Review and Herald, Vol. 15, No. 16.
WOE UNTO THEM WHO CALL GOOD, EVILPage 1
Earlier text: WOE UNTO THEM WHO CALL GOOD, EVILWESTERN TOUR.
By James White
We are now at Lisbon, Iowa, at the home of Bro. and sister Wilson. This is Bro. and sister Cornell's head quarters—a good resting place for pilgrims. We left Battle Creek at 3 P. M.; changed cars at midnight at Chicago; reached the Mississippi river at 7 A. M.; crossed the ice on foot, walking behind the baggage drawn on a sleigh by four men, the ice being too weak to bear up horses; and felt relief when we stepped upon Iowa soil. The late rain weakened the ice very much, and even injured the Rail-Road on the Iowa side, so that the cars were detained the day before we crossed the river, detaining our letters and the REVIEW, so that our appointments were in the mail-bag on the same train with us. At Lisbon station we left the train, and looked in vain for some brother to take us to a pilgrim's home, so we returned to the train and passed on to Mt. Vernon, to Bro. Morrow's. We found them upon the third floor of a brick building, with limited room, and sickness. Everything possible was done to make us comfortable under the circumstances. Here Mrs. W. suffered twenty-four hours' severe sickness, vomiting and raising blood, from which, however, she seems to have fully recovered. We spoke to the church here once on the Sabbath, and in the evening following, with some freedom. Mrs. W. was able to attend and bear her testimony. On first-day we spoke to a good congregation on the subject of true conversion. At near the close of the discourse, in came Bro. J. Dorcas, from Tipton, formerly of Ohio. He received notice of the meeting night before, and had come fifteen miles through the mud. Soon after the close of the meeting Bro. and sister Cornell came from Anamosa, sixteen miles. They had received notice of the meeting at the close of the Sabbath. We were exceeding glad to meet these dear friends again. In the evening we spoke upon the extent and power of the third angel's message with some freedom. It is thought that several more will immediately commence to keep the Sabbath in this place. We expect to start for Iowa City and Dayton to-morrow to meet our appointment for next Sabbath and first-day. The mud is getting deep, and we fear we shall not be able to get through to Knoxville, which is eighty-five miles from Dayton. We much fear that we shall not be able to pass the slews and ford the streams between Dayton and Knoxville. If we cannot, we shall labor in this part of the State for a few weeks, till we can pass down the Mississippi by steam boat, to Otumwa by Rail-Road, and to Knoxville by private conveyance. In that case we will give another appointment for conference at Knoxville through the REVIEW. Iowa seems to be a very encouraging field of labor. The willingness and even the anxiety to hear in new places is astonishing. The way is open for Bro. Cornell to labor successfully in this part of the State. Sister Cornell has well acted her part. The mode of warfare is something as follows: Bro. Cornell goes out alone into a new place, perhaps puts up at the tavern, preaches a few days, when friends appear to invite him to their houses; and when the work is well under way, sister C. joins her husband, and labors from house to house as they are invited. And when Bro. Cornell's work is done, it is a good place for sister C. to remain and defend the truth in private conversation, and bear responsibilities of the work in the midst of young disciples. In this way both can bear a part in the good work, which will bring a glorious reward in the next kingdom. But the reward is not all in the future kingdom. It is good for our spiritual health to bear burdens here. Such grow strong, healthy and happy in the things of God, while those who shun responsibilities and burdens grow weak, unhappy, restless, and worthless in the church of Christ. We venture to say that an unconsecrated companion is the greatest hindrance possible to a messenger of present truth. She soon becomes a medium for Satan to work through to get him down from the work to which the Lord has called him. Is he a tender, kind hearted man? How easy then can she wound his heart by unbelief, unreconciliation to their lot. She can oppose him as to the time and place of his going out to labor. She can call him home before his work is done. She may be ungrateful for the good things of this life bestowed upon them by the brethren. She may be like the enemy in his very fort to weaken him, and overwhelm his worn spirit with discouragement and grief. She may do all this through the power of Satan, and at