith, that the third angel's message is now being given. It could not have been given while the people of God were ignorant of the meaning of its terms. But when the clear light shines upon the subject, so that we know what is meant by the beast, his image, his mark and the number of his name; also the commandments of God, in distinction from the faith of Jesus; then is the time for the message to go forth.
It comes also in the exact order of prophetic events; and we must acknowledge the hand of God in it, or think that our Heavenly Father has given the helm into the hands of satan—suffering him to give a false fulfillment of the divine word, and thus lead astray those who are looking for Jesus according to his promise, and willing to obey God in ALL his commandments.
Again, it is evident, from the present state of the world, that the angels of Rev. vii, 1 are now holding the winds. If there was no disposition for strife among men apparent, but a general time of peace, we could not see as clearly that the winds were held. But it is clear to my mind, that nothing but the power of God through the heavenly messengers has prevented general war throughout Europe for some years past. Now, while the winds are held, the servants of God are being sealed, for that is the purpose for which they are held.—The present being the time, who administers the seal but the third angel of Rev. xiv, who gives the last message before the Son of man is seen upon the white cloud with a sharp sickle, ready to reap the harvest of the earth? The seal imprints the Father's name in the forehead of those who have not the mark of the beast in that place. Has the third angel this seal? Yes, the commandments of God contain the Father's name, especially the fourth, which is the only one of the ten that distinguishes the Lord from every other god, as being the Maker of all things.
ROSWELL F. COTTRELL.
Mill Grove, (N. Y.), Jan. 18th, 1852.
"LET NO MAN DECEIVE YOU."
By Editor
To those who have recently embraced the Sabbath, Dear Brethren: "Take heed that no man deceive you," is the warning of the Son of God. The followers of Christ have ever been in danger of being deceived; but you are aware that the "perils" of the "last days" are upon us, and that our dangers are fast increasing. This is an age of deception, and if possible the very elect will be deceived.
But, perhaps, there is no class of men by whom you are so much in danger of being deceived and led from the truth as those who teach that the commandments of God are abolished. Many of them have for a number of years taught that there is no Sabbath for the gospel dispensation; therefore they are prepared to bring objections against the Sabbath that those who have just commenced to study the arguments cannot readily remove. Here they will take advantage of your lack of a thorough knowledge of the subject, and if possible ensnare you.
"The Bible class on the Sabbath question" is a snare for the feet of those precious souls who have recently commenced to "run the way of the commandments." We approve of investigation when conducted with fairness. And if those who teach that the commandments of God are abolished really wish to investigate the Sabbath question, why do they not meet our arguments with candor and fairness? If the Editor of the "Advent Harbinger" has the truth why does he not produce his strong reasons, instead of coming out on the "Review" and the "reviewer" as he has done? See his articles in the "Harbinger." The spirit of those articles is sufficient to convince any candid individual that the writer is unable to present Bible argument; therefore, assertions and over-bearing denunciations are called in to make up the deficiency.
If candid investigation is really desired, on the Sabbath question we are ready, and happy to meet our opponents on Bible ground. But let those brethren who have not a knowledge of the arguments, for and against the Sabbath, be careful and not be deceived by the plea of "investigate." If those who profess a wish to investigate this question are really sincere, you will see them seeking investigation with those who understand the arguments, instead of going to those who have not had time and opportunity to learn them. "Take heed that no man deceive you."
Extracts of Letters.
By Editor
Bro. E. S. Eastman writes from Hatley, (C. E.), Jan. 12th, 1852:—I feel it my duty to acknowledge my gratitude for the paper, which comes as a messenger of mercy to enlighten my dark understanding in the truths of the Bible.
I thank the Lord that I ever heard the third angel's message. It has supplied a void since '44 that nothing else could fill.
I feel like a pilgrim and stranger in this vale of tears. But I seek a city that has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
No foot of land do I possess,
No cottage in this wilderness—
A poor wayfaring man.
I stop awhile in tents below,
And gladly wander to and fro,
Till I enjoy my rest.
I feel willing to do all I can in the cause of the Lord and his truth. O, that we may all be looking and loving his appearing, and confess our errors, and have them blotted out, when the refreshing from the presence of the Lord shall come.
