Earlier text: A FIFTY-CENT RELIGIONThe fourteenth chapter of Zechariah is commonly regarded as one of the corner-stones of the age-to-come doctrine, and not susceptible of a reasonable explanation if viewed from any other stand-point. The writer does not give credit to such a sentiment, but holds, on the contrary, that the chapter furnishes no support for the future-age sentiment, and that it can only be consistently interpreted as viewed from the stand-point of “the present truth.” The following, in his opinion, is a correct exegesis of the chapter, taking it verse by verse:— VERSE 1. “Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee.” The day of the Lord] The great and terrible day of the Lord, so frequently mentioned in both the Old and the New Testament. Zeph. 1:7, 14–18; Joel 2:1; Isa. 13:6; 2 Pet. 3:10, etc. Thy spoil] The spoil of those who are “of Israel,” but who are not the true Israel of God. It is a prediction of what will take place in the awful time of trouble. Dan. 12:1; Rev. 16. In the midst of thee] Old Jerusalem. See Rev. 14:20. VERSE 2. “For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.” I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle] A prediction of the grand muster of the armies of earth to the battle of Armageddon. Compare carefully Joel 3:2, 12; Rev. 16:13–16; Zeph. 3:8; etc. This gathering is to be in the vicinity of old Jerusalem. It occurs after probation ends, just before the second advent. City taken—houses rifled—women ravished] These are some of the terrible concomitants of war. Half of the city shall go forth into captivity—and not cut off from the city] refer to local particulars in the battle of the great day, in connection with Jerusalem, which may not at present be so clearly understood. During the greater part of the gospel dispensation, the holy city has been the “bone of contention” among the leading nations, and this will be the case down to the time when “the winepress is trodden without the city.” Rev. 14:20. VERSE 3. “Then shall the Lord go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.” Then shall the Lord go forth] This clause represents Jehovah as “rising up” against this host whom Satan, as generalissimo, has assembled for the final conflict. See Isa. 28:21; Job 31:14. As when he fought in the day of battle] Very probably this is an allusion to the time when Satan was cast out of Heaven. Rev. 12:7. Then Omnipotence triumphed. It will be the same in the coming battle of God Almighty. VERSE 4. “And his feet shall stand in that day upon the Mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.” This verse carries us over to events at the end of the day of the Lord, while verses 1–3 speak of things at the beginning of that period. The day of the Lord begins with the end of probation, and extends to the final execution of the Judgment. It is more than 1,000 years long. His feet] Christ’s feet. Shall stand . . . upon the Mount of Olives] At the end of the 1,000 years, when “the Lord my God shall come and all the saints with thee.” Verse 5. At the second advent, the feet of Christ do not touch the earth. See 1 Thess. 4:17. The parting of the Mount of Olives, without doubt refers to a place being prepared for the Holy City when it descends from Heaven. Rev. 21:2. Perhaps the center of that vast city will be geographically located where the veritable mount stood. There shall be a very great valley] Note these words. This valley must include more than Mount Olivet, for if that entire mount was removed, it would not make a place larger than many a modern farm. But the New Jerusalem is 375 miles on one side, and 1,500 miles around, which gives the vast area of 140,625 square miles! Truly, this would be a “very great valley.” Palestine itself has only about 9,600 square miles. The city would therefore cover an area about fourteen times as large as all the holy land! The great Mediterranean would have to be removed, at least in part. The prophet may allude to this when he says, “And there was no more sea.” Rev. 21:1. VERSE 5. “And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal; yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah; and the Lord my God shall come, and all the saints with thee.” Ye] This pronoun refers to the same class as “they” in verse 1,—carnal, faithless Israel. See Luke 13:28. Such language, fleeing, etc., could not well apply to the righteous. Prov. 28:1. The “earthquake” here spoken of is doubtless the one mentioned in Amos 1:1, and probably refers to that awful movement which occurred when King Uzziah attempted to burn incense in the temple. 2 Chron. 