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Review and Herald, Vol. 27, No. 24.

Aion
Earlier text: Aion

The Foundations of the Seventh-day and First-day Sabbaths Contrasted.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

The Seventh-Day Sabbath.—1. God rested on the seventh day. Gen. ii, 3. This fact is undeniable and is admitted by all. Thus it became the rest day or Sabbath day of God. The day on which God rested became unalterably his rest day: the same as the day on which a man is born becomes forever his birth day. In neither case can this day be transferred to another.
2. God blessed the seventh day. Gen. ii, 1–3; Ex. xx, 8–11.
3. He commanded that it should be kept holy. Ex. xx, 8–11.
4. He pronounced the sentence of death against all who should do any work on that day. Ex. xxxi, 15.
5. Jesus rested on that day. John xv, 10; Luke iv, 16.
6. He commanded his disciples to keep it. He said that the law was binding, every jot and tittle, and condemned such as should break any one commandment. Matt. v, 17–19. This would include the Sabbath.
7. The apostles and Christ's followers kept it. Luke xxiii, 56. None will deny that they all kept it till after the resurrection. This is all we care to prove here.
Here are seven undisputed facts concerning the seventh-day Sabbath. Query. Is there much danger in following the example of God himself, of his Son, and of his children for at least 4000 years? We think not; yet we are told that Sabbath-keepers will be damned!
The First-Day Sabbath.—1. Did God rest on the first day? No one even claims that he ever did. Then it cannot be his rest day, or Sabbath day, any more than a day on which a man was not born can be his birth day. Then the first day is not the Sabbath, or rest-day of the Lord, whatever else may be true of it.
2. Did God ever bless the first day? No one claims that he did.
3. Did he ever command us to keep the first day? It is not even claimed that he did.
4. Did he ever pronounce a curse against any one for working on the first day? It is admitted that he did not.
5. Did Jesus rest on that day? No. Some say, Yes. But does the Bible positively say that he did? It is not claimed that it does. It is sometimes assumed that he did. But we are dealing with undeniable facts now.
6. Did Jesus command us to keep the first day? No one claims that he did.
7. Did the apostles ever keep it? No. Sunday-keepers say, Yes. Again we ask, Does the Bible positively say that they did keep it? It is readily admitted that it does not. Then again we say, Mere assumption is not an undisputed fact.
Of these seven facts which we see undisputedly apply to the seventh day, five are not even claimed to be true of the first day. Two are assumed to be true, but no positive proof is claimed even for them. Reader, which house stands on a sandy foundation, and which is founded on a rock? The answer must be evident to all.
D. M. Canright.
Battle Creek, Mich.

A Troubled World.

By W. S. Foote

In view of the iniquity which now abounds throughout the world, it is not to be wondered at, that intelligent, thinking men, should make up their minds that we are living in a time pregnant with important events. Said a preacher of some note, and whose body is now turning to dust, "I believe that between this and the year 1870, there will be a very critical period in the earth's history. I look forward sometimes with hope, but generally with fearfulness."
An intelligent lady remarked, "I believe that you Advent folks are right; but I have no heart in the matter, I think that the time is near when I and my family will all perish together."
Another, in view of the moral darkness which is prevailing and increasing, said, "I think those who are in their graves are the best situated." Professed ministers of the gospel (some of them), are getting into trouble in consequence of the low state of religion. "Two thirds of the members of my church," says a pastor, "are honorary members. They don't come to prayer-meetings; they do not attend Sunday-school; they don't add to the life of the church; they are but passengers on the gospel ship; they bear no burdens, add no strength; their names are on our books; they are honorary members."
The Wisconsin Puritan says: "Certain children of the Devil, dressed in Christian clothes, are trying to join the churches. One of these is the card table, which, it is insisted, is perfectly harmless if only used without stakes. Another is small domestic billiard-tables. Another, still, is domestic wine. And still another, is parlor dancing, and now and then a public ball."
The masses are watching the course of the fallen churches, and the worldly-mindedness, and inconsistent walk and conversation of the membership, is driving them further and further from salvation, and many are troubled, not knowing which way to look for a remedy.
Another cause for trouble, is the degeneracy of the youth. A Boston paper says, "The race of Puritans has pretty much passed away, and with them the manners, and to a great degree, the morals of their day. I do not believe the young generation is as good as the preceding one; I am certain that the boys and young men of to-day have more vices, less regard for decency, and are more unrefined than those of the preceding generation."
The progress of the Papacy is another cause of trouble with many. The paper above referred to, says that Bishop Haskins of that city was one of the committee appointed to determine upon the wants of the theological department of the public library, and adds, "Bostonians need not a long memory to go back to the time when a cross was a sure sign of a Romish institution, but now the symbol of redemption crowns alike the Unitarian, Methodist, and the Orthodox churches; and the Sisters of Charity depend very largely upon Protestants for their support."
The London Patriot says, "A strong petition has been sent from England to the Pope of Rome, asking for a restoration of communion between the two churches, and that people may smile at such attempts, but parties putting them forth are in earnest, and are men of settled purpose."
Things in the natural and moral world are a source of trouble. The Cincinnati Times has, under the head of Great Times, the following: "Cholera in Italy and France, Trichinæ in Germany, and Rinderpest and Sheep plague in Russia, Holland, and England; fatal miasmatic chills among the birds of Italy; epidemic among the oysters on the French coast, and 'suspended animation' of eleven American States, to say nothing about Fenianism." He might add, increasing intemperance, awful profanity, abounding licentiousness. Crimes increasing of every kind, and of the blackest dye. The progress of Spiritualism, making the fallen churches "a hold of foul spirits and cage of unclean birds." In view of these things, together with the vast preparation for war among the nations, and increasing perplexity among them, is it strange that men's hearts are failing them for fear of those things which are coming upon the earth?

