At one of the revival meetings recently held in Edinburgh, Mr. Moody spoke of the importance and power of faith in prayer. Dr. A. Thomson read a letter which he had received from a lady in Edinburgh, narrating a series of incidents in connection with the rescue of the passengers of the shipwrecked Loch Earn. “After the Trimountain left them, and they had examined their ship, they feared they would never see land again. They could not navigate the vessel, and were left to the mercy of the wind and waves, or rather to the care of Him who ruleth wind and waves. Two ministers were left on board the Loch Earn. One, M. Cook, a truly good man, did all he could to encourage their hearers. Every day at noon he gathered them together, and earnestly by prayer strove to lead them to the Saviour. The day before they were rescued, he told them he had no doubt they would be saved; that even then a vessel was speeding to save them; that God had answered their prayers; and that next day, as morning dawned, they would see her. As morning dawned, every eye was strained to see the promised ship. There truly she was, and the British Queen bore down upon them. One thing is remarkable—the officer in charge on board the British Queen had a most unaccountable feeling that there was something for him to do, and three times during the night he changed the course of the vessel, bearing northward, telling the watch to keep a sharp lookout for a ship.”
Don’t, Pray Don’t.
Don’t tell the little one, who may be slightly willful, that “the black man will come out of the dark cellar and carry it off if it does not mind.” Don’t create a needless fear to go with the child through all the stages of its existence.
Don’t tell the little five-year-old Jimmy “the school ma’am will cut off his ears” “pull out his teeth,” “tie him up,” or any of the horrible stories that are commonly presented to the childish imagination. Think you the little one will believe anything you tell him after he becomes acquainted with the gentle teacher who has not the least idea of putting those threats into execution.
Don’t tell the children they must not drink tea because it will make them black, while you continue the use of it daily. Your example is more to them than precept; and while your face is as fair as a June morning, they will scarcely credit the oft-told tale. Either give up drinking the pleasant beverage, or give your children a much better reason for its non-use.
Don’t tell the sick one that the medicine is not bad to take, when you can hardly keep your own stomach from turning “inside out” at the smell of it. Better by far tell him that it is disagreeable, but necessary for his health, and you desire him to take it at once. Ten to one he will swallow it with half the trouble of coaxing and worry of words, and love you better for it.
Don’t teach the children by example to tell white lies to each other, and to their neighbors. Guard your lips and bridle your tongue, if you desire to have the coming generation truthful. Truthfulness is one of the foundation stones of Heaven. Remember the old, old book says, “no liar” shall enter within the gates of the beautiful city. There is nothing false there, and no distinction between white lies and those of a darker hue. A falsehood is an untruth, whether the matter be great or small.
Southern Outrages.
The committee appointed by the late Convention in Chattanooga, to investigate the reports of outrages in the South, speak as follows in reference to the state of affairs in Arkansas:— “The committee have done more work in Arkansas than in any other State, and yet they are obliged to confess that not one-eighth of the crimes can be recorded, for several reasons. But the returns from this State, as declared by one who has been permitted to examine them, make up a page of horrors absolutely appalling; a page of death ‘in the cabin, by the road-side, on the crowded street, by the sluggish stream, in the thicket, in the open field, by night-time, and by day-time.’ Fifty-six of the seventy-three counties in Arkansas report that there have been 956 outrages since 1866, from merciless whippings to cold-blooded murder, as follows: Murders, 660; attempts to assassinate, 223; threats to murder and whippings have been in proportion, and the number of men engaged in the outrages, nearly all white, is little less than a thousand.”
Horrible Catastrophe.
THE report has been confirmed that the Cospatrick, an emigrant ship, en route from London to New Zealand, was burned at sea, off the Cape of Good Hope. By this horrible affair, four hundred and sixty human beings perished, but three having yet been heard from of the entire list. These three were picked up in an open boat, nearly famished, having eaten nothing except (horrible to relate) flesh and blood of others who had died in the boat. The hundreds of poor creatures who were roasted alive, or jumping into the sea made food for ravenous sharks, endured untold agony which will never be known to the readers of newspapers.
