ACCORDING to appointment, this meeting was held June 11-13, in a pleasant and central place for the church in the vicinity of Round Grove. The weather was fine. Owing to the heavy rains, few came in from a distance. All much regretted the absence of Brn. Andrews and Hull from Iowa, and Brn. Steward and Phelps from Wisconsin. But we had an excellent meeting. Brn. Waggoner and Sperry, and Bro. and Sr. White spoke with considerable freedom, in a pointed manner, relative to present truth and present duty. Congregations were large and attentive; yet the looks and manners of some gave evidence that their ears were closed, and that they had ceased to feel the force of divine truth.
Second-day morning the brethren assembled in the tent at 8 A. M., to enjoy a social meeting, and to attend to the ordinance of baptism at the close. This was indeed a social meeting, in which most of the brethren and sisters took a part. Six were planted in the likeness of Christ's death by baptism, among them our beloved Bro. and Sr. Sperry. The subject of the relation which baptism sustains to the law of God, in Rom. vi. and vii., is moving our brethren, who have been slain by the law, and have the evidence that they are really dead, to be buried. And God blesses them in this act of obedience.
In the afternoon of Second-day we met with the church at Bro. J. Hart's, where, among other things, some statements in the article headed, The Brotherhood, in REVIEW, Vol. xi, No. 22, were examined in the spirit of candor and christian forbearance. And while we saw no disposition on the part of those who had erred to justify their course, we did see that some of our unqualified remarks in that article threw a burden on Bro. Hart which he should not bear.
On Third-day we had a powerful season of prayer for Bro. Hart. He had suffered much the previous night with severe illness, and was just able to ride to Bro. Stone's where the Lord met him and all present in a powerful manner. We wept and praised the Lord together, and then went in company with Brn. Waggoner, Sperry and Lockwood to the house of Bro. and Sr. Hall, where we spent the night. The bereavements of Sr. Hall, and the reproofs which they have both felt, appear to be greatly sanctified to their good. We parted with these dear friends at the Unionville Depot, at 9 o'clock, Fourth-day, and reached Battle Creek at midnight.
We look back upon this short visit with pleasure. And it is due our brethren in Illinois to say that we think they are now ready to sacrifice for the cause of God; but they are in very trying circumstances, in consequence of wrong moves in the past. Some had been purchasing lands beyond their means, and in these times they can neither raise money to spare off from their lands, nor sell their lands for ready cash, without the greatest sacrifice. We have no disposition to cover up the wrongs of Round Grove church; but, brethren, think ye that these are sinners above all others? Except we as a people repent of our love of this world, and covetousness, we shall likewise call down upon us the rebuke and frown of the Lord.
J. W.
THE APOSTOLIC COMMISSION—IS IT AGAINST THE SABBATH.
By R. F. C.
"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you, and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world, Amen." Matt. xxvii, 19, 20.
To show that this text has any bearing against the Sabbath, it must be made to appear that Christ and the apostles did not teach the Sabbath law. We shall find the teachings of Christ and the apostles in harmony on this subject, for Christ taught and commanded his disciples, and then sent them forth to teach those that yielded to the gospel "to observe all things" that he had commanded them.
We affirm,
1. That Christ taught his disciples to "do and teach" the Sabbath law.
2. That they followed his instructions, teaching the Christians to keep the Sabbath.
If they taught the perpetuity of the entire code of ten commandments, they taught the Sabbath law, for it is one of the ten. In the first place then we enquire, What did Christ teach his disciples on this subject?
"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you,45Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven; but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven." Matt. v, 17-19.
Here Christ speaks of a previously existing, written law, and affirms the perpetual obligation of the entire code upon all that would enter into the kingdom of heaven. "Whosoever," in all coming time, should "do and teach" these commandments, should be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
What commandments did he mean? Did he mean the national, civil code of the Jews? No. The ritual, ceremonial or typical law? No. What law then but the ten commandments? Which of the three did Christ command his disciples to "do and teach"? for it was one of these three unless a fourth can be found existing at that time.
The claim, that Christ fulfilled all this law, and that it was abolished at the cross, is sufficiently refuted by the fact that he required every one, in all the unbounded future, to keep it, as they would enter into the kingdom of heaven. "Till all be fulfilled" does not refer to the law, but to all things in heaven and earth; it reaches to the consummation of all things—to the fulfillment of the prophecies and promises of God.
