Chapter iii, verse 1. Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
ADAM and EVE, perhaps, had noticed, that the serpent possessed an instinctive sagacity, which more resembled the effects of reason than that of any other creature did; and this might suggest to Satan the device of using this animal as his instrument in temptation. For in reality Satan spake by the serpent; as in the days of Christ, the unclean spirits employed the tongues of possessed persons. Common sense and the whole Scripture lead us to conclude that the serpent was only the instrument, Satan the real agent. The word of God reveals to us the world of spirits, holy and unholy, of which otherwise we should have had no certain knowledge. Faith avails itself of this information; but unbelief rejects it to the infidel’s irreparable detriment: as nothing better answers the purpose of the powers of darkness than to work in the dark; and none serve their interests more effectually than they who deny and endeavor to disprove their existence; for we never can guard against the attacks of unseen and unsuspected enemies. From the Scriptures we learn that ‘angels sinned, and kept not their first estate,’ and that, being created holy and happy, they by transgression forfeited the favor, and incurred the displeasure of their Creator, and became unholy and miserable. Being, however, still endued with vast capacities, profound sagacity, extensive knowledge and great power; and, wholly actuated by enmity, malice, envy, pride, ambition, and subtlety; they maintained determined rebellion against their Maker; and as they are very numerous, they have established a kingdom in opposition to his kingdom, under the dominion of the arch-apostate, the devil, or Satan; so that, as far as they are permitted, they are unwearied and insatiable in mischief, aiming at nothing less than reducing the whole creation to a state of rebellion, anarchy, and misery, and rendering all creatures as vile and wretched as themselves. Doubtless, the beauty of the recently created world, the glory of God, and the happiness of man, excited the envy and rage of these evil spirits, and suggested to Satan the malicious design of ruining the whole. The supposition that this serpent appeared so beautiful and resplendent that Eve supposed it to be an angel, and listened to it as a heavenly messenger, makes more excuse for the conduct both of Eve and Adam, than the Word of God authorizes; and certainly we cannot learn it from the narrative.—Scott.
Verse 5. For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened; and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
As gods.] ‘Like God; so the word should have been rendered; for what idea could our first parents have of gods, before idolatry had being? The Syriac has the word in the singular number. The original word being that which is used, ch. i, to point out the Supreme Being, it seems the tempter’s object to persuade our first parents that, by eating of this fruit, they should become wise and powerful as God.’—Dr. A. Clarke.
Verse 8. And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the cool of the day; and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden.
Voice—walking.] ‘The sound made by the motion of the Shechinah, or glory of the Lord, approaching and waxing louder. For the walking may be referred to voice as well as to the Lord. Thus at Ex. xix, 19, where the voice (i. e. sound) of the trumpet is said to wax louder and louder, the Hebrew is walked, or increased and grew stronger.’—Patrick.
Cool of the day.] This is referred by Rosenmüller, and others, to the breeze, which commences in those oriental countries in the evening and continues during the night.—Jenks.
Verse 18. Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field.
Thorns also, and thistles.] ‘The amazing fertility of some of the most common species of these, renders them fit instruments to fulfil the curse God pronounced on the earth, because of the crimes of its inhabitants. The spinosa vulgaris is most mischievous. Scarcely anything can grow near it; it is thick set with prickles, very prolific, shooting out roots and221suckers on all sides, and, if permitted to grow, overspreading whole tracts of ground. Thistles multiply enormously. One kind produces above a hundred heads, each containing from three to four hundred seeds; and a few successive crops would fill the earth. Others, beside their swarms of winged seeds, extend their shoots around for yards, and stifle and destroy all vegetation but their own.’—Dr. A. Clarke.
Verse 21. Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them.
Coats of skins.] Some conclude from this circumstance, that a considerable time had elapsed between the creation and the fall, and that the animals had already begun to increase, or none could have been spared to be slain: but this is mere conjecture; as are all other opinions on the subject, in which it has not pleased God to gratify our curiosity. It is extremely probable that some beasts, sacrificed by divine appointment, furnished the skins with which Adam and Eve were clothed: for, as they certainly had never slain any animals before the fall, and as we have no reason to suppose that any had died of themselves, it is hard to conceive in what other way these skins could be procured.—Scott.
