We are living in a time of unprecedented solemnity and importance. The word of the Lord standeth fast forever; and that word assures us that the great day of decision, the day of rewards and punishments resultant upon a finished plan of salvation is near at hand. The mighty truths which have called us out from the church and world, cannot be shaken; so neither can they be overlooked nor doubted by the honest in heart. In view of this, what might we expect? Nothing less, to be sure, than that a great movement would take place relative to these truths, and a people be called out to take their stand upon them, and raise the standard before the world. Such a movement we believe is now going forward, recognized in prophecy as the third message of Rev. xiv.
And this work has peculiarities which we must not overlook. From the very nature of the case the movement must be unlike anything that has gone before it. As this people, living in the last generation, are as a church, as a body, destined for translation, they must enjoy a degree of separation from the world, hitherto unknown; and as their testimony is designed to ripen the harvest of the earth—a portion for the heavenly garner, and a portion for the wine-press of the wrath of God, there must be among them a harmony of feeling and a unanimity of sentiment to a greater degree than would be essential to any other cause. It will not therefore do for each one engaged in this work to set up an individual and personal standard by which to gauge the actions of his associates, and the sentiments they may entertain, and to which if they do not conform, unity of action and harmony of feeling can no longer exist. Individual feelings, individual prejudices, and individual views, must be held in abeyance to the voice of the body; and this none will consider an unsafe course, or fear that they will enslave their consciences thereby, except such as have misgivings about the Good Shepherd’s being able to lead his little flock safely through to that kingdom which it is the Father’s good pleasure that they should ultimately possess.
We have said that this work would naturally be peculiar. Nothing like it can be found in the past, save that by which this was, perhaps, prefigured; namely, the deliverance of Israel from the land of Egypt. And as well ought a stray Israelite have thought to run away from the pillar of cloud and fire, and to find and possess Canaan alone, as for individuals at the present time to think of going on disconnected from the body.
Union being thus essential to our progress as a people, where might we expect the enemy would attack us most fiercely? Answer: Upon this very point. To alienate the hearts of brethren, and sow discord in their midst, would naturally be his greatest aim, and, if accomplished, would be his greatest triumph.
The apostles were well aware of this artifice of our great enemy; and hence their many exhortations to the disciples on this point. Then let us, brethren, not being ignorant of his devices, endeavor to heed their admonitions. Thus doing, a ready and effectual defense will be raised against him. What chance is there for discord and division when all are governed by these words of the apostle: "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and the same judgment." 1 Cor. i, 10. Read also Rom. xii, throughout, marking such declarations as this: "Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love, in honor preferring one another," also 1 Pet. v, 5, "Yea, all of you be subject one to another."
In endeavoring to find for ourselves a correct position, and pursue an upright course, let us never forget that perils, numerous and hidden, lie in our path, and that an enemy of six thousand years' experience in malicious and deceptive acts, is intent upon our ruin. Trials peculiar will arise; let us bear them well. Questions, perplexing to some, will come up; let us consider them with sobriety and calmness; all the while pressing together for the unity of the Spirit, and keeping our eye fixed on the great pole-star of our faith and hope.
Beyond the short seasons of conflict and peril that lie before us, scenes of surpassing glory rise to our view; and soon it will be ours to reach the bright hills and fair plains of the heavenly Canaan, upon which now the eye of faith reposes in infinite and quiet delight.
MEETINGS IN NEWBERN, IOWA.
By Moses Hull
Considering all the circumstances by which we were surrounded, we think this was a profitable meeting. Newbern is eighteen miles south of Knoxville—just the right distance to hear all manner of reports, and certainly Satan has been busy in that direction. I have not time or space to pen half of the falsehoods that were in circulation about me when I arrived at that place, and although it may sound strange, ministers were foremost in circulating some of the false reports about me. The object was to put me down by them, a thing they could not do by argument.
A meeting was called and a vote taken to have me driven out of town. But there were not self-righteous Pharisees enough there to have the vote carried.
One man came to me and said, “Now, Hull, I want you to be honest and tell me whether you are living with three wives, or not.”
