“BRO. LOUGHBOROUGH : I would like to have you answer the following question through the Review: Is it right to take interest on money?”
H. W. D.
ANSWER. That, I think, depends altogether upon circumstances. There are doubtless instances where it would be wrong to take interest, not because the principle of taking lawful interest is wrong in itself, but because the adverse circumstances of those from whom it is taken would make it our duty to render them assistance instead of oppressing them. The New Testament says comparatively nothing upon this subject, but leaves us with the injunction upon us to love our neighbor as ourselves. In the parable of Christ concerning the one that buried his Lord’s money, I think we get a strong intimation at least on the principle of taking interest. “That at my coming I might have required mine own with usury.” Luke xix, 11–22.
Those who reason against taking usury in any case refer us to the Old Testament scriptures for their proof on this point. As we refer to the Old Testament we shall find that usury was allowable in certain instances. “If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury.” Ex. xxii, 25. If it was not right to take usury in any case, there would be no propriety in specifying in what cases they should not take it. The very fact that it is stated that in such cases they should not take interest, implies that in some cases they might. Some have said this shows that it is wrong in every case to take usury of your brethren. But it only touches the cases of those that are poor. But you may say, It says, “Thou shalt not lend upon usury to thy brother; usury of money, usury of victuals, usury of anything that is lent upon usury: unto a stranger thou mayest lend upon usury; but unto thy brother thou shalt not lend upon usury,” &c. Deut. xxiii, 19, 20. It has been claimed from this that it is right under all circumstances to take usury of those who are not your brethren; but we find by still another text that this is not the case. “And if thy brother be waxen poor and fallen in decay with thee, then thou shalt relieve him, yea, though he be a stranger, or a sojourner, that he may live with thee.” Lev. xxv, 35. Then it is not right under some extreme cases to take usury of a stranger. Then it will not answer to claim from the testimony of Deut. above quoted that we are never to take usury from our brethren, or always from strangers. When an exception is once fully expressed we understand it is afterward to be understood. So in reading such texts as Neh. v, 5–7; Ps. xv, 4, 5; Eze. xviii, 8, 17, we are not to understand that it is wrong to take usury in any case, but we must understand it in accordance with the principle laid down when the requirement was made. If you look at Neh. v, 5–7, you will see that the very ones spoken of had fallen into decay and had even lost their possessions. By looking at Eze. xviii, 17, you will see also that it is the case of the poor that is spoken of. And so we are to understand all these prohibitions against usury. The principle involved in this matter, as you will see by verse 8 of the above chapter, is to execute “true judgment between man and man.”
The great principle of dealing taught to Israel is stated in Micah vi, 7, 8. “To do justly, and to love mercy,” &c. Would it be doing justly for a man in moderate circumstances who might perhaps by hard labor accumulate a few hundred dollars, and having lent it to another, to receive nothing for the use of it, although the borrower makes such an investment of it in grain or something of the kind, that by the rise of the grain the $500 will turn into $1000, or $1500. The money has actually been worth to him one or two hundred per cent. Now does the scripture deprive him the privilege of paying the man from whom he borrowed it a just and reasonable interest for that money? It would be unjust dealing, it seems to me, if he did not pay him for the use of it.
On the other hand, it must be borne in mind that we are not to oppress the poor. Wisdom in this matter, and the exercise of judgment in accordance with the principle of loving our neighbor as ourselves, will guide us aright.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
REPORT FROM BRO. SNOOK.
By B. F. Snook
I visited the brethren at Vinton, Dec. 7, and preached once. The weather was very rainy, and most of the church were prevented from coming. There are some good souls here. Their faith has been tried, and still, like good Elijah, they stand while many have proved themselves false-hearted and have revolted. They realize that not all of Israel who left Egypt entered the promised land.
