It is worthy of remark that those Christians who look for the promised Millennium before the coming of Christ to effect it, base their hopes, with great uniformity, upon what has been achieved in this direction by this country, and upon what it is destined to achieve. Such are fond of speaking of this as a "Christian country," and of its "Christian civilization." We beg to suggest a few thoughts for their consideration.
1. The number of professing Christians of all evangelical denominations, in this country, is proportionately less now than a few years ago. Said a worthy minister, not long since, to the writer: "This country is relapsing into heathenism." The remark was made after a careful comparison of the census tables of 1860 with those of the previous decade. It was discovered that the number of evangelical Christians is relatively diminishing. The increase of the church is considerably behind that of the population.
Does this look like the gradual subjugation of even this country to Christ? And where else is the record more favorable, or the promise more hopeful?
2. It cannot be maintained that the standard of piety is higher now than formerly. On the other hand, since the war began, there is mournful evidence of desolation and decay. And proofs are being sadly multiplied of a diminution of respect among high and low for the church, and those that minister at her altars.
3. The view in question, lamentedly and inexcusably, overlooks the true relation between Christ and the world. "He that is not for me, is against me," is the standard by which all that profess to belong to Christ must be tried. And is this nation "for Christ," either in its councils, its policy, its principles of action, or its avowed aims?
What would be thought, for example, of a member of Congress bringing his Bible into the Hall of Representatives, and insisting upon discussing every proposed measure in the light of God's word? How unworthy and absurd to call that a Christian state in which the vast majority do not even confess the name of Christ, much less practice his commands,—in which the name and authority of the Lord Jesus is not recognized in the fundamental law; where an appeal to the word of God in the national councils, would be regarded as out of place; when Judaism and Mahometanism and Spiritualism are tolerated equally with the religion of Christ.
4. It is to be observed that our Lord gives no maxims for the government of worldly states. Neither do his apostles. And why? Because they do not regard the existence of Christian States as possible, until the coming of the Kingdom of God. The Lord Jesus will own no state in which he must reign on a divided throne. In the days of his flesh he was tempted with such an offer. His prompt rejection indicates what should be the position of the church, through all this dispensation, in respect to these worldly kingdoms. For the "god of this world" still "deceives the nations," and leads them, "captive at his will." And through all the history of the Church, he repeats to her the temptation of her Lord. Would that, like her Divine Master, she scorned the offer.
The Lord, and those inspired to speak for Him, take for granted that no "Christian state" is possible until His kingdom is revealed, in which He alone shall be exalted, and "every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess that He is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Between this kingdom of the future and those states which are now administered according to the maxims of this world, there is no compromise.
We cannot but believe that one object of the fearful calamities God has sent upon this nation, is to destroy this dangerous fiction in the minds of His people. We call it dangerous, for nothing so effectually perverts in the minds of Christians the true idea of the coming kingdom, and weakens their hope of it, as the vain-glorious delusion that they are to achieve this golden age without the coming of the Lord. This explains why there is so little patient waiting for His "appearing and Kingdom."
Let Christians be warned in time. For nothing is more certain than that God will spare no pains to break up an error so fraught with danger. If His people will not hope for the coming kingdom, they will be forced to do so by destructive judgments, far more severe, upon those objects which now divert their hope. It has been the grand aim of Satan to foist his substitutes for that Divine kingdom upon the attention and affections of the church, until she has well-nigh lost her hope.—B. in Prophetic Times.
F. MORROW
By F. Morrow
From Bro. Morrow.
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS : I too would like to give in my testimony to the goodness of God to us in this day of preparation. When I look around me and see how many there are who make a profession to love God and still are blinded to the test of that love, 1 John ii, 3-5, it makes me more than ever desire to heed the counsel of the faithful and true Witness. I want the "anointing" that I may be able to stand in these perilous times. This truly is a time of deception. If it was not so, it seems to me that some of the brightest minds of the 1844 movement, those that spent their fortunes and their lives, would not be found battling so furiously against the commandments of God, the great wedge that divides us from the world or from those that work iniquity. I, for one, am grieved to find some of those from whom I learned my first lessons in the Advent faith now warring against the only thing that can unite the people of God in these last days; namely "the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus." The testimony of Jesus seems to be very much in the way of those that would fain pull down. But my prayer to God is that their eyes may be opened before it is too late. I do not mean those who have lately come up, but those in whom I had the utmost confidence, and who in 1848, I believed were walking in the light and trying with all their might to spread the same.
