Are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.” This declaration is found among the blessings upon the good, uttered by our Lord in his sermon on the mount. Matt. v. Comfort is here promised to the mourners. It cannot be supposed that they mourn for earthly losses, or because they are detected in crime and brought to justice; for they are classed with the “meek,” the “poor in spirit,” the “merciful,” and the “pure in heart.” It is proper, therefore, to conclude that these blessed mourners have godly sorrow for their sins, which works in them a change of life. They see in themselves a fearful contrast with the holiness of God, the loveliness of Christ, and the purity of the christian character, as set forth in the Scriptures, and they abhor self, and mourn for the heavenly graces. Such will be comforted. All those precious promises to repenting, trembling, weeping, mourning souls will be fulfilled in them. But the deceived, self-righteous, have no right to these promises. Being ignorant of true humility, they feel that they are “rich and increased with goods, and have need of nothing,” and know not that they are “wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.”
Such see nothing in themselves to cause them to mourn, and they can never taste the blessed results of true mourning until they are undeceived in relation to their own condition.
The apostle James says, “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.” Chap. iv, 9, 10. We here see the arm of the Lord reached down to raise up the weeping mourner, and give him joy unspeakable and full of glory.
Another apostle says, “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.” 1 Pet. v, 6.
Says the True Witness, “Be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” Rev. iii, 19, 20.
Says the prophet, “Before the fierce anger of the Lord come upon you, before the day of the Lord’s anger come upon you, seek ye the Lord all ye meek of the earth which have wrought his judgments.” Zeph. ii, 2, 3.
The foregoing texts were called to mind by the following lines from Bro. T. M. Steward. They will be read with deep interest, especially by those who have greatly desired his prosperity.
MAUSTON, WIS., JUNE 3, 1861.
BRO. WHITE: It has become my painful duty to address you again on a subject I am ashamed of. Yet I feel it is my duty to say more. I have seen Testimony No. 6, and am very thankful for it, especially that portion referring to me. Sometimes it seems almost impossible for it to be true, but I believe it is. And I am glad, that while Satan is at work by his delusions, God has not left his people without reproof. May the Lord prepare our hearts to receive it according to the language of Psalm cxii, 4.
I am sorry I tried to justify myself at all, for I did believe it, and the only reason I did not go farther was because I could not. I tried hard. I am ashamed of, and do much regret, the reception you all three found at Mauston last fall. I am sure it has caused you much sorrow and pain of mind. May the Lord save you from the like again. I have mourned, and do still mourn, that I should prove a burden to any one. I hope you will forgive me. I am now thankful you came, and that you dealt with us so plainly, and I begin to think perhaps it was not so hard, under the circumstances as I thought. May the Lord reward you for your labor of love with us. Gladly will I make amends for all the wrongs I have caused, as far as I can, the Lord helping.
Dear brother, forgive all that I have said or written that has wounded your feelings, and pray for me. O, pride! May I crucify it. And Sr. White, will you again forgive the wrongs I have done you? I do hope to be more guarded in the future. How thankful I ought to be that Jesus condescended to send me a warning. Shall I reject it? No! No!! I’ll heed it, and try to profit by it, and grow wiser and better by the Lord’s correction. I am sorry I have such an inclination to parlay with reproof. I feel I have done wrong. May the Lord help me to overcome.
I hope my preaching brethren will forgive my wrongs toward them. When I think what has transpired, I blush with shame. But, brethren, my heart’s desire is to do right. Pray for me. And my dear brethren and sisters abroad, one and all, I want you to forgive me. Many of you I never expect to see in this life, but let us strive to meet in the world to come. I want to bear a part in the third angel’s message, for I do believe it to be the last warning to the world. I want the Lord to open my heart to me more yet, so I can see myself, and get just right.
When I appointed the conference here last fall, little did I think what a snare Satan had set for me. I expected we should be united as one family. But alas! alas!! What do I see! Then my heart was buoyant, but now mourning and sorrow, regret and pain, fill my heart. O, I do feel to rejoice that I have a dear Saviour to go to. May I ever be true to him and his cause, and at last reign with him in his kingdom. Amen.