Here I had the pleasure of becoming acquainted with our aged brother Hawkins, formerly of Ohio. It was refreshing to me to meet and hold a sweet season of communion with one so well acquainted with his Creator, who is to him the rod and staff of comfort in his declining years. His aged heart rejoiced much when we talked of the good country to which we are all going, where God's people will bloom and survive with the freshness and vigor of perpetual youth, and never be bowed down under the pressure of old age. He spoke feelingly of his coming out into the truth under the labors of Bro. Bates. O, may these aged and faithful souls yet live to meet Jesus and find a home in the promised land.
Thence I went to La Porte City. The church there are doing well, and I think striving to overcome. I hope by the time I get back they will all have left off that filthy habit of chewing tobacco.
I preached five times to large congregations. The interest to hear is as good as ever. A Baptist minister showed the nature of his faith and spirit by locking the school-house against us. O, that these Pharisaical preachers could be converted. But they are, as Isaiah says, dumb dogs that can not bark, lying down, loving to slumber, that never have enough, but looking to their own way, every one for his gain from his quarter.
We were soon furnished with a comfortable place in the house of Dr. Oren, where we enjoyed a good meeting. The brethren will soon have their meeting-house ready for service, and would like to have a visit from Bro. and sister White.
I next went to Waterloo. Here I found some good brethren and sisters. They are strong as far as they see the truth. But I gather from them that baptism, spiritual gifts, and the use of tobacco, were not preached on. Why this was not done I know not. When I speak of baptism I mean the baptism of Christ, and not of Babylon. I hope that the brethren here will go on and advance with the body.
Marysville was my next point. There the brethren are trying to overcome, and are still holding on. May God bless and help all to be faithful till the end.
B. F. SNOOK.
REFLECTIONS ON THE LAST DAY OF THE YEAR.
By E. S. Walker
THE last day of the year 1861 has come. Another year has passed away, which brings us one year nearer the coming of our Saviour, and leaves us one year less in which to prepare for that great event.
The most lasting duration of time is but short, and its greatest prolongations come to an end. A given moment is scarcely known till it is no more, a few of which make a minute, which we but begin to enjoy when it is also gone. Thus an hour flies away, a day hastes to its end, and a year, as this has done, comes to its last day.
Before this reaches the readers of the Review they will have bid adieu to the year 1861, and have entered upon the duties of another year. The scenes of the past year will have become a matter of history. Another year will have been added to the limited age of old father Time, who is growing old, yes very old. A few more days or months will end his career; when the righteous will enter upon eternity, and time will be numbered with the things that were.
Then with this view before our minds how important it is for us to redeem the time—to make good use of the short period remaining to us in which to prepare for eternal life. The year that has passed has been an eventful period in this world's history. As the careworn traveler on his journey examines his chart, and is attentive to the description of the scenes which he has to pass before reaching his journey's end, and as one noted place after another is passed, until he finally passes the last one, he knows that he is near home; so the Christian has been attentively watching the signs of the times during the past year. Many things have transpired calculated to cheer and encourage the wayworn traveler, and as one noted sign after another appears, he knows that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. In our national difficulties—in the rebellion into which our nation is plunged, and in the perplexity of our rulers, deposing one commander after another and setting up others in their stead, without effecting their object, we behold the fulfillment of Luke xxi, 25: "Upon the earth distress of nations with perplexity." And in the inactivity, and the fact that there is nothing accomplished by the large army that our government has in the field, we see the "holding of the winds," and know that we are in the "sealing time." By the difficulties in which all nations are involved—being either engaged in war or preparing for war—we behold the elements of the whirlwind that is to be raised up from the coasts of the earth. By the universal preparation of implements of warfare, and in the increase of army and navy, we see the fulfillment of God's prophecy: "Prepare war, wake up the mighty men; let all the men of war draw near; let them come up; beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning-hooks into spears." And in the fear that appears to pervade the hearts of the rulers and wise men of earth, we find the approximation to the fulfillment of the last sign given which is to precede the second advent of our Saviour: "Men's hearts failing them for fear and for looking after those things which are coming upon the earth," for the powers of heaven shall be shaken, and then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Luke xxi, 26, 27.
