Earlier text: THE SOUNDING OF THE SEVEN TRUMPETSTHE LAW OF GOD THE ONLY RULE OF JUDGMENT.
By John Harvey Kellogg
Our opponents claim a wide distinction between the Law and the Gospel, and so do we. But they further claim that the Gospel is now the sole rule of duty, and will be the rule of future judgment. This we deny. We hold that the Law is the rule of duty, and the Gospel the means of justification. A rule of right will of course point out wrong, and as, "by the Law is the knowledge of sin," the Law is that rule. The Gospel is the remedy for sin. But the mediation of Jesus Christ will cease, and the question arises, By what rule will those be judged who have neglected or refused to avail themselves of the justification offered in the Gospel? Paul to the Romans gives direct testimony on this point. It will be noticed that verses 13-15 of chap. ii are enclosed in parentheses. Webster defines parenthesis, "A sentence, or certain words in a sentence, which interrupt the sense or natural connection of words, but serve to explain or qualify the sense of the principal sentence." In this case the explanation is in regard to the knowledge of the Law by the Gentiles. Bullion's Grammar says, "Parentheses include a clause inserted in the body of a sentence, in order to convey some useful or necessary information or remark, but which may be omitted without injuring the construction of the sentence." In this chapter the "natural connection" is between verses 12 and 16, as the intermediate verses being parenthetical, "may be omitted without injuring the construction of the sentence." These verses, 12, 16, read thus: "For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law; and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; in the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel." This testimony is as direct and explicit as language could be framed, and is overwhelming to the position of our opponents. It is most decisive as it introduces both the Law and the Gospel, and shows their relation. The facts stated are these: 3. The world will be judged by the Law. There is no scripture representing the Gospel as the rule of judgment. It does not say that "by the Gospel is the knowledge of sin," or that "sin is the transgression of the Gospel." The Gospel became necessary because of the transgression of the Law; and those who avail themselves of its benefits are justified, or presented faultless before God, as if they had never transgressed the law, while those who reject its provisions are judged and condemned by the Law for their transgressions the same as if there had been no offer of pardon through the Gospel, with this increase of guilt, that with their persistent rebellion against the government of God they have treated the offering of his Son, and the offer of pardon through him, with contempt. J. H. W. Cottrell’s Church Visits and Reports
By Roswell F. Cottrell
BRO. SMITH: Since leaving Battle Creek I called on the church at Burlington, where I staid one night. Had an agreeable meeting in the evening with such as could be called together on a short notice. I tried to exhort them, in the language of the Apostle, to be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. I hope I shall be able to heed this exhortation myself. I am confident that those who do so will soon realize that their labor is not in vain in the Lord. We next called on Bro. and Sr. Taber, at Homer. Found them growing in the truth. It was pleasant, indeed, to spend a few hours with them, who from their loneliness seemed to prize very highly a visit from those of like precious faith. Though strangers to each other, we felt that strangers and foreigners are made nigh by the blood of Jesus. May the Lord bless these dear friends, and lead them all the journey through to the City of God. I have now been in Hillsdale five days, and preached four discourses, one of which was at a funeral. The friends of the deceased seem favorably disposed towards the truth, though not connected with the church. I hope they may take a decided stand with the remnant of God's people. Yesterday the church met to try to remove some trials that have burdened them for some time past. The Spirit of the Lord was present to help. Confessions were made of wrongs that have existed, and explanations made where there had been misunderstandings, and all resolved to press on together towards the kingdom. May the Lord help them to press together, and keep the Enemy out, and keep the unity of the Spirit and the bond of peace. I thank the Lord for the happy result of this meeting. This morning we met to attend to baptism; and, after a few remarks on the design of the institution, we went to the water and three were planted in the likeness of Christ's death. May they be enabled to walk in newness of life by keeping the commandments of God. This evening we are to meet again, and to-morrow I expect to proceed on to Ohio. R. F. C. LET me say, dear brethren and sisters, that our entire dependence upon God for wisdom and strength, to stand amidst the increasing perils of the last days, and the responsible work in which we are engaged, should lead us to the closet often, to commune with, and seek instruction from, the Lord. By the devout child of God the place of secret prayer is much beloved. The spot where he has so often been refreshed by the presence of the blessed Saviour, lives in lively remembrance in his heart; and with the writer of the following lines he can say,69
"I love to steal awhile away,
From every cumbering care,
And spend the hours of setting day
In humble, grateful prayer.
