Earlier text: WHEN WILL THE NATIONS BE DASHED IN PIECES?"I CAN DO MORE GOOD."
By R. F. C.
SOME time since, the question, "What hinders?" was asked in the REVIEW. What hinders those who have the light, from obeying the truth and keeping the Sabbath of the Lord? The question might be answered in one word, and that word is, Satan. But to enumerate all the devices by which he hinders, and all the excuses which he has invented, is a task which I am not disposed to undertake; for, had I the aid of inspiration to call them to mind, time and space would fail me to tell them. It is safe, however, to say, that the chief instrumentality by which he hinders, is unbelief. If men, even those who call themselves Christians, had a living faith—a firm and lively sense of the truth of the Bible, their motives to obedience would be so strong that the certain prospect of martyrdom could not prevail against them. But "dead works" have killed their faith. Sin hardens the heart; and the judgment of him that is accustomed to do evil becomes so perverted, that he can persuade himself that God will not condemn him, though he continue in his course of disobedience. Thus his faith in that Book that expressly declares that God will by no means clear the guilty, is gone, and he is—an infidel. Brother, Sister, beware of infidelity. And if you would avoid it, keep the commandments of God. But there is one among the thousand excuses which have been invented for the continued violation of the fourth commandment, which I took up the pen to notice. And I was thinking, it was the strangest one which a person ever palmed off upon his own conscience, but that may not be so; for they are all strange. It is expressed something like this: "I can have a greater influence over my friends, neighbors and relatives, and consequently can do more good by keeping Sunday, than I, possibly could by following so singular a course as keeping the Sabbath." Now what a pious excuse this is. Who would not obey the commandment of the Man of Sin, in preference to that of Jehovah, the maker of heaven and earth, if they were sure they could do more good in that way? They may have kindred, perhaps their own children, who might be induced to make a profession of religion, and join some popular church, but never could be persuaded to keep so unpopular an institution as the Sabbath, and be so odd from the rest of the world. Now what could be a more laudable undertaking than that of removing the cross from religion, and thus saving those who would sooner go down to perdition than bear it?! Since the change of the Sabbath was effected by the great apostasy, the Papal, and since the Son of God has called the Papal church "that woman Jezebel," [Rev. ii, 20,] it is natural for our minds to be carried back to the time of the great apostasy in Israel, when through the influence of Jezebel, the wife of Ahab, the popular religion became that of the worship of Baal, whose prophets numbered four hundred and fifty, while Elijah, the prophet of the true God, stood alone, though there were, unknown to him, a remnant of seven thousand in Israel that had not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. Under such discouraging circumstances, was not Elijah very unwise in being so stubborn as to contend with the prophets of Baal at the risk of his life? Could he not have done more good by falling in with the popular religion? He might have reasoned thus: Religion is religion; and if men have heart religion, what difference is made by the name to which they pay homage? A name is but a name, merely a sound; and if I fall in with the prevailing religion, I can persuade many to embrace religion who never could be induced to single themselves out from society by openly worshiping the God of heaven. But Elijah, true to the God that made heaven and earth, braved the wrath of Baal's church-state government. And when Ahab, the king, asked him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel? he answered, "I have not troubled Israel; but thou and thy father's house, (they were following the traditions of their fathers, as people now are,) in that ye have forsaken THE COMMANDMENTS OF THE LORD, and thou hast followed Baalim." As the reward of his zeal for God's commandments he was taken up to heaven without seeing death. As John the Baptist was sent "in the spirit and power of Elijah," "to make ready a people prepared for the Lord," at his first advent, so the spirit of Elijah is now in the world, in fulfillment of the promise of God by the prophet Malachi. "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord." The office of Elijah is to counteract the effects of apostasy, and restore the commandments of God. The antitypical Baal is the beast of Revelation, Paul's man of sin, and Daniel's little horn; all of which have had their fulfillment in a church-state government which has spoken great words against the Most High, worn out the saints of the Most High for 1260 years, and thought to change the times and laws of God. And, strange as it may appear, the great mass of Christendom are keeping his commandments, instead of those of the Most High. But there are some that are halting between two opinions. And as Elijah demanded of the people: "How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him;" so the voice of Elijah, now being heard in the Third Angel's Message is proclaiming, "If any man worship the beast and his image, or receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation. . . . Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD, and the Faith of Jesus." Thus the halting are called upon to decide whether they will keep the Commandments of God, or those of the beast. Let us follow the example of Elijah, who was "very jealous for the Lord God of hosts," because the children of Israel had forsaken his covenant. Let us not for a moment imagine that we can do more good by keeping the covenant of Baal. But let us be fully45 decided, come life or come death, we will keep the Commandments of God. And soon "the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof" will appear, and we, like Elijah, shall be borne away from earth, "redeemed from among men;" and, having the mark of the Father's name, instead of that of the beast, in our foreheads, we shall receive the harps of God, and bear a share in the new song—the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb. Publication Delays and Conference Proceedings
By Editor
We were not able to issue a paper last week on account of sickness in the Office. For the future we hope to be able to publish regularly. We are also able to give only the business proceedings of the late Conference in this place, on account of its closing so near our day of publication. An account of the meeting may be expected next week. QUESTIONS ANSWERED.
