Earlier text: Does the Soul Live in Death?Notes by the Way. No. 5.
By Uriah Smith
WHEN our last Notes were written from West Wilton, N. H., dated Oct. 22d, 1865, we designed in about two weeks, or at most three, to bring our vacation to a close, and return direct to the Office; but circumstances conspired both to interrupt our reports, and prolong our period of absence. Soon after the above date we received an urgent invitation from Bro. Andrews to attend the discussion of the Sabbath question between Bro. Cornell and T. M. Preble, to commence in Portland, Me., Monday evening, Nov. 6. We felt a deep interest in this discussion, not only on account of the truth involved in the question, but in consideration of the disputants to be engaged, and the circumstances that had given rise to this investigation. In view of these things, and with a desire to make the acquaintance of some whom we might otherwise never have the privilege of seeing, and actuated somewhat, we confess, by a motive once falsely attributed to David, namely, that we "might see the battle," we decided to accept the invitation and be present. The discussion continued through its appointed eight sessions. It was a season of great interest, closed well, and can but result in good. We took quite full notes of the arguments presented, and shall write them out for the Review as soon as practicable. To the charge made by Eld. F. in the discussion, that we had been brought on from Battle Creek for the purpose of reporting our side of the question, with sundry implied insinuations that said report might not be the fairest thing in the world, a word might as well be said here, perhaps, as anywhere. A fact or two will be sufficient to set this matter right: 1. When we left Battle Creek, with a programme all arranged for a visit to our friends in New Hampshire, the time of the discussion had not been decided upon, and we did not know that it was to take place this year. 2. It was not till we had nearly finished our contemplated stay at Dansville, N. Y., that the appointment appeared in the Review, which was our first intimation of the time. 3. We had no intention of being present at the discussion, till we had reached West Wilton, N. H., and received the letter containing the invitation above referred to. This was our first visit to the State of Maine. We found Portland, called from its profusely shaded avenues, the "Forest City," a far more beautiful place than we had anticipated. Its pleasant streets and stately edifices, as works of human art and taste, are pleasing and impressive. But to us the most delightful feature of the place was the little company of commandment-keepers, who apart from the busy throngs engrossed in worldliness and pleasure, are reverencing the law of the great God, bearing the cross of their Saviour, and patiently looking and waiting for an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away, even a city which hath foundations whose builder and maker is God. And as we saw those who were all engrossed in the world, revelling in their wealth, and whose every movement seemed to show that they shared the same feelings which dwell in Nebuchadnezzar's breast, as in looking over his palaces, he exclaimed in the pride of his heart, "Is not this great Babylon, which I have builded?" we could but think of the time soon to come, when it will be said to them, "Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, but now thou art tormented;" while the humble servants of God, upon whom they now perhaps look as Dives did upon Lazarus, will be "comforted." Yes, the time of the saints' inheritance, comfort, consolation, blessing and long life, is at hand. The time of the minority of these heirs of the kingdom of Heaven draws to a close; and though they now "differ nothing from a servant," the full blessings of their glorious title will soon be seen. We were here happy to meet Brn. Howard, Hanscom, Goodrich and Prescott, who have recently embraced the Sabbath under the third angel's message, together with others who have long been friends of the present truth in Maine. Sabbath, Nov. 11, and Sunday forenoon following, three discourses were given by Bro. Andrews in the S. D. Advent hall, on the thrilling themes connected with the truth of these last days, particularly the third message and the position of those Adventists who profess to believe that the Lord is at hand, and yet have no room for this message which is the last warning to precede that great event. He also spoke on the development and work of the two-horned beast, and the contemporary sanctuary work in Heaven, and how they who adopt the traditions of men in place of the commandments of God, are hewing out for themselves cisterns which can hold no water, and walking in the light of sparks of their own kindling. Sunday afternoon, Bro. Cornell spoke on the great truth that is to sanctify and prepare a people for the coming of the Lord, especially the prophetic command to bind up the testimony and seal the law among the disciples, and the effect that will be produced by this, as brought to view in Rev. xii, 17. Sunday evening Bro. Howard spoke on the subject of the atonement, presenting it in a manner, and with some new ideas, which give to that great subject, in its important bearings upon the law of God, and the work of the sanctuary in Heaven, a fresh and increased interest. Monday, the 13th, we had the pleasure of visiting the residence of Bro. Howland, in