Earlier text: What the Pope Is ThinkingPASSING AWAY.
By Mrs. Hemans
“Passing away is written upon the world, and all the world contains.” It is written on the rose.
In its glory’s full array,
Read what those buds disclose—
Passing away. It is written on the skies,
Of the soft blue summer day,
It is traced in sunset’s dyes—
Passing away. It is written on the trees,
As their young leaves glistening play
And on the brighter things than these—
Passing away. It is written on the brow,
Where the spirit’s ardent ray
Lives, burns, and triumphs now—
Passing away. It is written on the heart—
Alas! that there decay,
Should claim from love a part!
Passing away. Friends, friends! Oh, shall we meet
Where the spoiler finds no prey?
Where lovely things and sweet
Pass not away. Shall we know each other’s eyes,
With the thoughts that in them lay,
When they meet beneath the skies
Which pass not away. Oh, if this may be so,
Speed, speed, thou closing day?
How blest from earth’s vain show,
To pass away. SINCE my last report, I have been unable to continue labor only a portion of the time on account of sickness. Have had a severe attack of diphtheria. Regular appointments, however, have been filled by Bro. A. A. Hutchins and Mrs. Lane. Several more have taken a stand with us. Receiving urgent invitations from Bowling Green village, two and one-half miles from the place where we had been laboring, we concluded that nearly all to whom we had been preaching would attend there, so our brethren procured a large hall fifty feet square, and Feb. 3, we began a course of lectures. We were surprised and gratified to see nearly three hundred in attendance at our first appointment. There has since been an increase so they now number between three and four hundred, and the interest seems to be permanent. Last Sunday night, although there were two other meetings in the place, the hall was crowded. It was estimated by a man who sold tickets for an entertainment on another occasion, that there were six hundred present at the meeting and that the room was never before so well filled. The people gave the best of attention, and, by means of the Tract Society, are eagerly reading many of our works. By the efforts of this society, hundreds of pages are being read that would not be were it not for it. God bless the Tract Societies everywhere. Bro. A. A. Hutchins is holding meetings in different school-houses in the vicinity of Bowling Green for the purpose of interesting the people and getting them to attend the meetings at the above place. We pray for much good as the result of these efforts. Bowling Green, Feb. 11, 1874. Chicago, Ill.
By John Matteson
I HAVE been holding meetings in Chicago the last four weeks and a half with unusual good interest. Have held from nine to eleven meetings a week. Thirteen willing souls were baptized, and sixteen united with the church. The present number of members is fifty-nine, but four or five of these have been for some time backslidden, and will probably leave us. The Lord has helped us very much in these meetings, bringing conviction to many hearts, so that they had no rest nor peace day nor night before they gave themselves to serve the Lord. Many more are under conviction. The brethren are much encouraged and feel united in the truth. I had to break away from the interest in Chicago, and come to this place, where they hired a house and came together to hear a week ago, but had to go home disappointed. It is a new field, but the Advent Tidende has visited about twenty-five families for over a year, and some have commenced to obey the truth, while others desire very much to hear. Box 552, Racine, Wis., Feb. 11, 1874. I HAVE preached in Deloit, Crawford Co., Iowa, three weeks. There is a good interest here. The large school-house is filled to overflowing almost every night. Some are keeping the Sabbath now. Others are investigating. The Lord is working, and I think there will be a church raised up here to keep the commandments of God. The M. E. minister preached one discourse on the Sabbath question. He showed a very good spirit. He is a fine man. I had good liberty in reviewing him. I give God, all the glory.
