Of what infinite importance, must then the cleansing of the Sanctuary be! With this event the great plan and work of salvation closes up. This finished, the final decision will have passed upon all men; the fiat of the Almighty will have gone forth, "He that is filthy, let him be filthy still, and he that is holy let him be holy still." Rev. xxii, 11. Momentous period! May he whose mediation for a rebel world is about to close, deeply impress our hearts, with those emotions which this mighty truth is calculated to inspire.
The ministry in the most holy being finished, it yet remained for the priest to bear out the sins from the Sanctuary, place them upon the head of the scape-goat and send him away by the hand of a fit man into a land not inhabited. Lev. xvi, 20-22. This ceremony as performed in the type we have already noticed. We now inquire, What service connected with the more perfect tabernacle, answers to this, and to what being shall we look, as the one shadowed forth anciently by the literal and typical goat, as, loaded with the sins of Israel, he went forth from the camp to be heard of no more forever? This point demands more particular notice, as here, again, we are led to differ very materially from the views which have generally obtained upon this subject.
Because John says, [chap. i, 29.] "Behold the Lamb of God which taketh, [margin, beareth,] away the sin of the world," and because it is said of the scape-goat that he "shall bear upon him all their iniquities into a land not inhabited," [Lev. xvi, 22], it has been concluded, without further consideration, by some, that the latter is a type of the former; and Dr. Clarke, also, in his note on Lev. xvi, 10, makes this remark: "Did not all this signify that Christ has so carried and borne away our sins, that against them who receive him as the only true atoning sacrifice they should never more be brought to remembrance."
From the view, however, that Christ is the antitype of the scape-goat, we are compelled to differ, for what we consider very plain reasons.
1. If Christ, in bearing the sin of the world, fulfilled the antitype of the scape-goat, he must have accomplished it at the crucifixion; for Peter says of him, "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree." 1 Pet. ii, 24. But in the type the goat was not sent away till after the cleansing of the Sanctuary; hence the antitype of this work cannot be performed till after the termination of the 2300 days; for it is not till after those days have ended that the Sanctuary is cleansed. Dan. viii, 14; Heb. ix, 25. It is therefore impossible to carry this work back to the crucifixion of Christ, which was even before he commenced his ministration in the Sanctuary above; and therefore he cannot be the antitype of the scape-goat.
2. Christ is our great High Priest, the minister of the Sanctuary; but the goat is something to be sent away by the priest: therefore he cannot be the priest himself: in other words, he cannot in this dispensation be Christ; but he must be a being whom Christ, after he has loaded him with the sins borne from the Sanctuary, can send away into a land not inhabited.
3. The goat was sent away from Israel into a land not inhabited, to be heard of no more forever. But Christ will dwell in the midst of his people, the true Israel of faith.
4. It is impossible that two goats, one of which was chosen by the Lord, and is called the Lord's, and was for a sin-offering, while the other is not so called, but was left to perform an entirely different office;—it is impossible that these both should typify the same person.
From these considerations we think it must be evident to every one that Christ cannot be the antitype of the Levitical scape-goat. Who then can be? We answer, The Devil; and our reasons for this position are at hand:
1. We know of only two beings which any one has ever thought could possibly be typified by the scape-goat; and these are Christ and Satan. We have shown above that the goat cannot be a type of Christ; we must therefore look to the Devil for its fulfillment.
2. The Hebrew word for scape-goat, as given in the margin of Lev. xvi, 8, is Azazel. On this verse, Jenks in his Comprehensive Commentary remarks, "Scape-goat. See diff. opin. in Bochart. Spencer after the oldest opinion of the Hebrews and Christians thinks Azazel is the name of the Devil; and so Rosennire, whom see. The Syriac has, Azazel, the angel (strong one) who revolted." The Devil is here evidently pointed out. Thus we have the definition of the Scripture term in two ancient languages, with the oldest opinion of the Christians in favor of the view that the scape-goat is a type of Satan.
