[The following article from Bro. Cottrell was published in Review, No. 22, Vol. VII. We have been requested to insert it again, with which we are happy to comply.]
“For whatsoever things were written aforetime, were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” Rom. xv, 4.
It is evident from this and other passages which speak of them, that the Holy Scriptures are all profitable—all written for our learning, and therefore are all necessary for our instruction and perfection in the truth. No Christian will dispute that this is equally true of the Scriptures of the New Testament, though these inspired declarations refer to those of the Old, and are a most pointed rebuke to those professed Christians who imagine they have no further need of the Old Testament, and say that they would know their duty equally as well were it struck out of existence. Such declarations would never have been made, but for the purpose of evading a portion of the perfect, immutable, and universal law of Jehovah, of which, the Old Testament alone contains an entire copy.
“Whatsoever things were written aforetime, were written for our learning. We may learn important lessons from the accounts of the flood and the destruction of the cities of the plain by fire.” These are types or examples of the destruction of the wicked and the salvation of the righteous at the second advent. All the wicked were destroyed and all the righteous saved. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. These words of our Saviour clearly prove the importance of our having a knowledge of those scriptures which contain a record of these events. Without this knowledge, how could the last generation “remember Lot's wife?”
We can also learn from these examples that our kind Father always gives a timely warning before bringing any great judgments upon the people; that the righteous believe the warning, obey its requirements and are saved, while the wicked disbelieve and disregard it, and are lost. After being faithfully warned, they are lost for lack of knowledge. Jerusalem was laid even with the ground because she knew not the time of her visitation. Luke xix, 44. And, speaking of the time of the end, the angel assures Daniel that the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand. Dan. xii, 10.
The deliverance of Israel from Egypt, and the incidents of their journey through the desert to the promised land, are written for our learning. Their frequent murmurings, rebellions and idolatries, and the punishments by which they fell in the wilderness, are recorded for our admonition. Says Paul, in speaking of these very things, “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples; (margin, types;) and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” 1 Cor. x, 11. These examples are recounted by David in Ps. lxxviii, and cvi, in which it may be seen that the root of their provocations was their unbelief. Accordingly Paul exhorts us, in his letter to the Hebrews, saying, “Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.” Heb. iv, 11. God was doing a special work for them, yet they doubted his goodness, distrusted his ability to save, after having seen his wonders in Egypt and at the Red Sea, were discouraged because of the way, and spake against God and against those whom he had chosen to lead the people. “They envied Moses also in the camp, and Aaron the saint of the Lord.” They gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them; wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the Lord? Num. xvi, 3. “The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, and covered the company of Abiram.” Judgment was immediately executed upon them in order to make them examples to all following generations. And though, at the present time, judgment against an evil work is not speedily executed, and therefore the hearts of the sons of men are fully set in them to do evil, yet we may be sure that such as do wickedly will finally share a punishment as dreadful as those.
If it is a fact, as we fully believe it is, that the Third Message of Rev. xiv is now being given, the Lord is now doing a special work, equal, at least, to that of leading the Israelites through the desert to the land of Canaan. This Message will consummate the work of preparing the remnant of God's people for translation, a people in whose mouth will be found no guile, being without fault before the throne. The importance of the work, and the fact that the Director of it is “excellent in working,” are a sufficient guaranty that it will be accomplished as harmoniously as any in which he anciently engaged. Poor, fallible, human instruments may fail. A Moses or an Aaron may be tempted to speak unadvisedly with his lips, and die on this side of Jordan. In such case the garments of Aaron will be put upon Eleazar, [Num. xx, 26,] and Moses will lay his hands upon Joshua, [Deut. xxxiv, 9,] and thus the work move on harmoniously; but the sons of Korah will perish in their gainsaying. Num. xvi; Jude 11.
