p. 120 | Review and Herald, Vol. 34, No. 15. (10/5/1869)

Earlier text: THE HARDENING OF THE HEART

IS THIS LIKE JESUS ?

By M. J. COTTRELL

My youthful, Christian friends, would it not be well for us to ask ourselves this question quite often? To be a Christian, is to be Christ-like, to act as Christ has acted before us. Now there are many little things in which we have no direct example, no explicit precept; still enough is given us, in general, both in example and precept, to show us what is Christ-like and what is not. And if we would not bear the name of Christian in vain, we must be very careful to avoid all things that are unlike Christ. This question, Is this like Jesus, has come home to my heart to-night with a power which I hope will make a lasting impression. I see daily many things about myself that are unlike Jesus, and sometimes I seem hedged in with darkness, doubts, and fears, on the account; but I am resolved to make a desperate effort to resist every temptation to do anything unlike Jesus. I will try to keep this question before my mind, and seek to do only those things which will make me like Jesus. Make me like Jesus! My mind seems startled, as though the idea were new. It is not, however; it is as old as the plan of salvation. Yes, we must become like Jesus, if we would enter Heaven; and it will be well for us to remember that this is not a work to be wrought instantaneously, by the power of God, but a work for us to do by littles, every day, with painful, it may be at times, yet persevering, effort. If thus we strive, watching, working, and praying, God's grace will be our all-sufficient aid, until the work is complete, and we become like Jesus.

M. J. COTTRELL.

Deathbed Repentance and Lasting Conversion

People Generally Die as They Live.—A pious English physician once stated that he had known some three hundred sick persons who, soon expecting to die, had been led, as they supposed, to repentance of their sins and saving faith in Christ, but had eventually been restored to health again. Only ten of all this number, so far as he knew, gave any evidence of being really regenerated. Soon after their recovery they plunged, as a general thing, into the follies and vices of the world.

SARAH BROWN

By Sarah Brown

From Sr. Brown.

DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: I take the pleasure of expressing my thankfulness to my Master for the many blessings bestowed upon unworthy me. I have the full assurance that I enjoy my Saviour's care and smiles. Although I have many trials to undergo, yet by the grace of God I see that they are laid upon me to help me to wean my affections from this vile earth, and place them in Heaven. Dear friends, we must let our lights so shine before the world, that they by our works may see that we believe what we profess. Oh! what a sweet consolation to the true child of Jesus it is to know that we have a true friend in Heaven, who is ever ready to hear our feeble petitions, and ever stands by our side to help us in every case of emergency, and bids us lay all our burdens upon him.

Oh! how much I prize the REVIEW. It brings gladness to my heart to read how much the Lord is doing for us, and if we but trust ourselves in his care, with fear and trembling, he will effect a deeper work of grace in our poor hearts. My daily prayer to God is, that he will lead me in the path of duty, and help me to live faithfully while here on earth. I wish your prayers, that I may overcome my sins, and finally join the throng around the Saviour's throne, to sing glad praises to my Redeemer in Heaven.

SARAH BROWN

Barry Co., Mich.

Obituary Notices.

Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth.

DIED, in South Norridgewock, Maine, Olive Wade, aged 55 years. W. W. PUTNAM.

DIED, in Montcalm, Mich., Sept. 11, 1869, Bro. L. Larson, aged 78 years. This brother embraced the truth a year ago by reading Bro. Matteson's books. His friends mourn, but not as those who have no hope. Funeral discourse at the Danish school-house by Elder C. Johnson, from the words found in Heb. xi, 11. A. RASMUSSEN.

WM. W. PUTNAM

By Wm. W. Putnam

From Bro. Putnam.

DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: My mind is much impressed with the words of the apostle: “Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.” James v, 20. Why so many make a failure in this work is because they commence at the wrong end. Instead of commencing at the end where the individual is that they seek to benefit, they commence away out of his hearing, and magnify his sins, or supposed sins, instead of making it a rule to first visit and profit the erring one. Now here is one scripture that even the professed children of God, if they are not strictly on their watch, are very liable to violate. It is recorded in Matt. xviii, 15. A short time since we took a vote in the church at Norridgewock to see how many would pledge themselves to keep this commandment. Every member present raised the hand toward Heaven, and took this solemn vow upon himself, that he would no more violate this very important command. Is that vow recorded in Heaven? How often should we think of our vows, lest we break them. David said he would daily perform his vows. Ps. lxi, 8. Oh! may we remember that the commands of God are exceeding broad. Ps. cxix, 96.

