DEAR BROTHER: Once more I feel as though my heart beat in unison with the true church of God, but I feel almost ashamed to write, yet I must, for I feel it my duty so to do. I am heartily sorry that I ever was so weak as to give heed to the foolish slander of others. I was left to believe that if these things were true, those that kept the Sabbath were not right.—But it came to me again, What if these are true, what has this to do with the truth? Truly thought I, that will not prove that the Sabbath commandment is done away.
But many passages of scripture were brought up to me, to prove that the Sabbath was done away in Christ, such as these: "Christ is the end of the law," "Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or drink, or in respect of an holy-day, or of the new-moon, or of the sabbath-days," "He that regardeth the day regardeth it unto the Lord, and he that regardeth not the day to the Lord, he doth not regard it." And also, "I stand in doubt of you, ye observe days, and months, and years," "We that believe do enter into rest," and many others were quoted to prove that there was no Sabbath.
In fact, I have not kept any day, although I have not labored on Sunday; but I did not believe that Sunday was the Sabbath of the Lord our God. And I have always contended that if there was a Sabbath binding on us, the seventh-day brethren had the truth, and my heart has always been with them so far.
But I did not feel contented with my condition. I felt as though they were going onward, while I was sinking. When I read the Review and Herald I would almost burst into tears. I wanted to be with them, but I knew not how to begin. I was ashamed to tell them my feelings for fear they would never have confidence in me again. I felt alone, and sad, for I was cast out from the Nominal Adventists; but that I cared not for; for I knew that they were cold and lifeless. I wandered on Sunday to seek the word of the Lord, but did not find it, and I had almost a mind to give up in despair. But I knew if I did, I should be lost. Then I thought, will they receive me and love me again if I return.
I came to the conclusion that I would keep the seventh-day Sabbath, and say nothing to any one, but stay at home, or go into the wilderness every Sabbath, read the Bible, and pray alone until the High Priest came out from the wedding. Then this passage came to me, "Not forsaking the assembling of yourselves together as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the day approaching."
My no-Sabbath doctrine was swept away, and I found myself in a snare that was set for me by the Devil. Some voice seemed to say to me, "Let thine heart be toward the highway, even the way that thou wentest turn again, for this is the way, walk ye in it." I know that the seventh-day brethren have the truth on the ten commandments, for Christ says, "Whosoever, shall do and teach them, shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven." And I have been thinking who upon the earth can I find that are teaching the commandments of God. Are the Baptists? No. Are the Methodists? No. Are the Congregationalists? No. Who are then? Does the Advent Herald? No, it does not try to enforce them at all. Does the Harbinger? No, I do not know as that paper ever said a word in favor of keeping the commandments.—Does the Advent Watchman teach them? No, it does not. It has never told us to keep the commandments. Then who does teach them? O, I have found them now. Who are they? It is the despised seventh-day people. With them I will go, if they will forgive me, and accept of my company. These words of Christ are precious to me: "Neither do I condemn thee, go and sin no more."
O, praise the Lord, I do believe that you have the Ark of God among you, and there is power in it. See Jordan stop her course before the Ark of God! See what destruction it made among the Philistines while it was among them; and they were glad to send it back to its place. Yes, if the Ark is with us, one shall chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight. We can see the Ark, for Christ has opened the door into the holiest, where it is kept, and we see our Great High Priest in there also, who is cleansing the Sanctuary, Glory, Alleluiah, Amen. The load has gone from my soul. O, shall I ever grieve Him again! Forgive me, and try me once more. I love to be where God's Spirit is. I want to be in the Philadelphia church. I believe this is the people that do understand. Daniel says, "the wise shall understand."—Now I will try to do his commandments, and then I can teach them. They tell me that love is the fulfilling of the law; but I do believe, to love God and break his divine law is impossible; for he says, "If ye love me keep my commandments." This I will try to do through grace.
From your unworthy brother,
Chicopee Falls, Mass. DEXTER DANIELS.
The Present Truth and Christian Unity
By Olive M. Patten
From Sister Patten.
