Sister J. E. Green writes from Wis.: I am often filled with wonder to think I should ever offend so good a being as God; but the blessed words, “If any man sin we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous,” and, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness,” come to my heart with cheering power, and I am encouraged to plead for pardon, and strengthened to try hard to be more watchful and prayerful, that I may be among those who shall be cleansed from all unrighteousness. Oh, blessed thought! that the time will surely come when we shall sin no more. I have, of late, passed through some (to me) severe trials; for it is foreign to our nature to be despised and sneered at by friends and relatives on account of our opinions. But in the midst of it, I could not help rejoicing that I was counted worthy to suffer even a little for his sake, who suffered so much for me. Oh, how little and insignificant do such trials appear, in view of the great reward at the end of the race. All I ask is, that they may have a humbling and sanctifying effect upon me, that I may be an overcomer through the blood of the dear Saviour. My daily prayer is,
“O, for a closer walk with God.”
When I see those around me shrinking from a view of short crops, caused by the drouth now prevailing, and borrowing trouble about the future, the beautiful words of David, in the 91st Psalm, come to my heart like oil upon the troubled waters, “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.” How many precious promises there seem to be written on purpose for those living just before Christ’s second coming. I am truly thankful that we have the word of God to lighten us in these last days, and I desire to be among those who shall take it as the man of their counsel, that it may indeed be a lamp to my feet and a light to my path, and I may be guided aright, and at last worship with the overcomers around the throne of God in Heaven.
Sister E. F. Rood writes from Alamo, Mich.: When Bro. Cornell was lecturing at Otsego, one year ago, I listened to two discourses by him, and afterward attended the tent meeting one day, at the same place, and heard Bro. and Sr. White exhort and encourage the people in this glorious truth. This encouraged and led me to a careful investigation of the Scriptures, where I have not found the seventh-day Sabbath abolished, nor any other truth that I have heard preached or seen advocated in the Review. The paper is all the preaching I have, and I hail it with delight. I do not feel disheartened at the lonely path, but will try to press my way onward and upward, relying upon the strong arm of my Redeemer, who will in nowise cast out any who sincerely call upon his holy name.
Sister L. Risinger writes from Enterprise, Minn.: I have just returned from the quarterly meeting, held at Pleasant Grove by Bro. Sanborn, thirty-five miles from my home. I there heard things that have brought my life up to the test. I cannot be neutral. I must take my stand upon this glorious platform of love, purity, and truth. I must consecrate myself to God, and make my body a fit temple for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. “I will make haste, and delay not, to obey thy righteous commandments, O, my God,” lest the tempter come and snatch away the precious influence made upon my heart. I love the people that live up to this beautiful standard of truth. Like Ruth of old, I feel like saying, “Entreat me not to leave thee; for thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.”
Sister E. Wood writes from Bellaire, Iowa: One year ago last February I commenced keeping the Sabbath. I feel to thank the Lord that I was ever led to hear his precious truth, and had a willing heart to obey it. I am trying to heed the warning voice of the last message of mercy, by keeping all God’s commandments and the faith of Jesus, that I may have a right to the tree of life, and enter through the gates into the city. I feel very unworthy to be numbered among God’s servants, but Jesus is worthy, and it is through him I expect to be saved.
Bro. J. Hebner writes from Pottersburg, Mich.: Had it not been for the Bible, and the Review that advocates the doctrines of that book, I should probably have made shipwreck of my faith; but I can truly say to-day that my heart beats in unison with all the dear saints. Brethren and sisters, I rejoice with you that ever my ear was saluted with the third angel’s message, the last message of mercy that will ever go to the world to warn the inhabitants thereof of the coming of the Saviour.
Bro. F. C. Castle writes from Buck’s Bridge, N. Y.: Our quarterly meeting, at this place, has just closed. It was quite well attended. Bro. H. W. Lawrence was with us, related some of his experience, and exhorted us to arise and gird on the whole armor, and be awake to our responsibility. There was good freedom during the entire meeting. Bro. Whitney gave two discourses on first-day, after which one was baptized by Bro. Lawrence. The brethren then parted for their homes, encouraged to be more faithful.
