Earlier text: The Papacy UnmaskedThoughts on the Book of Daniel.
Verse 41. He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon. The facts stated last week relative to the campaign of the French against Turkey, and the repulse of the former at St. Jean d’ Acre, were drawn chiefly from the Encyclopedia Americana. From the same source we gather further particulars respecting the retreat of the French into Egypt, and the additional reverses which compelled them to evacuate that country. Abandoning a campaign in which one third of the army had fallen victims to war and the plague, the French retired from St. Jean d’ Acre, and after a fatiguing march of twenty-six days, re-entered Cairo in Egypt. They thus abandoned all the conquests they had made in Judea; and the “glorious land,” Palestine, with all its provinces, here called “countries,” fell back again under the oppressive rule of the Turk. Edom, Moab, and Ammon, lying outside the limits of Palestine, south and east of the Dead Sea and Jordan, were out of the line of march of the Turks from Syria to Egypt, and so escaped the ravages of that campaign. On this passage Adam Clarke has the following note: “These and other Arabians they [the Turks] have never been able to subdue. They still occupy the deserts, and receive a yearly pension of forty thousand crowns of gold from the Ottoman emperors to permit the caravans with the pilgrims for Mecca, to have a free passage.” Verse 42. He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries; and the land of Egypt shall not escape. On the retreat of the French to Egypt, a Turkish fleet landed 18,000 men at Aboukir. Napoleon immediately attacked the place, completely routing the Turks, and re-establishing his authority in Egypt. But at this point severe reverses to the French arms in Europe, called Napoleon home to look after the interests of his own country. The command of the troops in Egypt was left with Gen. Kleber, who, after a period of untiring activity for the benefit of the army was murdered by a Turk in Cairo, and the command was left with Abdallah Menou. With an army which could not be recruited, every loss was serious. Meantime the English government, as the ally of the Turks, had resolved to wrest Egypt from the French. March 13, 1800, an English fleet disembarked a body of troops at Aboukir. The French gave battle the next day, but were forced to retire. On the 18th, Aboukir surrendered. On the 28th reinforcements were brought by a Turkish fleet, and the grand vizier approached from Syria with a large army. The 19th, Rosetta surrendered to the combined forces of the English and Turks. At Ramanieh a French corps of 4000 men was defeated by 8000 English and 6000 Turks. At Elmenayer, 5000 French were obliged to retreat, May 16, by the vizier who was pressing forward to Cairo with 20,000 men. The whole French army was now shut up in Cairo and Alexandria. Cairo capitulated June 27, and Alexandria, Sept. 2. Four weeks after, Oct. 1, 1801, the preliminaries of peace were signed at London. “Egypt shall not escape,” were the words of the prophecy. This language would imply that Egypt would be brought into subjection to some power from whose dominion it would desire to be released. As between the French and Turks, how did this question stand with the Egyptians? They preferred French rule. In R. R. Madden’s travels in Egypt, Nubia, Turkey, and Palestine, in the years 1824–27, published in London in 1829, it is stated that the French were much regretted by the Egyptians, and extolled as benefactors; that “for the short period they remained, they left traces of amelioration,” and that, if they could have established their power, Egypt would now be comparatively civilized. In view of this testimony the language would not be appropriate if applied to the French; for the Egyptians did not desire to escape out of their hands. They did desire to escape from the hands of the Turks, but could not. Verse 43. But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps. In illustration of this verse we quote the following from “Historic Echoes of the Voice of God,” p. 49: “History gives the following facts: When the French were driven out of Egypt, and the Turks took possession, the Sultan permitted the Egyptians to reorganize their government as it was before the French invasion. He asked of the Egyptians neither soldiers, guns, nor fortifications, but left them to manage their own affairs independently, with the important exception of putting the nation under tribute to himself. In the articles of agreement between the Sultan and the Pasha of Egypt, it was stipulated that the Egyptians should pay annually to the Turkish government a certain amount of gold and silver, and ‘six hundred thousand measures of corn, and four hundred thousand of barley.’” “The Libyans and the Ethiopians,” “the Cushim,” says Dr. Clarke, “the unconquered Arabs,” who have sought the friendship of the Turks, and many of whom are tributary to them to the present time. Verse 