p. 144 | Review and Herald, Vol. 4, No. 18. (11/8/1853)

Earlier text: Does the Law of the Sabbath Bind Us?

Faith Amid Spiritual Darkness

By Cornelia Ayres

From Sister Ayres.

DEAR BRO. WHITE :—I feel it to be a great privilege to address a few lines to my dear brethren and sisters, many of whom we never expect to see until, if faithful, we meet around our Father's throne.

While on our journey here we called on some of our brethren and sisters who expressed a desire to hear from us. Their cheerful countenances and earnest prayers will long be remembered by us; and the thought that we soon shall meet where parting is unknown, causes us to lift up our heads and rejoice.—We are living in a place where there is very little of vital godliness, and where the light of truth is scarcely seen; though there are a few, like the noble Bereans, who are willing to search and see if these things are so.

Amidst the darkness we see a bright light and are trying to draw ourselves nearer to it; and we feel that our house has been like the house of Obededom; that we and all that are in our house have been blest. Praise the Lord!

Our experience in the Advent doctrine has been short; but we believe as fast as we understand, and we are determined to make sure work for eternity, and never give up until we win the prize, and enter the glorious City. There are none here that love the glorious doctrine of our Saviour's soon coming; but I firmly believe it, and am growing stronger though we have no preaching, only the Bible and what we get from that valuable paper, the Review.

My whole soul feels like praising God that I was ever permitted, even in this eleventh hour, to hear the blessed, present truth, and that he gave me a heart to receive it. I can say with the Psalmist, of old, "O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day." I believe it is the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus that will draw the dividing line; and already do we see the division taking place; and the work will go on until every honest soul will see the truth, and come out and stand upon the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.

I feel to praise God that the time is nearing, when all who do keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, will enter through the pearly gates into the holy city, and have right to the tree of life which is in the midst of the Paradise of God. Add to all this, that our heavenly Father shall himself wipe away all tears from our eyes, and then there will be no more sorrow nor crying, nor pain, nor death! O praise the Lord for the hope of being there. I feel that there are no charms on earth, strong enough to bind me down; but I mean to be ready when Christ comes.

Your Sister, striving for the Kingdom, CORNELIA AYRES. Shiloh, Cumberland Co., N. J., Oct. 1853.

Extracts of Letters.

A SISTER writes from Lincklaen, N. Y., Oct. 1853: 'I have been thinking much of late of the words of the Saviour, in Luke xxi, 33-36: 'And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares; for as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.'

'My heart has been pained while I have looked around me, and seen some who profess the present truth laying up treasures on the earth, instead of obeying the injunction of Christ: 'Sell that ye have and give alms.' Do we realize as we ought the importance of having all on the altar, and denying ourselves of every carnal gratification to advance the cause of truth? If there ever was a people who should be cut loose from the world, be free from pride, and have self all crucified, it is we who are believing the last message of mercy. They expect to see us exert a holy influence, and live like pilgrims and strangers on the earth. Let us be careful lest the honest stumble over our example.

'That the Lord may help us to feel the importance of being in all things like our Master, and, finally, that we may be accounted worthy to stand with him on Mount Zion is my prayer.'

Bro. M. L. Dean writes from Ulysses, Potter Co., Pa., Oct. 23d, 1853:—'The church here has been greatly encouraged and strengthened, the Summer past, by the faithful and efficient labors of Bro. Wm. S. Ingraham. Six, at least, have left the seventh-day Baptist denomination, and are now 'looking for that blessed hope,' and the glorious appearing of the Saviour. Others are searching for the truth. The cause has been gradually gaining here, ever since Brn. Edson and Andrews first came with the third angel's message. 'The Lord has done great things for us whereof we are glad.''

Bro. Frederic H. Corwin writes from West Ogden, Lenawee Co., Mich., Oct. 1853:—'I am situated in the center of the town of Ogden, seven miles from Blissfield, and twelve from Adrian, where I should

be pleased to entertain any ministering brethren who may call on me. But it is not a very promising field of labor. Myself and wife are alone here, endeavoring to keep the commandments.'

