p. 167 | Review and Herald, Vol. 6, No. 21. (1/23/1855)

Earlier text: Church Officers and Government

COMMUNICATIONS.

By H. S. Boyd

From Bro. Boyd.

DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS:—With feelings of pleasure I now attempt to address those whom although I have not seen yet I love. I think I can say this evening that I love those that love God and are striving through much tribulation to do his holy will. It has been some time that my heart has been firmly knit with those who by the grace of God have been willing to come out from the world and strive to keep all the commandments of God and suffer inconveniences and persecution from friends, foes, the church and world. I can sympathize with those dear brethren and sisters who, like myself, are situated far from all of like precious faith and cannot enjoy the society of those we love, with whom our hearts long to meet on the Sabbath of the Lord our God. To such let me say, If we live as we should we can enjoy the presence of our Saviour while here, wherever our lot may be cast, and soon we shall enjoy the society of all that blood-bought throng who have come up out of great tribulation and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Be not disheartened: our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. Have there not been signs in the sun, and the moon and the stars? and is there not upon the earth distress of nations with perplexity, the sea and waves roaring? Are not men's hearts failing them for fear and for looking after those things that are coming on the earth? what next? the powers of heaven shall be shaken and then we shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds with power and great glory. What visions of bright glory open to our view. But stop, are we quite certain that we shall be found of him in peace without spot and blameless? Have we in all that we have done, said and felt, had an eye single to the glory of God? Have we fully come up to Christ's teachings and example? Have we loved one another as he loved us? It is a great thing to come up to our high and holy profession. I feel to pray,

"Lord guide me in the Christian race, And keep my mind intent on thee; Rejoicing when I see thy face, And trusting when I cannot see."

Let us begin anew to pray for an increasing knowledge of self; for a lively, vigorous faith which works by love and purifies the heart; for communion with the Father and Son through the Holy Spirit; for true holiness of heart; for grace that we may hold out to the end, and that God will sanctify prosperity and adversity or whatever he may be pleased to send us to his glory and our eternal good; and while we ask these blessings for ourselves let us unitedly pray for the prosperity of the church, that all disorder and disunion may for ever be done away and that we may be one in Christ, bound by the strongest ties of christian love and fellowship. Oh that we all may be one as the Father is in the Son and the Son in the Father. The past year may be the last one of our pilgrimage here; let us therefore double our diligence for the days are evil, and while we see the signs of Christ's coming thicken around us, let us lift up our heads and rejoice knowing our redemption draweth nigh.

Yours in hope looking for the speedy consummation of all things. H. S. BOYD. Lyme, Dec. 31st, 1854.

The Bible Our Sufficient Creed

By O. D. Eastman

From Bro. Eastman.

DEAR BRO. WHITE:—Having had some opportunity of reading your paper, "The Advent Review," and of examining the leading doctrines it advocates in connection with others also given in the scriptures of truth. I have been much interested, instructed and blest; for I consider the Bible a sufficient creed, given for the foundation of our faith, and guide for our life. As "all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, &c. How vastly important is it now for us while living in the midst of so many unmistakable signs of Christ's immediate coming, that we take heed to all that God has given in his word to guide our feet in the path to life: that we may not be found wanting in that day. It is written 'Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city."

We often wish we could meet with those of like precious faith in public worship, but in this we are denied the privilege, yet we hope by keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, we shall soon sit down at our Father's table, with all the redeemed to celebrate the marriage supper of the Lamb.

Yours looking for Jesus. O. D. EASTMAN. N. H., Dec. 27th, 1854.

MARY A. WALDORF

By Mary A. Waldorf

From Sister Waldorf.

DEAR BRO. WHITE :—I feel impressed to write a few lines by way of encouragement to the children of God scattered abroad. I have been a reader of the Review a little over a year. I have been very much edified and instructed by it. The subject of the atonement, and the soul not immortal, I have read with great interest. Indeed, I cannot perceive any leanness in the Review; the letters from the brethren and sisters are encouraging to me.

It is a little over a year since I embraced the true Sabbath; and I feel firm in the faith. All are doing right who begin to keep the blessed day, only let them persevere.