T. M. STEWARD.
P. S. I have delayed this longer than I should, if I had not expected you here. I want to talk to you face to face. May the Lord bless you abundantly in your labors.
T. M. S.
There are reasons why Bro. S. finds himself in his present position. Some of those we shall attempt to point out for his good, and the good of others who may be in danger of falling into like29troubles.
1. He but partially recovered himself from the snare understood by many as the “blessenger influence.” A more poisonous, reckless and wicked influence probably never manifested itself among those professing godliness. As far as Bro. S. fell under this influence, so far he fell under, and acted under, the most direct influence of the Devil. He has had time and opportunity to see all this. The course of Stephenson and Hall, the rapidity with which that party went down, and the signal favors of Divine providence toward those whom they arose to persecute, have all been before Bro. S., and with this weight of evidence before him, he should have shaken off the last vestige of that unhallowed influence, and should have fully identified himself with, and placed himself under the counsel of, those who bore with them, in their labors, marks of Divine favor,
2. Failing to do this, he was left to sympathize, at least, with the leaders of a ruinous fanaticism, and to virtually reject the labors of those whom God sent to Mauston to pull souls out of the fire, and save the cause from reproach. The position occupied by Bro. S. strengthened the hands of those whose reason was well nigh dethroned, they mistaking the wiles of the Devil for the Spirit of holiness, and they rushed on till their folly was made manifest to all, themselves not excepted.
3. Then Bro. S. had not a shadow of a doubt as to who were in the wrong in this matter. Then he should have led off in a manly, open, frank and Christian confession of the delusion, and the wrong part he had acted in relation to it. Others would have followed; but time passed on, and the young churches in Northern Wisconsin were left to bleed from the wounds caused by the fanaticism, while the leaders were still complaining of harshness on the part of those God sent to save them from the delusion. This is the most disgusting feature of the whole affair. As though those in error and delusion were the ones to judge just how they are to be helped out. If they can direct others they can help themselves. But the fact that they are incompetent to judge of their own situation, and of their wants, seems to be a good reason why God should send others to to help them. There can be no greater evidence of blindness and lack of true consecration on the part of the erring than complaints against those who undertake the disagreeable task to set them right.
But we rejoice that Bro. S. has finally thrown himself into the hands of the Lord and of his brethren. It has doubtless been the faithfulness of those who have dealt plainly with him that has assisted him to take right ground. Had he been “let alone” he probably would have been left to go still further in a wrong direction. Misplaced sympathy has often confirmed the erring in their errors, and stood between them and those who would help them. This false sympathy on the part of ministers and people has had a tendency to cripple the pure testimony, and is among the highest sins of the church.
But while we urge the necessity of all the faithfulness required in God’s word in laboring with the erring, we would urge also all the forgiveness, pity and love taught in the word. Bro. S. need not always mourn. It is not too late for wrongs to be righted. God will forgive sins for which we exercise true repentance, and his people will love to forgive also. “Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.” As Bro. S. walks out from the influences which have injured him, and places himself under the watchcare of his brethren, it will be the highest pleasure of the brotherhood to sympathize with him in the arduous work of a messenger, and to love him as a brother. May God bless him and his, and help them in the future to make straight paths lest the lame be turned out of the way, and bring them at last to the kingdom.
IS THERE NO CONTRADICTION?
By R. F. C.
“DEATH is the dawn of a higher life.” So said the minister at the funeral to-day. His next words were substantially these: “The Christian while struggling with the ‘last enemy,’ can say in the language of the Apostle, ‘We know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.’”
If death is the dawn of a higher life, we should call it the friend and benefactor of the human race. Why then did the preacher call it, in the next sentence, the last enemy? The answer is easy: Paul called it so. But did Paul say also that death was the dawn of a higher life? Not at all. No such sentiment was uttered by him. He nowhere contradicts the idea that death is an enemy, and as such shall be destroyed. It was the preacher of to-day that contradicted Paul.