"I love in solitude to shed
The penitential tear,
And all his promises to plead,
Where none but God can hear." But it is not in the hours of setting day alone that the humble, faithful follower of the great Head of the Church finds sweet pleasure in spending in secret devotion; but he delights to visit some spot of retirement several times a day, to enter into audience with the Giver of every good and perfect gift; for he forgets not the soul-inspiring promise, "And thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly." On the frequency of private prayer, we give the following excellent remarks from the pen of another: "The Scriptures do not give express directions how often we ought to pray, farther than by general intimations and the examples of others. We ought always to be in the spirit of prayer. But we are speaking now of stated seasons for retired prayer: and of this we say, that at the least you ought regularly to pray twice every day. David says, It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O Most High; to show forth thy loving kindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night. Ps. xcii, 1, 2. In the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up. Ps. v, 3. And again, Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. Ps. cxli, 2. Morning and evening devotions, then, every day, should never be omitted; and, speaking generally, unless you are prevented by circumstances out of your control, they cannot be neglected without much damage to your soul. Prayer has been compared to a key, that in the morning opens the treasury of God's mercies, and in the evening shuts us up under his protection and safeguard. "Our first waking thoughts should be directed towards God: copying David's example, who says, When I awake I am still with thee. Ps. cxxxix, 15. I would advise you to be longest in your morning devotions, when your spirits are lively and vigorous, and undisturbed by the events of the day: in the evening, when you are tired and spent with its labors, be shorter, and endeavor to attend to this duty some time before you retire to rest. If your evening devotions are deferred till every thing else is done, there is great danger of their being often imperfectly performed, if not altogether omitted. "It is too generally found that many, instead of transacting their business with God while their faculties are alive, stay till exhausted nature is become incapable of any energetic exertion, and then hurry over some form of prayer, as the school-boy does his task, without feeling one word they utter. Even this is too favorable a representation of the prayers of some others, who stay till they have lien down upon their bed, and then fall asleep in the midst of their devotion. As for praying in the morning they have no time for that: the concerns of the past or of the present day, have pre-occupied their minds; and if they offer two or three cold petitions while they are dressing, or before they leave their room, they think this quite sufficient. "The habit of early rising is of great importance to the due discharge of morning prayer. O how many precious hours do indolent Christians lose; while those who are more self-denying and diligent, are gaining the favor of God and enjoying communion with him! "Regular devotional exercises, twice every day, in secret, are insisted on as a plain duty. More than this is strongly recommended. Christians in general would find, what many do find in their own practice, a great advantage in obtaining a few leisure moments for retired and stated prayer in the middle of the day. The word of God gives us encouraging examples of those who have done so. Evening, morning, and at noon-day will I pray, and cry aloud, and he shall hear my voice. Ps. lv, 17. Daniel, in a time of great danger, his windows being opened in his chamber, kneeled upon his knees, three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he aforetime did. Dan. vi, 10. Here was the secret spring of the eminency of these holy men. They were much in prayer. Besides, men's thoughts and affections will necessarily be most vigorous and lively about those things in which they are incessantly employed, and they are able to do that best which they do most frequently. This is very evident in the common affairs of life. Indeed, we see this to be the case, as in prayer itself our thoughts so continually run out after our daily and more constant occupations. "The devout Christian, praying in secret, makes rapid advances in the divine life. They that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. Sins, with which the indolent and careless Christian is contending to life's end, soon yield to continued, fervent prayer. Prayer gains for us that strength which enables us to surmount every difficulty, and removes every obstacle in our way to Sion. Are our affections towards God and Christ becoming cold? Prayer is a fire to which we must approach, and in doing so, we shall perceive a gentle warmth insensibly overspread us, and our benumbed powers will acquire fresh energy and vigor. "Thus the Christian often comes from his closet with some of the beams of heavenly light and glory, shining as it were in his countenance. Coming into the world is sometimes to him like coming back again into a lower sphere, into a new society. He has been holding converse with the unseen world, and he returns invigorated and refreshed for every duty. Our graces