Earlier text: The AffectionsWisdom. No. 1.
By J. Clarke.
WISDOM can not be bought with gold, nor overcome by eloquence, nor terrified by fear, but she speaks in tones of love to the meek, and instructs the teachable. Wisdom is found by those who love her, and who with tears and prayers do diligently seek her: but the half-hearted do not get a glimpse of her. She avoids the wicked, but is found of those who would peril their lives to find her. The peace that wisdom gives, elevates, refines, and purifies the human character, gives quietness and assurance, and makes a cottage seem a palace. Wisdom is chary of her words, select as to the company173 she keeps, and searches closely the hearts of those who seek her. With all her power she is gentle, and with all her knowledge she is humble and lowly. The wicked mistake her humility for timidity, and her gentleness for want of courage. Her voice is despised by the proud, and the unholy cannot appreciate her loveliness. The wicked need not slight her to offend her, for she knows their hearts. Wisdom knows her power, but will not exercise it till the appointed time. While mercy lasts, she speaks in tones of love to the wanderer; but when probation closes, she will speak in tones of majesty that will shake the earth. By wisdom Noah escaped destruction by the deluge, and built an ark in which man and beast were preserved in that dreadful and terrible time of destruction. By wisdom Abraham acquired a character for learning and discretion, and devotion, which has come down to us unsullied and pure. By wisdom Joseph saved himself from pollution, and prevented famine by his forecast. By wisdom Moses patiently endured his exile in Midian, which prepared him for his labors in the Exodus of Israel from Egypt, and his long trial in the wilderness. By wisdom Samuel though a child, reproved the house of Eli, and was firm and unwavering in his adherence to virtue while exposed to the influence of Hophni and Phineas, and their unholy associates. By wisdom David pleased God and the people, as it appeared in his intrepid valor, and manly integrity, and humanity, and kindness to all, his condescension, and wise regard to the interests of his subjects, in his devotion to God, and his penitence for sin. By wisdom Solomon built the temple, enriched his kingdom, and enlarged his dominions; but by slighting her, he apostatized, and his sun set in gloom. By wisdom Hezekiah conquered the host of Sennacherib, and afterward averted and stayed the judgments of God for a time. By wisdom Josiah though a child, restored life to a decayed church, revived the worship of God, and checked the sin of idolatry. THERE are some who say, not by words perhaps, but very plainly by their actions, that they will serve God, and attend to the duties of the Christian life, when they feel like it, and give over such worship and omit such duties when their feelings do not prompt them to do them. They thus put the effect in place of the cause, and make feeling instead of principle, or love, the spring of their obedience. We point such to the following texts for the consolation which the Scriptures offer for such a course. Matt. xvi, 27: For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father, with his angels; and then shall he reward every man according to his feelings. 2 Tim. iii, 17: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good feelings. Phil. ii, 12: Feel out your own salvation with fear and trembling. James ii, 14: What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not feelings? can faith save him? Verse 17. Even so faith, if it have not feelings, is dead, being alone. Verse 24. Ye see then how that by feelings a man is justified, and not by faith only. 2 Cor. v, 10: For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that every one may receive the things felt in his body, according to that he hath felt, whether it be good or bad. Rev. xxii, 12: And behold I come quickly, and my reward is with me to give every man as his feelings shall be. Rev. xx, 13: And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them; and they were judged every man according to their feelings. More passages might be adduced, but these are sufficient to show the tenor of the Scriptures in regard to feeling as an incentive to duty. If the reader will look out the references given, he will find them correct—all but the feeling. And when he sees that the Bible nowhere speaks thus about our feelings, but that it refers every time to our works, it may lead him to think that feelings are not entitled to the influence that he gives them; that regardless of his feelings, he should attend to his works, and slacken not his hand, in the discharge of his duty. But feelings are not to be despised. It is not the object of these lines to convey that impression. We should feel over mistakes made, and sins committed, and feelings of joy and ecstasy are desirable as well as often profitable. But we are not to place these paramount to every thing else, so that we serve God when our feelings are up, and neglect him, when they are down. If we do our duty faithfully feelings will come in their own time and place. If we have good feelings, let us be thankful for them. If we have them not, let us serve God just the same, remembering that our reward is to be according to what we have done, not according to how we have felt. Cleave to That Which is Good.
