WHO, or what is it that teaches us? There are “heaps of teachers” now-a-days, teaching numerous things, a few of which are good but the majority are very bad; hence it is all important that we know who our teacher is.
Paul said to Timothy, “From a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise;” and all Scripture is profitable for instruction. 2 Tim. iii, 15-17. These were the Old Testament Scriptures, as doubtless the New Testament was not written when Timothy was “a child,” hence Paul thought that the Old Testament was able to make a man “wise” and to give him “instruction.” But then of course he must have been mistaken for many of our “eminent divines” tell us that we have nothing to do with the Old Testament as it is done away, laws, prophets, and all. Consequently whoever goes to that for “instruction” or obeys any of its laws is “fallen from grace.” Then away with thee thou “old dead teacher” thou “yoke of bondage” we will not hear thee; though we must confess that our hearts sometimes secretly covet the “river the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God (Ps. xlvi, 4), and a possession of the new earth” where “the wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose.” Isa. xxxv, 1. But we remember that thou didst require hard things of thy servants, even that they should keep the law of God, and this we do not want to do. We prefer a master who will free us from this intolerable burden and allow us to do according to our own wills.
But stop; perhaps it is not the “old dead master” that proposes to teach us. For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us, &c. Then it is the “grace of God” that speaks to us. Surely we will listen with all deference to such a teacher as we are “under grace and not under the law.”
What then does it say to us? Teaching us that denying ungodliness [Ungodliness, Disregard of God and his commands, Web.] and wordly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously [Righteously, according to righteousness. By turning to Ps. cxix, 172, we may learn what righteousness is: “All thy commandments are righteousness.” Then God's commandments are righteousness are they? Yes. Well what are his commandments? “And the Lord spake unto you out of the midst of the fire, . . . and he declared unto you the covenant, which he commanded you to perform, even ten commandments; and he wrote them upon two tables of stone.” Deut. iv, 12, 13. Is it possible that the “grace of God” teaches us to observe those hated ten commandments, and worst of all the old Jewish Sabbath which is imbosomed right in their center! True, it is an appalling fact that I know not how to avoid unless God has altered his word or abolished his law, or righteousness. But I remember that he has said, “My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.” Ps. lxxxix, 34. And again, “My salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.” Isa. li, 6. Then we are shut up to the conclusion that the “grace of God” agrees with Paul in referring us back to the Old Testament Scriptures for our rule of righteousness which we have seen is the moral law or ten commandments,] and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour, Jesus Christ.” Then does grace also teach us to look for the appearing of Jesus. It seems so certainly. Why, then, do those who boast so much of grace, revile those who are obeying this injunction?
I was so unspeakably happy the other day as to learn why it had become unnecessary and foolish to look for the second, personal appearing of Christ. Talking with a young man, a zealous Methodist, I asked him why it was that ministers said no more about the prophecies, the signs of the times, the coming of the Lord, and the like. He could not tell; but his uncle was a presiding elder and of course would know. So he asked his uncle; and when we met again, said he could give a reason. Reader, what do you suppose it was? It seems as though it ought to be a very good one to justify us in disregarding and virtually making a nullity of a great portion of God's word. His reason was this: “The soul is immortal and goes to Heaven or hell at death; therefore it is no odds to us when Jesus does come, or whether he comes at all or not.”
This, then, is the reason why so little is said about the coming of Jesus. People have learned that the righteous go immediately to Heaven and the wicked to hell at death; hence it is, to say the least, entirely useless to talk so much about the Lord's coming!
It amounts to but little any way only to raise our dead bodies; and even that will be unnecessary as we shall be just as happy without it. What a pity it is that Paul, John, Peter, and the other inspired writers were not acquainted with this important fact! How many useless exhortations about the coming of Jesus it would have saved them.
If Paul had been writing for the “orthodox” of the present day, I think that the passage under consideration would have read something like this: For the grace of God that bringeth salvation, hath appeared to all men teaching us that denying the law of God and the necessity of good works, we should live according to the dictates of the Spirit, our own feelings, and the customs of the times in this present world, not looking for that foolish hope and the doubtful appearing of Jesus Christ, but earnestly longing for our blessed friend and glorious deliverer—death.
