Bro. D. Richmond writes from Key Stone, Mich. Jan. 17th, 1858: "Will not one of the preaching Brn. give us a call? There are in this town fourteen Sabbath keepers; but we are in a collapsed state. I fear we are worse than 'lukewarm.' Some who embraced the truth more than a year ago have been a long time waiting for an opportunity to be baptized. The subject of 'alms giving' caused a schism among us—from the dire effects of which we still suffer. Only six of us assemble punctually every Sabbath for prayer and exhortation; but we are blessed in obeying the Word by receiving the fulfillment of the promise, 'Where two or three are gathered together' &c. We realize the importance and necessity of an entire consecration of ourselves, our time, and our means to the cause of God. Every day's occurrences convince us we have fallen on perilous times. Not only infidels but professed christians 'gape to devour' us, because we strive humbly to 'keep the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus.' Some of the brethren want light on the 'seven churches' and the 'Laodicean state;' in fact, we need help every way. We want 'stirring up.' I think much good might be done by a series of public meetings.
"The Review is very precious to us. The letters from the dear saints are as good almost as a conference. My prayer is that they may prove faithful—'fight the good fight'—remembering, 'the battle is not long.' Aid us by your prayers and if possible send a hand to help us."
Bro. H. W. Lawrence writes from West Bangor, N. Y., Jan. 6th, 1858: "I have spent a few weeks of late in Franklin and St. Lawrence counties, visiting the brethren, and new places not often visited. I find honest ones more willing to hear and investigate than formerly. It seems as though the Lord suffered some to feel their poverty, and see that all is not right in the sects; on purpose to prepare them to embrace the present truth. So-called revivals are increasing all around us, yet some of those who used to labor for the Lord years ago, say that the converts do not appear as they used to, &c. One preacher said that revivals of religion were assuming a new aspect at the present time, and he hailed it as evidence of the approaching millennium. Thus signs increase and few seem to realize our whereabouts."
Sister A. M. Preston writes from Fitz Henry, Ills., Jan. 15th, 1858: "I feel thankful that I am permitted to keep the Sabbath, though all alone. We have been here four years next Spring, and have not seen a Sabbath-keeper, except the one that reads my paper. O that some brother would come this way and proclaim the truth to the people here. It is a very dark place, and a great many Spiritualists here. I feel very thankful for the Review; it cheers my drooping spirits. I do mean to be more in earnest, and watch over all my besetting sins. The enemy assumes so many forms that we need to keep a very close watch. Do pray for me my brethren and sisters, that I may go through to the kingdom."
Bro. E. Lincoln writes from Green Spring, Ohio, Jan. 1858: Bro. Smith, "I have been much encouraged by reading the letters in the Review from the scattered saints, and feel like pressing my way onward, although trials and temptations beset me. I know if we put our trust in God he will give us grace sufficient for our day.
"O brethren and sisters, let us take courage, prove ourselves true soldiers of Christ, and fight manfully the battles of the Lord. Let us take heed to the faithful and true Witness. Let us keep our eyes fixed on the prize and walk in the light of present truth. We must encourage each other with our testimony, and so much the more as we see the day approaching. I feel that this is indeed a most solemn time, when the Lord is preparing a people to stand in the time of trouble. O that the Lord would give us all a realizing sense of our position. Let us strive earnestly to overcome the world, and the sins that so easily beset us. 'To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life.'"
Bro. J. Rice writes from Goodland, Mich. Jan. 17th, 1858: "It has been but a short time since I embraced the doctrines of the Bible. I verily thought that I believed the Bible before, but I had always read from tradition and superstition. I did not look at it as it was; but I am now trying to read for God, and live and think for God. I feel that I am the Lord's, and all that I have is his. I do believe that if we live as we should live, we shall see greater manifestations of his spiritual presence then has been witnessed since the days of the apostles. The Lord is the same, his love the same, and it is our privilege to be the same now as the primitive christians were and have the same power with God in prayer that they had. I have become acquainted with some few of the brethren; that has done me some good, and it does me good to hear from others through the Review."
C. A. Ingalls writes from Eureka, Wis., Jan. 13th, 1858: "It seems as if we could not do without the Review. It is all the preaching we have. We are alone in our faith, lonely and sad, but still trying to hold on to the sure promises of the Lord. We desire an interest in the prayers of the church for ourselves, and for all the lonely ones, that we may escape the dangers and snares that are coming upon the earth, and finally overcome through the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony."
