DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: I write because I feel constrained thus to do. About three weeks since my mind was exercised with peculiar love for the children of God. I never before so realized the strength and glory of their being united, and one in Christ Jesus. O, thought I, the refreshing is coming! God is about to shed abroad his love in the hearts of the honest ones who will give up all for him and his cause. This will fit them for the loud cry of the third angel, and the latter rain. I felt a desire to see them all, that I might tell them of the love that was glowing in my heart. It then occurred to me that I could speak to many of them through the Review.
I have prized the paper since it first started with the present truth, and have professed to believe it of the Lord; but since this exercise of mind, I have felt a living witness, a consciousness within, better felt than described, that the Review is approved of the Lord, and those connected with it are his people; and however much I may have prized it in past time, it is now doubly dear. This reminds me of an incident in April of 1843. I had for some months professed to believe the Lord was coming, but did not feel the assurance I wanted. While reading a pamphlet, "The Test of Saving Faith," I resolved to seek until I obtained the evidence I desired. I found the faith, and a great blessing with it; and could say without a doubt from that time till the tenth day of the seventh month passed, The Lord is coming!
This inward teaching can be no hindrance, and does not by any means supercede the necessity of understanding the argument from the word of God, which must be a great privilege to those able to do so. The commandments of God, all can understand, with the Faith of Jesus, and all may keep them and enter into life. The love of God in the heart will overcome a selfish and covetous disposition, and love of the world. It will make us esteem others better than ourselves. We shall feel that no glory belongs to us if we have not, as yet, been publicly rebuked and classed among the erring. "Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." The Lord scourgeth every son whom he receiveth, and he knows what will best effect a reconciliation. Pride must be humbled, and we must be kept in the furnace till the dross is consumed. There may be a calm, the result of cases being so desperate that they are left without chastisement, of whom it may have been said, They are joined to their idols, let them alone. Who has not reason to fear while indulging in sin that the Spirit is being grieved for the last time? Sin so blinds the mind, and darkens the understanding, that it makes us insensible to our condition. Some may apparently be in fellowship with the saints whose last chance has passed unimproved. But the separation must come. When the love of God takes full possession of the heart, in each will be seen the image of Jesus. Past wrongs will be forgiven and forgotten in the simplicity and love that will pervade their entire being. Their interests will be one. Each will lay his own advantage by to do his brother good. Those who are lovers of themselves, their gold, appetites and passions, more than lovers of God and his cause, will not go with this united company. Their faces will gather blackness, and they will want to hide from the light of the glory that will attend those fully prepared to work for God. We shall then discern between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not. How precious the passing moments to those for whom there is yet hope! May we so improve them that we may have eternal life.
MRS. R. SMITH
West Wilton, N. H., Jan. 6th, 1859.
Confession and Restoration
By Washington Morse
From Bro. Morse.
Bro. Smith : Permit me to say a few words through the Review, to the saints scattered abroad. This is the first time for more than three years that I have felt it my duty to write a communication to be read by the numerous friends of the Cause. I might go on and give some reasons for this long silence did it seem duty to me, but those who are acquainted, or have been acquainted with me will forgive me in this without any further reasons. For more than two years past I have often felt that my position was like the lone tree standing upon the broad prairie, exposed to all the storms and tempests of earth; and I cannot help calling to mind some of those scenes while I write. O how oft sorrow has filled my heart until tears my cheeks have wet.
Before I go further, I would say that I now write in reference to the doings of the church in Randolph, Vt., the spring after I left that State, which were published in the Review in relation to me. Those that took the Review well know what it was; and, strange as it may seem to my dear brethren, I have never been able to see and feel those charges to be true against me until within the last two weeks. I can now say to all of my brethren and sisters, if I may be allowed the expression, that I feel truly that God has forgiven me, and I greatly desire you to, and again extend the hand of fellowship. Though unworthy, my attachment to the Cause of present truth, and to those who are teaching the Third Angel's Message, the Sabbath, and other kindred truths, never was so strong as now. Although I have been seemingly alone, and separated from you in this far off land for nearly three years, and much of the time weighed down with trials, and almost overcharged with the cares of this life, yet I never doubted that we were hearing the last message of mercy that ever would be given to this world.
