Earlier text: THE COVENANTSCHRISTIAN PERFECTION.
By C. M. Monroe
THIS is a subject which has long been dear to my heart. Oft has it occurred to me that I ought to give to the brethren and sisters something of my views and feelings on this subject; but other things have been and still are pressing for preferment; so that even now I cannot promise to do justice to it. It is much the same in a sense with christian perfection, as with colors. We see an effect or effects, but not the cause. Cause and effect, however, are so nearly allied, they are often confounded: the effect being taken for the thing itself. The one is taken for the other as in 1 John v, 3: This is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. More logically the latter is the effect, or proof of the former. For if ye love me, says Jesus, keep my commandments. John xiv, 15. Here he calls for the proof and gives it. Show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works. James ii, 18. Perfection is a complex term, involving plurality of ideas; a harmonious cluster, or combination of all the christian graces and virtues, as finished and complete as possible in this fallen state of death and ruin. Perfection in heaven is the same in character as here, but exceeding in degree and sublimity; being free from the disturbances and deformities of sin and satan, and all the frailties and infirmities of this life. It here is tried and purified; then hath in heaven its perfect state, its lasting rest. Having noticed one of the many mysteries of nature, in reference to colors, we may proceed to notice further the corresponding mystery in the subject before us. Effects in both cases are seen, are real. It will be well enough understood by the Christian, when we say, the cause, or thing, is, Christ within, the hope of glory; and that, in a sense more than ordinary, or nominal; involving the destruction of unholy tempers and the carnal mind: so that if ever we are angry, we shall be angry and sin not. Eph. iv, 26. It is recorded of our blessed Lord, that he once looked around with anger on a certain class of his enemies, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts. Mark iii, 5. But be sure of this, my brother, my sister, if the work is done for you, you will be seldom angry; and when you are, you will, likely, sin not; for the spirit of Christ that dwells within, is a pure, regulating spirit; a spirit of love, meekness, gentleness, quietness, forbearance, and not easily provoked. 1 Cor. xiii, 4-8; 2 Cor. x, 1. Anger has very little to do with such a spirit, I assure you; but when manifested it should be always against sin or wickedness, with which it has no fellowship. In this sense the Lord is represented as being daily angry with the wicked. Ps. vii, 11. In this view of the subject, therefore, anger is no sin, but a virtue, a duty, an evidence of the character in question; for sin and holiness can no more harmonize than fire and water, acids and alkalies. "Blessed are the pure in heart," says Jesus, "for they shall see God." Matt. v, 8. Such is the individual we speak of, we love and admire. Such is the one who has passed from death unto life. John v, 24; 1 John iii, 14. Who has experienced the death of unholy tempers and the carnal mind. Being dead to sin he lives no longer therein. Rom. vi, 2. It is no pleasure to him. He is no longer its slave. He is the Lord's freeman. 1 Cor. vii, 22. The old leaven of malice and wickedness is purged out. 1 Cor. v, 8. The noxious weeds of death and hell, are torn out root and branch. The work, the blessed work is done by a Hand Divine; the Hand that built the sky, and all the starry frame. It is well done; and worthy of Him who does all things well. Mark vii, 37. The duties of this exalted state are both negative and positive. It teaches us both to do, and not to do: that is, we shall do, or certainly have a mind to do on the one hand, all that God requires us to do; on the other, we shall be alike careful to avoid every thing he has forbidden. Besides, there are frailties and infirmities of nature, and errors of judgment, which are not sins; though they may be the occasion of it; and a source of no small affliction to the possessor. For the want of this knowledge, or discrimination, christians have been often deeply tried and afflicted. To avoid therefore such severe, needless trials, it is important to know how to distinguish what things are, and govern ourselves accordingly. An important question now arises: How or by what means can the object before us be obtained? Not how one or many can get the faith of conviction, not of cure; wipe his tears, if tears he has; banish fear, be cheerful, join the church, and be a "hopeful christian" so called; for multitudes