p. 144 | Review and Herald, Vol. 36, No. 18. (10/18/1870)

Faith and Works.

By Adolphus Smith

The burden of the testimony at the Charlotte Camp-meeting, was the necessity of obtaining a saving faith in the Advent movement. A lack of this is almost universally apparent. The cause of this lack is found in the almost overwhelming influence of the powers of darkness upon minds that have not been fully regenerated by the Holy Spirit operating upon the moral nature; not by one grand stroke of death, but, like the effluvia of putrescent marshes upon the physical, engendering slow, creeping disease and decay. A revival of this faith is an act necessary to salvation. Summary punishment will be inflicted upon the servant who shall be found sleeping at the time of his Lord’s return from the wedding.

How shall this faith be revived? Many are looking for some astounding event to arouse them to energetic action. To such, whatever may occur, the event is not the one anticipated, and they relapse again into more profound slumber. Others are seemingly quite aroused, look about them, and talk; but continue to lie upon their backs and do nothing. Only those who work can keep awake.

But what shall we do? The very first move should be, to get up and get out of the way of others. This we may do by confessing our wrongs and forsaking our sins. A general confession is proper as far as it goes, but we must bring in the items, just as in settling an account in dollars and cents; and if there are any items that we have forgotten, ask our brethren, or neighbors, and they may refresh our memories; or pray to the Lord, who will impart the necessary wisdom.

Having got right ourselves, we can help others. Does thy brother walk disorderly? Go to him in the spirit of love, and you can help him.

Brethren and sisters ought frequently to see each other, and talk over their spiritual standing, and adjust differences that may exist between them, with a spirit to suffer-wrong, rather than to do wrong.

The good servant is always looking for opportunities to please his master. So ought we to serve Christ. Perform little duties cheerfully—in the family, or anywhere we may be placed. In the social meeting we should act our part, which is always important, and if well performed, will administer grace to the hearers. Be ready with a psalm, a hymn, an exhortation, or prayer, flowing from a heart filled with the love of God; and though language be broken, we may encourage the desponding, and strengthen the weak. ‘A holy life speaks volumes for God.’ We should be ‘living epistles, known and read of all men.’

There are acts of mercy to be done for the poor and the sick. And above all, the cause of present truth must not languish for want of means. A religion that does not reach the pocket, is not very profound.

When we reflect that what we spend in the cause of God, is kept in store for us, and is as money laid up in a sure bank of deposit; when, though we sacrifice all in the cause, it is as though we sent it on before us into the everlasting kingdom, which we so soon expect to inherit; it is a wonder that there should be any lack of means; on the contrary, that there should not be an overplus, and a command be issued, as at the building of the tabernacle, that the gifts should be stayed.

The day of the Lord is near, and what we do we must do quickly. Soon there will be no difference between the rich and the poor among the saints; for all will be driven from their homes, and depend for their bread upon the ministering hand of the angel of the Lord. Let us act while we have opportunity.

ADOLPHUS SMITH.

Note from Bro. Byington.

By John Byington

I SPENT Sabbath and first-day with the church in Parkville. Our meetings were interesting. There are a few left (while others have died or moved away,) in and about Parkville, who appear to be united, and desirous of maintaining the truth there. By the labors of Brn. Andrews and Loughborough, twelve years since, this church was raised up, and soon built a house of worship; and had brethren not removed, but proved faithful, the church would now be strong. There has been but little labor in this place or county since the tent was there. No doubt but there are many that would be glad to hear the reasons of our faith and hope. At the close of our meeting, all in the house arose in favor of having some one of our evangelists hold a series of meetings with them as soon as may be. If this be the will of the Lord may the burden fall on the right man. I have some fears for my health, as a cold winter approaches; but, Providence permitting, I will do what I can to assist in a meeting there. Brethren, shall the house in Parkville be left desolate? J. BYINGTON.

In What Way May a Preacher Sink His Audience?

The following anecdote, which the writer of this article had from the lips of the concerned individual, may aid your readers, Mr. Editor, in coming to the proper answer. It may even benefit the venerated incumbents of the highest office in the sublunary gift of God; it may prove salutary to many, as it has to some of the commissioned ambassadors of Jesus Christ. To them the question is practical, and every man shall kiss his lips that “giveth a right answer.”

I was once designated, said the narrator, to preach the annual election sermon, in the metropolis of my native State, (Hartford, Ct.,) and before its Governor, its Legislature, and other professional dignitaries. The weather was fine, the concourse numerous, and composed of the intellectual nobility, civil and ecclesiastical, of the whole commonwealth, including strangers of distinction, and constituting an audience of the highest respectability.

