Earlier text: BUSINESS PROCEEDINGS OF B. C. CONFERENCETENT MEETING IN MINN.
By Jno. Bostwick
Our tent-meeting at this place [Deerfield] closed for the season on the 10th of September. When we commenced lectures here there was much prejudice existing in the minds of the people. Our congregations were not generally large. The first first-day of our meeting there were three different communions in the place. Notwithstanding the infancy of the State, pride and popularity are as rampant here almost as in some of the older States. The people are held in an iron grasp, as it were, by the influence of preachers and creeds. Only a few have any relish for the plain truths of God's word. The people here confess, with few exceptions, that we have the truth on the subject of the Sabbath. And a few have made up their minds to obey God rather than men by keeping his commandments. May the Lord help them so to do. On last first-day Eld. Hinks, of the Baptist denomination, spoke against us in the place, giving two discourses on the subject of the soul's immortality. We reviewed him in the tent. People acknowledged that he made a failure in his attempt to prove man's natural immortality. On the day Bro. Ingraham left to attend the Battle Creek Conference Eld. Thomas, of the Congregationalist society, made an attempt to prove by philosophy and the Bible the deathlessness and consciousness of the soul distinct from the body. Being present I took notes and reviewed his discourse in the evening before a large congregation. At the close he asked for an explanation of Matt. xvii, 1-9. I accordingly gave him the best light I had. Thus ends our meetings in this place for the present. I believe the way is now open for something to be done here in the future, perhaps next season, when the political excitement will have subsided. Our book sales here did not amount to a great deal, as money is very scarce. Many books and tracts we gave away, hoping they may be as bread cast upon the waters. The church in this place has been much strengthened as the result of this meeting. Some trials and difficulties which impeded the prosperity of the church have been amicably adjusted; and brot 'y love and consecration is beginning to be the res... Owing to the state of affairs which has existed for the last two or three years in this State, and the lack of laborers in this part of the vineyard, the churches here are not in as consecrated a state as we should be glad to see. Though we trust our labors in connection with the tent the past season will be the means of advancing the interests of the cause, by establishing a unity of feeling among the brethren, and of bringing every lover of this sanctifying truth into a closer walk with God, and thus they be enabled to do something for the salvation of souls by pushing forward the message with their prayers and exhortations as well as good works. Brethren and sisters in Minnesota, let not the current year close without something being done which will tell in behalf of your rise with the message, which may God ant, is the prayer of an unworthy laborer in this blessed cause.
JNO. BOSTWICK.
Deerfield, Steele Co., Minn. FAREWELL MEETINGS.
By Moses Ellsworth Cornell
Our last meetings with the friends of Bible truth at Lisbon, Marion, Fairview, Anamosa and Rome were very cheering. In all these places we found the people of God united, and manifesting an increasing interest in the rising message. It had been reported by the no-law people that all the friends at Rome had gone back and given up the Sabbath. But when we came to the place we soon learned that but two had ceased to observe the Sabbath, and even there still acknowledge it the true Sabbath; while on the other hand several had embraced the truth, and the number was increasing. Eld. * nell (Disciple preacher) had been there since the tent-meeting and preached against the law and Sabbath, but he overshot the mark, and the result was in favor of that he was endeavoring to pull down. He said that nine of the ten commandments were reenacted in the New Testament, and afterwards said there was but one moral commandment in the decalogue, viz., "Thou shalt not covet!" Some of his hearers were so astonished at his awful position, they could not believe he meant to be understood in that way, and so asked him about it before several witnesses, when he re-affirmed it in plain language, "Nine of those commandments are carnal!" And this is the no-law champion of Eastern Iowa who has been studying several months more or less, to overthrow the ten commandments. In discussion at Marion this same man admitted that the last six precepts relating to man's duty to his fellow-man, were moral, and quoted Webster to prove it. Those who fight present truth are in confusion—smitten with madness. Every man's sword is turned against