Is the Watch Right?
By Sel.
Dr. Johnson said of Bishop Burnett, that “he was like a man who resolves to regulate his own time by a certain watch, but will not inquire whether the watch is right or not.”
In many persons, there is observable an easy tendency to regulate their religious belief by some standard which they take for granted to be right, without seriously examining the grounds of its conceded authority. In the Catholic church, the priest, who is a second-hand pope, is the standard time-piece by which all the lay-watches are regulated. What the priest declares to be God’s truth is accepted as such, without, in most cases, we fear, an earnest and prayerful inquiry into his claim to infallibility.
And among Protestants, are there not many that blindly set their belief by the minister or the creed, rather than by an intelligent and devout study of God’s word? If so, wherein are they better than superstitious Romanists? You may be all correct according to your standard, but what if that shall prove to be false? Let us take nothing second-handed. Let us try all human time-pieces by the great chronometer, constructed by him whose existence is measured only by eternity—the infallible word of truth.—Sel.
The Smoking Nuisance.
It meets us everywhere. In street and railroad cars, boat-cabins, on Broadway and in eating-houses, the smokers, losing all sense of decency and propriety by the deadening influence of the filthy weed, puff their smoke in the faces of everybody, and fill the air with the foul, disgusting nuisance. We have been driven from eating-houses by those pretending to be gentlemen, who pull out their cigar or pipe, and sit and smoke as if their very life depended upon it. The very fact that it so brutalizes all sense of propriety and self-respect is enough to utterly condemn the filthy practice. Are there no rights of anti-smokers which these tobacco devotees are bound to respect? We enter our protest against this increasing evil and pestilential nuisance, worse than the frogs and lice of Egypt, and worthy of the most barbarous age, and shall join in the cry for lost “rights and liberties.”—Temperance Advocate.
Receipts for Securing Sunshine in the Soul
Dr. Theodore L. Cuyler gives the following valuable receipts for securing sunshine in the soul:— “1. Look at your mercies with both eyes; at your trials and troubles with only one. 2. Study contentment. In these days of inordinate greed and self-indulgence, keep down the accursed spirit of grasping. What they do not have, makes thousands wretched. 3. Keep at some work of usefulness. Working for Christ always brings heart health. 4. Keep your heart’s window always open toward Heaven. Let the blessed light of Jesus’ countenance shine in. It turns tears into rainbows.”
Roman Priests Burn Bibles in Earl Street
But three hundred years ago, a body of Roman priests made a great fire in Earl street, London, and burned every copy of the Bible that could be found, and then congratulated themselves that at last the Bible was destroyed. To-day, on the very spot where this fire was built, stands the great building of the British and Foreign Bible Society, where the Bible is printed in one hundred and seventy-eight different languages; and it may almost be said that an additional copy comes from the press at every tick of the clock.
Steady Christian Character Under Trial
There is many and many a candle that will burn distinctly in a room where the air is still, which, if you take it into the wind, flares and flutters and burns every way but the right way; and there are Christians that are able to have the pure flames of Christian life burn steadily if you only shield them, but that, if you move them about, and bring them in conflict with one another in circumstances of temptation, show their weakness of Christian feeling.
S. N. KENT
By S. N. Kent
From an Old Pilgrim.
I want to say a few words to the readers of the REVIEW. I embraced the doctrine of the second coming of Christ in 1836 from reading Bro. Miller’s book, and when he came to Haverhill, Mass., I hailed him with joy. I heard him lecture fifty-three times; a more devout and Christian-like man I never saw.
I looked for the Lord in 1843, but shared in the sad disappointment; I never could believe in setting time again. I never gave up a portion of truth; I believed the work to be of God.
I was unacquainted with the seventh-day people and their views until, through the kindness of Bro. Smith of Manchester, I obtained papers which led me to search for truth, which I found in the third angel’s message and in keeping the Sabbath.
