Bro. J. Hart writes from Freeport, Ills., Jan. 27th, 1858: "Last First-day two German families came into our meeting. They seemed much interested, although but one of them could understand us, and that imperfectly. After meeting we conversed with them some. They said they were Baptists, but we were the right people, because we kept the commandments of God. They said that the seventh day was the Sabbath, and they should keep it if God helped them. Their neighbors say they are christians. One of them said he had been a Roman Catholic, and the Lord helped him to leave that church, and he believed the Lord would help him to keep the Sabbath.
"You can scarcely imagine my feelings to see those of a foreign tongue so anxious to understand, and no means to get the knowledge before them. We told them of the German tract. They are anxious to get it. We hope the time is not far distant when there will be those that will be able to teach the truth to all that wish to obey it.
"There is a large settlement of Germans east of this place; and those that are acquainted with them think that the Sabbath will be received among them."
Alone in Keeping the Sabbath
By Sarah J. Voorus
From Sister Voorus.
BRO. SMITH: While reading in the Review concerning the rise and progress of the present truth, it brought to my mind the time when I embraced it. It was in 1852, when brother and sister White were on their way to Rochester. They passed through Manlius, near where I then resided. Others were at that time almost persuaded to walk in the way of the commandments, but have since turned back. Although left alone in my father's family to keep the Sabbath, I praise the Lord he has thus far given me grace sufficient. I sincerely need the eye-salve that I may discern the right path to walk in, for strait and narrow is the way that leads to life. I think I have of late made some little progress in obtaining the tried gold. I have had many trials, but hope it will only burn the dross and leave me better prepared to enjoy the society of the blest. I could hardly be reconciled to the disappointment of not meeting with the brethren in La Porte, as I live only eleven miles from there, but did not know of the appointment till I read brother Bates' letter of Jan. 14th. But if it is not my lot to meet with any of like faith while on earth, why should I not be reconciled to it and say, not my will O Lord, but thine be done.
Brethren and sisters, I feel that I need your prayers. We read that the effectual fervent prayer of the righteous availeth much. I think there are those between New Buffalo and La Porte who would hear and receive the truth. I have been reproved for not uniting with the different churches in their meetings, but I remember where David says, "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of waters, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither, and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper."
SARAH J. VOORUS.
New Buffalo, Mich., Jan. 25th, 1858.
C. A. BATES
By C. A. Bates
From Bro. Bates.
BRO. SMITH: I truly feel that we are living in perilous times, when it becomes us to be up and doing, and have on the whole armor.
Brn. Cornell, Hart and Sperry have recently visited us. They found the church in a perishing condition, with scarcely life enough to keep up meetings. By the strait testimony given by these brethren we were led to see our deplorable condition, and to turn to the Lord. The spirit of confession was manifested among most of the brethren and sisters. We truly had a soul-cheering time while waiting upon the Lord, and by the grace of God we mean to arise with the rest of the brethren and sisters scattered abroad, fully realizing that there is a great work for us to do in order to stand in the day of the battle of the Lord. We shall have to put forth a mighty effort to extricate ourselves from these weights that bind us down, that so we may rise above the trifling things of earth. There are many blessed promises in the word of God to the faithful that endure to the end. I sometimes fear that I shall be one that will be shaken off in the trying time that is just before us. O how much need there is of our being awake and living, active Christians. We have lived long enough with the theory of the truth without the power. A great responsibility rests on us for the light we have. O that we might have more of the Spirit to accompany the truth as we talk it to others, that it may compel them to believe. I long for the time to come when the church will cut loose from the world and get in their proper place, when they can come together to praise the Lord instead of telling of their unworthiness. We have three meetings a week. We feel to thank the Lord for what we have of his Spirit with us, and pray for more. Pray for us that we may arise and raise the standard of piety to its proper place, and help make up the 144000 to stand on Mount Zion with the Lamb.
C. A. BATES
Green Vale, Ills., Jan. 31st, 1859.
J. B. MERRITT
By J. B. Merritt
From Bro. Merritt.
BRO. SMITH : There are about seventy here that have embraced the Third Angel's Message, and are trying to keep the Sabbath of the Lord. We meet every Sabbath, and First-day evening to speak of the things that make for our peace, and build each other up in our most holy faith. As it regards myself, when I look into the gospel mirror, and see what I am by nature, and what I must be by grace in order to be owned by the Redeemer when he comes, it causes me to exclaim with the publican, "Lord, be merciful to me a sinner," or with Peter, "Lord, save or I perish."
