We have now briefly noticed some of the more important chains of events that have brought us down step by step to the great work of our High Priest in the tabernacle above. We have seen the door of that inner temple thrown open before us, and have obtained a deeper insight into the mysteries of salvation, and the plan and work of redemption, while beholding the entrance of our great High Priest therein, and his last act of ministration for rebellious man. While this is accomplishing, a last and final warning goes forth to a guilty world. Solemn thought! How few will avail themselves of the privileges now within their reach, till they are forever past!
The first two angels of Rev. xiv, brought us down to the commencement of the second division of the Sanctuary work. But a third angel follows them. Verse 9. The mission of this angel therefore is accomplished while this last work of the Sanctuary is closing: an examination of his message will show us that it has for its foundation this very work:
"And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation: and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: and the smoke of their torment ascendeth up forever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus." Rev. xiv, 9-12.
A denunciation of wrath more terrible cannot be found in the sacred Word. It becomes us every one therefore to examine it carefully, if we may ascertain against whom these threatenings stand. And hence the inquiries will arise, What is the beast? what is his image? what is his mark? and what is his worship? since it is the worshippers who will be the objects of God's unmingled displeasure; and further, why is there, in contradistinction to these, a little company spoken of, who keep the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus? These are inquiries which will each command our consideration.
Upon the chronology of this message we need not here speak; for whatever determines the time of the first and second messages of Rev. xiv, is equally applicable to any other which immediately follows; and upon their chronology we have already spoken. In order to an investigation of the other queries, the reader is requested to turn with us to the XIth chapter of the Revelation.
We have brought to view in this chapter, a power under the symbol of a great Red Dragon.
PAGAN ROME.
From the part which this power acts in reference to the man-child [verses 4, 5,] we understand it to be a symbol of Pagan Rome. Without any controversy Christ is brought to view by the man-child. It was Pagan Rome who stood before the woman to devour him as soon as he was born. It was Herod who sent forth and slew all the children in Bethlehem and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under. It was Pagan Rome that did finally nail Jesus Christ to the cross. But says one, the dragon is said to be the Devil. Verse 9. Very true; and we understand that Pagan Rome was represented by such a symbol for the very reason that it was so far controlled by and under the influence of that old serpent, the Devil.
In the following chapter we have another symbol brought to view; namely, a beast with the body of a leopard, feet of a bear, and mouth of a lion, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns. To this beast the Dragon gives his seat, his power and great authority. To whom did Pagan Rome give its seat (the city of Rome) and power, and great authority? Ans. To the Papacy. This fact alone is sufficient to prove to us that the Papacy is here introduced; but there are at least ten other specifications which furnish evidence to the same end:
PAPAL ROME.
1. The beast rises from the sea—the sea denoting "peoples, multitudes, nations and tongues." 2. It has seven heads, denoting the seven forms of government which have existed in the Roman empire. 3. It has ten horns, showing it to be identical with the fourth beast of Dan. vii, which all know symbolizes Rome. 4. The horns had each a crown, showing that the governments which sprung from the Roman empire would be monarchical. 5. This beast has the characteristics of the three first beasts of Dan. vii; namely, a leopard's body, a bear's feet, and a lion's mouth, showing its existence to be after those beasts had passed away, and making it again identical with the fourth of the series there presented. 6. It has power to make war with, and overcome the saints, the same as the little horn of Dan. vii, 25. 7. It opens its mouth in blasphemy, which is also said of the little horn. 8. It was to continue forty and two months, 1260 days, (years.) Just this length of time the Papacy did continue from its establishment in 538, till 1798, when it was for a time suppressed by the French. 9. This beast has one of its heads wounded to death. Thus was the Papacy wounded in the event just alluded to, when Berthier, a general of Bonaparte, took prisoner the Pope then occupying St. Peter's chair, and carried him into exile, where he died. 10. The deadly wound was to be healed. This was accomplished in Bonaparte's restoring the Papacy, but not to its former power.
