Earlier text: The Bible no Refuge for SlaveryLessons for Bible Students.
(HISTORY OF THE SABBATH, PP. 24-42.)
What was the character of the seventh day, as hallowed in Eden? Being instituted in Eden, can it be a memorial of the flight of Israel from Egypt? Do the most distinguished Jewish writers claim the Sabbath as a Jewish memorial, or deny its primeval origin? What allusion does Josephus make to the Sabbath in the wilderness of Sin? How does he speak of it at creation? What does Philo say of the Sabbath as a memorial? The Sabbath being instituted before the fall, could it be a shadow or type of man's rest after his recovery from the fall? and why not? Why may not the Sabbath be one of the carnal ordinances imposed till the time of reformation? Heb. ix, 10. Where is the next mention of the Sabbath after man's apostasy? What objection to the institution of the Sabbath in Paradise is attempted to be drawn from the fact that the book of Genesis does not contain any formal precept for its observance? State the defects in this argument. From what other sins besides Sabbath-breaking, does the book of Genesis contain no prohibition? Can we affirm from this that the patriarchs were under no restraint in these things? Why was it not necessary that the book of Genesis should contain a moral code? How much time is spanned in its brief record? From the fact that the book of Genesis, after giving the institution of the Sabbath, does not again mention it, what conclusion has been drawn? State the defect in this argument by naming other important doctrines not mentioned in that book. By what penalty was the Sabbath enforced after the time of Moses? Yet how long a period is passed over after the time of Moses, without a mention of the Sabbath? What other observances, which were at that time important, are passed over in silence? What conclusion follows from these facts? From what is the reckoning of time by weeks derived? What texts of scripture show that the patriarchs so reckoned time? Could they retain the week and yet forget the Sabbath? How would the facts respecting the creation, naturally, and even necessarily, become diffused among the godly of mankind? What succession of holy, and probably inspired, men, spanned the whole time from Adam to Abraham? What is the record concerning Abraham? How is the Sabbath next mentioned among his posterity? What is it only necessary to do to vindicate the Sabbath from the reproach of being Jewish? What were the reasons for separating the family of Abraham to be the depositaries of divine truth? What means did God take to distinguish them from the heathen around them? What foreshadowed to Abraham the bitter servitude of Egypt? How long after the promise to Abraham, was the deliverance from Egypt? God brought Israel from Egypt to give them his Sabbath, his law, Ps. cv, 43-45, and himself, Num. xv, 41; why did he enter into this formal transaction with them? (See p. 35, commencing in 4th line from top. And although God thus became the "God of Israel," yet he is "the God of the Gentiles also," Rom. iii, 29; and in like manner the Sabbath did not thus become Jewish, but still continues to be the Sabbath of the Lord, and the law to be the statutes of the Most High.) At what point in the narrative of Moses, do we find the second mention of the Sabbath? In Ex. xvi, 4-30, we have a circumstantial narrative touching the Sabbath; what is the first point proved by this record? In what respect did God test his people by giving them bread from heaven? How do we know that the holy Sabbath was a part of that existing law? Did Moses here give any new precept respecting the Sabbath? What did the people do on the sixth day? Did they do this of their own accord? What did they show by this act? What proves that the reckoning of the weeks had been correctly kept up to that time? What assurance did God give on this point? Was there any act of instituting the Sabbath in the wilderness? Did God then make it his rest-day? Did God then bless and sanctify the day? What does the record show to the contrary? Give the substance of second foot note, p. 49. Does the language of the record show that the obligation to observe the Sabbath, existed and was known before the fall of the manna? When some of the people violated the Sabbath, what did the language in which they were reproved, imply? What was the effect of this rebuke of the Law-giver? What does the language of Ex. xvi, 29, imply? (See note.) Every man was commanded to abide in his place on the Sabbath; to what did this have reference? What texts of scripture show that religious assemblies were to be held on the Sabbath? Did the act of God in committing the Sabbath to the Hebrews as a special trust, imply that they had not before observed it? Moses is said to have given circumcision to the Hebrews, yet how long had they had it before his time? (See in connection, note, p. 41.) What does the language, "The Lord hath given you the Sabbath," imply? As no act of instituting the Sabbath here took place, how could God give them the Sabbath? In what sense was the Sabbath a sign to the Hebrews? Report from Bro. Loughborough.
