p. 184 | Review and Herald, Vol. 25, No. 23. (5/9/1865)

Earlier text: A New Champion with New Arguments

Belief in Spiritual Gifts

By Austin Harmon

From Bro. Harmon.

BRO. WHITE: It is now four years since I commenced keeping the Sabbath. Though I have labored under some trials and discouragements, I think I can truly say that it has been a source of pleasure to me to take and maintain this stand. The weekly visits of the Review have been very instructive and refreshing to me. I wish to acknowledge, however, that I have not been as strong in the faith as I should have been. This is particularly true in regard to the Testimonies to the church. My confidence in these testimonies has been strengthened. I do believe that the Spirit of God is in this work, and I dare not take a position in opposition to it. I regret that I have been so long in coming to this conclusion.

My health and circumstances have been such as to preclude, in a great measure, a thorough and candid examination of this part of our faith. I might also add that the misrepresentations of disaffected ones have contributed, I fear, to prejudice my mind to some extent against these testimonies. I have been slow, too slow, I acknowledge, to come to a settled determination on this important subject. All this I very much regret. Of late I have thought and read more than I had previously done on the question, Are these gifts and testimonies from the Spirit of God? I now wish to acknowledge my firm belief in the perpetuity of spiritual gifts. In the first place the church, especially in these apostate and perilous times needs the manifestation of the gifts, for the purpose of reproof, correction, and guidance. It seems most reasonable and desirable, and necessary that God should manifest himself in an extraordinary manner to his tempted and faithful people, who against the whole current of corrupt and wicked influences in the church, and in the world, are striving to maintain the true standard of holiness, to seek for and restore the old paths, and as a united people journey to the better land. I am not prepared to deny that God has vouchsafed these extraordinary gifts to his people under the third angel's message. It seems to me that no candid person who examines thoroughly the history of this whole movement, the difficulties and obstacles in the way of those who went forth to proclaim this message, the slow and sure progress of the work, and the present position that has been attained after years of patient toil, can deny that the whole work which has from the first been carried on along with the manifestation of the gifts, is the work God, and not of man.

I wish to help and not to hinder in this work. So far as I have by unbelief and waywardness grieved the hearts of God's dear people, I ask forgiveness for the same. I feel a strong desire to go with the remnant people of God to Mount Zion. I still feel weak. I have contended with many hindrances, and I expect in the future to contend with many more.

The Quarterly Meeting that I have enjoyed with God's dear people in Rochester for the two days preceding this, has been I trust blessed to me. I thank the brethren for their kind encouragement and sympathy. My prayer to God is that I may be delivered from every evil and preserved blameless to his heavenly kingdom. AUSTIN HARMON.

The Ohio Conference at Lovett’s Grove

By H. Abbott

From Bro. Abbott.

Bro. White: I have a desire to express my heartfelt thanks to God, for all his benefits, and especially for the privilege of meeting with so many of his dear saints, at the Ohio Conference held at Lovett's Grove. I can truly say that it was good for me to be there. I feel to thank God that I had the opportunity of forming so many pleasant acquaintances with God's dear people. The memory of this season will ever be cherished in my heart until our meeting shall be renewed in the Paradise of God. My joy was heightened to greet so many of the lonely ones that left their homes on a pilgrimage of from one hundred, to one hundred and fifty miles, from different parts of the State, to meet with those of like precious faith.

Our Conference season was one to be long remembered on the account of the presence of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit was efficient in uniting the hearts of God's remnant people, and preparing them for future usefulness in promulgating the message of present truth. I would not forget to tender my thanks to God, for sending Bro. Canright to attend the meeting. The truth dispensed by him was well calculated to arouse God's people to a renewed diligence and energy, and to inspire them to engage in an unceasing warfare against sin in high places; to cut loose from the world, and to be fully consecrated to God. May the Lord bless him and preserve him blameless unto the coming of the Lord Jesus, is my humble prayer.

