It is matter of rejoicing that God's people are waking up to the necessity of reform in diet, reform in dress, and in respect to all the errors of the times. Were it otherwise, and were the world in advance of the church in matters of reform, we might well be in doubt, if indeed the Lord approved his professed people, or if it were the world he approved. What is the church established for, if not for the reform and purification of a people for God?
It is pleasant to see following this reform such good effects; the Review enlarged, and more than ever pressed with original matter, beyond its limits, so that another enlargement is called for: and we say, May God speed its enlargement, and its circulation, and its usefulness; for the people who have come down to the demands of nature in regard to diet, and habits pertaining to health, can now have time to read it, and time and mind to write for it; for a clear understanding follows good health. House-keepers are no more slaves, nor are heads of families called on to supply an expensive and ruinous appetite; though this consideration has never been a motive, yet such an effect must follow; that is a great reduction of labor and expense in living; the young will not become prematurely old; nor will the old be soon laid on the shelf, or in the grave; no, this reform, sneered at by gluttons, and despised by drunkards, is even now an inestimable blessing.
The crazy fanaticism of some professed Adventists, who represent such reforms as contrary to our faith, must soon be apparent to all, and their arguments refute themselves.
JOS. CLARKE.
The Holy Scriptures
An intimate acquaintance with the Holy Scriptures is a secure haven, and an impregnable bulwark, and an immovable tower, and imperishable glory, and impenetrable armor, and unfading joy, and perpetual delight, and whatever other excellence can be uttered.—Chrysostom.
A QUESTION.
By William Rogers; John Norton Loughborough
Being an anxious inquirer after truth, I am solicitous for information in regard to the following question: and perhaps by giving the desired information publicity through the Review, the effect may be to allay anxiety on the minds of others on the same subject. The circumstances causing the question are these: In 1831 I was connected with the Disciple church, and after having been a member of good standing a few years was ordained an elder. In 1853 I embraced the Advent doctrine under the teaching of Geo. Storrs. In the year 1859 I embraced the Sabbath, acting also in the capacity of elder.
Now the question arises: After having administered the ordinance of baptism to a number of persons, as a fully ordained elder, under these different organizations, is it to be considered as fulfilling the requirements of the gospel or not?
WILLIAM ROGERS.
ANSWER.
This question was once considered in General Conference, and referred to the Gen. Conf. Committee, who responded by letter to the parties inquiring, that it was their opinion that those who had labored as ordained elders, or ministers in other denominations, were not qualified, by virtue of that ordination, to officiate among us until they were ordained according to the usages of Seventh-day Adventists. As to those who have been baptized by you among the S. D. Adventists, if they are satisfied with their baptism, we see no reason for their being baptized again, as they probably went forward in all good faith, supposing there was no question as to the authority of the administrator to officiate.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
News and Miscellany.
Can ye not discern the Signs of the Times? Matt. xvi, 3.
Religious Amendments to the National Constitution.—A Convention is announced to be held in Pittsburgh on the 9th of April, to secure certain amendments to the National Constitution. The place of meeting has not yet been stated. The proposed amendment is as follows, the amendment being in brackets: “We, the people of the United States [humbly acknowledging Almighty God as the source of all authority and power in civil government, the Lord Jesus Christ as the ruler among the nations, and his revealed will as of supreme authority, in order to constitute a Christian Government, and] in order to form a more perfect Union, etc., do ordain and establish this Constitution.”
—A prominent Georgia statesman, in a letter to Governor Brownlow, received yesterday, announces that a remarkable change in public sentiment has taken place in Georgia within a few weeks, and that without doubt the Congressional policy of reconstruction will be heartily adopted by the people.
—General Sheridan yesterday issued an order, under authority of the Reconstruction act, removing from office John T. Munroe, Mayor of the city of New Orleans; Andrew J. Herron, Attorney General of Louisiana; and Judge Abell, of the First District Court of New Orleans—all arrant rebels, and especially instrumental in encouraging the massacre of the 30th July. Other persons were appointed to fill their places. The thanks of loyal men throughout the country are due to General Sheridan for this righteous act.
