Oh why do we love this world so well,
Where temptation and sin and sorrow dwell?
Why wish for a home where the shadows lie,
Like the darkening clouds on a wintry sky?
We seek and strive and toil in vain,
For the treasured wealth of unhallowed gain;
And forfeit a crown of undying worth,
For the false and decaying things of earth.
Oh what are earth's fairest, fading toys,
To the brightening bloom of immortal joys?
Or the richest boon this world can give,
To the priceless gift of a Saviour's love?
Then, brother, away from the false delight
Of pleasures that charm but to bring a blight!
Oh turn from the flattering smiles here given,
To the noble unending joys of heaven!
Let us lay up our treasures where moth and rust
Can never corrupt or betray our trust,
And the thief comes not with a stealthy tread,
To bear our gems from the hand of God.
Love of God.
By Robert Pollok
Reason profoundly; send conjecture forth;
Let fancy fly; stoop down; ascend; all length,
All breadth explore; all moral, all divine;
Ask prudence, justice, mercy ask, and might;
Weigh good with evil, balance right with wrong,
With virtue vice compare—hatred with love;
God's holiness, God's justice, and God's truth,
Deliberately and cautiously compare
With sinful, wicked, vile, rebellious man,
And see if thou can'st punish sin, and let
Mankind go free. Thou fail'st—be not surpris'd,
I bade thee search in vain. Eternal love—
Harp lift thy voice on high—Eternal love,
Eternal, sovereign love, and sovereign grace,
Wisdom, and power, and mercy infinite,
Devised the wondrous plan—devised, achieved;
And in achieving made the marvel more.
Attend, ye heavens! ye heaven of heavens, attend!
Attend, and wonder! wonder evermore!
When man had fallen, rebelled, insulted God;
Was most polluted, yet most madly proud;
Indebted infinitely, yet most poor;
Captive to sin, yet unwilling to be bound;
To God's incensed justice and hot wrath
Exposed; due victim of eternal death
And utter wo—Harp lift thy voice on high!
Ye everlasting Hills!—ye angels bow!
Bow ye redeemed of men! God was made flesh,
And dwelt with man on earth! the Son of God,
Only begotten, and well beloved, between
Men and his Father's justice interposed;
Put human nature on; His wrath sustained;
And in their name suffered, obeyed, and died,
Making his soul an offering for sin;
Just for unjust and innocence for guilt,
By doing, suffering, dying unconstrained,
Save by omnipotence of boundless grace,
Complete atonement made to God appeased;
Made honorable his insulted law,
Turning the wrath aside from pardoned man.
Thus Truth with Mercy met, and Righteousness,
Stooping from highest heaven, embraced fair Peace
That walked the earth in fellowship with Love.
[Pollok.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
WHAT are you doing, brother, to advance the cause of Bible truth? Perhaps you have thought that about all that was required of you, was to keep the Sabbath, and attend to the common forms of religious duties, and deal honestly with all men. These are all very good, as far as they go; but are only a small part of the Christian's whole duty, as set forth in the Scriptures of truth. "Ye are the light of the world," says Christ. Darkness covers "the earth and gross darkness the people;" and Bible Christians, standing forth in all the brilliancy of truth, are the world's only true light. "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matt. v, 14-16.
Brother, What are you doing? You have cast off the misty creeds and fables of men, and have the light of Bible truth. But are you letting it so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify God? Or, are you buried up with the cares of this life, and the spirit of the world, bending your energies of body and mind to advance your farming, mechanical, or other interests, while your neighbors, and the community around you are left to grope their way in the dense darkness of error's night? The clear light of Bible truth has shown into your mind. This inestimable treasure has been brought to your door, and has been freely offered to you. You have wisely chosen it, and have rejoiced in it. It has had a sanctifying influence over your mind, and has elevated197your thoughts and feelings to things above. It has shown to you the Judgment near, and a lost world rushing on to speedy ruin. All this has tended to wean your affections from this world, and lead you to lay yourself and all you have on the altar, and prepare to abide the day of His coming. But what are you now doing? Do you realize the condition of those around you, and a world in ruin, exposed to the deceptive errors of this time, and the wrath of God just in the future? Are you awake, and ready to make any sacrifice, that they may be led from error to truth, and to Christ? Or are you slumbering, while they hasten blindfolded to death without hearing your warning voice, or seeing one ray of light from you? "Ye are the light of the world." Sinners, in or out of the nominal church, have a right to expect light from you, and claim it at your hand, and if you neglect your duty, their blood will be upon you. O, brother, What are you doing?
