Earlier text: THE SABBATHYou say that 'the two are wide as the world and enduring as God and man; the ten were special, embodied at a particular time, for a particular people' &c.—I inquire, how much does the precept, 'Thou shalt have no other gods before me' lack of covering all time, all space, and all people? I inquire the same respecting the prohibition against idolatry, blasphemy, the profanation of that day which was set apart for man in the beginning, disobedience to parents, murder, adultery, theft, false witness and covetousness? And if these precepts were special and limited to the Jews, I ask, How the abolition of the ten, has made nine of them broad enough to reach the whole human family in the gospel dispensation? If men could ever acquire a righteous character in the violation of these precepts, I ask, In what did a righteous character consist? I think you must answer me, Faith without works; rather I should say with very bad ones. You say further: 'It should be borne in mind, that the Israelites were never required to promulgate the ten commandments: they were to shut them up in a kind of chest, called an ark, and guard them with the utmost care. On the contrary, the gospel was to be preached in 'all the world.'' I answer, they were as much required to promulgate the ten commandments, as they were the two, which you admit were binding on all men. But you can form some idea of the publicity which the children of Israel were to give the commandments from Deut. vi, 4—9; xi, 18—20; Deut. iv, 6. The hand-writing of ordinances constituted the middle wall of partition between the Hebrews and the nations around them, and not the moral law of God. Eph. ii. This wall is now broken down, but it is not Jehovah's law. It is true that God's constitution was shut up in the ark. And it is also true that his unabolished, unimproved constitution is even now 'shut up in a kind of chest, called an ark' and guarded with the utmost care in the Heaven of heavens. Rev. xi, 19. And were its enemies able like the Philistines to take it, in consequence of the sin of God's people, perhaps they would be as anxious to get rid of it as the Philistines were. Read that interesting narrative in 1 Sam. iv; v; vi. You continue: 'The precepts of the decalogue were all moral, except the fourth, which was ceremonial, and were hence in harmony with the genius of the gospel and could be and were incorporated into it; but the fourth, being ceremonial and from its nature as well as by its express language, limited to a particular country and people, was not in harmony with the genius of the gospel, and hence not incorporated into it.' To this statement, I answer that your effort to limit the fourth commandment to the Jews, was exposed at length in my second letter to you. The reader is referred to that. The fourth commandment was ceremonial, and hence, 'was not in harmony with the genius of the gospel.' On what authority do you assert that the Sabbath was ceremonial? Not finding such a statement in the Bible, I present the only authority to aid you, that I am able to offer. The Most Reverend Doctor Thomas Aquinas, decided this point in your favor about the time of the eleventh century in these words: 'It seems to be inconvenient that the precept for observing the Sabbath should be put among the precepts of the decalogue, if it do not at all belong to it; the precept, 'Thou shalt not make a graven image,' and the precept for observing the Sabbath, are CEREMONIAL.' In your third article, in alluding to the distinction recognized by the Review, between the hand-writing of ordinances and the royal law, you say, Its nice discriminations are all fancied. But you can take the ten commandments, themselves, and decide which of these are moral and which ceremonial?—What shall I say of such discriminations as that? In your fourth article, you charged the Review with attempting to legislate for God, notwithstanding it had ever been entirely satisfied with his original constitution. But in this article, you attempt to get rid of that constitution, and to get another established in its stead. Which of us is it that attempts to legislate for God, I submit to you for decision.