Report from Bro. Matteson.

By John Matteson

Bro. White: I send the following report for the paper.
April 1–13, I stayed at home (Oakland). We had several meetings with the church, and when we gathered for Quarterly Meeting, April 14 and 15, we had a solemn time. We have many trials and strong enemies, and these within do often betray us. Nothing can save us but the mighty arm of Jesus. When we are weary, and torn, and sinking, oh, how precious is a smile from the Saviour, a few drops of his refreshing grace. Why can we not have more of it? Why must so many fiery darts be shot at our poor wounded hearts? Why does the enemy so often break asunder those young and tender plants which our heavenly Father hath planted? How deep we have fallen! Jesus alone can save us.
But sometimes he appears to be indifferent. We mourn in captivity. Our harps hang on the willows. In vain we tune our formal songs. The heart murmurs. Has he left us to weep in our sad despair? Then a gentle ray of heavenly light breaks upon our sorrowing minds, and hope revives. Blessed Jesus, thou wilt not leave us. We are pilgrims, few, feeble, and scattered. Toiling we have come. We long for thine appearing. When shall we behold thy face in glory? Shall I stand among thy people?
On first-day, several rose for prayers, and as we cried earnestly to God, he blessed us. Three united with us and followed their Saviour in baptism.
April 18, I went four miles south of Clinton, to a Norwegian settlement and commenced meetings. They kindly opened their meeting-house for my use, and here I delivered thirteen lectures. It was right in the midst of sowing, but the people gathered in spite of all obstacles. The congregation varied from one to two hundred, and the interest increased toward the close. Many were under deep conviction. Prejudice gave way before the truth, and sinners were anxious to be pointed to the Lamb of God.
But say you, why did you not follow up the interest? The church trembled, the creed tottered, and the trustees hurried to shut the house against me. They would not suffer me to say another word on the Sabbath question. There is no other place that I can obtain at present to hold meetings, and thus I must close in this place, trusting the Lord will open the way to finish his own work in due time.
Many are convinced on the Sabbath, a few have commenced to keep it, and some poor souls were weeping as I parted from them. May the Lord vindicate his own holy law, and receive glory and honor through Jesus forever, Amen.
JOHN MATTESON.
May 1, 1866.

“I Will Speak That I May be Refreshed.”

