DEAR SCATTERED SAINTS:—Allow me (though unworthy to occupy a space in this little sheet) to express my feelings of joy and gratitude to God, that he ever let me hear the sounding of the third angel's message; and that he has given me a willingness of heart to listen to its glorious notes. O, that I could proclaim it with a voice of thunder, and shake the heart of every unbeliever!
Although I was not with you in the proclamation of the first and second angels' messages, yet I feel to rejoice that they were within my hearing, and I can sympathize with you in your disappointment.
I can now look back, and with feelings of regret, behold the darkness that encompassed me. I can see that I was marching under the black flag of Satan, and beating up volunteers to swell his ranks. I was treading the dark path of iniquity, and hastening on to the dreadful whirlpool of perdition!
I sometimes thought that I enjoyed myself when I was walking hand in hand with the world, and beckoned onward by the glittering star of pride and fashion. Church-members would occasionally try to persuade me to join the church; telling me that there was no enjoyment like religion, and that worldly pleasures were nothing more than fiction. I would then look around among the different churches, to find such enjoyment; but in vain. They were too nigh alike—too much like the world to possess a Christian spirit. But when I came to Rochester, another scene was spread before me. Here I saw a little handful of God's children who assembled on the seventh-day to worship him. So different, were they, from any that I had ever before seen, that I was struck with astonishment. I looked upon them as a bed of embers undisturbed by the least breath of air. But when an angel from heaven wafted its wings over them, to expel the darkness and revive the spirit, their shouts of glory seemed to rend my heart. O, what peace so sweet as peace with God! What blessing so rich as God's blessing? What enjoyment can equal the enjoyment of religion! I needed to look no further.—The enjoyment that I had been searching for, was there to be found. But there was a great obstacle that lay in my way—the seventh-day—I never could keep it. I had been taught that Sunday was the Sabbath; and that the numbering of the days of the week had been changed through some misreckoning of time.
While at work on Bro. Andrews' reply to O. R. L. Crozier, I noticed that he occasionally quoted C.'s argument in favor of the abolition of the Sabbath.—This was something new to me. I wished that it might be so. It would certainly be very convenient for the transgressor, and I could work on Sunday as well as any other day without having my conscience ruffled.
The assertion thrown out by C. that the Sabbath was abolished, led me to investigate the subject. To my satisfaction, I saw that the hand-writing of ordinances was nailed to the cross—this I supposed to be the ten commandments. But before I had got through with his review, I found that my argument was but mere chaff, and it was blown aside by the strong breeze of truth from the word of God.
My next position was, that the Sabbath had been changed; but after reading a book entitled, "History of the Sabbath," handed to me by Bro. Belden, I saw that the observance of the first day of the week was an institution of Papacy. Thus, I was compelled to throw aside all inferences, and give way to facts. I then saw that the Sabbath was binding upon me; but I could never make up my mind to keep it. It was utterly impossible. I thought it the height of folly for me, situated as I was, to undertake to keep it. I rested upon this conclusion until I heard a lecture upon the subject, and then conviction began to settle. The thundering of my conscience, and the relentless emotions of my heart, would give me no rest day nor night. My happiness became obscured, and a stumbling-block obstructed my path of pleasure.—I would have given any thing that I possessed, if I could have been placed where "keep the Sabbath" would not be continually ringing in my ears. I had about made up my mind to leave the city. But just then God laid his hand upon me, and prostrated me until I would yield in obedience to his will.
You, brethren and sisters, I presume, have all read an account of my sickness; but, perhaps it will not be out of order for me to briefly state a few words more in relation to it.
During my first attack, I was at my boarding-place. I had been ill but a short time, when the icy fingers of death were laid upon my landlady, and I was left without care, except by a few dear friends who seemed to feel an interest in the welfare of my soul.
I was visited daily (and some days several times) by a sister, who would try to persuade me to obey God, and convince me of the necessity of keeping his holy law, and remind me of the dreadful scenes that awaited me. She would say that the Lord would heal me if I would resign myself to him, and read to me texts of scripture to prove it. But how little did I regard her instruction. I sometimes wished that she would never let me see her face again, unless she would keep silent about my obeying the will of the Lord; notwithstanding, she was very kind, and seemed to be willing to do any thing that would comfort me. I supposed that I was on a fair way of recovering, and set my mind at rest about the future. But it seems as though it was God's only object in permitting me to recover sufficiently, that I might be removed to the house of his children; for on the morning following my removal, I was again brought almost to death. And as I lay there, under the agonies of death's affliction, still unwilling to submit myself to God, it seemed as though the commandments were held up before my eyes, and the instruction that I rejected but a short time before, began anew to harass me and add to my affliction. I almost wished that I had heeded the advice, and not turned it aside with a deaf ear.