J. BARTLETT. Esdaile, Pierce Co., Wis., Feb. 16, 1874
By O. A. Olsen
Since my last report, which was dated Nov. 26, I have been laboring in different places. Nov. 28, commenced meetings at Arcadia, and continued till Dec. 16. Some made a start to keep all God's commandments. Two were baptized. This was a season much blessed of the Lord. Dec. 19, 20, with the brethren at New Denmark, in quarterly meeting. Dec. 24, commenced meetings at Ashwaubenon, and continued until the 30th. Jan. 1, returned to Arcadia, and labored there until the 8th. The Lord blessed in these meetings, and others made a start to obey the Lord. There are now nineteen keeping the Sabbath, twelve taking an active part in the meetings. Jan. 10, 11, attended meeting at Maiden Rock. Feel thankful to the Lord for the privilege of that meeting. While at that meeting, made arrangements to come to this place, as there appeared to be an opening among the Scandinavians. Commenced meetings the 25th. Have continued speaking partly in English and partly in Norwegian. Some interest is manifested, and some of the Americans are persuaded to obey. May the Lord give me wisdom and humility is my earnest desire. Esdaile, Pierce Co., Wis., Feb. 16, 1874
At the time of my last report, I was closing up my lectures at Hood’s Run. Four came out on the Sabbath then, and since that time, three more have decided to keep it, and there are prospects that others will keep it. I intend to labor there from time to time until decision is made. Dec. 12, I went to Greenup and commenced labor. A Disciple minister gave three discourses against us. On the nature of man, he took the spiritualist’s view, viz., that all the devils, or demons, spoken of in the Bible were spirits of dead men. He drew his proof from heathen mythology. He challenged the world on this point (intending me). I stated that I was not the world, and the world had not employed me as their agent to defend them. He stated also that he would challenge all the devils in hell to refute his argument. I stated that I did not belong to that fraternity and did not wish to defend their cause. Their object was to provoke me to challenge; but I did not intend to do it. I did not remain there long. It rained nearly all the time. High waters and mud were barriers in the way to prevent the country people from coming. Two came out on the truth. One was baptized. I was invited back again. There are but few Sabbath-keepers in this county. The work goes slow and hard on account of my inability, and having to do it nearly all by preaching is in part the cause.
S. OSBORN. JOS. CLARKE
By JOS. CLARKE.
Could a man who for crime is condemned to a lifetime of close confinement in a dismal dungeon, away from the cheerful light of the sun, be offered the boon of liberty and citizenship on condition of repentance and reform, how eagerly would he embrace the opportunity. We are prisoners of hope; we are condemned to banishment and the second death; no ray of hope can light up the gloom of that mind and soul which passes the limit of probation. For a little season we can accept the offer of Jesus’ love and may make our peace with God. To-day we may overcome; to-morrow it may be too late. Precious offer! The gift of redeeming grace was always sweet to the repentant sinner; but these last offers seem more sweet, more precious, than ever before. Oh! miracle of love, that Jesus should condescend to restore the erring, and reclaim the lost. Line upon line he gives to his people. He will not spare any labor or sacrifice. Not only will he suffer the pains of the crucifixion, and the loneliness of death, but he waits and pleads, and warns and instructs, and forbears. But mercy has its limit. Soon, too soon for many, he will cease to plead for the sinner. He that is holy will be holy still, and he that is filthy will be filthy still. Then will the poor wanderer value the gift of probation when it is past forever. But now suns rise and set; moons wax and wane; and scoffers say, “Where is the promise of his coming?” and few value the priceless gift of mercy. We often undervalue our blessings, until they are taken from us. Let it not be so with this. The Millennial Glory of our Times.
By R. F. Cottrell
The language of our title, or its equivalent was heard from the pulpit yesterday. While the secular papers teem with the news of crime, and speak of its unparalleled increase, especially in the high places of trust, in tones of alarm, the pulpit sounds forth the notes of “peace and safety,” of progress and improvement and millennial glory at hand, or already begun. While men of the world are alarmed at the defalcations, robberies, and crimes of the deepest dye, committed by those hitherto accounted respectable, frauds by men elected to make laws, and bribery and corruption in the higher courts, where money can buy off justice; many of the professed ministers of Jesus Christ are telling their hearers to sleep with the cry of peace, safety, progress, and millennial glory. They say in substance, they are “rich and increased in goods and have need of nothing,” when in fact they are “wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.” We are living in the time of the last stage of the church, the Laodicean. As S. D. Adventists, we acknowledge that the terrible rebuke to the Laodiceans applies to us, because, holding the testing truth for our times, we fail in corresponding zeal in the work of saving souls. But the mass of the church of God are not yet S. D. Adventists, and the message has a general application to the church of this age. If we are asleep and deceived as to our true condition, we need not wonder if those who have not the light which we enjoy should be asleep, and in their sleep have pleasant dreams of peace and the “good time coming.” Let us arouse ourselves to the work which God has given us to do, and “sound an alarm” in the “holy mountain” that shall break the slumbers and disturb the deceptive dreams of a worldly church which is lulling souls down to ruin with the cry of peace and safety, while sudden destruction is about to come upon them. “As it Was in the Days of Noah.”
