LAST Sunday, Jan. 24, I listened to a discourse from an infidel Spiritualist, who used to be known among S. D. Adventists as "Elder" Moses Hull.
His subject was "the ministration of angels," a favorite theme of his when he was "on the Lord's side." As he began, he amused himself awhile by telling how badly he was persecuted, how certain "fifteen-cent books" were out against him, what his present position really was, &c., and then he passed on to his subject at a smart pace. Here we learned many new things;—how that "Adam was not the first man, nor Abel the first martyr;" that there were human beings dwelling on this mundane ball "fifty thousand years ago;" that "Jesus Christ was the Son of God, and so were all God's children;" that the prophet Elisha was a "clairvoyant medium," and could see the guardian spirits in the mountain, when his servant was so terribly frightened by the Syrian army who came to Dothan to take them; that Jesus of Nazareth was the "legitimate son of Joseph;" that the case of the three Hebrew worthies being cast into the fiery furnace might be true, for a certain spirit medium had held his finger in a kerosene lamp five minutes, and it did not even raise a blister, it having been enveloped in a tissue of electricity by the spirits; we learned how angels were made; that just as fast as men and women in the flesh die, they pass off from this stage of action into the spheres, and there they turn to angels, and then come back to rap, tip, communicate, and sometimes make matrimonial alliances; we learned that the walls of Jericho were pushed over by the spirits, and that the entire circumstance was simply a "physical manifestation;" we learned that the resurrection took place in the days of Abraham, that every time a man dies there is a resurrection; we learned that the Bible as a book was full of errors, partly true and partly false; that there is an inspiration in these days "far outstretching it," and that the gentleman who addressed us was then laboring under inspiration; but—but, dear reader, this is not all we learned. Before this apostate speaker ended, before he pronounced the benediction, and committed the audience to the fostering care of "the spirits," as he did, he told the congregation that the Jehovah of the Old Testament was the departed spirit of a dead man!
Here was progression of the most atheistic type; here was the demon of Spiritualism fairly unmasked. Never before had I been able to explain one passage in Jude's short epistle—"denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ." Verse 4. I knew that all infidels, and Spiritualists, as a body, denied Christ; but not till then had I seen a person who had the audacity to deny the "only Lord God," and make him a common man. I had read of such in the mad frothings of Tom Paine, Trent, and others, but Moses Hull was the first man I ever heard affirm it. Fearing I might some way be mistaken, although a brother at my side had the statement in phonography, I accosted him a day or two after in the street, when he maintained the position with more spirit than he did in the hall, where it was spoken in the hearing of several hundred. He then told me that he could prove it from the Bible, from history, and from other sources, which last I could not deny, for what can't be proved by the spirits! Also he said that he did believe in a Supreme Being, one who governed the universe, but he was not fully revealed in the Bible!
But why should we particularize more about a man who has ignored every point of faith dear to the child of God, and who is doing his master's work as fast as the Devil can hurry him? Let us be glad that this disciple of Jannes and Jambres has been developed, and that he is now where he can "rail on the Lord God of Israel, and speak against him," 2 Chron. xxxii, 17, without being particularly dangerous to the cause.
G. W. A.
Are the Dead Conscious? No. 5.
By R. F. Cottrell
In Ps. lxxxviii, David addresses the Lord as follows: "Wilt thou shew wonders to the dead? shall the dead arise and praise thee? Selah. Shall thy lovingkindness be declared in the grave? or thy faithfulness in destruction? Shall thy wonders be known in the dark? and thy righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?" Verses 10-12.
This representation of the state of death as the land of forgetfulness is either true or false. If it is true, a man knows less when he enters that state than he did before. If some things are forgotten, all things may be. But immortality is subject to neither death nor decay. Do you say, It is the body only that goes into this unconscious state—this state of forgetfulness? I ask, To which does the power of memory belong, to the body, or to the soul? You do not claim that the body, when separated from the soul, can remember or think or exercise any mental power, whatever. Then the body, according to your own theory, does not become forgetful at death, for it has no knowledge to forget. The conclusion then is inevitable, that the soul—that part of man which thinks and remembers—goes into the land of forgetfulness, or, in other words, forgets its knowledge at death.
