p. 110 | Review and Herald, Vol. 23, No. 14. (3/1/1864)

A Fearful Thing.

It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Heb. x, 31.

The apostle says this in reference to foregoing statements in this chapter. It is a summing up of the results of the reckless course of some, against which he is giving a faithful warning.

In the first part of the chapter the apostle is contrasting the shadows of the law of Moses with the living realities of the ministration of Jesus Christ. He says, verse 1, "For the law having a shadow of good things to come, &c." Then he goes on to contrast the Jewish sacrifices with the offering of the Son of God; the Jewish priesthood with the ministration of Jesus Christ. That could not take away sin, only in figure; this takes away the sins of the obedient and believing, of not only those of the present dispensation, but of the past. See Heb. ix, 15, 26; Rev. xiii, 8.

The blood of beasts could not take away sins; but by faith in the atoning efficacy of the blood of Christ, we may come into the presence of the living God, even with boldness, and obtain free pardon of sins, and grace to walk with God in obedience, hope, faith, and love, having the love of God shed abroad in our hearts. The apostle then sets forth some of the blessings, high privileges and duties of believers in the present dispensation. He says,

"Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the vail, that is to say, his flesh; and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering: for he is faithful that promised; and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works; not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." Verses 19–25.

Here reference is made to the approaching day, the day of Christ's coming, in a manner to convey the idea that the Apostle's words of encouragement and warning in this chapter, were designed to have an especial bearing just prior to the second advent, when the fearful apostasies of which he speaks, were to take place. This seems to be confirmed by the closing verses of the chapter as follows:

"Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience, that after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come, will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul." Verses 35–39.

But that portion of this subject which sets forth the Heaven-insulting and fatal apostasies of this time we have yet to present. Paul continues,

"For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins. But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." Verses 26–31.

On this fearful language of the apostle we briefly comment as follows:

1. Reference is here made to what is called the unpardonable sin, or sin against the Holy Ghost. And let it be noted that it is a willful sin, not a sin of ignorance. Those who commit it are represented as having had a knowledge of the truth. Those who have had a scriptural and experimental knowledge of the infinite value of the blood of the Son of God, which seems to be the burden of the apostle's argument, and apostatize, and regard that blood of no more value than that of any good man, commit the above-named sin. The man who knows nothing of the Holy Ghost cannot commit the sin against the Holy Ghost.

2. He that despised the sacrifices of Moses' law, which only shadowed forth the realities of the great Sacrifice for sins, died without mercy under two or three witnesses. Now comes the inquiry, Of how much sorer punishment is he worthy who robs Christ of his divine nature, and thus treads him under foot, and regards his blood, the sanctifying, cleansing power of which he has felt, an unholy, or common thing? Spiritualism is leading some to thus apostatize, and commit this high crime in the face of Heaven, and call upon themselves the wrath of the living God.

The word rendered unholy in the expression, "unholy thing," is κοινος, and is defined by Greenfield thus: "Common, belonging equally to several."

Robinson defines it, "Common, shared alike by all."

Liddell and Scott define it, "Common, shared in common."

Parkhurst defines it, "Common, belonging to several, or of which several are partakers."

Bloomfield, in his comment on this text, thus paraphrases the passage: "And who regards the blood of the covenant wherewith he was sanctified as a thing common and ordinary, no more than that of a man, and consequently having no expiatory efficacy."

The Syriac reads, "How much more, think ye, will he receive capital punishment, who hath trodden upon the Son of God, and hath accounted the blood of his covenant, by which he is sanctified, as the blood of all men, and hath treated the Spirit of grace with contumely?"

Macknight translates, "Of how much sorer punishment, think you, shall he be counted worthy, who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and reckoned the blood of the institution by which he was sanctified, a common thing, and has insulted the Spirit of favor?"

3. Vengeance belongs to God. He will recompense the boastful, apostate blasphemer in his own good time. He has freely given his own divine Son a sacrifice for a race suffering under the results of sin. He offers through the blood of Christ to make them his heirs, and finally seat them upon the throne of his Royal Son. And in his word he holds forth the sacrificial blood of the Lamb of infinite value. For those whose minds have been enlightened upon this subject, and could sing, as the triumphant sentiment of their entire being,

"Worthy, worthy, is the Lamb That was slain,"

and then regard that blood of no more value as a sacrifice for sins, than their own blood would be should they be killed by a mob, commit the highest crime in the sight of Heaven that it is possible for them to commit.

