Your ShelfYour Projects

Review and Herald, Vol. 11, No. 20.

Victory over the Beast
Earlier text: Victory over the Beast

DO YOUR OWN BUSINESS.

By James White

PAUL SAYS SO IN 1 THESS. iv, 11.

In God's plan of saving men he employs different agencies. The Holy Spirit has a part to act. It reproves, it comforts. Holy angels act a part. They are ministering spirits. They watch over the saints. They take the deepest interest in the salvation of men. Joy runs through the whole heavenly host at the repentance of even one sinner. They move on the hearts of the children of men. Especially do they impress the saints with a sense of right and wrong. The Bible points out general duty, and reproves sins into which men in general are liable to fall; while the Holy Spirit and the ministration of good angels follow them in all the walks of life, to lead them in all the particulars of a holy life in the sight of God.
Ah! how often is that tender Spirit, and those pure, lovely beings who care for the saints, grieved with their worldly spirit and wayward course.
But there is another agency employed in the great work of man's salvation which we wish here to notice, which is the minister of the gospel. His duty is to preach the word, to teach faithfully the plain declarations of the word of God. He must set forth pure principles, and enforce them with the word. "Reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all long suffering and doctrine." Let the doctrine of the Lord appear in every reproof, every rebuke, every exhortation.
What an exalted position is that of a minister of Jesus. While the Holy Spirit moves in silence, and pure angels hover unseen to do their work of love, to the minister is given the utterance of the word of God. Fallen man stands forth in Christ's stead and beseeches the people to be reconciled to God.
Having done his duty, the minister should leave souls to the care of good angels and the Holy Spirit, whose work it is to lead them along in all the particulars of a Christian life, and give them an experience in the things of the Lord. The minister cannot always be present with the scattered flock to instruct them in all the particulars of their duty, therefore the Lord has provided other agencies to care for the flock, after the minister has done his duty.
Ministers of Jesus, "preach the word." Point souls to the closet as the place to commune with God, and to secure the influence of the Spirit and the watchcare of good angels. Point them to the narrow path to mount Zion, and to our mighty Saviour who is able to save all who come to him, then leave them to obtain a living experience, and to form characters for heaven, while you go on your way to proclaim salvation to others. Should you enter into all the particulars of the duty of your brethren, you would be sure to get in the way of ministering angels, and take their work out of their hands. And the effect would be, that the church would look to you instead of the Lord, and they would be destitute of an experience of their own. They would depend on the judgment of feeble men, and confusion and discord would follow.
There has been a fault with some of our dear brethren. They have entered into little matters of dress, and manners, and duty, what was right and what was wrong, in things where the Scriptures do not directly bear, and have mixed this small mint and anise and cummin up with the weighty matters of the last message. This course has given license to a fault-finding spirit, and needless trials among brethren. It has called out a class which we must be allowed to designate as church-tinkers. Many honest souls are willing to do their whole duty cheerfully, but they hardly dare move for fear of a reproof from some one of these, whose business it is to watch for others' faults, and enter at once on the work of repairing what they think is wrong in their brethren. But very few can be found but what in their opinion need some tinkering to make them just right. We would say to such in the language of the Apostle, "Do your own business." Get out of the way of the work of the Lord. Humble yourselves beneath the mighty hand of God, and let other people's duties alone. What right have you to bind another's conscience. Now don't think we mean somebody else. We mean you who have been meddling with the faults of your brethren, and harping upon them continually. Break down before God, and find an humble place, then attend to your own salvation.
Some have taken advantage of the plain testimony to the Laodiceans, and have been ready to tell their brethren what they must do in order for Jesus to come in, while their own hearts have been far from God, and destitute of love. Set the example, get the door of your own unfeeling heart open, and get filled with the love of Jesus, then you will be able to help your brethren.
Some may think that these remarks are calculated to cause some to throw off restraint, and to act independent. Well, if the fear of man restrains them, if they are governed by the fear of their brethren, instead of the fear of God, it is time that a change took place. Don't be frightened. Let go of the reins. Let your brethren have a chance to look to God for their duty, and let God have a chance to do his own work.
It is proper that we state here that these remarks are designed to benefit a few "busy-bodies," by showing them their foolish course; also to benefit the brethren generally, by putting them on their guard not to be brought into bondage by them, should they persist in their work of distraction. Thank the Lord that these evils are mostly overcome among brethren in Michigan, and we hope the burden will be lifted from the oppressed in Central N. Y. and some other places.
There are those whose duty it is to watch for souls, who cannot be free from their blood unless they cry out against the sins of this age, and faithfully warn God's people to flee from idolatry, pride, covetousness, &c. But let them "Preach the word, . . . reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine." Patiently, yet boldly, must they hold forth the doctrine of the Lord, which in itself is the most powerful reproof possible, of those sins. Let the ministers of Jesus take their places in the church, do their work, leaving room for the Holy Spirit and good angels to do theirs; and let those on whom God has laid no other burden than to learn, and try to save their own souls, seek to "do their own business," and keep their places in the church of God. J. W.

