p. 232 | Review and Herald, Vol. 6, No. 29. (5/15/1855)

Profiting by Affliction

By Willard Holden

From Bro. Holden.

DEAR BRO. WHITE :—I still feel that the Lord is good to me, although I have been passing through scenes of deep affliction for some time past, and have felt the chastening rod. My prayer is, Father, thy will be done; chasten me according to thy righteousness; prepare me to dwell in thy peaceful kingdom, where the saints of all ages shall meet. My desire is that I may profit by these light afflictions which are but for a moment, that they may work out for me a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.

Dear Bro. I think I can sympathize with you and those of like precious faith, in the trials of the present time. Indeed, may we not expect the enemy to be more and more enraged as he sees his destiny approaching. Praise God, his truth will yet triumph. The last solemn message to this poor fallen world must go with its loud cry, the jewels must be gathered into the casket, yes, the hundred and forty-four thousand will gain the victory, and with the Lamb stand on the mount Zion. I want to be there to help swell the notes, to sing the conqueror's song, he has redeemed us by his blood. O that blood, of the Lamb of God which was spilt for you and me, which taketh away the sin of the world. May we not lift up our heads and rejoice, when we see the signs thickening around us, portrayed in the word of God? That which he has purposed to do for his little flock, is soon to be realized by all the faithful followers of the meek and lowly Jesus. Yes, the kingdom long promised will soon be given. I feel there is nothing here which can endure but a short time; all is fast passing away.

No house or lands do I possess, Nor wish to in this wilderness; I want a home among the pure, A home forever to endure.

Dear brethren and sisters, knowing that we have a friend in heaven whose care is for us, let us rejoice and press forward until we gain the prize. What if some do forsake us and become our worst enemies? This will not hinder us, praise God. We want to wear the crown, pass those pearly gates, to walk those streets of gold, see the King in his beauty, and if others will not go with us then we will go alone.

My mind often dwells on the great contrast which is soon to be realized throughout all nature, this sin cursed earth, and the earth when restored back to its primeval bloom. Here the curse is seen and felt in various forms, here the thorn, the brier and the thistle; but there, instead of the thorn shall spring up the fir-tree, for the brier the myrtle, the pine and the box-tree together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary, and I will make the place of my feet glorious, saith the Lord.

Art thou sick and suffering with severe pain in the body? there it will be all gone forever. "The inhabitants shall not say, I am sick, and the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity." Art thou blind or deaf? "Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. There shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing; for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert."

"O, 'tis a world most bright, No more death, nor woe, nor night, Faith views it with delight, Knowing 'tis sure."

Here we part but there we meet; here is mourning, but there will be rejoicing; here sickness and death, but there health, and life eternal. We will then sing, "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory." Brethren, my heart says praise the Lord.

"We'll gladly exchange a world like this, Where death triumphant reigns, For a beautiful home in that land of bliss, Where all is happiness, joy and peace, And nothing can enter that pains, There is no more sorrow, and no more night, For the darkness shall flee away. The crucified Lamb is its glorious light, And the saints shall walk with him in white, In that happy eternal day."

Truly this will be a glorious home, a home for all the faithful. O that I may be counted as one of them. My brethren, you who have been called to proclaim the last message of mercy to poor fallen man, be faithful to your trust. "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him."

Your brother in hope. WILLARD HOLDEN. Jackson, Mich., Apr. 11th, 1855.

Choosing the Sabbath Despite Opposition

By Mary A. Eaton

From Sister Eaton.

DEAR BRO. WHITE:—Near two years have rolled around since I first became interested in the Second Advent doctrine. I was convinced of the truth of it

by comparing the state of the churches and the world with the Bible description of the last days. I had never heard a lecture nor read but very little. My uncle at Jackson then gave me some tracts upon the seventh day Sabbath, and also sent me the Review about Aug. 1853. I studied my Bible much with a careful and prayerful desire to know what was truth, and was soon convinced the seventh day was the Sabbath of the Lord. Then came a trial, my husband and all about me that kept any day, kept the first day; but I was convinced there was no Bible commandment for the first day, and about sixteen months ago I commenced trying to keep the Sabbath of the Lord.

