[SEVERAL years since some of our brethren in New England, were brought into trial on account of some teaching that it was wrong to eat swine's flesh. This fact led us to pen the following remarks. Much more might be said on the subject, but we give this for the consideration of those who may be troubled on this point.]
Some of our good brethren are troubled in regard to eating swine's flesh, and a very few abstain from it, thinking that the Bible forbids its use. We do not object to abstinence from the use of swine's flesh; if it is done on the right grounds. We think that too free and abundant use of it, and other animal food, of which many, and even some of our brethren in the present truth are not guiltless, is a sin; for it clogs and stupefies the mind, and in many cases impairs the constitution; but we do not, by any means, believe that the Bible teaches that its proper use, in the gospel dispensation, is sinful. But we do object to a misapplication of the holy scriptures in sustaining a position which will only distract the flock of God, and lead the minds of the brethren from the importance of the present work of God among the remnant. Error, however small it may appear, darkens and fetters the soul, and if persisted in, will lead to gross darkness, and great errors, and sooner or later its fatal results will appear.
The principal texts that are quoted to prove that the Gentile church is forbidden to eat swine's flesh are Isa. lxv, 4; lxvi, 17. Now we do really think that these texts fall far short of affording sufficient proof on this point. In fact, we must believe they have no direct bearing on this time. The burning of “incense upon the altars of brick,” remaining “among the graves,” lodging “in the monuments,” and sacrificing “in gardens,” are rebuked in connection with eating “swine's flesh.” Now, if one applies literally to our day, then, certainly, all do; but we think that no one will undertake a literal application of the whole of Isa. lxv, 4; lxvi, 17, to this time. This is one reason why we think that these texts have no literal bearing on this time.
The first verse of Isa. lxv, is evidently the call of the Gentiles. The three following verses show the rebellion and idolatry of the Jews. It was a sin for them to eat swine's flesh. The fifth verse shows their blindness, self-righteousness and hypocrisy. “Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou.” The Jews boasted of their zeal in the law, rebuked the son of God, and falsely charged him with its violation, and finally crucified him.
But as we may not all see just alike as to what the Prophet teaches on this subject, let us come to the New Testament. And what do we find? Certainly, if eating swine's flesh is a sin in the sight of Heaven, in this dispensation, the New Testament has in some way taught us the fact. But we find that the New Testament does not, directly or indirectly, teach any such thing.
Our opponents say that the Sabbath is not taught and enforced in the New Testament; but it is a false assertion; for the followers of Jesus rested to the Sabbath according to the commandment, after the crucifixion.
St. Paul preached every Sabbath day, not only in the synagogues, but by the water side, and what is more than all, and which is proof positive that the Sabbath is taught and enforced in the New Testament, is, that the law of God, and the commandments of God, which embraces the Sabbath, and which means nothing more or less than the ten commandments, are, by Jesus and his apostles shown to be immutable, and are made a test of Christian fellowship and of eternal salvation.
But the New Testament is so far from teaching that the use of swine's flesh is wrong, that it affords good testimony that it is not forbidden. First, take the case of the Apostle Peter, when God was about to send him to preach to the Gentiles. His Jewish views and feelings in relation to common or unclean beasts that did not part the hoof and chew the cud, see Lev. xi, must first be removed before he could see that God was no respecter of persons, and that there was salvation for the Gentiles. “About the sixth hour,” (noon.) “Peter went upon the house-top to pray.” “He became very hungry, and would have eaten;” and in this state “fell into a trance.” The opening heavens discovered to him “a certain vessel” descending, in which, “were all manner of four-footed beasts.” &c. Certainly, swine were there. The sudden appearance of these beasts no doubt aroused Peter's Jewish feelings and prejudices; for he considered many of them unclean. At this point “there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter, kill and eat.” But Peter said, “Not so Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” This vision, and the connected circumstances, rid the Apostle of his exclusive feelings, and opened the way for him to preach to, and eat with the Gentiles.
Now look at some of the trials of the apostolic church, on the subject of eating with the Gentiles, and some other points of the law of Moses, and the final decision of the conference of apostles and elders assembled at Jerusalem. See Acts, chap. xv. Judaising teachers taught the churches that they, in order to be saved, must keep the law of Moses. This at once caused divisions among them, and called forth the following from the apostle Paul. “Let not him that eateth, despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not, judge him that eateth.” See Rom. xiv, 1-6. “Let no man therefore judge you in meat, &c.” See Col. ii, 14-17. The Gentile converts used swine's flesh, and other meats which were “abomination” to the Jews, while the converts from the Jewish church were still inclined to follow the law of Moses in these things, and were judging the Gentile converts, and binding on them burdens which the gospel did not require.