There is another evidence that the people of God have made their appearance and that the dragon is being wroth, from the many batteries that are brought all to bear against the Review and its managers at Battle Creek. But dear Brn. be not discouraged. Your heavenly Father has prepared you with a goodly number of David's weapons against the hold Philistines. Keep on using them in the fear of Israel's God. He is mighty and those under his command are safe. You may be assured you have the prayers and sympathy of the brethren all through the ranks. When any one of the members of the body is assailed, let us hold each other up by our prayers and encouragement, in short, be one another's keeper.
F. MORROW
Clarence, Iowa.
ELLEN L. GAGE
By Ellen L. Gage
From Sister Gage.
Bro. White: I have long felt a desire to relate something of my experience to the brethren and sisters of the household of faith, since embracing the third message. I have been strengthened by reading the many cheering testimonies contained in our excellent paper, and after gaining an experience of about a year in the good way, I esteem it a privilege to relate it.
I had for some time previous to embracing the truth, flattered myself with a false hope, taking the modern churches for my standard of piety, instead of the living Jesus; and I frequently attended Levees, &c., but at times a feeling of condemnation would come over me, and I have often experienced a thrill of terror, while at such places, as the thought would occur to my mind, what would be my fate should Jesus come now?
When I heard a few sermons on present truth and the Sabbath question discussed by Elds. Cornell and Grant, by the merciful kindness of the Lord, I was led to embrace the truth, and strive to keep all the commandments of God. I cannot express my joy and thankfulness to the blessed Lord, that he has called after me, and I cannot too faithfully serve Him who has done so much for me; but the grace of God assisting, I mean to devote my all to his service, during the little time I remain here. I desire to experience the sanctifying effects of the message, and be growing in grace, and in the knowledge of the truth. We are living in perilous times; the enemy is "seeking whom he may devour" and we that profess Christ, should live watchful and prayerful lives lest we fall out by the way. We should keep our garments pure, and ourselves unspotted from the world. It is the pure in heart that shall see God, and as we are nearing the haven of eternal rest, it becomes us to lay aside every weight of sin, that the Lord can work by and through us. It will be but little longer ere we shall see our blessed Lord and Master coming in the clouds of heaven with all the holy angels; and as I realize this, I long for a more entire consecration to him. Pray for me, that I may be an overcomer, and reign with Christ in the earth made new.
ELLEN L. GAGE
Manchester, N. H., Dec. 11, 1864.
Appointments.
If the Lord will, we will hold meetings as follows:
Mannsville, Jeff. Co., Dec. 30 & 31.
Roosevelt, Oswego Co., Jan. 7 & 8.
Kirksville, Onon. Co., (evening) 18 & 19.
Verona, Oneida Co., 21 & 22.
Middle Grove, Saratoga Co., 28 & 29.
Brookfield, Madison Co., Feb. 11 & 12.
We shall spend two Sabbaths in Oswego, Saratoga, and Madison Counties.
Will be at Oneida depot the morning of the 20th, Friday; at Ballston Spa, evening of the 26th, Thursday.
C. O. TAYLOR.
S. B. WHITNEY.
P. S. Let there be a general coming up to the above appointments, of all that love the truth of the Bible.
C. O. T.
PROVIDENCE permitting, I will meet with the Brn. at South Bend and North Liberty, Ind., Dec. 31, and Jan. 1, as Bro. Harvey may arrange. I will remain there two weeks. Brn. can address me at South Bend.
R. J. LAWRENCE.
THERE will be a Quarterly Meeting in Little Prairie Wis., January 7 & 8. Will Bro. Sanborn meet with us.
