For the past ten years the Review has taught that the United States of America were a subject of prophecy, and that slavery is pointed out in the prophetic word as the darkest and most damning sin upon this nation. It has taught that Heaven has wrath in store for the nation which it would drink to the very dregs, as due punishment for the sin of slavery. And the anti-slavery teachings of several of our publications based upon certain prophecies have been such that their circulation has been positively forbidden in the slave States. Those of our people who voted at all at the last Presidential election, to a man voted for Abraham Lincoln. We know of not one man among Seventh-day Adventists who has the least sympathy for secession.
But for reasons which we will here state, our people have not taken that part in the present struggle that others have.
1. The hope which stimulates others, that the war will soon terminate with the freedom of the millions of "bond-men and bond-women" of North America, and that a period of peace and millennial glory is to follow, we do not cherish. We think we see, through the prophetic word, the continuation of slavery down to the end of all earthly governments. One text to the point must suffice. Rev. vi, 12-17. "And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; and the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig-tree casteth her untimely figs when she is shaken of a mighty wind. And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bond-man, and every free-man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; and said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; for the great day of his wrath is come, and who shall be able to stand?" Amid the terrors of the day of God, which closes this mortal state, bond-men as well as free-men, call on rocks and mountains to hide them from the presence of the Lord. The minister who stated that these bond-men were those who were bound in their trespasses and their sins, found difficulty in explaining how free-men, free from trespasses and sins, were in terror calling on rocks and mountains to hide them. These bond-men are evidently slaves. Behind the cloud that now darkens our national horizon we see one still more terrific in the seven last plagues of Rev. xvi, to be poured out upon great Babylon. Her sins reach far up to heaven, and call for vengeance which will be rewarded unto her double for all her sins. Then the merchants of "slaves and souls of men" will mourn and lament because their hellish traffic has come to an end. Rev. xviii.
2. The position which our people have taken relative to the perpetuity and sacredness of the law of God contained in the ten commandments, is not in harmony with all the requirements of war. The fourth precept of that law says, "Remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy;" the sixth says, "Thou shalt not kill." But in the case of drafting, the government assumes the responsibility of the violation of the law of God, and it would be madness to resist. He who would resist until, in the administration of military law, he was shot down, goes too far, we think, in taking the responsibility of suicide.
We are at present enjoying the protection of our civil and religious rights, by the best government under heaven. With the exception of those enactments pressed upon it by the slave power, its laws are good. We may call in question the policy of the present administration in keeping the precious blacks, who are worth several hundred dollars each, out of the dangers of war—on whose account the present war is—and sending the valueless white man, not worth a dime in market, to fall in battle by thousands. But whatever we may say of our amiable president, his cabinet, or of military officers, it is Christ-like to honor every good law of our land. Said Jesus, "Render therefore unto Cæsar the things which are Cæsar's, and unto God the things that are God's." Matt. xxii, 21. Those who despise civil law, should at once pack up and be off for some spot on God's foot-stool where there is no civil law.
When it shall come to this, that civil enactments shall be passed and enforced to drive us from obedience to the law of God, to join those who are living in rebellion against the government of Heaven, see Rev. xiii, 15-17, then it will be time to stand our chances of martyrdom. But for us to attempt to resist the laws of the best government under heaven, which is now struggling to put down the most hellish rebellion since that of Satan and his angels, we repeat it, would be madness.
Those who are loyal to the government of Heaven, true to the constitution and laws of the Ruler of the universe, are the last men to "sneak" off to Canada, or to Europe, or to stand trembling in their shoes for fear of a military draft. Is God their Father? He is a mighty God. "Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance. Behold, he taketh up the isles as a very little thing." Isa. xl, 15. Is Christ their Saviour and Redeemer? He is a mighty conqueror. He will soon come down the blazing vault of heaven, followed by the armies of heaven, having on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. Rev. xix. If the hope of immortality at the soon coming of Jesus Christ, whether living, or sleeping in the dust, will not sustain a man in these perilous times, nothing will. The Lord God omnipotent reigneth. He has the nation in his hand, and will order events for his glory, and the best good of his loyal people.
Gleanings by the Way.
