Earlier text: SELECTIONSQUESTIONS FOR CONSIDERATION.
By Editor
[The following articles from Brn. Woodhull and Merriam, we have lately received. It is not possible for us, while subject as we are at present to continual interruptions from other duties, to give the questions here introduced a connected and thorough investigation. But we lay them before the readers of the REVIEW, that those who have time and opportunities, may carefully study them in the light of God's word, and communicate the result of their investigations. The questions are important, and we admire the spirit in which they are presented. We hope they may not be slightly passed over. Let all views, we say, be freely submitted to the crucible of investigation. The gold will surely remain, and come forth seven times purified.—ED.] Christ on the White Cloud and White Horse.
BRO. SMITH: I send you the following article by request of some of the saints in this section. I have but little time to write, and but little time to review what I have written. Therefore if there should be some inaccuracies and blunders, it may not be wondered at. The subject is, Are they not two distinct and separate events? This question will be settled conclusively by comparing the two different chains of events, in which the two positions occur; viz., Christ on the white cloud and white horse. It will be necessary to take up the two different chains of events, and carry them down to their respective terminations; in order to show the points of dissimilarity between his work on the white cloud and white horse. I will now take up the subject of CHRIST ON THE WHITE CLOUD.
This chain of events begins with the 6th verse of chap. xiv, and carries us down through the three messages, after the giving of which, Christ takes his seat on the white cloud. Read chap. xiv, 14: "And I looked and beheld a white cloud, and on the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle." The 15th verse will explain the object of Christ's taking his seat on the white cloud. It reads as follows: "And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle and reap; for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe." From the foregoing testimony we see that the object of Christ's taking his seat on the white cloud is to reap "the harvest of the earth." The question may be, as asked, What is the harvest of the earth spoken of in this connection? I answer, It must be the righteous, from the fact that the angel of the 17th verse, reaps "the vine of the earth." (Wicked Babylon, that like a wild grape vine has spread itself into all the principal parts of the earth.) And what does the angel do with the vine he has reaped? Does he gather it into God's garner? "He casts it into the great wine-press of the wrath of God." Hence the conclusion is clear that those reaped by Christ must have been the righteous, from the fact that those reaped subsequently by the angel are subjects for the wine-press. Again, to prove that the righteous are the harvest of the earth, read Matt. xiii, 30: "Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them; but gather the wheat (or valuable part of the harvest) into my barn." I will give one more testimony on this point. Luke iii, 17. "Whose fan is in his hand and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather the wheat (or "harvest of the earth,") into his garner." I will now notice the 15th verse. "And another angel came out of the temple crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud. Is this a literal or symbolic angel? I answer, it must be a symbolic angel; for the following reasons: 1st. It occurs in a chain of events that are all made known by symbols. 2d. If it be a literal angel the circumstances would not justify the expression, "came out of the temple crying with a loud voice," for it is either a command, or a prayer, for Christ to thrust in his sickle. Why should a literal angel either command, or entreat Christ to reap the harvest of the earth. But let us take another view of this angel, and see the fitness of the symbol to the time in which it is said to occur, provided it be applied to the remnant, while enduring the decree of the two-horned beast. The loud voice of this angel occurs at a time when Christ is on the white cloud; for the cry is made to him while there seated. It will be admitted by all that Christ takes his seat on the white cloud somewhere between the finishing of the work in the Sanctuary and the seventh plague; for before the plagues can begin, the work in the Sanctuary must be finished, after which time, the harvest must stand in a drying condition. For, said the angel, "the harvest of the earth is dried" (margin;) that is, they stand drying (for when wheat is ripe it begins to dry if left standing) until Jesus comes as a thief. See Rev. xvi, 12-15. But some may say that the angel that cries with a loud cry for Christ to reap comes out of the temple. To this I would reply, 1st. This angel is a symbol of Christ's church on earth. 2d. The church by faith followed Christ into the inner apartment, called the "temple." 