The following is an extract from a sermon by H. W. Beecher, preached in Plymouth church, Brooklyn, Sunday evening, Nov. 15, 1868:
“The want of indignation at flagrant wickedness is one of the alarming symptoms of our times. We are living in the midst of an amount of corruption second only to that of Sodom and Gomorrah. It seems as though society must dissolve, as though it must be unable to cohere much longer. And the most alarming thing is not the condition of our pulpits; it is the most absolute torpor of the public conscience. We are in cities that are full of churches in which the most monstrous ebullitions of wickedness seem not much to disturb the tranquility of the house of God. The Christianity of New York is no match for the depravity in that city. And what is true of that city is not untrue of many others. There has been a fair field, and a fair conflict; and to-day the conscience of New York is overwhelmed and put down.”
“Consider, too, the gigantic dishonesties that are taking place almost unrebuked in what I may call the money-power of the land. Do you know the nature of the swindles which are taking place in our midst? Do you know how capitalists, confederated, are using the whole community as a sponge, and squeezing them at their pleasure? Crimes are committed in our day, which, if they were reduced to their exact chemical elements, would include every shade of crimes that are known at Sing-Sing or Auburn; and they are committed by great men, by millionaires.”
“The corruption of the franchise is another subject that ought not to pass without a word of remark. This Government is built on a vote. But votes that are purchasable are quicksands; and a government built on them is built on quicksand, and cannot stand. There is no more alarming feature to-day than the corruption of our politics, beginning with the buying and selling of votes.”
“We might expect that the next stage of this corruption would be found in the legislative halls. I am sick when I think of it. The legislatures of these United States are so generally corrupt that those which are not corrupt are the exceptions. I do not think I slander when I say that the general rule to-day in legislatures is bribery—buying and selling. I do not mean that men consult each other's interests. I do not mean, in other words, that what is called in the West ‘log-rolling’ prevails merely, and that men openly and undisguisedly buy and sell, but that men form plans or rules, in which all public interests are bought and sold. Bribery and corruption the most profound, the most atrocious, and apparently increasing, is in our legislatures. And that is not the worst of it. It is known in every town and every county that the next legislature will be as bad as the one that went before it, and it is denounced accordingly. When the Republican goes down, and the Democratic comes up, it is just as bad; and vice versa. Whichever party goes to Albany, it is all the same. Men are about alike after being dissolved in that caldron. If they go there honest, they are sure to come back corrupted—such is the subtle nature of the disease which rages there.”
“I would that it stopped even here; but corruption has gone still higher. The last refuge of justice is in our courts; and yet, so corrupt are our courts become that the name of judge stinks! There is nothing that excites my indignation more. There is no treachery so base. There is nothing that I forgive myself so unwillingly for as meeting a corrupt judge and not frowning upon him—yea, and striking him! Not but they are subjects of mercy; but if there was only some man holding the relation of parent, that could take some of these sturdy judges and renew the scenes of their youth, I should heartily rejoice. They plunder, and are known to plunder. They make decisions, and hold them up for sale. They make actions of justice, and among the seekers for justice they bid for bribers. And what then? They are elected again to the supreme bench, or to the circuit courts. They are elected because they are corrupt.”
“Friends and brethren, I have borne my testimony. I have not overstated anything. I have understated everything. I have not exaggerated either the corruption or the danger. It is not less, it is far greater than I have stated it.”
We quote this the more freely because no one can set it down as an ebullition from the excited brain of an alarmist or a croaker. And what must be the state of things which can compel such a description from one who is disposed to put the best construction upon all phases of society, one who believes in the progression of the race, a good time coming, a Christian millennium? Let the reader judge. But can such evils continue and the judgments of God long delay? Is God partial? Could he justly destroy the antediluvians and Sodomites, and pass unpunished equal wickedness in these days? No, the judgment of this sinful generation cannot long delay. Are we not in the midst of the perils that are to usher in the last great day, our opponents themselves being judges?
DIVES AND LAZARUS.