I thank and praise our dear Heavenly Father for such a paper as the Review and Herald. The truths it contains are sweet to my taste. They are "meat in due season," and encourage and strengthen me to press forward. When I read the strong arguments drawn from the Sure Word, by which our present position is proved, and then read the cheering testimonies of my brethren and sisters, telling how they love the truth, my heart beats in unison with theirs, and swells with gratitude, and love to God that I am permitted to be one of the remnant who keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. I love to be one of the persecuted few, one of the "little flock" to whom it is our Father's good pleasure to give the kingdom. With them I desire to submit to suffering, endure conflicts, war a good warfare, remembering Jesus' words: "In the world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." How cheering the promise to us, "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and set down with my Father in his throne."
I have often looked back to the time when the Advent brethren were all united in proclaiming, "The hour of his judgment," when love prevailed, and the power and spirit of our holy religion was believed in and enjoyed. Then I have looked at the sad change. Discord and contention prevail in the papers which were once perfectly agreed in pouring forth the glorious truths of the coming kingdom. Pride, formality and love of the world, characterize the worshipers who once so meekly bowed, and so freely sacrificed all to meet the coming King. My heart has often ached at the sight, and I have longed to see something that would manifest more fully the correctness of the mighty move in the past, and cheer our pathway with light upon the glorious future. The light we then had was clear and glorious, but now it is seven times greater. We who have been in the dark, feel that we have a new Bible again.
The third angel's message comes in this time of the patience of the saints, filling up the grand prophetic chain in the xiv Chap. of Revelation, from the everlasting gospel, or first proclamation of the Advent, and the cry, Babylon is fallen, to the Son of man on the white cloud with a sharp sickle in his hand.
Now hear the language of the third angel: If any man worship the beast, and his image, and receive his mark &c., the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God. Chaps. xiv, 9, 10; xv, 1. The first vial or plague is poured upon those which have the mark of the beast. Now if it were impossible for us to understand the worship of the beast, and his mark, yet we can see in these chapters to which I have alluded, the two grand divisions of mankind, the righteous and the wicked. One class worship the beast, and receive his mark, and drink the wine of the wrath of God—that is, receive the seven last plagues, the other class are found in the patience of the saints, keeping the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus, and are seen, [Chap. xv, 2,] having "gotten the victory over the beast and over his image, and over his mark, standing on the sea of glass having the harps of God." The only safe side, then, is to be found "keeping the commandments."
Some say we cannot keep the commandments, but we know we can, or we should not be told in this book of Revelation, which was given to show us what must shortly come to pass, that, "Here are they that keep the commandments &c." In Chap. xii, 17, we read, "The dragon went to make war with the remnant who keep the commandments of God" &c. Then there are a remnant who keep the commandments, and the dragon will make war with them, for every word of the prophecy must be fulfilled. Mighty conflicts are before us, but we can overcome. Christ said, "If thou wilt enter into life keep the commandments." Again, as he was about to finish up the Revelation sent us, [Rev. xxii, 14,] the Alpha and Omega says, "Blessed are they that do his [the Father's]32commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life and enter in through the gates into the city."
In Eze. ix we see that one clothed in linen, with a writer's inkhorn, was sent to mark them that sigh and cry over the abominations done in the land, and after him the destroying angels, or the seven last plagues go forth to slay utterly all except those who have the mark.
Here is a mark, opposite the mark of the beast, by which the destroying angel is to know who to save alive. Many tell us the keeping of a day is of no consequence. They do not believe the Lord cares what day we keep; but God has sanctified and set apart a particular day, and commanded men to remember it, and keep it holy in commemoration of his rest at the end of Creation. Yet men almost universally trample upon that commandment, and profess to worship God on a day no where taught in his word, but set apart by the beast, or by Papal power. Is it strange, then, that God should send the solemn warning of the third angel, and that the burden of his message should be restoring the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, or that under this message the keeping of a day should be the grand mark of distinction by which we know the worshipers of God, and the worshipers of the beast, or by which we can discern between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not. Thanks be to God for the clear light that now shines upon the holy Sabbath of the Lord, and shows us Jesus our High Priest in the Heavenly Sanctuary, blotting out the transgressions of his people.
I must fully believe from these plain scriptures that the solemn warning of the third angel is not sent in vain; that every one will have a chance to decide from Bible evidence which mark they will receive, the mark of the beast, or the mark, or seal of the living God. And ere the loud voice of the third angel, which is yet to be heard, has sent forth its last notes, the saints of God will all be found united in keeping all the commandments of God, and opposing the worship of the beast.