—The great desert of Sahara is in process of transformation into a garden. Every day new oases are produced by the multiplication of artesian wells, which supply vast quantities of water.
—Right Rev. J. M. Henni, D. D., Bishop of Milwaukee, visited Cincinnati a few days last week. He has built more than 300 churches in Wisconsin within the last 20 years. The Roman Catholic church is a marvel of growth in that State, and much of its success is attributable to the untiring zeal of Bishop Henni.
—There are in France upwards of two thousand prisons and houses of correction, and the average number of people of both sexes confined in them is fifty-five thousand. The cost of the maintenance of these establishments is fourteen million four hundred thousand francs.
—There was a severe shock of an earthquake at Snellings, in Mariposa Co., Cal. March 8.
—The parable of the prodigal son has often been used to illustrate the situation of the South. A letter from a gentleman in the Sumter district, South Carolina, shows how literal the application may be. He says of over three hundred persons from whom he has heard directly: “The most of them are now without bread, and are actually subsisting on corn husks, and whatever they can get to preserve life upon, while there are others who have one and two bushels of corn yet, but without any means to get more.”
—The Famine Relief Commission of New York sent to South Carolina last week twenty-five thousand bushels of corn by the barque Purveyor, of which the free use has been granted them by the Government for that purpose.
—Fashionable crinoline in Paris now measures round the largest place only two yards or two yards and a half.
CONGRESS, on Saturday, passed the Supplementary Reconstruction bill over the President’s veto—the Senate by 40 yeas to 7 nays, the House by 114 yeas to 25 nays—and it is now the law of the land. This makes the twelfth veto of President Johnson which Congress has overruled.
A WOMAN'S letter from Paris in the Louisville Courier, in speaking of the late fashions, says:—Neither looped dresses nor large hoops are worn here much, indeed, the large crinoline not at all. Mine just brought in, is covered with a thick material to the waist. It is a regular skirt with four wooden hoops at the bottom, very small, balmoral, all wool, of pretty French merino, plain color. A deep plaited full piece, a quarter of a yard wide, is round the skirt. This comes to the top of the boot which is very high. The dress skirt falls a little below the knee, and the underskirt of a suitable color is bought with it. The hose are long, reaching far above the skirt. This is the walking dress. Of others, more anon.
—Advices from North Alabama state that the inhabitants living at a distance from the railroad are dying from starvation, and that unless relief reaches them, the whole range of counties in the Sand Mountain section will be depopulated. The recent floods destroyed over three thousand bushels of corn and a large amount of food sent by relief associations to the sufferers.
—A great and singular religious revival is in progress at Louisville, Ky. Scores of prominent citizens are joining the church. It is not confined to any sect, but is general, from Methodists to Catholics.
—At a meeting at Augusta, Ga., on Saturday night to nominate a candidate for the Mayorship, a resolution was adopted that colored citizens be allowed to register their names and vote at the election in April.201
—The use of horse-flesh as food is becoming more and more general, says a Paris paper. The Observateur d’Avesne says that the horse butchery of Haumont becomes daily of greater extension. Three horses are killed there weekly, a fact which has cheapened the price of meat. The horse-flesh for food is sold as cheap as from 2d. to 3d. English per pound, according to quality and cut.
Where Does the Day Begin?—The first beginning of the day is somewhere between America and Asia. The precise locality of that somewhere has not been determined. If the Pacific Ocean were thickly populated with men, the place of the beginning of the day would be a matter of great consequence, and would probably be settled by statute. The day would start from a meridian line extending from pole to pole, and the longitude of this day line would be so accurately fixed that a man might stand astride it and realize the paradox of having one foot in Monday and the other in Tuesday. Many of the readers of this will live long enough to hear this subject discussed in national councils.—Springfield Republican.
Prevalence of Crime.—Our daily papers show a fearful list of murders, robberies, thefts, and wrongs of all kinds as now occurring in our cities, and to some extent spreading throughout the rural districts. We cannot doubt that there has been a large increase in flagrant crime within a few months, and it becomes good citizens to look the sad facts in the face, and set themselves in good earnest to check the growing iniquities.
