An article in a recent number of the American Christian Review (Disciple) entitled, “Sermon on the Sabbath and the Lord’s Day,” contains this statement: “The Sabbath was a day of awful self-denial and profound religious gloom.”
One wonders when reading such passages where all the mistaken ideas of the teachings of God’s word originate, and how it happens that so much which is in direct opposition to the Bible is taught as Bible truth. A fearful responsibility rests upon those who teach in the name of God. When we enter upon the study of the Bible with our minds filled with the traditions of our fathers, it is difficult to rightly understand its plainest assertions. Early training and prejudice often bias our minds in our interpretation of the Scriptures. This seems particularly true in respect to the Sabbath; and although the word of God is full and explicit in its teachings in regard to the character of the Sabbath and man’s relation to it, very many false views are entertained concerning these things.
If the writer of the article alluded to had obtained his ideas of the Sabbath from the Bible, he would not associate profound gloom with keeping God’s holy day. The Scriptures represent the Sabbath as a day set apart for the special purpose of worshiping God, and bringing to remembrance his work of creation. It is not a gloomy task to contemplate the wondrous power and goodness of our Creator, and render him the homage due so exalted a being. We cannot more easily secure a happy frame of mind than by turning away from the unsatisfying and transitory things of the world, and directing our thoughts to the perfect and unchangeable love of our heavenly Father. This great love of God for us is plainly manifest in the law he has given for our guidance. The psalmist declares this law, of which the Sabbath commandment is a part, to be perfect. The obedience of a perfect law cannot in any manner produce gloom; on the contrary, it must cause joy and gladness. We have direct testimony from the Bible on this point. In the 119th psalm David exclaims, “Oh, how love I thy law!” “I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies.” “I will delight myself in thy commandments which I have loved.” “Unless thy law had been my delight, I should have perished in mine affliction.” “Thy testimonies have I taken as a heritage forever, for they are the rejoicing of my heart.” Solomon says, Prov. 29:18, “He that keepeth the law, happy is he.”
We are told in Lev. 23:3, that the Sabbath is a day of holy convocation, or in other words, a day for religious assembling. The psalmist says, “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.” Ps. 122:1. And he tells the people how to appear before God. He says, “Come before his presence with singing.” “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise.” Ps. 100:2, 4. “Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and bless the Lord.” Ps. 134:2.
David also wrote a Psalm for the Sabbath, in which he enumerates some appropriate subjects for consideration on that day. He mentions God’s lovingkindness, his faithfulness, and the greatness of his works; also the glad triumph and prosperity of the righteous. Surely David did not regard the Sabbath as a day of gloom. In Isaiah 56, a blessing is pronounced on him who “keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it,” and a promise is given that “he shall be made joyful in God’s house of prayer.” Again in the 58th of Isaiah, we are told that he who shall turn away his foot from the Sabbath, from doing his own pleasure on God’s holy day, and “shall call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable,” he “shall delight himself in the Lord,” and he shall be greatly blessed.
We find abundant evidence in the Bible that the Sabbath was not considered by God’s ancient people as a day of gloom.
“Profound gloom” finds no place in the worship of God. He designs all his service to be a pleasure. He says, “Serve the Lord with gladness.” Ps. 100:2. “Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice ye righteous, and shout for joy all ye upright in heart.” Ps. 32:11. And again, “Let the righteous be glad, let them rejoice before God; yea, let them exceedingly rejoice.” Ps. 68:3.
As to the Sabbath’s being a day of “awful self-denial,” the unregenerate heart considers obedience to any of God’s commands great self-denial, while the Christian knows that to obey God is to seek one’s highest good and most perfect happiness.
Let us remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy, and be glad in the Lord, rejoicing that he has given us this memorial of his goodness in creating us. ADA A. DAWSON.
PULPIT JOKING.