About two years ago myself, with three of my family, commenced keeping the Sabbath. There are no Sabbath-keepers within ten miles of us.
I attended the New England Conference at South Lancaster, Mass.; it reminded me of 1843. It was truly a blessing to me. Let me say, dear brethren, in the language of Peter, “To them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Lord Jesus Christ; grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, according as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue; whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises; that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And besides this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren, or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure; for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall; for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”
My brethren and sisters, we see how much is depending on us; the signs are multiplying on every hand. Soon Jesus will come to take his faithful children home. May I among them stand.
S. N. KENT
Candia, N. H., Dec. 27, 1874.
A Seeker.
“Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord’s anger.” Zeph. 2: 3.
The connection of this scripture will show that it has reference to the preparation for the great day of the Lord, the day which is now ready to burst upon the world. A certain class of people are called to an important duty. The exhortation is to the “meek of the earth.” It is to Christians—to those who have already set out in the service of the Lord, who, comparatively speaking, are the meek ones of the earth. They have some grace, but are not ready. Here, there is a work for those who are looking for Christ, and who already have some of the precious grace of meekness.
They also need to seek the Lord. There must be a special preparation for the great event soon to take place. But if this is necessary on the part of the people of God generally, how much more for me who have been so far from the Lord. I must, therefore, register myself a “seeker.”
Not more than half converted at first, I have made very crooked steerage at the best. The failures have been so many that at times I have been almost ready to yield in utter discouragement. Resolutions and vows have amounted to almost nothing. “For the good that I would, I do not: but the evil which I would not, that do I.” Thus I had lived in the 7th chapter of Romans until the difficulty had become chronic.
I now believe that my efforts to reform, have, for the most part, amounted only to a miserable job of patching new cloth onto the old garment. Every patch has only made the rent worse. This will never do. There must be a new garment. Nothing short of a new conversion—a new experience—a new heart, can ever satisfy this poor, sin-sick soul. Oh! for the gold tried in the fire—the transforming grace that preserves from sin. Oh! for a heart to hate evil and love righteousness.
“When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek.” Yes, I am a learner of Him who is meek and lowly of heart. I will make no tarrying, but hasten to drink of that fountain which will spring up unto everlasting life. There are good desires in my heart for which I am very grateful, and will cherish them day and night. With the forgiveness of the people, and the pardoning grace of God, I shall start anew in the good work. Trusting in his mercy and rendering entire submission to the divine will, I shall hope for eternal life through Jesus Christ my Lord.
In and around the Biblical Institute.
By O. T. Noble
JUDGING from the number of brethren in attendance from the several States in the union, I think there must be from a hundred and twenty to a hundred and fifty families anxious to know how we are entertained, and what we are doing, and what the probable result of this enterprise will be.
The first thing I will speak of is how we were received. A committee previously chosen held themselves in readiness to wait upon every new comer, and conduct him to a home with some one of the families composing the Battle Creek church; and, judging from my own experience and what I have heard from others, I feel justified in saying that we fare sumptuously. Every facility calculated to enable us to make the best use of our time is given us. Our mail is distributed in the lecture room before each lecture, and we receive many such attentions, which, in the aggregate, save us much time for the study of our lessons.
So far, the lectures have been conducted by Brn. J. White and U. Smith. The able and patient manner in which they handle the subjects, and answer the many curious, ingenious, and intricate questions submitted to them in writing, and orally, will certainly give them a large place in our confidence and in our hearts.
The time devoted to lectures, including that used in asking and answering questions, is from 9 to 11 A. M., from 2 to 4, and 6 to 8, P. M., giving us plenty to do.
I cannot close this article without a few words about the preaching, all of which thus far has been done by Bro. and sister White. I wish to say that whatever opinion people may form by reading, I venture the assertion that no fine-minded person can listen to either of them and not feel assured that God is with them. Sister White’s style and language is altogether solemn and impressive, and sways a congregation beyond description, and in a direction always heavenward. Bro. White’s language, manner, and style are inspiring, and well calculated to lift us up. We are led to feel that when the preacher goes out under the commission, Jesus will surely be with him, and that, though weak in himself, yet through the power of his Guide he can subdue kingdoms; nay, “he can do all things.” O. T. NOBLE.
