WE saw in our examination of this subject last week that the perpetuity of something that existed in the former dispensation, was definitely taught in this. There was not therefore at the cross of Christ a total abolition of everything that went before, as some contend, and as is essential to the positions which they take. How much then was abolished, and what remained?
Of the change that then took place, the Scriptures speak as follows: "For he is our peace who hath made both one and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances." Eph. ii, 14, 15. "Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way nailing it to his cross. Let no man therefore judge you in meat or in drink, or in respect of an holy day, or of the new moon, or of the sabbaths, (or sabbath-days,) which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ." Col. ii, 14, 16, 17.
That this blotting out and nailing to the cross was not an arbitrary and independent act of our Saviour's, but took place in the natural order of events, will appear from Hebrews and from reason. Paul speaks in Heb. ix, 9, 10, of a service "which stood only in meats and drinks and divers washings and carnal ordinances imposed on them until the time of reformation. But Christ being come an High Priest of good things to come," &c. Again, [chap. x, 1.] "For the law having a shadow of good things to come," &c. Thus the question is narrowing down before us. We now inquire, How much, as a matter of course, and a necessary consequence, ceased at the crucifixion? Everything of course which typified Christ and his ministry; every shadow the body of which was of him, and nothing more. This is in the strictest accordance with reason; for all can see that a shadow must cease when the substance comes, and a type cannot reach beyond its antitype; and since the Scriptures point to that only as ceasing at the death of Christ which was in its nature shadowy and typical, we conclude that nothing else did there cease, except that which met its substance and body in the work of our great High Priest, commencing with his offering up himself as the great Sacrifice for the sins of the world.
Concerning any institution or ceremony, then, we have only to inquire whether it was a ceremonial shadow, typical in its nature and looking forward to an antitype, to ascertain whether or not it ceased and became of no effect at the ushering in of this dispensation; and whatever it is claimed was annulled as the immediate consequence of the shedding of Christ's blood on Calvary, must be shown to be a type or ceremony pointing to scenes connected with that event.
These are plain principles, and easily within the comprehension of all; and yet there are those to be found so limited and narrow in their creed, so deceived themselves in their views of Scripture, or so dishonest in their exposition, so stiff-necked and rebellious against the requirements of God's holy law, or so ignorant of their length and breadth, as to declare that whatever Christ has not explicitly, with his own mouth, in so many words, re-enacted, repeated, and enjoined upon Christians, as such, they will neither acknowledge nor obey. Would that it were possible to present in its deserved light, the unfairness and fallacy of such a course.
We refer now more particularly to this manner of procedure as exemplified in relation to the Sabbath of the Lord. Why, say some, the Lord gave his disciples a commission, [Matt. xxviii, 19, 20,] to teach all nations to observe all things whatsoever he had commanded them; and, they add, Christ never commanded them to keep the Sabbath, therefore it is not now obligatory. If by this they mean that we do not find any such words recorded of Christ, as these, "I command you, christians, to keep the seventh day as the Sabbath of the Lord," so much we admit; but is this sufficient ground upon which to base the above conclusion? By no means. On the contrary we can show that there is not only no necessity for such a declaration on the part of the Saviour, but that to reject the Sabbath, because we do not find it, is but a miserable subterfuge. Indeed, this is apparent from the argument already produced; for did not the Saviour in his very first discourse teach the perpetuity of a law in this dispensation which existed in the old? and did he not transmit it to all future generations in all coming time? He certainly did. Of what law did he speak? We have shown that it was moral law, the rule of our actions, the standard of our righteousness. We have also shown that when the perpetuity of a law, as a code, is taught, the perpetuity of every single commandment of that code is also taught, as much as though they were specified one by one. And is not the Sabbath commandment a part of the moral law? It is placed in the very bottom of the decalogue, and is just as moral as any other precept which regulates our duty towards God. Then where is the necessity of a re-enaction, or an express declaration of this precept, when Christ enjoins upon us the observance of the law, as a whole, which contains it, and pronounces a blessing upon all who should do and teach it? It is in reality as explicit as though it was specified by name and its observance enjoined upon us. Then we ask again where is the necessity of a re-enaction? It were trifling with the Almighty to require it, and bold presumption as well as fatal folly to break forth into open transgression because we find it not.
