VERSE 31. Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible. 32. This image's head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass, 33, his legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay. 34. Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces. 35. Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing-floors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them; and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.
Nebuchadnezzar, according to the Chaldean religion, was an idolater. An image was an object which would at once command his attention and respect. Moreover, earthly kingdoms, which, as we shall hereafter see, were represented by this image, were objects of esteem and value in his eyes. With a mind unenlightened by the light of revelation, he was unprepared to put a true estimate upon earthly wealth and glory, and to look upon earthly governments in their true light. Hence the striking harmony between the estimate which he put upon these things, and the object by which they were symbolized before him. To him they were presented under the form of a great image, an object in his eyes of respect and admiration. With Daniel the case was far different; and to him these same earthly kingdoms were afterward shown under the form of cruel and ravenous wild beasts.
But how admirably adapted was this representation to convey a great and needful truth to the mind of Nebuchadnezzar. Besides delineating the progress of events through the whole course of time, for the benefit of his people, God would show Nebuchadnezzar the utter emptiness and worthlessness of earthly pomp and glory; and how could this be more impressively done than by an image commencing with the most precious of metals, and continually descending to the baser, till we finally have the coarsest and crudest of metals, iron, mingled with the miry clay; then dashed to pieces, and made like the empty chaff, no good thing in it, but altogether lighter than vanity; and finally blown away where no place could be found for it; after which, something durable and of heavenly worth occupies its place. So would God show to the children of men, that earthly kingdoms were to pass away, and earthly greatness and glory, like a gaudy bubble, would break and vanish; and the kingdom of God, in the place so long usurped by these, should be set up to have no end, and all who had an interest therein, should rest under the shadow of its peaceful wings forever and ever. But this is anticipating.
VERSE 36. This is the dream; and we will tell the interpretation thereof before the king. 37. Thou, O king, art a king of kings; for the God of Heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory. 38. And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold.
Now opens one of the sublimest chapters of human history. Eight short verses of the inspired record tell the whole story; yet that story embraces the history of this world's pomp and power. A few moments will suffice to commit it to memory, yet we must go back twenty-four centuries, to find the commencement of the period which it covers. It is so comprehensive that it extends from that time over into the eternal kingdom of God; yet it is so minute that it gives us all the great outlines of earthly kingdoms from that time to this. Human wisdom never devised so brief a record which embraced so much. Human language never set forth in fewer words, a greater volume of historical truth. The finger of God is here. Let us heed the lesson well.
With what interest, as well as astonishment, must the king have listened to the words of the prophet, as he informed him that he, or rather his kingdom, the king being here put for his kingdom, was the golden head of the great and terrible image which he had seen. Ancient kings were grateful for success; and in cases of prosperity, the tutelar deity to whom they attributed their success, was to them the adorable object upon whom they would lavish their richest treasures, and bestow their best devotions. Daniel indirectly informs the king that in his case all these are due to the God of Heaven, since he is the one who has given him his kingdom, and made him ruler over all. This would restrain him from the pride of thinking that he had attained his position by his own power and wisdom, and would enlist the gratitude of his heart toward the true God.
The Babylonish empire, this head of gold, was founded by Belesis, the Baladan of Scripture, B. C., 747. It arose from the ancient Assyrian empire, founded by Nimrod, Gen. x, 9, 10, which had governed Asia for about thirteen hundred years. It reached the summit of its glory under Nebuchadnezzar, who added to his original dominions the provinces of Asia Minor, Phenicia, Egypt, Syria, and Palestine. These, with the empire of Babylon proper, embraced all the then known world of any national influence or power, which constituted this the first universal empire. In 606, B. C., it became connected with the people of God by the capture of Judea, and is at this point introduced into prophecy.
