“The days of thy mourning shall be ended.” Isa. ix, 20.
Christ's people are a weeping band, though there be much in this lonely world to make them joyous and happy. When they think of sin, their own sins and the unblushing sins of a world in which their God is dishonored, need we wonder at their tears, that they should be called “mourners,” and their pilgrimage-home a “valley of tears?”
Bereavement, and sickness, and poverty, and death, following the track of sin, add to their mourning experience; and with many of God's best beloved, one tear is scarce dried, when another is ready to flow.
Mourners rejoice. When the reaping time comes, the weeping time ends. When the white robe and the golden harp are bestowed, every remnant of sackcloth attire is removed. The moment the pilgrim whose forehead is furrowed with woe, bathes it in the crystal river of life, that moment the pangs of a lifetime of sorrow, are eternally forgotten.
Reader! If thou art one of these careworn ones, the days of thy mourning are numbered. A few more throbbings of this aching heart and then the angels shall proclaim that your sorrow, and sighing, and mourning are ended.
Seek now to mourn thy sins more than thy sorrows. Reserve thy bitterest tears for the forgetfulness of thy dear Lord. The saddest and sorest of all bereavements, is when the sins which have separated thee from him evade the anguished cry, “Where is my God?”
Wise Sayings
Suspect a tale-bearer, and never trust him with a secret, who is fond of entertaining you with another’s.
The wheat and the chaff may both grow together, but they shall not both lie together.
He that would be truly rich, ought to labor not so much to increase his wealth, as to diminish his desire of having; because he that appointeth no bounds to his desire is always poor and needy.
REPORT FROM BRO. STEWARD.
By T. M. Steward
My last report closed as I commenced my lectures, in the little village of Maiden Rock. This little town is situated on the eastern bank of Lake Pepin among the bluffs. The inhabitants are nearly all eastern people, and I found it a very interesting place to labor. The opening seemed good at first; but soon the going became bad, and the Methodist preachers warned their members to stay away; and other causes operating against us, there was not as large an attendance as I had anticipated, and wished for. But, as I was informed, our congregations were more than an average, of meetings held there before. They had just closed a protracted meeting of some length and the people were worn out. But I continued to labor there with some freedom, preaching evenings and visiting, and writing days, for some six weeks, preaching in all some forty times. The interest seemed to increase to the close; and I felt loth to leave them.
When I had presented the claims of the Sabbath, I took an expression of the congregation, and about twenty-five rose up to express their convictions that the seventh day is the Sabbath in this age; and before I left, seven or eight had commenced to keep it. I found here a few lonely, but faithful souls, who had borne the opposition of all other classes, with Christian courage and fortitude. They were greatly strengthened and blessed, and as I closed my meetings first-day April 28, the Lord blessed with his Spirit, and we felt refreshed. After the forenoon service, we repaired to the water, and five willing souls were buried with Christ by baptism into his death, and rose to walk in newness of life. The blessing of the great Shepherd attended the ordinance. May the Lord help others to follow in the same humble path. They are somewhat scattered, but I hope they will not forget the assembling of themselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhort one another, and so much the more as they see the day approaching. There are still others interested, that I hope may yet see the truth, and obey it. I labored in that region nearly four months, preached about ninety times; beside traveling about six hundred miles, and found a good many warm friends to the cause, and I hope they may make up their minds to go through, with the remnant, to Mount Zion.
Before I left I visited the friends in Prescott, and found the work still going on. I think there will be others still who will see the necessity of leaving the world, and taking a stand with God's people. May the Lord lead them out. I think this is a promising field of labor. I expect to return there soon. I rode two hundred and fifty miles on the noted Mississippi river by steam-boat for the first time. The scenery on either side of the river is superlatively grand. Oh! how vast the wisdom and the power of Him who designed and performed such wonders. Soon! very soon! the boasting infidel will be compelled to acknowledge that power divine.
Arrived at home to find my friends anxious to see me. The Lord is good. Now my duty is to prepare for our State Conference, hoping the Lord will meet us and give us a refreshing from his presence. I would say to those I have left in the North, I remember you with pleasure and interest, and pray the God of peace to sanctify you wholly; that your whole soul and spirit and body may be preserved blameless unto the appearing of Jesus. Let us prepare for his coming. I am satisfied this work is of the Lord and that he will carry it through. Amen.
T. M. STEWARD.
Elkhorn Grove, Ill., May 28, 1867.
