BRO. SMITH: I have often felt a desire to write and inform the brethren how I was getting along in the present truth. I would say that I firmly believe that the past Advent movement was of God, and marked the time of the judgment-hour cry, the cleansing of the Sanctuary, and the closing up of the prophetic periods. I believe also that we are living under the Third Angel's Message, and that the time hasteth when it will go with a loud cry. I feel deeply interested in the Review, and the truths which it advocates. It cheers my heart, and encourages me on my way. There has been a protracted effort in this vicinity for about eight weeks, commenced by the Methodists, who reported from fifty to one hundred conversions, and now continued by the Baptists at Mt. Vernon, where the work of conversion moves off rapidly. I have attended these meetings some. The preaching is mostly confined to faith and repentance. They tell the sinner that he is a transgressor of the law of God, but do not define the law; that he is justly condemned, and without repentance toward God and faith in Christ, he must forever perish; but I heard nothing of present truth, unless it were a discourse founded on Rev. i, 7. "Behold he cometh with clouds," &c., from which the minister argued that Christ was to come again sometime in the future, to gather all nations, both the living and the dead, in one mighty congregation; that the Jewish council and the Roman soldiery who condemned and executed the sentence of death against Christ, would be there at that time, and wail because of him; that then the parable of the sheep and the goats would be fulfilled. Brethren in the present truth can see how this view agrees with the work of the High Priest in the heavenly Sanctuary: the blotting out of the sins of his people, the closing up of probation, the pouring out of the seven last plagues, the coming of Christ on the white cloud, the resurrection of the righteous dead, the changing of the righteous living, &c.
My mind has been deeply exercised in respect to these meetings. It does seem as though the Lord has been with the people, but how to reconcile it with present truth I did not at first know; but I have concluded that two ends will be answered by this movement: first, some will be brought to believe in Christ that will finally hear and believe the Third Angel's Message and stand on Mt. Zion; while secondly, the power of the two-horned beast will be greatly strengthened. What argument could be brought to bear against present truth like this? "Why," say they, "the Lord has been blessing the churches abundantly; and if they are Babylon, as you say, would he bless them so? I take this as an argument that your application is wrong;" and thus they will reject present truth altogether, and unite to make the image of the beast, and enforce its worship and its mark.
O brethren of present truth, I feel more than ever the necessity of lifting up our voice like a trumpet, and warning the world of the approaching scenes of the seven last plagues, and the coming of the Son of man.
Yours hoping for the kingdom.
R. J. LAWRENCE.
Oakland, Mich., Feb. 24th, 1858.
Preparing Through Trials
By Lovisa Horr
From Sister Horr.
BRO. SMITH: Separated as I am from the dear people of God, I am thankful for the privilege of bearing testimony to the precious truths that have so often feasted my soul. I still feel a sweet and heavenly union with the saints, although I have not the privilege of meeting with them on God's holy Sabbath as I once had. In weakness and trembling I am striving to overcome the world and all my besetting sins, and also to obtain the gold tried in the fire, the white raiment and the eye-salve, that I may be thoroughly prepared to endure the perils of the last days upon which we have already entered. I want the true charity that never faileth. Without it I am nothing.
It would rejoice my heart if I could see some of the dear brethren and sisters here. Sickness and sorrow, trials and afflictions, have been my lot since I came to this western country; but the Lord is very good to me, he hath done all things well. He is my rock and my fortress, my high tower and my deliverer. I want to trust in him. We shall have to learn, if we have not already, that the way to the kingdom of heaven lies through tribulation; but Jesus has trod the rough pathway before us. I want to suffer with him that I may at last reign with him. I would not climb up any other way. Said Jesus, I am the door: by me if any man enter in he shall be saved, and shall go in and out and find pasture. The way that leads to life is very strait and narrow, but none too strait. It is just right.
I want to be remembered by the dear people of God in my loneliness here. I feel very thankful to my kind Father in heaven, and also to his children, that I can have the Review to read, which is a great comfort to me, and I prize it very highly. As to myself, I have nothing that I can call my own. I sometimes feel very lonely, but I keep hoping on that the Lord will send some of his faithful servants this way to give the last message of mercy to this people. There are precious souls here that need the truth, and there are those that want to hear. We are twelve miles east of Fond du lac.
Yours in hope of eternal life at the resurrection of the just. LOVISA HORR.
Forest, Wis., March 4th, 1858.
J. E. TITUS
By J. E. Titus
From Bro. Titus.