Satan, then, for fear that this might be the means of my forsaking him, whispered to me that I would soon get well, and to encourage me, held up by the side of the commandments—in the most conspicuous manner that he could array them—the various attractions and enjoyments connected with him and the world. But I soon lost sight of them. They were soon beclouded, and a mist seemed to settle upon them, and bear them back into darkness as the commandments sprung to light. I still rejected them, and continued on until I had reached the verge of the precipice, and was about to leap into the unfathomed gulf of perdition, when the Lord extended his hand of mercy and rescued me from that wretched doom.
I now rejoice in the God of my salvation. I can now respond to the language of David, "Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men." "He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder." "Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses. He sent his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction."—Ps. cvii, 8, 14, 19, 20.
I feel to praise him that he ever set his hand to save me. What could have been his object? Merely that I might continue in transgression and iniquity? Nay, I think not. He must have had a greater object in view, or he would never have noticed such an unworthy, sin-stained mortal as I.
I conclude, then, his object was that I should live for him—serve and obey him; and by his grace, I will praise him for ever. He has bought me with a price, and I am determined to live a life humble and devoted. The truth looks glorious to me, and I delight in keeping the holy Sabbath of our Lord. It is a star of pleasure, that beckons me onward with cheerful heart, and encourages me to be steadfast unto the end. I have placed my feet upon a firm foundation, and the storms of Satan can never wash me from it. My trust is in the "Rock of my salvation." O, how I long to see that glorious City! The saints' eternal Paradise! I soon expect to meet you in its golden streets, to grasp you by the hand, and make the heavenly arches ring with our shouts of glory.—O, what feelings of joy fill my soul, as I raise my thoughts to heaven, and contemplate on its glories now unseen!
O, this, indeed, is joy! Though here we meet again to part,
But what transporting bliss awaits the pure and faithful heart!
Where we shall find the loved and lost—those who have gone before,
Where every tear is wiped away—where parting comes no more.
A gleam of heaven's own light—though now its brightness scarce appears
Through the dim shadows, which are spread around this vale of tears.
But thine unclouded smile, O, God, fills that glorious place,
Where we shall know as we are known, and see thee face to face.
Brethren and sisters, let us be faithful, and watch unto prayer, strive to be humble, meek and lowly at the feet of Jesus. Overcome temptations, and endure trials, for his "salvation is near to come, and his righteousness to be revealed."
Yours, in hope of eternal life,
L. V. MASTEN.
Statement of Bro. Case.
By H. S. Case
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—In regard to the statement that appeared in the Harbinger, that I had advised those taking that paper to stop it without paying for it, is a false charge. And whosoever gave Eld. Marsh that information, is guilty of bearing false witness against the innocent. I have always told the brethren to be sure and pay for their paper, and in some instances have offered to let them have money for that purpose.
Madison, Wis., Nov. 1st, 1852.
H. S. CASE.
Communication from Bro. Seely.
By David Seely
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—I would like to give a brief sketch of my experience through the Review and Herald, hoping that it may be a benefit to some, especially those who are opposing God's holy Sabbath.
I was a believer in the second coming of Christ in 1843. I opposed the doctrine at first, but after hearing on the subject, and a diligent search of my Bible, I became convinced that it was truth, and acted accordingly. I was then a member of the Second Baptist church in Rochester. I saw that there was not that life and power of religion among them as among the Advent people. I loved the children of God, and the spirit they manifested. I could no longer walk with the church as they were, and I, therefore, left. A number of us left at the same time, and when we were brought before them on trial, we were not even permitted to speak in our own defence.