These items are sufficient to fix the application of this symbol. But by reading on in the chapter [Rev. xiii] from verse 11, we find another beast introduced, having two horns like a lamb.
PROTESTANT AMERICA.
PROTESTANT AMERICA.
This beast is cotemporary with the one just spoken of; for it says [verse 12] that he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him: the word, before, signifying, in the presence of, in the sight of; which is the literal meaning of enopion, from which it is rendered.
Not to dwell at length on a subject which is explicitly treated of in our publications, we will only say that we have here a symbol of the United States of America. This will be apparent by considering, 1. Its location. 2. The manner of its rise. 3. The time of its rise. 4. Its character. 5. The form of its government, and, 6. Its acts. Its two horns may fitly denote the two great branches of power that exist in this country, commonly designated, Ecclesiastical and Civil, Religious and Political, Protestantism and Republicanism, or Church and State. These both are mild and lamb-like in appearance, but dragonic in their acts.
In regard to the two beasts brought to view in Rev. xiii, let one fact be borne in mind; and that is, that the Papal beast is always called the beast, or the first beast, while the two-horned beast is never designated by the term, beast, except in verse 11 where it is introduced as "another beast." It is thenceforward represented by the pronoun, he. It is this two-horned beast which causes an image to be made to the first or Papal beast. The Papal beast was a church clothed with civil power, or authority to punish and correct heretics. An image to this beast must bear some resemblance to it. It would be carried out in every respect by a Protestant Church endowed with similar privileges. Thus we gain a knowledge of some of the characters which act a part of the First Angel's Message.
(To be Continued.)
CAUSE IN THE WEST.
By James White
(Concluded.)
THIS leads to the consideration of another evil in the West, the past and present influence of which is like the pall of death wherever it is felt. We refer to the prevailing practice of owning too much land. This evil has been increased and strengthened by some who have moved from the East to the West. It was generally supposed that the brethren who moved West were actuated by a desire to serve God and his truth, and that their removal was but an effort to change their condition so that they could do more for the cause, and hold up the light to those who were in darkness. But what was our surprise and disappointment to see some of them either purchasing large farms, or else engaging in the most usurious practices in their worldly deal. The "warning" in a late number of the REVIEW will give some idea of the extent of these evils; but on some points they have scarcely been touched. And it is evidently the duty of some who have moved West, to acknowledge and confess their wrongs of close, penurious dealing, to remove the reproach which has been brought upon the cause. When men profess to resign the world and all its lusts to prepare to meet our coming King, and yet in the common transactions of life banter and cavil for the last penny, to buy at the cheapest rate, and sell at extortionate prices, to get gain and add to their earthly treasures, their course should be promptly rebuked and exposed, if they will not desist from their unrighteous ways. We have great reason to regret the want of consecration and of a spirit of sacrifice on the part of the believers in the West; but those moving from the East were looked to as examples in faith and practice, and with justice, too, as they had long enjoyed the light of the truth where its power had been wonderfully manifested, and the warnings and exhortations they received on going West were expected to have a salutary effect upon their lives. We are happy to know that these remarks will not apply to all who have thus changed their locations: some who have moved from the East are now striving to live out the truth; and may the Lord bless and direct their efforts to his own glory.
But the fact remains, and it is a general evil, too, that believers in the West, according to their means, own too much land. Many of them really suppose that they have not an acre too much; but they judge by a worldly standard, being guided by the practice of their neighbors who have not a faith and a hope like ours. In some cases the father owns to bestow on his children, thus bringing his faith down to their standard, and proving to them that he is not fully satisfied that the Lord will come and deprive them of its possession. In some cases the expectations of the children are placed on the land, and he dare not sell for fear of trouble; thus showing that he is not a follower of the faith of Abraham, who left all and commanded "his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord."
