O Lord, my God, to thee I cry,
To thee I lift my heart:
O hear me from thy throne on high,
To me thy grace impart.
When early morning lights the sky,
Let me before thee fall—
O may I find thy presence nigh,
My Priest, my King, my All.
When mid-day's beams descend on me,
O guide my footsteps then,
Lest I be drawn from truth and thee
By worldly-minded men.
And when the shadows of the night
Are darkening all the land,
Securely trusting in thy might,
Let me lie on thy hand.
O Lord, my God, while here I live,
Till I am called away,
Let day by day my actions prove
My love to thee, I pray. [Am Mes.
Relief for the Review Office
By James White
MANY thanks to friends indeed, in Vermont and elsewhere, who assisted us in time of sickness and want about one year since. The prompt action of many in the church in raising the Book Fund will free us from all pecuniary embarrassment. And we wish to appropriate $25 of the private donations referred to above to the relief of the REVIEW OFFICE.
Every possible means have been taken the last six months to relieve the Office from debt, by those connected with it. Compositors have worked for less than the usual prices for type-setting, besides doing work free, which does not belong to them. We receive nothing. Having occupied a portion of our time out of the Office, much care and labor has been thrown upon the Editor who is no small sharer in the sacrifice at the Office, which has brought down the weekly expenses of the REVIEW to less than $45. The next volume will probably cost more than $50 per week. J. W.
THE CLOSE OF THE VOLUME.
By Editor
In the rapid flight of time we are brought to chronicle the close of another volume of the REVIEW AND HERALD. Its testimony has been borne, and we pause for reflection. We have evidence that its pages have been loved by many; that its messages have been to them sources of comfort and encouragement; and so far, strength has been reflected to our own bosom. While there are others, perhaps, who have scoffed at its words of warning, and treated with contempt and ridicule its efforts to spread light and truth among the people. This however does not discourage us; for truth has ever met, and ever will meet, such treatment as this at the hands of the world.
Since this volume commenced, many have received the truth to their present joy, and, we trust, to their eternal salvation; while many have probably rejected it, we fear to their eternal loss. But in how many hearts good seed has been sown, which will yet spring up and bring forth fruit; or how many hearts have felt the arrow of conviction, but have smothered the voice of conscience, we cannot tell. One fact we know, in view of which we have endeavored to labor, that we are all, both writers and readers, "hasting unto the coming of the day of God."
As this volume is, so all the scenes of this world soon will be,—closed. The last act of every man's life will then have been recorded, and their cases all decided. This is the great way-mark before us. The approach of this event is what we are endeavoring to advertise before the world; and a preparation to meet it is the work we would urge upon all. We are yet this side of the decisive moment, when the mediation of Christ shall cease. The passing hours of probation still linger. The way is still open for the confession and pardon of sin. Golden privileges are yet clustering around us, more precious than rubies; for if there are times upon which the lost will look back with more remorse than upon others, it will be those days in which opportunities were given them to repent, but they improved them not. Oh the importance of making sure upon these issues which are for eternity!
The alarm of war is ringing through the earth; the four angels stationed upon its four corners, to hold the four winds, will soon have fulfilled their mission; the great earthquake which shall convulse the world, is already giving us frequent premonitions of its approach; and how are our lives telling in view of these scenes? Are our efforts in the work of preparation, proportioned to the importance of the work, and the solemnity of the time in which we live?
We shall enter upon volume IX with courage, not only because our brethren have been steadily increasing, and we commence with more subscribers than we had at the beginning of volume VIII, but because we believe, in view of truths recently developed, that a new era is opening before us.
We would here return our thanks to our friends for the encouragement they have given us in word and deed, and for the evidence they have shown that their hearts are with us in this work; and we can assure them, that, as we labor on, we shall still endeavor to trust in God, live in his fear, and move according to his will. Our readers are requested, as they supplicate the throne of grace, for God's blessing to rest upon his cause, still to remember the REVIEW, the instrument in which we have all a common interest, that its pages may ever be found bearing "meat in due season," to the household of faith, dispensing light and truth through the ranks of the remnant, and aiding many in the all-important work of preparing to stand before the Son of man at his appearing and kingdom.
