Earlier text: THE FULLNESS OF THE JEWS AND THE GENTILESTHE TONGUE THAT SPEAKETH PROUD THINGS.
Such a tongue as this, the Lord says he will destroy. And not the tongue only, but the person who uses it. The psalmist gives us a specimen of these proud things. “Who have said, with our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own; who is lord over us?” Ps. xii, 3, 4. We have plenty of such persons all around us. Some of this kind are so deceived as to suppose themselves Christians. Many churches of Christ are so afflicted as to have some of this class as members. They have some show of piety. Perhaps they are able to deceive themselves with the idea that they are the servants of Christ. But they cannot deceive the Lord, and they do not deceive the people of God; no, nor even the men who make no profession of godliness. They give them occasion to reproach the cause of Christ, but they do not pass for Christians in the judgment of any sensible person. There is no person upright enough to escape the venom of these all-devouring tongues. Such tongues, which are set on fire of hell, can never be cured till the fire of Gehenna shall destroy the wicked with everlasting destruction. Our lips are not our own. God has given us the noble gift of speech. He will call us to the strictest account. Not our lying words merely, nor our proud words, nor our words of cruelty, nor our words of rebellion and unbelief, but even our idle words shall all come up in the day of Judgment. Oh! fatal mistake to suppose that we are possessed of a right to use our lips as we please. It is an easy thing to scatter sparks of fire, each of which may raise a destructive conflagration. Beware of your words. Unspoken words do no hurt. But words once spoken cannot be recalled. 1. Do not ever speak words of anger. Such words are unbecoming a disciple of Christ. 2. Do not speak words of levity. Men about to be tried for their lives have little occasion to jest. 3. Do not speak evil of any man. Such is the imperative command of the Bible. Titus iii, 2. We may never speak the faults of others except when necessity compels. 4. Do not take up a reproach against your neighbor. Ps. xv, 3. He may be entirely innocent. If others have made a cruel lie, do not you join in the conspiracy as a volunteer to ruin the innocent. Be governed by the great precept, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself;” and by the golden rule: “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them; for this is the law and the prophets.” Matt. vii, 12. 5. The backbiting tongue shall never ascend into the hill of the Lord. Ps. xv. 6. Some men can never speak even of sacred things, but some coarse word has to be used, or some irreverent expression, or even some indecent language must be uttered. Such persons need a new conversion. Or, if this term be objected to, they need a real and thorough conversion, which it is evident they have never had. 7. Finally, we must be circumspect in our words. The eyes of sinners are upon us. We cannot afford to trifle. We must adorn the doctrine of Christ, and the best way to adorn his doctrine, is to live as he lived. We cannot speak at random, even of the humblest of the human race. Much less, will it do for us to speak evil of those in high dignity, even if Nero were our ruler. What will, perhaps, be denied by some, we must not lightly, nor wantonly, nor contemptuously, speak evil of Satan. Michael, the archangel, when contending with Satan, dare not bring a railing accusation against him. Then certainly it does not become us to do it. By our words, we shall be justified, or by our words, we shall be condemned. Noah, the herald of the deluge to the Old World, did at God's command build an immense ark, nearly or quite 600 feet in length, 100 in breadth, and 60 in hight. We cannot tell the exact measure of the cubit then in use, but the building was not much short of this, even at 22 inches to the cubit, as now allowed. Noah must have possessed immense wealth in order to erect so vast a structure and of such immense strength as it must have been made, and to finish within for the purpose it was to fill. We may safely conclude that he had little left when the ark was finished. What a waste of means in the eyes of the antediluvian world! But how did Noah ever erect so vast a structure? It was impossible that himself and three sons should do this work alone. 1. It was so vast an undertaking that four men alone could not perform all the labor in many hundred years. 