Review and Herald, Vol. 35, No. 11. (3/1/1870)

Review and Herald

Mar 1, 1870

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 1, 1870

OUR FAITH AND HOPE;

By James White

Or, Reasons Why We Believe as We Do.

NUMBER FOURTEEN—THE SANCTUARY.

BY ELDER JAMES WHITE.

“Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot? And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.” Dan. 8:13, 14.

We have seen that the earth is not recognized in the sacred Scriptures as God’s sanctuary, that the church is not his sanctuary, and that the land of Canaan is not the sanctuary. The definition of the word is, “A holy place.”—Walker. “A sacred place.”—Webster. “A holy or sanctified place, a dwelling-place of the Most High.”—Cruden. A dwelling-place for God. Ex. 25:8. Neither the earth, nor any portion of it, has been such a place since sin found its way into Eden.

The word sanctuary is used in the Bible one hundred and forty-six times, and not in a single instance does it apply to the earth, the land of Canaan, or the church. In one hundred and thirty-seven times it refers to two things, and only two: first, the sanctuary which was the center of the Jewish system of worship; and, second, the sanctuary of which Christ is the minister in Heaven. There are nine instances where the word sanctuary does not refer to the sanctuary of the Lord. In one text it is said that “Judah was his sanctuary.” Ps. 114:2. The Lord of hosts “shall be for a sanctuary.” Isa. 8:14. Moab had a sanctuary. Isa. 16:12. God is a little sanctuary. Eze. 11:16. The king of Tyre had sanctuaries. Eze. 28:18. There were heathen sanctuaries. Dan. 8:11; 11:31. The “king’s chapel,” margin, sanctuary. This was a rival sanctuary. Amos 7:13. See verse 9, where the sanctuaries, plural, of Israel are named. In these nine texts the word sanctuary does not refer to either the earthly sanctuary or to the heavenly; but in all these instances it derives its name from the sanctuary of the Lord.

The sanctuary of the Bible is the habitation of God. It includes, first, the tabernacle pitched by man, which was the pattern of the true; and second, “the true tabernacle which the Lord pitched and not man.” The tabernacle erected by man, as a pattern of the true, embraced, first, the tabernacle of Moses, second, the temple of Solomon, and, third, the temple of Zerubbabel. The true tabernacle of God is the great original of which Moses, Solomon, and Zerubbabel erected “figures,” “patterns,” or “images.” We trace the pattern of the true from the time it was erected by Moses, until it was merged into the larger and more glorious pattern which Solomon caused to be established. We trace this building down to the period when it was overthrown by Nebuchadnezzar, and suffered to remain in ruins through the Babylonish captivity. And from the time that Zerubbabel rebuilt the sanctuary, we trace the history of the pattern until we reach the true tabernacle, the great sanctuary of Jehovah in Heaven.

We gather our first instruction respecting the sanctuary from the book of Exodus. In chapter 24, we learn that Moses went up into the cloud that enshrouded the God of Israel, upon the mount Sinai, and that he was there forty days. It was during this period that the building of the sanctuary was explained to Moses, and the pattern of it shown to him in the mount. Heb. 8:5. The next chapter commences with the commandment to erect the sanctuary: “And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. According to all that I show thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.” Ex. 25:8, 9.

We have learned several important facts: (1) The sanctuary was the habitation of God. It was erected for this express purpose, that God might dwell among his people. And Moses had his eye upon this habitation, or sanctuary, in that very chapter in which he is supposed by some to teach that the land of Canaan is the sanctuary. “He is my God,” says Moses, “and I will prepare him a habitation.” Chap. 15:2. It is plain that even then Moses understood the difference between the habitation of Jehovah, and the place of its location. (2) The sanctuary which God commanded Moses to erect, was the tabernacle. The tabernacle of witness was the sanctuary of God. (3) Moses was solemnly enjoined to make the sanctuary and all its vessels according to the pattern showed to him in that place. Hence, we are now to have a model of the habitation of God set before us.