A conference was convened at Jerusalem to settle the question. Now read their decision, which they wrote to the brethren which were “of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia.”
“For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: that ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well. Acts xv, 28, 29.
Mark this: Their whole Christian duty was not embraced in the “letters” which they sent to the Gentile churches, as some would make us believe, in order to do away with God's Holy Sabbath; no, certainly not; but those points were embraced which were dividing the flock of God.
Some of our good brethren have added “swine's flesh” to the catalogue of things forbidden by the Holy Ghost, when the apostles and elders assembled at Jerusalem. But we feel called upon to protest against such a course, as being contrary to the plain teaching of the holy scriptures. Shall we lay a greater burden on the disciples than seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and the holy apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ? God forbid. Their decision, being right, settled the question with them, and was a cause of rejoicing among the churches, and it should forever settle the question with us.
“Ye are the Light of the World.”
By John Norton Loughborough
AMONG other instructions of our Saviour to his disciples on the mount, this is a matter of interesting reflection.
By his miracles, our Saviour had convinced his disciples that he was indeed the true Messiah. With what eagerness they were catching the words of instruction that fell in sweet accents from his lips as he spake freely to them of the blessings that await those that should have the graces of the gospel. He taught them, that if in meekness they possessed, the glorious new earth for which Abraham the father of the faithful looked, redeemed from the curse, blooming in more than Eden beauty, they should inherit. If pure in heart, abstaining from the corrupt and contaminating influences around them, having their only source of gratification to know and do the will of heaven; they should be permitted to behold him, who dwelleth in the light which no man can approach unto, who only hath immortality. If persecuted for righteousness' sake, they might rejoice; for they were only made partakers of the sufferings of the prophets, whose righteous precepts they were keeping, seemingly, to impress them with the importance and responsibility of the position they occupied. Our Saviour says: “Ye are the salt of the earth, but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted?” If you lose your vitality and power to maintain these great and glorious truths that I am committing to your trust, you will be like the salt without savor, fit only to be thrown out and trodden under foot of men.
“Ye are the light of the world.” He was committing to them the gospel truths of salvation through the merits of his blood: through them, the people of that generation were to receive their views of the character of a true follower of the meek and lowly Jesus; and by their instructions to receive the knowledge of the manner in which they should move to obtain pardon. We are led to exclaim, What a responsible position, and how necessary that they ever endeavored to stand for the right. But the responsibility does not end with them, they were but the representatives of those who should after confess Christ and become his disciples. We then, Dear Christian Friends, form a portion of that Church (the Church of Christ) which is the light of the present, the last, generation, the very generation who are to witness the glorious appearing of our Saviour. We who behold by faith the last work of our Great High Priest in the heavenly Sanctuary, and who solemnly believe that the message of the third angel, the last call of mercy to a dying world, is already calling the attention of the world to prepare to stand before an offended God, who is soon to rise in anger, and recompense the way of the transgressor upon his own head, are the very ones who are to be the light of the world in the present work.
Brethren, how is our light shining? or is it under a bushel and thus its rays hidden? We are not to hide our light. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Let your light so shine, says Christ, before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. The object of the lighted candle or taper is to give light to those around. If we are indeed the light of the world, the solemn inquiry daily and hourly should be with us, How can I let my light shine that God's name may be glorified and his cause advanced? If we constantly realized that to us God had entrusted the true light, to enlighten those who would understand their duty in these last moments, and that from our hand would be required all the blood that through our negligence might be required as a recompense for sin, we should doubtless be more active in bending every energy of our being to the advancement of the cause of truth, and watching every opportunity to speak of God's righteous precepts to our fellow men. Too often is it the case that we suffer our minds to be diverted from the point, to dwell upon the trifling things of earth and even partake of the spirit and merry laugh of the141giddy. We are living in a solemn time, and more than ever before we need to stand on the solemn injunction of the Saviour and apostles, to be sober and let our conversation be in heaven. Instead of spending hours with those who profess to be our friends, speaking only of the things of this world, let us be true to the commission, and let our light shine in such a manner that they may perhaps turn away their feet from breaking the law of God. Brethren, let us remember, “Ye are the light of the world.”
