Bro. SMITH: The following I copied from a book entitled, "Dew Drops of the Nineteenth Century," which I send to you for publication in the Review, if you think proper, as it seems to be a brief and comprehensive argument against the vain reasoning, and "science falsely so called," which is used by many at the present day, against the truth of the Bible.
H. M. KENYON.
“An astonishing feature of the word of God is, notwithstanding the time to which it alludes, there is not one physical error, not one assertion or allusion disproved by the progress of modern science. None of those mistakes which the science of each succeeding age discovered in the books of the preceding; above all none of those absurdities which modern astronomy indicates205in such great numbers in the writings of the ancients—in their sacred codes—in their philosophy, and even in the finest pages of the fathers of the church; not one of these errors is to be found in any of our sacred books. Nothing there will ever contradict that which, after so many ages, the investigation of the learned world have been able to reveal to us, on the face of our globe, or on the state of the heavens.
“Peruse with care our Scriptures from one end to the other, to find there such spots, and, while you apply yourself to this examination, remember it is a book which speaks of everything, which describes nature, which recites its creation, which tells us of the water, of the atmosphere, of the mountains, of the animals, and of the plants. It is a book which teaches us the first revolutions of the world, and which also foretells its last. It recounts them in the circumstantial language of history. It extols them in the sublimblest strains of poetry, and chants them in the charms of glowing song. It is a book which is full of oriental rapture, elevation, variety, and boldness. It is a book that speaks of the heavenly and invisible world, while it also speaks of the earth and things visible. It is a book in which nearly fifty writers of every degree of cultivation, of every state, of every condition, and living through the course of fifteen hundred years, have concurred.
“It is a book which was written in the center of Asia, in the sands of Arabia, and in the deserts of Judea, in the courts of the temple of the Jews, in the music schools of the prophets of Bethel and Jericho, in the sumptuous palaces of Babylon, and on the idolatrous banks of the Chebar; and finally, in the center of the western civilization, in the midst of the Jews and of their ignorance, in the midst of polytheism and its idols, as also in the bosom of pantheism and its sad philosophy.
“It is a book whose first writer had been forty years a pupil of the magicians of Egypt, in whose opinion the sun and stars and elements were endowed with intelligence, re-acted on the elements, and governed the world by a perpetual alluvium. It is a book that carries its narrations even to the hierarchies of angels, even to most distant epochs of the future, and the glorious scenes of the last day.
“Well, search among its fifty authors, search among its sixty-six books, its 1,189 chapters, and its 31,713 verses, search for only one of those thousand errors which the ancients and moderns committed when they spoke of the heavens or of the earth—of their revolutions, of their elements; search, but you will find none.”
Summary of Volume XVII
By Editor
SUMMARY OF VOL. XVII.
As the testimony of another volume closes with this number, let us look over the field and note the amount of matter that has been presented. From the fact that its testimony has come to us gradually, and at stated intervals, we may be apt, some of us, to lose sight of what it would amount to if brought together in the aggregate.
An enumeration of the items of the volume now closed, gives the following result: There have been presented, of poetry, 56 pieces; articles, on almost every variety of subject, 343; notes, paragraphs and items, 155; letters, and extracts from letters, 209; making a total of 760 separate pieces. The price of the volume has been one dollar; and those who are in the habit of accurately marking the returns which they receive for all monies laid out, will at once perceive that they have been given seven separate pieces, and three-fifths, for every penny.
But we need not enter into any such calculation as this; for to every lover of truth, that truth and the agencies employed to carry it on, are not to be estimated by mere dollars and cents. It has in their eyes a far higher value than any such material and carnal things.
One marked feature of our correspondence has been the communications from new contributors, those who have, "for the first time," spoken through the REVIEW. There seems to be no lack of acquisitions to our ranks in this respect; and if all who commence in the good work would continue, we should soon have, with the new ones who are continually coming up, original matter enough for the whole paper each week.
We hope for a no less number of volunteers in the future; and we hope moreover that those who have already started, will not be content to slack their hand after running well for a season.
PARADISE TRANSLATED.
