Review and Herald, Vol. 41, No. 6.
OUR PRESENT POSITION: or, the Waiting, Watching TimePage 1
Earlier text: OUR PRESENT POSITION: or, the Waiting, Watching TimeThe captain of a vessel said to a minister who had kindly rebuked him for swearing:— “You are right, sir, you are right. Support your character, and we will respect you. We sometimes have clergymen come on board who seem quite uneasy until they get us to understand that we may do or say what we please before them; but we despise them for it.” Do not Christians often thus bring dishonor on the name of the Master, by forgetting to “have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them?” It is not a pleasant duty, but a most important one, and may decide the destiny of a soul for eternity. You have an associate who is a stranger to Jesus. You often hear from his lips a laughing jest with regard to the inconsistency of professing Christians, or the quotation of an apt passage of Scripture to point his irreverent wit. How have such expressions been received by you? Did your manner show that you were grieved to see your best Friend thus insulted, his solemn words, sent in infinite love and pity to your soul, mocked at, and made a laughing-stock? Or did an answering smile steal to your lips, leaving the impression on the mind of your associate that it is a very slight matter to trifle with religion, as “professing Christians don’t mind it”? Even a look of heartfelt reproach may silence the scoffer, and cause him to reflect on his sinful habit. “I never received so cutting a reproof in my life,” said the distinguished Judge H., “as when crossing the river once, in a ferry-boat, in company with a minister who was then unknown to me. I became annoyed at a delay, and uttered an imprecation on the ferry-man. The gentleman turned his full, earnest eye upon me, with such an expression of sorrow and reproach that I almost shrank from his gaze. I instantly begged his pardon, though he had not spoken a word. ‘Ask pardon of God,’ he replied; and I shall never forget that look and voice.” One should learn to rebuke sin in the spirit of love and gentleness, for all other reproof, “is of the earth, earthy,” and will more probably arouse than allay the evil passions of the heart. The excellent Mr. Howe had always a happy manner of reproving, seldom giving offense, though always faithful. As he was walking one day, he observed two angry men disputing and imprecating curses on each other. Raising his hat, he said in a kind voice, “I pray God bless you both;” which so impressed them, that they left their quarrelling to return him thanks. It seems to me that this subject should receive more careful attention, especially from the young, than is given to it at the present time. In this age of cheap literature, there are few persons who do not read something; but the question is, do they read that which is of any value to them? anything that will improve and strengthen the mind or elevate the moral sentiments? We must remember that all reading is not a benefit to a person; on the contrary, there is much that may be a positive injury. The fashionable literature of the day has a tendency to weaken the mind and debase the morals instead of fitting one for the active duties of life. Many of the serial stories in popular papers are not suitable to be read by respectable people. And yet fathers and mothers will allow their boys and girls to read these horrible, unnatural, abominable combinations, pretending to “represent nature,” but as untrue in all delineations as falsehood can ever be. And yet some parents will observe with evident pride, “My daughter is so devoted to her books she can scarcely think of anything else;” when all this time she is imbibing a deadly poison that is undermining every principle that is good and true, and destroying every sentiment of virtue and morality. A good book is a man's friend, and one to be cherished; he is strengthened and fitted for the active duties of life by every hour devoted to its perusal. But a bad book is our worst enemy. We not only receive no benefit from reading it, but are positively injured; and our minds are enervated and enfeebled instead of being improved and strengthened. In our selection of books and papers, great care should be taken, especially by those who are surrounded by children. The impressions formed in the mind of the child will endure.—Ohio Farmer. Selfishness To Be Overcome.