In the plan of the sanctuary, its walls on the north, the west, and the south sides, were formed of upright boards set in sockets of silver. Five bars running the length of the sides, and passing through rings in the boards, joined them all together. And the whole was overlaid with gold. The sanctuary was covered with four different coverings. The east end was closed by a veil, or hanging, called the door of the tent, or tabernacle. A second veil divided the tabernacle into two parts, called the holy place, and the holiest of all. Chap. 26:1–29, 31–37; 36:8–38; Lev. 16:2; Heb. 9:3.

The vessels of the sanctuary were all made after the pattern which the Lord showed to Moses. Ex. 25:9, 40. They were as follows: (1) The ark. This was a chest about four feet six inches in length, and about two feet six inches in width and height, overlaid with pure gold, within and without. This was made for the express purpose of containing God’s testament, the ten commandments. Chap. 25:10–16, 21; 31:8; 32:15, 16; 37:1–5; Deut. 10:1–5; 1 Kings 8:9; 2 Chron. 5:10; Heb. 9:4. (2) The mercy-seat. This was the top of the ark. On either end of it stood a cherub, the cherubim and the mercy-seat being one solid work of beaten gold. Ex. 25:17–22; 37:6–9; 26:34; Heb. 9:4, 5. (3) The altar of incense. This was overlaid with gold, and was about three and a half feet in height, and nearly two feet square. It was for the purpose of burning incense before God. Ex. 30:1–10; 37:25–28; Luke 1:9–11. (4) The golden censer. This was used to burn incense before the Lord, particularly in the holiest. Lev. 10:1; 16:12; Heb. 9:4. (5) The candlestick, with its seven lamps, was one solid work of beaten gold, about the weight of a talent. It was made after the express pattern shown to Moses. Ex. 25:31–40; 37:17–24; Num. 8:4. (6) The table of show-bread. This was about three and a half feet in length, two and a half in height, and two in width. It was overlaid with pure gold, and on it show-bread was always kept before the Lord. Ex. 25:23–30; 37:10–16; Heb. 9:2. (7) The altar of burnt-offering. This was about nine feet square, and nearly five and a half in height. It was overlaid with brass, and was, as its name implies, used for the purpose of offering up sacrifices to God. Ex. 27:1–8; 38:1–7. (8) The laver. This was made of brass and contained water for the use of the priests. Chap. 30:18–21; 38:8. The court of the tabernacle was one hundred cubits in length, by fifty in breadth, and five cubits, or about nine feet in height. Chap. 27:9–16; 38:8–20.

Moses erected the sanctuary. He reared up the tabernacle, and set up its boards in the sockets of silver, and united them together by the bars, and spread over the whole, the covering of the tabernacle. He then placed the testimony in the ark, and set the mercy-seat upon it, and carried the ark into the tabernacle. Chap. 40:17–21. He then hung up the veil in front of the ark, and thus divided between the holy places. Verse 21; 26:33; Heb. 9:3. He placed the table without the veil on the north side of the holy place, and set the bread in order upon it. Verses 22, 23. He then placed the candlestick on the south side of the holy place, and lighted its lamps before the Lord. Verses 24, 25. He placed the golden altar before the veil in the holy place, and burned sweet incense upon it. Verses 26, 27. He set up the hanging for the door of the sanctuary, and he placed the altar of burnt offering at the door, and set the laver between the tabernacle and this altar, and around the whole, he set up the court of the tabernacle. Verses 28–33. The sanctuary erected for the habitation of Jehovah, Ex. 15:2; 25:8, is now ready to receive the King eternal.

“Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud overshadowed thereon, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.” Verses 34, 35. We now have found the habitation or sanctuary of the Lord. In the book of Exodus, Moses calls this building the sanctuary at least eleven times.

But do you ask for the testimony of the New Testament on this point? Then listen to Paul’s view of the sanctuary of the first covenant: “Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the show-bread; which is called the sanctuary. And after the second veil, the tabernacle, which is

called the holiest of all; which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; and over it the cherubim of glory, shadowing the mercy-seat.” Heb. 9:1–5; 13:11. It is settled, therefore, that we have the right view of this subject thus far, and that the tabernacle of God, and not the land of Canaan, was the sanctuary.

