We proceed to inquire,
1. Is the seventh of Artaxerxes, when Ezra received his decree concerning Jerusalem, [Ez. vii,] rightly placed in the year B. C. 457? The following extract will aid us on this point:
“Ptolemy mentions an eclipse of the moon in the seventh of Cambyses, which, according to modern astronomical calculation, took place in the night following the 16th of July, in the year of the Julian period 4191, at the beginning of the second year of the sixty-fourth Olympiad. As the vulgar era is dated from January 1st 4714 of the Julian period, it follows that this eclipse was B. C. 523. The date of this eclipse, decided by the unerring record of astronomy is undisputed. Consequently as Petavius observes, it is ‘the cardinal point and foundation, on which depend the arrangement of preceding and succeeding times and the concord of sacred and profane history.’ (De Doct. Temp. Lib. x, c. 14.)”
This was in the seventh of Cambyses. Cambyses reigned seven years and five months; or, if we include the seven months of the usurper Smerdis who followed him, according to the canon of Ptolemy, eight years. He therefore reigned one year after this eclipse. He was followed by Darius, who reigned thirty-six years; and he in turn by Xerxes who reigned twenty-one years; and this brings us to the first of Artaxerxes, B. C. 464. These are undisputed records of history, from an undisputed starting point, based on the calculations of astronomy. There can therefore be no dispute in regard to it. The first, then, of Artaxerxes being 464, his seventh would be B. C. 457. Here the canon of Ptolemy places it, which is a canon of undoubted authority, the “accuracy of which is demonstrated by the concurrent agreement of more than twenty eclipses.” And before it can be shown to be wrong, the calculation of these eclipses (and they have been repeatedly calculated) must be shown to be incorrect, which is an impossibility.
2. We come therefore to the second inquiry. Did the commission granted to Ezra, answer to the prophecy to restore and to build Jerusalem? What is the intent of that phrase? We answer, to restore the Jewish state, civil and ecclesiastical, and to re-settle it according to the law of Moses. A thing to be restored, must be brought back to its original state. The condition then of the Jewish state and church previous to the captivity, we may take as a standard for its restoration after that event. But how was it with them previous to the time of Ezra? The Scriptures were in a manner lost, the people in a profound ignorance of the law, the worship of God neglected, and everything in great disorder and confusion. This we learn from the reformation which Ezra set about on his arrival at Jerusalem.
We read in Ez. vii, 11, “Now this is the copy of the letter that king Artaxerxes gave unto Ezra the priest, the scribe, even a scribe of the words of the commandments of the Lord and of his statutes to Israel.” “The letter then follows, written not in Hebrew, but in Chaldaic, or Eastern Aramic, the language then used at Babylon. At the 27th verse the narrative proceeds in Hebrew. We are thus furnished with the original document, by virtue of which Ezra was authorized to ‘restore and to build Jerusalem.’”
The decree commences, “Artaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest, a scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect peace and at such a time, I make a decree,” &c.; and after granting certain favors to the house of God at Jerusalem, it closes in the following words: “And thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God, that is in thine hand, set magistrates which may judge all the people that are beyond the river, all such as know the laws of thy God, and teach ye them that know them not. And whosoever will not do the law of thy God, and the law of the king, let judgment be executed speedily upon him, whether it be unto death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment.”
What could be required more ample than this commission to establish the government, enforce the observance of the law of God, and punish those who transgressed? At any rate no other instance of a decree so comprehensive as this can be found since the captivity.
“Sir Isaac Newton justly observes that the dispersed Jews became a people and a city, when they returned into a body politic; and that was in the seventh year of Artaxerxes Longimanus, when Ezra by the king’s commission, elected magistrates all over the land, to govern the people according to the law of God and of the king: under Ezra they first became a polity or city by a government of their own.”
