Earlier text: Popular Objections to the ResurrectionMercy Lingers.
By John Matteson
TȘE sun is setting. It has nearly finished its course. In majesty and glory it went forth, and ceased not to shed light and blessings upon all. It heeded not the intervening clouds, nor stopped to notice the proud and scoffing. A few more minutes and its work will be done. The night cometh. Darkness draws near. Angry clouds gather in the horizon. O night, what hast thou in store? Dark future, what wilt thou bring? We know not. But we know the night cometh, and also the morning. Yes, the sun shall once more rise. And with this cheering hope we comfort our hearts as the sun is setting. Jesus is the Sun of righteousness. Many years ago he77 ascended on high, and entered the heavenly sanctuary. In glorious majesty our great high priest commenced his ministration. Peace, grace, and mercy, clustered around his pathway. The early rain refreshed his vineyard. Jesus intercedes, and thousands of sinners become saints, and heirs of glory. Truth, as a mighty river, rolls forth, never to stop in its course till it merges into eternity. But now dark clouds intervene. Persecution rages. The trembling church must wade through 'great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world.' The man of sin sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. Satan is determined to darken entirely the sun of grace but he cannot do it. Far, far above the angry clouds Jesus intercedes, and the clouds of tribulation were never so dark that the divine rays of truth and mercy could not penetrate. The hope of the church was never extinguished. Even when they 'wandered about in sheep-skins and goat-skins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented,' they looked for a 'better resurrection.' But now Jesus' ministration is nearly finished. He has entered the 'Holiest of all.' He has drawn very near to God. Before the ark, in the awful presence and glory of Jehovah, he is still pleading for poor sinners. Around this as a center, the anxious looks of the children of Zion all gather. In the midst of wars and famines, and the noisy bustle of a busy world, his still, small voice is heard. The sanctuary is being cleansed. The books are opened. The righteous dead must stand in their lot. The Son of man has come in before the Ancient of Days. The kingdom is given to him. The wedding goes on, and soon he will return from the wedding. The sun of mercy is setting—glorious, serene. Still it lingers. Sweet mercy lingers. A few more minutes and it will sink beneath the horizon. Come, oh come! ye disconsolate. Come ye weary saints, and be refreshed before the night cometh. Work ye idle, while it is called to-day, for the night cometh when no man can work. Come poor sinner and behold this glorious sight. Also for thee doth mercy linger. Also for thee! Refuse not this last gracious call. Oh, choose not death, for why will ye die! Look to Jesus. Still he invites you. Still he is gracious. Still he bids thee look and live. The night cometh. Awful night, when there is no mediator between God and men. Terrible gloom, when the wrath of God will be poured out without mercy. Prophecy has lifted the veil. It has painted with awful colors the time of trouble such as never was. But oh, we cannot begin to realize the facts. The terrible condition of a world in despair and torment, and the awful situation of God's people when the unmixed wrath is poured out, and they only saved by a miracle; when they shall cry night and day unto God; when one single thought of murmuring would cut them off forever. When they must stand without spot or wrinkle. Oh, solemn thought! Mercy soon lingers no more. The moments of probation are fast closing. The fearful mandate will soon go forth, 'He which is filthy, let him be filthy still, and he that is holy, let him be holy still.' Yet we look beyond the night. Prophecy points beyond. 'Unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings.' We have a glorious and a living hope. This hope will sustain us in the midst of trouble. Jesus will come again. The Saviour will appear. Oh, how anxiously God's people will watch for the first rays of that rising Sun. How they will long for the first sight of the white cloud approaching. How they will gaze with joy and wonder when they behold their Beloved in the midst of ten thousand bright angels. How they will sing and leap for joy as the angels draw near to take them up in the cloud. How they will shout for joy when they shall see Jesus and be like him. Sweet mercy lingers. Brethren, may its tender notes touch your heart-strings, and awaken chords of harmony. May you drink in deep draughts from the heavenly fountain, while mercy still lingers for you. Always in Trouble.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