3d. When Christ shall have finished his work in the temple, his next place in order will be on the white cloud. Now mark the appropriateness of the symbol: "And another angel came out of the temple crying (or in other words, the church cry, as they follow Christ out) for him (Christ) to thrust in his sickle and reap." It will readily be seen that the church at this point of time are in as fit a condition as the providence of God could place them to pray the loud prayer spoken of in the symbol. They have previously been counted the filth and offscouring of all things; been represented as deluded, fanatical, crazy. Some have stood from the giving of the first message, and drunk the bitter cup of disappointment in not seeing their Lord in 1844; and have still been compelled to plod their way to mount Zion through ranks of wicked men and false brethren. Others have been rejected by brethren with whom they have taken sweet counsel, and have been counted by them as those "that trouble Israel." Not only so, but all must together endure the last and final trial, and thereby be fitted to give the last loud voice (that will be given before Jesus comes) in good earnest. Praise our God, that the voice is not unheeded! No! for when the saints cry to Jesus as in the symbol, they will be heard. Read verse 16. "And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth, and the earth was reaped." The question now is, What does Christ do with the wheat, or harvest just reaped? This brings me to the chain of events that contains his second position, or, CHRIST ON THE WHITE HORSE.
I will now take up the chain of events that leads to his being seated on the white horse. Read Rev. xix, 5. With this 5th verse I understand the chain begins; but we will pass on to the 7th verse which reads, "Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready." If we can find at what time the marriage takes place, we can then fix a sure point for the beginning of the chain of events under consideration; and from their beginning they may easily be traced to their termination. That the marriage takes place before Christ comes for the saints, is proved by the testimony in Luke xii, 36. "And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding." When will the church be in a waiting position? I answer, It will be between the last work in the Sanctuary, and the pouring out of the seventh plague; when he will come as a "thief." It is an evident fact that Christ could not obtain the kingdom, and capital, (the marriage being symbolic of his receiving the kingdom to be retained forever,) until his mediatorial work is done; for if he did, he would cease to be a priest, and become a king before the mediatorial work for the righteous is done. For, mark, a king is crowned when he receives his kingdom. Christ must therefore receive the kingdom, or in the language of the symbol, "the marriage of the Lamb" must take place at a period of time when he has nothing to do, either in the Sanctuary, or on earth: save that it should be the marriage. Remember, when Christ comes for the saints, he comes direct from the wedding, and finds his servants ready. See Luke xii, 36. From the foregoing I conclude that Christ finishes his mediatorial work in the second apartment, and before he leaves that apartment, after the work of mercy closes, the marriage of the Lamb takes place. This will be the period before referred to, that the church will, as it were, stand drying; that is, from the time mercy closes, to the great earthquake under the seventh plague. But again: lest some should think that Christ receives the kingdom before the work of mercy closes in the Sanctuary, I will offer a little testimony from the type, which utterly forbids the idea. Read Ex. xxviii, 4. "And these are the garments which they shall make; a breastplate and an ephod, and a robe, and a broidered coat, a mitre and a girdle," &c. The breastplate was called "the breastplate of judgment." See verse 15. It contained the names of all the tribes of Israel. Verse 21. It was worn on the heart of the high priest on the great day of atonement. Verse 29. The mitre was another article of dress for the head, having a gold plate in front with these words engraved thereon, "Holiness to the Lord." By reading 2 Kings xi, 12, it may be seen that the king is crowned when he receives his kingdom. I may here ask, Is there order in heaven? If so, then I may say that our great High Priest will not, at the same time, wear the mitre and the crown. Neither will he wear before the ark and mercy-seat, his kingly and priestly robes at the same time. Imagine to yourself a high priest in the earthly sanctuary, with the robes of both a king and priest, on the great day of atonement. From these considerations I ask, Is it not clear that Christ receives the kingdom, not in the first part of the day of atonement, but, after mercy closes. Hence the conclusion is clear, that the reason why Christ does not come for the saints immediately after mercy closes is, he must first attend to the marriage, immediately after which, he takes his seat on the white cloud, having on his head, not a mitre, but a golden crown. From the time that Christ takes his seat on the cloud, the order of events is clear: 1. The angel, which is a symbol of the church under deep distress, cries with a loud voice for the Son of man to reap, or take them away from the place where they are at this time standing. Rev. xiv, 15. 