By John Norton Loughborough
Since my last report I have had excellent meetings. Our meeting at Wright wound up with good interest, and we held a quarterly meeting at Lowell, Feb. 7 and 8. We gave six public discourses and more interest was manifest than I have ever witnessed in Lowell. Here Bro. Byington and I parted, he to return to the south part of the State, and I to go on east. Tuesday and wednesday Feb. 10 and 11, met with the church at Orange. We had five meetings here, all with the church except one. These were seasons of encouragement and profit to the church, especially our last meeting, Wednesday evening, for the communion. The public meeting was not very well attended on account of icy109 roads which were almost impassable to men or smooth shod beasts. Feb. 14, met with the Brn. and sisters in quarterly meeting at Orleans. Here I met Bro. Frisbie who had been lecturing in the school-house for about a week. I gave three public discourses, and held meetings to organize a society for holding the new meeting house that the brethren are about to build, to reorganize "systematic benevolence," and to consider the subject of baptism. Our meetings continued till Wednesday, Feb. 18. After meeting that day, five went forward in baptism. The brethren have decided to build a meeting house 32 x 46, at Fairplains near Greenville, and when I left were going to work to haul stone, and get out the lumber for it. I am now here in Greenbush. Have had six meetings mostly with the church. Have another meeting to-day, to attend communion, which will close the meetings here. I am glad to learn that several of the youth and children here have made a start of late to serve the Lord. The church here have in time past had some trials, but seem much encouraged to press on with the body of God's people. Although I have attended forty-nine meetings in four weeks, and in that time preached over forty times. I can say, with the blessing of the Lord, I feel as well as when I left home. To-morrow I go on to Owasso to meet the appointment there. Meetings in Illinois.
By Robt. F. Andrews
BRO. WHITE: Knowing that those who love the truth, are always rejoiced to hear of additions to our numbers, I thought I would give a report of a series of meetings, held in the Thicket school-house, Carroll, Co. Ill. Through much opposition, I tried to present to the people in this place, the conditions of salvation. As a natural consequence some acknowledged God's truth, and this stirred up the ire of the dragonic host. Some declared the school-house ought to be locked against me; others that I ought to be tarred and feathered and driven out of the neighborhood. I paid no attention to their threats, but kept trying to persuade them to break away from their sins by righteousness and from their iniquities by turning to God. The people were divided into sects and the members of each sect divided among themselves; but division soon ceased and suddenly they became united; yes, united heart and hand to oppose, the further progress of truth. ("That day Pilate and Herod were made friends.") They sent off for a Baptist elder, to oppose me on the Sabbath question. He preached one evening and I reviewed him the next. Various and contradictory were the positions he took. When I got through the people called for a decision. The elder himself urged the matter along. When the vote was taken on the side of truth, about half the congregation voted in my favor; and when the other side was taken, just five voted. His next effort was on the immortality question, and here he made a complete failure. This controversy gave the truth a new impetus. But our opponents were not satisfied yet, they were bound on driving me out of the neighborhood, so they applied to a Universalist preacher to come and hold a discussion with me on the Sabbath question; but what must have been their feelings when he told them he would not discuss the question for he believed I had the truth, and the Bible was all on my side. Still determined to have me and my views exterminated, the enemies of the truth sent off for elder Johnson, a Methodist. He preached ten discourses on the Sabbath question, and succeeded in creating quite a prejudice in the minds of some against the truth, also in keeping most of the church members away from my review