2. It was a work requiring at one time the united exertions of a large number of men. Nothing is more evident, then, than that he employed a large number of workmen. What became of these men who helped build the ark? They miserably perished in the waters of the flood. It is likely that some of them were for a time friendly to the cause of truth. They feared the coming judgment of God. Some, without doubt, were so much impressed with the importance of Noah's preaching that they gave of their time and their means to the erection of the ark. But when it came to the suffering of reproach for the truth, they stood back. They could not be identified with crazy Noah. They discovered that the doctrine was unpopular. They perhaps ascertained from scientific research that the drowning of the world was an impossibility, for God had not water enough for this purpose. They found at all events, that the mighty men of renown (see Gen. vi, 4) had no faith in the doctrine. Men in these days dispose of all God's threatened judgments by declaring that the great burning day met its fulfillment at the destruction of Jerusalem. The same ingenuity, no doubt, existed in the great antediluvian teachers. And so Noah, when preaching the flood, had his unwelcome message explained away as all fulfilled at the destruction of some antediluvian Jerusalem. The force of his preaching, accompanied as it was by works that proved his faith, must have been very great. But he saved neither friend nor brother in the ark. And of all that large number of skilled workmen and artisans who helped him build the ark, not one escaped the awful deluge. What lessons of admonition may be drawn from this wonderful story of God's judgment. 1. Men may be intimately connected with the cause of God, and perform labor pertaining to it that shall make their services indispensable, and yet not be saved themselves at last. Noah's carpenters were indispensable to the erection of the ark, and yet every one perished in the flood. 2. God's truth may be explained away by human ingenuity till men feel secure in their sins; yet the Judgment will come just as literally as though it had not been argued all away. 3. There is no spectacle of moral heroism more worthy of our admiration than Noah standing up alone in behalf of unwelcome and hated truth, while all the world opposed him. How such an example speaks to us! 4. How foolish to be swerved by popular unbelief! The whole world disbelieved, despised and frowned upon the servant of God. He stood as firm as a beaten anvil. In due time God vindicated his servant. The waters of the deluge changed public opinion. Reader, dare to be right. WESTERN TOUR.
By James White
We left the Minnesota camp-ground third-day, Oct. 5, and by reason of bad connections did not reach the Iowa Camp-meeting until sixth-day, the 8th. The journey, with its many delays, was very tedious, and Mrs. W. had a severe trial of faith at Freeport, Ill., and at one time decided to return direct to Michigan, and not attend the Iowa Camp-meeting. But as the time drew near to fully decide the matter, we bowed in prayer at the hotel, and received clear evidence of duty to go to the meeting, leaning on the arm of Him who has called us, and has said, “Lo, I am with you always.” The Lord gave strength, and we reached the camp-ground in Pilot Grove, Washington Co., Iowa, a few hours before the Sabbath. The meeting had been in progress two days, under the special charge of Elders Butler and Canright. It was now intermission, and with the cheerful help of many brethren, in a few moments our family tent was erected, and suitable preparations were made for the Sabbath. We then engaged with this dear people in a brief service, in which several took part. The meeting was free and very cheering, and we quite forgot our painful weariness. The meeting was larger than any one ever held before by Seventh-day Adventists in the State of Iowa. We were happy here to meet not a few who have embraced the present truth within the past eighteen months. God has greatly blessed the labors of Elders Butler, Cornell, and Canright. The faithful labors of Elder Geo. I. Butler, in the churches of Iowa, and also in new fields, are greatly prized by our people in that State. What a miracle of God’s mercy and power! He has, in the case of this man, taken a skeptic, of no small ability and discernment, and has made him an able minister, sound in the faith, faithful, and confiding in God and the word of his truth. Our several interviews with this fellow-laborer since his conversion have been precious, but the recent one at the camp-meeting was dearer than any before. May the Spirit of God be poured upon him to raise him above those feelings of depression which are the result of an exalted view of the work of God, and a sense of his own unworthiness. We also found Bro. and Sr. Canright in the work of the Lord and in the hearts of the people. May the Lord keep these, his youthful servants, from the influence of the world and the power of Satan, and make them a great blessing to the cause in Iowa. Those who spoke from the stand enjoyed freedom. Mrs. W. was able to bear a good testimony, which reached the hearts of the people. The Lord was evidently very near to us. We were exceedingly free in the Lord. And although much worn when we went upon the ground, each day we gained strength and courage in the Lord. The business sessions of the Iowa Conference were full of interest, and perfect harmony prevailed. The brethren in that State are ready to help in the cause where help is needed. The Conference voted $300 to the General Conference, and individuals helped on foreign missions, book fund, &c. Bro. Erzenberger was received with a hearty welcome, and his testimony was listened to with the deepest interest. This camp-meeting, from beginning to end, was good; but the best of all was on Monday, Oct. 11. Appeals were made on that day to all to turn to the Lord and