By A. S. Hutchins
AMONG the many highly important instructions of the twelfth chapter of the epistle to the Romans, the apostle exhorts us to "cleave to that which is good." Or as the original literally signifies, be cemented or glued to that which is good. Hold it as the paramount object of life, to embrace those principles which lead to God, and which contribute most to our own happiness, and that of our fellow creatures. As God surveyed the glorious works of creation when completed, he "saw every thing that he had made and behold it was very good." Gen. i, 31. But sin and rebellion have marred all the noble works of creation, alienated man from the Creator, and disposed him to wander from God, the center and source of all goodness, wisdom, light, life and perfection. Yet "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John iii, 16. "Behold," says John, "what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God." All the sacrifices, sufferings, agonies, and the death of the compassionate Saviour; his intercessory work in the heavenly sanctuary; the ample provisions of the plan of salvation; the instructions of the sacred word of God; the melting, refining and elevating impressions of the Holy Spirit; the powerful appeals of the preached gospel; the uniting, saving influences of the gifts of the church, are all to bring back man from the thraldom of sin and the deplorable consequences of the fall, and to secure to him eternal life, beyond the reach of harm, in the kingdom of God. "Oh! could I speak the matchless worth,—
Oh! could I sound the glories forth,
Which in my Saviour shine." "Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good." It is said of Jesus our pattern, that he "went about doing good." Acts x, 38. The Scriptures abound with exhortations to the church to manifest the fruits of goodness. "Trust in the Lord, and do good, so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed." Ps. xxxvii, 3. "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven." Matt. v, 16. "Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate. Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life." 1 Tim. vi, 17-19. "Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that whereas they speak against you as evil doers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of his visitation." 1 Pet. ii, 12. Truly God has placed before man the highest possible motives to lead him to love and obey him, by doing those things which are good and acceptable in his sight. Let us then cleave to that which is good. "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works." Heb. x, 24. Faith, Love, and Eternal Truth
Faith knows no hardships; love yields to no pressure; for eternal truth is the foundation of the one, and the perpetual inspiration of the other. "He that believeth hath the witness in himself, 'God is Love.'" All Things Work Together for Good
And we know that all things work together for good, to them that love God. Rom. viii, 28. Formation of Coal Beds.
By J. B. Frisbie
IN order to give some idea of the luxuriance of the vegetation of the primitive world, I refer to the immense masses of vegetable matter which were doubtlessly accumulated in currents and have been converted in a moist condition into coal. That coal has not been formed from vegetable fibers charred by fire, but that it has probably been produced in the moist way by the action of sulphuric acid, is strikingly demonstrated by the excellent observation made by Goppert on the conversion of a fragment of amber-tree into black coal. The coal and the unaltered amber lay side by side. Regarding the part which the lower forms of vegetation may have had in the formation of coal beds, I would instance the Saarbrucker coal measures, where 120 beds are superposed on one another, exclusive of a great many which are less than a foot in thickness; the coal beds of Johnstone, in Scotland, and those in the Creuzot, in Burgundy, are some of them, respectively, thirty and fifty feet in thickness, while in the forests of our temperate zones, the carbon contained in the trees growing over a certain area would hardly suffice, in space of a hundred years, to cover it with more than a stratum of seven French lines in thickness. In comparing this bed of carbon, seven lines in thickness, with beds of coal, we must not omit to consider the enormous pressure to which the latter have been subjected from superimposed rock, and which manifests itself in the flattened form of the stems of the trees found in these subterranean regions. The so-called wood-hills discovered in 1806 by Siromatskoi, on the south coast of the island of New Siberia, consist, according to Hedenstrom, of horizontal strata of sandstone, alternating with bituminous trunks of trees, forming a mound thirty fathoms in height; at the summit of which the stems were in a vertical position. The bed of drifted wood is visible at five versts' distance." The above I extract from Alexander Von Humboldt's Cosmos, Vol. 1, p. 280, which is considered as good authority as can be given from a human source in such matters. The only comment I wish to add is the following from Spiritual Gifts, Vol. iii, p. 79, the writer of which not only had no acquaintance with Humboldt's works but knew not that any such theory existed as he has set forth above: "In some places large quantities of these immense trees were thrown together and covered with stones and earth by the commotions of the flood. They have since petrified and become coal, which accounts for the large coal beds which are now found." Report from Bro. Lawrence.
