Earlier text: LANGUAGE CONFOUNDEDGOING TO THE FOUNTAIN HEAD.
By J. Clarke.
In seasons of greatest difficulty, when human aid seemed at the farthest remove, when the help of man was apparently futile, at such times the people of God have forsaken every earthly resource, and have applied to God as the only stay and support of his children; and at such seasons, God has graciously answered his praying Israel, and has seemingly taken just such opportunities, to manifest his wondrous power. The history of ancient Israel abundantly shows that God has ever been ready to manifest his power in delivering them (when they called upon him in faith) from the most imminent peril, and the history of nations confirm the same fact; and often when nations have been in the greatest danger from internal or external causes, then was the very opportunity for God to display his power, in answer to the cry of his chosen people. Just so in the life of individuals, when the sky seemed most heavy and lowering, and sullen despair had almost settled upon the heart, then, when hope had almost fled, at that critical moment, the poor soul has bethought herself of God, and raising her eyes to Jesus, involuntarily cried out, "Oh that I had wings like a dove, then would I flee away and be at rest;" then while looking away from earth, away from the arm of flesh to the good Shepherd, found solid bliss, being led by him among the green pastures, by the still waters. He who would drink of the cool waters of the gushing spring, seeks them not afar from their source, after they have wandered by a circuitous channel, beneath the burning sun, until they are tepid and unfit for use, but with labor and perseverance, he seeks the fountain-head, where the cool sparkling water issues from the rock. So the Christian who depends upon human aid for spiritual refreshment, gets his help mixed with weakness and imperfection, and perhaps with error, or other impurities, while his inmost life is dying for the pure, the holy influence of the Spirit, fresh from the most holy place, where Jesus pleads, and he sinks in lukewarm formality, while Satan weaves fatal nets to entrap his unwary feet. Not so the struggling, praying one, who looks upon human aid only as a means, a spur to action. Early and late he repairs to the fountain-head, no matter if hill and valley and mountain intervene; to the fountain he will go, however difficult the way; and then when the labor is overcome, how sweet the waters of life! how wholesome, how invigorating! How they clear the sight, and sharpen the spiritual senses! Now he has ears to hear, eyes to see, a heart to feel, and his taste is corrected; for these waters when first bursting from the rock, have a miraculous power to renovate the man, and restore the health. Christianity has been diluted, corrupted, almost annihilated. The saints have been worn out, for a time, times and the dividing of time, (1260 years of papal rule) and are troubled with all sorts of diseases, and many of these maladies are of the chronic form, and all of them incurable by any human aid. None but the waters of the fountain can eradicate these diseases and restore the health of the soul. Vain is the help of man, vain all the worn out forms of the worn out saints, worn out doctrines, threadbare errors; vain all sectarian zeal for party, and church. Old bottles will not do for new wine, neither will old garments bear new cloth for repair; and the third angel's message cannot be planted upon any of these antiquated, worn out foundations. It stands, a monument of Jehovah's power, forbearance and love to a lost world, and his providence will soon dispel the clouds which hide its beauty. It will shine out more and more brilliantly, as time unfolds his wondrous plan, and every honest soul will stand firmly upon the topmost stone of truth and there view Jehovah's wonderful wisdom, justice and mercy, as he sounds the knell of departed time. There too, in such solemn mood as man has never before known, will they view the funeral of earth. Oh fellow pilgrim, would you see the grandeur, the sublimity of the scene now just begun, and passing before you; would you stand with all the saints upon the foundation Jehovah has laid, when all other foundations shall rock and quake and shiver in the general109 din of the execution of the judgment; would you see the certainty of these things and with telescopic eye pierce the future, by the books of prophecy; would you know the hidden meaning of the Scripture, "understand a proverb and the interpretation," the words of the wise and their dark sayings; would you fully comprehend that which "the wise shall understand;" would you know what besetments and sins dim your eye, so that your vision is beclouded; would you understand what disease enfeebles your spiritual frame, and unfits you to see, or hear, or taste, or feel; would you understand what blunts your moral sensibilities, and warps your judgment; or would you even see your need of all things, the fine gold, the white raiment, the eye-salve? Haste then to the fountain. Its waters are medicinal; they open the eyes, the ears, the heart. Wonderful, miraculous are they, when pure from the fountain. Drink freely, and often. The Rock is at your door, near at hand. Be not afraid of surfeit. In season and out of season, they are always new, they will heal all your diseases. TWO DYING CALLS FOR HELP.
