DEAR BRETHREN: The reason why I have not written oftener through the Review has been that I have not had anything of much interest to write; as I have not pretended to devote my whole time to preaching since my father's death, but am in hopes that the way may be open again soon for me to devote all my time to preaching the present truth.
I date back one year ago, when I commenced a course of lectures in Orleans, where a number were convinced of the truth, and some ten commenced to keep the Lord's Sabbath. Others would no doubt, had it not been that Methodist influence was greater than that of Bible truth.
I made a second visit to that place last fall and found a few still holding on, while others had given up. Some others however expected to commence when I left, which would keep the first number good.
Last fall I visited Monroe county, Mich., which was the first time that the third angel's message was ever preached in that county to my knowledge, where one or two were trying to keep the Sabbath. I soon learned that seven or eight more had commenced to keep the Sabbath, and among the rest was Bro. Owen, a Methodist class leader, of good report among all that knew him, as being a devoted Christian. He became fully convinced that he ought to keep the Sabbath, and work on Sunday, the first day of the week; for which his brethren took up a labor with him, and finally brought his case before the class. He requested the privilege of a meeting with the preacher and some of his best brethren, to convince him of his error if he had embraced error. He was told that they wanted no controversy with him; but the preacher rather advised him to leave the church by withdrawal, as they would have to turn him out. So he accordingly withdrew; and then the preacher told him it was the worst step he ever took in his life, and thought he would be sorry.
I have just made a second visit to that place. I this time gave fifteen lectures to attentive congregations. Seven or eight more decided to keep the Sabbath by the time I left, and about as many more expressed that they were convinced of the truth of the Sabbath, and some thought they might keep it.
During my stay there, by the request of Bro. Owen an appointment was given for a meeting at the prairie school-house in his district; but no sooner was the appointment circulated than the steward of the Methodist class commenced his railing opposition against Bro. Owen's people and myself, and said that if I came into their neighborhood I would get tarred and feathered. He ordered the appointment to be counteracted by giving the school teacher orders to say to the scholars that there would be no meeting. Notwithstanding all this, the house was nearly filled with people at an early hour, and I commenced preaching when the steward came in before me and commanded me to stop right where I was, as he was one of the officers of the district, threatening the law on me, and swinging a cudgel before me at the same time. I sat down, and he went out. After an interruption of more than half an hour, by the help of the director, who I believe was not a professor of religion, who told this professor (the steward) that his preacher would be shut out if I was, he consented to let me preach, and came in and heard me himself. I gave Sunday a thorough reviewing, and offered one hundred dollars for the first divine testimony in favor of Sunday, that would amount to such testimony as would be received before a court, to clearly convict a criminal.
When the meeting closed, the director said he had one request to make of me: he wanted me to remember if we ever became a numerous people, not to persecute the weaker; as it had most always been done.
The next night the circuit preacher, Eld. Black, was in the congregation, when I took up the subject of the utter destruction of the wicked after their resurrection. After I had passed through my subject I gave opportunity for questions as usual. This elder commenced in rather an imposing manner, calling it ignorance to apply the language of Scripture in such a way. He finally wanted to know if I took the Scriptures literally. I told him I did, the plain reading, and the figurative I applied to literal facts. He then jumped upon his feet and said he was a millwright, and wanted to know what I would take for myself, as he wanted to buy me. I told him I would be a servant for one plain passage of scripture that said that Sunday was the Sabbath, or that the soul was immortal. He then commenced quoting what Jesus said to the woman of Samaria, John iv, 14, instead of chap. vii, 38, which he evidently designed to refer to, and appeared confused and sat down. I told him the text he meant to refer to was figurative, and Jesus explained it to be the Spirit. He made some other remarks, a lady disputed him, and he left, while the congregation clapped their hands and stamped with their feet, as he went out, to manifest their indignation for his attempted impudence. I made the remark that I was sorry that the solemnity of the meeting should be disturbed, as I had come there to do them good.