However much stress may be laid upon the expression to build the city, nothing can be urged from it as an objection against the decree in question; for that Ezra understood himself fully empowered to proceed with the building of the city and the wall is evident from his prayer, as recorded in chap. ix, 9; and that he understood further that the conditional prophecies concerning his people were then fulfilled in that restoration is evident from the closing words of that prayer, when he says, “Should we again break thy commandments and join in affinity with the people of these abominations, wouldst not thou be angry with us till thou hadst consumed, so that there should be no remnant nor escaping.”
But further, seven weeks (49 years) are allotted to the building of the street and wall in troublous times. The reckoning of the time can of course only commence with the commencement of the work; and the work did not commence till the Autumn of that year in which Ezra went up; for it was not until the fifth month that he reached Jerusalem. Ez. vii, 8. And in just forty-nine years from this time the work was completed in the last act of reformation by Nehemiah, recorded in the last chapter of his book.
Says Prideaux under the year B. C. 409, “In the fifteenth year of Darius Nothus ended the first seven weeks of the seventy weeks of Daniel’s prophecy. For then the restoration of the church and state of the Jews in Jerusalem and Judea was fully finished, in that last act of reformation, which is recorded in the thirteenth chapter of Nehemiah, from the twenty-third verse to the end of the chapter, just forty-nine years after it had been first begun by Ezra in the seventh year of Artaxerxes Longimanus.”
It is said that the surest way to root out error, is to plant in the truth; and as we have found a decree which in its extent, fully includes the work contemplated in the prophecy, and makes the most perfect harmony in the commencement, intermediate dates and termination of the seventy weeks which were to be dated from it, it would hardly seem necessary to dwell further on this point. But as the commission of Nehemiah in the twentieth of Artaxerxes, thirteen years after the decree to Ezra, has been by some zealously and confidently claimed as the starting point of the seventy weeks and 2300 days, it demands a passing notice. Far be it from us to say anything derogatory of Nehemiah or of his work. He was a holy man, and his work an important one; but the utter impropriety of making it the data for the commencement of the prophetic periods will be seen when we consider that it was but a continuation of the work with which Ezra had been commissioned, and which he had commenced thirteen years before. And that it was but a continuation of that work is evident from the following facts:
1. The occasion of Nehemiah’s petition to the king for permission to go up to Jerusalem was the report which certain ones, returning, had brought from thence, that those in the province were in great affliction and reproach, that the wall of Jerusalem also was broken down, and the gates thereof burned with fire. Neh. i. Whose work were these walls and gates that were broken down and burned with fire? Evidently the work of Ezra and his associates; for it cannot for a moment be supposed that the utter destruction of the city by Nebuchadnezzar, 144 years previous to that time, would have been reported to Nehemiah as a matter of news, or that he would have considered it, as he evidently did, a fresh misfortune calling for a fresh expression of his grief. A decree therefore authorizing the building of these, had gone forth previous to the grant to Nehemiah.
2. Those who contend for this decree, lay much stress on the phrase, “to build,” as though the literal building of the city was all that was involved in the prophecy, and this Nehemiah got express permission to perform. But we have already seen that walls and gates were built and broken down previous to his going up. We have also seen that if we are confined to the literal building of the city, the decree of Cyrus has the preference to all others; and this is a sufficient refutation of the idea. But further, we find in Nehemiah, chap. vi, 15, that the work of building which he went to perform was all accomplished in fifty-two days; whereas for the building of the city in the sense of the prophecy there are allowed seven weeks or forty-nine years.
3. There is not a specification in the grant to Nehemiah which is not included in the decree to Ezra; while the latter is much more full. It is therefore utterly inadmissible to pass over the greater event, and fix upon a subsequent one of less importance, to mark the commencement of an important era in prophecy.
4. Reckoning from the commission to Nehemiah, B. C. 444, the dates throughout are entirely disarranged; for from that point the troublous times which were to attend the building of the street and wall did not last seven weeks or forty-nine years. Reckoning from that date the 67 weeks or 483 years which were to extend to the Messiah the Prince, bring us to A. D. 39-40; but Jesus was baptized of John in Jordan and the voice of his Father heard from heaven declaring him his Son, in A. D. 27, thirteen years before. According to this calculation, the midst of the week which is marked by the crucifixion is placed in A. D. 44; but the crucifixion took place in A. D. 31, thirteen years previous. And lastly the 70 weeks or 490 years, dated from the twentieth of Artaxerxes, extend to A. D. 47, with absolutely nothing to mark their termination. Hence if that be the year, and the grant to Nehemiah the event, from which to reckon, the prophecy has proved a failure.
