Earlier text: GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST.The Order of Events in the Judgment.
It is remarkable that each of the visions of Daniel bring to view either the coronation of Christ or that event which immediately precedes it, the close of his priesthood. Thus in Daniel 2: 44, we read: “And in the days of these kings shall the God of Heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.”
But in the seventh chapter the very manner and place of this event are given us. Thus when the prophet describes the act of the Father in taking the place of judgment, he represents the Son as being crowned at that tribunal: Dan. 7: 13, 14: “I saw in the night visions, and behold one like the Son of Man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.”
How the kingdom thus set up in the days of these kings shall break in pieces all the wicked kingdoms of earth, is very plainly stated in Rev. 19: 11–21. The coronation of our Lord is very distinctly marked in Daniel’s fourth vision, as recorded in chapters 10–12. Thus we read: Dan. 12: 1: “And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time; and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.”
The standing up of Michael is simply the commencement of the reign of Christ, as has been shown in a former article. This is followed by the great time of trouble which will be briefly noticed hereafter. But the third vision of Daniel, which says not one word respecting the coronation of our Lord, does distinctly mark that event which directly precedes it, viz., the closing act of his priesthood. Here is the record: Dan. 8: 13, 14: “Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot? And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.”
Here is an event to transpire in the conclusion of this vision; in other words it occurs in the end of the gospel dispensation. The sanctuary to be cleansed at the conclusion of the new covenant dispensation, must be the sanctuary of the new covenant. A sanctuary implies of necessity a priesthood. The cleansing of the sanctuary is that event which completes the work of the priest who ministers therein. When, therefore, we read of the cleansing of the sanctuary at the end of the twenty-three hundred days, we understand that this is the closing event of the priesthood of the Son of God. It is of necessity a work which brings human probation to a close and marks the transition from the priesthood to the kingly office of the Saviour. Paul tells us that there are two covenants, the old and the new. Gal. 4: 24. He tells us that the sanctuary of the old covenant was the tabernacle which Moses made like that one showed him in the mount. Heb. 9: 1–5; 8: 5; Ex. 25: 8, 9, 40. This tabernacle was a pattern of the heavenly temple. Heb. 9: 23, 24; Rev. 11: 19. When the temple was erected, some five hundred years after the time of Moses, a larger and grander building, indeed, that also was a pattern of the temple of God in Heaven. 1 Chron. 28: 11, 12, 19; Wisdom of Solomon 9: 8. But the sanctuary of the new covenant is this heavenly temple itself. Here are the words of Paul defining the new covenant sanctuary to be the temple of God where our High Priest is ministering for us. Heb. 8: 1, 2: “Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum; We have such a high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.”
The temple of God in Heaven is, therefore, not only the great original which Moses and Solomon copied in erecting the tabernacle, and the temple, each in its period being the sanctuary of the old covenant, but the heavenly temple is certainly the new-covenant sanctuary. David and Jeremiah each mention this sanctuary in Heaven. Ps. 102: 19: “For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from Heaven did the Lord behold the earth.”
Jer. 17: 12: “A glorious high throne from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary.” Comp. Rev. 16: 17.
