"We will now suppose, that a person wandering through the streets of some great city, suddenly comes to an enclosure containing a collection of spacious and beautiful buildings. On enquiring he finds that they are designed for a benevolent purpose—say, a home for friendless and indigent females. He obtains permission to enter the enclosure, and the first thing which attracts his attention is an imposing monument, upon which is an inscription to the effect, that the ground was given, the buildings erected, and the institution endowed by the munificence of one John Howard; and that this monument was raised to commemorate the fact. We will next suppose that after this monument has stood unmutilated for many years some person undertakes to demolish it, and build another in its place, for the purpose of commemorating a different event; or, if he should not choose to build a monument entirely new, that he removes the slab containing the inscription, and substitutes another having a new inscription which leaves out the name of John Howard, making no allusion to him, nor to the object for which he had caused these buildings to be erected. Would not the person, who would act thus, show that he did not feel towards the name and memory of John Howard as he ought to feel? Would it not be natural to infer, that he harbored some enmity against him?—that he did not wish his name perpetuated?—or, that he hated the work itself, and did not wish such a monument of god-like benevolence to be kept in memory? Some such inference, we think, would be perfectly natural. Indeed, we see no room for any other, unless it be this, that the destroyer of the monument was actuated by the mere love of mischief."
The advocates of the first day of the week may take notice that we have spoken this parable against them. The Sabbath is a monument, upon which is the plain and unmistakable inscription, that Jehovah created the worlds; that by power, wisdom and goodness, he formed and perfected all in six days, and rested on the seventh; and that for the purpose of commemorating this fact, the monument was erected, so that men might have no excuse for atheism, and none for idolatry. Ho! all ye that pass by, the way-faring man and the fool, as well as the philosopher and the learned, stop—read—and know, that Jehovah is the Creator of all things. Those who deny the obligation of the sabbath under the gospel, are represented by the man who tears down the monument, and builds another in its place. Those who pretend to admit the perpetuity of the Sabbath, but contend for a change of the day, on the ground of the work of redemption, are represented by the man who secretly removes the slab containing the inscription, and substitutes another, with a different inscription. And now, so far as the design of the Sabbath is concerned, what difference does it make whether the monument be altogether demolished and a new one built, or merely the slab of inscription removed, and another substituted? Practically it makes no difference.—The advocates of both these seemingly different views, are agreed in their object. They both desire to maintain the observance of a day different from that which the law of the Sabbath enjoins, and both desire it on the same grounds. They both wish to have the first day of the week considered holy, and not the seventh; and both are governed, in this, by a desire of commemorating—not the creation, but—the work of redemption.
Must we, therefore, conclude that the advocates of the first day observance are actuated by a feeling of enmity against Jehovah, as the Author of creation, and that they desire that his name should no longer be had in remembrance on this account? Must we conclude that they despise the work of creation?—that they see so little of beauty and glory in it—so little of benevolence and goodness—that they think it unworthy of any further commemoration? We had supposed that it were enough for unregenerate sinners to cherish enmity against Jehovah as the God of creation. "The CARNAL mind is enmity against God." We had supposed that when one was created anew in Christ Jesus, his enmity was destroyed, and that he then loved to contemplate Jehovah as the Author of his existence, and of all created things, and that he began to love the law which Jehovah, as Creator, enjoined. We always thought that the effect of redemption was to open the eyes to see, not only the beauty of redemption itself, but the beauty and glory of creation, and the goodness and benevolence of Jehovah as displayed in the works of his hand. This, at any rate, is our experience; and it is passing strange if the effect of redemption on every heart to which it is applied, is not to eradicate every thing like atheism, and to create that faith which is firmly persuaded that God exists, and that the worlds were framed by the word of his power.
But we are persuaded that our First-day brethren do not mean what their practice so clearly implies.—Still we cannot forbear asking why they go about to tear down the monument which proclaims Jehovah as the Creator of the world? Why seek to demolish that which was set up for the very purpose of being a standing testimony against Atheism and Idolatry? Surely you do not mean to strike hands with infidels and heathens! Or, why seek to alter the inscription which God originally placed upon this monument? Why seek to make it tell a different story, as if the old one was too old to be repeated any longer? You may, perhaps, reply, that a monumental institution, to proclaim Jehovah as the God of creation, is not necessary, inasmuch as it is so abundantly proclaimed by the works of his hand. If so, then it was never necessary; and for four thousand years the Sabbath was a useless institution.
