DEAR BRO. WHITE:—Our Tent-meeting on Paris Hill, July 7th and 8th, was peaceful and quiet; not quite so well attended as we expected, still there were a goodly number that listened attentively, and were remarkably orderly, even to the ringing of their Church bell on the Sabbath-day for the opening of our meetings. Our prayer meetings were spiritual and good. The Lord was in the midst to bless and strengthen his people. Bro. John N. Andrews was with us, but did not preach on account of feeble health.
Our next and last meeting was in East Unity, N. H., July 13th to 15th. This was an interesting season. Brn. from Washington and Lempster were present to aid with their prayers and singing. Some hundreds of people came in from the surrounding country and appeared to listen with a strong desire21to understand the truth. Some furnished themselves with books to still investigate.
We feel encouraged to pursue the work before us, being fully persuaded that God is giving edge to his truth, and setting home the last message of mercy on all the honest-hearted. The fruit of our labor will be fully known at the reaping of the harvest, if not before. After our Tent-meeting in Brunswick, Me., last of June, Bro. Howland sent us word that several were much troubled and said they must keep the Sabbath.
JOSEPH BATES.
E. L. BARR.
Unity, N. H., July 19th, 1855.
P. S. Sabbath 21st was a refreshing season from the presence of the Lord. The church in Unity were together with one accord, and attended to all the ordinances of the Lord's house. We first went down by the water-side, where seven were planted together in the likeness of the death of Jesus their Lord, henceforth to walk in newness of life. On First-day we held a meeting in Buss Hollow. After the morning service we were kept reading and explaining to some, until the time for services in the afternoon. Some furnished themselves with books and wished to know more about these things.
J. B.
E. L. B.
Post Office Address.
By James White
My P. O. Address until Aug. 15th, will be Palmyra, Me. JAMES WHITE.
Tent Meeting at West Winfield, N. Y.
By John Norton Loughborough
This meeting commenced as appointed in the Review, July 7th, and continued over two Sabbaths. The weather was quite favorable, so that both First-days our congregations were quite large. Other circumstances were also favorable, there being no other meeting in the place the first week of the Tent meeting. We were somewhat disappointed in not meeting Bro. Wm. S. Ingraham at this meeting, as we had anticipated; but we endeavored to move forward in the name of the Lord. We obtained permission to pitch our Tent beside the Baptist meeting-house; but when it was ascertained that we were going to continue the second First-day, a proposition was sent to us to desist from preaching and listen in the forenoon to the sermon in the house, as it would look bad to have two meetings so close together, &c. This we could not consistently do as our appointment was thoroughly circulated and we expected hundreds would be present to hear the truth; but that they might understand that we did not wish to infringe upon their rights, and that the people might have opportunity to understand both sides of the question we sent an invitation to the minister to preach in the Tent, on the Sabbath question. We supposed of course he would accept the offer, as he had already declared war upon us; announcing that if we came to the place and agitated the subject of the Sabbath, we would not get away without opposition. And as he had already preached a discourse the past winter in favor of the (so-called) Christian Sabbath, (Sunday,) we even endeavored to constrain him to read that the third First-day and revise it if he wished; but he declined entirely from discussing the subject, and to our astonishment appointed a meeting in the Meeting-house in the afternoon of First-day, whereas they were in the habit of holding but one meeting.
Winfield is a new field as to public labor, the mass having never heard a discourse on the subject of the Advent. We found, as in other places, prejudice in the minds of the people against us; not that they had cause for prejudice, but because they knew not the reasons of our position. Those who attended the meeting (especially the second First-day) seemed to desire to understand the reasons of our faith. We endeavored to present to them the solemn truths which should interest those who desire salvation at the present time. We trust the efforts to spread the truth there will not be in vain; the Lord will give the increase, and reward the efforts of his children to save souls.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
R. F. COTTRELL.
Roosevelt, N. Y., July 26th, 1855.
