Earlier text: Do Brutes Reason?Thoughts on the Revelation.
VERSE 1. And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years. 3. And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. The event with which this chapter opens seems to follow on in chronological order after the events of the preceding chapter. The inquiries that here arise are, Who is the angel that comes down from heaven? What is the key and chain which he has in his hand? What is the bottomless pit? and, What is meant by binding Satan a thousand years? 1. Is the angel here brought to view, Christ, as some have claimed? He is not. A bright ray of light is thrown from the old typical service direct upon this passage. Thus: Christ is the great High Priest of this dispensation. On the day of atonement, anciently, two goats were taken by the priest upon which lots were cast, one for the Lord, and the other for the scape-goat. The one upon which the Lord's lot fell, was then slain and his blood carried into the sanctuary, to make an atonement for the children of Israel, after which, the sins of the people were confessed upon the head of the other or scape-goat, and he was sent away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness, or place not inhabited. Now as Christ is the priest of this dispensation, so, by arguments, a few of which we here introduce, Satan is shown to be the antitypical scape-goat. (1.) The Hebrew word for scape-goat, as given in the margin of Lev. xvi, 8, is Azazel. On this verse Jenks in his Comprehensive Commentary remarks, "Scape-goat. See diff. opin. in Bochart. Spencer after the oldest opinion of the Hebrews and Christians thinks Azazel is the name of the Devil; and so Rosenmire, whom see. The Syriac has, Azazel, the angel [strong one] who revolted." The Devil is here evidently pointed out. Thus we have the definition of the Scripture term in two ancient languages, with the oldest opinion of the Christians, in favor of the view that the scape-goat is a type of Satan. (2.) In the common acceptation of the word, the term, scape-goat, is applied to any miserable vagabond who has become obnoxious to the claims of justice; and while it is revolting to all our conceptions of the character and glory of Christ, to apply this term to him, it must strike every one as a very appropriate designation of the Devil, who is styled in Scripture, the accuser, adversary, angel of the bottomless pit, Beelzebub, Belial, dragon, enemy, evil spirit, father of lies, murderer, prince of devils, serpent, tempter, &c., &c. (3.) Our third reason for this position is the very striking manner in which it harmonizes with the events to transpire in connection with the cleansing of the heavenly Sanctuary, as far as revealed to us in the Scriptures of truth. We behold in the type, 1. The sin of the transgressor imparted to the victim. 2. We see that sin borne in by the priest in the blood of the offering, into the Sanctuary. 3. On the tenth day of the seventh month we see the priest with the blood of the sin-offering for the people, remove all these sins from the Sanctuary, and lay them upon the head of the scape-goat. 4. The goat bears them away into a land not inhabited. Answering to these events in the type, we behold in the antitype, 1. The great offering for the world, made on Calvary. 2. The sins of all those who avail themselves of the merits of Christ's shed blood, by faith in him, in that blood are borne into the Sanctuary. 3. After Christ the minister of the true tabernacle [Heb. viii, 2], has finished his ministration, he will remove the sins of his people from the Sanctuary, and lay them upon the head of their author, the antitypical scape-goat, the Devil. 4. The Devil will be sent away with them into a land not inhabited. This we believe to be the very event described in the verses under notice. The sanctuary service is at this time closed. Christ lays upon his head the sins of his people which have been confessed to the sanctuary, and are imputed to them no more, and he is sent away, not by the hand of the High Priest, but by the hand of another person, according to the type, into a place here called the bottomless pit. Hence this angel is not Christ. 2. What is the key and chain which he has in his hand? It cannot be supposed that this is a literal key and chain; hence they must be merely symbols of the power and authority with which this angel is clothed upon this occasion. 3. What is the bottomless pit? The original word signifies an abyss, bottomless, deep, profound. Its use seems to be to denote any place of darkness, desolation, and death. Thus in Rev. ix, 1, 2, it is applied to the barren wastes of the Arabian desert, and in Rom. x, 7, to the grave. But the passage which specially throws light upon the meaning of the word here, is Gen. i, 2, where we read that "darkness was upon the face of the deep." The word there rendered deep, is the same word that is here rendered bottomless pit; so that that might have been translated, "Darkness was upon the face of the abyss, or bottomless pit." But we all know what is meant by the word "deep" as there used: it is applied to this earth in its chaotic state. Precisely this we believe it means in this third verse of Revelation xx. At this time, let it be borne in mind, the earth is a vast charnel house of desolation and death. The voice of God has shaken it to its foundations, the islands, and mountains have been moved out of their places, the great earthquake has leveled to the earth the mightiest works of man, the seven last plagues have left their charred and blasting footprints all over the