Earlier text: The Dragon of the Pews[The following earnest words from the Bible Banner are worthy of being read and heeded by all. How the devil cheats the most of us out of what good we might do by leading us to overlook small duties and present opportunities to engage in some imaginary great work in the future. Let us have done with this, and take hold of the first thing that comes up, and do it now. D. M. C.] Hundreds of hearts are panting to be useful. The thought of a listless life is positively painful to them. But they are waiting for golden opportunities which never seem to come. Many of them are looking too high. While they eagerly watch for something to “turn up,” which shall open some grand avenue of usefulness, they allow a thousand little opportunities to pass unimproved. The secret of success is in being quick to see, and prompt to do, present duty. Life is but an aggregation of items. To ignore the items, is to waste a life. Probably not less than five hundred of you who read this brief article are waiting for something to do. You watch with eager gaze to see which way the cloudy pillar moves. With uplifted hammer you stand ready to strike, if you could only be sure of hitting the heated iron in the right place. While you hesitate, the iron cools and the timely occasion is over. Hesitate no longer. Make no more bargains with the thief of time. Break up this chronic habit of parleying with questions of duty. Let no plausible excuses paralyze your nerves of activity. Wake up to the momentous issues that are pending. Look out upon the suffering, dying, perishing world! Have you no tears to shed, no groans to utter, no prayers to offer, no warnings to sound, no instruction to impart, no money to scatter? How wide the field! How urgent the demands! How short the time! How solemn the responsibility! How terrible the results of neglect! How glorious the reward of consecration to the work of God! Channels of usefulness run in every direction. Every tear that glistens in the eye of sorrow, is a Macedonian cry. Every sigh of distress is a fresh proof that we are in a fallen world, where sympathy and activity are especially needed. Every sound of blasphemy and every scene of debauchery, should remind us that we are standing in the midst of a vast missionary field. There is a world of work on hand. Where are the workers? SAVING faith seeks first the things of God; It reaches out after a world lying in gloom and sin. It mourns in secret places for the evil existing in the world. It is willing to sacrifice for right, and truth, and for God, and for others. Other kinds of faith may be good, but they are too weak to regenerate the character. “Lord, increase our faith,” said one to Jesus; that was a sensible prayer. Skepticism is want of faith; if the skeptic would pray this prayer, instead of getting up scarecrows for weak souls, he would be far more sensible, and would do great good. JOSEPH CLARKE. In Luther’s “table talk” we find the following opinion on lager beer: “The man who first brewed beer was a pest to Germany. Food must be dear in our land, for the horses eat up all the oats, and peasants and citizens drink up all the barley in the form of beer. I have survived the end of genuine beer, for it has now become small beer in every sense, and I have prayed to God that he might destroy the whole beer-brewing business, and the first brewer I have often cursed. There is enough barley destroyed in the breweries to feed all Germany.” A treaty providing for uniform postal rates between the United States of America, Germany, Austro-Hungary, Belgium, Denmark, Egypt, France, Spain, Great Britain, Greece, Italy, Luxemburg, Norway, the Netherlands, Portugal, Roumania, Russia, Servia, Sweden, Switzerland, and Turkey, has been ratified. The rates for the above-named countries are, without distinction, as follows: For prepaid letters, 10 cents per 15 grammes. For unpaid letters, 10 cents per 15 grammes. For postal cards, 2 cents each. For newspapers, if not over 4 ounces in weight, 2 cents each. For other printed matter, samples of merchandise, and all other articles than newspapers enumerated in article IV. of the treaty, 2 cents per each weight of two ounces or fraction thereof. For the registration fee on all correspondence, 8 cents. No fee will be charged for a return receipt in cases where a receipt from the address is requested. These rates will be in force on and after July 1st in all the countries mentioned except France. The Storm Before the Still Small Voice
