p. 118 | Review and Herald, Vol. 4, No. 15. (10/18/1853)

Importance of Obedience.

By S. T. Belden

[Continued.]

The disobedience of Saul in sparing the best of the sheep and oxen and the lambs when he was told to utterly destroy them, was not a trifling thing. How sadly did he corrupt his way in his attempt to correct the words spoken by the Lord God of Israel.—I say he thought to correct this precept. Let us look at it and see if it does not cast this impression upon the mind. The Lord told him to slay utterly all that belonged to Amalek; but Saul thought it much better to save the best of the spoil to sacrifice unto the Lord. Would he have done thus, if he had not tho't it an improvement on the commandment? When feeble man gets wiser (in his own eyes) than God, it is time for him to have a fall.

The conduct of Saul there met the disapprobation of God in a manner which should not soon be forgotten. The consequence was, that Saul was rejected from being king. Although he confessed his sin, it was not till after he knew he was rejected, and Samuel could no more worship with him as he had formerly. How true it is that the Great God cannot look upon sin with the least allowance. We may learn from this, what a care the Lord has for his word.—His works agree with his testimony, viz: "He hath magnified his word above all his name." I cannot pass from this part of the subject without noticing the bearing that it has upon people in our day.—The Apostle says, "What things were written aforetime were written for our learning."

Let us see then if we can learn anything from it.—Perhaps we may better understand the force of it by illustrating it by the laws and by-laws of our land.

In the government of these United States, there has to be certain fundamental principles by which to hold and govern them. There are also lesser laws attached, or formed, varying somewhat according to the circumstances under which the people live, called by-laws, and are limited, and subject to changes. But the constitution cannot be changed. The violation of these lesser laws, is in some cases passed over, and others are fully punished; but what will be done with the man who disregards the constitution? He will be of no esteem, and have no part with the honorable ones in government. So we will say with respect to the violation of any one of the fundamental principles of the Bible. He, according to the testimony of our Saviour, will be of no esteem in the reign of heaven. Matt. v, 19, Campbell's translation. Why is it that he has no part there? Because he has broken the laws, thus disregarding the government of Heaven.

As I was noticing the strictness with which the transgression, even of the by-laws, was marked in the days of Saul, I would inquire, What less may we expect if we are found in transgression of the fundamental principles, which are the foundation of all others, throughout all ages and dispensations, and are subject to no change—being a perfect standard of right—coming directly from the true and living God, and are to judge us at the last day. Will not such persons be weighed in the balance, and found wanting? Dan. v, 27. "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all." James ii, 10.

Now we will see if people do not act worse, and more dishonest with the fourth commandment, which is one of the lively oracles, [Acts vii, 38.] than Saul did in the matter above mentioned, which might be considered, perhaps, as one of the lesser laws.

God says, "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor and do all thy work; but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God; in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is; and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it."

But the people say it is just as well to keep the first day of the week if we only keep it unto the Lord, or as it ought to be kept. They would have us believe that we keep the fourth commandment by resting upon the first day of the week, instead of the seventh. If our object is only right, it is no matter if we do not keep the exact day. How much do such differ with Saul in the plea he offered for disobeying the commandment of God? Not a whit. But their sin is worse, inasmuch as the fourth commandment is based on the example of the Creator of heaven and earth; and because it is one of the great precepts of the law which cannot be destroyed, but may be either kept or desecrated every week.

I wish here to notice the reason assigned why Saul should obey God, in this particular, so exactly, and the consequence of his disobeying:

"Thus saith the Lord of host, I remember that which Amalek did to Israel when he laid wait for him in the way, when he came up from Egypt. Now go and smite Amalek and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not." 1 Sam. xv, 2, 3. And because Saul did not execute his commandment, Samuel says to him, "the Lord hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbor of thine that is better than thou. And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent; for he is not a man that he should repent. And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death; nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul; and the Lord repented that he had made Saul king over Israel."—Verses 28, 29, 35. David was immediately "anointed in the midst of his brethren; and the Spirit of the Lord came upon him from that day forward. But the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil Spirit from the Lord troubled him." Chap. xvi, 13, 14. This is a strikingly solemn account. I have dwelt upon it more than I intended, but as it shows the importance of obedience—the danger of trifling with God's commandment which is so common in our day; it may not be uninteresting or unprofitable to any of us.