I am trying daily to cleanse myself from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, and to perfect holiness in the fear of God. I feel to bless the Lord for the victory he has given me over the use of tobacco, to which I was a slave for twenty-five years. Brethren, let us remember that it is through tribulation that we enter the kingdom, and that the prize lies at the end of the race, and that we must exert ourselves to obtain it. I bless the Lord for the light that has shone along my pathway since I have been trying to walk in all the commandments of the Lord blameless. I realize that the Bible is a precious book indeed, and by the grace of God I mean to follow its divine teachings, to live soberly, righteously and godly, redeeming the time because the days are evil.
Dear brethren and sisters, let us be on our watch-tower, having our lamps trimmed and burning, and oil in our vessels, for surely the coming of the Lord draweth nigh, and blessed will they be who when he comes are found ready. I can truly say, that I do not desire riches, nor the honors of this world, but I desire a part in that inheritance that is incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for the faithful. O brethren, let us try to have that faith that overcomes the world, that we may one day stand with Jesus on Mount Zion.
Yours in hope of the glory to be revealed at the coming of the Saviour.
J. B. MERRITT
Gilboa, Ohio, Jan. 24th, 1858.
Alone in Keeping the Sabbath
Sister L. M. Alexander writes from Morristown, Vt. Jan. 29th, 1858: "The Third Angel's Message is a glorious subject, one in which I am interested; and though I am deprived of meeting with those who worship on the holy Sabbath of the Lord, I rejoice that there is peace in believing, and joy for them that keep his commandments. I am alone in my family, in trying to keep the Sabbath, but I know the Lord will stand by those who try to keep his law, though all earthly friends forsake them. I would say through the Review to the brethren and sisters with whom I have been familiar, that I am trying to keep the commandments, that I may have a right to the tree of life."
Striving to Overcome in Isolation
Bro. A. Pierce writes from Eldora, Iowa, Jan. 15th, 1858: "I am still striving to overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of my testimony, which I want should ever be in favor of the truth. I was not in the first or second message, and have come into the third at the eleventh hour, but I feel the importance of living a holy and godly life. Situated as I am, I think I can sympathize with those who have not the privilege of meeting and associating with the dear brethren. Our associations are all with the world, and too often we have to hear their vain conversation. We are not in our Father's house, and our dearest and nearest relations, and those we love most are far, very far from us. Thus lonely and often dejected, I still try to urge my way onward, as it is certain death to go back, and I can but die if I go forward. My confidence and my trust is in the God of Israel, who has said, 'I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.' Blessed promise! I often feel as in conversation I recently told a preacher that I am situated theologically as Esau was politically, that is, my hand is against every man, and every man's hand is against me. But I bless the name of God that he has given me ears to hear the truth, and my daily prayer is that I may be kept from the errors which surround me. I also feel that I have much to do before I can be presented faultless before the throne of His glory. John says that those he saw were without fault before the throne. I want more patience, more humility, more faith, gold tried in the fire, white raiment and eye-salve. And finally my dear brethren and sisters, with you I want to overcome that I may be saved."
APPOINTMENTS.
Brn. Hutchins and Phillips will meet with the church in Burr Oak on Sabbath, Feb. 13th; at Colon, the 20th, and at Burlington the 27th.
I wish to say to these churches that I remember them, and that I left home intending to attend the above appointments, but being unexpectedly called in another direction, must reserve my visit to them for a future opportunity. J. H. WAGGONER.
There will be a Conference of the Commandment-keepers of Ohio, if the Lord will, in the village of Green Spring, to commence on Sixth-day, Feb. 26, at 2 o'clock P. M., and hold over Sabbath and First-day. All are invited to attend, who desire to engage in the worship of God, and take a part in the duties connected with the present truth.
In behalf of the church at Milan and Green Spring. M. W. RUONZA.
It is our design to be at the Conference at Green Spring the 25th, and to meet in Conference with the brethren at Gilboa, March 6th and 7th. We may spend three or four weeks in Ohio. JAMES WHITE.
Providence permitting, I shall spend a few weeks, after the Round Grove Conference, in Wisconsin. I expect to be accompanied by some brother of the West. Communications respecting meetings in Wisconsin may be sent to me at Madison, as I expect to pass there on my way to the north-western part of the State. J. H. W.
