p. 87 | Review and Herald, Vol. 11, No. 11. (1/21/1858)

Earlier text: THE 70 WEEKS AND 2300 DAYS (CONCLUDED.)

T. J. B

By T. J. Butler

From Bro. Butler.

Bro. Smith: The little band of believers at Gilboa are still firm in the truth; still rejoice in the blessed hope, which proves to us as an anchor to the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which Paul says, entereth into that within the vail, whither the forerunner hath for us entered. I think the brethren and sisters here, are all looking for, and hastening to the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. I think they are trying to deny themselves of ungodliness and worldly lusts, for as many as five brethren have overcome the filthiness of the flesh occasioned by tobacco, and are trying to live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world. We are firm in the conviction that the best way to exhibit faith is by works, and that the only way to exemplify unfeigned love to God, is by keeping his Commandments. We cannot think that our blessed Saviour in Rev. xxii, 14, pronounced his last blessing on a work of supererogation. The great enemy of all righteousness has issued many lies, and circulated many misrepresentations, but the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptation. We ask an interest in the prayers of the faithful, that we may be able to stop the mouths of gainsayers, by virtuous living; and that we may have the whole truth, not only in theory, but also in practice, and that finally after having done all, we may stand as overcomers to welcome Jesus at his coming.

T. J. Butler.

Gilboa, Ohio, Jan. 8th, 1858.

N. B. Cannot Bro. and Sr. White, or Brn. Loughborough and Waggoner, or somebody else make an appointment for a meeting at Gilboa, and give notice of it in the Review. We have expected such an appointment at every mail for the last six weeks. Are there no bowels of compassion?

T. J. B

Keeping the Commandments

By James Weir

From Bro. Weir.

BRO. SMITH: It is but a few months since I commenced keeping the Sabbath. It was from hearing Bro. West from Illinois reason on the subject that I saw the light clearly, and found I was trampling God's holy law under foot. I then resolved to keep the Commandments and have the Faith of Jesus, and enter through the gates into the city. It is very important that we keep God's word, run the race with patience, and endure to the end. The promise is, To him that overcometh and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations. Rev. ii, 26.

When I see that sin and iniquity abound, I feel to thank the Lord that it is as well with me as it is. How careful ought we to be, lest the deceitful enemy draw us away. We should watch and pray that we enter not into temptation; for it is written, Behold I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his garments lest he walk naked and they see his shame. Rev. xvi, 15.

Brethren and sisters, let us all strive to keep our garments unspotted from the world, let us gird on the whole armor of righteousness, and fight manfully the battles of the Lord, that we may come off more than conquerors through him who hath loved us. Pray for me that I may at last overcome and meet you all in his everlasting kingdom. Yours in hope of heaven. JAMES WEIR. Holowell, M. T., Dec. 27th, 1857.

More Than Surface Work

By Elizabeth S. Kellogg

From Sister Kellogg.

DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: As I have not the privilege of meeting on the Sabbath as some of you have, and as we are commanded to speak often to each other, I desire to throw in my feeble testimony on the Lord's side through the Review. It is two years last Oct. since I commenced keeping the Sabbath of the Lord. At times I have felt cast down and discouraged in the way, but not of the way; for I know it is the true way. I made an effort to rise when the message came to the Laodiceans, but O it was nothing but surface work. I feel to mourn over my lukewarmness, and cry to God for mercy. I feel truly thankful that the Lord is so mindful of us. Sr. White's testimony is heart-thrilling. O the wondrous love of God in showing us our true condition. Who would wish to be left behind? Wake up brethren and sisters, the time has come to arouse and have something more than surface work. I am determined by the grace of God to be ready for the refreshing when it comes from the presence of the Lord.

Your unworthy sister. ELIZABETH S. KELLOGG. Ionia, Mich., Jan. 2d, 1858.

Extracts from Letters.

By Editor

Bro. A. G. Carter writes from Rubicon, Wis., Jan. 4th, 1858: "I believe if ever the Review was interesting, it is at the present time, and I pray the Lord to sustain you and all those connected with you in this great and last message of mercy. It is well calculated to reprove the erring, and encourage the way-worn traveler to the city of God. The Testimony in No. 8 is truly consoling to us. I fail to see how any lover of the truth can lightly speak of the Testimony for the Church.