That this is the right view of the subject, is confirmed by the teachings of the apostles. They were to teach whatsoever Christ had commanded them. Did they teach Christians to keep the whole of the ten commandments? They did.
"If ye fulfil the royal law, according to the Scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well: But if ye have respect of persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, Thou art become a transgressor of the law. So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty." James ii, 8-12.
In this text the apostle teaches Christians, (for he addresses himself to them,) to keep the whole of that law which says, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not commit adultery. What law is that? The ten commandments. That "whole law" included the Sabbath; therefore the apostle taught them to keep the Sabbath.
Thus it is proved that Christ taught his disciples the Sabbath law, and that they went forth in obedience to the great commission, and taught it to others—to all the household of the faith. R. F. C.
Sunday Movements in New York.
By Editor
Commensurate with the revival movement, we find, as might be expected, the subject of the better observance of Sunday more or less agitated, and increased efforts put forth to bring about that desired result. In New York city the matter has proceeded so far that a memorial signed by over a hundred of the "most influential citizens" calling for the suppression of Sunday traffic, and the crying of Sunday papers, has been presented to the Board of Metropolitan Police Commissioners. In accordance with the petition the following resolution was offered by Mr. Commissioner Bowen:
"Resolved, That the General Superintendent be directed to carry the law forbidding the sale of wares and merchandise on Sunday, into effect."
This was adopted ; and at the same time it was also resolved "to abate the nuisance of crying 'papers on the Sabbath!'" Against these proceedings the Sunday papers, as the Sunday Despatch, Sunday Mercury, Sunday Courier, Sunday Times, &c., come out in a very anti-revival spirit; and a fierce war of words has ensued upon the subject. The "Despatch" has changed its day of publication from Sunday to Saturday, not because the proceeding of the Board of Commissioners has inspired it with any religious reverence for Sunday, but only, (to use its own words) that it may "be in a better position to expose to the people the miserable hypocrisy of the whole movement, and of its instigators."
The subject will doubtless soon assume more importance than it at present wears. Meanwhile we are glad to see the agitation of it increasing. We bid the Sunday advocates all the success which the prophecy warrants them to expect. Nevertheless, a few will be found who will not bow to the institutions of men in violation of the Law of God.
ZEAL.
By John Norton Loughborough
“But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing.” Gal. iv, 18.
My mind has been stirred up somewhat to this subject of late by seeing on the part of some a wrongly directed zeal, while on the part of others but little of this quality is possessed. According to our text, zeal is good.
Some by seeing an over-heated zeal on the part of others have been driven to an opposite extreme, and feared to move at all lest they should injure instead of advancing the cause of the Lord. While on the other hand those who have possessed this extra amount of zeal, have seemed to act as though there was no discretion to be used in presenting to others our views of truth. Now you do not find me among those who would cast a stone at the individual who has a well directed zeal in this glorious cause of present truth; but from what I have seen I know of some whose zeal not only endangers them to an overthrow themselves, but their course is anything but beneficial to the cause of God.
Paul spake of a company on one occasion: “For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.”
An individual in such a case is like a ship at sea under full sail without ballast; when the storms arise and find her in that case, she must of course be lost. It seems from Paul’s view of this subject that zeal must be tempered by knowledge. Now I have known instances where lay members have tried to be zealous advocates of the truth when they would have accomplished an hundred fold more not to have said a word, but by living consistent lives, convinced the gainsayers that there was a power in the truth that could sanctify and cleanse the heart.
When persons with but little knowledge of the subject they are trying to talk, quote scripture in a bungling manner, it cannot be otherwise than that it should have a bad influence for the truth. I once heard an individual of this stamp attempt to advocate the doctrine of the destruction of the wicked; he claimed that there was a time when there was to be no hell. He then quoted “Death and hell were cast into the lake of fire;” but after that said he, John said there was no more sea, so there can’t be any lake of fire then; but who could gain light from such reasoning?
I am satisfied there is not much benefit to result from talking the truth with contentious spirits. It is better to be silent before them than to bunglingly throw out ideas as I have seen some do. Such will generally say, If it was not for this objection I might agree with you; and while you might be answering the one objection they would throw in five more. Would it not be better for those who do not thoroughly understand the truth if they are zealous to see it advance, to take our publications in which all these objections are answered, and put them in the hands of such individuals. Or if you are satisfied they are only trying to pick flaws with the truth, would it not be best to serve them somewhat as a brother did a fox-like minister a few days since. The elder saw him passing and cried out, Ho! Mr. B——, stop a minute! What’s wanting? Well, I wanted to ask if you believe so and so? The Bro. was satisfied he understood the matter, and only asked for the purpose of taking some advantage. His only reply was, Was that all you wanted? Yes. Well, said he, Good day; and walked on.
