The following furnishes a hint that ought to be of use in many places:—
Once the pastor of a church in England was requested to go up to London, and try to raise funds to meet a pressing debt. Before starting, he called together the leading men of his church, and said:—
“Now, I shall be asked whether we have conscientiously done all that we could for the removal of the debt; what answer am I to give? Brother So-and-so, can you in conscience say that you have given all you can?”
“Why, sir,” he replied, “if you come to conscience, I don’t know that I can.”
The same question was put to a second, and a third, and so on, and similar answers were returned, until the whole sum required was subscribed, and there was no need to send the pastor to London at all.
A Hard Hit.
It is a pity that the wives of loafers and spendthrifts cannot all teach their husbands as practical a lesson as a wife at Cape Girardeau a few days since.
A character, noted somewhat for loafing around bar-rooms, was sitting in his usual place of resort, with several companions about a card-table, killing time with the cards. Suddenly his wife entered the room, bearing a large covered dish, which she deposited on the table with the remark, “Presuming, husband, that you were too busy to come home to dinner, I have brought yours to you,” and then departed. The husband invited his companions to share his meal, and removed the lid from the dish, revealing no smoking roast, but, instead, a slip of paper, only this and nothing more, on which was written, “I hope you will enjoy your dinner. It is of the same kind your family has at home.”
Keep it Before the People.
By T. Ramsey
[THE following I clip from a Sunday-school paper published at Dayton, Ohio. Thinking it might benefit many of the readers of the REVIEW, I have thought proper to send it for publication. T. RAMSEY.]
“That the Roman Catholics are multiplying on the right hand and the left, by immigration and by natural increase, at the North, the South, the East, and especially at the West; that their growing power is shown by the costly edifices which they are erecting in every city and town; that they are building an immense cathedral on grounds and with funds given them by the city of New York, the walls of which, although only fifteen feet high, have cost already a million of dollars; that under the name of Fenians they receive the assistance of the press and the patronage of the government; that if Mexico and Cuba are ever annexed to this country, the Roman Catholic delegation in Congress will hold the balance of power in that body; that their blood-thirsty and persecuting proclivities grow with their growth; that money spent freely at the present time in erecting houses of worship and supporting pastors will checkmate all these dismal tendencies; but that if money is withheld, and the Home Mission Society is not liberally sustained, the time will come when our best blood, freely shed, will hardly cure what money and missionary labor will now avert.”
GAMBLING FOR CHURCH PURPOSES.—
The character of the plea for lotteries in behalf of good objects has been illustrated as follows:—
Our Christian people, and especially our Christian ladies, say, “Our object is to do good, and there can be no harm in a lottery for a benevolent purpose.” This reminds us of a little story. A doctor was called to see a patient whose native land was Ireland, and whose native drink was whisky. Water was prescribed as the only cure. Pat said it was out of the question; he never could drink it. Then milk was proposed, and Pat agreed to get well on milk. The doctor was soon summoned again. Near the bed on which the sick man lay was a table, and on the table a large bowl, and in the bowl was milk, but strongly flavored with whisky.
“What have you here?” said the doctor.
“Milk, doctor; just what you ordered.”
“But there’s whisky in it; I smell it.”
“Well, doctor,” sighed the patient, “there may be whisky in it, but milk’s my object.”
There may be sin in gambling, but the object is good!
Ugliness Leading a Woman to Become a Christian.
My friend, Dr. Budington, told me (Rev. Dr. Newton) that a young woman came to see him once about joining his church. He asked her what made her first think of wanting to be a Christian. She said it was because she found she was growing so ugly. She looked in the glass one day when she was very angry, and was fairly frightened to see how ugly she looked. She found that the bad tempers that she was giving way to were making ugly marks upon her face. She was afraid to think what this would grow to, by-and-by. This led her to think what a dreadful thing sin must be. Then she prayed to Jesus to take away her sin, and make her a Christian. This young woman was right. What she said was true. There is nothing that will help to make us look ugly sooner than giving way to bad temper.—Evangelist.