We are further exhorted, "When these things begin to come to pass, to look up and lift up our heads, for our redemption draweth nigh." It behooves us to be ready for his coming. Then let us try to profit by the experience of the past, and as we enter upon the new year, renew our covenant with God to live nearer to him, and have our lives more devoted to his cause than we have ever done before. Let us strive to make the year 1862 an eventful year in our religious experience, a year of victories over self, and over all our besetments and wrong doings, that we may grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth, until we shall arrive at the stature of perfect men and women in Christ Jesus. E. S. WALKER.
MEETINGS IN ASSYRIA, MICH.
By John Norton Loughborough
SINCE returning from the West, owing to sickness in my family, I have been enabled to leave home but little, and have not reported myself through the Review for the simple reason that I had no labor to report. A short time after our return from the West my companion was taken sick, and by disease was brought very near the grave. But the Lord in mercy heard the prayers of his people which were put up in her behalf, disease was rebuked, and her health so far recovered that I have been released to go out and preach the truth again. For this we feel very grateful to the Lord.
About Nov. 8 I commenced meetings in the town of Assyria, about eleven miles north of Battle Creek. My meetings continued until I had given twenty-two discourses. Many there are convinced of the truth, and are satisfied that it is their duty to keep the Sabbath, and we expect about half a dozen at least are trying to obey the truth. This was a thinly settled district, so we could not expect very large congregations; but as it was very muddy in other places which we wished to visit, and this was a sandy country, we thought it better to spend a little labor here and be prepared for the other calls when the weather and going became suitable. We trust the labor spent is not in vain, and that good fruit will result therefrom.
Brethren, pray for the messengers, that we may visit the proper places, and so speak the word of God that much good may result.
Yours in hope of deliverance.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
Battle Creek, Dec. 25, 1861.
GOD IS A GOD OF ORDER.
By D. T. Bourdeau
FROM the first chapter of Genesis we learn that God was six days in creating the heaven and the earth, and all that in them is. On the first day he created the heaven and the earth, and made the light. On the second day he made the atmosphere, or the air we breathe. On the third day he gathered the waters together, and caused the dry land to appear, and to bring forth trees, grass, and all kinds of vegetables. On the fourth day he appointed the sun, moon, and stars, to divide the day from the night, to give light upon the earth, and to be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years. On the fifth day he caused the waters to bring forth fishes, and made the fowls of the air. On the sixth day he made every living creature that moves on dry land, and created man in his own image, to have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. When God had thus completed his great and glorious work, he looked upon every thing that he had made, and behold, it was very good.
We behold beauty, wisdom, and goodness, in the order that God followed in creating heaven and earth, and the sea, and all the things that are therein. First, God made the light before he made man, and all those animals that are blessed with the faculty of seeing. When the beasts of the field were made, they could see, and associate with each other, and select such food as was adapted to their wants. And so it was with the fishes of the waters, and with the fowls of the air. And when man was created, he could rejoice in contemplating the handiworks of his Creator, and in beholding all the things over which he was to have dominion.
Again, God made the atmosphere before he made the vegetable kingdom, and all those creatures that depend on air for life. God gathered the waters together, and then he made the fishes. And when God had caused the dry land to appear, the earth could bring forth the herb yielding seed, and the fruit-tree yielding fruit after his kind. God made the air, and then he made the birds of the air. God fitted every element for its animals. Every element contained food for those creatures for which it was designed. God prepared food for man before he was created. He prepared meat for every living creature, and supplied the wants of every living thing.
We see that everything that God made has a time, a place, and a function. God is a God of order; and without order all things that God has made could not exist. God made man in his image, and after his likeness, and designed that he should follow perfect order; but the enemy has brought confusion and sin into the world, and has so weakened our faculties that nearly all we do is marked with imperfection.
We see imperfection and confusion in children. Many children seem to neglect order in nearly all they do or say. If they take up an article, they neglect to put it where it will be safe; and if they hear grown people speak about matters that demand much attention and study, they are sure to mix in with them, and make their remarks first. Follow these same children to the house of God, and you will see that they are the very agents that Satan uses to bring in confusion, and distract God's people. And what an annoyance such children are to their parents, and to those who love order.
