BRO. SMITH : It has been about five months since my companion and myself commenced keeping the Sabbath of the Lord. Since that time we have been blessed in our family devotions and in secret; in short, whenever we come to God through Christ by faith and prayer, and ask him, we receive a blessing. I praise the Lord that I ever heard the present truth and was brought to see a beauty in it. I have studied the Bible for twenty-seven years, and searched diligently with a prayerful heart to find out the truths it contains : but I never was able to see it as I now see it. It is a new book. Instead of its being a book of darkness and mysteries, it is a book that lights up the pathway of the weary traveler. It points out his pathway through this dark and dreary world of sin; it gives him faith and hope that is like an anchor to the soul, sure and steadfast, that reaches to that within the vail. It also points out to the sinner his awful doom; not eternal life in torment, but eternal death in everlasting silence. "They shall be as though they had not been." Obd. 16. In short, it is a book to be desired. It contains all that is necessary for man's salvation, and what is not taught therein we are not bound to believe nor obey. What is taught therein I am determined, God being my helper, to obey every word of it. I love the Bible. I love its laws. I love to keep them. Religion is my theme, eternal life at Christ's right hand is my object. I want to see the inside of that city, the New Jerusalem, that shall soon descend from God out of heaven, that glorious home of the blessed.
I hail the weekly visits of the Review with pleasure on account of the truths it contains, and the glorious news it brings from brethren and sisters scattered abroad. This is a blessed privilege, to have an opportunity of talking to each other through the Review, but I see, by faith, a time when we shall not have to write to each other, but can talk face to face, and praise God where all tears shall be wiped away from our eyes, where sickness, sorrow, pain and death will never come, where the wicked shall cease from troubling and the weary be at rest.
O brethren and sisters, do we bring that day as near to us as we ought, or do we put it far away in the future? That day is near at hand; the signs are to be seen, the Scriptures are fast fulfilling, men saying, Peace and safety, scoffers asking, Where is the promise of his coming, many are becoming traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God, having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof. They will not endure sound doctrine, but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers having itching ears. They have turned their ears from the truth unto fables and though ever learning are never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. All these things portend the coming of Christ near at hand, even at the door. Let us look up and rejoice, for our redemption draweth nigh. Let us obey God and not the teachings of men.
Yours in hope of eternal life.
E. INMAN.
Hospitality Toward an Enemy
Hospitality is commanded to be exercised even towards an enemy when he cometh to thine house. The tree doth not withdraw its shade even from the wood-cutter.
Meetings in Northern Mich.
By J. B. Frisbie; S. W. Rhodes
Bro. Smith: We met the church according to appointment in Caledonia, where we trust our meetings were profitable. We dwelt most of the time on the importance of church order and union. Here we met Bro. Byington who went forward and baptized sixteen willing souls in obedience to Christ's command.
We then journeyed on to Wright, and found the church still increasing in numbers and prosperity in divine knowledge and practice. Last Sixth-day Bro. Rhodes baptized thirty-eight. We are in hopes that many more will soon go forward in this duty. As near as we can judge there are now some eighty-four keeping the Sabbath
in these parts, and others are convinced and being convinced that we have the truth on the Bible. We hope they will soon obey.
We are now giving a course of lectures in Chester, where a goodly number are interested. The opposition is strong and foolish. A Freewill Baptist Elder says he knows that we are the false prophets that we read of in the last days, showing great signs and wonders (referring to the chart) to deceive the very elect; and were going about like roaring lions seeking whom we may devour. He quoted some of the same scriptures that we did, and said that we said so. By this he knew we were false prophets. We told him that Moses said, the Bible says so.
J. B. Frisbie.
S. W. Rhodes.
Spiritualism.
By M. E. Cornell
This awful delusion is rapidly spreading over the world. We learn from different quarters that Spiritualists are openly advocating and practicing the "free-love" principles. Some of them deny this feature, but the evidence is too clear to be gainsayed. And this, according to Swedenborg, is what might be expected. He says, "Nearly the whole world of spirits is fanatical, and seeks nothing else but to teach and to lead. Striving even to possess the bodies of men, and loosen all the bonds of conscience, especially in respect to marriage."—Book of Human Nature, p. 299.
And Paul in his description of the last days speaks of a class which "creep into houses and lead captive silly women, laden with sins, led away with divers lusts." 2 Tim. iii, 6.
Again on page 321 he declares that angels of God do not possess the body as in the case of spirit manifestations.
Thus the admissions of Swedenborg are to the effect that modern Spiritualism is of Satan and his angels. In his work on Heaven and Hell, p. 577, he says:
"Wherefore as an angel thinks, wills, speaks, and acts from his own good, so does an 'infernal spirit' from his own evil, and to act from evil itself is to do so from all things which are in evil. Such wickedness then manifests itself as exceeds all belief. Thus I can certify that their wickedness is so great that it is hardly possible to describe even a thousandth part of it."