By Editor
We present the following from Kurtz' Sacred History, not that we would consider it proof of the view which it sets forth, because he has said it, but from the fact that when we have adopted conclusions which many are disposed to regard as fanciful, it is with agreeable surprise that we often find celebrated authors advocating the same. The question is often asked, What has become of the original paradise? On this point Mr. K. speaks as follows, which many of our readers will recognize as a view with which they have long been familiar. He says:
"The act of God in appointing the Cherubim 'to keep the way of the tree of life' [Gen. iii, 24] in the garden of Eden, likewise appears not only in an aspect indicating judicial severity, but also in one which conveys a promise full of consolation. The blessed abode from which man is expelled, is neither annihilated nor even abandoned to desolation and ruin, but withdrawn from the earth and from man and consigned to the care of the most perfect creatures of God, in order that it may be ultimately restored to man when he is redeemed. Rev. xxii, 2. The garden as it existed before God 'planted' or adorned it, came under the curse like the remainder of the earth, but the celestial and paradisiacal addition was exempted and entrusted to the Cherubim. The true paradise is now translated to the invisible world. . . . And the original itself as the renewed habitation of redeemed man will hereafter descend to the earth. Rev. xxi, 10."
CONFERENCE IN HILLSDALE, MICH.
By J. H. W.
This conference was attended by Bro. Hull and myself. The word was listened to with great interest; and the social meetings were spirited and truly devotional, especially the time devoted to such services on first-day morning, when the testimonies were literally crowded in.
At a business meeting the covenant recommended by the conference at Battle Creek was unanimously adopted, with some feeling testimonies on the subject. The circular of the committee in behalf of the Publishing Association was presented, and 28 shares pledged.
This meeting was attended by a number of those not in the faith, who listened with interest, and some were evidently convicted of the truth. In this respect the influence of this conference was wider than that of any other held in this place for several years. We felt strengthened and encouraged in presenting the testimony of the word, and are well assured that it has been a season of refreshing to the church. It was solemn indeed to part with those with whom I have so often met, knowing that it must be many months before we shall meet again. But the blessed hope cheers my heart and smoothes the rough pathway of life; and in all our labors we can say, with the poet,
“In hope of that immortal crown,
I now the cross sustain;
And gladly wander up and down,
And smile at toil and pain.”
“Lord, increase our faith.” Amen. J. H. W.
USE AND ABUSE OF THE POWER OF SPEECH.
By C. A. Osgood
THE power to communicate our thoughts, wishes and intentions, to another, is a clear proof of the wisdom and goodness of God. How cheerless indeed would be our condition if we could neither speak to, nor hear from, our friends or neighbors. When a very few are mutes, science and benevolence can do something to alleviate their condition, and improve their minds. But were all doomed to perpetual silence, the world would be in a sad condition indeed.
When the power of speech is rightly used we augment our own happiness, and that of those around us, and also declare abroad the glory of God in the earth. But if we abuse it, we may do great mischief. "The tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity; so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the whole course of nature, and it is set on fire of hell! The tongue is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison." Jas. iii, 6, 8. Said Jesus, "By thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned." Matt. xii, 37. How important, then, that this mighty engine for good or evil should be brought, and kept under perfect control.
Our words should ever be reverent toward God. We ought always to hallow his name. His titles and attributes, as well as his name, should be pronounced with great reverence. Sometimes these are repeated too often in prayer. Some, in their common talk, even those called Christians, frequently use such expressions as these. "Good Lord!" "O Lord!" "Lord have mercy!" "Mercy!" "Gracious!" "Good gracious!" "Surely such words are not pleasing to the ear of God. Jesus said, 'Swear not at all; neither by heaven, for it is God's throne, neither by the earth, for it is his footstool, neither by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King; neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your communication be yea, yea; nay, nay; for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.'" Matt. v, 34-37.