Verse 22. And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil; and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:
An opinion of a ‘learned man’ is mentioned with approbation by Dr. A. Clarke, importing thus: ‘And the Lord God said, the man who was like one of us [for so read the Sam. text, the Sam. vers., the Syriac and Sept.] in purity and wisdom, is now fallen, and robbed of his excellence; he has, by his transgression, added to the knowledge of good, the knowledge of evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever in this miserable state, I will remove him.’—Jenks.
The Commentary.
Tell me the meaning of Scriptures. One gem from that ocean is worth all the pebbles of earthly streams.—M'Cheyne.
The Powers of the Heavens.
By Editor
OUR LORD, in stating what signs should precede his second coming, said, “Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken.” Matt. xxiv, 29.
There has been a variety of opinions with different classes of people, as to what is meant by the expression, “the powers of the heavens.” The original, however, makes this matter very clear. The word rendered powers is δύναμις; and one of the definitions given of this word by both Robinson and Greenfield, is, “From the Hebrew, plural, the hosts of heaven, the sun, moon, and stars.”—Ed.
Experience and the Mistakes of Mortals
A LARGE per cent, of the mistakes mortals make, is because they act directly opposite to what the experience of the elder part of the race says is best. There is not a sin committed that a person of experience and years would not, if consulted, speak against.
Silence Against Impertinence
years would not, if consulted, speak against.
—Silence is the safest response for all the contradiction that arises from impertinence, vulgarity or envy.
TO THE YOUNG.
By Maggie Newman
DEAR YOUNG FRIENDS: The time has come, when if we have not already gained a living experience in the things of God we must do so now; and we have but a short time to do it in. The Lord has in mercy called after us many times. He has patiently waited for us; but do we realize that the time is drawing near when if we have not heartily repented of all our sins, we shall find no place of repentance! We may then weep in vain. Time is swiftly passing away; and are we improving the time, and preparing for the day of the Lord as we should? Precious opportunities and privileges have been slighted by us. We have not done our duty. Our influence has not always been on the side of truth. We have been too much like the world. Ah! some of us I fear have been of the world. We have professed to be keeping the commandments of God, and have been united with his remnant people; but have we lived according to our profession? Have we been separate from the world? and have we been living out the sacred truths of the third angel’s message, thus showing to all with whom we associate, and especially to members of our own family, that we are not of this world, but that we are the Lord’s? If we are his, then we are not of this world, even as Christ was not of this world, and we are not to expect the friendship of the world. Christ said, “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own; but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.” And if we will be a friend of the world, we shall be the enemy of God, James iv, 4, and we know that when Christ comes, he is not coming to save his enemies, but the obedient, patient, waiting ones; those who have denied themselves and have suffered for the truth’s sake.
Dear friends, let us count the cost, then turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart, confessing and forsaking our sins, and yielding ourselves wholly to the Lord, that we may be purified by obeying his truth, and be prepared to stand when the Judge of all the earth shall appear. Do we ask if we must give up our associates who are of the world? Certainly, we must! We should treat them kindly, and do all we can to win them to the truth, but still, be separate from them, and not partakers of their sins. Do we not desire to see them converted to the truth? Most assuredly we do. Then let us take that course, and the only course that can be, or may be, the means of their receiving the truth. Let us seek the company of those who truly are lovers of the Saviour, and who are living out the truths they profess. If the world ridicule us for thus doing, and cast out our names as evil, let us be careful to give them no reason for so doing. May we abstain from the very appearance of evil; then the blessing of the Saviour will rest on us; for he said, “Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in Heaven.”
Shall we not arise, dear friends? Oh! let us try to heed the counsel of the True Witness. The Lord requires the whole heart. He does not ask too much. He yielded his own precious life for us; and now he requires no more of us than we can and should bestow; and shall we not do it? Shall not the young arise and do what the Lord requires of them, that we may not stand in the way of sinners, and that our garments may be spotless at the last day? May the Lord help us; and may the prayers of God’s people everywhere ascend to Heaven for the young. May the work of the Lord move forward, and when Jesus comes may we be ready to meet him. A rich reward awaits God’s people. We are to humble ourselves before him now, learn to be submissive, and obedient; but by and by, if we prove faithful, we are to be exalted. We are to dwell with holy angels, and, best of all, with the lovely Jesus. Then we shall be fully repaid for all the suffering we shall have endured here.
We need not fear that we shall not be able to endure the trials we may be called to pass through here, if we only walk in the path of duty, and seek the Lord as we should for strength. May faith, patience, and love be given us as we need. And when tried, even though it be as gold is tried in the fire, may we patiently endure the trial.