How much more familiar and orthodox that sounds! But alas! this is not the only portion of scripture that needs correcting. How can this be accomplished? There is only one way that I can see, by which this may be brought about viz.: Get a new revelation which speaks more in accordance with our ideas of these subjects. But how can we obtain this much-to-be desired revelation? I will tell you; Go to the ball room and select the worst coquette on the floor; or to the billiard saloon and pick out the most desperate blasphemer that rolls the ball; or to the gutter and take from thence the most degraded sot; with either of these, go into a secluded room, extinguish the lamp exclude every ray of light, and then the desired revelation will be forthcoming immediately. Here you will learn in the most unequivocal terms that the soul is immortal, that death is a friend rather than an enemy, and that the coming of Jesus and the resurrection of the body are mere fables.
Perhaps you are not yet prepared to receive such a revelation, and think you never will be. But, when those who believe that these things are so, find how little the Bible is in their favor, they will necessarily seek unto those who do teach them. This supposition is supported by the fact that multitudes are daily departing from the faith and giving heed to these “new revelations” through Spiritualism.
May the Lord help us to awake to these things and examine the foundation of our hopes before he comes to sweep away the refuge of lies. Isa. xxviii, 15, 17.
D. M. CANRIGHT.
Coldwater, Mich.
Letters.
"Then they that feared the Lord, spake often one to another."
This department of the paper is designed for the brethren and sisters to freely and fully communicate with each other respecting their hopes and determinations, conflicts and victories, attainments and desires, in the heavenly journey. Seek first a living experience and then record it, carefully and prayerfully, for the comfort and encouragement of the other members of the household of faith.
From Bro. Tomlinson.
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: I am very much encouraged by the weekly visits of the Review, which is laden with precious food for the hungry soul. I am poor in this world's goods, but feel rich in prospect of an inheritance in the earth made new; and I am willing to spare a few crumbs of what I have, to give to those that may be reached by our excellent paper, and the help of God. My dear brethren, we all have friends that are strangers to present truth and outside the ark. Let us all awake and do something to awake an interest in a better land than this. I am bound for that country and I want all my friends to go that will. It would grieve me much if I had a familiar friend that knew of a glorious country and was going
to it soon, if he did not tell me what he knew about it. Dear brethren, let us clear our skirts by helping forward the last message of mercy. I feel glad to know that the third message is on the rise and will soon swell into a loud cry. The latter rain is soon to come which will ripen the precious fruit for the heavenly garner. We hope to be remembered in your prayers that we may meet together on the banks of deliverance.
SAMUEL TOMLINSON.
Richmond, Iowa.
Report of Evangelistic Work
By E. G. Rust
From Bro. Rust.
BRO. WHITE: The 29th day of March last, Brn. Frisbie and Strong gave the first lecture here on present truth, and closed up on the 27th day of April, for the purpose of getting ready for Conference. They gave upwards of fifty lectures while here, I think. There have been twenty baptized, in this neighborhood and they are all trying to live. May the Lord help and strengthen them.
The enemy kept very quiet while the brethren were here, but as soon as they left, he went to work with all his power. The first thing was to establish a Sunday-school in this neighborhood in opposition to our Sabbath-school and Bible-class. Our opposers have worked very strenuously and insidiously since they left, striving to draw back one of our sisters into the old and easy way, but the Lord has given us good freedom in exposing the snare and now again all looks bright and clear. The Lord blesses us in all our meetings. Our meetings are regular and very refreshing and strengthening. All feel to praise the Lord for his great light.
We are all anxious to see a messenger sent back here, believing that there is a good work yet to be done in the settlement north-east from here. There were nine or ten brought out, and they are left in the midst of opposing Methodists, who seem stirred up by the enemy to work against them. Our prayer is that a messenger may be sent up here to show them the rest of the truth, and that others may come out who are favorable. May the Lord bless and sustain them till such time.
We think that there is a good field of labor here, and that some may be brought out all through these north woods to see the great light and walk therein. May the Lord carry on the work.
Yours in the truth. E. G. RUST.
Windfield, Mich.
Business Department.
By Editor
Business Notes.