THE PHILADELPHIA CHURCH.
By James White
In the recent article on the Seven Churches, we were obliged to pass over many points of interest for want of room. We now call attention to more definite remarks upon the Philadelphia church, in which we hope to be able to remove all objections to the position taken.
It has been supposed that the Philadelphia period of the church reached to the coming of Christ; and some may not yet see sufficient reasons for believing otherwise; for their benefit, especially, we take up the subject.
It should be distinctly understood that "the seven churches in Asia" represent the condition of the church during seven distinct periods of the christian age. Admit this, (and we think all must,) and the point is settled that the Philadelphia period does not reach to the coming of Christ; for the Laodicean is the last of the seven periods. If two of the seven churches can apply to any one period, why not three? why not all seven? Remember that these churches represent the condition of the church during seven distinct periods of the christian age.
"And unto the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth and no man shutteth, and shutteth and no man openeth: I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it; for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name." Rev. iii, 7, 8.
Philadelphia signifies brotherly love. We trust the evidence produced two weeks since was sufficient to convince our brethren that this church represents the true church who were called out upon the advent question during the period of the great advent movement in 1843 and 1844. That was the period and the people in which brotherly love was exhibited. We came down to the Autumn of 1844. Then every believer was awake. There the prophetic periods terminated. Next comes the cleansing of the Sanctuary. But in order for this, He that hath the key of David must open his ministration for the cleansing of the Sanctuary in the Most Holy Place, and close that of the Holy Place. Before the waiting people of God was then set "an open door." "The temple of God was opened in heaven." Rev. xi, 19; xv, 5. By faith the faithful ones see this door open into the Most Holy, and the Ark of God, in which is the law of Ten Commandments. "No man" can shut it, nor turn them away from dwelling upon the perfections of the Divine law, and the love, excellency and glory of Him who now presents his blood before the Mercy-seat, which rests upon the Ark of God. Here we are brought down through the period of the "open door," or Christ's ministration in the Most Holy, to the event described as follows:—
"Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan which say they are Jews and are not, but do lie: behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee." Verse 9.
Who are these? No others besides believers are recognized in the New Testament as true Israelites, or Jews. These profess the faith, claim to be Adventists; but on account of rejecting the present truth, and backsliding from God, are not in fact what they profess to be. It is a fact that a large portion of the advent host that stood consecrated in 1844, left their consecration, denied the hand of God which led them out so far from the world, and have stood deadly opposed to the Third Angel's Message, and have done all they could to crush those who have taught it, and have sought to obey it. We most solemnly believe that many of them will help compose the synagogue of Satan. And for all their opposition, revilings and reproaches, they will repent when it will be too late. They will bow at true believers' feet. The scale is yet to turn. Near the close of the ministration of Christ in the Most Holy, the latter rain will be poured out, the Message will go with a loud voice, the Holy Ghost will be poured out, the gifts will all be restored, and the remnant will stand forth in power. Then will those who have represented believers in the Third Message as departing from God and his Word, be made to know that God has loved them. They will bow at the feet of those who have stood firm. They will own that God has been with those who have for twelve years acknowledged all the way the Lord has led them in the past advent movement, and who have stood firm for the Third Message.
"Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world to try them that dwell upon the earth." Verse 10.
From the point of time to which the testimony of this verse applies, it looks both ways: back over the period of the open door, or the patient waiting time in which believers have been tested by the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus; also forward through the time of trouble which will try all on the earth. As Christ ceases to offer his blood for sinners, the saints will be sealed, and Christ will keep them through the time of trouble, or pouring out of the seven last plagues. "I will keep thee"—gracious promise;—Lord, help us to keep the word of thy patience. "Behold, I come quickly. Hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown." Verse 11.
