Earlier text: Shall Christians Join Secret Societies?Closing Report from Tuscola.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
AFTER our course of lectures had closed in Tuscola village, I stayed a couple of weeks to rest and get things in working order. Although most of the converts to the truth had never made a profession before, yet they all took right hold in our prayer and social meetings. I here enjoyed some of the sweetest meetings that I ever attended. Sabbath, April 7, met with the church at Watrousville. Here is a zealous band of Sabbath-keepers, perfectly united in love and the truth. Many a refreshing meeting, never to be forgotten, have we enjoyed with these dear friends. We organized S. B., amounting yearly to above $150. April 14, held a meeting with the church at Centerville. All are firm in the faith, and most of them are doing well and going forward. But we were sorry to learn that a few are becoming quite slack and irregular in attending the meetings. This is a sure sign of lukewarmness, if not of backsliding. We hope better things from them in the future. Four were added to the church, and S. B. organized to amount to $140. Monday, April 16, began a discussion at Watrousville, which lasted four days, with an Eld. Russel, Methodist. Question, the Sabbath. Most of the preachers of this county have been very bitter and blasphemous against the truth. This only served to open the eyes of the people to their corruption and wickedness. It helped the truth very much. But Eld. R. in the beginning took a different course, one calculated to deceive and mislead our brethren. He was very plausible and friendly; said nothing openly against the truth; attended their prayer-meetings, and said he knew God was with them, and that he expected to meet them in Heaven, &c., inviting them at the same time to attend his meetings. "Walk into my parlor, said the spider to the fly." But, as a good brother once said to me, "Adventism won't mix!" Sunday-keepers may hide their real sentiments for a while; but as our brethren talk about the present truth, the coming of Jesus, the law of God, &c., it becomes a living condemnation to them, and they cannot stand it. So it was in this case. By accident our meetings clashed, and in consequence Eld. R. attended our meeting. I happened to speak on the seal of God and the mark of the beast. This was too strong food for his pretended "Christian charity," so he got up and denounced us as heretics, false prophets, deceivers, &c., and said that we were all bound for perdition. These were those "Christian brethren" that he could worship with, and was sure that he should meet in Heaven! Very consistent, indeed! This brought on the discussion. I took our established position, that the Sabbath was founded in Eden before the fall, kept by the patriarchs, incorporated by God into the moral law, ratified by Christ, kept by his apostles, and the early Christians. He affirmed that the days of creation were long, indefinite geological periods, and that the seventh day, or God's rest-day, was "going on still!" Hence "one seventh part of time" is all we need to keep, and that may come on any day. But a fatal objection to his theory of God's resting still, is found in Gen. ii, 3. "God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it, because that in it he HAD RESTED from all his work." This is positive proof that his rest was in the past, thousands of years ago. He confounded the Sabbath of the Lord with the ceremonial sabbaths, affirming that they were all the same, and quoted Lev. xxiii to prove it. But verse 38 says these yearly sabbaths were "BESIDES the Sabbath of the Lord." This confounded him again. He then took a most outrageously absurd, and notoriously false, position, viz., that the Jews kept the seventh-day Sabbath on every day in the week in different years, the same as we keep the 4th of July sometimes on Sunday, then on Monday, &c. To prove this he cited us to Clarke's Commentary. When requested to read it, he said that it was several years ago that he saw it; but somehow he could not find it just then! But do the Jews keep Sabbath so now? Do they ever keep Monday, Tuesday, or any other day but Saturday? All Christendom knows that they do not, nor never did. This argument he could not evade. He then attempted to prove the first-day Sabbath by the usual New-Testament arguments, and the fathers. This was a total failure, as it ever must be. One fact alone in this discussion showed on which side the Bible was. During a four days' discussion of a Bible subject he only quoted fifteen texts of scripture! I re-read and answered every one of them, besides using eighty-five proof texts, not a single one of which did he dare to read, or attempt to answer! At the close of