will languish and die, our spirits grow heavy and dull, unless we are refreshed and revived by constant communion with God." Says Kempis, "The more thou frequentest thy closet, the more thou wilt like it; the less thou comest thereunto, the more thou wilt loathe it. If, in the beginning of thy conversion, thou passeth much time in it, it will afterwards be to thee a dear friend, and pleasant comfort." All may find some place and time of retirement. "Poor persons, who have but one apartment, may enter into the spirit of this direction by praying wherever they can be retired. Isaac's closet was the field. He went out to meditate in the field at even-tide. Gen. xxiv, 63. David's closet was his bed-chamber. Commune with your own heart, upon your bed, and be still. Ps. iv, 4. Our Lord's closet was a mountain. When he had sent the multitude away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray, and when the evening was come, he was there alone. Matt. xiv, 23. Peter's closet was the house-top. Peter went up upon the house-top to pray, about the sixth hour. Acts x, 9. Hezekiah's closet was turning his face towards the wall and praying unto the Lord. Isa. xxxviii, 2." The author of the above extracts in his conclusion on secret prayer, says of the Saviour, "He devoutly referred every act of his life and ministry, his mission, his doctrine, his miracles, his sufferings, his resurrection, to the will and appointment of his Father. He encouraged a spirit of prayer in his disciples, by commanding them to pray, and by supplying them with a model of prayer. He sanctioned these encouragements to prayer by his own example; by going out into a desert to pray; by rising up early, and by continuing all night in prayer to God; by pouring out earnest and frequent addresses to his heavenly Father, as new exigencies arose; by his solemn intercessory supplication previous to his last sufferings; by his strong crying and tears during his agony; and by commending his soul to his Father as he expired on the cross. If the Saviour of the world thus prayed, and was heard, and carried through his stupendous work, can we have a stronger motive to abound in prayer?" The following lines beautifully express his practice:
"Cold mountains and the midnight air
Witness'd the fervor of thy prayer,
The desert thy temptations knew,
Thy conflict, and thy victory too." To those to whom God has committed the solemn and important work of bearing the shining light of the last message of mercy to this world, how proper and needful the exhortation of the Apostle, "But the end of all things is at hand; be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer." He who gains access to the throne of grace, whose secret cries and supplications the Lord hears and answers, will also prevail with God, and move his strong arm while he mingles his voice with others in prayer and praise. The Father’s Eye Is Upon You
In every place your Father's eye is upon you. "LOOK ON US."
By J. Dorcas
It is high time for us to awake, for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. If we indulge in a sleepy, drowsy state of feeling in these perilous times, let us be assured that we stand in great danger of losing our souls. The caption of this article may be found in Acts iii, 4; and it was spoken under very peculiar circumstances, it is true, and we have no doubt but that it aroused the feelings of the poor cripple. But he was not the only one that looked; for in the same verse it is said that Peter and John fastened their eyes upon him, and we have no doubt but that a considerable share of this lame man's interest (for it is said, "he gave heed unto them") was awakened by the wide-awake appearance of these two messengers of the all-seeing God. The result was, "a notable miracle." One would almost be ready to conclude sometimes while beholding a worshiping assembly, that the people, or many of them, had no use for their eyes in the service of God. It certainly would on many occasions, now, as well as in the days of the apostles, give strength and force to the preaching of the present truth, did the hearers give the necessary evidence that they were interested in the message. There is great power, either for good or evil, in the use we make of the eye. An Apostle, in enumerating many evils, mentions, "an evil eye." One look from the compassionate Saviour brought Peter to his feelings. Jesus, after listening to the young man's favorable account of himself, seeing his manner, that it was good, "beholding him loved him." And I fancy that the astonishment of the disciples, at Jesus' words, came with the piercing eye of Jesus when he "looked round about and said unto them, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God." Mark x. Do we wish to encourage our ministers? "Let us look on" them when they endeavor to make known to us the right ways of the Lord. Do you wish to discourage your minister? Then gap around with a vacant stare; give no heed to what he is saying. And, let the minister that would thrill words of warning or comfort to the hearts of his audience, like Paul, behold them earnestly. J. DORCAS. Resisting Anger and Seeking Peace
FIGHT hard against a hasty temper. Anger will come, but resist it stoutly. A spark may set a house on fire. A fit of passion may give you cause to mourn all the days of your life. Never revenge an injury. He that revenges knows no rest;
The meek possess a peaceful breast.