BRO. SMITH: There is quite an interest in this place in favor of the Lord's Sabbath. Two men have acknowledged themselves fully tested, yet claim that they are for the present bound. If they cut loose, I think others will follow. Our foes are all awake. Ridicule is heaped upon the honest "truth-seeker," the usual slanders against the "Millerites," retailed, and finally the "divine origin of the First-day Sabbath," is made the test, in admitting members into the only church in this vicinity, where they have regular preaching. I was told that two were thus admitted last Sunday, one an Irish Catholic, and without even a pretended conversion at that.
I am endeavoring to get right, so that my influence may tell more on the side of truth. I find that I have much time to redeem. Were it not for such passages as Joel ii, 32; Rev. xxii, 17; Isa. i, 18, I should have little hope. My hope is in the Lord, who in great mercy brought me into the present truth. I shall let my feeble light shine, but it is evident we shall need help soon. We may be found four miles north-east of Leslie village.
Yours in the "little while."
J. E. TITUS
Leslie, Mich., March 11th, 1858.
P. S. Since writing the above one of the two I spoke of has decided for the truth. J. E. T.
Encouragement in the Third Angel’s Message
By Jeremiah Walter
From Bro. Walter.
BRO. SMITH: About one year since myself and wife embraced the Third Angel's Message, and I am glad in God that I had an ear to hear and a heart to obey the truth. When I look back I can see that I have made many crooked paths since then; but the Lord has met with us when around the family altar, and in secret, and I feel to praise him for all his mercy and his goodness to me. I can truly say that the Lord is good; and when I throw myself wholly upon his promise I find relief to my weary soul, and feel to say with David, "I will praise the Lord while I have breath."
I believe that the Lord is working for his people, but I would that we realized more the worth of souls, were more humble at the feet of Jesus, had more of His Spirit, and love for his cause and his appearing. Methinks that more of the power of God would then rest upon us, and we should not have to spend all our bodily strength in proclaiming the truth; but the honest in heart would come out and take right hold of the work. O that we may bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in the Lord's house, and prove him therewith, if he will not open the windows of heaven and pour us out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it. I feel to take new courage, for I believe that the Lord is hearing our prayers, and that he will add to the little flock here such as shall be saved. Prejudice is giving way with many in this place, and I believe that if some messenger could come this way there are some that would come out and keep all the commandments of God.
JEREMIAH WALTER.
Watson, Mich., March 2d, 1858.
Waiting Upon the Lord
By Emily L. Derby
From Sister Derby.
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: The following language of the Psalmist well expresses my mind: "I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. Truly my soul waiteth upon God; from him cometh my salvation. He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer. My help cometh from the Lord, who made heaven and earth."
O how good the Lord is to those that put their trust in him. He never will leave nor forsake them. Earthly friends may forsake, but he is "the same yesterday, to-day and forever." I do feel to praise the Lord for the glorious light that illumines the pathway of the remnant, and it will shine more and more unto the perfect day. Surely the Lord does manifest himself unto his people as he does not unto the world; and if ever there was a people that were under obligation to love the Lord with all the heart, they are those that he is doing so much for, it is the people that are expecting him to shelter them from the storm that is soon coming on all the unrighteous.
Dear brethren and sisters, let us awake to righteousness, let us strive for an abundant entrance into the holy city, and let us remember that they only can enter who have pure hearts and clean hands.
Your unworthy sister striving to overcome and lay up treasure in heaven. EMILY L. DERBY.
Perry's Mills, Feb. 23d, 1858.
Seven Years Keeping the Sabbath
By E. Chapman
From Sister Chapman.
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: It is seven years since I with my family began to keep the Sabbath of the Lord, and I can truly say the Lord has been kind to us, and a present help in every time of need. The Lord has been our great Physician in sickness. We have never asked his aid in vain. O, the Lord is good to those that put their trust in him. I have never for one moment felt willing to give up the Sabbath and go back into the church. When I enlisted under the banner of the Lord to keep his commandments, I enlisted for life. Brethren and sisters, let us keep in the strait and narrow path that leads to eternal life.
I often think of our dear brethren that used to come and preach the glad news of the kingdom to us here in Alden. We feel as though we were almost forsaken now, but there are a few here yet trying to prepare themselves for the coming of the Lord. It is nearly three years since any of the messengers of the Lord have been here. We feel very anxious that some of them should come here and preach again. We have been thinking Bro. Waggoner would come on his way home from Wisconsin. We live two miles and a half north-east from Harvard depot on the Chicago, St. Paul and Fond du lac Railroad.
Your sister in hope of eternal life.
