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Review and Herald, Vol. 25, No. 25.

NATURE AND DESTINY OF MAN
Earlier text: NATURE AND DESTINY OF MAN

The Conference.

ANOTHER of our delightful yearly gatherings has just closed. Where to commence, or what first to report of the good season we have enjoyed, it is difficult to determine. True, we have not, with the disciples on the day of pentecost, witnessed cloven tongues as of fire, sitting upon the heads of any, nor heard any speaking with unknown tongues, nor seen three thousand converts, but we have received instruction in relation to body, soul, and spirit, which, if carried out, will free the church from spots and wrinkles, and prepare it for manifestations such as these.
Were we to commence with what might be really termed the commencement of the Conference, we should go back to Sabbath, the 13th inst. Several ministering brethren from a distance, varying in a manner very agreeable to us from the usual custom, came in the week before the appointment. The society and labors of these we enjoyed in advance of the great gathering of the meeting. Delegates to the General Conference, representing every portion of the field, as may be seen by the business proceedings published in another column, were all present promptly to commence the session at the appointed hour on Wednesday morning. And throughout the business sessions of the General Conference, the Mich. State Conference, and the Association, on no single proposition that came before the meetings, was there a single dissenting vote.
And not only in the business meetings was this union and harmony apparent, but in all the religious exercises, it could but be seen and felt. Like the sweet chords of a grand and perfectly harmonious tune, was the union and harmony of these meetings, from the beginning to the end. It would seem that the apostle could have contemplated nothing more perfect when he exhorted the brethren to all speak the same things, and with one heart and one mouth, to glorify God.
During the five days of the Conference, there were held fifteen religious meetings, and seven business sessions. Of these meetings singly, it would be impracticable to speak to any great length. We can only give the reader one rule by which to work in this case. Having ascertained the character of one meeting, multiply that by the whole number held, and this will give the aggregate of the religious feast which we have enjoyed.
Wednesday and Thursday evenings were occupied with social meetings. And by social meetings we mean as a general thing (of course there will be some exceptions on such occasions), meetings which are characterized by spirited and soul-cheering testimonies, the beaming eye, the voice of praise, the earnest and stirring exhortation, and often the falling tear—scenes in which faith and love flame up anew, and we feel that all our hearts, and the truth, take a firmer hold upon each other.
We trust, for the good of those who were present, that they will not soon forget the remarks of sister White, Thursday evening, on the connection between the physical and the mental and moral, the relation which health bears to, or the almost controlling influence it has over our feelings, and the necessity of caring for the health of the body, if we would possess buoyancy and cheerfulness of spirit. The important bearing of this subject upon the present truth, will be seen at once by all who realize how necessary is a reform in our physical habits to that high state of spirituality involved in the preparation needful for us to be partakers in the latter rain.
Nor can we pass without notice the lectures of Bro. White, at the early hour of 5 o'clock on the mornings of the 18th and 19th, in which he spoke to a house full of interested hearers, on the life, duties, and privileges of the young minister, and the duties of the people among whom he labors, to him. He faithfully exposed the evils of late hours after the evening meeting, damp beds, late rising, frittering away the time in a sort of frivolous visiting, inactivity, putting forth no exertions to improve and discipline the mind, and then pampering and overloading the body with rich and unhealthful food. Pursuing such a course, a man will inevitably find himself at last the possessor of a weak, imbecile, and sluggish mind, scarcely holding its control over a fat and lazy body. Unless the memory of those who listened proves very faulty, we do not anticipate that any of them will soon be guilty of these faults.
Sabbath at 8 o'clock, A. M. and 2 P. M., and Sunday at half-past 8 A. M., and at half-past 6 P. M., an hour or an hour and a half each time, were devoted to social meetings. Of these meetings see definition above.
The discourses by Brn. White, Andrews, Snook and Loughborough, were, as discourses on present truth must ever be, when presented by those who have heads to understand and hearts to feel the solemn realities of these things, plain, clear, powerful, convincing and encouraging. This is the least that can be said of what we heard at these meetings.
Sabbath afternoon, discourse by Bro. White. It was some time before he could commence, so close were the ranks of those who were anxiously pressing in and bearing their testimonies, at the rate of about sixty in twenty-five minutes. After several attempts he at length obtained his turn to speak, and refreshed the minds of the congregation on the subject of the seven seals, showing in its appropriate place how strikingly is now fulfilled before us the holding of the winds, preparatory to the sealing of the servants of God. From this position there did not seem to be a dissenting voice. Indeed, it was a characteristic of most of the testimonies which were borne, that the time has come for the cause of the Lord in the present truth to move on in power and accomplish its work. A suggestion was made in connection with this subject which we hope to see carried out, which was, that as God had so signally answered our prayers as we have prayed for the restraining of the winds, we now have another season of prayer for the accomplishment of the work for the people of God, for which the way is now opening.
Sunday morning at five o'clock, Bro. Andrews ably presented to nearly a tent full of Sabbath-keepers, some new light on the commandment to restore and build Jerusalem, the event from which the 2300 days are to be dated. By this our position on this question is rendered invulnerable. He has been requested as will be seen by the proceedings of the General Conference, to write out his views on this subject for publication, and the reader will doubtless soon have the pleasure of perusing them for himself in the Review.
Following this meeting, six went forward in the ordinance of baptism.
Fortunately, the weather was so favorable that the tent could be pitched Friday afternoon, in which the meetings were thereafter held. Sunday evening, while Bro. Andrews was presenting the closing sermon on the solemn subject of the Judgment, it is estimated that over a thousand persons were present.
It is thought that over five hundred were in from abroad. These, with the Battle Creek church, made a body of between six and seven hundred Sabbath-keepers. There were fifteen ordained ministers present. This is probably the largest body of Sabbath-keepers that has assembled for fifteen hundred years. We believe it is the most important Conference that has yet been held under the third angel's message. From all directions, brethren came up impressed with the idea that the meeting was to be one of unusual interest and importance. And while we heard none say that they were disappointed, not a few declared that it was the best meeting it had yet been their privilege to attend. We confidently expect that the rapidly-growing cause of present truth will look back for the time when it received a mighty impetus, to the spring Conference of 1865.

