SISTER MARY A. daughter of J. P. Kellogg, Battle Creek, Mich., fell asleep in Jesus, March 14th, 1858, aged about fifteen years.
Our young sister has ever kindly obeyed her parents, and strictly observed the Sabbath since they received the truth about six years since. About one year since consumption marked her as its victim, and she slowly wasted away till her death. She endeavored to consecrate her heart to God, and prepare for her end. She bore her sickness with patience and resignation. A few moments before her death she kissed each of the family, told them to meet her in heaven, said she felt the evidence that there was not a sin standing against her, and calmly fell asleep.
Will her companions and young friends with whom she associated imitate her last days, that they may meet her where parting shall be no more?
Sister Mary took delight in the hymn, a verse of which we give below:
"O tell me of heaven, sweet heaven,
The home of the pure and the blest,
Where sorrow and sin cannot enter,
Where the weary forever shall rest.
Let me hear of that heavenly city,
Where all is immortal and fair,
And I'll flee from all earthly enchantments,
And earnestly strive to be there."
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
BRO. SMITH: I am called upon to record the death of Hiram Westaver, who fell asleep at his father's residence, (Afton, Union Co., Iowa,) on Feb. 18th, at 11 o'clock, P. M., aged 19 years. We deeply sympathize with those who mourn his loss; but while nature mourns "departing friends, and shakes at death's alarms," "we sorrow not as those which have no hope;" for we do "believe that Jesus died and rose again," and that "those who sleep in Jesus will God bring with him."
Notwithstanding Hiram had arrived at the age when boys are most apt to be disobedient and indolent, he never was known to break the fifth commandment. He sought for light, and lived in harmony with the light he obtained from the Bible. His father, four brothers and two sisters, mourn his loss; but in view of the approaching crisis they can but say, "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord." We truly shed tears of sympathy with father Westaver, as it has been but two years since he was called upon in a strange land, while emigrating to the West, to follow a christian companion to the grave; yet it is cheering in these disconsolate hours to have a Bible which we can take for a companion, and to have a hope, firmly fixed, "whither the forerunner for us hath entered."
A discourse was preached on the occasion by the writer from John xi, 23, in which we tried to portray the resurrection in its native beauty, with a few remarks on "the fiery trial" through which the church must pass, in consequence of which it will be said, "Blessed are the dead," &c. May this affliction be sanctified to the glory of God and the good of surviving friends.
M. HULL.
Communication from Bro. Phelps.
By W. Phelps
Bro. Smith: It has been a long time since I have written anything for the Review, and I have felt for some time past like writing a few words that the brethren may hear from me once more, and especially my old friends in the present truth, with whom I formed a happy acquaintance years ago. And having seen my name recently mentioned in the Review, and learning from that that the brethren have not understood the facts altogether as they exist in relation to my leaving the field, it makes me feel the more like speaking a few words and saying that it has not been altogether through discouragement that I have left the field.
Let me give a little of my experience in the cause of present truth. I with a few others embraced the present truth in the Spring of 1851, when Bro. Case took his first tour to Wisconsin. I directly commenced preaching those precious truths contained in the Third Angel's Message, and commenced traveling in the Winter following. It is well known that the friends of the cause in the West at that time were few and far between. I traveled on foot until I was so worn down with traveling and preaching, that I could travel on foot no longer; then through the assistance of kind friends, I obtained a horse and buggy and traveled with that and preached until I was taken with bleeding at the lungs, and my health became so impaired that I was obliged to leave the field entirely, and having a large family, and no home for them in this world, I commenced laboring with my hands when I could do but two or three hours' work in a day, to obtain a home and subsistence for them, and my health has been gradually improving. But my lungs are much impaired yet. I have not preached but very little for two years, but I have so far recovered my health that I think I could now enter the field once more.
