DEAR BRO. WHITE :—It has been in my mind for several days to say to you and all the saints for our encouragement, that the Lord has been, during a few weeks past, and is now at work in Oswego County, delivering his church from those influences which have been against his people somewhat, and hindered the work of God among them.
Our meetings have been interesting, and the Spirit of the Lord has been freely poured out to melt our hearts, and to remove all hardness and cement his saints in holy union, and to prepare them for the work of the Lord. The fruit of our meetings shows clearly that God has been with us, and that the ark is in the camp, especially at Roosevelt, for the Lord has brought six or seven to see, believe and confess the light of God's holy law, the Sabbath not excepted. I take courage and hope to see God's work prosper in the hands of his servants.
Bro. J. N. Loughborough came to our help last Sabbath, and is doing us good with the word of the Lord in Oswego city.
The last scourge and device of Satan down to the present, in this vicinity, calculated to divide and distract the flock of God, is the leaven of the unhallowed "Messenger of —" (should be called messenger of folly.) This influence has of late met with a severe, and we trust permanent, rebuke here. It is the mind of all with whom I have conversed in this section, that in order to escape the corruptive influence of the sheet referred to, that it be returned as not wanted.
I would add upon my own responsibility that, if any who have been with us in the present truth, can relish such food as that paper furnishes, they must first have backslidden from the faith, lost sight of the latter rain, and lost their relish for the word of God. You may be sure, Bro. White, that you have the prayers, sympathies and confidence of the pure in heart in this region.
I am your companion and brother in tribulation and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ.
S. W. RHODES.
Oswego, N. Y., Dec. 21st, 1854.
Progress of Present Truth
By Jesse Dorcas
From Bro. Dorcas.
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—Having a desire to contribute my mite toward the advancement of this glorious work of repairing the breach in the covenant of our God, I drop you these few lines; thinking that it might not be uninteresting to some, especially to those who have some acquaintance with the friends here.
For my own part, for the last three Sabbaths I have been keeping them at home, by examining carefully by the Bible, the doctrines taught in the Review, and in Bro. Storr's sermons: and I frankly acknowledge that it is a matter of astonishment to me that we have been so long in the dark. I have, for about ten years been as it were, dreaming that there might be a better way; but never, till Bro. Bates came has a door been fully opened so that I could escape from Babylon.
On the east side of the Sandusky river, the work is progressing: on this, there is such a heavy, foggy atmosphere that the present truth moves heavily, yet we are encouraged to believe that the leaven is working, and that much good will be done. Notwithstanding all manner of contempt is heaped upon the few who have had moral courage to step aside from the old beaten path of popular error, yet my constant prayer is, that the Lord will give us wisdom and grace to walk circumspectly, in the midst of this crooked and perverse generation.
Dear brethren and sisters, let us all endeavor to be burning as well as shining lights in the world: for it seems to shine clearer and clearer still, that the day is at hand, let us therefore watch and be sober. Is our trust in the living God? then we have nothing to fear though all the world should rise up against us.
Yours in Christian love. JESSE DORCAS.
Sandusky Co. O., Dec. 18th, 1854.
Put On the Gospel Armor
By Frances Strong
From Sr. Strong.
Dear Bro. White:—The little church in this place feel the necessity of being awake, and in some degree realize the importance of the time in which we live, and the need of buckling on the whole armor in order to stand against all the wiles of the enemy. I feel that if there ever was a time when we need the gospel armor on, it is now, just as we are nearing the port of eternal blessedness, the haven of everlasting rest; and remember that we are on enchanted ground, where if we stop to rest there is danger of falling asleep.
I feel for one that I cannot stop short of the prize. I am resolved to travel on untill I see the inside of the golden city, the new Jerusalem, which John saw coming down from God out of heaven. Look up brethren for now are we nearer than when we first believed; for his salvation is near to come and his glory to be revealed; who is the blessed and only potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords; and if faithful a little longer we shall be where death can never come, and sin and sorrow no more be found, but where will be one eternal round of glory. Eternity will not be too long to praise him in; for,
> "When we've been there ten thousand years,
> Bright shining as the sun,
> We've no less days to sing God's praise
> Than when we first begun."
