p. 160 | Review and Herald, Vol. 26, No. 20. (10/17/1865)

Earlier text: Our Sins; Their Pardon and Their Blotting Out

The Cross of Christian Living

By James H. Morrison

From Bro. Morrison.

BRO. WHITE: I wish to say to the brethren and sisters scattered abroad, that I love the truth dearly. I am trying to live so that I may be entitled to a home in the haven of rest. I have been trying to keep all of God's commandments, since last March; and during that time I have found it to be quite a cross to live the life of a Christian, ten-fold, comparatively, to all I ever experienced, while with the United Brethren; that being about a year and a half. I had, previous to this, wondered to myself who God's peculiar people were. I well knew to be a Bible Christian that there must be some cross to be borne, and some peculiarity to distinguish them from the world. The thought has often thrilled across my mind, Where is that peculiarity in the nominal churches? Where? The echo answers where? "Those that live godly in Christ Jesus must suffer persecution." Every Sabbath-keeper can realize this.

There is no cross of persecution in the popular churches of the day. If we wish to become popular in the world, and stand high in the eyes of the community in which we live, and be numbered with the upper ten, the first thing on the programme is to have our names enrolled on some of their church books. This is a fact worthy of notice, the contrast there is between their popular doctrines of 1865, and that of the poor lowly Nazarene of the first century. How many thousand ministers there are in this day that will make null and void their commission which they profess to have from the God of Heaven for the sake of a little petty office in the army or Government?

I well recollect an expression of a certain brother, before I had heard the third angel's message. It was something like this. Said he, "There is one of two things true, either the world are all becoming religious, or the churches are getting so corrupt that there is no dividing line to separate the two." This made a deep and lasting impression upon my mind. It planted a seed in my bosom, which has germinated, though awaiting its favorite element to foster and increase its growth, and hasten it to maturity. My attention was first called to the Sabbath question by Elder Snook, about one year before I began to keep it. I only heard one discourse. I was requested by one of my friends to take the Review, and did so. In a short time I began to think the time long from one week to another to get it. I then got hold of a few tracts, which I read with great interest, though seeking for something to justify myself; but the more I sought the plainer the truth became! but ah, I might have sought and wept like Rachel of old, and not been comforted because it was not. Search the Scriptures, for in them ye think that the first day of the week is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God. But alas! "In vain do ye worship me, teaching for doctrine the commandments of men." How different the Bible appears to be. What truth, what harmony! How brightly it shines! How brilliantly it radiates its glories! How confident I feel that that man does not live that can overthrow the Bible Sabbath. There has been every possible way taken to evade it; yet with all the sophistry and wisdom that men can use against it, it will beam forth like the golden rays of the noon-day sun, with such dazzling splendor that its opponents dare not face it.

Oh how little zeal, how little love have I manifested! How I have mis-improved my time, and talents. How have I neglected the all important work to which we are called! How often have I called God's love and truth in question while at the very time he was taking the best possible measures to promote my happiness.

We may think that we have faith, but is our faith a living and active faith? Do we show our faith by our works? Are we doing all we can for the cause? Do our works correspond to our profession? Are we overcoming our sins? Are we becoming sanctified through the truth? Can we answer these questions in the affirmative? If we can we can realize that we are doing the work of the Lord. I do earnestly desire to realize that we are living in the day of judgment. Oh, what a solemn time! We know not how soon our cases will pass in review before the tribunal of Heaven and our destiny be sealed either for life or for death. How important it is then that we stand prepared. Let us prove faithful until the end; for by the help of Israel's God we shall be able to enter the promised land. I want to enter through the pearly gates into the city, and walk her golden streets, where sickness, sorrow, pain and death cannot enter. Oh what a happy thought! It cheers me on while in this dark world. God has been very good to me all along the journey of my unprofitable life.

I prize the blessings of present truth above all in this world—they grow brighter and plainer every day. They are a source of great pleasure to me. All that I know about present truth I have gathered by the wayside, not having been permitted to hear a course of lectures. I feel determined, by the assistance of God, to be an overcomer with the 144,000 which has the Lamb's Father's name written in their foreheads.

