It is bad enough to be found in the wrong to cause exquisite suffering to those who have any conscience. It is not our business to inflict the punishment that the error they have committed demands. This is something which belongs wholly to the Lord. Our business is to save the offenders from ruin, if possible. To do this, we must lead them to put away their sin by genuine repentance, i. e., by godly sorrow, by confession, by reparation of their wrong, when possible, and by entire change of conduct. If we can do this, we can save the erring, and take off from the cause of God the reproach they have brought upon it. Undoubtedly there must be severity, as well as tenderness. But if those err who use only tenderness, those also err who use only severity.
Sin must be rebuked. Wicked conduct must be called by its right name. The law of God must utter its awful voice of condemnation. The wrong-doer must understand that sin is that abominable thing which God hates.
But this is not everything that the case demands. This part is called for till we can see that the conscience is awakened and aroused. But this severity toward sin must be mingled with tenderness toward the transgressor. Not to excuse the transgressor, nor to justify the wrong. No, by no means. But we must show that we are deeply anxious to save the transgressor. We must remember Calvary. Sinai and Calvary are both found in the Bible. Each have their place in the experience of the repenting sinner. The lightning of Sinai strikes terror to the conscience. The infinite compassion and tender love of the dying Saviour shows how intense is his desire to save sinners. No one beholding the Son of God upon the shameful cross, can think it a light thing to sin against God, because pardon is so graciously offered to the repenting sinner. Be astonished, O my soul! The Son of God was made accursed by the law of God, that pardon might reach us. The Scriptures show plainly that God hates sin, and yet pities and earnestly desires to save the sinner. Cannot we exhibit both these things in our conduct toward the erring? Read the parable of the lost sheep; and read again the excellent sermon of Bro. White's on this parable.
Do you desire to save the erring? Do not attempt it till you are sure you are converted yourself. Ascertain whether you have any of the spirit that brought Jesus from Heaven to earth to die for sinful men before you undertake this work. If you find yourself destitute of this you need a new conversion to God. When God sends men to deal with the erring, it is to save them, if possible. He who converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death. It is an easy thing to drive the erring to utter ruin. But to save them from destruction requires the wisdom of God.
HOW TO HALLOW THE SABBATH.
We must not spend the six days of labor in the spirit of the world, if we hope to keep the Sabbath in a manner that God can accept. Begin the week in the spirit of consecration to God. Carry on your business in such a manner that you will be willing to have it inspected in the day of Judgment. Do to others as you would have them do to you. Watch unto prayer. Never get so much in a hurry that you cannot find some time to read the word of God, to pray in secret, to attend family prayer, and to attend also the prayer-meeting of the church. Keep your heart in the love of God. Let your path through the week be strewn, all the way behind you, with good deeds.
When the Sabbath comes to such persons, they will not find it difficult to enter into its spirit. They will not be so weary that they will fall asleep the moment they sit down. They will not be so full of the spirit of the world, that they can hardly refrain from worldly conversation. They will be able, in truth, to say with the Psalmist, “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.” Ps. cxvii, 1, 2. They will not have occasion to spend the Sabbath in sleep, because they have done seven days’ labor in the six days assigned by God for the business of this life. To them the Sabbath of the Lord will be a delight, and they will honor, with grateful worship, the God that made heaven, and earth, and sea.
CAMP-MEETINGS.
We are now in the midst of the camp-meeting season. These meetings are very important for the prosperity of the cause of God. We can make them a great success if we will. God will meet with us if we go to the meetings with prayerful, submissive, hearts. He will not meet with us if we go to the meeting with the spirit of the world in our hearts. Let us prepare our hearts now to seek God. We must all act in this matter.
In those places where the friends are few and feeble near the place of the meetings, those who live at some distance must go to their help. Do, brethren, take hold61in earnest in this matter, God will bless you if you take hold to help in the burdens that are to be borne.
Our sisters have a responsibility upon them in many ways. Not only is it their duty to make a full surrender of themselves to God that they may receive his blessing at the meeting, but they have much to do in many ways that will directly affect the prosperity of the camp-meeting. For one thing, let the food prepared for the camp ground, be simple and not such as shall be likely to be eaten in too large quantities. This alone is a matter of great consequence.
