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Review and Herald, Vol. 33, No. 14.

A TEST OF CHRISTIAN CHARACTER
Earlier text: A TEST OF CHRISTIAN CHARACTER

HONOR THE AGED.

By A. S. HUTCHINS

How reasonable and just the requirements of the Lord our God, “Thou shalt rise up before the hoary heads, and honor the face of the old man.” Lev. xix, 32. Yet oh! how men, women, and children, are inclined, in this fast and selfish age, to forget, neglect, and disregard this commandment. What a pity!
In this same text stands too the injunction, “And fear thy God.” How many who profess to fear God, yea, to love and obey him, remember that it is a duty clearly binding upon them to “honor the face of the old man?” How many “rise up before the hoary head,” and give them the respect due unto them as they come into their presence?
God notices our neglect in this direction, dear reader. He marks it. He wants us to repent of it. He wants us to reform wherein we have been faulty. Especially does he want those of us who are daily learning more and more of the sacredness of his holy law, and its obligations upon us as commandment-keepers, to be very circumspect in all our Christian duties.
One of the ten commandments, which we trust we have a growing regard for, teaches us to honor our father and mother. Do we do this? If not, if we find it hard to honor our parents, it will be difficult to heed the text first quoted. And if we do not obey the voice of the Most High here, how can we fear him? And if we fear not God, where is the wisdom which characterizes the Christian, the man of God? We must be void of it, for his word declares, “The fear of the Lord, that is wisdom.”
Dear brethren and sisters, have you parents? Then love them as you should. Are their bodies bending over with the infirmities of a long and weary life? Are their hearts pressed with care and sorrow as they realize that their mental and physical powers, once strong and active, are failing them? Has the grasshopper become a burden, and are “fears in the way?” Oh! stretch out your friendly hand to lead that aged man, that aged woman, that dear father or mother, down the declivity of time. You may not have them long. Soon they may be gone. Some of these parents have prayed for you. They pray for you now. But not long may you hear their prayers. Others, whom we love, whose venerable heads are crowned with hoary hairs, are yet living without hope in God. We feel for them, we pray for them, and weep for them. In tears, some of them beg an interest in our prayers. God help them to come now, while mercy lingers, and know the joy of salvation.
And may we so live, so fear God, and so respect the aged, so honor our father and mother, as to win those to Christ, if possible, who know him not. And may we finally meet where death can never sever, where there will be no tears, no sorrow, nor grief, but felicity and joy will fill the ransomed soul forever and ever.
A. S. HUTCHINS.

REPORT FROM CALIFORNIA.

