DEAR BRO. WHITE:—Nine years have nearly passed since I became a resident of Wisconsin. When I first came to this State, I had no idea of glorifying God in any of my plans or practices. I was a practical Infidel, although a professed believer in the ultimate holiness and happiness of all mankind. This state of mind continued for about two years. Then I was providentially called to the investigation of the True Source of Immortality. This opened my mind and led to a more thorough examination of the Scriptures on other points. After a careful examination of about six months, with all the necessary aid, I came to the conclusion that the establishment of the Kingdom of God was an event immediately to transpire. I have from that time been styled an Adventist. Here commenced my experience as a Bible Student. Not long after this, God showed me very plainly my duty to proclaim these glorious truths; and I have been endeavoring ever since, according to the24ability God has given, to discharge my duty in these matters. During seven years of Christian experience, many things have transpired of a discouraging character, but the bitter cup has always been sweetened by tokens of divine favor and approbation.
In the early part of my experience as a messenger in Northern Wisconsin I was entirely alone, not another voice in this wide region sounding the alarm; but the times are changed—an event long prayed for. There are now other voices crying aloud and sparing not. Brn. Stewart, Phelps, Waggoner, Stephenson and some others. For this I thank God and take courage. Oh Lord send more Laborers into this field, and enable those already in, to discharge their duty faithfully. There are at this time quite a goodly number of those who profess faith in the present truth; but I am fearful that many of us need sifting and trying. This the Lord will undoubtedly give us. When I look into the Word and see its requirements, I awfully fear and tremble for myself and others. Who can be saved? I am satisfied that the truth is held by many of us in this State too much as a theory—that it does not produce that solemnity and dignity of deportment it should. My constant prayer is, Lord show us our true condition before thee, while we have a remedy.
Our position in the light of present truth is truly solemn and interesting.
The ministration of Christ in the Most Holy Place, the thought that perhaps our cases are at this moment, passing in review before the Judge of all the earth is truly thrilling. God forbid that we should slumber, at this all-important crisis. O God help us to arouse and put forth every energy.
Yours in hope of the soon coming of Jesus,
D. P. HALL.
Rosendale, Wis., Jan. 23d, 1854.
The Macedonian Cry
By J. Whitmore
From Bro. Whitmore.
DEAR BRO. WHITE :—I am strong in the faith, giving glory to God. I am still trying to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. I have respect unto all his commandments: they are pure enlightening the eyes; more to be desired are they than gold; moreover by them is thy servant warned; and in keeping of them there is great reward.
I feel thankful to God for the third angel's message. The Macedonian cry is rising all around us, "Come over and help us."
I can say as others do, I am glad of the Review; and I hope and believe it will be sustained.
Our little church in Jackson is in a more healthy state; and we begin to breathe a free air. We have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness.
Your brother striving for the kingdom,
J. WHITMORE.
Jackson, Mich., Jan. 20th, 1854.
JOHN HARROUN
By John Harroun
From Bro. Harroun.
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—I have for sometime been a reader of the Harbinger. I attended the conference at Metomen. Brn. Stephenson, Waggoner, and others preached the word. I had never heard a sermon on the subject of the Sanctuary, or the law before. How powerful is the truth! I am resolved from this time forth, God being my helper, to keep his commandments. I expect opposition, as there are no others in this village except Sunday-keepers. But woe to them who worship the beast and his image, &c. 'Here is the patience of the saints; here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.' I believe there is a time of trouble coming on the world, such as never was, since there was a nation. Let us try and be ready.
Yours, waiting for the kingdom,
JOHN HARROUN
Ripon, Wis., Jan. 18th, 1854.
J. E. HOOL
By J. E. Hool
From Bro. Hool.
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—It affords me great pleasure to read the Review, and see what God is doing in other places. It seems to me sometimes, that I and my companion are alone keeping the Sabbath, but when I get the paper I see that there is a goodly number of like precious faith, that are striving to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. There are but few in this place that seem willing to look into these things and see if they are so; but say my Lord delayeth his coming, and are eating and drinking with the drunken.
J. E. HOOL
Compton, C. E., Jan. 23d, 1854.
Meetings in Potter County
By A. S. Hutchins
From Bro. Hutchins.
