Review and Herald, Vol. 38, No. 10.
The Advantages of the Sunday-Sabbath in being easily kept over all the GlobePage 2
Earlier text: The Advantages of the Sunday-Sabbath in being easily kept over all the GlobeTo the Young among S. D. Adventists.
By John Q. Fox
THAT we are amid the perils of the last days is a fact of which we have often been assured, and one with which we are all familiar. The word of God and the testimony of his Spirit, are in harmony in reference to it. It is also demonstrated by the fact that many who received the theory of the truth, but not having received it in love, are falling away, being led captive by Satan at his will. We do well to consider that we also are in danger, and to beware lest we, being led away by the error of the wicked, fall from our own steadfastness. “Let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall.” Our only hope of escaping these perils is in entire conformity to the will of our Heavenly Father, and in having a daily experience in the things of God. We are all well aware that a mere profession of the truth will amount to nothing. How important, then, that we closely examine our own hearts, that we prove our own selves whether we be in the faith. Satan, aware that his time is short, seems intent on making the most of it. We do well in this respect to emulate his example. We should be admonished that our time is short, and in view of this fact, let me exhort you, dear young friends, to vigilance, and to faithfulness and zeal in the service of God. Not only is our own salvation jeopardized by our remaining indifferent, but precious souls over whom we might exert an influence for good, are left to perish. And can it be that we, who profess to belong to a people who are giving the last message of mercy to the world, have so little of the spirit of our Master, without which we are none of his, as to have no concern for the welfare of our fellow-men, no interest in that work which was the object of Christ’s mission to earth, and to accomplish which he endured so much? No nobler cause than that which we have espoused was ever engaged in by mortals. Never was there more at stake, never more cause for interest, and zeal, or more excuse for enthusiasm than with those who have enlisted in the service of God, and are engaged in the warfare for eternal life. Never was there greater assurance of success. There is no question as to the issue of this conflict. Victory is certain. God’s cause must finally triumph. Satan’s hosts will be defeated. The question for us to decide, is, Shall we be true soldiers? Shall we prove loyal to the government of Heaven? To remain undecided or inactive is to favor the cause of the enemy. Shall we longer lend our influence in this direction? Spell bound, we seem not to realize our danger. Like an individual chilled by the cold, our sensibilities are benumbed, and there seems to have come over us a feeling of indifference and drowsiness which is almost irresistible. And is there not reason to fear that we shall not be made sensible of our real condition until it shall be too late, not only to benefit others, but to secure our own salvation? Then, if not before, this spell will be broken. Then will Satan be willing that we should see our condition as it is. Then will terrible agony (a little of which, would to God we might now feel) rend our hearts; and life which we now cling to, will be no less valuable, though in our blindness and recklessness, we sometimes act, and even talk, as though it were a matter of little consequence whether we were saved or lost. Satan loves to have us feel thus. Oh! that we might realize how much is pending. A determined and persevering effort now will secure to ourselves and to others a life that will have no end; treasures which are imperishable, an eternal weight of glory. Shall we make the effort? Or shall we, indolently resting upon our oars, drift along with the current into the terrible vortex of destruction? Would that we might be aroused to the fact that now is our time to work, and that it is rapidly passing. This life is given us in which to prepare for eternity; if we succeed in this, whatever our condition here, however lowly our lot, however much we may have to undergo, the great object of our life is gained. We shall have been successful. Failing in this, however much of this world we may gain, we shall have lived in vain. We may be successful. The greatest blessings ever given to man are within our reach, blessings, with which those enjoyed by the most favored of earth bear no comparison. May the Lord help us to feel the full importance of this hour. Here we may become rich in good works, and gather souls who will be stars in our crowns, to all eternity. “If all could comprehend the plan of salvation, and the worth of even one soul purchased by the blood of Christ, they would make every other interest of minor consequence.”