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Review and Herald, Vol. 40, No. 26.

THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT:
Earlier text: Repentance

Next Volume.

By Editor

This number closes volume 40 of the Review. Next week commences volume 41, which is designed to be a volume of especial interest to those who wish to learn the great points of our faith, in connection with what we are doing as a people. This is to be the trial volume, offered to persons who wish to send it to their friends on trial for the unmentionable sum of fifty cents. Where are the 20,000 names called for? Bro. White states in this number what he and sister White intend to do on the next volume. Nothing more need be said relative to interesting features which the paper will contain. Other contributors will act their part. Let there be a forward movement all along the line. Now is a favorable time. Strong allies, in the shape of strange influences, and startling events which are calculated to arrest the attention of the world in its giddy career of folly and pleasure, are coming into the field to help us in our work. Read Bro. Haskell's article in another column on missionary labor.

Things Said in London.

At a thanksgiving dinner, given by Cyrus W. Field, in London, Eng., Nov. 28, 1872, Hon. Wm. E. Gladstone, speaking of the separation of the American colonies from the mother country, and the efforts of England to prevent that separation, said:—
“We, on our part, are now able to see that with motives honorable, we were in error, that we were struggling against nature. Struggling, I may venture to say, even against Providence.”
We italicize this last word, as it expresses the now prevailing conviction that Providence very manifestly worked in the establishment of this government.
Mr. Field, in responding, after stating that they were proud of what was already done in the way of connecting distant parts of the world by telegraphic cable, proceeded to state what was about to be done.
He said that “a cable was about to be laid from England to Brazil; another, from Panama down to the coast of the Pacific; another, from California to Japan and China; another, from Australia to New Zealand, and another, to the Cape of Good Hope. The gentlemen who surrounded him were a telegraphic family, and when all this work was accomplished he prayed God they might meet together and rejoice that they had done something to bind the different nations of the world together.”

What Shall Be Done?

