BRO. SMITH: I have long felt it my duty to write a few lines through the Review to the brethren and sisters scattered abroad that they may know something of the dealings of God with us, in the year that is past. It is now almost one year since we left our home in Vermont, our friends and relations, and those of like precious faith, and sought a home in the town of Parma Michigan, among strangers, in a strange land.
We have within the past year been called to pass through deep waters of affliction. Sickness and death have entered our family, and taken from our embrace two dear children, an only son aged 18, and our oldest daughter aged 20. Thus has this world become a dark and dreary wilderness to me. Everything of a worldly nature, even our very dwelling, is sad and gloomy. My mind was not in a state to endure such afflictions, and it seemed for a while that I must sink under them, and as though the grave would be a relief. But the Lord has thus far sustained me, and praise his holy name he has promised to be with us in six troubles and in the seventh will not forsake us, if we trust in him. And although these afflictions may seem severe yet we know that he hath done and will do, all things right. I feel now to say with Job though he slay me yet will I trust in him; and I do desire to live so near the Lord that I may learn what he designed I should by these afflictions and to know and do the will of God in all things.
I see truly it is a strait and narrow way to the kingdom; and it is through much tribulation that we enter there. I hope we may all heed the last call, to be zealous and repent, and not think because we have a theory of the truth, and have professed to believe the Third Angel's Message, that we need nothing more; that we are rich and increased in goods, but remember that it is the faithful alone that will reign with Jesus.
Jesus has said, to him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame and am set down with my Father in his throne. Will we let pride, selfishness love of the world or any thing else shut the dear Saviour from our hearts, or will we open the door and welcome him in, that he may sup with us. I mean to seek earnestly for a deeper work of grace in my heart, that I may be prepared for the solemn scenes that are just before us. O let us all awake from stupidity and heed the exhortation of the dear Saviour, to watch lest coming suddenly he find us sleeping.
The Review has always been a welcome messenger to me; but I never knew how to prize it as I do now. It is a source of satisfaction to receive a letter from a friend; but when I get the Review I expect to hear from quite a number of my brethren and sisters, which truly affords comfort and consolation in this time of trial.
The Sabbath-keepers here number twelve, who are striving to keep all of the Commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life. The visits from Bro. and Sr. White, and Brn. Bates and Frisbie, have not been altogether in vain. There appears to be quite an interest to hear on the part of some; and I hope the time is not far distant when our number may be increased by such as will be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. And, dear brother, that you, and others engaged with you in sending out the truth to the world, may be sustained in your arduous labors, is the prayer of your unworthy sister in affliction.
A. BURWELL
Parma, Mich., Dec. 24th, 1856.
P. S. If any of the brethren coming to Battle Creek or traveling on the cars past here would make us a visit we would be very thankful. We live one mile and a half west of the Depot at Parma Station.
A. B.
Extracts from Letters.
Bro. S. Warner writes from Providence, R. I., Dec. 21st, 1856: "I would at this time send to you, and all the brethren who love our Lord, and consent to, and try to keep, the Commandments of God, and the Faith of Jesus, my fraternal love and greeting, and do herein express that I do feel to desire and pray to our God, that your, (and our,) faith may be strengthened, and that your mind may be enlightened, your health preserved, and usefulness increased, that you may be enabled to bring to light, and to the understanding, of all the readers of the Review, things new and old, from the only fountain of truth, yet given to man, for his instruction, i. e., the Holy Bible.
"As I have never had the satisfaction of being personally acquainted with you, and I might say the same of nearly all the true Sabbath-keepers, with the exception of our beloved Bro. Joseph Bates, you will therefore know that it is the cause and the persons I feel the most for. Yet it would be esteemed by me as a great blessing, if I could have the privilege of meeting with others of like precious faith for the worship of God from time to time. But this little spot on the face of the globe seems to be a place where all created beings are constantly and entirely engrossed with the love of gain, and enjoyment of momentary pleasures.
"I do most humbly pray, that myself, your unworthy brother in Jesus, I trust, may be more faithful, more obedient to the commands and will of God, having the mark of the living God, which I understand to be the keeping of God's holy day, the seventh day of the week, the Sabbath of the Lord, or the 'Lord's day.'
"Blessed be God that he gave me to realize that the mark of the beast, &c., was the obedience of the will to the commands of the beast, Papacy, in keeping the 'Sunday,' and profaning God's Sabbath."
