p. 88 | Review and Herald, Vol. 33, No. 11. (3/9/1869)

Earlier text: THOUGHTS ON THE BOOK OF DANIEL

W. COTTRELL

By W. Cottrell

From Bro. Cottrell.

BRO. SMITH: Two evenings since, I went to listen to a minister of the M. E. church, on the second advent of Christ. Text, Acts i, 11. The main question upon which he dwelt was, When will Christ come? Ans., “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of Heaven, but my Father only.” Matt. xxiv, 36. He emphasized considerably, “No man knoweth;” he forgot to tell us that the true rendering of the text that I have quoted above, would be, No man maketh known, neither the angels of Heaven, but my Father only.” That was, I believe, the only passage of Scripture that he used to disprove the idea of men's knowing anything in reference to the coming of Christ. He forgot to tell us that Jesus says, in the same discourse, verses 32–34, “Now learn a parable of the fig-tree: When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh; so likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.”

Here it is expressly stated by the blessed Saviour that when the signs in the sun, moon, and stars, shall take place, we shall know that his coming is near, even at the doors. And the generation that witnesses the last of these signs shall not pass until the Son of Man come.

God warned the old world, through Noah, and our Heavenly Father always has given the necessary notice to all people of coming danger. It is a noticeable fact, that God has always given warning to the generation that was in danger. See Luke xvii, 26–30. Matt. xxiv, 37–39. God designed that man should be left without excuse. Rom. i, 20. Why the oft-repeated admonition to watch, unless we know when to watch?

There are those that will be looking for Jesus when he does come. See Heb. ix, 28: “And unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” The day of the Lord will come as a thief, says the objector; but on whom will it come as a thief? On them that are in darkness. “But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.” I Thess. v, 1–9. But the minister said, “We don’t know anything about when he will come. He may come to-night, or he may come in a week, or a month, or a year, or a century, or he may not come for a thousand years; we don’t know anything about it. ‘You old people remember,’ said he, ‘a few years ago, when this country was flooded with Millerism, how the people put on their white robes and climbed up to the tops of trees to see Christ come,’ &c. It so happened that I had one of those tracts, ‘Ascension Robes,’ which I sent to him, and it produced quite a sensation. The truth is not in danger from such attacks. May the Lord help us to watch, and be ready to meet him, and stand at last with the remnant upon Mt. Zion.

Yours in hope of a blessed immortality,

W. COTTRELL

Green Co., Ohio.

The Review and Final Preparation

By Bro. H. Howe

BRO. H. HOWE writes from Genesee, N. Y.: I value and prize the REVIEW as I view the contrast between it and other religious periodicals of the day. To me, it is no wonder that the professed Christian world are asleep in the times in which we are living, under the sound of the peace-and-safety cry from the pulpit and the press. But here we have something to arouse us to action, something pointed and instructive, in view of the trying scenes just before us, and the preparation needful to meet them and finally stand before the throne of God without fault.

The word of God, the Testimonies for the Church, which I believe God has given to his remnant church in mercy, and the REVIEW, I shall try to study faithfully while my probationary state continues. I want eternal life, and if I heed the teachings of these, I may soon share with God's people in their final victory.

A Confession.

By H. G. Washburn

It is with feelings of great unworthiness, and from a sense of duty which I have long felt, that I now attempt to confess to the church and the world my errors in the past. And I desire that they be permitted a place in the REVIEW.

It is a number of years since I embraced the truths of the third angel's message, as far as I understood them; but my life has come very far short of corresponding with my profession. Soon the tempter came in in mighty power, and I have to confess that I fell into his snare, and have been led captive by him at his will, until I have departed far from God, and grieved his Holy Spirit, and brought a reproach upon his cause, which I do most sincerely and deeply regret; and for which I earnestly pray my heavenly Father to forgive me. I feel truly unworthy of the least favor; but I want eternal life, if it is for me.

To those who have labored here, and any who have in any way been injured by any thing which I have done to bring a reproach upon the cause, or that I may in any way have injured, I would say, I humbly ask your forgiveness. And I desire the prayers of God's people, that I may find grace and strength to sustain me until I am thoroughly purged from every sin, and can reflect the image of Jesus.