The worldly sanctuary was the pattern of the true. “After the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.” “And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was showed thee in the mount,” Ex. 25:9, 40. “And thou shalt rear up the tabernacle according to the fashion thereof, which was showed thee in the mount.” Chap. 26:30. “As it was showed thee in the mount, so shall they make it.” Chap. 27:8. “According unto the pattern which the Lord had showed Moses, so he made the candlestick.” Num. 8:4. “Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness as he had appointed, speaking unto Moses, that he should make it according to the fashion that he had seen.” Acts 7:44. “Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern showed to thee in the mount.” Heb. 8:5. “It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true.” Heb. 9:23, 24.

From these texts we learn two important facts: 1. We are many times certified that the tabernacle of witness was made according to the pattern which God showed to Moses. 2. That that pattern was a representation of the heavenly sanctuary itself. Heb. 8:2.

From Acts 7:45, we learn that the tribes of Israel carried the sanctuary with them into the promised land. In the book of Joshua it is called the house of God, or tabernacle; and we learn that it was set up at Shiloh. Josh. 9:23; 18:1; 19:51; Jer. 7:12. It is called the Lord’s tabernacle. Josh. 22:19. It is called “the sanctuary of the Lord.” Chap. 24:26. In the book of Judges it is simply called “the house of God,” located at Shiloh. Judges 18:31; 20:18, 26, 31; 21:2. In first Samuel it is termed the house of the Lord. Chap. 1:7, 24; 3:15. In chapters 1:9; 3:3, it is called “the temple of the Lord.” In chapter 2:29, God calls it “my habitation,” or tabernacle, margin. It still abode in Shiloh. Chap. 4:4.

We now pass from the shadow to the substance. The typical sanctuary gave place to the true.

1. The sanctuary of the first covenant ends with that covenant, and does not constitute the sanctuary of the new covenant. Heb. 9:1, 2, 8, 9; Acts 7:48, 49.

2. That sanctuary was a figure for the time then present, or for that dispensation. Heb. 9:9. That is, God did not, during the typical dispensation, lay open the true tabernacle; but gave to the people a figure or pattern of it.

3. When the work of the first tabernacle was accomplished, the way of the temple of God in Heaven was laid open. Heb. 9:8; Ps. 11:4; Jer. 17:12.

4. The typical sanctuary and the carnal ordinances connected with it, were to last only till the time of reformation. And when that time arrived, Christ came, an high priest of good things to come by a greater and more perfect tabernacle. Heb. 9:9–12.

5. The rending of the veil of the earthly sanctuary at the death of our Saviour evinced that its services were finished. Matt. 27:50, 51; Mark 15:38; Luke 23:45.

6. Christ solemnly declared that it was left desolate. Matt. 23:37, 38; Luke 13:34, 35.

7. The sanctuary is connected with the host. Dan. 8:13. And the host, which is the true church, has had neither sanctuary nor priesthood in old Jerusalem the past 1800 years, but has had both in Heaven. Heb. 8, 1–6.

8. While the typical sanctuary was standing, it was evidence that the way into the true sanctuary was not laid open. But when its services were abolished, the tabernacle in Heaven, of which it was a figure, took its place. Heb. 10:1–9; 9:6–12.

9. The holy places made with hands, the figures or patterns of things in the Heavens, have been superseded by the heavenly holy places themselves. Heb. 9:23, 24.

10. The sanctuary since the commencement of Christ’s priesthood, is the true tabernacle of God in Heaven. This is plainly stated in Heb 8:1–6. These points are conclusive evidence that the worldly sanctuary of the first covenant has given place to the heavenly sanctuary of the new covenant. The typical sanctuary is forsaken, and the priesthood is transferred to the true tabernacle.

But the most important question in the mind of the reader is this: How did Gabriel explain the sanctuary to Daniel? Did he point out to him the transition from the “figure” or “pattern,” to the “greater and more perfect tabernacle,” the true holy places? We answer, He did.

