Earlier text: A Word on Family InstructionLoss of Children and Widowhood
By R. F. COTTRELL
“Sit thou silent, and get thee into darkness, O daughter of the Chaldeans; for thou shalt no more be called, The lady of kingdoms. “I was wroth with my people, I have polluted mine inheritance, and given them into thine hand; thou didst show them no mercy; upon the ancient hast thou very heavily laid thy yoke. And thou saidst, ‘I shall be a lady forever;’ so that thou didst not lay these things to thy heart, neither didst remember the latter end of it. “Therefore hear now this, thou that art given to pleasures, that dwellest carelessly, that sayest in thine heart, ‘I am, and none else besides me; I shall not sit as a widow, neither shall I know the loss of children; but these two things shall come to thee in a moment, in one day, the loss of children, and widowhood; they shall come upon thee in their perfection for the multitude of thy sorceries, and for the great abundance of thine enchantments.’ Isa. 47: 5–9. In this scripture, ancient Babylon, the daughter of the Chaldeans, seems to be taken as a type to represent “Babylon the great, the mother of harlots,” of the book of Revelation. God’s ancient Israel were carried captive to Babylon, and afterward delivered thence. God was wroth with his people, and says, “I have polluted mine inheritance, and given them into thine hand.” In accordance with this, in Dan. 7:25 it is predicted that the people of God should be given into the hands of the little horn, the papacy, during a specified period of time, the 1260 years, from 538 to 1798; at which time the people of God were delivered from the heavy yoke of oppression. But this “lady of kingdoms,” this “mother of harlots,” that has committed abomination with the kings of the earth by the union of church and state, and thus reigning “over the kings of the earth,” became “drunken with the blood of the saints,” elated with the past, in her intoxication she still puts forth the claim: “I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow” (Rev. 18, 7); or, in the language of Isaiah, “I shall not sit as a widow, neither shall I know the loss of children.” Has not this, together with the preceding claim, “I am, and none else besides me,” been strikingly fulfilled in the late voice of the church claiming infallibility for its head? But on the contrary, the Lord declares, “These two things shall come to thee in a moment, in one day, the loss of children, and widowhood.” Has not this threatening also had its fulfillment in the loss of those children of the church which the infallibility dogma has taken from her, and in the fact that her husband, civil power, has departed, leaving her a widow indeed? What comes next? Her plagues and her utter destruction, as written in Rev. 18, “For she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow. Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire; for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.” She is now sitting silent, her head self-imprisoned in the Vatican, and she will soon go into darkness. “Sit thou silent, and get thee into darkness, O daughter of the Chaldeans; for thou shalt no more be called, The lady of kingdoms.” The kings of the earth, who have formerly committed fornication with her, bowing down and kissing the feet of “His Holiness,” shall no more woo an alliance, but shall stand afar off for fear of her burning. And her daughters who are now courting the United States shall share in her fate. Take Warning.
By M. E. Connell
“Shall a trumpet be blown in the city and the people not be afraid? Shall there be evil in the city and the Lord hath not done it? Surely the Lord God will do nothing but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets. The lion hath roared; who will not fear? The Lord God hath spoken, who can but prophesy?” Amos 3: 6–8. The wise shall understand, and a word to them is sufficient. God has spoken to us by the prophets, and his sure word is fulfilled before our eyes. We have seen the “signs in the heavens above, and in the earth beneath blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke.” Awful calamities on both sea and land have been greatly multiplied in 1871. The cities and the forests have been visited with unparalleled scourges, which have opened the eyes of some. Unaccountable and unheard-of judgments and perils are increasing in every part of the world. A few will acknowledge that God has done it. These are but gentle hints of the coming troubles. Surely, the judgments of God are in the earth, yet the mighty tide of evil is sweeping on, and the earth is again being filled with violence. Men’s hearts are failing them for fear, yet they will not turn to God. A merchant in this city, to-day, snatched a moment from his worldly cares, to look at the daily paper, and after glancing at the headings of news items, dropped the paper, and almost frightened us with his manner, and the words, “Oh! my God, what will another year bring upon the inhabitants of the earth?” I talked with him an hour, and he promised to attend our lectures. It would seem that God is trying to get the attention of the meek of the earth, that they may heed his warnings and escape. Who shall stand when he appeareth? The tendency downward is strong. It will not do to trifle here on the very brink of ruin. Now is the time to break away—to shut the eyes and ears to evil, and shun all appearance of it. All worldly pleasures and carnal affections are deceitful and stupefying, and will lead to certain ruin. Are we indulging in anything, word, thought, or deed, that is doubtful, then it must be dropped at once