Hence the Psalmist says, "Wilt thou shew wonders to the dead? shall the dead arise and praise thee?" If the immortal souls of the dead are in a state of conscious happiness, it would be no wonder if they should praise the Lord. It would be a greater wonder if they did not. With this view the poet harmonizes when he says,
"I'll praise my Maker while I've breath,
And when my voice is lost in death,
Praise shall employ my nobler powers."
And David, doubtless, would have sung to the same strain, had he believed that the dead are conscious; for he says, "I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being." Ps. cxlvi, 2. According to the popular theory, the dead have a being no less than the living; and while this conscious being lasts, good men like David, will praise the Lord. But says the Psalmist, "The dead praise not the Lord, neither any that go down into silence." cxv, 17. When a good man dies, he ceases to praise the Lord; but this he will not do, while consciousness lasts; therefore the dead are unconscious.
"The dead praise not the Lord." This is a direct and positive testimony concerning the state of the dead. There is no such testimony to the contrary. All on the other side are mere, unnecessary inferences from texts that do not testify anything concerning the state of the dead. Let opponents bring forward the texts which affirm that the dead have knowledge, that they are praising the Lord, that they do not "go down into silence," but ascend to the presence of God, where there is "fullness of joy." No such texts can be found. But we have direct testimonies, which positively affirm all that we believe on the subject. We have no desire for anything to be added to make it plainer. We cannot express our faith better than to use precisely the language of the Bible.
No quibbling, founded upon a supposed double entity, can meet these testimonies of inspiration. The Bible speaks of dead men; and there is such a thing, or there is not. The Bible being true, there is, though the spiritualistic theory declares,
"There is no death; what seems such is transition."
Death, say they, is merely a separation of the soul77and body. Let it be so, and using the term soul merely to signify life, it is so. But let our opponents have it their own way. Let death mean a separation of soul and body. In that separate state then, the state in which men are called dead, they do praise the Lord, or they do not. The Bible being true, they do not. But there is no reason why good men should cease to praise him as long as they have a conscious existence and are able to do so. The language of the man of God is, "While I live will I praise the Lord; I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being." The only reason then why the pious dead do not praise the Lord, is the want of a being in which it is possible to praise him. The living praise the Lord; the dead do not; they are gone down into silence.
Dr. Rice on the Seven Seals.
By M. E. Cornell
BRO. WHITE: While in Boston, I listened to a lecture on the Seven Seals of Revelation chapter six, by the celebrated Dr. N. L. Rice of New York city. I had read Dr. Rice's Discussion with A. Campbell, and was interested to know what so learned a man would say of the Signs of the Times.
I can only give some of the leading features of the discourse from my notes. The lecture was introduced by some very good remarks on the "more sure word of prophecy," and the following rules given: 1. All interpretations, to be correct, must be in harmony with the general plan of God in saving men. 2. There are three distinct classes of influences to be considered, namely, The Gracious, Ordinary and Extraordinary providences.
1. Keep in view the fact that prophecy is the history of the church to the end of time. That kingdoms are only noticed as they affect the church. But secular history only refers to the church as it affects the civil power.
2. The common view, that the Seals reach to Constantine, the Trumpets reach further on, and the Vials complete the whole, cannot be correct.
The symbols represent seven periods of this age. The number seven signifies perfection, completeness. Each class of symbols must be understood to complete the history of the power or influence represented. A voice was heard saying "It is done." The trumpets are constantly used to represent the commotions of the Nations. Trumpets call to arms. But seals are the Ecclesiastical history of the church. The Vials are God's judgments on the wicked.
3. First Seal. "White horse." "Go forth," where? No limit. The gospel was to all the world. Not so with the trumpets. They were limited to certain parts. White horse could not be a fit symbol of bloody wars, as some have said. It represents Evangelical period. Bow and Crown, the peaceful conquests of the Gospel in its purity. Gospel was the power of God to salvation.
