p. 80 | Review and Herald, Vol. 8, No. 10. (7/3/1856)

Earlier text: THE ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY AND FOUR THOUSAND

Blessed are the Pure in Heart; for they shall see God

By Luther Paine

THE interesting words of the great Teacher should absorb all our powers, and engage our whole being in adherence to the truths of the gospel. The Scriptures of truth plainly teach the character that will stand in waiting readiness for translation. Who will have admittance into God's everlasting kingdom? The pure in heart. Such are blessed: such shall see God.

Jesus came to save his people from their sins. He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. In these days of peril and danger, just prior to the glorious appearing of our King and Judge, there are two classes of people on the stage of action; and their characters are being developed. The line of demarkation is becoming more and more visible. Like begets like. “The good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth good things:” unlike the evil man; “for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.”

God's people speak a “pure language;” they understand each other; they belong to the royal family; their names are written in heaven; therefore they can rejoice together. There is no scism in the body. Such only shall inherit glory.

If the fountain is pure, the streams will be pure also. Such a people are an overcoming people. They are crucified unto the world, and the world unto them; and such have learned by a happy experience that their bodies are the temples of the Holy Ghost. Said the beloved John, “As he is, so are we in this world.” Who claims to belong to this royal family? Is it the person that does not bear fruit according to the Word? Shall any be taken from the filth of this world, lingering after the desires of the flesh, with the pure in heart into glory? “We have not so learned Christ.” “Be ye holy, for I am holy.”

Is it not time to pluck out right eyes, and cut off right hands? No wonder that the great Teacher left the following words, “Not every one that saith, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” “Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” We must be dead to this world. My dear brethren and sisters scattered abroad, let us have the witness that we are wholly consecrated to God, and then shall we be prepared to shed an influence on such as can be saved.

LUTHER PAINE.

Springfield, June 22d, 1856.

Am I a Christian?

By Editor

[A correspondent to whom the following piece has been a source of “comfort and encouragement,” sends it to us, thinking it might prove the same to others. We thank our friends for all interesting matter for the REVIEW, whether in original articles, carefully written, or choice selections.—Ed.]

If I am a believer in, and a follower of, Christ; if pure love to God, and a sincere desire to glorify him are the motives by which I am actuated, then am I a Christian. If I have had godly sorrow for sin which worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of; if I can count all things but loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord; then am I a Christian. If I find within me an increasing desire to know more and more of God, and what his will is concerning me, and a disposition to lay all on his altar, bowing with sweet submission to his holy will, then I have reason to believe I am a Christian. If I am a Christian, old things are passed away, and all things are become new. My affections are set on things above, not on things on the earth. I have no desire for the friendship of the world, because it is enmity with God. I have no desires for riches, for worldly honors and emoluments, for the fashions, maxims and practices of the world, for these are vanity, and soon pass away. I shall love my neighbor as myself, I shall seek to do good unto all men, especially unto them that are of the household of faith.

Finally, I shall ever exhibit the Spirit of my divine Master at all times and under all circumstances, however trying they may be, while sojourning in this vale of tears, until the scenes of earth are closed, and we receive the joyful sentence, “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” When sin and death shall no more have dominion over us, but we shall be kings and priests unto God, and dwell with him forever and ever. Amen.

RECOGNITION IN HEAVEN.

By Baxter

I must confess, as the experience of my own soul, that the expectation of loving my friends in heaven principally kindles my love to them while on earth.

If I thought I should never know, and consequently never love them after this life, I should number them with temporal things, and love them as such; but I now delightfully converse with my pious friends in a firm persuasion that I shall converse with them forever; and I take comfort in those that are dead, or absent, believing that I shall shortly meet them in heaven and love them with a heavenly love.—Baxter.

ELIZABETH H. BARNARD

By Elizabeth H. Barnard

From Sister Barnard.