2. The Son of man reaps, or takes them away to his garner; but not before the sleeping saints awake [see 1 Thess. iv, 15.] for all go together. We learn from Luke xii, 36, 37, that the first event in order after Christ's second coming is, to make the waiting ones to sit down to meat. This is the marriage supper referred to in Rev. xix, 9. "And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they that are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb." Who have been called? I answer, All, both the righteous dead and righteous living; because the living could not21 prevent them that were asleep; but all must be changed together; therefore all are called to the marriage supper. It may be plainly seen by the foregoing that Christ comes on the white cloud direct from the wedding before the marriage supper takes place. I now inquire, What takes place after supper? 1. It will be remembered that Christ has invited, and brought up to the New Jerusalem, all that are righteous, all that are in favor with, and to be subjects of his everlasting kingdom. They are now celebrating the marriage supper of Christ, preparatory to his going down to earth again on a white horse, followed by all the heavenly train, angels, prophets, apostles, martyrs, yea, the 144000 too, praise our God! all follow Jesus down to earth on white horses. Read the testimony. Chap. xix, 11. "And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse." In chap. xiv, it was a white cloud. Verse 12. "His eyes were a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns." On the cloud, it was, "a golden crown." Verse 14. "And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses." These armies must be the saints that have celebrated the marriage supper. Verse 15. "And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, (on the cloud it was a sickle, symbolic of gathering,) that with it he should smite the nations; (the sword is a symbol of wrath;) and he shall rule them with a rod of iron; and he treadeth the wine-press of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. This last verse contains positive proof that the resurrected saints will be with Jesus on white horses. Read Rev. ii, 26, 27. And he that overcometh and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. It will be seen that when Christ goes forth on the white horse, he goes forth followed by all the armies in heaven for the purpose of executing the very identical work specified in the promise made to the Thyatiran church. The faithful ones of the Thyatiran church all being dead, they must of necessity have a resurrection previous to their following Christ on white horses: for then is the time that they receive power over the nations. I will now briefly sum up the whole testimony contained in this article, lest some may have overlooked the force of the argument while reading. I think the foregoing testimony proves the following order of events: 1. The marriage takes place between the last work in the Sanctuary, and Christ's coming on the cloud; which marriage will take place during the time it may take to pour out six of the plagues. 2. He will come direct from the wedding to his waiting servants, which will be previous to the marriage supper. 3. He will take the righteous, resurrected and living, up to the City, to there celebrate the marriage supper; which will be celebrated during the time that the kings of the earth and the whole world are gathering to the battle of the great day of God Almighty." Rev. xvi, 14, 15. For remember, Christ comes as a thief and takes away the saints while the wicked are gathering under the spirits of devils. And, 4. After supper (not before) he goes forth on the white horse, followed by all the armies of heaven on white horses, for the evident purpose of treading in wrath the vine of the earth referred to in chap. xiv, 19. I now propose the following questions for those of our brethren that may be in doubt respecting what will be done, from the time the saints are delivered until the earth is made new. First, will not the reign of the saints with Christ begin at the marriage supper? See Rev. xix. Second, will not their first work be, to utterly desolate the earth? Compare Rev. xix, 14, 15, with verse 21. Third, will not the desolation of the earth take place previous to the beginning of the 1000 years? See Rev. xx, 2. Mark, Satan is bound 1000 years after the living are destroyed by Christ and the saints on white horses. Fourth, and last, will Christ wear the crown, the sword, the kingly robe, the mitre, the girdle, and the breastplate of judgment all during the 1000 years? Dear brethren, I submit these views for your prayerful consideration. If I have erred, it is not willful. To err is but human. I now call for your friendly criticism, that if I have erred I may be set right. West Somerset, Niagara Co., N. Y. Questions by Bro. Merriam.