4. Second Seal. "Red Horse." How different this symbol! It represents a secular period, or union of church and state. Constantine aided the clergy and put them under obligations to him. He legislated for the church, called the Council of Nice, and was most prominent in that council. Constantine had the glory of tearing down the heathen temples, not the Gospel. The state had the glory instead of the church. Constantine made decrees against some errors, and was praised, and suffered to go on and introduce many errors, and oppose some important truths.
Controversies arose, and when a new Emperor took the throne, there was a rush of the clergy to get him on the side of their peculiar tenets. Mosheim says of this period, "There was continual war, and trouble."
5. Third Seal. "Black Horse." If this represents famine, as some expositors say, it was a famine for hearing the true word of God. It was the superstitious period, from the 7th to the 10th cent. A time of great darkness. Corruption of sacraments, masses for the dead, Purgatory, Worship of Saints and Angels, Images, Pictures and Relics, Taking Pilgrimages after bones of Apostles. &c. Men could not be saved without some of these sacraments, therefore not without a priest. The historians say a gross darkness hid almost every truth. The Popes of the 10th cent. were "monsters not men."
6. Fourth Seal. "Pale Horse." Death. This was the fanatical period. The church becomes a destroyer. Consider the Crusades. Millions perished in the fanatical effort to drive the Mahometan from the holy land. They promised that those who died in the war should never see purgatory.
7. Fifth Seal. "Souls under the altar." They are crying to God. This earnest pleading will avail. It does not indicate a greater persecution at hand, as some say, but that in a "little season," the Reformation would quell the persecution. God heard and delivered. Luther came. Salvation by faith was again preached with power. Israel cried for deliverance, and it came.
8. Sixth and Seventh Seals. Great changes. Universal agitation. The world never was so excited as in the last sixty years. A time of wonderful inventions. Gospel preached in all the world. The greatest and most general commotion is yet future. Mahometanism must go down, the balance of power will be destroyed, and universal war will be the result. All the powers of the earth cannot prevent it. Commotions and troubles without a parallel await this generation. Those who now live will soon see strange things. The trouble is not in the distant future; it is right upon us. No excuse for doubts now.
It is difficult to tell exactly where one period ends, and another begins. The transition is gradual. Time is required to accomplish the changes. The periods blend together like the colors of the rainbow.
The Dr. concluded with a solemn exhortation to prepare for the coming judgments, but comforted the people with the idea of a reign of peace to follow the terrible troubles now pending. The people listened with some interest, but appeared quite indifferent to the solemn appeals to be awake in this time. Of course they did not appreciate the sentiments in their fullness. They could endure it for an evening, as a lecture by Dr. Rice, but under other circumstances it would have been too much like Millerism.
M. E. CORNELL.
Report from Bro. Byington.
By John Byington
Bro. White: We have met with churches as follows: Sabbath and first-day, Nov. 28, & 29, at Locke, we had good meetings and were happy to learn that the teacher and scholars who started to obey all the truth about a year ago, were proving faithful. May parents in Locke be faithful to their children.
Dec. 5 and 6, met with the churches of Charlotte, Windsor and Oneida at the school-house near Bro. Allen's. Had good meetings. Brethren here are united and striving to overcome. The two following Sabbaths, we spent with the church in Battle Creek, the last of which, after talking a little while to our Brn. on the trial of our faith, we listened to remarks from Bro. and Sister White on the sickness and death of their son. Though sorrowing, yet rejoicing that their son had left a good evidence of being ready and had escaped the snares of this wicked world.
The 26th and 27th, met with the church at Parkville and Brn. from other places. Here our Brn., were proving faithful, except a few individuals who by their imprudence were having their good, evil spoken of. May they take warning.
Jan. 2, 1864, a cold day and a short meeting in the Methodist meeting-house in Burlington. But few present.
The 9th and 10th met with Brn. in Memphis. Here a church was organized of 55 members, all, we trust, united in the faith and spirit. Also all gave their names for S. B. and a treasurer was appointed and a monthly meeting. Also the first steps were taken for the organization of a legal society. They now hold meetings in their new meeting-house, though not finished. May the Lord keep this church in the unity of the faith.
