p. 117 | Review and Herald, Vol. 24, No. 15. (9/6/1864)

The Times in which We Live!

By B. F. Snook

WE are living in a time that is truly solemn, and full of interest to the men of God. This age is an eventful one, is full of the most astounding events that have characterized the world in all generations. Signs of vivid brightness are rising up in every quarter of the globe, that astonish the wondering beholders and cause them to look to the future with a fearfulness of the things that are coming. And what is coming? The poor blind sectarian partisan still continues to sing the old accustomed song of peace and safety, and to preach the doctrine of the world's conversion. They say that their churches are all preparing for the great work of evangelizing the world, and that their condition never was so good before!! Truly they have eyes but they see not, and ears, but they hear not! How strange it is that they should think that their condition is becoming better and better when they are growing worse and worse. They are like the poor feeble consumptive, who just before he breathes his last, cheers up with the illusive hope that he is much better and is going to recover. They do not realize that the tares and wheat are to grow together till the harvest, which is the end of the world, and that wicked men and seducers are to wax worse and worse.

The last days are to be known by such perils as now surround us. Our Lord says that we may know that his coming is nigh by wars and rumors of wars. Matt. xxiv. We are living in just such a time. Never were there so many wars and rumors of wars as at present; and the condition of the nations does not give us any indication of a better state of things, but for worse. The following from the Keokuk (Iowa) Gate City News, gives a very plain view of the warlike state of the world at this time.

Nation against nation. List of the wars which are being carried on at the present moments.

1. War in Poland between the Poles and Russians.

2. War in Italy between the usurping Piedmontese and the Neapolitan Patriots.

3. War in Japan between the Japanese and the English.

4. War in China between the Imperialists and the Insurgents.

5. War in China between the Chinese, the French and the English.

6. War in Summatra and Java, between the Maylays and the Dutch.

7. War in Persia between the Persians and the Affghans.

8. War in Hindoostan between the Indians and the English.

9. War in Cochin China between the Armamites and the French.

10. War in Algeria between the Arabs and the French.

11. War in Morocco between the Moors and the Spaniards.

12. War in Madagascar between the Indgenes and the French.

13. War in Caffraria between the Caffrarians and the English.

14. War in the United States between the North and the South.

15. War in Mexico between the Mexicans and the French.

16. War in St. Domingo between the Negroes and the Spaniards.

17. Civil War in the Republic of South America.

18. War in Australia and New Zealand between the English and the natives.

According to this, the world is in general confusion and war. No History of the past, presents a parallel to the above. Oh that God may give us wisdom to discern the signs of the times, to take solemn warning and to prepare for the things that are coming on the earth.

B. F. SNOOK.

The Straight Testimony.

If we were all angels, we might congratulate each other on our heavenly attainments, our many graces and faultless characters. There would then be no need of reproofs, rebukes and exhortations. But we are not yet in that state. We are yet in a world where evil besets us on every hand; where we have a continual conflict with the world the flesh and the Devil; where sins need to be rebuked, faults reproved and wrongs made right. We are in the fitting-up time, and going through the fitting-up process. We need to be scored and hewed as timber for the heavenly building. As lively stones, we need to be polished, a rough projection knocked off here and there, and the rough surface ground down smooth. As the precious metal we need to be kept in the crucible, till the dross is all consumed, and the great Refiner can see his perfect image reflected from his work. This is the day of God's preparation; not only his preparation to do a strange work in the earth, close up this dispensation, and establish the glorious Kingdom of his Son; but it is also the time of preparation with the church, when they are to prepare for translation into the coming Kingdom.

Never, therefore, was it more necessary than at the present hour when we are rapidly nearing the time that will put our characters to the searching test, never was it more necessary than now, that God's servants should deal with an unsparing hand with the wrongs and short comings of his people. The Lord give his servants a testimony for the people, and them a heart not to shrink, oppose, and rebel, but to receive and profit by it, and aid us all in the work of preparation for the great day of the Lord which is near and hasteth greatly.

Eastern Tour.

By James White

WE hoped to spend the summer months in New England. But it has required more time for Mrs. W. to complete Spiritual Gifts, Volumes three and four, than we anticipated.