There are some spirits which must go through a discipline analogous to that sustained by Elijah. The storm-struggle must precede the still small voice. There are minds which must be convulsed with doubt before they can repose in faith. There are hearts which must be broken with disappointment before they can rise into hope. There are dispositions which, like Job, must have all things taken from them, before they can find all things again in God. Baggage Cars Burned at Paris
THE baggage cars of the through express west, on the Great Western Railway, of Canada, caught fire at Paris, May 21, and all through baggage and mails were consumed. We have had writers of that description who made some noise in their day. At present they repose in lasting oblivion. Who, born within the last forty years, has read one word of Collins, and Toland, and Chubb, and Morgan, and that whole race who called themselves Freethinkers? Who now reads Bolingbroke? Who ever read him through? Ask the booksellers of London what has become of all these lights of the world. In as few years their few successors will go to the family vault of “all the Capulets.” Because half a dozen grasshoppers under a fern make the field ring with their importunate chink, while thousands of great cattle, reposing beneath the shadow of the British oak, chew the cud and are silent, pray do not imagine that those who make the noise are the only inhabitants of the field; that, of course, they are many in number; or that, after all, they are other than the little, shriveled, meager, hopping, though loud and troublesome, insects of the hour.—Edmund Burke, “Reflections on the Revolution in France.” From the fact that man is said in Gen. 1 : 27, to have been created in the image of God, some divines argue that he is endowed with immortality. We claim that the image cannot be taken to mean immortality any more than it can be taken to mean any other of the divine attributes, such as omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence, but must refer simply to the physical outline. The rendering of this verse in the Islandic Bible, as found in Webster's Dictionary under the word, man, gives the true idea. “Literally,” says Webster, “and God shaped man after his image; after God's image shaped he them; and he shaped them male and female.” There is certainly no immortality here, unless it consists in shape. The best theology—a pure and beneficent life. The best philosophy—a contented mind. The best law—the golden rule. The best education—self-knowledge. The best statesmanship—self-government. The best medicine—cheerfulness and temperance. The best art—painting a smile upon the brow of childhood. The best science—extracting sunshine from a cloudy way. The best war—to war against one's weakness. The best music—the laughter of an innocent child. The best journalism—printing the true and the beautiful only, on memory's tablet. The best telegraphing—flashing a ray of sunshine into a gloomy heart. The best biography—the life which writes charity in the largest letters. The best mathematics—that which doubles the most joys and divides the most sorrows. The best navigation—steering clear of the lacerating rocks of personal contention. The best diplomacy—effecting a treaty of peace with one's own conscience. The best engineering—building a bridge of faith over the river of death.—From the Annual of Phrenology and Physiognomy. P. T. BARNUM, in Philadelphia, said a few days ago in a temperance lecture:— “I will undertake to give bonds for the fulfillment of the contract, that if the city of Philadelphia will stop selling liquor and give me as much as was expended here for liquor last year, to run the city next year, I will pay all the city expenses; no person living within her borders shall pay taxes; there shall be no insurance on property; a good dress and suit shall be given to every poor boy, girl, man and woman; all the educational expenses shall be paid; a barrel of flour shall be given to every needy and worthy person; and I will clear a half million of dollars myself by the operation.” A Timely Rebuke.