No subscription taken for less than six months. Some of our friends have sent us a number of subscribers for the Review for three months with twenty-five cents for each subscriber. We have had to decline all such. The placing of the names and addresses on our lists is attended with considerable trouble and expense which we do not feel willing to incur for a less term than six months, especially when we put the price down to the mere nominal sum of fifty cents for six months or $1 a year. We think that those who cannot raise that amount to send the Review to their friends have no duty in that direction. For the small sums which have been thus sent in we have sent the worth of the money in back numbers of the Review and small tracts, to the persons named.
A. G. Carter. Yes. All right.
Mary A. Crosby. Victoria, Daviess Co. Mo.
Who is it? Some one writes from Windham, Me. inclosing $2 for the Review and Herald but neglects to give his name.
M. A. Stroud. Money received and Book sent.
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 received pays. If money for the paper is not in due time acknowledged, immediate notice of the omission should then be given.
G Lowrie 2,00,xxv,20. J L Kilgore for J Steen 1,00,xxvi,1. T Draper 1,00,xxvii,1. N Ward 1,00,xxv,1. B Stiles 1,00,xxv,1. J Jerig 1,00,xxvi,1. T Maybee 2,00,xxv,1. Lucinda Pierce for L Lewis and H Holt each 0,50,xxv,1. E M Kimball for Elder D C Eastman 0,50,xxv,1. T A Valantine for D W Cornell 1,00,xxv,1. Abel Robinson 1,00,xxvi,1. Josiah Hebner 1,00,xxiii,13. J Hebner for M S Lock 1,00,xxvi,1. A D Thorp 1,00,xxv,1. A D Thorp for E F Smith 1,00,xxvi,1. F White 2,00,xxvi,1. H Adams 100,xxvi,1. J G Jones 1,00,xxv,1. S M Stockwell 2,00,xxv,1. Wm Campbell 2,00,xxv,1. J Striker 1,00,xxv,1. W K Loughborough for Wm Smith 1,00,xxvi,1. E B Saunders 1,00,xxv,1. W L Saxby 1,00,xxv,1. N W Emory 1,00,xxvi,1. T M Field 0,50,xxiv,1. B F Carpenter 2,00,xxv,13. D P Bisbee 1,00,xxv,1. H Huntington 1,00,xxv,1. C S Fox for S N Parker and Eld J G Bartlett each 1,00,xxvi,1. J S Woodward 1,00,xxv,1. B F Wilkinson 1,00,xxv,1. A S King 5,00,xxvi,1. J L Powell for H Phelps 1,00,xxv,1. M Thompson 1,00,xxiv,1. T Coburn 1,00,xxvi,1. F C Castle 1,00,xxv,1. B G Allen for H Anthony 1,00,xxvi,1. J P Flemming for T E Paul and W Rail each 1,00,xxvi,1. J B Gregory 2,00,xxv,1. W Avery 2,00,xxvi,1. P F Ferciot 2,00,xxvi,1. S Simonds 2,00,xxiv,14. M Olds 1,00,xxv,1. B F Roberts 2,00,xxii,18. R Rundall for B E Rundall 1,00,xxvi,1. R Rundall 1,00,xxv,1. H A Harvey 1,00,xxvi,1. J Minisee for J Morris 1,00,xxvi,1. J Minisee 2,00,xxvii,1. J Smith 2 copies 9,00,xxiv,1. J P Bascon 2,00,xxv,1. J W Ells 2,00,xxvi,1. M Willey 2,00,xxvi,1. J S Harrau 1,00,xxv,18. M Dean 0,30,xxiv,9. D F Moore 2,00,xxvi,1. C C Collins 1,00,xxv,1. G Veeder 2,00,xxv,21. C C Collins for S Symonds 1,00,xxvi,1. A J Terrell 2,00,xxv,13.
Books Sent By Mail.
S McReynolds 25c. N J McReynolds 25c. J H McReynolds 25. J Lingle 25. A Cutshall 25c. H Wilvert 25. T Demon 25. M C Butler 7c. L Bunce $1. S L Vincent 25c. Doctress L M Smith 25c. C Blanchard $2.55. D Bates 15c. G Garber 50c. H Nicola $4. J H Waggoner 48c. S Myers $2.25. A Phelps 20. A J Richmond 15c. D F Moore 15. B E Rundall 50c.
