p. 7 | Review and Herald, Vol. 13, No. 1. (11/25/1858)

Preparing to Meet the Lord

From Bro. Dodge.

Bro. Smith: I realize that there remains a work for us all to do, in order to meet the Lord in peace. He will soon be here, and O, that we who profess to be commandment-keepers may be ready and waiting. Self-righteousness will be of no use to us in the judgment. We are living in perilous times, but if we have the daily evidence (which it is our duty as well as privilege to have) that God approbates our lives, we have nothing to fear. Let us all bear in mind that without holiness we cannot see the Lord. The time has fully come for us all to arise and move forward. There is no resting place for us this side of Mt. Zion. When I read the letters in the Review from the saints scattered throughout the land, and know that they are trying to arise from a lukewarm state into one of holiness, it warms up my soul, and a thrill of joy runs through my heart which words cannot express. I am thankful to God that he has had such a care for me, that I ever was made to see the light that shines for his people in these closing hours of time. By his grace I mean to go through to the kingdom.

Brethren and sisters, it is but a little longer that we shall have to suffer afflictions here. Then let the thorn and the thistle grow around us; soon they will annoy us no more forever. Let us as a Christian people raise the standard high, lest we should seem to come short of the promise left us concerning the rest that remains for the saints. How thankful we all ought to be that such light shines from the word of God that all who will may walk and rejoice in it. I am satisfied that we have the truth, and it will not do to sell it.

In hope of eternal life. H. W. DODGE.

Stoddard, N. H., Nov. 4th, 1858.

The Blessing of Present Salvation

By E. G. Eastman

From Sister Eastman.

BRO. SMITH: I esteem it a privilege to write a few lines, and tell what the Lord has done for me. It has been some more than five years since I first turned my feet into the testimonies of the Lord; but I have been an unprofitable servant.

Last winter, through the labors of Bro. Welcome, the Lord showed me that there was a fullness in Jesus, and that it was my privilege to enjoy a present salvation. I sought and obtained the blessing. O, the sense of the goodness and glory of God that filled my soul. I felt that I opened the door of my heart, and my Saviour entered and took up his abode with me. I do rejoice that while darkness covers the earth and gross darkness the people, there is light in God's word, and he is purifying unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

Your unworthy sister striving to overcome. E. G. EASTMAN. Adario, Wis., Nov, 3d, 1858.

The Laodicean Message

By Jacob Ayers

From Bro. Ayers.

Bro. Smith : I never saw things in the light I have of late. I am fully satisfied that I at least have got to take entirely a different course from what I have done in time past. It appears to me that I have been greatly in the dark, but I can through the great mercy of the Lord, begin to indulge a hope that I am receiving an application from time to time of the blessed eye-salve. I think I see quite clearly that it will take all to buy the tried gold, the white raiment and the eye-salve; but it appears to me that in view of what it cost to obtain these things for us, and the great and glorious results to come, if we faithfully heed the counsel of the faithful and true Witness, we have no reason to complain of the price, but rather to be filled with wonder, love and praise. There have been times of late when I have been almost on the point of giving up for lost, and I am satisfied that I never saw and felt the force of the Laodicean message sufficiently to save me from ruin, in the past. I now see, I trust, that there is no other way of escape for me. O, may the Lord in mercy help me to increase more and more in feeling and realizing the great importance of these things, and also of attending to it immediately, knowing that the time is very short in which these things can be attended to. It does seem to me that what is done must be done quickly. May the Lord give wisdom.

Yours hoping in the mercy of the Lord at the appearing of Jesus. Jacob Ayers. Bristol, Ct.

Extracts from Letters.

Bro. B. F. Curtis writes from Iowa City, Oct. 30; 1858 : "Bro. Hull left our house Tuesday, the 26th, for Indiana, which leaves the cause here without a preacher. There is a great interest in this city, and for miles around. O that some preacher could come out and spend some months here. This city numbers eight or ten thousand inhabitants. I am not enough acquainted as yet to know whether we could reasonably expect a preacher this way this winter. Where is Bro. Phelps ? Could not he come ? or could not my beloved Bro. Waggoner come out again this winter ? I pray God to raise up more laborers for his harvest."

Sister B. Strout writes from Bradford, Me., Nov. 3d, 1858 : "O how it would rejoice my heart to meet with the dear saints in conference, and hear God's messengers preach the word. I have not seen or heard any of the preachers since Bro. Barr was here two years ago last May ; but my trust is in the Lord. I believe that we have a great High Priest in the heavenly Sanctuary, who is touched with the feeling of our infirmities ; and my prayer is that my sins may all be blotted out. It cheers my heart to hear that the message is rising, and God's people are going free. May the Lord strengthen and prepare us for the conflict just before us."

The Need of the Holy Ghost

If you think you can come to Christ, or do any good thing, without the Holy Ghost, you have never been taught to know yourself; you are without strength.

To Correspondents.