The Apostle speaks of some being taken captive by the devil at his will. 2 Tim. ii, 26. In the History of spirit manifestations in Philadelphia is the following:
"Many now in this city consult their guardian spirits with as much, yea more, confidence than they would a kind and experienced parent, and willingly yield to their suggestions and directions in all matters both great and small."
In the eighth chapter of Isaiah's prophecy, a time of seeking to "familiar spirits" is described. In the Spiritual Telegraph of Dec. 20th, 1856, is an account of its fulfillment. The writer says:
"I must refer again to the Guardian Spirit of our circle. He is always with us when we meet, and his language and deportment toward each one of us is that of a tried, intimate and familiar friend. As such we regard him, aye, and devotedly love him."
Thus according to their own testimony they are the veritable 'familiar spirits,' or 'spirits of devils,' that were to come in the last days. Spiritualists claim that because the spirits say some good things and do some good works, they cannot be the spirits of devils. But if this reasoning is good, why was the apostle Paul grieved with the woman that was possessed with a spirit of divination, and followed him many days, crying, "These be the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation." Acts xvi, 16-18. Was not this testimony true? Then why should Paul be grieved and cast out such a spirit? Evidently because he knew the spirit was acting upon the principle of doing good that evil might come; that he was only sugar-coating some abominable error to mar the cause of truth. Satan has always worked on this plan; mixing in enough of truth to allay suspicion, and then give enough of error to destroy.
On this point Tupper says:
"Error is a hardy plant; it flourishes in every soil;
And if error cometh in like a flood, it mixeth with streams of truth,
And the Adversary loveth to have it so, for thereby many are decoyed.
The sinner toying with witchcraft thinketh to delude his fellows;
But there be very spirits of evil, and what if they come at his bidding;
He is a bold bad man who dareth to tamper with the dead;
For their whereabouts lieth in a mystery."
M. E. CORNELL.
Christ's Spiritual Coming.
By Editor
The idea that the coming of Christ is a spiritual event, upon which the popular teachers of the present day so often and gladly dwell, is well treated in the following extract which a brother has had the kindness to preserve and hand in for the benefit of the readers of the REVIEW:
"Further, the idea of a spiritual coming of Christ, when an absolute coming is intended, has no foundation. A spiritual coming evidently supposes a spiritual absence, which is contrary to fact. Spiritually, the Lord Jesus has been with his saints from the beginning. He promised to be with his ministers to the end of the world. See Matt. xxviii, 20. In a similar manner is he with all his saints. John xiv. And since, in this sense, he is and has been with his people, and since in the prophecy an absolute coming to take the kingdom is predicted, it is in the highest degree absurd to talk of a spiritual coming. This all must see and admit."
Tent Meeting at Bowling Green, Ohio.
By John Norton Loughborough; T. J. Butler
Our tent-meeting at Bowling Green has just closed, having continued seventeen days, during which time twenty-three discourses were given on different points of present truth. Our attendance was not large, but our hearers as far as they did attend were attentive for the most part.
A bitter tide of opposition was raised against us by the sects of the place, and every effort was made by them to suppress the hearing of the truth. In the first place, before the meeting commenced, a proposition was made for all the church members to enter into a combination and pledge themselves to one another not to attend the meeting. Some, however, refused to be caught in such a snare, and when we came with the tent, out they came to hear. The Methodists found they had got to take some course to keep their members away, so they sent to Gilboa for Eld. Shannon, to hold opposition meetings. This did not mend the matter; for in his attempts to oppose us he manifested a spirit that led some of their own members to declare him in the wrong, and they would hear him no more. His coming, instead of causing the interest in our meetings to abate, stirred up anew an interest that continued till our meetings closed.
About twenty have made a start to obey the truth, as the result of this meeting. Others are convinced of the truth, and we trust they will soon commence to walk in the path of obedience to God. Thirty-one were baptized during this meeting. About two-thirds of them embraced the truth under Bro. Holt's labors last Winter.
Bro. Holt gave two discourses during the tent-meeting, and met with us again on his return from Bass. He seemed much encouraged to labor on in this cause. He informed us that some five or more came out on the truth while he was in Bass. Our social meetings in the tent have been interesting, and in them the brethren have been strengthened to lay by filthy habits that defile the flesh. Others found it blessed to step aside from human organizations, which are combinations for mutual aid, (secret societies,) and trust in God.
We feel encouraged to labor on, and trust the churches in Ohio will remember for us the request that Paul made of his brethren, "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints: and for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel." Eph. vi, 18, 19. From this place we design to move south-east where the way may seem to open.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
T. J. BUTLER.
Bowling Green, Ohio, July 5th, 1858.