earth, the burning glory attending the coming of the Son of man has borne its part in accomplishing the general desolation, the wicked have been given to the slaughter, and their putrefying flesh and bleaching bones lie unburied, ungathered, and unlamented, from one end of the earth, to the other end thereof. Thus is the earth made empty and waste, and turned upside down. Isa. xxiv, 1. Thus is it brought back again, partially at least, to its original state of confusion and chaos. See Jer. iv, 19, 26, especially verse 23. And what better term could be used to describe the earth thus rolling on its course of darkness and desolation for a thousand years, than that of the abyss, or bottomless pit? Here we understand Satan will be confined during this time, amid the ruin which, though indirectly, his own hands have brought, unable to flee from his habitation of woe, or to repair in the least degree his hideous ruin. 4. What is meant by the binding of Satan? We well know that Satan in order to work must have subjects upon whom to work. Without these he can do nothing. But during the thousand years of his confinement to this earth, all the saints are in heaven beyond the power of his temptations, and the wicked are all in their graves, beyond his power to deceive. Thus is he bound being condemned throughout this period to a hopeless state of inactivity and imbecility. This to a mind that has been so busy as his has been for the past six thousand years in deceiving the world, must be a punishment of the most intense severity. We are well aware that some make huge attempts to grow merry over this exposition of the binding of Satan, by placing beyond his reach the subjects upon which he works, and his being loosed by their being brought again, by a resurrection, under his influence. They tell us that we have mistaken the parties, and have the wicked bound, not the Devil. But how often do we hear in the daily transactions of life such expressions as these? My way was completely hedged up; my hands were completely tied, &c. But do we understand when persons make such expressions that some insurmountable obstacle was literally thrown across the path they were traveling, or that their hands were literally confined with ropes and cords? No; but simply that a combination of circumstances rendered it impossible for them to act. Just so here; and why will not people grant to inspiration the same liberty of speech, that they give without question and without ridicule to their fellow-men around them? QUESTIONS. I would like to have your explanation of Isa. xi, 6–9. Will the wolf dwell with the lamb, the leopard lie down with the kid, &c., in the new earth? How came they there, when we do not anywhere read in the Bible of the resurrection of the beasts? ANSWER. Isa. ix, 6–9. "The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cocatrice' den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea." Let it be particularly noticed that this is when the "earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea." Hence the new earth is here meant. Chap. lxv, 17–25, is more definite: "For behold I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. But be ye glad and rejoice forever in that which I create; for behold I create Jerusalem a rejoicing and her people a joy. And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people; and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying. There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days; for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed." "And they shall build houses and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build and another inhabit; they shall not plant and another eat; for as the days of a tree, are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labor in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the Lord, and their offspring with them. And it shall come to pass, that before they call I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear." "The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock; and dust shall be the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the Lord." The prophetic word says that the beasts will do so and so in the New Earth. How they came there, we are not told. If it had been very important for us to know just how they came there, whether by creation or resurrection, the Bible doubtless would have told us. If you can be made to believe that the new heavens and earth mean the Christian age, or the work of grace in the heart, then you can make the words—wolf—lamb—leopard—kid—calf—young lion—fatling—cow—bear—their young ones—ox—bullock—serpent—mean almost anything you please but literal beasts. But when this is done, the Bible becomes, in the hands of those who thus expound it, too much, as the old negro said, "like a fiddle on which they can play any tune they like." Beasts were made for this world when it was filled with beauty and glory, as it came out of the hands of the Creator. Then why not have beasts on the earth when it shall be restored from the effects of the fall? QUESTIONS. What are the qualifications necessary in order to be prepared to eat the Lord's supper? And what do you consider a proper form of invitation to eat the Lord's supper? ANSWER. As the table is the Lord's, all of his children have a right to it. We should invite all who are keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus in sincerity and truth, to eat of the supper, and should not refuse it to any who come forward, unless it was known that they stood in hostility to the work of the third message. A Few Suggestions.