Thus our Lord has taught us simply to affirm or deny what we wish to, without using unnecessary words. But alas! how many there are among us, whenever anything is seen or heard unusual or surprising, or when they wish to give emphasis to what they are about to utter, use the following expressions, "I swear!" "I swain!" "My conscience!" "My goodness!" "My stars!" "My sakes!" "O my!" and the like. Though we may forget these idle words, yet God remembers them all, and will call us into judgment for every one of them.
Again, all our words should be truthful. God is a God of truth. Upon his word we may rely with unshaken confidence. And we are commanded to "speak every one truth with his neighbor." The practice of speaking truth inspires confidence between man and man, also between members of the same family. But varying from the truth seriously impairs this confidence. Guile, or falsehood, is severely reprehended in the book of God. "Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord." Prov. xii, 22. Not big liars alone, but all liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone. Rev. xxi, 8. Without the city, New Jerusalem, will be whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. We are directed to lay aside all guile. Jesus said of Nathanael, Behold an Israelite indeed in whom is no guile. And of the company which John saw [Rev. xiv, 1-5] he said, In their mouth was found no guile. Such, and such only, God approves.
Reader, how important it is that you and I should be perfectly frank in our communications, that we keep our lips, that they speak no guile; that we make no exaggerated or false statements, that we do not misrepresent the quality or value of property when wishing to sell or trade, but that we study to convey truthful impressions to those with whom we have to do.
Furthermore, our words should be always kind. We are to speak the truth in love. How much this will tend to make ourselves and others happy. Love begets love, but hatred begets hatred. Alas! how much do angry and fretful words tend to destroy the peace and happiness of families and communities. When men use this kind of language to us, or concerning us, we need the spirit of meekness that was in Christ to bear it quietly. He, when he was reviled, reviled not again, when he suffered, he threatened not. 1 Pet. ii, 23. Paul says [Eph. iv, 31, 32], "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, be put away from you, with all malice, and be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another." Especially should speaking evil of others be avoided.
We are commanded to do to others as we would that they should do to us. When anything is done that touches our reputation, we feel it very sensibly. How careful then should we be, that we do nothing to injure the reputation of others, especially of brethren. Yes, we ought to be very careful what we say of others in their absence.
Backbiting is set down by Paul [Rom. i, 30] in the category of the worst vices. How distressing to those who love the brethren, to hear their faults, either supposed or real, become the topic of conversation by other brethren, when those spoken against are absent. These things ought not so to be. Speak not evil one of another, brethren.
All unchaste conversation, jesting, and foolish talking should be laid aside. These corrupt the heart and tend to increase our vanity. How unseemly are these things among those who profess to be looking for the speedy coming of the Lord! All our words should be serious. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good, to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace to the hearers, is the language of God's word. O let us abuse this noble gift of speech no more. By using it aright, we may by the help of God, awaken the careless, instruct the ignorant, reprove the erring, comfort the sad, and lead souls to Christ and heaven. May all our words be useful, and acceptable to God.
TO THE GLORY OF GOD.
By Isaac Sanborn
“WHETHER therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Cor. x, 31.
The above text is worthy of daily application by all those who profess to be the followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. I wish to ask those who are in the habit of using tobacco how they apply the text to that part of their doing. I am sorry to have it to say that as I travel in Wisconsin I find those who are in the habit of chewing or using tobacco, and still are professing to follow Jesus as their pattern. The result is they are lukewarm; for how can a person glorify God in doing that which is contrary to the laws of nature, and the law of God. Tobacco being an insidious poison, how can those who are chewing it say they are doing the will of God, and following Jesus, when they must know that neither Jesus nor apostles ever set them such an example.
But Paul says, “Cleanse yourselves from all filthiness of the flesh.” 2 Cor. vii, 1. Is tobacco unclean? Hear Simon Paubli, physician to the king of Denmark. He says: “The merchants frequently lay it in bog houses, so, that becoming impregnated with the volatile salt of the excrements, it may be rendered briskier, stronger, and more fluid.” “A dealer in this article once acknowledged to me,” says Dr. Clarke, “that he sprinkled his rolls and leaf frequently with stale urine to keep them moist.”
