Not the busy, bustling world—not the political world, in which tickets, votes, and candidates, are the all-absorbing theme,—not the fashionable world, in which pride, dress, and deceit, are mixed en masse, and together yclept, society. No, we would forget all these, and now, while the stars,—the bright astral lamps flung out from the windows of heaven, are glistening overhead, the moon is ploughing her way through the upper deep toward the western world, and the wind sweeps on its way, wild and free, whithersoever it listeth,—while these elements of God's creation are spread out before us, we will take one more look at the real world.
Six thousand years have nearly elapsed since God finished his great work, and pronounced it good. Fair and free it floated out from the hand of its Creator, a sample of perfect workmanship. On it went, through the realms of space, circling round and round in its orbit,—no spot marred its perfect beauty. Two lovely beings, made in the image of God, were placed in a beautiful garden, surrounded by all that was pleasing to the eye, or tempting to the taste. To them was committed the government of all the animate objects the world contained. But man, through disobedience to God, fell, and earth, beautiful earth, is cursed for his sake. By sin came death. Its chilling breath falls upon everything, and all things must die. The tall, stately trees, tossed their foliaged branches in mid air, but soon bent to the shaft of time, died and decayed. Flowers of exquisite beauty grew bright for a season, then withered and faded. The animal creation suffered in the general doom, and finally man himself, bent with the weight of sorrow and years, bowed his head to the grim monster, and was laid away in the tomb.
Steadily the world moves on its way; bearing its freight of living, dying, and dead, as generation succeeds generation. Rapidly it was being populated, but God saw that "the wickedness of man was great," that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart were only evil continually; and he repented that he had made man, and so resolved to destroy him from off the face of the earth. But one righteous family remained. They were the objects of God's special care, and to them he revealed his designs. God told Noah that he would bring a flood of water upon the earth to destroy all flesh, and everything that was in the earth should die; but he should prepare an ark, to float upon the waters, in which he and his family should be safely housed, and with them of every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort. Faithfully did Noah perform his task, for one hundred and twenty years he warned the people to flee from the wrath to come. Every stroke of the hammer told them of their impending doom. No heed was given to the timely warning, but they revelled in luxury, and were "eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage." But a change came o'er the scene. The windows of heaven were opened, and for forty days the water came down in torrents, until the hills and highest mountains were covered. As the waters increase, the ark is lifted above the earth, and safely it floats on the face of the deep. Every living substance is destroyed. Only Noah and those that were with him in the ark, remained alive. At the end of forty days the storm abated, the rain was restrained, the wind played up on the waters, and the earth became dry as before, and the ark rested on mount Ararat. Then Noah removed from the ark, and all that were with him, and he built an altar before the Lord and offered burnt offerings thereon; and the Lord smelled a sweet savor, and said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; but while the earth remaineth, seed time and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease. And the Lord said to Noah, that all flesh should "not be cut off any more by the waters of a flood, neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth," and the bow with all its brilliant hues is placed in the clouds as a memorial of God's everlasting covenant.