By James White
BRO. SMITH:—I have just received your note enclosing questions by Bro. S., and hasten to reply. The first question is as follows: “If the end means Christ’s coming, and the delivering up the kingdom, takes place previous to the end, which is the Melchisedec priesthood, and this took place in 1844, my question is, Where is the mercy for sinners after that priesthood ends? But if his priestly office continues, Christ either sits upon two thrones at once, or he officiates as priest on David’s throne.” In this Bro. S. misapprehends our position, as may be seen by referring to Bro. White’s article in No. 21, Vol. VII, on the Marriage of the Lamb. Also in the article in No. 1, Vol. VIII, p. 3, I remarked as follows: “A careful examination of the Scriptures, will show that the coming to the Ancient of Days, where he receives the kingdom, [Dan. vii, 13, 14.] is parallel with his coming to his temple, [Mal. iii, 1.] where he sits as “a refiner and purifier of silver,” [verse 3.] and with his going in to the Marriage, [Matt. xxv,] where he receives as his own the New Jerusalem, the Bride, (our Mother by adoption,) which is the Capital of the kingdom which he there receives. And throwing off the figures, this signifies his going into the Most Holy Place to cleanse the Sanctuary, blot out the transgressions of Israel, finish his priestly rule, and receive his own throne and kingdom, when his enemies are put under his feet; a work which commenced, according to the prophets, in 1844, and will terminate just previous to the pouring out of the plagues.” All the above named events must occur within that time, viz., between 1844 and the pouring out of the plagues, but they cannot all occur at once. His priestly rule is on the throne of his Father exclusively, and continues as long as his mediation and probation continue; and until his enemies are put under his feet; that is, until he receives his own throne, but no longer. He then takes his own, which is a subordinate throne, and becomes subject to the Father. To say that “he went in to the marriage,” in 1844, or that he went to the Ancient of days to receive a kingdom, is not to say that the marriage was consummated, or the kingdom given at that identical point of time: or to show that he passed into the Most Holy to cleanse the Sanctuary at the end of the 2300 days, does not prove that the work is accomplished at that time. It is a progressive work. And to show that Christ still occupies his place at the Father’s right hand after his entrance into the Most Holy, it will only be necessary to remark, that the cleansing of the Sanctuary is an important part of his priestly work, and can be performed only by entering into the Most Holy Place. There is no chance for an inference that he occupies two thrones at once, or officiates as Priest on David’s throne. The misapprehension that has arisen, or that may arise, on this point must be owing entirely to the fact being so long overlooked that Christ is a King (Priest-king) on the throne of his Father in heaven. It has been so often asserted that he could not be priest and king at the same time, that many suppose it to be a truth. If he was to be king on the throne of David only, then it would doubtless be true; but the Scriptures ascribe to him a priesthood on the Father’s throne after the order of Melchisedec. The testimony of Zech. vi, 12, 13, and Heb. vii, and viii, should be examined with care. That Christ entered the Most Holy Place in 1844 I have designed noticing in due time. This has been denied by some, who take the position that “when Christ does enter the Most Holy, the time for the salvation of sinners will be past, according to the type;” and as it is not yet past, they therefore conclude that he has not yet entered. But it is worthy of notice that the self-same individuals earnestly contend that “the time for the salvation of sinners” will continue for at least a thousand years after that event!! It is very convenient to be able to prove a thing by “the rule of contrary” under certain circumstances. (The subject, and not the question, has led me to make these remarks.) The next question, on Dan. ii, 34, 35, and 44, covers a large field, and I am obliged to defer it for the present for want of sufficient time to notice it as the subject demands.