SOME persons are always in trouble, or discontented. If farmers, they are continually finding fault with the country, the soil of the land, the weather, the market, &c. If tradesmen, they are always losing; this man won't pay them, that man has deceived them, and the other one is trying to get his customers away from him, &c. With regard to society, their neighbors are mostly very bad persons. They are selfish, proud or quarrelsome. In the church, those discontented ones are always in trouble with some of the members. This brother don't do as he agrees, that brother has tried to cheat him, and the other one is making money too fast. Among the sisters, this one has said so and so, that one does not dress just as she ought to, &c. In a word, these persons are forever in trouble about the weather, the country, or those around them. Thus they become very miserable. Now what is the cause of all this? Others right beside them in the same circumstances get along smoothly and pleasantly and grow rich, while they are always complaining and growing poor. Others find no fault with their neighbors or with the brethren, while these are continually at variance with some of them. I once heard an observation made with regard to one of these persons, which to my mind, solves the whole difficulty. Said person had become disgusted with the climate, the land, the neighbors, &c., and was going to move west, where things were different and where he could enjoy himself. One of his neighbors very significantly observed that if he ever found such a place he would have to leave old H—— (i. e., himself) behind! Yes, there is the real origin of all this trouble; it is not in the surroundings, but it is to be found right at home, in the man himself, in his own disposition. Happiness does not grow on trees, nor can it be dug out of the earth, nor fished out of the sea; it does not depend on the climate, the soil of the land, the quality of one's clothes, or the quantity of his food. It is wholly dependent on one's own disposition, own heart. If it cannot be found there, it will never be found at all. Reader, if you are one of these troubled and troublesome persons, stop where you are and learn this wise saying, "MAN, KNOW THYSELF." A CORRESPONDENT of the Central Christian Advocate gives some fine pen-sketches of characters that are familiar to most persons. We present a few specimens: Mr. Cheatus talks also of being persecuted. Ah, he complains loudly thereat, and feels that he is an injured man. But I have found that Mr. Cheatus takes advantage of his neighbor's ignorance or necessity. When he trades, he says, "It is naught, it is naught," and straightway when he has sold an article for more than it is worth, or obtained something for less than its value, he turns to his companions and with a chuckle of delight exclaims, "Didn't I put it to him," "I guess I came it over him that time." He is careful never to assist in paying the sexton or preacher; does next to nothing toward building the church or keeping it in order; coolly avoids contributing for the purpose of the Sunday-school library; allows the collection-box to pass him with the utmost indifference and neglect, and the claims of poverty, or of the missionary cause appeal to him in vain. He seems to imagine that he has a free pass to Heaven, and that somebody else must pay his fare, and keep the road in order and meet all expenses. He wants a comfortable seat and a warm room, but is filled with indignation if called on to bear his share of the burdens. He is a dead-head on the road. He went into the vineyard not to labor, but to sit in the shade and drink the wine, and have somebody to wait on him, and keep the flies off him. He cheats his neighbors in business, and sponges his way through the church, and feels that he is persecuted when plain people express themselves in plain English, and say that he is a liar and swindler. Let them persecute and take him, and let there be none to deliver him until his soul be delivered from its degradation. Near akin to Mr. Cheatus is Mr. Gripe. He differs from Mr. Cheatus in this: He aims to be honest in all his dealings, and scrupulously endeavors to keep all his promises, excepting always the promises he made when he joined the church. He has not yet found out that it is one of the impossibilities to be stingy and be a Christian at the same time. Even in this nineteenth