By David Arnold
My mind for two or more years past has been deeply impressed with the importance and work of organization. I have also frequently felt the weight of the remark made by Bro. White in No. 18, Vol. xx, in reference to the Mich. State Conference, that it "was only partly organized," and thought perhaps the remark might properly apply to all our State and church organizations. While I have read the varied forms adopted by our several State Conferences, I have been led to cry out, Who shall present us with a form and system of organization adapted to our present wants, and insuring a oneness of action throughout the body. Perhaps under present circumstances it is not practicable to meet in general conference, and talk over the matter; but may we not through the Review present rules, forms, and systems, and leave them open for remarks, amendments, or adoption, and thus arrive at a plan that shall insure a union of action throughout the church? We find that in all human associations for the accomplishment of any enterprise, system and order are essential to its successful accomplishment. There are two things always indispensably necessary to accomplish any work through human agency, whether it be national, civil, ecclesiastical, mechanical, or agricultural; viz., men and money: men to do the work, means to sustain them and furnish the material for the work. Now we, as a church, have before us a work of greater magnitude, involving greater interests than any national, civil, mechanical, or agricultural enterprise in which men can embark; yea, greater than all these combined. The third angel's message, with its kindred truths, is yet to be proclaimed to the world with a loud cry through human agency. Leaving the choice of men more especially to the Chief Shepherd, it devolves upon us as a church humbly relying upon the great Counselor for wisdom, to devise such a plan and adopt such a system for raising the means and employing the men as shall best accomplish the great work of giving the last message of mercy to a perishing world, by which a people are to be sanctified through the truth and fitted for translation at the appearing of Christ. In devising such a system some things are necessary in its frame-work in order to bring success. 1. It should embrace equality "so that none be eased and others burdened." 2 Cor. viii, 13. 2. Each deposit should be so guarded that men of corrupt minds, 1 Tim. vi, 5, shall not pervert it from its intended use. 3. Its outlay should be entrusted to men of sound judgment and business habits, so that every dollar shall tell for the advancement of the cause. 4. The agencies employed, whether in gathering in or paying out money, or laboring in word and doctrine, should have their place and work clearly defined, that like Gideon's army they may all act in their place at their own work. With these remarks by way of introduction I will venture (with much diffidence of my own ability, and due deference for the judgment of others) to suggest for the consideration of the brethren a plan for raising, depositing, and paying out means for the advancement of the cause of present truth. Question 1. How shall we raise the means to support our preachers, pay tent and other expenses, for the general advancement of the cause? Ans. Let each member of the S. D. Advent church, and as many others as feel free to do so, firmly adopt and faithfully carry out the plan of systematic benevolence, as recommended in the Review and sanctioned by the gift of the Spirit. See Spiritual Gifts, Vol. ii, pp. 230–238, Testimony to the Church, No. 6, pp. 17–22. This, when properly carried out, will produce equality and create a thousand rills to form the river. Question 2. How shall we bring these offerings together? or how shall we carry out Mal. iii, 10? Ans. First, let each one regulate and define the weekly sum to be paid in by them for the ensuing year by the 1st of Nov. as near as practicable, and send a bill of the same to the clerk of the church to which they belong, before the 15th of Dec. ensuing. It shall then be the duty of the clerk to record in the church book of S. B. the names of all sending bills, with the sums set opposite their names, and transmit to the State conference secretary a copy of the same before the 1st of Jan. It shall then be the duty of the State secretary, in concert with two or more of the State Committee, to ascertain as near as practicable the general expenses of the current year, and determine the percentage of the whole amount of S. B. fund necessary to meet said expenses, and send the same to the Review for publication. It shall be the further duty of each donor to the S. B. fund to pay to the deacon of their respective churches once a quarter, the amount due on their S. B. subscription. It shall then be the duty of the deacon to transmit quarterly to the State treasurer the percentage as above determined, retaining the balance to meet other public expenses in the church. Question 3. What safeguards shall be thrown around these deposits? Ans. It shall be the duty of each deacon, State treasurer, and committee, to present to the State auditors at each annual State conference a written account of all moneys received in and paid out by them during the conference year. Question 4. How shall evangelists and preachers who labor among us be supported, and tent and other expenses be met? Ans. Let the State committee, to whom is entrusted the care of these matters, draw from the State treasury from time to time, as the necessities of the cause demand. Your brother in tribulation, looking for the upbuilding and perfection of the church.
