Earlier text: THE PEACE OF GODNo alliance with others can ever diminish the necessity for personal endeavor. Friends may counsel, but the ultimate decision in every case is individual. As each tree, though growing in the same soil, watered by the same rains, and warmed by the same sun as many others, obeys its own law of growth, preserves its own physical structure, and produces its own peculiar fruit, so each person, though in the closest communion and intercourse with others, and surrounded by similar influences, must be himself, must do his own duties, contest his own struggles, resist his own temptations, and suffer his own penalties. There is too much dependence placed upon co-operation for security from evil, and too little reliance upon personal watchfulness and exertion. There are some who seem to feel in great measure released from obligation if they do not receive such aid, and some will plead the shortcomings of others as an excuse for their own. We would by no means disparage the effect of influence, or discourage in the slightest degree the generous assistance which we all owe to one another, or undervalue the important effect of a worthy example. These are vital elements of growth, and their results can never be estimated. But they should not usurp the place of a proper self-reliance, or diminish the exercise of individual powers. Moral force must be a personal possession. It can never be transferred, and while we gladly welcome whatever is good from all sources, it can only be as food which must be digested before it can truly nourish us. Material benefits may be conferred by simple gift, but mental and moral activities can only be sustained by their own exercise. Thoughts may be exchanged, but not thought power; moral help and encouragement may be given, but virtue cannot be transferred; responsibility cannot be shifted. The most permanent good we can do to others is to nourish this individual strength. To aid the physically destitute most effectively, food, fuel, and clothing, are not nearly so valuable as steady, remunerative employment. To educate a child, it is not half so important to instill large amounts of information as to set his mind to work, to bring out his mental powers, to stimulate his thoughts and quicken his faculties. And in moral life, especially in cities, where masses are crowded together, and men incline to lean upon each other, the best lesson to enforce is, that virtue, to exist at all, must be strictly individual. That which cannot stand alone, but depends on props and supports, which needs the constant spur of fear, and the bribe of reward to insure its activity, is but the semblance of virtue, and will crumble before temptation. A well-developed body ever excites admiration. But a well-developed and self-reliant spirit is a nobler thing. It is calm, modest, and unassuming, yet firm in conscious integrity of purpose and steadiness of aim. Inflated by no vanity, it is at once humble, yet courageous; helpful to the tempted, yet resolute in assailing evil.—Sel. A Place Prepared for Each One
A PLACE is prepared for each one of us; a place fitted to our distinct character; a separate work fitted to develop that character into perfection, and in the doing of which we shall have the continual delight of feeling that we are growing; a place not only for us, but for all our peculiar powers. Our ideals shall become more beautiful, and minister continually to fresh inspiration, so that stagnation will be impossible. Feelings for which we found no food here shall then be satisfied with work, and exercised by action to exquisite perfection. Faint possibilities of our nature, which came and went before us here like swallows on the wing, shall then be grasped and made realities. The outlines of life shall be filled up, the rough statue of life shall be finished.—Sel. Worries Eat the Life Away
WORRIES eat the life away. They gnaw and bite wrinkles into the face, and bring gray hairs on the head, and half the time they are not only absolutely needless, but absurd. Why can we not wait until the draught of sorrow is forced to our lips, and not sup needlessly at the cup of gall and wormwood? EAST TENNESSEE.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
MONDAY, May 22, I started for East Tennessee. I came via Nashville to McMinnville. This was the nearest point on the railroad to the place where Bro. Soule is laboring in Bledsoe County, about one hundred miles east of Nashville. It was nearly sixty miles up and over the Cumberland mountains, the worst road I ever saw, Colorado not excepted. In Tennessee I should judge that the cows lay out the roads, and then the roads take care of themselves! There was no public conveyance, so I hired a team, and in company with Bro. Richardson worked hard to reach the place of meeting before the Sabbath. But Sabbath morning we had nine miles to go. This we went on foot. Bro. Soule, of Michigan, had been lecturing here about six weeks, with a good interest. I found a company of about twenty keeping the Sabbath and having Sabbath meetings. They are some of the most intelligent persons of that neighborhood; three are school-teachers, two are Sunday-school superintendents, one a Baptist deacon, etc. Just now they are passing through the usual persecution