p. 159 | Review and Herald, Vol. 23, No. 20. (4/12/1864)

Progress in the Truth

By Arlina R. Penniman

From Sister Penniman.

DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: Thinking it will cheer you to hear something of the progress of truth, I desire to cast my humble testimony in with those who “speak often one to another.”

In early youth I made a profession of religion, and for several years lived faithful to my vows, receiving great light and blessings. But for a few years past associations with the world have so engrossed my mind that I had entirely lost the power of godliness, and nearly given up the form thereof, my conscience the meanwhile warning me that if I continued in this state I must be lost.

A few weeks since, Bro. Waggoner came among us, and my husband and self were blessed in being among his hearers. We did not expect to be converted to his faith, but throwing aside prejudice, resolved to investigate the word of truth carefully and prayerfully. With strong desire to know the truth, we could not gainsay the strong arguments enforced by plain scripture, and did not, like some, as soon as we began to see the light, shut our eyes for fear of seeing more; but have pressed on to know the truth, until we feel that we are now rooted and grounded, and by divine aid are resolved to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.

Many are afraid of being carried away by strange doctrines; but if the plain teachings of the Bible are “strange doctrines,” the farther we are carried away by them the better.

I have been greatly blessed this day in following my Saviour down into the liquid grave, and hope by grace to follow his precepts and examples while I live. The scoffs and sneers of the world, and even professed Christians, I expect; but shall I hope to escape better than my Lord, who bore to be scourged and spit upon for me? Nay, verily.

Then let men rage, since thou wilt spread Thy shadowy wings around my head; Since in all pain thy tender love Will still my sure refreshment prove.”

Oh, that those who follow Christ at a distance could see and feel how precious and glorious is the light bestowed upon those who forsake all for his sake. How vain and trifling the world looks now. I feel as I never felt before—ready for the coming of my Lord. I would dearly love to meet with the saints below; but I rejoice in the expectation of meeting you in the air on our way to dwell forever with the Lord. That I may be a faithful witness until that time, may I not, dear brethren and sisters, have your earnest prayers?

In hope.

Arlina R. Penniman.

Bloomfield, Ohio.

A Hint.

THERE are some hearers who take special delight in telling their minister how much they are pleased with his sermons. And there are some hearers who take equal delight in showing their minister on what points in matter and manner they deem him defective. And both these classes of persons, though they may perhaps mean well, are to a sensitive minister annoyances. Few preachers are the better for being extravagantly commended, and few are profited by homiletical suggestions from those whom they know are incapable of writing or delivering a sermon themselves.

“Let such teach others, who themselves excel, And censure freely who have written well.”

One of the best compliments that was ever paid to a clergyman, was what was once said to Massilon by Louis XVI. “When I hear other preachers, I usually go home praising them; but when I hear you I go home condemning myself.” To none but to a faithful preacher could this in truth be said; and the highest and most valued compliment a parishioner can pay a pastor, is to obey the truths which his pastor delivers.

A Poor Man’s Wish.

I ASKED a student what three things he most wished. He said, “Give me books, health and quiet, and I care for nothing more.”

I asked a miser, and he said “money, money, money.”

I asked a pauper, and he faintly said “bread, bread, bread.”

I asked a drunkard, and he loudly called for strong drink.

I asked the multitude around me, and they lifted up a confused cry, in which I heard the words, wealth, fame and pleasure.

I asked a poor man who had long borne the character of an experienced Christian; he replied that his wishes could be met by Christ. He spoke seriously, and I asked him to explain. He said, “I greatly desire three things—first, that I may be found in Christ; secondly, that I may be like Christ; thirdly, that I may be with Christ.—Tonawanda Chief.”

Grace, Communion, and Joy

GREAT measures of grace carry with them the greatest evidence of a man's union and communion with God; and the more a man's union and communion with God are evidenced, the more will the soul be filled with that joy which is unspeakable and full of glory, and with that comfort and peace which pass understanding. In great measures of grace, as in a crystal glass, the soul sees the glorious face of God shining and sparkling, and this fills the soul with joy.

Letters.

By Editor

"Then they that feared the Lord, spake often one to another."

This department of the paper is designed for the brethren and sisters to freely and fully communicate with each other respecting their hopes and determinations, conflicts and victories, attainments and desires, in the heavenly journey. Then they, says the prophet, that feared the Lord, spake often one to another. We believe emphatically that we are living in that time. Therefore seek first a living experience and then record it, carefully and prayerfully, for the comfort and encouragement of the other members of the household of faith. Let this department be well filled with lively testimonies of the goodness of God, and the value of his truth.

An Apology to Brother Whyte

By Editor

From Bro. Armstrong.

