The second feature of the sixth plague to be observed is the issuing forth of the three unclean spirits to gather the nations to the great battle. And as we have taken the position that the agency now already ahead in the world and known as modern Spiritualism, is the means to be employed in this work; or, rather, as we have applied this scripture [Rev. xvi, 14] to the modern manifestations of spirit power, the question has been asked, how we could think that a work was designated by it, which was already going on, when the spirits are not introduced into the prophecy until the sixth plague, which is still future.
We answer that in this as in many other things, the agencies which Heaven designs to employ in the accomplishment of certain ends, are being, for a while, trained to the part which they are to act. Thus before the spirits can have such absolute authority over the race as to gather them to battle against the King of kings and Lord of lords, they must first win their way among the nations of the earth, and cause their teaching to be received as of divine authority and their word as law. This work they are now doing; and when they shall have once got the multitudes of earth under their influence, what fitter instruments could be employed to gather them to so rash and hopeless an enterprise.
To many it may seem incredible that the nations should be willing to engage in such an unequal warfare as to go up to battle against the Lord of hosts; but it is one province of these spirits of devils to deceive; for they go forth working miracles and thereby deceive the kings of the earth that they should believe a lie. Pharaoh might have known from what he witnessed that it was vain for him to withstand the Almighty; yet he rushed blindly and headlong time after time to ruin. Why was it? It was because his magicians "did so with their enchantments." The spirits of devils by the miracles which they wrought through these magicians deceived him and hardened his obdurate heart even to pursue the children of Israel into the midst of the sea. So in the final gathering, the nations will be duped into the belief that they can safely go up to battle against the Lord, the King of saints.
The sources from which these spirits issue, denote that they will work among three great divisions of mankind, represented by the dragon, beast, and false prophet, which we shall call Paganism Catholicism and Protestantism. Not here entering into any particular defense of this application, we shall content ourselves with cursorily remarking that all (at least Protestants) are agreed in regarding the beast as a symbol of Papacy; and that a dragon is the chosen symbol of Paganism may be learned from the fact that it was used to symbolize Rome, so long as Paganism was its national religion; and that the False Prophet is the same as the two-horned beast, may be seen by comparing Rev. xiii, 11-14 with chap. xix, 20. The two-horned beast being a symbol of these United States may fitly be used as a representative of Protestantism.
This gathering of the nations under the sixth vial, is elsewhere brought to view in the Scriptures, chiefly in the declarations of the Lord by the mouth of his prophets. He says by Joel [chap. iii, 1, 2,] "For behold in those days and in that time when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem, I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel whom they have scattered among the nations and parted my land. See also verses 9-16: "Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up. Beat your ploughshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears. Let the weak say, I am strong. Assemble yourselves and come, all ye heathen and gather yourselves together round about. Thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O Lord. Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat; for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about. Put ye in the sickle for the harvest is ripe; come, get you down; for the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is great. Multitudes, multitudes, in the valley of decision: for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision. The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining. The Lord also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the Lord will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel."
Zephaniah also hears testimony to the same great event, when he says, [chap. iii, 8,] "Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the Lord, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy."
We have now reached in the course of this article, to the close of the sixth plague; but the Lord has not yet come; for, as we have before noticed, he here declares that he will come as a thief. This is the warning which at this point of time he gives his people: "Behold I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame." Verse 15. Dr. Clarke's comment on this passage we deem worthy of insertion as helping to understand the meaning of this language. He says: "Here is a plain allusion to the office of him who was called the prefect or overseer of the mountain of the temple. His custom was to go his rounds during the watches of the night; and if he found any of the Levites sleeping on his watch, he had authority to beat him with a stick and burn his vestments. See Middoth fol. 34, 1, and Tamid fol. 27, 2; 28, 1. Such a person being found on his return home naked, it was at once known that he had been found asleep at his post, had been beaten, and his clothes burnt. Thus his shame was seen—he was reproached for his infidelity and irreligion."
"And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done. And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings, and there was a great earthquake such as was not since men were upon earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great. And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell, and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great." Rev. xvi, 17-21.
Thus has inspiration described to us the last judgment which God has appointed to rebellious man in his present state. Some of the plagues we have seen were local in their application; but this one was poured out into the air. The air is a universal element; hence we may conclude that this plague will envelope equally the habitable globe. It will be universal. The air will be tainted.