By D. T. BOURDEAU

We have now held forty meetings in this section, and the people have paid good attention to the truths spoken. We came to this place by invitation of Bro. Lyttaker, who had recently moved here from Petaluma, where he had embraced the Sabbath as the result of the tent-meetings held in that place. We came here in the heart of the rainy season, yet the people showed great interest and punctuality in attending the meetings, notwithstanding the rain and bad roads. But as the heavy rains came, the creek passing through this valley swelled so high that the bridges were either removed or covered with water, thus proving an obstruction, as the only way of crossing it was by passing over on foot on a tree which nature had graciously bent over the stream, seemingly for our accommodation. So to obviate this difficulty we appointed to hold meetings on both sides of the creek, speaking at Bro. Lyttaker's every other day, in the afternoon, and at the Blakely school-house on the other side, every evening, giving three discourses on Sunday. We continued this arrangement until last week, when we commenced labors at the Piner school-house on this side, to better accommodate the people and make the interest more general, while keeping up our meetings, half of the time, on the other side. The school-houses are about four miles apart. This gives us plenty of exercise, in connection with our visiting, as we generally travel this distance on foot several times a week.
We have met two opponents since coming to this place. Our first opponent was Mr. Kirk Patrick, who wished to speak but twenty minutes at the close of our discourse. We gave him twenty-five minutes, and Bro. Loughborough replied immediately. But the elder broke in upon him several times, showing much excitement, though Bro. L. had positively stated that as he had been silent while the elder had spoken, he wished not to be interrupted during his reply. Among the views entertained by this singular man, is the idea that Christ's personal coming will not take place till at the end of the 1000 years of Rev. xx, which, he says, are symbolic, and therefore represent 365,000 years.
Our second opponent was Mr. Crawford, a Presbyterian preacher, who gave a lengthy and written discourse yesterday (Sunday), on the change of the Sabbath, at the Blakely school-house, while I was taking notes, and Bro. Loughborough was having a good time at the Piner school-house, which was well filled with interested hearers. I replied to Eld. Crawford's discourse in the evening, before as many as the house could hold, and some outside, who were listening at the windows. The Lord gave unusual strength and freedom, and the interest was intense though I was under the necessity of speaking much longer than usual. At the close of the discourse some expressed it as their conviction that we had the truth on the Sabbath. May they and others have courage to embrace it. We have held one Sabbath meeting, and have appointed another for next Sabbath. We know not what the result will be, but feel thankful for divine aid, and will try to do our duty, trusting in God.
After reviewing Eld. Crawford's discourse last evening, a feeling of gratitude came over us for such a work as our History of the Sabbath. May God bless Bro. Andrews in getting out the revised edition, and may we all take an active part in circulating this excellent work. We approve of the suggestion of including this work among the books to be distributed as far as practicable, at the expense of the Book Fund. Also we are glad for the forthcoming works from the pen of Bro. White, and that our works on Spiritual Gifts are to be republished. We would be lame without these. The cause demands them. We have already disposed of 13 full sets (52 vols.), of Spiritual Gifts. Our hearts beat in unison with the moves of the brethren East. We feel that the cause is one; and may God speed on the message in its work.
D. T. BOURDEAU.
Santa Rosa Creek, Cal., March 1, 1869.

CONSECRATION.

By John Nevins Andrews

When God in the law directed Moses to put the blood of consecration upon the tip of the right ear of Aaron and his sons, and upon the thumbs of their right hands, and upon the great toes of their right feet, it was no idle, unmeaning ceremony. It denoted the consecration of the men in these bodily organs to the service of God.
The ear was consecrated to God by the blood of the slain victim. It implies that the priest must stand in the counsel of God, and hear every word that he should speak to him.
The right hand being thus consecrated by blood denoted that his acts should be all such as God could approve.
His right foot being in like manner touched with this blood of consecration, was a testimony to him that his feet should run in the way of God's commandments, and never be found in the path of sin. See the consecration, Ex. xxix; Lev. viii.
And can we, as Christians, be neglectful of the great truths there shadowed forth? Our whole body is to be a living sacrifice to God. Who of us are Christians after such a fashion as this?
J. N. ANDREWS.

“BE YE HOLY.”

By N. Orcutt

HOLINESS is not simply one moral excellence, but the harmonious and perfect blending of all. It characterizes outward acts, but if possible, still more the thought, motive and intent of the heart. These are inseparably connected. As is the one, so is the other. “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh,” “No fountain can bring forth both sweet water and bitter. “Men do not gather grapes of thorns, nor figs of thistles.”
Sometimes the wolf appears clad in sheep’s clothing; but such instances are the exception, and not the rule.
If closely observed, the wolfish nature will soon appear, the guard of hypocrisy be thrown off, and the unholy and unsanctified character be seen in all its naked deformity; the tree bearing and known by its fruit.
Our Heavenly Father designs that his children should be assimilated to his likeness;—have their “fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.” The ten precepts of his perfect law are calculated to develop in us such a character. With this end in view, he invites, admonishes, even chastises us, “that we might be partakers of his holiness;” “might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” He has forewarned us that without holiness no man shall see the Lord.
And the time is just before us that the unalterable decree will go forth, “He which is filthy, let him be filthy still; . . . . . he that is holy, let him be holy still.” Oh! how important that we be prepared for that trying hour, that we be accounted holy then. Glorious consummation! A character developed in accordance with the will and purpose of Him who has said; “Be ye holy, for I am holy.” At rest, beyond the reach of temptation. No more danger of defeat in the warfare. No more fears of failing through weakness, to win the prize and wear the crown.
In view of present dangers, and prospective glorious deliverance, who would not pray, “Thy kingdom come; thy will be done in earth, as it is in Heaven”? Even so, come Lord Jesus.”
N. ORCUTT.
Bordoville, Vt.