"The little church here are striving to rise with the message. Three have embraced the truth here since the tent-meeting. Others have ventured to come in to our meetings. O may the Lord help every honest soul to see and understand the truth. I do believe the Lord will bless all honest souls. I think I can see that we as a little church in Rubicon are making some advancement in the present truth. The very atmosphere appears to be tainted with wickedness; but praise the Lord, the saints are striving to look up to Jesus that we may be protected from the evil around us. And although we are unworthy, the dear Lord is pleased to smile upon us with his blessing."

Sister S. M. Swan writes from Orwell, Ohio: "The paper is a great help to me, as I am entirely deprived of the society of those who keep the Sabbath. I love to hear of the progress of the cause in other places. It has been my prayer that the Lord would send some one here to proclaim his truth. Some of my neighbors who have read my papers have expressed a desire to hear more on the subject of present truth, and I think if they could hear, they might embrace it. I was in hopes when I heard of Bro. Ingraham's return to Penn., that he might visit us this Winter. We live only twenty-five miles from the western line of Penn."

Brother Butler’s Communication

By George Ide Butler

From Bro. Butler.

Progress of the Power of Darkness.

By Editor

The following items we clip from the Spiritual Age:

Spiritualism in Danby, Vt.—J. C. B. writes us from Danby that Spiritualism is progressing finely in that place.

A Medium among the Catholics.—The Univers, the leading organ of the Romish Church in France, thus speaks of a Roman Catholic medium—St. Cupertin:

“His feet disliked to touch the ground; and the slightest remembrance of heaven ended this unnatural state by detaching his spiritualized body from the earth. Many times was he seen elevated in the air to a considerable height in the presence of a crowd mute with awe. The sight of a tabernacle, or a crucifix, or an image of the Blessed Virgin; the name of Jesus, or of Mary, pronounced in his presence, was sufficient to bring out this extraordinary phenomenon.”

Spiritualism in Italy.—A belief in Spiritualism extends to every part of Italy, and is rapidly increasing; so states the leading Roman Catholic Journal of Europe.

How Differently Received!

By R. F. C.

God has willed that the Third Angel's Message shall be proclaimed in the world as the closing message of probation. He has also pledged his word that it shall be given. He has dictated the terms of the message, and no man may add thereto, or take therefrom. It positively declares, “If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God.” This message must be, nay, it is being proclaimed.

But how differently it sounds to different individuals! To one it is only a horrible denunciation of unmixed wrath; to another it is the tender warning voice of sweet, long-suffering mercy. To the transgressor of God's holy Law who is determined to continue in transgression, it is a most unwelcome message, nay, it seems to such to be “perfectly savage.” But to those who are willing to obey, who really desire to know their sins that they may turn from them, and thus be prepared to meet the Coming One, how welcome the message! Perhaps they have often wondered how it came, that while the Bible taught one thing, the Christian world were practicing another—while that taught the observance of the seventh day, and that only, the world were keeping the first day. How welcome to such the clear light that is now shining upon the subject of the change. They feel to thank and praise God that he has not left them to smother the slight convictions that they had, and go on in sin, but has sent a special message for their special help, in the perplexing circumstances they were in. Their language is, Let me see the light and know the truth, and, by the help of God, I will walk in it. The Temple of God is now opened in heaven, and while others would gladly close it, because the Ark is there containing the hated fourth commandment, these still desire to look in, because they see the Mercy-seat above the Ark, and a merciful High Priest standing before it. While those see nothing but lightnings and hear nothing but thunderings, indicative of the wrath of God against the transgressors of his Law; these see the Mercy-seat sprinkled with that blood that can take away sin, and hear the voice of Love in sweet and melting strains proclaiming: “Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts.”

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

R. F. C.

The Church Trying to Arise

By Elon Everts

From Bro. Everts.

DEAR BRO. SMITH: I would say a word to the scattered saints, if by any means to encourage them. While I am privileged with accounts from the various parts of the field, (and to me it appears a limited one as yet,) that the remnant are struggling for victory, and gain tokens of advancement by the presence of the Lord to raise up the bowed down, and restore the sick in answer to their cries in faith, I would say that I believe the church here is trying to arise. The power of the Adversary is manifestly great all around us in a multitudinous form. O how daring and blasphemous are the wicked! And where are the wicked? Are we not forced to cry out that the fallen churches are a cage full of them?