The truth is, men are just as apt to be infidels now as they ever were, and the Sabbath is just as necessary now, as a testimony against their infidelity, as it ever was. Why, then, seek to destroy the Sabbath, or to modify it, and alter its character, so that it can no longer be recognized as commemorative of creation? We are astonished that Christians will act thus.
But that which makes their course in regard to the Sabbath still worse is, that they attempt to father it upon Jesus Christ! The Church of Rome, with all her impiety, has never been guilty of this. But you, who call yourselves Protestants, allege that Christ tore down the monument which God had set up to be witness against Atheism and Idolatry! You allege, at least, that he began to batter and deface the inscription, and gave his apostles instructions to complete the work of demolition after his resurrection! If Jesus Christ were an Atheist—if he taught that the world came into existence by chance, without any forming hand—if he desired to spread this belief among men, and blot out, as far as possible, every thing which attests that Jehovah was the Creator—we should suppose that one of the first things he would undertake would be to destroy the Sabbath.—But if, on the contrary, he came to declare the glory of the Father—if he came to bear testimony against infidelity, and by his redeeming power to lead men back to the acknowledgment and worship of the Creator, as we know he did—it stands to reason, that he would honor the Sabbath, that he would enforce it by his example, and that he would say of this, as of any other divine precept, "I came not to destroy the law—one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from it, till all be fulfilled."
APOSTOLIC EXAMPLE.
Is in favor of the Sabbath. The apostles never broke the Sabbath, nor were they accused of it, after the resurrection, by their most bitter enemies. And think you those fault-finding Jews would have kept silence on this point, if they had broken it, or sought to introduce another day in its stead? On the contrary, they continued to speak of the Sabbath as an institution which really existed, without calling it old or Jewish. It was Paul's custom to preach in the synagogues on the Sabbath.—Acts xvii, 2. You reply, it was because they could find the Jews assembled on that day. Very well. They might have appointed meetings on the first day occasionally, if they observed that day at all. On one occasion as they were going out of the synagogue, the Gentiles asked Paul to preach to them on the next Sabbath.—Acts xiii, 42. If that request had been made to a modern preacher he would have replied, You need not wait for another Jewish Sabbath; to-morrow is Lord's day, we will preach to you to-morrow. It is marvelous how silent the apostles were with regard to this new institution.
When Paul was at Corinth he labored at his trade of tent-making, but when the Sabbath came, he was found at the synagogue persuading both Jews and Greeks. Here, when the chief ruler of the synagogue and many of the Corinthians believed, an excellent opportunity presented itself for the Apostle to introduce the new institution. But here, as every where else, he was silent in regard to it. But he preached every Sabbath, and continued there a year and six months
Now, brethren, if you can examine this subject without prejudice, I have not a doubt that you will come to the conclusion that the Sabbath was made for us. If you can forget your early teaching, you will not find a hint at the new institution in the Old or New Testament, if we except Dan. vii, 25. The phrase, Lord's day, is found but once in the Bible.—[Rev. i, 10.] and that rule of interpretation which would apply it to the first day, would prove from the Bible that we all ought to hang ourselves. One solitary instance is recorded of the disciples meeting on the first evening of the week, [Acts xx, 7.] but not a hint is given of this being a custom. The direction, 'Let each of you lay by him in store,' would never have suggested the idea of meeting together, to any94rational mind, had it not been connected with the words, “first of the week.” But these last words occurring but twice in the New Testament except in the evangelists, some good use must be made of them where they do occur; as, where timber is scarce, every crooked tree must be used for something. It is truly said of biased minds,
“They first get their tenets, then make it their care,
To search out such scripture as best will compare;
And when they have found that which suits them the best,
They falsely construe it, and skip all the rest.”
