Earlier text: THE INSTITUTION OF THE SABBATHSHALL WE MEET.
By S. Gould
SHALL I meet thee, my brother, in Eden restored
To purity, loveliness, beauty and bloom?
Where God and the Lamb shall be ever adored,
And joyfulness flourish, unsullied by gloom? Shall I meet thee, my sister, where sorrow and crying
And pain cannot enter, and death shall not be?
Not a pang e'er be felt, no drooping, no sighing,
Where all are immortal, and happy, and free. Oh! shall we meet? though our lot it may be,
To pass through the portals, of death's dark abode?
How cheering the promise, the saints will be free,
And joyfully reign in the City of God. Yes, we will be there, through the Master's rich grace!
My brother, my sister, be this thy resolve!
Oh! think of the bliss, to behold his bright face,
While Eternity's age shall its cycles revolve? A season of sorrow—and joy shall awake!
A strife brief and noble—and conquest is won!
Would'st thou of the rest of the righteous partake?
Then, brother, with zeal, to the end labor on. Enduring the cross, and despising the shame,
My brother, my sister, like Christ let us be!
The crown keep in view, and in Jesus' name,
The end of the conflict in glory we'll see. MONTEREY TENT-MEETING.
By James White
THE second Meeting in the Michigan Tent for this season was held in Monterey, June 7th and 8th. We reached the place of meeting the 6th, and found Brn. Cornell, Lowree and Green on the ground, with the Tent erected in a pleasant and safe location on the farm of Bro. Wilcox. Sabbath-keeping according to the commandment is quite a new thing in Monterey, it having been introduced there by Bro. Cornell early the present year. But there are now about forty intelligent believers in the Sabbath of the Fourth Commandment, immortality through Christ to be given at his soon coming, and the true inheritance of the saints. The investigation of Bible truth has made sale for a goodly number of Bibles in the place, which have been "searched," has stirred up the ire of the Dragon, the Methodist minister leading off, manifesting a large share of it, which has worked well in manifesting the honest, decided friends of truth. The social meetings in the Tent were very free and reviving, and the word spoken during the Sabbath and First-day, had free course. The evidences of Christ's very soon coming, and the hope of the gospel were dwelt upon with great freedom. Early Second-day morning, according to appointment, the school-house was filled with brethren and friends, who assembled to consider the subject of Baptism, which was briefly noticed as follows:— 1. By baptism we show forth our faith in the burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the resurrection of the just at his second coming. "Buried with him by baptism into death." "Planted together in the likeness of his death." Rom. vi, 4, 5. 2. By the burial of baptism we profess to be dead. Burial should follow death. These are the figures used by the Holy Spirit to illustrate baptism and the necessary preparation for the ordinance. First, die to the world and to sin, then be buried. How many poor children have been buried in the water alive. 3. The law of God is the instrument to convince of sin and slay the sinner. Rom. vii. Therefore it is highly proper that those who embrace the Commandments of God, and the Faith of Jesus in the Third Message, and experience a Bible death, should have a Bible burial by baptism. 4. It is a subject which should be treated with candor and the greatest care. Most believers are not now satisfied with their former baptism, as it was not received understandingly, according to God's plan. All should be left free to act in the fear of God; while it is a most solemn duty to require evidence of Bible death before administering Bible baptism. Spirited and affecting testimonies were borne by several. It was a heart-searching, weeping season. At 9 o'clock A. M. the congregation repaired to the water where thirty-three were baptized. It was a solemn yet delightful season. The aged and the youth joined to follow in the footsteps of Christ, and seal their faith in the hope of the gospel. And here we may be allowed to acknowledge the goodness of God to us. The past Spring Mrs. W. has been afflicted with bad cough, attended with raising of blood. She has been very feeble. And it was with fear for the result that we started in a private carriage to the meeting. But by the blessing of God her restoration to health and strength was so rapid, that she spoke several times during the meeting with ease, and returned home almost entirely free from cough and pains of the lungs. Brn. Waggoner and Cornell design laboring with the Tent this season. It was next to be pitched in a town where the present truth had not been preached and continue principally in new fields. Other brethren volunteered to go with the Tent. The enterprise is one of sacrifice, especially if the Tent goes in new fields. All the real friends of the cause in Michigan will esteem it a pleasure to act a part, more or less, in an enterprise so noble and so important61 as the presentation of Bible truth before the people of Michigan. Brethren, let your prayers go up to God for success, while you stand ready with your means to meet the expenses of the season campaign as the Lord hath prospered you. J. W. THE INSTITUTION OF THE SABBATH
