p. 224 | Review and Herald, Vol. 32, No. 18. (10/27/1868)

Earlier text: WHERE WAS THE SABBATH OBSERVED IN PAUL'S DAY?

Conversions Through Adventist Literature

SR. M. NELSON writes from Allegan Co., Mich.: I was a member of the Methodist church about eighteen years, and I enjoyed myself with them until I became convinced that as a body they had fallen from grace, and were conforming to the fashions of the world in place of striving to serve and obey the Lord. I was often pained to see the pride and vanity that were in the churches, and had often thought of withdrawing and trying to serve the Lord alone, but fearing that in so doing I might fail, I remained with them until I became acquainted with the Advent people. A lady of my acquaintance offered the Review to me to read. I accepted of the paper and liked it so much that I thought I would like to become acquainted with the people. In a few weeks I ventured to go to meeting, which I continued doing about two years, as often as I could, and borrowed as many books as I could get time to read. I at last got “The Three Messages,” and by reading that became satisfied that if God had a people now it was the Advent people. I then commenced to keep the Sabbath, and united with them, and intend to go through with them.

SR. H. E. LOVEJOY writes from Saginaw Co., Mich.: I have been busy for the last two years in distributing the silent messengers issued from the Review Office, and to my great surprise I find they will penetrate, soften and subdue, the hearts of a class of people that no other doctrine will have any effect upon; therefore I believe it is my duty, although I am a member of the M. E. church, to scatter tracts and do all in my power, with the help of God, to win souls to Christ. I am informed that to pursue this course is leading from, instead of toward, the mark, but of a truth I cannot see it in this light. First, because I have no sympathy with Spiritualists in any way, shape, nor manner, for I heartily indorse the doctrine of the unconscious state of the dead. Second, I believe the Son of God came in the flesh, was crucified, was resurrected, was seen of the apostles to ascend into heaven, and will, in like manner, be seen of men to descend. I believe this earth is to be renovated and become the saints’ inheritance. I believe it our duty to keep the commandments of God, that the whole ten are just as binding now as they were the very day that God descended upon Mount Sinai and proclaimed them to Moses.

I often hear it remarked, and by those who profess to preach the gospel of Christ, that the commandments contained in the decalogue were not binding any longer than till the crucifixion of our Lord, when they were all nailed to the cross and taken out of the way, and a new commandment given, that we should love one another. If I could once be convinced of the truthfulness of this doctrine, I should believe in universal salvation at once. I should no longer believe in a Judgment; for without law how can our Judge condemn the criminals? If there is no law there is no sin; for sin came by transgression of the law. But if the law has been abolished there is no longer any sin; for there is no law to transgress, neither can there be a Judgment, for there is no law to judge by.

I wrote you last fall that one had embraced the Sabbath. Since then I have distributed all my papers except four, and many have been convinced of the truthfulness of the doctrine, and I thought the harvest was about ripe for a laborer, when lo, to my surprise, an opposer came in to throw confusion into our midst. We need help. Cannot some one come and labor a few weeks?

BRO. N. W. VINCENT writes from Jeff. Co., Kansas: Immanuel’s offering is my hope, his righteousness my glory, his pleasure my object. He died that we might not die for our vile, death-deserving sins. Only by such suffering could he become our Saviour.

“Be then his wounds my cure, his grief my bliss; My crown his thorns, my death be lost in his.”

I want to please Jesus, and finally triumph in his glory. I want to see his smile on me. I want to hear his welcome of sweetest melody, when he descends in majesty to avenge his elect, to destroy the wicked and forever save the righteous. Beloved of the Lord, let us not love the world, but be self-denying strangers in it, watching pilgrims, journeying toward our Father’s house, seeking that heavenly country, looking for the city of God, the holy, beloved New Jerusalem. Pray that we may meet there “purified, and made white, and tried,” to be forever happy with Jesus.