By Uriah Smith
FROM PEACE TO WAR.—We doubt whether any nation can be shown to have changed its character from a peaceful to a warlike power, in the short space of time in which this has been accomplished by the United States. When the rebellion commenced, this nation was emphatically a nation of peace. Its millions of people knew nothing of war, and its warlike preparations, either for land or sea, were comparatively nothing. A little over one short year has elapsed, and behold the change. The number of men that will have been called to arms in the North alone, when the last call from the war department shall have been filled, will be not far from one million and two hundred thousand; while the following facts show what has been done in the navy department: "Eighty vessels of war of all kinds have been added to the United States' navy within the past year. Of these 32 were wooden gunboats, 12 side-wheel steamers, 4 steam frigates, and 32 iron-clad boats, rams, and vessels. All, save the iron-clads and frigates, are finished and afloat."
THE MANUFACTURE OF GOVERNMENT ARMS.—With its change of circumstances, the government is increasing its facilities for the manufacture of arms. The following authentic statements show with what extraordinary rapidity it can now supply itself with implements of death: "The armory in Springfield, Mass., makes 14,000 stands of arms a month. In a short time that establishment, with the five private shops in operation there, will be able to manufacture 35,000 guns per month. In a few months we shall be making first-rate arms, better than the best Europe can afford, at the rate of 600,000 per annum."
MORE PREPARATIONS.—It is reported that the iron gunboat business is going on bravely. Four new vessels of this kind are to be forthwith built, three at New York, and one at Boston.
THE BROAD ROAD—TO HEAVEN!—It appears that with some of the popular city churches, the worship of God is getting to be considered too hard work for the hot summer months, and so to make things easy and agreeable, they suspend that worship till a more favorable season of the year, meanwhile recruiting their spiritual health, no doubt, in such moral localities as Niagara Falls, Saratoga, the White Mountains, &c. The N. Y. Tribune of Aug. 2, says, "The summer vacation of the city churches was announced last Sunday. For the next four or five weeks, most of the houses of worship will be closed."
GROWING OLD.—The earth is every day giving forth new signs of age and decrepitude. New and unheard of diseases are attacking both the animal and vegetable creation. Massachusetts furnishes a new instance of this, according to the following: "The Cape-Cod Republican reports that the cranberry crop has been much injured in its vicinity by a peculiar blight which has come upon it, withering the fruit. The cause is unknown, as nothing just like it has happened before."
STRENGTH OF THE FRENCH NAVY.—"The last official reports of the strength of the steam navy of France, show that that power has 360 war-vessels propelled by steam, of which number 172 are in commission, and 30 are iron-clads. Ten iron-plated ships are being built, each carrying 36 guns, besides the 6 iron frigates, and 12 floating batteries now complete." France is evidently preparing for something. U. S.
Gratitude for Temporal Mercies
Receive all your temporal mercies gratefully; use them with moderation; and acknowledge them constantly as favors bestowed.
Guilt will turn a palace into a prison; but the favor of God will turn a prison into a paradise.
The World's Conversion and Christ's Return
Not the World's Conversion! But the Coming of the Son of Man.
THE conversion of the world is utterly beyond the reach of any instrumentality that man possesses.
The following extracts are taken from a work of the Rev. J. C. Ryle, on the Parable of the Ten Virgins. His views on other subjects have been published and widely scattered by the "American Tract Society." It should be known by all that this same J. C. Ryle, is an out and out Adventist.
I see no warrant of Scripture for believing that sin will gradually dwindle away in the earth, consume, melt and disappear by inches, like the last snowdrift in spring. Nor yet do I see warrant for believing that holiness will gradually increase, like the banyan-tree of the East, until it blossoms, blooms, and fills the face of the world with fruit. I know that thousands think in this way. All I say is, that I cannot see it in God's word.
I fully admit that the gospel appears sometimes to make rapid progress in some countries; but that it ever does more than call out an elect people, I utterly deny. It never did more in the days of the Apostles. Out of all the cities that Paul visited, there is not the slightest proof that in any one the whole population became believers. It never has done more in any country from the time of the Apostles down to the present day.