do this with very little effort or trouble to themselves; whose manners, like those of Herod, [Mark vi, 20,] for a season may be somewhat mended, while the heart remains still like a cage of unclean birds, foul as ever, and the tongue lawless and untamed! No, nothing like it; but a pure heart, a holy life and conversation. Here we have it. This is the object before us, and nothing less than this. Is this too much? Then it is too much to find that world of bliss, and live for ever. Dear reader, have you the character, the blessing in question? If you have it, bless God; hold on: if not obtain it at all events, whatever it may cost you. A trifle will not buy it. Did you possess the world, or many like it, the price would remain the same. Jesus gave his all for us, and we must do the same to gain his favor, his glorious kingdom. All we have and all we are, is the price. Matt. xiii, 44. Will you give it? This, this is buying the truth of God, and having a "capital." Prov. xxiii, 23. Yes, a capital, and be rich! This is the truth, the blessed truth that sanctifies and makes us holy; [John xvii, 17;] that robes us in garments white and clean; that fits us to walk the plains of light and love, and talk with Jesus our elder brother. This is having the Spirit of Christ, without which we are none of his. Rom. viii, 9. This is the test, for which their is no substitute, no equivalent. "Sailing for point no point," will never bring us into the port of bliss. A point definite is demanded; a point seen, known, and held in constant view; that we labor not in vain. Every wind and tide must tell upon the voyage, or object in view. Phil. iii, 14; Rom. viii, 28. The position in question, is obtained and retained, by earnest persevering effort; a faith that takes no denial; a will harmonizing with the Divine will. For21this is the will of God even your sanctification. 1 Thess. iv, 3. Nay, your perfection. "Be ye therefore perfect," says Jesus, "even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." Matt. v, 48. For every one that is perfect shall be as his Master. Luke vi, 40. "Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded." Phil. iii, 15. A hard way to live, say you? How so? Have you tried it? "The way of the transgressor is hard." Prov. xiii, 15. Not so the way of the just. Prov. iv, 18; iii, 17; Isa. xl, 31. It is the reverse. Try and see. It is found the easiest, sweetest path of life. Matt. xi, 30. If thorns are there, they lose their points, or urge us to rise to see the rose that has no thorn, that will not fade, that will not die. Cant. ii, 1; Matt. vi, 20. Here then is the point; here our duty, our example, our encouragement to gain the prize. And shall we not have it? We must have it or perish! Ps. ii, 12. It is the greatest, best good to mortals given. It is the gift of God, attainable at a price above named; a price not thrown away. That life is not lost that secures it. No; it is well, well spent; and it takes the whole of life, be it longer or shorter, to attain, prove and ratify the position. The end is the crowning point. Matt. x, 22; Rev. ii, 10. The thing is like pure gold in the fire; it will bear the trial. No fallacious hope; no base metal will do this. The reality alone will bear the test, and bear us victors home to God. We read of some ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth; [2 Tim. iii, 7;] this truth especially, the first and the last of all in importance. They talk of holiness, of perfection occasionally, but are not there, neither insist upon its claims as imperative. They are strangers to all but the theory, and seem not well to understand even that: strangers to a death to sin, purity of heart, translating faith; the only faith that can bear us after Enoch and Elijah. Yes it is the truth, the present, naked, all-powerful truth, by the Spirit that will do the work; truth received, loved, obeyed in all its length and breadth; for there is no slender, half-way qualification, no half-way house or home in the everlasting kingdom. It is a finished character; one filled with all the fullness of God, [Eph. iii, 19,] that will stand complete in that kingdom. Unholy tempers and the carnal mind, which every natural man, and every nominal christian possesses in no small abundance, is a sad inheritance, and will exclude them from that kingdom of holy blessedness; for none but holy souls can enter through those pure celestial gates. Heb. xii, 14; Rev. xxii, 14. How oft, alas, are these unholy tempers betrayed by those even from whom we had hoped better things! You need not stop to see or hear the openly profane, where restraint seems to be taken off, as it soon will be from all the earth, [Jer. xxv,] but just turn your eye, your ear, to the nominal professor when under trials or temptations. Have you not been often shocked at his words or actions? O what betrayment of the old wicked man! [Eph. iv, 22; Col. iii, 9;] of unholy tempers and the carnal mind which is enmity against God. Rom. viii, 7. Tell it not in Gath! Anything but the lamb and the dove! Can such an one be a follower of the meek and lowly Jesus? No, alas, if we have not the Spirit of Christ we are none of his, and shall never reign with him in glory. Rom. viii, 9. Now let us mark, as we pass, that the religion of Jesus Christ, where it is received in its life and power, does something for a person; yes, every thing.