his brother; not only so, but as above, they are falling upon their own sword and expiring. In overthrowing the law, they undermine the gospel, yea, the whole Bible also, and in some cases they are going over to Universalism. But truth is mighty and will prevail. After speaking at Marion, and taking our leave of the numerous and warm-hearted friends, I was very sick all night with fever, and the next day rode in a lumber wagon fourteen miles to Fairview, and spoke165 in the evening, though too weak to stand up through the discourse. Next day rode four miles to Anamosa and spoke in the evening in much weakness. At this place a team was in readiness to convey me to Rome, where I held five meetings, but was not able to fill the last appointment. By the best of care I could not gain sufficient nerve-power to give more than one discourse in twenty-four hours. I must now take time to rest and recruit, or fall entirely. Bro. Snook is called for at Rome, and I hope he will visit them as soon as possible. We take this opportunity to express our gratitude for all the kindness received during our sojourn in Iowa, and pray that the blessing of our heavenly Father may rest upon all his people. M. E. CORNELL. The hardest spirit manifested against us at Marion was by the Baptist Elder, who said, "None but a black-hearted fiend would teach that the Sabbath was instituted at creation." The Religious Encyclopædia (article Sabbath) says, "The Sabbath was appointed at the creation of the world, and sanctified or set apart for holy purposes, 'for man,' for all men, and therefore for Christians; since there was never any repeal of the original institution. Whoever, therefore, denies the obligation of the Sabbath on Christians, denies the obligation of the whole decalogue." Query. Are the authors of the Encyclopædia "black-hearted fiends", or has a little worldly wisdom made the Elder mad? This Elder has a salary of six hundred dollars a year. Eight of his members called for letters at one time. His craft was in danger, and this accounts for his rage. No finite mind can conceive the full and fearful import of these words; but solemn as they may sound, millions will have to realize their awful reality. Could we be admitted through the gates of pearl and gaze on that city of pure gold; could we behold its foundations as they are, garnished with all manner of precious stones, with varied hues all glittering with the most166 beautiful colors, and fasten our eyes on those shining spires and lofty turrets of the New Jerusalem; would we stand by the crystal river and listen to the sweet music of its sparkling waters as they murmur at our feet, and then view that fadeless tree blooming in all its beauty, filled with its luxuriant fruit; could we be permitted to behold and realize the full reward of the righteous—those beautiful mansions which the Saviour has gone to prepare—the starry crowns and spotless robes: then could we join the redeemed in their songs of praise and adoration to the Lamb as the sweet music echoes and re-echoes through those mansions of the blessed, and lastly be permitted to gaze on Him whose bright and excellent glory far exceeds the light of the sun, then could we realize what it is to lose heaven. Should the eyes of any who are enemies to the truth fall on these lines, let me entreat you to consider your ways, and delay not to keep all the holy and just requirements of God. Are you willing for the short-lived treasures of this earth, groaning under the weight of cruel suffering, subject to disappointment and death, to lose all hopes of heaven? Are you willing to forfeit the favor of God, exchange eternal life for the pleasures of a world like this, and at last suffer the pangs of the second death? Are there any who once walked in the light of present truth, turned back and joined in the fashions and pleasures of earth? O, be entreated to turn while mercy still lingers. You have no time to lose. Soon it may be said of you as it was concerning Ephraim, “Let them alone, they are joined to their idols.” Are you a son or a daughter, and are your parents, who were once rejoicing because you were walking in the path of obedience, now lamenting the course you have since taken? O grieve not their care-worn hearts! How can you bring sorrow to those who have watched over you from the earliest period of your infancy until now? Could you but witness their groans and tears as they pour forth fervent prayers to their heavenly Father in your behalf, surely your heart would be moved. Consider, too, you are injuring the cause of your blessed Redeemer. Look away to Calvary! Behold Him groaning, bleeding and dying for you! O, wondrous love! And are these the returns you make? Will you still continue to wander from him? Is this your kindness to your best friend? Look around you; all