Bro. Smith:—It is with pleasure that I write a few lines to you. We are striving to overcome all sin, and be prepared for the coming of the Lord. It is about three years since myself and companion commenced to keep the Sabbath of the Lord, and we do not feel like going back, but traveling on; for the prize lies at the end of the race; and the promise is to the faithful and obedient children, and I want to be one of the obedient that I may have an inheritance in the new earth.

There are but a few in this place that are willing to bear the reproach of men for the sake of Jesus. The Bible truth is too unpopular for the world. We have to bear the scoffs of our neighbors and our relatives whom we once held dear; but we feel to praise the Lord for the truth and for the light that has shone along our pathway, and for the strength that has enabled us to stand; and our daily prayer is that we may be enabled still to stand, and have on the whole armor of God, and be prepared for every good work.

As we have not the privilege of meeting with any of the children of God on the Sabbath, the Review is all the meeting that we have; and it is meat in due season to read the warm-hearted letters from the brethren and sisters of like precious faith, and we feel to rejoice that the day is not far distant when if we are faithful we shall hear the welcome applaudit, Well done, good and faithful servant! enter into the joys of thy Lord. This is a glorious anticipation: of meeting one day where parting will be no more.

ELIZABETH H. BARNARD

Oswego Co., June, 1856.

The Evasive Spirit of the Sinner.

THE loss of candor, that glory of Adam's true and primeval manliness, was the very first symptom of his fall; for when God spoke to him of his transgression, instead of acknowledging its full enormity and seeking pardon, he resorted to that most miserable excuse, “The woman gave me of the tree and I did eat,” and the woman, with the same self-justifying innocence, said, “The serpent beguiled me and I did eat.” And doubtless had the serpent been appealed to, he also would have dodged the responsibility and been quite as innocent as the rest. No one was at all to blame; and in this self-interpreted sense, no one has ever been to blame for all the numberless iniquities which have covered our earth with ruin and desolation. With such parentage as fallen Adam and Eve, it is not at all surprising that Cain, the first-born son, should have found it in his heart to evade the truth, and when questioned about the murdered Abel, should have asked that most insulting question, “Am I my brother's keeper?” This was worse if possible than that question of a later sinner, “Who is my neighbor?” It combined the element of defiance with the darkest falsehood, and the stung consciousness of guilt. And at least the spirit of the same question has echoed down the ages from that time to this, as the standing self-justification of oppression and all wrong. “Am I my brother's keeper?” says the tyrant, when the truth of God points him to the crushed millions whose lives have purchased his advancement to a throne. “Am I my brother's keeper?” asks the demoralizing author, when told that his books are corrupting and ruining thousands among the youth. “Am I my brother's keeper?” says the rumseller, when he is shown the wretchedness he has produced. I have not compelled the heads of these suffering families to drink. I must get a living. “Am I my brother's keeper?” The difference between the two questions, “Am I my brother's keeper?” and “Who is my neighbor?” is, that one attempts to justify an actual transgression which has been committed while the other excuses neglect of duty. One is designed to cover sins of commission, the other those of omission. And they stand thus, each in its place, as two representatives of all the excuses that men ever make to God for crimes committed, and for duties neglected; though the variety of cases occurring under these two generic heads, has been almost endless. Lot, halting and pleading for a home in the city of Zoar, because it was a little one. Saul sparing the king of the Amalekites, as if he had a right to make even one exception to God's commands. David placing the faithful and unsuspecting Uriah in the front of battle, as if murder perpetrated thus indirectly involved the less of guilt. Micah obtaining a true Levite as priest for his molten images, with the idea that even idolatry would be acceptable to God, if attended with the ordinances of religion. All these exemplify the same evasive nature of the human heart.—Gen. Evangelist.

Letter from Bro. Dorcas.

By Jesse Dorcas

BRO. SMITH: Dear Brother:—I take this opportunity to say that I am still in Iowa, searching for the scattered flock. I find many things that are anything but desirable. I find settling here and there in these almost boundless prairies, families who are about as destitute of correct religious instructions and doctrines, as they are of timber. But it is heart-cheering to find some who still have a mind that has not been so overloaded with prejudice, but that it may be balanced so that they are willing to consider the truths of the Third Angel's Message patiently.

