Bro. Smith: I am still striving to hold on my way, amidst the surrounding darkness. I am thankful for the privilege of reading the Review, and it is my prayer that the dear saints that have come out from the world, and from the fallen churches, to keep all the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ, may grow stronger and stronger in the Lord, and in the power of his might. I rejoice to hear that precious souls are embracing the truth. I could heartily say amen to Bro. Cornell's prayer, "O Lord speed on thy servants to the honest waiting ones." I feel that the Bible truths advocated in the Review are very precious to me, and I want every one to have them that has any room in their hearts for the truth. Those whose hearts are so full of tradition, prejudice, and the love of the world, that they cannot receive the truth are to be pitied; and I would crave the prayers of all my brethren and sisters, for the people here and for my family, that they may see their perilous condition. There are a goodly number here that I have formerly esteemed very highly in love for their work's sake, and I often feel to say, "How shall I thee up give?" "How can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred?"
May God have mercy upon them, and give them to see their condition before it is too late. I am glad for the cheering letters from the brethren and sisters, and I hope others will write. I hope also that those brethren and sisters who have the privilege of meeting on the Sabbath, and in prayer meetings with those of like precious faith, will remember the lonely ones, and pray that God would give us wisdom at all times, to walk worthy of our high and holy calling.
Your sister hoping for eternal life.
Mary F. Carpenter.
Waterville, Vt., Feb. 22d, 1858.
A Convert to the Sabbath Truth
By Seth Newton
From Bro. Newton.
Bro. Smith: I have been a believer in the Advent doctrine since 1843. I believed that the Lord would come on the 10th day of the 7th month, but I was disappointed; and as time rolled on, I knew not where we were in the age of the world but I believed that our Deliverer would soon come, therefore I tried to trust in him, though sometime I had hardly enough faith to keep me alive. The doctrine of the Age-to-come has been preached in this place a great deal, so much so, that we had scarcely life enough left to pray, and some had given up family worship altogether. I for one had laid it down for more than a year. About six weeks ago Brn. Sperry and Hart came this way and said to me that they had some things to tell the people in this place, and as I was one of the directors of the school, they asked the privilege of preaching in the school-house. I said they could have the house, but I thought they would not have many hearers in this place. I was very much opposed to their views, though I said I would go and hear, for I thought I had read so much against the Sabbath, that my mind could not be turned. But after hearing about ten discourses, the truth wrought so powerfully on me that I had to manifest publicly, that I should try from that time onward, to keep the commandments of God and to have the testimony of Jesus Christ, and I can truly say that I feel more and more strengthened to try and do the Lord's will.
I feel truly that we are living in perilous times and therefore we should be very careful how we speak, or hear, or act, that we may be found in the end without spot or wrinkle or any such thing. I believe that we are hearing the last warning or message that will be given to warn the world to be ready to meet the Lord.
I feel for some in this place who are fighting against this message. They came out under the sound of the first angel, and gave up all to be ready to meet the Lord on the 10th day of the 7th month; but now they reject the Third Angel's message, and say that those who preach it are wolves in sheep's clothing, and that they make division wherever they go. I think I read that Christ came not to send peace on the earth but rather division. I think that God's truth is calculated to make division when it is preached according to his will, and separate his children from the world. I am satisfied that the Advent church is too much like the world in many respects. I feel to ask God for grace to help us to separate ourselves entirely from the world, and live so that we may rejoice in God from day to day.
There are only three families of us here that are willing to try to keep the commandments of God. We meet together every Sabbath, and try to strengthen each other by praying and exhorting one another as we see the day approaching.
Yours truly, Seth Newton.
Crane's Grove, Ills., Feb. 18th, 1858.
Motives in Attending Revivals
By Editor
Note. Brethren should look well to their motives, in attending the so-called revivals of these last days; and if there is not an opportunity, and a fixed purpose to give free utterance to the present truth, we see no good that can result from a connection with them.—Ed.
F. C. CASTLE
By F. C. Castle
From Bro. Castle.
BRO. SMITH: The Lord has been good unto us since we came to this place. Nearly one year ago my youngest sister became convinced that we had the truth, made up her mind to serve the Lord, and was baptized last Summer by Bro. Byington. Since then my only brother and eldest sister have also become searchers for the truth and obedient to the same, and stand ready to go forward in the ordinance of baptism when they have an opportunity. We would like to see some one of the Lord's servants this way if convenient.
I feel to praise the Lord for what he has done, and want to be more humble, and keep my place in the dust at his feet. Though we have had some dark hours and trying scenes to pass through, we find it good to trust in the Lord.