The character of this empire is indicated by that portion of the image by which it was symbolized—the head of gold. It was the golden kingdom of a golden age. Babylon, its metropolis, towered far above all its later rivals. Situated in the garden of the East, laid out in a perfect square sixty miles in circumference, fifteen miles on each side, surrounded by a wall three hundred and fifty feet high and eighty-seven feet thick, with a moat, or ditch, around this, of equal cubic capacity with the walls, divided into six hundred and seventy-six squares, each 18 furlongs in circumference, by its fifty streets, each one hundred and fifty feet in width, crossing each other, at right angles, twenty-five each way, every one straight and level, and fifteen miles in length; its two hundred and twenty-five square miles of enclosed surface, divided as just described, and laid out in luxuriant pleasure-grounds and gardens, interspersed with magnificent dwellings,—this city, with its sixty miles of moat, its sixty miles of outer wall, its thirty miles of river wall through its center, its hundred and fifty gates of solid brass, its hanging gardens, rising terrace above terrace, till they equaled in hight the walls themselves, its temple of Belus, three miles in circumference, its two kingly palaces, one three and a half, and the other eight miles in circumference, with its subterranean tunnel under the River Euphrates connecting these two palaces, its perfect arrangements for convenience, ornament, and defense, and its unlimited resources—this city containing in itself many things which were themselves wonders of the world, was itself another and still mightier wonder. Never before saw the earth a city like that; never since has it seen its equal. And there, with the whole earth prostrate at his feet, it sat, a queen in peerless grandeur, “the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees’ excellency,” fit capital of that kingdom which constituted the golden head of this great historic image.
Such was Babylon, with Nebuchadnezzar, youthful, bold, vigorous, and accomplished, seated upon its throne, when Daniel entered its impregnable walls to serve a captive for seventy years in its gorgeous palaces. There the children of the Lord, oppressed more than cheered by the glory and prosperity of the land of their captivity, hung their harps on the willows of the sparkling Euphrates, and wept when they remembered Zion. And there commenced the captive state of the church in a still broader sense; for, ever since that time, the people of God have been in subjection to, and more or less oppressed by, earthly powers. And so they will be, till earthly powers shall give way to Him whose right it is to reign. And lo! the day of deliverance draws on apace.
Into another city, not only Daniel, but all the children of God, from least to greatest, from first to last, are soon to enter; a city not merely sixty miles in circumference, but fifteen hundred miles; a city whose walls are not brick and bitumen, but precious stones and jasper; whose streets are not the stone-paved streets of Babylon, smooth and handsome as they were, but transparent gold; whose river is not the mournful waters of the Euphrates, but the river of life; whose music is not the sighs and laments of broken-hearted captives, but the thrilling paeans of victory over death and the grave, which ransomed multitudes shall raise; whose light is not the intermittent light of earth, but the unceasing and ineffable glory of God and the Lamb. Into this city they shall enter, not as captives entering a foreign land, but as exiles returning to their father's house; not as to a place where the chilling words of bondage, servitude, and oppression, shall weigh down their spirits, but where the sweet words, home, freedom, peace, purity, unutterable bliss, and unending life, shall thrill their bosoms with delight forever and ever. “Yea, our mouths shall be filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing, when the Lord turns again the captivity of Zion.” Ps. cxxvi, 1, 2.
(To be continued.)
TRUTH IS HARMONIOUS.
By Roswell F. Cottrell
A LOGICAL mind delights in the harmony of its views. It decides of a tree by the fruit which it bears. Men do not gather grapes of thorns, nor figs of thistles. A good tree cannot bear evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
If a miracle is wrought in confirmation of that which is truth, it is the work of the Spirit of truth; but if it is wrought in defense of error, the spirit by which it is wrought, is evil.
If in the defense of Spiritualism or Mormonism you had the gift of tongues or of healing, it was given by that spirit that upholds these isms, that is, the spirit of the father of lies. God cannot work a miracle to confirm a lie. But if gifts are given, and miracles wrought, in confirmation of truth, it is done by the Spirit of truth, which is the Spirit of God. Satan would not, or, if he would, could not, work a miracle in confirmation of the truth. God, whose power is greater than his, will not permit him to do it. And those ecstacies that tend to confirm one in error, are from the spirit of error, and not from the Spirit of truth.
Make the tree good, and its fruit good, or the tree corrupt, and its fruit corrupt; for a tree is known by its fruit. If spiritual gifts are given and exercised in confirmation of Bible truth, it is impossible that their manifestation should be from an evil spirit. It can only proceed from the Spirit of God. But all such manifestations, given in support of error can proceed from no other spirit than that which is opposed to God and truth.
Let us have consistency and harmony in our faith. Truly logical minds must have this. The mind of Jesus was such. Speaking on this very subject of spiritual power, he said, “Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt; for the tree is known by his fruit.” Matt. xii, 33. Brethren, let us cultivate clearness of mind, and come to truly logical conclusions.
