BUT if Elijah were now preaching among ourselves, would he not still have to deliver many a severe animadversion upon halting, wavering and instability? Surely he would not endure long to witness the double-mindedness and indecision which prevails among professed christians. Certainly we see some decided characters on the one side, and on the other, on the path of death as well as on that of light and life; and as to the former sort, there is a decided sentence against them already pronounced in the word of God.
But will it eventually fare better with those who may be called borderers, who halt between two opinions, who practically, at least, doubt which master they shall serve? And O that the generation of these halting ones did not constitute the majority among us! But alas, is it not so? Decided living unto God surely is no common thing. But what, dear brethren, is our supreme happiness? Is it not to enjoy fellowship with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ? Is not this the one thing needful? Let the Lord be your treasure, let him be your supreme.
"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world;" until it can be demonstrated that these are your supreme good; that these can save and make you happy; that these can redeem and comfort you. Could they indeed do so, then the time you spend on religion would be lost time. Make sure, therefore, of your choice, and be decided how you mean to live. If human existence be confined to this present life merely, and if we have nothing beyond it to look for, then "let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we die;" then "walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes;" for then why should we lose time upon an imaginary thing, a nullity? But if this is not our rest; if there be a world to come, an eternity hereafter, what means our loitering upon the way, our settling down in the land of our pilgrimage? Be therefore pilgrims and strangers decidedly; lay aside every sin, everything that would impede your progress; esteem all such things as dross and dung, that ye may enter in at the straight gate, and that the word "Eternity" may not be a word of thunder to you. Surely it is well worth while to sacrifice all other cares to this one—of escaping eternal death, and becoming partakers of everlasting happiness. To act half as children of time, and half as children of eternity, brings with it entire death. If the word of God be true, submit yourselves to it in all things, even in those which are ever so opposed to our corrupt nature and wayward desires. Believe it heartily, both in its promises and threatenings. But if ye are wiser than God, then show it decidedly; only do not halt, for that is irrational and absurd, and do not mix light and darkness together. Neither attempt to compromise between God and the world.
If Christianity be of God, decide for it with body and soul; embrace the cross; be willing to suffer affliction with the despised people of God; forsake the pomps, pleasures and vanities of the world, and employ all your endeavors to promote the kingdom and glory of Christ. Do not waver between the righteousness of Christ and your own. Which of the two will avail you in the Judgment? If it be only the righteousness of Christ, then value yourselves no longer on your own supposed virtues, as many do, with whom we cannot be long in company without hearing of the good works they have done and are doing, both of humanity and religion. Neither be undecided as to the choice of your friends and associates; for he that is not with me, saith Christ, is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.
THE BIBLE.
WHATE'ER our state of life may be,
Or poor, or rich, or bond, or free,
Still our warm hearts shall turn to thee,
Blest Bible.
Here then, while 'round afflictions rise,
To every heart we'll bind the prize,
Which bears us onward to the skies—
Blest Bible.
Here is a charm for every grief;
In this blest Book we find relief;
On thee we rest our firm belief,
Sweet Bible.
The promises throughout divine,
Round my enraptured heart I'll twine,
And cry aloud, Thou still art mine,
Sweet Bible.
In this I'll search from day to day,
To guide me in the heavenly way;
Should I die, thou art mine, I'll say,
Sweet Bible.
For thy blest truths, through all the days
Of great eternity, I'll raise
A joyful song of sacred praise,
Blest Bible.
Living unto God.
LIVING unto God is the great and only sure test of Christian character. We are not our own, and the very thought of living to ourselves should be our grief; it is our guilt and shame. The first wish of our heart, the sublimest desire of our soul, should be to live unto God, to consecrate to him every action of our life, thought of our mind and feeling of our heart—to give him all.
This devotion to God is not merely important, but it is essential. No correct views of truth, zeal for doctrine, feeling, tears or prayers, can supply its place. We must like Enoch, walk with God, and like Paul, struggle to bring every thought into obedience unto Christ.