"Him that overcometh, will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out; and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is New Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God; and I will write upon him my new name. He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches." Verses 12, 13.
We cannot suppose that the words "pillar," and "temple," can be understood literally, as applying to the New Jerusalem, but, rather, as figures of the power and strength of believers in the church of God, when they shall have fully overcome. Then, as the wholesale dealer marks upon the box or bale of goods which he wishes to send to the purchaser, the owner's name, and the place of destination, the saints by their faith and works will show to all around, whose they are, and where they are going; viz., they are God's property, going up to the New Jerusalem. "I will write upon them the name of my God; and the name of the city of my God, which is New Jerusalem."
But the question arises, If the testimony to the Philadelphia church applies all the way down to the coming of Christ, does not the Philadelphia period reach to the end? This question should be answered in harmony with the testimony to the churches in Thyatira and Sardis.
The Thyatirian period covers the 1260 years of Papal supremacy, and closed more than fifty years since, yet the last charge is, "Hold fast till I come." From this we conclude that although the Thyatirian period closed more than half a century since, yet a few old Thyatirans would live to hear the Advent Message, pass down through the Sardis period, and help compose the Philadelphia church.
It is also said to the Sardis church, "If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee;" yet the Sardis period does not reach to the coming of Christ as a thief on those who do not watch. Warning was given to this church in reference to the coming of Christ, because a few names in Sardis were to be called out to watch for the coming of the Son of man; yet the Sardis period closed back where the Philadelphia period commenced.
So with the Philadelphia period. It terminated in the past. But the testimony to that church reaches to Christ's coming, because many of the Philadelphians were to prove faithful, keep the word of Christ's patience, pass on down through the Laodicean period, and finally overcome. Two of the plainest facts go very far in proving that we live in the Laodicean period. First, that state of brotherly love which characterized the people of God who were looking for Christ's coming in 1844, does not now exist. And, second, the church is now "neither cold nor hot, but lukewarm."
How shall I Vote?
By Dudley Marvin Canright
THE government of the United States, I have no doubt, is the one symbolized in prophecy, by a beast with two horns like a lamb. Rev. xiii, 11. It has fulfilled, and is fulfilling every specification of the prophecy, down to the saying that should go to "them that dwell upon the earth," that they (the people) should make an image to the papacy. Not that popery should be tolerated, and the first beast should enlarge his dominion; but that another church—the Protestant—should be clothed with civil power, and thus constitute an image to the beast which had the wound by a sword and yet lived.
This being the case, our government is just upon the eve of a political contest which will finally result in the formation of the image; for the next thing in the prophecy is the image completed and issuing its decrees of death and starvation against all who will not bow down to its authority, and receive the mark of the first beast, or take a share in the great number of his name. I do not know how this will be accomplished, or by whom; but the prophecy assures me, it will be done.
Under these circumstances, if I cast my vote at all, it will, as far as it can have any influence on this question, tell for, or against the making of the image. If I vote in favor of the formation of the image, I shall aid in creating an abomination which will persecute the saints of God, and suddenly be destroyed by the brightness of Christ's coming. I cannot aid in a work that God hates, certainly. On the other hand, if I vote against this work, I shall vote against the fulfillment of the prophecy, which is already in progress of fulfillment. This could not possibly do any good; it could not defeat the work which He has foreseen, and suffers to be done. It will surely be done; and I cannot fight against it. Therefore, I cannot vote at all.
But you can vote against slavery, says one.
Very well; supposing I do, what will be the effect? In the last great persecution, which is just before us, the decrees of the image will be against the "bond" as well as the free. Bondmen will exist then till the last—till God interposes to deliver his saints, whether bond or free. My vote then cannot free the slaves; and all apparent progress towards emancipation will only exasperate their masters, and cause an aggravation of those evils it was intended to cure. I cannot, therefore, vote against slavery; neither can I vote for it.