Yours in hope of eternal life.
F. C. CASTLE
Edwards, N. Y., Feb. 21st, 1858.
L. MCINTYRE
By L. McIntyre
From L. McIntyre.
SOME six years since I became conscious that man needs some kind of religion, and accordingly I united with the F. W. Baptists, but there seemed something still wanting. An inward voice often said, "There is neighbor Davis who keeps the true Sabbath, learn of him." Henceforth, whenever I attempted to labor on the seventh day, I felt that I was doing wrong, and this feeling became stronger and more reproving, until I resolved to investigate, and I have now, by reading the Scriptures and such other works as I could procure, become fully confirmed in the belief that the Sabbath is the same as mentioned in Genesis, and therefore I shall keep it.
With these views. I had serious thoughts of uniting with the Seventh-day Baptists; but friend J. Button advised me to seek a little further, feeling assured if I did so, I would straitway "come out of her." I shall continue to seek for the truth, and trust the fires of conscience may soon be quenched by dewdrops of wisdom from on high.
L. MCINTYRE
A Lonely Believer’s Journey
Bro. R. Miles writes from Ills., Jan. 31st, 1858: "I hardly know how to express my love to God for his blessed truth which I firmly believe. I am one of the lonely ones as is often remarked. I traveled about twenty-six miles on foot to visit Bro. and Sr. Pratt. While crossing the broad prairie I thought of father Abraham when he was told to lift up his eyes and look northward and southward, eastward and westward, and received the promise of all the land for an everlasting possession. My heart was affected and I felt like weeping. I had a happy time with Bro. and Sr. Pratt, and would say to others who may be in like circumstances, Take courage, trust in God. I love the blessed Jesus and his truth and his people. I have had several talks with Baptist and Methodist ministers on the fourth commandment. The Baptist minister acknowledged no sanctified time but the seventh day. We would be very happy to have Bro. Joseph Bates, or some other brother come here and labor a while. Spiritualism is spreading very rapidly. Brethren, it is very important that we know the truth by which we are to be made free, that we may not be brought into bondage by the many deceptive spirits which are in the world. Thanks be to God for the blessed lamp that shines upon the pathway of the just, even to the perfect day."
The Church Without State Support
The London Quarterly Review, on the Christian church says: "It is now lying like a long buried corpse, which the air has not yet reached, and its lineaments seem perfect, and the body sound; but if it shall please God in his anger by some shock to lay it bare, it will crumble to dust. Let the State withhold its support from the church, and with the exception of that large portion which is beginning to be impregnated and held together by a true revivifying spirit, the body which calls itself the church will fall to pieces."—Sel.
OBITUARY.
By John Lindsey
FELL asleep in Jesus, Feb. 25th, 1858, Bro. Elon Everts, of Round Grove, Ills., aged 51 years. He was taken sick the last day of our conference and died the eleventh day after. His disease was lung fever. Bro. Sperry preached a very appropriate discourse from Rom. viii. 24, to a large and attentive audience.
The church deeply feel his loss; yet we sorrow not as those that have no hope; for it is written, "Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord from henceforth; yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors and their works do follow them."
The reason of which is given by Job: "O that thou wouldst hide me in the grave, that thou wouldst keep me secret until thy wrath be past." Job xiv. 13.
JOHN LINDSEY.
Round Grove, Ills., March 3d, 1858.
Meetings in Wright, Mich.
By J. B. Frisbie
Bro. Smith: I have at this date, February twenty-second, been lecturing two weeks in Wright, and expect to continue a week longer. Last Sabbath we had a meeting in which about fifteen spoke, and about thirty arose to keep the Sabbath. The interest is increasing and the work is spreading. I have urgent calls from different ways to give lectures. So I hardly know which way to go first. I lectured last evening in the village of Berlin, to about two hundred attentive hearers. This is about four miles from Wright. Six miles north of Wright there is a call to hear also. An influential man from Muskegon was here last night and left me word if I would come there he would warrant me five hundred hearers. That is thirty miles from this place, at the mouth of the river of the same name. I never was in any place in my life where there was such an ear to hear the truth as here. I feel well when I can see sinners converted, and the truth triumph over error. This I now see every day. The Lord shall have all the glory.
Yours
J. B. Frisbie.
Since the above was in type, we have received the following additional note from Bro. F.:
I have just finished lecturing in Wright. As near as I can learn, those who will keep the Sabbath there amount to about forty, mostly heads of families. Many others are interested to hear. I spoke last night in another district in a large school-house full of attentive hearers. They want to hear more. Some of the most influential men in the county are interested, men that the churches have no influence over. They admire a faith that makes the Bible plain.