I would here say that since seeing the course of Stephenson and Reed, I have felt my zeal increasing for the Third Angel's Message. I feel it is high time for every lover of truth to be up and doing, and trying to counteract the work of death that is going on in Wisconsin by those who have made shipwreck of their own faith, and are trying to overthrow the faith of others. In some few instances they have succeeded in turning some from the holy commandment, and persuaded them to transgress God's divine Law. It shows they have a carnal mind which is not subject to God's Law, neither indeed can be. It proves they are enemies of God. O what an account they will have to give. I feel like confessing all my faults and consecrating all to God and entering the field anew to spend and be spent in defense of the truth. I would here state that the time has been when I had confidence in Hall, Stephenson and Reed, and sympathized with some of their views; but I have lost all confidence in them, and do not know of but very few in Wisconsin that have any confidence in them as ministers of the gospel. How can they, while they ever have been changing their views, until they have finally ignored the most sacred obligation which men can be under to their Creator, their obedience to the Ten Commandments. The first step to all this has been in denying the gifts of the Spirit, promised by the great Head of the church. Mark xvi, 17, 18; 1 Cor. xii, 7-10; James v, 14, 15. The next step was to deny the movement of 1843-4 as being a fulfillment of the judgment hour cry of Rev. xiv, 6, 7. Then of necessity they must deny the present application of the Third Angel's Message; and when they had gone thus far, who could expect they would stop short of taking one step more, and abandoning the Sabbath, and going over to the enemies of the Lord. O how dangerous to deny the work of the Lord, lest he should leave us to wander in the dark and be destroyed by the enemy. Lord save the remnant of thy people.
My heart sickens when I look over the fields of labor where the messengers of the Lord have worn themselves nearly out in getting the present truth before the people, and so many have rejoiced in the present truth, and see the precious cause nearly a wreck. I have no sympathy for any view that militates against the Third Message, and feel to ask God to forgive me wherever my influence has operated against it, for I have no hope out of it.
I think the prospect is better for good to be done in Wisconsin now than it has been for two years past. This State is a great field of labor, and there are many honest souls in it that would obey the truth if they had a chance to hear; but how can they hear without a preacher? and how shall they preach except they be sent? Rom. x, 14, 15. I hope every lover of truth in Wisconsin will feel the responsibility that God has laid on them, and move with the message, and come up to the standard of truth. O how necessary that we have self and all upon the altar, and try to become an acceptable sacrifice to God, that we may be found of him in peace when he comes.
In hope of eternal life when Christ comes.
W. PHELPS.
Hebron, Wis., Feb. 26th, 1858.
D. J. FRISBIE
By D. J. Frisbie
From Sister Frisbie.
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS : In view of the shortness of time, the narrowness of the way, and the many perils by which we are surrounded, it becomes us who profess to be looking for the near coming of the Saviour to adorn our profession by a well ordered life and a godly conversation, knowing that not every one that saith, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of our Father which is in heaven. It is no small thing to be a christian, to be a true follower of Jesus, who knew no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth. I oftentimes am led to fear while realizing that we must be without fault before the throne, be like our blessed Master who condescended to leave the glory of the Father, and come to this dark world to lead a life of sorrow and humiliation, all, all for poor fallen beings like us. He was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed. And even now in these last days, in pity and love to his people, he is warning them to be zealous and repent. He is knocking at the door for admission, not willing that any should perish, but rather that all would turn to him and live.
Let us, dear brethren and sisters give heed to the many admonitions already given, lest a worse thing come upon us; lest these solemn words be verified unto us: "I will spue thee out of my mouth."
Strait is the gate, narrow the way,
That leadeth unto life;
Yet all who wish to find it, may,
If earnestly they strive.
The Lord will lead his people through,
If they his guidance seek;
There's naught to hard for him to do,
None then need fall, though weak.
Then lift your heads, ye mourning ones,
Press on in Jesus' name;
He will give grace and glory soon,
And all his people claim.
D. J. FRISBIE
Encouragement in the Truth
By John Lindsey
From Bro. Lindsey.
Bro. Smith: I have felt much encouraged of late. While I have been to visit some friends in the North part of this State and Wis., and tried to talk the truth to them, I have felt blest of the Lord. I am glad that the truth is gaining ground. It is cheering to hear of the success that the dear servants of the Lord meet with in different parts of the field.
I can say my heart is with them in this great work, and my prayer is that the Lord will sustain them. Our conference was good. Harmony prevailed throughout the meeting.
We were glad to see our dear Bro. Andrews here, and hear the words of life from his lips once more.
John Lindsey.
Round Grove, Ills.
ESTHER DAVIS
By Esther Davis
From Sr. Davis.
BRO. SMITH: I have often been comforted when reading the communications in the Review, and wished that I had the ability to say something comforting to others.
It is about six years since I first commenced to investigate the present truth. The enemy suggested, that as I was a Sabbath Baptist, there could not be many new doctrines for me to learn; and that I must be very cautious about embracing sentiments so unpopular. The consequence was, I did not make that advancement which otherwise I should. I did not have that strong, unwavering faith, that implicit trust in the promises of God, which every true christian must have in order to live pleasing in his sight.