But are you not afraid those cruel, persecuting Catholics will get the reins of this government into their hands? Vote against the Catholics.
I have no such fears; for an image will not be the beast himself, but something which resembles him—another church-state government. Persecution is coming; and since I must meet it, what difference does it make from whom it comes? Catholics are but men, so are Protestants. I do not know that death would be any sweeter because administered by Protestants. But how shall I vote against the Catholics? By voting to exclude them from a share in the government. And when that is done, we shall have a Protestant church-state government—the image of the Roman government under the papal rule.
Again, I cannot vote for a bad man, for that is against my principles; and, under the present corrupt and corrupting state of politics, I could not wish to elevate a good man to office, for it would ruin him.
Babylon is fallen. Come out of her my people. Ephraim is joined to his idols; let him alone.
R. F. C.
Donations for the Office
By Editor
All who wish to share with those connected with the Office, the sacrifice of publishing the present truth, will do well to send along their donation when they send the advance pay for next volume. The Office is in debt only about $200.
COMMUNICATIONS.
By Elias Goodwin
"Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another."
From Bro. Goodwin.
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS:—I sit down at this time to write a few lines, hoping and praying that the Lord may so direct my thoughts, that I may be enabled to say a word or two that shall benefit and encourage some dear saint, who may be passing through fiery trials, and struggling hard with the powers of darkness. I am daily satisfied, in my own mind, that we are now in the Laodicean Church, and in the time when God is loudly calling on his people to buy of him gold tried in the fire, &c., [Rev. iii, 18,] and rebuking and chastening those whom he loves, for their profit; that they might be partakers of his holiness. Heb. xii, 10. What shall we do in such a case? The answer is, Be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold I stand at the door and knock, &c. But some may say, What shall we repent of; we are strong on the truth, that the seventh day is the Sabbath, and that the dead know not anything; and we also believe that the Lord is coming before long, and we think we believe all the truths that are advocated by the Review; so we can hardly believe that this scripture applies to us.
Dear friends, this is in substance just what the True Witness said you would say. "Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased in goods," &c. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? James ii, 20. Will a dead faith save any one? Nay, verily. We must have a living faith, to obtain salvation, a faith that works by love and purifies the heart. Can we be said to have living faith in those truths that the Review advocates, and still possess from one to ten thousand dollars, of this world's goods, and see those connected with the publishing of the Review, struggling hard to keep their heads above water, for the lack of means? "My brethren, these things ought not so to be." "But this I say, He which soweth sparingly, shall also reap sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully, shall reap also bountifully."
But dear friends, we must be careful, what kind of seed we sow. "Be not deceived; God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." "For he that soweth to his flesh, shall of the flesh reap corruption: but he that soweth to the Spirit, shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting." And let us not be weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them that God has called to labor in word and doctrine, and those that are laboring hard to publish those truths which are to gather out a people and prepare them to stand before the Son of man.
"I would that thou wert cold or hot." God will have the whole heart or nothing. We "cannot serve God and mammon." Brethren, let us see then that we walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands ye sinners, (that say and do not,) and purify your hearts, ye double-minded; (neither cold nor hot;) be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. Jas. iv, 7-10. This whole chapter, and finally the whole epistle of James, is very applicable to the present time, and to Sabbath-keepers as a body. It agrees well with the counsel given to the Laodiceans: "Buy of me gold, tried in the fire."
I have been thinking, What can this gold mean? We understand that gold is the most precious of all metals, when it is tried in the fire, and all the dross consumed. What grace of the Spirit can this mean or represent? I think it must represent love, or charity, (which is the same.) Love is the foundation of all true religion. Without love, let our profession be what it may, let us do what we will, it amounts to nothing in the sight of God, who searches the hearts of all men. So we see that love is the greatest, and the foundation, of all other graces. Well, has there been a lack of love among Sabbath-keepers, for a few years past? I think there has, and a great lack, too, in many cases. Has not this feeling prevailed, "Am I my brother's keeper?" Well may it be said unto us, "Be zealous therefore and repent."
