Bro. Smith: Of late I have been striving with renewed diligence to make my calling and election sure, and to obtain the gold tried in the fire, the white raiment and eye-salve; and the Lord has been pleased to bestow upon me of his abundant goodness and mercy that grace which I most needed, the love of God shed abroad in the heart, the uniting influence of his Holy Spirit, which makes his people one.
O how good the Lord is! He is rich unto all them that call upon him in truth. Do we realize how much the Lord is doing for us, and what great blessings he has in store for them that love him? Truly the way is being prepared for the message to go in power, and for the church to receive the refreshing which shall prepare them to stand through the time of trouble such as never was. And while our faith is being increased, the erring reproved, and the weak made strong, let us hold on to the sure promises of God which shall never fail; and so an abundant entrance will be administered unto us into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Frances Strong.
West Milton, N. Y., March, 1859.
EMILY LAWTON
By Emily Lawton
From Sister Lawton.
Bro. SMITH: My husband and myself commenced to keep the Sabbath of the Lord last Spring. I was then a member of the M. E. church, and had been for some years. I set out to serve the Lord in my youth, and endeavored to live a consistent christian life, though I can see where I have failed many times; yet I did at times enjoy much peace and comfort, and was not aware that I was breaking one of God's great commandments. But when I was convinced of the fact I resolved to obey God regardless of consequences, and know the Lord has blessed me in so doing.
Although I have been accused by some of having known the right way and forsaken it, I know that I never enjoyed so great blessings before as I have since I kept the Sabbath. I find it separates me very much from the world, and that is just what I need. I feel now that I have given all for Christ, and that he is my all. I am not seeking for the honors, applause, or the friendship of the world, but am seeking to know, and striving to do, the will of my heavenly Father. My husband never made a profession of religion till after he commenced to keep the Sabbath, and it rejoices my heart that we can walk the narrow way together. Truly the Lord is good, and he doeth good continually. I believe he is now a sincere christian, and an earnest seeker after truth. We believe that time is short, and want to be prepared to meet our dear Saviour. I know that I have many imperfections yet; I have not so much of the Spirit of Christ as I desire; but I am trying to cultivate a right spirit, and when I am reviled, revile not again. I believe by the help of God that I shall overcome. I find the only way for me is to watch and pray, to live by the moment.
I believe, dear brethren and sisters, that we have God and truth on our side, and what need have we to fear? I feel that it is good to trust in the Lord; and though all the world and our nearest and dearest earthly friends forsake us, we have one Friend that will never forsake us, unless we first forsake him. O let us be faithful to this one great Friend, knowing that he is to be our Judge at the last day. Let us press on toward the mark for the prize that lieth at the end of the race. Let us follow in the humble footsteps of our dear Redeemer, regardless of the world's cold frown. I believe we shall receive a rich reward if we faint not.
Yours in hope of eternal life.
EMILY LAWTON
March, 1859.
OBITUARY.
By Wm. S. Ingraham
SISTER Caroline, wife of Joseph E. Wood, of Spring Grove, died Feb. 17th, 1859, aged 26 years. The subject of this notice embraced religion at about the age of 12 years, and joined the Baptist church and continued with them till about one year since, when she heard the Third Angel's Message, and gladly embraced the present truth. She was a faithful christian, living out her faith at home and abroad. Just before she fell asleep, she said to her companion, "Tell my relatives that I died not as those who have no hope." She died as she lived, joyful and happy. She leaves her husband and four children to mourn their loss. But they expect soon to meet her with the saints of all ages where parting will be no more. Sermon by the writer from Rev. xiv, 13.
WM. S. INGRAHAM.
Monroe, March 11th, 1859.
E. L. BARR
By E. L. Barr
FELL asleep in Jesus, Dec. 20th, 1858, sister Sarah Lamb, of Granville, Vt., at the residence of her sister, in Roxbury, in the 52d year of her age, and in full faith of soon having a part in the first resurrection. She received the truth and the love of it, with an ardent desire to walk in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. But her religious privileges were few and far between, and her trials were continued and severe; yet nothing was able to separate her from the love of God, who in his kind providence made her last days the best.