We also see confusion in grown people; and there are not a few in the church who seem to delight to leave things in a confused state. But we have a perfect order laid down in the word of God. The law of God shows us what we should do to do right, and Christ offers us the good Spirit to enlighten and rectify our faculties, and all the graces we need to do what is right.
My dear readers, let us pray the Lord to give us his holy Spirit, that we may be enabled to lay aside all sin and confusion, and follow that order that shines out so gloriously in the works of creation, and in God's holy law.
D. T. BOURDEAU.
Prizing God’s Glory Above Self
Are you the Lord's? If you can honestly and heartily say, Yes, that ought to silence all complaining.
God's glory should be prized even above all our own interests; but it takes much grace to effect this.
Preparing for Christ’s Coming
By Thos. Hamilton
From Bro. Hamilton.
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: We are living in an interesting time. The signs of the times indicate, too plainly to be misunderstood, that the world is fast hasting to its final doom. The mighty nations of earth are in commotion, reeling and struggling to39maintain an existence. The political world is convulsed. Empires are crumbling, and the nations are being shaken. To the statesman the future seems fraught with mighty revolutions which shall turn and overturn and usher in a new era. But to the child of God these are but tokens of the speedy coming of his Lord. He has no cause of fear or dismay; and although perils may thicken around him, he fears no evil, for his God is with him, his stay and his staff they comfort him.
Dear brethren, Jesus is coming; he will not tarry long. Are we ready? Can we cry, Come Lord Jesus! oh, come quickly!
What a great privilege we have of speaking to each other through the Review. It brings to my mind the word of the Lord by the prophet: "Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another, and the Lord hearkened and heard it: and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine saith the Lord of hosts in that day, when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them as a man spareth his own son, that serveth him."
Dear brethren and sisters, shall we not toil on a little longer? Here is the patience of the saints. Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
Yours striving to overcome.
THOS. HAMILTON.
West Green Lake, Wis., Dec. 19, 1861.
DIVINE REALITIES.
By Krummacher
THE false and fashionable theology of the present day would not have occasioned the mischief it has done, had it not assumed so specious an appearance of adhering to the doctrines of the gospel. The bulk of the people were unable to see through such delusion, and thus the adversary, transformed into an angel of light, has, through his subtlety, corrupted their minds from the simplicity that is in Christ. Thus a supreme being is indeed set forth by them, but one with whom they would forbid us to hold communion. The revealed Son of God is by them refined into a personified idea, an unsubstantial image. Immortality and eternal life are spoken of also, but only so long as men are not in earnest in pressing after them. Alas, how is the apostolic warning forgotten, "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy or vain deceit." Col. ii, 8.
But let us have the realities of the Bible, for the human heart needs realities, and the more palpable and substantial to our faith they are, the better. We want the knowledge of an intelligible God; and God is only intelligible to sinful man by the gospel, and by that manifestation of himself in our human nature which is revealed in the Scriptures. We want just such a knowledge of divine providence as is taught by him who said, "The very hairs of your head are all numbered." We want a divine surety who, having obeyed, been judged and suffered in our stead, has made a perfect and sufficient sacrifice, oblation, and satisfaction for the sins of the whole world. We need a heavenly home into which we may be received, a kingdom that can not be moved, a world more substantial than the present, which has become subject to vanity. . . .
Such are some of the realities which our necessities require, and which alone can satisfy our capacious desires for happiness. I say we want these realities to remedy other realities which force themselves upon us in our actual experience. For too real is the wretchedness which all men naturally and morally experience in the present life; disease and death await us; a body of sin oppresses and brings us low; conscious guilt confounds us; and nothing can avail to remedy all this but what is actually opposed to it. A paper shield gives no protection; the bread of dreams affords no support; we want the solid and substantial realities of divine revelation. There, and there alone, are such realities to be discerned; and the more they are realized by our faith, the happier for us.—Krummacher.