BRO. WHYTE: The Review came to hand to-day, and I was truly pained at the remarks made on my last letter. Now if there was any thing offensive in it, I humbly beg pardon. As to my being too fast, you cannot judge unless you had received my first. I sent a short communication over a year ago that was never noticed, and as the second was of a character that demanded a notice, or suspension of the paper, I thought I was entitled to one or the other, and I wrote the third time, but as you state you did not receive it.

I admit I should make some apology, not only for this but also for a letter I wrote to a Bro. Gurney in Jackson, Mich., in which I stated that you were not honest, which statement I gladly recall on the ground that you did not receive the letter and article spoken of,—and will always be glad to make amends for wrong thoughts, or wrong sayings, when convinced of the wrong. We may say many things however, which our readers will understand are only conditionally wrong, as I understand you in charging me with fanaticism, you must truly have a discerning spirit to make it an absolute charge, if that short letter was all you received from me, to judge me by. And if I am to understand it as an absolute charge and you are unwilling to recall your words, I still have the blessed right to appeal to a higher judge in the matter. Again, it seems to me very unaccountable that you should cancel the 40 cents when I am able to pay you. This I cannot allow, and enclose the amount. As to my continued subscription, it is still undecided, I had no idea that other matter must be set aside to make room for mine. But if I am never to be heard, as I never have been before this unpleasant occasion I decline taking the paper. Not by any means that I consider you bound to publish all I choose to send. You certainly have the right to reject what you please, and I also have the right to stop the paper if I think I am not used right, without incurring the necessity for any unkind remarks, especially when I am willing to pay what is due on the paper. If that miscarried letter and article yet comes to hand I hope you will either publish it, or return it at my expense.

If I know my own heart, God will bear me witness, I have no feeling toward you but fervent charity, and would not designedly do you the least wrong. Time is too short to indulge in selfish, unchristian repartee. If we do wrong, let us rebuke in love, and let the past be forgotten.

Yours in Christian love, P. E. ARMSTRONG.

REMARKS. With pleasure we let Bro. Armstrong speak for himself in the above from his pen. We claim perfect freedom of judgment as to what shall be published in the Review. Let those who think we err appeal to the Trustees of the S. D. A. Publishing Association. We shall abide their decision according to the By-laws of the Association. And we allow that each subscriber has the perfect right of judgment as to continuing his subscription for the Review.

We shall be glad to send Bro. A., the Review, because, we think he needs just such a paper, but his continuing his subscription would not make the least difference in regard to publishing his articles.

Obituary Notices.

By Margaret Heligass

FELL asleep in Lynxville, Wis., March 7, 1864, after an illness of one week of typhoid fever, Charles T. Rathbun, aged 5 years, 1 month and 15 days, only son of Bro. Jas. and Sr. Minerva Rathbun.

Also March 21, 1864, Adela Josephene, aged 1 year 11 months, and 10 days. They were laid beside their mother to sweetly rest until our glorious life-giver shall appear and bring them from the enemy's land.

MARGARET HELIGASS.

Appointments.

THE next Quarterly Meeting for the church in Roxbury, will be holden at my house on Sabbath, the last day of April, 1864, and at the school-house near my residence on Sunday, the first day of May next. Brn. and sisters from sister churches, and scattered ones also, are invited to attend. Those who come on the day previous, from the west, will call at Bro. Kendall's. Those from the east, at Bro. Cram's. Those from the north or south, at my residence. The Brn. Bourdeau are expected. STEPHEN PIERCE.

THE next Monthly Meeting for Central New York, will be held at Roosevelt, the first Sabbath in May. L. R. CHAPEL.

PROVIDENCE permitting, I will meet with the brethren at Dayton, Green Co., Wis., April 30, and May 1, as Bro. Pratt may appoint.

I will also meet with the brethren in Quarterly Meetings as follows: Oakland, May 7 and 8. (Will some one meet me at Ft. Atkinson the 5th?) Poy Sippi, Waushara Co., May 14 and 15. (Will one of the brethren meet me at Berlin Station the 12th?) Marquette, May 21 and 22. Mackford, “ 28 “ 29. All of the above meetings to commence at 7 o'clock Friday evening. Prayer-meeting at 9 A. M. Sabbath morning, and preaching at half-past 10. ISAAC SANBORN.

Annual Meeting of the S. D. A. Publishing Association.

THE S. D. A. P. Association will hold its fourth annual session at Battle Creek, Mich., Friday, May 20, 1864, at 9 o'clock A. M.