Do tobacco chewers know this, and yet continue in its use? It is not only filthy by nature, and rendered more so by art, but it is equally so in its effects. Says Dr. Clarke, “The abominable customs of snuff-taking and chewing have made their way into many congregations, and are likely to be productive of immense evil. Churches and chapels are most scandalously abused by the tobacco chewers who frequent them.” “Should all other arguments fail to produce a reformation in the conduct of tobacco consumers,” continues Dr. C., “there is one which is addressed to good breeding and benevolence which for the sake of politeness and humanity should prevail. Consider how disagreeable your custom is to those who do not follow it.”
King James finishes his counterblast to tobacco as follows: “A custom loathsome to the eye, hateful to the nose, harmful to the brain, dangerous to the lungs, and in the black stinking fume thereof, nearest resembling the horrible stygian smoke of the pit that is bottomless.”
“What reception may we suppose would the apostles have met with,” says Dr. Rush, “had they carried into the cities and houses to which they were sent snuff boxes, pipes, cigars and bundles of cut or rolls of hog or pigtail tobacco. Such a costly and offensive apparatus for gratifying their appetites would have furnished solid objections to their persons and doctrines, and would have been a just cause for the clamors and contempt which were excited against them.”
I am sorry to say that this idle, disgraceful custom prevails much at present among ministers of most denominations. I even find some in Wisconsin who profess to keep the commandments of God and look for the return of their Lord, who are indulging in it. But you say I have been so long accustomed to it I cannot leave it off. Alas! your case is truly deplorable; you are shorn of your strength, and power is now lacking to heed the expostulations of conscience. However try and see what God will do for you.
“I knew a woman,” says Dr. Clarke, “who had taken snuff, and immoderately too, for fifty years. She agreed with another lady who was also addicted to it, to leave it off. In a short time she got uneasy, by and by miserable, and lastly ran quite distracted. She was then obliged to resume it. Not long after, hearing the preaching of the Methodists she was206converted to God. From the band rules of that society she learned that she could not have a band ticket until she left it off. To give it up she was verily afraid, remembering what she had suffered before. However, she thought, then I did it in my own strength, now I will do it in the strength of the Lord. She did so, threw away her snuff-box, and abstained from it ever after and never suffered the slightest inconvenience in consequence.”
I would say to those in a similar condition, Go thou and do likewise. How can you fulfill the requirement of the text to do all to the glory of God in buying and using tobacco? I think Paul would say, touch not, taste not the unclean thing. I thank God that those who have been made free in Christ Jesus by the sanctifying power of the third angel's message are free from tobacco. I do hope that others who believe the message will also be made entirely free. There are some who use tobacco and think their brethren do not know it. I would say to such, Be not deceived; God is not mocked. It was God that said that hidden things should be brought to light. It was God that said, Do all you do to the glory of God. Do we not well to remember that dissembling does not glorify God? Says Jesus, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. Luke ix, 23. Here we are taught that self must be denied in order to follow Jesus. Can we do this and yet use tobacco?
ISAAC SANBORN.
Monroe, Wis.
TESTIMONY OF THE WELCH BIBLE.
By E. M. Davis
JOHN xx, 19. Yna, a hi yn hwyr, ydydd cyntaf hunnw o'r wythnos. Then it being late that first day of the week.
1 Cor. xvi, 2. Y dydd cyntaf o'r wythnos, pob un o honech shodded heibio yn ei ymyl, gan drysori, fel y llwgddodd Duw ef. The first day of the week, every one of you put close by him (or lay close by him) treasuring as God hath prospered him.
How little the above looks like taking up a public collection at a meeting or gathering on that day. But on the contrary, the injunction of the apostle involves the necessity as a matter of course, for each one to be at home, there looking over his resources, or income, and in proportion to the increase of his gain the past week, let him treasure, or lay up, put by him, for the benefit of poor saints and the advancement of the blessed cause. Surely no Welchman would ever think from the reading of his Welch Bible that the above text had any reference whatever to a public collection at any meeting or gathering at all, unless it would be from the law of necessity in order to make out a case.
