THE position of the Advent Herald, relative to the 2300 days of Dan. viii, is certainly very unpleasant. The conductors of that paper have formerly maintained the connection between the 70 weeks and 2300 days, and those who disconnected the two periods have been considered by them, as departing from the "original Advent faith." The Herald has also ably and fully defended B. C. 457 as the period from which to date the 70 weeks. If both of these positions maintained by the Herald are correct, then the 2300 days terminated in 1844, as taught by the Review. But the Herald objects to this view of the subject, on the ground that the event placed at the end of the 2300 days did not occur. What is that event? Answer: "Then shall the Sanctuary be cleansed." Now is there scripture proof that the cleansing of the Sanctuary is the coming of Christ and the burning of the world? We can find none. If others can, we invite them to present it, and if they wish, we will publish it in the Review.
Bro J. N. Andrews, in his work on the Sanctuary and 2300 days, has given the scriptural view of the cleansing of the Sanctuary, which is in perfect harmony with the "original Advent faith." If the Herald would take this view of the subject, it would not be driven to the necessity of denying the connection between the 70 weeks and 2300 days. It would not now be tearing down what it once labored to build up. But while it rejects the harmonious view of this important question, it is poorly prepared to meet existing errors on definite time.
We give the following from the Herald of Nov. 26th, which gives some idea of the unpleasant position of the Herald, also the position of Edwin Burnham, one of the most influential Herald men.
Reply to "Remarks on the 2300 Years."
[THERE being in the following, an expression of dissatisfaction at our remarks respecting a former article, we shall refrain from any comments on it.—When there is manifested by any an unwillingness to the correction of historical, chronological or other inaccuracies, or to be met by arguments as terse and pointed as their own, we forbear any effort to enlighten them, however wide from the mark they may wander.—Ed.]
BRO. BLISS:—1. You say "we expected to make no comments" on the article I wrote on the 2300 days. Well, as I made no one responsible for it but myself, I did not expect it to be treated as it was.
2. You say "we learn that it is, preached in connection with Berick's time." No, not exactly; Berick preaches Christ will come in 1854; I preach that I believe he will come before the summer of 1856.
3. You tell us that the time between the vision of the eighth and ninth chapters of Daniel is 16 years. I have never yet found any vision, or "appearances," in the ninth chapter of Daniel, unless you make Gabriel himself a vision. And certainly he needed not to be explained! What if the visit in the ninth chapter was 16 years after that in the eighth? it matters not if it was 40 years. In the eighth chapter Gabriel explains the events of the vision, but where in the eighth chapter, or any where else, except in the ninth, is there any data given for the 2300 days? And what was the use of giving the length of the vision without giving any data? After Gabriel had given the explanation of the events of the vision in the eighth chapter, he told Daniel to "shut thou up the vision." I conclude Daniel did as he was told to. Thus he was left 16 years with only an understanding of the events of the vision, without an understanding of the data of it; in this time, among other things, he read "books." He, at length, set himself to fast and pray: while thus engaged Gabriel came to him about the time of the evening oblation. What did he say? Ans. "I am now come to give thee skill and understanding."
Understanding about what? Ans. THE VISION.—What vision? Ans. The one in which he had seen him at the beginning 16 years before. Why should we rend apart what God hath joined together? Some of our brethren in New York think you are "throwing away" "Father Miller's key"!!
4. You say Daniel, when he said none understood it, meant none but himself. He does not say none but himself. Why infer? If he did understand all of it why did Gabriel come for his words to make him understand THE VISION? He had never at this time had but two visions, that the Bible speaks of. Well, it could not have been the first one, recorded in the seventh chapter, because that he did understand (see Dan. vii, 16), so then it must have been the data of the eighth chapter vision.
5. You say that a man cannot be astonished at what he does not understand. A little to fast! Were not Belshazzar's lords astonished at the writing on the wall before they understood it? (See Dan. v.)