By R. J. Lawrence
BRO. WHITE: Since my last report I have held meetings as follows: Spent Sabbath and first-day, March 25th and 26th, with the church in Orleans. Preached four times, had one social meeting, and celebrated the ordinances. The church in Fair Plains met with us. We felt that the Lord was with us. The 29th and 30th was with the church in Cato, or Windfield. Spoke five times. A few here seem to be trying to get ready for the Lord's coming; but some are minding earthly things. Apr. 1st and 2d I spent with the church in Fair Plains or Greenville. I preached six times, and attended the ordinances. Brethren were here from Orleans and West Plains. On first-day we had a large congregation to hear our position in the third angel's message, who listened with great attention. The Lord helped to hold up the light before them. The 3d and 4th, A. M., I spent with the friends at Bushnell. I spoke to them three times. Here are some fifteen earnest interested individuals that are the fruit of Bro. Strong's labor. Bro. S. arrived at the close of our last discourse and accompanied me to Fair Plains, where I spoke in the evening. The 5th I spent in West Plains. Spoke twice. Here several have fallen back. Only six remain. The 8th and 9th I spent with the church in Wright. Spoke seven times. The congregation appeared to be interested. They seem to love the truth and to be trying to overcome. The 11th and 12th I spent with the church at Caledonia. Spoke five times with but little freedom. The 13th I spent in Bowne. Had two meetings. The last closed with a good warm social meeting. Friday the 14th, came to Lowell. Received a letter from Bro. Van Horn containing the sorrowful news of the death of my youngest child, concerning which Bro. V. will report. Sabbath and first-day the 15th and 16th, I spent with the church in Vergennes. Spoke four times in a school-house four miles north of Bro. VanDeusen's. The church here is striving for the victory. All the above churches observed the four days of fasting and prayer, and experienced the blessing of God in answer to their prayers. Monday the 17th started on my way to fill my appointments at Lowell, where I found a letter from my wife informing me of the feeble state of her health, and of that of one of my sons, and I felt that duty called me home, where I arrived last evening. R. J. LAWRENCE.
Rochester, Mich. Report from Bro. Strong.
By P. Strong
Bro. White: Since my last report, I have held meetings in the following places: Orleans, Sabbath and first-day, Feb. 4 and 5. Held four meetings. A good interest was manifested by those without to hear the truth. Commenced meetings, Feb. 6, in Bloomer, at the Miner school-house. Held four meetings, then returned to Bushnell, to hear Eld. Jenkins against the sleep of the dead. I reviewed him the next evening, and spent174 the Sabbath with the brethren. These meetings had a good influence on the minds of the people. I returned to Bloomer again, Feb. 13, and continued meetings till Feb. 21, with good interest, the congregation and interest to hear increasing every night. The Methodists and Baptists had held a protracted effort in the same house not long before, without success, and without getting much of a congregation. And when they saw the people turn out to hear, and manifest an interest in what they heard by getting books, it exasperated the shepherds, and a portion of their flock, so that they shut the house against me. The supervisor invited me to continue my meetings in his district, two miles south-east of there. I therefore gave out an appointment for the next evening. But the Baptist Elder was on hand very early in the morning, and prevailed on the school-teacher to appoint extra evening schools; and if this failed, the director said he would close the house. Two decided to obey. Finding the way closed up here for the present, I commenced meetings with the church in Matherton, Feb. 28. The Methodists closed a series of meetings Monday eve, and I commenced Tuesday eve in the same house. I gave thirty-one discourses, and replied to two discourses given by Eld. Mount (Methodist) on the two-fold nature of man. Bro. Canright joined me at the close of my meeting and gave five discourses, which were a great benefit to me, as well as to the cause. Fourteen have decided to obey God, and keep his commandments, as the result of the meetings in that place. I can say that I have enjoyed the blessing of God through these meetings. I established a Sabbath School and Bible-class, and regular prayer and Sabbath meetings. There are twenty-three in all keeping the Sabbath there. I closed my meetings April 3, and joined Bro. Lawrence at Bushnell, April 4, and remained with him through his meetings at the Plains. I was much strengthened by hearing his testimony. Sabbath, April 8, spent with the church at Fair Plains, and at Orleans, Sabbath, April 15. Orleans, Mich., April 17, 1865. Meetings in Mich.