Again: We have shown that nothing could cease at the cross, (we speak of course of religious institutions,) except that which was typical and pointed to the offering and the priestly work of Christ. But was there anything typical in the Sabbath institution? anything that prefigured the work of Christ? There was not. We defy the world to show it. Would it then cease at the cross? From the very nature of the case, it would not. And hence, even if the Saviour had not solemnly enforced upon us the precepts of the decalogue, we should have no excuse for believing them abolished, since, not being in any wise typical, the scenes of Calvary could not affect them; and there is no other time nor place nor cause given for their abrogation by the most ultra Antinomians.
But, third, if the sayings of Christ are the only law of this dispensation, and all that went before is superceded and done away by these, these are new enactments for this age. But nine of the original ten commandments are now confessedly binding. These must therefore have been re-enacted; but nothing can be re-enacted before it is abolished; and there was nothing abolished, as all must agree, before the crucifixion. Subsequent to that event, then, we must look for all re-enactments; but how many of the sayings of Christ have we recorded between his resurrection and ascension, showing us our duty? How many of the commandments did he re-enact, and enforce during that time, of which we have any record? Not one. But yet they are binding. Where then is the theory under discussion? Buried beneath the weight of its own insignificance.
No one can maintain that this is not the true nature of the case, and presented in a just light; but let us for the sake of argument allow our opponents for a moment a wider latitude. Admit that all the sayings of Christ during his whole ministry are to be taken into the account as re-enactments. What then? Will this theory even then hold good? Let us see. "Teach all nations to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you." But where has he commanded us not to have any other gods before our Creator? Where has he commanded us not to make unto us any graven image, nor how down to them? Where has he commanded us not to profane the name of God as prohibited by the third commandment of the decalogue? Where, we ask, has he given these commands in the manner in which our opponents claim that he should have given the Sabbath commandment to make it obligatory? Nowhere; but yet no moral man will contend that these are abolished. Therefore the theory is utterly at fault here. It is true the Saviour said, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve; [Matt. iv, 10;] but this is only what he said to Satan, to justify his own course in not falling down to worship him; and he refers for his authority to the books of Moses, "It is written," &c. But some may say, The Saviour commands us to love God with all the heart, and if we do this, we shall not break the first three commandments. Very true, we reply; neither will a person in this case break the fourth commandment.
Thus we find the position of our opponents insufficient for their purpose. It is lame, and impotent, and impudent, in every particular. No principle of morality expired at the cross of Christ, and there is no new one inculcated in the New Testament. Examine well this subject, brethren. Fortify yourselves against the no-law heresy. We shall have to meet it more and more, so long as the carnal heart is stirred up to seek out devices by which to evade the principles of God's government. The word of God is the only sure foundation. It is firmer than heaven's pillars, or earth's foundation stones; for though these all should pass, that word would stand.
Tent Meetings in Mt. Vernon, Iowa.
By J. H. W.
BRO. SMITH : We closed our meetings in Mt. Vernon, July 18th, and took down our tent. Next day we baptized seven believers in the present truth. We expected to start for Iowa City on the 20th; but the Cedar River was so high that teams could not cross it, and, unwilling to be idle, we complied with the request of some of the citizens of the village to put up the tent again.
Our meetings then continued over the 25th. The attendance was not very large, but the interest was good, and several more decided to keep the Sabbath. The brethren and sisters there are firm in the truth, and expect to meet much opposition. The Methodists are very numerous, and have a college there. Of course they are proud and popular, and do not like to have the infallibility of their system questioned. They have expressed their firm determination to prosecute all who keep the Sabbath and labor on the first day of the week. Our hope is that the brethren will arm themselves with the same mind that was in Christ, and possess their souls in patience. If the power of the dragon spirit against the truth in the West is first to be manifested in that place, we shall rejoice that the Lord directed our steps there.