Brethren, read the Book, as for the first time, on this subject, saying in your hearts, God’s will, not mine, be done, and the result will be a reformation which will honor God, and promote his cause on earth.
“Sabbath Desecration” by the Press
By Editor
From the Sabbath Recorder.
“Sabbath Desecration” by the Press.
The following “Address” was sent us some two weeks ago, but was mislaid and forgotten, till it accidentally turned up a day or two since. This is our apology (if any is needed) for not giving it an earlier notice. We have no knowledge of the writer, nor of the position he occupies in community; but he seems to be a man who earnestly longs for the triumph of righteousness over sin. In this instance, he has evidently done what he supposes to have been his duty. Our comments are not intended to impeach his sincerity, but if he will weigh them candidly, he will see that there are some who are quite as sincere in supposing that the Sunday has no Bible claims to be considered a holy day. That our views do not coincide with those of the majority, is a matter of small importance, and if our correspondent is what he appears to be, he will feel that it is better to disagree with all men, than to disagree with God.
AN ADDRESS.
To the Editors of the Daily and Sunday Press of New York City and the United States, on Sabbath Desecration.
Messrs. Editors:—Having some just appreciation of the Power and Importance of the Press, for “weal or woe,” especially in this free country, we feel the deepest concern for the moral rectitude of the principles and views of its Conductors.
It is to us of very minor importance whether Editors of Daily Journals or Periodicals are politically “sound in the faith,” to their being sound in the belief and practice of the great principles of a Bible morality and religion.
The man, or the Government, that adjures the Law of God, contained in the decalogue (or Ten Commandments,) or any single precept thereof, whether the Fourth, Sixth, or Eighth, we consider a wicked man—a wicked Government,—for he who willfully violates one Commandment breaks all; the Law of God is a unit.
Now it is a fact painful to every pious heart, that our Federal Government, sometimes, and the Editors and Proprietors of “Sunday Papers” of the city of New York, and through the United States, always, treat the Fourth Commandment as though it were abrogated, or was never of any binding force upon any nation, or individuals that ever composed a nation, except the Jews; and we add (mournfully,) many Editors and Proprietors of the Daily Press, apparently justify their course.
In the language of a popular Editor, in reply to our objections to his advertising “Sunday excursions” in his Journal, perhaps they will say, “we do not believe in any HOLY SABBATH!”
However, nothing is more certain than this, that human opinion will never change the Unchangeable Law of the Unchangeable God; his Moral Law remains, every precept of it, in all its binding force upon all nations to whom it is made known. And Jesus Christ Himself declares concerning the Sabbath, that it was “made for man”—for universal man,—in all climes. And woe, we say, to the nation or the man, that has not, and chooses not to have and keep, a “Holy Sabbath.”
We would address our fellow-citizens of every class, in terms kind and respectful; pardon us, gentlemen of a Sabbath-desecrating Press, if we should seem to fail in our respect toward so large, so learned, so talented a class as yourselves, when we say our disgust,—nay, more,—our indignation, is excited, when we read in one of your columns an eloquent essay in favor of morality and religion, and a proper observance, perhaps, of the Sabbath—a terrible scourging of the profligacy of the times—a manifestation of holy abhorrence at the moral and political corruption of men in high places—a prophesying of woe and ruin, without speedy and radical reformation; then in the next find an advertisement or several of them, inviting the public, or at least showing them, for fifty cents, how they may very agreeably (if wicked enough,) break God’s Fourth Commandment by an excursion on this, that, or the other Steamboat, to this, that, or the other Island, Village or Grove!!!
And still more is our disgust and indignation excited, when “from early morn to high noon” on each Sacred Day, our eyes, and ears, and hearts, are pained with sights and sounds unholy, presented and made by the thousand ragged ignorant boys, that cry through our streets, at the top of their voice, the “Sunday papers,” proclaiming the sin of their employers and patronizers, if not of the whole city, that unchecked and unrebuiked, suffers such bold unmitigated iniquity to live and grow more rife;—proclaiming, we say, their sin like Sodom—knowing no shame!
