Bro. SMITH: I have been thinking while reading the cheering epistles in the Review from our dear brethren and sisters scattered abroad, of the good effect our testimonies may sometimes have when least expected, if given in the Spirit of Christ, either vocally or by letter. Though the language be ever so broken, the composition ever so incomplete, yet coming from a heart warm with the love of God, it possesses power to reach the hearts of those addressed, to pour the healing balm of consolation into the breast torn by affliction and grief, or calm the troubled spirits, where none of the studied compositions of the most learned authors of the day possess power to affect in the least. This has with me at least, of late, often been the case, and I have been led to thank God that there were yet a few who could speak forth his praises from the sincere emotions of the heart; also that there were other few who were willing to listen to such plain expressions of sentiment.
Not only this, but composition and exhortation are in many ways beneficial to ourselves, especially when we go forth in the path of duty trusting in and imploring the guidance and help of our heavenly Father. For one I feel desirous of improving upon every talent that God has given me, to exert my every power in striving to do his will and advance his cause among us. Although I might with propriety make the same excuse that Moses did when sent by the Lord to Pharaoh [Ex. iv, 10], yet dear brethren and sisters, we read that the man that had but the one talent given him was required to improve thereon as well as he that had five. O let us not bury our talent in the earth, for our Lord is soon to return, the day of reckoning is at hand, and if we are found unfaithful to our trust, sad and lamentable will be our fate. Soon the decree will go forth, He that is filthy, let him be filthy still; he that is holy, so remain. O, what an honor to then be found on the Lord's side, and to receive the welcome Well done! How many of us, dear brethren and sisters, that profess this last saving message, shall be the happy recipients of God's favor in that trying hour? O let us bestir ourselves and strive to make due preparation while probation is still ours, for the solemn scenes that are before us; let us go boldly forth in the path of duty trusting in God; and if we can say but a few words, let that be in honor of him who hath redeemed us by his blood.
We as a people are charged by the faithful and true Witness with being lukewarm, and we realize the accusation to be just. We also learn that those who remain in this condition are soon to be spued out. O, the awful and solemn condition! For those given over in this message there remains no more hope. This is the last call of mercy, the last notes of warning are now being sounded in our midst. How little do we realize these things. We know that God will have a people without spot or wrinkle, a people active and zealous in his cause. We still have the chance to be among that chosen few. O then let us improve well upon these precious opportunities. We profess to keep the commandments of God, yet I fear that many of us do not realize how much they embrace. Let us try the first and see how many can pronounce themselves entirely free from transgression. There are probably none among us that bow down to graven images, but there are many things besides this to be considered that may be the means of drawing our minds and affections from the one great object. We may have homes, husbands, wives or children, that are receiving too large a share of our care and affections, in fact, that we almost worship; and although we may not be aware of it ourselves, yet God knows it all, and he may remove that cherished object, be it ever so dear. Death may enter our dwelling, and in an unexpected moment snatch from our embrace a near and dear companion, or a darling child.
Brother, or sister, have you ever stood by the deathbed of a dear companion, and marked the short, quick breath, the feeble pulse, the pallid brow and lips, all telling that the work is sure, that the hour of separation has come? Have you seen the luster of those dear eyes fading in death? friends stand weeping around, but alas, the power of man is now too weak, his arm too short to save. The last words are spoken, the last look and kiss are given, and that beloved one upon whom were centered your heart's best affections has passed away from time. Then you have felt as though all that made life pleasant and desirable was gone forever, as though your heart were about to burst asunder, as though now you could meet death with a smile, and that to rest with that dear one low in the grave would be a blessed privilege. Then have you seen that form buried out of your sight, and afterwards in your visits to that cherished spot beheld the green grass growing above the sleeping dust? And in all this have you felt no inward rebellion against the dealings of providence, nor in the least to murmur at the chastening rod? Can you realize all this and not have to acknowledge yourself a breaker of God's first commandment?
With feelings of humility and of sorrow, dear brethren and sisters, do I here confess that this with me has been the case; that while passing (as I have been called to of late) through the deep waters of affliction, I have discovered a spirit of rebellion against the providences of an all-wise God arising within my breast.
It is hard to part with those we love. We are apt to murmur at a providence that we may see in the future was for our especial benefit, and also for the glory of God. Man sees not as God sees; he knows what is best, and O, let us trust in him and strive to learn obedience by those things that we are called to suffer. I would not worry your patience with a rehearsal of my errors, but God forbid, dear brethren and sisters, that I should ever become unwilling to confess my faults, or should ever cease striving to overcome them.
O, I love the present truth! I love to obey God and keep his commandments, and I love to reflect on those joys that await us in a land of peace and happiness. Yes, all things below are soon to pass away; the harvest is fast ripening, but those that purify themselves by obedience to all God's requirements will be taken to that glorious country where affliction and death shall never come. Rev. xxii, 14.