Well, what is the white raiment? I understand this to mean the righteousness of Christ, our blessed Saviour. Zeph. ii, 3. Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord's anger. How shall we obtain this righteousness? Answer. By faith. Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Again: Without faith, it is impossible to please God. But remember that faith without works is dead, being alone. Take heed, brethren, lest there be in you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God." Heb. iii, 12.
Now let us see if we can find out what the eye-salve means. 1 John ii, 20, 28. But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and know all things. But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, &c. Eph. i, 17, 18. "The eyes of your understanding being enlightened, &c. Rom. xii, 2. And be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove (or see, or understand) what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God. 1 John ii, 9-11; 2 Pet. i, 9.
We see by these scriptures that the eye-salve is something that will heal and strengthen the eyes of our understanding, or mind, and enable us to see the truth as it is revealed in God's word. I conclude this must be the true Spirit of God, or the Spirit of truth. John xvi, 13. Howbeit, when he, the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth. Chaps. xiv, 17; xv, 26.
Remember, dear friends, this Spirit leads into truth, not into error. But, say you, there are many that profess to have this Spirit, and they do not all see alike; so some of them must be in error; and how shall we tell who has the truth, or who has error? Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God, &c. 1 John iv, 1; 1 Thess. v, 1. Any spirit, that will lead you away from God's word, (the plain, literal meaning of it,) or that will prompt you to separate from God's people, those whom he has called and laid the burden of the work of the Third Angel's Message upon, such a spirit, you may be assured, is not of God. 1 John ii, 19; Jude 4, 19; 1 Cor. ii, 14.
Well, what if we don't heed the counsel of the True Witness? "So then, because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth." Rev. iii, 16. How is this done? I understand that it is to cast them out or disfellowship them from the church of God. Jer. xv, 19. Therefore thus saith the Lord, if thou return, then will I bring thee again, and thou shalt stand before me: if thou take forth the precious from the vile, thou shalt be as my mouth; let them return unto thee; but return not thou unto them. By this I understand that the mouth [Rev. iii, 16,] is a figure to represent the Church of God on earth. So then we see that it is the duty of those who will return, or heed the counsel to the Laodiceans, to withdraw from those who will not take heed to it, and strive together for the unity of the faith, or the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. Jude 3; Phil. i, 27; 1 Cor. i, 10.
Many more texts might be quoted to show that God's people will be one, and see eye to eye, before the Lord comes, whose coming is now even at the doors. Rev. iii, 20; Matt. xxiv, 33.
Brethren, it is the last call of mercy to Sabbath-keepers as well as others. Do we believe the Third Angel has been crying these number of years? If we do, let us show our faith by our works, and have our loins girded about, and our lights burning. Luke xii, 35.
I believe some have already taken heed to the counsel to the Laodiceans, and many more are waking up to this subject, and Israel will soon be ready to stand in the battle in the day of the Lord. Rev. xvi, 14; xvii, 14; xix, 19; xx, 8; Eze. xiii, 5.
Brethren and sisters, I believe that day is nearer than many of us anticipate. O that God would awake his people that they might see their condition, and understand their true position before it shall be said, He that is unjust, let him be unjust still, &c. Rev. xxii, 11. O that will be an awful time. I think I have had a true sense of that time the past Summer. Ps. xxxi, 22; Lam. iii, 18, 54.
But blessed be the Lord God of Israel, he heard the prayers of his saints when they humbled, and afflicted their souls before him, [Luke xiii, 6-9; Isa. lvii, 16-18] and brought me up out of an horrible pit. Ps. xl, 2, 3.