Again, do not dishonor the cause of God by vanity and folly in dress. Show to the world that the solemn truths you believe are sufficient to restrain you from this prevalent sin. And yet one word more on this point. We trust you will wear the reformed dress. We also express the earnest hope that you will not dishonor this style of dress by wearing a very ill-looking and awkward imitation of it. Do use some care and some judgment in this matter. If you have no taste yourself consult those who have. Let us appear before God with perfect neatness, modesty, plainness, simplicity, and humility. We can honor God in this matter if we will. The reformed dress, when suitably prepared, will commend itself to all sensible people. Let us not be careless and negligent in this matter.
Brethren and sisters, let us make a general rally to these meetings. We cannot afford to lose these privileges. Let us all unite to seek God. This is a time of the utmost importance to us. Let us, as one man, unite to seek God.
HOW TO BEGIN AND END THE SABBATH.
Do NOT wait for the disappearance of the sun. The approach of the rest-day of the Lord, hallowed in Eden, is the approach of that which should command our solemn reverence. “The day when God himself did rest, hath honors all divine.” Our work should be closed, the chores of the evening should be all disposed of, and ourselves in a proper state of mind to welcome “the holy of the Lord and honorable,” the Sabbath. If we have not the privilege of assembling with the people of God, at the commencement of the Sabbath, let us call together our own families for worship, and let the beginning of the Sabbath find us engaged in the solemn adoration of Him that made heaven and earth.
And as we begin the Sabbath with solemn worship, let us end it thus. Some have suggested that not the moment of the sun's disappearance in the west, but a point still later, when it is become a little dark, is the real beginning and end of the Sabbath. This is an excellent doctrine to govern us in closing the Sabbath. Do not so eagerly turn to the world at the close of the Lord's day, as to testify to your neighbors that you feel relieved from unwelcome restraint, and that you find the business of the world more congenial than the observance of the fourth commandment. If we profess to hallow the Sabbath, let us honor God in the manner of its observance.
THE CLOSING MESSAGES.—NO. 1.
By R. F. COTTRELL
The probation of our race will come to an end. The time will come when Jesus will no longer act as an intercessor for a sinful race. The day of the Lord, the great day of his wrath, will then come. That will be a day of trouble and distress, such as there has been none like since the beginning of the world. It is reasonable to believe that the inhabitants of the world will have special warning of its approach. God has always, in the past, given warning of special judgments before he sent them; it is reasonable to expect that he will do the same when the most terrible of all his judgments is about to come.
It is not only reasonable, but scriptural. In Rev. xiv, 6–12, we have in prophecy the very messages of warning with which God has determined before to warn the world of the Judgment and day of wrath. These merciful warnings are three in number, following in a regular order. The first announces the hour of God's Judgment come; the second, the fall of Babylon; and the third, gives a final, most fearful warning, to be followed by unmingled wrath upon the heedless and disobedient. Then follows the representation of the coming of the Son of Man to reap the harvest of the earth, then fully ripe.
It needs no extraordinary intellectual powers, and no great advantage of education, to understand the time when these messages are to be given. One need not be a doctor of divinity to know that they are to be given just before the return of the Saviour, and before the great day of wrath so frequently predicted in the prophecies. But to place them anywhere else one would need uncommon powers and skill—skill in deceiving and being deceived.
They have not been fulfilled in past generations; for there is no history of their fulfillment; and they would not, if given in the past, have been true, unless the hour of Judgment and the outpouring of unmingled wrath are in the past. There is no possible place for them but just before the close of human probation and the second coming of Christ.
Is it possible that they are being given in our day? Why not? It is evident that they will not be given in a way to force the conviction on every mind of their truth. There will be unbelievers and scoffers to the last. These will inquire, as these things are being agitated, Where is the promise of His coming? Say they, We see no signs of change. All things continue as they were. And Jesus himself emphatically asked the significant question, “When the Son of Man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” The day of the Lord cometh to the unbelieving as a thief in the night. So Paul taught the church of the Thessalonians. And when they shall say peace and safety, sudden destruction shall come upon them, and they shall not escape. Though warned in the most solemn manner, they will not believe till the great day of wrath is upon them. Then they will say, The great day of his wrath is come, and who shall be able to stand?
