We have referred to the old covenant and taken a brief survey of its sanctuary, the center of the typical worship of that system. But that covenant was not always to last. The Lord commissioned his prophet to declare, "Behold the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah." Jer. xxxi, 31. This covenant was confirmed by our Lord according to the prediction, Dan. ix, 27, the last seven years of the 2300, or the last week of the seventy—by himself in person the first half of that week, and after his crucifixion, by his apostles the remainder of that term. Heb. ii, 3. Only 490 years of the long period of 2300 were allotted to the first covenant, and the Jewish church. At the end of that period the act of confirming the covenant with that people, had, as prophesied, been finished, the services of that sanctuary had, virtually, forever ceased, and the Jewish church no longer had pre-eminence as the children of God above any other people. The sanctuary prolonged even its nominal existence but a few years after this; but yet 1810 years of the 2300 remained; and it is at the end of this period that the sanctuary of Dan. viii, 14, is to be cleansed. This must refer to the sanctuary of the new covenant; hence the argument is conclusive that this covenant has a sanctuary with its ordinances of divine service also.
As we pursue our inquiries to ascertain what constitutes the sanctuary of this dispensation, the opinions that already exist on this subject, demand a word of attention. If they are sound and true, there is no occasion to deviate from them; and unless they can be shown to be fallacious, the introduction of any new position will appear not only without occasion but without warrant.
Should the reader inquire for the positions that have obtained more or less credit upon this question, four prominent views would be set before him. It is claimed by some that this earth is now the sanctuary. Others, of more enlarged views, contend that this earth is but the first apartment of the sanctuary, while all heaven is the second. A third class claim that it is the land of Canaan which is now the sanctuary; while a fourth take the word in a more spiritual, but no less unauthenticated sense, and apply it to the church.
If we would form correct views on this question, we must keep constantly before us the relation which the sanctuaries of the two covenants sustain to each other. By keeping our eyes steadfastly fixed upon this, it will be almost as hard to arrive at wrong conclusions, as it would be easy were we to lose sight of it.
To this end we call attention to the numerous instances in which the worldly sanctuary is declared to be a pattern of the true. "Let them make me a sanctuary," said the Lord to Moses, "according to all that I show thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it." Ex. xxv, 8, 9. "And look that thou make them after their pattern which was showed thee in the mount." Verse 40. "And thou shalt rear up the tabernacle according to the fashion thereof which was showed thee in the mount." Chap. xxvi, 30. "As it was showed thee in the mount so shall they make it." Chap. xxvii, 8. "Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as he had appointed, speaking unto Moses that he should make it according to the fashion that he had seen." Acts vii, 44. "While as the first tabernacle was yet standing, which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices," &c. Heb. ix, 8, 9. "For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true." Verse 24.
From this testimony but one conclusion can be drawn; namely, that the true sanctuary is the pattern from which the earthly tabernacle was erected: and that whatever object we may find of which this earthly sanctuary was a true type or figure, that object is the sanctuary of the better covenant under which we now live, and the cleansing of which the unerring word of the Lord locates at the termination of the 2300 days. We are therefore prepared for the following questions:
1. Is THE EARTH THE SANCTUARY? To this question we reply emphatically in the negative. It is not.
This fact was made apparent in the argument on the 2300 days, in which it was shown that those days have ended, but that yet nothing is done toward a renovation of the earth, either moral or physical. But there are other considerations showing the absurdity of the claim that the earth is the sanctuary which should not be passed by unnoticed: 1. The word sanctuary occurs 146 times in the Bible and is not in a single instance applied to the earth. Now if it was really the intention of the Holy Ghost to teach us that the earth was the sanctuary, it seems that it ought, at least once, to have called it so. 2. The definition of the term, sanctuary, according to Walker, Webster, Cruden and the Bible, is, a holy place, a sacred place, a dwelling place for the Most High: but every one knows that the earth is neither a dwelling place for God, nor yet a holy, or sacred place. This fact alone should forever exclude the idea of its being the sanctuary. But 3. Take into consideration the typical and antitypical natures of the sanctuary, and the absurdity of this view will appear in a still stronger light. The earthly sanctuary was a type or figure of the true; but pray tell us in what respect it prefigured this rolling earth. Can it for a moment be supposed that Moses, when in the mount, was shown this earth, as the pattern from which he was to erect the sanctuary, and that the nearest resemblance he could make of it, was an oblong building ten cubits in width, and three times that number in length? And we might pursue this train of thought still further and inquire, What on the earth answers as antitype to the golden candlestick? What to the altar of incense? And what to the table of shew-bread?
