Earlier text: STUDIOUS DEVOTIONPASSING THOUGHTS.
By GEO. WRIGHT.
BRO. SMITH: As a common sympathy and interest is felt in each heart of God's remnant people, how encouraging it is to hear from each other as churches and individuals. I have often thought what a blessing the Review is. Do we fully appreciate it? I fear not.109 Think of it, for a moment. Here we can exhort each other and tell of our joys and sorrows, hopes and fears, “Though states and oceans intervene.” Nothing tends more to cement us together as a people and unite our efforts, than the paper which comes to us with its soul-stirring epistles, its cheering reports, its clear and logical arguments drawn from that pure fountain of life, the book of God. Who would not put shoulder to the wheel and try to extend its circulation? God bless the Review in its mission of love and mercy, and all connected with it, is my prayer. Last March we bid adieu to our dear brethren and sisters of the Lapeer (Mich.) church to whom we were attached by the tenderest ties. God bless you, dear brethren of Lapeer. Perhaps no one is better prepared to sympathize with you in the loss of your comfortable house of worship than myself. It cost struggle and sacrifice to erect it. Though the wicked burn our houses down over our heads, they can go no farther. God has promised deliverance to his people. Let us remember that Jesus has said, Pray for them that despitefully use you and persecute you. Vengeance is mine, and I will repay, saith the Lord. We found a few in this dark city striving to hold up the standard of truth. They gave us a hearty welcome. A few weeks after our arrival half of our small number (less than a dozen in all), had to leave, not being able to procure a livelihood here. This was discouraging, but still we hoped and prayed that the Lord would work in our behalf, and add to our number such as should be saved. Soon a brother and sister were added who had decided by reading and conversing with us, that we were keeping the true Sabbath. Within the last month two more brethren have decided to obey God and go with us to the goodly land. One of those was an exhorter in the Christian church. A kind providence brought us to labor in the same shop. I presented the claims of the Lord's Sabbath, gave him books, prayed especially for him, and above all, endeavored to live out the truth before him, and the result is, he has taken hold of the truth with all his heart. A similar course was pursued with a young man, who we learned had been reading some of our works, and had heard several lectures by Brn. Loughborough and Frisbie. We invited him to our house, found him under deep conviction, and very desirous to be a Christian. He said he was convinced of the truth, and wanted to obey the Lord. This gave us great freedom in talking the truth to him. Our hearts soon ran together. Before we parted we knelt down together around the family altar. The Lord gave us his sweet Spirit while pleading in his behalf, and as we had faith to believe, he joined us, for the first time opening his mouth in prayer. Bless the Lord for the recollection of that hour. A few days after, he met me on the side-walk, grasped my hand, and said, I am resolved to keep the Lord's Sabbath, God's grace assisting. On asking what he intended to do, as he would probably lose his situation, My trust is in God, was his reply. Young men, you who are almost persuaded to be Christians, emulate this young brother's example. He left a pious mother in England some three years ago, to whom he intends to send the Review, and feels confident that when she sees the light, she will embrace it. Thus the good work goes on. Let us thank God and take courage. Others are reading; and whenever we can get people to read, we place books in their hands, visit them, pray with them, and in so doing we get our own souls blessed and feel truly that the promises of God never fail, which declare that he that watereth shall be watered also himself. P. S. We should be glad to have Bro White visit us soon. Feed my lambs, says the Saviour. I think the time has come when much good might be done here. THE REVIEW OFFICE.
