DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: I feel to thank my heavenly Father for his tender mercy towards me, and especially that he has permitted me, though unworthy, to be identified with the little company who are looking and waiting for the return of their Lord. How consoling to the weary, wayworn pilgrim tossed by the waves of adversity, and buffeted by the temptations of Satan, is the promise of the Saviour, "If I go away I will come again," and doubly consoling the assurance that his coming is near, even at the door.
For several years past I have been much afflicted by sickness, and for the past year I have been much of the time entirely prostrated, and the sweet comfort which I have at times derived from the precious promises contained in the word of God is inexpressible. I have often been led to say with one of old, "It is good for me that I have been afflicted." I often have been led to praise the Lord for trials which at the time were very hard to bear, but which served to wean my affections from earthly objects, and cause me to long for the appearing of my Saviour.
O, my hard and wicked heart! how prone to cling to earthly objects, and how cold towards Him to whom I owe my heart's best affections. When I realize the unbounded love of the dear Saviour in giving his life, even suffering a painful death upon the cross, that we poor sinners might have eternal life, I am astonished that I can ever fail for one moment to love that precious Saviour with my whole heart.
"Lord, it is my chief complaint,
That my love is weak and faint:
Yet I love thee and adore,
O for grace to love thee more."
There are three of us in this place who are keeping the Sabbath; also one family in Hunsburgh, and one in Montville who have never heard a lecture on present truth. We would be very glad to have a messenger come among us and spend a few weeks; but we feel to wait patiently, believing that in his own good time the Lord will cause the third angel's message to be proclaimed in this vicinity.
S. M. SWAN
Orwell, Ashtabula Co., Ohio,
E. A. DAVIS
By E. A. Davis
From Sister Davis.
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: I read with pleasure your testimonies in the Review, and would like to hear from many more, especially the lonely ones. What a comfort it is to them that God is not confined to numbers, but is willing to meet one; and none can hinder them from holding communion with him daily. Be true to your Lord and Saviour, and you need not fear to tread the rough and thorny way; though all at times may look dark, yet remember Jesus has said, Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.
We all profess to be walking towards the celestial city. Will every one be admitted through its gates? Can we live on in the indulgence of known sin and expect an entrance there? Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. Gal. vi, 7. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. Gal. v, 24.
A short time since I read an account of a young man who, while traveling in foreign lands, lost his passport. He succeeded in deceiving the officers at stations of secondary importance, but on arriving at the frontier the demand for his passport was imperative. His loss, and the various artifices and subterfuges by which he had managed to conceal that loss, were detected, and his further progress arrested. Now if we would see the inside of the city of the living God, every one of us, young and old, must obtain a passport, and let us see to it that we have the right kind, for a spurious one will do us no good whatever. For if it were possible for us with such an one, to travel the whole length of the road and come up to the gates of the city, yet Jesus would never open those pearly gates and bid us welcome, but would say, I never knew you; depart from me ye that work iniquity. We read that without holiness no man shall see God. Here then we have the true passport, and with it we shall have an abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom of God.
Those that take pleasure in unrighteousness and still think to find their way into the kingdom, would do well to look to their passport. Either they have lost it, or else never had the right kind. They may have a form of godliness, a name and place with the children of God, but if they are not striving to purify themselves by obedience to the word of God, they have great reason to fear that they will never be admitted into the kingdom.
We must be consistent Christians. Our works must correspond with our faith. We must not pray one thing and do another, but must act in unison with our prayers, and press onward. We have but a little way farther to go, and as we travel on let us make it our first business to secure to ourselves a true passport, one that will carry us clear through. The only way to obtain it is by keeping the commandments of God faithfully, and living out all the precepts of Jesus.
Shall we not be diligent in our Master's service a little while longer? Jesus is soon coming, and his reward is with him to give to every man as his work shall be. O that we all may receive the reward of the overcomers, is the prayer of your sister in Christ.
