"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear."—1 Pet. 3:15.
The text suggests preparation of the heart. We should sanctify, or set apart, the Lord God in our hearts as the object of our worship and supreme love. It also suggests preparation of the mind by study. We should especially study the Sacred Scriptures in order to be ready ever to give a reason for our faith and hope, whether in the pulpit, by the fireside, or when we meet inquiring friends by the way.
The speaker proposed to answer the question, "Why are we Seventh-day Adventists?" He said he thought it even wrong to differ with others without good reasons to differ. He stated that it was not from national cast, or from denominational mould that we believe as we do; for we are gathered from nearly all the nations, and from all the denominations, and from the outside world.
The speaker called attention to the double name—Seventh-day Adventists—and stated that an Adventist was not necessarily a time-setter. The periods of the prophecy of Daniel have terminated. Wm. Millers mistake was not in the time, but in the event to occur at the close of the two thousand and three hundredth prophetic day of that book. The sanctuary to be cleansed at the end of those days was not the second coming of Christ and the burning day, as supposed by Mr. Miller, but the closing work of the ministry of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary. He stated that the word referred to the heavenly sanctuary, which was to be cleansed by the blood of Christ, as the earthly sanctuary was cleansed by the blood of goats. After speaking a few moments upon the personal coming of Christ, and the events connected with it, the speaker called especial attention to Matt. 24:23-27, which he affirmed set forth the false views of the second advent in contrast with the true.
He said that Christ in that prophetic chapter carries the mind down past the destruction of Jerusalem, past the persecutions of Pagan Rome, and the period of Papal dominion which ended in 1798, and that in the 23d verse he says, "Then (the speaker placed emphasis on the word then) if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there, believe it not." In the 26th verse Christ says, "If they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert, go not forth." The speaker thought that this was met in Mormonism which takes its converts to Salt Lake City to the desert, where they claim they have Christ.
He quoted the rest of the verse: "Behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not." He referred to the quite extensive belief that Christ comes at death—at the sick bed, in the sick chamber, at death. He showed the folly of placing the second coming of Christ at death. There can be but one second coming of Christ. He called attention to the manner of Christ's coming with all his holy angels, and quoted Matt. 24:27, and several other scriptures. He showed the folly of that mystical interpretation of the Scriptures which is so prevalent, which allows one to give just such a meaning to the words of the Bible as will suit the wishes of the individual.
He proceeded to tell "why we keep the seventh day." His first reason was, "Because we take the Bible just as it reads." He presented a chart containing the ten commandments. He presumed no one would object to any of them except the fourth. He noticed the argument that the ten commandments were abolished at the cross and nine of them re-enacted by the apostles. He called for the new copy, but said it could not be found. He said that the second commandment could not be found in any form in the New Testament; that only three of the ten can be found word for word in the New Testament. He claimed that the law of God is still binding, just as it reads; and for that reason we keep the seventh day. He said there is not a single text in the whole Bible for the observance of Sunday.
There was a large attendance; and, notwithstanding an unfortunate scare at the prospect of a shower, which did not come during the sermon, the audience, after retiring to the large canvass tent, listened with great interest and close attention.
SUNDAY EVENING.
Eld. Canright spoke on the Sabbath question. What does the New Testament say upon the Sabbath? The speaker would notice first the foundation of the Sabbath. Sabbath means rest. The Sabbath originated at the Creation. God worked six days and rested on the seventh. The seventh is the Lord's rest-day and cannot be changed any more than can the birthday of Washington. The Sabbath, then, is not a changeable institution.
The speaker said that it is supposed by many that a change of the Sabbath is found in the New Testament. He stated that if God did design to have a change in the Sabbath, he would have said so plainly; that every ordinance which was binding in the Old Testament, but abolished in the gospel dispensation is plainly said to have been done away in the New Testament; that no such statement was ever seen in relation to the Sabbath.
He said that the first day of the week is mentioned in the New Testament only eight times, that it is never called the Sabbath, never called the Lord's day, was never blessed nor sanctified. It is mentioned in the last chapter of Matthew, of Mark, of Luke, and the next to the last chapter of John. These books were written by apostles and disciples from ten to sixty-years after the crucifixion.