But affliction came, and the Lord made use of that affliction to teach me his will. Blessed be his holy name! Praise ye the Lord! O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever! Who can utter the mighty acts of the Lord? Who can show forth all his praise?
Last August I was taken ill, and for a long time unable to leave my room. November 1st, I sent for the elders to pray for me. I was very low at the time, as you might say, just alive. The Lord blest according to our faith; but ever since, the enemy has been filling my mind with unbelief; and when I doubted, like Peter, I began to sink, and the Lord withdrew his face from me. Then I saw where I had done wrong. O what agony I endured because I had grieved the Lord. February 27th, I sent for the elders, and was anointed and prayed for; and the Lord raised me up, and I walked to my chair, a thing I had not done since the 12th of August. And I have been about the house ever since; and last Sabbath, March 6th, I rode two miles to meeting.
It is impossible for me to express my gratitude to the Lord for his goodness to one so unworthy. Now, dear brethren and sisters, be strong in the Lord. Believe his promises; for it is very displeasing to him, that we should be unbelieving.
Yours in hope of meeting where the "inhabitant shall not say, I am sick."
ESTHER DAVIS
Mill Grove, March, 8th, 1858.
True and False Pleasure
"All pleasure," says John Foster, "must be bought at the expense of pain. The difference between false pleasure and true, is just this: for the true, the price is paid before you enjoy it, for the false, afterwards."
An Acknowledged Want.
By Editor
The American Messenger of January, 1858, under the heading, "The Great Want of the Church," has some thoughts worthy of attention. After stating that a great work remains to be accomplished before truth will become "universally diffused" and the "earth be filled with the knowledge of the Lord," it concludes that the great want of the church for the accomplishment of this work is not a more numerous, able and devoted ministry, that it is not larger church room; for what already exists is as yet only partially filled; that it is not an army of colporteurs, nor more numerous, better organized, and more energetic societies. It then states what the great want is, in the following language:
"What then is it, but the gift of the purchased and promised Spirit—the Holy Spirit—as a spirit of revival, wide-spread, all-pervading, mighty? This we verily believe is the one want of the church. Oh, if the promise, 'I will pour out my Spirit upon you,' were fulfilled upon us, as it was upon the early disciples, when 3,000 souls were converted under one sermon, and when there were added daily to the church of such as should be saved; as it was in the days of Livingston, and Whitefield, and Wesley, and Griffin, when thousands were seen flocking to the cross; if every sermon preached and sacrament administered, and personal appeal made, were accompanied by the mighty power of the Spirit, how soon would this earth be redeemed from the power of sin! This, this is that for which every believing one should plead incessantly at the throne of the heavenly grace: 'Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.' 'O Lord, revive thy work.'"
"The Prayer of Faith shall Save the Sick."
By R. F. C.
To the praise of God, and for the encouragement of his saints, I would record what the Lord has done for us at Mill Grove. Our beloved sister Davis, "whom Satan hath bound" for more than six months is set at liberty. Jesus, who is stronger than the strong man armed, has given her strength to rise up and walk. Faith in his name still imparts strength to the impotent.
As sister Davis states in her letter, she had been confined to her bed since early in August last. On the first day of November she called the elders of the church. At that time she was very low, apparently near to death, having constant night sweats. We followed the teaching of the apostle James, and the Lord wrought a sensible and immediate change. Her night sweats ceased, and, for a short time, she gained strength rapidly. But still our hopes were frustrated. She lingered, and at times grew worse, till it seemed that she must go down into the grave. Thus she remained, unable to help herself or to sit up more than to have her bed made, till Sabbath, Feb. 27th. She then sent a request to our meeting that we should come again and pray with her. She thought she had learned better how to believe than before. After meeting we went, and having anointed her with oil in the name of the Lord, we prayed the Lord to raise her up. After prayer I proposed that she should try her strength to arise in the name of the Lord. She had often tried to help herself, but in vain. Even that morning, after being placed in her chair, she could not raise her head without help, to place a pillow behind it. It was necessary also to lift her feet to place them on a footstool. But in the name of Jesus she arose without help and walked to her chair; and after standing and praising God for some time, sat down, still calling upon all to praise God for what he had done for her. Said she, "Only see what the Lord has done for me. This morning I was perfectly helpless. Now I have walked to my chair, leaning on none but the Lord!" Her widowed mother was at this time in another room. She sent for her to come in, and called upon her to praise God. Said she, "The God that you have served so many years has raised me up. What god is like our God?"