By Editor
Our readers will bear with us for occupying this week so much space on a subject which is to most of them so familiar. Yet it is well to review often the reasons of a belief which causes us to differ so widely in practice from those around us. The longer we live and examine the efforts which are made to sustain, or rather to apologize for, Sunday-keeping, the more we become convinced that all has been said on that side of the question that can be said. If there is anything new or further to be advanced we earnestly hope it may be searched up; but we cannot consider the matter in any way improved till the arguments for Sunday shall be freed from at least half a score of positive contradictions. As the matter now stands we labor at something of a disadvantage. There are some things so plain that they are hard to prove. For instance, it would be hard to enter into any connected chain of reasoning to show that the waters of a river flow down stream, or that the wind blows, or that the sun shines. It is said that taken upon an absolute level with the axis of the earth for a basin, the mouth of the Mississippi river is three miles higher than its source. Well then, some may say, it is "reasonable to infer," that the water would flow down from its mouth to its source. And if any one should contend for this, we should deem it sufficient to lay before his mind the fact that the waters of the Mississippi do flow all the way down from lake Itasca in Minnesota to the gulf of Mexico. We look upon the Sabbath question in a similar light. People come on with their assumptions and inferences, some that the Sabbath was not instituted at creation, others that it was designed for only a portion of the human race; some that it is a memorial of the resurrection of Christ; others that it commemorates Israel's deliverance from Egypt; some that it has been changed, others that it has been abolished; some that we are to keep one day in seven, no matter which, others that we are to be fully persuaded in our own mind whether to keep any day or not. In all these cases, it seems to us, it ought to be sufficient to present the facts in the case, as they are recorded in the sacred Book. There are the plain declarations of the Lord, and with those who profess to believe them, this ought to suffice, without the necessity of our entering into any special argument to prove them true. BE CIRCUMSPECT.
By R. F. Cottrell
AND in all things that I have said unto you, be circumspect. Ex. xxiii, 13. All the requirements of the Lord are just, and it is perfectly right that he should require the most exact obedience on the part of his creatures. This he has always done. He declares himself a jealous God; and whenever any have taken the liberty to vary from the strictest sense of his requirements, presuming that the Lord will not be so particular as to demand exact obedience from them, they have brought condemnation upon themselves and become objects of his wrath. If he demand a firstling of the herd, a firstling it must be. If a red heifer be called for, a black one will not do. If "two years old" be specified that must be its age. If he say, "without blemish," so it must be. Although it may be much more convenient to offer a black heifer of three or four years old, which, though not a firstling, is even more valuable than the other, notwithstanding a trifling blemish or two; yet the lame sacrifice will be rejected, and the answer from heaven will be, "Who hath required this at your hands?" Men may offer many sacrifices instead of obedience, still "to obey is better than sacrifice." When the sons of Aaron were required to offer incense with the consecrated fire from off the altar, Nadab and Abihu were slain for offering strange fire before the Lord. Had he spared them long enough to plead for themselves, they doubtless would have asked, What difference is there betwixt fire and fire? As some in our time irreverently ask, "What difference does it make what day we keep? A day is a day; and I do no see why one day is better than another; and if I keep Sunday as it ought to be kept, I believe it will do." To such I answer, God demands obedience. He required the sons of Aaron to offer the holy fire which he had consecrated; and he commands you to keep his holy day—the day which he sanctified and blessed. In either case, if he had made no difference, there would be none. And since he has not informed us how Sunday ought to be kept, I think it safe to follow his example at the creation and labor on the first day. In ancient time the transgressor was often made an example, the punishment of death being immediately inflicted; now it is otherwise. Some explain this by saying that in the ancient, rude state of society [the clay and iron age] it was necessary that punishment should be inflicted to deter others from crime; but in the present enlightened and refined state of society [the golden age] men are so much better that such restraints are unnecessary. But those examples were for us as well as for the ancients. They are recorded for our admonition. And with the proofs which we have of the truth of the record, if they do not have their designed