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Review and Herald, Vol. 25, No. 7.

Effects of Novel Reading
Earlier text: Effects of Novel Reading

The Use of the Law.

By Editor

"MEN should be taught that God's law can be obeyed. It was meant for us and not for angels. Our compassionate Heavenly Father knew all our temptations from within and without. He framed its provisions to suit our condition as a race. When men endeavor to make out that the law of God is something so high, and wonderful, and mysterious that nobody ever did or ever can keep it, they in reality, though without designing it, prove that God is a great tyrant. For is not that tyranny to enact laws that cannot, by any possibility, be kept, and then affix the most fearful penalties for their violation? This is not the character of our Heavenly Father. He is just and merciful. His law is holy and just and good. The very existence of an enactment made by Him is of itself proof of the most conclusive kind that it can be obeyed by those for whom it was designed. Let men see that God's law can be kept, and ought to be kept, and then they may become scripturally convicted of sin. The terrors of hell will get hold of them. They will find themselves in trouble, and they will be glad to be helped out. They will not need a great deal of persuading to induce them to come to Jesus. Not until men discover that they are sick do they want a physician—not until they are slain by the law, will they seek to be made alive by Christ. But when they see that they are totally and eternally ruined unless a mighty deliverance is wrought out in their behalf, and when they realize that there is help for them in no other source but in the gospel, they will gladly come to the Saviour, and will not seek to make their own conditions. Their agonizing cry is, 'O wretched man that I am, Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?' They will accept the gospel as gladly as the shipwrecked mariner hails the life-boat sent for his deliverance.
"For declaring THE LAW, we have the fullest warrant in the New Testament. Our Saviour says, 'Think not that I am come to destroy the law and the prophets, I am come not to destroy, but to fulfill.' But not to preach the law as binding, is to destroy it. Paul preached very plainly the doctrine of salvation by faith. Yet he asks the question, 'Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid. Yea we establish the law.' But not to preach the law is to make it void. It is practically to assume the authority of repealing it altogether. And James declares that 'whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.' And the Revelator cries out, '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.
"We need a sturdier class of Christians. We shall never see them, until the law of God is again proclaimed. Sentimental preaching makes sentimental Christians. They will do to swell the numbers and make a show, but for colonizing Heaven they are worthless. As to self-denial, they are strangers to it. They can no more endure hardness as good soldiers of Jesus Christ than a child can endure the rigors of a military campaign. Place them in positions where there is a conflict between their worldly interests and the commands of God, and self invariably has the preference. Too many such disgrace the Christian name. They are not the men of whom martyrs are made.
If you would see converts that are not ready to yield to every little difficulty; who will refuse compliance with customs and fashions, however popular, that are contrary to the word of God—men and women of principle who can be relied upon in an emergency PROCLAIM THE LAW OF GOD, AND INSIST UPON ITS CLAIMS.
REMARKS.—The position assigned to the law, in the foregoing article, will be endorsed and appreciated by every S. D. Adventist. We are endeavoring to "proclaim the law, and insist upon its claims; and we trust that as the result a sturdy class of Christians is coming up, who can be relied upon in an emergency, even the emergency of the time of trouble that is before us. But we find it necessary to insist most upon the claims of that part of the law, which is most generally disregarded, namely, the fourth commandment.
We hope the "Earnest Christian" will remain true to its principles, as above set forth, and when its attention is called to the fact, as it undoubtedly will be sooner or later, that the fourth commandment of that law requires of us the observance of the seventh, not the first, day of the week, not apostatize from its present just views of the law, as too many have done, to avoid the conclusion that the seventh day is the Sabbath, which inevitably results from the position that the law is still a living instrument in the hand of God, to convict us of our sins.

The Commandments of God.