Topsham, Me., which has so long been a strong hold of the present truth, that it has been appropriately christened "Fort Howland." A short stay with the "veterans" who hold possession there, was to us a season of good cheer. Returning to Portland the 14th, for the purpose of starting for New Hampshire again on the morning of the 15th, we learned that Bro. Parker had just fallen in death under the power of diptheria, with which he was attacked a few days before. The friends being disappointed in not obtaining the services of Bro. Prescott, we tarried by request another day to attend the funeral, on which occasion we endeavored to set forth briefly the value of our hope in Christ, without which we are of all men most miserable, but with which, whether in health or sickness, life or death, the present or the future, time or eternity, we are of all men most happy. Sabbath the 18th, met again at West Wilton, N. H., with the few Sabbath-keepers in that section. We were happy to greet at this meeting, friends from Worcester and Lancaster, Mass., besides a full representation from Bennington, Greenfield, Peterborough, Temple, New Ipswich, and Mason, N. H. Some of the neighbors manifesting a desire to attend the meeting, it was held Sabbath forenoon and afternoon at the school-house in the village. An explanation of the mistake of 1844, connecting our present work with the great Advent movement of the past, and the impressive signs of the present time, were the subjects especially before the meeting. At the same place, Friday evening, Nov. 24, we spoke by request on the subject of the state of man in death, and the destiny of the wicked. The house was well filled with the people of the place who listened with close and courteous attention. We presented as many of the more important points of both branches of the subject as we were able in the space of two hours, and urged the congregation to make up the deficiency by a perusal of our publications. We are not engaged in a work that we wish to have done in a corner, and we hold no views for which we do not court the most searching investigation. We find with some a strong prejudice existing against the views we entertain upon this subject. This, of course, is not to be wondered at, in a place where the popular view has from the very beginning held undisputed sway. But we want our friends to awake to the fact that the time has come when those things which profess to be Bible subjects, must stand upon Bible proof. A doctrine will not now be received as true, simply because it has been of long standing in the church. Our view is charged with being a modern doctrine. So far from this, it is the very first penalty ever announced against man. And the popular view originated not far from the same time. Both doctrines are of very early date, yet ours has the priority. The origin of both is given in Gen. ii and iii. In the one it is said by God to Adam, in the case of disobedience, "Thou shalt surely die." That is the view we advocate. In the other it was announced by a certain character to the same Adam, in reference to the same disobedience, "Thou shalt not surely die." This was the commencement of the popular view, and the first and only announcement of the unconditional immortality of man in all the Bible. But no conversions, it is said, will follow our doctrine. This assertion is sufficiently refuted by the fact that wherever this has been preached in connection with other truths upon which special light has come forth in these last days, conversions have followed; and it has been demonstrated that there is a potency in these views to move sinners and vindicate the Bible, possessed by no other preaching. But what are the conversions which the doctrine of the immortality of the soul, with the consequent eternal misery, is making? It has already made converts to Spiritualism outnumbering any single evangelical denomination in the land; and it is daily making scores and hundreds of converts to that unhallowed delusion, to infidelity, and to every form of skepticism. More souls are to-day stumbling to ruin, over that one doctrine, five to one, than are brought to embrace the Saviour by all the combined agencies of the gospel in the land. Surely these things demand that we look well to the foundation upon which it rests. Monday, Nov., 27, turned our course westward. Reached Kensington, Ct., the same evening, and enjoyed a pleasant visit of three days with Bro. S. T. Belden and family. Bro. B. took us to Middletown, where we had the opportunity of seeing the office from which the first periodical of S. D. Adventists was issued, which was to us an object of much interest. Reached Rochester, N. Y., Dec. 1, and spent the Sabbath with the friends there. Started for Battle Creek, Dec. 4, where we arrived on the morning of the 5th, thankful for the period of rest and relaxation we had enjoyed, and for the protection of a kind Providence which had now brought us back in safety to home and friends. Found our family well, and the brethren in the Office, laboring zealously on in the good cause. We return refreshed in body and mind, to engage with new vigor in a work which we love, and in which our whole interest is centered. We are resuming as fast as possible the currents of thought and business which fall to our department, where we left them twelve weeks since—and our "Notes by the Way" are indefinitely suspended. Battle Creek, Mich., Dec. 7, 1865. Report from Bro. Van Horn.