R. F. COTTRĚLL.
“AND HE DIED.”
By Dudley Marvin Canright
This short sentence, when considered in its connection, gives us a forcible idea of the shortness of human life. Of Adam it is said, “All the days that Adam lived was nine hundred and thirty years; and he died.” Gen. v. 5. “And all the days of Seth were nine hundred and twelve years; and he died.” Verse 8. “And all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred and sixty and nine years; and he died.” Verse 27. Here were men who lived, not fifty years, nor seventy, nor a hundred, nor two, nor five hundred years, but almost one thousand years—a sixth part of45the time that our world has stood! Yet each one’s record closes with, “And he died.”
Now men can hope to live only sixty to eighty or possibly a hundred years at the longest, and then they must die. However long and prosperous a life any man may have, it must close in the same way, “And he died.” The young, the noble, the honored, the rich,—all alike must soon have it said of them each, “And he died.” What a blight this puts upon all the joys and bliss of earth. They must all come to an end, and the cold, dismal silence of death must take their place.
There is something very sad and mournful in the language of the dying Jacob as he directs his sons to bury him in the cave of Machpelah. “There,” said he, “they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife; there they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife; and there I buried Leah.” Gen. xlix, 31. Rachel was my best beloved wife; but I had to part with her and lay her in the grave with the rest. How many bitter tears we have dropped upon that lonely cave in Machpelah! Yes, and the world is all dotted over with tombs of the dead like Machpelah. How many times it has been said of lonely, bereaved, and bleeding hearts, “She goeth unto the grave to weep there.” “Friend after friend departs; who hath not lost a friend?”
Reader, have you ever wept beside the grave of a dear friend? How keen the anguish of that moment. How drear and cold and cheerless the world then looked. So your friends will soon weep beside your tomb; and as they recount your life they will close your history by saying, “And he died.” We are now in this world of the dying and of the dead. Is it reasonable for us to set our hearts upon the things here which are so soon to pass away? There is a world to come where it shall never be said of any one, “And he died,” but all shall be immortal and never die. May we all obtain a house there.
D. M. CANRIGHT.
Richmond, Me., Dec. 25.
WORLDLINESS.
By Jos. Clarke
Few realize the danger of God's people at the present time. From every point, Satan is rallying his legions to make war upon the saints; and his greatest success is attained where we are least guarded. While we are looking for great events and severe persecutions in the future, Satan is at work most effectually; for if he can now drown the senses in worldly pursuits, he knows well we shall not be among the persecuted ones.
One of our dangers is that of worldliness, which creeps over us while we least suspect it. As we pursue our daily occupations, we become charmed with these affairs, and engrossed in them, and nothing is left for God.
Little by little a love for our employment, or of its profits, crowds out the love of God; and the cares and responsibilities of life, so necessary to be well borne, are so constantly upon the mind, that we often become cold as an iceberg before we are aware that we are drifting away from the port.
The man of business fancies that he is doing a laudable and praiseworthy work in driving his trade or his other interests; and so he is, if God has the highest place in the heart; but alas! how many fatally deceive themselves in this. The pleasure derived from mental toil and success in life is often mistaken for God's approbation. The spirits are light and buoyant from healthful exercise, and Satan steps in, with deceptive charms, and lulls the soul to sleep, while he drives it far away from God. The student, the teacher, the literary man, is peculiarly exposed by reason of the high intellectual enjoyments he experiences, and unless he places a double guard against the enemy, he is led astray, or lost.
It was the practice of a very devoted and learned man, to often turn from his studies to the Bible, to see if his love for the word of God was waning in his intense zeal in the acquisition of knowledge. If he found that his love for human learning was at all drawing him from the love of the Bible, he would leave his studies and read the word of God until his love for it returned, and he was satisfied that his love for God's word was above that of mere literature and science. His was true wisdom. Jos. Clarke.
REPORT FROM CALIFORNIA.