THE CONTRABANDS' FREEDOM HYMN.
By Editor
THE following curious hymn comes to us from the Secretary of the Young Men's Christian Association, who received it from the missionary among the contrabands at Fortress Monroe. It will be seen that there is evidence in this hymn that the slaves in a considerable part of Virginia, at least, have had a superstitious faith in being freed some time in the future. The air to which the hymn is sung is in the minor key, and very plaintive:
To the Editor of the N. Y. Tribune,
SIR: I this evening received the accompanying song from the Rev. L. C. Lockwood, recently employed by the New York Young Men's Christian Association in its army work, and at present laboring under the auspices of the American Missionary Association, among the slaves at Fortress Monroe.
Mr. Lockwood publicly referred to this song during his late visit to this city, and upon his return to the fortress he took it down verbatim from the dictation of Carl Holloway, and other contrabands.
It is said to have been sung for at least fifteen or twenty years in Virginia and Maryland, and perhaps in all the Slave States, though stealthily, for fear of the lash; and is now sung openly by the fugitives who are living under the protection of our government, and in the enjoyment of Mr. Lockwood's ministry.
The verses surely were not born from a love of bondage, and show that in a portion, if not in all the South, the slaves are familiar with the history of the past, and are looking hopefully toward the future.
Yours, respectfully. HARWOOD VERNON.
New York, Dec. 2.
LET MY PEOPLE GO.
A SONG OF THE "CONTRABANDS."
When Israel was in Egypt's land,
O, let my people go!
Oppressed so hard they could not stand,
O, let my people go!
CHORUS.—O, go down, Moses,
Away down to Egypt's land,
And tell king Pharaoh
To let my people go!
Thus saith the Lord, bold Moses said,
O, let my people go!
If not, I'll smite your first-born dead!
Then let my people go!
No more shall they in bondage toil,
O, let my people go!
Let them come out with Egypt's spoil,
O, let my people go!
Then Israel out of Egypt came,
O, let my people go!
And left the proud, oppressive land,
O, let my people go!
O, 'twas a dark and dismal night,
O, let my people go!
When Moses led the Israelites,
O, let my people go!
'Twas good old Moses, and Aaron too,
O, let my people go!
'Twas they that led the armies through,
O, let my people go!
The Lord told Moses what to do,
O, let my people go!
To lead the children of Israel through,
O, let my people go!
O, come along, Moses, you'll not get lost,
O, let my people go!
Stretch out your rod and come across,
O, let my people go!
As Israel stood by the water's side,
O, let my people go!
At the command of God it did divide,
O, let my people go!
When they had reached the other shore,
O, let my people go!
They sang a song of triumph o'er,
O, let my people go!
Pharaoh said he would go across,
O, let my people go!
But Pharaoh and his host were lost,
O, let my people go!
O, Moses, the cloud shall leave the way,
O, let my people go!
A fire by night, a shade by day,
O, let my people go!
You'll not get lost in the wilderness,
O, let my people go!
With a lighted candle in your breast,
O, let my people go!
Jordan shall stand up like a wall,
O, let my people go!
And the walls of Jericho shall fall,
O, let my people go!
Your foe shall not before you stand,
O, let my people go!
And you'll possess fair Canaan's land,
O, let my people go!
'Twas just about in harvest time,
O, let my people go!
When Joshua led his host divine,
O, let my people go!
O, let us all from bondage flee,
O, let my people go!
And let us all in Christ be free!
O, let my people go!
We need not always weep and mourn,
O, let my people go!
And wear these Slavery chains forlorn,
O, let my people go!
This world's a wilderness of woe,
O, let my people go!
O, let us on to Canaan go,
O, let my people go!
What a beautiful morning that will be,
O, let my people go!
When time breaks up in eternity,
O, let my people go!
J. CLARKE
By J. Clarke
BY THEIR FRUITS YE SHALL KNOW THEM.