Again, the manner of letting the light we have shine, should be particularly noticed. The Master says, "Let your light SO shine before men that they may see your GOOD WORKS." We are sorry to say of some who embrace Bible truth, that they let their light so shine before men that they, seeing their bad works, become disgusted and prejudiced against the truth. What a pity that such men should get between the servants of God and the people.
Others have but a small portion of the Christian armor on; are quite easy because they keep the Sabbath, believe in immortality alone through Christ, and talk about the third angel's message, and the Lord's coming. They profess much faith, but have but little or no corresponding works. Their primary object for which they put forth almost their entire energies, is to promote worldly interests. Theirs is a dead faith.
"Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
"But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect." James ii, 17-22.
We venture the truthful assertion that a man will show by his works all the faith he has. "I will show thee my faith by my works." To believe there is one God, is, so far, well doing; the "devils believe" this "and tremble." One may believe in the existence of God, Christ, and a coming judgment; he may hold scriptural views of the law of God, immortality alone through Christ, and the saint's inheritance, yet if he has not corresponding works, his faith is dead, or, rather, he has no true faith. Abraham, the friend of God, and father of the faithful, is set forth as the true pattern of faith. By faith he obeyed, and went forth, not knowing whither, and sojourned in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob. He looked to the city which hath foundations as a permanent residence. Behold him bending his footsteps to one of the mountains of the land of Moriah, with his beloved Isaac, his only son. Relying fully on the promise of God, he staggered not. It was for him to believe and obey, and leave the consequences with God, and thus perfect his faith. Then it was for God to take care of the promise, and deliver. Who "will be blest with faithful Abraham?" Answer. Those who "are of faith."
Dear brother, Will dead faith save you in the day of wrath? Will it shelter you when the seven last plagues, in which is filled up the wrath of God, shall be poured out? Will it be sufficient when the trumpet sounds and the faithful are changed to immortality? Beware! Will your influence in community tell for the truth, while you talk of the last message and the immortal kingdom at hand, and at the same time act as if the old world in its present form was to be your eternal home? O, beware! If you occupy a position like this, you stand in the way of sinners and hinder the work of God.
But when you begin to act out your faith, then your testimony will have an edge, and the people will regard you, at least, as honest, and will begin to feel that there is something in the doctrines you profess. Words alone are cheap, and pass away upon the breeze; but when you show the people your faith by your works, then there will be weight and power to your testimony.
All are not called to labor in word and doctrine; all are not capable of setting forth the reasons of our faith in public or private; yet all, by a holy life and works which correspond with faith in present truth can speak to the hearts of those about them in language more powerful than that uttered by the tongue. O, God, in mercy raise up a host of such preachers!
There is a work for all to do. You, who are not called to leave your homes, and go to preach to hearts as hard as steel, can help those who are called to this work by your prayers, your words of sympathy, and with "those things needful to the body." If you really believe them to be the servants of God, preaching the truth, you will gladly divide with them for their support. But if your faith is a dead faith, you will probably say to them, after they have labored in your community awhile, "Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body." James ii, 16.
A great work can be accomplished in the circulation of Tracts. A few scriptural sermons will do but little to establish people on the truth, unless the interest is backed up with the clear expositions of Bible truth contained in our Tracts. But very little permanent good can be done without them. Dear brethren, they have been prepared with great care, and are offered to you at cost for you to circulate. Do you see your friends and neighbors bewildered with the no law and no Sabbath heresy? we call your attention to our works on the Law and the Sabbath, by Brn. Waggoner, Andrews and others. Put these in their hands and it may save some of them. Do you see them bewitched with Spiritualism, or sinking in the mire of Universalism and Infidelity? the clear expositions of divine truth set forth in the works, the Atonement, and Man not Immortal, by Brn Stephenson and Hall, will save them, if they will read, believe and obey. When you have set these before them, then, and not till then, will your duty in this respect be done. The unbelief of sinners, in or out of the nominal church, is no excuse for you to fold your arms, and do nothing. It was as necessary for Noah to preach a coming flood, as if the whole world had believed. It has been more necessary to make vigilant efforts in preaching the gospel the past 1800 years, than if all men had willingly received it. The fact that only a very few will hear, believe and obey, forms the strongest reason for the greater effort to rescue the few. Some get quite discouraged because a very few sermons and a few dollars' worth of Tracts do not convert a score. They seem to act as though the salvation of a soul was worth but a few dollars! What if it would cost a large estate and the labor of one's life to save one from ruin? that soul to ever live and shine eternally in the crown of glory, would ten thousand times repay the effort put forth for his salvation. We inquire again, Brother, what are you doing? For Christ's sake, who died for you, and now lives to intercede for you, for your own sake, who soon will meet your works in judgment, and for the sake of your fellow men, who are bound with you to the judgment, Awake to duty—to what the suffering cause of truth demands of you at this time.