There never yet was a parish or congregation in any part of the world,—however favored in the ministry it enjoyed,—there never was one, I believe, in which all the people were converted. At all events I never read or heard of it, and my belief is, the thing never has been, and never will. I believe that now is the time of election of universal conversion. Now is the time for the gathering out of Christ's little flock. The time of general obedience is yet to come
I fully admit that missions are doing a great work among the heathen, and that school and district-visiting are rescuing thousands from the devil at home. I do not undervalue these things. I would to God that all professing Christians would value them more. But men appear to me to forget that gospel religion is often withering in one place, while it is flourishing in another. They look at the progress of Christianity in the West of Europe. They forget how fearfully it has lost ground in the East. They point to the little flood-tide of Tinnevelly and Krishnaghur. They forget the tremendous ebb in North Africa, Egypt, and Asia Minor. And as for any signs that all the ends of the earth shall turn to the Lord, under the present order of things, there are none. God's work is going forward, as it always has done. The gospel is being preached for a witness to every quarter of the globe. The elect are being brought to Christ one by one, and there is every thing to encourage us to persevere. But more than this no missionary can report in any station in the world.
I long for the conversion of all mankind, as much as any one. But I believe it is utterly beyond the reach of any instrumentality that man possesses. I quite expect that the earth will one day be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord. But I believe that day will be an entirely new dispensation: it will not be till after the Lord's return. I would not hesitate to preach the gospel, and offer Christ's salvation to every man and woman alive, but that there always will be a vast amount of unbelief and wickedness until the second advent I am fully persuaded. The gospel laborers may possibly be multiplied a thousand-fold, and I pray God it may be so; but however faithfully they may sow, a large proportion of tares will be found growing together with the wheat, at the time of harvest.
Reader, how is it with your own soul? Remember that till the Lord Jesus Christ comes again, there always will be wise and foolish in the world. Now which are you?
COMING OF THE SON OF MAN NOT DEATH, OR THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM.
Men have got into a habit of putting a strange sense upon many of those passages which speak of the coming of the Son of man, or of the Lord's appearing. And this habit has been far too readily submitted to. Some tell us that the coming of the Son of man often means death. No one can read the thousands of epitaphs in churchyards, in which some text about the coming of Christ is thrust in, and not perceive how wide-spread this view is. Some tell us that our Lord's coming means the destruction of Jerusalem. This is a very common way of interpreting the expression. Many find Jerusalem everywhere in New Testament prophecies, and like Aaron's rod they make it swallow up everything else. Some tell us that our Lord's coming means the general judgment, and the end of all things. This is their one answer to all inquiries about things to come.
Now I believe that all these interpretations are entirely beside the mark. I have not the least desire to underrate the importance of such subjects as death and judgment. I willingly concede that the destruction of Jerusalem is typical of many things connected with our Lord's second advent, and is spoken of in chapters where that mighty event is foretold. But I must express my own firm belief that the coming of Christ is one distinct thing, and that death, judgment, and the destruction of Jerusalem, are three other distinct things. And the wide acceptance which these strange interpretations have met with, I hold to be one more proof that in the matter of Christ's second advent the church has long slumbered and slept.
The plain truth of Scripture I believe to be as follows. When the number of the elect is accomplished, Christ shall come again to this world with power and great glory. He shall raise his saints, and gather them to himself. He shall punish with fearful judgments all who are found his enemies, and reward with glorious rewards all his believing people. He shall take to himself his great power, and reign, and establish an universal kingdom. As he came the first time in person, so he shall come the second time in person. As he went away from earth visibly, so he shall return visibly. As he literally rode upon an ass,—was literally sold for thirty pieces of silver,—had his hands and feet literally pierced,—was numbered literally with the transgressors,—and had lots literally cast upon his raiment,—and all, that Scripture might be fulfilled,—so also shall he literally come, literally set up a kingdom, and literally reign because the very same Scripture has said that it shall be.
COMING OF THE SON OF MAN NEGLECTED BY THE MINISTRY.
And I have long felt it is one of the greatest shortcomings of the church of Christ, that we ministers do not preach enough about this advent of Christ, and that private believers do not think enough about it. A few of us here and there receive the doctrine, and profess to love it, but the number of such persons is comparatively very small. And after all, we none of us live on it, feed on it, act on it, work from it, take comfort in it, as much as God intended us to do.
THE ABUSE OF THE DOCTRINE, OR DIFFERENCES OF OPINION, NO EVIDENCE AGAINST IT.
It proves nothing against the doctrine of Christ's second coming and kingdom, that it has sometimes been fearfully abused. I should like to know what doctrine of the gospel has not been abused.
