I am still holding on to the promises of God, believing what the prophets by the Holy Ghost have spoken. I love God, and I love to keep his Commandments. Thank his blessed name! Yes, I love to serve him; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.
I praise his holy name that two or three in this vicinity have recently embraced the Sabbath of the Lord our God. I am expecting that God will give us more who will keep the Commandments of God in these ends of the earth if we are faithful to him and his cause.
The God that made the heavens and the earth in six days, and rested on the seventh from all his work, is a God who will hear and answer prayer, when we come aright before him in faith, nothing wavering; but we ask and receive not, doubtless sometimes, because we do not hold on by faith.
We have no preaching here. I have not seen any of the traveling brethren since Bro. Bates left us last Winter. I think that if some one of the preaching brethren would come this way, who could present the truth in its clear light before the people, some would embrace it. The inquiry is often made, "Why don't some of your preachers come along? I want to hear them," &c.
There are some in this vicinity who are investigating, and want light on the subject of the Second Advent, and its kindred doctrines. Who will come over and help us? Are not the sinners in Wisconsin worth saving? Yes: God's mercy is over all his works. Come in the name of the God of the armies of Israel; and may God give the Message of the Third Angel a new impulse.
Yours in hope of immortality at the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, when he shall come without sin unto salvation to them that look for him.
J. CHASE
Fall River, Wis.
H. N. BATES
By H. N. Bates
From Bro. Bates.
BRO. SMITH:—I would say that the cause of present truth is still my delight. It is truly a consolation to us to read the communications from the brethren and sisters. The Review is the only means of instruction which we have at present. We have had no one to speak to us since Bro. Bates was here; but still we are striving to keep all of God's Commandments and the Faith of Jesus.
We can truly say with the Psalmist, "Great peace have they which love thy law, and nothing shall offend them." Ps. cxix. 165. "O how love I thy law, it is my meditation all the day." Verse 97. But we find many in these last days professing godliness, but denying the power. We are indeed living in perilous times, when men will not hear the law of the Lord.
Iowa is a great field for labor. The harvest is truly great, but laborers few. My prayer is that the Lord of the harvest will send laborers into this part of his vineyard. I feel to praise the Lord that light is shining out of his word; that our pathway is growing brighter and brighter unto the perfect day.
May we, brethren and sisters, have on the whole armor of God, and watch unto prayer, that we may be ready for the return of our long-absent King.
Yours waiting for Jesus.
H. N. BATES
Elkader, Clayton Co., Iowa.
Catholic Power in the United States
By Editor
OUT-SPOKEN POPERY.—The Buffalo Commercial Advertiser translates the following article from its German contemporary, the Buffalo Telegraph. Father Oerter writes in his “Catholic Kirchenzeitung,” or Advocate, a long article, from which we make the following extract:
“Whoever undervalues the spiritual power of the Church in the United States, wanders in a fearful labyrinth. We have not only seven archbishops, thirty-three bishops, and seventeen hundred and four priests, all in the service of the Pope and Church, but we have also thirty-one colleges, thirty-seven seminaries, and a hundred and seventeen female academies, all founded by the Jesuits, bringing danger and death to unbelief and misbelief, to American Know-Nothingism and un-American Radicalism.
“And the hierarchial bands which, like a golden thread, surrounds forty-one dioceses and two apostolic vicariates, and stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific and maintains an invisible, secret, magnetic connection with Rome—this hierarchy is to us a sure guarantee that the Church, perhaps after severe struggles and suffering will one day come off victorious over all the sects of America. It is computed that there are at present more than two millions of Catholic inhabitants in the United States, who are baptized and confirmed Catholic soldiers of the Lord, and who, at the first summons, will assemble in rank and file; then will men not undervalue the power of the Catholic Church in the United States.112
“It will scatter sand in no one’s eyes, and therefore I stand forth openly and directly declare that the power and the influence of the Catholic Church are stronger than many believe. Whoever doubts this must be either a fool or blind.”
A Lonely Sabbath Keeper’s Testimony
By E. O. Meacham
From Bro. Meacham.
BRO. SMITH:—To us it is heart-cheering to hear from brethren and sisters of like precious faith. It encourages us to press on when we learn that they have like trials and afflictions with us. And we would not withhold our mite, which perhaps would be like a cooling draught to the thirsty soul, or a word of consolation to some careworn and wayfaring pilgrim. We are still alone keeping the Sabbath of the Lord, and the faith of Jesus, toiling hard to spread the light of gospel truth to a people who live in an age of darkness and papal error. We find many who gladly hear the word, but regard it not, because they have ever been taught error instead of truth. Still they cannot gainsay Bible truth, neither will they be convinced that the seventh day is the Sabbath, nor that man is mortal, but say if any man preach any other doctrine, save that which Paul preached, they are not to receive it nor bid it God speed. In vain they teach for doctrine the traditions and commandments of men, and call it the gospel which Paul preached. O, consistency, thou art a jewel, to be subservient to so many theories contrary to Bible truth!