Bro. M. H. Leonard writes from Burlington, Mich., Jan. 18th, 1858: "Through the blessing of God we are striving here in Burlington to see the end of the race, which end, we think, is near, even at the door. The crown of eternal life will very soon be placed upon our heads if we are faithful. Soon God's people will be at rest. O, that blessed hour is coming, when we shall be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men, and from the tempter's cruel power.
"The brethren here are all united in striving to keep the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus. There is not a jarring string among those that meet for the worship of God. There were a few that commenced with us that found the way too narrow, and have stepped one side, and lost the way to meeting, and to those bright mansions in glory. But I never, never shall stop short of heaven, God being my helper. I hope God's scattered people will remember their brethren in Burlington at the throne of grace."
SARAH BLIVEN
By Sarah Bliven
From Sister Bliven.
BRO. SMITH: I have been a reader of the Review and Herald nearly four years, and I hail its weekly visits with delight. I love the truth it advocates. It has, under God, been the means of bringing me to embrace the true Sabbath. It is a little over three years since I commenced to keep the seventh day, for which I truly feel to praise the Lord. I am all alone here in the present truth, and have not the privilege of meeting with those of like precious faith. There is not one in all this region that I know of; and when I think of this I am sad, and often shed tears. Still I feel to put my trust in the Lord, knowing that he is able to keep me as in the hollow of his almighty hand. I have many trials, but my heavenly Father sees I need them all. He does all things well, and I feel to say, his will be done. Pray for your unworthy sister who is striving to overcome.
SARAH BLIVEN
Pendleton Hill, Ct., Jan. 14th, 1858.
Living Out the Truth
By Sarah J. Cook
From Sister Cook.
Bro. Smith : I fear that many of us do not yet realize that we must be tried. Yes, purified and tried. O that we may get hold of the "gold." I feel for one to now lay hold as for eternal life. I pray that the church here, as well as elsewhere, may lay aside all dead formality, formal prayers, &c., and get into the work, that we may have the gifts among us, not to consume on our own lust, but to strengthen and encourage us.
Brethren, do we realize as we should that the last message is now being given? I say, do we feel it in our hearts? or have we only a surface work? Let us examine our own hearts closely, examine ourselves by the word of God, that we may see what we are building upon, see if we live out the high profession we have made. Are we letting our property preach as in 1844, or as the Scripture requires? Are we giving alms, helping to spread the message, lending as the Lord has prospered us a helping hand to the messengers that they may go forth? O how it must buoy their spirits up when we live out our duty in all respects. Brethren, I know that we have the truth. O let us live it out in all things, that we may have right to the tree of life and enter in through the gates into the city.
Sarah J. Cook.
Hillsdale, Mich., Jan. 10th, 1858.
OBITUARY.
By A. C. Bourdeau
Fell asleep, in Jesus, Dec. 28th, 1857 in Fletcher, Franklin Co. Vt., R. Woods, aged 74 years. This aged Bro. embraced the Sabbath about four months ago. He had been a backslider for years; but God in his great goodness brought him to love and obey the present truth in his old age.
As I was absent from home when he died, I did not attend his funeral. The neighbors took the opportunity of my absence to invite a Methodist preacher to preach the funeral sermon; but to their disappointment he did not comply with their request.
On the next Sabbath I preached to the Brn. at Fletcher. We have comforting evidence that this bereft family mourn not as those who have no hope.
A. C. BOURDEAU.
The Spirit and the Scriptures
We are as much indebted to, and dependent upon, the Holy Spirit, to enable us to understand God's will, as though there were no Bible; and yet as much bound to search the Scriptures, to ascertain that will, as though there were no Spirit: "Search the Scriptures."
Mind.