By Angelia J. Edmunds
The work of overcoming self is a high and exalted work. It lifts us higher than the cares of this earth. It stimulates to a new engagedness in the service of our Maker, causing us to abhor the low and groveling, while the mind anxiously contemplates a seat at His right hand who has said, “I have overcome the world.” He who is the greatest victor at last, will be he who has striven the most heroically with the powers of darkness and sin. Horace Bushnell said, “The true hero is the great, wise man of duty—he whose soul is armed by truth, and supported by the smile of God—he who meets life’s perils with a cautious but tranquil spirit, gathers strength by facing its storms, and dies, if he is called to die, as a Christian victor at the post of duty. And, if we must have heroes, and wars wherein to make them, there is none so brilliant as a war with wrong—no hero so fit to be sung as he who hath gained the bloodless victory of truth and mercy.” We have much to contend with daily; but our greatest foe, the one most to be dreaded, and the hardest to vanquish, is a heart of selfishness within; which gives no place for the meek and quiet spirit, when the tempest is raging around us. Oh! that we may at all times be armed with strength from on high, that the tranquil spirit may be ours. When we have overcome selfishness, then can we peacefully “stand the storm” and, smiling, face the rage of Satan, gently bearing all the accusations brought against us, without being the least disturbed. He that is enabled to gain the victory over self, has truly attained a brilliant achievement, a glorious conquest, and will fully realize at last that he is amply rewarded. My brother, my sister, we will strive harder in this warfare, and, finally, when this weary life is ended, with all its struggles and agony, join in singing the song of Moses and of the Lamb. Then shall the 144,000 rest their tired feet upon the heights of Mount Zion. Liars Dismissed at the Judgment Day
WE despise and discard a watch that never tells the true time; a ruler that will not enable you to rule a straight line; a portrait that is not faithful: so God will at the Judgment day dismiss from his presence “all liars.” The following from the recent message of Gen. Dix, governor of New York, speaks for itself. Just before the coming of the Son of man it was to be as in the days of Noah; Matt. 24:37-39; and in the days of Noah the earth was filled with violence. Gen. 6:11. Let no one say that we are alarmists for calling attention to these things, when the evil has reached such gigantic proportions that “vigilance committees” are talked of in the metropolis of this nation, and the highest executive officer of the most populous State in the Union calls aloud for some action to be taken whereby the safety of life and property may be secured. Shall we say with the scoffer, “All things continue as they were from the beginning”? Or shall we mark the omens that God is about to arise in controversy with the nations, as he will do, when the fast filling cup of their iniquity is full, and prepare for the issues of that day? The alarming increase in frequency of the crime of murder in the city and its environs demands your most serious consideration. Scarcely a day passes without witnessing a brutal, and in many instances a fatal, assault upon the persons of unoffending individuals, usually in drinking saloons, often in the most frequented streets, and sometimes within the purlieus of justice. According to the reports of the Secretary of State on the statistics of crime there were less than three convictions per annum for murder in the State during the nine years from 1830 to 1838 inclusive. In one of these years there was not a single conviction for that crime. Since then the number of cases in which life is taken has accumulated with fearful rapidity. This deplorable increase is due to a variety of causes. Among them may be enumerated the failure to convict, from the reluctance of jurors to bring in a verdict of willful murder involving the punishment of death; the difficulty of obtaining juries of competent intelligence; the incapacity or criminal negligence of prosecuting officers; and the delays in carrying sentences into execution by the interposition of legal technicalities. It will be in vain to hope for the suppression of crime, unless the retribution is prompt and certain. The leading objects of government are the protection of life and the security of property. No political system can retain the confidence of those who live under it unless these objects are effectually accomplished. The lamentable manner in which both have been frustrated in the city of New York has forced upon the minds of many thoughtful persons the unwelcome question whether their lives and property would not be better secured under a less popular form of government. Nothing can be more deplorable than the suggestion of a doubt as to the superiority of our own institutions over others of a less liberal character. Under this view of the subject the duty of securing property from depredation and life from felonious assault becomes the more imperious and connects itself closely with the durability of our political system; for if the machinery of the law proves inadequate to effect the fundamental purposes of government, it will soon be made to give way to the arm of force. The difficulty to which I have alluded, in obtaining juries of competent intelligence, arose from the existing rule of law, which had its origin in a period of comparative ignorance, and under which it has been almost impossible to impanel a proper jury in a capital case. The universal distribution of the press brings to every man’s door the narration of passing events, and every intelligent person rises from the perusal with a distinct impression in regard to them. If such an