Visits to Friends in New York

By Hiram Edson; Horace W. Lawrence

From Brn. Edson and Lawrence.

Dear Bro. White :—We spent last Sabbath in Copenhagen, and found a few, including Bro. Harvey Goodenough, that love the present truth, and do not embrace the spiritual views of others in that vicinity. We visited Martinsburgh on First-day, in company with the friends from Copenhagen where the First-day friends gave us their chapel and appointment for the afternoon and evening, which was improved by showing our present position as connected with our past Advent experience. We trust the friends there will soon lose their honest fears by the reading of our publications, and a close examination of the whole subject.

In our visit to Watson, the present week, we were gratified with a short acquaintance with some of the seventh-day Baptist friends of that place. They manifested their willingness to hear the truth by coming out through mud and snow to attend our two evening meetings. They desire a further acquaintance with our views of present truth.

Hiram Edson Horace W. Lawrence. Lorain, N. Y., Oct. 28th, 1853.

SAMUEL B. WARREN

By Samuel B. Warren

From Bro. Warren.

DEAR BRO. WHITE:—It is with great pleasure that I, for the first time, write, to acknowledge the reception of your valuable paper, and contribute my mite for its support. It comes to our family, a welcome messenger—a messenger of truth.

I have for many years been a subscriber and reader of the Morning Star; but as it does not publish all the truth of God, respecting the coming kingdom, the keeping of all his holy commandments, and the present truth, I am induced to search the Review and Herald; and I can say that I find many things in it, comforting and reviving to my spirit. It rejoices me when I read letters from brethren and sisters of like precious faith, who are trying to keep all the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

I commenced keeping the seventh day as the Lord's Sabbath on the third of Sept. last. Truly, brethren and sisters, the Lord has opened my eyes to see that this is the Sabbath, and the only Sabbath of the Lord our God. O how true it is that we ought to “obey God rather than man.”

One year ago there was only one here who was keeping the seventh-day Sabbath, now our number is over fifteen. The Lord, who is our leader, has sent us help from abroad.

Bro. Frisbie is now with us, and our souls are strengthened and encouraged while he deals out to us the plain, simple truths of the gospel. Our enemies are dealing out their vile and obscene epithets against the seventh-day advocates; but none of these things move us; for we are founded on the rock, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against us. We need not wonder in the least that the devil rages and is mad; for his time is short. He hath but a little while to try and vex God’s dear, scattered remnant. I believe without a doubt, that we are living in the last days, and I mean, for one, to have my lamp trimmed and burning, that I may be ready to meet my blessed Master when he shall come. O may we all, who profess the present truth, live at the foot of the cross, in the vale of humility, breathing out the prayer of faith, so that if persecution await us, we may be prepared for it.

Yours in the faith of the Gospel,

SAMUEL B. WARREN

Battle Creek, Mich., Oct. 31st, 1853.

The Sanctifying Power of Present Truth

By Merritt G. Kellogg

From Bro. Kellogg.

DEAR BRO. WHITE:—When I look at the past, and see God's dealings with me, in bringing me from the gross darkness that I was in, into the glorious light and liberty of the present truth, I feel to praise his holy name. I do indeed feel to rejoice in the present truth. It seems to me that if we really have the present truth in us, its sanctifying influence will be seen in our lives. It will cause us to confess and forsake all our errors, and make us pure. We read in 1 John iii, 2, 3: "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure." I am endeavoring to purify myself and striving to overcome, so that when he shall appear I may be like him. I mean to be holy in all manner of conversation, as required in 1 Pet. i, 15, 16:—"But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy."

Yours in hope, MERRITT G. KELLOGG. Jackson, Mich., Oct. 23d, 1853.

Note to Brother Waggoner.

