DEAR BRO. WHITE : My heart is gladdened when I read the cheering letters in the Review. I feel to thank the Lord that I have had the privilege of hearing these precious truths, and that I had a heart willing to obey them. Although I meet with trials and temptations, yet in the strength of the Lord I will try to overcome all things and press forward toward the mark of the prize which is in Christ Jesus. I am striving to be an overcomer. I want to get ready for that glorious day which will bring deliverance to all the saints. I would not exchange the hope I have of eternal life for all the gaudy pleasures of the world. I want to go forward in the discharge of every known duty, having on the whole armor of God, that at his coming I can say, Lo, this is my God; I have waited for him, and he will save me. Let me suffer with God's dear children here, and in a little while I hope to rejoice with them where we shall have no evil foe to contend with, and where all tears will be wiped away.
It seems that the way grows more narrow every day. I feel that I need much strength to enable me to go through to mount Zion. I long to be filled with the sweet Spirit of Jesus. Through the assisting grace of God I am trying to lay off every weight which doth so easily beset me, and go on to the kingdom. If we are not without spot or blemish he will say, Depart from me, ye evil doers, I never knew you. I am looking for that "blessed hope, the glorious appearing of our Lord and 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." What great reasons we have to praise him for his goodness, his long-suffering, and his tender mercy in bringing us out and placing us on a firm foundation, the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.
How consoling to the way-worn pilgrim, tossed by the waves of adversity, and buffeted by the temptations of Satan, is the promise of our Saviour, If I go away, I will come again; and doubly consoling the assurance that his coming is near, even at the doors. Then let us go on trusting in his promises, and care not what wicked persons may say or do. Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord. If we are faithful a little longer, we shall have the crown and the golden harp.
Yours in hope of eternal life.
MIRANDA HOLLOWAY
Marion, Iowa.
Extracts from Letters.
Sister J. Hoffer writes from Attica, Ohio: "It is about two months since I, with a number of brethren and sisters in this place, commenced to keep the Sabbath of the Lord. I feel thankful to God for the light of present truth. Although I have been a professor of religion for twenty-five years, I never saw the way so clearly as I now do. We meet every Sabbath for prayer and social meeting. We meet with much opposition from those that were once our brethren; but we know that we have the truth, and feel that God is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. I rejoice that the Lord has spared us to hear his holy truth."
Bro. G. G. Green writes from Hartsville, N. Y.: "I have been a subscriber for the Review for nearly one year, and have been cheered many times by the encouraging letters from the saints scattered abroad. It has been a little over a year since I embraced the Advent doctrine and the solemn truths contained in the three angels' messages of Rev. xiv. I have had many seasons of rejoicing since that period, with brethren of like faith. I am now living where I do not have the privilege of meeting with them. I believe we are nearing that time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation. Our own nation is in commotion. Signs are fast fulfilling. The Saviour is very near. I desire so to live from day to day that when he shall appear, I may share the lot of the redeemed."
Bro. O. Hoffer writes from Attica, Ohio: "It is with feelings of joy that I read those cheering and encouraging testimonies that have, from time to time, been presented in the Review. Many of the brethren I never yet have seen, and perhaps never shall in this life; but I have strong hope and confidence, that, if faithful, we shall before long meet with all the saints in the house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. Let us not forget, then, to speak often one to another; for it is encouraging to hear from those of like precious faith. I feel to praise God for the light of present truth. How bright it shines! And we believe it will continue to grow brighter and brighter, even to the perfect day."
Bro. W. Caviness writes from Fairfield, Iowa: "I am still endeavoring to serve God by keeping all his commandments and the testimony of Jesus. I am not yet tired of serving the Lord. I embraced the present truth just one year ago under the labors of Brn. Hull and Snook. I thank the Lord that he ever sent them this way, and permitted me to hear the glorious truths of the third angel's message, the last warning that will ever be given to a wicked world. I am glad I ever had a heart to fall in with the overtures of mercy, and go with the remnant to mount Zion. I am tired of living on this dreary earth; for here we have troubles and trials, sickness, pain, and death, which beset on every hand. O how I long to be in the paradise of God where no evil can come. I can say with the poet,
> "A few more days, or years at most,
> My troubles will be o'er;
> Then I shall meet the heavenly host
> On that celestial shore."
