Earlier text: ON KEEPING THE HEART. No. 9.MAN'S RESPONSIBILITY FOR HIS BELIEF.
By Editor
[There are very many apparently good and honest people, who appear to be most sincere in their belief, who yet differ from what is manifestly taught in the Bible. To rank these with unbelievers who can have no part in the kingdom of God, seems to many to be severe, uncharitable, and bigoted. But the question of man's responsibility for his belief, and consequent guiltiness, if he does not come to the light, is well treated in the following lines. A willful rejection of the light when it is seen, or a neglect to come where the light may be seen, are there shown to be alike criminal. That there are many honest souls who are yet in darkness, and have thus far incurred no guilt by being so, is doubtless true. But no man passes through life, without his opportunities; and for these he becomes responsible. If there are any who, like us, have had in times past, perplexing queries arise in their own minds concerning this matter, we think they will not find a perusal of the article unprofitable.—ED. REVIEW.] THE lurking, specious, soul-destroying error, "No matter what a man believes, if he is only sincere," is ably exposed by Dr. Chalmers in a letter to a female friend: "Lord Byron's assertion, that 'man is not responsible for his belief,' seems to have proceeded from the imagination that belief is in no case voluntary. Now, it is very true that we are only responsible for what is voluntary; and it is also true that we cannot believe without evidence. But then it is a very possible thing that a doctrine may possess the most abundant evidence, and yet not be believed, because we choose to shut our eyes against it; and our unbelief in this case is owing, not to the want of evidence, but of the evidence not being attended to. Grant enough for the refutation of Lord Byron's principle, if attention be a voluntary act. One attends to a subject because he chooses; or he does not attend because he so chooses. It is the fact of the attention being given or withheld, which forms the thing that is to be morally reckoned with. And if the attention has been withheld when it ought to have been given, for this we are the subjects of a rightful condemnation. "It is enough to make unbelief a thing of choice, and a thing of affection, that we have power over the direction of our noticing and investigating faculties. You are not to blame if you have not found some valuable article that you have in an apartment of the thickest darkness; but you are to blame if you might have opened the shutters, or lighted a candle so as to have admitted enough of light for the discovery. Neither are you to blame if you find not the hidden treasure of the gospel, provided it is beyond the reach of all your strenuousness, and of every expedient that can be used for its discovery; but you are to blame if you have not gone in quest of it, or if you have willfully and determinedly shut your eyes against it, or if you have not stirred up those powers of your mind over which the mind has a voluntary control, to the inquiring after it. The Discerner of the heart will see where the lurking prejudice lies, and make it manifest of all who remain in darkness—of all who have not come to Christ, that they were not willing to come. "Christianity lays no unreasonable service on men—and far less, that service which were most unreasonable of all, the homage of your belief, without affording such evidence, as, if attended to, will constrain the belief. Our religion has its proofs, and it has also its probabilities. Its proofs can only be gotten at by patient and laborious inquiry; and when they are so gotten at, they carry the belief along with them. Its probabilities, again, may, some of them, be seen at first sight; and though not enough to compel our belief, yet they form a sufficient claim upon our attention. They form that sort of recognition which entitles Christianity at least to a fair and full trial; and if not worthy all at once of a place in our creed, it is worthy of a further hearing. Now, all I want is, that hearing shall be given; that the evidence of Christianity shall be studied; that the Bible shall be read with patience, and prayer, and moral earnestness; and on the principle that he—who seeketh findeth. I have no apprehension of such a course not terminating in a full and steadfast conviction that the Bible is an authentic messenger from heaven to earth, and contains in it the record of God's will for man's salvation." GET THEM TO READING.