As I go about I meet with many who are the most respectable of community, and in conversation ask them if they belong to a church? They say, We once did. Do you enjoy religion? The answer is, We once did. O how solemn are the reflections when I see how manifest that the love of many is waxed cold, and that the mighty are fallen. O what a thrilling experience some will relate to me of by-gone days. O how, say they, we pressed our way over these prairies to the log cabins with torch-light, through the dark and inclement weather, nothing hindering, to hear the word of the Lord and the coming of Jesus; and the power of the presence of the Lord would prostrate half a score in the meeting, and the shout of Glory! Glory! from the torch-lighted company could be heard in every direction as they trode their way to their homes.

I am made astonished by having pointed out to me this and that large prairie farmer, or this persevering speculator as ones who composed that humble, rejoicing company, but now can scarcely be stopped from their eager pursuits to listen to the truth that is to judge them.

How much I feel admonished to cherish the blessed, present truth in my heart, and strive to square my life by the same, and give all diligence to make my calling sure, by overcoming, that I may enjoy the peaceful reign of Jesus. ELON EVERTS. Round Grove, Ills., Jan 12th, 1858.

Pungent Queries.

A CORRESPONDENT of the American Missionary, asks the following pointed questions:

“What shall be done with professors who are covetous, even to idolatry? Those whose penuriousness is a by-word with the world, and brings the church and religion into contempt. A rich Do-nothing, or Dead-head, has a paralyzing influence upon some who would otherwise do liberally.

“What per cent of Half-day members can a church afford to have? By Half-day members, I mean those who seldom, if ever come to meeting more than half of the Sabbath, and are unwilling to pay more than half their proportion for the support of the ministry, the Sunday-School, or any good object.

“What ought to be done with church members who indulge in the free use of tobacco?”

HELP THE ERRING

Selected for REVIEW.

HELP THE ERRING.

Would'st thou an erring soul redeem, And lead a lost one back to God; Would'st thou a guardian angel seem To one who long in guilt hath trod? Go kindly to him—take his hand, With gentlest words—within thine own; And by his side a brother stand, Till thou the demon, sin dethrone.

Scorn not the guilty, then, but plead With him, in kindest, gentlest mood, And back the lost one thou mayest lead To God, humanity and good! Thou art thyself but man, and thou Art weak, perchance, to fall as he; Then mercy to the fallen show, That mercy may be shown to thee!

APPOINTMENTS.

By Editor

Providence permitting there will be a Conference in Roosevelt, Town of Schroeppel, Oswego, Co., N. Y., to commence Sixth-day evening, Feb. 5th, and continue over the Sabbath and First-day, and longer if thought best. Brethren who may come by railroad will stop at Syracuse, and take stage for Central Square, four miles from Roosevelt.

Also a Conference in North Brookfield, Madison Co., N. Y., at the house of Bro. Ira Abbey, to commence Sixth-day, Feb. 12th, at 6 o'clock P. M., and continue over Sabbath and First-day.

We hope there may be a general gathering of the scattered saints at these meetings. Come up prepared to enter more fully into the present work of the "Remnant." It is probable that the subject of Tent operations for the coming season may come up for consideration at these meetings.

Brn. Ingraham and Cottrell are requested to meet with us at the above meetings.

In behalf of of the Church. F. WHEELER. H. EDSON.

Watson, Lewis Co., N. Y., Jan. 8th, 1858.

Business Items.

By Editor

L. M. Fish—What is A. Cole's P. O. address?

J. Bishop.—We send your questions to Bro. Pierce.

Wm. Peabody.—We thankfully acknowledge the receipt of eighty-five of the one hundred dollars you propose to donate to this Office.

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 omission should then be given.

FOR REVIEW AND HERALD.

L. M. Fish 1,00,xii,1. E. Lothrop 2,00,xiii,1. Sr. R. Smalley 1,00,xiv,1. A. R. Morse 1,00,xii,1. D. T. Evans 1,00,xi,1. A. Barton 2,00,xii,1. B. R. Walworth 3,00,xii,1. H. Edson 1,00,xii,1. Mrs. A. Egbert 1,00,xi,1. S. A. Daniels 1,00,xii,11. R. P. Prior 1,00,xii,11. Jno. Smith 2,00,xiii,1. J. S. Sawyer 1,00,xii,9. T. L. Waters 0,35,xi,1. D. H. Simons 1,00,xi,2. H. Trear 1,00,xi,15. N. L. Bond 1,00,xiii,14. I. C. Vaughan (for C. Kellogg) 0,55,xii,14. O. Chauncy 1,00,xii,11. Wm. Farnsworth 2,00,x,1. M. Gleason (for J. M. Allen) 1,00,xiii,11.