C. W. OLDS.
THE next Quarterly Meeting of the Lynxville and Kickapoo churches, will be held at Lynxville, the second Sabbath and first day of Jan. 14 and 15. The Brn. and sisters of the surrounding churches are invited, together with the ministry. Will Bro. L. G. Bostwick attend.
THOMAS DEMMON.
THE next Quarterly Meeting for Orleans County, Vt., will be held at the house of Bro. Enoch Colby in Charleston, the first Sabbath in January 1865. It is hoped that brethren and sisters from the surrounding churches in Northern Vt., and C. E., will meet with us. We cordially invite Eld. A. Stone to meet with us on this occasion.
A. S. HUTCHINS.
Business Department.
By Editor
Business Notes.
Where shall we send it? Some one from North Jay, Maine, orders the Review sent to Sonoma Co., Cal., but gives no Post Office.
John Leland. There was no money in your letter when received at the Office.
RECEIPTS.
For Review and Herald.
Annexed to each receipt in the following list, is the Volume and Number of the REVIEW & HERALD to which the money receipted pays. If money for the paper is not in due time acknowledged, immediate notice of the omission should then be given.
A H Adams 29-1, F Morrow 27-1, Naomi Jones 27-1, Louisa Wilhite 27-14, R D Tyson 26-7, J Kirkman 28-14, A R Morse 26-1, H S Priest 27-21, L H Priest 27-1, B S Merriam 27-5, Mary M Leach 27-1, W Mc Queen 27-1, C M Holland 27-1, P R Blake 27-1, Jane S Farnsworth 27-1, J Ferrell 26-1, G A Gilbert 27-1, B F Wilkinson 27-1, H R Leighton 26-1, S Steele 27-1, J Heath 27-1, Mrs C Stevens 27-1, G J Foster 27-1, Mrs J H Aldrich 26-14. $2,00, each.
J B Taber 26-1, M W Neal 28-15, John Cole 26-1, S Garrison 25-1, P Halsel 25-1, E H Tefft 26-1, E G White for Mary Chase 27-1, for Samuel Foss and Melissa Tapley 27-9, Mary Borden 27-1, F Nutting 26-1, J Heath 27-14, J Cady 26-1, A D Thorp 26-1, Mary F Conklin 26-1, H Salisbury 26-2, Leroy Young 26-1, Fanny Palmer 27-1, J H Cottrell 26-1, Jane Strong 26-1, H M Grant 27-1, P F Powelson 26-1, D Kellogg 25-14, F Anderson 26-1, M H Leonard 26-1, M Beardslee 26-1, C Beach 27-1, D Emmett 26-1, C Penoyer 26-1, J Hawkes 26-18, S T Chamberlain 26-14. each $1.00.
Betsey Henry 26-1, J N Runions 26-1, M A Robinson 26-1, A Russell 26-1, J K Chamberlain 26-1, 50 cts. each.
P Ringdorf $5,00 28-1, Mary A Eaton $2,17 27-5, Sarah A Snyder $3,00 26-1, W H Coffman $5,00 on acct. in full. Esther Cummings 40c 27-1, Mary Thorp $1,50 27-1, Luke Van Ornum $2,50 27-1, H A Mead $2,50 27-1.
Subscriptions at the Rate of $3,00 per year.
S N Haskell $3,00, 27-1, R Humphries $3,00, 27-10, B S Brooks $3,00, 27-1, S Olsen $3,00, 26-1, A C Warren $3,00, 27-1, O P Lamb $3,00, 27-1, A Coventry $3,00, 27-1, A Olson $3, 28-1.
Cash Received on Account.
B F Snook $30,00, A S Hutchins $5,00, S B Whitney $30,00.
Books sent by Express.
G W Sheldon $2,00, J L Edgar $2,00, M R Place 40 Griswold st. Chicago, Ills., $17,50.
Books Sent By Mail.