CAUSE IN MICHIGAN.
By Merritt E. Cornell
For the encouragement of the scattered flock I wish to say, that the interest to hear on the present truth in this State has increased more than one half within a year. The Macedonian calls are so numerous we know not which way to go first. In company with Bro. A. A. Dodge I visited several communities, and in every place we were made welcome, and requested to give a reason of our hope. In one place they had heard of our tent-meetings, and had selected a good place to pitch the tent. On our tour we found three families of Seventh-day Baptists in one neighborhood. They had lived there eighteen years and had not heard a single discourse on the Bible Sabbath. They heard our testimony gladly. While giving lectures in this place we were earnestly solicited to speak in three different neighborhoods. We accepted the call from the village. The large Methodist meeting-house was obtained, and last evening, being only our second lecture, the house was filled almost to its utmost capacity.
Let the friends of truth be encouraged; for the Spirit of the Lord is moving upon the minds of the people mightily. The Lord is about to do a great work. O let us wait with patience for salvation.
Your fellow-laborer in the last work.
M. E. CORNELL.
March 2d, 1855.
P.S. Let those who wish tent-meetings in their vicinity in Mich., give notice immediately, that we may know where to commence. The expense of each meeting will be from $5 to $15, according to the distance from the last meeting, and the length of time spent. Letters can be directed to me at Battle Creek, Mich., until further notice appears in Review. I would say to the friends, there are $23 behind on the Michigan tent. I hope the brother who kindly lent us this money, after giving $15 towards paying for the tent, (and freely gave the use of his team and wagon, and also his son, whose time was worth from $12 to $15 per month last season.) will have patience with us a little longer. Perhaps some of the Lord's stewards will soon remove our anxiety, and set us free in this matter. Come, friends, let us wake right up, and take hold of the work in earnest. By your help and the blessing of God we may be able to do a great work with the tent the coming season. If we have "knowledge," let us have it with appropriate zeal. "O, be engaged, be engaged, ye dying sons of men."
M. E. C.
THE EXTRA.
By Editor
It may be our duty to get out another, as we had not room to say all we wished in the one recently sent out. We regret the necessity for so doing, but facts must appear. Let the brethren remember and send in statements as requested in the "Extra." We have good reason to believe that that sheet has relieved many minds, and has accomplished much good. Bro. J. M. Stephenson says:—
"On our arrival at Bro. Boutelle's yesterday afternoon, I saw for the first time the Review and Herald Extra, also Nos. 22 and 23 of the Review. With the Extra I am well pleased. It cannot fail of doing much good in Wisconsin. I hope the brethren and sisters, east, west, north, south, will comply with your request, and send in their testimonials.
"My sympathies are all with the Review. It is that paper or none with me. I cannot affiliate the spirit or doctrines of the Messenger of Error. They are rushing headlong, and I fear heedlessly, into the most egregious errors in doctrine, exposition of prophecy, etc. I believe the Review has the truth in the main.
"I have positively engaged to meet Bro. Hall at Meadville, Pa., by the 20th of this month—probably by the 15th inst. Providence permitting—and should duty be plain, I will accompany him to Rochester. I wish to do the will of the Lord in all things."
Aztalan, March 1st, 1855.
THE REVIEW WEEKLY.
By Editor
THERE is a sufficient amount of good matter to fill the Review weekly, and there are hands, (who observe the Sabbath, who have learned the trade in the Review Office,) sufficient to do the work. And, certainly, all will agree that the cause, and the condition of the scattered ones who cannot meet with those of like precious faith, require a weekly paper.
We have stated that with 4000 paying subscribers, the Review could be published weekly at $1 per year. We say so still. This price was stated for the Review with the expectation that its professed friends would all promptly pay for their own paper. In this we have been much disappointed. We hoped at the close of the year, we should have nearly or quite 4000 subscribers. There has been, and still is, a steady increase; but as many have neglected to pay, and the increase of subscribers has been only a few hundreds, we have been obliged to issue semi-monthly. In setting the Review so low, we have doubtless erred, though we thought it would speak well for the cause.