No exception can be taken to the counsel of Dr. John Hall, in his Yale lectures:— “A certain gravity is expected,” he said, “through a right human instinct in ministers. Not that the particular attitude of the facial muscles is of any spiritual significance, one way or the other, but men feel that when handling grave and most serious matters we ought to be serious. Did you ever see the pilot take a ship through a perilous passage? He is grave. I have seen the surgeon’s knife drawn around the limb where an error of an inch would have been a terrible mistake. He was grave. I have heard a conscientious judge weigh and set out in the utmost fullness the evidence in a murder case, as earnestly bent on putting everything fairly as if his own life depended on the issue. Any levity here would be out of place; and on the same principle, by the average of mankind, gravity will be looked for in us who deal with matters of life and death, and speak for God.”
WHY IS GOOD REJECTED?
By Roswell F. Cottrell
Why is the light which tends to life, both in this world and that which is to come, rejected? When man's interest is appealed to, as well as his reason, why is he not ready to follow truth and live? The laws of his nature, the laws of life and health, appeal to him in like manner as does the Spirit of Inspiration, Why will ye die? Both are unheeded, and why?
Obedience to revelation and obedience to natural laws both call for self-denial. A change is required that seems a great expense. And not only must false and injurious appetites and passions be denied, but the established customs of society forbid it. One might deny himself of hurtful indulgences, but how can he bear the thought of walking contrary to his friends and neighbors? That is the difficult point. Society is running in certain ruts; and though he sees the evil, it seems too much to undertake the work of reform, for he sees no hope of correcting the evils in society; and therefore he will not undertake to lead out in the right way; and so he chooses to close his eyes to the light, and go with the multitude in the downward road to death. He wishes it were different—that all would do right. If every body else would choose the way to life, he would. And so he waits for the world to get right, and does not lift a finger to get them right. He would go the right way, if all would; but the mass are in the road to death, and he thinks he can but go with them.
What the world wants is reformers. They need strong hands to lift them out of the false grooves of fashion, and set them in the right way. To do this requires those who will follow the truth, though they have to stand alone. They must advance from the rank and file, though they be exposed to the shots of those who fear to advance. But such have real worth, and will finally reap a rich reward.
R. F. COTTRELL.
Reasoning on Heaven and the Salvation of All
Some have gone so far as to say that they should not wish for Heaven if all were not to be saved. Will these men reason thus in regard to the things of this world? Will they refuse wealth, because all are not rich? Will they refuse honor, because it is not conferred on all? Will they decline a post of distinction, because the many are excluded from it?
Could not the children of Israel rejoice in their deliverance, because Pharaoh and his host were drowned in the Red Sea?
HOSPITALITY
By C. H. Bliss
The duty of using hospitality one toward another is clearly set forth in the Scriptures. Says Paul: “Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.” Rom 12:13. This should be done without grudging: “Use hospitality one to another without grudging.” 1 Pet. 4:9. It should also be manifested toward strangers: “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers; for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” Heb. 13:2. While these duties are clearly taught as devolving upon all, there are also certain duties required of those who are entertained. The apostle says, “I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you.” 2 Cor. 11:9.
Christians receiving Christian hospitality ought to assist in bearing burdens instead of being burdensome. In bearing these burdens there ought to be equality. But how does this correspond with what we often see? For instance: A poor brother lives near the church where it is handy for the brethren to call in and get dinner and feed their horses. He being free-hearted and unselfish (as he ought to be) gladly receives them; and nearly all the brethren living a few miles from the church avail themselves of this opportunity. His provision and horse-feed are used freely Sabbath after Sabbath. Is it right that he should be thus burdened while others are eased?
This matter can be easily remedied. Let our brethren who come to quarterly meeting, when it is possible, bring some feed and provision. Then they may be able to say, as one anciently while seeking hospitality from his brethren, There is both straw and provender and bread. There is no want of anything. Judges 19:19.
C. H. Bliss.
NEW POSITION ON THE SABBATH.