By John Norton Loughborough
Our last report was made some two weeks since. At that time we were just returning to Petaluma. Bro. Bourdeau and myself spent a week together in Petaluma, visiting from house to house, and holding meetings here. Last Sabbath and first-day, Bro. Bourdeau spoke with freedom in Petaluma; while I gave four discourses in Windsor. The last was in reply to a discourse by a Methodist minister on the Sabbath question. This discourse was principally designed to show that the day of the Sabbath was indefinite, and that in different dispensations God had selected different days for different objects. That God gave a day to the first inhabitants of the world, to commemorate creation; that Noah had a day to commemorate the resting of the ark upon Mount Ararat. It was claimed that the reckoning of time by sevens of days by Noah, in sending out the dove and raven, were probably only sevens of days from the time the ark rested, not corresponding with the seven days from creation.
Again it was claimed that God gave the Israelites a day to commemorate their deliverance from Egypt; that God gave them manna six days, and the seventh day was a sabbath, but that there was no evidence that these days corresponded with the days from creation, but were reckoned from the time the manna began to fall. Mention, however, was not made by the elder that God in the fourth commandment pointed out the day on which the manna was withheld as the day he rested upon, blessed, and sanctified, at creation. Again, if the sanctifying of that day at creation placed obligation upon Israel at Mt. Sinai to keep it, of course that obligation existed in the days of Noah, and shows that the day he observed was one with the Sabbath at creation and Mt. Sinai.
The elder claimed that Christ had given the first day of the week to be kept in honor of his resurrection. It was frankly admitted that there was no command to keep that day, and an effort was made to show that the seventh day commanded in the fourth commandment was any seventh day after six days of labor, and not the seventh day of the week. Luke xxiii, 56, and xxiv, 1, compared, show that the seventh day of the commandment corresponds with the seventh day of the week.
This discourse and reply only served to strengthen those who have taken their stand on the truth. About a dozen have taken their stand with us in Windsor, and a Sabbath School and Bible Class, as well as regular Sabbath meeting have been started.
In Petaluma there is still an ear to hear, and an increasing interest with those who have come out, to get near the Lord, and do their duty. We expect to spend the coming Sabbath and first-day here. The Sabbath following, I go to Windsor again, while Bro. Bourdeau will probably remain here. The same Methodist elder is to speak on “Natural Immortality of the Soul,” at Windsor. After returning from Windsor, we design to enter another new place as the way may open before us.
Our prayer is that we may move with simplicity, humility, zeal, and faith in God, and see of his salvation attending our efforts. It is very muddy on the adobe soil now, so we shall have to take a place to labor where the roads are better, so as to get the people out. The weather is mild here, though there is much rain. It seems more like spring than winter.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
Petaluma, Jan. 14, 1869.
MONTHLY MEETINGS IN MAINE.
By Chas. Stratton
Our Monthly Meetings in this district have been increasing in interest a few months past. The last one held in Canaan, was one of the best that we have ever had. We had a very good representation from the different churches, except the Hartland and Palmyra church. Many of us decided at this meeting that we would live better than we have the year past. Some started out anew to serve the Lord. Twelve or fifteen came forward for prayers. Union was restored in the church, and a spirit of labor was manifested. I remain to labor a few days. The Lord is truly at work. Souls are being converted, and the backslidden reclaimed.
CHAS. STRATTON.
REPORT FROM A. C. BOURDEAU.
By A. C. BOURDEAU
Since I wrote my report, dated Nov. 17, 1868, my labors have been varied. First, myself and wife visited several families in Enosburgh and vicinity; especially some who lived at a distance, and were deprived of meeting privileges. As we called on Sr. S. Sherman in Fairfield, our hearts were moved with tenderness in view of her deep affliction and distresses. She had a difficulty in her left side, which threatens to end in an abscess, or cancer, and which made it very painful for her to use her lower limb on that side. Her other lower limb was broken in two places, and the ankle had been put out of joint, caused by her having recently been thrown out of a carriage by a runaway horse; and in addition to this, she lived in a house which was being repaired, and was very cold.
We unhesitatingly placed her on a bed in our double sleigh, and brought her to our house, where she was made comfortable for five weeks, till her husband had finished their house inside, and dried the plastering. Sr. S. is now with her family, improving slowly. May this sister, while she lives, secure to herself an everlasting habitation in that land where there shall not be “any more pain,” and the inhabitants shall not say, “I am sick.”