By John Nevins Andrews
It is probable that no one portion of Scripture has stood more in the way of people in general when the doctrine of the sleep of the dead is first brought to their notice than the account of Dives and Lazarus. Luke xvi, 19–31. This is deemed a clear, minutely circumstantial, and decisive proof of man's conscious existence in death: The righteous during the state of death being happy in the bliss of Heaven; the wicked tormented in the flames of hell. Yet even to the common theory of conscious existence in death, this text presents very serious difficulties.
1. If Lazarus was in Heaven, and Dives in hades, how could they converse together? Is hades in the third Heaven somewhere in the sight of the New Jerusalem? Oh! no; hades is in the depth of the earth.
2. Is hades a place of knowledge and instruction? By no means. It is a place where there is no work, nor knowledge, nor wisdom. It is a place of darkness, silence, secrecy, corruption, and worms.
3. Those in hades are represented as DEAD. Their thoughts have perished; they sleep the sleep of death.
This account is on all hands acknowledged to be a parable. It is, however, very different from any other of our Lord's parables. The others relate to things in this life, but the scene of this is laid in hades, the285place of the dead, and those who converse together are dead men. Is there no key given in this parable that will enable us to unlock its meaning? Indeed there is. When Abraham denies the request that Lazarus should be sent to warn the living that they come not to Hades, the place of the dead, unprepared, he adds as a sufficient reason, “They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.” “If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.”
Then we are divinely authorized to search Moses and the prophets on this subject with the assurance that we shall receive correct instruction. These writers all place hades in the interior of the earth, and make it a place of utter darkness and silence, where there is no knowledge; yet they present several cases of the dead in this very place conversing, lamenting, or being comforted.
But, probably, no one thinks there are literally dead kings sitting on thrones deep in the earth, and holding discourse. The dead are not alive. Hades is not a place of thought, but one of utter forgetfulness and deep sleep.
When persons or things which have no life and no consciousness are represented in the Scriptures as talking, how do we understand such declarations? Not that they do really have feelings, and thoughts, and powers of utterance, but that they are personified, and made to speak and act just as they would under the existing circumstances were they indeed alive and capable of thought and utterance. Things which in the purpose of God are to be, he can speak of as existing, simply because they shall exist. So to God the dead are alive, simply because they are, according to his purpose to live again. Compare Luke xx, 38; Rom. iv, 17. There is, therefore, the utmost propriety in thus presenting before the living the dead in hades, and giving them opportunity to speak just as they would, had they the powers of thought and utterance. This kind of speaking is often found in the Bible. It is that kind of intense personification called in rhetoric, Prosopopœia, “by which things are represented as persons, or by which things inanimate are spoken of as animated beings, or by which an absent person is introduced as speaking, or a DECEASED PERSON IS REPRESENTED AS ALIVE and present.” See Webster.
Thus when Job sets forth the nature of that wisdom which is from above, he introduces four things destitute of life, two of them being the very opposite of life, to speak concerning the place of wisdom:
“The depth saith, It is not in me; and the sea saith, It is not with me.” “DESTRUCTION and DEATH say, We have heard the fame thereof with OUR EARS.” Job xxviii, 14, 22.
The reader will find a brief treatise on this subject in the tract entitled, “The Wicked Dead,” in which the texts relating to hades and the condition of those therein are very fully given. The account of Dives and Lazarus does not contradict those Scriptures that represent the Judgment as coming before the reward of the righteous and the punishment of the wicked.
J. N. ANDREWS.
THE FATHERS AND THE BIBLE.
By D. T. Bourdeau
1. We should not go to the Fathers, to establish a doctrine that is not found in the Bible; else the Bible is not a sufficient rule of faith, and Protestants have erred in receiving it as such.
2. The Fathers contradict each other, and often contradict themselves. Hence, to use the language of Adam Clarke, “we should take heed how we quote the Fathers in proof of the doctrines of the gospel; because he who knows them best, knows that on many of those subjects they blow hot and cold.”
3. Many of the Fathers had been heathen philosophers, and retained some of their heathen notions, blending them with Christianity. Hence it is that,
4. By their writings you can prove many of the doctrines of Papacy.
5. Many productions that are attributed to them by some, are forgeries. They cannot be traced to the persons whose names they bear, and many of them cannot be traced to the ages in which they purport to have been written.