We now design to spend a few weeks at the health institution called Our Home, at Dansville, N. Y. then attend the New-York State Conference, Oct. 2-4, then visit New England as the brethren may arrange for us. The health question is much agitated among our people. The Dansville institution has its warm friends, and strong prejudices against it. We wish to investigate as far as we can spare the opportunity to do so, that we may be able to speak more understandingly.

We spent the last Sabbath with a few friends of the Lord here. Bro. J. N. Andrews left for Washington, Monday, well endorsed from the highest military authority in this city. He will report through the Review as soon as possible. May it be favorable for those who have enlisted to serve under the Prince of Peace.

J. W.

Rochester, N. Y.

Report from Bro. Loughborough.

By John Norton Loughborough

Bro. White: After leaving Battle Creek, Monday night, Aug. 15th, I came as rapidly as possible on my journey, stopping over only one train in Boston, Mass., and over one train in Topsham, Maine. I arrived at the tent in China, Maine, Friday afternoon the 19th inst., having traveled in the journey over 1100 miles. I found Bro. Cornell quite slim in health and much worn with labor, but of good courage and trying to hold up the truth to the people. A good interest has been awakened in China by the lectures there. Many have supplied themselves with books. Thirty-seven have subscribed for the Review and four for the Instructor. A dozen or more have decided to keep the Sabbath, and a regular prayer-meeting on the Sabbath has been established. I spoke with freedom to good congregations there, three times on the Sabbath and twice on first-day, which closed the tent meetings there.

The tent was taken down, and on Monday we all came on to Augusta and called on Advent friends there who seem anxious to hear the truth. We stopped with them over night and came on to Topsham. Our tent is now pitched in Brunswick, across the river from Topsham, and one lecture was given last evening. Over 300 were out and listened with attention. We trust our coming here will not be in vain. Pray for us.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.

Topsham, Aug., 1864.

P. S. Our address till further notice is Topsham, Maine.

J. N. L.

False Positions.

By R. F. Cottrell

FALSE and untenable positions and fallacious arguments injure, instead of aiding, any cause; and though the cause which they are intended to advance is a good one, yet those who resort to such things would do much better not to undertake its advocacy. They may imagine that the truth stands very much in need of their help, but it would be much more obliged by their silence.

I am led to these remarks from the fact that our factious and captious friend, Mr. Hicks, in a recent article in the Sabbath Recorder, has revealed a plan for "effectively upsetting," (to use his own words,) the law-abolishing argument founded upon 2 Cor. iii, by denying that the stones in which the ministration of death is said to be written and engraven, were the two tables of testimony which Moses brought down from Sinai, and asserting that it refers to the stones of the altar which Joshua built, (Josh. viii, 30–32,) which were rough, unhewn stones, and a "copy of the law of Moses" written on them.

Paul's language, interpreted by Mr. Hicks, would read thus:

But if the ministration of death, written by Joshua in the plaster that covered the great stones which he set up in mount Ebal, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not steadfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance, forty years before, when he came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of stone in his hand on which was "the writing of God, graven upon the tables;" which glory was to be done away; how shall not the ministration of the Spirit be rather glorious?

Now when opponents of the law of God can be made to see that this is the true meaning of the apostle's language, they will doubtless be ready to acknowledge his as an upsetting argument. It is something like the position of some opposers of the Sabbath, that God blessed and sanctified the day 2500 years after he rested upon it. It is surprising that the editor of the Recorder should publish such a position without note or comment. I think his readers ought to know whether he endorses it or not. I do not recollect of this plea being put forth by any S. D. Baptist.

But should the people utterly fail to see that that which is characterized by Paul, as being written and engraven in stones, was not the writing upon the tables of stone which Moses held in his hands when the skin of his face shone, but something written upon plastered stones forty years afterward, the position taken by Mr. Hicks would only serve to bring ridicule and contempt upon the truth which he professed to advocate.

Mr. Hicks seems to regret exceedingly that the Lord has no one to do his work and to defend his cause as it should be. He seems to be in a similar case with Absalom when he said, "Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice!"

But Israel could well have spared the rebellious son of David, and the cause of truth can well afford a furlough to positions and arguments like the above.

R. F. COTTRELL.

The Atonement.

By Ellet Joseph Waggoner

BY ELD. J. H. WAGGONER.

(Continued.)

REDEMPTION.