Can it be consistent with either Christian character or Patriotism, thus to disturb a Christian community by such an abominable traffic on the “Lord’s Day;” and increase the degradation of the Youthful Venders whom True Religion, Philanthropy, and Patriotism would exert their influence to place each Lord’s Day in Sabbath schools and Churches, to learn the way to respectability on earth, and eternal happiness in Heaven?
“Consistency is a jewel.” Vainly, indeed, in our estimation, will you advocate “Republican Principles” or pure morality; vainly expect to perpetuate our Free Institutions, Political, Civil, and Religious, and extend them over the world, while the main power of the Press in this city and country levels so destructive an axe at the root of the Tree of Liberty—the Law and Gospel of God, by a PRACTICAL (at least) abrogation of the Fourth Commandment, in refusing to “Remember the Sabbath Day, to keep it holy,” and Government, to great extent does likewise. Go search the records of all nations, look today over the map of the World, mark the Political, Civil, Moral, and Religious condition of its myriad nations, and see if there is, or ever was one that had, or now has, a stable and Free Government, an enlightened and happy people, only in proportion as they had, or have, “respect to all the Commandments of God,” or, if you please, to his “Holy Sabbath?”
For, although “all the law and prophets hang” on the First and Second Great Commandments, (the sum of which enjoins love to God and man,) yet all history will prove that neither these, nor any other Divine Precept, has been, or will be remembered and kept, with fidelity, where there has not been and is not a “seventh part of time set apart as sacred” for their consideration—the hearing of “the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ,” and the worshiping in Spirit and in Truth, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
And now, Gentlemen, having for the sake of a good conscience, the good of our common country, the eternal salvation of immortal souls, for which we labor and pray, and the honor and glory of Him who has said, “Ye shall keep my Sabbaths and reverence my sanctuary,” very plainly and kindly expressed in this Address, our Individual sentiments on this matter of “Sabbath Desecration,” we hope that, although our single name, (unknown to fame as to yourselves,) is appended, you will nevertheless be as powerfully and happily affected by its truthfulness as if it were signed by all that vast array of the names of the wise and good in this city, whose views, on this subject, we are confident, coincide with ours, and are derived from a sound interpretation of the “Lively Oracles of the Living God.”
With these sentiments, we remain your servant, For Christ’s sake, J. B. HORTON.
N. B.—Those Editors to whom this Address may be sent, that shall not deem it incompatible with their interest, will please to publish it. J. B. H.
New York, August 17, 1853.
REMARKS.
By Editor
The foregoing displays a commendable zeal, and as it is “not incompatible with our interests,” we comply with the writer’s request to publish it. But do you know, Mr. Horton, what it is which the Fourth Commandment teaches? Presuming that your zeal is for God, rather than for yourself or your party, we will undertake to show you. The Fourth Commandment teaches, that the seventh, not the first, day of the week is the Sabbath. You and all your fellow-helpers, assume that the thing taught is, that the seventh part of time is holy to the Lord. But you misapprehend the meaning of the Commandment.
When it is said, ‘The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God,’ the meaning is—not, that the seventh day is the Sabbath which the Lord thy God appoints for thee to keep, but—that it is the Sabbath which the Lord thy God himself observed. On this point almost every body blunders, understanding the Commandment as if it read thus: ‘Remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor and do all thy work, beginning upon such day as may be designated; but the seventh day, after these six days of labor, is the Sabbath which the7Lord thy God appoints for thee to keep. In it thou shalt not do any work,’ &c.
Now a candid analysis of the Fourth Commandment will show, that the meaning is something very different from this. The first words of the commandment, ‘Remember the Sabbath-day,’ refer to a well-established historical fact. ‘The Sabbath-day’ is synonymous with ‘the Rest-day’ and refers to some particular Rest-day, known and rendered notable in history as such. The remainder of the Commandment clearly sets forth, and specifies, the particular Rest-day to which reference is had. It sets forth that the reference is to that notable Rest-day which the Creator himself observed, when he had finished his work. That Rest-day, in its weekly returns, is the one which we are commanded to remember and keep holy. Is it not so, Mr. Horton?