By Editor

J. Bostwick: For an explanation of Rev. vi, 9-11, we refer you to an article on that scripture, from Bro. Loughborough in No. 23, Vol. xi. Concerning 2 Cor. xii, 2-4, we see not how your friends can make much of a stand on that for the conscious existence of the dead. If we mistake not, something of a burden of proof rests upon them before they can make that scripture support that doctrine. Mark the Apostle's subject, verse 1. It is visions and revelations. He goes on to relate a view he had had of Paradise, and states that he is in doubt whether he was taken up bodily into Paradise or not. If he was not, he was, of course, according to his subject, in vision. All must admit that these two conditions are the only ones brought to view by the Apostle: either being carried bodily into Paradise, or viewing it in vision. All the Apostle means, then, by the phrase, "out of the body," is merely to be in vision. Before this scripture, therefore, can prove what is claimed for it, it must be shown that man is in possession of a separate, immaterial, intelligent entity called the soul; second, that this can exist independent of the living organism; and third, that for a person to have a vision it is necessary for this soul to be separated from the body and carried to the objects to be presented before it; neither of which can be shown.

Conference in Lapeer, Mich.

By Joseph Bates

THE new meeting-house was finished and dedicated to the Lord our God on the 12th inst. From thence the Conference continued three days with increasing interest. Some fifty or more professing to keep the Sabbath were present. Some of the brethren from Shelby, Rochester, Canandaigua and Tyrone, came up to the feast.

Brn. Waggoner and Lawrence were here by invitation. The clear manner in which Bro. W. presented the sure word of prophecy, the perpetuity of God's holy Law, and how the gospel comes in as a remedy for all its transgressors, with the nature and obligation of the weekly Sabbath of the Lord our God, claimed the attention of all who came to hear; and many appeared to be deeply convicted of the certainty of the sure word of the Lord presented to them.

On the third day of the meeting (First-day) we had an interesting season at the water side, where two more were buried in baptism and raised to walk in newness of life; making in all fourteen that we have baptized besides the seventeen that were baptized by Brn. Cornell and Lawrence, before they left here in Sept. last. Several others are still held back by opposing influences which will probably ere long be removed.

On the morning of the fourth day, the church convened, and accepted the report of their building committee, and chose a committee to settle all outstanding accounts and hold the house in trust in accordance with the consecration they had made of it to the Lord. In the evening gospel order was attended to by setting apart one of their number to act in the capacity of deacon, after which the church united in celebrating the ordinances of the Lord's house. We were made happy indeed in so doing, rejoicing in our acquaintance with each other, and how the bonds of union were being cemented by our love of the present truth, and the blessed hope (if faithful) of soon seeing that blessed Saviour whose sufferings and death we had met to celebrate. Praise the Lord for all his mercies.

Is not the work of God moving onward? Not four months yet have passed, since Brn. Cornell and Lawrence pitched the Michigan tent here in this place and commenced the proclamation of the Third Angel's Message. Now here is a neat and commodious house for the worship of Sabbath keepers, and a church of thirty-one baptized members with their families, besides others that keep the Sabbath in union with them, and many others interested to attend their meetings. All this work has been rising under the proclamation of the present truth, while scoffers and opposition are raging all around.

In East Thetford, twenty miles from this, there is another church that is rising out of a dark place. They need help from our brethren when they pass this way. We have spoken of these once before.

The first week in this month I spent in Hadley, where we gave seven lectures, in two districts, where the present truth had never been presented. We found that much prejudice against Sabbath keepers had spread here from Lapeer; the towns being only twelve miles apart. Notwithstanding all this, we had no opposition from those who came to hear. Many of them acknowledged the truth of the Sabbath of the Bible, and also believe that Christ is soon coming, but they lack courage as yet to take a stand for the truth. I hope they will not wait too long.

JOSEPH BATES.

Lapeer, Lapeer Co., Mich., Nov. 17th, 1858.

P. S. After spending the Sabbath here, I have an appointment to preach in Canandaigua, the 22nd and 23d, from thence to Hartland, Livingston Co., the 24th, to commence a series of meetings.

J. B.

Pledges.

By J. H. Waggoner

It appears to be a duty (though somewhat unpleasant) to say to those who pledged assistance to me in building a house, that I went forward and commenced building, and borrowed money on the strength of those pledges. Offers of further loans have been made, but I do not feel free to accept more without having a reasonable prospect before me of paying again. I am anxious to commence the winter's campaign, but my work hinders. Had I the amount pledged that is yet unpaid I should be relieved. If it would be more convenient to pay in clothing or provisions it would be equally acceptable, as it would enable me to leave soon for important fields of labor. Can I be relieved, or must I work out those pledges with my hands? I wish to have information soon. J. H. WAGGONER.

Suspension of Indebted Papers

By Editor

We send this issue of the Review to quite a number whose silence and indebtedness justly demand the suspension of their papers, in the expectation that letters from them are on the way.

List of Letters Received

By Editor

We design to publish hereafter in each REVIEW a full list of all the letters received during the previous week, regardless of their nature or contents. All persons, therefore who do not see their letters acknowledged in this list, will know that they have not been received.

