Earlier text: WE NEED THE POWERIS OUR SATURDAY THE TRUE SABBATH?
By M. E. Cornell
The author of the Sabbath has defined the day. “The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God.” He also declares that he “rested on the seventh day.” Gen. ii, 2; Ex. xx, 11. Adam was there, and he knew what day that was. He handed it down to his posterity, for it is certain that Noah had a knowledge of it. But if this should be questioned, all must admit that God himself did not forget which was his rest-day. After the exode, God pointed out the true Sabbath by miracle for forty years. A double portion of manna was given every sixth-day. See Ex. xvi. We come down later still and inquire, Did the Son of God, who was Lord of the Sabbath, know which was the seventh day? And if he knew, would not his disciples, who were so constantly with him, also know by his teachings and example? We read that “they rested the Sabbath day according to the commandment.” And the next day after the one on which they rested, is called “the first day of the week,” by inspiration. Luke xxiii, 56; xxiv, 1. It is certain, therefore, that the true first-day of the week was known at the beginning of this dispensation. That it has been lost since that time is absolutely impossible. Hundreds of thousands of Jews, and many Christians, scattered among all nations, have kept the same day until the present time, and their calendars all agree. All nations have kept the records, and all agree that the day now called “Saturday,” is the true seventh day. Astronomy and History also confirm it; and it is so recorded on the statute books of all nations. To say that the true Sabbath has been lost, is to reflect upon the character of its divine Author. Would God command that the day on which he rested should be kept holy, and then suffer it to be lost so that it could not be found? But if the seventh day is lost, how can the first day be known? Catholics and Protestants generally, keep Sunday because they believe that is the day on which our Saviour rose from the dead; for the Bible teaches, what they all believe, that the Son of God rose on the first day of the week. If they are sure that Sunday is the true first day, we can, at least, be as certain that Saturday is the true seventh day. And why do they never question whether they have the true first day? As soon as the claims of the true Sabbath are urged, they seem to be struck with sudden blindness. Is it not because the truth is unpopular? They are like the man who had a yoke of oxen so exactly matched that he found great difficulty in telling which was the near one, but the off one he said he could tell in the darkest night he ever saw! And so with their near day, the “time-honored Christian Sabbath (?), they claim it has been certainly known all through the darkest of the dark ages. Surely the legs of the lame are not equal! We will now see what some of the most popular and reliable authors have said on the subject. In regard to the ancient week, Horne says: “This division of time was universally observed by the descendants of Noah. . . . This is evident from the word Sabbat or Sabbatta, denoting a week among the Syrians, Arabians, Christian Persians, and Ethiopians, as in the ancient Syriac Calendar expressed in Hebrew characters.” “One of the week—Sunday.
“Two of the week—Monday.
“Three of the week—Tuesday.
“Four of the week—Wednesday.
“Five of the week—Thursday.
“Eve of the Sabbath—Friday.