3. In the common acceptation of the word, the term, scape-goat, is applied to any miserable vagabond who has become obnoxious to the claims of justice; and while it is revolting to all our conceptions of the character and glory of Christ, to apply this term to him, it must strike every one as a very appropriate designation of the Devil, who is styled in Scripture, the accuser, adversary, angel of the bottomless pit, Beelzebub, Belial, dragon, enemy, evil spirit, father of lies, murderer, prince of devils, serpent, tempter, &c., &c.
4. Our fourth reason for this position is the very striking manner in which it harmonizes with the events to transpire in connection with the cleansing of the heavenly Sanctuary, as far as revealed to us in the Scriptures of truth.
We behold in the type, 1. The sin of the transgressor imparted to the victim. 2. We see that sin borne in by the priest in the blood of the offering, into the Sanctuary. 3. On the tenth day of the seventh month we see the priest with the blood of the sin-offering for the people, remove all those sins from the Sanctuary, and lay them upon the head of the scape-goat. 4. The goat bears them away into a land not inhabited.
Answering to these events in the type, we behold in the antitype, 1. The great offering for the world made on Calvary. 2. The sins of all those who avail themselves of the merits of Christ's shed blood, by faith in him, in that blood are borne into the Sanctuary. 3. After Christ, the minister of the true tabernacle, [Heb. viii, 2.] has finished his ministration, he will remove the sins of his people from the Sanctuary, and lay them upon the head of their author, the antitypical scape-goat, the Devil. 4. The Devil will be sent away with them into a land not inhabited.
If we want a description of this event in plain terms we find it in Rev. xx, 1-3: "And I saw an angel come down from heaven having the key of the bottomless pit, and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, and cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years should be fulfilled."
Now we would ask, What could be more fitting than that the author and instigator of all sin should receive the guilt of those transgressions which he has incited mortals to commit, but of which they have repented, back upon his own head? And what could be a more striking antitype of the ancient ceremony of sending away the scape-goat into the wilderness, than the act of the mighty angel in binding Satan and casting him into the bottomless pit at the commencement of the thousand years.
This is a point of transcendent interest to every believer. Then the sins of God's people will be borne away to be remembered no more forever. Then he who instigated them, will have received them back again. Then the serpent's head will have been bruised by the seed of the woman. Then the "strong man armed," (Satan,) will have been bound by a stronger than he, (Christ,) and the house of the strong man (the grave) spoiled of its goods, the saints. Matt. xii, 29; Heb. ii, 14. Then will the work of the enemy, in sowing tares among the wheat, [Matt. xiii, 24-43.] be forever remedied: the tares will have been gathered into bundles to burn, and the wheat gathered into the garner. Then our great High Priest will have come forth from the Sanctuary to pronounce the everlasting blessing upon his waiting people. Then shall we have come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels. Then will the redeemed, placing the foot of triumph upon the world, the flesh and the Devil, raise their glad voices in the song of Moses and the Lamb. O glorious day! May the Lord hasten it in his good time. Who would not, in view of this, take up the petition of the beloved John, "Even so, come Lord Jesus!"
These are scenes to which the children of hope in this lower world love to look forward. On these hang their brightest anticipations. These are the very portals to the glorious city, and to their eternal inheritance.