Many times my poor heart has been quite light, and spirits free, in trying to defend it. I can truly say that the trials through which I have been passing have done me good, although I have felt sometimes that they were greater than I could bear. Yet, as the Scripture says, "Tribulation worketh patience, patience experience, experience hope, and hope maketh not ashamed." I feel that these words are true in my case. I do feel willing to bear and suffer much more than I ever did before in my life. I trust that some of the dross has been purged away. I feel that my whole being is now thrown into this blessed Cause. Never did I feel the weight of it as I have for a few days past. I have tried to lay all upon the altar, and dedicate my all to the Lord anew.
And in conclusion I would say, dear brethren, give me a place among you, let me share in your burthens and trials, your joys and sorrows, though unworthy; and although I may not be able to make amends fully for the past now, still I hope and fondly trust that I shall be able to, with the blessing of the Lord, sooner or later. I am resolved to persevere, and go through to the kingdom.
Your unworthy brother in tribulation,
WASHINGTON MORSE.
Deerfield, Min. Jan., 1859.
Calls for Help
By Editor
Note.—We can only make public these calls for help; and those whose calling it is to proclaim the truth by word of mouth, seeing these openings, and hearing these Macedonian cries, must act in reference to them according to their own convictions of duty.—Ed.
Encouragement to Serve God
By I. N. Van Gorder
From Bro. Van Gorder.
BRO. SMITH : I can say I rejoice in the present truth. I feel encouraged to press my way onward, and to grow in grace. "They that feared the Lord spake often one to another." How true it is that they that truly fear the Lord and are trying to keep all his commandments, earnestly desire to hear from the brethren. How cheering it is to hear from the East and West, that there are a few who are willing to sacrifice all on earth, for the hope of an inheritance in Christ's glorious kingdom. O let us be more engaged, for the time is very short. Knowing this, it stands us in hand to be up, and work out our own salvation; because no one else can do it for us. Every one has a work to do, and the place to commence is with ourselves. We cannot hope to be saved through the obedience of any but Christ. Then let every one of us act for ourselves, serving God as we should, "that others, although they speak evil against us, may by our good works, which they shall behold, be led to glorify God." Can we have our affections placed on things of the world and in heaven too? Our Saviour said, "You cannot serve God and mammon." Let us serve God. "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Let us lay up our treasure in heaven. "A tree is known by its fruit." O let every action and every word prove our profession. It is believed that actions speak louder than words, and if our general deportment (which is the fruit) is not good, we shall be condemned by those around us, and shall not lead them to glorify God.
O that we could comprehend the Third Angel's Message more fully. Although we profess it, do we in reality realize that we are living in the very last end of the world? that our Redeemer will soon come to take his ransomed people home? O, what a solemn thought! What a truly solemn time to all who have a realizing sense of the present state of the world, and know that the present is the last message of mercy to man! May the Lord help us to have our whole heart in the work.
Brethren and sisters, we can all help by placing works already published in the hands of our friends, and praying God to bless the effort put forth to do good. Remember the prayer of faith will be heard, and ours is a prayer-answering God. We do not pray enough. There is strength in prayer. Let us have faith, and pray as did Elijah, be fervent in spirit serving the Lord.
Yours striving for the kingdom.
I. N. VANGORDER.
Hernottsville, Pa., Jan, 9th, 1859.
Encouraged by the Review
Sister C. Foreman writes from Finley, Ohio, Dec. 1858: "I have felt sometimes almost ready to sink under the opposing influences that have been thrown around me; but when I would take the Review and read it, the truths that it advocates seemed clear to me, and I could then with renewed courage meet the next opposition; and I assure you to-day that I have no disposition to turn back, although the opposition is strong, and the enemy is wroth because I try to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus."
Praying Against Temptation
As he who prayeth that he may not be burned, and then runneth into the fire, so is he that saith, "Lead me not into temptation," and then, without necessity subjects his principles to trial.
Glorify God in Salvation
If God were to refuse to pardon, sanctify, and save a poor crying sinner, he would thereby refuse to glorify himself: pray then as Jesus did, "Father glorify thy name:" glorify it in my salvation.
When the sweetness of divine mercy is enjoyed, the heart is cheerfully surrendered to the Lord.
To Correspondents.