the same time think she loves her husband. Some have been burdened and held back from duty even in the West, and now surviving friends can have the privilege of visiting their graves. Sisters, you whom Providence has called to walk the rough but short journey of life to the city of God with those called to go forth and give the last message, yours is a noble part to act. You have sacrifices to make and hardships to bear that your sisters do not realize. But what of this, while Jesus knows all, and a faithful record is kept in heaven. Every privation and toil, and every trial well borne will weigh in the scale of that eternal reward soon to be given. Your companions are gathering precious souls to be stars in their crowns to shine for ever and forever. If you act well your part; if your prayers go up with his in faith when at home, and follow him in faith as he goes out; if by your consecration, you win the guardian presence of angels about the dwelling in his absence to keep you and yours from accident and sickness; if you act the noble part your station demands, when you and your worn pilgrim companion stand side by side in the kingdom of glory, your reward will equal his, your crowns will alike sparkle with stars of those saved by your united efforts. And if in consecration to the will of God you bind your children on the altar with cords of a living, active faith, he will save them. Mary washed the feet of the Saviour with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. Blessed place! Come then, ye Marys, to the feet of Jesus. Come and linger about the cross, and behold the agonies of your dying Lord. Come to the sepulchre and see how his body was laid away in death. Hasten to the sacred place, and behold the glories of his resurrection. Come up to mount Olivet and wonder with those who stand gazing into heaven, as Jesus ascends, and the cloud covers him from their sight. What a moment of astonishment! But listen! the shining ones are speaking,—"This same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven." "Amen, even so, come Lord Jesus." The time hasteth greatly when the chief Shepherd shall appear in glory, when all the under Shepherds, whose work has been to feed the flock, and those who have battled for the truth with them, side by side, will receive the crown of unfading glory. Soon it will be said "Gather my saints together unto me, those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice." All must make a sacrifice. The minister of Christ and his wife must make a sacrifice which will well compare with that made by those who leave their native land, on a foreign mission to heathen lands. O God, give the spirit of sacrifice! And all the members of the church have a sacrifice to make in order to be saved in the gathering day. A portion of your means is wanted to well sustain your preachers who are going everywhere preaching the word. J. W. AMONG the notable expressions of St Paul's our eye recently rested upon the 3rd verse of Phil. iv: "And I entreat thee also true yoke fellow, help those women which labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and other my fellow laborers whose names are in the book of Life." Paul had previously mentioned Euodius and Syntyche, and then he speaks of Clement, but suddenly stops short in this enumeration of individuals and covers all the rest with this expression: "Whose names are in the book of Life;" as much as to say, There is no need that I should mention them; there is no need that their names should be called among the honorable of earth; they are known to God; their names are in the book of Life, and that is sufficient. What a rebuke upon the restless ambitious spirit of those who are toiling and sweating and wearing their lives away with ceaseless labors to inscribe their names upon the roll of fame, and those who pine with discontent if they cannot accomplish their object. This should not be the Christian's ambition. His aim is to have his name inscribed on the enduring tablet of the book of life. He cares not whether the world knows of his existence, further than that, that he desires that the world should be some better for his having lived in it; he cares not whether he is known to men if he is known to God, to Christ and angels, known as one who is endeavoring to do his heavenly Father's will, known as an heir of all things, known as one whose name is in the book of Life. Believer, you have nothing but what God has lent you; and if he sees fit to call in what he has lent you only for a time, you ought to be grateful that he lent it you so long, rather than grieve that he has demanded his own. LEGAL ORGANIZATION.