Many who profess the truth have not felt the importance of co-operating with us in this effort. The condition of the Office, our own feeble health, and sickness, and death in the family have been definitely stated, yet many of our readers have disregarded these things; and it cannot be expected that we should put much dependence on such in the future.
It is now expected that there will soon be a gathering of preachers and other brethren in this State, when the condition of the Office will be considered, and the terms of the Review decided. It is desirable that all interested should have a voice in this important matter, as far as possible; therefore the friends of the Review are requested to express their opinion. We will here suggest a plan for the brethren to adopt, amend, or reject and suggest another. It is this:—
1. Let the terms of the Review be $1 in advance for a volume of twenty-six numbers.
2. To the poor for 50 cts. a volume in advance.
3. To preachers, widows, the aged and infirm, who are the Lord's worthy poor, free; but to be paid at 50 cts. a volume by donations from the liberal.
We are confident that with this plan the Review can be sustained weekly. But it may be said that this plan would cripple the circulation of the Review. We answer that all Sabbath-keepers who really desire the weekly visits of the Review, can pay the sum stated, or can report themselves as belonging to the free list. If they have not sufficient interest to do this, they probably have not enough to read the Review, and it would be useless to send it to them.
For those who wish to investigate, we have prepared Tracts. It is our Tracts, rather than the Review that should first be put into the hands of those who wish to learn the reasons of our faith and hope, then let them take the Review. If they are not then prepared to pay in advance for the Review, let them have it free for three months, then to pay from the time they commenced taking it, and become permanent subscribers, or have their names erased from our books.
We hope that the friends of the Review will attentively consider the plan above stated, and respond immediately by letter.
J. B. FRISBIE
By John Byington Frisbie
From Bro. Frisbie.
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—It was by request of dear brethren that I have consented to extract from some Protestant writings, that I have in my possession, on Sunday-keeping, and so arrange it that the mother and her daughters may be fairly seen in their perfect Babylon on this one point.
I feel something urging me to go, go, nothing doubting, into new places. I find good liberty in new places which greatly encourages me on. I have just returned from a new place, in company with Bro. Sloan, some ten miles from the Capital, where there was a good interest. Three families decided on keeping the Sabbath; children and all, over twenty; and most of the community appeared to be convinced of the truth. Sinners wept. There is great power in the present truth, when set home to honest hearts by the Holy Spirit.
The message is rising in Michigan. I have just heard from Hastings, Grand Rapids, Vergennes and Locke. As near as I can learn the brethren are coming up to the help of the Lord. The Lord appears to be opening the way before us more than usual. There is more of an ear to hear. I find in going into new places and conversing with individuals, very often they have been talking about something like the present truth.
We are prospering in the divine life in Battle Creek. Love and union appear to be prevailing more and more. Our motto is, if we have ought against our brother, go right to him, and tell him in love and child-like meekness; so as to shut out the enemy, evil surmising, &c. At Bedford the brethren are getting along well. There is a coming up and gaining new strength.
The brethren have thought best, inasmuch as the cause is now prospering here and all around us, to build a cheap, but convenient Meeting-house for Sabbath worship, and conferences. Also that we may have a place for preaching. We have the timber here, and part of the lumber, and will put it up as soon as it shall be warm enough. We have been troubled for a house to hold a congregation.
J. B. FRISBIE
Battle Creek, March 5th, 1855.
FREE-WILL BAPTIST.
"The Sabbath—This is a seventh part of time, which from the creation of the world, God has set apart for a day of sacred rest and holy service. It was included in the ten commandments written on tables of stone, and given to Moses on Mount Sinai. Nature itself teaches the necessity of its observance. Its obligation is taught both in the Old and New Testaments, and is to continue with that of the other commandments till the end of time. As the law of the Sabbath was first given to the whole world, it requires all men, on this day, to refrain from servile labor, and devote themselves entirely to the service of the God that made them.
"Note—From the creation of the world, the seventh day of the week was observed as the Sabbath. But, since the resurrection of Christ, the first day of the week has been kept instead of the seventh. It is inferred from the following, that this change was made by Christ or his apostles," &c.—Treatise on Free Will-Baptist Faith, pp. 76, 77.
