DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: I sometimes feel very lonely here, not having heard a sermon from any of the messengers for three years, excepting one funeral discourse. The Apostle tells us to speak often one to another, and so much the more as we see the day approaching. O with what carefulness ought we to watch our actions, knowing that for every idle word we speak we must give account thereof in the day of judgment. We must be cleansed from all filthiness of the flesh, for none but pure and holy beings shall see God. I mean by his grace to be an overcomer, that I may meet you all in the kingdom. I thank God for his many blessings, and for calling me from darkness into his marvelous light. I feel very thankful for the Review. It is truly meat in due season to my hungry soul, and is all the preaching I have. How I love to read its pages, and try to profit by them. I hope it will be sustained, and that I can do something for the cause soon.
It is five years since I began to keep the Sabbath, and I have never had cause to repent it. I can truly say with David of old, How love I thy law! I mean to keep all God's commandments that I may have right to the tree of life and enter in through the gates into the city. Pray for me that I may be accounted worthy to escape all those things that are coming on the earth, and to stand before the Son of man.
S. A. JESSIP.
Athens, Mich., Jan 16th, 1858.
Preparing for the Lord’s Coming
By R. S. Durfee
From Bro. Durfee.
BRO. SMITH: I have been brought by the Spirit of God, as I trust, to embrace the present truth after years of opposition to it. I was led to adopt the Sabbath of the Bible about the first of September; but I little thought then that I should ever become an Adventist, or that I should believe any of the other truths that they held; but truly I can say that I have been led in a way that I knew not, for I can see a beauty and consistency in the doctrine of man's condition in this life and in death, in the resurrection, and in the reward of the righteous and the wicked, which I never saw in the belief of man's natural immortality; and I have taken sweet comfort while I have contemplated the near approach of the Saviour. But the preparation for that day I feel is that which should engage all our minds; for it is a small thing to keep the Sabbath, and believe the doctrines of the Bible, unless our hearts are right in the sight of God. We are told that love is the fulfilling of the law.
I feel when I consider the shortness of time, and the great work we have to do to be ready for the coming of the Lord, that we should be much in prayer and supplication to our heavenly Father for his grace and Spirit to guide us into all truth; and not only into the understanding of the truth, but to give us strength to overcome the world with all its cares and allurements, and present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God, which is our reasonable service.
It may interest some to know the circumstances and providences (for I feel that it truly was a direct providence of God) that brought me to see the truth and embrace it. I had not attended an Advent meeting, nor any other kind, since the fore part of June, until about the first of December, when Brn. Hart, Everts, Sperry and Cornell came to Green Vale. I was then there and heard their straight testimony, and saw the spirit of love and anxiety which they manifested for the cause of their Master, and the good of the church. The church began to confess their short-comings and neglect of duty, and the Spirit of God was poured out. It took hold of me, and I felt that it was my duty to look into these things, and like the Bereans, search the Scriptures to see if these things were so; and, as I trust, the Spirit of the Lord shone upon the sacred pages, for, as already stated, I have been led in a way that I had not known, and in paths that I had not seen.
The Review, which for a short time I have had the privilege of reading, has been a welcome messenger, and the truths therein advocated are of inestimable value. I hope that I may have the prayers of the church that what I have seen of the present truth may be as the beginning of good days, or as the shining light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
Yours in hope of immortality.
R. S. DURFEE.
Millville, Ills., Jan. 20th, 1858.
The Work Progressing in Mauston
Bro. H. Gray writes from Mauston, Wis., Jan. 31st, 1858: "I feel to bless God that I ever saw the Review. It has brought new light to my mind, and in that light I hope to live and die, if I am called to die before Jesus comes. There are near sixty in this place who profess to keep the Sabbath, and most of them, I believe, are striving to keep all God's holy commandments. The work is progressing under the preaching of Bro. Steward. There were five baptized last Sabbath, and ten the Sabbath before. He wants more help, as he cannot fill one fourth of the calls. I would to God some preacher would come and help him."
A VERY COMMON MISTAKE.
By Horatius Bonar
Many Christians imagine that now since they have believed, they must draw their comfort from some different source, or in a different way from what they did at first; they turn their whole attention to themselves, their experience and their graces: forgetting that the true way of nourishing these is by keeping their eye upon the cross, they turn it inward, and try to nourish them by some direct process of their own devising.
Blessings Through Trials
The Lord's people are a tried people, but their trials are employed to deepen the work of God in their own hearts, and to render them a blessing to others. The soul that walks closely with God will often see the hand of God in providence, and will be made a blessing, even when he may least expect it. Many a christian has been a source of blessing to his fellow-men when he has little thought of it, and much good has been done by the Lord's poor saints, of which they will never hear in the present world.—Sel.
Humility in Defending Truth
If ever God calls you to defend his truth, he will first make you humble, modest, and confident.
APPOINTMENTS.
By Editor
PROVIDENCE permitting, there will be a general Conference of Advent Sabbath-keepers, about five miles north of Round Grove Station, Whiteside Co., Ills. commencing on Sixth-day, Feb. 12th, and holding over Sabbath and First-day.