By I. D. Van Horn
I RETURNED home from our field of tent labor, Oct. 26, and after a stay of only twelve days, during which time I preached four times to the church in Battle Creek, I started to fill my appointment at Tompkins. Sabbath, Nov. 11, I met with the church in this place and enjoyed much freedom in giving a discourse on the Unity, Purity, and Hope of the Christian Church. In the afternoon we had a good social meeting at the house of Bro. Weed. The brethren and sisters, though living much scattered, seem to be awake to their duty. Stirring testimonies were borne in favor of the truth. The blessing of Heaven rested down upon us as we were assembled, after our social meeting, to commemorate the sufferings and death of our Lord. On first-day, after a discourse on the subject of Baptism, we went about three miles to the water, where Bro. and sister True, who have lately commenced to keep all of the commandments of God, followed their Lord in the solemn rite of baptism. This place is sacred in my memory, being the place where I was baptized by our dear Bro. Bates, a little more than six years ago. During my stay in this place, I gave five discourses and had one social meeting. The blessing of God was with us during the whole time, and the brethren were all cheered and strengthened to go on in their journey to the kingdom. Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, Nov. 14, 15, I spoke to many of my old friends and associates in my father's neighborhood. Some of these friends are becoming quite favorable to the truth. Thursday, I started for North Leslie where I spoke in the evening with much freedom on the Sabbath in the New Testament. There are a few here that believe the truth but lack courage to make a start. Sabbath, Nov. 18, was spent very pleasantly with the church at Bunkerhill. I found the brethren and sisters firm in the truth. They are growing in numbers and in the Christian graces. May the Lord continue to bless them, and may they all remain united in his service. Sunday morning Bro. Hodges took his team and carried me to the north part of the town of Delhi, where I preached the funeral sermon of sister Lamoreaux, who had been buried in that place two weeks previous. Monday I returned to my father's and rested two days. Thursday I made preparations to go in the stage to Charlotte, but when it came along it was so heavily loaded that the driver would not take me on. There was no other way left me but to go on foot. Having a heavy sachel to carry, I slung it on my back and walked that afternoon, twelve miles to friend Wolcott's, near Onondaga, where I stayed overnight. In the morning he took his team and carried me four miles on my way, then I walked eleven miles further to Bro. Hill's. Here I rested four hours, then went with him four miles and spoke to quite a large congregation in the evening, on the Signs of the Times. On the Sabbath we enjoyed a measure of the Spirit of God in our meetings, and when we met in social worship, judging by the testimonies given, the brethren and sisters seemed to take courage, and manifested a decided interest for the truth. Our meetings on Sunday were well attended, and we enjoyed much freedom in dealing out to them the word of truth. There are some in this church that have been in deep trial, but we hope they will come out free in the Lord and stand among the remnant at the last day. Monday evening, Nov. 27, I spoke in the schoolhouse, in the neighborhood where Bro. David Lamson lives. A good interest was manifested to hear the truth. The next morning I intended to return to Battle Creek, but, receiving news of the death of sister Anna M. Clark, and a request to attend the funeral services, I remained, and on Wednesday I preached her funeral discourse to an attentive congregation. During this tour, I have enjoyed freedom in preaching the word, and find the brethren and sisters generally alive to the cause of present truth. May they all prove faithful. Record of Crime and Disaster.