But we need not spend time longer to write, nor trouble the reader longer to read, concerning a view so manifestly absurd.
But if the view that the earth is the entire sanctuary involves such apparent folly, what shall we say of that view which makes it only a part of that building? Both these views are indeed of the earth, earthly. The absurdity of the former is equally involved in the latter, while this goes a degree deeper, in making all heaven only the second apartment, and may be described, in the language of Pollok, as, "A strange belief, that leans its idiot back on folly's topmost twig." We will not detain the reader with any view so baseless and chimerical.
2. IS THE LAND OF CANAAN THE SANCTUARY? The arguments which show that the earth is not the sanctuary of the new covenant, bear with equal force against the view which would claim that honor for the land of Canaan. But as there are, out of the 146 times of the occurrence of the word sanctuary in the Bible, some two or three texts which are urged in favor of this view, we will examine them and see if they will bear the meaning which they have been supposed to convey. The first is Exodus xv, 17, and reads as follows: "Thou shalt bring them in and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance in the place, O Lord, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have established." Before it is decided however that this text fixes the application of the sanctuary to the land of Canaan, let the Psalmist's commentary on this very passage be taken into consideration. He says: "And he led them on safely, so that they feared not, but the sea overwhelmed their enemies. And he brought them to the border of his sanctuary, even to this mountain which his right hand had purchased, and he built his sanctuary like high palaces, like the earth which he hath established forever." Ps. lxxviii, 53, 54, 69.
It will be observed that here David speaks of the same events to which Moses referred. There is just this difference in their records; what Moses writes is a prediction. The Psalmist, living after the events had been fulfilled, speaks of them as a matter of history. Now what David gives as a fulfillment will surely be a good and safe commentary on the prediction; and while Moses did not say that the mountain of God's inheritance was the sanctuary, the Psalmist plainly declares that that mountain was only the border of the sanctuary, and that there God built his sanctuary like high palaces, like the earth which he hath established forever. That any one in view of this language should confound the sanctuary with the mountain on which it was built, is a marvelous exhibition of mental confusion.
Listen also to the distinction between the land of Canaan and the sanctuary as pointed out by a king of Judah: "Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend forever? And they dwelt therein and have built thee a sanctuary therein for thy name, saying, If, when evil comes upon us, as the sword, judgment or pestilence, or famine, we stand before this house, and in thy presence (for thy name is in this house) and cry unto thee in our affliction, then thou wilt hear and help." 2 Chron. xx, 7-9.
There is another text claimed by some as proof that Canaan is the sanctuary: Isa. lxiii, 18. "The people of thy holiness have possessed it but a little while; our adversaries have trodden down thy sanctuary." It is by no means certain that the land is here referred to, since anything else may be trodden down as well as the land. Nothing therefore but an inference can be drawn from it: and there is one plain fact which is sufficient to annihilate the claim: When God's people were driven out of the land of Canaan (as the prophet here predicts, using the past tense for the future) they were not only dispossessed of their inheritance, but the sanctuary of God built in that land was laid in ruins. This fact is plainly stated in 2 Chron. xxxvi, 17-20, which divests the passage of all mystery.
Only one text more remains to be urged in favor of the land of Canaan. As such we present it. "The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir-tree, the pine-tree and the box together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and I will make the place of my feet glorious." Isa. lx, 13. Had the distinction ever been kept in view, between the sanctuary and the place of the sanctuary, we should have had no occasion to notice this text. But if people persist in ignoring this distinction, we would remind them that the same text calls the place of the sanctuary, the place of the Lord's feet also; and if by being the place of the sanctuary it becomes the sanctuary itself, by being the place of his feet, it becomes, by parity of reasoning, his feet also. When any just grounds can be shown for avoiding this conclusion, it will be time to notice the passage further. We can only conclude then, that the land of Canaan is not the sanctuary, but that it is simply the place where the typical sanctuary was located.
