Earlier text: IS THE SOUL IMMORTAL?The Fourth Commandment and Sunday-Keepers.
By Editor
In resuming our remarks upon this subject, we will state again our proposition, that it may be distinctly before the mind. It is, the attempt that is made by those who observe the first day of the week, to sustain that practice on the authority of the fourth commandment, and the impropriety of so doing. The frequency with which appeal is made to the fourth commandment, by the most zealous Sunday-keepers, is a significant fact. It shows that they know, what even the most superficial reader of the Bible must know, that there is the only source from whence to derive authority for a weekly Sabbath. That commandment still remains in all its binding force. There is nothing in the word of God to show its abolition or its change. Whatever it has required of God's servants in any age, it requires of them at the present time. The claims that it had on Israel, God's chosen people, when it was spoken from Sinai, it has on his true Israel in these last days. Yet, apparently, if the religious teachers of the present time, can so impress the minds of the people that they will believe, when they quote the fourth commandment, that it means Sunday, and raise no question on that point, they can rest satisfied. And the boldness and fervency with which they appeal to the fourth commandment to enforce the sanctity of what they call the "Christian Sabbath," shows either that they themselves have grown blind in the repetition of it, or that they have the utmost confidence in the credulity of their hearers. They sanctimoniously appeal to the Bible and to the fourth commandment, as if they supported their creed and custom; and they have succeeded in making the mass of the world believe that this is the case. But there will be a few inquiring and honest minds who will search for themselves, and who will not fail to see the false colors under which they are sailing. We present a few extracts this week also, an illustration of our remarks. We take the following from the Genesee Evangelist, a paper that, for aught we know, is as zealous for its Sunday as any of our contemporaries: "The Bible is the great anti-sin text-book; the church, the great anti-sin society. No reform can be successful and complete which is not founded on the great fundamental principles contained in the Ten Commandments. All else is surface work, and must prove abortive. As well might you kill a tree by clipping off here and there a twig, as kill a moral evil, while its root is still striking deep in a luxuriant soil." When we see such ideas advanced as the above, and know the practice of those who advance them, it is natural for us to inquire, Upon what principle of the ten commandments is the observance of the first day of the week, as a day of rest, founded? Is there anything in the fourth commandment, from which any one could justly dream of setting apart the first day of each week as holy time? There is nothing. The very "principle" of that commandment confines us to another day; hence we shall adopt the sentiment expressed above, and unhesitatingly say, that the practice of Sunday-keeping is "surface work" and "must prove abortive." No such sabbatizing as this, after mankind have had an opportunity of seeing the light and learning God's will, will ever secure them an entrance through the gates into the city. Rev. xxii, 14. The following remarks on "The Fourth Commandment," we also take from another number of the Evangelist. Those who keep the commandments according to its requirements; who understand the relation the world sustains to the law of God, and the ministration of Christ in the Sanctuary for those who have violated it, will perceive their force and beauty. We only wonder how men can work themselves up to a belief that such remarks are applicable to Sunday: "THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT.—It having been the purpose of God that the dishonor done to his law in its violation should be repaired in a way in which it is exhibited as more glorious and more highly valued by him than it ever had been before, ought not means to have been used forcibly to impress this on the minds of men, till that reparation should take place? The precautions, therefore, employed for the preservation of the two tables of the law, after the first had been broken, which in any other view would, from their strictness and minuteness, be altogether unaccountable, were admirably adapted to the end for which they were appointed. Here then we have a demonstration of the permanent obligation of the fourth commandment of the decalogue, since it constitutes a part of that law which was so signally distinguished in its promulgation, and so carefully deposited for its preservation; of that law which the Redeemer fulfilled for the justification of his people; and