P. S. We shall, if providence permits, hold two meetings east of Rochester, and then hold two or three in Western N. Y. This will not occupy the whole season for Tent operations, but we shall probably have suitable weather along the first of October. Would it not be well to hold one meeting or perhaps two in Steuben Co., N. Y.? Will the brethren take the matter into consideration and write immediately to J. N. Loughborough, Rochester, N. Y., that on our return we may be prepared to make arrangements for the meeting.
J. N. L.
R. F. C.
The Noblest Remedy for Injuries
The noblest remedy for injuries is oblivion. Light injuries are made lighter by not regarding them.
THE CAUSE.
By James White
We have been much cheered for a few weeks past in meeting with the friends of the cause of truth in Vermont. Our interviews with them at the several Tent-meetings in that State have been most pleasant. Perfect union and harmony seem to exist among the old friends of the cause, and for the past year there have been some valuable additions.
July 20th, the Tent was pitched at Braintree. Bro. and Sr. Howard (who received the present truth at the Tent-meeting held in that place near one year since) opened their doors and furnished a home for a large portion of those who attended the meeting. The attendance at this meeting was good, especially on the Sabbath. The saints were much cheered, and several decided that we had the truth on the Sabbath question. It is a matter of deep interest that so large and intelligent assemblies listen with candor and interest to unpopular Bible truth. Many acknowledge that we have the Bible on our side of the question. But a few only will keep the truth, while the mass will be turned from the truth unto fables. Lord save the jewels.
On our way to Bristol, Vt., we called at Roxbury and spent a day with Brn. Pierce and Phillips and their families. God bless them for their tender care to pilgrims. We also spent one day at Bro. Lockwood's in Warren. This family was among the very first to receive the Sabbath in Vermont. Their sacrifices for the cause, and their care for the Lord's servants have not been small.
It has seemed to us that some of these Vermont friends have loved their neighbor (brother) a little better than themselves. It is certain that in their anxiety to advance the cause they have at least made far greater efforts to help others, than others have made to help themselves. They are anxious to move the REVIEW Office to Vermont, and have the responsibility and burden of conducting it taken off from us, and placed, as it should be, on the shoulders of a number of the old, experienced friends of the cause. Unless the friends of the cause in some more central position shall take this responsibility, it will be proper that the friends and supports of the cause in Vermont should take it. We shall no longer bear the burdens we have borne in Rochester; neither shall we move the Office, East or West. The Office is the property of the church. The church must wake up to this matter, and free us from responsibilities that have been forced upon us, and which we have reluctantly taken. We must have freedom and repose, or go into the grave. Our interest in the precious cause has not abated. All we can do, we will do, but we desire freedom from our present position, and that the cause may be freed from the effects of the whining complaints of jealous ones. Those persons take care and not come to us with their complaints; but we meet their poisonous letters addressed to others relative to our course in all quarters. Be it known to such that Office affairs are open to the investigation of any committee of decent men, at any proper time and place.
July 27th, the Tent was pitched at Bristol. The interest was good. The word had free course, and we trust reached the hearts of many. J. W.
Rise of the Two-horned Beast.
