We hear a great deal said about being christians. We hear a great many exhortations to be christians. This is all well. All this we ought to be. But will those who are freest to adopt such language tell us what it is to be a christian? We fear an unwarrantable use is made of the term; that it is used in too general and vague a sense, as though it signified the possession of no particular graces, and the performance of no particular duties. We respect the inquiry which should be instituted in regard to every one, as to whether or not he is a christian. We accept your exhortations to be christians. But what is it to be a christian?
All I want to know, says one, about an individual, is whether or not he is a christian. I care not to what body he belongs, or whether he belongs to any or not, or what his peculiar views may be; but is he a christian? This is all we want to know also; but still the inquiry remains, What is it to be a christian?
Speak to one of the sure word of prophecy that shineth like a lamp in a dark place; call his attention to the light of present truth; (and every age has its present truth, or Peter was utterly at fault in speaking of it;) and he answers, "Oh, I care nothing for that. I only want to know if a man is a christian. You may have any quantity of present truths and not be a christian." It is true that a man may be in possession of present truth, the truth that particularly concerns the generation in which he lives, and yet not be a christian; for theory is n't practice, belief isn't godliness. But there is another proposition equally true; and that is, that a person will not be very apt to be a christian who is not following the light of God's word, and living up to the present truth.
Urge upon a person the claims of the Sabbath, and very likely he will refer you to some examples who have lived and died before him, and tell you gravely that they were christians; that they kept the first day of the week; that they were blessed in so doing; that he can do as they did, be also blessed, and be a christian too. Therefore away with these minor points, these side questions, these strict particulars; and thus with the cry of Christian! Christian! he drowns all inquiry and answers all questions.
But this will not do. These "glittering generalities" will not answer the question. A man may not be a christian now for doing what constituted people such in times past; for if he does no more than they, he is governed by different motives; he has to reject positive light, since that light has now come; and in doing this he cannot be a christian.
Still, what is it to be a christian? To have faith in Christ, to love Christ, to belong to Christ, of course. But there is something more. Those who give it the most indefinite application, have never presumed to separate it wholly from the love of God also. No; the term Christian must signify not only a follower of the Lamb, but an obedient servant of the living God. But what is it to love and serve God? If an Apostle has answered this question, no one will deny us the privilege of adopting his answer. He says, "This is the love of God that we keep his commandments." 1 John v, 3. No comment is needed here; for surely no person who loves God will refuse to keep his commandments. But there is one question more: What are God's commandments? Think you of anything more appropriately such, than what he uttered with his own voice from the summit of Sinai, and wrote with his own finger on the tables of stone? commandments which had been known and kept from creation down? commandments which the Saviour said he came not to destroy, and which he told the young man he must keep if he would enter into life? commandments which the apostle Paul said were holy, just and good, and which he delighted in after the inward man? commandments in which the apostle James exhorts us to continue, and to fulfill according to the scripture? commandments which stand, in this dispensation, side by side with the faith of Jesus, and through obedience to which we gain at last our passports through the gates of the eternal city? Are not these the commandments of God? and is it not the love of God that we keep them?
We have so far progressed in our definition of a christian, that we have found it to mean one who unites with the faith of Jesus the love of God and obedience to his commandments. And the commandments are those which form the constitution of God's moral government. One thing more: What do these commandments require? You will allow us, reader, to refer to one which is more openly violated than any other. Its requirement runs as follows: "Remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy: the seventh day is the Sabbath," &c. Ah! here is the rock of offence, here is the stone of stumbling, to the would-be christians of these last days. Any way to be a christian except by the way of the cross! Any way to show our love to God, except by obedience.
Christians form no party. They constitute no sect or clique. They are simply the people of God in the world of their enemies. They stand in the same catalogue with the Patriarchs, Prophets, Apostles and Disciples of Jesus. Their only discipline is the word of God, their only test, the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.
