Earlier text: Signs of the AdventTHY kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. The Lord's prayer was doubtless intended for the use of Christians in the gospel dispensation. It is not yet out of date, and will not be till its petitions are fulfilled; and, being indited by the Holy Spirit and in harmony with the will of God, each petition is sure to be fulfilled. The kingdom will come, and the will of God will be done in earth, as it is now done by the angels of God in heaven. It is true, if the kingdom was established on the day of pentecost, as some teach, the prayer is out of date, and should have been out of use, for more than eighteen hundred years. But, not seeing the will of God done on earth, as we have reason to believe it is in heaven, reason would say that it is proper to still make use of the leading petition, "Thy kingdom come." The kingdom of the text is the one prophesied of in Dan. ii, and vii—the everlasting kingdom which the God of heaven was to set up, and which the saints were to possess forever and ever. That this promised kingdom has not been given is evident from numerous passages in the New Testament. Paul instructs Timothy that Christ will judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom. James encourages the poor brethren with the thought that though poor in this world, they may be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which God, saith he, hath promised to them that love him. We are further instructed that it is through much tribulation that the people of God—those that have been converted—are to enter the kingdom; that flesh and blood cannot inherit it, and consequently there must be a change from corruptibility to incorruptibility in the saints before they can inherit it, and that this change does not take place till the coming of Christ and the resurrection of the dead; therefore we must look beyond that event for the answer to the petition, Thy kingdom come. The second petition—"Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven"—will be fulfilled when the kingdom shall have come. There will be no failure in the fulfillment of this petition. We cannot hasten the coming of the kingdom by any act of our own. We can express the ardent desire, and leave the time with God. But if we do really desire the will of God to be done on earth, we can at least show a disposition to do it now. And we are not consistent unless we do so; neither shall we enter into the kingdom of God. Our Saviour says, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." It is in vain, then, that we pray the Lord's or any other prayer, unless we do his Father's will. The kingdom will come, but we shall have no part in it. It is an important inquiry then, What is the will of the Father? Reason would at once say that if he has a law, his will is expressed in it. Some talk of the old and new law, as though God's will respecting a proper course of conduct for men was changeable. But we find but one perfect code of morals in the whole Bible, and that is the ten commandments. Here, and only here, is the will of the Father embodied. We cite a testimony to prove that the will of God is expressed in his law, and also to prove that the Son of God did not come into the world to abolish it. Ps. xl, 7, 8. "Then said I, Lo, I come; in the volume of the book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God; yea, thy law is within my heart." This according to our inspired commentary, relates to the time when Christ came into the world to make an offering for sin. See Heb. x. Instead of saying he comes to abolish the law, to nail it to his cross, he says, I delight to do thy will. Yea, the law is within my heart. This is the same law, doubtless, which is to be written in the hearts of God's people under the new covenant. Jer. xxxi, 31; Heb. viii, 10. Jesus obeyed this law perfectly in his life, and then suffered its penalty—that which is due to transgressors. But the prediction continues: "I have preached righteousness in the great congregation." This he did in his sermon upon the mount. "Think not," said he, "that I29 am come to destroy the law or the prophets," &c. Matt. v, 17. Read down to the twentieth verse, and it will be seen that he did preach righteousness in the great congregation. Another testimony concerning the will of God is found in the New Testament. 'Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God; and knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law.' Rom. ii, 17, 18. If we read onward to verse 23, we shall see that this law, which makes known the will of God, is the one that forbids theft, adultery, and idolatry; and by verse 12, in connection with verse 16, it will be seen that all men that have a knowledge of this law will be judged by it, in the day that God shall judge the secrets of men according to the gospel. The will of God, then, which Jesus taught us to pray might be done on earth, includes the ten commandments. Earth will be a happy place when they are all obeyed. No Christian will object against any of these, as being holy, just, and good, except the Sabbath commandment. This is held to be abolished. But turn to the last chapter of Isaiah, and read verses 22, 23, and it will be seen that when the kingdom is come, and the new earth is made, that 'all flesh' will come 'from one Sabbath to another to worship before the Lord.' We may pray in faith then, that the time may come when the will of God shall be done on earth; but, to be consistent with ourselves, we must do his will now. Otherwise we oppose in our practice the fulfillment of the petition. From what has been thus hastily said, we draw the following conclusions: 1. When we pray for the coming of the kingdom, we pray for the coming of Christ, the king. 