By M. B. Miller
[THE following we copy from a paper printed in Illinois. Coming from the source it does, it should attract the attention of the thoughtful; and in an especial manner does it speak to the student of prophecy. M. B. MILLER.] “Resolved, That we, the grand jurors for Lucas County, Ohio, at the present term, do lament the increase of crime in our land, and most especially the crime of gambling, whereby many of the finest men in our land are ruined, morally and financially; that we look with regret on the practice of some of the churches as setting forth examples of said crime; and that we would most respectfully ask the churches of our land to discontinue such practices. The Meeting at Bowling Green,
By JOS. CLARKE
ACCORDING to appointment, Bro. and Sr. White met with the church about two miles north of Bowling Green, last Sabbath, May 22, and all were made glad by their presence and encouraging words. In the forenoon, Sr. White spoke from words found in 1 John 3:1. The love of God manifested in sending his Son, the sacrifice he made in man's behalf, and the great trial of Abraham, were dwelt upon, as showing, in a small degree, the love and regard of God for his people and for their salvation. She also spoke of the suffering and labor endured for man by the Father first, who consented to so great a sacrifice, and by the Son, who so cheerfully and patiently suffered. In the afternoon, Bro. White spoke upon 1 Thess. 5, which applies to our times. Many very interesting points were made from this chapter, which is almost boundless in its scope and application. The subjects of the advent, church order, religious growth, spiritual gifts, health reform, and Bible sanctification, are all mentioned in this chapter. Bro. White has improved greatly in bodily and mental health, within the past year. He says he has increased his weight twenty-five pounds by the practice of continued cheerfulness, and courage in God, and by ignoring Satan's dark schemes to dishearten and discourage him. All were profited by this meeting; all were made glad and thankful; and all hope for more such visits, JOS. CLARKE, SINCE my last report, have labored as follows:— May 7-10, with the friends in Salem Center, Steuben Co. In our Sabbath meeting we enjoyed much of the blessing of the Lord, and all present seemed very much encouraged. This church is seldom visited on account of the many calls from different parts of the State, and the few who labor; yet the members are united, and do much to aid the cause in new fields. May 14-18, visited the church at Rochester, Fulton Co. The meetings from the first were well attended. The brethren engaged a hall in which we gave three discourses to those not of our faith. Of late, some have become interested, and have embraced the truth. Sunday, the 16th, five willing souls were buried with Christ in baptism and added to the church. The scene at the water’s edge was witnessed by many friends and neighbors, and a good impression seemed to be made on their minds. This young church, through the blessing of the Lord, is prospering. May 21-24, labored with the church at Bourbon, Marshall Co. Brethren and sisters came in from Rochester and North Liberty, and the meetings from the first proved a success. The turn-out on the part of those not of our faith was quite large. First-day, the 23d, six were baptized and united with the church. Among those baptized was a brother and his wife who reside in the country, about six miles from Bourbon. Last summer while the tent was at the latter place they came and listened to three discourses, one of which was in opposition to our positions. When this brother listened to the opposition discourse, he concluded the arguments were unanswerable; but when he listened to the reply he saw that all the so-called arguments were fairly answered. He became so deeply interested that at the conclusion of the reply he came forward to the stand, and with some twenty others subscribed for the Review on trial for three months, and also purchased a few books. He read the paper and became charmed with its teachings. When the subscription expired, he renewed for a year, and sent to the Office of publication five dollars for more books. By the time he had read and compared them with the Bible, he was fully converted to the truth. As we listened, in the social meeting, to his expressions of thankfulness to the Lord for the light of truth, and saw him and his wife baptized at our last meeting in Bourbon, we could but thank the Lord for the truth. Celebrated the ordinances, for the first time in this young church, which proved a season of profit to all present. Bro. Sharp was present and rendered valuable services in the meetings. Evening after the Sabbath, May 29, commenced labor in the tent at Ligonier, Noble Co. Bro. H. M. Kenyon joins me in labor the present tent season. Have given thus far four discourses. The congregations have ranged from one to four hundred. We hope for good results. Ligonier, Noble Co., Ind. Nebraska and Iowa.