By John Nevins Andrews
How shall we manage relative to the legal holding of the Office? I would suggest with all respect to the feelings and opinions of others, that no step be taken until we first have a general gathering from all parts of the country, and a prayerful consultation relative to the right course. I believe that in this way we could act in unison, and what is still better, act just right. I have confidence in Bro. White's integrity of purpose in bringing this subject before the brethren. It also seems to me that he is clearly right in asking that something should be done. I hope therefore that those who may think that some dangerous step is about to be taken, will pray with their whole hearts, that God will be pleased to avert all evil and to guide us aright. Meanwhile I would express the hope that we may be able to adopt so simple and proper an arrangement that it will be open to no reasonable objection. North Parma, N. Y., Aug. 9. It seems that God in his infinite wisdom did foresee the precise way in which sin would develop itself in its ravages as a disorder, and the time required for each stage of development, and seeing this, has prepared an antidote for each, that whoever would submit to the remedy should recover; and at different periods in the world's history, we find it shaken by reforms which revelation foretold should occur at those very periods. Different ages develop different forms of error, and reforms take their character from the work they have to perform. Thus the reform in the early age of Christianity, was a reform from idolatry among the heathen, and from legality among the Jews; and the reform of the 16th century had for its pass-word, “Justification by faith,” against the papal errors of penance and works, and image and saint worship; it was of God, but men rested content with this stride, and justification by faith is now carried to its extreme, and sincerity and faith are made a hobby by which to overleap the law of God. Infinite wisdom foresaw this, and revelation informs us of a reform having the commands of God coupled with the faith of Jesus; of the people who will heed this warning of the third angel, and gain the victory over the beast. At this period we behold the stern necessity of just such a reform, and so it is in progress. It is a continuation of the reform of the 16th century; and that was a link with those preceding which, when finished, will form a grand whole, manifesting the goodness and wisdom of God. At each of these periods of reform, the masses of men, blinded by sin and emboldened by numbers, and backed by the visible church (for the professed church has even arrayed herself against reform), have systematically opposed reforms and reformers. Repentance is a bitter pill for the carnal heart, and ever will be. J. C. THE political excitement of 1860 will probably run as high as it has for many years, and we would warn our brethren not to be drawn into it. We are not prepared to prove from the Bible that it would be wrong for a believer in the third message to go in a manner becoming his profession, and cast his vote. We do not recommend this, neither do we oppose. If a brother chooses to vote, we cannot condemn him, and we want the same liberty if we do not. But we do believe that he who enters into the spirit of the coming contest, loses the spirit of the present truth and endangers his own soul. Our brethren out with the tents will probably see it necessary to move back into small places away from the heat of political strife, or close up the season in holding tent conferences.
J. W. THE USES OF TRIAL.
By R. C. Farrar
“BELOVED, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial that is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you; but rejoice inasmuch as ye are made partakers of Christ’s sufferings, that when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” 1 Pet. iv, 12, 13. It is often thought a matter of surprise that the people of God should be subjected to trials and temptations; and unconverted persons often entertain the erroneous idea that when they once become Christians, all their trials and sorrows will cease. No doubt some of the Christians in the Apostle’s day had imbibed the same idea. But he tells them not to think it strange at all that they should be called to suffer for the sake of Christ. If it was necessary that the “Captain of our salvation should be made perfect through suffering,” it seems but meet and right that we should suffer with him, inasmuch as “the disciple is not greater than his Lord.” And in the hour of severest affliction, we have this assurance to buoy up the fainting soul, “that if we suffer with him, we shall also reign with him.” God does not see fit to exempt his children from sorrow and temptation, but with the trial he gives strength to endure, and with every temptation provides a way of escape. Firm as the foundation of heaven itself is the promise, “As thy day so shall thy strength be.” The object of trial is to purify our hearts, and wean us from the transient pleasures of this life that we may “set our affections on things above.” It is compared to the action of fire upon gold which we know separates it from base alloy, and renders it pure. Trials produce the same effect upon the soul when endured submissively, and with a patient reliance upon our heavenly Father’s love and wisdom. And as we rise victorious after each conflict, how much clearer the spirit’s vision becomes; how firmly does the unshaken soul rest upon the Rock of ages. But the Apostle tells us to “rejoice.” Ah! that seems to us a very strange exhortation; but he tells us why. We should “rejoice inasmuch as we are partakers of Christ’s sufferings.” Let us remember how for us he toiled and wept; consider the privations he endured; think of the scorn and contumely that were heaped upon him; of the tide of persecution that ever followed in his footsteps; then remember how “he was led as a lamb to the slaughter,” and “bore our sins in his own body on the tree.” Then we may indeed rejoice that we are counted worthy to suffer for his name. The Apostle gives another reason why we should rejoice which is, “that when his glory shall be revealed we may be glad also with exceeding joy.” It is impossible to conceive of the infinite fullness of joy, that shall fill the hearts of the Saviour’s followers on that day, when as it is declared, “we shall see him as he is.” Yet our gracious God in the plenitude of his love, deigns to grant us a faint foretaste of the bliss that shall then be ours. It is in the hour of deepest affliction that God reveals himself most fully to the soul of the Christian. When the heart is humbled by sorrow, and feels how frail are all earthly hopes and ties, then does it most confidingly cling to the omnipotent arm; and as the joys of earth fade away, how bright do the glories of heaven appear! How trustingly does the contrite soul rely upon the immutable promise of God! How short and insignificant does the span of life appear, compared with the glories of that eternity, through whose ever-circling ages “we shall be ever with the Lord!” Well may the Christian’s heart rejoice in hope of the glory to be revealed. How light will all these afflictions seem when they have worked out for us that “far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” We shall count them not worthy to be compared with the joys that God has reserved for his people. May God grant “that the trial of our faith, being much more precious than of gold which perisheth, though it be tried with fire, may be found unto praise, and honor, and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ; whom having not seen we love; in whom though now we see him not, yet believing, we rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory; receiving the end of our faith, even the salvation of our souls.” Kingston, Green Lake Co., Wis. BACKSLIDING IN SUMMER.
