Review and Herald, Vol. 18, No. 3. (6/11/1861)

Review and Herald

Jun 11, 1861

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 11, 1861

THE SACREDNESS OF SLAVERY.

MANY things are esteemed sacred. In America the most sacred thing is slavery. The constitution is held sacred, but not so sacred as slavery. When the two come in contact it is the constitution that has to give way. When the constitution is found to be against slavery it is the constitution that is to be "amended."

Law is held sacred, but not so sacred as slavery. When slavery says the word, all the laws protecting free citizens, freedom of locomotion, of speech, of the press, and personal security, give way. When it is proposed to make slavery the defendant in court, the court cannot be held. The counsel to be employed against her (Hubbard or Hoare) are graciously permitted to save their lives by leaving the State. Law, unless it be slave law, quails everywhere before the majesty of slavery.

Liberty is held sacred; but not so sacred as slavery. Where slavery appears, liberty hides her head and vanishes, of course.

Party ties and political compacts are held sacred; but not so sacred as slavery. When her interests are deemed in peril, party ties and political compacts are dissolved in an instant.

"State rights" are held sacred; but not so sacred as slavery. They are held inviolable whenever they are invoked in favor of slavery; but of no validity at all when interposed against slavery.

The authority of the federal government is held sacred, but not so sacred as slavery. When that authority is wielded in favor of slavery it is held to be without limitations or conditions. When it is but suspected that it is to be thus wielded no longer, or not to the extent of slavery's demands, the authority of the federal government disappears, and no right or power of "coercion" remains to it. Every citizen and every State may then cut the cords of allegiance with impunity.

Federal authority may coerce the State of South Carolina when she rebels against a Tariff, but not when she rebels against the inauguration of a president not nominated and elected by slavery.

The ballot box is held sacred, but not so sacred as slavery. When the ballot box fails to elect the candidates of slavery, the appeal is from the ballot box to the sword.

"Compromises" are held sacred but not so sacred as slavery. "Compromises" adopted at the dictation of slavery, are, at its dictation annulled, and at its dictation its opponents hasten to adopt them again.

The laws of nature and of nations are held sacred; but not so sacred as slavery. At her bidding those laws become "glittering generalities," "metaphysical abstractions," "fan-faronade of nonsense."

The Bible is held sacred; but not so sacred as slavery. Its decalogue, its golden rule, its law, its gospel, are all revised and set aside by the code of slavery. It annuls marriage, withholds the Bible, enforces labor without wages, and sells the temple of the Holy Ghost as a chattel, and remains a Bible institution still!

Religion is held sacred; but not so sacred as slavery. So long as religion can be perverted to the support of slavery, so long its divine claims are recognized. But no sooner does religion condemn slavery than its very name is changed to "fanaticism," "heresy," "infidelity," "treason," "rebellion," and all the forces of a pro-slavery church and a pro-slavery State, are let loose, howling on its track.

Nationality is held sacred; but not so sacred as slavery. When slavery calls for secession, nationality is cast off as an abhorred thing.

Oaths of allegiance, of office, are held sacred; but not so sacred as slavery. When slavery lifts its finger oaths of allegiance and office are no longer held binding. The citizen and the office-holder are thus absolved from the oath.

The ties of kindred, of consanguinity, of marriage, of parental and filial affection, the precious instincts, affections, and claims of our common humanity, are held sacred, but not so sacred as slavery. At her bidding, nay, in her presence, these ties are all severed, these claims trampled under foot.

The blood of the Redeemer, the influences of the Holy Spirit, the love of the great Father of spirits, are held sacred; but not so sacred as slavery. At her bidding the purchase of that blood is placed on the auction block. The temples of that Spirit are made the inmates of the slaveholder's harem, the dear children of the heavenly Father's love are transformed to "goods and chattels personal," and herded with the beasts that perish.

