BRO. SMITH: While reading the communication from Bro. Welcome on holiness, in the Review, I felt my desponding heart somewhat cheered, and my faith in a measure strengthened. For some time I have felt oppressed with a sense of the impurity of my heart. I have known by blest and happy experience what it is to live in the enjoyment of this great blessing. I then could say that Christ was all the world to me, and all my heart was love. The rest I then enjoyed in God, the sweet peace and quiet of soul, I cannot express. I felt I then rested under the especial protection of my Heavenly Father. Even the thought of his keeping power, and the joy and peace I then enjoyed, sends a thrill of joy through my heart while I write. O how I long again to be folded in the arms of the great Shepherd, and through faith in Christ feel that I have victory over all my indwelling foes, and enjoy a rest from inbred sin. Much of the time for more than a year, I have gone with my head bowed down, mourning over my imperfectness and yet much of the time panting after holiness; and at times thinking I had almost gained the victory; but through unbelief or some other device of the enemy, I have been defeated. O how long shall the enemy of my soul hold me in bondage? When shall his cruel power be broken? O that just now I could escape from his snare, and by faith enter the Canaan of perfect love! O let me, though unworthy, ask an interest in the prayers of you, my brethren and sisters, who are feasting on the bounty of heaven; you that have power with God in prayer; that by living, active faith can claim his promises; let me entreat you to present my case before God that I may speedily be delivered from the bondage under which I groan, and rejoice again in a full and free salvation.
Dear brethren and sisters, write much on this subject. Without holiness all the energies are crippled. Let all the members in the Advent ranks enjoy entire consecration, and with the Bible truths they advocate, they would exert a most powerful influence until the church comes pure. Without it I cannot see how God can work in power in our midst; and certainly without holiness we never shall see God in peace. Let those who can, write from experience, and it will strengthen and encourage those who are seeking this blessing. There may be those who are seeking this blessing, that need some one to take them by the hand and lead them into the pool.
O how I enjoyed Bro. Welcome's piece! I devoured it as eagerly as one that was starving with hunger. O then preach it, write it, live it, and God grant that the leaven may work until the whole church is leavened.
Yours striving to overcome,
C. LAWTON
W. Winfield, N. Y., Jan. 2d, 1859.
Missionary Labors in Lapeer and Thetford
By R. J. Lawrence
From Bro. Lawrence.
Bro. Smith: Passing over the scenes of the past season, I come to the present. Two weeks ago last Sixth-day I left home for Lapeer. I arrived there in the evening, and met with the brethren in prayer and conference. Found them firm in the truth, notwithstanding the severe trial they were passing through by reason of reports circulated by one that has gone out from them. The Spirit was evidently present. Sabbath morning we met at the meeting-house, and I gave three lectures apparently to the encouragement of the church. First-day evening I spoke on the nature and destiny of man, by request, at Bro. Goodel's, two miles and a half from Lapeer. The Spirit was present, and gave edge to the truth. Second-day, in company with Bro. Wright, started for Thetford, Genesee Co. Reached Bro. Butler's at two o'clock; found the people fatigued with successive meetings. The next Sabbath after Bro. Bates left, a man by the name of Calvin came in and preached against him. Then another known by the name of "crazy Allen," came there and held meetings three weeks.
In this situation we found the people in Thetford. Bro. and Sister Butler, mother and sister, appeared firm in the truth. Some others that were interested when Bro. Bates was there, were now shaken. I preached four times. On the Sabbath had proceeded about half way, when the cry of fire was made, Bro. Butler's house was in flames. We instantly left, only however, to witness the rage of the angry element in consuming the once peaceable habitation. It was supposed to have been set on fire by a small child in some shavings in a back room. Thought I, what is this compared with that fire that is to consume, not the habitation of the righteous, but all the wicked? Wednesday evening spoke on the nature of man; but the people were seemingly fortified against the truth. Thursday morning we shook hands with those of like faith in Thetford, and returned to fill an appointment at Bro. Higley's mill, Lapeer. But few were present. O I am confident that the Message is onward; for where the people have heard and decided, it is of but little use to repeat the call. Friday evening met in conference and prayer. Sabbath day and evening spoke three times. At the close of the afternoon services two willing converts followed Christ in baptism. First-day preached once, after which the church consulted concerning their present indebtedness, which was met by voluntary contributions. The meeting closed, and I parted with brethren and sisters and friends, and arrived home Monday. The seed sown in Lapeer is evidently working in the families of those that have embraced the truth. The brethren in Canandaigua were firm when I met with them. Last Sabbath met with the church in Shelby; spoke on the two ministrations and the new birth. A few in Shelby are trying to overcome, while others seem to be indifferent to the claims of present truth. O how important, that we heed the counsel of the faithful and true Witness.