But, say you, we are exhorted to be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh us a reason of the hope that is in us with meekness and fear. True, but it would not follow from this that every man must be a public speaker. We may most effectually give them an answer by placing a publication in their hand which explains the Sabbath question and its objections, or some other point of our faith. Of course if they are anxious for the truth, and carefully read our publications, they can understand how we look at their objections.
We would not wish to convey the idea in this article that all are in danger of having overmuch zeal; far from it. There are some who have candid neighbors who might be reached by the truth if they would give them a little instruction which they are capable of giving, and then furnish the publications and Review for them to read. But alas! they lack zeal in the cause, and their neighbors pass on neglected.
Some have had a zeal tempered with knowledge which has moved them out to place themselves and their all upon God’s altar. They have watched for opportunities to shed light. They have not considered that the exhortation to let their light shine, simply meant that they must talk with everybody without discretion; but they have considered when a call was made for God’s servants to go and speak the truth, and they gave of their substance to help them on their way that they were in part obeying the command, “let your light shine;” and they have felt a satisfaction no tongue can express as they have seen the results of their wisely directed zeal in this cause. The Lord help us to realize, as this is a good cause, it is good to be always zealously affected. May our zeal be according to knowledge. Amen.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
Fremont, Ohio, June 10th.
Meeting in Lisbon, Iowa.
By J. Hart
Bro. Smith : I have closed my meetings in this place, having given twenty evening lectures on the reasons of our faith. For the first part of the time there were from four to six preachers that attended
Some were favorable, and might have been more so if it had not been that they knew that we held to the keeping of the seventh day, and also the non-immorality of the soul. They very kindly asked me to let those two subjects alone, as they thought no good could grow out of their being advocated. I asked one if it was safe to advocate Bible truth. He said yes. Then I told him I should feel free in introducing the subject of the Sabbath. Our meeting was held in the church controlled by the school director who opened the house and lighted it during the whole meeting. But it was not long before the ministers saw that their members were becoming much interested, and something must be done. They withdrew some of them; at least, told their members they must not go, then requested the director to close the house. This he refused to do, claiming that we should have the opportunity to present our faith, for he saw nothing in it to injure the morals of the place.
The next effort seemed to be to circulate reports of every character. This soon turned to our account, and a reaction commenced. At the last meeting the house was filled, notwithstanding the United Brethren had a meeting in their meeting-house. My subject was from Matt. vii, 28: “The people were astonished at his doctrine.” The meeting closed with a deep interest. Seven in the village have commenced keeping the Sabbath, and one in a village one and a half miles from this. Many more acknowledged they should keep the Sabbath. We hope and trust it may be so.
Sunday, I stopped to listen to a discourse by the Lutheran preacher, on the rich man and Lazarus, and some other like passages. His ungentlemanly course stirred the feelings of some of those in the different churches, and also those out of the church. In the evening he gave a discourse on the law and its penalty. Here he claimed that the subject was written something more than a year ago, and also that the one in the forenoon was not prepared for the occasion: thus he hid himself. Many things were said that may prove for the advancement of the cause in the future. Just as I was getting ready to leave I was unexpectedly presented with a written request signed by many names, to return to the place as soon as I could and preach to them more.
There has been a revival in this place, as in almost all villages through the land. I therefore felt to tremble in thinking of presenting the subject of Babylon. And never did I have a greater desire that the Lord might lead me to present the subject before the people in a proper manner. I think that I can say that he did assist me in doing it, and that the facts from their own pens compared with what they used to be were stubborn things. We trust there will be a goodly number to enlist in the third message in this place. I think the way is open for a tent-meeting between Lisbon and Mount Vernon. May the Lord direct. I expect to leave to-morrow for home.
Yours hoping for eternal life.
Lisbon, Iowa, June 5th, 1858.
J. HART.
P. S. Since our meeting closed at this place we have received a letter from Lisbon, signed by 67 citizens of the place, requesting us to return and preach more in that place. We have concluded to comply with the request and take the tent. We shall commence tent-meetings there next week. J. H.
