DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: For some time I have felt it my duty to say a few words to you through the REVIEW. I do think if there is one soul who has reason to thank God for his unbounded mercy, it is myself. I do thank him that he ever gave me the hearing ear, and understanding heart, to hear and obey the last message of mercy that is now being given to poor sinful man. For something over three years we were numbered among the lonely ones, with trials on every hand, and for a short time we got into rather a lukewarm state, but for several months before Bro. Steward commenced lecturing here last February, we had been striving to live nearer to God; and through the faithful labors of Bro. Steward, we now have a little church raised up here, whose members are striving for an abundant entrance into the holy city.
I came home from the camp-meeting at Clinton Junction, more determined than ever to try to live nearer my God. Oh! what a great work there is before us, and when I have said and done all I can, it seems as though I had done nothing. My own strength is but weakness, but I feel to put my whole trust and confidence in Him whose arm is strong and mighty to save. Yours in hope of eternal life,
EMILIE F. HUNTER
Boone Co., Ill.
C. E. MILLER
By C. E. Miller
From Bro. Miller.
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: I would express my heartfelt thanks to those dear friends who send me the paper. It encourages me to press on in the narrow path, to read of the progress of the cause of God in different parts. I think the way is fast narrowing up, and we are nearing our heavenly home. I am striving earnestly to overcome and meet you in the better land. Oh! that I could see myself as God sees me, and get right before it is forever too late. I feel an increasing desire and determination in my heart to be an overcomer. I must have eternal life. I believe it is for me, if I will but strive earnestly to obtain it; and that I am determined to do, with the help of God. I feel we must awake, and work for the Lord.
C. E. MILLER
Hillsdale Co., Mich.
The Lord Is Good
By G. W. Colcord
From Bro. Colcord.
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: The Lord is good; and though it has been quite a long time since I have spoken through the Conference Department of the REVIEW, yet, to day, I can say, The Lord is good to me, a poor, fallible mortal. In early childhood I was taught to remember the Lord in prayer; and at the age of ten years I was induced to openly acknowledge my Master, in a Methodist revival. From that time to the present, I have been trying, though in weakness, to serve the Lord. Twelve years ago this autumn, I listened to the stirring truths we profess to love, as they were being explained to an awakened neighborhood by Elds. Loughborough, Waggoner, Hart, and others. As I investigated the positions taken, I became more and more convinced that they had the “truth,” John xvii, 17, and I could not rest until I tried to do God’s will. I John v, 3.
As I became firmly established, theoretically, in the truth, time seemed short, yes, very short! I did not then expect to be in this mortal state in the end of the year 1869. No; verily! I looked for the Coming One in two, or at most, three years! But, to the end that we all may be prepared, and stand “waiting” at the second advent, the Lord is still our merciful High Priest, in the Sanctuary above.
Dear brethren, when I consider what advantages I have had in past life, and compare with my disposal of them, I am led to exclaim, Unprofitable servant, O Lord that I am! Instead of being strong, as I ought to be, I have to confess myself to be very weak, a mere dwarf. But the Lord is good; his mercy endureth forever; and because of this I am alive as it is this day; a living monument of God’s grace; a free moral agent; a being who may choose life or death. But, O my soul! the choice is to be for an eternity!
My earnest prayer is, that God will give me grace to so live that I may be fully prepared for the soon coming of our blessed Saviour, and, at that “decisive day,” to have my lot cast in with those whose lives “measure with the life of God.”
G. W. COLCORD.
Whiteside Co., Ill.
Persecuted Christians Are Full of Grace
As TREES IN a windy climate are deep rooted, so Christians persecuted are full of grace.
Keeping the Sabbath Holy.
By J. A. Smith
“REMEMBER the Sabbath day to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work; but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God.” Ex. xx, 8, 9.
If we keep the Sabbath “holy,” we shall not talk about our worldly matters on that day. We will not talk about stock, lands, railroads, prices, &c., because we would be speaking our own words in doing so. There are six days in which we can perform our worldly matters. But if we love the Lord with all our hearts, and with all our minds, and with all our might (Deut. vi, 5; Matt. xxii, 37), we will be very careful to keep the Sabbath as it should be kept. There are some that do not keep it much better than many keep Sunday. Careless ones, do you suppose you will be sealed with the sign of the living God? are you not afraid you will not stand in the Judgment?