1. Gabriel explains to Daniel what portion of the 2300 days belonged to Jerusalem and the Jews: “Seventy weeks have been cut off upon thy people, and upon thy holy city.” Dan. 9:24. Whiting’s Translation. Then the whole of the 2300 days does not belong to old Jerusalem, the place of the earthly sanctuary, nor do they all belong to the Jews, the professed people of God in the time of the first covenant.

2. For in that period of 70 weeks, the transgression was to be finished, that is, the Jewish people were to fill up their measure of iniquity, by rejecting and crucifying their Messiah, and were no longer to be his people, or host. Dan. 9:24; Matt. 23:32, 33; 21:33–43; 27:25.

3. Gabriel showed Daniel that the earthly sanctuary should be destroyed, shortly after their rejection of the Messiah, and never be rebuilt, but be desolate till the consummation. Dan. 9:26, 27.

4. The angel brings the new covenant to Daniel’s view. “He [the Messiah] shall confirm the covenant with many for one week.” Dan. 9:27; Matt. 26:28.

5. He brings to Daniel’s view the new-covenant church, or host; viz., the “many” with whom the covenant is confirmed. Verse 27.

6. He brings to view the new-covenant sacrifice, viz., the cutting off of the Messiah, but not for himself. Verse 26. And also the Prince, or Mediator, of the new covenant. Verse 25; 11:22; Heb. 12:24. He brings to Daniel’s view the new-covenant sanctuary, and informs him that before the close of the 70 weeks, which belonged to the earthly sanctuary, the most holy should be anointed. That this “most holy” is the true tabernacle in which the Messiah is to officiate as priest, we offer the following testimony:

“‘And to anoint the most holy;’ kodesh, kodashim, the holy of holies.”—Adam Clarke. Dan. 9:24.

“Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people, and the city of thy sanctuary; that sin may be restrained, and transgression have an end; that iniquity may be expiated, and an everlasting righteousness brought in; that visions and prophecies may be sealed up and the holy of holies anointed.”—Houbigant’s Translation of Dan. 9:24.

The fact is plain, then, that of the vision of 2300 days concerning the sanctuary, only 490 pertained to the earthly sanctuary; and also that the iniquity of the Jewish people would in that period be so far filled up that God would leave them, and the city and sanctuary would soon after be destroyed, and never be rebuilt but be left in ruins till the consummation. And it is also a fact that Gabriel did present to Daniel a view of the true tabernacle, Heb. 8:1, 2, which about the close of the 70 weeks did take the place of the pattern. And as the ministration of the earthly tabernacle began with its anointing, so in the more excellent ministry of our great High Priest, the first act, as shown to Daniel, is the anointing of the true tabernacle or sanctuary, of which he is a minister. Ex. 40:9–11; Lev. 8:10, 11; Num. 7:1; Dan. 9:24.

It is, therefore, an established fact that the worldly sanctuary of the first covenant, and the heavenly sanctuary of the new covenant, are both embraced in the vision of the 2300 days. Seventy weeks are cut off upon the earthly sanctuary, and at their termination, the true tabernacle, with its anointing, its sacrifice, and its minister, is introduced. And it is interesting to notice that the transfer from the tabernacle made with hands, to the true tabernacle itself, which the Lord pitched and not man, is placed by Gabriel at the very point where the Bible testifies that the shadow of good things to come ceased, being nailed to the cross, Col. 2:14, 17; where the offering of bulls and goats gave place to the great sacrifice, Heb. 9:11–14; 10:1–10; Ps. 40:6–8; Dan. 9:27; where the Levitical priesthood was superseded by that of the order of Melchisedec, Heb., chaps. 5–7; Ps. 110; where the example and shadow of heavenly things was terminated by the more excellent ministry which it shadowed forth, Heb. 8:1–6; and where the holy places, which were the figures of the true, were succeeded by the true holy places in Heaven, Heb. 9:23, 24. In the first part of this article we saw that Gabriel did not explain the 2300 days and the sanctuary in Dan. 8. We now see that in Dan. 9 he explained both.