By Laura C. Hutchins

BRO. WHITE: The past four years to me have been freighted with a repetition of those hopes, fears, trials, and blessings, which are the common lot of those who strive for the heavenly prize. The language of my heart still is, with the Psalmist, “Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” The scoffer's jeer, the scornful look, averted eye, and sidelong glance, or the cold shoulder, may not penetrate and roll the deep waters of my soul. When was it not the lot of God's people to be misrepresented by foes, misunderstood by friends, while conduct and motives are misconstrued by the ignorant, the prejudiced, and designing? In numerous ways my Christian fidelity and happiness have been assailed, but I count them “light afflictions,” and would say,
“Nearer my God to thee, E'en though it be a cross That raiseth me.”
My chief care is that censure be not deserved. I expect the opposition of the adversary. With Rutherford I prefer “a roaring Devil to a quiet one.” I find I am more upon my guard, better prepared to meet him when he comes with open throat and terror, than when his approach is with seductive wile. I am resolved, though faint, to keep on pursuing. I am not always free from errors and mistakes; and I can truly say that when I discover these I am deeply pained. I desire to humble my soul and confess every sin in this day of atonement. Earth looks small and worthless to me.
“What the glittering smiles of earth? What the transient joys of mirth? Bubbles bursting at their birth,— Useless through eternity.”
Circumstances preclude my often meeting with those of “like precious faith.” Mothers who have a like experience, will perceive the difficulty with which, when wearied with the labors of the week, and the care of a large family, I walk a mile upon the Sabbath to attend meeting. Very little rest do I receive, and sometimes it takes weeks for me to recover from the weariness amid the labors which seldom permit leisure. Sometimes upon returning, having left my little ones with a hireling, I have been admonished that the Lord will have mercy, and that “charity begins at home.” I have felt a desire to say so to those who have felt to censure me. “Surely the heart knoweth its own bitterness.” Let us have fervent love in our hearts, and it will lead us to permit those whom we suspect of wrong to explain their conduct. To the lonely ones I wish to say, God has placed us in just the best place for us. If we are not his faithful servants there, and cannot say, “Thy will be done,” and still struggle to overcome, let me ask, What are we good for?
My heart has been deeply pained to hear of those who have turned back, and its language is,
To whom, dear Saviour shall I go, If I depart from thee?
Surely when one member suffers, all suffer with it. I have sometimes waited anxiously to hear of the prosperity of Zion; how painful to hear of the affliction of her watchmen; doubly so when they become unfaithful. My prayer is that God will in mercy raise up the afflicted messengers. I will not neglect to express gratitude that in pursuing the path of duty, I have been blessed, and opposition which I have been called to meet, has subsided. I ask the prayers of God's people for my beloved family, that prejudice may break away, and truth seen and obeyed, be our bond of union and our hope.
Your sister in hope of a blessed immortality. LAURA C. HUTCHINS. Ganges, Mich.

Going Forward.

By E. M. Gorton

DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: As I have gathered strength and been greatly encouraged by reading the cheering testimonies in the Review, I feel as if I would like, through the columns of this dear paper, to tell you something of my experience since I embraced the present truth. I commenced to obey the solemn warning of the third angel's message last summer, while Elders Van Horn and Canright were preaching in this place; and I have not been sorry for one moment that I ever sought diligently the true plan of salvation; but I feel to praise my heavenly Father continually for his goodness in sending his messengers here, inspired by his Spirit, to preach the word of God in its purity and beauty. I am determined to live out the present truth, be an overcomer, and be ready when Christ comes to make up his jewels, to meet him with joy and not with grief.
I can say that I never enjoyed myself so well in all my life, as I have since I resolved to renounce the vanities of this world, and try and live a Bible Christian. Although I have no friends now except the Adventists, yet I feel to rejoice that I have the privilege of being numbered with that poor despised company who are trying to keep all the commandments of God. I believe the time is near when the loud cry will go forth to close the third angel's message. Signs are fast fulfilling. There is not a day passes but what we can see something that portends the near approach of our heavenly King. Oh what a solemn time in which we are living! just on the verge of the closing up of this world's history. In view of these facts I think it is high time to awake out of sleep, for the night is far spent and the day is at hand.
Dear brethren and sisters, cheer up, and let the sweet sunshine of hope come in and take possession of your souls, for your redemption draweth nigh. Let us not despair whatever may betide. God's people and his cause are safe. He that sends the storm prepares the refuge. Let us put on the whole armor of God and be prepared to go through the time of trouble that is just before us, and be able to stand upon the sea of glass, and sing the song of Moses and the Lamb. May each and every one of us realize the solemn and awful time in which we are living, put our whole trust in God, and at last be gathered home. Pray for me. Pray for us in Watrousville, that we may go through with the remnant to Mount Zion.
Yours seeking a home in the earth made new.
E. M. GORTON.
Watrousville, Mich.

Profanity.

By A. JOHNSON.

