p. 409 | Review and Herald, Vol. 30, No. 26. (12/10/1867)

Earlier text: Names and Titles of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, Found in the Bible

FEELING AND PRINCIPLE.

By James White

A CONVERSATION.

We frequently meet brethren professing faith in the present truth, whose views of the worship of God may be illustrated by the following conversation, supposed to have passed between Bro. Feeling and Bro. Principle. One worships God as he feels, the other worships from principle.

Bro. Feeling. Good morning, Bro. P. I praise the Lord that there is something better for us than the formality, worldly wisdom, and cold reason, exhibited in Bro. B.'s discourse last evening. I felt like death about it, till I decided to be a free man and move just as the Lord would have me, and not be bound or led by any one. Since I came to this decision I have felt free again.

Bro. Principle. The discourse of last evening, Bro. F., I think was a good one. I was instructed, interested, edified, and much blest while Bro. B. so clearly set forth the principles which should govern us in worshiping God in Spirit and in truth. And I think his kind, though close, remarks against extremely-impulsive worship, and moving altogether from feeling, which leads to confusion and extravagances, were in place.

F. But I cannot stand so much formality. I want to be led by the Spirit, and have the power. I must and will be a free man. Glory to God, I will be free. Paul speaks of the sins of those who have a form of godliness, and commands us to turn away from such.

P. Hold, Bro. F., you are too much excited to reason candidly and well. Now wait, and let us read from 2 Tim. iii, 1–5. “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” It is not the form of godliness that the apostle holds to be objectionable. He states that those of whom he speaks have the form, simply to give the idea that they profess the principles of Christianity, while they are corrupt, and deny the power. The injunction to turn away from them is not because they have the form, but because of the eighteen sins mentioned, and their denial of the power of true godliness.

The Bible nowhere condemns form and order, but speaks of them in words of highest commendation. Paul, so far from condemning these, as you suppose, thanks God that his Roman brethren had from the heart obeyed the form of doctrine delivered to them. Rom. vi, 17. To Timothy he says, “Hold fast the form of sound words which thou hast heard of me.” 2 Tim. i, 13. In another place he teaches that all things should be done decently and in order.

God is not the author of confusion. He brought harmony and a world robed in beauty out of chaos six thousand years ago. What order is seen in the six days of creation! Order ruled in the salvation of Noah, his family, the beasts, birds, &c., while all was confusion and destruction outside the ark. With what order God led the Israelites from the confusion of the distracted power of Egyptian slavery. And that entire system of religious service instituted to bring the Jews nearer to himself, and make them a mighty people, and a praise in all the earth, was one grand series of form each passing year. He who departed in the least particular was worthy of blame. Has God changed?

F. Changed! I hope, Bro. P., you will not go back into the Jewish dispensation for rules of order to govern Christians! They were well enough for the Jews, but not for us.

P. Wait, Bro. F.; I was about to say, God is the same in all dispensations, a God of order as well as the author of spiritual worship. Satan is the same, and fallen human nature does not improve. The confusion of the world, the flesh and the Devil, are the same in the Christian dispensation as in the Jewish. And, be assured that the change of dispensations does not consist in the least degree in a change from form to confusion. God instituted form and order with the Israelites because they were indispensable to their prosperity. And they are needed none the less in the present dispensation. Why not Christians be taught by the order of the typical system as well as by any part of it? And then Christians have the double lesson in the direct language of the apostles in favor of form and order in the church of Christ.

F. The Lord looks at the heart, and is not as particular about our words and other little matters that Bro. B. is so particular about. I believe in being free and speaking right out just what one feels.

P. True, the Lord looks at the heart. He looks mercifully upon our good desires and intentions and errors. The heart, or the condition of the mind, is shown by words and actions. A tree is known by its fruit. Unsanctified words and acts prove an unsanctified mind and spirit. You may class the use of the tongue among little things. But James makes it a matter of the greatest importance. Hear what he says, chap. iii, 2–13. “If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which, though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed, of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive-berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you?

let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.”

The apostle teaches that he who fully controls his tongue, has the complete control of his whole body, and is a perfect man. He also teaches that this is the most difficult task performed by man. The horse may be made obedient to the bit, the ship is turned by the helm, and all kinds of beasts, birds, and even serpents, are made tame and obedient. But to control the tongue, so as not to offend in word, is a greater work, and is the best proof of Christian perfection.