If you have an enemy, act kindly to him, and make him your friend. You may not win him over at once, but try again. Let one kindness be followed by another, till you have compassed your ends. By little and little, great things are completed. Water falling day by day,
Wears the hardest rock away.
The heart often feels what the tongue cannot utter; and the tongue often utters what the heart cannot feel. The tongue should always be the servant of the heart, not the heart the servant of the tongue. If the tongue cannot utter all that the heart feels, the heart can, and should feel all the tongue utters. To the truly wise, it is sacrificing little to relinquish the phantom which is called the world: they never dream that they lose much in forsaking it; for though it holds out hopes, it rarely fulfills them—though it promises peace, it never gives it—though it yields a few fleeting pleasures, they cost us more than they are worth. It is only the religion of Jesus that can meet our expectations, or give us peace, or guide us to happiness. The gospel, and only the gospel unites us to Christ, subdues our passions, controls our desires, fulfills our hopes, consoles us with the love of Jesus, and gives, even in sorrow, a joy that cannot be taken away. The discovery of what is true, and the practice of what is good, are the two most important objects in life. No evil is wholly evil. This is one of the bright gleams of light that stream in upon the nights—even the darkest. No evil is wholly evil. God’s Love and Contentment
When you are quite content to bear what God has laid upon you, he will soon remove it, or show you that it is a real blessing to you. The Lord's love is as free as the air; full as the ocean; boundless as eternity; immutable as his throne; and unchangeable as his nature. The Tried Gold and White Raiment.
By Francis Gould
I COUNSEL thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see." Rev. iii, 18. There are three important points that present themselves as a motive to faithfulness and duty, from the above scripture; namely, the tried gold, the white raiment, and eye-salve. 1. What constitutes the tried gold spoken of in the counsel of the faithful and true Witness? We understand that gold, when procured in its natural state, is alloyed with other substances, and in order to have it separated from all other combinations, it is tried, melted, purified by fire, and comes forth in all its perfection and refinement. Man in his fallen, sinful condition, may be compared to gold in its natural state; but God has made great and ample provision for the salvation, perfection and redemption of the human family; and when man complies with the conditions proffered him that are requisite to the same, he will come forth in a state of perfection, purified, made white and tried, and in a condition to be presented to the Father without spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing. But what is the process? The inspired Apostle gives a description of the work. "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise, and honor, and glory, at the appearing of Jesus Christ." 1 Pet. i, 7. The Apostle here produces the trial of faith as more precious than gold, through the endurance of which we are found at last surrounded with all the honors and glories of the kingdom of God. We are taught in the word of God that faith works by love, and purifies the heart, and overcomes the world. For whatsoever is born of God, overcometh the world, and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 1 John v, 4. We are led to conclude that faith, in its most active sense, is the great moral lever that moves the church, which actuates them to endure all the trials by the way, and gives them an abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. It is to be lamented that the honors, cares and riches of the world so often obscure our moral vision that the eye of faith ceases to look forward to the true riches promised in the gospel. The prophet Jeremiah, in looking over the sad and pitiful condition of the church, and their lack of faith in the promises of God, exclaims, "How is the gold become dim! how is the most fine gold changed! the stones of the Sanctuary are poured out in the top of every street. The precious sons of Zion, comparable to fine gold, how are they esteemed as earthen pitchers, the work of the hands of the potter!" Lam. iv, 1, 2. Again, some have curious ideas relative to faith. The apostle Paul gives the true definition in Heb. xi, 1. "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." This translation is incorrect, but the margin gives us the true, which is, ground, or confidence. Every one who understands the nature of faith, knows that faith is not the substance of a thing, for if it is, then we are enjoying in this life all there is for us; but the substance is yet future. In this world we have an hundred