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Review and Herald, Vol. 29, No. 10.

The Sermon
Earlier text

Falmouth and Topsham, Me.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

Tuesday evening, Jan. 29th, Bro. Howard and I met with the little company of friends at Falmouth. For the first time they organized S. B. All took hold readily, and pledged for 1867 $61.36; all of which was voted to the N. E. Mission. They voted to start a Sabbath School and Bible Class, and took the steps necessary for that purpose. We expect to see a good church here some day. Wednesday morning Bro. Howard and I parted; he to go to Rhode Island, and I to Norridgewock. My acquaintance and connection with Bro. H. has been very pleasant indeed. When I first saw him he was in much doubt and perplexity about which way to turn and what course to take. But now he is fully decided and boldly advocates the whole truth. Since he has taken this step, a great burden has rolled from his mind. He says that God is blessing him in his work. May the angels of God go with him.
Wednesday evening I met with the church at Topsham, in Bro. Howland's house. We re-organized S. B.—raising it from $34.84 to $77.48. From our last report it will be seen that the brethren and sisters in Maine not only love the truth in theory but in deed, and are willing to work for it. God will bless his people when they work like this. I never found a more willing people than here in Maine. One was received into the church by letter; we then celebrated the ordinances. I enjoyed this season very much. Truly this is a pilgrim's home. I can but feel a reverence for this house when I think of the many scenes which have occurred here in connection with present truth.
D. M. CANRIGHT.
Skowhegan, Jan. 31.

The Monthly Meeting at Canaan, Me.

By W. H. Blaisdell

We have just closed another of our Monthly Meetings in Maine. Though the weather has been very cold, and we were somewhat crowded, through the kindness of the brethren and friends in Canaan, we were all provided with comfortable homes. There were upward of one hundred and twenty Sabbath-keepers present, besides a goodly number from this vicinity who are friendly to the cause of truth, and many who came in, either from a feeling of curiosity, or from a desire to learn what is truth.
Brethren and sisters here met from the different towns of Athens, Cornville, Skowhegan, Norridgewock, Maddison, Rome, Fairfield, China, Clinton, Hartland, Palmyra, Canaan, &c. The preaching brethren present were Howard, Stratton, Putnam, Canright, and others.
We came together Sabbath evening, at six o’clock, for a prayer and social meeting. The meeting this evening seemed quite free, still we did not seem to get down underneath the burden where we could all lift together, as is necessary, to enjoy the good blessing of the Lord. We found that it would take something more than a goodly number of brethren and sisters to make a good meeting, and that we were not sure of a good interview at our Monthly Meetings, unless the blessing of the Lord attended us. We closed the meeting this evening, feeling that we must lay hold on the promise of God and pray more earnestly for his blessing, or we should not get it.
Sabbath morning, at nine o’clock, we met again and enjoyed a good social meeting; about fifty of the brethren and sisters spoke of their hope, and it seemed from their testimonies that the cause of truth had recently taken an onward march in nearly all the towns above mentioned. One young man took up his cross for the first time in this meeting. Two discourses were given to-day; one on the message to the Laodiceans, the other on the righteousness of God’s law. The Lord gave good liberty in speaking.
Evening after the Sabbath was also devoted to prayer and exhortation. The interest in this meeting was about the same as it had been in the morning. This interview closed with a feeling that the social meetings of that day had been interesting and profitable, and such as we should have thought exceedingly good meetings a few months ago; but not quite so good as we have enjoyed in some of our last Monthly Meetings. It seemed to be the prevailing prayer in the hearts of God’s children, that he would more especially pour his blessing upon us ere the meetings closed. Some good prayer-meetings were enjoyed among them that evening after retiring to their homes.
Sunday morning, at nine o’clock, we met for our last social meeting. God heard our prayers and gave us his blessing. The brethren and sisters felt like working for the Lord. We were glad to hear the exhortations of some who stood up and told us that they were profane, wicked men a few months ago, but were now praying people, and were willing to deny themselves and take up the cross. It cheered our hearts to hear their testimonies, and to see them rejoicing in hope of everlasting life with the people of God. This was indeed a good meeting, and at its close we felt like laboring more earnestly for God in the future, and that we were more willing to suffer in the cause of truth.
After our social meeting we listened to a discourse from Bro. Howard on the condition of the church and world while the disciples were waiting and looking for the Lord to come. The Spirit of God rested on the Speaker and hearers. Bro. Howard enjoyed much freedom in speaking, and we felt that it was a blessing to us all. In the afternoon, Bro. Canright spoke to us on the Sabbath of the New Testament. He enjoyed much liberty in showing the slippery foundation of the argument for Sunday-keeping.
The interest of the meeting seemed to increase from the time we came together in the morning, till its close in the afternoon. After Bro. Canright’s discourse, Bro. Putnam gave us some words of exhortation, which seemed to come forth in the Spirit and power of God. The people were deeply convicted of the truth. The closing exercise of the meeting, was the singing of a hymn, the sentiment of which may be seen in the following lines:
“A few more storms shall beat On this wild, rocky shore; And we shall be where tempests cease, And surges swell no more. A few more struggles here, A few more partings o’er. A few more toils, a few more tears, And we shall weep no more.”
While singing this hymn, the Spirit of the living God seemed to rest upon the entire congregation. The hearts of the brethren and sisters were melted down before, and now sinners were made to feel their need of salvation, and it seemed apparent that many wished that they were numbered with the people of God. At the close of the meeting, many moist eyes could be seen as the brethren and sisters separated, again to associate more or less with the world, again to worship God alone, in their own families, by their own firesides.
Thus closed another of our Monthly Meetings, and we felt that it had been a blessing to nearly all the brethren and sisters who attended. In these meetings, several decided to keep the Sabbath.
Union and harmony prevails among us in this region, and we feel to thank God for the signal manner in which he has blessed us within the past few months.
Oh! such meetings as we have enjoyed! Thank God, we will give him the glory. Even sinners tell us that we have never had such meetings before.
May the Lord help us to be humble before him, that the cause of truth may move steadily onward in the hands of those to whom God has entrusted the last message of mercy to a perishing world.
W. H. Blaisdell.
Canaan, Me., Jan. 14, 1867.