By J. C.
THE N. Y. Tribune of Nov. 4, has some remarkable statistics of recent crimes; those perpetrated within the last six months; accompanied with remarks which if they had emanated from some Advent believer might be viewed as colored too highly, at least by those who look with a prejudiced eye and mind upon Adventism. But no one will attribute Advent doctrines to Mr. Greeley at present, but we may view his remarks as coming from a man of the world, whose aim, and motive, and standard, are all higher than the average of political writers; his paper, though sustained by more than one writer, is all of it of his spirit; and he may be considered responsible for, if not the sole author of all leading articles published in the Tribune. This record is too lengthy for publication in the Review, and a condensation of what is contained in said article is all we shall attempt; using quotation marks when his language is copied verbatim. “Regular murders have almost found oblivion in railway disasters. But every chord of human life seems to have been stricken; and we have heard of a host of nondescript assaults upon the house of life, besides homicide, marriacide, parricide and matricide, sororicide, infanticide, familicide, patricide, attempted (here a word is coined for the occasion) viatricide, or murder of the traveler, as in steamboat or railroad accident or disaster.” Monstrous, and frightful crimes: of these, Europe furnishes the most unaccountable varieties. A Swedish priest poisons a dozen of his parishioners with the Sacrament, out of pity for their sufferings. A Dr. Pritchard, eminent as a medical writer, murders his wife by degrees with slow poisons. A “Mrs. Winsor kept a hospital for infanticide;” another “murdered the children of his mistress, for fear they would starve, omitting to kill himself.” In this country, house-burning by a girl of fourteen; highway robbery by a boy of eleven years; the publication of obscene books &c.; the defacing and misfeaturing of natural scenery; perjury by men in high stations. The assassination of President Lincoln seems to have opened a new era in crime, more atrocious than before: From April to Oct. 10, there were recorded 95 murders beside 12 homicides, 6 assassinations, 25 murderous attempts, 9 wife murders and 7 attempted ditto, 4 fratricides, 2 parricides and matricides, 2 double murders, 2 quadruple murders, 8 infant murders, 23 suicides and 8 instances of familicide. Of railroad massacre, from May 15 to Sept. 15, there were 24 collisions, 9 explosions, 6 from bad bridges &c., 22 from rotten ties, broken rails &c., 12 precipitations, and, during the year, about 100 accidents on railroads, with $30,000,000 loss of property; in all 600 persons injured, and 300 killed. Of disasters upon the water, there were 63; including burnings, explosions, collisions, sinkings, and wrecks; besides 8 additional disasters in October. Many of these were particularly frightful as to damage and loss. With the explosion of the Sultana were lost 1200, in the burning of the ship Nelson 400, with the Brother Jonathan 250, in the collision of the steamers Pewabic and Meteor 100. At sea of human lives lost about 3000. The Tribune foots up the damage to property by public disasters, placing it at about $80,000,000, and robberies at about $20,000,000 more; closing by the following remarks: “Such statistics are painful, but are not without a certain high usefulness. . . . Society should understand its pulse, commerce should feel its pocket, and the world should know what proportion crime and disaster bear to the economy of the world.” Report from Bro. Whitney.