Thoughts on Fear and Death
They can have no just grounds for fear, whose confidence is in God.
Life is only to be desired by those to whom death would be no gain.
A WORK COMPLETED.
By John Matteson
Through the mercy and kindness of God, I have been enabled to finish my labor on Danish publications for the present. The Lord has given strength and time and means to execute this work, for which I desire to praise him who is the first cause and giver of every blessing. May these publications be a small offering, a widow's mite, cast into the treasury of God by his people. We are strangers in this country, and the more so having come from a foreign land; but the Lord is no respecter of persons. He has in mercy called after us, and is willing to save us. May our prayers and pleadings be regarded in his holy place, through the merits and intercession of our dear Redeemer. May the blessing of God so attend our feeble efforts, that these silent messengers may fill a humble place in gathering in souls and preparing a people for the soon coming of Jesus. May the angels of God go with them, as they are scattered abroad, and bring light and life to many a poor soul that sits in darkness.
I also desire to extend my sincere thanks to the brethren and sisters, who have so liberally donated to this work. May the Lord reward you, and we meet before his throne when the captivity of Zion shall be turned, and God's people return with everlasting joy.
I have applied myself principally to this work for five months. My brain is worn and I need rest. I am now returning home and intend to rest a while from labor of the mind. I intend in the future to spend my time mostly in the Danish or Norwegian branch of the cause. I shall endeavor to go out as soon as my health allows, and in the direction and manner that the Lord may lead. Pray for me, brethren, that God may bless and add his strength to our perfect weakness.
I have spent nearly three months in Battle Creek, and can truly say that this has been a profitable season to me. As regards the church here, I want to say a word to Sabbath-keepers abroad.
Some of you form too exalted an opinion of our brethren here, and think that whatsoever comes from Battle Creek, or from Bro. and sister White, must necessarily be right, because it comes from said sources. You are in danger of bestowing that honor and those affections, which belong to God, upon fallible mortal beings. Jesus alone is our leader, and the captain of our salvation. There is but one head of the church and that is Christ. If he gives gifts in the church, or bestows of his Holy Spirit more abundantly upon any one, or has endued any one naturally with more ability, all the honor for these things belongs to God. May God help us to speak and to live for his glory, and to worship and adore him only, to whom all honor and glory belongs.
On the other hand many have too low an estimation of our brethren here, and do not consider the responsibilities and burdens that rest upon them. Others come here and make a short acquaintance, and go away dissatisfied, because they do not find things so as to just suit their ideas. Allow me to give my candid opinion on this subject. As a foreigner I have much suspicion against religious operations among Americans, and I think not wholly without good reasons. I am not easily allured by shows or pretensions, for I have been cheated so long and seen so much of it that I want good evidence after this; yet I have come to the conclusion that God has a people in this place. That he is bestowing upon them special favors and blessings in order to prepare them for the important place and great responsibilities which they have in this work. That they are trying to humble themselves and to get into a place and condition where the Lord can consistently bless them. That they desire and very much need our sincere prayers and co-operation in this work. That those who by their means or contributions assist the publishing department truly work for the Lord. That the Health Institute is managed in the most conscientious and discreet way, and will prove a blessing to the cause of God. That the great God of Heaven is pleased with the efforts made by our people in these directions, and will abundantly reward every sacrifice made from a true motive.
This church is large, containing more than a hundred and thirty members, therefore it could not be so surprising if every one should not be fully consecrated in the work. It is also far more difficult to escape the allurements and fashions of the world living in a city like this. Yet I can say as we have met from week to week, the Spirit of the Lord has truly been with us, and I have not attended one meeting without benefit. Union, love, and meekness have prevailed. During the Conference the Lord moved especially upon his people to lead them in the way of humility, and I believe that these meetings will be of lasting good.
I also desire to express my thanks to my brethren here for all their kindness shown to me. I have truly found a pilgrim's home, and enjoyed the blessing of God in associating for a time with those who love Jesus and wait for his appearing.
Forgive, dear brethren of the Battle Creek church, what you have beheld amiss in me, and may the God of Heaven lead us all till we gain the victory and sing the high praises of God and the Lamb in the kingdom for ever.
JOHN MATTESON.
Battle Creek, June 6, 1867.
BRIEF REPORT OF MONTHLY MEETING.
By CHAS. STRATTON.