REPORT FROM BRO. HUTCHINS.

By A. S. Hutchins

At the time of my last report I was visiting and attending meetings in Roxbury and Braintree, with Bro. Evans. Remained here about two weeks. Five had decided to keep the Sabbath, while others were examining the subject with deep interest. The first Sabbath in February I was at Bro. Dompierre’s in Randolph, a few miles from where we had been holding meetings, unable to get to the place of the meeting, by reason of a heavy storm and blow. So I spoke to a few here on the Ministration of Angels, while Bro. Evans made his way, with team and on foot, on to Roxbury mountain.
On the 13th, was at home, not able to attend meeting, in consequence of a severe cold. On the 17th, we left home for Enosburgh, but on reaching Johnson, could proceed no further, by reason of another snow-storm, followed by high winds. Sabbath, the 20th, spoke to two families, at Bro. Wiswell’s. It was a pleasant season. I am grateful that Jesus, the blessed Saviour, says, “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
When the roads became passable, it was quite a question in my mind, such was, and had been the condition of my lungs for some time, whether to continue on to Enosburgh, or to return home. Never have my lungs and throat been affected from repeated colds, as this winter, resembling the present epidemic of New England.
But as I had not been to Enosburgh since our return from the West, except to attend the State Conference, and had repeatedly disappointed the brethren there, I decided to go in that direction, hoping and praying for sustaining grace.
We spent eleven days at Enosburgh. Our visits at Brn. Bourdeau and Orcutt’s, also with some ten other families, were to us quite pleasant. Our meetings were more thinly attended than they would have been but for another Vermont snow-storm, followed by a severe blow, which have rapidly succeeded each other thus far since the first of February.
While here, our beloved aged Sr. Mary Bean, calmly and peacefully fell asleep in Jesus. Her death was triumphantly happy. Of her may it be said, “She hath done what she could.” As the fatigued traveler desires rest at the end of a long and wearisome journey, so did she anxiously desire to rest, the little time intervening between this and the resurrection of the saints of God.
The first Sabbath in March, I spoke to about twenty brethren and friends at Bro. Austin’s, in Berkshire. This was an unusually solemn season. There seemed to be an anxious desire burning in the hearts of the people of God to get nearer to him, and be more and more assimilated into his divine image. May they all enjoy more love and communion with the Most High. On first-day, drove about 12 miles, to East Richford, where I attended Bro. Bourdeau’s meeting in the forenoon, and spoke in the afternoon on the Judgment. We were happy to meet with the old, tried friends of the cause here again. They contemplate building a house of worship here. It seems if there is union of feeling and action in this direction, this enterprise may prove successful. “Union is strength.”
Last Sabbath I preached at the house of Bro. H. W. Barrows in Irasburgh. More met with us than we could have expected, considering the inclemency of the weather and the bad condition of the roads. But I think all felt richly rewarded for the pains they had taken. Truly, “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.”
Reached home on the 15th inst., having as I humbly trust some realizing sense of God’s goodness to us. We hope to appreciate his manifold mercies and blessings to us. Truly God is good. My health is considerably better than when we left home last. My lungs are also much stronger. So I am encouraged to hope that our New England winter will not prove as unfavorable to my health as I had feared. Yet my heart longs for that world, whose inhabitant shall not say, “I am sick.”
A. S. HUTCHINS.
Wolcott, Vt., March 17, 1869.

REPORT OF LABOR.