By John Norton Loughborough
"Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." My mind has been led to some reflections on the above subject and text, by reading Bro. White's remarks in Review No. 14, under the head of "Borrowed Money." It seems from Bro. White's remarks that we have come to a point where it is necessary that something should be done. No reasonable man, it seems to me, could blame Bro. White for not wishing to be responsible for the debts of the Review Office. No worldly man would wish to assume such a responsibility, and I seriously doubt whether any of you, brethren, would wish to assume a debt of $1500, without anything to secure you. Bro. White for a long time had on his shoulders not only the care of editing the Review, but also the whole responsibility of the financial department. This burden he bore till his health failed under the load, and the church came up to take it, and relieve him. The church cheerfully took the Office and books off of Bro. White's hands, and thus raised the means to relieve him of the debts which had been incurred in printing the books then on hand. This, of course, was a relief to Bro. White; and not only so, but it also stopped the mouths of those who were forever harping on speculation at the Review Office. I presume the brethren did according to their best light at that time. But we may readily gather from Bro. White's remarks in the Review above referred to, that the work is not yet completed. In the position the church have placed Bro. White as publishing agent, we readily see that he still has burdens upon him, which could be made easier by placing matters in such a shape that the responsibility of debts, &c., will not rest upon one individual. He has borrowed means to put into the Review and books, and taken the responsibility of those debts. I, as an individual, do not blame Bro. White for throwing off that responsibility. If the church were in a position to hold property by law, we readily see that the property might then be insured, and business be transacted in the name of the church, or institution, whatever it might be called. Probably no insurance company would wish to insure in the name of Review Office any more than "the sister" would wish a note signed, Review Office, unless it was a properly organized institution bearing that name. Now what I understand is necessary to remedy all the defect there is in this matter, is to organize in such a manner that we can hold church property legally. Then the property could be held in the name of the church, insured in the name of the church, money borrowed in the name of the church, and no individual would have to take a burden upon him, which he ought not to bear. But, says one, if you organize so as to hold property by law, you will be a part of Babylon. No; I understand there is quite a difference between our being in a position that we can protect our property by law, and, using the law to protect and enforce our religious views. If it is wrong to protect church property, why is it not wrong for individuals to hold any property legally? If it is not wrong to hold farms and village lots in a lawful manner, neither is it wrong to hold church property in the same manner. I should think the same principle was involved in both cases. As Bro. White has requested the brethren to speak out, I would say, I am in favor of organizing by law, that we may be able to hold and legally protect our church property. CONFESSING CHRIST.
By B. F. Robbins.
CONFESSING Christ in the public assembly is as much the duty and privilege of the Christian as it is to believe on his name unto righteousness. "For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." For the true believer it is a great privilege to testify to others the truth and faithfulness of his covenant-keeping God. The experience of the faithful is a constant advance in a life of godliness, developing more and more the wonders of grace, and proving more and more the faithfulness of God in the precious promises of his word; and brighter and brighter shines the light of life from the sure word of prophecy, so that they always feel the obligation at all times, and in the public assembly, to confess the truth to the glory of God. But cold formality in the ministry and in the churches of these last days, has dispensed with confession for Christ in the Sabbath assembly. It is unpopular with the worldly, and the minister fears his own popularity may suffer if the plain-spoken brother or sister should be a public witness for Jesus, and certainly so, if they were looking for and loving his appearing. In the church that had my name upon its record until a few months since, the pastor usually gave liberty for testimony after his discourse, but a few of us only availing ourselves of the privilege, and that few being Adventists, it was thought best to give no more liberty to us lest the leaven of the Advent heresy should infuse itself into the church, and destroy her popularity and offend the worldly and fashionable. So the minister assumes the responsibility of confessing for the church and congregation, and all others must be silent. Paul in 1 Cor. xiv, 23–25, gives directions in regard to meetings of the whole church: "If therefore the whole church be come together in one place," &c. "But if all prophesy and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all." "And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest, and so falling down upon his face he will worship God and report that God is in you of a truth." Faithfulness in confessing Christ will be attended with the same results now as then, and constrain the unbelieving and the unlearned to the same confession that God is in us of a truth; and thus the precious truth of God's word will be honored