He spoke of Christ's appearing to the disciples as recorded in Mark 16:14, and he showed that the disciples were not celebrating the resurrection by keeping the first day of the week, for they did not believe that Christ had arisen. Christ upbraided them for their unbelief. He stated that only one religious meeting upon the first day of the week is recorded in the New Testament. According to John 20:26, after eight days from that first day of the week when Christ appeared unto the eleven, the disciples were within, that is, home, and Christ appeared unto them again. This is claimed by some as a religious meeting held upon the first day of the week; but by a moment's count it will be seen that "after eight days" places the latter gathering at least as late as Monday evening.
He mentioned the fact that ministers sometimes state that every meeting of Christ with his disciples after his resurrection was upon the first day of the week. He referred the audience to the time when Christ appeared to them when they were fishing. Christ did not tell them that it was wrong to fish on Sunday, but told them where to drop in to get a good haul. The speaker did not know whether it was upon the first day of the week or not—if not, it is plain that Christ did appear to his disciples on other days; if it was, then the disciples fished upon Sunday and Christ sanctioned it.
The meeting mentioned in Acts 20:7, is simply an evening meeting held at that time because Paul was to leave them on the morrow. It was not called the Sabbath, nor the Lord's day, nor a sacred day; but simply the first day of the week.
The speaker claimed that the Lord's day mentioned in Rev. 1:10, refers to the seventh, that being the only day the Lord ever claimed. See Ex. 20:10; Isa. 58:13.
He then took up some of the direct testimony for the Sabbath. He showed that it was Christ's custom to observe it; that Christ recognized the existence of the Sabbath as late as the year A. D. 70, when Jerusalem was destroyed, for he told his disciples to pray that their flight on that occasion should not occur on the Sabbath; Matt. 24:20; that the Spirit of God speaking by the inspired pen of Luke in the year A. D. 60, recognized as the Sabbath the same day on which the Jews had the synagogue. Acts 13:14.
The afternoon rain had ceased and a large number of the people of the town were present to hear with the most respectful attention.—Free Press.
Think of Heaven.
By Susan Elmer
"SET your affections on things above," says the inspired penman. Many are the reasons why we should do so. The first and strongest is, because it is the command of him who is our Creator, preserver, and benefactor; consequently he knows what is best to promote the happiness of his creatures. We find ourselves in a world of sin, suffering, and death. To-day we entertain high hopes; to-morrow those hopes are blasted; all is uncertain here. The ravages of death are daily making inroads among thousands of the inhabitants of earth.
To-day may be heard the cries of the widows and orphans whose husbands and fathers have fallen on the field of battle. There also stands the murderer with his hands stained with the blood of the innocent. As we reflect on the miseries of the earth, we exclaim with the poet:
"This groaning earth is too dark and drear.
For the saints' eternal home."
And we truly feel that we should not set our affections on things beneath.
And what is earth compared to Heaven? Here is darkness; there is light. Here is a dungeon; there a palace. Here are sighs and groans and tears; there is heard from afar the songs of triumph and the shouts of the victor. Here we are called to part with the nearest and dearest friends; there all will be restored who now sleep in Jesus. Here is one common burying place; there will be no mound beneath which lies some cherished friend, but instead, green fields will be waving there, and sparkling rivulets coursing their way through flowery plains and beautiful forests.
Then let us think of these glories. By so doing earth will be less attractive; for how can we place our affections on that which is so soon to vanish away? How can we be charmed with that which only allures to destroy? Is there anything which can repay for the loss of Heaven, or aught that we would exchange for the joys of paradise? If not, let this be our greatest concern to secure a lasting treasure which we shall possess, when earth, with its short-lived glories shall have passed away.
Susan Elmer
Late Repentance
THOUGH true repentance be never too late, yet late repentance is seldom true.