'Even so, come, Lord Jesus.' None but a believer in the second advent ever understandingly prayed this prayer. No one ever prayed it in the Spirit, and at the same time desired that the coming of Christ might be far in the future, at least, that he should not come in their day. This theme of Christ's coming should not be so unpopular as it is among professors of Christianity at the present time. All, at least, who use the Lord's prayer, should be advent believers, and desire his coming. 2. When we pray for the will of God to be done in the earth, we pray for the ten commandments to be kept, the Sabbath as well as the rest, as will be the case in the new earth. None but a commandment-keeper ever understandingly and consistently prayed this prayer. We cannot, in spirit, pray this prayer, unless we really desire God's will to be done; and if we truly desire this, we shall engage with all our hearts to do his will. The prayer was composed for the use of advent believers and commandment-keepers, yea, for Sabbath-keepers. Brethren, let us live as we pray, and pray as we live, 'Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.' BRO. WHITE: I voted to have a new chart, and I want our messengers to go into new fields with the light of the glorious truths contained in the third message. How it tore the vail of infidelity from my poor benighted mind, and whereas I was once blind I now see. It is my duty to labor in the vineyard of my Lord, although bidden at the eleventh hour, that soon I may receive the rich reward of those who are bidden. I enclose twenty dollars: ten for the chart, and ten for the missionary fund. I am not afraid to deposit my money in the bank of heaven. So I must have a share or two in all the stocks that are proposed to be given, and I feel sure that I am not following a cunningly devised fable, for the evidences are so numerous and positive of the power and coming of our Lord. My only fear is lest self-deception deprive me of entering with the people of God; but by his grace I am determined to be found striving to enter with them. There is too much to lose, and nothing to gain by letting go of this blessed hope. O, that I could tear the veil of mysticism and prejudice and skepticism from the minds of my friends and fellows and have them learn what I have realized and the worth of eternal life. I rejoice that order and system and union are adopted to carry on this great and closing work, and I pray that I may ever be found willing to stand in my place and to walk in the counsel of the Lord until he comes whose right it is to reign. Your brother, for the truth. REMARKS.—Bro Harvey speaks to the point. We hope his testimony will wake up others. A thousand copies of the prophetic chart, and a thousand of the ten commandments would probably cost $2000. If this sum could be raised for the Association, it could publish the charts, sell them at cost, and receive the amount as fast as sold, into the general publishing fund, to be sent out in books to destitute fields. In this way the work can be kept moving right along. No man can be found to invest $2000, in these charts. A few would be taken at once, then sales would be slow. In view of the uncertainty of the times, no one would feel safe to publish and offer such charts as the cause demands, for less than three dollars a copy. If one hundred and ninety-nine more will do as Bro. Harvey has done, the charts may be published and sold for not far from one dollar a copy, and the amount arising from sales can help the Association to still push forward its noble work. It will make no difference whether money be sent for the Association or for the charts. The Association has not the money to publish the charts. We design leaving for the East in a few weeks, and if the money is sent in, we can publish the charts, if not, we cannot publish them, unless we hire the money. The Association has been paying debts, and has purchased stock $1000 beyond the means on hand. Outside Testimony.
By WM. S. FOOTE
I THINK it was President Mahan of Oberlin, who said that “admissions in favor of truth from the ranks of its enemies, constitute the highest kind of evidence.” The following article, taken from the Columbian Register, is evidence of that kind; and, after reading it, compare the same with what may be found on page 9, of Testimony to the Church, No. 9; and if our faith in the present truth is not a little strengthened, then it is high time for us to awake to righteousness and sin not.