that law by which they are justified, they must be bound in all its parts to obey. How, then, shall it ever be supposed that the ten commandments belong only to Israel, and are not of everlasting and universal obligation? Or on what ground can it be affirmed that the fourth commandment is to be separated from the rest, so that one is blotted out of their number, and that they are now reduced to nine." The reasoning contained in the above for the perpetuity and universal obligation of the fourth commandment, are well-grounded and unanswerable. But when men stand up and defend the claims of that commandment, and then disregard the day therein specified and keep another, there is a discrepancy between their teaching and their practice which cannot be reconciled. There is one portion of the world, however, who are more consistent on this subject than Protestants. We refer to the Catholic Church, which claims to have instituted Sunday-keeping, and defends its practice on those claims alone. They will own to you that the fourth commandment contains no law for Sunday, but that it enjoins the observance of another day; but they claim that their church has a right to change and has changed the day of the Sabbath from the seventh to the first day of the week. Protestants will not admit this claim, and yet with almost one consent they adopt the fruit of it, the observance of Sunday, which has nothing else for its support. We give below the extraordinary document which we promised in our last. It is one of the means by which the Church of Rome deceives her blind and credulous disciples into whatever practices she wishes. We find it in the "American and Foreign Christian Union" of 1851. The "Union" introduces it with the following remarks:— "A friend has just sent us a large and handsomely printed German hand-bill, lately issued at Philadelphia for the benefit of the 'faithful' in this country who speak the language of Luther. It is likely that many an edition of the same document has appeared among us, in years gone by, for it is now nearly seventy years since the original, as it is pretended, descended from heaven! But, by whom it was received, and under what circumstances, we are not informed. What a pity it is that Rome will betake herself to 'lying wonders,' even to expose what is in itself good, rather than send her votaries directly to the Bible, where the infinite GOD has revealed His will in the clearest and fullest manner! But, so it is, and so it ever will be, whilst Rome continues what she is. Here is the extraordinary document in question, translated into English. 'A LETTER, WRITTEN BY GOD HIMSELF, and which was handed down at Magdeburg.
'It was written in golden letters, and sent from God himself, by an Angel; whoever wishes to copy it, to him it shall be given; whoever despises it, from him will THE LORD DEPART.'
'Whoever labors on Sunday, is cursed. Therefore I command that ye labor not on Sunday, but devoutly go to church; but not to decorate your faces; ye shall not wear false hair, nor be proud of your riches; ye shall give to the poor; give liberally, and believe that this letter is written by my own hand, and sent down by Christ himself; and that ye do not as the irrational beasts. Ye have six days in the week: but the seventh (namely, Sunday) ye shall sanctify; if ye will not do this, I will send war, famine, pestilence and scarcity among you, and punish you with many plagues. So I also command you, every one of you, whoever ye may be, young and old, small and great, that ye never work late on Saturday, but ye shall repent of your sins, that they may be forgiven unto you. Nor desire silver and gold; gratify not the lusts of the flesh and its desires; remember that I made you, and that I can destroy you.
'Be not rejoiced if your neighbor be poor; much more have compassion on him, so it shall be well unto you.
'Ye children! honor father and mother, so it shall be well with you on earth; whoever does not do this is damned and lost.
'I Jesus, have written this with my own hand; whoever contradicts and blasphemes it, shall have no help to expect from me; whoever has the letter and does not reveal it, he is cursed from the CHRISTIAN CHURCH; and if your sins be ever so great, they shall be forgiven if ye exercise repentance and sorrow.
'Whoever does not believe it, shall die and be tormented in hell, and I too shall inquire at the last day after your sins, when ye must answer me.
'And that person, who carries the letter with him, or keeps it in his house, shall not be injured by any thunder-gust; he shall be secure from fire and water; and whoever shall reveal it before the children of men, shall have his reward, and obtain a blessed departure from this world.
'Keep my commandment, which I have sent to you through my Angel. I, true God of the Throne of Heaven, one of God and of Mary. Amen.