By John Norton Loughborough

Done with what? Done with whom? What shall be done with the cases of persons who have so little sense of the great magnitude and solemn importance of the work of God at this time, that they study more to serve their own selfish ends than to serve God’s cause? Not having a burden of the work upon them, they are not prepared to sympathize with those who are bearing heavy burdens, and are ready to call in question, and sit in judgment upon, the manner in which the true burden-bearers do their part in the work. And these complainers—whom Jude calls “spots in your feasts of charity”—while they call in question the manner of doing, are the last persons to suggest any better plan of doing. Always complaining, yet hardly ever found ready to take any burdens themselves. Not willing to do what they might do if their energies were dedicated to the Lord, but, aspiring to do some “great thing,” if they ever do act, and to get positions they are wholly incompetent to fill, and Korah, Dathan, and Abiram like, they are saying to, or of, those with whom the advancement of God’s cause is dearer than life, “Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them.”
These complainers are, withal, usually the most sensitive people in the world, inclined to look out for slights, sure others intended to hit them in their remarks, when such was not the case. Getting in the way of the tools of those who consider that they must faithfully serve the Master, thus they get hit, and then make a great ado over it; whereas, if they had been about the Master’s business, lifting where, and as, they might, instead of being in the way of the laborers, they would not have been hit, nor be so sensitive lest others should hit them. Having their hearts and hands engaged in cheerful labor in the work, they would have no time to spend, like a nervous dyspeptic, in watching their own feelings.
What shall be done with them? Why, tell them plainly, yet mildly, and in love, that they must either go to work, or “get out of the way,” and then you go faithfully on with your duties, without stopping to explain much to gratify their feelings. If they want their judgments instructed so they can see how, and where, to take hold, we should ever be ready to do it; but if they simply wish to hold us to reconcile their poor, selfish feelings, we shall beg to be excused.
These things are brought forcibly home to my mind by a letter just received, in which one poor brother, who has been watching his feelings for the last two years, for fear somebody would step on them, has at last made a final break, and he says, “I hereby declare disfellowship with the Adventist church of ——, Cal., until restitution is made to my wounded heart.” “Nov. 15, 1872.”
To my certain knowledge, the church in —— have never designed to do a single thing against this brother’s heart, but have had great anxiety that his course might not reproach the cause, he, supposing himself called to do a work which they were as fully satisfied he was incompetent to perform. This has made much anxiety on their part lest the cause should suffer through him. And now, as his letter has thrown perplexity upon the church, they, desirous, as usual, of doing just right, inquire, “What shall we do in this case?”
As one brother in that church, when an important question was once up, was asked, What are you going to do? and he said, “I am going to fear God and keep his commandments, for Solomon said, ‘This is the whole duty of man,’” so I say now, I think you should still go on faithfully in the discharge of all your duties, as though nothing had happened.
If the Lord will, I will call upon you not many days hence, and then we can look the matter over more definitely, and if explanations are needed, I have no doubt you, as a church, are willing to make them. If this brother thinks he can get along without the church, it should not dampen the zeal of the church.
This cause is of God, his hand is set to the work, and he will carry it forward. If we take hold to dedicate ourselves to the work, to do our duties faithfully, making the cause of God of more consequence than everything else, God will bless, and the message of truth will move on in our midst. When the people of God stand in the light, and do their duties faithfully, it is as natural for the Spirit of God to be with them, as for water to run down hill, or for it to seek its own level. And why? Because he has said, “Ye also are builded together for a habitation of God through the Spirit.”
I was reading a few days since one of Beecher’s illustrations of those who think to stop the great train of truth by their own selfish complaining and fault-finding. He said it reminded him of a little dog’s barking after a train of cars as it is starting from the depot. The dog seems to make good headway at first, but, as the train increases in speed, and thunders away in the distance, the poor dog is left behind in the dust, perhaps wondering that the train did not stop for his barking.
So, here, it has seemed to me that in the early days of this cause, ministers and churches have been held too much of their precious time in trials growing out of somebody’s poor, jealous, sensitive feelings. God’s people are taking their position upon a higher plane. The great train of the third angel’s message is increasing its speed. Energy is demanded of every one now. “Watch,” “pray,” and “work,” are the three important watchwords. We say to all, Die to self. Die to sin. Put away the spirit of complaining and fault-finding. Find your proper place, no matter how humble it may be. Get your heart imbued with the Spirit of God. Work! WORK!! it will prove, with God’s blessing, a sure cure for your “spiritual dyspepsia.” Get aboard the train, if you do die to self, and get your all on board. If you do not, and still continue in the old course of murmuring and complaining, it will ruin your own souls, but it will not stop the progress of the great train of truth; but will leave you, ere you are aware of it, far behind in the dust, and you, perhaps, when it is “too late,” when the work is cut short in righteousness, and when the people of God are called home, may, with your poor, selfish hearts be found unprepared.
The time has come that God’s people, the true, faithful, burden-bearers, should claim their liberties, and be no longer trammelled by unconsecrated ones. They are arousing to the true position and work of the times. They feel that complainers, and self-caring ones, shall no longer hinder them from doing, in the fear of God, their whole duty. Woe unto those who stand in the way of the solemn work of God. They may be told to get out of the way. Let us all consider our true position before God, and, with true consecration, becoming the times, decide for ourselves in our position, and condition, What shall be done by us.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.