It will require a faithful heeding of the prophecies to understand the fulfillment of these closing messages of the gospel; but they will be plain and easy to the humble believer of the word of God. Whenever their fulfillment is seen, it must be believed; and God will guard their fulfillment, so that the humble believer need not err.
Let us open our eyes, and see if they are not being given in our day. Its being possible, renders it a matter of the deepest concern to every individual who hopes for salvation at the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. R. F. COTTRELL.
EFFECTS OF A SALUBRIOUS CLIMATE.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
The following remarkable statement I find in Josephus, and confirmed by Pliny and others. It will give us a slight idea of the effects of a pure, salubrious atmosphere. Josephus is speaking of certain fruits, such as dates, pulse, &c., which were found in a fortress when it was taken by the Romans. He says: “These fruits were also fresh and fully ripe; and no way inferior to such fruits newly laid in, although they were a little short of a hundred years from the laying in of these provisions [by Herod,] till the place was taken by the Romans; nay, indeed, when the Romans got possession of those fruits that were left, they found them not corrupted all that while; nor should we be mistaken, if we suppose that the air was here the cause of their enduring so long, this fortress being so high, and so free from the mixture of all terrene and muddy particles of matter.” Whiston remarks on this that, “Pliny and others confirm this strange paradox, that provisions laid up against sieges will continue good for a hundred years, as Spanhiem notes upon this place.” —Wars of the Jews, Book 7, chap. 8, sec. 4. I believe there are places on our own continent where fresh meat hung up in the open air, even in the hottest weather, will not putrify, but will become dry and hard. Now when such an atmosphere, only far more pure and salubrious, shall pervade all places on the face of the new earth, we may readily see that there will be no decay, no putrefaction, no rottenness, and hence, no unwholesome odors in all that happy land. I want a home in such a land and such a climate as that.
D. M. CANRIGHT.
SUNDAY AS A DAY FOR MILITARY OPERATIONS.
It has often been asserted that Sunday must be the Sabbath, because that those armies which make attacks on that day, are sure to be defeated. Such assertions supply the lack of argument from the Bible with many persons. Yet the assertion is utterly untrue. The following extract from the history of the seventeenth century is an admirable illustration of the absurdity of this statement. It is much better to believe and obey that precept of the law of God which says, “The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God;” “Remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy,” than to establish a Sabbath out of human inventions, and fabulous assertions.
“Other victories of the Polish hero scarcely less important, are recorded in the annals of Poland; but what has immortalized the name of John Sobieski, is the deliverance of Vienna in 1683. A revolt of the Hungarians from the dominion of Austria, and an alliance formed between them and the Turks, had brought an army of nearly three hundred thousand men against the Austrian capital, which was defended by its citizens, and a garrison of little more than eleven thousand men. After an active siege of more than two months, Vienna was reduced to the last extremity. In the mean time, the Austrian emperor, who had left his capital to make what defense it could against the immense hosts of Turks that poured down upon it, had solicited the aid of the Polish king; and Sobieski was not long in making his appearance at the head of a small, but resolute army of eighteen thousand veterans. The combined Polish and Austrian forces, when all assembled, amounted to only seventy62thousand men, whom the Turks outnumbered more than three to one; but Sobieski, whose name alone was a terror to the infidels, was at once the Agamemnon and Achilles of the Christian host.