things here are soon to vanish away; the dividing line is soon to be drawn. Can you bear the thought of being separated from your parents and be consigned to the regions of despair and death, with no sweet hope of heaven? Are you a parent? Have you turned from the holy commandment once delivered unto you? Remember the Lord holds you accountable for the way you teach your children. You are to lead them in paths of righteousness. “Thy law,” says David, “is righteousness.” Most diligently are you commanded to teach them the way of God’s commands. Hast thou a companion? How she mourns in secret places for you. O, hasten and heal those wounds. Instruct and comfort those children. By the way thou camest turn again, thou shalt thou walk securely, and the Most High shall be your rock, your fortress and deliverer. A few words to those like myself, who have waded through the deep waters of affliction. Press forward! let hope inspire you on your way. The long dreary night is fast wearing away. Soon will dawn that bright morning that ushers in one eternal day. Dry up those tears! Behold thy Deliverer comes! What if we are of that number that have come up out of great tribulation? If we have washed our robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb, all will be well at last; and while heaven is lost to the sinner, we can with all the ransomed millions exclaim, Heaven is gained, we are home at last! Ashfield, Mass., Sept. 30, 1860. [THE following article was sent to the Crisis for publication; but as it has not appeared in that paper, we give it, with the permission of the writer, a place in the REVIEW.—Ed.] The article in the last No. of the Crisis, headed as above, in which the writer argues the question affirmatively, and labors to prove from the Word the existence of a first-day or Sunday Sabbath, induces me to notice briefly his proof texts, and thus show, in my judgment, that the brother's conclusion is incorrect. In the first place allow me to say that, though I am not by practice what is termed a Sabbatarian, yet from recent investigations I am strongly inclined to the opinion that the seventh day is the only true Sabbath. And as I am ever desirous to arrive at truth in all that pertains to Bible faith and doctrine, I take the present occasion to notice the question raised by the brother, hoping thereby to provoke further discussion of the subject through the Crisis. The brother says, "If I mistake not, and my eyes and judgment do not lead me astray, I do find that Sunday is really a Sabbath," and claims "assuredly" that it is the Sabbath of "this dispensation" which we are to observe in contradistinction to the "shadowy Sabbath which reached to the substance—Christ, and then ceased its obligation." His first text is Matt. xxviii, 1, where he says we "will find two Sabbath-days, Saturday and the first day of the week; and that the original for both days is Sabbaton." He also refers us to Mark xvi, 1, 2, 9; Luke xxiv, 1; John xx, 1, 19; Acts xx, 7; 2 Cor. xvi, 2, in all of which texts may be found the phrase, "The first day of the week," and in summing up the case, says, "Wherever then we find this phraseology, 'The first day of the week,' the original word is Sabbaton, which signifies Sabbath, or rest." Now I am not a Greek scholar, but I find on referring to my Greek Concordance, that it is simply the word "week" that corresponds with the Greek Sabbaton, and not the whole phrase, "The first day of the week," so that first day no more answers to the original term, Sabbaton, than second day, third day, or any other day of the week; hence I think the texts quoted by the brother fail to prove a first day Sabbath. There is one other text in the New Testament containing the word "week," translated from the same original word Sabbaton. It is Luke xviii, 12, being a part of the self-righteous Pharisee's prayer, when he says, "I fast twice in the week," and surely the brother will not claim that the phrase, "I fast twice in the week," is synonymous with the phrase, "The first day of the week," and signifies Sabbath, or rest, though I think he may with as much propriety in the one case as the other. From the circumstance that the Sabbath was the principal day of the week, the whole period of seven days was likewise called Sabbath, or in the Hebrew Shabat, in the Syriac Shabtu, and in the Greek Sabbaton, and hence the Jews in designating the days of the week, would say the first day, and second day, &c., of the Sabbath; i. e., of the week; hence the brother's mistake in making the original term, Sabbaton read too much when translated into English. There are other points in the brother's article that I would like to notice, were it not that my communication is already too lengthy. Will Bro. S. give us more proof? Somerset, N. Y., July 15, 1860. THEY STAND.
