p. 199 | Review and Herald, Vol. 32, No. 15. (10/6/1868)

Earlier text: GETTING READY FOR THE MARK

Testimony Through Affliction

By Wm. Gatchel

BRO. WM. GATCHEL writes from Cumberland Co., Me.: As I have been much interested in reading the testimonies in the Conference Department of the REVIEW, I feel that I want to add my testimony with yours, and tell you of my hopes and fears, my joy and my sorrows, my afflictions and consolations. I have never written but once before; but it has not been for lack of interest, but because of bodily infirmities. I have suffered much for the last four months. I have not been able to do more than four days' work in that time. I have been so weak that I could not move my feet more than four inches at a time.

Some five weeks since, I was taken with such pain and anguish, it seemed that my senses would leave me. The doctor pronounced it the neuralgia. The pain caused such weakness in my eyes that I had to stop reading altogether; but the Lord has sustained me through it all. Oh! what should we do in such times, if it were not for the everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, given to comfort and sustain us in all our tribulations. I have suffered much from disease these many years. Sometimes the Lord's hand has been heavy upon me, and I have been severely chastened; but none too much for my good; for I feel that my Heavenly Father has done it in love. ‘For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son he receiveth.’ If it had not been for these afflictions, I might have been proud, high-minded, forgetful of God, striving to accumulate a treasure that in a short time will do me no good, and neglecting my eternal interest instead of enjoying much of the sweet consolation of religion, a calm, peaceful trust in God, looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ, and having that confidence in him, that we can say, Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him. We are quite aged, and my companion is somewhat infirm, yet she has had all the household duties to perform, both indoors and out, besides taking care of me. But the Lord has sustained her wonderfully in bearing up under her burden.

We have been in the habit of reading the Bible through once a year, and though she has been pressed down with cares, she has not neglected to read a portion of the word daily, and it has been a great comfort to me since I have been deprived of the privilege of reading for myself. Then again, we are glad to have the REVIEW come to us every week; for I have not been able to get out to meeting but twice since May; and my companion manages to read it through in the course of the week.

It is a great comfort to me to hear the sermons and other good pieces read, while confined to the house. The testimonies often cheer my heart; while I think there are others who can feel for our infirmities, and though we may be far apart in body, yet in spirit we may be near, to sympathize and pray for each other, that the Lord may sustain us in all our afflictions.

We are poor, but the Lord has provided for us so far, and we believe that he who hears the young ravens when they cry, will also hear us when we ask him for our daily bread.

Since taking the stand that I have in keeping the Sabbath, I have lost the sympathy of some; still I would rather obey God than man. I love God's holy law. It was by that law I found I had need of a Saviour; for by the law is the knowledge of sin. I have had much time to meditate on the goodness of God for what he has done for me in giving me the light that he has; and in view of my own unworthiness, I would lie low at the feet of Jesus, in the depths of humility. We have much sympathy from the brethren of like precious faith, here; and those who live near have called on us often, and cheered our hearts with words of comfort and consolation, and prayed with, and for, us, for which we feel very thankful. We bless the Lord that he has raised up a people that can feel, and feel the right way, for those who are in trying circumstances.

We ask the prayers of all those who are striving to gain an inheritance which is incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, that we may be able to overcome every obstacle, through the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony, and win a home in that better land, where we shall be clothed with immortality, and be forever free from pain; and with all the host of Israel's God stand on Mount Zion, and behold the King in his beauty.

M. M. NELSON

By M. M. Nelson

From Sr. Nelson.

DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: It is Sabbath morning, and as the storm will prevent us from going to meeting, I would like to bear my humble testimony through the paper, and tell of the goodness of the Lord to me. Although I am very unworthy, yet I trust that I enjoy some of his presence, and have tasted some of his salvation this morning. It is sweeter than honey, or the honeycomb. I long for more; I think I can truly say that I hunger and thirst after righteousness.

