Earlier text: THE SABBATHWe do not urge the Israelitish tithing system as embracing the whole duty of believers in the third message in point of free-will offerings. That system was necessary in God's plan of the Levitical priesthood; but the closing message presents a far greater call for something of the kind. We regard it as an utter impossibility to find a plan that would insure perfect equality in every particular. We do not see it in the Israelitish system, though it was the result of Infinite Wisdom. The great moral duty embraced in the tithing system is plainly taught in the New Testament, which also requires equality; and its multiplied importance should be, and will be felt by every well-instructed believer in the third message. We have suggested a plan which in our judgment is the best to insure equality in accomplishing the object. If others can improve, or present a better plan, they will do us and the cause a valuable favor. In answer to the question we would say, we meant just what the churches are adopting in Michigan; viz., They regard the use of their property worth the same as money at ten per cent. This ten per cent they regard as the increase of their property. A tithe of this would be one per cent, and would be nearly two cents per week on each one hundred dollars, which our brethren, for convenience sake, are unanimous in putting down. Now for equality. Some one will say that the above is not a system of equality. Hold, brother! The above is only a part of it. Next comes the personal donations. Let the young men who have no taxable property come up nobly here, also the young women. But let that feeble brother, or aged, or that widow, if they have but little, be excused from personal donations, unless the wealthy choose to have them enter the arrangement, and pay the trifling sum for them. Also let them be excused, if they have only a few hundred dollars, from paying the weekly amount on that, if they choose, unless others pay it for them. With these exceptions, we think all consistent believers will from choice come right up to the figures. And those worth from five to fifteen thousand dollars, whose increase of property is from five to fifteen hundred dollars yearly, are still laying up treasures on earth, instead of sacrificing. Such have a duty beyond the figures proposed. Some are so situated in life that a consistent view of the matter calls for all the increase of their property, and more. They should break in upon the principal, and decrease their abundance. This view of the subject presents the best plan of equality we have seen. With this plan none are eased and others burdened. First, the aged, feeble, and widows are not burdened. Second, young men and young women who have no taxable property have a chance to present liberal free-will offerings. Third, others who have but a few hundred dollars, according to proposed figures, would have an extremely small free-will offering to present. Fourth, those having a few thousands are generally still better able to come up to the figures. Fifth, those who are worth from five to twenty thousand dollars should give all their increase to be consistent with their faith, instead of heaping up treasures for the last days. BRo. SMITH: We conclude from present aspects that the name, "Seventh-day Adventists," is being made obligatory upon our brethren in present truth, and if so be that it is considered a test of fellowship and loyalty to the precious cause of truth, we most earnestly request Bro. and sister White to call a conference for Ohio at Gilboa, at their earliest convenience. This we deem necessary for the following reasons: 1. Without farther light Ohio cannot submit to the name, Seventh-day Adventists, as either a test, or an appropriate name for God's people. 2. Being appointed a finance committee at the last conference, and having now on hand means for carrying on the cause in Ohio, we could not conscientiously expend those means in any other than the advancement and extension of the truth and church of God. 3. If such means are to be expended otherwise, it will be necessary for the churches in Ohio to assemble in conference and give instructions to that effect, and also choose some other committee to make the disbursements. Let this conference be at the earliest convenience, leaving it to Bro. White to fix the definite time, and give notice of the same in Review. Friends in Ohio, as far as known, earnestly desire Bro. and sister White to attend this conference. Their expenses will all be attended to, both to and from Ohio. J. DUDLEY, L. E. JONES, J. P. FLEMING, Finance Committee for Ohio. REMARKS.—Who are making the name "a test of fellowship and loyalty to the precious cause of truth?" Read the above again and you will see. As Bro. and sister White know of no one in Michigan, or anywhere else, excepting one or more in Gilboa, Ohio, they, of course, have no conference to appoint and attend in Gilboa at present according to conditions stated above. The Battle Creek conference, October 1, 1860, voted, "That we call ourselves Seventh-day Adventists," one brother from Gilboa dissenting. The brethren165 generally, as far as we can learn, are adopting the name, and we never heard of, or thought of its being made a test until we read the above from Gilboa. The Ohio finance committee were appointed to collect and disburse means for the extension of the truth and church of God. A good work indeed—Why not go forward? The North electing Abraham Lincoln to the presidency is not a sufficient cause for Southern States to secede from the Union. Neither because the body of believers in the third message do not egotistically assume the name Church of God, as though God had no other names in his great church book in heaven but theirs, is no reason why a few persons in Gilboa, or anywhere else, should stir up a secession movement to make the name Church of God a test. As this matter is not fully developed, we wait to see if our friends in Gilboa do call a convention and pass secession ordinances, making a name a test. Meanwhile it would be well for the old friends of the cause in Ohio to report themselves to the General Conference at Battle Creek. We will here add, that as a friend in Gilboa complains of the non-publication of an article from Gilboa, setting forth the evidences in favor of the name Church of God, we wish to say that at that time no one connected with the Review Office objected to the name. The only objection to the article at that time was that it held up the views of worthy brethren in a false light. SIGNS ARE FULFILLING!