R. J. Lawrence.
Rochester, Mich., Dec. 26, 1858.
Will the Saints ever go to Heaven?
By W. Phelps
The question is frequently asked, Will the saints ever go to heaven? I believe they will, first, because our hope reaches there whither the forerunner for us has entered. Heb. vi, 19, 20. The forerunner is that which goes before. I believe they will, second, because Christ said, 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 unto myself, that where I am there you may be also. John xiv, 1–3. Now Christ did not say, I will come again and bring the place which I will prepare with me, that where you are I may be also; which he would have done if that had been his meaning. I believe they will, third, because when Christ ascended up on high he led a multitude of captives. Eph. iv, 8. Margin.
I believe they will, fourth, because Enoch walked with God and he was not; for God took him; [Gen. v, 21–24;] and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. I believe they will, fifth, because when the Lord comes the dead saints will be raised and the living saints changed and be caught up with them together in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. 1 Thess. iv, 16–18. I believe it, sixth, because the saints are labeled for the New Jerusalem, having the name of the city written upon them. Rev. iii, 12. I believe it, seventh, because the 144000 are redeemed from the earth and from among men, and stand on the mount Zion with the Lamb. I believe it, eighth, because John saw an innumerable company of saints out of all nations, kindreds, people and tongues, before the throne of God, who serve him day and night in his temple. W. PHELPS.
Ft. Atkinson, Wis.
To Correspondents.
By Editor
WHEN, where, and by whom were the books of the whole Bible collected so as to make one volume? and why were these and no others received as canonical?
A. C. HUDSON.
ANSWER. The following testimony from the Encyclopædia Americana answers the above query more fully than any other we now have at hand:
"It is generally admitted, that the canon of the Old Testament was settled soon after the return from Babylon, and the re-establishment of the Jewish religion. This work was accomplished, according to the traditions of the Jews, by Ezra, with the assistance of the great synagogue, who collected and compared as many copies as could be found. From this collation a correct edition of the whole was prepared, with the exception of the writings of Ezra, Malachi and Nehemiah, which were added by Simon the Just. When Judas Maccabæus repaired the temple, which had been destroyed by Antiochus Epiphanes, he placed in it a correct copy of the Hebrew Scriptures, whether the autograph of Ezra or not is not known. This copy was carried to Rome by Titus. The division into chapters and verses is of modern origin. Cardinal Hugo de Sancto Caro, who flourished in the 13th century, having divided the Vulgate into chapters, for convenience of reference, similar divisions were made in the Hebrew text by rabbi Mordecai Nathan, in the 15th century. The present divisions into verses was made by Athias, a Jew of Amsterdam, in his edition of 1661. The punctuation is also the work of modern scholars."
"The books of the New Testament were all written in Greek, unless it be true, as some critics suppose, that the gospel of St. Matthew was originally written in Hebrew. Most of these writings have always been received as canonical. Eusebius distinguishes three sorts of books connected with the New Testament: 1. Those which have always been unanimously received, namely, the four Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles, 12 Epistles of Paul, the first Epistle of Peter, and the first of John. 2. Those who were not received, at first, by all the churches; of these, some which have been already mentioned, though at first rejected by some churches, have been since universally received; others, such as the Books of the Shepherd, the Letter of St. Barnabas, the two Epistles of St. Clement, have not been generally acknowledged as canonical. 3. Books forged by heretics, to maintain their doctrines; such are the Gospels of St. Thomas, St. Peter, &c. The division of the text of the New Testament into chapters and verses was introduced earlier than that of the Old Testament; but it is not precisely known when, or by whom."
H. S. Gurney: We find no testimony by which we can determine anything definite concerning the pictures of Num. xxxiii, 52, and Isa. ii, 16.
A. H. Robinson: We agree with you in applying the exhortation of Paul in 1 Cor. vii, 39, and 2 Cor. vi, 14, to matrimonial alliances between believers and unbelievers.
Wm. Merry: We do not understand that it is at the commencement of the new covenant that men will have no need to teach their neighbors, because all know the Lord from the least to the greatest; but this covenant extends into the eternal state; and therefore it is under this covenant that this state of things will be realized.
H. Gardner: Those of whom you speak will have to show some objections to the doctrine of the pre-existence of Christ before we can tell what portion of the testimony in its favor is applicable to their case.
APPOINTMENTS.
Providence permitting there will be a conference at Wright, Ottawa Co., Mich., commencing Jan. 21st, at 1 o'clock P. M., and holding over Sabbath and First-day.
Bro. and sister White and Bro. Loughborough may be expected.
J. B. Frisbie.
We design to meet with the Caledonia church Jan. 18th, at 6 o'clock P. M.
James White.
J. N. Loughborough.
Business Department.
By Editor
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