By John Norton Loughborough
BY J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
IN REV. xiii John says, "I beheld another beast coming up," &c.; from which we are led to suppose that wherever the prophecy of the Two-horned beast had its accomplishment, a government would be developed, enterprising and prosperous. It has been before shown through the columns of the Review that our own government in its rise and progress has fulfilled the specifications of the Two-horned beast. At the present time a strife is made by some to throw off this application, and they endeavor to show that the power may have risen in foreign lands; but God has represented in prophecy, the governments of foreign lands at this time, as in a state of brokenness and disunion. "Iron mixed with miry clay." . . . "they shall not cleave one to another as iron is not mixed with miry clay." England is certainly looked upon by all nations as bankrupt, France is not much in advance. The kingdoms of Spain are in a decaying condition. While we see other kingdoms of earth in this position, and that in their rise they have not answered the specifications of the prophecy, we have been led to look elsewhere than among them for the rise of that power. As our own nation has arisen at the right time to answer the specifications of the prophecy, as well as in the right manner, we may with confidence expect it to come up (while its career is measured by prophecy as in a rising condition) even to the astonishment of its own citizens. An English Journalist, speaking of the unexampled growth of the United States, in all the elements of national prosperity, sums up in this wise:—
"In an interval of little more than half a century it appears that this extraordinary people have increased above 500 per cent., in numbers: their national revenue has augmented nearly 700 per cent, while their public expenditure has increased little more than 400 per cent. The prodigious extension of their commerce is indicated by an increase of nearly 500 per cent in their imports and exports, and 600 per cent in their shipping. The increased activity of their internal communication is expounded by the number of post-offices, which has increased more than a hundred fold, the extent of their post roads, which has been increased thirty-six fold, and the cost of their post-office, which has been augmented in a seventy-two fold ratio. The augmentation of their machinery of public instruction is indicated by the extent of their public libraries, which have increased in a thirty-two fold ratio, and by the creation of school libraries, amounting to 2,000,000 volumes. They have completed a system of canal navigation, which, placed in a continuous line, would extend from London to Calcutta, and a system of railways which, continuously extended, would stretch from London to Van Diemen's Land, and have provided locomotive machinery by which that distance could be travelled over in three weeks at the cost of 1½d per mile. They have created a system of inland navigation, the aggregate tonnage of which is probably not inferior in amount to the collective inland tonnage of all the other countries in the world, and they possess many hundreds of river steamers, which impart to the roads of water the marvelous celerity of roads of iron. They have, in fine, constructed lines of electric telegraph which, laid continuously, would extend over a space longer by 3000 miles than the distance from the north to the south pole, and have provided apparatus of transmission by which a message of 500 words despatched under such circumstances from the north pole might be delivered in writing at the south pole in one minute and by which, consequently, an answer of equal length might be sent back to the north pole in an equal interval. These are social and commercial phenomena for which it would be vain to seek a parallel in the past history of the human race."
God's Peculiar People.
By Francis Gould
IT appears evident that in all ages of the world, God, in obedience and compliance to certain precepts and laws, was to have a peculiar people. We find in the early age of the Jewish church that God speaks on this wise, Now therefore if ye will obey my voice indeed and keep my covenant, ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: and ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests and an holy nation. Ex. xix, 5, 6. Again he says, Thou hast avouched the Lord this day to be thy God, and to walk in his ways, and to keep his statutes, and his commandments and his judgments, and to hearken unto his voice: and the Lord hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people, as he hath promised thee, and that thou shouldst keep all his commandments. Deut. xxvi, 17, 18.
Notwithstanding the Jews were rich and increased in goods, with their painted synagogues, gorgeous temples, with a community made up mostly of doctors, lawyers, pharisees and hypocrites, highly educated, puffed up with worldly wisdom, yet without complying with the conditions God had placed before them they could not be saved. They had forfeited all right and title to being called God's peculiar people.
When Christ appeared at Jerusalem and saw the city given to idolatry, no wonder he wept over it, and exclaimed, O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not! behold your house is left unto you desolate.
But in the meantime God had reserved some out of this confused mass, who as Paul says, through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises: they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; of whom the world was not worthy.
Some one, destitute of the light and truth of God's word, may inquire, why it is that these holy saints were cast out from the mass of the world, and were called the off-scouring of the earth, and appeared so singular among men. It was because they kept all the commandments of God and were his peculiar people.
But where shall we find God's peculiar people at the present day? Shall we find them in the professed churches? those bodies are not characterized as being the children of God. We find them at the ballot-box, we find them going hand in hand with the world and helping to establish and carry out all the great and national sins of the age.
Says a church member, We esteem ourselves as the people of God. We have a fine meeting-house, a fine minister, to whom we pay a large salary for preaching. We have a large society, and have money at our command to support foreign missions to a greater or less extent for the conversion of the world22and although the Bible says the wheat and tares shall grow together until the harvest, and evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived, yet it is the prevailing opinion of Rev. such an one, or D. D. such an one that the world is going to be converted, and we shall believe them rather than God.