“The Sabbath—Saturday.” “The high antiquity of this Calendar is evinced265 by the use of the cardinal numbers, one, two, three, &c., instead of first, second, &c. It follows the Hebrew idiom as in the account of the creation, one day, two day, &c. It is remarkable that all the evangelists follow the Syriac Calendar.”—Horne’s Introduction, p. 163. The most celebrated historians agree that the days of the week were all named by the heathen idolaters, after their gods, the planets, &c. Beginning with the first day, they called Sunday after their chief god the sun. The Religious Encyclopedia has the following which is endorsed by Watson in his Theological Dictionary: “The enumeration of the days of the week commenced at Sunday. Saturday was last or seventh, and was the Hebrew Sabbath, or day of rest. The Egyptians gave to the days of the week the same names that they assigned to the planets, . . . that is Sunday, Monday,” &c. Again, Hendricks and Buck in the Religious Encyclopedia, after stating that the first day of the week was in primitive times called Sunday, add: “Yet it was never denominated Sabbath—a name constantly appropriated to Saturday, or the seventh day, both by sacred and ecclesiastical writers.” If those conversant with ancient history constantly affirm that the first day of the week was called Sunday, and the seventh was named Saturday, why should it be questioned now? Surely there could have been no motive for these authors to misrepresent the facts in the case. We may therefore conclude that the question is settled. Next we would inquire in regard to the time to commence the Sabbath. In the tract, “Scripture References,” abundant Scripture proof is given to show that the Sabbath begins and ends with the setting of the sun. But we will now show that it has been so understood by the best authors. The following is found in the Union Bible Dictionary, published by the American Sunday School Union. Article, Day: “The Jewish day was reckoned from evening to evening. Their Sabbath, or Seventh, began on what we call Friday, at sunset, and ended on what we call Saturday at sunset.” “And, consequently, the Sabbath ended, which they considered as continuing from sunset to sunset.” Speaking of the Sabbath, Campbell’s Translation of Matt. xii, 1, has this note: “With us Saturday, or from Friday at sunset to Saturday at sunset, for so the Jews reckoned.” “The Jews began their Sabbath in the evening at sunset, and ended it the same time the next evening.” “Some think that this occurred as soon as the sun was set, after our Lord’s crucifixion; for at that time the Sabbath entered.” In Horne’s Introduction, vol. iii, p. 174, he speaks of our Saviour’s remaining three days in the grave, as follows: “As our Lord was crucified on Good Friday, about the sixth hour, or noon, the remainder of that day to sunset, according to the Jewish computation, was reckoned as one day. Saturday, it is universally admitted, formed the second day; and as the third day began on Saturday at sunset, and our Saviour rose about sunrise on the following morning, that part of a day is justly reckoned for the third day.” “And the Rabbins say, ‘The Sabbath doth not enter but when the sun is set.’ Hence it was that the sick were not brought out to our Lord till after sunset, because then the Sabbath was ended.” “And gave a signal before hand, with a trumpet, at the beginning of every seventh day in the evening twilight, as also at the evening, when the day was finished, as giving notice,” &c.—Book iv, chap. 9, Sec. 12. Essentially agreeing with the above, we may mention Matthew Henry, Prof. Bush, Cruden, Brown, Webster, Walker, and every author of note, ancient or modern. A little boy being asked, by a college-learned minister, why he kept the seventh day for the Sabbath? gave the following impressive answer: “Because it reads so in the Bible!” The minister was silenced. What could he say to such an answer? Such a reason is sufficient for any honest inquirer after truth. All he desires is to know how it reads. The question with such an one is not, “What is popular?” but, “What is truth?” and when the answer comes from Jesus, “Thy word is truth,” all he asks is to know what the word of God says. He is ready to obey, however crossing it may be. In conclusion, we repeat, that the seventh day is the Sabbath, and it begins and ends with the setting of the sun. “It reads so in the Bible.” But on the last proposition, that our Saturday is the true seventh day, of course we have to depend on reliable history, for the names of the days, now in use, were not used in Bible times. History informs us of the change, and what names were given to each of the seven days. Why then should any hesitate about duty? Why halt between two opinions? “If the Lord be God serve him.” “If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.” Matt. xix, 17. A CORRECTION CORRECTED.
By J. H. W.
