"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their conscience seared with a hot iron." 1 Tim. iv, 1, 2.
St. Paul had shown the Thessalonians that the great apostasy should intervene between them and the Second Advent, and shows Timothy more particularly wherein it would consist, and the means employed for its spread in the world.
That this text has had a partial fulfillment nearly all are agreed. But I think it is still in the process of fulfillment; and that it, also, synchronizes with 2 Thess. ii, 9, and relates more especially to the present time.
As there were false prophets or teachers that caused the children of Israel, anciently, to become idolaters, so we may likewise understand that by imperceptible degrees the damnable heresy of worshiping devils (or demons) as their lords or mediators, would, as it now has so universally, obtain credence. And this apostasy is so general that it is to affect every person that is not sealed with the seal of the living God. For all shall worship the beast whose names are not written in the book of life, of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. To depart from God, is to apostatize or revolt by worshiping other gods, and other mediators, than the one living and true God, and the one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. The nature of this apostasy is such that it naturally implies the falling away of great numbers, as the text indicates, when rightly understood. The word, some does not denote, a few, in the original Greek or Hebrew, as in English, but signifies a multitude, in numerous instances. So says Bishop Newton in his discourse on the prophecies.—p. 364. One instance where the word occurs may be sufficient as an illustration, although others might be given. St. Paul, in speaking of the infidelity and rejection of the Jews, [1 Cor. x, 8.] says, "Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed,
and fell in one day three and twenty thousand."—Here the word some is made equivalent to many thousands.
The true import of the word, demon, is also necessary, to help us in arriving at the truth. We find, by reference to ancient history, that in the days of the Platonic School the words, devil and demon, are synonymous terms; so that when the Apostle says doctrines of devils, it is the same as saying doctrines concerning demons, or mediators. Anciently there were understood to be two kinds: one the souls of men deified or canonized after death, the other, was the higher order—souls separate from bodies, and that had never inhabited them at all. These were called mediators or middle powers, (or as now would be more familiarly called, mediums.) Says Plato, "God is not approached by man, but all the commerce and intercourse between God and men is by the mediation of demons, (or the souls of the dead.)"—Newton's Dissertation, p. 366.
We see plainly in what the apostasy of the last days is to consist—a giving heed to seducing spirits or doctrines concerning demons, devils or mediators.—Says St. Paul to the Thessalonians: "And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." 2 Thess. ii, 11, 12. The world and church are so ensnared with the false philosophy of heathen theology that they are blindly rushing into the great malestrom of deception. They are ignorantly perpetuating the first lie that ever defiled the earth after it came from the hand of its Creator; viz., "thou shalt not surely die, but become as gods."—The common theory, now every where entertained, is that the body is only the prison-house of the soul or man proper, which at death enters its reward in the presence of God, where there is fullness of joy; that the soul is naturally immortal, consequently indestructible, and is to live for ever. But the testimony of the Scriptures was always against this delusive theory; for we are plainly informed that God only hath immortality; that it is brought to light through the gospel, to be obtained conditionally, by patient continuance in well-doing, or as the Saviour says, "If ye would enter into life keep the commandments." "The soul that sinneth, it shall die." "Sin is the transgression of the law." To die, signifies to perish, to cease to exist, to be destroyed; as we read in Ps. xxxvii, 20: "But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the Lord shall be as the fat of lambs; they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away." Also, verse 10. "For yet a little while and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be." His identity is lost for ever. Call it what name you please. Other portions of scripture show that there is no consciousness after death: "For the living know that they shall die: but the dead (know more than all the living? not so; but the dead) know not any thing."—Eccl. ix, 5. Well says one, I know the dead body knows nothing, but it is the soul! Stop a moment! read verse 6th, then we shall get all the light the Prophet has given. "Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished." So your soul, if alive, has lost some important qualities of mind. But again, the Psalmist, speaking of the state of man after death, [Ps. cxlvi, 4.] says, "His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his tho'ts perish." I should like to know in what his knowledge or happiness could consist, after losing his mind, with all its qualities.
But perhaps N. Hubbel, a late writer in the Christian Advocate and Journal, could solve this mystery, as he classes those that believe the Scripture on this subject, with Universalists, Infidels and Spirit Rappers. But he has ignorantly or wickedly mis-stated our true position; and his article, no doubt, is a fair sample of the feelings of Protestants in general. He and others should know that this doctrine is as old as Creation, and is the revealed truth of God."