of him. His arguments were those in general use, with the exception of one, and that was that Sabbath keeping lowered the price of property in a community. He also declared that the tract entitled "Wesley on the Law" was garbled, which I disproved by getting the original sermon and comparing it with the tract. I thus proved the extract true, and also showed him to be in opposition to the father of his denomination. The last evening of the review the school-house was crowded. When I got through, I took an expression of the congregation on both sides of the question, and in all that crowded house, there was not one to raise his hand to show that he believed Sunday was the Sabbath. I then requested all that believe that the seventh day was the Sabbath, and ought to be observed, to manifest it by rising to their feet, when about fifty arose and thus testified that we have the truth. But out of this great number how many will be obedient, I know not. About twelve have already decided to keep the Sabbath and others are almost persuaded. We have regular Sabbath meetings established, and also a prayer meeting every Tuesday evening. The little flock meet with a great deal of opposition from the professors around them, but the love of truth and the prospect of a part in the glorious inheritance promised to the faithful, stimulates them to faithfulness in this glorious cause. I sold about twenty dollars' worth of books and got five subscribers for the Review. I expect to go to Lanark, Carroll Co., next. Dear brethren, let us be faithful and work in this glorious cause, and let it be the object of our lives to be prepared ourselves and persuade others to be prepared for the coming of the Just One. Elkhorn Grove, Carroll Co., Ills. A few Thoughts on the Law and Sabbath of God.
By J. W. Raymond
THE law of God—that which constitutes the fundamental principles of his government—may be found chronicled in Ex. xx, 3-17. It was spoken and written from mount Sinai by Jehovah himself, while the mountain was enveloped in smoke, the vivid lightning shot athwart its summit, and the peals of thunder rolled down its base. Awful was the scene! Before it all Israel trembled and quaked. God is giving a law for the development of moral character, which is ultimately to be the criterion of judgment, and by which the doom of the world is to be irrevocably fixed for weal or woe, life or death, accordingly as they have been obedient or disobedient. And did men always have a vivid sense of the scenes attendant upon the giving of God's law, they doubtless would not trifle with it as they often do. Law is defined to be a rule of action. It is designed to impose obligations growing out of certain relations. Hence it is absolutely necessary that it be plainly and unequivocally stated. Any incoherency or ambiguity of expression in a law is sure to lead to confusion and injustice. But while it could hardly be expected that human laws would always be free from such embarrassing circumstances, coming as they do, from finite minds, it is not for a moment admissible that the law of God, being as it is the product of infinite wisdom, would be otherwise than plainly and positively stated. If we turn to Ex. xx, 3-17, we shall find the law of God as plainly stated as language can be made to express ideas. Would God give a law by which we were to form our characters, and eventually be judged, that is susceptible of a double or triple construction? Most assuredly he would not. The law of the Lord is perfect. Ps. xix, 7. While the perpetuity of God's law is generally conceded, and there is little or no difference of opinion in regard to the import of the first three and last six articles thereof, there are a variety of opinions in reference to the fourth article of that law. And as I wish to engage your attention for a few moments in regard to the fourth commandment, in order that you may have it before you, I will transcribe it. Read it carefully. “Remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor and do all thy work; but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God : in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates ; for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day ; wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath-day and hallowed it.” Ex. xx, 8–11.