We met according to appointment, with the church in Topsham, Sabbath evening, April 25. Our hearts were cheered as we met from different places and mingled our voices in prayer for the outpouring of the Spirit of the Lord at our monthly gathering. The Lord blessed and gave us a sweet interview the first evening. On Sabbath, meeting dull. Some of the hearers sleepy, and the speaker had rather a hard time, but got through alive. In the evening we began to inquire into the cause. We learned that there had not been enough secret prayer, and the spirit of the world had crept in. As we began to get down into the valley of humiliation, and confess some, on Sunday morning, our hearts began to warm up with the love of God. Our prayer meeting was interesting. The preaching through the day we trust was profitable. One old lady, 71 years old, who lately received the truth in the love of it, frankly confessed that the Advent people were her people, and with them she was determined to travel the whole length of the road. Eight more arose and acknowledged the truth.
There is a deep conviction on the minds of many in Topsham and Brunswick, that the last and third angel's message is true. There was good seed sown in the time of the tent meeting, that if looked after and cultivated, will spring up and bear much fruit. The churches in this region need a faithful laborer with them at least half the time. They are well posted on the truth, but need more of the power of God to draw in others.
I intended to stop with them the following Sabbath and first-day, but took cold and have been unable to labor much since. May the Lord give success to the truth, and bring out his people.
CHAS. STRATTON.
Cornville, Me., April 8.
REVERENCE THE LAW.
By Adolphus Smith
Sinai was enveloped in raging, tempestuous fire. A cloud of blackness hovered over it; and the sound of a trumpet and the voice of Jehovah were so terrible that the people “entreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more.” Every beast which touched the mountain was instantly killed; and the sight of the glory of God was so terrible as to cause Moses to fear and quake exceedingly.
And why such a display of Omnipotent glory? That to man might be given the great law of the universe, traced by the finger of God upon tables of stone. That law, for over twelve hundred and sixty years past, has been trampled under foot by the “little horn,” and the remnant church is now called upon to restore it. “Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples.”
We trust by the grace of our God that we are that remnant church. We should, therefore, in no case make light of that law which we profess to love so well, but give it the high and holy reverence it deserves.
ADOLPHUS SMITH.
Ottawa Co., Mich.
MONTHLY MEETING IN ALLEGAN CO., MICH.
By Joseph Bates
This meeting was held with the church in Allegan, and was the largest gathering of any one of the kind we have ever witnessed in this place. After the morning prayer meeting, followed by a discourse from Bro. P. Strong, some brief remarks were made relative to our good meetings, and adopted resolutions in our General Conference just closed at Battle Creek. Especially the preamble and resolution offered by Bro. J. N. Andrews in which the whole congregation of believers so unanimously united with Bro. White in confession of our sins. See Advent Review, Vol. xxix, No. 24, pp. 282, 284.
The following resolution was then presented:
“Resolved, that we are in union with, and heartily desire to participate in, the sentiments embraced in the preamble and resolution adopted at our late General Conference relative to our recent seasons of fasting and prayer, and afterward failing to give God the glory for what he had done for us.”
On the adoption of the resolution we all engaged in solemn prayer, and humbly besought the Lord's forgiveness, and pardoning mercy.
Our next County Monthly Meeting will be held in Pine Creek, Otsego.
I thank the Lord for the good spirit of union and harmony which was manifest not only in all our meetings for worship, but in all our business meetings at the General Conference just closed. If the good resolutions which were so unanimously adopted be carried out in the spirit of them by us as a people, then may we not hope, “if we follow on to know the Lord, his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.”
JOSEPH BATES.
Monterey, June 8, 1867.
MONTHLY MEETING IN MAINE.
By Chas. Stratton
Our Monthly Meeting was held in Canaan, according to appointment, May 11 and 12. The meeting was one of interest. Good union prevailed. There was not a jar or discordant note throughout the meeting. The preaching was good, and the faith of the church increased. The commandment keepers in this place are becoming more rooted and grounded in the truth, and I think will soon come into organization. Some of them need more perseverance and zeal in the good work. All are holding on that have moved out to keep all God's commandments; and others are under conviction, who with some help will come along.
The Sabbath School children of Canaan and Clinton gave us an exhibition of what they had learned of that blessed book, the Bible. It was interesting to hear some of the little ones lisp forth the word of God. Oh! that Jesus may take them in his arms and bear them along to his heavenly kingdom.