As it regards the Rapping Spirits, we have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but believe them to be the spirits of devils working mir135acles, which are gathering the whole world to the last mighty and final conflict. We believe the law and the testimony. If they speak not according to this word it is because there is no light in them. So we can say in reference to every man-made theory that was ever presented. The great detector will decide for the truth. The law presents the knowledge of sin. The wages of sin is death. Sin is the transgression of the law. The Spirit cries, Turn ye, turn ye, for why will ye die. Choose ye this day whom ye will serve. If the Lord be God, serve him; if Baal, then serve him. The testimony of Jesus Christ presents but one mediator between God and man, while Spiritualism has its legions of mediums, gods many, and lords many. Thus we cannot fail to see that the great Apostasy has undermined the plan of God for the redemption of a guilty race, making the death of his Son of no effect, and making void his holy law. We see, also, that the doctrines that prevailed so long in the heathen world, in all respects the same thing, only different in name, are to be revived in these last days, and will deceive, if it were possible, the very elect. Let us therefore take heed lest there be in any of us an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God.
“Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field; but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the house-holder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest, while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.”
And his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the son of man; the field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; the enemy that sowed them is the Devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. Verses 36-39.
Who hath ears to hear let him hear. Jesus used simple language to illustrate the glorious truths of the gospel. He used just such figures as people were perfectly familiar with; for instance, the net cast into the sea, the poor unlearned fishermen could see and get an idea from; then the leaven; the sower; the merchantman, &c. Again, in his explanation, of these parables, every one that had the love of God, could but see the beauty and glory of the dear Saviour's doctrines. The poor had the gospel preached unto them, bless the Lord, in such a way that they could understand by the aid of the holy Spirit. Hear these unlearned people heartily respond, when Jesus asked them, saying, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, yea, Lord. But what things? Why he had put forth parables, so that whether learned or not, the fisherman, the farmer or husbandman, and the women also in their domestic affairs, the merchantman and all, might be instructed and led to become heavenly minded.
Leaving the greater part of the mighty field of these truths and feeling myself to be a little child among the dear brethren, I will confine my self to the parables of the tares, and, like the humble Galileans, would learn of him who is meek and lowly, an instructor of the unlearned, a teacher of babes; who when he had caused them to know wisdom, lifted up his voice, and said, I thank thee O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, (why?) because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes; even so Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight. Matt. xi, 25, 26.
The blessing of God is upon those that hear and understand and keep these testimonies of Jesus and the commandments of God. Now what is wheat? Why, every person may understand it. It is good grain for use, that in harvest is gathered in and laid up: the precious fruit of the earth. Indeed, the poor widow, unto whom Elijah was sent, must have realized this with but a handful of meal or flour; it was all there was, all her living. O blessed God, thou didst lengthen it out and save alive the widow and the fatherless and the faithful servant of God. O my soul! I must praise him for keeping these dear souls alive through that terrible famine, and now in this mighty famine for hearing the word of the Lord, [Amos, viii, 1], since 1854, God has sent the third angel's message. Surely there is a handful of corn left; and the fruit of this handful shall shake like Lebanon. Pardon me, dear reader, for digressing.
The third angel! sent to save us alive! Obey his voice! awful his work! fearful his mission! Who can but tremble at the word of the Lord which is borne unto us by him! That word will make an everlasting separation between the wheat and the tares, between the righteous and the wicked, the sacred and profane. The precious sons of God will be clearly manifested and separated from the vile, or those who will not hear and obey God, who has spoken by his Son from heaven, who worked the works of him that sent him. Not my own works but my Father's, not my own words, but my Father's. “I Jesus have sent mine angel,” &c. “And behold I come quickly, and my reward is with me to give every man according as his work shall be.” Lord, what works? The works that I wrought. I have kept my Father's commandments. John xv, 10.—Blessed are they that do his commandments. It is God that worketh in you, both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Phil. ii, 13. Lord, thou wilt ordain peace for us; for thou hast wrought all our works in us, margin, for us. Isa: xxvi, 12. The Father works: Jesus works: holy angels work, doing his commandments, hearkening to the voice of his words. Ps. ciii, 20. God is our potter: he is working for us a great work that will stand fire. These works will never be burned; love will never fail as long as the great Eternal shall exist; for God is love. And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. Here is the commandment; that as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it. 2 John 6.
Just as the servant's eyes are to his master, as he asks, What shall I do to-day? so we inquire of the Lord, What shall we do to-day? what is the word? Go work in my vineyard! It makes no difference what hour of the day we inquire, it is, Go work!—at the third hour, it is, Go work!—at the sixth hour, the same: just so at the ninth and eleventh: Go work! Well, what is the work? “Keep the commandments.” God is of one mind: he changeth not, nor altereth the thing that is gone out of his lips.
