SOME more than a quarter of a century ago, light shone upon the prophecy of Rev. 14:6–12, especially that portion of it which relates to the third angel’s message, verses 9–12, as the two preceding messages had previously been given. The three taken together constitute a most solemn warning to this world of its approaching doom, and the second appearing of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The proclamation of the first angel’s message commenced in seeming obscurity, but increased in power and extent until there was not a civilized nation, or a missionary station, to which the warning: “Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his Judgment is come,” did not go.
As these messages stand related to each other, and the third introduces us to the period when God’s wrath will be poured out “without mixture into the cup of his indignation,” and the Son of man take his seat on the white cloud, we could not expect that this work would wind up in obscurity. The nature of the message and the language of Scripture alike forbid it. “The third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice,” &c. If it be the last message of mercy to a dying world, it must necessarily be as extensive in its proclamation as the danger which is threatened by it. As the ending of probation and the second coming of Christ are events which follow the closing work of this message, it does relate to the whole human family.
The expression in the sixth verse of this chapter, “unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,” applies with equal force to the last message in this series. When the prophet Joel speaks of the warning preceding the day of the Lord he uses language very similar in its meaning: “Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; for the day of the Lord cometh; for it is nigh at hand.” Joel 2:1. The prophet Zephaniah, after announcing: “The great day of the Lord is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly,” gives the following instruction to the people of God throughout the earth: “Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgments,” &c. Zeph. 2:3. John, on the isle of Patmos, when describing the closing work of the gospel of Jesus Christ, uses the following117words: “I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.” Rev. 18:1.
This cannot mean the world’s conversion; for the fourth verse speaks of separation: “Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.”
This position was taken in reference to the extent and nature of the prophecy of Rev. 14, at the commencement of this work. The Sabbath reform was believed to be embraced in the third angel’s message. And how could we, as honest men, believe otherwise, when it is expressly stated: “Here is the patience of the saints; here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus,” and the Sabbath lies in the very bosom of the decalogue, forming a connecting link between man’s duty to his Maker and his duty to his fellow-men?
In one of the first publications ever issued upon the Sabbath, as especially connected with the warning concerning the day of God, a brief exposition was given of Rev. 7, in which the writer stated his belief that the 144,000 there referred to, applied to those who should embrace the truths of the third angel’s message. But for years after this view was taken, their numbers were so few that every known believer in these truths could be written to in one evening by one individual. In those days, when any one embraced the Sabbath as connected with prophecy, East or West, his case was discussed, over and over, by the few who had already taken their stand for the truth. Thus slowly but surely did the work move on for the first few years.
But what has one-quarter of a century wrought in this work? Instead of a slow hand press in rented rooms, this people find themselves in possession of three power-presses with three large printing houses east of the plains; while another on the Pacific Coast is in process of erection with a cylinder power-press ready to be placed in it as soon as completed. And instead of a carpet-bag edition of a semi-monthly paper, three weekly periodicals and four monthlies are published, including one in the Danish language and one in the Swedish, with an aggregate circulation of about 50,000. Besides, tons of books, pamphlets, and tracts, are shipped to various parts of this country, and to different parts of Europe. Then the various Tract Societies are not only operating in their own respective Conferences, but are sending reading matter to every State and Territory in this country, and to Europe, Asia, and Africa. Letters are continually being received by those interested in the Sabbath reform, which show that the seeds of truth thus sown are already yielding an abundant harvest, and that souls are embracing these truths and rejoicing in them in every part of the civilized world.
We hail with joy every omen of the progress of this work. The publishing of the paper on the Pacific Coast marks a new era in this cause. Like our other periodicals, it is designed for missionary work, and should find its way to all parts of this world. Our brethren, East and West, should feel that it is our paper; and while they should become paying subscribers themselves, so that it may be self-sustaining, and that they may be informed relative to the local news of the work on the Pacific Coast, they should also take an active interest in its general circulation. The cause is one. The work is the same throughout the world. It is a single message of warning to the inhabitants of the earth. We should unite our interests to support every branch of this work. Our hearts should be enlarged to take in this cause in its every department, and feel for its interest as we would for our own offspring. More of a personal interest should be taken in the Signs, published on the Pacific Coast.
We here insert some extracts from letters, that our brethren may form some idea of the present developments of this work, and the utility of judicious missionary labor. The first is from a letter which appeared in the Sabbath Recorder, and was written to Bro. William M. Jones, of London, who is especially interested in the Sabbath cause. The writer lives in Great Grimsby, Eng. The extract is as follows:—
“I am glad to tell you that I am now keeping the true Sabbath, and, having put my hand to the plow, shall, with God’s help, remain true to the end. I must tell you that some kind friend [Adventist] has sent me two copies of the ADVENT REVIEW, containing a most powerful article on the Sabbath question, entitled, ‘Who Changed the Sabbath?’ which has so convinced me that I have not only adopted the Sabbath myself, but have ordered a printer to copy the article on one sheet for distribution. Two thousand copies will be ready in a few days. I have come across another doubter as to the Sabbath, a gentleman in our neighborhood to whom I have given some papers.” Thus the publications on the Sabbath question fall into the hands of some who so far partake of the missionary spirit and work that they reprint and distribute by thousands.