The causes of this startling increase of desperate crimes are evident. War, in its immediate results, is always a demoralizer. Human life loses its sanctity when thousands of men are put to the business of destroying as much of it as possible. And the pillage ever accompanying marching and foraging armies weakens respect for law and regard for private rights. It was to be expected, upon the disbanding of large armies North and South, that the peaceful communities would suffer. While it is cause of rejoicing that the vast body of our citizen soldiery quietly resumed their places in the ranks of civil society, it must be admitted that many dangerous characters are abroad, who at least increased their disposition and power for evil in the school of war. Nor can it be doubted that, among large bodies of peaceable and law-abiding immigrants from Europe, amounting to about one thousand per day the year through, there are not a few of the worst men the old world can produce. These criminals add to the carnival of crime among us.
What can be done to stay the desolating scourge? Law must be executed surely, swiftly, sternly. Where moral principle is wanting, the severities of righteous and inexorable law are the only safeguard. Intemperance, the prolific parent of nearly all violent and reckless crime, must be resisted with a new and intensified earnestness. Such vicious and demoralizing amusements as gambling, horse-racing, and theater-going, must be contended against, and every good citizen should set his face as a flint against lawlessness and vice in every form.
Nor is this enough. Our safety for the future depends much upon the rising generation. These must be cared for in advance. The right kind of moral and religious education must prevent them from becoming criminals. The spread of the blessed Bible, the diffusion of evangelical literature, the increase of gospel churches, the gathering of all the youth into Sabbath-schools, the prevalence of mighty and wide-spread revivals of pure religion all over the land, these will save us, and these alone. The gospel of Christ, in its purity and power, is the only sure defence against the prevalence of crime. He is the best citizen, as well as the best Christian, who most faithfully labors for the diffusion of pure, elevating, saving truth.—Am. Messenger.
Our Periodicals.
By C. L. PALMER
I SEE by my paper there is a mind among Sabbath-keepers to have the Review still further enlarged, so as to be twice its original size. I vote for its enlargement for many reasons. I consider it is twice as valuable now to me as before its present enlargement, and I believe such would be the testimony of every one of its readers situated as we are here, deprived of any chance to hold meetings, not hearing a sermon from one year's end to another. I do not think those who live in places where there are churches, fully realize the blessings of a good weekly sermon full of present truth; but the thousands scattered abroad hail its visit with delight and count it as one of the best treasures of these last days. I have sometimes felt that it gladdened the heart of the lonely one much the same as many of our hearts have been gladdened by the appearance of one of the messengers; and indeed and in truth I am inclined to call it one of God's messengers speaking weekly to his children in the solitary places to encourage them to still strive till the morning of glory dawns on them. I can hardly see how we got along without the sermons. And again those who pass the greater part of each Sabbath at meeting, Sabbath School, and conversing with their brethren, do not feel the need of a large well filled paper for the Sabbath, laden with rich gems of truth fresh from the mine. I ask of you to consider the condition of the scattered ones, and ask your own hearts how it would be with you if called upon to change places with them; and I think you would feel like saying, By all means, and by our means aiding let us have a still further enlargement of the Review. And do not let us stop at that or be weary in well doing, let us enlarge the Instructor also, and send it forth semi-monthly to the youth and children, not only of the scattered ones who have no Sabbath privileges as you have, but also your own young. We all know that children must have something to occupy their thoughts to keep them from the world, from sinful desires. Shall we not then furnish them more food for thought, and thus draw their minds toward their Maker? There is a duty to the young, to the scattered ones, to ourselves, and more than all, to God. Who will take the step forward in doing duty? How many will send pay in advance $3.00 per year for Review, $0.50 or $0.75 for semi-monthly Instructor? If we would work while the day lasts, is it not time we were up and doing?
C. L. PALMER.
Three Rivers, Mich.
A Subscriber's Opinion.