Luke xxiii, 46. And having said thus he expired; not gave up the ghost, as it is rendered in our English version. But as the same event is recorded by the other evangelists, however, it is rendered, "he departed from the spirit;" which might be considered a correct rendering, from the fact that every soul, person or being is dependent on the spirit (breath) for life. Thus when a person is separated from the spirit, which goes at death to God who gave it, that person then and there expires, life becomes extinct, according to the above rendering of the Welch Bible in Luke xxiii, 46. See James ii, 26 (margin).
The words, Holy Ghost, are not found in the Welch Bible, but "clean or sanctified Spirit;" clean signifying holiness, purity, &c. The words, forever and ever, are "oes oesoedd," age of ages. Rev. xiv, 11. But the same word in Dan. xii, 3, is in Welch, "byth yn dragywydd," like the stars always eternally. Again, the word charity is always rendered love. Many more might be given, but this must suffice at present.
Ionia, Mich. E. M. DAVIS.
L E T T E R S.
By Laura C. Tolhurst
"Then they that feared the Lord, spake often one to another."
From Sister Tolhurst.
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: I live separated from those of like precious faith. Opposers of the truth are necessarily my associates; and they are not slow to bring anything to my ears which would wound the cause of Christ. My heart very often bleeds for the precious truth. When those who are numbered with the Seventh-day Adventists do anything a little out of the way, the opposers catch it, and eagerly communicate it to others. I am acquainted with quite a number of people in Ohio. They are becoming acquainted with our position, and watch every one whom they happen to meet or hear of, to see if they are a peculiar, holy people, and live out their profession.
Many in Ohio have friends in Michigan, which hear and know of the Seventh-day Adventists there. They will catch at any wrong as a sweet morsel, without stopping to see the good. I am led to ask myself the question, What am I doing to injure the cause and grieve holy angels? A neutral position is not possible. I am either for or against the truth.
Brethren and sisters, let us be watchful, and seek to have the evidence within us, that we are with the church who are keeping the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus, desiring to be on the firm platform. I often think of what the angel said, "Woe to him who shall move a block or stir a pin in these messages." For one I have tried to test myself some upon this point, to see if my will was subject to the will of God, and ready to move along with the work; and I can say to the dear brethren and sisters, that207I can rejoice in this one thing, that my heart is ready,
yes, has waited the past year, to see what was truth, and as ready to respond. It has given me joy to experience the working of the Spirit upon my heart in this respect, amid my dark hours of doubts and fears. I am led to praise God that my heart is with his people in the third angel's message. I have long prayed that I might have more evidence that my heart was in the work and think it has pleased the Lord to give me this evidence. If the cause suffers I suffer with it, and feel to mourn over our lukewarm state, realizing that I must strive and overcome, or be spued out of the mouth of the Lord.
O let me not bring reproach upon this precious cause, and cause some to mourn over me, because I am such a wayward child. Consistency! how much to be desired by the people of God at the present time. My heavenly Father knows that this jewel I have long desired and still desire. The time is very near when Jesus cannot bear with lukewarmness any longer. We cannot love the world neither the things of the world; if we do, the love of the Father is not in us. We must be separate, yet consistent. We cannot mince the truth. The world and opposers will respect us more for living out what we profess, than they will if we hold on to the truth with one hand, and the world with the other.
I feel to thank my heavenly Father for the Testimony to the church. How good to have the word confirmed by the ministration of angels at this age of the world! How could the church bear up under the burden which rests upon her to proclaim the third angel's message in the face of opposition and darkness caused by sin, besides our individual warfare with sin and the enemy, without the comforting words and rebukes which our kind Father gives us as pledges of his love; calling upon us to be zealous and repent, that we may one and all humble ourselves, that in due time we may be exalted.
The world understand not the times and seasons; therefore men's hearts fail them, but we have a place to rest our heads until the storm be past. We know from the word, and have it confirmed by spiritual gifts, where we are in the world's history. May we with hearts full of gratitude receive all that a kind heavenly Father desires to give his children in these last days. May we in Ohio so live that the Lord can help us by his Holy Spirit the coming season. Sometimes I have felt quite impatient for the Ohio tent to come to Columbia, but think I am willing to wait until the blessing is ready for us.