6. You labor to separate the seventy weeks from the 2300 days; how many more "strong points" of "the original Advent faith" are yet to be overturned? You did not object, a few days since, at the office, that they were connected, but said you thought they were 2400 years. Do you still think we have yet got to wait 100 years longer?
GOSPEL UNION.
Nothing can be more desirable than gospel union in the church of Christ. Jesus prayed that his people might be one, and the holy apostles have left the church many affectionate and stirring exhortations to seek for unity, and pure, fervent love for one another. "Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard; that went down to the skirts of his garments: As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion; for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore."
There are efforts frequently put forth to secure union among different denominations holding widely different sentiments; but such union is seldom permanent. We might here refer to union meetings of two or more denominations for the conversion of souls. The apparent union might last until the time came for the converts to be gathered into the churches. But the lambs of Christ must then be separated, and taught different man-made creeds. Church must be arrayed against church, and cold, party feeling arise in the breasts of those who so recently drank from the one pure fountain of love. Such union is not gospel union. And there can be no real gospel union without union of sentiment, interest and action. How instructive and impressive the prayer of our Saviour:
"Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; that they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us, that the world may believe that thou hast sent me." John xvii, 17-21.
Here Jesus prays that his people may be sanctified through the truth. What is truth? The answer is given in his prayer, "Thy word is truth." Truth is a unit. It flows in one strait, even channel, and not in some six hundred and sixty-six, to suit the many religious associations. The word of God is not yea and nay; that is, yea, it is so, and nay, it is not so; but it is yea and amen. It was the design of Heaven that the church should share the Comforter fully—be led into the plain testimony of the word of God, and consequently, be one.
Mark well the reason offered in our Lord's earnest prayer for his followers, why the church should be one: "That the world may believe that thou hast sent me." Why do poor sinners doubt that God has sent his Son to save them? Why is the world filled with infidelity? Because the professed followers of Christ have not been one. Human wisdom, unaided by the spirit of truth, has sought the way to heaven. It has sought out a strange confusion of creeds. Men have "forsaken the fountain of living water," [the Bible,] and with their broken cisterns that can hold no water, [their Babylon of creeds,] they have blocked up the very gate of heaven against a world of sinners.
There is power in the gospel. God did send his Son to die that poor sinners might be saved from their sins. The Spirit of truth has come into the world, and has reproved and enlightened the sinner. Angels have wept over the fallen condition of man; but the gospel, and the plan of salvation have been rendered almost powerless, by reason of the discord among Christ's professed followers. If the church had always been one, in sentiment, in interest, and in action, the world would have been constrained to believe, and God would have been glorified. But now she is fallen. The last plagues are about to be poured out on Babylon. They will fall in fury upon the heads of the mass of professors, now stained with the blood of poor sinners, who have been kept from the Saviour by their confusion of unscriptural doctrines.
The same principles of gospel union are taught by Paul, as are found in the prayer of Jesus. He says "Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be like minded one toward another according to Christ Jesus; that ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God." Rom. xv, 5, 6.
Notice in particular the Apostle's ground of union. "According to Christ Jesus"—which was this, being sanctified through the truth, which is the word of God, the church would be one as the Father and Son were one. Paul would not have any man barter away the truth for union, neither would our Lord.—Without the truth there cannot be scriptural sanctification, without it there is no salvation. But through the word, the church may be sanctified, then be like-minded one toward another, and with one mind and one mouth glorify God. The true church will arrive at this state of consecration and harmony before Jesus comes, as may be seen by the following text:—
"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: that we be no more children, tossed to and fro," &c.
The gifts and callings of the gospel were designed to secure the unity and purity of the church; and were it not that these are promised, we might despair of a fitness to meet our coming Judge. And we are by no means to rest in idleness, and wait for the Lord to do this great work for the church. Let us take hold of the work in earnest, and God will help us mightily. Let us obey the words of the holy Apostle:—"Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind, and in the same judgment." 1 Cor. i, 10.
"If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies fulfill ye my joy, that ye be like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind." Phil. ii, 1, 2.
"Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace, and the God of love and peace shall be with you. Greet one another with an holy kiss." 2 Cor. xiii, 11, 12. See also, 1 Pet. iii, 8; and Phil. iii, 16.
Love One Another
"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."—John xiii, 34, 35.
GOSPEL ORDER.
"For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints." 1 Cor. xiv, 33.
The great Apostle, who had the daily care of all the churches, has said much in his epistles on the subject of order in the church of Christ. It was a subject of great importance to the early church, to preserve purity, unity and strength in the body. And it cannot be of less importance to the church in the last days of peril, when seeking that preparation necessary to meet the coming Judge. If gospel order was of such vast importance that it was necessary for Paul to dwell much upon it in his epistles to the churches, it should not be overlooked by the people of God at this day. We think that it has been much neglected, and that the attention of the church should be turned to this subject, and vigorous efforts should be put forth to restore as fast as possible the order of the gospel.
We want no human creed; the Bible is sufficient. The divine order of the New Testament is sufficient to organize the church of Christ. If more were needed, it would have been given by inspiration. But with only that which was "given by inspiration of God," the man of God is "thoroughly furnished unto all good works." 2 Tim. iii, 16, 17.
God has been leading his people out of Babylon. The voice from heaven [Rev. xviii, 4] is yet to be heard, saying to others of God's people, "Come out of her my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues." It is the will of the Lord that his people should be called away from the confusion and bondage of man-made creeds, to enjoy the oneness and freedom of the gospel. But it is a lamentable fact that many of our Advent brethren who made a timely escape from the bondage of the different churches, who as a body rejected the Advent doctrine, have since been in a more perfect Babylon than ever before. Gospel order has been too much overlooked by them.
The Advent people professed to take the Bible as their guide in doctrine and in duty. If they had followed this guide strictly, and had carried out the gospel principles of order and discipline, such confusion would have been saved. Many in their zeal to come out of Babylon, partook of a rash, disorderly spirit, and were soon found in a perfect Babel of confusion. And there are those at the present time who start back at the idea of gospel order. They seem to see no difference between teaching and enforcing the pure doctrines and sweet harmony of the gospel, and the errors and confusion of the creeds of Babylon. Such need "eye-salve," that they may see. They will have to learn that God has not called any of his people away from the confusion of the churches, designing that they should be left without discipline. In mercy he reached forth his hand, and enabled the Advent people in 1844 to break the cords of sectarianism that bound them, that they (the Philadelphia Church) might be disciplined and guided into the kingdom by the order and pure doctrines of the gospel. To suppose that the church of Christ is free from restraint and discipline, is the wildest fanaticism. O, ye scattered, bleeding flock, flee to the great Shepherd! He can heal his people, and lead them on in union and love, safely to Mount Zion. O, Church of Christ!—The Bible! The Bible!—Let the Bible be your rule of faith, and of order. Take heed to the sure word, the light that shineth in a dark place.
The Apostle has illustrated gospel order by the human body. And a more beautiful illustration of order cannot be named. He says:—
"For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.—And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee; nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. * But God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honor to that part which lacked; that there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first, apostles; secondarily, prophets," &c.
Where is the church whose order may be represented by the harmony of the members of the human body? If we look to the discord of the various sects, we shall not find it. And if we look to the divisions of the Advent people who have rejected the present truth, we shall see that precious body torn limb from limb, or its members moving in perfect discord, arrayed against each other. Imagine the members of one body all in disorder, acting in disunion, against each other. The sight would be indeed horrible. Yet such a body would fitly illustrate the different classes of Advent people who reject the present truth. How the dear Saviour has grieved over such a people as this! His wounds have been pierced afresh. The sincere, waiting ones have been made sad, and have indeed sighed and cried for the sins of this people.
But, thank Heaven, the friends of Jesus may hope for brighter days. A remnant will be rescued from the ruins of corrupted Christianity, and will yet stand in the order of the gospel, looking for the blessed hope. "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men. Teaching us, that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."
