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Review and Herald, Vol. 18, No. 23.

Guidance of Nature
Earlier text: SCRIPTURE ACCOUNT OF THE FLOOD, VINDICATED

Extracts from Letters.

Bro. D. Upson writes from Catlin Center, N. Y.:
"It is now about ten years since I began to keep God's holy Sabbath. I have never been sorry I began when I did, nor that I embraced the Advent movement. It destroyed my faith in what is called the orthodoxy of the present day; and I began to study the Bible and pray to God that he would guide me to a right understanding of his word. The Bible has not only become a new book, but my heavenly Father another being to me. All his works are done in truth and righteousness. Though our hope has been deferred, I feel that we have no occasion to relax our zeal in the cause, but let our works correspond with our faith, and co-operate with the providence of God.
"We cannot give too strict heed to the faithful and true Witness, and get the gold tried in the fire, the white raiment, and eye-salve. I believe we have got to pass one of the greatest conflicts with the world, the flesh, the Devil, and a formal church, that the servants of God have ever passed since the creation; but his grace and truth will be sufficient for us if we trust in him. We must have the same faith in the second coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ that Noah had in regard to the flood, or that all the worthies have had in the promises of God when they have been tested on any point of truth or doctrine.
"The church here in Catlin have organized themselves into a religious body, adopting the name, Seventh-day Adventists, and covenanting to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. The church is now in a flourishing state. Seven have lately commenced keeping God's holy Sabbath, five of whom have received the ordinance of baptism, and the other two we expect will soon. Order I believe to be heaven's first law, and its eternal law. A name will not hurt any church if the church does not hurt its name. God grant that this may not be the case with those who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus.
"P. S. Since writing the preceding there has been a meeting held here by Bro. Fuller, and five more have joined the church. God is adding to us almost daily of such as shall be saved."
Bro. H. J. Bonifield, writes from Osceola, Iowa:
"Allow me to say a few words to the saints scattered abroad, of like precious faith. I am still on the Lord's side, trying to make my way through to the kingdom. I have many evils to contend with, and many difficulties and trials to encounter, yet I do not feel discouraged, but feel to praise the Lord that I am making some progress.
"I think the brethren and sisters are all, with but few exceptions, in this vicinity, trying to rise with the message, and overcome by the blood of the Lamb.
"We have our Sabbath meetings regularly, and I am happy to say that the good Spirit of the Lord is with us. O how good it is to meet on the Sabbath, and spend the hours in worshiping God in singing, and exhorting one another in these last days.
"We feel cheered and encouraged by the late visit we received from Bro. Waggoner. His visit was timely, and his cutting testimony much needed by us. We feel the assurance already that the Lord did much for us through him. May the blessings of the Lord rest upon him, and success attend his labors. We are weak, and need the assistance and prayers of the brethren and sisters.
"Of myself I can say that I desire ever to be found humble before God, and trying to walk in obedience to his will. I am trying to make preparation to meet Jesus at his coming, for soon, I believe, the work of mercy will be closed, and the fiat go forth, He that is filthy, let him be filthy still, and he that is holy, let him be holy still. I mean to hold out faithful to the end, and at last meet with the redeemed in the everlasting kingdom of God."
Bro. B. Stiles writes from Cedar Springs, Mich.:
"It is with pleasure I inform you that there are a few in this remote place who are striving to inherit the kingdom. We meet every Sabbath, some five or six of us, and enjoy the approbation of our great Redeemer. We all fully agree with the church at Battle Creek on church organization. The name given to the church we believe to be both becoming and appropriate."

AN EVENING PLAINT.

O, one day less of life's short score This evening's shadows leave me, And of my misspent days, one more Makes the gray twilight grieve me.
Yet, could I set time's dark lines back To morning, on life's dial, My trembling feet would fly the track, And shun a second trial.
I dare not ask to live again The day so ill completed, Though throbs my heart with only pain, For hopes and plans defeated.
So poor am I, in strength, to do My daily stint of duty; So loth my labor to pursue, So sure to mar its beauty;
So ready for the tempter's snare— So feeble in resistance; So faithless, and so cold in prayer, And Christ at such a distance;
That I can only weep to-night, Tears born of hope and sorrow; Of sorrow, for the day's vain flight, Of hope, that on the morrow
New strength may nerve my fainting heart, New faith make prayer availing; New wisdom light my inward part; New pardon blot each failing;
New ardor bring me near the cross, New love forbid my straying; And night bring gain instead of loss; For which, in tears, I'm praying. "R."—Watchman and Reflector.