Mark—"It is inferred" or the inference is that Christ or the apostles changed the day they do not know which for the want of proof.
DECLARATIONS OF FAITH OF THE BAPTIST STATE CONVENTION OF MICHIGAN, SEPT. 14, 1842.
"Art. xiii. Of the Christian Sabbath. That the first day of the week is the Lord's Day, Christian Sabbath, and is to be kept sacred to religious purposes, by abstaining from all secular labor and recreations; by the devout observance of all the means of grace, both private and public; and by preparation for that Rest which remaineth for the people of God."
Then is quoted Acts xx, 7, where Paul broke bread on the first day. Gen. ii, 3. The seventh day God blessed. Col. ii, 16, 17. Sabbath days a shadow and nailed to the cross or abolished. Mark ii, 27. Christ is Lord of the Sabbath-day. John xx, 19, where Christ appeared to his disciples on the even of the first day. 1 Cor. xvi. 1, 2, where Paul told them to lay by in store on the first day. Ex. xx, 8. Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. Ps. cxviii. 24. This is the day which the Lord hath made. Isa. lviii, 13, 14. If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, &c. Ps. cxviii. 15. The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous. Heb. x, 24, 25. Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together as the manner of some is, &c. Acts xi, 26, where the disciples were first called Christians. Acts xiii, 44. And the next Sabbath-day, came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God. Heb. iv, 3-11. There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
Mark—If a Christian Sunday is not established by this jargon of contradictory quotations, we know not how it can be proved by the Baptists; for they have made all kinds of quotations to change, abolish, establish, to build up, and tare down, for the first-day, for the seventh-day, and for no day. Perhaps this was one of their best efforts at this convention upon this troublesome question that their Seventh-day Baptist brethren had worried them with so long.
NAMES OF THE DAYS.
By J. B. Frisbie
1. Sunday from the sun. 2. Monday from the moon. 3. Tuesday from Tuisco the Roman Mars. 4. Wednesday from Woden the god of battles. 5. Thursday from Furanus or Danish Thor, the god of winds and weather. 6. Friday from Friga, or Venus, who was sometimes worshiped as the goddess of peace and plenty. 7. Saturday from Seator, the God of freedom, or from the planet Saturn.
Now let us sum up the whole matter on this Sunday subject, and see how it looks.
1. The Roman Catholics claim that they changed the Sabbath from the seventh to the first day of the week—the heathen Sunday. With this agrees the prophecy of Daniel vii, 25. There cannot be a doubt but this is the plain truth in the matter, for the so-called Christian Sabbath.
2. The Protestant Episcopal Church says, "We meet with no Scriptural direction for the change."
3. The Westminster Assembly's Catechism says, "God appointed the first day of the week to continue to the end of the world, which is the Christian Sabbath."
4. The Free-Will Baptist Faith says, "It is inferred that this change was made by Christ or the apostles."
5. The Close-Communion Baptists talk all ways to suit the times: there appears to be no real settled principles in their denomination. Undoubtedly this is a ruse to avoid their Seventh-day Baptist brethren.
6. The Methodist Articles teach that the moral law is binding on Christians; and the moral law teaches that "the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord our God." And inasmuch as they cannot read Sunday keeping in the Bible, nor prove it thereby, to be consistent they ought to keep God's holy Sabbath, but do not. Their Catechism (No. 2) does teach the fourth commandment without note or comment.
7. And last of all, the Sunday School Union Bible Dictionary, published by Protestants, tells us that it "was a name given by the heathens to the first day of the week, because it was the day on which they worshiped the sun, and this name has been continued to our times." With this agree the Catholics, that "the old Roman (heathen) denomination held this day sacred to the sun."
Question: Who did change the Sabbath from the seventh to the first day of the week? for it is agreed on all sides that the day has been changed; still this is not the subject of dispute with the learned of our day; but how came the day changed and who effected it? This is the disputed point that we want the honest to answer before God, to whom we must all give account. We see what a Babylon of confusion there is on this subject among Protestant writers. Their views are contradictory and confused, while their reasons are various and childish. Is not this sufficient to show to a positive certainty that there is no divine authority for the change, and that the original Sabbath should be kept.
J. B. FRISBIE.
EXTRACTS.
"And he (the little horn, Papacy) shall speak great words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and think to change times and laws." Dan. vii, 25.