It proves nothing against the second advent of Christ, that those who hold the doctrine differ among themselves on many particular points in prophecy. Such differences need never stumble any one. Luther and Zuinglius differed widely in their views of the Lord's Supper,—yet who would think of saying that therefore Protestantism is all false? Fletcher and Toplady were both clergymen in the Church of England, but differed widely about Calvinism,—yet where would be the sense of saying that all Evangelical religion was therefore untrue? In common fairness this ought to be remembered when people talk of the differences among those who study prophecy. It is possible for men to differ much as to the meaning they place on the symbols in the book of Revelation, and yet on the matter of Christ's coming and kingdom they may be entirely and substantially agreed.
It proves nothing against the doctrine that it is encompassed with many difficulties. This I fully concede. The order of events connected with our Lord's coming, and the manner of his kingdom when it is set up, are both deep subjects, and hard to be understood. But I firmly believe that the difficulties connected with any other system of interpreting unfulfilled prophecy are just twice as many as those which are said to stand in our way. I believe too that the difficulties connected with our Lord's second coming are not half so many as those connected with his first, and that it was a far more improbable thing, "a priori," that the Son of God should come to suffer, than it is that he should come to reign. And after all, what have we to do with the "how" and "in what manner" prophecies are to be fulfilled? Is our miserable understanding of what is possible, to be the measure and limit of God's dealings? The only question we have to do with, is, "Has God said a thing?" If he has, we ought not to doubt it shall be done.
For myself, I can only give my own individual testimony; but the little I know experimentally of the doctrine of Christ's second coming, makes me regard it as most practical and precious, and makes me long to see it more generally received.
And now is there any one among the readers of this tract who cannot receive the doctrine of Christ's second advent and kingdom? I invite that man to consider the subject calmly and dispassionately. Dismiss from your mind traditional interpretations. Only examine the texts which speak of it as calmly and fairly as you weigh texts in the Romish, Arian, or Socinian controversies, and I am hopeful as to the result on your mind. Alas! If texts of Scripture were always treated as unceremoniously as I have known texts to86be treated by those who dislike the doctrine of Christ's second advent, I should indeed tremble for the cause of truth.
COMING OF THE SON OF MAN A SUDDEN EVENT.
I suspect there is a vague notion floating in men's minds, that the present order of things will not end quite so suddenly. I suspect men cling to the idea, that there will be a kind of Saturday-night in the world, a time when all will know the day of the Lord is near,—a time when all will be able to cleanse their consciences, look out their wedding garments, shake off their earthly business, and prepare to meet their God. If any reader of this tract has got such a notion into his head, I charge him to give it up forever. If anything is clear in unfulfilled prophecy, this one fact seems clear, that the Lord's coming will be sudden, and take men by surprise. And any view of prophecy which destroys the possibility of its being sudden,—whether by interposing a vast number of events as yet to happen, or by placing the millennium between ourselves and the advent,—any such view appears to my mind to carry with it a fatal defect. Everything which is written in Scripture on this point confirms the truth that Christ's second coming will be sudden. "As a snare shall it come," says one place.—"As a thief in the night," says another.—"As the lightning," says a third.—"In such an hour as ye think not," says a fourth.—"When they shall say peace and safety," says a fifth. (Luke xxi, 35; 1 Thess. v, 2; Luke xvii, 24; Matt. xxiv, 44; 1 Thess. v, 2.)
"Ah!" I can imagine some reader saying, "this is all foolishness, raving, and nonsense; the man is beside himself. This is all extravagant fanaticism. Where is the likelihood, where is the probability of all this? The world is going on as it always did. The world will last my time." Do not say so. Do not drive away the subject by such language as this. This is the way that men talked in the days of Noah and Lot, but what happened? they found to their cost that Noah and Lot were right. Do not say so. The Apostle Peter foretold eighteen hundred years ago that men would talk in this way. "There shall come in the last days scoffers," he tells us, "saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation." (2 Pet. iii, 4.) Oh! do not fulfill this prophecy by your unbelief. Where is the raving and fanaticism of the things which I have been saying? Show it to me if you can. I calmly assert that the present order of things will come to an end one day. Will any one deny that? Will any one tell me we are to go on as we do now forever? I calmly say that Christ's second coming will be the end of the present order of things. I have said so because the Bible says it. I have calmly said that Christ's second coming will be a sudden event, whenever it may be, and may possibly be in our own time. I have said so, because thus and thus I find it written in the word of God. If you do not like it, I am sorry for it. One thing only you must remember,—you are finding fault with the Bible, not with me.
THE PREPARATION.