3. IS THE CHURCH THE SANCTUARY? We answer, It is not. Do you ask for our reasons? One fact alone is sufficient to annihilate the idea: It is never once in the word of God called the sanctuary. Another definite object is invariably called the sanctuary, and the church is uniformly connected with that object as the host or worshippers; the sanctuary itself being the place of that worship, or toward which their prayer was directed. There is one text that may be urged on this point and we therefore notice it: "When Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language, Judah was his sanctuary, and Israel his dominion." Ps. cxiv, 4. This would however only prove that one of the twelve tribes was the sanctuary and that the whole church was not. But if the fact be remembered that God chose Jerusalem which was in Judah, as the place of his sanctuary, we think the following from another psalm will fully explain the connection between Judah and the sanctuary of God, and show that Judah was the tribe with which God designed to locate his habitation: "But chose the tribe of Judah the mount Zion which he loved. And he built his sanctuary like high palaces (see 1 Chron. xxix, 1) like the earth which he hath established forever." Ps. lxxviii, 68-69. But could a single text be produced in favor of the view that the church is the sanctuary, it could not even then be the sanctuary85of Dan. viii, 13, 14; for the church is there represented by the word "host." This none will deny. "To give both the host and the sanctuary to be trodden under foot." The church and the sanctuary then, are two things.
(To be continued.)
Labors in Ohio.
By J. H. Waggoner
AFTER the meeting in Columbia, I spent the Sabbath and first-day, July 4, 5, with the brethren at Strongsville and Royalton. From there we went to Orwell with the tent, according to appointment, expecting to pitch it there. But arriving there were deeply disappointed to find that the individuals who were instrumental in getting us there, were in sympathy with the movements there last winter, against which I published a warning. As they had announced our intention to pitch the tent there, at their request, we could not do so without becoming identified with them, and virtually endorsing that which had disgraced the cause. I have known before, things worthy of the deepest condemnation to be transacted under the cloak of present truth, but never anything to compare with this case. As I am opposed to giving particulars of such cases in the Review, unless it becomes very necessary, I pass it by, with the above statement.
I held five meetings in a school-house three miles N. E. from Orwell Center, at the last of which I gave the reason why we could not pitch the tent there. The interest was quite good in those meetings, prejudice was removed, and I am informed that many are becoming anxious to hear. May the Lord direct, is my constant prayer.
As I had gone to Orwell by the instruction of the committee, and was obliged to take the responsibility of refusing to pitch the tent there, I was a stranger in a strange country, and knew not which way to go. My health was very poor, and I had no idea where an opening might be found. I came to Chardon, the county seat of Geauga Co., but could get no ground on which to pitch the tent. After going to Huntsburg, I concluded to return and see if a house could be obtained. I procured the town-house, and commenced meetings July 17.
Of course we could not expect as much as if the tent had been pitched, yet the attendance was good, and an interest soon sprung up. For about a week the weather was so cold that a tent-meeting would probably have been a failure, so we are comforted with the belief that the movement was providential. At this time several have decided to keep the Sabbath, and I have strong hopes of others who have not yet announced their decision. I have spoken four times in the Baptist meeting-house, and have received very kind treatment from the pastor and members of that church. I feel the effects of constant labor, and am not able to do as I wish to; but am no less determined than ever to do according to my strength. I shall remain here at least a week yet, beyond that I can say nothing at present.
J. H. WAGGONER.
Chardon, Ohio, Aug. 3.
Report from Bro. Frisbie.
By J. B. Frisbie
BRO. WHITE: After lecturing two weeks at New Hudson, I closed my meeting on account of the hurrying time of haying and harvesting, and the short evenings. After hearing a number say that they would like to attend but they could not work hard all day, as help was very scarce, and then be up late nights, I concluded with the brethren, to wait awhile and then return after the hurry, if possible, and continue lectures there. I baptized seven at Milford and they united with the little church. We had a good season in attending to the ordinances with the church there.
I journeyed on north to Tyrone, by the request of some of the church from there. I gave three discourses, baptized three, and celebrated the Lord's supper. Here I formed some acquaintance with Bro Cornell's father and family. I expected to lecture in Lindon on first-day evening, but was disappointed in getting the only hall to be had, which was owned by a Presbyterian woman who did not like to have such demoralizing doctrines preached in her hall; for she was afraid it would corrupt the youth and children of the place. I learned that Universalists have a regular appointment there.
Therefore the next day I went to Owasso, to Bro. Griggs' where I held meetings three evenings. Here I met a number of friends from St. Charles, whom I was glad to see.
I came from there to Oneida where I found the little church trying to live. But death, and removals from the place has reduced their numbers.