"Hope is my helmet, faith my shield, Thy word, my God, the sword I wield." Yours, looking for the soon coming Saviour. JAMES H. MORRISON. Caloma, Iowa.

A Widow Embraces the Sabbath

By James White

From Sister Coal.

Bro. White: It is the Holy Sabbath, but as there are no Sabbath-keepers in the vicinity, of course I am obliged to spend my Sabbath at home, with no services except the family altar, which has not been torn down although the leader of it has been lying on Virginia soil a year the 4th of this month. He truly died at his post. He was not a Sabbath-keeper, neither was I, until his absence. I then turned to reading to divert my thoughts from the "absent one." I found a pamphlet, an exposition of Daniel ii, vii, viii, ix; also 2300 days and the sanctuary. It seemed to me very forcible, clear, and interesting. I then read the law of God, by J. H. Waggoner, but not until the scales had been partially removed from my eyes, through the instrumentality of Bro. Stryker, a veteran of the cross of my beloved Master. Our conversation was concerning the Sabbath, which I had thought but little about, supposing it to be but a Jewish day, having been taught that Sunday was the Sabbath of the Lord. I read also a book on the Sabbath, pamphlets which had been unread in our house a number of years, sent us by brother-in-law Santee, according to the flesh, but now Bro. Santee as regards the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.

In reading, I carefully compared each passage quoted from the Bible with the Holy Book, and was satisfied. I then commenced keeping the Sabbath, although I had never heard a sermon concerning it, but was soon favored with a series of sermons delivered by J. W. Raymond, of Wheeler Centre, as I was then in the State of New York. His words enlightened me much. In the meantime my dear husband was killed in a battle near Berryville, Virginia. Bro. Raymond preached a consoling sermon from 2 Sam. xiv: "For we must needs die; and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God respect any person; yet doth he devise means that his banished be not expelled from him."

My husband's relatives in Illinois invited me West, thinking I could maintain my family better here than in New York; so trusting in God, I came; not however until I had been baptized and united with the church, of which Bro. Raymond was the Elder.

I never had the privilege of attending a meeting of the Adventist church but twice; once before, and once after my baptism; but I can truly say they were seasons never to be forgotten on account of the presence of God with us. How my heart is drawn to that little church in Wheeler Centre; though few in number, they are mighty in God's strength. I have no privileges of the church here, and none of like precious faith, but I am trying to keep all the commandments and the faith of Jesus. I am poor as concerns this world's goods, but may I not be rich toward God! Truly I hunger and thirst after true riches. I have a little house in Tremont, Ill., but my family, consisting of four, myself and three children, the eldest ten, a boy, and two little girls, one eight, the other five, are depending on my exertion, except the $8,00 per month allowed me by the Government. If you can afford me that excellent paper, the Review, a year for the amount I send, ($1,00,) please send it as soon as you get this, as I have no reading corresponding with my views except the Bible and some pamphlets.

My address is Tremont, Tazewell Co., Ill. JANE COAL.

"Take These Things Hence."

By Mrs. M. A. Bigelow

"TAKE these things hence," the precious Saviour said, When in the temple, sanctified by prayer, He saw the spirit of the world was shed, And men were paying their oblations there At mammon's shrine.

"Take these things hence," my heart doth oft exclaim, When cares are found upon its inner shrine; O Lord, 'tis thine abode, and now I claim Thy searching presence and thine aid divine; Take these things hence. [Mrs. M. A. Bigelow.

Encouragement in the Present Truth

By J. H. Rogers

From Bro. Rogers.

I WOULD say we have an interest here still in the cause of present trnth. We have been cheered frequently this season by having brethren from abroad visit us who were seeking out homes. Some have recently moved, others are expected. How it would rejoice us to have some messenger come. When Bro. S. Myers was here this spring, he spoke to us four times, greatly to our encouragement.

When we look around us here, we can but exclaim, Truly the harvest is great, and our prayer is, Lord, send laborers. J. H. ROGERS. Altovista, Mo.