WM. S. FOOTE. SPIRITUALISM AND HOBGOBLINS.—When the clergymen of Chicago waited upon the president of the United States, he informed them that the proclamation for the freedom of negroes, would be like the pope's bull against the comet. “But,” says the President, “if the Lord desires me to do this, why don't he inform me who am so deeply interested in, and responsible for knowing?” The Chicago priesthood did not understand him; they were simply Methodists. But Robert Dale Owen, who is a Spiritualist, had a communication with the spirits, and thereupon wrote a letter to Secretary Stanton, urging the proclamation upon the country and the President, as just, right, and of God. Judge Edmonds, Robert Dale Owen, and other spiritualists, gave the President the long-expected communication through mediums, and he acted accordingly. Now put a pin right here. In no arbitrary arrest has this form of despotism been exercised toward a Puritan or Spiritualist. Dashiell and Olds, among the Methodists, McPheeters, among the Presbyterians, McMasters, among the Catholics, Episcopalians represented by judge Carmichael, all well, thoroughly, and fitly represented in prisons without crime; but no Puritan, no Spiritualist, has ever been arrested—none ever will. We have an administration controlled by Spiritualism. Gurley is a Spiritualist, Robert Dale Owen, Judge Edmonds, and Thad. Stevens, Burlingame, Schurtz, and Sumner are Spiritualists. The last appointment announced is that of Gurley, of Cincinnati, governor of Arizona, a Spiritualist. Has it come to this? a great country governed by ghosts, spirits, hobgoblins, table-turnings, rappings, &c. Be not deceived; this is the animus of the administration.—Burlington (O.) Argus. COMMENTS BY THE PROVIDENCE POST.
The above is true, undoubtedly, but it does not tell us half the whole truth. Judge Edmonds, the man of visions, is an adviser of the President, and is frequently in Washington. We think he is now residing there. A noted medium, of New York city, is frequently sent for, and has interviews with the President, the object of the latter being to obtain communications with the spirits. This, we have excellent authority for saying, is strictly true. In reference to the proclamation this may be said. The spirit of Andrew Jackson was called upon, and urged vehemently that it should not be issued. The spirit of Thomas Jefferson was called, and was in favor30 of issuing it. It is now suspected that the spirit which represented itself to be that of Jefferson was an impostor. From what we have been told, we have no doubt that the President is a very firm believer in the ghosts; but, it is said, he is more conservative than most of the Spiritualists which surround him, and frequently remarks that the communications from the other world are often delusive. Is Sunday the Original Seventh Day?
By B. F. Snook
THE assumption that Sunday is the original seventh day, is becoming quite popular in the West. It is now by many regarded as the strongest grounds to urge against us. Peter Acre has made himself conspicuous in the Methodist church as the advocate of this view. In his work on Sacred Chronology he has labored very extensively to prove that the Sabbath which was instituted on the first seventh day of time was observed till the exodus of Israel from Egypt. But that at that time God gave the Jews a Sabbath, not to be observed on the original seventh day, but a day back of that, which would be on the original sixth day; and that at the death of Christ this sixth-day Jewish Sabbath was abolished, and from that time on, the original seventh-day Sabbath was kept, which is called the first day of the week according to our reckoning. We will now present some reasons against this view, which show that it cannot possibly be sustained by the Bible, history, nor anything but false reasoning. We will hear the testimony of Moses in reference to this supposed change of the Sabbath from the seventh back to the sixth day. “And he said unto them, This is that which the Lord hath said, To-morrow is the rest-day of the holy Sabbath unto the Lord.” Ex. xvi, 23. This shows that the Sabbath was at that time not a new thing; for Moses speaks of it as an existing institution. That it was not instituted in the wilderness, for he says of it, “This is that which the Lord HATH said (not says, in the present; but hath, in the past). That it was not the Jews' Sabbath, as Dr. Acre contends; for he says it “is the rest-day of the holy Sabbath unto the Lord,” not unto the Jew. The next point to settle is, On what day did Moses make the above statement? If it were on the fifth day it would suit the above very well; but it was on the sixth day. See verse 22. Again he said of the day of which he was speaking, “It is the rest-day of the holy Sabbath unto the Lord.” It therefore was the day on which the Lord rested, and must have been the original seventh day. But on this we have something better than inference. “So the people rested on the (sixth day, Acre) seventh day (Moses).” Verse 30. This settles the question, and shows that Mr. Acre is