Earlier text: ON KEEPING THE HEART. No. 8.THE LAST WAY-MARKS.
By Editor
WE are not treading upon fanciful or imaginary ground when we seek from the scriptures of truth, the evidences of the approaching end of the world. All along the stream of time, God has set up way-marks of the final consummation, to arrest the attention of the heedless, and to comfort and encourage the believing. If we pay no attention to these, if we heed not the warnings given, if we shut our eyes to the light of the Word, then may we justly be ranked with those who were condemned by our Lord because they knew not the time of their visitation. Luke xix, 44. But it is not our design in these remarks to go into a lengthy exposition of the signs of the times, but only to call attention to the place we occupy in some of the important chains of prophecy that lead us to the end. We believe that we have reached the last link to be fulfilled this side of the close of probation, in the series of predictions which we will now specify. 1. In the development of the kingdom of Rome centers the last fulfillment in this world of three important prophecies of the book of Daniel. 1st. Rome is the last universal kingdom symbolized by the great image of Dan. ii. First, Rome in its consolidated form; second, Rome in its weak and divided state. "And whereas thou sawest the feet and the toes part of potter's clay and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided." We are now passing down the swift current of time thirteen hundred and seventy-three years this side of that division; for it was between the years 356 and 483 that it took place; and yet "in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom." Whether many years can now elapse before the establishment of that kingdom which the saints shall possess, all can judge for themselves. 2d. Rome under the second symbol of a beast dreadful and terrible, [Dan. vii.] has fulfilled all its specifications. The ten horns have arisen; the little horn plucking up three of the others in its development has held its sway the allotted space of a time, times and dividing of time; the Papacy has multiplied its acts of arrogance, till the great outline which prophecy gave, is completely filled. What did Daniel see next? "I beheld till the beast was slain and his body destroyed and given to the burning flame;" an event to which Paul looked when he spoke of that "Wicked," whom the Lord should consume with the Spirit of his mouth, and destroy by the brightness of his coming. 1 Thess. ii, 8. 3d. Rome under the third symbol of a little horn waxing exceeding great, [Dan. viii.] in order to the complete fulfillment of the prophecy, is only waiting to be "broken without hand." 2. In the course of events revealed to us in the thirteenth of Revelation, it is no less evident that the closing scenes are at no great distance. The last events there marked out to transpire in time, are the rise and actions of the Two-horned Beast. Sustained in our view by evidences which cannot be set aside, that this is a symbol of our own country, we already see it developed before us. So completely have the United States in their rise and progress answered to the symbol of the Two-horned Beast, that an infidel might be tempted to believe as Porphyry said of the book of Daniel, that the prophecy was written after the events transpired. The Two-horned Beast, as a beast, is already come to full maturity. There yet remain a few acts to be performed by him, which he will not be slow to do when the saints come up to their high privilege; and his course is then finished. What did John next behold? A glorious scene: "I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads." 3. Our relation to the future is shown us again in the messages of the three angels of Rev. xiv. The first angel goes forth with the everlasting gospel. Many of us were eye-witnesses of his work. The second follows him. We have witnessed this also. The third follows them with his fearful warnings against the worship of the beast and his image, his recognition of those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, and the blessing for those who die in the Lord from henceforth. Is this message now sounding in our ears? In a plain series of prophetic events have we seen three great moves, obedient to the voice of prophecy, follow on after each other in their appointed order? This we cannot doubt. What then is the next event in the series? Mark it well. Three links in the chain are comprehended in the past and the present. But the prophecy does not leave us here. What next? "I looked and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle." None can fail to recognize the event which is brought to view under such a symbol as this; nor can we be at a loss therefore to know the event that most claims our attention, and demands for its approach a speedy preparation. 