By James White
But very little has ever yet been accomplished in bringing people to see the present truth by preaching alone. In order for the people to retain the reasons of our faith, they would have to be repeated many times, had they no other means to learn them than from the speaker's lips. But as our preachers can hardly find time to repeat once the main reasons of our faith, unless they get the people to reading, their efforts in preaching the word are generally lost. Neither has much been done by circulating our publications where the Word is not preached. Something has been done with publications without the living preacher, and doubtless much is yet to be accomplished with publications alone. But much has been done, and very much can be done with both together. All who go out to teach, whether it be by public lectures, or social instruction by the fireside, should go out well supplied with all our publications. And when the attention of the people is called to Bible subjects, by lectures, or by private teachings, then they will read to profit, and store the mind with Bible arguments. In our publications all the common objections to our position are answered, so that the reader may become capable of meeting the many objections. Such can stand, while those who are not prepared to meet objections will not stand. Those preachers of the present truth who are most successful, usually spread out a quantity of all our publications upon the stand or desk before them before rising to speak. They frequently refer to the publications where subjects are fully explained, which the speaker has not time to fully explain. At the close of the discourse, the books are offered to the people at our published prices, and the importance of their being carefully read is urged upon them. By this time the people who are prepared to purchase books come forward for a supply. And we venture the assertion, that most reading persons will learn more present truth by reading one evening, than to listen to two discourses. Let the books be on the stand at every discourse, Sabbath excepted. The press is a mighty engine. Let it do its work, and save the lungs; short, spirited discourses and the books will do tenfold more than long argumentative discourses which weary the people, and wear out the speaker's lungs. Fire-side preachers can call the attention of their friends to the truth, then offer them books where they may find the reasons of our faith plainly stated, and fully defended. Brethren, you may do the people much more good, and still save your lungs and your breath, by getting them to reading. MEETINGS AT THREE RIVERS, MICH.
By Merritt E. Cornell
BRO. SMITH:—Since the conference at Monterey, I have been to the village of Three Rivers, having been invited by the trustees of the Methodist Church to give a course of lectures in their house. I had given only two discourses when the pastor of the church gave notice that I could have the house no longer, and did not give the public any reason, but he privately told me he had learned that I had been up in Allegan and Hillsdale counties dividing churches, &c. The notice was given on the occasion of a sermon by the presiding elder. The sermon was a "cry of peace and safety." He said "twenty-five years ago almost every sect in the land was at war with each other, but now all is union. Religion has done a great work for this nation. Once the land was filled with war and bloodshed, but now the nations have learned to settle up their difficulties without war; and the time is drawing near when the swords shall be beat into ploughshares, and the nations learn war no more." The sermon was emphatically a "prophecy of smooth things." After leaving the meeting-house I gave two discourses in a school-room; but the teacher objected to a series of meetings there, and as a last resort I accepted of a Spiritualist hall. The hall was owned by a speaking medium, but he promised that I should speak out my views without interruption. He was a very mild, kind hearted man, but when I applied the scriptures in regard to Spiritualism in the last days, he was influenced and assumed the appearance of a mad man, and spoke with tongues and interpreted for about half an hour. And I must say I have never taken such a scourging before, neither do I believe it is in the power of man without foreign aid to use such language. He spoke three or four different languages. The first interpretation, as nearly as I can recollect, was as follows: "I perceive that thou art a deceiver. Art thou a believer and sayst I have a devil? then cast him out; for these signs shall follow them that believe." I immediately took up my appointment for the next evening, concluding that it was presumption to go into a room dedicated to Satan and owned by a medium, to give lectures on the Third Angel’s Message. I heard them relate some wonderful cures that had been performed by spirits there. One was that of a young man that had been deaf from infancy was cured. What I saw there confirmed me in the belief that "Babylon is fallen," and Satan is at work with power and wonders, and caused me to feel the need of the "whole armor" to enable me to stand against the powers of darkness. On my return from Three Rivers I spent the Sabbath at Otsego. Two families of Sabbath-keepers have lately moved there. Bro. Shepard from N. Y., and Bro. Perkins from Macomb Co., Mich. Bro. P. had never heard but one discourse on the present truth. Bro. Waggoner visited them last Spring. They seemed much encouraged and strengthened by the word spoken. The churches in this part seem to be determined to throw off stupidity and rise with the message. P. S. Will Bro. Waggoner give his P. O. address. Once, in all human history, we meet a being who never did an injury, and never resented one done to him, never uttered an untruth, never practiced a deception, and never lost an opportunity of doing good; generous in the midst of the selfish, upright in the midst of the dishonest, pure in the midst of the sensual, and wise far above the wisest of sages and prophets, loving and gentle, yet immovably resolute; his illimitable meekness and patience never once forsook him in a vexatious, ungrateful, and cruel world.—Christ in History. Extract from Alleine's Alarm.
