NEVER be idle. If your hands cannot be usefully employed attend to the cultivation of your mind.
Always speak the truth.
Keep good company or none.
Make few promises.
Live up to your engagements.
Have no very intimate friends.
Keep your own secrets if you have any.
When you speak to a person look him in the face.
Good company and good conversation are the very sinews of virtue.
Good character is above all things else.
Never listen to loose or idle conversation.
You had better be poisoned in your blood than in your principles.
Your character cannot be essentially injured except by your own acts.
If any one speaks evil of you let your life be so virtuous that none will believe him.
Drink no intoxicating liquors.
Ever live, misfortune excepted, within your income.
When you retire to bed think over what you have done during the day.
Never speak lightly of religion.
Never play at any kind of game.
Avoid temptation through fear that you may not withstand it.
Earn your money before you spend it.
Never run into debt unless you see a way to get out.
Never borrow if you can possibly avoid it.
Be just before you are generous.
Keep yourself innocent if you would be happy.
Never think what you do for religion is time or money misspent.
Read some portion of the Bible every day.
Come Out of Pro-Slavery Churches
MR. ALBERT BARNES of Philadelphia. was right, no doubt, when he said the American churches were the bulwarks of slavery, and there was no power out of the church which could sustain slavery one hour if it were not sustained in it. What fearful responsibility, then, rests upon these pro-slavery churches, Missionary boards and national institutions! Come out, beloved one, come out. "Come out of her, my people, that ye not partakers of her sins, an that ye receive not of her plagues."—Rev. xviii, 4.
The Land Where the Sun Ever Shines
THERE is a land where the sun ever shines—
The flowers ever bloom round its crystalline shrines;
There is no change—love never grows cold;
There is no death—life never grows old:
There is no sadness, no sorrow, no pain,
No waves of affliction roll over that plain.
On, onwards, God speed us, from change and decay,
To the world whose glory shall fade not away.
Truth
TRUTH is like a torch—the more it is shaken the more it shines.
The Way of Peace.
PEACE is not to be found by an attempt to change the historical fact that you have sinned, or by forgetting it.
Peace is not to be found by driving serious impressions from your minds.
Peace is not to be found by mingling in gay scenes, and by attempting to divert the mind from the contemplation of such subjects as sin, death, the grave, eternity.
Peace is not to be found by embracing any false views of religion, or any doctrines which deny the fact of human guilt and danger.
Peace is found only by making a simple, honest, frank and full confession of sin to God, whose law has been violated, and against whom the wrong has been done.
Note from Bro. Waggoner.
By Joseph Harvey Waggoner
Bro. Smith :—I wish to let the dear scattered ones know, through the Review, of the blessing that God has given to me at our late Conference, and my earnest desire, yes, my determination, to live more to his glory. I have long felt to mourn over the condition of the church at large, as I saw they were not making that preparation which they all know is necessary to meet the coming Judge. For some months past, however, I have tried to make a more particular and personal application of this fact, especially to myself; and God in his great mercy has permitted me to see my own weakness and unworthiness as I had not realized it for years. For some time the evidences of our true position in this world's history have increased in strength, as I have seen an inclination manifest in the political and ecclesiastical world to cling to their "peace and safety" sentiment; even when the enemy is marshaling his forces, and preparing for the conflict. I pray that God will pour out his Spirit on his people now, that they may labor in his cause faithfully, and be prepared to stand in the day of battle.
I arrived in this place Sixth-day afternoon, and spoke to the church on the Sabbath, and enjoyed a prayer-meeting with them in the evening. On First-day five followed the example and precept of our Lord in baptism, and in the evening I had the opportunity of speaking to a goodly number of the citizens of the place who had come together notwithstanding the notice was very limited. The Lord gave me some liberty to plainly testify against the pride and wickedness of the age, and the blindness and danger of those who deny the power of godliness, while professing it, or having a form. Some are convinced that these things are truth; I hope they may love and obey the truth, as well as see it.
To-night I have an appointment at the house of Bro. Burwell, as some in that neighborhood are anxious to hear, who were not able to attend here. My trust is in the living God, without whom we can do nothing; and I desire that he may give me a plain testimony to the slumbering world that the Lord is coming!
Yours in hope of soon seeing the dear Saviour,
Parma, Mich., June 2d, 1856. J. H. W.
To Correspondents.
By Editor
H. Chapin:—The tenor of your communication leads us to the conclusion that you do not fully understand our position on 2 Tim. vi, 16. We do not argue from it that no man will ever have immortality, or that the angels do not now possess it; but we do contend that it cuts off the claim so often put forth that all men, good or bad, are of necessity, from their very creation, in possession of inherent immortality. We cannot in any way conscientiously admit that any man from his birth has an immortal principle within him and must of necessity live forever. Immortality is held out to men, as an object to be sought after, by patient continuance in well-doing. Rom. ii, 6, 7. It is to be obtained only through Christ. Chap. vi, 23. Those therefore who will come to him that they may have life, [John v, 40.] will be crowned with immortality when He who is our Life-giver shall appear. Col. iii, 4; 1 Cor. xv, 51-54.
