THE great Advent movement will come out right in the end. The purpose of God in it will be realized. The movement is symbolized by a series of messages in Rev. xiv, the grand result of which seems to be to gather out of the rubbish of this treacherous world a loyal people who shall with joy welcome the coming of their King.
God's word will stand when heaven and earth shall pass away. The messages which symbolize the Advent movement are infallible. Mortals may err in relation to truth and duty, and Satan may inspire men to try to disarrange the order of Providence; but while these may suffer for the lack of true knowledge, God will see that his purposes are accomplished wisely and well. The prophetic pencil marks out the track, which will be kept open in spite of earth and hell, for the car of Providence to move along. God's revealed purposes will be fulfilled, and his work in preparing a people to joyfully receive his Son at his second Advent will terminate gloriously.
But notwithstanding the faithfulness of God in fulfilling his word, and the infallibility of revealed messages of truth, the people of God, who act a part in the great Advent movement, are not free from responsibilities. Every person professing the Advent faith assumes a great responsibility. God holds them responsible for conduct worthy of their high profession.
And those who teach the Advent faith and hope take still higher responsibilities. They should be proper ensamples to the flock, and lead in the path of holiness. If the flock recognize the Shepherd's voice in theirs, they can safely follow. Such are also represented as watchmen. The church is committed to their care. Says Paul, "Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves; for they watch for your souls as they that must give account." Heb. xiii, 17. God will hold them responsible for his flock, so far as a faithful performance of their duties is concerned. How many ministers, yes, even Advent ministers, will come up to the judgment with their garments all stained with the blood of souls!
With Adventists of every type there has been a fault in the relations of ministers and people. Paul, in the text above quoted, requires obedience on the part of the people, but not without in the same text impressing ministers with the weight of responsibility resting upon them. The lack of devotion on the part of many ministers who teach the Advent faith, the clownish style of some of them in preaching and writing; their opposition to organization, and their leaving things at loose ends; their want of love for souls, and their excessive love for sentiments of no practical importance; their love of riding hobbies, embracing the varied forms of the future age, &c., which can result only in dividing the flock, have destroyed that confidence in them which the people should be able to repose in the ministers of Jesus Christ. If ministers have an abiding sense of the dignity, the holiness, and awfully solemn, responsible position they occupy, they will act in a manner to gain the confidence of the people. In this way only, they may secure the obedience of the people.
Obedience to the minister secured by creed force is spiritual slavery. On the other hand, a reckless liberty which does not recognize the responsible duties of ministers, and proper obedience on the part of the people, is anarchy worse in its results than the other extreme.
The great fault is in the ministers. Let them sit at Jesus' feet and learn of him; let them be imbued with the Spirit of their Master; let them feel the woe; let them weep between the porch and the altar; and let them feel that keen agony, and love for perishing souls that Paul felt, and none but those who retain the spirit of their calling can feel; let them as loyal subjects of the government of heaven, teach the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, and their hobbies will go to the moles and the bats. Let them carry with them wherever they may go, in their words, their acts, their general deportment, and their tears, the evidence of their high calling, then will the people in a scriptural manner confide in them.
Seventh-day Adventists are sometimes charged with being exclusive. If to keep the Sabbath and teach the perpetuity of the moral law, and worship on the seventh day with all those we can persuade to worship with us on that day, is to be exclusive, then we are exclusive. And if obedience to the law of God makes us exclusive, we should be praised, and not censured, for this exclusiveness. We should not be charged with bigoted sectarianism for praiseworthy loyalty to the government of God. In this sense the church ever should have been exclusive. It is a matter of the highest practical importance that separates us from other Adventists. It is not a matter of choice, but of necessity. We would rejoice to have them come with us, and would heartily welcome them to all the blessings of loyalty to the constitution and laws of the government of Heaven. While they remain in doubt as to the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, we cannot go back to them. For us to do so would be treason. Then while other Adventists do not join us in keeping the commandments of God, we shall have to go on without them. Paul says, "Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing; but the keeping of the commandments of God is something." Whiting's translation. So we might contrast the various novelties and hobbies which have needlessly divided the Advent body, with the keeping of the commandments of God. They are nothing in point of practical importance when compared with the keeping of the commandments.