The sin of those who slew the Lamb of God was comparatively small. They did it through ignorance. Christ in his agony could pray for those who were nailing him to the cross, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." Those who have had no experience in the things of the Spirit of God, may drift into Spiritualism, and finally be rescued; but "it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance: seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame." Heb. vi, 4–6.

4. Such fearfully fall into the hands of the living God. "There is one God, and one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus." Christ in infinite love and mercy has undertaken the cause of sinners, and those who accept of him as the sacrifice for sins, are in the hands of a merciful mediator. But those who apostatize from a state of loyalty and acceptance with God through the blood of his Son, and tread under foot the Son of God, and count the blood of the covenant wherewith they were sanctified no more than the blood of any good man, fall into the hands of the living God, rebels to his government, and covered with the high crime of rejecting salvation through faith in the blood of his dear Son. We close with the words of the text, "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."

Are the Dead Conscious?—No. 9.

By R. F. Cottrell

“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” 1 Thess. iv, 13–18.

The design of the apostle in this text is clearly stated in the outset. He would not have us ignorant concerning the dead in Christ; and for the reason that he would not have us sorrow as those that have no hope. This being his object, he will not leave us still ignorant upon this deeply interesting subject, but will certainly dispel our ignorance, and give all the consolation possible concerning the loved ones who seem to us to be lost. If they are now in a state of conscious bliss, he will certainly tell us, for he has undertaken to console us by giving whatever information concerning them would have a tendency to comfort our hearts. What then does he say concerning their present condition? Are our dear ones in heaven? No. He would certainly tell us so, if it were so. Was death no death to them? Do they still live, though separated from the mortal body? Paul knew nothing of such a life as this, if he had, he would have told us. What then is their present state? They “are asleep;” but the comfort is that they will not always sleep. Christ died and rose again, and this is the pledge that those that sleep in Jesus will rise again.

But, says the objector, when the Lord comes from heaven, he brings with him those that sleep in Jesus; and this proves that their souls are now in heaven.

If it proves that their souls are in heaven, it proves that they are asleep there; for it is those “which sleep in Jesus” that will be brought with him. Where then will they be brought from? From the same place where Jesus was. The God of peace “brought again from the dead the Lord Jesus;” and the text teaches that “Christ died and rose again,” and upon this is based what follows: “Even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.” Even so as Christ was raised from the dead, the saints also shall be brought up from their graves. This is the obvious meaning of the text.

The apostle next affirms by the word of the Lord, that “we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.” “Prevent, in the Bible means, not to hinder, but to precede, Ps. lix, 10; 1 Thess. iv, 15.” Bible Dictionary of the American Tract Society. Precede means to go before. The apostle assures us then that the living saints, at Christ's coming, shall not go before those that are asleep. The living will go to be with the Lord, at that time, but they will not go before the dead in Christ. The dead will not be left behind in that general assembly—they too will be there. “The dead in Christ shall rise first,” that is, before the living go to be with the Lord. “Then we which are alive

and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another,” concerning the dead, “with these words.” The living will not go before the dead, nor the dead before the living, but together will they go to be forever with the Lord. They will go bodily and at the same time to the presence of their Lord.

And this is the very best consolation an inspired apostle could give to those who mourn the dead in Christ. This is the very best information concerning them which he could give, “by the word of the Lord,” to those whom he “would not have to be ignorant concerning them that sleep.” Thank God! it is enough.

Give joy or grief, give ease or pain, Take life or friends away; But let me find them all again In that eventful day!

What a striking contrast between Paul's teaching and that of modern ministers on this subject! When these would comfort mourning friends, they tell them that their departed friends have gone before them to the immortal shore, and are waiting for the living to join them there—that they have crossed the sea of life, and are safely moored in the haven of eternal rest—that their joy is complete; their coronation day is past, and a crown of glory is upon their head—that they have joined the choir of the redeemed, &c.