The readers of the REVIEW will be pleased to learn that since Bro. Hull embraced the Third Angel's Message he has been diligently searching the Word, and is firm on all points of the present truth. He has given himself entirely to the work, and the Lord is blessing him and his labors. And yet the laborers are few. O that "the Lord of the harvest" may be entreated for more laborers, is my earnest desire.
Yesterday we had the tent (the circle only) conveyed to the river, and taken across in a common sized skiff. This was the only way that it could be taken over, and the ferry-man had to row about a mile to land it where a team could get to it. We soon got a farmer to bring it to this place, where we arrived about nine o'clock this morning. We hear that there is considerable interest about here, and several teams came in from the country on First-day expecting to find the tent here. We expect the Lord to work for his truth.
J. H. W.
Iowa City, July 27th, 1858.
A Good Resolve
A GOOD RESOLVE.—Said an aged native convert of one of the Hervey Islands, after receiving his first copy of the entire Bible, "My brethren and sisters, this is my resolve: the dust shall never cover my new Bible; the moth shall never eat it; the mildew shall not rot it; my light, my joy."
PRAYER.
By A. S. Hutchins
BY A. S. HUTCHINS.
(Concluded.)
In conclusion under this head, we feel constrained to say a few words to the young, that are looking for immortality and eternal life at the appearing of Jesus. Do not feel that you can be excused from bearing responsibility in family worship. Do not feel that the obligation of this duty rests wholly upon the heads of the family.
It is lamentable that most of the young among us, feel no more on this subject than they do. Their repeated neglect to join with others in the performance of this important duty; and the coldness and indifference often manifested during family worship, indicate a strong lack of interest here. It should not be so. It must be otherwise, if the union and strength, and power to prevail with God exists as it should in every Christian family in these last days. May the Lord pity and spare the young in the church of God, is my prayer.
Having offered the above remarks on the different kinds of devotion, private, public, and family, which we desire the reader may attend to as duty demands, we observe that it is the privilege of every Christian to possess a spirit of devotion, and prayer to God continually. A few examples from the Scriptures we think justify us in this conclusion.
Says David, "I give myself unto prayer." Ps. cix, 4. "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance." Eph. vi, 18. "Pray without ceasing." 1 Thess. v, 17. "Continuing instant in prayer." Rom. xii, 12.
These directions are in some measure fulfilled by faithfulness in the kinds of prayer previously mentioned, but they have a more complete fulfillment in bringing our mind to a heavenly and prayerful frame and constantly watching thereunto. Truly, "to be spiritually minded is life and peace." Rom. viii, 6.
In the language of another we say, "Such an habitually devout disposition of mind, will make every action of your life holy. You will learn to do nothing without connecting it by prayer with the presence and glory of God. You will see nothing, and hear nothing, without its raising your heart to him. What a spiritual life may the Christian, improving every thing by prayer, lead. This will consecrate every field, every wood, and every dwelling place. It will turn an ordinary walk into a morning or evening sacrifice. Making this heavenly use of earthly things, you will rapidly advance in conformity to the divine image, you will be strong in overcoming sin, and you will carry on schemes of good with a power which nothing can resist."
Again he remarks,
"We do not sufficiently attend to the growth of a devout spirit. We are too much content with former attainments, and often even fall short of them. But let us labor not only to keep our ground, but to make daily progress. The Christian's devotion should be like the flowing tide, which gradually gaining point after point, the retiring waves again and again returning, filling up all the vacancies, advancing and still advancing, at length replenishes, in regular progress, the whole space. Let the spirit of devotion advance till it fill our whole souls.