We remember how the people of God prevailed and triumphed anciently, when they had the Ark of God. The commandments were then written upon stone, and placed in the Ark. How much more certain of victory are the people in whose hearts his law is written, by the Spirit of the living God. The true standard is raised, the banner unfurled, and the simple motto, "The commandments of God and the faith of Jesus" is destined to meet with more sure and certain success in discomfiting the enemies of God, than the watchword, "The sword of the Lord and of Gideon," did, in putting to flight the Midianites. Success is certain, for the Lord's own arm is stretched out to recover the remnant, and "if God be for us who can be against us?"
When I see the finger of scorn pointed, and the reproach heaped upon those who advocate the third angel's message, it reminds me of the words of Sanballat, and his company in Nehemiah's day, saying, "What do these feeble Jews?"—But God was with his people then, and he is now with those who do and teach his commandments, and we can say as Nehemiah said, "Our God shall fight for us."
The mighty efforts now being made to do away this solemn message, and to prove that the law or commandments were all nailed to the cross, especially, that the seventh-day Sabbath is abolished, look some like Goliath of Gath defying the armies of the living God. And were I permitted with the shepherd boy to choose smooth stones from the brook, I would go forth like him in the name of Israel's God, against the giants, with this weapon, "The seventh-day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work." But they say this is all done away. Then I would add our Saviour's words, [Luke xvi, 17,] "It is easier for heaven and earth to pass than one tittle of the law to fall." Also, [Matt. v, 19,] "Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven; but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven." By faith in God, and the use of such weapons, the enemies of God, and his law, will be driven to darkness, while those who honestly seek for truth will rally round the true standard, and keep all the commandments.
I feel like striving to inherit eternal life, at the expense of every thing else. O, what is this world with all its charms, or all its hindrances if we can only escape its pollutions, and obtain an inheritance in that City for which Abraham looked, "which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God." This world looks very small to me. I feel a thirsting and longing for the glorious immortal kingdom. Here we are groaning under the curse. The saints of God are afflicted with sickness, poverty and the oppression of wicked spirits; but a deliverance that is complete and eternal awaits all the children of God, and that deliverance is at hand. Our journey through this world must be in a cross-bearing, self-denying way; but it is enough for the servant that he be as his Master, if we suffer with him we shall reign with him.
Let us then be fully determined to strive with all our energies, with all our efforts, to walk in the strait and narrow road till we reach the City, and gain admittance through its pearly gates, where we shall be for ever free from this cold-hearted, sin-ruined earth, and eat of the leaves of the tree which are for the healing of the nations. Where we shall see the King in his beauty, and our vile bodies will be changed and fashioned like unto his glorious body.
O, can it be that in a little while, if faithful, we shall be delivered from sickness, pain and death, and share the unutterable glory, the "far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory," which God hath prepared for them that love him. It is a great thing to live a Christian every day. It must be a great thing to take that course with regard to truth and duty that we shall wish we had when we receive our reward according to the deeds done in the body. If we can only endure to the end and be for ever with, and like our God, in that bright world, where he will wipe away all tears, and where we shall sorrow and sigh no more, then these poor beings will be for ever satisfied, for ever blest. Let us remember that the reward is at the end of the race, and in due season we shall reap if we faint not. In the love of the truth.
OLIVE M. PATTEN.
Rochester, N. Y., June 20th, 1852.
The Work Progressing in the Third Angel’s Message
By Stephen Haskell Rhodes
From Bro. Rhodes.
DEAR BRO. WHITE: Since I left Rochester I have visited Oswego, Camden, Lorain, (spent two Sabbaths in Lorain,) Albion, Volney, Coughdenoy, McDonough, and other places where there are only one, two, or three in the truth, and find that the work of the Lord under the third angel is progressing, and such as shall be saved are coming into the unity of the faith by embracing the whole word and truth of God.
We have no reason to fear to risk our all on the present truth. If we are called to pass through the fire, and the water to our neck, yet we shall not be harmed or drowned while we trust in God, and "follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth." I have thought of you much of late, and have earnestly desired that God would sustain you in perfect liberty, in your conflicts with the powers of darkness. I am sure that God will yet work mightily for Israel.—For myself, I can say that I feel strong, bold and free in the truth and liberty of Christ, and with Paul, can say, Thanks be to God who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ, and maketh manifest the savor of his knowledge in every place, in them that perish as well as in them that are saved.