On the passing of the time in 1843, we were much disappointed, but still we did not feel discouraged, or like giving up. Nearly every evening we met to comfort and cheer each other on. Until one evening, a brother very unexpectedly came with the cry, "Behold the bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him."—Words can never express the feelings of joy that it brought to my heart. I obeyed the call, and about the tenth day of the seventh month, gave up my business, and tried to do what I could in warning others of the approaching judgment. O, what an effect it had upon the world! How the church and world combined, raged and scoffed at the proclamation of the coming of the Lord. Was there ever a time like that? Now, brethren, you who once rejoiced in this mighty move, and have given it up as all delusion, I ask, what did it all mean? Can you forget all those scenes?—Was it of God, or of man? O, I fully believe that it was of God.
Well, after the tenth of the seventh month passed and the Lord did not come, we were much more disappointed than before. All was darkness around me, and I hardly knew where I was. I heard so many different views presented that I knew not which to believe is truth. At the Hall, where we had formerly met of one heart and one mind, all was confusion, and scarcely two of them could be found that agreed. The union and love that had before existed was gone, and it seemed more like devouring one another than any thing else. I could not enjoy such meetings, and upon one occasion I felt so bad that I left and walked the street. I felt sad and lonely. I knew that it would be death to go back to the churches, and I was like one that had no home. I expressed my feelings to several at the time. Finally, I concluded that I would attend, and get what good I could, and shut my eyes to the rest.
When the "Age to come doctrine" began to be advocated, I did not fall in with it immediately. Many things I could not reconcile with it, yet as it was the main theme discussed at the Hall, I thought it was all the truth there was to be found, and gradually settled down into that belief. But it was a theory I had in my head which brought no life to my soul. I was often perplexed with this inquiry, why, if it was truth, did not the spirit and power of truth attend the preaching of it? And the question has been frequently asked me, why our meetings were not more spiritual? And I, with some of my brethren, have mourned and wept over such a state of things.
And, again, if it was truth, where were its fruits to be seen? Why was it that the strongest believers in it were the most eager after the world, with its pleasures and fashions, when truth was designed, and has a tendency to lead us out from the world, to be more separate, and live nearer to Christ.
It is about two years since I heard anything relative to the Sabbath. I did not pay any particular attention to it at that time. A little over a year since the subject was again brought up, and I looked at it for the purpose of finding something against it. I examined an article of Eld. Marsh, on the abolition of the Sabbath, and I thought there was Bible argument sufficient to refute anything that could be brought in its favor. I used the weapons of Eld. Marsh and Crozier, and thought I could slay every thing before me with them. But instead of that, they came very near slaying me. About this time my wife commenced keeping the Sabbath. I tried every way to convince her that she was wrong. I thought I should be willing to suffer anything if it could be the means of her giving it up. I offered one person fifty dollars if they would turn her mind from the subject. I honestly believed that she was in error, and under some influence besides the Spirit of God. I sometimes plead, and then I threatened. But all that I could do or say, only seemed to strengthen her in her position, and she seemed so fully determined to press forward through every difficulty, that I made up my mind that we should have to part. I fought this truth and its advocates with all my might. I told my wife I would destroy their papers if she did not take them out of the house, and even went so far as to do so. I have said a great deal against those who are keeping the seventh day. And I found that the moment I began to oppose, I felt condemned.
When their last Conference was appointed in this city, I said that I should not attend, and should do all in my power to hinder my wife from going. But at the urgent request of a friend I promised to attend. I attended two meetings, and got some light on the Sabbath, and the Sanctuary in heaven. I now began to search my Bible for myself, and found much more in favor of their views than I had anticipated. My prejudice, in a measure, began to give way. I felt that, whether they had the truth or not, I was not right. I did not manifest a right spirit. One evening, being alone, I knelt down before the Lord, and consecrated myself wholly to him, to be guided by his Spirit. I made up my mind not to say anything more against this people. I was awake most of the night reflecting upon my past life. I realized how that I once enjoyed the Spirit and power of God, but now I had fought against his truth until I had brought leanness into my soul. The next day I felt very solemn. And while at my work I was so strongly convicted of my sins that I could not remain there, but felt that I must go and confess my wrongs, and ask forgiveness of my brethren, which I did. I now felt humble, and willing to do anything that God required of me, and his blessing rested upon me. Light soon broke into my mind on the truth, and I became satisfied that the Sabbath was binding upon us; and I am now rejoicing in keeping all the commandments, the Sabbath not excepted. I have now found something that satisfies the hungry soul. I feel very thankful that the Lord did not leave me to myself, to sin away the day of grace, but has brought me to see his truth.
