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The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 55, No. 23

A LIVING CHURCH

The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald

June 3, 1880

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · June 3, 1880

A LIVING CHURCH.

By Ellen G. White

BY MRS. E. G. WHITE.
A LIVING church will be a working church. Practical Christianity will develop earnest workers for the advancement of the cause of truth. There is a great lack of this practical religion among us as a people. Worldliness and pride, love of dress and display, are steadily increasing among those who profess to be keeping God’s commandments, and to be waiting for their Lord.
The great sin of ancient Israel was in turning from God to idols. This is also the great sin of modern Israel. The apostle Paul said to the Gentile churches that he had raised up, “Ye turned from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from Heaven.” He could truly say to many of them, “In Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.” When he saw them becoming indifferent, the ardor of their faith chilled by backslidings, he exclaimed, “I am jealous over you with godly jealousy; for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” He entreats them to be followers of God as dear children, and to walk worthy of the vocation wherewith they are called, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God. Again, he exhorts them to walk in Christ Jesus, even as they had received him, that they might be rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith. He reminds them, “Ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, that ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.” To the Thessalonians he writes, “We beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us [the ministers of Christ] how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.”
We long to see the true Christian character manifested in the church; we long to see its members free from a light, irreverent spirit; and we earnestly desire that they may realize their high calling in Christ Jesus. Some who profess Christ are exerting themselves to the utmost to so live and act that their religious faith may commend itself to people of moral worth, that they may be induced to accept the truth. But there are many who feel no responsibility, even to keep their own souls in the love of God, and who, instead of blessing others by their influence, are a burden to those who would work and watch and pray. These careless, indifferent ones are a dead weight upon our churches everywhere. Their principal study is not how they can let their light so shine that others will be drawn to God and the truth, but how they will manage, by affectation and display, to attract attention to themselves. Those who are seeking in humbleness of mind to exalt the truth of Christ by their exemplary course, are represented in the word of God as fine gold; while the class whose chief thought and study is to exhibit themselves, are as sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal.
The latter class are far more numerous in our churches than the former. These idle, frivolous persons will never be anything better than driftwood unless there is a decided change in their life and character. They are Christians only in profession; their life, their deportment, is a constant testimony to the world that they know nothing of experimental godliness, of a self-denying life of cross-bearing for Christ’s sake. They are ever studying their convenience, ever planning for their own comfort, their amusement or gratification. They are as salt without the savor. In the day when the Judge of all the earth shall balance the accounts of men, this class will be pronounced wanting.
What the church needs is to be cleansed of those who defile it. The spirit of reformation must be kindled among us, and this class must be converted or be separated from the church. We entreat those who have a connection with God to pray earnestly and in faith, and not to stop here, but to work as well as pray, for the purification of the church. The present time calls for men and women who have a moral fixedness of purpose, men and women who will not be molded or subdued by any unsanctified influences. Such persons will make a success in the work of perfecting Christian character through the grace of Christ so freely given. For those who are ready to be discouraged at every unfavorable circumstance, the great enemy of souls will so shape circumstances as to give them abundant reason to be always discouraged.
Oh that I could speak in language so plain and convincing as to move souls from their position of careless ease and worldly conformity! A genuine experience alone will qualify us to join the throng who come up out of great tribulation, having washed our robes of character, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. I am alarmed because of the indifference and inactivity of those who profess the truth. Satan is untiring in his efforts; he is on the alert continually, to delude and ensnare. How are the watchmen on the walls of Zion doing their work? Are they watching for souls as they that must give account? Are they awake? Are they in earnest? and do they show that they are in full faith of the doctrines they hold?