26:16–20. See Josephus’ graphic description of this in his “Antiquities,” b. ix. c. x. s. 4. He says a “part of a mountain broke loose, and was moved four furlongs!” The last part of verse 5 refers to our Saviour’s return to this earth, with the redeemed, at the end of the 1,000 years. VERSE 6. “And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be clear, nor dark.” Perhaps the marginal reading gives a better sense: “It shall not be clear in some places, and dark in other places of the world”—as it is in the present state. Doubtless the term “that day,” refers to the glorious new-earth day, for which we, with the apostle, look. 2 Pet. 3:13. The present murky state of the atmosphere will be unknown to the nations of the saved. VERSE 7. “But it shall be one day which shall be known to the Lord, not day, nor night; but it shall come to pass, that at evening time it shall be light.” Doubtless this verse, with the preceding, is a prediction of that new and better system of days and nights which will be enjoyed by the redeemed in the earth renewed. “Moreover the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun; and the light of the sun shall be seven-fold, as the light of seven days, in the day that the Lord bindeth up the breach of his people, and healeth the stroke of their wound.” Isa. 30:26. The same thing is hinted at in Job 26:10. At evening time it shall be light] In the new system of days and nights, in the restitution. VERSE 8. “And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea; in summer and in winter shall it be.” This is a prophecy that the waters from the river of life will meander through the plains of the new earth. See Rev. 22:1; Joel 3:18. The river of life is mentioned in the latter part of the verse with a particularity which is not found elsewhere in the Scriptures. The “former sea” and “hinder sea,” refer to the old Mediterranean and Dead Seas. It is quite improbable, however, that either of these veritable seas will exist in the future state; but their names here mentioned would seem to show the direction in which the two branches of the river of life will flow, as they diverge from the celestial city. In summer and in winter] This is proof that there will be seasons in the new earth, though doubtless without the extremes of the present state. VERSE 9. “And the Lord shall be King over all the earth; in that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one.” There will be in the new world a theocratic government. There the Lord will be king, according to abundance of scriptures. In that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one] A prediction of that oneness of heavenly sentiment which will exist among the family of the redeemed. There will be no schisms nor sects, but the nations of the saved will be “one” in the sense of the Scriptures. John 17:21–23. VERSE 10. “All the land shall be turned as a plain from Geba to Rimmon, south of Jerusalem; and it shall be lifted up, and inhabited in her place, from Benjamin’s gate unto the place of the first gate, unto the corner-gate, and from the tower of Hananeel unto the king’s winepresses.” All the land shall be turned as a plain] This is an allusion to the “very great valley” spoken of in verse 4, the prophet again directing the mind to the place prepared for the reception of the mighty city. It should also be borne in mind that when Zechariah penned this prophecy, sixteen years had passed since the end of the 70 years’ captivity, and that in consequence of the opposition of enemies the temple was not built. The particulars about the “gates,” “tower,” “winepresses,” etc., would convey to the mind of the Jew at that time a hope more inspiring than to say all Palestine will yet be restored. Their whole soul and affections were centered on the literal city and temple. Perhaps this verse, like many others, has both a present and a future application; a kind of application after the end of the 70 years’ desolation when Jerusalem should be inhabited again, and another and grander one, when the New Jerusalem is established as the metropolis of the new earth. The term “lifted up,” according to Rashi, the great Jewish commentator, means to be exalted. TO THE CHURCH AND T. AND M. OFFICERS OF KANSAS.
By J. N. Ayers
In Review No. 23, Vol. 49, instructions are given concerning quarterly meetings. As these instructions change the time for the meetings in this State, I wish to call your attention to them, and I hope the elders, librarians, and directors will see that their meetings are held in conformity to the instructions from the General Conference Committee. Let the church and T. and M. officers cut this article, Regular Quarterly Meetings, out of the Review, and paste it in the front part of their book, so that they may know just what their duty is. As we have no State Quarterly meeting, let each director see that the reports of the quarterly meetings of the churches in his district are prepared and forwarded to the secretary, Nettie Sharp, Ottawa, Kansas, the next day after the meeting. Forward all T. and M. funds in your hands to the treasurer, John Helligass, Bloomfield, Elk Co., by draft or by P. O. order on Elk Falls. Let each one learn his duty, and then faithfully perform it. J. N. Ayers. A WORD FOR THE TRUTH.
By F. C. Ross
The Lord has set his hand to this work, and it will surely prosper. Our camp-meetings are growing better. Our REVIEW is growing better. The work has been enlarging, until it has a form of symmetry and beauty, showing it to be the workmanship of God. The Lord seems to be saying, “Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtain of thine habitations; spare not, lengthen thy cords and strengthen thy stakes.” Our camp-meeting just held at Fillmore Park, N. Y., is said to have been the best one ever held in the State. The character of the meeting was excellent. Sabbath morning I think we had the best conference meeting I was ever in. The Spirit of the Lord seemed to be present in great measure. And now, let us believe the words of Scripture, that if “this work be of men, it will come to naught; but if it be of God it cannot be overthrown.” F. C. Ross. RESPONSE FROM ILLINOIS.