Now, we will submit it to yourself, whether the Rest-day which the Creator himself observed after he had finished his work, was not the last day of the first week of time. And we will submit it to yourself, whether that is not the day which the Creator ‘blessed and sanctified.’ You yourself shall say, whether he did not ‘bless and sanctify’ that day, because that in it he rested from all his work. And you yourself shall be the judge, whether this reason can possibly apply to any other day of the septenary cycle. All the other days were working days—were they not?
It comes then to this: That the seventh, or last, day of the first week of time is the one in which the Creator rested—the Sabbath, or Rest, of the Lord thy God; that upon this day the Creator put his blessing, so that in its weekly return it might be holy and a blessing to man; that this is the only day of the seven, which can with any propriety or truth be spoken of as a ‘sanctified’ day; that this, and this only, is the one which the Creator requires us to remember and keep holy in its weekly return.
The meaning of the Fourth Commandment is, therefore, as if it read thus: ‘Remember the Rest-day—the day designated in the History of Creation as such—to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor and do all thy work, but the seventh is the Rest, which Jehovah thy God observed—after he had finished his work. In it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor the stranger that is within thy gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested on the seventh day. Wherefore the Lord blessed the Rest-day, and sanctified it, so that in its weekly return it might be a blessing to man, for whom it was made.’ Mark II, 27.
Now the precise thing which the Fourth Commandment requires, is the commemoration of the Creator’s Rest. And why commemorate his Rest? Because, in so doing, we commemorate the work which that rest implies. In other words, by commemorating the Creator’s rest, we commemorate the whole work of creation, and celebrate it as the finished production of an almighty hand. To commemorate the work of creation, therefore, is the duty which the law of the Sabbath enjoins. And it enjoins it, in order that man may be saved from the atheistic folly of supposing that the worlds came into existence by chance, or by some power other than that of an all-wise intelligence; and from the heathenish folly of supposing that the matter of creation was eternal, or that the gods of the heathen, or any other being but the God of Israel, had anything to do in the formation of the universe. As a testimony against Atheism and Idolatry, the Sabbath was given to man.
And now, Mr. Horton, tell us whether you are not now, and have not all your life been in the transgression of the Fourth Commandment. Does not your own example tend to the perpetuity of that ignorance which has so long prevailed in regard to this subject? Do you not, every seventh day of the week, go about work, and say, (by your example at least,) that it is not the day which God has pronounced holy? Do you not thus give the lie to Him who has said, ‘The seventh day IS the Sabbath?’
We do not suppose that you mean to be an example of disobedience. We doubt not, that you are actuated by more honest intentions. The tone pervading your “Address,” is proof that you are much distressed on account of what you suppose to be highly dishonorary to God. But since “the man that abjures the Law of God, contained in the Decalogue, (or Ten Commandments,) or any single precept thereof, whether the Fourth, Sixth or Eighth, is a wicked man”—these are your own words—you are, if you know it, in rather an awkward predicament.—We would advise you to consider, therefore, whether it is not time to take the beam out of your own eye.
“Pardon us, if we should seem to fail in our respect toward so large, so learned, so talented a class,” as the one to which you belong, “when we say, our disgust—say, more, our indignation is excited, when you give us an eloquent essay in favor of a proper observance of the Sabbath,” and then, before you have done, begin to show the people “how they may very agreeably (if wicked enough) break God’s Commandment,” to keep holy the seventh day, by just substituting the practice of Sunday-keeping instead.
“And still more is our disgust and indignation excited, when ‘from early morn to high noon,’ on each Sacred day, our eyes and ears and hearts are pained with sights and sounds unholy, presented and made,” not so much by “the thousand ragged, ignorant boys,” as by the well-clad, intelligent men, whose carts and carriages, and open stores, and thronged markets, and military parades, and bands of music, and places of amusement, indicate a complete forgetfulness of the fact that God has said, “The seventh day is the Sabbath—in it thou shalt not do any work.” This frightful state of things, which ignores the existence of an institution designed as a constant testimony against Atheism, you yourself, Mr. Horton, have helped to perpetuate.
