Bro. Smith: I have long felt a desire to give in my testimony with the people of God. Through the kindness of an aunt I received some tracts on the Sabbath question. With a prayerful heart I searched the Bible to learn the truth, and by God's assisting grace I decided to keep the Sabbath of the Lord; and I could say, Thy law is my delight; thy word is truth; then shall I not be ashamed when I have respect unto all thy commandments.
It is eighteen months since I began to keep the Sabbath, and I have not seen one of the same faith since. I am alone, yet not alone; for God is with me. To me the Sabbath is a delight, and the holy of the Lord, honorable. Some here speak favorably to me of the Sabbath; some deride, while others look upon me with silent contempt.
I feel thankful to the kind friends who send me the Review. It is a welcome visitor. By it I have been enabled to understand many things that looked dark. The Bible is to me no longer a sealed book. It seems nearer and dearer than before; and I can truly say, O how love I thy law: it is my meditation night and day.
I praise God for what he has done for me, and for the light he has given me. While I rejoice, I also mourn like Paul: I sigh and mourn for my kinsmen according to the flesh. O that God would give them a desire to know and do his will. May the Lord increase our faith and help us to be ready for his coming and kingdom, is my prayer.
Your sister in Christ.
L. A. Whitaker.
Clayton, Mich., Sept. 21st, 1856.
Dr. Clarke on the Law and the Gospel.
By Adam Clarke
"WHerefore then serveth the law?" Of what real use can it be in the economy of salvation? I answer, It serves the most important purposes: 1. Its purity and strictness show us its origin—it came from God. All religious institutions, merely human, though pretended from heaven, show their origin by extravagant demands in some cases, and by sinful concessions in others. In the law of God nothing of this appears, and therefore we see in it a transcript of the divine nature.
2. It shows us the perfection of the original state of man; for as that law was suited to his state, and the law is holy, and the commandment holy, just and good, so was his nature; it is, therefore, a comment on those words, "God made man in his own image, and in his own likeness."
3. It serves to show the nature of sin: the real obliquity of a crooked line can only be ascertained by laying a straight one to it. Thus the fall of man, and the depth of that fall, are ascertained by the law.
4. It serves to convict man of sin, righteousness and judgment: it shows him the deplorable state into which he is fallen, and the great danger to which he is exposed.
5. It serves as a schoolmaster, (or leader of children to school,) to convince us of the absolute necessity and value of the gospel; for that pure and moral law must be written upon the hearts of believers; and its precepts, both in letter and spirit, become the rule of their lives.
By the law is the knowledge of sin; for how can the finer deviations from a straight line be ascertained without the application of a known straight edge? Without this rule of right, sin can only be known in a sort of general way; the innumerable deviations from positive rectitude can only be known by the application of the righteous statutes of which the law is composed. And it was necessary that the law should be given that the true nature of sin might be seen, and that men might be the better prepared to receive the gospel; finding that this law worketh only wrath, that is, denounces punishment, forasmuch as all have sinned.
Now, it is wisely ordered of God, that wherever the gospel goes, there the law goes also; entering everywhere, that sin may be seen to abound, and that men may be led to despair of salvation in any other way, or on any other terms, than those proposed in the gospel of Christ. Thus the sinner becomes a true penitent, and is glad, seeing the curse of the law hanging over the soul, to flee for refuge to the hope set before him in the gospel.
Law is only the means of disclosing this sinful propensity, not of producing it; as a bright beam of the sun introduced into a room shows millions of motes which appear to be dancing in all directions. But these were not introduced by the light, they were there before, only there was not light enough to make them manifest; so the evil propensity was there before, but there was not light sufficient to discover it.
It was one design of the law to show the abominable and destructive nature of sin, as well as to be a rule of life. It would be almost impossible for a man to have that just notion of the demerit of sin, so as to produce repentance, or to see the nature and necessity of the death of Christ, if the law were not applied to his conscience by the light of the Holy Spirit; it is then alone that he sees himself to be carnal and sold under sin; and that the law and the commandment are holy, just and good. And let it be observed that the law did not answer this end merely among the Jews in the days of the Apostle; it is just as necessary to the Gentiles to the present hour. Nor do we find that true repentance takes place where the moral law is not preached and enforced. Those who preach only the gospel to sinners, at best, only heal the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly.