J Eggleston $2,10, M Kunselman $1,00, T Winchell $1,00, O H Pratt 83c, A Ridgway 25c, Mrs H R Pierce $1,75, T Hamilton 25c, F C French 75c, L S Bristol 35c, W Guiss $1,30, F Kietzman $1,00, L J Richmond $2,24, J B Tinker 92c, I Jones $1,00, T A Herrick 7c, R M Crawford 50c, L Emmett $1,12, L M Gates $1,12, Mrs C Beach $1,25, H D Corey 85c, Mrs C Starr 83c, C R Ogden 83c, C N Pike 25c, E W Coy 50c, S O Winslow $1,00, S Chase 60c, W L Stiles $1,37, C C Belden 25c, Charles Hinsdale 20c, E Lander 25c.
General Conference Missionary Fund.
Betsey Wilcox $2,00, M W Rathbun $3,00.
Donations to Purchase a Stock of Paper.
A Friend $4,00, H Hilliard $5,00, Daniel Wilcox $3,00, W Farrar $3,63, A lover of present truth $5,00, H D Cory 17c, G W States $3,00.
PUBLICATIONS.
The law requires the pre-payment of postage on Bound Books, four cents for the first four ounces, or fractional part thereof, and an additional four cents for the next four ounces, or fractional part thereof, and so on. On Pamphlets and Tracts, two cents for each four ounces, or fractional part thereof. Orders, to secure attention, must be accompanied with the cash. Address, ELDER JAMES WHITE, Battle Creek, Michigan.
The Hymn Book, 464 pages, and 122 pieces of music, 80 12
" " " with Sabbath Lute, $1,00 12
" " " Calf Binding, 1,00 12
" " " with Lute, 1,25 12
History of the Sabbath, Sacred and Secular, 80 12
" " " in paper covers, 50 10
Dobney on Future Punishment, 75 16
Spiritual Gifts, Vol. I, or the Great Controversy between Christ & his angels, and Satan & his angels, 50 8
Spiritual Gifts, Vol. II. Experience, Views & Incidents in connection with the Third Message, 60 8
Spiritual Gifts, Vols. I & II, bound in one book, $1,00 12
Spiritual Gifts, Vol. III, Facts of Faith, 75 8
Spiritual Gifts, Vol. IV, Facts of Faith & Testimonies in the Church, Nos. 1-10, 75 8
Sabbath Readings, a work of 400 pages of Moral & Religious Lessons for the Young, 60 8
The same in five Pamphlets, 55 8
" " twenty-five Tracts, 50 8
Appeal to the Youth. Bound, 60 8
" " " Paper Covers, 20 2
" " " without Likeness, 15 2
The Bible from Heaven, 20 5
Both Sides. Review of Preble on Sabbath and Law, 20 4
Three Angels of Rev. xiv, and the Two-horned Beast, 15 4
Sabbath Tracts, Nos. I, II, III, & IV, 15 4
Hope of the Gospel, or Immortality the Gift of God, 15 4
Which? Mortal or Immortal? or an Inquiry into the Present Constitution & Future Condition of Man, 15 4
Modern Spiritualism: its Nature and Tendency, 15 4
The Kingdom of God: a Refutation of the Doctrine called, Age to Come, 15 4
Miraculous Powers, 15 4
Pauline Theology, on Future Punishment, 15 4
Appeal to Mothers, 15 2
Review of Seymour. His Fifty Questions Answered, 10 3
Prophecy of Daniel—The Sanctuary and 2300 Days, 10 3
The Saints' Inheritance in the New Earth, 10 3
Signs of the Times. The Coming of Christ at the Door, 10 3
Law of God. The Testimony of Both Testaments, 10 3
Vindication of the True Sabbath, by J. W. Morton, 10 3
Review of Springer on the Sabbath and Law of God, 10 3
Facts for the Times. Extracts from Eminent Authors, 10 3
Christian Baptism. Its Nature, Subjects, & Design, 10 3
Matthew xxiv. A Brief Exposition of the Chapter, 5 2
Mark of the Beast, and Seal of the Living God, 5 1
Sabbath Institution and the Two Laws, 5 1
Assistant. The Bible Student's Assistant, or a Compound of Scripture References, 5 1
Truth Found. A Short Argument for the Sabbath, with an Appendix, "The Sabbath not a Type," 5 1
An Appeal for the Restoration of the Bible Sabbath in an Address to the Baptists, 5 1
Review of Fillio. A Reply to a series of Discourses delivered by him in this City against the Sabbath, 5 1
Milton on the State of the Dead, 5 1
Brown's Experience. Consecration — Second Advent, 5 1
Report of General Conference held in Battle Creek, June, 1859. Address on Systematic Benevolence, &c., 5 1
Sabbath Poem. False Theories Exposed, 5 1
Illustrated Review. A Double Number of the Review and Herald Illustrated, 5 1
The Sabbath, in German, 10 2
" " Holland, 5 1
" " French, 5 1
On Daniel II & VII, in French, 5 1
ONE-CENT TRACTS. The Seven Seals—The Two Laws—Reasons for Sunday-keeping Examined—Personality of God—Wesley on the Law—Judson on Dress—Appeal on Immortality.