By J. W. Bailey
BRO. J. W. BAILEY writes from Lee's Summit Mo.: The further enlargement of the paper is a joyful thought to us. Each weekly visit tells to us how far we have traveled down the river of time, and the short remaining distance to the ocean of eternity. It is the trumpet of Tekoa, and a sign of fire in Beth-haccorem to us; one of God's special instruments to help this people through these days of peril.
Therefore, I believe it becomes a duty for the present subscribers of the Review to send up an extra subscription just as soon as the trustees shall decide to give us a trial. And that will give us time to dispose of our extra paper. And by this means we are giving an impetus to double the subscription of the Review at once, making it a blessing to thousands of others who are now without it, and at the same time securing to ourselves a blessing for the discharge of duty.
J. W. BAILEY.
Lee's Summit, Mo., March 10, 1867.
A Word for the Enlargement.
By J. H. ROGERS.
REVIEW No. 13 is at hand. Since reading what the brethren have said on the subject, I say, by all means let it be enlarged. The present enlargement has proved so satisfactory in point of interest to the cause, it seems to me we are more than repaid for the additional subscription price already.
In view of the shortness of time then, let the Review not only rank with, but be, the best religious periodical in the world, because of the glorious truths it sends forth, to prepare a people for the coming of the Lord. I can truly say, thank the Lord for such a paper. Oh, how I have been benefited by it! It sends light, joy and comfort wherever it goes; light to those who are willing to receive a reasonable exposition of the Scriptures of truth and fulfillment of prophecy; joy to those who would see the truth prevail over error; and comfort to the weary, lonely, scattered ones; giving to all meat in due season.
J. H. ROGERS.
Victoria, Mo.
Bury Your Troubles
Bury your troubles, but don't linger around the grave-yard conjuring up their ghosts to haunt you.
The Right Kind of a Response.
By WM. LAWTON.
WE received Review No. 14, last evening, and read Bro. Loughborough's and Bro. Clarke's testimonies about the Health Institute. We have also had some talk with Bro. Ira Abbey. Bro. Loughborough asks the question, “Will we all take hold of this matter?” Our family all answer, We will. “Will you all try to realize that this is the Lord's work, that he is calling upon us to consider duty?” We will. “Will you all act, and act at once in the matter?” We will.
Bro. Clarke says, “Suppose that twenty rich brethren invest one thousand dollars each, and forty more invest five hundred each.” Our family wants to be one of the forty. We have subscribed twenty-five dollars. We want to subscribe four hundred and seventy-five dollars more, to be credited as follows. Wm. Lawton, $375.00. A. P. Lawton, $75.00. J. A. Lawton, $25.00. Total $500.00. We all want a part in the purifying and cleansing work that is going forward among the remnant in these last days. And we all want a home in the new earth. Pray that we all may have the meek spirit, for the “Lord will guide the meek in judgment.” Psa. xxv, 9.
WM. LAWTON.
GOD'S TENDER CARE.
EVEN as a nurse, whose child's imperfect pace
Can hardly lead his foot from place to place,
Leaves her fond kissing, sets him down to go,
Nor does she uphold him for a step or two;
But when she finds that he begins to fall,
She holds him up and kisses him withal.
So God from man sometimes withdraws his hand
Awhile to teach his infant faith to stand:
But when he sees his feeble strength begin
To fail, He gently takes him up again.
Will the Righteous Be Translated?
By Jos. Clarke
Not long since, a methodist clergyman in a funeral discourse delivered here, stated that it was not true, as some held, that the righteous would be translated, but that all must and would die.
Now we do not doubt but all are mortal, and we may, any of us, come under the hand of death while here; but we believe that Paul has said the truth, when he affirmed that at the coming of Christ, we which are alive and remain, will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air; in other words, be translated. We do not until then, defy the arrows of death; and to represent us as saying that we do not any of us expect to die previous to that time, is a mistake, to say the least.
But the preacher stated that the day of judgment would certainly come, but no one knows when. According to his own showing, as we do not know when, it may come in a year, or two, or three, or more years. Then certainly he may be alive; and if he is a man of God, he must be caught up to God, that is, translated; or left behind; for the living saints are those who are alive and remain. How will he dispose of this?