“The commandments of God should be proclaimed. They are still binding. The moral law has never been repealed. The ten commandments, as expounded by our Saviour, reaching to the purposes and thoughts of the heart, are still in force. Their vigor is not weakened by age, nor lessened by distance. Their demand for obedience upon us is as imperative as when they were first proclaimed amid the thunders and lightnings of Mount Sinai.”
These remarks we find in the “Earnest Christian.” They have the ring of true Christianity in them. They should be endorsed by every earnest Christian. So truthful are such utterances as these, and so urgent is the need of them in this God-forgetting world, and in the present generation of world-loving professed Christians, we would fain proclaim them in thunder tones throughout the whole length and breadth of the land. And they sound all the better to us, coming from the source they do. For we are living in a time when outside of the immediate ranks of those who are specially proclaiming the “commandments of God and the faith of Jesus,” Rev. xiv, 12, such sentiments as these are becoming exceedingly rare. And not only is such teaching becoming more and more infrequent, but the opposite of it is more and more frequently heard. How often we have to meet the severest opposition for proclaiming the commandments of God! How often it is declared that they are not binding; that the moral law has been repealed! And how often are the teachings of our Saviour instead of being regarded, as they truly are, an exposition of, or a comment upon, the ten commandments, called a new law, instituted in the place of the old!
Why all this? The only reply we can give is, Because the claims of the law, when critically examined, are found to enjoin the seventh day of each week, as a day of rest and religious worship, instead of the first as now generally observed. Upon a somewhat careful consideration of the matter, we can give no other reason. And we base our conclusion upon the following facts.
1. No difference of opinion exists in regard to the sanctity and perpetuity of the law, until the Sabbath question is agitated.
2. Those who then receive the seventh-day Sabbath, the one enjoined in the law, retain their former views of the holiness, sanctity, and integrity of the law.
3. Those who reject the Sabbath, give up these views of the law. And
4. They make this change of views in regard to the law the basis of their rejection of the Sabbath.
To what other conclusion, then, can we come than that it is to get rid of the Sabbath, that they thus reject the law, and enter upon their graceless and godless tirade against it?
O fourth command, what trouble hast thou been?
Source of vexation to the sons of men!
How have they tugged and toiled with various plans
To break thy power, and shirk thy just demands.
Vast circuits they through logic’s fields have run,
And found themselves at last where they begun.
From the same article from which the above extract is quoted, we take the following in reference to the law which is no less to the point.

Organization.

By R. F. Cottrell

I wish to record my hearty approval of our systems of organization for legal purposes, and of contribution for the cause of truth, as set forth in recent articles by Bro. White. I am perfectly satisfied that no reasonable objection can be raised against either. The plan for systematic contribution to the cause is calculated to produce an equality, so that all who desire to know about the amount they ought to contribute, can estimate it according to a general scale. Those who desire to know their duty in this respect, will feel thankful for a plan that will aid them in assessing themselves, and will cheerfully contribute according to their ability. Those who do not feel it a privilege to do their part in this work, will look upon the plan that is only intended as a help in ascertaining duty, as a compulsory system of taxation. It is not for these that the method is proposed; but for those who really desire to ascertain their duty.
As to legal organization of a publishing association, or societies to hold church property, no objection can be found, more than against holding private property by law. When, in either case---individual or collective, we are called upon to sacrifice our duty to God to obtain legal protection, it will be a sin; but as long as we make no compromise of principle, we only enjoy those benefits from civil law which God has designed for us to enjoy.
It is instructive to those who would take lessons in fallen, unconverted human nature, that those fault-finding persons who are now striving to impede the progress of the holy cause of present truth, by objecting to legal organization, are the very ones who were suspicious of Bro. White, and complained of the one-man power, while the publishing interest was in his individual hands. To satisfy their demands, the Review and our publications must not be published by an individual, nor by an association; that is, they must not be published at all. But we have reason to thank God that the cause in which we are engaged cannot be thus overthrown. The Lord will take care of his own cause. It is God that has in his providence set in motion the publication of the great truths which he has designed for this last generation by means of the press. He never abandons the means of his choice, till the mission is ended and the work accomplished.
The organization of societies for legal purposes, and the organization of the church according to revealed truth, are two things, separate and distinct. A man may be a member of the church without being a member of a legal organization. But when this fact is admitted, there remains no objection against the members of the church being united in legal organization, a privilege which all have, freely proffered by the government, and requiring no sacrifice of principle on our part.
R. F. COTTRELL.