BRO. D. A. SIMMONS writes from Warren Co., Pa.: What words of comfort and consolation our dear Saviour spoke to his sorrowing disciples as he was about to leave them, I go to prepare a place, and will come again, &c. No wonder their hearts sank within them, as they were exposed to all the malice and cruelties of the friendless world; but the words, sweetly spoken, I will come again, and receive you, were like soothing balm to their aching hearts. They felt that they could endure unto the end, suffer privation, persecution, and even death, for their Lord and Master, knowing that their reward would be great. And he has gone to prepare mansions for us also, and soon will he come to receive us. And while mercy lingers a little while longer let us accept of his pleadings to come and be healed from all our backslidings and washed from our iniquities, and be one of that happy number that shall have a mansion in our Father’s kingdom. Do we realize as we should that time is closing, and that only a few days are allotted to us to prepare for that solemn event?

SISTER P. L. CORNELL writes from Kent Co., Mich.: I feel truly that I am least of all; but I would not fold my hands and say I have nothing to do. No, the one talent will at last be called for, and woe to the one who has laid it away and let it remain idle. Let us arouse and seek a deeper work of grace, a closer walk with God, and send forth the cheering testimonies to encourage the lonely. How often my own heart has been made to rejoice, when away from all of like precious faith, by reading the cheering epistles from brethren and sisters whom I have never seen; and in lonely hours, I have been led to look out a little way from this and anticipate that happy meeting when sin and sorrow shall forever cease. Oh! shall I be ready to meet that happy, joyous company? When I realize what a great work it is to be a Bible Christian, and that not one will ever be permitted to enter those bright mansions Jesus has gone to prepare, who has not washed his robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb, I fear it is not for me; but if I perish, I will perish trying. Let my name be cast out as evil by a scoffing world, let those once dear by the ties of nature charge me with infidelity, heresy and foolishness, and say, “You read too much!” I count it nothing, if I may but win an unfading crown and be permitted at last to dwell with the saints of all ages, in the earth made new, where sin will never blight, and sorrow never be permitted to enter.

Ashaway, R. I., Oct. 5, 1868

By E. MACOMBER

From Bro. Macomber.

DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: I esteem it a privilege to have a medium through which we can communicate our experience under the third angel's message to each other. Truly God in his mercy is dealing with us as with sons and daughters.

We have been led from nature's darkness into the most marvelous light. The light of present truth, that now shines upon our pathway, is highly esteemed by me. And I find, as I meet my brethren in other places, that they also prize it, with the exception of now and then one.

I would say to all, Let us walk in the light as it shines upon our pathway. To reject light as it emanates from the third angel's message, is to expose ourselves to the danger of being overwhelmed in darkness, where there will be no more light forever.

God in his great mercy has placed in our midst the light of prophecy, the means by which the unity of the faith of the gospel church is to be established among us. And we, as a people, are holding up the light of the third angel's message, and God in mercy is blessing the means and instruments by his holy presence, as he has promised Israel. Ex. xxiii, 14.

How encouraging to behold the face of an esteemed friend; and by faith we can behold the face of God, and we can more clearly behold his face as we draw nearer to him. Bless his holy name. The commandments of God, and the testimony of Jesus Christ, will be promulgated by the remnant church prior to Christ's coming. This must necessarily be in accordance with God's own arrangement, as we read in Rev. xiv, 12; and the next great event mentioned is the harvest of the earth, which is the end of this age. Now if any one reject the means God has provided to bring us into the unity of the faith, he must expect to remain in darkness, and not enjoy the presence of God and the company of holy angels. His word teaches that if we reject him he will reject us. Dear friend, reject not the work of the Lord to your own condemnation. Embrace the first opportunity to obey, let the requirement be as small as it may seem to thee. Seek the help of the Lord in humble prayer. He is waiting to be gracious. Come now, there is danger of becoming a total wreck.

Ashaway, R. I., Oct. 5, 1868

E. MACOMBER.

Obituary Notices.

Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth.

DIED, at the residence of Bro. Eli Wick, in Clyde, Ill., on Friday, Oct. 2, 1868, at 6 o'clock, P. M., our dear brother, Newell Brister, of Elkhorn Grove, Carroll Co., Ill., in the 49th year of his age, from a fracture of the skull caused by a kick from his own horse. He leaves a wife and two children to mourn his loss. May the Lord sustain them in this deep affliction.