MANY sins are committed under the apprehension that it is not wrong; but that to which I would more particularly refer, as claiming my most urgent attention, is the sin of repeating an oath from the lips of another. For example: Mr. A relates an incident to Mr. B, and being a profane man, he uses an oath. Mr. B likes the story, and soon repeats it to a neighbor, and as he is relating Mr. A's story, and not his own, he does not hesitate to use the same oath. This has become a common occurrence so that even those professing religion are guilty of this sin against God. To a person who has not given this subject any special thought the above may seem exaggerated, but careful observation will prove it to be true. This is one of Satan's methods of teaching human beings to swear, and none should be ignorant of its tendency. God forbid that we take his holy name in vain.
A. JOHNSON. Addison, Mich.

What is God?

By J. C. Ryle

READER, ignorance of God is one grand cause of mistakes in religion. If people did but know what kind of being he is, they would not treat him as they do.
Why do so many see no beauty in the gospel? Why do they see so little use in preaching Christ and the atonement? It all comes from this, that they have never really considered what God is. Their religion is wrong at the very foundation, and hence they see no fitness in the doctrines of Christianity.
Reader, give me your attention while I try to tell you a few things about God.
Now what is God? That is a deep question indeed. We know something of his attributes. He has not left himself without witness in creation. He has mercifully revealed to us many things about himself in his word. We know from scripture that God is a Spirit, eternal, invisible, almighty, the Maker of all things, the preserver of all things, holy, just, all-seeing, all-knowing, all-remembering, infinite in mercy, in wisdom, in purity.
But alas! after all, how low and grovelling are our highest ideas, when we come to put down on paper what we believe God to be. How many words and expressions we use whose full meaning we cannot fathom! How many things our tongues say of him which our minds are unable to conceive. How small a part of him do we see! How little of him can we possibly know! How mean and paltry are any words of ours to convey a clear idea of the Eternal Being who made this mighty world, and with whom one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day! Yet this, remember, is the God with whom we have to do. How faintly can our corrupt minds understand a being who is entirely and always holy—holy in all his ways, and holy in all his works,—a being who is of purer eyes than to behold evil, and in whose sight the very heavens are not clean! Yet this is the God in whose hands we are!
How weak and inadequate are our poor feeble intellects to conceive of a being who is perfect in all his works,—perfect in the greatest as well as perfect in the smallest,—perfect in appointing the days and hours in which Jupiter, with all his satellites, shall travel round the sun,—perfect in forming the smallest insect that creeps over a few inches of our little globe! Yet this I say again, is the God with whom we have to do!
How little can our busy helplessness comprehend a being who is ever ordering all things in Heaven and earth by universal providence,—ordering the rise and fall of nations and dynasties, like Nineveh and Carthage, ordering the exact length to which men like Alexander and Tamerlane, and Napoleon shall extend their conquests,—ordering the least step in the life of the humblest believer among his people, all at the same time, all unceasingly, all perfectly, all for his own glory! Yet this, I say once more is God!
The blind man is no judge of the paintings of Rubens or Titian. The deaf man is insensible to the beauty of Handel's music. The Greenlander can have but a faint notion of the tropics. The Australian savage can form but a remote conception of a locomotive engine, however well you may describe it. There is no place in their minds to take in these things. They have no set of thoughts which can comprehend them. They have no mental fingers to grasp them. And just in the same way, the best and brightest ideas that man can form of God, compared to the reality which we shall see one day, are weak and faint indeed.
But one thing, I think, is very clear, and that is, the more any man considers calmly what God is, the more he must feel the immeasurable distance between God and himself. The more he meditates, the more he must see that there is a great gulf between him and God. His conscience, I think, will tell him, if he will let it speak, that God is perfect, and he imperfect; that God is very high, and he very low; that God is glorious majesty, and he is a poor sinful worm, and that if ever he is to stand before him in judgment with comfort, he must have some mighty Redeemer, Mediator, Friend and Helper, or he will not be saved.
Reader, mark well what I say. With such an one as God to give account to, we must have a mighty Saviour. To give us peace with such a glorious being as God, we must have an almighty Friend and Advocate on our side, an Advocate who can answer every charge that can be laid against us, and plead our cause with God on equal terms. We want this and nothing less than this. Vague notions of mercy will never give true peace. And such a Saviour, such a Friend, such an Advocate is nowhere to be found excepting in the person of Jesus Christ.
I lay these things before you. I know well that people may have false notions of God, as well as everything else, and shut their eyes against truth; but I say boldly and confidently, no man can have really high and honorable views of what God is, and escape the conclusion that we need a great Redeemer.
Reader, take the advice I give you this day. Go and pray that God would teach you to know these things aright. "This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." John xvii, 3—J. C. Ryle.