I can truly say that the Lord did manifest himself to his children at our Conference, and it is a satisfactory evidence to me that it is the commencement of better days in Ohio. Brethren and sisters, pray to this end, that God would pour out his Spirit upon us this coming season with mighty power; that there may be a shaking among the dry bones. Let us implore God earnestly to send efficient laborers into this State, and to give us also a spirit of unremitting labor in his vineyard.

We are living in a solemn and awful time. A time when the judgment is being passed upon the dead, soon to pass upon the living; a time when the doom of many shall be eternally fixed; a time when the loud cry is about to go forth; a time when the last warnings of mercy are being proclaimed to the world. O sinner, fly to Jesus; fly to Jesus for refuge. Hasten greatly.

Brethren and sisters, let us not sleep while precious ones all around us are being lulled by the siren song. I say, let us awake. "And that knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light." Rom. xiii, 11, 12.

Yours striving for eternal life. H. Abbott. Wakeman, Ohio.

MARY HILLARD

By Mary Hillard

From Sister Hillard.

BRO. WHITE: For the first time, I write a few words for the Review. It has not been long since I discovered the light and truth of the third angel’s message, and also the Bible Sabbath. I have been a member of the Baptist church about forty-one years. During this time, I tried to live the life of a devoted Christian. But never in my life did I see the Bible in its purity and harmony as I have since I heard the doctrine taught by the Seventh-day Adventists. I have been keeping the Bible Sabbath about four months, and I can truly say that I feel as though I was keeping the day set apart by God, instead of the one I formerly kept, set apart by man. Five weeks after I commenced to keep the Sabbath, my husband resolved to go along with me in the path of Bible light and truth. We are now both striving to gain a part in the first resurrection, that we may, with the rest of the redeemed, receive glory, honor, and immortality beyond the grave.

Yours, waiting for the Lord’s second appearing.

MARY HILLARD

Ottawa, Mich.

Extracts from Letters.

H. G. Buxton writes from Eagle Point, Ills. : The prize at the end of the Christian race looks precious to me, far more than anything this world can give, because of the real and solid happiness the thought of it gives me, while experiencing the trials and temptations with which our wily foe besets our pathway, while on the road to mount Zion. But thanks be to God who ever thus far has assisted me in gaining the victory. The stirring and sublime events now transpiring among the nations of the earth, when understood by the unerring word of prophecy, indicate that the end is very near, "even at the doors."

Our little church at Elk Horn is on the advance. At our last Quarterly Meeting we enjoyed much of the Spirit of God while listening to the truth, and in obeying the ordinances of the Lord’s house. Three were baptized. The health reform is purifying us, both in body and mind. For my part, I am willing, yea, anxious to live out this, or any other reform which God’s people will have to make, before they are fitted to reign in his glorious kingdom. Trusting in the strong arm of the Lord, I am determined to deny self, die daily to the world, walk humbly before the Lord, and stand stiffly for his truth while on the earth, that I may be numbered among his "jewels," enter with the "righteous nation" through the pearly gates into the New Jerusalem, and wear the crown of life, even forever.

I have some trials and afflictions, which, at times, seem peculiar; but when I consider that we are "not to think strange concerning the fiery trial," and that our light affliction is but for a moment, I can "run with patience the race that is set before me;" considering that "many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivereth him out of them all." In order to overcome the enemy, we must wrestle Jacob-like, and get the needed blessing. In my own experience, I find that daily secret prayer is the key that unlocks God’s great store-house, where we can gain access to the whole Christian armor to defend, and the graces to bedeck, our daily walk.

I desire to make it the main object of my life, to live so that I may persuade my unconverted friends, and those with whom I associate, to keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

Oh that the unconverted would "taste, and see that the Lord is good."

Christian Tenderness.

An old writer has truthfully remarked that we may say what we please, if we speak through tears. Tender tones prevent severe truths from offending. Hence when we are most tender at heart, our words are most powerful. Hence one great reason why our words have so much more power during a revival than at other times. Our hearts are more tender then, than they usually are; we feel more, and it is easy for the impenitent to see and feel that our hearts are interested in their behalf. They feel that our words are not mere lip-words, but heart-words.