6. Some of their writings have been garbled and interpolated in the dark ages by Roman Catholics to suit their purposes; so that upon the whole,
7. It is safe to follow them only so far as they agree with the Bible.
8. The Bible as a sufficient rule of faith and practice, thoroughly furnishes us unto all good works, showing us how the primitive church believed and practiced, and how the church in this age should live; while genuine history, whether from the Fathers or some other source, shows us how the church has lived. The Scriptures teach that the mystery of iniquity, or Man of Sin, commenced to work in Paul’s time, and that errors were to be taught and received at an early age, 2 Thess. ii, 7; Acts xx, 28–32; 2 Tim. iv, 1–4; Jude 3; so that if history proves that this has happened, it only confirms the truth of the Bible, and shows that the church has erred in departing from the truth. But when history, treating on the times of our Lord and his apostles, states facts respecting the faith and practice of the primitive church, which are contrary to the teachings of God’s word, then may it be safely pronounced spurious.
D. T. BOURDEAU.
EASTERN TOUR.
By James White
Our meeting at South Lancaster, Mass., closed well. There was a good interest from first to last. Several backsliders came forward with good confessions, and quite a flock of the youth made a good start to serve the Lord.
The entire congregation voted in favor of a camp-meeting next summer, which may be held near Manchester, N. H., either before, or immediately after haying.
There was manifested at this meeting a good interest in the circulation of books. Many were taken for free distribution, and about $300 were pledged to circulate books.
After meeting we returned to Boston, and spent one night with Bro. Leighton, and one with Sr. Temple. The Lord is doing a great work for this woman, who is consecrating herself anew to God. Her position and business, and the present condition of her family is such that brethren and sisters should wait to be invited before visiting her.
We spent some time in Boston looking for, and purchasing good books. These are needed. Our young people need good books. They are using their money for things of no real value which should be laid out in good books. We shall keep a choice supply of religious books of the highest order for sale at the Office. Our people had much better pay their money for good books than to worse than waste it at the daguerrean saloon for pictures of their own faces.
It is true that there is a power in pictures. But these insipid pictures of one's self lead to an idolatrous worship of self. These lead from God, from Christ, and Heaven. But there are pictures which make us better by beholding. They lead to God, to Christ, and Heaven. In Boston we found most impressive pictures and mottoes, and purchased some for ourselves and our brethren who may wish them, and suggest that they take the place of pictures of warriors and the insipid shadows of mortal faces.
We have a motto in large ornamental letters. In the center is a beautiful figure of the tables of stone, on which is written the ten commandments, resting in a beautiful cloud. Here is a dignified, instructive, and beautiful motto and picture which will not fail to impress the beholder with the holiness of God's law and its divine author, and make him better. There is a power in pictures, and if we must have them, let us have good ones.
Another and a most impressive picture and motto, is a figure of the cross with a hand holding it, with these words: “Simply to thy cross I cling.” We also have several mottoes and pictures of Christ in the hour of his agony. There is a power in pictures, and if we must have them let us have those which will impress us with holy things, make us better, and lead us toward, not from, Heaven.
Sabbath and first-day, Dec. 12, 13, we spent with the brethren in Rhode Island, assembled at Curtis Corners, near Kingston. Bro. Canright and Haskell came from Massachusetts to meet with us. We have had good liberty in speaking to this people; but they have appeared nearly asleep to the great practical truths for this time. We have spoken plainly and in earnest, and leave the result with God. But little may be hoped for Rhode Island without a thorough consecration of the professed friends of the cause in that State. The meeting has had a good influence on the people. May it result in much good. We now return to Boston, thence to Rochester on our way to the meeting near Wellsville. JAMES WHITE.
REPORT FROM BRO. BLANCHARD
By H. C. Blanchard
PURSUANT to appointment, I met with the church at Gridley, McLean Co., Ill., Nov. 13. Owing to a mistake in giving out my appointment for the evening, two meetings were given out for me some four miles apart. Some came to both places, but, of course, I could attend but one of the meetings. Held six meetings with them; spoke five times. Found the church in a lukewarm state. Oh! how painful to the minister to find the church in such a condition! When I arose to preach, the evening after the Sabbath, I was so burdened and distressed because of the coldness and backwardness on the part of the church, I could but say that I was distressed because of the condition of things. I felt like weeping aloud, and saying, “Oh! that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people.” See Jer. ix, 1.