Now if ye fulfill the royal law according to the scriptures, we shall do well and if by patient continuance in well doing, we seek for glory and honor, we shall receive immortality and eternal life: committing our souls unto God in well doing as unto a faithful creator. Jesus will say, Well done, good and faithful servant. Now is not well doing the fruits of the kingdom, the fruits of righteousness; God's holy law bringing forth much fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. The fruit of the Spirit, is, love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness temperance; against such there is no law. If having these precious fruits does not show one to be created anew in Christ Jesus, unto good works tell me, I beseech thee what I shall do! Say! Is this the fruit of the kingdom? It is certainly the product of the word of the kingdom: by their fruit ye shall know them!
Now let me inquire, is there any other present saving truth, but in the third angel's message, under the whole heaven? Surely, none! Is there any other thing to bring out a peculiar people? Surely I see nothing but the lovely banner of the third angel, the standard that is set up by the God of heaven. Under this let us stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free: and having done all to stand. We cannot say with the Watchman, that we have no position. Standing, is certainly a position: and God, by his Son from heaven, has commanded us at this awful moment, to have a position; viz., having done all, to stand; but this is a position: having our loins girded and our lamps burning, and we like unto men that wait for their Lord, when he will return from the wedding. What are our lights? Taking Bro. Miller's rule, that scripture is its own expositor, The commandment is a lamp, (candle, margin,) and the law is light, and reproofs of instruction are the way of life. Here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.
Again: Are these the children of the kingdom?—Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life and enter in through the gates into the city. Now we have just shown you who are blessed: Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom, &c. Blessed be the Lord, we have found out who the children of the kingdom are; the wheat. Now declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field, or world. The tares are the children of the wicked one; but how shall I know the tares? Thus saith the Son of God.—Wherefore, by their fruits ye shall know them. Matt. vii, 20. Ye shall know them by their fruits.
We were once engaged, with several others, harvesting wheat; and there was among us an elderly man who was rather intelligent and observing. He pulled up by the roots a bunch of wheat, at first sight, appeared to be wheat. Said he to the owner of the crop, “Didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence, then, hath it tares?” We all went and examined it for ourselves, and were surprised at what we beheld. We never till that moment knew but that any weed might be termed a tare, that was found among wheat; but we here learned a profitable lesson: the Lord teach us to profit by it. We now saw the propriety of letting both wheat and tares grow together until the harvest; for no man could tell the difference while it was growing, until we came to the fruit. Its roots, the blade, then the stalk, appeared like wheat. Had I been told to root up the tares, till I could have seen the fruit I should as soon have pulled up wheat as tares; but by their fruit ye shall know them. Now the fruit made manifest very plainly to every beholder, which was wheat and which was tares. While the wheat presented a snug little ear well filled with grain, and good for food, the tare had a great sprangling head, somewhat like oats in appearance; but on examining the fruit it had a dark outside, and the inside, or meat, of it was bad to the taste and unsavory.
Now the good seed are the children of the kingdom: he that sowed the good seed is the Son of man. Jesus did sow in the world, wholly a right seed, and left a people bringing forth the fruits of the kingdom, of one accord, one heart and one soul: just like the work of God. Said Gabriel, He shall confirm the covenant, or will, with many for one week; seven years. In the midst of the week, we understand, he was cut off, and entered the Sanctuary in heaven by his own blood, the blood of the new testament, will, or covenant; for a testament is of force after men are dead; leaving these three years and a half for his disciples to confirm it. Thus we have a solid platform this side of the cross. Says God, by the mouth of David, “My covenant shall stand fast with him.” Now unless the covenant is confirmed, we deny, before God, that Jesus has ever made even his first advent into the world; for God has commanded us to believe the prophets. Moses declares the ten commandments to be the words of the covenant, and Gabriel declares that the Messiah would confirm the136covenant. Jesus did finish his mission on earth and received testimony, again and again, that he was the beloved Son in whom God was well pleased; with this most solemn admonition to those standing by, "Hear ye Him."
Said Moses, It shall come to pass that whosoever will not hearken to that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people. Moreover, we find all the New Testament written after the confirmation of the covenant, and every single writer bearing testimony to the faith of Jesus and commandments of God; one contending earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints, another declaring that faith established God's law, not a single precept excepted; St. Paul meeting those who would have it made void, or abolished, with a veto from the Almighty; and John in his four books dwelling much upon it. Since, then, the Devil, through perdition's son, the man of sin, has sown tares, both have grown together; and through the first and second angels' messages no man was fully able to decide clearly; but now the great counterfeit detector has come, the third angel's message! The reprobate coin is detected; the things of Esau are being searched out with candles; the Mighty One with the sharp sickle is near; and the first vial of wrath will soon show to all men who are the worshippers of the beast.