By S. B. Whitney
BRO. WHITE: After so many urgent requests for reports, and the assurance that a just report is no evidence of egotism, I conclude to confess my delinquency in this direction, and to give evidence of reform by my works. From the Conference I went to Brookfield to fill my appointment there Oct. 21 and 22. Found rest both to body and mind in Bro. Ira Abbey’s pilgrim’s home, and enjoyed sweet seasons with many of the dear saints. I remained there two weeks; and although some things were not as we might desire, yet the Lord gave freedom in presenting the strait testimony, which was gratefully received; and at our last season of social worship we were especially comforted and encouraged by the heartfelt acknowledgments and testimonies that were given. We had a pleasant interview with the brethren in Winfield belonging to this church, on our way to Middle Grove, Saratoga Co., where my appointment was for Nov. 4 and 5.14Spent two Sabbaths here also. This church is still laboring under discouragements, arising partly from the influence of wrongs in the past; but freedom was given in presenting truth, and as we parted with them, the warm hand and tearful eye told that the Spirit of the Lord was at work upon some of their hearts. Spoke twice in the Baptist meeting-house to attentive congregations. Nov. 18 and 19 attended the Quarterly Meeting at Perry's Mills, Clinton Co. The meeting was rather small on account of bad weather and roads; but a good interest was manifested in the word spoken, especially at the school-house on first-day. The Quarterly Meeting at this place, Nov. 25 and 26, was interesting and profitable. A goodly number came from Norfolk and one from Malone, Franklin Co., notwithstanding the bad roads. Bro. and sister Taylor were with us and spoke words of comfort and instruction. The cause of truth is onward, and may the Lord help us all to keep pace with it. Grass River, St. Law. Co., N. Y., Nov. 29, 1865. The Closing Hours of Time.
Are we really in the winding up of our world's history? If so, what a solemn thought. All to be over soon! Our work all to be closed up!! A day of settlement to dawn!!! Yes, the scrutinizing eye of the Judge will then be turned with a searching glance upon us. Our past history of faithfulness or unfaithfulness, will then re-appear, to approve or condemn us. Our hearts, filled with heavenly zeal, or chilling lukewarmness, will then decide our claims to the felicities of a celestial paradise; for we shall then continue "holy still" or "filthy still." Are we indeed nearing a day of such magnitude? Are we truly living in the closing hours of time? We cannot evade the conclusion that such is the case. Then what is our duty? If the Master is about to return, how should we improve these closing hours? If we have been remiss in duty in days gone by, should we not begin now to do the will of Christ? If we have lived prayerless lives, let us begin to visit the throne of grace, and seek pardon for past indifference, and strength for time to come. Let us go to work for God, and pluck men as brands from the burning. The hours fly—will we improve them? The closing hours of time are upon us; shall we squander them in idleness? Oh! sound out the cry, "Behold the Bridegroom cometh," and do it with devoted hearts, and earnest minds.—Voice of the West. THERE is danger of servility in keeping the Sabbath which is inconsistent with the "liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free." It is possible to make the day one of constraint and penance by dwelling too much on what we should not do, instead of attending to what we should do. Especially in the case of children can the day be spoiled as to its immediate influence, and shaded with unhappy memories for a lifetime, by dogging their steps from morn till bed-time with unceasing prohibitions. The other extreme—that which is vastly in the ascendant, for it is the worldly way of Sabbath-keeping, is to abandon the mind to unrestrained worldliness of thought and conversation. This no Christian can approve, whatever may be his practice. But what shall be our guide to a true observance of that day? How shall we obey the command, particularly in private at our homes, to keep it holy? How avoid both a sanctimonious restraint and an unholy license? Not by trying to have a little of both, but by making it a sincere aim to make the most of the Sabbath as a religious day. Let the question be, "How much can I do for a growth in grace?" not "How little will barely gain the acceptance of God?" A great many of our difficulties in this and in other duties arise from keeping too near the boundary between right and wrong. We must ask, not what will pass as allowable, but what is clearly according to a high standard. We must ask not so often, "Is this wrong?" as "How can I do that which will most fulfill the design of the precious day?" This course will carry us clear of doubtful cases by our letting doubtful things alone, and taking those which are unmistakably good and suitable. Instead of saying, "What's the harm in worldly conversation?" we shall feel that there is harm in every thing that lowers the sanctity and distorts the religious usefulness of the Sabbath. Men may talk of making every day a Sabbath; but it means to have no Sabbath. Christian liberty in keeping the Sabbath is the same as in other duties, a rising above petty restraints, because one is so full of the proper Sabbath spirit, that its duties are done freely and joyfully. Christians need more of this kind of freedom,—such a devotion to high ends, that the minutiæ of means are spontaneous; such an interest in the journey, and the home at the end of it, that particular steps are hardly thought of. Such a Christian can keep the Sabbath, and can train his children to keep it, not so much by drilling them in "Do this" and "Do that," as by leading them to feel that the Sabbath is "a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable." Who Shall be Able to Stand.
