p. 104 | Review and Herald, Vol. 34, No. 13. (9/21/1869)

Earlier text: BRIEF THOUGHTS CONCERNING LIFE AND DEATH

A Testimony of Healing and Faith

By Clara J. Birch

From Sr. Birch.

DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: I for the first time attempt to address a few lines to you through the columns of the REVIEW. More than six years ago, while seeking the society and pleasures of the world, I was stricken down by disease; and being unable to do much to occupy my mind, I would take up and read the REVIEW belonging to a friend then boarding with our family. I soon became interested in its contents, and began to read my Bible to learn for myself if these things were so. I could find no authority for the change of the Sabbath, and commenced keeping it according to the commandment. As I still farther investigated, I saw the light on other points of the Advent faith.

I feel thankful to the Lord to-day for the light, and that he gave me a heart to obey and walk in it.

At the opening of the Health Institute, I placed myself there for treatment, as a last resort, having tried seven different M. D.s, without avail. I was, to appearance, very near the grave, being reduced to a mere skeleton, with scarcely strength enough to walk across the room. But, thanks to the health reform, I am now able to labor considerable, and am enjoying quite a comfortable degree of health. I would recommend the Institute to the afflicted everywhere.

Your unworthy sister. CLARA J. BIRCH.

Marshall, Mich.

The Third Message in Our Community

By Melissa Brewer

From Sr. Brewer.

DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: It has been a long time since I have contributed anything to the Conference Department of our excellent paper. Although I have been silent, my interest has been growing stronger in the cause of present truth. I feel to thank the Lord that I ever heard the glad sound of the third message, and that after hearing, I had a heart to obey. I am led to exclaim, Oh! praise the Lord for his goodness, and his wonderful kindness to the children of men.

It has been about two years and a half since our dear Bro. Steward first came to our place, and sowed the seed of truth. I feel to thank God that the seed sown then is springing up all around us. At that time there were only four Sabbath-keepers here; now there are sixteen keeping the true Sabbath, and many more that are almost persuaded to take hold of the truth. If Bro. Steward could come here again this fall and winter, we think a great work might be done in the name of Jesus, who has loved us, and given himself for us.

We have prayer-meetings twice a month, which we find a great help to us. The good Spirit assists us in speaking, praying, and singing; and then we feel to thank God, and take courage, believing that eternal life is ours, if we are only faithful to the end.

I feel that I want on the whole armor. I want my feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. I sometimes feel almost discouraged when I think of the many things I have to overcome, and the many devices of Satan, who is ever ready to decoy us into his snare. Yet we have the blessed promise that our Father will never leave nor forsake those who put their trust in him. To whom else shall we go if we turn back? Let us, my dear brethren and sisters, be of that number that shall believe to the saving of the soul, that we may have right to the tree of life, and enter in through the gates into the city.

Your sister hoping to obtain eternal life when Jesus comes. MELISSA BREWER.

Pierce Co., Wis.

Living the Truth in a Far-Off Country

By Hannah Clough

From Sr. Clough.

DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: I would like to pen a few thoughts to you through the REVIEW. It is some time since I have had the privilege of hearing the word preached, or of speaking face to face with one of like precious faith, but I look back with gratitude for the privileges I have had in the past with many of the dear saints of God, and I hope and trust that I shall meet them again, if not in this world, in the new earth. But for the present my duty seems to be in this far-off country. I ask an interest in your prayers, that I may be enabled to live out the truth before this people in such a way that I may glorify God, and recommend it to the consciences of the honest in heart. No one knows but those who have an experience in these things, how much grace is needed to be faithful at all times, and in all places, with the whole tide of influence against the truth. But the Lord is good, and if we trust in him as we should, he will keep us, and help us to make a mark on the side of truth, if it is but a small one.

This country is fast filling up with quite an intelligent people, many of them from the New England States, but some from the old country, Germans, Danes, and Norwegians. I have had the privilege of scattering some tracts, which have been read with interest; but my means for the present are quite limited. I hope to do more some time. I do hope the day is not far distant when the Lord will raise up and send a messenger this way to scatter the bread of life.

If the truth could be presented here before other denominations, with their numerous errors, get well established, something might be accomplished; but it would take a missionary with all the zeal of a Paul or a Judson, to come into this country, and subject himself to the inconveniences of a pioneer life, for the sake of winning souls to his Master; but thousands do this same thing, cheerfully, for the sake of obtaining a grant of government land. Of how much greater value would be a crown studded with stars of rejoicing.