By J. BARTLETT
One of the leading men in the Mormon church, recently took the following position on the Sabbath question at Onawa, Iowa. He claimed that the children of Israel came out of the land of Egypt on the first day of the year, and the first day of the week, or Sunday. They came into the wilderness of Sin on the 15th day of the second month; on the 16th day the manna fell for the first time. He counted thirty-one days for a month; thirty-one and fifteen make forty-six days, or six weeks and four days, so the manna commenced to fall on Thursday. On the sixth day from the time it commenced to fall, twice as much fell as on any other day, so the next day, which was Wednesday, was the Sabbath.
He claimed that the Sabbath came on Wednesday, because it is said that the manna fell in the morning, and it must have been the morning of the 16th day of the second month. The Jews counted time from the falling of the manna, six days; the seventh day was the Sabbath. If this position is true, the quails must have come in the evening before, Ex. 16:8, so the quails came before the manna. This cannot be true; for they murmured because they had nothing to eat but manna (see Num. 11:6-31); so the Lord sent the quails. Oh, how foolish is the wisdom of man when compared with the wisdom of God!
I had liberty in replying to him before a large audience. He said that I misrepresented him by saying he taught the ten commandments were abolished, when he never claimed that they were done away.111I asked him what he meant by quoting Col. 2:14—something was blotted out, taken out of the way, nailed to the cross. He said this scripture referred to the ten commandments. I asked him how I misrepresented him after he had made this statement; for if the law of God was blotted out, we are under no obligation to keep it.
Truth is mighty. One of the ministers of the Mormon church, with his wife, received the message. May the Lord bless them! The truth of God looks plain.
J. BARTLETT.
MICHIGAN
By E. R. Jones
During the greater part of the month of January, I attended meetings in Calhoun and Eaton Counties. On the evenings of the 25th and 26th, by earnest invitation, I spoke on the two great leading features of our faith to quite a large company of intelligent people assembled in a private house in the city of Jackson. They gave good attention, and seemed deeply interested. I have since learned that some of them have commenced to observe the Sabbath of the Lord.
Jan. 27, went to Flint, where for three weeks following, with the exception of preaching five times at Richfield, I labored earnestly in connection with Bro. Lamson for the settlement of serious difficulties which had divided and distracted the church. The nature of the case was such that disorganization was absolutely necessary. For some time it seemed that our work of weary months of toil and tears was utterly ruined; but by the blessing of the Lord we succeeded beyond our expectations. I believe that this company, though some reduced in number, is stronger now, and I have high hopes of their prosperity.
By the urgent request of Bro. R. T. Sisley, I came to Caledonia Center, Feb. 18, to assist him; he having been fiercely assailed by the man who once held a discussion with Eld. E. B. Lane, at Potterville. Commenced meetings the following evening, and continued them, with the exception of every other Sunday night, till March 2. The excitement was great and the opposition was the bitterest and meanest I ever experienced. It showed itself publicly in three discourses given by this man, the greater part of which was revilings and expressions of vulgar wit, which disgusted all his hearers except those of his own class.
An effort was made to close the house against us; but the people, the majority of whom were in our favor, would not allow it. The more intelligent part of the community were deeply interested in the truth, but still did not seem to move, and I began to fear that not a single soul would accept the truth as the result of this effort. I felt burdened; and on the last Sabbath made an earnest appeal to them to decide then in favor of the truth, as it was, without doubt, the most favorable opportunity, and might be the last one, they would ever have. The Spirit of the Lord seemed to be striving with them. Five arose, declaring their intention to walk in the truth. Others afterward came, and said they had made up their minds to keep the Sabbath and be Christians, making twelve who have fully decided to obey the commandments of God.
Bro. S. remains to visit, talk and pray with them, which will, I think, add others to their number.
I have now commenced a series of meetings on Grand Prairie, near Kalamazoo. At the first meeting I was bitterly opposed by the leader and some of the converts of a late so-called revival. The people are intelligent and enterprising, and we shall labor earnestly that good may be accomplished here.
E. R. JONES.
Kalamazoo, Mich., March 25, 1876.
NORRIDGEWOCK, ME.