E. CHAPMAN.
Alden, Ills., March, 1858.
Embracing Present Truth
By Editor
Bro. Wm. E. Whitney writes from Leslie, Mich., March 12th, 1858: "I have for a long time been investigating the doctrine of present truth, and have at length made the decision in its favor, yet I want help. I have been for a long time trying to preach what is now called gospel; but trying myself by the light of the present truth I find I am poor and miserable, blind and naked; but by the grace of God I am resolved to obtain the crown. I want the prayers of God's people that I fall not out by the way. I want you to send me the Review."
DR. JOHNSON ON PREACHING.
I talked of preaching, and of the great success which those called Methodists have obtained. Johnson answered, “Sir it is owing to their expressing themselves in a plain, familiar manner, which is the only way to do good to the common people, and which clergymen of genius and learning ought to do from a principle of duty, when it is suited to their congregations—for which they will be praised by men of sense. To insist against drunkenness as debasing reason, the noblest faculty of man, would be of no service to the common people; but to tell them that they may die in a fit of drunkenness, can not fail to make an impression.”—Boswell’s Life of Johnson.
Christian Contentment in Christ
As Noah's dove found no footing but in the ark, so a Christian finds no contentment but in Christ.
Whenever you feel your wants, remember that God waits to be gracious.
Follow the Lord and the directions of his word, wherever they may lead you.
Meetings in Mich.
By M. E. Cornell
Bro. Smith: According to appointment we met with the church at Caledonia, and found brethren assembled from Grand Rapids and Vergennes. All seemed to rejoice in the truth. The social meetings were cheering, especially the one in which sixty testimonies were given mostly to the point. We felt called upon to speak from the Scriptures on the duty of parents' drawing up the reins of family government, which seemed to be received by the majority, and we hope that all Sabbath-keepers will be willing to learn and do their whole duty. Also a plain testimony on the filthy, idolatrous, worldly and self-dishonoring practice of chewing or smoking tobacco. Several resolved to purge out this old leaven and be clean every whit. We pray that all who expect soon to be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, may realize that they would not have time then to throw away the pipe or the quid, but that God requires us to do all in our power towards a spiritual, and incorruptible body here, and he will complete the rest instantaneously when Christ comes.
On our way to Green Bush we passed through Bowne. The brethren sent out an appointment, and in the evening the house was filled. Here we had freedom in looking over the waymarks of prophecy, and the evidences for a Sabbath reform. An intelligent lady, the wife of a missionary, arose at the close of the meeting and confessed the truth, and obtained some books to send to her husband in New Mexico. May the Lord bring him into the clear light, and make him useful in the last message of mercy to all nations. This was a good meeting. The church there appears to be rising.
At Green Bush I could not give more than five discourses on account of weakness of my lungs. Here we found a very unpleasant state of things. Some were running too fast, and others too slow. Jealousies had crept in, and a general lack of Christian feeling and fellowship was the result. At a meeting appointed for the purpose, the necessity of charity and union was presented with good effect. Hearts were softened under the power of truth, and some confessions made, but we feel that a still greater work must be done. O what a general lack of humility and meekness! Where is apostolic simplicity? O that we may soon see a general seeking after this lost jewel. "Seek meekness, it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord's anger." O when will we comprehend the full import and importance of these words!
At Tyrone, we had a large attendance until the roads became so bad that many could not come. The friends of truth there seemed to be revived, and resolved to obey the strait testimony. Here we were happy to meet with Bro. Lawrence, who greatly assisted in word and doctrine. Many in the vicinity round about are inquiring after the truth that heretofore would not hear. There seems to be a general increasing interest to hear on religious subjects. Is not the Lord preparing the people for the loud voice of the last message? There has not been such a general revival influence abroad since 1843-4.
If it be true that the Spirit of God is moving upon the people and inclining them to hear the truth, how important that messengers of truth should speed on their way; and books and papers be scattered far and wide, that all who have ears to hear, or eyes to see, may understand the truth. There is a famine for hearing on religious subjects, and if they do not have the true light, their minds may be darkened and poisoned with error. The harvest is truly great, and the laborers few. But the work is the Lord's and will be accomplished speedily.
If one little tract of 16 pages left in an entirely new field was the means of ten conversions to the Sabbath truth, fifty tracts, costing as many cents, might be the means of five hundred conversions, if properly scattered and followed up by earnest prayers. If we have the knowledge of the truth, and of the best means to advance it, let us pray for a corresponding zeal. It is time we all awake and cry earnestly for the arm of the Lord to be revealed.