Now, my dear friends, let us try to so advance in divine life, that ere long we may attain to that station that we shall not offend in one point; for while we are offending in one point we are guilty of all. Jas. i, 10. The time is near when there will be a special call for a certain class. In what condition will they then be found? “And in their mouth was found no guile; for they are without fault before the throne of God.” Rev. xiii, 5.

WM. W. PUTNAM

South Norridgewock, Me.

Note from Chelsea, Mass.

By P. C. Rodman

Our lectures have closed in the tent; about twenty are keeping the Sabbath. Many others are convicted of duty; we expect some will obey. Bro. Cornell is to discuss the immortality question with Prof. Chase, of Boston, in the evenings of the 27th and 28th; then we expect to take the tent down and hold meetings in Winnisimmet Hall every Sabbath. The friends have already pledged over 100 dollars to pay for it one year; heated and lighted, it will be 150 dollars. Pray for us, and the work here. The opposition is strong, but the Lord is stronger and will help, that the truth may reach those that will do his will.

We are anxiously inquiring to know the mind of the Lord in regard to future labor, and we request the prayers of the church, that wisdom from above may be given us, all unworthy as we are. We repent before God of all our past wrongs, and hope for light and strength from on high to enable us to press for the overcomer's reward. In hope. P. C. RODMAN.

The P. O. address of C. W. Stanley, is Jalapa, Dodge Co., Nebraska.

GRATITUDE is the music of the heart when its chords are swept by the breezes of kindness.

Reproof.

It is a great mistake to suppose that reproof and fault-finding are one and the same thing. A fretful, peevish spirit is the impelling power that causes people to find fault. But reproof comes from a higher and nobler source. It originates in a desire to benefit the wrong doer. It is never the result of ill temper. It is the work of a faithful friend. Fault-finding is from the spirit of the devil, but reproof is inspired by the Spirit of God. We cannot dispense with reproof. A church in which reproof has no place is a church asleep in sin.

We can make progress heavenward only by constant instruction in those things that reveal our faults, and by constant effort to heed such instruction. Reproof wisely administered is the most salutary kind of instruction. We wish to appear at the last day in white raiment. The present time is devoted to the washing process. Reproof is the calling of our attention to the spots and stains that are still found upon our raiment. We may, indeed, deeply regret the existence of the stains, but we should be foolish indeed to be displeased with him who tells us of their existence. Yet many persons are ready to answer the reproof by saying that they are no worse than most others; and that they are even as good as the reprover. And with this thought they settle down in listless inaction. Not so with a disciple of Christ. He can never rest till he knows that the fault to which his attention has been called has been put away. Even if an enemy, with a bitter, scoffing spirit, shall tell him his faults, he will learn the unpleasant truth only to be profited thereby. This is one grand reason why so great a difference exists in the professed disciples of Christ. Some lay reproof to heart and profit by it, others resist or neglect it, and cleave to their old sins. Those who profit by reproof will certainly overcome. Those who despise it will perish in their sins.

Christ as an Atoning Sacrifice.

The Son of God tasted death for every man. But if one died for all, then were all under the sentence of death. The offering of Christ is made because men are sinners in the sight of God's law. Nothing, therefore, can be more evident than that Christ himself must be perfectly righteous in the sight of the law. If in him one single fault could be detected as he presented himself to die for man, his offering could not be accepted. He would indeed die, but not for others. How awful the test to which our Lord subjected himself. It was the same as saying to the law, “I come to die for sinners. See if one fault can be found in me. I subject myself to the test, knowing that if I be found faulty, I must die for my own sin.” The Son of God thus presented himself for us. Had not his life been one of perfect obedience, he could never have done this.

MICHIGAN CENTRAL RAILROAD.

GOING WEST.