God looks upon sin with no degree of allowance, and when the doctrines and actions of men come in contact with his holy law, they are accounted as sinners, and must be judged by that law.
The Son of man will soon send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend and them which do iniquity, and then shall the righteous shine as the sun, in the kingdom of their Father.
My prayer is that the remnant may be redeemed from all iniquity, that God may purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
FRANCIS GOULD.
Wisconsin Tent Meetings.
By D. P. Hall
WE have now had four meetings in Tent. The first at Johnstown, about eight miles from Milton, where Dr Babcock resides. It was rainy in the morning and we despaired of having much of a turn-out; but about 800 attended. Our next meeting was in Whitewater. Here we had a very rainy time. Our congregations varied from 200 to 500. From this place we went to Palmyra. Here we preached seven times in Tent. Congregations from 150 to 600. From this place we proceeded to Axtalan. We preached five times in Tent. Very hard rain during most of First-day, which prevented people from coming. About 300 attended.
Our Tent-meetings up to this time, have been as well attended as we expected. Our Tent enterprise has received as much favor from our friends as we could expect, yea more. We have already preached to more people than we could have done during the entire Summer without. We go from this place to Albion, into a large Seventh-day Baptist community.
D. P. HALL.
Axtalan, July 9th, 1855.
God Hears the Heart
God hears the heart without words, but he never hears words without the heart.
Communication from Bro. Cottrell.
By R. F. Cottrell
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—I am much pleased with the article in No. 1, on the subject of dress, and would recommend it to the careful attention of the remnant of God's people. This may be thought a subject too trivial to demand much attention, but since it is of sufficient importance to be noticed by the apostles, and recorded for our instruction, no one should esteem it unworthy of their attention. And had the people called Methodists heeded the advice of Wesley in this matter, to the present day, the world would still have had the benefit of one Christian attribute which, like all others, is now almost extinct in the world. And they would feel its rebuke, that is, all that are not too far gone in folly to feel the effects of divine truth. Pure religion cannot be recommended to any rightly disposed mind by a conformity to the customs of the fashionable world. On the contrary, the plainness of those who hold the truth is a powerful argument in its favor with every enlightened and honest seeker. Souls have been won to the present truth by it, who had become so disgusted with worldly conformity in professors of religion, that they could hardly have received the other evidences of the work of God, had this been wanting. Our land is full of Bibles; and even the wicked have sense enough to know that it is wrong for those who profess the Christian religion, to do as they do themselves.
The article referred to draws the dividing line in the right place. At the very point where economy and utility end, extravagance and folly begin. The question is not, What degree of pride may a Christian innocently indulge in? ALL pride must be laid aside. The principle involved is the same, whether we expend, for pride, one cent, or one hundred dollars. The evil commences where the first cent is expended, or the first stitch taken beyond the demands of utility.
It may be objected that this view of the matter is ultra. That it is avoiding one extreme by going into another. That we ought to take a medium between the two extremes.
Do you mean to say that we should be half as proud as the proudest? Where then is the middle ground of which you speak? If it is not half way to the summit of fashion, will you be so good as to define the proper boundary, so that none may mistake it? The position which is here recommended is clearly definable. The first step beyond the useful transcends the limits. If this is not right, please define your position. There is one ornament which we all desire—the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which in the sight of God is of great price. Let us lay aside all pride and be diligent to obtain that ornament. But in regard to outward ornament, let us discard it wholly, not in part, and the Lord will bless us in so doing, his work will move forward, and we shall make advancement towards that high and holy position which the remnant must occupy, when they will have done with all pride, and become a peculiar people, zealous only of good works. This position we shall occupy before we are ready for the coming of Jesus. May the Lord help us to realize the importance of this and every other Christian grace, that we may be ready to stand with the Lamb upon mount Zion.
R. F. COTTRELL.
Coughdenay, July 27th, 1855.