Waterloo, Iowa. H. G. WASHBURN.

THIRZA M. FOSTER

By Thirza M. Foster

From Sr. Foster.

BRO. SMITH: It may be a satisfaction to some to hear from the church at Hundred Mile Grove, Wis. Our Quarterly Meeting was held according to appointment, Jan. 23 and 24. The church was well represented. Brethren who came from a distance, gave in soul-stirring testimonies which told loudly their love for the truth. Sabbath, we had a prayer and social meeting, and celebrated the ordinances. Nearly all seemed to feel the importance of heeding the faithful testimony to the Laodiceans. And when we determined to arouse, and lay hold of the work of overcoming in earnest, we enjoyed the blessing of the Lord.

Our social meeting on first-day was a profitable one. Bro. Jordon made some remarks upon Dan. ii, 31-45, to our edification and encouragement. And as he spoke concerning the fifth universal kingdom now soon to be set up, I felt to adopt the language of Bro. Sanborn, “Shall I be there? I must be there. By the grace of God I will be there.”

A number have lately commenced keeping the Sabbath around here who now meet with us. Others are investigating. Prejudice seems to be yielding with some, and we expect ere long more fruit will be made manifest. We feel encouraged, and would ask the brethren and sisters to thank God, making mention of us always in your prayers. Philemon iv.

Yours in hope of the coming kingdom.

THIRZA M. FOSTER

Vienna, Wis.

Gratitude for the Review

By O. S. Knight

SR. O. S. KNIGHT writes from Jamaica, Vt.: I write to express my gratitude to those who have so kindly sent me the REVIEW the past year. It has truly been a source of comfort and edification to me. As I have been much of the time deprived of the privilege of meeting with the people of God on the Sabbath, the sermons in the REVIEW have been my preacher, and the testimonies from the brethren and sisters, my conference meeting.

I feel very thankful that God has been so mindful of me as to teach me the way of life more perfectly. I feel to praise him for the light on the Sabbath question, and for the grace which he has given me thus far to try to keep it. I firmly believe the truths advocated by S. D. Adventists, and find my love for them growing stronger and stronger. I remember when I first commenced keeping the Sabbath, of hearing a dear brother tell how strongly attached he was to those with whom he was associated in Christian fellowship before he became an Adventist; but now said he “I love this people even better.” It seemed to me then that I could never love any people as I did my Methodist brethren and sisters. But I can now say that S. D. Adventists are even dearer to me; for I believe them to be a more self-denying, cross-bearing people; and I want to live so as to have a place with them, both now, and in the earth made new.

Awake from Thy Sadness

By Sr. C. Hemenway

Sr. C. Hemenway writes from Vermont: I am willing to bear the scoffs and frowns of the world if I can have the favor of God. I must be purged from all iniquity. I must be clothed upon with the whole armor of righteousness. I feel somewhat the importance of watching, yet I am sensible I am not so fully awake as is demanded by the importance of this hour when the enemy has so much power. Sometimes I feel a discouragement almost insurmountable; and anon seem to hear a still small voice from a higher Power, saying,

“Daughter of Zion, awake from thy sadness! Awake! for thy foes shall oppress thee no more.”

I would consider Him who hath endured so much for me, lest I be weary and faint in my mind.

A Happy Sabbath Gathering

By Sr. F. C. Reynolds

SR. F. C. REYNOLDS writes from Wyoming Co., N. Y.: My husband and sister are now both Sabbath-keepers, and each recurring Sabbath we have a happy little gathering, encouraged and strengthened by the council and earnest support of Bro. and Sr. Dibble. And at our little Sabbath meetings, though so few in number, we feel the Lord is with and blesses us.

A Word to Parents.

By Sel.