But ah! this world of ours never recovered from the effects of the second stroke from the chastening hand of God. Healthful breezes emitted from the tree of life, are wafted no more from Eden's bowers. Life, short before, is much shorter now, and all things since that period have possessed but the faint reflection of their primal beauty. Rapidly we pass down the stream of time, making short pauses by the way to notice a few of the most important events. Generation followed generation in quick succession. Four kingdoms, great in wealth and strength, universal in power, viz., Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome, have risen and passed away. We will pause at the last mentioned kingdom to notice one of the most important events connected with the world's history,—the advent of the Son of God. The star of religion wended its way through the dark night of ignorance, vice and oppression, shedding a mild ray of light upon the few humble ones of earth, that walked with God, and reached its zenith at the event here mentioned. All that came before, looked forward to it; all that have followed after, looked back upon it. God's love for man was great, his law unchangeable. Man, through disobedience, brought himself under the penalty of that law, and "thou shalt surely die" is his sentence, pronounced by the just Judge. Jesus beholding the lost condition of guilty man, offers his life as a ransom for man. God accepted the offering. He left the courts of Heaven, and all the glory of his Father, passed by the ranks of angels, and took upon himself the seed of Abraham; became a man, that he might feel for man's infirmities. He was born in a stable, cradled in a manger, grew up a child of poverty, and a subject of persecution, and became indeed "a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief." Nothing that could be done for man, did he leave undone. He commenced his work by breaking the power that Satan held over the suffering. He healed the sick, opened the eyes of the blind, caused the lame to walk, and raised the dead to life. His earnest, self-denying life, was a pattern for all who should follow him. Finally his labors on earth were finished. He suffered an ignominious death upon the cross, was buried, and the third day rose again, and for forty days, remained with his apostles, speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God; and while he was yet speaking to them, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight. "And while they were steadfastly gazing toward heaven as he went up, two men stood by them in white apparel, which said, This same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven."
Since the above, eternity's clock has ticked off eighteen hundred and sixty-six years. All things are marked with the finger of time and change. Generation after generation has passed from the scene of action; cities have risen, flourished, and fallen. Thrones have tottered, and empires crumbled, and still this little world of ours rolls on its way.
The past is briefly told. The future is before us,—the eventful future, "I will come again and receive you unto myself," said Jesus to his followers, and he gave them the signs that should herald his second coming, that they might not be in darkness, that that day should overtake them as a thief. Daily and hourly we see these signs fulfilling, and we know by these, that
"Jesus' coming is now nigh at hand."
Yes, he is coming. A few more spring times, a few more harvests, a little more toil and care, a few more griefs and pains, and Jesus will come to redeem his own. The glad news is carried from house to house, and echoed from hill to hill; all can hear, but few heed. The saints know that the world is doomed. For keeping God's holy law they are persecuted; and retire in little bands to lone places of the earth. Then the vials of God's wrath are poured out upon the earth; but the world heeds not the terrible warning, but ascribing all to some singular phenomena, they revel in luxury, and are, as in the days when Noah entered the ark. Night, calm, placid night, gathers over the world. The people are lulled with the cry of "peace and safety," and they have a feeling of perfect security. The rich man retires to his couch, dreaming of his hoarded treasures; the gay and giddy throng retire, dreaming of the pleasures of the glad to-morrow; the desponding dream of the sorrows that the future has in store for them. But for them, to-morrow will never come. At midnight the sun shines out in all its strength, and the moon stands still; the heavens part as a scroll. Then shall they see the "Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory." The earth trembles before him, and every mountain and island are moved out of their places. The righteous dead are called forth, and they together with the redeemed are caught up to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall they be forever with the Lord.
The earth is desolate; the Lord maketh it empty,—maketh it waste, turneth it upside down. Not a person remains, all are dead, all are equal. "They are gathered together as prisoners are gathered in a pit, and shall be shut up in prison, and after many days shall they be visited." "The earth is desolate. Thorns shall come up in her palaces, and brambles in the fortresses thereof. The wild beast of the desert, and the wild beast of the island shall meet; the satyr shall cry to his fellow, and the screech owl shall find for herself a resting place." This is Satan's home for a thousand years. Here he is bound. He can wander over this place as he will, but to this place he is limited.
Quickly we pass over the thousand years to the earth redeemed. The holy city, New Jerusalem, comes down from God out of Heaven. Jesus and the holy angels are its inhabitants. The wicked dead are called forth, they come, the rich and poor, the learned and unlearned, statesmen and warriors, are all brought up together. Satan goes among them, inspiring them with zeal to go up and take the City. Quickly the implements of war are prepared. They gather around the City for battle, and fire comes down from God out of Heaven and devours them. The earth is purified, Satan and his angels perish in the flames, and there is no more sin! The earth is made new. The wilderness and the solitary place is made glad, and the desert blossoms as the rose. It is indeed new,—all its departed glory is restored to it. Here is the home of the saints throughout eternity. "There shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying; neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things are passed away." EMILY L. CANRIGHT.
