Dear Brethren and Sisters: I feel to praise and thank God that he has not left us to grope our way in darkness; but has given us the sure word of prophecy, whereunto we do well that we take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn and the day-star arise, or Jesus, who is our life shall appear.
I think there is no mistake in the signs already given, and the tokens that do appear, that our deliverance is near. Glorious hope! Blessed anticipation of a speedy transition from this vain world of sin, sorrow and death, to an inheritance which is incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away. I say again, Blessed anticipation to meet in that bright world of joy, to inherit all things, where the evils of this mortal life, are felt and feared no more.
Here we are strangers and pilgrims, having no enduring inheritance, but by faith we are looking for one that is substantial, even the same that Peter looked for, and called the new heavens and new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness. Daniel describes the kingdom and the dominion of it to be under the whole heaven, and it is not to pass away. The saints of the Most High will take the kingdom and possess it for ever and ever; and having glory, honor, immortality and eternal life bestowed upon them, they will shine as the stars of the firmament without end. This is the heavenly country that all the patriarchs looked for, and can not we lift up our heads and rejoice, knowing (not guessing) by the signs and tokens that our redemption is drawing near, when we too with all the saints shall possess the heavenly inheritance, and the city whose maker and builder is God?
Brethren and sisters, as myself and companion are alone here in the blessed hope of eternal life, and have none to sympathize with us, or to meet on the Sabbath of the Lord, we feel very lonesome, and ask your prayers that our faith fail not, believing that the fervent prayers of the righteous avail much. Cannot Bro. Stewart, or some other brother, come and spend a few weeks in this valley, preaching the words of eternal life, among the many who reside here? It may be there are some who have ears to hear, and would gladly receive the truth if faithfully presented to them. I think that new fields are the place for laborers to enter, that all may have a chance to hear and decide for themselves.
Before I close, I would ask some brother to throw more light, if they have it, on Dan. xii, 13. "But go thou thy way till the end be; for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days."
Your brother searching for truth as for hid treasures, and believing that the wise shall understand.
LEBBEUS TALLMAN
Tomah, Wis., Aug. 1st, 1857.
The Warning to Come Out of Babylon
By Asa Kimball
From Bro. Kimball.
BRO. SMITH: I would say that the Review is a welcome messenger to myself and others in this place who are in the faith of the Third Angel's Message and Sabbath. To sit down and read it after the labors of the day, is almost as refreshing as to attend a conference meeting of brethren and sisters. Although we do not see each other's faces, yet our hearts run together like two drops of water that cannot be separated. While the Third Angel sounds, we should not forget the solemn warning, Come out of her my people, and be not partakers of her sins. I have seen the danger of not strictly adhering to it. If it is the will of God that his people should come out of Babylon, it is certainly his will that we should stay out. I believe Sunday worship is the mark of the beast, and we shall get the mark and become partakers of their sins unless we remain away from them.
With regard to our band, I would say, while one has been seduced by the doctrines of devils, another has come into the faith and is going along with us. O the danger of listening to Sabbath-breaking preachers whoever they may be. They will open the holy Bible with all the sanctimonious appearance of a saint, and tell us the Commandments are all done away, and before they get through the services of the Sunday, they will thank God for the privilege of meeting together on his holy Sabbath to worship him!
I would say to those who are inexperienced in the spiritual life, you will soon be deceived and easily seduced, unless you relinquish the guidance of your own opinions, and hearken to the counsel of tried and successful wisdom. But they who are wise in their own conceit have seldom humility enough to submit to the direction of others. An understanding therefore that is only able to receive the truths of the kingdom of God with the meekness and simplicity of a little child, is infinitely better than that which arrogantly glorying in its extent, can comprehend the utmost circle of science. Better is it to be an humble spirit with the ignorant, than to divide the spoils of learning with the proud.
Yours for the truth and light. ASA KIMBALL. Hampton, Ct. Aug. 13th, 1857.
E. FRISBIE
By E. Frisbie
From Bro. Frisbie.