While in the last stages of the consumption, her anxiety to visit her friends at Roxbury was such that she made the journey on her bed, but returned in her coffin. Her last few weeks of suffering at Bro. Kendall's were blessed with the sympathies, the prayers and society of the saints, which were highly appreciated by her. At the time of her decease her much-loved, and now much-lamented sister Phillips was able to ride half a mile or more to take her last farewell look of one so dear by the ties of nature and true christian friendship. While weeping over the loved, lifeless form, she repeated the hymn, "Asleep in Jesus, blessed sleep," not realizing, probably, how soon that blessed boon was to be her portion also. Heaven's benediction rests upon them while many sad hearts sorrow, but not as those that have no hope. May God sanctify these afflictions to the future good of the numerous mourning friends, and cause all to make a speedy and perfect preparation to hail their return from the enemy's land with everlasting joy.
E. L. BARR
Roxbury, Vt., March, 1859.
A. S. HUTCHINS
By A. S. Hutchins
Fell asleep in Jesus, in Roxbury, Vt., Feb. 22d, 1859, sister Amanda Phillips, wife of Bro. Daniel Phillips, aged 47 years. Sister Phillips' disease was lingering and distressing; but her sufferings were borne with great patience and christian resignation. Her death was caused by cancer, which preyed upon her lungs and other parts of the system.
We visited sister P. once after returning East. She expressed perfect submission to the will of her divine Master, whom she sincerely loved. She manifested a willingness to live and suffer with the children of God, or to rest till the first resurrection.
Bro. and sister Phillips were among those who looked for the glorious appearing of Jesus in 1844. They were also among the first in Vt. who embraced the Third Angel's Message. They have stood connected with the church of God amidst its trials and conflicts. But now she rests in hope, sweet hope of eternal life when Jesus comes.
Her funeral was attended the 25th ult., in the meeting-house in Roxbury. A very impressive and comforting discourse was preached by Bro. C. W. Sperry, founded on Rom. viii, 24. The rest of our sister in the grave will be short.
“For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.”1 Thess. iv, 14. This blessed reflection most graciously sustains our dear Bro. P. in this afflictive dispensation.
A. S. HUTCHINS
Visit to Lapeer, Mich.
By John Norton Loughborough
DEAR BRO. SMITH: After giving four discourses to the people in Convis, I journeyed on towards Lapeer. Although the roads were very bad because of rain and thaws, yet I succeeded in filling all my appointments on the way, and getting through to fill my first appointment in Lapeer.
Monday, Feb. 21st, I drove 22 miles to Windsor. Here a few brethren, and some of their neighbors, assembled at the house of Bro. Carman, and we endeavored to speak to them. The brethren here seemed to be of good courage to press forward.
Tuesday, drove 36 miles to Locke. Got through to Bro. Avery's at half-past 6 o'clock. Found quite a room full already assembled to hear. Two young men (nephews of Bro. Wm. Miller) who were somewhat interested to hear on present truth, walked 16 miles to attend this meeting. They were very anxious that I or some other messenger should present the truth in their neighborhood, near Owasso, Shiawassee Co. Although we were much wearied with journeying, we endeavored to address those assembled. We had considerable liberty in talking to them on the duties of the "last time." While striving to speak I felt that the promise that he that watereth others shall be watered himself, was truly verified to me. Although I was strongly urged to go to Owasso, appointments ahead would not permit me to go then, and the weather and going being unsettled on my return, I have not yet seen the way clear to go.