—It takes away the hard impure heart, and gives a new heart, pure, penitent, believing, obedient. It makes him a new man, entirely new. Eze. xi, 19; 2 Cor. v, 17. This is the religion we believe and confide in, and nothing less than this, and recommend to all who would live and reign for ever with him hereafter. John xi, 26; Rev. xxii, 5. Dear brethren and sisters, do you feel in your souls, that you are healed of that dreadful plague, or plagues above named, the world's shame and ruin! If so, I pronounce you happy, thrice happy. If not, seek for it. Lose no time in seeking a thorough cure of this disease, or combination of diseases. Fly to that fountain filled with blood, the blood of Jesus; and be made "clean very whit." John xiii, 10. Strive for it; be in earnest about it; for cold wishes and feeble efforts accomplish nothing. An extra work requires extra efforts, extra faith. Matt. xvii, 21. If you perish, perish in the attempt. At all events, let the work be done, and well done. Jesus can do it; and must do it, "before we reach the heavenly fields, or walk the golden streets." Blessed Jesus! his blood cleanses from all sin! 1 John i, 17. This done, and we are safe. We may lift our eyes, our joyful eyes to the hills, the heavenly hills, "from whence cometh our help." Ps. cxxi, 1. This done, and we shall be seldom afflicted with offences; done for all, and we should seldom see, or hear of confessions, as of late we have, of faults among the brethren. None existing, none would there be to confess; but where there are faults, we must confess, and must forsake; and we shall find mercy—not otherwise. James v, 16; 1 John i, 9. The evil to be removed lies deep within, and must be probed to the very bottom. "The axe must be laid at the root of the tree." Matt. iii, 10. A disease in the trunk, or root, is not cured by top-dressing; neither a diseased bone in the human system, by external applications. A surgical operation must expose and remove the diseased part. The same of a diseased tooth. It must be removed; and both the pain and the disease go with it. Thus of sin; it must be searched out, not covered; exposed and put away. When it goes, condemnation goes with it, [Rom. viii, 1,] succeeded by a day of gladness, and rejoicing.—Luke xv, 7, 32. Is a stream to be cleansed? Hear wisdom's voice. Go to the fountain; make that pure, and the stream is pure. All labor short of this, is lost labor; work and toil as you will. Taking mud or moats from the stream, may rile, but will not accomplish the work. Attack a man's particular vices, and you may offend, but will not be likely to reform him. Strike at the root, and give him a new heart, and the work is done once for all. A new heart will make a new man, a new life, a new world! 2 Cor. v, 17. A garden is to be wed not by taking the tops of the weeds merely; but by taking all, root and branch. In this way the Great Physician, the Great Husbandman, removes the disease of all sin and of death. He goes to the bottom, and takes out all that offends and the work is done. Mark vii, 31. And what more is the effect of a work thus performed? Health of body, health of soul; not succeeded by a relapse, as in the case of superficial cures. One item of evidence in short, covers the whole ground: The government of the tongue: For "the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. It defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell!" The sum total; for "if any man offend not in word the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body." James iii. This, this is the very man we speak of and would see stand before us in all his new-born beauty, and glory; for it is a lovely sight, to which our eyes are almost strangers yet. Rom. iii, 10. This is a great work, a serious affair; for the retribution of the Last Day, and of Eternity, seem to be suspended on the use that is made of the tongue.