from their former brethren; but they are unmoved by it. We find bigotry and bitter hatred to the truth and the law of God here the same as elsewhere. Religion is in a very sad condition here, worse even than at the North. Hence honest souls are prepared for the truth. They have lost confidence in many of their teachers and in the popular churches. They seem to be hungry for the true word of God. Where Bro. S. has been working, there are many more who are about convinced of the truth and are on the point of deciding. They turned out well and gave me a good hearing. Some came ten miles. This is on the top of the Cumberland mountains, in a dense, endless forest. On the road I saw scarcely a house; yet hundreds came out to meeting, and nearly all on foot. The reason is that they pay no attention to roads here; but every man builds by the best spring on his land, let that be where it may. I find that the whole country around is stirred about this new doctrine, and hundreds are wanting to hear. There are more calls for lectures in different places than can be filled for many months. Bro. Soule will remain here and carry on the work. Bro. Richardson will also remain and assist him. If these brethren stand in the counsel of God and work with energy, I shall expect that there will be scores of Sabbath-keepers here in a few months. In view of the situation, I thought it best to ordain Bro. Soule, so that he might baptize, organize churches, etc. So at our last meeting, in the midst of his own children in the faith, he was solemnly set apart to the sacred work of the gospel. I preached to the people four times with good freedom and a deep interest. Many urged me to remain longer; but we could not now hold night meetings, and for a singular reason, viz., fear of poisonous snakes! They are so thick on the mountains and so venomous that the people will not go out after dark. This is not so, however, in the valleys. So far as trouble in society is concerned, or opposition to Northern men, with a very few rare exceptions, there is no more of it than there is in Michigan. A man is just as safe, and the people are just as ready to hear him, as at the North. Indeed, I judge that the people would turn out more generally and receive the truth more readily here than there. Nor does it require as much talent to labor here, as the people are far behind in education and general information. The great mass of them are also very much poorer than at the North, though in the valleys there is more wealth. The prevailing mode of living is anything but inviting, especially to a health reformer. Corn bread, pork, and coffee, are about all a man will see week after week. With very few exceptions, no fruit, no sauce, no vegetables, are seen on the table. And yet this is a land of fruit. Wild and tame fruits grow readily and in great abundance. Vegetables of all kinds can be easily raised. Why people neglect these real luxuries of life when they can be had with so little labor is hard to understand. From what I conversed with those who have embraced the truth here, I believe they will readily see the advantages of a better way of living and soon adopt it. I am now on my way to Alabama. BROWN CO., MINN.
By John G. Mattison
The work is onward. Have been laboring about two weeks and a half among the Danes in Brown Co., Minn. Held twenty-five meetings. The word was willingly received, and souls turned from their idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from Heaven. The Lutheran minister requested that we should have a Bible-reading, presenting Scripture texts on the following subjects: baptism, the Lord's supper, justification by faith, the immortality of the soul, and the condition of the soul after death. This was granted and a written contract made, stating that nothing must be presented on either side but plain Bible texts treating on these subjects. Then we were permitted to make a few remarks concerning their application. People crowded the room and flocked around the windows on the appointed day. The opponent commenced to read some texts about children believing, etc. We presented none but such as spoke directly on the subject, and held him to his own suggestions and agreement. He felt some astonished, said he had not much to say, and acknowledged that he could not find any texts in the Bible that said anything about infant baptism. He did not use more than about half of his time. Found only one text that said anything about the soul seemingly in his favor; and when we asked him to read with us from the Scriptures another day concerning the law and the Sabbath, he said that he would read no more in this way. Sixteen precious souls were added to the church, twelve candidates were buried with Christ in baptism. This church now numbers forty-one members. Systematic Benevolence was raised about $100. They have pledged $179 to the Conference for the coming year. Stopped on our journey to the station and held one meeting with the American brethren at Golden Gate. They seem to love the truth, and try to go on with the message. I am now on my way to the Iowa Camp-meeting, with chariots running like the lightnings, hoping soon to meet the dear servants of God to gather new strength for the battle. TO THE BRETHREN IN KENTUCKY AND TENNESSEE.