The word of God through his servant Noah had been rejected. He told of judgment; but they did not believe. He spoke of sin and ruin; but they were not convinced. He spoke of remedy; but they would not give heed. They went on with their own plans and speculations, and had no room for God. They acted as if the earth belonged to them by a lease forever. They forgot that there was a clause of surrender. They thought not of the solemn “until.” God was shut out. They thought, spoke, and acted for themselves. They did their own pleasure, and forgot God. My reader, remember the words of the Lord Jesus Christ, how he said, “As it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be in the days of the Son of man.” And albeit the voice of the scoffer may be heard saying, “Where is the promise of His coming?” the moment is rapidly hastening on when the scoffers will get their answer. “The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat; the earth also, and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” 2 Pet. 3: 4, 10. This is the answer to the intellectual scoffers of the children of this world. Now, in whatever way we look at the future, from whatever point of view we contemplate it, whether the object which presents itself to the soul’s vision be the church in glory, or the world in flames, we must feel the unspeakable importance of attending to God’s present testimony in grace to lost sinners. “Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Cor. 6: 2. “God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them.” 2 Cor. 5: 19. He is reconciling now; he will be judging by-and-by. It is all grace now; it will be all wrath then. He is pardoning sin now, through the cross; he will punish it then in hell. He is sending out a message of purest, richest, freest grace. He is telling sinners of an accomplished redemption through the precious sacrifice of Christ. He is declaring that all is done. He is waiting to be gracious. “The long-suffering of our Lord is salvation.” “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness, but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Pet. 3: 9. All this makes the present moment one of peculiar solemnity. Unmingled grace declared! Unmingled wrath impending! How solemn! How deeply solemn! Men dream of a golden age; they feed upon the thought that “to-morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant.” But, oh! utterly vain are these thoughts and dreams. Faith can see the clouds gathering in the distance thickly around the world’s horizon. Judgment is coming, the day of wrath is at hand. The door will soon be shut. How needful, then, is it to raise a warning voice—to seek by faithful testimony to counteract man’s pitiable self-complacency. True, in doing so, we may be exposed to the charge which Ahab brought against Micaiah, of always prophesying evil; but no matter for that. Let us prophesy what the word of God prophesies, and let us do this simply with the purpose of persuading men. The word of God only removes from beneath our feet a hollow foundation, for the purpose of placing instead thereof a foundation which never can be removed. It takes away “a broken reed” to give us the “Rock of Ages.” He sets aside “a broken cistern which can hold no water” to set in its place “the fountain of living waters.” This is truest love. It is God’s love. He will not cry, “Peace, peace, when there is no peace,” nor “daub with untempered mortar.” He would have the sinner’s heart resting sweetly in his own eternal Ark of safety, enjoying present communion with himself, and fondly cherishing the hope that, when all the ruin, all the desolation, and all the judgments have passed away, it shall rest with him in a restored creation.—Ex. The Pre-existence of Christ.
By R. M. Kilgore
J. B. H. makes the following inquiry:—Had Christ an intelligent existence before he was born of the virgin Mary? To which the following answer was returned:— 1. If Christ had no intelligent existence before his first advent into this world, he could not have shared in the glory with the Father before the world was. John 17: 5. 3. He was consulted concerning the formation of man. Gen. 1: 26. 4. He proposed and was the author of the plan of salvation by which we are saved. Heb. 5: 9; 12: 2. 5. He it was who led the children of Israel through the wilderness and drove out the nations before them. Ex. 23: 21–23; 1 Cor. 10: 1–4. 6. He was there to succor the three worthies who were cast into the fiery furnace. Dan. 3: 25. 7. He (Michael) assisted the angel who ministered unto Daniel. Dan. 10: 13, 21. That Michael is the Son of God is found by the following scriptures. Jude calls Michael the Archangel. Verse 9. Paul says the voice of the Archangel is heard when the Lord descends to raise the dead; 1 Thess. 4: 16; and Christ says, ‘The dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God. Therefore Michael, the chief of the angels, is the Son of God, and certainly had an intelligent existence before the mystery of his incarnation. The True Missionary.