By Jesse Dorcas
Not long since I heard a preacher of some notoriety, say while preaching, that "mind must necessarily remain mind." Now I suppose that he as well as many others, have no doubt of the truth of this assertion. In view of this, I will give the following quotation from one of the religious papers of the day. It states, "nineteen years, ago, Mr. Hait of Wilton, in Fairfield county, Connecticut, then a remarkably good student, in his collegiate course was suddenly deprived of his reason and memory. Under these circumstances, his father, the Rev. Mr. Hait, sent him to Hartford, but finding no relief, he sent him to Mr. Chaplin of Cambridge, Mass. The Doctor said there was no present relief for him, but at the age of thirty-six or thirty-seven there would be a change; that the brain was too much expanded for the cranium, and there would be at that age a contraction which would enable it to act healthily. His anxious father and family saw their hopes peremptorily deferred for nineteen years. That time has recently expired, and to their great joy, the prophecy is fulfilled. The man began to enquire for his books as if he had just laid them down, and resumed his mathematical studies where he left
them. There was no trace in his mind of this long blank in his life, or of anything that had occurred in it, and he did not know that he was nearly forty years old."
I ask, is it reasonable to suppose that this man knew as much as any other common man in some other world, or sphere, (to say nothing about knowing more after the thoughts stop here, than while they were in motion,) during this long period?
Now the Bible says, "put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man; his breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth, in that very day his thoughts perish." Ps. cxlvi, 3, 4. The above is a case when the man's thoughts perish'd even before his breath went forth; and if a compressed state of the brain would produce insensibility while a man was alive, would there not a certain insensibility follow the entirely burning a man up?
Jesse Dorcas.
Fremont, Ohio.
New Work.
By James White
The Nature and Tendency of Modern Spiritualism—By J. H. Waggoner. This is a work very much needed. Brethren, put it into the hands of your friends and neighbors, to guard them against the seductions of Spiritualism. It is an able exposure of the heresy, by the light of scripture testimony.—84 pp.—Price $5.00 per 100, 8 cents single copy. Postage paid when sent by mail from this Office.
J. W.
The Ten Commandments.
By James White
Bro. A. B. Pearsall has just brought into the Office a cloth Chart, two feet, nine inches wide, by four feet long, on which he has painted the Ten Commandments. It is a beautiful thing. The cloth has a coat of white zinc paint on each side, and the letters are formed with black paint. On rollers, the price is $3.50. It cannot be sent by mail. Address A. B. Pearsall, Battle Creek, Mich. J. W.
Meetings at Gun Lake, Mich.
By John Byington
DEAR BRO. SMITH: After spending the Sabbath, Jan. 8th, in Otsego, in company with Brn. White and Loughborough, I left early on First-day morning, and after riding some twenty-five miles I arrived at one o'clock in the vicinity of the Post Office of Gun Lake, near the west line of Yankee Springs, and found a congregation assembled for the purpose of hearing the present truth, at the school house, according to previous appointment. Here we felt much freedom at the first meeting, and about every evening through the week, in presenting the evidences of the soon coming of our Saviour, and our duty in view of the near approach of this great event. It was evident that there was an ear to hear. The congregations were large for a new place. Some have decided to keep the Sabbath, and I have no doubt that others will, and a church be gathered here sufficient to sustain meetings on the Lord's holy day.
After spending the week and feeling quite worn down we were cheered by the coming of Brn. Frisbie and Phillips, who have been laboring there the week past. I think you will hear from Bro. F. soon. I left for this place yesterday morning. JOHN BYINGTON.
Hastings, Mich., Jan. 21st, 1858.
The Present Position of Reed and Stephenson
Bro. S. Myers writes from Plum River, Ills., Jan. 17th, 1858:
"The present position of Reed and J. M. Stephenson, we hope will wake up every intelligent believer of truth in the West. Is it possible that men can be honest after having learned what sin is, what pollutes God's Sanctuary, and how the Sanctuary is cleansed, and read Rev. xi, 19; xv, 5, and reflected for a moment on the words, testament, and testimony, and then take the position that they now occupy? It is certainly hard to believe they are. But they are in the hands of him who sees not as man sees."
"Society for the Diffusion of Spiritual Knowledge."
"OFFICERS.—President. Gov. Nathaniel P. Tallmadge, Wisconsin. Vice Presidents. Chief Justice Joseph Williams, Iowa. Judge W. P. Fowler, Kentucky. Judge R. P. Spaulding, Ohio. Judge H. C. Larabee, Wisconsin. Horace H. Day, New York. Hon. Warren Chase, Wisconsin. Dr. David Cory, Illinois. Gen. Edward F. Bullard, New York. Hon. R. B. Davis, New York. Gen. Geo. F. Dexter, New York. Major G. W. Raines, U. S. A."