If we remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy, we will also remember that there is a preparation day, in which our food for the Sabbath should be prepared. It will be a good thing to commit the following Scripture to memory: “If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the Sabbath a DELIGHT, the holy of the Lord, honorable; and shalt honor him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words; then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” Isa. lviii, 13, 14.
J. A. SMITH.
Libertyville, Iowa.
RELIGION EXEMPLIFIED.
—I would not give much for your religion unless it can be seen. Lamps do not talk, but they do shine. A lighthouse sounds no drum, it beats no gong, and yet far over the waters its friendly spark is seen by the mariner. So let your actions shine out your religion. Let the main sermon of your life be illustrated by all your conduct, and it shall not fail to be illustrious.—Spurgeon.
Rest Is for Heaven; Toil Is for Earth
Rest is for Heaven; toil is for earth. We often speak of being “settled in life.” We might as well think of casting anchor in the midst of the Atlantic Ocean, or talk of the permanent situation of a stone that is rolling down hill!
Obituary Notices.
By H. NICOLA
Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth.
DIED, at Pilot Grove, Iowa, Sabbath morning, Nov. 20, 1869, of typhoid fever, our beloved brother, Eli H. Adams, in the 30th year of his age. Bro. A. had been a believer in that awful delusion, Spiritualism, until about seven years ago, when he was arrested by present truth, soundly converted to God, as his life ever after fully testified. He had the confidence of all that knew him. He exemplified the religion of Jesus in his life, and died leaving us the best of evidence that he rests in hope.
He leaves a dear wife and four children, and many relatives, to mourn his loss, but they need not mourn as those that have no hope. On the occasion of the funeral, some Scripture was read on the subject of the resurrection, and a few remarks were made by the writer, to a very large audience assembled in the meeting-house at Pilot Grove. H. NICOLA.
Death of Elizabeth McIntosh
By N. M. GORDON
DIED, in Dane Co., Wis., Nov. 23, 1869, Elizabeth McIntosh, wife of Augustus McIntosh, aged 34 years. This sister embraced the truth about twelve years ago. In her last hours, she was reconciled to the will of God. Her friends mourn, but not as those who have no hope. A few remarks were made at the funeral by the writer, from 1 Thess. iv, 13.
N. M. GORDON.
Climena L. Emery
By A. C. Bourdeau
DIED, in Enosburg, Vt., Nov. 11, 1869, of typhoid fever, and diphtheria, after a severe illness of two weeks, Sr. Climena L., daughter of N. W., and Lucinda Emery, aged 37 years and 4 days. By a sad bereavement brought upon Bro. and Sr. Emery, by the loss of their only son, John B., who died Feb. 27, 1864, aged 4 years and 5 months, they were both led to engage more earnestly in serving the Lord, and they soon after embraced the present truth. In the summer of 1867, their daughters, the deceased and only sister Elizabeth, were baptized, and joined the church. During her sickness, Sr. C. received the evidence of her full acceptance with God. This to the mourning parents, sister, and friends, of the deceased, is a source of great consolation, as they have reason to believe that she sleeps in Jesus, and that she will awake at the resurrection of the just. Funeral discourse by the writer, from 1 Thess. iv, 13, 14. A. C. BOURDEAU.
JAMES WHITE
By James White
Testimony to the Church, No. 18.
THIS is a pamphlet of more than 200 pages. Subjects: Christian Temperance,—Moral Pollution,—An Appeal to the Church,—and several epistles to churches and individuals, which contain matter of practical bearing upon the many, of great importance.
To be more definite, we would say, that the discourse upon Christian Temperance was spoken before the church at Battle Creek, and was reported by Bro. U. Smith. It takes up the subject of health reform in a forcible style, and points out its benefits in a clear and scriptural manner. It also speaks distinctly of the extremes and fanaticisms that have attached themselves to this good cause.