the discussion, our brethren were stronger on the Sabbath than ever, and had a joyful time, being well pleased that the discussion had occurred. They were there from all parts of the county. But Sunday-keepers felt very bad about it, if their cross looks and angry words were a true index to their feelings. This showed very plainly which way the battle went. Sabbath, April 21, I shall never forget. It was a day long to be remembered by us all, my last Sabbath in the county, and our farewell meeting. Nearly all the brethren and sisters from Centerville, from Watrousville, and from Vassar came down to Tuscola, and stayed with us over the Sabbath. Sabbath evening, as we spoke on the beauties of the New Earth, and the final triumph of God's people, for a time our faith carried us forward to that happy day. For a moment, it seemed as though we were really in the kingdom, safe upon Mount Zion, greeting each other for the first time. Oh, the joy of that one moment paid me for long weeks of weary toil. How sweet its memory still! We shouted, wept, and praised God together. But, oh, what will it be to be there! to greet our friends and know that we are safe at last! O my soul, be thou faithful to the end. Sabbath morning, at 9 o'clock, the house was crowded full of Sabbath-keepers, about one hundred and fifty in all. Ten months ago, not a soul of them knew a word about present truth. Now it did my soul good to hear their warm and feeling testimonies for the Lord and present truth. We all felt to take new courage in this glorious work. Here was a beautiful illustration of the power of truth to change such hearts and unite them together. Of this congregation, a short time since, some were Methodists, some Baptists, some Universalists, some infidels, skeptics, worldlings, &c. They had almost as many different beliefs as there were individuals, and each one cared only for himself. But now how changed they appear! They all love the same blessed truth, the same God, the same people, and the same hope. When one speaks, it expresses the minds of all, and every heart responds, Amen. "How blest the sacred tie that binds,
In sweet communion kindred minds!
Their streaming eyes together flow,
For human guilt and human woe." In the morning discourse, the Lord gave good freedom in presenting the purity and holiness of the church of God. After the discourse, about two hundred persons repaired to the river. It was a beautiful, warm, day. There, in the presence of these witnesses, in the presence of the angels of God, and before the Lord, twenty-nine souls were buried with Christ by baptism. Every thing was "done decently and in order," and we felt that God was with us. This, I believe, makes one hundred that we have baptized in this county the last year. At 5 o'clock, we all came together for the last time. In a few hours they were to go to their homes, and I to mine, perhaps never to meet on earth again. Till that hour I had not realized how much I loved these dear children of God. As I looked over the faces before me, how many touching scenes it recalled of past181 days. In different places, for long weeks, night after night, they had sat before us, while we spread before them the last solemn message of warning, and with exhortations and tears, pressed them to repent and turn to God. We had been many times at their homes, followed them at their work, ate at their tables, and bowed with them around their family altars. In the prayer, and social, meetings we had often prayed and wept, sung and rejoiced, together. But now we had come together for the last time. As we bowed before God to ask his parting blessing, words could not express our feelings. We could only sob and weep together. I then reviewed our labors and teachings among them, and again called their minds to the perils which surrounded them, the earnest fight they would have to maintain, the terrible struggle just before them, then the final victory, triumph, and meeting in the kingdom. But would we all meet there? would we look in vain for any face I saw before me? As we thus talked to them for an hour, there was scarcely a dry eye in the house. This was a scene to affect the stoutest heart. Our brethren wept, and our sisters wept, and I wept, and we all wept together. This was a sad, solemn, but yet happy, hour; never to be forgotten. May the remembrance, the feelings, and the resolves of that hour, go with us while life shall last. I could but contrast this with a scene which occurred in the same village just eleven months before. As the sun was setting at the close of a hot day, Bro. Strong and I entered the place alone, covered with dust, tired, homesick, and friendless. Not an acquaintance, not a friend, not a Sabbath-keeper in the county! With the Bible in our