PARENTS: How are you bringing up your children? Do you train them up to spend their evenings at home, or do you allow them on the street, frequenting stores, liquor saloons, where they learn the habits of the infidel? Parents, think of the boys who were your schoolmates, and follow them through life! Do you see any difference between those who were in the habit of spending their evenings at home and those who spent them out, and often not at home until near midnight? If you wish your children to be a blessing both to you and themselves, do not allow them to associate with children that will lead them into bad habits.

Keep your reading table well supplied with books suitable for them to read, that they may find home more attractive than the street or tavern. How many can look over the past and say, If our parents had been more strict with us, we should have been far different from what we now are. Let parents bring up their children in the way that will make them a blessing to them in their old age, and how thankful will their children be when they become of suitable age to see the danger, but for strict discipline in their youth. Let parents set such examples as they wish their children to imitate.—Sel.

Poor Without Money, Poorer With Only Money

A WISE man has said, “Though a man without money is poor, a man with nothing but money is still poorer.”

Faith in the Unseen World

FAITH which “looks not at the things that are seen, but at the things that are not seen,” is a rational thing. It rests squarely on reason. And therefore we need not be ashamed to give utterance to our assurance, and hope that beyond this world of perpetual change, this world of disappointed hopes, this world of empty show, there is a world where the pure, the just, the good shall live forever in stable grandeur and eternal youth.

STRIVING FOR A CONTENTED MIND.—

What a beautiful example for all of us is the resolution of the old lady, who, from a crabbed and anxious body, became quite the opposite. When asked what had induced the change, she replied: “To tell you the truth, I have been all my life striving for a contented mind, and have finally concluded to sit down contented without it.”

RECEIPTS.

For Review and Herald.

Annexed to each receipt in the following list, is the Volume and Number of the Review & Herald to which the money received pays,—which should correspond with the Numbers on the Posters. If money for the paper is not in due time acknowledged immediate notice of the omission should then be given.

$1.00 each. A Hoenes 35-11, W McNitt 33-13, Silas Geer 35-11, J A Spencer 35-11, B Spencer 35-11, A Spencer 35-11, S A Nichols 35-11, C M Dibble 35-11, S Nelson 35-11, C Williams 35-11, J W Sheldon 35-11, M A Murphy 35-11, J Whicher 34-11, J Lindsay 34-11, L Strickland 34-11, H Rounmaker 34-11, F Ramsey 33-18, H W George 34-1.

$2.00 each. W A Towle 35-1, P Potter 35-3, E E Hough 33-1, W Edgar 35-1, B Haskell 34-17, L G King 34-9, L P Miller 34-1, T E Morey 35-1, W J Patterson 34-1, O Stevens 35-1, G B Goff 35-1, T M Whitney 35-16, H J Bedford 35-1, G W Mitchell 35-1, R L Simpson 35-7, M A Dayton 35-17, C Davis 36-4, D Baker 36-1, J I Churchill 35-2, G H Webb 35-11, M A Johnston 35-1, L Lindsay 35-6, C Stoddard 35-1, L A Marsh 34-1, Calvin Prince 35-1, E Smith 35-1, E H Adams 35-8, J Gregory 35-1, J C Tyrrell 35-1, F Gould 35-1.

Miscellaneous. A N DeGraw $2.50 34-1, J I Murray 2.10 34-20, W S Ashley 1.50 33-9, E S Elder 2.70 33-11, E Kirkhead 1.40 34-15, Mrs N Caldwell 2.25 34-1, W R Aldrich 1.75 34-1, Wm Flench 5.00 32-1, J V Mark 1.50 35-11.

Advertising 80c.

Books Sent by Mail.

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General Conference Missionary Fund.

Lydia Locke $5.00, G W Mitchell 3.00, J Parmelee 1.00, J M Ferguson & wife 25.00, Church at Curtis Corners, R. I., 30.00, Church at Green Hill 14.00, Church at Ashaway 15.00.

Michigan Conference Fund.

Church at Salem Center, Ind., $13.00, Church at Edenville 40.80, Church at Orleans 41.00.

For California Mission.

Sarah Bowers $5.00, F Gould 2.00.

Receipts for Benevolent Fund.

B N Berry $5.00, H S Woolsey 10.00.