Books Sent By Express.
D Weaver, Philadelphia Pa., American Express Co. $6.40.
Cash Received on Account.
E Vandeusen $13. Joseph Clarke $5. J H Waggoner $4.24.
General Conference Missionary Fund.
William Dawson $1,50
PUBLICATIONS.
The law requires the pre-payment of postage on Bound Books, four cents for the first four ounces, or fractional part thereof, and an additional four cents for the next four ounces, or fractional part thereof, of and so on. On pamphlets and tracts, two cents for each four ounces, or fractional part thereof. Orders, to secure attention, must be accompanied with the cash. Address ELDER JAMES WHITE, Battle Creek, Michigan.
The Hymn Book, 464 pages, and 122 pieces of music, 80 10
" " " " with Sabbath Lute, $1,00 11
" " " " Calf Binding, 1,00 10
" " " " with Lute, 1,25 11
History of the Sabbath, Sacred and Secular, . 80 12
" " " " in paper covers, . 50 10
Dobney on Future Punishment, 75 13
Spiritual Gifts Vol. I, or the Great Controversy between Christ and his angels, and Satan and his angels, . 50 6
Spiritual Gifts Vol. II. Experience, Views and Incidents in connection with the Third Message, . 60 8
Spiritual Gifts, Vols. I & II, bound in one book, . $1,00 12
Sabbath Readings, a work of 400 pages of Moral and Religious Lessons for the Young, . 60 9
The same in five Pamphlets, 55 7
" twenty-five Tracts, . 50 7
The Bible from Heaven, 30 5
Three Angels of Rev. xiv, and the Two-horned Beast, 15 4
Sabbath Tracts, numbers one, two, three, and four, 15 4
Hope of the Gospel, or Immortality the gift of God, Which? Mortal or Immortal? or an inquiry into the present constitution and future condition of man, 15 4
Modern Spiritualism; its Nature and Tendency, 15 4
The Kingdom of God; a Refutation of the doctrine called, Age to Come, . 15 4
Miraculous Powers, 15 4
Pauline Theology, on Future Punishment, . 15 4
Review of Seymour. His Fifty Questions Answered, 10 3
Prophecy of Daniel—the Sanctuary and 2300 Days. 10 3
The Saints' Inheritance in the New Earth. 10 3
Signs of the Times. The Coming of Christ at the door, 10 3
Law of God. The testimony of both Testaments, 10 3
Vindication of the true Sabbath, by J. W. Morton, . 10 3
Review of Springer on the Sabbath and Law of God, 10 3
Facts for the Times. Extracts from eminent authors, 10 3
Christian Baptism. Its Nature, Subjects, and Design, 10 3
Key to the Prophetic Chart, 10 2
The Sanctuary and 2300 Days of Dan. viii, 14, 10 2
The Fate of the Transgressor, 5 2
Matthew xxiv. A Brief Exposition of the Chapter. 5 2
Mark of the Beast, and Seal of the Living God, 5 1
Sabbath Institution and the Two Laws, 5 1
Assistant. The Bible Student's Assistant, or a Compend of Scripture references, 5 1
Truth Found. A short argument for the Sabbath, with an Appendix, "The Sabbath not a Type." 5 1
An Appeal for the restoration of the Bible Sabbath in an address to the Baptists, 5 1
Review of Fillio. A reply to a series of discourses delivered by him in Battle Creek on the Sabbath question. 5 1
Milton on the State of the Dead, 5 1
Brown's Experience. Consecration---Second Advent, 5 1
Report of General Conference held in Battle Creek, June, 1859, Address on Systematic Benevolence, &c. 5 1
Sabbath Poem. False Theories Exposed, 5 1
Illustrated Review. A Double Number of the REVIEW AND HERALD Illustrated, . 5 1
The Sabbath, in German, 10 2
" " Holland, 5 1
" " French, 5 1
On Daniel ii & vii, " 5 1
ONE CENT TRACTS. The Seven Seals—The Two Laws—Reasons for Sunday-keeping Examined—Personality of God—Wesley on the Law—Judson on Dress—Appeal on Immortality.