Obituary Notices.
DIED, of consumption, in Peterborough, N. H., April 30th, 1866, Leonard Stiles, the husband of sister Elvira Stiles, aged 60 years. Mr. Stiles had been an Adventist theoretically, since 1844. He listened with deep interest to the truths advocated by Brn. Hutchins and Bourdeau in this place three years ago, and he felt satisfied that our position was correct. He was quite a Bible student. He also read the Review with great interest. Especially during his ill health was the Bible his constant companion. For a short time before his death, he was careful to observe the Sabbath, and expressed his regret that he had not kept it longer. He never made any public profession of religion, neither did he come out and unite with us; but still we have hope. May the Lord bless this affliction to the good of the afflicted family. Remarks on the occasion by the writer, from Job xiv, 10.
J. N. WILKINSON.
DIED, in Warren, Vt., March 8, 1866, of consumption, Lepha L. Wales, wife of Samuel Wales, and daughter of Amasa and Roxana Allen, aged 25 years. Sister Wales embraced the Sabbath six or seven years ago, but being separated from those of like faith most of the time, has lived in rather a low state of mind, till a few weeks before her death, when she earnestly sought the Lord and found him a source of strength and comfort in her severe sufferings. And through his grace was able to rejoice in hope of immortality when the Lifogiver shall come. Discourse by Bro. D. T. Evans, from 1 Thess. iv, 18.
E. COBB.
Blessed Are the Dead
Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.
Business Department.
By J. Clarke
Business Notes.
T T Brown: There was no balance to apply on Conference Fund.
H Nicola: The $4,95 was duly credited.
S B Gowell: The $2 for John Bennett's Review were received and credited.
Charlotte E Swartout: The $2 have not been received.
THE P. O. address of Bro. T. J. Butler, formerly of Gilboa, Putman Co., Ohio, is now Spring Hill, Livingston Co., Missouri. J. CLARKE.
RECEIPTS.
For Review and Herald.
Annexed to each receipt in the following list, is the Volume and Number of the REVIEW & HERALD to which the money received pays. If money for the paper is not in due time acknowledged, immediate notice of the omission should then be given.
L H Priest 29-1, B S Merriam 28-5, A Silver 29-1, J L Nichols 29-1, H G Buck 29-1, O Buck 29-1, E Weed 29-1, N O Castle 29-1, E Fellow 29-20, W Mott 28-1, Capt F Bates 30-1, J Lane 29-1, Dr C J Lane 30-1, B Socks 28-18, W W Wilson 27-1, R L Simson 29-7, A J Corey 28-1, J Welton 28-1, each $1,00.
A W Smith 29-1, S Clark 28-6, O Davis 28-18, G Clark 29-1, J M Porter 29-1, J M Brown 28-14, D W Bartholomew 28-21, O Baily 29-5, L Haskell 30-1, Mrs E Hall for L M Whitney 28-1, and S Lockwood 29-1, J Miller 29-1, A L Hays in full, E W Darling 28-1, L L Hunnewell 28-20, J Sutherland 29-1, J F Carman 29-14, F Willson 29-1, S Gurney 30-1, N S Brigham 29-1, H Barrett 29-1, E Nash 29-14, B Clark 29-1, W Arnett 29-1, A D Thorp 28-1, E Payne 29-1, E Stiles 29-1, H Baldwin 29-1, M M Southworth 27-1, W Spencer 30-1, T Brown 29-1, H Flower 28-1, each $1,00.