Report of the Third Annual Session of the General Conference of S. D. Adventists.

THIS meeting met according to appointment in Battle Creek, Mich., May 17, 1865, at 9 o'clock A. M. Prayer by Bro. White. Delegates were present from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Ohio, New York, and Vermont. The remainder of New England being represented by J. N. Loughborough. Minutes of last meeting read and approved. Reports from missionaries who had been laboring in the employ of the Conference being called for, interesting statements were read from Bro. Sanborn who has labored a portion of the time in Minnesota, Brn. Rodman, Bourdeau, Cornell, and Loughborough, who have labored in New England, and from Bro. White who has labored in New England and New York. The reports from all these brethren were accepted. They were encouraging and showed a cheering state of the cause in all parts of the field. A good work is being accomplished by missionary labor.
The Treasurer's report was then called for, which was read as follows:
Amount in Treasury at close of last Conference year, $791,31
Received during the year, 2701,41
Total, $3492,71
Paid to J. N. Loughborough, $1156,71
" " J. N. Andrews, expenses to Washington, 58,46
Paid to J. & E. G. White, expenses on Eastern Tour, 286,00
Paid to Ellen G. White, 66,00
Paid to M. E. Cornell, 186,25
Cash on hand to balance account, 1139,29
Total, $3492,71
Moved, by Bro. Andrews, that a committee of three be appointed by this Conference to draft resolutions on such subjects as they deem important to be brought before the meeting, and report at the next session of the Conference. Carried.
Brn. J. N. Andrews, J. N. Loughborough and Isaac Sanborn, were thereupon chosen by vote of the Conference to act as such committee.
Moved, by Bro. White, that the committee already appointed be also a committee to nominate officers for the ensuing year. Carried.
Adjourned till 2 o'clock, P. M.
Afternoon session. Prayer by Bro. Andrews:
The subject of the distribution of laborers was taken up.
Moved, by Bro. Andrews, that letters from the delegates be read, expressing the wants of the brethren in different locations. Carried.
Letters were then read from Ohio, Vermont, New York, Iowa, New England and Missouri, setting forth the state of the cause, and its wants and prospects in those localities. Bro. Bostwick spoke for the cause in Minnesota, reporting the condition of things in that State as somewhat better than it was a year ago. Bro. Sanborn spoke for the cause in Wisconsin.
The Committee on nominations being called upon, reported as follows: For President, James White; Secretary, U. Smith; Treasurer, I. D. Van Horn. Not being able to fix upon an executive committee, they made no nominations in that direction. The report was accepted, and the brethren designated for President, Secretary and Treasurer, were thereupon elected to those offices.
On motion of Bro. White, J. N. Andrews was elected as one of the remaining members of the executive committee.
On motion of Bro. White, J. N. Loughborough was elected as the remaining member of the executive committee.
The officers having thus been elected, the proposed changes in the constitution of the Conference were taken into consideration. All the changes proposed, namely, adding sections 4 and 5 to Art. V, and adding to Art. I, a statement of whom the Conference should be composed, as set forth in the Review containing the call for the Conference, were unanimously adopted.
The committee on resolutions being called upon to report, offered the following resolutions which were unanimously adopted.