God has not sent the Third Angel's Message into the world without choosing the means and instruments by which to send it. Men, as instruments, are liable to err, or even to fall away from the truth. Even the apostle Paul, who had not only a special, but a miraculous call to preach the gospel to the nations, was still obliged to keep his body under, and bring it into subjection, lest when he had preached the gospel to others, he himself should be a cast-away. But the operations of God cannot be subverted. He is not divided in these operations against himself. He does not fail in the first attempt and have to begin again. There is no such precedent upon record—no69such failure written aforetime for our learning; but all the reverse. Therefore we may confidently come to this conclusion: that if the same God that led Israel through the desert has set his hand to fulfill the prophetic Message of the Third Angel—the last merciful warning to the world, before the coming of the Son of man—he never will be driven to the necessity of perfecting the work by means of a rebellion in the camp, taking sides with the rebels and thus destroy the harmony of his own work. But God will overrule such factions for the good of his children, as Paul wrote aforetime for our learning, saying, There must be also heresies (sects, margin,) among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest. 1 Cor. xi, 19.
I have been learning from the things written aforetime, since receiving the present Message. I was then so foolish as to think, that as the Third Message was the gospel in its primitive purity, none would be so humble as to embrace it, but the true hearted. But sad experience has caused me to learn a lesson, which I might have before learned from the word of God. Certainly the apostles preached the gospel in its purity, with the demonstration of the Spirit and of power. But there were those, that, amid all these mighty works, could lie to the Holy Spirit to save their worldly wealth, and have the name of giving it all. Others could leave the holy calling of preaching the gospel for the sake of worldly pleasures and enjoyments. Says Paul, Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world. 2 Tim. iv, 10. How many Demases will profess faith in the present truth, the Judgment only will determine.
As already noticed, factions existed in primitive days. Accordingly we have the following apostolic direction: “A factious man, after a first and second admonition, reject; knowing that such a person is perverted, and sins, being self-condemned.” Titus iii, 10, 11. Campbell's Translation. Some such were bold enough to withdraw fellowship even from the apostles, through whom the word of God came to them. Says John, I wrote unto the church; but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the pre-eminence among them, receiveth us not. 3 John 9. We are not informed what reasons Diotrephes had for withdrawing fellowship from the beloved disciple. Perhaps he accused him of sectarian exclusiveness; for he was a very plain preacher, and had said, on one occasion, We know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. And he sometimes called those that talked one thing and acted another, liars. 1 John, iv, 20.
If such things took place in the apostles' days, we should not think that some strange thing has happened to us, should the lovers of pre-eminence take the same course now. These examples were written for our learning; and we may expect that many a Diotrephes will willingly receive the Third Angel's Message provided he can correct its errors, and give it the finishing touch by adding some favorite notions of his own. Such would co-operate with the Review, could they, in the first place, make it a “free paper,” that is, have it give up to their dictation, either to publish their views, known to be in opposition to those of the body, without reply; or to array brother against brother in its columns.
Brethren in the Third Message have never entered the arena of the Review as combatants; and I trust they never will. God has called us to another work—the work of proclaiming the last notes of warning to the world. We are willing to answer the objections of every candid opponent, to our present position. But I trust in God that the writers in the Review will continue to “speak the same thing,” and that all the members of the Diotrephesian family will seek some other medium of communication where they may exhibit a rare combination of confusion.
In conclusion I would admonish and exhort every honest soul, who loves the truth and the unity of the Spirit more than the pre-eminence, and yet have partaken of the factious spirit, to consider well those examples of old, which were recorded for our admonition, and by timely repentance and renunciation of your past errors, seek the favor of God. Take a decided stand with the remnant of God's people; and counteract, by every possible means, the influence you have exerted against the present truth. Get as far as possible from the tents of Korah, Dathan and Abiram; for just so certain as the unbelieving and rebellious of ancient time fell in the wilderness, and all these things, as Paul says, are our examples, so sure it is that those who commit the same sins now, will also perish in their gainsaying.