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
Jackson, Mich., May 1854.
An Appeal to those Who Disregard the Sabbath of the Lord.
By Louisa M. Morton
It is with feelings of deep emotion of heart that I attempt to address those upon whom I once looked as the salt of the earth. Such were indeed the Advent people, before they began to fight the law of God, and call it a "curse to man," "miserable," "rickety," &c. Most assuredly the salt has lost its savor, when those who profess to be looking for the Saviour, can give such appellations to God's immutable law, that Paul says is "holy, just, and good."
O listen ye who say, that God's law is abrogated; that his commandments are not binding; listen to the Saviour: 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, Till 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, 17-21. Why is it that the world are disregarding one of the greatest commandments in God's holy law, and are presumptuous enough to teach others to break it, when our blessed Saviour has said, that one jot or tittle should not pass till all be fulfilled: and he that broke one of the least, should be of no esteem in the reign of heaven, (as one of the translators renders it.) Why is it that mortal man does not fear the disapprobation of a just God? Methinks could they realize his holiness, and be permitted to stand near mount Sinai, and see the smoke as of a furnace, and the quaking of the mount as did the Israelites, we should not hear them speaking in such terms concerning the Lord's Sabbath, calling it the old Jewish Sabbath, a yoke of bondage, &c. But some may say, that Christ fulfilled or abolished the law, when he hung upon the cross and cried, It is finished, and gave up the ghost, therefore we are not required to keep the law.
But let us hear him again. When Jesus came to John to be baptized by him, John forbade him saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him: Suffer it to be so now, for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Matt. iii, 14, 15. Now if Christ's fulfilling the law did it away, and left us at liberty to trample upon his Father's commandments which he delighted to keep; I say if Christ's fulfilling the law did it away, then when he was baptized, he did that ordinance away, and we have no right to go down into Jordan's waters, and be buried beneath its waves, in the likeness of his death and burial, and come up again in the likeness of his resurrection: for he said, Thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. But no, bless his holy name! this precious ordinance is not done away, a sinner that obtains the evidence that his sins are pardoned through the merits of the Saviour's sacrifice, can follow his example by going down into the water, and die to the world, but live to God.
But those who do not love God enough to keep his holy Sabbath, will turn away with contempt when this comparison is presented to them, and call it a weak flimsy argument. Alas, they have closed their eyes that they may not see the truth! But we can say with the Psalmist, It is time for thee, Lord, to work; for they have made void thy law.
How true it is that the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God neither indeed can be. Rom. viii, 7.
But let us see if the ten commandments are not as important now as they were before our Saviour suffered on the cross. Turn with me to 1 Cor. vii, 19. Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God is something. [Whiting's Trans.] Here we see that Paul spoke of the commandments as something worthy of our attention: and that too, a long time after our Saviour's death.
There are those however, who are ready to say that Paul did not mean the commandments of the Decalogue, but merely the requirements enjoined in the New Testament, and if the ten commandments are binding, then we must be circumcised, burn sacrifices, &c. But these confound the ceremonial law that ceased at the cross, with God's immutable law, that was written on two tables of stone with the finger of God. God's Word is plain. Praise his holy name! He has hid it from the wise and prudent, and revealed it unto babes. Even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight. By the assisting grace of our Heavenly Father, we will cherish his Word, and take it as our guiding star, whose friendly rays will ever shine upon our pathway, till our pilgrimage is completed. Bless God that we are not left in darkness now, when the last lingering notes of time are sounding.
Probation's hours, O how precious! There is yet space for repentance. Come while it is called to-day: soon it will be too late. Jesus told the young man, if he would enter into life, he must keep the commandments; and quoted a part of them, so that we are not at a loss to know the commandments he referred to. Matt. xix, 17.
The humble seeker after truth can say with the Psalmist, Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. That the commandments of God are as binding now, as when our blessed Saviour instructed the young man in the way of life, we have not the least reason to doubt.