JOS. CLARKE.
Breathes Easier.
BRO. J. DORCAS at the close of a communication to this office says: I cannot close this, without saying, that I begin to feel better, and breathe easier over this Health Reform movement. Thank the Lord! not that I had any objection to health reform, but was not clear in my mind that it had taken the right shape and dimensions. I now begin to see, that on the Lord's highway of holiness there is to be the modern improvements of a rail-way on which all the cars must run, from the engine down to the hand cars. The Lord grant that I may be willing in this the day of his power.
Wisdom
By Charon
WISDOM.—We ought not to judge of men's merits by their qualifications, but by the use they make of them.—Charon.
Bills Vetoed by the President.
The following is a complete list of the bills vetoed by the President during the Thirty-ninth Congress, and of the bills which were passed over the veto, and those which became laws without the Presidential signature:
First Session.—To enlarge the powers of the Freedmen’s Bureau; vetoed February 19, 1866.
To protect all persons in the United States in their civil rights, and furnish the means of their vindication; vetoed and passed April 9, 1866, over veto.
For the admission of the State of Colorado into the Union; vetoed May, 1866.
To enable the New York and Montana Iron Mining and Manufacturing Company to purchase a certain amount of the public lands not now in market; vetoed June, 1866.
To continue in force and to amend an act, entitled “An act to establish a bureau for the relief of freedmen and refugees, and for other purposes;” vetoed; passed July 16, 1866, over veto.
For the admission of the State of Nebraska into the Union; not signed; failed through the adjournment of Congress.
Second Session.—To regulate the elective franchise in the District of Columbia; vetoed; passed January 8, 1867, over veto.
To admit the State of Colorado into the Union; vetoed January 18, 1867.
For the admission of the State of Nebraska into the Union; vetoed; passed February 9, 1867, over veto.
To provide for the more efficient government of the insurrectionary States; vetoed; passed, March 2, 1867; over veto.
To regulate the tenure of office; vetoed; passed, March 2, 1867, over veto.
Bills which became laws without the President’s signature, the constitutional limit of ten days having expired without their return.
To repeal section 13 of “An act to suppress insurrection, to punish treason and rebellion, and to seize and confiscate the property of rebels, and for other purposes,” approved July 17th, 1862; became a law January 22d, 1867.
To regulate the franchise in the Territories of the United States; became a law January 31st, 1867.
To regulate the duties of the Clerk of the House of Representatives in preparing for the organization of the House and for other purposes; became a law February 20, 1867.
To declare the sense of an act entitled “An act to restrict the jurisdiction of the Court of Claims, and to provide for the payment of certain demands for quartermaster’s stores and subsistence supplies furnished to the army of the United States;” became a law February 22, 1867.
Recapitulation.—Vetoes, 10; pocket vetoes, 1; laws passed over veto, 6; vetoes sustained, 4; became laws without signature, 4.
Trichinosis—A New Discovery Concerning a Curious Disease.
A committee appointed by the Medical Society of Vienna, and composed of professors Klob, Muller and Wedl, has just published a long report on trichinosis, in which the startling fact is asserted that the real source of infection lies entirely in the rat, in which the malady is spontaneously developed, and which communicates to the pig. In Moravia, eighteen out of forty-nine rats examined were trichinized, a proportion of nearly thirty-seven per cent. In Lower Austria the proportion was not more than four per cent., and in the environs of Vienna about ten per cent.
The report confirms the fact that trichinosis may be transmitted by food from the rat to the rabbit, from the rabbit to the fox and hedgehog, from the rat to the pig, and from the pig to the rat. Even the calf may be infected by being fed with the flesh of trichinized rabbit. What is worse still, the larvae of flies feeding on infected meat will transmit trichinosis to rabbits, provided the larvae come fresh from the infected substance; for if a certain time be allowed to pass, the trichines soon die in the digestive tube of the larvae. It is important to notice that the report distinctly confirms the innocuousness of trichinized meat when thoroughly salted, smoked or boiled, the latter process being by far the most efficacious. Meat roasted for three-quarters of an hour is safe food; boiling requires a whole hour. And yet the report mentions cases of infection recently observed in Austria, so that means should be taken there to protect the public from this disastrous malady.