“Sunday, the 12th of Sept., 1683, was the important day that was to decide whether the Turkish crescent, or the cross, was to wave on the turrets of Vienna. At five o’clock in the afternoon, Sobieski had drawn up his forces in the plain fronting the Mussulman camp, and ordering the advance, he exclaimed aloud, ‘Not to us, O Lord, but to thee be the glory.’ Whole bands of Tartar troops broke and fled when they heard the name of the Polish hero repeated from one end to the other of the Ottoman lines. At the same moment an eclipse of the moon added to the consternation of the superstitious Moslems, who beheld with dread the crescent waning in the heavens. With a furious charge, the Polish infantry seized an eminence that commanded the Grand Vizier’s position, when Kara Mustapha, taken by surprise at this unexpected attack, fell at once from the heights of confidence to the depths of despair.
“Charge upon charge was rapidly hurled upon the already wavering Moslems, whose rout soon became general. In vain the vizier tried to rally the broken hosts. ‘Can you not aid me?’ said he to the cham of the Tartars, who passed him among the fugitives. ‘I know the king of Poland,’ was the reply; ‘and I tell you that with such an enemy, we have no safety but in flight. Look at the sky; see if God is not against us.’
“So sudden and general was the panic among the Turks, that at six o’clock, Sobieski entered the camp where a hundred and twenty thousand beds were still found standing; the innumerable multitude of the Orientals had disappeared; but their spoils—their horses, their camels, their splendor, loaded the ground. The cause of Christianity—of civilization—had prevailed; the wave of Mussulman power had retired, never to return. But Sobieski received little thanks from a jealous monarch for rescuing him and his country from irretrievable ruin; and Poland—unhappy Poland! had saved a serpent from death, which afterward turned and stung her for the kindness.”—Outlines of History, by Marcius Willson, pp. 386–388.
THE GENTILE SABBATH.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
Says one, “If you will show me one text where the Gentiles are required to keep the seventh-day Sabbath, I will keep it.” Very well; we think that there are many such texts, but will simply give the one now. It may be found in Isa. lvi. Verse 1 says: “Thus saith the Lord, Keep ye judgment, and do justice; for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed.” This is a prophecy pointing to the last days, as we may see by comparing this with other scriptures. When will the Lord’s salvation come? Ans. At the second coming of Christ. Heb. ix, 28: “Unto them that look for him [Christ] shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” Peter says we are kept “through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” 1 Pet. i, 5. When Jesus comes he will bring salvation to his people; hence, when the Lord says in Isa. lvi, “my salvation is near to come,” he points down to the last days. What shall happen then? “Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil.” We cannot “lay hold on” what we already have; hence, here is a reformation, a laying hold on the Sabbath, foretold. But do the Gentiles, the strangers, have any part in this? Listen further: “Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the Lord, speak, saying, the Lord hath utterly separated me from his people. . . . Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the Lord, to serve him, and to love the name of the Lord, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant [the ten commandments, Deut. iv, 13], even them will I bring to my holy mountain,” &c. The strangers are the Gentiles. Eph. ii, 11, 12. Here, then, is a blessing promised on the Gentiles who shall take hold of God’s Sabbath to keep it. Will they do it?
D. M. CANRIGHT.
Sigourney, July 16.
RELAPSE.
By Jos. Clarke
In sickness nothing (except death) is more to be dreaded than a relapse; a return of disease is much more dangerous and difficult than the first attack; so in spiritual things, when a victory is followed by a falling back into sin, a recovery is often hopeless.
This is well described by our Lord, in the account he gives of the casting out of the evil spirit, who, being cast out, wandered through dry places, seeking rest and finding none—says to himself, I will return to the place from which I came out. Doing this, and finding it empty, swept, and garnished, he takes seven other spirits worse than himself, and enters in; and the last state of that man is worse than the first.
The fort being taken, is left empty. Here is the fatal mistake. The enemy returns now reinforced, and holds it as his own.
In neglect of military rules, should a general thus proceed, he would soon be relieved of his command, and his fall would be certain. In spiritual things, there is a similarity in this respect, and to forget this principle is fatal.
In each victory there is a solemn consideration of future conflict with the powers of darkness, who will assuredly return, to retake the citadel from which they have been driven.
Let us beware in our seasons of rest; for such seasons of peace and quiet, may be followed by severe conflict. For Satan loves to attack us when we are off our guard; and any advantage he can thus gain, he will surely avail himself of. Let us not leave the house empty, unguarded, but seek for the guardianship of God’s spirit, and good angels.