A man in Belfast, Ireland, who received the Sabbath without reading any publications, save the Bible, and without the aid of a teacher, save the Spirit of God, writes to me:—
“Less than nine months ago I thought I was alone among Christians in keeping the Sabbath. Now every day is adding to my joy by the news that others knew of the Sabbath of the Lord before I was born, and some even here where it seemed to be thoroughly stamped out.”
In conversation with his companion at sea, he says, “I was asked if I could tell the reason for the differences of opinion among those worshiping the same God, as the Mahometans keep Friday, the Jews, Saturday, and the Christians, Sunday. I told him that I had been taught in the Presbyterian church, that we had the example of the apostles and the early fathers, and that the work of redemption was greater than the work of creation. Whether he was satisfied with this explanation or not, I cannot tell; but I was not. As soon as I had time I went to my Bible to look for proof, but I looked in vain. I examined the confession of faith I had with me for its proofs. The change was there. But the proof was no proof at all. I searched every book I could lay my hands on, but to no purpose, as they were all by first-day writers. All this time I was silent. None but God knew what I was searching for, not even the one who made the remark which caused me to examine this subject.”
“After a time, I came home to Glasgow, and told my mind to a missionary, expecting him to help me in the search, but met with a poor reception. Thereupon I told all I came in contact with that Sunday was not the Lord’s Sabbath, but never met any one who fell in with my views, except my wife, until I saw an advertisement for Sabbath-keepers in the Belfast Weekly News. Please send one of your papers to ——. He has been searching for the change of the Sabbath for some time. Have given him some tracts, but he is still anxious for more information.”
“I have read many of your tracts and books, supplied me by Rev. W. M. Jones, of London, and like all I have read. Have read the ‘History of the Sabbath,’ by Andrews, and like it all, especially the last two chapters. I admire your church government as recorded on page 506 of that work. I received two copies of one of your publications, ‘Scripture References.’ I gave one of them to my brother and kept the other. The one my brother had, has been read by one and another so much that he says it is now so soiled that it is difficult to read it; yet they come for it, one as soon as another gets done with it. He tells those who want it where it is, but rather than wait for it, it would be better to write for another. My brother and I could give away many more tracts, but we do not give them unless we think they will be read.”
“I cannot close without saying that I am conscious of the great work you are engaged in. Go where we will on the seventh day, we see that the commandment is broken. We hear of idolaters worshiping images of wood and stone. This is only breaking one of the commandments. What are we better than they? Surely more will be required of us.”
But to come back to this country where the missionary work is more systematized, and the friends are more numerous. Wherever there is steady, persevering, sacrificing labor put forth for the advancement of the cause of truth, God is blessing these labors. I make one more extract from a letter recently received from the president of the Minnesota Conference:—
“At our quarterly meeting at Medford, two weeks ago, six new Sabbath-keepers were present that I never saw before. They live about twelve miles away in the timbered land, and they report two or three others keeping the Sabbath in their neighborhood. We appointed two of our church as a committee to visit them at their homes, help them start prayer-meetings, and labor as duty demands, until we can send other help.
“Last Sabbath at Hutchinson more new Sabbath-keepers attended the meeting for the first time. Twelve or fifteen others came in and appeared to be interested. A man that lives twelve miles from Hutchinson has had the Voice for a few weeks. He reports that his neighbors are very much interested to read his paper. He says it is stirring the whole neighborhood. One of his neighbors, who is an infidel, comes to his house and reads it. He often throws the paper down because of things it teaches, yet he does not leave until he reads it through.
“I hear of men and families in all directions who are becoming very much interested by reading the Reformer and the Voice.”
Add to the above items the facts which are continually coming to light—such as a company of forty-six in Prussia not only keeping the Sabbath of the Lord, but believing in the soon coming of Christ; a small company in Italy; another in Hungary; another in Austria; and still another in Holland, places where human agencies have never called their attention to these doctrines, yet the Bible, accompanied by the Spirit of God, is leading them into these truths, which are to prepare a people for the revelation of the Son of man in the clouds of heaven—and we can but exclaim, “This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.” We look with wonder and astonishment at the progress of this work within the last few years, and especially at its present magnitude.
