It will be news to those who have a clear understanding of the present truth, to learn that there are any very weak points in our system of belief. It will surprise them still more to learn what, by some, are considered our weak points. One who has been long connected with the Advent movement, but who has never believed many of the doctrines advanced in the Review, not long since remarked, "I consider that one of your weak points"—he was speaking of the three messages of Rev. xiv.
The three messages one of our weak points! But these messages are the very foundation, the life and power, of the work in which we are engaged—a work attended thus far with results over which, if it be truth, we have reason greatly to rejoice. And is it so, that the very foundation of our work is one of our weak points? Have we been building on weakness? Have we been all along fancying that we were strongest where we are weakest, and that that position was one of our citadels of strength, which can be most easily assailed? This is so, if the estimate which our opponents place upon this subject is correct. One of two conclusions, therefore, follows: either they have not sufficiently examined this portion of our belief, and are deceiving themselves in regarding it one of our weak points, or we are deceiving ourselves in regarding it as one of the clearest and best defined truths which we have to present. Let us see how this is.
We do not propose to enter into any extended argument on the application of the first, second, and third angels' messages, which already form the subject of an able pamphlet issued at this Office, but only to take a stand-point which all must acknowledge to be correct, and from that draw two or three inevitable conclusions. This will be sufficient to test the matter of our strength or weakness here; for if from any acknowledged or established premises, two or even one evident and necessary conclusion can be drawn, it forms a breastwork of truth, which all the hosts of error will never be able to scale or scatter.
1. First, then, it will be admitted that Rev. xiv, 6–14, brings to view a series of consecutive events—events which follow each other in order, and in close connection. We speak not now of the rest of the chapter, or of the book of Revelation, as a whole, which is composed of many distinct chains of events. This is enough for our present purpose, and surely there is no break in the order of events embraced in verses 6–14 of chap. xiv.
2. The royal personage seen, according to verse 14, upon the great white cloud, will be admitted by all to be a symbol of the Son of man, and to apply to him at the time of his second advent in the clouds of heaven. Here, then, we have a fixed and definite event, as a point from which to reason. The second coming of Christ is brought to view in verse 14. Here we take our stand. We now inquire for the events that immediately precede the appearance of the Saviour upon the white cloud. Going back in the record, which, as we have seen, is consecutive in the order of its events, we find that the last work that precedes the coming of Christ, is represented by an angel flying through the midst of heaven, with a message of mercy and warning to the inhabitants of earth. Examining still further, we find this to be the third of a series of angels, the second of which follows the first, and the third the second, in immediate connection. Hence we call the last, the third angel's message. Now, wherever the first angel's message commenced, or wherever that or the second applies, one fact will stand out clearly to the comprehension of all, and that is, that the third message reaches to the second coming of Christ; or as near to it as probation extends, and its warning can be applicable to the world. This conclusion is sustained by the testimony beyond the possibility of contradiction. We repeat it: The third angel's message, whatever it is, and wherever it commences, extends to the coming of Christ.
Let the reader now make an application of these facts. Adventists of all classes who object to our application of the messages, believe that the Lord is coming in a few years. We would ask them, then, this one question: Where is the third angel's message which goes forth previous to that event, and extends to it? If the Lord is very soon coming, as they claim, then it must be that a work symbolized by the third angel's message is being accomplished; for inspiration has put nothing into the prophecy by mistake, and nothing but what will be accurately fulfilled. But if they persist in denying that the third message is now going forth, they may at once cease preaching the coming of the Lord nigh at hand; for since such a message is to go forth previous to the coming of Christ, if that message is not yet being fulfilled, Christ's coming is thrown off into the indefinite and uncertain future. Can we come to any other conclusions? Verily not. If our opponents will endeavor to extricate themselves from this dilemma, they may find that what at first seemed like a weak point, turns out to be a position of invincible strength.
A word as to what is symbolized by the third message, may be in order. Inasmuch as these angels have the gospel to preach, and the preaching of the gospel, literally, is not done by angels, but is committed unto men, we believe it is conceded by all classes that these angels must symbolize a body of religious teachers. We are not standing on disputed territory, therefore, when we say that the third message must represent a body of religious teachers, going forth with the warning of that message, and proclaiming the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.
Is such a message being given? and by whom? As for the majority of those who profess the Advent faith, they spurn from them the essential features of the faith of Jesus, and believe that the commandments of God have either been abolished or changed. They are not therefore proclaiming the commandments of God and faith of Jesus. They certainly are not giving the third angel's message. But there is another class who are proclaiming these very things, and who claim to be fulfilling the prophecy.
But says an objector, the agents which fulfill prophecy do not know it at the time; and your claim that you are fulfilling the third message, would be an evidence to me, that you are not. In reply we deny the validity of the objection, simply referring as a conclusive refutation to the case of John the Baptist, who knew that he was fulfilling prophecy, and also what prophecy he was fulfilling.