Items of Thought.

By Joseph Clarke

An unconverted man wonders why he should pray to God. "God knows my wants," says he, "and it is useless for me to trouble him about my little affairs, why should I praise or worship God. It would be superfluous and vain." Thus reasons the carnal heart. Jesus is to such a heart without form or comeliness.
The good man is often filled with surprise that all do not pray to God and worship him. "God is so good," says he, "so bountiful, so wise, so merciful, so high and holy. God the infinite! My creator! Creator of the vast boundless universe! Why do not all worship him?" Thus reasons the heart which is regenerated by the Spirit of God. "Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord." In fact no two opposites, are more opposite, than the tendencies and tastes of carnality and holiness.
We often in fear of great misfortunes, hastily retreat and become entangled in snares still more dangerous.
He who yields to discouragement and gloom to-day, may murmur to-morrow. Cheerfulness sheds a luster over every virtue.
If another claims, or by unfair means obtains, the credit of what you have done, consider how much better this is, than if you had obtained the credit of another's work.
The sharpness of reproof, though salutary, is often painful; but how much better to endure these pangs, than to suffer the pangs of the second death.
It is a long and difficult task to get a thorough knowledge of mathematics; but a far more difficult task awaits him, who, without the help of God's Spirit, would convert a soul.
If you have long neglected a known duty, do not wait till you feel like performing it; for neglect prevents the return of such feelings; but go, discharge your duty, perform those neglected labors, and a blessing will certainly follow.
When you have a fair opportunity of doing any important work, be sure not to neglect it, for such an opportunity may never occur again.
Never complain of an editor, for not publishing all you write. Probably, could you hear his reasons, you would thank him for shielding you from disgrace.
Be not over-anxious for promotion; for if you succeed, you may regret the change. Our happiest office is the one God gives us, because he can measure our abilities.
Very poor people, and very old people, and invalids, and weak minded people, are often over-anxious to marry. So we find that incompetent persons often aspire to preach.
A violin in the hand of king David would tend to elevate your soul to heavenly things; but the same instrument in the hand of a fiddler at a dance, would tend to level the barrier thrown up by a wise Creator, in the youthful heart, between vice and virtue.
Language is used for different purposes, according to the character and design of the person using it. Music is just as various in its style and tendencies.
JOSEPH CLARKE.

The Curse Devouring the Earth.

By John Norton Loughborough

We read in Isaiah xxiv, "Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth." We suppose this to have reference to what the Lord will accomplish in the last days while wickedness is increasing on the earth. The devouring of the earth by the curse must be the destruction of its fruits and grains by different causes.
In order for us to tell whether the earth has in any manner decreased in its productiveness we should want some statistics of its ancient productiveness to compare with the present crops. Herodotus 446 B. C., says: "But the soil is so particularly well adapted for corn, that it never produces less than 200 fold. In seasons which are remarkably favorable, it will sometimes rise to 300. The ears of their wheat as well as their barley, are four digits in size. The immense height to which millet and sasanum will grow, although I have witnessed it myself, I know not how to mention. I am so well aware that they who have not visited these countries will deem whatever I may say on the subject a violation of probability."—Herodotus, p. 59.
Layard, in his researches in Ancient Nineveh says: "Herodotus describes the extreme fertility of Assyria, and its abundant harvests of corn, the seed producing two and three hundred fold. The blades of wheat and barley he declares grew to full four fingers in breadth."—Layard's Researches, p. 283.
Dionysius Hallicarnasensis, and Livy, as quoted in the Jew's Letters to Voltaire says: "In many distributions of land, made not only under the kings of Rome, but 400 years after its foundation, about 300 B. C., every citizen or planter got but two acres of ground." Such planters' families, he tells us, "averaged six persons."—Jews' Letters, pp. 280, 282, and note.
"Columela informs us, that four acres of land made up the whole estate of the famous dictator Quintius Cincinnatus." "His family including slaves, is supposed to have been twelve persons." Their acre was 60 feet longer and 6 feet wider than ours.—Jews' Letters, p. 261, note.
Who would think now of trying to sustain a family of six persons on the products of two acres. Most of our western farmers would want twenty or forty times two acres to sustain a family of that size.
Again, coming this side of Christ even, Gibbon tells us that Diocletian near the days of Constantine retired from the throne of empire to a farm of between nine and ten English acres.—Gibbon, Vol. i, p. 444.
I well recollect the smile produced on the Michigan farmers a few years since, while they were listening to an agricultural lecture from Prof. Willard as he mentioned the fact that the products of so small a tract of land would once sustain an Emperor. But we have only to look to the years of our earliest remembrance to see the modern decrease in crops. With all the modern improvements with which men can take care of ten or twenty times as many acres as they once could, we have no grain to waste.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.