I must confess that I have been in a lukewarm condition for some time past, though I have, through the blessing of God, realized it from time to time, and have tried to be zealous and repent, yet have not fully done so. Still the Lord is extending his love to one so unworthy, in sending sweet answers of peace and pardon in answer to prayer; and methinks I hear the sweet voice of Jesus saying, I will be with thee, I will fold my arms around thee, and protect thee on every side. I will be thy strength, thy guide, and counsellor, and lead thee safely through to Mount Zion. Oh! who would not trust in such a friend and guide, “for he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are but dust.” He has been tempted in all points like as we are, and is able to succor those who are tempted. He is a mighty Saviour, able to save to the uttermost all who come to God by him. Let us be whole-hearted in this great work of overcoming. The reward is all over glorious. It exceeds all the pleasures and honors of this poor, sinful world. “Eye hath not seen nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit.” He has given us an earnest of our inheritance. Oh! who that has tasted the sweets of redeeming love, does not, with the beloved apostle Paul, wish to know its hight and depth, its length and breadth, and to be filled with all the fullness of God.

I thank the Lord for the union I have with the way he is leading his people. I love the reforms in all their bearings. The health reform is a great blessing to me. I am trying to walk in the light of present truth, that I may be sanctified through it, and fitted up for translation with the people of God.

Yours in hope of eternal life when Jesus comes.

M. M. NELSON

Benevolence to the Poor

By S. L. Irish

SR. S. L. IRISH writes from Erie Co., N. Y.: On reading Bro. White’s sermon on the fact which the Lord requireth, a fact consisting in benevolence to the poor, I was forcibly impressed with the idea that this is the people of God; and at the same time my conscience convicted me, because I do not know of any good that I have done to the poor. Although we are poor ourselves, yet we ought to do something in this way.

Examining Our Hearts in Faith

way.

I want to be of God's remnant people, and it is my determination to do the will of the Lord concerning me, as far as I know what my duty is. In the Scriptures we read that the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. What a thought, that even our own hearts are liable to deceive us, making us think that we are about right when we are all wrong. Let us pray for the Spirit of God, and search our own hearts diligently to see whether we are in the faith or not.

Press Forward in the Third Angel’s Message

By P. J. Jessup

SR. P. J. JESSUP writes from Grant Co., Wis.: It is but a short time since I embraced the third angel's message. I feel to press forward for the mark of the prize. I never had the privilege of enjoying the meetings till Bro. Sanborn came here last fall, and commenced the work of the Lord in this place. May God give him strength to go on with the good work.

Soon the solemn sentence will go forth, He that is unjust, let him be unjust still; and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still. Let us, therefore, keep in the straight and narrow way; for blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have a right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

Obituary Notices.

Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth.

DIED, Sept. 18, 1868, in the county of Gratiot, Mich., in the 83d year of her age, our beloved aunt, Sophia Palmer. Her last sickness was dropsy, by which she suffered much, since April last. She made profession of religion at the age of 18, and united with the Congregational church with whom she walked till she came to this State in 1834. Since then she has not had the opportunity of meeting with the people of her first choice. She was never married, but was ever doing good among her friends, scattering blessings upon all in her reach. She came to live with us last February, since which she embraced the Sabbath. She died in the blessed hope of eternal life. Funeral discourse by Eld. Lawrence from the comforting words of St. Paul in 1 Thess. iv, 13-18.

FRANCIS NELSON. DEBORAH NELSON.

Died, of typhoid fever, Sept. 12, 1868, at his residence in, Davies Co., Missouri, our dear brother, L. M. Morrison in the 32d year of his age. His consistent course of life endeared him to many warm and sympathizing friends, who, with his family, deeply mourn his loss, yet not without hope of meeting him again at the resurrection of the just.

J. H. ROGERS.

Victoria, Sept. 21, 1868.