Two conclusions here present themselves, one of which must be accepted by our opponents. They can take that which is most agreeable to their feelings: If Seventh-day Adventists are not giving the third angel's message, that message is not being given; and if it is not being given, the coming of Christ is postponed to an indefinite period.
Brethren, if the doctrine of the soon coming of the Saviour is not a weak point, neither is the message which immediately precedes and heralds that glorious event.
The Independent's Sunday Article.
By Editor
THE N. Y. Independent of Nov. 26, 1863, contains a lengthy article on Sunday, in answer to the question, how Sunday came to be observed as the Sabbath of Christendom. Solomon asks, "Is there anything whereof it may be said, See, this is new?" and we feel disposed to respond, Verily, nothing on the Sunday question.
The texts quoted by the Independent in favor of Sunday, most any reader of the Review could repeat by anticipation, from memory, if so disposed. We will, however, give them, so that they may all be visible to the naked eye: John xx, 19, 26; Acts ii, 1; xx, 7; 1 Cor. xvi, 2; Rev. i, 10. That is all, and even of these it is conceded that they "do not contain an express injunction;" but somehow they involve inherent strength sufficient to support the vast temple of Christendom's first-day Sabbath.
To supply the "express injunction," which the Scriptures lack, the following testimony is then brought in: The epistle of Barnabas, Ignatius to the Magnesians, Neander, Justin Martyr, Clement of Rome, Pliny, Tertullian, Clement of Alexandria, and the council of Laodicea. Include the testimony of these men, and the sacred volume is supposed to be complete! Do not Papists smile with scorn at such a course as this on the part of Protestants? If not, it certainly cannot be because they have not abundant occasion.
We only refer to this subject, however, to say to the readers of the Review, if any of them have seen the article under notice, that all the testimony here adduced is thoroughly discussed, and disposed of, in the History of the Sabbath, published at this Office. The texts of scripture quoted are all relieved from the unnatural and insupportable weight placed upon them; the epistle of Barnabas is shown to be a forgery, or as Mosheim expresses it, the "contemptible reverie of a wild and irregular genius;" Ignatius to the Magnesians is also shown to be spurious, or if not, that its testimony relative to the Sabbath is but a fraudulent interpolation; and the character and credulity of the other witnesses are set forth in their true light;—all on good and standard authority, with a reference to "chapter and verse" where the testimony may be found. If any are troubled on the Sabbath question, let them send for the History of the Sabbath, which is an end of all controversy on that subject.
"And I beheld," says John in the Revelation, "when he had opened the sixth seal, and lo there was a great earthquake." Rev. vi, 12. The opening of the sixth seal was marked by the great earthquake of Lisbon, in 1755. New facts of history concerning that terrible event are continually coming to light, which will be of interest to the student of prophecy. We find the following in the Scientific American of Dec. 12, 1863:
"On November 1, 1755, a terrific earthquake took place at Lisbon. In about eight minutes most of the houses, and upward of 50,000 inhabitants, were swallowed up, and whole streets buried. The cities of Coimbra, Oporto, and Braga, suffered dreadfully, and the town of St. Ubes was wholly overturned. Whilst some of the inhabitants ran affrightedly to pray in churches to the images of the Virgin or their patron saints, others, hard-hearted wretches, the denizens of jails, loosened from their captivity by the shock, perpetrated murders and unheard-of cruelties, and pillaged the wounded and frightened inhabitants. In Spain, a large part of Malaga was destroyed, and the area of destruction extended to Fez, in Morocco, one-half of which was thrown down, killing 10,000 Moors. Above half of the island of Madeira became waste; and even29the island of Myteline, in the Archipelago, suffered so much from the shock that 2,000 houses were thrown down. This awful earthquake extended 5,000 miles, even to Scotland. In England, various singular phenomena, unaccountable until the news of the earthquake arrived, were observed. The hot-well at Bristol became red as blood, and so thick and turbid that the water could not be drunk. Water in a common well turned as black as ink, and was unfit for use for a fortnight, and the tide of the river Avon turned back, contrary to its usual course. It was no wonder, therefore, that men's hearts failed them through fear, nor were the men of science able satisfactorily to account for the wonders which they beheld."
As the earth waxes old, it would be natural to expect that these spasms of nature would increase in frequency and power; a supposition of which the following facts would seem to afford some proof:
"In 1840, at Mount Ararat, 3137 houses were thrown down, and many hundreds of people perished; at Zante, in the same year, many were killed from the same cause; at Cape Haytien, St. Domingo, in 1842, two-thirds of the town were thrown down, and between 4,000 and 5,000 people killed. In 1857, in Calabria, Montemarro and other towns were destroyed, and it is said that 22,000 lives were lost in a few seconds; it is calculated that out of a population of six millions, the unfortunate kingdom of Naples lost in seventy-five years 111,000 inhabitants. Nearly the last great earthquake recorded is no later than March 20, 1861, when the city of Mendoza in South America was overthrown, two-thirds of it destroyed, and 7,000 lives were lost! There was also a terrible one in Manilla during last year."