century he is fool enough to suppose that he can accomplish what millions have tried to do, and failed in every case. For six thousand years, not a single one has succeeded. Yet Mr. Gripe tries it with as much doggedness and self-composure as if he were sure of coming off in triumph. He prays God to bless the poor and needy, and extend his kingdom over all the earth, but takes care that he is not used as an instrument to fulfill his petitions. He has a holy horror of a sermon that calls for money, and dreads the presentation of a subscription paper, and sighs for the good old days, when a quarter of a dollar was quarterage. He advises his preacher to say nothing whatever about his salary, especially in the pulpit, as that would give his ministry the appearance of being secular, and thus weaken his influence. One of his old acquaintances from New York called to see him. It gave Mr. Gripe immense satisfaction to show him about his farm. He talked largely of its soil, his flocks and herds, his fine horses and splendid swine; and spoke with great elation of feeling, of his sagacity and success in money-making, and proudly pointed to the solid facts as proof positive of what he said. As he was engaged in the delightful task of communicating this kind of intelligence to his New York acquaintance, he held his head high, as if he were owner of all the space above him as well as the soil beneath; his words were glowing and alive. The glory of his present possessions was only surpassed by his vast expectations for the future. He swelled with enthusiasm, and was eloquent with gesticulation; he stood over much territory, and threw his feet a good way apart, and swung them about with a far-reaching and majestic sweep, making you think that he was trying to imitate the Colossus of Rhodes, or that he was a little Nebuchadnezzar, taking a triumphant survey of his rural Babylon. But while in the ecstasy of his enjoyment, a neighbor called for his aid to a benevolent project. "Mirabile dictu!" how soon Mr. Gripe grew poor! His hogs had died with cholera; the price of cattle had fallen; his crops were likely to be light, and times were hard, and sure to be harder. He was going to build a new barn; in fact, he claimed that he had been losing money. Oh! how poor he had grown in a few short hours. I have found a new application of the wise man's words, "Riches take to themselves wings and fly away." I came very near feeling sorry for him as he recounted his losses and failures, and miserable prospects. And when I looked in his face I was more troubled than ever; for he could not have looked more doleful had he at that moment expected the cholera to attack himself, family and hogs. Another brother of the Gripe family lives in the city. He does a large and thriving business, his family ride in a fine carriage, and dwell in a spacious mansion of upper-ten pretensions, and he talks of the thousands he has made in trade. All his manner of living is of the78 elegant type. He has all the signs of becoming a rich man. He acts and talks and looks like a rich man, and evidently feels rich, and wants others to feel that he is rich. But when I called upon him for help in a church enterprise, his countenance fell at the first statement of the case; the blood rushed to his head, and I was afraid that I had been guilty of bringing upon him an attack of apoplexy. I felt almost ready to apologize for making him so miserable. And before I left him I felt poor and miserable myself. For, according to his statements and the cast of his countenance, he was the poorest man in the county; and I was going to say the meanest, but I will not say that. He is periodically tormented with the irrepressible conflict of a desire to appear respectably liberal, and a dread of the expense. I never want to ask his pecuniary help to a worthy enterprise again. I would rather visit the hospital and run the risk of being attacked with all the diseases there, from the measles to the small-pox. Whenever I am beset with an intolerable bore, who is a compound of dunce, dignity and persistence, I send him to Mr. Gripe, if possible; he'll paralyze him. Yet Mr. Gripe complains of being persecuted because every body knows that no man can be a Christian without having his liberality enlarged, without a soul of expanded benevolence. He feels that he is persecuted by the vulgar world because it calls him "Old Tight-fist," "Old Skin-flint." This is natural persecution. The Dignity of Discipleship
The saint is greater than the sage, and discipleship to Jesus is the pinnacle of human dignity. Report from Bro. Blanchard.