Another told me that he was credibly informed that Bro. Cornell and I quarrelled and parted. I asked what we quarrelled about. He said, “Cornell preached in the tent in Knoxville (he was informed by a witness) that every man ought to have seven wives, and Hull contended that three was enough for any man, and they could not agree, so Cornell bought a tent and went north, and Hull took the old tent and staid in the south part of the State.”
A minister was busily engaged in peddling the report that he heard me say that I knew more about the prophecies than Jesus Christ ever did or ever would. The people at first believed all these reports, but afterwards found out that they were false. Several of the best citizens of the neighborhood decided to obey God. May the Lord help them to stand at their post. Yesterday before I left we went to the water, where three precious souls were buried in baptism. Many that did not come out are now investigating, and are warm friends to the Lord’s cause and to his servants.
M. HULL.
Knoxville, Iowa, Aug. 28, 1860.
TENT MEETINGS IN N. Y.
By Rosewell F. Cottrell
Bro. Smith: Our meeting at North Parma, Monroe Co., is just closed. It is a place where much prejudice has existed against the Advent faith; but in the minds of many the prejudice has been giving place to a spirit of inquiry concerning the evidences of our position. Many have confessed their conviction that we have the truth, and a few have decided to obey. The Lord help these to overcome every obstacle that the enemy can place in their way. It is truly an important decision that men are making! a decision upon which life, eternal life, is depending! Many confess the truth, but do not obey. It is to my mind a solemn question. How many of those who confess the truth will be of that class to whom it will be said, "Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee"? O that they could realize the danger of delaying obedience to that which is so clearly the truth of the word of the Lord!
The way seems opening for the truth. In every direction there is an ear to hear. May the Lord guide his servants at this time, that their efforts may be so directed as to prove the most availing for the salvation of souls. And may they be better prepared by the Spirit of God to fulfill their all-important mission, and may laborers be qualified and sent forth into the harvest. The field is fast whitening for the harvest. It is important that every one of the people of the Lord strive to have a part in the great work. Let us not sleep, but let us watch and strive to fulfill our part, that we may hear it said to us, "Well done."
R. F. C.
Aug. 28.
TENT MEETINGS IN MICH.
By James White
Bro. Smith: Our meeting in Milford has finally closed, having been in operation about four weeks. The first week, as we before stated, a good interest was manifested and the tent well filled, but everything was quiet, and the truth did not seem to get hold of the minds of the people much until Eld. Brittain, a local Methodist preacher, took the stand to oppose the sleep of the dead, on Wednesday evening, Aug. 15. He treated the subject with gentlemanly candor, and was replied to by Bro. Frisbie the next evening in the same manner. This had the effect to rouse the people to deeper investigation, and the false shepherds to greater indignation. The next Sunday evening, the time we expected to close, word came to us from a camp-ground, some eight miles distant, that one of their smartest elders was coming to preach against us the next Tuesday night, and would like the tent if we were willing; and preferring to be present to protect the flock when such an attack was made, we readily consented. At the appointed hour a large congregation assembled, and on came the elder, surrounded by about a half dozen colleagues, warm from the camp-meeting, appearing as if they considered David and his sling of minor consequence.
With great circumlocution the elder proceeded to establish that the Bible was the only rule of truth respecting man as man. He then proceeded to treat us to a dish consisting of a strange committure of philosophy, logic, and misrepresentation, served up with a good supply of sublime ridicule. At the close of his harangue, without consultation, he gave out an appointment for the next evening in the tent, to which we objected, stating to the congregation that we had been grossly misrepresented and wished an opportunity to reply before he went any farther. A scene then presented itself which almost beggars description; the elder raving like a madman, and appealing to the congregation for the tent, while cries of “Every other night,” “Preach on the green,” “Preach out doors,” “We don’t want the old tent,” &c., arose from every quarter. As the result, the elder made an appointment for a meeting in the M. E. meeting house the next evening, saying as he did so, “We will see who have souls.”
The next evening we had a majority of about two hundred at the tent, some of them Methodists who were disgusted with the elder’s course.
We trust the whole affair has worked for good, and hundreds are convinced that we have the truth. Notes of the discourse at the meeting house were obtained, and replied to the evening following.