5. We have no evidence that the permission given to Nehemiah was anything but verbal. We have no record of there being anything given to him but certain letters to the keeper of the king’s forest, the governors beyond the river, &c.; and if these constitute the decree, the prophecy should read decrees; for there were more than one. But these letters were not addressed to Nehemiah; and of so little importance were they considered by the sacred historian, that he has seen fit to preserve no copy of them, but simply to state their import. While on the other hand, the decree to Ezra was one decree, it was expressly called a decree, it was addressed directly to Ezra, and the Holy Ghost has thought proper to transmit a copy of the original document to the present time.
With these facts in view, no one can long hesitate between the respective commissions of Ezra and Nehemiah, as to which properly marks the commencement of an important prophetic period. Previous to 1844 no Advent believer thought of contending for the latter commission, but since the passing of that time, there has existed in some minds a seeming necessity for the removal of the original dates; and as “necessity is the mother of invention,” so it gives77some the power of magnifying molehills into mountains.
The application of the argument, thus far, on the 70 weeks and 2300 days remains for our next.
(To be Continued.)
A SKETCH OF THE RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE PRESENT TRUTH.
By James White
(Continued from No. 8.)
IN 1850 we commenced publishing the REVIEW AND HERALD at Paris, Me. As friends were few, and generally poor, we chose this country location to save expense. Here we found some joys and many sorrows. Our hearts were often cheered by the success of the few traveling brethren, in bringing some to the truth. But those were days of poverty, deprivation, toil and anguish of spirit. We labored ardently to bring some to a knowledge of the truth, divided our scanty purse with them, and at the same time were suffering for the comforts of life—and because they could not rule us in the work to which God had called us, became bitter enemies, and at times turned the hearts of many of our brethren against us. These things saddened our spirits, and carried us almost into the grave. With feeble health we traveled from town to town, from State to State, preaching the Word, and holding conferences, and at the same time issuing the REVIEW once in two or three weeks.
About this time Bro. J. N. Andrews commenced his labors, which was no small reinforcement. Faithfully has this dear brother labored in the cause of unpopular Bible truth, which is now blest with his clear expositions of Bible truth in some of our most important publications. These speak to the hearts of many, though he at present is nearly silent. Worn with labor, and greatly reduced in strength, so much so that there could be but little hope of his recovery, he left the work to find rest, and if possible, recover his health. We are happy to learn that his health is greatly improved, and that he desires again to devote himself to the work. Bro. Andrews has shared quite largely in the disappointments of those who have for a few years past moved to the West without means. We hope the time is not far distant when our dear brother and fellow-laborer will engage again in the cause of present truth, when those who have so long desired it, can read from his pen, hear his voice in defence of the truth, and in return supply all his wants.
We left Paris, June, 1851, to attend conferences in the State of N. Y., and finally, by the advice of brethren, issued No. 1, Vol. II, of the REVIEW, in a new and much improved dress, at Saratoga Springs, N. Y., Aug. 5th, 1851. Up to this time we had had no permanent home, but had traveled as the way opened, and had stopped to write and publish where brethren made us welcome. Our two dear boys were from us, and six hundred miles from each other. This was a sacrifice. Some give a little of their abundance and call it a sacrifice; but such know nothing what it is to sacrifice for the truth's sake. By this time quite a host of brethren had been raised up, especially in Vt. and N. Y. Bro. Ingraham took a stand with us, and some others we might mention. Our publications were a great help, and preachers were self-sacrificing and active.