and forever. No time to trifle now. There is too much at stake. Eternal life is to be gained or lost in a very short time. Let none delay the full consecration of all to God. We all know that self must die, and that nothing short of the whole heart will be accepted. The sincere cry of the inmost soul of our heart must be, “HERE LORD I GIVE MYSELF AWAY.” If a soul can only be willing to pass through the death struggles of the old man—to die to all sin and folly—then the all-glorious future of the world to come will be secured. To all my dear friends, who feel before God that they are still lukewarm and unsaved from sin, I extend the earnest entreaty to decide the important question now. A little more delay, and it is forever too late. Think of all the warnings. Think of God’s long-suffering. And oh! think of the shortness of time and the coming judgments. Only those who have clean hands and a pure heart will stand. Oh! then, let every soul arouse at once, and strive mightily to enter that straight gate of a new and deeper experience, which leads to the ocean of peace, known only to those who give up all. Only hide in Jesus and his peace will fill the soul. To-day, if you will hear his voice, harden not your hearts by delay. Spare thy people, O Lord, and help them to start now, and heed all thy warnings while it is called to-day.
M. E. CONNELL.
San Francisco, Cal., Nov. 7, 1871. Watchman, What of the Night?
By George I. Butler
Can we tell where we are in the stream of time? Does the Bible give us any data to determine whether we are near the commencement, middle, or close, of the present order of things? Our popular ministry tells us that it does not. Some of them put it like this: “The Lord may come any moment; or he may not come in ten years, or a hundred, or a thousand, or not for millions; we are always to be ready for death, and to be looking for his coming, and then, if Christ comes, we shall be ready.” They would have us believe that it is not a proper subject for inquiry on our part, and that those who do make this a subject of study are over-stepping the proper grounds of Bible investigation and prying into the secret things of God. We reply, that whatever is written in the Scriptures was written for our learning, and that the things that are revealed, belong unto us and our children forever, and that God having occupied a large space in his word with prophecy, which is history in advance, the man of God will reverentially seek to know of this, as well as other divine truths therein revealed; and, as the Author never does anything amiss, he will evidently find it for his interest to do so; and especially, as Christ’s coming and the signs concerning it are largely spoken of in the Holy Book, it cannot be pleasing to him for us to pass over these as unimportant. Let us examine one scripture on this point. Isa. 21: 11, 12. “He calleth to me out of Seir, Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night? The watchman said, The morning cometh, and also the night. If ye will inquire, inquire ye; return, come.” Here, we believe, the familiar office of a watchman is taken as an illustration of one called of God to watch over the spiritual interests of his people. There can be no doubt the word is often used in this sense. We have an example in Eze. 3: 17: “Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die, and thou givest him not warning, . . . his blood will I require at thine hand.” Again, in Isa. 62: 6, “I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace, day nor night.” And generally, in the prophets, we think it is used in this sense. So of the words morning and night in the text. The present reign of sin, darkness, and death, is referred to as a dark, dreary night, in which dangerous enemies are lurking for our destruction; and the glorious change introduced by the “Sun of righteousness arising with healing in his wings” is called the morning. That this change is called “morning,” we think evident from Ps. 49: 14, “Like sheep they (the wicked) are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning,” referring to the time when the saints shall sit in judgment with Christ. “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” Ps. 30: 5. We have, then, in our text, under the figure of a watchman, the servant of God represented in a position subject to being inquired of concerning the time of the dawn of that glorious event, to which all eyes have looked forward with anticipation. Why is the watchman chosen as a representative of the minister of the Lord? Because of a similarity in the nature of their duties. The watchman is around the city at night while others are asleep, and, in ancient times, when clocks and watches had not been invented, it was often necessary to inquire of him the time of night. What would have been thought had he replied to an inquiry that he could tell nothing about it. He did not know whether it was nine in the evening, midnight, three o’clock, or just about daybreak. Would not the conclusion be inevitable that he had been taking a lengthy and very sound nap? Such a watchman would be thought unfaithful, and would soon be displaced by a better. Faithfulness in a watchman is of all things most necessary. He has the lives of his fellow-men and all their interests entrusted to his care. Inability in him to give warning of the approach of danger, would be criminal. That is the special business which he voluntarily assumes, and why should he not attend to it? So of the man who professes to be able to instruct others in what God has revealed. A plea of entire ignorance in reference to the approach of the greatest