E. A. DAVIS
Mill Grove, N. Y.
A Testimony for Present Truth
By Elisabeth S. Kellogg
From Sister Kellogg.
Bro. Smith: I would again throw in my testimony on the side of present truth. I love God's people, and the cause in which we are engaged. It is my desire to go through to mount Zion with the remnant. The great day of the Lord is near and hasteth greatly. O that I may realize the solemn time in which we live, and have that preparation that is so much needed. I believe we are living in the sifting time, when those who are careless and do not heed the warnings the Lord has given to us will be spued out of the mouth of the faithful and true Witness. What an awful thing to be thus left, never to be placed on probation again. Satan is trying his utmost to lull us to sleep. O let us be awake.
"Wake up brother, wake up sister,
Seek, O seek that holy state,
None but holy ones can enter
Through the pure, celestial gate."
Elisabeth S. Kellogg.
Ionia, Mich.
O B I T U A R Y.
By D. Hildreth
DIED in Round Grove, Ills., Feb. 1, 1861, of consumption, Orvilla Hart, aged 51 years.
Sister Hart's health began to fail a year and a half before she died, during which time this fatal disease gradually wasted her system until she became very much emaciated. Through her sickness she manifested a desire to live on account of her children, but a short time before her death she appeared to be willing to go. The funeral was attended at her house. A discourse was delivered by Bro. G. W. Mitchell from Heb ii, 6.
Eld. J. Hart, husband of the deceased, came West with his family in the spring of 1856, but Aug. 17, 1858, he was called to lie down in death; a daughter soon followed; and now the companion and mother sleeps by their side. May God comfort and bless the four orphan children which they have left behind. Gloomy indeed would be this life of disappointment and death if there was no hope beyond the grave; but we have the blessed assurance that they which sleep in Jesus shall be brought again from the dead. 1 Thess. iv, 14; Heb. xiii, 20. D. HILDRETH.
Thoughts of Death and Eternity
Frequent thoughts of death, judgment, and eternity, are very profitable and useful for many purposes.
NOTE FROM BRO. INGRAHAM.
By Wm. S. Ingraham
BRO. SMITH: I have received Testimony to the Church, No. 6, and have read it through. Its truths are most cutting and the reproofs given are timely. I prize the work much, especially that portion which has reference to myself. I shall heed the instruction given, and by the grace of God bear a plain testimony against evil of every form in the church. God is calling upon the ministry to make straight work in the proclamation of the truth. Let us arise at once and take hold of this great work. We have been too slow to act in unison with those whom the Lord in his providence has placed at the head of this work. So it has been in my case. I have been satisfied for some time that business matters in connection with the church have been too loose. In all my deal I have been careful to have everything done in a legal manner to avoid future trouble. But when the real thing came up which was calculated to bring the church into a right position, I was afraid of it. But I am satisfied if we lay hold of it, it will become a staff in our hand. Before Testimony No. 6 had reached me, I had written to Pennsylvania declaring I should go with the Battle Creek conference, and receive the name of Seventh-day Adventist. I see the necessity of union on this point. The Devil will oppose us in this step. He has done it in the past, and will still give us battle. The Mauston delusion branded the Battle Creek proceedings with Babylon. This wild streak of fanaticism has exploded, and those connected with it are ready to pronounce it the work of Satan. I wonder if they are willing now to endorse the proceedings of the Battle Creek conference? If so let us hear from you. How can a church numbering 144,000, or half that number, be managed in business matters without the strictest adherence to legal proceedings? We must be straight upon this point, or go to pieces. Wherein my caution has caused a waiving of common sense, and burdens have been thrown upon any of my brethren by my not acting in a prompt manner in unison with them, I ask their pardon.
Yours in hope of eternal life. WM. S. INGRAHAM.
Monroe, Wis.
Receipts.
FOR REVIEW AND HERALD.