4. Again, the course of the church, down to her final triumph, is shown in Rev. ii and iii. The declarations of the Scriptures, and our actual condition as a people, are enough to set it home upon every mind that we are in the seventh and last state there brought to view. What is the very next scene beyond this? The overcomers sitting with Christ on his throne. The warning of the Third angel, and the message of the True Witness, the one to the world, and the other to the church, must strike every one as being peculiarly appropriate for the last to be given. In the final note of alarm which mercy sounds to a rebellious world, and a lukewarm church, we might expect to find terms employed, and scenes presented, terrible in proportion to the crisis of which they are designed to warn us. And it is even so. Point to a more fearful judgment, brought to view in the word of God, than that presented by the Third Angel. It cannot be done. And what severer threat could the Lord give his lukewarm people, than that he would spue them out of his mouth? Can a more utter and terrible rejection be conceived of? If the warning of the Third Message does not induce some to turn from the worship of the beast, and if the rebuke and counsel of the True Witness do not arouse some from a drowsy church, then may we despair of ever seeing a people prepared for the events before us. Another consideration may be drawn from the Saviour's parable of the wheat and tares. Matt. xiii: "Let both grow together until the harvest; and in the time of harvest, I will say unto the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them; but gather the wheat into my barn." Is not the binding of the tares fulfilling before us in the formation of almost numberless secret societies, and other combinations, bound together by oaths and pledges of every kind? Says the British Messenger, "Our day is amazingly prolific of unlooked-for combinations. . . . We have persons of nearly every form of unbelief banded together, under the colors of secularism, for the purpose of sapping the foundations of religion, and of diffusing throughout the working population of the country, the demoralizing and soul-destroying tenets of infidelity. And we have individuals of every creed and church, joining together to offer united and determined resistance to the progress of social evils and ecclesiastical intolerance, persecution and tyranny." This was the language of the British Messenger two years ago; and there certainly has been no decrease of such combinations since that time. Thus the wicked are being gathered into bundles to burn; and what comes next? "Gather the wheat into my barn." Matt. iii, 12. From these few considerations alone, it is evident that we are passing the last way-marks on our journey heavenward, the last milestones this side the city; and what are our emotions, as we think upon these things? We can readily imagine how unwelcome the news of the Saviour's approach is to those who love him not. To those who are placing their affections on things on the earth; who are laying up treasure here, forgetful of the true riches; who are laying plans for enjoyment far in the future which they would be unwilling to have interrupted by the coming of the Lord;—to such we can readily imagine, it is unwelcome news. But it is not so to the believer. No genuine pilgrim was ever sorry to learn that he had almost reached his journey's end; no wandering exile was ever sorry to learn that he would soon return to his father's land; no one, long separated from a beloved friend, was ever sorry to learn that he would meet him soon. So it is with us. We can behold with joy the final way-marks of our journey. We can look up and lift up our heads, knowing that our redemption draweth nigh. The nearer we draw to the banks of deliverance, the more may we become lost to this world, having our affections on the world to come; the more may we forget the evils of the present, in anticipation of the joys of our future home. Let these considerations renew our courage. Let us give no quarter to any scheme that would lead us to pause for a moment in the great preparation. The few moments that now intervene between us and the coming of the Just One, are fraught with eternal interest. Let not one run to waste, or, worse than that, be misspent. Says the Lord, "Have I not commanded45 thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed; for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." Josh. i, 9. ONE year ago the present arrangement on which our paper is published was commenced at this place. It then labored under various, and some of them heavy, embarrassments. It had become evident to Bro. White and others, that, as an organ of the church, the REVIEW was not founded upon a proper basis. The move was made to establish it here, according to the plan upon which it is now issued; and should we consider this an experimental move, we can now say that the experiment has for one year been tried, and found successful. In view of this, as from the present stand-point, we take a retrospect of the past year, we cannot withhold an acknowledgement of our gratitude for the blessings that have attended us. The REVIEW may now be considered to be firmly established. The heavy bills which had then necessarily accumulated upon our hands, have nearly all melted away before the benevolence of our friends; and the present volume, through the promptness of very many in renewing their subscriptions, starts off with a degree of energy and vigor which will compare favorably with any previous period. While it may be our lot, dear brethren and sisters, to serve you in the capacity of editor, we shall endeavor to do so cheerfully, maintaining an anxious solicitude for the good of the cause, and the salvation of souls; while at the same time, we can but crave your indulgence for our failings, which we are well aware are neither few nor small. During the past year unfavorable circumstances have compelled us a few times to be a little irregular in the weekly issue of the paper; but such contingencies we trust will not exist in the future, to interrupt its regular publication. Our "heart's desire" shall constantly be, that both the REVIEW and the church, may exhibit from day to day, more strength, more vigor, and more spirituality, as we hasten on towards the close of this final work. WHERE ARE WE?