J. H. W. It is bad enough to trample on the authority of the great God, by breaking his Commandments, without offering additional insult, by inventing some pious reason to justify such a course. But men will have some way to excuse themselves, even though it add insult to their offense. And they must have a pious reason, too. This is what must make their sin displeasing, in the highest degree, to him whose authority they have slighted. If men who break the Sabbath of the Lord would offer no apology, only that they choose to do so, it would be much less offensive in the sight of God, than for them to pretend that they are serving God better than they could by keeping his commandments. It is claimed by some that they keep the first day of the week for the sake of honoring the Son of God, and they seem to think that this pious excuse will certainly clear them at the judgment bar. But if there is anything that would render their crime aggravated and heinous in the highest degree, it seems to me it is this. To pretend to honor the Son while we despise the law of the Father is impious. We should honor the Son as we honor the Father, but we cannot honor him by neglecting and despising his Father. Oh! what an amount of guilt professors of the religion of Christ are heaping up against the day of wrath! I have thought, while contemplating on this subject, that if it were possible for me to weep tears of blood, and in so doing I could open the eyes of Sabbath-breakers to see their real situation, most willingly would I weep day and night, for those who will soon, if not converted, be condemned to the great slaughter. Those who, if not soon aroused from their dreams of heaven, must sink beneath the seven last plagues. And then the leaders of the people! who like blind guides are taking the road to death! How will they answer for the blood of the souls who lean upon them! and what will be the consternation of these, when they awake to the awful certainty that they have leaned upon a broken reed! What a howling there will be among the shepherds a little while from this. My prayer is, O God, save the poor sheep! What can be done for the poor people? while their leaders all conspire to close their ears against the truth—shutting up the kingdom of heaven against men; neither going in themselves, nor suffering those who are entering to go in. O Father, the work is thine. Speed it on, speed it on! Guide thy servants to those who have ears to hear, and hearts to obey this last message of mercy. Inspire the lone pilgrims with faith and courage, to go forth weeping, bearing precious seed; and doubtless they will return with joy, bringing their sheaves with them. O, that far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory that will soon be realized by the faithful! When the conflict is ended, and the victory achieved, what joy will fill the bosom of those who are now despised for the sake of the truth. What a thrill of transport, when they shall hear from the lips that never uttered a falsehood, Well done good and faithful servant! Give me a part with the overcomers and I ask no more.
R. F. C. EDITORIAL TROUBLES.
By Editor
An exchange says, that all men have their troubles of some sort—and if editors do not have more than any other class, they have a bountiful share—some of which, as they add to no one's comfort, or convenience, or estate, and grow out of thoughtlessness or inattention, might as well be removed. Every subscriber ought to observe these rules, whether he can see the use of them or not: 1. When you write to an editor, on your own business, always inclose a postage-stamp. It is as much as you can expect of him, to give you his time, ink, paper and service, without levying a tax of three cents extra on him for the privilege of neglecting his own business to attend to yours. You may think three cents is a small matter, and so it is. But if he has 6000 subscribers, and each one writes to him in violation of this rule once a year, it amounts to $180. 2. When you write to an editor inclosing money to pay your dues, or when you first subscribe for his paper, write your name very distinctly. It would be well to put it down in full, to make every letter separate, or print it with the pen. If your account is not correct, and your paper does not come, or is missent, don't get angry and be so foolish as to discontinue your support, for in nine cases out of ten you may be sure it is your own fault. 3. Always give the name of the Post Office, and always the name of the State where you want your paper sent. If you say "send it to Lexington," the editor does not know whether you mean Lexington, Ky., or Lexington, Mass., or some other place. A man writes, "change my paper from Jefferson to Washington." Well, there are more than one hundred places in the United States with each of those names, and the editor is entirely non-plussed. 4. If you are a new subscriber, say so. The editor cannot ascertain whether you are an old or a new subscriber without looking over a list of several thousand names. 5. If your object is to change your Post Office, be very careful to give the name of the Office and State you wish to change FROM, as well as the one you wish to change TO. Strange to say, this is perhaps the most important rule of all. Editors have no alphabetical list of subscribers' names. They are arranged according to your Post Offices and places, and if you do not say where your Post Office is now, he cannot find your name and account without reviewing his whole list, unless it may happen to be plainly enough printed on the outside of your letter to be read, or unless he may happen to remember where some of your name live. And then there may be two or more of the same name on his list, and your letter may have been post-marked at an office where you have dropped it while away from home. "I Have Examined it."