You profess to believe that the third angel is now fulfilling his fearful mission; but, while you favor a faction, you give the lie to that profession, and bring the greatest reproach you possibly can upon the cause of God. It would have been much better for you to have remained in open hostility to the truth, than professedly to embrace it, and then pursue a course best calculated to bring it into disrepute. The cause is wounded in the house of its friends. It was not in the power of an open enemy to inflict so deep a wound. But we needed it to humble us and teach us to trust in God alone. It will work for the good of those that love God; and it will serve to manifest those that are approved of him.
The plan of God will not be frustrated—the work of the third angel will move onward. But let none of us, who expect to be sealed by this message for mount Zion, be found out of harmony with the work.
Afflictions of Christians.
By Jay
They have frequently more of these sufferings than others. The husbandman does not prune the bramble, but the vine. The stones designed for the temple above require more cutting and polishing, than those which are for the common wall. Correction is not for strangers, but children. The Christian mourns over those infirmities which are not viewed by others as sins, such as wandering thoughts, and cold affections in duty. It is said of that beautiful bird, the bird of paradise, that when it is caught and caged it never ceases to sigh till it is free. Just such is, the Christian. Nothing will satisfy him but the glorious liberty of the sons of God.—Jay.
TENT MEETINGS.
By James White
If Tent-meetings are held for the benefit of the church, then a two-day's meeting in a place may be sufficient. But if a Tent be pitched in a new field, to set the truth before the people, for them to decide for, or against it, should it not remain until those who come out to hear do decide in favor of or against the views presented? We think it should.
To visit a new place with a Tent, and remain only one week, long enough to get the ears of the people, then leave them, to be turned to fables by the ministers of the day, is labor lost. In fact, it is worse than labor lost. It is doing that community injustice. It is not giving them a fair chance to learn the truth, and decide. It arouses them to take a brief look at some parts of the present truth, and exposes them to be prejudiced against it by false teachers, and left in a state of mind not to be moved by the truth again.
We give it as our opinion that no new field should be entered with a Tent, especially in the West, unless the circumstances seem to warrant from three to five weeks' labor in one place. Are not our western cities, county seats, and large villages, the places to pitch Tents? Then tarry till the sound goes out all through the surrounding country, and curiosity, or something better, calls the people to the Tent to hear. Then induce the people to buy, or, if they have not money, receive without pay, our publications. Tent companies should make up their minds to find a market for two hundred dollars' worth of books at such a meeting. Don't be afraid to dispose of books, brethren. When the Steam Press gets in motion, we will supply the market without fail, we think. God help all in the great work of giving light to the world.
J. W.
TENT MEETING AT MACKFORD, WIS.
By John Norton Loughborough
Our Tent Meeting in this place closed this afternoon. The meeting commenced June 12th, and continued evenings through last week, and up to last First-day. Our evening meetings last week were thinly attended on account of the rain and cold weather, but those that were present manifested good interest to hear the truth. On each Sabbath quite a number of brethren and sisters came together, and on First-day our congregations numbered some three or four hundred who manifested good interest in the truths spoken.
Our scattered brethren and sisters who came to this meeting were much encouraged and strengthened to press on for the kingdom. Among our hearers were some who have been looking for the Saviour's coming, but had not had the light on the Sabbath. They were much edified by the truth, and said the Sabbath was plain. Two Advent brethren were present from Waushara Co., some thirty miles distant, who became convinced on most points of present truth, and they will probably soon turn their feet to the obedience of all God's commandments. They return in about two weeks to that county. They gave us an urgent invitation to come to that place and present the truth, and promised us a hearty welcome.
Several pressing invitations for meetings have been made at this meeting; but who shall fill them? Here is labor needed. Here are fields white already to harvest, and the people with feeling hearts begging for the words of everlasting life; but who shall give it to them? Who is sufficient for these things? We can only cry for the Lord of the harvest to raise up, qualify and send forth more laborers into the harvest. Brethren, has not the time fully come when we should pray this prayer and pray in earnest. The Lord help us to feel for our fellow-men who want the truth.