No one will dispute that “the sanctuary” in the days of Moses was the tabernacle. Nor will they deny that 500 years later this gave place to the temple which was thence-forward, till its destruction, the sanctuary of the old covenant. It will also be freely admitted that with the new covenant came the great antitype of all this, viz., the temple of God in Heaven, which is the real sanctuary of the Lord. But it will be denied, by many, that this sanctuary of God in Heaven is brought into the vision of the prophet. The ninth chapter of Daniel is a key to the eighth. A literal rendering of Dan. 9: 24, informs us that “Seventy weeks are cut off upon thy people and upon thy holy city.” Then it is certain that not all the vision pertained to old Jerusalem. The period of 490 years belonged to that city, the place of the earthly sanctuary. But the remainder, viz., 1810 years, coming wholly within the gospel dispensation must pertain only to the sanctuary of the New Testament. And it is remarkable that the very verse which tells us how much of the vision pertained to the earthly sanctuary does present to our view the sanctuary of the new covenant in close connection with the introduction of the new covenant. Dan. 9: 24, 27. For one of the last events in the period of 70 weeks is the anointing of the most holy. This is not the anointing of the Saviour, for the term is literally, in Hebrew, the holy of holies; a plain reference to the sanctuary itself. This anointing was performed in the earthly sanctuary when the ministration therein began. Lev. 8: 10, 11. The anointing of the holy of holies at the end of the 70 weeks, cannot relate to the earthly sanctuary, which was no longer the sanctuary of prophecy, but must relate to the heavenly tabernacle which then became the sanctuary of prophecy. Its anointing was an event preparatory to Christ’s ministering therein, just as the earthly sanctuary was anointed in both its holy places before the Levitical ministration commenced in it. We cannot, therefore, doubt that the last 1810 years of Daniel’s 2300 relate to the sanctuary of the new covenant. The objection that this sanctuary cannot be trodden down is met by the fact that the New Testament plainly declares that Christ, the minister of this sanctuary, is trodden under foot of wicked men. Heb. 10: 29; 8: 1, 2. The further and final objection that it cannot in the very nature of the case ever be cleansed, is fully answered by the expressive language of Paul, who states that the heavenly sanctuary is to be cleansed for the same reason that the earthly one was. Heb. 9: 22, 23. In a former article we have seen that the cleansing of the earthly sanctuary marked the conclusion of the yearly round of service. Lev. 16. The services of the heavenly sanctuary are performed once for all. The cleansing of the sanctuary must therefore have its antitype only once, and that at the close of the priesthood of Christ. The 2300 days mark the time of that event. When this work is entered upon by our Lord, it is the concluding work of his priesthood, and the period for the finishing of human probation. This work finishes our Lord’s priesthood preparatory to his coronation. It takes place in the second apartment of the sanctuary. Lev. 16; Rev. 11: 19. As the session of the judgment by the Ancient of Days is the very place where the transition from Christ’s priesthood to his kingly office takes place, we cannot err in placing the cleansing of the sanctuary in Dan. 8: 14, in the closest connection with the blotting out of sins at the Father’s tribunal. Dan. 7: 9–14; Acts 3: 19, 20. The Spirit of Prophecy.
By James White
Once, man walked with God in Eden. With open face he beheld the glory of the Lord, and talked with God and Christ and angels in Paradise, without a dimming vail between. Man fell from his moral rectitude, and innocency, and was driven from the garden, from the tree of life, and from the visible presence of the Lord and his holy angels. Moral darkness, like the pall of death, has since cast its shadows everywhere, and everywhere the blight and mildew of sin has been seen. Amid the general gloom and moral wretchedness, man has wandered from the gates of Paradise for six thousand years, subject to sickness, pain, sorrow, tears and death. He has also been subject to the temptations and wiles of the devil, so much so, that it is the sad history of man, throughout the entire period of his fallen state, that Satan has reigned with almost universal sway. When all was lost in Adam, and the shades of night blackened the moral heavens, there soon appeared the star of hope in Christ, and with it there was established a medium of communication between God and man. In his fallen state, man could not converse face to face with God, and with Christ, and with angels, as when in his Eden purity. But through the ministration of holy angels could the great God speak to him in dreams and in visions. “If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.” Num. 12: 6. The manifestation of the spirit of prophecy was designed for all dispensations. The Sacred Record no-where restricts it to any particular period of time, from the fall to the final restitution. The Bible recognizes its manifestation alike in the patriarchal age, in the Jewish age, and in the Christian age. Through this medium God communed with holy men of old. Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied; and so extensive was the range of his prophetic vision, and so minute, that he could look down over long ages, and describe the coming of the Lord, and the execution of the last judgment upon the ungodly. Jude, verses 14, 15. God spake to his prophets in the Jewish dispensation in visions and in dreams, and opened before them the great things of the future, especially those connected with the first advent of Christ, to suffer for sinners, and his second appearing in glory to destroy his enemies, and complete the redemption of his people. If the spirit of prophecy nearly disappeared from the Jewish church for a few centuries toward the close of that dispensation, on account of the corruptions in that church, it re-appeared at its close to usher in the Messiah. Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, “was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied.” Simeon, a just and devout man, who was “waiting for the consolation of Israel,” came by the Spirit into the temple, and prophesied of Jesus as “a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Israel.” And Anna, a prophetess, “spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.” And there was no greater prophet than John, who was chosen of God to introduce to Israel “the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world.” The Christian age commenced with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and the manifestation of various spiritual gifts. Among these was the gift of prophecy. After commissioning his disciples to go into all the world and preach the gospel, Jesus says to them, “And these signs shall follow them that believe. In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing it shall not hurt them; they37 shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” Mark 16: 17, 18. On the day of Pentecost, when the Christian dispensation was fully opened, some of these gifts were manifested in a wonderful manner. Acts 2: 1–11. Luke, in giving account of his travels with Paul and others, when a quarter of a century of the Christian age had passed, after speaking of entering into the house of Philip, the evangelist, says: “And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy. And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judea a certain prophet, named Agabus.” Acts 21: 9, 10. Again, still later, we see the beloved John, in the Isle of Patmos, imbued with the spirit of prophecy in all its fulness. The wonderful Revelation was given unto him when more than half a century of the Christian age had passed. And here the New-Testament record leaves us without a single intimation that the gifts of the Spirit should cease from the church till the day of glory should be ushered in by the second appearing of Jesus Christ. Since the great apostasy these gifts have rarely been manifested; and for this reason professed Christians generally suppose that they were designed to be limited to the period of the primitive church. But from the time of the primitive Christians to the present there have been manifestations among the most devoted followers of Jesus, which have been recognized by nearly all of the leading denominations as the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Then should not the errors and the unbelief of the church be assigned as a reason why these manifestations have been so seldom, rather than that God has taken these blessings from the church? When the people of God attain to primitive faith and practice, as they most certainly will under the last message, the latter rain will be poured out, and all the gifts will be revived. The former rain was given at the commencement of the Christian age, in the time of the sowing of the gospel seed, to cause it to germinate and take good root. Then the church enjoyed the gifts. And when the latter rain shall be poured out at the close of the dispensation, to ripen the golden harvest for the garner of God, then will the gifts of the Holy Spirit be manifested in all their fulness. To this agree the words of the prophet, as quoted by Peter: “And it shall come to pass in the last days, (saith God,) I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out, in those days, of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy. And I will show wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come.” Acts 2: 17–20. The spirit of prophecy is here seen among the especial signs of the last days. Its revival in the last days was to constitute one of the most noted signs of the approaching end. This is evident from its being classed with the most prominent signs, in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars, and such wonders in the heavens above, and in the earth beneath, as blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke. Of all the blessings which God has bestowed upon his people, none have been as sacred, and as important to their welfare, as his holy law, and his holy Spirit. And none have been so well calculated to thwart the plans of Satan, and consequently, to stir his rage, as these. And when that people should arise in the last generation of men, who should be observing all ten of the precepts of God’s holy law, and should recognize the revival of the spirit of prophecy, they might expect to feel that bitterness from their opponents, which can arise only from the direct inspiration of Satan. “And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Rev. 12: 17. “The testimony of Jesus,” said the angel to John, “is the spirit of prophecy.” Rev. 19: 10. It is the keeping of the commandments of God, and the recognition of the revival of the spirit of prophecy by the remnant of the church, or the Christians of the last generation, that stirs the ire of the dragon. This “war is inevitable, and let it come.” The Jewish age, notwithstanding its apostasies, opened and closed with special manifestations of the Spirit of God. And it is not reasonable to suppose that the Christian age, the light of which, compared with the former dispensation, is as the light of the sun to the feeble rays of the moon, should commence in glory, and close in obscurity. And since a special work of the Spirit was necessary to prepare a people for the first advent of Christ, how much more so for his second advent. God has never manifested his power to his people simply for their gratification; but according to their necessities has he wrought for them. Then we may safely conclude that as his people are passing the perils of the last days in the final struggle with the aroused powers of darkness, when false prophets were to have power to show great signs and wonders, insomuch that, if it were possible, they would deceive the very elect, our gracious God will bless and strengthen his fainting people with the gifts, as well as the graces, of the Holy Spirit. JAMES WHITE. Letter from Switzerland.