By J. D. Merriam
BRO. SMITH: It is now about sixteen months since I yielded to my convictions on the Sabbath question, and commenced to observe it as a religious duty. I have usually found it a delight, though it has brought me into many trying positions. Still I feel the need of the Sabbath, and think it best to observe the day the Lord himself sanctified and blessed for man, rather than the day observed by professing Christians generally. There is one argument used by those who think the Sabbath is not binding, I cannot answer satisfactorily to my own mind. It is found in Gal. iii. The law was added till the seed should come, &c. The position taken is, that the law of the ten commandments was added to the promise till Christ came, and then ceased. The law was (not is) our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ. Can the law there spoken of refer to the ten commandments? I have read most of your publications on what is termed "the present truth;" but there are difficulties in my way which have prevented me from endorsing fully the views advocated. I don't know as I ought to burden you with them; but as one brother said to me, "Why don't you write your difficulties to the Review?" I thought it might not do any harm, if it did no good. So I will present some of them. 1. If the 2300 days cover the whole vision of Dan. viii, and they ended in 1844, what event answers to the breaking of the little horn without hand? This is one of the events seen in the vision: and the vision was 2300 days in duration: and I am unable to see how the days can end and that event not take place. 2. Do the 1335 days of Dan. xii, 12, reach to the end of the wonders, in answer to the question, (verse 6) How long? &c. What blessing is given to those who wait and come to those days? If they ended in 1844, what is understood by the last verse, Thou shalt rest and stand in thy lot at the end of the days? If the prophetic periods are all ended, in what time are we living now, and how long will it last? 3. If keeping the Sabbath is to be the distinguishing mark or seal of God in the foreheads of saints during the time of the two-horned beast's reign now considered future; what was the seal of God under the sounding of the fifth angel? Rev. ix, 4. In what position is a person that is sealed? i. e., can he fall from it? 4. If I understand your position in regard to the two-horned beast of Rev. xiii, it is, that the United States are to fulfill the prophecy: that it has not yet done its miracles and wonders to deceive; of course has not yet caused the earth to make an image to the beast. The difficulty to my mind is this: if it has but just arisen so as to show its two horns, and is to exercise all the power of the first beast, and is to cause the earth, and them which dwell therein, to worship it; is to do great wonders, make fire come down, &c., is to deceive the people and cause them to make an image and worship it on pain of death; is to cause all to receive a mark of homage, &c., and all before the coming of Christ, then we have got something before us to watch for instead of watching for the Lord! To me it looks like putting the coming of Christ too far in the future. Still I may not understand it right. 5. Much has been said of late of the loud cry of the third angel. Can that cry be made before the beast is fully developed? Now, dear brother, if you think any of these ideas worth noticing, I would be glad to hear from you, through the paper or otherwise, as I most earnestly desire truth and not error. My sympathies are more with the seventh-day keepers, than any other class of people, though as you see I am not in full fellowship with them. I think and believe there are good people who do not understand some things as I do; but I must believe a man must possess the meekness and gentleness of Christ in order to be his disciple. Such are my brethren, whether I can see eye to eye with them or not, believing the time near, when we shall see as we are seen, and know as we are known; when the Lord shall bring again Zion. Yours in hope of eternal life at the coming of Jesus.