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—In company with Bro. Ingraham, I have just returned from Potter Co., Pa., where we spent some weeks holding meetings with the brethren and friends. The dear brethren in Pa., though they are few in number, and are but seldom favored with the privilege of hearing the truth proclaimed, respecting the commandments of God, and the immediate and personal coming of Christ, yet they feel strongly established in the present truth. The Lord has greatly blessed them in keeping his holy Sabbath, so they are prepared to say, "Then shall I not be ashamed when I have respect unto all thy commandments."
Our meetings with the dear brethren and sisters in that place, were very interesting and encouraging. Some of the friends came from five to twelve miles to hear (for the first time) the evidences of our faith. Several embraced the Sabbath while we were there. And when we left, a deep and increasing interest was manifest to hear more about the message of the third angel. O may the Lord strengthen the little band in Pa., and guide them into all truth, and save them from all error, that they may be prepared for the glorious appearing of the blessed Saviour.
Yours striving for the kingdom,
A. S. HUTCHINS.
Catlin, N. Y., Jan. 30th, 1854.
Waiting for Redemption
By G. M. Burnett
From Bro. Burnett.
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—I feel to rejoice and give thanks to God for his goodness in permitting me to live in these last days, and to behold his dealings with those who put their trust in him. My heart flows out in gratitude to God for the light of prophecy which shines around our path-way, scattering away all mist and gloom and enabling us to discern the signs of the Lord's soon return from the wedding.
I have been striving to have my lamp trimmed and let my light shine though it is but feeble. We have but a short time to suffer and toil on in this wilderness world, and I feel willing to do whatsoever shall be made known to be duty. I am glad, and praise the Lord that the third angel's message has reached my ears, and I humbly trust, found a place in my heart. It makes the past look clear; and, thank God, it brightens our way in the future.
Soon the beauties of Paradise restored will open to our view. I am willing to confess myself a pilgrim and stranger here; but I hope and pray that I shall be enabled by grace to keep all the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, that I may have a home in the New Jerusalem. My heart has often been gladdened by reading the letters from the dear saints, in the Review. Although we are strangers in the flesh, I feel that we belong to the same family, and all journeying to the same home. We shall soon meet, where sorrow never comes, and parting will be unknown.
Yours waiting for redemption,
G. M. BURNETT.
Savoy, Mass., Feb. 1st, 1854.
Our Obligations in the Last Days
By Charles W. Sperry
From Bro. Sperry.
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—The time in which we live, and the truths we profess, bring with them immense obligations. Believing we are having the last truth mixed with mercy that fallen man will ever hear, how important that we do not hide it under a bushel, or hold it in unrighteousness, but let it so shine that others may see our good works—shunning the very appearance of evil. And how solemn the thought of the "hour of temptation which shall come upon all the world to try them that dwell upon the earth." When I see and hear the various subjects brought up before the mass of mankind to divert the attention, and steal the affections, truly I see that Satan tries many substitutes for the pure truth; and I hear men who once were professors of religion, now turn, and call the Bible a "pack of nonsense," and turn their ears unto fables. It is certain, Satan has a strong hold in these last days. And while our former Advent brethren believe we have turned unto cunningly devised fables, then it follows that they preached fables in 1843-4; for we believe now, what they preached then, and follow on the same track; for the third angel followed them. O how clear! But while our minds have been stirred up to these thrilling truths, "therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip; (margin, or leak out as leaky vessels;) for if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every disobedience received a just recompense of reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation?"
Many times we find ourselves making strong resolutions to live out the truth, and by not taking earnest heed, before we are aware, we find ourselves down; the power of the truth has leaked out, and we are left with the form only. We are witnessing a high profession, and if we lose our grasp we fall a great distance. And how important that we keep the mind girded up with the truth, and our lights burning, and we live where the Word will have great weight upon our minds when we read it or hear it spoken. While God has in his mercy shown us such light and truth—and the means by which we may have life, yes, eternal life, and escape the seven last plagues, in which is filled up the wrath of an offended God. It will truly be a great salvation if we attain it—salvation from sorrow, salvation from sin, salvation from death. I do want this salvation. May the Lord help us to take earnest heed to the truth a little while longer, and a glorious victory will turn on Zion's side.