What would the poor low-lived inhabitants of earth do, if the dawn of a higher life should be destroyed? But death is to be destroyed by the resurrection of the saints, and in that glorious day the saying shall be brought to pass: O death where is thy sting? O grave where is thy victory? The sting of “the dawn of a higher life” is sin. The wages of sin is “the dawn of a higher life.” This is the harmony of Paul and the modern preacher. But Christ gives his people a victory over this dawn of a higher life, and Paul thanks God for it. So do I.
“Death is the dawn of a higher life.” So says the Spiritualist—so says the preacher. Here is harmony. And as death is the lot of us all, saint and sinner, it follows that the liar, the thief, the adulterer, and the murderer are, at death, ushered into a higher life! Spiritualism says, Amen—so it is. But “orthodoxy” casts such wicked sinners down into the lowest hell, and this at death. Is this a higher life?
Spiritualism and the Bible are perfect antagonisms—directly opposed to each other. My dear christian friends, will you not choose one or the other, and no longer try to reconcile the two? Yes, you will choose soon, and the day is at hand. Be entreated to renounce the doctrines of Spiritualism and choose the plain and harmonious doctrines of the Bible. Choose a higher life by renouncing every sin, and keeping every one of God’s ten commandments, and be satisfied to receive that higher life at the first resurrection when death will be destroyed.
David said, “I shall be satisfied when I awake with thy likeness.” Your friend will be satisfied when David is, provided he is so happy as to get the victory over sin. So will you. Then cease to try to make a covenant with death, and to be at agreement with the grave. See Isa. xxviii, 15–18. Be assured that death will not fulfill the part of the covenant—he will not introduce you to a higher life. If you are so happy as to obtain that life, the honor will be given to Christ and the resurrection, and not to death and the Devil, the great enemies of man, which are to be destroyed.
My friend, I will try to meet you in a higher life, at the resurrection of the just, when the shout of victory over death and the grave will burst from the lips of every redeemed soul. May this be our portion.
R. F. C.
MEETINGS AT ROUND GROVE, ILLS.
By John Norton Loughborough
Having a spare Sabbath between the Avon conference and tent operations I thought I would visit Round Grove. Accordingly I spent with that church Sabbath and first-day, June 1st and 2nd. I found some still opposed to organization, occupying a position like this: They thought it all right to organize so as to hold meeting-houses and the office property, but they thought it was wrong to take a name and have that name recorded on the books of the government. I tried to show them that they had got themselves into a paradox; for before property can be held by law it is necessary to take such steps that the government may know who proposes to hold the property. It was said, "We are afraid we shall get one of the names of the beast if we take a name." We showed them that we could not get the name of the beast until we became a part of the beast, and as I showed in the article on "The Image of the Beast," the name of the beast is obtained (not by a legal business transaction to hold property, but) by taking steps to cause them to recognize and enforce our faith.
Again, I disclaim that the name "Seventh-day Adventists" is the name of the beast, and have been disgusted with the fanatical ideas advanced by some on this subject. It is strange to me that any one can suppose that the two-horned beast will make war on those that keep the commandments, and yet enforce upon them the name "Seventh-day Adventists." It is stranger still to suppose that those who have had the burden and labor for years of getting the third angel's message before the people, have all gone into the very things the message warned against, while a few in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, &c., who never had the burden of the message upon them are all that have the light on the matter. If this is so what is the third angel's message good for?
The burden of my testimony to the church was the propriety of more strict organization in the church, and the necessity of all striving to move in union with the body of God's people. Most of the brethren and sisters were ready to organize when we came to the place. We had a good time talking with the church, and before we left organized a church with a list of twenty names.
Bro. Sanborn and myself are now holding tent-meetings at Clinton Junction (Ogden P. O.) Rock Co. Wis., with good interest and large congregations. We have given seven discourses already, and expect with the Lord's blessing to see much good accomplished here.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
Clinton Junction, Wis., June 12, 1861.
BRO. CZECHOWSKI.