By M. E. Cornell
How encouraging to hear that those we have labored to establish in the present truth are remaining firm. We know by the experience of the past ten years that the third angel's message has power to hold the honest when they are once really established in it. Trials and afflictions may come; the proud may scoff, and false shepherds call after them, but none of these things move them; they stand, because they have built upon the rock of truth. The law and the testimony have brought them out, and nothing short of that will turn them back; but the word of God is not yea and nay, therefore they will stand. “Great is their peace who love thy law,
How firm their souls abide!
Nor can a bold temptation draw
Their steady feet aside.” The following extract from a letter we have just received from Vinton, Iowa, shows how the truth is prized in that place: “Since you left we have met twice each week to worship God. We have good meetings. Evenings there are about twenty-five, and on the Sabbath more than forty. If you could have known how timid and fearful we were, the first time we met, you would have pitied us. It was difficult to get the meeting commenced. I think we were the weakest company that ever met together, but before the meeting closed we felt that the Spirit of God was with us, and there was liberty. Since that time we all feel at home, every one is ready to take up the cross, and the time is all filled up. Such childlike simplicity of prayer and faith I never witnessed before. Surely God will bless, strengthen and build up such a people. I rejoice that I have taken a decided stand with this humble people. God has blessed me indeed. O, how I do love his holy law! The Sabbath is so holy—such a blessing attends the keeping of this day. I enjoy more of the presence of God every day. I rejoice in the knowledge that Christ will soon come, and I want to be ready. Will you remember us at Vinton?” “Your sister in Christ. P. A. C.” The friends at Vinton may be assured that we have often made mention of them in our prayers, and we hope they may continue as they have begun, in humility and lowliness of mind; but abounding more and more in the work of the Lord.
M. E. CORNELL.
Battle Creek, Mich. A GRAND RALLY OF YOUNG CONVERTS.
While speaking on the second message at Marion, Iowa, we asked, "Where are the 130 young converts of last winter or two years ago? Echo answers, Where?" Only about twelve or fifteen of them could be found as professors. The M. E. church leader, announced what he called a "grand rally" of young converts, to show that Cornell had slandered the church. The first effort was not satisfactory, and another was appointed. The leader urged the importance of all being punctual that there might be a general turn-out. The time came and the "grand rally" amounted to sixteen souls! and they not all professors. Their leader then indulged in a wail of disappointment not very unlike that of the false prophets of Baal when Elijah told them to cry louder, their God might be asleep. A credible witness says the few testimonies given at that "grand rally" appeared like dying groans—the last agonies of spiritual death. No honest-hearted soul that has a ray of light can fail to see the fallen state of the churches: Indeed! many are mourning over their fall, and know not what it means, but when the light of prophecy shines upon them all is clear. PILATE AND HEROD MAKE FRIENDS.
It was wonderful to see how soon the clergy of Marion became united to oppose the truth, and yet how clearly they together proved us right. McConnell said, "If the ten commandments are binding, Mr. Cornell is right about the Sabbath." The remainder of the clergy said they were binding. Afterwards two or three others, seeing no other way to avoid the Sabbath, went over to McConnell's position. Like foxes in the desert, to aviod the traps (cross) they abandon one hole and crawl out at another. See Eze. xiii, 4, 5. The Baptist Elder above referred to wanted a salary of seven hundred dollars a year (only himself and wife to support), but the church did not feel able to give it, and so offered him six hundred. He then proposed to them to call it seven hundred, and he would donate the one hundred dollars for the benefit of the church. But the church could not all agree to such hypocrisy, so the Elder was not permitted to advertise himself as a "seven hundred dollar man." As a mechanic hires himself out to the highest bidder, so do these time-serving ministers. AN OPPOSER CONVICTS HIMSELF.