RELIGIOUS DISCUSSIONS.

Whereas, It is of special importance in the great work to which God has called us, of making ready a people prepared for the Saviour's appearing, that we be able to act in entire harmony in all that concerns our conduct before our fellow men, we deem it duty to express ourselves anew on the following matters:
Resolved, That in our judgment, religious discussions are less likely to result in converting men to the truth than is the divinely appointed instrumentality of preaching the word; and that we recommend to those who are public laborers in this cause that they make preaching their grand agency rather than debating; departing from this rule only in such cases as plainly require such departure.

VOTING.

Resolved, That in our judgment, the act of voting when exercised in behalf of justice, humanity and right, is in itself blameless, and may be at some times highly proper; but that the casting of any vote that shall strengthen the cause of such crimes as intemperance, insurrection, and slavery, we regard as highly criminal in the sight of Heaven. But we would deprecate any participation in the spirit of party strife.

OUR VIEWS OF WAR.

Resolved, That we acknowledge the pamphlet entitled "Extracts from the Publications of S. D. Adventists setting forth their views of the sinfulness of war," as a truthful representation of the views held by us from the beginning of our existence as a people, relative to bearing arms.

OUR DUTY TO THE GOVERNMENT.

Resolved, That we recognize civil government as ordained of God, that order, justice, and quiet may be maintained in the land; and that the people of God may lead quiet and peaceable lives in all godliness and honesty. In accordance with this fact we acknowledge the justice of rendering tribute, custom, honor, and reverence to the civil power, as explained in the New Testament. While we thus cheerfully render to Cæsar the things which the Scriptures show to be his, we are compelled to decline all participation in acts of war and bloodshed as being inconsistent with the duties enjoined upon us by our divine Master toward our enemies and toward all mankind.
Resolved, That this Conference request the Ex. Committee of the Gen. Conference to prepare an article for publication setting forth our view of the teaching of the Scriptures on the subject of war.

STATE CONFERENCES.

Resolved, That in our judgment it is highly important for the well-being of the cause that the President of the General Conference should attend the session of each of the State Conferences.

EXPENSE OF DRAFT DOCUMENTS.

Whereas, The General Conference Committee have been under the necessity of incurring a considerable expense in preparing and procuring preliminary proofs and documents to enable certain of our brethren to avail themselves of the law in favor of non-combatants, which expense as yet has been but partially met from the avails of said proofs and documents, therefore,
Resolved, That this Conference hereby request all those for whose personal benefit said expense was incurred; viz. those who were liable to the draft—and all others who are so disposed, to contribute one dollar each for the purpose of defraying the same, and that each of said contributors be entitled to a copy of said documents.

HOLDING OF THE WINDS.