Soon after this my mother, whom I believe to be a pious woman, came to spend a few months with me. She said but little to me on the subject, and that not harsh. I had ever been taught to respect my parents, and felt that my course was grieving to her and also to my husband, and for a time my sensitive feelings triumphed. I gave up, hoping they might see the truth soon and then be my company; but there I could not rest. I was breaking one of the commands of God after I had had light upon the subject; and this verse would often come to my mind: "He that loveth father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me." Oh I would have been glad to have believed that Sunday was the Sabbath, but I could not. The cross was greater than before. I often thought that I would keep the next Sabbath, but had not strength to take up the cross. I wanted company but could not have it. I soon felt that let others do as they would, I must obey the command of God, and prayed in earnest for strength to take my stand on the side of truth. I then had the privilege of hearing Brn. Loughborough and Cornell lecture in the tent at Jackson last Aug. when I saw the truths of the Second Advent doctrine more clearly than ever, and have since tried to keep all the commandments of God. My husband and myself have been members of the Baptist Church sixteen years, but I can truly say that I never felt so great an anxiety to see christians engaged and sinners converted as for a year past; and my prayer is that I may be more faithful, that I may strive in earnest to overcome my own besetting sins. I feel that I need to be more holy, more like my blessed Master. I want to be found having on the wedding garment. I thank God that I ever saw the light of the third angel's message. My Bible is more plain and more precious to me than ever. The letters in the Review are strengthening to me. I would not be deprived of it for double its cost. I wish that some of the messengers might come this way; for I think there is an anxiety on the part of many to hear. I know our position is unpopular. I am thought by many to be led away with strange doctrines, especially with regard to the unconscious state of the dead; but what the Bible teaches I will try to embrace, let people think of me as they will. The consciousness that God's law is superior to any human law, has sustained martyrs in the flames; and we shall be sustained let what will come, do we but put our trust in God.

I have not the privilege of meeting with commandment keepers, but feel that I am many times blessed when alone, pray for me brethren and sisters that my faith fail not. Yours hoping to enter into eternal life. MARY A. EATON. Sharon, Mich., Apr. 30th, 1855.

Encouragement for an Isolated Believer

By E. J. Newson

From Bro. Newson.

DEAR BRO. WHITE:—It is a pleasure and I trust a profit to me that I have the Review to read: it and my Bible being all the preaching that I have, being alone here in trying to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.

When I read the communications from the brethren and sisters, it encourages me to try to so live that I may have a right to the tree of life, and with them enter in through the gates into the city. I am glad that there is a portion of the paper devoted to that purpose; for it is a great comfort to one that is alone to read them, and to meditate on the goodness of God in uniting so many of his children in keeping his commandments.

It is my desire to so live that I may let my light shine before men, that they may see my good works and glorify my Father which is in heaven.

Yours in Christ. E. J. NEWSON. Vandalia, Cass, Co., Mich., Apr. 22d, 1855.

M. G. BARTLETT

By M. G. Bartlett

From Sister Bartlett

DEAR BRO. WHITE :—The Bible and the Review are my instructors, and God is my teacher. I am still alone in this place in regard to my views on Bible truth; but truth will gain the victory I believe. Lord help mine unbelief. O how my heart aches for you, my brethren in Christ, when I read of your trials, your necessities and your cares. I trust you cast your cares on Him who careth for you. How precious are the promises of God; they are yea and amen.

M. G. BARTLETT

Norwich, May 1st, 1855.

Keeping the Sabbath in Loneliness

By Gertrude Cobb

From Sister Cobb.

DEAR BRO. WHITE:—It is four or five months since we began to keep the Sabbath of the Lord our God. My Bible is a new book to me, because I can understand it better and can take more comfort reading it than I ever did before. We are striving to keep all the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.