Annexed to each receipt in the following list, is the Volume and Number of the REVIEW AND HERALD to which the money receipted pays. If money for the paper is not in due time acknowledged, immediate notice of the omission should then be given.
C. L. Palmer (for P. Maddux) 0,50,xviii,18. Mr. Johnson (Blacksmith) 1,00,xviii,18. Jno. Davis 5,00,xix,1. A. Olmstead 2,00,xix,18. E. Emery 1,50,xvii,14. L. Falconer 0,50,xviii,18. W. Hastings (for C. Hastings) 0,50,xviii,18. Jno. Stacy 0,50,xviii,18. O. F. Guilford 2,00,xviii,1. J. P. Munsell 1,75,xix,1. E. S. Faxon 1,00,xviii,1. S. A. Snyder 1,00,xviii,1. S. Hills 1,00,xvii,14. H. J. Bonifield 1,00,xvi,15. F. Finley 0,50,xviii,18. E. A. Wing 1,00,xvii,1. Mrs. D. Chamberlain 1,00,xviii,1. J. S. Louis 0,50,xviii,18. S. Burdick 2,00,xvii,1. A. Chase 1,00,xix,1. A. Perry 0,50,xix,1. S. Segar 1,90,xiii,1. Mrs. L. Morrison 1,00,xviii,18. M. P. Powers 1,00,xviii,18. A. Cronkhite 0,50,xviii,18. H. C. Whitney 1,00,xvii,19. B. McCormic 0,65,xvii,5. O. M. Patten 1,00,xx,1. M. R. Place 1,00,xviii,1. M. C. Butler 1,00,xviii,1. H. Keefer 1,00,xviii,20. A. H Pervorse 0,50,xvii,1. A. Egbert 1,00,xvii,1.
For Missionary Purposes.—Wm. Peabody $100,00. Betsey Bryant $2. E. Ranny $1. C. L. Palmer (s. b.) $3.
PUBLICATIONS
Supplement and Addition to Hymn Book, . . . . . . 35 cts.
" in paper covers . . . . . . 25 "
Sabbath Tracts, Nos. 1-4. This work presents a condensed view of the entire Sabbath question, . . . . . . 15 "
The Three Angels of Rev. xiv, 6–12, particularly the Third Angel's Message, and the Two-horned Beast, . . . . . . 15 "
Hope of the Gospel, or immortality the gift of God, . . . . . . 15 "
Which? Mortal or Immortal? or an inquiry into the present constitution and future condition of man, . . . . . . 15 "
Modern Spiritualism; its Nature and Tendency. This book should be in the hands of every family, as a warning against Spiritualism, . . . . . . 15 "
The Kingdom of God. A refutation of the doctrine called Age to Come, . . . . . . 15 "
Pauline Theology, or the Christian Doctrine of Future Punishment, as taught in the epistles of Paul, . . . . . . 15 "
The Atonement, . . . . . . 15 "
Prophecy of Daniel. The Four Universal Kingdoms, / The Sanctuary and Twenty-three Hundred days, . . . . . . 10 "
The Saints' Inheritance. The Immortal Kingdom located on the New Earth, . . . . . . 10 "
Signs of the Times, showing that the Second Coming of Christ is at the door, . . . . . . 10 "
Law of God, The Testimony of both Testaments, showing its origin and perpetuity, . . . . . . 10 "
Vindication of the true Sabbath by J. W. Morton, late Missionary to Hayti, . . . . . . 10 "
Review of Springer on the Sabbath, Law of God and first day of the week, . . . . . . 10 "
Facts for the Times. Extracts from the writings of eminent authors Ancient and Modern, . . . . . . 10 "
Miscellany. Seven tracts in one book on the Second Advent and the Sabbath, . . . . . . 10 "
The Seven Trumpets. The Sounding of the Seven Trumpets of Revelation viii and ix, . . . . . . 10 "
Assistant. The Bible Student's Assistant, or a compend of Scripture references, . . . . . . 5 "
Nature and Obligation of the Sabbath of the Fourth Commandment—Apostasy and Perils of the Last Days, . . . . . . 5 "