hands, and our trust in God, we went to work. Now as we were about to leave the same place, how changed were our circumstances! Many scores of warm hearts beat in unison with ours, and our souls were united together by the strongest ties. Bless God for a truth which will do such a work as this. Of the company assembled there that night, an outsider could but say, "Behold how these Christians love each other." But I must stop. God bless you, dear friends in Tuscola. Hold on to the truths which you have received. Keep up courage, keep up your meetings, and some one will visit you soon. Read carefully, and practice conscientiously, the Resolutions on Dress, passed by this church. Pray for us and the cause of God. EVERY avocation of life has its trials and its joys, its advantages and disadvantages, and the farmer of course comes in for his share of both. It is not the object of this article to laud the business of agriculture, much as I love the same; but rather to present some of the disadvantages of a farmer; and being one myself, no one can be offended with me for so doing. And, brother ploughmen, be not bitter against me if I touch you upon a tender point, as you know I mean it for good; and when I leave out in my remarks the bright side of the picture, recollect it is not for any dislike I owe to the business of agriculture; but rather because I want to plough, myself, this afternoon, or else set out a little package of peach-trees I have just got home from the nursery. And as to this long preface, you see it is necessary in the case, as my remarks will prove. The farmer being owner of his domain, and being sole commander and lord of his acres, gets to be, very often, quite independent. He has everything his own way of course, and if he has a noble and generous disposition, and is enlightened and intelligent, he is the best of men at home and abroad. His hired men and boys, and the inmates of his house, all pay him willing homage, which he knows how to receive with humility, and it does not hurt him. But I lament to say it is not so with most of farmers. Often they become cross and peevish to their teams—and to their men if they dare—and if breakfast is not ready just in time, they too often blame the poor woman, who perhaps had only green wood to cook it with; or perhaps if the household affairs are a little in disorder, they are gruff and sullen at the very ones whom they should comfort and please. Now a mechanic, or a merchant, or lawyer, or physician, has a constant motive before him, to please his employer, or patron, or customer, or client, and by constant contact with mankind, learns the necessity of politeness and urbanity. In fact a gloomy, morose, ill-tempered mechanic, would soon get no custom. So with the arts, and trades, and professions,—all tend to civilize and polish. But the farmer looks too often with contempt upon the polite man, and will not stoop to "bow and scrape" as he calls it; and what is the consequence? Will you believe it, that more lunatics occupy the mad-house from farmer's families, than from any other class? If you doubt it, please read the documents published by the department of agriculture, of the United States for 1862. Farmers' wives and daughters in the mad-house! So it is; figures show that the proportion of lunatics in asylums shames the farmer; his wife and daughters are too often his abject slaves; he has acted the tyrant all day with his team, flying into a terrible passion with the brutes, and no one near to shame him as he beats the poor animals, who do not understand his tactics. He comes home and kicks the dog and cat; and do you think his family much desire to see his face? The farmer has this disadvantage; he generally associates with few except the inmates of his family, and if they are in fear of him, his case is indeed to be deplored. Let me not be misunderstood. I speak of the majority of farmers; boldly I speak without fear of contradiction. A few noble men form the minority; these redeem the department, but they speak for themselves. Let me speak of the little Neros of the farm; the tyrants who scold and furiously fret at the dependents upon their care; the woman who has carefully tended a family of children,—has cooked, and washed, and mended, and patiently toiled and suffered the will of her lord, becomes insane; he gets a bill, and, marries again, for her malady is incurable! Oh! the poignancy of such grief! And who can wonder if the daughters sink into the same grave of intellect? But Mr. Farmer has his hundreds of acres; he manages not to be quite so gruff at the store, and in the market, and no one has the hardihood to really reproach such a man, and besides, it may be hereditary. The farmer should not allow himself to be so absorbed in the little