A HIGHLY-ESTEEMED correspondent, remarking on the position of our High Priest in Heaven, says: “The Father sits upon the mercy-seat between the cherubim, while our High Priest, Intercessor, and Advocate, stands before the throne to plead our cause.” So far as the remark is designed to correct the popular, erroneous idea that Christ sits on the mercy-seat (see hymn to tune of “Calvary”), we heartily endorse it; but as it regards the position of the Father on the throne, we think differently. The Scriptures do not represent the mercy-seat as being the throne of God, nor the Father as sitting on the mercy-seat. Were that idea correct, we could not dissent from the popular view, as the Scriptures prove that Christ is now called and permitted to sit on his Father’s throne. See Ps. cx, 1; Heb. viii, 1; Zech. vi, 12, 13; Rev. iii, 21, &c. Therefore, if the mercy-seat were the throne on which the Father sits, Christ would be there also. But the Scriptures always represent the throne of God as being over and above the mercy-seat. The first definite information given on this point is by the pattern in Ex. xxv, 22: “And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy-seat.” And still more clearly is the location given by Ezekiel, who had a vision of the heavenly things themselves. In describing the cherubim, he says: “And the likeness of the firmament upon the heads of the living creature was as the color of the terrible crystal, stretched forth over their heads above.” Chap. i, 22; and again: “And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone; and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it.” Verse 26. In chap. ix, 3, where a change of position from the most holy place to the holy is indicated, it says: “And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub, whereupon he was, to the threshold of the house.” And again, the return of the glory of God to the most holy, where, as by Moses, he promised to meet with them: “Then the glory of the Lord departed from off the threshold of the house, and stood over the cherubims. And the cherubims lifted up their wings, and mounted up from the earth in my sight; when they went out the wheels also were beside them, and every one stood at the door of the east gate of the Lord’s house; and the glory of the God of Israel was over them above. This is the living creature that I saw under the God of Israel by the river of Chebar; and I knew that they were the cherubims.” Chap. x, 18–20. The question may arise, How then is it that Christ is typified by Aaron, who stood before the mercy-seat to sprinkle thereon the blood of the covenant? No one part of Scripture will contradict or nullify any other part. Let it be remembered that Aaron had no kingly priesthood as Melchisedec had, and our Saviour has; our High Priest as Intercessor occupies a position Aaron never did. Also the work of Aaron before the mercy-seat was but a very small part of his priestly service; and so of our Lord. The work of the atonement in the most holy is a brief work, comparatively, and in no wise interferes with the many scripture declarations that our High Priest was exalted to the throne of the Father. How beautiful and harmonious the truth appears as opened to us in the light of the heavenly sanctuary! J. H. W. REPORT FROM IOWA.
By George Ide Butler
At the close of my last report I was laboring in Bro. Howell's neighborhood in Appanoose Co., with something of an interest apparently to hear the truth. After getting into the midst of the Sabbath question, when it began to pinch, they began to drop off and soon there was not enough to keep up meetings. The weather was also quite unfavorable, and the measles were around in the neighborhood, which assisted no doubt to bring around this result. I had hoped for better success than this till the very last thing, as some few seemed to be much interested. Before closing the meetings in this school district I had an invitation from the Campbellites of a neighboring village to occupy their meeting-house, they offering to furnish fuel and lights; and as I had a little leisure time before my appointments in the churches, I concluded to accept their offer. It was a small village and only one meeting-house in the place. I gave there ten discourses, and had a good attendance mainly till the close; and some seemed much interested in the truth, and there appeared to be a general desire to hear further on these things. But the time arriving for my appointments ahead to be met, I was obliged to close. I sold in both places over twenty dollars' worth of our publications, and hope yet there may good result from the labor expended there. I then came on through the deep mud to Fairfield, my first appointment. Met with those who were able to get out, on the Sabbath, and Sunday, giving three discourses on important subjects. As some are selling and moving away who are located in the most available place for holding meetings, and as there are but few left, and these separated from each other a long distance, it is doubtful if they will be able to maintain meetings much longer. There are some in this little flock who seem to be deeply in earnest in the noble work of salvation, and we hope to greet them in the blessed Kingdom of our Father. The following day came on through the mud and storm to Mt. Pleasant. At Fairfield and Mt. P. both, that day, there was a hard hail-storm which did much damage: but it did not happen to come when I was upon the road. At Mt. P. many of the buildings lost as many as forty or fifty lights of glass, and some as high as a hundred and fifty, and it was said that there was not half enough glass in the city of Mt. Pleasant to supply the demand. Hail-stones seven and a half inches in circumference were measured, and many were as large as hen's eggs; and the city-paper said a horse was knocked down, and chickens and ducks killed by them. Some were greatly terrified at the storm, wringing their hands in fear. It brings forcibly to our mind the fact that a hail-storm is before us, when terror will pervade all hearts, and ruin and destruction be seen in all directions. I met with the church, Sabbath and Sunday, giving three discourses, which appeared to be appreciated. In our conference meetings there seemed to be a lack of that zeal and warmth which is so encouraging when seen; a backwardness on the part of some to move out in duty. But I trust there is a growing interest, and that union and love are increasing and will abound more and more. I trust also that those trials which this church passed through last fall will work for the good of all, and that useful lessons will be learned from them. This is one of our largest churches in the State, and one of the most important points in the conference. We trust the brethren and sisters will feel the importance of standing in the light, and being bright ornaments in the cause of truth, that others may be blessed through their example. At a business session one who had brought a stain upon the cause was disfellowshipped. The church expressed by a vote their desire to have the State Conference at that place. It is not yet determined where it will be. Washington, Iowa, March 25, 1868. TO THE HALF BROTHERS.