By D. HILDRETH
It is a notable fact that professors of religion generally lose their interest in religion in the summer season. In the winter, numerous meetings are held, and an interest awakened only to die down when warm weather approaches. Their interest rises and falls as regularly as the tides. Now what is the cause of this? It is easily told. In the winter there is not much to do, and there is plenty of time to attend meeting, read, pray, &c., but in summer there is a great deal to do, crops are to be tended and harvested, and there is not much time to go to meeting, except on Sundays, nor to read and pray, only on rainy days. This shows plainer than words can tell it, that religion is made second, and business first. They would work as hard in winter as in summer if they could only find something to do to “make money.” This is a money-loving-age, and a money-loving world, and a money-loving side of the world. The inhabitants of the new world, from the days of Columbus, have seemed to have an insatiable thirst for gold, and Americans, especially in the cities, act and live as though they were “chasing a dollar.” This being the case with men of the world, professors of religion should be very jealous of their motives; for the money-loving passion is contagious. But are Sabbath-keepers free from this fault? Are there not many in the ranks who become so absorbed in their worldly business in the summer season, that they lose nearly all of their interest and enjoyment? No doubt many houses of prayer have witnessed the thin congregations during the present harvest, even on the Sabbath. What a comment on this covetous generation. They work so hard through the week that they cannot attend meeting on the Sabbath. Shame on such religion as this! It is worse than none, a disgrace to Jesus and his cause. Such are very thankful for the Sabbath, of course they are: that is, their worn-out bodies are glad of a day of rest, but shall I say that their covetous dispositions are not? Of course it is right to be faithful stewards over what the Lord has entrusted to our care, but it is not right to exhaust our energies in grasping after the world. Besides the weekly Sabbath, the Lord appointed several feasts of several days each, for the children of Israel to observe, in which they were not allowed to labor; and more than this, every seventh year the land was not to be tilled. The Lord never designed that man should labor so as to injure his constitution, neither that he should be idle. Some have an idea that this is a world of labor; but when they get to heaven they will only have to sit down and praise the Lord. Of all places heaven is the last place to look for idleness and inactivity. They are as busy and active there as people on earth can be. There is only this difference: labor there does not fatigue. Lazy folks had better give up the idea of going to heaven. It is no place there for them. Again, although the inhabitants of the upper world have as much to attend to as those of this lower sphere, they have plenty of time in which to worship the Lord. Those who have so much to do that they cannot attend faithfully to all their duties summer and winter, had better make no calculations about going to heaven. Their company will not be wanted there. The noble, generous inhabitants of that world despise such spirits. But the time is rapidly passing away. The third message will soon close. Therefore it behooves us to be zealous and earnestly seek for holiness of heart. O ye lukewarm, take warning! There are not many summers more in which to backslide—there are not many winters more in which to be revived. It is over four years since the Lord spoke especially to you. How much longer shall he wait? Be faithful, yea, be faithful. The future possesses thrilling interest to him who is waiting with lamp in hand. What momentous events are about to take place! And shall we sleep and dream upon the brink of ruin? O Lord, awake thy slumbering people! D. HILDRETH. The believer cannot sigh without his God observing it. Meeting at Marshall
By James White
PROVIDENCE permitting I will speak in Marshall, Sabbath, August 25th, at half past ten and at two o'clock. J. W. CONFIDENCE.