44. But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many. On this verse also Dr. Clarke has a note which is worthy of mention. He says: “This part of the prophecy is allowed to be yet unfulfilled.” This was printed in 1825. In another portion of his note he says: “If the Turkish power be understood, as in the preceding verses, it may mean that the Persians on the east, and the Russians on the north, will at some time greatly embarrass the Ottoman government.” Between this conjecture of Dr. Clarke’s and the late Crimean War, there is certainly a striking coincidence, inasmuch as the very powers he mentions, the Persians on the east and the Russians on the north, were the ones which instigated that conflict. Tidings from these powers troubled him. Their attitude and movements incited the Sultan to anger and revenge. Russia being the more aggressive party was the object of attack. Turkey declared war on her powerful northern neighbor in 1853. The world looked on in amazement to see a government which had so long been called the sick man of the east, a government whose army was dispirited and demoralized, whose treasuries were empty, whose rulers were vile and imbecile, and whose subjects were rebellious, and threatening “secession,” rush with such impetuosity into the conflict. The prophecy said they should go forth with “great fury”; and when they thus went forth, the profane vernacular of an American writer described them as fighting “like devils.” England and France, it is true, soon came to the help of Turkey; but she went forth in the manner described, and, as is reported, gained victory after victory, before receiving the assistance of these powers. Verse 45. And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him. We have now traced the prophecy of the eleventh of Daniel down step by step, and have thus far found events to fulfill all its predictions. It has all been wrought out into history except this last verse. The predictions of the preceding verse having been fulfilled within the memory of the generation now living, we are carried by this one, past our own day into the future; for no power has yet performed the acts here described. But it is to be fulfilled; and its fulfillment must be accomplished by that power which has been the subject of the prophecy from the fortieth verse. If the application to which we have given the preference, in passing over these verses, is correct, we must look to Turkey to make the move here indicated. And let it be noted how readily this could be done. Palestine, which contains the glorious holy mountain, the mountain on which Jerusalem stands, between the seas, the Dead Sea and the Mediterranean, is a Turkish province; and if the Turk should be obliged to retire hastily from Europe, he could easily go to any point within his own dominions, to establish his temporary headquarters, here appropriately described as the tabernacles, movable dwellings, of his palace; but he could not go beyond them. The most notable point within the limit of Turkey in Asia, is Jerusalem. And mark, also, how applicable the language to that power: “He shall come to the end, and none shall help him.” This plainly implies that this power has previously received help. And what are the facts? In the war against France in 1798–1801, and in the Crimean war in 1853–6, Turkey received the assistance of other powers, without which she would probably have failed to accomplish her object. And it is a notorious fact that since the fall of the Ottoman supremacy in 1840, that empire has existed through the sufferance of other powers. Without their pledged support, she would not be long able to maintain even a nominal existence, and when that is withdrawn, she must come to the ground. So the prophecy says the king comes to his end, and none help him; and he comes to his end, as we may naturally infer, because none help him; because the support previously rendered is withdrawn. Have we any indications that this part of the prophecy is soon to be fulfilled? As we raise this inquiry, we look not to dim and distant ages in the past, whose events, so long ago transpired, now interest only the few, but to the present, living, moving world. Are the nations which are now on the stage of action, with their disciplined armies, and their multiplied weapons of war, making any movements looking to this end? All eyes are now turned with interest toward Turkey; and the unanimous opinion of statesmen is, that the Turk is destined soon to be driven from Europe. About two years since, a correspondent of the N. Y. Tribune, writing from the East, said: “Russia is arming to the teeth, . . . to be avenged on Turkey. . . . Two campaigns of the Russian army will drive the Turks out of Europe.” “Carleton,” a correspondent of the Boston Journal, writing from Paris under the head of “The Eastern Question,” said: “The theme of conversation during the last week has not been concerning the Exposition, but the ‘Eastern Question.’ To what will it grow? Will there be war? What is Russia going to do? What position are the Western powers going to take? These are questions discussed not only in the cafés, and restaurants, but in the Corps Législatif. Perhaps I cannot render better service at the present time than to group together some facts in regard to this question, which, according to present indications, is to engage the immediate attention of the world. What is the ‘Eastern Question’? It is not easy to give a definition, for to Russia it may mean one thing, to France another, and to America still another; but sifted of every side issue, it may be reduced to this: the117 DRIVING OF THE TURK INTO ASIA, and a scramble for his territory.” “Surely the indications are that the Sultan is destined soon to see the western border of his dominions break off piece by piece. But what will follow? Are Roumania, Servia, Bosnia, and Albania to set up as an independent sovereignty together, and take position among the nations, or is there to be a grand rush for the estate of the Ottoman? But that is of the future—a future not far distant.” Since the date of the foregoing extracts, an astonishing revolution has taken place in Europe. France, one of the parties, if not the chief one, in the alliance to uphold the Ottoman throne, has been crushed by Prussia. Prussia, another party, is too much in sympathy with Russia to interfere with her movements against the Turk. England, a third, in an embarrassed condition financially, cannot think of entering into any contest in behalf of Turkey, without the alliance of France. Austria has not recovered from the blow she received in her late war with Prussia; and Italy is busy with the matter of stripping the pope of his temporal power, and making Rome the capital of the nation. A writer in the N. Y. Tribune lately said that if Turkey should become involved in difficulty with Russia, she could count on the prompt “assistance of Austria, France, and England.” But we see that neither these powers, nor any others who would be likely to assist Turkey, are in any condition to do so at the present time, owing principally to the sudden and unexpected humiliation of the French nation. Russia now sees that her opportunity has come. She accordingly startled all the powers of Europe last fall by stepping forth and deliberately announcing that she designed to regard no longer the stipulations of the treaty of 1856. This treaty, concluded at the termination of the Crimean war, restricted the warlike operations of Russia in the Black Sea. But Russia must have this privilege if she would carry out her designs against Turkey; hence her determination to disregard that treaty right at this time when none of the powers are in a condition to enforce it. The ostensible reason urged by Russia, is that she may have a sea-front and harbors in a warmer climate than the shores of the Baltic; but the real design is against Turkey. Thus the Churchman, of Hartford, Ct., in an able article on the present “European Medley,” states that Russia in her encroachments upon Turkey, is not merely seeking a sea frontier, and harbors lying on the great highways of commerce, unclosed by arctic winters, but that with a feeling akin to that which inspired the Crusades, she is “actuated by an intense desire to drive the Crescent from the soil of Europe.” When Russia announced her intention to disregard the treaty, the other powers, though incapable of doing anything, nevertheless, as was becoming their ideas of their own importance, made quite a show of offended dignity. A congress of nations was demanded, and the demand was complied with. That congress has been held, and has proved, as everybody expected it would prove, simply a farce, so far as restraining Russia is concerned. The San Francisco Chronicle of the present month, has this paragraph touching “The Eastern-Question Congress”:— “It is quite evident that, as far as directing or controlling the action of the Muscovite government is concerned, the Congress is little better than a farce. England originated the idea of the Congress, simply because it afforded her an opportunity of abandoning, without actual dishonor, a position she had assumed rather too hastily, and Russia was complacent enough to join in the ‘little game,’ feeling satisfied that she would lose nothing by her courtesy. Turkey is the only aggrieved party in this dextrous arrangement. She is left face to face with her hereditary and implacable enemy; for the nations that previously assisted her, ostensibly through friendship and love of justice, but really through motives of self-interest, have evaded the challenge so openly flung into the arena by the Northern Colossus. It is easy to foresee the end of this Conference. Russia will get all she requires, another step will be taken toward the realization of Peter the Great’s Will, and the Sultan will receive a foretaste of his apparently inevitable doom—expulsion from Europe.” Thus all evidence goes to show that the Turk must soon leave Europe. Where will he then plant the tabernacles of his palace? In Jerusalem? That certainly is the most probable point. Newton on the Prophecies, p. 318, says: “Between the seas in the glorious holy mountain, must denote, as we have shown, some part of the Holy Land. There the Turk shall encamp with all his power, yet ‘he shall come to his end, and none shall help him’—shall help him effectually, or deliver him.” Time will soon determine this matter; and it may be but a few months. And when this takes place, what follows? Events of the most momentous interest to all the inhabitants of this world, as the next chapter immediately shows. Men and Things.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