It may be a severe task in this cold, indifferent selfish world, to deny ourselves, to take up our cross, and imitate the meek, lowly and godly example of him who said "Follow me;" but there is a power in grace divine, a celestial influence in redemption's scheme, which, when brought to bear upon the soul, can win it from the world, and inspire it with heaven-directed energies. It can warm the affections of the heart, give life and energy to the soul, and constrain the truly pious to live unto God.
They not only feel, but act. That religion is a spurious counterfeit which ends in feeling sighs, and tears, and leaves the life unchanged, unconformed to the will of God. Nor must this conformity be a mere form of godliness, or the result of momentary excitement and natural sympathy: it must be the undying energies of the converted soul, warmed by the love of Christ, and animated by the distant but brilliant glories of heaven.
Reader, are you living unto God? Are the warm and constant breathings of your soul, Thy kingdom come? and the earnest prayer of your heart, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? Professed disciple of Jesus, to these inquiries what is the answer of your conscience and your actions, as you mingle with an indifferent and ungodly world? Let your answer be deep, heart-searching and prayerful. Place yourself, as it were, before the judgment bar, and with all the grand and fearful scenes of the eternal world before your eyes, inquire with deep, earnest solicitude, Am I living unto God—unto him who died for me? If you are not thus living, you have no scriptural hope of heaven.
You may have a name among the people of God; you may talk much about religion and the church, and even manifest a zeal that would lead you to compass sea and land to make one proselyte to the sect of your choice; but all this will not answer as a substitute for real spiritual piety.—True Witness.
Walking Carefully Through Life
WE must walk through life as through the Swiss mountains, where a hasty step may bring down an avalanche.
Folly and Its Pain
If folly were a pain, there would be groaning in every house.
Christ’s Followers Feast With Him
Those who follow Christ shall feast with him.
Letter from Bro. Hart.
By Josiah Hart
Dear Brethren and Sisters: Perhaps it might be interesting to you to hear a word from me at this time, and also to know what I have been doing since moving west. I can say that I have been trying to hold up the truth in my feeble way. I have held meetings on every First-day except one, for the last four months, in different places, at the district school-houses. I could see no way to advance the cause under present circumstances better.
There has been an ear to hear the present truth, and also a disposition on the part of some to oppose the truth; and in every case where open opposition has been made, the cause has been furthered.
The shepherds of the flock have discovered an anxious desire on the part of some to hear, and have tried to allay their feelings by preaching to them fables, or holding up as the Sabbath the first day of the week. This was acknowledged by some of their members as not satisfactory.
A minister came some six miles, and gave out a challenge in public, proffering to prove the first day of the week a rest day. The people wished me to accept it, which I did, (although I have ever been opposed to discussions.) I think the cause of truth was advanced. I tried to show that we had but one Lawgiver, and that one Lawgiver had never changed his law. But while my opponent was trying to make out that we had more than one, he forgot his question or proposition, to prove Sunday the rest day. This he acknowledged when the question was called for. With much agitation he pursued his subject, and he only used two texts, usually quoted on that subject. I called for testimony. He acknowledged himself about out; which brought some laughter in the congregation. We had every reason to believe that the congregation saw where the truth lies.
How good the Lord is to give us a truth that may be spoken by the unlearned so as to confound the wisdom of the world. May the Lord help us to so keep his commandments, that we may be more than a match for all our enemies. The truth is yet precious; the truth will have its sanctifying effects on those who live it.
I often think of our scattered situation, and were it not for the remembrance that our Saviour said he would come and gather his people, my heart would be sad; but this cheers the drooping spirits of his people; the words, I will come again and receive you to myself.
We must hold on by faith, and persevere to the end; for those are the ones that are to be saved. Our faces are to be set as a flint Zionward. No trials should hinder us on the way to mount Zion. It is eternal life to the overcomer; everything on the one hand, and death on the other. This should lead us to faithfulness, and to endure trials as good soldiers of the cross; for the race is not to the swift, or those that run for a moment, but those that endure to the end.
Yours seeking for eternal life. JOSIAH HART.
Round Grove, Ills., Sept. 1856.
TENT MEETINGS IN CONNECTICUT.