To-morrow night I commence lectures in the village of Berlin, in the hall. I do not know how long I may stay there. May the Lord direct.
J. B. F.
Infringing on the Sabbath.
By H. S. Boyd
It is the practice of some of the brethren, (I know not to how great extent,) to work until, or a little after the commencement of the Sabbath, and leave their chores about their buildings (shaving &c included) to do still later as works of necessity. I presume these brethren would not go out into the fields and work an hour or two in the middle of the Sabbath. Will they give a good reason why it would be any worse than to plow and make it necessary to intrude the same length of time upon the beginning or end of the Sabbath? I confess that in my ignorance I cannot see even a plausible one.
H. S. Boyd.
Note from Bro. Ingraham.
By William S. Ingraham
Dear Bro. Smith: As angels are watching over this world with great interest, and rejoice over sinners when they repent, and saints are engaged in the same work, I would say for the encouragement of the remnant, that the Lord is in mercy remembering the people in this vicinity. Since my return from the West between twenty and thirty have embraced the Sabbath of the Lord our God. Others are investigating, and will soon, I think, connect themselves with us in keeping all the commandments of God. The church in Ulysses are striving to overcome. Our meetings are spiritual and well attended.
Yours in hope.
Ulysses, Pa., Feb., 1858.
WM. S. INGRAHAM.
Reformations in the Nominal Churches.
From what we read and hear of the great excitement in the different churches which has prevailed for some months past, it is evident that this work is quite extensive and very sweeping. This work is regarded by thousands as a wonderful outpouring of the Spirit of God upon the children of men.
Many regard these reformations as an evidence that the world is about to be converted. And in some places, I learn that it is supposed that the temporal millennium has already begun. But we are inclined to regard this work as a wonderful delusion—a very sweeping deception of the last days.
Says the Apostle, "For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, . . . and they shall not escape."
As I learn that our brethren and sisters in some places are in sympathy with these excitements, and think it to be the work of the Lord, we would like to ask such a few questions: Do you believe that the smiles of the Lord are with the sectarian churches as bodies? If so, how do you reconcile the declaration of Luke xiv, 21, "Then the Master of the house being angry," (which we believe represents the displeasure of God which rested upon the churches for rejecting the doctrine of the second advent of the Lord?) Is he "angry" with the churches without a cause? Again, read Rev. xiv, 8. Did not the churches grieve the Spirit of God in rejecting the preaching of the First Angel's Message in 1843? Does not their downward course since that time show that they have not, and do not stand in the light of the truth? And can you doubt that the time is near when we may apply to them the declaration of the angel of Rev. xviii, 1-4?
The village of Hillsdale, Mich., has been blessed (if it is a blessing) with one of these reformations. I might speak from observation of the measures used by the preacher to lead his converts step by step, till they were pronounced hopefully converted to the Christian religion, but I forbear here. Let it suffice to say that with a brother who attended the meeting with me, we left the house strengthened, if possible, in the faith that the churches are fallen, and many will be the "strange children" of the last days. See Hosea v, 6, 7.
Read the two following extracts clipped from a Hillsdale paper, and see the position occupied in connection with secret societies, by the minister under whose labors this work commenced and progressed. And tell me, do you think that God would use in his cause those who for the truth preach fables, and for the commandments of God, the doctrines and traditions of men, and are connected by such a secret and unholy alliance, with the wicked men of the world, as is indicated by the following:
NOTICE
By A. S. H.
"There will be an address delivered before EXCELSIOR TEMPLE OF HONOR, No. 25, at the Presbyterian Church, on Tuesday evening, 16th inst., at 7 o'clock, by P. G. W. T., Rev. J. Boynton. The public are cordially invited to attend.
"By order of the Temple.
"Hillsdale, Feb. 8th, 1858."
MASONIC DEDICATION AND INSTALLATON AT HILLSDALE,"FEB. 22D, 1858.
"The members of the Order will meet at the new Hall, at one o'clock, P. M., after which the procession will be formed and march to the Court House, where an address will be delivered by Rev. J. Boynton, and the officers of Hillsdale Chapter No. 18, R. A. M. will be duly installed by M. E. Camp, S. C. Coffinbury, G. H. P., when they will proceed to Waldron's Hall to dine. After which the new Masonic Hall will be dedicated. Vocal and instrumental music will be in attendance on the occasion. The ladies will meet and join the procession at Shattuck's hotel."