“Consistency is a jewel.” Vainly, indeed, in our estimation, will you advocate” obedience to the law of the Sabbath, while by that very law you stand condemned. “Thou that teachest another, teachest thou not thyself?” T. B. B.
NO LAW, NO SIN.
In the great day of accounts, when I stand before the Judge of all the earth, if I am asked why I did not observe the first day of the week, in commemoration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ? this shall be my answer:—
O, Lord Almighty! thou didst give to thy children on earth a book containing certain requirements; and, as I thought, all thy requirements for man’s observance. Nay, the Book itself testified that, to fear God and keep his commandments, was the whole duty of man. That Book contained no commandment for the religious observance of the first day. I searched for the example of the apostles and primitive churches. I found, indeed, many examples of an apostle preaching on the Sabbath, and this was declared to be his custom. But only one instance was recorded, in the whole Book, of a congregation of Christians coming together for religious service on the first day. This was an evening meeting at Troas. It was not said this was a custom, but Paul’s being “ready to depart on the morrow,” naturally suggested to the mind that it was merely occasional. And as the evening of the day, according to the Book, came before the morning of the day, I verily thought that the Apostle started on his journey on the first day. My brethren called this day “Lord’s day,” but it was not so called in the Book; but Jesus did say that he was Lord of the Sabbath day. Now I confess I did not observe the first day; but “Where there is no law, there is no transgression.”
CONCLUSION.—Brethren, the union of Christians is an object for which we all pray. This object might be attained, if we would attend to the “essentials” of religion, and leave off contending for the “non-essentials.” The essentials are the things which are written in the Book, the non-essentials are those which are wisely left out. The observance of the first day, like infant sprinkling, is a non-essential, inasmuch as it is not mentioned in the Book. Neither you, nor I, will be condemned for not attending to it. But, possibly, I may be correct in regard to the Sabbath, and, therefore condemnable if I forsake it. Now, as nothing can tend more effectually to divide Christians, than a difference in regard to the day of worship, remove this stumbling block or cause of falling out of the way by appointing your weekly meetings on the Sabbath. You can lose nothing by the change; and it would be a great gain to a few brethren who believe that Jehovah’s law is like its Divine Author—unchangeable.
COMMUNICATIONS.
By Alonzo Miles
From Bro. Miles.
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—I feel to praise the Lord for the opportunity of saying through the Review, that I am still striving for the kingdom. While away from kindred, friends and brethren, our way is onward, and shall be, by the grace of God, until we reach the plains of Paradise.
Brethren, are we able to go up and possess the goodly land? yes, we are fully able, if we keep God's holy law. I feel, while penning these few lines, to exclaim with the Psalmist, "O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day." O how it rejoices my heart, that while surrounded by the wicked, God in his mercy did not leave me in their ranks, to scoff at his humble followers; for I see, according to the word of the Lord, that they are soon to pass away like the morning dew; while the righteous are to shine forth in the kingdom of their Father.
Brethren, let us take courage and fight on; for the warfare is almost accomplished; and we shall soon have our discharge, and be called home to receive a rich reward in the kingdom of our God. I want daily to be more like my blessed Lord, and have the mind that was in Christ, that when I am reviled, I revile not again; when I am persecuted, I threaten not.—I want all the fruit of the Spirit; which is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: if these things be in us, and abound, they make us that we shall be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. I want to suffer more with my blessed Master, and go to him without the camp, and bear his reproach; for if we suffer with him, we shall also reign with him. O precious promises! I often think, shall I be permitted to share in the glories promised to those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. O that I was more like the meek and lowly Jesus: I could then praise him more perfectly.
I can say, truly, it rejoices my heart to hear from my brethren who are scattered throughout the land of the enemy, who are still struggling on for the kingdom. Go on, dear brethren, I will try and meet you there. Though we are a scattered and torn people, despised by the world and rejected by a fallen church, let us not be discouraged; for they that are for us are more than they that are against us. Yes, the time is not far distant, when the saints of the Most High shall take the kingdom under the whole heaven, and possess it forever, even forever and ever; for yet a little while and he that shall come, will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
I am resolved to press my way onward till I reach Abraham's promised possession; for I have heard of that happy country, and I long to be there. Yes, I know that if I keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus, I shall have right to the tree of life and enter in through the gates into the city, and have the society of saints and angels, and be made like Jesus and dwell with him through all eternity. Glory to God for the prospect of a better country than this.