The community is all alive on the subject, and Pilate and Herod have made friends to crucify the truth. Last Sunday evening Eld. Ransom, a Protestant Methodist who has once been with us, came out against us in the M. E. house, in a ranting manner; but as we were ready to come away, and he is a man of so little influence, we thought it best to pay no attention to him.
About twenty have decided to keep the Sabbath; and others are almost persuaded. An appointment was left for a prayer meeting next Sabbath.
Providence permitting, we shall commence meetings at Ray Center, Macomb Co., next Sabbath evening.
Your brethren in Christ, J. B. Frisbie
R. J. Lawrence.
TENT MEETINGS IN MINN.
By John Bostwick
BRO. SMITH: Pursuant to notice our tent was pitched in Mantorville, Aug. 2. It being all we could do to get the tent pitched by the commencement of the Sabbath, as a political speech was to be given to the citizens of Mantorville the evening after the Sabbath, we concluded not to commence meetings in the tent till first-day evening. Our congregations were as large as we could expect, as it was right in the midst of harvest. The crop being a heavy one and help scarce, farmers of course would not take time to turn out to our lectures. Many of them did not stop to pay homage to the Sunday institution, which the citizens of Minn. hold on to with a zeal worthy of a better cause.
During the first week a circus made its appearance in Mantorville. Of course our meetings had to be suspended; for there are scarcely any who will not turn out to a circus now-a-days. So corrupt has man become that our hand-bills in that section were not left to remain posted four days, while the circus hand-bills remained for weeks unmolested. Such is the antipathy of the people towards the truth. This puts me in mind of Paul's prophecy, "Lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God."
During the last week we had a discussion with one Eld. White, of the M. E. church, on the nature and destiny of man. It lasted two afternoons and two evenings, of two hours each. Bro. Ingraham ably defended the truth both evenings, before large congregations, who, as a majority, were convinced that we had the Bible doctrine of man's mortality, and the destruction of the wicked.
On the last day D. P. Hall came into the tent, and, after Bro. Ingraham got through, arose and made a short harangue, railing against the truth and Bro. and Sr. White. He appointed a meeting at the school house in the place, where a few followed him to obtain a hearing of his disgusting and reproachful epithets. He disturbed the meeting somewhat; but this, of course, was a no-law flourish. His friends in this State are few, judging from what we learn.
We closed our labors in Mantorville Aug. 20, pitched the tent in this place Aug. 23, and commenced meetings the 24th. Congregations not large, though some interest to hear.
The brethren in Mantorville were much strengthened in the truth. A few more decided to keep the Sabbath, and we have hopes that the seed scattered may yet bring forth fruit. Paul may plant and Apollos water, but God alone can give the increase. Bro. Ingraham is somewhat worn down on account of much labor. I was called away twice on account of sickness in my family.
As the harvest is now nearly ended we are expecting to have larger congregations. We will still labor on in this good cause, hoping and praying that something will be accomplished by so doing.
Yours in hope of eternal life.
JOHN BOSTWICK.
Medford, Steele Co., Minn.
HEART WANDERINGS.
By Margaret Heligass
How strongly ought the believer to be fortified against the temptations of Satan, with regard to heart-wanderings in duty. Satan knows that if the thoughts wander, God regards not what the tongue says. If he can spoil thy prayers, he fears not what good any ordinance can do thee. If your thoughts be earthly, he cares not how heavenly your words are. Herein Satan gets assistance from the evil heart. Out of the heart proceed evil thoughts. Matt. xv, 19.
They arise out of the heart as the sparks out of a furnace. They stay not in the heart, but are active and ascend to the head. They come out of the heart not as sparks out of a flint, by concussion and violence, forced out; but they "proceed" out of it, says Christ. They come out of it themselves, and they proceed always in a continued act.
Now to fortify our many thoughts against wandering in prayer, study to overcome the love of the world. Where our love is, there will our thoughts be. To set your love on the world and your thoughts on God, you will find altogether impossible. He that loveth the world, the love of the Father is not in him. Seek to overcome this evil. Lay up your treasure in heaven; for where your treasure is there will your hearts be also. Matt. vi, 21. The hearts of the Jews went after their covetousness. Eze. xxxiii, 31.