I wish now to notice the reason assigned, why the Sabbath should be kept, and the blessing promised to those who keep it according to the precept, with some of the inconsistencies of supposing that the law is abolished.

The reason is this: For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: therefore he blessed and hallowed it.

The fourth commandment, requiring the observance of the seventh day of the week for the Sabbath of the Lord our God is plain. It was given at Creation and it is not in the power of man to show from the scripture that the blessing of its Author has ever been taken from that particular day since it was first instituted. The fact that he owned it for his Sabbath [Rest-day] when giving the law from Sinai, is evidence that the divine blessing had not been taken from it prior to this, as every honest man will admit. What language could be used to give this idea more distinctly, that he still claimed the seventh day as his holy day, than is implied in the fourth commandment. But the expression, "Remember the seventh day," and the reason assigned for their remembering it being because He had rested upon that day, is sufficient for any candid person to see where it was given, and that it was made for man to observe in memory of his Creator. It might, if possible be considered as doubly binding upon Israel inasmuch as God had wrought such mighty signs for their deliverance from Egyptian bondage. He brought them out and led them in the wilderness for that very purpose—that he might know what was in their heart, whether they would keep his commandments or no. Deut. viii, 3. Is not this the correct understanding of the expression used in Chap. v, 15, at which so many are willing to catch, and claim as evidence that the Sabbath was there instituted for the Jews only.—"And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the Lord thy God brought thee out thence, through a mighty hand and a stretched-out arm; therefore the Lord thy God commanded thee to keep the Sabbath day." All that any one can make out of this text, to do their best, does not prove that the Sabbath was there instituted; for the institution of it is founded upon a different reason, and for a memorial of a different event. What consistency is there in supposing that the Sabbath was instituted at Mount Sinai—two months after they were delivered from Egypt, to commemorate that event, when the Lord gave them a fit memorial to commemorate that event right in the time of it, and commanded that it should be kept by them, annually. It does not fit at all, and it is not so.

The fact that the Lord pronounces upon his people blessings if they would keep his Sabbath, is, in itself evidence that the day is still holy. He never tells people to keep a commandment, unless there is a commandment to keep. It would be folly for him to tell his people to keep anything sacred to his memory, when there was nothing to keep. If the blessing and sanctification which God put upon the Sabbath at Creation has passed from it, it is useless to talk of keeping it holy.

But let us see if he has not pronounced a blessing upon his people if they keep the Sabbath, at a time when his salvation is near to be revealed. Isa. lvi, 1, 2; lviii, 13, 14. Those who really love the Sabbath, can read their experience, or experience the fulfillment of these precious promises. They often feel that their souls are like watered gardens, and like a spring whose waters fail not. And they can rest confidently upon the promise that is yet to be fulfilled. "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the City." Rev. xxii, 12.

In erecting a structure, the first business of a wise man is to lay a good foundation; then he can safely build upon it. But says one, we will take away the foundation as soon as the building is raised, and it won't effect the building any; the building is just as good as it was when it stood on the foundation.

According to the testimony of our Saviour, there is a foundation on which the Bible rests. "On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." Matt. xxii, 40.

A person who thinks that these commandments are all abolished and the promises with what the prophets have written are all sure and not effected, is just as consistent as the man who should think his house would stand without a foundation. The ten commandments are all inseparably connected with these two; and if they are abolished we may as well throw away our Bible first as last, and base our hopes for immortality and eternal life on "fancy's flash and reason's ray;" for we have nothing better. If it is so it is a pity that those who profess Christianity have not found it out before, and not been these eighteen hundred years fighting as one beating the air.

"If the foundations be destroyed what shall the righteous do?" Ps. xi, 3. (To be continued.)

COMMUNICATIONS.