LETTERS.

By C. K. Farnsworth

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

From Bro. Farnsworth.

Bro. White; You have hearts that sympathize with you in your trials, in this place. I feel the necessity of organization, and hope all the brethren will take hold of it with a will. I should have been glad had you come to Washington when on your eastern tour. I hope to see you once more in this place. The church here are most all striving for the unity of the faith; but the enemy is unwilling this should be accomplished. The Lord will lead all that are willing to be led. Some are willing to be saved if they can be saved in their own way. But such will never be saved. My only hope is to have Jesus lead me, and to love all the truth, and live it out in my life. I am resolved to love the Lord with all my heart, and love his cause and his children with a pure heart fervently. The Advent cause is the Lord's cause. I do believe it. Jesus is soon coming. My heart believes it, and I hope so to heed his faithful counsel as to be found blameless at his coming.
Your brother in love.
C. K. Farnsworth.
Washington, N. H.

H. CROSBY

By H. Crosby

From Bro. Crosby.

DEAR BRO. WHITE: For the first time I would say to the brethren and sisters through the Review, that I am striving to overcome through the blood of the Lamb and the word of my testimony. It has been almost two years since I commenced keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus; and in keeping them I feel that there is great reward. I can truly say that the Lord is good. He is still reviving his work here, and is adding to our number such as we trust shall be saved. We have our weekly prayer-meeting at the meeting-house at Avon, every Sabbath, in which we have a large assemblage of commandment-keepers.
We have kept up prayer-meetings at our house Tuesday and Sabbath evenings about fifteen months, in which the Lord has greatly blessed us. When we commenced, there were only myself and companion, and two others. But our number has been increasing, till now the room is crowded with Sabbath-keepers. Last Thursday evening at a prayer-meeting at Bro. Johnson's, three took a decided stand to go with the remnant people to mount Zion; and at our house Sabbath evening, the Spirit of the Lord was with us, and we had a rejoicing time. We felt so much of the power of God, that we all praised and glorified his name. Four that never made any profession of religion told their determination to keep the commandments of God and prepare for the coming of Jesus.
May the Lord help us to be faithful to our profession and let our light so shine that more may be added to our number. I am determined to give up all to the Lord, that I may receive a crown of life at his appearing.
Yours in hope of eternal life.

H. CROSBY

Avon, Rock Co., Wis.

OBITUARY.

By Wm. H. Brinkerhoof

FELL asleep in Jesus, in Rousseau, Marion Co., Iowa, Oct. 13, 1861, sister Jane Kent, aged 22 years, 8 months, and 6 days.
Sister Kent embraced the third angel's message a few months since, and rejoiced in the light of present truth. She died triumphing in the hope of the gospel, realizing that Jesus will soon come to wake her to immortality. She leaves a husband and a large circle of friends to mourn her loss. She was respected by all who knew her. She was truly a living example of the manner in which a christian should live. The writer spoke upon the occasion from John xi, 25, to a large congregation. While we spoke of what Jesus had done, many who seldom weep were seen to shed tears.
“Asleep in Jesus! blessed sleep! From which none ever wake to weep.”
WM. H. BRINKERHOOF.

Business Department.

Business Notes.

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PUBLICATIONS.