event brought to view in the Bible, and of which most of the prophets have discoursed largely, and given some of the plainest predictions, would be like the watchman above referred to. “Watchman, what of the night?” Oh! says he, we can tell nothing about it. Is the morning of light and glory dawning? I know nothing about it. Is danger near? I cannot tell, and you ought not to inquire. It is a forbidden subject. The most fearful day of wrath the world has ever seen, may burst upon us any moment, or may be millions of ages in the future. These things are sealed up, and are all uncertain. But God says it is a proper subject of inquiry, “If ye will inquire, inquire ye.” Amen, say we, God is reasonable. He is willing we should desire to know these things. He was willing Nebuchadnezzar should know something about futurity far back in his day. Dan. 2: 29. How much more as the heavens gather blackness, and portentous clouds hang threateningly in mid air, is he willing we should “inquire” what these things mean! And he will not tell us to inquire, unless there is some answer that can be given; and if we are to “inquire” of the watchman, they must be of that class who have not been asleep, but rather of that number whom God has placed upon the “walls of Jerusalem, who will never hold their peace, day nor night.” We read of another class, Isa. 56: 10, “who are blind; they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand; they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.” These severe words of course I shall not apply, but the contrast between the two classes is striking and suggestive. We have then the deliberate declaration of the Lord in his word that we are permitted to inquire, with an assurance of an answer. The word of the Lord is a lamp, a light in a dark place. Here we are wandering in the dark night of sin and death. The word of prophecy, sure and certain, is just the thing we need to light us through. God has watchmen qualified to give us intelligent answers. We are invited to come and get the desired information. How good the Lord is to condescend thus to our wants. So we are all within reach of light. How many now have an inclination to have light communicated? Alas! many seem willing to live on in darkness like moles and bats. They must love darkness rather than light. They don’t want the morning to dawn; at least, have no desire to know when it will dawn. God has placed the light within reach, watchmen inviting inquirers, light abundant to lead them; but they are contented to dwell in darkness. But thank the Lord there are some children of the light and children of the day who want the morning to come. Such will welcome every glimmer, every increasing ray sent athwart the horizon. They are tired of darkness, of sickness and death. They want to dwell in light and glory with the Sun of Righteousness. Beautiful morning, hasten thy rising. Come with all thy effulgence. Dispel the mist and fog so long hanging over us. Brighten old earth with thy beams. Hail! glorious light of day eternal. But, says the prophet, the morning cometh, and also the night. Yes, while this present state is night, properly so called, from which the saint of God desires deliverance, yet there is a blacker night of darkness in store for those who love darkness, also soon to commence. We read of some for “whom the blackness of darkness is reserved forever.” Here is a fearful night with no ray of light. Yes, while some are enjoying light, gladness, joy and love, others go down to endless night. Oh! fearful thought. Now, rays lighten up the heavens here and there, fitfully proceeding from God’s beacon, his holy word; but in that night of despair, not a ray of light or hope will reach the one who has made the fearful mistake of turning aside to moral darkness and has been satisfied therewith. Are we Getting Ready ?
By R. F. Cottrell
OH! for a just appreciation of the thrilling importance of this solemn time of preparation for the coming of Christ! How should we feel, and how should we labor, could we discern, in all its importance, the day of probation just closing, and ourselves and others in danger of losing the priceless boon of eternal life by our lack of zeal and diligence in the cause of human salvation. We should cultivate faith, faith in the advent, and faith that it is near, even at the doors. These words of Jesus are none too strong, and they have their application now, for the predicted signs are fulfilled, and their record is in the history of the past. It is by faith that we are to live, and by faith that we are to get the victory. And we who have enjoyed the light of present truth, and have, by past and present fulfillment of prophecy, learned that the last message of probation is due, and has actually come, and is doing its solemn and fearful work—we cannot make a nominal faith in past truths answer the present demand. We cannot go back to merely the faith of those from whom the Advent faith has separated us. It would be death to us. No; we must exercise living faith in the advent at hand, or we are dead though we have a name to live. Onward in the light of present truth, is our only safe course. To go back, is perdition. But the true will not draw back to perdition, but believe to the saving of the soul. And our works are the test of our faith. Then let us look and see what we are doing. Are we showing to all that we believe the truth, and are preparing to remove to a better country? Are we cutting loose from earthly moorings, having put all on board for the heavenly country? What are we DOING? This is the test of our faith. R. F. COTTRELL. The Power of Truth.