It might possibly be interesting to you to know something of my present tour, but I think it is not best to multiply words. I have spent two Sabbaths in this State, one with Bro. David Christopher and family, where I was very kindly entertained, indeed. The other with Bro. Westbrook and his kind family and family relations, some forty miles west of Iowa City. We had quite an interesting time here during the Sabbath and First-day. I had finished my business in the West, and started eastward, had found my way to Newton, where on Sixth-day about 11 o'clock I took passage in the stage for Iowa City, paid my way through with the provision of staying over the Sabbath. So when the holy day began to draw near, I stepped out of the coach and ran before (while they watered and drove slowly up a long hill) to inquire for a lodging, but could obtain none at the next house, had to go on to another house, where I determined to stay at some rate, and travel no farther. By entreaty I obtained permission to remain till morning, but was not allowed to remain during the day. Was directed to call on a local minister, where I desired permission to remain over the Sabbath, but was denied the privilege unless I would keep Sunday. To this I of course would not consent, unless he would allow me to attend the Sunday School and improve the time in giving some light upon the Third Angel's Message. To this he would not consent; so I was compelled to go to the next door, in which neighborhood I still am. Here, thank the Lord, I find friends of truth and free investigation, who, notwithstanding the opposition of two local ministers of the place, arranged matters, and so nobly held their course, that we had the privilege of giving two discourses on First-day, to as attentive congregations as we have ever met with. May the Lord bless those dear, attentive people with a mind to know and do his will. I might have given you a sketch of my visit, and happy sojourn among the brethren north of Round Grove, Ill.; where I spent the first Sabbath after leaving the dear saints at Battle Creek, Mich.

I am encouraged to hope, notwithstanding this cleaning up is a slow and unpopular work, that it will result in the gleaning out of the sects all the wheat, or the Lord's people, in just time enough to be saved. O brethren, let us be up. The harvest is great and the laborers are few. Also on the evening of the 17th, had a very interesting meeting at Millersburg. Was requested to tarry longer. The field here is truly destitute of laborers.

Iowa, June 16th, 1856. JESSE DORCAS.

The Passover and the Sabbath.

John, in his gospel, speaking of the Passover, calls it the "Jews' Passover," "a feast of the Jews," &c., as in the following texts. Chap. ii, 13. "And the Jews' Passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem." Chap. vi, 4. "And the Passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh." Chap. xi, 55. "And the Jews' Passover was nigh at hand, and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem . . . to purify themselves." Now will some one of those who claim that the Sabbath was peculiarly a Jewish institution, designed to cease, as the Passover did, at the cross of Christ, tell us why it is never once called, like the Passover, The Jews' Sabbath, or the Rest-day of the Jews, &c.

Business.

By Editor

A. J. Richmond:—Mrs. McClure's paper has been paid to the first number of present volume.

E. A. Averill:—Your present remittance pays to the close of Vol IX.

E. Dunham:—You are now paid to the close of Vol. IX.

J. Dorcas:—We are sorry to say that your appointment did not reach us in season to be of any service to your friends.

Receipts and Pledges for Relief of Office.

By Editor

Of the following sums those that have been paid are so marked. The rest are pledges to be paid before the first of September next. We hope $200 will immediately be added, which will cover the liabilities of the Office.

Receipts for Book Fund.

L. Paine, A. Graham, S. Bunnell, L. M. Locke, each $5. S. Brigham, J. G. Smith, J. Locke, each $3. R. Cochran, H. P. Wakefield, each $2. J. G. Jones, L. Gould, B. G. Jones, J. M. Strow, A. Huntley, Joel Locke each $1. J. A. Wilcox, $1.50. M. A. Sanford $0.50.

Receipts.