The law, therefore, is the grand instrument in the hands of the faithful minister to alarm and awaken sinners; and he may safely show that every sinner is under the law, and consequently under the curse, who has not fled for refuge to the hope held out by the gospel; for in this sense also "Jesus Christ is the end of the law for justification to them that believe."
Dead to the World
By Mary Armstrong
From Sister Armstrong.
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: It strengthens and encourages me to press forward, to know that if we prove faithful to the end we shall receive our reward. I feel to praise God that there is a goodly number of us trying to keep his commandments. O may we all feel the responsibility that rests upon each one of us, and that without holiness no man can see the Lord. Our thoughts and meditations should be holy. May the Lord help all his little flock to keep humble, live holy and separate from sinners.
I believe the Lord is preparing a people to stand before him without spot or wrinkle. If we believe this, and expect to be the redeemed who shall stand on mount Zion, we must be dead to the world. Our Lord has told us that we cannot serve God and mammon. We must either serve God or mammon. If we love the world the love of the Father is not in us.
We have meetings at Bro. Brown's every Sabbath and Wednesday. There are not many who attend meeting on account of coldness. I hope they will soon see the importance of coming up to the help of the Lord against the mighty.
One here has lately embraced the present truth. I hope some of the preaching brethren will come out here to preach. I think some would be baptized.
MARY ARMSTRONG.
Waverly, Mich., Sept. 21st, 1856.
OBITUARY.
By Lydia M. Locke
Our little granddaughter, the only child, of our youngest son and wife, with whom we live, died on First-day, Aug. 24th, after six days' severe illness with the bowel complaint, aged two years, one month and two days.
I now have to inform you also of the death of my companion, Eld. Joseph Locke. He died on First-day, Sept. 7th, aged 61 years and four months, with the bowel complaint, after one week's sickness. His sufferings were intense, especially the last two days of his life; but he bore them with christian fortitude and patience. He rejoiced that the eyes of his understanding had been opened to see the beauties of God's law, and spoke of the blessedness of sleeping in Jesus, and observed that it would be but a little while before the voice of the archangel would awake his sleeping dust, and we should meet again.
Your bereaved sister.
LYDIA M. LOCKE.
Salem, Ind., Sept. 13th, 1856.
Letter from Bro. Day.
By John C. Day
BRO. SMITH: With your permission I should be glad to say a few words through the Review to its friends and all others whom it may concern, with regard to the course I have taken in the past. Something more than five years ago I became convinced of the truth that the Sabbath was equally binding upon all men in all ages of the world. Before this for nearly five years, I had imbibed the No-Sabbath heresy; but being convinced of the fallacy of that position by seeing the truth upon the Third Angel's Message, I immediately made up my mind to surrender my weapons of rebellion, and to submit myself to the requirements of the last message of mercy, and to try by the grace of God, through Christ, to be prepared for the events of God's providence here, and finally to have some humble seat among his saints in the kingdom of his dear Son; and for a time I can truly say that I enjoyed much of the Spirit and presence of Christ.
Thus things continued most of the time for about two years, when the scene began to be changed. Trials began to come in among us. About this time there was a circumstance happened which threw me into a great trial—such a trial as I had never before experienced. It had such an effect upon my mind, that at times I hardly knew what course to pursue. The Enemy would fain have had me give up the truth. I felt at times that the brethren had no confidence in me, and did not care what became of me; and for about six months I was nearly in despair, and God alone knows what I suffered in my mind during that time. But after a while the trial gradually wore away, and at times I could feel to praise the Lord for it, and felt that it was for my good and for the glory of God; and at other times I would feel that I could not be reconciled to it, and would feel hard towards those who I thought had inflicted the blow, and would speak of what I then considered their wrong course.