The family altar, the nursery, the Sabbath-school, the house of prayer, the Christian ministry, the church, the assembly of the saints are held sacred, but not so sacred as slavery. Slavery breaks down the family altar, plunders the nursery, outlaws the Sabbath-school, defiles the house of prayer, claims brotherhood in the church, bribes the ministry, and whenever convenient, chains church members and ministers as chattels, sells them at auction, chains them in coffle gangs, deposits the price in bank, and draws checks on the cashier for fresh investments in human merchandise, or for the American board of foreign missions.

All this is sober fact, and not fiction.

Men—brethren—Christians—fellow citizens—freemen! How much longer shall the abomination be endured?—The Principia.

An Easier Way to Quit Using Tobacco.

By E. J.

IN looking over the Friends' Review (No. 15), I was interested in reading an article headed, "How to quit using tobacco," and after giving it a careful second reading, am willing to admit that the prescription the writer has given may, in the main, be correct, but there is one very important point which he seems to have rather overlooked,

and which, if added, would perhaps take the place of a large portion of his directions, and that is—faithful, earnest, heartfelt prayer. This I can say, from actual experience, exceeds by far all other antidotes combined. Having at one time been an inveterate tobacco chewer, and having made several ineffectual attempts to get rid of the filthy practice, but always failing in them, I was, after having used it fourteen years, brought to remember that He who rules heaven and earth, and who does not suffer even the little sparrow to fall to the ground unnoticed, could in his adorable mercy and goodness, strengthen me in my resolves; and having committed all to his care, I determined to make one more effort, and throwing away the tobacco I had with me, fervently prayed to my heavenly Father for strength and assistance. Thanks be to a kind Providence, that prayer was answered, and the undertaking proved comparatively an easy one. My longings for it were never very great, and soon disappeared entirely.

Now to those who use the noxious weed, and who desire to quit it, I would say—pray God earnestly, fervently and faithfully, that he will strengthen you in your efforts, and you will find it an easier task than you may have imagined.

[E. J.—Ob. Evangelist.

THE SABBATH.

By M. C. Allen

THE following on the Perpetuity of the Sabbath, we take from the Millennial Harbinger of May 29, 1861, published at Seneca Falls, N. Y., late Prophetic Expositor of Rochester N. Y.

M. C. Allen is probably a First-day man. His closing remarks indicate this. But it will be seen that the Bible evidence presented in the article is on the side of the seventh-day Sabbath. The writer, in common with a majority of first-day men, uses the Bible evidence for the perpetuity of the Lord's Sabbath, and dodges off on to the first day of the week without the least show of Bible evidence.

But does the editor of the Harbinger hold to the perpetuity of the Sabbath, or the divine authority and sacredness of the first day of the week? Or does he hold that God at creation sanctified and blessed no particular day, but one day in seven? and men may take their choice? The appearance of such articles as the following in a paper professedly devoted to close expositions of scripture subjects naturally leads to the inquiry, What is the editor's position? The Sabbath question should be better understood by Bible students.—ED.

PERPETUITY OF THE SABBATH.

ALL nations, as well as individuals, who profess to base their religious belief upon the Bible, have in accordance professed a reverence for the Sabbath, as a day originally consecrated holy by God, when he rested from creating, and not instituted by man as a day not to be classed with the six working days. There is always in the word a reference to a divine injunction regarding it, although this opinion subsists with different apprehension, as to how the day should be sanctified, whether solemnly, and with established forms, as was the Jewish Sabbath, or as Sunday, so named by ancient idolaters, who worshiped the

sun, and accompanied the same with relaxation and amusements; or, as the first day of the week, the Lord's day, commemorative of our Saviour's rising from the dead, and to be devoted wholly to praise and thanksgiving, and contemplation of "that rest which remaineth" for his children at the end of the dispensation, after the manner of the apostles, recorded by their writings.