GOING TO HEAVEN.

By John Norton Loughborough

MANY in these times are talking of going to heaven, and some undoubtedly will soon be caught up "to meet the Lord in the air, and so ever be with the Lord." By this we are not going to teach the doctrine of going to heaven at death; but the Scriptures clearly represent that the saints will go to heaven at the coming of the Lord. Said Jesus to Peter [John xiii, 36,] "Whither I go thou canst not follow me now, but thou shalt follow me afterward." Here is the plain testimony of Jesus, that Peter should at some future time follow him to heaven. The testimony of chap. xiv, 1, shows how and when this shall be. "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself; (take you with me, Campbell's Translation; ) that where I am there ye may be also."
As the time has nearly arrived when Jesus is to return from preparing the "Father's house," this hope of going to heaven brightens up before us. Those who are living godly in Christ Jesus, if faithful to the end will soon be "caught up to meet the Lord in the air, and so forever be with the Lord."
Of those who profess to be looking for deliverance from earth to heaven, we should expect works that will be a proper index to their faith. As the church is "the light of the world," and as the world get their light by seeing the "good works" of the saints, so they will most effectually get their light on a preparation to go to heaven by seeing a company act as though they expected in a short time to go thither.
But says one, what shall I do to live out my faith on this point? The "Word is a lamp" to your feet and it points out a tangible work of preparation to go to heaven; and one that you can take hold of as understandingly as you would prepare to go on a journey to England. A slave, whose master had just died, was told by the minister that his master had gone to heaven. The slave said he thought not, "cause always when massa go a journey he get ready, and I haint hear him say anything about goin to heaven." Although this is the testimony of a poor negro, it is fully illustrative of the manner in which the world look on the church to see if they really act as if they believed what they profess. It is all in vain for a man to say with his lips that he is going where
"Sickness and sorrow, pain and death, Are felt and feared no more,"
when his actions show to all that his affections are fully engrossed with the cares of earth.
If an individual should tell us that he was going in a few days to make a final remove to England, we should expect all his movements would correspond with what he said, and his works would show that his testimony was true. If on the other hand we saw from his talk and acts that all his interests were here, and he was laying plans as though he was long going to reside here, we should soon lose all confidence in his declarations of such a move. If persons were really determined to take up a residence in England, every move they made would point in that direction. Their conversation and acts would daily show that their interest was not here, but in England. When others might strive to exalt this land, their conversation would all be for England. They would be disposing of their inheritance here, and substituting for it one in England, or else lay up the avails of it there. Their spare moments would be spent in the study of the laws and customs of England. For they would wish to know how to conduct themselves as good citizens when they should commence their residence there.
A simple testimony to others, that we expect to go to heaven is not all that is required of us; but there is a getting ready marked out in the word of God, which if we obey, will preach louder than the testimony of our lips. When Christ comes he will find a company prepared to say, "This is our God, we have waited for him." Waiting, implies a readiness. The man going to England, referred to above, could not be said to be waiting to go, if his business here crowded him, and kept him in a hurry and commotion up to the hour the ship was to start. Neither is one in this world, who launches out into the cares of earth, increasing his inheritance, and permitting his affections, unrestrained, to settle on the world, of that company whose "loins are to be girded about, and their lights burning; and they themselves like unto men that wait for their Lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open to him immediately." Luke xii, 35, 36. But before they can do this their hands must be freed from the snares that have held them, and they stand free from, not overcharged with, the cares of this life.
In Luke xii, 34, 35, we see just how they are brought to this position, "Fear not little flock, it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." "Sell that ye have (see testimony for the church No. 4,) and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth." Who can doubt, after reading this testimony in Luke, that this is one of the preparatory steps to go to heaven? As we said before, those who take a journey send their effects before them. And this (allow the homely expression) is the means God has devised by which the saints may transfer their treasure from earth to heaven. What! says one, I can't get my money into heaven! No, we don't want it there; but a chance is offered here for you to make such an investment of your money, that if you live faithful, it will draw, (to compare infinite things with finite,) more than 10,000 per cent from the bank of heaven. It is done on the principle of investing our means in the cause of God, and taking the pledges of heaven as security. "He that hath pity on the poor, lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given, will he pay him again." Prov. xix, 17. Some have supposed that this all referred to this life. We do not doubt but those who have spent their means to advance the cause of God, will be supplied here from his hand; but this paying them fully we understand is yet future. They are exhorted as they enter upon this work, to provide themselves "bags which wax not old, a treasure in heaven that faileth not." We are to so use what God has committed to our trust, that we shall make friends with it, that shall receive us into everlasting habitations when we fail. See Luke xvi, 9.
But a preparation to go to heaven does not by any means consist simply in a right use of the means God may have committed to our trust as stewards, but there must be an earnest endeavor to form a character that will grace the courts of heaven. A study and practice of the laws of heaven is just as necessary to prepare us to be good citizens there, as a study of English laws and customs is, to prepare us to be respected citizens of England. May we be found with every piece of the armor girded on, and waiting.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
Battle Creek, Mich., March, 1858.

