Earlier text: ON KEEPING THE HEART. No. 7.CHOOSE YE THIS DAY WHOM YE WILL SERVE.
By Editor
BRO. SMITH:—We arrived at this place the 21st, in usual health. The Lord has greatly blessed us with the brethren here. Sabbath we spoke on the "Seven Churches." It is generally admitted here that the testimony to the Laodiceans, [Rev. iii, 14–21] applies to the remnant who profess the Third Angel's Message. Our brethren East and West admit this. But,- Will they act upon the Message?
- Will they follow the counsel of the Son of God?
- Will they be zealous and repent, and leave their lukewarm state?
- Can they go any further in the old way, most of them serving mammon and at the same time making feeble efforts to serve God?
- Can believers in the Third Message serve God and mammon?
- What did Jesus say about it?
- Can they go any further in this way?
- Have we not come to the forks of the road?
- Is not one of these roads to be zealous and repent, and forsake, and in future show faith by works? and is not the other to be spued out of the Lord's mouth?
Dear brother, these are solemn questions, and of the deepest interest to believers of the Third Message at this time. We should be gratified if you would answer them. It might relieve many anxious minds, and stir up the lukewarm. JAMES WHITE.
Round Grove, Ills., Nov. 24th, 1856. ANSWERS.—To the first three questions proposed above, while we sincerely hope that all our brethren will take it upon themselves, relying upon divine aid, to work out a speedy answer in the affirmative, we cannot reply definitely. They are questions which must be answered by the religious course of every one concerned. As an individual we can make known our own desires and determinations; for others we can hope; but time alone must declare the result. We have evidently reached a period in our history when decision must be manifested in the ranks of God's people. Through the development of the truth of God's word, a voice is heard, no less distinctly than as if spoken from heaven, "Choose ye this day whom ye will serve." We wait to hear from how many fervent lips a hearty response shall come back, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." The arguments which show that the present is the period for the manifestation of the last state of the church, and that the counsel of the true Witness, with the blessing if we heed it, and the penalty if we heed it not, applies to us, have been already presented; and therefore we need not repeat them here. It is to those who already admit this, and therefore need not a repetition of these arguments, that we speak. It is to them that the appeal comes home, "How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him." To this appeal we hope for a different response than was given on the ancient mount of sacrifice. Then the people answered not a word; but shall we not now hear many responses from one end of the land to the other, "The Lord, he is God; we will follow him." Will they rise from their lukewarm state? is the question proposed. Though it is a question which concerns the hidden future, yet conditionally we can respond: If they heed the counsel of the Son of God, they will. If they suffer not a deceitful feeling of spiritual security to blind their eyes to their true and necessitous condition, they will. If they are willing to account themselves but pilgrims and strangers here, and have respect unto the recompense of reward, they will. If they are unwilling to attempt a journey to heaven with a Bible in one hand, and a text-book of worldly policy in the other, they will. If they are unwilling to be among those who are ready to make large investments, verbally, in the bank of heaven, but who are nevertheless careful to secure a comfortable treasure here, apparently in case of failure there, they will. In short, if it does not "seem evil unto them to serve the Lord," if they are willing to count all things dross for heaven, if they realize that God and mammon can have no part together, and that an attempted compromise will deprive them of the joys of both, then will they arise and be wholly God's. As we have said before, the definite answer to the questions we are now considering, each one must work out for himself. Time is hurrying us rapidly on to the result; and unless we shall each, by acts as well as words, give answer in the affirmative, fearful will be that result. If neglected privileges shall finally hear witness against any of us, that we would not heed the counsel of the True Witness, we have no reason to expect a commutation of that sentence, which says, "I will spue thee out of my mouth." We have stated our hopes: we will also state our belief. We believe then that our brethren will heed the message, and speedily rise from their lukewarm condition. There are various reasons which we think furnish good ground for such an opinion. 1. That there will be a class of persons who will be redeemed from the earth is evident. As was shown to John in prophetic vision, there will be a company who, clothed in glorious immortality, will stand finally on mount Zion with the Lamb. In the short interval that now remains between us and that period, therefore, there will be those who will struggle earnestly for, and assuredly gain, the victory. 