By J. E. Baker
I have felt for some time that it would not be out of place for me to report of the day of fasting and prayer which was set apart by those who are leading out in this great work. The church at South Norridgewock observed the fast, although the written address did not get here in season to be read that day. We were very thankful that Bro. Corliss was with us. He gave us a very instructive discourse on the subject of fasting and prayer. We believed and felt that it was in the order of God.
Notice was given out that day that the “Appeal” would be read the next Sabbath, and on the following Sabbath quite a large number came together, and while such a stirring address was being read the power of God came upon us and we saw our wrongs as we had never before seen them. We resolved that we would give earnest heed to it, and prepare to go forward with the people of God in this great work of the third angel’s message, which is before us.
About four weeks before this we had appointed an extra evening meeting which was to be held every Sunday evening at the houses of the brethren who lived at a distance and were not in the habit of attending our evening meetings. The result of these meetings is we are seeing an interest manifested and a determination on their part to have more interest in the meetings. But this is not all, we are seeing our children giving their hearts to the Lord. Ten of our Sabbath-school children have taken a stand with us in the path of duty. We hope they will never want to go back. May God bless them all is my prayer.
“Oh for a vision and a voice to lead me,
To show me plainly where my work should lie!
Look where I may, fresh hindrances impede me;
Vain and unanswered seems my earnest cry.”
Hush, unbelieving one! but for thy blindness,
But for thine own impatience and self-will,
Thou wouldest see thy Master's loving-kindness,
Who by those “hindrances” is leading still.
He who of old through Phrygia and Galatia
Led the Apostle Paul, and blessed him there,
If he forbid to “preach the word in Asia,”
Must have prepared for thee a work elsewhere.
Courage and patience! Is the Master sleeping?
Has he no plan, no purposes of love?
What though awhile his counsel he is keeping?
It is maturing in the world above.
Wait on the Lord! In his right hand be hidden,
And go not forth in haste to strive alone:
Shun—like a sin!—the tempting work “forbidden,”
God's love for souls, be sure, exceeds thine own.
The Master cares! Why feel, or seem so lonely?
Nothing can interrupt real work for God:
Work may be changed; it cannot cease, if only
We are resolved to cleave unto the Lord.
None are good works, for thee, but works appointed:
Ask to be filled with knowledge of His will.
Cost what it may! Why live a life disjointed?
One work throughout! God's pleasure to fulfill!
But if indeed some special work awaits thee,
Canst thou afford this waiting-time to lose?
By each successive task, God educates thee;
What if the iron be too blunt to use?
Can walls be built up with untempered mortar?
Or fish be caught in the unremended snare?
Must not the metal pass through fire and water,
If for the battle-field it would prepare?
O thou unpolished shaft! Why leave the quiver?
O thou blunt ax! What forest canst thou hew?
Unsharpened sword! Canst thou the oppressed deliver?
Go back to thine own Maker's forge anew!
Submit thyself to God for preparation:
Seek not to teach thy Master and thy Lord!
Call it not “zeal.” It is a base temptation.
Satan is pleased when man dictates to God.
Down with thy pride! With holy vengeance trample
On each self-flattering fancy that appears!
Did not the Lord himself, for our example,
Lie hid in Nazareth for thirty years?
Wait the appointed time for work appointed,
Lest by the tempter's wiles thou be ensnared.
Fresh be the oil wherewith thou art anointed!
Let God prepare thee for the work prepared!
WHAT THEY SAY.
A SISTER writes from Ontario as follows:—
“When I first embraced the truth it was without opposition; but through the influence of first-day Adventists, persecution soon began to rage, so that separation from home and family was threatened. My husband said he never would tolerate two Sabbaths in his house, so I was led to ask for a home with one of the neighbors. One day when husband asked what I would do if I should return from meeting and find myself locked out, I replied, ‘What could I do but pray for you?’ and, lo, I was no longer opposed in regard to the Sabbath.