By D. T. Bourdeau
DEAR BRO. WHITE: We have felt interested for our dear Bro. Czechowski ever since he embraced the truth, and we are glad that his case is considered in the Good Samaritan. We readily acquiesce in your remarks in regard to Bro. C., and would here state that we did not know that he really intended to go to New York, till he had laid his plans so deep that his mind could not be changed. We are thankful that Bro. C. has been protected of the Lord in New York, and that he is willing “to submit to all his providences and move according to the best advice of the church.”
At our last monthly meeting the case of Bro. C. was considered, and the brethren came to the conclusion that it might be right for Bro. C. to come to Vermont, and pledged $ 40 to move Bro. C's family among the French in Northern Vermont. Though the church in Northern Vermont have to help two or three preachers,30yet they feel willing to do all they can to make Bro. C. comfortable.
I wrote to Bro. C. yesterday, and asked him if he could not leave his affairs in the hands of some judicious brother, and move immediately to Northern Vermont, where his wants can be more easily supplied. I have found a house that Bro. C. can occupy.
Now, dear brother, if you have any suggestions to make, please make them immediately. I do not want to move rashly. May God give us wisdom.
Could you not get up a subscription in the Review, to raise means to pay Bro. C's debts, etc.? I expect to hear from you soon.
From your unworthy brother in Christ.
D. T. BOURDEAU.
West Enosburgh, Vt., 11, 1861.
NOTE. The REVIEW is open for propositions to assist Bro. C. We refer you to the excellent judgment of such as Brn. A. C. Bourdeau, Saxby, Austin, Bingham, Morse, Peck, Pierce, Barrows, C. O. Taylor, Whipple, and a score like them. I can give no time to such matters, and do myself justice. Bro. Bingham not long since sent $ 100 for missionary purposes. That can be spared if needed.—ED.
MEETINGS IN MICH.
By Joseph Bates
MAY 16th, left Chesaning, Saginaw Co., and came to Linden, Genesee Co. Here we held meetings on the Sabbath with a few Sabbath-keepers at the house of Bro. A. Jones. First-day, 18th, we were offered a hall near the R. R., in which we preached twice. One of my hearers who had attentively listened to our subjects (formerly a preacher in the place), made some remarks after I had closed the meeting, the substance of which was to prove that Christ had come the second time. For proof he referred to his transfiguration on the mount. Matt. xvii. We replied that his transfiguration could not be his second coming, for that event occurred during his first advent. Matt. xxiv was also quoted to prove that he did come the second time at the destruction of Jerusalem. We endeavored to show him that if he could prove what he had asserted, then he would have two second comings of the Saviour, one some twelve months before his mission closed at his first advent; the other forty years after, viz., in A. D. 70, at the destruction of Jerusalem. He appeared unwilling to pursue the subject any further.
May 20, left Linden for Greenbush, Clinton Co., where we tarried until the 24th, laboring with the church to set things in order. They are seldom visited, but manifest a strong desire to go forward in the message and adopt all the measures recommended by the general conference for the furtherance of the cause. Our third and last preaching meeting with them was at the village school-house, at the close of which one man said he felt it was his duty to keep the Sabbath.
Sabbath and first-day, 25 and 26, held meetings in Orange, Ionia Co. Brethren from Ionia, North Plains and Portland met with us here, and were refreshed and strengthened in the Lord. One more decided to keep all God’s commandments. These brethren and sisters manifest a strong desire to be united in all the work of the Seventh-day Adventists. The Lord also answered prayer for the afflicted. Praise his holy name!
June 1, had the pleasure of worshiping with the church again in Monterey, except the few families that are now sojourning in Battle Creek.
JOSEPH BATES.
Monterey, Mich.
SYSTEMATIC BENEVOLENCE.
By John Norton Loughborough
I HAVE not kept silence on the subject of Systematic Benevolence because of not favoring the plan. I have watched the plan since it was first proposed and put into operation, and it seems to me that as far as means are concerned this plan has been the salvation of the cause of present truth from bankruptcy. In places where, before the adoption of this plan, the brethren thought they could scarcely take care of themselves and did comparatively nothing for the support of the cause, we see them now stating that their Systematic Benevolence amounts to over $100 a year. I think what this plan has accomplished should be sufficient to carry it above all the trifling objections that are raised against it. But still as some object to it, I thought I would make a few remarks on a couple of the objections that some have of late made to me on this subject.