The work also sets forth in a stirring manner that terrible sin which is destroying the bodies and minds of thousands, especially of the youth, and placing them where hope of the future life, in their case, is very faint.
The appeal to the church, and the epistles, contain practical instruction to the people of God, of inestimable value. We urge this work upon the attention of the friends of present truth everywhere.
We have printed a large edition, so as to be able to give it to those who do not possess sufficient means, or interest in this kind of reading, to purchase it.
Price, 25 cents, postage 2 cents.
JAMES WHITE
Please Regard This.
By John Nevins Andrews
SOME time since, Eld. M. E. Cornell wrote to this office a statement of a very wicked slander against Sr. White, uttered by a woman in Vermont, the wife of an Episcopal minister. It was not deemed worthy of any notice at that time, but the use since made of it, by some persons, seems to demand our attention. We therefore request of Eld. C. a definite statement of this case, that we may give it proper attention. And we will add to this, an urgent request that all persons who know any evil of Sr. W., or who have, as they think, good authority from others for believing evil of her, to write a definite statement of such things to this office. Such statements shall receive proper attention. Will all concerned regard this reasonable request, and write me, at this office? J. N. ANDREWS.
To the Brethren in Allegany Co., N. Y.
By J. H. Waggoner
THE note in last week's REVIEW was inserted before my return from the East. My delay was unavoidable.
It is my intention to go to Allegany Co. as soon as business, now pressing, will admit.
J. H. WAGGONER.
Meetings in Michigan.
By Joseph Bates
Our last report was from the Otsego Monthly Meeting, Nov. 6. From Nov. 11 to 22, visited from house to house, and held eleven meetings, and celebrated the ordinances with the Hillsdale and Ransom Center churches. Many of the brethren and sisters of these churches are encouraged and strengthened to press their way onward and strive to overcome. They manifested much thankfulness for our labors among them, and very much desire to have our ministering brethren hold meetings with them when they can make it convenient.
We are now laboring for a few weeks with some of the churches on the Fremont and Cleveland Railroad, in Ohio.
Yours in the blessed hope, JOSEPH BATES.Clyde, Nov. 30, 1869.
The Bible Written on the Heart
THE fairest and finest impression of the Bible, is to have it well printed on the reader's heart.
This is easily determined by the connection. The apostle is contrasting the mortal and immortal states, the latter being obtained in the resurrection. But, as it is a truth that there will be some saints alive at the time of the resurrection of the just, and who of course cannot have a resurrection from the dead, the information is added that they will be changed—not sleep. So it is evident that the change is a change from a state of mortality to immortality, a change equal to the resurrection. And this is further evident from verse 53, where the statement that “this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality,” is a conclusion drawn from the previous statement of the two connected facts, “The dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”
What is meant in 1 Cor. xv, 50, by the expression, “Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God?” F. A. B.
As far as possible, we should let the Scriptures be their own expositor, and in order to this, we should keep in view the harmony of their testimony. In Dan. ii, 44, it is said of the kingdom which the God of Heaven should set up, that it “shall not be left to other people,” and, “it shall stand forever.” This is by way of contrast with the kingdoms which precede it, for they pass from one people to another. Also Dan. vii, 18, says: “But the saints of the Most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.” The kingdom being an eternal kingdom, and never to pass out of the hands of those who take or possess it, of course they cannot take it until they are immortal. By reading 1 Cor. xv, 50, and the context, it plainly appears that “flesh and blood” is equivalent to “corruption,” and expresses the mortal condition in contrast with the immortal. So it amounts to this, that a mortal man cannot possess an immortal or eternal kingdom; a very reasonable statement. When the Lord Jesus comes, the saints are raised; 1 Thess. iv, 16; then they are immortalized; 1 Cor. xv, 42-52; and then they also “inherit the kingdom.” Matt. xxv, 31-34. From the very nature of the case, it is impossible that they should inherit it before that time.
Those who write letters to this Office, requesting an answer, should not forget to enclose a stamp for return postage.
RECEIPTS.
For Review and Herald.
Annexed to each receipt in the following list, is the Volume and Number of the REVIEW & HERALD TO which the money received pays,—which should correspond with the Numbers on the Papers. If money for the paper is not in due time acknowledged, immediate notice of the omission should then be given.