In view of the fast whitening harvest fields and the increasing Macedonian cries that are coming up from almost every quarter, how apparent is the necessity of all the efforts being put forth that can be, towards supplying the wants of the cause. How necessary that all should be in the field, who can go forth with the confidence of their brethren. How necessary that the church raise more fervent petitions to the Lord of the harvest in behalf of the wants of the vineyard! But before they can consistently do this, how necessary that they see to it that those who are capable of bearing the vessels of the Lord, be not cumbered with the service of tables, but be free to go forth unembarrassed in temporal things, on their solemn and important mission. Are there any who are hindered from going forth in the ministry of the word, by the wants of their families? Where rests the responsibility of such a state of things? May they feel it who should. And may the church speedily prepare the way for a consistent increase of help from the Lord of the harvest, by an appreciation of what they already have, or may make use of if they will. We make these remarks in view of such heart-stirring appeals as the following from Sr. Tilden of Appleton, Outagamie Co., Wis. Who, in whose heart there yet beams a spark of interest for the cause of truth, can read it and not be moved. She writes as follows: "Bro. Smith: How shall I sufficiently thank you under God for the Review and Instructor? I have kept my promise to get others to read them. There are many who love to read them. One dear sister, a Methodist, reads the Review, and says it is next to the Bible. She says it advocates truth, gospel truth. She says 'Do send some faithful brother that we may have the truth preached to us.' I truly join with her in this request. She has lived long in Appleton, and says the people stand waiting to hear sound preaching that is founded upon God's word. "I have felt it my duty for a long time to ask for some faithful brother to come here. I believe if the people in A. could hear the truth, many of them would embrace it. "Since I wrote you, many have been my cares and trials. I am looking for such, and feel many times to bless God for them. I have had the care of a sick sister for five months. She was truly the salt of the earth. She embraced the Saviour when eight years old; and when she died she was thirty-seven. Those who knew her best, said she was the most faithful Christian they ever knew; and those who visited her in her last sickness, even ministers said they could learn of her. She spoke to me, and said she had nothing to regret but that she had not studied the Bible more. She gave me a double charge to read God's holy word more. Drop your work, said she, and read it, if it is but one word at a time. I asked her if she had any request to make. 'Yes,' she said, 'write to Bro. Smith to send a faithful servant of God to preach to the people of Appleton. They stand waiting for the truth.' This was also my departed husband's request: to write you. My house is large enough to hold meetings in. It is my heart's desire to God that some brother may come this way." NOTE FROM BRO. COTTRELL.
By Roswell F. Cottrell
BRO. SMITH: "It seems evident that the Lord is opening the way for the last message to accomplish its work. The Lord is preparing the hearts of honest souls for the reception of the truth. And as I find an increasing desire to hear, I feel a strong desire to be faithful in striving to preach the truth to those that have ears to hear. There is a goodly number in the place where I now am, that are interested to learn the truth, and they declare their determination to follow wherever the truth of the word of the Lord shall lead. I have preached seven times in the place; and I cannot doubt that there will soon be a little church of Sabbath-keepers raised up here. North Greece, Monroe Co., N. Y. NOTE FROM BRO. BYINGTON.
By John Byington
DEAR BRO. SMITH: It is written: "Paul planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase." Brethren that have broken the ground and planted or sown the seed of present truth in different places that they cannot well visit often, are glad to hear how the work is prospering. I spent last Sabbath in Convis, where Bro. Frisbie and others labored hard last winter. The meeting on the Sabbath was at sister Scott's. About twenty were present, and all felt that it was best to go forward. Sister Clarke who received the truth at the Marshall tent-meeting, spoke with a feeling heart. On first-day held meeting at the Junction School-house in that town. There was a good congregation for that place, and the best attention. It did me good to talk on present truth, and I thought there was an ear to hear. The husband of sister Smith of that place said to me as I left the school-house, that he should not break the Sabbath of the Lord any more. May he with his companion keep in letter and spirit all of God's commandments and the faith of Jesus, and be numbered with those who have no guile in their mouth, and are without fault before the throne of God. I left for this place yesterday. Expect to spend the Sabbath at Centerville. Staid with Bro. Webber last night. They were called away in the evening to see a very sick brother of sister W.'s. How uncertain is life! It is but a little longer that we can do for our friends. CONSECRATION. NO. 4.--DRESS.