Bro. C. W. Standish writes from Milan, Ohio:— "Though I am but a poor Laodicean, I feel encouraged to hope; (for the same Faithful and True Witness says, As many as I love I rebuke, &c.,) and I am resolved to heed the admonition to be zealous and repent. I believe the time is soon coming when this Message will go with a loud voice, and all lovers of truth will be engaged in advancing the last Message of mercy to a rebellious house."
Who may say that the "days" brought to view in Hosea vi, 2, will not admit of a similar exposition, as those in Daniel's prophecies, which, to us are of so much importance, in the right understanding of the prophetic scriptures; if they admit of the same interpretation, they would seem to take their date from the call to the Laodicean Church. Notice the first verse of the above chapter, namely, Hosea, vi. Verse 3, also, affords strong evidence that the prophet would, direct our mind to the last great outpouring of the Holy Spirit, as the first is in the past. Counting then, two full years, or prophetic periods of time, from the past Fall, where the call is given, as we believe in truth, to the Laodicean church, we would be carried by "the third day" into the year 1859, and near its close, and if "this generation," which doubtless had its beginning in the year, A. D. 1780, on the 19th of May, closes 19th, May 1860, as I believe from the testimony of David as seen in Psalms xc, 10, then certainly this exposition of Hosea cannot be rejected; as all is to be done, the saints, both living and dead gathered up before the generation closes, or passes. For proof, see Matt. xxiv, 31; 1 Thess. iv, 16; Rev. xx, 5, 6.
Now, taking into the account the present state of the world, and considering the progress of spiritualism in this country; the dominion of the two-horned beast, and location of the false prophet, and also the state of the "True Church," in the hour of his judgment, I would close with the language of the Prophet.
"Come and let us return unto the Lord: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up." So shall we be prepared for the change from this mortal to immortality. Here is the text; "after two days will he revive us; in the72third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight."
Brethren, and sisters, let us consider it; for I believe that we must have yet a clearer sense of the shortness of time. O Lord revive us now is my prayer
Yours in love,
JESSE DORCAS.
Fremont, Ohio. Dec. 16, 1856.
The Laodicean Message and Repentance
By Nancy Claflin
From Sr. Claflin
Bro. Smith: I think I can make the required response, I can speak but for one, that "as for me" I will serve the Lord; for I believe that the Lord he is God, and I will follow him, his grace assisting me.
How gladly did I receive the light, showing our where-abouts in the stream of time. How often have I wondered, when I looked upon the church and have seen our love growing cold, and severe trials coming in on every hand, and said, what is the matter? I thank God, that he is yet mindful of us, and is showing us what the matter is. Truly it is sad to tell, we are in a deplorable state: about to be spued out of the mouth of God, because we are lukewarm.
Are we not admonished, by this message of the Angel of the church of the Laodiceans. Will we not all take heed to his counsel, that there may none be left behind, or spued out of his mouth.
O, I greatly fear, some will reject the light, as others have done in former days, and be left in darkness, and left to believe strange doctrines and to have their portion in the last plagues, and second death. The people of God have always had something to molest them, and while we look back in the past, we see that second Advent believers have been tested and tried in many ways. The first great test was the disappointment in 1844. We all understand how sorely they were tried then. And the Third Angel followed, with his Message, and light began soon to shine upon the commandments, and the messengers began to proclaim through the land, saying, The Seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God.
O, then another trying time had come, more cutting than ever before seemingly, not only to leave brethren and sisters, but the whole world; for they nearly all keep the first day, and how can I come out here alone? we would say, and keep the seventh day. But hard as it was, thank the Lord, a goodly number got strength to step out upon it. Who among us now will reject the light which shows the condition of the church and draw back? I hope none will be left to draw back to perdition, but that we all shall believe to the saving of the soul.
Nancy Claflin.
Norfolk, N. Y. Dec. 18, 1856.
Comfort for Lonely Sabbath Keepers
By L. A. Dodge
From Sr. Dodge.
BRO. SMITH, I wish to say that the Review is a welcome visitor to us. We read it with delight, and especially the communications from the dear brethren and sisters, which are a comfort to us. We are alone in keeping the Sabbath, there being no one else in the place who keeps it, and yet we are not alone, for the Lord is with us to comfort us in our loneliness.
