p. 127 | Review and Herald, Vol. 35, No. 16. (4/5/1870)

A Company of Sabbath-Keepers

By L. McCoy

From Bro. McCoy.

DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: Allow one who has never occupied a place in these columns, to speak a word for the cause of truth. I feel very thankful that we have been permitted to hear the sound of the third angel's message; and I rejoice that we had hearts to receive the same. How good the Lord has been to us, to send his messengers of truth this way to warn us of the near-approaching danger.

While the great mass of the human family reject this warning, as was the case in the days of Noah and Lot, yet we rejoice that a few are preparing to meet the Lord at his coming; a few are trying to "keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus."

When we look over the struggles and triumphs that the cause of truth has had here in this place, the last eight months, we feel like praising God for his goodness and his mercy; for we realize that his mighty power has been felt here.

We have had no preaching since last December. Since our organization in October, our numbers have steadily increased. We now number about twenty-five Sabbath-keepers. We have Sabbath School and Sabbath and weekly prayer-meetings, which are well attended. With preaching here a good work might be done.

The little company at this place were brought out through the labors of Elders Butler and Canright during last June and July. Notwithstanding the exceedingly bad weather during the entire time, they labored hard and incessantly for the cause of truth, amidst the strongest opposition and persecution by all the sects of the place.

Non-professors of religion were astounded at the malignant and vindictive spirit manifested by many professors of religion, and even ministers of the gospel, against the advocates of present truth. And I am sorry to say that spirit has not died out yet. But amidst all this opposition we have many warm friends who are not blinded by prejudice, but are willing to hear truth at all times. We are thinking strongly of building a house of worship soon. The cause of truth is stronger here now than at any time before.

We hail the visits of the REVIEW and Instructor with delight, and receive much strength and encouragement therefrom. We keep an abundance of tracts for any who wish to read. We pray that the Lord will extend the work throughout the land. The truth is indeed precious to God's humble people; and as the light is increasing on the truth, God grant that his people may see it, and have strength to live it out.

Yours in hope,

L. McCoy.

Keokuk Co., Iowa, March 21, 1870.

A Good Day at Dell Prairie

By Bro. Tenney

BRO. TENNEY writes from Dell Prairie Wis.: We have abundant reason for acknowledging the goodness and mercies of God. In his dealings with us we recognize the hand of a kind and indulgent Father. We have not experienced severe trials, nor has death ever entered our midst. But from time to time have been added to our number those who esteem it a privilege to bear the reproach of Christ, and face the frowns and opposition of the world for his sake.

Sabbath, Feb. 6, was a good day to us. Bro. Jordon, with several others from a distance, met with us. The Lord graciously manifested his presence in our meetings. Four united with the church, and all were much encouraged.

On account of God's goodness to us we would seek for a deeper work of grace in our hearts. We wish that we were more entirely given up to the will of God. Many are the temptations which Satan is constantly throwing in our way; and often we stumble in his snare. We realize that the way to Heaven leads through trials, temptation, and persecution. We believe that to the people who are trying to prepare for translation they are indispensable. And we sincerely believe that the gift of the Spirit of God in pointing out the errors and sins of those who are engaged in this great work, is necessary to its accomplishment.

We earnestly desire your prayers.

The Amendment Agitation.

By J. W. Bailey

Bro J. W. Bailey writes from Missouri: I fully believe that the time of trouble is near. The “Christianizing” of our form of government and the incorporation of the Bible into our national constitution as the basis, or foundation, of law and good morals, as well as religion, making it the political test, according to the so-called orthodox faith, is gaining ground fast here.

A friend of mine who is an earnest and public advocate of these measures, refused two years ago to believe that they could ever find favor in this government. He now says he never was more firmly convinced of anything than he is of the necessity of pressing these measures. They already have much sympathy here. I believe that the Catholic raid on the Bible in the public schools and their effort at obtaining their share of the public school money are to furnish ground for this agitation; and that the German element with their Sunday amusements will lead to the enforcement of the mark of the beast; and that these prophetic events will develop in so quiet and natural a way that none but the wise will understand.

A county paper says, “The proposed change is said to have enlisted the sympathy of many excellent persons; but it involves considerations of the most momentous character, going to the foundation of our political system, and affecting the rights of large bodies of citizens present and to come, which the authors of the movement have probably never taken into account.”

My great desire is, to get ready for the awful events just beginning to dawn upon us.

HARRIET WHITE

By Harriet White

From Sr. White.

DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: I feel it duty, as well as a privilege, to speak to you through the REVIEW, as I am one of the lonely ones. I give glory to the Lord for the truth. It buoys us up above the trials of this short life. The Saviour prayed for his disciples: so he prayed for us, even for all that should believe on him. Yes, all his promises are sure if we do our part. How much he has done, yet how little we realize it. I want no will of my own; but I want it brought into subjection to the will of God. How pure we must be before we can enter those pearly gates. My cry shall be, “Create within me a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within me.” I want to be able in the strength of the Lord to stand the process of being purified. Pray for me, that I may be an overcomer.

HARRIET WHITE

Portage Co., Ohio.

Bro. Lawrence Visits Jackson County

Sr. C. R. Rice writes from Jackson Co., Mo.: Those who are striving to keep the commandments of God, and to walk in the perfect way will rejoice at the coming of Bro. Lawrence to this place, as a blessing, a help to encourage us to press forward with renewed determination, as we know the time is short. And I trust that he may also have cause to thank God that his footsteps were directed to this part of the great vineyard, for there are some who will acknowledge the truth.

Firm in the Second Coming

BRO. J. CHASE writes from Columbia Co., Wis.: Myself and my wife are alone in this place, in regard to our faith. But, thank the Lord, we are not discouraged. I understand it is those that endure unto the end that have the promise of eternal life. Let us fear lest a promise being left us, any of us should seem to come short of it. I never felt stronger in the doctrine of the second coming of Christ, as it is proclaimed by the Seventh-day Adventists, than now. I commenced to believe it in 1843-4, and I am firmer in it to-day than ever.

Signs of Christ’s Coming

SR. A. HILL writes from Eaton Co., Mich.: Every day we see signs fulfilling that foretell the coming of Jesus. Crime and iniquity are every-day themes. Everything seems to say that the earth is nearly ripe for harvest. Very soon we shall see the Son of Man coming to reap the harvest of the earth. How important that those who profess to be looking for the coming of Jesus, should gird on the whole armor of righteousness, that they may be found without spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing.

Hope of Overcoming

Bro. L. Turney writes from Isabella Co., Mich.: The Lord bless those who sent me the REVIEW. I embraced the Sabbath about a year ago by reading the Bible. It is with solemn thoughts and meditation that I think on the nearness of eternity, and the end of probation, and then, oh! if I am not ready for translation when the Lord descends from Heaven with his angels, to awake the sleeping saints, and to change the living ones to immortality. I hope to be an overcomer by the help of the Lord, and be permitted at last to walk the golden streets of the New Jerusalem.

Request for a Preacher

SR. E. WEBB writes from Webster Co., Iowa: If possible, we should like to have a preacher come out here, as I think there could be a great deal of good done.

A Word of Entreaty.

By Angelia J. Edmunds

My heart is full. Tears unbidden flow when I see so many, day after day, comparatively at ease in regard to their future destiny. How I long to see them hasten to escape the trouble that awaits them in the future if they are not numbered with the overcomers.

My friend, you stand upon the verge of a dangerous precipice. One step more in the wrong direction and you will meet with what will be your inevitable doom.

Turn and flee for your lives. Never mind the scorn and frown. You have seen your danger; flee from it, and warn others as you go. Delay is dangerous. By your standing apparently unconcerned, another may approach too near the fatal spot and fall, never to be reclaimed. You then will be accountable before God; and in the last great day will find that the blood of souls will be found upon your garments. Oh! again I entreat of you, Hasten to obey the present truth. Time is short, and what is done must be done quickly.

ANGELIA J. EDMUNDS.

Johnstown, Mich.

Obstinacy and Vehemence

OBSTINACY and vehemency in opinion are the surest signs of stupidity.

Business Department.

Not Slothful in Business. Rom. xii, 11.

Business Notes.

Will Mrs. A. E. Harris please tell us where the Instructor is sent to herself, and to Stephen H. and Irene S. Brown?

F. B. All right.

RECEIPTS.

For Review and Herald.

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$1.00 each. D. Studebaker 37-11, R. L. Lohman 37-11, S. H. Bornbaum 37-11, J. W. Rawls 37-11, R. H. York 37-11, E. M. Hyatt 37-11, J. W. McAbee 37-11, M. Wilson 37-11, M. Tilton 36-1, L. Robinson 36-15, H. Miller 33-17, W. S. Poole 36-1, W. D. Wilks 36-16, S. Wright 36-15, N. Wardlaw 36-24, W. W. Cushman 36-11, D. Paine 37-1, M. McCulla 37-1, Mrs. Paine 37-1, Wm. W. Crandall 36-24, F. Maxson 37-1, R. Eddy 36-24, W. W. Murphey 36-24, T. D. Brackett 36-4, H. Krell 36-24, E. Curran 36-24, E. Brown 36-24. $2.00 each. C. Conat 37-11, E. Farrington 37-9, N. C. Wheeler 37-15, J. Leland 36-8, A. Shepherd 35-10, Robt. Schram 37-11, P. Sanborn 35-1, Jane Shafer 36-1, Eliza Bliss 37-15, A. P. Green 37-11, Geo. McDowell 37-15, R. Graham 37-15, J. Hickey 37-15, J. S. McCormick 28, M. Carpenter 37-15, S. V. Ward 37-2, S. J. Miller 37-10, J. R. Englebeck 37-10. $3.00 each. S. Mountford 33-1, D. W. Johnson 36-1. Miscellaneous. V. N. Cudworth $4.00 36-1, J. F. Byington 2.61, 36-1, S. Crandall 6.00 38-1, L. Pancoast 1.65 37-4, R. Peck 1.50 37-2, W. Holbrook 0.55 36-11, J. R. Raedels jr. 1.50 38-2, S. Whalen 0.95 36-12.