By M. R. S.
PAUL says, [2 Cor. iii, 2], “Ye are our epistles written in our hearts, known and read of all men.” Let me ask, Can all men (including those who, being strangers to us, are not qualified to read the Spirit of Jesus in our character)—can all know us to be the followers of Jesus, unless they see us to be such from outward tokens in our dress and appearance? Do not think this a subject of minor importance. Anything sufficiently important for inspiration to notice, surely is of consequence enough for us to heed. But aside from the Bible, what would reason dictate respecting our dress? Remember God’s children are away from home, seeking an inheritance in a city that is out of sight, and while they journey on, meeting with obstacles in almost every form, do they well to adorn their persons that they may look pleasing and attractive to the world who are looking on? Would not unbelievers be apt to conclude from seeing professors take a course like this, that the truth lacked consistency, or that the human heart is so prone to evil that it is almost impossible to live in continual obedience to its divine teachings? In such a case, how weak is our influence over them to lead them to Jesus. Alas! how many wounds our suffering Saviour and his holy religion receive in the house of his friends, (so-called). Could we but realize that every deviation from the straight line of right bears with it a train of effects on eternal interests, how guarded would we be. Lord, enable us to “anoint our eyes with eye-salve that we may see.” God has laid down in his word principles which are sufficient to govern us perfectly. The holy scriptures are able to make a man “perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” Then they must extend into every department of life, and furnish a perfect guard and guide to our influence, if obeyed. We may therefore expect to find in the Bible something relative to the subject before us. Does it allow a compromise with the world, a conformity to part of their ways that they may conform to God in the remainder? Let us look at the example of Jesus. He set a perfect Christian pattern. Do we anywhere read that Jesus conformed to the fashions of his age, and chose a style of dress that might win others into the narrow path? Did he descend as low as to bring the standard of piety down to a level with the tastes of the carnal mind? Never! His Spirit has given explicit directions concerning our dress. See 1 Tim. ii: “I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath or doubting. In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broidered (margin, plaited, i. e., widely braided,) hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; but (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.” Also, 1 Pet. iii: “Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God adorned themselves.” And shall the women of God who soon expect translation be less conformed to the divine will than those holy women of old were? Would not the spirit of this requirement exclude from our dress all superfluities, while we would show to the world that we really feel the worth of time we call as short? We may excuse ourselves by saying it can be no harm to wear needless articles if we do not love or think of them while wearing them. But every one knows we love them well enough to put them on, and must have spent some precious moments in thinking of them, besides the time and means wasted in purchasing and preparing them. Brethren and sisters, there is no sin too small for us to forsake, and some of these little things may, without our knowledge, have the firmest hold of our hearts. Another objection has been urged to the above commandment. God has created many things expressly to adorn the earth; he has made this world beautiful, and may we not follow his example in making ourselves appear as lovely as possible? Dear friend, our Father knows our fallen nature. He realizes full well our love of the approval of others, and sees how easily we become self-exalted, and knowing our only place of safety is low at the foot of the cross, his tenderness comes in and denies what otherwise might prove our ruin. Praise that blessed One: “All his commandments are faithful.” Far better were it for us to shun temptation than needlessly enter combat with the tempter. Remember the Devil himself was ruined by pride, [1 Tim. iii, 6,] and if pride could creep into the heart of an angel of light, and cause such a fearful fall, how much more easily could we be ruined by its dreadful influences. I have thought that every human being was beset by this demon in human form, by pride of intellect, of wealth, of appearance or by some other form. Now “pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall”—i. e., if cherished. Oh do let us endeavor to humble ourselves, asking grace of God to help us in the work, instead of cherishing our pride or making no special effort to overcome it, while at the same time we ask the Lord to humble us. God humbles by judgments. O it seems to me that pride is one of the most offensive things to the Lord we could be guilty of harboring. Will we not endeavor to give it up? And concerning the subject we have been considering, will we not consent to follow the teachings of the apostle, and wear a dress at all times of which every article can truly be called useful, a dress of which God can approve? And what is the approval of the world to us? What is earthly honor? It is like the glitter of frost-work, that freezes the