Bro. Smith: Through weakness and much tribulation I expect to enter the kingdom of God. I have many conflicts and sorrows to contend with in my pilgrimage. I began when young to walk Zionward, but must acknowledge that I have made many crooked paths. Between twenty and thirty years I walked with the Methodists, till I heard the Advent doctrine in which I began to see light, and the light has shone more and more to my understanding. I begin now to see a beauty in keeping the commandments, including the holy Sabbath. I have been much strengthened by the prayers and exhortations of the brethren in Battle Creek. I feel to rejoice that we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous, who is able and willing to save us, if we are but faithful to him. I feel for one to contend for faith and hope in the blood of the Lamb. I hope that many will hear and believe before it shall be too late. Soon will the plagues of the Bible overtake the wicked. Let us lay hold on the horns of the altar, and beg and plead for a deliverance from sin, that we may enter into the celestial city, where we can roam the golden streets, and pluck the fruit that grows on the tree of life.
Are we, or shall we be able to tread the King’s highway, that no vulture’s eye hath seen, or lion’s whelp trod? We must be Bible Christians and have on the whole armor, to be able to combat the adversary and overcome him. First we must love God with all the heart, might, mind and strength, and his children with pure hearts fervently. We must obey the ten commandments, remembering the Sabbath-day to keep it holy. We must be baptized [not sprinkled] into the death of Christ, and arise to walk in newness of life, and the fellowship of the church of God.
Let us offer fervent prayers to the Lord Jesus for help to prove faithful, that we may receive a crown of life through the merits of the Lamb.
E. FRISBIE
Battle Creek, Aug. 1857.
A Testimony for the Sabbath
By Mary J. Crosby
From Sister Crosby.
BRO. SMITH: Perhaps I cannot add any thing to the valuable testimonials which I am permitted to read in the Review. But deprived as I am of the privilege of meeting with the dear saints who are looking for Jesus, I beg the privilege of speaking through your paper. I am—Glory be to God! whose infinite mercy has brought me to see the truth—among that number who expect soon to see the King in his beauty, when he will appear, not the man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, but in royal majesty, Judge of the world, and to them that believe without sin unto salvation.
I embraced the doctrine of Christ's speedy coming in 1844, and since then it has been precious to me. During the past Winter the subject of keeping the seventh day as the only true Sabbath, was warmly advocated by Brn. Mitchell and Everts, whose zeal I do highly appreciate. I felt the Lord had not forgotten me by sending his servants to stir my mind by way of remembrance. I became aroused on the Sabbath question, and now feel the decision I have made is scriptural.
We look with longing eyes and aching heart for Jesus to appear in the clouds of heaven. We feel like laying aside every weight, and like unto men that wait for their Lord when he will return from the wedding, we pray that our lamps may be trimmed and burning.
In view of the awful day which will surely come, when the earth will reel to and fro, and the final consummation of all earthly things take place, we hope to ride safely into port, but never can our frail bark escape the mighty convulsion that will take place. My dear brethren and sisters, may we be found prepared to enter into the glorious kingdom our Saviour is about to set up; and to this end my ardent prayer is directed to the Lamb that can take away all my sins and here in this state of probation, the only state for preparation, hide my life with him in God, that I may appear with him in glory.
MARY J. CROSBY.
Union Grove, Whiteside Co., Ills., Aug. 15th, 1857.
Strength Enough to Stand
He that thinks he has strength enough to stand, will prove that he has weakness enough to fall.
Meeting-House in Battle Creek
By James White
We immediately commence building a plain Meeting-house in Battle Creek, 28 by 44 feet. Those mechanics in the State who wish to give a few days', or weeks' work on the house, and wish to spend two or three Sabbaths with us, will find a hearty reception, and good care at our homes during their stay with us.
One object in building the house is, that State Conferences may be held in it. Friends of the cause in the State (those who would esteem it a privilege) are now invited to assist, either in work or money.
In behalf of the Church. JAMES WHITE.
The Four Horns of the Goat.
By Editor
CORRESPONDENT. 1. What authority have we for saying that four of Alexander's generals are represented by the heads of the leopard when there were six?