By R. F. Phippeny
WhEN I cast my thoughts about me, it makes me sick at heart to see the fearful inroads Satan is making upon the human race. And, oh sad truth! he is weaving his net so thick and so fast, thread by thread, that it soon will be impossible to break away. O my soul, shall I be able to withstand all his snares, and stand with the redeemed at last? Shall I be able to overcome when wave after wave of trouble sweeps over me; threatening to engulf me at every returning surge? Or when storm after storm looms up darkly before me, shall I then have strength given me to bear me up? Or shall I be borne down, on and on, with the relentless tide, till certain destruction is my doom? Oh for sustaining grace for such an hour, that I may bear with patience the trials of life. There are times when I think I am strong, and can bear much, when in reality I am weakest. It is thus when the affairs of life glide smoothly along, and all seems fair and promising; but alas! in how short a time may every hope be crushed! The hand of the fell Destroyer is felt in our midst, cutting asunder the ties of nature. Or the withering influence of false-hearted friends may crush our once hopeful hearts. Then is when I feel my weakness—my dependence upon a just God. Then, too, when I go to Him, do I feel that in Him is my strength. Then is when I am strong. Thank God, there is a time coming, and not far distant either, when we shall be freed from these troubles, if faithful to him who died for us. Yes, where no such thing as sin or sorrow will be known. I want to be an overcomer, and to stand when he appeareth. Dear reader, let us ask ourselves the solemn question, Am I ready to stand before the awful Judge? Oh, may we search our hearts, and our motives, trying with all our powers to be what God would that we should be. For we know that this world is full of care and toil, and that all earthly bliss is transient. “Then let the hope of joys to come
Dispel our cares, and chase our fears:
If God be ours, we’re traveling home,
Though passing through a vale of tears.” Crowned With Thorns.
By J. A. Gregory
Go ye, in this last noble work,
Though you win scorn as flames draw air,
To every place where lions lurk
The warning message bravely bear.
Though tempted, tried, and torture-torn,
Our Saviour once was crowned with thorns. Should we expect an easier road
While journeying in this vale of woe,
Than marked out by the Son of God
While on his mission here below?
Though he a mighty King was born,
His holy head was crowned with thorns. They crowned with thorns that sacred brow,
A reed was put in his right hand,
And mockingly the knee they bow,
That cruel Roman soldier band.
For us his form was pierced and torn,
His holy brow was crowned with thorns. But soon he'll come, a conquering King,
Then seated on the great white cloud,
Deliverance to his saints he'll bring,
And recompense oppressors proud;
A golden crown will then adorn
That sacred head once crowned with thorns.
J. A. GREGORY. I HAVE been a listener to sermons for fifty years, and either I have changed or there has been a change for the worse in the delivery of the gospel message. There is less earnestness, less directness, less logical power, and less study than there was thirty years ago; and as a necessary consequence, the general style has become diffuse, if not superficial, and the result less efficient. If I am right in this, we have an important fact to be dealt with, and it ought to be removed, greatly modified, and that immediately. What is the remedy? Let the ministers of the gospel review their past history, and return, as soon as it is possible, to the good old paths of their fathers, and preach the Bible in all its simplicity and grandeur. No pulpit orator can hope to orator much into his audience unless he follows his text closely, and he must advance nothing that does not tend directly to illustrate his main proposition; and, when his argument is finished, he should not spend half an hour, more or less, in restating his propositions. Many ministers deliver finely written, and even classical sermons, on very solemn subjects, but they are essays merely; and their effect is to lower the standard of Christian character and the dignity and glory of the ministry. Violence of the Age.