Bro. H. Harlow, who appears to be going forward in the good work, writes from Decatur, Nebraska: I would like to say to my dear brethren and sisters scattered abroad that I am in full sympathy with the Seventh-day Adventists. I embraced the third angel’s message nine years ago this month. Five years ago I bid good-by to tobacco. The 6th day of the present month I bid good-by to tea and coffee. I would like to say to my friends that it is my determination to keep all the commands of God and the faith of Jesus.
Sister F. Winchel writes from Cooleyville, Minn.: I know that Jesus lives, and I also know something of what it is to suffer for the testimony of Jesus, and for keeping the seventh day. But I found it all in the Bible some years since. I love to hear of the near coming of our Saviour. And when I read the comforting letters in the Review, I have often felt that I would be glad to be a witness for God.
Sister M. L. Sutherland writes from Newton, Mich.: The Lord has bestowed great blessings on me in answer to prayer, and I would acknowledge it to all of like precious faith, to incite them to prayer and faithfulness; for unto us is the promise given, “And whatsoever we ask we receive of him, because we keep his commandments and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.”
Sister E. Carmichael writes from Springville, Iowa: I have cause to rejoice and praise the Lord for being so merciful to me. I esteem the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord; and I rejoice that he has left on record so many precious promises to those who are trying to keep his commandments.
Sister L. J. Shaw writes from Strykersville, N. Y., June 5, 1864: I never before in my life felt the sacredness of the Sabbath as I do and have of late, and the beauty there is in the commandments of God, and the great and precious promises to those that obey his will. Praise the Lord!
Sister C. Ruiter writes from Dunham, Vt.: My companion and children are keeping the Sabbath. We commenced soon after the tent-meeting in North Sutton, last summer. It is not a yoke of bondage to us, but a delight.
Bro. E. Jones writes from Dryden, Mich.: May it be mine to have that fellowship of which the apostle speaks, with both the Father and the Son, by keeping his commandments and the faith of Jesus.
God's Strength.
“LORD, what a change within, one short hour
Spent in thy presence, will prevail to make—
What heavy burdens from our bosoms take!
What parched grounds refresh, as with a shower!
We kneel, and all around us seem to lower;
We rise, and all the distant and the near
Stands forth in sunny outline brave and clear:
We kneel, how weak—we rise, how full of power.
Why therefore should we do ourselves the wrong,
Or others, that we are not always strong,
That we are ever overborne with care,
That we should ever weak or heartless be,
Anxious or troubled, when, with us in prayer,
All joy and strength and courage are with Thee?”
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.
C. O. TAYLOR
By C. O. Taylor
From Bro. Taylor.
BRO. WHITE: The second Sabbath in the month (June) I was with the church at Kirkville. Although few in number, they are not discouraged. They love the truth, and are trying to live it. They feel its weight and importance, sustain their Sabbath meetings, and are keeping pace with the work. I think I can safely say that the few that are left are doing as well as when the numbers were more.
Last Sabbath and first day I was with the church in this place. Their numbers here are not large, yet they would be whole-hearted in the glorious work of the last message. They are not yet organized. They carry out the s. b. system, and with one exception their testimonies were good and to the point. They will soon be out of his sight, if they keep on walking in the light of the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, which I trust they will do, for it is the sure and only way to mount Zion.
C. O. TAYLOR
Verona, N. Y., June 28, 1864.
The Royal Law and Christ’s Kingdom
By J. A. Luke
From Bro. Luke.