Tobacco and Morals.

HABITS that degrade the body degrade the soul. A man's moral tastes will keep pace with his physical appetites. By carrying natural appetites beyond their bounds, he weakens his control over those appetites of his nature which are right in themselves, but which become vicious and immoral when suffered to overreach their appropriate limits. Again, by creating and indulging unnatural appetites, not furnished by the Creator, but contrary to Nature's laws, he may not only look for the various penalties connected with those laws, but will find a tendency downward in his appreciation of moral obligation. Licentiousness in eating and drinking prepares the way for licentiousness in other things. The effect of gormandizing, on the stomach and brain, is to call into their immediate sympathy influences that are besetting and demoralizing on the mental tastes and habits. The effect of simple or narcotic excitants on the nervous system, is to create a demand for other excitants, which can only be satisfied at the expense of moral principle, and obligations to the divine command. Those very things introduced into the stomach which fret the nerves, and corrode by sympathy, the finer feelings of the heart. By disturbing the equilibrium of physical action, they make turbid and morbid the disposition of the mind. Thus a licentious body will beget a licentious soul.
See the insanity of mind and heart produced by alcohol, even on those who do not indulge in continued intoxication. It makes a man prize his drams more than the bread that feeds the inmates of his dwelling. Not less certain is the insanity produced by tobacco. Tobacco blunts the conscience. Appetite and conscience would be at war in this affair, but conscience has lost its power; it is now seared with this scorching, scathing poison. To this form of sin its sensibilities are dead, its perceptive faculties are destroyed. The tobacco devotee knows his course is wrong. His judgment, reason, common sense, all conjoin their testimony that this is sin. Yet he heeds it not. Conscience has lost its power of utterance. It takes no cognizance of the wrong; and therefore has no call to speak. The deacon of the church, who sees, and rightly too, the sin of even moderately steeping the soul with liquor from the drunkard's cup, disciplines with godly fear his brother for his unchristian walk, but heeds not the Devil's smearings on his own polluted lips. With conscience wide awake to his brother's complicity with the weaker bane, he himself, with the stronger poison in his mouth, goes on in sin. He lifts his hand to exclude his incorrigible brother for not withholding his lips from the destroying bowl, while he himself, not conscience smitten, grinds the accursed weed between his teeth, and rolls it as a sweet morsel under his tongue.
One excitant, as before stated, creates a demand for some other excitant. This explains the origin of the fact that so many bad physical habits become associated. Tobacco prepares the way for alcohol by creating a dry, husky, parched feeling in the mouth and throat; and by creating also a sensation of faintness at the pit of the stomach. Alcohol creates a demand for tobacco, or some other excitant, in a similar way. This mutual relationship existing between these articles, makes it extremely important that when a reform is entertained in regard to any of them, all others of this associated family should also be abandoned.

Remember.

We are not to remember everything if we could. Some things are not worth remembering. They are events of no particular importance. Other things are not profitable to be remembered. They are things which defile the heart and ruin the soul forever. They make us miserable and unhappy, as we should be if we recollected all the griefs and discouragements of our lives. Then there are other things which we ought to remember. They are things of importance, which can do us good, and bring us peace, and comfort us in trouble. And here are some of them: 1. Remember it is written in the Bible, "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Rom. iii, 23. We should all like to forget this; but if we do not remember it now, we shall be compelled to remember it in the day of judgment. God says, "If we say we have not sinned we deceive ourselves." 1 John i, 10.
2. Remember, God has also said, "The soul that sinneth it shall die." Eze. xviii, 4. Is there any hope for us that we may not die forever? There is.
3. Remember, "Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners," and "died for our sins." 1 Tim. i, 15; 1 Cor. xv, 3. He has said, "I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Matt. x, 12. He does not invite the good, but wretched, wicked, lost creatures such as you and I. He calls to us. Shall we go?
4. Remember, it is said of the Lord Jesus, "If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John i, 9. He will wash away the stains from our restless, burdened, sinful souls, and make our hearts pure, and free, and joyful.
5. Remember, the Lord Jesus expects us to love him in return for all his mercy and favor to us. The way in which we are to show our love for him is by obeying him in all things. Hear what he says about it: "He that hath my commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me; and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father; and I will love him, and will manifest myself unto him." 1 John xiv, 21.
6. Remember, Jesus Christ is coming to this world again, and we shall see him. Once he was in Heaven with the Father and holy angels. But he came here, and died for our sins on the cross. Then God raised him from the dead, and he returned to Heaven again. But as he was going away, two shining ones came and said to the people who were watching his departure, "this same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven shall so come again in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven." Acts i, 11.
7. Remember, it will be a glorious and an awful day when the Lord Jesus shall come back again. He will come in great pomp and splendor, with ten thousands of angels. And he will come laden with blessings for those who have known him, and have been serving and expecting him. He will come to wipe away their tears and give them joy. He will come to take away their cares and give them peace. He will come to exchange suffering and sickness and bondage and death, for gladness and health and deliverance and salvation. And it shall be said in that day, "Lo, this is our God, we have waited for him, and he will save us; this is the Lord, we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation." Isa. xxv, 9.
8. But remember, if we have not believed in this Redeemer and been saved by him, that day will be an awful one to us. With vengeance and darkness and despair will it break upon us. We shall long for the mountains and rocks to fall on us and hide us from the wrath of the Lamb. Rev. vi, 16. We shall remember everything then. But the saddest of all our memories will be the remembrance that we forgot God, and forget his words. Reader, will this be your case?—The Christian.