Signs of a True Revival
1st. The filling up of the seats in the prayer-meeting by the heads of families.
2d. A spirit of devotion and prayer pervading the young men of the church.
3d. An earnest study of the Scriptures, and a desire on the part of all the members of the Sabbath-school.
4th. The revival of family worship among those who have neglected it.
5th. A better attendance on the services of God’s house on the Sabbath.
6th and last, but not least. A consecration even of the mites of the widow to the cause of missions.
These, we think, are evidences of no mean revival, when they begin to show themselves in any church. They will soon be followed by a striving on the part of the godless to be like-minded.
What Must I Do to Be Saved?
By D. F. Quinn
THIS question, I think, does not trouble the great mass of mankind. Other questions, of far less importance, now interest the minds of a large portion of the human family. What shall we eat? what shall we drink? and wherewithal shall we be clothed? are questions that occupy the minds of the multitude. They have great anxiety in reference to these things, but not in regard to the life that is to come. Nor do they feel that it is necessary to inquire in regard to present duty and obligation.
If there ever was a time when the question at the head of this article was appropriate, it is equally so now. We are evidently living in the last days. Everything indicates it. The present condition of the world speaks in trumpet tones that the end is near. Was the world more corrupt in the days of Noah? Peter says: “Seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent, that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.”
Is not the inquiry, What must I do to be saved? a pertinent one? Jesus says, “Keep the commandments.” Shall we say, like one of old, “Which?” or shall we do as Jesus commanded? He says, “I have kept the commandments of my Father, and abide in his love.” Is he not our example? Then it is plain that we are to keep the commandments, including that one for which God gave both a reason and an example—one which he says is to be a sign between him and his people forever.
We cannot disregard these commands except at our peril. Then let us, with all the heart, enter into the work, heeding the words of Scripture: “Fear God, and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” D. F. QUINN.
Reading the Bible
Read your Bible slowly. Take time, even if you have but little time. A great mathematician once said, if his life depended upon solving a problem in two minutes, he would spend one of the two in deciding how to do it. So in reading the Scriptures; if you are pressed for time (and this ought to be a rare case), then spend the precious moments on a portion of a chapter. When you feel that the mind and heart begin to drink in the sentiment, even of a single verse, then stop and drain the heavenly chalice, because the divine Spirit is filling the cup. It is a true, solemn, and interesting thought, that we are to wait, to linger, to tarry, for the blessing to come from the word before us.
To search the Scriptures with the clear, unmoved eye of meditation secures treasures of knowledge known only to him who thus coolly, piously, and philosophically, studies the word of God.
Let any man give us the reason why, when the Scriptures are read so much, memory retains so little, the quotations are so blundering and incorrect, if the reason is not found in the fact of hasty reading of the word of God. There, as elsewhere, man must reap as he sows.
When Is My Time? A Parent's Duty to Children
WHEN IS MY TIME?—This question was asked by a bright little girl who was fond of talking at the close of the day to a busy father. When is my time? The query will carry its own moral to every parent who reads this. Let fathers and mothers, whatever duties may seem imperative, find “a time for talking with the little ones.” Their time! perhaps only fifteen minutes, but their time, exclusively and cheerfully. How many homes would be brighter, and how many children counted saved, if this advice was followed.
Immediate Work.
How frequently is it the case that persons at the conclusion of some important enterprise, or at the passing away of some golden opportunity, look back and see how they might have turned their privileges to almost infinitely better account. A little forethought would have shown them all the possibilities for good, in season for them to improve them all, and saved them the mortification of learning them by experience, and looking back upon them with regret.