And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. Rev. xii, 17. No wonder that the dragon is wroth when he sees a little remnant in these last days striving to obey God by keeping all his commandments, together with the faith of Jesus. Ah! well does he know that his time is short: this Arch-deciever has almost run the length of his chain, and what he does to deceive and blind the eyes of the professed church of Christ, and seal the doom of careless and indifferent souls, must be done soon. Oh unhappy church and world! Do you not know that the last page of inspiration is now being fulfilled? Satan is carrying on his last great deception, before the Son of man shall be revealed in the clouds of heaven. The last solemn message is now being proclaimed, and will increase until it sounds with trumpet voice. See Rev. xiv, 9-15. And the third angel followed them saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation: and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: and the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
Reader, will you take heed to this last message of mercy? Will you cease to worship the beast and his image, and refuse the mark in your forehead, or in your hand; (Isa. iii, 7, margin;) will you cling with unyielding grasp to their loved institutions? Pause, and ponder the subject well before you go farther. The last lingering sands of time are falling; soon we shall behold the white cloud, and seated thereon our long absent Saviour. The four winds are being held in check until the servants of God are sealed in their foreheads. The seven angels are waiting to pour out the seven vials of the wrath of God.
Reader, what is your decision? Will you join the band who are striving to get the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over the number of his name? If you will, then you will be called the Repairer of the Breach, the Restorer of paths to dwell in. If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day: and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable: and shalt honor him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord: and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. Isa. lviii, 12, 14.
This is the eleventh hour, but still there is a little space. Will you cherish the truth, and forsake the pleasures of this vain world which must so soon fade away? O give up self, and all that keeps you from obeying God; and manifest your love to him by keeping all his commandments. For this is the love of God that we keep his commandments, and his commandments are not grievous. 1 John v, 3.
Dear Reader, Parent, Child, or whoever you may be, we feel anxious that you should see the importance of keeping all the commandments of God, and realize the soul-cheering evidence that you are receiving the approving smile of your Heavenly Father whilst you have respect to all his precepts. For soon it will be said, He that is unjust let him be unjust still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and behold I come quickly, and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. Blessed are they that do his (the Father's) commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. LOUISA M. MORTON.
Friendship, Allegany Co., N. Y., 1854.
WESTERN TOUR.
By James White
It may be expected that we should give some account of the meetings we may attend, and the state of the cause in the West. We do this, not only to inform our readers of the state of the cause, but, because it affords an opportunity to point out errors which have existed, and do now to some extent exist, among the people of God.
May 6th and 7th we met in Conference with the brethren at Milan, Ohio. Brn. Bates and Loughborough were present. There were about forty Sabbath-keeping brethren and sisters in attendance from surrounding towns, besides other inquiring friends. Our meetings were interesting, and, we doubt not, profitable. The word preached, had free course. First-day morning, four were buried with Christ by baptism; and in the afternoon between thirty and forty came around the table of the Lord to partake of the emblems of the body and blood of Christ. This was a solemn and very interesting season.
Ohio is now a promising field. Until quite recently, however, but little has been accomplished in that State. Some who first visited that field, failed in many points to exert a good influence, and those who received the present truth, received many wrong impressions. Those impressions made upon the mind in connection with the reception of important Bible truth, are generally deep and lasting; hence the importance of holy, prudent men, endowed with wisdom, entering the field, who shall present the truth in candor and meekness, and exert a sanctifying influence on the minds of those who may hear.
A very few brethren in Milan and vicinity have stood firm for several years. They have been indeed free to help sustain the cause with their means. But the time finally came when they were no longer to stand alone. An interest was awakened in several places last summer by the labors of Bro. Bates, and a very few embraced the Sabbath. Last December, Bro. J. N. Loughborough commenced his labors in Ohio, which have resulted in much good. It was supposed that not more than one half of those who have recently embraced the Sabbath, under his and Bro.142Bates' labors, were present at the Conference; and still the people are anxious to hear more, and are in many places calling for lectures. We think the brethren in Ohio, may expect the labors of some efficient lecturer soon. May the Lord direct his servants in selecting their proper fields of labor.
May 11th, we met with the brethren at Jackson. We were indeed happy to meet with the tried friends of the cause in this place, and also several others who were on their way to the Sylvan Conference. The church in Jackson is united and prosperous.
The Conference at Sylvan, the 13th and 14th, was the largest gathering of the scattered brethren that has ever been held in Michigan. Here we were permitted to meet again brethren in the ministry, Cornell, Frisbie and Cranson. Bro. Loughborough gave two discourses, and we gave three. The congregation was large, and with very few exceptions, attentive. On First-day uncommon freedom and power attended the preaching of the word.