"In the city of New York, to which circle our personal investigation has been confined, there are, at the least calculation, forty thousand sincere believers in spiritual rappings. We cannot pretend to give the number in the United States. The rush to consult the spirits, in both what are called private and public circles in New York, if known, would astound the public. From morning until noon, from noon until night, and from night until morning again, in parlors where flashing mirrors reflect rosewood, and velvet, and silver, and gold: in humble rooms where the floors and walls are bare, the tables are placed, and around them, men and women, with their hands spread out, and eyes fixed, as if on vacancy, are seated, waiting for communications from the spirit world. A book entitled, 'The Rappers,' published in New York."
APPOINTMENT.
PROVIDENCE permitting, there will be a general Conference of Advent Sabbath-keepers, about five miles north of Round Grove Station, Whiteside Co., Ills. commencing on Sixth-day, Feb. 12th, and holding over Sabbath and First-day.
The wants of the cause, and the best method for advancing it in the West, will be considered at this meeting. We feel that it is time to "call a solemn assembly, gather the people, sanctify the congregation," and to cry, "Spare thy people, O Lord." Especially do we desire to see at this meeting those who have recently embraced the truth.
M. E. CORNELL. E. EVERTS.
C. W. SPERRY. JOSIAH HART.
Business Items.
By Editor
J. Fishell, jr.:—What is the P. O. Address of Abner Fishell?
H. Bingham:—Mary Olmstead's paper was ordered sent to Smithville; and after sending to that address about half a volume, the postmaster from somewhere ordered it stopped, saying that there was no such place. We now enter it at E. Franklin.
A. Pierce:—We could not give any advice that would lead under any circumstances to an infringement of the Sabbath. We would rather rest upon the promises of God. See Ps. xxxvii, 3, &c.
L. H. Bond:—The $2 were received. The receipt will be found in No. 8, Vol. ix. The paper was sent again as soon as the time of its suspension expired.
Sally Peck:—We receipt your dollar in this paper.
Receipts.
By Editor
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.
FOR REVIEW AND HERALD.
Geo. T. Smith 1,00,xi,1. Jno. Russ 1,00,xi,14. Jno. Pierce 2,00,xii,14. L. M. Jones 2,00,xiv,22. H. Kenyon 1,00,xii,14. C. Howland 2,00,xii,1. Wm. Mow 1,00,xi,17. L. Harris 1,00,xiii,1. Jno. Fishell jr. 1,00,xii,1. A. D. Thomas 2,00,xii,13. E. Kellogg 1,00,xii,14. H. Bingham 2,00,xii,1. S. Myres 1,00,xii,11. J. Chase 1,00,xiii,1. A. Pierce 1,00,xi,1. L. H. Bond 1,00,xi,1. J. Pierce (for E. Wheelock) 1,00,xiii,1. O. Bailey 2,00,xii,14. R. Loveland 1,00,xii,1. R. W. Campbell 3,00,xii,1. N. G. Spencer 1,00,x,1. Sarah Gove 2,00,xiv,1. Wm. Hoyer 1,00,xi,19. E. D. Armstrong 3,00,xii,1. N. Pratt 2,00,xi,13. Jno. Saxby 1,00,xi,20. C. W. Stanley 1,00,xi,13. Sally Peck 1,00,xi,21. M. E. Hicks 2,00,xii,13. A. G. Wilber 1,00,xii,14. Charlotte Alley 2,00,xiii,1. Sr. A. P. H. Kelsey 1,00,xii,1. D. R. Palmer (for Dr. Cook) 0,50,xii,13.
FOR GERMAN TRACT. C. M. Coburn $1,00
FOR FRENCH TRACT. C. M. Coburn $1,00. L. M. Fish $0,64. E. Lathrop, M. D. Elger, each $1,00.
FOR REVIEW TO THE POOR. J. Fishell jr. $0,50. H. Bingham $5,00.
FOR MICH. TENT. Wm. Hoyer $1,00.
Reform Jews Retain Seventh-Day Worship
The report that the reform Jews of N. Y. city under Dr. Raphael, have changed their day of worship from the seventh to the first day of the week, is denied by The Israelite of Cincinnati.
Eighty-Six Earthquakes in 1857
Eighty-six shocks of earth-quakes are enumerated for the year 1857.
Books for Sale at this Office.