Dear brethren and sisters, let us hold fast our faith firm unto the end. Let the motto of each one of us be, "Nearer, my God, to thee, Nearer to thee; Ev'n though it be a cross That raiseth me."

Yours striving for the kingdom, HANNAH CLOUGH.

Nebraska.

“Come Through, and Bring the Children With You.”

By M. A. Gaskill

THE readers of the REVIEW will remember this beautiful expression, coming from the lips of the dying wife and mother. And especially to those who are hopefully looking forward to the time when they shall again embrace their sleeping loved ones, does the force of these words come home to the heart.

How many are there among us who cherish the fond desire of meeting those taken away from us by death? While going through, it is our only hope. Exquisite thought that yet there is room.

To that father and children I would say, Let those words live in your hearts, and the thought of “mutual recognition,” when the battle is over, help you to live for Him who has trod the way before us, and “returned from the war.” M. A. GASKILL.

Despise

DESPISE not the little sins; they have ruined many a soul. Despise not the little duties; they have been to many an excellent discipline.

They

THEY who doubt the truth of religion because they can find no Christian who is perfect, might as well deny the existence of the sun because it is not always noonday.

Prayer and Peace of Spirit

PRAYER is the peace of our spirit, the stillness of our thoughts, the evenness of recollection, the seat of meditation, the rest of our cares, the calm of our tempests.

Divine Assistance and Pride

DIVINE assistance will be withheld when it becomes a nurse for pride.

“Of Some have Compassion, Making a Difference.”

SUCH is the direction of the apostle Jude. And this instruction is worthy of our continued remembrance. Some persons have been carefully instructed in the nature of evil, and all their lives long have been warned against it. Others meet temptation without any warning, and are overcome before they were made acquainted with the nature of their danger. Now it is plain that those who have never been warned nor counseled concerning their foes that lie in ambush to surprise them, are entitled to our compassion as those cannot be who have been faithfully warned before. And this is only one circumstance in the cases of such persons. While we should show no partiality in dealing with those who depart from God, we should nevertheless take the circumstances of all transgression into the account; and when justice and equity are not sacrificed, we should have compassion of some, making a difference. Unless men can have wisdom in this very thing, they are poorly prepared to deal with those who have erred from the right way in the church of Christ.

“The Things Concerning Me Have an End.”

THESE words were spoken by our Lord in view of the accomplishment of his sufferings. Every thing that the prophets had spoken must be fulfilled. Not one particular of his humiliation could be left unaccomplished. But though all must have their exact fulfilment, there was a limited number, which could at last be completed. From not one of them did Jesus shrink. There seemed no end to this anguish, yet there was such at last. And as there was an end of our Lord’s anguish, so will there be to that of his people. He did not shrink from his cup of bitterness, but drank it up. So must his people drink their bitter cup. But there will be an end at last. Then there shall be an end of sorrow forever. The people of God shall enter into the joy of their Lord, and they shall never taste of sorrow more.

Worthy of Notice.

“He does not say that the law was not MADE for a righteous man, but οὐ κεῖται, it does not lie against a righteous man; because he does not transgress it; but it lies against the wicked.”—Dr. Clarke on 1 Tim. i. 9.

“The law doth not lie against a righteous man—doth not strike or condemn him.”—Wesley’s Notes.

These observations of Adam Clarke and of John Wesley, give the real sense of the text. They show that this passage has the same sense as Gal. v, 23: ‘Against such [as bear the fruit of the Spirit] there is no law,’ because their lives are in exact accordance with the commandments of God.

Committee of Entertainment.

BRETHREN and sisters visiting Battle Creek, who are strangers in the place, will inquire for one of the following-named persons, who have been appointed by the church as a committee to provide homes for such. MYRON J. CORNELL, SANFORD ROGERS, HENRY HEARNS, S. M. BOOTH, THEODORE LEWIS, ASAHEL SMITH, DANIEL CARPENTER.

Satan and his Angels at the Judgment.