Whereas, A terrible rebellion has for the past four years convulsed our land, and retarded the progress of the third angel's message, and
Whereas, This rebellion has been suddenly brought to nought,
Resolved, That we acknowledge, with devout gratitude, the hand of God in this event, as a direct answer to prayer, and that in view of the increased responsibilities laid upon us in again opening the way for the progress of the message, we solemnly consecrate ourselves anew to this great work to which God has called us.

DAN. IX, 25.

Resolved, That this Conference fully endorse the view of Bro. J. N. Andrews respecting the commandment to restore and build Jerusalem, Dan. ix, 25, and that we hereby request him to write out his view of the same for publication, at the earliest opportunity.

DEATH OF THE PRESIDENT.

Whereas, Abraham Lincoln, the noble-minded and upright chief magistrate of this nation, has fallen by the hand of an assassin,
Resolved, That we hereby record our deep distress at the loss of this "prince and great man," 2 Sam. iii, 27-38, who was stricken down by his enemies at the very moment when he was studying how to forgive them all, and that we recognize in this most atrocious crime the true character of the slaveholders' rebellion.

MEETING-HOUSE AT BATTLE CREEK.

Whereas, Battle Creek, Michigan, is a central point for the General Conference to hold its sessions, also for the sessions of the Michigan State Conference, and being the place where the property of the Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association is located,
Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Conference that a house of worship should be built in the city of Battle Creek of sufficient size to convene the meetings of worship usually held in connection with our annual Conferences, and that the General Conference Committee should feel free to solicit funds from the friends of the cause in the wide field, and to act in connection with the church in Battle Creek in erecting the house.
Resolved, That the General Conference Committee be authorized to take the initiatory steps preparatory to the building of said meeting-house immediately, and to adopt such plan, and make such call for means through the Review, as in their judgment may be best adapted to the prosecution of the work.

THE SOUTH.

Resolved, That a field is now opened in the South for labor among the colored people and should be entered upon according to our ability.

BLANKS.

Resolved, That blanks be prepared by the General Conference Committee for the use of churches, ministers, &c., in making their reports; and such other blanks as may be needed to establish more uniformity, and expedite matters in our Conference business.
Resolved, That we hereby tender the Battle Creek church our sincere thanks for the kind attention and generous hospitality with which we have been entertained.
Moved, That the Minutes of this Conference be published in the Advent Review. Carried.
Adjourned to the call of the Committee.
John Byington, President. U. Smith, Secretary.

Christ the Cure for Bad Temper

AN unhappy temper often spoils our sweetest enjoyments: Jesus Christ is the only physician that can cure a bad temper, and secure our fleeting comforts.

Let the Bible Displace the Newspaper

NEVER let the newspaper displace the Bible, or the concerns of time occupy the place of eternity.

Fifth Annual Meeting of the Michigan State Conference.