Wednesday, the 23d, I drove to Tyrone, 30 miles. Although the evening was dark and rainy, quite a good congregation assembled in the school-house near Bro. Isaac Cornell's. I spoke with some freedom on the christian's hope. Here I came in contact with one who claimed that christians here enter into their rest when they fully believe in the Lord. We informed him that we understood from that text that they entered into it only by faith, or as Wakefield translates, "For we believers are to go into that rest." As he urged the doctrine it looked to us as though the man was in danger of foundering his bark on the shoals of old fashioned Spiritualism; which spiritual view is that after any have faithfully labored till they overcome, they will enter into their rest and stand even here perfected with no foes to fear. When we informed this friend that we thought his view would lead him to the same conclusion, he answered, No; he believed when the saints entered into the rest they would see more to do than they saw before, and have more labor to accomplish than before they entered into their rest. This looks indeed like a laborious rest!
Friday, the 25th, drove from Tyrone to Lapeer, about 43 miles. I found the church glad to hear the word of life. I tarried with them about ten days, during which time I spoke some twelve times. The church, who still number thirty-five, seemed to be encouraged by the word spoken.
Others attended and manifested considerable interest to hear, and we hope some of them will yet join those who are striving to press on in the way. Our last meeting, on Monday evening, March 7th, to attend to the ordinances of the Lord's house, was refreshing to the few assembled.
Tuesday evening, the 8th, I addressed quite a large audience in Enterprise hall, Canandaigua, on the subject of the christian's hope. Good attention was manifested while we addressed them upwards of an hour. We found nine in this place and vicinity keeping the commandments and wishing for baptism; but as our appointments hurried us on our way even that evening, we had no opportunity to administer the ordinance.
Wednesday, the 9th, met with the church in Shelby. We had two meetings. I was glad to meet with some here whom I had not seen for nearly five years. Was glad to find them still firm on the truth. We left them after our evening meeting, and journeyed towards home, by way of Locke, Windsor and Convis. At Convis we found some three had come out on the truth since our last meeting. I arrived at home March 15th, in good health, and after a short rest from this journey, hope to still engage in the work of the Lord.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
Battle Creek, March 20th, 1859.
"Her Priests have Violated my Law, and Hid their Eyes from my Sabbaths."
BRO. SMITH: On my return from Dartmouth I called at Lynn and gave a lecture in which, unfortunately, I referred to some efforts made by religious teachers of the present day to put down the Sabbath and law of God, and contrasted those efforts with certain scriptures. Thus, one professed minister says, "The seventh day Sabbath is of the Devil." But Gen. ii, 3 says, "God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it he had rested from all his works which he had created and made."
Another minister calls the Lord's Sabbath "one of the daughters of Babylon." Isa. lviii, 13 calls the Sabbath "a delight, holy of the Lord, honorable."
Another says, "It is the seal of damnation." But God says, "It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever." Ex. xxxi, 17.
Two others: one says that those that keep the seventh day Sabbath "ought to be stoned from morning till night;" and the other said that if it was not for the cloth he wore, he would be one to stone them. But God says, [Isa. lvi, 6, 7] "Also the sons of the stranger that join themselves to the Lord, to serve him, and to love the name of the Lord to be his servants, every one that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it and taketh hold of my covenant; even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer."
Another, in a recent effort says, that "Advent Sabbath-keepers have switched off upon the Devil's track." But Jesus says, "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have a right to the tree of life, and enter in through the gates into the city." Rev. xxii, 14.
But once more: "The law of the ten commandments is an old, rickety, thunder-and-lightning law, a curse to man and is dead and buried, and does not deserve a grave stone." But Nehemiah says, [ix, 13,] "Thou camest down also upon mount Sinai, and spakest with them from heaven, and gavest them right judgments, true laws, good statutes and commandments." Paul says the law is holy, Rom. vii, 12, and delights in the law of God after the inward man. Verse 22.
Here I remarked that it was impossible for me to believe that God gave his Holy Spirit to religious teachers who treat his word with contempt. I called no names; yet the next morning one of the leaders informed me that if I held any more meetings there, quite a number would not attend, as they believed I had allusion to Bro. B------- in some of my remarks the last evening, and hence I had no confidence in what they believed to be the work of God. To this charge I plead guilty; and on taking the second thought, concluded I could do that class no good that have more confidence in fallen man than in the word of a holy God.