News and Miscellany.

Can ye not discern the Signs of the Times? Matt. xvi. 3.
Japan.—Late advices from Japan, by way of San Francisco, state that, owing to internal disturbances in the country, rice has risen in value to such an extent as to cause the Government serious alarm. Several riots were reported to have taken place.
Africa.—Late advices received from Sierra Leone, West coast of Africa, state that an earthquake had occurred there which was very destructive of human life and property.
London, Feb. 8. Intelligence from Servia represents affairs as so threatening that the families of Turks are fleeing from the country.
—The Greek government in a note to foreign powers declares that the crisis of war is near at hand, and though their desire is for peace, they deem it proper to propose an increase of the army and navy.
—Notwithstanding positive advices to the contrary this morning, reports have been received to-night that the troubles in lower Belgium are increasing.
An Ague Story.—It probably would not be best for all those afflicted with the ague to pursue just the course mentioned in the following incident. It nevertheless shows what a powerful agent water is in the treatment of that disease: “CHARLES CHENEY, Newburyport, Mass.—A friend of mine got the ague in South Carolina; he went thence to England, and came hither when he had it every third day, and it hung on a long time. One well day he went two miles after ducks; he shot several on a pond, and he was obliged to wade in after them, which he did, though the water was cold and there was some ice. After he came out he thought what he had done; he was alarmed, and started homeward as fast as he could, and got into a sweat. The next day he went to bed, to have his ague, but to his surprise it did not come, and he has never had it since.”
Signs of the Times.—There are movements, in the religious world, looking to a union of the Protestant Churches. A new weekly has just been started in Brooklyn, N. Y.—that city of churches—which will represent the new order. We copy the following

BOND OF UNION.