Rejoicing in Persecution

By H. L. Drew

SR. H. L. DREW writes from Steuben Co., N. Y.: Of all the people on the earth, we have the greatest reason to rejoice, not over our enemies, but that our eyes have ever been opened to see these glorious truths. The word of God is a lamp to our feet, and a light to our path, if we take it, and square our lives by its divine teachings. We need not faint by the way; for Jesus has said, Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in Heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. The true church of God in all ages has been a persecuted people; and are we to be discouraged, because we are evil spoken of, and because the finger of scorn and derision is pointed at us? and even though our nearest friend or kinsman according to the flesh turns against us? No; we are to rejoice that we are counted worthy to suffer persecution for Christ’s sake; and to lift up our heads, knowing that our redemption draweth nigh. Oh, glorious hope! of soon seeing the King in his beauty. Lonely ones, fear not; the scoffing time of the wicked will soon be over. They will soon call for the rocks to fall upon them, and for the mountains to cover them. The mandate will soon go forth from the King of kings: Let the filthy be filthy still, and the holy be holy still. Come, ye blessed; and depart, ye cursed. Yes; the dread scenes of the Judgment are just before us. Lord, increase our faith, and confirm our hopes.

Jesus is about to leave the most holy place. I can say like one of old that I fear sometimes I myself shall be a castaway. Better had I never known the way, than to make shipwreck of my faith, or depart from the holy commandment delivered unto me.

The Right View.

By C. G. Daniels

BRO. C. G. DANIELS writes from Ohio: I doubt not but that some good brethren have written for the REVIEW, and on account of their communications not appearing in the paper have thought themselves badly slighted, and perhaps thrown down the pen forever, or sunk down in discouragement or given up to a rebellious spirit. To such let me say, If your letter does not appear in the REVIEW, ask yourself the question, Was it suitable for publication? and then write again, and let our good brethren at the Office know that you are not offended because your letter does not appear. We love our paper as it comes to us from week to week richly laden with so many good things; but what would the REVIEW be if everything was put into the paper that is sent to the Office for that purpose?

South American Earthquake Devastation

In the terrible earthquake of the 18th of Aug. last, in South America, it is estimated that $800,000,000 worth of property was destroyed, that 32,000 people perished, and that 30,000 more were made homeless. The details in the various papers are most horrifying.

Papal Power Undermined in Italy

After the ending of the 1260 years of Papal supremacy, which expired in 1798, the power of the Little Horn was to be taken away and consumed unto the end. Dan. vii, 26. How strikingly has this been fulfilled in the waning of the Pope’s power in the various countries of Europe. What is most marvelous is that it should be the case in Italy itself. Yet a New York paper speaking of the Italian priests says:

“All these priests, we are assured, reject unhesitatingly the infallibility of the Pope, as well as the infallibility of the Roman Catholic Church. Some of the prominent Italian statesmen are in full sympathy with the movement. All this indicates that the Church of Rome is greatly undermined in Italy—more, perhaps, than in any other Papal country in the world; and that there is reasonable hope that a large portion of the Italian people may ere long emancipate themselves from the spiritual rule of the Pope.”

LOVING AND HATING.

This one thought in the following beautiful extract, “Why war against a mortal who is going the same road with us?” should be sufficient to cause all envyings, jealousies, and bitter strifes, to cease forever among us. We are traveling the same road with our fellow mortals. We are all going to the great assize, the final Judgment. Why spend the time of our pilgrimage thither in warring and contending with each other? Rather let us live continually in view of the great issue we are to meet, and commit all questions of a personal nature to the decisions of that great day.

“If you love, love more. If you hate, hate less. Life is too short to spend in hating any one. Why war against a mortal who is going the same road with us? Why not expand the flower of life and happiness by learning to love, by teaching those who are near and dear the beautiful lesson: Your hands may be hard, but your hearts need not be. Your forms may be bent or ugly, do you not know that the most beautiful flowers grow in the most rugged, unsheltered places? The palace for care, the cottage for love. Not that there is no love in the mansion; but somehow, if we are not very careful, business will crowd all there is of beauty out of the heart. This is why God has given us the Sabbath, that we may leave business in the office, and have a heart-clearing.”

Difference of Opinion.

