Bro. Smith: With feelings of deep interest for the truth of our Lord, I add my feeble testimony. It is now about four years since I commenced to keep the Sabbath of the Lord our God. And although I have not been as faithful as I ought, yet I feel a strong desire at this time to commence anew to labor in the Lord's vineyard; and my prayer is, that I may live so that others may be led to give their hearts to God. We exert a strong influence over those around us, either to do good or evil; therefore it becometh us to exert a right influence to promote the cause of Christ.
Paul in his epistle to the Corinthians, [chap. i, 10,] says that ye may approve things that are excellent, that ye may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ unto the glory and praise of God.
Although we are alone in this place, we mean to show by our daily walk and conversation, regardless of opposition from those who profess to love God, that we are keeping all of God's Commandments and have the Faith of Jesus. I believe that there are a few honest souls here who begin to see the errors of the church, and are searching God's word for the truth. O that our conversation to such may be in love and meekness, that the Lord may begin to work in this place to the salvation of precious souls.
We have been censured as trying to cover up the doctrine of eternal punishment, and leave the Bible for the belief of men, by one who professes to be a minister of the gospel. He said we should be led on until God would cut us off from his people to destroy us with the unbelievers; but these things only help to establish us in the truth. Christ tells us that if we live godly in Christ Jesus we shall suffer persecution; and I am willing to suffer it with Christ, if I may reign with him. I mean to try to be an overcomer, that I may be able to enter in through the gates into the city.
Pray for us, that we may shun the temptations around us, that we may be found walking in all the ordinances of God blameless, until the coming of Christ.
Your unworthy sister.
LYDIA J. BELNAP
Crete, Will Co., Ills.
Testimony on the Laodicean Church
By John Lindsey
From Bro. Lindsey.
BRO. SMITH: I wish to add my testimony in favor of the doctrines advocated in the Review, especially the testimony to the Laodicean church. O what a sad condition we were in! wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked, and knew it not. O how good the Lord is to his children, not to leave them in such a state. He says, Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If any man hear my voice, and will open the door, I will come in to him, and sup with him and he with me. To him that overcometh, &c.
The language implies that some will overcome. How? By being zealous and repenting. Repentance signifies change of purpose. We must repent and be zealous about it. And what else? Buy houses and farms? This is what Sabbath-keepers have been doing for a few years past, and have lost the Spirit of the Lord out of their hearts and become lukewarm. But the true Witness says, Buy gold tried in the fire, and white raiment that thou mayest be clothed, and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve that thou mayest see. As many as I love I rebuke and chasten. I am thankful that we can hear the voice of the good Shepherd once more.
I have been trying to open the door of my heart and let Jesus in. I feel like consecrating myself anew to the service of the Lord.
The little church in this place are trying to rise. The labors of Bro. Loughborough have been blest of the Lord. Several have embraced the truth of late. We feel like going forward.
It is cheering to hear through the Review from the dear brethren and sisters scattered abroad. I hope to hear from others, especially some in Canada East. I expect the refreshing will soon come, and the saints be prepared to pass through the time of trouble.
Your unworthy brother striving to overcome.
JOHN LINDSEY.
Round Grove, Ills., Feb. 16th, 1857.
C. BYINGTON
By C. Byington
From Sister Byington.
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: When I have read your interesting epistles from time to time, my heart has been melted to tenderness and my eyes to tears: I have felt that I have some part and lot with you.
When I embraced the present truth, about five years ago, I was very ignorant of the ways of the Lord. And though I had been a member of the Methodist church above twenty years; and have ever felt, from the first of my trying to be a christian, that secret prayer, prayer in the social meeting, plainness of dress, &c., were indispensable to the enjoyment of religion, yet the present truth discovers to me that my heart was not fully subdued by grace; that pride has often had a place in my heart. I look with deep regret upon the past wrongs of my life, while I see that I have come so far short of ruling my own spirit.
