DEAR BRO. WHITE:—The Review comes to me a welcome messenger. It has been the means of opening the Scriptures to my understanding; and my prayer is that it may be ably sustained. I have formerly been a member of the Congregational church and a believer in a temporal millennium until a year ago last spring. Bro. Waggoner then came to this place and gave some lectures on the prophecies and the law of God; and since then I have kept the Sabbath of the Lord, and renounced the doctrine of a temporal millennium, believing in the second advent near at hand.152
Bro. Stewart came here last Fall and gave a course of lectures, and quite a number have embraced the Sabbath. We would be very happy to have some brother come and labor with us. My prayer is, that I may get the victory over all my besetting sins, that every evil passion may be subdued, and that I may keep clear of the mark of the beast, so that I shall be permitted to meet our Saviour with joy when he shall appear.
Yours in hope. THOS. G. BARTLETT.
Adario, Wis., May 16th, 1854.
The Christian Looking.
Ye are the salt of the earth, to preserve it until he who is the refiner's fire shall come to cleanse it from all its dross. On account of the constitution of the human mind and the natural depravity of the human heart, a necessity exists, for Christianity to preserve it from self-destruction. The jarring elements of depravity and satanic influence would fill this world with such horrors, as would take a pen dipped in Cimmerian darkness to describe.
The eye of faith sees through a glass darkly a redeeming spot upon which to feast the soul, while in this our pilgrimage. The prophecies plant one foot upon Pisgah's top, from which we view Canaan's fair and happy land. That land of promise which we with Abraham's seed shall possess, has been willed to us by Abraham's God, and ratified by the New Testament of Christ his Son. Here, then, let us place our confidence. The mighty men of past ages have found firm support. Out of weakness they were made strong. They went from prayer to the den of lions; from the closet to the conflict; from communion with God to the burning stake. In themselves all weakness; in Christ mightier than legions of enemies, visible and invisible.
OBITUARY.
By Joseph Bates
DIED at her residence, in Ashfield, Mass., May 16th, 1854. Maria, wife of Bro. Marshal H. Edson, aged twenty eight years. Sister E. with her husband, has been an observer of the Lord's Sabbath since 1851. She manifested great resignation to the will of God in her last sickness. She gave up her husband and two children, and said if it were the will of God for her to live and train her children for him it would be well; if not all would be right, thy will, and not mine be done. A friend gave her a dollar; she requested that it may be sent to Bro. White. Her last words were, All is right. Thus she fell asleep in Jesus.
Her funeral was attended by a numerous company of relatives and neighbours, who listened attentively to a discourse given by the writer from Rev. xiv, 13.
JOSEPH BATES.
Ashfield, Mass., May 19th, 1854.
"IF."
This little word has mighty power. Many souls are held in bondage by it. The devil uses it in forms like these: If I avow my faith what will the world say of me? What influence can I have afterwards? If I act on my faith, how I shall be laughed at.—None of these ifs look as if they came from God. They are conferring with flesh and blood.
But there is an if of more tremendous import, which does come from God. "IF any man draw back, MY SOUL SHALL HAVE NO PLEASURE IN HIM." Let us who see light in God's word, beware lest we permit the devil, by any device, to quench it in darkness.
"Look Up."
In Christ's discourse, recorded in the 21st of Luke, he speaks of the signs which shall precede the coming of the Son of Man in a cloud, with power and great glory, and immediately adds: "When these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads." Our danger is, that we shall be looking down upon the things of the world, or looking about us to consider our standing and reputation, and therefore Christ throws in the emphatic warning, "look up." Fix your eyes on the heavenly kingdom, and let your heart be raised from earth. Christians have long been looking down into the grave, and seeking strength to enable them to meet death, but now we need to look up, and have translating faith as Enoch and Elijah had.
"Finally, Brethren, Farewell."
"Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace and the God of love and peace shall be with you."
You are exposed to two opposite temptations. 1st to despair of yourself, or, 2d, to presume on your safety.