—You continue: 'The two commandments named before, are, in fact, the constitution of the gospel system, and other commandments enjoined in the New Testament specifications of them.' In answer to this, I remark, that you have really failed to prove that Jesus abolished his Father's constitution and established another. In proof of this, I need only refer to the text on which you rely to establish this new constitution. See Matt. xxii, 36—40. But granting you just such a constitution as you claim, Will you please take it, and from thence point out the True God? You continue: 'The abolition of that which was 'engraven in stones,' as taught in 2 Cor. iii is an evidence that God is 'given to change,' as the Review intimates.' Answer: God has not said that that which was engraven in stones, was abolished. It is by leaving off a part of the verse that this doctrine is established; something as certain plain Bible testimony, has been made so plain that nothing "can be plainer" as noticed near the commencement of the lengthy extract in this article.—But your argument concludes as follows: 'That law had served its purpose as a schoolmaster in bringing the Israelites up to Christ: hence it could be 'done away,' as well as that people could cease to engross the institutions of revealed religion, without the result which the Review intimates. We should have said, that the ten commandments were the constitution of God's religious system for the Israelites from the Exodus to Christ, to which were appended the Levitical ceremonies.' The ten commandments brought Paul to Christ after you say that they were abolished, or done away. Rom. vii, 7—25; viii, 1—7. And they brought the Galatians to Christ many years after this, where they found pardon and were delivered by his blood from their condemnation, and brought under grace. But how can the decalogue be done away, and yet nine of its ten precepts abide? How can the ten commandments be abolished, and yet only the fourth precept be destroyed? Your last sentence confesses the plain distinction between God's constitution and the Levitical ceremonies. Doubtless you forgot the fact, that when the Review referred to this same distinction you remarked that 'Its nice discriminations are all fancied?' I have now, for the second time, presented your entire argument from 2 Cor. iii. I commend to your notice the following from the Review: 'The remarks of C. occasion the following suggestions: 1. The ten commandments embodied the Holy Sabbath and formed the constitution of God's government; yet, according to C. the same argument that would establish the Sabbath and embodied in this constitution, would also establish the Jewish feasts, which were ONLY embodied in the hand-writing of ordinances!! 2. Christ relaxed a part of the constitution of God's religious system, the disciples violated it, the holy women did not keep it, God the Father lightly esteemed it, and to get rid of it, the whole constitution was abolished? 3. The whole foundation of God's religious system, his constitution, has been torn up and scattered to the winds, in order to get the Sabbath out of it. This, it is very true would be necessary in order to get rid of the Sabbath—but it cannot be done until a stronger than the Most High shall be found!'" And finally I inquire, Should not the effort to blot out Jehovah's constitution and to establish a better in its stead, be for ever repudiated by the disciples of him who said, 'My Father is greater than I,' and be left entirely to that personage who, having exalted himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped, thinks himself able to change the times and the laws of the Most High? Port Byron, Cayuga Co. N. Y., July, 1852. THE WANDERER'S RETURN.
By H. O. Nichols
THERE is joy, there is joy, in the earth below,
In the ranks of the chosen and true;
And the care-worn brow has a kindlier glow,
And the heart beats with rapture anew.
For a brother once lost in a desert land,
Whom we thought never more we should greet,
Has now come again to our own little band—
And the ties thrown around us are sweet. There is joy, there is joy, let sorrow and care,
With all trials awhile leave our mind;
For a soul is brought in, salvation to share,
By dark error no longer confined.
O, loud let the voice of thanksgiving ascend,
Like sweet incense unceasingly rise
To Jesus, while we with new energy bend
Our way where all happiness lies. There is joy, there is joy in the realms above,
In a land where true pleasure is known;
For angels have borne there tidings of love,
Then hasten the wanderer to own.
See, they hover around when danger is near,
When the tempter would bind by his power;
While the Spirit and Word his presence does cheer,
Giving light in the dark trying hour. There'll be joy, there'll be joy, when trials are done,
When the warfare with earth is all o'er;
When the way-worn pilgrim the treasure has won,
And the long course is trodden no more;
When friends long divided are gathered again—
In weariness never to roam,
But enter the City with Jesus to reign,
And eternally dwelling at home. Letters to O. R. L. Crozier.