The Advent Herald, the organ of one class who wear the Advent name, has been ably conducted for more than twenty years, and should claim a good degree of respect from us; but its circulation is limited, and it struggles hard for an existence in consequence of its rigid adherence to Sunday-keeping, natural immortality, consciousness in death, and endless suffering of the wicked.
The World's Crisis had its origin in the 1854 time movement. After the passing of the time it became an able advocate of immortality alone through Christ. It has taught the Sabbath abolished; but has not been characterized with that bitterness against Sabbath-keepers that some other papers have. Our future-age people at the present time seem to feel very ugly toward the Crisis because it opposes the non-resurrection of the wicked. Unfortunate for the Crisis, we think, that some of its ablest writers indulge in a style which if observed in secular papers would be called clownish. Clowns in the pulpit, or a clownish spirit in an Advent paper, seem out of taste. They are poor substitutes for the spirit and power of holiness.
The Millennial Harbinger is the organ of the future-age faction. This paper teaches the Sabbath abolished. Its principal theme, however, is the future age. It has but very little present truth; sees but little of the position and duty of God's people in this age; but thinks it sees all things clearly in the next age. Its supporters differ in their fancies and novelties, yet all are very positive that they are right. To each of them their speculations of the future are all-important, and they claim great liberty in making them prominent, to the neglect of practical truth, and the sacrifice of friendship among brethren.
The spirit that drives the fancies of the future age, is a contentious irreligious spirit. We have traveled east and west, and know whereof we affirm. Contention is its life. Many of its leaders are in their element, when crowding into the meetings of others. Probably in a very pious style to appearance, they wish to ask a few questions for information. If you object, then the storm begins, and you are called sectarian, bigoted, popish. If you give liberty, the question soon turns to a painful discussion in which, if you have any fine feelings they are certain to be hurt, or you and your congregation, have to listen till you and they are wearied with a dish of just how it will be in the next age, done up with a seasoning of egotism. Our Advent friends who are not organized, and have held themselves ready to discuss almost any question, are dreadfully exposed to the ravages of those who are pressing their views of the future age.
We have received two numbers of a new paper, headed, The Restitution, published at Boston, Mass. by F. H. Berick, and edited by C. F. Hudson. Its four large pages of coarse type, give it rather an attractive appearance, and it must have some definite object, to be started in the midst of other famishing Advent papers, at this time of high prices of stock and labor. The editor, publisher and contributors seem to be old hands of the Crisis, and why they should start out just now with this new sheet is not so clear. Is it to add influence to the speculations in regard to the future age, and cause still greater divisions among those who may be exposed to its influence? Time will tell. So many papers cannot be well sustained, and the existence of the last named must hurt the others.
The view we take of those various classes of anti-Sabbatarian Adventists is a gloomy one. Judging from the past, their future, as it regards unity and a saving influence in the world, looks dark. A spirited writer in an article in the World's Crisis, breaks forth as follows:
"Unhappy Adventists!—I pity you. Disappointed in your expectations, hated by the world, persecuted by the Devil, opposed by the church, every man's hand against you, and your hand compelled to be against every man, overrun with new messages, bestridden with theorizers and schismatics—some of whom are as hard to get rid of, as it is to get away from a March wind;—how my heart aches for you! I am anxious to know what whim or notion is next to be thrust upon you! What strange error is next to be hung upon our generally beautiful system, till, in the eyes of the good, the whole fabric, daubed with untempered mortar, becomes a stench in the nostrils. I am watching for the birth of the next new schism and sect."
We turn from this sad picture to our own comparatively happy people, with a degree of pleasure. The faith of our people in the perpetuity of spiritual gifts has saved them from those schisms which have rent others. This has been a heavy cross for our people to bear, but they now reap the blessing. Satan has wished to crush us with those mistaken notions which have ever cursed American Adventists; but thank God, we are going free from these false ideas of things. Organization has been a hard struggle, but it proves a success. The way is preparing before us. And our only hope for the final success of the great Advent movement, is in the faithful adherence to the message that proclaims the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.