By M. E. Cornell
“And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth; for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.” Luke xxi, 25, 26. By this prophecy we learn that after the signs in the sun, moon, and stars, are fulfilled, other signs are to be expected on the earth and among men. The signs in the heavens above are already passed, and the “distress of nations” appears to be already here. “The sea and waves roaring,” indicates an unusual stir in the elements. How strikingly has this been fulfilling the past few years! In several places the people have been terror-stricken by heated winds and tornadoes of unparalleled fury. The following I clipped from an Iowa paper in August last: “A heated wind storm passed over a portion of Kansas on the 7th inst., which proved nearly as destructive to animal life as the recent tornadoes that visited with such terrible effect portions of Iowa. The wind arose about half-past ten, A. M., and continued until 3 o’clock in the afternoon. At 1 o’clock the mercury rose to 119½° and continued so for an hour, and then gradually began to decrease. The effect can scarcely be imagined. The wind blew a brisk gale, carrying with it a salty, sulphurous smell. Two men in attempting to cross the country from Iola to Humboldt, a distance of eight miles, were overtaken and perished. There were three others at Humboldt, who were caught out with teams, which perished, the men alone surviving, and are now in a fair way to recover. There was scarcely a chicken left in the country. Hogs and cattle fell in their tracks and suffocated. Various reasons and conjectures as to its cause are given, but all unsatisfactory.” It was said of the darkening of the sun and moon, “No satisfactory cause has yet been given;” and why? Because it was a sign and therefore supernatural. The following summary of events in the past year is from the Columbus (Ohio) Journal: “The present is one of the most remarkable years on record. The celestial and atmospheric wonders have been rare. Electrical currents have been unusually disturbed, preventing, at times, for hours, the transmission of telegraphic communications. There has been an incontinence of thunder-storms. Tornadoes of unequaled destructiveness on the western continent have desolated portions of our country. There is an overwhelming vegetable production. There have been earthquakes and simoons in the temperate zone. Meteors and bob-tailed shooting stars are becoming so common as to cease almost to be rarities. There has been an almost entire absence of rain in the West Indies for over a year, and now, to crown the remarkable features developed, it has been discovered that the trade-winds are reversed—a phenomenon which has not been observed—so it is said—for more than a century in the history of navigation. There seems actually to be a general revolution among the elements. Tides which have been running placidly in one direction for a long time, seem now to be reversed. Efforts have been made to account for all signs on natural principles, and thus to destroy their significance. Especially has this been the case with the Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights. How vague have been their efforts to account for this wonderful phenomenon, which never was seen until a little over one hundred years ago! This sign has been more and more frequent and wonderful as time has rolled on. The efforts to explain it have been various and contradictory, so much so, that a scientific gentleman of Illinois, beholding their confusion, wrote the following take-off, and thus rebuked them all: “The Aurora Borealis Explored.—When the melofygistic temperature of the horizon is such as to caloricise the impurient indentation of the hemispheric analogy, the cohesion of the borax curbistus becomes surcharged with infinitesimals, which are thereby deprived of their fissural disquisitions. Thus effected, a rapid change is produced in the thorambumpter of the gyasticutis palerium, which causes a convacular in the hexagonal antipathies of the terrestrium acquaverusli. The clouds then become a mass of deodorized speculæ of cermocular light, which can only be seen when it is visible.” As our Saviour spoke in parable, to the intent that only those who desired to know and do right, could understand his teaching, so now he is speaking to the wise and watching ones in signs which they only will discern. The unbelieving scoffers will not know; “none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand.” “But ye brethren are not in darkness that ‘that day should overtake you as a thief.’” God’s people will discern the signs of the times. Even so, amen. REPORT FROM BRO. HULL.