By S. Osborn
Dear Brethren and Sisters: God has been gracious to you in sending you the present truth with its solemn warnings. I am satisfied that you love this truth, and many times have been made to rejoice in it. Having been with you from the beginning, and understanding to some extent your feelings, wants, and duties, suffer me to present, through the REVIEW, a word of admonition and exhortation. And first let me speak of feelings. The political differences that have heretofore created such strife between the North and the South have, to a great extent, given way; but time will determine whether these feelings are really being rooted out, or only smothered. Many of our brethren have had strong Southern principles. They are as honest and sincere as any one; but unless we crucify these feelings entirely, and regard our Northern brethren as our true friends and Christian brethren, in times of trial and temptation these old differences will take root again and grow up, will separate us from God and his people, and drown our souls in perdition. As it regards the interest that our Northern brethren have for the South, and their love for us, I need only remark: They have not stood still and simply prayed for us. They have given us the best evidence of their fidelity by donating to us $292 to purchase a tent to be used in these States, and by sending us one of their ablest counselors to attend our first Conference. It is also probable that they will send Bro. Geo. L. Butler to labor in this Conference this season. They ask no remuneration from us. Our Conference is weak, and we need help, and they have shown that they are friends indeed by helping us in our time of need. This should satisfy us that they have no feeling against us. They have shown by their works that they believe this message is one—a world-wide message—whether, east, west, north or south it is the same. O my brethren, let us ever act in full union and harmony with them. One more word under this head. The atmosphere of the North seems to give life and activity to the people, while that of the South seems to produce lassitude and inactivity. Here is where we should press a little. “Be zealous and repent,” says the True Witness. Rev. 3:19. Our people have well-organized, systematic plans to work upon. The object is to bring every efficient, available means to bear in sending this great truth to the world. There are no isolated, individual enterprises connected with it. The property of the various associations is held as joint-stock by the members. The officers are elected annually by the stockholders to fill places in various departments of this enterprise, and their salaries are fixed, so there is no chance for individual speculation. All investments, donations, or appropriations, made to these associations, therefore, are used for the advancement of the cause in its various departments. You will see calls made from time to time through the REVIEW for means to aid in the different departments of this great work. To do our duty when these calls are made, we want an unselfish, sacrificing spirit. We should realize that we are a part of this body as long as we are members, and it is our duty to respond to these calls according to ability. It is very easy to see that if we hold back, and do not do our duty in this respect, the burden must fall more heavily on others, which is not fair. We profess to believe in the near coming of the blessed Lord. He will gather none to himself except those that have made a covenant with him by sacrifice. Ps. 50: 3–6. Weigh this well! I have a few copies of the “Earnest Appeal by the General Conference Committee on the Dangers and Duties of Our Times,” which I can send to any who want to be fully apprised of these dangers and duties. Price 10 cts. And here is our home mission. The cause is weak and languishing for want of means and zealous workers. Who will put their shoulders to the wheel? Who will come up to the help of the Lord against the mighty? The fires of the day of wrath will soon destroy all worldly treasures. Oh! do not let us have any of our possessions left here to be consumed in that great conflagration. Let us do good with them, little by little, as we can spare the means, and lay up treasure in the bank of Heaven. We organized a T. & M. Society at the Conference. Bro. J. S. Milton, of Bardstown, is director for Kentucky, and sister Mary A. Remly, of Edgefield Junction, Tenn., is director for that State. We hope they will soon be able to be out in the field and do their duty. Brethren and sisters, be ready with your means to take hold of the T. & M. work when the directors come around. Hundreds of souls are perishing, or will perish, all around us. Let us save what we can by sending out the silent messengers. S. Osborn.
Hodgenville, La Rue Co., Ky., June 5, 1876. YOUR MISSION.
By Daniel March
Hark! the voice of Jesus crying,
Who will go and work to-day?
Fields are white, and harvest waiting;
Who will bear the sheaves away?
Loudly now the Master calleth,
Rich reward he offers thee;
Who will answer, gladly saying,
Here am I; send me, send me! If you cannot cross the ocean
And the heathen lands explore,
You can find the heathen nearer,
You can help them at your door.
If you cannot give your thousands,
You can give the widow's mite;
And the least you do for Jesus
Will be precious in his sight. If you cannot be the watchman
Standing high on Zion's wall,
Pointing out the way to Heaven,
Offering life and peace to all,
With your prayers and with your bounties
You can do what Heaven demands;
You can be like faithful Aaron,
Holding up the prophet's hands. Let none hear you idly saying,
There is nothing I can do,
While the souls of men are dying,
And the Master calls for you.
Take the task he gives you gladly,
Let His work your pleasure be;
Answer quickly when he calleth,
Here am I; send me, send me!