We are aware that some will be ready to say that sins cannot be suffered for but once, and that it is absurd that Satan should suffer for those sins for which Christ has already suffered. But how long will such hold to this position? Let us see. For whom did Christ die? for a chosen few only, or for all? Evidently for all, otherwise all could not have an opportunity of repentance. "Well then," says one who is wedded to the pleasures of sin, "if sin can be suffered for but once, and Christ has suffered for my sins, what have I to fear? There is no suffering for sin for me to endure. I will therefore cull all the enjoyment I can from the pleasures of this world, and on the threshold of eternity I will take my stand beside the holiest saint that ever lived, and claim an equal right with him to the glories of heaven; for Christ suffered for me as well as for him; and therefore I am as free." This is exactly the issue of the view taken; but the staunchest Universalism would require nothing better. Unless therefore we wish to yield the specific teachings of the Bible and become Universalists at once, we must abandon this theory. But its advocates may still contend that the wicked are exceptions, but that certainly sins that have been pardoned can never after be occasion of suffering to any being. But if when sins are pardoned that is the last of them, we would inquire how it happens that those very sins are transferred to the Sanctuary, and impurity imputed to it on their account. That this is so is one of the plainest teachings of the Bible. It is also certain that these sins are to be removed from the Sanctuary; and we would ask those who endorse the theory under consideration, what then is to be done with them, unless they are to be laid upon the head of their old author, the Devil.
From the fact that our sins when forgiven are only transferred through the blood of Christ to the Sanctuary, we learn that the pardon of our sins is only removing from us their guilt, by imputing to us the righteousness of another. But we are not the originators of sin. Behind all our transgressions there stands a guilty instigator; and why should it be thought more incredible or unscriptural that the guilt of those sins of which we repent, should be imputed to him who prompted us to commit them, than that the righteousness of Christ, upon our repenting, should be imputed to us? Rom. ii, 22; 2 Cor. v, 21.
Why it was anciently that the sins of Israel were borne into the Sanctuary and finally carried away on the head of the scape-goat into the wilderness, and why our sins are now transferred to the Sanctuary through the blood of Christ, to be laid finally upon the head of the great antitypical scape-goat, the Devil—why this arrangement was made instead of some other, is not for us to inquire into nor question. It141them. But what if it should not bring them all to embrace the present truth? You will have done your duty, and scores of cases might be referred to where the REVIEW alone, or a tract, has brought candid men and women to the truth.
Again we say, Circulate the REVIEW. The providence of God has prepared the way to publish the truth. Let the silent messengers go everywhere shedding light. Don't hide your light under a bushel. By circulating the REVIEW, you can do your duty, enlighten many, and help sustain the paper. Consecrate a portion of your substance to this good object, and send in a list of names. And may the Lord add his blessing. J. W.
SABBATH—KEEPERS' CHILDREN.
By James White
(Concluded.)
It is a fact that most young Sabbath-keepers are being drowned in the spirit of this world, instead of being imbued with God's holy Spirit. Their course is generally downward. In many, this backsliding is so gradual that it is hardly perceptible. But if you compare their present condition and course with their position when they first sought the Lord, then you can see a wide difference, a sad declension.
The things of this life occupy most of their time and thoughts. And we inquire, What can be done to stop this tide of backsliding? What can save young Sabbath-keepers from perdition? What can wean their affections from the things of this life, and lead them to live in reference to Eternal Life in the kingdom of God? And we must here confess that our only hope for most of the children of Sabbath-keepers, is for their parents to first get this world out of their affections, consecrate themselves and their substance to the Lord, and live and use their means as though they believed the message of the Third Angel.
Is it any marvel that children are worldly, when they see their parents living for this world? If parents labor to increase wealth, will not their children see it, and pattern after them? If parents bury themselves up in the cares and interests of this life, will not the children drink in the spirit of this world? If parents lead off in these things will not children follow? They will. They will. A speedy reform must take place with young Sabbath-keepers generally. We admit a very few exceptions, while we would faithfully point out their sad condition. Yes, a reform must take place. This will be admitted. But let those who engage in this reform commence at the right place. Let them begin with their worldly, and world-loving parents. That there are some consecrated parents, who set good examples before their children, yet fail to see them advance in the divine life, we admit; but we speak of them generally, and can safely say that most parents lead their children into the spirit of this world. They are so imbued with the spirit and love of this world, that they do not see the influence they have on their children. Some, shall we say, blindly stand in the gate of heaven to keep their children out. Hope for the youth among us, and our children, can be cherished only on the ground that the parents and older members of the church set them an example of sacrifice, consecration, devotion and zeal in the things of the Spirit of God.