Nov. 28, we held three meetings with the church at East Richford. I was glad for the courage the brethren there had shown in pledging liberally toward building a house of worship; but regretted to find in some a spirit which would tend to selfishness, strife, and discord. They needed to reform on this point in order to be successful. Since then, I met with them twice, prepared “Articles of Association” for them, &c., and now we have some reason to hope that in the course of the ensuing year they will succeed in building a commodious house of worship—size, 32x45 feet. About $600.00 are already pledged toward this enterprise, which will go a great ways, where timber and lumber is furnished free from charges, except for the drawing and sawing.
Dec. 10, we commenced to hold protracted meetings in Enosburgh, which continued till the 20th. We have great reasons for gratitude to our Heavenly Father for the good that has resulted from these meetings; especially in removing trials and difficulties which existed among some, and in reviving, in all those who attended, a spirit of earnestness, and a determination to draw nearer to God, live the whole truth, and dwell together in unity.
The 2d day of Jan., thirty-five from Enosburgh accompanied us to Berkshire. Held meetings in a schoolhouse near Bro. Austin's. Bro. Stone was present, and assisted in preaching. We felt to praise God for the freedom the few in B. enjoyed with the brethren and sisters in these meetings.
Last Sabbath, I met with the church at home. Had a full meeting, freedom in speaking the word, and in our excellent Bible Class and Sabbath School, which are progressing with increasing interest, weekly.
The day following, four of us, including wife and self, went to Montgomery to visit the few friends there. Some of them I had not seen for six years. They are all very poor. The news was soon circulated that we were in the place; they came together in the evening of the same day. I gave them a synopsis of the truth, and of the progress of the cause, freely disposed of all the publications that I had with me—Life Incidents, Thoughts on the Revelation, Spiritual Gifts, and several pamphlets and tracts—for which I did not take in one cent. As we left these friends, wife assisted the needy with a little provision, and a few articles of clothing which she left with them. We are now at Bro. E. Loveland’s, in Johnson. Had a good meeting yesterday with the few in this place.
A. C. BOURDEAU.
Johnson, Vt., Jan. 15, 1869.
REPORT OF MEETINGS.
By T. M. Steward
It has been a long time since I reported my labors in the cause. We continued our labors in the tent until the Convocation at Clyde. Our brethren from the churches around, spent several Sabbaths with us, much to our encouragement. Some ten or twelve embraced the truth, and commenced to keep the Sabbath. Our last meeting there was on first-day, Sept. 20. There were some, much interested, who were in the neighborhood picking hops, but they had to go home without hearing all. I hope they may give the truths they heard a large place in their hearts, that it may do them good as it doth the upright in heart. These people were intelligent. One sister, who had been picking hops, took of me five dollars' worth of books, and since, we have learned that she has commenced to keep the Sabbath. I hope all that vowed to keep the Sabbath will keep their vows. Seven went forward in the ordinance of baptism. The sweet Spirit of the Lord was with us in this last meeting. May he bless our labors in that place.
I was much interested in my short acquaintance with Bro. H. C. Blanchard, of Princeville, Ill. We arrived in time for our Convocation. And although the weather was very unfavorable, yet the clouds that darkened the light of the sun, could not obstruct the rays of the Sun of righteousness from shining into our hearts, and cheering us on in the way to life. We had an excellent meeting. I think if Bro. and Sr. White, and Bro. Andrews, could have stayed another week, they would have been better satisfied with the meeting. I think such meetings ought to continue longer than one week. I do pray that the rich instruction we received there, may not be lost. May the Lord help us not to be forgetful hearers, but doers of the word. I feel thankful for this visit of God's tried servants to our Conference. May the Lord bless them. We hope they will make us another visit the coming summer, if the Lord will.
Dear brethren, let us heed Paul's instruction, “Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark [perfection], for the prize [eternal life] of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” I hope we may so run that we may obtain. May that meeting mark a new era in my Christian experience, and also in my public labors as a minister of the gospel.
Since that meeting, I have spent some six weeks in making arrangements, and getting settled. I would here express my gratitude to God and his servants for the benefit my wife received while at the Health Institute, Battle Creek, Mich. I find her very much improved in health. In December, 1866, when she went to the Institute, she was so low that she was unable to walk even to the carriage or garden. Had to be carried out and into the house, and to all appearance was just sinking into the grave. After a stay of nearly two years at the Institute, she is able to resume her place in the family, and can walk one-half mile without injury.