IT is no accidental thing, or after arrangement, that the prince of darkness and his evil angels are to appear at the Judgment. It is a great mistake to suppose that the day of Judgment was originally appointed with reference to mankind, and that by some after arrangement the wicked angels were included in the number that should then appear to meet their doom. The truth is quite the reverse of this. The rebellion of the angels that sinned was earlier than the creation of man. When they became wicked they were cast down to the place called Tartarus, see the original of 2 Pet. ii, 4, and reserved in chains of darkness unto the Judgment of the great day. Jude 4.

This awful tribunal was therefore originally appointed for the trial of these earliest sinners against God. The connection of our race with this day of fearful retribution, grows out of the fact that we have joined Satan in his rebellion against God. And mark the distinction between what is said to the righteous and the wicked relative to the reward of each. The righteous are called to inherit the kingdom PREPARED FOR THEM from the foundation of the world. The wicked are bidden to depart into the fire PREPARED FOR THE DEVIL AND HIS ANGELS. And when the wicked are about to receive their portion in the fire, Satan stands at their head as their prince, to assault the camp of the saints. Rev. xx, 7-10. And observe his awful retribution. The fire prepared for him is rained upon him out of heaven. And he will find in it something capable of inflicting adequate punishment for all his sins. The evil angels must meet this doom. But we can possibly escape it. Shall we make our escape, or shall we still go on in sin?

Home Religion.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

THIS is a most excellent kind of religion. It is the hardest to obtain, and it costs the greatest effort to keep it of any kind. To possess and to exercise at home at all times the sweet, gentle, loving, forbearing, Spirit of Jesus—this is a pearl of great price, which, alas! is wanting in many Christian (?) families. Here we are most off our guard; here we feel the freest to act out our natural inclinations; and here we feel free to demand of other members of the family what we would not think of asking elsewhere. Here, also, come up little trials and little annoyances, that do not occur elsewhere.

This is the place that shows who is the true Christian. Fear, respect, custom, and other influences, often prompt men, before the public, to do right, to perform apparently noble deeds, make sacrifices, bear abuse, &c., with a good spirit. But at home in the family, most of these influences are not brought to bear upon us. There, love is needed, with the fear of God, to enable us to do by all, and bear with all, as we should. The good religion of Jesus Christ will do all this. D. M. CANRIGHT.

Note from Missouri.

By John Matteson

We have pitched the tent at Altovista, in a grove where we are well sheltered on all sides. Sabbath evening was our third meeting. I spoke with good freedom to above one hundred interested hearers. Trust that the interest will increase. Went eighteen miles to Hamilton yesterday morning. The friends in this place have rented a hall, for the coming year, well seated and very convenient for meeting. Those who have embraced the truth are firm. Others are still investigating. I preached in the forenoon and evening. Twenty attended the day, and fifty the evening meeting. We enjoyed the blessing of God. Attended a Bible-class in the afternoon. I go back to the tent this morning to preach again in the afternoon and evening. Pray for us.

JOHN MATTESON.

Hamilton, Mo., Sept. 12, 1869.

Note from Bro. Smith and Littlejohn

By Uriah Smith; W. H. Littlejohn

THE effort of the Baptist minister in Owosso against the truth, with the review of his argument, resulted in still further confirming in the faith those who have come out in that place. The brethren have secured the use of the Lutheran meeting-house for one year for Sabbath meetings, also one evening in each week for prayer meetings. They have organized a Sabbath school and Bible class, and will hold regular Sabbath meetings, and weekly prayer meetings, for the future. We left an appointment for Bro. Byington for Sabbath Sept. 25, at which time the ordinance of baptism will be administered.

We are now in Fentonville, where we commence meetings to-morrow evening. Our address will be at this place, box 637, till further notice.

U. SMITH, W. H. LITTLEJOHN.

Fentonville, Mich.; Sept. 15, 1869.

Monthly Meeting in Tompkins

☞ Bro. Holland is requested to be at the Monthly Meeting in Tompkins, the first Sabbath in October, without fail. He can find conveyance from Jackson the Friday previous.

Sayings of Baxter

SAYINGS OF BAXTER.—I had rather be that Christian that loatheth himself for sin, resolveth against it, and forsaketh it, though he cannot weep for it; than one of those who can weep to-day and sin to-morrow, and whose sinful passions are quickly stirred, as well as their better passions.

Be desirous of knowing all that God would have you know, and be willing to be ignorant of all that God would have you ignorant of.

I shall never take that man to be wisely learned that hath not learned to escape damnation.

MICHIGAN CENTRAL RAILROAD.

GOING WEST.