impression is to be treated as an opinion not to be modified or changed on a hearing of the evidence on both sides, intelligence and reflection, the very qualities needed to pronounce a righteous judgment would disqualify most of our citizens from serving as jurors when a murderer is to be tried. Under the act passed at the last session of the Legislature a jury has recently been impaneled without unreasonable delay, and it is to be hoped that this enactment will prove in practice a remedy for the difficulty referred to. The further obstacle to the prompt punishment of crime, after conviction, through the interposition of legal technicalities, needs to be removed by some proper and effective provision of law. In framing our system of criminal jurisprudence the merciful purpose of protecting the innocent from unjust conviction was kept chiefly in view. It is worthy of consideration whether in carrying out this purpose we may not have created impediments to the punishment of the guilty, and given a rein to crime through its impunity. That church-fairs with their lotteries, raffles, prize packages, grab-bags, &c., are great nurseries of the appalling sin of gambling, a terrible reproach upon the cause of Christ and a terrible evidence that those churches which indulge in them have departed from the high standard of piety of former days, has long been the conviction of those who are striving to maintain the simplicity and purity of the gospel. It is a matter of congratulation that men of high official position are coming to the support of this sentiment by declaring that laws should be enacted sufficient to suppress this iniquity. The Governor of Wisconsin so speaks. A late Detroit Post, in an article headed, “A bold Governor,” says:— The Governor of Wisconsin is a bold man. If he were here, we should shake hands with him, and dub him “the bravest of the brave,” not excepting Gen. Grant, Gen. Sheridan, or any other hero. Why? Because the Governor of Wisconsin, in his annual message, has had the moral courage—and a most desperate courage it is in a politician—to declare, point blank, the too-long whispered truth that church fairs, charitable raffles, concert lotteries for charitable and other purposes, prize packages, “grab-bags,” Sabbath-school and other religious chances by ticket, are nurseries of crime, inasmuch as they promise something for nothing, are games of chance, and are really gambling. The governor says that the pernicious spirit of gambling is fostered, encouraged, and kept alive by these agencies to a degree little known by good citizens; and that, but for them, the ordinary laws against gambling would be much less violated and much more easily enforced. He says these practices ought not to be permitted any longer to debauch the morals of the young. Think of the row this plain speaking will stir up! Think of the courage necessary to say this in a public official, depending upon the votes of the people for future official honors! Then think how true and well observed it is, and join us in crying: Good for Governor Washburn! The following is an extract from this part of his message:— “The laws of the State as applicable to professional gamblers are doubtless all sufficient, and only require to be enforced. But some law seems to be required to break up the schools where gamblers are made. These are everywhere. Even the church (unwittingly, no doubt), is sometimes found doing the work of the devil. Gift concerts, gift enterprises and raffles, sometimes in aid of religious or charitable objects, but often for less worthy objects, lotteries, prize-packages, etc., are all devices to obtain money without value received. Nothing is so demoralizing or intoxicating, particularly to the young, as the acquisition of money or property without labor. If you can devise some law to break up these practices and bring them into discredit, you will deserve the thanks of all good people.” Objections to the Sabbath, Answered.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
However plain any truth may be there can always be objections brought against it which can be made to appear quite plausible. Atheists urge objections not easily answered against the existence of God. Infidels have a thousand objections to the Bible, and to the Christian religion, many of which are hard to answer. Pedobaptists are on hand with objections to immersion, and immaterialists have plenty of objections to the earth’s becoming the saints’ future inheritance. Indeed, what doctrine has not been objected to? What truth not opposed? So with God’s Sabbath. Though it is one of the plainest and most reasonable doctrines in the Bible, yet men can devise objections against it. As long as there is the shadow of an argument in one of these, they are deaf and blind to the plainest and most direct proofs in favor of the Sabbath. What do they do with all the arguments, proofs, and texts, supporting the Sabbath? Generally, nothing. An objection or two fills their whole mind and they can see nothing else. But the arguments brought against the Sabbath are simply objections, nothing more, which we are sure can be fairly answered. I propose, if the Lord will, to take up in order the objections raised in the New Testament against the seventh-day Sabbath and the ten-commandment law. I will be as short as possible, and still fairly answer each objection. There is no direct commandment in the New Testament to keep the seventh day. Answer. This is true; but is there any to keep the first day, or any other day? All know there is not; hence if this objection is good against the seventh day, it is also against any day, and so we have no Sabbath. Some are willing to accept even this conclusion to evade the Sabbath, but many are not. But the truth is: The seventh day Sabbath was made by God in Eden. Gen. 2:1–3; Ex. 20:11. It was a part of his