J. D. MERRIAM. Editorial Difficulties.
By Editor
The London Record, on entering the thirteenth year of its existence, speaks thus: "Few there are who know the difficulties of conducting a public journal, and especially one which desires to act on Christian principles. To speak the truth in love, and yet without fear or favor, to withstand whatever threatens the integrity of God's holy word or the purity of Christ's holy gospel, is no easy task, especially for those who must often write upon the spur of the moment. . . . Readers are offended because some favorite opinion is controverted, or some favored friend is censured; because some lengthy communication is not inserted, or some fond suggestion not adopted; because in one instance we may have been too sharp, or in another too tame; because we have dwelt too much on one topic, or too little on another. There are those who have thought our Protestantism ardent even to exaggeration. There are others who characterize it as "milk and water," and long for their own infusions of what, in the view of sober men, more resembles the too stimulating dew of the mountains." How our sins have particularly murdered Christ and us.
By John William Fletcher
Priests, magistrates, people, pursue him to the garden; bound by the chain of our sins. We wonder; he is led captive. We execute; he is silent. We shut our eyes; he is blindfolded. We pamper the flesh; he sheds blood, and agonizes. We seek ease; he faints under the cross. We are proud; he is crowned with thorns, and naked. We abuse our hands and feet; he is pierced. We are intemperate; he thirsts and hath vinegar and gall. We are unclean; he is bathed in blood. We are impatient; he is railed at. We are accursed by the law; he was upon the tree. We are hard-hearted; his heart was pierced. We are careless; he had strong cries and agonies.—Fletcher. Trusting God Rather Than Self
The Bible divides men into two classes; those who trust in themselves, and those who trust in God. The one class walk by their own light, trust in their own strength, fight their own battles, and have no confidence otherwise. The other, not neglecting to use the wisdom and strength which God has given them, still trust in his wisdom and his strength to carry out the weakness of theirs. The one class goes through life as orphans; the other has a Father.—Ex. Value Your Souls and Time
"VALUE your souls," says the pious Henry "and you will value your time. Whatever you do, take heed of idleness. That is the devil's anvil on which he hammers out many temptations." James i, 22. "Be ye performers of the law, and not hearers only." Chap. ii, 10. "Whosoever shall keep the whole law, and fail in one commandment, he is guilty of breaking every commandment." Verse 26. "As therefore, the body without breath is dead, so is this belief," &c. Secret Prayer and Social Duty
Interline your discourse with secret ejaculations to God for wisdom. You have a place in society peculiarly your own; endeavor to find out where it is, and keep it. "So these nations feared the Lord and served their Graven Images." 2 Kings xvii, 41.
By Joseph Clarke
Any one by reading the above mentioned chapter from the 24th to the 41st verse will discover the circumstances which elicited the sad description of this state of things. The people were a mixed multitude (see verse 24) and driven by terror had acknowledged Jehovah as the God of the land. The ten tribes were removed for their sins and their land was occupied by strangers who feared not the Lord, and he sent lions among them. As a matter of policy the Assyrian king sent a priest to teach them how they should fear the Lord. See verses 27 and 28. Howbeit every nation made them gods of their own. Probably they thought that if they were sincere it made no difference, or perhaps the priest who came among them (see verse 28) told them that if they were pure and feared the Lord, that a graven image was no great offense, that God would not notice so small a thing. All see the absurdity of such a mixture of heathenish practices with a godly fear. A similar instance of ignorance and depravity is found in Judges xvii, 3, 4. The mother of Micah had dedicated eleven hundred shekels of silver to the Lord, and she took a part of it and caused a graven and a molten image to be made. What a dedication! How wickedly absurd to suppose that Jehovah would accept such a gift. Yet doubtless she imagined from the depths of her wicked heart that she was doing a very religious act. So now, people often suppose that the dreadful denunciations of the moral law are silenced, and that one or more of the ten commands are a dead letter and as the people feared the Lord and worshipped graven images, so now, the people generally fear the Lord and break the Sabbath. This is no fancy sketch. The cases are similar. JOSEPH CLARKE.