At these times instead of putting the best construction upon what the brethren had done, I would put the worst. That I feel was all wrong, and feel heartily sorry for it. Instead of stopping to cast out the beam that was in mine own eye, I began to search for the mote that was in my brother's eye; and in this state of mind I could see everything very distinctly, if there was anything, and sometimes, I fear, when there was not anything in reality. While I was pondering these things over in my mind the paper published in Michigan reached me; and although I was sure that the spirit in which it was written was anything but the Spirit of Christ, yet I could not think that there was a human being upon the face of the earth capable of such depravity as to frame such accusations without they had some foundation in truth. About this time Bro. Andrews gave me some information, but only with regard to one or two, and with some good advice which I ought to have heeded; and if I had it would have saved me many a sorrowful hour, and the Church much trial, for which I feel sorry from my heart.
About this time there were some questions asked through the Review by a brother, and answered by the committee, which answer I could not reconcile with our past experience. From this time I began to have correspondence with the friends of the "Messenger," and gradually to lose confidence in the integrity of some of the brethren who were friends of the Review. I felt very hard toward Bro. White and Bro. Cornell, and especially so from the time that the first "Extra" came out. I could hardly bear at times to read their names in the paper. I felt as though they wanted to crush everybody who happened to differ from them. With this state of feeling I went to Greece, N. Y., last January, I think; and while there, there were many things which served to make me think of the course that I was taking. It was there that I saw the second "Extra" for the first time; and while reading that little sheet, my mind underwent a complete change with regard to Brn. White and Cornell. There they seemed ready to acknowledge wherein they had felt that they were wrong, and I became convinced that they had no desire, as I had thought, to cover up their wrongs, neither to oppose others, and that my feelings had been all jealousy, and evil surmisings. I would humbly ask the forgiveness of those brethren, and solicit their prayers, that God may forgive me, that I may never again indulge in such feelings against any human being.
I feel deeply to regret the course I have taken in being identified with a party which I fear as a party are directly opposed to truth, or what I consider truth—the Third Angel's Message. I am sorry from my heart for the course that I have taken with that paper, and not that only, but for many things which I have written for the "Messenger," especially those pieces in which I have written anything against Bro. or Sr. White, or any other person living, and humbly ask their forgiveness for all that I have said or done wrong. And not only would I ask their forgiveness, but that of the entire Church, and especially those who have heard me speak against any of the brethren; for I feel heartily sorry for every such departure from the teaching and Spirit of Jesus Christ that I have made; and I mean by the grace of God to do better for the future. Brethren, pray for me.
And in conclusion I want to say, as to the doctrine of probation after the Advent, which has been the principal doctrine of the "Messenger," I have no sympathy with it, nor faith in it; but after a most careful and thorough examination of the subject, not only in the New Testament, but also of the very prophecies on which they ground their argument, I feel convinced that the doctrine has no foundation in the word of God; and I do hope and pray that the view taken by some of them, which places the Messages of Rev. xiv, in the future, which would entirely do away with the advent movement, and the idea that in the "Age to Come," the rites and ceremonies of the Mosaic economy are to be revived, the old Sanctuary again built up, and the services of that Sanctuary again brought into requisition, will serve to open the eyes of the honest. I am satisfied that the results of this doctrine are most pernicious, the tendency being to lull to sleep the sensibilities of the mind, and thence lead into the spirit of the world, and every evil connected with worldly-mindedness; and I fear it will land many in perdition. JOHN C. DAY.
Lancaster, Mass., Sept. 1856.
Business.
By Editor
B. M. Adams:—Your payment in January last reaches only to the close of Vol. VIII.
S. A. Street:—What is the given name of Bro. Philo, to whom you wish the paper sent?
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Conference at Hillsdale, Mich.
By Editor
Providence permitting there will be a Conference at Hillsdale Village, to commence Oct. 17, at 1 o'clock, P. M., and hold over Sabbath and First-day.
Bro. and Sr. White design to be present. Also Bro. Cornell or Bro. Waggoner may be expected.
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Books for Sale at this Office.
By Editor
The price set to each publication includes both the price of the book, and the postage, when sent by Mail.
Hymns for those who keep the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus. This Hymn Book is designed to promote not only public worship, but also social and family devotions. It is a selection of Hymns expressing the faith and hope of the Church as set forth in the Scriptures of truth, free from the popular errors of the age. The Book contains 352 Pages, 430 Hymns and 76 pieces of Music. Price, 60 cents.—In Morocco, 65 cents.