tender leaves of piety, and passing, leaves them blackened and withered. Dear Lord, deliver us from the delusive song of worldly ambition and honor. But it may be you have dressed to please some friend, a parent, husband or wife, whom you feel bound to honor. Did you never think you could really honor no one while doing wrong? It is only in doing right that we honor or are an honor to any one. But were it otherwise, who claims, and is worthy of our first affections and service? Whose are we by right of creation, preservation and redemption? If this being be an earthly friend, then we do right to regard his wishes before and contrary to all others; but if we be the Lord’s, then let his commands stand paramount to every thing else. Again, do we hope to win a dear friend or companion to keeping the commandments of God? Could we do so while we break them, in regarding that friend’s wishes, and even cause him to transgress sometimes by dressing in a way to please him, and thus in a manner setting ourselves up to be idolized? God forbid that a conscientious soul should so read his duty, as to think he ought to transgress the plainly-stated requirements of the word, in order to keep the favor of some near earthly friend, with a hope thereby to lead him eventually to Christ. Let us get ourselves away in every sense from between the Lord and every human heart, and cause no one to break the first commandment. Do let us take a decided, uncompromising position on the side of truth and the whole truth; let us suffer nothing to draw us from the least point of God’s will, as far as we understand it; then what influence we have, will be felt for truth, for holiness, while a wavering or half-hearted work could accomplish very little for our Redeemer. And now do you decide to let your only adorning be that of a meek and quiet spirit, “which is in the sight of God of great price?” How much better to have something about us truly valuable to Him who knows how to value things aright, than a finery worse than worthless. Let us, having concluded to lay off the portion of our dress that the Bible condemns, to avoid needless temptation and struggle, put such articles as much as possible out of our possession. We shall have enough to contend with without subjecting ourselves to needless trials. Before leaving this subject I would simply say that I hope no one will think I approve of a slovenly dress. God is a being of order, and he most certainly requires order and neatness in us, our persons, dress and dwellings. Let us while endeavoring to cleanse ourselves from the pollution of sin, remember physical uncleanness, and strive to cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit. We must be pure. Do let us keep our persons, dress and houses clean and pure, spending just the time necessary to secure this object, and no more. Says Paul, [1 Cor. iii, 16, 17,] “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” I hope my dear brethren and sisters will bear with me. I do desire that we may become patterns of piety in all things, and live before the world as Paul did, “blameless.” I HAVE been thinking of Jesus, that noble visitor to our earth, from the distant realms where the great Jehovah reigns. I have been thinking of his object in visiting this planet, and of his conduct while he remained here; of his noble bearing while in the presence of Pilate; his composed and cheerful aspect when two kings with their minions did all in their power to cast abuse and ignominy upon him; and I ask myself, Do I realize the why and the wherefore? Can I appreciate such condescension, such infinite love? Did the Son of God leave the bright regions of light to visit this base sinful world? Did he assume our nature, and humble himself to the low sphere of humanity? Did he suffer, and labor, and die here, thus, as is described? Was it reality? The Son of God? The Word? The Creator? Did he leave the bosom of the infinite Father? Did he leave all the joys of that beautiful home of angels, where God is worshiped in incomprehensible grandeur and purity, to dwell with unholy men, here to bear ignominious burdens, to perform servile labor, to be scorned and trodden upon, by layman and priest, by king and beggar? he who was beloved and honored of God, and revered by the dignitaries of heaven? Surely this was no idle tragedy, no fanciful exhibition, to consume time and entertain spectators! No! no! There are reasons for all this. The Son of God came to earth in person, to rescue his chosen ones, and to make a way for the annihilation of Satan and his lying train. All this will yet be fully accounted for. God will yet be magnified by the common sense of redeemed men, and holy angels, in all this. Yes it is reality. The story of Adam's race, from the fall of our first parents to the advent of Jesus, is familiar; and the account of Jesus' life and sufferings is true; no romance, no fiction. Jesus is a person. His first advent is reality. None can reasonably doubt such evidence as is furnished in proof of the truth of the holy Scriptures. Hume, and Voltaire, and Paine, and others of the last century, tried to invalidate the sacred writings; but the only harm done was to their dupes and themselves; for a host of learned men arose and furnished such proof of the truth of the Bible as was not before sought out, and such a superstructure of truths, such an army of facts was produced, that now the infidel can readily be put to the blush by any common reader. For eighteen hundred years the