O. HEWETT.
Rochester, N. Y., Oct. 1853.
COMMUNICATIONS.
By Joseph Bates
From Bro. Bates.
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—Since my last, from Milan, O., Sept. 20th, I have been visiting in various parts of Ohio, in search of the scattered flock. "I thank God through Jesus Christ my Lord" for the way he led us to find some precious souls, hungering and thirsting for all the truth, that they might prepare to meet their coming Lord.
Bro. Ira Day took me in his carriage to a number of places in Sanduskey Co., where we became acquainted with ministers and lay brethren who had been in the Advent doctrine in 1843, and had lost their interest in these precious truths since the ending of the 2300 days of Daniel's vision, in 1844. (I know that some are still saying the ending of these days are yet in the future. If so, why does God charge them with prolonging them and making it a vain vision, and flattering divination within the house of Israel? Eze. xii, 21-25.)
While quietly keeping the Sabbath with Bro. Huber, at Green Springs, a request was sent in, inviting us to the hall to give a public lecture in the evening. We complied with the request, and presented the third angel's message to a very attentive audience.—
Bro. H. said, after meeting, that about all the inhabitants of the village were present. They listened with attention. We left here early on First-day, the 25th, to fill an appointment at a school-house in York Ridge, ten miles on our way. Here we gave three lectures, and some became deeply interested, and wished to hear more about these precious truths, to prepare them to meet the coming judgments. We furnished them with tracts, and trust ere this, they have become more interested by reading the Review. We became acquainted with four ministers who had been in the first angel's message. They manifested a deep anxiety to learn our present position. I trust that God has a work for some if not all of them in this last message.
Sept. 26th, Elder W. Gilmore (who has been a Christian minister for many years) wished me to go with him to some of the neighboring towns, to visit some of his brethren. Bro. Day returned home.— Those that we saw, with one exception, were anxious to hear further. At Thompson we held a meeting in the free meeting-house, and were kindly entertained in the family of Bro. Henry Miller. Himself and wife were much interested in the Sabbath question. He, with two other families, wished to have the Review. God grant that these precious souls may see, and embrace the whole truth.
Sept. 30th, came by the Rail-road to Marysville, Central Ohio. By invitation, we occupied the most of the time on First-day in the Advent meeting. Our subject was the Sanctuary, and third angel's message. There were three teachers present; these resisted the whole subject, and endeavored to show the people that there was no heavenly Sanctuary to be cleansed, neither any fourth commandment binding. The next day one of their company said they would examine the subject. Came to Cincinnati Oct. 4th. Held meetings there and at Glendale. We hope our labor was not altogether in vain.
First-day Oct. 9th, lectured in the Court-house in Lawrenceburg, Ind. Brn. Moran and Gould were very anxious that their neighbors should hear the last message. From thence we came to this place, on the 12th inst., after rather a toilsome journey of two days and part of two nights. We learn that no one has been to give the present truth here since I left, thirteen months since. The Sabbath keepers are holding on their way with an increasing desire to know all the truth. Many others say they want to hear about this doctrine. The Court-House was freely offered us, in which to hold a series of meetings.— We commenced the last evening with a very attentive audience. The Lord grant that many precious souls may be saved here.
JOSEPH BATES.
Sullivan, Sullivan Co., Ind. Oct. 14th, 1853.
P. S. I noticed in the Review of Sept. 13 th, that Bro. H. C. Mason of Battle Creek, Mich., unsolicited, asks my forgiveness for making statements to the Editor of the "Advent Harbinger" respecting me, which he acknowledges I did not utter, but he heard it from another source. I cheerfully forgive him.— It may not be amiss for me to state here, that this false statement furnished O. R. L. Crozier with a labored argument to denounce me in the most unchristian and cruel manner, as a person of no veracity.— See Advent Harbinger, Aug. 28th, 1852. "The Lord reward him according to his works." 2 Tim. iv, 14.
J. B.
The Importance of Watchfulness and Prayer
By W. T.; D. Hannaford
From Bro. and Sr. Hannaford.