Pray for me that I with you may strive more diligently to overcome every sin, and come up to the high privilege that it is ours to enjoy, and at last be received of him to those mansions prepared for the blest.
Yours in love and hope.
E. S. GRIGGS.
Owasso, Mich.
Extracts from Letters.
Bro. J. D. Hough writes from Rochester, Mich., Dec. 20th, 1860: "I feel as if I wanted to start anew, for I find that living to the halves will not profit us. To be almost a Christian, and to do almost to our neighbor as we would have our neighbor do to us, and to be almost consecrated to the Lord, and to lay almost all on the altar, and to be almost ready to meet our Saviour, will only amount to being almost saved, which will be to be finally lost. Now dear brethren and sisters, in view of the perils of the day and the thickening signs, does it not behoove us as rational beings, to arise and set our faces as a flint Zionward. Soon we must give an account of our stewardship, and if we have wasted our Lord's money or goods, we must reap the reward. We all have witnessed the mighty struggle of the political world, and we cannot but see that the nations are getting angry, and we as a people must make a mighty struggle to get in a position to face the powers of the enemy. Pray for unworthy me, that the Spirit of the Lord may abundantly rest upon me, and that I may have wisdom to do the will of my heavenly Master at all times."
OBITUARY.
By E. Degarmo
FELL asleep in Jesus, on the 10th inst., brother Z. Carpenter, of West Monroe, Oswego Co., N. Y. His faith was firm and unshaken in the promises of his Saviour. His mind was clear and his senses unimpaired to the last. Said he, "If I fall I shall rise again." Dear brethren and sisters, let us so live, that if we are called to sleep in the grave, we may launch forth to meet the foe with the same holy boldness, or if we are alive and remain, may be changed in a moment, and caught up to meet our Lord in the air.
E. DEGARMO.
LYMAN DRAKE
By Lyman Drake
From Bro. Drake.
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: Though a stranger to most of you I trust our interest is the same. Of late I have been called to mourn the death of my companion. It was hard to give her up, but God's will must be done. The enemy is still in the land, and we know not how many of us may be called before Jesus will come. Then let us see that we have a well grounded hope that takes hold of the future inheritance, that hope that will enable us to purify ourselves even as he is pure.
What a happy time that will be when the 144,000 sing the new song on Mt. Zion, and the innumerable company cry with a loud voice, Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might be unto our God forever and ever. Then will be heard shouts of victory over death and the grave.
I mean by God's assisting grace to be there. Reader, will you be there? We read that Christ is abundantly able to save all that come to God through him. Then let us avail ourselves of his merits.
LYMAN DRAKE
Pressing On Through Trial
Sister M. M. Castle writes from Lapeer, Mich.: “I feel to praise the Lord that he ever saw fit to call after one so unworthy as I am. I feel determined, though all earthly friends forsake me, to press on through darkness and trial, till at last I may stand with the remnant on mount Zion.”
Striving Amid Opposition
Bro. Wm. Osborne writes from Hannibal, N. Y. Dec. 3d, 1860: "Our little company are striving to keep the commandments, and we believe we have the faith of Jesus. We are few in number, but our wants are many. We have no preaching at present, but we have the Review to peruse. It is a great satisfaction to hear from the dear saints in almost every quarter that they are rising with the third angel's message. We are struggling and striving to meet them in the kingdom. Our enemies are pressing hard upon us; they meet us at every step. Other denominations are doing everything they can to stop our progress, but in the strength of our coming King we mean to stand."
Rejoicing in the Soon Coming
Bro. E. R. Whitcome writes from Watson, Mich., Nov. 15, 1860: “BRO. SMITH : When Bro. Bates came here four years ago, I made up my mind that I would serve the Lord. Since that time I have been trying to keep his commandments and the faith of Jesus. I am glad that the eyes of my understanding have been opened to see the truths of God's word. I feel to rejoice in the hope of the soon coming of our Lord and Saviour, and of being made like him, and reigning with him evermore.”
The Prophet’s Warning to Watchmen
By Editor
Says the prophet Isaiah [chap. lvi, 10], "His watchman are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark ; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain from his quarter." We might apply this language to a class of Jews living in the days of the prophet, and nobody would be disturbed. But when we apply it at a later time and nearer home, we are accused of being uncharitable and severe. The prophet has, nevertheless, used that language in describing a class of professed watchmen; and it is evidently a description of a class which is to be especially manifested about the time when the call is made to the supper of the great God, in the beginning of the day of the Lord. Compare verse 9, with Rev. xix, 17-21. We would be as loth as any one to apply this description where it is not merited; and we have only to say, Let those who would avoid an application of it to themselves, so live that it will not fit them.