By James White

DEAR BROTHER:—For the sake of the cause of truth, which in many places suffers in consequence of false reports, repeated by such men as Elder J. V. Himes, we give this brief note. Having just returned from Vermont, as the REVIEW is going to press, we have not time to answer your kind letter at length in this number; but at some future time it shall be more fully noticed.

We will, however, briefly state that Sabbath-keepers in Vermont and other eastern states usually commence their conferences on the evening following the sixth day, so that they assemble on the Sixth-day and not on the Sabbath. We have held conferences in Vermont, four Autumns in succession, and know this to be the general practice.

The Sabbath should be kept holy; and we are certain that its real friends would gladly receive correction if they should be found faulty in its observance. That Sabbath-keepers in Vermont cut their wood on the Sabbath, and are in the habit of visiting on that day, we know to be untrue; and those who are acquainted with their course, know better than to make such assertions. That there may be individuals who fail to observe the Sabbath as strictly as they should, among professed Sabbath-keepers, we do not deny; though we know of none who are guilty of doing these things charged upon Sabbath-keepers in Vermont by Elder J. V. Himes.

Many of our brethren in Vermont have been Elder Himes' warmest friends; and as they look to the past, and there see his untiring zeal in the Advent cause, they can but respect him. They have not forgotten slanders and reproaches that were heaped upon him for boldly defending the truth of God; and in the cruel "secret workings" of later years, as his character has been assailed by some of his professed Advent friends, they have felt to sympathize with him in his trials. Certainly, Elder J. V. Himes is not, or should not be, the man to engage in this mean work of slander. From him we might hope better things. But much to his dishonor as a Christian and Minister of Jesus Christ, he is guilty of reporting in the East as well as in the West, that which is untrue respecting Sabbath-keepers. Bro. Elon Everts of New Haven, Vt., states that in a recent interview, Elder Himes told him, among other things, that Bro. S. W. Rhodes "has been and is deep in spiritual wifery." We would not charge Elder Himes with making falsehoods respecting those who keep the fourth commandment; but his industry in reporting them, evinces his love for them, when made.

We believe all these reports to be untrue, gotten up by the father of lies with a design to bring the truth of God into disrepute. Those who have read the REVIEW know the stand we have taken against spiritualizing views in all their forms. We have spoken out plainly against fanaticism. And if we know that there were those among us who are guilty of those things reported by Elder Himes, we would not only withdraw our fellowship from them, but would warn others against their influence.

We hope that our brethren in Vermont and elsewhere will speak out plainly, and inform us if there are those, fellowshiped by the body, who chop wood on the Lord's Sabbath, or make that a visiting day. Or if they know of any grounds for the report that Bro. Rhodes or any other person, fellowshiped by the body of Sabbath-keepers, is guilty of the things reported of him, let them speak out. We want to know it if any of these things exist among us.

And we would further say to our readers who may hear these reports from Elder Himes or others, you will do us a kindness to inform us immediately, whenever you may hear such reports. That some have embraced the Sabbath whose principles were not pure, is true; but they have either confessed and forsaken their errors, or have been disfellowshiped by the body. Be it known unto all men that God is "purifying unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works."

We hope, dear brother, that these false reports will not stumble any of our dear friends in the West.—We think that these things will be overruled for good, and finally be a means of opening the eyes of the candid, and furthering the cause of truth. More hereafter.

JAMES WHITE.

Appointments.

PROVIDENCE permitting, I will hold meetings with the Brethren at Stowe, Vt., Nov. 12th. JOSEPH BAKER.

PROVIDENCE permitting, I will hold meetings with the Brethren at Bangor, N. Y., Sabbath, Nov. 12th; Brandon, the 13th; Potsdam, the 19th, and 20th. A. S. HUTCHINS.

Letters.

By Editor

M. G. Kellogg, S. T. Cranson , R. S. Johnson, M. L. Gates, J. H. Waggoner.

Receipts.

