Rejoice, ye travelers to mount Zion! But why should I rejoice, says one, when trouble, trials and disappointment, are my lot continually? How can I rejoice when everything turns against me? Well, afflicted one, you ought to rejoice that God has permitted you to live, and has given you the use of your rational powers, so that you can reason, and understand for what purpose he created you, and placed you upon his earth. You should rejoice that God has given you his revealed word, so that you may know how finally to escape the troubles of this life, by preparing for another state of existence, where there will be no sorrow, but where the inhabitants will be forever happy. Would not this be far better than never to exist? O yes, certainly it would. Then rejoice that God has seen fit to give you existence, and, as any one would do who would follow the dictates of reason, prepare by obeying your Creator for a better world than this, and not as many will do, rush headlong through life, not following what reason says to them, not regarding the wonderful offers of happiness and everlasting life by believing in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Rejoice ye way-worn travelers. Rejoice that time is short; that eternity is near; that the race is almost run. Do not faint by the way. Do not give up in despair, but struggle on, suffer on, a little longer. Experience tells us that a consciousness of earnestly striving to do right in all things will tend much to sweeten the bitter draught we may be called to drink. Rejoice that you can be made pure and holy by passing through the furnace of affliction. It is written that those who will be arrayed in white robes and stand before the throne of God, are those who have come up out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Rejoice that there is one who knows all you have to bear, and is touched with the feeling of your infirmities, and is able and willing to help you in every trying hour. Yes, rejoice in Christ Jesus. Rejoice that you may suffer with Him who was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.
Finally, in the language of the apostle I would say, "Rejoice in the Lord alway, and again I say rejoice."
A. L. GUILFORD.
Monroe, Wis.
Mercy and Grace Defined
Mercy is willingness to pity and relieve; grace is a willingness to do so freely, to the most unworthy.
The Importance of Every Scripture
There is not a superfluous passage in all God's book; if you cannot see the importance, glory, or necessity of any now, you may by and by.
Business Department.
By Editor
Business Notes.
J. Iden: We have found J. C. Brown's address and placed the $1,00 you sent, to his credit.
D. C. Elmer: Your letter of May 12, containing $1, and your letter of June 5, inquiring about the same, reached us by the same mail. What occasioned the delay of the former we cannot say. The $5 sent previously was received, and you will find it receipted in the last No. of last Vol.
H. Burdick: Where is your paper sent?
Jno. Barrows: We make L. Loop's receipt right in this number; and send Bible as pr. order.
J. P. Lewis: As your INSTRUCTOR is already paid to the middle of Vol. xi, we apply the whole of your remittance on REVIEW.
W. H. C. Michael, Millersburg, Iowa: We send you the books you order, but have not the others you mention, on hand for sale.
T. B. jr.: You had better obtain a draft on New York or Boston. If there is no bank near you, wait till you can hand the money to some brother who can put it into a draft, and send it to the Office. As we shall probably be from home most of the summer, drafts should be made payable to Uriah Smith.
E. M. Lewis: Your indebtedness for INSTRUCTOR was 17 cts. If marked 67 cts. it was a mistake. We credit you with 25 cts., which pays to Vol. x, No. 4. We find but $2 credited to you on book for REVIEW, extending from Vol. xv, No. 10, to xvii, 10. At what date did you send your last remittance?
Receipts.
FOR REVIEW AND HERALD.
Annexed to each receipt in the following list, is the Volume and Number of the REVIEW AND HERALD to which the money receipted pays. If money for the paper is not in due time acknowledged, immediate notice of the omission should then be given.
C. C. Spear 1,00,xviii,1. Chas. Davis 2,00,xvi,1. S. O. Hitchcock 2,00,xix,1. G. M. Burnett 0,50,xix,1. W. Holden 1,00,xix,1. W. Holden (for S. Holden) 0,50,xviii,1. D. C. Elmer 1,00,xix,1. J. H. Lonsdale 1,00,xix,1. R. Hicks 1,00,xix,1. R. Hicks (for C. N. Hicks) 0,50,xix,1. Mary Hale 1,00,xx,1. Adaline Lamb 2,00,xx,1. J. G. Whipple 1,00,xix,1. M. T. Olds 1,00,xix,1. Jefferson Laughhead 1,00,xix,1. J. Laughhead (for A. Blakeman) 0,50,xix,1. Jno. Loop 1,00,xix,11. L. Brooks 1,00,xix,1. Jno. W. Stewart 2,50,xx,1. S. Adams 0,75,xviii,1. L. Kellogg 1,00,xix,1. A. Drew 0,50,xix,1. J. P. Lewis 0,50,xix,14. E. P. Gibbs 1,00,xix,1. O. Randolph 1,00,xix,4. J. S. Wick 0,50,xix,16. Nancy Hiddleson 1,00,xvii,1. S. Newton (for Wm. Raymond) 0,50,xix,1. J. H. Rogers 1,00,xviii,20. J. Spangler 1,00,xviii,18. H. Hill 0,25,xviii,18. S. Brigham (for G. A. Brigham) 1,00,xx,1. A. S. King 2,00,xix,1. J. W. Marsh 1,75,xviii,19. A. P. Patten 1,75,xviii,18. M. Leonard 3,50,xvii,20. Ch. in Parkville, Mich. (for A. Olmstead) 1,00,xx,1. Wm. Langdon 0,75,xviii,19. E. T. Payne 1,00,xx,1. L. Graves 2,00,xix,1. D. H. Palmer 3,00,xx,1. W. Bedient 0,80,xix,1. Louis Morris 0,48,xix,14. Caleb S. Clarke 1,00,xvii,14. P. Dickinson 3,00,xix,1. Isaac O. Thompson 0,50,xviii,19. David Stowe 1,00,xviii,1. S. C. Corey 1,00,xix,10. L. H. Priest 1,50,xviii,14. Enos Bartlett 2,00,xix,1. A. J. Emmons 1,50,xx,17. E. M. Davis (for Benj. Overton 0,50,xviii,23; and Edward Williams 0,25,xviii,10.)