O let every one who sees this glorious prize just before them, try and see if they can get some one to go along with them. Every one can do a little good, there have been a few of late added to our number here and more are investigating the subject. The Lord will favor his righteous cause. Blessed are they that do his commandwents, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. I want to live in that low, humble place where I can have the smiles of my blessed Saviour, and meet with his approbation from day to day, that I may gain strength in his strength and grow in grace and a more thorough knowledge of the truth: in a word, I want the whole faith of Jesus:152it is the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus which will enable us to stand through the time of trouble such as never was, when we shall have to stand before God without a mediator. Then he that is holy, will be holy still, and he that is filthy will be filthy still; and behold I come quickly, and my reward is with me to give to every man according as his work shall be.
There have been some of the messengers of Satan sent here, or the so-called "Messenger of Truth," but they found no place among us, no not for an hour. I would say to those who have turned aside from following the truth, retrace your steps, mend your ways, and make your peace with God now, yes now, before it is everlastingly too late, before the Judge shall arise and shut the door, and ye begin to knock, and say, Lord, Lord, open unto us.
Yours in hope, and love of the truth.
FRANCES STRONG.
Milton, N. Y., Dec. 14th, 1854.
Advancing in Truth and Love
By A. Stone
From Bro. Stone.
Dear Bro. White :—The little church in this place are gradually advancing in the love and practice of the truth. We were comforted and refreshed by the recent visit of Brn. Hutchins and Sperry. The tent and other public meetings held in this place during the past season have been the means of much good. Several individuals in this section have exchanged error for truth, and are blest in a good degree with its sanctifying influence.
We highly appreciate the Review. Much light is being reflected on those deeply interesting subjects, the Son-ship of Christ, the Atonement, Immortality alone through Christ, and other kindred subjects. My prayer to God is, my dear Brother, that its columns may stil continue to feed the flock of God, that its Editor may be sustained with bodily, mental and pecuniary aid, adequate to the work in which he is engaged.
A. Stone.
Eden, Vt. Dec. 18th, 1854.
JOSIAH HEBNER
By Josiah Hebner
From Bro. Hebner.
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—While many of my dear brethren and sisters who love our Lord Jesus Christ, are identified with his cause on earth, and rejoice in hope of the glory to be revealed at his appearing and kingdom; while many of such are on his holy day gathered together exhorting and comforting each other, and realizing the faithfulness of the Coming One who has said, Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst; there are others like myself whose language is,
"I'm a lonely traveler here;
Weary oppressed,
But my journey's end is near,
Soon I shall rest.
Dark and dreary is the way,
Toiling I've come,
Ask me not with you to stay,
Yonder's my home."
The Review comes to us a welcome messenger richly laden with the truths contained in the Bible, and the warm communications from the dear brethren and sisters scattered abroad. I am still striving to keep the commandments of God the Father, and the faith of Jesus the Son, that I may have right to the tree of life and may enter in through the gates into the city, although there are many trials and difficulties to pass through. Daniel said, Many shall be purified and made white and tried. Jesus said, they that endure to the end shall be saved—the end of his priestly office in the heavenly Sanctuary where he is making the last atonement for guilty man. My prayer is that we may endure.
I remain your unworthy brother waiting his kingdom to come.
JOSIAH HEBNER
Canada West, Dec. 1854.
JAMES PETTINGILL
By James Pettingill
From Bro. Pettingill.
DEAR BRO. WHITE — I have been greatly blessed by reading the Review, and it is a welcome messenger. We like to hear from the brethren and sisters who are scattered abroad. We have no privilege of attending meeting. We live in a cold wicked place. There are four of us here who are trying to keep God's holy Sabbath. Although poor in this world, we want to be rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom.
JAMES PETTINGILL
Cleaveland, Dec. 17th, 1854.
Trusting God While Keeping Sabbath
By E. V. Wiard
From Bro. Wiard.
Dear Bro. White:—I thank the Lord that I ever heard the truth. It is about three years since I felt the importance of keeping all the commandments, and I am no less determined to keep them now. When I first began to keep the Sabbath, a neighbor told me that I should lose one day's work every week; but I told him I should trust in the Lord for food and raiment; and there has not a First-day passed which I have not had enough to do. I still trust in the Lord, and mean to unto the end. The church in this place are trying to arise and come upon higher ground.