We were reminded of the above words of the prophet, especially that portion which we have italicised, by the following language of J. W. Hunnicutt, a preacher of the gospel, which we clip from an exchange:
"We venture the assertion that there is as much ambition among the clergy of this generation, and of this country, to aspire to high offices, and posts of honor and distinction, in their respective churches, as there is among politicians; and that there is as much secret plotting, wire-working, and clerical log-rolling, to work one party out, or keep it down, and to exalt another party to power, as there is among politicians, is a fact which we presume no man of general intelligence will call in question."
Says the Methodist, when speaking of the ball given in New York to the Prince of Wales:—
"Ministers of the gospel of several different denominations, men who ought to be the nearest representatives of the Saviour of sinners, were there, as if to give the sanction of Christ's authority to the most monstrous earthly vanity. What now becomes of wholesome Christian discipline? What becomes of the line so clearly drawn by Christ between the church and the world? What of his command to deny ourselves of all ungodliness and worldly lust, and live soberly, righteously and godly in this evil world? May the Holy Spirit himself intervene to restore the broken bulwarks of sacred discipline, and to trace again the fading line between the aggressive world and the invaded church."
Abundance of such facts may even now be gathered; and they are becoming more and more numerous, as every observer of the signs of the times can readily testify.
THE YOUTH'S INSTRUCTION.
By James White
THIS little paper is published monthly at the Re-VIEW AND HERALD Office for the benefit of our youth and children. It is conducted by Bro. G. W. Amadon, the superintendent of the Battle Creek Sabbath School. Bro. A. is ardently devoted to the interests of our children, and will not fail to make the paper highly religious and instructive. He wants a wider circulation, and must have it. The price of the paper for 1861 is reduced to 25 cents. The first number is printed on better paper, with new type, and contains several beautiful illustrations. An effort is made to make the paper of the greatest value and interest to our youth and children. We print 3400 copies of the January number, and send it to those readers of the REVIEW who are not subscribers for the INSTRUCTION to induce them to subscribe. Fathers, mothers and guardians, Bro. Amadon, and those interested in the INSTRUCTION, desire to help you in the responsible task of guiding the minds and steps of the children of your charge. Then let the INSTRUCTION come into your family circles.
If you have no children, then help on the enterprise. There are needed 2500 subscribers, at the low prices, to meet the expenses of the INSTRUCTION one year, if as much is expended each month as is on the January number. Let there be a special effort on the part of the brethren, especially our preachers, to extend the circulation of the INSTRUCTION. Bro. Bates' articles, one each month, are alone worth twice the subscription price. So let the names and the quarters come right in, and let the little sheet go out in a thousand directions to bless the children. J. W.
Conference at Parkville
By Editor
We wish to say through the Review that the brethren and sisters at Parkville, Mich., request a conference at their place commencing Jan. 11, at 6 P. M. We invite brethren J. N. Loughborough, J. H. Waggoner J. White, J. Byington, and as many more as can come to labor with us.
And we would extend a cordial invitation to all of like precious faith to attend this conference. Brethren and sisters, come one come all with praying spirits that the Lord may revive his work in our midst. We will accommodate all that will come with such fare as we have ourselves. Teams will be at Three Rivers on Friday to convey to the place of meeting all that may come on the Southern railroad.
In behalf of the church,
H. KEENEY.
A. HAFER.
By request of the Parkville Church, their conference is postponed to Jan. 11th. J. N. L.
Business Department.
By Editor
Business Notes.
L. A. Marsh: The letter has not been received; but we give credit on book, and send the paper as ordered.
J. Barrows of Pa.: The P. O. address of T. E. Thorp, is Berlin, Marquette Co., Wis.
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R. F. C
By R. F. C.
The monthly meeting of the scattered brethren in Niagara, Orleans and Monroe counties, held on the second Sabbath in each month, is to be held during the winter at Bro. C. P. Buckland's, five miles north of Albion, Orleans Co., on the Fairhaven road.
R. F. C
APPOINTMENTS.
By James White
Wright Conference.
BRO. WHITE: You are hereby informed that at a meeting of the church held on the first first-day of this month, the following resolution was passed:
Resolved, That we invite Bro. and sister White, Bro. Frisbie, and such others as it may be possible to obtain, for the purpose of holding a conference, in Wright as soon as practicable. JAMES SAWYER, Secretary.
Providence permitting, we will go from Monterey to Wright, and hold a conference, January 5th and 6th, 1861. JAMES WHITE.
Appointments at Round Grove and Princeville
Providence permitting, I will meet with the church at Round Grove, Ills., the last Sabbath and first-day in December.
Also, I will meet with the church at Princeville, Ills.,
WM. S. INGRAHAM
By Wm. S. Ingraham
December.
Also, I will meet with the church at Princeville, Ills., the first Sabbath and first-day in January, 1861. I hope to see the brethren from Galva, Southampton, Mt. Hawley and vicinity at this meeting. Brethren, we have got the truth, and come, praying that the God of truth will meet with us.
WM. S. INGRAHAM
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