J Ferrell 28-1, J Shorey 29-1, F Linscott 29-1, J J Gilding 30-1, S Jones 29-14, I C Vaughn 29-20, J Hopkins 30-1, J H Burlingame 28-5, W Goodale 29-1, G W Chamberlain 29-1, A Fenner 29-1, C Copeland 29-5, M A Cornell 29-1, S S Post 30-1, W S Lane 30-1, B Darling 29-1, H Bingham 30-21, F Squire 29-18, D Sprague 30-1, M Dow 29-1, E Dow 29-1, E Horney in full, M Jarvis 30-1, W M Allen 28-1, D W Clay 27-10, Mrs J H Aldrich 29-14, T Paton 30-7, S Gilbert 28-23, L E Millne 29-1, D Hill 30-1, J H Murray 30-1, H Allen 29-8, W Gifford 30-1, each $2,00.
M McConnell 28-9, R Bartley 28-2, H S Gurney 30-1, J Moushunt 29-21, H Anway 29-1, L Hadden 29-22, C Russel 30-1, Mrs E Griffith 29-1, E Rice 29-1, H M Willson in full, N A Lord 30-21, J Russ 29-1, F E Gilbert 29-10, R R Jones 29-1, R Curtis 28-17, J King 30-13, N E Rigby 29-1, A F Wilkinson 29-14, J S Smith 29-1, N Osborn 29-1, Capt I Gilbey 30-1, D Smith 29-1, M L Hunkin 29-1, Mrs L Hiland 30-1, H Meader 30-1, D Scott 30-1, E W Bliven 29-14, J W Ells 28-1, H S Priest 29-21, J Vile 29-24, E M Braden 29-17, C McCoy 30-1, each $2 00.
E Bush 29-1, O J Steele 28-8, L Spencer 28-10, C Rich 29-14, C A Maher 29-1, B A Phillips 29-1, S Golden 28-13, M Walling 29-1, I G Camp 28-13, each 50cts.
J Berry $4,00 31-1, Capt R O'Brien $3,00, 30-4, M Fairbank $3,00 31-1, J Francisco $1,50, 29-17, R Loveland 75c, 29-20, Mrs S Verplank $2,50, 30-1, G Rathbun $4,00, 30-1, Mrs E Hall $3,00, 31-1, W Bixby $5,00, 31-1, J C Revell $2,50, 29-1, W S Storms $3,65, 30-1, M Leach $5,00, 32-1, E W Beckwith $1,25, 29-10, R Griggs $5,00, 31-1.
Subscriptions at the Rate of $5,00 per year.
A W Smith $3,00 30-1, C M Chamberlain $3,00, 30-1, L Gerould $3,00 29-14, R Godsmark $3,00 30-1, Mrs S Simonson $3,00, 30-15, P F Ferciot $3,00, 30-1, J Harvey $5,00, 33-1, A Paton $3,00, 30-1, H Hilliard $3,00, 30-1, M J Barthoff $3,00, 30-1, E Van Deusen $3,00, 30-15, J L Locke $3,00, 30-1, J Fargo $3,00, 30-1.
Books Sent By Mail.
M T Olds 12c, O Davis $1, J J Gilding $2, O Clark 55c, E Edson 12c, J H Burlingame 60c, H Bingham 50c, Wm C Gage 12c, Wm Peabody $2, H W Lawrence 50c, L M Gates $3,50, F A Kilgore $2, J Bear 25c, A W Smith $4, Mrs C H Bamford 50c, Wm Livingston 25c, Mrs M N Priest $1,33, E Stemson 13c, H Hazeltine 12c, Fannie Glascock $2, J Welton $1,20.
Books sent by Express.
A W Smith, Manchester, N H, (Cir. Lib.) $8. E C Hendee, Pinckney, Liv. Co., Mich., (Cir. Lib.) $8.
For Danish Tract.
John Matteson $20,00.
Donations to Publishing Association.
J Boyd $2. S M Inman $15. J L Kilgore $20. E M Kilgore $2. S B Gowell $10. A W Smith $38,50. Ch at South Lancaster, Mass., $8. O A Richmond $1. Leslie White $1. G F Richmond $1. Nellie D Richmond $1. R Godsmark $2. A friend $2. Michigan Conference $615,77.