Round Grove, Ills., June 16th, 1856.
The Sabbath in Germany
—A movement for the better observance of the Sabbath has been begun in Germany; the labor in the Post Office on that day has been abridged, the luggage trains on some railroads have been stopped, and efforts made to prevent harvest work and labor in factories. In Prussia, many military reviews, and the exercising of the militia have been transferred to a week-day.
Wait on the Lord
Wait on the Lord, he will supply you, wait for the Lord, he will deliver you.
Every day will bring its own troubles, and God will every day give us more grace.
The Third Angel’s Message in Pulaski
Sister M. Streeter writes from Pulaski, N. Y., June 8th, 1858: "I can truly say that I feast upon the truths advocated in the Review, and I rejoice to hear that the message is rising, and faith is increasing, insomuch that the sick are being raised. I believe I know something about this faith, but not as much as I should if I had been more faithful. I have not always lived as becometh a christian, not even since I professed to keep the commandments, but I hope to be forgiven, unworthy as I am.
"I feel very lonely without one to converse with of like precious faith, yet I praise the Lord there is a people on earth who are trying to keep his commandments, and have the faith of Jesus. The blessed Saviour said, If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will and it shall be done unto you. O, precious words! How encouraging.
I do pray that God will send some of his messengers here to present the truth before the people. My heart aches to see how they are deceived. The Third Angel's Message has never been preached here."
The Truth Spreading at Malta Station
Bro. J. N. Cunningham writes from Malta Station, Ill.: "I praise God for the great truths that are spreading wide their glorious light, thus dispersing the unnatural gloom, and darkness of these last days. A few in this place are looking for Jesus and faithfully keeping the commandments of God, but the nominal churches seem like the troubled sea that cannot rest, but casts up mire and dirt. Some have declared that the commandments are not of God, but of Moses. Others, that they are binding on all men now if47ever; others, that time is lost so that we cannot tell which is the seventh day. All generally admit it to be the Sabbath, if we could tell which of the seven is now the seventh. However, scriptural proof confirmed by history has been laid before them for consideration.
The Review has done much good in this place, and the poor here shall have it while I can earn a dollar."
MARY S. PRIOR
By Mary S. Prior
From Sister Prior.
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: I praise God that there is a way for us, though scattered, to hear from each other. I have had the privilege of meeting with many of you in days past, when we felt the blessing of heaven resting upon us. Those seasons are often before my mind in happy remembrance. I look back to them with pleasure. I am deprived of such privileges now, but I am trying to press my way Zionward. And while I am striving to heed the counsel of the faithful and true Witness, and to consecrate myself more fully to God, I have felt sweet peace resting upon me. I am one of the lonely ones, surrounded by the world, and world-loving professors. They look upon me with contempt. I pity them, and my desire is that they may give their hearts to God. Shall I ever be ashamed of Jesus and his cause? O, God forbid it. When I get sight, by an eye of faith, of that golden city before us, my heart leaps for joy. If I am ever so happy as to enter within those pearly gates, it will be enough. Some humble place at the feet of the saints, and I will praise God. My heart says, let me toil on a few more days. Give me the suffering part of religion. Jesus says, if we suffer with him we shall reign with him. It is enough. Why speak of our trials? They are many of them immaginary; but if we have trials, shall we sink down under them? Do we not know that the trial of our faith is much more precious than gold that perisheth? O let us be faithful with one another, and not have those who are called to preach the Word, weighed down with trials that should be settled among ourselves. May the Lord help us to be laborers together.
Yours striving to overcome,
MARY S. PRIOR
North Bangor, N. Y., June 5th, 1858.
A Growing Band in Ohio
By G. W. Edwards
From Bro. Edwards.
Bro. Smith : The little band of saints here are growing I trust in the grace of God and in the knowledge of the truth. We are trying to be lively members. What a pleasure it is to me to read the Review, and hear from the brethren and sisters in other parts of the country. I have many near and dear relatives that are not yet interested in the truth. My heart's desire is that they may yet see it in its purity. We meet every Sabbath and Fourth-day evening for prayer, and we feel that the Lord meets with us. It has been some eight months since I commenced keeping the commandments of God, and I have not felt like turning back to the world. May God help us to live out our profession, and to walk humbly before him. We would like to have some of the lecturing brethren visit us. We live eight miles south of Napoleon, Henry Co., Ohio. G. W. Edwards.