against the plainest declarations of the word of the Lord. This day he called the rest-day of the holy Sabbath unto the Lord—the seventh day is the very day commanded to be kept for the Sabbath in the fourth commandment, and is there called the seventh day, the day on which God rested, and the day which he blessed and made holy. All the foregoing of the Dr.'s Chronology never can weigh anything against these plain words of inspired scripture. These testimonies identify the day which the Jews observed for the Sabbath, with the day on which God rested, which the Dr. admits is the only true and lawful Sabbath. We will now admit his petition for argument's sake, and see what follows. As the day given the Jews is the only day commanded to be kept for the Sabbath, and as it is the sixth day according to his hypothesis, it follows that there is no divine command for the observance of the seventh day. As the day observed by the Jews is the only Sabbath for the observance of which there is a blessing promised, or for the profaning of which there is a curse pronounced, it follows that for the Dr.'s only true Sabbath there is neither a blessing nor curse; so that a man is neither better nor worse for keeping or not keeping it. As the Scriptures call the day commanded to the Jews the seventh day, they are wrong, and should be corrected by Acre's Chronology. But we are not prepared to receive such absurdities yet. We will examine the New Testament record on the subject. Matthew says, “In the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week.” Chap. xxviii, 1. Mark says, “And when the Sabbath was past. . . . and very early in the morning, the first day of the week.” Chap. xvi, 1. This testimony clearly shows that the Sabbath is one day, and that the first day is another. The Sabbath is not the first day, and the first-day is not the Sabbath. The seventh is the day of rest—the first day, the day on which Christ arose from the dead. And that day was the preparation, and the Sabbath drew on. And the women also which came with him from Galilee followed after, beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid, and they returned and prepared spices and ointments; and they rested the Sabbath-day according to the commandment. Luke xxiii, 56. Now upon the first day of the week very early in the morning they came unto the sepulchre, xxiv, 1. This testimony speaks of three days. First, the preparation day, which was the sixth, and was spent in preparing for the Sabbath. Second, the Sabbath, which was the seventh day, and was kept according to the commandment, because it enjoins the observance of the seventh day for the Sabbath, but no other. Third, the first day of the week; the day on which Christ arose from the dead. These three are separate and distinct days, and must not be confounded. Eusebius, who wrote a history of the church from the days of the apostles to Constantine, speaks of these days in the same order. Speaking of an event, he says that it occurred on the day before the Sabbath, Friday, p. 858. Speaking of another event, he says that it happened on the very day of our Lord's resurrection, p. 859. Hence we see that as far down as Eusebius extends his history, the same Bible record of these days was recognized. We will now bring forward the testimony of a great fact which co-incides with all that is said above. We have shown that the day which the Jews observed is the original seventh-day Sabbath. It is a historical fact that the Jews as a people yet adhere to their ancient custom of observing the same day. Therefore the conclusion is irresistible that the day now observed by them is the original seventh-day Sabbath. We in conclusion would say that we prefer to regulate chronology by the Bible and by facts, instead of regulating the Bible by chronology. This is a new argument gotten up to save an entire defeat. All others are so weak and flimsy that those in the habit of using them are doubtful of them, and as the people are generally uninformed on the subject of chronology, the enemy has led out with the great and astounding chronological argument that the first day is the seventh! But why not say that the seventh day is the first day? Oh that would not reach to Sunday, and hence would not suit; for nothing will do but that which will save Sunday, and whatever will do that is just the thing to be popular. ELLEN A. SEELY
By Ellen A. Seely