'This is written at Magdeburg in the year 1783.'" The remarks of the "Union" which introduce the above "letter," furnish another illustration of the presumption with which men appeal to the Bible in support of a custom which is there recognized. "What a pity," it exclaims, "that Rome will betake herself to 'lying wonders,' even to expose what is in itself good, rather than send her votaries directly to the Bible, where the infinite God has revealed his will in the clearest and fullest manner." The fact that God has revealed his will in the clearest and fullest manner, in his word, we gratefully acknowledge, and we are glad to see the "Union" acknowledge it also; and now we earnestly ask, Where has God revealed in that word that Sunday-keeping is according to his will? We have searched and cannot find it. Others have searched and cannot find it; and as Rachel mourned for her children, so they mourned and would not be comforted because it was not; until they were forced to yield to the power of truth and humbly do God's will as he had revealed it, and as he required it at their hand. If the "Union" will go to that Word for God's will for Sunday-keeping, it will not find it. If Rome should send her votaries there, the first thing they would do, would be to renounce a day of human sanctification, and turn to the original Sabbath that God instituted, blest, and hallowed. We say then, Go to that Word where God has revealed his will concerning us, and as you go, arm yourself with the firm resolution, that you will obey his will, however much it may cause you to differ from the customs of the unsanctified world around you; however contrary it may be to the teachings and practice of the mass who are traveling the broad road to ruin. You will, indeed, there find that will revealed in the "clearest and fullest manner," but be not faithless or unbelieving when you find that it is not in accordance with the traditions by which the world practice at the present day. It is time that men, that Protestants, who profess to take the Bible alone as their rule of faith and practice, should order their lives accordingly, or renounce its teachings. The Testimony of Jesus.
By James White
"And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." Rev. xii, 17. Sabbath-keepers often quote this text, yet we think but few understand and realize its full import. There can be no doubt but the "commandments of God," mentioned in the text, are the decalogue; but what is the "testimony of Jesus Christ?" Men may give different answers; but it should be distinctly understood that the Bible gives but one answer to this important question. Said the angel to John, "The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." Rev. xix, 10. John fell at the angel's feet, and was about to worship him, when the angel said to him, "See thou do it not: I am thy fellow-servant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." Compare this with the angel's testimony in Chap. xxii, 9. "See thou do it not; for I am thy fellow-servant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God." It will be seen that the two expressions—"thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus," and, "thy brethren the prophets"—mean one and the same thing. This is in harmony with the expression, "The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." The text [Rev. xii, 17] mentions two causes of the dragon's wrath; first, because the remnant "keep the commandments of God;" and, second, they "have the testimony of Jesus." The keeping of all ten of the holy commandments of God by the remnant is well calculated to make the dragon angry: already his ire is stirred; but for God to breathe upon them the spirit of prophecy, and reveal himself to those of his own choice, as he has spoken to men and women in past time, will wake up the hatred of those who have the spirit of the dragon to the utmost. But not only will the dragon host be stirred against the testimony of Jesus, but the children of light will be in danger of despising it. Paul addresses those who stand waiting for the approach of the day of the Lord as follows: "Quench not the spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which93 is good." 1 Thess. v, 19-21. No believer in the soon coming of Christ will question the special application of this chapter to the present time. "Quench not the Spirit." Would to God the Holy Spirit could freely flow to every believing child of grace. Then would the remnant walk in the light, in love, in union and perfect obedience. But alas! many have quenched, and grieved, and driven from them that tender Spirit. The Sanctifier is gone from them. The mind is beclouded by worldly treasures, cares and conversation, and they are in their own strength trying to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. O, that the remnant would turn fully to God; then will the Holy Spirit be breathed upon them. "Despise not prophesyings." There have been men in all ages who have despised the prophecies; but this text is not addressed to those who reject and despise the Holy Scriptures. It is addressed to the children of light who are watching for the coming of the Son of man. But the text does not say, despise not the prophecies. It reads, "Despise not prophesyings." God has placed the gift of prophecy in the gospel church. He has never taken it away from the church. But he will not manifest the gifts in a dead church. He will manifest them in a living, acting church. The remnant will have the spirit of prophecy. This will stir the anger of the dragon. And, "Whosoever loveth and maketh a lie" will lose no time in acting their part in this matter. The dragon will make war on those who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. But when Christ is in the Christian by faith, the fear of men and devils is gone, and his language will be, "Shall I, for fear of feeble man;
The Spirit's course in me restrain?