Strange as it may appear to some, that people that were once a humble, persecuted people, have become a proud and persecuting people. Truly, turn our eyes where we will, to the religious world, it speaks to us "Babylon is fallen." I am reminded of the time when Bro. Hastings came out from the Free-Will Baptists in Chester, when a Baptist preacher stood at the head of a swearing rabble, strengthening their hands, while they were threatening tar, feathers, a rail &c. I am satisfied that, were it not for the laws of this free country, in many places the present truth could not be preached.
The same spirit is in the world, to crucify Jesus and release Barabbas. I am sorry to say that most lies and slander that come against us start from professors of religion; as it was in the days of the apostle with the self-righteous Pharisees, who thanked God that they were better than others.
J. B. Frisbie.
Battle Creek, Mich.
Extracts from Letters.
Bro. Aldrich writes from Parkville, Mich. : "When I first subscribed for the Review it was only out of curiosity; and a curious paper it has proved to be. It has shown me things that I supposed to be Bible truths, to be only traditions of men. I feel that I have been very greatly benefited by its reading. It sends me often, very often, to that precious Book whose instructions are able to make me wise unto salvation, and I can most emphatically say that whereas I was once blind, I now see. I now see harmony existing in the word of God, where I could not understand it before."
Sister N. G. Sanders writes from Rush Lake, Wis. : "There are seven Sabbath-keepers here. We desire to have some of the ministering brethren visit this place; but above all we desire the prayers of the church that we may be able through the blood of the Lamb to overcome, and be clothed with the power of the gospel. Yours in hope of rest."
To Correspondents.
By Editor
G. P. W. of Me.: The two passages you mention are knotty points of which we have never seen, and could not probably give, a satisfactory explanation. We send you the Seven Trumpets, which will give you light so far as Rev. viii, & ix are concerned. Price 10c.
J. A. W. of N. Y.: The mistake in chronology of upwards 100 years which Dr. Cummings claims that the best chronologers have discovered, seems to have reference to the computation of time before the Christian era. Thus, it is the commonly received opinion that the Christian era commenced in the year of the world 4004; but Dr. C. claims in the note you sent, clipped from the N. Y. Sun, that it commenced in the year of the world 4138. On this calculation it will take only 1862 years of the Christian era, to complete 6000 years; or, reckoning as he does, from the birth of Christ, 5 years before, the 6000 years will be complete in 1867. Usher's chronology, which commences the Christian era in the year of the world 4004, allows only about 300 years for the judges, whereas it is stated in Acts xiii, to be 450.
M. C. B. of Vt.: The weight of evidence seems to cluster around the year 508, as the time when the daily (desolation) gave place to the abomination of desolation [Dan. xii, 11]; and where, consequently, the 1290 years commence. Here the abomination of desolation, or the Papacy, was set up; that is, Paganism gave way before it, and the way was prepared for its full establishment. But it was not till after this, that the saints' times and laws were given into its hands, and its supremacy commenced. This was in the year 538, which marks the commencement of the 1260 years, during which this beast or desolation should continue. The 1290 and 1260 years ended together in 1798; and we have now no better light than that the 1335 years commenced with the former period, and extended 45 years this side of its close.
F. T. W. of C. E. For an answer to your first query we refer you to Bro. White. As to the second, we know of no better way than to let the word of God and your own conscience decide.
REQUESTED—that you will give me through the Review, one plain text of scripture which calls the Jewish day of atonement "the day of judgment" to Israel; or, some Bible expression equivalent. E. C. S.