By J. D. Hull
That there is a class, who believe the truth, stand up for it, read the publications and the Review, that do not even so much as keep the Sabbath, is undoubtedly true, whom a brother designates as being half-brothers; for, says he, they fight for the truth. If asked why they do not obey the truth, they will say, The way is too narrow; or I should lose my reputation among my unbelieving friends, and my family would come to want; or I must first get out of debt, &c. But the most general objection is, I am not good enough. Wait until I am a better man. These objections show conclusively that you have no confidence in yourself, you choose the ease of the world, because the ways of the truth are narrow. Let me ask you, is the way so narrow that you cannot even try to walk in it? Have you anything to lose even if you fail? You are bound to be lost if you do not try, and you can no more than be lost if you do try. And what is there you can even hope to gain if you continue in disobedience to what you confess to be God's truth? Is not eternal life of more value than your reputation and worldly honor? And is not the Lord who provides for every one, more willing to keep your family from coming to want if you obey his truth than if you do not? You promise the Lord, when you are out of debt you will then serve him. Can you believe the Lord will prosper you better if you live in open violation of his commandments, than if you should obey him? can you consistently ask God to prosper you in doing this? If you resolve to do this I fear you will not be out of debt until Satan has you in his folds. You then say you are not good enough, &c. How do you expect to become better and continue in open violation of the commandments of God? Thus you have resolved that at some future period you will serve the Lord: or in other words, you will serve the Devil a little longer until you have a more convenient season; then you will serve the Lord. Thus you tempt the Lord. Serve the Devil nearly all your life, and spend a few of your last days in serving the Lord; if you do this you do it at your own risk and perhaps at the peril of your own soul; for that convenient season may never come. Then don't put it off any longer; but resolve at once to be a servant of the Lord while he may be found. The door of mercy will soon be closed forever, and then you will hear with terrible distinctness the words, "Too late." Then let me entreat you in the language of Moses to Hobab, "Come thou with us, and we will do thee good; for the Lord hath spoken good concerning Israel." J. D. HULL.
Marshall Co., Ill. FALLEN ASLEEP.