We do not want to see a person therefore, when we enjoin upon him the duties incumbent on us in our fallen condition, when we present before him the crosses which lie directly in our pathway as we would retrace our steps back to eternal life—we do not want to see him then all evaporate in rhetorical flourishes on the word, christian. It takes something to make a christian; it costs something to be one; it involves some sacrifice. It is the deed and not the name that gives them entity.
Reader, would you behold a christian? Find a man who keeps the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, and behold him there. We do not say that all who profess to keep them, are christians; but we do say that no one can really keep them and yet not be a christian; and no one can now-a-days be a christian and not keep them. These constitute the only rock-bottom on which we can rear a structure which will weather the fury of the coming storm. For the rains will descend, the floods come, the winds blow and beat upon it, and he who has built upon other foundation, will find at last his most cherished hopes tottering to destruction in the sliding sand.
Are you a christian? If not, haste to join the number. Remember the steps by which you are to gain a position among God's elect. It is first, repentance towards God; for it is his law you have violated, and thus become a sinner; and second, faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ; for it is through faith in him that you are to become absolved from guilt which of yourself you could never remove. Acts xx, 21. The Lord help you to start in his service now, and to be finally of that innumerable company which shall pass in grand review before the Captain of our salvation, when he shall see of the travail of his soul and be satisfied.
EVIL SPEAKING.
By M. E. Cornell
HARD sayings against the law of God and those who keep it, are becoming more and more prevalent every day. It is a prominent sign of the times. A minister, in my hearing yesterday, called those who teach the present truth, “blasphemers,” “railers,” “liars,” “infidels,” &c., and said they did not know enough to comprehend truth, professed to be angels of God, with many other things equally cruel and false. But we are advertised of such a state of things in the last days, and we must not think it strange concerning the fiery trial that is to try us. The apostle Paul describes the perils of the last days, that there shall be “false accusers,” “despisors of those that are good,” &c., and Peter says, “the way of truth shall be evil spoken of,” “they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities,” “speak evil of the things they understand not.” “They speak great swelling words of vanity.” “There shall come in the last days scoffers,” &c.
Truly we are living in the last days of perilous times. “HERE is the patience of the saints.” “All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” Amen! Some have remarked that if we only had more persecution, we should live nearer the Lord; but this is substituting the effect for the cause, if we wait for persecution to drive us nearer to the Lord we shall never go. “The world will not persecute those who are like them.” When the church is out of the world, then will they be hated by the world. Separation and holiness will bring persecution. Living godly is the cause, while persecution is the effect. But great patience and faith is needed that when we are reviled, we revile not again. A certain minister, once preaching on the subject of misrepresentation and slander, said:
“When professors of religion so far degrade themselves and their profession as to attempt to injure others by lying and misrepresentation, they should remember that, when the devil was disputing with the archangel about the body of Moses, the Lord would not permit the archangel to bring a railing accusation against the devil; and until they can prove that the individual they wish to injure is worse than the devil, and that they themselves are better than the archangel, the Bible requires them to hold their tongues and mind their own business.”
John Wesley says:
“Condemn no man for not thinking as you think. Let every one enjoy the full and free liberty of thinking for himself. Let every man use his own judgment, since every man must give an account of himself to God. Abhor every approach, in any kind of degree, to the spirit of persecution. If you cannot reason or persuade a man into the truth, never attempt to force him into it. If love will not compel him, leave him to God, the Judge of all.”
“'Tis wondrous strange, and yet 'tis true,
That some folks take delight
The deeds of other men to view,
As if their own are right.
“And if a piece of news comes out,
They’ll eagerly pursue it;
Then hand the charming dish about
And add a little to it.
“Each fault they’ll try to magnify,
Yet seeming to bemoan
The mote within a brother’s eye,
Are blinded to their own.”