law before Mt. Sinai. Ex. 16:4, 27, 28. It was made a part of the moral law spoken by God from Heaven, and engraved on stone. Ex. 20:1–17; Deut. 4:12, 13. When Christ came, the ceremonial law and shadowy ordinances were abolished. Eph. 2:13–15; Col. 2:14–18; Heb. 9:10. But the moral law of ten commandments remained unchanged, and as binding as before. Not one of the least commandments, not even a jot or a tittle, was set aside; but all were ratified by Christ. Matt. 5:17–19. The apostles taught that this law was confirmed and established by the gospel, Rom. 3:31; 7:12, and that every part of it must be kept. James 2:8–12. Now the Sabbath was a part of this law; hence a new commandment was not needed; nor was it proper to re-enact the Sabbath law, since the original law had never been abolished. Why re-give or re-enact a law still binding? The demand is absurd. A law once given remains in force till abolished by as high authority as first gave it. Does a law enacted by Congress have to be re-enacted every time Congress meets? The Sabbath was a sacred institution, revered and observed by the people of God from their earliest history. They were all carefully keeping it when the gospel was introduced. Without some express instruction to the contrary, no one would think of disregarding it. Therefore no new commandment on this point was needed. It was sufficient to let it rest on the law already given. But if so prominent, important, and sacred an institution as the Sabbath, the weekly observance of one day in every seven, an institution closely intertwined with all the customs and thoughts of the people, if this was to be abolished or changed, how reasonable to expect that such a great change would be plainly taught by Christ? If he were simply silent concerning it, the only reasonable conclusion would be that he designed to leave the old institution unchanged, and therefore still binding. Hence to argue that the Sabbath is not now binding because that commandment is not repeated, or re-given in the New Testament, is manifestly not conclusive. But notice how utterly this argument does demolish the first-day Sabbath. The original law for the Sabbath is no longer binding because not directly and explicitly repeated in the New Testament. So no Sabbath can any longer be built upon any law existing previous to Christ’s time. No new law or commandment either for the seventh, or first day, is anywhere given in the New Testament either by Christ or his apostles. Therefore there is no Sabbath day at all now, no rest day of any kind! Notwithstanding the fact that the seventh day had been God’s Sabbath from the beginning, had been hallowed in Eden, observed by the patriarchs, put in the law spoken by God from Heaven, kept by the prophets, regarded by Christ during his whole life, ever referred to with respect by the apostles, nothing intimated about its being done away, the law of which it is a part declared to be in force while heaven and earth stand,—if notwithstanding all these facts, our opponents demand a direct commandment in the New Testament for the seventh day, with how much more reason may we demand one of them for a direct command for the first day. It was an entirely new institution, never heard of before. Neither law nor custom ever existed in its favor. Here a reasonable demand can be made for a direct command in the New Testament for this new institution; but no such command can be cited; for it is not. If it is argued that the observance of the first day may be inferred from certain examples in the New Testament, then it is admitted that it is not necessary to have a direct commandment in the New Testament for the observance of the Sabbath. And so this objection is abandoned after all? The law for the seventh day Sabbath, then, is still binding; first, because it has never been repealed, and second, because it is declared both by Christ and his apostles to be still in force. Temptations.
By D. Robinson
As long as the children of God remain in this mortal state, their pathway will be beset with trials and temptations; and, since this is the case, we are often led to inquire, Why is this so? Why must we be subject to such fierce temptations? Why are they permitted to come upon us? Those who will be among the finally saved, will not have received anything which they did not need to fit them up for the kingdom of God. If this is so, then temptations are necessary; and that this is true, is evident from the word of God, which says, “All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Rom. 8:28. If all things work together for our good, then temptations are certainly included. Jesus, in his mission to earth, “took not on him the nature of angels,” but the nature of man. “Wherefore, in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered, being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted.” Heb. 2:17, 18. Our great High Priest has left us an example, that we should follow in his steps. Peter, in pointing out the duty of servants, says, that “it is thankworthy if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.” 