“The next point was baptism; and though he was a believer in this ordinance, and even challenged an unbaptized person’s right to pray, he declared he never would permit me to be baptized and join the Seventh-day Adventists. I committed my case to the Lord in prayer, asking him to open the way for me to follow him in his ordinances. My husband went to the camp-meeting at — to prevent my baptism, but he was so completely broken down and humbled before the Lord that he not only consented to my baptism, but assisted in baptizing a poor, lame brother who was taken into the water on a sheet. Thus the Lord has ever stood by me to fight my battles, and open up a way before me. And now while I have the same opposition to contend with, my trust is in Him who has said, ‘All things work together for good to them that love the Lord.’”
Sister Calvin Green, of Hamilton Co., N. Y., writes:—
“I have taken the REVIEW for the last year, and I think it the best paper I ever saw. It has been the means of making a great many passages of Scripture very plain to me that were very dark before. I should not know how to do without it; for it contains food for the hungry soul.”
C. M. Gregory, Allegan Co., Mich., says:—
“The Lord is very good to me, and I want to express my gratitude through the columns of our much-loved paper. How I prize it, as it comes to us weekly, laden with its rich store of truth. I look eagerly for some familiar name among those that write for it, and my heart is cheered and encouraged by reading the testimony of some lonely one. I must say to such, Cheer up; the long night is almost past. Jesus is soon coming to take his weary tried ones home.”
WISCONSIN
By D. Downer
Since my last report I have attended quarterly meeting at Burnside, Wis. The Lord favored us with his presence. Soon I received word that my mother was not expected to live, and went to see her. She is suffering terribly from a tumor, which, physicians say, would weigh over thirty pounds. As she nears the grave her hope seems to brighten. We leave her with God, and go to the fast-ripening field to work for the Master.
Meetings here have been well attended. No-law advocates have opposed. Three Sabbath meetings have been held here, which have been well attended. A number of the leading citizens of the town have embraced the truth. Others who have never attended meeting are interested, and attend every meeting.
The late high water visited our home. It carried away the stove room, fifty rods of fence, and ten cords of wood, and tipped over the barn, under which the ground is washed out ten feet deep. Windows were broken in, trunks and bureaus were filled with mud and froze. Water was four or five feet deep in the house, and the parlor furniture was carried away. Mud is now fifteen inches deep on the carpets and frozen. Stones weighing two thousand pounds were swept along like chips.
The church at Arkansaw is in a prosperous condition. Ex-Governor Washburn had a store near this town, 26x36, and as no goods were being sold in it, I wrote to him, and told him I would like it for a meeting-house. He replied he might be liberal in his price if he could know that I was a good man and preaching sound doctrine. I informed him that I was willing to be criticised, and that he might question me. After some correspondence he made me a present of a deed of the house, which cost $2,500. Ex-Governor Washburn will be remembered as being opposed to church gambling, as expressed in his message while governor. I believe God is turning the hearts of some toward us. Let us take courage as never before. I visited Rock Elm, where Bro. Hill, of Minnesota, was laboring. The interest was good. I learn by letter that over thirty have taken their stand upon the truth. God opens the way for truth; shall we follow in it?
D. DOWNER.
Augusta, March 22, 1876.
SOUTH-WESTERN MISSOURI.
By J. M. Gallemore
Sister Mary B. Moore writes to us from Phelps Co., Mo., the field in which Brn. Geo. I. Butler and N. W. Allen labored last summer, as follows:—
“About five miles from here, in the country, the people are anxious to hear our views. They came to me to see if I could not get one of our preachers to go out and preach for them. We have no preachers here to go, but perhaps when Bro. Allen comes again, he will go. I told them I would take some of the books belonging to our Tract Society and go out and read for them. They accepted the offer, and I went out, feeling my own weakness, but trusting in God for help and strength. The first night I read in the meeting-house to about one hundred persons. They were very attentive. I read ‘Exposition of Matt. 24.’”
“I have had thirteen readings in private houses, and expect soon to have another in the meeting-house. The weather has been stormy and the walking bad, or more would have been out. As soon as the weather becomes pleasant, I think we shall have a large attendance. I found one Sabbath-keeper there, and two have been convinced through the readings, and have commenced to keep the Sabbath. Eld. Drennin (Campbellite) is in opposition, but I expect soon to read in the house in which he preaches. His brother is on our side. Pray for me, that I may be kept humble and faithful.”
