p. 112 | Review and Herald, Vol. 27, No. 14. (3/6/1866)

Earlier text: Will the Righteous Ever Go to Heaven?

Special Notice.

It will be remembered by the readers of the Review, that in Vol. xxvi, No. 4, page 28, there was a report of a Ministerial Council, held at Hundred Mile Grove, June 16, 1865, to investigate matters held in doubt in the course of L. G. Bostwick, who had received from the Illinois and Wisconsin Conference, a letter of commendation to labor in new fields. Elders White and Loughborough of the Gen. Conf. Com., and Elders Ingraham and Sanborn of the Illinois and Wisconsin State Conf. Com., were present.

After a careful examination of Bostwick's matters, he being present to speak for himself, and time being taken for prayerful consideration, the council came to the following conclusions without a dissenting voice in any one particular:

"1. That Bro. L. G. Bostwick has erred in involving himself in debt, in taking property upon his hands for which he is still owing; that he should as soon as possible close up his financial matters and pay his debts."

But instead of following the direction of the council, he took the opposite course, and went into debt worse than before, till about the 1st of February, 1866, when he sold his house and lot for $400, two hundred in hand, sold all his household effects, putting the money all into his pocket, went to one merchant and bought a coat, then taking the advantage of the absence of another, went to his son and by false representations bought a whole suit of clothes, and on Wednesday, the 7th of February, he took his family and left for parts unknown. It is generally believed, however, that he has gone to Canada. He left debts of borrowed money and unsettled accounts to the amount of about $1,000.

The Sand Prairie church to which he formerly belonged, called a special meeting on the 13th, for the purpose of investigating his case. After carefully considering his past course, they were unanimous in disfollowshiping him from the church as unworthy of their Christian confidence or respect.

By order of the church of Seventh-day Adventists of Sand Prairie, Wis.

J. ATKERSON, Elder, C. K. ACKLEY, Clerk.

Feb. 13, 1866.

The Proper Length of Social Prayer

IF in social prayer I be too short, it indicates a want of interest in the privileges; if too long, I shall create a want of interest in my audience.

Letters.

By Editor

“Then they that feared the Lord, spake often one to another.”

This department of the paper is designed for the brethren and sisters to freely and fully communicate with each other respecting their hopes and determinations, conflicts and victories, attainments and desires, in the heavenly journey. Seek first a living experience and then record it, carefully and prayerfully, for the comfort and encouragement of the other members of the household of faith.

H. NICOLA

By H. Nicola

From Bro. Nicola.

Bro. White: We have been greatly encouraged by the labors of Elds. Ingraham and Andrews. They commenced meetings here on the 8th of February, and closed the 12th. In this time we had one social meeting, one business meeting, a communion meeting, and eight interesting discourses on different subjects fitly calculated to warn the sinner and strengthen and encourage believers. We as a church are striving for the unity of the faith, and I hope are growing in the bonds of Christian love and affection. We pity those who once enjoyed the light of present truth and who were many times made to rejoice in the prospect that lies just before the faithful, but are now making shipwreck of their faith, and have no other mission than to tear down the truths they once labored to build up. My prayer is that God may bring to naught their foolish and wicked devices and save his honest children from their unhallowed influence.

H. NICOLA

Pilot Grove, Iowa.

CORNELIA J. HOUGH

By Cornelia J. Hough

From Sister Hough.

DEAR BRN. AND SISTERS: I have been brought to realize that the Lord is soon coming, and that he is very near, even at the door. We have repeated evidence, not only that Satan is doing up his last work, but also that God is working powerfully upon the hearts of his people. In view of his goodness to me, I feel it to be a privilege and a duty, to speak to his glory, and for the encouragement and strengthening of the faith of others.

About the middle of December, I took a severe cold which settled upon my lungs; and it was soon evident that quick consumption had fastened upon me. Being nearly fifty-one years of age, and naturally of a feeble constitution, my case, to all, seemed quite hopeless.

One night as I was suffering greatly, I remembered that it was said, "If any among you are afflicted, let him pray." By faith I looked up to the heavenly sanctuary, and the Spirit of the Lord was shed gloriously upon me. How easy is his Spirit to be entreated! and also, how easily grieved. I realized how careful we must be, and how softly we must walk before the Lord.