The United States in Prophecy.
THE question whether the United States are a subject of prophecy, is forcing itself upon many minds at the present time. Apparently too powerful and important a nation to be overlooked in prophecy, people seem to conclude that it must be somewhere referred to. Hence every nook and corner of the prophecies is searched for some available testimony; and there is even no hesitation to wrest the scripture to this end if it cannot be accomplished without.
A correspondent of the Advocate and Journal comes out unblushingly with the absurd position that the Stone of Dan. ii, which smites the image upon the feet, symbolizes the United States! It was cut out of the mountain (Great Britain) without hands, and is to smite the image upon its feet, and become a great mountain and fill the whole earth! Then the millennium comes in, and peace and righteousness rule the world!
If people want the truth on this subject, why will they not go to Rev. xiii, where the prophecy comes in, in its easy and natural order? Why can they not see that verses 11-17, bring to view a most apparent and appropriate symbol of our government, as regards all the essential particulars of time, locality, manner of rise, character, acts, and end?
Adam, the Sinner, not to Live Forever.
By R. F. Cottrell
ADAM sinned; the sentence of death was immediately pronounced against him, and he was forthwith excluded from the tree of life, in execution of the penalty. Free access to this tree and partaking of its fruits, would cause him to live forever; so when this was taken from him, his life in effect was taken and the penalty executed; for death would certainly ensue.
"And the Lord God said, Behold the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil; and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever; therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. So he drove out the man; and placed at the east of the garden of Eden, cherubim, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life." Gen. iii, 22-24.
Life, in its most literal sense, is evidently intended in this passage. In a figurative sense it may signify happiness; but man had brought himself into an unhappy condition by his transgression, and with the view that life here means happiness, the cherubim and flaming sword were to prevent man forever from being happy. But God is willing that the sinner should turn and become happy, as is evident from the promise made concerning the seed of the woman before the sentence of death was passed upon our race. Some have thought that the tree of life is Christ; but all are invited to come to Christ for life and happiness. No cherubim and flaming sword guard the way to Christ, lest sinners should come to him for pardon, life and happiness.
Man was excluded from the tree of life that he might not live forever—that he might die. He had sinned against God by partaking of the interdicted tree—the tree of knowledge of good and evil; and now, "lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life," he is driven away and excluded, and his approach made impossible. Thus the life which was given to our race in Adam is taken away, being forfeited by disobedience, it is utterly lost. And this though terrible is still merciful. To become immortal in sin, would be the greatest curse. This we cannot do. We cannot regain the life which was forfeited by sin. We should not desire it. But, thank God! life and immortality are brought to light through the gospel; and all are invited to come to Him who is the resurrection and the life. As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order. "They that are Christ's at his coming." He gives to his sheep eternal life and they shall never perish—they shall not be hurt of the second death. Such are some of the precious promises to those only who are Christ's.
The tree of life is taken from man, because he is a sinner, lest he should become immortal in sin. But he is invited to come to Christ that his sins may be removed. When this is done, he is not yet immortal, he has eternal life in prospect—lays hold of it by faith. He now feeds upon Christ by faith; but is not yet restored to the tree of life. He must fight the good fight, and be a final overcomer; then Christ will restore to him the tree of life. "To him that overcometh," says Jesus, "will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God." Again, "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life."
Though man has sinned, and been excluded from the tree of life, there is a way to regain it; the overcomer shall yet eat of its fruit. Our race are shut away from it, lest we should eat and live forever. Those then to whom our blessed Saviour shall give to eat of this tree, will doubtless live forever. But what of those who do not believe; who do not overcome; who do not gain access to the tree of life? Will they live just as long?
It is asserted that every human soul is destined to live as long as God exists. If this is so, why have a portion of our race the promise of being restored to that tree from which man was excluded, lest he should live forever?
R. F. Cottrell.
Pointed Paragraphs.
WE may set it down as an axiom, that disrespect to others is incompatible with self-respect, and he who is indifferent with their feelings can have none but indifferent feelings of his own. The bitter word is not the strong word. The greatest vigor of thought or act is not violent; it breaks no law of courtesy. The lightning is silent and playful—it is the rent and wounded air that wails in thunder.
OBEDIENCE AND FAITH.—There are some who pretend to believe, but work not; there are others who work, but believe not; but a saint does both; he so obeys the law as if there were no gospel to be believed, and believes the gospel as if there were no law to be obeyed.