world around him. Let him study nature and nature's God; let him study mankind, in history, in philosophy, in the word of God; let the mind travel; let him read (if he can't study) astronomy and other sciences; and when he has read, let him ponder; but not become conceited and vain. Let him study the constitutions of those he associates with, and learn to forbear, to strengthen, to comfort, and to heal. Do not say, "Well, I have no time to read; no money for books or papers." No, begin with the most easy, familiar studies, and press on to perfection. Let the farmer study the character of Washington, and then that of Nero; and learn to contrast them; then let him love and imitate the noble Washington in his spirit, even if the sphere is less; his flocks and herds will soon find it out; but his family will find it out first. I have written in haste, but in sincerity. I know whereof I affirm; the noble calling of agriculture is too often disgraced. Let us as a people, many of us farmers, each magnify his calling, and let it be no disgrace to the calling of agriculture that you and I are of that occupation. SURELY in close proximity to the saying of "peace and safety," and the coming of "sudden destruction," if we have not already reached it. Backed by the "emancipation proclamation," the "close of the war," and the "constitutional amendment, prohibiting slavery," our political ministers and religious politicians in the minds of those who "love to have it so," can make quite a fair show of a triumph of justice and freedom over tyranny and oppression; and they will eloquently portray the state of things in the "good time coming." But with many, there is an inward distrust of the weight of evidence, and now and then one speaks out in terms that seem to intimate that the fear that is to cause men's hearts to fail, is not altogether unknown, even now. Another remarkable omen of these times, is the extensive revival spirit, reaching from Maine to California, which, while to the popular mind it certainly betokens the dawn of the millennial day, is, nevertheless,6 in fulfillment of a prediction of the "testimony of Jesus." (See Experience and Views, p. 27). The nature of these "reformations" may be judged of by the nature of the agency producing them—a worldly-minded, fashion-devoted, pleasure-loving, fallen church. A recent issue of a local journal, under the head of "———— items," notices the observance of the "week of prayer," followed by one of these "revivals," in the same column with a meeting of a "trotting club . . . to re-organize for the season," and a "Sunday School entertainment consisting of tableaux, charades, music, vocal and instrumental, &c.," which was "repeated at the request of a number of citizens." Significant. In the great work of preparation for the Lord's coming, the health reform is seen to occupy an important place, indeed, in that it cannot be fully accomplished without it. How good and gracious then, the Lord is to give us the light upon it, and how thankful we should be for the great blessing, for that it is a blessing, none who properly understand it can fail to perceive. But do we, as a people, duly appreciate this light, and walk in it as the Lord requires? I fear we do not. In a letter written to this place recently, a good sister says, "I endeavor to be temperate in my living. I have drank but little tea for some years, and now eat but very little pork; but as we cook it in the family, I sometimes eat it; but I think the good Lord is leading us away from all these hurtful things." Yes! my dear sister; and the good Lord has already led those who have followed him, away from such things as tea and pork. And I would ask any and every Seventh-day Adventist, how, with the testimony of Spiritual Gifts, Vol. 4, and How to Live, before them, they can consistently use any tea, pork, or any other article of the same class? But abstaining from these things, is but the alphabet of the health reform. May the Lord help us to be "temperate in all things" as his word requires.
S. B. WHITNEY.
Grass River, Apr. 24, 1866. The Imagination and the Cholera
THE IMAGINATION AND THE CHOLERA.—The New Albany (Ind.) Ledger has an account of an individual who had doubtless been reading about the cholera, who presented himself before a physician the other day, expressing apprehensions lest he should have it. In a few hours he was attacked with every symptom of the disease, and the next morning was almost hopelessly ill, having passed through the various stages of the disease. It is a plain case of probable death from morbid imagination. Tornado Casualties in Illinois
It is estimated that one thousand persons were killed or wounded by the late tornado in Pope and Johnson counties in Illinois. Popularizing Crime.