Soon she called for something to eat. Said she was hungry. She had been without appetite, and was reduced almost to a skeleton. We were soon obliged to leave, sooner than we would but for other duties. Next morning she arose and walked out into the kitchen to breakfast with the family, and was about house through the week, to the astonishment of friends who came to see her. The next Sabbath, March 6th, though a very cold day, she rode about two miles to meeting, and the church were cheered by her presence, and strengthened and encouraged by her exhortations. One beloved, aged brother, who from former teaching had been sceptical about the prayer of faith saving the sick in these days, arose and remarked that he, like the people that beheld the impotent man that was healed at the Beautiful gate of the temple, "could say nothing against it." He has since confessed his faith that the gifts of the Spirit would again be developed in the church.
After sitting through two lengthy meetings, with but a short intermission, sister Davis rode home again, and, instead of being weary, she felt stronger than when she left home in the morning. I went with them to their home, where I remained till near sunset; and, instead of seeing her lie down to rest, as I expected, she was still sitting up when I left. Her appetite is good, and she is rapidly gaining flesh. To God be all the praise!
Mill Grove, March 9th, 1858.
Book Notice.
By Editor
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY BETWEEN GOD AND MAN: Its origin, progress, and termination, By H. L. Hastings, 1 Vol. pp. 167, neatly bound in cloth, price 60 cts., paper, 50 cts.
A copy of this work we have received from the Author. It contains a general outline of the more prominent events that have transpired along the stream of time, common to both prophecy and history. It abounds in graphic descriptions, showing the futility on the part of man of a controversy with his Maker—showing how God with an outpouring of divine vengeance cut short the controversy with the Antediluvians, the Sodomites, the Egyptians, the Canaanites, the Ninevites, the Babylonians, &c.—and showing, finally, the great issue of this controversy, and the cessation of man's rebellion in the indiscriminate overthrow and ruin of the enemies of the Lord. And while every one must close the volume with a vivid sense of the manner in which the controversy will close in the triumph of the power and justice of God, and the certainty of this issue, we could wish that the author had dwelt more at length on the points of man's rebellion, and the terms of reconciliation. When he speaks of the way we may approach to "a more glorious mercy-seat," of the position of Christ "in the heavenly places," and of the "ark of God's testament" seen in the temple of heaven, we could wish he had reminded the revolters of a certain law that reposes in that ark, beneath that mercy-seat, which is the constitution of God's government, and upon which hinges the whole controversy between him and man. Had man never broken God's law, there would have been no controversy; but man rebelled; and the controversy commenced: he persists in disobedience, and the controversy continues. And it will continue until the repentant few, who have been willing to turn and yield obedience to God's just requirements, and seek through faith in Christ forgiveness of their past transgressions, receive the reward of their faithfulness, and the disobedient are wiped out of the universe as the just desert of their deeds.
We designed to give the reader a specimen of the character and style of the work, by a short extract from its pages, but have not room in this No. Those who desire to peruse it, can obtain it of the author, Rochester, N. Y.
A New Time.
By Editor
We have received a sheet purporting to be “An Address from the Advent Church in New York and Newark, to the Church scattered abroad.” It is another effort to fix the definite time of the Lord’s second advent. The time set is the present spring, 1858. Its only redeeming feature is that the period is short to which its influence (if it should have any, which we hope it will not) is limited. Of the groundless positions therein assumed, it will be sufficient to notice the one on the 2300 days, as they must necessarily be the main pillar of any argument on the prophetic periods.
The position assumed is that 69 of the 70 weeks reach to the crucifixion, whereas the prophecy locates the commencement of Christ’s ministry at that time, and places the crucifixion in the midst of the 70th week. The writer then endeavors to show that the crucifixion took place in 41, ten years this side of the authorized date; and there being 1817 years remaining they would end in the spring of the present year, 1858.
A simple statement of this view is its own refutation. It is necessary that a period should have a commencement as well as a termination; but no effort is made to show that anything like a command to restore Jerusalem went forth B. C. 442, or that the days should be reckoned from the spring. No effort is made to prove that the cleansing of the Sanctuary at the end of the days, means the coming of the Lord, and none to set aside the mass of testimony which places the crucifixion in the year 31. We have only to add that if any are deceived by such an argument as this they deserve to be.