After I saw Bro. J. Byington's appointment for Charlotte I concluded to meet him there, so I visited the church at Windsor where a few still live, who were the first who came out under my labors over eight years ago, who still are firm in the present truth.
J. B. FRISBIE.
P. S. It is a general complaint brought against me by my friends, that I do not report myself. I intend to do so more than I have. I am determined to hunt and fish for souls with all diligence.
J. B. F.
Tobacco.
By M. E. Cornell
A DISCOURSE on the subject of purity has produced quite a stir among the tobacco-mongers in Memphis. One man threw away his new box filled with fine-cut and made the firm resolve never to use any more. Several others have given up the filthy weed. Our statement that tobacco juice would kill a serpent almost instantly was discredited by some. But the experiment has been tried by different persons since our statement was made, and it is now universally acknowledged correct. One man said the snake was stone dead before he could crawl his length. Another hearing the statement, threw away his tobacco, saying he would not chew for common, anything that would kill snakes. A snake will show signs of life several hours after its head is cut off. But a little saliva from the tobacco-chewer's mouth will kill the most venomous reptile stone dead in three minutes.
The following test was made at a Water Cure. A man who used tobacco was put into a wet sheet pack for about one hour. When he was removed, a perfectly well and active snake was put into the same sheet and kept there just fifteen minutes by the watch, when it was found to be stone dead.
It is obnoxious to all animate creation except the tobacco worm, and human beings whose appetite has been entirely perverted. The noble elephant would kill a man that would offer him tobacco. The hog, one of the most filthy of animals will not eat tobacco. Cats and dogs would starve to death, before they would eat the flesh of a man that has used tobacco to excess.
Most that use tobacco, agree that it is a useless, hurtful, filthy practice. Why not then all give it up? Is it possible that Christians will continue its use? Is a body steeped in tobacco a holy and acceptable sacrifice in the sight of a pure and holy God? But, how about paying money for that which is not bread, or useful food? What account can be rendered for such waste of the Lord's goods? The poor complain of hard times, but still find means to buy tobacco.
Read the following from one of the secular papers: "A merchant of New York, lately on a visiting and collecting tour in Illinois, was disgusted and shocked at the enormous tobacco chewing and smoking, which he day by day witnessed. It seemed to him a practice almost universally indulged in by young and old, in every rank and condition in life. One day this same merchant, while traveling from one place to another, on the railroad, resolved to find out how many persons in the car in which he was seated used this filthy weed. There were twenty-two men and two women present, and eighteen men of the number admitted that they used tobacco, at a cost, in aggregate of $387 per annum. Each man made his own individual estimate, which was given and put down in a memorandum-book and the total footing was as we have stated. Now this would be an average of about $17 per individual. That would be too high an average estimate, of course, for the whole population of the State. At only $4 for each inhabitant, the total would be $3,000,000. Now, that enormous amount of money, distributed in Illinois, would make easy times."
"In the Baltimore Methodist Conference, Rev. R. Cadden stated that two hundred preachers of that body, chewed tobacco, and one hundred of them smoked cigars, all of them expending $6000, per year: which he said would support two missionaries to China."—Anti Tobacco Journal.
It is said that the number of pounds of tobacco consumed annually in the United States is 200,000,000, and that Christians use $5,000,000 worth annually. What a waste of the Lord's goods is this?86Do they not pray for prosperity that they may consume upon their lusts?
"Why will they waste on trifling cares
That life which God's compassion spares,
While in the various range of thought,
The one thing needful is forgot."
The Eastern Mission.
By J. N. Loughborough, Moses Hull
Our meeting is still in progress here with increasing interest. Last Sabbath forenoon 150 were out to a social meeting. In that meeting we called on those who had made up their minds to keep the Sabbath with all God's commandments to arise. About thirty-five arose. We then called on those who were desirous thus to start in the service of God and wanted prayers offered in their behalf, to come forward, thirty-two came forward and occupied the front seats, and the Lord gave freedom in praying for them. It was a good day. Long to be remembered by some. Yesterday (Sunday) there were about 600 out. We had good liberty in preaching, and books were taken quite freely. Still we labor on here, for our work seems to be only fairly begun. Others will come out. May the Lord help them to yield to conviction.
We find a difference between the meetings here and in the West. Our congregations are not so large, but all that come, seem to come to hear. Sectarian bigots for the most part stay away. The rain still continues, but we have not lost a meeting yet on account of rain, and this seems a matter of note, as there have not been 36 consecutive hours here for the last month that it has not rained.