The New Hymn Book, containing 464 pages and 122 pieces of music. . . 80 cts.
History of the Sabbath, in one volume, bound—Part I, Bible History—Part II, Secular History, . . . 60 "
Sabbath Tracts, Nos. 1-4. This work presents a condensed view of the entire Sabbath question, . . . 15 "
The Three Angels of Rev. xiv, 6–12, particularly the Third Angel's Message, and the Two-horned Beast, . . . 15 "
Hope of the Gospel, or Immortality the gift of God, . . . 15 "
Which? Moral or Immortal? or an inquiry into the present constitution and future condition of man, . . . 15 "
Modern Spiritualism; its Nature and Tendency. This book should be in the hands of every family, as a warning against Spiritualism. . . . 15 "
The Kingdom of God; a Refutation of the doctrine called, Age to Come, . . . 15 "
Pauline Theology, or the Christian Doctrine of Future Punishment as taught in the epistles of Paul. . . . 15 "
Prophecy of Daniel: The Four Universal Kingdoms, the Sanctuary and Twenty-three Hundred Days. . . . 10 "
The Saints' Inheritance. The Immortal Kingdom located on the New Earth. . . . 10 "
Signs of the Times, showing that the Second Coming of Christ is at the door, . . . 10 "
Law of God. The testimony of both Testaments, showing its origin and perpetuity. . . . 10 "
Vindication of the true Sabbath, by J. W. Morton, late Missionary to Hayti, . . . 10 "
Review of Springer on the Sabbath, Law of God, and first day of the week, . . . 10 "
Facts for the Times. Extracts from the writings of eminent authors, Ancient and Modern, . . . 10 "
Miscellany. Seven Tracts in one book on the Second Advent and the Sabbath, . . . 10 "
The Seven Trumpets. The Sounding of the seven Trumpets of Revelation viii and ix. . . . 10 "
Christian Baptism. Its Nature, Subjects, and Design, . . . 10 "
Assistant. The Bible Student's Assistant, or a Compend of Scripture references, . . . 5 "
The Fate of the Transgressor, or a short argument on the First and Second Deaths, . . . 5 "
Nature and Obligation of the Sabbath of the Fourth Commandment—Apostasy and perils of the last days, . . . 5 "
Truth Found. A short argument for the Sabbath, with an Appendix, "The Sabbath not a Type." . . . 5 "
An Appeal for the restoration of the Bible Sabbath in an address to the Baptists, . . . 5 "
Review of Crozier on the Institution, Design, and Abolition of the Seventh-day Sabbath, . . . 5 "
Review of Fillio. A reply to a series of discourses delivered by him in Battle Creek on the Sabbath question. . . . 5 "
Brown's Experience in relation to entire consecration and the Second Advent. . . . 5 "
Report of General Conference held in Battle Creek, June, 1859, Address on Systematic Benevolence, &c., . . . 5 "
Sabbath Poem. A Word for the Sabbath, or False Theories Exposed, . . . 5 "
Illustrated Review. A Double Number of the REVIEW AND HERALD Illustrated, . . . 5 "
Spiritual Gifts Vol. I, or the Great Controversy between Christ and his angels, and Satan and his angels, . . . 50 "
Spiritual Gifts Vol. II. Experience, Views and Incidents in connection with the Third Message, . . . 50 "
Scripture Doctrine of Future Punishment. An Argument by H. H. Dobney, Baptist Minister of England, . . . 75 "
Debt and Grace as related to the Doctrine of Future Punishment, by C. F. Hudson, . . . 100 "
Voice of the Church on the Coming and Kingdom of the Redeemer. A History of the doctrine, . . . 100 "
PENNY TRACTS. Who Changed the Sabbath?—Unity of the Church—Spiritual Gifts—Judson's Letter on Dress—Law of God, by Dobney (2 cts.)—Law of God, by Wesley—Appeal to men of reason on Immortality—Much in Little—Truth—Death and Burial—Preach the Word.
These small Tracts can be sent, post-paid, in packages of not less than twenty-five.
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.
The Chart. A Pictorial Illustration of the Visions of Daniel and John, 20 by 25 inches. Price 15 cents. On rollers, post-paid, 75 cts.
German. Das Wesen des Sabbats und unsere Verpflichtung auf ihn nach dem Vierten Gebote. A Tract of 80 pp., a translation of Nature and Obligation of the Sabbath of the Fourth Commandment. Price 10 cents.
Holland. De Natuur en Verbinding van den Sabbath volgens het Vierde Gebodt. Translated from the same as the German. Price 10 cents.
French. Le Sabbat de la Bible. A Tract on the Sabbath of 32 pp. Price 5 cents.
La Grande Statue de Daniel II, et les Quatre Betes Symboliques, et quelques remarques sur la Seconde Venue de Christ, et sur le Cinquieme Royaume Universel. A Tract of 32 pp. on the Prophecies. Price 5 cents.
These publications will be sent by mail, post-paid, at their respective prices. When ordered by the quantity, not less than $5 worth, one-third will be deducted from these prices on Pamphlets and Tracts, and one-fourth on bound Books. In this case postage added, if sent by mail. Orders, to insure attention, must be accompanied with the cash, unless special arrangements be made. Address Elder JAMES WHITE, Battle Creek, Michigan.