O, what a glorious hope, to think that we soon shall meet to part no more forever and ever, and sing the song of Moses and the Lamb."
Bro. R. Baker writes from Markford, Wis.: "During my short experience in the third angel's message, of a little over three years, I can testify to the fact that it is not a vain thing to serve the Lord; for I have received many rich blessings since identifying myself with the Seventh-day Advent people, and have gained some victories, and expect through the grace of God to gain more; to him be all the glory. The path of the just will shine more and more, unto the perfect day. The longer the humble child of God walks in that path, the brighter it will shine; and as the word of God is to be a lamp to our feet and a light to our path, let me urge the necessity of carefully studying those sacred pages, and treasuring up their solemn truths; for they will light us through this dark world of sin and sorrow, and finally prepare us for an abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour."
"When I contemplate the glories of that kingdom, and realize that so soon the saints of God will be delivered from this dark world, and be permitted to enter in through the pearly gates into the city where they will receive the fruition of their hopes, and be forever free from the cares, perplexities and anxieties of this present life, I feel as though I must be there; and by the grace of God I will go through with this people. It is our Father's good pleasure to give us the kingdom. Yet I realize that in order to be an heir to that inheritance which will soon be given to the children of promise, we must be pure and holy, and free from the effects of sin; for Jesus will have, when he comes, a church to present to his Father without spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing."
"Let me say then, dear brethren and sisters, press together. Let us seek to be of one mind and one judgment, that we may with one mouth glorify God; for where there is union, there is strength. Let us try to conform our lives to the perfect law of God, and live in obedience to the testimonies of Jesus. On this company the dragon is soon to make war. The nations of earth are already preparing for war, and waking up their mighty men, and will soon be gathered through the influence of unclean spirits to the valley of Jehoshaphat, where the great battle will be fought. In view of these things, let us put on the whole armor and press forward to certain victory, realizing that Jesus, the Captain of our salvation, is King of kings, and Lord of lords, and we shall yet come off victorious conquerors over the beast and his image, and stand with the Lamb's company on mount Zion."
Encouragement in the Present Truth
By Jno. Sisley
From Bro. Sisley.
DEAR BRN. AND SISTERS: I thank you for the cheering letters we receive from week to week in the Review. They strengthen and encourage us, to press our way onward and upward amid the perils of the last days. I love the Review. I welcome it "as cold water to a thirsty soul," and believe God's blessing is with it.
I send a copy of it to England. An extract or two will show how my friends there receive it :
"I thank you for the papers. I like them very much. We much enjoy and profit by the Review."
I feel thankful to be able to say that I embraced the cause of "present truth" about nine months ago. It is a cause I love. I love to think of keeping the commandments of God and faith of Jesus.
Dear brethren and sisters, ours is a great profession. May we strive earnestly to live up to it. We have the promise of help to do so, and if we do, we shall soon realize that blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have a right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
My sympathy is with those whom God has led out into this glorious work, and who have to bear burdens and responsibilities. Let us aid them by our prayers, and try to bear a humble part with them.
The church in Convis is trying to arise and press into the message, and feel the burden of the work that we each have to do in this last message of mercy to a perishing world. We have adopted systematic benevolence. One more has commenced to keep the Sabbath. May she be led into all the truth as it is in Jesus.
We feel the force of the piece in Vol. xviii, No. 3, of Review, relating to "Bible Classes." We are behind in this pleasant and profitable exercise; but we have now organized a class in which both old and young take part.