Suppose we hold a conversation with some believing farmer; the result is likely to be about as follows:5
A farmer must own a farm; without it he would be no farmer, raise no grain, and have no home for his family, or for a friend or brother on his way to and fro. All right, of course. "But tell us, brother Farmer, when a brother calls and stays with you, do you give him something to pay his Railroad fare, or to pay for his dinner when he stops among unbelievers?"
F. "Yes, if I have it. But times are hard, and grain is low, and it takes all I can spare to clothe my family. As for money, it is all I can do to pay my taxes. I owe on the Review, but hope to be able to pay it by and by."
"Taxes must be paid. How much land do you pay taxes on?"
F. "Eighty acres here and ten acres of timber." (The first item is often doubled.)
"How many acres do you cultivate?"
"I have forty acres improved." (This proportion is full large for men of limited means.)
"Now brother, look here. You believe the Lord is soon coming; you owe for your paper, and can do nothing for the cause. Your family is often deprived of the necessaries of life; it is hard work for you to pay your taxes, and if a preacher calls on you, perhaps he leaves without the means of getting to his next appointment, and yet you are paying taxes on forty (perhaps eighty or a hundred and twenty) acres of land that you never expect to use, and are deprived, yes, forever deprived of the use of the value of those uncultivated acres. Why do you not sell them?"
We shall not attempt to give the answer to this; for we know it would not be given without hesitation; and if he really knows his motive for keeping them, we fear the answer would be an evasion instead of a reason.
To show that we do not misapprehend the matter we will relate the facts of a case that came under our notice. A farmer professing the truth owned a farm of a hundred and sixty acres in Wisconsin. On the end of the uncultivated part a neighbor wished to buy twenty acres, which was the poorest part of his farm, but its situation made it desirable as an addition to his neighbor's farm. But this man professing a firm faith in the Lord's coming, at a time when the cause needed help, knowing that he could never cultivate all his land, refused to sell twenty acres for money, but would exchange it for twenty acres of richer soil joining another part of his farm! His reason was, that he did not wish to decrease the number of acres, as a hundred and sixty was small enough for a good farm, which, of course, was no reason at all. What we can actually use is what we actually want.
"If any man love the world the love of the Father is not in him?" Surely Satan triumphs. The deception is complete. Our master would not swerve from duty for all the world and all its honors; these jeopardize their eternal interests for a very small part of it. Nothing but zeal and repentance will save them from the dreadful fate of being spued out of the mouth of the Lord.
The question has been asked, Will there be a tent in Wisconsin this season? We do not think it at all probable. Unless they who have the ability to do something in that State, will take hold of the work and carry it on, we do not think such an enterprise can be sustained. Many in Wisconsin say they are, and have been, neglected; that the cause has been suffered to die out there for want of attention; while Michigan and some other States have more than a fair proportion of ministerial help. The consideration of a few facts may be profitable to such.
The cause in Michigan has been sustained by the sacrifice of some of the best farms in the State. Brethren were not content to bestow what they did not need, and retain for the world all they could use, but their entire possessions were sold and put into the cause. This was deemed fanaticism by some; but it is the kind of fanaticism that Christ and the apostles taught, that the primitive church practised, that will glorify God, advance his cause, and secure salvation. It is grievous in the extreme to hear brethren lament the low state of the cause in their neighborhood, and then talk of the folly of those who have sacrificed all for Christ. Those who give all for the truth may be counted fools here, but the following scriptures will show the company they belong to. Mark x, 29, 30; Heb. x, 33, 34; xi, 35, 37.
Again, the truth was first sent to Wisconsin by the friends in Michigan, and they have, to a great extent, sustained it there since, while it was sustained at all. A great many books have been purchased in this State, and sent there and circulated free, while the expenses of those who carried them were mostly paid here also. It has yet to be shown that a laborer can go there and devote himself energetically to the cause, going from place to place as the work demands, and have his expenses paid. How the cause can prosper so is a mystery. We verily believe God is ready to work, and will work for the West. But there must be a rising on the part of those that believe or the crown will be given to others who will bring forth the fruits of the kingdom.