This scripture evidently speaketh not in vain. One sinner in a church, continuing in fellowship without reproof, is doubtless enough to bring the frown of God upon the whole body. Then darkness prevails. The humble and devoted ones struggle for the victory and mourn because they do not obtain it. They call to remembrance the former days—the many refreshings from the Lord enjoyed in the past—and while they contrast them with the present, they are greatly distressed. And Israel doth not prevail. Barrenness and lukewarmness are distressing the borders of Zion. Achans are in the camp. Church order is neglected. The law is slacked and judgment doth not go forth. Anciently the Lord cursed Israel because of one sinner, and as God is unchangeable a curse must certainly come, because of many no better than Achan, who are now claiming and formally receiving the fellowship of the church. If “whatever things were written aforetime were written for our learning,” and were “our ensamples,” then may we tremble and return to the Lord with weeping, and cry, “spare thy people, O Lord.”
Let the seventh chapter of Joshua be diligently read, and the circumstances there compared with the present people whom the Lord has delivered from modern Babylon and antitypical Egypt. If it was sin to covet the Babylonian garment and dissemble before Joshua and ancient Israel, it must be sin to covet and dissemble before the people of God now.
The word of the Lord to the Joshua among the remnant is doubtless, “Up, sanctify the people.” A confession should be demanded of these latter-day Achans, that they may be brought to the test. The covetous and dissemblers should not be suffered to remain without being subjected to a thorough Bible trial. Do not the present exigencies demand something more than mere promiscuous testimony?
A rich Sabbath-keeper said to one of the messengers that he was sorry he had not any money to help him to expenses; which of course was satisfactory to the Lord's servant, for the Lord requires according to what a man hath, and not according to that he hath not. But before the messenger left, that rich man had his attention called to the price of grain in a certain place, which was selling so low for cash that it would, as he said, double in value before Spring, and he had a mind to buy a hundred bushels.
The servant of God was shocked, but would he dare to manifest his indignation before such an one? Such instances are multiplying, and that without reproof. Some that still worship the tobacco god, have endeavored to hide it from the Lord's servants in a manner that amounts to coveting and dissembling, as did Achan, or Ananias and Sapphira.
What saith the Scriptures? “If any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner with such an one no not to eat.” 1 Cor. v. 11. Here the covetous man is ranked with the vilest of characters, and the Apostle's charge concerning them is to “put away from among yourselves that wicked person.”
Again in Eph. v, 5-7. “For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words; for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them.” See also Col. iii, 5, 6.
These scriptures, with many others, show how God looks upon the sin of covetousness. It is among the very worst of sins which God hates. From “Testimony for the church No. 2,” p. 31, we extract the following:
“I saw that the Israel of God must arise, renew their strength in God by renewing and keeping their covenant with him. Covetousness, selfishness, and love of money, and love of the world, are all through the ranks of Sabbath-keepers. These evils are drying up the sacrifice of God's people. Those who have this covetousness in their hearts are not aware of it. It has gained upon them imperceptibly, and unless it is rooted out, their destruction will be as sure as Achan's was.”
Again in “Testimony No. 1,” p. 11:
“I was shown that God's people have been weighed down with clogs, that there had been Achans in the camp. The work of God has progressed but little, and many of God's servants have been discouraged,” &c.
Concerning the duty of the church we have the following in “Testimony No. 1,” p. 6:
“I saw that decided efforts should be made to show those who were unchristian in their lives, their wrongs, and if they do not correct their lives, they should be separated from the precious and holy, that God may have a clean and pure people that he can delight in. Dishonour him not by linking or uniting the clean and pure with the unclean.”
In addition to the above we exhort most earnestly, the rich among us to read diligently chapter xxxi, of Spiritual Gifts. For one I believe God would have the covetous among us treated according to the light of his word. It is the solemn duty of the church to judge those within. If any claim the fellowship of the church, the church also demand that they walk according to the word. They must put away their covetousness or the church must put them away. Will the Lord ever return to this people, unless they return to him? Verily not. He will reject them and raise up another people who will take warning by the slackness of this people and will honor him by their faithfulness. O solemn thought! I have felt distressed on this account for weeks. There is danger of this people being left entirely. “I will spue thee out of my mouth,” says the faithful and true Witness. If the Lord shall spare his people yet a little longer, will they return to him? O Lord, forsake not utterly thy people, but still gather them unto eternal life. Amen! M. E. CORNELL.