The gathering of the nations having taken place under the sixth vial, the battle remains to be fought under the seventh; and we here find brought to view the instrumentalities with which he will plead with all flesh. At this time it may be said, "The Lord hath opened his armory, and brought forth the weapons of his indignation." Here we are surrounded with a great cloud of witnesses.
There were voices. Above all will be heard the voice of God. "The Lord also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake. But the Lord will be the hope of his people and the strength of the children of Israel." Joel iii, 16. This, as noticed under the sixth vial, is in close connection with the gathering of the nations. Jeremiah also speaking of the time when the Lord will have "a controversy with the nations," says, "The Lord also shall roar from on high, and utter his voice from his holy habitation; he shall mightily roar upon his habitation; he shall give a shout as they that tread the grapes against all the inhabitants of the earth." Jer, xxv, 30. Again: says Paul, "Whose voice then shook the earth, but now he hath promised saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only but also heaven." Heb. xii, 26. This will cause the great earthquake such as was not since men were upon the earth.61
And thunders and lightnings. Allusion again to the judgments of Egypt. See Ex. ix, 23, "And Moses stretched forth his rod towards heaven, and the Lord sent thunder and hail, and the fire ran along upon the ground." The cities of the nations fell. A universal desolation of the earth, when every island shall flee away and the mountains not be found. And great Babylon came in remembrance before God. Read her judgments more fully in chap. xviii.
And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven. This is the last instrumentality brought to bear upon the shelterless heads of the wicked—the bitter dregs of the seventh vial. We refer again to Egypt for an illustration of the effects of such a judgment as this. Ex. ix, 24. "So there was hail, and fire mingled with the hail, very grievous, such as there was none like it in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation. And the hail smote throughout all the land of Egypt, all that was in the field both man and beast, and the hail smote every herb of the field, and brake every tree of the field." Why will not the final storm of hail attendant upon the great and final deliverance of God's people, be as literal as this? Is God any less able now to fulfill his threats? By no means; and he has solemnly declared to the wicked, saying, "Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet; and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place." Isa. xxviii, 17. Again he says [chap. xxx, 30,] evidently speaking of the same time, "And the Lord shall cause his glorious voice to be heard, and show the lighting down of his arm, with the indignation of his anger, and with the flame of a devouring fire, with scattering and tempest and hailstones." And he asks Job if he has seen the treasures of the hail, which he has reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war. Job xxxviii, 22, 23.
"Every stone about the weight of a talent." A talent according to various authorities, as a weight, is about fifty-seven pounds avoirdupois. What could withstand the force of stones of such an enormous weight falling from heaven? But mankind, at this time, will have no shelter. The cities have fallen in the mighty earthquake, the islands have fled away and the mountains are not found. Again the wicked give vent to their woe in blasphemy; for the plague of the hail is "exceeding great."
It would at once be presumed that nothing could survive a destruction so terrible. We are not here however informed of its results. But there is another portion of scripture, namely, Rev. xix, in which the great battle is more fully described, and we there learn that after the beast and false prophet are disposed of, the remnant, all there are left, are slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse. The earth will then be rid of its inhabitants. The wicked, without distinction or limitation, will then according to the threatening of the Lord [Jer. xxv, 31.] be given to the sword. See also Zeph. i. Then will be accomplished the declaration of Isaiah [chap. xxiv, 1.] "Behold the Lord maketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste and turneth it upside down . . . . The land shall be utterly emptied, and utterly spoiled, for the Lord hath spoken this word.
"And there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven from the throne saying, It is done!" Thus all is finished. The cup of human guilt has been filled up. The last soul has availed itself of the plan of salvation. The books are closed. The number of the saved is made up. The final period is placed to this world's history. The vials of God's wrath are poured out upon a corrupt generation. The wicked have drunk them to the dregs, and sunk into the realm of death for a thousand years. Reader where do you wish to be found after the great decision? But what of the saints while the "overflowing scourge" is passing over? They are the special subjects of God's protection, in whose hands not a sparrow falls to the ground. Many are the promises which come crowding in to afford them comfort. We will notice a few. Ps. xci, 2-10. "I will say of the Lord, he is my refuge and my fortress: my God, in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; for the pestilence that walketh in darkness, nor for the destruction that wasteth at noon-day. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the Most High, thy habitation; there shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling."