Cash Received on Account.
J Clarke (books returned) $4,50. T Paton $3,25. Joel Locke $7,50. S Golden $3,35. H Nicola $7,75.
Review Fund.
H Bingham 50c, C Cramer $1, H Hilliard $1, L M Gates $5, H Patch $1, E H Root $5, T Demmon $1.
General Conference Missionary Fund.
Ch at Brooklyn, N. Y., and vicinity, $50. Various churches in New England, by Eld. J N Andrews, $274,58. Michigan Conference $200.
Michigan Conference Fund.
Ch at Locke $5, Hillsdale $19, Chesaning $9, Charlotte $29, Memphis $50, Orange $18, Wright $100, Vergennes $21, Oakland $114,60, Ithaca $40, Ransom Center $70, Otsego $25, Newton $26,75, West Windsor $31,90, Orleans $27,00, Colon $9,00, Salem Center, Ind., $21,00, Hanover $11,00, Caledonia $38,00, Owosso $23,66, North Liberty, Ind., $6,00, Battle Creek, $300,00, Jackson $30,00.
Danish Tract on the Sabbath.
By John Matteson
THE General Conference Committee have encouraged the printing of such a tract at present. The expenses for paper and printing will be about $80,00. With the consent of said committee, I therefore hereby request our Norwegian and Danish brethren to send in donations to raise this sum. The tract will probably be ready in the course of six weeks. The money obtained by the sale of this tract will be put into a separate tract fund to print other tracts in the same language as soon as the way opens.
Come, brethren, lend to the Lord, and cast your bread upon the waters. Send in your donations as soon as possible, to Eld. James White, Battle Creek, Michigan. I shall remain in Battle Creek until the tract is printed.
JOHN MATTESON.
Note from Bro. White.
By James White
DEAR BRETHREN : We wish to make the following brief statements:
1. You will be able to form some idea of our sufferings, when we say that for the past nine months we have not been able to obtain sleep without artificial heat in some form, either a jug of hot water or a hot stone, or hot blankets applied to the feet ; and that for the last five months we have not had more than one hour's sleep out of the twenty-four, and that often disturbed by unhappy dreams.
2. We have certainly been sustained by the hand of the Lord, in answer to the prayers of his dear people, to continue so long under such circumstances.
3. We have received great attention from our own dear people in Battle Creek and vicinity, especially, who have fervently prayed for us, and have deeply sympathized with us in our afflictions.
4. The labor and care of our family, especially that of my dear wife, have been untiring to contribute to our comfort and happiness.
5. Our people abroad have also shown their love and care for us in holding the several days of fasting and prayer on our account.
6. All our people have also shown their great care for us in sending us means which we could not receive, as we have no want in this direction. Especially has this been the case with the Battle Creek church, who have several times voted quite large sums to us, and have sent it to us, which we could not receive, having no use for it.
7. For two nights past since the season of fasting and prayer, Sabbath, May 20th, we have slept more than for the two weeks previous, and our feet were warm without the use of artificial heat, which has not been the case for the previous nine months.
8. By faith we claim the blessing of health, which faith we shall show by our works.
Finally, brethren, pray in faith that the blessing in all its fullness may be ours. JAMES WHITE.
Notice.
Notice is hereby given to Lemuel N. Savage, a member of the Hundred Mile Grove church, Wisconsin, to report his spiritual condition to this church between this time and our next Quarterly Meeting, which will be held August 4th, 1866. If you neglect to report yourself by that time, your name will be dropped from our church book.
By order of the church. N. M. JORDON.
Lodi, Wisconsin, May 16, 1866.
Appointments.
THE next annual session of the Iowa State Conference of S. D. Adventists, will be held at Pilot Grove, Iowa, Friday, June 8th, 1866, commencing at 9 o'clock A. M.