By Editor
QuERY.—If the death pronounced upon Adam was corporeal death, and if that is the first death, and if the second death is after the sinner has been raised from such death, what death is that spoken of in Eph. ii, 1?
ANs.—The very death there described; namely, being dead in trespasses and sins. That the unsanctified state of the sinner is represented as a state of death, none will deny. But to make this the death threatened to Adam, as some do, is to confound the crime with the penalty. We have always considered that very profound theology, ironically speaking, which would make God say to Adam, In the day thou sinnest, thou shalt surely be a sinner!
QuERY.—If a Sabbath-day's journey is only a half a mile, is it right to go four or five miles to meeting on the Sabbath?
ANs.—By comparing together John xi, 18; (margin;) Luke xxiv, 50; and Acts i, 12, we learn that what was called a Sabbath-day's journey amounted to about two of our miles. But we find no directions in the Bible touching this Sabbath-day's journey. We find no divine command limiting the distance a man might travel on the Sabbath-day. This was wholly the work of Jewish tradition. As such we recognize in it no authority. To travel any reasonable distance in obedience to the injunction to hold, on the Sabbath, a holy convocation, we should not consider wrong.
A. Lanphear; We have three kinds of English pocket Bibles for sale. One in size and shape about like Am. Tract Society Bibles; but a larger and clearer print, linen paper, with marg. references. Price $1.50, postage 17 cts. Another like the common English Bibles, with refs. after each verse, instead of in the margin. Price $1,50, postage 12 cts. Another, small size, fine print. Price $1, postage 8 cts. These Bibles are all well bound, either in colored calf or morocco. Those who order by mail are to send the postage in addition to the price.
Material for a Converted World.
Those who are bolstering themselves up in ideas of peace and safety, under the delusive notion of a world's conversion, ought certainly to be treated to all facts which may come to light, bearing upon this question, that they may draw from them all the consolation which such facts are capable of affording. The following startling declarations ought to be sufficient, it would seem, to rouse a person from the deepest sleep into which this opiate belief could possibly lull him. The first relates to pernicious works, and the greediness with which they are devoured by the rising generation. It says:
"A secular paper, referring to the great sale of pernicious works, says that if the true amount were known, good citizens would lose hope for the morals and principles of the rising generation. A committee of the English House of Commons in 1851, reported that twenty-nine millions of immoral and infidel publications were annually sold; and were the facts of the sale of such books in this country known, they would be scarcely less appalling."
Here is another, showing the character of the foreign heathen, for whose conversion so much is expended, to the neglect of those nearer home:
"A missionary of one of the sects, Rev. J. C. Beecher, seaman's chaplain at Hong Kong, expresses his opinion of the Chinese character. He writes to the 'Sailor's Magazine' as follows: 'I am more and more disgusted with Chinese character every day. China is a moral Golgotha for sailors, and physical, too. It is heart sickening to see and hear from day to day the effects of vice and immorality, and mournful to walk over graveyards, where row after row of stoneless graves tell how many friendless wanderers have fallen by the way, and laid their bones in a strange land. The Chinese are a lying, thieving, licentious race, defiling everything which comes in contact with them, deceiving from a natural instinct to deceive. It aggravates me beyond measure to see so much expended here to christianize the Chinese, while in the whole of India and China, so far as I know, Shanghai excepted, sailors, our own people, are all adrift, robbed, deceased, plundered and murdered by these miserable heathens.'—N. Y. Evangelist."
Freedom of Speech.
By M. E. Cornell
At the annual meeting of the New England Association in Columbus, Ohio, the "Rev. Mr. Nye" in his address uttered the following:
"Here in these glorious valleys of the West we are to imitate these deeds (of the Pilgrims). The individual rather than a party, the individual rather than the church. I am afraid that we lack the nerve and charity here to carry out these ideas. Let every one resolve to think, act, and speak for himself. A man should not bow down to majorities or mobs, but hold fast to his own faith, and be true to his own thought, though all the parties in the world, and all the sects in the church, should pronounce anathemas upon his head. Let this be our motto, men and women from New England, and the God of our fathers shall be our God and our guide forever!" "The Pilgrims came hither to speak for themselves. They fought to found a Commonwealth without a King, and a church without a Bishop or Priest."
These sentiments are worthy to be engraved in the rocks in the most public places. The fears expressed above are realized, and this is the difficulty in the church. Let the professors of the day "carry out these ideas," and they will no longer escape persecution.