Sabbath is a Greek [Hebrew] word, signifying "rest;" the definition itself seems to indicate in what manner the day should be observed. Although there is this diversity of reasons why the Sabbath should be kept inviolate from the six working days of the week, yet, it is agreed that it should be thus sacredly maintained. Some, from the firm impression of its being a divine command, binding by the Old and New Testaments, not the less so by the gospel dispensation; others, as an important political enactment. Their argument is, that it is alike conducive to the physical and moral benefit of humanity, and could not be abrogated without detriment in a large ratio to their most important interests.

There are some professed believers in our holy religion, who think, and so speak, that the Sabbath, with other Jewish rituals, was a part of that law which was annulled by the gospel dispensation, especially as there is no express injunction in the New Testament for its observance, more than the keeping holy every day. We confess our astonishment at this opinion, for although not positively enjoined by our blessed Master or his apostles, yet, the Sabbath is so often alluded to by them as to imply that its observance was not to be discontinued as long as the christian church shall exist.

Our Saviour repeatedly improved the day by teaching the people in their synagogues, while there is not the least intimation that he intended it should be abrogated—instead of which he taught how it should be improved by studying the law, and works of love and mercy. Our Saviour declares, "He came not to destroy, but to establish, or fulfill the law and the prophets." Now, what law given before his advent did he sanction and establish, but the moral law, which his word declares is holy, just and good? Since the ceremonial law was abolished, and "a new way opened up unto us," as that which was done away could not make the comers thereunto perfect. Heb. v, xi. Besides it was declared to be a burden too heavy for the fathers and for us. We conclude, therefore, upon scriptural authority, that the moral law, comprising the ten commandments given on mount Sinai, with all the attending solemnities, is in all its requisitions as binding now, as when first promulgated.

When one came to Jesus and asked what he must do to inherit eternal life, he referred him to the second table exclusively; we suppose, because those related to his outward conduct as manifested towards others, and to convince him that what he had professed to observe, was not his whole duty, or, that which he owed to God, had not been rendered. Can it be supposed our Saviour would sanction and approve, as he did, so far as the applicant had well done, and ignore what was primarily his own right to obedience, homage, and adoration? And as an important accessory to this, is, we think, the injunction to "Remember the Sabbath day." Who can doubt, who is a Bible student, that this command was given with an intention that one day in seven should be holy, as a day of rest, early as at the creation, when the Master blessed and sanctified the seventh day?

Notwithstanding, from that time until Moses, no more mention is made of it. While aware that several specified seasons or feasts were ordained by divine command, and spoken of as Sabbaths, and were so observed by the Israelites, yet, this one day in seven is often especially enjoined, guarded by promises and threats, and designated as "the Sabbath of the Lord your God," in which there is a marked distinction made, as all can see who consult the Scriptures. It is alluded to separately and often, with re-iteration of the duties required by him who ordained it, and so handed down from generation to generation, with peculiar promises of blessing to those who with reference to a divine command, consecrated it as holy; when thus hallowed, it is not material, we think, whether we designate the day as Sabbath or "Lord's day." We know not how those can so understand the sacred oracle, as not to see if we may renounce this one day as not binding upon all to be kept holy, why we may not other of the commands that relate to our duty to one another, as enumerated in the decalogue. Is not an exposition for maintaining the Sabbath conclusive from God's word. And it should be rested upon without intervening doubts, being the ipse dixit of the great Law-Giver.

I would urge all who are in a fog on this subject, to consult a good concordance, and faithfully refer to the many texts relating to the day and its sanctions; by thus doing, they cannot, we think, fail to corroborate the above testimony. Too much time and space would be required to more than allude to them at present. It is not as a good civil institution; nor as alone calculated to promote our present and future good; not because the Sabbath, or first day of the week, whereby the keeping of it holy is implied as a precedent by the first disciples, who were found, as we read, engaged in worship on that day, but mainly because it is a divine command, evidently promulgated for observance through all time; and that it should be guarded, as by prophets and apostles of old, as are all other divine commands which are of perpetual obligation. We have every reason sanctioned by God's word for thus shielding it from all aggression, and abundant argument to ward off every shaft raised for its abandonment, or light estimation by an ungodly world.