$1.00 each. D W Ward 37-1, N O Collins 37-1, Dr E C Lamb 37-1, I Z Lamb 38-4, Oakley Phillips 37-1, Wm Philips 37-1, James N Dole 37-1, Wm C Chapin 37-1, A L Haviland 37-1, Wm Dawson 35-20, Mrs E Grantham 37-1, Heman Allen 37-1, C Perrin 37-1, Mrs H G Dunbar 36-1, E J Treat 36-4, Joseph Nichols 37-1, E G White 37-1, Wm H Slown 34-14, James Hosher 37-1, Mrs L B Starr 37-1, T Hickerson 37-1, H F Goslin 36-20, James Pease 35-1, Mrs C Paul 36-1, J B Dunwoody 37-1, A Alverson 35-18, H V Green 37-1, E L Pettis 37-1, L J Dingley 34-17, N Lewis 37-1, D Gordon 35-12, Elias Sutphin 37-1, W Morse 35-11, E H Hughey 36-4, M Bowles 35-1, M Barney 37-1, Miss Eggert 36-1, H L Richmond 36-1, F Hull 37-1, J Wigfield 36-15, J Thanks 36-15, J G Priest 37-1, Mrs I H Asher 36-1, W Boull 36-14, J Gibbs 36-14, R M Frink 35-20, Ezra Skinner 36-1, A Haughey 37-1, I Hanes 37-1, Philip Taylor 37-1, J Jiquere 36-1, H C Miller 35-14, G W Newman 36-1, David Norton 36-1, N Warren 37-1.
$2.00 each. M A Hayward 38-1, W W Oderkirk 36-18, M G Kellogg 36-8, J P Kellogg 36-1, D W Randall 36-1, Jennie Demmon 35-17, E H Root 37-1, S A McPherson 36-10, A Kellogg 36-9, C S Fox 36-5, J H Collins 36-21, S Paine 37-1, A M Bice 37-1, H S Gurney 36-21, A O Thompson 37-1, Wilson Thompson 37-1, J N Berry 36-1, D P Berry 35-15, D Halferty 37-14, J W Lucas 36-24, S Harriman 34-13, R G King 37-1, E More 36-18, C Bartheson 35-14, Mrs S Wells 36-15, D C Phillips 36-1, W Arndt 36-1, C H Hemmenway 37-1, S M Booth 36-20, Mary J Kay 36-1, Nicholas Sacks 37-1, G P Bailey 35-7, A M Barher 37-1, L Bullock 35-20, J Berry 37-1.
Miscellaneous. R H Johnson $1.55 34-1, S J Twing 2.50 36-16, J Tabor 5.00 36-1, J C Conley 1.25 35-8, P B Peterson 1.50 36-1, A S Gillet 3.50 37-18, Otis Mitchell 3.00 35-1, Mary Cady 50c 36-1, F Kendall 50c 36-1, Geo White 50c 36-1.
Books Sent by Mail.
Miss Carrie Hawkins $3.25, C Savanier 1.50, R H Johnson 2.70, Wm Pennington 20c, B Alverson 25c, Wm Herald 1.12, Ellen C Robinson 1.12, O H Pratt 50c, Jesse Warner 25c, J E Hunt 1.78, S O Winslow 50c, F Kettle 50c, A R Merriman 1.92, D W Randall 25c, H G Buxton 5.00, L Dybert 1.00, F Hull 20c, M A Snow 50c, John Young 1.00, Johan Hanson 2.50, W Boynton 20c, H C Miller 1.00, G W Newman 6.25, E J Bump 25c, L E Snyder 50c, A P Philo 25c, H Janes 20c, A J Stover 1.50, A H Clymer 2.50, Wm L Ray 25c, E H Gillet 25c.
General Conference Missionary Fund.
A friend $5.00.
Foreign Missionary Fund.
A Smith $5.00, H S Gurney 5.00, J D Canup 50c, S Philo 25c, W D Landfair 25c, O D James 5.00, A M Holcomb 5.00, Elizabeth Holcomb 5.00, J B Ingalls 5.00, Julia A Ingalls 5.00.