Truth is advancing, and the interest is increasing in this region of country. Though in the midst of opposition, the word of God holds its position, and men may as well run themselves against a block of marble as to run against God's commandments; for David says, “The law of the Lord is perfect converting the soul. The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.” And he adds that “all his commandments are sure;” that they “stand fast forever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.”
CHAS. STRATTON.
Cornville, Me.
Vacation
VACATION.— When Theodore Parker was on his way to the ship which bore him off on the voyage from which he never returned, he said to a friend, in the bitterness of his regret, “If I had bought a saddle horse twelve years ago, or taken real repose in the summer time, I should not have come to this now.” Many later instances, in other walks of life, of the same final crash of strength and earthly hope, have reminded us of the folly of incessant work. It is only too true, as the old proverb declares, “There is rest enough in the grave,” and those will soon be sharing it who decline play, and scorn recreation.
Shrouds Have No Pockets
A sermon in four words on the vanity of earthly possessions—“Shrouds have no pockets.”
CLOSE OF THE VOLUME.
By Editor
The duties that pertain to the close of another volume of the paper have once again devolved upon us, and occupied our attention the past week. We look back over the past volume, turn its leaves, make a faithful index of its important and varied testimony, put it to press which soon does its part in multiplying its thousands of copies—and another volume is done. Thus the six months' periods of our earthly pilgrimage are being rapidly numbered off. This lapse of time has an element of sadness as well as joy—sadness that while the flight of time is so rapid, our progress in spiritual things is so slow, but joy that the morning of deliverance so rapidly hastens and the days of our mourning will so soon be ended.
In amount, the testimony of the Review the past volume, has been nearly one half greater than that of any previous volume; yet we do not think this increase of amount has led to any deterioration in quality. Of one thing we are certain: its columns have borne forth to the scattered flock much that is of vast importance to us as probationers in these last days: many solemn warnings, many stirring appeals and exhortations; much good advice, counsel, instruction, comfort and encouragement. May its influence not cease with the publication of this its last issue, but continue to be felt through broader tracts of land, and through the remaining years of time. Indeed we know that whatever is written in accordance with the truth, with an eye single to God's glory, mingled well with the graces of humility, kindness and love, consecrated to the purpose of saving souls, and sanctified by prayer, never will lose its influence, never. So long as it is where an intelligent eye may fall upon it, God's Spirit is there to attend it; and it will make its impress upon minds, and in ever-increasing circles its influence will be felt, like the ripples from a pebble dropped into the bosom of the lake. Take courage, then, ye who have toiled with your pens for the good of your fellow-beings. Much and glorious fruit of your labors is apparent even in this life; but eternity alone can show the full result. For what has been wrong in the Review we ask the forbearance of the brethren and the forgiveness of God: that which has been right and good, we commend to your memory and his blessing.
Our correspondents have well done. When the enlargement was commenced, although from our knowledge of the many whose whole interest is in the cause of truth, we could not really have any misgivings in regard to a sufficient supply of communications from their pens to meet the increased demand of the paper, yet it was a matter of experiment. But the result has equaled our fondest expectations. Never has there been a greater supply of matter in proportion to the demand, than during the last volume. And we have on hand, even now, communications which it is our purpose to insert at the first opportunity, which have already been waiting the greater part of the volume. Such correspondents will please have patience. The coming additional enlargement will enable us to be more prompt in the insertion of articles. To all who have so liberally aided in this direction, we cheerfully grant what they have so richly merited, our warmest thanks.
A large audience return most grateful acknowledgments to the writers of the Sermons. This has become to many of our readers, especially the scattered and lonely ones, and to all, so far as we have learned, an essential feature of the paper. We think we can safely count on the willingness of the preachers to still sustain it, after such ample evidence of its appreciation. We therefore venture to promise a continuation of this department another year.
A number of subscriptions expire with this volume. We should be sorry to part company with any of our readers. We believe we have truths which are essential to your eternal good. With an enlarged paper we shall endeavor to set these things still more clearly and forcibly before the minds of the people. With the utmost confidence we say to all, “Come with us and we will do thee good.” We therefore cordially ask a continuance of your company. But if any decide otherwise, of course they have a right to choose, in this respect, their own course; and it only remains for us to bid such a sad though affectionate adieu.
From the close of this volume we turn to the next. May its tone be still higher, its testimony more clear and powerful, its columns more full of life and interest, richer with the blessing of the Lord, and more what a paper should be, which is the organ and exponent of the present truth of these last days. We have hope and confidence that some advance in these respects will be made; and so far as our feeble efforts go, they shall be directed to that end.