I AM confident that many are outwardly keeping the Sabbath, who suppose themselves on the way to mount Zion, who are yet as unacquainted with the deep movings of the Spirit, and know as little of practical religion, as the unbeliever. Such are flattering themselves with the hope of heaven, with the hope of eternal life, while the heart is yet unhumbled, the sins all unforgiven, the heart unchanged, the old man yet alive, the appetites and passions all unsubdued. Such are yet in the pursuits of this life with all the eagerness of worldlings, their hearts are all bound up in the world, they go with the people of God, they keep the Sabbath, and often attend upon public worship, and comfort their hearts with the assurance that they will finally make the same port with the people of God.
Such deem the devoted child of God (who warns them) a fanatic. They are safe enough, they vainly suppose, and I greatly fear that this warning will not be heeded by them, they are so busy with the world they will not have time to read this, or they will apply it to A, B, or C, to whom they will imagine it applies. It is hard to wake such, but forlorn as their prospect is, it is yet hopeful, if they will speedily repair to the fountain for cleansing; but never will sins be pardoned which have not been repented of; never will the tones of mercy reach the heart of brazen hypocrisy which stubbornly asserts its own purity.
J. CLARKE
LETTERS.
By Editor
"Then they that feared the Lord, spake often one to another."
From Bro. Brinkerhoof.
DEAR BRO. WHITE: Through the mercies of an all-wise God my life is still spared, and after a long silence I send you a few lines. I am still trying to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. My health is much better than it has been for a long time, and I am once more trying to proclaim the message. I am now at Knoxville, and preached all of last week to the church. On the eve after the Sabbath we attended to the ordinances, and the sweet, melting Spirit of Jesus was there. I think that this church is now trying to rise. They have now a thorough organization—O, how I love order—and many that were only nominal professors will now be disposed of. You know that they do not like order.
The church here by vote invited me to move here, and I have agreed to do so. I now have twice as many calls as I can fill. O, that worthy laborers might be raised up to proclaim the word of the Lord. The last of next month I will have to meet a Campbellite in debate on the kingdom. Pray for me, dear brother, that the Lord may be with me.
Bro. White, do you think that it would be best to have a State conference in Iowa? I have advised with several churches here, and they are of the same opinion that I am; that is, that the churches are too scattered, and that several churches could not be represented, as they are so far off. And there seems to be a natural division between the churches, so that we might have two conferences, one in Northern, and one in Southern, Iowa, and then if it were necessary, appoint a State conference. I feel that I have not wisdom sufficient to dictate in this matter, so I thought I would counsel with those of experience. I should not undertake anything about it, but am placed where I have to. May the Lord direct.
WM. H. BRINKERHOOF.
Knoxville, Iowa, Dec. 17, 1861.
N OTE.—Iowa is a large State, with railroads ranging east and west, and as most of the brethren are located south and north, where the railroads could not assist them in a general State conference, they would naturally and conveniently divide into two conferences. Hence Bro. B.'s suggestion strikes us favorably.—ED.
A Penitent Return to Christ
By Lorinda S. Carpenter
From Sister Carpenter.
DEAR BRO. WHITE: I want to tell you what the Lord has done for me. I have heard the voice of the good Shepherd saying, "Come unto me, all ye that are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest;" and as I have obeyed his gentle voice, his sweet blessing has rested upon me, and I have truly felt his gentle hand leading me out of the darkness that has surrounded me, into his marvelous light. And I find the nearer I come to the light the plainer I can see the darkness that I have been in; the plainer I can see my wrongs, and the wrong influence that I have exerted upon those around me. I believe I have felt a godly sorrow for all these past wrongs; that the Lord has forgiven me; but I do not want to leave one stone unturned until I have made entire satisfaction with yourself and all of Christ's followers. I do humbly ask your forgiveness for all that I have ever done that has grieved you or wounded the cause of God in any way. I feel thankful that in all my darkness I have not been left to speak against the work of God, or militate against any proposal made for the advancement of present truth, but have felt it my duty to speak in favor of those who were standing at the head of the work, bearing the burden and heat of the day, although I felt that I was far from living as I should myself. I want to be a whole-hearted Christian.