Parents lay plans for future years, and the children understand the whole story, and secretly inquire, Where is father's and mother's faith in the soon coming of Christ? The father gives his son a young colt, or a fine pair of calves; they are his, and as he pets them, he looks over long years in the future when they will be of service. These things are customs at this day which inspire in boys the spirit of this world, and cause them to love it at an early age. And many grow up selfish and covetous, loving this present world.
But if parents wish to see their children consecrated to God, let them first consecrate themselves to the Lord. Do they wish to see their children placing their affections on things above, then let them cut loose from this world, and show by their acts that their interest in the kingdom of God is far greater than in the things of this world.
Some parents spend their energies and time, precious time to be employed in forming characters for the kingdom of God, in laying up treasures in this world. They desire to have their children saved. They wish them to profess religion. They urge the servants of God to come and labor with them, hoping that their children will profess religion. Time and labor is bestowed on them, and, perhaps the object is gained. The children put on a profession. But the parents push on in the interests of this life, and their nominal professing children follow.
What is gained? Verily nothing, only more young, worldly, hypocritical professors, destitute of the vitality of that religion they profess.
Servants of God, commence your work at the right point. Convert these worldly professing parents. Get the standard raised high with them, then will the children be easily moved to come up to the same high standard. Then will something lasting be accomplished. But your labor is more than lost on these children while their parents fail to come up to a saving standard. We repeat it. Some parents stand in the very gate of heaven to keep their children out. And our only hope for the young is a thorough reform in the whole lukewarm church.
O, ye Laodiceans, our mouth is open unto you. We as a people are almost powerless in consequence of the love of this world in the heart which keeps Jesus out. He still stands and knocks at the door of our hearts. He calls to us. He tarries still. Be not deaf to his calls. Steel not your heart against his entreaties. Well may it be said by this generation, that the Jews deserved wrath for rejecting Jesus. But our sin in slighting his testimony will be as much greater as we reject greater light.
"I will come in" he says, "and will sup with you." This is as strong a figure as can be used to illustrate communion with Jesus. He offers to come in, but is shut out. The heart is filled with the love of this world. The door is shut against him. There is no room for Christ in many Sabbath-keepers' hearts. It is the world, the world, the world with them morning, noon and at evening. When they rise up and when they sit down, when they go out and when they come in. It is the object of their affections. It is the deity to which they fall down and worship. Christ is neglected, slighted, shut out. Hark! hear his voice in tones of pity and matchless love, as he calls to those who have long neglected him. "Behold I stand at the door and knock, if any man hear my voice, and open the door I will come in." Are you so deaf that you cannot hear his lovely voice? Is your mind so blinded by the god of this world that you cannot see that you have shut Jesus out? Is your heart so unfeeling that it will not yield and melt in view of this call to you from the soon expected Savior? If so, woeful indeed is your condition. Christ will not long stand at the door of thy heart and knock. Not much longer! His locks are wet with the dews of night. He spilled his blood for you. He wants to wash you clean. He desires to come in and live in you. He will make you free, pure and happy. He will abide with you if you will turn out and keep out of your heart the love of this world. He will manifest his love and glory, to old and young, parents and children, if they will prepare the way of the Lord in their hearts and let him in. O, dear reader, Let him in! let him in!
We solemnly believe that obedience to this message is the only hope of the church. A crisis is coming. A portion of the church—and God grant that it may be the largest portion—will rend their hearts and prepare them to receive Jesus Christ; while a portion will be spued out of his mouth. The true testimony from the word of God will show who will be wholly the Lord's. It will manifest the heart. And are there any reasons why it should be withheld? There are none. A delay when an alarm should be given, may prove fatal to some. While there is hope, then, let the servants of God, in the language of the prophet, "Cry aloud and spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgressions, and the house of Jacob their sins." Isa. lviii. 1. Do the watchman see the sword coming upon a lukewarm church? Then let them give the alarm, and clear their own souls; And if souls still sleep on, then will their blood be upon their own heads. James White.