For four or five days my symptoms seemed worse; my strength failed, and to all appearance, I must soon be laid in the grave; but my trust was in the Lord, and I felt a sweet submission to his will. I was strongly impressed that I must follow the directions in James v, 14, 15. My faith strengthened, and I believed the Lord would verify that promise, even to me. I sent for Bro. and sister Sanborn, and a few others. I told them I felt directed by the Lord to send for them. Sister Sanborn asked me if I thought I should get well. I told her I had no anxiety in regard to it, I felt that I must follow those directions for the glory of God. While at prayer, we received a blessing, and claimed the promise.

I commenced to raise, which I did without any cough, and with but very little effort. I soon began to amend, and it was surprising to see how fast I improved. With gratitude I can say, I am now able to do my work. I feel very unworthy that God should so manifest himself to me. May it be for his glory, and for the strengthening of the brethren and sisters.

CORNELIA J. HOUGH

Johnstown Center, Wis.

Extracts from Letters.

Sister M. M. Cook writes from Mound City, Kansas: Our journey to this State being ended, with thankful hearts we meet a few kind relatives, with whom we have not mingled much since our childhood days. But they, like their neighbors, know but little of the third angel's message. Our religious sentiments are a wonder to them. We find a beautiful country, with prairies large and pleasant, dotted with farms and thrifty orchards. Then the mounds, the valleys, the timber, the rivers and rivulets. As we view the romantic scenery we can but exclaim, How beautiful! Thus we admire the handiwork of the Great Creator. But ah, how lonely, so far separated from the fond associations of the dear brethren and sisters in the Lord. We miss so much the means of grace we there enjoyed. Yet the special blessing of God rests at times upon us, and we feel the sanctifying influence of his Holy Spirit. Holy angels guarded us all along our journey. Still they protect us. How rich such blessings. Yes, how sweetly the poor weary pilgrim feeds on such heavenly food as the Lord provides. We pray the Lord to turn the hearts of some of the friends this way that here we may raise a standard of the gospel. We beg the brethren and sisters to remember us in their devotions, that we may be humble, pure in heart, living for Christ alone.

Sister H. M. Zenar writes from Taylorville, Cal.: I wish to request my brethren and sisters to remember the scattered sheep who have no earthly shepherd. You may not know where they all are, yet the great Shepherd knows them, and he will hear the effectual and fervent prayer. I read Bro. R. F. Cottrell's piece in the Review to the Scattered Sheep. Tears nearly blinded my eyes while reading it. Little do you know our loneliness, who have the privilege of meeting on the Sabbath, and on other occasions, to pray with and comfort each other. While iniquity abounds, and evil men and seducers are waxing worse and worse, think of those who have not one of like faith to converse with upon these all-important and solemn truths. Remember that parent who bows with the little ones morning and evening to worship God, while the other parent is engaged in the things of this life, and is blinded in sin. I am the only one at this fireside, or in this town, who keeps the Sabbath of the Lord, and I never have seen one in this State who keeps the true Sabbath. The Bible and the Review are my companions. When the Review comes, I read, and weep, and pray. I am resolved to keep all the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus until I hear the blessed sound, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom. I have been praying for a year that God would send some of his servants to California to sound the last merciful warning to this wicked people. I believe God wills that this people should hear the truth before he comes to execute his judgments. I believe the Lord will plead his own cause in California. My prayer is that I may be crucified to the world, and be prepared for the last great conflict.

"O God, mine inmost soul convert, And deeply on my thoughtful heart, Eternal things impress. Give me to feel the solemn weight, And tremble on the brink of fate, And wake to righteousness."

Sister C. M. Shepard writes from Beaver Dam, Wis.: Those who know me, have seen me in deep trials, when there was no prospect of deliverance. Now I can praise God who has delivered me out of all my afflictions; and I can see that "goodness and mercy have followed me all the days of my life."