2. From what church will there be overcomers? From the church of Laodicea. "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne." Who, or how many these will be, is not for us to inquire. It is sufficient for our purpose that there will be some; while every one must ask himself this question, and for himself decide it. Shall I be one to sit with Christ in his throne, or shall I soon be cast off as a nauseous and disgusting thing? 3. Says the true Shepherd, "My sheep hear my voice." It is no less true now than anciently. Is the Shepherd, then, saying to his flock, "This is the way, walk ye in it?" and will they not heed it? They will; for he also adds, "And they follow me." Is he knocking at the door of their hearts? and will they not let him in? They will. We do not point to any individuals and say that they will do this. All we wish to state is the fact that the true flock, to whom it is the Father's good pleasure to give the kingdom, will heed the voice of the true Shepherd. 4. The fourth reason we have for believing that a move will now be made, and a reform effected, is the indications which we are already receiving of such a work. The testimony is taking hold upon the hearts of our people. As a representation of the feelings that are beginning to pervade our ranks, the following from our correspondence may be to the point: Sr. Sarah Haselton writes from Berkshire, Vt., Nov. 24th, 1856:—"It is painful for me to think that the Laodicean church is to represent the condition of the remnant. I hope the little flock are not in that condition; but I fear it is a true representation. Can it be that the people who claim to be a peculiar people, zealous of good works, and through whom the message of the Third Angel is to be given to a wicked world; who are living in the time when the patience and the faith of the saints will be tried, and who soon expect to see Jesus coming in all his glory, should be lukewarm? O if this be so, if we have the Laodicean spirit, 'neither cold nor hot,' living with the door closed against our Saviour, O for his sake and for the sake of this perishing generation, and our own salvation, awake. 'Awake thou that sleepest!' lest thou drink at the Lord's hand the cup of his fury. Let the earthquake of his threatenings shake thee. If he is knocking at the door, open unto him. Let not destroying hypocrisy be thy destruction. It has like a worm gnawed at the vitals of the church in all ages. I would rather be a zealous bigot, than a cold hypocrite; but I pray the Lord to save us from either; to open our eyes to see the truth, and stir us up to a new engagedness in his work." Again: Bro. Leonard W. Hastings writes from New Ipswich, N. H., Nov. 27th, 1856:—"I believe the truth has been given us in regard to the Laodicean church. My spirit has been stirred by it. God being my helper, I will be zealous and repent. I want the tried gold, and the white raiment, and the eye-salve. It seems to me that this is the last call to the church. I expect it will produce a reform. The loved ones will be chastened, rebuked, and will repent. All others will be spued out. I want the kingdom, the blessed kingdom; and I feel like striving for it more and more." These are but two from many testimonies that might be given. A greater spirit of sacrifice, also, if we rightly interpret certain indications, is beginning to be cherished in the bosom of the church. More attention is beginning to be paid to the injunction of the Saviour to love one another; and more attention to the wants and requirements of the cause of truth. A breath of life is beginning to animate the church; and may we not safely consider all these things as the preliminary movements of the marshaling of God's elect? To the fourth, fifth and seventh questions of the above series, we would append an emphatic No, and an affirmative answer, equally emphatic, to the eighth and ninth. That these are the correct answers, must, we think, be apparent to every one; and in the realization of this lies the hope of the church. Prophecy is rushing into fulfillment. All the elements, moral and political, which God has seen fit to use as precursors of the final crisis, are fast leaving their impress upon the nations and the world. And, shall the church, those who alone bear the torch of truth, those who walk in the light, and are not in darkness that that day should overtake them as a thief—shall they alone be stupid and stagnant, and still? No: this must not, this cannot, this will not, longer be. Onward and overcome, is now the watchword. "Ye cannot," says Christ, "serve God and mammon." For the future it must be God or mammon. Every one must now choose his master, and to the master of his choice, henceforth give all his energies. Therefore we would say again, if there are any who are doubting and wavering, "Choose ye this day whom ye will serve. If the Lord be God, serve him; but if Baal, then follow him!" FIRST CHURCH DEDICATED IN NEBRASKA.