By Editor

SOMETIMES an error is placed by a single sentence in a brilliant light which shows its absurdity more effectually than could be done by a long and labored argument. Such we consider the following remark by a correspondent of the Scientific American, which, as with a single flash, reveals all the absurdity of condemning our fellowmen to the lake of fire, for a mere difference of opinion. Speaking of the furnace rooms of the Collinsville, Ct., manufacturing company, he says:—

“Within these inner shops are sweating laborers, a whole regiment, forging the weapons wherewith the farmer and pioneer are to subdue Nature from her rebellious moods. Here they swing tons of crude metal into place; here they dodge to and fro in the blaze of an awful furnace, grimly suggestive of the quarters which I trust have been prepared in the nether worlds to swallow up hereafter all who don't believe as I do.”

The italics are ours. But just imagine a person's gazing into those glowing furnaces, and entertaining seriously the thoughts here expressed with such keen irony, and if we have not a vivid picture of the bigotry and intolerance so prevalent in reference to some theological questions, we know not where it could be found.

An Extract.

By R. F. C.

“Christ as a formula has been retained in our creeds; he kept his place there all through the dark ages. But Christ as a life, Christ as the truth, Christ as the way, has been little known amongst us. The world is as little able to bear his doctrine to-day, in its actual application to actual evils, as it ever was. We may cry, ‘Repent!’ in general—we may tell men that they are sinners, in general—we may even say, as a dogmatic truth, that they are totally depraved by nature—we may go further and add, that they are not only depraved, but utterly helpless—we may shout it out till the welkin ring, and if people have been educated to expect this style of doctrine, they receive it as a matter of course, without taking the slightest offense, and go about their business the next day, as placid and comfortable as ever. But if we proceed, in the calm and quiet way in which Jesus taught, to define minutely the particular sins of which they ought to repent—to unfold the separate layers of evil in which their souls are enwrapped, to show them the precise defects of their characters, there is an immediate recoil. There is no congregation that will bear to have the whole and the exact truth told of themselves.”—Holy Land, p. 516.

We are not, of course, with indiscrimination, certainly not with vanity, and still less with a kind of spiritual selfishness, to go about and make known our own experiences in such a way as to keep ourselves before ourselves, and before our fellows. There is great danger in all attempts to instruct or comfort one another out of our own experiences, of falling into a self-exhibitory spirit, which is productive of great mischief. R. F. C.

Sale of Tracts.

By G. W. A.

ABOUT six weeks since, the Association published an edition of 5000 copies of a little tract of 4 pages, called, “Which Day do You Keep? and Why?” To-day we have orders for more of these tracts than we have copies to supply. This is mentioned merely to show what a sale of tracts we have been having for a few months past. Edition after edition of our standard tracts have run out, been re-printed, sold, and some of them are now all gone. The above is a very encouraging feature of this great work. Let the cause move on, brethren; and let these little messengers, like wings and voices, fly to every part of the great field.

G. W. A.

Earlier Sunday Services for the Races

The clergy of Lyons, France, lately appointed an earlier hour than usual for the Sunday services in order to allow the people who wished to attend the races, which were to occur on that day.

To Correspondents.

E. ENGLES. We think the new birth, of John iii, 3, is the change to immortality. On the other question we refer you to John viii, 58; xvii, 5.

H. C. MILLER: The Septuagint make the pronoun “it,” in Isa. lxv, 8, refer to the “cluster.”

J. C. PARKER. The best light we have on Rev. v, 8, is given in “Thoughts on the Revelation.”

I. D. VAN HORN

By I. D. VAN HORN

Notice.

My P. O. address, till about the 1st of November, will be Lamont, Ottawa Co., Mich.

I. D. VAN HORN

BUSINESS AND PERSONAL.

A limited space will be given under this head for Business Notices from the brethren, at 20 cents per line for each insertion. Parties must give good reference as to their standing and responsibility.

WANTED.—A man to take charge of a farm, one who is a good manager, and able to make a good disposition of produce. Must be a consistent commandment-keeper, and a thorough health reformer. For further particulars address H. J. HARTSHORN, M. D., Amherst, N. H.