The Prominence of the Sabbath

By Editor

LET those who think we make too much of the Sabbath question read the article in this number on The Tract Society and Slavery, and apply the same reasoning to this subject. It will enable them to perceive why we give such prominence to the fourth commandment.

A Cheering Visit in Battle Creek

THE Church in Battle Creek have enjoyed a cheering visit from Bro. Sperry. We were rejoiced to see him so far recovered in health as to be able to give us a discourse of an hour and a half in length, extolling the goodness of God and his wonderful works to the children of men. His remarks were calculated to inspire hope and faith in those who heard. We trust they will not be without effect. In the afternoon Bro. Waggoner spoke to us in his usual instructive manner. Sabbath, Nov. 20th, we shall long look back upon with pleasure.

Receipts.

Annexed to each receipt in the following list, is the Volume and Number to the 'Review and Herald' to which the money receipted pays. If money for the paper is not in due time acknowledged, immediate notice of the omission should then be given.

FOR REVIEW AND HERALD.

J. C. Allen 1,00,xiv,1. Wm. Spencer 1.00,xiii,1. D. R. Purviance 1,00,xiv,1. R. Purviance 1,00,xiv,1. Jas. E. Titus 1,00,xiii,1. A. J. Richmond (25 cts each for Geo. Weeks, Wm. Borden, S. M. Randall, Eld. May,) 1,00 each to xiii,14. L. Steere 1,00,xiv,1. J. Ayres 1,00,xiii,1. F. Gould, 0,50,xiii,14. L. Martin 1,00,xiv,1. Saml. Martin 1,00,xiv,1. S Burdick 2,00,xiii,1. A. Hare 1,00,xiv,1. C. Bates 1,00,xiii,14. R. S. Durfee 1,00,xiv,1. J Burbridge 1,00,xiv,1. L. P. Miller 3,00,xvi,1. Danl. Poss 1,00,xiii,15. Mrs. B. Irons 0,25,xiii,7. S. A. Snyder 1,00,xiv,1. A. Smith 2,00,xiv,1. D. Wood (for I. Smith,) 0,50,xiv,1. J. H. W., (for A. C. Lewis,) 0,50,xi,20. A. Hafer (for M. Kunselman 0,50,xiii,6; for E. Kunselman 0,50,xiv,1.) 1,00. A. C. Hudson 5,00,xvi,1. Anonymous 3,00,xiv,1. Jno. Byington 1,00,xv,1. S. Gove 1,00,xiv,4. L. Crosby 1,00,xiv,1. S. A. McPherson (25 cts. each for Geo. Stannard and E. Benedict) 0,50, each to xiii,14. J. M. Mills 1,00,xii,1. R. Moran 1,00,xiii,1. O. Raymond 2,00,xv,1. C. Raymond (for W. K. Smith) 1,00,xv,1. S. C. Bourn 2,00,xiii,1. I. Lake 2,00,xiii,1. Wm. S. Foote 1,00,xii,21. E. Pomeroy 2,00,xiv,1. D. Smith 1,00,xiv,1. A brother (for R. E. Copeland) 1,00,xv,1. H. Barr 1,00,xiv,1. F. Wines 0,25,xii,14.

Books and Accounts

Books SENT.—Wm. H. Graham, Ct., 18 cts. A. J. Richmond. (by express,) Mich., $5. F. Blinn, Ct., 6 cts. S. A. McPherson, Mich., 12 cts. Wm. S. Foote, Ohio, 18 cts.

Received on account: M. E. Cornell, $9.

Business Department.

By Editor

Business Notes.

Burt Hall. We sent Mrs. E. Fenner Spiritual Gifts and Supplement, but not in season to reach her before your letter was written. We presume she has received them all right now. If not we will send again. We send Review to Wallace W. Beach, Sanfrancisco, Stockton St.

C. S. Hurlbut. We send again.

H. Luce. "Nine cents for tract." What kind?

C. F. Davis. We will wait on you till you are able to pay.

Emily L. Derby. Your paper is paid two volumes in advance, so that you need not stop it for want of means.

J. W. Raymond. We have none of Storr's Six Sermons for sale. Bro. J. Martin's P. O. address, is East Berkshire, Vt.

Letters.

H. Gardner, J. Newton, S. A. McPherson, E. L. Derby, Wm. Peabody, L. Crosby, J. Bates, H. A. Wetherbee, Wm. S. Foote, R. Moran, J. W. Raymond, S. C. Bourn, J. M. Mills, I. Lake, E. L. Bascom, M. Hull, E. B. Sanders, C. J. Benton, J. H. Bates, C. E. Harris, J. S. Mills, H. S. Gurney, C. C. Collins, H. Barr, C. L. Palmer, M. E. Cornell.

Lectures in Convis

By J. B. Frisbie

It may be expected, Providence permitting, that I will commence lectures in Convis, at the junction, next Tuesday evening, Nov. 30th. J. B. Frisbie.