A Presbyterian Elder preaching against the Sabbath at Rome referred to some things he had heard about us (which were false), made some assertions, quoted the fathers, &c., concluded by saying, "Woe is me for preaching this sermon. It is the first I ever preached that had not a particle of gospel in it, and it shall be the last," &c., but alas! he has since mastered his convictions, and now preaches against the truth without scruple. One article of the Baptist Association of Linn county, Iowa, requires its members to take the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the perfect rule of faith and conduct. In Fairview members had been required to assent to the Old Testament as well as the New, in order to admission into the church. But when their Elder could not avoid the "gaps" in any other way, he boldly declared that the Old Testament was done away, and of no authority in the Christian dispensation. Another article of the Association requires its members to "practice the commands of God, and keep the first day of the week as the Sabbath," thus unwittingly admitting the first-day observance something more than the commandment of God. In their case how appropriate will be the question, "Who hath required this at your hands?" IS HE A UNIVERSALIST?
By M. E. Cornell
While at Vinton in discussion with Dr. Lucas, I asked him to affirm the consequent of his doctrine; namely, that the wicked will suffer endless conscious misery. He replied that he never believed or preached it. During the discussion he contended that the conscious part of man was an immortal entity, and hence it could not die. The Dr. of course must be a Universalist, until he embraces either our position, or endless misery.
M. E. CORNELL. THE following sensible remarks are extracted from Dr. J. K. Finley’s “letter to a clergyman,” published in the Bible Examiner. Dr. Finley was an Elder in the Presbyterian church at Niles, Mich. He says: “In endeavoring to ascertain the true nature and constitution of man, it is most reasonable and proper for us to go to the account which God himself has given in the history of his creation; and we will find the inspired record very plain and very explicit on the whole subject. In Gen. ii, 7, we read, ‘The Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul.’ Examine the expression carefully, ‘he became,’ not ‘he received,’ not ‘was put into him;’ but he became a living soul. Man was made of the dust,—the whole man, not a part of him—and when the breath of lives was put into his nostrils—the same breath that sustained the lives of all other animals, or in other words, when he was caused to breathe, henceforth he was a living soul. Previous to this he had been a lifeless soul. ‘Here we see an organized creature, a lifeless soul, which by a specified process becomes a soul alive, and therefore begins to perform the functions peculiar to his rank in the universe.’ “How different is this, the inspired account, from the common notions on the subject of the human constitution. Not a word is said about any immortal, immaterial entity put into the man to complete the process; nothing hinted at except organization, formed from existing world elements. When God would remind Adam of what he was constituted, he says, without the remotest allusion to anything else, ‘Dust thou art.’ Our brethren who claim to be ‘par excellence’ the orthodox, say, that this is not him at all, it is only the shell that encases him—or as some say, the house in which he dwells temporarily—thus ‘perverting the truth at the bidding of a dogma which has not been merely enshrined, but enthroned, in the temple of our divine religion.’ “Did it never strike you, my dear sir, as very singular, to say the least, that when God inspired Moses to give an account of the formation of man, he should have thought his mission completed, when he had told how the case was made in which the man was confined? If a mechanician had undertaken, by the direction of some mighty potentate of earth, to give an account of the construction of a watch, and had pronounced his work completed after describing the case, would it be esteemed satisfactory, do you suppose? And if not in this instance, Why should it in the other? And yet no other part of the Bible professes to give any further account of the matter. “A soul then is no mystery, so far as its origin and composition is concerned. It can be seen and felt, and weighed; but it is an astonishing mystery, beyond our highest conceptions, how that out of the dust of the ground such a complex being could be formed; a being capable of such varied and sublime functions, such intense sufferings and enjoyments. “But let us inquire more particularly, what is meant by man’s being a soul? The word soul is, as you well know, the English translation of the Hebrew word nephesh, and this word comes from a verb nesme, signifying to breathe. Man, then, is a soul, a nephesh, because he lives by breathing; the man became a living soul, or breathing creature—a creature to live by breathing vital air. Such being the case, we would reasonably expect that all creatures in the world, which live by breathing, would have the same designation, and such we find to be the fact. “In the following passages, and many others that might be specified, the same word occurs and is used to describe the various orders of inferior animals. Gen. i, 21. ‘And God created great whales and every living creature’ (nephesh). Verse 24. ‘Let the earth bring forth the living creature’ (nephesh). Gen. ix, 10. ‘Every living creature (nephesh) that is with you.’ Lev. xi, 46. ‘Of every living creature (nephesh) that moveth in the waters.’ And by referring to Gen. i, 30, you will find it designates ‘every beast of the earth, and every fowl of the air, and everything that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is nephesh;’ our translation says, ‘wherein there is life.’ Every living creature, then, of birds, reptiles, fishes, and beasts, that lives by breathing, is a nephesh, a soul, as certainly as man is; and he is not more soul than they are. They are all souls because they have life maintained by inspiring the common electrified air, which is, therefore, called the breath or spirit of lives. ‘Man’s superiority to the other breathing tribes consists, not in his being a soul, but in the magnitude of his powers; in other words, in the loftier position he occupies in the scale of existence, as an intellectual, moral, and responsible agent.’ “As it is impossible for me, in the limits of such a communication as this, to give all the proofs by which the non-immortality of the soul is established: I will only further suggest one, which to a scholar like yourself, or, in fact, to any man of ordinary good sense, who is honestly searching for the truth, must be irresistible. Indeed, it may be said in the language of a powerful writer on the subject, in England, ‘It may be regarded as removing the question of the immortality of the soul entirely out of the arena of controversy.’ It is this. The word nephesh is translated by the inspired writers of the New Testament into the Greek, by the word psyche. Psyche, then, is the equivalent of nephesh. Now, if you refer to 1 Cor. xv, 44, where Paul is treating of the resurrection, you will find he uses the adjective, psychikon, literally soulcal, to designate the natural, corruptible body, in contradistinction from the word pneumatikon, which designates the spiritual and immortal body which Christians will receive at the resurrection. You see, here, the Spirit of God takes the very word psyche, which orthodoxy says indicates the immortal soul, and from it constructs an adjective by which to teach that the soul is corrupt, and mortal, and perishable. Can any article be more conclusive?”—World’s Crisis. YE ARE BOUGHT WITH A PRICE,
By A. L. Guilford
THEREFORE glorify God in your body and spirit which are God's. Who are bought with a price? Those who are still the servants of sin, are they the ones to whom this language is addressed? No, surely not; for those who have not given themselves to God a willing sacrifice, are the servants of sin, as it is written, “to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey.” Although the blood of Christ was shed for the sins of the whole world, still those who do not avail themselves of this great salvation, and have not given themselves a living sacrifice, have not placed themselves, all they have and are, upon the altar, and have not received the forgiveness of sin, and have not had their hearts cleansed by the precious, atoning blood of Jesus, these have not been bought with a price, these are not the Lord's, but are children of their father the Devil, and his works they will do. But ye who have given up all for God, and have had a godly sorrow for sin, and have felt the power of Jesus' blood to cleanse from all sin, and have tasted that the Lord is good, to you it is said, “Ye are bought with a price.” Yes, a price indeed, even the life of the only and well beloved Son of the Almighty Jehovah, the Eternal God. And for this reason “ye should glorify God in your body and spirit which are God's.” But what is it to glorify God? and how may we do it? Is it to do as your natural inclinations would lead you to do? We read that by nature we are children of wrath. Well then, if we by nature are children of wrath we cannot glorify God by doing what is natural for us to do. Our natural or carnal nature must die before we167 can glorify God. We understand that to glorify God is to obey him in all things. We must speak and act in such a way as to reflect honor upon the name of God, and live in such a manner that we shall receive a visible answer to our prayers. This will glorify God. We should exercise a living faith in God which will cause us to act out our belief to the full. We should live so purely before all that even the infidel and haughty scorner will feel an irresistible awe in our presence, and be led to believe that there is a power resting upon us not of ourselves, but the mighty soul-subduing power of the great I AM. Dear brethren and sisters, who among us will glorify God with all our energies of mind and body, awake to righteousness and sin not, that we may not receive the awful doom of those who are finally spewed out of the mouth of the Lord, but may enjoy the peace of God which passeth understanding here on this earth, and life everlasting on the new earth?