If we would grow in grace, and have a more lively hope, we must seek more preparedness for Christ's second coming. I know of no doctrine more sanctifying and quickening than the doctrine of Christ's second advent. I know none more calculated to draw us from the world, and make us single-eyed, whole-hearted, and joyful Christians. But alas! how few believers live like men who wait for their Master's return! Who that narrowly observes the ways of many believers would ever think that they loved and longed for their Lord's appearing? Is it not true that there are many hearts among God's children which are not quite ready to receive Jesus? He would find the window barred,—the door shut,—the fires almost out;—it would be a cold and comfortless reception. Oh! believing reader, it ought not so to be. We want more of a pilgrim's spirit;—we ought to be ever looking for and hastening to our home. The day of the Lord's advent is the day of rest, the day of complete redemption, the day when the family of God shall at last be all gathered together. It is the day when we shall no longer walk by faith, but by sight: we shall see the land that is far off—we shall behold the King in his beauty. Surely we ought to be saying daily, "Come, Lord Jesus, let thy kingdom come." O let us set Christ's advent continually before our eyes. Let us say to ourselves every morning, "The Lord will soon return," and it will be good for our souls.
WATCHFULNESS.
I exhort you to watch against everything which might interfere with a readiness for Christ's appearing. Search your own hearts. Find out the things which most frequently interrupt your communion with Christ, and cause fogs to rise between you and the sun. Mark these things and know them, and against them ever watch and be on your guard.
Watch against sin of every kind and description. Think not to say of any sin whatever, "Ah, that is one of the things that I shall never do!" The spirit may be sometimes very willing, but the flesh is always very weak. You are yet in the body. Watch and pray.
Watch against doubts and unbelief as to the complete acceptance of your soul, if you are a believer in Christ Jesus. The Lord Jesus finished the work he came to do;—do not tell him that he did not. The Lord Jesus paid your debts in full;—do not tell him that he left you to pay part. The Lord Jesus promises eternal life to every sinner that comes to him;—do not tell him, even while you are coming, that you think he lies. Alas, for our unbelief! In Christ you are like Noah in the ark, and Lot in Zoar,—nothing can harm you. Doubt it not. Pray for more faith. Watch and pray.
Watch against inconsistency of walk and conformity to the world. Watch against sins of temper and of tongue. These are the kind of things that grieve the Spirit of God, and make his witness within us faint and low. Watch and pray.
Watch against the leaven of false doctrine. Remember that Satan can transform himself into an angel of light. Remember that bad money is never marked bad, or else it would never pass. Be very jealous for the whole truth as it is in Jesus. Do not put up with a grain of error merely for the sake of a pound of truth. Do not tolerate a little false doctrine one bit more than you would a little sin. O reader, remember this caution! Watch and pray.
Watch against slothfulness about the Bible and private prayer. There is nothing so spiritual but we may at last do it formally. Most backslidings begin in the closet. When a tree is snapped in two by a high wind, we generally find there has been some long-hidden decay. O, watch and pray.
Watch against bitterness and uncharitableness toward others. A little love is more valuable than many gifts. Be eagle-eyed in seeing the good that is in your brethren, and dim-sighted as the mole about the evil. Let your memory be a strong box for their graces, but a sieve for their faults. Watch and pray.
Watch against pride and self-conceit. Peter said, at first, "Though all men deny thee, yet will not I." And presently he fell. Pride is the high road to a fall. Watch and pray.
Watch against the sins of Galatia, Ephesus and Laodicea. Believers may run well for a season, then lose their first love, and then become lukewarm. Watch and pray.
Watch not least against the sin of Jehu. A man may have great zeal to all appearance, and yet have very bad motives. It is a much easier thing to oppose anti-Christ than to follow Christ. It is one thing to protest against error: it is quite another thing to love the truth. So watch and pray.
O, my believing readers, let us all watch more than we have done. Let us watch more every year that we live. Let us watch, that we may not be startled when the Lord appears.
Let us watch for the world's sake. We are the books they chiefly read. They mark our ways more than we think. Let us aim to be plainly written epistles of Christ.
Let us watch for our own sakes. As our walk is, so will be our peace. As our conformity to Christ's mind so will be our sense of Christ's atoning blood. If a man will not walk in the full light of the sun, how can he expect to be warm?