Or, undismay'd in deed, and word,
Be a true witness of my Lord?
"Aw'd by a mortal's frown, shall I
Conceal the word of God Most High?
How then before thee shall I dare
To stand, or how thine anger bear?
"Shall I, to soothe the unholy throng,
Soften thy truth, or smooth my tongue,
To gain earth's gilded toys, or flee
The cross endur'd, my Lord, by thee?
"What then is he whose scorn I dread?
Whose wrath or hate makes me afraid?
A man? An heir of death! A slave
To sin! A bubble on the wave!
"Yea, let men rage; since thou wilt spread
Thy shadowing wings around my head;
Since in all pain thy tender love
Will still my sure refreshment prove." "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." This is evidently spoken in reference to "prophesyings," mentioned in the verse before it. Do any urge that prophesyings here refer to the writing of holy prophets of old? then we would ask them to show us their standard to prove them by. The idea of proving the prophecies, holding fast that portion of them which is good, and rejecting the bad, is preposterous! The text evidently has a special application to the people of God, who are bending their footsteps to Mt. Zion, amid the perils of the last days. Satan is howling, the spirits of devils are "peeping, muttering," rapping, writing, &c., all around, yet amid all this clamor, the Shepherd's voice is heard. The counterfeit is not in the world alone, without the genuine. The remnant have the spirit of prophecy. Yet false prophets "show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect," and it is highly necessary that the remnant should "Prove all things, and hold fast that which is good." How shall we do this? The answer is plain. False prophets may be detected, also those through whom God may speak, can be known. 1. "By their fruits ye shall know them." Christ's words are to the point. "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them." Matt. vii, 15-20. 2. False prophets prophesy peace. "And mine hand shall be upon the prophets that see vanity, and that divine lies; they shall not be in the assembly of my people, neither shall they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither shall they enter into the land of Israel; and ye shall know that I am the Lord God. Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and there was no peace; and one built up a wall, and lo, others daubed it with untempered mortar." Eze. xiii, 9, 10. "For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest everyone dealeth falsely. They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace." Jer. vi, 13, 14. "Then said the Lord unto me, Pray not for this people for their good. When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and an oblation, I will not accept them: but I will consume them by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence." "Then said I, Ah, Lord God! behold, the prophets say unto them, Ye shall not see the sword, neither shall ye have famine; but I will give you assured peace in this place. Then the Lord said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart." Chap. xiv, 11-14. God has ever thrust out those, through whom he has spoken, into the midst of sinners to reprove sin in all its forms; to rebuke, exhort, and utter warnings of danger and judgments. 3. By their teachings they may be known, the Bible being the standard. "Preach the word. . . . For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine." 2 Tim. iv, 1-3. "And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead? To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." Isa. viii, 19, 20. Letter from the Church at Mill Grove, N. Y., to Elder J. M. Stephenson.