We now stand at the threshold of two very important enterprises, calculated to be of immediate advantage to the cause of truth: the trial volume of the REVIEW, designed to spread the clear truths of our position, in the best manner before thousands of new readers, and the publication of the True Missionary, designed to furnish a record of missionary work, and present new incentives for more earnest effort in that important field. A little intense thought, now, on these enterprises, prompted by a sincere desire to serve to the best advantage the cause of truth, will show how these may be the means of great good, the opportunities for which may, without this forethought, pass away forever unimproved.
Do not wait till the trial volume is ended, and then think, I wish I had sent it to such and such of my friends to whom it would have brought light and truth, and perhaps conviction of duty and salvation in the kingdom of God. Think up all such cases now, and send the papers in season.
Do not neglect to put forth efforts for your friends and neighbors, till circumstances shall perhaps so change that it will be difficult or impossible for you to have access to them, and you have to regret that you did not join in missionary work, and encourage the missionary enterprises now on foot, at a time when it might have been effectual for great good.
Be in season. No great enterprise can be accomplished without forethought. Dan. 11:25. Think and work. Much may be done to-day which perhaps cannot be done to-morrow. Time is short; and these opportunities are precious. Improve them well.
The First-Day Sabbath vs. the History of the Sabbath.
By John Nevins Andrews
The articles in examination of Eld. Preble’s “First-day Sabbath” were suspended in consequence of the deep affliction which came upon my family in the death of my wife. I had, however, taken up nearly every one of his Biblical arguments, and I should not think it worth while to pay any further attention to his book were it not that in the part which I had not examined he professes to impeach the veracity of the first edition of my Sabbath History. After my great bereavement, I found myself so far broken in health as to be unable to write to any extent. The new edition of the History of the Sabbath was urgently demanded, and yet a very large amount of labor must be bestowed upon it before it could be given to the press. My duty was therefore clear to suspend other matters and to finish this work as soon as possible. Knowing his accusations of dishonesty to be in every respect unjust, and many of them such that every well-informed reader could see that they were not founded in fact, I have felt that I could afford to wait till other duties were first discharged before giving them attention. I have felt the more willing to act thus, because I wished not merely to repel his charges of personal dishonesty, but at the same time to solve several historical questions involved in his attack. The preparation of my second edition has enabled me to do this, and I now defend, not myself, but the cause of truth and righteousness.
In the examination of Eld. P.’s Biblical argument, I came very unexpectedly upon several remarkable frauds, or blunders that are unaccountable if they are mere blunders. I was the more surprised at these because Eld. P. was attempting to prove me dishonest and untruthful wherever he could detect the accidental omission of anything in my quotations, and even where there was an error that was manifestly typographical.
These frauds were noted as I came to them in my articles in volumes 38 and 39 of the REVIEW. They were serious enough to demand some reply. And as there was only one way in which Eld. P. could be shielded from the charge of deliberate fraud, which was by stating that the blunders were made in the office of the Advent Times, where his “First-day Sabbath” was printed, the editor of that paper came out and took the responsibility upon his office. He stated that it became necessary to abridge Eld. P.’s manuscript, and that with his consent this was done in the Times office. He then says:—
“And in cutting down such extracts in our haste, we unintentionally omitted the signs of omission. Hence the omission charged to Eld. P., and the mixing of different authors’ writings together, of which Eld. A. complains, occurred after the MS. left Bro. Preble’s hand”—Advent Christian Times, May 14, 1872.
This is certainly a very remarkable statement, and we cannot pass it without calling attention to its bearing upon the case. The Advent Christian Times, in its effort to shield Eld. P. from the charge of deliberate fraud which must stand against him if his book is what he made it, takes upon itself the responsibility of the false statements in that book, by saying that these are mere blunders, committed at that office in their effort to abridge his manuscript. Here are some of these blunders or frauds:—
Dr. Peter Akers is the author of a work entitled “Introduction to Biblical Chronology.” This book puts forth the singular theory that the Sabbath was changed from the seventh day back to the sixth, the day that Israel fled out of Egypt. On pages 136-138 of his “First-day Sabbath,” Eld. P. quotes, with some changes and omissions which he does not mark, pages 100-105 of Dr. Akers’ book. The quotation is a portion of Dr. A.’s argument for the change of the Sabbath from the seventh day back to the sixth on the fifteenth day of Abib, the year of the exodus. This quotation he introduces thus:—
“The late Sylvester Bliss, while editor of the Advent Herald, made the following remarks on this subject.”—First-Day Sabbath, p. 136.