Many really think that money cannot be raised on property in Wisconsin as it can be in Michigan. But facts prove the contrary. For selfish and worldly purposes very large sums of money are raised there. Within a few years there have been more miles of Railroad laid in that State, and the lines put in operation than the whole number now in operation in Michigan; and much of the money has been raised on the credit of the farmers. Some professed Advent believers have taken R. R. stock, by mortgage on their farms, for sums of from $500 to $1500. On these mortgages the money has been raised by which the roads have been constructed. "But R. R. stock is at a great discount." Yes, and so it will remain with all honest and sensible people. And how can it be otherwise? The mortgages are sold far below their face value. This shows that men are willing to risk their property in a speculation on a great shave; but are generally unwilling to "take a little stock in heaven" unless their possessions here can be thrown in at the highest value. Whether the pledge of a R. R. Company is better security than the word of God the "time of trouble" will determine.
There is no part of the country in which we feel a deeper interest than in Wisconsin; and every indication of a better state of things there we hail with joy. But we are well satisfied that the truths we speak must be appreciated and acted upon before the cause can prosper there. God will have a willing, a consecrated, a self-sacrificing people. "The great decisive day is at hand." It is too late to hold the truth in unrighteousness: to be satisfied with the theory without having it affect the heart. It must renovate and transform our whole being, or it will not preserve us from the tempter's snare, or shield us in the day of wrath.
We hope the waiting, scattered ones, who are "sighing and crying for the abominations done in the land," will steadily hold on to the promises, assured that they will soon see the salvation of God, and reap a rich reward if they faint not. And we hope the church at large will begin to earnestly pray the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers into the harvest, for the harvest indeed is plenteous, but the laborers are few. May fervent, effectual prayers be offered to that end. J. H. W.
MEETINGS IN SULLIVAN, INDIANA.
By M. E. Cornell
In this place we gave nineteen lectures, closing on the evening of the 4th inst. Many heard the testimony gladly, and searched the Scriptures to see if it was truth. Others mocked and said, He "deceiveth the people." The people were publicly advised to keep away from our meetings, in consequence of which together with the continued rains, our congregations were for the most part not very large; notwithstanding a goodly number acknowledged the truth and several resolved to walk in it.
While some popular professors disdained to speak to us, and signified to the rabble that "eggs were cheap," and they would not blame the boys if they "would egg the stranger out of town," &c., certain others very kindly invited us to share their hospitality while there; though chief-men (county officers, ministers and others) as they were, yet they "were not forgetful to entertain strangers," but condescended to give us shelter from the storm, and nourishment. O may all these obey the present truth that they also may be sheltered from that more dreadful storm of the seven last plagues, and their bread and water be sure in that terrible day.
The brethren in the vicinity appeared to be encouraged by our visit among them; may they take a new start, and in view of the signs of the times be more careful to keep the Sabbath holy, and be like men that wait for their Lord.
It is said that one characteristic of that people is to "investigate slowly and cautiously, but that when once decided, they are as immovable as the rocks." To be firm when decided is well, but we may remind them that the last message requires haste. See Zeph. ii, 1–3; also the example of David, "I made haste and delayed not to keep thy commandments." Ps. cxix, 60.
M. E. CORNELL.
Battle Creek, May 15th, 1858.
P. S. Agreeably to Bro. Loughborough's request I called at North Liberty, where he had recently given lectures, and several had become deeply interested. I held four meetings with them, and was encouraged by hearing several say that they must keep the Sabbath. Several more are still investigating. I learned that many were desirous that Bro. Loughborough should return and complete his course of lectures. M. E. C.
Chinese Aphorisms.
The error of a moment becomes the sorrow of a whole life.
The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials.
Between two parties, do not speak swords here, and flatteries there.
Carelessness gives temptation to dishonesty.
The man who combats himself, will be happier than he who contends with others.
A man need only correct himself with the same rigor that he reprehends others; and excuse others with the same indulgence that he shows to himself.