Redemption is like salvation, used in more than one sense. We are said to be saved from sin, and to be redeemed from our vain conversation. Salvation is properly saving, or keeping from: and redemption bringing back from. The great salvation through Christ is from death—the second death. The great redemption is also from mortality and death—the first death. Hence Paul says we are groaning for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of the body. This is accomplished in the resurrection. This restores to us what we lost in Adam. In consequence of sin he died, having conferred his own mortal, perishable nature on his posterity. The penalty of transgression was death. "Thou shalt surely die," were the words of the great Lawgiver. And thus it is still. "The wages of sin is death." The loss of life is the extreme of all loss; for when a man loses life he has no more to lose. And therefore the gift of life is the greatest of all gifts, as all others are dependent on this. Hence

this is ever considered the great boon of the gospel; the gift of the second Adam. He has "brought life and immortality to light through the gospel." "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." "The gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord." "That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord."

In the course of this argument I have considered the principle on which Christ brings life to the believer, and also the means by which it is effected, to wit, his own death. I have also noticed the unscriptural view in which the penalty of the law is made to consist of three-fold death—temporal, spiritual, and eternal. The penalty was death; the sentence pronounced upon Adam illustrates the meaning of the term. As man was made of the dust of the ground, so he was, for his sin, to return to the ground out of which he was taken; for, said the Lord, dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. This was the sentence; and thus we find the penalty of the law executed by the carrying out of this sentence upon the man who was made of the dust of the ground, and upon no other. We search the record carefully and we find no intimation of any man entity or conscious being, except that one formed of the dust, to whom life was imparted. We find no other man, or entity, or conscious being, engaged in the transgression, and surely no other was referred to in the sentence. Again this is illustrated by the death of Christ; he died upon the cross; he laid down his life; he poured out his soul unto death; his soul was made an offering for sin. And that identical Christ which died, was buried, was laid in the tomb, and was raised from the dead and left the tomb the third day. This makes the subject of death a plain one, easy to be understood by man to whom it is threatened. It needs no theological glosses—no scholastic mysticisms to present the truth to the common reader; indeed, by these glosses and mysticisms the truth has too long been obscured. So also we may say of eternal life; it is given at the resurrection when the man is brought from the grave. "When Christ who is our life shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory." "The trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed." "So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory." Then the last enemy of the people of God, death, will be destroyed. Thus, in life through Christ, we get the victory; and eternal life is the hope of the gospel. "In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began." "And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son." And as death is swallowed up in victory in the resurrection of the just, so this is called "the resurrection of life."

Some of the prerogatives of this resurrection are pointed out by Paul in 1 Cor. xv, 42-57. "It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption; it is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body." "As we have borne the image of the earthy, so we shall also bear the image of the heavenly." "For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality." Then shall the saints triumph over death and the grave. Then shall they shout, "Thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." And then "God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things are passed away." There is blessedness, there is joy, there is glory, far beyond our conception; as it is written, "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him."

*No more fatigue, no more distress, No sin nor death can reach that place; No tears shall mingle with the songs, That warble from immortal tongues.*

Reader, is there not infinite value in the atonement?

Is not the blood of Christ precious? Does not the eternal inheritance, the far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, present attractions to your heart beyond all else of which your heart has conceived? Does not eternal life in the kingdom of God appear a boon most precious? Then join with all the saints in blessing God for the rich provision through his Son, and for the Word, the Holy Book, wherein alone such matchless grace, and such endless joys are revealed. Without the revelation of God's will, how uncertain, how dark would all appear? Without this, who should teach us the knowledge of God? who should acquaint us with the principles of morality and truth, by which we may honor and please our Creator? who should lead the fallen, erring one to a remedy for sin, wherein justice and mercy should harmonize? Only eternity can reveal, and only immortalized beings will realize, how great is our indebtedness to God for his word. Happy the man who can say,

*“Holy Bible, book divine, Precious treasure, thou art mine.”*

But to them who despise the riches of his grace, and scorn his counsel and will none of his reproof, there is another revelation in the word of God. He has not only sent redemption to his people, but prepared for his enemies a doom commensurate with their crime. Briefly then I notice the subject of

RETRIBUTION.

