DEAR BRO. WHITE: Thinking that it may not be uninteresting or unprofitable to the readers of the Review to learn something of the dealings of the Lord with one of his most unworthy children, I thought I would pen a few lines, ardently desiring to abase self and exalt God in all I may say.
I have from a child loved the people of God, and have taken great delight in their company, in hearing them talk and pray, and have greatly desired myself to be a christian, but did not indulge a hope until I was over twenty years of age. Before this time I was many times almost in despair, fearing that I never should be a christian, until I heard a sermon preached from these words: "Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth." In the course of the sermon the preacher expressed the feelings and desires of those who did remember God as required in his word, and I knew that they were mine. And how great was my joy when I felt that I might hope that I was a christian; which I probably might have done long before, but I thought I had never felt as I must feel before I was converted. I have no doubt but what I felt a godly sorrow for my sins, producing love to God and his holy word, and his dear people. At what time I was converted I never could tell; but this I can truly say, that I have many times felt the Spirit of God witnessing with my spirit that he is mine and I am his, which has been a great comfort to me, especially for these few years past while I have been passing through the fiery ordeal, with none but my Father in heaven who could know my sufferings, which I feel are having a purifying effect upon my soul.
Ever since I have professed religion, and have been united with the people of God, it has been my earnest desire to live so that I might be a help and a comfort to the people of God. And whenever I have failed of this, I have been grieved to the very heart. Tears have been my meat day and night, to think that I should add one drop to the cup of affliction and sorrow which the people of God are called to drink.
And I have always very much dreaded the thought of backsliding from God. I recollect a number of years ago I had feared for some time that my love was growing cold, and I earnestly plead with the Lord to revive his work in my heart; and one day, while I was thus pleading, the question came to me, Are you willing that I should take that child to do it? (a precious babe of about ten months old.) The reply of my heart was, If it be possible, let this cup pass. But not long after this the child was taken sick about 10 o'clock in the evening, and died about 8 o'clock the next morning. When I saw that the child must die, I calmly resigned him into the hands of the Lord, beseeching him that his sufferings might be short. And when he was dead, I gave thanks to his name that since he saw fit to take the child, his sufferings were short. The doctor called his disease inflammation and mortification. The Methodist minister preached the funeral sermon from these words, "What I do thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know hereafter." It is hardly needful that I should say that the love of God was revived in my heart.
Another incident that occurred a few years since may not be uninteresting. At the time of the sickness and death of Bro. John Pierce, as our daughter lived with them at the time, I seldom entered my closet without remembering them, and one day as I was praying for them, not knowing whether Bro. Pierce was living and suffering, or whether he was at rest, all at once I was stopped to behold the scene of bereavement and mourning that had taken place. And ever after this I felt more like praying that the affliction might be sanctified, and the mourners comforted, than for him in a state of suffering. I did not hear of his death for a number of weeks, but when I did hear, I judged it to be about the same time that the scene of mourning passed in review before my mind.
I recollect a number of years ago as I was going to visit a neighbor who had just received the truth, and feeling a deep sense of my own weakness and frailty, and earnestly desiring to do good and not harm, I went praying that God would give me wisdom that I might say just what I ought to say, and no more, and that I might stay just as long as I ought, and no longer. After having talked very pleasantly, and I hoped faithfully, for a while, I began to feel as though it was time for me to go, and I had got up and stood talking, when I heard the voice of our oldest son calling me, Mother! Mother! Come now! It sounded perfectly plain and natural. Sr. Gould heard the call, as she was the one with whom I was talking. I hastened home, and inquired if our son had got home, as I knew he was gone when I left. They said that he had not been at home, and no one had called me. Then I knew that God had heard my prayer, and that he had sent his angel to call me that I might not do hurt when I desired to do good.
Five years ago last March I felt to dedicate myself anew to God, and plead with him for grace and strength, which I felt was graciously granted me. And when my babe was about two months old, it happened one evening that I was left alone, and I took my Bible and sat down to read, and I opened it and read where the Lord said of Paul that he would yet show him how great things he must suffer for his name's sake; and I felt that it was mine. I laid my Bible on the table, and as I reflected on what I had read, a deep solemnity rested on my mind, and I opened my Bible again, and read the same words with a deep impression that they were mine. And I feel that I have lived to experience something of suffering for Jesus' sake, with as I said before, none but God my Father who could understand my sufferings; all of which I receive as from his kind hand. Although those near and dear may be used as instruments, yet my Father is at the helm, and my sufferings cannot be more than he permits and will cause to work for my good, and his own glory. I feel willing to suffer, and whenever I am inclined to look forward and fear what I may have to suffer, these kind words came right in for my relief (which have been sweetly and powerfully set home to my heart, with the rest of the verse), "Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer."