In March, 1852, a General Conference was held at Ballston, N. Y., when it was decided that the REVIEW should be published at Rochester, N. Y., and that the necessary sum should be raised by donations to purchase type, hand-press, &c. A Financial Committee was chosen, from which, however, we received but very little assistance. But as the good hand of the Lord was in the work, and the brethren having a mind to work, we were able to get printing materials together, and to issue No. 1, of Vol. iii, of the REVIEW at Rochester, N. Y., May 6th.
This was a new and important era in the progress of the cause. Here commenced Bro. Andrews' Letters to O. R. L. Crozier, which not only exposed the weakness of the no-Sabbath heresy, but the deceitful manner in which some who held it handled the word of God. Success attended the cause east and west. Brn. Phelps and Waggoner through incessant toil raised up witnesses for the truth in many places in Wisconsin. Brn. Cornell and Cranson were greatly blest in Michigan. Bro. Bates was having his usual success in "all the world," or, in the different States, and in the Canadas, through which he so rapidly passed, and the other brethren in the State of N. Y., and New England were reporting success.
In the Autumn of 1852 we attended a series of conferences in Central and Northern N. Y., Vt., N. H., Mass. and Me. These meetings were generally attended with great success. On this tour we first met with our much beloved Brn. Byington, Hutchins and Barr, who continue firm friends of the cause, and devoted laborers. We rejoice that so many have escaped the deceptive power of Spiritualism and other heresies, and that they now stand firm in the truth. We also feel an undying love for those dear ministers of Jesus who took their stand with the truth, and have toiled and suffered much. God bless you, dear brethren; the chief Shepherd is very soon coming; then, O then, the crown of unfading glory, and the weary pilgrim's eternal home and reward. We would say to other dear brethren who should labor publicly, but are kept from doing their duty by home cares, unwilling friends, or great fear of moving too fast, break away, launch out, do your duty. Remember, your talent will be required with usury.
It is evident, however, that with the increase of numbers in 1852 and 1853, there was not a corresponding increase in consecration and in the graces of the Spirit. The truth was being more clearly brought out, and many were embracing it, and at the same time the standard of consecration, self-denial and sacrifice was being lowered among us as a people. There was a great increase of numbers. The scripture evidences of our position were the themes of public lectures, and close, practical preaching was evidently too much neglected, and most Sabbath-keepers became quite satisfied with the form without the power. Hypocrites crowded into the ranks. Men destitute of principle, and having a seared conscience, professed the Sabbath. And the spirit of the world prevailed in the body.
About this time Stephenson and Hall joined the ranks with all their Campbellism and Age to Come, which have no more agreement with the spirit of the present truth than darkness with light, Belial with Christ. Wisconsin was a promising field of labor till these men entered it. Bro. Waggoner had sacrificed his home in spreading the truth in that State, and Bro. Phelps had labored ardently, and with much success. But alas! wolves in sheep's clothing entered the fold, and have accomplished their work of death.
When we were in Eldorado, Wis., June, 1854, Elds. Stephenson and Hall stated to us that they were firm believers in the Age to Come. We asked them if they had ever known one sinner converted, or a backslider reclaimed as the fruits of preaching Age to Come. The answer was, No. We then asked if that, in their opinion, much harm had not been the result of preaching Age to Come, in dividing the Advent people. The answer was, Yes. We inquired, Then why preach it? The reply was, We are willing to waive the subject, and unite on the Third Angel's Message, if those who oppose the Age to Come will do the same. (Reference was then made to some remarks against Age to Come, in the REVIEW by J. B. Frisbie, &c.) We then stated that we could speak in behalf of brethren East, and that they would be willing to waive the subject. At this point in the conversation, said Eld. Stephenson, The Age to Come is premature, it is future truth, it is not the present truth, and if the Third Angel's Message had been presented to us at the time the Age to Come was, we should not have taken hold of the Age to Come.