Let us be of good comfort, and hold out with patience a little longer; for I believe the time is near at hand, when we shall all be gathered home in one family. There will be no lonely ones there.
My dear brethren and sisters, let us strive to be prepared for the coming of the Lord. Let us awake out of sleep, and come up to the help of the Lord against the mighty; let us be zealous and repent, that we may have the tried gold, and white raiment.
What we do, must be done quickly; O that we might all be found, clothed in white raiment, at the Lord's coming!
From your unworthy sister.
L. A. DODGE.
Stoddard, N. H. Dec. 16, 1856.
Communication from Bro. Hart.
By J. Hart
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS:—I feel it my duty to speak to you through the Review at this time. I am now fully convinced that my course since I moved west has not been such a one as has been calculated to shed a good influence on the side of truth. That is, my course in the affairs of this life has gone to show that my affections were placed on the earth. And in view of the past, I feel to say to my brethren and sisters scattered abroad, that I sorrow for my course, and mean to heed the admonition to the Laodiceans, to be zealous and repent.
This testimony has shown me my true condition in the sight of that God who knows my heart. Here light shines from his word like the sun at noon-day. It is a most solemn and awful threatening from the mouth of Jesus, that if we are not zealous he will spue us out of his mouth. Who will heed this warning? Who will give all for the pearl of great price? Who is it that will turn about, and give all for the kingdom? On this message hangs our eternal destiny. Christ is in earnest with his people. It is evident that the Lord is requiring great zeal at this point. Our coming so near the time when the Lord will make his appearing, and our stupidity and great lack of spirituality, demand of us to be awake, and here begin to act like men who wait for the Lord.
Brethren and sisters, what shall I say? Can I say anything to arouse you from the stupidity that has been so long on us, and has lulled us into a perfect sleep? This sleep, I fear, many will never awake from, until it is for ever too late, the last note of warning being past, and then awake only to receive the wrath of God in the seven last plagues.
My soul is drawn out after you while I write. This is truly a testing truth, and also a very humiliating truth. Poor, miserable, blind and naked, and knew it not. O what a testimony to the remnant! Who will buy gold tried in the fire? (It costs something.) It will cost us all we have. I ask again, Who will give all for the kingdom? Who will sacrifice all for the Lord and his truth?
I do not feel it my duty here to go into the argument to prove that we are in the Laodicean state of the church. Examine what has been written on this subject by J. W. It seems to me as though we were near that point of time when the cases of all the living saints were coming before the Judge of all the earth. Are we in that state of affliction of soul that is required of us according to the type? I think not. That required the affliction of their souls. And if we are not found in that state of affliction, that is, humility, sobriety, self-sacrificing and mourning for our sins, God will spue us out of his mouth.
The inquiry may arise, What shall I do? The testimony comes home to us from our Saviour, [Luke xii.] Be like men who wait for the coming of their Lord. No longer let your works deny your faith. Step out upon the truth with your whole soul. It will bear you. Brethren and sisters, lean upon the arm of God for strength. His arm is mighty, and he will never let those who trust in him fall.
I feel like giving all for the truth, and mean also to be zealous in this matter. Shall we be among that class of servants who say in their heart, My Lord delays his coming, and our portion at last be found among the hypocrites? Remember that our lives are an index to our hearts. What has the world learned from this index the few past years? They have learned that we have an inheritance on this earth that we esteem dear to us. Yes, they have learned that we really love this inheritance. Has it not been so? The testimony our Saviour is, [Rev. iii.] that we are blind. What has blinded us? Paul testifies that the god of this world blinds men. O let us remember that this world has a thousand charms to draw our minds away from the truth, and that there is danger of our being drawn into the pit at last. Let us arise and lay aside the world. It is a garment of unrighteousness. Let us put on the garment of righteousness. The zeal that will be manifest by God's children, under this message, I think will bring the loud cry. Not the wars of the old world; not the troubles of this country, but a consistent life with our profession will meet with the approbation of God, and prepare his children to give the loud cry of the Third Message.
J. HART.
Round Grove, Ills.
Communication from Bro. Everts.