seek him with the whole heart. The word spoken reached many hearts. And when invitation was given for those destitute of good hope to come forward and present themselves as especial subjects of prayer, more than one hundred came forward. Most of them spoke. At this point the joy of some believing parents was full and unutterable on hearing all their children speak in the congregation of the people. At the close of this most interesting season, Eld. Andrews led in solemn, importunate prayer. All felt that the Lord was drawing near. The place seemed holy. Mrs. W. then followed in earnest prayer, and continued until her faith seemed mighty and her joy complete. It was a scene of victory in the Lord. All seemed to share in its blessedness. And in this happy frame of mind we closed our annual gathering in Iowa. The brethren and sisters returned to their homes, and the ministers went to their fields of labor with fresh courage. Bro. Andrews went to Cassville, Wis., to fill our appointment, and we took our journey to Battle Creek. And, now, as we look back upon the camp-meeting season, it is with pleasure that we recount the many precious interviews we have enjoyed with dear friends, the many kindnesses we have received at their hands, and the many seasons of freedom we have enjoyed in preaching the word, and in social worship with the dear people of the Lord. God has wonderfully blessed his people in their efforts in this direction. We will praise him. By the grace of God, we design to labor on in other departments of the work till another camp-meeting season shall open in June, 1870, when we hope, in the strength of God, to resume this delightful kind of labor, continue it in the West and in the East, in Ohio and Michigan, and, if the Lord will, close with a camp-meeting in California. ABOUT THE BOOK FUND.
By James White
Since May 10, 1869, I have given from the book fund in books, to the amount of $973.07. During this time, I have received for this fund $1019.65. This shows the interest of our people in the circulation of our tracts, pamphlets, and books. I gave in Minnesota, to the amount of $135.70, and have packed a box for Eld. W. S. Ingraham, Kasson, Minn., containing books from the fund as follows: For Bro. Ingraham, to the amount of $34.76; Bro. Pierce, $17.83; Bro. Hansen, $23.40. I send to Bro. Hansen some Danish works and pay for them from our book fund to the Danish fund. The distinction of these funds should be abolished, and while our Danish brethren liberally contribute to our fund, they should feel free to call upon us for all those works in their language which they can judiciously circulate. We feel a deep interest in the spread of the truth among those of other languages. There is a sincerity and simplicity with our German, French, Norwegian and Danish brethren, which endears them to us very much. May God bless their labors to the good of many of their own tongue. We will do what we can to help them. More about this by-and-by. God is blessing our effort in the circulation of tracts, pamphlets and books. There are many among us who date their interest in the truth, which resulted in their conversion to God, from reading a tract or a pamphlet. A sister, at the Minnesota Camp-meeting, came to the book-stand for publications to circulate. She stated that the reading of a part of a tract, a portion having been torn off and lost, commenced her experience in the precious truth of God. God is preparing good minds to hear and read with candor and interest, and they must have publications. The people are perishing for want of knowledge. The laborers are few, the field is wide, and the harvest is plenteous. If this vast harvest work be left to living preachers, it never will be done. Much, very much, must be done with books, and many of our publications must be circulated gratuitously. We engage in the preparation for the press several important works especially adapted to the wants of the people, and call on all to assist in the expense of their publication, and in their circulation. In August, an edition of five thousand copies of Bro. Andrews' “Ten Sermons” was published. About four thousand copies have been disposed of. We shall immediately publish ten thousand copies, and ask help in their circulation. The Lord is giving us the field, and we must all engage in the work. God will bless united and vigorous action. Those who have pledged to the book fund are invited to pay their pledges as soon as possible, and all others are invited to assist in this good work. We shall be happy to send the book-fund report issued last May to all who are interested in the matter, on receipt of postage; and shall promptly correct all mistakes when pointed out. We invite all our accredited ministers to interest themselves in this work. We will send them books for gratuitous distribution, as they may need, and ask them to help us in the work in return. They can have book-fund reports to distribute free, and the pleasure of collecting money for the fund, and forwarding it to the Office. May God help us all in this good work. The Seventh Commandment When Bent
The seventh commandment when bent is really broken. R. F. COTTERILL
By R. F. COTTERILL
THE CLOSING MESSAGES—No. 11.