M. E. CORNELL.
Business Department.
By Editor
Business Notes.
C. L. Gordon, Conway: What State?
M. E. Cornell: Sr. Guider's paper has never been stopped. It goes regularly directed to 86 Pleasant St. Is this the right number?
H. Roberts returns his paper without giving his P. O. address. Who can inform us where he lives?
Wm. Peabody: Received.
Letters.
Under this head will be found a full list of those from whom letters are received from week to week. If any do not find their letters thus acknowledged, they may know they have not come to hand.
C. L. Gordon, M. Borden, Wm. Lawton, R. F. Cottrell, J. W. Raymond, M. M. Lunger, I. N. VanGorder, P. Conklin, D. T. Bordeau, P. Mangin, J. Lindsey, S. H. Peck, A. Caldwell, Jno. H. Mills, W. Morse, N. N. Anway, T. E. Thorp, M. A. Gibson, S. C. Corey, E. Payne, Wm. Potter, S. A. Durfee, F. Ramsey, E. L. Bascom, L. Butler, H. Grover, E. J. Wagner, E. B. Saunders, S. E. Bates, H. J. Kittle, A. S. Hutchins, J. Stryker, A. Lanphear, Wm. S. Ingraham, T. J. Carpenter, D. Sevey.
Receipts.
Annexed to each receipt in the following list, is the Volume and Number of the 'Review and Herald' to which the money receipted pays. If money for the paper is not in due time acknowledged, immediate notice of the omission should then be given.
FOR REVIEW AND HERALD.
Jas. Lane 1,00,xv,1. S. H. Peck 1,00.xv,1. M. M. Lunger 2,00.xiv,1. A. Baldwin 1,00,xiv,2. Mary Borden 0,75 xiv,7. F. Ramsey 1,00 xiv,1. M. H. Irish 1,00, xiii,11. Mrs. Saml. C. Castle 1.00 xv,10. Wm. Potter 0,60,xiv,1. E. Payne 1,00.xiv,1. S. C. Corey 1,00.xiv,10. S. A. Hallock 2 00.xv,1. A. C. Hudson (50 cts each for Mrs. B. Ray, Mrs. T. Nealy, Mrs. C. Johnson) 1,50, each to xiv,10. A. Lanphear, 1,00,xiii,14. H. J. Kittle 1,00, xiv,1. D. Sevey 2.00,xv,1. J. Stryker 1,50,xv,14.
Books for Sale at this Office.
By Uriah Smith
HYMNS for those who keep the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus. This Book contains 352 Pages, 430 Hymn and 76 pieces of Music. Price, 60 cents.---In Morocco 65 cents.
Supplement to the Advent and Sabbath Hymn Book, 100 Pages---Price 25 cents.
Spiritual Gifts, or The Great Controversy between Christ and his angels, and Satan and his angels, containing 226 pages, neatly bound in Morocco or Muslin---Price 50 cents
Bible Tracts Bound in Two Volumes. These Volumes are of about 400 pages each, and embrace nearly all of our published Tracts. We are happy to offer to our friends the main grounds of our faith in a style so acceptable.---Price 50 cents each.
Sabbath Tracts, Nos. 1, 2, 3 & 4. This work presents a condensed view of the entire Sabbath question.---184 pages Price 15 cents.
The Three Angels of Rev. xiv, 6-12, particularly the Third Angel's Message, and the Two-horned Beast. This work maintains the fulfillment of Prophecy in the past Advent movement, and is of great importance in these times of apostasy and peril.---148 pages.---Price 12 1/2 cents
Bible Student's Assistant. This is the title of a work of 36 pp. It has been prepared with much care, and considerable expense, and can be had at this Office for 4,00 per 100, or if sent by mail, post paid, 6 cents a copy.
The Nature and Tendency of Modern Spiritualism—an able exposure of that heresy. 84 pp. 8 cents.
The Two-horned Beast of Rev. xiii, a Symbol of the United States. Price 10 cents.
The Sanctuary and 2300 days by J. N. A. Price 12 1/2 cents.
A Refutation of the claims of Sunday-keeping to Divine Authority; also, the History of the Sabbath, Price, 6 cents.
