“WE’LL reach home ere long if we follow the light, And journey in sight of the cross.”
How often we find ourselves wandering in labyrinths of darkness, far from the cross, entirely out of sight of that heavenly waymark. It may be that in seeking wealth we have wandered away till we can no where descry this waymark to the city of imperishable wealth. It may be that in pursuit of pleasure we have lost sight of the heavenly beacon which shines only upon the way of the cross; that way which alone can lead us to enduring pleasure.
Or, perchance, fame, with winning tones, has lured us on toward her glittering temple, till the cross has faded from our view. Or it may be that worldly cares have reared between us and the cross-marked way, such a heap of rubbish, that it is almost or quite out of sight and forgotten. Let us pause right where we are, and look around us. Where is the cross? Nowhere to be seen! Then may we rest assured that we are wandering from the right way, and the longer we journey thus, out of sight of the cross, the longer it will take to get back into the right way. My brother, my sister, is there a heavy cross before you? Oh! turn not aside to the right nor to the left. Seek not to find a path where there are no crosses, but walk straight forward, follow the light, and remember that the way to the city of God “is the way of the cross.”
M. J. C.
"OVER THE RIVER."
By Mrs. E. Geer
Oh! have you not heard of that realm of delight,
To which the blest Saviour doth each one invite?
'Tis prepared for the good, the pure, and the blest,
'Tis over the river, where the weary find rest.
CHORUS.
Oh! I want to cross over, do n't you, when he reigns?
I want to cross over on Eden's fair plains;
I want to be gathered in Canaan's bright land;
Yes, over the river, where the ransomed shall stand.
'Tis a land of fair beauty, a realm of delight,
O'erflowing with gladness, refulgent with light;
Its verdure ne'er withers, its flowers ne'er fade,
Oh! I long to pass over, and immortal be made.
Сно.—Oh! I want to cross over, &c.
Its fountains are pure, and its pleasures untold,
Its fullness of joy no tongue can unfold;
How its life-breathing zephyrs float gently along,
While the ransomed are singing redemption's sweet song.
Сно.—Oh! I want to cross over, &c.
'Tis Jesus invites me, the glory to see,
To reign with him there, in the land of the free,
Where the weary saints rest, and the wicked ne'er come,
Yes, over the river, in the saints' Eden home.
Сно.—Oh! I want to cross over, &c.
Selected by MRS. E. GEER.
THE SUFFERINGS OF CHRIST.
By Mary E. Haskell
I had never before reading the tract entitled The Sufferings of Christ, been enabled to “realize the value of salvation,” or “understand what it cost,” as I have since done. And now it seems as if I had but a very faint idea of its magnitude.
But in order that it might the more effectually be impressed upon my mind, to influence my life, I resolved after first hearing it read to commit it all to memory.
I intend to get a quantity of these tracts for distribution, as soon as possible, and feel truly to thank the Lord for the facilities we have for scattering the precious light, not only upon this, but also the time in which we are living, and the preparation requisite to enable us to stand acquitted when Jesus shall come to take his people home.
Oh! how unspeakably blessed will be that day to those who shall be prepared to meet him in peace.
Let us strive for it, my dear brethren and sisters, with our entire beings. And in this effort we shall be led to educate our minds for the society of the heavenly host, and the good of all ages. And what study, I would beg leave to inquire, could more effectually aid us in this good work, than the character of the King of that country, and the immense price he has paid for our salvation?
This little tract to which I refer, portrays these in living characters; and I would take the liberty to affectionately commend both its study and circulation to you. The blessing it has proved to me, leads me to do so with confidence. It furnishes rich food for thought, and cannot fail to ennoble the soul, expand the intellect, and purify the affections.
It is truly a blessed theme for contemplation, and one which has often led me to exclaim in the language of the poet,
“Oh! for a pencil dipped in living light,
To paint the agonies that Jesus bore!
Oh! for the long lost harp of Jesse’s might,
To hymn the Saviour’s praise from shore to shore;
While seraph hosts the lofty paean pour,
And Heaven enraptured lists the loud acclaim!”
MARY E. HASKELL.