It is evident, as we have seen, that Babylon comprises more than the church of Rome. The same indicates division and discord, rather than unity. And if that church that ruled and guided the ten kingdoms of the divided Roman Empire, is the mother of harlots, it is certain that she has daughters, such as the term describes. We cannot, in candor, escape the conclusion if we would. Then it is our best course to admit the prophecy to be correct—let God be true—and be prepared for the consequences. Who are the daughters? is a question of deep interest at the present time. To show that we are not alone in our views, we will give the sayings of others of different denominations on this point: The Tennessee Baptist says: “This woman [Popery] is called the mother of harlots and abominations. Who are the daughters? The Lutheran, the Presbyterian and Episcopalian churches are all branches of the [Roman] Catholic. Are not these demonstrated ‘harlots and abominations’ in the above passage? I so decide. I could not with the stake before me decide otherwise. Presbyterians and Episcopalians compose a part of Babylon. They hold the distinctive principles of Papacy, in common with Papists.” Alexander Campbell says: “The worshiping establishments now in operation throughout Christendom, increased and cemented by their respective voluminous confessions of faith, and their ecclesiastical constitutions, are not churches of Jesus Christ, but the legitimate daughters of that mother of harlots—the church of Rome.” A. Campbell says: “A reformation of popery was attempted in Europe full three centuries ago. It ended in a Protestant hierarchy, and swarms of dissenters. Protestantism has been reformed into Presbyterianism—that into Congregationalism—that into Baptistism, &c., &c. Methodism has attempted to reform all, but has reformed itself into many forms of Wesleyanism. All of them retain in their bosom, in their ecclesiastical organizations, worship, doctrines, and observances, various relics of popery. They are at best a reformation of popery, and only reformations in part. The doctrines and traditions of men yet impair the power and progress of the gospel in their hands.” On Baptism, p. 15. These writers have named some particular denominations, which they deem to be daughters of the great harlot, and it is to be expected that each would think his own church exempt. We will not particularize. We wish to give offense to none, either by naming, or slighting them. But, we say again, that it is our decided conviction that all our modern churches which bear the features and follow in the footsteps of the mother, evincing especially an ardent desire for union with the State, asking for civil enactments to enforce those human ordinances and observances which they have preferred to revealed truth, belong to this great anti-Christian family. Momentous times are before us. Let every Christian be awake and on the watch. REPORT FROM BRO. BYINGTON.