By I. D. VAN HORN

Since writing my last report, Jan. 18, I have labored four weeks in the townships of Georgetown and Blendon.
In this time I have given twenty-seven discourses. The effort made in Georgetown was almost an entire failure. The people soon lost their interest to attend meetings, partly on account of their worldly affairs, and partly because of the influence of a prominent man whose faith was a mixture of Orthodoxy, Infidelity, and Spiritualism, and in whom they placed great confidence.
My labors in Blendon only resulted in confirming and strengthening those who had previously taken hold of the truth. The Monthly Meeting held in this place, Feb. 13 and 14, was not largely attended, because of the bad roads and rainy weather during the time. Considering all the circumstances we had a very good meeting. A few of the brethren were with us from Wright, which gave us some encouragement.
Immediately after the above Monthly Meeting, I went into the township of Allendale, and began a course of lectures. The Wesleyan Methodists tried hard, with their minister, to keep me out. They tried to introduce a protracted meeting after I had sent word to commence meetings there, but when an expression of the people was taken, the majority voted that I should have the house, and go on with my meetings. The Methodists soon after commenced a protracted meeting in a school-house about a mile and a half east. Notwithstanding all this, I have had a good attendance, and, after about three weeks’ labor, ten have commenced to keep the Sabbath of the Lord, and about as many more have expressed themselves favorable. I have now been absent from them about a week, to attend the Monthly Meeting in Casnovia, but expect to resume my work there in a few days.
The Monthly Meeting in Casnovia has just closed. The blessing of the Lord was with us during the whole meeting. There was a good representation from the Wright church.
Our Sabbath meeting was of good interest, and the social meeting showed that the friends of the cause still love the truth. As this season of worship closed we all went about three miles to the water and three were baptized. They also united with the church. In the evening we went to the house of Bro. Gilbert, and enjoyed a free time in the celebration of the ordinances. The Spirit of the Lord was in our midst, and this meeting was a source of encouragement to all. Sunday morning at 9:30, we had a free social meeting. After this I spoke from the text in 2 Cor. xiii, 11. The Lord gave freedom, and as I exhorted them to remain firm in the truth, to live holy and pure lives, to make every effort in their power to advance the cause they loved so much, many of them were affected to tears.
I bade them farewell, and, should we not meet again in this mortal state, may we all meet on Mount Zion. There are three or four others keeping the Sabbath in this vicinity who will probably join the church soon. If this little band remain humble and united in the service of their Lord, he will bring others to see the light, and go with them to the heavenly kingdom.
May the Lord continually bless them.
I. D. VAN HORN.
Blendon, Mich., March 15, 1869.
P. S. My P. O. address will be Battle Creek, Mich., till after Conference.
I. D. V. H.

THE MARRIAGE SUPPER.