By C. Van Gorder
Dear Brethren and Sisters: It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. Ps. cxviii, 8. Do you trust in the Lord as you should and have perfect confidence that he will lead you safely through the journey you have undertaken, or do you very often get almost discouraged and think the way too long and trials too severe? Dear brethren and sisters, have confidence. If ever that word was of use, it is now, when our enemy is seeking in every way to overcome us. He knows how short a time he has to work. Perhaps his time is shorter than we are aware, and he knows if he can get us to lose our confidence entirely, we shall lose all. Doubtless we all had confidence when we embraced the present truth. Have we that same confidence now? We should have greater and stronger. Or have we become discouraged, and think there is no use in trying, saying, Here I have tried one, two or three years and have not overcome yet, and I will stop for there is no use in trying any longer to overcome? Dear brother or sister, you who may be thus tempted and near giving away, renew your confidence, go forward confiding in the same God that Paul did. We know he had confidence in God, and when writing to his brethren [Heb. x, 35] he says, Cast not away therefore your confidence which hath great recompense of reward. Verse 36. For ye have need of patience that after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. Now, dear brethren and sisters, mark how encouraging the next verse is: “For yet a little while he that shall come will come and will not tarry.” I long to see Jesus as he is. Do you not also? Well then have perfect confidence and stop not to let another take your crown. Your sister. C. VAN GORDER.
Portage, Wood Co., Ohio. A Church of Eight Sisters
By Harriet S. Hull
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: I have often thought of writing to you through the Review, but have neglected it until now, thinking myself unable to say anything that would edify any one; but when I read your cheering letters, it makes me willing to throw in my mite, hoping the Lord will bless my effort also. It has been over a year since I with a few others here commenced keeping the Sabbath, since which time we have had our trials as Christians would naturally have. The hardest of my conflicts is to resist my own evil heart, but I hope through the grace of God to overcome all at last. We have a church here of eight, all sisters, yet it seems that the Lord always gives truth the victory, even if the sword is wielded in the hands of the weak. We greatly feel the need of some preacher to come this way. There are some here who we think are almost persuaded to keep the Sabbath, and there are others who are only waiting an opportunity to be baptized. My desire is that the Lord of the harvest may send more laborers into the harvest; for the harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few. Dear brethren and sisters, let us wake up to a sense of our duty, for the time is both short and precious. The time soon will come when it will be said, “He which is filthy let him be filthy still, and he that is holy, let him be holy still.” Yes, the day is close at hand when we who are faithful will meet to part no more forever. There I hope to meet dear friends who sleep in Jesus. The thought sometimes makes me almost impatient for the coming of the Lord. I feel too unworthy in view of my sins to be called a child of God; but I feel willing to do or be anything for the sake of Christ. My prayer is that I may be more humble and more obedient, lay all upon the altar and live a devoted life to God, and meet you all in the kingdom. Your sister in hope of eternal life at the appearing of Jesus.
HARRIET S. HULL. Bro. S. Warner writes from Providence, R. I: “I can truly say that I find the Review more and more interesting to me, and I really do not know what I should do without it. The Bible and these papers are all the preaching I now have. My relish for the popular preaching of the day all disappeared long, long ago. It is true that the chapels, churches, meeting-houses &c., are all open to me, but our Saviour's words do prevent my attendance on them, viz., “In vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” I can find none there who are in the third angel's message. I humbly trust that I am in an acceptable degree in the message, and in Jesus the ark of safety, blessed be his holy name! and I do feel a determination and a will to continue therein till the end, or until the coming of the Lord, if I am permittediii to tarry till he come. I have been permitted to encumber the ground, as it were, almost seventy-six years, and consequently cannot expect to live many years longer; but I feel humbly to say, Lord thy will be done. My love to all the brethren.” JESUS NEAR.
By J. H. CURTIS.
So ye, in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors.
Mark xiii, 29. Sinner, haste, the day is breaking,
Soon the Saviour will appear;
Hark, the powers of heaven are shaking!
Thus proclaiming he is near. Hark, a voice from every quarter
Peals like thunder through the air;
Thrones are shaking, nations tremble,
And prepare themselves for war. Listen, sinner, heed the warning,
Breaking forth upon your ears;
To the Saviour quickly hasten,
Ere the great white throne appears. See, the storm is deeply gathering,
Hear the thunder's awful roar,
Soon 'twill burst in vengeance on you,
Then you'll sink to rise no more. All the prophets have foretold you,
Jesus warned you of the same;
Come, dear sinner, heed the warning,
Realize you're near the end. Mark the pilgrims that are faithful,
Faithful till he shall appear;
They with shouts and palms of victory,
Rise to meet him in the air. Hasten, sinner, to the fountain
Jesus opened with his blood;
Quick, or be destroyed forever,
From the presence of the Lord. Brasher Falls, N. Y., Aug. 7, 1860. Redeeming the Time.