Useless Prayers.

By Theresa A. Herrick

Bro. White: I select the following from a paper. Please print it in the Review.
Theresa A. Herrick.
How many useless prayers we say, Because our lives our prayers belie; Because devotion dies away, As on the air its echoes die!
The lips may utter holy words, And tremble with the form of prayer; May charm the ear like singing birds, And seem an angel's praise to share!
And yet, unless a life of love, Which fain would bless the world, be ours, In vain we lift our hearts above, Though worshipping in Eden howers!
Our life, our love, gives soul to prayer, Faith' wings it to the mercy seat; Wins its divine acceptance there, And pours Heaven's treasures at our feet!

The Captain and the Quadrant.

A GODLY man, the master of an American ship, during one voyage found his ship bemisted for days, and he became rather anxious respecting her safety. He went down to his cabin and prayed. The thought struck him, if he had with confidence committed his soul to God, he might certainly commit his ship to Him; and so, accordingly, he gave all into the hands of God, and felt at perfect peace; but still he prayed, that if He would be pleased to give a cloudless sky at twelve o'clock, he should like to take an observation, to ascertain their real position, and whether they were on the right course.
He came on deck at eleven o'clock, with the quadrant under his coat. As it was thick drizzling, the men looked at him with amazement. He went to his cabin, prayed, and came up. There seemed still to be no hope. Again he went down and prayed, and again he appeared on deck with his quadrant in his hand. It was now ten minutes to twelve o'clock, and still there was no appearance of a change; but he stood on the deck, waiting upon the Lord, when, in a few minutes, the mist seemed to be folded up and rolled away as by an omnipotent and invisible hand; the sun shone clearly from the blue vault of heaven, and there stood the man of prayer with the quadrant in his hand; but so awe-struck did he feel, and so “dreadful” was that place, that he could scarcely take advantage of the answer to his prayer. He, however, succeeded, although with trembling hands, and found, to his comfort, that all was well. But no sooner had he finished taking the observation, then the mist rolled back over the heavens, and it began to drizzle as before.
This story of prayer was received from the lips of the good Captain Crossby, who was so useful in the Androssan awakening; and he himself was the man who prayed and waited upon his God with the quadrant in his hand.
“Prayer makes the darkened cloud withdraw; Prayer climbs the ladder Jacob saw; Gives exercise to faith and love; Brings every blessing from above.”

Sins of Ignorance.

It is in vain for persons to pretend that those are sins of ignorance, which they have often and clearly heard testified against from the word of God. It will be found to be so at last; it will be found to be a vain thing for persons who have lived under the light of the gospel, and where all manner of iniquity is testified against, if they live in immoral and vicious practices, to pretend that they are sins of ignorance; unless the case be very peculiar and extraordinary. It is in vain for you to pretend that those are sins of ignorance, of which you would not dare to proceed in the practice, if you knew that your soul was to be required of you this night. Persons do many things for which they plead, and pretend they think there is no evil in them, who yet would as soon eat fire as to do the same, if they knew they were to stand before the judgment seat of Christ within four and twenty hours. This shows that people do but prevaricate when they pretend that their sins are sins of ignorance.—Edwards.

Letters.