By Adolphus Smith

“BLESSED are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb.” Rev. xix, 9.
The above scripture suggests the following thoughts.
  1. A marriage is to be celebrated. Whose? When?
  2. Guests are to be invited. Who are they?
  3. A blessing is pronounced upon them. What is it?
  4. A marriage is to be celebrated. Who are the parties?
To this query, the phrase concluding the above quotation, furnishes in part, a reply. In the first chapter of St. John's gospel, the 29th verse, Jesus is called, “the Lamb of God;” in the 34th verse, the “Son of God;” and in the 49th verse, the “King of Israel.”
From these, and many other passages, it is established beyond controversy, that Jesus Christ, who was made flesh and dwelt among us, who took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses, who, after his passion, ascended into Heaven, there to await the gift of the kingdom of Israel at the time appointed, is no other than the Lamb named above, whose nuptials are at some time to be celebrated, and to whom honored guests are to be invited.
The bride is in every way worthy so honored a Groom. The New Jerusalem, whose gates are of pearls, whose streets are paved with gold, and whose walls are of the most precious stones, reflecting the glory of the “Lord God Almighty, and the Lamb, who are the temple of it,” is befitting One who created all things, and by whom all things consist.
When is the marriage to take place? Without offering proof on this point, I would say that it is during Christ’s ministration in the holy place in the heavenly sanctuary, which we believe began in 1844, and will end at a time unknown to us, when the waiting ones will have received the seal of the living God, and the world will have become ripe for the judgments of God. Oh! who will be ready when his case will be brought in review before the Judge of quick and dead?
2. Who are the guests to be invited? No doubt all the saints of the Lord, from righteous Abel to the least of those who shall receive the seal of the living God, will participate in the marriage feast: but those only who are living in the last generation, can witness the ceremony that unites the Lamb of God to the New Jerusalem, arrayed in all the beauty and glory of Heaven.
This they do when they enter by faith the most holy place in the heavenly sanctuary, and behold the ministration of the Lord Jesus, on the great day of atonement. But this point has been discussed by abler pens than mine, and I pass on. The apostle Peter, Acts ii, in discoursing upon the promise of God in Joel, that in the last days his Spirit should be poured out upon his people, declares baptism in the name of Christ to be the condition upon which they were to receive the Holy Ghost, and adds in the 39th verse, “For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.”
The gift of the Holy Spirit is for the express purpose of calling, and fitting those who are called, for the event contemplated in the scripture quoted at the head of this article.
In order that those who are called may understand the qualifications that will fit them for acceptance at the court of Heaven; the language of Canaan being too spiritual, and refined, to be understood in plain terms by man upon earth, God makes use of similies, by which to instruct us in the principles upon which our eternal felicity is based.
Among the similes thus used, I may notice as the first, that employed in the parable of the talents. “For the kingdom of Heaven is as a man traveling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.” Matt. xxv, 14.
It were an honor to be chosen from the lowest walks of life to serve an earthly king, and become the objects of his especial favor. How much greater honor to become “servants of the most high God.” But, unlike the service rendered to an earthly prince, that which we render to God, is purely for our own benefit; and whatever profit may accrue from our services, will be returned to us compounded.
We are required to labor for the Lord, not because our help is needed, but because we need the pay. Sinner, is the pay sufficient? Will you become a servant of the Lord?
There are privileges that a servant, as such, cannot enjoy. It is an honor to be made a servant of God, but the Scriptures reveal the existence of a closer relation. “Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.” John xv, 15. Ye are my friends if ye do whatsoever I command you. Abraham was called the friend of God, because of his faith and obedience. See James ii, 23; Isa. xli, 8; 2 Chron. xx, 7.
It becomes us faithfully to comply with the conditions upon which the existence of friendship between God and ourselves is based. “Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” “Whosoever, therefore, will be a friend of the world, is the enemy of God.” Let us rather cultivate the friendship of God, than court the praises of the world. If we keep the faith of the Lord Jesus, we may have in his person, “a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.”
As the terms “servant,” and “friend,” do not express the only relation we sustain to God, I will introduce another simile by a quotation from 2 Tim. ii, 3; “Thou, therefore, endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” Clad in the armor of God, Eph. vi, 14, 17; disentangled from the world, 2 Tim. ii, 4; and engage in lawful warfare, 1 Tim. vi, 12; Eph. vi, 12; we may hope to be crowned with laurels at the court of Heaven. Who will enlist?
The last simile I shall introduce in this connection, may be presented in a quotation from Eph. vi; “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children.” Confiding with humble, childlike faith in God, exercising brotherly love toward each other, and kindness toward all, we may rightly claim this simile as applying to ourselves.
Who has not noticed a difference in the conduct of children? Some, by their winning manners and filial piety, endear themselves to all, and, especially, to their parents. With them, what father says is relied upon without the shadow of a doubt, and mother’s wish is law, securing prompt obedience.
But a mother may forget her child. “Yet will I not forget thee,” is the language of our Heavenly Father.
“Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.” O disobedient, wayward child of God, lament your filial ingratitude, and return to him who is waiting to receive you.
By faith, we look forward to a time when the guests all shall have been assembled, when the third angel’s message shall have done its work, and the number of the sealed made up. The King comes in to view the guests. Judgment upon the living saints begins, when some are found without the robes prepared by royal bounty, their names are stricken from the book of life, and themselves doomed to unutterable woe. Reader, will you be one of the number: or, will you earnestly watch unto prayer, that you may be accounted worthy to stand before the Son of Man?
What is the blessing pronounced upon the invited guests?
The marriage having been consummated, the Groom comes to earth with a retinue of angels, the living saints are changed, the dead are raised incorruptible, and Groom and guests return to the capital, where the King welcomes them to an inheritance incorruptible, and eternal. The guests assemble at a board spread by the bounty of God; and joy eternal fills the court of Heaven.
Servant, accept the ample compensation proffered by the King. When you rendered aid to your fellow-servant in distress, “You did it,” says Jesus, “unto me.”
Friend, no more are you to part from One whose friendship you once made your boast, though it were but to suffer reproach for his sake. Jesus will not now be ashamed of you before his Father, and the holy angels.
Soldier, your warfare is now ended. You have subdued your foes. Receive at once your bounty and your discharge. Hereafter you are to enjoy uninterrupted peace, as a citizen in the kingdom of God.
Children, dear children, you are in your Father’s house, you are at home. How the heart thrills at the word, sweet home. Oh! who would not be a stranger and pilgrim in this dark world, even for three score years and ten, if, at last, he but reach that blessed home,
“Where ’tis one bright summer, ever bland, And storms do never come.”
ADOLPHUS SMITH.