Surely it is the Lord that has led me thus far, and caused me to receive the light of present truth. I believe I have let go the scraps of tradition that I had treasured up for many years; that is, so far as I have received the light. I have many trials to endure; but Jesus who is faithful to his promises, supports and keeps my soul in every temptation. Glory be to his most holy name! he will not suffer his children to be tempted nor tried above what they are able to bear, but will with the temptation also make a way for their escape.

Truly we have great need to watch and pray; for we are living in trying times, and have need to gird on the whole armor of God, that we may be able to stand against the wiles of the Devil. "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."

The Apostle says, "Wherefore, take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand." Eph. vi, 13. O let us cultivate a spirit of love; yea, let us strive to be clothed with humility as with a garment, having Christ dwelling in us richly by faith. Let us love one another, even as Christ hath loved us. Love is the fulfilling of the law. It is this that causes us to pray for our enemies, and bless them that despitefully use and persecute us; to do good for evil and not retaliate.

Yours in hope of eternal life.

MARY A. WALDORF

Harrison Co., O., Jan. 6th, 1855.

Faithfulness in the Last Days

By Delinda I. Hitchcock

From Sister Hitchcock.

DEAR BRO. WHITE:—I feel under renewed obligations to thank and praise my heavenly Father in giving me ears to hear and a heart to feel the truth of the third angel's message. I rejoice to hear from so many dear brethren and sisters who are striving to walk in the path which is cast up for the ransomed

of the Lord; and although we meet with opposition and trials by the way, I know that if we put our trust in the Lord, he will sustain us; for he has promised to be with us in the sixth trouble and in the seventh he will not leave nor forsake us.

Dear brethren and sisters, let us try to be faithful a little longer and set an example before the world that they may take knowledge of us that we have learned the good and the right way. I see that there is great need of my being more faithful and stepping fast in order to stand in that great day undismayed. I desire to be stripped of every thing that is unholy and unclean, that my heart may be pure and my hands clean, that I with you may find shelter under the arm of God and escape the seven last plagues that will be poured out upon a guilty world. O, I desire to be entirely consecrated to God and to his service. Dear brethren and sisters let us be up and doing, and daily die to self, to pride and love of approbation. We can plainly see that the great day of God's wrath hastens greatly. When I contemplate the goodness of God in giving his only Son to die, I am led to exclaim, O what love, what matchless love to give his Son to die for fallen man! O that I might suffer more for the sake of Christ since he has suffered so much for me; we have the promise that if we suffer with him we shall also reign with him. I desire to be more engaged in the cause of Christ, and many times I am led to exclaim,

"O for a closer walk with God, A calm and heavenly frame, A light to shine along the road, That leads me to the Lamb."

Your unworthy sister striving to overcome. DELINDA I. HITCHCOCK. Ingham Co., Mich., Dec. 30th, 1854.

E. HARRIS

By E. Harris

From Bro. Harris.

DEAR BRO. WHITE:—I am still striving for the kingdom although I often come short. I feel determined to strive day by day; for my Lord has told me that if I ask it shall be given me. These promises are to the willing and obedient. O brethren, if we are trying to do the will of our heavenly Father, then can we in truth pray after this manner: Thy kingdom come; thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven.

Brethren, the prospect is fair ahead. The Lord will soon take his children home; but a long dark night awaits the ungodly; a night that knows no morn. O sinner if you will not have this man Christ Jesus to reign over you, you must die to live no more for ever. I thank the Lord that there is a satisfying portion for those that love God and keep his commandments.

E. HARRIS

Vernon, Vt., Jan. 7th, 1855.

Encouragement for Isolated Believers

By Elvira N. Titus

From Sister Titus.

DEAR BRO. WHITE:—Although we are alone and have not the privilege of meeting with God's people, yet the cause of Christ is dear to us, and it is with joy that we hear from those of like precious faith through the Review.

For the sake of all, and especially those situated like ourselves, it is hoped that it may continue to be a weekly Messenger, "that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth." Isa. lii, 7.

Brethren let those of us who have given "little" for the cause of God, give "more," according as we have ability, remembering the widow's mite; lest the question be asked of us, "Will a man rob God?" Mal. iii, 8. Rather let "all" heed the requirement in verse 10, "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse that there may be meat in mine house."

From your unworthy sister in the cause of truth. ELVIRA N. TITUS. Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.