By H. C. Blanchard
BRO. WHITE. Pursuant to appointment I met with the friends in McLean Co., Ill., Dec. 8. Preached six times, and visited several families. Two were baptized. May the Lord bless them and they continue faithful until he comes. There are about twenty Sabbath-keepers here pressing together, waiting for organization. We were glad to find Bro. Slown, their leader, maintaining a strait-forward consistent course. These meetings will be a bright spot in the history of our pilgrimage. Thursday, the 14th, started for my appointments in Coles Co., Ill. The cars made such bad connections, that I did not reach my first meeting. The team that was waiting for me at Mattoon Station, had given me up and gone home. So I had to stay all night. Sabbath, 16th, walked twelve miles and carried my valise to the neighborhood where the meetings were appointed. Had four meetings. Sunday evening the house was crowded. Spoke from Jer. viii, 22. At the close of the meeting some earnestly requested me to preach longer; but my mind was to go further south. The Sabbath-keepers have all moved away from here but one family. Jacob Butcher and family have removed to parts unknown leaving some of his creditors unpaid. Let the friends be on their guard. This gives the enemy a club to battle with, but the truth will take root in the hearts of the honest. There were some friends here from Lawrence Co., who gave me an invitation to go and preach to them. I accepted the invitation. They helped me on my journey "after a godly sort." Tuesday, the 19th, started for Lawrence Co. expecting to preach some more in Coles Co., on my way home. Arrived in Sumner, Wednesday the 20th, where I met with a warm reception by the friends. Found no difficulty in obtaining the Disciple meeting-house to hold meetings in. Held eleven meetings in the meeting house, the congregation increasing all the time. Sunday, the 31st, spoke upon the Sabbath from Mark ii, 27. Continued the same subject in the evening. At the close of the meeting I requested all who thought Sunday was the Sabbath and was binding by divine authority to rise. Not one in the house rose. I then called for all who thought that the Seventh-day was binding to rise. Ten rose. The friends without my solicitation raised a collection for me. I also sold several dollars' worth of books. I had made up my mind to start back north, but on Monday, Jan. 1st, some of the members of the Disciple church persuaded me to stay longer. I therefore appointed meetings to commence in their church again, Thursday the 4th. Tuesday, the 2d, preached in a school-house four miles from the church. House full. Appointed meeting for Wednesday evening, but late in the afternoon I received a telegraphic dispatch stating that two of my children were dangerously sick. I accordingly started for home, where I arrived Friday morning at two o'clock. Found my children better. They are still mending. To God be all the praise. Have received a letter from Lawrence Co. since I came home. They request me to return as soon as I can, offering to meet expenses, &c. May the word spoken fall on good ground and bring forth fruit to the glory of God. Princeville, Jan. 21, 1866. The Blessed Hope.
By L. E. MILLNE
"AND every man that hath this hope in him, purificth himself even as he is pure." Oh this blessed hope! which we have, who are looking for the glorious appearing of our Lord and Saviour. Does it not cause us to walk softly before the Lord, and to keep our hearts with all diligence to see that all unsightly occupants, such as selfishness, love of the world and the pride of life, are wholly banished, and our hearts made fit temples for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit? Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. How shall we purify our hearts, except we obey the truth, and walk in all the commandments of the Lord blameless? Are we striving from day to day to cultivate all the graces that are in Christ Jesus, that we be not barren nor unfruitful in the Lord? He that hath this hope purifieth himself even as he is pure. Oh, what a great work have we to do! and how short the time allotted us! What we do must be done quickly; for a short work will the Lord make upon the earth. Oh, the power that Satan is exerting to keep us in ignorance of our real situation in the sight of God! There is no safety in these perilous times, only in living by faith on the Son of God. The Lord is more willing to give the Holy Spirit to those that ask, than earthly parents are to give good gifts to their children. How much more we need the Spirit to lead and guide us in the narrow way that leads to life eternal! Oh, let us seek to overcome every fault, that we may be hid in the day of his fierce anger, and be bright and shining lights as we walk in the midst of this perverse generation. The solemn times in which we live should admonish us to awake, to arouse from the lethargy that Satan is trying to throw around us. We need a daily experience in order to be shielded from the fiery darts of Satan. Oh, what a merciful High Priest have we, who knows all our infirmities, who was tempted in all points like unto us, yet without sin, and is ever ready to hear the cries of his children. Then let us seek to draw nearer the Lord with full assurance of faith knowing that if any lack wisdom he will give liberally and upbraid not. Oh, what exceeding great and precious promises are given unto us, that by these we might become partakers of the divine nature. Let us claim them as ours, and go forward in the strength of the Lord and overcome every error; for the Lord will have a pure people. Let us ever have respect unto the recompense of reward, and endure as seeing Him who is invisible, knowing that in due time we shall reap, if we faint not. This is our time for labor, but by and by will come rest, sweet rest, for our weary souls. There remaineth a rest for the children of God, and oh how sweet will be that rest to the tired and weary saints. Let us look forward with joy to the time when the lovely Jesus will come with power, and great glory, with all his holy angels to gather his faithful ones; who have endured every test, and have the seal of God in their foreheads. Oh what a glorious shout there'll be,
When we arrive at home,
Our friends, and Jesus we shall see,
And God will say, well done. A Response.