By A. S. HUTCHINS
“WALK in wisdom towards them that are without, redeeming the time.” Col. iv, 5. It seems that this divine injunction should be felt with all its force, at all times and in all places, by the children of God, in this evil time. How careful, prayerful and circumspect would be our lives, how godly our conversation, especially while in the presence of “them that are without,” if we all regarded it as we should. Does the brother bear this exhortation in mind as he steps into the store or tavern, or other places of resort, of those who love not God, to spend an hour, where his business does not necessarily call him? As he listens to the low, vain conversation of such resorts, and perhaps in some measure shares in it, does he remember the words of inspiration, “Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man”? Col. iv, 6. “Redeeming the time because the days are evil.” Eph. v, 16. The golden moments of probation fly. Brother, can you redeem time at such places? Can you there “buy” the “gold tried in the fire”? Is there not better company and more profitable employment for you? “Think on these things.” “Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men.” Ps. xxvi, 9. MIDNIGHT THOUGHTS.
By A. L. Wilkinson
I AWOKE. ’Twas midnight. All was silent. But in the stillness and the darkness I seemed to hear a voice saying, Thou God seest me. How comforting to think that though no one else sees us, no one else thinks of us, still God’s all-seeing eye is upon us, and he remembers us. We need have no fears if we are only followers of that which is good. He who numbereth the hairs of our heads will preserve us from all harm. How sweet amid the dark hours, to gaze upon the firmament, to view the handiworks of God, and then to know that he who created the many myriads of worlds and keeps them in motion, just as exact as when he first spake them into being, deigns to notice us who are but as specks in the universe of our Creator. When I reflect on the many evident tokens of the existence of a supreme Ruler of all things, it is with profound astonishment that I remember that there are those who will fearlessly assert that there is no God. No God! How dreadful sound those words. ’Tis madness to believe it. I would as soon doubt my own existence. In all I see, in all I hear, the truth is plainly revealed—there is a God. Yes, and I will praise his holy name; for he is good, immensely good. I feel it in my heart while I am writing. “Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord.” BRO. SMITH: It has been most six months since I commenced taking the Review, during which time it has been a welcome visitor to me, as well as to the rest of my brethren in this place. Two years ago there was but one Sabbath-keeper in this county. About eighteen months since, during a revival of religion here, I embraced the religion of Jesus, and immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood, but commenced a thorough search in the word of God for truth. Directly I discovered the Lord’s Sabbath, and commenced to keep it according to divine instruction. I can say of a truth that the Sabbath is a delight to me. I can now see a consistency and harmony in the word of God that I never saw before. We have meetings every Sabbath at private houses, and the Lord is adding to our number such as shall be saved, we humbly trust. We now number four who take an active part, and others are investigating who we have reason to hope will soon embrace the third angel’s message. I never heard a sermon preached by a Sabbath-keeper. I would go fifty miles to hear a course of lectures. May the Lord of the harvest send a laborer this way. Cannot some of the preaching brethren come to Green Bay or Appleton, or some place in the northern part of Wisconsin. Our country is new and the inhabitants scattering, but there are souls here to be saved or lost. From one seeking for immortality. L. M. BREWSTER
By L. M. BREWSTER
BRO. SMITH: I take this opportunity to inform the brethren of my determination to obey God by keeping his commandments and the testimony of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. It has been two years since we came out on the third angel's message, under the preaching of Brn. Loughborough and Butler. There were then some ten or twelve who professed to keep the seventh day. But six or seven is quite a number to get out to our meetings now; but we have had prayer-meetings nearly every Sabbath. We would be glad to have some of the brethren come this way to instruct us more fully in the truths of the Bible. Could not Bro. Waggoner or Butler come here? We wish to hear the word of God preached. Our prayer is, “Lord, send whom thou wilt.” I feel the necessity of having on the whole armor, in order to resist the temptations and escape the snares of the adversary. May the Lord help us to cleanse ourselves by obeying the truth. My husband has used tobacco forty years, but thinks best to serve God by denying himself the use of the filthy weed. It has been a hard struggle, but he has conquered, the Lord assisting him. May we all of us lay aside everything that is offensive in his sight. We want to be redeemed with the precious blood of Christ, and have a right to the tree of life, and enter through the gates into the city. A Call for Advent Preachers