By John Byington
AFTER leaving our Monthly Meeting at Tompkins, the 2d inst., which was a heart-searching time, I came home with Bro. Bramhall and staid over night. First-day morning I rode to Albion, and heard Elder Robinson, a Methodist minister, preach a part of the day, and spent a few hours in conversation with him and his wife, who, in York State, was as one of our family. Elder R. said he agreed with us in two points that others did not: the gifts of the Spirit to be retained in the church, and the pre-millennial advent of our Saviour, or soon-coming of Christ. He has been reading of late some of our publications. While at Elder R.'s, a Methodist brother by the name of Snyder came in. He had led the class at meeting. We were talking on Spiritualism. He said he had thought that Advent people did the most harm of any people, but now thought that Spiritualists exceeded them in wrong. He said that the Adventists had lately had a tent-meeting at Owosso, and at the eclipse very much alarmed the people by saying that it was a token of the Lord's soon coming; and they were now so alarmed that they were selling their farms and houses at Owosso. I told him I had just been to Owosso, and had visited every family of Seventh-day Adventists, and I knew there was not a word of truth in the statement. He said he had it from a young brother, a member of the M. E. church in Owosso, and thought it must be true. I then appealed to Sister R. for the veracity of my word. She said he might depend on what I said. This Bro. Snyder said if he should keep the Seventh-day he then must keep two days, as the Bible taught that we must keep the first-day to commemorate the resurrection. I asked him to find one verse where the first-day was called the Sabbath, and then I would give up the seventh-day. He thought there were three, but did not know for certainty that the word Sabbath was in them. Elder R. listened to our remarks. Here our conversation closed, as they had to go to their afternoon meeting. The following extract from an article in the Independent, on the tender mercies of God that are over all his works, is as poetical in language, as it is grand and truthful in conception: “God’s pity is not as some sweet cordial poured in dainty drops from some golden vial. It is not like the musical water-drop of some slender rill murmuring down the sides of Mount Sinai. It is as wide as the whole cope of heaven. It is abundant as all the air. If one had the art to gather up all the golden sun-light that to-day falls wide over all this continent—falling through every silent hour; and all that is dispersed over the whole ocean, flashing from every wave; and all that is poured refulgent over the northern wastes of ice, and along the whole continent of Europe, and the vast outlying Asia, and torrid Africa; and if any one could, in any wise, gather up this immense and incalculable outflow and treasure of sunlight that falls down through the bright hours, and runs in liquid ether about the mountains, and fills the plains, and sends innumerable rays through every secret place, pouring over, and filling every flower, shining down the sides of every blade of grass, resting in glorious humility143 upon the humblest thing—on stick, and stone, and pebble; on the spider’s web, the sparrow’s nest, the threshold of the young foxes’ holes, where they play and warm themselves—that rests on the prisoner’s window, that strikes radiant beams through the slave’s tear, that puts gold upon the widow’s weeds, that plates and roofs the city with burnished gold, goes on in its wild abundance up and down the earth, shining everywhere, and always, since the day of primal creation, without faltering, without waste or diminution; as fresh, as overflowing to-day, as if it were the first day of its outplay—if one might gather up this boundless, endless, infinite treasure, to measure it, then might he tell the height and depth, and unending glory of the pity of God! In light—in the sun, its source—you have God’s own figure of the immensity and capaciousness of his mercy and compassion. Psa. lxxxiv, 11, 12; Isa. lv, 6–12.” REPORT FROM BRO. MATTESON.
By John Matteson
September 26, took down the tent. Have held meetings nearly three weeks. I continued another week to visit and finish meetings, while Bro. Lawrence held meetings and visited with the friends at Hamilton. Fifteen are now keeping the Sabbath, and meet regularly for Bible Class and prayer-meetings in Hamilton. Four started at Altovista to obey the Lord. Two united with the church, one was baptized. Several others were convinced of the truth, and much prejudice removed. October 4, went to St. Joseph, in company with Bro. Lawrence. Commenced meeting in a school-house near that place. Bro. L. remains to preach there. Some desired meetings in the city. Could find no suitable place to preach. Went on to Leavenworth, Kansas, Sept. 7. Had an interesting visit with our deaf and dumb Bro. and Sr. Kimball. Attended with the Friends on first-day. Had some controversy with them about the kingdom, in the Bible Class. They were divided. Asked me to address the children in school, which I did. Were told to bow our heads for two or three minutes in silence, and pray vocally if the Spirit moved any to do so. The Spirit moved me. After this, was invited to go and sit with them in meeting. Some told me they liked the address in school, and, if the Spirit should move me in the meeting, I must feel free to speak. The Spirit moved me, first to pray, then to address the congregation about three fourths of an hour. Silence a while. Then shaking of hands. Then I parted, very friendly, with the Friends. Leavenworth has over 30,000 inhabitants, and is called a most beautiful and interesting city by mortal worms who have not seen anything better. Oct. 11, went one hundred and twelve miles south, to the brethren near Mount City, who were very much in need of help. Held meetings here the rest of this week. Find a country well settled. Railroad within a few miles, pushing along fast, bound for the Gulf. Nature has done more for this country than any I have seen yet. Some prospect for openings for preaching the truth. Feel willing to toil and suffer. Trust the Lord will direct and bless. Pray for your unworthy brother. Mount City, Kan., Oct. 14, 1869. MINNESOTA CONFERENCE.