Had all our members such a zeal and love for the truth, and such minds to work, how the enemy would feel our power, and what a work would be accomplished! I am made to blush for shame for myself, and when I see such earnestness on the part of others I am resolved that with God’s help, I will be more in earnest. I, too, want to be the feeble instrument of bringing souls into the truth. Is there an individual who believes our message that does not want a hand in the great work? Shall we not all wake up, and become more active and more in earnest in the great work before us? May the Lord help us so to do.
J. M. GALLEMORE.
Salisbury, Mo.
THE POWER OF THE HOLY GHOST.
By D. Downer
Power is the special prerogative of God alone. If he delegates a portion of it to his creatures it is no less his power. The archangel near the throne, though he may excel in strength, has no strength but that which God gives him.
The power of the Spirit has never been dormant. It has exerted itself. Not only when it moved upon the face of the waters was its power manifested, but also in the resurrection of Christ. Some may be surprised to find that in some instances the resurrection is ascribed to Christ himself, as though he had raised himself by his own power. In other places, the power is ascribed to God the Father. But again we read that Christ was raised by the Holy Spirit. Now all these are true. He was raised by the Father; because the Father said, “Loose the prisoner; let him go; he has fulfilled the law. Vengeance has had its due.” Here the official message of the Father raised the Son. He was raised by his own power, because he had a right to come out of the grave. He therefore came forth, bursting the bands of death. In 1 Pet. 3:18, we read that he was quickened by the Spirit. Who, viewing Jesus cold and lifeless in the tomb, would have thought that body would live? But it must live, and be an illustration of the power of the Spirit. For when the Spirit fell on him, as it will on the dry bones of the house of Israel, he arose in the majesty of his divinity, and now declares of himself, “I am he that liveth, and was dead.”
When Jesus went into the stream of baptism, the Holy Spirit descended upon him like a dove. By him the dead were raised, lepers were cleansed, and all by the power of the Spirit. But why such power in Christ, and so little in others? Because the Spirit dwelt in him without measure. And after he ascended, we see its power on the apostles, as it came like a rushing wind and cloven tongues. They were thus fitted for their mission by the Spirit’s power. Then three thousand were converted in a day. Dorcas was raised by Peter, and life was breathed into Eutychus.
Think of these mighty deeds wrought through the Spirit’s agency. Why not look for just such manifestations now? There is no good reason why we should not. Why do not Christians possess this precious gift? Because much of the Spirit or its power is never given to people of little faith. Even in the days of Christ, there were places where many mighty works were not done. Why? Because of unbelief.
But further. Heathens begin to read and obey the Scriptures. The savage becomes polite, and by his mouth the power of the Spirit is confessed. Oh! there are thousands of witnesses to the Spirit’s power. Armies of reformed drunkards, thousands of liars, thieves, and profane men, are now led from crime to the altar of prayer through its influence.
Among God’s professed people there are many who say the Spirit’s power is not needed now, as it used to be manifested; and instead of “contending earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints,” as we are commanded to do, they have a form of godliness, but deny the power. Who can wonder at the weakness of professors while they oppose the very Source from whence we receive our strength? How many are putting unbounded faith in drugs and patent medicines, who will not even believe the promises of God!
But there is an inward power of the Spirit. Men’s hearts are very hard to affect. If you want to influence them for worldly objects you can do it. Man will listen to the trump of fame, the clamors of applause, or the offer of gold; but no minister can win men’s hearts to God. He can win their ears, eyes, and attention; but the heart is slippery. If any man thinks he can convert the soul, he will find out his mistake. The power of God alone can do that, and have it lasting in its results. I have read Rowland Hill and Whitefield to see what they did, and have tried to imitate their manner in order to have the power that attended their preaching. But I confess I failed. It is the Spirit’s power that sustains us and subdues stony hearts.