MAGGIE NEWMAN.
Victor N. Y.
SHALL WE REFORM?
By Mary E. Guilford
Let this question come home to the heart of every individual who desires an inheritance in the kingdom of God; and especially should it be heeded by those who profess to be looking for the speedy coming of Jesus, and would be found of him in peace, without spot and blameless. For, it is evident from the teachings of the Inspired Word, that health is an essential requisite of the Christian; and that if we neglect the means for restoring and preserving our health, we sin against the Author of our being, and incur the penalty of his just displeasure.
We are commanded to glorify God in our bodies and spirits which are his. Can God be glorified in that body which is a vile mass of impurities and disease? He cannot. It is also enjoined upon us to present our bodies to the Lord, a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable, which is our reasonable service. Do we then render to God his just due, when we proffer to him a sacrifice which is impure and unholy? and will he accept it? No, never. His requirements are all reasonable and just. He requires nothing of us but that which will conduce to our greatest happiness here, and insure us a life of immortality in the world to come. We cannot with impunity trample upon the laws of our being and defile our bodies, for they are the temple of the Holy Spirit, and he that defileth the temple of God, him shall God destroy.
St. John in the Revelation describing those who should be redeemed from among men, says, “And in their mouth was found no guile; for they are without fault before the throne of God.” Here we have brought to view the state of perfection to which the remnant people of God will attain, before translation. Reader, it is your privilege and mine to be of that happy number, if we will; for God is no respecter of persons, but whosoever will, may take the water of life freely. The invitation is given to all. But oh! how few seem willing to comply with the conditions, but seek to climb up some other way!
The Lord is now calling after his people in a special manner, to cleanse themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, and to perfect themselves in holiness. The work of reform is moving steadily forward. God's hand is in the work. He is fitting up a people for translation. And all who engage heartily in the work, yielding implicit obedience to him in all things, will be prepared to meet Jesus when he comes, and with all the redeemed host, receive from him the welcome invitation, “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you.” But, woe! woe! to that soul who fails to make the necessary preparations. To such it will be said in that day, “Ye knew your duty, but ye did it not.” “Depart from me, I never knew you.” Oh! let us not deceive ourselves, nor be mocked with false hopes. Nothing that is impure or unholy can ever enter that blissful abode of righteousness. Excuses will avail us nothing in that day. In vain will we plead old age, infirmities, and the numerous maladies with which we so readily excuse ourselves at the present time. Nay, “Ye knew your duty, but ye did it not.”
Then shall we not reform? Shall we not cut loose from those pernicious habits which wreck our whole vital system, which impair both mind and body, thus rendering our life but a miserable existence and disqualifying us for the service of God? And all this for the mere sake of gratifying a perverted appetite. Oh! is it well to disobey God? Will the hollow pleasures which sin may yield for a little season even repay for all the aches and pains which inevitably follow in its track? much less for the loss of eternal life.
Then let us make haste to lay aside everything which is offensive to God, and obey the divine injunction, to purify ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh, that we may be able to preserve our whole soul, body, and spirit, blameless, unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
MARY E. GUILFORD.
GOD'S BLESSING.
By Simon Patten
“Then the priests, the Levites arose and blessed the people: and their voice was heard, and their prayer came up to his holy dwelling-place, even unto heaven.” 2 Chron. xxx, 27. Such is the record of God's hearing prayer anciently, and let us look over some of his dealings with his people then. When Hezekiah came to the throne, he found the nation engaged in idolatry, chap. xxix, and he took a course that pleased the Lord. His acts were done in reference to the glory of God, and it is written that God heard the blessing pronounced by the priests. Now, did God bless him in his reign or not? Turning to Isa. xxxvii, we see as Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, is coming toward Jerusalem with his army, and has sent messengers to Hezekiah with blasphemous words, saying, “Who is the Lord that he should deliver you out of my hand,” Hezekiah prays. Is he left in his extremity? Is it all in vain that he has served his God so faithfully? Verse 36. “Then the angel of the Lord went forth and smote in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred and four score and five thousand.” Thus the Lord heard Hezekiah's prayer, and fought for him. He would not let his holy name be reproached.