There can be no reason why Paul did not tell us of these things, only that they do not exist—that there is no truth or reality in them. Were the modern teaching the truth, he would not have assured us by the word of the Lord that the last generation of Christians—those who will be living at the second coming of Christ—would not go to heaven before those that had died in Christ eighteen hundred years before that event. If they have gone before us, and are waiting our arrival, he would have told us. But in view of his own departure he could only say, “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day, and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” 2 Tim. iv, 6–8.

I say, he could say no more, but this is enough. Though now he sleeps in the dust, soon a crown of glory will be his. A glittering crown will it be, for he will be rewarded according to his arduous labors and abundant sacrifices and sufferings in the cause of Christ. And when Paul receives his immortal crown, he will not receive it alone; but the reward will be given unto all them also that love Christ's appearing.

It is enough, although I close In death, my weary eyes, In that bright morn, my Lord to see, And meet him in the skies.

My Experience.

By Wm. C. Gage

BRO. WHITE: I have concluded to give the readers of the Review a little of my experience in embracing the third angel's message, although I doubt not it is similar to that of many others.

When the tent was located in Manchester, I was away from the city, but was providentially, as I now think, obliged to return sooner than I anticipated. I was attracted to the tent by curiosity, but soon became interested, and was led to ponder deeply upon the truths so faithfully presented there. I soon became convinced, but was unwilling to yield, pleading with conscience that I must hear all that could be brought on the other side.

At length came the discussion between Bro. Cornell and Eld. Grant. I had previously silenced the "faithful monitor" with the mental resolve that I would await the result of the discussion, and abide by it at any cost; and when the truth, thus so clearly brought out, was forced home to my heart, my perplexity cannot be described. I then commenced to count the cost: separation from the church whose members were so dear to my heart; loss of influence in society, derangement of business; the scoffs and sneers of a large circle of personal friends—these, and much more, were to be the inevitable results of the steps I was meditating.

And could anything outweigh all these? Yes; for in the other side of the balance was eternal life! I resolved, and walked out upon the resolution.

Upon presenting my case to the church, they refused to dismiss me, until the pastor could labor with me, and assured me that they should not refuse to fellowship me, even if I persisted in observing the Sabbath. The evidences presented me by my pastor, chiefly contained in Wayland's "Moral Science," were simply confirmatory, where a month sooner they might have been otherwise. My name is yet held by the church; but I prefer to worship with the little band of commandment-keepers, although our whole number can be contained in one small room.

I find that "light afflictions" sometimes arise, but hope grows brighter, and faith stronger, with each trial; and the "weight of glory" is inducement enough to press onward.

I receive much comfort from the weekly visits of the Review, and encouragement from the experience of others contained therein, and hope that the cause may prosper, and that many may be led to embrace this message ere the advent of our blessed Lord.

Yours in hope.

WM. C. GAGE.

Manchester, N. H., Feb. 19, 1864.

Report of Meetings.

By R. J. LAWRENCE

Bro. WHITE: I left home January 20, to visit the churches. My team took me to Pontiac where finding that the through train did not leave until eleven in the evening, I took the accommodation train to Fentonville and spent the evening with Elder Taft, then took the cars at half past one for Owasso, where I arrived at half past three. Stayed in the depot until daylight, then found Bro. Harper who took me to Bro. E. S. Griggs' and he to St. Charles, 23 miles, where we arrived at eight o'clock evening 21st. The 22d, I visited some. Sabbath and first-day I spoke four times. Had a very interesting social meeting. Baptized six. There was a matter came up that consumed Sunday evening without accomplishing a settlement, and being obliged to return to Owasso to fill an appointment I agreed to come here again on my return home. Accordingly I left, Monday, for Owasso. Arrived at Bro. Griggs' at dark, got a little refreshment and went with them to the district school-house, and spoke to a few that came out. Tuesday took the cars at Owasso for St. Johns. From this place I traveled through the mud on foot five miles to Greenbush. Got to Bro. D. Richmond's and found the brethren collecting for meeting. I gave three discourses. Here the church seemed very much encouraged and strengthened by the word.

From Greenbush I went about four miles southwest to a school-house by request of one of the brethren, and preached at eleven o'clock. From here Bro. Stiles took me to St. Johns, here I took the cars for Muir expecting there to meet Bro. Howe, but missing him, took passage in the mail wagon five miles, then footed it two miles in the dark and mud to within one hundred rods of his house when he overtook me, and took me to his house in Orange. Here I preached five times. But few out on account of a severe storm. Bro. Howe was taken sick Friday evening and was not able to attend meeting at the school-house any more.