Of Wellington, Loraine Co., Ohio.
A CHILDLIKE SPIRIT.
Father, I know that all my life
Is portioned out for me;
The changes that will surely come,
I do not fear to see:
I ask thee for a present mind,
Intent on pleasing thee.
I ask thee for a thoughtful love,
Through constant watching wise,
To meet the glad with joyful smiles,
And wipe the weeping eyes—
A heart at leisure from itself,
To soothe and sympathize.
I would not have the restless will,
That hurries to and fro,
That seeks for some great thing to do,
Or secret thing to know;
I would be treated as a child,
And guided where I go.
Wherever in the world I am,
In whate’er estate,
I have a fellowship with hearts
To keep and cultivate—
A work of lowly love to do
For Him on whom I wait.
I ask thee for the daily strength,
To none that ask denied—
A mind to blend with outward life,
While keeping at thy side;
Content to fill a little space,
If thou be glorified.
And if some things I do not ask
Among my blessings be,
I’d have my spirit filled the more
With grateful love to thee;
More careful not to serve thee much—
But please thee perfectly.—Sel.
Grant Center, St. Clair Co., Mich.
By Joseph Harvey Waggoner
Soon after I reported from the above-named place, I left to attend a dedication at Quincy, where the brethren have erected a neat house of worship; thence I came to Battle Creek. At Quincy I received a letter from Bro. Lamson in which he said about thirty had decided in favor of the truth. In a late card he says: “Many more are favorable of whom we knew but little when you left. I now have a list of twenty for papers, and shall get more, as a number have not been seen who are most favorable.”
We consider this, in several respects, a very important point for labor, and there is much yet to be done in that neighborhood. Though the opposition was unusually violent, the Lord greatly blessed our labors, and the truth has many warm-hearted, intelligent friends there. The way seemed to open favorably in several directions, which will enable those who labor in that part of the State to be with the friends there frequently. We earnestly pray that the Lord will direct and bless.
J. H. Waggoner.
Rowley, Mass.
By D. A. Robinson; P. C. Rodman
SOME seven or eight have stopped work on the Sabbath, and four have positively stated that they were fully decided to keep the Sabbath.
Having finished our lectures here, and finding no favorable opening for another course at present because of the high prices of the halls in this vicinity, we think best to leave here until the tent season. And being anxious to do what we can, we appeal to our brethren of N. E. C. if they know of places where the people would like to hear on present truth, or where a place to lecture can be obtained with a fair prospect of getting a hearing, to write to us at once of the same, and they will confer a favor. Direct to Ipswich, Mass.
D. A. Robinson.
P. C. Rodman.
Taylor Co., Iowa.
By H. G. Buxton
SINCE my last report I have given twenty-seven discourses in Holt Center school-house. Three families, seven adults and eight children, decided to keep all God’s commandments. I left many friends, some investigating, and others almost persuaded. Obtained two subscribers for the REVIEW.
We ask an interest in the prayers of God’s people that our labors may be blessed to the good of souls.
H. G. Buxton.
Springville, Ky.
By Hettie Pickens
Since I came into present truth I have often thought I would write a few words of encouragement for those of like precious faith; and now the Holy Spirit has made me so happy I feel that I cannot be silent any longer. Bro. Osborn has labored hard for the cause in this State, and by his labors a few have come out on the side of truth. There are five Sabbath-keepers at this place; all are heads of families except myself. We meet together from Sabbath to Sabbath to claim the blessing of the Lord, and we feel that Jesus is with us. Oh! bless his worthy name for his lovingkindness to us.
We have organized a Tract Society here, and, by the assisting grace of God, I intend to use my talent to increase our number. I want to bear some humble part in the work of God, that, when Jesus comes to make up his jewels, I may be counted worthy to have a part with his redeemed ones.