By J. B. Frisbie

From Bro. Frisbie.

DEAR BRO. WHITE :—I have been traveling and preaching most of the time since I was at Rochester. I have made two tours as far West as Grand Rapids' City. The message is firmly rising in Michigan, as far as labor has been bestowed. The way is opening in almost every direction to spread the present truth.

My first trip West was not very encouraging; our experience being so short, and having to meet some little trials thrown upon us, which did not belong to us.

I left home Sept. 1st, on my second tour, and heard Bro. Loughborough preach at Bro. Pierce's in the evening. My heart was cheered to see him, and Bro. Cornell, and hear them tell of the prosperity of the cause West.

Next day we went to Bro. Currie's, at Delhi, and had a very pleasant visit with them. We left them somewhat unsettled, but praying the Lord to help them in the more thorough study of the whole truth; for the truth we have. One family there decided on the Sabbath of the Lord as being the Christian's Rest-day.

We went from there to Lansing, and stopped with Bro. Olcott's family, whom we hope will keep the Sabbath. They take the Review, and are partially convinced of the truth.

The next place we held meetings was at North Plains, where we found the brethren holding on to the truth. After preaching upon the law, on Sabbath evening, a Congregational preacher rose up gravely, and said that the next time he came there to preach, he would give them the Christian Sabbath. I gave them to understand that the so-called Christian Sabbath was nothing more nor less than the Roman Catholic Sunday. I find that the Devil has got out his agents every where to counteract the government of God, in destroying his law.

At Vergennes we had a very good meeting. The brethren and sisters there appear to be trying to learn the way of the Lord more perfectly. Bro. and Sr. Kinney became established in the keeping of the Seventh-day Sabbath. We met with some of Satan's agents who undertook to quibble with us against the truth. Their mode of reasoning would do away the truths of the Bible and the being of God or Christ.

We had a very pleasant visit with our old friend J. P. Weeks, who has formerly been a Union preacher. We laid the truth before him as well as we could, and left him to investigate, praying the Lord to bless.

Our next visit was at Bro. Clarke's, who has been keeping the Sabbath some six years. He is firm.—There is not much interest in his immediate neighborhood.

At Grand Rapids there has been an increased interest since our late visit. Bro. and Sr. Pettabone and Bro. and Sr. Fitch have lately come out to keep the Sabbath. Bro. Fitch proclaimed the first angel's message in 1843, and shared in the disappointment, and knew not what it meant until the present truth was presented to his mind, in the third angel's message. I think that Bro. Fitch will have to go with the last message of mercy to a sinful world, which is so soon to be destroyed by the seven last plagues.—Rev. xvi. Bro. Fitch's health is not very good, but we believe, if God has a work for him that he will give him strength according to his work.

Bro. Pearsall has had taken away from his family, by death, their only little son, about eleven years of age, after his heart was broken by the present truth. We believe the Lord did prepare him for himself, and laid him away to rest a few days, from the troubles to come on the earth, to save him, as is best in his case.

We came to Bedford, Oct. 1st and 2d. Found the little band striving to grow in grace, and the Lord was with them. The opposers have mostly been tested, and have decided against the truth. I see the importance of visiting new places as fast as possible; for as soon as the people are tested, the voice of the third angel will die away for ever, and sweet mercy be no more. Then he that is holy will be holy still, and he that is filthy will be filthy still.

Yours in the truth, J. B. FRISBIE. Chelsea, Mich., Oct. 7th, 1853.

Testimony on the Seventh-Day Sabbath

By Emily Richardson

From Sister Richardson.

DEAR BRO. WHITE:—With feelings of deep interest in the cause of our Lord, I add my feeble testimony to the truth.

It is about thirty years since I embraced the religion of Jesus; and though I have not been as faithful as I ought, and have been cold and indifferent in his service, still, when I saw my own sinfulness, and called on my Saviour, I have ever found him precious to my soul, and a present help in every time of need. And now I mean to spend the rest of my days in the service of God. I hope and pray that I may live in such a manner, that others may be led to give their hearts to God; for I can truly say,

"Jesus I my cross have taken, All to leave and follow thee."