By R. F. C.
MANY are ready to say, when the Sabbath question is mentioned, that they have examined the subject and are satisfied that the Sabbath is not binding upon us. This assertion is often made by those who have only read the writings of those who oppose the Sabbath; and that without fairly stating the arguments in its favor. To such I would suggest, that they are mistaken in the matter, and are not aware of the proofs and arguments in favor of the seventh day. Every person who lays aside his prejudice, and is willing that the truth shall be the truth, will find, by a candid examination in the light of divine truth, that the evidences on this subject are all upon one side, and that the Bible contains nothing in favor of the abolition or change of the original Sabbath. R. F. C. COMMUNICATIONS.
By Joseph Bates
"Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another." BRO. SMITH:—On the 24th of April we gave a course of lectures on present truth, at a school-house in Pony Hollow, Clayton Co., Iowa. We were invited to call here by Brn. W. and H. Bates, who had recently removed here from Northern Illinois. Several of our hearers became much interested and seemed desirous to know our position. One gentleman who was much prejudiced against religious meetings as he had learned them, and had not attended with any of the sects for a long time, ventured out three times. In conversation with Bro. Bates afterwards, he said, Mr. A. and wife, and Mrs. W., about one mile from here are keeping the Sabbath. Bro. B. asked if they had been out to the meetings. No, said he, but the news of the meeting has spread like wild-fire. I never saw such an excitement in this place before. The ground here is occupied by the Methodists. Their minister requested his flock to keep away from us and have no conversation with us whatever. One of the neighbors remarked if they had got a religion that would not bear to be investigated by the Bible, they had better keep away! Two of their members however declared for the truth, but we learn they meet with much opposition. Others are investigating. May 1st reached Wawkon, Allamakee Co. Here we were heartily welcomed by our old and tried Brn. and sisters Andrews and Stevens, who had so recently removed from Paris, Me. The two families together number twelve Sabbath-keepers. As they lived remote from the village or school-house, the way was not open for a public meeting during our short stay with them. We spent a peaceful, quiet and happy Sabbath with them. Here they expect to remain until they are called away to their great "reward in heaven." The health of Bro. J. N. Andrews has improved some since he came West. He hopes to become strong enough soon to labor in the harvest field. The Lord strengthen him up for this important service. On our way to Wawkon we stopped for the night in the village of Rossville. We inquired if the inhabitants wished to hear on the subject of the prophecies. At the ringing of the village bell, quite a company came to their place for worship, and listened quite attentively during the evening. After the meeting closed, one of the villagers arose and made a very short speech unfavorable to our subject, and closed with saying he had hoped that they had got out of the reach of "Millerism." We referred him to proof that we had been giving them from Bible and historical facts, that the enunciation of the second coming of Christ had already been proclaimed to "them that dwell upon the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people." And if the people nick-named it Millerism, it could in no way alter the prophecy, or have it given over again. Hence the pressing necessity to get ready. While on the road, we fell in with many families moving North to Minnesota. We sent some of our publications there for distribution. Lord, set home the truth! We have just closed a course of five lectures in Farmersburg, Clayton Co., which commenced the 9th inst. Three of them in the meeting-house. Some laughed and scoffed, while some acknowledged the truth, and said they would keep the Sabbath. Two subscribed for the Review, and furnished themselves with books. Notwithstanding an opposing spirit that was manifested by some of the thoughtless, yet it was evident that many listened with deep interest. We came to Elkader the 11th inst., to attend two more meetings which closes this evening. From hence we leave on the 14th for Jo Daviess Co., Ill., to give a series of lectures, from the 16th to the 18th. From thence, the Lord will, meet with the brethren in Conference at Battle Creek, Mich., 23d inst. JOSEPH BATES.