By Editor
The first church dedication in this Territory took place lately at Nebraska City. The dedication sermon was preached by Eld. Goode, after which a collection for the purpose of paying off the debts of the church was taken up. Our Eastern readers may be surprised at the fact that in our little church away off here in Nebraska, the sum of $800 was raised on last Sunday morning by collection. The church belongs to the Methodist Episcopal denomination. It is 60 by 40 feet, and the inside of it has been finished off in a style which cannot be surpassed even in the older States.—N. Y. Tribune. It may be thought by our First-day friends that the above contains an instance of compliance with the injunction of the Apostle in 1 Cor. xvi, 1, 2. But what particularly strikes us is the items which the writer has thought worthy of mention. It matters not whether the Spirit and blessing of God attended the preacher or the members on the occasion, but, the house "has been finished off in a style that cannot be surpassed." It is another fact corroborative of what many church-members and divines have been ready to admit, that the popular religion of the day is a hollow shell of externals and formality. APPEAL TO SEVENTH-DAY BAPTISTS.
By R. F. Cottrell
DEAR FRIENDS:—As I have from my youth been acquainted with you as a denomination, have been a member of your body, and still feel deeply interested for your salvation, I claim the privilege of speaking to you freely on the subject of present truth and present duty. It is no new doctrine to you, that the first day Sabbath is an institution of the papal beast, and that the mass of professed Christians are trampling under foot the holy Sabbath of the Lord, to keep that institution of the Man of Sin. Your prayers and mine have ascended in concert to the throne of grace, that God would set his hand to the work of restoring his own Sabbath to all his people—to all who, when they see the light, will leave the doctrines of men and of devils, to keep the Commandments of God. My present object is to exhort you to watch unto these prayers with all diligence, so that when they are answered you may know it; for they will surely be answered, since they were offered in faith by some. And should they be answered in a way differing somewhat from your expectation, you may, unless you watch, be left to reject the blessing when it is given, and place yourselves in a position similar to that of the Jews, who were praying for the coming of Messiah, and yet rejected him when he came. A Sabbath reform is now progressing which seems destined to be quite extensive; and who knows that the work is not of the Lord? If it is, our prayers and the promises of God are being fulfilled. And to suppose that it is not of God, is to suppose that the Enemy of all righteousness, who has ever delighted in persuading men to trample God's Commandments in the dust, especially the one which memorializes the great Creator, is now engaged in teaching them all. He was always willing that men should obey God in part, if he could persuade them to receive, with a portion of the truth, some damnable heresy. They may profess to keep all the Commandments, like the Jews, if they will only deny the Lord Jesus Christ that bought them, and thus bring upon themselves swift destruction. But this is not the case with the present Sabbath reform. No such heresy accompanies it. The great truth, that Jesus is soon coming according to his promise, is taught in connection with all the Commandments of God. Thus the prophetic message, Here are they that keep the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus, is being fulfilled. How can you doubt when you see the messages of the three angels fulfilled in perfect harmony with the prophecy? What can God do to produce faith in you, if this fails? Only one message was given to the Jews to prepare the way for the manifestation of Christ in his first advent; yet those who rejected the preaching of John the Baptist, rejected the counsel of God against themselves. Can we reject the testimony of three successive messages given in the order of prophecy, and be blameless? Beware therefore, lest that come upon you which is spoken of in the prophets: Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish; for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you. Acts xiii, 40. But perhaps you object to this work because the fall of the Protestant churches was announced as the fall of Babylon. To this I reply, that the term Babylon, which signifies confusion, cannot apply to one united church like that of Rome; and since the Catholic church is called the mother of harlots, she must have daughters somewhere which hold an unlawful connection and intercourse with the kings or powers of earth. Are not the various churches in this very condition? Are they not more engaged in politics than they are in religion? And are not the merchants of the earth made rich by selling to churches and church members their merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and the whole catalogue down to slaves and souls of men? Is there not also a mixing of worldly literature with religion, and is not the former more flourishing than the latter? When associations of churches meet, to be sure it looks best to report first on the state of religion, though the report on education which follows, may take the precedence in point of interest. Churches reporting on the state of education! why not on the state of agriculture? And why not pay some attention to mechanical arts, which are so much in requisition in building and decorating houses of worship? I have no objection to education as long as it holds its proper place, and is held, not as a primary, but a secondary object. But I do object to this joining hand in hand with the world, in any of these earthly schemes. And now let me ask you, is your denomination what it once was? Is piety and true holiness increasing or decreasing among you? Do you, as a people, hold the standard of truth high, as you once did? or is it, to gain a worldly influence, lowered down to the very dust of the earth? Let me refer you to a single instance, as an illustration. You are aware of the fact, that at Alfred, N. Y. is an academy under the control of your denomination. Its professors profess to keep the Sabbath: not the Sabbath of the Man of Sin, but the Sabbath of the Lord our God. They are also