Bro. B. was among the first that embraced the truth at Elkhorn Grove. He loved the commandments of God, and the doctrine of the soon coming of the Saviour, and was a warm friend of the suffering and needy. He will be missed in the neighborhood, but especially will the church and his own family miss him. The writer spoke to a large congregation of his neighbors and friends, on his funeral occasion, from Rev. xiv, 13.

“He sleeps in Jesus—peaceful rest, No mortal strife invades his breast, No pain, nor sin, nor woe, nor care, Can reach the silent slumberer there.”

“He sleeps in Jesus—soon to rise, When the last trump shall rend the skies, Then burst the fetters of the tomb, To wake in full immortal bloom.” R. F. ANDREWS.

DIED, on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 1868, at 1 o'clock, A. M., of typhus fever and heart disease, Sr. Hattie, second daughter of Bro. Eli and Sr. Mary Wick, of Clyde, Ill., aged 18 years, and 2 days.

She was ten days confined to her bed before her death, and, while rational, manifested the greatest patience and resignation to the will of God, stating that she was willing to live or die as the Lord pleased. She was loved and esteemed in the neighborhood, in the church, and in her father's family. We shall all miss her. May God comfort and sustain the afflicted ones.

“Sleep, dear sister, kind and tender, To friendship true, While with feeling hearts we render This tribute due.”

“When the morn of glory, breaking, Shall light the tomb, Beautiful will be thy waking, In fadeless bloom.”

We spoke to the friends and neighbors on the occasion from 1 Cor. xv, 22. R. F. ANDREWS.

DIED, in Monterey, Mich., Oct. 6, 1868, John Pierce, Sen., aged 75 years, 9 months and 13 days. He suffered much for a few days before his death, but no murmuring words escaped his lips. When interrogated concerning the future, he said, “All is clear.” He sleeps a little while, where the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are at rest. Funeral discourse by the writer, from Job xix, 25, 26. May the aged widow, children, and grandchildren, prepare to meet the departed in the kingdom. H. G. BUCK.

MARTHA C. CYPHERS

By Martha C. Cyphers

From Sr. Cyphers.

BRO. SMITH: For the past ten years I have been a reader of the REVIEW. I have tried to live out what it teaches. When I first received the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, my heart was alive to the things of God. I esteemed the reproach for Christ more than the applause of earthly friends. I love the truth. It is still precious to me; but I am not satisfied. I want a living experience in the ways of God. I believe fully in the testimonies of Sr. White. God himself is leading this people. What a privilege is ours, to know the truth; and if we fail of everlasting life, we shall realize our loss more than if we had never known the way.

I have been aroused of late by the solemn fact that we have reached the last watch. I am trying to seek the Lord more earnestly, and to search my own heart more diligently than ever before. I am struggling for the victory over every sin. I think I have some evidence that the mercy of the Lord is toward me and mine. I thank the Lord for a name and place with his dear people. I hope, through the grace of God and the merits of Christ, to go with them to Mount Zion.

MARTHA C. CYPHERS

Greenville, Mich.

Business Department.

Not Slothful in Business. Rom. xii, 11.

Business Notes.

WHO IS IT? Some one writes from Bushnell Center, Mich., inclosing money for REVIEW and books. No name given.

RECEIPTS.

For Review and Herald.

Annexed to each receipt in the following list, is the Volume and Number of the REVIEW & HERALD TO which the money received pays,—which should correspond with the Numbers on the Papers. If money for the paper is not in due time acknowledged—immediate notice of the omission should then be given.

$1.00 each. Polly Green 33-1, W D Williams 33-1, S Thurston 34-1, Mrs F Williams 34-1, J F Carman 33-14, C Judson 33-17, G O States 33-18, John B Green 33-18, L M Alexander 34-18, Polly Conkline 33-14, A Rasmussen 34-1, Mary Birge 33-18, J Chaffee 34-1, J W Learned 34-1, Mary Kinney 33-11, J Schwartz 34-18, A Johnson 34-18, E More 34-18, W Robinson 34-18, E E Stevens 34-18, J F Phariss 34-18, A S Kellogg 34-18.