South Lancaster, Mass.
Moses Porter Suicide Report
By WM. S. INGRAHAM
From Bro. Ingraham.
BRO. SMITH: As it has been reported that Moses Porter, of Mantorville, put an end to his life in consequence of his religious faith in the Advent doctrine, the facts in the case may be called for at this time. Bro. Porter had been afflicted for many years with a fever sore on one of his limbs. Last spring it dried up. Soon after it was discovered by his friends that he was deranged. After good counsel, it was decided that his derangement was caused by the sore ceasing to run, and the disease turning in another direction and affecting the brain.
The following note is from the Mantorville paper. WM. S. INGRAHAM.
MELANCHOLY OCCURRENCE.—On Thursday of last week our town was thrown into a state of excitement by the startling report that Mr. Moses Porter, an old and respected citizen of Mantorville had attempted suicide. Mr. Porter has been out of health for a long time, and subject to deep depression of spirits. Indeed, his nearest friends have known that for several months his mind has been sadly deranged. But watched with the tenderest care they did not think he would do harm to himself. On Thursday afternoon Mr. Porter went to a druggist, bought a quantity of opium, took it home and openly, before some of his family, prepared and swallowed it. Soon after, he washed and dressed himself in his best clothes, gave his family some business memoranda, and while in conversation with a neighbor, showed such signs of stupor that it gave rise to suspicion. Upon being questioned, he did not deny what he had done. Help was sent for, and everything that could be done to save him was tried. He resisted as long as able to, every effort to relieve him. He breathed until 11 o'clock on Friday, when his sufferings, mental, and bodily, were ended. Mr. Porter was respected as an honest and truly conscientious man, indeed, since his derangement his chief trouble had been that he might do wrong. He had many friends and in other parts of the State. He leaves a wife and two daughters, who have the heartfelt sympathy of the community. And to make the circumstance still more afflictive, Mrs. Porter was at the time, very ill. We are glad to be able to state that she is now recovering.
Obituary Notices.
By C. O. Taylor
Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth.
Died in Bangor, Franklin Co., N. Y., March 21, 1869, of a combination of diseases common to old age, Sr. Mary Butler, aged 81 years next May. Sr. B. gave her heart to the Saviour fifty years ago. She embraced the Advent faith twenty-six years ago, and for sixteen years she has been keeping the Sabbath of the fourth commandment. She loved the truth, also those that loved it. She had a generous heart, which was always prompting her to acts of kindness and mercy. The saints found a welcome home at her house. She believed Jesus's coming was near. Yet for some time has not expected to live until then. She died believing Jesus to be the Life-giver, and that she should have a part in the first resurrection.
C. O. TAYLOR.
Testimony from Waushara County
SISTER S. A. ELDRIDGE writes from Waushara Co., Wis.: We have Sabbath School and meeting here every Sabbath, which we enjoy very much. We feel that it is a good and glorious cause that we have enlisted in. May we all obey our Captain’s orders, and buckle on the whole armor, that we may be able to fight the battles of the Lord valiantly, come off victorious, and receive a reward that is laid up for all the faithful. May we all have our lamps trimmed and burning, waiting for our Master’s return.
Testimony from the Health Institute
By T. H. Craig
Bro. T. H. Craig writes from the Health Institute: I deem it a great privilege to give my testimony in favor of present truth. Tongue cannot express my feelings of gratitude for the light. Bless the Lord, O my soul! Praise his great and excellent name for what he has done for me! I am very thankful that the way ever opened for me to come to the Institute. It made me glad to find a Christian Health Institute, where there are no bad morals or vain pleasures to grieve holy angels away. Here the Lord can work for the afflicted ones. I do feel to say, It is good to be here, where we can grow in the knowledge of our Saviour and learn the laws of our being. I would recommend this place to all the suffering in body and mind. I came here sorely afflicted, both in body and mind. My health is much better, my mind is cured. I am trying to overcome. I want to live worthy of a name among God's dear people, and receive the crown.