Keeping the Commandments

By Warren Sutliff

From Bro. Sutliff.

BRO. WHITE: I have been trying to keep the commandments for about eighteen months. I have never heard a sermon on present truth. I was led into this way by reading books, and the Review. I think that there is no safety in trying to get along without the Review if one has no preaching. The way seems to be a continual warfare, and temptations come up all along. I have had to lose one day in the week a good share of the time since I commenced to keep the Sabbath, besides enduring all the reproach which the scoffer heaps upon me. Friends and popularity have left me, but I can not "cast one lingering look behind;" I would rather put my fingers in my ears and cry, "Life, life, eternal life."

Yesterday I attended a funeral. A little child was in the coffin. The minister said that Lena was in the coffin. He said many good things like the following: "Let us turn our feet into the testimony, and make haste to keep God's commandments." But he afterwards said that Lena was in Heaven. He also said that there was one thing in the Old Testament that he was glad to see reversed, namely, "I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me." He said that it was a common saying in Israel that "the fathers have eaten sour grapes and the children's teeth are set on edge." He was glad that Christ took it in hand to take the kinks out of those old Jewish sayings. I thought that a strange way to string up and dispose of things.

I find a good many Adventists about this locality. I thought they would heed the warning of the third angel's message. But I have talked with some of them, and find them very worldly minded, "lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God." I found one who had once kept the Sabbath, but has since given it up. I keep my books and papers out doing good. I hope and pray that some seed may fall on good ground.

Yours striving to overcome. WARREN SUTLIFF.

West Salem, Oct. 9, 1865.

Encouragement in Serving the Lord

Bro. Hare writes from Urbana, Iowa:—

DEAR BRO. WHITE: I write you a few lines to let you know that I am not tired of serving the Lord. It seems to me that the trnth grows brighter every day. We had a very good Quarterly Meeting, though the brethren of Lisbon could not many of them come, on account of their Sorghum Works. I never enjoy myself so well as when serving the Lord. I feel greatly encouraged to go on in this good work. We are truly living in solemn times, when we have need to pray to God for grace to overcome. By the grace of God, I want to make Heaven my home. I ask an interest in your prayers. DANIEL HARE.

Letters.

By Editor

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

This department of the paper is designed for the brethren and sisters to freely and fully communicate with each other respecting their hopes and determinations, conflicts and victories, attainments and desires, in the heavenly journey. Seek first a living experience and then record it, carefully and prayerfully, for the comfort and encouragement of the other members of the household of faith.

Obituary Notices.

DIED, at Rice Creek, Oct. 3, Mrs. Hannah Briggs, aged 73 years. For more than 50 years she adorned her Christian profession by a well ordered life and conversation. During her last sickness, which was the dropsy, her sufferings were very great, but she bore them all with christian fortitude and patience. For the past twelve years she kept the Seventh-day Sabbath, and though deprived the society of those of similar faith, she died strong in the faith of the third angel's message, and in the hope of a speedy resurrection. G. SOUTHWORTH.

DIED, Sept. 13, 1865, in the village of Pleasant Grove, Minn., of Diptheria and Croup, Almon C., youngest son of Bro. and Sister Horr, aged two years and eight months. H. F. LASHIER.

DIED, at Concord, Dodge Co., Minn., Aug. 22, 1865, Emma A., daughter of Wm. and Ruth Coon, aged 5 years, and 16 days.

Also at the same place, Sep. 22, 1865, Genevra, only daughter of Franklin and Emma P. Walker, aged 1 year, 6 months, and 7 days. Both of dysentery. It is truly a bereavement to these friends, but they are comforted with the promise that their children will return again from the land of the enemy. As it was impracticable to obtain a preacher, the writer was called to attend the services. A few remarks were made upon each occasion to a number of attentive listeners.

What is Worship?

By R. F. Cottrell

"God, who is the searcher of hearts, is my witness," says Luther, "that I am ready most earnestly to obey your majesty, in honor or in dishonor, in life or in death, and with no exception save the word of God, by which man lives. In all the affairs of this present life my fidelity shall be unshaken, for here to lose or to gain is of no consequence to salvation. But when eternal interests are concerned, God wills not that man should submit unto man. For such submission in spiritual matters is a real worship, and ought to be rendered solely to the Creator."