I told the friends I did not know what to say, as my mind was shut, and no subject presented itself to me to speak from; and that the language of my heart was, “O Lord, revive thy work,” which reminded me that the prophet Habakkuk used these words in his prophecy, iii, 2, from which I spoke with freedom. The melting, confessing Spirit of the Lord came in among us, and after I had concluded, humble and confessing testimonies were borne, and penitential tears were seen to flow freely.
This is the way to have the mercy of the Lord secured to us. “Whoso confesseth and FORSAKETH [his sins] shall have mercy.” See Prov. xxviii, 13. Oh! may there be a coming up in the ranks of this church, is my prayer. I remained with them until Tuesday, the 17th, when I started for my appointment in Woodburn, Macoupin Co., Ill.
The weather was cold and stormy. Bro. Slown went with me four miles to Lexington, to help me carry my baggage. We chose to go on foot, as it would be much warmer. I arrived in Shipman at 7 o'clock in the evening. Owing to a slight mistake in the notice, as given in the Review, Bro. Penniman did not meet me as I expected; so I stopped at a German hotel for the night, and on the 18th walked seven miles to his house, where I found kind friends who welcomed me. Bro. P. had secured the Methodist meeting-house to commence our meetings in.
At 6 o'clock, three bells were ringing for meetings. We have had twenty-one meetings in Woodburn. Continued our meetings in the M. E. church until the 27th, when a minority of the members turned us out. But the Lord brought good out of it, for it opened the eyes of some.
The Disciples immediately offered their house as long as we wanted it, so our meetings were not interrupted. The Methodists assigned us as a reason for turning us out that we were not preaching their doctrine; that it was not orthodox. But I will not be ungrateful for the use of their house for ten evenings; albeit they will allow me to remind them that they had the use of one of our houses for some four months.
The interest has been slowly increasing. I have presented the signs of the times embracing some eight or nine chains of prophecy reaching to the coming of the Lord. I have also presented the claims of the Sabbath, and some are already keeping it. Others are almost persuaded to keep it.
I shall labor on here for some time yet, trusting in the Lord. Pray for me. H. C. BLANCHARD.
Woodburn, Ill., Dec. 8, 1868.
SHORT PARAGRAPHS.
By JOS. CLARKE
If we were as anxious to avoid sin, and to break off from it, as we are to have our transgressions forgiven, we would have many less sins to repent of.
There is no condemnation to those that believe. Why? Because when accused of sin they repent of it, and to them it is reproof, not condemnation; but to the sinner it is condemnation, because his proud heart does not bow to the charge; he stubbornly resists instruction. To him it is not reproof, but condemnation. If he would bow to the charge, and repent of his sins it would change the accusation into a reproof. What a power has humility.
Herod was having a nice time with his unhallowed paramour; but John the Baptist threw in a plain but kind reproof. It was a torpedo to poor Herod. Oh! says he to John, you have destroyed my peace, and the peace of my family. Had he, like David, repented, it would not have been a missile of destruction, but a herald of peace to him and his. There is a charm in godliness which is more wonderful than the fabled philosopher’s stone, which purported to turn all it touched into gold.
SOURED. When your bread is soured it is unfit for use. When a certain political giant soured because he was not nominated for the presidency, he ruined himself for either party. So of the father, or mother, or teacher, or friend. When they sour you almost despise them.
When the patience fails, sit still, wait, be silent. Do not speak. Do not sour. Watch, pray, love God and his people. Do not sour; it will ruin you, and all you have under your influence. It is not a trifle, a mere pecadillo, to sour; it will as effectually ruin you as would adultery, or murder, or theft, if not overcome.