DAVID ARNOLD. REMARKS. We are decidedly in favor of systematic action, and believe it indispensable in the real advancement of the cause of truth. We may apparently advance in disorder, but a little time will show no real advance. But we feel guarded against too much machinery. The simplest plans of action possible which will accomplish the objects desired, are best. Too much machinery will be badly in the way. We have a simple arrangement in Michigan which works well thus far, and the more it is proved and considered, the more it is admired. It is simply this: 1. Our approved ministers receive their credentials annually from the State conference. 2. The conference is pledged to liberally sustain its preachers. 3. We have a conference committee of three to take the general oversight of the labors of ministers in the State, and missionaries to other States. 4. We have a financial committee of five, all, that they may be efficient, located at Battle Creek, who receive from the different churches, and from scattered brethren, their pledges of monthly payments for the support of preachers, whether they labor with tents or otherwise, during the conference year. These pledges are obtained by sending out circulars in the Review, to be returned to the committee by letter, with the amount of their pledges on them. Each church can ascertain the amount of their S. B. funds, and the probable amount required for other objects, and can pledge what remains to the support of the ministry. The monthly pledges are to be paid to the committee, or when more convenient, be handed to preachers when laboring among the churches. Each minister is required to make a report quarterly, or oftener if he chooses, to the financial committee, of his receipts. Also, each S. B. treasurer is requested to report to the committee quarterly of all money paid out of their treasuries, and to whom paid. 5. Each minister is required to make a report to the State conference of the amount of his expenditures and receipts during the conference year. 6. Each minister is required to make a report to the general conference of each week's labor during the conference year. 7. The amount of each minister's labor, his receipts and expenditures, for the year, will then be before the general conference, and the amount to be made out to each of the ministers that they may have a liberal support, can be taken from the State funds in the hands of the committee. 8. To complete the security of funds sacredly devoted to the cause of truth, the financial committee at the close of each year will make a printed report in pamphlet form of all receipts and expenditures during the year, also the quarterly reports from S. B. treasuries, embracing the amount paid by each church, and by scattered individuals. Call from the Church in Sandyville, Iowa.
By James White
Bro. White: We have been waiting to hear of an appointment for a conference in this State, but have heard nothing of it thus far. If we have a correct understanding of it, you were to appoint it. We are very38 desirous that it should come off as soon as possible, and that you and sister White should attend it. We wish it held at Knoxville. It is our wish that both tents in our State be manned the coming summer, and we wish you to select an able-bodied messenger to labor with Bro. Brinkerhoff in Southern Iowa, one that is able to stand two-thirds of the labor, Bro. B. not being able to stand severe labor. This little church at Sandyville has taken hold of systematic benevolence in earnest, and I hope will be nothing behind in any duty. By order of the church at Sandyville.
ANDREW J. STOVER. Remarks.—Our brethren at Sandyville must be laboring under a mistake. By the above we learn for the first time that we were appointed to give notice of a conference in Southern Iowa. We have felt the deepest interest for the cause in Iowa, and have done double to help the cause in that State that we have, under similar circumstances, in any other State. And when we were compelled to believe that our efforts were not valued by many, and that a spirit of rebellion was growing against us, we became in a measure discouraged, and finally decided that the rebellion must have its course before much could be done. We now think that too much has been done for Iowa the last two years, in the way of sending a messenger there to either act upon the legislation of those of little experience, or be censured and oppressed by rebellious spirits among them. If the brethren in Iowa want a conference, no one will object. If they decide to run one or two tents, no one should complain. If the committee of the Wisconsin and Illinois conference, or of the New York conference, or any other conference, sends them a minister, or ministers, to labor in Iowa, under the dictation of the brethren in Iowa, we shall not complain; but if the Michigan and Northern Indiana conference committee sends ministers to Iowa, they will want a voice in counseling in regard to their labors. Efforts to organize those in rebellion and confusion we fear have been worse than lost. Nothing but a dreadful extremity should compel us to leave out some Sabbath-keepers in organizing. This has ever been our position. Here is our definite statement one year since, from Review, Vol. xix, No. 6: “There is danger of carrying organization to an extreme, to the neglect of other subjects. In many places believers are not ready. Bro. Cornell says, ‘Strike when the iron is hot.’ This is right. But if you work it cold it will break. We want to preach one Sabbath and first-day to the brethren, and let the warming influence of the present truth soften their feelings, and then affectionately and plainly set forth the evils of tobacco, tea, &c., and entreat all to leave these idols and turn fully to the Lord before attempting to organize. We shall not give these idolatrous souls up till we know they are joined to their idols; then we shall have to let them alone. May we not hope that all who have borne well the Sabbath cross will yet bear every cross necessary to secure the favor of God, a place in the bosom of Jesus, and the full fellowship of the saints? O God, help thy people to bear the cross that they may wear the crown. “Habit is exceedingly strong with some persons. A sister once said, ‘If I must give up one, my pipe or heaven, I must give up heaven.’ She took her dreadful choice, and her course since gives proof that it was a final one. Such have a hard battle. Help them all you can. In your labors for such be firm, but kind. Do not suffer yourself to enter into the spirit of controversy with such. Come near to them. Get into their heart if possible. Stand where you can help them. The Lord bears long with erring mortals. ‘Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.’” We do not think the time has come for us to visit Iowa again. We are doing all we can, and design to work where our labors are appreciated, for there they will accomplish most. On our recent Northern tour of four weeks we drove our team two hundred and fifty miles, attended between thirty and forty meetings, and baptized thirty-seven, most of them the fruits of these meetings. Immediately on reaching home we suffered from a dreadful swelling on the face, which discharged for a week, yet made out full time at the Office when we could not distinctly articulate a word. And when nearly recovered from this affliction, we commenced a protracted meeting in the Battle Creek church, preached every evening, twice on the Sabbath, and have made good time in the Office six days in the week. Brethren, east, west, north, south, we will serve you as well as we can. You shall have all there is of us. And if we do not find a day of rest, as you enjoy, one in seven, in this mortal state, we may enjoy the saints’ rest in the City quite as well. Your counsel we desire, your encouraging words cheer us, and your prayers we must have; but unreasonable cares and burdens thrown upon us when we have all we can stand under, murmurings and complainings when we are doing all we can, we despise. The Michigan and Northern Indiana Fund.
By Editor
THIS fund is raised to support the preachers of the conference in their labors with the tent or otherwise. It is designed to support our preachers, and to meet all the expenses connected with their labors. Every church should pledge what they can give during the year, to support the ministers of the conference and meet the expenses of the cause connected with their labors. Then when a minister visits a church, and that church chooses to hand him a certain sum, the church pays so much of the money pledged. We make these remarks for the reason that we see that some do not fully understand the arrangement. Some churches send their individual pledges to the financial committee. This is not correct. Let each church arrange their systematic benevolence with the use of our new S. B. blank books, and pay their own weekly sums into their own treasury. Then when they learn what they can raise monthly, they can understandingly decide how much they can put into the conference treasury monthly, and can send their pledges to the committee on the plan suggested in the committee's circular. This circular can be sent to any who desire it. For further explanation we refer the reader to our remarks following the suggestions of Bro. D. Arnold. I DESIRE to say to those who are anxiously looking for the appearance of an appointment for conferences, and are suffering from "the hope deferred," that the committee, in the exercise of the authority invested in them, have sent to the Office notices of both time and place for a conference, which the brethren have not published, from some cause best known to themselves. However, I feel assured that it is all for the best, and when the reason appears it will be abundantly satisfactory. The cause is sadly down, and the necessity appears urgent for more thorough organization. However, lacking talent and experience in a good degree, as we do, we might move injudiciously if left to ourselves; and the cause has suffered too much from such things. So I, for one, feel to rejoice that the brethren of experience and judgment take it upon themselves to exercise a kindly supervision over us; for I would seek and desire the good of the cause, let me "sink or swim, live or die, survive or perish." I deem this explanation your due, from the active part I have taken in inducing you to think we might have a conference soon. H. F. BAKER. REMARKS. The notice for conference in Ohio was received at the Office and forwarded to us when on our Northern tour. We think the notice required our attendance, or that of some one we might send, and left the time of the meeting to our convenience. The Michigan State committee being together in Ionia Co., decided to recommend Bro. J. H. Waggoner to fill the call from Ohio, and immediately forwarded the letter containing the call for conference, and the ten dollars from the Ohio committee to bear the expenses of a messenger, to Bro. Waggoner. We have waited with much anxiety to see the notice of conference in Ohio from Bro. Waggoner; but up to this time none has been received at the Office. We would say to the Ohio committee that if Bro. Waggoner does not fill the call from your State, the Michigan State committee will make another effort to send a messenger to Ohio. Answer to Prayer.