Bro. White: I have been distributing some of our publications, and trying to show my friends that the coming of the Saviour is near at hand. Some are interested; others scoff and say, ‘Where is the promise of his coming?’ The most prominent and best educated member of the Disciple church here, took the ground that the Royal Law was repealed at the crucifixion; and in the same conversation declared that the kingdom was set up on the day of Pentecost, and that there was no law of Christ binding until the kingdom was established, and consequently there was neither law nor gospel for fifty days. When asked by what the people were governed, he said, the ‘law of the land!’ This man is a practicing physician, and a thorough graduate of two colleges. Truly, thought I, has God chosen the weak things of this world to confound the mighty and the wise. I start for Portland, Ind., on Tuesday. I humbly ask an interest in the prayers of the dear brethren:
J. A. Luke.
Plainfield, Ind.
Obituary Notices.
By Joseph Bates
DIED in Orange, Ionia Co., Mich., March 1, 1864, Benjamin Howe, father of Bro. Franklin Howe, aged seventy-seven years, after a distressing illness of six months, occasioned by a fall from his door.
JOSEPH BATES.
ASHER S. KING
By Asher S. King
DiED of spotted fever, after an illness of less than five days, May 10, 1864, Sarah Minerva, daughter of Asher S. and Lorana King, aged 34 years.
ASHER S. KING
Hoosac Tunnel, Mass.
The First Resurrection
Blessed is he that hath part in the first resurrection.
Business Department.
Business Notes.
D. W. Johnson. The Volumes of the Instructor commence with the year.
H. Keeney. Where do you want your Review changed to?
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. If money for the paper is not in due time acknowledged, immediate notice of the omission should then be given.
H Harlow 2,00,xxv,14. L Hadden 2,00,xxv,22. E D Wilch 1,00,xxv,1. G Felshaw 2,00,xxv,13. W Martin 2,00,xxiii,19. S Jones 1,00,xxv,18. Mrs A C Hanaford 1,00,xxvi,1. N G Spencer 0,50,xxv,1. P R Smith 0,25,xxiv,14. Mary Alexander 1,00,xxv,3. G L Holiday for G Kelley 1,00,xxvi,1. J M Daigneau 1,00,xxiv,1. B Simonton for W J Simonton 1,00,xxvi,1. J W Landes for Mrs E Landes and Mrs O Hastings each 1,00,xxvi,1. J W Landes 2,00,xxvi,1. D W Johnson for R Robinson 1,00,xxvi,1. G Graham 2,00,xxvi,1. J M Deen 1,00,xxv,1. T F Cottrell 2,00,xxvi,1. C A Osgood for S Emmet 1,00,xxvi,1. J B Taber 1,00,xxv,1. Mary R Taber for L B Mc Euen and R S Case each 1,00,xxvi,1. M Kittle 1,00,xxiv,14 T F Emans 1,00,xxv,1. O Mears 4,00,xxix,1. P S Thurston for J Woodard 1,00,xxvi,1. P S Thurston 3,32,xxiv,1. L F Lamb 2,00,xxvi,11. Eli Sherman 2,00,xxvi,1. A Sherman 1,00,xxiv,1. L Dickinson 1,00,xxvi,1. J Thomas 1,00,xxv,1. H Keeney 4,75,xxvii,14. G L Reddington 3,00,xxv,1. S N Smith 1,00,xxv,1. L Bean 2,00,xxvi,8. S E Ewing 0,50,xxv,1. R Garrett 4,00,xxvi,11. W Lockard 1,00,xxvi,1. S N Littlefield 2nd, 2,00,xxv,13. E Smith 5,00,xxvii,13. V Jenks 