At that time we bound S. and H. to our heart with the strongest feelings of sympathy and love. At their frank and apparently honest statement that they wished to waive the discussion of the Future Age, and unite on the Third Message, we wept tears of joy. We hoped much for the cause in the West. We spoke of them through the REVIEW in a manner to cause great confidence to be put in them by the brethren East and West. This, with their talent, gave them access to the hearts of all the brethren in Wisconsin. They soon, however, began to talk out their views of the Future Age in private, next in public. They next began to find fault with the REVIEW, and sow the seeds of jealousy and discord. Our beloved Bro. Waggoner became much discouraged at this state of things, and went to laboring with his hands. Bro. Phelps sympathized somewhat with those who were casting an influence against the REVIEW, and finally left the work through discouragement. The good cause in Wisconsin is almost a total wreck.
We do not feel disposed to censure those in Wisconsin who have been deceived by S. and H. No one has been more deceived than we have, and probably no one has suffered more. And we freely confess that the compromise at Eldorado was wrong on our part. The REVIEW should have borne a plain, decided testimony against the Age to Come. If Bro. J. H. Waggoner had then spoken through the REVIEW, as he since has, on that subject, it probably would have saved many in Wisconsin from the deception they have been under, and we should have been saved many hours of keenest anguish. But his hands were tied, while S. and H. were acting a deceptive part. We now see that our anxiety to add numbers and strength to the ranks led us to take steps which exposed the cause to be injured by these men. We hope to be forgiven by all who have been injured by our lack of judgment, and may we learn a lesson by the errors of the past which shall be a blessing in our future course.
While the disaffection was taking place in Wisconsin, a similar work was going on with some in Michigan and other places. Church discipline was urged through the REVIEW, which was very disagreeable to some in the ranks who wished to have their own way, and hated reproof and instruction. They chose to be teachers, when they should have been learners. They went out to teach the truth without being sent of the Lord, or approbated by the church, and sowed the seeds of discontent, disunion and death wherever they went. Some of them were labored with and reproved. Others did not receive as much approbation and attention as they desired. And not a few were rebuked of the Lord for their unchristian, reckless course. This aroused their jealousy and wrath, and finally they started a sheet of slander at Jackson, Mich., which met the feelings of all those who were ready to be inspired with jealousy and a feeling of hatred and revenge toward those who had reproved them for their wrongs, and they all poured forth their feelings of bitterness and wrath into this sheet.
This was a cause of great grief to many dear brethren, and it appeared for the time that the precious cause was being injured. But this sheet was manifesting hearts, and purifying the body. It was evident to all decent people that those who would go with such a sheet were not fit to go with the saints. We will mention some of the leading men in this faction, and their position when last heard from. Wyman, rejected by his party for crime, and a town charge. Bezzo, their editor, fined $25 for presenting a pistol, and threatening to shoot a scholar in school. Case, run out as a preacher, and fishing on the lakes. Chapin, in a clothing store. Lillis, a Spiritualist, Russel and Hicks had denounced Bezzo and the publishers of their sheet hypocrites, and were standing alone. It seems that as soon as these restless spirits went out from the body by themselves, that they immediately went to biting and devouring one another until not one of the eighteen messengers of which they once boasted as being with them is now bearing a public testimony, and not one piece of regular meeting to our knowledge among them east or west.
The true friends of the cause have been led by these things to see the necessity of bearing a bold and independent testimony for the truth, and for the gifts of the Holy Spirit. And that gift which was so despised by the faction, never was prized by the body as now. The faction has crumbled and disappeared, and the body has risen in union and strength. And78where one destitute of moral worth has left the ranks, four of real worth have joined the ranks of Sabbath-keepers. At the time of the disaffection, when the effort was to break down the REVIEW, the church property at the Office was only $700; since, it has increased to $5000. Then there were but about 1000 paying subscribers, now there are near 2000, besides quite a free list.
We mourn our lukewarm condition. We have nothing to boast of. But thanks be to God who has given the truth the victory thus far through our Lord Jesus Christ. The truth will triumph. Though those who now profess it be laid aside for their unfaithfulness, God can raise up a faithful army to fight his battles, and wear the victor's crown. But those who have stood the storms of the past will not fall away now. Though many who have not the truth in them sufficient to move them cheerfully to action may be shaken out, and left behind, yet the faithful ones who have toiled on, groaning, sighing and crying for salvation and deliverance, will go through to the city of God, and share their everlasting rest.