Daniel speaks of the same time and records a gracious promise of deliverance for those who are written in the book. He says, [chap. xii, 1.] "And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people; and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book."
Isaiah also says, speaking of him that walketh righteously and speaketh uprightly, "He shall dwell on high; his place of defense shall be the munition of rocks; bread shall be given him; his water shall be sure." Isa. xxxiii, 16. Precious promise, when the vegetable world is crisped beneath a scorching sun, and the rivers and fountains of water are turned to blood. When does it apply? When sinners in Zion are afraid, and fearfulness surprises the hypocrites, and when we are to "see the King in his beauty." Verses 14, 17. And in the prophecies heretofore quoted in this article we have seen that the Lord would be "the hope of his people and the strength of the children of Israel." But on this point we need not multiply testimony, since to produce it all would make it necessary to transcribe a great portion of the Bible. We will offer one reason from analogy. Israel were sheltered from the plagues that fell upon Egypt. When the Egyptians were groping about in thick darkness, the Israelites had light in their dwellings. When the hail was smiting down man and beast, and whatever was in the field, it is said, "Only in the land of Goshen, where the children of Israel were, there was no hail." And when the first born of Egypt were smitten and there was lamentation and mourning in every dwelling, the destroying angel sheathed his weapon of vengeance as he passed over the habitations of Israel.
So will the saints be sheltered from the stormy blast and windy tempest that shall sweep over the earth in the last days. Would you have a shelter then? Ponder carefully the question. Let the voice of true wisdom answer for you, and when she has answered, do her bidding. If we are right in the application of those scriptures to which our attention has been directed, the scenes there brought to view will soon be fearful realities. It is certain that the Scriptures point us to a crowning scene of destruction and desolation as the close of earth's sinful drama. There is yet opportunity for escape. A few moments more yet linger tremblingly upon the utmost limits of probation, ere they pass away and are gone forever. We entreat you to use them well. There is one way to secure salvation, and that is by faith in Christ and a compliance with its conditions. These conditions are not grievous. They simply require a willing and unfeigned obedience to certain precepts which are holy, just and good. "If thou wilt enter into life keep the commandments." But obedience is no obedience which does not extend to every requirement which God has given to regulate our conduct, and yield to them each implicit service. Remember then that the course of the world for six thousand years has been one of corruption; that many divine institutions have been perverted by the imaginations and inventions of the human heart. The law of God has not escaped these attempts. A "little horn," a "man of sin," "more daring than his fellows," has endeavored to change and modify it. Be careful then to render obedience to God's precepts in a manner that he requires, lest you be found following the traditions of men instead of the requirements of Heaven, and so rendering to the Lord your God a lame and unacceptable sacrifice, that will not avail you in the day of accounts. The truth only can serve as your shield and buckler in the coming battle. With it may we each, writer and reader, be well girded, that we may have confidence and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
EASTERN TOUR.
By James White
BRO. SMITH: At our second meeting at Lancaster, Mass., several Advent brethren came in from other towns who listened with interest. A few decided to keep the Sabbath, and subscribed for the REVIEW. We felt confident that a number would take hold of the Third Message as the fruits of these meetings. June 6th and 7th, we were with Bro. S. Howland and family in Topsham, Me. Weary and unwell by labor, traveling, and care arising from the purchase of the Power Press, we found rest with this very dear family.
The 9th we passed up the Grand Trunk R. R. to Island Pond Station, where we found Bro. Barrows of Vermont waiting to take us about twenty miles to his home. We had the pleasure of spending two days with this devoted family. Bro. and Sr. Hutchins were at home. Our communion with these dear friends, especially around the family altar, was sweeter than language can describe. As we saw Bro. and Sr. Hutchins, pale, care-worn and much wasted in flesh and strength, our fears were aroused: First, that they had not been as careful to nourish their strength as they should have been. Second, that a lukewarm, worldly church had suffered them to bear burdens grievous to be borne. Third, that they had not been held up by the prayers of the church, but, rather, borne down by laboring in unnecessary trials in the church.