These must be the laws of the Most High, as this power speaks great words against the most High, and how could he do it more effectually than to change the laws of the Most High, which we find he thought to do, and claims that he has done, as we shall see; and Protestants have helped them, and the laws of the land have sanctioned the same, notwithstanding the Lord says, "I change not;" also, "My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips." Ps. lxxxix, 34. "All his commandments are sure: they stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness." Ps. cxi, 7, 8.
ROMAN CATHOLIC.
"Question. What is the third commandment?
Ans. Remember that thou keepest holy the Sabbath-day.
Q. When began the Sabbath to be kept?
A. From the very creation of the world: for then God "blessed it, and rested on it, from all his works." Gen. ii, 2.
Q. Why was the Jewish Sabbath changed into the Sunday?
A. Because Christ was born upon a Sunday, rose from the dead upon a Sunday, and sent down the Holy Ghost upon a Sunday: works not inferior to the creation of the world.
Q. By whom was it changed?
A. By the Governors of the church, &c.
Q. How prove you that the church hath power to command feasts and holydays?
A. By the very act of changing the Sabbath into Sunday, which Protestants allow of," &c.—Douay Catechism, pp. 57, 58.
Mark well the claim of the old Mother Church.
PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
"Fourth commandment.—Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath-day. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all that thou hast to do; but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God, &c.
"Remarks.—The Sabbath was observed by the Jews before the giving of the law from Mount Sinai, [Ex. xvi, 23,] and probably had been from the days of Noah; and hence the command begins, Remember, &c., as if it had been a thing previously known, but liable to be forgotten. The day is now changed from the seventh to the first, in commemoration of our Lord's resurrection; but as we meet with no scriptural direction for the change, we may conclude it was done by the authority of the church, under the guidance of the apostles."—Explanation of the Church Catechism, p. 8.
Mark—No scriptural direction for the change.
THE WESTMINSTER ASSEMBLY'S SHORTER CATECHISM
Mark—No scriptural direction for the change.
THE WESTMINSTER ASSEMBLY'S SHORTER CATECHISM.
Q. Which is the fourth commandment?
A. The fourth commandment is, Remember the Sabbath-day, to keep it holy; six days shalt thou labor and do all thy work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God," &c.
Q. What is required in the fourth commandment?
A. The fourth commandment requireth the keeping holy to God set times as he hath appointed in his word, expressly one whole day in seven, to be a holy Sabbath to himself.
Q. Which day of the seven hath God appointed to be the weekly Sabbath?
A. From the beginning of the world to the resurrection of Christ, God appointed the seventh day of the week to be the weekly Sabbath, and the first day of the week ever since, to continue to the end of the world, which is the Christian Sabbath."
Mark—God hath appointed the first day of the week for the Christian Sabbath.
ARTICLES OF RELIGION OF THE METHODIST CHURCH.
"Article V. The sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures for salvation.
The Holy Scriptures contain all things necessary to salvation; so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man, that it should be believed as an article of faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation.
Article VI. No Christian whatsoever is free from the obedience of the commandments which are called moral."
Mark.—If the Methodist cannot "read therein, nor prove thereby" that the first day of the week is the Sabbath, then they are under no divine requirement to keep it; therefore, inasmuch as the moral laws are binding, they are under obligation both by articles of their religion and by the Bible to keep the holy Sabbath of the Lord our God as recorded in the fourth commandment of the decalogue, to be consistent with themselves. Where is it taught in the Scriptures that Sunday is the Sabbath? Ans. Nowhere.
"Sunday was a name given by the heathens to the first day of the week, because it was the day on which they worshiped the sun; and this name together with those of the other days of the week has been continued to our times."
"It is also called Sunday from the old Roman denomination of Dies Solis, the day of the sun, to which it was sacred."
Mark.—Here are both Protestants and Catholics agreeing in the heathen origin of Sunday, the day on which the heathens worshiped the sun, and held the day sacred on that account. It should be well known that Sunday is never found in the Bible for the very good reason that it is a heathen and not a Christian name.
THE EXHIBITION.
HEARKEN, my friends and neighbors, a moment to my call—
I have an invitation, I give it unto all—
A splendid exhibition is shortly to begin;
I'll give you a description, and urge you to come in.
Almost six thousand seasons, with unexampled cost,
This feast has been preparing—there has no time been lost,
'Twill shortly now be ready, O then do not delay,
Be sure to gain admittance, and O, apply to day!