ANSWER. The four heads of the leopard represent the four divisions of which the Grecian empire consisted after the death of Alexander. It is a well known fact that four of his generals, namely, Cassander, Lysimachus, Ptolemy and Seleucus, did after a time divide the whole empire between them. What is meant by the expression, "there were six," we hardly understand. Alexander at the time of his death had many generals, and "the governments of the empire" were at first divided among those, they being for a while contented with the name of governors. But, says Prideaux, "they all fell to leaguing and making war against each other, till thereby they were, after some years, all destroyed to four." These four were those above mentioned, who then divided the whole empire between them.
C. 2. In what sense was dominion given to it (them) when history appears to prove that dominion was taken from it (them.)
ANS. How could dominion be taken from any government, if it had not previously received it? The question refutes itself by saying that history proves that dominion was taken from them; for nothing can be taken from a person that he has not previously possessed.
C. 3. How could the little horn be said to come out of one of them, when it came from far to the Northwest of Rome, and came upon all of them.
ANS. The little horn is an acknowledged symbol of Rome. The four divisions of the Grecian empire; the four horns of the goat, the four heads of the leopard were the following: "Cassander had Macedon and Greece; Lysimachus, Thrace and those parts of Asia as lay upon the Hellespont and the Bosphorus; Ptolemy, Egypt, Lybia, Arabia, Palestine, and Cœle-Syria; and Seleucus all the rest." Macedon was among the first conquests of Rome. From thence it spread its victorious arms over all the rest. At this point prophecy takes note of it as a little horn, and hence it is said to come out of one of them.
C. 4. What objection is there to saying that the four heads of the leopard, or horns of the goat, represented the four conjoint rulers of the Roman empire, that ruled just previous to the imperial sway of Augustus? See Goldsmith's History of Rome, pp. 213, 214.
ANS. To this, the wildest of any of the questions propounded, we have only to say that the chief objection is that Inspiration has given an entirely different interpretation of the matter. We see not how any one could propose such a question unless the Bible had been entirely forgotten. We plainly read in Dan. viii, 21, that "the rough goat is the king of Grecia, and the great horn between his eyes is the first king. Now that being broken, whereas four stood up for it, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation but not in his power." The four kings and kingdoms that came up at Alexander's death, we have already mentioned; and, says Prideaux, "hereby the prophecies of Daniel were exactly fulfilled, which foretold that the great horn of the Macedonian empire, that is, Alexander, being broken off, there should arise four other horns, that is four kings out of the same nation, who should divide his empire between them." If the four horns of the goat represent four conjoint rulers of the Roman government, the goat must symbolize Rome; but the angel tells us that the goat is Grecia; and we find Rome symbolized by a little horn, afterwards introduced. If the four heads of the leopard represent four conjoint rulers of the Roman government, the leopard must symbolize Rome; but we find that Rome is symbolized by another beast dreadful and terrible. The symbols of Daniel's prophecy are fixed beyond the possibility of doubt.
Brethren in Michigan
By Tent Committee
BRETHREN IN MICHIGAN.—You who have pledged money for the Tent enterprise in this State, will confer a favor by sending the amount pledged to the REVIEW Office at your first convenience. Money is now wanted to pay actual debts, and to continue the enterprise.
Vermont Tent.
By Joseph Bates
This Tent was pitched in Union City, Mich., July 24th, and remained over three Sabbaths, to the 10th of August. Notwithstanding our series of meetings were held in the midst of the season of wheat harvest and haying, many came from the surrounding country to hear, and listened patiently to learn our position.
Meetings in the Tent every evening but one. In the daytime, Sabbaths and First-days. This people had a good opportunity to hear from a number of our Brn. in the ministry. Bro. Ingraham commenced and labored with us successfully for a few days, until it seemed manifest that his labors in the field were called for in Illinois. Bro. Sperry from Vt. supplied his place. Bro. and Sr. White spent one Sabbath and First-day with us, and aided much with their preaching, exhortations and prayers. Bro. Hutchins from Vt. also joined us on the last Sabbath and First-day, and was listened to with attention. Many of our hearers admitted the correctness of our views with respect to the speedy coming of Christ, and the Sabbath of the Bible, but it is to be feared that a lack of consecration and moral courage will keep them from embracing them until they are farther pressed on the subject. A number, however, did confess and embrace the above named truths, and appointed their weekly meetings to worship God on his holy Sabbath-day. They have also supplied themselves with books, and subscribed for the Review to still further aid them in the investigation of this last work, that they may be ready when Jesus comes. As we were called away in great haste at the close of the above named meetings to unite our labors with others in pitching the Mich. Tent in this place for a series of meetings we have thereby been hindered from giving the foregoing account of the Union City meetings so soon as we wished.