Now, to come nearer home. Is not God as willing to bless his people now as he was formerly? Has he changed? Oh! no. But our sins and our transgressions have separated us from him. Brethren, we long for the time to come when this message will go with a loud voice, but are we ready to carry it to the world? Have we not a work to do for ourselves? When Hezekiah would serve the Lord faithfully he had a work to do. He cleansed the house of God, and put away idolatry from Judah, and then God could bless him. He could prosper him then and it would be for his own glory. So should we cleanse our hearts, put away the idols that have found a place there. Then it will be for the glory of God to prosper us, this work will move faster, and efforts to advance the cause will be blessed more abundantly. Oh! that we might realize the importance of overcoming more than we do. But if any will continue in their own course, God will let them go and raise up those who will be faithful. This truth is not dependent on us individually, but we are dependent on the truth. Our salvation depends on the course we take. Then let us set about the work more earnestly. Time is short, and what is done must be done quickly. Shall we rest at our ease now, and awake to the reality of our danger too late, then to hear the Judge say, “Ye knew your duty but ye did it not?” May God forbid. But may we be of that happy number who will see the inside of that city of gold, and partake of the fruit of the tree of life. Would we be there, now is the time to prepare. We must gain an experience now, or lament the want of it soon.
SIMON PATTEN.
Germania, Wis., March 1867.
THE LORD'S SUPPER.
By James White
In the communion of believers with their Lord and with one another, the emblems to be used are bread and the fruit of the vine, or the cup, the broken bread representing his broken body, and the red juice of the grape his spilled blood.
It is an unsettled question with some what kind of bread should be used at the Lord’s supper. But we see no objections to the white, raised loaf. And it is an established rule with us not to depart from established custom unless good reasons can be given for such departure. Singularity for the sake of differing from others is no real advance. And such differences often raise prejudice, and hinder the progress of the cause of truth.
But some object to the raised loaf, because on the occasion of the institution of the supper our Lord used bread that was unleavened. It should be remembered that then were the days of unleavened bread, at which feast, leaven was put out of all their houses. The Jews had no other bread at that time, and no other could be used unless obtained of the Gentiles. This seems to be sufficient reason for the use of unraised bread on that ever memorable night. There certainly was nothing in the mangled body of our divine Saviour to be illustrated by leaven, or by its absence in the bread.
Some have carried this matter even so far as to request the removal of the raised loaf after the emblems have been prepared on the table, and have chosen in its stead the brown, rye and indian meal, even mixed with pumpkin and sweetened with molasses! But here is an objection of the same nature that led them to change the emblem; namely, Christ did not use bread at the institution of the supper partly composed of indian-corn meal, as this article of food was first found on this hemisphere, among the Indians, known by the name of maize. In order to shun a supposed objection on the one hand, if we run into another, of the same nature, equally objectionable, we do not advance. And there certainly is something to the refined taste very objectionable in representing the body of our dear Saviour by a brown loaf of rye and indian bread. We do not object to the graham loaf, as it is probable that what is now called superfine flour, was not known until the unfortunate introduction of bolts into our mills. The bread made eighteen centuries ago was of barley or wheat meal, ground in hand-mills, and probably coarse, made without separating from it what is now called the bran.
But we do not urge the use of the graham bread at the Lord’s supper, but choose rather, lest we appear singular, without a good cause, the use of the white loaf.
But what shall be used at the table of the Lord as an emblem of the precious blood of Christ? The answer in Scripture language is, “the fruit of the vine,” and “the cup.” That the grape-vine is here meant no one will call in question. The prophet, speaking of the death of Christ, represents his garments as being red, as he that treadeth the wine-press.
Some, however, object to grape wine, because it is fermented, and they have even chosen in its place, water sweetened with molasses. We freely admit that this is a suitable article to go with rye and indian bread. But there is something disgusting in the idea of representing the blood of the holy Jesus by molasses, the cane from which it is made, raised in slavery, and its juice, pressed and boiled in slavery, and with slave hands barrelled and shipped North for free Christians to use instead of the juice of the grape, cultivated on free soil. This objecting to a few drops of domestic wine with which to only wet the lips at the Lord’s supper, is carrying total abstinence principles to great length. To those who are conscientious in this matter, we would recommend pure cold water.
We would object to purchasing wine of liquor-venders for two reasons; first, it is patronizing and, to an extent, sustaining them in an unholy traffic; and, second, you do not know whether you get the fruit of the grape-vine in what they may give you, although the barrel from which they draw it may be branded “Wine.” There may be some grape juice in it, but diluted with water, fired with alcohol, and colored with poisons. Know what you use. Let the deacons obtain the cultivated grape, see the wine made, and secured from the air to keep it from fermenting as much as possible. Then you have an article comparing well with the white loaf, fitting the occasion of celebrating the Lord’s supper.