COUNSEL TO THE LAODICEANS.
By A. S. Hutchins
SAYS the faithful and true Witness, “I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich, and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see. Rev. iii, 18.”
When the light first shone out on this subject, it was set home most powerfully by the Spirit of God, to the hearts of those who acknowledged and received its proper application. We felt indeed that we were wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind and naked, and that there must be a speedy reform, a deep and hearty consecration to God. Many were zealous in the work of repentance. The sweet blessing of heaven rested upon the writer and the reader, the speaker and hearer as this subject was contemplated.
Confessions were made around the fireside and in the church, attended with deep and solemn feeling. Parents confessed to their children, and children to their parents: brethren confessed their wrongs to each other, wrongs were made right, and wounds were healed. God smiled upon this course, and the cause received a new impetus and moved on gloriously. Praise God! How inexpressibly sweet were those meetings with the dear brethren and sisters who felt the force of the injunction (Joel ii, 12, 13.) “Therefore also now, saith the Lord, Turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: And rend your heart and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God.” Our assemblies were indeed “solemn” assemblies.
But for a time past I have been led to ask the question, what has become of the counsel to the Laodiceans? Why is there so little said on this subject? and why no more feeling? We ask why? What means the stupor, the calm that has come over the people of God? Brethren and sisters are you getting discouraged? It seems to me some are. O, awake and arouse to action; eternal life is just before the overcomer.
Says Jesus, “Behold I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear my voice, and open the door I will come in to him and will sup with him and he with me. To him that overcometh, will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame and am set down with my Father in his throne.” Are there not promises of the most encouraging nature here for you, who believe the promises of God? Arise therefore and be doing, and the Lord be with thee. “Be ye strong therefore and let not your hands be weak; for your work shall be rewarded.”
But some have never half heeded this counsel. Like one partially awakened from his sleep, they were in a measure aroused by its stirring notes of warning; but soon their slumbers seized them again! Such are yet “wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind and naked.” And what greatly augments their deplorable situation is, they know it not.
Reader, are you of this class? do you not fear lest you will yet be spued out of the mouth of the faithful and true Witness? O, awake and arise, and stand at your post. Now while standing upon the last crumbling sands of time, is the period when you must secure the crown of life. By your means, your prayers and testimonies, you can help spread the light and the truth.
But in a little while it will be too late. The famine will be upon the sinner and ungodly. The last opportunity for presenting and urging the claims of truth upon the unconverted will have passed, forever passed. “Behold the days come, saith the Lord that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord: And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the North even to the East, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord and shall not find it.” Amos viii, 11, 12.
Men care but little about the word of the Lord now; it must be urged upon them, or they will not have eternal life. Upon the remnant rests the responsibility of bearing the last solemn message of mercy to perishing souls. And how can we expect that others will feel the importance of this work if we do not ourselves? And how can we feel its importance if we reject the very message given in mercy to prepare us for the coming struggle, and for final victory? O may the Lord help us to open the door of our heart and give the Saviour a place there.
A. S. HUTCHINS.
Round Grove, Ills., Aug. 28th, 1857.
J. W
By James White
Our Charts are all sold. Those who have Charts and wish to dispose of them for their value, can send them to the REVIEW OFFICE. A larger Chart must be published soon. Who has $500 to spare without usury, till a good Chart can be published, and partly sold?
J. W
LETTERS.
By E. M. Hutchins
"Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another."
From Sister Hutchins.