I have received the circular, and had thought that it was not duty for me to take a share; but I now feel that it is in order to be a good steward of my Master's goods. I am thankful that the Lord has promised to give us wisdom liberally and upbraid us not.
Yours striving to overcome.
JNO. SISLEY.
Marshall, Mich.
OBITUARY.
By Geo. W. Bemis
The subject of this notice, Bro. Wm. Gould, was born in the State of Pennsylvania, Dec. 18, 1803, and removed to this place (Lawrenceburg, Ind.) in 1818, and departed this life, June 7, 1861, aged 58 years, 5 months, and 20 days, in the triumphs of faith, and the joyful anticipation of a part in the first resurrection, and a blissful immortality. "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from henceforth." They cease from their labors and their works do follow them. "Wherefore sorrow not, brethren, for those who sleep; for if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so those who sleep in Jesus will God bring with him."
During a long and painful illness, Bro. Gould exhibited the patience of the saints in the hour of affliction and trial, and experienced the sustaining power of God to those who are found keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Bro. Gould seemed to think that his sleep would be but a few years; that probation being ended, and the sealing of the servants of the Most High completed, Christ will shortly leave the Sanctuary, take his seat on the white cloud, and descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel, and with the trump of God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first, and those who are alive and remain be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, ever to be with him. Wherefore, brethren, comfort one another with these words.
Geo. W. Bemis.
Lawrenceburg, Ind.
Business Department.
By Editor
Business Notes.
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Yes, says the worldly man, I know that all things are mine; and I will have them, too. And at the present time there are not a few that profess to enjoy religion who seem to act as though all things were theirs.
But let us see if all things are yours. Paul seems to be speaking to a class that are Christ's. Verse 23. "And ye are Christ's, and Christ is God's." We see by this that if we are Christ's, then, and then only, is the promise to us.
Again: We see in verses 16 and 17, that these promises are made to christians, and not to sinners; so when sinners claim that "all things" are theirs, the promises of God are not in their favor. The promises are made to Abraham and his seed. Gal. iii, 29. "If ye are Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."
I will now name some things that sinners do not have. In the first place if you are the servants of sin, you have no righteousness, no promise of eternal life, no promise of a crown, no promise of an inheritance on the new earth, no promise to reign with Christ on Mt. Zion; but you will receive the wages of sin which is death. Rom. vi, 23.
The christian, on the other hand, has held out to him, eternal life [Rom. vi, 23]; yea more, the christian has the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. 1 Tim. iv, 8. He has the promise of seeing the wicked cut off [Psa. xxxvii], of inheriting the earth [Matt. v, 5], of reigning with Christ, of judging angels and the world.
Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Come out from the world and be separate, and touch not the unclean thing. Then the promise is ours, I will be a father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. 2 Cor. vi, 18.
G. W. PERRY.
Coloma, Wis.
RESIST THE DEVIL.
By C. W. Sperry
"If sinners entice thee consent thou not." Prov. i, 10.
I WOULD rejoice could I say something to the young that would induce them to shun the deceptive snares of Satan, and walk in the paths of virtue and secure eternal life. In the scripture which stands at the head of this article, is an important exhortation and warning. First, because if heeded, it will prevent the first steps toward ruin and death; and the first step is the most important. Satan, the great artful deceiver, approaches us in such a pleasing manner, and first suggests so slight deviations, that before we are aware, we are caught by his influences and led captive by him at his will.
In these last days while the Saviour stands knocking at the door of our hearts saying, Open unto me, Satan also stands knocking saying, Let me in, making many promises to induce us to open unto him. And oh what multitudes are enticed and consent to let him in. You remember how Satan took the Saviour up into a high mountain, and showed him the kingdoms of this world, and promised them all to him if he would bow down and worship him. But the Saviour would not consent. So Satan comes to us with pleasing anticipations about the things of this world if we will follow him, but our only safety is to resist the first temptation. Satan works through our near friends sometimes to influence us to take the first steps toward our ruin. The Lord help you to have decision of character that will not consent to any of his devices. Satan will present a path that will look pleasant for a while; but, my dear young friends, let me impress your minds with the fact that it ends only in sorrow and woe. Then, as the wise man says, "Refrain thy foot from their path, for their feet run to evil." And David says, "Walk not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor sit in the seat of the scornful."