Jos. CLARKE.
ONE DAY IN SEVEN.
By F. A. BUZZELL
Could the children of Israel keep any one day in seven as the Sabbath, without violating, not only a direct command of God, but also one of the fundamental laws of their being? Certainly not. Proof: "Notwithstanding, they hearkened not unto Moses; but some of them left of it until the morning, and it bred worms, and stank: and Moses was wroth with them. And it came to pass that on the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for one man: and all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses. And he said unto them, This is that which the Lord hath said, To-morrow is the rest of the holy Sabbath unto the Lord; bake that which ye will bake to-day, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over, lay up for you, to be kept until the morning. And they laid it up till the morning, as Moses bade; and it did not stink, neither was there any worm therein." Ex. xvi, 20, 22-24.
By this we plainly see that it was the will of God that the children of Israel should all keep the day he had given them, and he was ready to perform a miracle on each seventh day in preserving their food. But had they desired to keep any day other than the seventh, they must have gone without food one day, or the Lord would have been required to work a miracle for their especial benefit.
We might infer from these verses that it was the Lord's will that they should perform some labor on each of the six days, according to the commandment; for how easy a matter it would have been for them to drop into slothfulness if they could have gathered more than a sufficiency for one day, or kept it over from one day to another.
But oh, how natural to disobey! After being shown the error of their ways in regard to their having the manna of one of the six days for the next, these people whom God was willing to bless and save, straightway broke the Sabbath. (Ex. xvi, 27.) This grieved the Lord, who, remembering their former transgressions, said unto Moses, "How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws?"
Oh! that we, as a people, may take warning from them, and walk in the light. The Lord will not hold us guiltless, if, after we have seen all the warnings and chastisements that the children of Israel received, and have enjoyed so much light as we have in the present truth, we think we can, with impunity, abrogate, change, or break "one of the least of these commandments."
May those who think the Lord makes exceptions in their case, and does not require their obedience to the fourth commandment, pause in their folly and "search the Scriptures." F. A. BUZZELL.
New Ipswich, N. H.
REPORT FROM SIGOURNEY, IOWA.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
To-DAY we took down our tent in this place. Have been here eight weeks, and labored all the time, the best we knew how. The weather has been extremely unfavorable most of the time. Our congregation has been made up almost entirely from the residents of the city. Yet there has been a good interest, and a fair attendance all the time. We have seldom had less than 100 hearers. Many of the prominent citizens of the place have been constant attendants, and are our warm friends. Opposition from the ministry has been unusually small till the last two weeks. Since that there have been bitter opposition and a great excitement. The whole budget of false reports, slander, threats, &c., &c., has been freely opened and passed around! I think I never saw so much of that in any place as here. Yet we have not been discouraged, but have enjoyed God's blessing through it all.
The result, so far as we can now learn, is that about thirty-five are keeping the Sabbath. We think that most, if not all, of these are very fine, reliable persons, and of good report in society. We hope, by the blessing of God, to see a good, strong church here. We anticipate building a meeting-house before long. We sold about $85 worth of books, and obtained fifteen subscribers for the REVIEW. We have established a Bible class, Sabbath school, prayer meetings, &c., here.
We now expect to go to Richland, about eighteen miles distant. We neglect other urgent calls, and good openings further off, that we may watch things here. One of us will come here most every Sabbath for some time to come. Richland is only about ten miles from Brighton, and eight from Talleyrand, where we have churches. Hence it seems important for us to start a church there.
The editor of the county paper of this place has been very friendly and kind to us, and has freely opened his paper for us many times, and has himself spoken in our favor when attempts have been made to misrepresent us. For this he has our thanks.
The weather is now fair. Bro. Butler was at Brighton last Sabbath. Bro. Morrison went on to-day with the tent, while I stay here during the week, and then meet them evening after the Sabbath. Our address will now be Richland, Keokuk Co., Iowa. Pray for us. We are thankful to God for his blessing, and for so much success as the truth has had here under such discouraging circumstances.