A. L. GUILFORD.
Monroe, Wis. BUY THE TRUTH AND SELL IT NOT.
The worth of truth no tongue can tell,
'Twill do to buy, but not to sell :
A large estate that soul has got,
Who buys the truth, and sells it not. Truth, like a diamond, shines most fair,
More rich than pearls and rubies are,
More worth than gold and silver coin :
O may it ever in us shine. 'Tis truth that binds, and truth makes free,
And sets the soul at liberty
From sin and Satan's heavy chain,
And then within the heart doth reign. They have a freedom then indeed,
That doth all freedom else exceed ;
Freedom from guilt, freedom from woe,
And never more shall bondage know. O happy they who in their youth
Are brought to know and love the truth ;
For none but those whom truth makes free,
Can e'er enjoy true liberty. Truth, like a girdle, let us wear,
And always keep it clean and fair,
And never let it once be told,
That truth by us was ever sold. Praise for the Lord’s Care
By E. A. Sevy
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS : I again try to write a few words to you, although a stranger to many. I feel the time is not far distant when we shall not be strangers, if we are only faithful a little longer. When I read the testimonies in the paper, I feel like exclaiming, Praise the Lord for what he is doing for us! I do prize the paper very highly. It is all the preacher I have. I feel to praise God for what he has done for poor unworthy me. He has helped me to overcome some, and he has promised to help me through if I only put my trust in him. And oh! where else can we go? I can truly say, Where; for it is in him we live and move and have our being. I am just recovering from a fit of sickness. The Lord has been very kind to me. Sister Steward's experience has been a great help to me. I think I am getting along some towards home. It seems the message is onward and upward. Such cheering news from east and west. From your unworthy sister, E. A. SEVY. Appeal for Unity at Conference
By Eliezer Goodrich
DEAR BRO. WHITE: Having read the notice in the Review for a general conference, I felt as though I wanted to say that I was glad of it; and although I shall be unable to attend, yet I am happy in thinking that many will attend, and that you will have a good time. My prayer is with you, and for you, and I earnestly desire that the Spirit of God will be with you in all your deliberations, and that much good may done in the name of Jesus the beloved. It is no time for distraction. It never was, and especially now, it is not for every man to pull his own way, or try to rule in his own say. But it is time, yea high time for all who are looking for Jesus and love his appearing, and who believe that God is calling out a people, it is time for them to put away their Babylonish garments, to cleanse themselves from their iniquities, and in the spirit of brotherly-kindness strive for the unity of the faith and the advancement of the cause of God. We have fallen upon perilous ground. Many hindrances are thrown in our way, and Satan is everywhere busy sowing the seeds of discord and confusion. These may be overcome by the church having the Spirit of God and its gifts and graces, and by walking together in love. I look forward to the coming conference with a great deal of interest, and I hope that the hearts of all who meet will be greatly strengthened and encouraged in the present truth. As for myself I hardly know how to express myself. The way seems hedged up, and I have done but very little preaching since I came home. I have tried to live religion at home. . . . I will only ask for your prayers, and grace sufficient to my day, and may God deliver in his own way and time. Your brother,
Eliezer Goodrich.