Let me say in conclusion, brethren and sisters, I do not take the position that there are no honest souls in the churches, yet to be reached and saved by the truth. But I dare not acknowledge that the Holy Spirit is the moving cause of these excitements; while we see so little of the fashioning hand of God in the work. Yea, I think it would highly dishonor his Majesty, and countenance and encourage those in their downward course to death, who "call evil good, and good evil and put darkness for light, and light for darkness," and have a form of godliness, "but deny the power thereof."
A. S. H.
Battle Creek, Feb. 7th, 1858
APPOINTMENTS.
PROVIDENCE permitting, there will be a meeting of the Sabbath-keepers at Lovett's Grove, Wood Co., Ohio, March 13th and 14th. Bro. and Sr. White will be present.
G. W. HOLT.
WE hope to be at Allegan, Sabbath, 13th inst., and spend a short time in that section. We do not expect to be able to hold many public meetings, but rather with the brethren and sisters, to obey the injunction of the Apostle, "exhorting one another, and so much the more as ye see the day approaching."
A. S. HUTCHINS.
PROVIDENCE permitting I will meet with the brethren in conference as follows:
Shelby, Oakland, Co. Mich. March 13, 14.
Buck's Bridge, St. Law. Co. N. Y., 20, 21.
Rouse's Point, N. Y., 27, 28, where Bro. Taylor may appoint.
Johnson, Vt. April 3, 4. or where Bro. Bingham may appoint.
Will Bro. Cornell meet with us at Shelby?
Battle Creek, Mich., March 8th.
JOSEPH BATES.
Appointments for Wisconsin.
By Joseph Harvey Waggoner
Providence permitting, a Conference will be held in Mauston, Adams Co., commencing March 20th.
Will Bro. Thurston, of Marquette, make arrangements for a Conference in that part of the county, to commence April 3d, and give notice? J. H. WAGGONER.
Business Items.
By Editor
T. Bryant. Your letter was received, the names entered and credit given on book, but through mistake the money was not receipted in the REVIEW. You will find H. E. Bryant's 50 cts. receipted in this number, and Chas. Woodman's in next INSTRUCTOR.
Emily Derby. In your letter of Dec. last, you stated that you had received all the papers due you from June 11th, up to that date. The five back Nos. we then sent you were all of the preceding Nos. of Vol. X. There was no paper published Nov. 5th. In making up your file of papers, look at the number, not at the date. The paper has been mailed regularly to you, but we send again all the back Nos. you speak of, and all from Feb. 4th to the present time. We have none of the tract on hand you refer to.
F. Wheeler. We presume N. C. Wheeler's INSTRUCTOR is included in the eight sent to Ira Abbey, as there is no such name on the book. The INSTRUCTOR has been mailed to S. E. Langworthy; but we send again.
J. H. W. What shall we do with the remaining 50 cts.? We sent you the names you requested, to Freeport, Stephenson Co., Ills. the 25th.
A. B. Morton. Your business at Delhi will be attended to.
A. B. Morton wishes us to say that his P. O. address is San Antonio, Bexar Co. Texas, where he would be pleased to have his friends address him
B. F. Brockway. It was received. We do not receipt money in payment for books.
M. Shepard. The REVIEW is sent to Sally Yuker.
BOOKS SENT SINCE FEB. 1ST, 1858. H. Gardner, Vt. A. G. Wilbur, Mich. T. L. Waters, Mich. C. E. Harris, Vt. E. Rose, Me. H. Snyders, Ky. J. Young, N. Y. G. S. Ray, Ills. F. F. Lamoreaux, Mich. C. B. Preston, N. Y. J. K. Bellows, N. Y. City, E. A. Pratt, Ills. B. F. Colvin, N. Y. B. Leighton, N. Y. A. Caldwell, Iowa. A. E. Dart, Wis. J. S. Richards, Me. J. N. Vangorder, Ind. A. Kimball, Ct. M. Borden, Ohio L. A. Risley, N. Y. Eld. S. Morrison, Mo. N. N. Lunt, Me. D. Edmunds, by express to Ann Arbor, Mich. B. Frisbie, by express to Berlin, Ottawa Co., Mich. C. L. Palmer, Mich. A. Hafer, Mich. Wm. Hafer, Mich. H. D. Frain, Pa. E. Betts, Pa. J. Hafer, Pa. J. L. Locke, Ind. T. Bryant; jr., Me. Mrs. S. Richardson, M. T. R. Sawyer, N. Y. A. T. Keiss, N. Y. P. Hart, Ct.
Receipts.