Pray For Us.
By J. Clarke
WHAT should we think of a pirate who as he started on his expedition of plunder, should say, Pray for me? or of the murderer, who as he loaded his revolvers, should ask the prayers of the good? This would evidently savor of blasphemy. Not less absurd however is the conduct of those who scoff at the law of God, trample it under foot, and set up human inventions in its stead, and then to cap the climax, wonder why Sabbath-keepers do not unite with, pray with and for them with true fellowship.
First we entreat and beseech the criminal to quit his career of crime; then we will haste to speed him on in the path of holiness; but while he remains indifferent to his guilt, so long the man of God can only labor and pray for the conviction of the offender, his conversion and healing. While his heart is hard and indifferent to sin, so long he is out of the pale of christian fellowship.
When a person truly desires the prayers of God's people; when such a person feels a sense of the value of God's favor and of his smile of approval, he is then ready to take up his cross daily and to follow Christ through evil and good report. Such a temper of mind will not only ensure to itself the prayers of the godly, but the intercession of the Holy Ghost, the fellowship of the saints, and the heirship to immortality. J. CLARKE.
Meeting in Middleville, Mich.
By J. B. Frisbie
BRO. SMITH: I gave seventeen lectures in Middleville. Altogether I had a good attendance; and the attention was good with but little exception. I had considerable liberty in speaking, considering the prejudice that was in the minds of the people on account of reports about us. We trust some good has been the result of the meetings; if nothing more, to remove some prejudice, and set people to reading the Bible. Some few, I believe, have made up their minds to keep the Sabbath.
Middleville is one of the places that was wonderfully visited one year ago last winter with a modern revival, when many came out, but few held out. I should judge from all appearances that the place has been darker since than it was before, as it has been and will no doubt be in every place. I understood that three denominations united in the beginning and ended in confusion. They came to such a pass before the close of the distraction, that one preacher, in a quarrel about who should occupy the time, told another that if he preached at that time it would be under his feet. There are three preachers settled now in that little village, a Baptist, Methodist and Congregationalist. Each have a small handful of adherents, who are generally quite particular to attend their own meetings if any. If all three of the churches should assemble together, there would be but a small company. The religion of Jesus Christ is calculated to be a religion of union and love, not of disunion and confusion.
I have been thus particular in regard to this place, as it offers a specimen of the modern reformations—not reformation from error to truth, but a mixing up of sectarian jargon, and a preaching of what the Apostle calls “vain babbling.”1 Tim. vi. 20; 2 Tim. ii, 16.
I have become satisfied that it is harder to reach the hearts of the people after one of these false reformations, than it would have been before. This is Satan's object in carrying them on, viz., that the honest may become disgusted, and those who fall under the influence become hardened.
I learn that some have so little light in the things of the Spirit of God, that they think a mesmeric spirit is the genuine coin, not being able to discern between the true and counterfeit.
But say they, we have the Spirit and are happy, and have joy and power in our meetings. Very true; but where is the sweet love and union? It is not there. It cannot be found among them. This I learned before I left the churches, when traveling as a Methodist preacher. I did not then know the cause, as it commenced immediately after 1844; but now I understand it. They shall go with their flocks and with their herds to seek the Lord; but they shall not find him; he hath withdrawn himself from them. Hosea v. 6. J. B. FRISBIE.
How Ministers of the Gospel should meet Opposition.
