WHEREVER there are a sufficient number of Sabbath-keepers to hold meetings, there should be a well organized Bible class. This is a most delightful and profitable way of spending a portion of the holy Sabbath. And it is an exercise which is too much neglected among this people.
We are coming into the perils of the last times, when every man should be able to give a ready reason of his hope in the manner the Apostle has said, 1 Pet. iii, 15. In the Bible class is a good place to get posted on the important points of our faith. By taking the word of God, and the publications issued at this Office, the uninformed brother or sister may be able to comprehend the length and breadth of our faith, and not be thrown into confusion when opposing views are presented to them.
Is it not our duty to be better booked up on the doctrines of the Bible? Is it not a little disgraceful to be unable to explain and prove the fundamental points of the third angel's message? Is not the Saviour's injunction to "search the Scriptures" just as binding now as ever? Are not many of the churches behind in this matter?
A word about the manner of conducting a Bible class. Let some one be elected to the office of leader who is informed in the Scriptures, and will enter into the work with a becoming zeal. Have the lesson given out the previous Sabbath, and let every member of the class be on hand promptly at the time of the appointment. Then, above all things avoid a spirit of discussion, for it will kill the interest in a Bible class, and drive out the Spirit of God; and without these two things nothing can be done.
The above accords with my experience in the Bible class and Sabbath-School for the past few years.
G. W. A.
NOTE FROM BRO. WHEELER.
By Frederick Wheeler
DEAR BRO. WHITE : I have recently spent two Sabbaths with the church in Jefferson Co., and held a number of meetings in different places. I think they are beginning to feel the necessity of more union, and a more perfect consecration to God and his cause. In Lorraine there has been quite an interest to hear among those who had not previously been interested in present truth. Seven have commenced to keep the Lord's Sabbath. Last first-day four were buried with Christ by baptism, and trust henceforth to walk in newness of life. May the Lord keep them unto his heavenly kingdom.
Yours in hope of eternal life.
F. WHEELER.
Camden, N. Y., May 23, 1861.
IS THE USE OF TOBACCO A FILTHINESS OF THE FLESH?
By J. Bostwick
MANY tobacco users are not willing to admit the words filthiness of the flesh, in 2 Cor. vii, 1, as being applicable to them, as tobacco was not in use in the Apostle's day. To such I would say, Is there not a principle in the text, and will not that principle apply to the uses of the filthy weed? I know some fortify themselves quite strongly on the sayings of our Saviour in Matt. xv, 10-20. It is plain on a careful reading that our Saviour has particular reference to their food; and tobacco is not food by any means. It was known then only as a poisonous herb; but to the extent which it is made use of at the present day one might imagine it had become an aliment.
When I was at Glen-Haven water-cure, engaged in the study and practice of hydropathy, one Mr. M. of Philadelphia, as well as many others, presented himself for treatment. He had been an inveterate smoker of tobacco for some years, and his flesh had become so polluted thereby that the nervous fluid and blood had barely a chance for circulation, producing almost a total loss of the use of the lower limbs. On being informed of the cause of his disease, he quit the use of tobacco. His first treatment was thorough wet-sheet packs and baths; and if some of the tobacco users who profess the present truth could have been there and witnessed the result of this packing they would think at least that one thing that enters a man will defile him. On taking him out of his wet-sheet envelope, in which he had been soaking an hour or more at a time, the stench and fumes of tobacco would arise from his body and the sheet in which he had been enveloped so that individuals were glad to leave the room. Some who witnessed the unpacking and bathing were made sick at the stomach. Three different attendants were called upon to finish the bathing which only lasted five minutes. When the tobacco was pretty well drawn out of his filthy and polluted flesh he began to recover the use of his limbs.
This one case may serve to illustrate many which occur in water-cure practice. Ask the many who have quit the use of tobacco through the assistance of water-cure if they consider it a filthiness of the flesh; they will give you an emphatic answer in the affirmative.
I have seen individuals who came for miles to get the advice of a hydropathic physician in abandoning the use of tobacco. I have seen individuals who have overcome the abominable habit by the assistance of water appliances. I have also conversed with those who have got the victory over this filthy practice by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. All will agree that it is generally a habit, and a dirty practice, and when the understanding is enlightened on this subject is it not a sin to thus pollute our bodies with this insidious poison? I know of no better way to master this vice than to make it a subject of prayer. Yes, prayer! better than all other modes. That Being who can heal diseases will help in the subduing of this as well as all other practices which may be called filthiness of the flesh. Blessed thought! We have a High Priest who can be touched with the feeling of our infirmities.
Not long since, in this State, a good brother got the victory over this habit in answer to prayer; and the language of his heart is, "The Lord hath done great things for me." He had often tried before to quit its use, but in his own strength. Here is where many fail. When a man's system is completely saturated with tobacco so that the very blood and nerves of his brain are pickled with it, how can he expect help from strong resolutions when the very brain that produces those resolutions is polluted with tobacco? And as long as we look to self for victory over any besetting sin, I care not how small, we are liable to fail. O that we might realize this more fully. If we all would look to Christ for victory over every besetment would we not soon have a church without spot or wrinkle? How can any of us for a moment indulge the thought of there being a tobacco chewer, smoker, or snuff-taker among the living saints to be translated at the coming of the blessed One. Then we would say, Cleanse yourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, and thus be a vessel unto sanctification and honor, meet for the Master's use.