How Shall we Preach?
"Not indifferently, for the interests at stake are too vast to allow it. Sent out into a world to rescue souls from endless ruin, time flying, eternity at hand, death and judgment drawing near, he has not a moment to lose. Hell yawns, he cannot temporize. The spirit of the world whispers—mildly, soothingly, learnedly, eloquently!—But God, the Bible, conscience, reply, 'Preach with the Holy Ghost sent down from Heaven!'—'Not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the spirit, and of power.
"Preach as dying men to dying men. Preach each sermon as if you knew it were the last your lips should utter, or the last some poor sinners before you should ever hear. Preach as for your own lives; and be sure that you preach the cross. All preaching without this is worthless. Be it your fervent and hourly increasing ambition to know nothing among death, judgment and eternity bound men, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. Glory in the Son of God. Magnify his grace and power before all men, by humble and prayerful individual devotion of soul, by spending and being spent in his service. Let the world take knowledge of you that you have been with Christ and learned of him. Preach as if you had, and the church will no longer slumber on in false security. Her voice will go up to heaven as the voice of many waters. God will hear her cry—He will come and revive her throughout all her borders. Sinners will call aloud for mercy, and find no peace, till they seek for and obtain it at the foot of the Saviour's cross.
Remorse not Repentance.
ONE test of acceptance with God is the estimate which we put upon our own sins. If they are equally hateful to us, whether public or private—if we loathe them for their sinfulness towards Him, and not for the disgrace of their discovery—we may believe that God has imparted to us a godly repentance, and may take courage. But, on the other hand, we may well distrust ourselves when we find that on looking back we mourn only or chiefly for those sins that brought with them some consequent punishment. Such a feeling is disappointment, not repentance. It is the smart of the rod, not distress that the rod was deserved. Far different is the experience of the true Christian. He finds himself mourning with the deepest acuteness over the most secret sin, because it is that which betrays most strongly the innate corruption of his heart. Public sins cause him distress enough, God knows; but they are mostly the result of some extraneous temptation, and may in other cases be treated as disciplines sent by God himself. But the sinful thought that pervades the heart in the night watches, is the source of the most poignant misery, from the nakedness and gratuity of its ingratitude. "Against thee only have I sinned." And perhaps we may understand from this the sequence, "That thou mayest be justified in thy saying." It is this very penitence for secret sins which justifies God in the sinner's sight, and through our Lord's merits, the sinner in God's.
Our Ship is Homeward Bound.
What though the angry waves roll high,
And darkness reigns around?
Let hope be bright in every eye—
Our ship is homeward bound;
What though no morn, nor stars appear
Amid the gloom profound,
We will not yield a place to fear—
Our ship is homeward bound.
What though the lightnings glare above,
And deafening thunders roar;
Yet with the eye of faith and love,
We view the distant shore:
We know that friends will meet us there,
We loved in life before;
And angel forms all bright and fair,
Line the immortal shore.
W 've often longed with them to bow,
At our Redeemer's feet;
He loved us first, we love Him now,
Then let the billows beat;
And let them bear our hopes away,
Although they once were sweet;
We catch a glimpse of coming day—
Oh! let the billows beat.
And let the fearful thunders roar—
And let the lightnings glare,
We're nearing the eternal shore,
And we are almost there;
Then heave, ye waves, on every side,
And onward, homeward bear
Our fragile bark, 'gainst wind and tide,
For we are almost there.
The coward peers with trembling form,
Into the gloom profound:
But we can smile to view the storm,
Our ship is homeward bound;
And though for us, on time's dark wave,
No place of rest be found,
Oh! let our hearts be true and brave—
Our ship is homeward bound.
The Wonders of Prayer.