JAMES WHITE.
“ARE THESE THINGS SO?”
By J. H. Waggoner
“Dear brother, why do you fall asleep in meeting on the Sabbath?”
“Well, I work very hard through the week, and cannot help feeling dull when I sit still.”
“But why do you work so hard?”
“Because I am so poor I am obliged to.”
“Poor! you are more than poor. You are ‘wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.’ Poor! yes, you are starving to death, while the bread of life is vainly urged upon you. Do you ever fall asleep over your work?”
“I never did yet.”
“No; you have too much interest in it for that. Six days given you to do your own work; one day to rest to the honor of God, and cannot keep awake the little part of that devoted to public worship. That looks bad—decidedly bad. What would you think if I should take money out of the treasury of the Lord and squander it?”
“I should think you committed sacrilege, it being consecrated to the Lord.”
“Well, time is more important than money in many respects; and the time appointed for public worship is consecrated to God. You have no right to take it to make up for your over zeal in worshiping mammon. If you wish to sleep off the effects of your worldliness sleep your own time. Or, if you think the Lord has not given you time enough in which to feed both body and soul, just reverse your order and feed your soul sometimes. What is it going to profit you if you gain the whole world and lose your soul? Or to have your heart so overcharged with the cares of this life that that day shall overtake you as a thief and find you—sleeping?”
“Nothing!”
I have no desire to deceive the reader; therefore, I will say this conversation never actually took place; I only thought it—a good many times!
J. H. WAGGONER.
REPORT FROM BRO. WAGGONER.
By Joseph Harvey Waggoner
March 23 and 24, 1867, I hold five meetings with the church of Oakland. As Bro. Lawrence had lectured there considerably during the winter, I tried to enforce the truths they had heard, and urge them to seek a higher state of holiness. The result was somewhat223satisfactory, and a desire was manifested to obtain a nearness to God. Through the week, I visited, and went to Lapeer.
Our meetings in Lapeer the 30th and 31st appeared to be very successful. Union seems to be fully established in that church, and their meetings now are spirited and free. The contrast between their condition when I visited them last summer and at the present is so great that I can but rejoice with them. I hope they will remember the admonitions given by the Spirit, and so keep Satan’s dark influence from among them.
The Monthly Meeting at Oakland was attended with the best of results. I spoke mostly on such subjects as had been matters of query there; for it has been a matter of regret that confusion existed there, and some were not fully in the faith, and others were more or less disturbed by their influence. As far as I could judge, the church were encouraged and strengthened; and I think a good degree of harmony prevails there at present.
At their business meeting a resolution was passed disfellowshipping the use of tobacco, which was the means of giving some relief. At this meeting our minds were forcibly refreshed with the frequent testimonies and warnings given against a certain class of persons technically known as “Advent peddlers,” “by reason of whom the way of truth is evil spoken of.” They will get some worthless patent right, patent medicine, or cheap, trashy goods, and taking advantage of their position as church members, impose upon the brethren, and use the reputation of the church and worthy people to over-reach unbelievers more honest than themselves, and yet exhort them to prepare for the Lord’s coming. May the race speedily run out! If they must peddle, let them be silent in regard to the truth, for peddling and preaching should never go together. The church of Oakland has been particularly cursed with such influences, and the action taken at their last business meeting was only too long delayed. It is a truth worthy of our constant consideration, that the strength of a church does not consist in numbers, but in purity, and our strongest sympathy should be for the truth of God.
Monday evening, April 8, I closed my labors at Oakland, and while examining the promises and prospect of deliverance in the day of God’s wrath, I lost sight of the weakness and prostration of my body, and rejoiced with them all in the “blessed hope.” If the prospect be so enrapturing to our feeble sense, surrounded and encompassed with infirmities and evils, without any experience of a contrast to this evil state, “Oh! what must it be to be there?” and what are all our crosses and trials compared to a “far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory?”
I have now ceased public labor till after Conference, and in reviewing the past year, though I have abundant reason to regret my weakness and unfaithfulness, I have yet great reason to be thankful that the Lord in kindness has been with me, and strengthened me to labor far beyond my expectations. The Health Reform has been truly a means of grace to me, though often the minister is badly situated to live it out, subjected to all kinds of fare, and obliged to fill appointments when nature is nearly or quite exhausted. Much of the past year I have been able to rejoice in the presence of God with me, and still my prayer is, “Nearer my God to thee.”