D. M. CANRIGHT.
Sigourney, Aug. 9.
REPORT FROM BRO. HUTCHINS.
By A. S. HUTCHINS.
The first Sabbath in July, I preached in Addison, Vt., with good freedom. Following the sermon, was a conference meeting, appointed for the Advent church. Eld. D. T. Taylor was present. A number of our brethren and sisters had liberty in bearing their testimony. Two who embraced the Sabbath when Bro. Cornell was here, were present, and seemed decided to continue to walk in the light. We hoped to meet the Advent preacher, who had just commenced keeping the Sabbath (living some thirty miles away), but I learn that he has still a growing interest in the truths of the Bible, as presented by Bro. Cornell.
On first-day, at 5 P. M., I spoke to an attentive audience in the Methodist house, at Weybridge, on “Repentance and Faith.” In speaking on repentance, I compared our views on the law of the ten commandments, with the Methodist’s, as set forth in their catechism and discipline. This examination showed that we are both harmonious with the Bible, touching the sacredness and perpetuity of this holy law.
The Methodists distinctly teach that the law is the “rule of our obedience.” Then why are we not agreed on the observance of the Sabbath, which this law enjoins upon all men? Why not walk by the acknowledged rule? Who is consistent? Those who say, and do not, or those who obey? We ask, who? While in this vicinity we unexpectedly met with our much-esteemed Bro. H. S. Lay, M. D., from the Health Institute, at Battle Creek, Mich. The interview, though brief, to us, was very precious.
In the evening of the 7th, I preached in Granville, at the house of Eld. D. T. Evans. A few love the truth here. The present interest indicates that others may receive it, if the right course be pursued. But we hope and pray for men of real solid worth. Those whose Christian experience shall lead them to lives of consistency and true devotion; who will shed a holy, sacred, and saving influence on all around them. One sister told me that her REVIEW came alone to this town, fifteen years, and that she did not lose one number.
Sabbath, the 11th, we enjoyed a refreshing season with the brethren in Roxbury. God’s people were greatly encouraged, and those who had no hope were melted to tears. One sister was received as a candidate for baptism, and the ordinances were celebrated.
The next Sabbath, though nearly sick with a bad cold, I spoke to the little church in Andover, on the subject of the Judgment. The awful solemnities connected with the day of Judgment, passed with some degree of vividness before our minds, and measurably, at least, affected the heart. The ordinances of the Lord’s house were attended. One sister, who through discouragement had given up the Sabbath, was present at the first meeting. The Lord opened her heart to a consideration of the subject to which she had listened. She thought of the broken law,63and that by it she must be judged. She counted the cost, the inconceivable loss, if she remained in disobedience, and before retiring to rest that night she decided to return unto and obey God. There is joy over her return. From here I went to Jamaica.
A. S. HUTCHINS.
Braintree, Vt., Aug. 6, 1869.
TENT-MEETING IN CHELSEA, MASS.
By M. E. Cornell; P. C. Rodman
Our tent is located on a pleasant, retired spot, on Shurtleff St., near the M. E. church. We have held thirty-eight meetings in the tent, and the interest is still good. Last evening there was a larger audience than before. Books are taken freely, and there appears to be a healthy interest. We have many transient hearers, who become interested, and take books to their homes in different States and the Provinces. About one hundred voted for the truth on the Sabbath question, and about thirty or more expressed a decision to keep it. Not a hand was raised for Sunday.
Many of the Advent people hear us candidly, and some are convinced that we have the truth. Some of the Spiritualists are terribly shaken, and one publicly confessed himself convinced that the soul is not immortal by nature. He has been an inspirational speaker.
We have several regular hearers from Boston, proper, and East Boston, Charlestown, and occasionally some from Dorchester, Medford, Cambridgeport, and other places in this vicinity. We are invited to pitch in East Boston, and South End, but are yet undecided where to hold the next course of meetings.
We have four standing challenges for public discussion; one from a collegiate professor in Boston, but we have not as yet given any encouragement that we would accept any of them. We watch for duty.