One brother was present with his companion who has been several years convinced that the Sabbath was binding, but had not kept it. With tears and an overflowing heart he bore testimony in the public congregation to the truth, confessed his neglect of obedience to the commands of God, and told us how this duty had at times rolled upon him as he attempted to call upon the name of the Lord. He declared his determination by the help of the Lord to take up the cross and keep the commandment he had never kept. He then exhorted the congregation with good effect. We learned from this brother that the inconsistent course of some who profess to believe in keeping the commandments of God had been a barrier in the way of himself and his companion.
Strait testimonies were borne to the church on the importance of holy living. How important for the good of the cause, and for our own salvation that we live holy lives. We are in an age when the standard of piety is trailing in the dust. The Lord help us to raise the standard high by holy lives. This brother and sister last mentioned, returned home on Monday, resolved to obey all God's commandments. The Lord bless them. At the close of our meeting, First-day, four were baptized, some of whom first professed faith in Christ at this meeting. There are several others who we expect are about to take their stand to observe the Sabbath of the Lord.
I first joined Brn. Hart and Everts in the Tent campaign for the Summer at this meeting, having been prevented from attending the first meeting by sickness. Our hearts are much encouraged by the results of this meeting to labor on in this good and glorious cause.
June 23d, Bro. Hart and myself called to attend meeting at Woodland, where Bro. Hart held meetings between the Rubicon and Mackford tent meetings. We found nearly a school-house full assembled at half-past six o'clock P. M., to listen to the truth. Bro. Hart spoke to them on the Christian's hope. We found that two in this place had taken their stand for the Sabbath since Bro. Hart's meeting. The companion of one brother who had not been fully satisfied in regard to the Sabbath, we learned had become fully established upon it since the meeting. Of the two above who embraced the truth, one is a man seventy-four years of age who never before made a profession of religion. His mind had been much perplexed with the various popular teachings of the day. When he heard Bro. Hart's discourses he felt as though he had found the truth. He has endeavored to turn his feet into the obedience of all God's commandments. He says he has been going wrong all his days, and now he means to do right. His daughter, who had been a professor and associated with the Methodist church, has taken her stand with her father to keep the Sabbath of the Lord.
While Bro. Hart and myself were attending the meeting at Woodland, Bro. Everts held a meeting at Rubicon, where the tent was pitched for the first meeting. Bro. Everts found a small company assembled at the hour appointed for meeting, and had a good time in presenting the truths concerning our present position. Bro. Harlow walked six miles to attend the meeting, and bore a good testimony for the truth. One man confessed the truth after this meeting. Three had taken their stand for the Sabbath since the tent meeting. Others are investigating. We are now in Milwaukee, on our way to Dodgeville, where we pitch the tent next.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
Milwaukee, June 24th, 1857.
Tent Meeting at Green Spring, Ohio.
By M. E. Cornell; G. W. Holt
This meeting continued over two Sabbaths, and notwithstanding it rained almost every day and night we held meetings each Sabbath and First-day, and several evenings. Eighteen discourses were given, besides the prayer-meetings. Many who listened to our views for the first time were convinced of the truth, and several decided to keep the Sabbath. A liberal amount of books was taken, and thirteen subscribed for the Review.
We have never seen better attention given to the word, but we fear that many who were compelled to acknowledge the Seventh-day Sabbath, will not keep it because of the cross. As the prophet says, "And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they show much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness."Eze. xxxiii, 31.
O how solemn the thought that many will barter away eternal life, riches, and a good name, better than this world can give, for only a few days' enjoyment with a little of this world's good. Therefore the message is to the "highways and hedges"—the "common people" will hear it gladly. Our next meeting is about fifteen miles distant, in Jackson, Sandusky Co.
M. E. CORNELL.
G. W. HOLT.
Fremont, Ohio, June 25th, 1857.