This peculiar people will stand forth free from the confusion of creeds; free from the traditions and commandments of men—keeping the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. This is enough to make them peculiar. The sweet and cheering voice of the chief Shepherd is now being heard in the message of the third angel, and many hearts are beginning to beat in union.
"Now the gathering call is sounding,
Solemn in its warning voice;
Union, faith and love, abounding,
Bid the little flock rejoice."
[To be continued.]
Support the Weekly Review
By Editor
We have no fears but the Weekly REVIEW will be sustained. The warm friends of the cause will not long see the receipts falling short of expenses. But we are disappointed that all those who profess to believe the present truth, who have means at their command, have not sent us the small sum of $1,50, the yearly cost of the REVIEW, to aid the Office at this time, and encourage us in our efforts to issue the REVIEW weekly.
In this number is $10 receipted to a poor mechanic, and $10 to a widow. These persons have the cause at heart. But is it not unjust for persons professing faith in the views taught in the REVIEW, to withhold the small sums that their paper costs, and leave such persons to make up the lack? We think it is. If they can feel easy and continue such a course, they are really to be pitied. These remarks do not apply to those who have recently been invited to take the REVIEW to investigate our views. We mean them for those who profess to be established in the present truth.
To the Saints scattered abroad.
By Henry Lyon
I have felt it my duty to address a few lines to my dear brethren of like precious faith. In view of the great event just before us, and our duty to our God, and to our fellow-men, I think we do not fully realize the time in which we live. As the last message of mercy is now being given to poor fallen man can we be idle spectators?
How great is our responsibility in view of what God has given us as stewards here. This message of mercy must be presented to every honest soul that will listen to it. How must it be done? Through the press and the instrumentality of God's servants in proclaiming it. Have we not a part to act in this great labor of love to our fellow-men? Yes, verily. While it is their duty to publish to the world through the press and otherwise these great truths, it is our duty to sustain them by the means that God has given us. O let us consecrate ourselves, with all we have, to God. Lay all upon the altar, and seek duty from God, by earnest prayer and supplication, and he will make duty known to us. If the work of God is hindered for the want of proper means, on whom will the sin rest? Think of this, my dear brethren. It will take all to purchase the field. In a short time, our property will be useless.
I see by the last Review that there is a deficiency of $165.28, in the receipts. Let us act well our part in sustaining the press and the messengers. The watchmen will soon leave the walls of Zion; then what a consolation to look back and see that we have done our duty in sustaining the cause of God.
Your brother in Christ, still waiting for the consummation of our blessed hope.
HENRY LYON.
Plymouth, Mich., Nov. 20th, 1853.
The Third Angel Advances
By John Norton Loughborough
BRO. J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH writes from Norwalk, O., Nov. 24th, 1853:—"At our last meeting in Fredonia, there was quite a room full out to hear again on the third angel's message. The Lord gave me freedom in presenting the subjects of the seal of the living God, mark of the beast, and other points of the message. The Bro. Wilson that I mentioned in my other letter was present, and seemed deeply affected by the truth. After I got through, he arose and confessed the truth; and then while the tears rolled down his cheeks, he made a hearty confession to his brethren, (the Sabbath-keepers.) His wife and sister are interested, and will doubtless keep the commandments. A young man and his wife were present, by the name of Dodge, who were much interested. His wife is a Methodist. He said to me after meeting was closed, 'I make no profession; if these things are so, I wish to obey them.' He bought books, and seemed to be deeply affected by the truth he had heard. May the Lord lead them into the whole truth.
"The third angel is on the advance. Zion is rising, never to fall again. The Lord has set his hand to save his people, and the work will go forward. The following text has been in my mind almost constantly for several days past: 'My word shall not return to me void, but shall accomplish the thing whereunto I have sent it.' He has sent the third angel's message, to take a people out of the world, and prepare them for the coming of Jesus. The work must go forward.