Having shown that obedience to the law, and acceptance of the gospel, are necessary to salvation; that salvation on any other terms would be derogatory to the character and government of God, it follows necessarily that those who reject these terms cannot be saved. The penalty of their sins hangs over them, soon to descend upon their guilty heads; for in strict justice God reserves the wicked to the day of judgment to be punished. And as eternal life is the gift of God, so they who do not seek it through the Son, must of necessity receive the wages of their sin, which is death. "He that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."

There are however, two resurrections in the Bible; for what the impenitent lose involuntarily by the sin of Adam, will be restored to them without regard to their will and action. Besides the resurrection of life, already noticed, is "the resurrection of damnation." They who have part in the first resurrection are blessed and holy; on them the second death shall not have power. They are raised in power, in glory, in incorruption, while they that sow to the flesh, shall of the flesh reap corruption. They will be subject to the second death. Once they die on account of Adam's sin; from this state they are raised by Christ. But the second time they die on account of their own sin; and from this death there is no redemption. No hope is held out for those who fall under its power. No resurrection morning dawns upon the darkness and gloom of the second death.

In examining the type of the scape-goat, we found the Devil confined in the abyss for one thousand years. At the end of that period, all the inhabitants of the grave are called forth, the wicked of all ages stand up in life, and the great enemy of God and man is once more among the victims of his deceptions. He has borne the heavy burden of many sins placed upon his head, but his punishment yet awaits him. The judgment has been sitting, and its decisions remain to be executed. But with the certainty of destruction before him, his malignity is not abated. His hatred to the ever-glorious Son of God and to the saints, who, through the blood of their Master have overcome his deceptions and his power, leads him to instigate the risen nations to raise their arms once more against their Maker. Vain effort! Those who now think they can oppose his power with success, find that how fatally they have been mistaken. "And fire came down from God out of Heaven and devoured them." As once this earth was overflowed with water, then it will be overspread with fire. This is that "day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men," to which this sin-cursed earth is "kept in store." This is that terrible day "that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble; and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch." High ascends "the smoke of their torment" who have often mocked at the judgments of God; for "the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the Lord shall be as the fat of Lambs, they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away." And as it is written that the Lord "smote Egypt in their first-born" and "overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea; for his mercy endureth forever;" so in the terrors of that great, that burning day, we behold the power of Jesus' blood; for he suffered "that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is the Devil." And with him all his works are destroyed. Thus ends the world's great controversy.

CONCLUSION.

The Bible is eminently a practical book; its object is to make the man of God perfect, and to thoroughly furnish him unto all good works. When "everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power" is visited upon the wicked; when the righteous are introduced "to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that fadeth not away," the record of the great future is briefly given. No elaborate description of that eternity of joy is offered; for words cannot describe all its glories; nor could our minds, always having associated with meaner things, appreciate the description. But we are permitted by faith in the sacred revelation, to look beyond the scene of terror, which we have been considering. The fury of the crackling flames exhausts itself; where the seething fires burned deep and fierce they languish for want of prey. As the smoke rolls up from the earth, there is revealed to view a scene both grand and lovely; its surpassing beauty words cannot express; but above it all a voice is heard, "Behold I make all things new!" And now awakes the universal chorus: "And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever." The universe again is free from sin. Redemption's work is done. Beyond lies the vast ocean of eternity, all radiant with glory.

Here the mind gladly rests in contemplation of the heavenly scene. And now, while yet the scoffer, who has never had a thought of the eternal and infinite justice of God, declares that the atonement is unnecessary, what fitting words of wisdom shall I choose to persuade him of its truth, and check his irreverent railing? How weak the effort a mortal puts forth to frame an argument worthy of the theme. From that dying agony; from that precious flowing blood; from that interceding grace; from that bright resurrection morn; from the earth made new; from that far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, I turn and look at my own heart; and looking there, O man, your scoffing is vain. That glory I long to possess; that blood, that grace, that love I need to fit me for the presence of my God. And shall I, a worthless worm of earth, defiled by sin, behold that glory and enjoy it forever? Then truly God is love. Nothing but love divine can perfect a work so great. And to him alone, the God of grace, I look for "victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

Reader, may you and I find it there.

A Great Mistake Corrected.