The Association.
By E. S. Walker
A copy of the Catalogue of Shares of Stock in the Publishing Association, and donations to the same, will be sent to each stock-holder and donor in a few days, by which will be seen the amount each State, each church, and each person, has raised. The States stand as follows:
Maine, ................................................................... $309,00
New Hampshire, .................................................... 95,95
Vermont, .................................................................. 815,25
Massachusetts, ........................................................ 132,00
Rhode Island, .......................................................... 10,00
Connecticut, ............................................................ 44,00
New York, ........................................................... 1842,86
Pennsylvania, ......................................................... 10,00
Ohio, ........................................................................ 453,70
Indiana, ................................................................... 342,90
Michigan, ............................................................... 4408,06
Illinois, ..................................................................... 503,66
Wisconsin, .............................................................. 804,64
Iowa, ........................................................................ 412,46
Minnesota, .............................................................. 45,00
Canadas East and West, ........................................ 90,00
Elsewhere, .............................................................. 54,65
The entire amount of all sums donated by the friends of the cause of the third message, to the publishing department, prior to the organization of the Publishing Association, including the $700 first raised to establish the small Office in Rochester, N. Y., and $300 raised soon after to purchase more material, the $1355 book fund, the $2500 for power press, engine, and fixtures, is $4855. This added to the $10374,13 since197raised for the Association makes the entire publishing property cost the friends of the cause the sum of $15229,13.
By a safe estimate of the property of the Association, its value is decided to be not less than $20000, which is nearly $5000 more than what it has cost the friends of the cause. This speaks well for the integrity and faithfulness of Bro. White and those who have been associated with him in the Review Office.
E. S. Walker, Sec'y. S. D. A. P. A.
Lessons for Bible Students.
LESSON XIII.
(History of the Sabbath, pp. 158-166.)
How far have we now traced the Sabbath?
To what does the termination of the seventy weeks bring us?
What did the Messiah, during his ministry, solemnly affirm?
What did he do at his death?
What commission did he leave to his disciples?
With the expiration of the seventieth week, what did the apostles do?
From what does the new covenant or testament date?
With whom did it begin?
How long was it confined to them?
Who then were admitted to a full participation with the Hebrews in its blessings?
Did God now enter into covenant with his people as a nation, or as individuals?
What two great points do the promises of this covenant embrace?
When were these promises made?
What law was it, then, which, under the new covenant, was to be written in the hearts of God's people?
Upon what, therefore, is the new covenant based?
Instead of abrogating the law, what does it do?
The old covenant had a sanctuary, an ark containing the ten commandments, a priesthood, &c.; does the new covenant have the same?
Instead of the tabernacle erected by Moses, what is the sanctuary of the new covenant?
The great central point in the earthly sanctuary was the ark containing the law which man had broken; how is it with the heavenly?
What scripture proves that there is a temple and an ark in heaven?
Before what does our great High Priest, Jesus Christ, minister in the temple in heaven?
Is the ark before which he ministers, empty? If not, what does it contain?
To what does the death of the Redeemer, and his work before the ark, have direct reference?
As the atonement and priesthood of Christ have reference to the law within the ark, what is thus proved in reference to that law?
Did this law, then, originate with the New Testament?
Where must we, therefore, look for a revelation of that law?
To what does the New Testament in its quotations from the law, cite us?
Going back to the Old Testament for the original of this law, what do we find?
That this Old Testament law was identical with the law now in the ark in heaven can be readily shown; first, what was the mercy seat, and where placed?
Second, what had made the atonement necessary?
Third, was there any atonement under the old covenant that could take away sin?
Fourth, was there any actual sin, and a real law which man had broken?
Fifth, what kind of an atonement, therefore, must there be, to take away sin, and to what must it pertain?