"And the Pharisees began to urge him vehemently, and to provoke him to say many things." Matt. xi, 53. A minister of the gospel of God, should, above all men, be continent of his tongue; his enemies, in certain cases, will crowd question upon question, in order so to puzzle and confound him, that he may speak unadvisedly with his lips, and thus prejudice the truth he is laboring to promote and defend. The following is a good prayer, which all who are called to defend or proclaim the truths of the gospel, may confidently offer to their God:
"Let thy wisdom and light, O Lord, disperse their artifice and my darkness. Cast the bright beams of thy light upon those who have to defend themselves against subtle and deceitful men! Raise and animate their hearts that they may not be wanting to the cause of truth. Guide their tongues that they may not be deficient in prudence, nor expose thy truth by any indiscretions or unreasonable transports of zeal. Let meekness, gentleness, and long-suffering, influence and direct their hearts, and may they ever feel the full weight of that truth. the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God." The following advice of one of the ancients is good: "Stand thou firm as a beaten anvil; for it is the part of a good soldier to be flayed alive and yet conquer.">—Dr. Clarke.
SPIRITUALISM—ITS OWN CONFESSION.
Says Joel Tiffany, a champion of Spiritualism, in the Oberlin Evangelist: "After all of our investigations for seven or eight years, we must say, that we have as much evidence that they are lying spirits as we have that there are any spirits at all. . . . The doctrines they teach . . . are mostly contradictory and absurd . . . There are those . . . who have become and are becoming victims to a sensual philosophy, under the influence of what is termed Spiritualism . . . Spiritualism, in a very large class of minds, tends to beget a kind of moral and religious Atheism."
Ordinary Duties
By Hannah More
We are apt to mistake our vocation in looking out of the way for occasions to exercise great and rare virtues, and by stepping over the ordinary ones which lie directly in the road before us. When we read, we fancy we could be martyrs; and when we come to act, we cannot bear a provoking word.
SYSTEMATIC BENEFICENCE
**
I think,
" said the Rev. John Brown of Haddington, "this having a distinct purse for the Lord is one of the most effectual means of making one rich. I have sometimes disposed of more this way than it could be thought I was capable of, and yet never found myself poorer against the year's end."
Make the Best Use of What You Have
Make the best use of what you have, and then you may look to the Lord with confidence for more.
The Christian and Jewish Sabbath.
By E. B. Sanders
In looking over a number of the Oberlin Evangelist, Oct. 27th, 1858, I find an article entitled the "Christian and Jewish Sabbath," in which the Sabbath of the Lord is held up in a light not authorized by inspiration. Now truth is what we are seeking. The Bible is our guide, and let us carefully search the sacred pages, and see if the views advocated in the above named article are in accordance with divine teaching. See the article referred to for the following:
"The orthodox in their laudable zeal to preserve to the church and the world this divine institution of the holy day, have been in danger of grasping an obsolete institution, rather than holding forth the substance and spirituality of the Lord's day."
The obsolete institution here spoken of is elsewhere called the Jewish Sabbath, not sabbaths but Sabbath, where it is evident the Seventh-day Sabbath is intended, and is the institution called obsolete; but let us examine the Scriptures and see if the view taken is correct. The decalogue says, "Remember the Sabbath day," not a sabbath day, but the Sabbath, a definite day. We are not left in darkness as to what day this definite Sabbath comes upon. Read a little farther: "but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God," not a seventh day, but the seventh. Having now found which day is the Sabbath, let us see how long it endures. "Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations for a perpetual covenant." Pray how long does a perpetual covenant last? Does it ever become obsolete? But why was it given? for "it is a sign between me and the children of Israel forever." Ex. xxxi, 13–17. Then we see the seventh day Sabbath is a sign, seal or memorial, to keep in memory the true God, the God that made the heavens and earth. But how long was this memorial to last? He says it is perpetual, a sign forever. David says "Thy name, O Lord, endureth forever; and thy memorial, O Lord, throughout all generations." Ps. cxxxv, 13. Who are the children of Israel? "They are not all Israel which are of Israel;" but "the children of the promise are counted for the seed." Rom. ix. Again, "Now we brethren as Isaac was, are the children of promise." Gal. iv, 28. Hence we are Israelites by adoption, or in reality those who follow Christ are the true Israel of God. David speaking of Christ [Ps. xxii] says, "A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation." If all generations of Israel must keep the Sabbath of the Lord, here is one that must needs obey also. But this generation will endure forever. Ps. lxxxix, 29. Consequently the seventh day Sabbath will be truly perpetual, and therefore not an obsolete institution.