accredited ministers of the gospel among you. As there is no church in the place but the S. D. Baptist, and as there is a large number of First-day students at the academy, a meeting is held and a discourse preached on First-day for their accommodation. A few weeks since I was present on one of these occasions. The lecture was given by one of the professors, and the subject was the Sabbath. The text was, If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day, and shalt call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, &c. Of course he did not feel at liberty to tell his hearers which day of the week is the holy of the Lord, in distinction from the rival institution of the Man of Sin. Therefore he could only inculcate the importance of strictly observing the day which they professed to keep in a manner as if it made no difference whether it was the holy of the Lord, or the rival Sabbath of the Pope. Only think of a S. D. Baptist minister enforcing the observance of Sunday as "the holy of the Lord!" But his hearers were his patrons. And having descended from the high and holy position of a watchman on the walls of Zion, and laid down the torch of sacred truth to bear the dim lamp of science, worldly interest triumphs and hides the light of revealed truth under a bushel. Let us imagine Elijah the prophet in a similar position. With a noble zeal to instruct the young, and thus qualify them to fill the holy offices of prophets and priests, he has established an institution for that purpose. To avoid sectarian exclusiveness, and with the hope of converting them to the true God, (not to obtain patronage), he has received into his school the sons of the prophets of Baal. And feeling it a duty to look after the morals of his pupils, he has stated times to lecture them on all their various duties. On one of these occasions, he takes for his text, Deut. vi. 5, And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. Of course it will not do for him to tell them who the true God is, in distinction from every false god, and that there is no agreement between the temple of God and idols. It will not do to make the earnest appeal: "How long halt ye between two opinions? If the Lord be God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him;" as if it made some difference who received their love and obedience. Such a course would highly offend the priests and worshipers of Baal, who have entrusted their sons and their daughters to his care. And they must not be offended from whom he receives his chartered privileges. Therefore the best he can do under the circumstances, is to exhort them to serve Baal faithfully, and love him with all the heart. You can see at a glance that the two cases are parallel; the one involving the principle of the first and second commandments, the other that of the fourth. Or, rather, the same principle, love to God, is the foundation of the first four precepts of the decalogue. But Elijah made no such compromise with sin. He received no charters or patronage from the worshipers of Baal, to seal his lips from the utterance of truth, and from the vindication of the Commandments of God. The duty of Sabbath-keepers is just as clear as was his. There is no more doubt in regard to the fourth commandment, which requires the observance of the seventh day, than there is in regard to the first, which prohibits the worship of Baal or any other god but the Lord. And those who knowingly neglect the Sabbath of the Lord to keep that of the Man of Sin, are no better than the worshipers of Baal. But, say you, many honest First-day keepers do not know that they are worshiping the papal beast. Then it is our business, who do know it, to cry aloud and spare not, till we show them their transgression, and cause them to know it. We have no more lack of evidence on this point, than on the truthfulness of the Bible. Honest people can be made to see it. These things show that your denomination, as well as others, are in a fallen condition. And it is no wonder that the kingdom of heaven should be taken from them, and given to a people bringing forth the fruits of it. God guards and fulfills all his prophetic word. He has given a series of prophetic messages, in Rev. xiv, to precede the second advent. The first, proclaiming the hour of judgment, and the second, announcing the fall of Babylon, have been clearly fulfilled in the past Advent movement. And now the third is calling upon all to forsake the worship of the beast, and to keep all the Commandments of God. Will you believe the message, and engage anew in the work of the Lord? or will you reject the counsel of God against yourselves through your unbelief? Beware, lest that come upon you which is spoken of in the prophets: Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish; for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you. If you close your eyes to the fulfillment of prophecy, and give heed to the siren song of the world's conversion, the day of the Lord will come upon you as a thief in the night, and the Scripture affords no hope to such, but assigns them their portion with unbelievers. And unbelievers they are, whatever their profession, who refuse to believe all the prophecies which are now being fulfilled, showing that the Lord is near, even at the door. And now let me ask you, Can you fellowship that worldly, time-serving, applause-seeking policy which causes those who know the truth to degrade the Commandments of the great God to a level with the rival commandments of the antitypical Baal, the Pope of Rome? Can you willingly be partaker of their sins? Would it not be far better to heed the voice from heaven, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues? Those earnest, fervent prayers, that God would vindicate his down-trodden commandment, have been heard in heaven, and God has set his hand to the work. He is now restoring his holy Sabbath, which is a sign between him and his people forever, to the remnant of his people. Not to every one that says, Lord, Lord, but to those who are willing to do the will of our Father who is in heaven. And the work will be accomplished. Will you accept the answer of your prayers? Will you believe the Third Angel's Message, and zealously engage in warning men against the worship of the beast and his image? There can be no doubt of your duty in so plain a case. May God help you to do it. R. F. COTTRELL.