It has been, and still is, my inquiry, What shall I do more fully to overcome all my besetting sins? I praise God for the light that now shines upon my poor heart; for the counsel of the true Witness, that if we obey his counsel, our hearts will be cleansed from the last stain that sin has made. I realize the danger of not walking in the light while we have it. Those who do their whole duty will be brought into the furnace of affliction which will separate us from all our dross.
O may I heed the sure word of prophecy, that the day of the Lord do not come upon me unawares.
C. BYINGTON
Madrid Depot, N. Y., Feb. 26th, 1857.
Extracts from Letters.
By Editor
Sister Mary Borden writes from Townsend, Ohio: "It is a year, I think, since Bro. Dorcas first came here talking the Advent doctrine. I had been brought up to keep the Bible Sabbath, but for nineteen years, (except one,) had been separated from Sabbath and Sanctuary privileges, and was keeping the Lord's Sabbath as Sunday-keepers keep a man-made Sabbath, around us. I had never read or heard any thing on Adventism, except by hearsay, and of course I was prejudiced against it. When Bro. D. came here, I received him as a Sabbath-keeper, and not from any love to Adventism. He sent me books to read, which I read because I felt it my duty, and not because they interested me much. He was anxious that I should investigate the subject. I soon became interested, and now I cannot tell you how much I love Advent meetings, and Advent brethren and sisters. They have become very dear to me, but I feel as if I was too cold, or lukewarm, to be loved by them. But I feel an earnest desire to arise. I cannot see my way before me as clearly as I wish to, but I do most earnestly desire to repent and reform myself ere too late. I am glad the Lord's people are rising, and becoming what they profess to be, a peculiar people zealous of good works, and I pray that I may be one among them. I do not want a good theory merely, but I want the Spirit and power of the Lord to rest upon me, that I may know his will and obey it."
Bro. J. Byington writes from Madrid Depot, St. Law. Co. N. Y.: "The church here are trying to rise. Many have given themselves to much prayer and fasting. I think we are gaining some victory."
Bro. P. S. Thurston writes from Marquette, Wis., Feb. 22d, 1857: "I prize the Review and Herald much for the truths it advocates, and the cheering communications from brethren and sisters. How often, when my mind has been weary and faint, have I received strength and encouragement in reading your valuable paper. I feel a longing desire in my heart to be a partaker of the saints' inheritance. I want to go to glory and dwell with angels, hear their rapturous songs, and sing with them."
Sister Alpha Yorty writes from Brandon, Wis., Feb. 15th, 1857: "I am situated alone, as regards any of our faith and practice. The paper being all the teacher I have, is a welcome visitor. I take great satisfaction in reading the testimonies of the brethren and sisters. Cannot some of the preaching brethren come this way and present the truth to a dying people? It seems as though the time had come when people would lend a listening ear, and apply their hearts unto truth and wisdom."
Communication from Bro. Hutchins.
By A. S. Hutchins
BRO. SMITH: I have just returned home after an absence of nine weeks. In this time I enjoyed many precious seasons with the dear brethren and sisters in Vt., N. H., Mass., and N. Y. My heart was greatly cheered and comforted in meeting with those of like precious faith, whom I had met with before, and also in forming happy acquaintances with others pressing forward to mount Zion.
The happy change which is taking place in all the churches where I have been for months, inspires my heart with new zeal and courage.
The first Sabbath and First-day after leaving home was spent at Johnson. The good work of confession of faults, with a strong resolution to reform, was still going on. Since then we learn from Bro. Stone that the same good work continues.
The two following Sabbaths we spent in the west part of the State, with Bro. Sperry. The Lord helped us much in our meetings. Wrongs were confessed and a sweet union restored among those whom the enemy had labored hard to destroy.