(To be continued.)

Seventh-day Adventists Emigrating to California.

BRO. ANDREWS: The brethren in the ministry in this State, as well as myself, are very often in the receipt of letters from brethren East, asking us to write them a description of the climate, soil, products, price of produce, price of, and demand for, labor of various kinds, in California. They also ask our advice about coming here, and what business they had better engage in if they come, and some wish us to tell them whether they will succeed or not. Some of these letters we have answered, others we hardly know how to answer. In view of the fact that the message is being proclaimed here, and that some of our brethren East think of coming here to live, I thought a few words through the Review might not be amiss.

About one-third of the State of California is mountainous, the remainder is valley and plain land. One great central valley is five hundred miles long, and from fifty to one hundred miles wide. There are several other smaller valleys among the Coast Mountains. The mountains cannot be cultivated. The soil in the valleys, near the streams of water, is very fertile; the plain land and foot hills is of a red gravelly formation, and is too poor to produce grain. This red land occupies one-third of the valleys. Nearly all the fertile valley land, that is near enough to market to be desirable, was granted by the Mexican government, in large tracts, to early settlers, and many fraudulent grants have since been gotten up to cover much of the same, and other portions, making it very difficult to obtain a good title. The grant holders ask a high price for their land, preferring to hold it rather than sell it for less than ten to twenty dollars per acre, for unimproved land. Good, farming land, fenced, and having small dwellings, is held at from twenty-five to one hundred dollars per acre. There is a great deal of government land; but it is far from market.

The fruits, grains, and vegetables, raised in this State, are unsurpassed; but our distance from the great markets keeps produce, of all kinds, at a low figure. Wheat, barley, and oats, are raised in all the valleys. Corn and potatoes do well in some places. Apples, pears, peaches, plums, cherries, apricots, nectarines, and berries of all kinds, flourish in all parts. Oranges, citrons, limes, olives, and figs, are raised in the southern part of the State, and in some other parts; also nuts of various kinds; but the grape is the great fruit of California, and does the best on the red land, where grain will not grow.

We have every kind of climate here. In the higher mountains the summers are cool, and the winters are very cold, with deep snow. In the great Sacramento Valley the summers are long, dry, and hot, but the winters are very pleasant, with but little cold. In the coast valleys the winters are the same, and the summers are kept cool by daily sea breezes. But above one-half of the year the weather is foggy. Fevers prevail in the Sacramento Valley, and the sea breezes are too bracing for those who have weak lungs, and the

fogs, in the coast valleys, generally prove fatal to consumptives.

The great want of California is farmers. The cities are too large for the country population. One-third of the population, and wealth of the State is to be found in San Francisco. Another third is in the other cities. All the cities are overrun with mechanics; and for the past two years, times have been getting hard. Money is scarce and brings a high rate of interest, from one and one-fourth to two per cent a month. Farm labor is worth from twenty-five to forty dollars per month. Mechanic's wages from two to four dollars per day. Any man or woman who is able and willing to work can always find something to do.

Now as to my advice about coming here. A man who has good judgment, and is economical, and energetic, can do well here. So he can where he is. One who is kept poor in the States, because he lacks these qualifications, will find that the same causes will produce the same result here. Therefore I see no reason why either of these classes should come to this State.

To the sick I would say, People sicken and die here, as well as in other places; and grave-yards are filled with those who have died at every age, and of every known disease. Ten years' residence and observation here have convinced me that the health of the people is much the same as in the older States. I have also observed that most of those who come here are homesick, and discontented for several years, and that many shift about from place to place until they spend all their means; and that nearly all who come find that their expectations are not met; for the time for making speedy fortunes here is past, the placer mines being all worked out, and the gold carried out of the State.