By N. M. Jordon
“And these signs shall follow them that believe, In my name shall they lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover,” &c. Mark xvi, 17, 18. BRO. WHITE; On the evening of the 9th of November I was present and witnessed the result of the healing power of God, as that blessing rested upon one of his children in answer to prayer. Sister Lydia A. Rankin had been sick with the lung fever and pleurisy for about two weeks, and had become so reduced in strength that she could not turn nor raise herself in bed, nor speak aloud. Medical aid did her no good, but seemed to make the disease worse. She despaired of being helped by the skill of man, but had faith that God could and would heal her in answer to prayer. Accordingly she requested her husband to send for elder Sanborn, who was at that time in the vicinity, also for the elder of the church of which she was a member, and a few of the brethren and sisters of the church. At this time she had a high fever and a severe pain in her side. When we had come together Bro. Sanborn requested two of the sisters to take the oil and anoint her where she was in distress, in the name of the Lord. While this was being done we all prayed mentally to the Lord for his blessing. When the anointing was done, sister Rankin said the pain had all left her. We then all knelt down around her bed. Bro. Sanborn led in prayer, and as he prayed he claimed the promises of the Lord. We prayed, asking the Lord to heal our sick and afflicted sister. When we had done all that the Lord had required of us in the fifth chapter of James, then his blessing was manifested. Sister Rankin believed and received the blessing, and the fever left her. Our sick sister was healed. She praised the Lord for what he had done for her. Bro. Sanborn received a great blessing, and had great freedom in calling upon the name of the Lord. We were all blessed according to our faith. Sister Rankin was, twenty minutes before, suffering under the influence of a burning fever. Now her flesh was cool, with a slight perspiration. With a little help she got up and dressed herself, came into the room where we were sitting. She praised the Lord aloud. The fever left her quite weak, but she has been gaining her strength day by day. She now enjoys nearly her usual health. We feel that this has not only been a blessing to sister Rankin, but to the church at Hundred Mile Grove. We feel blessed. We feel that this is a green spot in our religious experience. Brethren, have faith. May the Lord help us to have faith, is my prayer. Yours in hope. N. M. JORDON. IMPORTANT events are commemorated by some ceremony which represents as nearly as possible the event which transpired. Unless the ceremony has some semblance to the event, it is not a memorial. Memorials may be divided into three classes, viz., 1. Weekly, 2. Yearly, and 3. Indefinite in the time of their celebration. 1. There is but one genuine, weekly memorial, which is the seventh-day Sabbath. The Creator labored six successive days in making the heavens and earth, and rested the seventh day. We are commanded to labor six days, and rest upon the seventh, thus clearly pointing back to the creative work and rest of Jehovah. To rest every eighth or tenth day would not answer, and to rest on any of the six working days would not commemorate the event. 2. Yearly memorials are numerous. For instance, the passover was a yearly memorial of the salvation of Israel from the tenth plague visited upon Egypt, in which the destroying angel passed over the houses marked with the blood. On the fourteenth day of the first month of every year, they were required to keep the passover in the same manner as at the exode. Ex. xii, 11. 3. Some memorials have no stated time of celebration; of which the Lord's supper and baptism are examples. There is but one genuine weekly memorial, but there is a counterfeit one which deserves notice, namely, the Sunday institution. This counterfeit memorial is faulty in several particulars. 1. It has never been commanded. One would suppose that when people do all that God has commanded, they would be doing well enough. 2. It sets aside a plain command which some one will have to answer for in the coming judgment. 3. To fitly commemorate the resurrection of Christ, it should be observed annually, like Christmas, instead of weekly. There is nothing in the event which calls for a weekly celebration. 