$2.00 each. Mrs L Waite 34-10, A Fifield 35-1, C Cartwright 34-18, Mrs E French 35-1, T R Horner 34-18, Eliza Fellow 34-1, S A Howard 32-9, T S McDonald 34-2, G Hendry 34-9, H Jackson 35-1, C C Rodley 33-7, L Wiswell 34-13, Betsey Bryant 34-18, H G Jones 32-9, G W Varney 34-18, A Wood jr 33-3.

$3.00 each. A C O Reily 33-7, J C Choate 33-21, H Towle 34-20, A Strickland 34-6.

Miscellaneous. H C West $2.70 34-7, S B Loudon 20c 32-18, Mrs Geo Berry 1.33 31-3, Louisa Snyder 50c 33-23, Mrs M A Pasco 50c 34-1, A Belden 3.70 34-1, Jas Jones 1.50 32-1, L Lathrop 10.00 40-8, J E Wilson 5.00 35-1, R Goldsmith 2.50 34-1, D Curtis 5.00 35-8, J Bailey 55c 34-1, S P Ward 3.50 34-20, B F West 1.50, 34-1.

For advertisement, H C S Carter 20c.

Cash Received on Account.

J L Locke $1.00, W V Field 6.50, D M Canright 29.28.

Books Sent by Mail.

C K Farnsworth $5.60, C Wright 1.25, C Cartwright 1.00, Mrs L A Moor 50c, Mrs Phebe Williams 37c, Mrs M E Williams 27c, C C Ferry 1.12, C Fox 24c, Abigail Herrick 24c, J Watkins 24c, A H Blake 1.12, Henry C West 30c, L A Kellogg 16c, Martha Corey 7.00, J C Smith 15c, W H Kynett 10c, L Rabock 15c, M Judson 15c, H Bingham 1.00, A H Hilliard 1.50, R M Warren 2.00, A Pickett 20c, T S McDonald 1.50, J C Searle 60c, H S Zoller 34c, M Kittle 12c, H W Marden 15c, H T Smith 24c, T E Wilson 1.00, S M Miller 1.12, D Hugonin 1.00, A D Shuman 1.00, P Robinson 1.00, A S Hutchins 2.52, A Knowles 80c, W F Noyes 1.00, J C Smith 76c, P C Harris 1.50, J F Mott 1.00, Mrs Stackhouse 1.00, N M Adams 15c, R Curtiss 15c, W P Andrews 30c.

Michigan Conference Fund.

Church at Salem Center, Ind. $12.50, Greenville 50.00.

Receipts for Benevolent Fund.

Mrs L A Grover $1.00, W A Taylor 2.00, J P Green 1.00, A P Green 1.00, J C Tucker 1.00, E Holy 1.00, E Webster 1.00, A Green 50c, J Sullivan 1.00, J S Miller 50c, P C Rodman 10.00, W V Field 10.00, J Fargo 10.00, D M Canright 10.00, J B Goodrich 10.00, C Stratton 10.00, J L Prescott 10.00, J G Hathern 10.00, W J Haynes 10.00, A B Atwood 10.00, G W Barker 10.00, A Barnes 10.00, J L Hartford 10.00, W W Clarke 10.00, W W Putnam 10.00, C Davis 10.00, H Hammond 5.00, E Whitaker 1.00, E Putman 1.00, B Bryant 1.00, M Thomas 3.00, A Friend 10.00, E Carson 25c, S W Handers 10.00, G B Haskell 50c, H Fellows 50c, M F B Hatham 1.00, A E Bryant 1.00, A Knowles 10.00, J Dixon 1.00, J E Allen 1.00, J F Carlton 1.00, S M Chase 1.00, A Friend 5.00, A L Flanders 1.00, H Holt 1.00, J Taylor 1.00, C B Barker 10.00, A K Clarke 10.00, J C Choate 1.00.

For California Mission.

E L Bliss $5.00, A Strickland 1.22.

CHICAGO SABBATH.

By W. C. G.

THE editor of the World's Crisis has been spending some time in the city of Chicago, and as a result of his observations, seems to have become at least partially cured of his no-Sabbath proclivities.