Paul exhorted his brethren to be of one mind, to have the same judgment, to speak the same thing—in short, to be all united. How far our Methodist friends do this, is well shown by the following from one of their leading men, Rev. T. M. Eddy. He says:— “In this beautiful city, where the memory of Methodism is most fragrant, the Methodist Episcopal Church, the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, the Methodist Protestant Church, the Independent Methodist churches, the United Brethren, the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and the African Zion Methodist Episcopal Church, confront each other.” Seven sects of Methodists in one city! This hardly looks like the church Paul describes in Eph. 4, “One Lord, one faith, one hope,” etc. This does not appear much like the near approach of the millennium! We are in the midst of the annual revival season, and the papers, both religious and secular, are full of glowing reports of wonderful conversions, revivals, additions to the churches, &c. One would almost think the whole country was turning to the Lord. Forty in one school-house, one hundred in a village, and three to five hundred in another. Surely God must be in such a work! And then such mighty manifestations of the Spirit and power of God in conversion! Who can doubt? But was not this same thing repeated last winter, and the winter before, and for years in the past? Certainly. What has been the result? Very generally, a few weeks or months is the longest that the most of them hold out. Few of them survive the August drought. They wither away like the grain in the parable. Matt. 13. The next winter finds them fit subjects for another revival. They come back and are converted and counted over again. What could more completely fulfill the prophecy of Hosea, 5: 6, 7, “Now shall a month devour them with their portions.” A striking illustration of this lately came directly under my observation. I was holding meetings in a certain place. The plain truth without any excitement, and against much opposition, brought out some thirty-five souls to obey the Lord in the present truth. Immediately after this, one of these revivals was started in the same house. Several ministers officiated. By animated singing, &c., the necessary excitement was raised. Mourners came forward. The Spirit of God, as was claimed, came down, there was a shout in the camp, and powerful conversions and bright experiences were reported. I was in one evening, and noticed what occurred. Continual singing for hours was the most powerful means that was brought to bear upon the congregation to move them. Several young persons came forward, and were powerfully exercised. The ministers said it was the blessing and power of God that caused it. But I lost some confidence in this when I learned that this was the sixth winter that some of these had gone through the same process, having back-slidden every summer. However, shortly afterward I saw a note in the county paper stating what a fine work had been done at this place, the large number that had been converted, &c. As this is copied from paper to paper, it will sound very well indeed. But the poor Adventists were not noticed at all, though many more had come out under their efforts than under all the others’! Five weeks passed, and I returned to the same place. Not one, not a soul, of those who had embraced present truth, had given up. All were firm. I inquired after the fruits of the revival; and so far as I could learn, there was very little or none remaining. One evening we were somewhat disturbed in our meetings by some thoughtless and fun-loving young people. Among them I noticed three of those who came out in the revival only five weeks before! Some of these were the most noisy and marked of those conversions. On inquiry, I found that they did not profess any religion now. Surely, thought I, “a month shall devour them.” These are sad facts, but they are very common ones, and are becoming more numerous. What is the trouble? They need the truth, God’s present truth, with which to reach and effectually convert souls. D. M. CANRIGHT. How God Leads His Children.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