ALONZO MILES.
Plainfield, Ill., Sept. 11th, 1853.
Progress of the Cause in Giddings
By T. I. Giddings
From Bro. Giddings.
DEAR BRO. WHITE :—We are still striving to enter in at the strait gate; for we read that many shall seek to enter in but shall not be able. We are trying to keep all the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, that we may have right to the tree o life. We know that we love Him when we have respect unto all his commandments.
The cause is still rising with us. One more has been added to our number by confession of the truth and baptism. We have great reason to rejoice on account of the out-pouring of God's Spirit among us.—Our prayer is, Lord add to our numbers of such as shall be saved. Another thing very encouraging is, that the prejudice begins to give away, and a friendly feeling is manifest on the part of some of the most prominent ones of the no-Sabbath brethren, and we are looking for the third angel to go with a loud voice; when all the honest will see the truth, and come out of Babylon. O, that the Lord would hasten the time when the 144000 shall be sealed, and the kingdom under the whole heaven be given to the saints of the Most High God; when Jesus shall reign King of saints.
I would say to the dear brethren in Rochester, that I am not sorry that I walked there to hear the truth. I have great reason to bless God that I ever met with any of the dear saints—the remnant of God's people. We would be glad to see you again, but probably shall not until the Lord comes to take home his jewels. Pray for us.
Yours in hope of the soon coming kingdom,
T. I. GIDDINGS.
Laona, N. Y., Sept. 18th, 1853.
Tracts Bringing Others Into the Faith
By William H. Rapp
From Bro. Rapp.
DEAR BRO. WHITE :—I received the three dollars which you returned to me, also, the tracts. I could have got along without the money, though it came quite acceptable; but I gave, hoping for nothing in return. Had you been for this world's goods, you would have kept all, whether in need or not. I thank Christ for his word, that by their fruits ye shall know them.
By means of the tracts you sent, two have resolved to keep the commandments, the fourth not excepted. They wish for the Review. They meet with some oppositon, but are determined to persevere.
Another brother and his wife has come into the faith, and are living it out. Others are investigating. They have had no preaching here yet, only what the tracts and myself have done.
Yours in love,
WM. H. RAPP.
Markesan, Wis., Sept. 20th, 1853.
Clarkson Meeting.
By John Norton Loughborough
OUR meetings at Clarkson, last Sabbath and First-day were of deep interest. The seed sown at the grove meeting, the Lord is watering, and causing to grow and bring forth fruit. Praise the Lord, some precious souls have been induced to take heed to the last call of mercy, and are striving to seek a shelter from the storm of God's wrath, which is soon coming upon the heads of the wicked, by "Turning away from polluting God's Sabbath," that thus they may be "Repairers of the breach," [Isa. lviii, 12, 13,] and be found "Standing in the gap," and thus prepared to "Stand in the battle in the day of the Lord." Eze. xviii, 5. The brethren informed us that at their Fourth-day evening prayer meeting last week, they were bountifully blessed, and another Nephew of Bro. Lamson (a son of his brother residing near) confessed the truth, and found pardon and sweet peace in believing on Jesus.
Our meeting last Sabbath in the forenoon was a season long to be remembered on account of the goodness of the Lord to his people. The cases of the three remaining unconverted children of Bro. Lamson rested heavily upon us, and we cried mightily to God in their behalf. They came into our prayer-meeting and began to plead for mercy. The Lord heard their cries and spoke sweet peace and pardon to their souls. Their faces shone with the glory of the Lord as they all began to praise the Lord for his goodness. It was truly a heavenly scene, to see for the first time, that family all united by the holy ties of the religion of Jesus. A sister of Bro. Lamson who was visiting them, was converted to God and his truth during this meeting. Several confessed the truth whose names I do not recollect. The house of Bro. Lamson was truly a blessed place to my soul that day, as I saw the young there confessing the truth and the name of Jesus. It reminded me of former days when there I heard instruction in relation to the second advent doctrine, and when in that house I first professed the name of Jesus before the public. Over five years have flown, and now the Lord had permitted me to meet with them under the sound of the third angel's message. It was truly refreshing to meditate upon the varied scenes that had since transpired.
