p. 176 | Review and Herald, Vol. 9, No. 22. (4/2/1857)

Earlier text: THE SACRED PRECIOUS STONES

Sister Bean’s Sabbath Testimony

By M. Bean

From Sister Bean.

BRO. SMITH: I want to speak through the Review to the brethren and sisters of like precious faith, which are scattered abroad, and say that in 1849 I had the light on the holy Sabbath. I felt I must take up the cross, which then appeared a great one, and follow the Lord. But I could not find one of my family that could see any light on the seventh day as being the Sabbath of the Lord. On the whole, I had no help from husband or children, and being in a poor state of health I struggled long and hard to keep my head above water; but at length fell, and all the waves and billows of temptation went over me. I felt that I was in torment all that flesh and blood could bear, and went into black despair, and frantic with grief, not capable of any business for about a year; then my health improved, and I became calm to outward appearance, and could attend to business the same as ever; but all this time I felt I was lost, and to cut short, not one ray of light or hope ever visited the dungeon which I felt myself to be in for six long weary years. Some of this time I was in N. Y., then went back to Vt., and on a visit to Hardwick to see my children. There was a day of fasting and prayer on my account. The brethren came together and I bowed down with them, and for the first time in six years I cried unto God for mercy. While pleading to be restored to the joys of his salvation, beyond what I dared to expect the light broke into my soul. O that joyful eve, on the 14th of January, I never shall forget. And let me say that my dear husband was let into the liberty at the same time, for how would he be otherwise than in bondage when once we were happy in God, having listened to the first message, and come out of the church together, and had since 1843 moved in harmony, and around the family altar offering prayer together. Then after all this, the family altar was broken down, as I could not, and would not, hear prayer nor any thing of the kind. But my dear companion held on to God like Abraham of old, believing God would again restore me and we should see better days. He said he always felt that if we ever could get where there was faith, the work would be done; and that faith was found with the dear brethren that keep all the Commandments of God. And now let me say that my husband and myself embraced the Sabbath of the Lord on that same evening of our deliverance, and now we are walking in newness of life. Old things have passed away, and all to me is new and glorious. Of late we have attended a conference in Roxbury, and O, how my heart was comforted, strengthened and blessed, it being the first meeting of the kind that we had attended. I feel that God is setting his church in order, and will yet have all the gifts for the perfecting of the saints. My soul goes out in strong desire for all to come and embrace the truth, and know the blessing there is in keeping God's holy day. To me 'tis glorious.

I feel that grace and glory shall be my story While I in Jesus such beauties see, While endless ages are onward rolling, This heavenly treasure mine shall be.

I would say we are now visiting with our children in Randolph, and for the present our place of address will be East Bethel, Vt. M. BEAN. Randolph, Vt.

The Third Angel’s Message and Sabbath Faith

By Elvira Seely

From Sister Seely.

Bro. Smith: I rejoice and praise God for his goodness to one so weak and unworthy as I am, that the precious truths of his word have been opened to my understanding, and that amidst all the darkness that surrounds me, I still love the present truth, and hope to be sanctified through believing and obeying it.

I was permitted through the blessing of God, while on a visit to Saratoga the past Summer, to hear the message of the third angel explained, and I believe it is the last message of mercy to be given to a perishing world.

Bro. Wheeler came to this place soon after my return home, and laid the truth before the people; but O, how few, I fear, have heard for eternity! I am as yet the only one in the place who keeps the Sabbath of the Lord; and I am determined to keep all the Commandments of God and the Testimony of Jesus.

I feel very lonely at times, seeing no one of like precious faith, but continue to pray that the Lord will open the minds of some at least to see their awful state before it is too late, when there is no more sacrifice for sin to be offered in their behalf. It is truly a solemn thought that we are living under the last message of mercy. Soon the last note of warning will cease. Then he that is holy, will be holy still; and he who is filthy, will be filthy still.

Yours in the hope of the soon appearing of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Elvira Seely.

Salisbury Center, N. Y.