By L. M. Gates
BRO. ALDRICH : Responsive to your note in Review No. 7, I would say that it is my wish that the $10,000 which I sent Bro. White at Dansville, should be used expressly for the benefit of himself and family, and I decidedly object to having any different disposition made of it from that for which it was originally intended. I am well aware that the unjust cry of "speculation," which has been so cruelly raised against Bro. White, has had a tendency to make him over-sensitive on this point; but this is no good reason why he should do injustice to himself and his family. Doubtless some will raise the cry of extravagance in the present instance; but the disaffected will be forever finding fault about something, and just as long as Bro. and Sr. White continue to occupy the position they have heretofore filled—under God—just so long will they be signal marks for the vengeance of the enemy. Bro. and sister White live in the hearts of the Advent people—when they are in affliction we consider it a pleasure to minister to them and thus to fulfill the injunction, "Bear ye one another's burdens." Most of us have been denied the privilege of ministering to Bro. White personally so far during his sickness. Did he object to receiving the kind ministrations of his brethren and sisters at Battle Creek? Then why does he deny those to whom he is equally dear, abroad, the satisfaction of ministering to him pecuniarily, since they cannot do it otherwise? Why need he cripple his small means, when we would so gladly contribute a mite, each, of our abundance, which we should never feel? How often has Bro. White cramped himself, in years past, to help others? It is more blessed to give than to receive. Does Bro. White want all the blessing of giving? or must we get our blessing by giving to some other worthy object, but not to him? Others may not have the audacity to speak as plainly as I have done; still I am confident that our people generally would much rather Bro. White should retain their respective donations, than bestow them otherwise. I am not in the habit of dictating to those in authority and therefore hope for pardon for this one transgression. Yours truly, L. M. GATES.
Beaver Dam, Wis., Jan. 25, 1866. We were examining our wardrobe after the summer, and found to our surprise and grief, many of our choicest articles of apparel sadly damaged by the moths. In the midst of our trouble, and the discussion as to the best modes of protection against moths, which had been handed down by tradition, aunt Julia came in. "Aunt Julia, how do you keep your winter clothing from the moths?" we both asked eagerly, as that good lady proceeded to lay aside her handsome shawl which looked as fresh as ever, after seven years' wear. "I used to suffer from moths as much as any one once," replied Aunt Julia, taking her knitting from her little basket, and sitting down; "but I found a recipe in an old-fashioned book which has relieved me of much solicitude on the subject. It was many years before I could be persuaded to try it. In my young days money was not quite as plenty as now, but provisions were cheap, and a farmer's daughter began her married life better supplied with linen, blankets and bed-quilts, than many a jewel-bedecked city belle. As I was an only daughter, and was not married too young, a noble pile of blankets, feather-beds, bed-quilts, &c., became my portion. For many years after we removed to the city, I used to dread my summer work of airing beds, and packing very fine home-made blankets, and quilts stuffed with the finest down. I tried snuff, tobacco, camphor, pepper, and cedar chips, and yet as we changed our place of residence several times, some colony of moths, old squatters among the beams of the garret, or in some unobserved scrap of woolen cloth, would perforate tiny holes in my choicest possessions." "Why, Aunt Julia, I thought you had a cedar-closet." "Yes, when we moved into our new house; but by that time my closet was too small for my increased wealth, and till I used this recipe, I seldom passed a year79 without some moth holes, but now I have not seen one in nine years." "What was it Aunt? Have you the book? or can you repeat it from memory? It is too late to save these things, but I will write it down, and try it next Spring." So saying, Anna took out her little recipe book and pencil, while Aunt Julia prepared to recall the moth preventive. The book was an old one with the title obliterated, and title page torn out by some careless child, but the directions were these: "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt." "But lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal." "O! Aunt Julia, is that all? How does that help the matter?" "Wait, Anna, and hear my story out. One day as I was mourning over my choicest blankets, eaten by the moths, and airing my down bed-quilts, and feather-beds, which had been rendered obsolete by the introduction of spring mattresses, as I stood ready to cry with vexation to see my choicest articles eaten in the most conspicuous places, as you have