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: I have been greatly encouraged of late. For some time past gloom has hung over my mind. Though in this time I had seasons of rejoicing, when my spirits were free, my hope high, and my confidence in the Lord strong, again discouragements weighed heavily upon me. But recently I have been enabled in some degree to rise above this state of feeling. I have seen the work of the Lord prospering and progressing among his people, and if possible my confidence that the church are coming up, has greatly increased.
But in my own heart there has been a change. I have ever believed that all the people of God have a work to do. None so small but, if in the place God would have them, they can be a help. Since embracing the Third Angel's Message, I have greatly feared I should be found an idler in the cause of God. But I have not directed my attention to the right source for strength. I have looked to my weakness, and inability to perform a duty, till in view of this and my responsibility, I have at times almost sunk in discouragement. Yet through the grace of God given me, I have endeavored to discharge my duty, and the Lord has blessed me. But I think I have many times been bound by these feelings, and through fear, which has not been pleasing to God.
Of late I have tried to get the victory. I have sought to draw near to God, and he has drawn near to me. I have endeavored to throw off feelings that would hinder me from engaging in the work of God heartily, and with courage, and am resolved to do what I can, and in all that I do to study to show myself approved unto God. And as I have endeavored to do thus, I have felt a nearness to Christ that I cannot describe. It has seemed to me, heaven never possessed so many attractions for me as now. I have seen new beauties in the plan of salvation; and the path of the Christian, though it may be rough, looks pleasant and easy when compared with the "far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory," that awaits the faithful. When I think of overcoming, to sit down with Jesus on his throne, the suffering part of religion looks desirable; and I pity the poor soul, who through fear, shuns to bear the cross, and as a consequence, loses heaven. From a full heart I can say, let such have the world, if they choose, but give me Jesus. Let me suffer with him, let me share in the trials, and help bear the burdens of his people, and meet their reward; but "gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men."
I never felt more like burying myself in the work of God than now. I see there are trials ahead. The shaking time is before us, and if we are not found with the truth for our shield and buckler, and clothed with the righteousness of Christ, we shall not be able to stand.
O brethren and sisters, get into the work of the Lord, and let his work have a large place in your hearts. Let the truths of the Third Angel's Message purify you. There is power enough in the truth to do this, if you will only let it work upon your hearts. But remember if you would inherit all things, you must give all. You may give a part, but that will not do. You cannot become heirs of eternal life at so cheap a rate. Jesus requires the whole heart, and he will not accept of anything short of this.
But there are conflicts ahead. Let us, brethren and sisters, strive for the unity of the faith. We must press together. We are not going to the kingdom scattered and divided. If we attempt to push off by ourselves, or get into little companies, we shall run away from God, lose his Spirit, and be left to perish. "For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints." 1 Cor. xiv, 33.
Says the Apostle, "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind, and in the same judgment." 1 Cor. i, 10.
I feel quite certain that when the Lord lets the light shine upon any portion of his word, that the remnant who are walking in the light, will be prepared to see and rejoice in it together. Let us then be careful to follow the good Shepherd, and not a stranger; but keep with the body, and with Elisha say, "As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee."
In hope of being found with the Israel of God when the chief Shepherd shall appear.
E. M. HUTCHINS.
Battle Creek, Mich., March 6th, 1854.
Longing to Be Like the Saviour
By C. S. Glover; Jane Glover
From Bro. & Sr. Glover.
Bro. Smith: Realizing that now is the time of which the prophet wrote, and that soon the day of probation will cease, we desire to heed the counsel of the faithful and true Witness, to be zealous and repent, that we may not longer bar the Saviour from our hearts, but have all our sins confessed and forgiven that they weigh us not down in the judgment.
We feel a longing to be more like our Saviour, that the truths of God's word which we profess, may shine forth in every act of our lives, and that when the Saviour comes we may be found among those that are waiting for him. Oh, the blessed hope! that143we though polluted by sin, may have access to God through his Son, and not only access, but help to overcome the weakness of the flesh and the temptations of the enemy, and in the end, may drink of the river that makes glad the city of our God.