Here I saw the request in Review to visit Greenbush, and also an urgent request to visit Matherton, which I decided to do. Accordingly on Monday, Bro. Wilson took me to Orleans, where I stayed until Thursday morning and visited at Bro. King's Olmstead's and Wilson's. Thursday morning Bro. Wilson took me to Bro. Maynard's in Fairplains. Here the brethren have built them a very comfortable place for worship. It is completed except seating and painting and finishing coat of plaster. They seated it with rough boards for the occasion. Brethren were here from the Orleans and West-Plains churches, Sabbath and first-day Feb. 6th and 7th.

Here the Lord gave freedom in trying to preach. I spoke four times. We had a very interesting social meeting on the Sabbath. The churches were strengthened. First-day afternoon we had a good season in attending the ordinances. I then went to Orleans and found Bro. Brigham waiting for me. Monday the 8th, went to North Plains. Here Bro. Leander Kellogg met me and took me to Matherton ten miles. There are nine Sabbath-keepers in this place, four of whom never heard a discourse on present truth before. Some conversation with Bro. Kellogg, the reading of some books and the paper, has convinced them on the Sabbath. They were very much interested in the three discourses I gave in this place. We had a meeting Wednesday, P. M. for the benefit of those that were keeping the Sabbath. We gave testimony on the duty of elders, deacons and their wives, also on sobriety, cleanliness, &c. Here I think is a good opening for lectures and they are very anxious; also ten miles from this place, at Maple Rapids. Cannot Bro. Frisbie visit those places, and give lectures.

Thursday the 11th of Feb. Bro. Kellogg brought me to Pewama where I took the cars for Owasso.

Friday the 11th, Bro. Griggs took me to Chesaning. I preached to the church in the evening and Sabbath forenoon. In the afternoon a social meeting. The Lord came down in power and we had a heavenly meeting. The St. Charles church were mostly here. In the evening we met at Bro. Walker's, and attended to the ordinances. First-day I preached the funeral sermon of sister Mathews.

In the afternoon went to St. Charles. The church met at Bro. Adair's in the evening. I read testimonies from Christ and the apostles on the duties of officers of the church, and the members in their different capacities. Afternoon we resumed business which continued until three o'clock in the morning, when difficulties were settled. An assistant elder was elected the deacon resigned, and another one appointed in his place, and the church is again apparently in a situation to go forward in the great work of overcoming.

Monday the fifteenth visited some and preached Sr. John Holliday's funeral sermon. In the evening a conference and prayer-meeting for the benefit of Sr. Weldon who has not been able to attend meetings for some time.

Tuesday the sixteenth, returned to Owasso, took the cars to Pontiac. Met my son there with the team to take me home, where I arrived after an absence of four weeks and one day. Found all well.

R. J. LAWRENCE.

Rochester, Mich.

Meetings in Bunkerhill, Mich.

By I. D. Van Horn

BRO. WHITE : Bro. Frisbie and myself have been laboring the last four weeks in this place, and with some success. The way seemed providentially opened for us, where it was least expected by the people. We presented the truth to them in its strength and clearness, the Lord helping, and they became so interested that bad weather and dark nights did not keep them away from meeting. The result of our labor has been to establish the friends who were keeping the Sabbath, in the truth, and adding nine more to their number, making a company of eighteen who have resolved to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.

There are others much interested, and we think after investigating a little more will see the harmony of the truth and embrace it. We have disposed of about $7 worth of books, and obtained five subscribers for the Review.

We had two excellent Sabbath meetings with them. The Lord met with us, and richly bestowed his blessing. There were about forty present each time. We commenced meetings in North Leslie last evening, and shall continue through the week, and longer if the interest demands.

I. D. VAN HORN.

Thankfulness

THANKFULNESS.—If one should give me a dish of sand and tell me there were particles of iron in it, I might look for them with my eyes, and search for them with my clumsy fingers, and be unable to detect them; but let me take a magnet and sweep through it, and how would it draw to itself the most invisible particles by the mere power of attraction! The unthankful heart, like my finger in the sand, discovers no mercies; but let the thankful heart sweep through the day, and as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find in every hour some heavenly blessings, only the iron in God's sand is gold.