Not only in the Western Conferences do we see evidences that God is blessing this truth as never before in its history, but there are some tokens of good in the Eastern States, where there are more influences detrimental to the progress of this work than in some other portions of the field. We have been made to rejoice since coming to the New England Conference to learn that nearly seventy-five are known to have embraced the Sabbath during the past year. Quite a goodly number of these have never heard a sermon. Let us pray to God to inspire our hearts with courage and understanding zeal in his cause. S. N. HASKELL.
Seven Reasons for Renouncing Spiritualism.
By Uriah Smith
In The Spiritualist, of Feb. 12, 1875, published in London, Eng., we find the following interesting statements from one who has recovered herself from this fascinating delusion, and who is therefore prepared to speak in reference to it:—
A lady who has been a spiritualist for some years and who has made considerable sacrifices in consequence, has sent us the following letter, entitled, “Seven Reasons for Renouncing Modern Spiritualism:”—
1. It is the most subtle form of Antichrist in all the world. To be told that some spiritualists believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour does not satisfy, when at the same time they are identified with a class of persons who, for the most part, deny him to be the true object of worship, and his rule as “King of kings and Lord of lords.”
2. Spiritualists, by profession and practice, are more occupied with the return of spirits to our earth than they are with the return of Jesus, the Redeemer of mankind, into their hearts.
3. The communications of spirits, whether true or false as to fact, are not direct messages from the Lord, therefore valueless to any one seeking only, and intelligently, to know and do his will. Well is it when “take heed how ye hear” (and to whom ye listen) is heard in the “still small voice.”
4. The miserable consequences of abandoning faith in Christ for the false teachings and prophesyings of mediums are now proved by a restored believer in him. There is an infinite difference between orderly and disorderly mediumship. When the Christian consecrates all his wonderful gifts and faculties to the Lord’s service, he is a medium for him, and guarded against evil. Lying spirits, who obviously infest the circle room, making havoc among the souls of men, women, and children, have no power to deceive those who keep out of it “for conscience’ sake.”
5. By sitting for spirit influence, in public or private, it can never be proved what class of spirits or demons is at work; and though thousands, it may be millions, have been convinced of immortality on such occasions, the Christian, who knows his life is “hid with Christ in God,” can spend time better.
6. A full retraction of views held tenaciously for six years was necessary, because the one who writes was so earnest an investigator, having been given rare opportunities of studying the effects resulting from manifestations of all kinds. “What I say unto you, I say unto all, Watch,” is a warning given by Him who is “the same yesterday, and to-day, and forever.”
7. The creed and “manner of life” of so-called spiritualists, as a rule, have no correspondence with a life of self-sacrifice, the only truly happy one. It may be for good that one whose interior sight is in a degree opened, should recall the fact that the apostle Paul “preached the faith he once destroyed,” and that Peter’s denial of his Lord was followed by similar results. In searching the Scriptures, then, the soul is met in every state, and “be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life,” is in harmony with the aspirations of an EX-SPIRITUALIST.
In response to these overwhelming facts and telling statements the editor of the Spiritualist writes a long reply. He drives on like one drearily grasping after something that will meet the difficulty he has on hand, but does not find it. A few flings against God, as a bloody tyrant, &c., are as near as he comes to answering the damaging revelations set forth in the communication. U. S.
Turning Failures and Obstacles into Victories.
By D. T. Bourdeau
In religious experience, as well as in temporal things, there is no time when the heart needs encouragement more than when suffering under the galling and crushing sense of failure and disappointment; yet there is ground for encouragement even under such trying circumstances. Even serious failures and obstacles may be turned into important victories by giving individuals a knowledge of their weak points, and stirring up and bringing into exercise their latent energies, which, under common circumstances, would have lain dormant. When Christians are convinced of their deficiencies while passing through trials, reverses, and even defeats, they can, as never before, see the need of seeking for heavenly wisdom, and of laying hold of the grace and strength of God, which have ever brought victory to his earnest and needy children in distress. To such, “earth hath no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal,” and where sin has abounded the grace of God may much more abound.
“In one respect,” said the French Admiral Colligni, “I may claim superiority over Alexander, over Scipio, over Cæsar. They won great battles, it is true; I have lost four great battles, and yet I show to the enemy a more formidable front than ever.”
Demosthenes was naturally timid and easily confused and had a natural impediment in his speech; but by rigid discipline and perseverance he overcame these difficulties and became Greece’s greatest and most influential orator.
Locke, the philosopher, was born with a very weak constitution. This led him to economize his vitality by temperate habits; and he lived until he was past seventy years of age, accomplished a prodigious amount of labor, and left behind him the marks of usefulness and true greatness.
Abraham manifested great weakness and unbelief in desiring that his faithful servant Eliezer should be his heir, and then in marrying Hagar; but by the grace of God and the severe trial through which he passed in yielding his son Isaac an offering to the Lord, his errors were canceled, and he attained to a degree of faith truly wonderful.