You quote John xi, 26: "Whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die," and then remark, "But cut off the believer from this fountain of life, and he would most surely die." This is precisely the light in which we view the matter. No one has any claim on life, so far as we understand the Scriptures, except he has it through Christ, as he is the only source of life to fallen man, and the giver of it to only such as come unto him. Where then is the unbeliever's ground of hope? Theologians need not tell us that when the Bible says life, it only means life in happiness, and when it says death, it means life in misery; we cannot consent to any such distortion of language. We believe that life means life: a state of consciousness with the power of volition and motion; and that death is its opposite: a state of unconsciousness and inactivity.
With you we agree that "no true believer shall perish;" for says the Saviour, "This is the Father's will, which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me, I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day;" but we see only the horrors of the second death before all those who have no hope and are without God in the world.
Resistance to Sin
He that is not against his sin, in a lively resistance, is for it in his affections. He that does not oppose the tempter, invites him. He that hinders not the occasion of sin, tacitly wishes the event.
The New Church Herald
By Editor
"The New Church Herald, a Swedenborgian Weekly paper, published at 135, Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, at $2,00 a year, has commenced its third volume. We learn that specimen numbers are sent without charge, to any one who requests them."
Business.
By Editor
E. O. Meacham:—We do not think it does.
J. H. Waggoner:—The money for sister B. Chapman (written M. Chapman) was all received, and will be found receipted, the first in No. 3, Vol. VII, and the second in No. 25 of the same volume. It pays to Vol. IX.
The Office Debts.
By Editor
At the business meeting of our late Conference the financial condition of the Review Office was taken into consideration. Spirited remarks were made upon the value of truth, and the disagreeable sight of long-standing dues to the paper. If the spirit of life and sacrifice could pervade the whole Church, that was exhibited in this meeting, they would not long exist. It was voted to unite the two debts, what is behind on Vol. VII, and to move Office, and to invite the Church to follow the example of the members of the Conference, and designate their free-will offerings to be paid before the first of September, towards its removal.
There was behind, May 29, as receipted in No. 6, the sum of $207.33, on moving Office and paying for printing material which Bro. White had added. This material included two machines worth fifty-five dollars, which, though handy, to a Printing Office, more properly belong to the book department. It has been concluded to transfer this to the book department to be paid by the Church Book Fund, which will lessen the debt to move Office, &c., $55. Consequently there now remains on this debt, but $152.33. If to this we add what yet remains due on Vol. VII, $295.36, we have $447.69, as the entire indebtedness of the Office. The following are the pledges of the members of the Conference towards meeting this sum, and the subject is now open for other members of the Church to "do likewise."
It should be borne in mind that a few individuals, (and among them preachers and the poor,) have pledged more than half the sum to be raised. And those of this number who have means have opportunities as well as disposition, to often hand it out, to advance the cause. We think it will be a pleasure to the brethren abroad to respond to this call either with means or pledges without delay.
J. Byington (pd. $5) $25.00. | J. Cornell $10.00
J. Dorcas (" 0.75) 20.75. | J. P. Kellogg 10.00
D. R. Palmer 15.00. | I. D. Perry 10.00
J. Hart 10.00. | M. Phillips 10.00
D. W. Williams 5.00. | J. R. Lewis 5.00.
J. Bates (pd.) 5.00. | S. W. Rhodes (pd.) 10.00.
A. Hart 7.00. | E. Goodwin 10.00.
E. Green (pd.) 5.00. | W. Holden 5.00
Z. Brooks 5.00. | D. H. Simonds 3.00.
G. Lowree (pd. $2,50) 5.00. | Wm. Hugh (pd.) 0.25.
J. P. Hunt 5.00. | M. G. Kellogg 3.00.
J. F. Byington 5.00. | L. Russell 15.00.
C. Smith (from the | J. B. Frisbie 5.00.
purse of his late son, | A friend 10.00
Wm M.) (pd.) 5.00. | B. Hall 5.00.
Receipts for Book Fund.
By Editor
B Graham, H Lyon, J R Lewis, each $10. J Butchart, T Draper, J Byington, J M Lindsay, Sr More, M Hutchins, P Hutchins, each $5. H D Corey, a Friend in Parma, Mich., G Cramer, S P Hungerford, each $3. Anna Hammond, A Hilliard, A Avery, A Hart, each $2. S Willey, C Harris, J Park, Amanda Putnam, Mrs A Myrick, H Gardner, Jno Lunger, L Lunger, each $1. L Greaves $0.75. J R Grimes, E Lillibridge, H Buck, each $0.50
Receipts.
By Editor
G W Newman, Mrs M A Eaton, S Segar, J M Ballou, N M Gray, L Chandler, E D Cook, G T Wilsie, J Stryker, each $1.
J H Heggie ($1 for S A Hallock) $3. L Lowry $2. C S Glover (for E Bugbee) J Newton, each $0.50. N A Scripture $0.40.
ON VOL. VII.—D W Cartwright, Geo Moulter, each $1.
REVIEW TO THE POOR.—J H Heggie $0.64.
Books for Sale at this Office.
By Editor
RATES OF POSTAGE.