The Pope a Rebel
By Editor
The Pope a Rebel.—We clip the subjoined paragraph from the editorial columns of Zion's Herald. The case is well put and logical withal:
The effrontery of that man at Rome, who pretends to be superior to all governments and all law, inciting Roman Catholic citizens of whatever country to disobey such laws as displease him, i. e., inciting them to rebellion, and threatening with excommunication and damnation all who disregard his sovereign mandate, is marvelous. There is said to be some talk of his coming to America, in a certain contingency. Would he come here to be a loyal citizen? He could not, without renouncing his present pretensions, that is, denying his infallibility. Here, then, is one man in the world who cannot be a citizen or a subject. Wherever he may live, he cannot, on his theory, be amenable to the laws; he is above the laws; he can absolve others from obligation to the government; and is, of course, himself free. Suppose, then, in the event of his establishing himself in the United States, he should set himself against some particular statute, national, State, or municipal. He can instigate Roman Catholics to rally round him and sustain his disloyalty, and they would be bound to obey him rather than the government; or, as he puts it, to obey God rather than man, making himself equal with God. And here is rebellion, the logical result of popery. Mark, then, this fact, which cannot be disputed: The Pope is, ex-officio, a rebel; he cannot be anything else. Already, from Italy, he has commanded his American subjects to trample on our governmental school laws.
DYING RICH.
The ship Britannia was wrecked off the coast of Brazil, and had on board a large consignment of Spanish dollars. In hope of saving some of them, a number of barrels were brought on deck, but the vessel went to pieces so fast that the only hope for life was by taking at once to the boats.
The last boat was about to push off when a young midshipman went back to see if any one was still on board. To his surprise, there sat a man on deck with a hatchet in his hand, with which he had broken open several of the casks, the contents of which he was now heaping about him.
"What are you doing here?" shouted the youth. "Don't you know the ship is fast going to pieces?"
"The ship may go," said the man; "I have lived a poor wretch all my life, but I am determined to die rich."
The officer's remonstrances were answered by another flourish of the hatchet, and the man was left to his fate.
We should count such a person a madman, but he has too many imitators. Men seem determined to be rich at all hazards. Least of all risks do they count the chance of losing the soul in the struggle, at any moment whatever.
New England Camp-Meeting.
By James White
In the six New England States there are three conferences of Seventh-day Adventists; one in Vermont, one in Maine, and one embracing the scattered churches in Mass., N. H., Ct., and R. I., called the New England Conference. In each of these three conferences there is held an annual camp-meeting.
The New England Camp-meeting and conference are held the present year in their very beautiful pine grove at South Lancaster, Mass., where it has been held the past six years. The assembly of brethren is larger the present, than at any previous year, and more tents are on the ground. Of this meeting a correspondent of the Boston Journal for August 26, says:—
“The Seventh-day Adventists of the New England Conference are busily engaged preparing their grounds for their annual camp-meeting. Each incoming train brings the representatives of the different tent companies to make the necessary arrangements for encamping upon the ground.
“Among the preachers who have already arrived are Elder E. B. Lane and wife from the West, who have recently been giving interesting lectures in the town of Milford, N. H., and Elder P. C. Rodman of Rhode Island. Elder James White and wife from the Pacific Coast are expected here to-morrow. Others will be in attendance.
“THE GROUND is situated in a beautiful pine grove on the Worcester and Nashua Railroad between South Lancaster and Clinton stations. This site contains about six acres, on a gradual slope well adapted for such gatherings.
“Two large pavilion tents are to be erected for the lodging of the homeless who may chance to be here; and also to be used for preaching in case of rain. On the front of the ministers' stand is this motto: ‘Behold I come quickly.’ In the rear of the stand are some twelve or fifteen tents extending in a straight line, forming a street from one side of the inclosure to the other. In front and on the right and left of the public stand is a semi-circle of tents, including the pavilions above alluded to, forming an inclosure sufficiently large to seat the thousands who may attend. A commodious wooden provision stand, containing a boarding table, is also within the inclosure.
“The Worcester and Nashua trains stop at the ground, making excellent accommodations for those who may desire to attend the meeting. The cars may be taken at Boston, Portland, Worcester, Nashua and intermediate stations, and without any change be brought directly to the encampment. Also from New Bedford, Providence and Fitchburg and intermediate stations the cars can be taken and land the passengers at Clinton, where all the express trains stop, without change. Clinton is but a mile from this temple of nature's adorning where this people assemble from year to year to worship the God of their fathers. To see them thus making preparation, by erecting tents, etc., one would be reminded of the ancient ‘feast of tabernacles when all Israel came to appear before God.’
We are made glad to meet here brethren from Vermont, from New York, from Washington, D. C., and from Maine, also quite a representation from our S. D. Baptist brethren.