The above is the only divine Sabbath law in existence. The day of this precept is the Sabbath, or there is none. To no other conclusion can the Bible student come. This article of Jehovah's law, like all the rest, is so plain that a child of ordinary capacity can easily understand it. But the most superficial observer can readily see, if not hopelessly biased, a distinct line of demarkation between the requirements of the above Sabbath law and the practice of the majority of people of the present day. It is too clear for mistake. Do most people keep the first day of the week? The law requires the holy observance of the seventh. But perhaps you are ready to conclude, like many others, that the law is not definite as to the day; that it simply requires the observance of one day in seven, and no day in particular; that all that it inculcates is the observance of the seventh day after six days of labor, leaving it optional with us where to commence the six days of labor. But hold! If your position that the fourth commandment simply requires the observance of one day in seven, but no day in particular, is tenable, the indefinite article which denotes 'one thing of a kind, but not any particular one,' is the very article which should have been incorporated into the fourth commandment. But on examination we find the definite article, which denotes 'some particular thing or things,' used to the exclusion of the indefinite. But how the Sabbath law of God can contain the definite article eight times, to the exclusion of the indefinite, five times relating to the day of that law, and yet not make obligatory the observance of a definite day, it will take more than a doctor of divinity to explain. Now just as sure as the definite article is definite, and God rested on a definite day at creation, and the fourth commandment requires the observance of the day on which he rested, just so sure the Sabbath law requires the observance of a definite day. On examination we find that the Sabbath law inculcates the observance of the very day of the week on which God rested at creation. Did God rest on one day in seven and no day in particular? Nonsense! Imagine a person trying to keep one day in seven, but no day in particular! Does he keep the first day of the week? He keeps a particular day; for each week has but one first day. Does he keep the seventh day of the week? He keeps a particular day; for each week has but one seventh day. And so of the rest. And we all know that our septenary division of time, or the division of time into periods of seven days, called weeks, takes for its origin the act of God in creating the world in six days, and resting on the seventh. In fact, the nearest any one can come to keeping110 one day in seven, irrespective of a day, is to keep one day one week, and another the next, not knowing from week to week what day he will keep the next. This is the chaotic conclusion to which this one-day-in-seven-and-no-day-in-particular theory inevitably tends. But is the omniscient God of Israel the author of a law thus "loose on the handle?" Is he the author of a sliding scale in morality?—a scale that would make any and every day of the week the Sabbath? We need not answer, No. Perhaps you are ready to ask if God has not changed his Sabbath to the first day of the week. By no means. It is impossible to change the day on which God rested. It is just as impossible to change the rest-day of the Father, as it would be to change the resurrection-day of the Son. It is just as true to-day, and will be through the ceaseless cycles of eternity, that God rested on the seventh day, blessed and sanctified it, as it was the day after he rested. This fact, the basis of the sabbatic institution, is immutable: hence the institution of the Sabbath is unchangeably fixed to the seventh day. The only thing that could possibly release us from our duty to keep the seventh day, would be the abrogation of the fourth commandment. But this the Bible nowhere teaches has ever been done. Another day would be another institution, for another reason, requiring another and different law. But search the sacred Bible for another such day, institution, and law, and you search in vain. But perhaps you are ready to say that we cannot tell which the true seventh day is. There is a cross and sacrifice attendant upon the observance of the seventh day; and doubtless many who urge this as an objection, find it more difficult to keep the seventh day than to find it. But we will proceed to prove that our seventh day is the true seventh day from creation. There are several trains of argument demonstrative of this; but we call your attention to but one. We base it on the position of first-day observers. The first day of the week is kept in commemoration of the resurrection of Christ, which proves that our first-day corresponds with the first-day from the time of our Saviour; and if our first-day corresponds with the first day from the time of Christ, then our seventh day is the seventh day from that time. There is no evading this. It only remains, then, that we prove that the seventh day of our Saviour's time was the seventh day from creation, and we shall have proved that our seventh day is but a continuation of the seventh day from creation. Luke xxiii, 56, and xxiv, 1, proves this: "And they returned and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the Sabbath-day according to the commandment. Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came to the sepulchre," &c. So we see that they kept the day preceding the first day of the week, which corresponds with our seventh day, as above shown, and kept it according to the commandment, which requires the observance of the day on which God rested; which proves that the seventh day of our Saviour's time was the seventh day from creation; and consequently that our seventh day of the week is the seventh day of the week from creation, inasmuch as our seventh day is the seventh day of our Saviour's time. God commands us to keep it holy. Will you do so? The matter is between you and a holy God, who will hold all accountable creatures amenable to his law. How will you decide this very important question? The issues of your decision will take hold on eternity; and awful indeed will be those issues if you decide against God's holy and just law. Says Paul, "Be not deceived; God is not mocked." Search the record of the past as given in the Bible, and you will find that John Wesley spoke truthfully when he said, "Our God is a particular God." Oh suffer no influence to turn you from God's blessed law of truth. God is highly favoring you with light upon this momentous subject. Do not, I humbly beseech you, trifle with it. Search the Bible. Pray to the blessed Jesus for strength to keep his Father's law; for he himself has said, "Blessed are they that do (the Father's) commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city." Rev. xxii, 14. I can but hope to meet and strike hands with you in that city, and with the ransomed host of God help swell, in loftiest strains, the sweet pean of victory which the saints will there chant in sweetest lays. But I should be unfaithful if I did not here say that faith in Christ and obedience to God's law is the only avenue that opens up to that joyous and heavenly state. O let us walk therein, have respect unto his commandments, cease following the multitude to do evil: so will it be well with us in the end. Amen. Testimony No. 9.