By R. M. Kilgore
MAY 1, I met Bro. Boyd at Hooper, where we held meetings two days. Here it was anticipated that an organization would be perfected; but the low spiritual condition of those who should be props for the weak to lean upon, and “helps?” in the church, was such that this step was not advisable. If our brethren who have for twenty years believed the truths of the third angel’s message do not hold up the standard and come up to it themselves, how can it be hoped that others who have lately embraced the truth will rise above them in the scale of reform, or attain to a higher-toned spirituality? If tea, coffee, pork, and other hurtful articles, can be indulged in occasionally as “luxuries,” by those who profess to be looking for the return of the Master, then I fail to comprehend the character of the work in which we are engaged, and that of the people who make so high a profession. Slackness upon this point of present truth is indicative of the same respecting the whole of it; thus eternal life is endangered and the blood of souls is found upon the skirts of the garments. At this meeting three were baptized and five united with the Decatur church. We hope the time may soon come when the little company there may enjoy all the blessings and privileges of the Lord’s house. At Ceresco, the brethren were not in a condition to organize, but there was a good, healthy interest to hear from without, and effectual labor in the future will doubtless result in adding a number to the believers, when an organization can doubtless be perfected. May 12-19, at Stromsburg and Pleasant Home, seven miles apart, we had a good meeting. The believers at these places were united together and now form the Pleasant Home church, numbering nineteen members. Eleven of these were baptized, and twelve others are keeping the Sabbath, and have signed the covenant. When the plan of Systematic Benevolence was presented to them, they were anxious to adopt it, while we questioned its practicability on account of their destitute condition, caused by the desolating grasshoppers. May 21-23, at Smithland, Iowa, where Bro. Bartlett held meetings last winter. Here we organized a church of eleven members. On S. B. these and others signed liberally. Several others are keeping the Sabbath here, and we hope will soon be united fully with the church. May 29-30, met with the church at Victor, where we enjoyed a sweet season. The Lord met with us. Six were baptized and added to the church. Systematic Benevolence was raised from $111.00 to $188.00. To-day I return to the camp-ground, having spent but one Sabbath at home since last June. R. M. KILGORE. June 1, 1875. Tour in Missouri and Kansas.
By J. H. Rogers
PARTED with Bro. Cook at Nevada, Mo., April 19, as noticed in his last report. I went to Avilla, Jasper Co., to look after the cause there. Found the church in a terrible condition. This is one of the oldest churches in this Conference, and numbers among its members some of the oldest Sabbath-keepers in the State; yet they have been made weak in consequence of not walking in the light, and exercising true charity one for another. While some were too severe, others were too sensitive. Some had become discouraged, and had given up attending meeting. I labored with them about three weeks, publicly and from house to house, listening to, and adjusting trials. Oh, what work the enemy has for us when we “come down,” by giving heed to him! How important that we heed the counsel of the “True Witness” in living out this truth in the midst of a “crooked and perverse nation.” By a persistent and persevering effort we succeeded in restoring harmony and good will, accompanied by a spirit of confession, and of forgiveness toward one another. The reason our brethren often fail to accomplish anything in settling church trials is that they go at it in a partial manner, not having the Spirit of our loving Saviour, and instead of recovering any from the snare of the devil, they entangle them worse, and they become so badly soured that it becomes extremely doubtful whether they can be helped with all that can be done for them. From Avilla I went to Newton Co., May 6, accompanied by Bro. L. D. Santee, who designs to engage in the work of preaching the message, as the way may open. We spent a few days with the church there very agreeably in trying to instruct them in the way the Lord is leading this people by the light of the first message. These friends have been neglected. They need encouragement, and should be visited by those calculated to help them. Came back to Avilla, and started the 18th with Bro. Blanchard for his home in Labette Co., Kan. Spent Sabbath and first-day following with the church there. This church seem to be moving along in harmony. When I left, Bro. B. was preparing to join the Southern tent, which I found Brn. Cook and Lamont had pitched at Neosho Falls, Kan. Commenced meetings the 18th with a fair prospect and interest, although the feelings of the people are worked up to a degree of anxiety on account of the grasshoppers, which are utterly laying waste some portions of the country, consuming every vestige of green vegetation, the fruit, and everything. They are worst on the water courses, but are spreading out over the country, and will, in two or three weeks, be old enough to fly. Then it is hoped they will leave. But fearing for the worst, many are selling out and going back East. A restless spirit prevails everywhere among the people. After helping to plan for the best openings for tent labor in Southern Kansas and Missouri this season, I returned home the 24th to attend the “special meeting” in Daviess Co., Mo., appointed by Bro. White, and to see to many pressing matters of Conference business. Since the Review commenced to make its regular visits here about a year ago, there have been a good many investigating the subjects upon which it treats, and quite a stir has been made among the people. One man has been persuaded to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, and several others are deeply interested.191 We had a modern M. E. revival here during the past winter. There were over one hundred converts. The preacher, in his sermon three weeks ago, dealt a blow at Adventism by referring to its recent origin and declaring that they (the Seventh-day Adventists) are continually setting a time for the world to burn up. He said the last time they set was the 19th of April. I took occasion the next Sunday to read the article in the Review about Mr. Thurman's setting the time, and when the people saw that the preacher had misrepresented the question to them, the blow recoiled on his own cause. There are several of his members excited in favor of the truth. Come to Dakota and help us. G. W. P.