The Lord signally wrought for us the two Sabbaths that are past, which I spent in Pitcher. I baptized five, and administered the ordinance of the Lord's supper, and left the saints free, and well united in all the truth and faith of Jesus. I find as many ears to hear, as I have strength and time to talk to. I now expect to be in this region for a week or more, and shall hope to hear from you.
Yours to pass through tribulation without murmuring, by the grace of God.
S. W. RHODES.
Sterling, N. Y., June 15th, 1852.
G. W. HOLT
By George Washington Holt
From Bro. Holt.
Dear Bro. White : Since Bro. Edson wrote you from Bangor, we have visited the friends in Clinton, Chateaugay and Champlain. In the former place, there are a number keeping the Sabbath, and others are convicted on the subject, and desirous to hear more concerning it. We had but little time to spend with them.
Our meetings at Champlain were good and interesting. Brn. Whipple and Taylor are strong in the truth, and I believe others will soon be interested with them, in keeping the holy Sabbath of the Lord our God.
We left there for Canada, and called on some Advent brethren who listened attentively to the reasons of our hope. We met with the brethren at Farnham agreeable to appointment, and had a free time in presenting some truths relative to our present position.
Our Conference in this place was much blessed of the Lord. The sweet Spirit of heaven was with us through the entire meeting. Love and union prevailed, and the truth of God was precious to our taste. The scattered remnant in this region are holding fast the precious truths of the Holy Bible with unshaken confidence, rejoicing in the glorious hope of immortality at the appearing of Jesus Christ.
As to myself I am fixed, trusting in the Lord God of Israel. I see no just cause of discouragement, for the work is the Lord's, the cause is his, and he is at the helm. There is power in the present truth to save any one that will obey it. God is with his truth and will stand by those that proclaim it.
G. W. HOLT
Melbourne, C. E., June 15th, 1852.
The True Question at Issue
By E. R. S.
Should be kept before the minds of honest inquirers after truth. It is not, Has God re-enacted his royal law? But has any precept of the decalogue been changed, or abolished? If not, then the whole law is still binding.
I know that many professed Christians in these last days, have an idea that God is changeable like themselves. We know that God is unchangeable. His law is immutable and eternal as the one that made it; for he, himself, affirms that his covenant he will not break, nor alter the thing that has gone out of his lips.
The condition of this covenant, on which the immortal inheritance was promised, are ten moral precepts, which God spoke with an audible voice, and he added no more. And to confirm this position, viz: The unchangeableness of his character, I will call another witness. Says the Preacher, [Eccl. iii, 14,] "I know that whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, NOR ANYTHING TAKEN FROM IT." Then we see that the law remains good yet, and every soul becomes guilty before God. And our only refuge from the gathering storm is to keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus, while our High Priest is finishing up the work of the New Covenant, that we may be hid in the pavilion of the Almighty, when the overflowing scourge of the four sore judgments and seven last plagues shall fall upon this guilty generation, who have rejected all the light of truth which God has seen fit to develope in his last work of mercy.
"Blessed are THEY that do his commandments that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city." Then serve the Lord by keeping the commandments, and kiss the Son lest he be angry and you perish by the way when his wrath is kindled but a little.
Rochester, N. Y., June 22d, 1852. E. R. S.
Hymn Book Announcement
By Editor
The Hymn Book will be ready in a few weeks. Let those who have appropriate hymns, send them in immediately.
Bro. N. A. Hollis’s Post Office Address
By Editor
Bro. N. A. Hollis wishes us to say that his Post Office Address is Wheelock, Vt.
Appointments.
By Joseph Baker
Providence permitting, I shall attend Meetings in the following places: Ware, Mass., July 3 and 4; Athol, Mass., July, 7 and 8; Ashfield, Mass., July 10 and 11; Holly, Mass., July 13 and 14; Washington, N. H., July 18 and 19; West Hartford, Vt., July 24 and 25; Northfield, Vt., July 31 and Aug. 1; Morristown, Vt., Aug. 7 and 8; Irasburg, Vt., or vicinity, Aug. 14 and 15.
Some part of the above named appointments, I expect Bro. Wheeler to attend with me. But, notwithstanding, any of the traveling Brethren who can make it convenient, are invited to attend.