By C. Lawson
AT our last camp-meeting, while listening to the close, practical, convincing, solemn truths presented from the word of God during the meeting, I was led to exclaim, Oh! the power of truth! Who can resist it? Who that is susceptible of feeling, and is a believer in divine revelation, can turn away from such an amount of truth. The very word itself is full of meaning. A halo of light surrounds it. Place it by the side of error in its darkest form and the power and light of truth will cause its gross darkness to recede. It was the power of truth which fell from the lips of our Saviour, that put his enemies to silence and caused many to believe on him. It was the power of truth attended by the Spirit of God, that caused a Felix to tremble as Paul reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and Judgment to come. It also was the power of truth which attended Peter's sermon on the day of Pentecost, and caused many to cry out, Men and brethren what shall we do? And the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And so all through the word of God we see the mighty working of the power of truth. And from the commencement of time down to the present, has the truth cut its way through error and superstition; and, although at times it seemed crushed and fallen, yet it has risen again. One reform after another has followed in its wake, and now the light of present truth is shining out clearly from the word of God. And as the message rises, the power of truth will be felt more and more; and when the refreshing comes to the people of God, then will the light shine in its meridian splendor, and the power of truth will be felt as never before. Is not the evidence clear that we are very near the close of probation when truth will have gained the victory, and error will fall to rise no more? Do we want a part in this closing work? and do we desire to stand with the redeemed on Mount Zion? Then entire consecration to God and his cause must be our aim. Do we want to win souls to the truth? Then as much as possible let us give ourselves to the work, and may God give us wisdom and much of his Spirit. Rise HIGHER.—When the birds are flying over, and the fowler lies in wait for them, if they fly low, at every discharge of the fowler's gun some fall, some are wounded, and some, swerving sideways, plunge into the thicket and hide themselves. But you will find that immediately after the first discharge of the gun, the flock rise and fly higher. And at the next discharge they rise again and fly still higher. And not many times has the plunging shot thinned out their number, before they take so high a level that it is in vain that the fowler aims at them, because they are above the reach of his shot. When trouble comes upon you, fly higher. And if they will strike you, fly still higher. And, by-and-by, you will rise so high in the spiritual life that your affections will be set on things so entirely above that these troubles shall not be able to touch you. So long as the shot strikes you, so long hear the word of God saying to you, “Rise higher.” SINCE Sept. 27 when I left Osceola and the company of Bro. Canright I have been at home considerable of the time attending to duties there and meeting with the church on the Sabbath besides attending meetings with the friends at Brighton, Osceola, and Sigourney during the meantime. In reference to the spiritual condition of our church at Mt. Pleasant, I think I can speak favorably on the whole, although we have suffered the loss of some of our prominent members and our numbers are small that generally meet; yet I am happy to say I know of no trials that endanger the peace of the church, and there seems to be an earnest desire on the part of some to have the real work deepened in their hearts. On account of a deficiency in our church records which renders it impossible to tell who are members of the church, and for other reasons, it will be necessary to reorganize. This course has been decided necessary at a proper business meeting and in due time will be acted upon. And I would hereby notify the many absent members of this church who desire to still remain such to report to that effect. Sabbath and Sunday, Oct. 21, 22, I met with the friends at Brighton. We had a good attendance from Washington, Richmond, Pilot Grove, and Mt. Pleasant. In preaching the word my mind was specially called to the great points in the Advent doctrine, and I felt blest in considering them and trust others were benefited also. I felt the special help of the Lord while speaking to the people. Bro. Nicola was present and spoke once with acceptance. I can but hope this church has passed through its worst trials, and will now have less of those troublesome difficulties. We still have a good attendance of outsiders at our meetings. Altogether, we had a profitable season. From Oct. 27-29, I was at Osceola to see to matters somewhat during Bro. Canright's absence. I found their new house of worship up, painted three coats, and plastered one, and about ready for seating—a very gratifying progress for about five weeks from its commencement. By this time, no doubt, it is finished. Its progress in these hard times has been a surprise to its friends and enemies alike, and very gratifying to the former. The friends there still seemed of good courage. The meetings, however, which I held there were not very well attended, for a variety of reasons, one of the principal being the lack of a proper place in which