Rules for Correspondents.
By Editor
To insure correctness in the business transactions of this Office, we are induced again to lay before our correspondents a series of rules, to which we hope they will pay particular attention, when writing to this Office.
1. Be careful to make a distinction between matter for publication and matters of business. If you have occasion to write for the paper, and on business at the same time, put the business matters on a separate leaf, or on a part of the sheet that can be easily torn from the other. The reason for this is, we wish to file away and preserve for future reference all business letters; but if business matters are mixed up with copy for the REVIEW, which in due time after publication, goes to the moles and bats, they are liable to be overlooked and so lost.
2. Be careful to write all names of persons and places with the utmost distinctness.
3. When you write on business for yourself, always give your Post Office, County and State. If the business is for others, give their Post Office, County and State. When a Town or Village is called by one name, and the Post Office by another name, always give the name of the Post Office. It will do us no good to know what town a person lives in, if the Post Office where he receives his paper goes by another name. Always state in whose name the paper is sent.
4. Our terms allow a person to send the paper as a donation to their friends at half price. Therefore persons sending money in behalf of others, should be sure to state from whom the money comes, and whether the paper is expected at half price. This will save us much perplexity in giving credit.
5. When the direction of a paper is to be changed, never think of such a thing as omitting to name the Office where it has formerly been sent. We want the Office it is changed from, as well as the one it is changed to.
6. Preserve these rules, and when about to write to this Office, read them over at least once very attentively; and then
7. Let us hear from you often.
Business Items.
By Editor
J. H. W.:—What about those extracts from "Death not Life?"—G. W. A.
A. R. Kelsey—If the jewelry is such in size and quantity as could be safely sent by mail, you may send it to this Office, and we will dispose of it, and apply the proceeds as you direct. Or, a better way would be for you, if you can, to dispose of it in your neighborhood and send the money.
S. Nichols:—Some of the Nos. of the REVIEW since the commencement of the Synopsis are exhausted; we cannot therefore furnish full sets to all those you name.
A. S. Gillett:—The types gave a wrong credit in the paper; it is all right on book.
R. Holland:—Some of the Nos. of this Vol. are exhausted. We send what we have and credit from the present time.
Receipts.
By Editor
Annexed to each receipt in the following list, is the Volume and Number of the 'Review and Herald' to which the money receipted pays. If money for the paper is not in due time acknowledged, immediate notice of the omission should then be given.
FOR REVIEW AND HERALD.
J. N. Loughborough (for M. J. Chapman) 0.50,xiii,8. E. Payne 1.00,xiii,1. A friend (for O. G.) 1.00,xiv,8. C. Miles 2.00,xii,1. M. G. Kellogg 1.00,xiii,1. R. R. Jones 1.00,xiv,9. S. B. Southwell 1.00,xiii,1. B. B. Redfield 0.25,xii,21. J. K. Ensley 0.25,xii,21. Wm. Kimble 0.25,xii,21. C. Hemenway 0.25,xii,21. H. Seely 0.25,xii,21. M. Axford 0.25,xii,21. H. Brunley 0.25,xii,21. J. Dusing 0.25,xii,21. Dr. E. Spaulding 0.25,xii,21. M. Frank 0.25,xii,21. A. W. Lunderman 0.25,xii,21. C. R. Austin 2.00,xiv,1. E. Mugford 2.00,xiii,1. E. Pike 1.00,xiv,6. H. Barr 1.00,xiii,1. Eleazer Dunham 0.50,xiii,14. W. E. Landon 1.00,xiii,1. Mrs. S. Eastman 1.00,xiii,1. S. Newton (for A. Newton) 1.00,xiv,9. A. Bates 1.00,xiii,9. L. M. Howland (for M. A. Sylvester) 1.00,xiv,11. Wm. W. Lockwood 1.00,xiii,14. L. Bean (for S. R. Nichols) 1.00,xv,1.
FOR FRENCH TRACT.
Roseltha C. Loveland $1. H. Bingham $25.
FOR POWER PRESS.
A. L. Burwell $30. G. S. C. $10. L. Bean $3,24.
FOR MICH. TENT.
G. S. C. $10.
FOR HOLLAND TRACT.
S. Runery $1. H. Bingham $25.
BOOKS TO THE POOR.
By Editor
Under this head we have received donations as follows: J. F. Carman, Wm. Bryant, a Friend, each $1. A. Palmer, L. Babcock, A. R. Morse, a Friend, each 50 cts.
On this account we have distributed books, to J. V. Weeks, N. T., to the amount of 50 cts.; to J. H. W., for the Norwegians, &c., $3.00; to M. B. Czechowski $1.10; to G. W. States, Mich., 40 cts.