Sixth, what was the law under the Old Testament which demanded an atonement?
Seventh, what was the death of Christ designed to accomplish?
To recapitulate, what kind of a law does the Old Testament give us?
What kind of an atonement does it provide?
What then was needed?
Does the New Testament respond to this want?
Are all mankind amenable to the law of God?
After the Gentiles were given up to their own ways and left without a written law, what did they still have?
What advantage had the family of Abraham in being taken as the heritage of God?
Why were they, then, no better than the Gentiles?
By what language does Paul show that the law has jurisdiction over all mankind?
Can the law save any one?
What is the great means by which God can justify those who seek pardon, and yet remain just himself?
How, then, does the sentence which the law pronounces upon the guilty, and the offer of pardon through the gospel, compare in extent?
From all this, what is the office of the law shown to be?
Of what is the church of the present dispensation a continuation?
What does the proclamation of the gospel to the Gentiles do?
In Paul's illustration of the olive-tree, from what point must that tree date?
What constituted its branches?
What does the ingrafting of the wild olive-tree represent?
How are the Old-Testament and New-Testament churches respectively described?
One and One Make Two.
By R. F. Cottrell
Common sense was intended to be used in learning revealed truth. One and one make two, when applied to things revealed in the scriptures, as well as to every thing besides.
Yet point men to one law written on tables of stone and enclosed in the ark of the covenant, and then to another law of ceremonies, by which men can approach the broken law within the ark for pardon, and some will very gravely ask you for proof that there are two laws. As if, on a clear evening before sunset, you stand conversing with a friend, and you point to the setting sun and then to the moon already risen in the east, as two distinct objects, and he should demand the proof that they were two. You would hardly set yourself seriously at work to frame a syllogism to convince your friend, but would reply, that it is generally admitted that one and one make two. And such would be sufficient proof of the existence of two laws, in the former dispensation, one of which was abolished, and the other confirmed by Christ, did not men desire the abolition of the ten commandments, because they are breaking them and intend to continue to do so.
But this is not now my subject. On the day of atonement, under the law, two goats were brought to the door of the tabernacle. Lots were cast to determine which should be for the Lord and which for the scape-goat. The one upon which the Lord's lot fell was slain and his blood was offered in the sanctuary, while the other was reserved till the work of atonement in the sanctuary was completed, when the sins, that had been borne from the sanctuary by the high priest, were transferred to him, and on him sent away to a land not inhabited. If the goat that was slain represents Christ, reason would say that the scape-goat represents another person. Yet some are so confident that this goat typified Christ, because he "bare our sins in his own body on the tree," and was "the Lamb of God that beareth away the sin of the world," that they are ready to reject the present work of the Lord on the strength of their knowledge of the matter. Such would do well to review the subject in the light of the Bible and common sense, before they stake too much on their old opinions. Yet men will be self-confident and rash till they learn better; and this learning is the very lesson which God is now teaching his people.
Our bleeding Jesus was the antitype of the slain goat; but our ascended Lord in the true tabernacle, was represented by the high priest. Now the high priest, when he bore the sins out of the sanctuary, did not lay them upon himself, but upon another. The high priest was not sent away into a land of separation, and whose conductor became so defiled that he must wash his clothes and bathe his flesh in water before he could come into the camp of Israel, lest he should bring back some of the defilement of sin, from which Israel had just been cleansed in the figure. Neither will our great High Priest, when he has finished the work of reconciliation for his people and cleansed them from all their sins be sent to a land of separation, and thus be separated forever from them, but will take them to be forever with their Lord.
But the Devil, the originator of sin, will be forever separated from the redeemed, and the defilement of sin will never enter the camp of the saints. At the close of 1000 years he and his resurrected host, will be permitted to compass the camp, when fire will come down and devour them. This will be the end of sin and sinners.
R. F. Cottrell.
The Cause in Wisconsin.