Says Paul, 1 Tim. vi, 3–5: “If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.”

To Titus he says, Chap. ii, 8: “Sound speech that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.”

My dear Bro. F., the longer you are governed by impulse, the less prepared you will be to govern your tongue. And if you do not control this member, so that no guile is found in your mouth, you will be lost. I entreat of you to learn to speak and move from principle.

F. I am inclined to think you are half right. But what shall I do with my experience?

P. As to your experience, leave that, Bro. F., till you have clearer light. You know that you have moved wrong in some things, and much of your experience you have prized so highly, is very doubtful to say the least. Let me point out to you some of the evil tendencies of your impulsive experience.

1. It has led you to think you had much of the Spirit of God, when you have been almost destitute of it, not knowing what spirit you were of, much of the time.

2. This has made you self-righteous, independent and rash, so that when you have been opposed, or your views have been crossed, it has stirred your spirit, and in the heat of your feelings you have despised restraint, and declared your freedom, and, being in a condition only a trifle better than one crazy, you have talked boisterously, often repeating the words, “bless God,” and “glory to God,” when you were destitute to a great degree of both reverence for God and respect for man.

3. At such times, when you are almost void of reason, Satan takes great advantage of your heated feelings, and gives you impressions which you think are from the Lord. And if you continue to follow feelings, instead of being balanced, guarded, fortified, and directed by sound principles and good judgment, you will soon be fast in the terrible delusion that you are led by the Spirit of God in all your actions, words, and even your thoughts, while at the same time you are under the full control of the Devil. I have seen persons in just this condition. Such sometimes reach that imaginary state of perfection, where, as they say, they cannot sin. Terrible delusion this! I do not say that there is no help for any such persons, but my experience teaches me that it is a difficult task to rescue them.

This almost-fatal position is reached by different persons in different ways. Some are led into it by the idea that they are especially endowed with certain spiritual gifts. I knew a sister, far gone on the route to this position, who, when her views and wishes were crossed, would manifest passion, then fall into a condition resembling a hysteric fit, in which she would view matters and things unfavorable to those not in harmony with her. This all passed as the work of the Spirit of God in the estimation of many, especially herself, till she was plainly told upon good authority that her exercises were the result of anger, assisted by the spirit of Satan.

4. You are aware that some of your views of truth, and of worship are reproved more or less in the Testimonies to the Church and Spiritual Gifts, and you are also aware of the fact that this is the reason why you are not in harmony with your brethren as to the perpetuity of spiritual gifts, and their manifestation among us, to correct the wayward and to comfort the desponding and weak. You realize that you are not in harmony with the church in this respect, and if you persist in your impulsive movements, the inevitable result will be your full and final separation from the church. You are drawing off already. The Devil tempts you to believe that those who try in every way to help you have a crushing spirit. And the reason it is so hard to help you by appealing to your reason is, you have long followed feeling instead of reason.

5. Another bad fruit of impulsive religion in you is your lack of interest in the scriptural, reasonable, and just system of benevolence adopted by your brethren. There is too much form, system, and, I like to have said, too much common sense, in this efficient arrangement for you.

Both Scripture and reason have not had half so much weight with you as your mistaken idea of experimental religion. You have considered yourself far in advance of your brethren; hence you could not be taught by them, when they, as you viewed matters, needed instruction from you. It has been a most difficult task to approach you. Satan has had you in just the position that has pleased him. Your brethren could not unite with you in hopes that by so doing they would induce you to take a right position. Such a course on their part would have confirmed you in error. All their appeals to your reason were of no use while you were ready to denounce their efforts as the wisdom of this world, which is foolishness with God.

I am very glad, my dear Bro. F., that you heard the excellent discourse of Bro. B. last evening, and that you are so far convinced of your errors, and of the necessity of moving from principle, as to patiently listen to me. God bless you, and when we meet again, may you be fully converted, and stand free in sweet union with your brethren, with the blessing of Heaven upon you. JAMES WHITE. Norridgewock, Me.

CLOSE OF THE VOLUME.

By Editor

This number closes the first volume of the enlarged Review. We ask the readers to glance at the index, and behold as it were, at one view, the amount of matter that has been furnished them during the past six months—matter on a great variety of subjects, yet all tending to the same end, to point out the signs of the times, warn of coming dangers, defend the truth, herald the approaching day of God, make plain the way of holiness, and exhort to a preparation for the end of all things.