We know that our success here depends very much upon our humble trust in the God of truth. We try to live near to God, and trust we shall have the prayers of his people.
We remain here yet another week or more, and if the Lord will, we hope that our long-expected help will come, and that a new impetus will be given to the work here.
M. E. CORNELL,
P. C. RODMAN.
Boston, Aug. 9.
Extract from a Letter to Bro. Matteson.
By SWEND MAGNUSSEN
We have read the Danish books on present truth, and are convinced, after prayerful consideration and comparison with the Bible, that it is our duty to keep the Sabbath of the Lord, and prepare for the coming of the Saviour, that we may obtain immortality when he shall appear. We are about in the same condition as ancient Israel when they found the book of the law after it had been lost for some time. We are thankful to God that he has in mercy opened our eyes while probation still lingers. Three of us have been members in the Baptist church. They say we need not leave them if we will say nothing about those peculiar doctrines, but we must speak what we believe; therefore we have left them. The truth is precious. May the Lord help us to obey, and find salvation with his remnant people.
SWEND MAGNUSSEN.
Neenah, Wis.
The Fullness of Joy
By NASON HOYT
From Bro. Hoyt.
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: When I have read from time to time your cheering testimonies through the Conference Department of our paper, I have often been cheered, comforted, and strengthened, and wished that I were capable of saying something that would help some one else in the good way to Mount Zion. I am striving to be an overcomer, and to have a share with all the good and the blessed in the kingdom.
Our Saviour says, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” That seems to imply that no others shall see him. I want, therefore, a pure heart, and must have it; a heart cleansed from all pride, and self, and sin. I want to have, Holiness to the Lord, inscribed on every act of my life. Our Saviour says, “Ask and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.” John xvi, 24. This not only teaches us that we should grasp by faith the things we do need, but that there is a fullness of joy in reserve for us. Chap. xv, 11, reads: “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” These texts teach us plainly that there is a fullness of joy in reserve for us; not a stinted allowance.
Then if God has provided a fullness of joy for us, it is his will that we should possess it, and if it is his will, it is our great privilege; and not only our privilege, but duty also.
We are not in a condition to do much in the cause of God unless we have the joy of his salvation; a fullness of joy. But with this blessing in our hearts we can do much for God and his cause. Dear brethren and sisters, will we let the enemy cheat us out of this great blessing, a fullness of joy? Oh! let us make an entire consecration to God of all we have and are. Let us say with the poet,
“Lord, in the strength of grace,
With a glad heart and free,
Myself, my residue of days,
I consecrate to thee.”
From your unworthy brother, NASON HOYT.
Fayette Co., Iowa.
The Cause in Minnesota
By H. F. PHELPS
From Bro. Phelps.
As I have seen no remarks in the REVIEW of late in regard to the progress of the cause in this State, I will make a brief statement of matters here, and also of the general meeting just held. Last year Bro. Pierce began to talk about a tent for his part of the field. A subscription paper was started, and if I remember rightly, over $400 was pledged for the tent. Bro. Ingraham went to Chicago, and ordered made, and purchased, a new fifty-feet tent. The whole expense of getting and setting it running was a little over $300.
About the middle of July I received a letter from Bro. Ingraham, stating that they had concluded to have a general meeting for the State, but as the time was so short before harvest the appointment could not be put in the REVIEW. He had written to each church. The meeting was held at Shelbyville, Blue Earth Co., commencing July 22, and continued over Sabbath and first-day. We arrived in time to assist in raising the tent. The meetings were of the most interesting nature. The preaching was done by Brn. Pierce, Ingraham and Morse. The Spirit of the Lord was present. The word spoken seemed to have a good effect. We think we never saw so much interest manifested to hear the word of life.
The whole country seems to be awake. Bro. Ingraham has received two letters from a town near the meeting; one signed by twenty-five, and the other by twelve persons, requesting that the tent may be pitched near them, and offering timber to seat the tent, and houses for the preachers.
On first-day nine were buried with Christ by baptism.