Holding Fast to Present Truth

By L. Sturdevant

From Sr. Sturdevant

DEAR BRO. WHITE :—I delight in the Sabbath of the Lord. It is a blessed day to me, though I have many persecutions like all pilgrims and strangers on the earth. There are no other Sabbath-keepers in this vicinity that I have heard of.

I have been striving though in much weakness to keep all the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, and I am determined to hold on to the present truth till I find something better from God's holy Word. I have not heard any one speak on the question of the Sabbath since Bro. Joseph Bates was with us last March at Elizabeth. We labor under many disadvantages surrounded as we are by a Sabbath-breaking community, and deprived also of meeting with any of like precious faith.

"I walk alone and oft am sad And falls the briny tear, My heart is grieved with trials sore, And pressed with many a care; But the better land no sorrow knows: There hushed is every sigh: The Saviour's hand in kindness wipes, The tear drops from each eye." L. STURDEVANT. Blue Mounds, Dane Co , Wis. Jan. 1st, 1855.

Hewed for the Building

By R. J. Kellogg

From Sister Kellogg.

DEAR BRO. WHITE:—We are strong in all the present truth, and trying to overcome every thing that is wrong in the sight of God. How pure and holy the people of God must be to stand in the trying time that is coming. My mind has been drawn up to the subject of being hewed by the prophets. When a man prepares timber for a building he cannot leave the bark and limbs upon it: it must be hewed to the line. So we must be hewed for the building which will come together without the sound of a hammer. We must have all pride, selfishness and love of the world overcome and be pure in heart and in life. We must let the third angel's message have its sanctifying influence upon the heart. We must show to the world that we are the peculiar people zealous of good works.

My mind has been exercised upon this subject for some time. I fear we are not half aware of the devices of Satan in these last days. I fear we do not feel the danger we are in of being overcome by the enemy. He is trying every possible way to draw us astray. We must watch and pray much that we may have grace to overcome. We must have the prize which lies at the end of the race before us to encourage us on in this trying time.

My heart yearns over the people of God. I fear lest many who profess present truth may come short and not stand in the time of trouble. O let us strive for the unity of the faith and love one another with pure hearts fervently. We have but little time in which to get ready. We must be pure, without spot or wrinkle in our garments. We must be Christians in every respect. Let us lay aside every weight and the sin that doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.

I mourn over the children of the remnant. O the responsibility that rests upon parents! Do parents feel the responsibility that is resting upon them? Do parents feel that the salvation of their children depends upon the instruction they give them? Much has been said upon this subject, yet I fear that parents do not feel the duty they owe to God in this respect. Do you foster pride in yourself and your children, and do you get impatient with them? If so you can but expect they will manifest the same spirit: children will follow the bad examples of their parents. Have you ever thought how you would feel to see your children (whom you think it so hard to see punished for their faults now) suffering beneath the seven last plagues which are soon coming upon the ungodly world. God cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance in us or our children. Do you think you can see your children suffering beneath the wrath of God, and your garments be pure in the sight of God? Do you not know that the sins of your children are at your door? We must get right ourselves before we can be prepared to get our children right.

Dear brethren and sisters, let us be faithful, live humble, do our duty, and trust in God. He says, My grace is sufficient for you. I feel strong in the Lord that he is able to bring us off victorious. If we are faithful a little longer we shall see the King in his beauty.

Your unworthy sister, striving for eternal life. R. J. KELLOGG. Jackson, Mich., Jan. 4th, 1855.

FOREIGN NEWS.

FROM the English papers you can scarcely form an idea of the gloom which pervades society. Many aristocratic families are in mourning for their relatives who have perished in the Crimea by the sword of the enemy, or by fearful disease; and the letters of the survivors are so frightful that they are kept back from publicity in order to prevent a panic. Still, the public mind is sufficiently prepared for some dreadful disaster looming in the near future. The mismanagement of the expedition is palpable enough, and the mortality in the camp and at Balaklava, arising from sheer neglect and want of organizing talent, excites the indignation of the people against Lord Raglan and all the Crimean Generals.

It cannot be disguised that Sevastopol, after a siege of ten weeks, is far stronger than it was on the first day when the Allies arrived at Balaklava, and that it is altogether impossible to reduce it by bombardment, while an assault becomes, day by day, more dangerous.