We believe there are honorable exceptions to this general rule, and hope such will bear in mind that God makes no difference. Men may shout and sing over a golden calf, and fancy they have good religion; or they can trample under foot God's holy Sabbath, and do the same. Yet the wages of sin is death; and he that turns away his ear from bearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination. Prov. xxviii, 9.
Sabbath, Feb. 17th, I met with the church at Clinton where we enjoyed much of the tender, heavenly Spirit of our compassionate Redeemer; and while we looked at the happy change that had taken place here since last fall, we could say with one anciently, "There is no other God that can save after this sort." I spent the 19th and 20th, at Fitchburg. Held meetings on First-day in the temperance hall; but the weather was rainy, and but few out to hear; yet it is very evident that the interest to hear the present truth is increasing in the East. May every member of the church feel the importance of a speedy preparation for the final close.
E. L. BARR.
Bootless Reform.
By Editor
THERE are some who think it their duty to discard the names of the months as they stand at present in the calendar, and also to return to the Bible method of reckoning time. Such seem not to understand the difficulty of the task they have undertaken. For instance, we have received letters during the present month (March) dated "Third Month, 1859." But do not the writers perceive that this is not the third month of the year according to Bible reckoning? Do they not understand that the Bible does not commence the year in the midst of winter, but somewhere near the vernal equinox?
Again: Let those who think it their duty to return to the Bible reckoning of the months and years, tell us just when the year commences according to that mode of computation, and how we are to find any particular day of any particular month. We would also remind them that the Bible months consisted of only thirty days each, and that the Jews were obliged to intercalate every three years, a thirteenth month to make the lunar and solar years correspond. This also must be adopted.
The present, or Gregorian, calendar is far more accurate and convenient. We do not believe there is any virtue in returning to the former. But if we are to return to it, let us be consistent and take it in all its particulars, and not imagine that we are going according to Bible reckoning, by simply using Scripture language to designate the months of the Roman year.
The Present Truth.
By J. Clarke
“His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.” “Sanctify them through thy truth.”
At the present time the religious world is full of conflicting opinions, and when a person is persuaded to leave the fallen Babylon with her mixture of opinions and dogmas, it very often happens that he brings along with him a full load of what he considers valuable luggage.
This indispensable satchel of Babylonish lore is carefully preserved and cared for, until he gets the eye-salve, which by its wonderful efficacy reveals to him the true character of the petted bundle; then he parts from it with joy.
But there are those who, having a good deal of self-confidence, and who perhaps have not fully investigated the present truth, and not fully comprehending the vast range which error has had for 6000 years, not considering the comprehensiveness of the words, Babylon is fallen, Come out of her, &c., not fully realizing the depth of ecclesiastical depravity to which the visible church has sunk, such an individual, I say, not realizing these things, is in danger of neglecting the urgent duty of investigation, and is in great danger of settling down upon a partial reform, which is often worse than no reform at all.
Thus, A. embraces the Third Angel's Message, but he has got some favorite ideas which he will graft upon it, and he comes in to teach those of greater experience and more knowledge.
B. thinks that the views are generally correct, but that too much stress is laid upon the use of tobacco.
C. holds that the saints will be overcome, so far as to be imprisoned and killed, in the coming struggle.
D. does not see how the remission of sin differs from the blotting out of sin.
E. thinks that the brethren are a little too severe upon our rich members, and so on to the end of the chapter.
Now I would recommend that we all, without an exception, study to know the whole truth, and leave Babylon behind.
J. CLARKE.
A P P O I N T M E N T S.
By John Norton Loughborough
Providence permitting, I will meet with the church in La Porte, Ind., Sabbath, April 2d, after which I design spending some time in the vicinity of North Liberty.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
Business Department.
By Editor
Business Notes.
John Barrows, Pa.: Your Instructor is paid to the April number.
Letters.
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FOR REVIEW AND HERALD.
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