There were, however, some things unpleasant at this meeting. The course pursued by H. S. Case was annoying and unchristian. No gentleman, to say nothing of his profession as a Christian, and a minister of Christ, would be found in the position occupied by him. At intermissions he was generally engaged in addressing the few who might gather around him to hear his railing accusations against those who have in times past labored for him, but in vain, and have finally withdrawn fellowship from him. He not only annoyed us during intermission, but would continue his conversation with those who would listen to him, in hearing of the congregation, after we had stated that it was time for the meeting to commence and wished the congregation seated. With this exception, we were treated with apparent respect by the entire congregation. All candid, unprejudiced people present must have been disgusted with his course. We mention these things for the benefit of those who were not present, and may be in danger of being injured by his railing accusations.
The cause in Michigan has suffered much in time past by the injudicious course pursued by H. S. Case. He has given the opposers of the truth a chance to raise and circulate reports unfavorable to those who keep the Sabbath. He has been a source of constant trial for years. He has been patiently borne with, and has been admonished and labored with by those who have felt deeply for the cause, and have felt wounded by his course. His brethren have borne with him, hoping that he would reform; but it is evident that the church have erred by holding him in fellowship so long. We pity the man, and mention his course only to warn those who may be in danger of suffering from his malicious influence.
We will here mention one circumstance which may illustrate the character of the man. When we visited Michigan one year since, we were advised to send for a large quantity of books, and also a quantity of Bibles, which could be purchased in Rochester for 37½ cents each. Our publications were then held for gratuitous distribution. We consulted with several brethren upon the best plan to raise the means to pay the Express bill on the books, the box in which they were packed and the labor of packing them, which amounted to $7,50; and we were advised to sell the Bibles at a sufficient profit to cover expenses. The profits on the Bibles did not exceed $6,00 which was $1,50 less than the cost of getting the books to Jackson. H. S. Case, while professing to be our friend, took advantage of our selling Bibles for one or two shillings more than they cost in Rochester, and reported among the brethren that we were speculating! This caused trial among some of our best friends till it was explained to them. To report such a matter without mentioning it first to us, the one charged with the wrong, was unscriptural and wicked. If H. S. Case had followed either reason or the word of the Lord, he would have introduced the matter to us first. But what a speculation! Expenses were $1,50 above profits, besides the trouble of selling them. When the brethren took this matter in hand and explained it to him, he acknowledged his error, and said that he was sorry that he had charged us with speculation, and was now satisfied. But at our late meeting at Sylvan, among other false and railing accusations, H. S. Case charged us with speculation, and referred to our selling Bibles near one year since as proof!! This is the character of the man. We might mention many other circumstances in his course equally as unwise and unchristian, but will not trouble our readers with them.
We now call upon all who may have any fears in regard to our course in managing the publishing department, to state their fears, and we will give them a full explanation. We do not mention these things on our own account; but as we are closely connected with the cause of truth, we shall not remain in silence and let such men as H. S. Case circulate reports calculated to injure the cause. Let all those who wish to make inquiries in regard to our course, address us at Rochester, so as to reach us on our return, by the middle of June. We can show that we refused to receive from the hands of brethren in Michigan on our visit to this State about one year since, over one hundred dollars, and what we did take more than to pay the expenses of the journey, was receipted to Tract Fund in Vol. IV, No. 4, of REVIEW.
The brethren in Michigan have taken hold of the subject of Gospel Order in good earnest. This is a subject of the greatest importance, and will triumph; but in this matter there must not only be great frankness, and plain dealing with those who do not come up to the gospel rule, but the graces of meekness and patience will be much needed. And of some have compassion, making a difference; and others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire!!
There are a very few individuals, whom we highly esteem, who are unfavorably affected by H. S. Case. Such will soon see the real character of the man who has injured the cause of truth, and has wickedly abused us. But there are one or two for whom we can have but little hope. They know him, but being very much like him, do not see his faults. These may annoy the church awhile; but certain victory will turn on the side of the faithful. Those who visit Jackson are invited to inquire for D. R. Palmer and Preston Dickinson. The brethren are of good spirits, and preaching brethren feel like entering the field anew. The all-inspiring hope of immortality and eternal life at the appearing of Christ, is enough to cheer, and urge the weary pilgrim onward through the trials of the way.