fold, but in the world to come life everlasting. Job may be brought as a witness, showing the unbounded confidence he had in God, and where his faith centered, which should be an example to us on whom the ends of the world are come. After Job had suffered many things from the hand of the Lord, such as destruction of property and children, and was smitten with sore boils, and above all, received a touching appeal from the wife of his bosom, his faith falters not, but he exclaims, "For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God." Job xix, 25, 26. But the counsel of the faithful and true Witness speaks loudly to us at the present time, to buy gold tried in the fire. We compose the Judgment church. It now appears in its last form on the earth, the dragon's voice is heard, and is about making war with the remnant of her seed which keep the Commandments of God and have the Testimony of Jesus Christ. We have thought we were rich, and increased with goods, and had need of nothing. Our faith has been dimmed by self-exaltation and self-righteousness, so that we have shut the Saviour from our hearts. Let us arise while the Saviour is knocking at our hearts and open the door that he may come in and sup with us and we with him. 2. What constitutes the white raiment? We see from the above that faith constitutes the tried gold spoken of. The white raiment stands as a connecting link by which faith is made perfect, and we look to other portions of the word of God which definitely show the second link brought to view in the counsel. What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works is dead, being alone. James ii, 14-17. Again, verses 21, 22. Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? It is said that the white raiment is the righteousness of saints. Very true. It is good works, as a result of active, living faith, that makes them such. It was not the preaching alone of a coming flood that condemned the antediluvian race, but by the building of the ark Noah condemned the world. It was not alone by having faith in, and preaching the doctrine that man's probation would close up in 1844, that we condemned this ungodly generation; but works, by which faith was made perfect, through which a class of people was called forth from the world, and the different sects, to be fitted up for translation. Says the faithful and true Witness, I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot. I would thou wert cold or hot. So then, because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Rev. iii, 16. Says the Saviour, Wherefore, by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Matt. vii, 20, 21. Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man which built his house upon a rock; and the rains descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house, and it fell not; for it was founded upon a rock. Verses 24, 25. May the Lord help us, in the language of the poet, "To do as well as say, And watch as well as pray," that we may be found entire wanting nothing. 3. What constitutes the eye-salve? Another connecting link thrown in as a necessary qualification by which to extricate ourselves from our blind and miserable condition. But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you; but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. 1 John ii, 27. This holy anointing is what takes hold of the perceptive faculties of the mind, and brings us into the place where we can have an understanding, and a true knowledge of God's will concerning us. This is effected by the Spirit of God. And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. 1 John v, 20.71 Again, Paul substantiates this fact very clearly: "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him; but God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit; for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God." 1 Cor. ii, 9, 10. We need much of the Spirit of God at the present time that we may be qualified to discern between truth and error, and between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not. May the Lord help us to overcome. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame and am set down with my Father in his throne. Rev. iii, 21. 'Tis sweet to think that he who tries
The silver, takes his seat
Beside the fire which purifies,
Lest too intense a heat,
Raised to consume the base alloy,
The precious metal too destroy. 'Tis good to think how well he knows
The silver's power to bear
The ordeal through which it goes;
And that with skill and care
He'll take it from the fire when fit,
With his own hands to polish it. 'Tis blessedness to know that he
The piece he has begun
Will not forsake, till he can see
The trying work well done—
An image by its brightness shown,
The perfect likeness of his own. But ah! how much of earthly mould,
Dark relics of the mine,
Lost from the ore—must he behold,
How long must he refine.