Elkader, Clayton Co., Iowa, May 14th, 1856. A Testimony to Present Truth
By Bruce Graham
BRO. SMITH:—Although an entire stranger to you by personal acquaintance, I trust we are united in the inseparable bonds of Christian fellowship and love, and unitedly striving to gain an entrance into that peaceful land, where all God's weary children will soon meet together. It is now more than two years since, I humbly believe, God in infinite mercy turned my heart from vainly endeavoring to seek enjoyment amid the transitory allurements of this fleeting world, and caused my feet to be turned into the way of his commandments, and my heart to seek pleasure in that source from which alone true happiness can be found. Since that time I have been a close and anxious observer of the precious, (though oft suffering) cause of present truth; and as my heart has often been cheered and encouraged by reading in the columns of the Review the sweet and sympathizing epistles from those of like precious faith, I have felt impressed that it was my duty to add my feeble testimony on the side of truth. My heart has sadly been grieved while hearing of the grievous adversities through which those dear brethren have been passing; who have long labored in the front of the ranks, and patiently borne the heat and burden of the day; for I verily believe, of the many perils and afflictions endured by the beloved Apostle to the Gentiles, those occasioned by "false brethren" were not among the least; and my earnest prayer to God has been, that you might be graciously sustained, and ever be found "steadfast, unmovable, abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as you know your labor is not in vain in the Lord." It has also been a source of trial and sadness to me to see the crooked and inconsistent course of some of whom we had hoped better things. But we see, dear brethren, when seriously considering the subject, that our trials are none other than what befell the ancient Church in her primitive purity. Then brethren, let us be patient; for we need not be troubled, neither soon shaken in mind, while we behold by the glorious flood of divine light that shines upon our pathway from God's sacred word, that "we have not followed cunningly devised fables," when embracing the welcome doctrines of the speedy "coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." But we have for a foundation whereon to rest our hope, "the prophets and apostles, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone." May God in mercy help us as a people to feel the importance of now making diligent use of the day and means of grace, that we may by yielding with submission to the purifying process of the truth, be sanctified through it. Truly, brethren, we have great reason for humility and thanksgiving, that our kind heavenly Father has caused the truth to shine into our hearts, amid the perils and delusions of these last days. Then let us not sleep as do others, but awake to newness of life, and strive in all things to honor and glorify him who has done so much for us. I have been much encouraged of late by hearing of the prosperity of the cause, and my heart's desire and earnest prayer to God is, that it may still arise; that the time may speedily come when all God's scattered and torn children will be gathered into the unity of the faith, and be found in accordance with divine requirement, all speaking the same things, and that the spirit of meekness and wisdom may rest upon those who have the oversight of the paper, that it may as ever go forth bearing precious seed, and affording meat to the household of faith in due season. Yours in hope, Bruce Graham. Kensington, Ct. B. G. JONES
By B. G. Jones
BRO. SMITH :—As I love to hear from others through the Review, I would not hold back my testimony in favor of the Third Angel's Message. Though I may not have but one talent, the command is the same to improve it, as to him that has ten. I believe that we are having the third and last message of mercy to the world, and my prayer is that the Lord would help me to live in accordance with that belief. The grace of God assisting me, I am determined to endure to the end, for the promise is to such that they shall be saved. May the Lord help us so to live that we may not get overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and the cares of this life. Especially the cares of this life. Not that we need be less watchful against surfeiting and drunkenness, but more watchful against the cares of this life; for the enemy of all good is trying in every possible way to allure us into the47 business of life, and there so entangle us that we may forget God and be made an easy prey. But if we look to the Lord for strength to endure the trials of the way, he will lead us safe through. WORLDLY HONORS.
By S. Elmer
I WOULD not have a name below,
Where fame doth wreath her garlands fair;
Such worldly honor I forego;
I would not have my portion there. 'Twere of no use to have a name
Among the worldly sons of strife,
'Twere better far to have a claim
Among those in the book of life. I would not seek for worldly's wealth;
For there is many a secret door,
Where midnight robbers come by stealth,
And leave them poorer than before. I would not seek for joys of earth,
Since they are fading fast away;
Full well I know they're little worth,
Compared to life in endless day. "These shining bubbles soon will break;
We know they cannot long endure;
Then let us ceaseless strive to make
Our everlasting portion sure."