By Albert Vuilleumier
IN CHRIST OUR LORD, VERY DEAR BRETHREN WHITE AND ANDREWS: I proposed, a long time since, to send you a short report concerning the Seventh-day Adventists in Switzerland during the year 1869. I do this with more pleasure and with more encouragement because I know how you feel about this work, and that you take a holy joy in all that concerns the proclamation of the third angel’s message and the preparation for the second coming of Jesus Christ. I have learned also of the great interest which is taken in us by the dear brethren who are in America. Their prayers, in union with ours, ascend without ceasing before the throne of grace, that the children of God may come out of Babylon to be strengthened and sealed, that they may be a people well prepared to meet the dear Saviour at his glorious coming. I think that the dear brethren and sisters in Christ will learn with pleasure the news of their brethren in Switzerland. We have had great pleasure in being able to send you, according to your desire, one of our number, in the person of our dear Bro. Ertzenberger. He has told you how much we are rejoiced, and how thankful we are to God because he has enabled us to know the present truth, and also of our strong desire that this truth may spread and grow in Europe. Our hearts are very much encouraged to learn by Bro. Ertzenberger that you work without ceasing for the dissemination of this truth in Europe, and that the dear brethren of America take this great and holy work to heart. Be blessed, very dear brethren in Christ, because you understand Luke 14: 13, 14, so well. Since the departure of our Bro. Ertzenberger, we have no missionary who labors personally in the field of this mission. But every brother and sister, who have received the message, have it in their hearts to proclaim it, according to their ability, in the place in which God has placed them. However, we have reasons to praise God. We could do but little, but it has been abundantly blessed. During this year, fourteen have been baptized. There are still several others who keep the Sabbath of the Lord, and are desiring baptism. Although the proclamation of the third angel’s message was not known in Switzerland before Bro. Czechowski came, we believe that many are now engaged in the study of the prophecies, believing that the end of all things is at hand. Many expect and say, if this work (the mission of the Seventh-day Adventists) is of God, it must go forward. Dear brethren, continue to pray for us, that we may grow in sanctification, that our light may shine, that we may be worthy to bear the light of the truth; and at last that we may enter through the gates into the holy city, to meet with you, where there is no separation, to sing the song of the Lamb. Praise God, we have not had much to suffer, and have had the privilege of meeting for prayer every Sabbath, and to meditate on the holy word. We feel the necessity of living in union with God and doing his holy will. We feel also to pray that God may send faithful laborers into his vineyard. Rom. 10: 11-15. It is with much pleasure that we have learned that perhaps you can send a missionary with Bro. Ertzenberger. You know that a prophet is not honored in his own country, and that the Lord says we must be prudent. Matt. 10: 16. See also 1 Cor. 9: 22. We believe in following the word of God, that we may have his blessing abundantly. We are rejoiced to know that you will keep our Bro. Ertzenberger till the Conference, in May. He has, in this way, opportunity to learn more perfectly the present truth, as well as the English language; so that he may be able to translate with facility your books. We are strengthened in faith by your love for the work of the Lord, and by all that you have done for us. Dear brethren, receive our sincere thanks. May the Lord bless you abundantly, in our prayer. Pray for us. Allow me to refer you to Heb. 13. Your brother in Christ. ALBERT VUILLEUMIER. “S. D. Adventists on the Sanctuary.”
By J. H. W.