But our imaginations are evil. Sometimes the thoughts fly up to God. We seem to see the King in his beauty. If our imaginations would stay there; but next they go down low—oh! who will tell it all? We become horrified at our own thoughts. No; no; dear reader, we cannot chain our imaginations, but the Holy Spirit can, and will if we will let it. I solemnly believe we must call our imaginations home, keep under our whole body, and let the Spirit control us, will and all. If our will controls us we are lost. There is one thing yet to be accomplished by the Spirit. It is to fit us for translation.
In a few more years (I know not how soon) the Holy Spirit will be poured out in greater power than now. Ministers have gone on preaching in that common, dull routine. Little good has been done; but a new era is dawning. There is to be a fuller pouring out of the Spirit. Reports in our papers are more than ever encouraging. I am glad to live in the time when there is a running to and fro, and knowledge is increasing. I want to live to behold the fulfillment of the words, “Your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions,” etc. Oh! that I may live to enjoy the fruits of the latter rain.
As we near the time of translation we need more of the Spirit’s power. Shall we have it unless we get much nearer to God? Many of our people are satisfied with being able to quote Scripture and defend our harmonious truth. This is not enough. The Spirit’s influence—real life—is what we want. We may have form and no life.
Dear brethren, do not read this lightly and forget it. I have broken down in tears often when I have seen our dear people living carelessly. We can do more for the devil in the church than out of it. I believe our worst enemies are Seventh-day Adventists. Men move into new communities, keep the Sabbath, advocate our faith, live loosely, and profess to have the truth, while in their lives they imitate Satan more than Christ.
I have met some such persons. They talk our faith and seem to be zealous, when they are a curse to the cause. They will chew tobacco, and preach the seventh-day Sabbath. I warn such that if I find them in new fields I will expose them the first thing I do. I will brand them as unworthy, and not of us. God pity such, having the shell and nothing more! “If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”
I believe it to be the duty of our preachers to smother such men till they will bring forth fruits meet for repentance. Give me the influence of a man that has lived the truth and said but little, rather, than that of one who has talked it all over his town, and has lived a life with which the devil is pleased, and by which God is dishonored.
There are too many among us, like the Dead Sea, always taking in, but never giving out. Let us not be overcome of murmuring and laziness. We are just getting ready to work, and many think we have done enough. We must do more in the next four years than we have done in the last ten. If we fail to follow up the openings made for our message, and fill them, we shall be left, and God will call others more humble and devoted. He cannot much longer bear with our poor, sickly, half-hearted work. I must take this to myself also.
Now, let us, to a man, prove our loyalty to the cause by offering to God acceptable offerings. We must go to our closets in prayer. The power of the Spirit must attend our efforts. Let us no longer pray, “Thy will be done,” and there stop; but let us every one do the will of God. Dear brethren, let me warn you earnestly that from now to the end we must move out, labor, sacrifice, and be more earnest, or be lost.
D. DOWNER.
IS IT A REFORMATION?
There are some sanguine souls who hail every fresh exposure of political rascality, and every additional example of sharp and decisive retribution, with patriotic delight, as the victory of an aroused and indignant nation over a brood of treacherous spoilers whom she has just discovered and is fast exterminating. The smashing of the Tweed ring in New York, and the Canal ring at Albany; the exposure of the Credit Mobilier corruption schemes; the overthrow of Secretary Belknap and the flight of Minister Schenck from the officers of the British crown, have each in their turn given them unfeigned delight. The verdict just rendered in the Tweed suits, under which the city of New York will recover six millions and a half of her stolen funds, provided property to that extent can be found belonging to the thieves, is the most recent ground of congratulation. We should imagine that, by this time, the joy of victory and the satisfaction of offended justice had come to pall upon the taste, and exulting patriots were beginning to inquire when the end would be reached. These victories are very gratifying, but for every serpent’s head which is bruised beyond recognition a hundred others seem to start forth in its place. We find the great political parties equally corrupt. We see accusers and accused resting under an equal stain, and we begin to wonder whether the whole nation is depraved.