Bro. WHITE: My heart has been cheered and strengthened while reading the Review from week to week, and thinking perhaps it was my duty, as well as that of others, to contribute something to its pages. Twenty-two years have elapsed since I sought and found forgiveness of my sins through the all-atoning blood of Christ. Ever since I have endeavored to walk worthy as a disciple of that blessed Saviour who "died that I might live." Many times I have been led to mourn over my coldness, and backwardness in the things which pertain to the eternal welfare of my soul. I was early taught the faith of the F. W. Baptists and was a member of that society seven years. Since 1851, I have been a member of a Congregational Church. Five years since, the faith of the S. D. Adventists was advocated in the town where I resided. Books were given me to read, but I did not peruse them as I should have done, had my mind been free from prejudice. I regarded the leaders of the doctrine as none of the Lo here's! and Lo there's! Nearly three years I have had access to the Review, but did not read it until induced to out of curiosity, and the want of other reading to peruse. As I read its pages from week to week my mind was not at rest. Sunday was the Sabbath no longer. I made every effort to make the day seem as it used to, I often thought that I would give almost anything to have Saturday a preparation day as in my earlier years. There it was in spite of all my efforts. The holy rest day, which God had sanctified and blessed, and I resolved to let the subject entirely alone. I have often been asked what I thought of the Advents! and my reply has been that I had resolved to let them alone. I wished to enjoy my own opinion; and I was willing that they should. I have always read with interest the Experience and Testimonies of Sister White. At first I did not believe the visions, but when I came to see that they were in accordance with the word of God, my doubts at once vanished. It was while reading the vision of the ten commandments, and the halo of glory, which enshrouded the fourth that I was led to see the light of the holy Sabbath. For sometime I rejected the light which I had, until I saw that unless I kept the "commandments of God and the faith of Jesus" I could have no part in that "better country" which God is preparing for those that "love him and keep his commandments." Since last January I have been trying to keep the day holy which God set apart, sanctified and blessed; and in so doing I feel that the Lord has blessed me, and if I am faithful to do his will, a crown of rejoicing will be mine when he comes to make up his jewels. O! the blessed truth of the third angel's message! I have often thought had I confidence and education sufficient, I would proclaim it to the world. I have many friends scattered through different States. I wish to have them hear this precious truth before it is too late. I wish to be an humble instrument in the hands of my Master in bringing some to the knowledge of the truth as it is revealed in his word. I want to be ever humble, prayerful, and watchful over my own heart, and be always ready to do my Saviour's will. He says "In the world ye shall have tribulation, but in me ye shall have peace." I want to live so as to have that peace, and be enabled to overcome every trial and temptation, that I may have an inheritance in that kingdom which the Saviour of the world is preparing for all his faithful, waiting children. I feel that by the assisting grace of God, I can endure all the scoffs and reproaches which the world can heap upon me. I am willing to endure all for Christ's sake, if I can only have a seat in those blest mansions, "where the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are at rest." O! glorious thought. A home in heaven, with Jesus and the holy angels! My Christian friends is it not worth living for? Is it not worth seeking and laboring for? My daily prayer is, that I may so live as not to bring a wound, or a reproach upon the cause that I profess to love, but ever live humble at the Saviour's feet. Yours in hope of eternal life. S. I. LATHROP
By S. I. Lathrop
BRO. WHITE: It is now about eight years since I have been trying to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. During this time I have made51many crooked paths, but the Lord has been kind and merciful to me. I have passed through many trials and afflictions, but the Lord has been, and still is, a very present help in every time of need. Two months ago I was taken very sick, and by spells was almost insane. Not understanding the nature of my disease, I yielded to temptation. Then the enemy came in like a flood, threatening to destroy my life. For three weeks my suffering of mind and body was so great, that I could not rest day nor night. But in answer to prayer I have been healed, both mind and body, and am now enjoying better health than I have for a long time. O, how good the Lord is! How long he bears with us poor erring mortals, and he has provided a way whereby the willing and obedient may have everlasting life by simply complying with the rules laid down in his word. I feel more than ever like striving to love and serve him whom we expect soon to see coming in the clouds of heaven. I realize I have much to overcome, and my daily prayer is for grace to endure all the conflicts by the way, that I may at last come off victorious, and have a place with the redeemed. THOU who for forty days and nights o'ermastered all the might
Of Satan, and the fiercest pangs of famished appetite,
O Saviour! leave us not alone to wrestle with our sin,
But aid us in these holy hours of solemn discipline. Let not the tempter tempt us, Lord, beyond our strength to bear,
Though in the desert of our woe, he wildly shrieks,
Despair!
