p. 64 | Review and Herald, Vol. 7, No. 8. (10/16/1855)

Heirs According to the Promise

By H. S. Giddings

From Bro. Giddings.

DEAR BRO. WHITE:—I take this opportunity to let you know that I am still striving to keep all of God's commandments, and to let my light so shine before others that they seeing my good works may be led to glorify our Father which is in heaven. Yet when I look upon my past life, I regret that it has not been more exemplary, and I mean by the grace of God assisting me to overcome every temptation, for the promise is, "He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son." Rev. xxi, 7. "And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together." Rom. viii, 17.

The apostle Paul tells us that to Abraham and his seed was the promise made that they should be heirs of the world. "Now to Abraham and to his seed were the promises made; he saith not, and to seeds, as of many; but as of one, and to thy seed which is Christ." Gal. iii, 16. "And if ye be Christ's then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." By looking at the promises made to Christ, we may learn what his followers will inherit.

The angel says, "He (Christ) shall be great, and shall be called the son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his Father David: and he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end." Luke i, 32, 33. The Lord saith, "Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, (Christ,) thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I will give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession." Ps. ii, 7, 8. In this we have a share, if we endure unto the end.

My heart glows with love to God when I meditate upon the precious promises which he has given to his people, those who keep his law. "And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth it shall prosper." Ps. i, 3. I can adopt the words of the apostle Peter, "Blessed be the God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you."

Yours in hope of an unfading crown. H. S. GIDDINGS. Jo Daviess Co., Ill., Sept. 19th, 1855.

The Law and Faith

By S. A. Taft

From Bro. Taft.

BRO. WHITE:—I was very much gratified, not to say deeply interested, in the remarks of Bro. J. H. W. on the article written by myself, and published in the Review, No. 4, Aug. 21st. I hope to benefit by all he said. Still, Bro. W. has failed to convince me of any error in the view that I entertain of the law of God as it stands revealed in the Bible. I may be in error however, but I don't see it. The point at issue I regard as one of some importance, and if I shall not be intruding, I will, at some future time, give a full reason of the hope that is within me. I will assure Bro. W. I hope, equally with himself, to be found living in obedience to all the commandments of God. Faith on our Lord Jesus Christ has not released me from the commandments of God as a rule of duty. I regard myself as "delivered" from them only as prescribing the conditions of my acceptance with God, or a rule of justification. The commandments of God are a positive rule of duty; and faith on our Lord Jesus Christ a positive rule of justification. "By the deeds of the law no flesh shall be justified." "A man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law." "Do we then make void the law" (as the rule of duty, and the great source whence originates a knowledge of sin) through faith? (as the great rule of justification?) God forbid; yea, we establish the law," and aver in the most unequivocal manner, "that the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just and good." In so far then I anticipate that Bro. W. and myself would be at one. At least this is "the sense" in which I understand that we are released from the law of God. It is thus I understand the great Apostle, when he says, "Ye are not under the law, but under grace." God has not, in releasing the race from his law as a rule of justification, given the unqualified license to run wild in all manner of dreadful iniquity. Nay, verily, "THE LAW IS HOLY, AND THE COMMANDMENT HOLY, AND JUST AND GOOD." The law of God is now as ever the bridle of the human conduct. It is our "school-master;" and one of the first great lessons it teaches us is, that we are sinners. "By it is the knowledge of sin."

I have no desire to provoke a controversy with any of my brethren. There is but one contest in which I will allow myself to engage; and into that, if Bro. W. chooses, I will enter with all my heart; and that is a contest for a glorious IMMORTALITY and ETERNAL LIFE, through Jesus Christ our Lord. I do not mean to insinuate by the above that Bro. W. or any other brother has expressed, or even so much as intimated a desire to draw me into any controversy. Nay, brethren, Bro. W. has spoken kindly, and I magnify the spirit. I speak in general terms, religious controversy is ever to be deprecated; but where a free and friendly interchange of religious views can be had under the influence of the proper spirit, it is always profitable to all concerned. But in the one contest alluded to we shall all be conquerors if we but strive lawfully; that is, according to law—both the law of grace and the law of commandments.

In relation to "the Sabbath," I say now, as I said before, if there is any Sabbath at all in this age, it is beyond controversy, the seventh day. "The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God." May the Lord guide us into all truth, is the prayer of one who loves the Lord Jesus, and the doctrine of his second, actual, personal appearing in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly. Amen. S. A. TAFT. Macomb Co., Mich., Sept. 25th, 1855.

SELECTIONS.