By S. Pierce; Henry F. Phelps
The ninth annual Conference of Seventh-day Adventists of Minnesota, was held as appointed at Wasioja, Dodge Co., Minn., Sept. 30, to Oct. 4. The first business session was held Oct. 1, at 4 o'clock P. M. Meeting called to order by the President. Prayer by Bro. Ingraham. Delegates called. Five churches responded, represented by seven delegates. F. W. Morse was admitted by letter to represent the church at Tauhassen. By their request, the church at Tanhassen was admitted to the Conference. Moved, That all brethren in good standing in the different churches, also those from Iowa, and Wisconsin, be invited to take part in the deliberations of this meeting. Carried. Secretary's report read and accepted. Resolution from Eld. Ingraham that we hold a Camp-meeting in this State about the middle of next June, and that we invite Bro. and Sr. White to attend, and such other help as they may desire. Passed. Adjourned to call of Committee. Bro. Rasmussen admitted as a delegate from Clark's Grove, the Danish church. Reports of ministers called for. Elds. Pierce, Ingraham, and Morse responded, and their reports accepted. Moved, That a committee of six be appointed by the chair to settle with ministers. The following brethren were elected: C. Kelsey, H. Grant, W. I. Gibson, L. Bartholomew, E. W. Darling, and I. Z. Lamb. Moved, That the chair appoint a committee of three to nominate officers for the ensuing year. Bro. I. Z. Lamb, Daniel McAlpine, and John Hansen, were named. Treasurer's report read and accepted. The credentials of Elds. Pierce and Ingraham were renewed. On the subject of licenses, remarks were made by Bro. White, when it was moved and carried that Bro. F. W. Morse and John Hansen receive licenses. Adjourned to 8 o'clock the following A. M. Report of Auditing Committee read. Some amendments proposed by Bro. White. Report accepted with the amendments. Report of Nominating Committee. The present incumbents in office were proposed; viz., President, S. Pierce; Secretary, H. F. Phelps; Treasurer, W. I. Gibson; Conference Committee, S. Pierce, W. S. Ingraham, H. Grant. Resolved, That we transfer the interest we have in the State book fund, to the general book fund. Camp-meeting Committee appointed, consisting of D. McAlpine, L. Bartholomew, W. S. Ingraham, C. Kelsey, H. Grant, Geo. Dimmick, John Hansen, S. Pierce. Resolved, That we express our thanks to Bro. and Sr. White, and Bro. Andrews, for their assistance upon this occasion. Resolved, That we express our thanks to Bro. Ingraham in seeing to the wants of this meeting. Resolved, That the minutes of this meeting be sent to the REVIEW for publication. Adjourned sine die. S. PIERCE, President. HENRY F. PHELPS, Secretary. P. S. The several reports show a membership of over 200. Amount of s. B., $915.00, of which over $300.00 is still due from the several churches. H. F. P. “I am the door;”
Come in, come in,
And leave without thy load of sin.
The night is dark, the storm is wild;
O venture in, thou stranger child. “I am the door;”
Come, gently knock,
And I will loose the heavy lock
That guards thy Father’s precious fold;
Come in from darkness and from cold. “I am the door;”
No longer roam;
Here are thy treasures, here thy home;
I purchased them for thee and thine,
And paid the price in blood divine. “I am the door;”
My Father waits
To make thee heir of rich estates;
Come, dwell with him and dwell with me,
And thou my Father’s child shalt be. “I am the door;”
Come in, come in,
And everlasting treasures win;
My Father’s house was built for thee;
And thou shalt share that home with me.