Why Don't you Keep the Sabbath? Extracts from Catholic works. Price 5 cents.
The Celestial Railroad. Price 5 cents.
The Sabbath. Containing valuable articles on 2 Cor. iiiCol. ii, 14-17. Who is our Lawgiver? The two ills of Matt. v, 13, Consistency, &c. Price 5 cents.
The Law of God. In this excellent work the testimony of both Testaments relative to the law of God---its knowledge from Creation, its nature and perpetuity---is presented Price 12 1/2 cents.
The Bible Sabbath, or a careful selection from the publications of the American Sabbath Tract Society, including their History of the Sabbath. Price 10 cents.
Perpetuity of the Royal Law.---Price 5 cents.
Christian Experience and Views.---Price 6 cents.
Last Work of the True Church.---Price 7 cents.
Sabbath and Advent Miscellany This work is composed of seven small tracts on the Sabbath, Second Advent, &c, and presents a choice variety for those who commence to seek for Bible truth. Price 10 cents.
The Atonement. 196 pp. 18 cents.
Man not Immortal; the only Shield against the Seductions of Modern Spiritualism. 143 pp, 12 1/2 cents.
An Examination of the Scripture Testimony concerning Man's present condition, and his future Reward or Punishment. In this work we consider all objections to the mortality of man and the death of the wicked fairly and fully met. Price 18 cents.
Review of Crozier. This work is a faithful review of the No-Sabbath doctrine as set forth in the Advent Harbinger by O. R. L. Crozier. It should be placed in the hands of those who are exposed to that heresy.---Price 6 cents.
Facts for the Times. Extracts from the writings of eminent authors, ancient and modern. Price 13 cents.
The Bible Class. This work contains 52 Lessons on the Law of God and the Faith of Jesus, with questions. It is peculiarly adapted to the wants of those of every age who are unacquainted with our views of these subjects, especially the young. Bound, 25 cents. Paper covers, 18 cents.
The 2300 Days and Sanctuary by "U. S." Price 5 cents.
Review of a Series of Discourses, delivered by N. Fillio in Battle Creek, Mich., March 31st, to April 4th, 1857, on the Sabbath question. By J. H. Waggoner. Price 6 cents.
The Nature and Obligation of the Sabbath of the Fourth Commandment, with remarks on the Great Apostasy and Perils of the Last Days. Price 6 cents. The same in German, 16 cents
The Truth Found—A short argument for the Sabbath. Price 5 cents.
Home Here and Home in Heaven, with other poems This work embraces all those sweet and Scriptural poems written by Annie B. Smith, from the time she embraced the third message till she fell asleep in Jesus.---Price 25 cents. In paper covers, 20 cents.
Time and Prophecy. This work is a poetic comparison of the events of time with the sure word of Prophecy.---Price 20 cents. In papercovers, 12 1/2 cents.
Word for the Sabbath.---Price 5cts.
The Chart.—A Pictorial Illustration of the Visions of Daniel and John. 20 by 25 inches---Price 25 cts.
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Address URIAH SMITH, Battle Creek, Mich.
Visit from J. N. Andrews
By James White
We have been favored with a visit from Bro. J. N. Andrews of Iowa. He spoke twice at the House of Prayer, Sabbath, Jan. 15th. It was an intellectual and spiritual feast to the Battle Creek church. He has gone East on an important mission. His health is good, and with returning health he enjoys his former strength and vigor of mind. We pen these lines with emotions of deepest gratitude to God for his tender care for our dear brother. His present address is Rochester, N. Y., care of J. T. Orton. J. W.
Roman Catholic Priest Opens Senate
On Thursday of last week, Rev. Father Boyle, a Roman Catholic priest, opened the Senate in full priest's dress—with surplice and cassock. This is the first occasion since the foundation of the Government when the entire vestments of a Roman Catholic clergyman have been worn in such service in either chamber of Congress.
Union of Church and State.
In an oration at Canandaigua, Mich., Mr. Bates, a popular Presbyterian minister of Almont, said:
"I do not see why we may not look for a union of Political and Ecclesiastical power to bring in the Millennium."
To the same effect the Nashville Christian Advocate says:
"We must take ecclesiastical oversight of this country. . . . We ought to have done this in a great measure long ago. . . . We are going to do it." When this is done we shall have an "image to the beast."