We have mended our tent, and the rains have washed out three-fourths of the Iowa mud that was on it, so that it looks 300 per cent. better than we thought we ever could make it look.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH,
MOSES HULL.
Newport, N. H., Aug. 3, 1863.
Report from Minnesota.
BRO. WHITE: We have just closed our meetings in Cleveland. We began our labors under many discouragements. The enemy had reduced a once flourishing church to almost a total wreck. They have had no meetings for months. Some in discouragement joined the army, and others gave up. We began our labors on Friday evening, and gave testimony on the signs of the times, and endeavored to make the people feel that we were their friends, and had come to help them.
Sabbath, Bro. Snook preached a sermon on spiritual gifts and sister W.'s visions, and I followed by reading the vision for Minnesota. Here the spell broke, and captivity began to turn on the Lord's side. Bro. Allen arose, and very humbly acknowledged the truth of the vision, confessed his wrongs, and made a new start for the kingdom. I gave a discourse in the afternoon on sanctification, which was followed by an excellent social meeting. On first day morning we met and organized a church of fifteen members, who adopted the plan of systematic benevolence, which amounts to $59.80 per year. There are others who will unite with them soon. We hope this little church may, for the future, avoid the rocks on which they have run, and be faithful from this on, that at last they may share in that salvation for which we are striving.
We were much pleased to meet Bro. Odell who had joined the army. He heard of our meeting, and came on foot to see us. His heart was soon melted down, and in his testimony he assured us that nothing but discouragement ever drove him where he now is. He is strong in the faith, and trusts that God may open the way for his escape. May God bless him and deliver him is our most sincere prayer.
I. SANBORN.
B. F. SNOOK.
Cleveland, Minn., July 15, 1863.
Evading The Testimony.
By J. Clarke
SOME read the Review with much interest, especially the columns of letters, and are much edified by the communications of those who give their experience there; but when they speak of the peculiar doctrines advocated and set forth in the Review, they say, we will leave those to you, and content ourselves to feast upon the experience of those who write.
If I should say that I disliked a certain kind of tree, but was fond of the fruit it bore, I should thus be considered inconsistent truly; all would exclaim, ‘What folly!’ yet not more so than the class of people above described.
Those who speak as above, admit that no other people publish a living experience, weekly, as clear as the one under consideration. They admit the churches are falling lower and lower, and they see the marked difference there is in the character of the Review, from the average of religious periodicals; yet they fail to see the cause.
They see the effect, and delight in it; but the cause is not yet visible to them.
Cause and effect! the laws of which are as unerring as the word of God. Cause and effect! Don't you see the relation existing between these things?
Do not you see at a glance, that the doctrines a man believes affect his practice, and that there is an intimate connection between a man's belief, practice and experience?
As closely connected as the foliage is to the tree, is the experience of the person to his doctrines and practice. Nay, do not violate common sense, and stultify the moanings of much abused conscience, by saying this is not a fair statement. Approve the truth, and conscience will applaud and comfort, instead of goading and reproving. Thus, in time when you have not only approved, but obeyed the truth, will you delight greatly in the Lord, and rejoice in his commandments.
But you say these are new doctrines. Are they? Are you sure they are new? Have you carefully, impartially, investigated the matter?
You say you are unprejudiced. Are you sure? You say Satan was not the first advocate of the natural immortality of man. Are you sure?
You say that all this ado about God's law is unnecessary; that water baptism is unimportant, that the Review is too radical and too exclusive. Are you sure about this?
For more than a year after I commenced reading the Review I was confident that if they (the editors of the Review) would say less on some points, it would be better for the cause; but I afterward found to my sorrow, that I had been mistaken. I thought my judgment excellent, and my mind candid, but I found that evidence proved some of my notions very much out of the way. I had been too sure, too sure! Thank God, I found it out, I hope in time.
I am well satisfied that a consistent, correct view of the relation between cause and effect, (every child of good mind posesses it, until it is vitiated by bad education,) has much to do with salvation, and that he who thinks to enter the pearly gates, stumbling along indifferent to the plain teachings of scripture, bolstered up by an old hope, dating far back in life, will be terribly disappointed. — J. Clarke.
A Grave Charge.