One says, "I have no objection to Systematic Benevolence as it was first entered into (as they entered into it I suppose) to let each one give what he wished each week; but this last plan, proposed in Samaritan No. 5, will rob our children of what we ought to do for them." I do not understand that the last plan proposed differs materially from the object aimed at in the first plan. One object of the plan as first proposed was "that there might be an equality in raising the necessary means to support the cause." This equality could not be gained by such a case as the following: A., a mechanic who has no property but his tools, and is dependent on his labor to support himself and family, denies himself of many comforts of life and gives twenty-five cents a week. B., a farmer in good circumstances, and a fair crop of wheat coming on, does not know how he shall be prospered, thinks he must have all the comforts of life any way, and puts down ten cents a week. Any reasonable man says that is not equality. Now the last plan proposed will bring those upon an equality by taking a tenth part of their increase, and this can be easily told by the farmer, for he knows that his land if tillable will average him ten per cent a year increase, taking one year with another, after making all due allowance for occasionally a poor crop or low prices. And a mechanic can tell without much difficulty what he averages each year.
This plan of a tenth of the increase is certainly in accordance with the ancient plan of tithing, and as has been already shown, Malachi has declared to those who are living just before the coming of Christ that they are "robbing God in tithes." I hope brethren and sisters we shall bring in all the tithes and make the sacrifice God has required of us (see Testimony No. 6). The objection against this plan referred to above might have been urged by the Israelites with equal force against the ancient mode of tithing. Perhaps it would be better for children to labor more and secure their own livelihood than to be put at once in possession of large sums of money without ever having known by experience how to manage property. As far as I have noticed, at least, those who have gotten means by their own efforts generally manage it better than those who have it put into their possession without any effort on their part to accumulate it.
Another one says he thinks it is wrong to pledge ourselves to do something that we do not know that we can do, and thinks the Bible is rather against pledging. Now I think it is not a very difficult matter in this case at least to show that the Bible is not against pledging, but in favor of it. If you turn to 2 Cor. viii, you will find Paul stirring up the brethren on this subject of which he had spoken to them the year before in his first epistle (see 1 Cor. xvi, 1, 2). "And herein I give my advice; for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago. Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have." Verses 10, 11. What can this mean? Here was something that they willed a year before that they were then to perform out of their substance. It seems to me they must have pledged something on the matter a year before, and Paul wishes them now to redeem their pledges. Here it seems they had willed on the subject in such a way that Paul knew it. Of course it could not have been a secret will, but must have been a pledge.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
Crane's Grove, Ills.
THE SABBATH LAW
By Andrew J. Bois
[DEAR BRO. WHITE: The author of the following is a young Adventist, who was converted last fall at an Advent camp-meeting in this place. He has been studying the Bible for evidence to prove to me that the Sabbath was merely a Jewish rite, and not binding on Christians at the present time. After searching until he was satisfied which side the evidence was on, he wrote the following which I now copy and send to you the Review. Truth is stronger than error.
H. M. W.
Westford, Mass.]
THE SABBATH LAW.
Ex. xx, 8, 9, reads thus: "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work," &c. Here is a law claiming to regulate a seventh portion of our time for religious purposes, the highest end of life. All other time is secular; this is holy. That may be occupied with things which perish in the using; this must be given to things which take hold on eternity. Many questions are raised concerning this law, but one question is paramount over all the rest: Does the law of the Sabbath bind us in this dispensation?
Some laws expire by limitation, and some did expire that were given by Moses; but no limit was fixed to the observance of the fourth commandment when first given, nor afterwards. The great Lawgiver of the world is God. He ordained the law of the Sabbath; and he has never repealed it. Is any evidence of such repeal found in the Scriptures? If so, where is the book, the chapter, the verse containing it? Christ did not repeal it, for he says so in Matt. v, 17, nor do the apostles any where declare that it was repealed. Were the other commandments spoken by God from Sinai? So was this. Were the others written by the finger of God on tables of stone? So was this. Were the others deposited in the ark of the testimony, in the Holy of Holies? So was this. Christ says, I came not to destroy the law or the prophets, but to fulfill; and he said it as much of this as of any other precept.