“We, the undersigned, believers in the doctrines of the Holy Scriptures as set forth in the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds, do hereby pledge ourselves to secure, under God, an open communion, and the recognition of one evangelical ministry, by the interchange of pulpits, thus to make visible the unity of the Church. “And we furthermore solemnly pledge ourselves to stand by each other in securing these ends.”—Phren. Journal.
Remarkable Movement Among the Jews in Bombay. The Indian Portuguese, a Portuguese journal published in Goa, states that great excitement has been caused among the Jews in Bombay, by the publication by the pontiff, H. B. Kyon, “member of the family of Aaron,” who has lately come to Bombay from Jerusalem, of a pamphlet under the title of “The Voice of the Vigilant;” the object of this “Voice” being to persuade the Jews that it is useless to wait any longer for the promised Messiah, as this is Jesus Christ himself, “whose doctrines have been spread all over the world without sword or force.” The “Voice” is said to use arguments that are solid and conclusive. “Compare,” says the pontiff, “the Old and New Testaments, and the truth will be seen.” He also adds that he was born in the old law, and under it was elevated to the pontificate, but the light has already penetrated with its rays into the deep recesses of his mind, and he is therefore persuaded, and with well-founded reasons, that it is in vain that the Messiah is now looked for.—Cincinnati Weekly Times.
The Pope and the Protestants.—The Pope has promptly improved the opportunity afforded by the withdrawal of the French troops from Rome to return to the practices of the Church in the Dark Ages. The services of the Scotch Presbyterian church in Rome, a little community of eighty or a hundred foreigners, who have worshipped quietly in a private house for the last dozen years, have been forbidden under the pains and penalties of “the Holy Inquisition.” It is also understood that the services of the American Protestants will be suppressed. Such proceedings in a city governed by the head of the Catholic Church are in strange contrast with the privileges and immunities enjoyed by Catholics in every Protestant country in the world, and go far to justify the Italian revolutionists in their opposition to Papal rule in Rome.—N. Y. Commercial.
Turkish Barbarity.—The following extract from a letter written by a young Greek of education, who is now in Washington, to a friend in Boston, will be read with profound and painful interest: “I had very sad letters from home. Nine of my fellow scholars while in the college (the University of Athens), have been killed by the Turks. Three of them have been taken prisoners by the Turks and have been roasted in the fire. The Turks asked them to submit themselves to the Sultan, and give up the Christian faith, which they refused of course. The Pasha asked to see those three, and after he saw them he asked them to submit to the Sultan again, which they refused again; then he ordered his soldiers to take them away, to make a fire, to roast them, and to give them to the dogs, which they executed immediately. They were young men of education and spirit, graduates of the University, and spoke as many languages as I do, except English and Arabic. Two of them practiced the law and one the civil engineering. They died the death of the hero and they have slept their last sleep upon the arms of Liberty. They have left a great many relations and friends who will mourn for them. If you will look back to the annals of the history of civilized nations, you shall find no equal barbarity between two belligerent nations, only in the Greek revolution of 1821, and in this present sacred war. But patience, we cannot do otherwise, we must accept all the things as they come from Heaven, but this is a bitter thing for one.”—N. Y. Tribune.

Systematic Benevolence in Ohio.

By I. N. Van Gorder; O. Mears; H. Hudson; Jos. Clarke

An Appeal from the Committee.

DEAR BRETHREN IN OHIO: To sustain and continue the good work in Ohio, as the times demand, will require a more earnest effort than we have yet made.
There is, to say the least, one hundred thousand dollars' worth of property in the hands of Sabbath-keepers in Ohio. This assessed at two cents per hundred dollars weekly, would amount in one year, to over one thousand dollars. This would not include those churches established the past season.
There are in the State over one hundred S. D. Adventists. But suppose we have only one hundred members, and that the amount of personal donations averages eight cents per week; this would amount to over four hundred dollars per year, which with the property assessment, would make the sum of fourteen hundred dollars for Ohio, for 1867.
About ninety per cent of what is pledged on the S. B. books for the year, amounts to some five or six hundred dollars. Now if every brother would come up to the plan, as recommended on the first page of S. B. book, and as adopted by the Ohio Conference (see page 4, Art. iii, Sec. 2) there would be some twelve or thirteen hundred dollars paid into the State Treasury during the present year.
We see that Bro. White is bearing a very plain testimony as to the principle of robbing God in tithes and offerings. Brethren, let us so come up on this point, that it may not be necessary for the Lord to wither and blight our earthly possessions, to remind us of our allegiance to our Creator; but let us pay this debt first of all debts, seeing that we receive all from him.
“Bring ye all the tithes into the store-house, that there may be meat in mine 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 will not be room enough to receive it.”
I. N. VAN GORDER, } Ohio State O. MEARS, } Conference H. HUDSON. } Committee. Per JOS. CLARKE, Sec'y.