It is then very hard to exasperate us. Men may rail at us as much as they please, but their railing does not hurt us—it does not bring railing in return. They may treat us as they please, but their unkindness brings tears, and not unkindness in return. It is then easier to drive us to the mercy-seat, than to utter harsh, unkind words.

When we get near to Christ, it makes us tender, and it is then very hard to hurt our feelings. We are then more easily hurt through Christ than through ourselves. We feel indignities which are cast upon Christ; but even they excite in us pity, and lead us to pray for them, rather than utter harsh, unkind words. The further we get away from Christ, the more sensitive we are, the more touchy, the more easy to hurt our feelings, the more easy to exasperate us, and cause us to render railing for railing, harsh, unkind words for unkind words, and to say severe, cutting things.

Obituary Notices.

By M. E. Cornell

DIED in Portland, Maine, April 29th, 1865, James Edwin, youngest son of Sr. Martha Stiles, aged 5 years, and 4 months. His disease was dropsy on the brain, of which he suffered much the last two weeks. Last fall Sr. Stiles was called to mourn the loss of her beloved husband, and now she sorrows anew, but is comforted with the hope of soon seeing these loved ones again, beyond the reach of the enemy. Discourse by the writer from 2 Sam. xiv, 14.

M. E. CORNELL.

Letters.

By Editor

“Then they that feared the Lord, spake often one to another.”

This department of the paper is designed for the brethren and sisters to freely and fully communicate with each other respecting their hopes and determinations, conflicts and victories, attainments and desires, in the heavenly journey. Seek first a living experience and then record it, carefully and prayerfully, for the comfort and encouragement of the other members of the household of faith.

Religion Compared to Firmament, Sea, and Gold

Religion is like the firmament; the more it is examined, the greater the number of stars which will be discovered; like the sea—the more it is observed, the more it appears to be immense; like fine gold—the more it is tried in the furnace, the greater will be its lustre.

A Scene at Washington.

By Editor

ONE of the most significant events of these eventful times, is the following account of a sermon preached by a colored man, the son of a slave, in the Hall of Representatives in the capitol at Washington, D. C. It is worthy to be chronicled along side of the fact that a colored lawyer has been admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of the United States, which a few years since, under the inhuman Taney, decided that a colored man had no rights which a white one was bound to respect. What we give below we extract from a communication to the American Missionary, by J. P. Thompson, D. D.

"It was my good fortune to be in Washington on Sabbath Feb. 12th, and to witness the quiet, but sublime inauguration of a Christian Humanity in the Capitol. The simple announcement in the city journals, that Rev. H. Highland Garnet would preach in the Hall of Representatives, told the whole story of these four bloody years. Within the very building where the Fugitive-Slave-Law was passed, where a Senator was stricken down by a ruffian slaveholder, a negro of unmixed blood, born of a Maryland slave, could preach upon the Political Pharisees,' who 'binds heavy burdens upon other men's shoulders, but touches them not with his own finger.'

"I knew that Mr. Garnet would acquit himself well. He had stood in my own pulpit, with a quiet, manly bearing, set off with most immaculate linen. He is a good sensible preacher, and a true gentleman, having no affection of high-flown rhetoric, and no extravagance of manners. His sermon at the capitol was creditable to his intelligence, and was quite effective for his purpose. Two points were worthy of special note. First his demand that since emancipation had come by necessity, enfranchisement should come by justice. That was exceedingly well put, and the great audience felt it. The other point was, that the sooner the negro should cease to be the subject of special legislation, the better for him and for the country. Give him his rights, give him a fair chance, and leave him to make his own way in the world, without tutelary legislation. Amen to that. Mr. Garnet could here teach even Senators wisdom."

The Conference.

By James White

It is expected that the gathering will be very large. The aged and feeble, who must have comfortable entertainment, had better not come to the meeting, as the means for lodging the crowd, cannot be as comfortable as their wants require.

A special request is made that none bring their children, unless they can return with them the same day, or find lodgings at public houses.