We would not disparage the value of these investigations and their results. They will serve as a temporary check upon dishonest practices, and they will shame into the decency of concealment much which they will be unable to correct. But we shall not cease to testify that in all this there are no evidences of a true national reformation. Individual wrong-doers have been detected and punished, but other men of the same general character have stepped into their places. Political affairs have not been lifted away from wicked hands to the care of God-fearing men. That can only be accomplished by the elevation of politics into their true sphere, as a part of religion, or as the nation’s conscious service of God. Of the more general acceptance of such a conception of politics, the times do not afford a single token. It is sufficient, for proof of this, to remember that no movement for the exposure and punishment of corrupt officials has been undertaken in any higher name than that of the taxpayers. We hear much of the wrong done to the people whose hard earnings go to replenish the treasury, but nothing of the honor of God who abhors theft and bribery, and before whom the land is guilty for these crimes.—Christian Statesman.
“NOT DISCOURAGED.”
A young woman of very yielding and amiable disposition, who belonged to my congregation, became alarmed about her condition as a sinner, and set herself to seek the Lord. I visited her, and conversed with her repeatedly. Her seriousness became deeper and deeper. I left her one day with a very strong expectation upon my mind that the next time I should see her she would be at peace with God. I thought so because she seemed to realize that God’s law justly condemned her as a sinner, that she was dependent upon sovereign grace, and that she ought to repent and flee to Christ. I thought so, also, because she appeared to me just as others, with whom I was conversing every day, had appeared immediately before their hopeful conversion to Christ. She seemed to me to know and feel the truths of the gospel which are addressed to unconverted sinners, and therefore I believed the Holy Ghost was with her, to lead her to salvation. I left her with the urgency of the text, “Behold, now is the accepted time,” pressed upon her conscience and heart with all the emphasis my words could give it.
The next time I saw her—a day or two afterward—her whole appearance was altered. Her solemnity was gone, her anxieties were diminished. She met me with a smile that surprised and pained me, and, directly contrary to her former habit, she began to speak of some common matter.
Said I, “Have you given Christ your heart, Mary?”
“Oh, no, not yet,” said she; “but I don’t feel as bad as I did.”
“Why not?” said I. “What reason have you to feel any better?”
“I don’t know as you would think I have any reason, but I hope to be a Christian by-and-by. I don’t feel in so much haste as I did, and I am not so much afraid God will cast me off, and the sinfulness of my heart does not trouble me so much.”
“My dear Mary,” said I, with astonishment and pain, “how is this? I expected different things! Evidently your seriousness is diminished. You care less for salvation than you did. What has altered your feelings since I saw you?”
“Why, when you left me the last time you were here, and told me to repent that day, I was dreadfully troubled. I felt that my heart was opposing God, and I was afraid to think of living without Christ another hour. Your last words, ‘To-day, to-day,’ rang in my ears; I could not get rid of them. But pretty soon Miss —— came in, and I told her how I felt; but she told me not to be discouraged, only to keep on seeking the Lord. She said I was doing very well, and I ought not to feel so; and if I did not feel discouraged I should soon find religion.”
“And you believed her?” said I.
“Yes, I believed her; and I have felt better ever since—a great deal better.”
“Felt better, Mary! You are resting on a lie! You are miserably deceived! Doing well! How can you be doing well while an impenitent sinner, rejecting Christ, and exposed every moment to the wrath of God forever? Your friend, as you call her, has been doing the work of the great deceiver. She did not talk to you as the Bible does: ‘To-day, to-day, if ye will hear his voice.’”
I aimed to arouse her, but it was all in vain. Her anxieties departed; she ceased to pray, and in a few days more she was as careless and worldly as ever.
It is not true that a convicted and praying sinner is doing well while without faith in Christ. Something more is needed. He must repent and believe; and certainly, if prayerless, he is doing ill.
The young woman who misled the yielding and affectionate Mary was a professor of religion, and one of those who are very apt to be busy in times of revival. Doubtless she meant well, but her influence was very unhappy. No one is ever safe in giving any counsel to impenitent sinners unless he be careful to talk just as the Bible talks. Otherwise we may do more harm than good.—Sel.