Portage, Wood Co., Ohio, May 5th, 1857. Salvation Proves God’s Faithfulness
Every danger makes way for a new salvation; and every salvation is a new proof of God's faithfulness, kindness, and care. H. M. KENYON
By H. M. Kenyon
BRO. SMITH:—I feel that the Lord has done a great work for me in a few days that are past, for which I would praise his holy name. I can see that I have indeed been in a lukewarm state; but by the help of God I am determined to arise and put on the armor of the Lord that I may be able to withstand the wiles of the enemy. The work of the Lord is still progressing here, and my prayer to God is, that it may still move forward, till we may all stand in the perfect light and liberty of the gospel of Christ. I feel glad that I live in this interesting age of the world. I am willing to take my place among those who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ, if I may be counted worthy to be called a repairer of the breach; for God has promised that such shall ride upon the high places of the earth. I love the truths of the Third Angel's Message; for I believe that all those who heed its warning will soon stand upon mount Zion with the harp of23 God in their hand, to sing the song of Moses and the Lamb. I feel determined to heed the counsel to the Laodiceans, to buy that gold, white raiment and eye-salve, that I may be rich. "My soul is happy when I hear
My Saviour is so nigh;
And longs to see his sign appear
Upon the opening sky. Monterey, Mich. May 4th, 1857. THE HOUR OF JUDGMENT.
By Rebeccah Smith
The time has come, that all-important day,
When sins must be confessed and washed away!
When hearts must feel, and conscience' voice be heard
In swift obedience to God's holy word. "Be zealous and repent," is God's command.
We must in humble ranks united stand.
With us, 'tis said, the judgment first begins:
And we must soon be cleansed from all our sins. We must let Jesus in. Our mighty foe
Is ready to effect our overthrow
With Christ we're safe; in conflict he'll unite,
Help on to victory, and maintain the right. The eye-salve, well applied, sheds light around,
And all our secret faults and sins are found,
To be confessed, while Jesus intercedes,
And while for us his precious blood he pleads. Though scarlet be our sins—of crimson dye—
If penitent, he'll not our suit deny.
He waits for full confession, which, when made,
Whate'er our sin and guilt, he'll not upbraid. He's ready to acquit and set us free,
And will proclaim our perfect liberty.
He'll seal us his, and make us here his care;
He'll fit us for his throne, and take us there. He's cutting short his work in righteousness,
And coming soon his waiting saints to bless.
When once he's left the mediatorial place,
No ray of mercy lights our ruined race. 'Twill then be known, the offers we've refused
The blood-bought privileges that we've abused—
How must it sharpen every pang of guilt
To think, for us the Saviour's blood was spilt; To know we might have had our sins forgiven,
And lived forever with the loved in heaven.
In view of anguish deep we then must feel.
No wounds of sin may we here slightly heal. Broad as th' offense, confession I will make,
And all my dear, loved idol sins forsake.
Yes, glory be to God! the victory's gained,
And self-denial shall be hence maintained. 'Twill take our all to buy the pure tried gold;
And naught of earth can we in heart withhold.
A cheaper way I would not, could I, go;
A dearer way no one can ever show. I love the blessed way; it buoys me up;
My Saviour's here, and with him I may sup.
I'll be content with nothing short of this;
And this alone makes heaven perpetual bliss. Then let us make our hope and calling sure;
And all our trials patiently endure.
They'll soon be o'er; our lives we'll not hold dear.
And soon in glory with our Lord appear. West Wilton, N. H., May 4th, 1857. Sister M. F. Tilden writes from Appleton, Wis.: "For years I have had my doubts whether I was keeping all the commandments of God. By the influence of one who kept the seventh day I was led to investigate the subject of keeping the Sabbath, to know which day was right according to the Bible. I promised to take the Review and pray away all prejudice and read it, and if I found anything contrary to the Bible to mark it down. I tried my best to find some flaw, or something that would not agree with the word of God. "When I commenced reading the Review I was much prejudiced against anything that was called 'Millerism,' or the word advent; but thanks be to God that I ever become acquainted with any who are striving to keep all the commandments of God. I came last Fall to this place from the East. I cannot tell the joy I receive from reading the paper. I get all to read it I can. My husband is not a professor, but he seems to take great satisfaction in reading the paper. He says it is founded on the Bible. This paper expresses his mind and views on the Bible. He often says he would like to converse with some of the brethren. It is my prayer that some brother may visit this place. There are many who, I believe, are looking to see if these things are true. Many that I have conversed with have asked me to write you to send some brother to us that we may hear for ourselves. I believe if the people could hear some one explain the Word, there would be many who would embrace the whole truth." Testimony of an Eye-Witness.