On First-day nine willing souls were baptized. It was indeed a solemn and impressive, yet rejoicing scene to witness them as they rose from the water happy in God, determined to walk in newness of life. Delightful memorial of the resurrection of our Blessed Redeemer and the protestation of our faith that he will also raise us up by his power.
The Sister and two Nephews were among those baptized. Truly the Lord's hand is thrust down to gather out the jewels in Clarkson. Ten souls have already confessed the truth, and are striving to keep all the commandments of God. As many more are convinced and admit the truth, and, without doubt, will move out upon it. Deep conviction is on the minds of the community. Last First-day evening it was a solemn place while we endeavored to present before them the terror of the time of trouble, which lies but just before us. We thank the Lord, as we see the work still progressing. The third angel's message is rising. May the Lord help us to rise with it, and be prepared to go forth and labor effectually in his vineyard.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
Rochester, N. Y., Sept. 21st, 1853.
Appointments.
We will meet with the brethren at Dartmouth, Mass., October 8th, and 9th. Springfield, Mass., the 15th and 16th.—Washington, N. H., the 22d and 23d. New Haven, Vt., the 28th and 29th.
There will be a meeting of the brethren in Washington, N. H., and vicinity, Oct. 21st, for the benefit of the church, that the church may get into a place to work for the Lord during the meeting. Lectures will be given the 22d and 23d. Brethren, come to the conference praying. Let none of the brethren come to be weights to the cause.
A general invitation is extended to all who wish to come and hear the reasons of our faith. Brethren in New Hampshire, get humble, and pray in faith to the living God to meet us in power at Washington. Have you little trials? Settle them at once, leave them at home, or stay at home yourselves. It is too late to have the work of God hindered by petty trials. We hope that brethren in other places will take heed to the above. It is too often the case that we have to labor hard all through a two-days meeting to get the brethren in a place to work.—Ed.
Providence permitting I will meet with the brethren in conference at Clarkson, Oct. 1st and 2d.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
Providence permitting the following appointments will be held.
Oct. 1st, 2d, at Bald Eagle Lake, Lapeer Co. Mich. where the brethren may appoint.
There will be a Conference held at Sylvan, Washtenaw Co., Oct. 7th, 8th, 9th. It is expected that Brn. Frisbie, Loughborough, Cornell and Cranson will be present. It is hoped that Bro. Bates will attend.
There will be a Conference in Locke, Ingham Co., Oct. 14th, 15th, 16th, where the brethren may appoint. We hope all those who feel interested will attend the above meetings as far as practicable.
H. H. NOTTINGHAM.
Providence permitting, I will hold a conference at Norfolk, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., Sabbath and First-day, Oct. 1st and 2d.
IRA WYMAN.
Nos. 1, 10 and 11 of the present Vol., have so far fallen short, that we shall not be able to furnish all our new subscribers with them.
[[FIGURE]] Bro. D. Phillips' Post Office address is West Roxbury, Vt.
THE SEVENTH-DAY SABBATH
By Editor
NOT ABOLISHED!
A REQUEST!
THOSE who teach that there is no Sabbath for the gospel dispensation, are requested to give us one plain text from the New Testament that teaches, "without note or comment," that the seventh-day Sabbath has been abolished. When any one will do this, we will notice it in the REVIEW.
THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK
NOT THE SABBATH!
ANOTHER REQUEST!
THOSE who teach that the Sabbath has been changed from the seventh to the first day of the week, are requested to give us one text from the New Testament that teaches such a change; or the example of Christ and the Apostles, recorded in the New Testament, favoring such a change. When any one will point out such a text and such example, it shall be given in the REVIEW.