FOR MISSIONARY PURPOSES. Robt. Sawyer $1,71.
PUBLICATIONS.
The New Hymn Book, containing 464 pages and 122 pieces of music. 80 cts.
Christian Baptism, by B. F. Snook. 15 "
Sabbath Tracts, Nos. 1-4. This work presents a condensed view of the entire Sabbath question, 15 "
The Three Angels of Rev. xiv, 6-12, particularly the Third Angel's Message, and the Two-horned Beast, 15 "
Hope of the Gospel, or immortality the gift of God, 15 "
Which? Mortal or Immortal? or an inquiry into the present constitution and future condition of man, 15 "
Modern Spiritualism; its Nature and Tendency. This book should be in the hands of every family, as a warning against Spiritualism, 15 "
The Kingdom of God. A refutation of the doctrine called Age to Come, 15 "
Pauline Theology, or the Christian Doctrine of Future Punishment, as taught in the epistles of Paul, 15 "
The Atonement, 15 "
Prophecy of Daniel. The Four Universal Kingdoms, The Sanctuary and Twenty-three Hundred days, 10 "
The Saints' Inheritance. The Immortal Kingdom located on the New Earth, 10 "
Signs of the Times, showing that the Second Coming of Christ is at the door, 10 "
Law of God, The Testimony of both Testaments, showing its origin and perpetuity, 10 "
Vindication of the true Sabbath by J. W. Morton, late Missionary to Hayti, 10 "
Review of Springer on the Sabbath, Law of God and first day of the week, 10 "
Facts for the Times. Extracts from the writings of eminent authors Ancient and Modern, 10 "
Miscellany. Seven tracts in one book on the Second Advent and the Sabbath, 10 "
Assistant. The Bible Student's Assistant, or a compend of Scripture references, 5 "
Nature and Obligation of the Sabbath of the Fourth Commandment—Apostasy and Perils of the Last Days, 5 "
Truth Found. A Short Argument for the Sabbath with an appendix, "The Sabbath not a type," 5 "
An Appeal for the restoration of the Bible Sabbath in an Address to the Baptists, 5 "
Review of Crozier on the Institution, Design and Abolition of the Seventh-day Sabbath, 5 "
Review of Fillio—A reply to a series of discourses delivered by him in Battle Creek on the Sabbath question, 5 "
The Fate of the Transgressor, or a Short Argument on the First and Second Deaths, 5 "
Brown's Experience in relation to Entire Consecration and the Second Advent, 5 "
Report of General Conference held in Battle Creek, June 3-6, Address on Systematic Benevolence, &c., 5 "
Sabbath Poem. A Word for the Sabbath, or False Theories Exposed, 5 "
Illustrated Review. A Double Number of the REVIEW AND HERALD Illustrated, 5 "
Spiritual Gifts Vol. 1. or the Great Controversy between Christ and his angels, and Satan and his angels, 50 "
Spiritual Gifts Vol. 2. Experience, Views and Incidents in connection with the Third Message, 60 "
Scripture Doctrine of Future Punishment. An Argument by H. H. Dobney, Baptist Minister of England, 75 "
Debt and Grace as related to the Doctrine of Future Punishment, by C. F. Hudson, 100 "
Voice of the Church on the Coming and Kingdom of the Redeemer. A History of the doctrine, 100 "
PENNY TRACTS. Who Changed the Sabbath?—Unity of the Church—Spiritual Gifts—Judson's Letter on Dress—Law of God, by Dobney (2 cts.)—Law of God by Wesley—Appeal to men of reason on Immortality—Much in Little—Truth—Death and Burial—Preach the Word.
Those small tracts can be sent, post-paid, in packages of not less than twenty-five.