4. Jesus rose from the dead, traveled, and was actively engaged upon the day, which event cannot be fitly celebrated by rest, but, on the contrary, by, to say the least, good works. Christ has instituted a memorial of his burial and resurrection which not only precludes the necessity of another, but renders it a presumptuous innovation. Baptism beautifully represents the burial and resurrection of Christ, and at the same time points forward to the resurrection of the saints. A good bank note must be well engraved, dated, and signed by responsible parties, to be worth anything. A counterfeit note is generally poorly engraved, signed by irresponsible parties, or by forged signatures. The first-day Sunday memorial sustains the same relation to the seventh-day Sabbath memorial, that a counterfeit bill does to a genuine one. The genuine is well engraved, having a representation of the creation for a vignette, dated on the seventh day of time, and signed by Him who owns heaven and earth. He is, of course, responsible, and this note is good anywhere on earth, or in heaven. On the contrary, the counterfeit is poorly engraved, with the resurrection of Christ for a vignette (unlike genuine), no certain date, and signed by a well-known counterfeiter (the pope). The signer is irresponsible, and although the note is current in some places on earth, it is worthless at the bank of heaven. There has been a great deal of trouble and dispute about this counterfeit bill; and those familiar with it know that it has several dates and a forged signature. The counterfeiter has many friends who are determined39 to make this note current, and many think it is good. Why is this? Simply because people do not test it by the great detector, the Bible, which the Lord has furnished. ‘Tis a fountain ever bursting,
Whence the weary may obtain
Water for the soul that’s thirsting,
And shall never thirst again. ‘Tis a mine of richest treasure,
Laden with the purest ore;
And its contents without measure,
You can never well explore. ‘Tis a lamp forever burning,
By whose never dying light,
Sinners from their errors turning,
Are directed through the night. ‘Tis a chart that never fails you,
One which God to man has given;
And though rudest storms assail you,
It will guide you safe to heaven. ‘Tis a pearl of price, exceeding
All the gems in ocean found;
To its precepts ever listen,
In its truths may you abound. D. M. CANRIGHT
By D. M. Canright
BRO. WHITE: Over three years have passed since I embraced the present truth. In this time I have heard most of the objections that infidels and worldly professors can raise against the truth, yet these have only increased my faith in the message, by showing the spirit of its adversary, and the utter foolishness of their arguments. O, how good the truth is now, when we see the signs predicted by our Lord as the harbingers of his return to gather his people, fulfilling in quick succession, and know that the hope of God's children is so soon to be realized. Nothing else can save us from the wrath that is coming on the nations, and which they are so fast preparing to execute. I deeply feel the need of a pure heart. What a momentous thought to think of seeing the Lord of creation, and that, too, so soon! His word tells us that many who seek, but do not strive, to enter in, will be disappointed. How little we generally realize the importance of keeping ourselves pure and unspotted from the world. May God help the remnant to seek meekness, that they may be hid in the day of the Lord's anger, is the prayer of your unworthy brother. Sister C. E. Cole writes from Fredonia, Mich. : Nearly one year has passed since I had the opportunity of listening to some very interesting lectures delivered by Eld. Cornell and became convinced that the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord our God. The Holy Spirit strove faithfully with me, reminding me of my former promise to the Lord that I would be led by the Spirit, I claiming to have a desire to be guided into all truth. Therefore I dared not resist but cheerfully embraced the Sabbath, rejoicing in the Lord that it was my privilege to heed these glorious truths proclaimed in this last message of mercy to a guilty world. Though I have found the way a rugged cross-bearing way, yet I am not discouraged. I did not enter this narrow path with any idea of retracing my steps, but a fixed determination to claim the Lord's promise that his grace would be sufficient for me. Therefore I would say to such as are doubting, I have found him as good as his word, fear not to trust in his words. To obey is better than sacrifice. The obedient shall eat the good of the land—that land where the inhabitants shall never say, I am sick. Strive to possess that love that worketh no ill to your neighbor. Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you, that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven. Glorious promise! Let us one and all trust in Him who hath said, I will never leave you nor forsake you. Sister C. M. Pervorse writes from Bengal, Mich. : I want to be one of those that keep in sincerity the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. I am now among Spiritualists, and I cannot help seeing the deception and blindness under which they labor. If there are any honest among them, may God give them eyes to see and ears to hear, that they may be able to escape the seven last plagues. Pray for me that I hold out faithful.