REPORT OF MEETINGS.

By A. S. HUTCHINS

BRO. SMITH: For some weeks past, our meetings with the different churches have been very interesting and encouraging. I think the brethren and sisters have a mind to work for the Lord. They seem to realize at least in some measure, that we have but a few moments left to labor for perishing souls, that the gospel day is just gone. O, that we may all realize these solemn and startling facts as we should!
February 13th and 14th, we were at Burr Oak. On the Sabbath, several brethren and sisters from Colon were with us. We enjoyed freedom while speaking of the blessed hope, and in presenting the purifying and saving truths of the gospel. And the warm, spirited exhortations poured forth from the hearts of those striving for eternal life, added greatly to the interest of the meeting.
The evening following the Sabbath we held a meeting at the school-house, and also on First-day. But few attended these meetings, and there was evidently but little interest to hear the evidences of our position. From what we heard, the community generally in that section were floating upon the tide of Universalism, Spiritualism and so-called reformations. And it is said that some claim that the temporal millennium has begun there. May the Lord save the few honest lovers of truth in this place, and they be brought to share in the reward of the righteous, when the King of glory shall come.
From this place we went to Colon, where we spent nine days with the church. With the blessing of the Lord, I had strength to preach six times while here, besides attending prayer meetings. About twenty are keeping the Bible Sabbath here, all of whom commenced since the tent was pitched there last season. Several of the brethren and sisters were members of the Baptist church, when the message of the Third Angel reached them. Brother and sister Shellhous had been connected with that denomination about fifty years. And as it was difficult for the Baptists to find any occasion against this brother and sister, except as in the case of Daniel. [Dan. vi, 6.] It be found concerning the law of their God, brother S. proposed to the church that it should be recorded upon their church-book, that fellowship was withdrawn from father Shellhous, for keeping the commandments of God. We call to mind our visit and meetings with this church with lively satisfaction. One more sister, while there, resolved to leave the Baptists, and go with the commandment-keepers. In our last meeting we followed the example of our perfect Pattern, John xiii, after which we partook of the emblems of the broken body and shed blood of the adorable Redeemer.
From here we went to Burlington, where we found about twenty trying to keep the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus. Here we met several brethren from a distance, some for the first time. Our meetings on the Sabbath were spiritual and refreshing. We remained here five days and had five meetings. While here, the ordinances of the Lord's house were attended to for the first time in this church. We were happy to find our brethren and sisters so well united in this place, and pressing forward to Mt. Zion. Brother Phillips joined us at Burr Oak, and continued with us, aiding us by his prayers and exhortations till the close of the meetings on the Sabbath.
On visiting and conversing with the brethren and sisters in these churches, who have been in the message of the Third Angel but a few months, we were rejoiced to find them so strong in the truth, and striving to overcome. They have gained victories that some who have been in the truth much longer, are strangers to. Fathers and mothers of grey hairs laid aside that unclean and filthy weed, tobacco. They feel that its use is needless and sinful. How could they regard it otherwise?
One sister who had indulged in its use many years, was prevented from attending the good conference at Battle Creek last Fall, thinking she could not be deprived of her pipe long enough to go, and of course she would not carry it with her. But she is now hoping to have a chance to meet with God's people in conference, as she is living in the enjoyment of a good, clean and sweet victory over its use. We pity some young men, who have not yet found strength of purpose to free themselves from this sinful and disagreeable habit.
Can such receive this portion of John's letter as addressed to them? "I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one." 1 John ii, 14. Inasmuch as God requires his people to possess holy hearts, and to be pure and lovely in their practices and habits, "dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." 2 Cor. vii, 1. "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne." Rev. iii, 21.
A. S. HUTCHINS.
Allegan, Mich., March 16th, 1858.