The friends of the cause, who are in sufficient health to enjoy plain fare, and camp-life lodgings, and who have no other object in coming to Conference but the glory of God and the good of the cause, are urgently invited to attend this annual feast of tabernacles. J. W.

Michigan State Conference.

By Uriah Smith

THE Michigan State Conference will hold its fifth annual session at Battle Creek, Mich., Thursday, May 18, 1865, at 9 o'clock A. M.

All the churches belonging to this Conference, and those who wish to unite with it, are requested to represent themselves faithfully by delegate or letter. Delegates are to be chosen according to the following ratio: "Each church to the number of twenty members or under, shall be entitled to one delegate, and one delegate for every additional fifteen members." Delegates will bring letters showing their appointment. Churches will also be careful to act upon Sec. 2, of Art. iv, of our Constitution, as follows: "It shall be the duty of the churches in this Conference to send a written report to the regular meetings of the Conference of their standing, their losses and additions [of membership] during the year, also the amount of their s. B. fund." Ministers belonging to the Conference will also be prepared to present their individual reports of each week's labor, and expenses. These reports must state the number of meetings held, and where they were held, each week. Churches will also remember Sec. 3, of Art. iii, and notify the Executive Committee at or before the time of the Conference, of "the amount they will give each month during the Conference year for the support of ministers and tent operations, and for such other purposes as may be necessary for the advancement of the cause."

U. SMITH, JNO. BYINGTON, R. J. LAWRENCE. } Mich. Conf. } Committee.

General Conference.

The third Annual Meeting of the S. D. A. General Conference will be held in Battle Creek, Michigan, Wednesday, May 17, 1865, at 9 o'clock A. M. This Conference is composed of delegates from the various State Conferences. Where delegates are not already appointed, the different Conference Committees will see that they are appointed in season. Brethren in those localities where there is no State Conference can also represent themselves by delegates or letter at their discretion.

Jno. Byington, J. N. Loughborough, } Gen. Conf. Committee. G. W. Amadon.

At the next meeting of the General Conference it is proposed to add to Art. V, of the Constitution two sections, as follows:

Sec. 4. The General Conference Executive Committee shall have power during the intervals between the yearly meetings, to license ministers who may be raised up in mission fields.

Sec. 5. It shall be the duty of the ministers and others in the employ of the General Conference to make a written report to each annual meeting thereof, of their labors each week during the Conference year, or such portion of the year as they may have been in the employ of the Conference.

It is also proposed to amend Article I of the Constitution, which now reads, "This Conference shall be called the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists," by adding the words, "and shall be composed of delegates from the different State Conferences;" so that the whole as amended shall read, "This Conference shall be called the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, and shall be composed of delegates from the different State Conferences."

Gen. Conf. Committee.

Annual Meeting of the S. D. A. Publishing Association.

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association will hold its fifth annual session at Battle Creek, Mich., Friday, May 19, 1865, at 9 o'clock A. M.

James White, Geo. W. Amadon, J. N. Loughborough, J. N. Andrews, E. S. Walker, Uriah Smith, I. D. Van Horn. } Trustees.

Remarks. It is hoped that by appointing the business sessions of the Conferences and Association, so early in the week, all business pertaining to the interests of those meetings may be fully attended to before the Sabbath, so as to leave the Sabbath and first-day to be devoted exclusively to religious exercises. It will be necessary that delegates to the General Conference should arrive in Battle Creek as soon as Tuesday or Tuesday night, delegates to the Mich. State Conference by Wednesday, members of the Association, Thursday, while those who come for the religious meetings exclusively, will be expected on Friday. A committee of arrangements will be found at the Review Office, to provide homes for all who come.

Gen. Conf. Committee.

A Good Decision.

An ex-slave came into our lines bringing a considerable amount of his master's money in gold. He was arrested, and taken before a court, which decided that a slave could not steal; that being only a chattel, he had no more responsibility than a horse, under slave law. The ex-slave retained the money, and has his freedom too.

Appointments.