Is it true that “all things work together for good to them that love God”? God has so declared; yet, in times of trial, temptation, sorrow, and despondency, how hard for us to believe this! The aching heart cries out, Why must this be so? Why must I suffer this terrible sorrow? How much happier and more useful I might have been, had my circumstances been different! We condemn and upbraid ourselves for our failures and the errors we have committed. Satan then seeks to take advantage of these feelings, and make us believe that we are so weak and foolish and sinful that we need try no more. Who has not felt so? Shall we yield to these feelings, distrust God, and throw ourselves away? No; we must rise above these things, and try again. I understand the Bible to teach that God often allows sad and distressing things to come upon his children for the very purpose of purifying them, humbling them, and preparing them for the place he has for them to fill. Of course at the time we cannot see how our trials could possibly work for the end in view; but God sees farther ahead than we do. He works not with the haste and impatience that we do, but slowly and surely. In the end we often see it, and are ashamed of our impatience and unbelief. Few of us can bear continued sunshine and prosperity. We soon grow self-conceited and proud, and take all the glory to ourselves. To save us from this, God allows us to be disappointed; allows deep sorrow to come upon us; and leaves us to act foolishly and unwisely, that we may see our own weakness and nothingness. Happy are we if, during this trial, we do not distrust God, murmur at what we have to bear, and turn away from the Lord. But if this leads us to self-abasement, contrition for sins, more faith in God, then we may hope that God will remove the trial, or lighten it in some way. But, says one, my case is peculiar. No one ever suffered as I do. There is no hope in my case. I do not see how even the Lord can relieve me. I cannot see how this suffering can glorify God in the least, or benefit me. Well, my friend, that is the way every afflicted soul always feels. Listen to the anguished cry of an afflicted soul of old, the prophet Jeremiah: “Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? Behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow, which is done unto me, wherewith the Lord hath afflicted me.” Lam. 1:12. Tell me, you sorrowing, suffering, desponding soul, is not that just the way you feel? Certainly. Then hope in God; for others have gone through as deep waters, and have come out rejoicing. If properly borne, these trials only purify us, and ripen us up for the work God has for us to do. If we are restive under it, the process must go on so much the longer. Hold still and submit to God, and relief and joy will come. Think of poor old Jacob. When it became necessary for him to let Benjamin go down to Egypt, he exclaimed in the anguish of his heart, “All these things are against me.” What a mistake! God meant it for his good, as indeed it soon proved to be. So with us. When trials and sorrows come upon us, we are ready to cry out, “All these things are against us.” But could we only see the end, and know what God designs by them we would feel far differently. Look at poor, suffering Job. He felt so deeply that he even cursed the day of his birth. His property, his sons, his daughters, everything, all gone. There was no hope for him. But the great God could and did help him, and made his last days prosperous and happy. Humiliation, heart-ache, anguish, and tears, seem to be the portion of all God’s saints. In this way God prepares them for usefulness. But if we become impatient and disobedient, then we have all our suffering in vain, and will be lost at last. O God, help me to believe and apply these truths to my own soul. D. M. CANRIGHT. Brief Items.
By Jos. Clarke
He who has his heart full of the love of God, loathes to sin; thus he overcomes sin; this is the only effectual barrier against sin, the love of God in the heart. He who reflects upon his own conduct and daily walk, faithfully dealing with himself, setting his own affections and thoughts in order, will have so much to do, that he will find little time or disposition to do wrong. True piety takes up her abode in the heart; hypocrisy has hers in the head. Earthly helps will often comfort and strengthen us, if we do not lean upon them; God alone should be our refuge and defense. Adversity tends to humility; prosperity fosters pride. The flutterings of pride, and the bliss of sensuality, are the sure forerunners of the pains of hell, and the pangs of despair. He who has the feelings of a kind father, will feel such a compassion for his child, as will prompt the most unselfish solicitude and care for its welfare; not less will those who have a care for their brethren, seek their welfare here, and their peace hereafter. Solomon’s sin consisted in prostituting his vast resources of wealth and wisdom, to the service of Satan; every sinner does the same, in proportion to his ability. The reward which awaits the humblest saint in the world to come, infinitely outweighs all the riches and glory of all the kingdoms of earth. Twenty Years Ago.