A little while before the severe sickness of our eldest son, one year ago last spring, one day while I was praying, I was stopped to behold the angels hovering over me, and looking down upon me with pity. O how pitifully did those lovely angels look down upon me. I then understood that a severe trial awaited me, and I plead with the Lord to prepare me to meet it. And about this time I dreamed of crossing some very deep mud, and that I sailed over the deepest of it, and after I got over it, I looked down upon my feet to see if I had been in over shoe, and the tops of my shoes were perfectly dry. I felt confident then that I should be sustained under my affliction, and it was even so. I felt deeply afflicted a few of the first days of the sickness of our dear son, but I was soon enabled by the help of the Lord so fully, and with so much freedom, to commit his case to God that my soul was exceedingly comforted all through his long and severe sickness. To God be all the glory for his loving-kindness and tender mercy toward one so utterly unworthy of his notice.
Your sister in tribulation,
Gaysville, Vt.
IRENA G. CAMP
The Dayton Church’s Contributions
By Editor
Bro. S. Osborn writes from Dayton, Iowa, October 16, 1861: "The church is still growing and advancing. We now number thirty-nine members. Last February only twenty-nine, an increase of ten members without a preacher, only to baptize.
"I will here give an account of what this church has done for the cause this season, since last February.
"April last, clothes at cost for Bro. Snook, $34,68
"At same time, cash, 20,50
"June, sent to Eastern Iowa Tent, 15,00
"August, " " " " 3,00
"September, paid Bro. Snook, 6,33
"October, " " " 4,10
"Share for Bro. Snook in S. D. A. Pub. Asso. 10,00
"For the Association, 30,00
"Bro. Hull, last spring, cash, 20,00
"Sum total to this date, $143,61
"Try any church in Iowa this season and see if they have done so much in ready pay. We do not boast, but if Iowa generally had come up to the above, Michigan would have been nowhere. But the cause is young in Iowa, and many of the churches not organized, and many of those that are organized have not seen the necessity of doing anything.
"I took it in hand last winter and preached for the systematic benevolence plan, and I got all the brethren and sisters to see the Bible testimony for it, as well as Bro. White, and it had its effect. Now they work understandingly. I think if some brother in the churches would attend to this thing, and take the responsibility off the preachers, it would be better for two reasons: the first is, when the members do it they cannot cry out speculation, as they would for a preacher, for the members can receive no pecuniary advantage from it, and what they do they do independently of any special profit; and second, it would leave the preachers free to bear the message better.
"I think in addition to what you have said in regard to preachers being in union on these points, the churches should labor very much for union also, and by that means relieve you from such an embarrassment. My prayer is, let us all work together, to accomplish the same great end, our own salvation, and the salvation of our fellow-men."
Iowa. The above from Bro. Osborn seems to have the backbone in it. This is what is needed these times. The Dayton and Richmond church has set a good example for other churches in Iowa. We think much of Bro. Osborn's proposition to have some brother in the church take hold of the matter as he has. It would be well to be one like Bro. O., who could not only preach systematic benevolence, but set a good example also.
We are glad to learn by Bro. Waggoner's report that Southern Iowa is coming up. Glad that Bro. W. can give a better report since the war than others could before, when the times were better. This is very encouraging. Southern Iowa needs an experienced laborer like Bro. W. And if location and climate appear favorable, he might serve the cause best to be well located in that field.—Ed.
NOTE FROM BRO. INGRAHAM.
By Wm. S. Ingraham
DEAR BRO. WHITE: I have read with interest the Conference Address on church organization. The form of organizing as set forth in this address is simple, and easy to be understood by all. I see no reason why we as a people cannot adopt it at once. I hope our preaching brethren will be free to speak their minds in relation to this matter, and we be prepared to act in harmony in the cause of our divine Lord.
Yours truly, hoping for eternal life,
WM. S. INGRAHAM.
Monroe, Wis.
Business Department.
By Editor
Business Notes.
J. S. Wicks: The $2 on subscription to E. W. S. has been received.
H. Bolton: There was no money in your letter of the 13th inst. when received here. Did you forget to put it in, or was it taken out by the way?
D. W. Milk: Your subscription to Review and Herald is paid to the close of present volume.
H. L. Richmond: There are $5 receipted to the church at Greenbush, Mich., in No. 16 of present volume. We have not received a letter from you since, containing money for the Association.