"Books bound or unbound, not weighing over four pounds, for any distance under 3000 miles, when pre-paid, one cent an ounce. When not paid, 1½ cents an ounce."
Hymns for those who keep the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus. This is the title of our new Hymn Book prepared for the use of the Church of God scattered abroad. It is designed to promote not only public worship, but also social and family devotions. It is a selection of Hymns of poetic merit, expressing the faith and hope of the Church as set forth in the Scriptures of truth, free from the popular errors of the age. The Book contains 352 Pages, 430 Hymns, and 76 pieces of Music. Nearly every Hymn can be sung in some one of the pieces of Music, which will promote uniformity and correctness in singing among the Churches.—Price, 62½ cents.—In Morocco, 70 cents.—Weight 7 & 8 ounces.
Bible Tracts Bound in Two Volumes. These Volumes are of about 400 pages each, and embrace nearly all of our published Tracts. We are happy to offer to our friends the main grounds of our faith in a style so acceptable.—Price, 50 cents each.—Wt 9 oz. each.
Sabbath Tracts, Nos 1, 2, 3 & 4. This work presents a condensed view of the entire Sabbath question.—184 pages. Price 15 cents.—Wt. 4 oz.
The Sanctuary and Twenty-three Hundred Days, by "J N. A." This work presents a clear exposition of Daniel viii and ix, points out distinctly the commencement and termination of the 2300 days, shows what the Sanctuary is, and the nature of its cleansing, and explains the disappointment of the Advent people in regard to time, and the true position of those who are now waiting for their Lord.—Price 12½ cents.—Wt. 3 oz.
The Three Angels of Rev. xiv, 6-12, particularly the Third Angel's Message, and the Two-horned Beast. This work maintains the fulfillment of Prophecy in the past Advent movement, and is of great importance in these times of apostasy and peril.—148 pages.—Price 12½ cents.—Wt 2 oz.
Review of Crozier. This work is a faithful review of the No-Sabbath doctrine as set forth in the Advent Harbinger by O. R. L. Crozier. It should be placed in the hands of those who are exposed to that heresy.—Price 6 cents.—Wt 2 oz.
The Bible Class. This work contains 52 Lessons on the Law of God and the Faith of Jesus, with questions. It is peculiarly adapted to the wants of those of every age who are unacquainted with our views of these subjects, especially the young.—Bound 25 cents.—Wt. 4 oz.—Paper covers, 18¾ cents.—Wt. 3 oz.
The Four Universal Monarchies of the Prophecy of Daniel, and the Kingdom of God, to which is added a condensed view of the 2300 days and the Sanctuary.—Price 8 cents.—Wt. 2 oz.
The Sabbath. Containing valuable articles on 2 Cor. iii; Col. ii, 16-17, Who is our Lawgiver? The two tills of Matt. v, 18, Consistency, &c.—Price 5 cents.—Wt 1 oz.
The Law of God. In this excellent work the testimony of both Testaments relative to the law of God—its knowledge from Creation, its nature and perpetuity—is presented.—Price 12½ cents.—Wt. 2 oz.
The Atonement. This work opens a wide field of Bible truth, and will be found a valuable assistant in the study of the great theme on which it treats.—196 pp.—18 cents.—Wt. 4 oz.
Man not Immortal: the only Shield against the Seductions of Modern Spiritualism. Without the great truth that man is not immortal, and that the dead know not anything, none are prepared to stand against wicked spirits in high places. We commend this work on the Immortality question, as an able discussion of the subject.—148 pp.—12½ cents.—Wt. 3 oz.
An Examination of the Scripture Testimony concerning Man's present condition, and his future Reward or Punishment. By this work is shown in a clear and connected manner the unconscious state of the dead, and the final destiny of the wicked. By many it has been objected to works which have been published on this subject that objections have not been thoroughly answered. In this work we consider all objections to the mortality of man and the death of the wicked fairly and fully met.—Price 18 cents.—Wt. 4 oz.
Why Don't you Keep the Sabbath? Extracts from Catholic works.—Price 5 cents.—Wt. 1 oz.
Signs of the Times. This work presents the historical facts concerning the signs in the Sun, Moon and Stars, points out other signs of the soon coming of Christ, and contains an exposure of Spirit Manifestations.—Price 12½ cents.—Wt. 2 oz.
Last Work of the True Church.—Price 7 cents.—Wt 1 oz.
Perpetuity of the Royal Law.—Price 5 cents.—Wt. 1 oz.
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Youth's Instructor.—Vols. 1 & 2.—Price 25 cents a Vol in paper covers.
POEMS.
Home Here and Home in Heaven, with other poems. This work embraces all those sweet and Scriptural poems written by Annie R. Smith, from the time she embraced the third message till she fell asleep in Jesus.—Price 25 cents.—Wt 4 oz.—In paper covers, 20 cents.—Wt. 2 oz.
Time and Prophecy. This work is a poetic comparison of the events of time with the sure word of Prophecy.—Price 25 cents.—Wt. 4 oz.—In paper covers, 15 cents.—Wt. 3 oz.
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Liberal discount on these works where $5 worth is taken.
Address URIAH SMITH, Battle Creek, Mich.