Receipts

By Editor

J. H. Waggoner.

Receipts.

F. H. Corwin, D. Baldwin, H. Hopkins, D. Kellogg, J. N. Loughborough, J. Maltby, I. Rathbun, R. H. Brown, J. Warner, E. Roberts, S. B. Warren, J. M. McLellan, J. Heald, D. Farnsworth, M. E. Gleason, L. Harrington, Sr. Hall, J. Metcalf, E. Gorham, H. W. Dodge, Wm. Farnsworth, J. Allen, T. Wilkinson, J. H. Grandy, W. Whitford, J. Burroughs, P. Alden, A. L. Burwell, A. Barton, Wm. R. Pettengill, R. D. Ryder, D. S. Gardner, S. R. Nichols, A. S. Stevens, P. R. Stevens, H. N. Stevens, F. J. Stevens, each $1.

R. Cochran, L. Hastings, H. P. Wakefield, B. G. Jones, S. Smith, S. Bunnel, N. Chase, C. Comey, L. Tarbell, J. G. Smith, N. Mead, S. Duncklee, J. Hart, H. Gardner, E. P. Burditt, E. A. Hopkins, Wm. Carpenter, J. Davis, each $2.

M. L. Dean, G. Swan, M. Gates, E. R. Davis, each $0.50.—A friend, $0.80. Wm. Chapman, $4. O. Nichols, J. Barrows, each $5.—$165.53 behind on the REVIEW.

A G E N T S

By Editor

THE following is a list of Agents whose duty it shall be to forward the names and address (in plain writing) of all who should receive the Review; also, to give information of such to whom it should be discontinued. And to receive the free-will offerings of their Brethren and Sisters for the support of the Review and other publications, and forward them to this Office. The traveling Brethren are also solicited to act as agents.

A G E N T S.

MAINE.
N. N. Lunt,	Portland.	S. Willey, Wheelock
S. W. Flanders,	Canaan.	CONNECTICUT.
Cyprian Stevens,	Paris.	E. L. Chamberlain, Md'town.
S. Howland,	Topsham.	A. Belden, Kensington.
W. T. Hanniford,	Orrington.	NEW YORK.
Wm. Bryant,	Wilton.	W. S. Ingraham, Bath.
NEW HAMPSHIRE.		A. Ross, Caughdenoy.
J. Stowell,	Washington.	David Upson, Moreland.
S. Bunnel,	Claremont.	R. F. Cottrell, Mill Grove.
MASSACHUSETTS.		John Wager, Orangeport.
O. Nichols,	Dorchester.	L. Carpenter, Oswego.
O. Davis,	N. Fairhaven.	A. H. Robinson, Sandy Creek.
L. Paine,	Ware.	E. A. Poole, Lincklaen.
Wm. Saxby,	Springfield.	J. A. Loughhead, Elmira.
VERMONT.		John Hamilton, Fredonia.
R. Loveland,	Johnson.	MICHIGAN.
H. Bingham,	Morristown.	Albert Avery, Locke.
S. H. Peck,	Wolcott.	J. P. Kellogg, Tyrone.
Lewis Bean,	Hardwick.	Ira Gardner, Vergennes.
H. A. Churchill,	Stowe.	David Hewett, Battle Creek.
E. P. Butler,	Waterbury.	C. S. Glover, Sylvan.
Josiah Hart,	Northfield.	A. B. Pearsall, Grand Rapids
R. G. Lockwood,	Waitsfield.	A. A. Dodge, Jackson.
W. Morse,	East Bethel.	Wm. M. Smith, "
L. Titus,	E. Charleston.	PENNSYLVANIA.
Alonzo Lee,	Derby Line.	M. L. Dean, Ulysses
E. Everts,	Vergennes.	RHODE ISLAND.
H. Gardner,	Panton.	Ransom Hicks, Providence.

Publications.