By B. F. Snook
THIS is emphatically meat in due season. I read it, and on account of its exceeding straight and cutting truth, the old man rather disliked it. But the testimony is every word truth, and all-needful at this time, and must be received. I know and feel that much of this applies to me. I feel much reproved, and feel the burden of confessing and forsaking all my wrongs. I believe with all my heart that the testimony is true. I have felt my own lack for some time. I know the enemy has set traps for my feet. He has crippled my energies by throwing darkness and discouragement into my mind. I feel that what is said in reference to the “petition” question is all true, the wrong use of the visions, &c. I am determined for one, having the help of the Lord, to cut loose and be entirely free. I feel like again asking the pardon of my brethren for rushing them into that act of petitioning. We were too fast. The enemy hurried us, lest we might reflect and think what we were doing. I hope and believe that these things will work for good to me. O, I must awake! Satan is fully roused, and will sleep no more. O my Lord, help me to awake, and become all over new. I must work for my own salvation, or I can never be of use to others in their salvation. O that I may realize the pure words, “Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord.” O that God may bless unworthy me! O that he may multiply blessings to brother and sister White, to all the dear brethren who are preaching his word, and to all his chosen people, and lead us safely through this wilderness,—shield us from the enemy's mighty power, and finally gather us all safely home into our Father's everlasting kingdom.
B. F. Snook. Meetings in Nile, N. Y.
By E. Lanphear
The Seventh-day Adventists held a conference at this place, commencing sixth-day evening, with a sermon from Eld. Fuller, of Ulysses, Pa. He did the preaching through the sitting of the conference, with the exception of one discourse. He seems to have a zeal and determination to preach the truth, whether the people will hear or forbear. His subjects of discourse were arranged for the occasion. He first used the words of God calling after Adam, Where art thou? for his foundation; and no one could say but that he was searched out, whether backslider, saint, or sinner. Next he used the text, Pay thy vows. This was treated first in its application to business transactions, in matters of this world, and lastly, in reference to our vows to God, &c. We were reminded of our religions, and our thousand other vows and promises which we have made to him, to seek religion, &c., and to labor for his cause if he would spare our lives through this sickness, trial, trouble, or whatever the case might have been. He handled the subject in such a way as to leave no one out without being noticed. While he was going through I observed many a tear trickling down the cheeks of his hearers, and while I glanced my eyes around I discovered a man who had never professed religion, and the tears were rolling down his cheeks also. After the exercise closed, this man, whom I believe more honest at heart than thousands of professors, said to me, "Such preaching as that is worth hearing; it hits a fellow and does him some good. I like to hear a man who will preach the truth, let it hit whom it will: such men ought to be supported in their labors, and I have vowed in my mind to give him one dollar, and if you will lend me the dollar until I see you again, I will pay that vow without delay, if you will give me an introduction to him." I complied with his request, and he handed over the money, feeling (I believe) that he had paid one dollar at least to the support of gospel truth. On the evening after the Sabbath a prayer and conference meeting was held, the whole evening being occupied without a sermon. There was a good degree of promptness among the members, and no time seemed to run to waste, and sometimes two or three would rise upon their feet at a time. The true spirit of religion seemed to