Yours seeking for immortality and eternal life.
LAURA C. TOLBURST.
Columbia, Lorrain Co., Ohio.
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS.
To comprehend the full extent of the ten commandments, it will be requisite to observe the following rules:
1. When any sin is forbidden in them, the opposite duty is intended to be enjoined; and when any duty is enjoined, the opposite sin is forbidden.
2. When the highest degree of any thing evil is prohibited, whatever is faulty in the same kind, though in a lower degree, is prohibited. See our Lord's illustration of the sixth and seventh commandments. Matt. v, 22, 28.
3. When one instance of virtuous behaviour is commanded, every one that hath the same nature and the same reason for it, is understood to be commanded also.
The command "Honor thy father and thy mother," &c., includes the duty of paying respect to all superiors, as magistrates, masters, &c.
4. When we are expected to abstain from any sin, we are expected to avoid, as far as we can, all temptation to it and occasion of it: and when we are expected to practice any virtue, we are also expected to use all fit means that may better enable us to practice it.
5. All that we are bound to do ourselves, we are bound on fitting occasions, to exhort and assist others to do, when it belongs to them; and all that we are bound not to do, we are to tempt nobody else to do, but keep them back from it as we have opportunity.—The Mine Explored, pp. 78, 79.
THE YOKE OF CHRIST.
By R. F. C.
Said Jesus, Take my yoke,
'Tis easy to be borne—
How sweet these words he kindly spoke
To weary souls and worn.
Those who profess his name
And think his service hard,
Have only brought an offering lame
Which he will not regard.
When once we bow the neck
Obedient to his will,
We find our blessed Lord not slack
His promise to fulfill.
Lord Jesus, we submit,
We yield our will to thine;
Make us for holy service fit,
Fill us with peace divine.
R. F. C.
THE CHURCH AND SLAVERY.
By C. C. Foote
It is no less true of the American church than of "the American women," that "they are responsible for the existence of American slavery." Had the pulpits of the land thundered and lightened with denunciations of slavery as they should, and had the church seconded this testimony, slavery would have fled, ere this, to hide its hideous head in everlasting darkness. But this has not been done. Hence all the blood and all the woes of slavery since the world began, rests on the church of this age. The guilt involved in every tear, every pang, and every drop of blood, forced from the swollen veins by the knotted scourge, all is in her skirts. Do you ask why? Because there never was so much light abroad on this subject, as now; all the history of slavery is before the church, its wrongs, its cruelties, its darkness, its all—and yet these are all connived at, or treated with indifference. This is a principle clearly evolved from Luke xi, 47–51. "Woe to you! for ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and your fathers killed them." "From the blood of Abel to the blood of Zacharias, who perished between the altar and the temple; verily I say to you, It shall be required of this generation." O that they understood this in their day!—C. C. Foote.
A CONFESSION.
By Mary H. Waggoner
DEAR BRETHREN : Although unworthy, permit me to address you. It is well known that I have been a thorn in my husband's flesh, and a reproach to the Lord's cause for years. I am now heartily sick of my past course. I am ashamed of the way I have treated those who wanted to be my friends. I have resolved to amend in the future.
I have rejected counsel and grieved the Holy Spirit till God has taken it from me. I am now in the dark, and know not how to come to the light. I have not strength to return to the Lord. I want help. I regret that I have rejected the testimony given me through vision. At times I have doubted, at other times disbelieved, and at other times despised the visions. Now I want to get in the place where I can thankfully receive reproof, whether it comes through vision, or any other way. Will you who have an interest at the throne of grace, help me by your prayers and reproofs, that I may get in the place where God can bless me? I want to love God with all my heart, and serve him from a principle of love. I am now willing that my husband should labor in the message when and where duty calls. I have resolved to try to hold up his hands. Pray for me.
Yours praying for mercy.
Burlington, Mich. MARY H. WAGGONER.
FAMILY WORSHIP.