S. ELMER. BRO. SMITH:—I feel very thankful that my mind was ever called to the subject of the Third Angel's Message. I have been trying for three years to keep the Sabbath of the Lord, and live out the Third Message as I understand it; for experience has taught me that the Sabbath alone will not stand the test in these days of peril. Many have embraced the Sabbath and seemed to run well for a season; but when trials came they could not stand—they could not deny self. But the Lord will have a tried people, and they will have to be clean through the word and purged from every dross. Not all that came out of Egypt by Moses entered the promised land; and I fear that not all who profess the Third Message will enter the antitypical land. Since I embraced the Third Angel's Message I have taken great comfort and pleasure in reading the history of the travels of the children of ancient Israel. It has seemed to me that God's dealings with them were examples for us. Bro. Cottrell has given us a good piece on examples. My mind had been dwelling on that subject a number of weeks before Bro. C. wrote. God often cited the children of Israel back to the wonders wrought in Egypt, and especially the night in which he led them out, as way-marks by which they might know that he had led them, and been their God, and they a peculiar treasure unto him above all the earth. It seems that on the night the children of Israel went out of Egypt, they had the midnight cry, and when they had got entirely freed from the Egyptians, then God gave them his law, which, if they kept it, would bring them to the promised inheritance. So God in these last days has brought a people out of the churches or antitypical Egypt, and they came out under the midnight cry, and when they got free from the churches then God gave them the Third Angel's Message containing the ten commandments, which, if we keep them, will bring us to the everlasting inheritance. But my heart has been made sad and my spirits almost sunk within me while some here and there have been dropping off; but I now see the hand of the Lord in all this. After the paper was established at Battle Creek I took new courage. My heart has been cheered of late to know that the cause was on the rise. My prayer is that God would speed the message, and make the messengers like flaming heralds, and give wisdom to those that conduct the paper, that the mouths of gain-sayers may be stopped, and God's name glorified. Sister Ann Marett Rathbun writes from Marquette Co., Wis.:—"It is my painful duty to inform you of the death of my dear mother, who departed this life on the eve of March 23d. She sweetly fell asleep in Jesus, and now rests in hope, while we are left to mourn her loss; yet while I sorrow, my heart is greatly comforted in hope of soon being with her in the resurrected morn. She has been a firm believer in the present truth for nearly two years. She left her dying testimony in favor of the precious truths she had professed and so ardently loved. She died in full faith of the Saviour's soon coming to awake the sleeping saints, and change the living, and gather them home to rest forever. I was enabled to realize the worth of the Christian's hope as I never did before, as I stood beside the dying bed of my dear mother, and saw and felt for myself that support that nothing but the blessed hope could afford. "I read the Review with pleasure, and it would seem hard to be deprived of it. Amidst my afflictions it is a great comfort to me to hear from the brethren and sisters scattered abroad; for I am now left alone and none of like precious faith around me." Sister Harrison Smith writes from Barre, N. Y.:—"I feel anxious to do all I can as soon as possible; for I believe our time of doing will soon be past. I believe the work of redemption will soon be closed up, and I want to be in the work, and be ready to help swell the 'loud cry' of the Third Angel's Message. The Lord has done great things for me whereof I am glad. Bless his holy name! He has heard the prayer of faith in my behalf. He has raised me up from a sick bed, when going into the grave. God can do what earthly physicians cannot. He is the great Physician, that never lost a case. It is safe trusting in Him. It is now a little more than three years since myself and companion began to keep all the commandments of God; and I can say with David, "How love I thy law, it is my meditation all the day." I mean to keep striving for perfect holiness, without which no man can see God. I want to see the inside of the New Jerusalem, walk its street of gold, and dwell forever with the redeemed." Sister Elvira Sanford writes from Jo Daviess Co., Ill., May 9th, 1856:—"I wish to say a few words through the Review to the saints scattered abroad. Be encouraged, dear brethren and sisters, knowing that if we endure unto the end, we shall receive the promised inheritance. I with you have to pass through deep trials; but I pray that they may so try me that I may come out as gold tried in the fire. It is my desire that I may be made holy, daily consecrated to God. Holiness of heart! O the priceless treasure! which the saints must have to be prepared for the kingdom. "It gives me much encouragement to read the letters from the dear saints, and though I feel the weakest of you all, I wish to contribute my mite in this glorious cause. There is still some interest here. Two families came out decided to keep the Sabbath of the Bible, in April, while Bro. Bates was here; and others appear to be searching for the truth." Bro. Burt Hall writes from Lapeer Co., Mich.:—"Let us wake up to a new engagedness, and put on the whole armor of God. The time is coming when we shall need the whole armor if we expect to stand. O that we might realize the age in which we live, and the shortness of time. I believe that Jesus is soon to take his