Jacob greatly erred in stealing the blessing of his brother through fraud. He would have obtained the blessing in a more honorable manner had he waited for God’s own time and not taken his case into his own hands. That thorough repentance and perfect trust may be developed in Jacob, and that his shameful error may be remitted, he is subjected to a number of perplexing trials, the greatest of which, that of wrestling with the angel, places him among the heroes of faith.
Paul’s thorn in the flesh helped him to cultivate humility and magnify the grace of God, and doubtless helped him to say from experience, “When I am weak then am I strong.” The ancient worthies “out of weakness were made strong.” Let us not, then, repine at the difficulties, hardships, and trials of the Christian life. The obstacles that we encounter may be to us positive blessings. They may knit our spiritual muscles more firmly and teach us self-reliance, just as by wrestling with an athlete who is superior to us, we increase our own strength, and learn the secret of his skill. Peril is the element in which strength is developed. As one of the ancients very fitly remarked, “Necessity and ability dwell near each other.” Time is too short for us to waste its moments in deploring our errors and failures. Let us look at them to see their sinfulness, that we may cleanse them in the healing Fountain and avoid them in the future, and then let us press on to success and victory. D. T. BOURDEAU.
Russia against Rome.
The Paris correspondent of the London Times says:—
“The Russian government has forbidden the observance of the papal jubilee. This step has been taken on the ground that such unauthorized church revivals are instituted with the object of exciting adoration for the pope and the priests, and are consequently in the highest degree pernicious to the interests of the State. Moreover, such festivals, which are only instigated by the fiercest superstition, are also very demoralizing for the people, by causing them to neglect their work and inducing excess and debauchery.”
Herkimer Co., N. Y.
By S. B. Whitney
HAVE just closed my meetings here. They have been a success from the beginning. Those well acquainted with the place say that no other meetings could have lived through the storms we have had to encounter; yet I have not lost a single appointment in the whole time; but have been requested to make extra appointments when I had none. To the Lord be all the praise.
There are now between fifteen and twenty keeping the Sabbath here, and I have strong hopes that others will do so. Strenuous efforts have been made at opposition by the minister and his partisans—not by the church, however; for they were all, without exception, willing that I should use the house—but their attempts have been followed by defeat to the opposers, and signal victory for the truth.
An attempt to close the house having failed, an appointment was made for last evening, upon my time, accompanied by an order from the minister that I should use the desk no more. Of course, I gave way, and did not expect to use the house any more. But when evening came, no one appeared to occupy the desk, and I was requested to do so. This I declined doing, until a vote of the people, without an opposing voice, opened the way in such a manner that I knew of no other way to do but to speak, which I did with freedom. The Lord gave victory to his cause.
I leave for home to-day, but shall return as soon as possible. I have made arrangements to move to this section, as Providence seems clearly to indicate that it is duty.
Friends will please address me at Litchfield, Herkimer Co., N. Y., being particular to put on the county.
S. B. WHITNEY.
Litchfield, N. Y., March 30, 1875.
In the Field Again.
By A. C. Bourdeau
For about a year and a half in the past I have not labored much in the gospel field. Have given about sixty discourses in the meeting-house in this village, held a weekly prayer-meeting in my house for the benefit of all who would attend, and made a trip of ten days to Grand Ligne, St. John, and Montreal, P. Q.
Two more embraced the Sabbath in Grand Ligne, P. Q., and one or more in this vicinity, and we doubt not that a favorable change has come over the minds of several others in this comparatively new field.
In the month of May last, there were favorable openings for tent-meetings in two places near here; but while I was arranging to start out with the tent, I received the sad intelligence from Bordoville, that my father was very sick and pronounced incurable, and that I was desired to go there at once. From that time I waited upon my suffering and much-afflicted parents almost constantly until the 30th of January last, when father sweetly passed away in death in fond hopes of receiving immortality at Christ’s appearing.
I fully and heartily accept the corrections and instructions that the Lord, through the instrumentality of his own appointment, has in mercy given me of late. I ask the Lord and my brethren to forgive me for the errors and mistakes that I made while I was located at Bordoville. Shall try to learn by the past, and to seek humility, and a new consecration to the will and service of our Heavenly Master.
I shall also strive to rise above the discouragements that have come over me on account of the injudicious course of some. And further, myself and companion have resolved, from this time onward, to place ourselves, our children, and our means, upon the altar, praying that the guiding hand of the Lord may attend us in all our moves, and our labors for the spread of the truth.
At this time of the year the prospect of starting an interest in new fields is not encouraging; yet I shall try to do something in some way. As soon as we have settled going, the Lord willing, I shall with my brother engage in laboring more especially for those that speak the French language in Canada, Northern New York, New England, and in the West, as the way opens. A. C. BOURDEAU.