The Greeks under Arms.

THOUGH reliable news from the seat of war in the East reaches the world but rarely, and then only through private channels, there can no longer remain the least doubt that the whole Greek population of the Turkish empire is under arms, and determined to die or perish for independence. The northern frontier is said to be almost hermetically closed by masses of Turkish troops, but enough escapes to show that the movement now embraces Thessaly and Epirus, if not Rhodes. The inundation of the plains of Thessaly, which prevents the Turkish forces from approaching the Agrapha mountains, is very favorable to the insurgents, for it enables them to gain time for the concentration of their strength. In Candia the patriots seem to maintain their ground, while GARIBALDI's example and stirring appeal will bring to the cause thousands of those restless and adventurous spirits with whom Europe always abounds.
In the meantime, the popular enthusiasm has risen to fever heat in Greece proper, and cannot much longer be restrained by considerations of policy or the threats of foreign powers. New appeals for help continue to pour into Athens from the risen patriots. The deputies of the people of the Agrapha district demand the interference of their free brethren, and their co-operation in re-uniting them with their common country. The Thessalians have published a protest to the foreign consuls against Moslem oppression. The President of the Holy Greek Synod has been implored for money and arms. The Cretan committee at Athens works night and day to provide means of aid. In short, it seems that the Greek's religion is still a national one, and that his patriotism continues now, as heretofore, to be connected in his mind, not only with the Pagan Hellas and the triumph of the Panagia, but with the cause of the eight-pointed cross.
With the whole Grecian Archipelago in convulsions, can the great powers remain long idle spectators? England desires to be neutral. France is extremely reluctant to interfere, but, when the cannon thunder, they may be compelled to adopt an entirely different policy. The policy of Russia will, no doubt, have some bearing on this point; but should Greece formally take the part of her countrymen against the Porte, and declare war, they will all have to join.—Detroit Post.

Reign of Terror in Tennessee.

A Fearful State of Affairs—The Rebellion Still Prevails.

A CORRESPONDENT of the Cincinnati Gazette writing from Nashville, draws the following gloomy picture of the affairs in that State:
There is not a rebel in Tennessee to-day, and by rebels I mean those who voluntarily took part in the rebellion, that will admit the rebellion was in any sense a crime or even a wrong.
There is not a man who was by surrounding circumstances forced into the rebellion, and now ventures to deplore it, who is not overwhelmed with torrents of abuse, and stigmatized as a traitor to the Southern cause.
There is not a locality where a rebel officer, guerrilla or bushwhacker, offering himself as a candidate for office, would not receive the united and enthusiastic support of the rebel party, simply on account of his devotion to the rebel cause.
Even in the city of Nashville, there is not a day passes in which men are not heard to deplore the downfall of the Confederacy, to curse the Government for overturning it, and to hope for its re-establishment.
Even in the city of Nashville you may traverse the streets, as I have done, and you shall not be able to find a dozen portraits of Washington or Lincoln, while in almost every place where any kind of business is transacted, from the wholesale dry goods store to the drinking saloon and the hall of the private boarding house, you shall see conspicuously displayed badly executed and disgusting pictures of Stonewall Jackson and Lee. Even some Union men engaged in business, pitifully yield to the pressure, and exhibit the portraits of men who are known only for a causeless and gigantic effort to destroy their country, and whose infamy, set forth in the pages of impartial history, will make bright by contrast the names of Arnold and Burr.

FRIGHTFUL CONDITION OF THE FREEDMEN.