By Ryland
ABRAHAM's servant prays—Rebekah appears. Jacob wrestles and prays—the angel is conquered and Esau's mind is wonderfully turned from the revengeful purpose he had harbored for twenty years. Moses prays—Amalek is discomfited. Joshua prays—Achan is discovered. Hannah prays—Samuel is born. David prays—Ahithophel hangs himself. Asa prays—a victory is gained. Jehosaphat prays—God turns away his face. Isaiah and Hezekiah pray—one hundred and eighty-five thousand Assyrians are dead in twelve hours. Daniel prays—the lions are muzzled. Mordecai and Esther fast—Haman is hanged on his own gallows in three days. Ezra prays at Ahava—God answers. Nehemiah darts a prayer—the king's heart is softened in a minute. Elijah prays—a drought of three years succeeds. Elijah prays—rain descends a-pace. Elisha prays—Jordan is divided. Elisha prays—a child's soul comes back. The church prays—Peter is delivered by an angel. Paul and Silas prayed and sung praises—the doors of the prison were opened and every man's bands were loosed. Prayer has divided seas, rolled up flowing rivers, made flinty rocks gush into fountains, quenched flames of fire, muzzled lions, disarmed vipers and poisons, marshalled the stars against the wicked, stopped the course of the moon, arrested the rapid sun in his great race, burst open iron gates, conquered the strongest devils, commanded legions of angels down from heaven. Prayer has bridled and chained the raging passions of men, and routed and destroyed vast armies of proud, daring, blustering atheists. Prayer has brought one man from the bottom of the sea, and carried another in a chariot of fire to heaven. What has not prayer done!—Ryland.
"Watch!"
"Watch ye therefore. And what I say unto you, I say unto all. Watch!" Mark xiii, 35, 37.
WHO, of all men in the world, most needs this exhortation? The Christian. Why?
1. Because he is a soldier, surrounded by enemies, who are waiting to destroy his soul. They are ready to take advantage of his carelessness or neglect of duty; they are vigilant; they are numerous; they are subtle. Therefore, he should watch.
2. Because he is a pilgrim, travelling through a hostile land. There may be snares in his way; stones, over which he may stumble; pits, into which he may fall; enticers, who would lure him from his heavenly home. Therefore, he must watch.
3. Because he is a steward. He has precious treasures to take care of—his own soul, his talents, his time, his Master's honor. He must take care that he does not lose the first, misuse the second, waste the third, and endanger the fourth. Therefore, he need watch.
4. Because he is a servant. His Lord is now absent: when he comes back he will expect all to be in readiness for his reception—each one at his post, each one looking out for him. Therefore, the Christian must watch.
Christian reader! you are a soldier—you have entered Christ's army by your profession; his enemies are yours; his cause is yours. Are you watching?
Christian reader! you are a pilgrim—you confess that earth is not your home, that you are dwelling here but for a time; you know that you are surrounded with dangers. Are you watching?
Christian reader! you are a steward. Christ has given precious treasures into your possession. Are you watching?
Christian reader! you are a servant—you profess to be expecting the return of your Lord. Are you watching?
Your Captain, your Lord, your Master says to you, "Watch!" and pronounces you "blessed" if you watch. Rev. xvi, 15.
COMMUNICATIONS.
By J. Whitmore
From Bro. Whitmore.
BELOVED BRETHREN AND SISTERS, who love to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, permit an unworthy brother to address you in the name of our great High Priest; who is standing by the mercy-seat in the second vail, pleading with his Father for you and me, that our sins may all be blotted out. O how thankful to God we ought to be that we have an advocate with the Father. Do you, dear brethren and sisters, realize that very soon Jesus will lay off his priestly garments, and be crowned King, and leave the heavenly Sanctuary and seat himself on the great white cloud? Then they who are wicked and filthy will be so still, and they that are holy will be holy still. Do you believe this will soon take place? Are you anxiously looking and watching for the glorious appearing of the Son of man? If so, you can claim the promise, “Blessed are those servants whom the Lord when he cometh shall find watching. Verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them sit down to meat, and will come and serve them.” Glorious promise! “Watch therefore and pray always, that ye may be able to escape all these things that are coming to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” “The end of all things is at hand, be ye therefore sober and watch unto prayer.” Do not forget the exhortation of John, [Rev. iii, 3.] “If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.” Again, [Chap. xvi, 15.] “Behold I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.” “Unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation;” but to those who are not looking for him, and do not love his appearing, there is no salvation. “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward, for ye have need of patience, that after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come and will not tarry.”