QUERY. Who wrote the sentence just quoted, Eld. P., or the editor of the Times? If Eld. P. wrote it, how could it be otherwise than a culpably false statement? But if Eld. P. sent this extract from Dr. Akers to the Times office with a correct credit of the same to Dr. A., how could so gross a blunder be made as that the editor should innocently strike out the credit to Dr. Akers, and then pen the statement that this was written by Sylvester Bliss while editor of the Advent Herald?
But in Eld. P.’s book, immediately following this quotation from Dr. Akers, he actually quotes Mr. Bliss. And this quotation is thus introduced:—
“For a clear and comprehensive view of the Sabbath, we will once more quote the late Sylvester Bliss.”—First-Day Sabbath, p. 140.
QUERY. Who wrote this sentence? Was it written as a blunder on the part of the one who abridged Eld. P.’s book at the Times office, or was it written by Eld. P. himself, knowing as he must that the former quotation was not taken from Mr. Bliss? But on page 467, the quotation from Dr. Akers is indexed thus:—
S. Bliss’ views on the Sabbath, 136-138.
QUERY. Who wrote the index? Was it not the author, Eld. P.? Or if we must suppose that this was written for him in the Times office, did not Eld. P. read the proof sheets? Could he have read these three statements in which the words of Dr. Akers are attributed to Mr. Bliss, and never notice one of them? To say nothing of the false statement thrice repeated, did not Eld. P. know that, in attributing the words of Dr. A. to Mr. Bliss, he made the latter responsible for doctrines that he did not believe? Could all this have been a blunder, or was it something worse?
By these three false statements, Mr. Bliss is made responsible for the theory of Dr. Akers that the Sabbath was changed just before the passage of the Red Sea, though Mr. B. had no faith in such a doctrine. The next thing is to make him responsible for the views of Dr. Jennings that the Sabbath was changed just after the passage of that sea. So on pages 140-147, he actually quotes Mr. B., though with some changes of his words, and numerous omissions which he does not mark. In this article, Mr. B. expressly declares that “there are no means of determining” “whether, or no, the day designated [by the fall of the manna] for their observance, coincided with the seventh in regular succession from the Paradisiacal week.”—First-Day Sabbath, p. 144.
But it happened by chance, or else by a remarkable fraud for which somebody is responsible, that Mr. Bliss is made in this very article to declare that the Sabbath pointed out by the fall of the manna could not be identical with the seventh day from Paradise. And so in the only place where such an act was possible without the connection indicating the fraud, a sentence taken from Dr. Jennings’ Jewish Antiquities is boldly interpolated into the middle of the quotation from Mr. Bliss, and made to appear as the words of Mr. B. Here it is:—
“And if this had been the Sabbath in course, according to the Paradisiacal computation, the fifteenth must have been so too, and would have been doubtless kept as a Sabbath, and not have been any part of it spent in marching from Elim to Sin.”—First-Day Sabbath, p. 143.
QUERY. How did these words of Dr. Jennings find their way into the middle of Mr. Bliss’ article? In this place, there is no abridgment of Mr. B., but the sentence from Dr. J. comes in between two connected sentences of Mr. Bliss. How did it get in? The excuse that Eld. P.’s manuscript was abridged at the Times office cannot cover this extraordinary act and show it to be a mere blunder, for here there was no abridgment.