No man can succeed in the service of God unless his whole soul is in the work, and he counts all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ. Whoever makes any reserve, whoever refuses to give all that he has, cannot be the disciple of Christ; much less can he be his co-laborer. The consecration must be complete. Father, mother, wife and children, houses and lands, everything which the servant of Christ possesses, must be held subject to God’s call,—bound upon the sacred altar. He must be earnest, he must be willing to deny self and lift the cross, to do and suffer cheerfully and with fortitude whatever may be required of him to push forward the great work of reform. The glory of God and the salvation of souls will be his grand aim and purpose of life. He will not go here and there to please himself; but, when duty calls, he will be found, if need be, in the thickness of the fight, and will suffer without reluctance, without repining, irrespective of worldly interest or personal consequences. All this we pledge ourselves to do when we accept the name of Christian, and more especially when we consent to take upon ourselves the work of Christ’s ambassadors.
I think of the many cities and towns, even in our own country, that have never heard a discourse upon present truth, and have no knowledge of our faith, or of us as a people. The solemn warnings for this time have never fallen upon their ears or convicted their consciences. My burdened heart goes up to God in the wakeful hours of the night that he would work by whom he will, to warn the world of their coming doom. Who are living out their faith? Who, with singleness of purpose, are lifting up to the view of the impenitent, Jesus Christ and his matchless love? Where is the living zeal that will make the impression upon minds paralyzed with sin, that we believe what we profess, that the end of all things is at hand, and that what is done in the work of preparation must be done quickly?
The people of God should awaken to a keen perception of the grievous character of transgression. Sin is disguised, and many are deceived in regard to its nature. Satan has planned it thus, that the understanding may be clouded, the spiritual vision obscured, the perceptive faculties of the soul blunted. But God would not have one of us to be ensnared, therefore the nature of sin is faithfully portrayed in the inspired pages,—its offensive character before God, its corruption, its shame, and its results. Everything has been done that God could do to save man from the power of sin, which defaces the divine image, frustrates God’s purpose in man’s existence, degrades his God-given powers, narrows his capacity, leads to unholy imaginations, and gives loose rein to unsanctified passions. Sin! how hateful in the sight of God! Holy angels look upon it with abhorrence.
What is sin? The transgression of God’s law. God wants all connected with him to loathe sin, to hate anything that approaches to it. Transgression is a serpent with a deadly sting. Grant it no indulgence, for it will imperil the soul. Rather choose privation, suffering, hunger, reproach, imprisonment, and death, than the indulgence of sin.
Will the professed followers of Christ cleanse the soul-temple of its defilement? Will those who profess to be his representatives sacrifice anything and everything rather than offend God? A deep-settled conviction is needed in every soul to strengthen the abhorrence of sin. Meditation should be encouraged. We should view ourselves as ever in the presence of God, whose eye searches the soul and reads the most secret thoughts. Since we know this to be true, why is there such a careless disregard of God’s claims? Why such thoughtlessness in regard to the solemn realities of life?
I call upon you, my dear brethren and sisters, to cultivate spirituality, to put away your idols, and in the fear of God, to work for time and for eternity. Again and again have our sisters been warned against indulging pride of dress, which is idolatry; yet they pass on, making no change, and their example is leading others away from Christ, instead of leading to him. Why is it so hard to arouse the conscience upon this subject, when the inspired apostle has spoken so explicitly upon this point? Will my sisters dress plainly for Christ’s sake? for the love of souls for whom he died? Will they remember that they must meet their life-record at the bar of God, and must answer for the money and the time squandered in needless adornment?
Those who seek by earnest study of God’s word and fervent prayer the guidance of his Spirit, will be led by him. The pillar of cloud will guide them by day, the pillar of fire by night; and with an abiding sense of God’s presence it will not be possible to disregard his holy law. The reason why there is so much transgression is that little time is devoted to meditation and prayer. Dress and display and sinful gratification put God out of the thoughts, and sin does not appear exceeding sinful. Satan’s angels are at hand to gloss it over with a semblance of righteousness. If the light from the burning glory of the throne of God should shine forth upon the sinful practices of professors of religion, how terrible would sin appear, how perilous would seem its indulgence. Oh, how soon the desire for sinful gratifications would perish in the withering light of the glory from the Divine Presence!