Let not our humble confidence be in thy promise stirred,
Nor clouds of dark distrust spring up between us and thy word. Nor let us yet be lifted up by him, the prince of air,
To scale presumption's dizzy hight, and left to perish there;
Nor on the temple's pinnacle, in our self-righteous pride,
Be set for thee to frown upon, and demons to deride. And O, when pleasure, power, and pomp around our vision swim,
And through the soft, enchanting mist, he bids us worship him,
Assist us from the reveling sense the sorcerer's spell to break,
And tread the arch-apostate down, Redeemer! for thy sake.
[Croswell.] Quarterly Meeting in West Union, Iowa.
By D. T. Shireman
BRO. WHITE: According to appointment the brethren and sisters came together for our first quarterly meeting, June 12 and 13. This was the largest gathering of Sabbath-keepers that has ever been in this place. We had meeting twice on the Sabbath, and twice on first-day, and a season of baptism, where Bro. Butler buried eight in the watery grave, and we trust that they have risen to walk in newness of life. We truly had a happy time. I believe that this meeting will be long remembered by all that were here. The church in this place would be glad to have Bro. and sister White visit them. Could you not come this fall? The church in this place is striving to get on higher ground. O, may the Lord guide and direct us. J. H. ROGERS
By J. H. Rogers
Bro. White: Being often encouraged by reading the testimonies in behalf of the cause to which I feel so greatly attached, I feel it my duty, as well as privilege, to add a word of my testimony. It has now been nearly five years since I have been endeavoring to keep all the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. I acknowledge I have made but slow progress in the way of the third angel's message, but do not feel like giving up. No, the more trouble and difficulties I have to pass through, the more determined I am by the grace of God to stand firm unto the end. I am greatly encouraged at seeing the unity of action that now begins to manifest itself among those who are bearing the message. It seems to me the time is not far distant when it will go forth with power. I will adopt the language of the poet, and say, "Speed on, speed on, the tidings glad,
That none who love him may be sad."
O, that we could all realize the solemnity of the times in which we live. "Signs portend that Jesus' coming
Is near at hand."
Yours in hope of eternal life. Affliction and Christian Hope
By Samuel Treat
BRO. WHITE: Through the goodness and mercy of God I am yet living; and while I am wading through the painful infirmities of age and the cares and perplexities of this life, I often desire, as Paul did, to depart and be with Christ, which is far better than all this world can afford. Notwithstanding all the ills of this life which flesh is heir to, I have a desire to be submissive to the will of the Lord, for I believe all things work together for good to them that love God, who are the called according to his purpose; and that afflictions also are among our choicest blessings, for whom he loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. These words of holy writ are very consoling to my heart, for while I cannot boast of so much peace of mind as many of the dear brethren and sisters in their letters, yet I have a hope of still outriding all the storms of adversity, through the atoning merits of Jesus Christ; not without works, for faith without works is dead, being alone; but by giving all diligence to make my calling and election sure. As I read the Review from week to week and learn the onward progress of the cause of Zion since the church has commenced in good earnest to set things in order, by organizing churches, appointing Conferences, &c., my heart responds a hearty amen to it, for it does seem to me the Lord is setting his seal of approbation, by giving among his people a spirit of union, and also moving upon the hearts of the youth, and bringing some of them by faith and repentance to come to the knowledge of the truth, and my prayer is that he will keep the sheep of his own pasture, and carry the dear lambs in his bosom, and shield them against the evil insinuations and temptations of the adversary. Yours, in hope of eternal life.
SAMUEL TREAT.