LETTERS.
By David Upson
"Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another."
From Bro. Upson.
BRO. SMITH: I would say to you and others who love and obey the present and testing truth, and keep God's holy Sabbath according to the commandment and the other nine precepts which constitute the moral government of Jehovah, let them ever be our rule of faith and practice, that we may be prepared for the coming and kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. I hope by the grace of God to be an overcomer and meet you in glory. I believe the message to the Laodicean church is meat in due season, and applies to the true church or the remnant of the seed of the woman that keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. Let us be zealous and repent, and overcome our lukewarmness that our Saviour may come in and sup with us and we with him, that we may get the promise and sit with him on his throne.
I am glad the church are about to start a Power Press. I hope it may be put in operation and the Third Angel's Message go forth in the power and demonstration of the spirit, until the one hundred and forty-four thousand get their Father's name in their foreheads and are without fault before the throne of God. God will have a sanctified people before there can be a translated people. Our Saviour prayed that his Disciples might be sanctified through his Father's truth. His word was truth. Man liveth not by bread alone, but by every word of God. We cannot study our Bibles too much. We not only want the shield of faith, but the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God, that we may be able to quench the fiery darts of the wicked.
In talking with some in regard to the Sabbath truth and the necessity of keeping the seventh day, they will get off by saying they wish they knew which the seventh day was and they would keep it. I think if they were honest they might know. I think they will know when the first angel pours out his vial upon the earth, if they do not before. I feel that the Third Angel's Message is everything at this present time to the saints of the living God. The truth must be pressed home to the hearts and consciences of men, and it will bear away the victory.
DAVID UPSON.
Catlin, N. Y. June 17th, 1857.
Be Zealous and Reform
By A. A. Marks
From Bro. Marks.
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: I feel like saying a few words to those of like precious faith by way of exhorting one another and so much the more as we see the day approaching. Let me ask, Do we not see the day approaching? I think there is no one of us that have had an eye upon the word of God and the signs of the times who have not already heard the distant mutterings of the coming storm. The judgment-hour cry has been given, and the announcement has followed it that Babylon was fallen; and now the third and last solemn message of mercy is sounding through our land, bringing with it the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus; and the faithful and true Witness has borne his testimony to us as to a luke-warm church; and the question is with us, shall we obey the message to be zealous and repent, or will God raise up others to take our crowns and we be spued out of his mouth?
Dear brethren and sisters, now is the time for us to be zealous and reform. Read the testimony in Rev. iii, 16. Are not our cases hanging in suspense, here in this day of atonement? I feel something of the importance of acting now. I fear if we do not move soon that it will be forever too late and the Lord will fill our places with some one else. "Seek ye the Lord all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgments; seek righteousness, seek meekness, it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord's anger."
I spent last Sabbath with the brethren and sisters in Hanover, and think they are trying to rise with the message. In our social meeting we enjoyed a refreshing from the presence of the Lord. O that we may all have strength to go forward in the truth and be saved with the Israel of God.
I learn from some of the church in Hanover that Elder A. N. Seymour has been there trying to overthrow the Sabbath; but David speaking of God's commandments, says, "All his commandments are sure; they stand fast forever and ever and are done in truth and uprightness." So we see that it will take more than the puny arm of man to get rid of the Sabbath or any portion of the law of God.
Elder S. left the impression at Hanover that he had been in the vicinity of Francisco, preaching, and that forty had given up the Sabbath, two of them ministers. Now what if forty should give up religion and two ministers with them deny their Bibles and go down to perdition? Will that alter the plan of salvation or destroy the christian's hope? No, no. We have life and death set before us. "Blessed are they that do his commandments that they may have right to the tree of life and may enter in through the gates into the city." Rev. xxii, 14.