And above all, let us watch for our Lord Jesus Christ's sake. Let us live as if his glory was concerned in our behavior. Let us live as if every slip and fall was a reflection on the honor of our King. Let us live as if every allowed sin was one more thorn in his head, one more nail in his feet, one more spear in his side. O let us exercise a godly jealousy over thoughts, words, and actions, over motives, manners, and walk. Never, never let us fear being too strict. Never, never let us think we can watch too much.
Legh Richmond's dying words were very solemn. Few believers were ever more useful in their day and generation. Of few can it be said so truly that he "being dead, yet speaketh." But what did he say to one who stood by while he lay dying? "Brother, brother, we are none of us more than half awake!"
Our Public Affairs.
By Uriah Smith
The struggle in which this nation is engaged is evidently under the control of a higher power than that of man; else why is it that with all the vast outlay of men and means that has been made, no more has been accomplished? So evident is the restraining power upon our armies that some have already felt constrained to ask whether the Lord was for or against us. Read the following from the American Missionary:
“Many of the acts of the President and Congress have caused joy throughout the free States, still the state of the country fills all loyal hearts with unwonted solicitude. Notwithstanding we have a President whose aimable qualities, honest intentions, and remarkable prudence have gained for him general confidence, although the Cabinet is composed of able, industrious, and experienced men, although we have an immense army, loyal, brave, and well equipped, commanded mainly by skillful Generals, although our navy is unmatched in armament and courageous commanders, although the wealth of the country is poured out like water to supply the necessities of government, and although the people are patriotic and united, still we do not make headway in quelling the rebellion. The rebels, with inferior numbers and resources, exceed us in union, in determination, in the use of means, in esprit de corps.
“Why is it thus? This is a natural inquiry. The people are agitating it. The providences of God are forcing it upon their attention. It must find a solution. Is the great Ruler and Governor for or against us? ‘If God be for us, who can be against us?’ If he be against us, in vain do we marshal armies and navies, employ intrepid and valorous officers, and summon all the material and moral forces of the free States to contend with the conspirators against our government. If he be against us, we shall not succeed, and the enemy will triumph in spite of all we can do with our troops, our wealth, our superiority in numbers, and our conviction that we are engaged in a just and righteous cause.”
If this nation is now receiving a just chastisement on account of the sin of slavery, which is very generally conceded, then it follows that God could not consistently give success to any policy which did not regard with just abhorrence that accursed system. Such has not been the policy of the administration up to the present time; it is but partially so now. Through its own seeming obstinacy the nation is learning its present lesson in justice at a fearful cost. The only consideration that can keep a person calm amid our national reverses and the excitement of the hour, is that He who sitteth in the Heavens, and before whom the nations are but as the small dust of the balance, has this matter in his own hands, and will conduct it according to the unerring counsel of his will. U. S.
Faith in the Gifts.
By A. P. Lawton
We hear it repeated, We must have evidence of a thing before we can believe. This is very true. But beyond a certain amount of evidence there is knowledge; hence faith is precluded, and its fruits. Thomas might have believed in a risen Saviour from the numerous testimonies of those whose veracity he had no good reason to question; hence the reproof, "Blessed are they that believe, though they have not seen." "By grace are ye saved, through faith." But, says one, I have faith in the Bible. Jesus said to those whom he chose to bear his name, and endowed with the gifts, "He that receiveth you, receiveth me; and he that receiveth me, receiveth Him that sent me." Matt. x, 40.
If the spirit of prophecy is not with us, where may we look for it? I have been tried on this point as sorely as any one, perhaps, but I invariably came out on the side of the gifts that are with us; and feel the approbation of God in defending them. May God save us from refusing him who speaketh from heaven, is my fervent prayer. Have the scripture prophecies been fulfilled? So have these. Are those being fulfilled before us? So are these. I can see no separating them. These are but links in the same great chain. May I and you, my brother and sister, be found standing firmly, but meekly, in all the truths connected with the third angel's message.
Satan is pleased to see us halt and stumble over the very thing that is to unite God's remnant people. God is calling us to union. The gathering call is sounding. This occasions great joy to those who are longing to see the church come into the unity of the faith. May we be saved from a fault-finding, dividing spirit.87Let us pass by on the other side. It is of its father, even Satan.
O the sheep! the poor sheep! scattered and torn; many of them without any shepherd but Jesus; and him they follow at a distance. When will God arise and shake himself like a man of war, and go forth with our host? Then will we be glad and lift up our heads in joyful hope. When shall we run, not as uncertainly, and fight, not as one that beateth the air.