Michigan Conference Fund.
Church at Casnovia $41.00, Bunkerhill 15.18.
Cash Received on Account.
H G Buxton $5.00, H S Gurney 75c, G T Butler 1.50, H Nicola 15.00, I D Van Horn 80.00, D M Canright 100.00.
Owosso Camp-meeting Expenses.
Charles Schaupp $2.00, J H Burlingame 5.00, E B Ginley 5.00, Mrs D S Beers 1.00, G P Bailey 2.00, Wm Dawson 5.00, Augusta Lawrence 1.00.
Received on Book and Tract Fund.
E Van Deusen $4.00.
Note from Bro. Lawrence.
By R. J. Lawrence
I HAVE now spent nine days with the brethren in Hamilton. I have visited them at their homes. They are growing in the truth, and are becoming strong. They have two meetings each week, and a Bible class well attended, and interesting. They are looking forward to the time when they will be fully organized. There are three brethren and ten sisters. I have given eight discourses since I have been here, seemingly much to their encouragement. May the Lord enable them so to live that they may be a standing reproof to the proud and fashionable religionists around them.
R. J. LAWRENCE.
Notice.
By H. F. PHELPS
LET all money belonging to the Minnesota Conference be sent to W. I. Gibson, Rochester, Olmstead Co., Minn., (unless paid to the preachers,) and not to me. But send the reports to me. Nearly two months have passed since the close of the first quarter of this conference year, and I have only five reports from the churches. Come, brethren, be prompt in this matter. Last year, Pleasant Grove stood first. Who will be first this year?
H. F. PHELPS.
Dedication.
By John Sisley
Bro. Andrews: Our new meeting-house will be completed and ready for use by Christmas, so we think it best to postpone the Monthly Meeting until then, and have the meeting-house dedicated on the following Sunday, making a two-day's meeting.
Bro. and Sr. White, and yourself, are invited to attend. The brethren round about are invited to attend, whom we will cheerfully entertain.
In behalf of the church in Convis.
John Sisley, Church Clerk.
Appointments.
And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of Heaven is at hand.
PROVIDENCE permitting, the next Quarterly Meeting of the S. D. A. church of Monroe, Wis., will be held Dec. 11 and 12. Will Bro. Steward meet with us.
By order of the church, O. H. PRATT.
The Monthly Meeting for Green Vale, to accommodate the isolated members in this vicinity, will be held on the first Sabbath in each month, at Bro. Wm. S. Higley’s, in Nora, Jo Daviess Co., Ill., on the Central Railroad.
CALEB BATES, Clerk.
The next Monthly Meeting for Greenwood and Pine Island, will be held at Greenwood Prairie, Dec. 18; Pine Island, Jan. 15. Will not our brethren feel an interest in these meetings, and try to attend?
H. F. PHELPS.
NO PROVIDENCE preventing, I will hold meetings at Bowling Green, Ohio, Sabbath and first-day, Dec. 18, 19; at Clyde, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings, the 21st, 22d, and 23d; at Melmore, Sabbath and Sunday, the 25th and 26th.
I. D. VAN HORN.
The next Monthly Meeting in Rhode Island, will be held at Curtis Corners, the third Sabbath and first-day in December, the 18th and 19th. The meeting will commence Friday evening.
Jabez C. Tucker.
The next Quarterly Meeting for Pilot Grove, Washington, and Iowa City churches, will be at Pilot Grove, Sabbath and first-day, Dec. 25 and 26. Meeting to commence in the evening, with the beginning of the Sabbath. We hope to see a general attendance at this meeting. Come, dear friends, and bring the Spirit of the Lord with you.
H. NICOLA.
The next Quarterly Meeting for the Lapeer, Oakland, and Memphis churches, will be held at Memphis, on the first Sabbath and first-day in January next. A general invitation is extended.
H. S. GUINEY.
P. S.—The above quarterly arrangement was made at Lapeer, three months before. One object was to secure, if possible, ministerial labors at the time of these Quarterly Meetings. Will some one please to appoint to be at this meeting, as above.
H. S. G.