True loyalty to human government is every Christian's duty; but human dominion ends where conscience toward God begins. Where human enactments do not conflict with duty to God, obedience is a virtue; but when humanity undertakes to dictate in our religious duties, it is a sin to obey. It is in reality a worship of the creature in preference to the Creator. Hence the terrible threatening against those who worship the beast. The requirements of the beast are in direct opposition to the commandments of God; and to take God's law as modified and corrupted by the anti-Christian power of Rome, instead of receiving it as it issued from its fountain, the lips of Jehovah, is truly worshiping the beast.

R. F. COTTRELL.

APPOINTMENT TAKEN UP.—

The appointment for Orwell, Ohio, Oct. 28th, given in last Review, has been taken up by the Ohio Conf. Com., because no help can be obtained for said meeting, and because in the opinion of the committee, there are reasons why some experienced messenger should be present. G.

Infant Baptism—Whence Derived.

ONE of the contributors to Kitto's valuable "Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature," Prof. Jacobi, of the Berlin University, Prussia, speaks with candor in reference to infant baptism. Although a believer in the orthodox side of this question, on page 287, Vol. 1, of said work, he says:

"Infant baptism was established neither by Christ nor the apostles. In all places where we find the necessity of baptism notified, either in a dogmatic or historical point of view, it is evident that it was only meant for those who were capable of comprehending the word preached, and of being converted to Christ by an act of their own will. A pretty sure testimony of its non-existence in the apostolic age, may be inferred from 1 Cor. vii, 14, since Paul would certainly have referred to the baptism of children for their holiness. (Comp. Neander, Hist. of the Planting, &c., 1, p. 206). But even in later times, several teachers of the church such as Tertullian, (De Bapt. 18) and others, reject this custom; indeed, his church in general, (that of North Africa) adhered longer than others to the primitive regulations. Even when baptism of children was already theoretically derived from the apostles, its practice was nevertheless for a long time confined to a maturer age."

Progress of Spiritualism

PROGRESS OF SPIRITUALISM.—"THE Banner of Light," a Spiritualist paper of Boston, for Sept. 2, says:

"Wonderful changes are going on in Mr. C. H. Foster's mediumship. He is now lifted from the floor bodily in broad daylight, and spirit-hands are also shown in the light in his presence. Spirits talk to him the same as one human being converses with another. Other mediums are undergoing similar changes in their medium powers. Mrs. J. H. Conant speaks face to face with the invisibles, in her normal condition. Not a day elapses that they do not advise with her in many of the common affairs of life. We predict that the time is near at hand when spirit-power will be made so apparent among mankind generally, that none but the rankest bigots will doubt spirit-communion."

A Splendid Tract!

By Editor

THE readers of the Review have already been informed of the publication of a little tract, called, "Thoughts for the Candid," on the life and death theme, by Eld. J. N. Andrews. We regard this as the best argument on the points on which it treats, of any that we ever read. The first proposition, "A Gloomy Doctrine," is worth the price of fifty such tracts. The writer has read it over and over again. Brethren, if you want to "let your light shine," just order a package of "Thoughts for the Candid," and distribute them among your neighbors. A bushel of wheat will buy two hundred, a fleece of wool as many more, a few pounds of butter, more than you could conveniently carry; and there are your various kinds of produce, just convert them into cash, and let mammon become the vehicle to spread God's blessed truth. Has your farm, the past summer, "had the smell of a field that hath the blessing of the Lord," then honor the Giver of every good and perfect gift by returning some of your substance into his treasury. God loves the cheerful giver; and these tracts, oh, spread them! spread them! G.