By Editor

Dea. Jno. White, J. R. Brown, Mrs. E. A. Curtis, Mary Mills, L. Harrington, D. C. Philips, L. Mann, (for H. Dudley,) A. J. Richmond, Wm. Harris, A. Barnard, J. Pemberton, E. Dunham, Geo. T. Smith, W. W. Shay, J. G. Smith, J. Rolfe, L. Lathrop, E. R. Seaman, K. H. Elliot, C. Weed, each $1.

S. Bunnell, W. Hyde, E. A. Averill, A. Belden, (Clinton Co. N. Y.,) each $2. P. E. Ferrin, $1.68. E. O. Meacham, $0.75. E. Sanford (for G. Hubbard) $0.50. J. Dorcas (25 cts each for D. Christopher, T. Parker, N. Linder, C. Ball, N. Michael, E. Stevens, Mr. Wells) $2.

ON VOL. VII.—K. H. Elliot $1.

FOR THE SPREAD OF TRUTH:—A Friend of Truth $5.

Books for Sale at this Office.

By Editor

RATES OF POSTAGE. "Books bound or unbound, not weighing over four pounds, for any distance under 3000 miles, when pre-paid, one cent an ounce. When not pre-paid, 1½ cents an ounce."

Hymns, for those who keep the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus. This is the title of our new Hymn Book prepared for the use of the Church of God scattered abroad. It is designed to promote not only public worship, but also social and family devotions. It is a selection of Hymns of poetic merit; 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. Nearly every Hymn can be sung in some one of the pieces of Music, which will promote uniformity and correctness in singing among the Churches.—Price, 62½ cents.—In Morocco, 70 cents.—Weight 7 & 8 ounces.

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.—Wt. 9 oz. each.

Sabbath Tracts, Nos. 1, 2, 3 & 4. This work presents a condensed view of the entire Sabbath question.—184 pages. Price 15 cents.—Wt. 4 oz.

The Sanctuary and Twenty-three Hundred Days, by "J. N. A." This work presents a clear exposition of Daniel viii and ix, points out distinctly the commencement and termination of the 2300 days, shows what the Sanctuary is, and the nature of its cleansing; and explains the disappointment of the Advent people in regard to time, and the true position of those who are now waiting for their Lord.—Price 12½ cents.—Wt. 3 oz.

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 12½ cents.—Wt. 2 oz.

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.—Wt. 2 oz.

The Bible Class. This work contains 52 Lessons on the Law of God and the Faith of Jesus, with questions. It is peculiarly adapted to the wants of those of every age who are unacquainted with our views of these subjects, especially the young.—Bound 25 cents.—Wt. 4 oz.—Paper covers, 18¾ cents.—Wt. 3 oz.

The Four Universal Monarchies of the Prophecy of Daniel, and the Kingdom of God, to which is added a condensed view of the 2300 days and the Sanctuary.—Price 8 cents.—Wt. 2 oz.

The Sabbath. Containing valuable articles on 2 Cor. iii; Col. ii, 14-17; Who is our Lawgiver? The two tills of Matt. v, 18, Consistency, &c.—Price 5 cents.—Wt. 1 oz.

The Law of God. In this excellent work the testimony of both Testaments relative to the law of God—its knowledge upon Creation, its nature and perpetuity—is presented.—Price 12½ cents.—Wt. 2 oz.

The Atonement. This work opens a wide field of Bible truth, and will be found a valuable Assistant in the study of the great theme on which it treats.—196 pp.—18 cents.—Wt. 4 oz.

Man not Immortal: the only Shield against the Seductions of Modern Spiritualism. Without the great truth that man is not immortal, and that the dead know not anything, none are prepared to stand against wicked spirits in high places. We commend this work on the immortality question, as an able discussion of the subject.—148 pp.—12½ cents.—Wt. 3 oz.