By A. S. Hutchins; E. L. Barr
WE have now closed our labor in this State with the tent. Our first meeting was held at Hampton, July 26th and 27th. We held a very interesting meeting here last season. Several have since embraced the truth. Others were disappointed, at the time, on account of rainy weather on First-day, and the meeting's being closed so soon.
This year our meetings came at a time when the farmers were in the midst of their haying. The notice was short, and but few attended. We concluded to let the tent stand another week so that those that had an ear to hear should have an opportunity. But it was very evident that those that did not embrace the truth last season, as a general thing, have since lost their interest, and will not be very likely to awake from their slumbers until it is forever too late.
Our third meeting was held at Collinsville, Aug. 9th and 10th, where the present truth, the Third Angel's Message, had never been preached. Before we had obtained a place to locate our tent, it was evident that some of the leading religionists of the place were disposed to judge a case before they heard it, and would have been glad if the inhabitants generally had done likewise. Nevertheless we obtained the most pleasant location in the place, and upon the first day of the week were favored with a good congregation, which listened attentively to three discourses at the tent.
Bro. Bates was with us, and preached the first discourse in the forenoon and the fourth, in a large and commodious hall, in the evening, to a good congregation. Early Monday morning we repaired to the water-side where one brother was buried with Christ by baptism.
Our fourth meeting was held at Norfolk, South St., where several embraced the truth last Winter. Here we enjoyed an interesting meeting Sabbath and First-day. We had much liberty in presenting the truth which was listened to attentively by most present. Many purchased books and manifested a disposition to search and see if these things are so. May the Lord lead them understandingly into all his blessed will.
From this place we went to Canaan Mountain where we held our fifth and last meeting, in a community where there were none that kept the Sabbath of the Lord. Here we were kindly received by the friends, and were well provided for, free of expense, while we tarried with them. The Lord gave us liberty in presenting his truth, which was listened to attentively by many. After the close of the public meetings, Sabbath-day, we repaired to a natural pond of pure water, where two believers went forward in baptism. There was quite a gathering on First-day. A goodly number furnished themselves with books, while conviction seemed fastened upon many minds that we have the truth. We were favored with the privilege of forming somewhat of an acquaintance with Bro. Dexter Daniels at the last two meetings, who has been laboring some in this part of Conn., and still has a mind to work. Lord bless him, is our prayer, and enable him to rightly divide the word of life.
While our dear friends in Connecticut have faithfully administered to our temporal wants, we do most ardently pray that God will reward them for their kindness, and supply all their spiritual wants and they become rich in faith, heirs of the kingdom which God hath promised to them that love him.
A. S. HUTCHINS.
E. L. BARR.
APPOINTMENTS.
By John Byington
There will be a Conference at Buck's Bridge, N. Y., on the second Sabbath and First-day of October, commencing Sixth-day evening at 6 o'clock. It may be duty to say a word why I give notice of this appointment. Brn. Sperry and Buck who are traveling with the Vermont tent, in writing home a short time since manifested a desire for a general meeting in this place this Fall, the object to be a friendly interchange of views as to the best means to advance the present truth, and also to present the truth to all that have an ear to hear.
The Church in this place voted in favor of such a meeting. We should be glad to see some of our traveling brethren from Central N. Y., or any other section, who feel it duty to attend.
In behalf of the Church. JOHN BYINGTON.
Buck's Bridge, N. Y.
Appointment withdrawn.
By Editor
After our last week's paper was mailed, we received a line from Bro. H. Bingham stating, that, as the appointment of the Conference at Wolcott Vt., interfered with the appointment for the tent-meeting at Lunenburg, Vt., he requests the former withheld, by order of the Church in Wolcott. As the appointment had already gone out when we received his letter, we follow it with this correction.
To Correspondents
By Editor
N. S. Brigham:—The injunction to wash one another's feet, [John xiii, 14,] can certainly be binding only where there are several together, believers in the ordinance.
Business.
By Editor
C. Pangburn:—We have not seen Mr. Granger, nor the seven dollars of which you speak.
Receipts.