—Rev. Daniel March. Clyde, Ohio, June 6, 1876
By H. A. St. John
This tent was pitched in Sabina, Clinton Co., Ohio, and meetings began Thursday evening, May 25. About one hundred were present the first evening, two hundred the second, and three hundred the third; Sunday a. m. and p. m., about three hundred and fifty at each meeting. Sunday night the tent was full; interest, attention, and prospect good. This is the last we have heard. May the Lord give them much success. H. A. ST. JOHN. Clyde, Ohio, June 6, 1876
TOMPKINS CO., N. Y.
By Robert F. Cottrell
This is a field entirely new in the preaching of the last message. Invited here by Bro. Andrew E. King, who had embraced the Sabbath by reading. Have just begun meetings. The prospect, as in most places, not very flattering; but the work is the Lord's, and he can give the increase. Feel my insufficiency, and ardently desire the help of God in the discharge of duty. Address, East Newfield, Tompkins Co., N. Y. Meetings in Dallas, What the Texas Papers Say of Them.
The Dallas Herald, in an article headed, “The Grove Meetings,” speaks of the meetings recently held there by Eld. Canright as follows:— “Eld. Canright arrived as expected Friday evening, in time to fill his appointment at 8 P. M. He spoke to a small congregation for one hour on the evidences of the soon coming of Christ. He spoke again next morning at 10:30 o’clock on the rise and progress of the Seventh-day Adventist denomination. The speaker stated that the work of this body commenced in a very humble manner in 1845, and had slowly gained ground till they now numbered upwards of five hundred churches in America and Europe, with something over twenty thousand members.” “He also spoke of the missionary and publishing work among this people, stating that it had grown in a very remarkable manner. He said that in 1847 they commenced publishing a very small weekly paper in Rochester, New York, calling it The Present Truth; but its patronage was small, and they carried all the mail matter to the post-office in a carpet-bag. In 1861 the Office was removed to Battle Creek, Michigan, and a publishing company organized. He stated further that at the present time they were publishing two weekly papers and four monthlies, and were publishing tracts, papers, and books in the Danish, Swedish, French, German, and Spanish languages, and that instead of a carpet-bag full of mail matter per week they were now sending out three hundred bushels weekly.” “In the afternoon he spoke upon baptism, church organization, etc. After he got through, a goodly number expressed a desire for baptism, and this morning at 9 o’clock the ordinance will be administered by the Elder at Long Lake.” “He will address the people this morning at 10:30 o’clock, and again at 3 and 5 P. M. He goes from here to Alabama, where one hundred have recently embraced the peculiar views of this people.” The Daily Commercial adds:— “The recent meetings of Eld. D. M. Canright in the cause of the Seventh-day Adventist people were of a very encouraging character. The Elder worked very hard while here, day and night, having only a limited time to stay, and very much to do. He organized and established a church here of about thirty members, had the ordinance of baptism on two occasions at Long Lake, baptizing some seventeen new converts to the faith, celebrated the ordinances of the Lord’s house, organized a tract and missionary society of thirty-two members, which made donations of over $100 for the purchase of books and tracts to distribute among the people.” “Their plan of supporting their cause is entirely different from all other denominations. They have what they are pleased to call Systematic Benevolence, each member pledging to pay weekly as the Lord prospers him, thus entirely obviating the necessity of public collections, which are so obnoxious to people generally. Nearly $300 were pledged in a few minutes. A church clerk was elected and a deacon ordained, and it was decided to keep their hall on Swiss Avenue, East Dallas, just east of the Union depot, as the place for holding their Sabbath, or Saturday, meetings and Bible-class, commencing at 10:30 A. M. every Saturday morning. The public were cordially invited to attend for the investigation of the Bible.” From an interesting letter from sister P. Lawrence, an aged and infirm sister, living in Barnstable Co., Mass., we take the following:— “I read a piece in the Review of March [on Systematic Benevolence]. The first part of the piece I did not read, as I had no opportunity to send the paper to a distant friend, but there is enough in this paper to enlighten and glorify. I never saw such beautiful harmony in all God’s requirements before—only one-tenth of our increase. When I read this article by Eld. Canright, I felt as though God had opened the windows in Heaven and let a heavenly light come down. “I have been praying for all the fullness of God. I am sure God will fulfill every promise, and he that hungereth and thirsteth for righteousness shall be filled. I have not been to a meeting for many a year—have heard no advent preaching, so on Sabbaths I spend alone. I feel that I am a great sinner, such as Jesus came to save. His blood cleanseth from all sin, though as scarlet; in him I trust.” Bro. W. A. Raymond, Calhoun Co., Mich., after speaking of sufferings by the way, says:— “Then comes the everlasting reward—eternal life. Oh! we never can realize what God has done for us and is still doing until made like him. I am glad we are almost home—glad Jesus is soon coming. I would add the following lines, as they express my feelings:— “This groaning earth is too dark and drear
For the saints’ eternal home,
But the city from Heaven will soon appear;
We know that the moment is drawing near
When she in her glory shall come;
Her gates of pearl we soon shall see,
And her music we soon shall hear;
Joyous and bright our home shall be,
And we’ll walk in the shadow of life’s fair tree,
With our Saviour forever near.