Worldly Prosperity and Spiritual Danger
By O. M. Shepard
SR. O. M. SHEPARD writes from Beaver Dam, Wis.: In times of worldly affliction and heart-rending trouble, the Christian is driven to the Lord for consolation and strength, and finds in Jesus the comfort which is denied from every other source. But worldly prosperity draws the mind away from heavenly things. When surrounded with worldly comforts and enjoying the society of those we love, how easy to forget the Giver of all good. I feel that I was never in so great danger of forsaking the Lord as now. When I was surrounded with trouble, I found it necessary to take considerable time for secret devotion, to obtain the strength that I needed to sustain me; but now, as I am surrounded with blessings, I need to have double the grace that I then required, or I shall be allured from following Jesus. The power of Satan is terrible, and he is never off his watch. But we have much at stake and cannot afford to run any risk. If we put forth every effort that is in our power we shall not fail, but shall win the prize, even “life everlasting.” We have of late been striving more zealously to repent and gain heavenly riches, and have felt that it was not in vain. Though separated from those of like faith, we have felt that Jesus was near and precious. We hope to be with the overcomers when they shall sing the victor’s song.
Church Reports and Obituary Wit
☞ Some of the churches of the Michigan Conference are in arrears in the matter of their reports. Please send them in at once, that your standing may be expeditiously determined at the time of Conference.
W. C. GAGE, Secretary.
☞ A newspaper publishes an obituary notice headed “Death of Mr. —,” and then asserts that “he is not dead, but liveth in the better land.” The editor either makes a misstatement or has headed the notice wrong.
Found Wanting.
By R. F. C.
“Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.” Belshazzar had “lifted up himself against the God of Heaven.” At the end of the seventy years of the captivity of Jerusalem—at the point of time when God was to punish the king of Babylon, as he had promised by Jeremiah the prophet—the impious king, feeling secure within the impregnable walls of his strong city, in the spirit of triumph over the failure of the prophecy, offers a direct insult to the God of Heaven by drinking wine in the consecrated vessels taken from the temple at Jerusalem, at the same time praising the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, of iron, wood, and stone. But the triumphing of the wicked is short. “In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain,” and the prediction of the prophet was verified to the letter.
When any man, great or small, throws himself into the opposite scale of the balance against the God of the Bible, he is sure to be found wanting.
R. F. C.
General Conference.
By Uriah Smith
PROVIDENCE permitting, the seventh annual session of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists will be held in Battle Creek, Mich., Tuesday, May 11, 1869, at 9 o'clock, A. M. The different State Conferences which have not already made arrangements to represent themselves by delegates, will do so immediately. Delegates will come prepared to furnish to the General Conference the statistics of their respective Conferences. Those from a distance will have to reach Battle Creek the week previous, in order to be present promptly at the commencement of the meeting. It will be in order for scattered brethren everywhere to make known their wants to this Conference, either in person or by letter.
In behalf of the committee,
U. SMITH, Secretary.
Otsego Monthly Meeting
By MICH. CONF. COMMITTEE
Some messenger will meet with the brethren at Otsego in their Monthly Meeting, May 1, 1869.
MICH. CONF. COMMITTEE.
To Correspondents.
WM. JAMES: A woman is used in the Scriptures as a symbol of a church, good or bad. The little horn of the fourth beast, Paul's Man of Sin, and John's leopard beast, symbolize the Roman church, if not in full, at least in a very important, constituent element. And while a feminine pronoun is used in speaking of the church under the symbol of a woman, it would not be proper to use the same pronoun when it is represented under another symbol. The symbol determines the pronoun to be used.
J. McMILLAN: The spiritualizing tendencies of the writer in the Family Treasure, look to us too utterly groundless and silly to merit the sober consideration of a review. A man who will apply the sublime Bible descriptions of the passing away of the heavens and the earth, to the closing up of the old dispensation, and the language, "there was no more sea," to the fact that the brazen sea of the ceremonial service was no longer used! and the creation of the new heavens and the new earth, to the introduction of the gospel dispensation, and the New Jerusalem with its rectangular construction, its jasper wall, its twelve gates, its golden streets, its tree and river of life, and its throne of God, to the church, and the hearts of men,—a man, we say, who will make such an application, is beyond hope of benefit for himself, and beyond the danger of injuring any one who prefers a sober and sound interpretation of the Bible, to the mystical mutterings of those who are reeling under the influence of the wine of Babylon.