By Editor
Annexed to each receipt in the following list, is the Volume and Number of the ‘Review and Herald’ to which the money receipted pays. If money for the paper is not in due time acknowledged, immediate notice of the omission should then be given.
FOR REVIEW AND HERALD.
F. Wheeler (for G. G. Wheeler,) 0,58.xii,5. J. Stillman 2,00,xii,15. J. Fletcher 1,00,x,14. S. N. Smith 1,01,xi,1. R. B. Abbey (0,50, each for L. M. Clark, A. T. Clark and S. Clark) 1,50, each to xii,16. I. Abbey (3 copies) 3,00,xiii,1. A. Hurd 2,00,xiii,16. F. C. Castle 1,00,xii,1. G. M. Huntley 0,25,xii,4. Jno. Saulsburg 0,50,xii,17. H. C. Francis 0,25,xii,4. S. Taylor 0,25 xii,4. S. S. Rogers 0,25,xii,4. M. Straw 1,00,xii,17. W. Holden 1,00.xii,1. M. F. Carpenter 1,00.xii,1. L. Pierce 2,00,xii,1. R. E. Hancock 2.00,xi,1. E. Wilbur 0,25,xi,11. R, Peck 0,25,xii,5. B. Johnson 0,25,xii,7. M. Meeker 0,25,xii,7. J. H. Heggie 4.00,xiii,1. Wm. H. Tyler 1,00,xii,1. J. Park 3,00,xiii,1. E. Judd 1,00,xi,1. Wm. Pierce 1,00,xii,1. E. N. Edmunds 0,50,x,20. Jno. Kemp 1,64,xi,9. H. E. Bryant 0,50, (for A. R. Redlon) xii.1. A. M. Cole 0,25,xii,4. H. S. Lawton 0,25,xii,4. J. Williams 0,25,xii,4. I. Russell 0,25,xii,4. Geo. F. Boody 0,25,xii,4. B. Hazleton 0,25.xii,4. J. Wellman 0,25,xii,4. W. Streeter jr, 0,25,xii,4. F. Kittle 0,25,xii,4.
PAPER DELAYED—APOLOGY.
By Editor
The present number of our paper is delayed nearly a week on account of a disappointment in receiving paper from the manufacturers as soon as we expected. We date this No. March 11th, two weeks from our last issue, and trust nothing will occur in future to interrupt its regular publication.
Copied Communications
By Editor
We see that some are applying our note on copied communications to themselves to whom it does not belong. We would say that we had no reference to the reiteration of a chain of reasoning in an argument, but only letters copied verbatim, specimens of which were becoming of frequent occurrence.
Hutchins Reports Interesting Meetings
By Editor
Bro. and Sr. Hutchins, after an absence of twelve weeks, reached this place to-day, [Mar. 3d,] and report very interesting meetings in Burr Oak, Colon and Burlington. Bro. H. is prevented from giving a full report this week by reason of weak eyes. This may account for his not answering the very welcome letters from Brn. Barr, Waggoner and others.
The Saints Will Not All Sleep
By Editor
We understand that Rev. xiii, 15, which speaks of the image of the beast causing that as many as would not worship it should be killed, is leading some of our brethren to the supposition that the saints will all be killed before the Lord comes. The translation which Wakefield gives of this passage clears it of all difficulty. It reads as follows: "And he was allowed to give breath to this image of the beast, that this image of the beast might give orders to execute death on those who will not worship the image of the beast." Now unless we suppose that every wicked power will be permitted to put into execution every decree of vengeance which it may see fit to issue against the people of God, the text can furnish no ground for the above conclusion. But we cannot believe this, when the word of God is out for our preservation. We think we may therefore safely conclude with Paul that "we shall not all sleep." 1 Cor. xv.
MEN'S HEARTS FAILING FOR FEAR.
The late attempt on the life of the French emperor, has revealed the weakness of the empire. A revolution is anticipated. From the N. Y. Tribune we gather the following items:
"According to my informants, writes the Vienna Correspondent of the London Times, who have recently arrived from Paris, the general opinion in that city is, that the present dynasty is nodding to its fall."
"An eminent American, now in France, writes in a letter, received by the Africa: 'There is a frightful foreboding in the bosoms of the French themselves. I was talking with a friend the other day, a very devout and clear headed woman, and she told me, sotto voce, that she talked with no one who did not feel a stifling fear of what was coming, of a day of vengeance too black to contemplate.'"
"At a ball in Paris, not long since, a senator, a great friend of the Empress, was congratulating her on her gayety and good spirits. 'Yes,' said she, 'I seek to forget myself; I know that one of these days, we shall all perish together.'"