By R. F. Cottrell
TWENTY years ago, namely, May 19, 1851, an article was published in the ADVENT REVIEW AND SABBATH HERALD, Vol. 1, No. 11, entitled, “Thoughts on Revelation xiii and xiv,” in which the views now held by Seventh-day Adventists on the Two-horned Beast and Third Angel’s Message, were briefly set forth. At that time there were a few, a mere handful, that held that the United States was the government symbolized by this beast with two horns like a lamb, and hence that this country was the theater of the last conflict of the people of God with earthly, persecuting powers, and that the time had come for the warning message of Rev. 14:9-12, to be given, and here was the proper place for its rise. This view that our government was thus described in prophecy was new to me. But on a careful examination of the evidences I came decidedly to the conclusion that the application was right, and I embraced the view. Twenty years have sped, (how quickly!) and how does the evidence now stand? If our position is right, this government is to make an image to the papal beast. As that beast consisted of the union of church and State, the ecclesiastical power controlling civil governments, an image to that beast, must be a similar establishment. Is there any prospect of a union of church and State in this country? Is this demanded? Is the saying now being addressed to our people “that they should make an image to the beast”? There is no disguising the fact that this measure is being urgently demanded. Twenty years ago we could refer to individual testimonies and certain projected movements in favor of legislation on religious subjects, which showed a tendency in that direction; but now there is a fully organized national association with this very object too plainly inscribed upon their banner to be mistaken. A religious amendment to our national constitution is plainly called for, so plainly that men do not fail to comprehend it. Says the Examiner and Chronicle, “This agitation for a national religion, officially professed, has for its logical outcome persecution—that, and nothing more nor less.” Some of our political papers are raising the voice of warning against it; representing that while the Old World is struggling for emancipation from the thralldom of church and State, the National Association is for binding these galling shackles upon our hitherto free nation in this respect. But it may be said that our people are too enlightened for this measure to carry. They are too enlightened to do so; but they are too corrupt not to do it when personal and party considerations clamor for it. When it shall be seen that the movers of this measure hold the balance of power, so that the party that secures their vote will secure their own political advancement, one party or the other will pledge themselves to carry it forward, in order to lift themselves into power, and thus it will be carried. I say this with the more confidence, because the prophecy affirms that “he had power to give life unto the image of the beast.” When this is done, he will “speak,” to cause that as many as will not worship the image of the beast shall be killed. That which twenty years ago was a matter of faith, is now almost a matter of sight. Will those who profess faith in the Bible as the word of God, open their eyes to the approaching trial, and prepare themselves to stand in that “hour of temptation,” by heeding the message of the third angel, and keeping “the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus”? Why not believe that word of prophecy, which is so manifestly true? The Inner Life.
By A. S. Hutchins
“In proportion as the inner life is vivid, the outer life will be effective,” so in proportion as we lose a clear sense of our high and holy obligation to God, and suffer our hearts to grow cold, and our affections to attach themselves to the things of this world, will our influence for good be inefficient and powerless. Says the apostle, “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” How merciful, how compassionate, is our kind Heavenly Parent, to devise the plan of salvation, whereby fallen, ruined, lost man, might, through obedience and faith, gain an endless life of ineffable bliss in the kingdom of God. Here we may enter the service of our blessed Master, deny self, bear the daily cross, overcome the evil traits of our nature, grow in grace, sacrifice for the good of others, and soon wear a crown of glory, and forever reign with Christ. This thought is sufficient to thrill our entire being. To energize the soul, to give tone and force to the whole life. The earnest Christian feels he has a work to do, an object to accomplish. The glory of God and the salvation of precious souls absorb his mind, yea, inspire his soul with zeal and activity, and lead him out from the world, and up to a high standard of morality, Christianity, and usefulness. His mark is high. Successfully he aims to hit it. Mark the contrast between this man and the purposeless professor. Mark his lack of devotion, his tardy pace heavenward. How heavily the golden moments hang upon his hands. He lives and acts as though a temporal millennium were his to do good and get right in. Day after day, and month after month, see him in society, in the public gatherings and places of amusement, debate, strife, and contention, where in a long life, he could not lead one soul to Christ. The godly mourn over him, while the sinner may ensure his course. Oh! how much better to spend the fast-passing moments of probation in the closet, in reading the word of God, in meditating upon the perfections of his spotless character; to labor to have our life “hid with Christ in God,” to gather a few souls to the bleeding, blessed Jesus, who shall eternally be stars in the overcomer’s crown. Oh! for a vivid sense of the untold, the unutterable, the matchless blessedness of denying self, of leading lives of usefulness, and of finally entering into the joy of the Lord. Oh! that both the writer and the reader may enter there. Discretion as the Perfection of Reason
DISCRETION is the perfection of reason. Oakland, Mich.