If you would harden the heart, you have only to neglect prayer and watchfulness, or allow it to degenerate into a mere form. A worldly spirit will come in, which will make your heart as hard as the enemy can make it. You can, at the same time, by a careful moral exterior, maintain a fair standing in many churches, and be much beloved by the world. It is very easy to harden the heart.
To be patient, two things are requisite, especially.286One is, do right yourself at all events, and under all disadvantages. The next is, to bear with others who do wrong; not to let it disturb your mind so as to be excited, or provoked. There are other things, but these are the main qualifications. All is to be done in the fear and love of God.
If you would teach children the fear of the Lord you must love and fear him yourself. A child understands your tones better than you do. Children have an especial detestation of hypocrisy, pedantry, and difficult words. JOS. CLARKE.
Awakened to Present Truth
By R. F. Phippeny
From Sr. Phippeny.
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: I would once again give in my testimony for present truth. How dear it is to me. Having been asleep, as it were, I have been, through God's mercy, awakened, or in part at least, by the labors of Bro. Lawrence and the influence of the camp-meeting. I was not there, but the work that was done there reached even me. Thank the Lord for his goodness to me.
But I am not awake enough yet. Oh! that God may arouse me more and more, that I may more fully realize the position I am occupying in this important time. I think I can see now what a perilous situation I was in; how near the brink of a precipice I was standing but a short time ago. I cannot think of losing that precious boon, eternal life, and the pleasure of a home with my Saviour in that sinless clime. Oh! I must have a home in the city of my God. I must have that new name written upon me, that is promised to the overcomer. I will try to overcome everything that is wrong in the sight of God, that I may be one of the jewels that shall be placed in the casket of the Lord.
May God bless his servants that are laboring so hard and faithfully to awaken the church and people to a sense of their fearful situation. With what great power Satan is working, and with what signal success can be seen by looking around upon the masses, the professor with the worldling. Oh! for the loud cry of the third angel, that a slumbering world may be aroused, and the honest ones be getting ready for the great decisive day that is just at hand.
Let us gird ourselves more closely, rid ourselves of every hindering cause, that we may be fully prepared when the last, decisive moment comes.
Yours in hope of eternal life. R. F. PHIPPENY.
Ithaca, Mich., Dec. 1, 1868.
WILLARD W. STEBBINS
By Willard W. Stebbins
From Bro. Stebbins.
Dear Brethren and Sisters: I feel to say to you through the Review that of late my love for the truth has been increased. I have felt as never before since the precious truths of the third angel greeted my ears, how truly solemn the time in which we live, and the great importance of having a deep abiding work wrought in my heart. How necessary that daily conversion be wrought within us. How stirring the thought that our individual cases will soon pass the solemn test. A few more days, perhaps, and then, O my soul! thy eternal destiny is sealed. Oh! then gird the armor around thee, shake off the stupor so fatal, and watch the door of thy heart, that the enemy break not in and make void thy solemn vows.
My confidence in this great work is unwavering. I dare not doubt that the hand of the Lord is in it. Brethren and sisters, it is very important that we live in harmony with the truth, and be in union with the body. Let us press together and be more compact in the Lord. We must get rid of this death stupor that has crept over us, and seek a more full conversion to the truth. In view of the great work yet to be accomplished within us, I say, we must quicken our pace and wake up our dormant energies, “lest coming suddenly he find us sleeping.” Satan is at work as never before to destroy, scatter, and divide the little flock. And most signally are his darts aimed at the faithful messengers of the cross. If, in the wisdom of God, a faithful one is rising to usefulness in the cause, his rage will be kindled against him.
How gladly in this hour of awakening to the church would he press fanaticism into our ranks. But, thank God, his time is short. Brethren, let us plead for heavenly wisdom, that we may successfully war against the powerful enemy. I mean, by God’s help, to be more thorough in the work of overcoming. Oh! the dangerous position of those that fail to arise with God’s people. My heart goes out after such. O sleeping brother or sister, awake from thy coldness, throw open thy heart to the softening, refining, and melting influences of God’s Holy Spirit, before thy name shall pass the final test in the court of Heaven. Oh! seek a full union with God’s people, share in their blessings here, and their reward hereafter. May God help us to be lights in the several communities where he has placed us. May our speech be such as shall administer grace to the hearers. And at last when the great Judge shall have decided our cases, may it be said of us, “Well done,” and I with you share in the glories of the new earth.