The paper that has been sent out from Michigan has been sent to this place, but it was sent back. It finds no friends here.
You have the prayers of the church in this place that the Lord will sustain you in your labors of love in sending out the Review to the world. Your work is for the Lord; then let not your enemies hinder you by their devices; for the Lord is for you, and who can be against you?
Yours striving to keep the commandments.
E. V. WIARD.
Dec. 16th, 1854.
The Truth Steadily Progressing
By T. H. Dunn
From Bro. Dunn.
[Continued from our last.]
FROM that time I commenced exhorting and pleading with my friends and neighbors, to break the bands of tradition, and obey the plain teachings of God's Book. The labors though put forth in weakness, were blessed of God, and some were led to believe.
The church having no pastor, held regular prayer and exhortation meetings from Sabbath to Sabbath. In these meetings I commenced presenting the plain Bible to them. This raised considerable excitement, the greater part of the congregation were not prepared to embrace the plain teachings of Scripture unmystified by tradition. The next move was to debar me from reading the plain Bible to the church. This entirely failed: the vote of the congregation gave me the privilege to continue. Things were in this condition; Oct. 5th, 1854, when Bro. Hall came to our place. I became acquainted with some of his relations, and through them urged him to come and spend a few days, or weeks with us.
Bro. Hall commenced holding meetings in the Seventh-day Baptist meeting-house, Oct. 7th, and has continued them from Sabbath to Sabbath in the meeting-house ever since; and in the community, in school-houses and private dwellings from evening to evening. The result, up to this present date, has been that opposition of the most bitter and malignant character has been developed, by the various sects during the whole period of meetings; but praise God, the truth has been steadily and firmly progressing. A large number have confessed the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, and thirteen have practically espoused the cause of God and present truth, by being buried in the likeness of Christ's death. There are a number more, who are now deeply convicted of
duty in this matter. God help them to do duty and prepare for the coming of Jesus and the kingdom.
Yours in haste and love of truth.
T. H. DUNN.
THE WORD OF THE LORD.
By Editor
We have printed the following texts of Scripture on cards, in very large type, 10 inches in length, and 8 wide; also, the ten commandments the same size. We have some of each printed on nice paper that they may be sent by Mail.
Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. Matt. xii, 36, 37.
Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. Luke xxi, 36.
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. Eph. iv, 29.
If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. James i, 26.
If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. Chap. iii, 2.
But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober and watch unto prayer. 1 Pet. iv, 7.
Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. Chap. i, 13, 15, 16.
Be ye sober, be vigilant; because your adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about seeking whom he may devour; whom resist steadfast in the faith. Chap. v, 8, 9.
We should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Titus ii, 12-14.
We think these may well take the places of pictures of Presidents, Generals, and Daguerreotypes in the houses of the saints. We sent several to Bro. R. F. Cottrell, and received the following:—
"Thank you for the cards containing 'The Word of the Lord.' I determined to put mine up where it could be seen, but how was it to be kept clean? Franklin had a picture of Bonaparte crossing the Alps, which was presented to him some years ago, and which I had wanted out of sight this long time. I opened it and slipped the card in next to the glass and it eclipsed the hero completely. Three others of the cards which I have distributed to-day have been framed in like manner. I could recommend this course to brethren who have pictures in their houses. Two desirable objects are attained by it. Useless things are put out of sight, and the word of the Lord kept before the eyes, serving as a monitor to check our faults."
We also have the above texts, and ten commandments, printed in very small type, on cards and on nice paper, 3½ inches in length and 2½ wide. These may be sent conveniently in letters.
Progress of Spiritualism.
By Christian Spiritualist
It is computed that nearly two millions of people in our nation, together with hundreds of thousands in other lands, are already believers in Spiritualism. No less than twelve or fourteen periodicals are devoted to the publication of its phenomena and the dissemination of its principles. Nearly each succeeding week brings, through the press, some new books treating exclusively upon this subject. Every day, and much more than daily, lectures are given in the presence of audiences quite respectable as to both numbers and character. Circles are held by day and by night in nearly every city, town and village throughout our country.