Truth Found. A Short Argument for the Sabbath with an appendix, "The Sabbath not a type," . . . . . . 5 "
An Appeal for the restoration of the Bible Sabbath in an Address to the Baptists, . . . . . . 5 "
Review of Crozier on the Institution, Design and Abolition of the Seventh-day Sabbath, . . . . . . 5 "
Review of Fillio—A reply to a series of discourses delivered by him in Battle Creek, on the Sabbath question, . . . . . . 5 "
The Fate of the Transgressor, or a Short Argument on the First and Second Deaths, . . . . . . 5 "
Brown's Experience in relation to Entire Consecration and the Second Advent, . . . . . . 5 "
Report of General Conference held in Battle Creek, June 3–6, Address on Systematic Benevolence, &c., . . . . . . 5 "
Sabbath Poem. A Word for the Sabbath, or False Theories Exposed, . . . . . . 5 "
Illustrated Review. A Double Number of the REVIEW AND HERALD illustrated, . . . . . . 5 "
Spiritual Gifts Vol. 1, or the Great Controversy between Christ and his angels, and Satan and his angels, . . . . . . 50 "
Spiritual Gifts Vol. 2. Experience, Views and Incidents in connection with the Third Message, . . . . . . 50 "
Scripture Doctrine of Future Punishment. An Argument by H. H. Dobney, Baptist Minister of England, . . . . . . 75 "
Debt and Grace as related to the Doctrine of Future Punishment, by C. F. Hudson, . . . . . . 100 "
Voice of the Church on the Coming and Kingdom of the Redeemer. A History of the doctrine, . . . . . . 100 "
PENNY TRACTS. Who Changed the Sabbath?—Unity of the Church—Spiritual Gifts—Judson's Letter on Dress—Law of God, by Dobney (2 cts.)—Law of God by Wesley—Appeal to men of reason on Immortality—Much in Little—Truth—Death and Burial—Preach the Word.
These small Tracts can be sent, post-paid, in packages of not less than twenty-five.
Home Here and Home in Heaven, with other poems. This work embraces all those sweet and Scriptural poems written by Annie R. Smith, from the time she embraced the third angel's message till she fell asleep in Jesus. Price 25 cents. In paper covers, 20 cents.
The Chart. A Pictorial Illustration of the Visions of Daniel and John. 20 by 25 inches. Price 15 cts. On rollers, post-paid 75 cts
German. Das Wesen des Sabbats und unsere Verpflichtung auf ihn nach dem Vierten Gebote. A Tract of 80 pp., a Translation of Nature and Obligation of the Sabbath of the Fourth Commandment. Price 10 cents.
Holland. De Natuur en Verbinding van den Sabbath volgens het vierde Gebodt. Translated from the same as the German. Price 10 cents.
French. Le Sabbat de la Bible. A Tract on the Sabbath of 32 pp. Price 5 cents.
La Grande Statue de Daniel II, et les Quatre Betes Symboliques et quelques remarques sur la Seconde Venue de Christ, et sur le Cinquième Royaume Universel. A Tract of 32 pp. on the Prophecies. Price 5 cents.
These Publications will be sent by Mail, post-paid, at their respective prices. One-third discount by the quantity of not less than $5 worth. In this case, postage added when sent by Mail. All orders to insure attention, must be accompanied with the cash, unless special arrangements be made. Give your Name, Post Office, County and State distinctly. Address REVIEW & HERALD, Battle Creek Mich.