Ere in the silver he can trace
The first faint semblance of his face. Thou great Refiner! sit thou by
Thy purpose to fulfill;
Moved by Thine hand—beneath Thine eye
And melted at Thy will.
O may thy work forever shine
Reflecting beauty pure as Thine.—Sel. Offended Society.
By Sarah A. Hallock
SAID a Presbyterian minister not long since, "There was not a single Christian assembly gathered upon the Jewish Sabbath after the resurrection." Among other unkind and wicked assertions was this sentiment, "This Sabbatarian movement has done more to disturb society than any thing ever before introduced; however, offences must come, but woe unto him through whom they come." How far the "woe" pronounced upon us extends, the word of prophecy determines. "And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: and that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name." That the enemies of truth have ever been at war with its advocates is too true; but it seems to me that the dragon's ire is now rising to an unusual height. Indeed, if the truth were a person endowed with sensibility, I have no doubt the universal cry would be, Away with him, away with him; crucify him, crucify him! This was the cry of the Jews against him who declared himself to be the way, the truth and the life. Said he, "Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, nay; but rather division." In those days the truth, in the person of Jesus the Son of God, was a disturber of society, and "he that saith he abideth in him, ought himself also to walk even as he walked." By this I mean that Christians should arm themselves with the "sword of the Spirit," and contend earnestly for the faith which was once delivered to the saints; then like their Leader they will not give peace on earth, but rather division. Offences do indeed come, not through commandment-keepers, but through the children of disobedience upon whom the seven last plagues will soon be poured. This I infer from two reasons: first, "Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe unto that man by whom the offence cometh;" second, "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city." Is this a just conclusion? Then let us not fear the popular pulpit woes that are so abundantly showered upon us, but boldly stand with our faces Zionward, while we bind up the testimony and seal the law. Ulysses, Penn., June 24th, 1858. Contempt blunts the edge of a keen lampoon better than reason; railing is no creditable qualification, for who flings dirt, that has another weapon at command? It becomes my duty to announce to the friends of the cause the death of my dear mother, Anna M. Cory, who fell asleep in Jesus, June 8th, 1858, aged about 81 years. We feel to mourn her loss, but not as those without hope. She had been a member of the Christian Church over thirty years, when Eld. S. T. Cranston came to this place in March, 1854, and preached the Third Angel's Message. She immediately embraced it, and commenced keeping the Sabbath of the Lord. She rejoiced in the present truth, and often expressed a desire to live till the Saviour came, till she was confined to her bed; then she said, The Lord's will be done. Her disease was consumption. She suffered during the last three weeks of her sickness intensely, but bore it with resignation and patience. Often when I stood by her bed-side she would say, My time is almost up, my sufferings are almost over, I will wait patiently the Lord's time to remove me from this world of sorrow and affliction. She rests a short time, till the last trump shall sound. Then will she put on immortality and shout victory over death and the grave. M. C. TREMBLY.
Sanford, Mich. OUR little daughter, Lauretta L. Carter, died June 14th, 1858, aged 10 months and 12 days. Her sufferings for many days previous to her death were very great; but we believe she has endured her last suffering, for the word of God is plain that such children will have a part in the first resurrection. We mourn not as those that have no hope. It is comforting to us to know that in a little while that little body that was racked with pain will come forth made like unto Christ's glorious body. See Phil. iii, 21; Rev. xxi, 4. Bro. Z. Andrews delivered a funeral discourse from 1 Thess. iv, 18. “Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” A. G. CARTER.