prevail, and while it manifested itself among our people, it seemed to get hold of members of other churches, and really for a time all seemed to be very much interested. First-day in the forenoon Eld. Fuller preached, and the business of the conference closed, and the brethren mostly left for their homes. Eld. Fuller concluded to remain over night, and accordingly left an appointment for the evening. The conference had passed off so smoothly that the community had become quite interested, and when the evening came the house was well filled, but with a different class altogether: the congregation being made up of Methodists, Presbyterians, First-day Baptists, Free-will Baptists, Seventh-day Baptists, and a few Adventists. On this occasion he used the words in 1 Kings xviii, 21: "How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baál, then follow him." While going through with this discourse the scene changed. He had preached smooth things up to this time, that is, good common sense religion that no one could find fault with, and all were ready to acknowledge that the Advent meeting was one of the best of meetings. But what is the matter now? Why, he preached right straight out the ten commandments, that they were God's commands, "written on tables of stone" for all men to observe, the fourth as well as the other nine. He handled the Sabbath question so convincingly, and proved so clearly that the seventh day was the Sabbath, and the only Sabbath sanctified by God, that the Sunday observers thought he preached them all to perdition, and such a squirming, muttering, and drawing down of pharisaic faces as was manifest, is not often observed in a religious meeting. The preaching has an effect upon the community, whether for weal or woe God only knows. Some of the pharisaic faces can be seen around town, complaining about being abused; but the informed keep silent. While one of these complainers was complaining bitterly to one of our merchants the other day, the merchant said to him, "If Fuller has not got the truth of the Bible on his side, why don't you get some man to come and straighten him out? He says he is open to conviction. Can't you find the man?" Said the old man, "He is not worth noticing; if he was, there might be men enough." This will do for an excuse for them; but common sense men know better than to attack him on that subject. May the Lord bless Bro. Fuller in preaching the whole truth. Nile, N. Y., Feb. 20, 1863. Millions of Years Yet.
By M. W. H.
A FEW weeks since, a professedly Christian minister in a public lecture, threw himself into the ranks of latter-day scoffers in a way altogether new. Thinking it may be of interest to others, I give it, as an illustration of the infinite pains some take, as also the straits to which some are driven, to refute what the onward progress of the world is daily making more apparent. His reasoning (for reasoning I suppose he regarded it), was this: "A thousand years with God are as one day, and one day as a thousand years. Since God was six days engaged in the work of creation, and each of the six days are equal to, or stand for a thousand years, we have six thousand years before the millennial thousand." You are ready to say there is nothing new here. But hold! He then worked into his service the day for a year rule for interpreting prophecy, and thought he made it appear, because he asserted, "that each day of each thousand years was pledge for111 a year of time;" and he had ciphered it out so exactly, that he declared how many millions of years the present order of things was to last, although in his short-sightedness he had affirmed, we had no proof that only about 6,000 years had elapsed since the creation. It was indeed a new version of the soothing peace and safety cry, and gives plenty of time for the upward development theory, which is such a favorite scheme with one class, who join the latter-day-scoffer's cry, "Where is the promise of his coming?" Malone, N. Y., Feb. 1863. Report from the Church in Brookfield, N. Y.