Bro. O. Heffer writes from Attica, Ohio: “It is only a few weeks since I commenced to take the Review, but I am well pleased with its contents so far and hope that its usefulness may continue and increase. I was so prejudiced against the Adventists through the influence of their opponents, that I would scarcely read their paper. I also opposed the doctrine which they held to be Bible doctrine, wherever I went. I formerly preached the immortality of the soul, the eternal, unending punishment of the wicked; but God had mercy upon me because I did it ignorantly. There were no Advent preachers here, neither have I ever seen one. There are about a dozen brethren in this section that believe the doctrine as far as they are able to comprehend it. We would be very glad if some one of the preachers could come over and help us. We want light. We desire to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus; therefore we say again, Come over and help us. There are many here that would be glad to hear an Advent preacher.” Conversion to the Third Angel’s Message
Sister L. H. Huntley writes from Richmond, Iowa: “It has been a little over one year since I first heard and embraced the third angel’s message. Brn. Cornell and Hull came to Richmond with the tent one year ago last June, and remained there over three Sabbaths. On July 3, six, with the writer of these lines, There were buried with Christ in baptism, and I humbly trust rose to walk in newness of life. Several belonging to the Baptist church came out at the same time; since then others have been added to the number. For some seven years previous to that time I had been a member of the M. E. church, yet God in his mercy saw fit to show me wherein I erred, and brought me from darkness into the marvelous light of his dear children, for which I feel to praise his holy name. It would have been quite a trial to me to withdraw myself from those that I had had many sweet seasons within class-rooms and other places of worship, had it not been that in the act I felt that I was doing my heavenly Father’s will. My greatest desire is to keep all the commandments, and have the faith of Jesus. I want to be a true follower of the meek and lowly Jesus. I want to be clothed with the robe of righteousness; and may my ornaments be those of a meek and quiet spirit. I do want to have a part in the first resurrection. I believe that Jesus is soon coming. Not long will the wheels of his chariot delay, and O may I be found of him in peace, without spot and blameless.” “To my dear brethren and sisters scattered abroad I must say, Let us all be more active and more zealous in this good and glorious cause. Christ has done much for us, for which we ought to feel, and I trust do feel, glad. Let us devote more of our time to his service. May we not shun duty, but take up our cross and follow him through evil as well as good report. I feel my weakness, but by the grace of God I am determined to go through to mount Zion, the city of the living God. Dear brethren and sisters, let us remember each other at the throne of grace, that we may keep all God’s commandments, and enter in through the gates into the city. Yours in hope of eternal life.” West Monroe Sabbath-Keepers’ Testimony
Bro. Hiram Decker writes from West Monroe, N. Y.: “Almost one year has gone by since the little band of Sabbath-keepers in West Monroe embraced the present truth as brought to view in the third angel’s message, and commenced striving to keep all of God’s commandments and the faith of the blessed Jesus. We are still striving to make some progress in divine life by assimilating ourselves to the great Pattern and Author of our salvation. And when we look back and recount the mercies of our heavenly Father, of which we have been recipients, our hearts melt into gratitude to the giver of every good and perfect gift. Although our pathway has been strewed with many mercies, and we have felt the approbation of God, as we believe, yet with the enemy we have had many a sore conflict. Our good name has been cast out as evil, our motives questioned and denounced. We are looked upon as disorganizers, subverting all good order in society. In some instances our children reproach us, in others our parents; and in others still, even those with whom we have taken sweet counsel, and walked together to the house of God; and the truths of God’s Bible are evil spoken of, and resisted by a malignity that illy becomes the professed disciples of Jesus. The Sabbath and immortality questions have been ably discussed by Bro. Ross on one side, and Eld. Milton on the other, who took the position after no small amount of quibbling, that the seventh day was the Sabbath for the Jews, and the first day was the Gentile Sabbath. But when told the Sabbath was made for man, and unless he could show that the Gentile was not a man, it was binding on all men, Eld M. denied his position, and gave a challenge on the immortality question. After an evening’s effort on this subject to convince himself and his audience, he came to the conclusion that eternal life was the gift of God through Jesus, and that the righteous have it if the wicked do not, and closed, giving Bro. Ross no chance to speak that evening. Subsequently Bro. Ross reviewed his discourse, and the unprejudiced mind could but acknowledge the truth of all his positions, according to the Bible.” “We have been favored at intervals with the preaching of the word by Bro. Wheeler and Ross, and have been encouraged and made strong. Many times have our hearts gone out in sympathy for the lonely ones who have not been thus blessed. Right on, ye followers of the lowly One! You will conquer by and by.” Preparing for Christ’s Coming