By Editor
FROM all parts of the country the papers are loaded down with reports of murders, highway robberies and garrotings. In many of our cities almost a panic prevails on the subject. What does it mean? Why such wide-spread violence? We answer, because the last days are here, concerning which the Spirit of God long ago instructed the apostles to write. What can be expected of the world when given up to the mediumship of invisible demons, to be influenced by those foul spirits which are beyond the jurisdiction of earthly tribunals? In proportion as spiritualism prevails and the influence of the Bible is discarded, these crimes will multiply. If things progress long as they are now going on, we shall soon know the meaning of our Lord's saying, 'As it was in the days of Noah and Lot, so shall it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed.' Human life, in the esteem of the roughs of this age is no more than that of the brutes. 'The earth was filled with violence,' and thus it is now becoming. A Strong-hold of Infidelity Undermined.
SKEPTICAL theorists, in their assaults upon the inspiration of the Bible, have boldly declared that its record of the creation could not be correct, drawing strong arguments from the dates of Egyptian chronology, deciphered from the ancient monuments of that land, which seemed to put back the time of creation far beyond that given by Moses. M. Mariette, a distinguished French explorer, who has been an advocate of the long chronology, has lately discovered a tablet in a disentombed temple at Memphis, on which is a long record of royal names, which places in direct succession the kings of what had been considered the 6th and the 10th dynasties, and of the 12th and 18th, omitting all the intermediate ones. He confesses that this record seems to prove that the intermediate ones must have been contemporaneous monarchs, or kings over other parts of Egypt, and that this deducts 1,536 years from the duration of the Egyptian kingdom. Few Bearers of Christ’s Cross
Jesus hath many lovers of his heavenly kingdom, but few bearers of his cross. He hath many desirers of his consolation, but few of his tribulation. He findeth many companions of his table, but few of his abstinence. All desire to rejoice with him; few are willing to suffer any thing with or for him. Many follow Jesus into the breaking of bread, but few to the drinking of the cup of his passion. Many reverence his miracles; few follow the ignominy of his cross. "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. 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. Bro. White: I have for a long time wanted to write a few words to the brethren of good cheer from the few struggling ones here, but there has been so much to disturb our peace that I have deferred it from time to time. We have had our numbers somewhat reduced since I last wrote; some do not meet with us, and several have gone to other parts. The few who still cling together are striving in harmony and love to do the first works. Remembering from whence we have fallen, we are trying by repentance to be in a humble posture waiting our Lord's commands. We are not tired of the way, although we are troubled some by the enemy, who tries in many ways to trouble us, and to disgust those that are without, with the truth and with the people of God. I feel that "a great door and effectual" is opened before us here, and though "there are many adversaries," yet still the truth has been laid before some whom it has aroused. I have been talking and reading to some who are patients in one of the hospitals of the city. Much interest is manifested, and we have good liberty in presenting the present truth. And although some, puffed up with the wisdom of this world, have opposed, yet all has been overcome and silenced by the power of truth. I feel to trust in the Lord more and more. I see the good result of the restraining of the winds by the angels. While the strife was raging it was hard to get the men to listen to Bible truths, and did we succeed in gaining the attention of a few, the arrival of a daily paper was enough to draw them away immediately. Now all is interest and attention, undiverted and undivided. I feel that the great work is begun. I see the enemies and opposers moving toward a combined and last resistance to the truth; but praise the Lord, we are to look up and lift up the head for our redemption is near. It rejoices my heart that I know these things, and that others have honest hearts that will investigate. Pray for us here that we fail not. Chicago, Ill., Nov. 29, 1865. Embracing the Sabbath Truth
By Wm. Cottrell
Elder James White—Dear Sir : I take this method of informing you, and the readers of the Review, that a friend of mine has favored me with some of your publications, and also the Review, which has served to call my mind to the investigation of the ancient Sabbath of the Lord; and as a result of the same, I have become fully satisfied that the law of God has not been abolished. I therefore determine to teach it both by precept and example. There is one other family in this neighborhood that is well nigh convinced that the law of God stands good, Sabbath and all. I have been endeavoring for the last five years or more to proclaim the advent of the Lord Jesus as being near at hand. My prayer is that the Lord may give me strength to stand firm, and not falter amid the great trials and persecutions that I now have to endure for the truth's sake, and wait patiently the coming of the Lord with the angelic throng. Then shall I, if faithful, together with all the redeemed, inherit the city of God. Yours in hope of immortality. Bowersville, Green Co., Ohio. "The Gates of Hell shall not Prevail Against the Church."