An individual in California has heard or read our views on the sanctuary and its cleansing, and attempts to trace them to an absurd conclusion, as follows: “S. D. Adventists of Battle Creek say it is the heavenly sanctuary that is cleansed; if so, then it is the heavenly sanctuary and host that are trodden under foot. But by whom are they trodden under foot? It cannot be by wicked men, for they are excluded; then it must be by wicked angels, for good angels would not do it.” This, he thinks, “is enough to show the absurdity of S. D. Adventists on the sanctuary and host.” But instead of this, I think it clearly shows that the above critic has but a very limited knowledge of the subject. This I propose to show in brief, by taking undisputed facts, and applying his argument to them; and if it proves faulty in regard to these, it cannot be of any force, or value. Paul says in Heb. 6: 6, that certain ones “crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.” The word for “crucified afresh,” is defined to mean “crucify again.” And it will be admitted that the Son of God was crucified but once on the earth; also that he had ascended to Heaven before the letter to the Hebrews was written. And that he was at that time “a minister of the sanctuary” in Heaven, is proved by chap. 8: 1, 2. Then by whom was he crucified again, after his ascension and entrance into the heavenly sanctuary? “It cannot be by wicked men, for they are excluded; then it must be by wicked angels, for good angels would not do it.” But do wicked angels rule in Heaven, and crucify the High Priest in the sanctuary where he ministers in the presence of his Father? The same remarks hold good in regard to Heb. 10: 29, where the same words are used in regard to Christ, the minister of the sanctuary, that are used in regard to the sanctuary and host in Dan. 8,—“hath trodden under foot the Son of God.” If they tread under foot the minister who is in the sanctuary, may they not also tread under foot the sanctuary in which he is ministering? “The host” refers to the worshipers. These were never admitted into the sanctuary in the past dispensation, and there is not a word of proof in the Bible that they are in this. They worship outside, while the Priest only goes into the sanctuary in their behalf. But while men are caviling at our views of the sanctuary in Heaven, why is it that the thought never seems to strike them that something more than mere fault-finding at our faith is necessary on their part, if they would accomplish anything at all. Why not give us Scripture proof that the sanctuary is not in Heaven? Why not give a clear exposition of Paul’s words in Heb. 9: 23, 24, in harmony with that whole letter, and show that it does not refer to anything in Heaven, and that it does refer to something on the earth? “Bring forth your strong reasons.” J. H. W. Men Proved by Their Speeches
As a vessel is known by the sound, whether it be cracked or not, so men are proved by their speeches, whether they be wise or foolish. Report From Iowa.
By George I. Butler
My last report was in regard to our excellent camp-meeting. From that time I remained at home five or six weeks, preparing for winter and finishing my house. From Nov. 26 to Dec. 5, was at Talleyrand. This small church came out under Bro. Cornell's labors last winter; and has not received the amount of labor during the summer that could have been profitably spent, as all our time was taken up with the tent. I endeavored to raise the standard of present truth before them as well as I could; and trust the labor was profitable. Most of those who came out are holding on and seem in earnest to advance with God's people. Sabbath and Sunday, Dec. 11 and 12, I was at Brighton. We expected to have a large meeting, and that the brethren from Washington, and Pilot Grove, and other places, would be present. But we had such a thaw and rain-storm that it was well-nigh impossible to travel at all. I never saw the going worse. So our meeting was nearly a failure, and it was closed Sabbath. We will try again, and perhaps Providence will be more propitious. Most of the brethren are still firm, and others are favorable. The following week I labored at Richland where the tent was last pitched the past season. Found most of the friends still firm, though some have given up, of whom we had hoped better things. Some ten or twelve are keeping the Sabbath. Sold some fourteen dollars' worth of books. The going was very unfavorable, and the weather cold. The following Sabbath and Sunday I was at Knoxville. Bro. Canright came over from Monroe and met with us. Our meeting was not as good as I had hoped. We had but little freedom of spirit in speaking the word. We had a business meeting Sunday afternoon. Five were disfellowshipped who had fully apostatized; we also passed the following preamble and resolution, for the purpose of raising the standard of discipline. Whereas, The Bible plainly teaches the obligation of assembling together and exhorting one another, and the duty of every member of the church participating in these duties and privileges, therefore Resolved, That we as a church consider the habitual neglect of attending meeting, or taking part therein, without a good reason, a sufficient ground for church labor. And we hereby agree to sustain the elder of the church in all legitimate efforts to carry this resolution into effect. It is firmly believed that the carrying out of the above resolution would be salutary in many churches. It would either bring a lot of delinquent members to a sense of their obligations, or leave them where they belong, on the outside of the church. Pursuing