—"For by thy words," says our Lord, "thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned." Matt. xii, 37. O how important then is the government of the tongue! Ps. xxxix, 1. There is but one way, aside from death, to tame the tongue; and but one being that can do it. He first tames the heart, and the tongue is tame of course; as when the root is taken, the top goes with it. Not so the imitation work of Satan. No; in his pretense to weed the garden of the heart, he but skims the surface; taking the tops only; leaving the roots; so that every shower of temptation leaves the noxious weeds or roots to be seen, in all their miserable, naked deformity! The harvest, of course, if any, will be a harvest of weeds, and of death; everlasting death! He speaks peace where God has not spoken peace; peace to the awakened sinner; quiets his fears; tells him he is a christian, a hopeful one; and all is well. "And while the heedless wretch believes, he makes his fetters strong." Much as tares resemble wheat when growing together in the same field, they are not wheat after all, but tares still as the harvest will proclaim, and the flames to which they are consigned. Matt. xiii, 30. Should this meet the eye of such an one, a deceived soul—they are not few—one that has taken up with a false hope, and has no pure, heart religion, let this thought of Satan, who is now doing up his last dreadful work of deception among the nations, sound the alarm to his soul, and to all of like delusive dreams, and fallacious hopes; for there is danger, danger! How many think you of all that mighty army that came out of Egypt were permitted to enter the promised land? Two only of that 600,000. Ex. xii, 37. And who were they? Caleb and Joshua, who gave a good report of the land. And why were they permitted to enter there? For the good reason, "they wholly followed the Lord God of Israel." Deut. i, 36; Josh. xiv, 14. And if we ever enter the Heavenly Canaan of which the former was a type, it will be for the very same good reason: we shall follow the Lord wholly clad in robes of spotless purity. These are they that follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. Rev. xiv, 12. Here are they that have a right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the beloved, holy city, [Rev. xxii, 14;] the metropolis of the everlasting kingdom, flooded with splendor and with glory. As "no man swims clear with his luggage," so no one ascends the sacred heights of holiness and heavenly mindedness, that is tied to earth, to sin, to idols, to folly. The last lingering tie that binds us here must be cut, and then adieu to things we loved before, like the inflated balloon, we rise and dwell in light and love ineffable, where sordid minds can never soar. They may gaze admire and perish. Acts xiii, 41. And now, dear reader, in taking my leave, permit me to ask what you think of this subject; the character and qualifications of the saints to fit them for their high destiny, both here and hereafter? Does it appear there is any thing to be won or lost? Are you impenitent? Be not in haste, in dreadful haste to die. In view of such a character, such a kingdom, such a Saviour, throw not yourself away. Clean hands, a pure heart, a holy life and conversation, and this alone, will give you a title, a passport to that City, that kingdom of holy blessedness. Are the terms too rigid, too severe, to give up all, hate all, [Luke xiv, 26, 33,] to part with earth and all its gilded toys and vanities? 1 John ii, 15. Not so. It must be done, and done cheerfully, without reserve or delay. So says the Word, so says experience. Those who seek an easier way will be sadly disappointed. Hazard not the experiment. The terms are, as the surrender of chaff for wheat, poverty for riches, death for life everlasting. Can it be that such who mount the skies, and melt in visions of day unending, were once mourning here below, and wet their couch with tears? Yes; O yes! They struggled hard with sins, with Satan, with doubts, with fears. But mercy rejoicing against judgment, they are now victors. Jas. ii, 13. These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. "Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple. And he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat, for the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them; and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters; and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes." Rev. vii, 14-17.
Waldo, Me. A COMFORTING PROMISE.—"All things work together for good, to them that love God." Christian, is poverty, affliction, sorrow and pain thy lot? It is all for thy good. "Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth." O, then, repine no more; "for he purgeth every son whom he receiveth." If you wander from duty, he whips you in love, to lead you back to him. Then kiss the rod that is held by the God of love. Our Duty to the Poor.