Let us hear the great Teacher. "For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law till all be fulfilled." Matt. v, 18. Is the word "seventh" or the word "the" a jot or tittle of the law? That Christ had reference to the law of God, or decalogue is evident from verse 19, where he speaks expressly of the commandments.
What shall we understand by the "spirituality" of the Sabbath or the Sabbath law? In the decalogue, the greatest crimes are mentioned, which comprehend all crimes of a less degree. Thus the law says, "Thou shalt not kill," which is the greatest crime of that nature; yet if a man should attempt to kill another and fail, he is guilty of breaking the law. This is keeping the law in spirit, if we neglect not the smaller things. See Hosea viii, 12, where God says by the mouth of the Prophet, "I have written to him the great things of my law." Dare we neglect such small points of the law as the word "seventh." But to return to the article.
"The Sabbath of the decalogue is truly the Sabbath of Eden; but the Jewish sabbath as prescribed by Moses is another institution, essentially the same but adapted to the Jewish system."
Here the seventh day Sabbath that the Jews observed is essentially the same as the Lord's Sabbath. But is it not just the same, as though the Jews had observed no extra ceremonies? The idea conveyed is, that if the ceremonies of the day are removed, the day must of course be changed; but what mode of reasoning will prove the change is not stated. Again the idea advanced that Moses prescribed a weekly sabbath lacks a Thus saith the Lord in its favor. Moses told the children of Israel that the Lord had given the Sabbath. Ex. xvi, 29. Again, the Lord came down on mount Sinai and spoke the law in the hearing of all Israel. The Sabbath command is a part of that law. Deut. iv, 12, 13. Also God wrote them himself on two tables of stone, and sent them by Moses to the children of Israel. But hear him through the Prophet: "Moreover also I gave them my Sabbaths to be a sign between me and them." Ex. xx, 12. The Lord does not say your sabbath or the sabbath of Moses, but my Sabbath. Is God a Jew, that his holy Sabbath should be called Jewish? Read again:
"What Moses did by divine direction, Jesus, the Lord of the Sabbath did—modified it and adjusted it to his system of religion. In token of his right to do this, he changed the day from the seventh to the first day of the week."
Did Christ come to legislate upon his Father's law? Did he come to change the law? David, long before, had declared the law perfect; could he better it by changing the Sabbath? Christ did not come to change or abolish, but to magnify and make it honorable. Isa. xlii, 21.
Where is the authority for changing the Sabbath? Where is the chapter and verse that says the Lord's holy day is the first day of the week? On the contrary, God has declared by the mouth of the prophet David, "my covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that has gone out of my lips." Ps. lxxxix. What God's covenant is may be learned by consulting Deut. iv, 13. How dare we then in the absence of any authority, presume to keep a day not commanded or authorized by even an inspired example? How dare we institute an ordinance of our own to commemorate the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth, when those events already have their mementos, instituted by our Saviour? But who did change, or try to change the Sabbath? as no one has done this by divine command, we must look for it somewhere else. It can be found in the acts of the "Man of Sin, and mystery of iniquity." He who should think to change times and laws, and exalt himself above all that is called God, by thinking to trample his holy Sabbath under foot and instituting in its place a First-day worship. Truly Isaiah was right when he saw in vision and exclaimed, They have changed the ordinance, and gave it as one reason why the earth was burned and few men left. Isa. xxiv.
To the Persecuted Few
By E. Jones
From Bro. Jones.