To make Mr. Bliss teach that the Sabbath was changed on the west shore of the Red Sea, Dr. Akers is quoted, and Mr. B. is thrice declared to be the author of the words. And that he may be made to teach that it was also changed a few days later on the east shore of that sea, the words of Dr. Jennings are interpolated into the middle of an extract from Mr. Bliss. Neither of these acts would have been committed were it not that Mr. B. sleeps in death. And can any one suggest how the abridgment of Eld. P.’s manuscript at the office of the Advent Times caused Sylvester Bliss to become the author of words taken from Dr. Akers, or how the words of Dr. Jennings came to stand in the middle of an article of Mr. B.’s and between two connected sentences of his? But now we come to an actual abridgment, and it is very worthy of notice.
Eld. P. undertakes in his book to prove that the term “Sabbath between” in the margin of Acts 13:42, means the so-called Christian Sabbath. Amongst other authorities cited to prove his position, he has occasion to quote Dr. Whitby, which he does as follows:—
“Whitby: ‘In the week between—or in the Sabbath between.’”—First-Day Sabbath, p. 99.
The words of Dr. Whitby before being abridged read thus:—
“Verse 42. [Eis to metaxu Sabbaton.] This phrase doth not signify the intermediate week, as some conceive, or on the second and fifth day of the week, but on the following Sabbath; for we learn from the 44th verse, that they came not together till the following Sabbath.”—A Paraphrase and Commentary on the New Testament, by Daniel Whitby, D. D., vol. 1., p. 657, London, 1703.
Whoever took these words of Whitby and abridged them into the sentence which Eld. P. professes to quote from him on this verse cannot clear himself from the charge of deliberate fraud except by the plea of idiocy. Whitby says: “This phrase doth not signify the intermediate week.” Eld. P.’s book has it thus: “Whitby: ‘In the week between—or in the Sabbath between.’”
Who did this abridging? Was it Eld. P., or was it the editor of the Times? If Eld. P. sent the words of Whitby, correctly copied, to be published in his book, then unquestionably the responsibility of so abridging his words as to make them say the opposite of what Dr. W. taught rests upon some one at the Times office.
But it is evident that this abridgment was made by Eld. P. himself. For he could not have sent Whitby unabridged, inasmuch as it would be a direct testimony against the point he was attempting to prove. It is only after the “not” has been stricken out that this quotation helps Eld. P. It is manifest, therefore, that he must have made this extraordinary abridgment, and that he must be held responsible for the same. But let the responsibility of this act rest upon whom it may, it is a sin of no trifling magnitude. It could not be a blunder, for integrity and truth must have been deliberately sacrificed in the act.
But how does the editor of the Times know that these things were all right in Eld. P.’s manuscript, and that the serious errors above named are mere blunders committed at his office? The manuscript has doubtless long since perished. He can, therefore, only know whereof he affirms by being able to remember that he made such changes in Eld. P.’s language. But if he knew when he abridged it that he made these changes, then they cannot be called blunders on his part, but changes in matters of fact for which he should consider that he is justly censurable. Whether these things are the205acts of Eld. P. or of the editor of the Times, they are not blunders except in the sense that every sinful act is a blunder. But the evidence very clearly indicates that they were in the manuscript before it reached the office of the Times, unless, indeed, the editor of that paper compiled a part of Eld. P.’s book.
A few brief articles will follow this in answer to Eld. P.’s attack upon my Sabbath History.
J. N. A.
A Paper in the Swedish Tongue.
By George I. Butler
WE wish to say for the encouragement of the friends of the cause, that a Swedish Advent journal is to be started immediately for the purpose of scattering the seeds of truth among that nationality.
The first number of this monthly will go out the first of January next. It will not be as large as the Advent Tidende at first, but will be increased as the demand for it among that people increases. We want to see a large number of names sent in to whom the first number can be sent. We want to see a large circulation of it among the Swedes. We want our people who read this note to send in the names of all the Swedes they can obtain. Here is work also for members of our Tract Societies. The price of the first volume is merely nominal, only twenty-five cents. Friends of the cause, send in the names at once, in time for the first number.