By B. F. Summerbell
IN the Advent Review and Sabbath Herald of June 23, 1863, Wm. S. Foote, under the head of Outside Testimony, communicates an article from the Columbian Register, which appears to be made up of an article on Spiritualism and Hobgoblins, from the Columbian (O.) Argus, with comments by the Providence Post, in which the President of the U. S. is gravely charged with acting under the dictation of demons.
Says the Burlington Argus, “Judge Edmonds, Robert Dale Owen, and other spiritualists, gave the President the long expected communication through mediums, and he acted accordingly.” “Has it come to this?” asks the Argus, “a great country governed by ghosts, spirits, hobgoblins, table-turnings, rappings &c. Be not deceived; this is the animus of the Administration.”
The Providence Post says, “The above is true, undoubtedly, but it does not tell us half the whole truth.
Judge Edmonds, the man of visions, is an adviser of the President, and is frequently in Washington.”
What is the character of the Providence Post? Is that of the Burlington Argus, and Columbian Register, no better, their declarations should be received with considerable caution.
Judge Edmonds is a Spiritualist, but says, (I write from memory) that he has been but once in Washington, and then did not see the President!
Believing, that it is no part of the mission of the Herald and Review to speak evil of dignities, or to countenance those who take delight in vilifying the President, I have not hesitated to pen the foregoing in the hope that the emphatic contradiction by Judge Edmonds is no less satisfactory to Wm. S. Foote, than to myself.
In justice to the Providence Post, I will add, that it was in it, that I first saw the denial of Judge Edmonds.
B. F. SUMMERBELL.
Providence, R. I. July, 1863.
Note. It was not to speak evil of dignities or to vilify the President that the statements contained in Bro. Foote's article were published in the Review, or still more recently those in the article from Bro. Snook; but because these things have a bearing upon prophecy: There may be errors in some of the details of the statements, which it is desirable to have corrected; but the real question at issue, after all, is, Does the President, and many of the leading men of the nation look favorably upon Spiritualism? Is the way preparing for these spirits of devils to go out of the mouth of the beast, dragon and false prophet; and to go to the kings of the earth to gather them to the battle of the great day of the Lord. This point we have not yet seen denied.
A Confession.
By W. M. Allen
To the brethren and sisters in Christ.
For the past year I have been in a cold and backslidden state. Although I have tried to hold on to faith and confidence in God, yet I realized that I grew weaker every day, and O, I feel to thank God that he has through sister White reproved and snatched me as a brand from the burning. I believe the testimony is of God and sent to assist us in Minn., out of difficulties from which it appeared impossible to extricate ourselves. I confess I have been in the wrong and have taken burdens upon myself that were not proper for me, as a messenger, to bear, and have thereby manifested a selfishness that has been injurious to the cause, to my brethren, and to myself. All I can say farther is, I ask all my brethren and sisters to forgive, and to pray God to forgive and assist me to counteract all the evil as far as is in my power; and I am determined in future by the assisting grace of God to be more guarded and to shun every appearance of evil.
W. M. Allen.
"Are You a Professor of Religion?"
Not long ago conversing with a friend with whom I had been acquainted for some months, I incidentally alluded to the church to which I belonged. My companion looked up with some surprise, and asked, "Are you a professor of religion?" I was startled by her tone, but answered her inquiry, and we resumed our conversation.
Many, many times has that question come to my mind, and perhaps it may not be inappropriate to some of my fellow-Christians. I had evidently been living, perhaps unconsciously, without showing by my daily walk and conversation that I was on the Lord's side.
"Are you a professor of religion?" and if so, in what respect are you different from others? Are you confessing Christ before men, before your family, your friends and associates, in your daily life and conduct? If the work of grace is going on in the heart, it will be seen in the life: "by their fruits ye shall know them."
S. A.
Eating when Sick.
By Dr. Dio Lewis
It is the custom among a certain class of people, when a member of the family falls sick, to begin at once to ask, "Now, what can you eat?" Every one has heard the old story of the man who always ate87eighteen apple dumplings when he was sick.
On one occasion, when engaged upon the eighteenth, his little son said, "Pa, give me a piece?" "No, no! my son," replied the father, "go away, pa's sick."
When a young man, who has surfeited, in season and out of season, until exhausted nature gives way, and a fever is coming on, the good mother is in trouble. She anxiously inquires, "Now, John, what can you eat? You must eat something! People can't live without food!"