“‘We’ll gladly exchange a world like this,
Where death triumphant reigns,
For a beautiful home in that land of bliss,
Where all is happiness, joy, and peace,
And nothing can enter that pains.
There is no more sorrow and no more night;
For the darkness shall flee away;
The crucified Lamb is its glorious light,
And the saints shall walk with him in white
In that happy, unending day.
“‘Oh! there the loved of earth will meet
Whom death has sundered here,
The prophets and patriarchs there we’ll greet,
And all shall worship at Jesus’ feet,
No more separation to fear.
Though trials and griefs await us here,
The conflict will shortly be o’er.
This glorious hope our hearts shall cheer;
For we know that the Saviour will soon appear,
And then we shall grieve no more.” IMPRESSIONS AT BATTLE CREEK—THE COLLEGE.
By S. M. S.
A few days’ leisure gives opportunity to visit the various institutions and departments of interest here, connected with this people. Just across the street from the Health Institute are the College grounds, a beautiful square, neatly laid out with cement walks, diversely arching around fresh lawns and flowers. Here is an abundance of shade trees, many of them fruit trees, which, upon this beautiful May day, are covered with a charming mantle of roseate bloom, breathing out such a flood of fragrance as makes one query whether Eden could have been more delightful. But we must not forget that right here before us stands the temple dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge. It is, indeed, a fine-looking building, constructed of brick, three stories high above basement, neat and tasteful in design, and finished, in the best possible style, both within and without. Besides ample halls and stair-ways, it has a chapel hall and recitation rooms, sufficient to accommodate two hundred or more students. About half that number are now in attendance, and many more are expected the coming year. We observed a general air of respect for order, and a diligence and zeal on the part of teachers and students, which showed that education is here appreciated as a necessary agent in carrying on the noble work and mission of this people. May these means of knowledge be truly sanctified to the Master’s service, and every noble effort here bring forth a hundred-fold in the future. So great is our interest in the prosperity of this cause, that we must urge upon the attention of all our youth the importance of using every available means of securing a good education. Would that all our people might be duly interested in this department of Christian labor. The instructions of the school-room, if properly directed, are not inferior in value to those of any other place or calling. It is here that the youthful mind is committed to the teacher who is to mold, strengthen, and prepare it for active life. Here the rising generation is to be educated and prepared for the responsibilities of society, both in church and State. Here the physical man should be developed in harmony and strength, prepared for the arduous duties of busy and active life. Here the intellect should be awakened, unfolded, matured, and qualified for the duties of the citizen, the patriot, the statesman, and the Christian; and here the moral principles should receive a properly fixed character—a controlling and directing power. Here those emotions are to be awakened, those sentiments inspired, and those principles inculcated, which shall ever lead aright, prompting to a love of virtue and noble deeds. Too much care, then, cannot be exercised in rendering the influence of the school-room such as shall accomplish all these noble purposes of education—in selecting such text-books, employing such teachers, and securing such facilities as shall develop aright the intellect, strengthen the judgment, control the will, refine the taste, and purify the heart. Hence the schools of our land as well as the churches have a very important mission to accomplish. Let, then, the noblest sentiments, the purest motives, well-directed and self-sacrificing devotion, be consecrated to both of these important interests. HAVE FAITH IN GOD.