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.
M. Dennis 4,50,xviii,14. J. D. Wright 1,00,xix,1. P. A. Henry 1,00,xx,18. P. G. Hinebaugh 1,00,xx,18. Jacob Foust 1,00,xx,18. J. Reisman 1,00,xix,18. H. Nicola 2,00,xx,8. Z. Nicola 2,00,xxi,1. A. Korb 1,00,xix,18. Loesie Cowles 0,50,xix,10. C. M. Hemingway 1,00,xviii,7. J. W. Learned 1,00,xx,1. J. B. Locke 1,00,xx,9. N. M. Rigley 0,50,xix,18. H. Rossman 2,00,xxi,1. T. B. Cowgill 1,00,xix,14. P. Kirrman 2,00,xx,14. A. Jacobs 3,00,xx,16. Harriet Everts 1,00,xx,1. E. Degarmo (for L. Besanson) 1,00,xx,18. P. Allen 1,00,xx,1. E. Degarmo 0,50,xviii,14. J. Smith 1,00,xix,14. C. Walker 2,00,xx,1. J. Thomas 1,00,xx,1. A. friend (for A. Barnes) 0,75,xviii,14. J. Carter 2,00,xix,7. J. W. Glover 0,50,xix,13. C. Beeman 1,00,xvii,1. L. Sowl 1,00,xx,18. W. Patten 1,00,xx,18. Wm. S. Urquhart 1,00,xx,13. D. Bisbee 3,00,xx,1. M. A. Crary 2,00,xix,1. H. L. Richmond 1,00,xix,21. E. A. Poole 2,50,xx,15. A. C. Harris 0,60,xviii,6. A. Chase 2,00,xxi,1. A. Chase (for Amy Perry) 1,00,xx,14.
For Shares in Publishing Association.
H. Nicola $10. J. McFerguson $10. S. Osborn $10. Churches at Richmond and Dayton, Iowa (for B. F. Snook $10. J. S. Wicks $10. Mary Anne Wicks $10. Andrew Olson $20. Betsey Olson $10. Oley Olson $10. Sarah A. Olson $10. J., & M. Thomas $10. J. Carter $10. J. H. Ginley $10. T. H. Moffet $10.
Donations to Publishing Association.
Harriet Everts $4. H. Rossceau $1. Wm. F. Crous $0,50. Alfred Chase $2.
Cash Received on Account.
M. Hull $3. S. Osborn $9,04. J. H. Waggoner $1,20. A. Hoff (for E. W. S.) $5. I. Sanborn $0,50.
Books Sent by Mail.
S. Osborn 20c. Geo. Wright $1,60. I. J. Howell 80c. A. Hoff 80c. P. Z. Paine $1,55. Betsey Landon $1. F. W. Morse 60c. H. D. Bruce $1,25. C. G. Cramer 60c. J. Bostwick 60c. I. D. Van Horn 60c. H. Hilliard $1,70. S. B. Whitney 60c. H. W. Lawrence 30c. L. A. Bramhall 30c. C. P. Buckland 30c. Betsey M. Osgood 30c. W. Gulick 30c. J. M. Aldrich 30c. E. Macomber 30c. F. Frauenfelter 30c. T. Hamilton 30c. I. A. Olmstead 30c. J. Cooper 30c. M. J. Chapman 30c. T. Draper 30c. H. S. Gurney 30c. E. E. Taylor 30c. P. E. Ferrin 30c. D. Hildreth 30c. D. P. Bisbee $2. J. Morrison 30c. Geo. J. Virtue $5,90. E. R. Humiston 30c. M. Redfield 30. Wm. F. Crous 50c. D. W. Milk $2. A. Chase $1,15. C. Cottle 30c. E. Darling 60c. A. S. Hutchins $1,80. Wm. Lawton $1,20. A. Lanphear $1,20. R. S. Johnson 60c. O. Davis 60c. E. M. Davis 60c. A. H. Clymer 60c. H. Smith $1.
For Missionary Purposes.
R. S. Johnson $1,35.
For Michigan Tent Fund.
J. S. Day (on sale of tent horse) $27.
DECEPTION.
By Isaac Sanborn
"Because they received not the love of the truth that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion." 2 Thess. ii, 10.
While at Harrison, yesterday (Oct. 20), by invitation I attended a Spiritual lecture in the hall. There were about two hundred people there who in July helped to throng our tent, where they heard for five weeks the great truth of the third angel's message, but neglected it; and many of them are now drinking down Spiritualism, the great deception. Their fearful reward is certain—"that they may be damned." 2 Thess. ii, 12.