The first measure proposed is the extermination of all rats and mice, but not without previously examining them, in order to ascertain the existence of trichinosis among them. If this examination should lead to affirmative results, then particular care should be taken in the locality to keep pigs away from all sewers, heaps of manure, and other such places frequented by rats. The flesh of the pig should be examined either after death, or even during life, by means of incisions. The infected pig should be separated from the others, marked, and its sale prevented. Special slaughterhouses should be organized for pigs, and the flesh examined by veterinary practitioners; and the public themselves are warned never to eat raw pork under any form, but strictly to consume it only well salted or smoked, boiled or roasted.
Health Reform and Christian Vigilance
By J. S. Miller
From Bro. Miller.
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: Since we are directed to “exhort one another daily,” that we be not hardened through the deceitfulness of sin,” and “so much the more as we see the day approaching.” I would contribute my mite to this branch of the service. I think the Conference Department is as important as any department of the paper, and should be used by the scattered ones of Christ’s flock.
For one, I desire to be found walking humbly before God, and “pressing toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Now is the time for Christians to be up and doing. Satan is abroad with all his cunning devices. He succeeded in deceiving our first parents by making them believe they were immortal, and that they should become as gods. He is succeeding with the very same deception here in these last days. Spiritualism in its most subtle forms, is deceiving the masses. Satan then approached mother Eve by tempting her appetite. Just so to-day. People who think they have immortal souls are not particular what becomes of their mortal bodies, and so, “as in the days that were before the flood, they are eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage.” Let us “watch and pray, that we enter not into temptation.”
Brethren and sisters, are we living out the Health Reform as we should? Are we eating to live, or living to eat? It is but a few months since my attention was called to this important subject, but through the grace of God I have been enabled to break away from some of my evil habits. First, I let go the tobacco; then the pork; then the tea; and I have not got through reforming yet. My desire is to dispense with every habit that tends to stupefy the brain and defile the body. Can we pray, “Lead us not into temptation,” and still cling to our evil habits? Let us remember that “God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man; but every man is tempted202when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived it bringeth forth sin; and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” God’s people will be a tried people, a pure people. My desire is to “glorify God in my body and spirit which are his,” and at last stand on Mount Zion with the rest of those that overcome.
J. S. MILLER.
Ashaway, R. I., March 14.
Ghosts to be Made Visible.
SPIRITUALISM IN THE PATENT OFFICE.
ANDREW JACKSON DAVIS and other spiritualistic philosophers have repeatedly declared their belief that inventive ingenuity would in time devise some mode of making spirits visible. Behold the achievement!
Says a Washington correspondent:
“A curious application for a patent has been made by a New Yorker for a process to determine the falsity or truth of spiritualism. It consists of a room closed perfectly, so that all light and air is effectually excluded, except air for breathing, which is admitted from a stop-cock, opened from time to time. Light is only admitted by being passed through a dark blue, violet or black liquid; so that the room is perfectly dark to the unaccustomed eye, but becomes slightly illuminated when remaining long in it, the inventor asserting that the particles of common light are much too heavy and solid compared with the much finer constituents of the bodies of spirits; therefore common light passes through them and is not reflected from their surface; to see spirits at all the light must be filtered. The room is to be painted with spirits of turpentine or any other spirits mixed with substances akin to carbon. The inventor asserts that with these precautions it may become possible for the inmates of the room to see spirits, forms or ghosts. He claims the use of filtered light in a closed room for the purpose of divination. The patent was refused on the ground that when a company of persons were for some time enclosed in such a room, without sufficient air to breathe, they will not only see ghosts, but also give up their own.”
Conference Department.
By D. T. Shireman
Exhorting one another, and so much the more as ye see the day approaching. Heb. x, 25.
This Department is designed to fill the same place in the paper that the Conference or Social Meeting does in the worship of God. Speak often one to another to comfort, edify and aid each other in the way of holiness and true Christian experience.