About six or seven years since I had a deep impression on my mind that the seventh day of the week was the day sanctified and commanded to be kept in the ten commandments, holy unto the Lord; but still I kept the first day until last May, since which time I have kept the seventh day as the Sabbath of the Lord. And I believe that it is the day designed to be kept; for I cannot find any commandment or writing of any kind to warrant the keeping of any other. All other days may be devoted to secular employments. I have lately seen and heard of several from whose eyes the scales have fallen, who have been led to see that the seventh day is the one to be kept. I have been happier since I kept the seventh day than I ever was before. I have peace of mind, such as the world cannot give or take away.—I view the day as not far distant when many shall come to the knowledge of the truth, and put their trust in him who hath said, "come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

I have read some in the Review, and I like not only the advocating of the seventh day Sabbath, but also, the religion of the New Testament, and holiness of heart, which is essentially necessary (for without holiness no man shall see the Lord,) which it teaches. I believe that it is high time to awake to newness of life, and not sleep as do some, who will not arouse from their lethargy; for

"That awful day will surely come, The appointed hour makes haste, When we must stand before our Judge, And pass the solemn test."

I feel to give glory to God in the highest for bringing me to the truth as it is in Jesus; and I praise and adore his holy name for the light which is continually shining into my mind. According to the signs of the times, as predicted in the Bible, I believe that the end is near, and how it behooves all those who are standing aloof from Christ, and his cause, to take heed to their ways, and turn to the Lord while it is a day of salvation with them.

Yours in bonds of Christian love, EMILY RICHARDSON. Stoddard, N. H., Sept. 20th, 1853.

Conversion to the Advent Faith

By Clark Truman

From Bro. Truman.

DEAR BRO. WHITE:—Out of love to God, and the brethren and sisters that compose the Advent ranks, do I address you at this time. With humble gratitude would I acknowledge the faith that has been inspired in my bosom by the reading of the Review.—O, how it fed my hungry soul! How it delighted my heart to hear from the brethren and sisters from all parts of the country! I call them brethren and sisters. May I not call them so? The Saviour asked, on one occasion, Who is my brother or my sister? and said, he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. So say I. They are my people that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus Christ.

It is nearly a year since I began to inquire about the Advent faith. I ever have been an Adventist; but I had supposed the Jews were to be gathered at Jerusalem, and then the Saviour was to come, and Satan was to be bound, and Christ reign a thousand years before the judgment. Oh, how dark was my mind on this subject, and how limited my views.—I can truly say, like one of old, "Whereas I was blind, now I see." I knew nothing of the darkening of the sun and moon, and falling of the stars, and the working of Satan with all power, and signs, and lying wonders as signs of the coming of the Son of man in the glory of his Father, with all the holy angels. These and many others I did not see. O, what beams of light shine upon my understanding now! With what pleasure and unspeakable joy do I look forward to the glorious appearing of our Saviour. Glory to God for the light and instruction that I have received. How it becomes me to deny self and live humbly before God. When I read the letters in the Review it causes love like a river to flow into my soul, and our hearts unite like two drops of water.

It gives me pain and distress of mind when I look over the professed church of Christ, and see what a mantle of darkness is drawn over them in respect to the signs of the times. I rejoice to see what God is doing to open the eyes of his people to these things. I shall try and do what I can in the cause.

Yours, trying to keep all the commandments, CLARK TRUMAN. DeRuyter, N. Y., Oct. 5th, 1853.

Confession of Error

By Israel and Irena G. Camp

From Bro. and Sister Camp.

DEAR BRO. WHITE:—Being convinced as we are of our error, in justifying sister F. M. Shimper and Bro. W. Morse in traveling together to teach the third angel's message, we heartily confess it before God, and our brethren. Being aware of their perfect integrity, and not knowing how to separate their going from the work accomplished, we verily thought the Lord, himself, justified them too. But we are now convinced that the manner of going, if continued by them, or practiced by others, is calculated to bring reproach upon the cause of Christ, and wound his dear people. Therefore, we all most heartily confess that we ought to have adhered to the voice of the church, and the teachings of the Lord, for which we were never more thankful than at the present time.