Bro. Smith: I have long had it in my heart to write a few words to the persecuted few, but have delayed until the present hour. I feel like one almost alone, out on the tempestuous ocean of time, tossed by the heaving billows of spite and persecution, and merely because I would presume to speak the truth with soberness and sincerity. I am living in the midst of what is called a christian community, but when I endeavor to show them the true ground upon which the christian should anchor his hope, I am at once denounced as wild, and a fanatic. O how slow people are to see their true standing in the sight of a heart-searching and a rein-trying God. When I speak of the second coming of Christ, I am asked where is the promise of his coming? When I speak of the saints' reward, I am told, all that have died have gone to their reward, and for the proof I am referred to Rev xiv. If I speak of the depravity of15man, I am told, "Physician heal thyself." If I speak of the duty and privilege of prayer, I am treated with cold indifference. Finally, the people do not want to hear on the subject of our Lord's soon return, to cleanse and purify the earth. Seeing then we look for such things, what manner of persons ought we to be, having our lamps trimmed and our lights shining, patiently waiting for Him who has said he would come again.
But again I am told that Christ comes at death, and if it is the death of a christian he is taken immediately to some place called heaven, or to his reward. If so where is the necessity of a future judgment? It cannot be found between the lids of the Bible, where the saints are to be judged twice, once at death, then again at the consummation. Where then is the christians hope? Verily in the resurrection; Christ being the first fruits of them that slept. Secondly, they that are Christ's at his coming, not at death, but his coming to judge the world. Then the saints will be raised, and those that are alive will not prevent them that are asleep in their graves; for they shall hear the voice of the Son of God and come forth, and with the living be caught up to meet the Lord, and so shall be forever with him.
O blessed hope! O blest abode!
When shall I find myself with God?
'Tis when my Saviour comes again,
'Tis then with him I'll ever reign.
Yours looking for and hastening unto the coming of the Lord.
E. Jones.Bloomfield, Mich., Nov. 21st, 1858.
H Y M N .
By Edwin O. Stiles
"And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives," Mark xiv, 26.
'Twas at that last and solemn supper,
Before the scene on Calvary;
Our Saviour sat with his disciples,
And sung a sacred melody,—
And were that hymn a song of sadness,
Or praise unknown until that hour;
Or melody by time made older,—
It then became a song of power.
It was the Lamb of God who sung it,
When near his hour of agony;
And soon we see him in the garden,
Of dark and cold Gethsemane;
"O Father, let this cup pass from me,"
He cried in sorrow there alone;
And with the blood-drops on his forehead,
Exclaimed, "Thy will, not mine, be done."
O yes, our dear and loving Saviour,
Could sing in spirit and with power;
And 'twas to bring lost man salvation,
That brought him to that trying hour;
And while he bowed his head in sorrow,
And to his Father told his grief;
As other eyes were dull with watchings,
An angel came to his relief!
There's none can know what Jesus suffered,
Save those who suffer with him here;
'Twas for their sins the Lamb was offered,
For them he shed the bitter tear;
Then while we sing his endless praises,
And triumph in his name and power,—
O let us ne'er forget the garden,
Nor yet our Saviour's dying hour!
EDWIN O. STILES.
Portland, Me.
Letters.
'Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another.'
From Bro. Gurney.
Bro. Smith: I send you a little of "Mr. Sel.'s" production; if he should get driven into a small corner of the Review, I should like it as well. Although some of his productions are weighty, yet they lack the spirit of the third message going forth in the power of Elijah the prophet. If the solemn message of the Third Angel, and of the faithful and true Witness fails to have a powerful influence upon our hearts, to make us a holy people, zealous in the work of reform, it will soon be too late. What! talk to God's people about reform? Thus saith the true Witness, Repent, or I will spew thee out of my mouth!! Who believes the report? How many are making the effort they should? Are they doing their whole duty—and are they zealous in the work of reform? O that the trumpet might sound louder! Cry aloud and spare not, show this people their sins and transgressions. The day of the Lord is coming! Who will make ready for the battle? The great day of wrath is a little before us; who will be able to stand? Where are the haters of this world? Who give evidence that they are seeking a better country, even an heavenly? Where our treasure is there our hearts will be also. This rule cannot fail. Let us make thorough work in reform, in order to make our calling and election sure.