Under the heading given above, he makes the following remarks:

“There are a large number in the city of Chicago who pay no attention to the Sabbath [Sunday], only to engage more heartily in amusements, drinking, and carousing. Besides these, the steam cars on the railroads are running to and fro about the same as on other days; groceries are open, produce displayed, billiard halls are in active operation, and drinking saloons are crowded.”

This is precisely the result of allowing every man to “be fully persuaded in his own mind,” as to whether he will esteem “one day above another,” or “esteem every day alike, as so strenuously advocated in the Crisis by opponents of the Lord's Sabbath. We remember to have heard the same gentleman very distinctly declare that the old law of ten commandments was dead, and he should certainly find no fault with the citizens of Chicago for demonstrating before his eyes the exceeding utility of such freedom as arises from the death of God's law. W. C. G.

“The Advent Keepsake.”

By Editor

This little book is receiving quite a circulation. Hardly an order is filled, but what more or less of the Keepsakes are sent. To those who have not yet seen it we would say, it is a little volume of 136 pages, printed on extra heavy paper, bound in gilt, with a neat gilt crown stamped on the first page of the cover, around which is the following text, in gilt letters: “Unto all them also which love His appearing.” The covers are of black, brown, and light buff. Around each page is a neat little border, and facing the title-page is a cut of “The Coming One.”

The title-page reads as follows: “The Advent Keepsake: or A Text for Each Day of the Year, on the subjects of Christ’s Second Coming,—the Resurrection,—the New Earth,—Promises for the Time of Trouble,” &c. Then follow a Dedication and Preface. The book itself is wholly in the words of Scripture, and is very appropriate for a gift to a friend. Every Seventh-day Adventist should have a copy. You who wish a nice Christmas or New Year’s present for your friends or children, will find this an appropriate and valuable gift. And now is the time to secure them. Price 40c.

JESUS COMETH.

By L. N. C.

Jesus cometh in the clouds, hark! I hear the rushing Of the mighty angel-host, and the harp-tones gushing. Soon we'll catch the glorious rays, from his pathway stealing, And the clouds will roll away, King and throne revealing. Age on age have fled apace, since, death's fetters rending, Jesus triumphed o'er the grave, gloriously ascending, And as once the clouds received him from the longing vision, So in clouds he'll come again from the glad elysian.

Jesus cometh in the clouds,—we are waiting, longing For the night to flee away, and bring the promised morning, When from out their dusty beds, the loved in Jesus sleeping, With whom we parted long ago, in sadness and in weeping, Shall come forth with shouts of joy, and of victory blending, And with us triumphant rise to meet the King descending, Nevermore to part again; O the rapturous story! All our sorrow turned to joy, all our gloom to glory.

Jesus cometh in the clouds,—nations fear and tremble; For the last great battle-day, Satan's hosts assemble; Yet God's people need not fear,—victory will be given To Him who as the Conqueror comes amid the clouds of heaven, Watchman standing on the walls! proclaim his glad returning; Gird thy wedding garment on, let thy lamp be burning, Lest that when the Bridegroom comes, he shall find thee sleeping, And thy morn of joy be turned to a night of weeping.

Jesus cometh in the clouds—comes to check our sadness, Comes to wipe away our tears, and for grief bring gladness; Comes to bring the loved and lost from their gloomy prison; Comes to change this sin-cursed earth to a pure elysian.

Jesus cometh in the clouds; hark, I hear the rushing Of the mighty angel-host, and the harp-tones gushing; Soon we'll catch the glorious rays from his pathway stealing, And the clouds will roll away, throne and King revealing. —L. N. C., in Advent Herald.

Being Grieved that they taught the People. Acts iv, 2.

In the Advent Herald of Sept. 29, 1868, we find the following:

“Bro. Wm. Mock, writing from Petaluma, Cal., Aug. 27, says: ‘The “Seventh-day Adventists” are holding tent meetings here, and a good degree of interest has been manifested in the lectures of Elds. Loughborough and Bourdeau, who have recently come to this coast. Some of us think it unfortunate that the attention of the people, which had been arrested on the subject of Christ’s coming and kingdom, should now be diverted to a consideration of matters of law which produce strife and division. We hope the people may be led, however, to ‘search the Scriptures daily whether these things are so,’ and that in the Lord’s good time more laborers as evangelists may be sent this way to teach the things concerning the blessed kingdom,—men who may be led by the Spirit of truth into such light and liberty of the gospel that they will put no yoke of bondage on the disciples, but simply the yoke of Christ, which is easy to all who abide in Him.’”