By Editor

THE Sanctuary and Twenty-three Hundred Days—76 pages—price 7 cents—postage 1 cent.

Review of O. R. L. Crozier on the Sabbath—48 pages—price 5 cents—postage 1 cent.

A Refutation of the Claims of Sunday keeping to Divine Authority; also, a lengthy extract from the History of the Sabbath—40 pages—price 4 cents—postage 1 cent.

The Sabbath by "Elihu"—16 pages—price 1 cent—postage 1 cent.

Volume I, II and III of the Review, bound in paper covers—price 40 cents for Vol. I and II, and 80 cents for Vol. III.

Youth's Instructor, Vol. I, in paper covers—price 25 cents.

Signs of the Times—124 pages—price 8 cents—postage 2 cents.

Our collection of Advent and Sabbath Hymns, with the Supplement bound with it—144 pages—price 30 cents—postage 5 cents.

Time and Prophecy—a Poem—120 pages, well bound—price 25 cents—postage 5 cents.

THE CHART—A Pictorial Illustration of the Visions of Daniel and John and their Chronology—price $2. It can be had of Otis Nichols, Dorchester, Mass., or at this Office. It can be sent by Mail without rollers for the same price.

Letter from Bro. Waggoner.

By J. H. Waggoner

DEAR BRO. WHITE:—While at Detroit, a few days since, I had conversation with Elder J. V. Himes, in which he stated that believers in the third angel's message did not keep the Sabbath according to their profession. I answered, that as far as I was acquainted with them they endeavored to keep it 'according to the commandment,' and the comment of our Saviour thereon. He said that was not the case in the East, especially in Vermont. That on conference occasions, &c., they traveled from twenty to forty miles on the Sabbath to attend the meetings; and when not absent from home, they cut their wood, &c., on that day, and generally made it a day of visiting, after the manner in which many nominal Sunday-keepers observe that day.

Now I have several reasons for laying this matter before you. 1. Elder Himes' position as a public man and minister gives importance to any statement he may make of this kind. 2. You have just been in Vermont, and other Eastern States, and of course know whether these things are so. 3. If these statements are true it is of importance that they be attended to immediately. I am truly surprised that an accusation of this kind should be brought against any of the brethren East, as I supposed they generally had the Spirit of the message, and if they had, their consciences would never allow them to desecrate the holy Sabbath in such a manner. As such statements may be made in many parts of the West, I wish you would, at your earliest convenience, let me know how the Sabbath is regarded in the East, and especially in Vermont. Information given soon, will reach me at Kingsbury, Laporte Co. Ind., as I shall probably go there in a few days.

Yours for the truth. J. H. WAGGONER.

Jackson, Mich., Oct 27th, 1853.

P. S. I sent word to Eld. Himes by Bro. Cornell that I considered it duty to inquire into these things. He made no objection, nor offered any explanation, so that I do not consider the above statements strictly private, though made in private conversation.

J. H. W.

To Correspondents.

By Editor

A. S. HUTCHINS.—The REVIEW has been sent to John Mc Neal, Sheffield, Vt.

BRO. PHELPS.—We sent you a box of Books, worth about $50 a few weeks since. Have you received it?

We shall send back Nos. of the REVIEW to new subscribers only when they request them.

Deadline for Press Submissions

By Editor

As our paper is made ready for the press Fifth-day, all articles for insertion received later than that, will be omitted till the following week.

Bates Returns from the West

By Editor

Bro. BATES returned from the West Oct. 27th, and left Rochester for the Oswego meeting the 28th. His Post Office address will be Fairhaven, Mass.

Boston Meetings Relocated

By Editor

☞ The meetings in Boston, are removed from No. 25, Castle St., and for the present will be continued once in two weeks at the house of Bro. Paul Folsom, Somerville, commencing Nov. 12th.

Ingraham’s Post-Office Address

By Editor

Bro. Wm. S. Ingraham's Post-Office address is Moreland, N. Y.