"Indeed the truly advanced Christian is known by this mark, as much as by any other. The man after God's own heart, is the man of devotion; one who is always in prayer; who says in the morning, 'when I awake I am still with thee;' and in the evening, 'I will both lay me down in peace, and take my rest, for thou Lord only makest me to dwell in safety.' Ps. iv, 8. In the midst of his business he is 'fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.' Rom. xii, 11. He can say, 'On thee do I wait all the day.' Ps. xxv, 5. 'He,' says Law, 'is the devout man, who considers God in every thing, who serves God in everything, who makes all the parts of his common life, parts of piety, by doing every thing in the name of God, and under such rules as are conformable to his glory.'
"Men of this world, the covetous and the impure, the licentious and the gay, even when outwardly engaged in other things, have their minds full of their particular sins. Let the Christian's heart then be filled with that great work in which he is engaged. As they pollute all their sacred duties by worldly thoughts, so let him consecrate all his common actions, by the constant and heavenly breathings of the soul unto God.
"In conversing with others on religious subjects, in going to the poor and afflicted, in visiting your own friends, in coming to the house of God, in hearing his word, in these, and the various other circumstances of our lives, the heart of the devout Christian will be sending upward many a secret petition; he will be silently wrestling with God; and gaining that divine blessing on all in which he is engaged, which others lose by carelessness and indifference.
"This is the old religion; this is the good way; these are the old paths. Jer. vi, 16. Thus Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and David walked with God; and those who walk thus now, find rest to their souls. In inviting the reader to this constant intercourse with God, we are inviting him to his highest privilege—friendship with his Creator; and to his richest enjoyment—delighting himself in communion with his Lord.
"Do you ask, how you are to obtain, and how you are to keep alive this spirit of prayer? You must seek it; you must cultivate it. The grace of God is sufficient."
It is the noble and exalted privilege of the real Christian to enjoy this blessed and saving communion with God, and to have his treasure, his heart and his conversation in heaven. Let this be his happy state of mind, and his affections will twine around the closing works of our great High Priest, with inexpressible fondness.
His heart ever flows with praise and gratitude to God. The service of our heavenly Master is most delightful. And as the unfolding signs indicate the near approach of the solemn moments when the wrath of God shall be poured out upon the wicked, the language of his heart is "The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe." Prov. xviii, 10. O praise the Lord for this blessed reflection! for such a transporting prospect.
In conclusion I would say as I have written on this interesting subject, my heart has burned within me for a closer walk with God; for a more prayerful and watchful state of mind at all times. And it is my firm purpose by assisting grace, to be sober and WATCH UNTO PRAYER. And to all who may read this, suffer me to urge upon you the impressive exhortation of him whom my soul loveth. "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.
Battle Creek, Mich., June, 1858.
Meetings in Northern Indiana.
By Joseph Bates
BRO. SMITH: Since the 10th inst. I have been in La Porte and North Liberty. In the latter place I spent a few days. Since Brn. Loughborough and Cornell were there last Spring, and some families embraced the present truth under their labors, the ministers have labored hard to overthrow and destroy all the good effect their labors had produced. The Methodists have the ascendancy. They took immediate measures to save their meeting-house from any further desecration by such teaching as Christ's soon second coming, the unconscious state of the dead, the requirements of God's law, and keeping the Sabbath of the Lord our God. They believe in common with other churches that Christ will come some time or another, but no one knows when; and that the dead know more than the living; that the law of God is holy, and binding on man, provided the fourth commandment is not enforced; that the Sabbath of the fourth commandment is right, if men remember to keep the first day of the week holy instead of the seventh.
The few that had confessed the truth were much discouraged by reason of the opposition, and had not met together to claim the promises of God as was their duty and privilege.
We held a few meetings in the village school-house. A few became interested, especially so when we came to the water-side, and Bro. Harvey was baptized. His aged father came several miles to see and hear. He became much interested, and declared that he should keep the Sabbath from thence forward; as also said his companion. The Lord help them so to do.
The church at La Porte have been passing through some trials by reason of some lawless and disorderly members desiring to walk in paths of their own choosing. Satan has tried various ways to distract and discourage the church from walking in the right way, but we trust they are now free to move onward in gospel order.