None of These Things Move Me. Acts xx 24.

By C. M. Willis

PAUL had arrived at such an entire state of confidence in God, and had so completely overcome his love of earthly ease and comfort; that although the Spirit witnessed that in every city bonds and afflictions awaited him, he could, while looking forward and beholding them, say with resignation, "None of these things move me." And while he exhorted the brethren to be faithful, and to earnestly watch, they were so sorrowful that they fell on Paul's neck and kissed him, while they wept sore.

We are just entering on a great, and perilous time. Satan is about to bring his powers to bear against the children of God. Perils are just ahead. Already do we begin to feel their approach, which will overwhelm the whole earth with their blighting presence. Days are swiftly approaching, which are yet to try the faith of God's children, and which cannot fail to determine who are his—days, which the Saviour informs us shall be shortened, or no flesh could be saved. Can we look forward and view these dreadful scenes, in which we as followers of Christ must bear so conspicuous a part, and with the resignation of Paul, say, "None of these things move me?"

This is one great duty of watchfulness: to have our minds so fully set on Christ and our heavenly calling, and be so strongly clothed with the panoply of truth, have our feet so firmly planted on the rock Christ Jesus, that when the storm of God's wrath bursts on the guilty earth, its fury shall not move us. And are we striving for this? Are we getting ready to meet the coming storm, by faith, by patience, by works of love, by cutting loose from the world, and having our conversation in Heaven? When the experienced mariner sees a storm coming, and he is ever watching every sign with an observing eye, so that a storm never overtakes him unawares, he immediately sets every energy of body and mind to prepare for the impending danger. Every useless thing is removed out of the way. Every article which would serve as an obstruction is disposed of, everything is made sure and safe, before he can calmly look forth on the troubled waves about him. He does not sit with folded arms, and murmur because storms will arise, until the storm is upon him, and he and his frail bark are swallowed up in its fury. He sees the first indication of danger, commences a preparation without delay, and consequently it finds him fully prepared for the emergency, and he passes through unharmed. Thus ought it to be with the Christian. There is a dreadful storm already darkening the horizon, a dreadful battle to be fought, and just time enough, without one moment to spare, to get ready for it. We must not look for anything apart from this. We must all face the enemy. Not one can avoid it. It is the crucible in which every child of God is tried. And every one must come forth from this trial, pure or spurious. Which shall it be? Let each one ask himself seriously, which mark shall I receive? If there are any doubts on the subject, oh rest not a moment, till they are removed. And remember, when trials come upon us, our Saviour told us beforehand, that they should come. This will prevent our being deceived with the song of peace and safety. There is no promise of rest, this side of the land of rest. The Saviour said that he had not come to establish peace. If we could only bear this in our minds, and school our hearts to realize it, what a tendency it would have to wean us from this world of confusion, and turn our longing hearts and desires, toward that rest which remains for the people of God; where the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary will forever be at rest. Let us then while seeing the promise of a city, which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God, be persuaded of them, and embrace them, and confess that we are strangers and pilgrims on the earth. Then with sincere hearts can we say, "None of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy." Reader, think of these things.

C. M. WILLIS.

Charlotte, Mich.

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. Then they, says the prophet, that feared the Lord spake often one to another. We believe emphatically that we are living in that time. Therefore 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. Let this department be well filled with lively testimonies of the goodness of God, and the value of his truth.

From Bro. Carver.

Bro. WHITE: I inclose five dollars in this letter to be applied as follows; $4,00 on Review which will pay up arrearages and one year in advance, so for the next year, Lord willing, I will read my own paper; 50cts. on Instructor, 30cts. for Appeal with likeness, also the last Testimony for the Church.

This third item in the above, recalls my attention to something I wrote to you several weeks since, and to which I have as yet received no response in any shape, and having leisure, caused by illness, I wish to call your attention to the subject anew.

As it is possible my letter never reached the office, or, if so, has been crowded out of notice by the press of other matter, and the afflictions that have fallen so heavily upon you; I will give a brief synopsis of my communication.

Some of the best brethren in the Pilot Grove, Washington and Mt. Pleasant churches, consider it entirely wrong to patronize picture or likeness making, as having a tendency to idolatry, and some even assert that the fact of having likenesses of our friends is a violation of the second commandment.