M. E. Cornell. Rochester, March 17th, 1858
Report of Gilboa Conference.
By T. J. Butler
Our Conference of March 6th and 7th has concluded. We had a liberal attendance both of brethren and those of the world, and we trust that good has been accomplished, believers strengthened and established, and the candid aroused to reflection, and induced to investigate, as the noble Bereans, to see whether these things be so.
Brother and sister White were with us. They appeared to have some freedom, and bore a testimony, pointed, lucid, and conclusive to the great truths of the Bible, relating to present time and present duty; and though the message to the Laodiceans is applicable to us, yet I am confident that many of our dear little company have got some knowledge of their emptiness and poverty, some estimate of the great work to be accomplished, and are arousing to a redoubling of their diligence, and striving to obtain the white raiment, gold tried in fire, and eye-salve, that they may see.
We are also striving to get on the whole armor of God, so that we may fight the good fight of faith, and finally lay hold on eternal life. O may the Lord enable his dear people every where to have their loins girt about with truth, to have the hope of salvation for a helmet to protect their minds from the sophistries of all Babylonian prophets, the breast-plate of righteousness to protect their vitals, the shield of faith to quench all the fiery darts of the enemy, otherwise they will fall upon the field with the poisoned arrows of Satan's malignant archers cankering their wounds. Press forward, dear friends towards the mark for the prize of your high calling, remembering the consoling promise left on record for your encouragement, " In due season we shall reap if we faint not."
At a business meeting of the brethren on Monday, it was unanimously resolved that the Gilboa brethren cooperate with the brethren at Green Spring, Milan, and other places in Ohio, in support of the cause for the present season.
That $300 should be raised to defray the expenses of a tent and laboring brethren, and that we solicit the church at Battle Creek, Mich., to send us at least one able and efficient messenger to go with the Ohio tent. A tent committee was then appointed as follows: Ira Harmon, of Gilboa, Samuel Edwards, of Turkeyfoot, and J. Clarke, of Portage. After the business meeting on Monday we repaired to the river side, where we enjoyed the privilege of commemorating the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord, the three great gospel facts set forth by Peter on Pentecost, in the administration of baptism to those who showed forth works meet for repentance, and who desire having done all to stand entire at last.
T. J. BUTLER.
Gilboa, March 10th, 1858.
General Conference.
By James White, J. N. Loughborough,; J. B. Frisbie
THE Church at Battle Creek assembled on the evening of the 22d, voted that there should be a General Conference in Battle Creek this Spring, that Elds. James White, J. N. Loughborough and J. B. Frisbie be a Committee to call the Conference through the ADVENT REVIEW, and that it should be held May 21-24. Particular notice next week.
James White,
J. N. Loughborough,
J. B. Frisbie, } Conference
} Committee.
Doings of the Conference at Green Spring, Ohio, March 1st, 1858.
By Jesse Dorcas
Conference opened by appointing Eld. James White to the chair, and J. Dorcas, secretary.
First item of business introduced was the past tent operations. After some deliberation it was determined to waive for the present all past claims or considerations, and introduce immediately the tent enterprise for the coming Summer. When upon motion of Bro. G. W. Holt, to put the Ohio tent in motion as soon as practicable, there was a unanimous vote given to sustain it. It was also unanimously agreed upon by the conference to raise an Ohio tent fund to the amount of $300, for the purpose of defraying current expenses.
On motion of Bro. Hardesty, delegate from Gilboa, that a committee of two be appointed to act as tent committee for this portion of the field, to act in connection with committees that may be appointed by the Gilboa conference; whereupon J. Tillotson and J. Dorcas were chosen, whose duty it shall be to raise by subscription or otherwise, their portion of the $300.
A suggestion was laid before the conference respecting the propriety of calling for ministerial help from abroad; when after an appropriate address by Bro. White, and mature deliberations of the conference, it was Resolved to tender a request to the church at Battle Creek to supply our need, in this respect, as the Lord may direct. Conference adjourned. It might not be out of place to state here, that the tent committee for the past season, wish in this public manner, to express their gratitude to God for his kind, overruling providence during the past year. And notwithstanding the marked efforts of Satan to distract our ranks, praise God! peace and union have prevailed. God's special blessing rested upon the efficient labors of Bro. Cornell, while the labors of Brn. Holt, Clarke, and others are not without their fruit, so that the borders of Zion have been greatly enlarged in this State. And the souls of them that believed have been greatly confirmed by the late visit of Bro. and Sr. White.