By S. H. Lane
I have received, read, and re-read the first number of the periodical which bears the above title. I have been greatly benefited thereby. It seems to be just what the cause of truth requires at the present stage of the work. Each one of its articles is well worth the subscription price, especially the first one. It should be carefully perused by all who have a desire to work in the cause of the Master. The general tenor of the articles seems to inspire one with courage to labor. In looking over the list of subscribers, I notice but few from this State. The cause is young here, the field a wide one, and the Macedonian cry comes up from many countries. Have had offered the present season nearly a score of churches in which to present the truth. Cannot at present fill one-fourth of the calls. Much can and should be done by the Tract and Missionary Society. Quite a number have embraced the truth who seem to be zealous in the good work, and are willing to do, if properly instructed. In but few instances can this be accomplished by the living teacher. The True Missionary is well calculated to teach in this respect. All should obtain it. Dear brethren and sisters, send in your subscriptions for this valuable paper. Shall we not see a full list of subscribers from Indiana? The time for missionary labor will soon be past. Then the unfaithful will deeply regret that the night has come, in which no man can work. Let us not be of that company. S. H. LANE. A Speedy Coming.
By John R. Macduff
“YET a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry.” Heb. 10: 37. “A LITTLE while,” and the unquiet dream of life will be over, and the “morning without clouds” shall dawn. A few more tossings on life’s tempestuous sea, and the peaceful haven shall be entered. A few more night-watches, and the Lord of love will be seen standing on the heavenly shore, as once he did on the shores of an earthly lake, with an eternal banquet of love prepared for his children. Yes! “He cometh”! that is the church’s “blessed hope.” It is the voice and presence of her “Beloved” which will “turn the shadow of death into the morning.” The dead—the ransomed dead—shall hear his voice and come forth—those “asleep in Jesus” God is to “bring with him.” His final invitation is not, “Go, ye blessed, to some bright paradise of angels prepared elsewhere for you”—but, “Come, share my bliss; be partakers in my crown;” “enter into the joy of thy Lord!” Paul’s Heaven was described in two words—“with Christ.” John’s Heaven is made up of the two elements—of likeness to Jesus, and fellowship with Jesus. We shall be “like him,” “we shall see him as he is.” In his sublime apocalyptic visions, when “the door was opened in Heaven,” the first object which attracts his arrested gaze is “One who sat upon the throne;” around whom was a “rainbow, in sight like unto an emerald.” Rev. 4: 2, 3. Our happiness will not be complete till we are ushered into the full vision and fruition of Jesus. We are nourished in this far-off land from “the King’s country;” but we shall not be satisfied until we see the King himself. Jacob received full wagon loads from Joseph, but he could not rest till he had seen him with his own eyes. When he did so, the aged man’s spirit “revived.” We receive manifold pledges of covenant mercy from the true Joseph in this “the house of our pilgrimage;” but we long to “behold his face in righteousness.” We shall only be “satisfied when we awake in his likeness.” “Come! Lord Jesus, come quickly!” “He will not tarry!” Each sun as it sets is bringing us nearer the joyful consummation. Time is hastening with gigantic footsteps to the advent throne. The sackcloth attire of a now burdened creation will soon be exchanged for the full robe of light and beauty which is to deck a “Sabbath world.” Happy day! when “the Bow,” in a nobler sense, “shall be seen in the cloud”—not the bow of promise, but He in whom all the promises blend and center. Behold, HE cometh with CLOUDS! Seek ever to be in an attitude of watchfulness. Like the mother of Sisera, let faith be straining its ear for the murmur of the chariot wheels, that when the cry shall be heard—“Behold, it is He!” we may be able joyfully to respond—“Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him!” “Blessed are those servants whom the Lord when he cometh shall find watching. Verily I say unto you, That he shall gird himself and make them sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.”—John R. Macduff. NOTHING LEAVES US AS IT FOUND US.—
If a sheet of paper on which a key has been laid exposed for some minutes to the sunshine, be then instantaneously viewed in the dark, the key being removed, a fading specter of the key will be visible. Let this paper be put aside for many months, where nothing can disturb it, and then in darkness be laid on a plate of hot metal, the specter will again appear. This is equally true of our minds. Every man we meet, every book we read, every picture or landscape we see, every word or tone we hear, leaves an image upon the brain. These traces, which under ordinary circumstances are invisible, never fade, but in the intense light of cerebral excitement start into prominence, just as the specter image of the key started into sight on the application of heat. It is thus with all the influences to which we are subjected.—Sel. “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth.” DIED, at Eagle Lake, Minn., Feb. 5, 1874, Mrs. Emeline D. Keebaugh, daughter of H. C. and M. E. H. Bullis, aged twenty years and five months. She leaves a husband and little boy one year old, also a large circle of friends to mourn their loss. In her illness she cast herself upon the mercy of Him who chooses his dear ones out of the furnace of affliction. She recommended the present truth to her sisters, and looked with hope to the time when mortality shall be swallowed up of life. Discourse upon 1 Cor. 15: 54, to a large and attentive congregation.