We are lonely here, for there are none in this town that keep the Sabbath of the Lord but myself and husband; yet we feel that the Lord is with us. I feel to praise God that we have embraced the truth of the third angel's message. Dear brethren, I am determined by the grace of God to have on the whole armor, and to contend for the faith that was once delivered to the saints. I wish that the Lord would send his servants here to warn this people of their danger; for the opposers of the Lord's Sabbath are on every side. We are despised because we keep all the commandments, but I will still strive to love God and do his will. He has told me if I ask it shall be given me. Surely it is the Lord that has led me thus far, and caused me to receive the light of the present truth, and I hope that the Lord will ever enable me to walk in the right way.

I believe the time of trouble spoken of in Daniel is just before us when we shall have to have faith in Christ to stand. I believe that the remnant who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus will soon be at home.

Your unworthy sister. GERTRUDE COBB. De Kalb, St. Law. Co., N. Y., 1855.

CYPRIAN STEVENS

By Cyprian Stevens; Edward Andrews

From Brn. Stevens and Andrews.

DEAR BRO. WHITE:—The brethren in Maine, Mass. and N. H., feeling anxious that the cause of present truth in connection with the second advent of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, should be more publicly proclaimed to the people, and as it is seldom that suitable houses can be obtained in which to hold public meetings, have subscribed means and purchased a good and suitable tent for that purpose; also a small fund for necessary purposes attending the same.

In order to move in concert with the friends of the cause generally, we invite a meeting in conference of the brethren interested, to be holden at Portland, Me., commencing Sixth-day, May 25th, and continuing over Sabbath and First-day, to take measures to secure suitable preachers or lecturers to go with the same, and present the truth; also a suitable person to go with and take charge of the tent and tent fund, and to act on any business that may properly come before the meeting, in order to promote the cause we have in view. We hope that one or more from all the several churches that have subscribed for this benevolent object, will find it convenient to attend; also preaching Brn. Yourself with Brn. Bates, Wheeler and Barr are particularly invited.

The churches in Paris and Topsham will be responsible for the sum of $42, immediately wanted for the purchase of the tent, and forward the same to P. Folsom, Charlestown, Mass. Will the several churches in Me., please forward their respective sums subscribed, to the conference at Portland to be placed in the hands of some chosen person, or persons, for the purpose above specified.

In behalf of the Brn. in Me.

CYPRIAN STEVENS

EDWARD ANDREWS.

Paris, Me., May 10th, 1855.

LATEST FROM VIENNA.

The twelfth conference was held on Saturday, the 21st April. It lasted four hours and a half, and concluding by adjourning sine die, Russia having absolutely rejected the demands of France and England. Lord John Russell and M Drouyn de L'Huys immediately took leave of the Emperor, and were to leave on Sunday, the 22d. It now remains to be seen what course Austria will pursue.

THE BOMBARDMENT OF SEVASTOPOL.

Fire from all the French and English batteries was opened upon Sevastopol on the 9th. On the 10th both French and English viewed the bombardment as effective; but nothing decisive had occurred to warrant a conclusion as to the immediate issue. The French left batteries had made a breach in the indented wall; the two fronts of the last erected Russian battery were much injured, and one of the Russian works of counter-approach, near the Careening Harbor, was silenced. During the first two days the besiegers's fire was superior to that of the city.

Tent in New York.

By John Norton Loughborough

IN No. 23 of the Review, Bro. White and myself made a statement in regard to the amount of means necessary to purchase a tent and equipages for Central New York. We stated that $250 would be the amount necessary. Of this sum only about $130 have been received and pledged. Although we are situated under these embarrassing circumstances, our present calculation is to move forward in the tent enterprise, and we shall probably soon arrange appointments for meetings and publish in the Review. It will be necessary that the balance of the money stated should be raised soon. We leave it still for the friends of the enterprise in Central New York to send their means or pledge what they can do.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.

APPOINTMENTS.

THERE will be a Conference in Portland, Me., commencing Sixth-day, the 25th inst., and continuing over Sabbath and First-day. See Brn. Stevens and Andrews' communication in this No.

PROVIDENCE permitting, I will meet with the Brn. in Parma at the house of Bro. Demarest, Sabbath, May 19th.

Tent Meetings.