Dear brethren and sisters, we have much to overcome in order to get into the kingdom; much of the carnal mind to subdue. We must be willing to suffer with Christ if we would reign with him. Then get ready, get ready, for the day of the Lord is at hand, and hasteth greatly. Jesus said to his disciples just before he went away, that if he went away he would come again and receive them to himself, that where he was they might be also; and he told them also how they might know that the time was near, even at the door. I need not repeat the signs which were to take place just previous to his coming; you have read them over and over no doubt. Be not discouraged, brethren, but be faithful unto the end, for there is a crown laid up for those in that day who are watching. May the Lord bless and prepare you to stand with the 144,000 on mount Zion, is the prayer of one looking for the Lord.
J. WHITMORE.
Jackson, July 25th, 1855.
Keeping All of God’s Commandments
By E. J. Weaver
From Bro. Weaver.
Dear Bro. White:—Through the mercy and permission of God, I still live in these last days. It is nearly one year since I became convinced of the expediency and necessity of keeping all of God's commandments. The first discourse I ever heard on the Sabbath was by Eld. Joseph Bates, a little less than one year ago, which proved to myself and companion a welcome message. Since that time I have tried in my imperfect manner to do my whole duty. I find, as I expected, obstructions and difficulties in the way.
I have no one to consult with but my companion and my Bible on the great and momentous subjects before us, therefore the Review comes as meat and drink in due season. Pray for me that my faith fail not. A few more days and we shall inherit the promises for the righteous.
Yours in hope of a triumphant entrance into the kingdom of heaven.
E. J. Weaver.
Obadiah Davis
By Obadiah Davis
From Bro. Davis.
Dear Bro. White:—Ought we not to have the paper weekly? It is certainly very surprising that brethren professing to be looking for our soon coming Saviour, should be negligent in meeting the claims of justice; and shall I go too far to say of common honesty? Can such have taken the first step towards overcoming evil with good? May the Lord arouse us from this lethargic and insensible state, and give us a more lively sense of the time in which we live, and of our obligations to him and to those around us. I often feel to fear for myself and to beseech God to save his people from the influence of error and evil. Church here united and some interest around us.
Obadiah Davis
North Fairhaven, July 4th, 1855.
OBITUARY.
By C. Dodge
Our dear sister, Rhoda Jane Kellogg, wife of Bro. Leander Kellogg, died May 2d, after an illness of about 24 hours; aged 22 years, 9 months, and 15 days; at her residence, in Portland, Ionia Co., Mich., (formerly of Jackson, Mich.) She was an affectionate companion, a faithful step-mother, and a much beloved sister in the church at Jackson.
She kept the Seventh-day Sabbath about five years, in connection with this church, and witnessed many severe trials, but stood firm in all the truth unto the end. We believe she sleeps in Jesus, and will come forth in the morning of the first resurrection, clothed with immortality.
Sister K. has left a husband, with five children—two infants—and a large circle of friends and relatives to mourn and suffer her loss; but we sorrow not as those who have no hope. 1 Thess. iv, 13, 14; Rev. xiv, 13.
"From the bitter cup that's given
We should not shrink;
Since the mandate is from heaven,
That bids us drink.
Sleep, dear Sister, kind and tender,
To friendship true;
While with feeling hearts we render
This tribute due.
When the morn of glory, breaking,
Shall light the tomb,
Beautiful will be thy waking,
In fadeless bloom."
C. Dodge.
Jackson, June 25th, 1855.
Encouragement from a Faithful Sister
By Sarah Jane Gardner
From Sister Gardner.