It is with some satisfaction that we close the volume with respect to the enlargement, entered upon partially one year ago, and fully accomplished six months since. We now have a paper adequate in point of size to the wants of this growing cause, and we have a cause, the interests of which are adequate to the sustaining of such a paper. With the blessing of the Lord, conducted in the spirit of the present truth, the paper may be an instrument of untold power.

To the lonely ones, many of whom never have heard a sermon on present truth from the living preacher, and most of whom very seldom hear one, the past volume has borne twenty-six sermons on the great themes that pertain to these last days. This department has now been kept up, without a single omission, for one year, with a continually growing interest. We appeal to the preachers in behalf of all those who so prize these their efforts, that this department be continued.

But though the volume has closed, we are reminded that the message has not closed, nor the work ceased. As week by week, ere one paper is finished we are engaged upon another, so we cannot at the close of a volume sit down to contemplate our work; for the old volume is not fully finished, ere the new is on our hands.

We have said the work has not ceased. On the contrary we believe it is entering upon a new era of life and power. So it must be. The times call for greater efforts, unceasing exertion. So labored the apostles. The record is that they “ceased not” in their work for the salvation of men. This was one secret of their great success. So must we labor, brethren and sisters. The work must not cease till the rapidly-passing days of probation are all finished. Cease not to labor for your own soul’s salvation, for your neighbors around you, and for the edification of the household of faith, through the medium of the paper.

We turn to the opening volume. We trust its yet unwritten leaves may record a marvelous advancement on the part of the people of God in this great work. We want our hearts endued afresh with the spirit of the message.

“Turn and look upon us Lord, And break our hearts of stone.”

Take away all indifference, eradicate from our midst all seeds of carelessness and stupidity. Let the burden of the work rest upon us.

From the labors that may fall to our lot we would not shrink. We only regret that they are marked with so many imperfections. But we shall labor on with good courage, only too happy in the hope that the “Well done” of the faithful servant may, through the merits of Christ, be ours at last.

Many thanks to our many contributors, by whose words of encouragement and sympathy we have been cheered, and through whose efforts we have received, and still hope to receive, essential and efficient aid.

AT HOME AGAIN.

By D. T. BOURDEAU.

We reached home the 30th ult., somewhat weary, but in good spirits, and thankful to our Heavenly Father for his care over us during the whole period of our absence, which was nearly one year and six months. During this period we have traveled between six and seven thousand miles, and have been enabled to stand at our post where our help was needed; and as we look over the past, our greatest astonishment is that we have passed through what we have. But the Lord has been with us and sustained us, and we have had the benefits of the health reform.

It has indeed been a privilege and a source of encouragement, and we trust, real benefit, for us to attend the interesting and profitable meetings at Battle Creek and Roosevelt, on our way home. Such a heart-searching time, and such a powerful and victorious time, I had never before witnessed. May this same good work progress and spread, till the entire cause is affected by it. It is just the work that must precede the latter rain, and the loud cry of the third message.

I now appreciate a period of rest and retirement, that I may replenish my wasted energies, and more fully prepare to act my humble part in the great work before us. I rest well, and expect to be stronger in the spring than I have been for years. Brethren, pray for me that I may make the most I can of the privilege I now enjoy.

Last Sabbath I met with the church in this place, and spoke to them twice on the conversion needed at this stage of the message; and the words spoken seemed to be appreciated.

Nov. 24. I wrote the above the week after I reached home; but through mistake it was not taken to the post office, and thus it has been delayed until this late hour. But from the experiments I have made in laboring with my hands, I am prepared to state for the encouragement of all, that I find myself in a better condition to labor physically than I have been for years. I can labor to advantage from six to ten hours a day, according to the kind of work I engage in. I see that though I feel the wear of past labors, yet I have been undergoing favorable changes healthwise. Thus far I have spoken to the church every Sabbath, and attended the prayer and social meetings. I desire to keep the object of my coming East in view, viz.: to gather more strength to spend in promoting the cause of present truth.

D. T. BOURDEAU.

MEETINGS IN CENTRAL DISTRICT, MICH.

By Joseph Bates

According to appointment in Review, we met with the church in Jackson, Sabbath, Nov. 9. Our meetings were encouraging and interesting. Brethren present from Tompkins, Parma, and other places, expressed their increasing desires to go forward with the remnant of God’s people in the third angel’s message. Expressions of Christian fellowship and union were still more manifest in the celebration of the ordinances of the Lord’s house.