Did Christ's most devoted followers keep the other commandments? So did they keep this: Luke xxiii, 56. Mark the wording of it: it is enacted both positively and negatively:
1. Positively. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 2. Negatively. In it thou shalt do no manner of work. Mark the first word of this solemn command: "Remember." This command is not only addressed to the head of the family, but also the son, the daughter, the man-servant, the maid-servant, and in reference to the cattle and the stranger. It is also stated by God, that he set us the example on the completion of the creation, and shall we not follow such an example? We are commanded to be holy, because God is holy; to forgive our enemies, because God forgives his enemies. Then ought we not to keep the seventh day, because God kept it? He says, "It is mine;" it is "the Sabbath of the Lord your God." Surely will you deny to your God, a right so equitable, a demand so fair?
In both the Old and New Testaments God claims the day as his; viz., Ex. xx, 10; Isa. lviii, 13; Rev. i, 10. Pious men acknowledge this claim. Neh. ix, 14; Luke xxiii, 56. In Isa. lvi, 1-7, and lviii, 14, it says that to such God will give in his house and within his walls a place and a name better than that of sons and daughters. He will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off. He will make them joyful in his house of prayer; and blessings, like those which came upon Jacob, shall fall upon them.
Jer. xvii, 27, and Eze. xx, 21 denounce a curse against those who profane this holy day. God says he has given us the Sabbath. "I gave them my Sabbaths, that they might know that I am the Lord that sanctify them" [Eze. xx, 12]—that they might have proper time to acquire the knowledge of God and salvation. Christ himself taught the same when he said, "The Sabbath was made for man." Mark ii, 27. It was made to do him good and not evil. It was not made for the Jew alone, but for the whole race of man. We see by reading Luke xxiii, 56, that the holy women, who wished to anoint our Lord's body, would not do it until the Sabbath was over.
Prophecy requires a Sabbath in the Christian dispensation. Isa. lxvi, 23; Rev. i, 10. In Matt. xxiv, Christ, referring to the setting up of the abomination of desolation, says, "Pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the Sabbath day." This, of course, shows that there was a Sabbath in existence at the time referred to, which was many years after the ascension of Christ.
Having shown that the law of the Sabbath is still binding, let us see what it forbids.
1. It forbids all labor not required by necessity or mercy. Gen. ii, 2, 3. "And God rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made." So in the fourth commandment, we are required to do all our work in six days, and are forbidden to do any work on the Sabbath. Ex. xxiii, 12. God says, "Six days shalt thou do thy work, and on the seventh day thou shalt rest." Ex. xxxi, 15. "Six days may work be done, but the seventh is the Sabbath of rest, holy unto the Lord." Lev. xxiii, 3; Jer. xvii, 27, &c.
These commands are clearly expressed, and are given by divine authority, in the most solemn language; and there are no exceptions but those of necessity and mercy, as laid down in Matt. xii, 1-13; Mark iii, 1, 4; Luke vi, 6-9; xiii, 15, 16; xiv, 1-5; John v, 10-17. And yet how many abuse the doctrine of necessity and mercy to defend their violations of the Sabbath day. God has said, Six days shalt thou work, but on the seventh thou shalt rest; in earing time and in harvest thou shalt rest. But how few practice it; and if success has attended any one in profaning the Sabbath in doing evil, let him or her remember that "the prosperity of fools shall destroy them."
In conclusion the fourth commandment is spiritual, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. It does not only forbid us to do and to speak what we please on that day, but it binds our thoughts and hearts to delight in its holy service. Isa. lviii, 13.
In keeping God's commandments there is great reward. Some people consider that this is quite unnecessary; that we have no Sabbath now which we are under any obligation to keep; that this is a privilege of the new dispensation over the old. But the Lawgiver has never done away his law. Let us then make all arrangements within six days, and whatever may be the inconvenience, remember the day which God has blessed.