—Test. No. 20, p. 116. Shall we not make it our first, our only business to serve God? We are not our own, we have been bought with a price. What right have we to make our business primary? what right to have any business aside from serving God? What is serving God, but performing the duties of life properly and faithfully? Duty calls but one way at the same time, and it is always safe to be found in the way of our duty. Religion does not consist wholly, nor yet mainly, in forms and ceremonies, or in what is commonly denominated religious worship. Indeed, these are but the means by which we obtain strength to carry out the great end of our existence. As such, they are invaluable, and should be improved. Let us be sure, when we excuse ourselves from attending upon these means of grace, that duty calls elsewhere. “Some neglect prayer, and the assembling of themselves together for the worship of God, that they may have more time to devote to their farms or their business, fearing they should suffer some loss of their earthly treasure. They show by their works which world they place the highest estimate upon. They sacrifice religious privileges, which are essential to their spiritual advancement, for the things of this life.”—Test. No. 20, p. 115. Christ is our example. His meat was to do the will of his Father. “Wist ye not,” said he, “that I must be about my Father’s business?” His mission was to preach the gospel to the poor, to the broken-hearted; but do we suppose that, when we find him engaging in manual labor, he had forgotten the object of his mission? May we not rather conclude from this, that while this may not be the most important part of our duty, it is nevertheless to be engaged in with direct reference to the glory of God, and that, though the greater portion of our time may be employed in this direction, we should ever hold ourselves in readiness to do what, or to go wherever, duty may require? As laborers in the vineyard of the Lord, it shall be our righteousness to do whatever part of the work may be assigned us, cheerfully and faithfully. The proper position for us to occupy is well expressed in the 123d Psalm: “Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the Lord our God, until that he have mercy upon us.” Is it not high time that we were whole-hearted in the service of God? How long halt we between two opinions? Do we lack confidence in the truth? Have we not sufficient evidence that this world’s history is nearly closed, that probation will soon end? How can it be said to us, “Well done,” unless we manifest more zeal and interest in this good cause? Dear young friends, God has been exceedingly good to us in permitting the light of truth to shine into our hearts; but this, if we are unfaithful, so far from being a blessing, will only increase our condemnation, and it were better for us to never have known the way of life. As a token of our gratitude, and in order that we may receive the benefit God designed we should, let us engage in a nobler, a holier work than that of serving ourselves. Every day of our lives we are doing that which tells either favorably or unfavorably upon eternity. “We are co-workers with Christ, or co-workers with the enemy. We either gather with Christ, or scatter abroad. We are decided whole-hearted Christians, or none at all.”—Test. No. 1, p. 13. All of us, no doubt, have friends, for whose present comfort nothing is too hard for us to do. Perhaps we feel an interest for their salvation; but are we doing what we can? We should remember that there are others, also, who are just as precious; for whom just as great a price has been paid, and whose salvation will cause just as much joy in Heaven, who will be just as bright stars in our crowns of rejoicing. How much wisdom we need! How important that we get near to God! We must all render account for the manner in which we improve the talents committed to our trust. Some may have ten, others but one, yet none are excused. Nor should we wish to be were we strictly commandment-keepers—did we love God with all the heart, and our neighbor as ourselves. Would it not better become us, thankful that our feeble efforts are accepted, to feel anxious to do what we can? The standard of Christian perfection given us in the Bible, to which we are all required to attain, is an elevated one; yet thank God it is within our reach; and although the process