By G. W. Colcord
As far as I have been enabled to learn the minds of our brethren and sisters on the point, I find them fully in favor of the plan offered by the General Conference Committee to the several State Conferences, to hold church and tract quarterly meetings at the same time. What a beautiful picture to be beheld by Heaven’s host, the loyal and devoted people of God, worshiping in concert! Therefore, I do hereby advise as follows:— 1. Sabbath morning, July 7, when the church has assembled, let the clerk read each name upon the church record, and proceed in each case as recommended by the General Conference Committee. 2. Let every church which has an ordained elder present celebrate the ordinances. 3. On the next day, or evening after the Sabbath, let all come together and pay their S. D. pledges, so far as due. If any fail to do this, let the treasurer, with a spirit of love, stir himself to duty. 4. Elect your delegate or delegates to the State Conference, to be held in connection with the camp-meeting, Aug. 23–28. 5. Let the church make out credentials for delegates, also fill out the “Church Report,” and “Financial Report and Pledge,” and put them into the hands of the church clerk, who shall immediately forward the same by mail to the Conference secretary, F. M. T. Simonson, Round Grove, Whiteside Co., Ill. 6. Encourage one another with reference to going to camp-meeting. 7. Each director should hold his next tract quarterly meeting on first-day, July 15. 8. Every district secretary in the State should make his or her report to the State secretary and put the same in the mail, Monday, July 16. 9. Our State secretary will report through the REVIEW the aggregate work performed this quarter in the State. 10. Our next State tract meeting will be held in connection with the State Conference. 11. Let all remember the financial obligations of their district; and let each sweeten his or her report with a liberal donation. 12. The Lord is blessing Illinois. Who, then, will prove unfaithful? A Mother's Visits and a Child's Question
In the neighborhood of Ross, a lady who was in the habit of visiting the poor for benevolent purposes, took her little daughter with her. The child saw, heard, and was interested. But there was something which the child could not exactly make out. So, on the road home, she said, “Mamma, when you are out visiting the poor, you always talk about Jesus Christ to them, but you don't talk of him at home.” It is the boast of some papers now-a-days, that they are free from hobbies. They flaunt this in the face of the reader as a claim for his patronage. Judging from the tone of these papers we conclude they mean by this that they have no burden to attack the hoary-headed errors and superstitions of the day, and will not disturb the people in their theological repose. So, carrying the favor of all denominations, and seeking the amiable side of all classes, they fill their columns with a sort of namby-pamby matter that a man might read a thousand years and know no better what he believed at the end of that time than at the beginning. This is not what the present age of the world calls for. There are truths for this time clearly developed, sharp and well defined, to which the people must be aroused or perish. In such truths as these the REVIEW undertakes to deal. It will give the trumpet no uncertain sound. Men may call these truths hobbies if they will, but that will not close the eyes of this paper to their importance, nor deter it from doing its duty in promulgating them. It is sometimes a very convenient way for people who wish to avoid unwelcome light, to cry “Hobby?” and plunge off into the darkness, just as their batrachian brethren dive beneath the flags and reeds of their little pool, at the disturbance of some approaching footstep. It is no new cry. Every reformation, and every reformer, has been met with it. Hobby, said his enemies to John Huss. So said they to Luther, Zwingle, Tyndale, Cranmer, the Wesleys, and every one who has found it necessary to rudely rouse a sin-benighted, slumber-loving, drowsy church and world; and so it will be so long as passing years bring up to every age its peculiar present truth, which will rouse up some honest hearts to be its earnest defenders. Upon such hobbies as the Sabbath of the living God, the second advent, life through Christ, Spiritual gifts, the closing messages, the sanctuary, and many others, the REVIEW is firmly seated. Heaven mercifully grant it a quiet death and decent burial, before it shall come to have such emasculated ideas of the gospel as to make its boast that it has nothing to present which men may attempt to stigmatize as hobbies. Rather let it put spurs to its hobbies and ride them right and left through all the land till every honest heart is lassoed to its saddle-bows. WOULD PREFER TO BE A FALLEN ANGEL.