TWO CENT TRACTS. Institution of the Sabbath—Sabbath by Elihu—Infidelity and Spiritualism—War and Sealing—Who Changed the Sabbath—Preach the Word—Death and Burial—Much in Little—Truth.
THREE CENT TRACTS. Dabney on the Law—Milton on the State of the Dead—Scripture References—The Mark of the Beast, and Seal of the Living God—Spiritual Gifts.
Home Here and Home in Heaven, with other Poems. This work embraces all those sweet and Scriptural poems written by Annie R. Smith, from the time she embraced the third message till she fell asleep in Jesus. Price 25 cents.
CHARTS, Prophetic and Law of God, the size used by our Preachers. Varnished, a set, with Key, . $4,00
A set on cloth, with Key, . 3,00
On cloth, without rollers, by mail, post-paid, . 2,75
The Chart. A Pictorial Illustration of the Visions of Daniel and John, 20 by 25 inches. Price 15 cents. On rollers, post-paid, 75 cts.
Delinquents.
By James White
NEXT week we shall drop from our lists the names of about sixty who have not paid up to Vol. xx. Some of these, without doubt, do not want the paper. Some perhaps, should have it free. While others can pay up, should pay up, and will pay up.
In two weeks we shall drop the names of those who have not paid up to Vol. xxi. Next we shall drop the names of those who have not paid up to Vol. xxii, and so on till the lists are cleared of delinquents.
One thing is certain in most cases, if they cannot pay up now, when money is plenty, worth but little, and easily obtained, they never can pay up.
We are ready to settle arrearages upon the terms delinquents may suggest. We wish to send the Review free to all who should have it free, and for half price to all who should have it at half price. But all should consider the fact that these times are ruinous to any publishing house that adheres to old prices. Paper has doubled in price, while labor, fuel, lights, &c., have increased at least one half former prices.
The Trustees of the S. D. A. P. Association decide not to advance prices until absolutely necessary. The first thing to be done is to establish a strict advance-pay system. Those in arrears will take warning. Look at the Vol. and No. of the Review, then compare it with the Vol. and No. beside your name on the wrapper or margin of your paper. If you are behind, pay up, or report yourself unable.
We would say to churches and scattered brethren and friends, it is your duty to see that all within your knowledge have the Review who should read it. If you cannot encourage them to take the paper, subscribe for it for them yourselves. Let preachers and people help us, and we will see our lists properly cleaned up and all still have the Review who should read it. J. W.
Notice.
Will the brethren in Ills. and Wisconsin be prompt in paying their S. B. subscriptions, and the different Church treasurers forward it immediately to the State Conference Treasurer? You need not wait for a "Paul" or a preacher to come around and gather it up, but get a draft if you can, if not inclose the amount in Green Backs, and direct to Ivory Colcord jr. New Genesee, Whiteside Co. Ills.
I. SANBORN,
J. G. WOOD,
H. W. DECKER, } Conf. Com.
Appointments.
PROVIDENCE permitting, we will meet with the Oakland Church at their meeting house, Wednesday, June 15 and 16. Meeting commencing on Wednesday at three o'clock P. M.
Will some one meet us at Pontiac, at the cars, Tuesday afternoon?
J. N. Andrews.
John Byington.
Remit for the Review and Instructor
By James White
It takes no more time and space to acknowledge the receipt of $10, than 10 cents. It takes no more time to change the figures in connection with names on your papers on the receipt of $10, than 10 cents.
Therefore, those who would be as well suited to do so, will please remit in larger sums for the Review and Instructor. Pay for one or more years at a time and save writing so often, and save us precious time also.
J. W.
The Publication Column.
By James White
Examine the publication column and see the changes made in it this week.
1. Hereafter the amount for postage must be sent in addition to the prices of bound books, as well as pamphlets and tracts. Mark this. The postage on bound books, per ounce, is double that on pamphlets and tracts.
2. The prices of nearly all of the works are the same. The prices of a very few we change a trifle.
3. Hereafter the discount by the quantity on all the books of the Association bound and unbound, will be twenty-five per cent. On receipt of books as common freight, return the bill of freight, and receive credit for it. Thus the Association makes the cost of its publications the same in distant States, as at the office of publication. J. W.