J. H. WAGGONER.
THE EVILS OF SPIRITUALISM.
Confession of One who Knows.
Bro. R. M. Kilgore of Iowa, sends us a tract which has lately fallen into his hands, entitled, “Important Discovery: The Facts, Fancies, and Follies of Spiritualism Explained,” by Wm. B. Potter, M. D. Mr. Potter professes to be an earnest friend of Spiritualism; but how shall its false and contradictory statements be explained, and its abominable evils, and hideously-immoral tendencies, be reconciled with goodness and true progress? This Gordian knot Mr. P. endeavors to cut, by his new discovery that “no spirit can control a spirit or mortal of more than one sphere below himself.” With this explanation, he thinks all is clear, and the way fully open for the future advancement of Spiritualism. With this part of his theory, we are, however, not so much concerned, as with his frank statement of the present evils of Spiritualism, of which the honest and uncontaminated ought to be warned. He says:—
“Among the innumerable follies, of which Spiritualists have been guilty, the greatest, is following the advice of free lovers, libertines and low spirits in refusing to disfellowship the persistently vicious, when it is a notorious fact that many mediums are practicing the most detestable trickery, deceit, fraud and falsehood. That leading teachers, noted mediums, and popular speakers, have deserted companions, obtained divorces, gone off with affinities, or practiced promiscuous intercourse to get spiritual elements, or to impart vital magnetism for the cure of diseases. Hundreds of families have been broken up, and many affectionate wives deserted by affinity seeking husbands; many once devoted wives have been seduced and left their husbands and tender, helpless children, to follow some higher attraction; many simple minded girls have been deluded by affinity notions, and led off by affinity hunters, to be deserted in a few months, with blasted reputations, or led to deeds still more dark and criminal, to hide their shame. Yet, in the face of all this, at the National Convention of Spiritualists, at Chicago, called to consider the question of a National Organization, the only plan approved by its committee especially provided that No charge should ever be entertained against any member, and that any person, without any regard to moral character might become a member. The late National Convention of Spiritualists, at Philadelphia, through its committee, refused to even read a proposition to disfellowship known libertines, but formed a permanent National Organization with annual delegated conventions, from which the lowest and most beastly licentiousness shall not exclude any one.”
“Notorious free-lovers and libertines have been special and honored correspondents of spiritual papers. Conventions of Spiritualists have accepted as delegates, and elected to office well known, persistent and habitual libertines. The outside world has no just conception of the folly, free love, and licentiousness among Spiritualists; especially on the part of healing, and developing mediums. We could give their names, but we spare them until we see what the National Convention, at Providence, in August, will do to free Spiritualists, as a body, from libertines, and dishonest mediums. We do this the more readily as we intend to notice the action of the Convention in Tract No. 5, and because we think the mass of well-disposed Spiritualists are beginning to see the folly of fellowshipping known and persistent libertines, and impostors.”
QUARTERLY MEETINGS IN N. Y.
By R. F. COTTRELL
We spent three weeks with the church in Allegany Co., and our meetings were deeply interesting from first to last. The church were generally revived, and their children and neighbors were interested and began to seek the Lord. Whole families of those that were without asked the prayers of the church, and a number confessed their faith in a pardoning Saviour. Bro. Fuller spent another Sabbath and first-day there, and reports that the work is still going on.
I spent but two days with the church at Farmington, Pa. Spoke to them four times, and had two social seasons. They in general seemed willing to covenant to renew their diligence and advance with God's people. The week of this meeting I gave five discourses in a new place near S. Addison, Steuben Co., N. Y., in the neighborhood of Bro. A. J. Marsh. The school house was crowded and a deep interest was manifested. Some acknowledged the truth as far as they heard. May they feel the necessity of obeying it.
A good work we believe was done at Catlin. The church were ready to take hold of the work to seek God and improve their condition. The Spirit of the Lord helped, and we believe that the church are better prepared to advance. Since the Catlin meeting, we have held two meetings in the Baptist house at Big Flats. We have a third appointment, but have received an intimation that the shut-door argument will be used against us. There are numbers, however, that acknowledge the Sabbath truth. Oh that they might obey!
We believe the cause is rising in this district, and that the labor has been highly blessed during the closing quarter. May all keep the covenant so generally entered into to seek the Lord with all the heart until the Spirit shall be poured out, and the message shall go in power.