DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: About three years ago I came to this place, and the no-law people began to talk to me about the commandments' being done away. I did not see at first why they wanted to prove them done away; but after a little I saw that the Sabbath was in their way. I praise the Lord that I was not left to believe their theory, but my eyes were opened to the beauty and harmony of God's law, and I began to read on the subject of present truth for myself, and let alone that which was fighting the law of God, because it was unprofitable to me. I am satisfied that we have the truth, the truth that will, if lived out, fit us for our Saviour's return. Christ is the good Shepherd, and his people know his voice. His people know not the voice of strangers, and therefore flee from them. I believe those who are following the traditions of men instead of the commandments of God are trying to climb up some other way to the sheep-fold, and such are termed thieves and robbers. My prayer is for light and wisdom from above, that I may know how to walk acceptably in the sight of my heavenly Father, and finally share with his remnant people.
Your unworthy sister. SARAH GOLDEN.
Crane's Grove, Ills.
A Determined Walk With God
By I. D. Van Horn
From Bro. Van Horn.
Bro. Smith: I ever feel willing to bear my testimony for the truth, and to do all the duties that devolve upon me, in the fear of the Lord. I have started to serve the Lord by obeying the truth as presented by the third angel's message; and I am fully determined by the assisting grace of God, to walk humbly before him, in all his commandments, and in the testimony of Jesus. I want to be honest in this matter, and serve the Lord with all my heart; for he hath shown me the path of truth, and made me willing to obey. Praise be to his holy name forever! I have not the least desire to turn back, and thus cast a reproach upon the cause of truth; but I have an earnest desire to arise from my cold formality and lukewarmness, and seek a closer walk with God.
I find by experience that we must clothe ourselves with the whole armor of God, in order to successfully withstand all the attacks of the adversary. We are truly living in perilous times, when Satan is working with great power to deceive mankind, and entice the unwary traveler into his snare. The apostle James tells us how to get rid of this enemy of all righteousness. He says, "Submit yourselves therefore to God; resist the Devil and he will flee from you." Chap. iv, 7.
We can do nothing of ourselves; therefore it is necessary that we first submit to God, and then we shall be able to overcome, and come off conquerors in the end.
Since reading the contents of Good Samaritan No. 6, I have felt the necessity of watching and praying, and of giving up myself more fully to God, that I may go on with the remnant to mount Zion, and not be led away, for I see that the enemy is at work even in our midst. O Lord, save thy people, and help them to trust in thee.
I love the truth with all my heart; for it is the truth that hath made me free. I have read Spiritual Gifts (both volumes) and can say that I have full confidence in them; for, to my mind, as far as I understand the word of God, they are in accordance with it. I love the Lord and his cause, for he hath promised salvation to those that seek him with all the heart. May God help us all to overcome, that we may be partakers of that rest that remains for the people of God.
Yours in hope of eternal life.
I. D. Van Horn.
Mt. Hawley, Peoria Co., Ills.
DISCIPLINE,
By J. Clarke
WHEN we speak of the manner in which a family, or school, or church, or state, is governed, we call that system of government its discipline.
It is hardly possible to imagine a more complete scene of disorder, than that of any body of men, assembled without order or system in their arrangements.
The family, and school, and church, and State, must have some system of government, each their own, and without which they would cease to exist.
As well think of framing a house without tenons or mortices, or joints; as well think of laying brick without mortar; as well think of binding wheat without bands, as to think of any body of men doing anything to any purpose, without order, without organization, without discipline.
Discipline : This is a very unpleasant, unmusical word to the refractory, the stubborn, the willful soul; but it has charms for the lover of order, the friend of peace and harmony, it has no terrors for the obedient and the good, thank God.
We live in peculiar times, among peculiar institutions. In fact, the present age is an anomaly, when viewed from the stand-point of those who keep the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus, and our situation, and privileges, and points of faith, command us imperatively to act with all our energies, and abilities, and to act unitedly. J. CLARKE.