PROVIDENCE permitting, I will meet with the brethren as follows:
Caledonia, " 20th.
Green Bush, or vicinity, where Brethren may appoint, " 27th.
Tyrone, March 6th.
M. E. CORNELL.
Note from Bro. Dorcas.
By Jesse Dorcas
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: Bro. Rhodes is with us turning the hearts or affections of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers, in a much more effectual manner than has hitherto been done. This is the labor that we have needed here, and it is wonderful to see what a power there is in this work of God in pressing forward the present work of truth; for it is certainly true, that if parents have not "vital religion" enough to do their duty to their own families, they have no real power to do their duty to others abroad.
Let us do our duty faithfully at home, as parents, and we should soon see how it would lighten the steps of the weary messenger of present truth, and enable him to go out into the darkness that surrounds us, lifting up his voice like a trumpet against the growing sins of the present age.
Bro. Holt is doing a good work in this region. Some thirty have embraced the present truth under his labors, about nine miles South of Perrysburgh; and the work is still onward.
Also at Findlay, notwithstanding the rejoicing of the Devil and wicked men of all denomination at the apparent failure of Sabbath-keepers in securing a goodly number from that place, yet there is a "little flock" even here, which is, in the eyes of the Lord, of great price.
At Gilboa, the work is onward and mighty. Wicked men and seducers are waxing worse and worse. They have labored this winter, combined, or nearly so, for some weeks, trying to get up an excitement, as they are commonly called in these last days; but to no effect, only that of making their condition the more intolerable and hopeless. O that the God of our fathers would strengthen his scattered people, and give them an ardent love for each other that will prompt them to meet often, and cheer each other on in the race that is set before us.
JESSE DORCAS.
Portage, Ohio, Feb 8th, 1858.
LIFE A CONFLICT.
By Sel.
The battle field is everywhere,
Our foes lie close about our way,
Temptation, riches, want or care,
Renew the contest day by day;
And he who in the deathly fight,
Maintains his courage firm and strong,
Who keeps his armor pure and bright,
Shall win the victor's crown ere long.—Sel.
Business Items.
By Editor
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Meetings in Allegan.
By John Norton Loughborough
We have before spoken in the Review of the commencement of these meetings, and noticed some of the opposition to the truth that has been manifest, but now wish to say something of the result of the labor as it has been manifest thus far. Our meetings continued until we had given sixteen lectures. The interest increased to the close, and it was stated that our last meeting was as well attended as any of the course.
We had in these meetings the hearty co-operation of the brethren in the vicinity, those from Monterey came from five to eight miles to the meetings, and the great portion of them manifested much anxiety for the prosperity of the truth in Allegan. Their desires and prayers were not in vain. The Lord heard and assisted in presenting the truth by his Spirit. Although much unbelief was apparent among the people, we had more than common liberty in presenting the truth. Several expressed their determination to obey the truth before the lectures closed, and several have come out decided on the truth since.
Feb. 7th, we returned again to Allegan, and in the evening listened to the second discourse of Eld Bingham, (Baptist minister,) on the Sabbath question. His principle positions were, that the fourth commandment Sabbath was given expressly to the Jews to commemorate their deliverance from Egypt, but when Christ came "he removed all codes" and so the seventh day is not binding on Christians. He claimed the first day of the week as the day of apostolic preference, observed only by their example. He claimed "no precept for Sunday-keeping." There was "no penalty" for the violation of the day, because we were "not in the days of codes."
As his positions opened a fair chance to recapitulate the arguments on the Sabbath question, we occupied the next evening in speaking to an attentive congregation, reviewing with much freedom his expositions of scripture, and suppositions respecting the Sabbath. The sects in Allegan seemed to be pleased that one could be found that would raise his voice against the Sabbath, but it was quite an annoyance to them to have him take positions that favored so much of Universalism, as they could clearly see the sentiment did which claimed that there was no law binding on Christians. "For where no law is, there is no transgression."
At the close of the discourse in review of Eld B., two stated their determination to obey the Lord by keeping holy his Sabbaths. About ten have taken their stand to keep the Sabbath as the result of these meetings. Many more are investigating and we hope some of them will yet decide in favor of the truth. Bro Cornell is now with them.
We would tender our thanks to those brethren in Monterey and vicinity who plainly manifested that they esteemed the laborer worthy of his hire, by contributing liberally of their substance to supply our temporal wants.