By Uriah Smith

PURSUANT to call of the Committee through the Review, the Michigan State Conference held its fifth Annual Session at Battle Creek, Mich., Thursday, May 18th, 1865, at 9 o'clock A. M. Session opened with prayer by Bro. Loughborough. Credentials of delegates were then examined. The number of delegates present, duly authorized, was forty-five, representing twenty-nine churches.
On motion of Bro. John Byington, the Church at Ithaca, was received into the Michigan State Conference. The Minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.
The reading of reports from Churches was omitted. Reports from ministers belonging to the Conference being called for, the following brethren responded, viz., Jas. White, J. N. Loughborough, J. Byington, R. J. Lawrence, J. B. Frisbie, J. H. Waggoner and I. D. Van Horn.
On motion, the Chair was authorized to appoint committees on nominations, and a Committee to settle with ministers; whereupon the following brethren were appointed a Committee on nominations, viz., Elder J. N. Loughborough, L. M. Jones and E. S. Griggs; and the following brethren a Committee on settlement with ministers, viz., S. H. King, D. R. Palmer, J. S. Day, Cyrenius Smith, E. S. Faxon and D. Carpenter. Adjourned until 2 o'clock P. M.
Afternoon Session. Prayer by Bro. Lawrence.
Reports from licensed ministers being called for, the following brethren responded: Philip Strong, D. M. Canright, and H. L. Doty.
On motion of Bro. White it was
Resolved, That Bro. McPherson of Wright, Bro. Rumsey of Monterey and Bro. Amadon of Battle Creek, be a committee to investigate the case of Bro. H. L. Doty who was drafted, and apportion the means raised to clear him.
The Treasurer's report was presented and accepted showing the following result, viz. :
Cash on hand at close of last Conference year, $379,92
Amount of Donations during the year, 3242,66
Total, $3622,58
Paid out to Ministers during the year, $2202,76
Cash on hand to balance, 1419,82
Total, $3622,58
The credentials of the following ministers were renewed: James White, J. N. Loughborough, John Byington, M. E. Cornell, R. J. Lawrence, Joseph Bates, I. D. VanHorn and J. B. Frisbie.
Whereas, Bro. Waggoner requested that he receive no credentials this year as circumstances were such with him that he could not at present use them, therefore,
Resolved, That the matter of his credentials be left with the Conference Committee.
The committee on nominations presented the following report, viz: For President, J. N. Loughborough; Secretary, I. D. VanHorn; Treasurer, Geo. W. Amadon. Executive committee, J. N. Loughborough, James White and Uriah Smith.
On motion the nominations were ratified and the brethren named were elected to the respective offices to which they were nominated.
On motion of Bro. Byington, Tent operations and other State labor was referred to the State Conference Committee.
On motion of Bro. White it was
Resolved, That this Conference approve of the plan entered into by the Committee in districting the State.
The following preamble and resolution was introduced and passed by the Conference.
Whereas, Battle Creek, Michigan is a central point for the General Conference to hold its sessions, also for the sessions of the Michigan State Conference, and being the place where the property of the Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association is located, therefore,
Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Conference that a house of worship should be built in the city of Battle Creek, of sufficient size to convene the meetings of worship usually held in connection with our annual Conferences, and that the General Conference Committee should feel free to solicit funds from the friends of the cause in the wide field, and to act in connection with the church in Battle Creek in erecting the house.
On motion of Bro. White the church at Alma was received into the Michigan Conference.
Adjourned, subject to the call of the Committee. URIAH SMITH, President. E. S. WALKER, Secretary.

Fifth Annual Meeting of the Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association.

Pursuant to call of the Trustees through the Review, the fifth annual meeting of the Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association was held in the city of Battle Creek, Mich., Friday, May 19, 1865. Present, all the officers of the Association. Meeting opened with prayer by Bro. Loughborough. The roll was then called. Members present, 61, representing 175 votes. The Minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. The next business in order being the Auditor's report, Bro. I. D. Van Horn, Auditor, presented the following report:

FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE AUDITOR OF THE S. D. A. PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION.

This is to certify that I have carefully examined the books and accounts of the Association, and find the result of the receipts and expenditures since the date of last report, May, 13, 1864, to be as follows:
Received on Review, $6249,76 " " Instructor, 662,56 " " Account, 3158,70 " " Deposits, 13748,44 " " Books, cash sales, 1927,26 " " Shares in the Association, 585,00 " " Stock of Paper, 1448,94 " " Soldiers' Tract Fund, 141,42 " " Donations, 80,00 " " Custom work, 329,75 " " Paper for Instructor, 19,55 Total, $28346,38
Amount of Mich. Conf. Fund on hand at the time of last meeting, May 13, 1864, 379,92 Amount received since last report, 3242,66 Total, $3622,58 Amount paid out since last report, 2202,76 Balance in Treasury, May 12, 1865, $1419,82
Amount of Missionary Fund on hand at time of last meeting, May 13, 1864, $791,31 Amount received since last report, 2701,54 Total, $3492,85 Amount paid out since last report, 1753,42 Balance in Treasury May 12, 1865, $1739,43 Whole amount received on all items since last report, $34290,58

EXPENDITURES.