We are in great danger of looking upon sin as a small matter, unworthy of notice. Sins of unkindness, of impatience, of fault-finding, of unthankfulness, of pride in imitating the fashions of a doomed world, should not be lightly regarded. The channels of thought and action are worn deep and broad by repetition. The longer one pursues a given course of conduct, the greater is the probability that he will continue the same course during life. Evil habits are like chains to hold one to a wrong course. Then how earnestly should we begin the work of reformation.
Let the habits be formed in a safe line of conduct. And for the very reason that religious habits are not so easily established as are those of an opposite character, the more earnest efforts should be put forth to form habits of devotion, of studying the Scriptures, of strict integrity. This will require deliberate purpose, and persistent effort; for the natural heart is opposed to such an education. These habits must be acquired by performing Christian duties with faithfulness and regularity. Make it a habit to attend the prayer-meeting, to be willing and earnest in doing good to others. Let it become a habit to engage in profitable conversation, instead of indulging in the talk upon temporal concerns, upon dress, or upon the faults of others. “Our conversation is in Heaven,” says the apostle, “from whence also we look for the Saviour.” God has given us our talents, and requires that they be used to glorify him and not ourselves.
What grief to the Saviour who bought us with his own blood, that multitudes who profess his name have formed habits which bring them directly under the control of the Prince of darkness! These habits are formed gradually, and almost imperceptibly. Little duties have been neglected. The professed followers of Christ have shunned his cross. Worldly influences have corrupted their purity of soul. They feel no burden for those who are out of Christ, but leave them to go down to death unrebuked and unwarned. Selfish indulgence has hardened the heart and weakened the moral faculties. The Christian course of this class is uncertain. They are looked upon as the representatives of Christ; but they have no living experience, and they are constantly doubting the Saviour’s love. They have a spasmodic religion, and walk in the light of others. They have not a strong, firm, earnest hope of Heaven. Their faith is so feeble that they cannot claim and urge the promises of God. Trials crush them, and make them disconsolate and despairing.
I lift my warning voice against such a life, and beseech my brethren and sisters to diligently search their own hearts, and see if they have a living faith, which works, yes, works by love, and purifies the soul. May God impress our ministers to teach the young converts by precept and example, that they must start right on the Christian course, and continue right, if they would end right. True conversion of soul is essential; theoretical religion will not take the place of heart-work. We all need to connect more closely with God, and then we may teach others the art of believing. The true, humble, earnest Christian will be receiving the mold of a perfect character, and his heart will ever be conforming to the image of Christ. His life will flow out in channels of beneficence and love. Such will be established in God. The work which grace began, if combined with earnest effort to press close to Jesus, glory shall finish in the kingdom of God.
How can I impress upon our dear people, whom God has made the depositaries of his law, a sense of how much is at stake with them. If they sin in words or deportment, they bring dishonor upon the cause they profess to love, and by their example many will be encouraged to turn away from the mirror which discovers the defects of their moral character. What an account will the professed followers of Christ have to render in the day when the Lord will make inquiry for the souls lost in consequence of their unrighteous course. Let us, as the peculiar people of God, elevate the standard of Christian character, lest we come short of the reward that will be given to the good and the faithful. Our probation will soon be ended. We must work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. It is those who hold fast the beginning of their confidence steadfast unto the end, that will receive the crown of immortal glory. Those who make so exalted a profession of truth must answer for the intrusted capital. Simplicity, purity, forbearance, benevolence, and love should characterize our Christian experience. We must labor continually, by study of the Scriptures and earnest prayer, to keep ourselves unspotted from the world.
Jesus has gone to prepare mansions for those who are waiting and watching for his appearing. There they will meet the pure angels and the redeemed host, and will join their songs of praise and triumph. There the Saviour’s love surrounds his people, and the city of God is irradiated with the light of his countenance,—a city whose walls, great and high, are garnished with all manner of precious stones, whose gates are pearls, and whose streets are pure gold, as it were transparent glass. “There shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie; but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” The shadows of night never fall on that city; it has no need of the sun, neither of the moon; its inhabitants rejoice in the undimmed glory of the Lamb of God.

