Bro. J. Avenell writes from Linden, Wis. : "I would say to the saints scattered abroad that I am still seeking the kingdom of God and his righteousness, believing that all other things necessary will be added unto me. For the kingdom of God is righteousness and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. Let us then seek to know our duty, and when known, perform that duty with pure motives and the result will be peace of mind."
Sister C. M. Lunger writes from Portland, Mich. : "There are a few of us here striving to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. We have meetings most every Sabbath. Two more families have lately been added to our number; and we feel to praise the Lord. There seems to be an interest in present truth. O may we hold out faithful to the end, is my prayer."
Bro. Wm. E. Newcomb writes from Hampden, Wis. : "There are a few Sabbath-keepers in an adjoining town with whom myself and my father's family meet on the Sabbath for prayer-meeting. Bro. Sanborn came this way and preached the word of life. I attended his lectures out of curiosity to hear what new thing he had to say; but I was thereby convinced of the truth as it is in God's word. I saw that what I thought was taught in holy writ was not there. I have found much peace in believing. I laid aside error for truth, commenced to keep the Sabbath and to prepare for the coming of Christ, that when he shall appear I may not be found wanting. I mean by the grace of God assisting me, to be an overcomer through the blood of Him that hath loved us. I love to think of the coming of the Saviour, and look forward to the time with joyful anticipations that I shall then receive a crown of immortal glory. The christian's life is a constant warfare. Satan is arrayed with all his host to turn erring and sinful man aside from the true path and ensnare him in the business and cares of this life. It requires our greatest efforts to resist his temptations; and in so doing we should look to God for help. It will be through his grace that we overcome at all. Our prayer should be for his blessing to protect us in this hour of peril."
Bro. J. I. Shurts writes from Millersburgh, Iowa : "I have read a few numbers of the paper, and have been led to see the error of my way, and that the path of sin is a rugged path to travel in. I am now striving to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus; and my prayer is that I with the rest may overcome."
Bro. Lewis Martin writes from Bennington, N. H. : "I would say that the blessed hope still cheers me on my lonely pilgrimage. It surely looks as though the time of trouble [Dan. xii, 1] was very near at hand. My prayer is, O Lord, prepare thy people to meet it. May the Lord sustain you in your arduous duty by his sustaining grace, and may we at last meet on mount Zion, is the prayer of your unworthy brother."
Bro. A. Amburn writes from Vinton, Iowa : "It has only been about six weeks since I embraced the Advent faith; and although I have been a member of the M. E. church during the last five years, I must confess that I never could see so clearly the necessity of living a holy life as I have since I came out and united with the little band of Bible christians, called by my Methodist friends, Heretics. The Bible seems to be a new book to me. Every time I read it I can receive new light. I realize that I have been trusting my salvation on the doctrines of men more than on the word of God, but I am willing now to be led by the Bible, to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. We continue to have good meetings. We meet together three times a-week, and never fail to receive a blessing from the Lord. I ask the prayers of the church that I may be kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation. Many and sore no doubt are the trials that await me, but I desire to lean upon Jesus, casting all my care upon him, and I trust he will sustain me."
Bro. J. Philbrick writes from Stoddard, N. H. : "I have thought many times of late that I should like to write a few lines for the paper, and then I would think that there are others within the bounds of my acquaintance that have the root of the matter in the heart, and are far more capable of writing than myself; why don't they write? But I have concluded it is no excuse for me. No brother can do what the Lord requires of me; neither does the Lord require of me that I am unable to perform. No: his yoke is easy, blessed be his dear name!
"I often think with bitter weeping how much the Lord has borne with me, all my life long, and how little I have loved him in return. I am astonished to think how careless I have lived, how little I have realized the importance of a deep heart-work, of cultivating those sweet, heavenly graces that should always characterize, and will follow the meek, humble follower of Jesus. O how much of that sweet, heavenly, lamb-like spirit I need. I long to have every thought, word and act, brought into complete captivity to the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus. I want to feel through obedience to the truths connected with the third angel's message, that I am his, and he is mine. Nothing short of this can answer the hungering and thirsting of my poor heart. I am satisfied that we must feel the reviving, transforming power of present truth, to be fitted up to stand against all the wiles of the enemy, and to have eternal life when the blessed Saviour comes.
"O ye tempted, tried and afflicted ones, look up. Your Deliverer is coming. That bright, immortal morn will soon dawn, when those loved ones that have fallen under the power of the enemy will come forth blooming with immortal vigor to die no more. O let this blessed hope buoy up your spirits, and cheer you onward, amid earth's sorrows, till you finally have a part with those that stand on mount Zion, in everlasting victory."