The freedmen are oppressed, wronged and outraged to a degree that almost exceeds belief. The officers of the Bureau have details of hundreds of cases, showing that from rebel courts and rebel juries these poor people, except in cases so rare that the rebel prints make a great parade over such exception, find it absolutely impossible to obtain justice. However much wronged they may be, they have ceased to appeal for protection against white men to the courts, knowing that if by some rare chance a decision is rendered in their favor, they will be pursued and hunted to the death by the vengeance of the party against whom the suit was brought.
From such justice in Nashville, where everything is open to inspection, and under the very eye of the Bureau, the miserable lot of the freedmen in those portions of the State, where they have absolutely no protection, may be inferred.

MURDERS OF UNION MEN.

The condition of white Union men is no better—rather worse—for, pursued with a more deadly hatred than the freedmen, they are foully murdered rather than imprisoned and robbed.

REIGN OF TERROR.

Within the last day or two, I have read several scores of letters, written by Union men in different parts of the State, to loyal members of the Legislature, who sent to inquire the state of affairs. In all of these letters the writers pen their words as if in deadly fear, and to almost every line repeat the earnest entreaty not to let their names be known, for if it were ascertained by their rebel neighbors that they had communicated with a loyal member of the Legislature, their fate would inevitably be death.
The guerrilla Harper still roams at large, plundering, murdering and exiling Union men and freedmen.
In Robinson county a gang of desperadoes, armed to the teeth, have overturned civil law; established a code of their own, one article of which is that no white man in the county shall employ a colored laborer; are burning the houses of those who disobey their bloody mandates; are carrying things with such a high and terrible hand that even the Union and Dispatch, of this city—a journal thoroughly committed to the reaction—either because it is really shocked at these monstrous deeds, or fears its friends are going too fast (we give it credit for the better motive), calls upon them for God's sake to desist, and invokes the assistance of all parties to put a stop to their career.
But why further particularities, till both heart and brain grow sick with the story?

THE PRESS AND BENCH.

The loyal members of the Legislature are about to pass a militia law to protect themselves and the ballot box. So fierce have been the rebel threats, in consequence, that murder stares them in the face on their return home, and some feel that even in traversing at night the streets of Nashville they take their lives in their hands.
A leading journal of Nashville, through one of its correspondents, threatens death to any Northern speaker who shall come to advocate the cause of freedom and nationality in Tennessee.
Even to-day the Supreme Court of the State is badgered with long arguments by men whose hands are stained with treason, to prove that traitors have lost no rights, that the rule of loyal men is a usurpation, and that the hordes of guilty miscreants who endeavored to destroy the Government, are the rightful depositaries of political power.

The Greek Manifesto.

FROM “A declaration of the people of Epirus and Thessaly,” issued by the Provincial Government which was established by the Greek insurgents in those provinces, we make the following extract, which shows the character of the Turkish Government: “Many years have elapsed since Europe took upon itself the humane duty of directing the Turkish Government in the path of humanity and justice toward its Christian subjects. But how vain have been its humane endeavors. Instead of justice and observance of the law, repeatedly promised by official acts and by treaties, the Turkish Government, in the last few years especially, has extended its barbarous system in Epirus and Thessaly to a degree that our patience, so long tried, is at last exhausted, and such have been our trials, that for us Christians there is neither government nor law, or even a shadow of legal justice. Our honor, our lives, are the spoil of injustice and perversity, as well as the bad habits of our rulers; and this is but natural in a power that looks upon us as cattle. The oppressions, the forced labors and the daily imposition of taxes, have reduced us to such poverty and misery that our life has become that of cattle more than human beings. Ragged and impoverished, we can hardly earn our daily bread by the sweat of our brow; and it is taken from our mouths by Turkish authorities, that they may live in debauchery and Asiatic extravagance. The system of forced labor—a system of the lowest barbarity, imposed, as it is upon us, without intermission—instead of humbling it has still more kindled in us the feeling which the knowledge of human value dictates; and has made us not only despise life, but it has strengthened in our hearts the determination to court death rather than be obliged to offer ourselves as the beasts of burthen. Such a life we wish not for; and may our merciful Father justify our rash resolution, and the enlightened and civilized world in its humanity may not blame us, but, on the contrary, in its sympathy, extend to us its aid, that by it may be avoided the misfortune which, in our determination to die, we incur by undertaking such an unequal strife—the misfortune of the extirpation of our race.”