THE DAY OF THE LORD.

By L. D. Santee

BY REV. L. D. SANTEE.
The day of the Lord draweth nearer and nearer, Through the dews of the morn and the stars of the eve; The signs of his coming are plainer and clearer, While the world waxes worse, and seducers deceive.
Life-barks are tossing on time's rugged billow, Often they founder when swept by the gale; Graves still wax greener beneath bending willows; Cheeks that are tearful grow haggard and pale.
Partings on earth bring us trouble and sorrow,— Like parent-birds grieved o'er a poor, empty nest,— Gloom from our sad hearts the night winds might borrow, While lurid clouds wrathfully look from the west.
Just as the song-bird, when daylight is over, Seeks the home-shelter, 'mid silence so deep, So do the dead laid beneath the grave's cover, When God in his mercy has given them sleep.
He who notes e'en the fall of a sparrow, Clothing the lilies with garments so fair, Watches e'er lovingly earth's chambers narrow, Where his dear ones are sleeping away from all care.
The graves will be opened at Jesus' coming, And dear ones will join in a loving embrace; No more separation in wearisome roaming, But borne by the angels they see his loved face.
Then shall the righteous ascend up to Heaven, Rising with Christ through the bright azure sea; Tears wiped away and their errors forgiven, Fullness of joy shall their glad portion be.
They sing of redemption, that sweet, thrilling story, A song that no white-vestured angel can sing; With rapture unbounded, they give all the glory To our Father in Heaven, and Jesus our King.
Fanned by the life-giving breezes of Heaven, Passed and forgotten their sorrow and woe, Clad in their white robes, the starry crowns given,— Far, far behind them the darkness below.
Death has been vanquished; his bars have been riven, Broken his scepter, his crown in the dust. Sad was their earth-life, but sweet is their Heaven; Glory to Jesus in whom is their trust.

WHAT ROMANISM IS DOING.