One of the enemy's devices was with a worthy sister recently from Germany, unable as yet to speak English. She was so beset with fear that God had cast her off, that she was tempted to take her own life because there was no hope for her. In this way she was deprived of sleep for five days and nights, in which time she was partially relieved two or three times in answer to prayer; but the fifth day of her trial the Lord in answer to prayer again freed her from the power of the enemy, and she became peaceful and much refreshed with quiet sleep. Praise the Lord for his great mercy and kindness to his believing children.
I arrived here evening before last, and found three had recently commenced to keep the Sabbath, who wish to hear more about this way. We commence meetings this evening in a hall now fitting up. Last evening a professed Magician was entertaining the people in their only public place for worship.
JOSEPH BATES.
Malta Station, De Kalb Co., Ills.
A Brief Statement of Our Labors
By James White
From Bro. White.
BRO. SMITH : Here we are in Iowa City, Iowa, and while Bro. M. Hull is preaching, we are writing. Bro. Hull is fully with us, and bids fair to be an efficient laborer. Congregations here are not large, but the interest is good.
We wish to say to the many dear friends who have addressed us by letter for the past two months, that we have not had time to answer their kind letters; neither have we had time to attend to all the business contained in those letters. To give our friends some idea of how our time is occupied, and how little spare time we have, we will give a brief statement concerning the last few weeks.
July 8th, at 2 P. M., we took the cars at Battle Creek for Jackson; at 2 A. M., the 9th, took the cars for Detroit; at 7 A. M. for Pontiac; at 9 A. M. took the stage for Orion; that evening preached in the Michigan Tent; Sabbath, the 10th, preached twice; First-day, 11th, preached once; 12th, took the stage and cars for Detroit; 13th, rode on the cars to Roch-ester, and after 9 P. M. walked a mile to Bro. Orton's; 14th and 15th bought a tent, and was attending to other business until the cars left for the West at 7 P. M.; rode on the cars all night; reached Green Spring, Ohio, the 16th, at 10 A. M.; rode in a wagon to Milan; Sabbath, the 17th, preached at Bro. Tillotson's; 18th, rode 12 miles, preached once in the Ohio Tent, and after Bro. Loughborough closed his discourse at half past 9 P. M., rode twelve miles; got to rest at 1 A. M., and was waked up at 5 to take the cars for home; reached Jackson at 6 P. M., the 20th; took the cars that night, reached home at 1 A. M.; went to the Office the 21st, and found a multitude of letters, and more business than we could attend to. At 2 P. M. received a letter urging us to visit Crane's Grove, Ills., by the 22d. This gave us two days to prepare 100 pages of MS. for the printers, read 40 pages of proof-sheet, and hastily attend to a week's work of other business. At 11 P. M., the 22d, took the cars; reached Crane's Grove the 23d at 6 P. M.; Sabbath, the 24th, met with the brethren in the forenoon at Bro. Berry's; in the afternoon preached in the school-house; the 25th, preached twice; the 26th, rode in a lumber wagon to Bro. Sanborn's, in Wis.; the 27th, rode in the same way back to Crane's Grove; the 28th, took the cars to Morrison; at 4 A. M., the 29th, took the cars for Iowa; rode thirty miles in a western stage; the 30th, rode horse-back to this place, 20 miles, swam the pony after a small boat one half mile; Sabbath, 31st, preached twice, and to-day once. And now, thank the Lord, we are well, free and happy. Health is better than for twelve years. We give this sketch that our friends may know where we are, what we have been doing, and why we do not answer their numerous letters.
August 1st, 1858. J. W.
LETTERS.
By D. T. Bourdeau
"Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another"
From Bro. Bourdeau.
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: It is now a little more than a year since the Lord in his great goodness, put it into my heart to embrace the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, and the doctrine of Christ's second coming; and I bless God for the light that shines on my pathway; for the increasing evidence I have that the Third Angel's Message is not a cunningly devised fable; and that I have identified myself with God's chosen people who are travelling the narrow way that leads to mount Zion.