There is no christian country without the Sabbath; and no believer in the religion of the Lord Jesus, who loves and prizes it not. It has ever been hallowed where God is known and worshiped. Were it a blotted-out institution, that rest for man and beast from the six days of labor, which is a component of the covenant blessing—a boon proved to be such from history and observation, would be too dearly lost. The worldling would lose a powerless check to his downward progress, with no Sabbath bell to warn him to turn his feet to the sanctuary, where God has promised he would be found; where often as led by custom he hears a voice crying, "Turn ye, turn ye, for why will ye die?" This he may always hear on the Lord's day, a day which has registered more new births from sin to holiness, than all the other days of the week counted together. The christian would miss a landmark by which he estimated his progress homeward, and be deprived of an indispensable auxiliary on his journey thither, and the Holy One, the loud praises and homage, on that sacred day, which he has established and followed with his blessing.

We have no fear for the Sabbath; as long as Christ has a church militant, there will be found advocates to press the importance of the divine sanction. The assurance is, that all efforts will prove abortive for its overthrow, and redound to the disgrace of the abettors. He who watches over all, ever has had, as now, those, his friends, ready to advocate and promote its obligations in their greater purity, and conscientious motives. The recent movement on its behalf must rejoice the heart of every christian, while enlisting their hearty co-operation; and prayer will ascend that God's wisdom may be better understood in its promulgation, and glory redound more and more to his great name, by thousands who shall be raised up to "remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy," in praise of him who is Lord of the Sabbath.

M. C. ALLEN.

Scenes in my Household.

The following article, although it partakes quite largely of the nature of a story, contains valuable hints for such as love the Golden Rule, and will be read with peculiar interest by thousands of the readers of the REVIEW. While the scene is evidently taken from the "higher walks of life," it instructs those in its lower walks, and especially does it tell the rich and affluent to be merciful to those contending with the discouraging spirit of poverty. I clipped it from a Detroit daily.

G. W. A.

WASHING days, with far too many housekeepers, are days of trouble and disorder. I've tried washing-machines twice, and twice abandoned them; for instead of diminishing, they increased the trouble and disorder. Your true Biddy always ruffles her feathers at every attempted improvement in her domain. She is dead set against labor-saving machinery, or new inventions in the culinary line. As for washing, she has no faith in anything but hard knuckles and a cherry board; and in regard to time, it must be from sun to sun—steam and soap-suds, from morning till dusky twilight.

Getting desperate, as housekeepers sometimes will when tried beyond endurance, I turn over a new leaf now and then, and throw my kitchen cabinet into confusion. Biddy, however, is sure to get her revenge, and drive me into the old order of things.

But this is keeping me back from a washing-day incident, which I design to relate. I keep two domestics, one a nursery and house-maid, and the other a cook. I hire a washerwoman on Mondays, to whom the sum of seventy-five cents has been usually paid for the day's work.

One Monday evening, a few weeks ago, just after the gas had been lighted, I was sitting at my work-stand, with Hetty on a stool by my feet, reading a new book, which her father had brought her at dinner time, when the cook came in and said—

"Mary's done the washing, ma'am."

I took out my porte-monnaie, and had selected three quarters of a dollar, when the cook added—

"Mary thinks she ought to have a dollar."

"Well, she won't get it," was my quick and rather excited answer. "Three quarters are enough, and all she'll receive from me. I never saw such people! you can't satisfy them!"

"It's a big wash," replied the cook, "and hard work standing over the tub from morning till night."

"There's no use in talking," said I sharply, "I shall not pay her a dollar."

"May be 'ye'd be after dividin' it with her then," suggested the cook, who had gone over to the side of Mary. "Say ye'll give her a shillin' more nor three quarters."

"May be I won't, then," said I positively.

Cook went down stairs, leaving me in not a very comfortable state of mind. I felt annoyed at this demand. Seventy-five cents was all I ever had paid, or ever expected to pay for a day's washing. A dollar seemed out of all reason. Mr. Wilkins came in soon after, and the subject passed from my thoughts. He brought me home a photographic impression of that sweet picture, entitled, "Past and Future," with which I was delighted.