When they were hearing the word, they could not keep their hearts where their bodies were, but would be where their love was, and where their treasure was. Let not the world be your familiar friend; for familiar friends come in without knocking or asking leave. Therefore be thou a stranger in this present world. Heb. xi, 13. They were not strangers in this or that part of the earth merely, but in the whole world. Be a stranger to the world, and the world will not visit you.
In prayer, make prayer your delight, not your task. Children are subject to look off their books because they delight not in them. When they are playing they are eager and earnest. The bird flutters in the cage, but sits quietly on the tree and sings there. I will go to God, says David, to God my exceeding joy. Ps. xliii, 4. When our thoughts find satisfaction, they set up their habitation and wander not.
Satan often tempts the believer to neglect family or private prayer. The tempter will say to you, You cannot pray aright; you cannot meditate aright; it is of no use for you to join in family prayer; if you pray in secret it is enough.
Dear sisters, let me entreat you to strive to fortify against these temptations. Join in family prayer. It will strengthen your companion. It is your duty to pray before your children. They look for an example from their mother. You must be exercised in keeping a conscience void of offence towards God and man. Be steadfast and unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor shall not be in vain in the Lord. 1 Cor. xv, 31.
Though duty be difficult to nature, yet if you get the Spirit of God, you will do well enough; and God has promised his help. Isa. xl, 29, 31. He giveth power to the faint, and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. They that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength. All the saints of old and of late too, have tried the Lord's way, and they have found that the way of the Lord was strength to them; that wisdom's ways are pleasantness. Their delight was in the law of God. In keeping his commandments there is great reward.
There is always something savory and sweet in religion that accompanies the fervent exercise thereof. Let faith batter down all the temptations of Satan, and believe that our blessed Saviour hath borne the burden and heat of the day. Therefore let us go forward in his name and strength, making mention of his righteousness and his only. In his name we can grapple with the enemy himself; for our blessed Redeemer hath conquered him to our hand. O brethren, beware of committing little sins; for a very little sin can prevent you from communing with God. I would mention as such, vain and idle words, worldly conversation, especially on the holy Sabbath. The first sin was in appearance a very small sin. It was but eating a little fruit. Had it not been for Jesus' dying to atone for that sin, it would have destroyed irrecoverably, all the posterity of Adam. Read Num. xv, 33, 35. You can see what a little sin was then in the sight of God. The man only gathered a few sticks on the Sabbath-day. God said he should surely be put to death. Uzzah's putting his hand to the ark and touching it when it tottered, seemed to be a small sin, and yet he was smitten instantly with death for it. 2 Sam. vi, 7. It is dangerous to commit even the smallest sin; for it is against an infinite God. You displease God your best Friend,126for a little sin. Oh how ungrateful you are to your best Friend, who sent his Son to die that through him you might have life. The wages of every sin is death.
O do not make light of a little sin. Remember that boldness in little sins will be an encouragement to greater. The Devil tempts people from one degree of sin to another; but no man that ever saw sin in his true light, can call any sin little or small; nor can it ever be till there shall be a little law to break, a little God to offend, a little guilt to contract, a little wrath to incur, all which is impossible. It is blasphemy to wish, and madness to expect, it.
Oh be zealous in the cause of the Lord, and in setting a good example before the world, that others may see your good works and glorify our Father which is in heaven. My prayer is that the Lord will enable you by his Spirit to exclaim with the Psalmist, I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies as much as in all riches. The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver. How sweet are thy words to my taste, more than honey to my mouth; therefore I love thy commandments above gold, yea, above fine gold. If there is anything in the world pleasant, it is the praise that flows forth from a loving and believing heart.
Brethren and sisters, pray often for the aid of the Spirit to give you faith, and a meek and quiet spirit, that you may be enabled to overcome the world, the flesh and Satan, and look to Jesus, our great Leader. May God bless you and guide you in the way of all truth, is the prayer of your unworthy sister.
Margaret Heligass.
Lynxville, Crawford Co., Wis.