By Joseph Alleine
You see who it is that calls you. Consider also by what instruments, and how often and how earnestly he does it. 1. Every leaf of the blessed book of God has as it were a voice, and calls out, Turn, and live; turn, or thou wilt die. How canst thou open it, or read a leaf, or hear a chapter, and not perceive God bids thee turn? 2. The voice of many a motion of the Spirit secretly urges thee to turn. 3. The voice of conscience. Art thou not sometimes convinced that all is not well with thee? And does not thy conscience tell thee that thou must be a new man, and take a new course? 4. The voice of all the works of God. For they also are God's books, that teach thee this lesson, by showing thee his greatness, and wisdom, and goodness, and calling thee to observe them, and admire the Creator. Ps. xix. 1, 2. "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth his handy work. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge." Every time the sun riseth upon thee, it calls thee to turn, as if it should say, "What do I travel and compass the world for, but to declare to men the glory of their Maker, and to light them to do his work? And do I still find thee doing the work of sin, and sleeping out thy life in negligence? 'Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.'" 5. The voice of every mercy thou dost possess. If thou couldst but hear and understand them, they all cry unto thee, Turn. Why does the earth bear thee, but to seek and serve the Lord? Why does it afford thee its fruit, but to serve him? Why do all the creatures serve thee with their labor and their lives, but that thou mightest serve the Lord of them and thee? Why does he give thee time, health, and strength, but to serve him? Why hast thou meat, and drink, and clothes, but for his service? Hast thou anything which thou hast not received? And if thou didst receive them, it is reason that thou shouldst bethink thee, from whom, and to what end and use thou didst receive them. Treating Bible Truths as Realities
By Justin Edwards
"WHEN a man treats the truths of the Bible as realities, and speaks and acts as if he expected to see their fulfillment, those who regard these truths as fables often think and speak of him as deranged."—Justin Edwards. John Wesley on Union.
By M. E. C.
“Would to God that all the party names and unscriptural phrases, and forms which have divided the Christian world were forgotten, and that we might all agree to sit down together, as humble, loving disciples at the feet of our common Master to hear his word, imbibe his Spirit, and to transcribe his life in our own.” What a contrast between the above and the statement of a Methodist minister a short time since when speaking of the existing divisions among professed Christians. He said it was according to the will of God and a blessing to the cause of evangelical truth. Surely Babylon is fallen. Extravagance in Church Building
The Protestants are out-doing the Popes, Babylon of old, the mother of harlots, in splendid, extravagant folly in church building. Thousands on thousands are expended in gay and costly ornaments to gratify pride, and a wicked ambition, that might and should go, to redeem the perishing millions! Does the evil, the folly, and the madness of these proud, formal, fashionable worshipers stop here? These splendid monuments of popish pride, upon which millions are squandered in our cities, virtually exclude the poor, for which Christ died, and for whom he came especially to preach. There is not a vestige of proof, authority, example, or intimation in the New Testament to justify this splendid folly, not a particle. “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach to the poor.” “He that oppresseth the poor, reproacheth his Maker.” See also 1 Cor. i. 26, 27. No wonder God withholds his holy influences! No marvel the heavens are brass, and the earth iron! Go into one of these fashionable, costly, highly ornamented popular church edifices, what do you see and hear? Christ? Sinners weeping between the porch and the altar? Do you? “Wo to the crown of pride,” “Wo unto the idle shepherds,” “Wo to you ye blind guides,” “Wo unto them that are at ease in Zion,” Wo! wo! wo!—Golden Rule. PRAYER.—“He who prays as he ought, will endeavor to live as he prays. He that can live in sin, and abide in the ordinary duties of prayer, never prays as he ought. A truly gracious praying frame is utterly inconsistent with the love of, and reserve for, any sin.”—Owen. DISPENSATIONAL DIAGRAM.