By George W. Amadon

The opinion has very largely obtained, and until quite recently I thought it so myself, that the human body was dependent to a great extent upon the flesh of animals for its supply of heat, and therefore, that a diet composed of grains and vegetables, however well it might answer other ends, would fail on account of not generating sufficient heat. Recent investigations, however, have modified my opinions much, and for the benefit of those who are interested on the question of diet, I will present the following tabular arrangement which lately fell under my eye. It is taken from the "Hydropathic Cook-Book," published by Fowler and Wells, New York, R. T. Trall author. It contains an analysis of fifteen common articles of food as follows:

ARTICLES OF DIET.	Contains:		Supply to the body:
	of Solid Matter.	of Water.	Blood principle.	Heat principle.	Ashes.
lbs.	lb.	lb.	lb.	lb.	lb.
100 Turnips,	11 0	89 0	1 0	9 0	1 0
100 Red Beet Root,	11 0	89 0	1 5	8 5	1 0
100 Carrots,	13 0	87 0	2 0	10 0	1 0
100 Potatoes,	28 0	72 0	2 0	25 0	1 0
100 Butcher's Meat,	36 6	63 4	21 5	14 3	8
100 Bread (stale),	76 0	14 0	10 7	64 3	2 5
100 Peas,	84 0	16 0	29 0	51 5	3 5
100 Lentils,	84 0	16 0	33 0	48 0	3 0
100 Barley Meal,	84 5	15 5	14 0	68 5	2 0
100 Wheat Meal,	85 5	14 5	20 0	62 0	1 0
100 Beans,	86 0	14 0	31 0	51 5	3 5
100 Sago,	88 0	12 0	3 4	84 0	6 0
100 Corn Meal,	90 0	10 0	11 0	77 0	2 0
100 Oatmeal,	91 0	9 0	12 1	77 0	2 0
100 Rice,	92 4	7 6	8 4	82 0	2 0

This table is founded on the experiments of Playfair, Liebig and Boussingault, who probably are the best analytical chemists in the land. From it we find that most of the staple articles of food furnish many fold times more warmth to the body than animal flesh. Thus, potatoes supply nearly twice as much heat as meat. Bread over four times as much. Corn over five times, and so on, as may be seen by consulting the table. The opinion, then, that animal food is necetary on the score of the heat-forming principle, is shown by the above analysis to be highly erroneous; and as far as nutrition is concerned, grains and vegetables are altogether preferable, for those parts of animal flesh which form nutriment to the body are derived from the vegetable kingdom on which the animals consumed have fed.

Let us all investigate the laws of our being, and pursue that plan of dietetics which accords most with nature, reason, and the original command of God, Gen. i, 29. G. W. A.

I. D. VAN HORN

By I. D. Van Horn

From the Mich. Tent.

Bro. White: We closed our meetings in this place last evening. The result is good; of which we will give a full report soon. The Lord has blessed our labors, while we have endeavored to present the truth to the people in Gratiot. A change has taken place in the minds of many; and the most of those that have heard us are convinced of the truth of our position, though they may not take a stand with God's people and live out the truth. We are packing up our things this morning ready for a move to another place. We have St Johns in view and shall probably pitch our tent there text. We have now many friends in Gratiot, and they are inviting us to hold meetings in different places. We have been out and given a few lectures in two places about four miles from Alma, which has resulted in much good, in breaking down prejudice and thus inducing them to attend the tent meeting, which they otherwise would not have done.

We think this would be a good field of labor for one or two during the winter.

Pray for us, that as we go to another place, we may have the blessing of the Lord to attend us in our effort to open the truths of God's word to the people.

I. D. VAN HORN

Alma, Mich.

The Work Progressing in Brunswick

In a subsequent note Brn. Loughborough and Cornell say:

Our meeting is progressing finely here. Sunday evening had a congregation of 1000 persons. Last evening Monday—although there was a great war meeting in town, we had about 500 out to hear. We have given now six lectures in Brunswick. Conviction seems to fasten on the minds of the people that there is some truth in what they hear. Last evening they listened with breathless attention to the first angel's message. We could appeal to them on these things as of matters "not done in a corner." They had heard the proclamation for themselves and when they saw the evidence that this work fulfilled prophecy, we should judge from their appearance that they were convinced that the work which they accounted a thing of naught, was the work of God. May the Lord grant that many here who loved the Lord's coming then, may find their moorings and again rejoice in the light. Books are taken and the people want to know the way. The distress and war in the land affects the minds of many. They want these wonders explained. Pray for us, that we may give the trumpet a certain and strong sound here.