We have every incentive to earnest and continued efforts in the cause of God. Almost every day brings out with startling clearness some additional sign of the approaching end. God is working as never before in the fulfillment of his word among the nations of the earth; we believe he is about to work for his people. Two things delay the great consummation; The world has not yet quite filled up its cup of iniquity, and the people of God are not yet ready. But it seems sometimes that the world is doing its part faster than we are accomplishing ours. When shall we rise and quit ourselves like a people worthy of the great truths we profess?
RETURN FROM CONFERENCE.
By James White
As we returned from the Conference, after parting with so many dear friends, we often exclaimed, What a blessed meeting!
The heavy rains had made the roads exceedingly bad, yet we drove fifty two miles, and reached Bro. Howe's at midnight. We literally broke down twice, and at dark came to a broken down bridge, with guards at each end of poles, giving unmistakable evidence that the bridge was considered unsafe, and was condemned. We could not ford the stream, but on examination decided to risk the team. We walked across, and saw that it did not tremble; then the team walked slowly and safely over.
It was now dark, and there were eighteen miles of as bad road before us as we ever rode over. We moved cautiously along, but were suddenly stopped twice by running against stumps. Our son, Edson, then went on before, bearing a piece of white paper, to ascertain where we could drive in safety.
At one in the morning we retired with the expectation of remaining over sixth and seventh-day, and slept sweetly, all excepting Mrs. W., who had been suffering with an ulcered tooth. At sunrise she awoke us, and said she must go to Lyons or Ionia that morning and have the tooth extracted and return, a distance of nearly twelve miles, unless we could all go on our journey and call at Ionia and have the painful task performed.
At six in the morning we were on our way, and at eight relief came by the absence of the tooth. How much our unfortunate teeth cost in pain. How valuable are our natural teeth. How important that the best of care should be taken of them. We reached Bro. Maynard's just before the Sabbath, and found rest.
But now it was our turn to suffer with teeth ache. We had not had a tooth drawn for twelve years for the reason that the extracting of the last one resulted in a fever, and the dentist said it was not safe to draw them. The upper teeth have nearly all crumbled down to the roots, leaving quite a full set of stubs and one-half of a front tooth with which to eat. This has been the most discouraging feature in our case. While they were tolerably quiet we saw no better way than to let them remain so. But now there was no rest for us day nor night.
Seeing our wretched condition as to teeth with which to speak, and masticate our food, several brethren and sisters urged us to get a new set. And here we gratefully acknowledge the receipt of $25 from the following persons toward the new set: J. N. Andrews $10, U. Smith $10, sister M. J. Cornell $5.
May 29, in agony we rode to Greenville and were introduced to Eld Platt, Baptist minister, who, by reason of ill health left the ministry, and has fallen back upon his former profession as dentist. He took out one tooth, and gave us one day to rest. The thirtieth he took out four which were all hard cases. To morrow we appoint to meet him at Bro. Merrill's and part with the remaining six, when we will finish this report. We are much better than we could expect to be after traveling two hundred miles, preaching three times, attending three business meetings and having five teeth extracted, in two weeks.
May 31. We have just returned from Greenville with the loss of the remaining six upper teeth. We feel as well as could be expected after the loss of blood and painful operation. We have encouragement of a new set in three weeks. During this lonesome period in which we shall not be able to preach or converse, we shall be happy to hear from friends everywhere.
Address us at Greenville, Montcalm Co., Mich.
JAMES WHITE.
IN IOWA AGAIN.
By D. T. BOURDEAU.
We arrived in this place yesterday, in good spirits, having spent over two weeks in Battle Creek, during which we enjoyed a continual feast and recreation in attending the General Conference, the meetings of the Publishing Association, and Health Reform Institute, and meeting the dear brethren and sisters of the Battle Creek church, to whom we would hereby express heart-felt gratitude for their kind hospitality, and for the pains they have taken to make us happy and comfortable while among them.
In common with others, I would give it as my conviction that our General Conference was the best ever held by our people. Sweet union and brotherly love characterized its business sessions and religious meetings. Especially was I interested with the resolution on humiliation in view of our self-exaltation over what God had done for us. God is a jealous God, and will not give his glory to the proud and lofty; but will look upon and use to his glory him who is of a meek and contrite spirit, and who trembles at his word. I have greatly desired humility as one of the greatest of graces, and shall not be satisfied until I exemplify it fully. I enjoyed much of the blessing of the Lord in connection with the passing of the above resolution, and firmly believe that as we as a people carry it out in our lives, we shall realize more of the blessing, power, and salvation of God than we have ever yet witnessed.