But what is the truth in relation to those who have given up the Sabbath, in the vicinity of Francisco? A few disorderly spirits (I think not more than fifteen71or twenty and they some two or three years ago; Elder S. left the impression at Hanover that it was a late thing) have left the commandments and the work of God, because the Third Angel's Message was too straight, and the way to life too narrow for them to walk in.
I am acquainted in that neighborhood and can say that those that have left the truth are not calculated to do honor to any cause. May the Lord save us from unreasonable and wicked men is my prayer. In hope of heaven when Jesus comes.
A. A. MARKS.
Jackson, Mich., June 19th 1857.
THE INDWELLING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
By N. Y. Observer
O! can it, can it be!
Blest Comforter divine!
That Thou would'st dwell in me—
In this vile heart of mine?
This heart so fond of earth—
Of vanities and toys—
Of idle scenes of mirth—
And transitory joys?
A heart so full of care,
Anxiety and pain;
And often in despair,
And willing to complain?
And often led astray,
By error's vain disguise;
And shunning wisdom's way,
When plain before my eyes!
And ready to forego
My blest Redeemer's love,
And choose the things below,
Instead of those above!
So anxious to attain,
A sceptre or a crown;
Or if the world disdain,
Avoid its hateful frown!
So heedless of the tomb,
When just before my eye;
So reckless of my doom,
If unprepared to die!
And canst thou deign to dwell
In this vile heart of mine,
Amazing grace to tell!
Amazing and divine!
1 Timothy, v. 24, 25.
By Charles O. Taylor
Some men's sins are open beforehand going before to judgment: and some men they follow after. Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid. 1 Tim. v. 24, 25.
The above is a portion of inspiration, and profitable. Some are of the opinion that it is now having its fulfillment under the testimony to the Laodicean state of the church. There are others that think it is one of those portions of the word of God that is applicable to all times; that good or bad men may live. I am of the latter opinion.
The idea that I get from reading it is, that some men are so wicked, are so open in their acts of transgression and sin, their lives are so far and contrary to the word of God, that all are confident that they will in the great day be condemned. There are other persons who are not so open in their acts of sin and wickedness, live quite moral lives, are quite charitable, yet have no living faith in the word of God or the atoning blood of Christ, the want of which will condemn them in the day of judgment. Also there are other men whose good deeds and works are so manifest, so much in harmony with the word of God that all are satisfied that in the day of judgment it will be well with them. And others whose good deeds are not so manifest, yet are walking humbly in the ways of God, receiving with meekness the word, denying themselves of worldly lusts, are hardly known beyond their own family or circle of friends, so that their good deeds are not much manifest here, yet in the judgment day they will not be hid.
The following is a French translation of the above text.
There are persons whose sins are manifest, and precede their condemnation; but there are others whose sins follow after. Likewise also there are good works which are manifest beforehand; and if they are not manifest at first they will not remain hid.
Chas. O. Taylor.
Rouse's Point, N. Y., June 24th 1857.
Striving to Be an Overcomer
By Lydia J. Belnap
From Sister Belnap.
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: My soul is made to rejoice while reading your cheering resolutions and admonitions through the Review. I am still striving with you to be an overcomer. We are living in perilous times, and nothing but a well grounded hope and faith in God, will enable his children to come off victorious. We shall have to wrestle and intercede in prayer, and look away from the deadening influence of dead professors around us, to the meek and lowly Jesus, and strive to imitate his life, while he was surrounded with the same. I can not describe with what joy we hail the Review and I feel to praise the Lord for preparing his servants to spread this sealing truth before a perishing world. My prayer and interest is for the laborers in the office and in the field, you who like Moses refuse the pleasures of this life, but are looking forward to the recompense of reward. I would say, Go on; spread the glad news until all the honest are sealed, and remember each day that prayers are ascending in your behalf.
LYDIA J. BELNAP.
Crete, Ills. June 21st 1857.
A Call for Present Truth Preaching
By William Wedge
From Bro. Wedge.