At this meeting it is proposed to change Sec. 2, of Art. xii, of the By-laws relative to our Seal, as follows: In 6th line, after the words "to wit," strike out the remainder of the section, and in place thereof insert the following: "In the upper portion from left to right, the inscription, 'S. D. Adventist,' preceded and followed by an ornamental dash, and in the lower portion the words, 'Publishing Association.' In the upper portion of the central ground shall be the words, 'Incorporated May 3d, 1861,' and in the lower portion the words, 'Battle Creek, Mich.'"

JAMES WHITE, GEO. W. AMADON, J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH, WILLIAM HALL, E. S. WALKER, URIAH SMITH, I. D. VAN HORN. } Trustees.

REMARKS.

It is hoped that by appointing the business sessions of the Conferences and Association, so early in the week, all business pertaining to the interests of those meetings may be fully attended to before the Sabbath, so as to leave the Sabbath and first-day to be devoted exclusively to religious exercises. It will be necessary that delegates to the General Conference should arrive in Battle Creek, as soon as Tuesday or Tuesday night, delegates to the Mich. State Conference by Wednesday, members of the Association, Thursday, while those who come for the religious meetings exclusively, will be expected on Friday. A committee of arrangements will be found at the Review Office, to provide homes for all who come.

Let all realize that these are important meetings. A great work is committed to us to spread abroad in the short time now left us, the last message of mercy to a perishing world. The demands of the times call for more than mortal zeal and energy, and the interests of the cause in all its departments is involved in the issue of these meetings. May those who come, come with hearts glowing with love to God and his precious truth, and prepared to do all that man can do to spread its heavenly light; and those who cannot come, can at least pray for us, that the Lord's counsels may be carried out, and his work finally accomplished gloriously in the earth.

Gen. Conf. Committee.

Michigan State Conference.

THE Michigan State Conference will hold its fourth annual session at Battle Creek, Mich., Thursday, May 19th, 1864, at 9 o'clock A. M.

All the churches belonging to this Conference, and those who wish to unite with it, are requested to represent themselves faithfully by delegate or letter. Delegates are to be chosen according to the following ratio: "Each church to the number of twenty members or under, shall be entitled to one delegate, and one delegate for every additional fifteen members." Delegates will bring letters showing their appointment. Churches will also be careful to act upon Sec. 2, of Art. iv, of our Constitution, as follows: "It shall be the duty of the churches in this Conference to send a written report to the regular meetings of the Conference of their standing, their losses and additions [of membership] during the year, also the amount of their S. B. fund." Ministers belonging to the Conference will also be prepared to present their individual reports of each week's labor, and expenses. These reports must state the number of meetings held, and where they were held, each week. Churches will also remember Sec. 3, of Art. iii, and notify the Executive Committee at or before the time of the Conference, of "the amount they will give each month during the Conference year for the support of ministers and tent operations, and for such other purposes as may be necessary for the advancement of the cause."

U. SMITH, JNO. BYINGTON, C. SMITH, Mich. Conf. Committee.

New work.

“AN Appeal to Mothers, Relative to the Great Cause of the Physical, Mental, and Moral Ruin of many of the Children of our Time.” Such is the title of a new tract just written by Mrs. White, designed as a warning against one of the greatest and most insidious evils of this age. Parents, to whom pertains the training of children, should have it. The young should also have it, in order to fortify themselves in the ways of purity and right. It will be sent by mail, post-paid, for 15 cents. Eight for one dollar.

Aurora Borealis.

WHEN among the signs of the last days, the Aurora is mentioned as being of recent origin, the scoffer immediately denies this. For the benefit of such, I transcribe from Willard's Abridged History of the U. S. A. p. 143. verbatim.

"A phenomenon singular at the time and not yet satisfactorily explained, alarmed the people of New England in 1719. This was the Aurora Borealis, first noticed in this country, on the night of the 17th of December. Its appearance according to the writers of the day, was more calculated to excite terror than later appearances of the same kind." See the record in all our public journals of the remarkable appearances in the heavens in the autumn of 1859. The prophecy of Joel ii, 30, may it not here be fulfilled, at least in part? INQUIRER.

Business Department.

Business Notes.

J. B. Sweet. The P. O. address for which you inquire, is Portage, Wood Co., Ohio.

RECEIPTS.

For Review and Herald.

Annexed to each receipt in the following list, is the Volume and Number of the REVIEW & HERALD to which the money receipted pays. If money for the paper is not in due time acknowledged, immediate notice of the omission should then be given.