The Cause in Minnesota.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: The Conference Committee in its appeal has set before you many important facts concerning the cause and its wants, in this State, upon which we hope you have acted before this. I want to state a few things further. Six months ago, I came to Minnesota. Knowing how little had been done here for several years in the past, and that things were in rather a loose and discouraged state, I determined to do my utmost to help you and get things in a better condition. I thought that the best way to get up courage and life among the churches was to go out into new fields and raise up some new churches first, so that the brethren could see that something was being done, and that their means were not expended in vain. The Lord is witness that I have labored as hard during the last six months to accomplish something as I ever did in my life; hence it was that I felt so bad on the start to see our efforts a failure; but this is past, and God has graciously granted abundant fruit and great victories within the last few weeks.
I have now seen over one hundred souls embrace the truth in this State under my labors, and about seventy, under the labors of others. Eight new churches have been raised up, and quite large additions made to two others. This, I think, is nearly half as many Sabbath-keepers as there were in the State six months ago. This is more than we had any reason to hope for. This certainly calls for deep gratitude to God from every lover of the truth all over the State. It would be my choice, by far, to go right on laboring in new places, with the field open before me as it is now. I see no reason why a fair little church cannot be raised up every month.
But I think I shall have to change my labors somewhat for a short time. These churches must now be organized, Systematic Benevolence arranged, tract societies put in operation, and all the elements in the State brought into harmonious working order. This will be no pleasant nor easy task. If there was any one that could do this, and leave me to open up new fields, it would be a great advantage to the cause. But I do not see that this can be done. How much time must be spent in this work will depend largely, and almost wholly, upon the disposition you have to take hold and help in it. It can be done in a very short time, and with but little labor, if you will only readily co-operate with us; and why should you not? Must we come among you and spend long days and weeks in hard labor in preaching, praying, exhorting, arguing, coaxing and urging you to do your duty? How many souls could be brought into the truth by the same amount of labor bestowed in new fields, you can judge from the result of the labor among you this season. To those who really love this cause and believe that this is God’s message, and who are willing to labor and sacrifice for it, I will briefly suggest what you can do in order to help me and others who are laboring in this State.
Things that need to be done immediately are, 1. Get your own hearts all warmed up with this truth, and your minds full of it. Do you really believe it? Is the Judgment now in session? Is this the last generation? Is the Lord coming soon? Is this a fable? or is it true? Are you dreaming about it? or do you believe it? Does it move you to earnestness, zeal, and tender affection? If not, you have reason to be alarmed. If you feel that you are lacking in these points, make a special effort in seeking God by secret prayer, meditation, reading the Bible, the testimonies, and our publications. You can accomplish this for yourselves without the minister spending long days of toil among you to accomplish this object. Do it now; begin to-day; resolve while you read this paper that you will do it.
2. Look back and see if you have been, and are, as prompt as you should be in attending Sabbath meetings, and prayer-meetings, and other meetings of the church. Are you slack in this particular? Does a little cold, and a little rain, or the least difficulty, deter you from the meetings? Do you leave the burden of these meetings to come on a few faithful souls? If so, you are certainly doing wrong. This is the first point we should have to labor on if we should come among you. Now you know your duty. Will you see to this matter? Will you do it? See Heb. 10:25; Mal. 3:16; Luke 4:16.
3. Are there any church trials among you? If so, see James’ reason of it. Chap. 4:1. If there is anything that works on the minister and discourages him, it is to visit a church and find it all divided, and the members at war among themselves. Generally, after about a week’s pulling and talking, praying, and reproving the brethren and sisters, they come where they see themselves, confess their wrongs, and things are made right. Then you think you are doing a very acceptable thing in giving of your means to sustain the minister in his labors. But it is frequently the case that some one family will require more labor to get them started than all that they give in years would be worth. Now do this work yourself. Let us use your means in converting souls to God. Will you do it?
4. Have you heeded the appeal of your committee for means to sustain the cause in the State? Have you paid up your s. B., which you solemnly promised to God and his people? How can you expect to please God if you have not? See Mal. 3:8–12. Have you pledged your s. B. for the coming year as you should have done? and have you willed to deal liberally with the Lord? or have you been stingy in the matter? See 2 Cor. 8:1–14; 9:1–11. And especially do we appeal to the scattered ones that they do their duty in this respect. Suppose you do not regularly meet with any church, or even belong to any church, or suppose you live entirely alone, miles from everybody, is not your duty just as sacred to help this cause as though you lived in the most flourishing church? Send in your means and pledges to H. F. Phelps, Pine Island, Minn. Do it now, do not delay. The means are needed immediately.
5. In one month from now your papers will be stopped if they are not paid up, unless you report your inability to pay. Nothing has pleased me more than to see this system adopted. I believe it is right. If men prosper in any business they must be prompt. This rule is worth just as much to God’s cause as any other cause. Now don’t act like children about this matter and get put out, and angry, and say foolish things because the brethren require you to do this; but act like a man among men, and a brother among brethren. Is not this your cause as much as ours? The brethren are simply adopting the best plan they can devise to carry on successfully the cause which you profess to love as well as they. Now come up promptly and help them do it.
6. Send out the REVIEW. When I saw the president offer to send the REVIEW for six months, on trial, for seventy-five cents to those who subscribe for themselves, or fifty cents when sent to friends, I said, Good! This is just what is needed, and I will do my best to make this a success. Now brethren and sisters in Minnesota, let us take hold of this opportunity. Minnesota ought to send five hundred new subscribers within the next six months. We can do it, and shall we not do it? Don’t wait for your brother or sister, or some wealthy man to do it, but take hold immediately. Who cannot raise fifty cents to send one copy of this valuable paper to some loved friend for half a year? It may convert a whole family. Almost every week I come across some who, by reading our paper a few months, have become so favorable that they come out readily on the truth as soon as they hear it. It often opens the way for us to lecture. Will you help us to prepare these for the rich harvest? Do it now; don’t wait. Sit down, take your pencil, think over your friends and relatives or neighbors, and send a list of names with the money and let it be at work. If there was ever a time when a little means would go a great ways it is now. Friends are coming in. God is raising up brethren; and if you do not come to the work you will lose your crown, and they will take your place. Means are needed now as they will not be in a year or two to come.
7. Tract Societies. Remember that we are entirely behind in this matter. Scarcely anything has been done in this State. We think the time has come when we must take hold of it. If we cannot do much we will do a little. We want you to get ready for it. Get these other matters out of the way first, and when we come round to visit you, then you can all take hold of this unitedly. But if you are behind on everything it will be a very discouraging affair. Let us not wait to do everything at once, when the minister comes.
Finally, we would not have you get the impression that we think the friends in Minnesota are less liberal with their means according to their ability, or less willing to work, than those in other States. This is not the case. This is a new State in every respect, particularly in the cause of present truth new and weak here. The friends have been few, and most of these have been in moderate or poor circumstances, financially. They have struggled under many discouragements and difficulties. But we believe that better days are coming, and if we can only now come up together, unitedly, each one doing all he can consistently, it will give an impetus and strength to the cause that will last, for time to come. I hope and believe that God is raising up a few men here, who, with a little more experience, will be able not only to keep things in good order in the State, but add continually to the strength of the cause by converts in new fields. D. M. CANRIGHT. Hutchinson; Minn.