By E. Brown
The Saviour said to his disciples, “If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.” Matt. 17:20. Precious promises from the lips of our Saviour! The Bible contains many promises to the faithful, and yet we seem to be afraid to trust Jesus. Now if we live near to God, so that we can have him in all our thoughts, and live with an eye single to his glory, we may feel that he is more than all that can be against us. His promises will be fulfilled. But we must act; we must move out and show our faith by our works. Christ says we cannot serve God and Mammon. This reaching after the things of this world to a certain extent shows our lack of faith in God, who has said that a sparrow shall not fall to the ground without his notice; and he adds, “Are ye not of more value than many sparrows?” Matt. 10:31. Now Christ would have admonish us not to fear, but have faith in him, and show to the world around that we believe what we profess. God means what he says, and if we will move out on his promises he will be a present help in every time of need; for he says, “Come unto me, all ye that are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” We must show our faith by our works; that is, move out on his promises and believe he will grant our petitions. He is more willing to give good gifts to his children than earthly parents are to give good gifts to their children. Dear reader, how can we doubt when we have so many glorious promises left on record for our encouragement? May the reader and writer have that faith that takes no denial, and move out in the fear of the Lord till the last battle is fought and victory won. E. BROWN. “Thou shalt call his name Jesus; for he shall save his people from their sins.” Matt. 1:21. What a precious name is the name of Jesus—how sweet and soothing and joyous! To how many weary hearts it affords refreshment and rest. It means Saviour, and Jesus saves his people from their sins. They are guilty; but he saves them from guilt. They are unholy; but he saves them from the power of indwelling iniquity. They are by nature liable to the punishment of eternal death; but he saves them from all the woeful consequences of the fall. Jesus can save you from the guilt of sin. That guilt exposes you to the wrath and curse of God. Because of it you are in danger of all the miseries of everlasting death. Whither can you flee for security? There is but one shelter for the soul—Jesus Christ. Repair to him; put your trust in him; secure by faith a saving interest in him. In that case, all is well; the stains of guilt are washed away in his atoning blood; you are accepted of God; he regards you with complacency; you are his forever. “You have read,” says Chalmers, “of certain venomous animals which expire the moment they have deposited their sting and its mortal poison in the body of their victim; and thus there ensues a double death—the death of the sufferer, and the death also of the assailant. And certain it is that on the cross of our Saviour just such an event as this occurred. There did Christ pour out his soul under the weight and agony of the exactions that were laid on him by the law; but there also did the law expend all its power as a judge and an avenger over those who believe in the Saviour.” Jesus saves from the dominion of sin. Perfection is not to be reached on earth. In the ripest saint there are manifold frailties. The Spirit lusteth against the flesh, and the flesh against the Spirit. The atmosphere of earth is tainted, and all who breathe it are impure. But truly believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and the power of sin will be broken within you. You will be no longer a slave, but free. Through the grace imparted to you, you will be enabled to struggle successfully with temptation, and to run the race set before you—not that you will ever be what you will long to be while you remain in this world; but you will be in a measure holy now, and there will await you in a great and glorious eternity complete and stainless purity. “The gospel,” says one, “runs in two golden streams—pardon of sin, and purity of walking.” They run undividedly all along in one channel, yet without confusion one with the other, as it is reported of some great rivers that run together between the same banks, and yet retain distinct colors. These streams that make glad the city of God never part one from another; if they be divided, they cease to be. Jesus saves from all the dread consequences of sin. What a dark and terrible future is before the sinner! You cannot conceive its misery. To be a castaway from God, and happiness, and Heaven,—such is the doom hanging over the sinner. But Christ is the deliverer from the wrath to come. Give yourself up heartily to him, and you will have no cause to dread the realities of the unseen world; you will walk the dark valley with the peace-giving persuasion that all will be well with you. What think you of Jesus? He is your salvation; make him your desire; count him the chief among ten thousand; yield yourself unreservedly to him, and then you will know in your own happy experience the power and blessedness of his name.—Rev. R. S. Hutton, M. A. MEDITATIONS
By J. F. Ballmer
In order to be proper representatives of the truth, we must live it. But in addition to this, God desires his people to have a missionary spirit. If any one is destitute of this spirit, you can consider it evidence that he is not walking with God. Why? Because Christ was a missionary, and we must imitate him. We ought to seek opportunities for calling the attention of our fellow-beings to the truth; and whenever we can do so, we should awaken a spirit of inquiry in the minds of others, that they may read and search for themselves. In this way we may help to swell the number of those who shall be saved in the kingdom of God. When a president of the United States is to be elected, how the opposing parties try to outnumber one another. Both parties try in every way to make a complete success. If men will work so to secure a worldly object, ought we not to have some enthusiasm for a higher, a nobler,—a heavenly one? It is an honor to be engaged in so glorious a work. When we shall look northward and southward, eastward and westward, upon the land that was promised to Abraham and see the saints that were brought through our feeble instrumentality to behold the beauties of the new earth, our hearts will doubtless thrill with joy, peace, and glory that any have been saved through the feeble work that God enabled us to perform in behalf of our fellow creatures.