Church Growth in Richmond, Iowa
Sister Ranny writes from Richmond, Iowa: "I write a few lines to express my love for the cause of truth for the first time. I am very thankful for the privilege of hearing from the brethren and sisters through the Review, as they speak to us of their hopes of eternal life. I would just say to the brethren and sisters scattered abroad that we meet every Sabbath to renew our strength in the Lord. We are assailed on every hand here, yet the church is getting upon higher ground, and some are coming out on the truth. We lately had a visit from Solomon Miller (brother to Wm. Miller), and he came out and confessed the truth on Sabbath while he was here. He has now gone back to the State of New York where he resides, a believer in the third angel's message. The church here and in Dayton have adopted the plan of Systematic Benevolence. May the Lord speed this good work, is my prayer."
APPOINTMENTS.
By James White
Providence permitting, we will meet with the brethren at Plum River and Green Vale, Ills., where Bro. S. Myers may appoint, March 23 & 24.
JAMES WHITE.
Business Department.
By Editor
Business Notes.
Wm. S. Ingraham : Your letter contained no stamps which you say you enclosed for Instructor.
Wm. Peabody : We have not received anything of late from T. J. Carpenter.
Jno. Davis : Your money was received; but as you did not give your P. O. address, we were unable to receipt it. We have on our books the names of from twelve to fifteen hundred post offices, all the way from Maine to Minnesota; and it is impossible for us to remember them all, and the papers that go to each. If none of our subscribers should name their post office, when writing to this Office, it would probably take one person half his time to hunt them up.
H. C. Whitney : Your present remittance pays your paper one week in advance of the present time.
B. McCormic : We have written to Bro. Daniels of your place, ooncerning the matter you refer to.
J. Bostwick : Your request for criticism on Matt. xxviii, 1, came to hand just as we were going to press. You will find a note on that text in this No. under head of Notes and Queries, which we think is all that need be said on the subject.
Wm. Gulick : Your money for Instructor was entered on book. Will receipt in next number.
C. Colby : We do not find any letter from you in our January files, and think we have not received it. We would have sent Instructor on receipt of your last, had you given your P. O. address.
I. Abbey : Received.
The Whites Begin Their Western Tour
By Editor
Bro. and Sr. White left Battle Creek on the morning of the 14th inst. on their western tour. They design to be absent till about the first of June. We trust the prayers of the church will go with them that they may have abundant liberty and success throughout their journey.
Church Organization in Chesaning
Bro. Cornell is still laboring with success in Chesaning, Mich. He writes, under date of the 11th inst., that he was to spend another week there organizing a church, introducing Systematic Benevolence, &c. He inquires if Bro. Loughborough can attend a conference there in April.
A New Subscriber from Switzerland
By Editor
Bro. Ingraham sends us a new subscriber from Monroe, Wis. The individual is a native of Switzerland, and has lately come out on the truth.
Information Respecting the Books of the Bible
By Editor
WE publish this week some valuable information respecting the books of the Bible which we think our readers would do well to preserve for future reference.
A Blessed Communion Meeting in Knoxville
By Editor
From a business note received from Bro. H. C. Whitney of Knoxville, Iowa, dated Mar. 12, 1861, we extract the following encouraging item: "Last evening the church met at Bro. Garretson's for communion, and the Lord blessed beyond measure. Praise the Lord for the good Spirit! How necessary for every one of God's people to live out the third angel's message. May the Lord give strength and wisdom."
Meetings and Interest in Somerset
By Editor
A LETTER from Bro. Loughborough, dated Mar. 15, 1861, informs us that he designed to commence meetings the following evening in Clinton, Len. Co., Mich. In reference to his last place of meeting he says: "The interest was good in Somerset where I gave my last lectures. I gave fourteen lectures which were well attended; and I think some of the many who expressed themselves satisfied with our position, will obey the truth."
Plans for Western Meetings
By James White
It will not be possible for us to hold meetings in the West at more than one-half the points requested, as we must be at home the first of June. We hope to make a proper selection of places to visit.
J. W.
Payment Instructions for Drafts
By James White
ALL Drafts sent to this Office in our absence should be made payable to Uriah Smith. J. W.