About three weeks after I commenced keeping the Sabbath, I was taken sick with the disease, prevalent in the land. I was advised to go according to the Bible rule found in James v, 14, but I refused. After being sick several days, I called a Physician. I took the medicine as prescribed, but grew worse instead of better. At first, I thought it was too humbling to go as the Bible directed. I was not willing to bear the reproach that it would bring upon me. But I grew worse so that something must be done immediately, or I could not live. And I came to the conclusion that I would obey God, let the world say what they would. I went according to the direction given in James v, 14, "let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up." I was made whole. I rose up praising God.
I am still keeping the Sabbath, and have received a special blessing on that day, more than on any other; and I can truly say that it is a delight. I believe we are hearing the third angel's message, and that we are near the time of trouble, and very soon, Jesus will come to deliver his people. Those who keep the commandments, have the promise of entering the Holy City. I have come in at the eleventh hour, and I feel as though I wanted to devote the few remaining days wholly to the work of the Lord, that I may share in the promised inheritance.
And now I want to say a word to those who are still opposing God's holy law. Stop one moment, and consider how you feel. See what spirit you manifest. Before deciding against it, investigate the subject carefully and candidly. Beware how you oppose, lest you be found fighting against God. If this is truth, it deeply concerns us all; and it is high time we were awake to it. Be entreated by one that feels for you, ere it is too late; for soon he that is holy, will be holy still, and he that is filthy will be filthy still.
Yours, expecting soon to see the King in his beauty,
DAVID SEELY.
LETTERS.
By Frederick Wheeler
From Bro. Wheeler.
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—The Conference at Dartmouth was one of deep interest. It commenced under the influence of the Holy Spirit, and continued to increase in interest until the close. Union and freedom in the truth prevailed. I had freedom in presenting the reasons of our faith and hope. The fervent prayers and warm-hearted exhortations of the brethren and sisters evinced a deep interest in the cause of our soon coming King. A favorable impression was made on the minds of those who came in to hear, and some were constrained to acknowledge the truth of our position. May God enable such to break away from the surrounding influences, and walk in the light of truth.—In short, the meeting was one of the best I ever enjoyed.
I visited Fairhaven, held a meeting with the brethren and friends there. From thence, in company with Bro. Gurney, went to New Shoreham, Block Island, R. I., calling at Westport and Fall River on the way. Arrived on the Island just before the Sabbath, Oct. 30th. I spent five days on the Island, holding meetings daily, with increasing interest until the last.—The brethren were much blessed, and the truth left deep convictions in the hearts of some that were not in the faith of the third angel's message. The last evening I spent with them, when the little church "came together to break bread," was a season of deep interest. The presence of our divine Lord, by his Holy Spirit, was with us to own and bless. The saints wept and praised God for joy, and we parted in joyful hope of soon meeting our glorified Redeemer, with all the saints in the kingdom of God.
The brethren on the Island have been passing through deep trials, on account of the wicked course of F. T. Howland and some kindred spirits that have been among them, and succeeded in drawing two or three under their influence. But the rest of the church took a decided stand against their wicked course.—And although Mr. Howland and his associates were requested to cease their disturbance or retire from the meetings, yet they persisted, and when the brethren withdrew to another room, they continued to make so much disturbance in and around the house that the neighbors would bear it no longer, and told the brethren that something must be done. They were, therefore, constrained to ask "Cesar," not to protect themselves, but to prevent these men from disturbing the neighborhood around. The town authorities addressed a note to Mr. Howland, requesting him to give bonds for good behavior, or leave the Island, and he accordingly left, thus the brethren have been free from this disturbance.
I spent the Sabbath, Nov. 6th, with the brethren in Boston. Had freedom in reviewing our past history, and presenting the evidence that our hope is soon to be realized. There is evidently an improvement in the state of the cause here and the church are beginning to arise from the effect of the trials through which they have been passing. May the Lord enable all to profit by the light he has given, and come up united to the work of the Lord. Amen.
In view of what God has done, and is doing for his people, and especially for what he has done for unworthy me, I feel truly grateful to him and encouraged to endure the trials of the way. I never felt the importance of walking carefully before the Lord as I have for a few weeks past.