By Editor
A good brother regrets that so much space is occupied in the Review and Herald with the discussion of the Sabbath question. But we think that if he was situated as most of the brethren are, he would feel otherwise, and would rejoice to see the question thoroughly investigated. Many of the brethren are placed in the midst of opposition, where the objections to the perpetuity of the Sabbath, that have appeared in the Harbinger, are urged upon them, and it is necessary that these objections should be answered, that our brethren may be able to defend their position. Again, there are many who are not satisfied with the no-Sabbath system, yet do not observe the true Sabbath, who are now examining the arguments for and against it. And while error is presented to them, it is of the highest importance that truth also should be spread out before them. Thus error may be exposed by the light of divine truth, and the sincere guided in the path of the just, to rejoice in its increasing light. We are aware that there are those of our readers who are situated where the no-Sabbath system is not taught. Such are not as well prepared to judge of the real value of Bro. Andrews' letters. But we would say to such, that in our opinion, they will, sooner or later, have to meet all the objections that can be raised against the Sabbath of the Lord our God, therefore, their only safe course is to study well the Sabbath question. There are too many that have but little relish for sound bible argument. Such are in danger of being confused and led from the truth by those who tread under foot the fourth commandment. It is our design that the Review and Herald shall contain such a variety of matter as shall make it profitable and interesting. The reasons of our faith must be given. It is also necessary that it should contain spirited communications from the scattered brethren. It is of the greatest importance that all should speak the truth fearlessly, but in love. We think all should be instructed by the advice given by Paul to his son Timothy. "Follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient; in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will." We approve of the mild, yet plain manner in which Bro. Andrews has defended his position; and fully believe that his letters are accomplishing, and will accomplish, much good. It is thought by some that discussion should be avoided as unnecessary and wrong. We will agree with such, as far as they agree with the Bible. "Foolish and unlearned questions," says Paul, "avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes." By reason of the unpleasant discussion of such questions, in Advent papers, some are prejudiced against discussions in any form. But how can we be silent, and not answer the objections of those who impiously trample on the commandments of God, and teach men to violate them? This we can not, shall not do. We shall avoid such questions as have gendered strifes in the once happy Advent band. But the glorious truths contained in the message of the third angel, we shall, in the strength of the Lord, seek to defend in the spirit of meekness. If those who have the truth hold their peace the stones will cry out. Let those who do not see the necessity of answering the objections of our opponents, look back nine or ten years, and see how God blest the labors of those who answered the objections raised against the Second Advent. But little could have been accomplished then, without a thorough reply to the objections raised against the Advent. And there is all the necessity of meeting our opponents now, that there ever was. Brethren, "search the Scriptures." Have the armor on, be strong. A PAPER FOR CHILDREN.
By Editor
WE design publishing a small monthly paper, containing matter for the benefit of the youth. And we are satisfied that our brethren and sisters will agree with us, that something of the kind is very much needed. The children should have a paper of their own, one that will interest and instruct them. God is at work among the children who have believing parents, or guardians, and many of them are being converted, and they need to be instructed in the present truth. And there are a portion of the children who have believing parents, or guardians, who are neglected, and do not have right instruction, consequently, they do not manifest much interest for their own salvation. We trust that such a paper as we design publishing would interest such children, and also be the means of waking up their parents, or guardians to a sense of their important duty. On them rests the awful responsibility of training souls for the kingdom of God. But it is a lamentable fact that many of their children are left without suitable instruction.—We feel more on this subject than we can express. May God wake up his people to a sense of their duty to those young minds, intrusted to their care, to guide in the channel of virtue and holiness. We intend to give four or five lessons, in the form of questions and answers, in each number, one for each week for Sabbath-School lessons. These Schools can be held where there are but two or three children as well as where there are more. We invite our brethren and sisters, also our young friends, to furnish matter, original or selected, for the little paper.—Let all be free to write. Communicate your thoughts with simplicity and clearness, with a heart that feels the condition of the tender, yet neglected youth, that must soon witness the day of the Lord. We hope that matter for the first number will be sent in immediately, as we wish to prepare it before we leave for our Eastern tour. We publish this paper on our own responsibility, and think it duty to set the price at twenty five cents for a volume of twelve numbers, to be paid in advance, or within three months from the date of the first number. Will some brother in each place, obtain all the names of the children that desire the paper, collect the means to pay for it, and forward it to us. The paper will cost, including postage, only about three cents a month. Many little boys and girls spend enough for candies and toys, that are of no real value, to pay for five or six such papers. We mean that all the children that cannot pay for it, who wish to read it, shall have it free, and we have no doubt but many of the children will deny themselves of toys, so as to be able to pay for their own, and some poor little boys' or girls' paper. We hope our young friends will do what they can, and we will try to give them an interesting and instructive little sheet. ELDER HOLT:
By George W. Holt
DEAR BRETHREN, scattered abroad: The past must convince you that our position, relative to the Advent movement, is correct, and that God is with those who confess the past to be from heaven, and a fulfillment of the first two angels of Rev. xiv, connected with other scriptures, and who are now believing and proclaiming the glorious truths connected with the third angel's message. Three years ago but few of you were keeping the Sabbath of the Lord. Since that time, the number of Sabbath-keepers have increased beyond the expectation of all those that were then trying to put forth their feeble efforts, under very unfavorable circumstances, to spread the light of present truth. But God has blessed every effort, and crowned their labors with success. They have had the pleasure of seeing hundreds of their brethren confess the truth, and rejoice with them in the glorious light of the third message. A view of the instrumentality which God has seen fit to employ, in connection with the effects produced, will show that "this is the Lord's doing, and marvelous in our eyes." Many of our fathers in the Gospel have, no doubt, desired to see the day which we see approaching, that have fallen asleep in Jesus. For us who now live, is reserved the most important period that man ever saw on earth; the time when the world and church are folding up for the judgment, when the last leaves of prophecy are unfolding to our view, and the last promise of God will be verified to his chosen people; the time when the servants of God are giving the last solemn, and fearful warning to a lukewarm church, when the nations are angry, and the three unclean spirits are going to the kings of the earth, and to the whole world to gather them to the great battle of God Almighty; the time when the remnant of Israel are being gathered to scatter no more, when the four angels are holding the four winds, until the servants of our God are sealed in their foreheads, while the Great High Priest is pleading the merits of his own blood before the mercy-seat, which is upon the ark of his testament, and cleansing the Sanctuary from the uncleanness of the children of Israel, which he will soon leave, to plead no more for fallen man; the time when the great day of the Lord hasteth greatly, when the voice of God will shake the heavens and the earth, and the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and the trump of God, and those that sleep in Jesus will come forth with glorified bodies, the living that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, will be changed and caught up with them to meet the Lord. My brethren, do you not discern the signs of the times? Yes, I think you do. Then what a thrilling time! What a fearful period! Let us arouse ourselves, and put on the whole armor. Let us be like servants who wait for their Lord. If we believe these things, let us show our faith by our works; by doing all the commandments; by faithfully discharging every known duty; by doing what we can to spread the light and truth to others; by encouraging those dear servants who are willing to labor night and day to publish the truth you so much love. You know how your souls were fed with the precious truths sent out in the paper, now will you feed others? Are we all doing what we can to carry forward this glorious warfare. The enemy is coming in like a flood, shall we not anew engage in the work and all move on together to the onset. Yes brethren, by the command of our Great Leader, Jesus, the Captain of our salvation, we will go on to victory and glory. Bring in your whole strength to the field, give your enemies no advantage over you. Put on the whole armor. Be of good courage, and fear not, for the ark of God is taken from the Philistines and brought into the camp of Israel. The enemies will flee before the ark, and the saints will take the kingdom. What shall I say? I will say rejoice; for salvation is ours, and our redemption draweth nigh. I will say with the Apostle, "Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." Your trials are preparing you for the kingdom. The time is at hand. Be watchful, be prayerful, and contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints. If any sick among you, follow the New Testament rule, and honor God by believing his word. I want to see you all and talk with you face to face. But I hope soon to meet you where there will be no foes to face, where the last enemy, death, will be conquered, and the family of the redeemed meet in one general assembly. Therefore let me persuade you to be faithful, even unto the end. If we believe we shall soon stand before the Son of man, will it not prompt us to have our work done and well done? So that we be not ashamed before him at his coming. Shall we not be very humble? Shall we not have our conversation in heaven, and shall we not lay up our treasure there? Shall we not rejoice in tribulation, and count it all joy, when we fall into divers temptations, knowing that the trial of our faith is more precious than gold which perisheth. When our opponents resort to falsehood, for argument against the truth, instead of taking the Bible and pointing out our error, and speak all manner of evil against us, instead of praying for and weeping over us, Should we not rejoice and be exceeding glad that our reward is great in heaven? Yes, for Jesus has told us so to do. Let none of these things move you. Jesus has suffered before you. The servant is not above his Lord. "Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss." 2 Cor. xiii, 11, 12. Your brother, choosing to suffer affliction with the people of God, A Cry of Peace and Safety
By E. R. Seaman
A Cry of Peace and Safety.