"A good state of things exists among the brethren in Ohio, as Bro. Smith informs me, and quite an interest is manifested in many places to hear the reasons of our faith. We shall remain here till to-morrow afternoon, when Bro. Day, from Milan, will come to convey us to his home. Our first appointment is in Gay-town, where Bro. Bates gave two lectures. A desire is manifested to hear the reasons of our faith. The labors of Bro. Bates were blessed to the church here, and difficulties of long standing were removed. The church is in a free, healthy state."
A WORD FOR THE SABBATH.
CHAPTER V.—APOSTOLIC EXAMPLE.
ONE class there is, wide spread throughout the land,
Who claim no need that any plain command,
Explicit and direct, should e'er be given,
That we should keep the first day of the seven.
On other ground their theories they rest,
Ground which they fondly think will stand the test.
'Tis claimed that Christ, who for our sin has died,
In all things our example and our guide,
The perfect pattern of the Church below,
Who trod the way he wished his saints to go,
By his example, plainly took away
The obligation of the seventh day.
Then further down the stream of time we're brought,
And told that the apostles plainly taught,
Taught by their actions, which the loudest speak,
That we must keep the first day of the week;
That they observed it as the day of rest,
And they, of course, did only what was best.
And oft, upon that day, they met, 'tis said,
For public worship, and for breaking bread;
And thus most clearly showed, as all may see,
What day the Christian Sabbath hence should be.
Christ, as our perfect pattern, we will own,
Teacher and guide, in all that he has done.
We will acknowledge that th' apostles knew,
And showed by practice, what was right to do.
And actions loudest speak;—all this we admit,
But on our side we claim the advantage yet;
For that our Lord, in any shape or way,
Relaxed the law that guards the Sabbath-day,
That so his followers ever understood,
Which, if it was the case, they surely would,
Or that the apostles owned, or e'er confessed,
The first day of the week, a day of rest—
These, though asserted with assurance high,
Plainly and fearlessly, we do deny.
To save all long debate and words about it,
With those who still may feel disposed to doubt it,
We will submit to facts: they shall decide:
By their decision we will then abide.
All will admit this fact: that to the cross,
The ten commands were full in binding force;
The fourth, with all, bore undisputed sway,
And held mankind in duty to obey.
If Christ then disregarded these commands,
Or only that on which the Sabbath stands, [yet;
Then he transgressed God's law; which bound men
Then he committed sin! all must admit;
For herein, says the Apostle, sin is shown,
When we transgress the law to us made known.
Those, then, who claim that Christ the Sabbath broke
Make him a sinner! as the Word hath spoke.
Ye, in whose breasts such views, blasphemous, start,
Give them no lodging-place within your heart!
But on the day that Christ rose from the dead,
His followers were assembled; and 'tis said,
They met to celebrate the day when so,
Our Saviour triumphed over man's last foe;
So that must be the day henceforth to stand,
The Christian Sabbath in each Christian land.
Pitiful reasoning! if each word were true,
And e'en the resurrection were in view,
To what would it amount? why, nothing more
Than a mere inference, and at that most poor!
Would those who reason thus, some foresight take,
Such false assertions they might cease to make;
For they would find the saints assembled there,
Being fearful of the Jews—their rage to dare—
And not, the resurrection day to keep;
For they believed their Lord was yet asleep!
Forever, then, this point is at an end;
On this 'tis folly longer to contend.
But still, that Jesus sanctioned it, they say;
By meeting his disciples on that day.
If such an act, then, will suffice to make
A Sabbath-day, one instance more we'll take;
'Tis where he met them, as it chanced to be
When they were fishing in Tiberian sea.
Then, by this rule, apply it either way,
It makes the Sabbath but a fishing-day.
So much for this; but hear them yet again,
Their darling theory striving to maintain,
Claim that the apostles in all they did and said,
And by their frequent acts of breaking bread.
Gave to the Christian world abundant ground
On which their First-day theory they should found.