and God glorified in the church. Paul recognizes here a meeting of the whole church. The servants and hand-maidens of the Lord had come together into one place, and all prophesied—how much like the blessed day of Pentecost when upon all there the tongue of flame descended and sat upon them. But what is the prophesying in which the whole church are to take part when come together in one place? The third verse of this chapter answers the question. "But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification and exhortation and comfort." Now mark: all the brethren and sisters prophesy; and this is what gives the meeting efficiency and power to edify and comfort the saints; all will be mutually blessed and encouraged. How much does our experience prove this truth, and how important that all realize our responsibility! for if unfaithful in this duty we have not only injure ourselves, but we also injure others. I have long been of the opinion that in the assemblies of the saints, all of them at some time in the meeting, are moved by the Spirit to prophesy, and if all faithfully follow the promptings of the Spirit, the interview will be blessed abundantly; because in so doing there is harmony with the Spirit—it is being led by the Spirit. Hence the responsibility upon all to be faithful. But another effect of faithfulness in confessing Christ, or in prophesying on the part of all the church is, "If there come in one (or more) that believeth not or is unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all; and so falling down upon his face, he will worship God and report that God is in you of a truth." This is as certainly true now as in the Apostle's day; and if so, who of us will dare to be silent in our church assemblies, when the glory of Christ is concerned and the honor of the truth, and when the instruction of the unbelieving and unlearned may result in their glorifying God and submitting to the truth? Let the timid and weak be encouraged! let them be bold for Jesus, and remember that the time has come spoken of by the prophet Malachi: "Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another, and the Lord hearkened and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine saith the Lord of hosts in that day when I make up my jewels." Timid disciple, be strong! Put on a holy boldness. Let the weak say, I am strong in the Lord! Be faithful in speaking often one to another amid the trials and discouragements of these last days. God will write us in the book of his remembrance and gather us as his bright jewels in the day of our Master's coming. How the fashionable bodies of this day delight to exhibit their jewels of gold fixed upon their bosoms, or pendant from their ears, or encircling their wrists. With infinitely greater delight will the great God display his bright purchased jewels—his faithful ones—in the coronet of the Prince of the house of David before the enraptured gaze of all the glorious hosts of angels in the day of redemption. May you and I, reader, be among them. Amen. 126I bless the Lord that there is a people willing to plant themselves upon the apostolic platform, both in faith and practice. With them I delight to be, with them confess Jesus before men, and with Bro. J. Clarke in the 11th number of the Review I concur in adopting the salutation when we meet, "The Lord is coming." This would be confessing Christ with the mouth, while in our heart we believe this truth. SOME six years since, the third message was introduced into a new place, as Bro. Loughborough will recollect, on the coast of lake Ontario. The truth took hold of the minds of those that heard, as it always does when listened to with candor, and some were deeply convicted of their duty to obey. One man thus convinced and convicted said to some of his neighbors and friends, "I will be one of ten that will keep the Sabbath." But the other nine were not immediately at hand. Some three or four, however, that saw the truth, felt that as individuals they must obey the Lord, whether any one else would or not. These obeyed, and are now rejoicing in the truth. They have had the satisfaction also of seeing others come to the knowledge and obedience of the truth, through their instrumentality. But the individual first mentioned has never embraced the truth, and perhaps never will; at least there appears at present to be no prospect of it. This circumstance gives rise to a few reflections. What if Noah had said, I will be one of ten that will build an ark, to save ourselves from the coming flood! Would not he have perished with the rest, and the race become extinct? But he prepared an ark, by which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. What if Lot had proposed to be one of ten to leave the cities of the plain! What if the first disciples of Jesus had waited to see whether any of the rulers or the Pharisees believed on him! But we hear people say, "I would keep the Sabbath if everybody else would." This is not the sort of servants that the Lord wants. One that will obey the truth, because it is the truth, if they have to stand entirely alone, is worth more than a world of such. Will be in the kingdom that God has promised to them that love him. Then why spend our days in fretting and scolding here? It will not prepare us to enjoy that holy state of society. And we certainly should cultivate the same spirit here that will make the home of the redeemed so pleasant. But we have so much provocation, who can help scolding? Says one, "If I had no more to try me than others have, I should be as calm as they." Perhaps you are mistaken. It may be that your fretful disposition creates your provocations. That it is, as the poet describes jealousy, “That ghastly, green-eyed monster that doth make
The meat it feeds on.”