Postal Address of Loughborough and Sanborn
By Editor
THE P. O. address of J. N. Loughborough and Isaac Sanborn will be Ogden, Rock Co., Wis., until further notice is given.
ENGLISH BIBLES.
By Editor
We have on hand a good assortment of English Bibles from Canada, which we sell at the prices given below. The size is indicated by the amount of postage.
THERE will be a Tent-meeting at Clinton Junction, Rock Co., Wis., commencing June 7, 1861, and continuing as long as the interest may demand.
June 1, 1861. ISAAC SANBORN.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
THE Lord willing the Minnesota tent will be pitched June 5, 1861, in the village of Oronoco, 10 miles north of Rochester, Olmstead Co., Minn. Bro. Allen will remain with us two weeks. We hope to see Bro. Lashier at this meeting without fail; and Bro. Andrews as soon as the Lord opens the way.
May 30, 1861. JNO. BOSTWICK.
W. ALLEN.
Business Department.
Business Notes.
H. M. Grant : Your paper is regularly sent from this Office.
S. Dunten : Your INSTRUCTOR is already paid four years in advance from next January. You can apply the dollar as a donation to the Association, if you wish.
R. M. Pierce : Check received.
M. A. Hiestand : One dollar will pay your subscription to the end of present volume.
C. L. Palmer : The letter from C. F. Hough was received, and the money placed to the credit of J. D. Hough on book.
E. Stafford : Your letter was received, and the money receipted in No. 23 last volume.
R. J. Lawrence : The $1,58 was placed to your credit for books used with the Mich. tent last Summer.
W. Morse : Draft received.
Receipts.
FOR REVIEW AND HERALD.
Annexed to each receipt in the following list, is the Volume and Number of the REVIEW AND HERALD to which the money received pays. If money for the paper is not in due time acknowledged, immediate notice of the omission should then be given.
A. N. Curtis 1,00,xix,1. D. R. Wood 1,00,xix,1. E. Macomber jr., 3,00,xix,18. P. Ringdolph 1,00,xix,1. L. Gould 2,00,xxi,1. Hannah Soule 4,50,xxi,14. O. A. Parker 2,00,xix,1. Jno. Butchart, Sen., 1,00,xix,15. R. Loveland (0,50 each S. Boutwell and E. Wheelock) 1,00, each to xix,1. A. Fife 1,00,xix,1. N. N. Lunt 1,00,xix,1. S. Furguson 1,00,xix,1. R. Parker 1,00,xviii,7. S. Cushing 1,00,xx,1. C. Woodman (for B. Woodman) 0,30,xviii,1. C. Woodman 2,00,xx,1. D. Wilcox 1,00,xix,1. W. S. Fairchild 2,00,xx,1. A. Wright 1,00,xx,1. C. Lawton 2,00,xx,1. Wm. Lawton 2,00,xx,1. C. Lawton (for N. M. King) 1,00,xx,1. D. D. Bartlett 2,00,xx,1. J. M. Aldrich 2,00,xix,1. S. Dunten 2,00,xxi,1. A. D. Tracy 2,00,xix,20. J. Pemberton 2,00,xx,1. Wm. F. Crous 0,80,xix,1. H. L. Richmond 0,85,xviii,21. A. W. Maynard 2,00,xx,1. C. G. Cramer 1,00,xix,21. J. Cramer 1,00,xix,1. W. J. Mills 1,00,xix,1. Jas. Cornell 2,00,xvii,1. A friend (for Mrs. A. N. Chapman) 0,50,xviii,1. N. N. Anway 0,44,xvi,13. L. E. Milne 1,00,xix,1. H. Edson 1,00,xix,1. S. Newton (for L. Wright) 0,50,xix,1. F. A. Stevens 2,00,xix,7. S. Newton (for N. A. Hitchcock) 0,50,xix,1. M. E. Darling 2,00,xx,1. D. Edwards 2,00,xviii,17. C. Kelsey 1,00,xix,1. D. Farnam 4,00,xviii,1. S. T. Chamberlain 2,00,xviii,14. D. R. Carpenter 0,50,xviii,10. L. A. Brobst 1,00,xix,1. Wm. Sweet 1,00,xviii,11. N. Waid 0,50,xviii,14. Lucia Morris 1,00,xix,1. Wm. Russell 2,20,xxi,1. H. Miller 1,00,xix,1. Maria Johnson 1,95,xix,8. E. B. Hibbard 1,00,xviii,1. Ch. in Ionia, Mich. (for H. M. Pettengill) 0,50,xix,1. D. Kellogg 1,00,xix,1. M. S. Kellogg 1,00,xix,1. S. H. King 2,00,xxi,1. Geo. Felshaw 2,00,xix,1. A. R. Knight 1,00,xix,20. J. F. Carman 1,00,xix,1. R. Graham 2,00,xix,1. M. A. Hiestand 0,50,xviii,1. C. Fleming 1,00,xix,1. Moses Hill 0,50,xix,1. Emily Wilcox 2,00,xxi,19. Jno. Francisco 1,00,xix,1. Jno. Reynolds 1,00,xvi,1. E. Griffith 2,00,xix,6. E. Walworth 2,00,xviii,20. Betsey Moore 1,00,xvi,1. R. T. Payne 1,00,xix,1. Alfred G. Smith 0,50,xix,1. Mary Heddington 0,50,xix,1. Rhoda Ashald 2,00,xxi,1. Geo. McDowell 1,00,xix,1. H. C. Crosby 1,00,xviii,1. S. E. Twist 1,00,xviii,9.