GEO. I. BUTLER, Pres. Gen. Conf.
Tweed Sentenced for New York Corruption
Wm. M. Tweed, the notorious head of political corruption in New York, and the plunderer of the treasury of that city, has been sentenced to twelve years’ imprisonment in the county jail, and a fine of twelve thousand and five hundred dollars for his glaring crimes. The Christian Statesman noticing this fact says: “Every such conviction lengthens the life of the Republic, and extends the time of hopeful labor for its thorough reformation.” This is true; but what nullifies all attempts to take a very encouraging view of this matter, is the fact that such convictions are far too few to have any long-continued effect in the direction indicated.
The Constitutional Amendment.
THE next annual meeting of the National Convention for securing the Religious Amendment of the Constitution is to be held in Pittsburgh, Pa., on the 4th and 5th of February next. In reference to this movement, the United Presbyterian says:
“The movement looking to the amendment of the National Constitution, so as to put our government upon an acknowledged Christian basis, is fast growing in popularity. The pulpit, the press, and the platform—the great engines of every reform—are pushing forward its interests. Meetings for its discussion are multiplying over the land.”
The Coming Revolution.
AMID the teeming corruption of the present day, and the bold front and arrogant predictions of skepticism and infidelity, it may seem strange to assert that the next notable phase of society is to be a religious one. Such, however, we expect it will be; and the anomaly finds explanation only in the fact that the religious element is not to be of the pure and holy kind brought to view in the Scriptures of truth, but one that will give free play to, and even stimulate, some of the worst passions of the human heart. An element of this kind is the only one possible, in the present condition and tendency of the moral and religious world. And while a phase even of this kind may appear to some improbable, others clearly see indications of its approach, predicting from signs in the political and religious world, what the student of prophecy predicts from the record of the word. As a case in point, we cite the following: The Evans (Colorado) Journal says:—
“There has been considerable stir in St. Louis over the Sabbath question. The religious community is thoroughly discussing the subject, and long meetings continue to be held. This is one of the questions on which Christianity and infidelity will meet in conflict, until one or the other shall go to the wall. The result we predict will be that the Christian sentiment will be thoroughly aroused, and the United States become Christian in a sense and to a degree not hitherto thought of.”
Miscellaneous Thoughts.
By D. T. Bourdeau
SUPERFLUOUS.
As the fourth commandment enjoins the observance of “the seventh day,” and is immutable, a change of the Sabbath from the seventh to the first day is an impossibility. Hence, the only way for the first day to be enforced by divine authority would be to have it enforced as a separate institution, and by another law than the fourth commandment. In this case, we would have two weekly Sabbaths; for the Sabbath law still enjoins the observance of the seventh day. This would be superfluous. Therefore we look in vain to the Bible for divine authority for the first-day Sabbath.
OBJECTION. Paul exhorts us to walk in Christ Jesus the Lord, as we have received him. Col. 2:6. Therefore if we have received Christ keeping the first day, we should continue to keep that day.
ANSWER. If we received Christ aright, we received him with a teachable spirit and with an earnest desire to follow his example. Those whom Paul was addressing, however, had received the pure doctrines of Christianity from his own lips. But those who have not received the truth in its purity, should inquire after the old paths and walk therein. Jer. 6:16. This objection would justify all the doctrines that are held by Romanists.
SECTARIANISM.
Those who contend for Bible truth are often accused of sectarianism. But what is sectarianism? It is building up a sect or party through selfish motives and at the sacrifice of truth. This term cannot therefore be justly applied to those whose great object is to build up God’s down-trodden truth to God’s glory, and, if need be, at the loss of all things.
A SINGULAR DODGE.
I refer to those who claim that if we only have Jesus in the heart it will make no difference whether we are aroused or not by the coming of Christ when he is near. What would we think of a woman whose husband has been absent for a long time, who, upon hearing of his soon return, would exclaim: Oh! it makes no difference whether he comes now or in five or ten years, if I only have him in the heart? You would justly conclude that she did not have her husband in the heart, or in her affections. If she did, she would long to see him.