By D. Hildreth
THERE is one point connected with family worship which I wish to notice, and that is its importance and solemnity. We are too apt to be careless in our devotions. We approach into the presence of God in an unthinking, irreverent manner. This is wrong. Who is it before whom we bow? If we should come into the presence of an earthly monarch it would be with feelings of awe and respect.
Suppose there was a king who ruled over all the earth in justice. If we should be so highly favored as to be admitted into his presence we should come before him in a becoming manner. But what is such a ruler compared with our King? The Lord is ruler not only over this world, but over all worlds. Our world is but one of countless numbers with which the universe is dotted. The Sovereign of this universe is good, just and kind in the greatest degree, not only so, but he is all-wise and all-powerful. He is entitled to our profoundest respect. We daily come into his presence. Do we come before him realizing that we are nothing, that we are vile, that we are entirely dependent on him?
When the hour arrives for worship, everything should be laid aside and each member of the family in a prayerful and respectful mood wait on the Lord. There are some good housewives who seem to be loth to lay their work aside while a chapter is being read. Is not this showing disrespect to the King of heaven? Suppose a lady while making a short call on the President of the United States should take her knitting-work along so as to not lose any time! There are those who show as much disrespect as this to the King of kings. He notices our conduct. Those that at all times respect, honor and fear him, and think upon his name, have credit for the same in the book of heaven. Mal. iii, 16. At the same time our carelessness and disrespect is all marked down. It is true that we do not come into his personal presence, but we do come into his spiritual presence (for he is in this sense everywhere present), and his all-seeing eye beholds our actions.
Nature and reason teach us how to act in these things as well as the word of God. The time we spend in waiting upon God is not lost time. This time will be more than made up by his prospering hand. But if it was not, that would make no difference with our duty. Are you crowded with work or business? Then watch and pray; for this is the best way for dependent mortals to get along.
D. HILDRETH.
Freeport, Ills.
I. G. CAMP
By I. G. Camp
From Sister Camp.
Bro. SMITH: I am very thankful for the privilege of hearing from the saints through the Review, for I love them, especially those who have borne the burden and heat of the day. My heart has been pained while I have heard some of my dear brethren and sisters complaining of their moves and trembling for their fate and that of the cause of God. I felt that we had greater reason by far to tremble for our own fate and for the cause on our own account. There are some who have gone out from us, and have given up one point of truth after another until they are probably gone forever. And perhaps about the first wrong discoverable in them was a disposition to find fault with those whom the Lord was especially using to advance his cause. And I think this course is inconsistent with that lesson of brotherly love taught us by the great Head of the church who laid down his life for us, and taught us that we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. I think that in view of all that Bro. and Sr. White have done and suffered for the cause and people of God, instead of increasing their burdens we should be willing to lay down our lives for them. I verily believe that the time is not far distant when the true people of God will come up in one solid phalanx, and how many, O how many will have to be sifted out because they have not been willing to humble themselves and confess all their faults, and seek earnestly for righteousness and meekness that they might be hid in the day of the Lord's fierce anger. Solemn thought!
My dear brethren and sisters, may we each for ourselves strive for that love that worketh no ill to his neighbor, and which will be to us the fulfilling of God's holy law, so that we may have an abundant entrance administered unto us into the everlasting kingdom. May the Lord strengthen the hands and encourage the hearts and guide the steps of his dear people. I feel to thank the Lord that he ever led sister White to write her views and experience that we may see how he has led and sustained her and her companion in this work. Truly may it be said, "Thus far the Lord hath led us on," and he will lead and guide us still.
Your sister endeavoring to strive lawfully for a possession in the new earth.
I. G. CAMP
Gaysville, Vt.
A New Believer’s Testimony
By J. M. Ferguson
From Bro. Ferguson.
