“Then they that feared the Lord, spake often one to another.”
From Bro. Steward.
BRO. WHITE: As I was reading the Review this morning, and delighting in its instruction, I wished that it was all original matter, for I always feel inclined to postpone the selected pieces for the last; but it is all good. Then I wished I could write, but upon reflection I thought I had never so much as expressed my interest in the Review, notwithstanding I have enjoyed it free so long. As I saw your improvement in mailing your paper, and saw mine marked “fr,” I thought to myself, how negligent I have been! how ungrateful! I feel truly ashamed. Cannot I do as much as to acknowledge a favor? if not I am unworthy of it. I humbly ask your forgiveness. I feel deeply indebted to you for the favor, and I read with increasing interest as we approach the perils of the last days. It contains cheering and profitable instruction for us in this time.
I feel grateful to God for leading out his people thus far, and I am confident he will not leave them now to perish, if they hold fast their confidence firm unto the end. I feel to rejoice that light is sown for the righteous and gladness for the upright in heart. Our true position in the world becomes more and more apparent to me as we pass along, and events transpire around us. The wise man has said, “The path of the just is as the shining light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” I feel the need of a deeper work of grace in my own heart.
I am much pleased with the remarks on systematic labor, and I do hope that we may yet become so closely united by the love of God and our love for his cause that nothing can separate us. I want a part with the people of God. It is my earnest desire to be of some little service in giving this last message to the world. O, that I never had erred! I mean by grace to redeem the time because the days are evil. I hope some of our brethren will speak out on the war question. May the Lord bless you in your arduous work for the advancement of the cause, and sustain the Review Office in all its parts and departments for the dissemination of light and truth.
Yours in hope of eternal life.
T. M. STEWARD.
Mauston, Wis.
OBITUARY.
Bro. John W. Stewart, of Cleveland, Ohio, departed this life September 7, 1862, aged 41 years.
[We take the following from the Cleveland Daily Herald.—Ed.]
Some five years since Mr. S. was attacked with a paralytic stroke, from the effect of which his physician testifies he had never recovered, but it had ever since been operating in the system, marking him with unerring certainty as its victim—that his ardent religious views had nothing to do in producing the disease, causing an organic disease of the brain, or the late repeated attack of paralysis, which terminated his life, ending with congestion; but that want of rest and sufficient care of himself, evidently hastened its development.
“He sleeps in Jesus, blessed sleep,
From which none ever wake to weep.”
Mr. Stewart had been for many years a faithful and fearless advocate of those great distinguishing doctrines pertaining to the second coming of Christ, for the salvation of his people and the destruction of his enemies, praying and entreating all to become reconciled to God by keeping his commandments, “that they may have right to the tree of life, and enter in through the gates into the city.”
He was often abrupt in his manner of presenting truth, and consequently often wounded the feelings of others. In the lucid moments of his last sickness he saw this and mourned over his error in this respect, and earnestly besought his companion to make all possible reparation, and seek the forgiveness of all whom he had thus offended. That he was annoying to the consciences of not a few who were often rebuked by his pointed application of truth, can not be denied; that the exhibition of those prophetic charts, so sneeringly referred to, wherein the God of heaven has so graphically shadowed forth the number, the character, and destiny of all earthly kingdoms, and brought us down to the time in which we live, in which time, so vividly men's hearts are literally failing them for fear and looking after those things that are coming on the earth, when “distress of nations with perplexity is upon us,” I say, with a full conviction of these truths burned into his very being, he felt constrained to speak, in season, and out of season, whether men would hear or forbear.
He unostentatiously sacrificed everything of earth, counting it all dross that he might win Christ, gladly suffering for his name, and of him as of one of old it may be said, He has fought the good fight, he has finished his course, he has kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for him a crown, which the Lord the righteous judge will give him at that day, and not to him only but to all them also who love his appearing. His testimony is sealed up for the final day, when the difference will be made manifest between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not. The following sentiment expressed by brother Fitch was adopted by him:
Earth's scoffs and scorn well pleased I'll bear,
Nor mourn tho' under foot I'm trod,
If day by day I may but share
Thine approbation, O my God.