"How much did it cost?" was a very natural question.

"Only twenty-five cents," was the reply.

"Indeed! is it that cheap?"

"Yes, very cheap. Impressions of this kind are usually sold at from fifty cents to a dollar."

"Can you get any more of them?" I inquired.

"Yes."

"At the same price?"

"O, yes."

"I'd like two more," said I. "Will you get them for me to-morrow?"

"Certainly; but what do you want with two more?"

"I would like to give one to Mrs. Walker, and send the other to sister Alice."

"You shall have them," was my husband's cheerful response.

"Did you get the note paper and envelopes?" I now inquired, remembering a little commission I had given him in the morning. He drew forth a package and placed it in my hand.

"Gilt edge?" I asked.

"Yes."

"Pink-lined envelopes?"

"O, certainly;" that was your direction. But I call it extravagant. Now, how much extra do you suppose I had to pay for gilt edge and pink-lining?

"I'm sure I don't know," was my carelessly spoken answer.

"Nor don't care, either, why didn't you say?" He smiled, with just a shade of gravity in his eyes, adding—"But I will inform you, nevertheless. The pink and gilt in that little package cost just fifty cents."

"Nothing so very ruinous in that." I threw back the words laughingly.

"Not at all; only it just crossed my mind that many a poor man works hard all day for just double the amount here spent in gold leaf and tinting—useless, all!"

I dropped my eyes away from the earnest look with which my husband seemed regarding me. He had not meant to utter a rebuke, but his words went home. My thoughts passed instantly to poor Mary, our washerwoman, and her long, hard day's work. I thought of her two children at home, from whom she had been absent since morning, and the meagre provision she could make for them and herself on the small sum of her earnings—seventy-five cents a day, with the certainty of never more than three or four full day's work in a week. I thought, likewise, of my refusal to increase the sum of one day's earnings by the small addition of even a single shilling, which my cook with more kindness and sympathy than I had given her credit for, urged me in her impulsive way to advance. A shame spot burnt on my cheek. Rising suddenly, I went down stairs to the kitchen.

"Where's Mary?" I asked.

"Gone," answered cook, coldly.

"Did she get her supper?"

"No, ma'am. She couldn't stay. The wash was heavy, and we didn't get through till late."

"Why didn't you get her some supper?"

"I wanted to, but she said no, she wasn't hungry."

"I'm sorry," was my remark, and stood thoughtful for some moments. Conscience was troubling me.

"Is she coming next week, as usual?"

"Don't know, ma'am. She didn't say. Guess as how she'll try to make a day somewhere else, if she can."

I returned and went up stairs, feeling altogether uncomfortable. What a trifle was the sum to me which I had refused to advance—to her of how much importance. In parting with it, I should never have felt the slightest diminution of comfort, while the gain to her would have been great. Very exact was I in dealing with this poor woman, bargaining for her work at the lowest rate for which it could be obtained, yet liberal in expending from a mere generous impulse—giving away things of taste and ornament to persons better able to purchase than I was to bestow. The matter troubled me. I looked so sober, as I sat at the head of the tea-table, that my husband inquired with a shade of concern on his face, if I were not well.

"O, yes," I replied, rallying myself, "quite well;" and then I tried to make conversation, in order to push aside, if possible, the unpleasant thoughts that intruded themselves. But I remained ill at ease. Conscience kept accusing me. Had I been just, humane, considerate? I could not answer, yes. Fifty cents for gilt and tint was a thing of no consideration; but twenty-five cents to my poor washerwoman, who toiled wearily from sun to sun, was so weighty a matter, that self-interest would not permit me to decide in her favor. Two or three times during the evening I had resolved to send my cook to Mary, who lived not far distant, with the twenty-five cents I had so positively refused to advance on her wages. But this would have been to acknowledge myself wrong, and human nature is weak. I was not quite ready for this.