QUESTIONS FOR BRO. LOUGHBOROUGH.

By John Norton Loughborough

BRO. WHITE: The following questions I would like to have you give, or send, to Bro. Loughborough for explanation. W. W. GILES. Toledo, Ohio.
QUESTION 1. What serious objection is there to the doctrine of the Trinity?
ANSWER. There are many objections which we might urge, but on account of our limited space we shall reduce them to the three following: 1. It is contrary to common sense. 2. It is contrary to scripture. 3. Its origin is Pagan and fabulous.
These positions we will remark upon briefly in their order. And 1. It is not very consonant with common sense to talk of three being one, and one being three. Or as some express it, calling God "the Triune God," or "the three-one-God." If Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are each God, it would be three Gods; for three times one is not one, but three. There is a sense in which they are one, but not one person, as claimed by Trinitarians.
2. It is contrary to Scripture. Almost any portion of the New Testament we may open which has occasion to speak of the Father and Son, represents them as two distinct persons. The seventeenth chapter of John is alone sufficient to refute the doctrine of the Trinity. Over forty times in that one chapter Christ speaks of his Father as a person distinct from himself. His Father was in heaven and he upon earth. The Father had sent him. Given to him those that believed. He was then to go to the Father. And in this very testimony he shows us in what consists the oneness of the Father and Son. It is the same as the oneness of the members of Christ's church. "That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given thee; that they may be one, even as we are one." Of one heart and one mind. Of one purpose in all the plan devised for man's salvation. Read the seventeenth chapter of John, and see if it does not completely upset the doctrine of the Trinity.
To believe that doctrine, when reading the scripture we must believe that God sent himself into the world, died to reconcile the world to himself, raised himself from the dead, ascended to himself in heaven, pleads before himself in heaven to reconcile the world to himself, and is the only mediator between man and himself. It will not do to substitute the human nature of Christ (according to Trinitarians) as the Mediator; for Clarke says, "Human blood can no more appease God than swine's blood." Com. on 2 Sam. xxi, 10. We must believe also that in the garden God prayed to himself, if it were possible, to let the cup pass from himself, and a thousand other such absurdities.
The word Trinity nowhere occurs in the Scriptures. The principal text supposed to teach it is 1 John v, 7, which is an interpolation. Clarke says, "Out of one hundred and thirteen manuscripts, the text is wanting in one hundred and twelve. It occurs in no MS. before the tenth century. And the first place the text occurs in Greek, is in the Greek translation of the acts of the Council of Lateran, held A. D. 1215."—Com. on John i, and remarks at close of chap.
3. Its origin is pagan and fabulous. Instead of pointing us to scripture for proof of the trinity, we are pointed to the trident of the Persians, with the assertion that "by this they designed to teach the idea of a trinity, and if they had the doctrine of the trinity, they must have received it by tradition from the people of God. But this is all assumed, for it is certain that the Jewish church held to no such doctrine. Says Mr. Summerbell, "A friend of mine who was present in a New York synagogue, asked the Rabbi for an explanation of the word 'elohim.' A Trinitarian clergyman who stood by, replied, 'Why, that has reference to the three persons in the Trinity,' when a Jew stepped forward and said he must not mention that word again, or they would have to compel him to leave the house; for it was not permitted to mention the name of any strange god in the synagogue." Milman says the idea of the Trident is fabulous.
This doctrine of the trinity was brought into the church about the same time with image worship, and keeping the day of the sun, and is but Persian doctrine remodelled. It occupied about three hundred years from its introduction to bring the doctrine to what it is now. It was commenced about 325 A. D., and was not completed till 681. See Milman's Gibbon's Rome, vol. iv, p. 422. It was adopted in Spain in 589, in England in 596, in Africa in 534.—Gib. vol. iv, pp. 114, 345; Milner, vol. i, p. 519.

APPOINTMENTS.

The Lord willing, there will be a conference held at Lynxville, Craword Co., Wis., Nov. 16 and 17, 1861. The church request Bro. Andrews to attend this conference. We should be glad to see Bro. Ingraham also at this meeting. It is hoped that there will be a general attendance of all who are interested in present truth, in this section of country. An invitation is also extended to brethren abroad.
JOHN BOSTWICK. F. W. MORSE.

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Review and Herald · Nov 5, 1861