1,00,xxvi,1. S Blodget 2,00,xxv,20. Mrs Park 0,50,xxvi,1. Lucy Seymour for Mrs E A Wartrom and Mrs M Hood each 1,00,xxvi,1. D Depew 2,00,xxiii,1. A Ballard 0,75,xxv,14. A Thompson 0,75,xxiv,20. J W Raymond 1,00,xxv,1. S Hills 2,00,xxvi,14. E Odell 3,00,xxvi,16. C Evans 1,00,xxvi,1. W A Hicks 1,00,xxiii,16. A Wattles 0,58,xxv,5. J Burbridge 2,00,xxv,1. J C Brown for G Baricklow 1,00,xxvi,1. M H Irish 4,00,xxvii,1. D Upson 2,00,xxiv,1. H H Blodget 1,00,xxvi,1. A G Long 1,00,xxvi,1. R H Peck 2,00,xxvi,1. I P Ulrich 2,00,xxvi,8. C M Smith 1,00,xxvi,1. H Miller 2,00,xxvii,16. C Colson 2,00,xxiv,2. H M Smith 1,00,xxv,1. R Unthank 0,50,xxv,1. H M Wilson 1,00,xxvi,1. A Buel 2,00,xxvi,1. B R Davis 1,00,xxvi,1. J Frost 1,00,xxvi,1. J J Blaisdell 0,50,xxv,1. C W Leighton 1,00,xxvi,1. J Barker 0,50,xxv,1. F J Goodrich 2,00,xxvi,9. H Nye 1,00,xxvi,2. H J Francisco 2,00,xxiv,1. Mrs K Bressler 1,00,xxvi,1. J Ralston 1,00,xxv,1. L S Gregory 2,00,xxvi,3. J B Gregory 1,00,xxvi,3. J Clarke 2,00,xxv,21. A Thomas 2,00,xxv,8. H Gregory 2,00,xxvi,1. S A Williams 2,00,xxvi,1. L L Byington 2,00,xxvi,1. A C Gilbert 5,00,xxvii,18. A A Marks 2,00,xxiv,1. C Z June 2,00,xxv,1. A A Marks for L Marks 1,00,xxvi,1. A T Phillips 1,00,xxiv,1. R Williams 2,00,xxiv,1. D Pass 2,46,xxvi,1. J Bartlett 2,00,xxiii,1. W E Caviness 0,75,xxv,1. T H Moffet 1,00,xxv,1. E J Bane 1,00,xxvi,1. J Piper 1,00,xxvi,1. P Miller 1,00,xxvi,1. E Miner 1,00,xxvi,3. M Cook 1,00,xxvi,1. D H Lamson 2,00,xxvi,1. J Deuman 1,00,xxiv,1. D Curtis 2,25,xxv,20. N Keener 2,00,xxv,17. J B Webster 1,08,xxv,7. E Pratt 2,50,xxvi,14. F Frauenfelter 1,00,xxiv,12. E R Kelsey 3,00,xxvii,1. A A Bragg 2,10,xxvi,3. Mrs E Coleman 0,25,xxvi,7. M A Winters 1,00,xxvi,1. D Smith 1,00,xxvi,1. W H Lemon 1,00,xxvi,1. E V Wiard 1,00,xxv,1. W Treadwell 1,00,xxv,1. A Caldwell 0,50,xxiv,1. E Davis 1,00,xxvi,1. E P Giles 1,00,xxv,1. L Schellhous 2,00,xxvii,13. E Griffeth 2,00,xxv,1. J G Wood 2,00,xxvi,1. W McNitt 2,25,xxv,20. R Waters 1,00,xxvi,1. D W Whaley 1,00,xxvi,1. W F Crous 1,11,xxiv,17. D W Hull 5,00,xxv,1. R F Robinson 2,00,xx,12. W T Hinton 2,00,xxvi,14. M B Greeman 2,00,xxvi,1. W T Hinton for T Henton 1,00,xxvi,1. S Shirkey 1,00,xxvi,9. L Pinkerton for J A Frimwood 1,00,xxvi,1. J Snyder 1,00,xxiv,23. H P Wakefield 2 copies 3,00,xxv,1. J Hurd 2,00,xxvi,9. T Nelson 3,50,xxv,3. S S Jones 1,00,xxiv,1. E Johnson 0,50,xxv,8. L J Shaw 1,25,xxv,1. J Park for R M Horn 1,00,xxvi,1. D Bickford 2,00,xxvi,5. S B Gowell 2,00,xxv,21. L Haskell 1,00,xxv,1. M Dow 1,00,xxiv,1. G H Mathews 1,00,xxv,1. J Kemp 1,00,xxiv,1. E L Bascon for S A Rowland 1,00,xxvi,1. J P Flemming for Eld. P Small 1,00,xxvi,1. T Townsend 0,50,xxv,1. G W Ohaver 0,50,xxv,1. E Tucker 1,00,xxv,1. A Burrows 1,00,xxvi,7. J Carter 1,00,xxv,1. From a friend 2,50,xxvii,1. Mrs S M Swan 2,50,xxvii,1. A C Morton 3,00,xxiv,14. J H Rogers 1,00,xxv,8. J J Owen 1,00,xxvi,1. F Douglass 1,00,xxiii,1. C G Campbell 1,00,xxvi,13. I Gleason 1,00,xxvi,1. H D Ford 1,00,xxvi,1.