I want to make thorough work for eternal life. I want to free myself from every shackle, and rise with the people of God. I want your prayers. Sometimes my whole being is filled with love and gratitude to God for his preserving care, and then in view of my own unfaithfulness I sink beneath the burden, and sometimes I am left to desponding and despairing feelings. I have been trying to profit by the reproofs given me, and I do know the Lord has helped me. Praise his name! I feel that I can not do too much to counteract my wrongs, and if you have any counsel or advice for me, be assured it will be appreciated. I want to make deep and heart-felt confessions. I have been half-hearted in the cause, have not been in a place to realize its wants, or feel for precious souls around me; and now, dear brother, I mean to zealously repent of all my sins, and feel that godly sorrow which will work a thorough reformation in my life, so that I may ever stand in a place to be willing to deny self for the sake of doing others good. If I know my own heart I now feel willing to make any sacrifice to win souls to the truth. I would again ask your forgiveness for all my past wrongs. I feel that I could wash your feet with my tears, and wipe them with the hair of my head. If it lay in my power I would wipe away every stain that I have made upon the cause of God. I cannot express the gratitude of heart that I feel to the Lord for his long forbearing mercy to me. I feel that I am as a brand plucked from the burning. I can say from a full soul that I love the Lord, his cause, and his dear people. I love you for your faithfulness to me. I can feel to kiss the rod that has brought me where I am. And now I am determined to faithfully perform every known duty. I feel that I cannot do too much for my Saviour who has done so much for me. I want to devote my whole life to his service. I mean that my influence shall be healthy and saving upon those around me. And finally, I will say, I feel like a new convert, a pardoned sinner. The Lord has beheld my mourning and sorrow for sin, and has forgiven me. I want to prove faithful, and with you enjoy eternal life in the kingdom of heaven.
Your unworthy sister. LORINDA S. CARPENTER.
Hanover, Mich.
The Atonement, Sin’s Wages, and Holiness
The Atonement.—The atonement by the cross is not so much a member of the body of Christian doctrine, as the life blood that runs through the whole of it. There is not an important truth but what is presupposed by it, included in it, or arises out of it; nor any part of practical religion but what hangs upon it.—[A. Fuller.
Sin's Wages.—The wages that sin bargains for with the sinner are life, pleasure and profit; but the wages it pays him are death, torment and destruction. He that would understand the falsehood and deceit of sin, must compare the promises and payments together.—[South.
Holiness.—If it be heaven toward which we journey, it will be holiness in which we delight; for if we cannot now rejoice in having God for our portion, where is our meekness for a world in which God is to be all in all, for ever and ever? —Melvill.
BURIAL HYMN.
By A. M. L.
WHEN we are called upon to lay
The lifeless forms of friends away,
To wait that morn when they shall rise
Immortal, fitted for the skies—
Our wounded hearts, with sorrow riven,
Obey the mandate that is given :
Resign them to the strong embrace,
The victor, death, holds o'er our race.
The tender grief, the flowing tears,
Bedew the memory of years,
When side by side with us they stood,
Contending for the truth of God.
But hark! a voice salutes our ears—
It cheers our hearts, it calms our fears :
Blest are the dead! forever blest!
Who from henceforth in Jesus rest.
Not long their sleep, for round the tomb
A glorious light dispels the gloom ;
Jesus who died, yet lives again,
Will come his ransomed ones to claim.
We hail the dawning of that day,
With longing hearts we wait and pray :
Hasten the time, dear Saviour, come,
And take thine exiled people home.
A. M. L.
OBITUARY.
By Chas. O. Taylor
DIED, Nov. 19, 1861, at Rouse's Point, N. Y., Abigail Stratton, wife of Ezra Stratton, aged 82 years and 2 months.