By H. A. St. John
THE evidence that crime is on the increase, is no clearer, than in the fact that some kinds of crime are becoming popular. Some time since, I read in one of the public journals, the obituary of a wealthy citizen of New York City, known as a notorious pickpocket. The fact being stated in the notice that his property had been acquired by the practice of this nefarious art, in principal cities of the West. This property thus wrongfully obtained, will, no doubt, descend to his heirs and assignees, according to law. Human judgment is becoming more and more perverted. The sentiment of the world seems to be that, “wealth is worth,” that is, a man is valued according to the amount of money, or property he possesses. Hence the mania to get rich. The wicked man reasons thus, “1 must amass wealth, I must get rich, no matter by what means; and then I will be a man of worth, of influence.” And when his desire is realized, he is not disappointed. Many wait for his smile, they honor, and applaud him. The robber and burglar are growing in public favor. The impression is gaining ground that the safest and surest way to get rich is to rob some bank. The robber must be dextrous enough, however, not to get caught in the very act. After he fairly gets away, he sits down quietly, to receive proposals from the officers of the bank, for the return of the stolen money. They of course guarantee him against prosecution, and give him a handsome slice of what he has taken, as a proper reward for his condescending to give back anything. One of the thieves who took possession of the Concord Bank at noonday, was handsomely rewarded. He was allowed to go free on the payment of two-thirds of the money stolen. For all his toil of body and brain he received only eighty thousand dollars! Only a few weeks ago, a safe in New York was robbed of over a million dollars. And we learn that already in the New York papers is an advertisement announcing to the cunning thief that negotiations for the return of the money will be opened with him. Instances of this kind are by no means rare. We are told that many robberies take place in the large cities that are never heard of by the public. The robbers are privately settled with. The direct tendency of such doings is easily imagined. It cultivates both a talent and a taste for the burglar’s art. To the student of prophecy, these things are not insignificant. They only serve to augment the already overwhelming evidence that we are living in the last days. No time now for the professed Christian to be engrossed with the things of this world. The great and final conflict between the powers of darkness and the Lord of hosts is just at hand. The result of that conflict is certain, the saints will be delivered. Sinner, be entreated to seek salvation now, while sweet mercy lingers. Then with the pure and holy, you will soon begin a glorious immortality, in a land where crime is unknown. Ayersville, Ohio, April 28th, 1866. Our Days of Fasting.
By H. C. Miller
DEAR BRETHREN: It has pleased those whom the Lord has placed at the head of this work, to appoint days of fasting and prayer, that "the Lord may revive his cause, remove his rebuke from off his people, restore his servants, and lead on the message to its destined victory." We have reached the shores of our Red Sea, our enemies are rising and are beginning to press us sore, behind and on either side. The arm of man is too short, and falls powerless. We can and must cry for deliverance from our extremity. We feel that we must stand still and see the salvation of the Lord. We have only to go forward now as he shall bid us. But we have not done all we can. And now a few words in regard to some things that yet remain that we can and ought to do up before we cry unto God to work with power. All see that the cause languisheth. But shall it be thus because of neglect in the house of its friends? Shall we not furnish all that we can, and then cry to God to use it, and add to, and make up the sum that is lacking? More than a month ago a call came through the Review for more means to replenish the stock of paper then getting very low, suggesting that donations be made—free-will offerings from those who prize the blessings they have received, and feel like showing their gratitude to God for them. But since that time, the business department of the Review has shown but a tardy response to the call, either by donations or subscriptions at three dollar rates. Now, brethren, do you love this truth? I believe you do. Then send in the evidences of that love. Do not let us come before the Lord asking him to add his blessing and revive his work, and sound the "loud cry," while the treasuries of the Lord's cause lack the necessary means to carry on the work. God is pleased to let us work with him in this matter. Then let us devote a part, all if need be, of what we have, as our part in the matter. Large donations from single ones are perhaps not necessary. It is the little bricks, and quantities of them, that make the massive pile. Bring in the tithes, fill the treasuries, circulate the truth, fast, pray, and then see the Mighty Arm bared, then behold the salvation of the Lord. You may expect it then,—when we have done all we can. Some may not see where it is to be obtained, they may feel that all they can give is given. Read the story in the Instructor of the little girl who went without butter for a year, and devoted the proceeds ($1,00) to the cause, and then look round and see if in something you cannot "do likewise." Yours in the hope.