Remarkable Special Providences.

A CORRESPONDENT of the New York Observer furnishes the following remarkable cases of special providence:

It is an authentic fact that during the terrible massacre in Paris, in which many eminent Christians were cruelly killed, the celebrated preacher, Peter Moulin, was preserved for further usefulness to the cause of the Gospel in a most remarkable manner. He crept into a brick oven to conceal himself, but had little hope of remaining undiscovered in the searching search for slaughter that was carried on. In the kind providence of God, a spider immediately crawled to the opening of the good man's retreat, and wove a web across it. The dust blew upon the airy screen, and made it dingy; so that the place appeared to have been long unfrequented. The enemies of the Christians soon passed by, and one of them carelessly remarked, "No one could have been in that oven for several days!"

What a touching idea does this incident give of our Father's protecting love for his children!

An anecdote similar in character is related of Mr. Churchill, a native of England, who had taken up his abode in India, about two miles from Vizagapatan. Soon after sunset, on one occasion, while he was sitting in his dwelling, of which the outer door was thrown open, meditating with deep sorrow upon the recent loss of his wife, and the helplessness of his little children, who were lying asleep near him, he was suddenly thrilled with terror to observe a monstrous tiger cross the threshold of his house, and enter the room, with glaring eyes and a ferocious howl. But the animal caught sight of his full-sized image reflected in a large mirror opposite the door, and rushing at it with all his fury, breaking it into a thousand fragments, he suddenly turned and fled from the spot. Thus providentially did God preserve two little children and their father from the jaws of a wild beast!

Less thrilling, but not less remarkable, is the incident related in the following epitaph, which is copied from a tomb near Port Royal, in the isle of Jamaica:

"Here lieth the body of Louis Calda, a native of Montpelier, in France, which country he left on account of the revocation. He was swallowed up by the earthquake which occurred in this place in 1692, but, by the great providence of God, was by a second shock flung into the sea, where he continued swimming till rescued by a boat, and lived forty years afterward."

It is said of John Knox, the great Scottish reformer, who had many friends and many enemies, that it was his frequent custom, while in his own house, to sit at the head of a table, with his back to the window. On one evening, however, he would not take his usual seat, and gave a positive command that no one of his family should occupy it. He took another chair in a different part of the room; and shortly afterward a gun was fired, the bullet of which passed through the favorite window, grazed the top of his vacant seat, and shattered the candlestick that stood upon his table! This was not the only wonderful escape he had from his malicious and determined foes.

The celebrated Dr. Calamy, in his "Life and Times," relates that he knew a sea captain, named Stevens, of Harwich, England, who was once, by a wonderful providence, preserved from drowning, together with all his crew. While on a homeward passage from Holland, the vessel sprung a leak, and the water gained in the hold so rapidly that, in spite of the pumps, which were worked with the energy of despair, all on board gave themselves up for lost. Suddenly, however, and to the surprise of all, the water ceased to gain in depth, and the pumps being again plied, the ship safely reached her harbor. After her arrival, it was discovered, on examination, that the body of a fish had become so firmly wedged in the leak, that it could with difficulty be taken out whole! It is of but little consequence, though it is an established fact, that the fish was preserved in alcohol, and kept as a curiosity in the family of Captain Stevens.

In view of these striking instances of Divine providence, how can we think of our Father in Heaven and not be touched with the thought of that tender love which leads him to take such wonderful care of his children. Truly, we may cast all care upon him, "for he careth for us."

COMMUNICATIONS.

By A. S. Hutchins

From Bro. Hutchins.

DEAR BRO. WHITE:—By the grace of God assisting, I am still looking and striving for an “inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away.” My confidence is established in God’s blessed promises. I firmly believe they will all be fulfilled. Grace will be given to sustain the humble follower of Jesus in proportion to the trials through which he is called pass; and eternal life will be the final reward of all the saints. O, praise God for the bright and blissful prospect which lies before the remnant. We are fighting for a “crown of glory that fadeth not away.” “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you. But, 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.”

But few at present know what it is to “rejoice” in the suffering part of religion; but those who follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth will have to learn this sacred lesson. O, may the Lord hasten the time when our hearts will overflow with “exceeding joy,” in view of the sufferings of the cross of Christ: and we be able to say from the heart,

For the sake of purer riches, I'm willing to pass through All earthly tribulation, And count it my just due.

A. S. H. West Fairlee, Vt., Sept., 26th, 1855.

T. FINCH

By T. Finch

From Bro. Finch.