"You needn't get me those photographs," said I to Mr. Wilkins on the next morning, as he was leaving after breakfast.

"Why not?" he inquired, looking at me curiously.

I really felt as if he were reading my thoughts, and my eyes fell away involuntarily.

"Gilt edge and pink-lining!" Mr. Wilkins looked at me from the corners of his eyes a little reprovably.

"For shame!" I answered, hiding the real state of my mind under a show of mock displeasure.

I could not get Mary out of my mind. Every now and then a thought of her would intrude, and continued throughout the day. Several times I resolved to send her the extra sum she had asked for her day's work, but pride—I call the feeling by its right name—held my good intent from action; and so the days went on and the week closed.

Sunday evening found my thoughts going forward to Monday, that day of days to housekeepers. I had never known a more faithful or punctual washerwoman than Mary, and had often said of her, speaking to myself, "She's a treasure." The question of her appearance as usual, on Monday morning, was therefore a serious one, and the doubt involved made me feel uncomfortable. Rather than lose her, I would have paid a dollar for the day's work cheerfully. She was better worth that than most washerwomen the usual seventy-five cents.

"I wonder if Mary will be here in the morning," said I, speaking to my cook.

"Don't know, ma'am," answered cook, soberly. I could see that the extra quarter was in her mind, and she wished me to remember how I had refused to advance Mary's wages.

"Did she say anything about giving up the place?" I inquired.

"She said it was worth a dollar, ma'am, and she could get it—and so she can."

I said no more, but left cook brooding over the matter, with no pleasant anticipations.

I arose early on the next morning, and went down to the kitchen. There stood Mary over her washing-tub, as I had seen her on every Monday morning for a twelvemonth. She looked up as I came in, with her usual grave smile of recognition; but the smile was more fleeting than usual, and as it faded out I saw lines of trouble on her face.

"Are you not well, Mary?" I asked kindly.

"Not very well, ma'am," she answered in a tone that stirred my heart with a feeling of sympathy.

"What ails you?" I inquired.

"Johnny's been sick, and I've had to be up with him almost every night."

"What's the matter with Johnny?"

"I don't know, ma'am. He's had a fever, and such a dreadful headache."

Fever! Ah, I knew too well what that word meant, for many an hour had I lain scorched with fever, and often tormented by thirst. My thoughts went realistically to one well remembered time, when, after a long delay, a cool, juicy orange was placed to my eager lips, and then, as my thoughts passed to Mary's little boy, an accusing spirit charged me with holding back from his lips a like refreshment.

"Is he no better this morning?"

"Not much ma'am."

I turned away from the kitchen and went up stairs, with a strangely uncomfortable feeling about my heart. An image of the sick child haunted me. I fancied him suffering from thirst as I had once suffered, when the hot breath of fever seemed to be drying up my blood.

After breakfast I sent for a few oranges, and taking them in my hands, entered the kitchen, where Mary was at work, and said to her—

"Don't you think these would taste good to Johnny?"

Mary's hands paused in their work, and her eyes filled with tears.

"O, ma'am," she answered with a tremor in her voice, "he cried so last night for an orange, and I couldn't buy him one."

A sob came near overmastering me, but I kept it down.

"Put on your bonnet, Mary," said I, "and take these home to Johnny. Poor child, I know what a fever thirst is."

Tears fell over her face, and her lips tried vainly to express her thanks. I did not want the words, for I saw that her heart was full of gratitude.

"I'll be back in a minute," she said, a few moments afterward, and went hurriedly out.

"Here is your money." The day had closed, and the washerwoman's work was done. I held two half-dollars in my hand. Mary looked at them, and then at me, while a flash of surprise mingled with hope and pleasure stood on her face. No further word was spoken. She stood a moment, moved, I could see by the grateful feelings that would not trust themselves in utterance—then turned from me, and left for home.