Our sister has for over thirty years been a professor of religion. In 1845 she left the Methodists and cast her religious interests with the Advent people, embracing nearly all the plain truths then shining from the word of God. In 1853, with her aged companion, she commenced keeping the Sabbath of the Bible. She was a great sufferer from April last, from a combination of erysipelas and dropsy. During the first of her sickness, clouds and darkness in some degree rested on her mind. She did not have all that peace that her heart wished. In her last days the peace of God rested on her, and she was resigned, calm, and happy, and the prayer of her heart, that she might die easy, was granted her, and she fell asleep without a struggle or a groan, while companion, sister, son, daughters, and grandchildren, stood weeping around the dying couch of the saint of God.
An appropriate discourse was preached by D. T. Taylor (her nephew) at her funeral, from John xi, 35, and the connected subject. We laid her in the silent tomb, with calm assurance of seeing her again soon, in the bright resurrection morn, when the good shall live again to die no more. CHAS. O. TAYLOR.
A. B. HARMER
By A. B. Harmer
DEAR BROTHER WHITE.—It has become my painful duty to record the death of our beloved brother, FRANCIS B. MILLER, of Decatur county, Iowa. Brother MILLER departed this life, on the 9th of November, at 15 minutes past 6 o'clock, P. M., peaceful as the declining sun when setting behind the western horizon. Just after the Sabbath had past he fell asleep to remain until the voice of the archangel and the trump of God shall be heard and the dead in Christ shall come forth to receive the unfading crown. Brother MILLER's interest had been previously with the Reformed Church. He attended part of a course of lectures given by brethren Cornell and Hull in Decatur city over two years ago, where he was strongly impressed with the solemn truths connected with the Third Angel's message. He continued investigating until in September last, when he with his companion decided to put their faith into practice by being buried with their Lord and Saviour by baptism and rising to walk in newness of life, in keeping the commandment of God and faith of Jesus. Brother MILLER had suffered much for the past few years in consequence of declining health; his last attack was inflammation of the lungs, of one week's duration.
The funeral was attended with a large concourse of friends and acquaintances. A very appropriate and interesting discourse was delivered upon first day, by Brother Caldwell, to an attentive audience, from Psa. civ, 29, 30.
Decatur City, Iowa.
A. B. HARMER
Clinging to the Lord’s Promise
A. J. Dyer writes from Amboy, Fulton Co., Ohio:
“I am all alone here, and am often made to feel bitterly the need of counsel from those who walk in the Spirit; but I am striving, though faith be weak, to cling to the promise of the Lord to guide me and keep me till my work is done, and faith and patience be made perfect. The Lord has not left me, though I have been a wayward child, and have often neglected him. I am trying to feel thankful (and think I do in a measure) for the glorious light of the present truth in these perilous times.”
The Cause Advances Through Organization
Bro. J. Bostwick writes from Lynxville, Crawford Co., Wis.: "Nov. 1st, I arrived in this place from Minnesota, where I had been laboring since last January; and I can report quite favorably as to the advancement of the cause in that State. As the result of our labors, five churches have been organized according to the plan set forth in Review.
I found the church in this place in a low state, being in trial and discouragement. After laboring with them some two weeks, and setting before them the subject of organization, &c., nine entered into a written covenant to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Others approve of organization, but still remain outside the camp.
I have also made a visit to a little church of Sabbath-keepers at Kickapoo Center, Bad Axe Co., Wis. I lectured some two weeks, and would have been glad to have labored longer, but the interest would not warrant. I here baptized five honest souls, hoping they have found a grave for all their sins. At this place I had to bear a straight testimony against one whose course of life has been a reproach to the cause, leaving but little doubt as to his dishonesty. The brethren at this place, as well as at Lynxville, have suffered in consequence of false brethren, and the reckless course of others; and organization, if entered upon, will to a great extent shut out from the flock of God these wolves in sheep's clothing. I must say I am fully convinced that organization is right and scriptural. I have had some prejudice, but it was in consequence of not properly understanding the second message. I wish to understand the truth and move in harmony with the body, if I do have to unlearn some things.
"I have been waiting about two weeks to get across the Mississippi river. I am extremely anxious to get to Minnesota, my present field of labor, and will be there at the earliest opportunity."