All the suffering that I have passed through has been necessary to subdue my heart. I love the narrow pathway more and more, and can plainly see that all our sufferings are necessary to refine and purify the affections and desires. I have not the privilege of meeting from Sabbath to Sabbath with those of like precious faith, yet I know that the lonely ones have an interest in the prayers of those who are so blessed. I hope that when the earth is lightened with the glory of the third angel's message, there will be a company gathered out here in Beaver Dam, who will receive the seal of the living God. I am striving to live so as to have a gathering influence, yet I see my failings fully.

My trust is in Him who has said, "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled." With joy I behold every token of his soon-coming kingdom, and hope soon to be gathered with all the faithful.

Bro. D. W. Eldridge writes from Providence, Feb., 1866: There are a few at Middle Grove who have not forgotten the assembling of themselves together to thank the Lord for the many blessings that he is bestowing upon us, especially in the light of present truth. Though laboring under some discouragements, we are striving to overcome, and with the remnant go through to Mt. Zion.

Question of Authenticity.

By Editor

IN Review No. 12, Vol. xxvi, appeared the following lines appended to an article entitled "The Glories of Hell:"

"There is a never-ending hell, And never dying pains, Where children must with demons dwell In darkness, fire and chains."

"Have faith the same with endless shame To all the human race, For hell is crammed with infants damned, Without a day of grace."

These lines were credited, in the paper above referred to, to Dr. Watts; but we learned a few weeks since from a correspondent in Vermont, that the orthodox in his place, deny that Dr. Watts ever expressed such sentiments. We immediately wrote to Bro. J. B. Frisbie on the subject, who responds:

"I hardly think the lines are Watts', unless they are in the oldest editions of his Hymns; for he believed in the annihilation of the infants of wicked parents. For proof of this latter assertion, I quote from the Religious Encyclopedia. Under the head of Destructionists, it says, 'The great Dr. Watts may be considered in some measure a destructionist; since it was his opinion that the children of ungodly parents who die in infancy, are annihilated.'"

Will the writer who sent in the extracts given under the above heading authenticate his quotations? Or can any of our readers give us light on the subject? We do not wish to attribute to any one sentiments which he never uttered.

Image to the Beast.

By M. E. Cornell

For years we have seen unmistakable evidences of preparation for a change in our form of government. The tendency, as indicated by many of the speeches and resolutions, is toward a monarchical form.

The reconstruction policy of the present administration, and the political changes to follow, will, no doubt, astonish the world. The Fenian movement, and the increasing power of Spiritualism, are ominous.

Great changes are to be expected in a brief space of time. These are eventful times, > "Signs are fulfilling, > Earth's pillars groan."

Just how things will turn, no one can tell; but this we know, trouble is before us, and we must Watch and Pray.

As straws show which way the current is, so we may discern the tendency of the present by fulfilling signs. As an item, take the following extract from a speech lately delivered in New York City, on "The Coming Conflict."

"The time is coming when an attempt will be made to engraft a religion upon the laws of the country, and make adherence to a certain form of religion absolutely necessary for an applicant for office, to make you subscribe to something like the following, which is known to be in the hands of a prominent member of the Democratic party, and which, but for the strong radical sentiment of Congress, would have been introduced at the present session; 'No man shall be qualified for office, (indeed, for citizenship,) unless he recognizes the existence of God in the Holy Trinity!' If this be true—and you have here heard that it is so—the existence of such a paper or resolution proves what the intention is."

M. E. CORNELL.

Note from Bro. Frisbie.

By J. B. Frisbie

I AM now at Orleans with Bro. Strong, where we have been holding meetings together for three weeks past in the new meeting-house near Bro. King's. The interest to hear is as good as it was seven years ago when I first came to this place to lecture. Some have embraced the Sabbath since we have been here. Others are interested, for whom we hope.

J. B. FRISBIE.

Feb. 18, 1866.

Brief Report.

By P. C. Rodman

I AM still pressing forward in the work. I have been to Kensington, and found brethren faint, yet pursuing. Left them encouraged with the testimony borne. Labored a few days in Abington and vicinity. Brethren show signs of improvement. Hope they will all pull together with the body, and be strong. At South Kingston, R. I., there is an advance move. One more was baptized, Jan. 28, deciding to keep all the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.