By Joseph Bates
BRO. WHITE: We spent April 4th and 5th in Jackson, baptized one, and had a good meeting. April 6–9, a series of meetings in Tompkins Jackson Co. Sabbath, the 8th inst., we enjoyed a season of refreshing while fasting and praying to the Lord to give power to the four angels [Rev. vii, 2, 3.] to stay the tide of the raging elements of political strife in our nation, and open the way for the downtrodden and oppressed bondmen to go free. In the providence of God, Brn. Newman of Windsor and Avery of Lock, had been thrown out of the draft at Jackson on account of disability, and Bro. N. was with us during the appointed fast. It was a day of joy and gladness. We felt that we were in union with all the loyal people of God which had covenanted to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, and closed the day in celebrating the ordinances of the Lord's house. April 10th, enjoyed a refreshing social meeting with the church in Battle Creek. Their way, and work is onward. The Lord help us all to go forward in union and harmony is my prayer. The 11th and 12th, held two profitable meetings with the church in Newton, their numbers are increasing. Their neighbors manifested an interest to hear. I hope they will obey. From the 13th to the 17th, held six meetings with the church in Burlington. On the Sabbath the brethren from Newton united with us in celebrating the ordinances of the Lord's house, and were much refreshed and strengthened. A trial of some time standing was removed by humble confession and the brother received again into the bosom of the church. Two others were added to the church, and one baptized. The church is encouraged to press onward in the third angel's message. April the 18th and 19th, we were with the church in Hanover in Jackson Co. Here we held two meetings, the one on the 19th was appointed to convene at twelve o'clock at noon, in accordance with the appointment of Act. Sec. of State, to assemble to show our sympathies and respect for our noble-hearted, and much-lamented Chief Magistrate, who was in such a desperate and sudden manner deprived of life, just as he (by, and under the direction of our merciful God,) was bringing to a peaceful close one of the most-unheard-of rebellions, and thereby liberating millions of his fellow-men from worse than Egyptian bondage. On account of the heavy storm, the meeting was thin; but those present manifested sympathy and respect. After this the church repaired to Bro. W. Carpenter's and celebrated the sufferings, and cruel death of our beloved Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Hillsdale, Mich., April 21, 1865. Report from Bro. Sanborn.
By Isaac Sanborn
BRO. WHITE: I closed my lectures in Pontiac last first-day, preaching only twenty times in the three weeks which I spent there. There being a strong undercurrent of opposition, I had small congregations, yet a few were interested in the truths they heard, one decided to obey, two were baptized, two subscribed for the Review, and I sold about ten dollars' worth of books. There are now five Sabbath-keepers in Pontiac, and prayer and social meetings every Sabbath. Sister Bramhall from Braceville, met with us in our last meetings, and encouraged us much by informing us that the truth was doing a good work among her neighbors. There are many openings in this section of country for the message; and the Macedonian cry comes in from many places, "Come over and help us." May the Lord speed the time when help can be sent them. I have also closed my second series of meetings at the Gregory school-house in Mc Lean Co., where I had three interesting meetings with this little company of Sabbath-keepers twenty in number, and their neighbors, many of whom are deeply interested in the truths of this last saving message. I trust in the Lord, that he will yet lead many of them to acknowledge and keep all his commandments, and the faith of Jesus, that we may meet them in God's everlasting and peaceful kingdom. Amen. ISAAC SANBORN. The Home of the Saints.