to hold them, our only choice being the court-house, which, owing to the tobacco-spitting proclivities of the legal profession, by whom it has just been occupied, reminded one very forcibly of the Augean Stable, the cleansing of which is celebrated in Grecian mythology as one of the labors of Hercules. I think when our house is finished, we shall have a good attendance again. Nov. 11 and 12, I met with the friends in Sigourney. A goodly number were present from Richland. We had a most pleasant and encouraging meeting, one of the best I have attended for a long time. They have a very encouraging Sabbath-school, well attended, and there appears to be a general interest in the meetings and a readiness to bear testimony that was truly refreshing to me. This church has thus far happily escaped those grievous trials which have been the bane of some churches. A good spirit of union appears to prevail. We hope there will be a careful watch kept that the same success may always attend them. We had a very blessed season attending the ordinances. The Spirit of the Master seemed to come in with its melting sweetness, and our hearts were all encouraged. This meeting has cheered my own heart, and I never felt greater confidence in the present truth. Its foundations are firm, built upon the eternal principles of God's word, and cannot fail. I want their strength to ever be before me, in me, and all through me, that I may also be strong in God and able to cast a positive influence in the work. Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, Nov. 15, 1871. We commenced meetings at the Dart School-house first-day, Nov. 5. Have given eight discourses. The interest to hear and learn is good. Secret opposition has assailed us with all its forces by trying to persuade the people that it is wicked to come and hear us. One woman who claims to hold direct communication with Christ says that it was shown her that it was wrong to listen to us. She is a woman of considerable influence, and some are controlled by her. But there are some earnest inquirers after truth here and we trust good is being done. The Lord has blessed us while trying to present his blessed truths. Praise his holy name. May his blessing continue until all the honest in heart receive the glorious light he is now revealing to his people. Remember your unworthy brother at the throne of grace. I want more humility of heart, that I may be submissive to the will of God, and, if such be his holy will, be the means of snatching some poor souls from ruin, and at last hear my Saviour pronounce that welcome applaudit, Well done. In the glorious hope. A. D. BEERS. Little Things.
By Wm. E. Morton
Jesus says, Fear not, little flock, for it is you Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Now if we would be included in that little flock, we must be faithful while here, in the little things, for we know not how much good may be accomplished by a few words spoken in favor of present truth at the right time and place, or by a few tracts judiciously distributed here and there among our friends and neighbors. These are little things. Yet they may be the very means required to cause some poor soul to inquire, What shall I do to be saved? It may require a little sacrifice of time and means on our part to accomplish this, but what of that? Christ sacrificed every thing, that thereby a way might be made for us to be saved. And cannot we sacrifice a little for him? I never saw the importance of these little things until I commenced to serve the Lord, which was only a little over two months ago at our good camp-meeting in Maine. Perhaps it will be right to relate a little of my experience for the encouragement of others. It was a “little thing,” that decided me to become a Christian. My dear mother had been sick for some five weeks and very near to death's door, and it is only through the goodness and mercy of the Lord that she is alive and well at the present time. Friday morning, Sept. 1, we felt that she was out of danger so that I could attend the last three days of the camp-meeting. As I left home at noon, and arrived on the ground just at the commencement of the Sabbath, I had not made up my mind to serve the Lord. Sabbath forenoon there was a call for sinners and backsliders to come forward for prayers; still I kept back. But just then it was a “little thing” that decided me to try to go to the kingdom with this dear people. One good brother came and asked me to go forward with the rest. It was those few kind words spoken at the right time that caused me to yield myself to the Lord. May the Lord bless that dear brother, and the prayer of my heart is that I may prove faithful, and endure to the end. Oh! may each one of us strive to do a little in this good work, for what we do must be done quickly. Soon probation will close. Are we ready for the decree, He that is holy let him be holy still, and he that is filthy let him be filthy still? If we are only faithful in all things a little while longer, we shall be prepared to stand in the day of trouble and be shielded in the day of his wrath. I want to be one of that number! Oh! what a fearful thing it would be if at last we should find ourselves among that class brought to view by the prophet Amos, chap. 8: 11, 12. May the Lord help us in the “little things,” that we may stand amid the perils of these last days, so that when Jesus comes we can meet him with joy and peace, and so be forever with the Lord. The Pilgrim's Mission.