By T. M. Steward
BRO. WHITE: We have just closed a Quarterly Meeting with the church in this place. Deep solemnity pervaded our entire meeting, while we rehearsed the requirements of the gospel and the evidences of our present position. A deep interest was manifest and increased to the close. Some who had been on the back ground moved forward and renewed their covenant with God. On first-day, A. M., we took the parable of the ten virgins to show more clearly our present198position and duty while we are waiting for the Bridegroom to return from the wedding. After which we repaired to the water, where four were buried with Christ by baptism, and arose to walk in newness of life. Among them was our brother who has been putting it off from time to time, but has at last taken up his cross, to the satisfaction and joy of the church and his family. May the Lord help him with the rest to go on unto perfection.
In the afternoon we preached from Jer. xxxi, 15, 16, 17, to the consolation of the afflicted. Our business meeting in the morning of first-day was all harmonious and quiet, though we had considerable business to attend to. The brethren at this meeting helped me on my way after a godly sort. May the Lord abundantly reward them for their care for his servant.
The cause is onward in Wisconsin. I cannot fill one-fourth of the calls for labor. I think the church need help to regulate them and get order more perfectly established throughout the State. The third angel's message is onward. May the Lord hasten it, is my prayer.
T. M. STEWARD.
Hundred-Mile Grove, May 11, 1863.
Report from Bro. Loughborough.
By John Norton Loughborough
Since my last report I have had meetings as follows: Monday and Tuesday evenings Apr. 13th and 14th held meetings in Allegan. The first evening considered the subject of systematic benevolence, was glad to find the new beginners ready to act on the plan. Tuesday evening preached to an attentive congregation.
Sabbath and first-day Apr. 18th and 19th attended the quarterly meeting at Parkville. Had six meetings which were well attended. Four more were baptized during this meeting.
Tuesday evening, and Wednesday afternoon and evening Apr. 21st and 22nd had three meetings at Colon. The Baptists kindly granted us the use of their meeting house for our evening meetings; but as it was rainy both evenings the attendance was not large. One was baptized during our stay at Colon.
From Friday evening Apr. 24th till Sunday evening May 3d I spent at North Liberty Ind. Held during the time eighteen meetings which were for the most part well attended. This effort I trust was not a lost one to the church who seemed greatly encouraged by the meetings. I hope others who see the light of truth will have strength to take up the cross and obey the truth.
Sabbath and first-day May 9th and 10th I spent in quarterly meeting at Hanover. Had four meetings the last one a funeral discourse for Bro. Philo Finch who died of lung fever Apr. 25th aged about forty-five years. A very large assembly came together to hear a discourse on the occasion and we trust that those who listened with such breathless attention on that occasion will yet have an opportunity to learn more of present truth.
Monday evening Apr. 11th met with the church in Jackson and had a free time in preaching to the church there.
J. N. Loughborough.
Battle Creek, May 14th 1863.
Meetings in Illinois.
By Wm. S. Ingraham
Our meetings at Elkhorn and Me Connel's Grove Ill. were meetings of some interest. In Elkhorn we were favored with the presence of some of our brethren from Clyde and Crane's Grove. I preached five times and enjoyed good liberty. The house was crowded and quite a number seated themselves out doors because there was no room for them in the house. At the close of our meeting we called for an expression to learn whether any new ones were convinced of the truth when four arose, thus evincing to all that they believed the commandments of God were still binding. In this place I baptized five. Bro. R. Andrews has labored in this place with good effect. We left this place for Mc-Connel's Grove. Our meeting here was interesting and harmonious. This church is well united and striving to carry out gospel order. We thought there was one fault to be discovered, and that was formality. They all worked and worked well; but a little more fire a little more energy would do them good.
Wm. S. Ingraham.
Young Converts.
By Joseph Clarke
It is heart-cheering to hear of the good work among the young, that they are fleeing for refuge to the rock, Christ Jesus: may the good work go on.
Many precious promises are made to the young: if any have a good foundation for their faith to rest upon, the young have it: "They that seek me early shall find me;" not may find me, but SHALL find me. How sweet in early life to give the heart to God, while the soul is buoyant with youthful hope and joyous, ardent desire, early to consecrate all to God.