By Wm. Penniman

BY WM. PENNIMAN.
Roman Catholics are wide awake to every scheme by which they can accomplish their objects. In former times, in the days of papal supremacy, they accomplished their plans by wielding the sword of persecution. Now they intend to work on the educational and political levers, till they can raise the church to its former power. But the kind of education they seek to impose upon the people, is not such a mental and moral training as will develop in them a love for the theory and practice of freedom and truth, but one that will lead them to the acceptance of superstition and error.
The Nashville Gazette contains the following on “Father Schacht and the Free Schools of Nashville,” showing the attitude of the church on the subject of education:—
“On the first Sabbath of this month, this Catholic Father commenced his assaults upon the free-school system of this city, to be continued, we suppose, to the end. We have long expected to hear the first note of the Catholic anti-American war in this city sounded. What has been done in every other city, we have expected would be done here. The priesthood and Catholicism in Nashville are imbued with the same spirit here as elsewhere—everywhere at open war with the religion of Christ, the avowed and implacable enemy of republicanism, of civil and religious liberty, and the foster-parent of ignorance, superstition, and intolerance. Our reporter furnishes us with the following extracts from Father Schacht’s charge to the Catholics of Nashville: ‘The Sisters’ school commences in the morning, and I hope every Catholic will send his children. If Protestants ask if they may send their children to the Sisters’ school, tell them, NO! unless they wish their children to become Catholics. It is a Catholic school, and none but Catholics, and those intended to become Catholics, will be admitted. The free school of the city will also be in operation, and I hope no Catholic child will ever be found in that school. We have a right to send them; you will have to help pay the school tax, but it is better to lose your money than your child’s soul. The honorably begotten and the ill begotten will all meet and mingle at that school, and I hope no Catholic will be found there!’”
This “Father” had the honesty to speak plainly as to their aim in the matter of education. Others, more crafty, keep their object in the back-ground, thus alluring Protestants to send their children to Catholic schools, not thinking they will be educated Catholics. Protestants should remember that “just as the twig is bent, the tree is inclined.”
The New York Freeman’s Journal of November 13, 1877, says: “Education is not the work of the State at all. It belongs to families, and should be left to families and to voluntary associations. The school tax, in itself, is an unjust imposition.”
On the 20th of November the same paper said: “First, we will not subject our Catholic children to your teachers! You ought to know why, in a multitude of cases. Secondly, we will not expose our Catholic children to association with all the children who have a right to attend the public schools. Do you not know why?” This would certainly be a plausible pretext, if it could be shown that the average morality of Catholic children is greater than that of Protestant children. The truth of the matter is, they do not want a ray of Protestant Bible light to shine upon them.
Again, in December 11, 1869, this paper said:—
“The Catholic solution of this muddle about Bible or no Bible in schools, is, hands off! No State taxation or any donation for any schools. You look to your children, and we will look to ours. We do not want to be taxed for Catholic schools; we do not want to be taxed for Protestant or godless schools. Let the public-school system go where it came from,—the devil. We want Christian schools, and the State cannot tell us what Christianity is.”
The following is from another Catholic paper, the New York Tablet of Dec. 4, 1874: “We are not opposed to public schools supported by the State, if the State provides schools for us in which we can teach our own religion; but we are opposed to infidel, godless, or purely secular schools.”
Again, the same paper, in its issue of the 25th of December, said:—
“We demand of the State as our right, either such schools as our church will accept, or exemption from school tax. If it will support schools by a general tax, we demand that it provide or give us our portion of the public funds, and leave us to provide schools in our own religion, under the supervision of our own church. We hold education to be a function of the church, and not of the State; and in our own case we do not and will not accept the State as an educator.”
The Catholic Telegraph, a paper published in Cincinnati, Ohio, of large circulation and wide influence, and regarded as the official organ of Bishop Purcell, said: “It will be a glorious day in this country, when, under the laws of justice and morality, our school system shall be shivered to pieces. Until then, modern paganism will triumph.”
In the preceding quotations we can see the workings of a power which, in its papal form, has been in existence about 1342 years. We trace it from its rise in A. D. 538 to 1798, when Berthier, a French general, entered Rome and took the pope prisoner. Then the temporal power was taken away. During the 1260 years of papal supremacy, it was a persecuting power. It has the same disposition yet, and according to prophecy, will continue to possess it till the end.

BE FREE.

By Mrs. A. P. Lawton

BY MRS. A. P. LAWTON.
“Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” Of course it is not to be expected that we shall be continually upon our knees; but it is the will of God that we should be fully consecrated to him, that our confidence in his word should be implicit, and our hearts should ever be filled with the Spirit. We may then “ride upon the high places of the earth,” and by faith feed upon the heritage of Jacob our father; “for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” The people of God have become so afraid of the spirit of fanaticism, and the Holy Spirit has so long been grieved, that but little joy and sweet hope is left. A sense of a free pardon of all our sins brings with it a spirit of praise and thanksgiving which is pleasing to God. He says this is his will; without this we have the shadow without the substance.
I would not be an accuser of the brethren, but I am anxious to see God’s people forgetting their feebleness, clothed with the whole armor, speaking forth the word of God with power, living epistles, known and read of all men. God is waiting for us to come up to this standard. We ask, and then go our way, not expecting to receive an answer to our requests. As a matter of course we receive nothing; we should be disappointed if our prayers were answered. This is why so many are weak and sickly among us. God is the same as formerly. It is our sins that separate us from him; our unbelief hinders. “But,” says my brother, “we must serve God from principle, whether we have feeling or not.” This is true; but God seeks such to worship him as worship him in spirit and in truth, and this we cannot do without feeling. If we thus serve him, our peace will be like a river, and God will be first and last in everything.

WHY SLANDER THE DEAD?