Encouragement from the Scattered Flock

By J. F. Case

From Bro. Case.

Bro. Smith: I would say that the church here are struggling for freedom, and appear to be rising. There are also signs of the latter rain. Praise God! We have enjoyed some heavenly seasons lately while assembled for the worship of God, and have learned by blessed experience that it is a good thing to serve the Lord. Truly he hath led us in a way that we knew not of. Praise him, O my soul!

It is truly cheering to the hungry soul to read the epistles of the brethren and sisters which have so much of the Spirit of Christ in them; and I can say for one that I thank the Lord for the privilege of conversing with the scattered flock through the Review. I find something in every communication that encourages me to persevere in the narrow path. The communication from brother E. L. Barr had, I trust, a good effect upon me, and I rejoice that God is working for Israel. My prayer is that the work may go on until the church stands out in the sunlight of God's truth.

Yours striving to overcome. J. F. Case. Monterey, Mich., March 17th, 1857.

The Review and Scattered Believers

Sister Margaret Stanton writes from Adams, Wis., March 13th, 1857: I prize the Review very highly, for the good instruction and admonitions it contains, likewise for the privilege of hearing from my scattered brethren and sisters. Many of them like myself seem to be alone, deprived of the means of grace and the opportunity of meeting with the brethren. I feel as though I could not do without the paper, and I will do all in my power to sustain it. If any of the brethren from the east come this way, I would like to have them call, and hold a course of lectures in our place. I live on the quarter line road, between Troy and Whitewater, Wis.

The Commandments and Present Truth

By Editor

Sister Mary Armstrong writes from Waverly, Mich:

"BRO. SMITH, It is with feelings of gratitude to God that I write to you. If he had not opened my heart to receive the truth, I should not have addressed you as a brother, neither should I have loved that poor and, by the world, despised company of Commandment-keepers; but thanks to God that he showed me where I was, and gave me strength to obey his law.

"My heart is sad when I see those who make such high pretensions to religion so opposed to the Commandments of God, as if God had altered the law that is gone out of his mouth. I rejoice and praise God for his goodness to one so weak as I am, that the precious truth of his word has been opened to my understanding, and that amidst all the darkness that surrounds me, I still love the present truth, and hope to be sanctified through believing and obeying it. It is through much tribulation that any will enter the kingdom; yet we have the blessed assurance that if we suffer with Christ we shall be permitted to reign with him in glory. How much grace we need in these last days to keep ourselves unspotted from the world, and live as heirs of the kingdom and joint heirs with Jesus Christ to that glorious inheritance.

"I am thankful that Bro. Bates came and gave us some lectures on the present truth. He was here two Sabbaths. The last Sabbath was a time of great consolation. There were seven baptized, and as many more came out to keep the Sabbath; and some more are investigating. I think there are many more that would come out soon, if they could hear some more lectures.

"We feel to renew our diligence, and strive to come out of the lukewarm state that the church is in. I have thought the Sabbath-keepers were too cold for the time they profess to be living in, looking for their Lord and Saviour. I believe the time is near at hand that he will come. Will he not find many asleep? I have longed, and still long, for a perfect conformity to all the will of my heavenly Father."

Counsels, Comforts, and Cautions.

God is always inviting you to his throne; he says, "Let me hear thy voice; come near unto me, that I may bless thee."

Grace thrives by frequent meditation on portions of God's word: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly."

Meditation feeds devotion: it endears Christ: "My meditation of him shall be sweet."

The World Ripening.

By Editor

One would think that mankind were full prone enough of their own free will to run into strong delusions and believe lies that they might be damned, without receiving any direct and special aid from a foreign source. But matters have not been left to progress in this manner. Spirits of devils by the legion have been let loose upon the world to foist into the dilapidated and unfounded creeds of Christendom still darker errors, the more completely to blind men to the approaching destruction. So completely, as the Scriptures assure us, will they be under the fatal spell of the deceiver, that like a person drugged with opiates, we find them reveling in a heaven of their own perverted fancy, and raising the cry of peace and safety, when sudden destruction cometh upon them, which they cannot escape. 1 Thess. v, 3.