MEETINGS AT NEW IPSWICH, N. H.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

I HAVE now held meetings at this place four weeks. The interest seems to be about as good as ever. Some have dropped off; but others have come in, so that yesterday I had more out to hear than had been out before on Sunday. I have spoken plainly on the Nature of Man, Sleep of the Dead, the Sabbath, &c. All these points have been favorably received by the most who have heard. Some would be offended on each subject and leave. But on the whole I never lectured to a more candid, intelligent class of people, than I have here. Not the least opposition had appeared till yesterday, when, I understand, the Congregational minister spoke against us on the Nature of the Soul, and the Punishment of the Wicked. They are just becoming aroused to the fact that something must be done. So now I expect opposition. Have sold a good number of books, and got a number of names for the REVIEW. Above a dozen are keeping the Sabbath, with a good prospect of more. The most of these are persons of the best character and moral worth. This encourages me. It gives us a good foundation to work on. Several others who are convinced of duty will have to make a large sacrifice, to keep the Sabbath, as they work in the cotton mills; yet we hope for them.
My strength has held out beyond what I could have expected. I feel sure that God has specially helped me here. The weather has been very fine. My family are still gaining in health. For all these things I feel very thankful to the Lord. Pray for us.
D. M. CANRIGHT.

“JESUS SOON IS COMING.”