Sabbath, 16th, met with the church in Convis. Here our Brn. have no place to meet but a private house. We hope they will soon unite their efforts in erecting a place of worship.
The sickness of my daughter-in-law, wife of J. F. Byington, has brought me and my daughter Martha to Cleveland, Ohio, where we shall remain over the Sabbath. Through a kind providence the disease is being overcome and her health improving. May the Lord direct as to duty in the future.
JOHN BYINGTON.
Cleveland, Ohio, Jan. 22, 1864.
The Eighth Head of the Beast.
Is the eighth head of the beast, Rev. xvii, a civil, or an ecclesiastical sovereign? Some writers think that the symbolic beasts of Daniel's and John's visions, represent only the civil power; but they generally admit that the ten-horned beasts of Rev. xiii, and xvii, and Dan. vii, represent papal Rome, and are synonymous; and that the "little horn" of Dan. vii, signifies the papal sovereigns. The government of papal Rome was administered by ecclesiastics. Hence, the head of the beast must be an ecclesiastical sovereign. The popes were not only the sovereigns of Rome, but were supreme lords over kings and emperors, and were regarded as the highest potentates of the world. The Scriptures, and the history of the popes, both confirm this statement. See Dan. vii, 8, 20, 21; xi, 36; 2 Thess. ii, 4; Rev. xiii, 7, 8. "Power was given unto him over all kindreds, nations and tongues. And all shall worship (or honor) him," &c.
But the question is, concerning the eighth head of the beast. The eighth is the last of the series; and it is evident that the "ten horns" belong to this head, and are cotemporary. The angel's explanation to John will give some light upon this subject. "The beast that thou sawest, was, and is not." John was "carried away in the spirit by the angel into the wilderness." There he saw this scarlet ten-horned beast, and a woman sitting upon the beast. He saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and martyrs of Jesus. Where is this wilderness? It was "the place prepared of God," for the nourishment of his saints during the papal persecution, within the period of the 1260 years, that the saints were given into the hands of the little horn. Rev. xii, 6, 14; Dan. vii, 25. Here is conclusive evidence that the beast that John saw, viz., that was, and is not, and even is the eighth, was papal Rome. How can it be shown that that beast was papal Rome? Papal Rome was the revival of the old Roman empire by the popes; it was an image to imperial Rome. The Roman emperors were the sovereign pontiffs, so also were the popes. The papal religion was precisely the same as it was in the days of Constantine and the Christian emperors. It was the religion of pagan imperial Rome christianized. Many of the old pagan deities were worshiped by the papists.
When the western empire fell in A. D. 476, Rome fell into the hands of barbarian kings, who continued "a short space" the rulers of Rome, about 62 years; and the beast, or imperial Rome, was not, during this short period. In A. D. 538 the dignity of the sovereign pontificate was legally conferred on the pope, when the emperor Justinian constituted him the head of all the holy churches. Then the beast that was—the old Roman empire and its religion, was revived under the administration of the popes.
"The beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition." Verse 11. Then papal Rome is the eighth head, and is of the seven.
It is generally conceded that the empire of the Cæsars, was the sixth head; the seventh was the next head in order, which continued "a short space;" then followed the papal empire, based upon ten horns, or kings, who protected the papal throne, and enforced the papal religion, and the commands of the pope.
The seventh head was the embryo state of the papal empire. During this period the western kings were mostly converted, or subjugated to the pope. The eighth was the grand organization of the papal empire perfected; and it continued until the papal head received "a deadly wound by a sword," in 1798; but it "did live," and "was healed;" for the little horn, which is a symbol of the papal sovereigns, is to "speak great words," and make war with the saints, just before he goes into perdition. Dan. vii, 11, 21, 22.78According to "popular opinion," Louis Napoleon will become the eighth head. But we should remember that France is one of the ten horns; and there is no evidence from the Bible that any of the horns of Rome will ever become heads. The head of Rome is an ecclesiastical sovereign; the kings or emperors are civil powers. Louis Napoleon is now a horn of the pope; he is protecting the pope and his throne, with an army at Rome. So did Austria also, from 1815 to 1848; and so also did the loyal Roman Catholic kings and emperors in former times. The elder Napoleon, as the head of France and other papal States, fulfilled the prophecy of Rev. xvii, 16. "The ten horns shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate, and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire."