By M. E. Cornell

BY ELD. M. E. CORNELL.
Where should we expect to find the exact truth plainly stated, if not in obituary notices and on tombstone inscriptions? Of the patriarchs and prophets it was plainly written, He died, and was buried. But never a hint is given that these men were in any sense still alive.
Several young men were walking in a cemetery and reading the inscriptions placed over the dead, when they were astonished by one that read, “I still live.” One of the company, who seemed to be in deep study, was asked what he was thinking. “Well,” said he, “I was thinking of the absurdity of that inscription. I will admit that death is a disgrace, and that it ought to be held in abhorrence as a shame and a curse, yet if I was really dead, I believe I would own it.”
Again, how often it is said of the dead, “The Lord has taken them away,” when there can be no doubt that their death was occasioned by their own neglect—their want of attention to the laws of life and health.
Not many years ago, nor very far away, there was a great feast, on the occasion of a popular donation party. It was held in the State-house, and after hours of excitement, near midnight, over three hundred sat down to partake of the rich dainties prepared for the occasion. The sisters had vied with one another in the preparation of almost endless varieties of the richest kinds of food. They had twenty-two kinds of cake, sixteen kinds of pie, thirteen sorts of preserves, and all else in proportion. Now it so happened that a wealthy and influential brother of that company was in such favor that the sisters actually killed him with kindness! As the tables were furnished by voluntary contributions of the sisters, they were all anxious to get this brother’s opinion of their particular kinds, and, being susceptible to flattery, they wanted his praise, and so urged him until he ate of all their delicacies, and the result was that he died in twenty-four hours. At the funeral, the cause of his death was said to be a “mysterious and wonderful dispensation of providence,” while in fact it was the direct result of a wonderful dispensation of cake and pie.
What an awful record would appear to an astonished world, if the exact truth was stated in all cases. In a country graveyard in New Jersey, there is a plain stone erected over the grave of a beautiful young lady, with only this inscription upon it: “Julia Adams, died of thin shoes, April 17, 1837, aged 18 years.” This is a rare specimen, because not one of a thousand would be willing to own that disease and death, in their particular case, was caused by fashion, pride, or appetite. But let the plain truth be stated, and we should read multiplied thousands, like the following: “Died of tight lacing;” “Died of impure air;” “Died of overeating;” etc., etc.
The general cause of premature deaths is comprehended in two Scripture expressions; namely, “My people doth not consider;” “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” These declarations will apply to things temporal as well as spiritual. If people would calmly consider and investigate, they would know the real facts in the case, both as to the living and the dead. Thus many evils would be averted, and many foolish and even heathenish statements would be avoided, both as pertaining to the dead and the causes of death.

THE TESTIMONIES.