“O blessed Saviour! may we feel
The full importance of this hour.”
WILLARD W. STEBBINS
Raymond, Pa.
REPORT FROM CALIFORNIA.
By John Norton Loughborough; D. T. Bourdeau
We have held fourteen meetings in this place since the close of the first report, and have dwelt mainly on the law and Sabbath. We have not large congregations, but those who attend are interested. We held our first Sabbath meeting last Sabbath, and had quite a good attendance for the place. Six have already taken their stand on the Sabbath, and others are deeply convicted. We hope that more will take up the cross.
Among those who have come out on the Sabbath is a French lady, who is a doctress, and gives French lessons. May more of that nation be led to receive and rejoice in the truth on this coast. Just at this point we are busily engaged, not only in laboring publicly, but also and especially in talking the truth from house to house. At times we have some of the blessing of the Lord to encourage us.
We have unusually fine weather for this season of the year. Fearing that it might not last long, we have improved our time in holding meetings every night; but as the weather still holds good, we have taken one night to rest. We learn that they are having good meetings at Petaluma.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH,
D. T. BOURDEAU.
“Two Whens.”
By R. F. Cottrell
BRO. SMITH: Your remarks on 2 Thess. i, 6-10, are in harmony with the view I have taken of the text for the last fifteen years and more; and some mention of it in the REVIEW, not long since, caused me to resolve to write a little comment on it as you have done. Your exposition of it is perfectly satisfactory to my mind; but it may aid others in the investigation, perhaps, if I add one more thought. I observe then that if the everlasting destruction of the text is executed at the same time when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven, the tenses should agree, and the text should read, “taking vengeance” on the ungodly, punishing them with everlasting destruction, instead of “who shall be punished;” and this would render the second “when” redundant, and exclude it from the passage.
R. F. COTTRELL.
The Love of God Immeasurable.
I CAN measure parental love—how broad how long, and strong, and deep it is. It is a sea—a deep sea, which mothers and fathers can only fathom. But the love displayed on yonder hill and bloody cross where God's own Son is perishing, for us, nor man nor angel has a line to measure. The circumference of the earth, the altitude of the sun, the distance of the planets—these have been determined; but the height, depth, breadth, and length of the love of God passeth knowledge. Such is the Father against whom all of us have sinned a thousand times! Walk the shore where the ocean sleeps in the summer calm, or lashed into fury by the winter's tempest, is thundering on her sands; and when you have numbered the drops of her waves, the sand on her sounding beach, you have numbered God's mercies and your sins. Well, therefore, may we go to him, with the contrition of the prodigal in our hearts, and his confession on our lips—“Father, I have sinned against Heaven and in thy sight.” The Spirit of God helping us thus to go to God, be assured that the father, who seeing his son afar off, ran to meet him, fell on his neck, and kissed him, was but an image of Him, who not sparing his own Son, but giving him up to death that we might live, invites and now awaits your coming.—Dr. Guthrie.
Fellowship with Christ
FELLOWSHIP WITH CHRIST.—We want fellowship—not with a sentiment, nor with a tradition, nor with an ideality, but with a real living, personal being—WITH CHRIST.
Rejoicing in Advent Truth
By H. E. Beebe
SR. H. E. BEEBE writes from Clinton Co., Mich.: It has only been a little over a year and a half since I first heard the Advent doctrine preached. I knew there was such a class of people, but of their faith, I knew nothing. When one of the messengers came here, and commenced a course of lectures, I was too indifferent even to go and hear. My husband went several evenings, and would tell what he heard. Finally, my curiosity becoming awakened, I went; became interested, and continued going till I was convinced that it was the truth, and am to-day rejoicing in the glorious light which the great Giver of every good and perfect gift has caused to shine upon my once darkened pathway, and am humbly trying to walk in it. I encounter many trials and temptations by the way, but they are as nothing to what my Saviour endured, and they will “work out for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,” if they are borne patiently and meekly. Let us arouse, put on the whole armor, and bear these things as becomes the followers of the meek and lovely Jesus. But a few more trials and temptations, and, if faithful, we shall outride the storm, and anchor safe in the harbor of eternal rest.