By Editor
The living patriots of the revolution are much distinguished, as the surviving witnesses of a great event. But there is another event which should be ranked second to none in importance, which has in modern times startled the world; we mean when the broad sun veiled his face in darkness, in token of the world's approaching doom. Should the living witnesses of that solemn scene be regarded with any less interest, by mankind at large? But though they take no particular note of it, the generation has not yet passed away. There are yet living witnesses of the fulfillment of our Saviour's words when he said that immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun should be darkened. The following is the testimony of such an one. Bro. Eleazer Dunham thus writes, through a friend, from Paris, Me., May 3d, 1857: BRO. SMITH:—I sit down to write a few lines to you, according to the desire of our aged brother. He wants you to know that he is still strong in the present truth. He well remembers the dark day, and has followed the signs down to the age of eighty-five. He believes the Midnight Cry is in the past. He is strong in the present truth; and the cheering letters from the brethren and sisters, and the soul-cheering truths that fill the columns of the Review are a great comfort to him. God's truth is his meat and drink. He feels to trust only in the Lord, and finds him a present help in every time of trouble. He misses the brethren and sisters who have left our band. They still lie near his heart. And he wishes all those who are pressing their way to the kingdom to know that he loves them. Though he never saw many of them, he soon expects to meet them where parting will be no more. "Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another." Testimony in Favor of Present Truth
By Rufus Hitchcock
BRO. SMITH:—I embrace this opportunity of giving my testimony in favor of present truth. I believe with all my heart that we are living in the last days, and in perilous times. Wicked men and seducers are waxing worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. Satan is at work with all power, signs and lying wonders. Brethren and sisters, let us be on our watch at all times lest in an unguarded moment we be led captive by the enemy of all righteousness. I am still striving to keep all God's commandments, and the testimony of Jesus. But when I view my past life, I see I have made many crooked paths, and come far short of doing the will of my heavenly Master. I find I am a poor Laodicean; but I am determined by the grace of God assisting me, to be zealous and repent of my lukewarmness, and get the door of my heart open, so that Jesus can come in and sup with me and I with him. I want to be prepared to rise with the Message of the Third Angel; but I fear many times that I shall be left behind, I am so unfaithful, so liable to wander from the right way. I lack many of the christian graces, especially faith, charity and patience, but I am not discouraged. I mean to keep striving to overcome, putting my trust in God; for his grace is sufficient to carry us safely through. I hope to be an overcomer through the word of my testimony and the blood of Jesus. RUFUS HITCHCOCK. Locke, Mich., May 4th, 1857. JOHN BUTCHART, SEN
By John Butchart
BRO. SMITH:—As it is time to renew my subscription for the Review, you will find enclosed two dollars in payment. I am pleased to understand that as a community you are persevering in the attempt of reforming the world. I also learn that you are making some progress in the desirable but unthankful work. I am doing what I can; but it is a cold backward work in this region. The ice that has been accumulating for centuries has not any where been broken as yet. I stand alone, and my means being limited there cannot be much done. I have had 5000 tracts published for gratuitous distribution; but neither your books nor my tracts will sell. The books I had from your Office I left with a bookseller in Toronto to dispose of, charging only a small compensation for his trouble. This statement will account for my not casting in my mite with others. Hoping that we may so labor in this present life that we may stand accepted before the Son of man at his appearing and kingdom. Eramosa, C. W., May 10th, 1857. A Band Bound for the Kingdom
By Editor