By M. Hull
FROM Knoxville I went to Pleasantville, anticipating a good time with the brethren. I expected to preach exclusively on practical subjects. But in this I was disappointed. Elder Russel was there, as pugilistic as a young Heenan. He and his brethren were determined to have a fight, whether or no. I gave the first discourse on the first message, which Elder Russel reviewed the next night. He argued that the three messages must all go forth at once in the days of the apostles; for Paul declared the whole counsel of God. If the messages are in the counsel of God, Paul preached them; if not, Mr. Hull is wrong in preaching them. I made a lengthy argument on the fact that some things which are true at one period of time are not true at another. All of which Mr. R. met with the statement that the phrase "present truth" was not in the Bible. [Perhaps he never read 2 Pet. i, 12.—Ed.] Therefore it was an anti-Bible phrase; and the phrase being anti-scriptural, the idea must be also. After he got through with his harangue on that subject he ran off on to the law question. He was under the new law—the old said, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor and hate thine enemy." But the new law says, Love your enemies, &c. The next morning I reviewed his discourse. I denied that Paul declared the whole counsel of God. James taught the church to have the sick anointed, but Paul did not. Therefore James taught more than "the whole counsel of God," or Paul did not teach it all. Paul does not say that he declared the whole counsel of God; but he says, "I shunned not to declare the whole counsel of God;" i. e., he did not dodge any point when it was necessary to speak upon it. I denied that the Old Testament commanded us to love our neighbor and hate our enemies. The Saviour does not say that the Old Testament says, "Hate thine enemies;" but he simply says, "It hath been said," &c. If asked by whom this saying was made, I answer, You will find it in the Jewish Targums. It could but excite one's mirthfulness to hear Mr. R. try to prove that the above saying was in the Old Testament. His argument was this: 1. The Old Testament says, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." Lev. xix, 18. 2. It says, "Thou shalt abhor an Edomite." Now put the two together and you have got, "Love thy neighbor and hate thine enemy." If the Bible had said what Eld. R. pretended to quote from it, it would have been much like the man's proving that Christians ought to hang themselves. Said he, "The Bible says, Judas departed and hanged himself." Again it says, "Go thou and do likewise." But the Bible does not say, "Thou shalt abhor an Edomite," but it does say, "Thou shalt not abhor an Edomite." Deut. xxiii, 7. In this Elder R. will be compelled to rest under the charge of willfully bearing false witness against the Bible, or being ignorant of what the Bible does say, and that too, while looking right at it. In the Elder's first discourse he taught that all three of the messages must go forth in the days of the apostles or be another gospel. But in his second discourse, the three messages went forth at three distinct periods of time; for the second followed the first, and the third followed them. Hull is wrong in proclaiming the third angel's message, i. e., he is ahead of time; for Babylon has not yet fallen. The fall and destruction of the great city are the same events. Mr. R. argued that Babylon would fall when one like the Son of man came to reap the harvest of the earth. This placed the second and third angels' messages over in the "everlasting kingdom." The Lord gave freedom in reviewing his discourses, for which we all felt to praise him. From Pleasantville I went to Knoxville to attend to the ordinances. We met at Bro. Garretson's, and after spending two or three hours in self-examination, we partook of the ordinances. The blessing of the Lord attended. All showed the good Spirit. Our little cups were more than filled with joy while engaged in the humble ordinance of washing each others' feet. I next went to Newbern. Here I found matters in some particulars, better than I expected. The tent meeting had had a better influence than we anticipated. The interest has not abated there in the least. The trouble there is, that we cannot get a house large enough to hold the people. I delivered three discourses in Newbern. Some others united with the commandment-keepers in this place. I was sorry to be compelled to leave some wishing to attend to the ordinance of baptism. But I could not attend to it and reach my next appointment. I hope to visit the brethren at Newbern again before tent season. I reached Ottawa on the 15th ult., in time for my appointment. My congregations were very large, so large that the house was usually crowded to overflowing for two hours before meeting-time. Some of the brethren at Ottawa are in earnest for the heavenly land, while I fear that others are only half-hearted. Some others were added to the church here. Five were baptized. We set things in order so that I think the church will get along well. Here we had another communion season, and the Lord gave us a rich blessing, for which we praise him. The brethren are determined to sustain the southern Iowa tent this summer. I preached once in Occola as I passed through. Here there is the best interest that ever has been in this place. They even tried to hire me to pitch the tent in Occola this season. But Occola is not unlike other places. The cry of "Come over and help us" comes in from every quarter. O Lord, send out more laborers. VISIT TO SUTTON, C. E.