A. P. LAWTON.
West Winfield, N. Y.
Report From. Bro. Sanborn.
By Isaac Sanborn
Since my last report of the discussion on the Sabbath question, Bro. Ingraham has discussed the following propositions: 1. Do the Scriptures teach that the kingdom of Jesus Christ was fully set up on the day of pentecost? Eld. Moss, Disciple, affirmed. The arguments I have not time to give, but so far as I have heard, the people generally think he made a failure. Then Eld. Mitchel, Disciple, affirmed, The Scriptures teach that the first day of the week is the Lord's day, and was set apart by divine authority as a day of religious worship. Here the people say he made a complete failure, which surely must have been the case, as there is not one text that says the first day of the week is the Lord's day, or that it was set apart by divine authority. I have heard a great many say that there is no evidence for Sunday-keeping. The Disciple preachers rallied all the strength they have in this part of the country, and have failed, so that their batteries are all silenced. They find it hard business to fight against God's law.
We are now going on with our lectures, and shall have no more discussions while the tent remains here. The prospect here for quite a company of Sabbath-keepers is flattering. Pray for us that the Lord may give the increase.
ISAAC SANBORN.
"Be Ye Kind."
By Geo. Wright
THAT the apostle Paul possessed a kind heart in an eminent Christian sense, none who are familiar with his history will deny. And that he faithfully and affectionately enjoined this heaven-born principle on the churches he planted, is equally true. Hear him to the church at Ephesus: "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice, and be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted," &c. The saints and faithful brethren at Colosse he exhorts to put on bowels of mercies, kindness, &c.; and to his brethren at Corinth he writes, Charity, or love, suffereth long, and is kind. One round, as the Christian ascends Peter's ladder of holiness, is brotherly kindness, and next to the last, or crowning grace, love. This binds all together, and without this all is but sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal.
The truly kind man is a blessing to all around him.
Like begets like; and he that would be beloved must show himself lovely. Kindness has a power that cruelty and tyranny never has possessed, and never can. The cruel man is despised. The tyrant may be feared, but never loved. How often has my heart been pained at scenes of cruelty to animals, especially to that noble and faithful animal, the horse. Often have I seen them neglected, and allowed to suffer for want of food, cruelly beaten, and taxed beyond their strength; and this, too, by some professing to be Christians. O shame, where is thy blush!
Isaiah, in visions of future glory in the new earth, saw there many of the animals with which we are surrounded, whether by a resurrection or new creation, we will not now stop to consider, though it would seem from Ps. civ, 29, 30, that it is by the latter. I believe that every creature that God pronounced good when he finished creation's work, will be represented there. Such was the faith of John Wesley, and a host of others, and such the Bible clearly teaches; and think you God will approbate us, or permit us to enjoy the glories of his holy mountain where they shall not hurt nor destroy, if we are cruel or unkind to the creatures he has placed in our care here? Never.
The Bible recognizes but two classes. This is clearly set forth in the following: "A righteous man regards the life of his beast, but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel." Prov. xii, 10. The line is drawn strait here, reader, and which side are you on? "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy." Here again the path of duty is made plain. If we would obtain mercy in the great day just before us, we must apply these tests of holy writ to our lives now.
Many exhibit great kindness of heart, and are ready to relieve suffering, and exercise a forgiving spirit to those they love and respect. This is comparatively easy. Thousands who know nothing of experimental religion will do this; but the humble child of God who is striving to walk in obedience to the faith of Jesus, will love his enemies, pray for them that despitefully use him, and be kind to the unthankful and the evil. This the carnal heart revolts at. Here is where the true Christian is distinguished from the worldling, among the thousands that are crying, Lord, Lord.
There is a remnant who are striving to walk with God, both in and out of Babylon. The voice of God will be heeded as proclaimed by his faithful servants. "Come out from among them and be ye separate." Such are despised by the world, and the proud, arrogant professor, and are counted as the filth and offscouring of the earth, but they are really the sons and daughters of the Lord Almighty. To them the sweet promise is given, "He shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed."
Lord, help me to prove worthy of the fellowship of this dear people, be counted worthy to suffer with them for thy name, and to share in their work and labor of love. Let such smite me, it shall be a kindness, and reprove me when I am wrong. Let me but share in the blessing attending their noble work in time and eternity,