By Editor
Hymns for those who keep the Commandments of God an the Faith of Jesus. This Book contains 352 Pages, 430 Hymns, and 76 pieces of Music. Price, 60 cents.—In Morocco, 65 cents.
Bible Tracts Bound in Two Volumes. These Volumes are of about 400 pages each, and embrace nearly all of our published Tracts. We are happy to offer to our friends the main grounds of our faith in a style so acceptable.—Price 50 cents each.
Sabbath Tracts, Nos. 1, 2, 3 & 4. This work presents a condensed view of the entire Sabbath question.—134 pages. Price 15 cents.
The Three Angels of Rev. xiv, 6-12, particularly the Third Angel's Message, and the Two-horned Beast. This work maintains the fulfillment of Prophecy in the past Advent movement, and is of great importance in these times of apostasy and peril.—148 pages.—Price 12½ cents
Bible Student's Assistant. This is the title of a work of 36 pp. It has been prepared with much care, and considerable expense, and can be had at this Office for $4,00 per 100, or if sent by mail, post paid, 6 cents a copy.
A Brief Exposition of Daniel ii, vii, viii, ix, also the 2300 Days and the Sanctuary. Price, post paid, 10 cts.
Review of a Series of Discourses, delivered by N. Fillio, in Battle Creek, Mich., March 31st to April 4th, 1857, on the Sabbath question By J. H. Waggoner. Price 6 cents.
The Nature and Obligation of the Sabbath of the Fourth Commandment, with remarks on the Great Apostasy and Perils of the Last Days. Price 6 cents. The same in German, 10 cents.
The Two-horned Beast of Rev. xiii, a Symbol of the United States.—Price 10 cts.
The Sanctuary and 2300 days by J. N. A.—Price 12½ cents.
A Refutation of the claims of Sunday-keeping to Divine Authority; also, the History of the Sabbath.—Price, 6 cents
The Atonement. 196 pp.—18 cents.
Man not Immortal: the only Shield against the Seductions of Modern Spiritualism.—148 pp.—12½ cents.
An Examination of the Scripture Testimony concerning Man's present condition, and his future Reward or Punishment. In this work we consider all objections to the mortality of man and the death of the wicked fairly and fully met. Price 18 cents.
Review of Crozier. This work is a faithful review of the No-Sabbath doctrine as set forth in the Advent Harbinger by O. R. L. Crozier. It should be placed in the hands of those who are exposed to that heresy.—Price 6 cents.
The Bible Class. This work contains 52 Lessons on the Law of God and the Faith of Jesus, with questions. It is peculiarly adapted to the wants of those of every age who are unacquainted with our views of these subjects, especially the young.—Bound 25 cents. Paper covers, 18 cents.
The 2300 Days and Sanctuary by “U. S.”—Price 5 cents
Why Don't you Keep the Sabbath? Extracts from Catholic works.—Price 5 cents.
The Celestial Railroad.—Price 5 cents.
The Sabbath. Containing valuable articles on 2 Cor. iii, Col. ii, 14-17, Who is our Lawgiver? The two bills of Matt. v, 18, Consistency, &c.—Price 5 cents.
The Law of God. In this excellent work the testimony of both Testaments relative to the law of God—its knowledge from Creation, its nature and perpetuity—is presented.—Price 12½ cents.
The Bible Sabbath, or a careful selection from the publications of the American Sabbath Tract Society, including their History of the Sabbath. Price 10 cts.
Perpetuity of the Royal Law.—Price 5 cents.
Christian Experience and Views.—Price 6 cents.
Last Work of the True Church.—Price 7 cents.
Sabbath and Advent Miscellany This work is composed of seven small tracts on the Sabbath, Second Advent, &c, and presents a choice variety for those who commence to seek for Bible truth. Price 10 cents.
POEMS.
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 message till she fell asleep in Jesus.—Price 25 cents. In paper covers, 20 cents.
Time and Prophecy. This work is a poetic comparison of the events of time with the sure word of Prophecy.—Price 20 cents. In paper covers, 12½ cents.
Word for the Sabbath.—Price 5 cts.
The above named books will be sent by Mail post-paid, at their respective prices.
When not sent by mail, liberal discount on packages of not less than $5 worth.
All orders, to insure attention, must be accompanied with the cash except they be from Agents or traveling preachers.