Dear brethren and sisters, the last message of mercy is being given. God has laid upon his people the responsibility of bearing this message to the world. Says Jesus, "ye are the light of the world." Matt. v, 14. How important the trust that God has committed to us. How careful should we be that in our daily course we reflect the light of the third angel's110message, and show to all around that we have living faith in what we profess to believe. A form of the truth will not save us. We must have the principles of God's law, which is love, deeply fixed in the soul, so that our entire being, with all that we have and are, will be given up to God and his cause, a living sacrifice. And a sacrifice does not increase on the altar, but consume. A lamp or light that burns, is continually consuming the means that sustain it.—The conflict will soon be over, and truth, eternal truth will, through Christ, bear away the victory.
Yours to suffer and rejoice with the saints, in hope of eternal life, FREDERICK WHEELER. Dorchester, Mass., Nov. 7, 1852.
Is the Sabbath Law Abolished?
By John Norton Loughborough
From Bro. Loughborough.
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—Some of those with whom I have formerly been associated, seem to express surprise that I should take the position which I have, when (as they say) the light is so clear that the Sabbath law is abolished. A brother writing a few days since, makes this statement: Well, brother, why was it abolished? Was it because of any imperfection in it? Did it not accomplish what God designed it for? Or shall we say it was against man, and thus throw imperfection on the Creator, when Christ says it was "made for man?"
It is said by some, that it was a part of the ceremonial law, and that law was imperfect. Who says the ceremonial law was imperfect? The Apostle, I admit, teaches that it did not make the comers thereunto perfect, yet it was perfectly adapted to point to Christ. But the Sabbath did not depend upon the gospel, or did not point to it for its light; but points back to Creation. Therefore the Sabbath cannot be classed with this law by Paul's argument, for he teaches that there has been a fulfillment of the ceremonies of the law of Moses which is perfect, which is the ministration in the heavenly Sanctuary; and according to their position, the Sabbath has had no such fulfillment.
But you urge that the law is abolished. Where is the proof? Why, say you, Col. ii. 14. "Blotting out the hand-writing of ordinances," &c. This, you say, has reference to the ten commandments. Now let us illustrate: I am walking through a cemetery with a brother who is a believer in the sleep of the dead.—We read the inscriptions on the stones with earnestness. By and by we come to one like this: "'Tis but the voice that Jesus sends to call them to his arms." I have a bottle of ink in my hand, and I say, brother, that is against the truth, I am going to blot it out. Why, says he, that you cannot do. Neither can you use the figure of blotting out what God wrote with his own finger upon tables of stone. Neither would it be a correct figure to speak of nailing it to a tree or cross.
Those who wish to take the ground that the commandments are abolished, wish, also, to have us understand that nine of them were incorporated into the new covenant, or re-instituted by Christ, before the ten were abolished. Then, surely, at that time there should have been the greatest harmony prevailing among men, when they had their duty made plain, and urged upon them by two Law-givers. I admit, Christ quoted the commandments; but never stated that he was re-instituting them. He merely showed that the law of God was still in force, and that we might have a standard to raise when the enemy comes in like a flood with his no-Sabbath delusion. It seems that he is forced to take this ground, for he sees that men will not admit that the world have come to a mutual agreement since the days of Christ, and moves all dates forward one day, so as to bring the seventh-day Sabbath on the first day of the week, according to our present reckoning. So if he can make men think that God has done away his Sabbath, of course they will not keep it.
But our Saviour recognized a Sabbath that would exist thirty years or more after his death. He says, [Matt. xxiv, 20,] speaking of the destruction of Jerusalem, "Pray ye, that your flight be not in the Winter, neither on the Sabbath day."
Says O. R. L. Crozier: "In directing his disciples to pray that their flight from Jerusalem at the time of its destruction, thirty seven years this side of the cross, might not be on 'the Sabbath day.' He speaks of the Sabbath as though it would then exist of course, as much so as 'Winter.' Matt. xxiv, 20. Whatever reason they had for praying thus, does not effect the case in hand. The Sabbath then existed, and here received the sanction of our blessed Lord."—Day-Dawn, Dec. 1846.
And I might add, John who wrote the Revelation which Christ made to him twenty-six years after the destruction of Jerusalem, says: "I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day." We see that he did esteem one day above all others, and called it "the Lord's day," notwithstanding our friends frequently state that Paul esteemed every day alike, applying it to the Sabbath. But John then recognized one day as the Lord's.—The day that the Son of man is "Lord of," of course, is "the Lord's day."