1 Pet. 2:19. Verse 20 says that suffering for right doing is “acceptable with God” if we “take it patiently.” Yes, patiently! If we would have all the perplexities and trials we meet with work for our good, we must exercise patience. “Let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” James 1:4. The individual who has a fixed purpose to serve God and do his will, will experience a rich blessing in every trial and temptation through which he is called to pass. The apostle James understood this when he exhorted his brethren, to “count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” James 1:2, 3. Do we not often find it easier, after we have passed through trials and temptations and found them to be for our good, to count them all joy than when we fell into them? When this is the case, is there not a lack of faith in us? The question may arise, Why should we count it all joy when we fall into divers temptations? Suppose an individual should offer us a rich reward for performing a certain piece of work; would we not rejoice at every opportunity we had for doing it? Most certainly we would. Although the task might be very disagreeable, yet we would not shrink from doing it. The Lord in infinite mercy has offered us the gift of eternal life on condition that we perform a work necessary for our final salvation. This work is one of great importance. It is a work of obtaining a fitness for the kingdom of God; and while engaged in this work we need to have it tested at every step. Trials and temptations will do this most successfully. Then are there not good reasons for us to rejoice when they come? As the gold is separated from the dross by trial, so we, if we ever gain eternal life, must be subjected to trials and temptations; and if we endure these things, we have the promise of eternal life. “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” James 1:12. “All the temptations and trials we are called to pass through here are good, and like all the creatures and appointments of our Father, are designed in wisdom for some good use. Study them. Seek to learn why God has sent them, and to gather from them all the lessons of instruction he wishes them to teach.” The great God has a design in whatever he does, or permits, and when we are surrounded with trials and temptations, let us accept them as a means for our spiritual advancement. “Each fearful storm that o’er us rolls,
Each path of peril trod,
Is but a means whereby our souls
Acquaint themselves with God.” While the truth of God is our shield, and we keep the great object of life before us, we need not be discouraged when temptations come upon us; for “God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will45 with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” 1 Cor. 10:13. Let us exercise more faith in God, and in every hour of temptation seek that strength which he alone can give. By humbly walking in the light of truth, and by earnest, heartfelt prayer, we can obtain the strength we need. May the Lord help us to endure the test, stand firmly for his truth, so that when we are tried we may come forth as gold. Job 23:10. Bible Obituaries.
By Roswell F. Cottrell
“And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years: and he died.” It is simply said, “He died.” So of Seth and Enos and Cainan and Mahalaleel and Jared. Enoch was an exception. He did not die. “And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.” But those that were before, and those that followed, died. Nothing is said of their immortal spirits soaring away to the spirit land. Neither is it said that their remains were buried. The dead were buried. “There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife; there they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife; and there I buried Leah.” Gen. 49:31. So Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the Lord. “And he buried him in a valley in the land of Moab.” Deut. 34:5, 6. “The Lord spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ minister, saying, Moses my servant is dead.” Josh. 1:1, 2. “Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him, and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city.” 1 Sam. 28:3. How convenient to have said instead of this, that Samuel was in the spirit land, ready to come and communicate with the living at the call of any witch, wizard, or necromancer. Let us come to the New Testament. “Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.” At the grave of Lazarus, Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth! And he that was dead came forth.” Jno. 11:14, 43, 44. “Enoch was translated that he should not see death.” But of others of the faithful, it is said, “These all died in faith, not having received the promises.” Heb. 11:5, 13. By faith they saw the reward “afar off.” And it will be given; for God hath prepared for them a city. They “received not the promise; God having provided some better thing for us; that they, without us, should not be made perfect.” Burial in Sure and Certain Hope
As MEN lock up their best apparel in a chest, meaning to wear it again, even so are the dead bodies of the faithful buried in sure and certain hope of rising again to life everlasting.—Cawdray. Can’t Understand
By Editor
In order to make room on the last page for the notice of publications which has thus far during this volume been crowded out, we here give place to the following matter, which would otherwise appear on that page. “I cannot understand that the sanctuary is to be cleansed by blood. Jesus comes and gathers out of his kingdom all things that offend.”—World’s Crisis of Jan. 8. What has the gathering out of the kingdom to do with the cleansing of the sanctuary? Nothing. The kingdom is not the sanctuary. Why cannot persons understand what Paul tells them in plain language? Hear him. “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the Heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.” Heb. 9:22, 23. The “patterns of things in the Heavens” consisted of the earthly tabernacle erected by Moses, and its sacred vessels; the “heavenly things themselves” are the true tabernacle above, the sanctuary which the Lord pitched and not man. Heb. 8:1, 2. Both the pattern and the true, the type and the antitype, were to be cleansed with blood, the earthly with the blood of calves and of goats, Heb. 9:19, the heavenly, with the blood of a better sacrifice, even the blood of Christ. It is impossible to make anything plainer than this. Is the language of the Crisis a fulfillment of Dan. 12:10? “Can ye not discern the signs of the times?” Biela’s Comet Broken to Pieces.