I was interested in the permanent establishment and prosperity of the Health Reform Institute; but saw the necessity of greatly enlarging our buildings to better accommodate the patients and physicians, and more fully illustrate and recommend the merits of the Health Reform. It is evident that our present accommodations and privileges at the Institute are not commensurate with the demands and magnitude of the Health Reform; though we have reason for encouragement and gratitude in the fact that thus far our efforts have proved a success, as appears from the improvement and restoration of a goodly number of invalids, and from the fair returns that the Institute is prepared to make to shareholders.
The directors are now moving out in the enterprise of erecting a large building to meet the wants of the Institute, on their confidence in the benevolence of our people. Shall we come up nobly in this enterprise, as we have in the enlargements of the Review, as well as in other branches of the work? We shall if we believe that the Health Reform is a part of the message and that if it is hindered in its work, the message will be retarded in its progress. There are thousands all through the land who need the benefits of our Institution, and who will go into the grave if they do not learn how to live healthfully. Shall we open our hearts and purses to give them a chance to live? Let none be deterred from this work by the idea that the307Lord is near. This is the great reason why we should take hold of this enterprise in good earnest. The shorter our time to work, the greater should be our efforts; and the greater the means and agencies used to accomplish the work before us, the sooner will it be completed, and the more faith will we show in the shortness of time and the immediate coming of Christ. And let us remember that God has entrusted a part of this work to us, and that he will not do what he has promised, unless we do what we can on our part.
We shall long remember the sweet interviews we enjoyed with Bro. and sister White while at Battle Creek. They live in our affections, and have our feeble prayers and Christian sympathies. May the Lord raise them up speedily, and still make them humble instruments of good to his cause and people.
We had intended to attend the Illinois Conference, at the suggestion of others; but about twenty minutes before reaching Chicago it seemed to us and Bro. Loughborough that duty demanded that we should come directly to Iowa, to be on the ground and prepare the way for the Conference. And here we are in our field of labor again, feeling that thus far the Lord has led; and he will have all the praise. I feel stronger than I felt a year ago, yet I realize that without the Lord I can do nothing. I still ask an interest in the prayers of those who have the cause at heart, and the special co-operation of the brethren and sisters in Iowa, that the Lord may work for us the coming year in strengthening the things that remain, and in preaching in new fields as the way may open.
D. T. BOURDEAU.
Washington, Iowa, May 30, 1867.
QUARTERLY MEETINGS IN N. Y.
By R. F. Cottrell
Since my last report I have visited the Foster family at Whitehall, mentioned by Bro. Whitney in his report of the past quarter, and found them all keeping the Sabbath and striving to live the Christian life. The family consists of eight persons—the parents, an aged maiden lady, and five children, between the ages of nine and eighteen, I believe, all trying to love God and keep his commandments. The children desire baptism; but the weather was extremely rainy, so that we had but one meeting at the school-house, and that in the evening, and all the water was very roily, and the baptism was postponed to the next quarter, when, I hope, a Sabbath will be spent with them. I hope these children will continue to seek the Lord, and seek him with all the heart, so that they may be fully prepared to follow Christ in baptism.
The meetings at Middle Grove, Brookfield, and Verona, were interesting and solemn, and there was manifested a general desire to arise and make a new consecration of all to the will and service of the Lord. Some, I fear, are not awake. Let them arouse, and arouse now! It is high time to awake! Brethren, be steadfast and unwearied in the work of preparation for the latter rain and for the great work that lies before us.
We were happy to meet with Bro. and sister Canright and Bro. Edson, at Verona, returning from the General Conference at Battle Creek. Bro. Canright's testimony was good and encouraging, and I trust it was appreciated and will be of practical use to the cause.