O how precious are God’s chosen ones, those to whom he has committed the Message, and are willing to leave all the pleasures and comforts of home, and wear out in the cause of their Master. How carefully should the church watch their wants, their toils, and in every possible way help bear their burdens and soothe their sorrows. But it is a fact that but very, very few realize anything of their toils, weary feelings, depressed spirits on account of wrongs in the church, and wasted bodily strength, their aching heads, pained lungs and restless nights. Jesus knows it all. Angels sympathize and strengthen. If special strength from heaven should cease, how soon would some of the chosen ones drop into their graves. The church do not feel these things, neither will they, till they open the door and let Jesus in. Then will they sympathize with, and help the faithful, suffering servants of Jesus Christ.
June 10th a large room-full of brethren and sisters assembled at Bro. Barrows', to whom we spoke with some freedom on the present position of believers in the present truth. A few only seem anxious to follow the light while they have it.
The 13th and 14th, we joined the brethren in their general Tent-meeting which was held in Morristown. The gathering was large. We spoke twice on the Sabbath on the subject of the Seven Churches and the judgment with some freedom; but with little effect upon the large congregation of professed believers. We were more than ever satisfied that but few Sabbath-keepers have received into their hearts the testimony to the Laodiceans, so as to love the strait testimony. Social meetings moved heavily. First-day morning the plain testimony reached the feelings of most present, and there was some freedom.
At half past ten we went to the Tent where hundreds were assembled to hear. We presented to the intelligent and candid audience every text in the New Testament which mentions the first day of the week, also every text which mentions the Sabbath of the Lord. Good order was preserved in the Tent, and strict attention was given to the subject. We read the only eight texts in the New Testament which mention the first day of the week, and not one of these texts speak of the day as being holy or a day of rest. We also read from the New Testament where the Sabbath is mentioned fifty-nine times, and in every instance refers to the day on which God rested, the day he hallowed, the only day of the week which he commanded man to keep holy. While speaking we felt that conviction was resting on many minds, that we had the truth of God’s word on the Sabbath question. In the afternoon we spoke on the Messages of Rev. xiv, with freedom, then Mrs. W. spoke near half an hour to the large and very attentive congregation with much freedom. The future will determine the amount of good accomplished at this meeting. We were more than ever convinced that but little can be accomplished in New England at present. Brn. Sperry, Hutchins and Phillips will probably visit the West this Summer, and hold some Tent meetings in Michigan in the Vermont Tent.
May the Lord reward Bro. Bingham for his efforts in the interest of this meeting, also his companion, who though not a Sabbath-keeper, welcomed God’s people to the good things of her house. J. W.
Prophecy and the Signs of the Times
By Cummings
ALL startling things are gathering and crowding around us in such clusters, and with so striking magnificence, that the most worldly men are beginning to feel that interpreters of prophecy are not, after all, fanatics and madmen; that the apocalypse is not a stupid or impenetrable mystery, but an inspired book; and that the Bible is not behind but far in advance of the age in which we live.—Cummings.
Defending and Promoting Religion
Everything that tends to promote religion, should be defended and enforced, everything that hinders it should be rebuked and condemned.
The Book of a Christian Life
Worldly men seldom read good books, but there is one book they always read, and that is the book of a Christian’s life and conversation.
Rashness and the Need for Sobriety
Rashness generally ends in folly and shame; young men are exhorted in Scripture to be soberminded.
God’s Wisdom in Every Event
The wisdom and mercy of God will be found written on every event which concerns you.
LETTERS.
By R. B. Wheeler
"Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another."
From Sister Wheeler
BELOVED BRETHREN AND SISTERS: I have taken my pen to testify with others, that the arm of the Lord is not shortened, neither is his ear heavy to the cries of his children. I feel he is on the giving hand, making hard things easy, rough places smooth, and crooked places straight, and that he is bringing to light the hidden things of darkness, and causing his children to take up the stumbling-stones and prepare the way for the Third Angel's Message to go with a loud cry. I want to be among the number to rise with the remnant. I know the grace of God is sufficient, for he has promised strength according to our day. I see nothing discouraging, if we are obedient to the voice of the good Shepherd. Although his children may have to pass through sore conflicts with the enemy, yet the Lord will not suffer him to go beyond the length of his chain, and will with the temptation make a way for their escape.