LEAVE.	MAIL.	DAY EXP.	EVE. EXP.	NIGHT EX.
Detroit, ...	6:50 A.M.	7:30 A.M.	5:45 P.M.	9:30 P.M.
Battle Creek,	12:55 P.M.	10:55 A.M.	11:30 P.M.	2:08 A.M.
Chicago, Arrive,	8:05 P.M.	4:00 P.M.	6:30 A.M.	9:00 A.M.

GOING EAST.

LEAVE.	MAIL.	DAY EXP.	EVE. EXP.	NIGHT EX.
Chicago, ...	6:50 A.M.	11:30 A.M.	5:15 P.M.	9:00 P.M.
Battle Creek,	1:48 P.M.	4:34 P.M.	11:30 P.M.	3:05 A.M.
Detroit, Arrive,	7:35 P.M.	8:00 P.M.	3:45 A.M.	7:35 A.M.

THESE trains all run by Chicago time, which is fifteen minutes slower than Detroit time.

Business Department.

Not Slothful in Business. Rom. xii, 11.

RECEIPTS.

For Review and Herald.

Annexed to each receipt in the following list, is the Volume and Number of the REVIEW & HERALD to which the money received pays,—which should correspond with the Numbers on the Papers. If money for the paper is not in due time acknowledged, immediate notice of the omission should then be given.

$1.00 each. David Conover 35-15, John M Adams 32-1, S Edmonds 34-17, J W Nicholson 35-11, G H Talley 35-12, W G Bralliar 35-12, John Singleton 35-12, W H Morgan 35-12, A B Child 35-12, S Rogers 36-15.

$2.00 each. C Smalley 36-12, James Lovell 36-15, D Deveraux 36-12, M M Reucher 34-1, S E Edwards 36-1, J Dudley 36-1, C G Cherring 39-13, S M Abbott 36-13.

Miscellaneous. M Taylor 25c 35-17, A Sinn 25c 35-17, Mrs S B Johnson 50c 36-15, Nelson Clark 56 33-16, C Belden $1.50 35-1, Mary Burgess 50c 35-12, P S Stoddard 3.00, one year, 35-9, E Hamilton 2.60 34-15.

Cash Received on Account.

C O Taylor $1.04, James White 200.00, D M Canright 50c.

General Conference Missionary Fund.

Mary J Shattuck $2.00. Wisconsin and Illinois Conference 400.00.

Books Sent by Mail.

Ezra Chandler 75c, A Shumate $1.50, L S Bristol 2.24, J M Ballou 1.12, G Green 2.12, J M Lowrey 1.62, M E Brown 1.62, C O Taylor 3.24, J W Nicholson 5c, J M Adams 50c, H Thurber 22c, M M Reucher 1.10, D Boyd 22c, J W Raymond 50c, M A Packard 26c, Jacob Young 50c, George Kingman 25c, C Haffstater 45c, C Edmonds 15c, Allen Green 10c, E D Cox 20c, Mrs John Woodward 10c, S E Edwards 25c.

Foreign Missionary Fund.

Margaret Walker $5.00, J W Barker 4.00.

Benevolent Fund.

Mrs J Green $1.00.

Appointments.

And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of Heaven is at hand.

PROVIDENCE permitting, Bro. and Sr. White will be at Waterloo, Grant Co., Wis., and speak to the people in the Seventh-day Adventist meeting house on Sabbath and first-day, Oct. 16 and 17. Let there be a general gathering of our brethren and sisters from every direction,—from Iowa and Wisconsin. Bring plenty of bedding, and come in the name of the Lord. Bring your friends, that all may learn the way of the Lord more perfectly. I. SANBORN.

PROVIDENCE permitting, I will commence meeting at Hundred Mile grove, Thursday evening, Oct. 28, and continue over Sabbath and first-day. Hope for a general attendance. I will also commence a course of lectures in the town of Burns, LaCrosse Co., Wis., in compliance with the call for help from that place, in Review Vol. 34, No. 6. I will commence meetings on first-day, Nov. 7, at half-past 10, A. M., and continue as long as the interest may demand. Will some one meet me at Bangor station, Thursday evening, Oct. 4. ISAAC SANBORN.