Books Sent by Mail.

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Books Sent by Express.

J. H. Ginsley, St. Charles, Mich., $35.00.

Opposition to Religious Amendment Debate

The engineers of the movement for the religious amendment of the Constitution, occupy a position which looks somewhat strange in these days of free inquiry and untrammeled investigation. It seems that no question is allowed by them as to the advisability of the proposed amendment, or its right or wrong, but only the form and how it shall be secured. If such is the spirit that prompts the movement, it is easy to see what will be its practical workings, if it shall prove successful. The following item furnishes an index to the hidden feeling:

At the late Pittsburg Convention, the call of which was addressed to members of all creeds, Josiah Cowen, Esq., a Jewish citizen of Pittsburg, arose to speak against the proposed amendment recognizing Christianity in the Constitution, but was informed that no argument on that side was allowed, but only as to the form of the amendment, and how to secure its adoption.

The Result.

We have reached the year eighteen hundred and seventy. For over eighteen hundred years that gospel which many so strenuously contend was designed, and is destined, to convert the world, has been promulgated among the nations of the earth. It was first presented by the Lord himself, then by his apostles, then by the early Christians, and by a long list, through succeeding ages, of those who have been willing to seal their testimony with their blood. The noblest and best of every age have urged it upon their fellow-men. The world has had their continual example of toil, and suffering, and death, for these life-giving truths; and what, so far, is the result, as it respects the conversion of all mankind? The following statistics show the preparations made, and the consequent expenditure incurred, by some of the leading so-called Christian nations of the world for the purpose of wholesale robbery and murder among each other:

ARMAMENTS OF EUROPE IN 1869.—Baron Kuhn gave, in the Austro-Hungarian Parliament, the following statement: France—Army, 800,000; National Guard, 550,000,—total 1,350,000. North and South Germany—Army, 1,000,154; Landwehr, 228,963,—1,229,117. Austro-Hungarian Monarchy—Army, including Navy and reserves, 800,000; Landwehr and Border troops, 253,000,—1,053,000. Russia—Army, 827,350, local and irregular forces, 639,650,—1,467,000. Italy—Army and National Guard, 480,461. Grand total, 5,579,578 without including Spain, or Portugal, or Belgium, or Holland, or England herself, or the three small nations in Northern Europe. These would certainly swell the sum total to at least seven millions. What a host to guard the armed truce that statesmen call Peace, and all to keep reputed Christians from robbing and slaughtering one another.

So much for wars and fightings, which James tells us spring from a source far different from that which is pure and good. And now, if to these vast throngs we add the still larger armies of those who, though they bear no weapons of murder in their hands, are assiduously spreading the seeds of evil and corruption among their fellows, as drunkards, gamblers, thieves, blasphemers, the licentious, &c., &c., with which all the world is filled, the prospect of its conversion is not apparently brought any nearer when righteousness shall fill the earth as the waters fill the sea, if we are to look at the present dispensation as the time when, and to the gospel as the means by which, this is to be accomplished.

If the gospel was designed to convert the world, we may well begin to regard it as a failure. But this was not its design. It was given to be a witness to all nations, and to take out of them a people for God's name. And so, even from the corrupt masses of this degenerate time, a few will be saved. All may be saved who are willing to turn from the broad way in which the multitude walk, and stem the swelling tides of corruption and evil, and purify their hearts by obeying the truth, and bear the cross, despising the shame, for the love of Christ and the recompense of the reward. Reader, which company will you be in? Everything centers in this all-important and final question: Which company will you be in? Ask it seriously of your own soul; and decide in season.

To Correspondents.

R. D. BENHAM: Those who represent us as believing that Christ was a mere man, are either grossly ignorant of our views, or are given to willful and malicious misrepresentations. We believe all that the Scriptures declare concerning him, expressed in a word, that he was the divine Son of God.

ANNA W. GOULD: See response to your call for the Bible view of the subject of Elijah, in the first editorial of this paper.