H. C. MILLER.
Chicago, Ill. Persecution
By J. F. McReynolds
Is not a theme which the Christian is delighted to dwell upon. However, it is sometimes necessary to point out the evidences that it may be expected by commandment-keepers. Some professing to be Sabbath-keeping Advent believers deny the position of Seventh-day Adventists on the two-horned beast and the third angel's message, because, say they, the spirit of the unbelieving world is that of carelessness and indifference concerning what is good, and not such as should lead them to persecution of such a character as that connected with the third angel's message; and some refer to 2 Tim. iii, to prove their position. Now it seems strange that those who have had the light of present truth should be led to take such a blind position as this, and perhaps it is best explained by considering that they probably judge of the spirit of the world henceforth by that now manifested toward them; for doubtless Satan must be pleased, and his followers rejoice, to see men forsaking and opposing the work of God. To show the falsity of their claims we will briefly examine the scripture referred to with reference to the point in question. Here Paul says, "In the last days perilous times shall come." And why shall the times be perilous? Read verses 2-5. "For men shall be lovers of themselves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." Now think of a class of individuals like this, and what may be expected of them? Ah! what in the way of evil may not be expected? Think of a class without natural affection, false accusers, and possessed of a fierce spirit, and who are despisers of those that are good—then place with them a class of good, who are telling them of the awful denunciations of wrath against beast-worshipers; and proving to them that this worship consists in the observance of their most favored and cherished institution, and crying mightily to the honest to come out from among them, that they be not partakers of their sins, and that they receive not of their plagues, "for her sins have reached unto Heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities." This state of things once existing, can any one believe for a moment that the result will not be persecution such as is foretold in Rev. xiii? And such a state must exist, for Paul has described the former class, and the latter John saw, and heard the message they must bear. Reader! commandment-keeper! we are amid the perils of the last days, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus must suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived; and may the Lord help you and me to continue in the things we have learned, and learn the things he would have us know, that we may be prepared for the trials just before us, and finally gain a home in the kingdom of God. “Dying, Dying, Dead !”
By M. J. Cottrell
It was Sabbath morning, after the Monthly Meeting held at our house, that these drear words were ringing through and through my brain, "dying, dying, dead." My soul was faint and hungry for want of heavenly food, dying, dying, and painfully I felt a sure consciousness, that unless I speedily found my way back to the living fount, my spiritual life would soon be dead. But I felt so utterly unworthy to look up to Heaven; why was it that I found myself thus? I will tell you frankly, brother, sister, for I would fain have you learn a lesson from my experience. We had been very busy with company, and attending evening meetings all the week, and I had let the cares and pleasures thus occasioned, come between me and my God; between me and secret prayer. I had not lived a whole week without prayer; but my closet, the place where every Christian gains his sure strength, had been sadly neglected, and on that Sabbath morn I felt that I was far from my Father's house, and on every side was desolation and barrenness. I was dying, dying. Oh, what a fearful import those words gained as they were repeated in my mind. I felt as I had never felt before, the danger of neglecting secret prayer. Would that I could make all feel the danger, by telling my sad experience; which I learned to feel by passing through it. Christian friend, let me warn you; listen not to that voice which says, you have no need of praying now, here is some work that demands your attention, and there is nothing to tempt you now; there is no particular call for spiritual strength. Listen not, I entreat you, to such excuses. Have you not felt that in your secret prayer you enjoyed a visit with Jesus, where your soul drank in rich draughts of heavenly strength, and love; and can you afford to give up such visits? as surely as you do, so surely will your spiritual life languish and die. Neglect prayer, and if you can refuse to listen to that voice which cries, dying, dying, you open your heart to the enemy of all good, and he will lead you to certain death. “Neglecting prayer, we cease to fight,
Prayer makes the Christian's armor bright;
And Satan trembles when he sees
The weakest saint upon his knees.”
Should the reader be one who is neglecting secret183 prayer, let me say to you, Do so no longer. Perhaps you feel as I did on that morning, that you cannot lift up so much as your eyes to Heaven, that you have not confidence to approach the God you have so neglected; pause, then, and ask yourself, Can I give up the struggle? give up my hope, and go on dying, dying, till my religion is all dead? I could not, and falling on my knees I cried, "God be merciful to me a sinner." And for the reader's encouragement I will say, that in confessing my sins, I gained confidence to plead for forgiveness, and I went from my room feeling that forgiveness was mine, and that there was a rift in the clouds, which neglect of secret prayer had caused to gather over me. The New Song.