By Joseph Harvey Waggoner
The Church’s Duty to Bear Light
By Frederick Wheeler
THESE words are a part of that memorable sermon of our Lord on the mount. They were addressed to his disciples, and those who then heard him; but the truth here taught, illustrated and enforced, in the connection, has had, and should have a practical application and influence on the church in every age of the world; and especially on those living amid the closing scenes of the gospel age. God has seen fit in his infinite wisdom, in every age to select his chosen and faithful ones, not only to commit to their care the relation of his will in general, as in the case of choosing Abraham and his descendants, to commit to them the oracles of God, and the knowledge of salvation through a coming Saviour; but has also at different periods, chosen them to bear the present truth to the age in which they lived; and to give warning to the world of approaching destruction; as in the case of Noah and the antediluvians. At the commencement or opening of the gospel dispensation, the same great principle is carried out. When Christ had finished the work of his earthly mission, he laid upon the church the responsibility of bearing the light of the gospel to all the world. The apostles and apostolic church felt the force of our Saviour's words: "Ye are the light of the world," and also of his command, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." They did not conceal the light that had shone into their hearts, by a conformity to the world; but they were living epistles "known and read of all men." 2 Cor. xi, 3. As the apostles went forth proclaiming the gospel, the power of that gospel was seen in the effect it produced in the lives and characters of those who professed to believe it. Theirs was a living faith, made perfect by works. Their light shone forth and men took "knowledge of them that they had been with Jesus." Their one object was to advance the cause of Christ, and save men. To this one object, their property, their lives, their all were consecrated. For this one object alone they lived. Passing down to the closing work of the gospel age we find the same order brought to view in carrying out the great plan of salvation. The gospel of the Kingdom is to be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations. Matt. xxiv, 6. In Rev. xiv, 6, 12, we have brought to view, Three Angels' Messages through which are proclaimed the hour of his Judgment, and the preparatory work for the harvest of the world. That these Angels symbolize religious teachers acting in connection with the church, is plain from the fact that Christ committed the preaching of the gospel in all the world to men called of God; and the declaration, "Lo I am with you always even unto the end of the world," shows that this order was never to be changed. If this position be correct, how fearful the responsibility resting on the church in the closing scenes of time. With what weight should the words of Christ, "ye are the light of the world," come home to our hearts! Has God been leading us into an understanding of the evidences of the second coming of his Son near at hand? Have we felt the power of that coming in our hearts? Have the truth's of these Angels' Messages shone upon us? Does the light of the Third especially now shine upon our pathway? We profess to believe in that solemn Message; and that it is now being given, we have the most positive proof. Who shall hold up the light of this Message to the world? Who shall bear it to those honest souls ready to perish for want of this light? Will those who have no faith in the work? Nay, verily. The responsibility rests on us, whose hearts have felt the power of this truth. "Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick;" in a place where it can reflect the greatest degree of light. God has not given us the light of present truth, that we should conceal that light, but that we should let it shine before our fellow men. Nor should our efforts or our means be confined to our own immediate vicinity; but wherever there is an opening to spread the truth, so far as we can, we should aid in sending the light there. Says Jesus, Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. It is not by words only that we should bear witness to the truth, but by works also. Faith without works is dead being alone. It was said of John Bunyan that he preached his sermons twice: once when he delivered them from the desk, and again when he lived them out in his life. So should we in these last days. While the remnant of the Lord go forth to proclaim the last Message of mercy, and the church witness the same great truth, our lives should tell that the truths of that Message are living realities to us. But is it so? Is there not too much conformity to the world among the remnant? Is it not too often the case, that what might have been a living testimony borne by the church, loses its edge and power by their conformity to the world and worldly-mindedness? My heart is often pained by the sad reflection that the light of present truth is so much buried up. While we profess to be a people living wholly for God and his truth, and expecting soon to receive an inheritance in the earth made new, do not the dress, the conversation and the eagerness with which many engage in the business of the world, tell that to them the truth has lost its power, and instead of being lights in the world, they become causes of stumbling to honest souls on account of the indifferent manner in which they reflect the light of present truth? I speak these things in love; but it appears to me that