Envy not those who have, nor despise those who have not.
Do not despise the good things of Providence.
Domestic failings should not be published.
Let every man sweep the snow from before his own doors, and not busy himself about the frost on his neighbor's tiles.
The more talents are exercised, the more they will be developed.
The torment of envy is like a grain of sand in the eye.
Complain not of heaven, and blame not men.
Do not deceive and oppress the orphan and widow.
Be not proud of wealth, nor complain of poverty.
He who does not soar high, will suffer less by a fall.
Do not wrongfully accuse any one.
Though the life of a man falls short of a hundred years, he gives himself as much pain and anxiety as if he were to live a thousand.—Sel.
Prayer
By Isaac Watts
PRAYER is a retirement from earth to attend on God, and hold correspondence with Him that dwells in heaven. The things of the world, therefore, must be commanded to stand by for a season, and to abide at the foot of the mount, while we walk up higher to offer up our sacrifices as Abraham did, and to meet our God.—Watts.
Avoiding Evil Conversation
If you do not wish to speak ill of any, do not delight to hear ill of them. Give no countenance to busy-bodies, and those that love to talk of other men's faults; or if you cannot decently reprove them on account of their quality, then direct the discourse some other way; or if you cannot do that, by seeming not to mind it, you may sufficiently signify that you do not like it.—Sel.
LETTERS.
By T. J. Butler
"Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another."
From Bro. Butler.
BRO. SMITH: I wish to say to you that the saints here are trying to struggle out into the clear sunlight of the present truth, and I am happy to say that I believe they are making some progress; and though some have gone back like the dog to his vomit, or the sow to her wallowing in the mire, yet most of those who took a stand on the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus, appear to be stripping for the race, and are not inclined to draw back unto perdition, but rather to believe to the saving of the soul.
The little band of believers in Gilboa is still occasionally reinforced by a fresh recruit of honest, watchful ones, who see prophecy fulfilling, and whose spiritual vision is clear enough to see that the lowering clouds of retributive vengeance are gathering thick and portentous over the fated city, (Babylon,) and who are anxious to flee to the ark of refuge (Commandments of God and Faith of Jesus) for safety, before that cloud shall burst, hurling its thunderbolts of divine wrath at the great city and its guilty inhabitants, and pouring out the seven awful plagues. Rev. xvi.
O, who so blind as not to see the great and fearful corruption of Babylon? Who so blind as not to see her deeds of fraud and extortion? She has through her priests defrauded many innocent and unsuspecting souls out of the Lord's Sabbath, by substituting a counterfeit. She has defrauded many by supplanting the Commandments of God by those of men. Not only so, but she has even condescended to defraud those who have dealt with her in temporal matters. In Lev. xix, 13; Mark x, 19, we are told not to defraud; but notwithstanding these scriptures and the injunction of the golden rule, also Matt. vii, 12, yet she has with the brazen effrontery of her father, closed the doors of the three temples in this place against us, while at the same time we have some hundreds of dollars of property in said temples. Such a circumstance in the common transactions of social life would be considered a brutish, unprincipled outrage, but when done by the tyrannizing priests and people of Babylon, under the garb of sectarian holiness, it makes all the difference imaginable, and sugar-coats the pill so as to make it palatable. But what book, chapter and verse, in God's holy Bible gives the followers of the meek and holy Lamb authority to defraud any sooner than men of the world. What! one part of community close the church doors against another part, who have an investment of $200,00, in the same? and has such tyranny, such usurpation, become a matter to be tolerated in the professed church of Jesus Christ? Which one of the apostles or primitive churches do we have for an example in such things? And shut us out? for what reason? O, can it be possible? is it so? One professed child of God shut doors and defraud another, and that, too, for keeping God's holy Sabbath? If the righteous scarcely are saved, where shall the sinner and ungodly appear?