By M. E. LOCKWOOD

Yes, Jesus is coming the second time without sin unto salvation. Once he came to this earth a babe in Bethlehem. He was cradled in a manger. He took upon himself our nature. In childhood he was subject to his parents. In manhood, he was a man of sorrow, acquainted with grief. Guile was never found on his lips. Although tempted in every point like as we are, yet he sinned not. What an example of meekness, patience, and submission. Go to the garden of Gethsemane. Behold his agony. The sins of the whole world are upon him. See him sweat great drops of blood, then listen to his prayer, “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me. Nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.” Follow him to that accursed judgment hall. Listen to the false witnesses. Behold the mockery. See the blood issue from his temples pierced by that cruel crown of thorns. Hear him condemned to death, then follow him to Calvary. Behold him fainting beneath his heavy cross. Listen as the nails are cruelly driven through his tender hands and feet. Now behold him extended in midheaven. Does he call for vengeance on his merciless persecutors? No! he only prays, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” What wondrous love! Can it be that mortal man should ever be ashamed of Jesus, or crucify him afresh, and put him to an open shame? His sufferings ended, but the grave could not hold him. No, he unlocked the prison doors, and has now the keys of death and the grave. More than eighteen hundred years he has been interceding for our fallen race. Now he is finishing up his work of mercy. Soon he will lay off his priestly attire, and arrayed in kingly robes will come to claim his own. Then mercy, sweet mercy, will cease to plead for the guilty. Yes, he is soon coming again; not as a babe in Bethlehem, but as a mighty conqueror. He is coming to receive the purchased possession.
Jesus soon is coming. How precious the sound. How it cheers the heart of the lonely one as he journeys on his pilgrimage through this wilderness of sin. There all his hopes center. Then and there he expects redemption, freedom from temptation and sin, victory over the flesh, the world, and the Devil. Then will the last battle with the powers of darkness have been fought. And is it true that Jesus is soon coming?
Yes, lone, weary one, fight on a little longer, and the great Deliverer will come. Signs are thickening on every hand, that speak in thunder tones, that the great day of the Lord is near, and hasteth greatly.
Then lift up your head and rejoice, for your redemption draws nigh. Does earth look drear? Are you weary of the turmoils, perplexities, and trials, of this wicked world? Weary of the buffetings of Satan? Does your courage almost fail? Look to Jesus. Cast your eyes away from earth to the heavenly sanctuary. Still he is pleading for sinners. He is pleading for you. Hear his gracious words, “My grace is sufficient for you.” Do you believe it? Then trust in him.
The third angel’s message is now being given as the last merciful warning to a world lying in wickedness; and yet how few heed it. Cast your eye on the political world. It is like the troubled sea that casts up mire and dirt. Look at the religious world, and darkness covers the land, and gross darkness the people. Old earth is groaning beneath her weight of human misery and woe. Yet the sages of the day gravely tell us there is a good time at hand; that the world is growing better and better, and soon it will be converted; when the glory of the Lord shall cover the earth as the waves cover the sea. Indeed! the world is already converted, but, alas! it is to the world, and the deceptions of Satan cover the earth, not the glory of God. This indeed is the false cry of peace, peace, when there is no peace. So drunk are they with the wine of Babylon, and filled with surfeiting and gluttony, that their spiritual eyes are blinded. The god of this world has lulled them to sleep in the cradle of carnal security. Ask them, Watchmen, what of the night? You will readily discover that the prophet’s predictions are literally fulfilled in them. See Isa. lvi, 10, 11. “His watchmen are blind; they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. Yea, they are greedy dogs, which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand.” But are there no true watchmen in this dark and weary night of sin and woe? Is there no chart or compass to guide the weary pilgrim through the quicksands and shoals of time’s tempestuous sea? What saith the prophet? Isa. lii, 8: “Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice, with the voice together shall they sing, for they shall see eye to eye when the Lord shall bring again Zion.” Ask again, Watchmen, what of the night? You may gain a response from a few of God’s chosen watchmen, “The night cometh, also the morning.” A dreary night of woe awaits those who have rejected offered mercy, but a bright and glorious morning to the weary pilgrim whose very being is animated with the welcome sound, Jesus soon is coming.
“Jesus soon is coming, This is my song, Cheers the heart when joys depart And foes are pressing strong.”
M. E. LOCKWOOD. Holly, Mich.

The Wicked and the Righteous

RIGHTEOUSNESS troubles the wicked, wickedness troubles the righteous; but there is a place where the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are at rest.

MARY M. RICHMOND

By MARY M. RICHMOND

From Sr. Richmond.

DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: Realizing my unworthiness and inability, I attempt to write a few words, as it appears my duty to bear testimony for Jesus, and, by so doing, rejoice the hearts of some of his faithful servants who have plead for my salvation, and exercised faith when to all human judgment my case was hopeless. Let my conversion be to all an encouragement and example to “Pray and faint not,” “to labor and to wait.” After long resistance, I have, by the grace of God, laid down my arms and surrendered unconditionally. “Lord, do with me as thou wilt.” I am living proof of his long-suffering, and merciful-kindness; of the unlimited sufficiency of Christ’s atoning blood; and the power of faithful prayer. I desire a special remembrance in the prayers of all, who, by these tokens, shall feel an interest for me; that my conversion may be thorough; that I may be as believing, faithful, and persistent in the way of righteousness, as I have been in that of sin; that “he who has begun a good work in me, will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” My friends, let us try to walk humbly, watchfully, and prayerfully, that we may be found of Him in that day;—and enter into the joy of our Lord.”

MARY M. RICHMOND

Kent Co., Mich., March 7, 1869.

Obituary Notices.