Already it makes itself the companion of the farmer in his fields—the mechanic in his work-shop—the sailor in his cabin or forecastle—the judge on his bench—the senator in his legislative chair—the clergyman in his desk—the philosopher in his study; it goes with man through all his varied walks in life, and it nestles fondly with woman, whether in the kitchen, the nursery or the parlor. Nor is it a mere companion—it assumes to be teacher and helper—it tells of matters beyond doubt and the grave, and concerns itself with things of deep and universal interest. It gains a ready hearing, and sows its seeds of truth or of error, of fact or delusion, in many a fertile spot. Its words are already moulding the condition of millions of immortal souls, not while they shall dwell in the body merely, but after they shall have gone to the invisible mansions in the Father's house.
Business.
By Editor
C. S. UPSON. We have for some time past sent papers regularly to D. Upson, F. Robinson, J. Kimball, C. S. Upson, J. Bailey, and D. Sprague to Catlin Center, as you directed. Learning that you did not receive them we have several times sent the back Nos.; but as you still do not receive them we change them all back to their former address.
☞ Will Brn. D. C. Babcock of Milton, and E. Boutell of Aztalan, Wis., please act as agents for the REVIEW?
NOTE TO BRO. STEPHENSON.—The plan of Brn. in Wis. to raise means to obtain Tracts for gratuitous circulation in new fields of labor is in harmony with ours, to raise a fund for the same object. The Committee in the remarks on "Buy the truth and sell it not," had no idea of condemning such a course; for it would be condemning what they on another page of this week's REVIEW, recommend. The Committee wished to meet the influence and course of such as one Ira Wyman, who obtained Books in our absence on credit, which he sold—all the while crying out in private and public against the sale of Books, backing up his position with the text, "Buy the truth and sell it not," then left for Michigan some dollars in debt for Books!!
The conductors of the REVIEW feel the deepest interest for the cause in Wis., and ardently desire to co-operate with the friends of truth for the advancement of the cause in the West. ED.
☞ Since Dec. 1st we have had 47 new subscribers. During this time we have had 26 stoppages, but none to our knowledge, who have stopped the REVIEW ever kept the Lord's Sabbath.
☞ THERE will be no REVIEW next week. The INSTRUCTOR will be out in a few days.
Sympathy and Steadfastness in the Truth
By Henry Lyon
From Bro. Lyon.
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—We truly sympathize with you in your deep afflictions at this time. The loss of a beloved Sister from your family circle, and one who filled so important a station among you must be severely felt by you all, but you sorrow not as those that have no hope. She sweetly sleeps in Jesus; and in the morning of the resurrection she will come forth, not with a sickly body, but in immortal youth to live for ever. What a glorious prospect lies before us! Be patient, be faithful, dear brother, and we shall soon stand an unbroken band upon mount Zion. Amen.
If we can judge by the fervent prayers offered by our dear brethren at the Creek, they deeply sympathize with you, not only in the death of a dear Sister, but in the unholy attack made upon you. Be assured that their sympathy is with God's called and faithful ones, who have borne the burden and heat of the day. Instead of disbelieving the gifts of the church, we believe they will all be restored. We are thankful to our heavenly Father for what he has given us. Our brethren here are firm and unshaken on the present truth, and have no fellowship with those that have gone out from us, and are endeavoring to divide and distract the flock. Now brethren, shall we leave the last message of mercy, and go down to meet that low and degraded work of the enemy? No, no! never! We have got the truth. Brethren, you have nothing to fear. Go forward in the great work that God has assigned to you in these last days of peril and apostasy. The number will soon be completed. The Saviour will leave the Sanctuary. The destiny of all will be fixed. Dear brethren, let nothing turn you aside from the one object of getting ready to meet Jesus. Be firm, be steadfast, and may the God of peace sanctify you wholly, and preserve you blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Yours in hope of soon seeing Jesus.
HENRY LYON.
Battle Creek, Dec. 19th, 1854.
Publications.
By Editor
THE ATONEMENT.—No one who hopes for salvation through Jesus Christ, should neglect to study the great plan of salvation as revealed in the Holy Scriptures. This work opens a wide field of Bible truth, and will be found a valuable assistant in the study of the great theme on which it treats. We commend it to the notice of the friends of truth.—196 pp.—15 cts.—postage 2 cts.