O. N.
Dorchester, Mass.
Characteristics of the Last Church.
By James White
Bro. White: I think I can safely say that my interest in present truth is in no way diminishing, but rather increasing. I believe that the third angel's message is a reality, abundantly sustained by Scripture testimony. And I begin to feel that I am rooted and grounded in it.
If I understand the word of God, the last generation of the true church have some of their characteristics pointed out so plainly as not to be easily mistaken. First, it is said of them that they keep the commandments of God. And second, that they have the spirit of prophecy. See Rev. xii, 17, and xix, 10. We have a right to use the definition in the place of the words "testimony of Jesus."
In the light of these prophetic declarations, how can we claim that this is the last generation, or how can we look for the coming of our Lord unless we can find somewhere a people who do keep the commandments of God, and do absolutely have the testimony of Jesus Christ, which is the spirit of prophecy?
Now let us start out with the candle of the Lord in our hand, to see if we can find such a people. We come first to the so-called orthodox churches, and we find them universally breaking one at least of the commandments of God, and generally denying that the spirit of prophecy is to have any place in the church. Seventh-day Baptists profess to keep the commandments of God, but when we inquire after the other specification, we do not find any evidence of the spirit of prophecy manifest among them. Not knowing of any others that can claim to fill these specifications, we come next to the Seventh-day Adventists. And on this point I want to call a vote, and all Adventists are entitled to vote on this question; and especially those that keep the Sabbath are bound to decide, yea or nay.
Now, brethren, don't claim that Christ is soon coming, or try to comfort your own hearts or any one else with the idea that this generation of men shall see their coming Lord, unless you can point out to us somewhere, a people that are keeping the commandments of God and do have the spirit of prophecy manifest among them.
For, remember, the remnant of the true church whenever and wherever it is found, is keeping the law of God, and does have the spirit of prophecy. And these are to be made to stand out so prominent, and have so much practical importance, that the Devil singles them out as special objects of hatred, and goes to make war on their account. Now to the question. Do we find both these specifications filled by the Seventh-day Adventists? We find them keeping more commandments than other men, and plenty of warfare in consequence of it. So far all well; but we must apply the other test; for unless we do have this other characteristic also, viz., the spirit of prophecy, one of two things is certain: either this is not the last generation, the remnant, or we are not the true people of God. In either case our whole Advent faith falls to the ground.
But to the question. Is the spirit of prophecy among the Advent people?
On this point we find something that claims our attention as the spirit of prophecy. By it, things have been revealed that were not known by any ordinary means of information; not to gratify a vain curiosity, but where the cause of God demanded it. Many who were striving to do the will of God have been reproved, corrected and counseled, for their good, the glory of God, and the good of others. By it, persons who were corrupt, yet acting under the cloak of religion, have been exposed, and thus true, honest worshipers of God saved from being imposed upon and injured. It leads to holy living; it leads us to love and prize the Bible more; the most humble and devoted may be comforted and encouraged, and yet feel warned and admonished by its teaching. And those best acquainted with it, have the most confidence in it. We believe it answers in a great degree, or in other words it is very effectual, in the work for which Paul declares the gifts of the Spirit were set in the church. Eph. iv, 12: "The perfecting of the saints and the edifying of the body of Christ." And I for one feel to rejoice in it and to pray that it may be abundantly manifested "till we all come into the unity of the faith, &c., unto a perfect man unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ."
And now let me say to all those Adventists who are doubting on this point of Sr. White's visions, the last message before Christ comes brings to view those who are keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. The faith of Jesus embraces the gifts of the Spirit. The last generation of the church, "those that are alive and remain" when Christ comes, keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony, which is declared to be the spirit of prophecy. If we cannot find a people with both these characteristics, we shall be driven to the conclusion that we have not yet got to the last generation of the church. Nor have the signs given in Matt. xxiv been yet fulfilled; for they were to be seen by the last generation. Nor have Daniel's prophecies been yet unsealed; for the time of their unsealing is the period called the time of the end.