I have been reading sister White’s writings on the coming of the Lord, and I find sweet consolation in them. I believe the end of time is near, and Jesus is even at the door. O brethren, pray for us, that we may be kept humble at the foot of the cross till Jesus comes, that we may hail him with joy.
HETTIE PICKENS.
Springville, Dec. 19, 1874.
Battle Creek, Dec. 10, 1874
By M. E. Cornell
“Take my soul and body's powers:
Take my memory, mind, and will;
All my goods, and all my hours;
All I know, and all I feel;
All I think, or speak, or do;
Take my heart, but make it new.”
M. E. Cornell.
Battle Creek, Dec. 10, 1874
“Bring Another Brother.”
By John V. Hickmott
During the exhibition of 1867 in Paris, a minister met with an instance of direct labor for souls which he states he can never forget. In conversation with an engineer employed on one of the pleasure boats which ply on the Seine, the discovery was made that the man was a Christian, and on the inquiry being put, by what means he was converted, he replied, “My mate is a Christian, and continually he told me of the great love of Jesus Christ, and his readiness to save, and he never rested until I was a changed man. For it is a rule in our church that when a brother is converted, he must go and bring another brother; and when a sister is converted, she must go and bring another sister; and so more than a hundred of us have been recovered from poverty to the simplicity which is in Christ Jesus.” This is the way in which the gospel is to spread through the whole world. By the silent force of a consistent life, by the prevalence of importunate prayer, by the seasonable testimony of our lips in converse with our fellow-men, let us love to make Jesus known; for he has said, “Whosoever shall confess me before men, him will I also confess before my Father which is in Heaven.”—John V. Hickmott.
U. I. M. E. Conference and Tobacco.
THE following resolutions against the use of tobacco were adopted by the Upper Iowa Conference of the M. E. church at its recent session at Charles City:—
Whereas, Tobacco is an acrid, narcotic poison, ranked by Orfila, and other eminent toxicologists, with such poisons as bohun-upas, poison hemlock, belladonna, &c., and whereas, the human system can never demand the continued use of such poisons to promote its healthful action, but their effects are to deaden the nerves, destroy the finer feelings, weaken the intellect, cause imbecility, derange the circulation, injure the heart, frequently causing paralysis and even premature death; and whereas, the odor of this filthy narcotic is exceedingly offensive to many, and its use so impregnates the system that the smell is exhaled from the lungs and pores of the skin, thus rendering the user an annoyance in the cars, in the parlor, at the table, in the chamber of sickness, and even at the sacramental board; and whereas, the use of tobacco costs the people of the United States more than is expended in the promotion of the cause of Christ, the preachers and members of the M. E. church alone, in all probability, expending more for that luxury than is contributed to all our benevolent enterprises; and whereas, crime, intemperance, pauperism, and tobacco, are intimately associated, many expending for this article alone a sum which, if put to annual interest, would afford them a comfortable support in their old age; and whereas, the higher the position a man occupies the greater his influence for good or evil, and as ministers of the gospel are expected to be examples of piety, temperance, and purity, we cannot afford to be addicted to a practice heathen in its origin, and corrupting in its influence; therefore,
Resolved, That we earnestly request all our preachers and people to abstain entirely from the use of tobacco.
Resolved, That we receive no one on trial in this Conference who uses tobacco, unless he promises to abandon its use as long as he remains among us.
Resolved, That we will elect no one to deacons’ or elders’ orders who uses tobacco, and that the chairman of the committees on examination be requested to report on that subject.
Resolved, That we respectfully request the bishops not to transfer any one to this Conference who has used tobacco within two years previous to such transfer.
Resolved, That as the presiding elders, from their position in the church, and being called upon so frequently to administer the sacrament, have a greater influence than any other class of ministers, we request the bishop, if it can be done without detriment to the work, not to appoint any one to that office who uses tobacco.
Resolved, That as a pledge of our sincerity, we, ministers of the Upper Iowa Conference, promise to abstain from the use of tobacco in any form from this time henceforth and forever.—Mitchell Co. Press.