the course that some do, the church can do nothing to benefit them, and they are no benefit to the church. Such a partnership might as well be broken up. At Bro. Canright's request, I went with him to Monroe and remained a week. Tuesday, Dec. 28, the debate between Bro. C. and Mr. Johnson, United Presbyterian, commenced on the life and death question. This subject has been much agitated in that community for several months past. Mr. J. preached against the “Soul-sleepers” several months before Bro. C. came to the place to hold lectures. And there was a very bitter prejudice existing in the minds of the community against us on account of our views on this subject. Mr. J. was the man the people wanted to have meet Bro. C., as he was a learned man and supposed to be very able. The debate continued through six sessions, and closed prematurely by Mr. Johnson's candidly admitting he could not meet the arguments brought forward by Bro. Canright, and he said he thought it would be better to frankly admit this than to struggle on through the mud, pretending to meet the arguments before the people when he felt that he could not fairly do so. He made this frank and candid admission before a house packed full of people, many of whom had been very boastful and self-confident a little before, that Mr. J. would entirely finish the “Advents;” and also in the presence of five or six of the popular ministers who had come from the neighboring towns to give aid and counsel. We could but respect the candor of the man who would make such an admission under such circumstances. This sudden turn astonished us all, the more because up to the last session when it occurred, Mr. J. and all his supporters had seemed in very good spirits, and acted as if they expected to gain the victory. It seemed to us God's hand was especially manifested at this point of time. And to his name be all the glory. Sabbath and Sunday we had excellent meetings. Several of the brethren were over from Knoxville and Sandyville, and our spirits were refreshed. It seemed to me the truth had taken hold of some there who would yet honor the cause of God. I believe some thirty or forty are keeping the Sabbath. We trust the work there is onward. Bro C. is building a house there for himself. And we hope God will abundantly bless him in his efforts to advance his cause. GEO. I. BUTLER. Sandyville, Jan. 3, 1870. REMARKS. The action of Mr. Johnson, as stated above, is in the highest degree honorable to him. It is considered very honorable to succeed in debate; and such it is if men win success by bringing out the truth, and not by any resort to unfair means. The truth is a mighty auxiliary, and when we succeed by its aid, the credit is due to its powerful assistance. But for any man in the heat of debate, when he sees that he has not the truth on his side, to come out frankly and own that fact, is an act that not one in a thousand has moral courage to perform. ED. Report from Ohio.
By I. D. Van Horn
I LEFT Battle Creek for Ohio, Dec. 13, 1869. Stopped to visit my parents and relatives near Jackson, for three days. I had one good meeting in the neighborhood. The Lord helped me to speak to those among whom I have lived in my younger days. Sabbath and Sunday, the 18th and 19th, I held five meetings with the church in Bowling Green, Ohio. This was a profitable season for all; and it will prove of lasting benefit to all, if they will perform the vows that were there made. My own soul was watered while I tried to encourage them on in the heavenly journey. Everywhere I go, I hear those who profess the truth, make many resolutions to be more diligent and earnest in the work. Satan hears your vows, and determines to head you off, and cause you to break them. The struggle begins. You succeed, it may be, for a few days, to maintain your word. Soon some cares of the world are pressing hard upon you, and you hasten away from the place of prayer to attend to them. Your soul is dark. You wonder why. Satan has gained the victory, and is throwing his darkness over you. How artful he is, and how easy are you overcome. When shall we heed the admonition to cut loose from the world, and trust alone in the Lord? Who will go through to the heavenly city? At Clyde, Dec. 21, 22, 23, I had three meetings. This church have had a great privilege since the Camp-meeting. A greater responsibility rests on them now, because of the opportunities they have had to learn more perfectly the will of God. I fear there are some among them that do not see this. Not an individual of this church should rest satisfied till they have an undoubted evidence of their acceptance with God. It will be a dreadful thing to be deceived and fall short at last. At Melmore, Sabbath and first-day, the 25th and 26th, I enjoyed six good meetings. The most of those who accepted the truth at this place last summer, are steadfastly advancing in the truth, and in the reforms. I think there will be a little band here that will love the present truth. Go on, dear friends, in the truth, and continue to struggle against the foe unto the end. Victory will be yours if you continue to persevere. Wednesday, Dec. 29, I began a course of lectures in Bro. Guilford’s neighborhood, Castalia, Ohio. I have given fourteen discourses. At first our congregations were not large, owing to the bad weather, and some prejudice. Everything is better now. Many of those who now come have thrown away their prejudice, and have a decided interest in what they are hearing. We have help from the Lord in speaking the truth to them. We hope for a good work here. Pray for us. Castalia, Ohio, Jan. 10, 1870. Report From Bro. King.