The writer of the foregoing, the reader will recollect, was spoken of quite at length in last report from California.

Maine Depository and Benevolent Association

By Dudley Marvin Canright

Notice.

Bro. A. B. Atwood, Skowhegan, Maine, has been appointed to receive the pledges and payment of pledges on the Benevolent Association and Life Incidents. Those who have pledged will please send to him as soon as convenient.

The Book and Tract Depository for Maine is also to be kept by him in the future. He will be prepared to furnish any of our books at the same prices as at the Office. Call on him, or send your orders.

D. M. Canright.

DID HE GET IN?

A father was reading, at family worship, that beautiful passage, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and sup with him, and he with me.”

A little one who was listening, unable to wait to see if the matter was further explained, ran up to him, and asked eagerly, “Did he get in, father, did he get in?” The little active mind had formed a picture of the suppliant at the door knocking for admittance, and he realized what a sad thing it would be for him to go away without gaining an entrance.

You may be quite sure the Scriptures were not read in the monotonous tone too common at family devotions. That father had learned to throw the life and spirit of the sentiment into his voice and manner. Such reading will not fail to impress even the mind of the little child.

Appointments.

By H. NICOLA

And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of Heaven is at hand.

There will be a Monthly Meeting for the Pilot Grove, Iowa City and Washington churches, at Washington, Iowa, Sabbath, Nov. 7, 1868. We hope one of the ministers will be present. H. NICOLA.

The Commandments of Christ

By L. W. Carr

L. W. CARR. The phrase, “Commandments of Christ,” does not occur in the New Testament.

VERY PROFOUND!

By Dudley Marvin Canright

I HAVE just received the following objections to my argument which appeared in the REVIEW a short time since, showing by many proofs that Saturday is the true seventh day from the creation of the world. If any one can see the point in the following letter, they must have sharper eyes than I have:

“ELD. D. M. CANRIGHT: In the REVIEW, Vol. xxxii, No. 8, you say that, ‘according to the evidence, both Scriptural and historical, Saturday is the seventh day from the creation of the world.’ But notwithstanding all you have said, you have only proved that the seventh day of the week is the Sabbath. Now it remains for you to prove that it is sunset in Asia and in America at the same time of day; or that there is not 12 hours difference in the setting of the sun in those two parts of the globe. This you must prove; for you take the position that the Sabbath must be celebrated from sunset Friday eve to the next sunset.

“Now if you have any astronomical evidence that it is sunset in America when it is in Asia, your position of the commencing the day is correct; if you have none, your position is not correct. I therefore challenge you to bring forth the proof, that when it is sunset in Asia it is sunset in America. If you have any proof, please insert it in the columns of the REVIEW. Your friend in love of the truths of God's word. “INVESTIGATOR.”

1. Mr. Investigator admits that I have proved that the seventh day is the Sabbath. Then of course he will try to keep it.

2. But he thinks that, “notwithstanding all I have said” to prove that Saturday is the true seventh day from creation, I “have only proved that the seventh day of the week is the Sabbath.” Quite a failure, indeed! But if the evidence which I produced did not prove that Saturday is the true seventh day, what would prove it? Why, I must prove that the sun sets in Asia and in America at the same time! This I must prove, or fail. Well, then, I give it up, for I have no “astronomical” evidence that it does! But I fail to see what connection this has with my argument. His argument is this: The sun does not set in Asia and America at the same time, therefore Saturday is not the true seventh day! Very profound reasoning, indeed!

3. But again, he says that I claim that the Sabbath must be celebrated from sunset Friday evening till the next sunset. “This,” he says, “cannot be true unless the sun sets in Asia and America at the same time.” Then the Lord made a great mistake when he said, “From even unto even shall ye celebrate your Sabbaths.” Lev. xxiii, 32, D. M. CANRIGHT.