By Uriah Smith
The old adage “out of the frying pan into the fire,” is well illustrated at the present time by the course of the advocates of the doctrine of eternal misery. Many of them have for some time given evidence that they felt themselves to be in the frying pan, and that it was becoming uncomfortably warm; but a more desperate leap to get out, and a more evident plunge into a hotter place we have never seen than is made by one J. P. Simmons in The Christian Standard of Jan. 6, 1877, published in Cincinnati, O. The great difficulty in the common view, of the crushing weight of which he seems to be fully sensible, is the infinite disproportion between the sins of this short life, and an eternity of suffering in the lake of fire therefor. Two short extracts will serve to express his views and feelings in this respect. He says:— “Would a God of such loving kindness and tender mercy, having also within himself all wisdom and foreknowledge, punish one of his own creatures eternally in hell [italics his] for the sins of this life? Our popular theory answers, Yes! but reason and revelation both answer emphatically, No.” Again: “The penal laws of all civilized countries recognize the fact that punishment for crime should bear some proportion to the offense committed; but in the case supposed there is none. Let me not follow the lead of an ignis fatuus which requires the belief that human laws are more wise, just or merciful, than ‘the law of the Lord.’” Having stated the difficulty, how does he propose to meet it? By modifying his views of the punishment, according to the statements of the Bible, so as to make it bear a just proportion to this life of sin? Not at all. The idea of eternal suffering is so precious that that cannot be modified at all; that must be retained at all hazards. What then shall be done? Man must be proved to be more guilty than he seems; hence he rashly adopts the conclusion (here he goes, into the fire) that we sinned before we came into this state of being! He says:— “There is most certainly some mistake here. We must either deny that God’s mercy ‘endureth forever,’ or [deny] the doctrine of eternal punishment, or admit that we had sinned before we came into this life.” Listen to these words also: “If we are new creatures, why is it that we will all, except the redeemed of earth, be finally sent for punishment to the same place (and for the same term) that was ‘prepared for the devil and his angels’?” And this: “If we never had any connection or association with Satan before, is it not wonderful that God should have put our progenitors directly under his influence in Eden?” Still further and still plainer: “If we could but admit that we are of the same family of rebels which followed Satan in his ‘war in Heaven,’ and who were ‘cast out into the earth’ with him, all such difficulties would vanish as the darkness of night before the morning sun.” Finally he says: “In my next it is intended to cite a few authorities tending to prove that this is not our primeval state, but that we are old sinners.” This is plain. We were associated with Satan in his original sin. We were cast out with him. We are fallen angels. Reader, did you ever imagine such a way out as this? But how is it that we are required to repent of the sins of this life only, to gain eternal life? Why are those former sins so completely shut out of our memory? Do they need no repentance? Are they set aside? If so, then why are we, if not redeemed, to be punished for them? And why does not the King say at last, Depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels? Why does he distinguish so clearly between the wicked of this earth and the devil and his angels? But enough. This is too foolish to argue. We have seen men whom we thought strangely, yes, insanely, infatuated with the belief in eternal misery. But never did we expect to find one, who, rather than yield the doctrine, would prefer to write himself down a fallen angel. DISTRESS OF NATIONS.
By Uriah Smith
After the reader has looked at the following facts, he would do well to turn to Luke 21:25, and mark where the prediction has its application. An exchange speaking of the proposition of a small town in Michigan to spend $1200 in fireworks July 4th, presents the following picture of the present state of the country:— “With the business of the land under a hideous nightmare, with thousands of mechanics out of employment, with the country swarming with tramps, whom lack of work has transformed into footpads, with pinching economy everywhere the guest of thousands of households hitherto well fed and well clothed, and with absolute want the constant inmate, and starvation daily impending, in myriads of homes in every part of our land—with all the distress, so phenomenal in extent and intensity, that is known to exist, and the prospect that the worst woes have not even yet been reached, and it is in our judgment no less than a CRIME to lavish money on Fourth of July or any other celebrations.” In the British Parliament, the Secretary of State for India has been authorized to raise $25,000,000 on the credit of the Indian revenue, to “cover the deficits arising from successive famines.” And now the nations are thrown into the most lively perplexity in regard to the safety of their means of defense. Such progress has been made in the construction of torpedoes that the heaviest iron-clads are powerless before them. The English government having put forth its utmost energy, and expended vast sums of money to provide an invincible ironclad fleet, suddenly finds itself, in this respect, at the complete mercy of an invisible foe, and is thrown into corresponding alarm. The Detroit News says:— “The destruction of two Turkish ironclads in the Danube, the one by a shell which fired its magazine, and the other by a torpedo, has frightened the English press as to the safety of their own great iron fleet, and the Times is sounding the alarm in almost every issue. The progress made in torpedo construction, of late, has been of a nature to fully justify this anxiety, and the blowing up of the Turkish monitor, at Ibrail, was done under circumstances against which it might be impossible to defend even the most powerful British vessels. A few Russians and Roumanians, under cover of the darkness, put out from the Roumanian shore, and, approaching the gunboat, one of them dropped into the water and swam with the torpedo to the very side of the vessel, where he succeeded in attaching his deadly explosive. He also connected a wire, which was then carried to the shore, from whence the torpedo was fired by electricity, and the gunboat blown to atoms. Against such desperate courage as this, handling so irresistible a weapon, the Devastation, the Sultan and the other British sea monsters have no protection, even though their armor were twice as thick as it is. The torpedo boat, which is all missile, and which is hurled at a vessel from a thousand yards or so, under the water, is a still more formidable enemy, and equally insidious. A desperate and cunning enemy, says the Times, under certain circumstances, by the sudden destruction of seven or eight ironclads, might obtain command of the channel for a time and realize the ‘Battle of Dorking.’” CROSSING THE ATLANTIC.