By S. H. King
BRO. WHITE: As requested, I have visited Mecosta, first, in September, and found some eleven holding on to the Sabbath. Some were trying to live, and some were far behind; and it needed something to stir them up. I held four meetings, and we hope, to some profit. Again, in Oct. 8, with Bro. and Sr. Strong, and Bro. Maynard, which Bro. Strong reported. Nov. 13 and 14, in company with Bro. Olmstead, held five meetings under somewhat unfavorable circumstances; the Methodists having a quarterly meeting in the house we expected to occupy. Still we had a good attendance, and a deep interest was manifested through all the meetings. There were thirteen Sabbath-keepers present: three that met with the few for the first time. We tried to impress upon the minds of the people the importance of making a thorough work, by keeping God's law, and to cleanse themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, so that they might be adopted into the royal family. First-day, after a short service, we repaired to the river where three were buried with their Lord by baptism, and we trust arose to walk in newness of life. Then the ordinances of the Lord's house were attended. It was a solemn time. Then we helped them to organize S. B. They are poor, so the sum is not large, something over $30.00 a year. They are in an unorganized state. I think it would be advisable for Bro. Byington to visit them as soon as convenient, and set things in order. I will take him there, and assist him all I can. I feel that there is yet a work to be done there, if the brethren and sisters live so that they may be a shining light. There are some good souls in Mecosta. Bro. Byington may write me, and then we will make arrangements if he goes to visit them.
S. H. KING. From Bro. Kellogg.
By M. G. Kellogg, M. D.
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: I wish to tell you of the joys of my heart, and what I have seen of the work of the Lord here in California. For years I have desired to have the message of the third angel preached on this coast, and several years ago, by the aid of books and a few lectures, succeeded in gathering a few, some fourteen, in San Francisco, who kept the Sabbath and received a larger part of the truths we love. But I had not strength, wisdom, nor faith, enough to follow up the work successfully; and while none of those who then came out have given up the Sabbath, yet death, removal, and interest in the Baptist church, to which several belonged, has prevented us from having any Sabbath meetings in San Francisco for several years. God has visited this coast in mercy, in sending Brn. Bourdeau and Longborough here with the message. I have not been with those brethren until within the last month; during which time I have visited the companies of commandment-keepers whom they have raised up; and I can say of a truth, My heart has been made glad, and I have felt grateful to God in witnessing how he has owned the labors of his servants in giving them souls for their hire. I found a goodly company of Sabbath-keepers at Petaluma, Santa Rosa, Healdsburg, and at Sebastopol. Those brethren and sisters, many of whom never professed religion before, seem to be real earnest in the work of preparing to meet the Lord. Have I not reason to praise the Lord? Yes, and I will praise him; for he has set my feet in a large place. The Lord has heard my prayers and wrought for me in a very special manner, so that I am free, not only in spirit, but also from all business entanglements, and can now in a small way assist Brn. Longborough and Bourdeau in the work of the message. Pray for me. Your brother in Christ, M. G. KELLOGG, M. D.
Santa Rosa, Sonoma Co., Cal. DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: Being alone, and thinking perhaps that a few thoughts from one that is striving to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, would cheer some lone one, I thought I would pen a few lines for the REVIEW. I can truly say that I never have felt more like living out the truth than I do at this time. Eternal life looks blessed. I would know and do the righteous will of my Heavenly Father. I want to go through to Mount Zion with God's remnant people. Sometimes the way looks dark, and I feel almost discouraged; yet how thankful I am that at such times I can go to Jesus in humble prayer. He has promised never to leave nor forsake his children. Dear brethren and sisters, how good it is to trust in the Lord! I can truly say that the Lord has been very good to me. In my darkest hours he has never left me for a moment. His sweet and gentle Spirit has comforted me in trial and in affliction. Oh, how much I owe to Jesus! “Jesus paid it all,
All to him I owe,
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.”
Dear brethren, let us be of good cheer. Earth's stormy voyage of sorrow is most over. The reward of the righteous is but a little in the distance. Soon, if faithful, we shall hear it said from the lips of Jesus, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. Pray for me, dear brethren and sisters, that my faith fail not, and that I may meet you on Mount Zion. Cumberland Co., Me., Dec. 17.