—Ch. Advocate. Harper's Bazar has some reputation in the fashionable world, and is certainly free from the charge of prudery. Many may give heed to criticisms of dress in such a journal who would not listen to suggestions of those speaking from a professedly religious standpoint. Yet this fashionable authority thus denounces the display of dress that is so common in our houses of worship: “The best bred people of every Christian country, but our own, avoid all personal display when engaged in worship and prayer. Our churches, on the contrary, are made places for the exhibition of fine apparel and other costly and flaunting compliances with fashion, by those who boast of superior wealth and manners. We shall leave our gewgawed devotees to reconcile humiliation in worship with vanity in dress. How far fine clothes may effect the personal piety of the devotee we do not pretend even to conjecture; but we have a very decided opinion in regard to their influence upon the religion of others. The fact is, that our churches are so fluttering with birds of fine feathers that no sorry fowl will venture in. It is impossible for poverty, in rags and patches, or even in decent but humble costume, to take its seat, if it should be so fortunate as to find a place, by the side of wealth in brocade and broadcloth. The church being the only place on this side of the grave designed for the rich and the poor to meet together in equal humility before God, it certainly should always be kept free to all. It is so in most of the churches in Europe, where the beggar in rags and wretchedness, and the wealthiest and most eminent, whose appropriate soberness of dress leaves them without mark of external distinction, kneel down together, equalized by a common humiliation before the only Supreme Being. The adoption of a more simple attire for church on the part of the rich in this country would have the effect—certainly not of diminishing their own personal piety, but probably of increasing the disposition for religious observance on the part of the poor.” A SOUL without prayer is like a solitary sheep without a shepherd. The tempter sees it and lures it away into his snare. STRONG as our passions are, they may be starved into submission, and conquered without being killed. DID a holy life consist of one or two noble deeds—some signal specimens of doing, or enduring, or suffering—we might account for the failure, or reckon it small dishonor to turn back in such a conflict. But a holy life is made up of small things. It is the little things of the hour, and not the great things of the age, that fill up a life like that of Paul or John, like that of Rutherford, or Brainerd, or Martyn. Little words, not eloquent speeches, nor sermons; little deeds, not miracles, nor battles, not one great heroic act or mighty martyrdom, make up the true Christian life. The little, constant sunbeam, not the lightning; the waters of Siloah, “that go softly” in their meek mission of refreshment, not the waters of torrent, noise and force, are the true symbols of a holy life. The avoidance of little evils, little sins, little inconsistencies, little weaknesses, little follies, little indiscretions and imprudences, little foibles, little indulgences of self and of the flesh, little acts of indolence or indecision, or slovenliness or cowardice, little equivocations or aberrations from high integrity, little touches of shabbiness and meanness, little bits of covetousness and penuriousness, little exhibitions of worldliness and gayety, little indifferences to the feelings or wishes of others, outbreaks of temper, or crossness, or selfishness, or vanity; the avoidance of such little things as these go far to make up at least the negative beauty of holy life. And then attention to the little duties of the day and hour, in public transactions, or private dealings, or family arrangements; to little works, and looks, and tones; little benevolences, or forbearances, or tendernesses; little self-denials, and self-restraints, and self-forgetfulness; little plans of kindness and thoughtful consideration for others; to punctuality, and method, and true aim, in the ordering of each day,—these are the active developments of holy life, the rich and divine mosaics of which it is composed. What makes yon green hill so beautiful? Not the outstanding peak or stately elm, but the bright sward which clothes its slopes, composed of innumerable blades of slender grass. It is of small things that a great life is made up; and he who will acknowledge no life as great, but that which is built up of great things, will find little in the Bible characters to admire or copy.—Dr. Bonar. DON'T FORGET THE LONELY ONES.