of crucifying the old man may be lingering and painful, and the work of cultivating the graces of the Spirit gradual, it is our privilege and duty to make daily progress in this work; nay, more; upon this daily work depends our ultimate success. Here is our only ground of hope. How can we consistently hope that we shall be overcomers if we are gaining no victories to-day? How can we reasonably flatter ourselves that we shall finally enter the glorious city of God, if we are not now taking steps in that direction? Procrastination is one of Satan’s most successful snares. It has been very properly denominated the thief of time; and to many a poor soul will it as verily prove the thief of eternity. “But few are willing to imitate his [Christ’s] amazing privations, and endure his sufferings and his persecutions, and share his exhausting labor, to bring others to the light. But few will follow the example of our Saviour in earnest, frequent prayer to God, for strength to endure the trials, and perform the daily duties of this life. Christ is the captain of our salvation, and by his own sufferings and sacrifice, has given an example to all his followers, that watchfulness and prayer, and persevering effort were necessary on their part, if they would rightly represent the love which dwelt in his bosom for the fallen race.”—Test. No. 20, p. 130. I fear that I have already trespassed upon your patience, but cannot forbear to express a thought with reference to the influence that we who are older exert over the youth and children that are among us. Do we realize our responsibility. Certain it is that with these our influence tells; and it is either salutary or the reverse, in proportion as we are faithful or unfaithful to our profession. These souls are precious, and it is a fearful thing for us to hedge up to them the way of life and salvation. But are we not virtually doing this when we, while professing to believe the most solemn truths, remain inactive, manifesting little or no interest, thus denying our own profession? Oh! that God would give us hearts to feel for these, and wisdom that we may take a course that shall win them to the truth, that they with us may have a shelter from the fearful storm of wrath that is so soon to come upon the world. “O! think of the Master, worn and faint,
Whose meek lips uttered no complaint;
Who toiled for thee, ’mid the noontide heat,
And sought no rest for his weary feet.
“Work with thy might, ere the day of grace
Is spent and the night comes on apace.
The Master has given his pledge divine:
Who winneth souls like the stars shall shine.” Grace: Remission of Sins Preached at Jerusalem
“Beginning at Jerusalem!” What gracious words are these! Repentance and remission of sins to be preached first at Jerusalem. And what sort of a place was Jerusalem? Was it a very good city? Had the people who lived there manifested any such great zeal or love toward Jesus as was calculated to draw forth such favor from him as this? What did Jesus say of this city, a little while before this gracious commission was given? “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!” There was surely nothing like love or zeal in all this; but what had they done afterward? Had their ways become improved? No; they had but added the crowning sin of all their iniquity; they had been guilty of the most horrid act of wickedness ever perpetrated by man. They had by wicked hands crucified and slain Jesus, God’s own son; they had deliberately slain and hanged him on a tree. They were now the unrepenting murderers of Jesus. And it was in this city of murderers—murderers of the Son of God, that remission of sins was first to be preached. Here indeed is a marvelous exhibition of grace. Now, reader, cannot you in this discern something of God’s free grace? Your case also, as regards any righteous hope, is a desperate one. The Bible says that you are a sinner, and that God is holy and just. This puts you at an immeasurable distance from God. His holiness and justice seem quite to shut you out. But there is something else here, in God, to be discerned beside his holiness and justice. The gospel tells of his grace. Yes, blessed be his name! it is “the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20: 24. And now this grace, this very same abounding grace, which flowed out toward the murderers of Jesus, is flowing toward you. Yes, let your own thoughts about your case be what they may, God knows it to be desperately bad, and therefore his word to you is this: “By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: not of works; lest any man should boast.” Eph. 2: 8, 9.—Sel. There Is no Death.