The friends I love may turn from me,
Their words unkind may pierce me through,
But this my daily prayer shall be—
Forgive, they know not what they do.
Let me but know, where'er I roam,
That I am doing Jesus' will,
And though I've neither friends nor home,
My heart shall glow with gladness still.
Then all the scoffs and scorn I've borne
For his dear sake, who died for me,
To everlasting joys will turn,
In glorious immortality.
“He being dead yet speaketh.”
[Com.
The Judgment Before the Resurrection
We are inclined to the opinion that the judgment is after death and before the resurrection: and that before that event the acts of all men will be adjudicated; so that the resurrection of the righteous is their full acquittal and redemption—their sins being blotted out when the times of refreshing shall have come [Acts iii, 19]; while the fact that the wicked are not raised proves that they were previously condemned.”—Review of Prof. Bush on the Resurrection, by S. Bliss.
Extracts from Letters.
Bro. W. Coon writes from Wakeman, Ohio: I desire the first opportunity to have some one or two of the messengers go to East Rockford, Ohio, to hold a series of meetings. It is a good opening. There is a meeting-house which can be occupied, and a family where they can find a home as long as they will stay. If they will call on me at Wakeman, I will go with them any time. I feel that it is important that all good openings for the truth to be preached should be filled; for we are living in a solemn time, and the glorious truths of the Bible should be proclaimed wherever there is opportunity.
Sister M. E. Parker writes from Green Spring Ohio: I am still striving to overcome. Having no strength of my own, I am trying to walk in the strength of the Lord. It is eight years since I first kept the Lord's Sabbath. I thank the Lord for the plainness of his holy word, and for mercy in showing me his truth. The Lord has promised to be a refuge to them that put their trust in him. I know if we do the will of the Father, and have the testimony of Jesus, it will be well with us. Let us press forward.
Sister S. Burdick writes from Greenfield, N. H.: “I do not feel discouraged in the least, nor like going back. There is nothing to go back to. We had a good meeting yesterday at Bro. S. Martin's. The good Spirit of the Lord was in our midst. The little church in this vicinity are trying to serve the Lord and make their way through to the kingdom. We know that we are living in a solemn time; and our prayer is, Lord, teach us thyself.”
Bro. E. P. Wilkins writes from Wilson's Grove, Iowa: “O what a blessed thing it is to have a well-grounded hope, especially in these days of peril, when the nations are becoming angry, and the political world is being shaken from center to circumference. O how solemn the time in which we live! How exactly the prophecy is being fulfilled—men's hearts failing them for fear. For the encouragement of the saints I would say that a few have lately embraced the truth in this place, and meet on the Sabbath for worship. We meet at West Union and Claremont. We should be very thankful if we could have a course of lectures.”
Obituary of Vashti Palfrey
By H. P. Wakefield
DIED, in Grantham, N. H., Aug. 23, 1862, of consumption, sister Vashti Palfrey, aged about 72 years. Sister P. was a professor of religion for over fifty years. She was never satisfied with the mere form of religion but earnestly sought for the power of godliness and to maintain a close walk with God. She was among the first to embrace the doctrine of the Lord's coming, and was ever ready to receive and obey truth as it has since been developed. She ever expressed a strong desire to live that she might be translated to heaven without seeing death. But God saw fit to order it otherwise. She died with a bright hope of immortality, and a firm faith that she should sleep but a little while ere she would come forth glorified.
She leaves a companion to mourn her loss, yet not without hope; for
“She sleeps in Jesus, soon to rise,
When the last trump shall rend the skies;
Then burst the fetters of the tomb,
To wake in full immortal bloom.”
H. P. WAKEFIELD.
Newport, N. H., Sept. 16, 1862.
Obituary of Betsey Park
By A. S. Hutchins
DIED in Lyndon, Vt., July 29, 1862, of stomach disease, sister Betsey Park, wife of Bro. Jonathan Park, after a very painful illness of eleven weeks. Sister Park embraced religion at the early age of about eight years. She was very happy, was often found in secret prayer. Though about forty years have passed away since she gave her youthful heart to the Saviour, she never gave up the blessed hope. It graciously sustained her in her last sickness, and enabled her to fall asleep in full faith of the immediate coming of Jesus, and of rest with the saints in the kingdom of God.