Sunday A. M. and evening, to gratify and accommodate some of the scattered brethren and their neighbors, we held two meetings several miles from Jackson, near Bro. Van Horn’s father’s. Many came to hear and listened attentively. Blessed Lord, help them to give their unceasing attention to the cry of the third angel’s message, and the doctrine of their soon-coming Lord.

November 15, Bro. W. Carpenter came for, and took me to his hospitable dwelling in Hanover. Here we held three profitable meetings, and rejoiced in spirit at the celebration of the ordinances. Bro. C., who always has manifested a deep interest for his neighbors to hear and be benefited by the reception of the third angel’s message, was much gratified to see such a general attendance at our last meeting in the school-house on Sunday evening.

Tuesday, 19, on our way we stopped at Hillsdale, and held one meeting, and visited the Brn. Bro. I. C. Vaughn took us to Ransom Center, where we spent five days. Visited and prayed with the families and sick for blessings and healing mercies. Held six interesting meetings; some who had before confessed the truth and gone back, started again; two others fully believed and were buried with Christ in baptism. One family came fifty miles from Ohio to the meeting; the mother was baptized, and we left her rejoicing in the Lord. Our last meeting at the school-house was solemn and impressive. The people seemed anxious to hear about the soon coming of the Saviour. With willing minds the church united in the celebration of the ordinances, and were much blessed of the Lord. May they with all the remnant of the people of God, which are now moving onward, follow on to know the Lord whose “going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth,”—the great refreshing from the presence of the Lord.

JOSEPH BATES.

Hillsdale, Mich., Nov. 28, 1867.

REPORT FROM BRO. CORNELL.

By M. E. Cornell

The interest of the meetings at Tittabawassee Center still continues. Forty-one have been baptized. Bro. Dr. H. T. Hawley was unanimously chosen Elder, and Bro. John McGregor Clerk. The church numbers forty-two members at present. Several others will go forward the first opportunity.

After much consultation, Bro. Lawrence decides to go to Tuscola county, and Bro. Strong joins with us in an effort at Midland City, to return and meet with this church on the Sabbath, for a time.

The subjects of health and dress reform, and Spiritual Gifts have been thoroughly canvassed here. The opposition has nearly ceased, and our own confidence and interest in these things has greatly increased. We labor on with new courage, hoping for the prayers of God's people. M. E. CORNELL.

Tittabawassee, Mich., Dec. 2.

Faith and the Soul

By Charles Howe

FAITH is as necessary to the soul as the sun is to the world; were it not for these bright, prolific lights, both the one and the other must remain dark and fruitless.—Charles. Howe.

Confession Makes Half Amends

Confession of a fault makes half amends.

PEACE IN CHRIST.

By N. JANE LUCAS

How many of us can say with good and honest hearts that we have sweet peace in Christ; peace that floweth as a river; peace that none but Jesus can give? To-day, while meditating on the past, present and future, I am led to exclaim, When will our joy and peace be complete? I answer, When Jesus comes. Oh! what a joyful day that will be to God's true children. Dear reader, let us all strive to be there. Even now, peace fills my inmost being in anticipation of the glory that awaits us on the other shore. Here we have some little peace, but it is mingled with much tribulation. Jesus says, “In the world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer: I have overcome the world.” John xvi, 33. Again, there are times that we feel sad and sorrowful; we see our loved ones torn from our fond embrace by the cruel hand of death, and see them borne away to the narrow confines of the tomb. Jesus says, “I am the resurrection and the Life; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.” John xi, 25.

Dear ones in the Lord, I am looking forward with a bright hope to the morning of the resurrection, when those loved ones that have long slept in the cold and silent tomb will come forth from their dusty graves clothed with immortality and eternal life. Oh! how sweet the thought, that, if faithful, we shall one day sit down in the kingdom of God with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to go no more out, there to swell the joyful song of Moses and the Lamb. Oh! how complete will be our happiness there; not a shade of transgression can ever enter that peaceful abode. Glory, glory, be to God.