This fretful disposition is the very thing that you have to overcome. You must get the victory over this foe. How easily you would overcome, if you had not these provocations—if you had nothing to overcome! Scolding brother or sister, do you not look forward with longing desire to that peaceful rest, that calm and blissful state, where there will be no scolding? Here you have constant trials of mind. You have no rest or peace. There all will be happy and serene. What a blessed thought, that there is rest for the weary. Do you not ardently desire it? Then leave off fretting and enjoy a little foretaste of it here. Get as near as possible to that state of mind which you think you would enjoy so well. Prove yourself to be a son or a daughter of peace. We must, by the help of the Lord, overcome our evil passions. While we indulge in fretfulness, and live in a storm of unsubdued passion, how illy prepared are we to be translated into a state of perfect peace. The bliss of heaven would be marred, and we should not feel at home. Let us leave off fretting, and the occasions of it will surely diminish; and thus we shall assure ourselves that we should like to live where there is no scolding. "Then they that feared the Lord, spake often one to another."
Bro. Smith: It is but a short time since I first saw or knew that the Advent Review and Sabbath Herald existed. In perusing its pages I find that my views and those advocated in the paper in the main agree. The first meeting that I have had the privilege of attending, was held in the town of Willing on the 8th and 9th of October last, sixteen miles from my place of residence. It was one of those blessed refreshing seasons that I had not for a long time before enjoyed. I live in a neighborhood where there is but one, and that a dear sister, of like precious faith; although there are others that are partially on that ground. I can say that I receive with pleasure through the medium of your paper from time to time the cheering intelligence communicated by the letters of the brethren and sisters who are scattered far and wide from each other throughout the length and breadth of our land. I feel to thank God that there is a people that are striving to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, and are "looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ," "when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe." I would willingly add my mite to the columns of the paper if I could say anything that would serve to advance that blessed cause for which my Saviour died and rose again, and ever liveth to make intercession for his dear despised followers. My birth and education was at a time far back and very different from the present day, where a thorough education is put within the reach of almost all the rising generation. But I think that God sometimes makes use of the weak things of this world to confound the things that are mighty. I think I can say with Moses that I would choose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than enjoy the pleasures of sin, or the applause of a popular, worldly church for a season. Dear brethren and sisters in Christ, strive to be faithful in the cause of our blessed Saviour. You have one passage of scripture in particular that you may claim in your favor. "They that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." Be patient therefore under tribulation, and our trials and troubles here will only make us richer there, when we arrive at home. The race is worth running; the prize at the end of the race is well worth winning. May we ever be looking forward towards the mark of the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus; to that crown of righteousness which the Lord the righteous Judge will give in that day to all that love his appearing. May we all possess vital piety, pure religion, and be volunteer soldiers in the cause of Christ, faithful stewards and laborers in the vineyard of our Lord, and lights to the world to lead sinners to the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world. I think I can say, although passing through trials and afflictions, I do feel thankful to the Lord from day to day for the light of his countenance, the influence of his Spirit, and the evidence that I feel of my acceptance with him through Christ my Redeemer. May we all be wholly consecrated to his service, and his will be done in us and by us, and we hold out faithful to the end; for which may we ever pray. A Great Salvation
By Jane Sewell
Bro. Smith: I feel a strong desire to speak to all the scattered flock to whom the Review makes its weekly visits; for I feel that it is my duty to give God the glory of my salvation. Yes, I feel constrained to say that I have experienced a great salvation. For ten years past I have been a member of the M. E. church, and though I have been a sincere seeker after the way of holiness, and have had a longing desire to be a vessel fit for the Master's use, still there has been an abiding dissatisfaction in my heart, a feeling of conviction that all was not well, a feeling well expressed by the poet: "'Tis a point I long to know,
Oft it causes anxious thought,
Do I love the Lord or no?
Am I his, or am I not?"