Was I not a happier woman, as I sat amid my children that evening, than I was just one week before? Ah, we cannot wrong another, without laying burdens upon our own hearts. How many golden opportunities for gathering life's sweetest pleasures do we let go by, permitting selfishness, and a narrow injustice to the poor, to rob both us and them of the good to which we are both entitled.

A trifling incident some may say, on which to hold the reader's attention so long. Do you feel so my friend? Think again, and away from yourself as much as possible, and perhaps the impression may change.

That Book.

THERE it lies, attracts little attention; yet it is the most wonderful object the eye can look upon, and the most valuable thing the hand can and so poise. The sun in the heavens, the multitude of the starry host, are not so glorious; nor are the wedges of gold, or gems of brightest lustre, to be compared with it in value, or any of the dear relations of life to be esteemed so precious as that book. Let us ever try to realize the following points or properties of this book, and treat it accordingly.

In truthfulness. The facts are real, wonderful, and not at all exaggerated. Its histories are all-important. There is no invention, no surmise. The characters drawn of God and of men, the descriptions given of this world and of the next are all true. The truth, the one truth above all others, that shines brightest in it, is redemption wrought by One in our nature. Therein it is revealed as accomplished, accepted and honored. It is full, free, eternal.

The tenderness of that Book. The invitations, histories, encouragements, promises, are all full of tenderness. The names of God, the titles of Christ, the offices of the Holy Spirit, and the names by which God calls his people, are all running over with tenderness.

The terribleness of that Book. Predictions of wrath to come, threatenings on the impenitent, descriptions of judgment, how full of awful terms!

The triumphs of that Book. It has been victorious over all enemies and cavilers, and over all the fears of God's people, already in thousands of instances. It is destined to triumph over all the world. O how glorious will its victories appear when all God's purposes concerning it are accomplished, and all written out! The history of the Bible will be one of the delightful studies of the saints through eternity. Then its contents will be understood and its victories be celebrated by its multitudes of trophies, and the universe shall wonder at THAT BOOK.

Our Ever-Present Counselor

WE have always one Counselor to whom we can repair for advice, and he pleads the causes of his people freely.

THE LOUD VOICE OF THE THIRD ANGEL.

We are now entering upon a subject of thrilling interest. We believe the third message will increase in strength, and close with far greater power than the first. It is said of the first message, and of the third, that they should be given with a "loud voice;" but of the second it is not so declared. The first was given with energy and power, and produced great excitement upon the public mind; therefore it is said to be given with a loud voice.

The second message, being local, given for the benefit of God's people who were looking for the second coming of his Son, is not said to be given with a loud voice. Fifty thousand believers in the speedy advent of Christ were brought out of the different churches under this message; but on others beside these it had but little influence.

But of the third message it is said, "And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice," &c. We shall conclude then, that the third message will yet arrest public attention, be proclaimed with great energy and power, and cause a great movement, equal at least to that produced by the first message. But we solemnly believe that the work of the third angel will be far greater than the first.

1. Because of the nature of the message. How solemn!—how cutting!—how dreadful! It breaks upon the ear as follows: "If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation," &c. It is true the first message relates to the judgment, and to the hour or period of the judgment; but it is not of so fearful import as the third.

2. Because of the work which it is to accomplish. The third message is to ripen the harvest of the earth. Let us take a view of the symbols of Rev. xiv, as arranged on our Pictorial Charts. The first three angels symbolize the people of God occupying three positions. What next? The Son of man on a white cloud, "having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle." See verse 14. Christ has then finished his work in the heavenly sanctuary, laid aside his priestly attire, and has on his kingly crown, and a sickle in his hand. It is evident then, that Christ's pleading for sinners, and the time of their probation closes with the work of the third message.

While Christ is thus upon the white cloud, another angel, the fourth, comes out of the temple, "Crying with a loud voice to him that sat upon the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle and reap, for the time is come for thee to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe." This angel illustrates God's people as occupying a fourth position. But mark! This angel does not follow the other three with a message of warning to man; but is represented as "crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud," and illustrates the people of God offering an urgent, united prayer to the Son of man to thrust in his sickle, to destroy his enemies, to reap the harvest of the earth. Is it not the same as the day and night cry of the elect, of Luke xviii? This cry will be heard, and the elect will be avenged speedily by the Son of man thrusting in his sickle and reaping the earth. Then the saints are delivered out of their trouble, which is called the time of Jacob's trouble in Jer. xxx, 7.