By James White
To the mariner and traveler this is a question of the deepest interest. To those who are following down the track of prophecy, and believe that the present is the period of the Third Message, the question, Where are we? is of the most thrilling interest. Believing that prophecy has marked definitely the way, we must regard this inquiry as reasonable and indeed scriptural. We believe it to be the privilege of the church of God to inquire, "Watchman, what of the night?" and to make the inquiry, too, with the expectation of receiving an answer which will point out the time of night. The great object of the book of Revelation seems to be to show the christian traveler his whereabouts on the highway of time. This is faithfully done by the many chains of prophecy in that book, which span the period of the fourth universal empire. Thus we have line upon line, line upon line, that the highway may be definitely marked, each link in these prophetic chains answering as a way-mark. And, perhaps there is no chain of prophecy so richly fraught with interest and instruction, and which shows so definitely our present position and duty as the testimony to the seven churches. Six of those churches are in the past. Every brother and sister who was in the past great Advent movements, can clearly see the church of brotherly love, The Philadelphia church, in the past; therefore we now occupy the period of the Laodicean church. And what a perfect description of our present state is the testimony to the Laodiceans! Read it again with care and reflection.— And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write: These things saith the Amen; the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked. Reader, go to the New Testament for the standard, by which you may safely compare the work and condition of the present church. Look to Jesus as a perfect pattern, and to the apostolic church as being nearest right. Read the acts of the apostles if you would form correct ideas of the zeal and good works which become the christian church. And when you have done this, you will no longer hesitate to apply the dreadful description of the Laodiceans to the professed believers in the Third Message. But blessed be God, there is hope in our case if we yield obedience to the closing portion of the testimony, to the Laodiceans as follows: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore and repent. Behold I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. Here is language to the poor Laodiceans the most affectionate and touching. The Son of God counsels his erring people. He declares himself standing at the door knocking. He waits for us to open the door and let him in. He is represented as seeking an opportunity to do us good, though we have been so unfaithful, and in the end, seat us by his side on his throne, if we will overcome. In this testimony to the Laodiceans is our condition described, and the most dreadful threatening given if we continue in a lukewarm state. This should stir us to action. It seems enough to arouse the most stupid. But, in addition to this, the testimony closes with the most affectionate entreaties from the Son of man. He holds out the greatest inducements to his erring children to overcome. O the boundless love of Christ! if we overcome he will exalt us to his dazzling throne, and " 'Mid the endless years we then shall prove
The matchless depth of a saviour's love," But that professed brother or sister who will not be stirred to action by the fearful warning in the testimony and whose heart is so unfeeling as not to be moved by the entreaties of the dear Saviour, and the glories which he holds out, must be already standing on the very brink of perdition. Says Christ, "I will spew thee out of my mouth." That we are now in the period of the Laodicean church is generally believed by the readers of the REVIEW. But few will reject this position. The light on the subject has come. True-hearted believers will see their real condition, and will buy "gold," "white raiment" and "eye-salve." It will cost them all they have. They will repent with zeal. They will open the door and let Jesus in. And they will hold communion with him. Then there will be power with the church of God. While those who do not act upon this testimony will be spewed out of the Lord's mouth. We have come to the forks of the road: which will we take? We most solemnly believe that the time has come for the loud cry, or strong movement, of the Third Angel to take its rise. If not now, when will it? Some have reasoned like this: that as persecution has ever been necessary to cut the church loose from the world, and to secure her purity, and to lead the church to be zealous of good works, we must wait till the oppressive hand of the two-horned beast moves the church out to give the Message in power. But be assured that the two-horned beast will be quiet while the church remains stupid and drunk with the spirit of the world. When the church cuts loose from the world, and moves out in works in harmony with its profession of faith, so that God can work in mighty power, then will the two-horned beast move in his acts of oppression. What stirs the wrath of the dragon? Let the Revelator answer: "And the dragon was wroth with the woman, (the church,) and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, (the christians of the last generation,) which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." Rev. xii, 17. It is keeping the Commandments of God, and possessing the testimony of Jesus Christ which stirs the dragon. Let the church sleep on, and the dragon will remain quiet. But let the church obey the testimony to the Laodiceans, open the door and let the Saviour in, then go forth with strength with the Commandments of God, and having in possession the testimony of Jesus Christ, (the spirit of prophecy, Rev. xix, 10) and you will see the work and war of the dragon. We have ever believed that it would be light upon the fulfillment of prophecy, which applies to the present condition of the church, that would give the work a fresh impetus, and commence the great movement of the Message. And we now believe the way prepared for the work to commence. But what a scene of humility before God, and consecrating all to him, Commandment-keepers must pass through before Jesus will come in and sup with them and they with him, and they be prepared to participate in the closing work of the last Message of mercy. The church in this vicinity receive the testimony to the Laodiceans, and, we think, will move out and act upon it. We have some most solemn and powerful praying seasons; and God is giving us strength and health far beyond our expectations, Praise his holy name!