Young friends, press forward; it is your privilege to become scholars in the school of Christ in a fortunate time, just as the last scenes of time are passing before us. Haste into the ark ere the last thunders break above us.
Then, when you feel a Saviour's love, do not allow your love to abate; keep near to Jesus.
Do not stop a moment to parley with Satan. Listen to none of his suggestions. Many a soul has been lost by parleying with the enemy.
Keep up sweet communion with God in your hearts; do not think an evil thought, but keep so filled with the Spirit that there will be no place for Satan in your minds.
Beware of relapse. Do not become weary, but be good and valiant soldiers for Christ. A good soldier will not tamper and parley with the enemy, but like the captors of Maj. Andre, he cannot be bought.
Unfaithfulness in a soldier leads to treason; and no young convert would be an Arnold, a traitor, but all true soldiers. Press on bravely, then, the battle is not long.
Yous, in JOYOUS HOPE.
JOSEPH CLARKE.
Sister Van Dorn’s Conversion
By Minerva Van Dorn
From Sister Van Dorn.
Bro. WHITE: For the first time I use my pen in writing to the Review, which I have had the pleasure of reading but five months. For the same length of time I have been an Adventist. I was converted to this precious faith through the preaching of Bro. Cornell. He lectured four or more weeks in this place before I commenced to attend, which I have regretted ever since, as I did not realize till after he left what precious, wholesome food his lectures would have been to me. I can truly say that those were the happiest moments of my life that I spent in listening to this truth. Before that my life was all dark and dreary; what I thought to be enjoyment, has proved but mockery. I knew not that there was going to be a new earth, neither did I know, there was a real city, called the New Jerusalem. O, my heart does rejoice and is glad; for now I know there is a living God, who will hear my prayers; and I know that I have something to pray for—something to build my hopes upon—something to win; and by the grace of God I mean to win a place in his kingdom. My three sisters and myself have given up a great deal for this truth, and are willing to give up all for Jesus, for whom we are watching and waiting. We know he will soon appear, and our desire is to be prepared to meet him with hearts overflowing with joy and gratitude, and be able to say, Lo, here is our Lord, we have waited for him.
Bro. Snook's last visit was meat in due season. It gave me more strength to come out from the world and be separate. We desire to leave every vestige of worldliness in the past, and in the future to serve the Lord in truth and uprightness, and be meek and lowly as becometh followers of Jesus. I love to meet with my brethren and sisters to speak and pray; and above all I love to go away by myself and pray to my Father who is in heaven.
A home with God! O, solemn thought,
The frame the mighty Maker wrought,
To his inspection given.
For he alone can search the heart,
He only needed grace impart,
To press our way to heaven.
Alone with God! the thought how sweet!
That we alone with him may meet,
In free communion blest.
We'll meet him soon, but not alone,
For all around his glorious throne
We'll meet in heavenly rest.
"One thing have I desired of the Lord; that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple." Ps. xxvii, 4. This desire of the psalmist is mine.
Yours, striving to overcome,
MINERVA VAN DORN.
West Union, Fayette Co., Iowa.
Affliction and the Blessed Hope
By Elcy Hough
From Sister Hough.
BRO. WHITE : It has been sometime since I have said anything through the Review. It is not because I have no interest in the Review, but on the account of sickness and death. I have often wanted to write as I have read the letters from the dear brethren and sisters, telling of their afflictions. I feel as though I could sympathize with them. I have lost five children out of eight, one of whom was drowned. Thus I have had some afflictions; but out of them all the Lord has brought me through. Blessed be his name, for his goodness to me. Had it not been for present truth and the blessed hope I have beyond the grave, I should have been discouraged long ago.
I love this present truth. It is a lamp to my feet and a light to my pathway, through the world of trouble. I feel to praise God that I had an ear to hear the solemn message that is now being given to a sinful world. I can say as the Psalmist, Before I was afflicted I went astray. I can say, "It is good to be afflicted." Dear brethren and sisters, I feel that I want to live199near to my God. May we as a people let our light shine to the world, that others seeing our good works, may be led to glorify God.