The following from a communication in the Spiritual Telegraph, purporting to come from the spirit of Cotton Mather, will show their teaching on the great subject about which the world ought now mostly to concern itself—the personal return of our Lord and Saviour. The remark that we are living in an age of no ordinary interest, and that the marked events of the nineteenth century will surpass all others, we do not doubt. On other points we will forbear comments till the reader has perused them:

“Earth's children are living in an age of no ordinary interest. There is no age in the annals of history that will surpass in marked events and interest this nineteenth century. The old world is viewing with jealous eye, America robed in its coat of many colors, the tokens of a heavenly Father's loving favor. The old world cannot fail to see ‘how blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.’ . . . .

“In America the ladder of Jacob has been put down, and the millennial age is now. This is the identical time to which the ancient fathers looked forward as the consummation of their hopes and their belief. They looked down through the long, long future, and here upon this age (if I may use the figure) directed their telescope.

“‘While they beheld he was taken up—and a cloud received him out of their sight.’ Acts i, 9.

“And then we read that ‘this same Jesus which has been taken up into heaven shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.’ Now this the world has failed to understand. Divines have supposed, and some still suppose, that Christ's ascension was visible to the world, and that his second coming will be likewise visible; now his ascension was not visible to the world, but only to a chosen few, and they did not behold it with their natural eye, but were in a superior or clairvoyant state. He has come again in like manner as he left. Manasseh corresponds to the material world which had its thousands; Ephraim to the spiritual which shall have its ten thousands. This spiritual age is the stone cut out of the mountain without hands, and it shall fill the whole earth; ‘for,’ says Jesus, ‘I, if I be lifted up, will draw all men unto me.’ The spiritual age will draw all unto it.”

Such a communication from the hot-house of falsehoods scarcely needs a comment. We can only wonder that any should be found to give it credence; but that there are hosts upon hosts who will hail it as divine truth is a fact which is fearfully certain. Very thoughtless should we be if we did not here recollect the caution of our Saviour: “If any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there, believe it not; for there shall arise false christs and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that if it were possible they shall deceive the very elect.” We remember, too, how he has said that as the lightning cometh out of the east and shineth even unto the west, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be; that moreover, every eye shall see him; that as it was in the days of Noah so shall it be at his coming; that his disciples would not be in darkness that that day should overtake them as a thief; but that God finally would send those who received not the love of the truth that they might be saved, a strong delusion that they might be damned.

The Enemy of all truth then would have men believe that the millennial age is already commenced, and that Christ has come. Well, many do and will believe it, and harden their faces and stiffen their necks in the delusion. In this we see fulfilling the prediction in Thessalonians already alluded to. Yet the truth is not at fault for all this; it is plain enough, it is easy enough to be understood; all might have understood it if they would; but since they have proved that they do not like to retain God in their knowledge, he has given them over to a reprobate mind and their foolish hearts are darkened. Thus is the world ripening for the harvest sickle.

We call upon all who still acknowledge the light of the only lamp that God has given us—the word of truth; and who wish to be found taking all legitimate steps towards securing a preparation for the coming crisis, to study well the world in its present aspects, and be wise.

Business Items.

By Editor

L. Edmunds:—Vols. VIII and IX are due on the paper sent to Spring Vale, Va., which at half price amounts to $1.

Simeon P. French:—Your letter of Feb. has not been received.

BOOKS SENT.—Aurelia W. Gould, N. H., J. F. Case, Mich., Wm. Bryant, Me., T. Bryant jr., Me., Wm. Harris, N. Y., N. N. Lunt, M. T., E. W. Bramhall, California, S. W. Rhodes, N. Y.