Edinboro, Pa. The Review’s Precious Fruit
By A. Abbey
BRO. SMITH: The Review comes laden with precious fruit, which is soon devoured, and many times we are ready to say we would like another paper as soon as we have read one. We are satisfied that the publishing department has been faithful in sending out the Review, if those to whom it has been sent have not been faithful to them. When we read the cheering epistles from those scattered abroad, and find occasionally one with whom we have been acquainted, it seems almost like talking with them face to face; and when we read what the Lord is doing through his servants in the proclamation of the third angel's message and the truths connected with it, we have great reason to rejoice and praise the Lord that we have such an organ of communication. Through this organ we hear of the joys of God's people, also through this we hear of the afflictions of the same. And when we read of those who are carrying the last message of mercy to poor sinful men, and hear how they are afflicted and worn down with labor, we feel like crying unto the Lord for help, and also like praying to the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers into the harvest. We feel like striving to arise and gird on the armor anew and trying to go forward. It is very certain that we have been lukewarm too long, and have therefore grieved the Saviour; and when he has knocked for admittance we have been unwilling to open our hearts and let him in. We have let such a large amount of rubbish accumulate around our hearts that there has not been much room for the Saviour there. We are also aware that the Saviour will not come into our hearts unless they are prepared to receive him. The Saviour will not come into our hearts merely because we ask him to come in, but we must feel our need of him, feel our poverty, and see our wretched and miserable condition without him, and then we shall begin to call in earnest for him to come in, and he will come in and sup with us and we with him. I have looked with much anxiety to the time when the church shall fully awake and come up from the state of lukewarmness into which they have fallen. I believe fully that it will be such a time of rejoicing as the church has never witnessed. When the church has become so fully consecrated that the Lord can walk among them, and can manifest his saving power, and the church will give him the glory, then shall we see his goings forth prepared as the morning; then shall we see the people flocking to the standard of truth, and the church will labor as well as the messengers. May the time hasten on when the church shall fully arise, is the prayer of your brother. A. ABBEY. “Then they that feared the Lord, spake often one to another.” DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: I am realizing in some measure that the life of the Christian is a warfaring life. We have no time to idly fold our hands, and sink down under disappointments and worldly anxieties. No time to build air-castles, or cherish hopes of worldly profit or honor. It is enough for us to seek to know and do our Master’s will. We have a sleepless foe, with whom we must never compromise, whose insidious advances we must be ever on the watch to repel. But O, blessed be God! we have also an over-present Friend whom we can perfectly trust, and who will never suffer Satan to gain the victory over us. O, it is so sweet to feel that we are perfectly safe in the arms of Infinite Love! And O, what a privilege to “walk in the light as he is in the light,” and having fellowship with one another, realize from day to day that the blood of Jesus cleanseth from all sin. Satan will tempt us in every possible way, but when we give up everything, and let God take care of us, we may rest assured that we shall be safely kept. He is a Friend that will never betray our trust. O then, let us submit ourselves perfectly to the will of God. Let us heed the Laodicean message ere it shall be said, 'Let him that is filthy be filthy still.' Let us do all in our power to speed on the loud cry of the third angel, and may our daily prayer be, O Lord, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth even as it is done in heaven. Kingston, Green Lake, Wis. Gratitude for Present Truth
By V. W. Field
Bro. Smith : I have often thought I would express my gratitude through the Review that I have had the blessed privilege of hearing the third angel's message; and of the goodness of God in leading my heart to obey its glorious truths. I know there are many others that are more capable of edifying the readers of the Review, but when I see a slackness of the brethren and sisters to bear witness to the truth, I feel anxious to do what I can in this way. It has been about seven months since I with my wife embraced present truth, and we still rejoice in it. I have had some precious seasons with those that keep all the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. I feel that I have overcome much, and am determined by the grace of God to overcome all, and at last stand with the remnant upon mount Zion. Yours striving for victory.