The first part of our meeting were days of labor, but little freedom was enjoyed until Sabbath morning when the cloud seemed to part, and liberty came. At the close of Mrs. W.'s discourse in the afternoon there was a forward movement in which more than one-half the congregation took part. She invited sinners and backsliders to come to the front seats, which were made ready, and exhorted with great power which deeply moved the people. After several fervent prayers more than one hundred of those penitants bore testimony. This service lasted more than three hours, yet no one seemed weary. After an intermission of ten minutes, social meetings were held in several of the larger tents.
Elder Uriah Smith, editor of the Review and Herald, followed in the evening with one of his clear and instructive discourses. And thus ended the service of an exceedingly profitable day to the people of God on the New England Camp-meeting grounds. The Boston Journal speaks of the meeting as follows:—
“My last report spoke of the preparations of the S. D. Adventists for their camp-meeting at South Lancaster, Mass. The meeting commenced at 5:30 Thursday morning, under the most favorable circumstances, as to weather and attendance. The speakers from abroad who were expected are present, and have entered upon their labors. There are forty tents already erected, varying in size from the family tent to the large sixty-five foot circular pavilion, all comfortably filled. There are some three hundred believers on the ground.
“This is the eighth camp-meeting held in succession by this denomination the present season. There are seven more to be held, making fifteen in all, including the California meeting.
“The New England Conference, appointed in connection with the present meeting, has already held one session, with delegates from nearly all the churches within the bounds of the conference.
“Elder James White and Mrs. E. G. White of California, who have attended all the camp-meetings the present season, are the principal speakers. Elder Smith of Michigan, editor of the Review and Herald, one of their three denominational weeklies, arrived at the ground this morning and spoke from the stand this forenoon.
“MISSIONARY OPERATIONS. The operations of this denomination are aggressive, the work of their ministry being largely missionary in its nature. They have one hundred and forty-five missionaries in the home and foreign fields. They have a publishing house in Battle Creek, occupying three large buildings. A second office of publication has just been established in California, and steps are now in progress for the erection of a third in Europe, where a mission has been for some years in progress, and is now in a flourishing condition. Adherents to this faith are to be found in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia.
“TRACT SOCIETY ORGANIZATION. In addition to the labors of their ministry their lay members are organized into tract and missionary societies, who maintain a correspondence with agents in all parts of the civilized world, through whom millions of pages of their denominational tracts and other publications are distributed. Their office at Battle Creek sends out several tons of printed matter each month—the aggregate monthly circulation of their periodicals being nearly 100,000 copies. Through this plan of operation there are thousands embracing their views who never heard a sermon from any of their preachers.
“THEIR FAITH. Perhaps a few items concerning their peculiar faith may be of interest to your readers. ‘They, in common with all evangelical Christians, believe in one God, one Lord Jesus Christ, the operation of the Holy Spirit, the authenticity and inspiration of the Scriptures, of the Old and New Testaments, the work of the Spirit in a change of heart, and baptism and the Lord's supper as ordinances of the Christian church.
“They differ with all other denominations of Christians, except the Seventh-day Baptist, in the observance of the seventh day of the week as the Sabbath, instead of the first, taking as the authority for their practice in this respect the literal construction of the fourth commandment of the decalogue. As their name implies, they are also believers in the soon coming of Christ, but unlike many other Adventists, they wholly repudiate the practice of setting time.’
The congregation on first-day has not been large in consequence of a Methodist Camp-meeting near by. But the people have been very attentive, and those who have spoken have enjoyed great freedom. Much good will result.
We leave in the morning to meet relatives in Maine, and visit the places sacred in memory, where youthful days were happily spent, before the cares and responsibilities of life pressed upon us, then hasten to the camp-meeting at Richmond, Me., one of the places where we proclaimed the second coming of Christ more than thirty years ago. J. W.
Answer to a Correspondent.
By J. H. Waggoner
For an exposition of Heb. 10 : 9, see articles now being published in the SIGNS entitled, The Law of God. Of 2 Cor. 3: 7–11, see pamphlet, entitled, Both Sides, and tract, Ten Commandments not Abolished. In Rom. 14 : 1–6 the apostle is speaking of feasts, and feast-days ; therefore, when he says, "One man esteemeth one day above another ; another esteemeth every day alike," it must be that he refers to that class of days of which he has been speaking, and not to the Sabbath. The Sabbath is not mentioned in the chapter, nor is the subject of the Sabbath anywhere introduced in it. But, says one, every day means of course, every day, and therefore includes the Sabbath. To prove the fallacy of this, we refer to the promise of the manna, "I will rain bread from heaven for you ; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day." "And it came to pass, that there went out some of the people on the seventh day for to gather, and they found none. And the Lord said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws?" Ex. 16: 4, 27, 28.