By Mrs. S. M. Swan

BY MRS. S. M. SWAN.
In these days of skepticism and unbelief in the gifts which God has bestowed upon his church, when we are so often accused of undervaluing the Bible because we believe in the gifts of the Spirit also, it is pleasant to meet with such testimony as the following from Mrs. Phebe Palmer, as published in the Way of Holiness:—
“There is no subject relative to which I have more ardently desired to be a living epistle, than in reference to the infinite importance, excellency, and comprehensiveness of the word of God. I do indeed regard it as a sufficient rule of faith and practice. I wonder why the absolute importance of searching the Scriptures, in order, by a careful study, to show ourselves approved in the sight of God, is not more urged from the pulpit and the press. We have no right to think that we shall be ‘thoroughly furnished unto every good work,’ to conceive ourselves otherwise than liable to be carried about by every wind of doctrine, without careful searching, and comparing of scripture with scripture, which surely implies something more than mere reading. And I most conscientiously believe that there is no subject relative to which the world of professing Christians, on waking up in the resurrection morning, will find themselves to have been more mistaken than in reference to this. The ever-unalterable principles regulating the government of God, as laid down in his word, are so distinct, compact, and comprehensive, that I have never yet, in all my experience, found one case but that has been touched, neither do I ever expect to find one; and were I expecting my pilgrimage to be lengthened out to the age of Methuselah, and temptations from the world, the flesh, and Satan to increase continually in poignancy and subtlety of invention, and spirits of darkness to thicken in numbers for the mighty conflict, I think I should not need any other shield or weapon than the word of God, the sword of the Spirit. But are we to reject all manifestations from God, or answers to prayer, that may be given in dreams or visions of the night? The spirit of the word settles this matter. From the earliest down to the latest period, God has spoken to his people in this manner. As well might we deny any other part of divine revelation as to deny this.”
After mentioning numerous instances in which the Lord spoke to the patriarchs and prophets in dreams and visions, she says:—
“But why enumerate? Most explicit declarations from God place the matter beyond doubt, ‘For God speaketh once, yea, twice, yet man perceiveth it not. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed, then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction, that he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.’ Job 33:14-17. Early under the Christian dispensation, God invested the subject with still higher claims, if possible, upon the attention of man, by the declaration, ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.’ And yet the subject, though standing in such a commanding attitude, is seemingly liable to so much abuse, that it has become disreputable for God’s servants to say, in the present day, ‘God spoke to me in a dream or a vision.’ And why thus? Is it not because the Scripture (the plain, naked word of God) is not brought to the ordeal of a personal, diligent, careful investigation? Books of every diversity of sentiment and men of every manner of opinion are consulted, and then the precious, neglected, insulted Word is too often submitted to the ordeal thus erroneously begotten.”
Dear brethren and sisters, while we love the “blessed Bible,” while it is a lamp to our feet and a light unto our path, let us not undervalue those gifts which have been vouchsafed as helps on our journey from this dark world of sin to the heavenly Canaan. If the apostles and primitive Christians needed these helps, how much more do we, amid the perils of these last days, when Satan has come down in great wrath, knowing that his time is short. Our kind Heavenly Father pities our weakness, and has given us the Testimonies, not to lie idle upon our bookshelves, but that we may study them, and thus be better prepared to resist our wily foe. I can testify from experience that they are profitable. I never read them without feeling an increasing desire for a closer walk with God. In reading testimonies of reproof to others, I often find much that I can take home to my own heart, and feel that I, too, need the reproof. If we who profess to believe that they are admonitions sent to us from Heaven, would conform our lives to their teachings, we should indeed be a “peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Thank God for the Testimonies.

IF A MAN DIE, SHALL HE LIVE AGAIN?

I stood beside the tomb Of buried love, to weep, Within my soul a gloom Impenetrably deep; My heart was buried with my dead, And bitter were the tears I shed.
“Tell me, if a man die, Oh, shall he live again?” I asked; but no reply Came to my heart and brain. “Speak! for this hope I crave;” But all was “silent as the grave.”
To Nature then I turned: “Oh, tell me, I implore, Have we no lessons learned From out thy bounteous store? Do not the butterfly and flower Proclaim a resurrection power?”
“Nay, mourner, not in me Doth this rare wisdom dwell; For of the mystery Nor leaves nor flowers can tell. These give the faintest simile, But prove not immortality.”
To Science next I spoke: “Say, shall the dead arise?” A voice the silence broke; I raised my tear-dimmed eyes, But Science said, “’Tis not in me To fathom immortality.”
With sages wise I wrought Earth’s secrets to unlock; Amid the depths I sought Replies in ancient rock; The hieroglyphics graven there Brought no relief to my despair.
Then upward to the sky Through realms of endless space, From sun to sun, my eye Sought a reply to trace. Alas, no answer came to me From out the vast infinity.
Vain search for hope or cheer, O Christ, away from thee! “Come, troubled soul, draw near, And thou shalt find in me The resurrection and the life; Mourner, believe, and cease thy strife.”
—Selected,

CAUSES OF CRIME.

THE chaplain of the Auburn State-prison, Rev. William Searles, says: “There are in the United States forty-four prisons with an average of one thousand prisoners, making forty-four thousand criminals, with an average of ten relatives afflicted by each. This makes four hundred and forty thousand who suffer from this source. The long line of sorrow could be traced to one of three causes; viz., idleness, licentiousness, or intemperance,”
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