We see the signs thickening around, that the time of trouble, such as never was, is very near. The Lord is coming. May it ring in our ears from day to day—the Lord is coming! I have been meditating for a few weeks about the coming of our Saviour. My heart has been cheered. May the Lord arouse us that we may arise with the message. Those that remain of my little family are trying to meet our dear Saviour, who has suffered and died that we might live. I want to suffer with him, that I may also reign with him in glory.
In love of the truth. ELCY HOUGH.
Rochester, Mich.
To the Sad and Desponding.
By S. E. Lindsley
Lonely pilgrim weak and fainting,
Why thy heart so often sad?
If to o'ercome thou still art striving,
Trust thy Saviour and be glad.
Once he was the man of sorrows,
Tempted by our common foe,
Now he knoweth how to succor
Those who humbly to him go.
Are thine earthly prospects blighted,
Friends forsake who dear have been?
Christ the pilgrim's way hath lighted,
And he bids thee follow him.
Dost thou love thy heavenly Father,
More than every earthly friend?
What though some withdraw their favor,
Jesus loves thee to the end.
Cheer thee, pilgrim; mourn no longer,
Though each earthly joy forsake,
In the present truth grow stronger,
All things leave for Jesus' sake.
Labor in thy Master's vineyard,
We can labor though in youth;
Strive to win our friends and kindred,
To receive the light of truth.
Soon our conflicts will be ended,
And our sorrows all be o'er,
Soon by angel friends attended,
We shall mourn and weep no more.
S. E. LINDSLEY.
L E T T E R S.
By A. H. Huntley
"Then they that feared the Lord, spake often one to another."
From Bro. Huntley.
Bro. White : I have been thinking that perhaps you would like to hear from us, and learn how the cause is prospering in Peterboro N. H., and vicinity.
The lectures delivered in Peterboro last winter by Brn. Bourdeau and Hutchins, have, through the blessing of the Lord, resulted in much good. About a dozen have embraced the Sabbath and many more are convinced of the truth, but do not feel the importance of obeying it.
I am more than ever convinced that the time has come for a more united effort to be made for the advancement of the truth in the East. I am satisfied the Lord is moving on the minds of many to inquire for light and truth. There is more anxiety manifested to hear and learn our views than I have ever known.
We think that a meeting held in this vicinity the coming season would result in much good.
We hope that it will be the will of the Lord for you to come this way soon.
It appears to me that the friends of the cause should awake to this work, and make a united effort for the advancement of the same, and we shall soon hear the loud cry of the third angel's message.
Yours hoping to have a part in this work.
A. H. Huntley.
New Ipswich, N. H.
Church Prosperity and Organization
By D. Hildreth
From Bro. Hildreth.
Bro. White: Perhaps you would like to know how we are prospering here. When you were here an interest was awakened with several of the young, who have since started to go to Mt. Zion with us. May the Lord help them to endure unto the end.
When Bro. Ingraham was here last, the church was fully organized by the election of church officers. It seemed that the right time had come, and there was a greater degree of union than some of us anticipated there would be. Six more joined the church, making the present number twenty-three. There are others that may join at some future time. There has always been some scattering and distracting influences in this place, but we expect a better state of things in the future. It seems to be a pity that present truth does not take hold of the heart and affections of all who believe and partially receive it.
We expect, and hope for better times here. A greater degree of unity is secured by organization, and now we can also have the ordinances. Bro. Eli Wick is our elder. We have talked some of building a meeting house this season, but the matter has not yet been fully settled. Bro. R. F. Andrews has been laboring at Elkhorn, a place some 15 or 20 miles north of this, and there is a small church there now, of brethren and sisters, who love the truth. He has lectured a few times at a school-house ten miles west of here, and already there is a good interest awakened.
We are all striving to overcome, and hope to keep up with the onward march of God's truth and people, till we all reach the land of rest.