As to the hopes of peace in consequence of the treaty of Dec. 2d, they grow fainter and fainter. By the 2d of January they will reach their last stage, and the Czar does not seem inclined to accept conditions, which he rejected in Sept., now, that his chances are better than ever. Austria's position at the same time becomes more critical. She must now, soon, either disappoint the Allies, or declare war against Russia, while her object is to maintain her neutrality.

I am assured by influential persons here in London, that it is a pledge on the part of Austria to declare war on March 2d, in case the negotiations should fail to lead to a result this year.

Prussia likewise feels that she must soon be drawn into the whirlpool of war, and has therefore sent Count Usedom to London to ascertain the position of affairs.

In Italy, Mazzini is trying to make the most of the present opportunity. Still, his chances are not favorable. Sardinia will soon accede to the treaty of Dec. 2d, and will be ready to put down any movement in Lombardy or in the Romagna, in case the French and Austrian armies of occupation should be called away from the Peninsula.

As to the seat of war, we know, by the Russian dispatches, that up to the 20th, nothing had happened at Sevastopol, and that the Russian artillery is beginning to subdue the fire of the besiegers.

Extract from the Times, Dec 23.

THE STATE OF THINGS BEFORE SEVASTOPOL.—There is no use disguising the matter. We are not speaking from our own correspondence only. We are not saying what we think alone. We say, on the evidence of every letter that has been received in this country, and we echo the opinion of almost every experienced soldier or well informed gentleman, when we say that the noblest army England ever sent from these shores has been sacrificed to the grossest mismanagement.

What becomes of everything sent to Balaklava nobody knows, but, while they are rotting, thousands are perishing for want of them. Everybody can point out something that should be done, but there is nobody to order it to be done; and fifty thousand men, or what now remains of them, are drifting with their eyes open, but hand-bound, spell-bound, toward destruction.

It will be of little use to send out reinforcements by thousands unless we take steps for their better management. As it is, they march to their graves, and begin to perish by scores from the hour they land. Misrule receives them on the beach, and wearies them, worries them, drenches them, shivers them, and so destroys them, till a few spectral figures are all that remain.

The mortality among the Turks has now assumed all the dimensions of a plague.

Yesterday, ere evening, upward of seventy bodies were carried to their long home, and deposited in shallow graves not above a few inches deep, and were left with a shovelful or two of earth and pebbles over them, as close together as they could be packed. To-day the same process is going on. The dead are frightful to look upon—emaciated in the last degree, with the faces and heads swollen and discolored, and drops of blood stealing down from nose and ear; there they are, lying out in ranks on the hill-side, while the living, who seem soon about to follow them, dig their graves.

New Hymn Book and Tract

By Editor

The New Hymn Book will probably be completed by the first of May. We have a very few copies of the old for those who wish them.

The postage on cards is one cent each; and it would spoil our large cards to send them by Mail. We shall send them out in Boxes and Packages of Books to be circulated by the traveling brethren.

Just published and for sale; a small tract containing extracts from the Englishman's Greek Concordance, showing how the terms Soul, Hell, Bottomless Pit, Immortal, Immortality, Deacon, Bishop, Elder, Transgression of the Law, Holy-day, Ministration, The Sanctuary, and Baptize are used in the original. Every instance in which they occur in the Greek Testament is given, and the words translated from them into English.

To raise $500 to relieve the Office.

By Editor

W. Harris, E. N. Titus, E. Lindsey, D. S. Gardner, R. Hollaad, S. P. Hungerford, Z. Brooks, Mrs. M. Everts, L. Hall, each $1. W. Grant, W. D. Williams, Wm. Bryant, S. Gove, each $2. J. Harroun $3. C. G. Cramer $4. H. Lyon, A. B. Morton, A. Hart, each $5. J. Fishell Jr., $4.20. C. M. $1.60. E. Flanders $1.25.—The amount now raised is $99.05.

To raise the Tract Fund to $500.

By Editor

R. Holland, A. M. A. Cornell, S. P. Hungerford, Z. Brooks, D. Hewett, C. Oshurn, each $1. W. D. Williams, W. Grant, a Friend in Canada, each $3. C. G. Cramer $4. E. Goodwin, A. B. Morton, each $5. H. Lyon $10.—Whole amount, $257.79.

Receipts.