effect upon us, we are certainly incorrigible. But for the present the transgressor passes on unpunished. With the Bible in his own language in his house, he hearkens not to its commandments, and heeds not its awful admonitions. Though its commandments are broken and its warnings slighted, yet the uncomplaining Word lays quietly upon the shelf, beneath accumulated dust, uttering not a syllable to those who have no ears to hear, nor eyes to read. But though unheeded will its threatenings fail? Will not God be avenged on such a people as this? According to the inspired delineations of the world, instead of the golden, we find ourselves in an age of "miry clay." And though the will of God is written in almost every tongue, and on this account the present generation, like ancient Capernum, is exalted to heaven, will it not, like her, be cast down to hell? No generation ever enjoyed so great light and such high privileges as the present; consequently all past generations will rise up in the judgment and condemn this. For this is the condemnation, that light has come into the world, and men love darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil. Permit me to exhort you, dear reader, to heed the voice of Divine Wisdom, and be circumspect in your obedience to God. By your love to him who has loved you, and by your desire for salvation—be circumspect. As you would escape all those things that are coming upon the earth, and stand before the Son of man—be circumspect. Do not imagine for a moment that God will accept a substitute, instead of what he has commanded. He demands the most exact obedience, and it is right that he should; and if we choose to vary from his requirements, we choose to do our own will instead of his. Says Jesus, Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Brother, sister, are you trying to live up to the perfect rule that God has given us, or do you think that little variations can do no harm? While God requires us to lay aside every weight, every idle word, and all pride, shall we indulge, in a moderate degree, in those things which we know he hates? By no means. Let us be circumspect in all that we say or do. It is not a vain thing to serve God. Then let us aim at nothing short of obeying perfectly a perfect rule. It is by "giving all diligence" that an entrance shall be ministered unto us abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of God. R. F. C. JESUS' COMING.
By S. A. Taft
THAT Christ will come again the second time, without sin unto salvation, and in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven, in the clouds with power and great glory, is a truth so fully stated in the word of God, that it seems impossible that any professing to regard that word, should have ever denied it. But such is really the case. Men, professed Christians even, have denied and do still deny the possibility of such an event, saying the second advent is past already. Another class do as effectually deny it, by putting it at such an illimitable distance in the future as to destroy its applicability as a motive power to holiness; and substituting in lieu thereof the vastly inferior circumstance, the day of our death. All this however is only a confirmation of the words of Dr. Carson, when he says "Not a single institution of the Lord Jesus, as it is recorded in the New Testament, has been left unchanged." "Not a truth is so clear as not to be disputed; nor a sentence so precise as not to be variously interpreted." And in this connection I cannot withhold the following from Rev. David Brown, A. M. He says, "It is not enough that we believe the doctrines of Scripture numerically so to speak. We must believe them as they are revealed—in their revealed collocations and bearings. Implicit submission to the authority of God's word obviously includes this. If, then, Christ's second appearing, instead of being full in the view of the church, as we find it in the New Testament, is shifted into the background, while other anticipations are advanced into its room, which, though themselves scriptural, do not occupy in Scripture the place which we assign to them, are we trembling at the authority and wisdom of God in his word, or are we not rather leaning to our own understanding?" Certainly we are, leaning to our own understanding, and the tendency is to corruption—to render null and void truths which the Holy Spirit has made most prominent. The coming of Christ is a prominent truth, as any one may learn from the following testimony which is only a tithe of what might be given: Behold the Lord cometh with ten thousand of his saints to execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed against him. Jude i, 14, 15. Behold he cometh with clouds and every eye shall see him, and they also who pierced him, and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. Rev. i, 7. Every man's work shall be made manifest, for the day shall declare it. 1 Cor. iii, 13. For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then shall he reward every man according to his works. Matt. xvi, 27. The Lord is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. For the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night. 2 Pet. iii, 9, 10. Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, . . . but rejoice inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings, that when his glory shall be revealed ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 1 Pet. iv, 12, 13. Be patient therefore brethren unto the coming of the Lord. James v. 7. Let your loins be girded about, and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their Lord when he will return from the wedding, that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. Blessed are those servants whom the Lord when he cometh shall find watching. Luke xii, 35-37. And now, little children, abide in him that when he shall appear we may have confidence and not be ashamed before him at his coming. 1 John ii, 28. When Christ who is our life shall appear then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Col. iii, 4, 5. It doth not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 1 John iii, 2, 3. Our conversation is in heaven, whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. Phil. iii, 20. Hold fast till I come. Rev. ii, 25. Ye do show the Lord's death till he come. 1 Cor. xi, 26. Waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Cor. i, 7, 8.62 Nor are these all: Luke xix, 13; 1 Thess. v, 9, 10, 23; Phil. i, 6, 9, 10, all speak the same great truth. Indeed the Bible abounds with testimony to the effect that our Lord shall come again. Now what are the necessary inferences—for no others are legitimate—from this mass of testimony. They are, 1. That the Lord Jesus Christ at the time appointed in the counsels of heaven, shall so come again in a manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. That at that time, then shall all the truly pious, appear with him in glory, have confidence before him, be like him, seeing him as he is, and be glad with exceeding joy. Then shall they obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, and come into possession of the crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give them in that day. Glorious day! Delightful hour. Who would not love the appearing of the Lord. Then shall they be present with the Lord, and he shall lead them beside green pastures, wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying; neither shall there be any more pain, for the former things—the day, the time, the state and condition of pain are passed away. How infinitely to be desired is the day of the Lord to the day of our death. The intermediate at best is vastly inferior to the resurrection state. Death is greatly to be deplored. It is penal; and casts the shadow of its chilling influence over the whole period of man's existence from the cradle to the grave, and from the grave to the glorious resurrection. The soul, unclothed by the forces of death, is necessarily vastly incapacitated, unless it be true, as some affirm, that immediately upon the dissolution of the present body, it takes to itself another, which like the present, shall be to it means and instruments of action and perception. But where is the evidence? That a body of some kind is an essential condition of the soul's activity is certain. But where, and what is the nature of that body which the soul has during the intermediate? And if it be one, in which the capacities of the soul for knowledge and enjoyment are vastly increased, where will be the necessity of the resurrection of the present body. Why compel the soul to a second divorce—for if it have a body the union must be most intimate as now—and throw it back to another body—the old one glorified? "Not that we would be unclothed," says the Apostle, "but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life." The truth is, in death the soul is unclothed and separated entirely from the material universe. Its instruments of action and perception are entirely demolished. The body, that source of endless intellections of an external origin, is in ruins. To the soul, the material universe is annihilated by the stroke of death; and a most fruitful source of innumerable mathematic sensibilities are forever cut off. Take the following as an illustration. Prof. Upham speaking of the emotions of beauty, says, "In regard to the occasions on which they arise, we remark further, that emotions of beauty are felt, and frequently in a very high degree, in the contemplation of material objects that are addressed to the sense of sight, such as woods, waters, cultivated fields and the visible firmament. We look abroad upon nature, in the infinite variety of her works, as she is exhibited in the depths below, and in the heights above; in shells and minerals; in her plants, and flowers and trees; in her waters, and her stars and suns; and we find the mind kindling at the sight," and lighting up to the highest degree of brilliancy from the inexhaustible fountains of pleasure thus suddenly opened within. All these are quieted in death. Oh! what a calamity, what a catastrophe! The coming of Christ however, amply compensates for all that has been lost. It re-establishes the connection of the soul with the material universe, by giving it a body in all respects like the present, mortality and corruption excepted. This mortal shall put on immortality, and this corruption shall put on incorruption. Even so, Amen. Come Lord Jesus, come quickly. BUDDISM IN CALIFORNIA.—The following is taken from a late letter from San Francisco to the N. Y. Herald:
After the gigantic efforts of missionary and Bible societies to spread the beneficent influence of Christianity throughout heathenish lands, the people of San Francisco are witnesses of the inauguration of Buddhism on American soil, attended with unusual pomp and magnificence. The Chinese population have at last, after many disappointments, imported a wooden god and all the paraphernalia of their worship, for the purpose of erecting them as a permanent institution in our midst. They have in past years celebrated annually funeral feasts, visiting the graves of departed relations, to offer articles of food for their spirits to feast upon. This year the same observances were gone through the day before this deity was installed. The ceremonies on the occasion lasted through five days, and the building in which they were performed was visited by upwards of twenty thousand people. PRAYER FOR EDITORS.
By Editor
The Evangelical Magazine says: We have heard fewer prayers offered up to God on behalf of the editors of our Christian journals than for an other class of public men; and yet we know of no servants of the Church who more need to be upheld by the importunate prayers of their brethren in Christ. A Christian editor needs great wisdom, consummate prudence, wakeful observation of men and things, unceasing self control, and, above all, a double portion of the Spirit of Christ. "Brethren, pray for us," that we may be enabled to acquit ourselves honestly and honorably and in Christian temper. Our own prayers will be greatly stimulated and encouraged by the conviction that thousands of devoted spirits are remembering us in their best and happiest moments at the Throne of Grace. Once, says Theodorus, I overheard Luther in prayer, but O, with what life and spirit did he pray! It was with as much reverence as if he were in the felt presence of God, yet with as much confidence as if he had been speaking to a friend. CHURCH ORDER.
By J. B. Frisbie
Our minds have long been exercised with this most important subject of church order. Trials have sometimes arisen from bad treatment of offenses, rather than from the offenses themselves, simply considered. It has become highly important at this time that the church of God make themselves thoroughly acquainted with this part of their work. We sometimes fear that this branch of duty is too much neglected by us. There will be a company who will come into the "unity of the faith," as we learn from the following scriptures: "And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you; whom the heaven must receive, until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets, since the world began." "Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the Lord shall bring again Zion." "Till we all come into the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ." "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their Lord, when he will return from the wedding; that, when he (Christ) cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately." There will be a little flock who shall be waiting for their Lord's return from heaven, who will come into the unity of the faith; when the watchmen shall see eye to eye at the restitution of the church of God. 1. The order that Christ established among his disciples. Jesus was "chosen of God." 1 Pet. ii, 4. "And he (Jesus) called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits; and they went out and preached that men should repent. And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them." Mark vi, 7, 12, 13. After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come. Luke x, 1. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you. John xv, 16; Luke vi, 13; Mark iii, 14. God is the head of all, and he chose Christ, and Christ chose his disciples, and ordained them, and sent them out to preach, two and two, in the dark places of the earth, with power to cast out devils. Jesus' last commission to them was: Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Matt. xxviii, 19, 20. This shows who Christ intended to minister the ordinance of baptism, &c., and that this commission was not to cease with the disciples, but to continue to all his teachers down to the end of the world, even to his second coming. 1 Cor. xi, 23-26. Till I come. Acts ii, 39. To all that are afar off. John xiv, 16, 17. He may abide with you forever. 2. The order of the apostles.—1st. We have recorded the doings or order of the eleven, in filling a vacancy in their number. Acts i, 20-26. They appointed two, prayed and cast lots, to know which of the two the Lord had chosen. 2d. The next order we consider will be that of Paul, the chief apostle of the Gentiles. "Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God." 1 Cor. i, 1. But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way; for he is a chosen vessel unto me to bear my name before the Gentiles, &c. Acts ix, 15. I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office. Rom. xi, 13. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate (or set apart) me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them they sent them away. So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed, &c. Acts xiii, 1-4. Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle. 1 Tim. ii, 7. Whereunto I am appointed a preacher and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. 2 Tim. i, 11. Here we have the authority of the call, appointment or ordination of Paul. This may be as full a history of primitive order as we can find for the ministry. 3. Who are called of God to preach the gospel? Answer. Those who have the qualifications given in the word of God and feel the woe upon them if they preach not the gospel. Some of the qualifications may be found to be, a thorough knowledge of the truth, good character, experience in the things of God, ready speech, patience, meekness, sound judgment, good government, and having the Spirit of God, &c. How the knowledge was gained.—Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. Acts iv, 13. The disciples had learned of Jesus. But the apostle Paul says, "But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after men. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. . . . Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me." Gal. i, 11, 12, 17. Paul received the gospel by direct revelation of Jesus Christ. 2 Cor. xii, 1. By visions and revelations of the Lord. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. . . . Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Tim. ii, 2, 15. Till I come give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed to thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them, for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. 1 Tim. iv, 13, 16. Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and convince the gainsayers. Titus i, 9. This shows how to get the theoretical and doctrinal qualification. Good character. But there is another and higher qualification to be attained, which is a practical one. "Be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord." This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; one that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity. (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice; (or one newly come to the faith, margin; for he is a babe. Heb. v, 12, 13;) lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. 1 Tim. iii, 1-7. And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. 2 Tim. ii, 24-26. For this cause left I thee at Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain63 elders in every city, as I had appointed thee; if any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children, not accused of riot or unruly; for a bishop (the same as an elder) must be blameless as the steward of God; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre, but a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. Titus i, 5-9. This scripture gives the full qualifications of an elder, and there can be no risk in ordaining such, or those who are fast desiring to be such, out of a pure heart. Bro. B. Hostler writes from Pitcher, Chen. Co., N. Y.:—"We are trying to hold on to the present truth amidst opposition. We are alone trying to hold up the standard of the cross in keeping the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus. Our future prospects sometimes look discouraging, but we feel to try to put our trust in God. The little church in Lincklaen continue to meet weekly on the Sabbath, and are trying to overcome. Brethren, pray for us, that we may continue to watch and patiently wait the coming of the Lord Jesus." Bro. J. Butchart, Sen., writes from C. W., June 8th, 1856:—"As to myself I feel somewhat refreshed and strengthened in the Lord, with renewed desires to love him more, to spend and be spent in the furthering the truths of the gospel among all those whom I may have access to." N. G. NEEDHAM
By N. G. Needham
BRO. SMITH:—Ruth Needham, my beloved companion, departed this life on the morning of the 25th of March, aged 51 years, after being confined to her bed for five months. From first to last she did not murmur in the least, but always said, The Lord's will be done. It is four years since we began to try to keep the commandments and the faith of Jesus. We have taken sweet counsel together, and it has been our best days, although it has separated us from many friends. She has never been cast down in the least, but gave up every thing freely, and said that she should sleep but a little while before the Lord would raise her up to glory with all that sleep in Jesus. Will the dear brethren pray for me—I am very lonely. Brother Sperry preached on the occasion to a64 house full. The most of them had never heard any thing about the Third Angel's Message, and some confessed that they heard Bible doctrine, and wished they could hear again. While I was down in Egypt's land
I heard my Saviour was at hand.
The midnight cry was sounding.
And I wanted to be free,
So I left my scoffing brethren,
To sound the Jubilee. They said that I had better stay
And go with them in their old way;
But they scoffed at my Lord's coming,
With them I could not agree,
So I left their painted synagogues
To sound the Jubilee. 'Twas thus I join'd the Advent band,
Though just come out from Egypt's land,
They were on the road to Canaan,
A blessed, praying company.