Shunk, Ohio, June 3d, 1858.
Progress of the Truth in New York
By A. Ross
From Bro. Ross.
BRO. SMITH : I have been with the North Brookfield band to Clarkesville, where we held a meeting. Met the brethren from W. Winfield and had a precious season on account of the presence of the Lord, for which we feel very grateful. I have been endeavoring to give a reason of our blessed hope for a few months past. It seems to be more by constraint than otherwise; yet the Lord has, and will, I believe, overrule it to his glory. There have ten or twelve embraced the Sabbath in the southern part of Oswego Co., and the southern part of Onondaga Co.; the most of which appear soundly converted to the truth, and desirous to be sanctified through the same. There has been in this region more enquiry after the truth within the last four months than for six years previous, and the interest is not abating. May the Lord send some of his messengers this way.
A. Ross.
Hubbard's Corners, N. Y., June 5th, 1858.
WM. GOULD
By Wm. Gould
From Bro. Gould.
BRO. SMITH: I feel strong in the present truth, and believe the last note or message is now being given to a guilty world. I tremble at the thought. O that my lot had been cast among those of like precious faith; but alas, I am here alone, and am looked upon as an infidel. In all this I trust in God, and his holy word. St. Paul said, They that would live godly in Christ Jesus should suffer persecution.
If it was not for the Review I should almost faint by the way. I want all the light that I can get, and also to be armed with the whole armor of God, that I may successfully contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints. I am determined by the help of God to press on in the cause of truth.
WM. GOULD
Lawrenceburg, Ind., June 3d, 1858.
THE CHRISTIAN PILGRIM.
Pilgrim, is thy journey drear?
Are its lights extinct forever?
Still suppress the rising fear,
God forsakes the righteous never!
Never, never, no never.
Storms may gather o'er thy path,
All the ties of life may sever;
Still amid the fear of death,
God forsakes the righteous never!
Never, never, no never.
Pain may rack the wasting frame,
Health desert thy couch forever;
Faith still burns with deathless flame,
God forsakes the righteous never.
Never, never, no never.
The Ten Pieces of Silver.
By S. Elmer
It is a good thing to look over the past and see the way the Lord has led us. It encourages and strengthens our faith, and inspires us with new zeal and energy. It serves to cheer the desponding, while they remember the same guardian care is over them, and that the same hand that led them then, leads them still. It has been remarked, when we have tried to defend the truth by referring to the word of God, that all denominations proved their belief by the Bible. Now we know the way that is marked out in the word of God is a straight and narrow way, and so plain that a child may not err therein; therefore to say that one belief is as likely to be right as the other, is making the Bible a book of confusion. But blessed be God, it is a light and a lamp to our feet. He that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth because the darkness hath blinded his eyes. We read, he that doeth the will of God shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God or no; and we are told that this is the will of God that we keep his commandments. Says David, thy Law is righteousness. All will admit that we should be righteous. Most certainly, says one, but you need not keep the seventh day. But God's perfect law admits of no divisions, for we are assured by the prophet David that all his commandments are sure, and stand fast forever and ever.
The light that has shone on our pathway since we have embraced the true Sabbath, and the amount of light many received when searching for the truth, bears quite a resemblance to the words of our Saviour. Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it. And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbors together, saying, rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I had lost. Luke xv, 8, 9.
After the disappointment of 1844, amidst the darkness, it was discovered that one of the ten commands was not kept; and by the light of the lamp, (the word of God,) a diligent search was commenced; and by clearing away the dust and rubbish of ignorance and superstition, the precious piece, or command, was found; and so plain the command, it did seem to those who found, as if their friends would rejoice with them. O, how anxious they feel for others, and how earnestly do they try to convince them of the truth; but alas! many neglect the light from heaven. But those that embrace it, are assured that it is the truth, for the Word and Spirit both testify to it; and far and near, wherever it is received by the honest ones, a halo of light shines upon their pathway; for their eyes are opened, and like David they behold wondrous things out of the law.
My brethren and sisters, as we have received the truth, let us walk in it; not only by observing the Sabbath, but by keeping all the commands of God and the faith of Jesus. If we acknowledge the Lord in all our ways he will still direct us, and our path will be like that of the just that shineth more and more even to the perfect day.
S. ELMER.
Ashfield, Mass.