Reader, what is our chance for eternal life? We have been a favored people—had line upon line and precept upon precept; the testimony of all the prophets, Jesus and the apostles centering to this period of time in the most pointed manner. If the children of Israel failed of the rest promised to them, through unbelief, I say again, What is our chance for the inheritance? Have we the witness within ourselves that we are heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ? Does the love of Christ constrain us to service? or do we love this world? The crisis is just before us, a dividing line will be drawn. It will be seen who are the servants of God and the servants of this world. The line will be drawn in justice; it may strike through the midst of our families, when the mark is put upon those who cry and sigh on account of abominations in the land. When the Lord's anger is revealed in the time of trouble, the plagues cannot touch his Son; and if our life is hid with Christ, we shall be safe. O escape for thy life, tarry not, let friend or foe oppose.
Yours, groaning for redemption.
H. S. Gurney.
Jackson, Mich., Nov. 20th, 1858.
Fighting to Overcome
By M. Hull
From Bro. Hull.
DEAR BRETHREN: I want to stand with the remnant on mount Zion; but I see that I must fight if I would reign. It is only he that overcometh that "shall inherit all things," "sit with Christ on his throne," have power over the nations," not be hurt of the second death, &c. All the blessed promises of the Bible are to those who fight, and overcome.
We are living in the time when the dragon is wroth with the woman, and is making war with the remnant of her seed which keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus. There are two parties, and but two; and you dear reader belong to one party or the other. Are you keeping the commandments of God? or are you giving your influence to the dragon's army, who make war with the law of God and those who keep it? You have an influence, and it must fall in one scale or the other. Which way will you cast it? It is for you to decide. Will you enter through the gates into the city? If so, keep the commandments. Don't forget the words of the faithful and true Witness. Blessed are they that do his (the Father's) commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life and enter through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. Not very good compay.
To those who are fighting for a kingdom I would say, it is necessary for us to work. God has committed to us some of the most sacred truths, and shall we let our light die? May the Lord forbid. The number of beast worshipers exceeds that of the worshipers of the true God, as much as Baal's worshipers did in the days of Elijah. Not only so, but they are all busy; there is not one drone in all of Satan's hives; not one who cannot lift his voice in behalf of the cause he is maintaining; and yet I presume many of us are not doing all we can to counteract the influence of opposite parties.
O brethren, why not awake, and come up to the help of the Lord against the mighty. May God make the path of duty plain, and give us no rest till we are found walking in it. The light of present truth must go out, unless we walk by it. When we refuse to walk by it, we reject its influence, and when we reject it, it will be withdrawn from us, and we receive darkness in its stead. Let us walk by it, lest darkness come upon us.
M. HULL.
Russiaville, Ind., Nov. 18th, 1858.
The Third Angel’s Message Rising
By J. S. Mills
From Bro. Mills.
Bro. Smith : We feel to praise the Lord for what he is doing in Wisconsin. We attend meetings at Koskonong, and the truth has been rising since Brn. Andrews, Hart, and Waggoner were here last spring. Notwithstanding the opposition which we have had from those who hold to the future age views, the Lord has been at work with his Spirit for all the honest in heart. The Third Angel's Message is rising higher and higher, and the truth is coming out so plain that all the honest in heart can see it. Bro. Phelps meets with us a part of the time. Last Sabbath we had a prayer and conference meeting, and the Lord poured out his Spirit upon us as I never witnessed before. We were led to praise and glorify his holy name. I believed in the future age doctrine until last spring; but when the truth of God's word was presented before me in its clear light, I could not resist it. Praise the Lord for the truth. The Third Angel's Message is rising, and the Spirit of the Lord is being poured out upon his children, as is declared by the mouth of the Prophet, that it should be in the last days. My prayer is that the message may go with the loud cry, and all of the servants of God be sealed.