You cannot feel your weakness and vileness too much, when that feeling drives you to Christ. It is one of Satan's subtle delusions, to make us feel that there is no hope for us, because we have been so wicked. Silence this temptation by the thought that Christ came and endured all his sufferings and shame, on purpose to save SINNERS. He saves to the uttermost, and the lively stones which will compose the spiritual temple have been formed by Christ, from the most unlikely materials; and you may be one, as well as the persecutor, who breathed out threatenings and slaughter against the Christians. But you say Paul's case is no comfort to you because you have sinned against more light. Then look at Peter. Though he had seen the Lord's glory on the Mount, and enjoyed proofs of his love which had been given to no one else, excepting James and John, yet he denied, with awful cursing and swearing, that he never knew him. Who can think of the Lord's compassion to Peter, without a melting and a trusting heart?
But, on the other hand, think what it is to be a Christian. We are to strike, with intense agonizing earnestness—to run with patience through the whole race, and press forward with eager longing to the mark, which we must reach, to gain the prize. We are to fight against armies of foes: and therefore we must be covered with the whole armor of God. See Eph. vi, 10-18.
But while you are a soldier, you must also be a sentinel. Watch against surprise on every side, and remember him who said, to one whose trials were far greater than yours: "My grace is sufficient for thee." Trust as implicitly as if you expected all from God, and, in his strength, labor as earnestly as if you expected all from yourself.
Brethren, pray for us.
Death of Sister Desire M. Little
By Joseph Bates
DIED at Fort Edward, N. Y., May 18th, 1854, Sister Desire M. Little, aged 40 years. Her disease was the quick consumption. A letter from her husband yesterday, announcing her death to her parents here, says: "O, bless God for the evidence she has left of eternal rest. She has been one of the greatest sufferers I ever saw; still she rejoiced in the hope of eternal life." I will take the liberty to transcribe a few lines which she penciled to my wife three weeks since, for the church here.
"To the beloved church of God in Fairhaven:
Very dear to my soul are God's children this holy Sabbath morning. Though I am on my death bed suffering much, can talk but little, and that with much pain, I feel nerved up to make this expression to you, believing God will strengthen me. I feel as if my rest is near, and it looks sweet. I long for it! Sometimes I rejoice exceedingly in hope of the blessed future, of meeting all the blessed in Jesus our Saviour, and then bodily infirmities almost overpower me. But I believe his rod and staff will support. Could I hear you pray to-day, O how sweet, it would almost bear me away. O God, give me grace and perfect victory through Jesus. O how much I love you. My dying salutation to all the precious children. Shall we not meet on that glad morning? Farewell! farewell till then." D. M. LITTLE.
The riches and honors of this world sink into insignificance when compared with the blessed hope of our dear departed sister who we believe has died in the Lord, and rests from her labors a few days, until the voice of the Sovereign Law-giver, shall awaken her to share in the glories of an endless life. She was firmly attached to the true position in the three angels' messages in Rev. xiv, 6-12; and for several years has been an observer of the Sabbath of the Lord our God. JOSEPH BATES.
Fairhaven, Mass., May 23d, 1854.
Sarah Elizabeth Caswell
By H. Childs
Fell asleep in Jesus, May 10th, Sarah Elizabeth, daughter of Leonard B. and Sarah E. Caswell, aged 17 years. In health she lived a pattern of piety, and in sickness a pattern of patience and resignation. She lingered a number of months without enduring great suffering, but the last two weeks were very distressing. She died in full confidence of soon coming up in the first resurrection. She had embraced all the present truth, and rejoiced in it, when death laid his icy hand upon her. H. Childs.
Sutton, Vt., May 15th, 1854.
COMMUNICATIONS
By William H. Brooks
From Bro. Brooks.
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—While I was going on in sin against the Lord, he has seen fit to call after me, and I thank him that he has given me a willing heart to come out and separate myself from the world, and try to keep his holy commandments. I thank God for the strength he has given me, and the many blessings he has bestowed upon me since I embraced the truths of the third angel's message. I thank him that he has given me a place with his dear children who are trying to overcome everything that is wrong in the sight of a holy God; and it is my prayer that I may have more strength to overcome every besetting sin, and live with an eye single to the glory of God. The Lord being my helper, I will try to go through. O the beauty there is in the third angel's message, and the bright prospect that lies just before us, if we live as God has commanded us to live. O that I may have strength to overcome and finally be saved.
Yours, patiently waiting for our dear Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. WM. H. BROOKS.