Why Don't he Swear?

By John Norton Loughborough

WHILE the minister of divine truth is studying to prepare himself to appear before the people, I suppose it is as much his duty to cultivate his tone of voice, and manner of addressing the audience, as it is to study his subject. That is, not to use such harsh terms, or tones as to needlessly wound the ears of the people. To wound as deeply as possible with the truth, while the words may be words of sympathy and mildness. Not, for instance, in trying to illustrate the fact that children in the last days will be disobedient to parents, to tell the audience, "The streets are filled with your children, and they are a set of ungodly, dirty, filthy brats."
I was forcibly reminded of the importance of proper communication as a person was relating to me a circumstance that occurred a short time since in Maine. She was in a meeting where the minister used the words above in relation to children, and then fell to lashing the parents in a denunciatory manner, seeming himself to be in a rage, till finally a respectable lady who sat beside the sister turned to her and said: "Why don't the minister swear?" A course that could bring forth such remarks must have been anything but salutary on the audience.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.

The White Garment.

By Charles Haddon Spurgeon

THE following thoughts from Spurgeon contain a most beautiful comparison, and important truths in regard to the believer's position and deportment in this world. We are walking in a filthy and polluted place, and we are commanded to have white garments. Be careful reader with what you come in contact, or with whom you associate, lest your garments become spotted by the world.
He that wears a white garment must mind where he walks when the world's streets are so filthy as they are. He that hath a thousand enemies must take care how he exposes himself. He who hath nothing on earth to assist him toward Heaven, should take care that he goeth not where the earth can help toward hell. O believer, shun, I pray thee, fellowship with this world, for the love of this world is enmity with God. Now some will say that I am ascetic, and wish you to become Puritans. I wish we were Puritans most certainly, but I am no ascetic. I believe the Christian man ought to be the happiest man in the world, and I believe he is too. But I know that this world does not make him happy, it is the next world. I say that the believer has a more sure and certain right to be a happy and a cheerful man than any other man, but if in this world only we had hope, we should be of all men the most miserable, because this world yields no joys to us.—C. H. Spurgeon.

Soft Words and Hard Arguments

Use soft words and hard arguments.

IT IS NIGH AT HAND

By R. F. Cottrell

Day of the Lord. No. 8.

BY ELD. R. F. COTTRELL.

IT IS NIGH AT HAND.