united powers of earth and hell have done their best to crush out the truth. Kings and popes have deluged the earth with the blood of the martyrs, their best and most innocent subjects. They have burned the Bible, and destroyed those who carried it in their memories, and outlawed the name of Jesus. But all in vain: the banner still waves on high in spite of wicked men and devils. Kings and popes, emperors and generals, ecclesiastical councils and infidel writers, have tried in vain to outlaw the Bible, or invalidate its truths. In vain they have deluged the earth with the blood of the good, the lovely, the truthful and the honest. In vain have they cast their darts at the fame of the lovely Jesus—he lives still, not only in person, in the far off regions, where angels dwell, but in the hearts of his people. Yes, this is reality. Jesus lives. His burdens will soon be laid aside. The great controversy between good and evil will soon close gloriously for God, for Christ and good angels, and redeemed men. The last battle is soon to be fought. Hark! Do we not hear the thunderings of the hosts, the note of war, the day of preparation?110 Glorious thought! 'Tis reality. Jesus lives, and all this time since Adam's fall, he has borne a heavy burden patiently. O what fortitude! what enduring love! all this time has he borne our burdens, has plead our cause. The Father too first formed the plan to save a remnant, and to put a final end to evil; and now the end approaches; it is at hand. Angels too have labored and sympathized in the work, and can we be lukewarm? "Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another." Bro. Smith: I thought while writing on business I would be glad to tell you some of my feelings as to the truth, and what the Lord has been doing for me. It seems to me that my union with God's people increases, while I try to heed the counsel of the faithful and true Witness. It seems to me the more fully we get the door of our hearts open and let the lovely Jesus in, the stronger will be our union with each other, and the deeper will be our interest in the work of the Lord. I am trying to have my interest fully with the cause of truth. I want no separate interest. I realize it is a solemn time, when God is weighing his people. I want day by day to exert an influence on the side of truth. It has seemed to me of late more than usual, that in whatever I undertake to do, I want to know that the Lord is with me. I want a deeper experience in the things of the Spirit of God. My love for the Review is not abating. I watch with interest the reports from week to week from those chosen to labor in word and doctrine, also the cheering epistles of brethren and sisters. Three weeks ago last Friday, Sabbath and first-day, the church in Lorraine and Elbsburgh were blessed with the labors of Brn. Sperry, Edson and Wheeler. I met with the church on Friday. I am satisfied the Lord heard prayer, and guided by his Spirit. Testimonies were borne which we needed as a church. The apostle says, "Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip." Heb. ii, 1. I fear we have not thought of this verse and applied it to ourselves as we ought. I was not with the church Sabbath and first-day, yet from what I learn, the Lord is blessing the efforts of those meetings. By my request the brethren met at my house the next Monday morning (which was the fourth of July). I had been afflicted with a lameness in one of my knees for thirteen weeks, and had walked but little without a crutch, or cane, or something of the kind. Most of the time I used a crutch and cane both. Although tempted to think that God would not hear prayer in my behalf, I yet felt that I wanted to trust in him, and see and feel of his salvation. Prayer was offered, the instruction in James v, followed, and the Lord heard and answered, praise his holy name. I felt that I could in the name of the Lord, lay aside my crutch and cane, and did so. In the afternoon I walked perhaps sixty rods, worked three or four hours and walked back again. The second morning I went to work at some corn I have, cultivating and hoeing. I was between one fourth and half a mile from my house. This distance I traveled four times that day. The Lord is still increasing my strength. The most of the time for three weeks past I have felt like praising the Lord. Dear Brethren and Sisters: I often feel it would be a relief to me, as well as a privilege, to speak out my feelings to the dear people of God. But I have such a sense of my ignorance and unworthiness, I have refrained from writing as often as I should if I felt capable of expressing my feelings, and for fear I may be thought too forward by writing so often. But what a privilege, dear brethren and sisters, we enjoy in speaking to each other through the Review. We can tell of our joys and our sorrows. Then we shall know when to weep with those that weep, and rejoice with those that rejoice. And if we enjoy much of the Spirit of our master, we can comfort, encourage, and strengthen each other in the narrow way. Oh how I wish that each member in the Advent church were filled with the life and power of godliness; that we all possessed in heart, and carried out in our lives, the true spirit of holiness. Dear brethren and sisters, is the line of distinction drawn as closely as it should be between us and the nominal churches? We make a much higher profession than they. God in mercy has given us light on his word; and through that light the standard has been raised