Cash Received on Account.

John Leland 30c, H F Phelps 25c, J C Smith $1.00.

BUSINESS AND PERSONAL.

A limited space will be given under this head for Business Notices from the brethren, at 20 cents per line for each insertion. Parties must give good reference as to their standing and responsibility.

WANTED.—A young man, who understands farm work, wants a place among S. D. Adventists to work by the month through the season. Prefers a place in Ill. or Wis. Address JOSEPH G. WOOD, Monroe, Green Co., Wis.

WANTED.—A Seventh-day Adventist to work on a farm. Address CHAS. DAVIS, Woodstock, Me.

Appointments.

And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of Heaven is at hand.

The next Quarterly Meeting of the church at Gridley, Ill., will be at the Gregory school-house, March 27 and 28. Cannot Bro. Blanchard attend. Wm. H. SLOAN.

Providence permitting, I will meet with the churches in Iowa as follows: Knoxville, March 20 and 21; Sandyville, March 27 and 28. I would be glad to meet all the scattered brethren who feel interested enough to come to these meetings. GEO. I. BUTLER.

The next Monthly Meeting of the Marion, Lisbon, and Anamosa churches will be held at Anamosa, Iowa, March 27 and 28. Wm. V. FIELD.

Providence permitting, we will meet with the church in Knoxville, Sabbath and first-day, March 27 and 28. URIAH SMITH, WM. C. GAGE.

To Delinquents.

By James White

Dear friends, what reason have you for neglecting so plain and important a duty, as paying for the REVIEW AND HERALD, the Youth’s Instructor, and the Health Reformer, according to the stated terms “in advance.” “In advance,” friends, does not mean at the close of the year, or at the end of two or three years. It simply means “in advance;” that is, at the very commencement of the year. The Association has not the capital to furnish you these papers a whole year before receiving pay for them. If you wait till the close of the year before paying for these papers, you cripple the Association in its effort to spread abroad the truth of God. It is necessary, dear friends, that you should comply with the terms of these papers, and fulfill the contract on your part, and pay for them “in advance.” Here are sufficient reasons why you should promptly pay for these papers “in advance.”

Again we ask, What reasons have you for neglecting to pay for these worthy papers in advance? Are you too poor to raise these small sums? Then do report yourselves, and be put on the free lists. If you are able to pay, then your negligence in this matter is wrong. God holds you accountable in this matter; and you will be called to answer respecting it.

Great efforts are now being made by those who have charge of the publishing department, to push the work forward. Ten thousand dollars are wanted to publish the new hymn book, the second edition of the History of the Sabbath, the several volumes of Spiritual Gifts, an edition of the Apocrypha, second edition of Second Advent Keepsake, and a half million of pages of our smaller works and tracts. But unless you delinquents pay up, this work must be crippled.

Now let us hear from you immediately. Extreme forbearance has been exercised toward you; and you have taken advantage of even this, and grown still more negligent. Please turn to your name printed on this very paper you are reading, and see how your account stands. And if you are behind in point of pay, do not rest till you have paid up the past, and, if possible, pay as far in the future as this number finds you in arrears. Do the same with the Reformer and Instructor.

There is no want of effort to make these papers what they should be. You who are benefited with these valuable periodicals, do think of the toiling printer and editor, anxiously laboring to meet your intellectual and spiritual wants. We are toiling with our might to make the publishing department more efficient, and claim the co-operation of every patron. Friends, simply pay up. This is the plain English of your duty to the Association. Pay up. Pay in advance.

We send you in connection with your name on the REVIEW each week, a statement in figures how your account stands. Do look at it, and pay up. Be in earnest. Redeem the past. Pay in advance. Pay up for these three valuable periodicals. Pay up, and have a clear conscience, and help us push the good work forward. May this ring in your ears till you have done your duty: Pay up. JAMES WHITE.

Question.

WOULD it be in keeping with the fourth commandment to read secular papers or study school books on the Sabbath?