I knew nothing of the present truth, or the believers in it, only that they kept the seventh-day Sabbath, and that they were a "sect everywhere spoken against," until last March, when, by the providence of God, two of his messengers, Bro. Czechowski and D. T. Bourdeau came into our neighborhood to preach the everlasting gospel. Though I was strongly prejudiced against them, or rather their doctrine of the Sabbath, I was induced by curiosity to hear what they had to say, and O, how shall I praise God suitably! What shall I render unto him for the light that broke into my soul on that occasion? I went home determined to imitate the noble Bereans who searched "the Scriptures daily to know whether these things were so." As I began to hunger and thirst for knowledge, Bro. Czechowski gave me the "Bible Student's Assistant," and as I searched with the aid of that little book, the light shone all around me, dispersing the clouds and darkness of superstition and tradition, until no place was found for them, for the truth had entered into my mind, and I could adopt the language of the Psalmist: "The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding to the simple." I had no difficulty in deciding whether to obey God or man. When I "saw a great light," "immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood," but determined that I would "lay aside every weight and the sin which did so easily beset me, and run with patience the race set before me, looking unto Jesus, (and to him alone,) the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. I had not long obeyed the fourth commandment before the Holy Spirit, my only counsellor in the matter, convinced me that I was breaking the first. I had one idol that I had tried hard to forsake, but had finally decided that I could never give it up. But when I saw the inconsistency of obeying one commandment while I refused obedience to the other, and was assured by the word that he that "offendeth in one point is guilty of all," I saw that I must yield this also, and though it was like plucking out a right eye, I felt that it was better than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire. I believed, and proved that all things are possible to him that believeth. Yes, glory to God! I feel this morning that I want to say to all my brothers and sisters, as far as my voice can reach, "Through Christ strengthening us we can do all things" necessary to "cleansing ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit." And the Saviour has told us to cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. Yes, all ye servants of tobacco, and the pipe, and the snuff-box, hear what God the Lord saith, "From all your filthiness, and from all your idols will I cleanse you;" and I will put my Spirit within you, and I will cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments and do them." "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself even as he is pure." To the glory of God's grace, I am enabled to testify that I put away my idol (pipe and tobacco), and it has become to me an object of disgust and abhorrence. I feel that I cannot close this communication without expressing my gratitude to those dear brethren and sisters who have so kindly extended their sympathy, and their aid, both by their personal presence and the loan of books and papers which have been to me an invaluable blessing. In love and fellowship with all God's dear children, I am striving to walk with God, hoping, and praying, and trusting, that ere long I shall have my companion, and some of my dear neighbors, to go with me to mount Zion. Your sister and companion in the present truth.
JANE SEWELL. Led Into Sabbath Truth
By Mrs. Jacob Smith
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS : I have long thought of giving in my testimony with you through the Review, but have felt so incapable of saying anything that would edify, I have withheld. I read your interesting letters over and over again, and am encouraged by them to press my way on through this sinful world. Twenty-two years I have been striving to make heaven my home. I have not been without my trials along the way. I have felt many times that this vile world is no friend to grace, to help me on to God ; and as I look back on my past life I can truly say, The goodness of God has followed me all the days of my life. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. It is three years to-day since I became a reader of the Review. Its sentiments at first were new and strange to me. I felt a spirit of inquiry to know if these things were so. My prayer was, Show me thy ways O Lord, teach me thy paths ; lead me in thy truth and teach me, for thou art the God of my salvation. I commenced at the first chapter of Genesis to search my Bible, and was one year and fifteen days reading it through ; and praise his holy name he has shown me his ways and taught me his paths, and led me to see that the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord our God, and not the first. I can now say as did one of old, that whereas I was once blind I now see. I rejoice at thy word as one that findeth great spoil. And I am not ashamed to say to the world that I have great respect for all the commandments of God and am striving to keep them. Thou art near O Lord, and all thy commandments are truth. I love my blessed Redeemer. He came not to destroy the law or the prophets ; he kept his Father's commandments, and he said to the young man, If thou wilt enter into life keep the commandments. Not every one that saith unto me Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven ; but he that doth the will of my Father which is in heaven. It is my desire to sit at the feet of Jesus and learn of him who is meek and lowly in heart. I am striving to overcome every besetting sin, that I may sit with Jesus in his throne, even as he overcame and has set down with his Father in his throne. And while I write and meditate on these great and glorious promises, my heart burns with love to God, and to my fellow-beings. Truly my127 soul waiteth upon God. He only is my rock ; he is my strong tower from the enemy. It was two years the twelfth day of last September since I commenced keeping the Sabbath of the Lord our God, and I ever hail its hallowed hours with delight. It is my meat and drink to do the will of my heavenly Father. I want to be one of that number who will stand on the sea of glass, and sing the song of Moses and the Lamb. Brethren and sisters let us be faithful to God, and he will give us a crown of life when Jesus comes. Yours in hope of eternal life, JESUS, lovely Lamb of God,
Friend and Shepherd of my heart,
Hear me while with thee I plead,
And thy tender love impart.