Bro. D. Richmond writes from Green Bush Mich., May 8th 1857: "I wish to be prompt in paying for my paper, the pay for it seems so trifling compared with what its true value is to me, that it seems if I delay the pay I do not appreciate it, while one letter from a dear brother or sister every week is ample pay for the full price of the paper. I would that I was capable of edifying my dear brothers and sisters as I have been cheered and edified by their communications. "There is quite a band of us here who meet together on the Sabbath, and who I trust are bound for the kingdom. The Lord is very merciful to us, and we thank and praise him for sending his messengers here to show us our dying state, and to stir us up to the necessity of heeding the counsel of the faithful and true Witness. May God help us to arise and trim our lamps before the bridegroom comes. O let us hunger and thirst after righteousness and we shall be filled. Let us strive for the bond of perfectness, and then shall we all be one in Christ Jesus. "That such weak worms of the dust as we are, may so live, and purify these earthly temples that we may be just such beings as God would have to live with him in his pure and celestial kingdom is our prayer. My dear brethren and sisters we shall there know each other as children of one family, and there shall we see our Creator and our Saviour face to face, and not be destroyed by their brightness, for these bodies will be raised spiritual bodies, and this corruption shall have put on incorruption." LEONARD STILLMAN
By Leonard Stillman
BRO. SMITH:—I take this opportunity to let you and the brethren know that I am still trying to hold on to the truth, which, I feel, is far more precious than anything this world can afford. Although the path may be strewed with temptations, and trials, and oftentimes bedewed with tears, how cheering the hope to the weary pilgrim, that if they faint not they will soon exchange this world of sin and sorrow, for a world of happiness and bliss, when this corruptible shall put on incorruption, and this mortal put on immortality. I want, from day to day while walking in this narrow path, to have my ways and words correspond with my profession. It is a great profession to believe we are now living on the last borders of time; that the Lord will soon come, and take his ransomed ones home. The church in this vicinity, many of them, begin to see the need of rising from lukewarmness, and living nearer the Lord, that they may be able to stand the burning day. I would say to all the dear brethren and sisters, Hold on to the blessed truths of the Bible a little longer, and your reward will soon be given. You who often have the privilege of assembling together for worship, be faithful in the discharge of every known duty. Speak often one to another, and so much the more as ye see the day approaching. The signs of the times bespeak his coming near. May we love as brethren, and seek for union. If any body of professed christians ought to be united, it is the commandment-keepers. To the lonely ones I would say, also, be faithful, although you may not often have the privilege of meeting with God's children, you may live so that you may have his smiles and approbation, and the cheering hope of soon meeting in that bright world where separation will come no more. Do not fear what the enemies of the cross say. The word says, Fear not little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. If we but gain the kingdom all will be well. What are earthly treasures here to a treasure there? May we all seek to have a treasure there, that when He who is our life shall appear, we may appear with him in glory. Blessed hope! Who would not willingly suffer afflictions here a little while for such a hope. Lorain, Jeff. Co., N. Y., May 3d, 1857. Preparing for the Loud Cry
By Joel H. Grandy
BRO. SMITH: Allow me to say that it is with great interest that I read the Review as it comes to us laden with the soul-cheering testimonies from the dear saints scattered abroad. There are a few of those poor despised ones in this place that are striving to keep all of the commandments of God and live out the faith of Jesus. We have meetings every Sabbath and the Lord is pleased to bless us with his presence. I believe we are now in the time when the gifts are to be restored to the church of God, the remnant. There has been a crying to God for this to be done; but I believe that before it can be done the church must have the gold, the eye-salve and the white raiment, and work in the order of God. I believe that the message will soon go with a loud cry, and I am striving to be prepared to take a part in sounding the last note of warning to this sinful world. Yours in hope of soon reigning with Jesus in the new earth.
JOEL H. GRANDY.
Milton, May 10th 1857.