Let there be a faithful representation by delegates, or letter, from all the churches.
Let delegates come prepared to give a written report of the standing of their respective churches, amount of s. B. funds, their gains and losses during the past year, and their pledges for the coming year.
Brethren, let there be a general rally from all parts of the State. Let us come prepared as much as possible to take care of ourselves. We trust the Lord's blessing will rest upon us.
Iowa State Conf. Com.
THE third Annual Session of the Wisconsin and Illinois State Conference of S. D. Adventists, will be held at Johnstown Center, Rock Co., Wis., commencing Friday, June 22, 1866. Let all the churches report themselves by letter, and send their delegates duly authorized. The delegates should be at Janesville on Thursday, and others on Friday, when they will find teams ready to convey them to the place of meeting. All should come prepared to take care of themselves as far as possible.
In behalf of Wis. and Ill. State Conference Committee.
T. M. Steward, Sec.
THE next Quarterly Meeting of Seventh-day Adventists at Princeville, Peoria Co., Ill., will be the first Sabbath in June, which will be the second day of the month. We hope to see a general gathering of the friends of the truth. Cannot Bro. R. F. Andrews attend this meeting? Meetings to begin with the Sabbath.
H. C. Blanchard.
THE first Quarterly Meeting of the S. D. A. church, at Gridley, McLean Co., Ill., will be held Sabbath and first day, June 9 and 10, at the Gregory School-house. Meetings to commence Sabbath evening. The brethren at Princeville, and all that can, are invited to attend.
By order of the church.
Jas. M. Santee, Clerk.
P. S. Any wishing to come by Rail-road to Elpaso or Gridley, please inform me by note, and I will meet them with team. Address me at Gridley, McLean Co., Ill.
J. M. S.
THERE will be a Quarterly Meeting in the vicinity of Bass Lake, Minn., on the first Sabbath in June, where Bro. Demmick may appoint. Bro. F. W. Morse is appointed to attend. Will all the scattered brethren try and attend this meeting, praying that the Lord will open the way for the word spoken.
Conf. Committee.
An Appeal in Behalf of Brn. Cottrell and Cornell.
THE Review for March 27th, contained an appeal from the brethren in Western New York in behalf of Bro. R. F. Cottrell. This appeal was considered and approved, during the session of the General Conference, just closed. Connected with this, the case of Bro. M. E. Cornell was also taken into consideration, and by vote of the Conference, the Executive Committee were directed to address the brethren in their behalf through the Review; a duty which we cheerfully perform.
These brethren are not strangers to our people. They are well tried and efficient men, self-sacrificing, and devoted to the work. Each of them, at the present time, is much in need of help. Each of them is making an effort to secure a home, and we need not say to you that they are worthy of your assistance. But we will say that they are greatly in need of it. Brethren you have been instructed by the able writings of Bro. Cottrell, and by the earnest, effective preaching of Bro. Cornell. How many of you are willing to express your gratitude by some substantial testimony to these servants of Christ?
Here is an opportunity for those who have means in their hands to invest it in such a manner that it shall be laid up in the bank of Heaven. We ask our brethren to take immediate action in view of the cases here set forth. The sum of $700, is needed by Bro. Cornell. Bro. Cottrell will be able to get along if $500 can be raised for him in addition to what has been already donated.
The following is pledged on the $700 for Bro. Cornell:
Jos. Bates, $10.00. J. N. Andrews, $10.00.
H. S. Lay, 5.00. Wm. Carpenter, 5.00.
L. D. Van Horn, 10.00. R. J. Lawrence, 5.00.
D. M. Canright, $5.00.
FOR BRO. COTTRELL.
H. Hilliard, $5.00. L. C. Hilliard $5.00.
L. M. Gates, 5.00. J. Berry, 5.00.
A. W. Smith, 20.00. E. H. Root, 5.00.
J. N. Andrews $10.00.