Christ also says: [Rev. xxii, 14:] "Blessed are they that do his [the Father's] commandments," &c., not excepting the fourth. These, with many other reasons which might be produced, are what has changed the channel of my thoughts in relation to the Sabbath question. J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH. Rochester, N. Y. Nov. 13th, 1852.
A Famine of Hearing the Word
By Elon Everts
From Bro. Evarts.
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—I would inform you that in a short tour accompanied by my wife, we saw and felt that the Lord was truly moving on the hearts of his honest children. We went from home on the 13th Inst., and returned the 24th. We found those who were willing, yea, anxious to hear, that were in the nominal churches. They said although they were attached to their ministers, that "their preaching was like chips in porridge, it does not feed, it is the same old story over and over." And some of our church acknowledge that the Bible teaches no Sabbath but the seventh day." And in other towns where I could not then stop to read the present truth to them, the brethren said that a number of families were anxious to hear; some decidedly declared that the churches were fallen, and that they wanted to have the first lecturer that came along with our present truth, to call and give them light. Truly there is a "famine in the land, not for bread, nor thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord."
The 17th, First day, we met with the Advent brethren in Low Hampton, where the lamented Bro. Miller spent his last days. The exercises of the forenoon were in progress, when we entered the chapel, when the speaker, Bro. Miller's oldest son, concluded his remarks. I felt so much of the word of exhortation that it was like fire in my bones, longing to give vent to my full soul. I seized, upon the favored opportunity, to greet those dear children in brotherly kindness, stirring up their minds by remembrance of the former days of our experience, hope and disappointment, and our scattering, and the present signs of Christ's soon coming. The meeting was closed, and the dear children gathered around me in the kindest manner, one circumstance deeply affected me, that was Sr. Miller, (wife of Bro. Miller who was so endeared to me, also to thousands for his labors of love during his life) passing through the little congregation, seizing my hand and her streaming eyes and the hearty shake she gave my hand and kind words assured me of a warm, Christian heart. A number of the brethren asked me to speak to them in the afternoon, but in consequence of their not being agreed, I only had opportunity to exhort them some twenty minutes. I felt that prejudice gave way, and at the close they gave notice of an evening meeting for me to present the commandments. Although the evening was very snowy, yet a few came in and gave a candid hearing to the truth. The kindness of Sr. Miller in entertaining us over night, and the kindness of her children and many others there, and besides Bro. Robbins Miller, voluntarily offering to try to obtain an opportunity for a presentation of a number of lectures there, made us feel that we had had a work of breaking ice, for which I feel to praise the Lord. Many omens I could mention that plainly show that the commandments are interesting to the starving scattered flock. Some in Fairhaven, Castleton and Shrewsbury, where I lectured two evenings to good congregations. A good interest was manifested and they invited me to come soon again and hold a number of meetings.
On the next Sabbath I met with the brethren in Granville, Vt., at Sr. Rice's. Had a good comforting meeting. Dear sister Rice, although to human appearance is near the grave, was greatly comforted.
In view of the cry of the churches for light, I truly can say that the fields are white while laborers are few. O, my cry is that the Chief Shepherd would send forth laborers into the harvest who are full of the Spirit of the Good Shepherd, that will enable them to suffer hardness with patience, overcome prejudice with kindness, and win souls in the Spirit and love of the gospel. I verily believe, there is more dependent on a kind, loving winning spirit, than many are aware of; for there is every sort of effort put forth to alarm and prejudice the dear children, that the adversary can master, and unless they can see some of the fruits of love to melt their frozen hearts, arguments will only drop on stony ground.
The fruits of kind labors put forth in the last conference that you attended on your Eastern tour, are the ingathering of some souls to the keeping of the commandments with delight, and a heavenly peace to the joy of the saints and praise to the Lord.
ELON EVERTS.
New Haven, Vt., Oct. 30, 1852.
Brother Southwick’s Experience
By Milton Southwick
From Bro. Southwick.