P. S. The little church here has been greatly strengthened, since the labors of our dear brother Ingraham last spring. May the Lord bless his efforts in Minnesota. The brethren and sisters, with the exception of one man and his wife, are firm and zealous in the cause. Elder Chandler lately delivered a course of lectures here, for the benefit of his no-law brethren. He spoke on the two-horned beast. He made it out in his way to be Russia. He said that the Greek church in Russia brought fire through the roof of the house to deceive the people; the laws of Russia were dragon-like laws. "Bless your souls!" said he, "the United States never spoke like a dragon. It is all stuff." He further said that Sunday was the Sabbath, and he could prove it by the Acts of the apostles. In the Acts it mentioned the first day of the week four times as a Sabbath, or rest-day; but he failed to prove it. He said he would have to go to the Greek to find it. My companion told him if he could find it he might get the reward. He said he could get it; but he did not quote any Greek phrases to prove his position. They have challenged the Sabbath-keepers to discuss the subject of the law. Their man is Elder Sheldon of Viroque, Minn. They did not want to discuss the matter until Bro. Ingraham left. The church here request the labors of Bro. and Sr. White this fall if convenient for them.
M. H.
LENDING ON THE SABBATH.
By J. Clarke
Suppose that a friend who had often accommodated me, and had favored me in various ways, should on Sabbath-day solicit some article, even the smallest, as a rake, a hoe, or the like: I should be obliged to say to him something like this: My friend, if you wish this article for some work of necessity or mercy, which cannot be put off, as to relieve pain or sickness, to perform the rites of burial, or something plainly indispensable, you are free to take it; but if not, I must refuse to lend anything upon the Sabbath for common use, although I should be most happy to accommodate you on any other day.
The Sabbath command is unconditional and universal; it is as much your duty to observe it as mine, and by lending an implement for you to use in the breach of the Sabbath (knowing this), would bring me in as "particeps criminis" in your offense, which I would not dare do.
The Sabbath command is a wonderful instrument; so clear and precise, and it clearly enforces the principle that all I possess and legally control must rest as well as myself.
I am truly pained to be obliged to disoblige you, who have so often accommodated me; but I take such infinite pleasure in obeying God, that I would rather lose all earthly friends than break so good a law, and displease so kind a parent as he is, who first established and still ratifies the Sabbath.
But, my friend, I should be doing injustice to myself and to the cause if I should take the blame of this matter upon myself. No; let the guilt of bringing all this confusion and disorder upon society, rest upon its author, Satan, who has brought in this counterfeit Sabbath with the express design to divide, to disorganize, and distract society. J. CLARKE.
WHAT JESUS IS TO ME.
By D. Hildreth
He is my advocate, my anchor, my beloved, my buckler, my burden-bearer, my captain, my comforter, my counsellor, my deliverer, my example, my friend, my fortress, my guide, my guardian, my hope, my helper, my hiding place, my intercessor, my judge, my king, my leader, my life, my master, my physician, my protector, my redeemer, my rere-ward, my righteousness, my rock, my sun, my shield, my saviour, my strength, my shepherd, my sacrifice, my teacher, in short, Jesus is my all; he is the chiefest among ten thousand, and the one altogether lovely; without him earth would be a wilderness, life a farce, and death an eternal sleep. How could I bear the ills of life without Jesus to lean upon? What attraction would there be to a daily round of labor, if there was no reward for well-doing, if there was no God to glorify, and death was to close the scene forever? The soul would soon become sick of life and its turmoil, if there was no hope beyond the grave. Death would be chosen rather than life. But with Jesus for a hope, life has a thousand attractions. We can glorify him here, be instrumental in saving others, and enjoy him hereafter.
What a consolation to know that the King of heaven cares for us, that he walks with us daily, and participates in our griefs, our sorrows and our afflictions. Yes, what a consolation to know that we have a friend who is always a friend. In adversity, when earthly friends forsake, Jesus stands by to comfort, to console, to raise the drooping spirits above the afflictions and gloom of earth to those bright worlds where sorrow never comes. Blessed hope! Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his." Num. xxiii, 10.