MAN NOT IMMORTAL: THE ONLY SHIELD AGAINST THE SEDUCTIONS OF MODERN SPIRITUALISM.—Without the great truth that man is not immortal, and that the dead know not anything, none are prepared to stand against wicked spirits in high places. We commend this work on the Immortality question, as an able discussion of the subject.—148 pp.—12½ cts.
THE FOUR UNIVERSAL MONARCHIES OF THE PROPHECY OF DANIEL, AND THE KINGDOM OF GOD; to which is added a condensed view of the Sanctuary and 2300 days.—84 pp.—8 cts.
THE SABBATH, or Remarks on the following subjects:—Who is our Lawgiver?—2 Cor. Chap. iii.—Colossians ii, 14–17—The two tills of Matt. v, 18—Consistency.—Thoughts on the Sabbath—5 cts.
THE CHURCH NOT IN DARKNESS, OR, THE DUTIES OF THE TIMES. This is a valuable Tract of 24 pp., published by H. L. Hastings, Peace Dale, R. I.
A portion of this Tract was copied in the last REVIEW, and notice of the work should have accompanied it.
DEPRESSION OF BUSINESS.
PRINTING.—Experienced men say they have not known so great a depression of the Printing business for many years. Many of the leading offices have discharged two-thirds of their employes, and have reduced the remainder to two-thirds of a day's work. A large number of journeymen printers have left the City—others are working a day or two in a week as substitutes in the offices of the daily journals; but many more are totally destitute of work. The scale of prices, as established by the Union, has not been materially departed from as yet, that we can learn, although employers say that a considerable reduction must take place unless business improves, and that right speedily.
DIFFERENT TRADES.—From different parts of the country the prevailing cry of "hard times" is echoed and re-echoed far and near.
In Detroit, Michigan, several hundred workers in iron have recently been thrown out of employment.
In Buffalo, between 300 and 400 men in the iron business have been thrown out of work. In Albany, provisions are cheap, and but little distress has yet manifested itself. The Saratoga and Sackett's harbor Railroad, after $150,000 has been expended upon it, and debts to the amount of 250,000, been contracted, has been discontinued, throwing out of work some 5,000 laborers, who are said to be suffering greatly in the northern wilderness. The snow is upon them, and it is feared that many, particularly women and children, will die of cold and starvation.
In New Jersey, the same stagnation is apparent. The Burlington Gazette says:
"A large proportion of the hands at Cooper's Rolling Mill, at Trenton, were discharged a few days since, in consequence of the proprietors turning their attention to another branch of iron work. On Saturday last, a man fell down in the streets of Trenton from faintness and exhaustion caused by hunger. He had not tasted food for three days. At Newark, the manufacturers are complaining, and at Plainfield, where hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of clothing is annually made, there is but little doing. We understand that the shoe-trade is also suffering. It is well known that at least one-tenth of the inhabitants of our city are engaged in the manufacture of ladies' shoes, and that tens of thousands of dollars are paid out in the course of the year to binders and journeymen. Prices are lower, and work is less abundant than it was a few months since."
Pennsylvania, suffers no less than her sister States.—N. Y. Tribune.
Receipts.
H. Cobb, P. A. Gammon, G. D. Cook, I. C. Snow, S. Snow, S. Horton, E. V. Wiard, M. Slayton, A. Hart, J. Pettingill, J. Hehner, J. Cady, A. Stone, T. R. Irons, E. N. Durant, E. Temple, H. Bingham, T. Baker, A. G. Phelps, S. Phelps, E. W. Phelps, C. M. Rew, each $1.
K. H. Elliot, E. J. Newson, J. Bodley, each $2. A friend, $0.75. M. Foster, $0.69. N. N. Luut, $0.40.
To raise the Tract Fund to $500.
A. Luce, $5. A. Hart, $4. J. Perkins, $0.66. A friend of truth, $10.
To relieve the Office.
A friend of truth, $10. D. R. Palmer, J. M. Lindsay, each $5. J. M. Avery, $4.75. M. North, A. B. Pearsall (by A. A. D.) each $3. I. D. Perry, $2.75. L. Kellogg, C. Cole, M. Tyler, each $1. M. Brown, $0.50. Minerva Brown, $0.25.