By S. N. Chadwick.
Oh, may I hope to join That glad, triumphant choir? I who have dared God's truth to spurn, Who've proudly shunned his will to learn, Oh, can I hope to share A blessed, grateful part, In work so heavenly sweet? With all the purified in heart, Rejoicing in what God hath wrought, For such may I be meet? If I would have some place, Humble though it may be, Where I shall see God "face to face," And sing aloud redeeming grace, Through all eternity, Then—oh the solemn thought! I must live wisely—well; I must be by the Son blood-bought, I must be by the Spirit taught, To know and do his will. That song I now must learn, And understand it well, Fully from all my idols turn, For heavenly light and guidance yearn, My mission to fulfill. Oh, may I "buy the truth," Cost me whate'er it may, Of Christ I then shall know the worth, And fruit meet for his bride bring forth, And seek his smile alway. My God, the work is thine! My name—oh let it stand, Blot it not out, but from thy book My sins erase, now while the work Is in thy faithful hand. Go with me to the end, Be thou my sure support, Richly thy heavenly Spirit lend, To make the law and gospel blend, And strength and grace impart. A Testimony of Faith and Trials
By Vesta N. Cudworth
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS, "that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus," Rev. xiv, 12: I can say I thank God for what has seemed to me the strange trials, or fiery ones, that drove me, by God's blessing, on the "rocks of distress," to be picked up by this friendly crew, and taken on board their gallant vessel. I embraced the Sabbath and other kindred truths, Nov. 10, 1865, because I dared not do otherwise, being convinced that they were the truths for this generation; also that God was about to "take me away in his wrath," when a great ransom could not deliver me, if I did not follow the light. I considered it a dry truth at best, exceedingly distasteful, and the greatest cross I ever took up for Jesus; but I wish to say to his praise, that under this cross I have found the brightest gem I ever yet wore. Unexpectedly I find myself in the greenest pastures, and beside the stillest waters that I have ever rested in, while passing through this howling wilderness. I am very much ashamed that I have resisted this truth so long; but One that looketh on the heart, knows the stumbling-blocks that have been in my path. Ezekiel xxxiv plainly pictures the time we live in, and my heart says, God have mercy on the flock; he will, ere the third angel ceases to sound. Israel will have one fold and one Shepherd, and may healing and strength go with this message. Mal. iv, 2, 3. When I promised God to keep his commandments, my health sprang forth suddenly (being almost helpless with a paralytic stroke). I have learned to rejoice a little in tribulation; have had strength given me from on high. I cannot say with St. Paul that I have always had (previous to my sickness) a conscience void of offense, but can say, I was trying to be good, endeavoring to maintain good works, and striving to enter in at the straight gate; but I felt a conscious weakness; my steps seemed to slide irresistibly, as though the ground was not tenable. But "I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are right, and thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me;" Ps. cxix, 75; also, "The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver." I desire also to say that the visions of sister W. have been to me, and others in this region, like the shadow of a great rock in a weary land." According to scripture, the true church in the last days will be blessed with visions, Acts ii, 17, at the same time when God will show wonders in heaven above, &c. Are we in that day? I consider it the best book we have to put into the hands of the honest seeker after truth, save the Bible. A few have embraced the truth in Springfield; others are troubled. We have regular meetings on the Sabbath, and are very much comforted through them. Bro. Daniels was with us last Sabbath. We should be glad to have more preaching, but are thankful for the help we have. May the Lord add to our number such as shall be saved. The true Sabbath of the Lord is to us as a star amid surrounding darkness, and in our weakness we cheerfully and untiringly advocate its beauty and blessedness to all with whom we are conversant. Even strangers listen often with apparent interest. Pray for us, that this handful may be mightily increased; but especially that we may be fruitful in every good word and work.