When Jesus ceases his intercessions before the throne of mercy, the great day of wrath commences. The seven last plagues begin to be poured out. Under the sixth vial, the unclean spirits go out, by authority, to gather the armies of the earth to battle. Jesus comes taking vengeance on the nations that know not God and obey not the gospel, the battle in the day of the Lord is fought, the saints are taken to Heaven, and the remnant of the wicked are cut off, and the earth lies desolate, while the saints reign with Christ a thousand years. At the close of this period, Jesus and his people return to earth, the wicked are raised to life, having been judged by Christ and his saints, while they were dead, and they compose the camp of the saints and the beloved city, and fire comes down from God out of Heaven and devours them. With the destruction of the enemies of the Lord and the renovation of the earth, ends the day of the Lord's wrath, and the day of eternity begins. Then there will be no more evil or curse, but eternal felicity to all the overcomers; and they shall inherit the earth and dwell therein forever. The enemies of the Lord having been destroyed, there will be no more wrath, but all creatures living will join in ascriptions of praise to God. "For yet a little while, and the indignation shall cease, and mine anger in their destruction." Isa. x, 25. See Rev. v, 13.
Now we glance at some of the evidences that the great and terrible day of the Lord is nigh at hand. A large field opens before us; but we shall only refer to the principal signs, and not go into the details, or argue the points at length. Those who wish to investigate thoroughly, are referred to the publications advertised in the Review and Herald.
In the first place, we call attention to the prophecy contained in the second chapter of Daniel. The four great kingdoms represented by the four parts of the metallic image of this chapter, have arisen, the fourth has been divided and nothing remains of this prophecy but that the God of Heaven should set up his everlasting kingdom.
The vision of Dan. vii, presents the same earthly kingdoms under the symbols of four great beasts. Then the papacy is presented by the symbol of the little horn, and the time of its continuance is given—
a time, times, and a half a time—or, literally, twelve hundred and sixty years. This period has elapsed since the division of the Roman empire and the establishment of the Papacy in the ancient seat of the dragon. The period commenced in 538, and ended in 1798; its beginning and ending being clearly marked by historical events. What more does the prophecy contain? The taking away of his dominion to consume and destroy to the end. Or, as Paul has expressed it, "Whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth and destroy with the brightness of his coming."
In harmony with these prophecies, the civil power of the pope has been consuming away, since the taking away of his dominion in 1798, till scarcely a shadow of it remains, and as this power is to remain to the advent, to be destroyed by the brightness of Christ's coming, it is plain that his coming is at hand. The beasts of this chapter have had their fulfillment in the four great empires. The fourth has been divided, as represented by the ten horns. Three of these have fallen, and the Papacy has been established. This has continued its full time of 1260 years, when his dominion was taken away. Since that event, this power has been consuming, and what remains to be fulfilled? Nothing but the destruction of this Man of Sin by the brightness of Christ's coming. The coming of Christ is the very next event in this prophecy.
The signs which the Saviour gave of his coming the second time have also been fulfilled. The sun and moon have been darkened, the stars have fallen according to his word; and nothing remains in this line of prophecy but such as take place after the close of probation, and after the day of the Lord has actually commenced; viz., the shaking of the powers of heaven, the sign of the Son of man, and his actual personal coming. Says our Saviour, "Now learn a parable of the fig-tree. When his branch is yet tender and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh. So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, this generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled." All in this has been fulfilled, up to the commencement of the day of the Lord; and we are assured that the generation living when this is the case, will not pass, till Christ shall come and send forth his angels and gather his elect.
The preaching of the gospel of the kingdom is another sign that the end is near. As we come down to the close of the great prophetic periods, the closing messages are proclaimed. And though this is fulfilled through the agency of fallible men, yet it is as certain and infallible as a sign, as those in the sun, moon, and stars. These messages, recorded in Rev. xiv, 6–12, are being fulfilled. As the period of 2300 days of Dan. viii, 14, was drawing to its close, the first of these was announced: "The hour of his judgment is come." To the believing, who have thoroughly investigated, there can remain no doubt that this prophecy points to, and has its fulfillment in, the great Advent movement of 1840–44. The assertion that that preaching was false—that the hour of judgment did not come, because we have witnessed no change, is sufficiently answered by the fact that the judgment-hour message is not the last—that it is followed by another, and still another, that of the "third angel," before the Son of man appears upon the white cloud. And in this order we see the fulfillment. The second message, and then the third have been announced. And for us to doubt at this stage of the fulfillment, shows a want of faith in God and his word.
The third message warns the people of the coming of the day of the Lord, the great day of his wrath. Now, there is a proclamation that claims to be its fulfillment, and it bears the characteristics of the genuine work. Other signs show that it is now time to expect this message. All who study the prophecies, know that we are living in the last days; and if S. D. Adventists are not fulfilling this prophecy, those who believe that the day of the Lord is at hand, should point to something now taking place which is the true fulfillment. It will not do to expect the coming of that day without a manifest fulfillment of this most solemn message of the word of God. Those who do, will be sadly disappointed—the day will find them unprepared; for those who do not heed the message will
drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which will be poured out in that great day of wrath.
Now, while the day is at hand, the solemn warning of the third angel is being given. God's word is verified, and his throne guiltless, though men may fail to believe. And of all poor deluded souls, those will be most wretched who profess to believe that the day of wrath is at hand, and still slight the only message that can prepare them to meet it with joy.
The nations are angry, and the wrath of God is sure to follow. Rev. xi, 18. In mercy God is warning men of what is coming, and pointing to the means of escape. All who will be saved alive, must "keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus."
Who would reject God's last compassionate effort to save them? The gracious message is addressed to all. Sinners, professors, ministers, will you receive it?