Words of Warning.

By A. M. L.

How good they are! How precious if we are in possession of the grace of meekness, so as to appreciate them and the motives which prompted them! but how prone is poor self to resist, especially if it any way feels encroached upon! Self, like a bubble of air beneath the water, always inclines to the surface. And that victory may be considered a real one, where self is lost sight of in a genuine desire for the triumph of truth. How thankful should we be that there are watchmen on the walls of Zion, who will never hold their peace, day nor night, till Jerusalem be made a praise in the earth! Well would it be for us could we always feel as David did when he said, “Let the righteous smite me, it shall be a kindness, and let him reprove me, it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head.” Ps. 141 : 5. A. M. L.

Solemn Facts.

WE are taught in the Scriptures:
1. That in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. 2 Tim. 4:1.
2. Unclean spirits were to go forth to deceive the nations just before the coming of Christ as a thief. Rev. 16:14–16.
3. Iniquity was to abound and love wax cold when the end was near. Matt. 24:12.
4. Evil servants were to say, “My Lord delayeth his coming,” and eat and drink with the drunken, just before the Judgment day. Matt. 24:48.
5. Men were to be saying peace and safety, when sudden destruction is coming upon them. 1 Thess. 5:1–3.
6. The world was to be careless at Christ’s coming as when destroyed by the flood in Noah’s days. Matt. 24:37–39.
7. Men were to be sinful and secure as they were at Sodom’s overthrow. Luke 17:28–30.
8. In the last days scoffers were to come, walking after their own lusts, saying, Where is the promise of his coming? 2 Peter. 3:3, 4.
9. The church were to be slumbering and sleeping before the Bridegroom came. Matt. 25:1–5.
10. Christ is to come suddenly as the lightning’s flash. Matt. 24:27.
11. Fearful sights and great signs from Heaven were to foreshadow his approach. Luke 21:11.
12. There were to be great earthquakes in divers places. Luke 21:11.
13. There was to be distress of nations with perplexity, the sea and the waves thereof roaring, near the end. Luke 21:25.
14. The nations were then to be angry and prepared for war. Rev. 11:18; Joel 3:9–16.
15. Many were to run to and fro, and knowledge was to be increased, at the time of the end. Dan. 12:4.
16. The gospel was to be preached in all the world, and the end was then to come. Matt. 24:14.
17. The church were taught to be ever looking for that blessed hope of Christ’s appearing. Titus 2:12, 13.
18. They that are ready will then go in to the marriage of the Lamb. Matt. 25:10.
19. Therefore Christians ought to be always watching for the coming of the Lord. Mark 13:32–37.
20. And sinners are commanded to repent and prepare to meet their Judge. Acts 3:19; 17:30, 31.—Bible Banner.