Your letter, announcing your intention to visit this state, has been received. Concerning your visiting us we would say that if you were laboring in unison with the body of the brethren who were first in the message of the third angel, and through whose instrumentality God brought the message to us and you, we would most gladly welcome you, whether you believed the visions of Sr. White or not. But we cannot engage in a faction against those whom God made choice of to introduce the last message to the world; and we fear that, if you persist in your present course, you will find, when it is too late, that you have run in vain, and labored in vain. If the visions are not of God, they will surely come to nought; and we pray God to hasten the day. But we have not been able to discover anything in them which conflicts with the commandments of God—the law and the testimony—which are the test given to us by inspiration, by which to try the spirits. Therefore we see no danger from them. But when Sr. White, or any one else, speaks anything in the name of the Lord which makes void one of God's commandments, or promises life to the transgressor, we shall feel it duty to oppose such teachings in the name of the Lord. Again, if the third angel's message, which we have heard, is of God, it will not prove a failure. Before we ever heard of it, or understood it from the Bible, God chose his own instruments by which to send it; and he knew how to choose. There may be a Judas among the chosen; but that the work should be taken out of the hands of the eleven is, we think, the height of absurdity. Such a revolution would subvert and destroy the message; or would constitute a fourth in the order, and one which is not specified in the prophecy. We therefore exhort and admonish you as a brother, to review, carefully, your past course. Ask yourself, seriously, for a sufficient reason to justify you in withdrawing fellowship from the REVIEW. Have you not, in so doing, withdrawn from the remnant of God's people? Have you not, while you hold the third angel's message, disfellowshipped and rejected the very men through whom God sent you the message? And of what flagitious crimes have all those veterans in the cause been guilty? They have believed something which you do not believe; and this before you received the truth through them; but what have they done? While God is gathering his people under the last message, have you not given your influence to the work of scattering and dividing? O, brother, come back to the fold of Christ. Remember that Christ is not divided, and that a message which he sends cannot be divided. We cannot think that God would begin a special work on earth, choose for his first instruments, those who say they are Jews and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan, and then in the midst of the work, choose others to complete it, to whom the first will be compelled to bow down and confess that God has loved them. This will be the case if you are right; but we believe that our Father is more excellent in working than this. O be wise! and let the Lord work in his own way. If he has commenced the work, he will finish it; and if he has not, the workmen are all laboring in vain; and we shall do better to follow the example of the first babel-builders, when God confounded their language—"they left off to build." As you desire salvation, with unfeigned love we beseech you to be reconciled to God and his children, and thus return to the place of your rest. BRETHREN.
R. F. COTTRELL,
ELIJAH BOYERS,
DANIEL SMALLEY.
JOHN H. COTTRELL,
SOLOMON G. COTTRELL,
RANSOM WOODIN,
WILLETT S. COTTRELL.
SISTERS.
C. M. COTTRELL,
MARY BOYERS,
R. SMALLEY,
M. COTTRELL,
E. P. BELOW,
M. E. DEVEREUX,
Mill Grove, N. Y., Dec. 16th, 1855. BRO. SMITH:—We see by the paper that Bro. Bates attended the Conference at Battle Creek, and would be glad to have a visit from him on his return, if he has not already gone East. We know not where to write to him, and if you can communicate to him our wishes, we wish you to do so. Saying and Doing.
By Roswell F. Cottrell
Our Saviour said, Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Matt. vii, 21. The will of the Father is revealed to us in his word, and is all briefly comprehended in the ten commandments; and yet there are multitudes who are saying Lord, Lord, who are unwilling to yield to the revealed will of the Father. Some excuse themselves upon the ground that his will has been changed since it was written; and others declare that it has been totally abolished. And yet both these classes imagine that they enjoy the favor of God. But this cannot be, if their minds have been enlightened by the truth. I have met with some people of late who parry the force of revealed truth by a professed enjoyment of divine favor. They profess to have a something within which they call "present and full salvation," and one would think, from their conversation, that they imagine that this something within will excuse them from doing such parts of the will of the Father as are unpopular in these days of degeneracy. They acknowledge every jot and tittle of the ten commandments to be binding, but when shown that they change more than a jot or a tittle of the fourth, they appeal from the heavenly statute to that "present and full salvation" which tells them that they are safe. I would earnestly entreat such to examine more carefully the foundation on which they are building, remembering that they that hear these sayings of Jesus and do them not, have been compared by him to the man that built his house upon the sand. Be assured, dear friends, that neither saying nor feeling, nor both combined, can fulfill that part of the word of God which requires the doing of the Father's will as he has revealed it to us in the commandments which you acknowledge in every jot and tittle. If you would be sure that you have the favor of God I can recommend you to follow the example of the patriarch David. Said he, I entreat thy favor with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word. I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies. I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments. Ps. cxix, 58-60. R. F. C. Mill Grove, N. Y., Dec. 11th, 1855. Loth to leave.