Elk Point, D. T., May 27, 1875. “The oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the
spirit of heaviness.” Isa. 61:3. “The oil of joy for mourning,”
My Lord has given to me;
He’s with me in my sorrow,
Whatever that sorrow be. “The garment of praise” is mine—
The thankful song of a heart
Assured that his lovingkindness
From it can never depart. “The spirit of heaviness” now
No longer my soul weighs down;
The day has dawned in brightness,
And the gloomy night has flown. I remember the wilderness
“Way-marks” I pass’d in review;
The “stones of help” are many,
Attesting that he is true. I recall the path I’ve trodden,
The way by which I’ve been led;
Faithful he is to his promise—
He lifts up my drooping head. My joy is an endless joy;
My garment can never decay;
My comfort and peace are lasting—
Old things have passed away. I’ll sing the love of my God—
His wonderful love to me,
Until I shall praise him above,
Through years of eternity.
—Sel. Bro. Canright writes, May 24, of the tent-meetings at Stockton, Cal., which have just closed:— “Many who attended were transient persons, who heard a few sermons and then went to other places; most of them took more or less books with them. I obtained nine paying subscribers for the Signs and one for Tidende; sold about $30 worth of books; many tracts and pamphlets, and gave away a great many. Some eighteen have commenced to keep the Sabbath, though we do not feel certain of all of them.” Bro. Van Horn reports, May 12, of the North Pacific Mission:— “The cause of the Lord is still steadily advancing in this part of the field. Those who have received the truth are generally in earnest and are bending their energies and means to advance the work. “Our last quarterly meeting was held in our new meeting-house in Walla Walla, the first Sabbath and Sunday in April. By comparing this meeting with the first one I held in this country, about one year before, I could not help noticing the contrast. Then, I saw about twenty Sabbath-keepers and a few others gathered in a small school-house near the Walla Walla River; now, there were assembled before me some seventy-five Sabbath-keepers with their children and others, making a congregation of one hundred and fifty or more. Instead of occupying a school-house in the country, we assembled in our large house of worship in the city of Walla Walla. Then, we had no Sabbath-school; now, we have the best one in this Valley. “Our people have entered heartily into the plan of Systematic Benevolence, and I do not know of a single dissenting voice among them. When they get their present burden of building off their hands they will be prepared to help by their means in other directions.” “My present conclusion regarding labor for the coming season is to remain in this upper country till after our next quarterly meeting, the 1st of July. Accordingly, I have pitched the tent in the little village of Waitsburg, W. T. I have already held six meetings with good interest, considering the rainy weather and the smallness of the place. We shall do what we can in new places till the quarterly meeting. The meeting-house will be completed by that time, and will then be dedicated. This will leave the work here in very good condition. “Should some one be sent to labor with me, we could ship the tent down to Portland, and, immediately following our quarterly meeting here, go down there to commence the work. By that time the rainy season will be over in the Willamette Valley, and we could probably run the tent there four months this season. “We hope to be directed by the providence of God in the work in this mission. Pray for us.” Arkansas, Wis., May 29, 1875
By D. Dowden
Since my last report, I have been at Burnside most of the time. Eld. Haggard (Disciple), my opponent in debate, came May 21, according to agreement. The questions discussed covered the ground of controversy between first-day and seventh-day keepers. He did all a man could do to oppose our position on the Sabbath, especially the view that it originated at creation. The last four sessions it became evident that his arguments had all been used. However, he labored on; though at one time he read two whole chapters and explained a great deal, then lectured on charity, obedience, &c. When he began his last affirmative, his labors were so hard, and so unavailing that I was truly sorry to see such earnest effort wasted on error. One thing has been gained by this discussion. There will be no more debating demanded in this part of the country on the Sabbath question. I did not seek the debate. I undertook it by the advice of very many of our people. God