“Beware

By James White

“Of false prophets which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” Matt. vii, 15. As answering to the above description the church should beware of A. N. Seymour, who professes to be a minister of righteousness, but is in reality a minister of unrighteousness, or sin, which is the transgression of the law. At a meeting held by himself and E. Miller jr., in October last, in Lenawee Co., he declared that thenceforth his work was to overthrow the Sabbath. In January last, referring to our lecturing in different places, he said, “Let them work: I can pull down faster than they can build up,” and again stated his determination to direct his whole energies to put down the Sabbath. He is also circulating the most slanderous reports against the brethren. Within a few days after his making the last mentioned statement, he came to the Sabbath evening meeting of the Hillsdale church, and by plausible speeches and fair professions caused some of them to believe that he was an honest inquirer after the truth. Of course they were not aware of his expressed determination to destroy their faith and scatter the flock. Had he appeared among them openly, in his true character—that of a ravening wolf—there would be but little danger of his influence. We hope the brethren in all places will remember his threat against the truth, when he comes to them in sheep's clothing, and “beware.” J. H. W.

Pledge for a Power Press

By Editor

Bro. Wm. Peabody writes from Scottsville, N. Y., March 25th, 1857: "I see in the Review that the brethren are raising money for a Power Press. I feel willing to pledge myself for one hundred dollars, and pay when called for. This is what I am in favor of. I hope there will be enough raised to purchase a Power Press."

A Promise for Every Trial

There is some promise in your Bible exactly adapted to every trying hour.

APPOINTMENTS.

By J. P. Kellogg, James White, C. Smith

Conference at Battle Creek.

PROVIDENCE permitting, there will be a Conference at Battle Creek, Mich., to commence April 10th, at 3 o'clock P. M., and hold three or four days. The Church at Battle Creek will make provision for all whose duty it may be to attend.

1. Preachers in this State, and those from other States as far as duty may require, and their means admit. Let the Churches in each State see to the wants and expenses of those preachers who should attend this Conference.

2. The Corresponding Editors of the Review should be present if possible.

3. Those Churches who regard it as their duty, should send a delegation of one or more brethren.

4. Those who feel a deep interest in the advancement of the cause of Bible truth, and have means to devote to the cause, should be present.

The Church at Battle Creek would be pleased to entertain a general assembly of brethren and sisters, if it were possible; but their small place of worship, being nearly filled by the regular congregation, would not hold such an assembly, neither could they find room in their dwellings. There will be room enough in the Holy City, where all the saints will meet soon.

J. P. KELLOGG, JAMES WHITE, C. SMITH. } Committee.

Pledges for Power Press.

By Editor

D. R. Palmer, . . . . . $100.00. A. L. Burwell, . . . . . 100.00. E. Everts, . . . . . 100.00. R. Godsmark, . . . . . 100.00. John Byington, . . . . . 100.00. C. G. Cramer, . . . . . 100.00. Wm. Peabody, . . . . . 100.00.

Receipts.

By Editor

Annexed to each receipt in the following list, is the Volume and Number of the "Review and Herald" to which the money receipted pays. If money for the paper is not in due time acknowledged, immediate notice of the omission should then be given.

FOR REVIEW AND HERALD.

M. M. $1,00,ix,1. L. Mann (1 each for B. Smith, and Mrs. J. Martin) 2,00 each to x,21. R. Moran 1,00,x,1. L. Fogg 2,00,xi,1. R. E. Hancock 1,00,ix,1. H. Page 1,00,x,1. P. D. Lawrence 1,00,xi,1. I. B. Woodcock 0,25,x,8. Danl. Woodcock 0,25,x,8. Saml. Noramore 0,25,x,8. Ezra Bracket 0,25,x,8. Jas. Lane 0,25,x,8. Saml. Kingston 1,00,x,1. Danl. Baker 1,00,x,1. H. Gardner 1,00,xi,1. H. Gardner (for S. H. Gardner) 0,50,xi,1. C. W. Sperry (for J. B. Sperry) 1,00,xi,22. Jas. Harvey 2,00,xi,22. C. S. Hurlbut 2,00,xii,1. C. S. Hurlbut (for Wm. R. Brainard) 0,50,x,21. N. A. Hollis 1,61,x,17.