Bro. J. Alden writes from Bath, (N. Y.), Jan. 15th, 1852:—We were disappointed in not seeing you at the conference here, yet the Lord was with us, and the dear brethren and sisters returned home rejoicing in the blessed hope of soon meeting in the kingdom. Some came on foot seventy and ninety miles to attend.
Bro. Baker faithfully set before us the promises and threatenings connected with the present truth, in the clearest light, and good has been done in the name of Jesus.
The truth seems to carry conviction to the minds of almost all who have heard.
I do believe the Lord will here gather some precious jewels for the "second casket."
Bro. G. W. Holt writes from Dorchester, (Mass.), Jan. 21st, 1852:—The interest in the present truth is increasing. We have no reason to be discouraged, for the Lord is with us in power. Although we meet with trials, disappointments, and seeming difficulties, yet the Lord is at work, and his truth is advancing, and is surely destined to triumph.
I feel like pressing forward with all my might, and doing what I can in this glorious cause, that I may do the will of God in all things,
A Sister writes from Montpelier, (Vt.), Jan. 22nd, 1852:—That precious promise, that I may have right to the tree of life, and enter in through the gates into the city, is very dear to me, while striving to do his commandments. I am thankful for the light that now shines upon his holy word. The jewels are shining brighter and brighter, and some are coming up, that have until recently been buried beneath the rubbish, O, magnify the Lord, and let us exalt his name together.
I want to make thorough work for eternity, for I believe that time is near, when Jesus will have finished his work, and the servants of God will all be sealed; then he that is filthy must be filthy still.
O, let us pray earnestly to God, and trust in him, and he will direct our path. Yes, praise his name he will never leave us to our own understanding, as long as we are willing to be taught of him.
O, my heart is enraptured with the vision, and I long to share with all the saints and holy angels the joys of paradise.
THE PAPER.
By Editor
We have the advice of the Committee, with several other brethren, in favor of using the nice paper for publishing the "Review and Herald," as the expense is so trifling. We think that none of the real friends of the cause would object to a few cents in a volume of good paper. As far as interest is concerned, some have even remarked, "They would to God it was engraved in marble."
THE SABBATH.
By H. O. Nichols
BY H. O. NICHOLS.
The evening shades steal gently on,
I fain would rest:
Let earthly care this day be gone—
Divinely blest.
Brightest and best of all the seven
Is this, the day my God has given;
'Tis as it were a type of heaven—
The Sabbath.
Welcome, thou peaceful sacred day,
Welcome to thee!
My thoughts I'd lift to God, and pray
Unceasingly.
That it may be my chief delight,
Ever with all my mind and might
T' improve the hours, and keep aright
The Sabbath.
Thou blissful period of repose,
To travelers worn.
A balm to heal the many woes,
Of those that mourn.
New strength it gives us while we may,
Journey along o'er life's rough way.
We'll reverence while on earth we stay,
The Sabbath.
Thou art a time of smiling peace,
To hearts now sad:
Pointing unto the great release,
When all are glad.
Hope like a bright star cheers the soul,
While hastening onward to the goal—
Then find when time shall cease to roll,
The Sabbath.
This truth like holy fire it burns—
'Twill ne'er decline:
It came from heaven—to heaven returns,
God's hallow'd time!
And though for ages it has lain
Buried beneath traditions vain,
Its light is shining bright again,
The Sabbath.
Gem of the week, the best of all
Created days.
'Twas made for man before the fall—
Give God the praise!
And upward lift your longing eyes
To greet his coming from the skies:
When all will keep in Paradise,
The Sabbath.
Then lift your hearts the time is near,
Ye pilgrims lone;
When Jesus will for you appear—
Then think of Home!
Think of the hours that ne'er will end;
And fervent let each prayer ascend,
That we may all in glory spend,
The Sabbath.
There shall we all each other meet.
In peace together!
There brother will his brother greet,
And naught will sever.
Sorrow will never dim the eye,
No clouds e'er pass the heavenly sky;
Sweet then will be the rest on high,
The Sabbath.
Dorchester, Mass.
To Correspondents.