BRO. SMITH : It is the Review that encourages us in keeping God's holy Sabbath. Still I acknowledge that I do not live up to all the duties required. I believe in the Third Angel's Message and the soon appearing of Christ. It is my desire to be ready at his appearing.
I moved from Hillsdale Mich., to this place last Fall. Five of my family were among the believers of the present truth. Here we have been alone in trying to keep the Sabbath; some have said that we were correct on the Sabbath, some have said they would be glad if they could hear the present truth preached. Can not Bro. M. E. Cornell or some other Bro. come to this place and preach to the people. I believe there would be much good done.
Remember me in your prayers. Wm. WEDGE.
Theosauqua, June 13th, 1857.
A Call to Laodicean Zeal
By Stephen H.; Achsah Brown
From Bro. & Sr. Brown.
Bro. Smith: The Review and Herald has ever been a welcome messenger to us. We prize it much for the truth it advocates and the cheering communications from the dear saints. We feel like pressing our way on to the heavenly city, being fully persuaded that the reward [Rev. iii, 21; xxii, 14] is well worth all things pertaining to this world. When we enlisted about a year and a half since in our heavenly Master's service we enlisted for a warfare, and we are determined by God's grace assisting to be more zealous and fight on till we are discharged, or victory is won.
Dear brethren and sisters we fully believe that the message to the Laodiceans applies to us as a people, and represents our true condition. O then let us heed the admonition of the dear Saviour and be zealous and repent that our sins may be blotted out, that we may be numbered among those that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus and have right to the tree of life and may enter in through the gates into the city.
Stephen H. & Achsah Brown.
Norfolk, Ct., June 1857.
Extracts from Letters.
Sister Johnson writes from Findlay, Ohio June 14th 1857: "I am greatly cheered by reading the interesting communications from the beloved brethren and sisters scattered abroad as they come in my weekly visitor, the Review. I will also throw in my testimony on the Lord's side hoping that it may serve to encourage other lonely ones also. I am indeed very lonely as I have never had the privilege of seeing the friendly face of one of the remnant since I began to keep the Lord's Sabbath. Yet I am striving in my weakness to overcome. I do feel to thank God that ever the glad tidings of present truth reached my ears and that my eyes have been opened to see the great wickedness and delusion of the present days; and I pray that they may be anointed with that eye-salve which will enable me more clearly to see my own condition as it is.
"I feel thankful for the stirring admonitions of the faithful and true Witness to the Laodiceans; but I fear I have not been profited by it as I ought to have been; but yet I will trust in God that I may be thoroughly aroused to the work; for I want to be up and doing while probation lasts that I may be found when the dear Saviour comes with the seal of the living God on my forehead and having on the white raiment, and possessing the gold; for I want to be so clothed that I may be counted worthy to stand upon Mount Zion with the Lamb.
"Dear brethren and sisters if I do not meet you now I hope to meet you then. O blessed thought to meet to part no more! Will you pray for me that my faith fail not. O brethren you know not how it would cheer me to see some of like faith coming this way. Can not the tent pass through this place this season? I think that there is a great field of labor here and perhaps much good might be done."
Ten New Sabbath Believers
Sister C. Cryderman writes from North Brownville, Mich., June 12th 1857: “Brother Carr of Bowne came this way last February and left some of the Sabbath tracts. It was a new idea to me and my husband, but before we had read the tract through we were convinced that we were not keeping the Sabbath of the Lord. We have been professors of religion for a number of years, and my husband has been an Adventist for many years; but for my part I never looked at the signs of the times as I do now. There has great light broken in upon my mind since I commenced keeping the Sabbath of the Lord. I
thought I enjoyed much religion before, but I never enjoyed my mind so well in my life as now. O brethren, I feel to glorify God for this blessing.
“We have not been backward in trying to converse with our neighbors, and I am happy to say that there are now ten strong believers, and I verily believe that there could be a great work done here; but we have met with some sore persecution, and we feel as if we wanted help.”
BALLS.