By I. G. Camp
ANOTHER of the readers of the Instructor has fallen asleep. Our dear Ellen died the third day of November. She had been out of health for more than a year, but as we did not feel able to send her to the Health Institute, we tried many remedies, but to no avail; she continued to run down till, as the last resort, we sent her to the Health Institute at Battle Creek, little expecting that she could be helped. But I am very thankful for an Institute where the spiritual, as well as the bodily wants of the patients are looked after, and cared and labored for. Our dear Ellen, I think, had for some time felt that she wanted an evidence of sins forgiven, and of her acceptance with the Lord, but did not see her way clear till she went to the Institute. There, through the influence and labors of kind friends whom I shall ever hold in very grateful remembrance, she was led to feel that her sins were forgiven, and that Jesus was her Saviour. She was baptized by Bro. Loughborough. She came home with her heart filled with love. In about two weeks after she came home she was confined to the bed, after which she lived and suffered about six weeks. She was very patient through all her suffering. Almost every night she would kiss her dear cousin, who took the tenderest care of her, and thank her for taking such good care of her through the day. And as the neighbors were very kind and attentive to all of our wants, she wished us to thank them all for her. She talked freely about dying, and gave directions about her things. One day as I sat by her, she looked up at me, and looked for some time, and I asked her what she was thinking about. She replied, I was thinking I could not see you but a little longer. But I hope to meet you in the kingdom. Said she, “I do n't want you to cry, mother, when I am gone.” I said, You know, Ellen, we have lived together a long time very pleasantly, and I shall miss you very much. “I know it,” she said, “but you wont cry any more than you can help, will you?” I told her I would try to look to the Lord for comfort, and get ready to meet her in the kingdom. She talked with all her brothers and sisters, asked them to forgive all that she had said or done that was wrong, and to prepare to meet her in Heaven. She frequently said she thought time to be very short. I asked her if she thought she should come up in the first resurrection; she said, “Yes I do. Do you think I shall?” I said, Yes, I think you will. Said I, You love the Lord, you love his people, and you love his truth. She said, “I do.” She said to her little brother that she wanted him to read the Instructor; said she, “I have read them all through ever since I was a little girl.” About three o'clock the day that she died, there was an evident change came over her, and I asked her if she thought she was dying; she said, “I don't know; do you think I am?” I said, We think you may be. Immediately her countenance lighted up, and she said, “I do rejoice; I wish I could express what I feel.” She said to the children, “Don't cry.” She thought they had more reason to rejoice. She felt it would be so sweet to rest. She wanted them to prepare to die as happy as she was dying. The hymn selected by her elder sister, and sung at her funeral, was a very appropriate one: “Sister thou wast mild and lovely,
Gentle as the summer breeze;
Pleasant as the air of evening,
When it floats among the trees.”
An apology is due to the writer of the above. It came too late for the number of the Instructor for which it was designed, and was laid aside to be published in the Review, but was lost sight of till very recently. Ed. I AM weary—very weary,
But my ceaseless watch I keep;
As the dangers thicken near me,
At my post I dare not sleep. I am lonely, oh, so lonely,
As I walk this vale of grief;
Pitying Jesus, thy sweet mercy,
Only can afford relief. I am fearful; Kind Protector
Lead me through the boiling waves;
Give me, ’mid the rising tempest,
All the strength my weak heart craves. I am sinful; O my Saviour,
Thy white robes to me impart.
May thy meek and quiet Spirit,
Quite subdue my restless heart; That I bear life's burdens meekly,
Till the joyful summons come,
Bursting through the darkness, sweetly,
“Child, your Father calls—come home.” LET THOSE WHOM GOD HAS CHOSEN BEAR THE ARK.
By M. P. Styles
In tracing the path of ancient Israel, one is forcibly impressed with two things which may be of importance to us to notice: 1. That God does not overlook small offences; 2. That he does not excuse on account of ignorance; which is illustrated by his severe dealing with Uzza for laying his hand on the ark to steady it. We can judge of the magnitude of the offense by its punishment, which was death. Now, bearing the ark of God was a peculiar work, and he had chosen ones to bear it, and though they were ignorant at the time of any wrong, it was of God's order, and did not lessen the offense, and his anger was kindled against them in consequence. Who shall say that God has not now a truth he guards with as jealous care, and which it is the peculiar work of chosen ones to bear? Oh, who of us would dare brave Almighty displeasure, by presuming or wishing to take their work or any portion of it, out of their hands. Though many of us have never met with those whom the Lord has chosen to bear his especial burden in these days, yet to doubt that they are such, would be to doubt that our God is a God of order, and that he is the same that led Israel through the wilderness, and that he is one in whom there is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Though we are all unworthy, yet God hath called us, from darkness into his marvelous light, to be just what he wills. We are members of the body, and no member can say to another, I have no need of thee. It is a great work that God is calling upon us to do, and one that will require all our exertions. To fit up and strengthen our own life-boat, to sail on rough seas amid rocks and quicksands; though the way seems perilous to the unconsecrated, yet we have an unerring Pilot. Jesus, our beloved master, is at the helm, all-wise, all-powerful, in Heaven and earth, he is able, he is willing, he will protect us, he will save us. “He will guard us and he will guide us;
Guide us to the better land.”