By E. Everts
DEAR BRETHREN: I am passing through a solemn train of thought. The question with me is, Where are we? I answer, More than twelve years past the proclamation "The hour of his Judgment is come." Rev. xiv, 6, 7. We have been the same length of time in the cleansing of his Sanctuary. Dan. viii, 14. I inquire, What was the cleansing of the Sanctuary under the first covenant? It was a day of judgment. What did it typify? The work in the antitypical Sanctuary, which has been going on since A. D. 1844; since the announcement, "The hour of his judgment is come." O how much weight and solemnity in the word, Judgment! It should cause every one to ask, When does it take place? "To the law and the testimony," is our motto. It was future from Paul's day; for he "reasoned of a Judgment to come." Acts xxiv, 25. Our Saviour declared that his words would judge men in the last days.
I understand that judgment must be rendered before Christ comes; for when he comes it will be to raise the righteous saints, and change the living saints, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump; [1 Cor. xv, 52.] which, being an instantaneous work, would allow of no time at that moment for judgment. Judgment must be passed upon all who share in eternal life at the coming of Christ, before he comes, and during the existence of the last generation on earth. As proof of this, we quote the words of the Apostle, which show that the dead are judged while some are alive: "Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick [living] and the dead. For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according [in like manner] to men in the flesh, [living men,] but live according to God, in the Spirit." 1 Pet. iv, 5, 6.
When this judgment is rendered, I understand that the solemn declaration will be announced, "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still; and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still." Then Christ exclaims, "Behold I come quickly, and my reward is with me." Rev. xxii, 11, 12.
Therefore, my dear brethren, believing that Christ will soon come, I inquire again, Where are we? I answer, In the judgment of the saints; for Peter says that judgment first begins at the house of God. Chap. iv, 17. It appears that the order is, that the righteous dead have been under investigative judgment since 1844. And now the message that we passed from the sixth phase of the gospel church, which was the Philadelphia, or brotherly-love state, in 1844; and that we are in the Laodicean or judging-of-the-people condition, and are lukewarm. The appeal of the Faithful and True Witness is a perfect antitypical parallel to that which decided in solemn judgment the fate of the Hebrew church on the tenth day of the seventh month, near the close of all their sanctuary scenes, which shadowed the great decisive judgment in the end of the world. What are they? "For whatsoever soul it be that shall not be afflicted in that same day, he shall be cut off from among his people." Lev. xxiii, 29. Be zealous and repent, [afflicted,] or I will spue thee out of my mouth: [cut thee off from among the people of God.] Rev. iii, 14, 19.
My dear Brethren, from the scripture referred to I solemnly believe that the judgment has been going on in the Heavenly Sanctuary since 1844, and that upon the righteous dead, from "righteous Abel" down through patriarchs, prophets, martyrs, and all the saints who have fallen asleep in Jesus, judgment has been passing. How solemn the thought, that perhaps, our companions, our children, brother or sister, has been passing the great momentous review that will entitle them to a glorious immortal body at the coming of Christ.
The solemn declaration that the Laodiceans know not that they are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked, and that they are exhorted, yea, commanded, to be zealous and repent, under the awful penalty of being spued out of the True Witness' mouth, has thrilled my whole being.
I call to mind, What have I been about! I find by serious reflection that my poverty comes upon me like an armed man. I look back to the Philadelphia ground on which I stood in 1844, my heart filled with brotherly love, the full hope of salvation like a powerful anchor or a dazzling helmet, on my head, walking softly before the Lord, dead to the world, looking only for a heavenly inheritance and with deep shame and regret, I see that I have taken a journey into a foreign land, and wasted all that blessed portion that my heavenly Father bestowed on me. I confess with shame and regret, that my worldly mindedness and conduct has made me a citizen of this world, and I have filled myself with nothing better than husks, till I am perishing with starvation.
My dear brethren, I humbly confess that I have ensnared and loaded down myself and others around me with cares to a degree unbecoming and unfitting to one who professes to be living and hoping for a better inheritance. I confess that I have sinned before my dear brethren and heaven, and I mean by the grace of the Lord assisting me, to be zealous and repent by turning about immediately.
I have placed my lands, my entire earthly substance, on the altar anew, (if I am not deceived,) and throw myself on to the consecrated altar, and pray that the Lord will direct me by his unerring and heavenly wisdom, and lead me by his opening providence until the sacrifice is entirely used up in the cause of God. I know that there is bread enough and to spare in my heavenly Father's house. E. EVERTS.
Round Grove, Ills., Dec. 17th, 1856.