Many are Called, but Few are Chosen.

By E. Goodwin

THESE are the words of him that "spake as never man spake;" and O, how full of exhortation, and warning, to those who are called, that they "strive to enter in at the strait gate"—that they "give all diligence to make their calling and election sure"—that they keep all the commandments of God, and all the sayings of Jesus, so that they may be likened unto a wise man who built his house upon a rock. None should come to the conclusion, that because there are but few chosen, there is no use for them to try; there is use to try. And for this cause (that there be but few saved, or chosen) you should try all the more, that peradventure you may be among the chosen ones. Certainly those that try the hardest to do the will of God, and to overcome, will be the most likely to be the chosen of God.
Again, says Jesus, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind; which when it was full, they drew to the shore, and sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. Here is the same doctrine taught as in the words, "Many are called, but few are chosen." We see what kind of fish they cast away, it was the bad. But the good they gathered into vessels. Now if we would be gathered into vessels, or be chosen, we must be good; we must be faithful in all things, we must fast, the fast that God has chosen. See Isa. lviii, 6-11.
We must add to our faith, virtue, and to virtue, knowledge, and to knowledge, temperance, and to temperance, patience, and to patience, godliness, and to godliness, brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness, charity. For, if these things be in us and abound, we shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For says the Apostle, "if ye do these things ye shall never fail," (or, ye shall be chosen.)
Again, says James, "Hearken, my beloved brethren. Hath not God chosen the poor of this world, rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he has promised to them that love him?" We are here taught who the chosen are. They are the poor, who are rich in faith. "And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples and said, Blessed are ye poor; for yours is the kingdom of God." "But God hath chosen the foolish things (or men) of the world to confound the wise; (men of the world;) and God hath chosen the weak things (or men) of the world to confound the things (or men) which are mighty," &c. 1 Cor. i, 27. It depends altogether on the faithfulness of those that are called, whether they be numbered with the chosen or not.
Those that are in the war, with the Lamb, are called, chosen, and faithful. Rev. xvii, 14. We seldom see a man become rich in this world without much faithfulness, energy and perseverance, without much watchfulness, care and anxiety; yea, without improving all his time and means to the best advantage to accomplish his purposes. It does appear to me that if we would make as great an effort for the true riches, (the gold tried in the fire, &c.,) as many (and some Sabbath-keepers) make to obtain a corruptible treasure, we should certainly be of them that are chosen.
O brethren and sisters, will we not awake and arouse, and gird on the whole armor, and fight manfully and faithfully in this last mighty and glorious conflict, that we may wear the victor's crown, and receive palms in our hands. I feel like saying for one, I will. My prayer is that the writer and the reader may be chosen. E. GOODWIN. Oswego, N. Y., March 20th, 1858.

LETTERS.

By William Treadwell

"Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another."

From Bro. Treadwell.