A Confirmed Liar

A CONFIRMED liar is like a crooked, knotty tree, fit only for the fire.

D. T. BOURDEAU

By D. T. Bourdeau

Vermont.

Since returning from the western part of the State, we have visited every day, and held six meetings a week, and have enjoyed more than a usual portion of God's Spirit, in strengthening the young converts. About twenty, in all, have embraced the truth. Six have subscribed for the Review; three for the Reformer, and two for the Instructor. If the work is faithfully followed up, I see not why a church may not be organized here. If some should give up the truth, others would come to fill their place. I have greatly desired to see a work started in this part of the State, that we could fall back upon as a success in future efforts in new fields.
This was noted as a very hard field. Repeated efforts had been made by preachers to get up a revival, with but little success; and when we pitched our tent here, the language of professors was, “Let the Lord work through whom he will, and we will rejoice.” Well, the Lord has worked. At least, ten have been converted from the world. Some were rough, swearing men, and one had threatened to tear down our tent. For awhile, professors rejoiced. Nearly all acknowledged we had the truth on the Sabbath, and expressed a desire that all would take hold of it. But when they saw the cross, most of them turned away from it. Sinners wondered, and some, I fear, have stumbled, never to be reached. What a fearful position for professors to be in: To pray for God to work, and when God does work, then reject the very means through which souls are converted, and thus stand in the way of sinners; and then, to cap the climax, wonder why more is not accomplished! Fifty might have taken hold of the truth here, instead of twenty, had professors walked in the light. Under these circumstances, men of the baser sort feeling the pulse of some in the church, it is not a strange thing that some should threaten of mobbing us out of the place. But God reigns, and we have friends to stand by us.
I mean to spare no pains in doing all I can to build up the cause here. But it cannot be expected that I shall always remain in this place. Thus far I have not suffered for want of help. But will our old experienced brethren in this part of the State take hold of the work here systematically? Will they get initiated into the work some before I leave, so as to be able to labor to advantage? Bro. Charles Worthen has faithfully stood by us. Will others stand by him when we are gone? God is cutting out work for us. Shall we engage in it heartily? Shall we make allowance for babes in Christ, remembering what we once were?
My heart is touched with what Bro. White says about our having works in other languages, and I would act that humble part in laboring for the French that God and my brethren will assign me. But we must have French works before we can accomplish much in this direction.

D. T. BOURDEAU

Silver Lake, Minn.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

Since last reporting, I have labored a few days at Lake Hook, about seven miles north of Hutchinson. It was right in the woods, dark nights, rained some, and so not much interest. From six to twenty out generally. Eld. Parsons, Adventist, spoke against us on the covenants, and Eld. King, Methodist, on the millennium. Both were small guns, lightly loaded. I reviewed them. Left about a dozen keeping the Sabbath, with Bro. Moore for leader. He is a good man, and loves the truth.
Then came to Silver Lake, twelve miles east of Hutchinson, where I have now worked about three weeks. Roads and weather very bad, hence attendance small—about fifteen to thirty. Nov. 12, there came a heavy snow, so that now we have better going and the interest is quite good. Yesterday, we had our first Sabbath meeting. About twenty-five out, twenty of whom are keeping the Sabbath for the first time. Had a good meeting. Hope for a few more yet. I think there is good material here for a working church. Intend to stay a few days longer and get things into working order.
Am all alone now, as Bro. Morse could not come for sickness. Mrs. Canright has gone to Glencoe to visit and look after things there, and Bro. Grant has gone home to prepare for winter. Expect him back soon. Then we shall have to spend some time in organizing these churches and doing other necessary work among them.
By the help of God and his clear truth, we now have seen over one hundred embrace the Sabbath in this county, within the last four months. God has also blessed the labors of others in the State, so that with those at High Forest, about one hundred and eighty have come into the truth this season. Certainly, we ought gratefully to thank God for this. I have changed my mind. I think Minnesota is a good field in which to labor. Am very contented, and have no disposition to leave.
It will probably be some time now before I can lecture in another new place. I regret this much, but see no way consistently to avoid it. D. M. CANRIGHT. Nov. 24.