I do feel that if we will look at this matter as we ought, we shall have faith in the visions; and if we are ashamed of such a faith, we are ashamed of present truth.
And now we call for the yeas and nays. And remember, brethren, before you vote in the negative on this question, that by so doing you would say, My Lord delayeth his coming.
D. H. Sanborn.
Hadley, Mich.
Letters.
By Editor
"Then they that feared the Lord, spake often one to another."
This department of the paper is designed for the brethren and sisters to freely and fully communicate with each other respecting their hopes and determinations, conflicts and victories, attainments and desires, in the heavenly journey. Then they, says the prophet, that feared the Lord spake often one to another. We believe emphatically that we are living in that time. Therefore seek first a living experience and then record it, carefully and prayerfully, for the comfort and encouragement of the other members of the household of faith. Let this department be well filled with lively testimonies of the goodness of God, and the value of his truth.
From Bro. Goodenough.
BRO. WHITE: I commenced a series of meetings Nov. 29, in a school-house on Honey Creek, Sauk Co., and continued them for two weeks. The weather was very bad, and the congregation was small, yet a few became interested in the truth, who I think will yet decide to live it out. A great amount of prejudice had been raised here against the truth by the unholy living of some of its professed friends. This, I think, was cleared away, and the truth left without reproach. Oh, the power of example! Who can measure it! Who knows how much evil that one unholy act will cause! How careful ought those to be who are professing to be looking for the soon return of our Lord, to have their characters just right. We are all of us at work; for there is no neutral ground. Brethren, for whom are we working? Oh let us arouse and look around and examine ourselves, and see where we are. Let us try to realize that our every act is going to assist in carrying the truth to a perishing world, or it is keeping it from them.
See 1 Pet. ii, 9. "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a peculiar people, that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." Now has God called you out of darkness? You say, Yes. What has he called you for? He tells you, to show forth his praises.
Again, Rev. xxii, 17. "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come; and let him that heareth, say Come." Have you heard the invitation? Then you have a commission to repeat it to others.
Dear brethren, let us all go to work in earnest. The time is short. The Lord is soon coming, and what we do must be done quickly. If the Lord does not call you to go out as a messenger to talk the truth, you can live out its pure principles, so that others can see its sanctifying influence, and thus be led to Christ.
My wife was taken sick, and I was obliged to go home. She was sick a week, when our only child was taken. She was sick a week, and died. The day she died I was taken sick, and came very near sleeping with her; but I can say with king Hezekiah, "Thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of79corruption." My health is improving fast, and I shall soon be able to go into the field again. Pray for me.
Yours striving to overcome.
J. R. GOODENOUGH.
Sandusky, Wis.
Look up.
By S. Elmer
Come all ye lone pilgrims who are bound for the kingdom,
Look upward, take courage, nor faint by the way;
For soon, very soon, you will enter that city,
Whose light shines more clear than the sun at noon-day,
To dwell in the presence of Him who redeemed us,
With saints of all ages for ever to be,
And join angel choirs in the music of Heaven,
Where all is pure joy and sweet harmony.
There we shall sit by the clear crystal river,
And list to its murmurs as it glides gently by,
And gaze on those walls whose unsurpassed beauty
All the rich kingdoms of earth will outvie.
How pure and how holy, and full of bright glory,
The city which God in his love will prepare,
How brilliant the crowns and how spotless the garments
Which all of its glorified millions will wear.
In those shady bowers where the tree of life's blooming,
We'll recount all our trials and sufferings o'er,
While praises celestial, will re-echo through Heaven,
To Him who hath saved us from sin evermore.
S. ELMER.
Ashfield, Mass.
Meetings in Iowa.
By T. M. Steward
Bro. White: I left home about the middle of November, intending to spend two weeks visiting a brother and sister of mine, in Iowa, the latter of whom I had not seen for eighteen years. While there they wished me to lecture at Burr Oak. So I commenced my meetings in the Methodist meeting-house under rather unfavorable circumstances. But when the people began to hear of the meetings, and became much interested, the Methodist presiding elder came round and ordered the house closed against me, and accused me of teaching infidelity. He read an essay on the obligation of the Christian Sabbath; and it was a weak effort indeed.