But while we view the deformity of Babylon, God forbid that we should lose sight of ourselves. May we be vigilant, active, watchful, and sober. Jesus is soon coming; fulfilling signs portend it, and shall we arise now and get ready to meet him? O may God enable us all to be found standing at our posts, faithfully discharging every duty devolving on us in the various relations which we sustain to God, his holy cause and each other.
T. J. BUTLER.
Gilboa, Ohio, May 7th, 1858.
J. HART
By J. Hart
From Bro. Hart.
BRO. SMITH: I have been thinking it might be my duty to say a few words through the Review in reference to the past, as well as the future. Discouragements of different kinds have been a hindrance to the progress of the spread of the truth, as many had anticipated. Some of those hindrances seemed to be unavoidable, while others seemed to be a lack on the part of us who ought to have been in the battle to sustain it by our godly life, and of those things that we have been made stewards over. There has been a fault in this which requires a reform for two reasons: 1. to secure the favor of God, and, 2. that those that come to labor with us from other States may be sustained while with us, at least. Discouragement of course must follow where a messenger goes out on a mission and does not get sustained. We have called for help; and then not to sustain that help is a course that would look unjust among men; but how shall we bear it as those that profess to be the peculiar people that God is purifying and fitting up for translation. Think of it, brethren and sisters, and let us ask ourselves if we cannot effect a reform in this so as to secure the blessing of God and the confidence of those that are called to speak the last note of warning to the world. The General Conference at Battle Creek will undoubtedly make arrangements for the season that is before us, for those that are called to speak the word to a perishing world.
Dear brethren and sisters in the West, do we wish to secure the labors of some of the servants of God in this wide field in the West, or not? It seems as though it was our duty to say that we wish them to come and we will sustain them, or that we are poor and cannot, or that we are covetous and will not. Come brethren, let us speak. Will you do anything for such an enterprise? It seems as though I could hear some, at least, say, Yes, I will enclose five dollars to help bear the expenses of any brother, or brethren that the conference may see fit to send into the Western States. Brethren, if you wish for laborers, send the request and the means to help them along, and also something to take care of their families while they are absent.
J. HART
Round Grove, Ills.
Supporting the Advent Cause
By Alvarez Pierce
From Bro. Pierce.
BRO. SMITH: In the last Review, (No. 22,) I saw an article headed, "The Poor," and in reading it my heart was moved with some compassion. Being a poor man myself, perhaps I was a little more sensitive, as I have but very little of the things of this world. My heart is often pained also in reading some of the articles, where it becomes the duty of the Publishing Committee to insert what is called a "dun," which never ought to be in any religious paper, much less in ours, as we profess to be publishing the last notes of warning to a fallen and corrupt church, and a guilty world. And then to see some of our brethren holding on to the things of this world with almost an unyielding grasp, and still professing to believe the Third Angel's Message; such principles look too antagonistic to be consistent with truth.
We profess to be strangers and pilgrims on the earth, and looking for a city which hath foundations, whose maker and builder is God. I have stated once before in another communication that I believed the Advent cause was God's cause, and that there was means enough in the church to carry on all that God7requires of it. I will now state that the cause is not only God's, but the means are his also, and he will have it; and if those who have it are unwilling to lend their support, he will leave them and raise up those who will. God's cause must, and will, move forward. Yes, my dear brethren, I want to see an apostolic church, and it must come to that before Jesus will own it before his Father and the holy angels, though you and I may be spued out of his mouth, and left to our idols here.
I have stated that I was poor, and it is often hard for me to raise money for the paper, but as I believe it publishes the truth, I am unwilling to receive it without pay. It is also all the preaching I have, and in reading over the communications from brethren and sisters, I often feel as though I were seated in some warm-hearted prayer-meeting, where Jesus sits at the head of the feast, and his banner over us is love.
O brethren, I feel that in some way there ought to be an equality, and that all the burden should not rest on a few. When I have read the self-sacrificing principles of those who were first in the present truth, who were not only willing to forego ease and comfort, but worked with their own hands to procure means to spread the message, I often feel pained to think that I can do so little in the cause.