ELDER J. B. COOK remarked to his audience, a few Sundays since, in substance, as follows: You (my congregation) need not be troubled about the third angel's message, for we have not had the first, nor the second yet; neither can we, until after the Second Advent. (That is I suppose until we get into the future age.) What means this premonitory admonition? The inference certainly is, that some are troubled, and in order to pacify the minds of some honest souls, this soothing exhortation is made, to forestall as far as possible all further investigation, and set their minds at rest; for certainly we should not expect to hear the third angel's message if the two that precede it have not yet been given. This would not be in numerical order. But as it takes something more than assertion to amount to scriptural proof we will quote a little from the New Testament, to see what those should do who are troubled. Says the inspired Apostle, (2 Thess. i, 7-9,) "And to you, who are troubled, rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ; who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power." Then how much more appropriate the exhortation of the Apostle, than that of C. We are told to rest in hope of deliverance at Christ's second coming, and obey the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, a part of which reads like this; if you would enter into life, keep the commandments I (says Christ, the prophet we should hear in all things) have kept my Father's commandments, &c. The great truth so plainly stated and incorporated in the gospel is, that all the commandments of God should be kept, that we may be able to stand in the time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation. The Sabbath is enlisting the sympathies of thousands that never saw the light before : and all efforts to hide the commandments of God, which are presented by the class of messengers symbolized by the third angel of Rev. xiv, from his honest children, will prove abortive; because it is first necessary to invalidate the testimony of Christ and his apostles, and I might say of God himself. I should like to ask some one who is best skilled in the future-age doctrine, to please tell what will constitute the beast, and his image; and his mark, and the number of his name, which we are to get the victory over, AFTER the Lord comes and has destroyed the man of sin by the brightness of his coming? or who will be left to come out of Babylon AFTER she sinks like a great mill-stone to rise no more? Who are those on the sea of glass that have got the victory over the same powers warned against, in the third angel's message? I might multiply questions, but I expect no answer, for none can be given. Here I will leave this part of the subject. If they say unto you, Lo here, or Lo there, believe them not; (that is, that Christ is in the desert, or at Old Jerusalem, go not after them;) "for as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." St. Paul looked for the Jerusalem which is above, which is the mother of us all. Well, says the objector, that means above the hills. Does it? By what rule of interpretation? Who gave you authority to add to the plain, positive declaration of the Apostle. Ans. No one; only we know Paul's words were to be wrested in the last days, by some. But I believe it as it stands; for St. Paul looked for only one Jerusalem, which was a City that hath foundations, whose builder and maker is—man? No sir, (unfortunate for the future-age theory,) it is God. This changes the scene materially. Rochester, N. Y., June 24, 1852. Meetings in Vermont and New York
By Frederic Wheeler
DEAR BRO. WHITE: I write a few lines to let you know that I have not lost my interest in, or attachment to the cause of our soon coming King. I feel that about all the interest I have, is identified with the third angel's message. I feel solemn in view of the responsibility resting upon me, and pray that God may impart to me grace and heavenly wisdom, that I may in all things glorify him. The light is continually shining out more full and clear from his blessed Word, upon my pathway, and I am striving by his grace to overcome. My faith is firm. My trust is in the living God. My hope reaches within the veil even into the "most holy." I have not traveled as extensively for a few weeks past, yet have been endeavoring to do what I could in the cause of truth. The last Sabbath in May, I spent with the Brethren in Bennington. (Bro. Hastings, and others from that vicinity were present.) We had a comfortable season in waiting upon the Lord, and felt strengthened and encouraged to hold on our way to the better land. June 5th and 6th, held a meeting at West Hartford, Vt., in company with Brn. Baker and Morse. We, truly, enjoyed a season of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. The little company there who have recently embraced the Sabbath were much blessed and strengthened, in listening to the evidences of our position, and others were convinced of the truth, and will I think be found keeping the commandments of God. The last two Sabbaths, I have spent with the brethren here. I have recently visited Bradford and Warner, to search out some of the jewels. Found some who were interested to hear on the subject of the third angel's message. One Bro. and Sr. are keeping the Sabbath. They wish the paper sent to them. I expect to meet Bro. Baker at Claremont to-morrow, if the Lord will, and remain there over the Sabbath and then make a short tour with him, into Massachusetts, to Ware, Ashfield and vicinity, and perhaps may continue to travel with him some longer if it shall39 seem duty. May God give us heavenly wisdom, and prosper us in our way, and his name be glorified. I feel like consecrating myself anew to God and his work. When I realize God's great goodness to me, and what he has done for my salvation, my heart is melted with love and gratitude, and I feel to inquire, "What shall I render to him for all his benefits." O, the blessed privilege of being numbered with his people in this last message; to live in anticipation of the glorious scenes that are just before us; to live in the glorious prospect, if faithful, of standing on the Mount Zion, and singing that song. Who would not be willing to sacrifice earth, with all its fleeting charms, for the blessed hope. But how few are found that have any interest at all in these things. When I view by faith the glories of that better land, my soul cries out, I must be there. Yes, in the strength of the Lord I will be there. I know that there is yet a mighty victory to be gained, but the Captain of our salvation has once met, and vanquished all our foes, and he will give us the victory if we trust in him. Praise his holy name for ever. Yours in hope of eternal life,
FREDERIC WHEELER.