By S. B. Whitney
SO MODERN spiritualism would fain have us believe, and modern orthodoxy is but little behind it, in this respect. I was forcibly reminded of this by an incident at a Methodist Episcopal quarterly meeting which I recently attended. In a social meeting a minister was expatiating upon the tree of life, intimating that he had already reached it, and remarked, among other things, that he sometimes felt that he should not die, that there is no death, when another minister responded, “There is n’t any death.” But, thought I, if this be so, why has inspiration used such expressions as the following: “In the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die”? Gen. 2:17. “For the living know that they shall die.” Eccl. 9:5. “The soul that sinneth it shall die.” Eze. 18:4, 20. “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” “For the wages of sin is death.” Rom. 5:12; 6:23. “The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.” 1 Cor. 15:26; and scores of others of the same import. And again, in describing this death, we read, “For dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.” Gen. 3:19. “For in death there is no remembrance of Thee.” “The dead praise not the Lord, neither any that go down into silence.” “His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.” Ps. 6:5; 115:17; 146:4. “But the dead know not anything. . . . Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished.” Eccl. 9:5, 6, &c. Would Infinite Wisdom threaten, as the extreme penalty of the law, that which cannot be inflicted, and minutely describe and promise to destroy that which never existed? But stranger still that the human mind can be so perverted and depraved, that while professing to believe the Bible and venerate its teachings, it will take positions that completely nullify its plainest and most positive declarations, and prostitute it to the cause of Satan’s most diabolical schemes. S. B. WHITNEY. Singular Case of Instinct in a Horse.
We do not remember ever to have heard of a more remarkable exhibition of equine intelligence than was communicated to us a few days since by Mr. Allen, of this place. The circumstances, as they were related to us, were as follows:— Mr. A. has had for a considerable time a span of sprightly little horses that he has never separated. In the stable, in the field, in the harness, they have always been together. This has caused a strong attachment to grow up between them. A few days ago, he went with them to Minnetonka on a fishing excursion. Taking them out of the carriage he led them down the lake and tied them with stout ropes, several rods apart, on a strip of grass that grew upon the shore, and left them to feed. Returning to the shanty, he threw himself upon the floor to await the return of the party who had repaired to the lake to fish. Not much time had elapsed before the sound of an approaching horse’s feet attracted his attention, and a moment after, one of his span appeared at the door. The animal put his head in, and, giving one neigh, turned, and, at a slow gallop, yet under evident excitement, returned to the spot where but a few minutes before he and his companion had been fastened. Surprised to find his horse loose, and struck with his singular conduct, Mr. A. immediately followed, and found the other lying in the water entangled in the rope, and struggling to keep his head from being submerged. While Mr. A. proceeded to disengage the unfortunate horse, his noble benefactor stood by, manifesting the utmost solicitude and sympathy; and when his mate was extricated from its perilous situation and again upon its feet, the generous creature exhibited the most unquestionable signs of satisfaction and joy. That this intelligent animal should have noticed the misfortune of his mate, that he should know where to apply for rescue, and in his efforts should sunder a three-fourths-of-an-inch rope, and finally, that he should exhibit so high an appreciation of the event, are circumstances to astonish us and commend themselves to the thoughtful consideration of those who would limit the power of reasoning to the genus homo.—St. Anthony’s (Minn.) Express. Many Are Called, but Few Are Chosen
MANY are called, but few are chosen. Why Seventh-day Adventists Organized: Protection From Impostors
ONE important object in view when Seventh-day Adventists organized was to protect themselves from impostors. In our early unorganized history as a people, we suffered much from the scattering influence of men who pretended to hold our views, while, as it would soon appear, they had no sympathy for our positions, or our work. Some inexperienced persons were always sure to be attracted by these impostors who took upon themselves the work of the ministry, without giving evidence that God had called them to it, or that they were even in a degree qualified for it. And there frequently arose among ourselves men who held our views in the main, but objected to some points held very dear and important by the body. And instead of being teachable, susceptible of the impressions of good instruction, they would go to the work of correcting the body in a style sure to divide brethren. When corrected, these have become headstrong and rebellious; and, in our unorganized and inexperienced condition, there have ever been more or less of the honest who would be led away by them, and separated from the body for a time. And thus the hearts of the true friends of the cause were torn, and saddened. It was evident that such things stood in the way of the advancement of the cause, and that it was duty to remove these evils as far as possible from us. A system