A theater capacious—twelve thousand furlongs square,
Stands on its twelve foundations of precious jewels fair;
Their colors, bright and sparkling of variegated hue
Pour forth a glow of splendor to the astonished view,
Twelve gates of pearl unbroken, the spacious sides adorn,
Twelve beauteous angels waiting, resplendent as the morn—
The ceiling is of jasper, the floor of purest gold—
O, be prepared to view it, its glory can't be told.
The scene that's to be acted all other scenes excels,
The number of the actors no human tongue can tell,
Kings, princes, priests and prophets, and if you ask their dress,
'Tis white as snow in Salmon, the robe of righteousness.
The music is most charming, the song is ever new,
The choir will all be able to sound the notes most true;
The whole will be directed by nature's great I AM—
It is a sacred drama, The Marriage of the Lamb.
No indolent spectators within those walls appear;
For those who gain admittance will all be actors there;
The guests will join in chorus, to swell the rapturous song,
And all the heirs of glory the anthem will prolong.
Ask you of the conditions on which to have a share?
The King makes free provisions, and all are welcome there,
But they must keep his precepts, believe his gracious word,
And ever be most loyal to him their sovereign Lord.
COMMUNICATIONS.
By I. D. Cramer
From Bro. Cramer.
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—I feel it duty to let you know where we stand in relation to the truth. We are decided in the opinion that truth will cut its way through error, and accomplish the end for which the Lord has sent it. I have been here about two weeks. The people in this place have no light upon present truth, except the little opportunity I have had in reading to them and distributing tracts. I board with a deacon of the Episcopal Methodist Church. He and his wife and a few others have an ear to hear. Will the Lord open the way for some brother to come this way and on to West Milton, and labor a while? I think it would result in much good. Let nothing discourage you.
Dear brother, the Messenger of Error, feigned to be the "Messenger of Truth," has no influence over any that I know, excepting one family in Saratoga Co. The word of the Lord abideth for ever, and will prevail, and so will his people. Thanks to his ever blessed name for the third angel's message that unites and binds the people of God as with a three fold cord that is not easily broken by those who dissent from us. Still the trying circumstances which you are placed under do call forth the sympathy, prayers and efforts of the church. But, brethren, "think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you, but rejoice inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings, that when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy." 1 Peter iv, 12, 13. We are satisfied that you are reproached for the name of Christ and his cause. Let us be patient, my brethren, unto all men, for of a truth it is certain that the coming of the Lord draweth near. We pity those poor souls who oppose themselves against the work of God.
O I feel and see the necessity more and more from day to day of living and acting upon the humbling principle of the third angel's message. I feel the necessity of having more grace to enable me to stand against the fiery darts of the wicked, that there be no risings of self, but submit the keeping of my soul to God as unto a faithful Creator in well-doing.
Yours hoping I may be counted worthy to be gathered into the kingdom with the remnant when the Lord shall come.
I. D. CRAMER.
Lassellsville, Fulton Co., N. Y., March 4th, 1855.
LOUISA MCLELLAN
By Louisa McLellan
From Sister McLellan.
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—I feel to praise God for his goodness to me in bringing me out of darkness into his glorious light. My Bible is a new book to me because I can understand it better and take more comfort in reading it. I love God. I love his glorious cause, and feel willing to suffer for the sake of Jesus who suffered and died that I might have eternal life. I am striving to overcome all selfishness and sin; for I read in the precious word that none but those with pure hearts and clean hands shall be able to stand when the Lord, the blessed Saviour shall descend in the clouds of heaven taking vengeance on those who know him not. O let us have our lamps trimmed and burning. As we believe we have got the light, may we let it shine to those around us. Let us all set a double watch over ourselves and all we say, that we be not a stumbling block to any precious soul around us.
I feel the need of more patience, more love, more meekness, more humbleness of heart, in a word, I want to be more like my dear Redeemer, for he is our pattern, and we must be like him if we would dwell with him in his kingdom. We have blessed promises left on record: Jesus says, if we keep all his [the Father's] commandments, we may ask any thing of the Father in his name and it shall be done unto us.
I believe with all my heart we have got the truth.
This is the only thing in which I find true happiness. I would not exchange the hope I have of soon seeing Jesus and being for ever in his presence for thousands of world's like this. The Lord has promised the widow and orphans protection if they obey him and live in obedience to his word.
The little band in Hastings is rising. The Lord is working for us and with us, we meet twice a week and the Lord has verified his promise to us.