"Here we have the expression 'every day' and still the Sabbath is excepted, that express357ion referring only to the working days. Just so in Rom. 14; for the apostle is there speaking of a class of days with which the Sabbath is in no wise connected. The chapter opens thus: 'Him that is weak in the faith receive ye.' What faith? The faith of the gospel which Paul was laboring to establish; the change from the meats, drinks, carnal ordinances, and feast-days of the Jewish ritual to the spiritual worship of the Lord Jesus.
"That system had its distinctions of meats and drinks and its yearly sabbaths. It was connected together as a whole; and when the apostle, in remarking upon that system, speaks of days, he means the days connected therewith, and those only. So he says in verse 2, 'For one believeth that he may eat all things; another who is weak eateth herbs.' And so also in reference to the same system, 'one man esteemeth one day above another; another esteemeth every day alike.' And the observance of these things was a matter of indifference so long as they did not seek justification through them, and thus be led to reject the sacrifice of the Saviour.
"But did God ever utter anything with his own voice concerning meats and drinks, in like manner as he spoke the Sabbath? Never. Did he write anything about them on the tables of stone where he engraved the commandment for the observance of his rest-day? Not a word. The Sabbath belongs to entirely another system to which the 14th chapter of Romans makes no sort of reference whatever." —Both Sides of the Sabbath Question. J. H. Waggoner.
Law and Gospel.
By Uriah Smith
N. C. Mallory of the First Baptist Church, Detroit, Michigan, preached a sermon on the Beecher trial, July 25, 1875, in which he made some good admissions touching the relation of the law and the gospel. Let all such declarations be treasured up; for in proportion as the claims of God's law, unrepealed and unchanged, are urged upon the people, these utterances are becoming scarce in the land. Mr. M. said:—
“He preached but one side of the gospel. He omitted the basal attributes of justice and holiness. This one-sided view of God is not in any sense biblical, and the Lord will not stand such a misrepresentation of his character very long. Even in Eden we hear the threatenings affixing the fearful penalty to sin. Adam and Eve failed to stand the test, and we see them fleeing before the avenging angel. A flood of water wastes the world because of sin; and Jerusalem lies in ruins because of wickedness. ‘He that believeth. . . . shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned,’ said the lips that uttered the beatitudes. ‘Behold therefore,’ said the apostle, ‘the goodness and the severity of God.’
“These two views of the Deity are absolutely essential to a conception of God. They make a perfect sphere. The sin of Mr. Beecher consists in dividing the sphere in his preaching, or he has rather held it in a fixed position. God's love has been pictured with almost superhuman pathos; his hatred of sin has been ignored. The law and the gospel have not been equally honored by this preacher. The law is the true setting of the gospel; hell is the counterpart of Heaven. Fear is essential or it would not exist. Man's fears and affections must be both appealed to. The double aspect of the Deity just fits the double capacity of man. Mr. Beecher has tried to hush the fears of sinners, but, we grant, unintentionally. He has done it by methods and to a degree he is scarcely conscious of. But he is responsible for the fact that his congregation and the world, so far as he has influenced it, have gained an irreverence for sound doctrine and religious ordinances, and rigid and discriminating morality.”
U. S.
Disintegrating.
By Uriah Smith
WE learn that Wm. L. Himes, long connected with the Advent Christian Times of Chicago, and latterly pastor of the first-day Adventist church of Castleton, Vermont, has severed his connection with the Adventists and joined the Protestant Episcopal church. This makes eleven of the prominent and leading ministers of the first-day Adventists who have within a few years left that body, and joined the Baptists, Methodists, Disciples, and Episcopalians.
There is in this fact food for thought. Why this large and continual defection from the ranks of that people on the part of its leaders? Is it not evident that the power, vitality, and gathering influence of truth has departed from that body? or rather, that they have lost it by not following on in the opening light of prophecy?