Beware of Humble Self
Beware of humble self; it is the proudest frame you can be in.
Extracts from Letters.
Bro. P. Robinson writes June 10th, 1858: "When the Sabbath was first brought before my mind. I began to search the word of God to find something to uphold Sunday keeping; but the more I searched, the more I was condemned; and my prayer became Lord teach me what is right, and what I must do to be saved. Then I saw that I must keep all of the commandments, one of which I was breaking every week. It was a great cross to leave the church to which I belonged, and keep the Sabbath, but I felt it a duty to forsake all for Christ and his kingdom. We must bear the cross if we would wear the crown. I feel that we should take heed to the message to the Laodiceans."
The Precious Saviour
Sister S. A. Hastings writes from New Ipswich, N. H.: ‐O, the precious Saviour! What more could he do than he has done for the salvation of perishing mortals? Jesus, lovely Jesus! He is worthy of my life, my all; and I mean he shall have it. There is no charm for me but in him. I long to drink deeper of his love. Let me know that I have his smiles and it is enough. I expect hate and scorn. I expect revilings; but I shrink not from them. Jesus was reviled, and I ask not a better portion than was his. It is a rugged way that leads to the heavenly land, yet it is not all thorns. There are flowers strewn here and there to be plucked by the faithful ones. There are pleasures in the religion of Jesus that can be found nowhere else. When we let go of the world, launch out from the shore into the broad ocean of his love, then we know the blessedness of giving all for him who yielded up all for us.”
S E L E C T I O N S.
By N. V. Hull
From the Sabbath Recorder.
"IS THE SABBATH LAW OBLIGATORY NOW?"
[CONTINUED.]
To W. H. Rogers :
Dear Brother :—Your third question, "Since Jesus has been appointed the Mediator of the new covenant, and the all-suffering Teacher, how with your views of the Sabbath law do you account for the fact that he and his Apostles never once enjoined Sabbath keeping, nor reproved Sabbath breaking?"
Answer.—Jesus as Mediator of the new covenant never enacted any laws but such as were peculiar to it—baptism and the Lord's Supper. Other institutions and laws pre-existed, and were by him recognized not re-enacted. But they were recognized not as a part of the plan of redemption and forgiveness, but in his character as servant. The re-enacting scheme I think a fallacy. It is manifest that in order to re-enact you must first destroy or repeal. But Christ in the very outset said that he came not to destroy but to fulfill. Indeed no law of God was ever repealed. Laws expire by their own limitation in the government of God and are therefore incapable of being re-enacted having served their purpose. Those laws that have not served their purpose must remain until their end is accomplished. Let it be remembered also that Christ in his divine nature was our Creator, and the author of all pre-existing laws. He was also the author of both covenants. It must not be supposed then that God so administers his government as to contradict himself. Nor must we suppose that Christ in his character as Mediator contradicts his administration as "Lord of all." What we are to expect is harmony.
Again, Christ could only reprove violations of law where they existed. That he did not reprove the Jews for neglecting the Sabbath, I admit, nor is there any proof of such neglect. But he did correct the Jews as to the nature of the Sabbath, and its proper observance. They had so interpreted the institution as to pervert its design, making man its servant rather than making it the servant of man. To correct this error Jesus took advantage of certain circumstances that happened in the course of his ministry, beautifully adapted to his purpose. See Luke xiii, 10–16; Mark ii, 23–28. The doctrine taught is that the Sabbath was made for man, hence it was not a violation of it to rub ears of grain and eat, thus satisfying their hunger. In correcting the opinions of the Jews as to the nature and right use of the Sabbath, Christ did not teach its abrogation. If I have hit upon the idea of the Saviour, i. e., that the good of man is involved in the right use of the Sabbath, and that this is the end sought by the institution, what more do we want? When Jesus teaches how to observe an institution, pointing out existing errors in the public mind, in regard to it saying it is for our good, how much is it short of reproving its violations and misconstructions, and enjoining its right observance, especially when we ourselves confess its proper observance promotive of man's highest earthly well being?