TWO-CENT TRACTS. Institution of the Sabbath—Sabbath by Elihu—Infidelity and Spiritualism—War and Sealing—Who Changed the Sabbath?—Preach the Word—Death and Burial—Much in Little—Truth.
THREE-CENT TRACTS. Dobney on the Law—Milton on the State of the Dead—Scripture References—The Mark of the Beast and Seal of the Living God—Spiritual Gifts.
CHARTS, Prophetic and Law of God, the size used by our Preachers. Varnished, a set, with Key, $4.00
A Set on Cloth, with Key, 3.00
On Cloth, without Rollers, by mail, post-paid, 2.75
Small Charts. A Pictorial Illustration of the Visions of Daniel and John 20 by 25 inches. Price 15 cents. On Rollers, post-paid, 75 cts.
Systematic Benevolence.
By John Nevins Andrews
I wish to call especial attention to the recent article of Bro. White on this important subject. Experience has shown that wherever this plan is in good faith adopted and lived up to, the wants of the cause of truth are properly met. I trust that none of our people will be negligent in this good work. If we would have the blessing of God upon our earthly substance, we must honor him with the first fruits of all our increase. If all the tithes are brought into the treasury, God has promised his blessing upon his people. Is it not worth our while to secure this blessing to ourselves? Can we hope for it, if we do not act honestly and truthfully in our reckoning with the Lord?
J. N. A.
Monthly Meeting in N. Y.
By C. O. Taylor
Bro. White ; Our first Monthly Meeting for this county has just closed. The going was bad and the weather stormy. Only one from Mannsville—and not any from Honsfield. Yet our God was not forgetful of his people. Those that were present gave strong testimony to his goodness and mercy, and covenanted anew to serve him better, in all faithfulness, meekness and love.
As a church we are resolved to leave the things that are behind, to be overcomers, to walk in love and harmony, to be at peace with God, and as far as in us lies, with all men.
Our meeting closed with strong resolutions in each breast never to be at peace with sin or its authors ; but to fight on, until we are honorably discharged by the coming of our Lord and Master.
C. O. Taylor.
Adams' Center, N. Y., Dec. 11, 1864.
Religion Sliced up.
By J. B. Frisbie
THERE was a good brother who embraced the truth last spring where Bro. Van Horn and myself gave a course of lectures. This brother had belonged with the Episcopal Methodists for a good many years, but saw the light, and came out decided with us.
His circuit preacher came and made him a visit just before leaving the circuit, to mourn and complain of him for taking the step he had in leaving the Methodists.
This brother inquired of the preacher why it was that the Methodists did not enjoy so much religion as they used to. The reply was that they did, only with this difference: there were more of them now, and each one enjoyed less than they used to; but the church, as a whole, had as much religion as they ever had. The brother remarked that it was the first time he knew that their religion was measured out to them.
J. B. Frisbie.
How to Live Pamphlet Series
By James White
The first number of the series of Pamphlets entitled, How to Live, will contain an extra 16 pages, in which a full list of all books and articles for sale at this Office will be given, with the prices, and amount of postage on those that can be sent by mail, also how unmailable things can be sent. Those who wish to send for our standard works, Health works, Charts, &c., &c., will need this list. First number of the series, post-paid, 20 cents, or the six, post-paid, for $1 in advance. J. W.