And while this disintegrating process is going on among the first-day Adventists, Seventh-day Adventists are increasing and growing in numbers, strength, harmony, and love. Who cannot see the significance of this fact? Who that has any faith in the Advent movement at all, cannot see that it is with those who have been led to the keeping of the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, to prepare for the coming kingdom, that the Lord is working, and the power of his truth is to be found! U. S.
Help the Fallen
Let us take care how we speak of those who have fallen on life's field. Help them up—not heap scorn upon them. We did not see the conflict; we do not know the scars.
The Same Words.
By John Nevins Andrews
SOME persons are unwilling to speak in the prayer-meeting because they cannot have something to say which shall be new to the hearers, or which they have not in substance said before. Perhaps there is a measure of pride in this feeling that God is not at all pleased with. Suppose we cannot speak that which has not been said, we can tell the story of the cross in our own language, and the subject is incapable of becoming old. If we have a living experience each day, we bear daily testimony to the grace of God, and our words will ever be fresh and new. If we gather our manna every day, it will always be fresh and new, and acceptable. It is old manna that is stale and offensive. We do not want something instead of manna, but we want new manna every day.
So, we want a new experience daily in the things of God. Old experience, without any present salvation, is fitly represented by the manna when it bred worms and stank.
The story of the grace of God is never old, and never wearisome, when told over and over, if we only have this good thing in our hearts. It is always fresh and always new.
But Christian experience reaches forward. We shall have some new manifestations of the love of Christ to tell to others, if we only walk in his love. We shall see new beauties in his religion, and the words of Christ will have depths of meaning to us that once were wholly hidden from our view. Our story will have something new in it. And those who observe our testimony will see that we are advancing in the heavenly journey.
What a lesson is given us in Rev. 4: 8, where we are told that the four living beings "rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come." Why do they not become wearied with this ceaseless repetition? Undoubtedly because they see new glories and excellences in him whom they adore. So it is not the same story after all. For each successive utterance there is to them a depth of meaning which their words never had before. They are progressing in the knowledge of God, and, hence, their constantly-repeated song of adoration is ever new to them, and to all the heavenly host who hear it, and ever acceptable to Him who sits upon the throne.
When we are in earnest, we may not be so unwilling to utter in simplicity, and, if need be, in broken language, the experience of the love of Jesus. If our own souls are only filled with his love, we shall delight to tell of it, even though we utter that which we have often said before.
When our Lord was in his agony, he prayed thrice, each time using the same words. Matt. 26. The words used expressed exactly what he needed, and he did not change them for others.
It is sad to see persons unwilling to speak because they cannot make a display. It is nearly or quite as bad to see others who do speak because they imagine that they can make a display.
If such persons would humbly confess the pride of their hearts, and seek God for forgiveness, they might bear a testimony that would honor God, even though given in broken language, and telling nothing that others have not said before. How much the simplicity of our language adds to the testimony we bear.
J. N. A.
Encouraging.
By James White
ONE encouraging feature of our camp-meetings is the fact that there is an increasing, and in some places, a very deep interest on the part of the people to hear the reasons of our hope and faith. The late Vermont Camp-meeting was remarkable for this. The outside attendance was large from first to last. And as the speakers enjoyed great freedom, the people seemed moved. It was said that one hundred and forty teams left Burlington alone, Sunday morning, for the camp-ground, six miles distant. But the heavy shower of that morning turned them back. Yet notwithstanding the rain the crowd was large.
At the close of that meeting the interest to hear was such on the part of the citizens of Essex, Vt. that the large tent was moved into the village and Eld. Canright remains for near two weeks, until the time of the New York Camp-meeting.
We hear from Eld. C. respecting this tent-meeting in these words:—
"We have had two meetings in the tent with good interest. Above one hundred out each evening. Some books taken. We are invited out, and there are calls at the tent. We do really hope much good may come from all this. I shall hold on as long as I can consistently with other arrangements."
Over the Mountains.
By Jos. Clarke
LITTLE did Columbus think, as he persevered in his search for land in the western sea, of the vast consequences of his discoveries. He landed on an island, and gave thanks to God. His work was then done, the work of his life was then accomplished.