This belief is based on the language of the commandment itself, and also on Moses' commentary on the commandments in the fourth and fifth chapters of Deuteronomy. If these brethren are right in their views, then the church as a body is wrong, especially our leading ministers, and are violating God's holy law by having likenesses taken; and being sinners, our baptism is invalid, &c. and in fact, the consequences are truly lamentable even if it can be considered a sin of ignorance.

On the other hand if these brethren are entertaining an erroneous view of this subject, christian charity will prompt you to set them right, that they may not bear any unnecessary burden upon their minds. Some of them are aware that I have written on the subject and no doubt are anxiously expecting to hear from Battle Creek in some way concerning it, hence I call your attention again to the subject; not that I have any particular burden myself on the point, but in behalf of my brethren, who seem so conscientious in this matter. I love my brethren and do not wish to see one of them stumble in the way to the holy City we are approaching. I know something of the enemy's devices. If he cannot hold us back, he will strive to push us ahead too fast, and if he cannot succeed in this, he will try to draw us off to the right hand or to the left, but by the grace of God I intend to keep on

the track, and do what I can to help my brethren to do the same.

We deeply sympathize with you and sister White in your heavy loss and deep affliction, and pray that it may be blessed to your spiritual and eternal welfare. We are assured in the word of God that all things shall work together for good to the people of God and though it may be difficult for us at times to recognize and kiss the hand of God by which we may be chastened or afflicted, yet if we will but yield ourselves with childlike confidence and simplicity into the hand that holds the rod, all things will be made plain by and by and we shall rejoice at the dealings of our kind Father toward us. His “frowning providences” may seem even to follow us to the end of our days, but still behind them he hides a smiling face, and we may rest assured, if we but hold fast our allegiance to him, that we shall at last see his smiling face, and bask in the light of his countenance; if not in this world, most assuredly in the next. Amen. May it be my happy privilege to meet you, dear brother and sister, in that blissful happy land.

The apostasy of Moses Hull has not shaken me a particle, but it has opened my eyes to a subject on which I was partially asleep, viz., the tremendous power of Spiritualism. But then, I feel fully assured that while we cling close to Jesus, Satan can have no power to destroy us, hence our only safety lies in keeping close to Jesus. O when I see what poor feeble worms of the dust the best of us are, how little we know, and how weak we are, how it makes me love the doctrine of the atonement, and not only the doctrine but the atonement itself,—Jesus who once came into this world and laid down his life, so that he might be my life-giver, who ascended on high that he might as my high priest offer on the heavenly altar his own precious blood to cleanse me from sin, and then having accomplished this, and finished the work of atonement, he will come by and by to confer on us the blessing secured by the atonement. Who would not love such a doctrine as this?

But I must not weary you. I did not intend when I begun, to say so much, but my thoughts and pen have run on and I hardly know when to stop. I feel to praise God for his goodness to me. Although my body is frail and fast tending to its mother dust, still I feel that I have not made a mistake in putting my trust in Jesus, nor in accepting an interest in the present truth. I thank God to-day, Bro. White, for the solid rock foundation on which the present truth is based. I thank God for the glorious and symmetrical proportions to which present truth has attained. We can walk around upon its bulwarks, and count its towers. We can enter its beautiful gates and partake of its ripe and luscious fruits. We can confess our sins and sing the high praises of our God in the sanctuary of the Lord. We can by faith bathe in the pure and refreshing waters of eternal life. All this, and more too, is held up to our view by the present truth; but all that we have seen is but a glimpse of the future glory—the crowning glory. May God bless you and preserve you to his heavenly kingdom is the prayer of your unworthy brother in the present truth.

HENRY E. CARVER.

Iowa City, Iowa.

NOTE. We are unable to see any violation of the second commandment in the matter of likenesses, as it appears very evident to us that what the commandment forbids is the formation of images for the purpose of worshiping them. Yet we have long hesitated to say even so much as this on the subject, fearing the great lengths of extravagance into which some would run on the subject of likenesses. With the present facilities for producing these pictures, the rage for them, photographic albums, &c., which characterizes the present age, there is opportunity to squander almost an unlimited amount of time and means in this direction, against this, we would raise our voice everywhere and always. Especially should our preachers set a good example in this respect.