It truly is an horrible pit into which I hope none of the saints of God will ever have to be placed to chasten them. If we would judge ourselves we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we might not be condemned207with the world. 1 Cor. xi, 31, 22; Ps. xciv, 12; cxix, 67, 71.
Brethren, pray for me, that I may overcome and stand with you on mount Zion.
ELIAS GOODWIN.
THE LILIES OF JERUSALEM
Selected for Review.
THE LILIES OF JERUSALEM.
"And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin. And yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these."
Fair lilies of Jerusalem!
Ye wear the same array,
As when the imperial Judah stern,
Maintained its regal sway.
By sacred Jordan's desert tide,
As bright ye blossom on,
As when your simple charms outvied
The pomp of Solomon.
The lonely pilgrim's heart is filled
With holiest themes divine,
When first he sees your colors gild
The fields of Palestine.
Fresh springing from the emerald sod
As beautiful to see,
As when the meek, incarnate God
Took parable from ye.
What rose amidst her fragrant bowers,
That steals the morning's glow,
Or tulip, queen of Eastern flowers,
Was ever honored so?
But ye are of the lowly train,
Which he delights to raise;
Ye bloom unsullied by a stain,
And therefore ye have praise.
Ye never toiled with anxious care,
From silken threads to spin
That living gold, refined and rare,
Which God hath clothed ye in;
That ye, his simplest works, should shine
In such adornment dress'd,
That mightiest kings of Judah's line,
Could boast of no such vest.
Ye still as mute memorials stand
Of Scripture's sacred page,
Sweet lilies of the Holy Land!
And bloom in every age.
You've seen the terrors of the Lord,
By signs and wonders shown,
And kingly rebels to his power,
Amidst their pride o'erthrown.
Ye flourished when the captive band,
By prophets warned in vain,
Were led to fair Euphrates' strand,
From Jordan's pleasant plain;
In hostile lands to weep and dream
Of things that still were free,
And sigh to see your golden gleam—
Sweet flowers of Galilee!
And ye have seen a darker hour,
On Sion's children fall,
Than when Chaldea's vengeful power,
Assailed her leaguered wall;
Ye saw the eagles from afar,
On wings of terror come,
And godly priests maintain a war
'Gainst earth-subduing Rome.
The meteor sword that high in air,
O'er guilty Salem swept,
And all her burden of despair,
O'er which Messiah wept.
Ye bloomed unsullied, meek, lowly flowers!
On that terrific night,
When marble fanes and rock-built towers
Crashed downward from their height.
The Joy of Obedience
By S. Albro
Bro. S. Albro writes from West Windsor, Mich., Oct. 20th, 1856:—"Dear brethren, my prayer is that we may be established in the truth of God's holy word, and be kept from the evils that are abroad in the land, and have that hope which is sure and steadfast. We are living in an age of the world when wickedness abounds, and mankind are seeking out new inventions, and the laws of God are rejected, and the traditions of men are established.
"Many times I feel to rejoice that my eyes have been opened and I have been led to try to keep the true Sabbath of the Lord. I can truly say, There is much joy and peace in believing and keeping the Commandments of God. The Lord is good to me and his law is my delight, and I praise the name of the Lord that I ever tasted the blessedness of obedience. To obey is better than sacrifice and to hearken than the fat of rams. May the Lord keep us unto the day of his coming."
A Letter of Repentance
By E. R. Seaman
From Bro. Seaman.
Bro. Smith:—I would not trespass on the kindness of those that have the care and oversight of the paper, but feeling that my last letter was not fully expressive, or did not cover the ground I now design it should, I would, with your permission in addition state some things further.