LEAVE.	MAIL.	DAY EXP.	EVE. EXP.	NIGHT EX.
Detroit,.....	6:50 A.M.	7:30 A.M.	5:45 P.M.	9:30 P.M.
Battle Creek,...	12:55 P.M.	10:55 A.M.	11:30 P.M.	2:08 A.M.
Chicago, Ar'vo,	8:05 P.M.	4:00 P.M.	6:30 A.M.	9:00 A.M.

GOING EAST.

	MAIL.	DAY EXP.	EVE. EXP.	NIGHT EX.
Chicago,.....	6:50 A.M.	11:30 A.M.	5:15 P.M.	9:00 P.M.
Battle Creek,...	1:48 P.M.	4:34 P.M.	11:30 P.M.	3:05 A.M.
Detroit, Arrive,	7:35 P.M.	8:00 P.M.	3:45 A.M.	7:35 A.M.

THESE trains all run by Chicago time, which is fifteen minutes slower than Detroit time.

Appointments.

And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of Heaven is at hand.

NOTHING in Providence preventing, I will be with the church in Strongsville, Ohio, Tuesday, Sept. 21, and remain over Sabbath and Sunday. At North Bloomfield, the first Sabbath and first-day in October. I shall labor for the interests of the church at these meetings, and most earnestly request all to have their affairs so arranged as to attend, and help in the work. J. D. VAN HORN.

PROVIDENCE favoring, I will attend the annual Conference in the State of Maine, where I shall have Hymn Books, and other late important publications. By Gen. Conf. Com. J. H. WAGGONER.

PROVIDENCE permitting, I will meet with the church in Owosso, Sabbath, Sept. 25. Also, will attend the Monthly Meeting at Tompkins, the Sabbath following, Oct. 2. J. BYINGTON.

Business Department.

Not Slothful in Business. Rom. xii, 11.

Business Notes.

IN REVIEW of June 29 ult. there are $8.73 credited to Sarah A. Allen which should have been credited to Reuben Griggs, deceased.

RECEIPTS.

For Review and Herald.

Annexed to each receipt in the following list, is the Volume and Number of the REVIEW & HERALD TO which the money receipted pays,—which should correspond with the Numbers on the Pasters. If money for the paper is not in due time acknowledged, immediate notice of the omission should then be given.

$1.00 each. Miss A Fairchild 35-13, Fidelia S Dean 35-1, E P Burditt 35-1, Mrs M Snook 36-10, N C Gilbert 36-10, B S Tears 35-10, J Medley 35-10, H J Rich 35-1, M Rich 35-1, S A Brundage 34-13.

$2.00 each. E R Whitcome 36-1, E Burroughs 36-10, F Larkee 35-20, S Shirkey 34-1.

Miscellaneous. J Philo $1.37 35-7, Clarissa Eager 50c 35-1, L Lyman 8.50 39-1, B C Sherman 2.50 34-14.

Cash Received on Account.

Mary E Parker for Eld James White $1.00, E R Whitcome for Eld Joseph Bates 2.00, David McCallum 17.30, S H Bonfoey 1.00.

General Conference Missionary Fund.

Louisa Mann $10.00, E R Whitcome 6.00, R T Barnard 5.00.

Books Sent by Mail.

W W Wilson $1.15, J Philo 3.63, Louisa Mann 35c, Jas Wilmot 25c, S A Ede 50c, J F Frauenfelder 35c, E Needles 10c, I D Van Horn 4.00, Philip Strong 90c, T Bryant 2.00, Geo Bisel 50c, H C Miller 35c, J Hanson 2.00, D McCallum 25c, Jared Gage 75c, H M Hendee 30c, J Cardell, jr., 30c, J Williams 30c, D M Canright 1.00, G F Hutchins 2.00, Mrs M A Van Kirk 25c, A H Van Kirk 25c, Mrs M Clark 25c.

Books Sent by Express.

A O Burrill, Sycamore, Wyandott Co., Ohio, $41.07.

Foreign Missionary Fund.

Mrs P D Nye $5.00, Mary L Smith 5.00, Geo Smith 5.00, David McCallum 5.00, Margaret Veeder 25c, Mary J McCallum 50c, E D Wilch 50c, E S Finch 50c, H M Hendee 95c, J & L P Williams 5.00.

Benevolent Fund.

J House $2.50, B House 2.50.