L. W. Shaw writes from Biddeford, Me. : "For the first time I attempt to write a few lines for the Review. I am indeed thankful to my heavenly Father for his goodness to me in enabling me to see the truth. It has been about ten months since I gave up the traditions of men to keep God's holy law; and in keeping this law I find there is great reward. I feel to thank God that we have his holy word, which teaches us to look forward to the soon coming of the Saviour as the time for the consummation of the christian's hope. O, I am glad that we have the precious word of God to point out to us the path that leads to eternal life. I want to give heed to its teachings that I may be found among God's chosen ones when Jesus shall appear. I have not the privilege that many of my brethren and sisters have in meeting together and exhorting one another, and so much the more as we see the day approaching. There is no one to speak to in this place of like precious faith. But I feel a hope springing up in my heart that the light will shine and some will see the error, and hear the last message, though as yet they put it far away. I feel that I will go on, keep God's commandments and have the faith of Jesus, and soon we shall meet the immortal throng and bask in an ocean of love in the kingdom of God forever and ever, and pluck fruit from life's ambrosial tree, and drink from the stream that makes glad the city of our God."
Sister C. D. Reid writes from Lodi, Wis. : "In all my searching for Bible truth, I invariably find that practice is the test of love, whether in individuals or in churches. The apostle James said, 'Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.' How do we feel, or rather how do we act, in reference to the good work in which we are engaged? Frames and feelings, when scripturally understood and guarded, are by no means to be slighted, but form a precious part of Christian experience. But words are cheap and easily uttered. Let us all as Sabbath-keepers and advent believers, stop a moment and consider what we are really doing for Christ; what we are giving for Christ; what we are doing for our neighbors, or for our friends. Have the eyes of our understanding been enlightened so that we see more and more what we must do to be a prepared people? Can we be so unmindful of our responsibility? I feel to do all I can to have the glorious truths given to others, that they also may inherit the earth made new, and receive the welcome, 'Come ye blessed of my Father.' And while many cannot give as much as others they can pray for those who are already busy in the Lord's vineyard enduring hardships and trials of faith with unsubdued patience, holding fast the faithful word as they have been taught. That Jehovah may incline many to go and do likewise is the sincere prayer of a sister in Christ."
SAMUEL TOMLINSON
By Samuel Tomlinson
From Bro. Tomlinson.
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: I feel like adding my testimony with the remnant that are keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. It has been about one year since I decided to go with the remnant. I find the road is rough; nevertheless I believe that we are on the right road, and if faithful a little longer we shall see Jesus coming to gather us home. We have the enemy to contend with at every crossing, but remember the waybill says, "Enter ye in at the straight gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in there at, because straight is the gate and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." We are in the watching time now, when it becomes us to buy the eye-salve, so that we may see our way clear. I am glad to hear from brethren and sisters through the Review. Brethren here meet every Sabbath to worship God, and we feel that we are growing stronger both in love and unity since we left the world.
Yours striving to meet with the remnant on mount Zion.
SAMUEL TOMLINSON
Richmond, Iowa.
A. H. DANIELS
By A. H. Daniels
From Bro. Daniels.
BRO. SMITH : We are still firm in the truth of the third angel's message. We have two more to go with us in this place. Bro and sister Ryle have commenced to keep the “commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” We meet every Sabbath for prayer, and believe the Lord meets with us. There are eight of us in all that can meet together to pray with and for each other. Some of the people are getting more interested in the truths of the third message, and some begin to search to see if these things are so. May the Lord help all such, that they may soon see the light, and commence to keep the Sabbath of our Lord.
I have been down to what is called the Chase settlement and held some meetings. Nearly all in the neighborhood were present through all the meetings, and on the last night every soul arose in acknowledgement of the truth. I spoke of the perpetuity of the law of God, showing that none of its precepts were abolished. Sinners wept, and others rejoiced for the privilege of hearing his blessed truth. I think eight or ten will come out and keep the Sabbath of the Lord. Pray for us that the little leaven may work until the whole lump is leavened.
I feel thankful to the Lord that he has given us some to go with us. He has answered prayer. We are not alone now. We soon can have a Sabbath school which we shall commence this Spring.
We have had from week to week the good company of the Review, and it has cheered our hearts to read the glorious truths it contains. We give and lend most all we get, and they are doing a great deal of good. We want books and papers here. They will preach to the people at their homes.
I believe, from what I see and hear, that the image of the beast will soon be made. I think the Sunday question will soon be a political question. Above all, I believe it will not be many years before Jesus will come. Pray for us that we may all be ready when that day comes. Then we all can meet in that better land.
A. H. DANIELS
Sumner, Wis.
KEEPING THE SABBATH HOLY.
THE institution of the Sabbath is one in which the wisdom and goodness of God shine forth gloriously. The influence of the Sabbath is very happy upon those who faithfully keep it. In keeping the fourth commandment, as well as the others, there is great reward. God blessed the seventh day; that is, he designed to make it a blessing to mankind, or in other words, he designed that its observance should make mankind better, and therefore happier. The main design of the Sabbath was not to rest our wearied bodies (though it is properly called a rest), but to promote our moral improvement, and by this means our highest happiness. This sacred day affords us more time to meditate on God, and to study his word, and to engage in devotional exercises, than do the other days of the week. Such seasons well improved, are well adapted to promote communion with God, prepare us for usefulness here, and fit us to be partakers of the saints' inheritance. These seasons are sweet to the spiritual mind.