Then come toast, tea, etc. The stomach is exhausted, and no more needs stimulating, or food than a jaded horse needs the whip! What is needed is rest, complete rest. Nine-tenths of the acute diseases might be prevented, by a few days' starvation, when the first indications appear. I don't mean complete abstinence in every case, but perhaps a piece of coarse bread, with cold water for drink. If such a policy was generally adopted, what ruin would overtake the medical profession!—Dr. Dio Lewis.
Take Courage.
By Emma J. Rose
Take courage brother pilgrim,
The battle's almost o'er,
We shall soon lay down our armor,
And face the foe no more.
But let us not get weary
And lay our weapons down
Till we have gained the victory,
And won the heavenly crown.
The prize is very near us,
But all may yet be lost,
If we should for one moment
Sleep idly at our post.
There is no standing still here,
Each one must forward go
If he'd escape the tempter
And guard against the foe.
If our watchword is King Jesus,
Our shield Immanuel's grace
We may combat with the enemy,
And meet him face to face.
Then let us all be ready,
Our Saviour, King, to greet,
That we may ever reign with him,
And worship at his feet.
Emma J. Rose.
Chesaning, Mich.
A Confession.
By Jno. Bostwick
DEAR BRETHREN: I am a firm believer in the truths of the "third angel's message," and the instrumentalities God is using to carry it forward. I believe that one of these is the gift of prophecy by which our wrongs are pointed out by the unerring Spirit of God, and we as a people are enabled to see every wrong that it may be confessed and put away, and we thus be brought into perfect unity with the body, not only in sentiment and faith, but in action. And as the Lord in his goodness has sent us a straight testimony through the gift of prophecy, we can but exclaim, How great is the goodness and condescension of God! It is truly meat in due season.
That part of the testimony for Minn. which applies to myself and wife, I can heartily receive; and as it points out our wrong course for the past three years, I feel in duty bound to confess every wrong I have committed by a crooked and independent course, and thus counteract as far as possible the bad influence such a course may have had against the cause.
And now as I look back upon the past I can see that I have not properly understood myself. I have had too much confidence in my abilities, and have neglected to avail myself of an experience which I might have acquired, had I been teachable and more willing to be led. I believe my labors have been an injury to the cause in Minn., and that I have been out of the path of duty. Time and means have been wasted for which I feel sorry, and would seek forgiveness of the Lord and my brethren. Truly I have been an unprofitable servant, and if it is not the will of the Lord that I should help carry the message, I can cheerfully take a humble place in the ranks of God's remnant people, as I desire to stand with them on Mount Zion.
In conclusion I would say that I am willing to be led reproved counseled and instructed by those of experience. I do not wish to lean upon my own weak judgment any longer independent of that of my brethren. I now wish their watchcare and prayers that I may be enabled to do anything God requires at my hands.
An unworthy brother.
JNO. BOSTWICK.
Oronoco, Minn. July, 23, 1863.
The Truth in Columbia
By L. C. Tolhurst
From Sr. Tolhurst.
Bro. White: I would like to say for the encouragement of Bro. Waggoner and the brethren in Ohio, that it was not in vain that the tent was pitched in Columbia. Although much prejudice was developed, God has not left the truth without witnesses here. Ten are keeping the Sabbath. The last two Sabbaths we have held meetings, and intend to continue them. It is truly comforting to see the joy manifested by those that have just emerged from the darkness of error. They feel as if they were but babes, reading their Bibles as a new book. There seems to be a willingness also to let God's word speak in regard to Spiritual Gifts which is a comfort to me; as I well know that when we grasp the whole truth, then the blessing of God will rest upon us, and the church be prepared by the influences of the Spirit to work with the body, with Christ and the holy angels. Others are earnestly investigating. One sister that is keeping the Sabbath was baptized by Bro. Fitch in the first message. She is very much blessed in taking up the cross and keeping the Sabbath, as it has seemed a duty to her for nearly a year. Fearing the opposition of her family she has neglected to do her duty. How ready our Heavenly Father is to open the way for us when he sees we are willing to obey.
Some of the Methodist brethren were troubled every time the Sabbath came around, fearing they were disobeying God in breaking his holy precept. To quiet their minds the Methodist minister preached a sermon, trying to prove the first-day of the week, to be the true seventh day. This position he dared not take while Bro. Waggoner was here. I feel strengthened and encouraged to press my way on to Mount Zion, knowing that the trial of our faith worketh patience. Pray for us that we may be faithful.
Yours desiring a heavenly inheritance.
L. C. Tolhurst.
Columbia, Lorain Co. Ohio.