Wm. Mott, M. Mott, Wm. Stephenson, J. P. Rathbun, C. Rice, F. Wheeler, C. Baker, L. Mann, ($0.50 each for B. Smith & Mrs. D. Partridge.) A. Kimball, each $1.
A. Bingham, J. Calin, E. D. Armstrong, each $2. J. Peal, O. Lanphear, A. Dermy, each $0.25. Wm. C. Peck $1.70. A friend in Camden, N. Y., $0.31. M. D. Winchel $0.75. D. Williams (for J. Barrett) $0.20.
Review to Poor — M. D. Winchel $0.25.
Receipts for Book Fund.
Church in Roosevelt, N. Y., $17. E. Everts, $10. Z. Brooks, C. Bates, R. Bennett, each $5. M. G. Kellogg, E. D. Cook, C. Pangburn, each $3. M. Mott, P. Mott, each $2. L. Graves, D. H. Gillett, each $1. M. A. Sanford $0.50. E. Dalgrien $0.25.
Receipts and Pledges for Relief of Office.
By Editor
E. Everts, pd. $10; C. Rice, pd. $1.
R. R. Cochran, pd. $2.
Books for Sale at this Office.
By Editor
The price set to each publication includes both the price of the book, and the postage, when sent by Mail.
Hymns for those who keep the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus. This Hymn Book is designed to promote not only public worship, but also social and family devotion. It is a selection of Hymns expressing the faith and hope of the Church as set forth in the Scriptures of truth, free from the popular errors of the age. The Book contains 352 Pages, 430 Hymns, and 76 pieces of Music. Price, 60 cents.—In Morocco, 65 cents.
Bible Tracts Bound in Two Volumes. These Volumes are of about 400 pages each, and embrace nearly all of our published Tracts. We are happy to offer to our friends the main grounds of our faith in a style so acceptable.—Price, 50 cents each.
Sabbath Tracts, Nos. 1, 2, 3 & 4. This work presents a condensed view of the entire Sabbath question.—184 pages Price 15 cents.
The Sanctuary and Twenty-three Hundred Days. by "J N. A." This work presents a clear exposition of Daniel viii and ix, shows what the Sanctuary is, and the nature of its cleansing. Price 12 1/2 cents.
The Three Angels of Rev. xiv, 6-12, particularly the Third Angel's Message, and the Two-horned Beast. This work maintains the fulfillment of Prophecy in the past Advent movement, and is of great importance in these times of apostasy and peril.—148 pages.—Price 12 1/2 cents.
Review of Crozier. This work is a faithful review of the No-Sabbath doctrine as set forth in the Advent Harbinger by O. R. L. Crozier. It should be placed in the hands of those who are exposed to that heresy.—Price 6 cents.
Address URIAH SMITH, Battle Creek Mich.
Thoughts on the Sanctuary Deferred
By Editor
We promised in our last, a few thoughts for this number, concerning the Sanctuary of the second covenant; but we cheerfully give place to interesting matter which has come in, with which our readers will be well pleased.
Note to J. K. Bellows.
By James White
You say that your "paper stopped at No. 17, Vol. VII," &c. If your paper stopped before it reached you, after it was mailed, we could have no control over it, but, be assured, that your paper has been mailed regularly. By referring to the old New York list book, we find that your name never has been erased. We are sorry that you did not recieve the REVIEW; but we did our duty.
And we here inquire, Why did you not write to the Office, and ascertain whether your paper was mailed? Why did you first go to that sheet of slander, and there charge us with "double deal," of stopping your paper before the subscription had run out, when our hooks show that we had sent you the REVIEW some time without pay? Had we trespassed against you? Why did you not come to us alone first? Why did you not take the first and second steps, before publishing our supposed wrong abroad? Matt. xviii, 15-18.
Your present remittance pays to Vol. IX. We cheerfully mark you half price, and with pleasure would send you the REVIEW free, should you request it on account of lack of means. And we are sure you would not have said such mean things concerning us and the REVIEW, had you not been drinking of that poisonous flood poured out after us. May the unfortunate error of sympathizing with, and joining hands with, slanderers, prove a beneficial lesson to you for time to come. J. W.