The next evening I reviewed him in the school-house, with a house-full of interested hearers. This extended the interest of the meetings, so I continued my meetings with increasing interest, until the storm and bad roads interrupted. We had the severest weather ever known in the West. We could not determine the intensity of the cold. Thermometers had to be taken in to prevent them from freezing. After the weather moderated I had several meetings, and left some eight or ten who had decided to keep the Sabbath. May the Lord help them to understand and obey the truth.
I might have sold many books if I had only had them. I sold what I had. I was obliged to get a sleigh to return home. The friends kindly assisted me in my necessity. May the Lord reward them for their kindness. I often think of our Saviour's instructions in Matt. x, 42.
I send you four new subscribers. I had to leave Burr Oak before I got through. May the Lord direct some of his servants that way, for I think there is a good opening for labor.
T. M. STEWARD.
Mauston, Wis.
Obituary Notices.
Fell asleep in Washington, Wis., our only child, Emergene Goodenough, after an illness of one week, aged 2 years, 1 month, and 19 days. She suffered but little, and passed away like the morning dew.
“When the morn of glory, breaking,
Shall light the tomb,
Beautiful will be her waking,
In fadeless bloom.”
J. R. GOODENOUGH.
DiED in Reedsburg, Wis., our much loved sister, Betsey Hunter, wife of Bro. Hunter, aged 74 years, 4 months and 14 days. She died as she had lived, in the triumph of living faith, and with a bright hope that she would sleep but a little while.
JOHN R. GOODENOUGH.
DiED at the hospital in New Orleans, Dec. 9, 1863, Lyman A. Andrews, son of Zenas and H. A. Andrews, in the 22d year of his age.
Z. ANDREWS.
DiED in battle at Chicamauga, Tenn., Sept. 20, 1863, Hiram L., son of Bro. and Sr. J. I. and M. Bostwick.
He was loved and respected by all who knew him. While a soldier he did not join in the sinful amusements of his comrades, but tried to obey as far as he could the teachings of God's word, which he spent most of his leisure time in reading. His loss is felt deeply in the family circle.
DiED of scarlet fever, in Trempeleau, Wis., Jan. 12, 1864, Henry Alonzo Robinson, youngest son of Bro. R. F. and Sr. B. J. Robinson, aged 4 years and 6 months.
May this affliction be sanctified to the spiritual good of each member of the family, and stimulate them to make speedy preparation to meet Jesus when he comes.
M. S. CLYDE.
Encouragement in Christian Trials
By David Lamson
From Bro. Lamson.
Bro. White: I wish to add my testimony to the many which appear from week to week in the Review for the comfort and edification of the saints. It often seems to me, when reading such epistles from different ones, that they receive, even while writing, a special blessing for the efforts they make to cheer and encourage the disciples of Jesus. Blessed above all others is that people whom the Lord hath chosen for his inheritance. And though at times our path may be o'ershadowed, and we be like men walking in thick clouds, yet the promise is that He will be our hope, and shield, and help, according as we hope in Him.
And has not the Lord said, “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go; I will guide thee with mine eye.” Oh! is it not good to know that angels are our helpers, if we fear the Lord, and repel the enemy of our souls, we know not how often? Then in all our trials, in any trouble and every discouraging influence, let us look away to Jesus, in that bright land, and to our inheritance. How much we have to encourage, and how little to affect us otherwise, if we only look on the bright side, and to the prize which is so nearly in view. Every day brings us nearer home, and nearer to that eventful day which shall be so full of gloom to the wicked, but of joy to the righteous. Let us then not only look on the bright side, but keep on the right side.
DAVID LAMSON.
Walton, Eaton Co., Mich.
Extracts from Letters.