The Association has paid as follows: For work in Office, $3839,18 " Materials and Sundries, 10549,07 On Deposits and Outstanding Notes, 13491,36 " Soldiers' Tract Fund, 13,68 Total, $27898,29 Whole amount paid out on all items since last report, $31849,47 Cash on hand to balance, 2441,11 Total, $34290,58
Total amount of assets of the Association, $32448,20 Amount due on Outstanding Notes, $3453,99 " " " Missionary Fund, 1739,43 " " " Mich. Conf. Fund, 1419,82 " " " Book Account, 619,85 Total, $7233,09
Assets after all debts are paid, $25215,11 Value of the Property of the Association at the time of last report, $23116,13 Increase of Property by Donations, Shares, and Profits, during the past year, $2098,98 I. D. VAN HORN, Auditor.
The general business of the Association was then introduced by the Secretary in a written statement of the business to come before the meeting, viz.:
  1. Election of Officers.
  2. Election of Editors.
  3. Compensation of Auditor.
  4. Salaries of President, Editors, Secretary, and Treasurer.
The business was then called up item by item for discussion and action, by written resolutions. On motion of Bro. J. N. Loughborough it was Resolved, That we nominate all the Officers at one balloting. Carried.
On motion of Bro. J. N. Andrews it was Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed, whose duty it shall be to present a list of names for the action of the Association in the nomination of officers. Carried.
The President appointed Elders J. N. Loughborough, J. N. Andrews, and D. T. Bourdeau, as a committee on nominations.
On motion of Bro. J. N. Loughborough it was Resolved, That Uriah Smith be Editor of the Review and Herald for the next year. Carried.
On motion of Bro. J. N. Loughborough it was Resolved, That Mrs. Adelia P. VanHorn be Editress of the Youth's Instructor for the next year. Carried.
On motion of Bro. James White it was Resolved, That the Auditor be paid $10,00 per week for his services in auditing the accounts of the Association. Carried.
On motion, Adjourned until 2 o'clock P. M.
Afternoon session. Prayer by Bro. Andrews.
The committee on nominations presented the following report, viz.: For President, Elder James White; Vice President, Geo. W. Amadon; Treasurer, Uriah Smith; Secretary, Jotham M. Aldrich; Auditor, Eld. I. D. VanHorn; and being unable to agree on a choice for Committee on Publications, reported none.
The report of the Committee was accepted, and the brethren reported were elected to the respective offices named. Elders J. N. Andrews and J. N. Loughborough were nominated and elected for the office of Committee on Publications.
On motion of Bro. James White it was Resolved, That the Association pay the Editor of the Review and Herald for his services at the rate of $12. per week. Carried.
On motion of Bro. James White it was Resolved, that the Association pay the Editress of the Youth's Instructor at the rate of $6,00 per week. Carried.
On motion of Bro. James White it was Resolved, That the Association pay the President and Secretary for their services the sums decided to be adequate to their labor by the trustees. Carried.
Adjourned, subject to the call of the Trustees. JAMES WHITE, President. E. S. WALKER, Secretary.

Should Christians Fight? No. 2.