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—I rejoice for the privilege of informing you that our determinations are still to go on and inquire for the old paths to walk in. We are sure by the signs of the times and every thing around us that we are living in the last of this world's history, and how carefully we ought to live if we would have the privilege of standing with the Lamb upon mount Zion and shouting victory over the beast and over his image.24Dear brother, we sympathize with you in your affliction; you have our prayers that God will sustain you under all your trials, and at last bring you off conqueror through him that hath loved you. We are glad for the privilege of reading the Review. It brings rich food for the soul, and oft our hearts are cheered by the thrilling testimonies of the brethren and sisters scattered abroad. O how we love them, though we have never seen them; but if faithful we hope to meet where parting will be no more. Pray for us that we may continue faithful to the end.
Yours striving for eternal life through Christ.
SARAH JANE GARDNER.
Vergennes, July 10th, 1855
Progress of the Cause in Wisconsin
By Jesse Dorcas
From Bro. Dorcas.
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—I take this opportunity to write you a few lines, as I have no doubt but that the dear brethren and sisters scattered abroad would like to hear from us occasionally, as we also from them. Bro. Holt, with his kind family, are now located in the vicinity of Green Creek, four miles east of Fremont, where there is quite a flourishing little church; also a Sabbath School of some twenty, or more, orderly and interesting children.
I am happy to say that the church here is of one heart and of one mind, and that the cause of present truth is onward, notwithstanding we have many adversaries. Bro. Holt, with all his activity and perseverance, will not be able to fill half the calls for labor. When we look around, by means of the Review, and see the prosperity of the cause of truth in many other States, we are led to wonder why it is that this State should be so thinly supplied with laborers, in the present work. O that the Lord of the harvest would send forth more laborers into the harvest. Our enemies show us all manner of foul play in the engagements that we have had with them. It is easily seen, when our eyes are open, that Babylon is fallen, and that the Babylon of Rev. xiv, means the churches, or sects, that are of all forms and orders, to suits all tastes.
But upon the whole, dear brethren and sisters, we have reason to thank God and take courage, that the present prospects are as favorable as they are. We feel strong in our God to fight all the battles to which we are called; but let it be remembered that the greatest victory is to conquer self. 'He that conquereth his own spirit, is greater than he that taketh a city.' Dear friends, let us be careful, notwithstanding what the world may call us, that we do really grow in grace daily. Let there be no mistake about this important matter; remember, 'many shall seek and shall not be able.'
Yours truly, JESSE DORCAS.
July 19th, 1855.
JOSIAH HEBNER
By Josiah Hebner
From Bro. Hebner.
DEAR BRO. WHITE :—I still love the present truth of the third angel's message, and my heart beats in unison with the dear saints who are keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus his Son.
There seems to be quite an interest in the minds of some individuals in this place with regard to the Sabbath. It seems to me, dear brother, that the cause demands some one to labor among us. I believe that God has precious jewels in this place, and that they might be brought out, were some of God's servants to come over and give the whole truth. Cannot Bro. Hutchins come? The harvest is truly great, but the laborers are few. We pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into his harvest. Whoever may feel it duty to come over and preach the gospel to us shall be provided for as far as is in our power.
I remain a lover of the truth.
JOSIAH HEBNER
Pickering, C. W., July 24th, 1855.
Eight Years Keeping the Sabbath
By J. F. Hammond
From Bro. Hammond.
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—I thank the Lord that I still feel a desire in my heart to be a Bible Christian, and to overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil, and to make one of the 144,000 that shall stand upon mount Zion to sing the song of redemption. It has been eight years since I commenced keeping the Sabbath of the Lord; and still I feel to praise the Lord for his goodness to me that he ever inclined my heart to keep the Bible Sabbath. John has said, Here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Rev. xiv, 12. And then again he says in Rev. xxii, 14, Blessed are they that do his commandments that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. O how I want to be among this number; but trials beset me on every side; and sometimes darkness enshrouds my pathway, and I almost sink in despair; then something seems to whisper, Onward, onward, and I take courage, knowing that at the end of the race lies the crown.