Cheer Thee.

Watchman, on the walls of Zion, does the night seem long and drear? Does the darkness seem to deepen, and thy heart to sink with fear? Catchest not one ray of sunshine, one faint glimmering of light, Through the dark and gloomy shadows, to dispel the dreary night? Look beyond thy stately watch-tower; look beyond the city's wall, Where the shadows fall around thee, like a dark and funeral pall. Look beyond thee; see the "day star" rising in the eastern sky; Cheer thee, for the night is passing, and the morning draweth nigh.

Traveler o'er life's thorny pathway, wearied with the ceaseless toil, Does the road seem dark before thee? does thy soul with fear recoil? Do the lengthening shadows gather round thy steep and rugged way? Do the pleasures that surround thee bid thee in thy journey stay? Look beyond earth's bitter trials, look beyond its pleasures too; See what bright and glorious prospects burst upon thy raptured view. Onward, to that heavenly city, see its glittering turrets shine; Wide its golden portals open, cheer thee, for that home is thine.

Sailor on the boundless ocean, gliding o'er life's troubled wave, Do the dark rocks loom around thee, and the foaming surges rave? Does the angry tempest lower, and the thunders fiercely roll? Flash the livid, lurid lightnings, striking terror to thy soul? Look beyond the foaming billows, look beyond the storm and strife; Look beyond life's troubled waters, to the peaceful stream of life. Though thy bark be wildly driven, soon the storms will all be past; Cheer thee, for in that blest haven, thou wilt safely rest at last.

Warrior on the field of battle, fighting for a deathless crown, Do the arrows fly around thee,—does the world upon thee frown? Though thy brightest hopes be riven, still press forward in the strife; He who wins a soul for heaven, he shall wear the crown of life. Warrior, gird thy gospel armor, still press on, whate'er betide; Look beyond the smoke of battle, where the peaceful streamlets glide; Soon the conquest will be ended, soon the victory will be won; Cheer thee! thou shalt hear the welcome from thy Saviour's lips, "Well done!"

Mourner, weeping o'er the treasures that are mingling with the dust, Weeping o'er the withered blossoms, once committed to thy trust, Are thy fondest hopes all blighted, and thy pleasures turned to pain? Have thy earthly comforts vanished, never to return again? Look beyond Death's gloomy portals, look beyond the dreary tomb, To that land of bliss immortal, where thy fadeless flowers bloom. Jesus burst the bars asunder, death has triumphed all in vain; Cheer thee! thou shalt meet thy treasures, never more to part again!.

Christian, striving for an entrance to that city built above, To that holy habitation where Jehovah reigns in love, Do temptations oft surround thee, do obstructions darkly rise 'Twixt thee and the land of promise, where the holy city lies? Look beyond this world of trials, list the Saviour's cheering voice: "For my grace is all-sufficient, thou shalt in my strength rejoice." See the glory that is circling, round Mount Zion's holy brow; Christian, cheer thee! thou art nearing the Eternal City now.—L. C. in Advent Herald.

The Garden City

THE GARDEN CITY.—Chicago has 92 churches and 1,192 liquor shops.

Words of Sympathy.

By John Norton Loughborough

DEAR BROTHER AND SISTER WHITE: We are now at brother Howland's, the place of the scene of deep affliction that you have lately passed through in the loss of your dear Henry. I could hardly realize that he was dead till coming here where we spent several days so pleasantly together last fall, the last time I saw him. Here we have heard from the lips of this kind family the touching account of his last days. The sight of the melodeon on which he played, and of the room in which he sang so sweetly, and of his own likeness hanging on the wall, and of the very pieces of work on which we labored together for a few days, cause me to miss him very much, and touch a tender chord of sympathy in my heart for you who have thus been bereaved. Here I have also first had the privilege of perusing the book entitled, "An Appeal to the Youth." It is just what should be in every family. I shall do all I can to extend its circulation. How true the motto of the book, "He being dead yet speaketh." I could but weep while reading the book. I believe it will be made, with the blessing of God, a source of much good. J. N. LOUGBOROUGH. Topsham, Me., Feb. 17, 1864.

Continue reading: Praise for Appeal to the Youth