Books Sent By Mail.
E A Claflin $1.45. M Whisler $1. C McNeil $2. Mrs M Tours 7c. Geo P Lampard 7c. S W Ford 7c. R Lampard 7c. C N Ford 24c. O E Merrifield 25c. Mary Alexander 50c. L Seymour 83c. P S Thurston 68c. A C Bourdeau 25c. A Wattles 17c. A Harmon $1. D Poss $3.39. Wm E Caviness 20c. L L Loomis 44c. Wm F Crous 89c. T Bradbury 12c. H Clough $2. W H Lemon 12c. F Kotman 22c. F M Bragg 90c. L Lathrop 30c. Amelia Curtis 30c. Mrs C Curtis 15c. J S Webster 92c. Mrs R C Baker 18c. J Dubois 50c. G F Richmond 29c.
Books Sent By Express.
B G Allen, Middletown, R I, $4.40. M A Dudley, Washington, Washington Co, Iowa, $17. E M L Corey, Lansing, Mich., $1.
Books Sent by Rail Road as Freight.
L G Bostwick, Blue River, Grant Co, Wis, $76.12. Wm Merry, St Charles, Minn., $63.66.
Cash Received on Account.
T T Brown $5. O Mears $5. L G Bostwick for I Sanborn $5. A S Hutchins $22. J B Frisbie $1. J W Raymond $1. J Bostwick $1.25. J Clarke $11. J H Waggoner $7.
General Conference Missionary Fund.
D. A. Owen $7.00.
Review to Poor.
J. B. Merritt $1.00.
Note from Bro. Van Horn.
By I. D. Van Horn
BRO. WHITE; We have spent three Sabbaths in this place, a little more than two weeks, and have given twenty-two lectures. The people are interested in what we have been telling them, and some are inclined to believe it is the truth.
We have had freedom in presenting the truth to them, and feel to praise the Lord for all his goodness to us.
Yesterday (Sunday) we called upon all who were convinced that the seventh-day Sabbath was binding upon Christians in this dispensation, to manifest it by rising to their feet. Twenty arose. When the question was reversed, four arose. We took this expression of the people in order to decide whether to stay with them longer, or to remove to some other place. We have decided to stay another week. We trust the Lord has a people here, and we pray that we may be strengthened to discharge our duty, and present the truths of the message to them in their purity. Remember us before the Lord in your prayers, that success may attend our labors this season.
I. D. VAN HORN.
Ithaca, Mich.
Note from Bro. Bates.
By Joseph Bates
BRO. WHITE: Since my last report, I have visited the church in Chesaning, Shi. Co., Mich. June 14 & 15, and held two meetings with them. A goodly number of the church from St Charles met with us and received a blessing from the Lord.