"'Tis time we all awake." That a lukewarm state has come over the church, is a fact too plainly seen to be denied. The worldly spirit that is seen, the lack of consecration, and of the spirit and power that marked the early progress of the Third Angel's Message, are too apparent, and tell that it is even so. But I rejoice that the church is beginning to feel their condition and to awake. The exhortation of the faithful and true Witness to be "zealous and repent," is beginning to move them; and there are signs of coming up to the work of the Lord. I look forward with confidence to see a mighty move among the remnant soon, and a more perfect consecration of all to God. Hasten it on, O Lord! is my prayer. The church is compared to a city set on a hill, that cannot be hid. A city that is thus situated is gazed upon by all. If it is beautiful and prosperous, and the citizens quiet and agreeable, then it is looked upon with admiration; but if it presents the opposite appearance, then it is looked upon with disdain by all. Such is the case with the church, the remnant. Our light may be obscured; but we cannot be hid. The world behold us. They know the high and holy profession we have made. They look for us to be a holy people, zealous of good works. They expect to see us live for God and the coming kingdom. O brethren and sisters, let us awake! Let us call up again in our minds the solemn Message of the Third Angel. Let our faith look into the Most Holy of the heavenly Sanctuary, see Jesus there, finishing the last work of his priestly office, and that work soon to close, and that forever. Look again at the condition of our fellow men, rushing madly on to final ruin. See the lovely angel of mercy just ready to take her flight from earth to return no more for ever! See among the mass here and there honest souls seeking after truth, and just ready to perish for want of present truth, the very truth that God has given to the remnant, and laid upon us the responsibility of carrying to them. Hear the faithful and true Witness saying, Be zealous and repent! To you, to all, he speaks. Let us heed his voice and open our hearts that he may come in and sup with us and we with him. Look at these things, I say, and let your hearts be moved! Awake, and shake off that stupidity and indifference! Gird yourselves again for the conflict! Our own salvation, the salvation of our children, and of souls around us just ready to perish, call aloud upon us to awake and lay these things to heart; and shall they call in vain? I trust not. Let these things be felt with their proper weight, and we shall see the church fast approximating towards that state for which we profess to look; viz., a return to the primitive position, when all the gifts and graces shall again be enjoyed that adorned the apostolic church. Then would the righteousness of the church go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth. Then would the honest in heart come to the light, and the dishonest recoil from the light, lest their deeds should be reproved. Let the church feel their present position and responsibility as they ought, and there would be no withholding of means needful to carry forward the work. No conformity to the fashions of the world in dress would foster in the heart that very pride which must be rooted out before we can enter into life. No light and trifling conversation would be heard from the lips of any professing present truth, giving countenance to any in their course of vanity and unholy mirth. No pampering of an unnatural appetite in the use of that filthy weed, tobacco, would be seen as a stain upon the church, to weaken the influence of any. No extended arrangements in worldly business would tell that the insinuation of the enemy, "My Lord delayeth his coming," was gaining a place in any heart. No needless habits would be indulged in; no needless self-indulgence allowed. But our bodies would be presented to God a living sacrifice, and we labor to have every thought brought to the obedience of Christ. The exhortation of the Apostle, [2 Pet. iii, 14,] would be heeded: "Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of them in peace, without spot and blameless." Paul says, [Phil. ii, 14-16,] "Do all things without murmurings and disputings, that ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye are as lights in the world; holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain." Rom. xiii, 12. The night is far spent, the day is at hand; let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. We should feel that Christ speaks to us, "Ye are the light of the world," and walk as children of the light in deed, adorning our profession constantly by a well ordered life and a godly conversation. And may the time soon come when the church shall come up leaning on her beloved, clear as the sun, fair as the moon, and terrible as an army with banners. FREDERICK WHEELER.
North Brookfield, N. Y., Dec. 24, 1856. P. S. I think of laboring for a season in this vicinity, if the Lord will. My P. O. address for the present is Hubbard's Corners, Madison Co., N. Y.
F. W. WHAT WILT THOU HAVE ME TO DO?
Prostrate, O Lord, in dust,
My spirit lies;
To Christ, my only trust,
I lift my eyes;
With doubt perplexed,
What course shall I pursue?
O show me, gracious Lord, what thou wouldst have me do? What shall I do for thee,
My soul's best friend—
Thou, who to die for me
Didst condescend?
What trial for thee bear,
Or cross sustain,
Who bore a cross for me, a cross of scorn and shame. My heart by love constrained,
Pants for the field,
To souls in sin enchained,
Succor to yield:
But still no open path-way
Meets my view,
O tell me, gracious Lord, what thou wouldst have me do. Encouragement from Brother Miller
By P. Miller, jr.
BRO. SMITH: I would say a word by way of encouragement to the readers of the Review. Though I do not endorse all that it publishes—for instance, that the 2300 days ended in A. D. 1844, and that then our great High Priest entered the Most Holy of the heavenly Sanctuary, &c.—yet the truth which it publishes concerning Israel, the admonitions relative to holiness and purity of heart, and the enlivening communications from the brethren scattered abroad, all serve to constitute the Review a much esteemed friend. My faith in our position relative to the Third Angel's Message, remains firm and immutable as the everlasting hills. Yes the third and last angel of mercy, [Rev. xiv, 9,] to this fallen world, has plumed his wing, and is now on his last errand of mercy, fulfilling the last clause of the parable of the supper. Luke xiv, 23. "And the Lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges and compel them to come in that my house may be filled." Never did the truth have such a purifying influence on my heart as now. Never did the holy Sabbath, the token of remembrance which God in his infinite mercy and love has made known and given unto us, even us who have received the truth of the Third Angel appear more brilliant and precious than now. Like a golden chain, the more it is worn the brighter it grows. Laona, Chaut. Co., N. Y., Nov. 30th, 1856. One Secret of A Happy Life.