But in all this work connected with the fourth angel there is not one offer of mercy to sinners, neither one prayer for their salvation; but one united cry goes up to Christ on the white cloud to destroy them. The petition is, "Thrust in thy sickle and reap." The reason for this is given as follows: "For the harvest of the earth is ripe."

The question now arises, What ripens the harvest of the earth? or what prepares men either to be translated to heaven, or to drink of the wine of the wrath of God? Answer. The third angel's message. Yes, the third message is yet to be proclaimed everywhere with tremendous power, sufficient to arouse all to a decision, a final decision. The message then will be a test to all men. The third message bears the law of God, but especially the trodden down Sabbath, on its front. Some may start back at the idea of the Sabbath and the law being a test. But we inquire, If the law of the great Jehovah is not a test to poor mortal man, what can be a test? Certainly, if it be not a test, there can be no such thing as a test, and we have no use for the word in our language.

And how very consistent that just before the great God pours the vials of his unmingled wrath upon the wicked, he will test them by his law, which is so very plain and simple that all may know their duty in regard to it. The message bears the Sabbath in front. And how exceedingly plain and definite is the fourth commandment guarding and enforcing the Sabbath! No one of the other nine is so explicit. Read the fourth commandment again, and notice, first, that we are commanded to remember the Sabbath-day and keep it holy; second, we are told that six days are given us to labor and obtain a livelihood, while the seventh day God has reserved to himself as his holy day, and that we must not labor on that day; third, the reason for the institution is given as follows: "For in six

OUR POSITION.

By Editor

Our position relative to the great work of the third message is briefly stated in the article entitled, The Loud Voice of the Third Angel. With fullest confidence that this glorious work will soon be accomplished, and that it is therefore the duty of all to act some humble part, we enter cheerfully and joyfully upon those duties assigned to us. And may we not expect the especial blessing of God upon those who now rise above, and leave behind, their faults and errors, as well as discouragements? God will return in power to those who truly return unto him.

Have we lost in a degree the spirit of the message? our only safety is to return unto the Lord who first gave to feel its sacredness and importance. Have our ministers sunken down, through discouragements or otherwise, from that high state of spiritual enjoyment, consecration, and zeal to save souls, they once enjoyed? may God reach down his arm and lift them up. Have our people lost in a great degree the spirit of sacrifice? may they with renewed consecration bind their sacrifices upon God's altar. With real faith in our present position, and the future success of the message, as stated in the article referred to above, ministers, editors and people, will act faithfully, decidedly and vigorously for God and the languishing cause of truth.

CONFERENCE ADDRESS.

By Editor

THE brethren will be happy to see in this week's paper the Conference Address on Organization. Those who have care for the flock, and labor the most ardently for the advancement of the cause will be highly gratified, while those who take but little interest in the cause will see little or no necessity for anything of the kind. We hope all our people may be aroused to the necessity of a proper organization, to prevent the loss of a large amount of the labor of our preachers, and confusion among believers.

The readers of the REVIEW will be very thankful for the Address in this number, covering but a portion of the ground, and will anxiously expect to be very soon addressed upon the subject of the "officers of the churches and their duties."

WE have sent a pamphlet entitled, Acts of Incorporation and By-laws of the Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association, to those who have sent in their pledges for the payment of shares in the stock of the Association. It is expected that on receipt of said pamphlet, all who are prepared so to do, will send forward the amount of their pledges, and more if they please, as it is wanted for the immediate use of the Association. On receipt of the money, the Secretary will return certificates of stock. We have printed one thousand copies of the pamphlet, and shall be able to furnish a copy to all who pledge to take stock in the Association.

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