The Blessing of Christian Fellowship
By H. Clough
SR. H. CLOUGH writes from Nebraska: Through the kind care and mercy of the Lord, I have arrived at the end of my long journey. I am here without one of like precious faith to converse with; but I look back with a degree of pleasure on the many precious privileges I have enjoyed with the saints of God the past summer. I think I shall more than ever appreciate the blessing of Christian fellowship. Dear brethren and sisters, let us with renewed zeal press on in the narrow way. It will terminate in everlasting life.
“The road may be rough, but it cannot be long;
I’ll smooth it with hope, and I’ll cheer it with song.”
ON THE BRIGHT SIDE.—
“I am on the bright side of severity,” said an aged man of God; “the bright side, because nearer to everlasting glory.” “Nature fails,” said another, “but I am happy.” “My work is done,” said the countess of Huntingdon when eighty-four years old; “I have nothing to do but to go to my Father.” To a humble Christian it was remarked, “I fear you are near another world.” “Fear it, sir!” he replied; “I know I am; but, blessed be the Lord! I do not fear it, I hope it.”
Obituary Notices.
By S. T. Belden
Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth.
DIED in Berlin, Conn., Nov. 25, 1868, of consumption, Sarah B., wife of S. T. Belden, aged 45 years.
The deceased was daughter of Robert Harmon, born in Portland, Me., where she also spent the early part of her life. She sought and found the Saviour at an early age in life, and was among those who embraced the Advent doctrine when it was first presented by Miller, Litch, and others, in that city. She loved the doctrine of the near coming of the Saviour, and was sorely disappointed with others in 1844. Her faith has ever been unshaken in that movement's being the work of God in the fulfillment of his word. She embraced the Sabbath, with others of her father's family, as the light first dawned on the subject in connection with that of the sanctuary and kindred doctrines of the third angel's message, and cherished the love of them with the Christian hope to the last.
Her last days, although of severe suffering, were marked with self-examination and resignation to the will of God. Her mind was perfectly clear to the last. She had the satisfaction of calling each one of her children to her bedside fourteen hours before her death, and urging them to give their hearts to the Saviour while young, &c. The hour of parting was an affecting one. May the promises there made never be forgotten. After giving some general directions and a charge to each, she seemed anxious to leave this scene of suffering.
She leaves a husband and five children to mourn the loss of a dear companion, a faithful, affectionate wife and mother; but we try to remember the words of the apostle not to mourn as those who have no hope.
The following lines are from her next older sister:
“Softly, ye gentle ones,
Tread round the tomb;
Death has no victory,
The grave no gloom;
Jesus has purchased
The spirit's release,
And moored the frail bark
In the haven of peace.”
S. T. BELDEN.
Appointments.
And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of Heaven is at hand.
THE next Quarterly Meeting for the Mackford and Marquette churches will be held at Mackford, Wis., the first Sabbath in January, 1869. Cannot Bro. Steward be with us at that time?
By order of the church. G. W. Sheldon.
PROVIDENCE permitting, I will meet with the churches in Iowa, as follows: Pilot Grove, Sabbath and Sunday, Jan. 2, 3; Iowa City, Tuesday evening, 5; Lisbon, Sabbath and Sunday, 9, 10; Marion, Tuesday evening, 12; Laporte City, Sabbath and Sunday, 16, 17; Fayette, Wednesday evening, 20; Waukon, Sabbath and Sunday, 23, 24.
We expect a good attendance at these meetings. Geo. I. Butler.
THE next Monthly Meeting for the churches of Oakland, Johnstown, and Little Prairie, Wis., will be held at Little Prairie, Jan. 2, 3. We hope all the scattered friends will be present. Meeting to commence Sabbath evening. Will Bro. Steward attend? C. W. Olds.
Annexed to each receipt in the following list, is the Volume and Number of the Review & Herald to which the money receipted pays,—which should correspond with the Numbers on the Posters. If money for the paper is not in due time acknowledged immediate notice of the omission should then be given.