Bro. Smith: I feel a deep interest in the truths advocated through the Review, especially those that point out the duty of the church at the present time. I feel thankful for the admonitions I have received from faithful brethren who have not feared nor shunned to declare the whole counsel of God. My heart beats in unison with yours in trying to advance those truths upon which the destiny of the church is pending, and I rejoice for the evidence we have that the cause of truth is rising. The Lord has set his hand the second time to recover the remnant of his people; and who is he that may turn it back? But brethren and sisters, we have a work to do individually; that we cannot do one for another, neither can God consistently do it for us. The great work that should engage our attention at this time is to heed the counsel of the faithful and true Witness.
Perhaps we have for years believed this testimony applied to Sabbath-keeping Adventists; but how has it affected our lives? Has it produced that deep heart-felt repentance for our errors and wrongs that has brought us to consecrate ourselves a living sacrifice to God? If it has not, we have great reason to fear that the design of the testimony is not accomplished. That repentance that does not produce a change in our lives and purposes is to my mind of little use. But says one who wishes to excuse himself from coming up immediately to the help of the Lord, I do not think the time has fully come to heed this message: as we have been several years backsliding from God it will require time to return. I consider this a deception of the enemy to still keep us in our lukewarm state, and by thus doing hinder the work of God.
Real labor is required at some one's hands, and upon whom does this labor devolve? Surely not wholly upon God's ministers, although they may have the oversight of the work. There is a part for each one of us to perform in this work in order to have it move on harmoniously. God's messengers may preach the truth, but it is for us to practice as well as they, or it will be like water spilt upon the ground. But says another, It is an individual work to heed this message; the work is between God and our own souls. This is true. Repenting of, and confessing our own sins is a work no other one can do for us; but the idea that we have no right to exhort one another to diligence and faithfulness in seeking for the gold, &c., I understand to be an unscriptural idea; for we are commanded to exhort one another, and so much the more as we see the day approaching. Now if in exhortation we ourselves are led by the Spirit of God we shall be led to point out the most imminent dangers to which the church or individuals may be exposed, whether it be lukewarmness, worldly-mindedness, covetousness, or any other sin. The Apostle commands to exhort, admonish and reprove with all long suffering and doctrine, and I think we need no better evidence that a brother or sister is rich and increased in goods than to see them in a position where they are not willing to be admonished at proper times, and with a right Spirit.
But I am satisfied the church is rising, and though the conflict may be severe it will not be long. Satan well knows his time is short, and no marvel that he brings in his last reserve to oppose the work of God. Be faithful, brethren and sisters, and be sure to gain the evidence for yourselves that your ways please God. Lean not upon any mortal arm, for it will be too weak to save you in the trying time of which the prophet says, "Though Noah, Job or Daniel were in the land he could save neither son nor daughter; but deliver his own soul by his own righteousness."
Though there may be a mighty shaking not one grain of wheat will fall to the ground. If we have hold by faith of the arm of Jesus he will sustain us, while every false hope or sandy foundation will fail. I praise God that there is a spirit that accompanies the message to the Laodiceans that does something for the receiver of the testimony. Yes, it kills him to self and the world, and fills him with joy unspeakable.
Yours in hope, WM. TREADWELL. Gilbert's Mills, N. Y., March 16th, 1858.

The Truth and the Sabbath

By Editor

From Bro. Weeks.

BRO. JAMES WHITE: Myself and Mrs. Weeks have been unitedly trying to keep God's law for several weeks past, and have been unitedly blest in so doing. Although surrounded by persecutors and scoffers, both in the church and out of the church, yet Mrs. Weeks has been a Sabbath-keeper some six or eight months, and myself nearly as many weeks. We are neither of us members of any church organization, nor do we wish to be, although we have letters of recommendation. We are constrained to regard creeds and isms as but the Babylonian garment—the love of the world as the wedge of gold hidden in the tents of Zion, which will soon bring down the wrath of God upon our churches. We are the only family in this region that regard the fourth command as not being Jewish, but of universal application, binding on man wherever he may be; yet we have reason to believe that the truth is beginning to find its way through every refuge of lies, and would soon be potent to the pulling down of the strong holds of Satan, could we have the Review, accompanied by some standard Sabbath and Advent publications, to aid in its propagation and more general diffusion. The truth has indeed been potent in my case. Reared amid strong sectarian prejudices, taught to believe in and practice the observance of the first day of the week as the Sabbath, I regarded Commandment-keepers as rabid sectarians, willfully adhering to a Jewish institution, merely for the sake of notoriety; but thanks to God, the mists of Popish darkness are breaking away and light bursts in bringing peace, joy, patience, self-denial, love unbounded, an earnest longing for immortality and the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We have a copy of the Sabbath and Advent Miscellany, History of the Sabbath, Roman Catholic Catechism, Stephenson on the Atonement, and your work entitled, The Signs of the Times, which I consider just the work for this age of spiritual delusion and universal apathy among professed Christians. I have relatives among the more conspicuous Spiritual believers acting as mediums, &c., who are completely deceived by Satan's malicious arts. We wish to send a copy to these friends, but having only one copy we cannot spare it as it is needed here, doing its work of enlightenment. Had we the means at command I should have forwarded it to you ere this, but having lost nearly all of our goods in coming to this place we are comparatively destitute of even the necessaries of life. We have some means back in Wisconsin, but the money pressure has been so severe that we cannot procure enough to make us comfortable, consequently we are at the present time poor in this world's goods, yet rich in prospect of eternal life.
I have thus made known to you our situation, temporally and spiritually, and our desires for aid in spreading the truth; therefore, if you believe that giving to the poor is but lending to the Lord, please send the Review, and a copy of the Signs of the Times, resting assured that they will be thankfully received, and that we shall endeavor to pay therefor as soon as our circumstances will permit.
There are those here with whom we unite in the prayer-circle, who give evidence that they are true Christians; but they are ignorant, comparatively speaking. Some of them are evidently beginning to have some faint conception of the truth, and are anxiously inquiring and investigating. May the spirit of research ultimately lead to the adoption of the truth from the love of it—to the putting on the whole armor of God, that we may be able to stand and have a part in the first resurrection, over which the second death hath no power.
Yours in hope of eternal life. J. V. WEEKS.
Olatha, Nebraska, March 5th, 1858.
NOTE.—We send the Review cheerfully, but cannot send the Signs of the Times, as the first edition is exhausted, and we cannot republish the work at present for want of means. We send a package of small tracts, worth fifty cents. Who wants to pay for them? We shall not turn away such calls, which are very common these times. It will be a pleasure to those who have means, and have the truth in their hearts, to meet the expense. We want the aid of such now. J. W.