T. M. STEWARD
By T. M. Steward
To the S. B. Treasurers of Ill. and Wis. Conference.
DEAR BRETHREN: I have not been at home since November, and I do not know who have reported. All who have not, will please do it at once, so I can make out my report in time. Direct to Dell Prairie, Adams Co., Wis., until May 15, then to Rockton, Ill.
T. M. STEWARD
Monthly Meeting in Allegan.
By Joseph Bates
THE Allegan Co., Mich. Monthly Meeting was held with the church in Allegan, Sabbath, April 3. Much interest was manifested by the brethren and sisters to go forward with renewed determination to live out all the precious truths in the last message of mercy.
Sabbath and first-day, April 10 and 11, held five meetings, and celebrated the ordinances with the church in Otsego. The congregation is considerably enlarged since they commenced worship in their new house. They feel encouraged to double their diligence and advance the good work of the Lord in their midst.
THE next Monthly Meeting in Allegan Co., will be held in Otsego, Sabbath, May 1. JOSEPH BATES.
Monterey, April 14, 1869.
J. H. WAGGONER
By John H. Waggoner
To those who may have expected replies to their letters to me, but have not received them, I wish to say that the state of my health for some time past has been such that it was not possible for me to attend to the duties which daily pressed upon me, and write also. And still I must ask their forbearance, for, in my weak condition, I have overworked my brain, and I must now rest or be permanently injured. But I shall be just as glad to hear from my friends.
J. H. WAGGONER
Battle Creek, April 14.
Appointments.
And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of Heaven is at hand.
Conference and Camp-Meeting Plans
Bro. White writes that he wishes to withdraw his suggestion for Camp-meeting, given in Review No. 16, to be held about June 1, the principal reason for which he states as follows: “It will be rather late to hold Conference-Camp-meeting in June, for it would be July before the summer’s campaign with our ministers could commence.” It is therefore suggested, as will be seen by appointments in another column, to hold our annual business sessions as soon as may be, and a general Camp-meeting at a later period, to be duly announced hereafter.
Results of the Battle Creek Meetings
By Uriah Smith; G. W. Amadon
To those brethren who were called to attend the recent meetings in Battle Creek, at which Brn. White and Andrews labored so long to set things in order, we would say, The published results will soon be issued in pamphlet form.
URIAH SMITH,
G. W. AMADON.
Editorial Reply to R. F. C
R. F. C.: We saw the article to which you refer.
Note from Bro. Steward.
By T. M. STEWARD
I ATTENDED the Quarterly Meeting at Little Prairie, April 3 and 4. The Lord was with us at this meeting. While we examined the Bible in regard to the perils of the last days, and the dangers by the way, we felt that we all had reason to bless God for his rich mercy in placing the gift of prophecy in the church.
T. M. STEWARD.
Michigan State Conference.
The Mich. State Conference will hold its ninth annual session at Battle Creek, Mich., Wednesday, May 12, at 9 o'clock, A. M. Let no church fail to represent itself. Send delegates if possible. If this cannot be done, send letter. Let ministers and delegates come prepared to make the various reports which the constitution requires.
By order of committee,
W. C. Gage, Secretary.
The S. D. A. Publishing Association.
The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association will hold its ninth annual session at Battle Creek, Mich., Thursday, May 13, 1869, at 9 o'clock, A. M., to deliberate for the general interests of the Association, elect officers, and transact any other business that may come before the meeting.
By order of the Trustees,
E. S. Walker, Secretary.
Stockholders’ Meeting of the Health Reform Institute.
The Stockholders of the Health Reform Institute will hold their third annual meeting at Battle Creek, Mich., Friday, May 14, 1869, at 9 o'clock, A. M., for the election of officers, and for the transaction of any other business that may properly come before the meeting.