certainly blessed me during the debate. Eld. H. was anxious for the contest. He had never heard our faith preached; and his positions were wholly borrowed from Eld. Vogle. This debate convinces me that God will sustain his truth in the hands of his weakest servants, when his own glory and the good of the cause is the only thing sought by the one defending the truth. I am also sure we should never debate without receiving some token, in answer to humble, earnest prayer, that God wants his truth defended, and wants to use us as instruments in doing it. I think not one present at the debate, who was not decided before it took place, will say we lost anything in the undertaking. I hope when the truth has to be defended again some one else will be provided to defend it. Knowing my disposition, I feel it is true that debating will (unless I am careful) lead me from, instead of into, spirituality. D. DOWDEN. Arkansas, Wis., May 29, 1875
Highways and Hedges.
By Editor
“Go out into the highways and hedges.” SCATTERED all over the country, on the hills, among the woods, in back-roads and cross-lanes, are many who almost never hear the words of life. With too poor health or clothes, without conveyances to go, and often without the habit or inclination to seek the house of God, they pass their lifetimes neglected. In the central parts of the same towns sit Christian women reading the stories of martyrs and missionaries, till their imaginations glow, and they think their hearts warm with a missionary zeal. They wish they could do great things for Christ—how they could labor and suffer if they only had a field! They sew in the sewing-society, and occasionally for the distant missionaries or the city poor, and think, perhaps, that their alms-deeds, like those of Dorcas, should rise up in remembrance of them. They deplore their lack of “opportunities;” they wish they lived in a city, that they might be actively engaged in mission-schools. For want of some great work, many grow indolent and selfish, cherishing all manner of aches and nervous fancies. To such come the commands of our Saviour: “Gather up the fragments;” “Feed my sheep; feed my lambs.” We have often thought that these last simple commands of our Saviour to Peter were intended to rebuke his ambitious boasts. A little while before, he had been vaunting, “I am ready to go with thee both to prison and to death!” The common every-day duties were too little for Peter. He must do the miraculous; he would walk on the water; he would volunteer for martyrdom! In his mean denial and wicked blasphemy he had been taught how few sacrifices he could make—how little he could brave for Christ’s sake. Now, instead of a mission to mighty deeds, his Saviour only said, “Feed my lambs; feed my sheep.” His pride and ambition humbled, he must take the lowly place of the shepherd, watching and feeding the sheep and lambs of the fold. O Christian men and women! so heroic in fancy! so self-sacrificing in impulse! are you feeding the sheep? are you taking the tender lambs in your arms? are there not, within a few miles of your dwelling, scattered and wandering over the hills, many stray sheep, many neglected lambs? Now, in the spring and early summer is the time for such to be clothed, and urged to come to church and Sabbath-school. They cannot come through the inclemencies of winter, and later in the summer may not think it worth their trouble to begin for so short a time. Some help in the way of garments may be necessary as a center for their efforts; then encourage them to help themselves to the rest, if this is possible. Still, when all this is done, there will remain many who, through ill health, or with young children, or from other causes, cannot come to church. They receive no religious teaching, except, perhaps, from a chance tract, or the rare visit of a minister, yet “it is not the will of your Father in Heaven that one of these little ones should perish.” Here is missionary work for you, Christian sisters. Go to such as a Christian friend. Think what burdens they must bear! You find life sometimes pressing hard upon you, surrounded as you are with comforts and sustained by faith. Think what it must be to those who, crushed by poverty and affliction, are without pleasure in this life, or even hope in that which is to come! Talk with them; pray with them. Let them see that you feel that life consists not in the abundance of the things that one possesses; that you too find this world unsatisfactory, and that you seek a “better country”—“a heavenly.” You will find backslidden and discouraged Christians, whom you may help to reclaim or