By A. Stone
DEAR BRO. SMITH: Last Sabbath and first-day I spent with the brethren in North Sutton, Canada East, where a new field of labor has lately been entered by Brn. A. C. and D. T. Bourdeau, assisted by Brn. Hutchins and Sperry, and about twenty have begun to keep the Sabbath of the Lord. The interest still continues. The whole community are stirred by the power of truth, and many minds are inquiring whether these things are so. May the Lord guide them166to a right decision upon those important subjects that have been brought before them. There was freedom in speaking, and apparently much interest in hearing the word. A feeling of solemnity came over me as I gazed upon the large congregation who were in all probability making a final decision in matters that concern their salvation. The work in North Sutton goes on amid opposition from the surrounding clergy, who labor with a zeal worthy of a better cause, to convince the people that the first day of the week is the Sabbath of the Lord, notwithstanding the Lord says, "The seventh day is the Sabbath;" thus fulfilling the prophecy of Eze. xxii, 26: "Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things; they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they showed difference between the unclean and clean, and have hid their eyes from my Sabbaths, and I am profaned among them." It is quite evident that the Lord's time to work more powerfully in the East has come. Let the church in the East gird on the armor anew. Let us awake to duty and pray the Lord of the harvest that he would send more laborers into his harvest. A. STONE. Eden, Vt., March 18, 1861. LOOKING FORWARD.
By A. S. Hutchins
A GLORIOUS and triumphant deliverance is just before the people of God! Those whose "treasures" are laid up in heaven, may confidently expect soon to enter upon their unending reward; soon to possess "an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away." Says the apostle, "Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory." Col. iii, 2-4. "And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away." 1 Pet. v, 4. The chief Shepherd is about to appear. "Not long will the wheels of his chariot stay." And shall we not "be diligent that we may be found of him in peace, without spot and blameless?" Now is the time for us to labor and suffer with Christ. Soon the time will come to reign and rejoice with him. "If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him he also will deny us." 2 Tim. ii, 12. "Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober, . . . putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation." "For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him." 1 Thess. v, 6, 8-10. The sleeping saints will awake at the appearing of the Life-giver, and the righteous living be changed. "Behold, I shew you a mystery: we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed, . . . then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" 1 Cor. xv, 51, 52, 54, 55. Shouts of victory, and songs of everlasting joy and deliverance are heard everywhere, as the ransomed saints ascend to meet the King of kings, and Lord of lords. And shall we faint and tire, and sink in sight of the glorious prize? Shall so blissful a future be veiled by the momentary trials and conflicts of this poor, dark, sorrowing world, and the Christian's courage fail here? No, let us rather bid trials a hearty welcome, assured there is One who knows them all, and who will not forget to reward us accordingly. "God counts the sorrows of his saints;
Their groans affect his ears;
He has a book for their complaints,
A bottle for their tears. "The Lord can clear the darkest skies,
Can give us day for night;
Make drops of sacred sorrow rise
To rivers of delight. "Let those who sow in sadness wait
Till the fair harvest come;
They shall confess their sheaves are great,
And shout the blessings home."