May God impress these truths upon our hearts as they never yet have been, and help us to remember that we must give an account at last.
ANDREW J. BOIS.
BREVITIES.
By J. C.
A GIFT recalled never was a gift. Such sacrifices were not freely bestowed; and he who mentions a gift in such a light as implying it might be rescinded, only shows his misgivings. Give what you give, and do not think for a moment of ever claiming it again. What would society become if all free gifts in the past31were posted up as if for collection. Let a man be clear as to his ability, and measure his gift by his ability, and then resist the suggestions of the adversary; but if one has already sacrificed his earthly treasures, let him beware of thinking of it for a moment grudgingly; it is on record in heaven, and Satan knows that your unhappy regrets will blot that record and hence his efforts to distress your mind.
The coming of the Lord draweth nigh, but the best way to show that we believe it, is to get ready for it. We should publish it in every place and at all times, when we can glorify God by so doing; but these sentiments and teachings must be backed up by a holy life, else they become insipid.
We honor the still, virtuous housewife, who is engaged in preparing her house for her husband's return, far more than we do the noisy woman, who, while she extols her husband's virtues, neglects to do the things that please him. So here we see some talking much of the coming of Christ whose works deny him; while others show by their works that they are every moment as in expectation of that event. Their words, too, declare the advent near. Yet some, who think that religion consists in professions, neglecting the keeping of the heart, and letting down the standard of holiness, think to recommend themselves to God, by shouting about the advent, which, if they do not take care, will be a very sad time for them. O let our lives as well as words proclaim this event; and until this alliance is found, our teachings are insipid and null.
J. C.
OBITUARY.
By D. T. Bourdeau
DIED of typhoid fever, in Polton, C. E., May 21, our beloved sister Howlet, wife of Bro. John Howlet, aged about 50 years.
Bro. and sister Howlet were among those who received the Advent doctrine in 1843; and they gladly embraced the third angel's message, under the labors of Bro. Pierce, in the summer of 1859. Sister H. has not been with us long; but she has truly been an honor to the cause of present truth. The truth was dearer to her than life. She was noted for her faith, zeal and experience. She always talked faith and courage, and was ever willing to bear responsibility, and fill her place in the church. She manifested patience, wisdom and earnestness in laboring for the salvation of her family, and had the privilege of seeing all her children give their hearts to the Lord. She left a kind husband and four children, who deeply feel their loss. But she sleeps in Jesus. The Lord witnessed her earnestness and labors of love, and she will have a rich reward. We made her a visit a few days before her death, and found her perfectly resigned to the will of God. She had a bright hope that sustained her through her sickness, and in the hour of death. The funeral sermon was preached by the writer, before a large congregation. Bro. Hutchins was present, and made comforting and appropriate remarks for the benefit of the mourners.
“Asleep in Jesus! blessed sleep,
From which none ever wake to weep;
A calm and undisturbed repose,
Unbroken by the last of foes.
“Asleep in Jesus! O, how sweet
To be for such a slumber meet!
With holy confidence to rest
In hope of being ever blest.
“Asleep in Jesus! soon to rise,
When the last trump shall rend the skies;
Then burst the fetters of the tomb,
To wake in full, immortal bloom.”
D. T. BOURDEAU.
A Testimony for the Truth
By Lydia I. Shaw
From Sister Shaw.
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: Although a stranger to you, still I trust I am not a stranger to God and the truths contained in his word. I feel it a duty as well as a privilege to give in my testimony in favor of the truth, and for the first time I address you, thinking perhaps it may encourage some one, to know that one more is seeking the truth as revealed in the word of God. I find that the word of God is very plain to those who read with prayerful attention, and it abounds with promises to those who keep his commandments and have the faith of Jesus; and I am striving to keep them all. God is light, and in him is no darkness at all; and I do rejoice for the light I have received. The desires of my heart are, Create in me a clean heart, O God, and enable me by thy grace to live in obedience to thy commands, for I choose to suffer reproach and the frowns of the world, if I may but be counted worthy to be of that number of whom it shall be said, Here are they that have kept the faith, and the commands of God.