By Editor

C. R. Austin, A. S. Hutchins, A. Rice, E. Pond, J. Lindsey, C. W. Sperry, A. Burwell, N. Lesley, D. Smalley, a Friend, B. Haselton, D. Stillman, D. A. Washburn, R. Stephenson, H. Tyler, E. Harris, L. Lyman, S. Hallock, H. Hopkins, E. Robinson; C. Holliday, L. Griswold, J. Vredenburg, M. Capin, G. Ransier, A. R. Andrews, M. Harris, E. O. Meacham, S. E. Sanford, A. Chapman, I. Ingles, M. Lawrence, E. C. Brissee, C. Wheelock, A. P. H. Kelsey, L. W. Thayer, A. S. King, W. Holcomb, O. Bacon, L. B. Green, each $1.

J. Davis, H. Everts, H. Gardner, J. S. Mathews, J. R. Lewis, (one for D. C. Bronson,) J. Whitford, I. Cramer, R. W. Campbell, J. Harroun, Wm. Rogers, each $2. E. Lathrop, A. L. Burwell, a Friend in Canada, each $3. E. Everts, J. Lamson, S. H. Peck, each $5.

J. Paine $1.30. D. Paine $1.50. E. D. Armstrong, A. White, each $1.75. I. B. Woodin $1.25. L. Bean $1.14. E. S. Maltby $0.75. L. Clay, E. Taylor, A. Barton, P. Gove, S. Gove, each $0.50. M. Smith $0.40.—$92.64 behind on the REVIEW.

Letters.

J. M. Stephenson, S. Bruce, S. T. Cranson, M. A. Waldorf, J. D. Hough, A. S. Hutchins, D. P. Hall, A. Sunrock, E. A. Cooper.

Cost of the Review One year, weekly.

By Editor

| 4000 Copies . . . . . . . . . . . $4000. | | 3000 " . . . . . . . . . . . $3500. | | 2000 " . . . . . . . . . . . $3000. |

Our present circulation costs $60 per week, or $3125. per year. Those wishing to ascertain the condition of the Office in regard to means, may compare the receipts with the above.

Appointments.

By John Norton Loughborough

PROVIDENCE permitting, I will meet with the brethren in Manlius, Third-day evening, Jan 30th; Roosevelt, Fourth-day evening, Jan. 31st.

A Conference of the brethren in Oswego county, will be held in Oswego, commencing Sixth-day, Feb. 2d, at 10 A. M. and hold over Sabbath. Brn. Holt and Rhodes will attend the above meetings with me.

We hope to see a general attendance of the brethren in Oswego county at the above meeting. We desire to see order established in the churches of Oswego county, that a more effectual door may be opened for the spread of the truth. Brethren let us strive to hold our position in the clear light that we may feel for others and be where we can exert an influence that will tell for the truth. Come to the meeting praying the Lord to work and guide by his Spirit.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.

Money Receipt

By Editor

L. McIntire:—You will find your money receipted in No. 16.

Extracts of Letters.

By Editor

Bro. Lewis Martin writes from Bennington N. H., Jan. 4th, 1855:—"There are a few of us in this region that are striving to know and do the will of God, and keep his holy commandments, that we may have a right to the tree of life. We are comforted by reading the Review, and our desire is that it may be sustained : we sympathize with you in your afflictions and trust they will work for your good."

Bro. W. Phelps writes:—"The Lord is still working in Wisconsin. Several have recently turned their feet into the testimonies of the Lord, and are keeping all the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus"

Striving for Immortality at Christ’s Appearing

By Olive Hamilton

From Sister Hamilton.

DEAR BRO. WHITE:—As the poor widow's two mites were acceptable to God, I feel desirous, though very unworthy, of bearing some humble part with the people of God; therefore I would say to my brethren and sisters scattered abroad, that I am not discouraged in striving to keep all the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. I feel the necessity of living a more self-denying, watchful, prayerful life before God that I may have my lamp trimmed and burning and be received into the marriage supper of the Lamb.

My heart is made to rejoice when reading the communications from the brethren and sisters through the Review. I seem to gather some of the rich clusters of Eschol. I desire an interest in your prayers at the throne of grace that I may be an overcomer through the blood of the everlasting covenant, that I may be clothed with a garment of Christ's righteousness, that I may have that faith which takes hold of the promises of God and reaches to that within the vail where our forerunner has gone.

Your sister in Christ, striving for immortality at the appearing of the Saviour. OLIVE HAMILTON. Fredonia, N. Y., Jan., 2d, 1855.