After giving up all hope of ever seeing my little family together again, I have that privilege now, by the blessing of God. After taking some pains to locate them comfortably on Dell Prairie, I left them, Nov. 25, to return to Rockton, to settle up some business there. While attending to this business, I gave out an appointment to preach in Roscoe, where I preached a few times last summer, and was broken off by the expectation of having a Convocation at Dell Prairie. I have labored here about three weeks, under very discouraging circumstances. The effort against us has been to keep the people away. They have succeeded in this direction to some extent. But there were some of the Lord's own here, who had heard and loved the Advent doctrine in the East, and had been praying the Lord to send some one here with his word, and they were ready to listen, and were willing to obey. Some four or five have commenced to keep the Sabbath, and others are investigating, and I trust will soon obey. They are now reading Bro. White's Life Incidents. Some of the facts mentioned there they witnessed, and they were acquainted with some of the preachers referred to by him. I think the Lord has a people here. May I have wisdom to labor in the counsel of God.
I attended the Quarterly Meeting at Rockton, as appointed in the REVIEW, Dec. 19. We had our Sabbath meeting and the ordinances at Rockton, and on first-day in the afternoon we went four miles to Roscoe, and had a meeting at 2, P. M., and in the evening. Then, as there was so much excitement about Christmas, I thought I would spend the week in visiting and writing. The next Sabbath I spent in Rockton, and first-day in Roscoe.
As it was holidays, I concluded to go to Little Prairie and attend their Quarterly Meeting, Jan. 2 and 3. It was the first time I had ever visited this church. Had an interesting meeting, and visited four families. Had my last meeting on the evening after third-day. Left them on fourth-day and came to Bro. Chesebro's to fill an appointment there. There were but few out, but they gave good attention. Hope they will not forget the word. Came back to Rockton on sixth-day and found an urgent request for me to go to the Avon Quarterly Meeting. So I made my arrangements and went, and tried to help them all I could in the short time I was there. Preached four times, and had two social meetings. The brethren seemed determined to make a greater effort to live above the world than they had ever done before. May the Lord bless them.
I spent last Sabbath at Rockton, and first-day I came back to Roscoe to resume my labors. Found the friends and others anxious to hear. The Lord seems to be opening the way for a work here, and I do pray I may have that help from him that I so much need. Since I have been in this place, I have received more than twenty calls from Illinois, Wisconsin, and Iowa, to go and labor. Truly the harvest is great and laborers are few. My prayer is that the Lord would raise up, qualify, and send forth, more laborers into his vineyard.
I want to say one word about our Quarterly Meetings and all our public gatherings. Many of these meetings prove almost a failure by the confusion, or distraction of mind, caused by so many leaving before the meetings close. Some of our brethren, when the Sabbath meetings are over, and often before we have attended the ordinances, begin to talk of, and make preparation for, going home. They leave, to the confusion of the meeting and the embarrassment of the preacher. I think this has a bad influence on others' coming to our meetings. I would suggest that our brethren come to such meetings prepared to stay until it is thought advisable to break up the meeting; and if they can spend but one day from home, come on first-day. Let us try to make the interest of the meeting increase to the close, and then feel as if we were loth to part. I am sure this would have a much better influence on the world around. Don't invite the servants of God to your meetings, and then leave them to do all the work, and do it alone.
I know many of our brethren go to meeting, and after one or at most two meetings, go home and complain that we have not had a very good time, when they are the very ones that stood in the way. May the Lord help us to think as much of seeking the kingdom of God and his righteousness, as we do of our farms and our stock.
I shall continue my labors here through the week and most of next week, if the Lord will, and then the friends here expect to attend, with me, the Quarterly Meeting at Albany, Wis. May the Lord prosper his cause in this Conference. In hope.
T. M. STEWARD.
Roscoe, Wis., Jan. 19, 1869.
SHALL I?
By M. J. Cottrell
SHALL I go mourning and disconsolate, because of fear that I shall be unable to bear the next trial? Shall I sit down weeping because I fear that I shall be unable to climb the next ascent? Shall I refuse to give utterance to my gratitude to God for his help in the past, because the journey is not yet ended, the victory entire, not yet won? Did I not receive strength from him to hold on to the cable whose anchor is cast "within the vale," when the dark waters of doubt were surging around me, and my weak hands seemed powerless to retain their hold? Did not our merciful Father strengthen me then? and will it not displease him for me to repress my joyful thanks, because I fear that in the next trial I shall fall?