By John G. Matteson
A few hours were sufficient to buy tickets, claim baggage, and get out of that noisy, busy city—New York. At Hoboken, near the steamboat landing, we found a more retired place. The next day, Thursday, May 24, we went on board the Hamburg steamship “Pomerania.” In the second cabin we found every desirable convenience, and were supplied with a good variety of food. We start in the afternoon. At last everything is ready. The captain steps on board. A few strokes of the screw bring us out from the dock. Some are laughing and some are crying. Flags, hats, and handkerchiefs are waving from nearly a thousand spectators, while loud cheers fill the air as a last farewell from friends. Oh! for a country where there are no parting sorrows and tears. We have a pilot on board. He guides our ship till we are clear of all the dangers on the American coast. At once the machinery stops. A swift sailing boat runs up in front of us. They let out a small boat with two men to row it, who struggle against the turbulent waves till they are on our side. A gentleman is let down from the steamer. He takes his seat on the edge of the little boat, where he seems to feel as much at ease as a child in its cradle. Soon he is aboard his own pilot boat, and our captain is now the commander of the “Pomerania,” which again moves on with full speed. It is good to have an experienced pilot on our life boat. One who can guide us safely amid the perils of the last days to the haven of eternal rest. Soon the shores of America are out of sight. I am hurrying away from the land of liberty where I found a friendly home for twenty-two years, the land of light where my soul found peace in Christ; away from brethren and sisters in Christ, to whom I am bound with the tenderest cords of love; away from the field of labor in which I have spent about fourteen years of the best of my life; away from my home and mother and children,—the thought is overwhelming. But the Lord goes with me. His angel will follow me across the deep waters. And I shall be a better man, if I continue to follow in the path of duty. My faithful wife goes with me. Her company is a great consolation to me in the midst of strangers. But her tears flowed fast as the great water commenced to separate between us and our dear children. We are speeding on nicely. I walk every day on the deck. The sun rises from the horizon unshaded by hills and woods. The sea is very refreshing to me. I love to see the power of God in the mighty deep, and have always felt just as safe on the sea as on the land. Sunday morning. Land is in sight. We have reached England. The steamer stops at Plymouth a short time and then goes on to Hamburg, which will take about two days more. The Lord has prospered us so far. To his name be all the glory. A later note from Bro. Matteson says:— “We proceeded on our voyage from Plymouth, Sunday morning. This is the strongest fortified port in England, according to British papers. It did not look much like a millennium to see ourselves surrounded by so many forts, warships, and terrible instruments of destruction, some of which were able to destroy the heaviest ironclad ship. Our steamer unloaded a precious cargo here, consisting of about $1,000,000 in gold and silver bars. Sunday evening we sailed into the harbor of Cherbourg, which is said to be the strongest fortified seaport of France. Human art and ingenuity have certainly been applied here in a wonderful manner, and the city with its surroundings,5 presented an imposing scene. Our passage through the Channel and the North Sea was very pleasant. This evening we landed in Hamburg, and to-morrow morning we go to Veile. The Lord has been very good to us in bringing us safely through. Although we were almost entirely surrounded by infidels on the ship, yet we were blessed with the presence of the Spirit of God. We found one congenial soul on board who subscribed for ADVENT TIDENDE. VOLUME FIFTY.