of organization was therefore introduced as the most effective remedy. The simplest form of church organization, embracing the enrollment of the names of the members, and the proper selection of scriptural officers, was adopted. These churches in the several States were made amenable to the State Conference, which was composed of delegates from the churches and all ordained ministers. And the several State Conferences were made amenable to the General Conference, composed of delegates from the State Conferences. The General Conference was designed to take the supervision of the entire cause wherever it might spread its borders, and increase its interests. Each State Conference was designed to take charge of the cause in its State or States. It was also designed that those who should enter the ministry should apply to the Conference in the State where they should reside for license to prove their gift for labor in word and doctrine, and that they should be examined by the Conference as to their fitness to receive such license. And that all approved, ordained ministers should receive from the Conference full credentials as such. Those who feel called of God to the work of the ministry, and who do not live within the limits of a State Conference, should apply to the General Conference for license. This they can do either in person, or by letter, being well-recommended by some missionary, or well-known friend of the cause, if possible. There ever has been a great want of good men to answer the many calls for ministerial labor in all parts of the field. This has been felt more than any other want among us. And in the anxiety of our people to supply this want, we have urged men to receive licenses to labor, and in several instances have been made to feel keenly that we had taken hold of unworthy men. As a general thing there has been no lack among our people of holding out inducements to men to enter the ministry. We have been anxious to license, and secure the labors of, all who could be of service to the cause. Therefore, brethren and sisters, wherever in the wide field you are situated, you may depend upon this one thing, that if men come among you preaching the leading doctrines of Seventh-day Adventists, who are in sympathy with the body, they have in their possession credentials of some kind which will show their standing. And if men come among you, professing to observe the Sabbath, and to look for the soon coming of the Son of Man, without such credentials, you may depend upon it that there are good reasons why they should not hold such credentials, and that they are unworthy of your confidence. You need not be deceived in this matter. At any time during Conference year, men called of God to labor in the gospel field, can obtain license of State Committees, or if they live on missionary ground where there is no State Conference, they can receive license from the General Conference Committee. Therefore it becomes the duty of all our friends, wherever they may be situated, when any one shall come among them professing to teach the leading doctrines held by Seventh-day Adventists, to simply ask for their credentials. It is your duty to do this as a matter of self-protection against the deceptive influence of impostors. There are wolves clothed in Seventh-day Adventist garments, prowling around, of the stamp of the notorious Nathan Fuller. There are those of other stripes, who may not stand condemned of open immoralities, and who may profess great love, and manifest zeal in the advocacy of the leading doctrines we hold, who are the bitterest, and most determined enemies of the cause. If these men would let our people alone, and go out into the wide field and labor to convert men to their positions, be assured we would give them all the room they might need for their work. But this is not their mission. Their work is to try to tear down what our people have labored patiently and hard to build up. They seem happiest when they succeed in shaking the faith of one of our people in some important point held by the body. They feel that they have gained a decided victory when they shake the confidence of one in the testimonies and work of Mrs. W. They misrepresent. They delight in repeating for the hundredth time some stale slanderous untruth. On her own account she does not care a fig for all such miserable stuff. But she feels the tenderest solicitude for honest, precious souls who may be in danger of being deceived by those whose success depends upon the art of deception. God save the scattered sheep and lambs of the flock. It is the duty of our people everywhere to call for the credentials of those who come among them as religious teachers, out of respect to our organization, and the men who have labored long and faithfully, and have worn out the strength of their lives in building up the cause, and in fortifying it against the distracting influence of impostors. We at great sacrifices send our publications and our missionaries wherever the way opens, and men and women are brought to the glorious light of present truth. And will not these very men and women respect our efforts for their salvation? Will they not respect our organization, and act in harmony with it? We have the fullest confidence that, when the facts in the case are fully understood, all our people, however far they may be scattered, will see the propriety and necessity of respecting our organization, and our efforts as a people, by calling for the credentials of those who come among them as teachers of the word of God. LET everything be done decently and in order. Old and New Testament Saints.
By J. H. W.