Our laboring brethren had seen the necessity of a book and tract fund, for it is necessary, in these hard times, to give away books. A call was made, and to our surprise, about $150 were pledged to the benevolent object of the free distribution of books in new fields. Bro. Ingraham remarked that he believed the time had come when the cause would never lack means in Minnesota again.
All, as far as we know, are glad of the appointment for a Camp-meeting in this State, and all, far and near, are very anxious to have Bro. and Sr. White come here this fall to the meeting. We earnestly hope they will come, and we believe they will find a people here who are anxious for their help.
We hope all our S. B. Treasurers will pay heed to the remarks in REVIEW No. 3, and send on their closing reports for this conference year ending July 1, and thus be ready for the Conference, which will be held at the Camp-meeting.
H. F. PHELPS.
Meetings in Michigan.
By Joseph Bates
Our last report was from Monterey, July 7. July 14, in Battle Creek. 15-18, with the church in South Genoa, Liv. Co. Meetings on the Sabbath and first-day were good and profitable. Some new ones interested to learn our position and duty. Celebrated the ordinances, and left them much encouraged to press their way for the everlasting kingdom.
July 20, 21, visiting the members of the church in Charlotte, and holding evening meetings. Several members have recently been added to the church by letter, which has strengthened them to persevere and press onward in the precious cause of God, to obtain salvation and eternal life.
July 22, visited and held an evening meeting with some of the scattered brethren and their friends in Olivet. Much interest was manifested to hear. Bro. D. H. Lamson, and friends, are anxious to have the Michigan tent pitched here for a course of lectures.
Sabbath and first-day, July 23-25, visited and held a series of meetings in Convis, where Brn. Lane and Burrill labored so successfully last winter. Much feeling and a deep interest was manifested in celebrating the ordinances, after which, in the morning, four were buried by baptism, to follow their dear Redeemer in newness of life. The brethren are gathering their materials for the erection of a convenient house for worship. The Lord bless those I have visited, and all his remnant people throughout his wide harvest field who are patiently laboring to advance his precious cause.
JOSEPH BATES.
Monterey, Aug. 3, 1869.
A Testimony from Wright
By E. H. VANORNUM
From Sr. Vanornum.
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: Thinking that some one would like to know what progress I am making in the way to Mount Zion, I pen a few lines for the REVIEW. My victory over self and my sins, is not so great as I desire. My privileges are great, as I reside but one mile from the house of worship in Wright. I feel that in religious privileges I am highly favored. My prayer is, that I may value them as I should, and live out this precious truth to the honor of God.
The last Sabbath in June, I was baptized by Bro. White, and united with the church in Wright.
Pray for unworthy me, that I may be of some use in the church. I would say to those who have counseled and reproved me, that I am thankful for it, and trust that the Lord is enabling me to see my faults and failings. My desire and determination is, to strive to overcome them, and get ready for the soon coming of Jesus Christ.
Your unworthy sister, E. H. VANORNUM.
Ottawa Co., Mich.
Loving Present Truth
By Sarah J. Nelson
From Sr. Nelson.
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: I still love present truth as much as ever. It looks brighter than ever it did before to me. I love the holy Sabbath, and it is a delight to me. I have kept the Sabbath for nearly four years. I love the health reform, and am trying to live it out. Remember me in your prayers, that I may live humble, and walk uprightly.
Your unworthy sister in love,
SARAH J. NELSON.
La Fayette Co., Mo.
JAMES LOUDON
By James Loudon
From Bro. Loudon.
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: I love the REVIEW, for I know it advocates the word of God, which is truth; and therefore I love its instructions. I have believed the Advent faith ever since I became acquainted with it in 1842, and about ten years later, I became a believer in the truth concerning the Sabbath of the Lord, and am trying to keep the same as commanded. I feel thankful to the Lord that he ever gave me a knowledge of these truths, and a heart to receive the same. I love the testimonies. They bring good instructions and reproof, just such as many of us need; and I believe they are of the Lord. When I read them I often find myself reproved; and I pray that the Lord may continue to bless, that I may be made a suitable subject for an inheritance with the blest in Mount Zion. Brethren, pray for me.