I bless God that he has enabled me to heartily embrace the whole of present truth. I can see beauty, light and harmony in all the truth. I love the truth, and feel like saying that neither death, nor life, nor things present, nor things to come, shall be able to separate me from the Third Angel's Message. I thank the Lord for the union I have with those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. I have had to lay aside many preconceived notions and favorite opinions, and cut loose from the world, the honors and pleasures of the world and the churches, to fully embrace the truth, and become identified with God's people; but I have been more than recompensed for the little sacrifice I have been called to make. I thank God that I can feel somewhat the force of the following promise which the Lord made in the hearing of his disciples: "There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands for my sake, and the gospel's, but he shall receive an hundred fold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life." Mark x, 29, 30.
Yes, dear brethren and sisters, we have "an hundred fold now in this time." We have more true and faithful brethren and sisters, and fathers, and mothers, and friends, with persecutions, and the promise of eternal life in the kingdom of heaven. Blessed thought! Blessed promise! It should buoy our spirits up when we are called to pass through afflictions, and suffer for the precious cause that we have espoused. It should induce us to fight valiantly the good fight of faith, and strive for the unity of the faith—till we are one, even as Christ and the Father are one.
The Lord has greatly blessed me since I returned from the West. My health has been improving daily, and I have been encouraged in seeing those who first presented the truth to me, and some of my friends who have embraced the truth during the past year under my brother Augustine's labors, strong in the Lord, and in seeing four of my relatives understandingly receive the Third Angel's Message, and disposed to suffer afflictions with the people of God, that they may reign with him in glory. All those of my relatives who were, seemingly, good members of the churches (about twelve in number) have now become firm believers in the Commandments of God, and the Faith of Jesus. This truly encourages me, and confirms me in the belief that God is no respecter of persons; that in every nation he who feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
I have met with the brethren in Northern Vermont every Sabbath since I returned from Battle Creek, and we have had many refreshing seasons together, thank the Lord! My labors have been confined to my native place. I have had much freedom in presenting the truth to my former acquaintances, and to the French Baptists of this place.
When I arrived here, I found most of the brethren of Fletcher Vt., taking an active part in the so-called revivals, and, consequently, standing aloof from the church, and attaching very little importance to the Sabbath and the rest of present truth; but they are now realizing the danger in which they were placed, and endeavoring to retrace their steps. May the Lord help them to come back into the light is my prayer.
I have lately received a very cheering letter from Bro. Czechowski. He says, "the Lord has been very mindful of me since we parted at Rouse's Point; and, to my encouragement, he has converted a respectable French family in this place, composed of eight members, to the precious Sabbath of the Lord. Others are investigating. I have distributed many of your French tracts with good success. This is very encouraging to me. Blessed be the name of the Lord!"
We see, dear brethren and sisters, that the precious cause of present truth is advancing among the French, as well as among other nations. I hope that you will all feel interested in our department of the work. Pray for us, that we may accomplish the important duties that devolve upon us, in the fear of God. D. T. BOURDEAU.
West Enosburgh, Vt., July 16th, 1858.
The Counterfeit.
By F. M. Bragg
A MAN is traveling through this State, professedly as a philanthropist. His family of nine children, four men and women grown, are with him. They move with two daguerreian saloons, wagons, carriages and several cows, &c., and camp during their stay in each town in their saloons. Meanwhile, his wife takes daguerreotypes at half price. He labors, professedly, for the general good of his fellow-men ; lectures on temperance, phrenology, magnetism, and Spiritualism, (which is his hobby,) free of charge.
They have traveled in this way, I think, for more than three years under the special direction of the spirits. His zeal and devotedness to his cause are worthy of imitation in a good cause. "Shall ambition and avarice never sleep ? Shall they never want objects on which to fasten ? Shall they be so observant to discover, so acute to discern, so eager, so patient to pursue, and shall the benevolence of christians want employment ?"
While I heard him speak of love and benevolence of man to his fellow-man, I called to mind the instruction that the Lord has given the church through the gift of prophecy. The great Deceiver has a counterfeit as nearly like the true coin as possible. But it can be detected by those who rely solely upon the merits of a Saviour for salvation, and not good works.