“The Old Testament saints, as a general statement, would be New Testament sinners. Some of them, as David, sinned grossly, even in the light of their own dispensation. In that light it was declared by the Lord that the sword should never pass from David’s house; and because he was a “man of blood,” he was not permitted to build the house of the Lord. The effort to justify Old Testament character by the light of the gospel, has a baneful effect, in some cases, both upon minister and hearer.” The above is clipped from the Crisis, a religious paper professing to make a specialty of the gospel, and in its blind zeal for the New Testament often repudiating the Old. We say “often,” repudiating the Old, but not always, for when it finds a text in the Old Testament which it can use to enforce its own views or to strengthen its own theories, it will quote it as readily as anybody; but when it finds therein passages which conflict with its own teachings, it immediately sets them aside because they are in the Old Testament! Convenient, very! The same course is pursued by spiritualists, with the whole Bible. We cannot imagine what can have a more “baneful effect” than such teaching as the above. It is false both in statement and conclusion. Look at the reasoning, “Some of them, as David, sinned grossly, even in the light of their own dispensation.” Well, then they were sinners in the light of their own dispensation, and the light of that dispensation condemned the sin as clearly as does the light of this dispensation. Where is the chance, then, for the conclusion drawn by that paper? Why cannot the editor and his correspondents take another step, and plant themselves with the spiritualists, and repudiate the gospel of eighteen hundred years ago as unworthy of acceptance in this age? Let us use their own argument, as follows:— “The early gospel saints, as a general statement, would be latter-day sinners. Some of them, as Peter, who denied his Lord with cursing, sinned grossly even in the light of their own age.” Follow this up with a glance at the church of Corinth, and draw the conclusion that it has a baneful effect to preach the gospel as taught by Peter and others whose lives were sometimes not above reproach. We know that nobody who has any regard for the Bible, will justify some in Corinth in their fornication, nor Peter in denying his Lord with cursing, nor David in adultery. The question is not, Did they in all things do exactly right? for we know that none have done so in any age, but, 1. Did the truth taught in their age condemn their wrongs? It did; then of course if they had lived up to the light of that age they would not have done the wrong. And 2. Did they repent of the wrong when reproved? They did; take the instance given by the Crisis, David, and we find no other person in all the Scriptures giving such evidence of penitence as he. If deep, heart-felt repentance, and firm abiding faith in God are commendable traits, then we affirm that David stands justly eminent among all the saints of the Bible in both Testaments. Now the truth of that age is vindicated in that it condemned sin; and the character of the individuals are vindicated because they repented of their sins. And what more can be said of the gospel, or of gospel saints? But let us look at the New Testament itself on this subject. In that we are told that Abraham is our father in the faith, provided that we “walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham.” Rom. 4:1, 11, 12. His character was not only commended of God in the Old Testament, but in the New also. No character stands higher in the Bible than that of Moses, much as he is derided by conceited religionists, who have never communed with God, as Moses did. But two of all who ever lived “walked with God” so as to be translated without tasting death, and they were both “Old Testament saints.” Paul who was “not a whit behind the chiefest of the apostles,” and who set forth the gospel doctrine of justification by faith more fully than any other writer, gives us a list of notable examples of faithful ones, all in the Old Testament, “of whom the world was not worthy.” Peter, speaking of the Old Testament prophecies said they were written by “holy men of God [who] spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” 2 Pet. 1:21. Not a very large class in this day of gospel light would bear this commendation. And James in his exhortation to those who were looking for the Lord in “the last days,” points them to the prophets as examples. And these indicate the tenor of the New Testament in its expressions respecting the Old Testament and its saints. All will readily understand that the moral law under which they lived is the real point of attack by the Crisis, though David, who was indorsed by Christ and his apostles, called that law “perfect.” Moses would never have been so great an object of contempt if the Lord had not given the Sabbath law from Sinai! The consistency of such opposition to certain “holy men of God” because of opposition to the “perfect” law under which they developed their characters, may not be apparent, but it is such a course as we might expect the “carnal mind” to take to show that “it is not subject to the law of God.” We would suggest to the writers in the Crisis, that if they do indeed believe that “the Judge standeth at the door,” as James says and they profess to believe, they might better prepare to meet the coming Judge if they would heed the exhortation of James, and take these holy men of God as their examples, instead of casting odium on their characters. The New Building.