Let us trust all; give all to him; all our earthly treasure, our worldly wisdom, our manhood's strength. Let us bend our stubborn will to his, and bring every thought in subjection to Christ, casting on him our every care, calmly and sweetly resting in him. Dear Brother! blessed Friend! to whom none need ever come in vain. We will trust our frail barque to thy keeping. The treacherous waves can never engulf us while thou art at the helm, our God, our Saviour, our Deliverer. What would the hungry soul do if it were not written “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled?” When a sense of natural depravity—of inborn pride, vanity, and a host of evil passions, comes like a pall over the spirit, almost shutting out the hope of Heaven; when we vainly search the heart for one vestige of holiness, and despairingly exclaim, “Lord, I am faint,
Athirst and hungry for the food
That has no taste of earthly taint,
The soul’s sustainment and its good.” Then these words of Jesus, burst in with their light, tinging the clouds with gold. Yea, more; they tell that these tears, these anxious yearnings for the sinless, these sickening fears which afflict like an armed host, are a pledge that righteousness and peace shall sometime take their place. Then, weary, weeping one, take courage! and know that the same Being who hath a care for the sparrows, will put thy tears into his bottle, and remember thy prayers. When the faint heart quivers with pain, and feels keenest the poisoned arrows of injustice, ingratitude, or any of their kindred, when the billows of life’s sea roll heavily, and the toiling one seems to struggle in vain against their power—then, like a voice amid the tempest, calming the troubled soul, comes the assurance, “All things work together for good to them that love God.” Ah! tired child; the storm will not hurt thee. Thou hast nothing to fear from the darkness, the thunders, or the waves. Whatever may assail, thou hast but one care. If in thy heart the love of God is living, these specious ills shall work out for thee an eternal weight of glory. “Ah, yes! these toils, these prayers, these fears,
These conflicts of the soul,
These stern and angry storms of life,
That o’er the spirit roll,
Shall but refine and polish well
Each rough, unsightly gem,
And mould, and fashion it aright
For Christ’s own diadem.” When the night is so dark that we cannot find the way, and, conscious that human wisdom is inadequate to guide us through the maze of pitfalls that wait for the feet, we cry to God, “Wilt thou instruct me? I am blind,
And stretch my grasping hand for thine;
The mist deceives my weary mind
With glimmering lights that falsely shine.
Wilt thou instruct me? I am weak,
And cannot walk a step alone;
Far off appears the good I seek,
Far off, uncertain and unknown.” Then, like a star shining through a sable cloud, shines out the promise, “If any lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” Lost wealth may be restored by industry; the loss of health regained by temperance; forgotten knowledge restored by study; alienated friendship smoothed into forgetfulness; even forfeited reputation won by penitence and virtue; but who ever again looked upon his vanished hours—recalled his slighted years, stamped them with wisdom, or effaced from Heaven’s record the fearful blot of wasted time? A New Adventist’s Appeal for Prayer
By N. Warner Irish
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: For some time past I have felt that I ought to write something for our paper, but feeling my unworthiness, I have withheld. It has been about nine years since I first experienced religion. I was a member of the Seventh-day Baptist church until one year ago last fall, when I united with the Adventists. When I look back on my past life and see how wonderfully the Lord has led me where I am, I feel to praise his holy name for his love to me, a poor worm of the dust. I just begin to see the importance of faith in the word of God; in his promises to us, unworthy, fallen creatures. Although I have many trials to contend with, I mean to try to see the end of the Christian race. I want to so live that when the Lord shall come, seated on the white cloud, I can look up and exclaim, Lo this is my Saviour; I have waited for him, and he will save me. The Lord is good to us here in this place. There are souls being turned from the error of their ways, and fleeing to the rock that is higher than they. How thankful we should be. The Lord does hear and answer prayer. I mean to have more faith in him than I ever yet have had. Brethren and sisters, pray for me, that I may not be carried away from this glorious way. Being young in years, and also in this way, in which I have lately started, I need the prayers of God's people. Pray, also, that the good work begun here may go on, with the help of the Lord. Yours striving to overcome, N. WARNER IRISH.