We have labored and toiled here for a year and not one has yet ventured to leave the darling institution of Babylon, and serve the living God. And still we have to
“— walk alone and oft are sad,
And falls the briny tear;
Our hearts are grieved with trials sore,
And pressed with many a care.”
We still toil on, desiring to spend and be spent in the service of our Master, hoping the time will soon come, when God will raise up a people in this place who shall be zealous of good works. We still desire to hold on to the faith once delivered to the saints, knowing that our light afflictions here which are but for a moment will work out for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.
Yours in hope of immortality.
E. O. MEACHAM.
Savanna, Ill., July 20th, 1856.
P. S. Will Bro. P. E. Ferrin of Carroll Co., Ill., give me his P. O. address.
Extracts from Letters.
By Editor
Bro. Stewart writes from Cleveland:—"The cause in Cleveland is at a very low ebb, there being but three or four families who keep the Sabbath; yet we should be very glad to have some of the ministering brethren call on us and hold up the truth of the Third Angel's Message before the people. We are sorry to learn by the Review that Bro. Bates passed us by without calling. We would be glad to have any of the brethren call on us as they pass through Cleveland, if they cannot come expressly for that purpose.
"A Bro. Edgerton from a neighboring town was in a few days since, who informed us that there were those in his neighborhood who had heard a little upon the subject and wanted to hear more."
Sister B. M. Hibbard writes from E. Wilson, N. Y.:—"My desire and prayer is that the light of truth may continue to shine upon His word, that we may not be left in darkness, but be led into all truth. I do not feel that I can do without the Review. I prize it next to my Bible.
"It is but about three years since I knew there was such a paper printed. It was sent into the neighborhood free. I sent after it as soon as I heard of it; for I did not know what ground the Advent people stood on since 1843, as we moved from Northfield, Vt. about that time, to Wilson, N. Y. And for six years I lived without hearing about the cause, and when I got hold of the Review it was meat in due season. It seemed that I was a new creature, and in a new atmosphere. I love the truth, for it makes me free."
Sister Beamis writes from Portland Mich.:—"I wish to throw in my testimony on the Lord's side. I cannot express my love and gratitude to God for his loving kindness in bringing me to see the light of the Third Angel's Message. There are a few families here who are trying to keep all the Commandments of God. We meet every Sabbath to worship God, and we are blest in so doing. We attended a meeting six miles from this place last Sabbath, where two kept the Sabbath for the first time, and resolved to keep it hereafter."
Letter from Bro. Hutchins.
By A. S. Hutchins
Bro. Smith:—By the grace of God assisting, I am still pressing forward "to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away." This world looks dark and dreary, and I do not, I cannot, believe that we shall have to toil on much longer here. I would not make my feelings a standard to determine in this great matter. No, by no means; for I think the signs of the times fully justify us in the conclusion that the great day of God's wrath is not far in the future.
Dear reader, will you be prepared to stand in that awful day? Shall I be prepared? These are questions which we should settle in the light of the holy Bible. A worldly spirit is certainly stealing over some that profess to be walking in the light of the Message of the Third Angel. This should not be so. We should be placing our affections more and more on things above, and less and less on things of this earth, which are so soon to be destroyed.
In past days churches have been the most highly favored of God, enjoyed the most of his Spirit, in their youthful days, in the moments of infancy. But the remnant must not be content with having enjoyed much of the divine favor of the Lord; we must be more like the blessed Saviour, and less like this world. "Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body."
"Soon shall we hear him say,
Ye blessed children, come;
Soon will he call us hence away,
And take his wanderers home."
A. S. HUTCHINS.
Hampton, Ct., July 28th, 1856.
Business.
By Editor
E. Gibson.—Your money was received, and will be found receipted in No. 6 of the present volume. One dollar of it being to pay for Vol. VII, is so receipted. You are credited on book to Vol. IX.
E. Pratt:—We cheerfully continue your paper.
A. Egbert:—We are unable to make out the P. O. Address of your letter. We credit to A. Egbert, Saginaw, Mich. Is this right?
ISAAC LEESER
By Isaac Leeser
From the Philadelphia Public Ledger.
GENTLEMEN:—In your paper of Monday last, you inserted the following notice:
"Interesting Ceremonies at the Synagogue on the 4th of July.—The Keneseth Israel Congregation, worshipping in the First Reformed Synagogue, in New Market street, have, we understand, abandoned certain portions of their prayers and customs, which were considered inconsistent with the blessings of liberty enjoyed in this land, and adopted some reforms suitable to this enlightened age. The new services which have been adopted were introduced for the first time on the 4th of July, in the presence of a large audience, composed of persons of various religious denominations. The Rev. L. Naumburg, the minister to this congregation, delivered a most eloquent sermon. Those present were much pleased with the music by the choir, under the direction of Mr. Wm. Fischer."