Do we realize, brethren and sisters, the long suffering and tender mercy of God, and with what love he manifests himself towards us? What more could he have done to his vineyard than he has already done in giving his word, his Spirit, and his only begotten Son to suffer, the just for the unjust. And then in this last link of probationary time, while its last sands are falling, we hear the counsel of the faithful and true Witness, to buy of him gold tried in the fire, white raiment, and eye-salve. Do we feel his keen, rebuke and chastening as we ought? Do we exercise that becoming zeal in reforming, that is our duty and privilege? And while he stands knocking without, and his locks are wet with the dews of many nights, I fear unless we arouse ourselves and open unto him immediately he will withdraw himself and be gone. We shall then seek him and cannot find him, and call him but he will give us no answer. We are being brought into a very straight place; for though the Lord is long suffering and of tender mercies, and has exercised long patience towards us, not willing that any should perish, yet his Spirit will not always strive, and how awful if we are left to perish with the guilty nations. I realize that God is in earnest with his people, and we ought to give heed to his voice speaking unto us through his prophet Joel, saying, "Turn ye, even to me, with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping; and with mourning, and rend your heart and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God." His searching eye is upon us, he knows our works, and will not accept of our divided affections. He is a jealous God, and demands our whole heart with our entire being, all that we have, and are; and does he require too much? Nay, he is not a hard master. He has purchased us with a price far above rubies, even the precious blood of his dear Son.
May the Lord help us to realize the solemnity of the hour we are living in, and aid us to get on the white raiment, &c. R. B. WHEELER.
Worcester, Mass., June 10th, 1857.
The True Witness and Precious Promises
By Elvira Seely
From Sister Seely.
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: I feel for one that I must heed the true Witness, and buy gold tried in the fire that I may be rich, white raiment that I may be clothed, and eye-salve that I may see. I believe that Jesus is soon coming to take his ransomed ones home, and I want to be prepared to meet him, and exclaim, Lo, this is my God, I have waited for him. I feel very much cast down at times, seeing no one of like precious faith, and being surrounded as I am by Infidelity and Universalism; it seems indeed like darkness which may be felt. Then again I look at the precious promises left on record, and exclaim, Why art thou cast down, O my soul? My Saviour has said, "My grace is sufficient for thee."
I know not what I could do without the Review. It comes laden with the precious truths of the Bible, and also communications from dear brethren and sisters who were instruments in the hands of God in pointing me into the way wherein Christ makes his people free. How oft has my mind been carried back to the place where we have met to sing and pray.
"They see thy power and glory there,
As I have seen it often too;
They read, they hear, they join in prayer
As I was wont to do.
They sing thy deeds, as I have sung,
In sweet and solemn lays;
Were I among them, my glad tongue
Might learn new themes of praise.
For thou art in their midst to teach,
When on thy name they call;
And thou hast blessings, Lord, for each,
Hast blessings, Lord, for all.
I, of such fellowship hereft,
In spirit turn to thee;
Oh! hast thou not a blessing left,
A blessing, Lord, for me?
I may not to their midst repair,
Yet here thou surely art;
Lord, consecrate a house of prayer,
In my surrendered heart.
To faith, reveal the things unseen;
To hope, the joys untold;
Let love, without a vail between,
Thy glory now behold.
Oh! make thy face on me to shine,
That doubt and fear may cease;
Lift up thy countenance benign
On me, and give me peace."
ELVIRA SEELY.
Salisbury Center, June, 1857.
A Living Witness for God
By Editor
Bro. J. G. Curtiss writes from Trowbridge, Mich., June 7th, 1857:
"I consider it the duty of every sincere lover of God to stand as a living witness for him and his truth; therefore I will write a few lines to let you know that I love the Lord, and am determined by his help to keep all his commandments. I love63the cause of my blessed Lord and Master, and my daily prayer is that God may pour out his richest blessings upon the church at large, and may we be wholly given up to the service of God. Then we shall obtain immortality through Jesus Christ when he comes to make up his jewels."
ONWARD
[Translated from the German.]
ONWARD.
Come, brothers! let us onward,
Night comes without delay,
And in this howling desert
It is not good to stay.
Take courage and be strong,
We are hasting on to heaven,
Strength for warfare will be given,
And glory won ere long.
The pilgrim's path of trial
We do not fear to view;
We know his voice who calls us,
We know him to be true.
Then let who will contemn,
But strong in His almighty grace,
Come every one with steadfast face,
On to Jerusalem.
O, brothers, soon is ended
The journey we've begun;
Endure a little longer,
The race will soon be run.
And in the land of rest,
In yonder bright eternal home,
Where all the Father's loved ones come
We shall be safe and blest.
Then boldly let us venture,
This, this is worth the cost!