Some may think that our brethren are not wanted here; but this is not so. We need help, and would be glad to see men and women who fear God, and love his truth, and who are willing to make sacrifices for its advancement, come here. But we do not wish them to come deceived, thinking that they will better themselves very materially, in a worldly point of view. For while I acknowledge that California has its advantages of climate, produce, &c., I also believe that there are disadvantages which fully offset these, so that I do not see the propriety of incurring the expense of removal.

Some ask what business will pay best? Without doubt, the best paying business here, and what will be the great business of the people hereafter, is the raising of grapes, and making them into wine and brandy. But who that is looking for the Lord, wishes to engage in making liquid fire for people to drink?

To the sick I would again say, that there are a few afflicted ones who without doubt would recover their health by coming here; but I believe that the novelty of the change, and the new channel into which the minds of those who come here are thrown, has more to do in their recovery, than the change of climate; and that a proper observance of the laws of health, with cheerfulness of mind, would restore such where they are. And as to those who are past cure, I believe they would do far better to get near the Lord, and leave their cases in his hands, than to come to California.

I hope that all who contemplate coming here will remember the words of Paul, “Having food and raiment, let us be therewith content,” and “Godliness with contentment is great gain,” and that our blessed Saviour offers us “Gold tried in the fire,” that we may be rich. And then let them go to the Lord, and such of their brethren as have experience and good judgment, and who knows them well, and then follow their advice.

M. G. KELLOGG.

Santa Rosa, Cal., Feb. 6, 1870.

I indorse the above remarks of Bro. Kellogg as a caution against promiscuous moving of brethren to California. I have never encouraged this, and never shall; though I once suggested that a few families of experience, coming in to hold points, etc., as the way would open, would be very beneficial to the cause, as well as a saving of precious time and strength to laborers in this State. I meant this—no more, no less. And my mind has not changed. I have ever been strongly opposed to brethren's colonizing. Such as do this become shut up to themselves and to worldly interests, make trials for themselves and for others, and hinder the cause instead of advancing it.

And again, better, far better, have none of the brethren to come from the East, than to have those come who are not of the right stamp, who either come mainly to better themselves temporally, or who have not the proper natural qualifications to connect themselves with so important a work. If God ever calls any to come to California, he will call those who have earned themselves a reputation in the cause, those of well-balanced minds, who can bear their own weight in the world and in the church, who do not need to be constantly bailed, and yet are prepared to make allowance for those newly come to the faith. Such are generally reluctant to come, while those who have not these qualifications are often the very ones who think they ought to come. The duty of such is to stay in connection with some church who can serve as a prop to them on those points in their organization and experience in which they are deficient. They can also be of use in such churches.

Thus far we have not suffered much for want of proper help. We could not have found room for more than one or two families. Bro. Kellogg has come among us of late, and proves to be a great help to the cause as a Christian physician, as well as a helper of the companies already raised. We hope the way will soon open for him to help in new fields. In the meanwhile I would remind the brethren in California that Bro. Kellogg was sent from the East by the General Conference to help in the work. His lectures on health as a Christian physician should be appreciated. We are glad that he reports a good time at Healdsburg last Sabbath and Sunday. May those in other places give him similar encouragement, and thus manifest an appreciation of help sent them.

Those who think that California is a kind of modern paradise are mistaken. It has its advantages over many other countries in fruit, mildness of climate, etc., and on some spots of ground, wheat has been known to produce as high as a hundred-fold; yet the curse is felt here as well as elsewhere. According to recent statistics from Washington, for the past six years there has been, in the three best wheat-growing portions of California, a gradual decrease in the wheat crops from an average of thirty-five, to an average of eighteen, bushels to the acre. Again, it is generally conceded that by the laws of adaptation, when we have been here one or two years, we feel the cold as much at night and in the winter as we do in the cold winters East with clothing suitable thereto.

Again, there are more cases of insanity in this State, arising from disappointment in worldly matters, than there are in any other country, there being over 800 in the State Insane Asylum at Stockton, besides several in other asylums. And again, there is more moving in this State—starting farms and leaving them with vacant houses, to go into other portions of the State, and then returning, than I ever saw in any other country. To illustrate: in that part of this township where we commenced holding meetings a year ago the present month, between twenty and thirty families have moved away, most of them to the southern part of the State, where they are now suffering terribly from the drought, where cattle, and sheep, etc., are dying by hundreds and by thousands, and from whence many are now returning to this part of the State. In the great drought in this State eight years ago, one man offered 7000 head of cattle at 50 cents a head, but could not dispose of them; and one man alone lost 50,000 head from starvation.