Bible Tracts Bound in Two Volumes. These Volumes are of about 400 pages each, and embrace nearly all of our published Tracts. We are happy to offer to our friends the main grounds of our faith in a style so acceptable.—Price, 50 cents each.
Sabbath Tracts, Nos. 1, 2, 3 & 4. This work presents a condensed view of the entire Sabbath question.—184 pages. Price 15 cents.
The Sanctuary and Twenty-three Hundred Days, by "J. N. A." This work presents a clear exposition of Daniel viii and ix, shows what the Sanctuary is, and the nature of its cleansing. Price 12½ cents.
The Three Angels of Rev. xiv, 6-12, particularly the Third Angel's Message, and the Two-horned Beast. This work maintains the fulfillment of Prophecy in the past Advent movement, and is of great importance in these times of apostasy and peril.—148 pages.—Price 12½ cents.
Review of Crozier. This work is a faithful review of the No-Sabbath doctrine as set forth in the Advent Harbinger by O. R. L. Crozier. It should be placed in the hands of those who are exposed to that heresy.—Price 6 cents.
The Bible Class. This work contains 52 Lessons on the Law of God and the Faith of Jesus, with questions. It is peculiarly adapted to the wants of those of every age who are unacquainted with our views of these subjects, especially the young.—Bound 25 cents. Paper covers, 18 cents.
The Four Universal Monarchies of the Prophecy of Daniel, and the Kingdom of God, to which is added a condensed view of the 2300 days and the Sanctuary.—Price 8 cents.
The Sabbath. Containing valuable articles on 2 Cor. iii; Col. ii, 14-17. Who is our Lawgiver? The two tills of Matt. v, 18, Consistency, &c.—Price 5 cents.
The Law of God. In this excellent work the testimony of both Testaments relative to the law of God—its knowledge from Creation, its nature and perpetuity—is presented.—Price 12½ cents.
The Truth Found. A Short Argument for the Sabbath, by J. H. W. This is the best condensed work on the Sabbath extant. Price 6 cents.
Sabbath and Advent Miscellany. This work is composed of seven small tracts on the Sabbath, Second Advent, &c., and presents a choice variety for those who commence to seek for Bible truth. Price 10 cents.
The Bible Sabbath, or a careful selection from the publications of the American Sabbath Tract Society, including their History of the Sabbath. Price 10 cts.
The Atonement. This work opens a wide field of Bible truth, and will be found a valuable assistant in the study of the great theme on which it treats.—196 pp.—18 cents.
Man not Immortal: the only Shield against the Seductions of Modern Spiritualism. Without the great truth that man is not immortal, and that the dead know not anything, none are prepared to stand against wicked spirits in high places. We commend this work on the Immortality question, as an able discussion of the subject.—148 pp.—12½ cents.
A condensed edition of 32 pp., 5 cents.
Last Work of the True Church.—Price 7 cents.
Perpetuity of the Royal Law.—Price 5 cents.
Address URIAH SMITH, Battle Creek, Mich.
Watchman, What of the Night?
By James White
THE inquiry is beginning to come up afresh, "Watchman, What of the night?" At present there is space for only a few questions, asked to call attention to the subject to which they relate. A full answer, we trust, will soon be given.
1. Do the seven churches, (Rev. ii, 11,) represent seven conditions of the true Church, in seven periods of time?
2. If so, then is the view erroneous that the Philadelphia and Laodicean states both exist at the same time?
3. Does "the church in Sardis" represent the nominal churches to whom the Advent Message was first given?
4. And does "the church in Philadelphia," represent the church of God in her state of consecration and "brotherly love," looking for the coming of Jesus in 1844?
5. If so, is not the present time the period for the Laodicean condition of the church?
6. Does not the state of the Laodiceans (lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot) fitly illustrate the condition of the body of those who profess the Third Angel's Message?
7. Are not the nominal churches, and the nominal Adventist, (as bodies,) to all intents and purposes, "Cold?"
8. Then where is the "lukewarm" church, unless it be those who profess the Third Message?
9. And is not this our real condition as people?
10. Does not the prophecy answer perfectly to the facts?
11. If this be our condition as a people, have we any real grounds to hope for the favor of God unless we heed the "counsel" of the True Witness, "as follows?"
"I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: If any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. Rev. iii, 18-21. J. W."