James White,
J. N. Andrews,
J. N. Loughborough,
J. M. Aldrich,
Uriah Smith,
G. W. Amadon,
E. S. Walker, Directors.
Providence permitting, I will meet with the church in Sutton, Vt., in Quarterly Meeting, Sabbath and first-day, May 15 and 16. Cannot the friends from Lunenburg and Granby meet with us? It would be gratifying to see them.
A. S. Hutchins.
The next Monthly Meeting for Western N. Y. will be held with the church at Olcott, the second Sabbath and first-day in May.
J. N. Andrews.
Monthly Meeting in May, for Rhode Island, will be held with the Exeter church, May 15 and 16, at Gardner schoolhouse. Let there be a good representation. Cannot Bro. S. N. Haskell attend?
P. C. Rodman.
J. H. ROGERS: The books and REVIEW have been sent.
JAMES BREED: Give us your P. O. address, and we will forward you the books ordered.
RECEIPTS.
For Review and Herald.
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 Pasters. If money for the paper is not in due time acknowledged immediate notice of the omission should then be given.
$1.00 each. J H Trufant 34-16, M M Scott 34-1, P Lightner 34-7, W H Wild 34-1, S M Avery 35-16, P Gay 33-17, J Woolsey 34-9, J N Sanders 34-17, I C Maitlen 34-17, Wm Towner 34-17, J G Brown 35-1, M Van Dorn 34-14, S D Barr 34-1, Ira Maxon 35-1.
$2.00 each. T Wilkins 35-16, H E Gardner 35-1, J Russ 35-1, S Howland 35-10, L Bean 35-1, A Beckwith 35-1, C Wood 35-17, A Miller 35-17, J G Whipple 36-1, Mary King 34-17, I W Andrews 35-15, Z Tyler 36-1, R Cochran 35-18, E B Carpenter 34-1, L D Ireland 34-1, J L Miller 35-18, P W Vanhouten 35-1, J G Vanhouten 35-16, Albert Horr 34-10, Z Nicola 35-9, E Stark 35-1, O A Purchase 35-6, E A Belknap 34-9, A Vansyoc 35-13, W J Haynes 35-14, M J Prosser 35-1.
Miscellaneous. Mrs S Wells $3.25, 34-5, Maggie Todd 1.50, 35-16, R Lockwood 51*c, 30-1, C D Blakeslee 1.15, 34-22, J Culver 50c, 34-14, A Smith 50c, 34-14, L M Alexander 25c, 35-1, J Edson 3.00, 35-14, R F Barton 50c, 34-18, S Mansfield 50c, 35-18, J E Potter 3.00, 34-4.
Advertisement, 80c.
For Review to the Poor.
Mrs C F Knight $1.00.
Cash Received on Account.
Geo I Butler $25.00, John Matteson 28.00.
Michigan Conference Fund.
Church at Newton $25.00.
Books Sent by Mail.
Mary E Parker 25c, A Rogers $1.00, J Gleason 1.30, Jas E Farrar 10c, J Gulick 44c, B Thum 25c, W E Cheesebro 20c, T L Gilber 25c, Martha Van Dorn 10c, C D Blakeslee 60c, C Miles 25c, Z Tyler 50c, R Cochran 84c, G W Thomas 7*c, W J York 68c, Frances Strickland 25c, Geo A Thom*s 60c, S E Hall 35c, O S Winslow 50c, L Hackett 25c, C R Austin 48c, B F Bradbury 10c, J G Davis 50c, A Green 35c, C Manwaring 2.00.
Receipts for Benevolent Fund.
J H Rogers $5.00, E P Below 5.00, P Scarborough 5.00.
Dawn and Grace in the Soul
The faintest streak of dawn will be followed by the full day.—Grace in the soul.
The Dead March
THE DEAD MARCH.—What a mighty procession has been moving towards the grave during the past year! At the usual estimates, since the first of January, 1868, more than thirty-one million five hundred thousand of the world's population have gone down to the grave. Place them in a long array, and they will give a moving column of more than thirteen hundred to every mile of the circumference of the globe. What a spectacle, as they move on, tramp, tramp, the “Dead March” giving its funeral notes as they go to the silent shades.