Does the earthly warrior wait till every foe is conquered, every battle fought and won before he says, Rejoice? Shall I, because I find that I have wandered far from the right way, sit down where I am and make no efforts to find my way back? Or because I find the work I have been doing is not done right, shall I fold my hands and say, I can do no better?
No, no; I will raise my voice in glad thanksgiving for the victories already won; and walk onward with a cheerful heart, trusting that our Heavenly Father will give me strength to endure "unto the end." Not because I am worthy, but for Jesus' sake.
And I will try to find my way back from the bewildering maze of selfishness to the narrow path of humility and sacrifice. Yes, I will try, for that is the "narrow way" which leads to the eternal rest. And I will try to learn to do my work as I ought; to do it right and well, that in the day of final accounts, I may see our Master smile, and hear his sweet voice say, Well done. Yes, I will try. It is good for me to draw near to God. He giveth power to the faint, and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Ps. lxxiii, 28; Isa. xl, 29. M. J. COTTRELL.
TO THE LONELY ONES.
By Adolphus Smith
As the providence of God is seen in the gathering of Sabbath-keepers in certain localities, and in the formation of churches; so, also, is it seen in the scattering abroad of believers, whose manifest duty it is to shine as lights in the several places in which their lots are cast. The epistle of James, which is believed to belong to us who are living here in the time of waiting, just before the coming of Jesus, is addressed to the twelve tribes “scattered abroad.” To you, then, who are alone, and almost crushed by the trials you have to endure, is the exhortation given, “Count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.”
Perhaps you are a wife, and mother; you are trying to keep the Sabbath, and bring up your children in the fear of God. But your husband opposes, and purposely adds to your burdens, because of your faith. You complain of your lot, and sigh for the liberty of those who can, unmolested, every Sabbath, attend at the sanctuary, and who have the aid of husband, and friends, in keeping “the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.”
But remember, dear sister, that “where much is given, much is required.” The Lord does not require more of you than you are able to perform. Keep the Sabbath just as well as you can in your circumstances. Study to make your husband and family as comfortable, and happy, as possible; for this is their portion; eternal life will not be theirs, unless they yield to the truth. By gentleness you may win them to the truth; but you cannot drive them. Study the Bible to know what your duty is to your family. If you are afflicted, and weighed down, because of your hard lot, remember that in the providence of God, it may be just what is necessary to save you. Now you love to read the Bible, to pray, to meditate; and you long to see Jesus, and go with him to the home prepared for you in Heaven. If you were differently situated, it might be otherwise. To whom will the rest of Heaven be sweetest, but to those who endure the most sorrow here? Christ identifies himself with his humble followers; therefore every adversity you suffer for his sake, he will reward you for.
Courage then, dear lonely one, your sorrow will soon be turned into joy for evermore. At present, in the ardor of your devotion, you can exclaim,
“I’m not ashamed to be despised,
By those who ne’er religion prize.
Christian, sweet name, its worth I view,
Oh, may I wear its nature too.
“This world’s vain honors will I shun,
The narrow way to life I’ll run;
That this at last my boast may be,
My Saviour’s not ashamed of me.”
Continue to act upon this resolution, and you can soon join in singing the anthem of the saved.
ADOLPHUS SMITH.
Blendon, Mich.
Obituary Notices.
By C. O. Taylor
Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth.
Died, at the residence of Elder S. B. Whitney, in Potsdam, N. Y., Jan. 6, 1869, sister Almira S. Coburn, aged 76 years. Forty-four years ago she devoted herself to the cause of her Saviour. She commenced obeying the fourth commandment about 1848, under the labors of Bro. J. Bates. During these years she endeavored to follow Christ. She was successful in forming a Christian character, and found it a great comfort during the last seven years of her helpless and suffering life. The three last years, she was as helpless as a child, made so by rheumatism and palsy. The blessed hope sustained her in all of these weary days and nights. She gave good evidence till the last that she sleeps in Jesus. A companion and eight children mourn her departure, yet not without hope. Sermon by the writer, to an attentive congregation. Text, Heb. ii, 14.