These being some of the blessed results of keeping God's rest-day, it appears important that we keep it just as God has directed us. The commandment commences, "Remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy." It should be remembered all through the week. Business should be arranged with reference to it. Especially should the sixth day be a time of preparing for God's day. Travelers should make calculations and give diligence to get to their destined places some time before the sacred hour arrives, so that if unexpectedly hindered somewhat, they may still get to their stopping places in time to be ready for the return of the Sabbath. All chores that possibly can be, should be done up beforehand. When the time comes, all our secular business must stop.
It requires much decision to keep the Sabbath holy. Sometimes business seems pressing; sometimes we have calls for various purposes; but we must be firm and unyielding, and say, No, to all who would wish to make the least bargain, or do the least business, or strive to draw us into secular conversation. We should say to all tempters, "I will keep the commandment of my God." Females should conscientiously inquire, how much, if any part, of sacred time may innocently be employed in cooking, washing dishes, &c.? Worldly business should be got out of the mind at the commencement of the Sabbath. "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh." We are forbidden to speak our own words on God's holy day. And if we call the Sabbath a delight, we will strive earnestly to lay all these cares and thoughts away, till the sacred season is past. Alas! how many professed Sabbath-keepers let their thoughts and words rove to the ends of the earth, almost. Yet in this they displease God, and fail to secure to themselves the rich blessings God wishes to bestow. The same principle of duty that would, on this day, prevent us from secular talk, would also keep us from reading scientific or other secular books or newspapers. The day should be given up to religious reading, meditation and devotion.
We should so arrange matters as far as possible as not to become over-fatigued with the labors of the week, and thus be unprepared for the enjoyment of the Sabbath. And we should so control our appetites, as also the temperature of our rooms, that drowsiness and lethargy of mind may be prevented which so often unfit people for that profitable meditation which is so much needed. And those having the care of children should study so to restrain them, and interest them in divine truth, and the praises of God as shall please him, and lead them to love God and call the Sabbath a delight. And when we attend religious meetings on this day, we should seek to wait on the Lord, and take care that we do not grieve the Lord by our talk before meeting, nor yet talk away all the good we get in meeting, after its close. May we so keep God's commandments that we may have right to the tree of life and enter through the gates into the city.
C. A. OSGOOD.
Rochester, Mich.
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A Revival Needed
By Editor
SUCH is the cry that is beginning to be raised in various parts of the land. As we hear it, we are led to inquire, What has become of the recent revival of 1858 which was claimed to be so unprecedented in its power and extent? Where are now its effects? We cannot wonder that they are nowhere to be seen, and that the state of things described below is fast following in its wake, when we reflect that in that religious movement the great national sin of this country, the villainy of slaveholding, was made a forbidden topic of prayer or exhortation. A revival truly is needed, but not of that sickly, hollow-hearted kind that will suffer its lips to be sealed at the beck of any class of sinners however high their influence or position, and become dumb at their bidding to any sin in the land. The following under the head of "A Revival Needed," we extract from an article in the American Missionary, of February, 1861:
"In no period of this country's history, or the history of the church in this land, was there more need of a general and thorough revival of religion than at the present time. Impiety stalks abroad with its brazen front; disunion boldly proclaims its treasonable schemes; the advocates and apologists of slavery utter from Southern, and even from Northern pulpits, their unscriptural and inhuman arguments; professors of religion applaud and circulate extensively pro-slavery discourses, and even apply to a Jewish Rabbi, to expound to a Christian community the Old Testament, in favor of slavery; the Sabbath is desecrated throughout the country; the religious press contains a deplorable amount of uncharitableness and error; civil war is openly threatened, by an influential portion of the South; the whole nation is assuming a warlike attitude, while the government is criminally supine. Strenuous efforts are made, for the sake of gain, an inglorious peace, and the perpetuation of the Union, on unrighteous principles, to hush the swelling voice of freedom, make suicidal compromises, give full sway to the iniquitous practice of slaveholding, to set at naught the 'higher law'—the law of God—and establish the 'lower law,' or the law of human expediency—of selfishness—and to deliver over this whole people to the dominion of the god of this world."
WESTERN TOUR.
By James White
We should be happy to meet Brn. Hull and Short-ridge at the appointments at Fairfield and Knoxville, Iowa, but must suffer the privation in consequence of home duties. We design to start on our Western tour in a week or two, and pass from Northern Illinois up through Wisconsin into Minnesota. On our return, the first of May, we may spend a week or two in Iowa.
JAMES WHITE.
A Visit to Greenville and Wright
By James White
We would say to the brethren at Greenville, Caledonia and Wright, that we are sorry not to be able to visit them till after we return from the West.
J. W.