How infinite is the condescension of our Heavenly Father to teach us our errors, while Jesus, our great High Priest, is in the Sanctuary, that we may have the privilege of confessing them, that they may be blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come from his presence.

We hope our dear brethren will be able to forgive, and earnestly pray that we may henceforth be preserved from wounding the cause in any way, or injuring the feelings of the dear people of God.

Yours, looking for redemption, and hoping to "Overcome through the blood of the Lamb, and the word of our testimony." ISRAEL AND IRENA G. CAMP. East Bethel, Vt., Oct., 1853.

The Third Angel’s Message Increasing

By Editor

Sister Mary L. Priest writes from Feltonville, Mass., Oct. 1st, 1853.

"My faith is growing stronger, daily. I see that the wicked are ripening for destruction. They will not have this man, Christ Jesus, to rule over them. O, no, they choose rather to enjoy the pleasures of this world for a season. But O, their end, their dreadful end!

"On the other hand, I feel in my soul that the third angel's message is increasing in power, and it seems to me that we shall very soon hear the loud voice.—The people begin to wake up to enforce Sunday-keeping. Has not the two-horned beast begun to work? And is not the time of trouble near at hand?

"I fear and tremble in view of it. The way looks so straight, the conflict so severe. Who can endure unto the end? Who will abide the day of his coming, and who shall stand when he appeareth?

"I feel like giving myself wholly to the Lord, and remember that there is a class who are called, chosen and faithful, who will be with the Lamb; and he shall overcome; for he is King of kings, and Lord of lords. He will be the hope of his people and the strength of the children of Israel. The eye of our Father will be upon us. He knows how to pity us; for he remembereth that we are dust. He is able to shield us, yea, more, he is willing to do it; and we shall have that confidence in him, when we fully get the faith of Jesus, that we shall ask of him with all the simplicity that a child comes to a parent, and he will hear us. O, yes, he will be our present help in every time of need. Then let us not fear; for the Lord is good. No wonder the Psalmist so often repeats, 'for his mercy endureth for ever.' O, let us be strong in the Lord and of good courage; for he will be with us to the end of this pilgrimage journey."

"Though trials and griefs await us here, The conflict will shortly be o'er. This glorious hope our hearts doth cheer, We know that our Saviour will soon appear, And then we shall grieve no more."

"O, let us not be weary in well-doing; for in due season we shall reap if we faint not. Let us drink the bitter cup with resignation, and be patient, believing in God, and remembering that he is long-suffering, and of tender mercy, and although we are tried, it is for our good to teach us our weakness, and his power. Let us endure hardness as good soldiers, trusting in the Lord for comfort and support, and he will finally, bring us to enjoy that rest that remains for his people."

Striving to Enter the Narrow Way

By Darius Myers

From Bro. Myers.

DEAR BRO. WHITE :—I feel that we are living in a solemn time—"in an age on ages telling." Momentous consequences are depending, soon to decide our eternal interest, eternal life, or eternal death! Oh, who can bear the thought of hearing the sentence, depart! Who can bear the thought of being for ever excluded from the bright scenes of glory that are reserved for the redeemed?

But those that are saved will have to strive to enter; for the way is strait, or difficult, and few there be that find it. Matt. vii, 13, 14. Luke xiii, 24, 25. And what a scene awaits the lost, when once the Master of the house has risen up and shut to the door. Then there will be wailing. How can we think of this and feel hard towards our enemies?

The brethren here are holding on, as firm as ever. Although our enemies are strong, we intend to go on.

DARIUS MYERS. Derinda, Jodaviss Co., Ill., Sept. 25th, 1853.

Alone in Keeping the Sabbath

By H. C. S. Carus

From Bro. Carus.