By Editor
BALLS are dances, or as modernized and fitted to Christian tastes, and rendered suitable as entertainments which Christians may attend, they are more properly called "assemblies!" A church member would not go to "a dance"—not he—not she—dance is too low and vulgar a term for high-life professions. The poor have their "dances." Neither do these solemn-countenanced and Sabbath-day professors of religion like "balls"—that is, they do not like the name of "balls." They like the reality—the thing itself—the dance—the heated passions—the vain show—"the sound of revelry by night"—the waiting for the morning—but, then, all this is not dance—or ball—but an "assembly." Don't you understand? It is only an "assembly"; and, certainly, there can be no harm in a christian's attending an "assembly!" Mr. A. was there to the last assembly, and he is a good man. He spoke in the prayer meeting the other evening. Mr. B. prayed in the prayer meeting one evening, and attended the ball the next. Dea. C's. daughter, too, did not come up missing. They were at the ball. The young ladies did not dare to say "ball" to the deacon—they said "assembly"—and so the deacon was caught by a word, saying if mother was willing they might go. And mother was willing. To her credit, however, be it said she is low in her mind, and has not "exhorted" for some weeks!!!
Thus much have we written, not knowing hardly what to write when we began. We said "balls" as we began, and we say "balls" again. We have written in irony, but the subject is too solemn and awful to be thus treated entire. Suffice it to say, reader, that we are sick—not stomach-sick, or head-sick, or limb-sick—but heart-sick—soul-sick. We are sick at what our eyes see, and our ears hear. "Lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God." There it is—such is the world—and to this, we fear, the church are hastening—the church are mingling with the world, and fashioning their religion after the world's pattern. Many dare not move in the church until they first go to the world and get the world's opinion as to the propriety or impropriety of things. If the world say dances, and balls, and assemblies, and theatres, and card-playing, then it is all right, whatever ministers and pious and true christians may say to the contrary notwithstanding.
We speak not harshly. As God is our witness we have no such spirit. But we do confess to sadness—to sorrow—to mourning. May we not weep as we remember Zion? Oh, that our head were waters, and our eyes a fountain of tears, that we might weep day and night for the slain of the sons and daughters of the Lord.
These dances, balls, or assemblies, or whatever we please call them, (the Devil is not so particular about names as we are,) are eating out the heart-life of the church. They are hindering thousands from coming to Christ. Many young men and women would have sought religion the past Winter, had balls been out of the question. As it is, they may continue to follow the road of pleasure to its termination—its bitter, its awful, its eternal END.
As a christian public Journal, then, we solemnly protest in the name of all that is solemn in religion against mixing up the "pure and undefiled" religion of Christ with the gay assemblages of the day. Have your Inauguration Balls, your Democratic Balls, your Republican Balls, your Washington birth-day Balls—rejoice in them, if you will—let your hearts cheer you, ye vain ones—walk in the ways of your hearts, and in the sight of your eyes—let your laughter be laughter—let your joy be not heaviness—put far away serious things—bid death be gone—say, if you choose, you will never die—or if you die, you will never come to judgment—and as to "eternity" and "hell," you cannot stop to inquire their meaning. Thus do and thus say, but do not ask us to follow you. Let Christians be Christians. Do we address a parent—a father—or mother? Do you believe your children must be born again, or never see the kingdom of God? All then we have to say is, beware of balls—BEWARE.
OBITUARY.
By Hannah Goodell
By request of my dear mother Sahrina Cooley of Cheshire, Allegan Co. Mich., I pen you a few lines. She returned you her sincere thanks for your kindness in sending her the Review so long. She said, Tell them it has been the means of saving my soul. The message to the Laodicans prepared her for her last and final change. She left the world in strong faith that after a short sleep she should rise and have part in the first resurrection. Her eyes were closed in death on the seventh inst. after a severe sickness of nineteen days. She embraced the present truth the Winter of 1856 under the preaching of brother Cornell at Monterey.