MONTHLY meeting for October, in R. I., will be with the Exeter church, Oct. 16, 17, in the Lafayette meeting-house. It is expected one of our preachers will be there. Hours of service, 10½ A. M., 1 and 7 P. M. each day. For the brethren. F. C. RODMAN.

NO PROVIDENCE preventing, I will be with the church at Bellville, Ohio, so as to begin meetings on Thursday evening, Oct. 14, and remain over Sabbath and Sunday, and longer if the cause have need. It is earnestly requested that Bro. Jonathan Iden attend this meeting. I. D. VAN HORN.

PROVIDENCE permitting, I will meet with the church in Gaines, Sabbath, Oct. 9. JOSEPH BATES.

Report from Bro. Byington.

By John Byington

SEPT. 11 and 12, I was with the brethren in Johnstown. Here are some faithful souls, striving to overcome. Our meetings were interesting. The 25th and 26th, in Owosso. Through the labors of Brn. Smith and Littlejohn, quite a number here have come out in the truth. I have visited most of the families; they appear firm in the truth. On first-day, seven were baptized. Further steps will be taken soon for a more perfect organization of the church. In visiting them, I endeavored to persuade all to be thorough in the work of overcoming. May the blessing of the Lord be on this little flock. J. BYINGTON.

Owosso, Sept. 27, 1869.

Submission to God.

THIS is best learned in the school of affliction. When everything goes to our minds we may suppose that we are very submissive to God, when this is far from being the case. We are well pleased with the providence of God because it grants us just such things as we prefer. It is not best that we should be self-deceived. It is best that we should understand just what manner of spirit we possess. So God sends afflictions. The effect of these is to lay open our real disposition of heart. What we could never have known was hidden in our hearts now comes to the surface, and makes itself plain to our view. If there is an unsubmissive spirit, that spirit now discovers itself. The moment this appears, there is a plain duty for us to perform. We must repent. We must humble ourselves before God. We must ask for grace that shall help us to make perfect submission of our whole being to God. How rapidly should we advance in the Christian graces were this the use we make of trials. Submission to God always brings relief; sometime it brings the sweetest joy. Those that labor and are heavy laden may find rest in simply submitting their necks to the yoke of Christ. We were made for the service of God. There is no peace to the unsubmissive man. He is out of his place, and out of his element. When he finds pardon for his rebellion it is always upon condition that he submits to God. He cannot submit without giving up everything to God. Satan tells him that the Lord will take everything from him that is desirable in life. The truth is, he will take from us only that which we are better off without. Perfect submission to God is that state which we must possess in order to enter Heaven. Afflictions and trials show us whether we are thus submissive or not. The grace of God can help us to thus bow to his will. Let us seek this transforming power, and let us not receive it in vain.

Boasting of Grace’s Treasures

If you boast of your treasures of grace, you will soon be robbed.

Can I be Saved?

By JOS. CLARKE.

“He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” Matt. xxiv, 13.

Saved from the ruin of a race engulfed in sin and woe; saved from the final purifying flames, which shall consume the ungodly, and all that has been polluted by sin; saved from the wrath of an offended God; saved from the shame of an ignominious death; saved from the wreck of a fallen world.

What a salvation! To be saved from the dreadful pangs of the second death; saved from the sense of loss, which the lost will feel, with untold pangs, as they in their last agonies look upon the glorious company of the redeemed in Heaven.

Can I be saved? saved from my sins? saved from my weakness? saved from my unworthiness? Can one so unworthy have a place in the company of the redeemed? Oh, the thought of being saved! It is a precious hope.

Then, too, the results of being saved: a home in Heaven; an inheritance in the new earth; a future life of ceaseless joy, and continual improvement; a life in the presence of the Creator, whose smile is bliss, and joy unspeakable; a life in the celestial regions, among the beings and amid the scenes which holy men have tried in vain to describe, language itself being inadequate.

Can I bear to think of a failure? No. Salvation is offered. I will apply. And how comforting the thought that we may yet apply, for a little while, to God, for eternal life. JOS. CLARKE.