A PLEA FOR TOBACCO.
Some, closing their eyes to plain and unanswerable arguments against the common use of tobacco, will contend that they know from experience that tobacco is good, because it settles the stomach after eating, and keeps the food down, while others will claim that it relieves the head of catarrh, etc. We admit that some may receive temporary relief from tobacco in the above cases; first, because of its benumbing influence on the nerves; and, secondly, because that in the battle gotten up against tobacco to repel it, fluids are expelled, which, for the time being, relieves the stomach, or the head. But this continual battle of abused nature is very exhausting, and terribly racks and deranges the nervous system; and a rank poison is permeating the system, and causing worse difficulties than those that were realized, and which are by no means removed. The best and only remedy would be to keep the impurities out of the system by proper habits of living, especially by partaking of food that will be easier to digest, and that the stomach will not revolt at.
HAS THE HUSBAND, AS LORD OF HIS WIFE, A RIGHT TO CORRECT HER AS HE WOULD AN ERRING CHILD?
I think he had better leave that business to the Lord and Judge of all, and learn to love and cherish her as he does his own flesh, and as Christ does the church. If he takes the love, pity, meekness, and patience of Christ for a pattern, he will keep his position as head of his family, and yet will not need to use brute force to have his wife yield to his reasonable demands and entreaties.
D. T. Bourdeau.
Doing Evil that Good May Come.
By S. B. Whitney
The above principle is most uncompromisingly condemned by the apostle in Rom. 3:8, where he declares that the condemnation of those adopting it is just; and the inconsistency of those professing godliness in adopting it is shown, in that he considers the report that he and others so taught, as slanderous in its character.
The reason for this condemnation must be obvious to every reflecting mind, and lies in the fact that the tendency of wrong-doing is only evil, and the supposed good arising from doing evil is only apparent; while in itself it may be an evil, in that it hinders the development of real good.
This point is well illustrated by the excuses sometimes offered for not keeping the Sabbath.
Some excuse themselves on the ground that the confusion thus caused will have a tendency to destroy the sanctity of the institution in the minds of some, and thus much harm arise to them. Others, that it will tend to destroy their influence for good over others, and thereby a loss be sustained; while others still, because they and their families may be deprived of religious privileges, and they sustain a loss. And for these reasons respectively, they conclude they had better not change, admitting, at the same time, that the seventh day is the Sabbath, and should be observed. And so the command of God is deliberately broken, because of the supposed good that is to arise from the disobedience.
But what is the real state of the case? Those who would not embrace the Sabbath under any circumstances are not really benefited, but only prevented, for the time being, from developing what is in the heart; while some who would embrace it under right influences, are hindered from so doing, and confirmed in their error; and in the Judgment, not only will they all be lost, but those who have done evil that good may come will be held responsible, in a measure, for the loss of others. As to being deprived of religious privileges, if this be to some extent true, yet, keeping the Sabbath as God requires, with the Bible, Testimonies, REVIEW, and the face of nature, for teachers, will afford us much more real profit and pleasure than to mingle with those who have the form, but deny the power of godliness.
Again, on the same principle, some who have embraced the present truth object to adopting some part, or parts, of the reforms introduced among us, because of the supposed injury that may result from hindering others from embracing the truth. There may be times when it is proper to vary somewhat from established principles, where a breach of God's moral law is not involved; but, as a general rule, the apparent good resulting from deviating from the strict rule of right is overbalanced by the harm arising from our inconsistencies.
It is therefore safe, with due regard to the “serpent's wisdom,” and the “dove's harmlessness,” to adhere strictly to the right and leave the responsibility and consequences of obedience with Him whose right it is to command and govern. S. B. WHITNEY.
Progress of the Cause.