Bro. Smith: Permit me to say a few words through the Review. It has been but a short time since I started in this cause; but by the aid and prayers of my companion, and good brethren around me, I have seen my naturally lost condition, and the speedy preparation that should immediately be made. I see that I ought to be up and doing while it is called to-day. I believe that God's word is truth. I believe that the ten commands are binding on all persons. I thank the Lord for sending his messengers, M. E. C. and M. H., this way two years ago to spread his truth. It was so plain my companion could not resist, although I did. I am now thankful to God that she did receive it with all her heart. I believe that all who resist this truth will not escape the plagues that shall soon fall upon the wicked. I am going to make every exertion to effect my escape and have a part in the first resurrection. I ask my brethren to remember me in their prayers; for I feel weak and unworthy. I remain yours seeking to be one of the hundred and forty four thousand that shall ascend to meet the dear Saviour at his coming.
J. M. FERGUSON.
Richmond, Iowa.
Confession of Sins
By G. W. Holt
From Bro. Holt.
BRO. SMITH: I beg the privilege of confessing my sins, which the Holy Spirit has pointed out, and convinced me of, in Testimony for the Church, No. 6, to the friends of the cause of truth through the Review. I regret the past, and grieve for the injury that I have done to the precious cause of truth, and the heart-rending which I have caused its faithful servants. I return to my Father's house hungry, thirsty, blind and naked.
G. W. Holt.
FINANCIAL REPORT.
THE Expenses of the REVIEW Office during Vol. xvii have been,
For labor on books, papers, &c., $1259,31
" Material and Sundries, 1495,99
Total, $2755,30
During same period our receipts have been as follows:
For REVIEW, $1393,71
" INSTRUCTOR, 222,23
" GOOD SAMARITAN, 103,58
From Book Sales by Mail, 149,63
" " " on account, 504,40
" Custom Work, 245,22
Total, $2618,77
Excess of Expenditures over Receipts, $136,53
Due for Books, $881,26
Total indebtedness of Office, $1497,23
SUBSCRIPTION LIST.—Subscriptions and stoppages for REVIEW during the past 26 weeks, show the following figures:
New England, ADDITIONS. 31 STOPPAGES. 26 Gain 5
N. Y., Pa. & O., 29 42 Loss 13
Mich. & Ind., 53 45 Gain 8
Western States, 74 57 " 17
Total, 187 170 Gain 17
OBITUARY.
FELL asleep in Jesus on the 6th of April, in Knoxville, Iowa, Moses Long, aged fifty years, ten months and two days. His disease was lung fever, which continued nine days. He leaves a wife and child to mourn his loss, but we hope, if faithful, to meet in that land where all tears are wiped away. He joined the church when Brn. Hull and Cornell came here with the tent. Bro. Patterson made a few remarks from Rev. xiv, 13.
JOHN LONG.
FELL asleep in Jesus in Chelsea, Vt., April 22, 1861, sister Cynthia Bigelow, aged 65 years. Her disease was dropsy. She died with the blessed assurance of being made immortal at the coming of the Life-giver. She was formerly a member of the M. E. Church, but on hearing the proclamation of the Advent doctrine, she became a firm believer in its truths, and at a subsequent period was among the first in Vermont who embraced the third angel's message. The Sabbath was unto her a delight, and honorable. In her death it may well be said, that a mother in Israel has fallen. By works her faith was made perfect. The poor will ever remember her acts of charity and kindness. "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints."
FRANCIS GOULD.
Encouragement Through the Review
By Priscilla Barrows
From Sister Barrows.
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: How thankful we ought to be to our heavenly Father that he gives us the privilege of communicating one with another through the Review. I am often cheered and encouraged in this way to press on to serve God with, a whole heart. The Review is all the preaching we have on the third angel's message, yet I am not discouraged, but mean to put my trust in the Lord and obey all his commandments, believing he will never leave nor for forsake me. O how safe the Christian is amid all the troubles and turmoils of life. The Lord can bless one poor humble soul as well as a thousand. Sometimes I can say with the poet,
"I need not go abroad for joys,
I have a feast at home,"
but if I could have the privilege of meeting with Sabbath-keepers to worship, I should esteem it a great blessing. I think we are living in perilous times. Cannot Bro. Hutchins or some other brother come to Bridgewater?
Your sister in love and union.
PRISCILLA BARROWS.
Bridgewater, Vt.