In the above your reporter seems to give an opinion, on a grave theological question, no doubt furnished to him by some of the members of the First Reformed Synagogue of Philadelphia. As a general rule, I do not think it expedient to refute any mis-statements regarding Israelites, which appear in the papers. The community at large appear so ignorant of Jewish affairs that they believe any absurdity concerning us, and it is really not worth the trouble to endeavor to correct most misapprehensions, since others, of a similar kind, are immediately after spread abroad. Thus, for instance, you published lately a short paragraph, stating that the French Rabbis were about to meet, and abrogate in their convention the Seventh-day Sabbath for the Sunday, which error, no doubt, arose from the mere fact that the heads of the Synagogue in France lately came to an understanding to hold a conference this Summer at Paris, to deliberate on the best means to be adopted to promote a better state of religion than now exists in certain quarters, including the French capital. How the religious and political press of America could for a moment believe that such a re-union had touched the Sabbath question, before it had met, is certainly too strange to be explained by any one who did not fabricate the ridiculous story himself. But, according to my mind, it was deemed useless to correct the error, since, first, those who know anything of the state of the question, could not possibly believe it; secondly, the contradiction could not have followed the false statement through the various channels which had spread it so generally.
ISAAC LEESER
July 11th, 1856.
Receipts for Book Fund.
By Editor
W. Grant, D. Hewett, each $5. H. Gardner $3. H. Everts, H. Crosbie, each $2. H. S. Lay $1.
Receipts.
J. H. Ginley, S. Southwell, R. Ralph, J. Porter, “C. M.,” M. Adderton, J. Durham, M. Dean, A. Egbert, E. Pratt, H. Crosbie, each $1. E. Dalgrien, A. Palmer, A friend in Norfolk, N. Y., each $0,50. A. Senna $0,25.
Receipts and Pledges for Relief of Office.
By Editor
Of the following sums those that have been paid are so marked. The rest are pledges to be paid before the first of September next.
H. S. Lay, $1.00. | Louisa Howland $5.00.
H. Lyon 3.00.
Books for Sale at this Office.
By Editor
The price set to each publication includes both the price of the book, and the postage, when sent by Mail.
Hymns for those who keep the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus. This Hymn Book is designed to promote not only public worship, but also social and family devotion. It is a selection of Hymns expressing the faith and hope of the Church as set forth in the Scriptures of truth, free from the popular errors of the age. The Book contains 352 Pages, 430 Hymns, and 76 pieces of Music. Price, 60 cents.—In Morocco, 65 cents.
Bible Tracts Bound in Two Volumes. These Volumes are of about 400 pages each, and embrace nearly all of our published Tracts. We are happy to offer to our friends the main grounds of our faith in a style so acceptable.—Price, 50 cents each.
Sabbath Tracts, Nos. 1, 2, 3 & 4. This work presents a condensed view of the entire Sabbath question.—184 pages Price 15 cents.
The Sanctuary and Twenty-three Hundred Days, by "J. N. A." This work presents a clear exposition of Daniel viii and ix, shows what the Sanctuary is, and the nature of its cleansing. Price 12½ cents.
The Three Angels of Rev. xiv, 6-12, particularly the Third Angel's Message, and the Two-horned Beast. This work maintains the fulfillment of Prophecy in the past Advent movement, and is of great importance in these times of apostasy and peril.—148 pages.—Price 12½ cents.
Review of Crozier. This work is a faithful review of the No-Sabbath doctrine as set forth in the Advent Harbinger by O. R. L. Crozier. It should be placed in the hands of those who are exposed to that heresy.—Price 6 cents.
The Bible Class. This work contains 52 Lessons on the Law of God and the Faith of Jesus, with questions. It is particularly adapted to the wants of those of every age who are unacquainted with our views of these subjects, especially the young.—Bound 25 cents. Paper covers, 18 cents.
The Four Universal Monarchies of the Prophecy of Daniel, and the Kingdom of God, to which is added a condensed view of the 2300 days and the Sanctuary.—Price 8 cents.
The Sabbath. Containing valuable articles on 2 Cor. iii; Col. ii, 14-17, Who is our Lawgiver? The two tills of Matt. v, 18, Consistency, &c.—Price 5 cents.
The Law of God. In this excellent work the testimony of both Testaments relative to the law of God—its knowledge from Creation, its nature and perpetuity—is presented.—Price 12½ cents.
The Truth Found. A Short Argument for the Sabbath, by J. H. W. This is the best condensed work on the Sabbath extant. Price 6 cents.