Does breaking bread a Sabbath make? if so,
Then every day's a Sabbath; as we know,
Because a certain space, as may be read,
The apostles daily practiced breaking bread.
But with the teachings of the sacred Word,
Do such unfounded theories accord?
May there we learn that such a simple act
Would make a Sabbath! There is no such fact.
Does it assert, if, on a certain day,
The saints, perchance, were met, to sing and pray,
That we that day henceforth should understand
As the Sabbath of the fourth command?
That that day then should take a higher place
Than that which God first hallowed for our race?
On which his blessing he did first dispense,
And placed the seal of his omnipotence?
There's no such teaching! so it is most true,
That mere assertion, then, supports this view.
It is a theory of men's invention!
In words of Holy Writ it has no mention.
But other facts there are, pointed and stern,
And which some classes would do well to learn:
The Lord himself affirmed that he obeyed
All the commandments which his Father made.
And as the apostles' custom was, they say,
We find them preaching on the Sabbath-day,
And nowhere in God's Word, (we safely speak,)
Is Sabbath used for first day of the week.
'Tis true a term of "Lord's day" once is used,
And 'tis a term most grossly, too, abused;
For First-day sticklers, as may oft be seen,
Claim that 'tis Sunday, that of course must mean.
We think not so; for God did never own,
A day as his, except the seventh alone.
We will acknowledge, then, that day the Lord's,
Which with his own demands thus well accords.
Nor can we think, whatever pains men take
They will oblige him by the change they make.
'Tis true there's been a change; the world now say,
That Sunday is the Christian Sabbath-day.
And so they practice; but by whom, and how,
Was this change made, which men acknowledge now!
God did not do it, nor his Son from heaven;
Nor was this work unto the Apostles given;
For their example, and their teaching, too,
Show this was not the work they came to do.
But there was one, whom, in the unfolding plan,
Which the Arch-Fiend had plotted against man,
Time in his onward flight would soon reveal,
O'er God exalted, and his holy will.
Perdition's son! child of iniquity,
The man of sin, the wicked Papacy!
Ay, he it was, who was to magnify
Himself against the power of God, most high.
And think his laws to change, his fixed decrees,
Usurp his power, and rule as he might please.
As prophets had foretold, so, plainly, he
Has done his daring work of blasphemy.
'Tis he, has raised a sacrilegious hand
Against the Sabbath of the fourth command;
Has robbed it of its glory and its grace,
And reared the Pagan Sunday in its place.
Ye Sunday followers, then, if ye would know
Where you for your authority must go,
You have no need to wander far from home,
For you receive it from the Pope of Rome.
And also ye, who claim that Christ now stands,
The giver of the law for Christian lands,
Who is your advocate? Ah, here's your hope,
You have an advocate with Christ—the Pope!!
All ye who then so zealously confide
In apostolic practice, for your guide,
Know that so long as Sunday creeds you own,
You follow Papacy! and that alone!
If 'tis, indeed, your honest, firm intent,
To tread the way the first apostles went,
Do as they did; heed not the creeds of men,
But keep the Sabbath as they kept it then.
A. S. HUTCHINS
By A. S. Hutchins
From Bro. Hutchins.
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—I am truly grateful to my heavenly Parent that I am counted worthy to be numbered with those who are keeping the commandments of God, and earnestly contending for the faith of Jesus. Though this subjects us to many a severe conflict with the Enemy of all righteousness: [Rev. xii, 17:] "And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." And though we are called to leave behind many friends, whom we have loved well, and are often buffeted and smitten by those denying the "power" of godliness, (though not destitute of the "form,") and though all manner of evil be said of us falsely for Christ's sake, yet who that desires to enjoy the blessing with which the path of the righteous is strewn, would not patiently and gladly bear all this for Christ's sake? "For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake. But rejoice inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings: that when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you." Phil. i, 29; 1 Pet. iv, 13, 14. I choose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. O, may the Lord lead us out into the suffering part of the Christian religion. Brethren, will you go? My heart says I will go. I will not fear the conflict with the dragon. It is by the way of the cross that I desire heaven. Yea, it is by the way of the cross that I expect to reach a home in175glory. "And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple." Luke xiv, 27.