With her companion she had kept the Sabbath of the Bible about eleven years. May this deep affliction be sanctified to the good of the bereaved companion and daughter, and they with her be prepared to receive a crown of glory at the resurrection of the just.
A. S. HUTCHINS.
BUSINESS DEPARTMENT.
Donations to Publishing Association.
A friend $2. Ch. at Tompkins $2. Ch. at Orange $6.
For Shares in Publishing Association.
E. M. Kimball $10. C. B. Preston $10. John La-roch $10. Hannah Clough $10. J. N. Loughborough $20. Aurora Lockwood $10. Emily Lawton $10.
Cash Received on Account.
S. H. King $3,57.
Books Sent By Mail.
W. F. Crous 50c. C. M. Brown 10c. W. K. Lough-borough 11c. Alfred Chase 25c.
PUBLICATIONS.
The law requires the pre-payment of postage on all transient publications, at the rates of one cent an ounce for Books and Pamphlets, and one-half cent an ounce for Tracts, in packages of eight ounces of more. Those who order Pamphlets and Tracts to be sent by mail, will please send enough to pre-pay postage. Orders, to secure attention, must be accompanied with the cash. Address ELDER JAMES WHITE, Battle Creek, Michigan.
History of the Sabbath, (in paper covers), . . 30 10
The Three Angels of Rev. xiv, 6 12, particularly the Third Angel's Message, and the Two-horned Beast, . 15 4
ONE CENT TRACTS. Who Changed the Sabbath? Unity of the Church Spiritual Gifts Law of God, by Wesley Appeal to men of reason on Immortality—Much in Little—Truth—Death and Burial—Preach the Word—Personality of God.
TWO CENT TRACTS. Dobney on the Law Infidelity and Spiritualism—Mark of the Beast.
English Bibles.
WE have on hand a good assortment of English Bibles, which we sell at the prices given below. The size is indicated by the amount of postage.
The figures set to the following Bound Books include both the price of the Book and the postage,
The Hymn Book, containing 464 pages and 122 pieces of music. . . . 80 cts.
History of the Sabbath, in one volume, bound Part I, Bible History Part II, Secular History, . . 60 "
Spiritual Gifts Vol. I, or the Great Controversy between Christ and his angels, and Satan and his angels. . 50 "
Spiritual Gifts Vol. II. Experience, Views and Incidents in connection with the Third Message, . . 50 "
Scripture Doctrine of Future Punishment. By H. H. Dobney, Baptist Minister of England, . . 75 "
Home Here and Home in Heaven, with other Poems. This work embraces all those sweet and Scriptural poems written by Annie R. Smith, from the time she embraced the third message till she fell asleep in Jesus. Price 25 cents.
The Chart. A Pictorial Illustration of the Visions of Daniel and John, 20 by 25 inches. Price 15 cents. On rollers, post-paid, 75 cts
Religious Life.
By J. F. Clarke
THE whole life of a religious man falls into two grand divisions, and all his actions belong to one or the other. The one is the region of piety, the other the region of morality. They ought not to be, and cannot be separated in any man's life; but they can be distinguished though not separated. Piety cannot exist without morality, nor morality without piety, yet they are not the same thing. United they make up religion, or the whole life of a Christian. The region of morality is under the law; it is a stern and rugged clime, a land of restraint, of effort, of struggle, of battle. The performance of duty, the doing the work of the Lord, this is the problem of morality.
If our aim be the perfection of our moral nature, we may set about it in two ways. We may make direct attempts for the cultivation of certain virtues, and for the repression of certain vices, taking them up one by one as a matter of discipline. Or we may labor on the whole instead of the parts, by living in the Spirit, near to God and Christ, and so learning also to walk in the Spirit. Both methods are good, but the second is the most thorough. It is the method of nature, which works upon all parts of the plant at the same time, by filling the whole with life. The great thing needed for moral development is more vital power. Love will make all things new. A profound influence in the center of the soul will cause all parts of life to bud and blossom, and bear fruit.