Were I to live my life over again, I should make it a point to do a kindness to a fellow-being whenever I had the opportunity. I regret very much that my habit has been so different. It has been my way too much to let others take care of themselves, while I took care of myself. If some little trespass was committed to my rights or if I suffered some slight inconvenience from the thoughtlessness or selfishness of others, I was greatly annoyed, and sometimes used harsh and reproachful language toward the offender. I am now satisfied that my own happiness was greatly impaired by this course, and that my conduct and example contributed to the irritation and unhappiness of others. It was but the other day that I was passing along the street, and a coachman was endeavoring to draw a light carriage into the coach-house. He tried once or twice without success, and, just as I came up, the carriage occupied the whole of the side-walk, and prevented my passing. The fellow looked as if it ought not to be so, and there was something like a faint apology in his smile. It was on my tongue to say, "in with your carriage, man, and do not let it stand here blocking up the passage;" but a better spirit prevailed. I went to the rear of the carriage and said: "Now try again, my good fellow!" while I gave a little push, and in the carriage went, and out came the pleasant "thank you, sir, much obliged." I would not have taken a twenty-dollar bank note for56 the streak of sunshine that this one little act of kindness threw over the rest of my walk, to say nothing of the lighting up of the coachman's face. And when I look back upon my intercourse with my fellow-men all the way along, I can confidently say that I never did a kindness to any human being without being happier for it. So that, if I were governed by merely selfish motives, and wished to live the happiest life I could, I would just simply obey the Bible precepts, to do good unto all men as I had opportunity. COMMUNICATIONS.
By David Arnold
"Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another." BRO. SMITH: I feel heartily to respond to the sentiment advanced by the brethren in the Review in reference to the Laodicean church. I have for some time believed that it applied directly to those who are at the present time professing to keep the Commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus. I think this point must be conceded by all, when we take in view the time in which we live. Having passed from the first advent down through the clear development of all the peculiar traits of character which were to mark the six stages of the church, are we not brought to behold among us a clear and definite exhibition of all those traits which were given by the faithful and true Witness, to mark the seventh and last state of the church? I think we are. Such being the facts before us, with what fearful sanction do the denunciation and admonition of the faithful and true Witness fall on our ears: "So then, because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth." Dear reader, is it I, to whom this awfully solemn message applies? If so, let us with all diligence, (in view of our doom if we neglect,) thoroughly and zealously repent and reform, (Whiting's Trans.,) lest we find ourselves "without," among "dogs," sorcerers, &c. O let not these things fall upon your ears like idle tales. Haste! haste! tarry not in all the plain! "Stay not, O stay not for earth's vain allurements,
See how its glory is passing away,
Break the strong fetters the foe hath bound o'er thee,
Heir of the kingdom, turn turn, thee away."
A word in reference to the "gold, white raiment and eye-salve," and how to "open the door." I fully agree with some that have written, that gold being the most precious of all metals fitly represents charity or love, which is the greatest or crowning-grace. The white raiment is fully explained in chap. xix, 8. Zephaniah, in view of the fierce anger of the Lord, and the day's passing as the chaff, says: [chap. ii, 3:] "Seek righteousness, seek meekness; it may be ye shall be hid, (or clothed.) in the day of the Lord's anger." The eye-salve which we are required to apply, may fitly represent the turning our attention and perceptions more closely to the clear and definite truths connected with the Third Angel's Message, praying the Holy Spirit to set them home to our understanding that we may clearly understand the duties and obligations that rest upon us in these last moments of probation. How shall we open the door, that he may come in and sup with us? This is the point, says one, I have desired much to understand. This caused me, while I have desired with strong cries, and tears, and entreaties that Christ would come in and take up his constant abode and sup with me and I with him, to inquire, Why does he not come in? Ah, it will take something more than good desires. Have you prepared the room as well as invited the guest? Is there not some guest retained there that he cannot associate or dwell with? Is your heart a fit temple for the Holy Ghost to dwell in? Can he dwell with the spirit of the world, with pride or self-will, with the fumes of tobacco or whisky, or, in short, any thing that defiles the temple of God? O what a work we have to do to buy gold tried in the fire, to obtain the white raiment, and to anoint our eyes with eye-salve, and to open the door. In view of this great work, were it not that Christ hath said, My grace is sufficient for thee, and the glorious promise of the faithful and true Witness, To him that overcometh, &c., I might faint by the way. But with these precious promises in view, I am resolved with the little church in this place, in the strength of Christ to overcome, and set down with Christ in his throne. Your brother striving for the victory.