I, of course, tarried with the pastor of the place, the late Dr. Strong. As the bell began its monitory tolling, I left the study and descended to the parlor. There I was ushered into a circle of clergymen, few of whom I knew, and none of whom at that moment I rejoiced to see. The conversation turned upon my feelings in view of the specialty of the service. Some sympathized, others prophesied, others encouraged, and others counselled; how many prayed for me I know not. At last one said, “Fear nothing; be bold and independent; just imagine them to be a patch of cabbages, and treat them as such, and my word for it you will succeed.” Oh! thought I, “if I could sink them upon this principle, and bring my feelings just there, it would do!” but, at this instant Dr. Strong entered the room, and informed those present that it was time to proceed to the church.

As the preacher and pastor are ever partners in the procession, according to our good habits, I had the privilege of walking with the doctor. He soon inquired the state of my feelings, having learned their perturbation, and wishing to assuage them, thus accosted me: “Well, my brother, can you not sink them? You have not forgotten the advice of Mr. ——, which I overheard just before I summoned you to move?” “No,” I replied; “but they are such a select assembly, and will expect so much, and criticise so sternly! and what if I should fail?” The doctor rejoined: “I am not surprised that you find it difficult to adopt that counsel and preach under the inspiration of a lie. It is folly, falsehood, and stupidity; and to which of these ingredients the poisonous composition is most indebted, it were hard to resolve. They are not cabbages, nor cannibals, but a collection of cultivated men and morally responsible beings; and to you pertains the responsibility of addressing them as such, and propounding to them their duty under the sanction of their Creator’s will. You must face them and ‘speak boldly as you ought to speak.’ And you need not fear their faces.

“Take my counsel; when the sun rides at his meridian, the stars are lost in the glory of his beams; and when God is exalted, his creatures are forgotten. Fill your thoughts with a sense of his presence, and your obligations; think of his goodness and his promises; let God fill your whole field of vision, then man will appear in proper diminutiveness. This is truth and grace; this will sink your audience without injuring them, or inflating you; and, in truth, I know of no other mode of sinking an audience legitimately, than that I have suggested.” He paused; and I was relieved. His counsel pervading my whole soul, I was enabled to magnify my office and my Master, and I have since retained it, and practice upon it with the happiest and most durable satisfaction.

Believing as I do, Mr. Editor, that every audience must be sunk, and God exalted, where the preacher is free and fearless, and the preaching effectual; and that the above counsel of an illustrious preacher may benefit his successors and juniors in office—perhaps private Christians, even editors—I have sent it, with my respects, as a contribution to your valuable miscellany.—Religious Chronicle, for 1840.

The Editor’s Sickness

By W. C. G.

The editor’s sickness will account for the non-appearance of “Thoughts on the Book of Daniel,” as well as for any other irregularities or deficiencies in the general “make up” of the paper. Bro. Smith has been suffering for about two weeks with bilious fever, but we hope and trust he will soon be able to resume his duties. In the meantime, let the contributors keep up their efforts in supplying copy, that the REVIEW may not suffer for want of good matter. W. C. G.

A Visit from Eld. H. P. Burdick

By W. C. G.

Sabbath, Oct. 15, the church in Battle Creek had the pleasure of a visit from Eld. H. P. Burdick, Seventh-day Baptist, and of listening to a stirring discourse from him on the duties of Sabbath-keepers in view of the impending conflict on the subject of the Sabbath. He alluded to the instrumentalities in possession of the advocates of God's law, the educational advantages of the Seventh-day Baptists, and the publishing facilities of the Seventh-day Adventists, and paid a feeling tribute to the zeal and earnestness which had put in successful operation the Publishing Association, which is a means of great good in disseminating light on the subject of the Sabbath. The speaker expressed the belief that God would make use of the zealous, honest, and earnest ones, in both denominations, in meeting the enemies of his law, and that the trembling, half-hearted and worldly, whether Seventh-day Baptist, or Seventh-day Adventist, would be rejected of him, as of no use in the great conflict before us. The discourse abounded in practical thought and instruction, and added much to the interest of our Sabbath worship. W. C. G.

To the Danish Brethren.

By John Matteson

Some have complained, and thought the General Conference Committee did not do justice to us as a people, by taking me away from laboring among the Danes, and sending me to Kansas. I wish to say on this subject, that the committee has never done any such thing. They only permitted me to go, at my own urgent request. Whatever blame is to be laid on any one for this proceeding, must all be laid on me. I am willing to give an answer, and present my reasons for said enterprise, to those who ask me.

I have indeed found the Conference Committee deeply interested in our welfare as a people, and trust, by their help and counsel, through the mercy of God, that the cause may be prospered also among us. Let us give those dear and tried servants of the Lord our full confidence and co-operation.

JOHN MATTESON.

A Request.

By A. C. Bourdeau

Bro. and Sr. Orcutt of Bordoville, Vt., are both passing through quite a siege, having a severe run of typhoid fever. Sr. O. was taken sick seven weeks ago; has had watchers ever since then. Is some better now, but not beyond danger. Bro. Orcutt faithfully watched by the side of his sick wife till two weeks ago, when he also was taken down with typhoid fever. No available means were sufficient to break the fever. Intelligence from home yesterday represents him as no better. Let us remember the afflicted in our prayers. A. C. BOURDEAU.