J. W.
Round Grove, Ills. "Nor thy Stranger that is within thy Gates."
By James White
THOSE who would keep the Sabbath correctly, must be governed in its observance by the Sabbath law. That requires not only that we should rest, the son, and the daughter, but also, the stranger that is within thy gates. God's law requires that all who remain in our dwellings should join us in observing the rest of the holy Sabbath. We may endeavor to keep the Sabbath, yet if our childreu are left to break it, the sin will fall on us. So with visitors or boarders. If we suffer them to remain with us, and violate the rest of the Sabbath, the sin will fall upon our heads; for the Commandment says, "nor thy stranger that is within thy gates." The fact that some of our brethren will suffer visitors to remain with them and violate the Sabbath, while others suffer not only their small children, but those that are grown up, to trample on the Fourth Commandment before their eyes, has led us to make these remarks. Parents should do all in their power to win their grown up children to keep the Sabbath; but if they will not yield to the entreaties of love and mercy, and are too large and too old to be compelled to obedience, they are certainly too large and too old to remain at home. For those who take Sabbath-breaking boarders there seems not a shade of excuse. Such cannot rest on the Sabbath-day according to the Commandment. Clouds and Troubles in Pilgrimage
By Lucas
A black cloud makes the traveler mend his pace, and mind his home; whereas a fair day and a pleasant way waste his time, and that stealeth away his affections in the prospect of the country. However others may think of it, yet I take it as a mercy that now and then some clouds come between me and my sun, and many times some troubles do conceal my comforts; for I perceive if I should find too much friendship in my inn, in my pilgrimage, I should soon forget my Father's house, and my heritage.—Lucas. THIS MORNING.
By James White
The experience of this morning has been most blessed and encouraging. We bowed with Bro. Everts and family at the altar of prayer with some depression of spirit. Infirmities and afflictions seemed to press heavily upon some of our praying circle. Others, by self-examination, and seeking to be zealous and repent of past lukewarmness, felt that there was but little hope in their case. But the Spirit of the Lord came down upon us like the gentle dew, or “rain upon the mown grass.” How reviving to the fainting soul! We were made very free in the Lord, and to look forward with pleasing hope to that time when the people of God should hear the voice of Jesus now knocking for admission, and should open the door and let him in to sup with them, and they with him. Strong petitions were put up for the fainting flock, scattered abroad, especially for those whom God has called to preach his Word. Many of these dear servants of God have well nigh fainted in the work as they have seen the church growing worldly, proud, covetous, and almost destitute of the Spirit and some have left the work to labor with their hands to support their families. “O God, put the testimony to the Laodiceans into the minds and hearts of these thy servants, and clothe them with strength that they may go forth and arouse the church now stupified with the spirit and cares of this life.” This morning’s season closed with bright hopes that the Message of the Third Angel will soon rise with strength and go forth in mighty power, and fit a people to stand on Mt. Zion. Round Grove, Ills., Dec. 24, 1856. The Father's Return.