J. W.
(To be Continued.)
Conversation.
By Joseph Clarke
LUCY. So then, Mrs. Thoughtful, you've got to be an Adventist, have you?
MRS. THOUGHTFUL. I am happy to say that I believe the coming of Christ is near. Do you know the meaning of "Advent?"
L. Not exactly; but I know it is a very unpopular name, and Aunt Nelly says they are Millerites, or something like that.
Mrs. T. Advent is from ad and venio, Latin words, signifying "to arrive at," and an Adventist is one who believes in Christ's coming, according to the prophecies of the Bible.
L. Is that it? Well, now there's no harm in that; but they say you are Sabbatarians.
Mrs. T. We keep the Sabbath which was instituted by God.
L. Aunt says it is all fanaticism.
Mrs. T. The word fanaticism is from fanaticus, a Latin word, signifying, wild, crazy, and certainly this term would be more properly applied to a wicked world who are mad upon their idols, than to those who are wholly engaged to please and obey the Creator, to whom we owe our life and all its blessings.
L. I think, Mrs. Thoughtful, I am more charitable than you are. I am willing to give every one credit for sincerity. "Live and let live," is my motto.
Mrs. T. The word charity is misunderstood; you will find that Paul in describing charity says, it "rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth." It is far from Paul to give license to sin by exalting charity.
L. Is Paul's definition of charity according to Webster?
Mrs. T. I have not examined Webster, but we must remember that Webster gives the commonly received definition, and when we wish to find what Paul means by the word charity, we must take Paul's definition, found, 1 Cor. xiii.
JOSEPH CLARKE.
LETTERS.
By L. B. Abbey
"Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another."
From Sister Abbey.
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: When I look back thirty years and bring to mind how christians then used to live, how much praying, what watchfulness, what humility was manifest, how careful they were of each other's reputation, what separation from the world in dress; and look abroad now over the land, and see the contrast, my very soul is sick, and cries out, The walls of Zion are broken down, and the watchmen, where are they? O, for a trumpet voice to awaken the world to a sense of their danger. Ought not we who have the light on the prophecies, and profess to be looking for the second coming of our Lord and Saviour, to be more awake? O how fearful is our condition, if we do not arouse ourselves from this lukewarm state. The prayer of Habakkuk is surely applicable now, "O Lord, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy." Let the cry go forth from every heart, Lord revive us: all our help must come from thee.
Jesus says, "I am the vine, ye are the branches." According to Nahum, the branches have been marred. How? By pride, covetousness, love of the world, self-esteem, until the professed followers of Christ have forgotten what God requires of them: viz., to come out from the world and be separate from them. But there are a few who sigh and cry for the abominations that are done in the land. The angel was told to set a mark upon the foreheads of such. What is it? Surely it must be the seal of the living God. I am still hoping that soon deliverance will come to all the dear saints of God. Surely the Lord will avenge his elect, and that speedily.
Yours hoping for an inheritance upon the new earth.
L. B. ABBEY.
Hubbard's Corners, N. Y.
T. M. STEWARD
By T. M. Steward
From Bro Steward.
BRO. SMITH: I feel to rejoice that the evidences of the soon coming of Jesus are thickening and multiplying around us. He has truly been a long time absent from his lonely and tried ones. His kind assurance is, "If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself." And again, "This same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven." Yes, dear brother, if we are only faithful in that which God has committed to our trust, we can even now rejoice in these precious promises, and finally receive the welcome applaudit, "Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." Blessed thought!
I would say to the traveling preachers, I would be glad to have them call on me, two and a half miles west of Mauston. The cars now run to this place from Milwawkie. We would be glad to meet some of them in this world of trial. Here in this vicinity is an ample field for labor. The community in general are anxious to hear. I am doing all I can to instruct them, but I cannot fill one half of the calls. I pray God that he would raise up, qualify and send forth more laborers into this great harvest-field which79is already white for the harvest. The brethren in this place begin to see the necessity of a more thorough consecration to God and his cause. May the Lord help them to arise and gird on the whole armor of God. Brethren, pray for us.