The Blood of Jesus Cleanses All Sin
THE sands are many, and the stars are many, and the leaves of the trees are many, and the drops of the sea are many; but our sins are more than all these; yet the blood of Jesus Christ can cleanse us from all sin.
WHILE the Vandals under Genseric, (the great burning mountain,) for forty years were destroying the Roman power by sea, there were other clans of barbarians confederating, in order to strike a decisive blow against the same power by land.
All Europe and a part of Asia had been aroused to the great struggle for the mastery. Attila, the leader of the Huns, had already devastated seventy cities of the East. The fear of his iron will made even the contemporary barbarians tremble at his acquisitions of dominion. The tribes north of the Danube had already yielded to his government. Nearly all of what is now Russia was obedient to his dictate, and from the steppes of Asia were hordes of plunderers awaiting the summons of the conqueror. Rome herself had consented, reluctantly, to pay him tribute. Her cup of iniquity was fast filling up, and her punishment was certain. The prophecy declared she should be divided into ten parts. “It was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.” Dan. 7:7.
From stern virtue, sobriety, economy, and clemency, Rome had degenerated to vice, intemperance, extravagance, and cruelty The monarchs of mighty kingdoms were dragged at the wheels of her triumphal chariots, at the caprice and pomp of her martial rulers. Once, she exercised mercy toward the weak and succored the helpless, as when she leagued with the Jews, who were oppressed by Antiochus; but now, the starving mother may devour her tender infant before the eyes of the Roman, and he heeds it not. That fierceness spoken of by the prophet, Deut. 28:50, has become developed. Her ambition, aggrandizement, and supremacy required every conquered foe to bow beneath the yoke of slavery. Many tribes are rallying to the standard of Attila, and the Romans are preparing to repel their terrible foe.
Attila anticipates that his best trophies are beyond the Alps. At the sound of his war-cry all Europe muster to arms. Since Xerxes led his immense army against the Greeks, no greater body of warriors had ever assembled to act a part in the fulfillment of prophecy. The engagement that succeeded is recorded as one of the four decisive battles of history.
Rome collects her forces to meet the intruder, she also invites her very foes to lend a helping hand. The Visigoths, Burgundians, and Franks, joined the Roman forces. They met in what is now French territory. At Orleans, and finally at Chalons, the struggle between one and a half millions of Romans and barbarians took place. Neither party could claim a victory. About 300,000 were left dead upon the battle-field. After the conflict, the Roman general hastened to the imperial city and his confederates to their respective kingdoms. Attila recruited his forces and the next spring appeared in the north of Italy with his army as large as it was before it was reduced at Chalons.
And here comes in the force of the symbol spoken of by the prophet in Rev. 8:10, 11, “And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of water.”
The symbol of a great star burning as it were a lamp, is fulfilled by Attila and the Huns. A star does not long give light before it sets; a lamp does not long emit rays unless it is replenished: so was Attila’s course in respect to his attack upon the middle tripartite division of the Roman empire. It was of short duration. He continued only about a year in the region of the Alps and the highlands of central Europe. Every student of geography knows that the Alps is a great source, or head, of many of the rivers and streams of Europe.
The region where he halted to operate in his work of devastation, was emphatically, “the fountain of waters.” Before reaching the Alps, he also made a total wreck of everything in his way.
The star fell upon the “third part of the rivers”—that is, the streams in the middle tripartite division of the empire. It fell from Heaven. A star falling from Heaven is a wonderful phenomenon—it is not a natural occurrence. So it was not in the natural course of events that Attila should have received so sudden a check in his rapid career for conquest and plunder. Why so? Because formerly these very allies of Rome had been her bitterest enemies, and were heretofore as determined as Attila himself to destroy her power. The Visigoths, Franks, and Burgundians, whose repeated war-cry, and ruin by conflagration and sword, had so often aroused the Roman fears, are here fighting side by side with the Roman legions, in order to subdue the man who claimed himself to be a “scourge of God.”