While we would be thankful for favors enjoyed in this part of the world, may we all realize that we are pilgrims on this earth, that time is short, and that we should be transferring our interests to the fifth kingdom. May God also move on the hearts of the modern Aquilas and Priscillas to help in his cause, whether at home or abroad, as he shall direct. I repeat, I have no heavy burden in advising our brethren East to rush to California, though I view this as an important field. It would not be wisdom, or for the good of the cause, to import all our help. We want to give the brethren here a chance to grow by exercise and taking responsibilities as they can bear them, that the Lord may work for them also. Pray for us.

D. T. BOURDEAU.

Brief Thoughts.

By Jos. Clarke

WHEN we consider the great advantages to be gained by prayer, by meditation, by reading the word of God, by doing the will of God, it seems wonderful that all do not practice each of these things, to their fullest extent.

Christ says, Go, work in my vineyard. He has no drones in his hive: if you would prove yourself his, harness yourself for work.

You are severely stung, when one whom you have signally helped, plays a double, a traitor's part with you; does not God feel when you play this wicked game before him?

Of all who possess the principle of love to God, no one knows the strength, or the weakness of this principle, in himself, until it is tested.

Children and uneducated people sometimes misunderstand you; therefore be very explicit, lest you lose your labor.

Very great events require longer notice than less important ones; cease then to wonder at the echoes from century to century, of the coming advent.

No lunatic is more beside himself in his peculiar way, than the world are upon spiritual matters.

God's people are a discerning people; if you would help to call them out of Babylon, you must be a child of God in every sense of the word, or they will suspect and avoid you.

If you would be useful to the extent of your ability, consecrate all; then act yourself. Do not assume the style of another, however faultless he may be: a genuine human face, however homely, is infinitely better than the most beautiful mask.

Envy singles out the most precious gems for its objects of attack.

He who does wrong because he is suspected of wrong, adds silliness to guilt.

Men would see the evil of Satan’s deception, if he would attempt to pervert a mathematical principle, or introduce confusion on questions of commerce. But his perversions of theological principles are unnoticed, because present selfish interests do not apparently suffer by them; thus they pass unnoticed until they become respectable from age; then these perversions become venerable.

It often happens, that men's severest hardships, trials, and privations, become their stepping-stones to improvement and usefulness.

Paul feared lest he might become a castaway; this was a wholesome fear, stimulating him to exertion: not a dread of falling, causing unsteadiness and precipitation.

A very bad idea may be expressed in a beautiful handwriting, or a very good idea may be indicated through a very bad handwriting. So of character; a polished exterior may cover a vile heart, and vice versa; yet this does not excuse a neglect of penmanship, nor does it discourage good manners.

Guilt creates uneasiness and nervous irritation, while innocence quiets the nerves, and gives an invitation to the angel of peace.

A corrupt heart retains evil, and rejects good, thus cursing the memory; while a pure heart retains the good and rejects the bad, thus blasting the memory. This principle accounts for the fact, that Christianity is, and always has been, intelligent; while irreligion has always tended to ignorance and poverty.

JOS. CLARKE.

Convenient.

By S. W. HICKOK

Not long since, a lecturer in giving a description of the Holy Land, or Palestine, to which he had made a visit, stated that there were telegraphs in operation from Jerusalem to different countries. At this point, says the one who published his lecture, he made a beautiful allusion to the coming of the Saviour, and how convenient the telegraph to announce his advent. What next? Where will vagaries find an end with those who believe in the temporal millennium, and age-to-come? S. W. HICKOK.

Grace in Times of Trial

If there were no trials to endure, the grace of God would be quiescent, and like a standing army in time of peace.

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