By Editor
We are under the necessity of reminding those who send in names for the paper, that much care should be taken to give the name and address distinctly. By complying with this, we shall not only be saved much time and perplexity, but the subscribers will not be disappointed in receiving their paper.
PUBLICATIONS.
By Editor
THE ADVENT REVIEW, a pamphlet of 48 pages, containing thrilling testimonies by many of the leaders of the Advent cause.
THE BIBLE SABBATH, or a careful selection from the publications of the American Sabbath Tract Society, including the history of the Sabbath—64 pages.
THOUGHTS ON THE SABBATH, AND THE PERPETUITY OF THE LAW OF GOD, by J. N. Andrews—32 pages.
A brief exposition of the Angels of Rev. xiv,—32 pages.
The above publications can be had of us at Saratoga Springs, of Elias Goodwin, Oswego, (N. Y.), and all excepting the last named of Otis Nichols, Dorchester, (Mass.)
VOLUME I OF THE REVIEW AND HERALD.—We have a quantity bound in paper covers, which should be circulated. Brethren, this is a valuable work for you to obtain to lend or give to those who wish to learn the reasons of our faith.
NUMBERS 6 AND 8.—We have extra copies of these two numbers for distribution. No. 6 contains our entire review of the article, "Seventh-day Sabbath Abolished," and No. 8 contains the lengthy article on Babylon, from the Voice of Truth of 1844, the "Review of O. R. L. Crozier on Rev. xiv, 1—13," by J. N. Andrews, and our remarks on the Sabbath in reply to the Editor of the Harbinger." We hope they will be called for and judiciously circulated.
Letters received since January 13th.
By Editor
J. N. Andrews 3, S. W. Rhodes 3, R. F. Cottrell 2, S. Howland 2, H. S. Case 2, H. O. Nichols 2, F. M. Shimper 2, R. G. Whitcomb, A. Chapman, J. K. Bellows, C. B. Spalding, J. Lindsey, N. Rublee, E. L. Eastman, J. Alden S. Griggs, J. Philbrick, F. Wheeler, E. L. H. Chamberlain, L. Hastings, E. A. Poole, H. A. Hastings, A. S. Stevens, O. Davis, M. S. Prior, J. S. Wright, M. D. Elger, A. P. Marsley, H. S. Gurney, P. D. Lawrence, J. Hebner, G. W. Holt, E. Cray, J. Martin, J. B. Sweet, G. Smith.
Receipts.
By Editor
C. Stevens, $3; J. R. Gaveth, L. Kellogg, W. H. Graham, J. Crandal, H. P. Wakefield, M. Orr, $2 each; J. Chapman, C. P. Russell, J. Whitmore, E. Mugford, P. Gibson, D. Barnes, R. Coggshall, T. Raymond, E. L. Platt, O. Raymond, C. Gould, S. Macomber, L. Leach, B. Madill, $1 each; C. Davis 65 cts; P. C. Champlin, H. M. Reed, B. Ball, John Fost, 50 cts. each.
For the Pamphlet entitled "Experience and Views."
F. G. Stevens, $1.
The cost of the Pamphlet was about $100, of which about $78 has been received.
CONFERENCES.
By O. Davis
A general Meeting is appointed to commence Sabbath Feb. 21st, at the house of Bro. Everet, Leverett (Mass.), and hold as long as thought best. Bro. G. W. Holt is expected to be present. Bro. Baker is requested to attend if consistent with duty.
There will be a Conference at Fair-haven, (Mass.), at the house of Bro. William Gifford, to commence Friday Feb. 27th, to continue over the Sabbath and First-day, and longer if thought best. A general invitation is extended. It is earnestly hoped that Brn. White, Rhodes, or some other of the ministering brethren will be present. And we pray that it may be a time of refreshing from the presence of the Lord, and the means of much good.
In behalf of the brethren, O. DAVIS.
News from the Western Field
By Editor
Brn. Bates and Edson have returned from their tour to Canada West.
Bro. H. S. Case writes from Jackson, (Mich.), encouragingly of the state of the cause.
The brethren in Milan, (O.), are desirous that some of the messengers should visit that way.
There is a wide field open in the West. "The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few."