I have had an increasing desire to come out from the world and be separate, to seek for the inward adorning of the heart. I long to be filled with love and gratitude to God for all his mercies to me; and through his grace strengthening me, I hope to overcome all the evils that may befall me. There is great need to watch and pray, and guard against the vain allurements of the world, to pursue a course between the rocks on either hand, that we may gain the reward of the finally faithful, and enjoy the presence of our once crucified but now risen and exalted Saviour. Oh that the cry of my heart may ever be, Lord prepare me for that happy day when all the saints get home, when we shall be free from all the toils and troubles of mortal life.
“Oh may my lot be cast with these,
Though least of Jesus’ witnesses.”
Lydia I. Shaw.
Weathersfield, N. Y.
THE REPENTING SINNER.
By A. L. Guilford
Lo! I come a trembling sinner,
Save me Lord, or else I die!
I would walk beneath thy banner,
Thou wilt not my plea deny..
Bleeding Jesus,
To thy bosom I would fly.
While with awe to thee my Father
I lift up my streaming eyes,
Wilt thou with thy chosen gather
My poor name? O bid me rise,
And rejoicing
Shout aloud in sweet surprise.
Yes, I feel that thou dost love me,
O thy wondrous power to save!
Thou art very high above me,
Yet I know by thee I live.
O my Saviour,
Thou wilt freely all forgive.
I would place upon the altar
All I have, and keep it there,
Onward go and never falter,
Ever watchful unto prayer.
Jesus guide me,
Till I reach the city fair.
A. L. GUILFORD.
REPORT FROM GILBOA, OHIO.
At a business meeting of the brethren of Gilboa, held on the evening of June 1, 1861, it was unanimously
Voted, That we rescind, as far as we are concerned, the action of the Ohio conference of last October, as far as related to taking the tax duplicate as the basis of adjusting our financial duties, considering it inadequate to secure the equality contemplated.
The plan of Systematic Benevolence is adopted. Our donations will be about $2.25 per week.
J. P. FLEMING, Chairman.
M. T. OLDS, Secretary.
L E T T E R S.
By W. M. Allen
“Then they that feared the Lord, spake often one to another.”
From Bro. Allen.
DEAR BRO. WHITE: I wish to say a few words to the saints scattered abroad, to let them know that I am still homeward bound. During the past winter I have tried to do what I could in my Master's cause, though it has been but very little. A little over two weeks ago I came into Minnesota on business, and stopped at Cherry Grove. Bro. Bostwick had been through the place, and had given them two discourses. The people were very anxious to hear more. I consented to give them a few lectnres. The interest has been increasing ever since.
Last evening four rose up and declared their determination to obey the truth; and as near as I can learn, there are three more who have decided to keep the commandments. Pray brethren and sisters that not only these bnt many more may be wholly sanctified through the truth.
Yours in love, striving for the kingdom,
W. M. ALLEN.
Cherry Grove, Minn.
B. M. HIBBARD
By B. M. Hibbard
From Sister Hibbard.
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: As I am cheered weekly by your letters, shall I remain silent and not cast in my testimony on the side of truth? No; for we are commanded to improve on the talent that God has given us. I feel that it is a solemn and important time in which we live, and my desire and prayer is that I may know what the Lord would have me do, and then in the strength and fear of God perform it. We must not be idle; for the third angel is carrying forward his work. How thankful I feel that I have not been left to reject that message; but still I do not feel its sanctifying influence as I desire. I am striving to overcome everything that is sinful, that I may at last be found having on the wedding garment, without spot or wrinkle. I feel very unworthy, and many times I think that if I am a Christian I am the least of all. But I know that the promises of God are yea and amen to them that believe. Therefore though he slay me, yet will I trust in him. I am not ashamed to be called a Seventh-day Adventist, though some accuse me of worshiping the day, making a God of the day, &c. They do not see the importance there is in keeping it. They shut their eyes to the light that is now shining upon the word of God. But the Lord will accomplish his work, and cut it short in righteousness.