Quarterly Meeting in Vt.

Bro. White: Our last Quarterly Meeting for Franklin Co., Vt., which was held last Sabbath and first-day at West Enosburgh, and which to us was a farewell meeting with the brethren and sisters of Enosburgh and vicinity, was encouraging indeed. Nine were added to the church, five of whom have received the third message since the general meeting held here in October by Bro. and Sr. White and Bro. Loughborough. Systematic Benevolence was reconsidered for the year 1865, and as far as we were able to judge, the brethren and sisters came up nobly and cheerfully to the plan of s. b. as recently set forth by Bro. White in the Review. The figures on s. b. were raised from $160,00 to $264,00. Our business meeting was held evening after the Sabbath, and was followed by a sweet and refreshing season in attending to the ordinances of the Lord's house.
We are about to separate, but not in spirit, neither in our affections, one to join with Bro. Stone on a tour in Northern Vt., and Canada East, and the other to join with Bro. Pierce on a tour in Southern Vt., Massachusetts and New Hampshire. We leave, feeling a strong attachment to the church at home, and expecting to be remembered by them at the throne of grace and would solicit an interest in the prayers of all those who are interested in the advancement of the cause of truth, for which we would cheerfully labor and suffer.
D. T. Bourdeau. A. C. Bourdeau.
West Enosburgh, Vt. Dec., 27, 1864.

A Light in Chicago.

By Editor

We are glad of a little commencement of the work of present truth in Chicago. Shall we not have a strong light in that city? We trust it may be so.
Bro. H. C. Miller writes from that place, 247, South Water St., as follows: The cause is brightening here. One backslider has promised to start anew in the narrow way; another is examining our views, and says he is convinced of the truth, aud is going to try and live it out. Four of us held a meeting at sister Place's on the Sabbath. The Lord is blessing us, and showing us the way, and strengthening us every day more and more. Praise his holy name.

Note from Bro. Van Horn.

By I. D. Van Horn

BRO. WHITE: Our visit with the brethren in this place has been very pleasant. We have had freedom in bearing the straight testimony to them, and the Lord has helped us to give them words of comfort and encouragement to help them in their efforts to overcome the power of the Adversary.
The brethren and sisters here express a decided interest in the truth; and it is cheering to see the children take an active part in all their meetings. May the Lord bless them and save them with the remnant.
Yours in hope.
I. D. VAN HORN.
Green Bush, Mich.

The Christian in the World

“When a Christian goes into the world, because he sees it is his call, yet, while he feels it also his cross, it will not hurt him.”

The Wills, Wonts, and Cants

There are three kinds of men in the world—the "Will's, the Wont's, and the Cant's." The former effects every thing, the others oppose every thing. "I will," builds our railroads and steamboats; "I won't," don't believe in experiments and nonsense; while "I can't," grows weeds for wheat, and commonly ends his days in the slow digestion of bankruptcy.