A. A. CARTER.
Rubicon, Wis., June 26th, 1858. "Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another." BRO. SMITH: Bro. Z. Andrews has been a Sabbath-keeper for several years, but has not been willing to acknowledge the churches fallen until quite recently; therefore he labored with the Baptist church in Hartford, during the so-called revival last Winter, believing many of them would embrace the Sabbath. But when he presented the Bible testimony for the Sabbath, their deacon arose in a passion and said, there were many babblers in these last days; he did not think anybody could understand them, nor they understand themselves. Then others said they did not think it made any difference what day we kept, if we were only sincere. We quoted from Ps. lxxxix to prove that Christ's children should keep God's law which says the seventh day is the Sabbath. Beginning with verse 27 God says, I will make him my first-born higher than the kings of the earth. See Col. i, 15, 18-20. "Who is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of every creature. And he is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the first-born from the dead, that in all things he might have the pre-eminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell; and having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself, by him I say, whether they be things in earth or in heaven," proving this first-born to be Christ. But further, he is higher than the kings of the earth, which proves him to be Christ. Rev. xix, 16. For he is King of kings and Lord of lords. If his (Christ's) children forsake my law and walk not in my judgments, if they break my statutes and keep not my commandments; then I will visit their transgressions with a rod and their iniquity with stripes. Ps. lxxxix, 30-32, 34. My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips, shows that God will not alter his Sabbath to any other day of the week, (for it is the law he is here speaking of.) See Deut. v, 22. Moses says, after rehearsing the ten commandments, These words the Lord spake in the mount, out of the midst of the fire, of the cloud of the thick darkness, with a great voice; and he added no more: and he wrote them in two tables of stone and delivered them unto me. Here is plain testimony that it is the ten commandments. See also Matt. v, 17, 18. Think not that I am come to destroy the law or the prophets. I came not to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law till all be fulfilled. Here is certainly a long period of time before the smallest point in the law can pass. Not only the heavens and earth must pass away, but all the prophecies spoken of in verse 17 must be fulfilled. Jesus says, If thou wilt enter into life [eternal] keep the commandments. See Matt. xix, 16, 17. But on the contrary. In vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrine the commandments of men. And again, He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination. Yet with this plain testimony they would not believe. This has been a means of convincing Bro. A. and his family that the churches are fallen. We believe they will go with us in the present truth hereafter. I am still striving to overcome. A. G. CARTER.
Rubicon, Wis., June 26th, 1858. Encouragement for the Isolated Believer
By A. Yorty
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: I feel as though it would be a privilege to speak a few words through the Review to those situated as I am, alone, having no one to look to for instruction, no one of like precious faith to converse with upon the holy Sabbath. But the Review comes a welcome visitor laden with precious truths from the treasure-house. It is the only means I have of hearing or knowing anything of the Advent faith, and the trials and progress of believers in the present truth. I was much rejoiced when I heard that Bro. Waggoner was to pass through Wisconsin, hoping he would come this way and present the truth to a dying people; but as duty otherwise called him, I hope some other brother will come soon. I have many trials to pass through, but all that are faithful to God will soon meet their reward. We read in Rom. viii, 28, All things work together for good to them that love God. Do we realize that this precious promise is ours? How kind and compassionate is our heavenly Parent, to give us unworthy creatures so many sweet and soul-cheering promises as we find in his Word. Well did an all-wise Father know that we should be tried, and suffer in his cause, and at times be tempted to forsake him; but praise his holy name, he has in wisdom and love meted out to us many encouraging promises, some of which we can take hold of by faith in every emergency of life, knowing that he is faithful who hath promised, and knowing, too, that the Lord is not slack concerning his promise, but is long-suffering to us ward. My heart's desire and prayer to God is that I may through his almighty grace stand the fierce darts of persecution through which I am called to pass. Pray for me, my dear brethren and sisters, that I may at last meet you where parting will be no more. In this world are many snares and bitter persecutions to intercept our way, but let us have on the whole armor of God that we may be found clothed, and not naked, when Christ comes. Brethren, I often read of your conferences and meetings, and long to be there; but that privilege is denied me; but I do ask to be remembered in your prayers, that I may be kept from the temptations of this world. Your unworthy sister waiting for the coming of Christ.
A. YORTY.
Brandon, Wis., June, 1858.