Attila’s career suddenly ceased; and after making a treaty with the Romans he left for his own capital on the Danube, where his death soon after occurred in A. D. 453.
The effect of his ravages in the north of Italy could not better be described in the English language than by the word wormwood. “And the name of the star is called wormwood.” Bitterness was the result of his course wherever he went. Bitterness was in the hearts of the people of the Alpine regions as they saw their habitations burnt, their cattle made a prey, and their fair fields entirely laid waste.
History states that in his march, before he reached the Alps, he devastated the land and burnt the Roman cities. Aquileia, the most important city of northern Italy, after a siege of three months, was reduced to ashes. The plains around it were nothing but blackness and ashes. And writers say that the great earthen mounds that encircled their encampment may yet be seen by the traveler. It being in the hot season many of the Huns died of disease. On the part of both Romans and barbarians many perished in consequence of the evil effects of the invasion. “And many men died of the waters because they were made bitter.”
Attila’s attack upon the middle tripartite division of the empire was during A. D. 451 and 453.
For other particulars in regard to this invasion the reader is referred to “Thoughts on the Revelation,” published at Battle Creek, Mich. J. SAWYER.
Battle Creek, Dec., 1874.
THE TRANSFIGURATION.
By P. Miller
[The following had such an inspiring influence on my own heart that I copy it from the Watchword (a temperance paper published at Ilion, N. Y.) for the special benefit of the readers of the REVIEW.
P. MILLER.]
UPWARD they trod
The lonely mount, to talk with God.
One led: he wore a perfect form,
With tender beaming smile and warm;
And there were three that followed him
Up through the shadows wild and dim.
They came to pray: and there apart,
And far from worldly pomp and art,
They bowed the knee,—
The Saviour, and his faithful three.
In solitude,
The soul best feels the reverent mood;
Thus, it is blessed to recede,
And find God’s hiding in our need,
To mount above the world’s concern,
And feel the inner glory burn
Of love’s celestial fire. How sweet
The silence of this lone retreat:
Fit place for prayer,
Which hallowed all the mountain air.
O voice of love,
Did e’er such tones pathetic move
The spirit listening to all tones
That rise from his dear pleading ones?
Sweet voice of Jesus, never prayer
Arose more tender on the air;
It melted, charmed the listening three,
Till on the wings of ecstacy
They rose away,
And stood before the gates of day.
The mountain fades,
The day-light dwindles into shades;
The gates of light swing open wide,
And lo, a more than sun-bright tide
Bursts from the azure on their sight;
And Jesus stands enthroned in light;
His native beauty this, when he
Stood in his kingly dignity,
In his own clime,
Sang, long before the birth of time.
Were they not four?
Whence those bright forms unseen before?
Ah! there he stands, last seen of old
On Nebo’s mountain lone and cold,
Whither he went, his eye not dim,
To wing his way with seraphim,
To his celestial Canaan far;
Not his to cross the Jordan bar;
A crown of light
He wears than Egypt’s crown more bright.
And he, the same
Who took the chariot of flame,
And sped away in raptured flight,
Till angels saw him strange alight
Upon the royal steps of gold,
Of his dear throne, who heard of old
His prayer, when Baal’s hosts were bowed
On Carmel’s height, mid clamor loud,
Elijah, hail!
Thy prayer was mighty to prevail.
Why come they now,
And wail upon the mountain’s brow?
Dear Son of God, they come to thee,
To talk of all thine agony;
The shadow of Thy cross is seen
Along the fields of fadeless green,
And angel eyes are tearful there,
Before they hear thy last sweet prayer—
“Father, forgive;
And let my persecutors live.”
Again the three
Look forth, and only Jesus see.
But even till their latest hour
The vision lingers with its power.
Those gates ajar have left a gleam
That brighter makes our earthly dream;
The silver cloud on Tabor’s height
Still drops its music with its light;
Nor shall it cease
Till earth with Heaven is all at peace.
Limit Your Wants.