From Bro. Shireman.
Bro. SMITH: I wish to say to the brethren and sisters that the third angel’s message looks good to me, and I believe that it is present truth. I want to be found living it out, and not bring a reproach upon the cause I love so well. A theory of the truth will not save; it must have a sanctifying influence on heart and life. Now while the shaking is going on it stands us in hand to look within and know and see our own faults that we may confess and forsake them. We want to see ourselves as the Lord and our brethren see us. Many times our brethren see faults in us and have fears of offending if they should tell us, but it will be better for us to see our faults now than to wait till after our High Priest leaves the heavenly sanctuary. It will not do for us to trifle with God. He wants the whole heart, and he will not accept of a lame sacrifice. Can we not give up this old earth, and lay aside the vain allurements and dreadful pleasures of this short life for life eternal? Yes, we can leave all for a home in the kingdom of God.
D. T. SHIREMAN.
Marion, Iowa, March 22, 1867.
Letters from Correspondents
Sister S. Haverland writes from Menomonie, Wis.: I delight in the doctrine of the soon coming of Christ, and want my daily walk and conversation to correspond with my belief. I feel thankful for the Testimonies given to God's remnant people. Oh how good is the Lord for restoring the gifts to his remnant church. I firmly believe in the Health Reform movement as being just what is needed to help us to prepare for the coming of our blessed Lord and Master.
Sister E. J. Paine writes from Johnson's Creek, N. Y.: It is written, “In your patience possess (or keep) ye your souls.” Luke xxi, 19. Must I then indeed lose my soul if I lose my patience? How very necessary it appears that we keep patience in this time of trial, see Rev. iii, 10, and that all our words are seasoned with grace. A precious promise is recorded in Psa. 1, 23, to those who order their conversation aright. Brethren and sisters, do we not all want to see the salvation of God? Is not this promise sufficient to stimulate us to greater carefulness in this respect? Oh, the depth and magnitude of the work before us! When I consider that for once speaking unadvisably with his lips, Moses was shut out of the promised land, the earthly Canaan, the question comes to me with force, Shall I then, who have so often offended in this respect, be permitted to enter the heavenly Canaan? The grace of God alone is sufficient for us. With his help we can overcome.
Sister D. A. Smith writes from Geneva, Wis.: I am alone in this place in the observance of the Sabbath. Have met with considerable opposition, but friends and foes seeing my steadfastness for four years have thought best to leave me alone. When friends come in, not thinking of the day, and find me reading, they invariably say, Oh! this is your Sabbath. I tell them: No, but the Sabbath of the Lord; and point them to the chart of the law of God, which always hangs in my sitting-room, and if possible get them to read it. Once, and sometimes twice in a year I meet with the brethren and sisters at Johnstown Center, where I am a member. By the help of God, I mean to go through with the remnant to mount Zion.
Sister E. Eaton writes from Fond du Lac, Wis.: I am in a strange place and among strangers, and find the enemy of all righteousness here also. Yet I find blameless. I am trying to live out the Health Reform as far as I can, that I may be cleansed from all filthiness of the flesh, and God be glorified in my body. I have been benefited in conforming myself so far to its principles. Since coming to this place I feel my weakness and see how frail I am. My only strength is in the Lord. I realize somewhat the responsibility that rests upon me to live out the truth. I am numbered with the lonely ones, but Jesus is always near.
Bro. J. L. Miller writes from Tuscola, Mich. As I have noticed nothing in the Review from this place in some time, I thought perhaps Brn. Canright and Van Horn would like to hear from us once more. They faithfully sowed the seed and it has taken root in some of our hearts. We are pleading with God daily that it may be showered with his blessings and continually increase, spreading from heart to heart until our little church shall be filled with Sabbath-keepers.
TEMPTATION.