experienced to-day, my eye rested on an old Bible, which lay on the top of a barrel of pamphlets in the garret. I opened it, and almost unconsciously read the recipe for avoiding moths which I have given you to-day. I then recollected that they seldom troubled the clothing in frequent use, and that the articles which caused me so much care were not needed twice a year. I then thought of Sophy Baker, with her large family and sick husband. They had been burned out the Spring before and were just entering upon a cold, long winter of poverty. I sat down, and writing her a note, sent two feather-beds and four blankets, and an old-fashioned 'coverlid,' that very day; and two more blankets I despatched to a poor old rheumatic neighbor, whose destitution had never occurred to me before. I then began to breathe freely; and before another week two more blankets were gone to comfort tired limbs and aching hearts. The cast-off coats, cloaks, and old pieces of carpeting which had long lain in my garret were given to the deserving poor. A bag of woolen stockings, and socks which had been kept for cleaning brass were sent to a charity institution, never again to become a temptation to the moths. I inquired particularly the next year, and found the beds and blankets were in such excellent preservation, that I cheerfully laid up more of my surplus property 'in Heaven,' and out of the way of moth and mould. My cedar closet and trunks hold all I wish to preserve, and when they begin to run over, I commit more articles to the keeping of my widowed and fatherless acquaintances." "But Aunt Julia, yours is a peculiar case. You had the home-made outfit of a rich farmer's daughter, and could not expect to make use of it; besides, the Bible don't encourage wasting our goods extravagantly." "I do think the Bible leans to what is called the extravagant side. The rest of the chapter following the verse I have quoted gives little encouragement to much forethought, either in food or raiment, and in another place says, 'He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none.' This rule leaves little to pack away in a cedar closet. In my opinion God's providence is far from encouraging extensive accumulation either of money or possessions, especially among Christians. — Fire and flood, drought, mildew and moth stand ready to rebuke that spirit of covetousness which the Lord abhorreth." "Surely, Aunt Julia, you wouldn't have me give away the new furs you gave me yourself last winter." "No, my child; but let us examine for a moment this moth-eaten pile. — Here are three coats of your husband's which he never could wear again." "Those are for fishing, Aunt." "How often does he fish?" "Once in four or five years, perhaps," said Anna, looking slightly discomfited. "Well, here is a bag of outgrown, shrunken socks and stockings, and these old dresses of Ada's, and those overcoats of the boys' that I heard you say were unfit for wear, even on the play-ground; and besides I think you remarked that the whole difficulty originated in an old carpet, which has been harboring moths many years, when it might have been out of harm's way upon some poor widow's floor." "Well, Aunt, I believe you are half right." "Try my rule, Anna, not after your property is ruined, but when you find you can spare it—even at the risk of sending some of your treasure to Heaven before you have obtained all you could from its use. Many an old garret have I known to be infested with moths, ruining hundreds of dollars' worth of valuable articles, when the whole evil might be traced to an old coat, or carpet, selfishly or carelessly withheld from the poor. We are God stewards, and our luxuries are not given us to feed a 'covetousness which is idolatry;' but are talents which may be increased ten times before the great day of final account. When people ask me how to prevent moths, I always long to say, 'Lay up your treasures in Heaven;' because I have found from experience it is a sure and convenient way." "Well, Aunt, I own I never thought much about it before as a matter of Christian duty. I will try before another year, to confine my case to the articles I need, and I shall hope for better success." AIR.—"Rose of the Mohawk Valley." How sweet are the tidings that greet the pilgrim's ear,
As he wanders in exile from home;
Soon, soon will the Saviour in glory appear,
And soon will the kingdom come. CHORUS. He's coming, coming, coming soon I know,
Coming back to this earth again;
And the weary saints will to glory go,
When the Saviour comes to reign. The mossy old graves where the pilgrims sleep,
Shall be opened as wide as before;
And the millions that sleep in the mighty deep
Shall live on this earth once more. There we'll meet all our loved ones in our Eden home,
Sweet songs of redemption we'll sing; [come,
From the north, from the south all the ransomed shall
And worship our heavenly King. Hallelujah amen, hallelujah again,
In a little while we all shall be there,
Oh, be faithful, be hopeful, be joyful till then,
And a crown of bright glory we'll wear. A Little Time of Peace.