high; and if we live up to it, there will be seen a very plain distinction between us and other churches; for they have become so conformed to the world that the majority, at least, cannot be known from the world. But we profess to be a peculiar people, separate from sinners; for if we are the people of God we must be separate from the world; and the truths we have embraced, if lived up to, will draw a line between us and them. They expect to see us far in advance of them in spirituality. Said a minister to me when I first came into the truth, "According to your views, you should enjoy much more religion than we, but I cannot see as you do." He knew but little, however, of the Adventists. I believe that as a people we have more truth and are living up to it nearer than any other people. I do not speak thus boastingly; for I do not feel like boasting; but I feel humbled and distressed on account of our lack of faith and spirituality. I was glad to see Bro. Hutchins speak out in regard to our measuring ourselves among ourselves. I have felt for sometime that we were becoming too much inclined to this. Oh let us beware. How many I have seen in the M. E. Church, to which I belonged before I became an Advent believer, that have fallen in this way. They looked up to those who professed high attainments in religion; for they thought it would be safe to follow them. But why should we do so? We have our true standard and pattern to go by. It will be safe to go by this. I fear we are not as dead to self and the world as we should be; if we were, we should not wish to conform to it in our dress, or gratify our appetite by indulging in that which is sinful and filthy. A desire to conform to the world if not restrained and driven out of our hearts, will soon drive out all our spirituality and we shall be left destitute of vitality. I know this is an individual work. For ourselves we stand or fail; but God will have a pure church, and his people will yet see eye to eye. I believe there will be a rallying to the standard soon. God will not permit us to remain half hearted and undecided long. The work is the Lord's and it must go forward. The 144,000 will be sealed. The loud cry will soon be heard and God will work with power in our midst. Dear brethren and sisters, if we are to go through with the remnant and enjoy the refreshing from the latter rain, we must get ready soon. There must be a spirit of sacrifice among us. We must be willing to part with right hands and with right eyes. The world, the flesh, and Satan, must be put under our feet. The wedges of gold and Babylonish garments must be brought forth, and the Achans must be destroyed. Oh let none stand in the way of the work of the Lord; but let us draw together and let purity and humility, meekness, faith, and love be our motto. Oh may the Lord by his grace help me to overcome that I may stand with the redeemed on mount Zion. A Call for Preaching in Leeds
By J. Chase
Bro. Smith: I have not written for a long time to inform the brethren of my whereabouts. I take this opportunity to say through the Review that I am living in the town of Leeds, Columbia Co., Wisconsin, on the road leading from Columbus to Leeds, about three miles west of Leeds's Corners. My P. O. Address is North Leeds. Should any of the brethren traveling east, west, north, or south happen this way, please make us a call, and we should be glad to see you. And if any111 of them would take a little pains to come we should be very glad. We have no meetings in this vicinity. The only preaching we have is the Review. I have not even seen an Adventist since I left Mauston one year ago last March. I have called on the lecturing brethren a number of times heretofore, while living in the vicinity of Columbus, to come and give us a course of lectures, but all to no purpose as yet. Now I will call again, hoping that some one either east or west will heed the call. Will some one come over and help us? There are some here that want to hear on the subject of present truth. Bro. Phelps or brother T. M. Stewart, cannot one of you come? or any other of the ministers of the gospel of the kingdom. If any one will come soon, please inform us through the Review, or by private letter. I am alone in this place and have almost forgotten that I have been purged from my old sins. We live about three fourths of a mile from a good school-house that I think we can obtain to hold meetings in, if any of the brethren should come here to labor. WHEN THE SON OF MAN COMETH, SHALL HE FIND FAITH ON THE EARTH?
We are waiting for thee in thy kingdom to come,
To gather the exiles that long for their home.
In the wilderness, scattered, down trodden, oppressed,
With hope long deferred, we are sighing for rest. O come, for the weary are looking for thee;
The captive is mourning in chains to be free;
The grief of our burden no stranger shall share,
And the call of the pris'ner is dark with despair. Thy poor and afflicted, thy suffering and tried,
Still deep in the furnace, unransomed, abide;
While want and disease and oppression is here;
And the wail of the dying is smothered in fear. With the weight of the curse, and transgression, and wrong,
Creation now groans, and her travail is long,
Till her agonized bosom uncovers her slain,
And thy hand shall restore her unspotted again. Day and night shall the cry of the desolate rise
In the ear of the Highest, who will not despise—
Till Jesus, our king in his kingdom shall come,
And his will on the earth, as in heaven, be done.