Allegany Co., N. Y. B. M. SMITH
By B. M. Smith
BRO. SMITH: I have often thought I would like to write a few lines for the Review, but feeling my weakness, I have neglected it; but oh how often has my heart been cheered while reading the many testimonies from the brethren and sisters. And when at times I feel almost discouraged, and take up the Review and read from my brethren and sisters, I am encouraged; and I feel to thank God to-day that my life is still spared and my determinations are strong to press forward and see the inside of the city. And I thank God that my ears were ever saluted with the third angel's message, and I had a heart to obey; and although I have made slow progress, still I thank God that I can say and feel that God is good, and desire to gird on the whole armor and fight with the people of God. I know we must fight if we would reign, and my prayer is, O Lord, bless and sustain those at the head of this great work. Truly it is a great and solemn work. Brethren and sisters, may the Lord help us to realize these great things more and more as we see the day of the Lord approaching, and make haste to get ready for that event, that we may have on the robe of Christ's righteousness, and stand entire, wanting nothing. We have been cheered with a visit at Little Prairie, a few weeks since, from Brn. R. F. Andrews and Blanchard, and we praise the Lord that good was done in the name of Jesus. Seven were baptized into the church. May the Lord speed on this great work, and let the message soon go with a loud cry, and his people be fitted up and prepared for translation; and may I, with all God's dear remnant children, get the victory over all my sins, and so be permitted to stand on Mount Zion and sing the song of deliverance. E. H. CALKIN
By E. H. Calkin
BRO. SMITH: If one so poor and feeble in the cause may be allowed so to speak; we are a little company here that are trying to live in the faith of Jesus and to keep the commandments. We are living distant from any church. Some of us have never heard an Advent sermon, and never had the privilege of uniting with the remnant church; but we bless God for the assurance that, though our names are not on the list of church-members here, we have the witness that they are recorded in Heaven. We hold prayer-meetings every Friday night; the Lord always meets with us, and we feel him a present help in time of need. Though there are many years of our lives that seem to be a blank or a desert waste that has yielded no fruit, we bless God that we were not cut off in our sins, but our lives are spared and we are permitted to testify to others the goodness of God to us. When we reflect what our salvation has cost, we mourn for our negligence. How thankful ought we to be for these privileges that are offered to us without money and without price; that our lives are cast in a land where we are permitted to worship God according to the dictates of our own consciences. I am not unmindful of the blessings of God to me, though poor and unable to work, yet I thank the Lord that he has not forgotten me. I have kind friends that care for my necessities though I have been confined to my bed nearly five years, not being able to stand on my feet, yet I rejoice in the prospect of the coming of Christ, when this decrepid body shall be changed and made like His most glorious body; when this mortal shall put on immortality. Blessed prospect! glorious promise! to those that work righteousness, fear God, and keep his commandments. The Review is sent to me free, for which I am thankful. I am desirous of getting all the information that I can. I want to live a humble Christian while I do live, to improve my time to the best of my ability, and to take up my cross and follow Jesus. There are four or five here that would like to be baptized. I desire an interest in the prayers of all God's children, that, though my body is trammeled with afflictions here, I may be freed from them in the world to come and reign triumphant through the blood of Jesus. SAREPTA R. SUTHERLAND
By SAREPTA R. SUTHERLAND
BRO. SMITH: I am trying in a feeble way to make Heaven my home. My progress toward the kingdom seems very slow. Many times I go out of the narrow way, but I mean to keep striving to overcome every besetment. I have many trials and troubles to pass through here, but I know that the grace of God is sufficient for me. I love all God's people, and I want to go with them to the kingdom, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasure of sin for a season. I firmly believe all the visions, and believe that they are just what are needed in the church. The dress reform I endorse, and would willingly adopt it if my companion was not opposed to it. Yours striving to overcome. A Sister’s Appeal for Prayer
By Cornelia A. Hilton
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: I praise God for the light of the present truth, which shines forth from the sacred page and the prophetic chart. I have been trying for the past year to keep all of God's commandments and the faith of Jesus. The Lord has done much for me. I am afraid I have not done all I could in the cause of truth, and I wish to re-double my efforts, that I may be the means of doing some good in the last message of warning that is sounding in our ears. My heart is drawn out in love toward God's dear people who are looking for the coming of Christ on the white cloud. I love to read the letters from the dear brethren and sisters in the Review. It gives me new courage to press my way on to that glorious city. Pray for me, that I may be prepared when Jesus comes. CORNELIA A. HILTON.