WESTERN MONEY.
By James White
To-DAY (April 11) Western money is of no value to us. We can use New England, New York, Canada, Michigan, Kentucky, and State Banks of Ohio and Indiana. Send in no Western money at present. If you cannot send good bills or gold dollars, we will wait on Western subscribers until they can command good money. Send postage stamps. J. W.
MORE PERPLEXITY.
PROSPECTS OF BUSINESS.—The following from the N. Y. Tribune of March 23, expresses very forcibly the prevalent feeling among business men:
"Never before, perhaps, in the history of this country, has such a feeling of uncertainty, of alternate hope and fear, prevailed in the business community. The elements of great commercial prosperity exist in such palpable form, that the mere novice in business matters may place his fingers on the points; and yet, with all this mine of wealth, to the man of trade plainly in sight, not one—not even the most sagacious and enterprising—dares to take a step toward securing a share of it. The importer—looking simply to the wants of the country, to the ordinary laws of supply and demand—sees a harvest of profits in the future, if those laws are allowed to rule, but hesitates when the cry of disunion and civil war threatens him with rude interference. The manufacturer, with the assurance of a good home trade, and a remunerative business, even under the old tariff, if the country can be pacified, and a still better prospect under the new, feels inclined to put every loom in motion, and to tax his every ingenuity in pattern and fabric, but halts and hesitates as the din of revolution meets his ears. Thus in every branch of business the story is the same—the disposition is to move onward with the natural flow of the tide, but it is checked and chilled by vague apprehensions, which find no relief as yet. This state of suspense is perhaps the severest trial to which a business man can be subjected. He knows not whether to contract or expand; to take credit, or to give it; to buy or to sell; to continue manufactures, or to stop; to build ships, to cut lumber, or to mine. Enterprise, everywhere ready to leap into activity, halts at the verge of a chasm which seems to open before it. It would be a relief to know what is in store for us, that business men may shape their operations accordingly."
SYSTEMATIC BENEVOLENCE.
By E. Merrill
At a meeting of the Greenville church to consider the subject of Systematic Benevolence, there was a full attendance, and harmony pervaded the meeting.
Meeting opened by prayer by Bro. Sabin.
Bro. W. Phinisy was chosen Moderator, Bro. E. Merrill, Treasurer, Brn. Fargo, Banks and Phinisy appropriating committee. All feel the importance of this work. There were $160 pledged for the coming year.
Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be sent to the Review for publication.
E. MERRILL, Treasurer.
APPOINTMENTS.
MICHIGAN CONFERENCES.
AT a meeting of the brethren of the Battle Creek church, April 7th, 1861, it was decided that several Conferences should be held in this State this spring in order to better accommodate the brethren in different portions of the State, and at the same time avoid a greater collection at any one place than can be comfortably entertained. Also that said Conferences be held in session to make suitable arrangements for the Tent Season, their time and places as follows:
Wright, April 19–22.
Battle Creek, “ 26–29.
Hillsdale, May 3–6.
Each conference to commence at 2 P. M. of sixth-day.
It is expected that preachers in the State, as far as possible, consistent with other duties, will attend these Conferences. Bro. E. W. Shortridge of Iowa is expected at the Conferences at Wright and Battle Creek. If brethren in any other localities desire a Conference they will please send in their request.
It will be expected that sisters who are feeble, and children, will not be brought a day's ride to these meetings, and that these assemblies will not be disturbed by ungoverned children.
The brethren of the Battle Creek Church also voted to extend an invitation, in behalf of the churches and preachers in Michigan, to Eld. M. Hull, of Iowa, to move his family to, and make it his head-quarters at, Battle Creek, on conditions to be specified by letter.
In behalf of the church,
JAMES WHITE.
URIAH SMITH.
Business Department.
By Editor
Business Notes.
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Voice of the Church on the Coming and Kingdom of the Redeemer. A History of the doctrine, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 "
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