Receiving the Truth.

By Editor

WHAT better reward can be given us in this life than to see souls, as the result of our efforts to spread the truth, gladly receiving and obeying it, and rejoicing in it. Such encouragement we are continually receiving. From the influence of the paper, and the various publications, and the efforts of the living preacher, honest souls all over the land are finding their way to the light and truth of God's word. Let us be encouraged and redouble our efforts; for the time is short, and much is to be done. Circulate the publications; and above all, by a godly life and conversation, show that you are in possession of a truth that can sanctify and prepare you for the soon coming of the Saviour.
Bro. C. McNeil writes from Hinsdale, N. H.: "I see it my duty to come out and take a decided stand for God, and the truths of his holy word. The law of God is perfect, converting the soul. Since reading the History of the Sabbath, I have become convinced that it is my duty to keep the seventh day, and obey God rather than man. I feel thankful for the light I have received. The Bible seems like a new book to me, and I can but exclaim, How good the Lord is in giving us such a guide! I am determined by the grace of God, to follow on to know him, whom to know might be life eternal. I see that God would have us come out from sin in all its forms; he would have a holy people, and a holy church. My prayer is, that I may be led into the truths of his word fully, may see the right and pursue it, may live soberly, and godly in this present evil world, looking for, and hastening unto the coming of the day of the Lord, and so be ready to hail him with joy and not with grief.
Oh for grace to be kept in these last days of sin and wickedness! Oh for wisdom from on high to see and understand God's will concerning us in all things, that we may have right to the tree of life at last, and enter into the city."

Letters.

"Then they that feared the Lord, spake often one to another."
This department of the paper is designed for the brethren and sisters to freely and fully communicate with each other respecting their hopes and determinations, conflicts and victories, attainments and desires, in the heavenly journey. Seek first a living experience and then record it, carefully and prayerfully, for the comfort and encouragement of the other members of the household of faith.

From Sister Lashier.

BRO. WHITE: I take my pen for the first time to write a few lines for the Review. I would say that I am striving to be an overcomer in all things and to abstain from all fleshly lusts that war against the soul, and to put on the Lord Jesus Christ. I desire to be cleansed in body and spirit, that I may present myself a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto the Lord.
The Lord has a little church here in Pleasant Grove that are paying heed to the Testimonies, and trying to come up on higher and holier ground, and going on unitedly with the body. May the Lord bless us, and finally save us in his kingdom.
Yours in hope of eternal life.
C. M. LASHIER.
Pleasant Grove, Minn.

Obituary Notices.

DIED, of paralysis, in North Sutton, C. E., the 11th of October, 1864, Sr. Sally M. Cross, aged 57 years and three months. She and her companion gladly embraced the Sabbath when the third message was preached in North Sutton four years ago the present winter, and she has ever since manifested devotedness to the cause of truth, and punctuality in attending meetings and testifying in favor of the truth. She had a desire to live, but above all felt for the spiritual prosperity of her family, most of whom appreciate and receive her dying instructions, and hope to unite with her again at the resurrection of the just.
"Earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal." D. T. BOURDEAU.
DIED, of typhoid fever, in Welton, Clinton Co., Iowa, Nov. 4, 1864, after a sickness of four weeks, Melinda S., daughter of Ira and Harriet Ward, aged 18 years and 8 months. She died in full triumph of faith.
IRA WARD.
DIED, in Ulysses, Pa., Nov. 20, 1864, after a sickness of fifteen weeks, our beloved sister, Susan Corey. Sister Corey had been a firm believer in the Advent faith for many years, and the blessed hope cheered her to the last. Services by the writer.
N. FULLER.
DIED, in Greenfield, Sauk Co., Wis., Oct. 4, 1864, of dysentery Elmer Ellsworth, youngest son of Ralph G. and Lucretia A. Cowles, after an illness of eight days, aged 3 years 4 months and 9 days.
Also at the same place, Orpha Lucy, only daughter of Ralph G. and Lucretia A. Cowles, aged 7 years and 9 months, after an illness of 19 days.
R. G. COWLES.
DIED, of typhoid fever, in Burlington, Mich., Nov. 30, 1864, after a sickness of two weeks, my daughter, Harriet A., aged 14 years, 9 months and 4 days. About two years since, she was baptized by Bro. White, and united with the church.
We listened to a few remarks from Bro. Waggoner, and then followed her to the grave, where she will rest from the troubles of life till the Archangel's trump shall sound to call forth those that sleep in Jesus.
M. H. LEONARD.