Hubbard's Corners, Madison Co., May 20th, 1854.
Judgment and Mercy.
By Quarles
BY QUARLES.—ABOUT A. D. 1634.
"Enter not into Judgment with thy servant; for in thy sight shall no man living be justified." Ps. cxliii, 2.
JESUS, JUSTICE, AND THE SINNER.
Jesus.—Bring forth the pris'ner, Justice.
Justice.—Thy commands
Are done, just Judge. See, here the pris'ner stands.
Jesus.—What has the pris'ner done? Say what's the cause
Of his commitment?
Justice.—He hath broke the laws
Of his too gracious God; conspired the death
Of that great Majesty that gave him breath,
And heaps transgression, Lord, upon transgression.
Jesus.—How know'st thou this?
Justice.—E'en by his own confession.
His sins are crying; and they cry aloud:
They cried to heav'n, they cried to heav'n for blood.
Jesus.—What sayest thou sinner? Hast thou aught to plead,
That sentence should not pass? Hold up thy head,
And show thy brazen, thy rebellious face.
Sinner.—Ah me! I dare not: I'm too vile and base,
To tread upon the earth, much more to lift
Mine eyes to heav'n. I need no other shrift
Than mine own conscience. Lord, I must confess,
I am no more than dust; and no whit less
Than my indictment styles me; ah! if thou
Search too severe, with too severe a brow,
What flesh can stand? I have transgressed thy laws;
My merits plead thy vengeance; not my cause.
Justice.—Lord, shall I strike the blow?
Jesus.—Hold, justice, stay,
Sinner, speak on; what hast thou more to say?
Sinner.—Vile as I am, and of myself abhor'd,
I am thy handiwork, thy creature, Lord;
Stamped with thy glorious image, and at first
Most like to thee, though now a poor accurs'd,
Convicted catiff, and degen'rous creature,
Here trembling at thy bar.
Justice.—Thy fault's the greater.
Lord, shall I strike the blow?
Sinner.—Nothing but mercy, mercy, Lord; my state
Is miserably poor and desperate;
I quite renounce myself, the world, and flee,
O Lord, to Jesus, from myself to thee.
Justice.—Cease thy vain hopes; my angry God has vowed
Abused mercy must have blood for blood:
Shall I yet strike the blow?
Jesus.—Stay justice, hold;
My bowels yearn, my fainting blood grows cold,
To view the trembling wretch; methinks I spy
My Father's image in the pris'ner's eye.
Justice.—I cannot hold.
Jesus.—Than turn thy thirsty blade
Into my side, let there the wound be made;
Cheer up, dear soul; redeem thy life with mine;
My soul shall smart, my heart shall bleed for thine.
Sinner.—O groundless deep! O love beyond degree!
The offended dies to set the offender free.
TENT IN MICHIGAN.
By M. E. Cornell
Brn. Cornell and Loughborough have borrowed money and purchased a tent for Mich., and are now making arrangements to travel with it during the present season. The tent is sixty feet in diameter, and cost $160.
They venture this for the speedy advancement of the cause of present truth in Mich., expecting the friends of truth will act in harmony with them, and aid by their prayers and means.
Those wishing a tent-meeting in their vicinity will address J. N. Loughborough or M. E. Cornell, Jackson, Michigan.
The time has fully come when the Light of Present Truth should be set on a Hill. "Light makes manifest," unless it be put under a bushel. Let each Bro. and Sr. do what they can, and make one united effort, and the important truths relating to the present time will soon be made more prominent before the world.
Come, friends, let us take hold of this matter in earnest. Thousands are being deceived. We see the danger and must give warning in due season. M. E. CORNELL.
DO WE REALIZE IT?
We have reason to believe that many who profess to believe that Christ is at the door, do not realize it. This doctrine must be taken to heart with a living faith, to understand its power. When we feel a continual consciousness of standing in the presence of the Lord and his coming glory, the circumstances that bind us, and the whole machinery of earth, will appear to us as the dust of the balance, and the necessary preparations, our only purpose and strife.—When the Son of man cometh, shall he find this faith among Adventists? Shall any of this consecrated band faint and grow weary through long watching, or sink under the trials incident to all who are mere sojourners—pilgrims, seeking a better country? If we really believe that we are to be with Christ so soon, we shall most intensely realize that our home is not here. All the unsettled anxiety of the stranger's heart, the earnest desire to attain our desired haven, and the indifference to the passing allurements of the way, will be increasingly ours, as we get a nearer view of our glorious inheritance. Then let us not sleep as do others, nor faint, nor grow weary, for "we have need of patience, that, after we have done the will of God we may receive the promise, for yet a little while and he that shall come, will come, and will not tarry." And again, "the just shall live by faith, but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him."