Dear readers, there is a great storm gathering, but if we have peace in Christ, we are safe. The humble child of God can say, Let the winds blow and the storm rage; let persecution come; I can bear all without a murmur, only give me a home with Jesus. It is but a little while longer we shall have to face the storm. Soon, if faithful, we shall enter into that rest that remaineth for the children of God. Let us then strive to overcome every thing that is unlike Jesus, that we may be found with that people that shall have come out of much tribulation, having their robes washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb. Rev. vii, 14. May it be our happy lot to be there, for once safely inside of the kingdom, we can enjoy the smiling countenance of the Saviour forever. There our joy and peace will be complete.

Your sister in the faith and hope of the gospel. N. JANE LUCAS. Hartford, Me., Nov. 17, 1867.

HOPE IN GOD.

By John Q. Fox

It is the privilege of the humble follower of Jesus Christ, while on probation, sojourning in this vale of tears, tried and buffeted by the enemy, to be cheerful and happy. Like the traveler returning to his home after a long absence, buoyant and hopeful with the thought of soon seeing cherished friends, he may take courage and rejoice with joy inexpressible in view of the far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory in reserve for him. What difficulties would not be overcome, what obstacles surmounted, what dangers braved by the former, to effect his purpose? And has the Christian less to inspire him with zeal and energy? Does the one feel sure of success, and has not the other still stronger reason to hope, when all Heaven is interested in his behalf, and God is pledged to render him every needed assistance? Can we not take God at his word? Do we not believe that what he has spoken he will also perform? Are we not sure that if we put our trust in him, lie passive in his hands, willing to go at his bidding, to spend and be spent in his service, do whatever he requires of us, that we shall be enabled by his grace to overcome? Yes, our confidence in God is unbounded. We know that he is not a hard master; and our shrewd enemy satisfied that our fortress is at this point impregnable, instead of being at all dismayed, with cunning ingenuity brings his artillery to bear upon us at another quarter. He arrays before us our sins, and diverting our minds from Heaven, our only source of strength, makes us feel our weakness and presses his darkness upon us, until we become discouraged, and seem to forget that it was sinners for whom Christ died, and that it is “not by might nor by power,” but by the Spirit of God and his grace that we are to overcome, and that it is only through the merits and intercessions of a compassionate Saviour that we can hope for pardon. And thus we grope our way on in darkness, until almost ready to yield to the suggestions of Satan and sink in despair, when, through the tender mercy of God, our minds are again turned heavenward, if perchance we are so fortunate as to recover ourselves from the snare of the Devil.

But I fancy our greatest danger is in not being fully decided. We have not made up our minds to have Heaven at any cost; are not really expecting to overcome and to attain unto holiness. We set our mark too low, consequently must come short. Perhaps we are not willing to let self die, and submit ourselves unreservedly to God.

In a thousand different ways is Satan seeking our destruction, and if he can only accomplish his purpose, little does he care in which of his snares we are taken. Whether we, from the leaks in our bark, become discouraged and cease our efforts to weather the storm, or, through stupidity and indifference, sleep on our oars, or recklessly take the fatal leap, our doom is equally certain, and Satan's object as surely gained.

But why will we not arouse ourselves and shake off this lethargy? this death-like stupor which we are assured is from Satan? Our all is at stake. The plagues of God's wrath are soon to be poured out, either to be shared or shunned by us. Eternal life with all its glorious realities is either to be gained or lost, and how can we be contented without a daily evidence of our acceptance with God. The story will soon be told, our destiny forever and unalterably fixed, and although it is a fact as true as it is solemn, that many who now profess the truth are to fall by the way, yet none need be discouraged. The reason is plain. God has not changed. The plan of salvation remains the same. The same Saviour pleads our cause, and now, as ever, we are requested to forsake all and follow Christ. Now the question to be decided is, Will we do this? This question is easily answered in the affirmative, but in no better way can we determine the decision of our own heart than by noticing how we are getting along to-day. How are present trials and difficulties borne, present duties discharged? and are we willing now to make a sacrifice? Let us examine ourselves closely, and may God help us to make thorough work and to rejoice in hope of final victory.

JOHN Q. FOX.

Madison Co., N. Y.

EARNEST WORK.

By Vesta N. Cudworth

Am.—“We shall walk through the valley in peace.”

Earth’s legions gather for the fight, A conflict fierce and strong; Who’ll fearless stand for truth and right, And face the coming storm?

Cho.—We are almost through, but there’s work to do, For the willing and the brave; There’s a crown to win, a kingdom to gain, And a precious soul to save.

Shall error with unblushing face, With advocates appear; And boast their mighty conquests o’er Their blinded votaries here?