"Unto Whom Much Is Given," &c.

By Dr. Hoge

I HAVE seen Laura Bridgman, whom God sent into this world, without sight, hearing, or the power of speech. She could see nothing, hear nothing, ask nothing. To her the very thunder has ever been silence, and the sun blackness. The tips of her fingers, and the palms of her hands, have been her eyes and tongue. Yet, that poor, sickly girl, knows much of the world, and language, and numbers; of human relationships, and passions; of what is, has been, shall be, and should be; of sin, and death, and the grave; of God, and Jesus, and Heaven. And all this has gone through the poor child's slender fingers, darkly feeling the fingers of another; and thus she tells her hopes, and fears, and sorrows. And if she, thus grasping so blindly for the Saviour, finds him and rests her weak hands on his lowly head—that blessed head, that leans lowly enough even for this—oh how will she rise up in judgment, Matt. xii, 41-42, and condemn, with utter overwhelming, you, O, sinner! upon whose every sense is pouring the knowledge of God, while your eyes read his holy word, and your ears hear a thousand times over these tidings of great joy, even a glorious gospel of a blessed God.—Dr. Hoge.

A Letter from Rockford, Illinois

BRO. J. Leland writes from Rockford, Ills.: Oh that we may feel the responsibility that rests upon those who have the light. We embraced the present truth under the preaching of Brn. Loughborough and Sanborn, near Harrison, Ills., July, 1861, and have been constant readers of the Review and Instructor since. We rejoice greatly in the light which these have reflected upon our pathway. We are striving hard for the immortal kingdom. Our feeble prayers go up daily for those who are publishing and proclaiming this truth; and we ask the brethren to pray for us that we may endure to the end. We will try to meet you and all God's dear people with his ancient worthies in the kingdom that never shall end.
I praise the Lord that he ever enabled me to see the light of present truth. I have read many of the publications from the Office, together with Spiritual Gifts. I love them all and pray that they may have a sanctifying influence upon my heart and life.
I pray God to abundantly bless those who are publishing and proclaiming the present truth, that they may have clearness of intellect, and the love of God in their hearts, to so present the truth that all the honest hearted may see and embrace it, and "flee from the wrath to come;" and may the folly of those who oppose be made manifest. There is a little company in Rockton, who are striving to overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony, and to pray always that they may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that are coming upon the earth. I love to meet with them from one Sabbath to another to worship; and I hope to endure to the end and then go up from one Sabbath to another, with all God's Israel, to worship the king, the Lord of hosts, in the New Jerusalem.
Sister P. M. Lamson writes from Hamlin, N. Y.: Permit me to say that my love for God increases. He sets my feet in a large place. He leads me in a plain path; cleanses my heart, and renews in me a right disposition, does not cast me away from his holy presence, but restores unto my soul the joys of his salvation; gives me to feel that I am his, and he is mine. While Jesus is absent from his children, preparing mansions for those that open their hearts to receive his word, they are left not comfortless but the Spirit of truth is given to abide with us, to guide us by its counsels, and afterward receive us to glory.
Bro. M. S. Kellogg writes from Lake, Ind.: We have been made to rejoice of late by having two more added to our numbers. We feel like pressing forward in the cause of truth. We feel anxious that some messengers should come this way and set things in order. There are some waiting for an opportunity to go forward in the ordinance of baptism, and we would like to be organized. There appears to be a good field for labor in this vicinity.
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