A. S. HUTCHINS. GOD IS NOT IN ALL HIS THOUGHTS.
By I. G. Camp
How true are these words in the case of the wicked man as he rushes on from one scene of folly and pleasure to another! How truly may it be said of him that God is not in all his thoughts. And O how solemn the reflection that a created being should be thus unmindful of his Creator, who upholds him and will so soon call him to an account for all his folly, and for the manner in which he has used all these blessings. How different with the true child of God. How truly may it be said of him that God is in all his thoughts. When he rises in the morning he enters his closet and from a full soul gives him thanks that he has been preserved through the night, and pleads for grace whereby he may serve God acceptably through the day. And while he engages in the necessary duties of life, how often is his heart uplifted to God in praise and thanksgiving in remembrance of past favors and for every new expression of his love and favor toward him, and in pleading for heavenly wisdom to guide him in all his affairs, both spiritual and temporal, that whatever he does may be done to his glory. And especially in the hour of affliction how closely the heart of a christian cleaves to its God. And as he takes his Bible and for a few moments leaves the busy concerns of this life to hold communion with his God, how precious are these seasons, when he can read God's holy word and feel his glory shed upon every line; and that it is sweeter than honey and the honey comb, and then to draw near to God and feel his love so shed abroad in his heart as to beget within him an intense desire to be cleansed from all sin, and to be preserved blameless unto the coming of his Lord that he may be a fit subject of his heavenly kingdom. How truly is God in all his thoughts. "Whatever he engages in,
At home or far abroad,
His object is to honor
And to glorify his God." WHY NONE SHOULD BE DISCOURAGED.
By G. P. Wilson
BECAUSE in God and in his Son Jesus Christ is balm for every wound which the adversary of souls has ever inflicted upon man. Have your hopes in life become dim, your earthly prospects failed you, and are all things seemingly conspiring together to distract and sink you? Remember Jesus Christ is a refuge for just such a time as this. Though all things else fail you, he does not. He is the the same yesterday, to-day, and forever. Heb. xiii, 8. Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, is his gracious invitation, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest to your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Matt. xi, 28–30. The very nature of our wants, temporal and spiritual, if nothing else, should teach us of the goodness and mercy of our heavenly Father. We need nothing which he is not ready and willing to give. Matt. xxi, 22; John xv, 7. We have not an High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities. Heb. iv, 15. My grace is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in weakness, said the Lord to Paul when the latter besought him to remove his "thorn in the flesh." Such was the assurance the apostle had to support him in trial, and the same have all who will receive it, whatever may be our circumstances or difficulties to be overcome. "My grace is sufficient," says the Lord omnipotent. "Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet." Heb. xii, 12, 13. "Let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord." Ps. cv, 3. Truly God is good to Israel.' Ps. lxxiii, 1. In the world ye shall have tribulation, says our Saviour; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. John xvi, 33. G. P. WILSON. LAURA C. HUTCHINS
By Laura C. Hutchins
BRO. SMITH: I would through the Review say a few words to those scattered abroad. I have not a doubt of the near approach of the Lord or of the genuineness of the message now being proclaimed. The great question for me to solve is, whether I shall be among those who will finally overcome the world, the flesh, and the Devil. Trials thicken around my pathway, and I begin to realize that those who wash their robes and make them white in the blood of the Lamb must come up through great tribulation. I feel that, "It is not for me to be seeking my bliss,
Or building my hopes in a region like this.