Though dangers we encounter,
Though every thing is lost.
O, world! how vain thy call!
We follow him who went before,
We follow to th' eternal shore,
Jesus, our all in all.
Sabbath Witnessing in Weaversville
By Laura J. Waters
From Sister Waters.
BRO. SMITH : I have been a reader of the Review for some time, and its praiseworthy instructions have been meat in due season to me. All the sermon I hear on the Sabbath day, is the reading of the Review, which my husband and myself read with much interest. For some time we were the only ones here that had respect to the Sabbath-day. We distributed our books and tracts among the people, and endeavored to show them that they had not got the whole truth yet; for most of them are Sunday-keeping Adventists. There are a few that are trying to find the truth, while the majority scoff and say it is only another new theory. My brother's wife is the only one that is fully persuaded that the Sabbath is binding in the gospel dispensation. She stated to me some three weeks ago her determination to remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. My prayer is, Lord, give her strength from the Sanctuary on high, and build her up in the most holy faith. By the grace of God assisting us we shall endeavor to get on the white raiment, and anoint our eyes with eye-salve that we may see. I desire an interest in all your prayers.
Your unworthy sister waiting for the kingdom of God. LAURA J. WATERS.
Weaversville, Mich., June, 1857.
MARY E. WEAVER
By Mary E. Weaver
From Sister Weaver.
BRO. SMITH : I am a stranger to you in person, but I hope not in spirit; for I do love the doctrines you advocate. I have been a reader of the Review but a short time, but I can truly say it is a welcome visitor. I often feel encouraged while reading the cheering communications from the brethren and sisters. I feel truly thankful to God that my lot has been cast among the commandment-keepers. I commenced keeping the seventh day last May, and I am fully persuaded that it is the true Sabbath that our Father said should be kept holy. There are but three of us who are trying to keep all the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus; brother and sister Waters and myself. We meet often and talk of the glorious appearing of our dear Saviour which we think is nigh even at the doors. Our prayer is that when he shall come we may have on the white robe, and that our lamps may be trimmed and burning, and that he will say to us, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you.
MARY E. WEAVER
Weaversville, Mich., June 3d, 1857.
PHREMAN, & POLLY ROBINSON
By Phreman and Polly Robinson
From Bro. & Sr. Robinson.
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: Let us strive a little longer for the prize which is at the end of the race. With shame and deep contrition of heart do we confess our lukewarmness and backslidings from God; but we do thank his great name that we yet have hope in his mercy. O how solemnly touching is the appeal of our blessed Saviour, who by his Spirit is making his last call, who is knocking at the door of our hearts. We want to be zealous and repent, and turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart, and lay all on the altar of God that we may possess the gold tried in the fire, and the white raiment which is the righteousness of the saints. What a great work must yet be done for us ere we shall be ready to meet our coming Lord. It is time, high time for us to earnestly seek that needed preparation, humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, seek meekness and righteousness that we may be hid in the day of the Lord's fierce anger. We can truly say that time looks short to us, and we are determined by the assisting grace of God to overcome, that we may receive the refreshing when it comes from the presence of the Lord.
The brethren and sisters here are striving to arise.
Yours waiting for the kingdom.
PHREMAN, & POLLY ROBINSON
Catlin, N. Y., June 9th, 1857.
Extracts from Letters.
BRO. S. G. Burton writes from Pittsfield, Maine, 1857: "I wish to say that the truth is still dear to me, and that I read the Review with interest, and I trust with profit. I feel thankful that the Lord has not left us in darkness, but is showing us how wretched we are. I know that I have been in a lukewarm state for some time past, but hope that I shall be enabled to repent and heed the warning of the true Witness, and put on the whole armor of God, having my eyes anointed, that I may see clearly all the precious truths connected with the Third Angel's Message. I do feel that we are living in a very solemn time. Let us awake and be diligent to make our calling and election sure. I do feel that I would rather be a door-keeper in the house of God than to dwell in the tents of wickedness."
SELECTIONS.
"WHAT MAKES A MAN?"
A TRUTHFUL soul, a loving mind,
Full of affection for its kind;
A spirit firm, erect and free,
That never basely bends a knee;
That will not bear a feather's weight
On slavery's chain, for small or great;
That truly speaks from God within,
And never makes a league with sin;
That snaps the fetters despots make,
And loves the truth for its own sake;
That worships God, and him alone,
And bows nowhere but at his throne;
That trembles at no tyrant's nod;
A soul that fears no one but God;
And thus can smile at curse or ban;
That is the soul that makes a man.