The London Telegraph on America.

SPEAKING of the hyperbolical style indulged in by American orators when praising their native land, the London Telegraph bears the following testimony to the resources and power of our country:—
“And if bigness justifies big words, we should like to know who is to blame these inventive and flowery patriots? Has any other nation 40,000,000 square acres of fat corn ground for a back yard, which will grow six quarters to the acre, as long as you like to plow the old crop in? Has any other nation a mountain of solid iron to make the plows of, like Pilot Knob, in Missouri, or seas of oil under the ground, and shores of solid copper along the lakes? Does any other nation double its population every twenty years, and suck in the emigration of Europe without counting it; or carry cargoes 2000 miles along one river; or venture on the impudence of a Monroe doctrine, or fight a war with 1,000,000 soldiers, and have them all home again, like boys after school, within a year? Or what other people collects a revenue of £118,000,000 sterling, and, with £20,000,000 in gold at a time in its exchequer, laughs at a debt of £500,000,000, and engages to wipe it out in ten years? Mr. Artemus Ward says he never knew a Yankee who didn’t talk about the Rocky Mountains, except one, and he was deaf and dumb; but even he wrote a book about them. Who is stupid enough to laugh at that? It is in the nature of the people; the young giants must have gigantic topics, words, policies, schemes, and sayings; and if we laugh, let it be with hearty good nature, and as the old folks do at the brag and buncombe of the young ones, whose strength and health are so beautiful and full of the promise of noble days and works.”

E. M. GORTON

By E. M. Gorton

From Sister Gorton.

DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: I still am trying to live up to all the light God has given his remnant people. Our dear brother Waggoner has been spending a few days with us in Tuxedoah Co. Oh! how exceeding precious has been the word from his lips. It was truly a feast of good things to my soul. Long will memory feast upon the encouraging words he spoke to us. I feel to strive harder than ever to get nearer to God, and try to glorify him in all I do or say. I fear that we do not all fully realize the importance of a speedy preparation for translation when our blessed Saviour shall come. I believe that time is short, and unless we strive in earnest to be prepared, both soul and body, we shall fall short of eternal life. Can we ever accomplish the work? Yes, my heart responds. I must, I will overcome. I must see the lovely Jesus, who has died for us. I must have a home in the new earth, with the ransomed people of God.
Oh! the love, the wondrous love, of God, in sending us a timely warning that the day of his wrath is nigh at hand. I have thought a good deal of late of our Saviour's words, “Ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.” We have not forsaken the world, but they have forsaken us. They cast our names out as evil, for the truth's sake; and can we consistently mingle with them as we used to do? I cannot; for the Bible says, “Let your conversation be in Heaven.” They love not the truths of God. They love not to hear us tell of Jesus' coming. What can we talk about? We certainly cannot join with them in talking of the fashions of this world, for they are foolishness to us.
I feel to praise God that I have the privilege of being separated from the world, and am numbered with the people that are trying to lift up the standard of truth above the world, and hold up the commandments of God, that have been trampled so long in the dust, as the rule by which we can distinguish between right and wrong. My daily prayer is that the law of God may be written in my heart. Oh! let us take courage. Let us press together, love each other more, and serve God better; and it may be we shall be hid in the day of the Lord's anger. Let us be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. Pray for me, that I, with you, may walk the golden streets of the New Jerusalem.
Your sister in hope of life,

E. M. GORTON

Watrousville, Mich.

WM. W. PUTNAM

By Wm. W. Putnam

From Bro. Putnam.