By J. Clarke
NOTHING so interests the lover of present truth as the progress of the last message to a fallen world, now on the verge of closing time.
The late articles in the REVIEW, from the pen of Bro. White, showing the duty of the church in respect to the School, the Health Institute, and other movements now in progress, show an appreciation of the great work to be done; and it is to be fondly hoped that the church will move nobly and unitedly forward, and thus encourage our leaders, and satisfy the calls of the openings of God's good providence, in waking up the public mind here and everywhere to the facts of the case; and a wish on the part of all nations and languages to investigate on all subjects connected with our present and future welfare.
To send out supplies of educated men to proclaim the truth, to fit up men of talent to go out into the world and meet error successfully, and to put down heathenish ideas, in medicine, in theology, and to point out clearly and acceptably proper methods of life, as to dress and diet, as to doctrine and precept, this is the work of this time. Christian, arouse! Have you talent, consecrate it to God, whether it be of wealth, or mind, or of influence; and let the Lord's treasury overflow with men and means.
J. CLARKE.
No Time to Make Money.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
THE great naturalist, Prof. Agassiz, once said, “I cannot afford to waste any time in money making.” He felt that the acquirement of knowledge in his profession was so important that he could not have his attention and time taken from it to the making of money. This was a true and noble feeling.
But how much more should the minister of Christ feel so! His calling is infinitely higher than that of any scientist, and the great God has pledged his word that all his necessities shall be provided for. How unworthy of the exalted calling of an ambassador of Christ to spend his time and talents in planning, scheming, and dickering merely to make money! Let him show his faith in God by a little trust in him for support. Our time to work at the longest is very short, and our efforts at the best are very weak. All our efforts should be concentrated upon the one thing if we hope to accomplish much. D. M. Canright.
Living Oracles.
By R. F. Cottrell
“THIS is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the Mount Sina, and with our fathers; who received the lively oracles to give unto us.”
At mount Sinai an angel spake to Moses and with the fathers of the Hebrew people, who received the lively oracles, says Stephen, to give unto us. What was spoken to the fathers at Mount Sinai? The ten commandments. The first martyr who sealed his testimony for Christ and his teachings with his blood, so filled with the Holy Spirit that his accusers and enemies “saw his face as it had been the face of an angel,” calls the ten commandments lively, or living, oracles.
Oracle is from a Latin word which signifies “to speak, utter, from os, oris, the mouth.” The term oral is derived from the same, and is defined, “Pertaining to the mouth; uttered by the mouth, or in words; spoken, not written.” Now God spoke the ten commandments to the fathers at Mount Sinai, “and he added no more.” Hence, these are the lively oracles of the text. How wide of the mark was Alexander Campbell, when he published his translation of the New Testament under the title of “Living Oracles,” as though the oracles of the Old Testament were dead!
R. F. COTTRELL.
The School.
By James White
WITH Mrs. White, we visited our school the 5th inst., and were much pleased with the school-room; teachers, and the appearance of the school generally.
Things are lighting up very much in Battle Creek, and we can heartily recommend our school to our people everywhere. The next term commences Dec. 15, and offers a rare opportunity for those who are entering the ministry, or who have the work of the ministry in view, to attend. JAMES WHITE.
Our Periodicals.
By James White
THE present is the most favorable season for missionary work, and just the time to seek for new subscribers, as the volumes of our several periodicals commence with, or near, the new year. It is expected that the friends of the cause will not only send our periodicals at half prices to their friends; but that they will also obtain many new subscribers at full price. Now is the time to work, that all new subscribers may commence with the first numbers of the volumes of our several periodicals.
JAMES WHITE, Pres. S. D. A. P. A.
Advance-Pay System.
By James White
The time has arrived, at the close of the volumes of our several periodicals, when many names must be stricken from our lists, and turned over to the T. and M. workers, unless they immediately pay up. Pay up, friends; pay up for the Review, Reformer, and Instructor. Pay up. J. W.