By James White
Since the REVIEW was denounced in Wisconsin as “sectarian,” only five in that State have ordered it discontinued, and one of them has ordered it sent again. J. W. Youth's Instructor
By James White
YOUTH'S INSTRUCTOR.—Inquiries are being made in regard to the INSTRUCTOR. We have not forgotten our young friends. In moving the Office there has necessarily been a delay; and since the REVIEW has been printed weekly, the Printers have had no time to print the INSTRUCTOR. Next week there will be a report of the cost of the INSTRUCTOR, and the amount expended above receipts. We will also state what our young readers may expect of us in regard to their Paper. J. W. CHRIST'S SECOND COMING.
By J. McLellan
Will it be Spiritual or Literal?
THAT Christ would come again has been gospel doctrine for over 1800 years; and as I believe that we are fast approaching this great event the question comes up with thrilling interest, In what manner will he come? Will it be spiritual or literal? is the great question. Spiritualists say that the Spirit of Christ is come, together with a host of other spirits to instruct mankind, and this is all the second advent there will be. Others say that he came on the day of pentecost when the Holy Ghost was poured on the apostles; and others of a later date say that he comes at death. When an individual dies, if a christian, he goes to Christ, or where he is, and that is the same as his coming. According to this view we have a great many SECOND advents. And last of all comes the "peace and safety" cry of Babylon: "I sit a queen and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow." A glorious temporal millennium is coming. Christ is going to pour out his Spirit on the churches, and the whole world is to be converted to Christ. The above views are held and believed by a great portion of almost every denomination in the land at the present day. What a confusion of sentiments; and this too, upon one of the plainest subjects in the Bible. And well, has the Revelator named them Babylon. Spiritualists say that the works of the spirits will spread through the whole earth; the spirits teach it themselves and say that all will eventually be converted and brought to believe in Spiritualism: they will all be gathered together in a band of brotherhood. John speaks of this gathering together in Rev. xvi, 14, that these spirits are to go forth unto the kings of the earth, and of the whole world to gather them (in a band of brotherhood? No, but) to the "battle of the great day of God Almighty." We see that the gathering here brought to view is quite different from what is generally expected; and instead of its being the Spirit of Christ it is the spirits of devils that gathers them; not for peace, but for war. These same spirits are now fast filling the churches. Rev. xviii, 2, 3. "And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit and the cage of every unclean and hateful bird." By this description of transpiring events we can see that instead of the Spirit of Christ filling the churches to bring about a temporal millennium and gather the people together in bonds of love and peace, the spirits of devils gather the people together, not for peace, but for war; not to receive a blessing, but to receive the curse and wrath of God, when the Lord will plead with them with "a devouring fire and great hailstones," and will dash them to pieces like a potter's vessel. It does not look much like a temporal millennium to have "evil men and seducers waxing worse and worse," instead of better and better. 2 Tim. iii, 13. We can readily see by this that the doctrine of Christ's second coming spiritually is "a cunningly devised fable;" to draw the minds of people away from the truth. "Search the Scriptures." "They are they which testify of me." John v, 39. Let us proceed to search the Scriptures and see if they testify anything in regard to his second coming, and if they do, what that testimony is; whether it testifies that he is to come spiritually or literally; for we have seen that there are so many views published both from the press and pulpit, at the present day in regard to the nature of the second advent of the Messiah that it is impossible to arrive at the truth of this subject without an appeal to the Bible. "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word it is because there is no light in them." Isa. viii, 20. Let us examine first the promise that Christ made to his followers. He was going to leave them and go away, and he well knew that their hearts would be sorrowful; therefore he comforts them with these words: "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you I will come again and receive you to myself, (not your spirit to my spirit,) that where I am there ye may be also." John xiv, 1-3. Here the Son of God says he will come again, and that literally. Now let us turn to the book of Acts. "And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold two men (angels) stood by them in white apparel, which also said, Ye men of Galilee, Why stand ye here gazing up into heaven? 