By R. F. Cottrell

CHRIST is heir of all the kingdoms of the world. He has gone to receive the kingdom, and having received it, he will return and dash in pieces the existing kingdoms, his enemies, and take possession; and having, at the second resurrection and the second death, purified the territory from sin, sinners and the curse, will reign upon it forever. No particular kingdom, at the present time, is the Lord's, as it was in the Jewish age. Hence the Christian has no kingdom for which to fight, except that for which he is to fight the "good fight" of faith. Said our King, "My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence." Jno. xviii, 36.
This text does not assert, as some imagine, that Christ's kingdom is not literal, but spiritual. It teaches that his kingdom is not present but future—that the time of his kingdom had not come. It is not of this present world, but of the future, glorious new earth, for which, Peter says, we look "according to his promise." It is "not from hence," i. e., it is not from this time onward. This is the reason given why Christ's servants do not fight; and it still holds good; for the kingdom has not yet come; and when it shall have come, and all the enemies shall have been destroyed, there will be no fighting in all the kingdom of peace. The battle bow having been broken, "wars" shall "cease to the end of the earth." Ps. xlvi, 9.
Christ's servants must not fight that their Lord should not be delivered to his persecutors and murderers. What object more worthy exists for which to take up arms?
Perhaps you say, It was God's purpose that Christ should die, and therefore to fight to deliver him, would be fighting against the purpose of God.
In reply to this it is sufficient to say, God has his purposes in regard to the nations of the earth; and it is clearly revealed that his ultimate purpose is to "break them with a rod of iron," and "dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel." No nation is excepted. Shall Christians fight to thwart God's purpose and save the nations, doomed for their sins, while Jesus would not suffer his disciples to fight in defense of immaculate innocence?
Well, says one, if you will not fight in defense of your government, you are not worthy to enjoy its protection.
We will let God, whose providence controls the nations, and our government, which we conscientiously obey, judge concerning this. As long as we enjoy protection, we thank God and the government for it. God uses and controls civil governments for the benefit of his people, the advancement of his cause and the salvation of souls. It is for want of trust in God that Christians think they must take care of the State in order that the State may take care of them. Obey God in all things. This includes all a Christian's duty to the government. If God has commanded those to fight for civil government, whom he has forbidden to fight for themselves, their religion and their Master, let every lover of God obey. But if not, let all be followers and imitators of the Prince of peace, "who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously."
Render to Cæsar the things that are Cæsar's, and unto God the things that are God's. But "he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword." This was illustrated in the Reformation of the sixteenth century. Zwingle took the sword and was killed in battle. Luther's strong faith trusted in God alone, and he was preserved. Perhaps you say, Zwingle fought for the cause of religion—for the advancement of the Reformation—a thing which he ought not to have done. I ask, What better cause to fight for? If a Christian fight for civil rights and the enfranchisement of mankind, is not religious liberty and the everlasting salvation of man his ultimate and highest object? If not, he perils his life for an object too low for, and unworthy of, a Christian. But if his object is the exalted and worthy one—the salvation of souls—he fights for the advancement and triumph of religion; a thing you say he ought not to do. You may have your choice between the two horns of this dilemma. One or the other you must take, or, either take the non-combatant ground or conclude that a crusade in favor of pure religion is, indeed, a "holy war," and, as some have said concerning the present war, "as much a religious duty as it is to pray."

Perilous Times.

By O. Nichols

The bold assassination of President Lincoln, and the daring attempt to murder Secretary Seward, perpetrated through the aid of an extended conspiracy to destroy our government, and burn our large towns and cities, is appalling. It is the most surprising and alarming event in this nation's history. The Lord has suffered these things to take place for some wise purpose. Our government has been exceedingly lenient to high-handed rebels and traitors. They have been suffered to live unmolested in Washington, and even to hold offices of honor and trust in the Federal government; and if any were arrested for treasonable acts, they were not punished.
"Treason is the highest crime of a civil nature of which man can be guilty."—Webster. These acts of violence, sanctioned by the leaders of the rebellion, have aroused our government, and people generally, to deal retribution and justice to the principal leaders of the rebellion, and President Johnson seems to be the man chosen by the Lord to execute the retribution they justly deserve. We hope he has the strong nerve to execute the laws without being biassed by his friends. President Lincoln was extremely lenient to the leading high-handed traitors and rebels. The feeling was prevalent that they would not be punished, but that the leaders of the rebellion would be the arbiters of the South for their restoration into the union again. "The terms of Gen. Lee's surrender seem to be generally regarded as promising amnesty (i. e. pardon) to him and his officers."—Congregationalist.
A general amnesty was expected from Mr. Lincoln to all that would take the oath of allegiance to the Federal government. The leading rebels have no scrupulous consciences against the violation of their oath of allegiance. We believe God designs they should be punished; for he has ordained human governments and "rulers for a terror to evil workers. They are the ministers of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon them that do evil." "Governors are sent by him for the punishment of evil doers." Rom. xiii; 1 Pet. ii, 14. "Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil." Eccl. viii, 11. "Let favor be shown to the wicked, yet he will not learn righteousness." Isa. xxvi, 10. How true.
The terms of Gen. Lee's surrender were understood to be a precedent for the leading rebels. R. E. Lee is ring-leader of the rebels, a malicious tyrant, unrelenting, implacable, and defiant, even after Gen. Grant had him in his power, and agreed to surrender only upon terms which promised amnesty to him and other leaders of the rebellion; and after his surrender, he insulted the Federal government in his farewell address to his officers and army.
Should such a man go at large unpunished? If so, then we may expect that "violence will rise up into a rod of wickedness." Eze. vii, 11.
The following remarks from Harpers' Weekly are appropriate: "The country is very much obliged to R. E. Lee and Beverly Tucker for an exhibition of the real spirit of the conquered rebel leaders. R. E. Lee is to-day as utter a rebel as he was on the day when he deliberately resolved to betray the country which had educated him, and to fire upon the flag which he had engaged in honor to defend. . . . These men are representatives of that class of leaders at the South, who inspired and consummated the bloody rebellion. They are silent guns, but loaded still; not spiked or broken, but ready at any favorable moment to open fire again upon the national life and honor. They are the dragon's teeth which are now in the hand of the American government, and people. That hand may hold them harmless, or it may sow them again and reap another bloody harvest of armed men. But if the nation is as true as it is strong, it will secure peace by the entire political disfranchisement of such avowed public enemies as Robert E. Lee and Beverly Tucker, with all the other ring-leaders of the rebellion."
O. NICHOLS.
Dorchester, Mass.