You cannot outflank Christianity by any movement, however alert and unsuspected. Its lines extend backward too far into the past, and they run out too wide into all the earth, even to the end of the world. The result of all investigation, all discoveries, all sciences, is to confirm the faith of men in the reality and accuracy of historic revelation. The Deism of the last century, frantic with passion, threw itself in one combined assault upon revealed Christianity; but like the waves dashing against the rocks, it was thrown back in harmless spray; and the Book of God abides firmer in the convictions of the world to-day than it did before it was assaulted and pelted by infidelity. Judaism blossoms into Christianity. Sinai points to Calvary. The law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. At his feet we sit as disciples, reverently, gratefully, and truthfully. Whatever theme we select, it leads to the cross of the Son of God, which is the focus of all facts, the center of all history, the substance of all truth, the light and life of every man that cometh into the world. Rules of Living.—Hugh Peters, an English preacher of the seventeenth century, left as a legacy to his daughter, in the year 1660, some rules of living, of which other persons would reap the benefit if they would conform to his excellent standard: "Let thy thoughts be divine, awful, godly; thy talk little, honest, true; thy works profitable, holy, charitable; thy manners grave, courteous, cheerful; thy diet temperate, convenient, frugal; thy apparel sober, neat, comely; thy will confident, obedient, ready; thy sleep moderate, quiet, seasonable; thy prayers short, devout, often, fervent; thy recreation lawful, brief, seldom; thy memory, of death, punishment, glory." The Law and the Gospel
By S. Weston, A. M.
“It is granted that no one can be saved by the law while he obeys not the gospel. And it is equally impossible that any one should be saved by the gospel, while he obeys not the law; the law condemns those who disobey the gospel, and the gospel condemns those who obey not the law. They are in perfect harmony, they unite and center in the same object; the ten commandments contained in the law of Moses are incorporated into the very system of the gospel. A system excluding the ten commandments would be a mere shadow. It could not be called a gospel system. The word gospel signifies good news, but what good news would there be in a system which should exclude the ten commandments? The law will not kill a man in opposition to the gospel, neither will the gospel save in opposition to the law.”—S. Weston, A. M. BRO. WHITE: I wish to say to the brethren and sisters, that I never saw and felt the necessity of our living for God, more than at the present time. We see the perils of the last days thickening around us, the enemy in pursuit, following hard after us, and watching for our halting. It is now time that we should be found standing on our guard and watching unto prayer. The day of the Lord hasteth greatly, and what manner of persons ought we to be in all holy conversation and godliness? We as a people may make our boast of having the truth, but I see and deeply feel that we have a great lesson to learn, and that is, to keep our hearts with all diligence. We may attend to all the outward forms of religion, and after all, if we neglect to watch unto prayer, all is lost. It seems like going the same road or round of duty over and over and not growing in grace as we should. I have felt sometimes of late that I could say, “I long to see my Saviour
With shining ranks of angels come,
And execute his vengeance,
And take his ransomed people home.”
Yours hoping to go through. Barton Landing, Vt., Nov. 24, 1865.