By Sel.
Listen, the Master beseecheth,
Calling each one by his name;
His voice to each living heart reacheth,
Its cheerfulest service to claim.
Go where the vineyard demandeth
Vine-dressers' nurture and care;
Or go where the white harvest standeth,
The joy of the reaper to share. Then work, brothers, work, let us slumber no longer,
For God's call to labor grows stronger and stronger;
The light of this life shall be darkened full soon,
But the light of the better life resteth at noon. Seek those of evil behavior;
Bid them their lives to amend;
Go point the lost world to the Saviour,
And be to those friendless a friend.
Stilled be the lone heart of anguish,
Soothed by the pity of thine;
By waysides if wounded ones languish,
Go pour in the oil and the wine. Work, though the enemy's laughter
Over the valleys may sweep;
For God's patient workers hereafter
Shall laugh when the enemies weep.
Ever on Jesus reliant,
Press on your chivalrous way;
The mightiest Philistine giant
His Davids are chartered to slay. Work for the good that is nighest,
Dream not of greatness afar;
That glory is ever the highest
Which shines upon men as they are.
Work, though the world would defeat you,
Heed not its slander and scorn;
Nor weary till angels shall greet you,
With smiles through the gates of the morn. Offer thy life on the altar;
In the high purpose be strong;
And if the tired spirit should falter,
Then sweeten thy labor with song.
What if the poor heart complaineth,
Soon shall its waiting be o'er;
For there, in the rest which remaineth,
It shall grieve and be weary no more.
—Sel. Lapeer, Michigan.
By T. D. VAN HORN
COMMENCED meetings with the church in this place on Friday evening, Nov. 3. I remained with them nearly two weeks, and held, in all, twenty-one meetings. During this time, the brethren and sisters manifested a becoming zeal and interest in attending all the meetings. The attendance on the part of the people of the place was, for the most of the time, quite small. Great prejudice exists here against the cause of truth, which is owing mostly to the unconsecrated course of some who have been, and are, connected with the church, and the many trials and difficulties which this has produced. I found this church in quite a low condition spiritually, yet they were making efforts to arise and press more unitedly and heartily into the work. A distant feeling toward each other, amounting in some instances to coldness and almost hatred, was the principal obstacle in the way of their advancement as a body. We directed our labor in the first place to do away with this, and, before leaving them, were permitted to see a happy result. We had several business meetings, and it was with great joy that we witnessed unity and harmony of action toward the close. We were made happy by the presence of Bro. Stephen Pierce in our meetings the last Sabbath and first-day of our stay with them. His heartfelt testimony on the Sabbath on the subject of “Love and Unity,” and again on Sunday, on the “Goodness of God,” was just what was needed. The good Spirit of God was present with us on these two days, and, through his goodness and mercy, envy and malice gave way to kindness and Christian love. Financially, this church has been greatly embarrassed for a number of years, and some have become cold and discouraged by reason of it. But now they are rising above this. Their house of worship and the lot on which it stands are now all paid for. They owe about $250 on an adjoining lot which they have purchased, and there was a united feeling, as far as I could learn, to meet it when it becomes due. There are none that are opposed to the plan of Systematic Benevolence, yet all do not participate in it as they should, and as it is hoped they will, when they re-organize at the end of the year. In our last business meeting, Bro. D. H. Sanborn was chosen by the church as their elder, and Bro. Wm. Potter as deacon. They were both ordained, and thus qualified to fill their places in the church. Our last work at this place was to visit the sick at the house of Bro. J. DeMill. We found his wife suffering with fever and in a good deal of pain. By request, we presented her case before the Lord in prayer, and we had the evidence of his love and rich blessing. Relief was given to the sick, and a brokenness of spirit to the husband and children. We have great reason to praise God for what he has done for us in Lapeer. Amen. T. D. VAN HORN. Memphis, Mich., Nov. 16, 1871. New York.