Your brother and sister striving for the kingdom.
C. S. GLOVER.
JANE GLOVER.
Saline, Mich., March 2d, 1858.
To My Son,
By Cornelia Rice
BRO. SMITH: Some four weeks since I received a letter from my son, stating he had been listening to a Harmonial Philosopher, and had become convinced that the Bible, especially the Old Testament, was not inspired, but was a code of corrupt laws, and that that noble attribute, Reason, was a better guide. I returned him the following answer:
With my eyes full of tears, and my heart full of pain,
I take up my pen to address you again;
And I wish so to speak in an accent so mild,
As to win back the heart of a wandering child;
For truly my heart's filled with sorrow and grief,
As I read in your last year's established belief,
That with a Voltaire, a Hume, and a Paine,
You had laid by the Bible to let reason reign.
Look abroad o'er the earth where that book has no sway;
Does the reason of man shed a holier ray?
My son! O my son! I exclaim with surprise,
Are you then led astray by the Author of lies?
In that Book uninspired whose truths you dismiss?
Then how can you prove there's a life after this?
Does Philosophy teach it? How can you rely
On the strength of its power; (for you know you must die;)
Can it raise you to life? Well, and what if it should?
With the earth unrenewed, would you call it a good?
And sure, it can't prove to a sceptical mind,
That some other world after this we shall find.
Ah! here's the enigma! I've found out the whole,
Though mortal yourself, you've an immortal soul;
And soon all that's intelligent, all that's refined,
Will soar to the skies and the shell leave behind.
Well, how do you know this? Pray give me the proof,
Now don't from the word of the Lord stand aloof;
For none can give life but the Father and Son,
In nature and wisdom and power they are one.
And the word that raised Lazarus can also raise me,
Though lost in the depths of the fathomless sea,
And this hope like an anchor, firm, steadfast and sure,
Stays my tempest-tossed soul, and I rest quite secure.
Then recede, my dear son, from the whirlpool of ruin—
Death lies at the end of the road you're pursuing.
Speak no more with contempt of God's holy law,
In his great moral code you cannot find a flaw;
And if some are annexed that you think license crimes,
They only were added because of the times.
For man had so fallen from what he once was,
He would not, or could not, keep God's holy laws;
And God must revoke his unalterable word,
Or the sinner must die—but here we have heard
That a ransom is found, his Son dies in our stead,
He purchased us back, but yet still we are dead;
And if Christ had not risen again from the grave,
We should have no assurance he was able to save.
But this is attested by Gentile and Jew,
And I've reason to think that their witness is true.
And this great gospel truth that the dead should be raised,
O'er Palestine's plains, like a meteor blazed.
Their Prophet had gone to be High Priest in heaven;
When his office was finished, and their sins all forgiven,
As a King he'll return; they, immortal and fair,
Would burst from their tombs to meet him in the air,
And the time of his coming, I think, draweth near,
For the signs he predicted are already here.
The sun has been darkened, the stars seemed to fall,
The hour of his judgment, the Third Angel's call,
The beasts, and the trumpets, the seals, and the woes,
All speak that probation is near to its close.
The seven last plagues soon will wind up the strife,
The saints will be changed, and the dead raised to life.
On the crystal-like sea the ransomed shall stand,
With a crown on each head, and a palm in each hand;
The wicked be slain, and the earth desolate,
Till it is restored to its Eden-like state.
Then Jesus shall reign as a King on the throne,
And sickness and sorrow will never be known.
The thought is transporting. I cry, can it be
Such a heaven as this has been purchased for me?
I'll try to be faithful; though faggot and flame
My path intercept, I'll make heaven my aim.
And now, my dear son, you're no "Thus saith the Lord,"
That a heaven like this will be your reward.
O, had we naught else but the poor, glimmering ray
Of man's boasted reason to light up the way,
Or shine on the future, O, sad were our case,
Despair might be stamped upon every face.