THE EXAMPLE OF CHRIST.

By Steele

And is the gospel peace and love? Such let our conversation be: The serpent blended with the dove, Wisdom and meek simplicity.
Whene'er the angry passions rise, And tempt our thought and tongues to strife, To Jesus let us lift our eyes, Bright pattern of the Christian life.
Ah! how benevolent and kind, How mild and ready to forgive; Be this the temper of our mind, And these the rules by which we live.
To do his heavenly Father's will Was his employment and delight, Humanity and holy zeal Shone through his life, divinely bright.
But ah! how blind and weak we are; How frail, how apt to turn aside! Lord, we depend upon thy care, And ask thy Spirit for our guide.
Thy fair example may we trace To teach us what we ought to be, Make us by thy transforming grace, Dear Saviour, daily more like thee.—Steele.

Sound Speech

By J. Clarke

THAT cannot be condemned. Titus ii, 8. Let your speech be always with grace seasoned with salt. Col. iv, 6. Hold fast the form of sound words. 2 Tim. i, 13. The words of the pure are pleasant words. Prov. xv, 26. The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself. Eccl. x, 12. The Preacher sought to find out acceptable words. Eccl. xii, 10. Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ. Phil. i, 27. Be thou an example of the believers in word, in conversation, &c. 1 Tim. iv, 12. “What manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness. 2 Pet. iii, 11. As he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation. 1 Pet. i, 15. And to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I show the salvation of God. Ps. l, 23.
Those who are conversant with the literature of the present day, as developed in most of the political and partisan newspapers of our land, must be painfully conscious of the low state of the public taste, which can be fed with the scurrilous language, the ribald jests, and epithets, the false representations, and abuse, and slanderous assertions, which abound in these journals. Coarse, harsh, malicious, satirical and vulgar, as many of these panders to the public taste seem to be, the great evil and danger lies in the fact, that the public mind is entirely callous, and even insensible to the true state of things, and even the more moral part of community are able to relish whole pages of nonsense, and fiction, and abuse, such as would have put to the blush many a heathen.
Reared amid such influences as these, and surrounded on all sides by those whose delight it is to drink in the full draught from the cup thus filled from impure fountains, it is exceedingly difficult (for me at least) to overcome the bias thus given to the mind, and I judge from phrases and expressions that appear from time to time, that the leaven is at work in other minds as well as my own. Even the vocabulary of the saints is infected.
Here is an important point, to order our conversation aright. All rough, harsh words, all that tend to provoke, to chafe the opposer, all bitter words that rankle in the bosom, it would be Christ-like to avoid.
The more we look at this subject, taking the Bible as our standard, the more clearly do we see the evil effects of a departure from the rules laid down by Christ and the apostles in regard to this subject. I will not say that this is the greatest evil, but one of the outbreaking sins of the age, and all the more dangerous, because so common.
How very pure the language used by the Saviour. He very rarely used satire, and when he did, how very free from harshness. We who have heard the pleading of lawyers before the courts, and have become accustomed to their merciless, pitiless harangues, we who have from youth imbibed the coarse eloquence of stump speakers, have great need of divine illumination, and to be purged of all that offends a pure and holy God.
Let us by diligent study of the purest, loftiest, holiest speaker, even of the meek and lowly Jesus, learn to use sound speech which cannot be condemned. J. CLARKE.