In the aggregate, I consider all my writing for the late "Messenger" to have been actuated by a false and wrong spirit, notwithstanding some truths might have been stated. My first retrograde from the true remnant was caused by taking the simple truth concerning the commencement of the Sabbath at sunset, which I was informed (erroneously) was established by a vision to be at 6 o'clock, independent of sun time. This error caused me to write what I did; having also, imbibed some of the war spirit. I am satisfied that this has done much injury. I am fully persuaded also that I have sympathized with those that were crooked and wrong at heart, to my hurt, and I cannot conceive why I have been permitted to go thus far, unless it be peradventure to fully open my eyes, and I hope, the eyes of others also that have likewise been deceived.
There are those spoken of in the Scriptures of truth, that walk disorderly, self-willed, having not the Spirit, who despise government: with such I desire not to walk.
As some exceptions have been taken to my last letter, I would say I did not then fully regard the counsel and the testimony of the one the Lord has seen fit to reveal himself to, as I do now; and I can say for the help of any, that as far as myself and family are concerned, nothing has been given us but good, sound and kind instruction. I think I never said to the contrary. But I supposed one permanent discrepancy enough to cause doubts of the whole. But it is human to err, and better to exchange error for truth, let it be never so late.
I have been exhorted by these wandering stars to call this work the work of the devil; but I have always said, No! I could not with what limited evidence I had, (or supposed I had.) I am thankful I was held from going so far. I have thus incurred their displeasure and received some of the abuse, which others have experienced, for which I am thankful, if it would in any measure atone for the past.
I wish to say also that in regard to some of the leaders of this unholy crusade against the work of the Lord, I am informed and know what I state. One in this region of country who professes to keep the seventh day, is under the delusion of Satan so far as to think he holds converse with what purports to be the spirits of dead men. Others have made shipwreck of their faith, given up the Sabbath, and will, perhaps, be lost. I feel as though it was time that those who have been deceived by such men should take a stand on the Lord's side. Opposition to the word of the Lord certainly comes with rather an ill grace from such characters as the one I have alluded to.
Another of the leaders in this work of death in this State, who is traveling from one band to another, seeking whom he may devour, is preaching now for present truth, that the resurrection is past, (or the 1000 years are in the past.) If any one is troubled with this heresy, let them read 2 Tim. ii, 18, 19. "Who concerning the truth have erred, saying, The resurrection is past already," &c.
Brethren, let us try the spirits; for many spirits have gone out into the world, for all men have not the faith. I hope to be able to understand and avoid the snares of the wicked, and humbly pray and ask the remembrance of the saints of God in their prayers that I may be purged of all error and be found finally a vessel unto honor.
Yours for the whole truth.
E. R. SEAMAN.
Oswego, N. Y., Oct. 19th, 1856.
Preparing for Christ’s Soon Coming
By S. B. Warren
From Bro. Warren.
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: You who are trying to keep all the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus, be assured my heart is with you in the great work of preparing for the soon coming of our Saviour. I truly believe what is recorded in the first chapter of Acts: "This same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven." Every honest soul is willing to admit upon a careful perusal of the Scriptures, that an abundance of testimony can be brought forward to prove that the second coming of Jesus is very near at hand. But O, how few honest souls do we find in the world.
The great majority of mankind had much rather feast upon fables, and that which will please the ear or the eye than to search for God's precious truth. But brethren and sisters, notwithstanding there are so few who are honest, yet we may be encouraged with the thought that God truly has a remnant, who are preparing and getting ready for the great day of his wrath.
When I reflect upon the great goodness of God to me, one so unworthy, and think of the precious truths his Spirit has unfolded to my mind, I am led to inquire, O Lord, shall my name be engraven among the righteous ones? Shall I be permitted finally to stand upon mount Zion with the redeemed? By the help of that God in whom Gideon and all the faithful prophets and christians have trusted, I mean to overcome. I want to be among that number that shall seek humility, that shall seek meekness. I want my own will subdued. I want to confess all my wrongs and take everything out of the way that will hinder my own progress towards mount Zion, or that which I may have laid in the way of my brother or sister.