By Uriah Smith
These are the figures which mark this new birth-day of the REVIEW. We enter this week upon a volume which, when completed, will make half a hundred volumes of this preacher of righteousness, and exponent of the signs of the times. These cover a period of nearly twenty-seven years. And we can look back over all these years and see the prospering hand of God with this journal. The progress of the cause of which it is the organ and representative, has sometimes been slow, but always steady and sure. We occupy to-day advance ground. The paper never had so many nor so strong friends as it has to-day. The truth was never brighter, nor the foundations of the work broader or deeper. No support has given out, no step has been taken backward. In a thousand directions the way is opening. The notes of our solemn message are beginning to sound in other lands. Circumstances are everywhere ripening for a great work. We have nothing which should lead to boasting or presumption, but everything to inspire trust and courage. The consummation of our hope is drawing near. In the language of another, we can both feel and say, “Cowardice to the rear, courage to the front.” U. S. SPECIAL MEETINGS IN BATTLE CREEK.
By Uriah Smith
DURING the past week five special meetings have been held by Bro. and Sr. White with the church in Battle Creek, more especially for the benefit of the students, many of whom return to their homes at the close of the present term. These meetings have been well attended, our large house of worship being nearly filled, and have grown in interest to the present time. Increasing numbers have come forward for prayers from evening to evening, until last evening, June 23, more than one hundred signified in this manner their determination to start anew, or to start for the first time, in the service of God. Ten have signified their desire for baptism, and others will doubtless go forward. The Lord has given his servants freedom and clearness of thought. Other meetings are appointed, and we look for a good work to be accomplished. U. S. Such annoyances as those to which Bro. Bourdeau is subjected through the restrictions of free speech in France, as brought out in his report in another column, and also in previous reports, seem strange to American readers. What if such was the religious and political condition of our own country? What progress could or would the present truth have made up to this time? How evident therefore is it that providence has prepared this country to be the special theater for the proclamation of the last message of mercy to the world; that here it might arise and with unfettered pen and unstifled voice; gather strength till it should be heard the earth around. And if for long years the eye of providence has been upon this land and work, and the hand of providence has been manifest to bring to pass the events of the present, it will not forsake the work now, but carry it through to glorious victory. U. S. The Church of England vs. Eternal Torment.
By Uriah Smith
It is no doubt generally supposed that the doctrine of eternal misery is an acknowledged article in the creeds of all evangelical denominations. It appears from the following paragraph, that that long-established and influential church, the Church of England, does not so regard it, the Lord Chancellor deciding that it is not a doctrine of that church. C. W. Turner, in a Letter to the Presiding Elder of the Milwaukee District, sets forth that in 1562 the Church of England purged away some of her popish errors, and among other things expelled the doctrine of eternal misery. He then continues:— “In the case of Wilson vs. Fendal to determine whether endless torments was a doctrine of the Church of England, or not, the Lord Chancellor in the case, which occurred 1864, decided it was not. For, remarked his Lordship, to decide that it was, would be to restore the article expelled in 1562; that he had no power to do; and this was in the presence of two Archbishops, and had their approval and signature. (See the Report in the Law Times of Feb. 20, 1864.)” May we not in this see one of the reasons why the Bible doctrine of the destruction of the wicked, makes such progress in England. CAMP-MEETING IN WESTERN N. Y.
By Roswell F. Cottrell
I need not give a detailed report of this meeting. Others have already done that. But I wish to say that it was one of the best, if not the very best, which we have ever had in this State. The number of believers in attendance exceeded our expectation; and the unity of spirit with all was cheering. The good order that prevailed was very remarkable; and outside attendance from the surrounding country was good to the last day of the meeting. When Sunday was past, and the large crowd had dispersed, which of course, assembled merely for recreation and to see what was to be seen, we expected our meeting would consist mostly of those who were tempted upon the ground. But no! still they came at each appointment through the day and evening. And they evidently came to hear. Many tracts were distributed, our meetings were reported in the three leading Buffalo papers and in the paper at Aurora; consequently our work is well advertised in all this region, and a large field of labor is opening. May God raise up laborers, and increase the efficiency of those already in the work. When Bro. White said to us through the REVIEW that we should no longer depend upon the old hands to attend all our camp-meetings, but that the blessing of God would be with us while we went on and held them with such help as we could get, I believed it; and the result of this meeting has confirmed me in this belief. Our cause is onward. Let all press on in the good work as long as time shall last.