By R. J. Lawrence
I MET with the church in Oakland, Sabbath, Feb. 25. The brethren were anxious for a series of meetings. Accordingly we commenced meetings evenings and Sabbaths and first-days, to continue as long as the interest should demand. The first week there was no break, but a gradually increasing interest, until Sabbath, March 4, at the morning prayer-meeting, the Spirit of the Lord came in with its melting power. Earnest prayers were made, and hearty confessions. All present were affected to tears. From this time our meeting increased in interest. Last Tuesday we met to celebrate the ordinances. Six were baptized. Two of them had never before made a profession of the truth. These six and two others united with the church are much encouraged, and feel that the Lord has not altogether forsaken them. The rain has prevented further meetings. We shall resume meetings next Sabbath if the weather will permit. There has been a large representation of hearers from without. We hope that much good may be done in removing prejudice, and causing them to study and learn the truth. Pray for us, that the work may go on until our children shall be brought to embrace the truth and be gathered with God's people. The Lord has graciously helped in the preaching of his word. His name be praised! What helpless creatures we are without the help of God. But with it, we can do all things. Peace in Our Hearts.
By Sarah E. L. Pierce
“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.” Col. 3:15. This scripture has been in my mind much of late. Peace! precious grace; it is one of the fruits of the Spirit. Dear brethren and sisters, we want more of it; we want it to rule in our hearts. If this rules, little of the carnal mind will be left. In our association with the home circle or with the church, the strife and discord, the “murmurings and disputings,” of which we are too often guilty, will have but a very small place. The petty annoyances and vexations we meet, will not so often betray us into sin. I speak to my dear sisters especially, most of whom know by experience of the hundred and one cares and little perplexities incidental to the daily round of household labor. How much do we need that ornament which is in the sight of God of great price, a meek and quiet spirit! It differs from the outward adorning, which is only for occasional use. We may wear it constantly; and if we do, we shall be surprised to find that half our difficulties have vanished. The hasty, impatient word, the sharp retort, or foolish jest, will have no place in our hearts or upon our lips. It is in perfect harmony, too, with the peace of God. Oh! I desire this peace. I must have it, not as a transient visitor, but an abiding guest. How many will strive with me to obtain it? And in our efforts let us remember the words of the prophet, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee.” Isa. 26:3. Ah! this is the way. For one, I have a great work to do to keep my mind stayed on the Lord. Jesus is soon coming to gather the faithful ones home. Let us take courage, and press on. If we are earnest and persevering, we may, with the help of the Lord, obtain the final victory, and share the home of the redeemed. You may get through the world but ’twill be very slow,
If you listen to all that is said as you go;
You’ll be worried, and fretted, and kept in a stew;
For meddlesome tongues will have something to do,
For people will talk. If quiet and modest, you’ll have it presumed
That your humble position is only assumed;
You’re a wolf in sheep’s clothing, or else you’re a fool,
But don’t get excited, keep perfectly cool,
For people will talk. If generous and noble, they’ll vent out their spleen,
You’ll hear some loud hints that you’re selfish and mean;
If upright, honest, and fair as the day,
They’ll call you a rogue, in a sly, sneering way,
For people will talk. And then, if you show the least boldness of heart,
Or a slight inclination to take your own part,
They will call you an upstart, conceited, and vain;
But keep straight ahead, don’t stop to explain,
For people will talk. If threadbare your dress, or old-fashioned your hat,
Some one will surely take notice of that,
And hint rather strong that you can’t pay your way;
But don’t get excited, whatever they say,
For people will talk. If you dress in the fashion, don’t think to escape,
For they criticise then in a different shape;
You’re ahead of your means, or your tailor’s unpaid;
But mind your own business, there’s naught to be made,
For people will talk. Now, the best way to do is to do as you please,
For your mind, if you have one, will then be at ease;
Of course you will meet with all sorts of abuse;
But don’t think to stop them, it ain’t any use,
For people will talk.