Saginaw Co. W. PENNIMAN
By W. Penniman
BRO. SMITH: The Conference Department of the paper is a part which I prize very highly, as it affords an opportunity of hearing from those I can not see. I thank the Lord for the opportunities he is giving his people for spiritual growth. I love the truth more and more, and want to be sanctified by it, and can truly say, The word of the Lord is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. When I examine myself by that pure word, I can only exclaim as did one of old, “My leanness! my leanness!” I would like to say to the scattered flock, and especially to those who stand alone like ourselves, that if we would grow in grace, it must be a daily work, and we must use all the means God has placed within our reach for spiritual advancement. Christ teaches us to pray, Give us this day our daily bread. We must have the bread of life every day, or we shall die spiritually. The man who would try to get along with only one prayer a week, would be just as inconsistent, and just as sure to die, as the man who would think to subsist on one meal per week. We should not simply read thoughtlessly, but should search the Scriptures daily; and the more we read the Gifts and the Testimonies to the Church (if we read them prayerfully, and in the right spirit), the more our spiritual strength will be increased. Why should we not esteem, and profit by what God is revealing to his servants now, just as much as we do by what he revealed in ancient times? NIMROD R. RIGBY
By Nimrod R. Rigby
Dear Bro. Smith: For the first time we embrace the privilege, through the Conference Department, to address our dear brethren of like precious faith. We feel to bless God for the light of present truth as it shines forth in the third angel's message; and though we have been slow to move out in the great truths it presents to our consideration, yet we bless the Lord that the Holy Spirit impresses these most solemn truths upon our hearts with increasing power, impelling us with holy ardor to move forward with the body in the great work of preparing for the solemn scenes that are rapidly approaching us, and for the speedy coming of the Lord. We can say with all the heart that we love the precious truths of the last message to the fallen race; we will ever praise the Lord for the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. It is an all-sufficient rule of faith and practice by which to become fully ready for the coming of the Lord. And we will ever rejoice in the light of the health reform. How wonderfully the Lord is leading us by a way we knew not; and our hearts respond to the forward movement of the body in the great work that lies before us. Praise the Lord, dear brethren, he is having a great care for his people, and is wonderfully blessing us with the gifts of the Spirit, by which to quicken us in the work of overcoming. May the Lord abundantly enable us to be faithful to the light he so mercifully gives us through the Testimonies to the church, practice it daily in our lives, that the purpose of the Lord in giving them may be accomplished in us, and we, as a body, stand on the Mount Zion. Amen. Licking Co., O., March, 1868. Preparing for Christ’s Return
By Olive S. Wilson
Sr. Olive S. Wilson writes from Clinton Co., N. Y.: I do believe the time is drawing near when Christ shall appear. I am trying to be ready to meet him. Pray for me, when it is well with you, that I may be ready and waiting for the final change.