DEAR BRO. WHITE:—The cause of the Lord is still progressing in this vicinity. Some four or five have embraced the Sabbath truth since the Tent-meeting held here by Brn. Loughborough and Cottrell. Others are favorable. I am satisfied that the way is being prepared for the third angel's message to go with a loud voice; and my prayer is that we as a people may be wholly awake to the interests of the cause of present truth, and not get asleep on the enchanted ground. I do feel that we should buckle on every piece of the armor, and strive to have our influence tell for the truth and not against it, and feel that no sacrifice is too great to make to enter heaven. The Lord help us, is my prayer.

T. FINCH

Roosevelt, Sept. 28th, 1855.

Phelps’s Proposed Lectures in Illinois

By Charles Pangburn

From Bro. Pangburn.

DEAR BRO. WHITE:—I would say that we have recently learned through the Review that brother Morton and family resides somewhere in Will. Co. We have not learned their P. O. address. We would say to them that brother Phelps from Wisconsin (a lecturing brother) designs to be here about the middle of November, to spend a few weeks with us. I would say to brother Morton if he wishes to attend or to have brother Phelps call on him and give a course of lectures, to inform us by writing a line and give us the name of your town and P. O. address, and also other brethren and sisters, if there are any in this section of country will give us their address. Please to direct your letters to Charles Pangburn, Mokena, Will Co., Ill.

HANNAH SMILEY

By Hannah Smiley

From Sister Smiley.

DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS:—I would just say through the Review that should any of the traveling brethren come in the vicinity where we live, I want them to come and see us. We live two miles west from Unity Village, on the stage road from Waterville to Bangor. Inquire for Seneca Smiley.

HANNAH SMILEY

Unity, Me., Oct 8th, 1855.

Continue to Trust.

"MARK that text," said Richard Adkins to his grandson Abel, who was reading to him the 32d Psalm, "Mark that text, 'He that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about.' I read it in my youth and believed, and now I read it in my old age, thank God, I know it to be true. Oh, it is a blessed thing, in the midst of the sorrows of the world, Abel, to trust in the Lord."

These are hard times; hard for the rich and harder still for the poor. But let not the poor man be cast down. God's eye is upon him. And now is the time to trust in God and not waver. Many a man has been reduced to want, and at the very time of his greatest necessities the hand of the Lord has been extended to relieve. Henry Venn, author of "The Complete Duty of Man," was once, as many of God's people have been, in great want. He owed money, and had none to pay the debt. The creditor was importunate for the payment of his bill. He had no resource left, but with earnest supplication to make known his wants to God. And mark the result, while he was upon his knees, a letter was brought inclosing a bank-note of 50£., equal to two hundred and fifty dollars. He never found out the donor. But God sent it, sent it in the time of his greatest distress; and his biographer relates, that he was at length enabled to live in continual reliance upon the care of Providence, and his wants were remarkably supplied. He continued to trust, and God continued to take care of him. And so it has been in thousands of instances.

But the difficulty with many persons is, while they can trust in God whenever things look prosperous yet in times of want they lose their faith; and then failing to trust, they are apt to do wrong by making use of sinful means of getting along. If these words come before the eyes of one who is hesitating, thinking to live better by doing something his conscience tells him is wrong, let him stop. O, my brother, shun the first false step. God's arm is not shortened, that he cannot help you. Trust him now when the day is dark, and the times are hard. Continue to trust, and God will help you. Yea, he is pledged to help you. But if you take one false step, beware; you must then take another and another, and so you will be led away from your Father in heaven.

Beware of the first false step. Remember the case of another clergyman in England, Dr. Dodd, who was condemned to death for committing forgery, and was hung upon the gallows. He made one false step when he was a minister, and this led on to others, until at last he died the death of a felon. He was in the habit of gathering his people in his own house for the purpose of prayer and religious instruction; but doing this exposed him to the reproach of some of his brethren in the ministry; and in his own house he told the few who came together to be benefitted, that "he was obliged to give up that method of helping their souls, because it exposed him to so much reproach." His conscience told him to go on, fear bid him stop. He yielded, and so lost a good conscience. And then he sunk lower and lower, until he committed forgery.

Trust in God. Are your wants many? Trust in God. Does your family lack food? Trust in God. Continue to trust. Keep a brave heart, and God will help you.

The Triumphs of Truth

A wise minister would rather preserve peace than gain a victory, because he knows, that even the most successful war leaves nations generally more poor, always more profligate, than it found them. There are real evils which cannot be brought into a list of indemnities, and the demoralizing influence of strife is not among the least of them. The triumphs of truth are the most glorious, chiefly because they are the most bloodless of all victories, deriving their highest lustre from the number of the saved, not of the slain.