By J. W. Marsh
Bro. J. N. Andrews has been laboring with the church in Brookfield for a few weeks past, setting before them the subject of organization in its true light. All were convinced of its importance, and entered into it in earnest by laboring faithfully with each other to correct the erring, to reprove faults and remove stumbling-blocks. The church then organized, taking the name, Seventh-day Adventists, and adopting the covenant recommended in the Review. Bro. Henry Main was chosen elder, and Bro. Ira Abbey, deacon. The church now numbers twenty-four members. Six others made application, but for various reasons their names were postponed till our next meeting for action. The systematic benevolence plan was then cheerfully entered into, by which we shall raise about $100 annually. The following order of meetings was then named and adopted: The whole church to come together once every month as follows: The first meeting to be held at the house of Bro. I. Abbey, in North Brookfield, the second Sabbath in March; the second to be at the house of Bro. Wm. Moon, in Clarksville, the second Sabbath in April; the third to be at the house of Bro. Wm. Lawton, in West Winfield, the second Sabbath in May; then back to the house of Bro. I. Abbey, in North Brookfield, the second Sabbath in June. In this way we shall have quarterly meetings in the above-named places. The ordinances will be attended to at the house of Bro. Abbey regularly once in three months. Prayer-meetings will be held every Sabbath in each of the above-named places when they will not conflict with our general meetings. By order of the church.
J. W. MARSH, Church Clerk. DIED in Jamaica, Vt., our only child, Carrie A. Johnson, aged thirteen years and twelve days. We are not fully satisfied what the disease was. She only staid from school a day and a half. Her suffering was severe the little time that she was sick. My greatest desire is that God may sanctify this most deep affliction to our eternal good. D. W. & E. A. JOHNSON. Jamaica, Vt., Feb. 20, 1863. DIED in Watson, Mich., Jan. 30, 1863, of diptheria, our oldest son, Leverett C. Daily, aged four years, eight months, and five days. A comforting discourse was given on the occasion by Bro. Strong, from 1 Pet. i, 24. “Asleep in Jesus, soon to rise,
When the last trump shall rend the skies;
Then burst the fetters of the tomb,
To wake in full immortal bloom.”
L. & F. I. DAILY. Letter from Bro. Carver.
By H. E. Carver
BRO. WHITE: It is with heart-felt joy that I take my pen to bear witness to the goodness of our God, and I do this the more cheerfully because I took occasion not long since to write to you in a different strain concerning the church at Richmond and Dayton. In the good providence of God it became my privilege to take Bro. Snook to Richmond on his way to visit the churches, and I shall ever have reason to thank God for what I saw and experienced while with that church. To me individually it was a feast of fat things from the Lord, especially our last meeting, when the whole church came together to partake of the emblems of a crucified Saviour, and that other ordinance of humility, feet-washing. For months past my mind had been depressed by trials and temptations to such a degree that the burden of my prayers became, Lord, withdraw not thy Holy Spirit from me; leave me not to myself, or I fail. But at that meeting the Lord graciously condescended to pour into my soul such a rich blessing that the language of my heart is, Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me bless his holy name. Yes, I feel a consciousness that the Lord has revived his work in me, also a sweet assurance that he will never leave me nor forsake me, but that I shall have a home with his people in the everlasting kingdom of his dear Son. I cannot sufficiently praise God for what he has done for me, a poor, weak, sinful man, and then to think of the joys, blessedness, and glory yet in reservation for me, if faithful, is surely enough to melt the hardest heart, and cause one to cry out, Lord, what is man that thou art mindful of him, or the Son of man that thou visitest him. My heart was made to rejoice also when our oldest daughter manifested a determination to go with the remnant to mount Zion. Owing to peculiar circumstances, this important step will unavoidably bring great trials upon her, and I commend her to the prayers of the church, that the rich blessing of God may attend her, and that she may with the people of God at last have a right to enter those pearly gates of the New Jerusalem, and partake of the blessedness of the new earth. My heart also yearns as never before for our other children, and O what a solace it would be to my heart to have the assurance that we should make an unbroken family in the kingdom of God. I solicit your prayers, especially for our eldest son, now in the army for the Union, that the Lord may preserve him alive, and so work upon his judgment and conscience, as to bring him to the cross of Christ for the salvation of his soul. But I wish to tell you what I saw at that meeting, and the effect it had upon my mind. A