By A. C. Bourdeaux
OURS is a happy family! God in his goodness takes pleasure in blessing us abundantly. Yet, as there is nothing perfect or complete in this world, our picture has its shadows, our enjoyments of heart have their thorns. In earthly scenes, we are often separated from "the good Father," whose society would be very precious to us. O, is there anything more painful than absence? and, indeed, is there anything sweeter than the return? What joy that of our traveler causes us! We are preparing for it in advance; and when the day wished for arrives, all our thoughts aim toward that object. The agitation of our little people increases hour by hour; the pendulum is accused of being slow; and our eyes, fixed on the signal of the ship, are searching to discover the flag so long expected. As soon as it appears all our voices are united to ask to hasten the moment of our re-union, in going before the friend so much desired. Neither the fatigue, nor the heat, nor the length of the route, can discourage the children. We fear nothing, say they; que nous importe! We will see our father. Soon they surround him with their affections, and their joy is complete. Dear brethren, if we are Christ's, we possess the best, the most excellent of Friends—a celestial Friend. He is love: after he had given us all things, he gave himself unto us. Yes, it is with all our hearts that we ought to love him. And do we love him really so? Separated from him for a short time, do we long for his return? Are thoughts of his coming our sweetest thoughts? Does it above all things rejoice our hearts? Are we preparing for it without ceasing? The coming of our Lord is admitted, it is true, by the Christians of our days; but are there many among them who, having their eyes fixed towards heaven where dwells our Saviour, are in the joyous expectation which the child feels who knows that his father is drawing near? Dear brethren, are we of that number? Do we support with joy the heat of the day, the fatigue and the thorns of the path, because it leads us to our Lord? Has the last and solemn message, which precedes our re-union, lost for us its sting and its terrors? Can we, in all these things, repeat the cry of triumph. We fear nothing; what's that to us! We will see our Father, and our Lord. O Lord, forgive! and prepare us thyself for the coming of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who will fill with an eternal joy the hearts of his faithful children! Amen. A. C. BOURDEAUX.
West Enosburgh, Vt. Enduring Persecution for the Truth
By Benjamin Hostler
BRO. SMITH:—I desire to express my gratitude to God, that myself and companion were ever led to see the truth belonging to the last days, although it has subjected us to ridicule and to be despised and persecuted by those who call themselves Christians, who are still rejecting the truth and saying, Where is the promise of his coming. I would say to the dear brethren and sisters, that these are things we must expect. Read 1 Pet. iv, 12. "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you." Also verses 13, 14. Luke vi, 22. "Blessed are ye when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake." Read verse 23. Let us rejoice and take courage; for great will be our reward, if we endure faithful to the end. We feel that we are strangers and pilgrims on the47 earth. We are trying to keep up our weekly meeting on the Sabbath at Lincklaen, and some of the dear brethren and sisters are trying to live. We, with them, are grateful for the weekly visit of the Review and Herald, and for the precious truths it comes laden with; and we feel greatly encouraged by the letters from the dear brethren and sisters in different parts of the land. Dear brethren in the Office, be encouraged to toil on; for your labor will not be in vain in the Lord, for in due time you will reap if you faint not. Yours striving to keep the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus. BENJAMIN HOSTLER. GOD IS NO RESPECTER OF PERSONS.
Who shall judge a man from nature?
Who shall know him by his dress?
Paupers may be fit for princes;
Princes fit for something less.
Crumpled shirt and dirty jacket
May beclothe the golden ore
Of the deepest thought and feeling—
Satin vest could do no more. There are springs of purest crystal
Ever welling out of store;
There are purple beds and golden
Hidden, crushed, and overgrown.
God, who counts by souls, not dresses,
Loves and prospers you and me,
While he values thrones the highest
But as pebbles on the sea. Man upraised above his fellows
Oft forgets his fellows then;
Masters, rulers—lords remember
That your meanest hands are men,
Men of labor, men of feeling,
Men of thought and men of fame,
Claiming equal rights to sunshine
In a man's ennobling name. There are foam-embroidered oceans,
There are little weed-clad rills,
There are feeble inch high saplings
There are cedars on the hills;
God, who counts by souls, not stations,
Loves and prospers you and me,
For to him all vain distinctions
Are as pebbles on the sea. Toiling hands alone are builders
Of a nation's wealth and fame,
Titled laziness is pensioned,
Fed and fattened on the same,
By the sweat of other foreheads,
Living only to rejoice,
While the poor man's outraged freedom
Vainly lifted up its voice. Truth and justice are eternal,
Born with loveliness and light;
Secret wrongs shall never prosper
While there is a sun by day.
God, whose world-heard voice is singing
Boundless love to you and me
Sinks oppression, with its titles,
As the pebbles in the sea. A Serious Mistake.
By A. C. B.
THERE is one mistake common to many, and particularly so to the young. They cheat themselves with vain fancies, that when they are older they shall be better; that when they are men they shall find it easier to think of religion: that it is time enough yet. That "yet," dear young friends, has ruined many precious souls! To-morrow is the sluggard's motto: it is taught him by Satan. To-day is the Christian's watchword: it is taught him by God; even God who is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance here, and to glory and immortality hereafter. A. C. B.