And with them I am proclaiming
That we're near the Jubilee. They call us now a noisy crew,
And say they hope we'll soon fall through;
But we then were growing stronger,
Both in love and unity,
Since we'd left old mystic Babylon
To sound the Jubilee. We were then united in one band,
Rejoicing Christ was just at hand,
To reward his faithful children
Who were glad their Lord to see.
Bless the Lord, our souls were happy
Sounding forth the Jubilee. Though opposition waxed strong,
Yet now the battle won't be long;
I've been through the fiery furnace,
And no harm was done to me,
I've come out with stronger witness
That we're near the Jubilee. If Satan comes to tempt our minds,
We'll meet him with these blessed lines,
Saying, Get behind me, Satan,
I'll have nought to do with thee;
I've come out of Babylon,
And I'll sound the Jubilee. A little longer here below,
And home to glory we shall go.
I believe it, I believe it;
Hallelujah, I am free
From all sectarian prejudice
To hail the Jubilee. We'll soon remove to that blessed shore,
And shout and sing forever more,
Where the wicked cannot enter
To disturb our harmony;
But we'll wear the crown of glory,
With our King eternally. COMMUNICATIONS.
By George Smith
"Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another." BRO. SMITH:—I would say that by the grace of God I am still striving to keep his Commandments. My sympathy and interest is with the dear saints of the Lord. I rejoice to know that God is refining and purifying a people for his kingdom. I have been trying to do all the good I can with publications among the people, and am not discouraged. I find some that have ears to hear, and wish to hear more. O may we all feel the responsibility that rests upon each one of us, and that without holiness no man shall see the Lord. Our thoughts and meditations should be holy. A living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is our reasonable service. May the Lord help all his little flock to keep humble, live holy, and separate from sinners. I am alone in this city. There are none of like precious faith here. Yours in hope. GEORGE SMITH.
La Porte, Ind., June 8th, 1856. OBITUARY.
By J. M. McLellan
DEATH, this relentless enemy of man [1 Cor.xv,26] has again visited us and torn from us our dearly beloved Sister, Amanda Hutchinson, aged 56 years. She fell asleep of the bilious fever, at half past five o'clock, Tuesday morning, the 8th of April. She has left an aged companion and four children to mourn her untimely loss. The church also feels her loss. We have lost a dear sister, a kind companion, and an affectionate and tender mother ; yet we mourn not as those who have no hope. She left a bright evidence that she has gone in peace. "She sleeps in Jesus, blessed sleep!
From which none ever wakes to weep." Her trials, her sorrows, and her cares, are all at an end. She rests from her labors and her works will follow her. Rev. xiv, 13. She awaits a glorious resurrection. "Her life is hid with Christ in God," and when Christ who is our life shall appear, then, she with the saints will also appear with him in glory. Col. iii, 3, 4. "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trump of God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord." 1 Thess. iv, 16, 17. Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O, death, where is thy sting, O, grave, where is thy victory! She also awaits a glorious kingdom, the earth made new, [Rev. xxi, 1; 2 Pet. iii, 13.] wherein dwelleth righteousness, where sickness, pain and sorrow can never come: where death can have no more dominion over her. There parting will be no more. There no farewell tears will be shed; for all tears shall be wiped away. There the pious child will meet his parent; there pious companions will meet to part no more. "O there will be shouting, shouting, shouting, shouting.
O there will be shouting when we meet to part no more." I would say one word to this bereaved family. Prepare for this happy meeting. Remember the dying words of your companion and mother, her oft repeated entreaties and prepare to meet her. No more will you hear her warning voice to live for Jesus. Her voice is stilled in death; yet in her behalf I would exhort you to prepare to meet her. Let not her dying entreaties be forgotten; but treasure them up in your hearts and live for Jesus. Live for eternal life. Live for glory. None should presume; for God is just: none need despair; for God is merciful.