Mill Grove, N. Y.
P. S. EDITORS SABBATH RECORDER: Please copy. Seeking Righteousness and Meekness
By J. M. McLellan
This is the warning of one who was called to declare the whole counsel of God; and as he looked down the stream of time to these our own days, when evil men and seducers should wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived, [2 Tim. iii, 13,] when the wicked should do wickedly, [Dan. xii, 10,] when men should be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, when men would have a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof, [2 Tim. iii, 2-5,] when iniquity should abound and the love of many should wax cold, [Matt. xxiv, 12] the prophetical warning is to "seek righteousness, seek meekness." Why? Answer: "It may be, (if ye do this,) ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord's anger." This also shows the chronology of this prophecy to be in the last days, just before the day of the Lord. Who, or what class of people is it, that are here warned to seek righteousness and meekness? They are all the meek of the earth. And who are the meek of the earth? They are those who have wrought his judgment, performed the Lord's will, done justice and judgment. They are the Lord's people, [Ps. xxv, 9; lxxvi, 9.] those that shall dwell in the new earth. Isa. xxxvii, 11; Matt. v, 5. They are those against whom there is no law. Gal. v, 22, 23; 1 Tim. i, 9, 10. Why is not the law against them? Because they are keeping it. Rev. xiv, 12; xii, 17. These are the meek of the earth, the ones that are here warned by the Prophet to seek greater meekness and humility. This prophecy is wonderfully applicable to the Laodiceans, to those who are neither cold nor hot, but are lukewarm and careless. Be zealous therefore and repent, is the admonition of the Saviour: Seek righteousness, seek meekness, is that of the Prophet. Dear brethren and sisters, let us profit by this timely warning, and seek the Lord with our whole heart. A half-hearted work will do us no good. We must enter into this work of repentance with zeal. O that we all might manifest as much zeal in the work of the Lord as Paul did when the scales were removed from his eyes! O seek righteousness, seek meekness, seek patience and humility of soul, seek that burning love of God that we may not be barren nor unfruitful, that we may be begotten to a lively hope, that we may be no longer lukewarm, but hot, and zealous, in the cause of Christ. The prophets admonish us, the Son of God admonishes us, the signs of the times admonish us, to seek for these things. We need them greatly. We must have them if we would be hid in the day of the Lord's anger. When are the meek of the earth warned to seek greater meekness? Just before the decree bring forth, ("He that is filthy let him be filthy still, and he that is righteous let him be righteous still." Rev. xxii, 11;) before the day pass as the chaff; before the fierce anger of the Lord come upon you; before the day of the Lord's anger come upon you. Zeph. ii, 2. We see by this that the meek of the earth are called to seek for righteousness and meekness before the decree brings forth, before the day of the Lord's fierce anger come in the seven last plagues. Rev. xvi. What will the Lord do for those that obey? He will hide them in the day of his anger; he will lift them up. Ps. cxlvii, 6. He will beautify them with salvation, [Ps. cxlix, 4] and give them an inheritance in the earth made new. Ps. xxxvii, 11; Matt. v, 5; Rev. xx, 1-7; Rom. xi, 31. Peter says, "But we according to his promise look for new heavens and new earth in which (margin) the righteous dwelleth." (Whiting.) Dear brethren and sisters, these are indeed great inducements that are held out to us to seek greater humility and holiness without which no man can see the Lord; and may we embrace them without delay. Meekness signifies mildness of temper. The people of God have not that meekness, that mildness, that patience, that they should and must have. Therefore those holy men of old who spake the will of God as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, have left their exhortations, reproofs and warning, upon record that we "upon whom the ends of the world are come" might be profited by them, and induced thereby to seek for those graces of the Spirit [Gal. v, 22-26; Eph. v, 9; Col. iii, 12-17.] that should adorn the character, lives and profession, of every follower of the meek and lowly Jesus. Behold I stand at the door and knock, says the Son of God; and if any man hear my voice, (the still small voice of the Spirit,) and open the door, (door of the heart.) I will come in to him. O bar him out no longer! His locks are wet with the drops of the night. Arise and let him in, lest he withdraw himself from thee and the shame of thy nakedness appear. Rev. iii, 18. From this we learn that the Lord is not in the hearts of his people, although we might have supposed him there; therefore the Prophet says, "Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth which have wrought his judgment, seek righteousness, seek