Correction Regarding Iowa Church Leaders

By Editor

On page 107 current volume of REVIEW, a correspondent speaks of the opposition in Iowa, to the effect that they are united in nothing but opposition, and that their leaders are gone, and are going, into Spiritualism. We have received a letter from H. E. Carver and M. N. Kramer, elders of that church in Marion, asking a correction of this as a misstatement, affirming that they are united on the great leading doctrines of the Bible summarily contained in the commandments of God, and faith of Jesus, and that though a member of their church has gone into Spiritualism neither of the leaders mentioned by our correspondent, has. We have not room for their letter, but give them the benefit of this statement, as we do not wish to represent any one in a light which may seem, even to him, to be unjust.

Appointments.

And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of Heaven is at hand.

OUR MONTHLY Meeting in Rhode Island for October will be held with the Green Hill church, the 17th and 18th. Meeting the 16th at 7, P. M., in the Washington school-house. Those coming by rail will stop at Shamrock depot, where a team will meet them on arrival of P. M. trains the 16th. P. C. RODMAN.

THE NEXT Quarterly Meeting of the Seventh-day Adventists of Princeville, Ill., will, Providence permitting, be held Sabbath and First-day, Oct. 17 and 18. Any wishing baptism will come prepared. H. C. BLANCHARD.

Business Department.

Not Slothful in Business. Rom. xii, 11.

Business Notes.

MARTIN KITTLE: The book has been sent. If you do not receive it let us know.

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 received pays,—which should correspond with the Numbers on the Papers. If money for the paper is not in due time acknowledged immediate notice of the omission should then be given.

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$2.00 each. A Amburn 34-16, Mariah Harper 32-10, D P Bisbee 34-14, Mrs W Williams 34-14, A M Smith 34-15, J R Rousha 34-14, Leah Leonard 34-15, D Huggin 34-17, E Tucker 34-17, P E Ferrin 34-1, O H Platt 34-13, C H T St Clair 34-5, G L Holliday 33-21, M Brister 34-15, M Roushey 34-15, D Blanchard 34-11, Julia A King 34-14, S M Abbott 34-13, J L Hartford 34-13, Mary C Hodges 33-22.

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Miscellaneous. C Nelson $2.50 33-14, N Gibbs 2.48 34-15, B Chaffee 4.50 35-1, John E Johnson 1.50 34-14, Mrs E McFadden 1.50 34-14, H C Winslow 3.78 34-12, Wm Caviness 1.25 33-1, R S Durfee 4.00 34-8, S L Gilbert 5.00 34-17, L Mc Nitt 1.50 35-1, L H Davis 5.00 35-14, A Shepard 1.50 32-10, I Carpenter 1.50 33-8, Mrs T D Varney 1.50 33-1.

For Review to the Poor.

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Donations to Publishing Association.

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Cash Received on Account.

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Books Sent by Mail.

C Nelson $1.04, Nancy Gibbs 52c, M Abbott 25c, L R Chapel 6.00, D P Bisbee 15c, W J Mills 15c, M Aldrich 15c, G A Thomas 1.25, A T Oxley 1.00, J Hoffer 15c, A S Hutchins 15c, Mrs A McFadden 92c, Mrs R B Hart 92c, Mrs W Williams 92c, S H Burlingham 1.14, W Livingston 1.50, J M McMillen 1.50, S L Downer 1.00, S O Winslow 2.00, Jas A Clark 5.00, H Witter 62c, M S Burnham 1.00, N B Cole 50c, A M Smith 3.00, H C Winslow 1.72, T Patten 1.50, S H Bonfoey 15c, H Smiley 2.00, Mrs M B Bronson 60c, C E Shepard 15c, J M Elliott 1.50, M E Ferry 22c, B G Allen 1.00, S D Smith 20c, W H Kynett 5c, W R Norton 7c, H C Whitney 50c.

Books Sent by Express.

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Received on Book and Tract Fund.

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Received for Benevolent Fund.

Sarah H Burlingham $1.50, A Norton 10.00, J Hunter sen. 2.00, Wm Kelly 1.00, J F Ballinger & wife 5.00, Jemima E French 10.00, E O Hammond 2.50, J Eastwick 2.50, Mary C Mace 5.00.

For California Mission.

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Charitable Fund of the Institute.

A friend $25.00.

On Shares in the H. R. Institute.

Leander Kellogg $10.00.