DEAR BRO. WHITE:—I am trying to keep the commandments of God, although it is through much opposition. I have passed through severe conflicts since I saw you in our State. But the Lord has hitherto sustained me for which I would praise his holy name, and trust him for what is to come. I am yet alone in this place in the keeping of the Sabbath of our Lord. The dragon power is very wroth with the remnant. Much is said of what shall be done to put down Sunday-breakers. I think that the time will soon come when the two-horned beast will make the image to defend the rights of the church in Sunday-keeping. But I trust that Christ will soon come to defend the rights of his children, and give them the promised inheritance. I ask the prayers of those of like precious faith. I have not seen any of the brethren since last Spring, at Conference, at Tyrone, though I have heard from them through the Review, and I bid them God speed.

H. C. S. Carus. Conway, Mich., Sept. 27th, 1853.

Sermons on the Law and God’s Seal

By J. W. Wilsie

From Bro. Wilsie.

DEAR BRO. WHITE:—We receive your valuable paper every week, and it is a source of great comfort to us.

Bro. Waggoner spoke to the people here, yesterday, (Sabbath,) in the forenoon and evening, and also, first-day forenoon, with great freedom and force. His discourse Sabbath was on the law of God, the fourth commandment in particular. First day forenoon his subject was the seal of God, and the mark of the beast. His argument was deep, clear and forcible.—There are a few here firmly established in the truth; and by the grace of God, I hope we shall be enabled to hold out to the end, keeping the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

Your brother in Christ, J. W. WILSIE.

Metomen, Wis., Sept. 25th, 1853.

A Free-Will Baptist Keeps the Sabbath

By Lemuel Chester

From Bro. Chester.

ELDER WHITE, DEAR SIR:—Although we are strangers in the flesh, yet I trust we are not to the doctrine of the Second Advent of our Lord and Saviour, and, also, the Bible Sabbath—the seventh day, which I try to observe. I have formerly been a strict observer of First-day, and my wife, also; but now she keeps the Sabbath with me.

The person that is addressing you was formerly a member and minister of the Free-will Baptist Church; but when I turned to keep the Sabbath, they would not claim me any longer. And by chance in some paper I beheld your name as Editor of the Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, published at Rochester, N. Y., and I wish to subscribe for this paper.

Yours with respect, LEMUEL CHESTER. Pittsfield, Berkshire Co., Mass., Oct. 1st, 1853.

Appointments.

PROVIDENCE permitting, I will hold meetings as follows: Sulivan, Sulivan Co., Ind., from the 14th to the 17th, October. Oswego, N. Y., Sabbath and First-day, Oct. 29th and 30th, as the brethren may appoint. Manlius, Sabbath and First-day, Nov. 5th and 6th, as Brn Holt and Cook may appoint. Chester Factory, Mass., Nov. 8th, at 2 P. M. and 6½ P. M., where Bro. Blair, and other brethren may appoint. Springfield, Nov. 9th afternoon and evening. Boston 10th, 6½ P. M. Fairhaven, Mass., Sabbath Nov. 12th.

J. BATES.

WE will meet with the brethren at Springfield, Mass., the 15th and 16th. Washington, N. H., the 22d and 23d. New Haven, Vt., the 28th and 29th.

JAMES WHITE.

Publications.

By Editor

THE Sanctuary and Twenty-three Hundred Days—76 pages—price 7 cents—postage 1 cent.

Review of O. R. L. Crozier on the Sabbath—48 pages—price 5 cents—postage 1 cent.

A Refutation of the Claims of Sunday keeping to Divine Authority; also, a lengthy extract from the History of the Sabbath—40 pages—price 4 cents—postage 1 cent.

Volume I, II and III of the REVIEW, bound in paper covers—price 40 cents for Vol. I and II, and 80 cents for Vol. III.

Youth's Instructor, Vol. I, in paper covers—price 25 cents.

Signs of the Times—124 pages—price 8 cents—postage 2 cents.

Our collection of Advent and Sabbath Hymns, with the Supplement bound with it—144 pages—price 30 cents—postage 5 cents.

Time and Prophecy—a Poem—120 pages, well bound—price 25 cents—postage 5 cents.