Within the past five months I have visited each Quarterly Meeting in the N. Y. and Pa. State Conference, except one. In each of these meetings, except the first, it has been proposed to the churches to enter into a covenant to seek the Lord with all the heart and with all the soul, after the example of Israel in the days of Asa, king of Judah, (2 Chron. xv, 12) and the proposal has been generally accepted by the brethren and sisters; and the Lord has specially blessed his people in making this resolve, this solemn vow to the Most High and to each other. Let us remember this covenant daily, to seek the Divine grace and to perform the covenant. Those who are faithful will not lose their reward. Those who open the door will have the Saviour for their guest. May God help in this work! A few have not taken upon them this covenant. After setting forth the reasons why we should do so, I would not urge the matter, lest they should do it to please me, and thus fail of the approval of God. To such I would say, If your reason for declining is the want of feeling the necessity of thus seeking the Lord, or a want of willingness to engage in the work with all the heart, and engage in it at once, you are certainly not enjoying acceptance with God, and will not, until you arouse from your lukewarmness and engage with all your heart in the work of zealous reformation. May God help you to buy the gold, the white raiment, and the eye-salve!
The work of God is about to move onward. Let us all arise and go with it. Who will come up to the help of the Lord? and who will be so unwise and unfortunate as to be cast off? Let all consecrate themselves to the work.
R. F. COTTRELL.
REPORT FROM BRO. INGRAHAM.
By Wm. S. INGRAHAM.
Our Quarterly Meetings at Greenwood Prairie and Oronoco have closed with good effect. At the first mentioned place we had a hard rain storm which prevented our meeting on Sunday. The church are still well united and are pressing onward. Our meeting the 18th and 19th at Oronoco was one of great interest. It was the best Quarterly Meeting I ever attended in that place. Some that had been on the back ground, confessed their coldness and made a good start for the kingdom. It was a melting, heart-uniting time, and some said it was the best Quarterly Meeting they ever attended. This church, so badly rent by church trials and little difficulties in the past, is rising above them. We shall long remember this meeting.
Wm. S. INGRAHAM.
IS GOD THEIR FATHER?
By Dudley Marvin Canright
UNIVERSALISTS often argue that God will not punish the wicked so severely as we say he will. They say that the Bible represents God as dealing as tenderly with his children as earthly parents do with theirs; that no parent, however wicked their children might be, would be so hard as to destroy them entirely. So they say it is with God. He will bear with all his erring children, and only chastise them enough for their good.
By the term, his children, they mean all the human race. Now we agree with them that God will indeed thus deal with all his children. But are the wicked his children? Is he their father? What saith the Scriptures? Hear Jesus: “They (the Pharisees) answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man, how sayest thou ye shall be made free? Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. I speak that which I have seen with my Father, and ye do that which ye have seen with your father. Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication, we have one Father, even God. Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me, for I proceeded forth, and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. Why do ye not understand my speech? Even because ye cannot hear my word. Ye are of your father, the Devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do.” John viii, 33, 34, 38, 41-44.
Here is a class of individuals who claimed to be children of God, though they were wicked men. But what did Jesus say to their claim? Did he admit that God was their father? Not exactly. He told them that the Devil was their father. He gave them a test by which we may know who are the children of God. If God were your father, you would love me. Then those who do not love Jesus are not the children of God. The righteous only are his children. The Devil is the father of all the rest. This cuts off the Universalist argument about the tender compassion of a father. It does not apply to the wicked, for God is not their father.
D. M. CANRIGHT.
Rochester, N. Y.
Many Are Called, Few Are Chosen
Many are called, but few are chosen.
LOSING THE POWER OF THOUGHT.
By Jos. Clarke
THE Toledo Blade, a secular newspaper, in an article on the degeneracy of the times, speaks to this effect: “There is at the present day such a tendency to the pursuits of pleasure among the upper classes in our cities, that they are fast losing the power of thought.”
This is a very grave charge, coming, as it does, from such authority as the condemned will hardly think of disputing; moreover, it is ominous as an index of the corruption of the times.
Losing the power of thought! what a misfortune! prelude to the direst calamities! This love of pleasure is spreading and increasing, and the power of thought is gradually being lost. Thus it is with our nation, and thus it was with Greece before she fell; and Rome, too, in her decline, became intoxicated with pleasure.
Let our nation become a nation of pleasure-seekers, and how soon will Christianity give way to heathenism, and anarchy and disorder prevail. Not long, and we shall behold all the evils attendant upon ignorance and depravity. How long does it take destructive wars, famines, and pestilence, to desolate the fairest country?
But chiefly does pleasure-seeking unfit the mind for the investigation of religious truth; and present truth, connected as it is with prophecy and history, calls for clearness of mind, in order that it may be appreciated and understood, and lovers of pleasure will probably never relish it.
JOS. CLARKE.