I spent one hour in asking the medium questions after she got through, which seemed to satisfy many that much of what they had been called upon by the medium to believe as truth, was what Paul calls the doctrine of devils [1 Tim. iv, 1], which he said many would give heed to in the last days. This I saw fulfilled in the above mentioned meeting.
O God, deliver thy people from these satanic delusions in these last days, is our prayer.
ISAAC SANBORN.
Twin Groves, Wis.
Instructions for Sending Funds
By Editor
Wisconsin and Illinois money is of no value to us. Send New England, New York, and Indiana, Ohio and Iowa State, and P. O. stamps.
Those who send Drafts will please obtain them on Boston or New York, as others cost us something for collection.
CREEDS.
By John Norton Loughborough
BRO. WHITE: The following excellent testimonies against creeds are taken from the discussion between Summerbell and Flood on the subject of "Church Constitutions and Discipline." Please insert them in the Review:
"The only God-given rule of faith and practice is the Bible." M. E. Church Scripture Manual.
"The Bible contains the whole counsel of God, concerning all things necessary for his own glory, or man's salvation, faith and life." Westminster Assembly Conf. of Faith.
"There is nothing relative to the actions, words, or thoughts of men, nor anything respecting our duty to God or men, but what is included or inculcated in the sacred oracles. . . . The Bible is the Christian's store-house of all supplies; his museum of the greatest rarities and curiosities; his sanctuary and hiding-place; his glass, through which are seen all objects, both of time and eternity, and in which the sinner may ever see reflected the moral image of the soul." Butterworth's Concordance Improved by Dr. A. Clarke.
"The rule that all must agree in, must be one that is above all. Never will the church have full unity till the scripture sufficiency be more generally acknowledged. You complain of many opinions and ways; and many you will still have, till the one rule—the Scriptures—be the standard of our religion. Two things have set the church on fire, and been the plague of it above one thousand years. First. Enlarging our creed, and making more fundamentals than God ever made; and second, composing, and so imposing, our creeds and confessions in our own words and phrases." Richard Baxter.
"For my part, I adhere to the holy Scriptures alone." John Milton.
"The first Christians had no written creed—they expressed their belief in the language of Scripture—therefore their variations were without schism, and their differences without acrimony." Waddington.
"The all-sufficiency of the word of God is clearly established. If, therefore, any offer you as a rule, tradition, either of the earlier ages, or of the Reformation, reject them. Endure, I implore you, my re-iterated entreaties in regard to it." M. D'Aubigne.
"The Bible is all pure, all sincere; nothing too much, nothing wanting. How that can be called the Church of Christ which is established upon laws which are not his, and which excludes such persons from its communion as he will one day receive into the kingdom of heaven, I understand not." John Locke's Christian Philosopher.
"The sacred writings, and they alone, contain what is necessary for faith and practice; and no man, number of men, society, church, council, presbytery, consistory, or conclave, has dominion over any man's faith. The word of God alone is his rule." Dr. Adam Clarke.
"The Bible is the great and only standard of Christian faith and practice." Robert Hall.
"Wesley was called 'Homo unius libri,' a man of one book." J. N. Loughborough.
PUBLICATIONS.
By James White
The New Hymn Book, containing 464 pages and 122 pieces of music. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 cts.
History of the Sabbath, in one volume, bound—
Part I, Bible History—Part II, Secular History, . . . . 60 "
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 "
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 "
Christian Baptism, Its Nature, Subjects, and Design, 10 "
Assistant. The Bible Student's Assistant, or a Compend of Scripture references, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 "
The Fate of the Transgressor, or a short argument on the First and Second Deaths, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 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 "
Brown's Experience in relation to entire consecration and the Second Advent. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 "
Report of General Conference held in Battle Creek, June, 1859, 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. I, or the Great Controversy between Christ and his angels, and Satan and his angels, . . 50 "
Spiritual Gifts Vol. II. 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 message till she fell asleep in Jesus. Price 25 cents.
The Chart. A Pictorial Illustration of the Visions of Daniel and John, 20 by 25 inches. Price 15 cents. On rollers, post-paid, 75 cts.
German.Das Wesen des Sabbaths 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 Cinquieme 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. When ordered by the quantity, not less than $5 worth, one-third will be deducted from these prices on Pamphlets and Tracts, and one-fourth on bound Books. In this case postage added, if sent by mail. Orders, to insure attention, must be accompanied with the cash, unless special arrangements be made. Address Elder James White, Battle Creek, Michigan.