West Enosburgh, Vt. "To those Unable to Pay, Free."
By John Maddock
SINCE I have been blessed with the ability to read, that is the best motto I have seen in reference to the circulation of religious periodicals; the nearest approximation to the benevolence of the Author of our Holy Christianity. Get all you can, and keep all you get, is the motto of the world; and how far are the ranks of Christianity behind them? Their periodicals answer this question. The most steady and prominent articles in them are advance pay, duns to delinquents, with stirring appeals to their friends to send on the subscribers, and above all the dollars. No matter how holy or useful persons may be, if they are poor and unable to pay for their paper they must do without. No matter how much they love the Redeemer's cause, nor how much they labor for it, their tempest-tossed, tried souls, are not to be rejoiced with the good tidings of salvation. And why? Because they are poor; their heavenly Father has not seen fit to make them financial stewards. One of the fundamental principles of Christianity is, that the followers of the Lord Jesus Christ are not the exclusive owners of the property and talents they have in charge, but are stewards for Him who bestowed them, that they might be used in his service. Who believes this? "Not every one that says, Lord, Lord." Many professedly consecrate their property and talents to the Lord; but few, very few, practically. But there are a few, and may God bless that few, increase their number, and make their joys forever new. The inconsistency of professors of Christianity in the use of their property, is a great hindrance to the advancement of the Redeemer's cause; and I do say that if my faith in the religion of Christ depended upon the conduct of many of its professors I should be an infidel. There is but one way to transport property to heaven; there is but one way to prevent property sinking us lower than the grave; there is but one way in which we can give an account of our stewardship with joy and not with grief; and that is to use it in the service of the Lord. So said Jesus Christ, but who acts as though he believed it? There is but one way to make our profession tell on an ungodly world; there is but one way to prove our religion heaven-born, there is but one way to prove that we believe it; and that is to let actions unite with professions in the use of our time, talents and property in the service of the Lord. So says Christ. * May the Lord hasten the time when Christianity shall be seen acting out its principles and triumphing over all its foes. Yours truly, JOHN MADDOCK.
Decatur, Ills. A Confession of Faults.
By J. R. Towle
Bro. Smith:—I wish to make a confession to the brethren through the Review, as it is not possible for me to reach them in any other way, and as I see that I have erred and grieved some. I confess that I have not been humble enough before the Lord, and that while in Northern New York, at Plattsburg, Champlain and Buck's Bridge, my course did not edify the brethren. I am sure now, if I had walked right, they would not have been tried with me. I confess that my course was wrong, and to the grievance of the Church. My conversation was not seasoned with the grace of God. Reflection thereon brings sorrow. I want to be right, and make strait my paths before the Lord, the church, and the world. I ask the forgiveness of all the brethren that have been grieved by me, and of the Church of God as far as I am known; and I pray that I may be kept by the power of God unto salvation, ready to be revealed in the last time. C O M M U N I C A T I O N S.