Jericho Corners, Vt., Oct. 11, 1870.

Note from Illinois.

By R. F. Andrews; T. M. Steward

We have continued meetings here ten weeks. Preached about seventy-five times, and the interest has increased from the beginning to this time. Last evening, after first-day, while there were about five hundred present, we, took an expression to know how many were going to keep God's Sabbath (the seventh day), and nearly one hundred arose. May the Lord help them to pay this vow faithfully. We remain here until the 12th, as the people have sent for a man to come and preach against us. He sent word that he would be here the 12th. The Lord is doing wonders here. Praise his holy name! Oh! that we may ever keep humble, so that he may work through us to his own glory.

R. F. ANDREWS, T. M. STEWARD.

Northville, Ill., Oct. 7, 1870.

Business Department.

Not Slothful in Business. Rom. 12:11.

Business Notes.

A. G. CARTER: Faith and Hope, No. 2, is not yet completed. Will Nancy Gibbs please give us her Post-office, County, and State?

RECEIPTS

For Review and Herald.

Annexed to each receipt in the following list, is the Volume and Number of the REVIEW & HERALD to which the money receipted pays,—which should correspond with the Numbers on the Papers. If money for the paper is not in due time acknowledged, immediate notice of the omission should then be given.

$1.00 each. A J Richmond 37-1, M A Eaton 38-1, Jas Yerrington 36-23, H Youngs 37-6, S J Nelson 37-17, H A Fortune 36-23, E Eaton 37-9, J Hansen 37-17, Reuben Worick 38-17, J Stebbins 38-17, C Paul 38-1, L A Kinsley 38-17, J Clarke 37-17.

$2.00 each. L Townsend 38-14, Wm James 39-1, Mrs W Chipman 38-16, T Crouch 38-6, M J Lippincott 38-23, Mrs Wm Page 38-1, T T Brown 37-3, R Voorhees 38-1, D D Alexander 38-17, H Carey 38-17, D C Demarest 38-1, J A Williams 38-1, S Keefer 37-19, S Zollinger 38-20, G W Addis 38-17, S Wells 38-15, E F Rood 39-14, J H Aldrich 38-16.

Miscellaneous. F F Lamoreaux $1.60 36-16, A Christianson 1.50 37-24, Chas Macy 50c 37-17, J H Lonsdale 4.00 39-1, G B Thompson 3.00 37-9, G Sweet 3.00 36-1, C G Lagdon 4.00 38-1.

Books Sent by Mail.

John Williams $1.00, W Bender 17c, Bell Simonton 1.00, M Linsley 35c, Jacob Kiehl 15c, A Christianson 17c, D C Demarest 1.00, A H Lewis 17c, D Stone 20c, A G Carter 17c, M J Clarke 17c, A W Cummings 17c, N H King 30c, L A Wheeler 20c, S H Kime 25c, A D Eshelman 17c, L B Hoy 1.50, H Smith 25c, S Zollinger 34c, S N Haskell 1.00, G Owen 50c, Mrs L M Cowles 50c, J Lundington 50c, M L Potter 2.25, J S Rutledge 17c, Thos S McDonald 1.00, P Maddox 17c, J Heffer 17c, Andrew Seaman 35c, Jas E White 1.54, J L Calkins 25c, A Chaffe 18c, Mrs L M Cowles 2.95, J H Dodge 17c, M J Shattuck 17c.

Cash Received on Account.

John Clarke $1.00, Amos Holt 15.00.

Michigan Conference Fund.

Church at Parkville $2.50.

General Conference Missionary Fund.

Mary Lyons 40c.

Foreign Missionary Fund.

F R Richmond $12.00.

Appointments.

And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of Heaven is at hand.

The next monthly meeting of the S. D. Adventist church of Allegany County, N. Y., will be held at the Niles Settlement, the first Sabbath and first-day in November next, (the 5th and 6th of the month). All the members of the church are requested to be present. Josiah Witter, Clerk.

The next quarterly meeting of the S. D. Adventists of Bowersville and the adjoining counties, will be held at Bowersville, commencing on the evening of the Sabbath, Oct. 30, and will continue over Sunday. Come, brethren and sisters, all; and come praying that we may receive a blessing of the Lord. Can not Bro. Van Horn be with us at that time? Wm. Cottrell.

The next monthly meeting at Johnstown Center, Wis., will be held Nov. 5 and 6, 1870. A. B. Williams.

Monthly meeting in Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., in the school-house near C. S. Crumb, in East Otto, the first Sabbath and first-day in November. Providence permitting, Bro. Reynolds will attend with us. R. F. Cottrell.

Monthly meeting at Lancaster, Erie Co., N. Y., the second Sabbath and first-day in November. Bro. Reynolds designs to attend. R. F. Cottrell.