Julia A. Griggs, for S. B. Overton 1,00,xxv,14. W. Arthur 1,00,xxiv,14. T. R. Horner 2,00,xxiii,1. C. N. Bowman 1,00,xxvi,14. E. E. Bryant 1,00,xxiv,14. S. Wright 2,00,xxv,14. D. E. Smith for G. W. Smith 1,00,xxv,14. J. Lawson for S. B. Pike 0,50,xxiv,14. W. Hoff 1,00,xxv,14. H. Pratt 2,00,xxv,19. S. Warner $1,25 in full of acct. J. Young 1,00,xxv,14. E. Rathbun 1,00,xxv,14. A friend of truth for J. Quincy 1,00,xxv,14. S. B. Gowell for R. Gowell, R. Hamilton and Mrs. M. A. Gilky each 0,50,xxiv,14. S. B. Gowell 1,00,xxiii,21. S. Babcock 2,50,xxvi,1. S. R. Twist 1,25,xxiv,1. R. Holland 1,00,xxiv,16. P. Emons 1,00,xxv,19. Z. Swearingen 1,75,xxv,1. W. A. McIntosh 3,80,xxix,1. T. Harlow 3,00,xxv,1. A. F. Rathbun 1,00,xxiv,15. H. Merrill for Melissa A. Dayton 1,00,xxv,14. S. Howland 2,00,xxvi,1. F. H. Howland 1,00,xxv,1. Sarah Flanders 1,00,xxv,1. Wm. Mott 2,00,xxiv,1. A. Olmstead 1,80,xxv,20. W. Gillmore 1,00,xxv,14. J. Leland for Betsey Peabody 1,00,xxv,1. Enoch Hayes 1,00,xxv,17. T. Lane 1,00,xxiv,14. Mrs. P. Bowers 0,50,xxiv,14. Mrs. J. B. Spaulding 0,50,xxiv,14. Mills & Lossey 1,00,xxv,14. C. H. Clagett 1,00,xxv,14. Warren E. Green 1,00,xxv,1. Mason Sleeper 1,00,xxiv,14. A. C. Woodbury 1,06,xxv,1. Mrs. J. Collins 2,00,xxvi,18. M. C. Butler 1,00,xxv,1. C. W. Rogers 1,00,xxv,14. W. J. Hardy 1,00,xxiv,2.

Books Sent By Mail.

Wm. E. Newcomb 25c. R. Baker $1,50. W. P. Andrews $2. M. E. Cornell $1,76. A. C. Bourdeau $1,76. J. N. Loughborough $3,55. S. Nichols 30c. S. R. Twist 75c. S. Babcock 30c. Harriet Hearn $1. A. Munson $1,15. N. Nichols 30c. H. Pratt 30c. E. Ferren 60c. C. Lunger 60c. J. B. Sweet 30c. N. W. Vincent 70c. D. W. Johnson $1,25. F. A. Johnson 50c. I. G. Camp 30c. J. P. Rathbun $2. O. M. Patten 10c. Wm. A. McIntosh 60c. M. J. Palmer 15c. Mary Harlow 30c. G. W. Perry 10c. Mrs. M. P. Scott $3,75. A. F. Rathbun 45c. A. S. Olmstead 45c. W. Cruzan 15c. W. Mott 45c. S. Pierce $1. A. C. Woodbury $1,30. L. Hersey 19c.

Cash Received on Account.

I. Colcord 25c. Wm. S. Higley jr. $13. S. H. King $21. W. J. Hardy $4.

General Conference Missionary Fund.

Brethren in Leslie, Mich., $5. Wm. Mott 55c.

General Conference.

The second Annual Meeting of the S. D. A. General Conference will be held in Battle Creek, Mich., Wednesday, May 18th, 1864, at 9 o'clock A. M. This Conference is composed of delegates from the various State Conferences. Where delegates are not already appointed, the different Conference Committees will see that they are appointed in season. Brethren in those localities where there is no State Conference can also represent themselves by delegates or letter at their discretion.

Jno. BYINGTON, J. N. ANDREWS, G. W. AMADON, } Gen. Conf. Committee.

The Garments of Christian Character

Never consider yourself dressed, except you have on the white garment of inward sanctification, the royal robe of Christ's righteousness, the embroidered cloak of a blameless conversation.

Rare Paragraphs.

DUTIES are ours : events are God's.

Solitude shows us what we should be: society what we are.

Recollection is the life of religion.

The grandest operations, both in nature and in grace, are the most silent and imperceptible.

Every man should aim to do one thing well.

If a good man cannot prevent evil, he will hang heavy on its wings, and retard its progress.

It is much easier, safer, and pleasanter, to be the thing which a man aims to appear, than to keep up the appearance of being what he is not.

The way of every man is declaration of the end of that man.

Wisdom prepares for the worst: but folly leaves the worst for that day when it comes.

We treat sensible and present things as realities, and future and eternal things as fables: whereas the reverse should be our habits.

There are but two states in the world which may be pronounced happy—either that of the man who rejoices in the light of God's countenance, or that of him who mourns after it.