We may also call attention to the fact that during the conference year just closed, the receipts from all sources have exceeded $400, out of which our tent has been paid for, and all the necessary expenses met. And there is still on hand a small supply of books, many hundreds of copies of which have been scattered broadcast over this broad field.
In this summary of the operations for the year, the Board feel that they have great occasion for thankfulness and encouragement. But these gratifying facts should serve to stimulate to greater efforts and exertions for the coming year. In fact, the labors of the past year have served to show how much is to be done, and how urgent and extended the demand.
The United States is doubtless the most favorable field in the world for the Third Angel's Message; and of these, Ohio is not unworthy of high respect for her respect for moral and religious obligations; and of the vast multitude of her inhabitants, we humbly hope many are still within the reach of this message. Under these favorable auspices, we desire for ourselves to greatly enlarge our exertions; and being deeply affected by the present aspect of this great work, the committee prayerfully and confidently commit this cause to the blessing of the God of all our mercies, and the Author of all good, and to the care of those who love his precious truth. And with confident hope they look to the future, believing that the "present truth" is destined soon to accomplish its sealing work.
In behalf of the tent committee of Ohio.
JESSE DORCAS.
Fremont, Ohio, March 17th, 1858.
ELLEN G. WHITE
By Ellen G. White
I now design publishing a Book of two or three hundred pages, containing a sketch of my Christian Experience up to this time, my views, and a Bible argument on the perpetuity of Spiritual Gifts. My friends who have received letters from me containing views, exhortations, or a statement of events in my experience worthy of publication in such a work, are invited to return them to me immediately by mail to Battle Creek, Mich.
ELLEN G. WHITE
Business Items.
By Editor
The French Tract on the Sabbath is completed. Price $4.00 per hundred, 6 cents single copy.
Ann.* The $1 you sent last Fall for INSTRUCTOR will pay for three Vols. in advance, reaching to the year 1861, if time should last so long.
Jas. Harvey. The exact amount of books we sent you has gone from mind, having omitted to record it. We credit you $2 on paper. Is this right?
Receipts.
By Editor
Annexed to each receipt in the following list, is the Volume and Number of the 'Review and Herald' to which the money receipted pays. If money for the paper is not in due time acknowledged, immediate notice of the omission should then be given.
H. C. Watkins 1,00,xi,14. S. G Cottrell 2,00,xii,1. H. Hodgson 2,00,xiii,1. Wm. Chapman 2,00,xiii,1. Eleazer Dunham 1,00,xiv,1. Geo. Myrice 0,50.xii,14. M. Hutchins 1,00,xiii,1. L. Edmunds 2,00,xiii,1. L. Edmunds ($1 each for J. F. Bippus, xi,21. J. Mummel xi, 1. M. Remington x, 1.) 3,00. R. S. Rhodes (for O. G. 0,50,xii,14. P. S. Thurston 1,50,xii,3. Mrs. Anna Andrews 2,00,xiii,1. E. Baker 1,00,xi,15. D. Sevy 2,00,xiii,1. J. B Lillie 0,25,xii,7. Jas. Sawyer 0,25,xii,7. S. E. Edwards 2,00,xiii,18. G. W. Edwards 2,00,xiii,18. N. McClure 1,00,xiii,1. D. Miller 1,00,xii,18. Wm. Clark 0,50.xii,1. S. Blodget 0,50,xi,9. J. B. Merritt 2,00,xii,20. J. Simonds 1,00,xii,18. W. R. Sherrard 1,00,xii,20. M. Tewell 1,00,xii,8. A. Arthur 0,25,xii,7. P. Erb 0,25,xii,7. Jno. B. Stacy 1,00,xii,18. P. Ferciot 0,25,xii,1. O. Randolph 1,00,xii,14. P. Hutchins 1,00,xii,16. Ira Harmon 1,00,xi,20. G. Lowree 1,00,xiii,1. A. Lanphear 1,00,xi,14. Danl. N. Fay 2,00,xiii,1. I. Ring 0,25,xii,7. E. Stafford 0,25,xii,7. J. Fidtehet 0,25,xii,7. H. Hacket 0,25,xii,7. Ann* 2,28.xiv,1. J. Whitensack 1,00,xii,1. S. Newton 2,00,xiii,12. Wm. Wick 1,00,xii,1. J. McCulloch 0,25,xii,7. L. L. Nichols 0,25,xii,7. C. Thatcher 1,50,xi,1. O. Randolph 0,50. E. Goodwin 1,00,xii,1. Jas. Harvey 2,00,xiii,22.
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