PROF. H. A. NEWTON, of Yale, writes as follows to the New Haven papers: Sunday evening, between 7½ and 12½ o’clock, were counted about 250 shooting stars, of which over three-fourths radiated from Gamma Andromedae. These meteoric bodies evidently form a part of what was formerly called Biela’s comet. In 1846 that body was seen to divide into two comets, which, at their next return in 1852, were a million and a quarter miles apart. Since that time neither portion of the comet has been seen, though their third passage of the node should have taken place about six weeks ago. Astronomers have been suspecting that it had entirely gone to pieces, and that it would not again be seen. Sunday evening were seen, as above stated, about 250 fragments of the comet. A larger number of observers would, probably, have been able to count 700 or 800 in the time named. The process of breaking up has evidently been going on a long time. Mr. Herrick saw, in 1838, Dec. 6, quite a number of fragments, though he did not then know that they had any connection with this or any comet. About three months ago, it was announced in the REVIEW that an effort would be made the first of January to establish the advance pay system on all our periodicals. All will agree that this is the only proper system on which to conduct the publishing business. Every paper published is an expense out, in cash, to the Association. And when a subscriber lets his paper run behind, it is the same as if he borrowed from the Association the amount which his unpaid papers cost. There are nearly twenty-five hundred subscribers behind more or less on the REVIEW. Many of them, it is true, are owing only on the present volume, but some are even ten or twelve volumes behind. For all these to borrow a little of the Association, even though the amount may not be large in any individual instance, brings, in the aggregate, a very heavy burden upon the Association. If persons have not the ready money, would it not be better for them to raise it by some means nearer home, and let this burden be thus distributed. We would not counsel any one to borrow the least amount where the prospect is not every way clear that he will be able to pay. But when persons send in to the Office for papers or books, and say that they shall be able to pay in a few days or a few weeks, or months, we always wonder if they have not some friends near them, acquainted with their circumstances, and who can therefore judge of the prospect of their being able to pay, which we cannot, and who on the strength of that, would not advance them the money for the time being. We do not wish to part with any of our subscribers. We believe that such a paper as we realize that the REVIEW should be, and as we shall try to make it, is called for at the present time. We are firm in the conviction, a conviction strengthening every day, that this paper is publishing great truths of vital importance to the present generation, which no other paper in the land is publishing, or will publish. Hence we wish its circulation to be greatly extended, both that people may thus become acquainted with the truth, and that the Association by the increased patronage of its publications, may be able to urge forward still more rapidly its important work. We design to do nothing rashly in the way of cutting off names. Hence this matter is delayed, that all may have fair opportunity to make known their wishes, and fair warning before their papers are discontinued. Perhaps some are still puzzled to ascertain how their account stands from the figures on the poster. We will endeavor to explain it so minutely as to bring it within the comprehension of all. Credits are reckoned, not by dates, but by volume and number. The volume and number of every paper are stated on the first page immediately under the heading, the volume at the left hand, the number at the right. Every subscriber's poster, or address label, states the volume and number to which he has paid, in figures immediately following his name, the first stating the volume, the next, the number; thus, “J. Johnson, 41-1.” This is a statement that J. Johnson had paid up to volume 41, number 1. Every new paper is a new number, and twenty-six numbers make a volume. Now compare the volume and number as it appears on this number of the paper with the volume and number stated on your poster, and you will see how you stand. The present number of the paper is 41-6. Next week it will be 41-7, and so on to 41-26, when this volume will end and volume 42 commence, and the numbers begin again at 1, thus, 42-1, and so on. If your poster says 40-1, you are one volume and six numbers behind. If it says 41-1, you are six numbers behind. If it says 41-7, you are paid just to the present time. If it says 42-1, you are twenty numbers ahead. From this explanation any one can with a little attention readily ascertain how his account stands, whether he has paid up or whether he is behind. And now we want to hear at once from all delinquents, either personally or through tract societies. We make no unreasonable request. It certainly cannot be expected of us that we will continue to send the paper to those who do not have interest enough in it to pay for it if they are able, or, if not, to let us know that they appreciate it and wish it continued. It is designed soon to begin to strike from our list the names of delinquents from whom no response comes to this and previous notices, commencing with those most indebted, and so continue till we have no names on our list but such as have paid in advance, or have signified their wish to have the paper continued. See the article on last page from Bro. White on Delinquent Subscribers. Trying to Account for It.