ANSWER.—We see not what possible need there can be of any such text as above called for, and therefore do not feel particularly concerned as to whether it can be found or not. We know that the service of the Jewish priesthood on the ancient day of atonement meets its antitype in the ministration of our Lord in heaven. We know that our Lord's service is not repeated year by year as was that of the earthly priests, but is accomplished once for all; and that the cleansing of the sanctuary, or the making of the atonement, is the last work which he accomplishes for his people. We know that this antitypical work is called a work of judgment; for it is evident from the very nature of the case that judgment must take place, or that it must be entirely decided who are and who are not the children of God, and subjects of translation, before ever Jesus makes his appearance in the clouds of heaven. When he comes the dead in Christ shall be raised, and they only [1 Thess. iv, 16; Rev. xx, 4]; but how is it to be known who are such unless an investigative judgment has preceded their summons from the regions of the dead? So in regard to those who are to be translated. This work of previous decision we believe is brought to view by Peter when he says [chap. iv, 5, 6], "Who shall give account to him who is ready to judge the quick and dead; for for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead that they might be judged according to men in the flesh;" that is, judged just as though they were alive in the flesh; from which we learn that some will be judged while dead, or that a judgment will take place before the saints are raised. How can they be judged in this condition? Ans. An investigative judgment can be held over their cases, and decision passed upon them, from the records kept in the archives of heaven of the lives of men, or from the "things written in the book." Rev. xx, 12. Such a judgment alone can here be meant. Peter further says in verse 17: "For the time has come that judgment must begin at the house of God; and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?" There is another kind of judgment, namely, the executive to be fulfilled in part when Christ comes [2 Tim. iv, 1; 2 Thess. i, 8, 9], and in full at the end of the 1000 years of Rev. xx. See said chapter, verses 9-15. Whether or not, therefore, we can find the expression, "day of judgment," applied to the ancient day of atonement, in no wise affects the momentous truths which claim our attention at the present time.
To the Brethren in Wisconsin.
By James White
Bro. Smith : We propose to spend two or three weeks in Wisconsin where Brn. Ingraham, Sanborn, Phelps, Steward and Welcome may judge best. We wish to avoid long, tedious journeys by private carriage, therefore if the friends in Wisconsin wish us to meet them in Conferences, they should be appointed near the Railroad lines. We can be in southern Wisconsin April 7th. The above named brethren will please address us at Knoxville, Marion Co., Iowa.
James White.
The Claylick Church and Systematic Benevolence
Bro. T. J. Butler writes from Ohio: "I have just spent over two weeks in Claylick, Licking Co., with the little church Bro. Cornell raised about one year since. During our labors some sixteen embraced the truth, and others are carefully investigating. May the Lord guide them to correct conclusions. This church also adopted the plan of systematic benevolence in full."
Jews Petition to Open Sunday
THE mayor of Washington recently refused a favorable consideration of the petition of the Jews of that city to keep open their business places on Sunday, even if they transacted no business on Saturday.—Cin. Weekly Times.
APPOINTMENTS.
By James White
We appoint to meet with the brethren in Iowa as follows:
Anamosa, March 3d and 4th.
Tipton, “ 10th “ 11th.
Millersburgh, “ 17th “ 18th.
Where Bro. Osborn may appoint through the Review, 24th and 25th.
Knoxville, 31st, and April 1st.
JAMES WHITE.
Lisbon, Iowa, March 1st, 1860.
Change of Appointments in Iowa.
By James White
Bro. Smith: I have decided to be at Millersburgh March 17th and 18th, and shall therefore be at Iowa City the 13th and 14th. JAMES WHITE.
JOHN BYINGTON
By John Byington
PROVIDENCE permitting, I will meet with the church in Parkville, March 10th. Also with the church in Convis, Sabbath, March 17th, and with the church in Burlington, Sabbath, March 24th.
JOHN BYINGTON
Invitation to J. N. Andrews
E. Macomber, of New Shoreham, R. I., wishes to invite J. N. Andrews to call on him if consistent with other duties, while he is east. His place can be reached from Providence via. Newport.
Tent Operations in the West.
By William S. Ingraham
Bro. Smith: As the time will soon come for tent operations, I wish to drop a word for the consideration of the brethren. I have just received a line from Minnesota. Brethren there are calling for a tent. They are not able to purchase, but will raise means to help forward the work of publishing the truth in that field of labor. They think they can raise $100 in the course of the season, to defray the expenses of tent-meetings.
I will here state my judgment in this matter. As the brethren in the northern part of Wisconsin wish to purchase a new tent to run in that part of the State this summer, and as the southern part of the State has been quite well traveled over, I think the old Wis. and Ills. tent ought to go into Minnesota. I am ready to go with it if necessary. I think the brethren in Ills. and Wis. will not object to this plan. Will those interested speak out? WM. S. INGRAHAM.
Business Department.
By Editor
Business Notes.
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Letters
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