SPIRITUALISM.
"But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily [Private Circles,] shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction." 2 Pet. ii, 1.
"When they shall say, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them." 1 Thess. v, 3.
"Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit," &c. Chap. xviii, 2.
"Whose [Christ's] coming is after [immediately following] the working of satan with all power, and signs and lying wonders." 2 Thess. ii, 9.
"And shall show great signs and wonders, insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." Matt xxiv, 24.
Tent Meeting at Battle Creek, Mich.
By M. E. Cornell, J. N. Loughborough
This meeting will commence on Friday June 9th, at 2 o'clock P. M., and continue over 1st, day. Bro. and Sr. White are expected to be present.
This meeting is appointed for the benefit of those residing in the vicinity of Battle Creek. If many should come from a distance, the brethren would not be able to provide for them all, as there are but few in that place; however, they will do what they can.
M. E. CORNELL.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
Spirit Manifestations and Other Notices
By Editor
It is stated that there are upwards of 1,300,000 mediums of Spirit Manifestations in the United States.
The excellent article on the Jews, given in our last, was from Litch's Prophetic Exposition. This week we give another extract from the same on the Kingdom of God.
E. DECKER :—The Paper has been sent regularly to Mrs. J. Sweeny, according to the first direction to Dundee P. O., Cane Co., Ill. We now send as you direct to Hammondsport, Dundee P. O., &c.
Saul Among The Prophets.
The following brief extract from the Paris correspondent of the Courier des Etats Unis, will interest the reader. Will some mundane philosopher be kind enough to give us a suitable disquisition on the peculiar properties of "red cedar" and the marvelous powers of Paris pencils?
Everywhere inquiry is being made of the turning-tables concerning the more or less terrible consequences of the great Turco-Russian conflict. A famous table at Sevres is especially questioned on this point. Its top is red cedar. To this a sharpened pencil is fastened, which, once set in motion, answers in writing with a rapidity which confounds the imagination. The Spirit possessing this table is none other than that of Saul, the first king of the Hebrews. In his life this prince did not fear to consult a pythoness. It is not astonishing, therefore, that he aids in doing now what he himself used to do.
Gov. Tallmadge announces, in the Intelligencer of May 16th, the expected publication, in the fall, of a remarkable volume, chiefly written by the Spirits through the medium of Mr. Linton of Philadelphia. Gov. Tallmadge will write the Introduction to the work, and be concerned with Mr. L. in its publication. It is said to be an extraordinary book, and the announcement of its anticipated publication creates great interest in Washington among all classes.
A BEAUTIFUL Picture, drawn by the Spirits through the medium of A. F. Cunningham Esq., has been framed and hung in the show-window of Taylor and Maury's bookstore on the Avenue, where the public can have the opportunity of examining this sample of spiritual art.
A CORRESPONDENT of the Telegraph writes: That after enduring much persecution for his Spiritualism, he prevailed upon several persons in Cumberland County, Md., to meet for the purpose of developing the phenomena of table turning. The experiment succeeded, and they soon obtained communications by tipping. The announcement of this fact threw the community into excitement, and mediums were discovered by the score, and afterward were increased to some hundreds. Some skeptics, for experiment, got together to see what they could do in the way of deceiving each other, when the table "arose to the ceiling of the room, and remained there in spite of all their efforts to get it down." Our correspondent adds that "Spirits have produced beautiful music with and without instruments, and in one instance tuned the violin themselves. They have represented themselves to the natural vision of some, and talked with them in an audible voice, the persons not knowing them to be Spirits until after they disappeared."
FOREIGN NEWS.