encourage. What would have been your own Christian character if you had had no more helps than they? You will find unhappy wives with worthless husbands, neglected and abused children, desolate widows, and still more desolate women who can look back on no tender memories of husband or child. They are people whose years pass in a dreary monotony, and whose only change is for the worse. Show them sympathy if you cannot bring them joy. Tell them of the precious sympathy of Christ, and of the tenderness of his invitation, “Come unto me, all ye that labor, and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” God grant us all the love of souls, and patient continuance in well-doing, that like our Master, we may go about doing good—feeling that we are sent to seek and to save that which was lost.—Ed. Joshua is in agony. The power that flung the walls of Jericho so flat has left the camp of Israel. A feeling of desolation and despair comes over him. Such darkness is terrible to one who has walked in the light and strength of God. Those who live on the low plain of a limping faith and partial communion know nothing of it. They are like men who have always lived under shadows, have never enjoyed the full glory of the sun, and are unable to appreciate its absence. But Joshua had been girded by Almighty strength, exalted by divine endowment, led by the Captain of the hosts of Heaven, and when his troops came back from Ai discomfited, a great horror of darkness came over him, or rather he was made conscious of its presence. For it had been growing upon the camp since the glorious events at Jericho, but they were so filled with the past that they forgot the present and did not realize that the Lord had hid his face. That error has been repeated a thousand times. Churches starve, thinking of former times of refreshing; Christians backslide by looking back to experiences of the past, and forgetting present needs and privileges. The sin of Achan was symptomatic. All Israel had lost faith and become presumptuous; had turned from trusting the Lord to trusting themselves. They showed that by their self-reliant effort to take Ai. And Joshua himself was involved in the same presumption, filled with self-trust, though so recently emptied of self and filled with God; and he also consented to the ambitious plans of his men. Achan's theft was the mature fruit of this great revival of self. Such revivals usually develop distinguished villains. He might have done the deed in any case, but was more likely to sin when all around were wavering. We have thought that Judas was aided in his crime by the spiritual languor that allowed the other disciples to sleep in Gethsemane, and Peter to deny his Lord in Pilate's Hall. A falling spiritual barometer is dangerous to men of easy morals. Achan stole the wedge of gold, and the royal robe of the king, richly wrought in Babylon, concentrated the sin of the hour in his own person and family, and received the wages of his guilt. Does not that heap of stones which was piled on Achan's body testify “unto this day?” The record stands that “one sinner destroyeth much good,” that one man hinders a whole church, turns back a whole army of workers. How often have we seen such results! What disgrace has been brought upon Zion by one false heart! What agony has been caused by one troublesome member? The exposure of Achan was alarming, and the wicked rejoiced. Men of Ai, no doubt, hovered around and laughed at the trouble in the camp. It did look discouraging, and many in Israel, very likely, prophesied failure. There were heart-searchings, tears, prayers, broken spirits, great sorrow in the camp, and that opened the way for the Lord. As the people humbled themselves, a mighty hand was outstretched to exalt them. In the hour of their discouragement the great Captain was preparing for victory; as self-trust was sinking, and self-strength vanishing, they were receiving power. There is never any trouble in increasing spiritual power if we can only empty out all carnal power. It is easy to lift Christians up, if we can only get them thoroughly down. The only reason the Lord cannot raise us higher, is because we refuse to go down lower. The route to the summit of grace is down through the valley of death to pride and selfishness. The churches everywhere need to go down, that they may go up; to be emptied of self, that they may be filled with Christ; to feel their weakness, that they may receive power; to be crushed, that they may be healed. They should all make a trip to Achor, and be troubled for their sins, that they may go in peace and victory.—Sel. Persevere to the End.