meekness; it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord's anger." Zeph. ii, 3. Joel says, "Therefore also now saith the Lord, Turn ye even to me with all your heart and with fasting (for the Spirit of God and the return of his power,) and with weeping, (for our past sins and careless manner of living,) and with mourning, (over our lukewarm and miserable condition,) and rend your heart and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God; for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. Who knoweth if he will return and repent and leave a blessing behind him." Joel ii, 12-14. "O Israel, return unto the Lord thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity. Take with you words and turn to the Lord. Say unto him take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously." Hosea xiv, 1, 2. "Therefore turn thou to thy God. Keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually." Hosea xii, 6. "He hath showed thee, O man, what is good: and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" Micah vi, 8. Dear brethren and sisters, let us be zealous and repent, and turn to the Lord with a pure, a humble and contrite heart. O let us turn to him with our whole hearts and give ourselves unreservedly to him. Let us do justly and love mercy, and walk humbly with God. Let us present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to the Lord, which is our reasonable service. Rom. xii, 1. For the Lord is now purifying unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works; [Titus ii, 14; Eph. ii, 10.] Let us maintain good works; for by our own works (fruits) we are known; [Matt. vii, 20;] and according to our deeds (works) we shall be justified and rewarded. Ps. xxviii, 4; Jer. xxv, 14; 2 Tim. iv, 14. A little way ahead, between us and mount Zion, is a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation upon the earth even to that same time. Dan. xii, 1. The vials of God's wrath will be poured out on the wicked. "The mighty man will cry there bitterly." The wicked will famish from hunger and thirst; [Rev. xviii, 8; xvi, 4-7:] but those who have sought righteousness and meekness have nothing to fear. Ps. xci, 4-12. Their bread and water shall be sure. Isa. xxxiii, 16. They shall be hid beneath the wings of the Almighty in the time of trouble, in the day of the Lord's fierce anger. Ps. xvii, 8, xxvii, 5. The apostle John, when God showed him in vision this time of trouble, exclaimed, "And who shall be able to stand?" Rev. vi, 17. David says, "Thou, even thou, art to be feared, and who may stand in thy sight when once thou art angry?" Ps. lxxvi, 7; Nahum i, 6. Answer: "He that hath clean hands and a pure heart, who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, he shall receive the blessing." Ps. xxiv, 4, 5. Hastings, Mich., Nov. 21st, 1856. Bro. J. F. Case writes from Monterey, Mich.: “I feel to rejoice that the servants of God are waking up to their eternal interests. I believe truly that we are the Laodicean church; but, thank the Lord, there are a few that will give heed to the message, and repent before it is too late. I sometimes fear that, a promise being left us of entering into that rest, I should by any means seem to come short. At such times it is that I am enabled to feel the importance of having all upon the altar of love; and so I am determined to do. One thing I am assured of, and that is, the road that leads by the cross is the one that leads to the crown. And praise God, if we ever get to the crown, I believe that we shall think that it is cheap enough. Bro. Smith, go on. Although you may have trials and difficulties, remember that you are engaged in a great and glorious cause. Remember too that although there may be some who are slack and indifferent about paying for their paper, yet the Review is a welcome messenger to many a poor soldier of the cross, as it comes richly laden with truth and precious words of consolation. Yes a welcome messenger it is indeed; and O with what love it fills my soul as I read the communications from the saints scattered abroad; and with what affection is my heart drawn out towards them! and with what tenderness do I regard them! But why is it that my heart rejoices as39 I think of these things? Praise the Lord, it is because the Review is the medium through which I am permitted to converse with my Father’s family. “Though we were aliens from the common wealth of Israel, now I trust we are fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God, and are built upon the foundation—the moral law—of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone. Once more let me say to you, Go on. Although the brethren in Monterey have not much to give, yet we can pray to God to send help and strength; we can pray him to open the hearts of those who have means, that they may give of their abundance to sustain the paper, and to send the truth forth that others may hear the glad tidings that Jesus is coming.” THERE sat a radiant, white-winged Bird—
I listened, but no sound I heard—
And then I spake: "Sweet Bird," I said,
"From what far country hast thou fled?