BRO. SMITH: I would improve this opportunity to inform the brethren through the Review of our spiritual prosperity here in Norridgewock. We would first publicly express our gratitude for the faithful and ardent labors of Bro. Andrews, Bro. and sister Cornell, and Bro. Canright. The Lord has greatly blessed their labors, for through their instrumentality and the rich blessing of God we now have a good house for meetings, a Sabbath School, Systematic Benevolence, and a well-organized church, which many are waiting to join, some as soon as they can be disconnected from other churches, some when they shall have been baptized, and others when they have made a little more progress in temperance. The people seem to have a mind to work, each one against his own house as in the days of Nehemiah.
There has been for the past year a steady, progressive reformation; but for the past two months the work has taken a rapid start. Profane and high-handed sinners have grounded their arms of rebellion, and have come in and joined the praying army. Many children, some of very tender age, are, day after day, coming to Christ; and the aged, middle aged and youth, from adjoining towns, are coming in to our meetings and making their confession of the Sabbath truth. So God is winning to himself great victories of late in this place; and we would praise the Lord for additions to our numbers daily of such as we trust shall be saved.
And while God is adding to our numbers on the one hand, Satan has not been idle. Death has severed one of the converts from us. My youngest son, Melvin, on his fifteenth birthday last month, closed his eyes in death, happy in the love of Christ, after faithfully warning his friends to do present duty and prepare to meet him in the first resurrection. May the Lord help us all to be prepared for translation when the Life-giver comes, that we may greet our beloved ones, made immortal, on the evergreen shore.

WM. W. PUTNAM

Norridgewock, Me.

Sister Kerr’s Testimony

By Viletta C. Kerr

From Sister Kerr.

DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: I have reason to thank our heavenly Father for a place among his people. I trust that the hope which cheers the heart of the true pilgrim on his journey to Mt. Zion, is the same cherished by me. I have been trying to live in harmony with the pure principles of divine truth for about six years, and am not weary of the good work. Through the strength of Jesus, our dear Saviour, I am resolved to travel on, knowing that the reward that awaits the faithful is soon to be given. Although I am young, and have done but little for the Lord and his cause, and have no experience, as it were, in the things of the Lord, compared with those who have borne the burden in the heat of the day, yet I love the glorious cause. It lies near my heart.
I praise the Lord for the Health Reform. Although my system was never broken down by the use of poisonous drugs, I can see many around me who can truly say, that this great and good Reform has done much for them. I am daily endeavoring to set a good example before all, and trying to carry out every principle of the truth in my daily walk, so that when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, I may be found among his true flock. I would say to all, Be of good cheer; the Lord will withhold no good thing from them that walk uprightly. The Lord is leading his people. He will not lead them out into the wilderness to perish. No, he will stand by them and strengthen them to perform every duty, and finally bring them safely through to participate in the glorious inheritance that awaits them. Then let our hearts be inspired with fresh courage and greater zeal in this good work, until a crown of righteousness and unending life in the kingdom of God shall be ours.
VILETTA C. KERR. Green Co., Wis.

An Earnest Seeker After Truth

Sister S. H. Bonfoey writes from Van Buren Co., Mich.: The Review is my best reading next to the Bible, although I have not fully avowed the Advent faith. I am in no wise disappointed in my efforts at keeping the Sabbath, although alone entirely. I am an earnest seeker after truth, and as such, hope to be remembered.

A Lone Believer Seeks Prayer

Sister M. W. Steere writes from E. McDonough, N. Y.: Years ago, I enjoyed much of the love and presence of God, and my heart reached out after more of his fullness, and I seemed filled with it, many times; and while I am now writing, my heart yearns to be so filled again. Hope hovers around still, and often the promises of God are very dear to me. His Word I admire above all else; yet I fear that I am at most, only lukewarm. I have no privilege of meetings, am alone here in the faith, as my lone paper will testify. I am burdened, not only with years, but with the toil and cares of this life, and have not the privilege of living according to the Reform system. As I have no one to pray with and for me here, I ask the people of God to remember me. I want to know that I am accepted of God in the Beloved.