By Lois B. Richmond
"He that hath pity upon the poor, lendeth to the Lord; and that which he hath given, will he pay him again." Prov. xix, 17. The Lord has said, that he is not slack concerning his promises; yet how few there are who dare trust what little they have of this world's goods, in the hands of him whose the earth is, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. They fear, lest if they lend to the Lord, they shall come to want; although God's Word says, "He that giveth to the poor, shall not lack; but he that hideth his eyes, shall have many a curse." Prov. xxviii, 27. Again: "Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself but shall not be heard." Prov. xxi, 13. Let us remember that we are not our own, but are bought with a price, even the precious blood of Jesus; therefore what the Lord has placed in our hands to be stewards over, is not our own: it is the Lord's; and as his cause may demand of us that which is entrusted to our care, let us not be guilty of withholding it. We may not excuse ourselves because we have but little; but we can cast in our mite as did the poor widow, who, the Lord said, cast in more than they all; for they all did cast in of their abundance, but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all of her living. If the cause of God demands it, we may not be afraid to cast in all that we have, even all of our living; for that God who clothes the grass of the field which to-day is, and to-morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Our Saviour has commanded us to take no thought, saying, What shall we eat, or what shall we drink, or wherewithal shall we be clothed? but tells us to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto us. We must seek first to do the will of our Father in heaven. If he commands us as he did the young man who inquired what he should do to inherit eternal life, to sell what we have and give to the poor, let us not go away sorrowful. Rather, we should have that unshaken confidence in the word of him who cannot lie to believe all things necessary will be added unto us. The Psalmist says, I have been young and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken nor his seed begging bread. Ps. xxxvii, 25. We may trust in our riches, but they will not profit us in the day of wrath; "for riches certainly make themselves wings: they fly away as an eagle toward heaven;" [Prov. xxiii, 5;] but if our trust is in God, we have that durable riches which will never fail—a treasure in heaven where neither moth nor rust corrupt, and thieves do not break through and steal. Then we are heirs indeed of God and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ, to an inheritance which is incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away. O blessed thought! Who would not be willing to sacrifice what little they have of this world's goods, to the cause of God, that they might obtain so rich an inheritance. Jesus says of those that leave all to follow him, that they shall receive an hundred-fold in this time, with persecution, and in the world to come, eternal life. God will bring us into account for how we spend our time, and that which he has placed in our hands to be stewards over; and if we take the Lord's money and spend it needlessly, or in the support of pride, let us remember that we are taking what belongs to the Lord to carry on the work of the Devil; while the cause of God is left to suffer. Think you, that this is a little sin? If we withhold from the worthy poor, it will be said to us when the Son of man comes, I was an hungered, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not; for verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. Matt. xxv, 41-45. If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and any of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body, what doth it profit? Even so faith if it hath not works is dead, being alone. James ii, 15-17. True faith will be known by our works; we may profess faith in the near coming of Christ, but if our works do not correspond with our faith, it will not profit us: if we have true faith, in the near coming of Christ, we shall not be laboring to add to our possessions, treasures here; but we shall seek to advance the cause of God, and lay up a treasure in heaven. Our blessed Saviour has given us an example that we may follow in his steps; he was rich, yet for our sakes he became poor: he was despised, and rejected of men: a man of sorrow and acquainted with grief: he had not where to lay his head; and it is enough for the disciple to be as his master, and the servant as his lord. We must sacrifice all for God. We must lay all upon the altar: he will not accept of part of the price. We must not think that to give what we can well spare after supplying all of our own wants first, will suffice; this is only giving what we do not need; but we must be willing to deprive ourselves of some of the comforts of this life, that we may have it to give to those who need, and to advance the cause of God. We must not expect to share in the pleasures and comforts of this life, and of that which is to come. We cannot serve God and mammon. Lois B. Richmond.