F. W. MORSE. DIED, near Marion, Iowa, Dec. 18, 1873, of consumption, our dear sister, Mary E. Downs, aged twenty-five years. She embraced the truth of the third angel’s message eleven years ago. The last few weeks of her life she developed a beautiful Christian character. She rests in hope of eternal life when the Lifegiver shall come. Appropriate remarks by D. T. Shireman from 1 Thess. 4: 13.
MARTHA CUMMINGS. DIED, at Coleta, Ill., Jan. 24, 1874, of erysipelas, infant son of J. and C. Colcord. Discourse by Eld. Yager, Disciple.
I. & C. COLCORD. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of Heaven is at hand. ** Services in Chicago, every Sabbath (seventh day), at 269 West Erie St. All Sabbath-keepers spending a Sabbath in Chicago are invited to attend. Providence permitting, there will be a general quarterly meeting of the Maine T. & M. Society held with the church in Canaan, March 21, 22. District No. 1 will hold its quarterly meeting in connection with the general quarterly meeting. Let the church librarians see that their reports are sent to Thomas S. Emery, Cornville, Me., prior to the meeting. Districts Nos. 2 and 3 will please hold their quarterly meetings at least one week previous. This meeting is designed to take the place of the next monthly meeting in Dist. No. 1.
J. B. Goodrich. Next quarterly meeting of the T. & M. Society of Dist. No. 3, Ohio, will be held at North Bloomfield, March 14, 15, 1874. It is hoped that all the scattered ones, so far as can, will attend, and that those who cannot will report.
C. H. Wolcott, Director. The quarterly meeting for the T. & M. Society of Dist. No. 3, as noticed in Review, volume 43, No. 9, was postponed in consequence of the sudden illness of our little granddaughter, which resulted in her death. This meeting will be held in connection with the monthly meeting for Jeff. Co. at Adams Center, N. Y., the first Sabbath and first-day in March.
S. N. Walsworth, Director. Quarterly meeting of the T. and M. Society for District No. 9, N. Y. and Pa., will be held at Catlin, March 7 and 8. We earnestly desire that all the members will report, and all who can come to the meeting.
John Lindsey, Director. The Tract and Missionary meeting for St. Lawrence and Franklin Counties, N. Y., will be held at Buck’s Bridge, March 7, 8, 1874. Hope all who can will be there to report, and that those who cannot will forward their reports in time for this meeting.
A. H. Hall, Director Dist. No. 4. No preventing providence, I will meet with the church at Monroe Center, Grand Traverse Co., Mich., Feb. 28 and March 1. I would like to see all the friends in Grand Traverse region at that meeting, as my stay will be brief.
D. W. Milk. The Tract and Missionary Society of Dist. No. 7, Iowa, will hold its next quarterly meeting at Winterset, Madison Co., Iowa, March 7 and 8.
H. Tawney, Director. The general quarterly meeting of the N. Y. and Pa. T. and M. Society will be held at Kirkville, March 14 and 15, 1874. Please read Bro. Haskell’s article in Review No. 9 with reference to these meetings. Another reason why this meeting should be well attended from all parts of the Conference is, that we wish at that time to mature plans for a broader sphere of action the coming season within our limits. The directors should come prepared to remain over Monday if necessary. Teams will meet the one o’clock train from the east, and the half-past two from the west on Friday. Quarterly meeting for Dist. No. 8 will be held in connection with the above.
P. Z. Kinne, Pres. No Providence preventing, I will meet with the church at Knoxville, Iowa, Feb. 14 and 15; at Coloma the 21st and 22d; at Woodbine the 28th and March 1st.
H. Nicola. Quarterly meeting at Princeville, Ill., the first Sabbath and first-day in March.
B. F. Merritt. Quarterly meeting of District No. 4, of the New England Tract and Missionary Society, at Washington, N. H., Feb. 28 and March 1. A general turnout of all the friends of the cause in this district is expected, especially of those who are scattered and have not usually attended the missionary meetings. Bro. Haskell is expected.
F. W. Mace, Director. The next quarterly meeting for the Waukon and West Union churches will be held at Waukon, Iowa, Sabbath and first-day, March 7, 8, 1874. A cordial invitation is given to all. The church here will be glad to care for all who may come. Let us raise our hearts to God in prayer that he will meet with us in all these meetings. Come prepared to stay and work for God till the close of these meetings. Meetings here to begin with the Sabbath.
C. A. Washburn.