By Editor

"Then they that feared the Lord, spake often one to another."
This department of the paper is designed for the brethren and sisters to freely and fully communicate with each other respecting their hopes and determinations, conflicts and victories, attainments and desires, in the heavenly journey. Seek first a living experience and then record it, carefully and prayerfully, for the comfort and encouragement of the other members of the household of faith.

A Call for Sabbath Messengers

By Wm. Cottrell

From Bro. Wm. Cottrell.

Bro. White: A few months have past since I received and embraced the third angel's message, and that, too, without hearing any one proclaim those great and glorious truths. Well, I wish to say that we, (my wife and I) love the truth, and are endeavoring to live it out. We are anxious to do our whole duty, and overcome every evil, and be prepared for the coming of the Lord; believing as we do, that it is near, even at the door. We praise the Lord that we have ever been made acquainted with present truth. We pray that the Lord will direct some one of the messengers this way. Cannot some one of the brethren call on us, and give us a few discourses this present season? We ourselves have need to be taught more perfectly. We have never seen a Sabbath-keeper besides ourselves, but expect to see them in the New Earth. Yet we should like to see some of them here before the Lord comes. The last message of mercy has never been proclaimed in this part of the state I have however taught to some extent the few truths that I have learned. There are some here that are well nigh persuaded to obey the call. If some one of the brethren would come and make us the desired visit. I have full confidence that good would result from the same. Wm. Cottrell.
Bowersville, Ohio, April, 1866.

The Growth of Truth in Tuscola

By S. A. Doud

From Sister Doud.

Bro. White: I have a desire to tell you, and the brethren and sisters abroad, what the Lord is doing for me, and those who have received the third angel's message in Tuscola county. "He has wrought gloriously!" The first day of July, 1865, in Vassar, six testified their determination to keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. I was one of the six. Now what a change! Last Sabbath (April 25) there was an assembly at Tuscola village, of one hundred or more commandment-keepers. As I looked about and heard the many testimonies, I was constrained to say with the Psalmist, "The law of the Lord is perfect converting the soul; and the commandment of the Lord is pure enlightening the eyes." I could but exclaim with John, "How great and marvelous are Thy works, Lord God Almighty." When the commandments came to me, I felt as did Paul, Rom. vii, 9, "Sin revived and I died." Yes the law slew me, and where was I? (Where I fear many more are who transgress the law of God, and love and make a lie,) in the Methodist church. When my husband commenced to keep the whole law with me, the minister was exceeding wroth, called us very unchristian names, and offered in public to pay every one that would leave, the sum of five dollars. When one of the brethren came for our decision, we decided to leave the society, but demanded the money. Alas he (the minister) was a man of words but not of deeds, for the money has not come. We were turned out of that body because we thought the whole law was holy, and just, and good. Since that time I have been striving to overcome, and have found it no light task, but hope by the assisting grace of God to come off conqueror, and finally receive the overcomer's reward.
My faith and love for the truth grows stronger every day. Was much strengthened by listening to a discussion held at Watrousville, between Bro. Canright and Eld Russell, (a Methodist) upon the Sabbath question. Of that discussion, I cannot express my mind better than by referring to the hymn found on p. 437 of our book, especially the last four lines which read:
"Then give me my Bible and let me obey it, Instead of the statutes and doctrines of men; Aside for a moment, forbid I should lay it, To listen and argue for dogmas again."
Yours, in love of the truth. S. A. Doud. Vassar, Mich., Apr. 25, 1866.

God Uses Fishermen

God first collected the unlearned; philosophers afterwards; and he did not teach fishermen by orators, but overcame orators by fishermen.—St. Gregory.

Obituary Notices.

By O. H. SPENCER.

DIED, April 28, 1866, in Hobart, Lake Co., Ind., of consumption, my dearly beloved wife, Esther A. Spencer, aged 27 years, 10 months, and 7 days. She commenced keeping the Sabbath of the Lord about 18 months since. She died in full hope of a part in the first resurrection. Her last words were, "Death is nothing to what I thought it was. It is so easy, I am happy." We mourn her loss deeply, but hope to meet her soon. Funeral discourse from Job xiv, 10, by Eld. Canada, Free-will Baptist. O. H. SPENCER.

Through Tribulation to Heaven

When we have read all books, and examined all methods to find out the path that will lead us to Heaven, this conclusion only will remain, that through much tribulation we must enter into the kingdom of God.—Kempis.
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