But Jesus will not be formed within, the hope of glory, by simply wishing for it. A protracted effort is necessary on our part. It is in vain to hope for salvation without taking hold of the work, and that in earnest. But while we take hold of the work, we must not take hold of it in our own strength. How helpless we are! The Father must draw us, Jesus must take us and cleanse us, we lying passive in his hands. The whole work seems to rest on this point: our wills must be laid entirely aside, and he will become ours; and we can never do this alone, he must help us. So little of the work is accomplished by us that when saved there will be nothing to boast of. Submission is a glorious virtue, crossing to nature: but all must be given into his hands.
Professors of religion go on for years without making a whole sacrifice, without giving up all. They frequently say, "I want to be the Lord's," and "I wish I was the Lord's," but why do they not say, I am the Lord's! Ah! that is the question—the all-important question. Why can't I say, I am the Lord's! Will not Jesus have me? "Him that cometh to me will I in no wise cast out." John vi, 37. Then the difficulty lies entirely with me. It is because we will not give ourselves to him. Some plead their unworthiness, but this is no excuse. He tells us to give ourselves to him, guilt and all.
But there is a real excuse, and it is this: we do not want to give ourselves to the Lord without reserve, for fear he will require more of us than we are willing to perform. This is it. There is a fearfulness on our part. What if the Lord should require me to do this or that? says the fearful soul. O I couldn't do it, and then he would cast me off. It is true the Lord blesses the soul that tries to find the way and give himself to Jesus; but never is perfect peace found till a whole sacrifice is made. There are many hangers on who wish they were the Lord's, but are not; who wish for a full consecration, but do not obtain it. They want to be consecrated in their own way—they want to know what the Lord is going to do with them, and if they think they can endure it, they will submit to it. My brother, this will not do. This kind of religion will not stand the severe tests which are approaching. Why will so many be shaken out? Because they have not given up all, and resolved to go through, come life or death. What if the Lord should require us to lay down our lives? We are no better than he who said, "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him." It is our privilege to say, "I am the Lord's." I feel it, I know it, I have the daily evidence of it. We know whether we have given ourselves to the Lord or not, just as well as we know whether we are loyal subjects to an earthly government or not. Give yourself to Jesus without delay, without reserve. Make a full sacrifice. Until you do this you will be a stranger to the peace which Jesus gives. When we give all for Christ we are his, because he hath bought us. We and ours become his property. If the thief steals what is in our hands, it is the Lord's; he stole it from him, not from us.
If we are prospered or hindered in our worldly business, he is doing just right with us. If he sends lingering disease, it is not a waste of time; it is very profitable to our souls, and will enrich us to all eternity. How blessed it is to lie down at night, saying, I am the Lord's; to view the approaching tempest, saying, I am the Lord's, whether I am destroyed or preserved, it will be well; to say, Thy will, not mine, be done. What a privilege to cast all our cares upon him and we go free! No fears about the result of our efforts in his service; it will be well.
The Lord will not, cannot, work for us mightily, until we make a full surrender. Launch right out, trusting in his mercy, risk your life and your all in his hands. Believe that he loves you, and will do all he can for you. If there is any one thing that is needed more than another, it is faith. Faith seemingly lies at the foundation of all the virtues. We must believe before we can repent, before we can love, before we can hope. As Satan is vigilant to hinder the most important steps in the Christian walk, be sure he will try to hinder you from making a full consecration. He will persevere for years in blinding the soul to this important step.
But as the message advances, light will be given on every important point. Be careful then to receive all truth. Give not sleep to your eyes, nor slumber to your eyelids until you can say, The Lord is mine, and I am his.
"You may have this world, but give me Jesus."
D. HILDRETH.
Morrison, Ills.
DO THE FIRST WORKS.
By J. Clarke.
This was addressed to the church of Ephesus, the apostolic age: the first works of this age were perfect, such as were witnessed on the day of Pentecost, accompanied with the power of the Holy Ghost, with mighty signs and wonders, and full consecration. It is worthy of notice that this command to do the first works was not given to any of the succeeding ages of the church; their first works were too imperfect to be repeated, and repentance is the general admonition.
Considering the low state of the church, and the gradual fall of the same for eighteen centuries, its standard trailing lower and lower, century after century, until the Laodicean age finds it fairly trailing in the dust, and as often in the hands of enemies as its friends; we can see the impropriety of applying this direction, Do thy first works, to this age, born as we have been and brought up in error, accustomed to see the standard soiled with clay, and bespattered with filth, we should indeed be poorly employed if we should do our first works.