THE CHART—A Pictorial Illustration of the Visions of Daniel and John and their Chronology—price $2. It can be had of Otis Nichols, Dorchester, Mass., or at this Office. It can be sent by Mail without rollers for the same price.

Letters.

S. T. Cranson , S. W. Rhodes, E. S. Eastman, E. S. Sheffield. J. H. Waggoner, A. Avery, A. H. Robinson, W. Phelps, S. S. Lang.

Receipts.

By Editor

M. M. Brown, Sr. Smally, S. A. Morrill, R. E. Sheffield, D. P. Hall, C. Truman, P. G. Pitts, B. Clark, D. Myers, J. Miracle each one $1.

M. C., B. each $2; E. Goodwin $5; C. Bates $1.75, W. E. Landon $1.60; A. G. Phelps $1.50.

AGENTS.


MAINE.		H. Gardner,	Panton
N. N. Lunt,	Portland.	S. Willey,	Wheelock
S. W. Flanders,	Canaan.	CONNECTICUT.
Cyprian Stevens,	Paris.	E L HChamberlain	Md'town.
S. Howland,	Topsham.	A. Belden,	Kensington.
W. T. Hanniferd,	Orrington.	NEW YORK.
Wm. Bryant,	Wilton.	W. S. Ingraham,	Bath.
NEW HAMPSHIRE.		A. Ross,	Caughdenoy.
J. Stowell,	Washington.	David Upson,	Moreland.
S. Bunnel,	Claremont.	R. F. Cottrell,	Mill Grove.
MASSACHUSETTS.		John Wager,	Orangeport.
H. Flower,	Ashfield.	L. Carpenter,	Oswego.
O. Nichols,	Dorchester.	A. H. Robinson,	Sandy Creek.
O. Davis,	N. Fairhaven.	E. A. Poole,	Lincklaen.
L. Paine,	Ware.	J. A. Loughhead,	Elmira.
Wm. Saxby,	Springfield.	John Hamilton,	Fredonia.
VERMONT.		MICHIGAN.
R. Loveland,	Johnson.	Albert Avery,	Locke.
H. Bingham,	Morristown.	J. P. Kellogg,	Tyrone.
S. H. Peck,	Wolcott.	Ira Gardner,	Vergennes.
Lewis Bean,	Hardwick.	David Hewett,	Battle Creek.
H. A. Churchill,	Stowe.	Isaiah Rathbone,	Eagle Lake
E. P. Butler,	Waterbury.	C. S. Glover,	Sylvan.
Josiah Hart,	Northfield.	A. B. Pearsall,	Grand Rapids
R. G. Lockwood,	Waitsfield.	A. A. Dodge,	Jackson.
W. Morse,	East Bethel.	Wm. M. Smith,	"
L. Titus,	E. Charleston.	PENNSYLVANIA.
Alonzo Lee,	Derby Line.	M. L. Dean,	Ulysses
E. Everts,	Vergennes.

The Mercy Seat.

"And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee." Ex. xxv, 21; xxvi, 34; xl, 20; Heb. ix, 4, 5.

The testimony here mentioned is the ten commandments, written on the tables of stone. These were put in the ark; and the mercy seat formed the top of the ark. Rev. xi, 19; xv, 5, shows what is "beneath the mercy seat." The following beautiful lines are to the point:—

"From every stormy wind that blows, From every swelling tide of woes, There is a calm, a sure retreat, 'Tis found beneath the mercy seat. There is a place where Jesus sheds The oil of gladness on our heads; A place than all besides more sweet, It is the blood bought mercy seat. There is a scene where spirits blend, Where friend holds fellowship with friend; Though sundered far, by faith they meet Around one common mercy seat. Ah! whither should we flee for aid When tempted, desolate, dismayed? Or how the hosts of hell defeat, Had suffering saints no mercy seat? There, there on angel's wings we soar, And sin and sense seem all no more; The Lord comes down our souls to greet, And glory crowns the mercy seat. Oh let my hand forget her skill, My tongue be silent, cold and still; This bounding heart forget to beat If I forget the mercy seat."