From here Bro. S. and myself proceeded on to Jamaica, where we held meetings four evenings and two days. We were convinced that our labor here was not in vain. Though, as in all other places in labor for the church, since the counsel to the Laodiceans reached us, the counsel was heeded, "Be zealous therefore and repent," before any signal victory was gained. But then we could rejoice together, while the Holy Spirit was poured upon us copiously. O praise the Lord for his mercy, compassion and love for his children! May the little church in J. be enabled to stand fast in the liberty wherewith they have been made free, is my prayer.
Our next meetings were in Boston and Charlestown. In these meetings there was a deep searching of our own hearts. We felt in some measure the force of the injunction, "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves." By so-doing we were enabled, at least partially, to see and feel our own poverty, destitution and blindness. And we felt that if we were prepared to stand when the Son of man cometh, we must buy the gold tried in the fire, the white raiment, and have the eye-salve, quickly.
From here we passed on to Lancaster, where we held meetings most of the time for four days and evenings. A recent letter from there proves that the many family confessions made in these meetings, resulted in forming a deep, sweet, and we trust abiding, union. The children of Brn. John C. Day and E. R. Seaman were interested much for their souls' salvation while we were here. The Lord bless and gather the children with the parents, is our fervent prayer.
We left here (seven of us from Vt.) with our teams and worked hard three days, urging our passage through the drifting snows to Washington, N. H. The weather was extremely cold, and the traveling bad; but with the truth burning in our hearts, and sustained by the soul-cheering hope of soon meeting the Just One, we felt well able to breast the chilling blasts of the wintry winds.
The meeting at Washington was a good one; though the inclemency of the weather was such that but few were present from abroad. The church there receive the counsel to the Laodiceans, and are striving to fight the good fight of faith, and lay hold on eternal life.
From W. we passed on to Unity. Spent a little time with Bro. Stephen Smith, who waded twelve miles through the snow on foot to confess his past wrongs and connect himself again with the remnant; here we also met your mother, who is strong in the faith of the Third Message, and was trying to persuade others to faithfulness. We then proceeded to Claremont where we held one evening meeting. Great freedom was enjoyed in presenting the evidences that we are living under the sounding of the last Message of mercy. A number were present who stood out firm in the faith of the Advent in 1844. Their inquiring heart for truth was touched, and the silent tears flowed freely. They greatly desired us to come again and further present the truth.
The meetings at Rouse's Point, and also at this place, were held agreeably to appointments. In these meetings, while fasting and praying for the out-pouring of the Holy Spirit, our prayers were heard and answered, and we were all blessed by his presence. We felt that we are in the judgment, and that it is more becoming for us to rend our hearts than our garments.
In some measure we felt the force of the injunction, "Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the Lord your God, and cry unto the Lord. Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children and those that suck the breasts; let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet." Joel.
I firmly believe we have reached a point of time when we must fast much. "Alas for that day! For the day of the Lord is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come." The "little flock" alone will be secure in that awful day, which "hasteth greatly."
"Loud let the troubled ocean roar,
In sacred peace our souls abide,
While every nation, every shore,
Trembles and dreads the swelling tide."
A. S. HUTCHINS.
Barton Landing, Vt., Feb. 18th, 1857.
P. S. I have but just spoken of our Conference in this, as we expect a more full report to be given soon.
A. S. H.
Report of Conferences.
By S. Pierce
The New England Conference convened at Bro. Paul Folsom's, in Summerville, Jan. 12th, 1857, and organized.
The importance of having a Book depository in each State where there is none, was duly considered; and voted to raise by subscription what is practicable for a Book fund to be distributed in the several States, in proportion to the sums raised in each State.
Voted that Bro. Paul Folsom be general agent of this Book fund. Note.—Will the several churches forward their donations for Book fund to Bro. Folsom as early as possible, so that the Books will be in readiness when wanted.
Voted that the Tent be put in operation as early in the season as is proper, if the Lord will.
Voted that S. Howland of Topsham, A. Barnes of Canaan, and Wm. Bryant of Jay, be Tent Committee for the State of Maine.