By M. E. CORNELL

PROVIDENCE permitting, there will be a Tent-meeting in Sylvan, Mich., Sabbath and First-day, May 19th and 20th. Also, a Tent-meeting in the vicinity of Rochester, Mich., May 26th and 27th, where brethren may appoint.

M. E. CORNELL.

A New and Important Work.

THE VOICE OF THE CHURCH on the Coming and Kingdom of the Redeemer; or a History of the Doctrine of the Reign of Christ on earth. By D. T. Taylor.

The above work is composed mainly of extracts from all the writers of note in the Christian Church for SEVENTEEN HUNDRED YEARS, and shows that during all that period no trace of the common theory of the conversion of the world can be found.

The voice of the church is against it, and their only hope of peace for the people of God was in the renewed world under the personal and glorious reign of Jesus Christ our Lord.

With immense labor the author has collected the testimony of the Church from the earliest periods to the present century. The statement of their faith is presented in their own words. Among the sources are ancient Jewish traditions, the writings of the immediate successors of the apostles, the early fathers, the later writers, the Waldensees, reformers, theologians, and divines. To which are added, the traditions of heathen nations and the opinions of modern Jews, making the most perfect history of the doctrine of the millennium ever published, and one which cannot fail to be interesting to every inquirer after truth.

Published in one volume, 12mo., 406 pages. Price $1,00. Discount by the quantity.

All orders should be addressed to the publisher, H. L. HASTINGS. Peace Dale, Rhode Island.

Business.

By Editor

Some Post Master returns Geo. Green's paper without giving his P. O. address!

D. S. MARSH.—We have none of the old edition on hand.

The P. O. address of Louisa M. Morton, is Ft. Atkinson, Wis.

H. C. CRUMB.—Of your $2 we credit 25 cts. for INSTRUCTOR, and $1 for REVIEW. What publications would you like for the remaining 75 cts.?

ELIZA CHAFFEE, orders her YOUTH'S INSTRUCTOR stopped without giving her P. O. address!

J. NEWTON.—You did not name the State in your letter, and that was the cause of the mistake. We repeat again what we have often repeated, that our correspondents should be particular to give their P. O. address, County and State, as we have no time to spend in hunting for names on our books. Your books were sent to Hardwick, Vt. By addressing the Post Master in that place you can doubtless obtain them.

W. H. Barnes inquires the P. O. address of J. M. Stephenson.

BOOKS SENT.—C. Scofield, E. S. Coon, J. Blain, (by express,) E J. Newson, D. Livingston, J. Carter, E. Temple, J. H. Waggoner, P. Scarborough, E. Prior, N. Denison, F. Gould, F. Strong, W. Chapman.

AGENTS.

MAINE. N. N. Lunt, Portland. S. W. Flanders, Canaan. Cyprian Stevens, Paris. S. Howland, Topsham. W. T. Hanniford, Orrington. Wm. Bryant, Wilton. C. Dingley, E. Pittsfield. NEW HAMPSHIRE. J. Stowell, Washington. S. Bunnel, Claremont. MASSACHUSETTS. O. Nichols, Dorchester. O. Davis, N. Fairhaven. Wm. Saxby, Springfield. VERMONT. R. Loveland, Johnson. H. Bingham, Morristown. S. H. Peck, Wolcott. Lewis Bean, Hardwick. Edwin Churchill, Stowe. E. P. Butler, Waterbury. Josiah Hart, Northfield. R. G. Lockwood, Waitsfield. Jesse Barrows, Irasburg. Alonzo Lee, Derby Line. E. Everts, Vergennes. H. Gardner, Panton. S. Willey, Wheelock. CONNECTICUT. E. H. Chamberlain Md'town. A. Belden, Kensington.