The temptations of these days are many and strong. The love of the world, the pride of life, pleasure parties, and such things engross the attention; and the most of the world are enticed by them, to turn their feet away from the truth, but I entreat you to consent not; for all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world; and the world passeth away, and the lust thereof, but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever. 1 John ii, 16, 17.
Then if you are invited to follow these things consent thou not. I know of some young friends who were once engaged in religion, and loved the present truth, who are now immersed in the follies of this world. They were led there by yielding to the first temptations of Satan. A young lady who died a few months since, before her death said to her mother who kept the Sabbath, "If such ones had lived out their religion, I should have joined them before now; but," said she, "if they could not live religion, how could I?" Some of these individuals had said to her that the ball-room was the happiest place they had ever found. But in her sickness she left a testimony saying, Tell them that at the feet of the Saviour she had found a place far better than the ball-room. So you see by consenting to the devices of Satan, it leads others also to follow your example.
Now, my young friends, let me exhort you to carry this watchword with you, "If sinners entice thee, consent thou not."
TENT MEETING IN ORONOCO, MINN.
By John Bostwick
Pursuant to notice, our tent was pitched June 5. This meeting bids fair to be a profitable one, though very discouraging at its commencement, there being a number of meetings held by the nominal churches; but a few honest ones were willing to turn out and hear our views; and for the last ten days the interest has been steadily on the increase. Last Sabbath, four were buried with Christ in baptism, and yesterday, four more. About ten have made up their minds to keep all God's commandments. We shall not be able to fill our appointment at Lake City till about the fourth of July. I came to this place to-day, and found Bro. Andrews here. He is now going to Oronoco to help us through with our meeting there, the interest being too good for us to leave.
Bro. Allen is still with us. He returned yesterday from Cherry Grove, where he has been laboring with some success, some ten or a dozen having embraced the truth. Everything at present bids fair for an interesting campaign with the Minn. tent this summer. And now, brethren of Minn., do help on this work by handing in a third of those pledges at the earliest opportunity.
An unworthy laborer in this blessed cause.
Jno. BOSTWICK.
DOINGS IN NORTHERN ILLS.
A BUSINESS meeting of the church in Jo Daviess Co., Ills., was held at the house of Bro. A. S. Gillett, in Green Vale, June 2, 1861.
The meeting was organized by electing Bro. John Bostwick as chairman, and S. Myers as secretary. Prayer by the chairman. A report of the financial matters of the church was then given by the chairman.
The plan of Systematic Benevolence, as proposed in Good Samaritan No. 5, was adopted without a dissenting voice. The subscription to the Tent Fund was raised to $20,50. It was then decided to pay from the S. B. fund as much as duty should require for tent funds, at the close of the tent season. The meeting voted to pay their S. B. subscription quarterly, commencing the first of June.
J. T. BOSTWICK, Chairman.
S. MYERS, Secretary.
Plum River, Ills., June 2, 1861.
P. S. Our church is now, we think, in a more promising condition than it ever has been. The idea of system and organization works well, and the church begin to realize its necessity and appreciate its practical results. The name adopted by the Battle Creek conference, and received by some other churches, is, to say the least, very appropriate; and it seems under the circumstances almost indispensable.
S. M.
The Office Building Move
By Editor
We are finally compelled to build upon the old office lot. The interruption of moving the old building, and fitting it up to occupy while the new one is being erected, makes it necessary to have no paper next week.
Northern Michigan Tent Meetings Postponed
By Editor
For several important reasons the Tent-meetings in Northern Michigan are postponed for the present.