At Exeter and North Kingston, there is a pressing together with the church.

At Ashaway, we are following on to know the Lord, whose going forth is prepared as the morning, decided to enter the haven of rest at any sacrifice.

I was at New Shoreham last fall and presented the truth to the people with some freedom, encouraging the church; but there needs to be a coming up with some so as to present an unbroken front to the enemy. Trust there will be the necessary reform in all. P. C. RODMAN.

Letters Mailed

LETTERS MAILED. J B Lamson, Emma Hale, G A Poling, Wm S Higley, jr. Sec.

To Correspondents.

By Editor

W. Ridley. Our ideas upon Rev. xi, will in due time be presented, no providence preventing, in Thoughts on the Revelation.

Articles Declined.

Objections to our application of the symbol of the Two-horned Beast, by H. E. Carver. This we do not decline unconditionally; but before we can engage to publish it, the writer must come out and take his position, and tell us what the Two-horned Beast does symbolize. We cannot give up our positive view for a merely negative one. He must give us an equally positive and better view.

Articles Accepted.

Abide in him.—Note from Bro. H. W. Lawrence.—He Leads Us On.—The Daily and Abomination of Desolation.—Report from Bro. Matteson.—The Sabbath in Denmark.—Communication from Bro. D. T. Bourdeau.—Azazel, or Satan.—Doings of the churches of Knoxville and Fairfield, Iowa.—Fifty Times in the Bible.—Quarterly Meeting in Minn.

Appointments.

By Isaac Sanborn

Providence permitting, I will lecture in Chicago, Sabbath and first-day, March 17, 18, as Brn. Stephenson and Miller may arrange; the first meeting to be Friday evening at half-past 6.

Also the 24th and 25th, I will meet the Johnstown (Wis.) church in Quarterly Meeting. Will Bro. Stewart meet with us.

I hope to meet the members of the church at Johnstown on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, the 21st and 22d, previous to the commencement of the Quarterly Meeting, for mutual consultation.

ISAAC SANBORN.

Business Department.

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The Country's Peril.

REPUBLICAN papers continue to utter the most unsparing denunciations of President Johnson's apostasy to the cause of treason and rebellion, and to indulge in fearful forebodings as to the continued peace of this country under the present policy. The only way in which the people of God can keep from being disturbed by the troubles before us, is to keep aloof from political matters. We can watch and note these commotions, as signs of the times, but we must not drink into their spirit; for we are pilgrims and strangers here, and our citizenship is in a better country over which the Prince of Peace shall reign. Earthly governments have about finished the allotted term of their existence. Soon the last revolution will be accomplished that is to take place before the coming of Him whose right it is to reign, and they will be dashed in pieces like a potter's vessel. Trouble, confusion, and perplexity, is henceforth their portion, and destruction is their end. Let us give our energies to the work of qualifying ourselves for an inheritance in the kingdom soon to be set up, and never to be destroyed.

THE PRESIDENT'S MOTIVES AND ASPIRATIONS

The following paragraph is an extract from a speech by Wm. Lloyd Garrison, as reported in the Chicago Tribune. Revolutions as strange as that herein hinted at, have taken place in this world, and may again.

THE PRESIDENT'S MOTIVES AND ASPIRATIONS.

"President Johnson undertakes to stigmatize Congress as a seditious body, a disunion body. What is the meaning of this? It is to wake up popular vengeance; it is to bring down upon Congress the hatred and wrath of wild and violent men. I tell you we have not a sober man in the Presidential chair, and such a man with such habits does not know from day to day and hour to hour what he will do, and yet dares to brand the Congress of the United States as a disloyal, disunion body. He means, if he dare, to perform a coup d'état, and either to insist at the point of the bayonet upon having those Southern rebels put into both Houses of Congress, or drive Congress out of the Capitol. I believe that the Capitol is in greater danger now than it ever was, and were it not that Lieutenant General Grant is living, it would be lost. So long as General Grant lives and occupies his present position, perhaps his tyrannical demand may not be made. [Applause.] Mr. Garrison closed his lecture with an appeal to the people of the State of New York, to do justice to the black man, and place him, with regard to suffrage, on the same level with the white man."