"A scrip on my back and a staff in my hand,
I march on in haste through an enemy's land;
The road may be rough, but it cannot be long,
I'll smooth it with hope, and I'll cheer it with song." God is very merciful and tender in his care for me. While he chastens he also smiles; and I have many, many mercies. And while I remember that this is not my home and my abiding city, yet in reviewing the merciful allotments of my heavenly Father, I am constrained to say with the psalmist, "Bless the Lord, O, my soul, and forget not all his benefits." Also, "Before I was afflicted I went astray." I feel that I need to keep very near to God by faith, in deep humility. Others are called to walk alone in the narrow way, amid the sneers, scoffs, and opposition of the gainsaying. Dear brethren and sisters who are called to labor thus, keep near to God, and remember that they once called your Master Beelzebub. Count it joy to be found worthy to endure such things for his sake, and167 bless the Lord for his goodness. Surely he is good, for his mercy endureth forever. In hope of a soon coming Saviour, I am your sister, Ganges, Allegan Co., Mich. O God, what weary hours I know,
While sorrows o'er me roll,
For the deep waters in their flow,
Are come in to my soul. O Lord, reproach and bitter shame
Have filled my aching heart,
And none who bears a brother's name,
Fulfills a brother's part. And when I sink in sorrows deep,
And tremble in my fears,
They still reproach me as I weep,
And mock my falling tears. Good is thy loving kindness, Lord,
Thy mercies turn to me,
And while I wait to hear thy word,
O bid the darkness flee. The Lord will save the sorrowing poor,
The fainting he'll revive:
The sinking soul he will restore,
And bid the contrite live. Let not my enemies rejoice,
But haste to my relief:
Darken the pathway of their choice,
Turn all their joy to grief. "Then they that feared the Lord, spake often one to another." BRO. SMITH: It having been my happy lot to embrace the third angel's message last August under the preaching of Brn. Cornell and Snook, I am now trying to practice the principles that I have espoused, in every day life, feeling determined to be among that number which will overcome all and be counted worthy to escape the things that shall come upon the earth. I feel the great requirements of God upon us to become entirely consecrated to his service, "For without holiness of heart no man shall see the Lord." I know I have much to do to conquer the vile thoughts of my heart, and fully reconcile myself to the will of the Lord, yet I feel thankful to God that he has done so much for me in permitting me to embrace the last message that he is to give to this world. O, I feel to praise his holy name with all my soul. I hope the brethren and sisters will remember me when before the Lord in prayer, that I may be ready when Jesus comes, to appear faultless before the throne of God. From your brother in hope of the kingdom.
P. V. SARGENT. Preparing for Christ's Coming
By T. H. Moffet
BRO. SMITH: I wish to say to the brethren and sisters scattered abroad that my faith in the promises of God is still strong. I believe with all my heart that our blessed Lord will soon come. Shall I be ready? The hundred and forty-four thousand will be ready to meet their coming Lord, and will receive palms of victory while the wicked will hide themselves in caves and holes, and cry for the rocks and mountains to fall on them and hide them from the wrath of the Lamb and from the face of him that sitteth upon the throne. Before going away, Jesus promised his disciples that he would come again and receive them to himself, that where he was there they might be also, and gave certain signs by which we might know when to look for his coming. Many of those signs are in the past, and others are fulfilling before our eyes. May the Lord help us to discern the signs of the times, and get ready to be numbered among the jewels of the Lord. I sometimes feel nearly discouraged, my progress is so slow, and I know that our sins must all be put away. God will have a pure and holy people, and he will pour out his Spirit upon them; they will then speak the truth boldly as Peter did on the day of Pentecost. But shall I be ready to take part in this great work? for all will have something to do. O that I could run more swiftly the race that is set before me. I long for more of the fullness of God. O that I may have a deep hungering and thirsting after righteousness. There are some here that seem to have some interest for the truth, and love to read the paper. May God's blessing ever be on the paper, and those that are engaged in editing and publishing it. Your brother in Christ.
T. H. MOFFET.
Huntsbury, Ohio. The Meeting at Marion
By D. T. Shiroman
BRO. SMITH: I have just returned from the meeting at Marion. Although I walked eighty miles to the meeting and eighty miles back, I feel well paid for the journey. There was quite a large number of Sabbath-keepers there, and we had a good meeting. The Spirit of the Lord was present. His work is onward winter and summer. The message will go. The last note of warning will be heralded to a dying world. Soon Jesus will come. Will we be ready to meet him? We must be without spot or wrinkle if we would reign with him in glory. We have none too much time in which to get ready. We can plainly see by the signs of the times that his coming is near, even at the door. Soon the sleeping saints will be waked from their dusty beds, and the living changed and caught up to meet the Lord in the air. Then we shall ever be with the Lord. Then he will wipe away all tears. O what a happy meeting will that be! We shall see Abraham the father of the faithful there, and the prophets, and Jesus our elder brother. We shall there see the promised land, the new heaven and new earth, the saints' abode, its pure streams of water clear as crystal, the holy city with its pearly gates. This is worth striving for. But if we want to enter into the holy land, we must give all for Christ. Let us get on the whole armor, so that we may be able to stand. There are a few here who are trying to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. We have meetings on the Sabbath. We would like to have the eastern Iowa tent come here this summer, thinking this would be a good place for it. We are poor, but will do all we can. We could send a team for the tent if necessary. Yours in hope of eternal life,