$1.00 each. J Adams 33-23, C K Ackley 34-1, M E Lockwood for R C Bush 32-14, T O Brackett 33-16, S K Bennett 33-23, C H Hosley 34-7, M A Walker 34-15, M J Clarke 33-15, L Reynolds 34-1, H Sanford 33-6, W McClenathan 34-1, R R Cogshell 33-1, P Lightner 33-7, H M Kilgore 34-21, Mrs B Styles 34-1.
$2.00 each. Ellen M Forges 35-1, E Glascock 35-1, A True 34-1, F M Palmiter 35-1, I Z Lamb 33-4, W Lockwood 34-1, Asa Green 33-2, L B Kneeland 35-1, P W Baker 35-1, Jane Shafer 34-1, G Holbrook 35-1, L C Tolhurst 33-1, B E Sutherland 35-11, J P Burroughs 33-1, S Lusk 35-1, W Radde 34-1, E A Mantor 34-1, J B Webster 34-17, E H Root 35-1, I E Churchill 33-2, H D Bruce 35-1, Mrs H Boyers 35-1, C McNeil 37-9, W N Brown 32-18, Mrs F Glascock 35-1.
Miscellaneous. L E Sutliff $2.50 33-14, J E London 2.20 34-1, P Palmiba 4.50 (2 copies) 35-1, P Palmiba 5.00 36-1, J Fisher 1.50 34-14, C E Rathbun 1.50 34-14, O D Washburn 1.65 35-16, Mrs L Tarbell 4.00 37-1, J T Ashley 3.00, 38-1.
Books Sent by Mail.
Mrs M B Bronson $1.52, L E Sutliff 1.00, J Pease 70c, P H Cady 5.00, F M Palmiter 50c, J London 2.80, P B Peterson 1.00, A W Smith 2.00, M W Steele 20c, P W Baker 80c, J E Shaffer 1.00, M J Clarke 1.50, B N Berry 3.00, A G Crocker 40c, M F Crocker 40c, J Merriam 10c, B M Crandall 1.50, J G Pratt 25c, J G Crandall 60c, W G Allen 1.00, L Hadden 1.00, C M Shepard 2.00, W R Irish 15c, Phebe Smith 1.40, D Washburn 2.25, H W Gardner 1.22, P Lightner 1.00, P Richmond 50c, L W Styles 1.16, Mrs B Styles 1.00, E F Wilson 1.00, T T Wheeler 1.40, A L Downer 2.00, Mrs E G Noble 50c, S C Perry 2.40, O B Brooks 25c, J M Orrock 3.60, T M Steward 1.10, Mrs F Glascock 42c.
Books Sent by Express.
C W Olds, Palmyra, Jeff. Co., Wis., $20.25. H F Phelps, Pine Island, Goodhue Co., Minn.
Receipts for Benevolent Fund.
Alva True $10.00, Lonisa Upson 10.00, E Macomber 2.00, A Friend 7.00, E W Bliven 10.00, Warren Sanborn 10.00, Mrs F Glascock 10.00.
Received on Book and Tract Fund.
A W Smith $5.00, Warren Sanborn 5.00, Mrs Fanny Glascock 2.23.
General Conference Missionary Fund.
Warren Sanborn $10.00, Mrs Fanny Glascock S. B. 12.00.
Michigan Conference Fund.
Church at Burlington $50.00, Charlotte, 37.50
For California Mission.
Mrs F Glascock $2.00.
Brief Arguments on Life and Death
The leading article in REVIEW, No. 24, entitled, “Brief Arguments on Life and Death,” was inadvertently left without credit. It was from the pen of Bro. J. N. Andrews.
Work for a Sabbath-Keeping Young Man
There is a young man, a Sabbath-keeper, in Battle Creek, from New England, who would be very glad to get work the coming winter in some Sabbath-keeping community. He came West for that purpose. Any brethren knowing of such a chance will confer a favor by addressing the Editor of this paper immediately. Said young man is 22 years of age, and can do any kind of farming work, but would prefer to learn some good trade. Those who interest themselves in this matter will do a truly Christian act.