Yours in hope of immortality.
T. M. STEWARD
Mauston, Juneau Co., Wis., Dec. 31st, 1857.
P. S. I would say to the brethren through the Review, that my P. O. Address is Mauston, Juneau Co., Wis. T. M. S.
THE THREE MESSAGES.
By Sarah A. Hallock
Once, twice, yea thrice, our God hath spoken,
That God whose word can ne'er be broken;
He speaketh once, again, again
He speaketh, shall it be in vain?
An angel came from realms of light,
To this dark earth, he winged his flight;
Thro' every land in haste he flew,
The nations heard his message too;
'Twas this, loud uttered from on high:
"Fear God, the judgment hour is nigh."
Quick another angel follows,
With a solemn voice he cries,
"Babylon the great, is fallen,
Never more will she arise.
With iniquity she hath filled her cup,
And the nations eagerly drank it up;
Her plagues shall come in a single day,
And her glory shall utterly fade away."
And the third angel followed them,
In warning tones he speaks to men;
All he has met has he besought,
Image or beast to worship not;
If any do, they have his word,
On them shall wrath unmixed be poured;
And God in indignation dire,
Shall give them to consuming fire.
O hour of fate! O day of dread!
No mercy then, but wrath instead
Will fall upon a guilty world,
From pride to swift destruction hurled.
Lord, keep us from the tempter's power,
And save us in that dreadful hour.
SARAH A. HALLOCK.
Ulysses, Penn.
Another Year has Gone.
By S. B. Warren
DURING the last week of the year 1857, I have been led to think over and ponder upon the past year, and ask myself, how have I lived, and what have I done to glorify God, and what have I done by way of precept and example which would influence others to seek the Saviour and embrace the truth? I acknowledge and confess with some feeling of heart, that my past course has in many respects been crooked. O that I could recall some of the precious hours of the last year. I am sure that I feel heartily sorry that I have made no more progress in my journey to Mount Zion.
But notwithstanding all my unfaithfulness, and the little I have done, I remember with some degree of thankfulness, God's goodness to me. I have enjoyed many sweet and precious seasons, not only in secret and around the family altar, but with my brethren and sisters in social worship in the house of God.
Brethren and sisters, would it not be well for us all to look back upon the past year, and think how God in his mercy has blest and led us along, how much of his blessed truth has saluted our ears, and how much of the true light has been shining on our path. O how many sharp, cutting testimonies have been given us of the Lord, to wean our affections from this poor earth. I think we can say, at least the most of us, that the year has not been altogether a lost one. We have, I think, reaped great spiritual benefit by trusting in the Lord.
Can we not say of a truth, and feel in our hearts that we have made some progress in overcoming? Have we not gained some victories? It is true we have had some severe combats with the enemy, but have we not sometimes trampled Satan under our feet and put him to flight? I think we have. It has been because the Lord has helped us. It has been because he has given us grace. I can remember many times during the last year, when clouds of darkness have overshadowed the little church here; but the Lord in whom we have trusted, in answer to our strong cries has dispersed the clouds, and light has broke in upon us, and we have felt the sweet melting Spirit of Jesus in our midst.
Who among my brethren and sisters are willing to covenant anew with me that they will spend the coming year better than they have the one just past? Will we not pray and watch more? Can we not, and will we not struggle more and more for victory? Come dear brethren and sisters, join with me in renewing our covenant, and consecrating ourselves wholly to the Lord. We will take our place at the feet of Jesus, low in the vale of humility. O that the coming year may be a glorious year to the remnant, who are resolved on keeping the Commandments and seeking for the Faith of Jesus.
Your brother in the Lord S. B. WARREN.
Battle Creek, Mich., Jan. 2d, 1858.
Embracing the Present Truth
By Lyman Gerould
From Bro. Gerould.
Bro. Smith : I feel to praise my God for what he has done for me, poor and unworthy as I am. He has shown me the light of his holy Sabbath, for which I feel to exalt his great and excellent name. It is but a short time since I embraced the present truth, and I can truly say that I never enjoyed myself better than I have since then, and by the grace of God I am determined to run the whole length of the christian race.