True Honor and Humility

It is by no means certain that he who shall receive the highest honor in the last day, shall have been on earth regarded as eminently pious. It is certain he will not have regarded himself so.

Faith in Answers to Prayer

By Adam Clarke

ANSWERS to prayer are to be received by faith; but faith should not only accompany prayer while offered on earth, but follow it all its way to the throne of grace, and stay with it before the throne till dismissed with its answer to the waiting soul.

FOREIGN NEWS.

THE FALL OF SEVASTOPOL.

AFTER a year of varying fortunes and terrible suffering, the Crimean campaign has at last reached its turning point. From the 1st inst. to the 8th the Russian telegraphic dispatches admit that considerable damage had been done to the lines of Sevastopol by the allied fire, and that the damage had been repaired "as much as possible," and no more. Finally, on the 8th about noon, the Allies stormed four of the bastions—were defeated at one, carried two; but were again compelled to leave them, though they finally maintained themselves in the fourth, and what was most important, on the Malakoff Hill. The loss of this point forced the Russians on the 9th to march their troops from the southern to the northern side, and thus to abandon the town of Sevastopol, after having exploded their magazines, blown up their buildings, ruined the defensive works by springing mines under them, and converted, to use Gen. Pelissier's words, the whole place into an immense blazing furnace; they also burnt their steamers, sunk their last ships-of-war, and finally broke up the bridge near Fort Paul.—Com. Reg.

Special Notice.

By Editor

Change of Address. For the future, until further arrangements are made, all letters for the Review Office should be addressed to Eld. James White, Battle Creek, Mich.

General Conference.

PROVIDENCE permitting, there will be a General Conference at Battle Creek, Mich., Nov. 16th.

The great object of this Meeting is to make choice of those Brethren who shall conduct the REVIEW, and to consider other matters of vital interest to the prosperity of the cause. Each church is requested to send a delegation of one or more to this meeting, if possible. We hope there will be no failure, but each church be represented.

We also request Brethren in other States to send delegates to this Meeting, or letters setting forth their views of the best plan to conduct the REVIEW, to Henry Lyon, Battle Creek, Mich. We expect a general expression, that this Meeting may act in harmony with the body at large.

Meetings will be held in the House of Prayer, Sabbath and First-day.

For want of time this appointment is given before hearing from the brethren. It is given at this early date, that the necessary business may be done before a No. of the REVIEW shall be issued from Battle Creek.

D. R. PALMER. HENRY LYON. CYRENIUS SMITH.

Receipts.

By Editor

L. Paine, S. A. Hallock, M. Thompson, S. Woodard, L. Greaves, J. Noyes, R. Davis, M. Adsit, E. Pennel, C. Bailey, H. H. Wilcox, Wm. Sugden, H. Smiley, each $1.

M. Capin $0.50, A. Woodruff $0.33. R. D. Howland $0.25.

To Send Review to the Poor—S. W. Rhodes, $2.

To Purchase Horse for J. N. Loughborough.—T. Finch, A. Coonrod, M. T. Ross, S. Ross, Geo. Davis, B. Davis, J. H. Green, E. Davis, L. G. Sprague, E. V. Wiard, each $1. L. Drake, Wm. Treadwell, A. Ross, each $2. S. Trowbridge $3. C. P. Finch, C. Finch, each $0.50. E. Boyers $2. Sr. A. G. Smith $1.

AGENTS.