Washington, N. H., June 23d, 1852. The Advent Band in Our Vicinity
By E. A. Poole
DEAR BRO. WHITE: At the request of Bro. Rhodes, who has just been with us, I enclose you a few lines, to inform you how we are getting along. About a year since, the Lord sent that dear Brother among us, with the third angel's message, which, though foolishness and a stumbling block to those around, was to us a light shining in a dark place. At that time the Advent band in this vicinity was in a very low state, and had not maintained regular meetings for some time. As for myself, although I have assented to the truth of the Advent doctrine from the first general agitation of the subject, yet I had never been identified with the cause, nor separated myself from the labors of the churches; but had continued to labor with them till within two years since, endeavoring to serve God with them in their way. Since that time about 20 or 30 of us have kept up meetings without interruption. The Lord has watched over us with a father's care. He has sent the right servants in the right time to give us meat in due season; and we hear him saying, "Fear not thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel, I will help you," Isa. xli. Our faith has been very weak, but we hope we are gaining a little strength. Our trials, in separating from cherished friends and associations, have been severe, and still more ensnaring; but if we are not deceived, we are in some measure getting the victory.—We have been brought into darkness and bondage through our sympathies, and have learned to understand the words of our Saviour in regard to self-denial; and it is my prayer that we may not have learned in vain. The line is being drawn between those who keep the commandments of God, on the one hand, and those who reject them that they may keep their own tradition, on the other; [Mark vii, 5—13;] and how the fact verifies the words of Him who spake as never man spake: "Wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat; because straight is the gate and narrow is the way that leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Not every one that saith unto me Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will (keepeth the commandments) of my Father which is in heaven. Matt. vii, 13—23; Rev. xxii, 14. Brn. Rhodes and Crofut have been with us two Sabbaths, and have done a good work. They found us low and desponding. We had lost the power of the truth, and were under temptation. They left us more decided than we have ever been. Five of our number were buried with Christ by baptism, and then we had a season of communion in partaking of the Lord's supper. It was a melting season, while listening to the truth, and the testimonies of the brethren and sisters, and the power of God was manifest among us; and my prayer is that it may not be as the morning cloud and the early dew. That the Lord may guide and sustain those who are giving the third angel's message, is the prayer of your unworthy brother,
E. A. POOLE.
West Lincklaen, N. Y., June 23d, 1852. The Work Progressing in Vermont
By GEO. W. HOLT.
DEAR BRO. WHITE: We have had another precious meeting with the saints in this place, at Bro. Barrow's house. It was one of the best conferences that I have attended for a long time. The brethren here are strong in the Lord, growing in grace, and the knowledge of the truth. The work of the Lord in this message is progressing. Prejudice is giving away where the truth is presented, and the honest are seeking for light. The no-law doctrine, and the idea of Jesus and his disciples being sinners (especially Jesus) by breaking the Father's commandments, and teaching others so to do, as taught in the Harbinger, is not much food for them. They begin to think the Watchman are dreaming, or talking in their sleep, and think it not safe to follow them. We have nothing to fear, only to be humble, and hold up the truth. The Lord will fight the battles for us, and Israel will prevail because they have the ark. Then onward to victory and glory let us go;
The Lord will fight our battles and slay the toughest foe. GEO. W. HOLT.