Health Reform’s Saving Blessing

Bro. P. E. Ferrin writes from Freeport, Ill.: The Health Reform has come up just in time to save many of our brethren and sisters from becoming complete wrecks, in consequence of improper diet and the use of medicines. It has been a blessing to me thus far, and I feel like following on in the good way. I believe this will prepare us to go through the time of trouble without selling our birthright for a morsel of meat. It seems that the Lord is leading us as he did his ancient Israel. May God give us grace and strength to be faithful to the end, and, like Caleb and Joshua, to enter the promised land, where we shall be forever free from sin, sickness, and all the trouble that sin has brought into the world.

Returning Unto the Lord

Bro. J. L. Locke writes from Salem, Ind.: The loving-kindness of the Lord has been great to us as a people. He has long borne with our lukewarmness, and I believe has rebuked and chastened us; and I feel to thank him for this token of his love to his children. I am also cheered by the omens that his people are heeding the counsel of the faithful and true Witness. I can but think that the three first verses of the sixth chapter of Hosea apply to this present time. If so, it is truly encouraging. We may soon look for the reviving. O my brethren and sisters, let us return unto the Lord, and seek righteousness and meekness. Zeph. ii, 3. I praise the Lord for the light on the Health Reform. I hope that we as a people may live out the truth in every particular, and be prepared for the refreshing when it shall come from the presence of the Lord.

The Three Angels’ Messages

E. Finney writes from Ashtabula Co., Ohio: I am glad I ever heard the three angels' messages. I mean to obey and have the seal of the living God, instead of the mark of the beast. The wrath of God will be poured out without mixture of mercy on all of the wicked. Oh! dreadful day to them; for they will be banished forever from the presence of God and the glory of his power, while the righteous shall shine as stars in his kingdom forever. Precious promise!

Obituary Notices.

By Jane More; Isaac Sanborn

Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth. Rev. xiv, 13.
DIED, in Bourbon Co., Kansas, of carbuncle, John Bodley, aged 79 years. He bore his painful illness of two weeks' duration, without a murmur. His trust was in God. He had kept the Sabbath for over eight years. We mourn with hope. Our loss is his gain. JANE MORE.
DIED, at Brodhead, Green Co., Wis., Dec. 16, 1866, of heart disease, Clarissa Farnmen, daughter of sister Margaret Farnmen, aged 18 years, 1 month, and 23 days. She embraced the third angel's message about three years ago, and became a member of the church at Avon. The writer spoke on the occasion from 1 Thess. iv, 18, “Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” ISAAC SANBORN.

Conference Department.

By C. W. Olds

Exhorting one another, and so much the more as ye see the day approaching. Heb. x, 25.
This Department is designed to fill the same place in the paper that the Conference of Social Meetings does in the worship of God. Speak often one to another to comfort, edify and aid each other in the way of holiness and true Christian experience.

From Bro. Olds.

BRO. SMITH: As it has been some time since I have spoken through the Review, I would say that my love for present truth has not abated, but is as strong as when I first saw its beauty; and I feel to thank God for all the additional light that is shining on my pathway. Truly God is good to Israel.
How kind is our heavenly Father to lead his people step by step from their errors, and prepare them for the return of his Son from Heaven. Jesus will soon come. The work is going forward both in Heaven and on earth. Soon the decree will go forth, “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still, and he that is filthy, let him be filthy still, and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still, and he that is holy, let him be holy still.” Oh! solemn thought! that mercy’s sweet voice will soon be hushed forever.
I would be in earnest and have a true knowledge of myself, confess all my faults and forsake them, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
The brethren in this place feel anxious to keep pace with the third angel’s message. We feel thankful for the light on the Health Question; and we receive it as an omen of our coming King.
Bro. R. T. Andrews was with us at our last Quarterly Meeting, and gave us some good food from the word of the Lord. We all felt refreshed to go on and gain a home in the kingdom of God. We have long felt the need of a place of worship and have made some efforts to get one, but have failed as yet. Now we feel encouraged to try once more. If we all take hold in earnest, with the blessing of God the work will be done. The time to work for the Lord will soon be gone. The Lord is calling for some of the means that he has lent us. Who will withhold? Soon it will be said, “Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. Your gold and silver are cankered, and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire, ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.” Oh! may this not be our case; and if we have robbed God, let us do so no more.
C. W. OLDS.
Little Prairie, Wis.
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