Iowa.

By R. M. Kilgore

Nov. 1–4, in company with Bro. Butler and wife, I attended a meeting with the church at Richland, Iowa, in their neat, commodious house of worship, just completed. This meeting was caused by an effort of J. R. Goodenough of the Hope of Israel party to tear down the cause of present truth in this place. His efforts are most effective where our churches have been lately planted. In these places, our brethren are ignorant of his devices, and the rise and history of the body with which he is identified.
Upon our arrival, we found him loudly declaiming against the Bible view of the perpetuity of spiritual gifts in this dispensation. This is a favorite theme with him, both in public, and in his private interviews with those who are not fully established upon this point of present truth.
Bro. Butler sought and obtained an interview with him, in order to obtain a clear conception of his true position; as he did not wish to deal in misrepresentation. His main positions and arguments were then taken up and examined in a clear and candid manner. Strange as they may appear to the reader, we give some of them, trusting that you may discover their deformity, and more highly appreciate the truth and the harmony of the positions held by us as a people. In this case, we are reminded again of the extreme length to which men will go when attempting to oppose the truth of God.
1. According to his position, the first angel of Rev. 14: 6, 7, began its work on the day of Pentecost, in obedience to the command of Christ, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16: 15. He says if it had not been given till within the period of the present generation, it would be another gospel; and hence, those who preach it receive the anathema of Gal. 1: 8.
It was shown by Bro. Butler that it was not another gospel, but the same gospel with an additional particular concerning the proximity of the Judgment.
2. The Babylon of Rev. 14: 8, is the Catholic church, and the announcement of the angel relates to her fall from the beast on which she was seated. Rev. 17: 3. This was fully accomplished in the late Franco-Prussian war, where she lost her influence, and no longer had power to make all nations drink the wine of the wrath of her fornication.
It was shown (1) that the term “Babylon” included the whole family, Babylon the great, and her daughters; that these churches which have come out from the Catholic church, bringing with them, and retaining, more or less of the wine of her fornication, or false and corrupt doctrines, should receive the name of their mother; which is truly more significant when applied to the daughters alone than to the mother only. (2) That the fall was a moral fall and a fulfillment of those predictions in Matt. 24: 12; 1 Tim. 4: 1; 2 Tim. 3: 1–5, and Rev. 18: 1–4.
3. The third angel’s message has not yet been announced in the sense of the prophecy; neither have the people under it yet been developed. At the same time we are told that he (Eld. G.) and S. D. Adventists are helping to give the cry. This meager and indefinite position speaks for itself. We turn to notice that concerning the
4. Two-horned beast of Rev. 13: 11. This is a symbol of the Greek-Turkish power. Upon the rise of Mahomet it obtained the title of “false prophet.” Rev. 16: 14; 19: 20. The “fire” of verse 13, which he made to come down from heaven in the sight of men, was fulfilled in the introduction of the “Greek-fire.” The “image of the beast,” is the Catholic church. The “mark” of the beast, is any doctrine of that church not taught in the Bible.
So strange an application of this prophecy was shown to be false: (1) Because the “Greek-Turkish” power occupies territory belonging to the first beast, hence is part of the same, and therefore it could not be “another beast.” (2) The prophet declared that the fire came down from heaven in the sight of men, while the historian Gibbon states that the “Greek-fire” was invented by a chemist of Heliopolis, in Syria; and the ruler, in order to deceive his enemies, advised that they be informed that the properties of this fire were revealed by an angel from Heaven. We were not a little astonished to learn that Eld. G. was still propagating the same falsehood.