Home Here and Home in Heaven, with other poems. This work embraces all those sweet and Scriptural poems written by Annie R. Smith, from the time she embraced the third angel's message till she fell asleep in Jesus. Price 25 cents. In paper covers, 20 cents.
The Chart. A Pictorial Illustration of the Visions of Daniel and John. 20 by 25 inches. Price 15 cts. On rollers, post-paid 75 cts.
German. Das Wesen des Sabbaths und unsere Verpflichtung auf das nach dem Vierten Gebote. A Tract of 80 pp., a Translation of Nature and Obligation of the Sabbath of the Fourth Commandment. Price 10 cents.
Holland. De Natuur en Verbinding van den Sabbats volgens het vierde Gebod. Translated from the same as the German. Price 10 cents.
French. Le Sabbat de la Bible. A Tract on the Sabbath of 32 pp. Price 5 cents.
La Grande Statue de Daniel II, et les Quatre Betes Symboliques et quelques remarques sur la Seconde Venue de Christ, et sur le Cinqueme Royaume Universel. A Tract of 32 pp. on the Prophecies. Price 5 cents.
These publications will be sent by mail, post-paid, at their respective prices. When ordered by the quantity, not less than $5 worth, one-third will be deducted from these prices on Pamphlets and Tracts, and one-fourth on bound Books. In this case postage added, if sent by mail. Orders, to insure attention, must be accompanied with the cash, unless special arrangements be made. Address Elder JAMES WHITE, Battle Creek, Michigan.
QUESTIONS.
A QUESTION has arisen here regarding the distribution of the Systematic Benevolence funds.
1. Does the church have a voice in the distribution of it?
2. And is it ever deemed expedient to use it in cases of want or suffering outside of the church. I am requested to inquire, if some of the brethren will please explain the matter through the Review, so that it may be understood.
Yours in love of the truth.
J. A. DAYTON.
Chesaning, Mich.
ANSWER.
First question. We would recommend an appropriating committee of two or four, who, with the treasurer, could appropriate the funds of the church without consulting the whole church.
Second question. We have never known any such case. The primary object of Systematic Benevolence was the support of the cause of the third message. The spiritual wants of the world are a thousand fold more than their temporal wants. The laws of our country provide for the temporal wants of the suffering, but not for their spiritual wants. In a few cases we have known poor brethren helped from this fund. But these cases should be extremely urgent, however, to call funds from the Lord's treasury, which have been devoted to sustain those who break the bread of life to those starving for spiritual food. There are but very few persons in our country, if they should labor as actively with their hands as our traveling preachers do in their calling, who cannot fully sustain themselves.
AN INQUIRY.
By Editor
C. M. Shepard inquires "if it is a Bible doctrine that we cannot find forgiveness of God for our sins unless we confess them to our fellow men."
ANOTHER. We think it is. But we would suggest the following distinction:
1. Secret sins, which stand only between the offender and the Law-giver, should be confessed in secret to God.
2. Open sins, or sins committed against our fellows, or which have injured those around us, should be confessed to God, and as openly, and as widely, as the influence of the sin extends among our fellow men.
We will give the following texts on the subject of confession.
“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another that ye may be healed.” James v, 16.
The healing in this verse refers to healing the wounds made by faults and sins. Healing of sickness is the subject of verses 14, 15
“If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John i, 9.
CORRESPONDENTS will please give their names, Post Office, and State, plainly written. This is especially necessary when writing on business. As some do not see the necessity of this, we will explain for their benefit.
The Post Office addresses of subscribers are arranged in alphabetical order on the list books. On the margin of the books opposite the name we keep every subscriber's account. When a subscriber sends a remittance, we have to turn to his name on the books.
But suppose he does not give us in his letter, in which he sends the remittance, his P. O. address. What then? If we are not personally acquainted with this subscriber, and do not by any means know his address, we have to take our books and search it up, from Maine to Minnesota, requiring from one to three hours' time. Weeks of precious time are spent in this Office in such unpleasant searches in consequence of the egregious blunders of certain correspondents.
We say again, Give your Post Office and State in every letter you address to this Office. If the name of your Post Office is not the name of your town, be sure and not mistake here, in giving your town instead of your Post Office. To show the necessity of the above explanations, we give the following from a correspondent who neglected to give his P. O. address:
"You ask where is my paper sent. This seems strange to me as you have sent it to me for two years, and on the wrapper of the paper in which you inquire you directed it to me all right. You may direct the rest in the same way."
Every Christian a Caleb
Every Christian is a Caleb; he hath another spirit in him, which is a holy, humble, self-crucifying, God-glorifying spirit: therefore he follows the Lord fully.
MICHIGAN TENT.
THERE will be a tent conference at Greenville, Montcalm Co., Mich., to commence July 5th, at sunset. Bro. and Sr. White may be expected at this meeting. They design to hold two or three such conferences in Northern Michigan in July. A general attendance is expected. Elders Joseph Bates and B. F. Robbins are especially invited.