While we behold the great counterfeit (Spiritualism) seducing its thousands, can we not trace it to the true coin ? Certainly, the counterfeit does not exist without the true to imitate.
F. M. BRAGG.
Cambridge, Wis.
BRO. SMITH:
By J. A. Wilcox
From Bro. Wilcox.
BRO. SMITH:
I can truly say that my faith in the promises of God, has been increasing, especially of late. I have proved the Lord to be indeed a prayer-hearing and a prayer-answering God. I know by happy experience that he is "a present help in every time of need," whenever I lift my heart's desire to him in childlike faith and simplicity. I will praise God for his unbounded goodness and long suffering to me, though I have to regret that I do not at all times appreciate the great goodness of God to a poor unworthy creature like myself.
I have been informed, by good authority, that the paper which has been published in New York city, a few months past, under the title of "The Way of Life," devoted to the cause of the revivals in the nominal churches, has been discontinued for want of a sufficient circulation, or funds. Their last issue, was the 10th inst., up to this date, July 23d.
Its leading principles, were expressed as follows: "We will advocate the interests of Catholic Christianity, leaning towards no particular church, giving precedence to no particular sect, as such, but, we trust, representing those most important principles which have united christians everywhere during the present religious revival."
Surely one would think that a religious paper, once established on such a broad basis as is expressed above, would receive a hearty, liberal support among the nominal churches as a mass, especially if the union of the different sects, is as strong as represented in the above extract. The fact that the "Way of Life" has failed, for want of means from those whose cause it was advocating, together with the determined opposition of the sects, as a body, against the solemn truths connected with the Third Angel's Message, of Rev. xiv, 9–12, wherever they are clearly presented among them, is sufficient evidence to my mind of their fallen, lamentable condition. Yet God has a few precious jewels still lingering in Babylon. As the voice of the Third Angel is sounding louder and louder, one after another are heeding the voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her my people, that yo be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.95In proof of this, we have testimony from time to time in the Review from such.
Dear brethren and sisters, I can truly say that I love the precious, present truth which God has intended as saving truth for this generation, if they will only heed it. But alas! how few are willing to heed it, and be despised enough to obey it. Many professed christians do not seem to realize that our beloved Redeemer trod a rough and thorny path, that he has set his followers an example that they should follow in his steps. I hope for one by the grace of God to be enabled to imitate him in all his blessed examples, and walk in the humble path he trod.
As the light of God's precious truth is shining brighter and brighter on our pathway, I feel to take fresh courage in this good warfare to the kingdom. I feel more than ever resolved by the help of God to never give over the struggle with the powers of darkness for eternal life, till victory turns on Zion's side. I expect my faith will be thoroughly tried. Says the prophet Daniel, "Many shall be purified, made white and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly, and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand."
The following words of the poet, express the feelings of my heart at the present time:
"Here o'er the earth as a stranger I roam,
Here is no rest, is no rest.
Here as a pilgrim, I wander alone,
Yet I am blest, I am blest.
For I look forward to that glorious day,
When sin and sorrow will vanish away.
My heart doth leap when I hear Jesus say,
'There, there is rest, there is rest.'"
J. A. WILCOX.
Williamsburg. N. Y., July, 1858.
SLEEP OF THE SAINTS.
By H. E. Bryant
Bro. Smith: I send you some verses which I took from an old paper, composed by Mrs. Sigourney.
H. E. Bryant.
How rest the saints in Christ, who sleep
Far from the tempter's power.
While for their loss the mourners weep,
In lonely hall and bower.
They rest unvexed by wildering dreams,
Of mortal care and woe,
Nor wake to taste the bitter streams
That through these valleys flow,
They rest as rests the planted seed,
Within its wintry tomb.
With hope from all its cerements freed,
To rise in glorious bloom.
They sleep as sleeps the wearied child
Upon its mother's breast.
Nor foe, nor fear, nor tumult wild
Invade their peaceful rest.