Ashfield, Mass., Jan. 22d, 1854. To many it seems strange and fanatical, that the people of God should rejoice in view of the near approach of the King of kings. If they hope even that they are prepared to meet him, ought they not to compassionate the case of a guilty world, and even their own dear friends? The Lord hath said, "I will not give my glory to another, nor my praise to graven images;" "and he that forsaketh not all he hath, cannot be my disciple." Fervent love constrains the joy in hope, that "He whose right it is," will soon reign in triumph. With such sympathy as we have not been wont to feel, would we invite others to lay hold of this glorious hope. Heed not the voice of slander and ridicule—thus might you lose your soul. Wait not to see if we are mistaken, lest it be forever too late. Forsake the pleasures of sin by penitence and faith, lest they be changed for vials of impending wrath. Would you make this earth your stay? Alas! its elements shall melt with fervent heat, and the works therein be burned up! And is there nothing to dread in the fearful, pangs of the second death, the sure wages of a sinful life? Is there no attraction in that renewed earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness—when He who once died to redeem you, will reign in glory, transcending the sun in brightness, and all who have lived godly, suffering persecution; they who are purified and made white, have renounced their pride and become meek, shall also reign with him. Have you no friend of that happy number? O, partake with him this everlasting joy; 'tis sweet, 'tis pure, 'tis holy, 'tis free—whosoever will let him partake of the water of life freely."—Selected. The Present Truth and the Judgment
By Lebbeus Drew
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—The cause of truth, together with the interest I have at stake, and the saving truths and messages that have been the means under God, to cut us loose from the world, and bring us together from the different portions of the earth, and unite us in love and peace; these with the present aspect of the world, prompt me to speak at this time. My brethren, I have been with you for the last ten years, looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. In seasons of rejoicing, I have been with you; in persecutions, trials and disappointments, I have been with you; and those who believe that the 2300 days of Dan. viii, 14, ended in the Fall of 1844, and that the Sanctuary to be cleansed at the ending of those days, is in heaven, where our Great High Priest has entered—my brethren, those of you who take this position, I am with you surely. I also believe that the three angels' messages of Rev. xiv, 6-13, will prove a savor of life unto life or of death unto death, to those who have heard, when the day of God's wrath commences. My dear brethren, I am truly thankful to God, that I am permitted and enabled to confess the saving truths by which God has been leading us out from the world. With the light of these present truths, we are able to account for the state of things around us, and the awful condition the world is now in. Those who deny the past, and take the position that the judgment-hour cry of Rev. xiv, 6, 7, has not been proclaimed, and that it belongs in the future, would do me a favor if they would show why it is that God is sending strong delusions, [2 Thess. ii, 10-12,] at this time upon the great mass of our fellow-beings. Why is it, that all the nations of the earth are getting angry? Ah! whether men believe it or not, these saving truths which have been proclaimed for the last few years have been the means of ripening the tares for the sickle. Now if you will turn with me to a few of the prophecies, you may see why it is that the nations are preparing for war. Read Ps. lxxv, 8; Jer. xxv, 15, and onward; Isa. xiii, 4-14; Joel iii, 9-17. Now I would say to all who have ears, to hear, and if they have a desire to escape the things that are coming on the earth, and be able to stand when the Son of man shall appear, hear the last warning message! Rev. xiv, 9-12. Cease from the worship of that beast. Get rid of his mark, and the number of his name, which is 666; for I assure you that the battle that is now commenced, is between23this beast or Antichristian power, and the Lamb of God. Rev. xvii, 14. This satanic power which has been made manifest in putting God's saints to death for some 1800 years, is now about to come to his end with none to help him. Dan. xi, 45; 2 Thess. ii, 2-8. Here let us remember one important truth; that for the rejection of saving truth we become subjects of strong delusion. For proof of this, I need only to refer you to the first advent of our Lord. The first angel's message, and the sayings of our Saviour, [John viii, 24,] "For if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins;"—these truths were once saving truths to those who heard and received the love of them. We are now having what we understand to be the last saving message or truth that ever will be heard while probation shall last. We will here repeat the message. Rev. xiv, 9-12. "And the third angel followed them, (the two former angels,) saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb; and the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever; and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus." The message before us, my brethren, is an interesting one; but I shall, at this time, only notice a few facts: We find in this message, the mention of a certain beast; and that no one can escape the awful penalties therein laid down, who shall be found worshiping him and his image, or receiving his mark in their hands or in their foreheads. The character of this beast is given by Daniel and the Revelator. He is the same character that I have already referred to, who is to come to his end with none to help him. I understand his image to be his laws, his statutes and decrees; now, inasmuch as I understand him to be Antichrist, and a counterfeit, his image or laws will resemble him, and will be spurious, clashing with the laws of God. His mark will also be a counterfeit; and those who receive it will be recognized by it in the day of God's fierce anger. It will be a sign or a mark that will differ from that by which the Israel of God are known. Israel is one that has prevailed with God; [Gen. xxxii, 28;] and the name may justly be applied to all God's children. We see that the sign or mark between such is the Sabbath. Ex. xxxi, 13-17; Eze. xx, 12-20. This Sabbath or sign was instituted at creation, and is called the seventh day. Now in order to carry out the true character of this beast, we must look for some other day aside from the seventh, as a mark or sign imposed upon those who are his worshipers. Which day is observed as the Sabbath by the greater