I have great reason to praise God that he has cast my lot among such brethren and sisters: those who have felt and manifested a deep interest for my soul's eternal welfare. I am truly convinced that not only has God manifested a great care for me, but the church has also cared for me. I might have sunk down in despondency and now been beyond the call of mercy; but I have seen that evidence among Commandment-keepers which has convinced me that they are their brother's keeper.
My earnest prayer to God has been that he would strip me from all self-righteousness, and give me the righteousness of Jesus Christ. My soul sickens to see so much dead formality and spiritual death settling down on those who profess to be looking for the coming of Jesus. O God, help us to arouse and get out of this lukewarm state and live out our profession before the world. Let us be very careful how we walk and talk, lest we grieve the Spirit of God and bring his frowns upon us.
Your unworthy brother seeking for immortality at the appearing of Jesus.
S. B. WARREN.
Battle Creek, Mich., Oct. 19th, 1856.
OBITUARY.
By P. R. Chamberlain
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—It becomes my painful duty to announce to you the death of my beloved husband, John Chamberlain. He now sleeps in Jesus. O precious words to my aching heart! and how truly I can say them in regard to him. Thanks be to our God, for to him belongeth all the glory, for the grace imparted unto him, which has enabled him to live a truly Christian life.
The Bible was his standard, by which he judged himself, and all things besides. In all the transactions of life, he would ever refer to the Bible, for the right, or wrong. Truly it can be said of him, He took the Bible for the man of his counsel. And then again, prayer has been the great secret of his Christian life and good example, which he has left for us to follow; for truly he lived a life of prayer. For more than thirty-four years I have been his companion, and never knew him to omit secret prayer night and morning; and often in other parts of the day, to my knowledge, he has been engaged in fervent prayer for God's dear children, and the precious cause, which lay very near his heart; and to the last, while he remained conscious, could be heard the frequent, earnest petitions to God for grace and strength in that hour of trial; and the Lord heard and answered in a wonderful way; for his death was calm and peaceful, as his life had ever been. He heard not the cries and groans of his dear children, at their first apprehension of losing their dear father; for they were not aware of danger until he was unconscious; neither was he, himself, to our knowledge. He died on Sabbath morning, at 3 o'clock, Oct. 4th.
If you please, give notice in the paper, that friends at a distance may know of it. His age was sixty-four years and four months. He died of typhoid fever. He was sick two weeks. We have great cause for gratitude, in our sorrow, that all things were so kindly ordered by a Father's love. The fever was of the mildest form, and dear husband did not seem to suffer greatly at any time, after the first three or four days. He complained only of restlessness, and at last, fell asleep as gently as a child.
P. R. CHAMBERLAIN.
Maspeth, N. Y., Oct. 12th, 1856.
THE BLESSED HOME.
By Guthrie
Home! To see home is the wish of the seaman on stormy seas and lonely watch. Home is the wish of the soldier, and tender visions mingle with the troubled dreams of trench and tented field. Where the palm-tree waves his graceful plumes, and birds of jewelled luster flash and flicker among gorgeous flowers, the exile sits staring upon vacancy, a far-away home lies on his heart; and borne on the wings of fancy over intervening seas and lands, he has swept away home, and hears the lark singing above his father’s fields, and sees his fair-haired boy brother, with light foot and childhood’s glee chasing the butterfly by his native stream.
And in his best hours home, his own sinless home, a home with his father above that starry sky, will be the wish of every Christian man. He looks around him—the world is full of suffering; he is distressed by its sorrows and vexed with its sins. He looks within him—he finds much in his own corruptions to grieve for. In the language of a heart repelled, grieved, vexed, he often turns his eye upwards, saying, "I would not live here always. No, not for all the gold of the world’s mines—not for all the pearls of her seas—not for all the crowns of her kingdoms—would I live here always." Like a bird about to migrate to a sunny land where no winter sheds her snows, or strips the grove, or binds the dancing streams, he will often in spirit be pluming his wing for the hour of his flight to glory.