By H. T. Phelps
A SHORT time since, the cry of war resounded over our land, and multitudes left home and friends, to defend their country against hordes of armed rebels. The thunder of the cannon and the roar of battle was heard in all its grandeur; brothers stood in battle array, and steel clashed to steel. What terrible carnage followed! What heroic, manly suffering! Death followed in all its horrid forms, in the field, in the camp, and in the hospital. Almost every household was called to mourn, if not for a first-born, for one perhaps as near: for father, brother, son, or a friend. War went on till it seemed to threaten the peace of God's people, and the progress of his truth. At this point came the prayer to hold the four winds, "that they should not hurt the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads." How signally was the prayer of God's people heard at that time. How soon peace with her balmy wings hovered over our land. War ceased. Armies disbanded. Friends long absent returned to greet loved ones at home. Peace has returned, but how long to stay we cannot tell. We know it is but a little time. The sealing time is speeding on. Satan is at work. He is anticipating. He is doing all he can to get the unwary into his snares. Are we awake? Now there is little time given us to work. Shall we improve it? Are we laboring for our own soul's salvation, and the salvation of those around us? Are we preparing for the mighty struggle that is just before us? May the Lord help us to realize these things as we ought, and be up and doing, that we may have our work well done. FEMALE loveliness never appears to so great an advantage as when set off with simplicity of dress. No artist ever decks his angels with towering feathers and gaudy jewelry, and our dear human angels, if they would make good their title to that name, should carefully avoid ornaments which properly belong to Indian squaws and African princesses. These tinselries may serve to give effect on the stage, or upon a ball-room floor, but in daily life there is no substitute for the charms of simplicity. A vulgar taste is not to be disguised by gold and diamonds. The absence of a true taste and refinement of delicacy, cannot be compensated for by the possession of the most princely fortune. Mind measures gold, but gold cannot measure mind. Through dress, the mind may be read; as through the delicate tissue the lettered page. A modest woman will dress modestly; a really refined and intellectual, will bear the marks of careful selection and faultless taste. WHEN speaking of the annual report of the Metropolitan Police Commissioners in New York City, the editor of the Daily Herald, Jan. 6th, 1866, says:— “Although prepared for an unusually extensive budget of criminal statistics, we confess that we are astonished and startled at many of the revelations contained in the document. It appears that the number of arrests for offences of all grades, amounted to the enormous number of sixty-eight thousand eight hundred and seventy-three, or about fourteen thousand more than the previous year. Crimes of violence toward the person have increased in a still greater ratio, the total number being nine hundred and ninety-five, against six hundred and twenty-four in 1864. . . . The report shows that there are twelve hundred “daughters of perdition” in the concert saloons, and that there exists in this city and Brooklyn the fearful number of ten thousand places where intoxicating drinks are sold, over eight thousand of which are unlicensed. The License law and the Excise law are nearly inoperative. . . . Bad and dangerous as the tenement houses are for habitations, it appears there are others which are worse. In one precinct there are sixty places, or dens, where the wretched poor, the criminals and depraved resort to lodge, paying from ten to fifteen cents per night for miserable accommodations. These places are chiefly in cellars, with naked stone or brick walls, damp and decayed floors, without beds or bedding fit for human beings. These dens are filthy beyond description, overflowing with vermin and infested by rats. In these hideous