By A. C. BOURDEAU; J. H. BATES

Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth.
DIED, March 3, 1869, of liver complaint and indigestion, sister Mary Bean, at Bro. Lewis Bean's, her son, in Enosburgh, Vt., aged seventy-five years.
Sister Bean was born in Putney, Vt., in 1793, was the daughter of a very pious mother, embraced religion at the age of eighteen years, and married in 1818, to Samuel Bean, a pious man, son of a devoted Methodist minister. Her husband died six years ago a Sabbath-keeper; and of her five children now living, three are firm in the present truth.
Through her Christian life the deep anxiety of her soul has been for the conversion and salvation of souls. Persons are rarely to be found who are as punctual in attending to secret prayer, and speaking and praying in meetings, as this sister was. She had a lively interest in the proclamation of the first and second angels' messages. Twelve years ago she had been for six years in deep despair, from which she was then delivered in answer to prayer at the house of Bro. L. Bean, since which time she has conscientiously kept the Sabbath. Upon her dying bed she gave timely messages and warnings, and spoke precious words which will long be remembered by many.
Bro. A. S. Hutchins spoke comforting words on the occasion, from Ps. xvii, 15. A. C. BOURDEAU.
DIED, of consumption, in Green Vale, Jo Daviess Co., Ill., March 13, 1869, Caleb Bates, aged sixty-nine years one month and seven days.
Father embraced the Advent faith about the year 1835, and shared the disappointment of 1843 and 1844 with the Advent people, and continued full in the faith till his death.
In 1852 he heard and embraced the third angel's message, and since that time has been trying to keep all the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.
He leaves a companion and children, who feel that they have lost an affectionate husband and father, but we sorrow not as those without hope; for he fell asleep in full expectation that the Lifegiver would soon come and raise him to immortality and eternal life. Appropriate remarks were made on the funeral occasion by Eld. Torrey from Heb. ix, 27, 28. J. H. BATES.

SHALL I BE THERE?

By M. A. HOLT.

When Thou shalt call thy people home, Thine own bright rest to share; And some from every clime shall come, Dear Lord, shall I be there?
When friends long parted there shall meet, When death's cold reign is o'er, Shall I a kindred loved one greet, Upon that heavenly shore?
When faithful parents there shall see Their children come again, Will my own precious children be Among the shining train?
And will my parents in that day, Behold that city bright, And walk with all that glad array, In garments clean and white?
And brothers, sisters, in that throng, Who Heaven's bright glory share, And swell the last exultant song— Dear Lord, will they be there?
M. A. HOLT.
Bordoville, Vt.

THE BEAUTIES OF HEAVEN.

By L. E. MILLER

Transporting theme! What pen can portray it? What tongue describe the beauties of that heavenly land. There is the beautiful city of our God, whose foundations are of precious stones, whose gates are of pearl, and whose streets are of pure gold, as it were, transparent glass. There is the pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God, and on either side of it is the tree of life, which yieldeth its fruit every month. This beautiful city needeth not the light of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it; for the glory of God doth lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. The inhabitants of that beautiful land never say, I am sick; for there is known no sorrow, nor sighing, neither pain, nor anguish. There all tears are wiped away, and the rays of the Sun of Righteousness forever warm and gladden their hearts. Oh! beautiful country! Delightful land! Can we, poor, weak mortals, gain an inheritance in that heavenly land. Can we ever reach that beautiful land of rest? Shall we overcome, and inhabit that sweet home of rest,
“Where no storms ever beat on the glittering strand, While the years of eternity roll”?
Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out, he shall be clothed in white raiment, and golden harps shall be given unto him, and palms of victory, and he shall inherit all things, and join that innumerable company that shall come from the east, the west, the north, and the south, in that song of praise unto Him that hath loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, to him be glory forever and ever. Oh! come, let us heed the admonitions of the holy and just One, that we may have a right to the tree of life, and enter through the gates into the city.
“Let sorrow’s rudest tempests blow, Each cord on earth to sever, Our King says come, and there’s our home, Forever, Oh! forever!”
L. E. MILLER.
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