H. B., of Tuscola, Mich.: We hold that the change wrought in a man's heart by conversion, is sometimes illustrated by the figure of birth, but that the new birth properly, is our birth into the immortal kingdom by a resurrection from the dead, or a change equivalent thereto.

J. L. MILLER, of Tuscola Co., Mich.: In Job 42:7, God vindicates him before his friends as having spoken that which was right.—The compassion and humility expressed in the preceding verses, had reference, we think, to the too confident manner in which he had spoken of himself in comparison with the Almighty.

G. M., of Talleyrand: For an answer to your question, see the little tract, published at this Office, on the Rich Man and Lazarus.

New Tents—Further Information.

ELD. J. SANBORN: We immediately forwarded your inquiry to Bro. Adams of Chicago, from whom we now receive the following additional information:

Gilbert, Hubbard & Co., 207 South Water St., Chicago, Ill., will furnish 60 feet tent-tops of 12 oz. duck, wall, 7½ feet, of 8 oz., with center ring and hooks, guy ropes, ropes and tackle, everything complete and ready to set up, for $425.00, excepting the wooden poles, both center and side, and irons for the guy poles and stakes. The poles and irons will cost from $40 to $70, according to finish. I think it would be best to get poles and irons where lumber and labor is cheaper than here, and also to save freight. Where practicable, it would be best to write the makers before ordering, as it may be to your advantage. Duck has declined in prices since the 1st inst.

Jas. Adams.

Chicago, March 25, 1870.

Items.

By Jos. Clarke

RELIGION proposes to take from us our sins and evil traits and habits, and to give us in their stead, the heavenly graces and virtues; who can object to so profitable an exchange?

If you would know what your sins are, set about eradicating them. If you would know what your idols are, set about the work of casting them out.

True moral courage is the effect of living faith. Heb., chapter 11. In proportion as faith is strengthened so is moral courage. In proof of this, read the history of the martyrs. Without faith, courage to endure will sometimes fail; with faith, a living faith, never.

To maintain this faith, we need to keep our garments always white; and for this, we need the eye-salve. Rev. 3:18. The Christian who lives for a day or an hour without the inward evidence that he is accepted of God, is forming a dangerous precedent. Such habits of Christian life, cause the final fall and ruin of churches and individuals. This is the poison of nominal Christianity. Would that no one of us had brought its baleful influence with us into present truth. Verily, the world can give no such joy, as does the blessed assurance of pardon and acceptance with God. This sweet assurance begets in us love and praise to God, and causes peace.

It is perfectly in harmony with Scripture, that in the last days, the church should increase in its zeal to purify itself from error, and to stand clear in the sight of God, see Heb. 10:25, and so much the more as they see the day approaching. This sentiment is found in various parts of the Scriptures. See Isa. 8:16, 20, etc.

People often cast the blame of their sins upon God; but it is the voluntary act of the sinner, which bars the gates of Heaven against him.

JOS. CLARKE.

Appointments.

By Dudley Marvin Canright; A. Gleason

And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of Heaven is at hand.

Providence permitting, I will hold meetings in Anderson's Hall, Monroe, Iowa, Sabbath and Sunday, April 16 and 17, beginning Friday evening at 7 o'clock. I can stay but a short time, hence wish to see all our friends out as far as possible. We invite them from Knoxville and other places. I intend to visit Sigourney next. D. M. CANRIGHT.

The next Quarterly Meeting of the Hillsdale church will be held at our house of worship in Hillsdale, the first Sabbath and Sunday in June next. We desire to awaken more interest in the cause of truth in Hillsdale, and solicit ministerial aid, and the aid of all others interested that can come. By order of committee, A. GLEASON, Clerk.

Unsigned Communications

For the benefit of all correspondents, we would mention the fact that two communications received this morning, April 3, met a very summary fate. Containing no signature which would give us any clue to the writers, they found a straight path to the waste basket.

A Circumstance that Alters the Case.

By W. Sutliff

BRO. W. SUTLIFF writes from Steele Co., Minn.: “I would say in regard to Eld. Fassett’s complaint about Bro. I. Sanborn’s going among their people at Burns, that I had distributed our publications there, and quite an interest was awakened in that place before Eld. Hough went there.”

From this it appears that our people made the first move in that field, and that if any claim can be based on priority of possession, it belongs to us. Under these circumstances, a complaint against Bro. Sanborn of entering into their labors, comes from them, to say the least, with very poor grace. They accuse him of doing the very thing of which they were guilty, and he was not—an accusation quite suggestive of what the wolf said to the lamb on the bank of the stream.

The Results of Diligence

Do but the half of what you can, and you will be surprised at the result of your diligence.