"The Prayer-Book.

By John N. Wilkinson

"I recollect reading an anecdote some years ago, which struck me at the time as having some force in it, and calculated to be useful. I do not now remember the particular words of it, but believe I can give you the substance. A minister in one of our northern towns became extremely dull and inanimate in his preaching. His congregation became dissatisfied with the cold manner in which he performed the duties of the sanctuary, and deputized two of their deacons to go and confer with their pastor upon the subject. They called upon him, and made known their business. He very candidly admitted the fact, and told them that ever since he had lost his Prayer-book, he had felt an unnatural languor in the discharge of his public duties. His deacons seemed surprised, and observed to him that they never knew that he made use of a Prayer-book. He told them he had one of a peculiar kind; that the use of it always had a powerful effect in animating and encouraging him in the discharge of his ministerial duties; but to his great sorrow and mortification, for some time past he had not been able to find it, and the loss had occasioned that apathy which they mutually had so much regretted. The deacons were very anxious to know what kind it was, and, if possible, they would procure him another. He told them that the one which he had lost was the only one of the kind, and that unless he could procure that, all others would do no good.
"After exciting their curiosity sufficiently, as he supposed, to have the hint take the desired effect, he told them that the Prayer-book which he had lost was the prayers of his people. The deacons were confounded, and honestly confessed that for some time they had too much neglected that important duty; and appearances justified the conclusion that it had been generally neglected; but they hoped that as they were then made sensible of their defection in duty, they should mutually profit by the discovery. When the result of the conference was made known to the congregation, each one seemed to feel the justness of the censure, and the importance of a reformation. Christians awoke out of their sleep; he became animated and zealous in the discharge of his duties, a revival broke out, and numbers were made the hopeful subjects of renewing and sanctifying grace."
The above I selected from a Baptist paper, published in Lowell, Mass., in 1832, and copy for the Review. John N. Wilkinson.

Hoping for a Hope.

A MAN dying of thirst stands before a fountain.
"Have you drank?"
"No! but I hope I shall."
"Do you wish to drink?"
"No! but I hope I shall wish to drink."
"Do you see that you are just ready to die for want of water?"
"No! but I hope I shall see it."
Why does he not drink? Because he has no desire to. Why, then, does he stand there? Because he hopes to have such a desire. But if the promptings of a dying agony, and the sweet gushing streams before him, leave him without that desire, what does his life amount to?
So stand we, poor sinners, by the fountain of Life. We look at the waters, and at those who are drinking, and look at the invitation, "Whosoever will," and then stand there still and hope we shall drink. What is such a hope good for? Why not take the water of Life freely? This hoping for a hope is often the Devil's opiate for a partially awakened sinner. The direction of God is, Lay hold of the hope set before you.
—Tract Journal.
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