D. T. Shiroman.
West Union, Fayette Co., Iowa. Confession and Reformation
By S. W. R.
DEAR BRETHREN: I wish to let you know that I thankfully receive the late rebuke as published in Testimony No. 6, for S. W. R. I think it is having its designed effect on my heart, and in my life. I shall try to meet its demands as promptly as circumstances will admit. I shall receive as a favor from my brethren or others, any light or counsel by which I may be able to better understand the application of the items contained in the faithful correction of my errors. I will add, that if I had not faithfully commenced this imperative duty of frankly confessing my sins to God, and man (Review No. 10) before this last fearful rebuke came to hand, I should not be able to bear as great a burden. I wish to be saved on right principles. Friends remember me.
S. W. R.
Hubbardsville, N. Y. L. B. KENDALL
By L. B. Kendall
DEAR BRETHREN AND SITERS SCATTERED ABROAD: I want to say a few words of encouragement to you through the Review. I want to exhort you not to be discouraged, though we have fallen on perilous times. Though the way may be rough it cannot be long, and though the darkness grows more and more dense, and wears a deeper gloom as we go onward, yet when we press through it and get close to the side of our blessed Saviour, the union seems sweeter than ever before, and the blessed hope seems more precious than ever. O, I have been very thankful of late for the firm foundation of the commandments of God and of all that is written in his word for our instruction and admonition. While I have seen the infidelity that stalks forth in the land and the cavils that are cast upon the word of the Lord, I feel like clasping the truth closer to my heart and trying to live it out more perfectly. It is now some over thirteen years since I and my companion have been trying to keep the Sabbath with the rest of the commandments; and I can truly say, The Lord has not been a barren wilderness to my soul. O, his many mercies to an unworthy worm! how many times he has raised me up from raging disease! When no other arm could rescue, and no other power save, his own arm brought salvation, and his right hand sustained me; and I have felt his promise literally verified: "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength." I feel like saying to the dear saints, the Lord is the same to day that he ever has been, and though I am again brought quite low by the power of disease I feel that he has not forgotten me. One word from him can break the bands of disease asunder if it will be for my good and his glory. I desire that his will may be done concerning me. I would say to the dear saints with whom I have been acquainted even from the first of the message, especially to Bro. and sister White, Be not cast down; the Lord remembers all the sacrifices you have made, all the sorrow you have endured, all the anguish you have suffered; and many of the saints remember them too; and soon you will have your reward. I can say that my heart and hand is with you, and my feeble prayers shall follow you in your onward course. The little flock are very near unto me, and I hope soon to meet them safe in our Father's home. Embracing the Sabbath
By S. A. Stiles
Bro. Smith: I would like to say a few words for the first time to the dear saints, through the Review. I feel thankful for the light of present truth that has shone across my pathway. Some three years since a dear brother and his companion embraced the Sabbath. I became somewhat interested. They soon moved to Wisconsin. That interest wore away in a measure; but I still thought I would like to hear more. The Lord in his goodness opened the way the following winter. I saw that I was breaking one of the commandments each week. And as I read that this is the love of God that we keep his commandments, I stepped out upon the Sabbath, and have since been trying so to live as to have a home on the new earth. I make many crooked paths, but if I know my own heart, I want to be just right. O I would praise the Lord for his lovingkindness and tender mercies to one so unworthy as I am. I believe the Saviour soon will come to take his weary children home. Loved ones that sleep in Jesus will then come forth to die no more. Hail happy day. Your sister striving to overcome. S. A. STILES.
Roxbury, Vt.