seat on the white cloud, and descend again to this wicked world. Jesus has been a friend to us and still is pleading for us. He is not willing that any should perish. He has done and is doing all he can for us. He so loved us that he left his Father's home and the company of angels, and came to this unfriendly and sinful world and suffered and died that we might through him have life. O brethren, will we have life when it has been purchased so dearly for us? or will we have death rather than so suffer persecution here for a little while? O give me life! give me Jesus! that precious Saviour who is worthy of all praise; who suffered and died the shameful death of the cross; and then let persecution and tribulation come: I can bear all the world's hate with my blessed Saviour by my side. I love Jesus and his cause, and I am determined by the assisting grace of God to press my way onward and upward for the City whose maker and builder is God. What a happy place where sickness, pain and sorrow are felt and feared no more. Praise the Lord for the precious promises we read in the inspired volume. How they buoy the spirits up and cheer the lonely hearts when all earthly friends depart. Brethren let us put our trust in God, and he will deliver us from every hour of temptation, and lead us in the path of peace to heaven. "I feel encouraged more and more, as I think that Jesus is soon to come and take us home. O that we may have our lamps trimmed and burning and be as men waiting for their Lord when he shall return from the wedding?" Trusting God’s Word
By R. B. Wheeler
Selected for the REVIEW by R. B. Wheeler. Whosoever desires to know the will of the Lord, and prays earnestly for instruction, shall certainly know his will. But he must not be wise in his own conceit, nor lean to his own understanding, nor expect that the wisdom or learning of this world will explain the things of God. He must not seek to reconcile the Word to his lusts, but combat his lust by the Word. In short, he must come to Jesus for instruction with great simplicity of mind, and not come for a month or a year, but sit all his life at the feet of Jesus, to receive instruction from him. Lord make me jealous of myself, enable me to go in and out by prayer, and keep me from all errors that may hurt my soul. True Happiness.
By Henry Budd
ALAS! my dear friend, we forget that we are strangers and pilgrims upon earth. When a stranger arrives at his inn at night, if his room be comfortable, he does not dwell much upon its comforts, because he intends to pass on when morning arrives; and if his room be dirty and disagreeable, he does not send for painters and upholsters to furnish and decorate it. No, he says it is but for a night; to-morrow I shall leave it on my journey. O could we but view all around us as really pilgrims passing from one stage to another; i. e., did we but live by faith, how little would any earthly circumstances affect us! I am more convinced, daily, that faith alone can procure equanimity; and happiness on earth consists in48 high and intense delights. On earth happiness is hardly a positive thing: it consists more in the absence of cares and afflictions, than in the positive enjoyment of any sublunary good. No man can be happy who does not look towards eternity, and long for a change from a scene of embarrassment and woe for that of complete blessedness, in the enjoyment of what is infinitely and uninterruptedly perfect. It is my aim to grow in faith; and I grow in faith as I get nearer to the cross of Christ. But O my wretched infidelity!—I might be always happy had I but this blessed object before me; because there "the world is crucified to me, and I to the world." But I am happy nowhere else. And God, of his kind mercy, grant that I may find no rest for the sole of my foot but under the Saviour's cross! With that in view I can bear all, forgive all, resign all, trust for all, pray for all, praise for all; but shut that out from the eye of faith, and I sink down into the meanest and worst worm of earth.—Memoir Henry Budd. HANNAH CLOUGH
By Hannah Clough
DEAR BROTHER:—I am greatly encouraged and edified in reading the communications from the dear brethren and sisters through the Review, and I would just say to them all, Press on a little longer, and the prize will be sure. Victory will turn on Zion's side. If the Commandment-keepers have not the Lord on their side, I ask, Where will you find him? Certainly not among the proud and popular sects of the day; not, indeed, but that I think there are individual Christians among them, but the majority seem bent upon gratifying "the pride of life and the lust of the eye" to their heart's content; and an awful destruction awaits such, but they heed it not. My sympathies are with that little remnant who are trying to live by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord. We read that Enoch walked with God, and he was not; for God took him. I believe the remnant in these last days must walk closely with God, if they ever expect to be translated as Enoch was. The mere name of being a Sabbath-keeper will not deliver us in the great day of his wrath: it will only be the pure in heart that will then stand the solemn test. I pray God to pour out of his Spirit into your hearts and mine, that we may have a more lively sense of the solemn scenes that are before us, and of the great work there is to be done, in us, and by us, to fit us for that better land. I feel now while I am writing as if I wanted to praise the Lord that he has done so much for me. I thank his name that I ever heard the Third Angel's Message, and that I had strength to come out from a popular church amidst much opposition and ridicule, and unite with the dear brethren and sisters in Sutton and Wheelock. Pray for us, brethren, that we may hold on and hold out. Lyndon, Vt., May 6th, 1856.