By Rosina F. Phippeny
My mind loves to wander into the future, and view in perspective, the beauty of the better land. How I long for the time to come, when we shall see our Saviour come to gather to himself the remnant of Israel, and also the righteous nations of the earth, that are now sleeping in the dust. With what rapture do I look forward to the time when we, if faithful shall reign with our glorious King. And as he is heir to all the kingdoms of this world, and will reign supreme, we as joint heirs will share all with him. Oh glorious thought! that we shall be partakers with him of the inexhaustible riches of that beautiful world, where "the wilderness and solitary place shall be glad, and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose, where the glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, and the excellency of Carmel and Sharon;" where we shall see the glory of our Lord, and the excellency of our God; where "waters shall break out in the wilderness, and streams in the desert;" and where "the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land, springs of water." What a beautiful scene! There ever-blooming flowers shall wave on the banks of overflowing crystal fountains. There we shall see instead of the thorn, the fir-tree, and instead of the brier, the myrtle-tree. Yes! and something better still than all these, there we shall behold the tree of life with its matchless fruit, and once more have access to it, never more to be deprived of its immortal virtues. And in close connection with it, is the river of life flowing out from the throne of God. What a pleasure it will be for the saints of the Most High to gaze into its liquid depths, and realize that they are in the Paradise of God, surrounded with all the matchless glory of God, and the Lamb who suffered and died that we through him might obtain that unequaled bliss. Ravishing thought! that there we shall know no such thing as sorrow, no such thing as parting with loved ones; but there we shall meet those that are now sweetly sleeping in Jesus. Ah yes! when the great Life-giver comes they will rise triumphant from their narrow prison-house, and be clothed with immortality. Mourn no more dear reader, for the loved ones that you know died in Christ. They are only laid away to rest, while the wrath of God is passing over. And when Jesus comes they will receive bright crowns of never-fading glory. There we shall sing songs of everlasting joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. There shall the blind be made to see, the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped, the lame shall be made to walk forth in perfect stature, and our poor dwarfed forms be healed by the leaves of the tree of life. I cannot find words to express the splendor of that home. Language is inadequate to portray its beauties. "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." Would you be rich dear reader, and walk upon golden streets? Do you wish to enter into a city that has for its gates a pearl? and where the wall is built of jasper, and the city is of burnished gold, transparent as glass? and where the foundation is laid of all manner of precious stones, each one a world of beauty in itself? Would you be in possession of such untold riches, unconverted reader? you can have them all, without money and without price. Give your heart to the Saviour. Walk in his footsteps, and you can surely have all these. Yes, in the New Jerusalem we have all these riches. Her light will be like jasper-stone, clear as crystal. Who would not wish to enjoy such a home? There is no need of the sun nor the moon there. There will be no night; for the glory of God and the Lamb, will be the light thereof. Oh glorious thought! that after we are done suffering here and enduring the turmoils of this life, and are overcomers, "we have a city great and strong." Oh that we may be ready when Jesus comes, and that it may be ours to hear the welcome words,
> "O, righteous nation: enter in,
> That kept the law of truth below,
> Enter the place all free from sin,
> Where life's pure waters gently flow." Receiving Reproofs with Meekness.
By Matthew Henry
"We must receive reproofs with meekness. If we do that which deserves rebuke, and meet with those that are so just and kind as to give it to us, we must be quiet under it, not quarreling with the reprover, nor objecting to the reproof, nor fretting that we are touched in a sore place; but submitting to it, and laying our souls under the conviction of it. 'Let the righteous smite me, it shall be a kindness,' and 'an excellent oil,' healing to the wounds of sin, and making the face to shine; and let us never conclude that it breaks the head, if it do but help break the heart. Meekness suffers the word of admonition, and takes it patiently and thankfully, not only from the hand of God that sends it, but also from the hand of our friend that brings it. "We must not be like the reprobate Sodomites, or that pert Hebrew, Exod. ii, 14, that flew in the face of their reprovers (though really they were the best friends they had,) with, 'Who made thee a judge?' but like David, who, when Abigail so prudently scotched the wheels of his passion, not only blessed God that sent her, but blessed her advice, and blessed her: not only hearkened to her voice, but accepted her person. Though, perhaps, the reprover supposes the fault greater than really it was, and though the reproof be not given with all the prudence in the world; yet meekness will teach us to accept it quietly, and to make the best use we can of it. Nay if we be altogether innocent of that for which we are reproved, yet the meekness of wisdom would teach us to apply the reproof to some other fault of which our consciences convict us. We would not quarrel with a real intended kindness, though not done with ceremony, and though in some circumstances mistaken or misplaced. "You that are in inferior relations—children, servants, scholars, must with all meekness and submission, receive the reproofs of your parents, masters, and teachers; their age supposes them to have more understanding than you, and their place gives them an authority over you to which you are to pay a deference, and in which you are to acquiesce, else farewell all order and peace. "The angel rebuked Hagar for flying from her mistress, though she dealt hardly with her, and required her to return and submit herself under her hands. 'If the spirit of a ruler rise up against thee,' and thou be chidden for a fault, 'leave not thy place,' for 'yielding pacifieth great offences.' 'If thou hast thought evil, lay thy hand upon thy mouth' to keep that evil thought from breaking out in any unbecoming language. Reproofs are likely to do us good when we meekly submit to them; they are 'as an ornament of fine gold,' when 'an obedient ear' is given to a wise reprover. Nay, even superiors are to receive reproofs from their inferiors with meekness, as they would any other token of kindness and good will. Naaman, who turned away from the prophet in a rage, yet hearkened to the reproof his own servants gave him, and was overruled by the reason of it; which was no more disparagement to him than it was to receive instruction from his wife's maid to whom to go for a cure of his leprosy. Meekness teaches us, when a just reproof is given, not to regard so much who speaks, as what is spoken."—Matthew Henry. Glad Voices.