Voted that A. Kimball of Hampton, A. Belden of Kensington, and J. Y. Wilcox of Middletown, be Tent Committee for the State of Connecticut.
Voted that O. Nichols of Dorchester, S. N. Haskell of Princetown, and D. Johnson of Springfield, be Tent Committee for the State of Massachusetts.
The brethren can forward their free-will offerings for the support of the Tent operations the ensuing season, to any of the above Committee respectively.
At the Irasburgh Conference in Vt., Feb. 15th, 1857, there was a Book fund raised to the amount of fifty dollars; also a Tent Committee of five appointed, consisting of the following names: Jesse Barrows, A. R. Morse, Hiram Bingham, C. R. Austin, and S. Pierce. The brethren in Vt. can transmit their free-will offerings for the support of the Tent operations the coming season to any of the above Committee.
The above meetings, together with the Conference at Washington, N. H., were meetings of deep interest to all present. There seemed to be a turning to the Lord, with fasting and with weeping and with mourning. A rending of the heart and not of the garment, was manifest from the deep and hearty confessions of faults there made. A becoming zeal in the work of repentance in view of our lukewarm state, our poverty, nakedness, wretchedness, and blindness, seemed to be very general, if not universal.
The overwhelming conviction seemed to rest upon the minds there generally, that judgment is about beginning "at the house of God" among the living saints.
What earnestness, yea, what clearing of ourselves, yea what fear, yea what vehement desire, yea what zeal, this conviction wrought in us, to obtain the gold tried in the fire, the white raiment to hide our nakedness, and the eye-salve that we may see!
May the Lord speed the work, till all the church, children and all, shall, when the King comes in to see the guests, have on the wedding garment.
S. PIERCE, Chairman.
E. L. BARR, Secretary.
Conference at Battle Creek.
By Editor
The Battle Creek Church have chosen a committee to call a General Conference to be held about the middle of April. Particular notice will be given next week.
New Spiritualist Paper.—We learn from the Spiritual Telegraph that a new paper devoted entirely to Spiritualism is now published in Spanish at Caraccas, in Venzuela, South America, entitled "The Spiritualist," and "dedicated to the investigation of Spiritual Manifestations, with the object of enlightening Unbelievers, and of unfolding in the human mind the glorious destiny of man."
Receipts.
By Editor
Annexed to each receipt in the following list, is the Volume and Number of the "Review and Herald" to which the money receipted pays. If money for the paper is not in due time acknowledged, immediate notice of the omission should then be given.
FOR REVIEW AND HERALD.
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FOR REVIEW TO POOR.
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Books for Sale at this Office.
By Editor
The price set to each publication includes both the price of the book, and the postage, when sent by Mail.
Hymns for those who keep the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus. This Hymn Book is designed to promote not only public worship, but also social and family devotions. It is a selection of Hymns expressing the faith and hope of the Church as set forth in the Scriptures of truth, free from the popular errors of the age. The Book contains 352 Pages, 430 Hymns, and 76 pieces of Music. Price, 60 cents.—In Morocco, 65 cents.
Bible Tracts Bound, in Two Volumes. These Volumes are of about 400 pages each, and embrace nearly all of our published Tracts. We are happy to offer to our friends the main grounds of our faith in a style so acceptable.—Price, 50 cents each.
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The Three Angels of Rev. xiv, 6-12, particularly the Third Angel's Message, and the Two-horned Beast. This work maintains the fulfillment of Prophecy in the past Advent movement, and is of great importance in these times of apostasy and peril.—148 pages.—Price 12 1/2 cents.
Review of Crozier. This work is a faithful review of the No-Sabbath doctrine as set forth in the Advent Harbinger by O. R. L. Crozier. It should be placed in the hands of those who are exposed to that heresy.—Price 6 cents.
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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.
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Last Work of the True Church.—Price 7 cents.
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