By James White
A SECOND Office building is nearly completed for the use of the Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association, the size and form of the one now occupied. The brick are laid, and the roof is on. It will probably be ready for use by the first of October. The cost of the site and building properly furnished, will be a little less than Ten Thousand Dollars. This sum we propose to raise before January, 1872, in stock shares of Ten Dollars. Some of our brethren have already taken stock the present year in shares numbering from one, to fifty. We extend an urgent invitation to all the friends of the cause, far and near, to liberally take part in this matter. A young brother and his wife, in the State of New York, set a good example, as follows:— “We inclose one hundred dollars to take five shares each in the Publishing Association.
“WILLIAM BOYNTON.
“ETTA W. BOYNTON.” Brethren and sisters, we want your help now. But those who are not ready just now, can have to the close of 1871. Please respond immediately, either in ready cash, or pledges of what you will do before the close of the present year. JAMES WHITE, Pres. S. D. A. P. A. Entertaining Religion!
By J. H. W.
SOMEBODY sent to this Office a handbill from Tekamah, Neb., to show us how religion flourishes in the far West. The following is a verbatim copy:— “GRAND DRAMATIC ENTERTAINMENT.—The Tekamah Dramatic Club will give their first public exhibition Tuesday evening Feb. 14, for the benefit of the Presbyterian church at Tekamah, Neb. Charades, vocal and instrumental music, declamations, tableaux, &c., &c., &c. At the close of the entertainment a supper will be served by the Ladies. After supper, a ‘Post Office,’ ‘Grab bag,’ ‘Fish Pond,’ &c., will be among the amusements. Come all! Come everybody and have a good time. Admission 25 cents. Exhibition in Presbyterian Church. Supper in Thomas’ Hall. Performance to commence at 6½ P. M. By order of Committee.” Sometimes such performances are opened with prayer, but that is not of sufficient interest to be put in the programme, as prayer does not generally add to the “good time” of church entertainments in these times. J. H. W. A CORRESPONDENT says he wishes to ask a few questions on a Scripture point, and proceeds to ask eleven questions on Rev. 13, prefacing them with the assertion that the two-horned beast “supplanted and superseded” the beast that had the wounded head. It is of no matter to the questioner that we do not reply formally to his queries, as they are put in a style to evince that he intended that we should assent to them—and not answer them. But his assertion stands very much in the way of our agreement with him on any of his conclusions. To supersede is to render inefficient or to take the place of; to supplant is to remove or to undermine. This is a strong expression of opposition, rivalry, and defeat. Now what are the facts of the Scripture? The two-horned beast works miracles in the sight of the first beast; Rev. 13:14; showing that they exist together. And the two-horned beast causes the earth and them that dwell therein to worship the first beast, and to make an image to it, to be worshiped; verses 12, 15; showing that in the essential points of the prophecy they are in harmony. Any theory which places them in antagonism in the fulfillment of prophecy cannot be true. God knows what keys in the human soul to touch, in order to draw out its sweetest and most perfect harmonies. They may be the minor strains of sadness and sorrow; they may be the loftier notes of joy and gladness. God knows where the melodies of our nature are, and what discipline will call them forth. Some with plaintive song must walk in the lowly vales of life's weary way; others in loftier hymns shall sing of nothing but joy, as they tread the mountain-tops of life; but they all unite without a discord or jar as the ascending anthem of loving and believing hearts finds its way into the chorus of the redeemed in Heaven.—Sel.