Then why with grief from year to year,
Their blessed lot deplore.
And shed the unavailing tear
For those who weep no more.
Ah, rather in their footsteps tread,
With quickened zeal and prayer,
And live as lived the holy dead,
That ye their rest may share.
On Keeping the Sabbath.
By A. A. Marks
God says, Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. Ex. xx, 8. But an individual offers to pay some indebtedness on the Sabbath, and I, for fear that I may be troubled to get my pay at any other time, consent to take it. A very small act to take some money and put in my pocket; but there are those that are ever ready to doubt the sincerity of Sabbath-keepers, and get something to tell against them. That man, say they, will take money on his Sabbath, if he is so very strict otherwise; and so we furnish them with something to talk about and thus bring the truth into disrepute. Have we avoided the appearance of evil? Have we remembered to keep the Sabbath holy?
Perhaps some one calls on us to receive a little money on the Sabbath, and surely it will be a very small act to count out the amount. But I think we should be apt to use some words, either in paying out or receiving money on the Sabbath, and Isaiah condemns our speaking our own words on that holy day. Isa. lviii, 13. The Lord rested on the seventh day from all his work. Again the neighbor of a Sabbath-keeper wishes to borrow some tools on the Sabbath. The commandment does not say that we shall not let our tools be used; we wish to accommodate; or perhaps it will offend some one to refuse. But think a moment. Will you help your neighbor to do that which you will not do yourself on the Sabbath? Would you lend a weapon of death to a murderer? You would not find tools for him to break the sixth commandment; but in lending on the Sabbath, you are finding tools for your neighbor to break the fourth commandment; and not only so, you encourage him in the practice of disturbing you on the Sabbath. Let us let our neighbors know that there is a separating line between us. and like David say, "Depart from me ye evil doers, for I will keep the commandments of my God."
A. A. MARKS.
Jackson, July 22d, 1858.
P. H. CADY
By P. H. Cady
From P. H. Cady.
Bro. Smith : I feel thankful to God for the great blessings I am daily receiving from his bountiful hand. I feel that his grace is all sufficient, and if I but put my trust in him, he will bring me off conqueror. The truth never appeared more precious to me than at the present time, and when I realize that this is the last warning this guilty world will ever bear, I feel to cry with the poet,
Fly, fly on wings of morning,
Ye who the truth can tell,
And sound the awful warning."
that souls may flee from Babylon, from the worship of the beast, and escape the wrath of God which will soon be poured out upon the ungodly.
The cause in Wisconsin seems to be rising. The remnant, as far as my knowledge extends, are trying to heed the counsel of the faithful and true Witness, to buy the gold, the white raiment, and the eyesalve. The labors of Brn. Waggoner and Andrews have proved a blessing. It seems the Lord is willing to save souls in Wisconsin. In Mackford, seven have lately embraced the truth, and the interest to hear is greatly increased. Good news of the same kind comes in from surrounding places. I believe it is time for the Lord to work in Wisconsin. The course that Stephenson and Hall have taken for two years past, seems to have cast a cloud over the once fair prospects of the cause in this State; but now that they have given up the Sabbath, many an honest soul is fired with new zeal, and ready to sacrifice their all in defense of the truth. Thus the way seems to be preparing for the truth to go with power. Brethren and sisters in Wisconsin, what shall we do? Shall we sit still and see the cause bleeding at every pore? No! no! Let us once more rally around the standard of present truth; let present truth be our theme; let us consecrate our time, talents, and substance to the Lord, and pray earnestly for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon us. Let us be humble and get into the place where the Lord can work again for the people. O that we may feel the importance of the time in which we are living, and the truths committed to our trust. That we may fully appreciate their importance, and live them out before the world, is my prayer.
I would say to the scattered flock generally, be of good cheer. Jesus is soon coming; yes, that blessed Jesus who gave his life a ransom for us, and is now completing his work in the heavenly Sanctuary will soon appear, the joy and rejoicing of his waiting people. Praise the Lord!