An Examination of the Scripture Testimony concerning Man's present condition, and his future Reward or Punishment. By this work is shown in a clear and connected manner the unconscious state of the dead, and the final destiny of the wicked. It may be it has been objected to works which have been published on this subject that objections have not been thoroughly answered. In this work we consider all objections to the mortality of man, and the death of the wicked fairly and fully met.—Price 18 cents.—Wt. 4 oz.

Why Don't you Keep the Sabbath? Extracts from Catholic works.—Price 5 cents.—Wt. 1 oz.

Signs of the Times. This work presents the historical facts concerning the signs in the Sun, Moon and Stars, points out other signs of the soon coming of Christ, and contains an exposure of Spirit Manifestations.—Price 12½ cents.—Wt. 2 oz.

Last Work of the True Church.—Price 7 cents.—Wt. 1 oz.

Perpetuity of the Royal Law.—Price 6 cents.—Wt. 1 oz.

History of the Sabbath.—Price 6 cents.—Wt. 1 oz.

The 2300 Days and Sanctuary by "U. S."—Price 5 cents.—Wt. 1 oz.

The Celestial Railroad.—Price 5 cents.—Wt. 1 oz.

Christian Experience and Views.—Price 6 cents.—Wt. 1 oz.

Supplement to Experience and Views.—Price 6 cents.—Wt. 1 oz.

Review, Vols. 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6, bound in one book.—Price $3.00. Vols. 3 & 4 bound in one book, and 5 & 6 in one book, $1.50 each.—In paper covers 35 cents a Vol.

Youth's Instructor.—Vols. 1 & 2.—Price 25 cents a Vol. in paper covers.

POEMS.

Home Here and Home in Heaven, with other poems. This work embraces all those sweet and Scriptural poems written by Annie R. Smith, from the time she embraced the third message till she fell asleep in Jesus.—Price 25 cents.—Wt. 4 oz.—In paper covers, 20 cents.—Wt. 2 oz.

Time and Prophecy. This work is a poetic comparison of the events of time with the sure word of Prophecy.—Price 25 cents.—Wt. 4 oz.—In paper covers, 15 cents.—Wt. 3 oz.

A Word for the Sabbath. This work is an exposure of the false theories in regard to the Sabbath.—Price 5 cents.

Liberal discount on these works where $5 worth is taken. Address URIAH SMITH, Battle Creek, Mich.

Review of Arguments for Immortality

By Editor

MAN'S DESTINY—IMMORTALITY.—The Arguments from Nature and Scripture by—T. M. Post, D. D., of St. Louis, Mo.: Reviewed by Geo. Storrs, Editor of Bible Examiner, New York.

This is the title of a new pamphlet which we have just received. Some idea of the work and the circumstances which led to its publication may be gathered from the following extract from the publisher's preface:

"Rev. T. M. Post, D. D., of St. Louis, Mo., a well known and talented clergyman, was selected by certain ministers and others, in New England, to write a Prize Essay on IMMORTALITY, for which a gentleman in New York paid $150. It was intended to have it the best that could be said or written in favor of the immortality of all men, without regard to their moral character; that is, of their inherent immortality. Dr. Post took up the subject under two heads of argument. First, 'The argument from Nature;' and second, 'The argument from Scripture.' The first of these appeared in The New Englander of February, and the other in May. The Reviewer has followed these Arguments in their order."

We have not yet had time to examine the work, but we presume the Reviewer has as thoroughly refuted the fable of natural immortality this time as he has been wont to do in time past. It is a neat 12 mo. pamphlet of 156 pages, and can be had by addressing Geo. Storrs, Box 4658, New York.

Unavailable Review Numbers

By Editor

Numbers 1 and 2 of the present volume of the REVIEW are all sent out so that we are no longer able to furnish those numbers to new subscribers.

APPOINTMENT.

By Editor

Bro. & Sr. White, design being at Bowne, July 5th and 6th.

A. J. Richmond’s Address

By Editor

The P. O. Address of A. J. Richmond is Green Bush, Clinton Co., Mich.