DAVID ARNOLD.
Fulton, N. Y., Dec., 1st, 1856. REMARKS.—We see here a firm belief expressed in the last message, now being given to the world. This is well; for the Third Angel's Message is entitled to our utmost confidence and love. But we think we discover at the same time, in the positions taken above, a lack of confidence in the very work upon which this message is founded, and from which it took its rise. It will doubtless be conceded by all who endorse our views of the Sanctuary, that Rev. xi, 19, refers to the entrance of our great High Priest into the Most Holy Place, which contains the ark of the covenant, which move the Bible locates at the termination of the 2300 days. It is also evident that the expression, "and there was seen in the temple, the ark of his testament," must denote that a special movement was to take place among God's people, concerning his law, the ten commandments, contained in that ark. If then the 2300 days have not ended, and that part of the temple containing the ark, is not yet opened, we must look to the future for that special movement concerning the commandments, which, it is plainly intimated, will attend these events. But we raise our eyes and behold this very work now going on before us, under the Message of the Third Angel; and it is certain that prophecy cannot be fulfilled before the time: neither can it be fulfilled but once. But if we are to look to the future for the time when the temple shall be opened, and God's people, by faith, behold therein, the ark of his testament, and, of course, act accordingly, the present work must cease, and make way for that distinct movement in the future. Then the very Message now being given, in which our brother professes such a commendable confidence, believing it to be that of the Third Angel, must die away, and prove to be no message, but only an ebullition of fanaticism and error. Are not these legitimate deductions from the premises taken? While we believe them to be such, and while our brother retains his love for and confidence in the work now progressing before us, we would suggest for his consideration, that it can in no way be harmonized with the teachings of the Word, only on the ground that the prophetic period which brought us to the cleansing of the Sanctuary has terminated, that then our High Priest entered the Most Holy, and that as his people follow him, by faith, to his last work, they there behold the ark of his testament, and are now acting accordingly. We are held to this conclusion by the evidence we have that until these events do take place, the time has not come for the Third Angel to fulfill his mission; and from the tenor of our brother's epistle, we should judge that he would be the last to believe that this angel in endeavoring to act his part, had got out of place.—Ed. Bro. L. M. Bodwell writes from Rubicon, Wis.: "I believe the faithful warnings and admonitions of the Review. The articles in relation to our present position I believe to be just what the church need; for it does appear to me that the church is at the present time lukewarm; and I hope and pray that we may all of us heed the counsel of the faithful and true Witness, and be prepared to stand in that hour of strong temptation which is coming upon all the world to try them that dwell upon the face of the earth." Bro. H. W. Lawrence writes from West Bangor, N. Y.: "Bro. Smith, the church is rising once more in this section. Bro. Sperry has been laboring some of late among us, and most of the brethren and sisters are repenting of their lukewarmness, and arousing to a deeper sense of the time in which we live. My heart beats in unison with the work." Sister E. Degarmo writes from Parish, N. Y.: "When I embraced the Advent doctrine, and then the Third Angel's Message, I did not put my hand to the plough to look back, but through the merits of Jesus and by faith in him, to endure to the end that I might see and dwell with the King in his beauty. I long to be like my Lord in all things. If it was not for my Bible and the Review and the presence of that dear Friend who feels his children's woes, and knows how to soothe and calm their sorrows, I should be most lonely; but Jesus has done all things well, and I feel to submit with cheerfulness, and say, Thy will, O God, and not mine, be done." Bro. W. C. Negus writes from Grand Ledge, Mich.: "I am striving to take heed to the counsel to the Laodiceans. I thank the Lord that he has a few faithful watchmen left to proclaim the words of life. I often wish that some of them would come this way. I have yet not been blest with the privilege of baptism." Bro. N. A. Curtis writes from West Canaan, N. Y.: "The paper is still a welcome messenger, and we rejoice in the clear light it contains on our present position. We fully believe we are in the Laodicean state of the church. This being the case, our duty is clear: to heed the counsel of the true Witness, that we be not at last found with the number that are poor and miserable, &c. May the Lord help us."