ANSWER. There may be matter in secular papers proper to read on the Sabbath; but secular reading and studying of school books, we should not consider in keeping with a proper observance of the Sabbath. An enlightened judgment and a good conscience will prove a correct guide in this matter.

An Unsettled Question

WM. PEPPER: The question you ask has caused a great deal of discussion; and it is not settled yet.

The Health Reformer.

By James White

This journal, during the first two years of its existence, was not what it might have been, for the want of time to devote to it, on the part of its managers. At the commencement of the current volume, a committee of twelve was appointed by the Directors of the Health Institute, who were to bear the responsibility of conducting the Reformer. They selected one of their number, Wm. C. Gage of the REVIEW OFFICE, to edit this journal, promising their co-operation. But most of the committee have been fully occupied with other duties, and as it has been apparent that Bro. Gage has been able, with the valuable contributions of Dr. Trall, and others, to make the Reformer both instructive and interesting, the responsibility of the Reformer has been left almost entirely to him.

We are glad to see this valuable journal rising in interest, and extending its circulation and usefulness. Success to the Health Reformer. Of it Eld. Miles Grant, editor of the World's Crisis, Boston, says:

“The Health Reformer for February is at hand. As usual, it is filled with good things, that everybody should read. One has very properly called it ‘The Life Preserver.’ It is a superior paper of its kind, and should be in every family. It is published monthly, at the low price of $1.00 per year. We recommend it to our readers, as worthy of their patronage.”

JAMES WHITE.

Mrs. W. Resumes Her Labors

By James White

Mrs. W. is so far improved in health by a few days' rest as to be able to speak to the congregation at Battle Creek, last Sabbath afternoon, with her usual strength, for about an hour and a half. And to-day she resumes her writing. The labors of our western and eastern tours were such as to demand entire rest for a while. But continuing labor in Allegan county, and writing a testimony which made 46 pages of printed matter for the brethren in said county, in 16 hours, she was suddenly prostrated, and we were compelled to disappoint the people at North Liberty, Ind., and Ransom Center, Mich. As for the future, we shall study duty. JAMES WHITE.

The Sufferings of Christ

By James White

We have just published 6,000 copies of a sixteen-page tract, entitled, The Sufferings of Christ. Price, at the Office, $1.00 per hundred; if sent by mail, post paid, $1.50 per hundred. JAMES WHITE.

Christ’s Answer Respecting Tribute.

By John Nevins Andrews

DR. LARDNER in his Credibility of the Gospel History, Vol. 1, p. 107, quotes from Dr. Lightfoot the following statement:

“Christ answers the treachery of the question propounded [upon the tribute money] out of the very determinations of the schools, where this was taught: ‘Whereesoever the money of any king is current there the inhabitants acknowledge that king for their lord.’”

Thus it appears that our Lord answered the crafty men who sought to ensnare him, by giving them in substance the decision of their own doctors on this point. They sought to involve him in difficulty with his own nation if he, the promised Messiah, bade them to pay tribute; and they would at once have delivered him to the governor had he said No. His answer caused them to retire in confusion. J. N. A.

Returning to God

ADAM ran from God; believers are traveling back to him.

Business Department.

By Editor

Not Slothful in Business. Rom. xii, 11.

Business Notes.

WHO IS IT?—Some one writes, “Please change my paper from Pine Island, Goodhue Co., Minn., to Mantorville, Dodge Co., Minn.” Not knowing who “My” is, nor what “paper” is to be changed, we are unable to comply with their request.

The Marriage of the Lamb

R. CAVINESS: As we view it, the marriage of the Lamb takes place when he receives the kingdom, just at the time when he finishes his work as priest. Then the work of salvation is closed up; the lukewarm Laodiceans are spued out; the guests who are found without a wedding garment, are cast into outer darkness; the line of separation is drawn between the righteous and the wicked; probation is closed; the righteous are sealed; and the filthy are to remain so still.

In Gal. iv, 24, 25, the two women, Sarah and Agar, are taken as representatives of the two covenants, Agar representing the old covenant, with its earthly Jerusalem, and Sarah the new covenant, with its heavenly Jerusalem.