By D. T. Taylor
Lift your glad voices in triumph on high;
Shout, for the day of redemption is nigh!
Sing, for the Lord will appear in his glory;
Mountains and valleys, repeat the glad story.
Tune every lyre,
Lift the strain higher,
Far o'er the ocean the tidings shall fly. Lift your glad voices, ye nations, and sing;
Let the high anthem re echo and ring.
Sing for the bright One that slept in the manger
Comes; and the earth that once pillowed the stranger,
In rich adorning,
Hails the glad morning,
Blessoms to Eden and welcomes her King. Lift your glad voices, He conquered the grave,
Jesus, Immanuel, almighty to save.
Shout to the tyrant, "Thy chains are all broken;";
Sing, for the voice of Jehovah hath spoken.
Open the portal,
Ransomed, immortal;
Life shall endure with Eternity's wave. Lift your glad voices your banners unfurl,
Sin, Death and Hell he to ruin shall hurl.
Christ shall come down in his chariot of fire,
Bethlehem's Beauty, and Israel's Messiah;
Prince ever glorious,
Strong and victorious,
Lion of Judah, and King of the world. Lift your glad voices, He cometh again;
Sound out the tidings o'er earth and o'er main!
Sing for the dark days of evil are ending;
Shout to the Bridegroom with angels descending!
Bride of Jehovah,
Welcome thy lover;
Sing, for He cometh, He cometh to reign. Lift your glad voices wide under the sun,
Sing of his power who the victory has won.
Strong is that arm that the strengthless defended,
Saved us from hell and the warfare hath ended.
Hallelujah again;
Hallelujah, Amen!
Shout! for the work of Redemption is done.
D. T. TAYLOR.—in World's Crisis. Christ must needs have died, how else could sin be expiated, the law satisfied, the Devil conquered, and man be saved? If Christ denied innocent nature out of love to us, shall not we deny corrupt nature out of love to him? Christ by his death appeared to be the Son of man, by his resurrection he appeared to be the Son of God. Christ was the great promise of the Old Testament, the Spirit is the great promise of the New. If we would stand, Christ must be our foundation; if we would be safe, Christ must be our sanctuary. Bro. J. D. Hillis writes from Knoxville, Iowa: The church at Knoxville is in a good condition, and I think the brethren are all trying by the help of God to persevere in this good cause and prosecute their journey onward through this world of sin, to that place of rest that remains in the future state for God's dear children. My prayer is, that we may all so live that we may dwell together in the new earth. Bro. L. Lyman writes from Roulette, Pa.: Myself and wife, have been trying to keep the commandments for a few years past. We were long the only ones in the town that tried to keep all ten of the commandments, as set forth by S. D. Adventists. Our prayer to God was, that he would send some one this way to preach the truth. Eld. Fuller came here and preached a few times, which caused many to inquire, "What shall I do to be saved?" His labors were blessed; and we were made to rejoice, by seeing some twelve or fifteen start with the full determination to obey God, and keep his commandments. We have a regular prayer-meeting established, and we have meetings every Sabbath. It does me good to hear the youth and the aged, stand up and tell of the goodness of God, and their willingness to live a cross-bearing life here, and their desire to finally have everlasting life, where God's people will be permitted to meet and part no more. A FRIEND writes the following: "Forbidding to marry." This is so clearly a mark of modern Spiritualists, that the marriage institution is the subject of every vituperative epithet on their part. And there is even talk among them of getting up petitions to the legislatures for its establishment by law. The shameless manner in which they break their marriage bonds, and take spiritual wives, is said by them to be at the express command of the spirits. Some, who have been remarkable for their moral and correct lives previous to their commerce with Spiritualism, have, by thinking that they must obey the spirits, been induced to leave wives and children that they loved much better than the spiritual wife that they were commanded to take; and were affected to tears when they spoke of those they had left, and of the sacrifices they had to make in doing so; but thought it the greater virtue that they did so in obedience to the spirits. There was a case of this kind which occurred here some time ago. A young man, of upright, moral character, left a young wife and family of children, for a woman of abandoned character, whom the spirits commanded him to take. He wept every time he spoke of his family, and said he loved them very much better than the woman the spirits had commanded him to take, but that he must obey the spirits.—Prophetic Times. Formal Preachers.—As God can send a nation or people no greater blessing than to give them faithful, sincere, and upright ministers; so the greatest curse that God can possibly send upon a people in this world, is to give them over to blind, unregenerate, carnal, lukewarm, and unskillful guides. And yet, in all ages, we find there have been many wolves in sheep's clothing, many that daubed with untempered mortar, that prophesied smoother things than God did allow. As it was formerly, so it is now, there are many that corrupt the word of God, and deal deceitfully with it.—Whitefield. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. James i, 5. Humility is better than a gold mine. In distant lands the people sigh,
And bow beneath a heavy load;
To stocks and stones they raise their cry,
And worship them, and call them God.