Whence cam'st thou—and why cam'st thou here?
Canst thou bring aught my soul to cheer?
Hast thou strange news?—speak, gentle Dove!"
And the Bird answered—"God is love." "They tell me so," I faintly said,
"But joy has flown, and hope is dead,
And I am sick, and sad, and weary,
And life is long, and dark, and dreary—
Think not thy words my spirit move!"
Still the Bird answered—"God is love." "Some dearly loved are far away,
And some, who fondly near me stay,
Are sick, and sad, and suffering,
While I am weak and murmuring.
Each for the other grieves, and tries
To stay the tears that fill his eyes—
Why comes not comfort from above?"
Firmly, but mournfully, the Dove
Distinctly answered—"God is love." I started up—"The world," I said,
"Though beautiful it once was made,
Is full of crime and mis'ry now;
Want sits on many a haggard brow;
The warrior wields his bloody sword,
Slaves tremble at the tyrant's word—
Vice honored—virtue scorned—we see,
Why are these ills allowed to be?"
He raised his head, that soft-eyed Dove,
As though my boldness he'd reprove,
Then bowed and answered—"God is love." "Forgive," I said, in accents mild,
"I would I were again a child.
I've wandered from the heavenly track,
And it is late to journey back;
My wings are clipped. I cannot soar,
I strive to mount, but o'er and o'er
My feeble wings I raise in vain—
I flutter, sink and fall again!"
In low, but earnest tones, the Dove
Still softly murmured—"God is love." "Thou mov'st me strangely, wondrous Bird!
My soul is strongly, deeply stirred—
My heart grows lighter—may I still
My mission upon earth fulfill,
Proving my love to God sincere,
By doing ALL my duty here?
Shall past omissions be forgiven?
And shall the weary rest in heaven?"
He spread his wings, that radiant Dove,
And cheerily answered—"God is love." Thou blessed type of joy and peace,
My hope and faith thou'lt still increase—
Be ever near me, gentle Dove,
I know, I feel, that "God is love." Encouragement for Isolated Sabbath Keepers
Bro. C. B. Preston writes from Glenmore, N. Y. “Surrounded by opposers of the truth and the constant clamor of political hirelings, it seems necessary that we should have the stability of purpose that Noah had in the apostate age in which he lived. Those who are privileged with meeting on the holy Sabbath with those of like precious faith, are hardly prepared to sympathize with those who are not permitted to meet with any for months and years. Experience teaches me that those are the ones that need sympathy and help and encouragement from the church, being surrounded with those and those only who oppose the truth and breathe forth nought but wickedness and a worldly spirit. Were it not the Lord were on our side discouragement might well seize upon us. But if we can overcome the world, the flesh and the Devil, the sweet society of saints and angels are secured to us forever.” T. S. Cuyler gives in the Christian Intelligencer an incident in point: "I am for ever done with church-going and preaching," said a sceptical husband to his pious wife after listening to a pungent sermon on infidelity. But the wife prayed. That is what every wife can do. She prayed. "My dear!" said she one evening, with gentle voice, "will you grant me one little request? Go with me to-night to meeting." "I will go to the door, but no further," he replied. "That will do," said the amiable wife. They went together. They parted at the entrance, her heart absorbed, as she took her seat, in fervent prayer for her beloved partner. Some minutes elapsed; service had commenced, when suddenly the door opened, a heavy step advanced, and to her unspeakable joy her husband calmly seated near her. That night Mr. H— was interested and affected. The next evening as they sat conversing at their pleasant fireside the husband rose, and while a tear trickled down his cheek, "wife" said he, "is it not time to go to church?" She sprung from her chair, and although it was early by a whole hour she feared delay. Taking hat and cloak they went. That was the happiest night of their wedded life, for Mr. H— took his place among the inquirers, and for the last ten years has sat beside his wife at the communion table. Reader, have you done all your duty to your unconverted friends?—Sel.