places are packed nightly an average of six hundred persons—men, women and children—white and black sleeping promiscuously together, without regard to family relation, and exhibiting less of the impulses of decency than the brute creation. They consist of drunken wretches, male and female beggars, rag-pickers of the poorer sort, sneak thieves, juvenile pimps, ragged and drunken prostitutes, and others of the same vile class. In the course of this revolting record of crime, vice and immorality, we observe the statement that certain laws and ordinances are not enforced because the justices are dependent for their places upon the very offenders they are called upon to punish.” True Prayer Requires a Holy Heart
By Leighton
God heareth the heart without the mouth, but never heareth the mouth acceptably without the heart. Your prayer is odious hypocrisy, mocking God, and taking his name in vain, when you utter petitions for the coming of his kingdom and the doing of his will, and yet hate holiness in your heart. This is lying unto God, and flattering him with your lips, but no true prayer; and so God takes it. How grossly do you delude yourselves, who make your hearts dens of pride, filthy lust, malice and envy, and thousands of vanities, and yet think to find a corner in them to lodge Christ too! Truly, you would both straitlen him in room, and give him very bad neighbors. No, they that think not a whole heart too little for him, shall never enjoy him.—Leighton Sister E. Eaton writes from Whitewater, Wis. : I often ask myself the question, Shall I be among the redeemed? Yes, if I hold fast and overcome. When I look at myself and see what an unworthy being I am, I almost despair. When I think that Jesus says, "Be of good cheer, I have overcome," I take new courage, and press forward. My trials seem great at times. Temptation thickens. I cry unto Jesus, and he helps me. In his strength we can do all things. Oh, let us love him more and wheresoever he has a mind to lead us, let us go without murmuring. I love to read the letters that come through the Review. May it continue to warn us all of the dangers of a lukewarm state. Let us be on our watch. The peace and safety cry is going forth. Let us be more of one mind, united, and zealous in trying to obey God, and setting a godly example before others. My heart goes out with love to those that are trying so to live. Bro. L. H. Roberts writes from Deerfield, Jan. 1866 : Dear brethren and sisters, I have been reading your testimonies in the Review, and feel happy in the hope that I shall one day see you, with all the redeemed, in the kingdom of the Father. Oh glorious thought! The joys of Heaven, where there will be no sorrow, no tears, no parting, and blessed be God, there'll be no death there. Who would not strive to gain that rest? Who would not give up the few fleeting joys of earth to gain that happy land? What a reward an eternity of rest for the few short days of obedience here below. I am still trying to do my Master's will, to obtain that reward that is laid up for them that fear the Lord and keep his commandments. DIED, in Lovett's Grove, Wood Co. Ohio, Nov. 20, 1865, of bilious lung fever and whooping cough, Willie, son of Wm. and B. Avery, aged 5 years, 7 months, and 10 days. Words of encouragement by Bro. O. Mears. DIED, in Irasburgh, Vt., Dec. 13, 1865, Sr. Betsey Benson, aged 70 years. About four years since, Sr. Benson had a somewhat severe shock of the palsy; from which she measurably recovered, but from that time she suffered much physically and mentally, till she fell asleep. Sr. B. was among the first in Vt. who embraced the Sabbath of the Bible under the third message. She loved the present truth. DIED, in New Haven, N. Y., May 16, 1865, sister Caroline T., wife of Norman Mack, in the 47th year of her age. Sister M. possessed a kind and generous heart, and was ever ready to share another's woe, and sympathize with the sorrowing. An invalid husband and two daughters are left, who deeply mourn the loss of a consistent and faithful wife and mother. She fell asleep in bright hope of victory and immortality when the Life-giver comes.