MAINE.	NEW YORK.
N. N. Lunt, Portland.	J. Byington, Buck's Bridge:
S. W. Flanders, Canaan.	A. Ross, Caughdenoy.
Cyprian Stevens, Paris.	David Upson, Moreland.
S. Howland, Topsham.	R. F. Cottrell, Mill Grove.
W. T. Hanniford, Orrington.	John Wager, Orangeport.
Wm. Bryant, Wilton.	L. Lathrop, Oswego.
C. Dingley, E. Pittsfield.	A. H. Robinson, Sandy Creek.
NEW HAMPSHIRE.	E. A. Poole, Lincklaen.
J. Stowell, Washington.	J. A. Loughhead, Elmira.
S. Bunnel, Claremont.	John Hamilton, Fredonia.
MASSACHUSETTS.	PENNSYLVANIA.
O. Niehols, Dorchester.	M. L. Dean, Ulysses.
O. Davis, N. Fairhaven.	J. H. Heggie, Alleghany.
L. Paine, Springfield.	C. H. Barrows, Port Alleghany.
VERMONT.	A. Southwic, Smethport.
R. Loveland, Johnson.	MICHIGAN.
H. Bingham, Morristown.	Albert Avery, Locke.
S. H. Peck, Wolcott.	Ira Gardner, Vergennes.
Lewis Bean, Hardwick.	David Hewett, Battle Creek.
Edwin Churchill, Stowe.	C. S. Glover, Sylvan.
E. P. Butler, Waterbury.	A. B. Pearsall, Grand Rapids
Josiah Hart, Northfield.	A. A. Dodge, Jackson.
R. G. Lockwood, Waitsfield.	Wm. M. Smith, "
Jesse Barrows, Irasburg.	A. C. Morton, Delhi.
E. Everts, Vergennes.	J. M. McLellan, Hastings.
H. Gardner, Panton.	OHIO,
S. Willey, Wheelock.	J. B. Sweet, Milan.
CONNECTICUT.	WISCONSIN.
E. L. H. Chamberlain Md'town.	E. S. Sheffield, Koskonong.
A. Belden, Kensington.	P. Hall, Rosendale.
	CANADA EAST.
	B. Hills, Melbourne

Books for Sale at this Office.

By Editor

Hymns for those who keep the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus.—This is the title of our new hymn Book. It will be found a choice selection, both for the purposes of public worship, and private devotion. The music inserted will be found well adapted to the wants of those who may use this work. 352 pp. 62 1/2 cts.—postage 7 cts.

A Letter to the Disciples of the Lord.—3 cts.

The Three Angels of Revelation xiv, 6-12 : particularly the Third Angel's Message, and the Two-horned Beast.—148 pp.—12 1/2 cts.

SABBATH TRACTS, Vol, I, Nos. 1, 2, 3 & 4—184 pp. This work presents a condensed view of the entire Sabbath question. Price 15 cts., postage 2 cts.

The Bible Class, Lessons on the Law of God and the Faith of Jesus—125 pp.—20 cts.—po. 5 cts.—paper covers 15 cts.

Home here and Home in Heaven, with other Poems—117 pp.—20 cts—postage 4 cts.—paper covers 15 cts.

Last work of the True Church—68 pp.—7 cts.

The Celestial Rail Road—24 pp.—5 cts.

The Law of God: Testimony of Both Testaments—13 pp.—12 1/2 cts.—postage 1 ct.

Man not Immortal, the only shield against the seductions of modern Spiritualism—146 pp. 12 1/2 cts.

The Atonement—196 pp.—15 cts., postage 2 cts.

The Four Universal Monarchies of the Prophecy of Daniel, and the Kingdom of God—84 pp.—8 cts.

The Sanctuary, and 2300 days by John Nevins Andrews—10 cts.

Perpetuity of the Royal Law "—5 "

Review of O. R. L. Crosier—Sabbath "—5 "

Signs of the Times—Spirit Manifestations—124 pp.—10 cts.

Why don't you keep the Sabbath-day? Extracts from Catholic works—36 pp.—5 cts.

Remarks on our Lawgiver, 2 Cor., Chap. iii. Colossians ii, 14-17, The two Bills of Matt. v, 18, Consistency, Thoughts on the Sabbath—36 pp., 5 cts.

Time and Prophecy—a Poem—25 cents—postage 5 cents

" " paper covers, 18 cts. " 1 ct.

A Word for the Sabbath—a Poem—5 cents.

History of the Sabbath—40 pp.—5 cents.

The 2300 days and the Sanctuary—36 pp.—5 cents.

Christian Experience and Views—6 cents.

Supplement to Experience and Views—6 cents.

Youth's Instructor, Vol. I & II, in paper covers—25 cents.

Liberal discount on these works where $5 worth are taken.

Address Elder James White, Battle Creek, Mich.

The Sanctuary and Its Cleansing

By Editor

We have received an article from J. N. Andrews, on The Sanctuary and its cleansing, which we regret to say came too late for this paper. It will be published in our next.

Business.

By Editor

H. H. Wilcox.—Our subscription list has been copied since the commencement of Vol. vii; and as the address of the Brn you name had been changed from the alphabetical order in which they were arranged on our books, they were accidentally omitted. We send back Nos.

H. V. Reed.—We send you Miller's Lectures. We have just got out of Litch's Exposition, but intend getting some more soon, when we will send as you order. Your dollar will cover the expense of both works with postage.

C. R. Austin.—The paper has been sent regularly to your address.