And in this dilemma, how many have fled
To converse with the souls of the long silent dead.
Like Saul they've no answer by Teraphim or dream;
They flee to the wizards when in this extreme;
They peep and they mutter, they lead them astray,
They cause them to stumble, they take them their prey.
O, flee as you would from a scorpion's den,
These doctrines of Satan, these dogmas of men,
Come back to the Bible, it's surely inspired,
The events there foretold have already transpired;
And this very delusion speaks loud on the ear,
That the coming of Jesus is now very near,
For Satan is working with power to deceive,
And his great lying wonders how many behold!
But Jesus may yet save you from his cruel power,
Is the prayer of your mother from this very hour.
CORNELIA RICE.
Folsomdale, N. Y., March 1st, 1855.
The Fruit of the Spirit.
By A. A. Marks
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." Gal. v, 22, 23. We have only to refer back to verses 19-21 of this chapter to learn what the works of the flesh are, and they are the opposite of the fruit of the Spirit. "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these, adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like."
The question comes up, Do we in any respect lack the fruit of the Spirit? and instead, are we manifesting any of the works of the flesh? Love is a fruit of the Spirit, and hatred is one of the works of the flesh. We read, this is the love of God that we keep his commandments. 1 John v, 3. We must not only keep the Sabbath, but it must be a heart-work in keeping all the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus. God's word is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Heb. iv, 12.
Again, faith is a fruit of the Spirit and idolatry is one of the works of the flesh. Let me ask, Do not some manifest that they have idols in their hearts by holding on to their earthly possessions, heaping treasures together for the last days, while they should be helping advance the cause of God with their substance? And do not they betray a lack of faith in the present truth by so doing? Then they lack one of the fruits of the Spirit, and it is to be feared that they are manifesting one of the works of the flesh by making an idol of what God has placed them as stewards over. Let us take heed lest our hearts be overcharged with cares of this life, and so that day come upon us unawares. The day of the Lord is coming, and in order for us to be ready we should examine ourselves by the word of God, and see that no one of the works of the flesh is found upon us, and that we are manifesting all the different graces of the Spirit. "Be not deceived: God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting." Gal. vi, 7, 8.
There are no if's and and's in the case. One class shall reap corruption, the other shall reap life everlasting. I would tremble for myself as I view the straitness of the way, lest I should be found contaminated with the works of the flesh. My prayer is that God would purify me from all the works of the flesh, and help me, in every respect, to bear the fruit of the Spirit. A. A. MARKS. Jackson, Mich., March 4th, 1855.
Note from Bro. H. S. Lay.
By Editor
[From a private letter of his to a brother here, we take liberty to extract the following:]
"We are getting along pretty well here. I think. Several have embraced the truth since you were here. C. S. has come out quite strong and determined; others have embraced the truth as follows: M. F. and his wife, G. F., Mrs. S. and daughter, at the toll-gate, and Mr. B's. whole family, I believe. Father B. (the white headed pilgrim you spoke of,) is coming along, and takes quite an active part in our meetings. Last Sabbath he spoke four times. He says he thinks the seventh day is the right day to keep. He has stood alone for several years, but he believes God is with us. He appears very humble and child-like.
"We have meetings every Wednesday evening, and on the Sabbath once in two weeks. We would have meetings every Sabbath, but the school-house is occupied so as to prevent. We have good meetings. Last Sabbath we met with the church in Watsoo and had a good meeting.
"I think that the number in Allegan who are now keeping the Sabbath as the result of Bro. Loughborough's meetings is about fourteen or fifteen. Several others are almost persuaded to be Sabbath-keepers. Some more, I think, will soon decide to keep all the Commandments of God, and go through to Mt. Zion. I feel much encouraged to go on in this cause. It is a glorious cause to be engaged in. A glorious reward is in reserve for the faithful, and soon to be realized."