Yours patiently waiting for the end.
ALVAREZ PIERCE.
Eldora, Iowa, Apr. 26th, 1858.
THE GREAT DECISIVE DAY
[By Request.]
THE GREAT DECISIVE DAY.
"Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision."
THE great decisive day is at hand—is at hand!
The great decisive day is at hand:
The day when Christ will come,
To call his children home,
And to seal the sinner's doom,
Is at hand, is at hand;
And to seal the sinner's doom, is at hand.
Those who made his crown of thorns will be there—
will he there!
Those who made his crown of thorns will be there:
Those who smote him with the reed,
Upon his sacred head,
And made his temples bleed,
Will be there, will be there.
And made his temples bleed, will be there,
Where will the sinner hide in that day—in that day?
Where will the sinner hide in that day?
It will be in vain to call
Ye mountains on us fall,
For his hand will find out all
In that day, in that day;
For his hand will find out all, in that day.—Sel.
E. G. HARDESTY
By E. G. Hardesty
From Bro. Hardesty.
Bro. Smith: It was said by the apostle Paul, (and it still stands good, I believe,) without holiness no man can see the Lord. Now if this be true many thousand professors of religion will come very far short of inheriting the coming kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Saviour also said, "Not every one that saith, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." We must be found keeping all the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus, and this can only be done by a pure heart and fervent mind. We must have an eye single to the glory of God, and a living experience in holy things. O, I am fearful that there are too many (even among us) who only have a form of godliness,
Dear brethren and sisters, let us look well to the matter. Are we doing all that we can to promote our present spiritual and eternal interest. Are we sacrificing our worldly aggrandizements? Are we giving of our substance all that we can to extend the present truth in these last days? It will not be long that we shall have use for farms, herds of cattle, gold and silver; and none of these, or all put together, will save any of us. What was true in the days of the Saviour is also true yet, "how hard for those who have riches to enter into the kingdom of heaven."
In conclusion, let me say to one and all, let us be ready, for the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night. (I suppose this means, to those who are not looking for him.) For when they cry, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction will overtake them. Let us not be found among those sleeping, but watching unto prayer.
E. G. HARDESTY
Gilboa, Ohio, May 7th, 1853.
Awakening to Righteousness
By E. Chaffee
From Bro. Chaffee.
Bro. Smith : It is just five years since I first commenced keeping the fourth commandment, and I have thought that I was keeping all the commandments of God. But the past Winter I found by examining my own heart, and comparing myself with the Bible, the true standard, that I was not right in the sight of God, and by his grace assisting I determined to get right.
I found that I was far from keeping the first commandment. I knew that I did not love the Lord with all my heart. I loved the world and the things that are in the world, more than I did the Lord. I clung to my old hope, but I found that my hope was not like an anchor to the soul, sure and steadfast. But glory to God! now I have my hope renewed day by day, and feel to mount as on the wings of eagles, run and not get weary, walk and not faint. I want a pure heart before God. There are great responsibilities resting upon God's children. We must awake to righteousness.
E. Chaffee.
Ordino, Wis., Apr 28th, 1858.
DE WITT CRANDALL
By De Witt Crandall
From Bro. Crandall.
BRO. SMITH: Enclosed is one dollar for a volume of the Review. I have been keeping the Sabbath of the Lord since last August, and I find it a pleasure to obey all the commandments of God. I feel as though we were living in perilous times, when men will not endure sound doctrine; and instead of the narrow way which leads to eternal life, they choose the broad way with the multitude. I fear that many who are putting their trust in men are being deceived in relation to the great truths of the Bible.
There is a little company here of those who are looking for the soon coming of the Lord, but there are those round about us who are crying peace and safety. "A thousand years will Satan be bound," say they, "and the world will be converted." O may the Lord save us from these delusions, and enable us to get the victory over the beast, and his image, and over his mark, and the number of his name.