J. N. Loughborough. M. E. Cornell.

Topsham, Me., Aug. 30th, 1864.

The World Failing at Last

THE WORLD FAILING AT LAST.—Campbell, the author of the "Pleasures of Hope," in his old age, wrote: I am alone in the world. My wife and the child of my hopes are dead; my surviving child is consigned to a living tomb; my old friends, brothers, sisters, are dead, all but one, and she, too, is dying: my last hopes are blighted. As for fame, it is a bubble that must soon burst. Earned for others, shared with others, it was sweet; but at my age, to my own solitary experience, it is bitter. Left in my chamber alone by myself, is it wonderful my philosophy at times takes flight; and I rush into company; resort to that which blunts, but heals no pang; and then, sick of the world and dissatisfied with myself, shrink back into solitude?" And in this state of mind the author of the "Pleasures of Hope" died.

Meetings in Minnesota.

By Isaac Sanborn; John Bostwick

BRO. WHITE: Pursuant to appointment, we met with the church at Pleasant Grove, and held four meetings, mostly with good interest. I tried to show them their lukewarm, undone condition, which was followed with heartfelt confessions, and the formation of new determinations to live more faithful in the future than they had in the past.

Last Sabbath, Aug. 20th, was a good day for the church in Oronoco. I preached in the morning from the following words, found in Luke xxi, 34: "Take heed to yourselves lest ye be overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares." In the afternoon I spoke of the wretched condition of the Laodiceans, Rev. iii, 14, which was followed by brethren and sisters with confessions and lively exhortations. After this Bro. Harlow, by permission of the church, resigned his position as Elder on account of his age and feebleness, and Bro. Hacket, formerly of Pennsylvania, was ordained to that office. We then repaired to the water, near by, and eight were baptized, all children of Sabbath-keepers, children too, that we believe will be an ornament to the church. In the evening we met to show the Lord's death, till he come. Fourteen were received into the church. Truly the good Spirit of the Lord was with us, and we were made happy because we knew these things and did them. John xiii, 17. Be hopeful, brethren. The cause is steadily rising in Minnesota. Amen.

ISAAC SANBORN. JOHN BOSTWICK. Oronoco, Aug. 22.

Encouragement for God’s People

By J. N. Wilkinson

From Bro. Wilkinson.

BRO. WHITE: It is truly encouraging to the people of God, to hear favorable reports through the Review, respecting the cause which we so much love. It is consoling, even in our darkest hours, to learn that the cause is onward, and to know that the Lord is still at work for the remnant church, and the gathering call is still uniting his people, upon "the commandments of God and faith of Jesus."

How important in these days of peril, that we should heed the counsel of the faithful and true Witness, to buy of him gold tried in the fire, that we may be rich, and white raiment that we may be clothed, and to anoint our eyes with eyesalve that we may see. Oh that we might realize the time in which we live and the responsible position we occupy, professing to keep the commandments of God, and to be looking for his Son from Heaven. May the Lord help us to adorn our profession with a well-ordered life and godly conversation. We need assisting grace, and the Lord has promised to give liberally. Then let us come with a true heart, and a full assurance of faith, and ask that we may receive. The Lord is on the giving hand, and we can draw rich draughts from the fountain of salvation, by complying with the requirements of his blessed word. May we be enabled to gird on the armor anew, and have our eye fixed on the prize before us; and in a little from this, we shall outride the storm, and land in the haven of eternal rest. J. N. WILKINSON. Peterborough, N. H.

Report of Meetings.

By Joseph Bates

Bro. White: We were with the church in Millford, Oak. Co., Mich., August 10-15. Here we found Bro. J. P. Rathbun's family in affliction, on account of the death of their son J. D. (see notice in Review of 23 inst.), who died the day before we arrived there. After the affecting scene of the funeral, we enjoyed several interesting meetings with the church. One was baptized, and united with them; after which the church enjoyed a solemn season in attending to the ordinances of the Lord's house.

August 15-22 with the church in Tyrone, Liv. Co. Here also our meetings were interesting. On first-day quite a number out side of the church here, and also at Millford, came out to hear, and were apparently more anxious to hear and learn our position than heretofore.

Our meetings closed with a refreshing from the presence of the Lord while celebrating the ordinances of his house. Praise his holy name.