THE Detroit Post, of Nov. 22, says:— The New York Times seeks to account for the extensive fires of the present day, and for the rapidity with which they seem to spread at one time compared with others, by supposing that the atmosphere contains certain combustible qualities more pronounced at one time than another. The Chicago Tribune says this theory is simply superstition, and dismisses the whole subject with an infallible contempt. In spite of the Tribune, however, it is in the experience of every person who has observed or felt the changing conditions of the atmosphere, that for two or three years the air has been less moist than usual, there has been an unwonted dryness and harshness in it, except, of course, in the wettest of the weather. Taken together with the extreme heat of summer, and the extreme and continued cold of winter, this phenomenon certainly betrays an unusual, if not an abnormal, status of the air, at least, in this country. All over the world there have been more convulsions of nature than during previous years, which can be directly or indirectly traced to disturbances in the air. It is difficult, in the present state of knowledge, to prove any specific statement upon the subject; but it is equally presumptuous to deny that there is something extraordinary and unaccountable in the disasters which have afflicted the world during several previous months. Strength and Perfection.
By A. S. Hutchins
“It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.” Ps. 18:32. The girdle was a necessary and important part of the eastern dress. Without it, the outer garment could not conveniently be worn, especially while walking and journeying. So David felt that unless his soul was strengthened of God, he could not meet with and successfully encounter his foes. How much and often does this Christian pilgrim, bound to Mt. Zion, realize the need of the energizing influence of the Spirit of God, to sustain and help him Heavenward. Said one, who was not a stranger to temptations, sacrifices and self-denial, stripes or imprisonments, perils by land and sea, in the city and in the wilderness, among his own countrymen and among false brethren, who knew from personal experience what hunger and thirst, fastings oft, in cold and nakedness, meant; and who had learned the lesson of the most intrinsic value, “in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content,” “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Phil. 4:13. Oh! for such firm trust and unshaken confidence in the adorable Son of God! Who would not most cheerfully give him the whole heart, and suffer all that is requisite? As gold is tried in the fire, to remove worthless matter and determine its true value, so the people of God are often subjected to the furnace of affliction to test the strength and depth of their love to him, and fit them for a higher sphere of usefulness, and perfection, and for the heavenly kingdom, where divine strength and perfection will unfold with all their attracting excellences and inconceivable loveliness. “I languish and sigh to be there,
Where Jesus hath fixed his abode;
Oh! when shall we meet in the air,
And fly to the mountain of God?” Says the inspired penman, “Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.” Ps. 103:13, 14. Weary and afflicted pilgrim, look up! hope still in a Father so kind and affectionate. In him you may be strong. He bears all creation up. He numbereth the very hairs of your head. He hears every uncomplaining moan, and witnesseth every tear. “If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.” “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” A. S. Hutchins. Too much stress cannot be laid upon the importance of prayer. Next to the duty of watchfulness comes that of prayer. But it often happens that both may be practiced at the same time; and it is by prayer that we attain the power and the disposition to watch. By prayer we obtain the blessing of God; and, with this, every earthly blessing. Although many a hypocrite maintains the form of prayer, yet no Christian ever existed any length of time without this form. The more earnestly and sincerely we pray, the greater and more numerous our blessings. In times of danger on the sea, and on the field of battle, wicked men often pray with zeal, only to despise themselves for their childishness (as they term it) when they are out of danger. Yet how often does God answer such prayers as these and rescue the shipwrecked mariner, who only employs his lengthened life in blaspheming the Being to whom he prayed. Neglect of prayer brings, first, a dearth of spirituality; next, worldly-mindedness; next, forgetfulness of God, coldness, indifference to the work of God; next, enmity, hatred, covetousness, and every sin, and, final apostasy. Prayer overcomes sin and difficulty; strengthens faith, love, and every Christian grace; prompts to a putting on of the whole armor of God; and sets a watch at every avenue of the heart and mind. Prayer unlocks the treasure-house of the word of God, and sets the soul traveling toward Heaven; stimulates meditation, and anchors the soul by faith to the throne of God. Prayer should become a fixed habit of the soul. It should be continually rising from the soul, as heat rises from the fire, always accompanied with thanksgiving and praise.