Owing to the late severe cold storm of three days, our meetings here have commenced under rather unfavorable circumstances; but as the weather is now changing, we expect the people from the surrounding country will not be hindered from attending the meeting as they have been. From what we hear, it is evident that the people in this vicinity are anxious to hear our position.
JOSEPH BATES.
Burr Oak, Mich., Aug. 17th, 1857.
Business items.
By Editor
A. R. Morse.—The P. O. address of G. W. Holt is Bloomingville, Erie Co., Ohio; that of Joseph Bates, Battle Creek, Mich.
J. Dorcas.—The last dollar M. Borden sent, you will
M. Borden’s Account
By Editor
J. Dorcas — The last dollar M. Borden sent, you will find receipted in No. 12, of present Vol. The other dollar is credited on book and will probably be found receipted in the paper in due time after it was sent; but as we do not know when that was, we have not time to search it up.
Bible Class and Assistant
By Editor
J. K. Belnap.—After applying as much of your money as you directed on REVIEW and INSTRUCTOR, there were but 14 cts. left. The Bible Class and Bible Student's Assistant together come to 24 cts, the Bible Class alone to 18 cts. We however sent you this last for the 14 cts post-paid. This will explain why you did not receive the Assistant. The INSTRUCTOR has been regularly sent since you ordered.
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 omissions should then be given.
FOR REVIEW AND HERALD.
S. Becket, 1.00,x,23. H. Keeper, 0.50,x,19. R. G. Curtis, 1.00,xi,1. J. Barrett, 2.00,xii,1. J. H. Cottrell, 1.00,xiii,1. L. Tallman, 1.00,xi,7. P. Gay, 1.00,xii,1. S. L. Bentley, (for H. Andrews,) 1.00,xi,16. J. A. Mills, 2.00,xii,1. M. F. Cook, 1.00,xi,1. S. D. Hall, 3.00,xii,1. J. J. Everhard, 1.00,xi,7. J. K. Bellows, 1.00,xi,1. A. Kimball, 2.00,x,1. A. M. Eaton, 2.00,xii, 13. E. Mc. Intire, 0.25,xi,3. R. J. Gaddis, 0.25,xi,3. Saml. Long, 1.00,xi,14. A. G. Hart, (for E. Robinson,) 0.50,x,24. J. S. Day, 1.00,xi,11. G. B. Jones, (for D. Jones, 1.00,xi,15. S. Foster, 1.00,x,1. S. Howard, 1.00,xi,18. D. Pierce, 1.00,xi,1. S. L. Bentley, 1.00,xi,16.
FOR POWER PRESS:—A. R. Morse, paid $25. S. Rumery, paid $75.
Books for Sale at this Office.
By Editor
Hymns for those who keep the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus. This 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.
Bible Student's Assistant. This is the title of a work of 36 pp. It has been prepared with much care, and considerable expense, and can be had at this Office for $4,00 per 100, or if sent by mail, post paid, 6 cents a copy.
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The Two-horned Beast of Rev. xiii, a Symbol of the United States.—Price 10 cts.
The Sanctuary and 2300 days by John Nevins Andrews.—Price 12 1/2 cents.
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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. 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. 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.
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 2300 Days and Sanctuary by "Uriah Smith".—Price 5 cents.
Why Don't you Keep the Sabbath? Extracts from Catholic works.—Price 5 cents.
*History of the Sabbath.—Price 5 cents.
The Celestial Railroad.—Price 5 cents.
The Sabbath. Containing valuable articles on 2 Cor. iii, Col. ii, 14-17, Who is our Lawgiver? The two titles 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.
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Last Work of the True Church.—Price 7 cents.
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POEMS.
By Editor
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.
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