Irasburg, Vt., June 21st, 1852. A. S. HUTCHINS
By A. S. Hutchins
Meeting at Granville, Sabbath, June 19th, 1852.— DEAR BRO. WHITE: It is thought by some of the Brethren who attended, this meeting, that a brief account of it, through the Review and Herald, together with a notice of the blessing of God bestowed upon Sister Emeline Rice, might not be out of place. Sister Rice has been sick with consumption for some months, and apparently brought quite near the grave: Yet she believed it to be the will of Him who said, If any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up, that she should be "raised up." She also believed that the precious promises contained in this scripture, were written to be realized by his children at the present day, as much as at any previous time; just as I hope all believers in present truth do; and not as do many, who "know not the scriptures, nor the power of God" fling these promises back, to be realized only by those living in the days of the apostles. Agreeable to request, Bro. Morse, Butler and others, went to Granville on Friday last. On Sabbath morning we repaired to the house of Sister Rice, found her able to sit up awhile, but quite feeble. Her pale face, sunken eye and emaciated form, with the usual symptoms attending a sure and immediate victory of this fatal disease, were all swift evidences that death would soon set its cold silent seal upon her lips, if the Great Physician of soul and body, did not interpose in her behalf and bid disease depart. But blessed be God, we expected he would. Prayer was made in "faith believing"—and the glory and blessing of God came down. Our Sister arose from her bed, shouting "Glory, glory to God, I am free—I am made every whit whole." Sister Rice then rode to Bro. Kendall's, (one mile,) where we met with brethren from other towns, and with them enjoyed much of the Spirit of God through the Holy Sabbath. Our sister who had just left a room of sickness, and come out to enjoy another meeting with the brethren, gave strong testimonies in favor of the cause of truth. In one exhortation, said she, "If I die within one week, don't say God did not heal me, for I know the work is done." The little company of believers in the "third angel's message," at Granville, seemed to gain much strength and gather new courage, to "keep the commandments of God," from this day's opportunity. Morristown, Vt., June 22d, 1852. BRO. L. Martin writes from Bennington, N. H., June 17th, 1852:—"There are a few here who I trust are mindful of the heavenly country. We remember from whence we came, and have no desire to go back. The paper to us is a welcome messenger. We love the truth. We remember the first and second angel's messages, and we do feel to praise the Lord for the third. "We are poor as to this world. We own no house or land here; but we hope through the grace of God to share in the glories of the New Earth." BRO. C. W. Sperry writes from Panton, Vt., June 17th, 1852:—"It is a time of trial and temptation with me. When I look into the gospel glass, and behold the narrowness of the way, and then see how distant I am from it, I feel to fear that after a promise is left me, I shall come short of it. "When I read such declarations as this: If ye abide in me, ye ought also so to walk even as he [Christ] walked, I tremble at the word. I see it is evident that I do not, because the fruits are not manifest. How shall we that are dead to sin live any longer therein. I long to see the body fitly framed together unto the measure and stature of the fullness of Christ. Nothing but pure motives should actuate us, always speaking the truth in love; not combat any one for the sake of gaining an ascendancy over our opponent, but for the truth's sake. If we have all knowledge faith, &c., and not love, it will profit us nothing. It is not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit saith the Lord. If we have a good theory, and yet luke-warm, it will not profit us. "I feel that the Gospel in the last end of this dispensation ought to be powerful, and will be if the church walk out on their faith. "When I look at the weapons of flint and steel wielded by the wicked, slaying thousands, and look at the the spiritual weapons wielded by God's people, which are sharper than any two-edged sword, dividing asunder, and discerning the intents of the heart, why, I must conclude that this is not so, or there are but few that have got the armor on. But the Lord will have a seed to serve him. "We are glad to receive the paper containing so many thrilling testimonies. It seems as though we needed such a paper every day to keep our minds stirred up to the truth. "Bro. Wyman and myself had a good season a short time since, in visiting the brethren in the vicinity of Saratoga. We had a good meeting at Bro. Cushman's. "We called at Glenns Falls, and had an interesting time with Brn. Z. Curtis and Joel Grandy. Bro. Curtis saw the truth of the third angel's message.—He did not see clearly the force of the Sabbath. We left him in the morning, full of tears. He would like the paper, also Bro. Grandy, whose mind was considerably awakened to the subject." BRO. A. H. Robinson writes from Sandy Creek, N. Y., June 27th, 1852:—"I feel glad of this opportunity to write a few lines to you, and to praise the Lord for his goodness in showing me his truth, and that I am accounted worthy to be numbered with his children. I feel strong in the Lord. "Yesterday I met with the brethren at Bro. Miles,' and the Lord met with us by his blessed Spirit, and we were made to rejoice in God. We were blest with the company of Bro. and Sr. Byington who embraced the present truth about five weeks since, under the labors of Bro. Holt and Edson, and they were strong in the truth. "The Lord is at work in this part of his vineyard. One Sister, yesterday, confessed the truth of the Sabbath. Others are favorable."