By J. E. Green
You who are blessed with the privilege of meeting with those of like faith, cast once in a while a thought to those who do not have the privilege of speaking a word in sympathizing ears for weeks and months together. True, we all have the same Heavenly Parent to go to; but then it is encouraging to talk with those who are passing through the same trials and temptations as ourselves. I know one who does not see a believer in present truth oftener than three or four times in a year; and could you hear her tell how good it is to see, or even to get a line from one, it would spur you up to be more attentive to the scattered ones. If you cannot visit them, you can write to them. Neglecting to answer their letters, often causes them bitter tears; and they have trials enough without being forgotten by those who ought to help them bear their burdens. A word from you may be the means of saving a soul from death. I remember when I had been many months in doubts and trials, all was dark before me, and it seemed I should never see the light again, how often I wished for some one to reach me a helping hand. How often I thought of the church I could not well meet with. After nearly a year of struggles, a brother and his wife came and spent the night at our house; a few words that they spake seemed to give me hope, and I resolved to try once more to make my way out on the side nearest the kingdom. The Lord heard my earnest cry, and I again rejoiced in the hope of the overcomer's reward, and I still feel determined to try to fight till I gain the victory. May God reward that brother and sister for the effort they made to visit me. Oh, don't forget the lonely ones, you who are placed as elders over the churches, and under-shepherds over the flocks,—remember your scattered sheep. Some of them may stray from the fold, if you do not look after them. If you cannot visit them, you can write to them. Are they in trouble, encourage them; and it may be your flock will be preserved unbroken to be stars in your crown. Don't forget the lonely ones. THE BAR OF JUSTICE.
By Ryle
Reader, settle it down in your mind that there can be no peace with God, unless you feel that you are justified by Christ. You must know what has become of your sins. You must have a reasonable hope that they are forgiven and put away. You must have the witness of your conscience that you are reckoned not guilty before God. Without this, it is vain to talk of peace. You have nothing but the shadow and imitation of it. “There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.” Did you ever hear the sound of the trumpets which are blown before the judges as they come into a city to open the court? Did you ever reflect how different are the feelings which these trumpets awaken in the minds of different men? The innocent man, who has no cause to be tried, hears them unmoved. They proclaim no terrors to him. He listens and looks on quietly, and is not afraid. But often there is some poor wretch waiting his trial in a silent cell, to whom those trumpets are a knell of despair. They tell him that the day of trial is at hand. Yet a little time, and he will stand at the bar of justice, and hear witness after witness telling the story of his misdeeds. Yet a little time, and all will be over—the trial, the verdict, and the sentence—and there will remain nothing for him but punishment and disgrace. No wonder the prisoner's heart beats when he hears that trumpet's sound. Reader, there is a day fast coming when all who are not justified shall despair in like manner. The voice of the Archangel and the trump of God shall scatter to the winds the false peace which now buoys up many a soul. The day of Judgment shall convince thousands of self-willed people too late, that it needs something more than a few beautiful ideas about God's love and mercy, to reconcile a man to his Maker, and to deliver his guilty soul from hell. No peace shall prove solid, substantial and unbroken, in that awful day, but the peace which is built on justification by the blood of Christ, and comes from faith in him.—Ryle. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on thee:”
Haste! O my soul, thy wanderings cease,
And to thy Saviour flee. The meditation of my heart,
The words that I shall speak,
From thee, oh, let them ne’er depart;
Thy ways, O Lord, I seek. When troubled thoughts and anxious care,
Imaginations vain,
Disturb my peace, my soul ensnare,
And cause me grief and pain; Help me to cast my care on thee,
“Keep near thy bleeding side;
From roving thoughts, oh! set me free,
And all my footsteps guide. Fain would I be like one of old,
Who walked with thee on earth;
So let me all my actions mould,
Shunning the world's vain mirth. May we but learn to trust in God,
In darkness and in light;
E’en though we feel the chastening rod,
He doeth all things right. SOME think that if they do things which are wrong, if they are sincere, and think it is right, why then they will be saved anyhow. But God has given commandments and ordinances, and promises salvation to those who will keep them. Now if men can continue to do things which are violations of the commandments, and yet can be saved, if they are sincere, why, then, there are two ways to salvation. We can keep the commandments and be saved, or if this is not so convenient, we can transgress them and be saved, provided we are only sincere! But God will accept of nothing but strict obedience to his commands. He will accept of none but godly sincerity. To be sincere in actions which are violations of the law of God, is dangerous sincerity. It is a good thing to be truly sincere. Such will be anxious to know and to do the whole will of God. They will pray as did David, “Open mine eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law.” God grant that we may never be sincere in doing wrong. It is bad enough to do wrong, let alone being sincere in doing so. Let us strive to know the whole will of God, and do it, for none but those who keep the truth will enter into the city. Let us not do our own will, but that of the Lord.