JOSEPH BAKER.
For Printing Materials.
Frances Strong, $25.00 | D. R. Palmer, $5.00
Horace Cushman, 5.00 | A. A. Dodge, 5.00
Oliver Cushman, 5.00 | Wm. M. Smith, 5.00
Reuben Griggs, 5.00 | John Stowell, 5.00
John Wager, 1.00 | Cyrenius Smith, 5.00
Mary Cushman, 1.00 | A. L. Burwell, 5.00
Manerva Carpenter, 1.00 | Alonzo Leo, 2.00
Alvira Napier, 1.00 | C. P. Russell, 3.00
Margaret Cushman, 1.00 | D. Ford, 2.00
Ann Cushman, 1.00 | Oren Hewitt, 1.00
J. Whitmore, 1.00 | Frances Sparks, 1.00
E. Potter, 35
Letters received since June 10th.
By Editor
Horace Cushman, R. F. Cottrell, M. M. Truesdell, J. N. Andrews 2, N. A. Hollis, J. B. Sweet, E. L. Barr, J. Baker, C. J. Simons, N. Perry, S. W. Rhodes, H. S. Case, J. H. Waggoner, H. A. Churchill, P. Collins, L. Martin.
Receipts.
W. C. Brigham, C. P. Russel, E. Everts, for a Sister, D. Kellogg, L. Leach, E. L. H. Chamberlain, C. Swan, M. Leadbeater, C. Potter, W. White, J. S. Stickney, G. W. Holt, M. D. Elger, S. Griggs each $1.
A. Voke, E. P. Below, E. B. Miller, M. Adderton, H. Chase, Wm. Chapman, B. B. Brigham, J. Lindsey, S. W. Rhodes each $2.
S. Howland, O. Nichols, each $3. D. R. Palmer, J. Stowell, a Sister, R. Gorsline, L. Kellogg, A. Belden, C. Smith, H. Garduer, each $5.
T. Baily, L. Lockwood, S. Martin, R. Martin, each 50 cts.
O. Moore $10; S. Bunnell $4; A. H. Robinson $1,50; From a friend, by the hand of R. R. Chapin $1,30.
To Correspondents.
By Editor
BRO. J. B. SWEET—You will see by our last No. that Bro. Joseph Bates intends spending some time in the West. You will therefore make arrangements with him relative to your Conference.
BRO. D. KELLOGG—We have received no letters from Joseph A. Kellogg, and did not know that he wished the paper. We will cheerfully send to him.
BRO. N. PERRY—"The poor have the gospel preached unto them." Please send us the names of those who desire to read the REVIEW AND HERALD, whether they can, or cannot help sustain it. Please make a proper selection of names, and send immediately. One paper, in some cases, could be read by two or three families. Please give the names and address in plain hand-writing.
The truth must go forth, and those who receive it in the love of it will cheerfully do what they can to send it out.
Eastern Tour and Conferences
By James White
We now design making a tour East, and spending several weeks, holding Conferences where they are most needed.
On our way East, we could hold meetings at Coughdenoy, Lorain, at some central place in St. Lawrence Co., Panton, Vt., Washington, N. H., Portland, Me., and Bangor. Returning, hold meetings at Boston, Leverett, and Ashfield.—Will those who wish us to hold Conferences with them, write in season, to give notice of such Conferences in the REVIEW AND HERALD. We shall not be confined to the places named. Have mentioned them to give some idea of the intended tour. We shall probably be able to leave Rochester by the first of August. JAMES WHITE.
Faithful Stewardship of Time and Means
By Editor
"I have no faith," says a brother, "in the real piety of those who spend five or ten dollars a year for tobacco and tea, and say they are so poor that they cannot give any thing to help publish the truth."
Well, what think of the piety of those who are so poor that they cannot give a mite towards sustaining the REVIEW AND HERALD, and other publications that are sent out gratuitously, yet, spend twenty-five or fifty dollars worth of precious time during the year, in such a manner as not to benefit themselves or others? Is not our property, time and strength the Lord's, if we have given all to him? Let all see to their stewardship, and be faithful.
Returning Papers Without Addresses
By Editor
Some have returned their papers without their names and Post Office address. We shall not be able to discontinue such papers, until informed of the same.