Let me at thy feet recline;
Those same feet that once on earth—
Weary, way-worn and alone,
Trod the winepress of God's wrath. O, I'd love that blessed place;
Love to lie there now and be
Molded by thy fashioning grace,
Made from every sin-spot free.
Saviour, bleeding One, I pray,
Listen to my humble cry;
Thou hast opened up a way
For the guilty, such as I. Thou wast wounded, pierced and slain;
Jesus bled and died that I
Might be cleansed from every stain.
Now dear Saviour purify;
From dead works my conscience purge;
Cleanse, O, cleanse me from all sin!
Spirit, soul and body surge,
With thy blood and make me clean. Save me from the law of sin,
Save me from the carnal mind;
Make me spotless, pure within,
And in thee perfection find.
I believe; oh help, dear Lord!
Help my cruel unbelief!
Faith takes hold upon thy word,
Now I find in thee relief. O how free, how richly blest
thus to lie at Jesus' feet!
While his smile on me doth rest,
This is happiness complete.
M. E. S. A Testimony of Faith
By M. M. Nelson
BRO. SMITH: I feel to-day like the psalmist when he said, Draw near all ye that fear the Lord and I will tell you what he hath done for my soul. I have been led to see that my heart was not all given up to Christ. I had an outward conformity to his word, and have enjoyed in times past some of the sanctifying influence of the Holy Spirit, and through the past summer and fall have been striving to open the door of my heart and let the blessed Saviour in; but the Lord has shown me that I have been striving too much in my own strength, and looking too much at my own good works, and not feeling my entire dependence on God. I can now see clearly that it is the blood of Christ which cleanseth from all sin; not by works of righteousness which we have done, but the righteousness which is of God by faith. I have been enabled to cast myself entirely upon the mercy of my heavenly Father and to submit myself into his hand to be guided and governed by his holy will, and he has enabled me to open the door of my heart to the dear Saviour. O what condescension, what love hath the Father bestowed on us that we should be called the sons of God! O that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, for his wonderful works to the children of men! I have had the blessed privilege of hearing the gospel preached by Bro. Sanborn at Mackford. I truly felt that it was accompanied by the demonstration of the Spirit and with power. He was enabled to bring forth things both new and old out of the treasures of God's word, and to give to every one a portion of meat in due season. I was led to wonder why all could not see the great beauty there is in God's plan of salvation. O how perfect and complete is the law of God, and how perfectly the law and gospel harmonize. I praise the name of the Lord that he has shown me these great truths and given me a heart to obey them in some degree, that I have felt some of their sanctifying influence. Brethren and sisters, is it not high time that we come up to the help of the Lord against the mighty, and that we gird on the whole armor of God, and prepare ourselves for his coming, that we begin to labor in his vineyard? Methinks if we were all awake as we should be, our dear Bro. Smith would not be obliged to borrow so much matter for the Review. I have long regretted this, but thought that my talents were so small I could not do any good by writing; but I remember that our Saviour taught us to improve them if we had only one, that when he comes he may receive his own with usury. When our hearts are filled with the love of God, I think we may speak words of encouragement to each other, though in much weakness. I have long been looking at the subject of holiness, and have desired to see more written upon the subject in our paper. Some pieces which have been written were food indeed to my soul, sweeter than honey or the honey comb. I would ask the prayers of the dear brethren and sisters in the Lord that I may keep humble, trust in his wisdom to guide me, that he may work in me both to will and to do of his good pleasure. There are none of my friends or kindred according to the flesh that believe in the present truth, but I humbly trust that the Lord will open the eyes of some of them at least and bring them to a knowledge of the truth. How it would rejoice my heart to see them keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. That the time may soon come when the professed people of God may all be filled with his Holy Spirit is the prayer of your unworthy sister in Christ.
M. M. NELSON.
Green Lake, Wis.