LORD BOLINGBROKE, in his “Reflections upon Exile,” says: “Our natural and real wants are confined to narrow bounds, while those which fancy and custom create are confined to none.” Young men who are just entering upon life, and forming the habits which are likely to adhere to them to its close, will do well to treasure up in memory these true and instructive words of one of England’s finest writers and most philosophic statesmen: “Our natural and real wants are confined to narrow bounds.” It is surprising how little it is that is absolutely essential to man’s existence, and, if he will take an intelligent and considerate view of life, to his comfort and happiness. Intellectual enjoyments are comparatively cheap. The cultivation of the mind, which affords the highest and the only enduring satisfaction, can be pursued on an income quite insignificant for the supply of luxuries. Our physical wants are very few, if we preserve our tastes simple, as they are by nature. To eat, to drink, to exercise, to sleep, to keep warm, and to be sheltered; a small sum will supply all these necessities. The pleasures which are pure, and which tend to our improvement, are within the reach of almost every one. But the wants which fancy and custom create, as Lord Bolingbroke well says, are confined to no bounds. It is against these that young men on the threshold of life should sedulously guard. Beware of luxurious and expensive habits. The gratification of them may cost you much of the labor and time which, if given to intellectual cultivation, would be far more conducive to happiness. It is easy to do without that which you have never indulged in. It is hard to leave off habits, however extravagant and absurd. When you are to decide about adopting a mode or style of living, consider well whether it is certain that, without inconvenience, you will be able always to preserve it. The only safe rule is, to keep your wants within narrow bounds.—Sel.
The Lord's Wall.
SOMEWHERE about fifty years ago, one bitter January night, the inhabitants of the old town of Sleswick were thrown into the greatest distress and terror. A hostile army was marching down upon them, and new and fearful reports of the conduct of lawless soldiery were hourly reaching the place.
In a large, commodious cottage dwelt an aged grandmother, with her widowed daughter and grandson. While all hearts quaked with fear, this aged woman passed her time in crying out to God that he would “build a wall of defense around about them,” quoting the words of an ancient hymn.
Her grandson asked her why she prayed for a thing so entirely impossible, as that God should build a wall about their house that it should hide it; but she explained that the meaning was that God should protect her.
At midnight the dreaded tramp was heard, an enemy came pouring in at every avenue, filling the houses to overflowing. But while the most fearful sounds were heard on every side, not even a knock came to their door, at which they were greatly surprised. The morning light made the matter clear; for just beyond the house the drifted snow had reared such a massive wall that it was impossible to get over to them.
“There,” said the old woman triumphantly, “do you not see, my son, that God could raise up a wall around us?”
Truly, “with God all things are possible.”—Sel.
Singleness of Love for Jesus
By Cuyler
There is prodigious power in singleness of love for Jesus—in the doing “just one thing,” and that is to live solely for the Master. A man of very moderate talents and endowments becomes a leading mind as soon as Christ gets complete hold of him. I can point to more than one plain, modest, moderately-educated Christian, who has attained to a great propelling power in the church, simply from the momentum of his godliness. He follows Jesus so heartily, so projectively, that he carries others along with him by his sheer momentum. And that is not brain-power, or purse-power mainly, but heart-power.—Cuyler.
Mr. Spurgeon's Conversion.
In the course of a sermon preached at Rochdale recently, Mr. Spurgeon said he would never forget the period of his conversion. From place to place he went, hoping to find peace. At last, one snowy, cold morning, he dropped into a little Primitive Methodist chapel. There was a man who preached Christ very much for the same reason that he (Mr. Spurgeon) did now—namely, because he did not know much about anything else. The text was, “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth.” The preacher, pointing toward him (Mr. Spurgeon), said, “There's a young man under the gallery who looks very miserable,” and he added, “You will never be happy until you look to Christ.” Then shouting with all his might, he said, “Young man, look now!” He did so, and as he gazed, his burden fell away; and he who before had been so wretched left that little house of prayer so happy that from that day to this, with many troubles and a great deal of care, he would not change places with anybody on earth.