REVIEW TO POOR.—Wm. Bryant $0,39. Little i, $2. H. W. Brown $1.

FOR GERMAN TRACT.—Wm. Harris $0,55.

Books for Sale at this Office.

By Uriah Smith

THE price set to each publication includes both the price of the book, and the postage, when sent by Mail.

Hymns for those who keep the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus. This Hymn Book is designed to promote not only public worship, but also social and family devotions. It is a selection of Hymns expressing the faith and hope of the Church as set forth in the Scriptures of truth, free from the popular errors of the age. The Book contains 352 Pages, 430 Hymns, and 76 pieces of Music. Price, 60 cents.—In Morocco, 65 cents.

Bible Tracts Bound in Two Volumes. These Volumes are of about 400 pages each, and embrace nearly all of our published Tracts. We are happy to offer to our friends the main grounds of our faith in a style so acceptable.—Price, 50 cents each.

Sabbath Tracts, Nos. 1, 2, 3 & 4. This work presents a condensed view of the entire Sabbath question.—184 pages. Price 15 cents.

The Three Angels of Rev. xiv, 6-12, particularly the Third Angel's Message, and the Two-horned Beast. This work maintains the fulfillment of Prophecy in the past Advent movement, and is of great importance in these times of apostasy and peril.—148 pages.—Price 12 1/2 cents.

Review of Crozier. This work is a faithful review of the No-Sabbath doctrine as set forth in the Advent Harbinger by O. R. L. Crozier. It should be placed in the hands of those who are exposed to that heresy.—Price 6 cents.

The Bible Class. This work contains 52 Lessons on the Law of God and the Faith of Jesus, with questions. It is peculiarly adapted to the wants of those of every age who are unacquainted with our views of these subjects, especially the young.—Bound 25 cents. Paper covers, 18 cents.

The Sabbath. Containing valuable articles on 2 Cor. iii; Col. ii, 14-17, Who is our Lawgiver? The two bills of Matt. v, 18, Consistency, &c.—Price 5 cents.

The Law of God. In this excellent work the testimony of both Testaments relative to the law of God—its knowledge from Creation, its nature and perpetuity—is presented.—Price 12 1/2 cents.

Sabbath and Advent Miscellany. This work is composed of seven small tracts on the Sabbath, Second Advent, &c., and presents a choice variety for those who commence to seek for Bible truth. Price 10 cents.

The Bible Sabbath, or a careful selection from the publications of the American Sabbath Tract Society, including their History of the Sabbath. Price 10 cts.

The Atonement. This work opens a wide field of Bible truth, and will be found a valuable assistant in the study of the great theme on which it treats.—196 pp.—18 cents.

Man not Immortal: the only Shield against the Seductions of Modern Spiritualism. Without the great truth that man is not immortal, and that the dead know not anything, none are prepared to stand against wicked spirits in high places. We commend this work on the Immortality question, as an able discussion of the subject.—148 pp.—12 1/2 cents.

An Examination of the Scripture Testimony concerning Man's present condition, and his future Reward or Punishment. By this work is shown the unconscious state of the dead, and the final destiny of the wicked. In this work we consider all objections to the mortality of man and the death of the wicked fairly and fully met. Price 18 cents.

Why Don't you Keep the Sabbath? Extracts from Catholic works.—Price 5 cents.

History of the Sabbath.—Price 5 cents.

The 2300 Days and Sanctuary by “U. S.”—Price 5 cents.

POEMS.

Home Here and Home in Heaven, with other poems. This work embraces all those sweet and Scriptural poems written by Annie R. Smith, from the time she embraced the third message till she fell asleep in Jesus.—Price 25 cents. In paper covers, 20 cents.

Time and Prophecy. This work is a poetic comparison of the events of time with the sure word of Prophecy.—Price 20 cents. In paper covers, 12 1/2 cents.

A Word for the Sabbath. This work is an exposure of false theories in regard to the Sabbath.—Price 5 cents.

Liberal discount on these works where $5 worth is taken. Address URIAH SMITH, Battle Creek, Mich.