A Dialogue Against Seventh-day Adventists

In the “Gospel Herald” for Sept. 30, one B. F. Summerbell puts out an imaginary dialogue between Paul, Seventh-day Adventist, Moses, John, and Christian. (The Herald is published by the Christian denomination.) As might be expected a man of straw is erected; and poor Seventh-day Adventist catches it right and left, while Christian triumphantly bears off the palm of victory. The whole thing is gotten up for effect, and some of Christian's arguments are about as relevant to the case in hand as the oft-repeated text, “And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,” would be in favor of the doctrine of the trinity. G.

Reverence for Sacred Things

By G.

SAYS S. R. Wells, of the firm of ‐Fowler and Wells,‐ N. Y., the celebrated Phrenologist: ‐When a man speaks irreverently of sacred things, let it suffice as a warning to trust him in no single matter. No matter how brilliant may be his talents, how fair his professions, there is a false ring to his metal. Don't trust him!‐

This is truth, every word, as thousands can testify. The man who disrespects his Creator, will, to subserve his own ends, be recreant to the creature. But the one who is faithful to his God, his word is as good as his note.

Questions.

By G.

L. D. inquires: "Who the sons of God were that shouted for joy when man was in his primeval state?"

Answer. We suppose they were the angels; the same order of beings, if not the same persons, who shouted for joy when the infant Saviour appeared in the world. Luke ii, 13, 14. The phrase, "sons of God," is rendered, "troop of angels," in the Chaldaic version.

J. L. asks: "When does the judgment commence, that Daniel says shall sit? See Dan. vii, 26?"

Ans. We think this refers to the time the Papacy received the severe blow at the hand of Bonaparte, Feb. 10, 1798. Then began to be fulfilled the words of Rev. xiii, 10, "He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity." Since then the true and righteous judgments of the Almighty have been very manifest against that blood-letting power. Thus the Papacy is being consumed and destroyed unto the end. See also Rev. xvii, 16. G.

Did the Jews Eat Two, or Three Meals a Day?

By Daniel T. Bourdeau

FROM the comments of J. A. Spencer, A. M., on the original word ἀριστῆσαι, in Luke xi, 37, (see Spencer's Greek Testament), we see that they made but two meals a day. Upon this word he remarks as follows:

"The Jews made but two meals in the day; the ἄριστον was but a slight meal, and taken about twelve o'clock on the Sabbath, perhaps earlier on other days; the δεῖπνον, or supper, was taken after the heat of the day was over, and was, among the Jews, as well as among the Greeks and Romans, the principal meal. See Matt. xxii, 4." Also Luke xiv, 12.

Though the fact that the Jews ate but two meals a day, does not, abstractly considered, prove that we should do likewise, yet if we bear in mind the reasonableness and propriety of the two-meal-a-day system, it seems that the example of this ancient and healthy people (healthy, when compared with the people of this degenerate age,) deserves our candid consideration.

D. T. BOURDEAU.

Dansville, N. Y., Oct. 1, 1865.

Appointments.

The next Quarterly Meeting of the church at Fish Lake, Waushara Co., Wis., will be held on the 11th of Nov. Brethren from other churches are cordially invited to meet with us. By request of the church. M. DENNIS.

THE next Quarterly Meeting of the church at Hundred Mile Grove, Wis., will be held, Providence permitting, November 4th and 5th. We hope to see a general attendance of the brethren and sisters. N. M. JORDAN.

THE Seventh-day Adventist church of Stowe, Vt., will hold their next Quarterly Meeting, Sabbath, November 4. An invitation is extended to brethren and sisters of other churches to meet with us. We hope there will be a general gathering. Elder A. S. Hutchins is expected to be present. F. GOULD.

Business Department.

By Editor

Business Notes.

S. M. Abbott: We have no other German Tracts.

I. G. Camp: E. L. Gladding's Instructor has been sent regularly to Orange, Vt.

E. Van Deusen: Where is S. Kennedy's Instructor sent?

H. F. P. The Instructors, containing the Sabbath School Lessons by its editress, are not bound yet. When the present volume ends, December next, they will immediately be bound. Price, 25 cts. per volume.

SOME one writes: "Being recommended to you by Bro. Bias, I send for Bible Students Assistant," &c. No name signed.

RECEIPTS.

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Cash Received on Account.

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Books Sent By Mail.

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