But what can we do when the door of the heart is closed to God by sin, and the soul is left barren, cold, empty, incapable of any true virtue? We cannot, by an act of the will, create within the heart Christian sentiments and graces; we cannot by moral effort create within the soul generosity or love. What can we do? We can open the door; we can let God's influence come into the heart to lead us to Christ, to give us a sense of his pardoning love, to lift us to a higher plane of conviction. And this is prayer in its most essential nature.—J. F. Clarke.
Music.
By Editor
WE have recently printed three beautiful pieces of Music—Sweet Hour of Prayer, Nearer My God to Thee, and Morning of Zion's Glory—which we will send by mail, post-paid, for 10 cents for the three.
Fables of Infidelity.
By Editor
THIS is the title of a well-bound book of 336 pages, for sale at this Office, or by Eld. Moses Hull where he may travel. Price 75 cents. When sent by mail, 13 cents should be added for postage. Eld. Hull says he has read the book six times, and considers it the best examination of the fables of Infidelity extant.
P. O. Address of M. E. Cornell
THE P. O. address of M. E. Cornell, until further notice, will be Battle Creek, Mich.
Life's Great Need
LIFE'S GREAT NEED.—Jordan, one of the free-thinking friends of the great Frederick, writes to him thus during his last illness: "My complaint increases so much that I no longer even hope to recover from it. I feel strongly, in my present situation, the necessity of an enlightened religion arising from conviction. Without that we are the beings upon the earth the most to be pitied."
APPOINTMENTS.
By A. S. HUTCHINS,
D. T. BOURDEAU.
PROVIDENCE permitting, we will meet with the brethren in Andover, Vt., Oct. 11; Kensington, Ct., Oct. 18 and 19. We design to visit the brethren in Ashfield, Mass., on our return home, also to give a course of lectures in Vernon, Vt.
A. S. HUTCHINS,
D. T. BOURDEAU.
Sorer Punishment Than Death
By Uriah Smith
In Heb. x, 28, 29, Paul speaks of sorer punishment than death. Some say that this sorer punishment is eternal misery. Queries. Is there any punishment sorer than death? If so, what is it, or in what does it consist? and when will it be inflicted? O. Hoffer.
Answer. The verses referred to read as follows: "He that despised Moses' law, died without mercy under two or three witnesses: of how much sorer punishment suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant wherewith he was sanctified an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the spirit of grace." It will be noticed that reference is made to the temporal punishment inflicted under the Mosaic dispensation, upon those who despised his law, and the punishment to be inflicted in the future upon those who will not avail themselves of the provisions of the gospel. In other words, the two punishments that are contrasted are temporal death and eternal death. It is the latter which is called the sorer punishment. Hence there is no necessity nor any ground for supposing eternal misery to be meant. U. S.
A Praying Machine
By Editor
We would recommend the following device to those churches which have adopted the practice of having a vacation in the worship of God, during the summer months.
"In the Indian department of the great exhibition, is a red praying wheel from Thibet. The prayer is written on a piece of paper, and fixed to the wheel, which revolves on a spindle held in the hand. The idea of the worshiper is that every time the wheel turns the prayer is made. Frequently the wheel is fitted to be turned by a small stream. In the mountains of Thibet travelers see considerable numbers of these praying machines thus driven by water power."
The Thankful Heart.
By O. W. Holmes
If one should give me a dish of sand, and tell me there were particles of iron in it, I might look for them with my eyes, and search for them with my clumsy fingers, and be unable to detect them; but let me take a magnet and sweep through it, and how would it draw to itself the almost invisible particles by the mere power of attraction! The unthankful heart, like my finger in the sand, discovers no mercies; but let the thankful heart sweep through the day, and as the magnet finds the iron, so it will in every hour some heavenly blessings; only the iron in God's sand is gold.—O. W. Holmes.
How to be Happier.
Said a venerable farmer, some eighty years of age, to a relative who lately visited him: "I have lived on this farm for over half a century. I have no desire to change my residence as long as I live on earth. I have no desire to be any richer than I now am. I have worshiped the God of my fathers with the same people for more than forty years. During that period I have rarely been absent from the sanctuary on the Sabbath, and have never lost but one communion season. I have never been confined to my bed by sickness a single day. The blessings of God have been richly spread around me, and I made up my mind long ago that if I wished to be any happier, I must have more religion."