NEW YORK. J. Byington, Buck's Bridge. A. Ross, Caughdenoy. David Upson, Moreland. R. F. Cottrell, Mill Grove. John Wager, Orangeport. L. Carpenter, Oswego. A. H. Robinson, Sandy Creek. E. A. Poole, Lincklaen. J. A. Loughhead, Elmira. John Hamilton, Fredonia. PENNSYLVANIA. M. L. Dean, Ulysses J. H. Heggie, Alleghany. C. H. Barrows, Port Alleghany. A. Southwic, Snethport. MICHIGAN. Albert Avery, Locke. Ira Gardner, Vergennes. David Hewett, Battle Creek. C. S. Glover, Sylvan. A. B. Pearsall, Grand Rapids A. A. Dodge, Jackson. Wm. M. Smith, " A. C. Morton, Delhi. J. M. McLellan, Hastings. OHIO, J. B. Sweet, Milan. WISCONSIN. E. S. Sheffield, Koskonong. P. Hall, Rosendale. CANADA EAST. B. Hills, Melbourne

Receipts.

By Editor

R. Spaulding, P. Carpenter, M. G. Bartlett, J. Bottsford, H. C. Crumb, A. N. Curtis, J. Stone, A. W. Werden, J. Hall, H. Cooly, each $1. T. Draper, Wm. Chapman, each $2. A Lover of truth, $10. Mrs. N. Denison, $1,83. D. Livingston, $1,70. E. J. Newson, $0,17.

For Tent in New York.—Church in Roosevelt, $22, 50. A Lover of truth, $10. E. D. Cook, $3.

For Tent in Wisconsin.—C. W. Stanley, S. Vanloon, J. Calhoun, each $1. J. Bottsford, Bro. Juby, each $0,50. J. Hall, $1,50.

For J. N. A.—Wm. Chapman, $1.

FOREIGN NEWS.

THE CONFERENCES at Vienna having failed to settle the Eastern difficulties, the Western Powers at last begin to think of a revision of the Danish Treaty of the 5th of May, 1852, which gives the succession of the Danish crown eventually to the Czar. This new scheme is nothing but a new dodge, in order to divert public attention from the Crimean campaign. Austria will remain neutral, and will not draw the sword against Russia. Her treacherous alliance with the Western Powers has done better service to the Czar than her own hostility against England and France could have done.

The public is little satisfied with the events before Sevastopol. The bombardment has scarcely advanced the operations of the Allies. The last dispatches of Prince Gorchakoff tell us entirely a different tale from the contents of those of Gen. Canrobert, and Lord Raglan is silent about the bombardment and gives scarcely anything else than his meteorological observations about bad weather and fine. Still, Lord Raglan and Gen. Canrobert are not removed from their command, though their want of military capacity is evident to everybody.

Lord John Russell and Drouyn de L'Huys have left the Austrian capital, and their departure caused a panic on the exchange of Vienna. Still the hopes of a peaceful settlement revived once more. Russian counter propositions arrived from St. Petersburg at a late hour, but they proved utterly unacceptable, and accordingly The Times once more sounds the war trumpet. The public is indignant about Austria, since it cannot be doubted that Francis Joseph will never draw his sword against the Czar.

The Allies, sending their troops to Turkey, have not done any harm to Russia, but under the cover of friendship and co-operation, they are about to destroy the independence of Turkey, and to treat her as a conquered enemy.

Great uneasiness prevails both at Paris and London about the policy of Austria. Since there are now scarcely any hopes entertained for a successful termination of the Conferences, the position of Austria begins to be more important. It was in order to get her co-operation that the campaign was transferred to the Crimea, and now it seems that the chivalrous Emperor is anxious to back out; and, as I have often foretold, it is not his intention to take the offensive against Russia.

Spain, which has scarcely got out of her troubles with the United States, has fallen again into hot water. It is now England with whom she is in difficulties.

In Tuscany and in Piedmont, some acts of intolerance have again been perpetrated by the authorities. A poor man has been imprisoned in Florence for reading the Bible, and possessing two copies of it; and in Piedmont the trunks of English tourists are again regularly searched to see whether religious tracts or copies of the Scriptures are imported among the luggage. It is the re-action of the Roman Catholic Church against the American Know-Nothing movement. That movement drives the Roman clergy mad. The Know-Nothing may soon get a response here in England. The Maynooth Grant will probably once more excite the Protestant Tory members in Parliament, and give rise to protracted and very serious difficulties.

Persia is assembling an army, and is to form a great camp at Sultanieh, in the interest of Turkey and of the Allies.