Business Items.
By Editor
Huldah Mott.—What Post Office and State?
Books Sent.—G. W. Holt, (by express,) S. Warner, I. B. Puffer, Wm. B. Pierce, H. C. Lewis, S. B. McLaughlin, M. Courter, Mrs. M. Ashbaugh, Wm. A. Raymond, W. Chapman, A. S. Hutchins, B. D. Townsend.
Receipts.
Annexed to each receipt in the following list, is the Volume and Number of the "Review and Herald" to which the money receipted pays If money for the paper is not in due time acknowledged, immediate notice of the omission should then be given.
For Review and Herald.
R. Godsmark $1,00, x,1. J. Pemberton 1,00, x,1. S. Warner 1,00, x,1. S. A. Street 1,00, x,1. O. B. Jones 3,00, xi,14. M. Burritt 2,00, x,1. J. Dorcas 1,25 (25 cts. each for H. J. Kittle, M. Freet, T. J. Kenyon, E. Doup, H. Hudson, each to ix, 20.) John Brown 2,00, xi,1. S. B. McLaughlin 1,50 (50 cts. each for E. R. McLaughlin, D. Staples, & Jno. Young, each to x, 9.) S. W. Bean 1,00, x,1. D. C. Elmer (for I. Smith) 1,00, xi,4. H. Main 2,00 (1,00 each for A. Miner & W. Newton, each to xi,8) A. G. Phelps 1,00, x,14. R. Beckwith 0,50, xi,1. D. Philips 0,50, xi,14. O. Frizzle 1,50, x,14. S. H. Peck 1,00, x,1. A. R. Morse 1,50, x,14. E. Lothrop 1,00, xi,1. W. Grant (for G. Hostler) 0,25, ix,20. J. M. McLellan 1,00, x,1. L. McLellan 1,00, x,1. Mrs. M. Ashbaugh 1,00, x,1. R. Barnes 1,00, x,1. Jos. Thomas 1,00, xi,1. S. W. Flanders 1,50, x,14. L. P. Barnes 1,00, ix,1. A. Barnes 1,00, ix,1. Sr. B. Bryant (for J. Warner) 1,00, xi,1. Jas. Wheeler 1,00, x,10. B. D. Townsend 2,35, xi,17. G. W. States 1,00, ix,1. G. P. Cushman 2,00, xi,1. Jno. Powell 1,00, x,10. W. C. Smith 0,25, ix,21. C. A. Abbey 0,25, ix,21. J. W. Morgan 0,25, ix,21. A. H. Lewis 0,25, ix,21. A. Lewis 0,25, ix,21. P. Bingham 0,25, ix,21. Wm. Gleason 0,25, ix,21. S. Francisco 0,25, ix,21. J. Hughs 0,25, ix,21.
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APPOINTMENTS.
By C. W. Sperry; A. S. Hutchins
PROVIDENCE permitting there will be a Conference at Rouse's Point, N. Y., commencing February 6th, at 10 o'clock A. M., and continue as long as thought best. Will not the brethren come to this meeting prepared to take hold in earnest, on this last note of warning, and observe February 6th as a day of fasting and prayer, that the Lord may give us the eye-salve to see the importance of securing the white raiment and the gold tried in the fire, by which we shall stand the conflict that is before us.
In behalf of the church. C. W. SPERRY. A. S. HUTCHINS.
General Conference in Washington, New Hampshire
By E. L. Barr; D. Philips
There will be a general conference held at the house of Bro. John Stowell in Washington, N. H., commencing sixth day evening Jan. 23d, and continue over Sabbath and first day. Will Brn. Hutchins, Sperry, and Stone, make an effort to attend and as many other brethren from abroad as have a mind to work.
As it is not convenient for Bro. Stowell to accommodate as many as formerly, it will be necessary for brethren from abroad to come prepared to take care of themselves as far as they can, and thereby help bear the burden of this meeting which is designed for the especial benefit of the saints that are zealous to repent.
In behalf of the church.
E. L. BARR.
D. PHILIPS
J. H. WAGGONER
By Joseph Harvey Waggoner
PROVIDENCE permitting, I will commence a course of lectures at Cutler’s Corners, town of Adams, Hillsdale Co., Mich., in the Wesleyan Church, on First-day, Jan. 4th, 1857, at 2 o’clock P. M.