The wants of the cause, and the best method for advancing it in the West, will be considered at this meeting. We feel that it is time to "call a solemn assembly, gather the people, sanctify the congregation," and to cry, "Spare thy people, O Lord." Especially do we desire to see at this meeting those who have recently embraced the truth.
M. E. CORNELL. E. EVERTS.
C. W. SPERRY. JOSIAH HART.
BRN. Hutchins and Phillips will meet with the church in Burr Oak on Sabbath, Feb. 13th; at Colon, the 20th, and at Burlington the 27th.
I wish to say to these churches that I remember them, and that I left home intending to attend the above appointments, but being unexpectedly called in another direction, must reserve my visit to them for a future opportunity.
J. H. WAGGONER.
There will be a Conference of the Commandment-keepers of Ohio, if the Lord will, in the village of Green Spring, to commence on Sixth-day, Feb. 26, at 2 o'clock P. M., and hold over Sabbath and First-day. All are invited to attend, who desire to engage in the worship of God, and take a part in the duties connected with the present truth.
In behalf of the church at Milan and Green Spring.
S. W. RHODES.
Providence permitting, I shall spend a few weeks, after the Round Grove Conference, in Wisconsin. I expect to be accompanied by some brother of the West. Communications respecting meetings in Wisconsin may be sent to me at Madison, as I expect to pass there on my way to the north-western part of the State.
J. H. W.
PROVIDENCE permitting, I will meet with the brethren as follows:
Allegan, February 13th.
Caledonia, " 20th.
Green Bush, or vicinity, where Brethren may appoint, " 27th.
Tyrone, March 6th.
M. E. CORNELL.
Meetings in Wayland Mich.
By John B. Frisbie
BRO. SMITH: I have just finished lecturing in Wayland, Allegan county, where Bro. Byington commenced. It has been a dark place indeed, but we believe God has done a good work for some. As near as I can judge, there are about twenty that will keep the Sabbath. They have appointed themselves a leader to keep up prayer meetings. A number that have belonged with the Methodists will keep the Lord's Sabbath, notwithstanding their preacher made great efforts against us.
I visited Caledonia a week ago last Sabbath. The church there have been prospered with good, spirited meetings for most of the time, and the Lord has been constantly adding to their numbers, we trust of such as may be saved. About twelve have commenced there to keep the Sabbath since I was there in the Fall.
Some ten more have commenced keeping the Sabbath in the town of Thornapple, where Bro. Farnum has been talking the truth. I understand that some others have commenced keeping the Sabbath where I labored last Fall. So the work is onward. I leave this morning for Bowne, and then if the Lord direct, I may go north of Grand Rapids this week. J. B. FRISBIE.
A. S. HUTCHINS
By A. S. Hutchins
From Bro. Hutchins.
BRO. SMITH: The promises of God have looked very precious to me for some time past. When I think of the glorious reward that awaits the faithful, I feel very desirous to be found with them when the gift of eternal life is bestowed upon them. But if we would reign with Christ, we must also suffer with him. Many would be glad to reign with Christ, if they could escape the suffering part of the Christian religion.
But says the Apostle, "If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us." "If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye, for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you." Many think the fiery trials strange, and therefore they will not walk in the path of obedience, but still desire the reward.
The trials necessary to strengthen and increase our faith, we should not think strange of. But we do often think strange of some trials which brethren and sisters bring upon themselves wholly unnecessary, and we well may, for it is strange that they will walk so much in blindness and darkness, when there is light for the church to walk in, and eye-salve for them to anoint their eyes with.
Last Sabbath, and First and Second-days, Bro. Waggoner and I spent with the church in this place. Our meetings on First and Second-days were especially for the benefit of the church. In these meetings we found it necessary for the further advancement of the cause of truth in this place, to withdraw from those who have caused division among the people of God, and been stumbling blocks in the sight of the world; and to "reprove, rebuke," and exhort others to a closer walk with God.
We now feel sure that this church must hereafter, walk faster or they will grieve the Spirit; for their burdens are thrown off, and they should go free. May the Lord help them thus to do. I am confident the time has come for those who love gospel light, liberty and happiness, to heed the injunction of the Prophet. See Mal. iii, 10. "Then shall ye return and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not." Mal. iii, 18
A. S. HUTCHINS
Hillsdale, Mich., Feb. 3d, 1858.
P. S. It has been and still is our purpose, Providence permitting, to visit the churches in Allegan, Monterey, and in other places in that section, at our earliest convenience.
Correspondents may address me at Battle Creek, Mich at present. A. S. H.
A Church Turned to Entertainment
In New York city one of the churches was thrown open recently for a lyceum lecture for the benefit of the poor, and the performance was a musical, laughable and humorous affair, and kept the congregation in a roar of laughter all the evening. Yet it was introduced by prayer from a clergyman, followed by the comic song of “Uncle Sam’s Farm,” and the whole exercise closed with the benediction!
Business Items.
By Editor
B. Haynes:—Your present remittance carries you to No. 14, Vol. xii.
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By Editor
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FOR REVIEW AND HERALD.
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By Editor
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