Come, brethren, let us not sleep as do others!—Let us not fear the suffering part of religion. For it is through "much tribulation" that we shall enter into the kingdom of God. Glory to God, my soul is happy in view of the prospect that lies before the people of God. Dear brethren, "call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of affliction. Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; (i. e., in the "little while," in which we are living;) but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him." Heb. x, 32, 35–38. O, may God forbid that we should be among those that "draw back unto perdition," but let us rather be among those that "believe to the saving of the soul."
A. S. HUTCHINS
COMMUNICATIONS.
By Frederick Wheeler
From Bro. Wheeler.
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—I am yet striving to make my way to the Kingdom, through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and obedience to the commandments of God. And although weak in myself, yet I feel strong in the Lord and his truth. O how blessed to feel the peace of God, and the sweet Spirit of Jesus to fill the soul, while holding up the clear light of the third angel's message, and vindicating God's holy Sabbath. I spent Sabbath and First-day, Nov. 13th and 14th, at Florida. In consequence of my appointment not being received in season, we had no meeting on the Sabbath. I spent the day with Bro. King, commencing our meeting on First-day evening. It being very rainy on First-day, but few came out to hear. But those that did attend, listened with attention to the reasons of our hope. One young man, a son of Bro. King, confessed the Sabbath, before I left, and expressed his purpose to keep it. From thence I went to South Hawley. Here I found a few who were still holding fast the Sabbath of the Lord; although much influence has been exerted against the truth, and some have been turned away to the no-Sabbath theory. I visited Ashfield and held one meeting (evening of the 16th.) God aided by his holy Spirit to present the Sabbath of the Bible, and to show the sandy foundation of the first-day Sabbath. Came to this place the 18th, and spent the Sabbath and First-day.
There are a few in this place who love the Sabbath and are becoming deeply interested in all the truths of the third angel's message. Our meetings were well attended, and I had freedom in presenting the reasons of our faith and hope. Several were present who are looking to next year for the ending of the 2300 days, some of whom have been led to feel, and one, at least, to acknowledge the importance of keeping the commandments of God, as well as to receive the evidence of his word in regard to the second coming of his Son. And I trust there will, ere long, a company be found here who will honor God by keeping all his commandments, as well as by waiting for his Son from heaven.
Truth is mighty, and will eventually triumph. God hasten it in his time. Amen.
Yours to labor and rejoice in hope,
F. WHEELER.
Vernon, Vt., Nov. 21st, 1853.
Calls to Proclaim Present Truth
By H. W. Lawrence
From Bro. Lawrence.
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—Since my last, I have parted with Bro. Edson, and have visited several towns, and held meetings in new places, where nothing had previously been done to spread the present truth.176In Adams, I found the Seventh-day Baptists more noble than those who make void the fourth commandment by their Sunday tradition. Many of that people want the whole truth, and some of them are anxious that the traveling brethren should visit them, and proclaim more fully the last warning. There is now an opportunity for the truth to be proclaimed in Le Roy and Antwerp, where the first message has been proclaimed. All of the above named places could be reached by an appointment through the Review.
In view of the many calls on every hand, I am ready to inquire, are our brethren fully awake to the importance of working while the day lasts? Souls are starving for meat in due season. The way is now opening for renewed efforts to be put forth by the remnant, every where.
On my return home, I was happy to meet Bro. Hutchins in Conference with the tried brethren in St. Lawrence Co. It was comforting to surround the Lord's table, with about forty of the dear saints who enjoyed the union Jesus prayed for in John xvii, 11. The brethren here are firmly progressing in the truth and work of God. The word spoken by Bro. H. was cheering to the flock, and all seemed better prepared to go without the camp, and patiently suffer for Jesus and the truth.