By Thirza M. Foster
In reading the history of our first parents, we find that when Eve had disobeyed God, and yielded to the temptation of the devil; she partook of his evil spirit, and herself became a tempter. She was then prepared to entice her husband, and he in turn, seduced by the woman, ate of the forbidden fruit, and also fell. From that fatal day, to this, fallen men have prosecuted the work of tempting their fellow men to disobey the commands of their Creator. Whenever any of our race use means to draw men into rebellion against the law of God, they are not only tempted, but in the sight of God, they are tempters. Husbands and wives, parents and children, friends and neighbors, often tempt each other. The man who puts the bottle to his neighbor's lips, and induces him to take strong drink is a tempter; and God has pronounced a woe upon that man. The person who violates the seventh command of the Decalogue, is justly denominated a seducer or tempter. Ministers and teachers tempt the people, when they employ arguments, or persuasions to lead them into error. According to the extent of their influence and power, is the increase of their guilt. When magistrates has recorded such an instance, in the history of Jeroboam the son of Nebat. It is said of him, that he “drave Israel from following the Lord, and made them sin a great sin.” See 2 Kings xvii, 21. He required them to forsake the altar of the Lord, and worship before the images which he had set up. Though his requiring disobedience of the second command of the decalogue, became sanctioned by the usage of many years, it was nothing better than a legalized temptation to sin. For his iniquitous commandment, a foul blot is forever fixed upon his character.
Now many centuries have elapsed, since the Man of Sin, the son of perdition “made a law” substituting the first day of the week, in place of the Sabbath of the fourth commandment. But its long continuance, and great prevalence does not make it any the more innocent. The statute enacted by the Supreme government enforcing the observance of the seventh-day as the Sabbath of the Lord, for man to remember and keep holy, is still in force, and lays its obligation upon the whole human race, as much to-day as it did when Jehovah proclaimed it upon mount Sinai, and wrote it with his own finger upon the table of stone. Though by the authority of man, we may be legally enticed to profane the Sabbath, let us not like Israel in the days of Jeroboam, consent to sin. As the perils of the last days are thickening around us, evil men and seducers are waxing worse and worse. We must be vigilant to escape their evil devices. Let us make it a decided rule, never to engage in any act, or yield obedience to any authority, that is not in exact accordance with the teachings of God's word. If we do this, we shall not only work out our own salvation, but by the blessing of God, our influence may aid in the salvation of others. Jesus will keep us from the hour of temptation which is coming to try them that dwell upon the earth, and we shall not fall. Then while we thank God for present deliverances, with trembling we can rejoice in hope, looking forward to the day of the Lord, when seducing spirits, and evil doers, shall be cut off. Then our victory will be final and complete. Jesus will be King over all the earth. All nations will serve and obey him, and peace shall be upon Israel forevermore.
THIRZA M. FOSTER.
Vienna, Wis.
The Blessings of the Review
By Wm. Cottrell
From Bro. Cottrell.
BRO. SMITH: I am always delighted to receive the Review, as it is the only preaching that we have. The good sermons it contains, appear to be meat in due season. It cheers my heart to read them. The other departments of the paper all come in their proper order, and are read with interest. By and by we reach the Conference Department, where those that fear the Lord speak often to each other. How cheering to hear from the brethren and sisters in this way. It is the only way that we, in this place are privileged to hear from those that love the appearing of the Saviour.
But I fear that we do not appreciate the truth as we should. The Laodicean state, how fearful! I am led to exclaim, How long shall it be till we arise? It seems to me that if I could have the society of Sabbath-keepers, and those that love the truths of this message, I should make better progress. But we are seeking and striving to some extent at least to overcome our sins, and reform our habits of living so that we may have pure hearts and healthy bodies, and be prepared for translation when Jesus comes.
When I read the words of Jesus, “Ye are my friends if ye do whatsoever I command you,” it comforts my heart. Should we not be very careful to do all that he has required of us? There are no non-essentials in his teachings. My prayer is, Lord help us to do our whole duty. One sweet thought connected with these words is, that as we are his friends, so he is our friend. Yes, Jesus is a friend indeed. He has not left us without comfort, but has even promised that himself and his Father would take up their abode with his friends. Oh! what can equal this! May it be our happy lot to stand finally with the redeemed when Jesus comes. WM. COTTRELL.
Bowersville, Ohio.