DEAR BRO. WHITE :—I wish to give you a little sketch of my experience. In 1817 I joined the Presbyterian church. I soon became dissatisfied with the position they took in reference to a Temporal Millennium, and the return of the Jews. I could not see how the promise to Abraham could be fulfilled to him and his seed in this life, since the promise was to be sure to all the seed, and they were rushing into their graves by hundreds every year.
But when Wm. Miller commenced lecturing on the second appearing of Christ, I became interested in the glorious doctrine of the resurrection, and could then see that the promise made to Abraham and his seed would be fulfilled in the New Earth. David says, the meek shall inherit the earth, but the wicked shall be rooted out of it. "They are not all Israel that are of Israel * but in Isaac shall thy seed be called." Rom. ix, 6, 7. I could then see that if we be Christ's then we are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
It took me sometime to get the idea fixed in my mind that the Lord was coming in the Autumn of 1844. But at length I became satisfied from the evidence brought to view in the type, that this would be the case. I began asking myself the question, Am I prepared to meet him in peace? I found, on close examination, that if I were weighed in the balance I should be found wanting. I then enquired, Lord what wilt thou have me to do? I soon learned the will of the Lord in this matter, and in accordance with it, I dedicated myself, soul, body and spirit, and all I was in possession of, to his service. And O, the glory, the indescribable glory that shone around me in this act. I shall never forget it. Praise God, no, never.
I also heard the message, Babylon is fallen, come out of her my people. I felt that it was from God.—I was resolved to do any thing and every thing that he required. I left the Presbyterian church, and received a great blessing in so doing. But, alas, my Lord did not come. I can truly say, I was disappointed. But God has always a comforting word for his children, glory to his name.
While returning home from meeting one day, praying over the subject, I turned to my companion and said, there is a mistake in the event. The angel did not say to Daniel, then shall Christ appear, but, then shall the Sanctuary be cleansed. But I was in the dark as to what the cleansing of the Sanctuary meant.
I still felt that I was a pilgrim and a stranger here, that this was not my home; but I was determined by the grace of God assisting me, to seek a City that was out of sight, whose builder and maker is God.
I left Mooers, Clinton Co., N. Y., for Wisconsin where we have lived six lonesome years, without hearing111one lecture on the second appearing of Christ, or even the opportunity of conversing with one who was looking for that event. But we did not forget to look to God for deliverance. And it has, at length, come.
Last March, a man by the name of N. Perry, a preacher, came to my house. In course of conversation he enquired, to what church I belonged. I told him I professed to belong to the body of Christ, and was looking for his second appearing. He said that there was some Advent brethren twenty miles distant, soon to hold a conference and I ought to go. I concluded so to do.
We there found Brn. Phelps, Waggoner and Bates. The sound of an Advent brother's voice was music to my ears, and joy to my soul. I heard them on the third angel's message and other things connected with it, and it was a feast of fat things to my soul. I there learned what the cleansing of the Sanctuary is. Praise the Lord. I told them they must come to my place and lecture. Bro. Phelps complied with my request. The result has been, that some fifteen persons have embraced the Sabbath, and are now rejoicing in the present truth, trying to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.
Have we not reason to rejoice, and give glory to God for his goodness towards us, unworthy creatures?
Yours in hope of soon seeing Jesus,
MILTON SOUTHWICK.
Oakland, Jefferson Co., Wis., Oct. 24th, 1852.
An Isolated Sabbath Keeper
By H. C. Mason
From Bro. Mason.
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—I am thankful to God for this opportunity of sending in my little mite towards the support of the truth. I praise him that ever I was brought under the sanctifying influence of the third angel's message. I feel that as long as I keep the commandments of God, and have the faith of Jesus, I shall be carried above the trials of the way, and persecutions of a wicked world, and through the time of trouble be safely kept, and at last, stand upon the sea of glass, and sing the song of Moses and the Lamb.—O, praise God for his blessed promises to those that keep his commandments.
I have been trying to keep the Sabbath of the Lord according to the commandment for about two months. I am all alone here, there being no one within ten miles that keep all the commandments. Bro. D. Hewett, of Battle Creek, spent the last Sabbath here, and the promise of Christ was truly verified to us, that where two or three are gathered together in his name, there will he be in the midst.—We had a blessed time. Truly, it is good to walk in all the commandments. The contents of the Review and Herald is meat in due season to me.
That you may be upheld and sustained in publishing the truth, is the prayer of your unworthy brother,
H. C. MASON.