Sister M. E. Emans writes from Leipsic, Ohio: “For the first time I take up my pen to say a few words through the Review. I always want to be found on the Lord’s side, striving to overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of my testimony. I want to strive to enter the strait gate and walk in the narrow way that leadeth unto life. I want to gird on the whole armor, and prepare myself for the battle that I may stand in the last great day. I must have more grace, that I may overcome all my sins; and I know that the Lord will give me grace, and help me overcome if I put my trust in him. O I want to keep all his commandments that I may enter through the gates into the city. I want to stand on mount Zion. Signs are fast fulfilling, and time is fast closing up, and O I want to be prepared for the last great day when Christ will come with power and glory, and will render unto every man according as his works shall be. It is my great desire to have my work done, and well done, that I may share in the welcome, Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” Encouragement from the Review
By J. H. Curtis
Bro. J. H. Curtis writes from Brasher Falls, N. Y.: I have long loved the Advent cause, knowing it to be the only hope of the gospel. When I was first converted, I became a member of the Methodist church. I there learned how to persecute the Millerites, as they were called, and did so for some time until events transpired in the church which induced me to leave. I then gave up my prejudice and began the study of the Bible, and thank God my eyes were opened to the truth—I was begotten unto a lively hope. Since that time I have rejoiced in the prospects of a soon coming Saviour. Last spring I removed from Canada to this place. Here I had to stand alone, and hearing no preaching, began to sink into a luke-warm state, yet could not let go the hope of a Redeemer soon to come. I was nevertheless gloomy and downcast many times. Dark clouds overshadowed my path, and I feared I was going back among those that worship the beast. But by the good providence of God, as I was returning from my work one day, about two months ago, I saw a piece of paper flying along the road, driven by the wind. As it came near to me I picked it up and cast my eyes over it, and to my surprise it was a piece of the Review, the first advent word I had heard or seen for some time except what I read in the Bible. I took it home and read and re-read it, and when I read the letters from the brethren and sisters, my heart was cheered once more. It was meat and drink to my soul. I kept it and read it over and over again, until I found that one of my neighbors had a few copies of the same. I immediately went and got them, and with them a book called the Third Angel's Message, which I read with much joy. Although I am almost alone here in the cause of the coming kingdom, my prospects are bright once more for the future. I am looking for the return of my Lord and Master who shall change this vile body. I am willing to be called anything for Christ. I am a believer in the advent, and shrink not to proclaim it to the world. Let wicked men scoff or persecute, I will not be moved. I want to be counted worthy to escape these things that are coming on the earth and to stand before the Son of Man.” Faith That Takes No Denial
Sister A. G. Hovey writes from Minnesota: “It is not yet a year since my husband and myself commenced to keep the Sabbath. Bro. Steward came to the village where we lived, White Creek, Wis., to proclaim the third angel’s message. By his proclamation I saw wherein we had been breaking God’s commandments. I felt ready to take my feet from trampling upon his holy Sabbath, and to call it a delight. We removed to Minnesota last spring. We have heard no preaching since that of Bro. S., until Bro. Ingraham came here with the tent, which has been a great help to us and many others in this place. I feel to praise the Lord for what he has done for me in showing me the truth as it is in his sacred book. Let me now speak of some of my feelings. At times when I have thought I could take hold of God’s promises, some evil suggestion would come in, and tell me they were not for me, and throw temptations in my way. Thus I struggled on in prayer to God for some way that I might overcome these feelings, but found no real relief until I read sister Stewart’s experience. I could then see where I stumbled. I felt like giving up all to the Lord, everything, seen or unseen, only give me that faith that takes no denial. My prayer is answered, and I feel like casting all on the altar, and hope that I may ever be ready to meet the Lord.”