J. F. BALLMER. OBEDIENCE
By THOS. J. CROSS.
OBEDIENCE when correctly considered signifies conformity to law and compliance with it. This presupposes a lawgiver, one whose right and prerogative it is to command, and such is the great Creator of heaven and earth. Do we need any labored arguments in proof of this self-evident fact—“The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament showeth his handiwork”? “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.” It is this testimony that leads to Christ, the great sin-atoning Sacrifice. We acknowledge that the Constitution of the United States has claims upon us, and confess our obligation to yield obedience to it, unless it comes in conflict with the higher law. We then turn to the law of God written by the divine finger upon tables of stone, under the most solemn circumstances, and amid scenes of surpassing grandeur. We confess that that law is holy, just and good, that it is spiritual, eternal and unchangeable. Obedience to every precept of that divine code is enjoined, and each precept must remain in full force so long as man is a subject of law. “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” Again, “If ye fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well.” Where, then, is the opposition to this perfect law of liberty that is holy, just and good? It is in the carnal mind that is enmity to this law, not being subject to it. Of what indignity is the professed teacher in Israel guilty who can call that law, written by the divine finger, an old, antiquated, musty code—a yoke of bondage, etc. Perfect obedience is due to the great Lawgiver, the Sovereign of Heaven and earth. There would be no difficulty nor contention were it not for the seventh-day Sabbath, the Sabbath of the Lord our God; to get rid of this, and to justify their observance of another day, and for another purpose, violence must be done to the plainest and most unequivocal teachings of inspiration. But the whole duty of man is to fear God and keep his commandments. Passing Through Affliction
THE only way to meet affliction is to pass through it solemnly, slowly, with humility and faith, as the Israelites passed through the sea. Then its very waves of misery will divide, and become to us a wall on the right side and on the left, until the gulf narrows and narrows before our eyes, and we land safe on the opposite shore. FRIEND, is the question on thy heart engraved,
“What must I do to be forever saved?”
Believe in Jesus, is the sole reply;
Believe in him, and thou shalt never die;
His precious blood gives pardon, life, and peace;
Freedom from guilt, and joys that never cease.
Go search the Scriptures in true faith and prayer;
The Spirit will reveal the Saviour there. “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth.” Died, of consumption, in Jay, Saginaw Co., Mich., March 11, 1876, Bro. Daniel Disbrow, aged about forty-eight years. He leaves a wife and daughter to mourn his absence and the loss of his counsel, but they sorrow not as others which have no hope. Bro. Disbrow was born in Rochester, N. Y. He was a member of the close communion Baptist denomination about fourteen years, but accepted the Bible Sabbath and its kindred truths under the labors of Eld. Cornell, at Jay, Mich., in 1867, and united with the church of S. D. Adventists there. But on account of the strait testimony, he, with many others, left the body and walked no more with them, until Nov., 1875, when he was recovered again under the labors of Eld. D. M. Canright. He was a great sufferer, but endured all with Christian patience. Funeral services by Eld. I. Lewis, Wesleyan Methodist; text, 2 Tim. 1:10. A. N. Fisher. Died, in Worcester, Mass., May 27, 1876, Amos Warren, son of W. N. and A. E. Brown, aged six years and three months. His disease was diphtheria, and terminated fatally in less than twenty-six hours after he was attacked. He was a very interesting, affectionate child, and evinced principle in the observance of the Sabbath, in which he had been early instructed. His sufferings were intense, but he rallied not long before his death, and sang that beautiful line, “Hold the fort; for I am coming.” We deeply mourn his loss, yet rejoice in the hope that “When the morn of glory, breaking,
Shall light the tomb,
Beautiful will be his waking
In fadeless bloom.” Died, near Osceola, Iowa, April 27, 1876, Noble Johnson, aged forty-five years and two months. Bro. Johnson was converted to the truth under Bro. Canright's labors, and has since lived a consistent Christian. He was aware that his departure was near, and spoke often in reference to it. He died calmly, expecting a resurrection when Jesus comes. Funeral discourse by the writer, from John 5:28, 29. A. W. H. Millard.