Searsport, Me. The Law Is the Truth
By Lois J. Richmond
Bro. WHITE: Our hearts are again made to rejoice at the thought that God is about to revive his work here in the East. Truly we have been passing through a dark night of sorrow and trial, and at times hope has seemed to fail, then again some angel of mercy would seem to dispel the thick clouds of darkness, and hope would revive, and I can say to-day that my interest in, and love for, the cause of truth, has not abated, but when it prospers I can rejoice; when it suffers I feel to weep. Yes, I can say it is my life, my hope, my all. Through it we are to be sanctified. It is our only shield amid the dangers and perils by the way. It is our anchor when tossed upon life's billowy sea. Without it we are driven at the mercy of the winds, and although in time of a calm we may rest for awhile secure, but let the winds blow, the storm beat, and where are we? Echo answers, Where? Not so with truth. It is built upon a rock, and the harder the winds blow, the more severe the storm, the greater the danger, the brighter, the clearer, and more lovely shines the truth upon our pathway, a beacon-light pointing us onward and upward to our sure resting-place, and as it casts its anchor within the vail, there is no fear of its being removed. Then let the inquiry of our hearts ever be. What is truth? David gives a beautiful and comprehensive answer to this question in Ps. cxix, 142: "Thy law is the truth." But I did not intend to dwell so long here when I commenced this letter, but simply to express my feelings of joy at the thought that the angel of mercy is hovering over the East, and that God has still thoughts of mercy toward us. How cheering, how encouraging the thought. Well may we rejoice. Then bid us not to hold our peace. We may, we can, we must, rejoice that God in his infinite mercy is again sending his servants this way to strengthen the things that remain, and establish order and system here in the East. May God help us to learn wisdom by the things we have suffered, and may we rightly prize and appreciate the help he is pleased to send us, is the prayer of your unworthy sister.
Lois J. RICHMOND. Bro. H. G. Washburn writes from Waterloo, Iowa : I must say before closing that I believe our little society of commandment-keepers all stand firm in the third message, and in the unity of the faith and harmony with each other, striving to show our faith by our works, and to live as becomes a people who are waiting for the coming of their Lord, that when he returns from the wedding we may be accounted worthy to be his guests, having on the wedding garment. What a blessed prospect there is in view for those who are able to overcome all the besetting sins of this world, holding fast their confidence to the end. May I be of the happy number, is my daily prayer and determination, though I wade through great tribulation. O, that the Lord would strengthen and assist me through every trial, and grant that I may bring my family along with me. M. A. Robinson writes from Princeville, Ills. : I would like to speak a few words of encouragement to the many readers of the Review, especially the lonely ones. My heart is often made to rejoice when I read the cheering letters from the brethren and sisters. I would say, Go on; for in the strength of Israel's God we are able to go up and possess the heavenly Canaan. It has been about three years since I received the truth on the Sabbath. I feel truly thankful that I was ever brought to see the obligation that I am under to God, to keep his whole law ; to keep his commandments and the faith of Jesus. I can say that the Sabbath is my delight. O, that I could keep it holy unto the Lord. I look forward to the time when we shall enjoy an unending Sabbath of joy and peace, where we can praise God undisturbed by the sound of the busy throng, where we shall not hear the clash of the weapons of death, or the shrieks and groans of the wounded and dying, where the lame shall leap for joy, where the blind man shall see, and the mourner shall rejoice. There the widow's and orphan's tears shall be wiped away, and sorrow shall be banished from all hearts. Then we shall be done praying for ungodly companions and neighbors. No more shall we hear the holy name of God blasphemed, or see his holy Sabbath trampled under the feet of fallen man. What is man that he should raise the puny arm of rebellion against the great Jehovah ? O, that man could see his frailty. I desire to lay aside every weight, and the sin that doth so easily beset, and ever be found saying, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? Dear brethren and sisters, though we are strangers here, we have the same Father, the same elder Brother, and are journeying to the same land. May we all live so that when the changing scenes of life are past, we shall reign with Christ above. Bro. J. H. Rogers writes from Victoria, Mo. : Our church, though small, are aiming to come into gospel order. We have some S. B. money on hand, and are desiring to bestow it on some messenger, whom we pray the Lord in his providence to send this way. Our call for help is urgent. We desire to rise with the message. Pray for us. Bro. M. H. Bates writes from Nashua, Chickasaw Co., Iowa : Having moved to Iowa, I find none near with whom I can meet on the Sabbath. I realize what it is to be a lonely one. My heart's sympathy is with those who are in such a situation. I truly feel the responsibility upon me, of living out the truth in all its bearings, before this people. As they have never heard it proclaimed, they are ignorant of the requirements of God upon them. Could the message be proclaimed here, I think some would embrace it. Should any of the brethren come this way, they will find me in the village of Nashua. Some are willing to read the publications which I have. Bro. W. P. McCormack writes from Burke Centre, Wis. : The Review is a welcome visitor in our neighborhood. Mine is the only one taken here ; consequently it is read by a great many. I hope to send you a good list of subscribers this fall.