By H. S. Gurney
"Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another." BRO. SMITH:—I am still striving to do the will of God. I have for a long time been led to believe that the Laodicean state is upon us whether we were willing to believe it or not. Reviewing the many attempts to rise in power and strength before God, gives striking evidence that we have not understood our state. Some seven years ago while examining the consecutive order of the seven states of the church, [Rev. ii, and iii,] I came to the conclusion that the same consecutive order must be observed to the end, but finding no one to sympathize with such a view, I let the subject rest for time to develop. More recently I have been mourning over my own lukewarmness and that of my brethren; and the inquiry has come up in my mind, How shall I extricate myself from such a state? Well, thank the Lord, there is a way to do it. The Lord says, Be zealous and repent. How good the Lord is in every time of danger to raise a warning voice, that we may flee from the wrath to come. If we prove true witnesses for our Lord in these last days we shall discern this time; and by zealously taking heed, we shall escape the things that are coming on the earth, and stand before the Son of man. This is the time of trial. Let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be entire, wanting nothing. Here is the patience of the saints: here are those who keep the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus. May God help us to examine ourselves and see that we are witnessing truly and zealously for the truth of God: having our life hid with Christ in God, that when he who is our life shall appear, we may appear with him in glory. Jackson, Mich., Dec. 1st, 1856. L. J. RICHMOND
By L. J. Richmond
Bro. Smith :—It rejoices my heart to hear of the progress of the cause of truth in the West. Truly God is gathering in his jewels. Although there are but few comparatively here in the East that now seem to heed the warning voice, still the Lord is at work for his people. The purifying process is going on. God's people are to be purified from all dross, purged as silver and gold, and made white, and then will come the trial. They are yet to see that it is through much tribulation that they are to enter the kingdom. Every thing is to be shaken that can be. Those only will be able to stand whose feet are firmly planted upon the truth of God's word. Although we are permitted to live near the closing up of the scenes of this earth, with the word of God in our hands which plainly declares that the coming of the Just One is at the door; and the signs of his coming fast fulfilling, and most of them in the past; the nations angry, the mighty men [Joel iii, 9] awake, preparing for war;—notwithstanding all this, the Church of God which professes to believe all this truth, is in a lukewarm state. No wonder the Psalmist so many times exclaims that his mercy endureth forever; for were it not so, we should long before this have been cut off. But instead of this, he still pleads with us to repent and buy gold tried in the fire, white raiment and eye-salve, that we may see. Mercy still lingers: as many as I love I rebuke and chasten. O ye afflicted and tried ones, take courage! The Lord still loves you and calls upon you to be zealous and repent. O heed his voice. Open the door of your hearts and let the King of glory in. I mean to heed the counsel of the faithful and true Witness, to buy gold tried in the fire, white raiment and eye-salve, that I may see all the truth; and may increasing light continue to shine upon our pathway. I desire ever to be found among those who are following in the humble path of truth, however crossing it may be. I would not be among those who profess to believe in the Third Angel's Message and still continue in a lukewarm state. I should much rather never have known the way of life. What excuse can such give to the great Judge of all the earth? They must and will remain speechless. I desire so to live that I may at last have a humble place among the remnant who keep the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus. Ashfield, Mass., Nov. 19th, 1856. The Consolation of Affliction
Bro. H. D. Cory writes from Sanford, Mich., Nov. 28th, 1856:—"I have an ardent desire for the progress of the cause of present truth, and would gladly aid more liberally in the spread of the same, but a long succession of adverse scenes, of sickness, deaths, and the loss of property by fire and otherwise has hitherto served to prevent it. But I have the consolation to read in the good book, 'whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.' Heb. xii, 6. Again, 'Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty. For he maketh sore and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole. He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee.' Job v, 17, 19. I pray that these things may be sanctified to my good; that they may yield in me the peaceable fruit of righteousness. Then can I say with David, 'before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.' Ps. cxix, 67." Sister Moses’s Sabbath Conversion
By S. A. Moses
Bro. Smith:—Though a stranger to you, I write to let you know that I am a lover of the truths that your paper advocates. It is about two months since I commenced keeping the Sabbath of the fourth commandment. I was awakened to the subject first by reading your paper, last Spring, loaned me by an uncle of mine, who keeps the Sabbath. I thought we had proof for Sunday-keeping in the Bible, but I found by searching the Scriptures that we had none, not even a passage that would sustain the keeping of the first day for the Sabbath. I saw that the Sabbath of the fourth commandment was as binding on us now as it ever was on man, and that it is not a Jewish Sabbath, but was given to the children of God for a perpetual covenant, for a sign between him and his people for ever. I was convinced at that time, but I resisted and tried to think that if we kept one day right, God would accept of it; but I could not rest. I thought, Perhaps they are right, and then I am undone. I was anxious to hear the word preached and judge for myself. An opportunity of this kind I at length had. I was then fully convinced that I must keep all the Commandments and have the Faith of Jesus, or drink the wine of the wrath of God without mixture. I saw that in order to keep all the Commandments the seventh day must be kept as the Sabbath; otherwise I should be breaking the fourth. I am now trying to keep them all; but I stand alone, in our family, and have many trials to encounter; but I know that it is through much tribulation that we enter the kingdom. There are nine in this place that keep the Sabbath. We have meetings every Sabbath at some of the brethren's. Bro. Daniels has been with us most of the time. We have interesting meetings. The Lord visits us with his holy Spirit as we assemble together. Brethren and sisters pray for us, that we may prove faithful and hold out to the end. Your sister waiting for immortality at the appearing of Jesus. S. A. Moses.