portion of the world? All must admit, The first day, God says remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy; [Ex. xx, 8;] and he says, The seventh day is the Sabbath. Verse 10. Antichrist, or the beast, says, The first day is the Sabbath. All must see that here is a plain contradiction between God and Antichrist. Now it is a fact that God is about to put an end to sin, and to bring in everlasting righteousness: and this beast that we have been speaking about, together with the false prophet, is destined soon to be cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone; [Rev. xix, 20;] and his worshipers, without any exception will soon drink of the wine of the wrath of God. Rev. xiv, 10. With the light of these truths before us, we can see the propriety, justice and mercy of God in sending this awfully solemn message of warning at these closing up moments of probation. The question is asked by many, In what sense do you consider me a worshiper of the beast and his image? I answer, Because you regard his laws and institutions as sacred; you pay divine honor to him in that you reverence him by treading under foot the fourth commandment of God; and you regard as sacred a day of his substitution instead of the Bible Sabbath, which you have no authority from the Word of God to do. But says another class, You have not touched our case yet; for I am taking rather neutral ground, I observe all days alike. Well, my friends, you cannot occupy that position but a little while longer. Remember that while you are observing all days alike, you are a transgressor of the law of God; and furthermore remember that the last note of warning is now sounding, and that the last gathering into the valley of decision is going on; and if you have not decided for or against the truth, you soon will. All those who reject these saving truths, will soon be compelled to drink of the wine of the wrath of God. They will then be moved and be mad. This will soon be the character of all the wicked. We will now for one moment notice those who get the victory over the beast and over his image and over his mark. We find them in Chap. xv, standing on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. In the closing up of the third angel's message, I think their true character, faith and practice, are made known; we find them possessing the patience of the saints; and it is said, Here are they that keep the commandments of God: no account of any here who teach that the commandments of God are abolished: we think such would not be very likely to be found observing them. It is also stated that they keep the faith of Jesus. If we would learn what the faith of Jesus is, or what he taught, let us read his sermon on the mount. Matt. v. The blessed Jesus was honest: he preached what he believed, and he preached his faith; and those who get the victory, will be in possession of it. Amen. Your brother, desiring to be found in this company.
LEBBEUS DREW. So. Pultney, N. Y., Jan. 26th, 1854. THE ADVENT HOPE.
By C. S. M.
AFTER a weary voyage through storms and shade how welcome are the green hills of our native land. After a lonely pilgrimage among the uncivilized nations of a dreary waste, how sweet is the first sight of home. After wearisome nights of pain, and lingering days of hopeless disease, how soul-inspiring is the soft breath of spring, and returning health; yet comparison fails to express the reality. We are sojourning where the weak are a prey to the strong, and are hourly exposed to the malice of a powerful adversary, whose artifice and zeal are untiring. Our path is beset with trial, disappointment and pain. When we seek to cool our feverish lips with some pleasant fruit, we find it false and bitter at the core. When we turn our aching eyes to the beauty of some opening flower, we find the canker there, and weep to see its young leaves so soon scattered among the thorns. Every thing that is lovely is passing away, and the sin and the curse abides still. We love the beautiful and sigh
For that which never fades,
The loveliness that cannot die,
The light without the shades. How glorious thus is the hope of Paradise regained, and the glad tidings that the day is near when the earth shall be restored to its Eden state, and the glory of the Lord cover it as the waters cover the sea. Metaphor is tame, and language weak, to express the sweetness of the Second ADVENT HOPE, or the reality of our precious faith. Having this hope we seek to purify ourselves even as He is pure. We love the appearing of the Lord of Glory, and long to see the Prince of princes restored to his kingdom. "We KNOW and BELIEVE the love that God hath to us," and therefore rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory, and feel the bright assurance that He "will come again," and receive us to himself, for where He is, there shall also his servants be.
C. S. M. As Communications of esteemed Brethren sometimes contain expressions which we choose not to use, and sentiments which we would not advance, we would say, that we are not responsible for what appears under this head. Longing to See the King
By Jane A. Feeler
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—I am here alone with no one to keep the Sabbath with me, yet I know the Lord has power to sustain us if we trust in him, where ever we are. I want to get in a humble place where the Lord can work for me. I need much grace to stand in the time of trouble. For eighteen years I have been a member of the M. E. Church, daily striving to prepare to meet Death, and still reading in the Word, Behold I come quickly. Though I read it, I was seeking rest in the grave; but now I praise the Lord for permitting me to hear the third angel's message: the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. O, I long to see the King in his beauty. When he shall appear, if faithful, we shall be like him. I must see the inside of the city. Yours, striving to overcome, JANE A. FEELER. Taberg, Oneida Co., N. Y., Jan. 29th, 1854.