But in our own enlightened land,
Where we profess the living God,
We thank our Lord with outstretched hands,
We do not walk the heathen's road. But let us push aside the veil,
The inner temple enter in;
See if idolatry prevail,—
Or if 'tis garnished, swept, and clean.
We see them on their worship day,
God's holy temple enter in,
They kneel with reverent mien and pray,
And join with awe the sacred hymn. But where's the heart? ah, whither bent
The thoughts? Ah they're with earthly things;
How stocks are rising ten per cent,
How much produce in market brings:
Their neighbor's poor plain garb compare
With theirs so showy, rich and gay,
Then with a self complaisant air,
Their duty done, they stride away. At their own hearthstone 'tis the same,
The Bible glanced at, laid aside;
Religion dwells there but in name;
Their children learn, but to deride.
A prayer is uttered morn and night,
For earthly blessings dearly loved;
Enjoy them as if 'were by right;
And murmur if there's one removed. Their neighbor lives on poorest fare—
They thank their God they're not like him:
Their table's spread with viands rare,
Their granaries overflow the brim.
They must build larger, wider barns,
Lay up for future use, a store,
And add more acres to their farms,
But not a farthing for the poor! Is all this pleasing in God's eyes?
Is this the Christian's noble part?
God loves a humble sacrifice,
A broken and a contrite heart.
While we deplore the heathen's state,
In ignorance vile, and darkness gross,
Our privileges are all so great,
Much, much will be required of us. Trembling, oh let us search within,
With groanings deep, and earnest prayer:
Perhaps some unknown secret sin,
Some cherished idol's lurking there.
Oh then all idols sacrifice,
All broken vows make haste to pay,
Lest the poor heathen we despise,
Shall rise in judgment in that day.
C. M. WILLIS. "Then they that feared the Lord, spake often one to another." This department of the paper is designed for the brethren and sisters to freely and fully communicate with each other respecting their hopes and determinations, conflicts and victories, attainments and desires, in the heavenly journey. Seek first a living experience and then record it, carefully and prayerfully, for the comfort and encouragement of the other members of the household of faith. Report from the Richwood Quarterly Meeting
By L. G. Bostwick
BRO. WHITE: I attended the Quarterly Meeting of the Richwood church, March 18 and 19. We had a good attendance, and enjoyed one of the best meetings we ever had with those dear brethren and sisters. The Lord was with us, and we felt encouraged and strengthened to go on our way together to the kingdom. The brethren and sisters manifested a disposition to work, and arise with the message. We enjoyed much freedom while we tried to show them the importance of being prepared for the coming of our Saviour. We feel to rejoice and thank God for the truths of the third angel's message, and for the evidence we have that ere long it will go forth with a loud cry. Our prayer is that we may be able to stand with the people of God in that day. Two made up their minds at this meeting to obey God, keep his commandments, and live out the faith of his dear Son. Others were deeply affected at this meeting, and still the good work of the Lord is onward. Truly it is time for us to press forward unitedly, and be engaged in gaining an inheritance in the bright world to come. May God give us grace that we hold out unto the end. Yours in hope. L. G. BOSTWICK.