Yesterday (Sabbath) we spent the day with the church in Monterey in fasting and prayer. The Lord graciously regard the united petition of his people, is our prayer. JOSEPH BATES. Monterey, Aug. 28, 1864.

Meetings in Dane, Wis.

By T. M. Steward

BRO. WHITE: I have been for some time laboring in this vicinity. I found the cause in a very low state from the inconsistent course of some. I have been trying to set the truth before them in its true light and to point out their duty. Have had some very good meetings here. I trust our meetings will result in good. I have sold about $20 worth of books. I feel somewhat encouraged for the Lord has blessed me in laboring for his cause. The third angel's message is onward and I want to try to keep pace with God's people unto the end.

T. M. STEWARD.

Dane, Wis.

Under date of Aug. 29, Bro. Steward again writes: My meetings closed yesterday at Dane, with quite an interest on the subject of the third angel's message and Sabbath. Some few decided to keep the commandments of God, and prepare for his coming kingdom. I got one new subscriber for the Review, and sold during my meetings there about twenty-five dollars' worth of books. There seems to be a general interest in the community. May the Lord lead them into all truth. I have preached at Dane twenty-one times, and I think the cause is rising there. May the Lord speed on the message.

Our season of fasting and prayer was one of interest, and I trust profit. Yours in hope.

T. M. STEWARD.

Lodi, Wis.

Sabbath, Aug. 27, 1864.

By C. O. Taylor

Bro. White: Yesterday was a day of interest and profit to the church at this place. They had, for some time, felt the need of a deeper work of grace, and were ready to welcome a day of fasting and prayer, and cheerfully entered upon the duty. We met at the house of worship at the usual hour for morning devotion. I occupied about one hour with remarks on the subject of fasting, and the objects for which we were called to pray. After a short recess we met again, and two hours were profitably spent in solemn, fervent prayer to Him who has said that he was a prayer-hearing and a prayer-answering God; and the promise at this time did not fail. We then went to the water side, where three precious souls were buried with Christ in baptism, after which we returned to the house of Bro. Spencer, where two were taken into church-fellowship.

We then attended to the ordinances, during which the falling tear, and acclamations of glory to God, told in language that could not be mistaken, that the melting, quickening, reviving Spirit of God was in our midst, to humble, to unite together, and to cheer those whom Jesus is calling out by his word and Spirit, to seek a preparation, to escape the time of trouble, and meet him in peace at his second glorious advent to earth. Praise his holy name for his loving kindness to us.

C. O. TAYLOR.

Adams' Center, N. Y., Aug. 28, 1864.

Note from Bro. Goodenough.

By John R. Goodenough

BRO. WHITE: Since I last wrote, I have visited Trempeleau Wisconsin, and preached fifteen times with some prospect of good. I left there time enough to attend the quarterly meeting at Mauston. This was a bright spot in our experience. Bro. L. G. Bostwick was with us and preached with freedom, dealing out meat in due season; the Lord blessing the word to the salvation of souls. From there I went to Delona and preached four times. Two more in this place made up their minds to go with us to the Kingdom. I am now preaching at the Paster school-house in the town of Lemonweir. The interest is good, and I think that some will start with us for the Kingdom. Pray for us.

Yours, striving to overcome.

JOHN R. GOODENOGH.

Mauston, Wis.

G. A. W. GRANT

By G. A. W. Grant

From Bro. Grant.

BRO. WHITE : I feel like saying through the Review, that I am trying to overcome and gain an inheritance in the kingdom of God. I love the Review and the truths it advocates. I think that we should be thankful that the Lord has provided such a means for our instruction. Bro. Snook was here two weeks ago last Sabbath and Sunday. He preached six times and it was meat in due season. It made me feel like consecrating myself anew to the Lord from day to day, that I may at last arrive unto the perfect stature. And although I make many crooked paths, and often ask myself, Shall I ever be able to overcome? yet I feel to say, Through God strengthening me, I can do all things. Oh for living faith and a living experience in the things of God! Oh for power to live in that way that I may know at all times that I am doing the things that are well pleasing in his sight! I want a living faith to rely upon the promises of God, that I may stand in these perilous times. The church here is rising and trying to press together and rally more closely around the standard of present truth.

G. A. W. GRANT

Osceola, Iowa.

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