By D. Downer
“He that endureth to the end shall be saved.” Matt. 10:22. The above language was addressed to the apostles, but may with profit be applied to every child of God. Satan knows how useful a consistent follower of the Saviour is, and how much damage to the cause of Christ an inconsistent professor may do; and therefore he pierces the child of God, if it takes his last arrow. Many of the readers of this article have had longer experience than myself. You know how stern is the battle of religious life. The Christian’s life is a constant and unceasing warfare. He is always ploughing a stormy sea, and never resting till he reaches the port of glory. Perseverance is the scriptural mark of the true Christian. It is declared, “Ye shall know them by their fruits.” How are we to know a man’s fruits? By watching him every day for a week? No; be with him twenty years, and if by carefully watching, we see him constantly bearing in his life the fruits of the Spirit, we may conclude he is not a spasmodic Christian. A man has begun to build a house and has erected one side of it; do you consider him a builder if he stops there, and fails to cover it? The strength of Wellington consisted in this, that when a triumph had been achieved, he knew how to reap the harvest that had been sown in blood. And he only is a true conqueror, and shall be crowned at last, who continues till the war trumpet shall be blown no more. So, under God, conquest has made us what we are, and conquest must sustain us still. In this country there is hardly a person who has not had one or more religious spasms in his life. Common sense shows us that a man must hold on, or he cannot be saved, because the worst of men are those who begin, and then give up. If you would turn over the black pages of the records of villainy to find the son of perdition, where would you find him? Why, among the apostles. The man who wrought miracles sold his Master for thirty pieces of silver. Judas Iscariot betrayed the Son of man with a kiss. Simon believed, but he offered money for the Holy Ghost. The Scriptures are plain enough. I cannot see how people can give up who know the inspired words, “If any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.” What we have learned from Scripture has been confirmed by observation. There is one thing that startles me in reading the inspired record of olden time. It is that so many who professed Christianity and sinned, and whose sins have been recorded, were men old in years and experience. Lot when drunken was not a youth. There is David’s conduct in reference to Bathsheba—he was not a young man in the heat of passion. There is Peter, denying his Lord—he was no boy at the time. These were men of wisdom. “Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” If Satan cannot prevent us from serving God, he will try to prevent our perseverance in times of trial or suffering. Why be patient any longer? says he; curse God and die. You have always been poor since you were a Christian. Your business does not prosper. You cannot make money without doing as others do. Give it all up. Again, Satan says, Give up your doctrinal views. Why hold to them? Sensible men are getting more liberal. To be anything for the times is now popular. Oh! if I must perish, God grant that it may not be as an apostate. For our own sake, for the church’s sake, for Christ’s sake, let us endure to the end. We cannot persevere except it be by much watchfulness and care. Let us take all our actions to the closet, and walk and live as in the sight of God. We know where our strength lies. Oh! that we may all feel the importance of being faithful to the end. And when the great roll call takes place in Heaven, may both writer and reader respond; and may we join in ascribing “glory and majesty, dominion and power,” “to the only wise God our Saviour.” D. DOWNER. We have just received the following interesting letter from Bro. J. R. Purinton, Madison Co., Ohio:— “DEAR FRIENDS: I have distributed all the tracts I had among my friends, and I believe they will accomplish good. A young man who is a partner of mine is now keeping the Sabbath with me. We long to hear the gospel of Jesus proclaimed by one of our preachers. But we are in the hands of the living God. He who has opened our eyes and shown us the true path, will help us up the rugged way until all obstacles are overcome. Pray for us, that we may prove conquerors over sin and Satan, and at the last day receive a passport through the beautiful gates into the city. “The Health Reformer has proved a great blessing to us. My partner both chewed and smoked, and I was a perfect slave to a cigar. Since reading the Reformer and a tract upon the subject, we have thrown them all away—pipes, tobacco, and cigars. Thank God for the Reformer; for it is a blessing to all who will read and take warning.”