THE WAR.—It appears that the hostilities against Russia are to be carried out on a much larger and grander scale by the Allied Powers, and the Paris Moniteur of the 6th inst. announces that the French and British Governments have agreed in the adoption of all the measures of precaution which the present war may render necessary. With this object the Emperor has decided on the formation of two camps. The first of 100,000 men, will be established between Montreuil and St. Omer, and the second of 50,000, near Marseilles.
The English Government, on its side, says the Moniteur, are preparing troops and a fleet capable of transporting, in case of necessity, the forces necessary in the Baltic or Black seas. The Times hints that both Revel and Helsingfors are to be occupied, and the Gulf of Finland completely closed, till an attack on Cronstadt can be organized. In the Black Sea a descent upon the Crimea, and the capture of Sebastopol, will be effected, and the Crimea held by the allied armies. There is scarcely a doubt that this is a correct programme of the intended operations. The formation of the northern camp is supposed to be also a demonstration against Prussia.
A telegraphic dispatch from Constantinople of the 27th April, states that the French Ambassador having insisted that the united Greek Catholics should be permitted to remain in Turkey, a serious misunderstanding arose and Gen. Baraguay d'Hilliers prepared to leave Constantinople when the Porte yielded. The Sultan was seriously indisposed.
The Turks are about to blockade Greece.
The policy of the Shah of Persia appears to have become hostile to Russia. He claims the restoration of the ancient provinces, and was putting in force an army of 50,000 men.
THE BALTIC FLEETS.—COPENHAGEN, Monday Evening, May 8.—The British fleet has been re-inforced by Prince Regent 90, and Cumberland 70, both just arrived from England, with French liner Austerlitz, 100, in company. They sailed from Elfsnabben on Thursday morning. The French squadron did not anchor in Wingo Sound, but proceeded immediately up the Baltic to join the British fleet.
By the arrival at Halifax of the Cunard steamship America on Wednesday we have three days later intelligence from Europe. The news is interesting. An alliance, offensive and defensive, between Sweden and the allied powers, was on the point of being concluded, and it is reported that Spain, Portugal and Piedmont were about to join the western powers. The British frigate Amphion got ashore off Revel, and it was reported that the captain and crew were made prisoners. Particulars of the bombardment of Odessa are given. Fourteen Russian merchantmen had been captured in the Black Sea.
The bombardment of Odessa seems to have been more serious than it was believed from the first Vienna telegraph. Though no great damage has been done to the city, it is still of the most serious significance; it is a hard blow upon the Russian prestige, and makes any further negotiation impossible. Vienna was seriously alarmed at the news, since it now cannot be doubted that the western powers are indeed seriously at war with Russia, and Austria will soon be forced to declare either for the Czar, or for the Anglo-French Alliance, though Francis Joseph is well aware that in either case he is lost; it is as Prince Metternich said, the choice between death by apoplexy and death by consumption.
Turkey is on the verge of destruction, either by war or by diplomacy, either by Russia or by the allies.
Sweden seems inclined to take part in the war, and may soon declare against the Czar. Under such circumstances it is quite astonishing that there are yet people who do not believe that we have arrived at the threshold of the great European conflagration.
The new proposal of the Chancellor of the Exchequer to raise the income tax once more, is sure to create considerable ill feeling in England, but the increase of the duty on spirits and malt, which has a tendency to diminish drunkenness, is less objectionable. On the whole, the public is not satisfied with these measures, since they thought that the war would be short, and that therefore the pressure would not be lasting, but now they begin to see that we are only at the commencement of a long series of sacrifices.
Austria is said to have succeeded in contracting a loan in Frankfurt by transferring her rail-roads to the contractors, Messrs. Rothschild, as a security for the loan amounting to $17,000,000.
From Panama, we have intelligence of a revolutionary movement in Bogota, which has created great excitement throughout the country. President Obando and his ministers were arrested by Gen. Melo on the 17th ult., and a new Provincial Government established.
Appointments.
By Editor
We will meet the brethren in Conference at Grand Rapids, Mich., June 17th and 18th.
The Conference at Rochester will be held June 23d, 24th, 25th, commencing the 23d at 2 o'clock P. M.
PROVIDENCE permitting, I will meet with the brethren in Catlin, N. Y., June 10th.
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By Editor
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New Time Theory Reviewed—16 pp.
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By Editor
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