By Francis Gould

The next Quarterly Meeting of the Seventh-day Adventist church, of Stowe, Vt., will be held at the usual place, Sabbath, May 20. A general attendance of the brethren and sisters from surrounding churches is solicited. Preaching is expected.

Francis Gould.

Business Department.

RECEIPTS.

For Review and Herald.

Annexed to each receipt in the following list, is the Volume and Number of the REVIEW & HERALD to which the money receipted pays. If money for the paper is not in due time acknowledged, immediate notice of the omission should then be given.

G A Warner 26-19, C E Chesebro for E Goodeno 29-19, I Carpenter 25-21, S Sumner 27-1, J L Hobart 26-12, Rebecca Deets 28-1, W Willits 26-1, J Smith 27-21, L W Morrison 27-1, M W Porter 26-1, J Van Syoc 29-1, J McGinnis 27-1, M Losey 26-1, each $1.

Geo Clark 26-15 S Smith 27-1, S H Gardener 27-11, O Munn 28-1, Miss E Brown 27-22, Mrs E Hall 28-1, E Dow 27-1, A friend for E Goodeno 31-19, L E Milne 27-1, N G Sanders 27-1, T Newman 28-11, E M Braden 27-17, M Holland 28-1, L R Chapel 27-28, T V Canright 26-7, each $2.

M A Fairchilds 26-21, Mary A Guile 26-21, B P Gillin 26-21, each 50c.

Mrs L E Stevens 63c, 26-14, R L Young 80c, 27-1, O Burt $1,50, 25-14, Mrs H Smith $1,50, 27-21, A C Webster $1,50, 27-21, L M Whitney $1,50, 27-21, H S Giddings $3,50, 29-14, L Adams $3,50, 27-14.

Subscriptions at the Rate of $3.00 per year. D Warren $1,50, 27-1. J Snyder $3, 27-21. J VanSyoc $3, 28-1. T Woody $3, 28-1.

Books Sent By Mail.

J C Revell 50c, J F Roxel $1,86, W A Morse 17c, M E Reynolds $2, Mrs L E Stevens $1,37, E Goodeno $1, D B Sell $1,91, M A Fairchilds $1,50, J A Smith (10 Packages) $3,75, G W Mitchell 25c, M Edson 15c, D Wolcott 20c, A L Persons $2,25, H Smith $1,62, L E Milne 50c, B Sutton 25c, D C Smith 7c, C E Chesebro $2,28, J S Hoyt 30c, S A Bullock 27c, M Holland 27c, Mrs M Gould $1,13c, M A Gibson 25c.

Review to Poor.

J A Smith $5,00.

Cash Received on Account.

J B Frisbie 75c.

General Conference Missionary Fund.

R T Barnard $10,00.

Loughborough Returns From Eastern Mission

Elder J. N. Loughborough arrived safely in Battle Creek from the Eastern mission-field, Tuesday, May 2. He spoke to the church Sabbath A. M., the 6th, bringing a good report from the East.

Preparing for the Coming Conferences

By Editor

Brethren are you remembering the coming Conferences and Association meeting, which are to commence in Battle Creek, the 17th inst.? And you who are thinking of attending these meetings, are you preparing to come ready to work for the Lord? preparing to bring and receive a blessing? State Conferences east and west, are your delegates chosen and authorised? Churches in Michigan, are you ready with your pledges for the coming year, and reports of your present spiritual standing in this blessed cause? Churches that wish to unite with the Conference, are your petitions prepared? Ministers, are you ready with your reports of labor, and prepared to state the wants and prospects of the cause in your different fields of labor? And you who want help, have you embodied your wants in a definite form to lay before these meetings?

The holding of the winds, in the suppression of the rebellion, outstripping even our faith in the suddenness of its execution, is opening a wide door before us. Let the thousands of Sabbath-keepers whose prayers ascended two months since for the speedy accomplishment of this work, now so signally answered, again ascend that the great Captain of the Lord's host will meet with his people at these meetings.

Repentance Cannot Be Delayed

He who waits for repentance, waits for what cannot be had, so long as it is waited for. It is absurd for a man to wait for that which he has himself to do.