Extracts from Letters.

Bro. Z. Marsh writes from Northfield, Mass., March, 13th, 1858: "While troubles and trials are gathering around our pathway, I am still looking for more and severer trials; for the troubles that now are show plainly to my mind that the time of trouble such as never was is about to commence; for wherever in this part of the land we look, we see many new, formidable enemies rising up. Here is confusion or mixture, and the contending of many opposite religious principles, rendering it a Babel indeed. Here we see the strides of modern Spiritualism, increasing as it has not done before, and by it God and his word are continually blasphemed. But Spiritualism is not all that makes these times peculiarly perilous. There are other peculiar sentiments which have arisen and drawn away some, almost as pernicious as this. Some tell us that the converted person cannot sin, thus with conversion ending our probationary state.
"Dear brethren, these things are showing us that we are in perilous times; still we need not conclude that we have arrived to that time of trouble such as never was, but we are nearing it; and while we, or any of us, see the wolf coming, let us give the alarm that the blood of souls be not found in our garments. I am alone in this place on the Third Angel's Message, and am in my weak way trying to keep the Commandments of God, and trust that I have the Faith of Jesus. While I find that many, yea, the whole of the community about me, are striving against God's law, it is still my duty to let my faith be known by my works.
"Dear brethren, pray for me that I may hold out faithful, that so an abundant entrance may be administered to me into God's everlasting kingdom. I have not seen any Sabbath-keepers for several months, and no preachers for years. Should any come this way I should be happy to have them call."

H. EDSON

By Hiram Edson

From Bro. Edson.

DEAR BRO. SMITH: I have lately visited some of the scattered brethren in the southern part of this State, and in Penn., and can say I have enjoyed some good seasons with the brethren in some of the different places I have visited. I saw a goodly number that have lately embraced the present truth under the faithful labors of Bro. Wm. S. Ingraham—some twenty in one place, or neighborhood. But while his efforts to give the last message of mercy to a fallen world have been owned and blessed of heaven, he himself has suffered quite a temporal loss. His horse with which he traveled to carry the message has sickened and died. It was supposed from the best evidence they could gain that the horse had been poisoned by some of our enemies. It was the decision of an eminent physician that the horse had been poisoned. The horse was eight years old, and in good condition for business, and by good judges was valued from $125, to $150. Is it right for Bro. Ingraham to suffer all this loss alone? I am willing to be one of fifty to give three dollars each to raise $150, and thus help bear this my brother's burden. Does not the gospel require of us to remember those which suffer adversity or affliction, as being ourselves also in the body, and again, to bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ? The golden rule is, "Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even the same to them; for this is the law and the prophets."
Those who may feel disposed to help bear this burden can send their free-will offerings to Bro. Ingraham. Address Wm. S. Ingraham, Ulysses, Potter Co., Pa.

H. EDSON

Preparing for the Decisive Day

By Editor

Bro. A. B. Pearsall of this place, writes: “I have thought for some time of writing a few lines for the Review, but a lack of confidence in myself has kept me from it. Since reading Testimony No. 4, I have had my attention directed to the goodness of God to us, in giving us the light of truth; and in view of the time in which we live, seeing that “the great decisive day is at hand,” I am led to wonder at the course that men will take, still rushing on with lightning speed the downward road to destruction and ruin. And when I look around upon those that strive to keep themselves in the dark, I am led to exclaim, What will be their condition when they find to their sad disappointment that they have been rejecting the last message of mercy? I can but ask myself, what will they do in that day?”
O the goodness of God in giving us the light of truth, that we may have chance for repentance. Let us remember the case of Esau. Heb. xii, 17.
“Then when I see the young among us in such a dangerous, unsafe situation, the question comes up, Where will the young be found in that day? Those who have had during their whole youth the light of truth before them? Where will they then appear? I would come a little nearer home still, and inquire, how it will be with me in that day. Shall I be found having done his will, and prepared to stand?”
Continue reading: Hope of Christ’s Coming