As to the course of the Apostles in this matter, perhaps the best light we can get is the history of their doings written by Luke some sixty or more years after Christ's ascension. From this we learn first that the Jews were scattered through all the surrounding nations. It seems also from Josephus that their religion and especially their Sabbath sentiments were universally known. Add to the fact of the presence of the Jews in every country, this also, that wherever the Apostles went, they met them, and also that all of the churches formed by them were in part at least composed of them and that these Jews were exceeding jealous of any infractions of their religion, controverting every point of Christianity, yielding only where they must, watching with earnest care the movements of the "new sect," and raising opposition wherever they could, that I say under these circumstances, they never charged the Apostles with perverting the Sabbath, is proof most conclusive that they (the Apostles) were invulnerable on this point. Besides you have, in chapter xxviii, 18, the statement of Paul that he had committed nothing against the people or the "customs of the fathers," which he could not have said had he abandoned the Sabbath. But again, through the whole, Sabbath is often mentioned, and always in the present tense, as an institution then in being. And yet again, so well was this institution understood by the Gentiles, that when those of Antioch (chap. xiii, 42,) wished a meeting for their own special benefit and convenience, they asked that it might be on the Sabbath. Accordingly the "next Sabbath, came almost the whole city together" to hear the word.
Take the facts together then, 1. Jesus was a Jew and kept the Sabbath himself. 2. He taught the Jews the true intent of the Sabbath, and through this its proper observance. 3. The Apostles were Jews and kept the Sabbath. 4. In all the countries where they went and established churches, Jews were found keeping the Sabbath, and of these in part the first churches were formed. 5. The Gentiles where they went, conformed to this rule, asking instruction upon that day, and what more do we want?
Alfred Centre, June 2, 1858.
Greater than a King.
The Rev. John Brown, of Haddington, born in 1722, one of the most distinguished ministers of Scotland in his day, has the following testimony:
"After all, I dare not but confess Christ to be the best Master I ever served. Often in preaching and otherwise, I have found his words 'the joy and the rejoicing of my heart.' He hath often laid matter before me in my studies, and enabled me with pleasure to deliver it. God in our nature, and doing all for us, and being all for us—free grace reigning through his imputed righteousness—God's free grant of Christ—and the believer's appropriation founded on that grant, and the comfort and holiness of heart and life flowing from that, have been my most delightful themes. And though I sometimes touched on the public evils of the day, yet my soul never so entered into these points.
"No sermons I ever preached were I think, sweeter to my own soul than those on Psalm 142:7, first clause; Isaiah 44:5, first clause; Isaiah 6:20, last clause; John 11:28; 1 Timothy 1:15, 16; and Rev. 3:21. The little knowledge which I had of my uncommonly wicked heart, and of the Lord's dealings with my own soul, helped me much in my sermons; and I observed that I was apt to deliver that which I had extracted thence, in a more feeling and earnest manner than other matters.
"And now, after near forty years' preaching of Christ and his great and sweet salvation, I think that if God were to renew my youth, and put it entirely in my choice, whether I would be a king of Great Britain, or a preacher of the gospel, with 'the Holy Ghost send down from heaven,' who had to beg his bread all the laboring days of the week, in order to have an opportunity of preaching on Sabbath to an assembly of sinful men, I would by His grace never hesitate a moment to make my choice. By the gospel do 'men live, and in it is the life of my soul.'"
The comparison of events recorded as fulfilled in the New Testament, with their respective predictions in the Old, is the surest guide to the understanding of unfulfilled prophecy.
COMPARE THE FOLLOWING PREDICTIONS AND FULFILLMENTS:
Life's last hours are grand testing hours. Death tries all our principles, and lays bare all our foundation. Many have acted the hypocrite in life, who were forced to be honest in the hour of death ; and many who seemed all fair and right for heaven, have had to declare that they had only been self-deceived.
A gentleman of renown was on his dying bed, when a friend, near at hand, spoke of the Saviour. "As to the Bible," he replied, "it may be true; I do not know." "What then are your prospects?" he was asked. He replied in whispers, which indeed were thunders, "Very dark—very dark." "But have you no light from the Sun of Righteousness ? Have you done justice to the Bible?" "Perhaps not," he replied, "but it is now too late—too late."
A mother who had laughed at religion and religious people, was seen restless and miserable on her bed of death. She desired that her children should be called—they came ; in broken accents she addressed them : "My children, I have been leading you in the wrong road all your life ; I now find the broad road ends in destruction ; I did not believe it before. O ! seek to serve God, and try to find the gate to heaven, though you may never meet your mother there." Her lips were closed forever, while the household looked on terror-struck. Mother ! Father ! would you die thus ? O no ! Then point to heaven, and lead the way.