Note from Bro. Holt.
By George W. Holt
BRO SMITH: We have been much blessed and encouraged by the visit of brother and sister White in this vicinity. They came to this place no doubt with the expectation of enjoying light and freedom. But in this they were disappointed. A dark cloud hung over the meeting for two or three days, which at times seemed almost impenetrable, and they had but little liberty in preaching the Word. But by earnest prayer and perseverance, they pressed through to the light side of the cloud, where the Lord was well pleased to manifest the gift of prophecy and expose the cause of the great darkness. This was a great relief to us, and we thanked God and took courage. G. W. HOLT.
R. F. C. Revelation xii, 14, will not bear the rendering you propose. It is in the present tense, is nourished.
H. Childs and L. B. Caswell. Your positions will be noticed next week.
Fifty Thousand Conversions Weekly
50,000 conversions per week are reported as the result of the great religious movement now going on in the nominal churches. It is said that in some towns in Mass., there is not a single adult person left unconverted; and the last Tribune reports the work still onward.
Business Items.
By Editor
W. Phelps. Bro. C. Pangburn's P. O. address is Mokena, Will Co. Ills.
1. N. Pike. We have the Review from Vol. 1, but not bound.
G. W. Holt. We do not understand your last letter. You have twice told us to credit 25 cts. each to B. Johnson and M. Meeker, which we have done, as you will perceive by referring to Nos. 15 and 17 of Review.
Receipts.
By Editor
Annexed to each receipt in the following list, is the Volume and Number of the 'Review and Herald' to which the money receipted pays. If money for the paper is not in due time acknowledged, immediate notice of the omission should then be given.
FOR REVIEW AND HERALD.
A. H. Foster 1,00,xi,10. S. Everett 2,00,xii,1. W. Morse 1,00,xii,5. M. A. Crary 1,00,xii,1. M. M. Richmond 1,00,xi,1. J. R. Towle (for G. W. Stevens) 1,00,xii,17. M. Tyler 2,00,xiii,1. J. Lindsey (for N. Boynton) 0,50,xii,14. J. Lindsey 1,25,ix,7. A. P. Gove (for L. Leathers 0,24,xii,4. J. Stryker 1,00,xii,1. C. S. Glover 1,00,xiii,1. C. S. Glover (0,50, each for Mrs. L. Mason and Mrs. S. A. Phiney) 1,00, each to xii,17. J. Lane 1,00,xii,17. E. Bracket 1,00,xii,8. A. B. Pearsall (for S. M. Pearsall) 0,50,xii,1. H. Smith 2,00,xiii,1. J. Spaulding 1,00,xii,21. Mrs. A. Thurber 3,00,xiv,1. Wm. H. Loughhead (for R. Palmer) 0,50,xii,18. Wm. H. Loughhead 4,50,xiii,14. L. M. Freeto 1,00,xiii,1. L. Lathrop 2,00,xiii,1. S Howland 1,00,xii,1. J. Miner 1,00,xii,18. W. Newton 2,00,xii,20. Geo. Graves 1,00,x,1. D. Sweet 1,00,xii,18. I. N. Cunningham 0,48, (2 copies) xii, 5. D. C. Demarest 2,00,xiii,1. Chas. Smith 0,25,xii,6. W. Lillie 0,25,xii,6. B. Lillie 0,25,xii,6. W. Streeter 0,25,xii,6. E. Streeter 0,25,xii,6. J. Stiles 0,25,xii,6. H. W. Gordon 0,25,xii,6. J. Kellogg 0,25,xii,6.
FOR BOOK FUND. R. Smalley $3,00.
APPOINTMENTS.
PROVIDENCE permitting I will meet with the brethren in conference as follows:
Buck's Bridge, St. Law. Co. N. Y., 20, 21.
Rouse's Point, N. Y., 27, 28, where Bro. Taylor may appoint.
Johnson, Vt. April 3, 4, or where Bro. Bingham may appoint.
Battle Creek, Mich., March 8th. JOSEPH BATES.
Appointments for Wisconsin.
Providence permitting, a Conference will be held in Mauston, Adams Co., commencing March 20th.
Will Bro. Thurston, of Marquette, make arrangements for a Conference in that part of the county, to commence April 3d, and give notice? J. H. WAGGONER.