short time ago I trembled for that church when I learned that they were making, as I thought, an undue test of the visions of sister White in admitting members into church fellowship, and that several souls had been injured thereby. This fault I have seen thoroughly corrected, so that the church now stands upon ground that God can and does approve and bless, and I hope and trust it will have a good effect upon those who have been injured. What I witnessed at our recent meeting has increased my confidence that God is again visiting his people by the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and my earnest prayer is that my heart may be in a state of preparation when the time shall come for the out-pouring of the latter rain. I have long believed that the mighty power of God would be displayed in behalf of the remnant who should live when the Lord is about to come, and I believe that those who are keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus are that remnant; and if so, why should it be thought a thing incredible that the gifts of the Spirit are among us? I trust that God in his infinite mercy is preparing me for that refreshing that is to come from his presence. See Acts iii, 19. How appropriate it is that just before the Lord comes, and while he is yet in the heavenly sanctuary making the great atonement by virtue of which our sins are to be blotted out, that there should be a refreshing from his presence, and what better adapted to produce this refreshing than the outpouring of his Holy Spirit? O brethren, there is a good time coming to the people of God; it is coming from his own hand. Now it behooves us to be up and doing. Let us lay aside, so far as possible, the cares of life. Let us not have our affections set on the world, but resist all the adverse influences that Satan knows so well how to bring against us. Let us seek wisdom and strength where alone it may be found, and putting our trust in Jesus, go forward in the path of duty. That God may guide and direct his people in all their ways to his glory and his salvation, is the prayer of your unworthy brother. H. W. LAWRENCE
By H. W. Lawrence
BRO. WHITE : Our general meeting in this place, according to appointment, was quite well attended, notwithstanding the storm and cold which detained some who were preparing to come. Brn. Taylor and Whitney labored in word and doctrine, enforcing upon our minds the necessity of keeping out of the way of the work of the Lord, by obedience in the direction of obtaining and retaining the whole armor. Several joined us in the communion season for the first time, and were willing to seek a preparation for the same by following the example of Christ. John xiii. An increasing interest was manifest among the young, increased by the active efforts of Bro. Buck and some of his class who have found peace in believing since our last monthly meeting, and were present to share with older ones from St. Lawrence Co. Finally we were all more or less benefited, and are sure the cause will move on in Northern New York. West Bangor, N. Y., Feb. 25, 1863. SISTER Sabrina R. Nichols writes from Worcester, Vt. : How thankful we as a people have reason to be for the light we receive from “Testimonies for the Church,” to guide us through the perils of these last days. I have ever had perfect confidence in Sister White’s visions and can but regard each additional reproof a fresh token of our heavenly Father’s love and care for his weak and erring children. I feel refreshed and strengthened as I peruse the interesting and instructive columns of the Review, so highly prized by all lovers of present truth, and doubly dear to the lone ones who seldom, if ever, listen to the thrilling and all-important truths it advocates as they fall from the lips of the messengers. It rejoices my heart to learn that the children and youth are yielding to the strivings of God’s Holy Spirit. O may the work spread throughout the ranks of the remnant until all the dear children shall be gathered into the fold of Christ. I still love the straight and narrow way, and though I realize my own insufficiency and sometimes tremble through fear of being overcome, yet by the assisting grace of God, I am determined to strive to the end for a crown of righteousness which is laid up for all those who love the appearing of Jesus. BRO. P. Martin writes from, Dane, Dane Co., Wis. : After a diligent search of the scriptures for the last twenty years, I greatly rejoice in the light now shining from God’s holy word through the Review and Herald. I would be glad if some brother could give a few lectures to the people here. As I have heard the first and second angels’ messages, and particularly the third, I am strong in the faith that the Lord will soon appear. Bro. P. Erb writes from Enterprise, Minn. : The Review is the only sound preaching I get here. I feel grateful to God for his pardoning love, and am striving to live so that the Spirit of the Lord may be ever with me, and guide me into all truth, by whose help I may be able to overcome, and meet with the redeemed of the Lord in his kingdom.