We enjoyed a refreshing season with Bro. Buck at New Haven last Sabbath, in showing forth the Lord's death. May the Lord give us grace to endure in the hour of temptation, and thereby receive a crown of life which shall never fade away, is the prayer of your unworthy brother.
C. W. SPERRY.
Panton, Vt., Jan. 29th, 1854.
"Even so, Come, Lord Jesus."
By Samuel Rutherford
Oh, how sweet to be wholly Christ's, and wholly in Christ! to be out of the creature's owning, and made complete in Christ; to live by faith in Christ, and to be once for all clothed with the created majesty and glory of the Son of God, wherein he maketh all his friends and followers sharers; to dwell in Immanuel's high and blessed land, and live in that sweetest air, where no wind bloweth but the breathings of the Holy Ghost; no seas nor floods flow, but the pure waters of life that proceed from under the throne and from the Lamb; no planting but the tree of life that yieldeth twelve manner of fruits every month! What do we here but sin and suffer? Oh, when shall the night be gone, the shadows flee away, and the morning of that long, long day, without cloud or night, dawn! The Spirit and the Bride say, "Come" Oh, when shall the Lamb's wife be ready, and the Bridegroom say "Come!"—Samuel Rutherford.
Appointments.
PROVIDENCE permitting, we will hold meetings at the Christian Meeting-house, near Bro. Ira Abbey's in Brookfield, N. Y., Feb. 11th and 12th; Lincklaen, where Brn. may appoint, the 18th and 19th. It is expected that Bro. S. W. Rhodes will attend these meetings with us.
We shall take with us a quantity of publications, to save the Brethren the postage if sent by Mail. JAMES WHITE.
PROVIDENCE permitting, I will hold meetings with the Brethren in Ulysses, Pa., Feb. 18th and 19th.
PROVIDENCE permitting we will meet with the Brethren at Sutton, Vt., Feb. 4th and 5th; Eaton, C. E., 11th and 12th; Dudswell, 18th and 19th; Melbourne, 25th; Farnham, March 4th and 5th.
C. W. SPERRY.
Publications.
By Editor
THE Sanctuary and Twenty-three Hundred Days—76 pages—price 7 cents—postage 1 cent.
Review of O. R. L. Crozier on the Sabbath—48 pages—price 5 cents—postage 1 cent.
A Refutation of the Claims of Sunday-keeping to Divine Authority; also, a lengthy extract from the History of the Sabbath—40 pages—price 4 cents—postage 1 cent.
Signs of the Times—124 pages—price 8 cents.
Our collection of Advent and Sabbath Hymns—144 pages—price 30 cents—postage 5 cents.
Time and Prophecy—a Poem—120 pages, well bound—price 25 cents—postage 5 cents.
A Word for the Sabbath—a Poem—price 6 cents.
The First Day of the Week Not the Sabbath—32 pages—price 3 cents—postage 1 cent.
Volume I, II and III of the REVIEW, bound in paper covers—price 40 cents for Vol. I and II, and 80 cents for Vol. III.
Youth's Instructor, Vol. I, in paper covers—price 25 cents.
THE CHART—A Pictorial Illustration of the Visions of Daniel and John and their Chronology—price $2.
Tracts of 16 pages each can be sent by mail for one half cent an ounce, in packages not less than 8 ounces. We will send 50 and pay the postage, to one address for 50 cents.
The Truth in Brookfield
By Dexter Daniels
From Bro. Daniels.
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—The cause of truth is still precious to me. God is still pleased to bless the last message of mercy to those that will hear. With Bro. Hunt, I have visited where his friends reside, in Brookfield. We have held several meetings in the place, and seven have decided to leave the Pope's Sunday, and keep the Lord's Sabbath. The effects of the truth are being felt in this town and vicinity. I hope some of the messengers will visit this place. Many are searching their Bibles and seem anxious to know the truth. There were a few Methodists that fought the truth with all their power; but it turned out to the furtherance of the gospel. Glory to God, his ways are not like our ways. I felt to say with David: "It is time for thee, Lord, to work; for they have made void thy law." So it is. The natural heart is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
I do rejoice that God has brought us out into the wilderness, as he did ancient Israel, to try us and to prove us, to see what is in our hearts, whether we will keep his law or no. God's holy law, that was written upon the two tables of stone will be the law of the New Heaven and the New Earth, and those who will not submit to it here would not find it congenial to them there. O, I do love the government of God.