Sabbath and Advent Miscellany. This work is composed of seven small tracts on the Sabbath, Second Advent, &c., and presents a choice variety for those who commence to seek for Bible truth. Price 10 cents.
The Bible Sabbath, or a careful selection from the publications of the American Sabbath Tract Society, including their History of the Sabbath. Price 10 cts.
The Atonement. This work opens a wide field of Bible truth, and will be found a valuable assistant in the study of the great theme on which it treats.—196 pp—18 cents.
Men not Immortal: the only Shield against the Seductions of Modern Spiritualism. Without the great truth that man is not immortal, and that the dead know not anything, none are prepared to stand against wicked spirits in high places. We commend this work on the immortality question, as an able discussion of the subject.—148 pp—12½ cents.
An Examination of the Scripture Testimony concerning Man's present condition, and his future Reward or Punishment. By this work is shown the unconscious state of the dead, and the final destiny of the wicked. In this work we consider all objections to the mortality of man and the death of the wicked fairly and fully met. Price 18 cents.
Why Don't you Keep the Sabbath? Extracts from Catholic works.—Price 5 cents.
Signs of the Times. This work presents the historical facts concerning the signs in the Sun, Moon and Stars, points out other signs of the soon coming of Christ, and contains an exposure of Spirit Manifestations.—Price 12½ cents.
A condensed edition of 32 pp., 5 cents.
Last Work of the True Church.—Price 7 cents.
Perpetuity of the Royal Law.—Price 5 cents.
History of the Sabbath.—Price 5 cents.
The 2300 Days and Sanctuary by "U. S."—Price 5 cents.
The Celestial Railroad.—Price 5 cents.
Christian Experience and Views.—Price 6 cents.
Supplement to Experience and Views.—Price 6 cents.
POEMS.
Home Here and Home in Heaven, with other poems. This work embraces all those sweet and Scriptural poems written by Annie R. Smith, from the time she embraced the third message till she fell asleep in Jesus.—Price 25 cents. In paper covers, 20 cents.
Time and Prophecy. This work is a poetic comparison of the events of time with the sure word of Prophecy.—Price 20 cents. In paper covers, 12½ cents.
A Word for the Sabbath. This work is an exposure of the false theories in regard to the Sabbath.—Price 5 cents.
Liberal discount on these works where $5 worth is taken. The money should accompany all orders, except for the accommodation of those preachers who can better pay for Books after they have sold them.
Address URIAH SMITH, Battle Creek Mich.
Extra-Bound Hymn Books
By Editor
Some have sent in their orders for a Hymn Book, extra-bound, with their names on the cover, as was some time since proposed: and as they may be expecting something to be done about the matter soon, we would say that not having received orders enough to make it practicable, we have abandoned the idea of getting up any in that style.
THE WORTHY POOR.
By Editor
We have often signified our willingness to send the REVIEW to any who are prevented by misfortune or unavoidable embarrassments, from contributing towards its support, provided they love the truths it advocates, and prize it as a source of aid and consolation. To many we have reason to believe it is such, and we thereby feel strengthened and encouraged.
But who are to be considered the worthy poor? Some have claimed to be among this number who appropriated more to several useless expenses singly, than the cost of their paper. But we cannot consider those worthy of receiving benefits at the expense of others, who lay out means more than sufficient to meet this expense, in the unnecessary, not to say injurious, articles of tea, coffee and tobacco.
We have been led to these remarks by the following letter from R. Townsend of Steuben Co., N. Y.
"I have not received the Review since the 12th of June. I suppose you have got tired of sending it free to me; but as my circumstances are, it is not possible for me to pay. I do not use tobacco, tea or coffee. Your paper is the only means I have of hearing from the scattered brethren. I have been trying to keep all the commandments for over four years; and I have never heard one of the Advent brethren preach in the time. If you feel it duty to continue the paper to me, I shall be very glad; and if not I shall have to do without it. I render you my sincere thanks for what time I have received it, and trust in God for the future."
We do not tire of sending the REVIEW to those who can bear a testimony like the above. Why the papers have not been received we cannot tell; as we presume they have been regularly mailed.
Again we say that a lack of means with any, under the above circumstances, shall prove no barrier to their receiving the paper. Wherever true christianity is found, it will be found that there the poor have the gospel preached to them. And again we read that God hath chosen the poor of this world, rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom, which he hath promised to them that love him.
The truth is free for all. God hath set no price to the blessings of salvation, except to leave all and follow Christ. While therefore we are endeavoring to send out truth to individuals, many of whom have no means to use in the cause, we labor on with confidence, expecting that the Lord's faithful stewards to whom he has committed a portion of this world's goods, will, according as he hath prospered them, cheerfully furnish the means necessary to meet the expense of its dissemination.