Again, the prophecy says that it is by the means of those miracles which he had power to do, that he caused them that dwell on the earth to make an “image to the beast;” thus the image is not formed until after the fire comes down from heaven; while, with Eld. G.’s view, the image of the beast (the Catholic church), came into existence in the sixth century, and the “fire” was not seen until the eighth. It also reveals the terrible fact that the “image of the beast” has been an object of worship, and men have paid adoration to it for more than thirteen hundred years; while the warning of the third angel has not been heard, that they might escape the unmixed wine of the wrath of God. (3) The view advocated by S. D. Adventists concerning the “mark of the beast” is thought to be very uncharitable; but what shall we think of that which places the “mark” on all those who believe in either the doctrine of the “trinity,” “immortality of the soul,” and “sprinkling for baptism?”
5. The sanctuary, with its apartments and vessels, is seen alike by him and S. D. Adventists; but in its ministry, the views differ. He maintains that Christ ministered as priest in the holy place of the heavenly sanctuary from the fall of man; filling the “office of a surety,” until the “better covenant” was brought in. Heb. 7: 22. At his ascension he entered as our High Priest into the most holy place. Heb. 5: 19, 20; 9: 24; since which time the Judgment has been in session.
This was proven incorrect. (1) Had he been a priest from the fall, it would not have been after the order of Melchisedec. (2) It would make the oath, by which he was made a “surety” (pledge), of none effect, since it was sworn while he was already priest, and even after the law which made men high priests was the oath sworn, by which Jesus was made high priest. Heb. 7: 28. (3) It would have been contrary to the law which had to be changed before another priest could rise after the order of Melchisedec. Heb. 7: 11, 12, (4) It would make Christ a minister of the heavenly sanctuary four thousand years before it was anointed; but this, according to the law and type, was to precede the ministration. Ex. 40: 9–13; Num. 7: 1; Dan. 9: 24. (5) In the type, the priest was required each year to minister in the first apartment three hundred and fifty-one days, and one in the second. Here the type is lame if the above theory be true. It should be in the ratio of two days to one, as 4,000 years is to 2,000 years. Again, in the type, the priest did not enter the sanctuary without blood; while Christ, according to the above theory, ministered four thousand years before the victim was slain and had any blood to offer.
6. The Judgment could not have commenced at the ascension of Christ, for the inspired writers declare it to be a future event. The apostle Paul says that God “hath appointed a day in the which he will judge the world.” Acts 17: 31. Before the governor Felix, he reasoned of “righteousness, temperance, and Judgment to come.” Acts 24: 25. To Timothy, he also states that the quick (living) and the dead shall be judged at, or in connection with, the appearing and kingdom of Jesus Christ. 2 Tim. 4: 1. Daniel, in his glowing and impressive description of the great Judgment day, shows us plainly that its thrones were not set up until after the development of the little horn, or papacy, and not until after the expiration of its reign of twelve hundred and sixty years, which terminated in 1798, did the Judgment set. Dan. 7: 8–11, 25, 26. And John, as if to place this matter beyond the reach of cavil, states, in most emphatic terms, that the time in which the dead are to be judged, and the time to give “reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great,” does not come until the seventh angel has sounded. Rev. 11: 15–18.
7. The 2300 days of Dan. 8: 14. The shrewdness which he manifests in disposing of these prophetic periods is truly amusing. This vision stands as a parallel to those things uttered by the seven thunders. Rev. 10: 4. Both were sealed up and therefore are secret and belong to God.
This, doubtless, is the best way in which he could dispose of so definite a prophecy, for upon this, the correctness of his whole theory will turn. It is illegal, since the vision concerning the 2300 days was written, while that uttered by the seven thunders was not written. The former vision, though “shut up” for many days, was afterwards explained to Daniel and therefore was revealed, and belongs unto us and to our children forever, but that uttered by the seven thunders was sealed up and never was written, hence was not revealed and belongs exclusively to God. Deut. 29: 29.
Here we leave the matter in the hands of the reader, with the conviction resting upon us that truth does not demand such contortions, or afford such inconsistencies, and that, like the genuine coin, the more it is polished the brighter it shines.
R. M. KILGORE.
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