OBITUARY.
By J. R. Towle
FELL asleep in Enfield, N. H., May 3d, 1857, Bro. Thomas Goodhue, aged 61 years, leaving a large family and a large circle of relations and friends to mourn his loss; yet they mourn not as those that have no hope.
He embraced religion more than thirty years ago, and always lived an honest and a sincere Christian, pleasant in his family, peaceful with his neighbors, and respected in society. In 1842 he heard the judgment-hour cry, and believed it, and rejoiced in a soon coming Lord. He met the disappointment with composure, saying, The Lord's will be done. Unshaken in faith he held on, believing the Lord would make it plain. In 1855 he heard of the third and last message; and of the importance of keeping the Sabbath. He examined it carefully and prayerfully. In April, 1856, a sore appeared on his right cheek, which prevented him from labor. It formed a cancer. I called to see him in January, 1857. He said, How glad I be that you have come; for I felt this morning as though I wanted to talk with some one about the coming of the Lord. He said, I made up my mind some time ago to keep the Sabbath of the Lord; for it is right. He did so. About four weeks before he died I called again, found him very low. He said to me, I long to have the moment come when I can go to rest. I am weary of mortality. I feel that all is well. The next morning I bade him farewell, and saw him no more. But I hope soon, yea, very soon, if faithful, to meet him in the resurrection morn.
J. R. TOWLE.
Are You Sure?
Are you sure that you will live another day?
Are you sure that you are, by the guidance of the Holy Spirit, taking the road which leads to present and future happiness, the way of the faith in Christ your Saviour, a faith which works by love? Are you sure you are not deceived by a name to live while you are spiritually dead?
Are you sure you are not injuring the cause of God in your family, in public, by an inconsistent walk? Are you sure you are training up your children in the way they should go, and by your example recommending religion to them?
Are you sure your temper is mild and affectionate; that you are of a forgiving spirit and heavenly in conversation, so that others may take knowledge of you that you have been with Jesus? Are you sure you never unnecessarily speak of the faults of others when absent? and if you reprove for faults, are you sure that it is in meekness and love?
Are you sure you read the Holy Scriptures daily, and search them, and try to retain and practice what you read?
Are you sure when you pray, that you are earnest, fervent, believing, and importunate? or are you cold, lifeless and formal?
Are you sure you make no vain excuses for not attending the house of God on the Lord's day? Will the excuses you now make be accepted at the judgment day?
Are you sure that you spend nothing in gaudy dress, unnecessary ornaments, expensive food, or vain amusements which might be spent in a better purpose.
Are you sure that you are not putting off repentance? Beware, for you may die suddenly, be deprived of reason, or given up to hardness of heart.
Friend, ponder these questions, and answer them as in the presence of God; and may the Lord bless them to your soul.
THE PRINCE OF PREACHERS.
This was the title given to President Davis in his own day. It was surely deserved, if it be true, as has been said, that he never preached a sermon which was not instrumental in, at least, one conversion, while some of his sermons were the means of bringing many to Christ. The secret of his success may be learned from his own words, in a letter to a friend: "It is an easy thing to make a noise in the world, to flourish and harangue, and dazzle the crowd; but deeply to imbibe the spirit of Christianity, to maintain a secret walk with God, this is the labor, this is the work. The difficulty of the ministerial work seems to grow on my hands. Perhaps once in three or four months I preach in some measure as I could wish; that is, as in the sight of God—as if I were to step from the pulpit to the supreme tribunal—I feel my subject. I melt into tears, or I shudder with horror, when I denounce64the terrors of the Lord. I glow—I soar in sacred ecstacies—when the love of Jesus is my theme, and, as Mr. Baxter says:
‘I preach as if I ne'er should preach again,
And as a dying man to dying men.’"
Encouragement from Fairhaven
Bro. D. Chase writes from Fairhaven, Mass: "I rejoice greatly in the prosperity of the cause as it is reported through the Review, and pray that you may be sustained, and may have strength, and grace, and wisdom, equal to your day and trial. The cause is the Lord's, and he will see to his own cause. It will be sustained and gloriously triumph soon. O that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and his wonderful works to the children of men."