By John Lindsey; S. A. H. Lindsey
From the time of our last report to Oct. 22, we continued meetings every evening and one on each Sunday afternoon at this place. Since then, we have held meetings here twice a week, devoting the rest of our time to a course of lectures at Catlin Hill. The interest continues to increase with an increasing congregation. The Universalists kindly granted us the use of their large meeting-house at the commencement of our lectures, and last evening it was crowded with an intelligent and candid people. They were here from many miles around. Deep solemnity rested upon us. Our theme of discourse was chosen from Jer. 6: 16: “Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.” Comparing this with chapter 7: 23, we were enabled to make the law of the Lord very prominent, and the fourth precept pre-eminent. The people listen so attentively to our plain testimony that we are astonished. What will be the result is now our anxiety. May God grant that it may prove a savor of life unto life to many precious souls. At Catlin our effort has stirred up opposition. When we reached the Sabbath question, the Methodists challenged us for a discussion. We dared not, under the circumstances, do otherwise than to accept. Shortly afterward we received a hint that they had employed a man who had no reputation as a Christian, either in the church or out of it. Then we told them that we would discuss the subject with any one who feared God and regarded his word, but with a wicked man we would not. Shortly afterward, they withdrew the challenges, but they want us to keep still about it. We shall do as wisely with the matter as we know how, and we are satisfied that silence in this case will not be wisdom. May the Lord help us to do right. JOHN LINDSEY,
S. A. H. LINDSEY. Beaver Dams, Nov. 13, 1871. Facts About the Sabbath and First Day in the New Testament.
By Stephen N. Haskell
To investigate the Sabbath question in the New Testament does not require that amount of learning and talent one might suppose. The perplexity that hangs over the subject to many minds is not in the Bible testimony, but it is in the condition of the human heart. Doubt and darkness and unbelief are natural productions of the carnal mind. Error and unbelief are like weeds in the garden; they grow themselves, while truth and righteousness must be cultivated. A few facts concerning the Sabbath, and first-day, clearly illustrate this. 2. Three times repeated we are taught that the Sabbath comes the day before it: “In the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week.” Matt. 28:1; Mark 16:1, 2; Luke 23:53–56 and 24:1. Thus, showing 1st. That the Sabbath is not the first-day, and 2d. That the Sabbath always comes the day before the first-day. 3. The remaining two instances of its mention are merely incidental. The one in 1 Cor. 16:1, 2, refers to a business transaction performed at their own house. Justin Edwards in his notes on “the New Testament translates the original, “lay by him for it in store,” “Lay by him in store at home,” thus contradicting his exposition in the Sabbath Manual. See page 116. 4. The other, and last instance of its occurrence, refers to an evening meeting, Acts 20:7. This is shown by there being lights in the upper chamber where they were gathered together. Verse 8. The Sabbath is not even mentioned in all this connection. 5. The Saviour acknowledges a law for the Sabbath in the expression “Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the Sabbath-day.” Matt. 12:12. 6. He instructs the disciples to remember the Sabbath-day in all their prayers as late as the destruction of Jerusalem, A. D. 70. Matt. 24:20. 7. On the Sabbath-day in A. D. 53, the disciples went out by the river-side where prayer was wont to be made, showing it to be their custom. 8. But no such custom is spoken of concerning the first-day. No instance of its ever being observed as a Sabbath, but expressly it is said that “when the Sabbath WAS PAST,” “very early in the morning the first day of the week.” Yet in view of all these facts, the majority of people believe that the first-day is the Christian Sabbath, and that the Bible teaches it. It would seem that men love darkness rather than light. There are practices tolerated in religious congregations which Christians who are jealous for the honor of their Master’s house should utterly condemn. Decorum is the handmaid of devotional feeling, and for this reason the house of God should never be disturbed by the slightest approach to irreverence. “It is a part of my religion,” said a pious old lady, when asked why she went early to church—“it is a part of my religion not to interrupt the religion of others.” And we believe if many a country congregation made it a part of their religion not to twist their necks almost out of joint to witness the entrance of every person who passes up the aisle during service, it would be better both for their necks and their religion. A gross abuse of religious decorum sometimes needs harsh medicine as a remedy. We give that adopted by Henry Clay Dean, who was at one time Chaplain of Congress. The anecdote is from the Pacific Methodist: “Being worried one afternoon by this turning practice in his congregation, Mr. Dean stopped in his sermon, and said: “Now, you listen to me, and I’ll tell you who the people are as each one of them comes in.” He then went on with his discourse, until a gentleman entered, when he bawled out like an usher, “Deacon A——, who keeps the shop over the way,” and then went on with his sermon. Presently another man passed up the aisle, and his name, and residence, and occupation, were given. So he continued for some time. At length some one entered the door who was unknown to Mr. Dean, when he cried out, “A little old man with drab coat and an old white hat; don’t know him—look for yourselves.” That congregation was cured.