No; it is the mission of this seventh church to be zealous, and snatch from the enemy the standard so127long disgraced by compromises, and betrayed by treason . We cannot go to our fathers for a pattern, nor can we recur to past experience, for such has been the moral darkness, so many mists and fogs have obscured the sun, that the air has been darkened by the smoke of the pit (as in the age of Mahomet), and being bred and educated under such influences we abhor many of our first works, and distrust others lest they were not perfect.
We need a daily experience, a new experience every day, advancing, progressing, onward, upward, leaving that which is behind, pressing forward; a daily experience, eclipsing the old by the depth and breadth of its power, eradicating the old leaven, a leaven generated, nourished, by a contact with evil for eighteen centuries.
J. CLARKE.
DELIGHT IN GOD'S SERVICE.
By Sarah A. Guisinger
By reading the word of the Lord we find that God's people were made glad in the service of the Lord. David was made glad when they said, Let us go into the house of the Lord [Ps. cxxii, 1]; and David moreover said, My meditation of him shall be sweet. I will be glad in the Lord, I will praise thee, Lord, with my whole heart. I will be glad and rejoice in thee. I will sing praise to thee O thou Most High. O satisfy us early with thy mercy, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Solomon was made exceeding glad with the countenance of the Lord. Solomon knew that the Lord loved him; and when the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, Ask what I shall give thee, then Solomon said, Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad. And the words of Solomon pleased the Lord. Moreover the Lord taught his people to rejoice and be exceeding glad when they were persecuted for the Lord's sake; and Peter says, Rejoice inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings, that when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
Dear reader, do you feel as David did when it is said to you, Let us go to the house of the Lord? or do you neglect the assembling of yourselves together and let the cares and anxieties of life keep you away from the prayer meeting? O that we all may feel the importance of living up to the requirements of the Lord, that we may have that joy that is inexpressible and full of glory. The promises of the Lord are sure; and he says, They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up on wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. I desire to wait upon the Lord that I may renew my strength; for I believe that the Lord is soon coming to take his people home. O let us be faithful to the Lord, that when he who is our life shall appear, we may appear with him in glory.
SARAH A. GUISINGER.
Gilboa, Ohio.
Trusting the Lord Through Trials
By L. B. Abbey
From Sister Abbey.
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: It is a long time since I have sent in my testimony to witness for the Lord. Nevertheless I have often been cheered while reading the heart-stirring epistles sent far and near through this silent medium, the Review. Its weekly visits are more than welcomed by us, here in this place. We greet its coming with gladness. Its reading is like the cooling water-brook to the way-worn traveler, as he sits down in the shadow of the rock to quench his thirst.
Deep and sore have been the trials which I have been called to pass through for the last eighteen months, but the Lord has been my support and trust, and my only hope. He alone doth know all our tribulation, and how to make a way for our escape; when tempted and tried to the utmost, he will come to our deliverance. O, how good is the name of the Lord! he is better to us than all our fears. "Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders."
O, dear brethren and sisters, how ought the name of our God to be exalted, for the great salvation wrought out by Jesus Christ, and offered so freely to poor, degraded man. I feel that I have great need to humble myself before the Lord. My prayer is, O Lord, help me to get down where thou canst bestow this full salvation upon me, even me.
It cheers my heart when I read the communications from those who write on the subject of holiness. This is what we must obtain ere we can enter those pearly gates of which we read in the blessed word of God.
O, pray for me that I may be among those who shall have an inheritance on the new earth, where there will be no more sorrow, neither sighing, nor any more pain; not one of the inhabitants will ever say, I am sick. O, how cheering to have this blessed hope within our hearts, that we shall one day stand upon the mount Zion, and all our trials ended. O, blessed thought! how it buoys the fainting spirit up, to contemplate the joys laid up for those who endure as seeing him who is invisible. "The things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal." O, give me of those things which are not seen, that I may with all the redeemed sing the victor's song.
L. B. ABBEY.
Hubbardsville, N. Y.