Dear brethren, let us seek meekness, seek to be holy, and pure in heart, it may be that we shall be hid in the day of the Lord's anger. We must feel the solemn position that we now occupy. If Jesus is now pleading our case before the Father, we must be interested in it ourselves. The time of trouble is almost upon us. O that we may all be found faithful that we may be accounted worthy to escape all that is coming upon the earth, and stand before the Son of man. I feel more than ever like giving all for the kingdom. We never can enter the gates of the Holy City with a bundle of this world upon our back. We must lay all off and go without a clog. Sometimes I fear; for many shall seek to enter in but shall not be able. Not all those who say Lord, Lord, but those that do his holy will.
Yours in the patient waiting for Christ,
DEXTER DANIELS.
Sandisfield, Jan. 23d, 1854.
Faith
By Robert Murray M'Cheyne
FAITH.—Some of you seek for faith the same way as you would dig for a well; you turn the eye inward upon yourself, and search amidst the depths of your polluted heart to find if faith is there; you search amid all your feelings at sermons and sacraments to see if faith is there; and still you find nothing but sin. Learn Martha's plan. She looked full in the face of Jesus; she saw his dust-soiled feet and sullied garment, and eye of more than human tenderness. She drank in his word: "I am the resurrection and the life;" and in spite of all she saw and all she felt, she could not but believe. The discovery that Jesus makes of his love and power as the head of living believers, and the head of dead believers, revived her fainting soul, and she cried, "Yea, Lord, I believe." Faith comes by hearing the voice of Jesus.—McCheyne.
To Correspondents.
By Editor
1. IN writing to this Office, let everything of a business nature be put on a part of the sheet by itself, or on a separate sheet, so as not to be mixed up with other matters.
2. Be careful to write all names of persons and places, plainly and distinctly.
3. In all cases give the name of the Post Office, County and State. When a Town or Village is called by one name, and the Post Office by another, be sure to give the name of the Post Office.
4. When the direction of a paper is to be changed, do not forget to name the Office to which it has been sent.
5. Let everything be stated explicitly, and in as few words as will express the writer's meaning.
6. In writing texts of scripture, be sure to copy from the Bible correctly. It is no small sin to carelessly mangle the Word of God, as some do.
If the above directions are complied with, we shall be saved much time and perplexity, and be less liable to mistakes in transacting the business of the Office.
Business.
By Editor
L. H. Prior.—The Review has been sent regularly to Seville, Medina Co., Ohio.
B. M. A. (Philadelphia.) We have no Apocryphas on hand, and cannot obtain them in this city. How shall we dispose of the remainder of your money?
J. Hamilton and A. Miller.—The $2 for J. N. A., is received.
Letters.
J. N. Loughborough, A. S. Hutchins 2, E. L. Barr, J. Russell, H. S. Case, G. M. Collins, J. H. Waggoner, J. N. Andrews, S. W. Rhodes, H. Barringer, A. Packard, J. Claxton.
Receipts.
M. M. Steere, B. F. Wilkinson, J. Barrows, P. Townsend, C. S. Hurlbut, W. Hoisington, E. D. Bunnel, W. Grant, Z. Brooks, A. B. Pearsall, G. Kimball, R. Schooley, each $1.
J. Thompson, J. A. Feeler, Wm. Dawson, R. Rathbun, O. Moore, A. Graham, E. L. H. Chamberlain, J. Ghering, H. Crosby, S. Hungerford, L. Paine, each $2.
J. P. Hunt, C. M., each $3. B. G. Jones $4. L. Drow $9. H. Bingham $2,50. J. E. Hool $1,75. A. B. Pearsall for D. Aldrich $1,50. E. M. Barrows, E. G. Fairfield, each $1,25. A. B. Pearsall for L. Fitch, $0,50. S. Smith, P. Conklin, each $0,25.