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—We wish to say that the Review is a welcome messenger to us. It rejoices us to hear from the scattered saints, and that the message is on the rise in other places. The light of the third angel's message, and the truths connected with it shine out with great clearness. We believe that the time of trouble is fast approaching, and view it very necessary to have on the whole armor of God, and to live humble, watchful and prayerful, so that we may be accounted worthy to escape all that is coming upon the earth and to stand before the Son of man; that when he who is our life shall appear, we may appear with him in glory. This is truly, a momentous time in which we live, surrounded as we are by the perils of the last days, while the last call of mercy is being given to a perishing world, and the four angels are about to let go their hold, and the inhabitants of earth left, for ever left, without a mediator.
We do desire to realize the importance of improving the few golden moments that may be allotted us here, that by giving all diligence, we may add to our faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, charity; knowing that if these be in us and abound, we shall be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is indeed glorious to strive to live by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God, and sweet to our souls to do all of his commandments: knowing that we shall have right to the tree of life, and enter in through the gates into the city. If faithful, when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, we, with all the ransomed, shall receive a crown that fadeth not away.
We should esteem it a privilege to have any faithful ministering brother, who may feel it to be his duty, call this way and dispense unto us the words of life and salvation. We are a scattered and tried people.
Our number in this section of country is very small; but we think there are some who may have ears to hear the present truth. W. T. & D. HANNAFORD.
Orrington, Me., Oct. 12th, 1853.
Sylvan, Mich., Conference.
By Merritt E. Cornell
This meeting was one of deep interest and great importance to the cause of truth in Michigan. A goodly number of brethren and sisters were present from different parts of the State, and appeared anxious to learn the truth more perfectly. Many were disappointed in not meeting with Brn. Bates and Loughborough, at this meeting, but were made glad on seeing our dear Bro. Waggoner, from Wisconsin. Brn. Case, Frisbie, Cranson and Nottingham, were present. By the request of these brethren, Bro. Waggoner occupied most of the time, and the saints were greatly strengthened and encouraged by the clear light which God enabled him to bring out on the subject of the "moral government of God." At this meeting difficulties were settled, wrongs confessed, and union and confidence restored; for which we are thankful and much encouraged. The prospect is now favorable for the advancement of the cause of truth in the West: may the Lord speed the work. Amen
In hope of speedy deliverance. M. E. CORNELL.
Receipts.
By Editor
C. Ayres, A. Heald, Sr. Rogers, E. Place, J. B. Keen, C. Howland, P. Carpenter, J. Barrett, B. Hasselbach, W. T. Hannaford, B. N. Snow, H. Barden, M. Capon each $1.
R. Griggs, Wm. Dawson, L. Carpenter each $2; C. G. Cramer, $2.50; W. Davis, $1.50; R. Duncan, $0.25.
$200.33 behind on the REVIEW.
Publications.
By Editor
THE Sanctuary and Twenty-three Hundred Days—76 pages—price 7 cents—postage 1 cent.
Review of O. R. L. Crozier on the Sabbath—48 pages—price 5 cents—postage 1 cent.
A Refutation of the Claims of Sunday keeping to Divine Authority; also, a lengthy extract from the History of the Sabbath—40 pages—price 4 cents—postage 1 cent.
Volume I, II and III of the Review, bound in paper covers—price 40 cents for Vol. I and II, and 80 cents for Vol. III.
Youth's Instructor, Vol. I, in paper covers—price 25 cents.
Signs of the Times—124 pages—price 8 cents—postage 2 cents.
Our collection of Advent and Sabbath Hymns, with the Supplement bound with it—144 pages—price 30 cents—postage 5 cents.
Time and Prophecy—a Poem—120 pages, well bound—price 25 cents—postage 5 cents.
THE CHART—A Pictorial Illustration of the Visions of Daniel and John and their Chronology—price $2. It can be had of Otis Nichols, Dorchester, Mass., or at this Office. It can be sent by Mail without rollers for the same price.
Letters.
J. Harroun, P. Gibson, J. B. Wood, J. H. Waggoner, F. Bezzo, R. S. Johnson, D. Kellogg.
Appointments.
By Joseph Bates
PROVIDENCE permitting, I will hold meetings as follows: Chester Factory, Mass., Nov. 8th, at 2 P. M. and 6 1/2 P. M., where Bro. Blair, and other brethren may appoint. Springfield, Nov. 9th afternoon and evening. Boston 10th, 6 1/2 P. M. Fairhaven, Mass., Sabbath Nov. 12th.
J. BATES.
Wm. S. Ingraham’s Post-Office Address
By Editor
Bro. Wm. S. Ingraham's Post-Office address is Moreland, N. Y.