—[C. S. M. Bro. B. McCormic of Sumner, Wis., gives us his experience in gaining a victory over tobacco as follows: "I have been firm in the truth, and the cause has seemed to lay near my heart; but still there has been a hateful idol that I have not been able, till of late to get rid of; viz., the use of tobacco. I quit chewing and tried smoking for the purpose of weaning myself from it by degrees; but I soon found I could accomplish nothing in this way. At length I determined to exercise a little manly principle, with Christian fortitude, and abandon it at once. I conclude that at the present day and age of the world professors of religion who will spend money for tobacco and persist in the injurious use of the same can hardly expect to enter into the kingdom of God. I do not feel disposed to sell my interest in the kingdom so cheap. It would be more than Esau's selling his birthright for a mess of pottage. Let us take the exhortation of the apostle, and shun every appearance of evil." Faith Amid Trials and Isolation
By Fanny Freeman
Bro. Smith: We love to read the Review, situated as we are, alone in the present truth. We feel sometimes like one of old, that we dwell in a dry and thirsty land where no water is. We have not seen any of the messengers since Brn. Loughborough, Hart and Everts preached at Dodgeville. We have thought that perhaps Brn. Ingraham and Sanborn might be directed this way. We wished to attend the tent meeting west of Monroe, but were disappointed. Many are the trials we have experienced through the past winter. Not being able to meet our payments we were obliged to let our land go. We are now living in Arena, west of the depot, and should any of the brethren and sisters pass by on the cars, will they please call and see us. We have felt under every dispensation of God's providence to look to him to guide and lead us, and feel now to say, The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? Yet often when meditating on the straight gate and narrow way, I feel that unless I am more diligent, have more grace, more of that faith that works by love and purifies the heart, I shall be one that hath said Lord, Lord, in vain. I need your prayers brethren and sisters, that while surrounded by the gay and thoughtless, I may be one that shall be living soberly, righteously and godly in this present evil world, looking for and hastening unto the appearing of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; that my eyes may be turned from vanity to behold wondrous things from the law of the Lord. When reading the cheering letters in the Review from sisters who show much stability of mind in regard to dress and fashion, I have felt that I needed my strength renewed, to come up to the point to which they have attained. When I consider the beauty of Christ's church when they will stand forth clear as the sun, fair as the moon, and terrible as an army with banners, I cannot bear the thought that my name should be left out. I desire that my mind should be deeply impressed with a sense of the near coming of the Lord. May the Lord speed on the message and send forth his light and his truth; may his priests be clothed with salvation, and his saints shout aloud for joy. And when the refreshing time comes, may I be one of the number that shall be ready to receive it. Your unworthy sister in Christ. DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS SCATTERED ABROAD:
By Betsey E. Place
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS SCATTERED ABROAD:
I often look on receiving the Review, anxiously, to see if there is not a communication among other cheering epistles from those dear brethren west that brought the third angel's message to us, and were faithful to us after we received it, and for those faithful labors I ever feel to thank God. As I have looked in vain for a long time, it comes home with weight to my mind, What do ye more than others? Perhaps they have been expecting to hear from us. I still stand as a witness for God and the truth. I am still striving to overcome, and the Lord does help me. I have many sore conflicts, but the Lord strengthens me from time to time to bear them, and I have felt of late to consecrate myself anew to God and his precious cause. Yes, I do feel my heart rejoices in the truth. I believe our laboring together on the systematic plan is pleasing to the Lord. Dear brethren and sisters, is it not high time that we arise individually and labor together in this great work of saving our own souls and those of others around us. The church is arising and I mean, the Lord helping me, to get so meek and humble and quiet and teachable that I may have a place among those that shall finally overcome. Oh what a meeting will that be! and who of us can bear to have our worthless names cast out when Christ makes up his jewels? I feel I must be there. Although the way is rough, it cannot be long. “When Satan appears to stop up the path,
And fills us with fears, we'll triumph by faith.
He cannot take from us, tho' oft he has tried,
This heart-cheering promise, The Lord will abide.”