We are having a good time here. The church seems to be moving along towards the kingdom. O that we may all have on the wedding garment. I think there is a prospect of more going with us. There seems to be quite an interest manifested for the truth. I rejoice that I ever heard the Third Angel's Message, and that God gave me a disposition to heed it before it was too late. I feel, my brethren, that the time is short, and I want to improve every moment in trying to advance the cause of my Redeemer.
Lyman Gerould.
Caledonia, Mich., Jan. 1st, 1858.
A Testimony Against Tobacco
By J. D. Hough
From Bro. Hough.
BRO. SMITH: While reading the communications in the Review from the scattered remnant, it cheers my heart to think that we have such an organ through which we can communicate with each other; and I would say that my heart is with those that are trying to keep the commandments. We are living in a trying time. We must be a tried people, a despised people, a meek, humble and pure people. The promise is to them that have clean hands and pure hearts.
Reader, is this your happy lot? If so, you have made the good choice that will shield you when the wrath of God will be poured out without mixture.
I often ask myself the question, Shall I ever overcome and stand on mount Zion? It is my wish to go with you to the kingdom. I find it will take the whole heart to perform the work. I have been too lukewarm, but with the help of the Lord I am determined to meet you in the kingdom. I crave an interest in your prayers.
A word to those that use tobacco. I have been a slave to tobacco for some twenty-eight years, and have not been slack in burning incense to Baal; for it was my first business in the morning, and the last thing at night, and I verily thought that I could not live without it. I have in some cases ordered it to patients to cure or stop diseases, but have found out by my own experience for the last nine months that tobacco was not made to chew or smoke, as I have not used a particle for about that length of time, and have not enjoyed such health for thirty years. I would say to any brother or sister using it, try the effect of its disuse.
J. D. HOUGH. Rochester, Mich., Jan. 1st, 1858.
A New Field for the Truth
By Electa A. Pratt
From Sister Pratt.
Bro. Smith: I thank the Lord for the Review, which comes weekly, laden with precious truths. It is all the preaching I have heard for almost three years. I have no one to meet with on the Sabbath but the Lord, who is always faithful to his word. Many times while it has rejoiced my soul to hear through the Review from the dear saints, I have felt it my duty to throw in my testimony also; but feeling unworthy to do so, I have delayed till now.
When I look back on my past life and see how many crooked paths I have made, I wonder that God has not cut me off as a cumberer of the ground; but I feel like heeding the counsel to the Laodiceans to be zealous and repent; and I desire the prayers of the dear saints, that I may have the gold, white raiment and eye-salve, that I may be in readiness when the Lord shall come for his people.
It is a new field here in this city. They have never heard of the present truth except by me, and many are enquiring after the truth. They say that we may have the M. E. church as long as we will preach the Bible. I would like to have some of the brethren come and preach to us if they can. Our P. O. address is Naperville, Dupage Co. Ills. If any of you can come, please send me word.
Electa A. Pratt.
Naperville, Ills. Dec. 20th. 1857.
WM. D. SHARPE
By William D. Sharpe
From Bro. Sharpe.
BRO. SMITH: I can truly say that I feel to rejoice in the truth of the Third Angel's Message, which brought me to see my lost and undone condition, and the necessity of securing for myself that glorious immortality which is promised to those that keep the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus. There are seven Sabbath-keepers in this place. We met together on the last Sabbath, and Brn. Rhodes and Holt were present. They gave us some encouraging remarks, and we had a refreshing season from the presence of the Lord. I believe the signs of the times tell that Jesus' coming is near, even at the doors.
It cheers my heart to read the precious promises contained in God's word. The Lord has said, Return unto me, and I will return unto you. This is a glorious promise. O that the Lord would help me to live in such a way and manner as will be well pleasing to him. He has also said, Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in my house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. O that the Lord would help me to be more diligent in doing the things he has commanded me to do that I may have right to the tree of life, and enter in through the gates into the city.