Sister M. J. Cocogene writes, for the first time, from Oronoco, Minn. : I love the Lord and I love his commandments. They are holy, just and good. I am glad that Bro. Sanborn came to preach the message here. When I heard that there were preachers coming to Oronoco, I walked there six miles from home, stopped with a friend, and attended all the meetings. I was convinced that I must turn from my ways, or be forever lost. I esteem it a privilege to keep the Sabbath of the Lord, and I am glad that I have joined the little company that have started for Mt. Zion. Though rough be the pathway and dangers surround us on every hand, we can trust in the Lord ; for he says, My grace is sufficient for you. I want my lamp trimmed and burning. I mean by the grace of God to overcome every besetting sin.
Bro. E. Calkins writes from Melrose, Wis. ; We are still striving to obey God's law, and we intend by the assisting grace of God to make Heaven our home. We have no preaching except the Review, the weekly visits of which we highly prize. We should be glad to have some one of the messengers come this way and instruct us in the way of life more perfectly. There are ten or twelve Sabbath-keepers here, and we have not heard an Advent sermon for over two years.
Bro. J. L. Locke writes from Salem, Ind. : I have been striving to walk the narrow path some over ten years, and I have been led to rejoice as I have seen many take a stand on the side of truth ; and again I have been made to mourn when seeing some fall away from the love of God ; but these things remind me of the words of the Saviour in Matt. xxiv, 12. And because iniquity shall abound the love of many shall wax cold. Now, dear brethren, let each of us so live that we may not cause any to stumble by our waywardness, but let us be helps one to another and daily be growing up into Christ, our living head. I feel to thank God for the many blessings he is daily conferring upon me, and especially for the present truth. I feel an earnest desire to make a wise improvement upon them, that they may prove a savor of life with me. The church here in Salem would be pleased to have Bro. and sister Byington come and spend a few days with them. There is a brother that wishes to be baptized, and we think there might be some good done.
Bro. L. R. Chapel writes from Roosevelt, N. Y. : There was a meeting at our house last evening and I think the Lord granted us a portion of his Spirit. I thought of former years when the power of the Lord rested on his children. I believe as soon as the testimony of the faithful and true Witness is fully heeded we shall see those who are honest in heart coming into our ranks. We have I think, evidence to believe that day is not far distant. I think I can see tokens for good even in Roosevelt, and my prayer is that we may speedily get into that place where it is not only a privilege but a duty to stand having the perfect approbation of God and sweet communion with his Holy Spirit and the angels of God continually.
MARY WILSON
By Mary Wilson
From Sister Wilson.
BRO. WHITE: For the first time, I attempt to acknowledge through the Review what the Lord has done for me. I, with my companion, embraced the truth under the labors of brethren M. E. Cornell and R. J. Lawrence, at Memphis. I feel to thank the Lord, who is rich in mercy, that he ever sent his servants this way to preach the Bible in its purity. There has been a good work done in and around Memphis, which I hope will continue to spread more and more. I feel to thank the Lord that he permitted me to see the light of the third angel's message and gave me a heart to receive it. I believe that this is the last message of mercy to a wicked world. And I desire to heed its warning voice by keeping all God's commandments and the faith of Jesus. I am a firm believer in spiritual gifts. I believe that God is at the head of this work, and that he is leading out a people to witness his coming, and to be prepared for translation.
I feel myself very unworthy to be numbered among God's chosen people; but Jesus is worthy, and it is through his worthiness I expect to be saved. May I so live from henceforth that when Jesus comes, I can join with all the redeemed and say, Lo, this is our God, we have waited for him and he will save us. Pray for me, that I may prove faithful, and at last meet all the overcomers on Mt. Zion, to behold the King in his beauty. Yours in hope of eternal life,
MARY WILSON
Memphis, Mich.
C. E. COLE
By C. E. Cole
From Sister Cole.
BRO. WHITE: Two years have passed since the voice of the third angel sounded in my ears. I now rejoice that I delayed not to keep God’s commandments, but have a place among his remnant people. The Lord has has been as good as his word. Yes, his grace has been sufficient for me thus far, and my determination is still to walk in the light. Though the way may be so narrow as to cause us to tremble, yet if we are willing to be led by the Spirit of the living God, we need not fear. The end is everlasting life. Let us take courage, then, and lay aside every weight, and run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.