That was at or near the closing of the 15th century. Now, near the close of the 19th century, we may view the extent of his work. The vast continent of America has been the theater of acts which have held the inhabitants of the Old World in a state of continued surprise. It has rapidly changed from a wilderness to an empire of great power and influence. Here we see a vast empire made up of all peoples, and nations, and tongues.
A vast field presents itself to any one, who has a general idea of our country and its history, its laws, its religions, and its political and religious aspects. These people, from all parts of the world, are now corresponding in some way with every nation under the sun.
Very favorably is America situated to spread abroad the third angel's message. Here are the inhabitants of other lands, to whom the welcome news of the coming of the Son of God to earth again is to be sent across the seas.
But especially in California, are congregated the vast variety of races fresh from their native lands. A great work is being done there, one which promises much, and is even now yielding fruit new and precious. Yes, across the continent, over the Rocky Mountains, God is manifesting his power, and from that beautiful land the message will yet go in power.
Jos. Clarke.
Riches Do not Bring Happiness.
The pursuit of wealth is all-absorbing. If happiness for time and eternity depends upon the possession of riches, men could not seek them with greater avidity. What multitudes there are, who do not scruple to employ any means that promise to bring about the desired result! Yet if there is any one thing in which rich men are agreed, it is in bearing testimony to the fact that wealth does not secure even earthly happiness.
Years ago we were acquainted with a farmer in Erie County. Beginning with nothing but his strong hands and industrious habits, he had bought farm after farm, until he owned some six or eight hundred acres of valuable land, besides some sixty thousand dollars in the bank, or put out on bond and mortgage. To one who talked with him about his prospects for the future, he frankly said:
"When I was poor, I used to work hard all day, and walk, barefoot, three miles to prayer-meeting. Then I was happy. I enjoyed religion. But now I have no desire for religious things. I am all taken up with the world. My only aim is to make money. I am wretched; I know it—I feel it; but I cannot give up the world."
Thus he lived, and thus he died. After his death, contentions arose in the family about the division of the property. Lawsuits followed, which continued for many years. The worst passions were aroused. One has said, "The parents lose their souls in acquiring property, and the children lose their souls in spending it."
A neighbor to the person above referred to, himself an old man who had been successful in worldly pursuits, seeing the bitter feelings engendered by the division of property among children, and the bad use they made of it; and seeing jealousies already springing up among his own children, said he "wished all his property was in such a shape that he could touch a match to it and burn it up." Yet he was a kind-hearted man, and an affectionate father. How much better it is, both for ourselves and our children, that we lay up treasures in Heaven.—Earnest Christian.
Patience.
By Stephen Nelson Haskell
"Not only so, but we glory in tribulations also; knowing that tribulation worketh patience." Rom. 5:3.
Patience is an admirable trait of character. All admire it. Meekness, which much resembles it, is said to be in the sight of God of great price. 1 Pet. 3:4. In Christian experience patience is a very essential thing. The apostle in Romans 5, places it at the head of the Christian graces. Then how important that we have a proper amount of that which will work for us patience; namely, tribulation. The apostle viewed it of so much importance as to exclaim, "We glory in tribulation," for he knew it worked patience. Yet that tribulation in every one does not work patience is evident.
Tribulation comes from different causes, and works differently on different individuals. We may suffer tribulation which is brought upon ourselves by our wrongs. "For what glory is it if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if when ye do well and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God." 1 Pet. 2:20. With one it works fretfulness, wrath, and all manner of hateful feelings; with the other it works patience, meekness, gentleness, kindness, and every good feeling.
Now we want tribulation from the right source, and we want it to affect us in a right manner, if we would be benefited by it.
The receiving of the word of God led the disciples to occupy a position so different from the world, that the world hated them, and thus caused the tribulation. John 16:33; 17:8-11, 14. In James 1, we read, "Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and surperfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the ingrafted word which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass." The 25th verse gives us a clue to what this word is: "But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed." Verses 21-25.
Now I would suggest, if any would have tribulation from a source that God can approve, that the commandments of God be strictly kept by them; and if they would be properly affected by it, keep also the faith of Jesus. Study his character, and pattern after him. Then you will be of the number referred to in Rev. 14:12: "Here is the patience of the saints; here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." And the promise of Rev. 3:10, will be yours: "Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation which shall come upon all the world to try them that dwell upon the earth." May the Lord pity and help us.