June 16-20 held six meetings with the church in Orange, Ionia Co. Brethren from Portland and Ionia came to the meeting and were much strengthened. Especially sweet and cheering was the season in attending to the ordinances of the Lord's house. As I stated in my last, so also in the above named places I am happy to learn that the interest is increasing with unbelievers to hear and learn more about our position.
JOSEPH BATES.
Monterey, Mich., June 27, 1864.
Downfall of Hoops.
Our lady readers will receive with surprise the news that the day of hoops is past. The Empress Eugenie inaugurated the movement, and of course all the female world follow suit. Already the most distinguished and fashionable ladies of New York have appeared upon the street without hoops, and have everywhere elicited admiration at the grace and beauty of their attire, and wonderment how such ungainly articles could ever have been tolerated. We state the above on the authority of the N. Y. Ledger in an editorial. We suppose however, we must ‘wait for the wagon’ a year or two longer, before the fashion reaches this part of the country.—Sel.
The Sediments of Displeasure
By Toplady
SOME professors pass for very meek, good-natured people till you displease them. They resemble a pool or a pond: while you let it alone, it looks clear and limpid; but if you stir toward the bottom, the rising sediments soon discover the impurities that lurk beneath.—Toplady.
Explanation.
By Editor
SINCE the publication of that portion of "Both Sides of the Sabbath Question," contained in No. 3, present volume, in which we stated that Eld. P. appeared to have drawn out his articles to a great length in consequence of our decision to publish them entire, we have received from him a letter stating some facts in the case, which entirely exculpate him from any such design; which facts we are happy to lay before the readers of the Review. They are these:
1. The delay of several weeks in his articles, after we commenced our review, was made at the Office of the Crisis, not by Eld. P.
2. His entire article was written and sent to the Crisis Office before our reply was commenced.
3. It was sometime after this before he received the Review which contained the commencement of our reply.
4. The division of his "number four" into three articles was not made by Eld. P., but at the Crisis Office.
We are happy to present facts which so effectually clear Eld. P. from all questionable motives in the matter; for while no other conclusion could apparently be drawn from the knowledge of the facts which we then possessed, than what was intimated in the number referred to, we should be sorry to have any one stand before the public in a wrong light from any remark of ours.
A Reply to S. B. Overton
S. B. OVERTON. You have read the History of the Sabbath with very little care, if you still think that no command existed for the observance of the Sabbath for twenty-five hundred years from creation, or that we cannot keep the Sabbath because the world is round, or that only an indefinite seventh part of our time is required of us. Read it again.
Appointments.
Meetings in Ohio.
Brethren at Lovett's Grove being very busy building a house of worship, it is thought best not to hold Quarterly Meeting there on the 16th and 17th of July.
Also the meetings which were to have been held at Portage July 9 and 10, have been deferred till the 6th and 7th of August.
Ohio Con. Com.
J. Clarke, Sec.
Oakland Quarterly Meeting and Dedication
By S. A. Bragg
THE next quarterly meeting of the Oakland Wisconsin church will be held the third Sabbath in July. On this occasion we wish the dedication of our meeting house in Oakland. Can not Bro. Steward be there? We invite the neighboring churches to attend.
S. A. Bragg.
Cambridge, Wis., June 28, 1864.
Mackford Quarterly Meeting
By Rufus Baker
The next quarterly meeting of the Seventh-day Adventist church of Mackford, Wis., will be held July 23. It is hoped that the scattered brethren and sisters of this church will either be present on this occasion, or represent themselves by letter.
RUFUS BAKER.
Appointments at Convis and Parkville
By John Byington
PROVIDENCE permitting, I will meet with the church in Convis, Mich., Sabbath, July 16, and with the church at Parkville, Sabbath, July 23.
Jno. BYINGTON.
Quarterly Meeting at Hundred Mile Grove
By N. M. JORDON.
The next quarterly meeting of the church at Hundred Mile Grove, Wis., will be held August 6 and 7, 1864. Bro. L. G. Bostwick, of Port Andrew, Wis., is expected to meet with us.
N. M. JORDON.