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." Acts i, 9-11. How did he go to heaven? He went in the sight of men, bodily. "And this was the same Jesus that was crucified and was buried and rose from the dead and walked about and ate [Luke xxiv, 43] and was handled [John xx, 26-28] and said he was not a spirit [Luke xxiv, 39] because he had flesh and bones; for spirits have not flesh and bones." Let us read the account of this. "But they were terrified and affrighted (when Jesus stood in their midst) and supposed that they had seen a spirit. And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled, and why do thoughts arise in your hearts. Behold my hands and my feet (in them were the marks of the nails) that it is I MYSELF. Handle me and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones as ye see me have." Luke xxiv, 37-40. "And when he had thus spoken he showed them his hands and his feet." This same Jesus that thus manifested himself and proved unto his disciples by "many infallible proofs" that he was not a spirit, but a tangible person, having a real body like themselves, will so come in like manner as he ascended. This agrees with what Jesus told them in John xiv. But this is not all the proof to show that his coming will not be spiritual; for did he come in this sense, he would doubtless manifest himself by his Spirit unto a few individuals and then they would go and teach the world that Christ had come; but says Jesus, Beware of false christs and false prophets. "For as the lightning cometh out of the east and shineth even unto the west, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." Is not this a very good reason why we should not believe that his coming will be spiritual? "Behold he cometh with clouds and every eye shall see him and they also which pierced him." Jesus told the Jews [Matt. xxvi, 64,] "I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power and coming in the clouds of heaven." "And all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him." Rev. i, 7. When he went to heaven he went in the sight of men; therefore men, will see him when he comes. Dear reader, "be no longer faithless but believing;" for we are fast approaching this great event. Some will receive him with shouts of joy whilst others will mourn there bitterly. Dear friends, permit me ask you, Are you prepared to receive him? Are you lingering, and loth to part with some cherished idol? If you are, Repent or else I will come unto thee quickly, says Christ, and will fight against you with the sword of my mouth. Rev. ii, 16. Are you on the watch-tower, watching? If not, "I will come on thee as a thief and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee." Rev. iii, 3. Are you in a lukewarm state? If you are, rouse up and throw off this dull stupidity. Wake up; for it is the spell of Satan. Here the awful words of the Judge of all the earth: "I would thou wert cold or hot; so then because thou art lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth." Rev. iii, 15, 16. Have you tasted of the joys of the world to come? If you have, O give not up your hope, cast not away your confidence which hath great recompense of reward. Hold fast, let no one take thy crown. Behold I come quickly, and my reward is with me to give unto every one as his work shall be. Have you come out from the world and the polluted temples of Babylon? If you have, seek not to be again united with them. Cast not one lingering look behind, for here is the awful warning of the Son of God: REMEMBER LOT'S WIFE. Luke xvii, 32. COMMUNICATIONS.
By Eber M. L. Cory
BRO. SMITH:—I am much pleased with the Review as it has heretofore come richly laden with intelligence highly important to the christian traveler on his pilgrimage journey through this troublesome world. I like the spirit of its contents better than I do the "Messenger," three Nos. of which have been sent to me unbidden, I suppose from seeing my name in the Review. If you have seen said "Messenger" lately you are aware of the contrast between the spirit it breathes and that of the Review, (I do not wish to flatter) which is great in favor of the latter, in my humble judgment. There is but a small band of Sabbath-keepers in this place who meet from Sabbath to Sabbath, sometimes two or three, and sometimes five or six, for prayer and social worship; seldom hearing the word of life proclaimed by any of the Third Angel messengers; but notwithstanding this privation, we mean to persevere in ways of holy living, God being our helper, and set such examples as shall be worthy of imitation, and so live that, should Christ make his second advent into the world in our day, it would be so far from terrifying us, that we could hail him with transports of joy. Yours in hope of life eternal. Sanford, Ing. Co., Mich., Dec. 8th, 1855.