IF you want to love God, you must love your brother also, and that, too, even if you happen to know more than he does; or even if by some marvelous chance he should happen to know more than you do! Don't knock his lantern to atoms because it gives more or less light than yours.
THERE is a world of beautiful meaning in the following rather liberal translation from Freeville:
'As the clock strikes the hour, how often we say, Time flies; when 'tis we that are passing away.'
DANGEROUS PLEASURES.—I have sat upon the sea-shore and waited for its gradual approaches, and have30seen its dancing waves and white surf, and admired that he who measured it with his hand had given to it such life and motion; and I have lingered till its gentle waters grew into mighty billows, and had well-nigh swept me from my firmest footing. So have I seen a heedless youth gazing with a too curious spirit upon the sweet motions and gentle approaches of inviting pleasure, till it has detained his eye and imprisoned his feet, and swelled upon his soul, and swept him to a swift destruction.—Basil Montague.
THE ARAB'S PROOF.—Some years ago a Frenchman, who, like many of his countrymen, had won a high rank among men of science, yet who denied the God who is the author of all science, was crossing the great Sahara in company with an Arab guide. He noticed with a sneer, that at certain times his guide, whatever obstacles might arise, put them all aside, and kneeling on the burning sands, called on his God. Day after day passed, and still the Arab never failed, till at last one evening the philosopher, when he rose from his knees, asked him, with a contemptuous smile, “How do you know there is a God?” The guide fixed his burning eye on the scoffer for a moment in wonder, and then said, solemnly, “How do I know there is a God? How did I know that a man, and not a camel, passed my hut last night in the darkness? Was it not by the print of his foot in the sand? Even so,” and he pointed to the sun, whose last rays were flashing over the lonely desert, “THAT footprint is not that of man.”
Russian Preparation for War.
GEN. TODLEBEN is superintending the works for strengthening Cronstadt, and barring the approach to the Neva. In one channel leading to the back of Cronstadt, about 300 lighters laden with stones have been sunk, so that now in no part is there more than 4 feet of water. In another channel 300 infernal machines are to be laid, each of which will contain 7 pounds of powder, and explode by a slight touch of a vessel passing over. On the main island of Cronstadt several large earthworks are being thrown up. Some of these earthworks are to be covered with 7½ inch plates, placed on an angle of 45°, and curved over the top so as to form a cover. Another means of defense consists of a submarine boat of colossal dimensions, in the construction of which about 200 tuns of iron and steel are to be used. It is to have engines worked by compressed air, to have a very strong beak, with provision for attaching large cylinders charged with powder to the bottoms of vessels to be fired by electricity.
The parties navigating the vessel will see what they are doing by means of bull's eyes, and they will regulate the depth at which they swim, keeping quite close to the surface. By the 1st of June, 1864, the Marine Department confidently expects to have at Cronstadt 16 iron-clad vessels, and they consider these a very poor fleet for such a Power as Russia. Enormous exertions are being used to obtain the requisite quantity of guns, with suitable ammunition, for all the forts, earthworks, and ships, and it will perhaps be found that the Russians have really got ahead of England in guns, and shot-guns are now being produced in about a dozen factories, working day and night. and in a few days another Elswick will commence. Its production will be solid cast-steel guns, from the 6-pounder to the 11-inch gun, which latter is to fire a 500-pound shell.
To provide the necessary shot and shell to their guns, all the founderies around St. Petersburg have orders varying from 15,000 to 50,000 each. All the shot and shell from 12-pounders upward are for field-guns. Round hammered-steel shot are also being prepared to suit the naval 60-pound gun. One firm alone has on hand 30,000 of these. Land-artillery forces are also adopting the steel guns for their service. In anticipation of war and the supplies of armor-plates being stopped, two forges are erecting, capable of making 10,000 or 12,000 tuns of armor-plates per year. Large supplies of saltpeter have been purchased during the summer, and the powder-works have been extended, and are working night and day. Flour has been very largely bought for delivery in February, and for those places to which the ordinary route is by water in spring extra prices are being paid for winter delivery. Two years' supply of coal has been provided for the fleet.
Report from Bro. Snook.
By B. F. Snook
It has been some time since I have reported my labors through the Review. My delay has been occasioned by circumstances that I could not control; and laboring under such, have had but little to report. I have spent considerable time at home, some on account of sickness, and some in preparing for the comfort of my family while I am in the field during the winter.
I began lectures in Clarence, Cedar Co., Iowa, Oct. 27, and labored till the 30th, when Bro. Brinkerhoff joined me, and we both labored together till the close of the meetings. We were often interrupted by rain and snow, so that our meeting was nearly a failure. But enough has been done to more than pay for the labor of the meeting. Two decided to keep the commandments, and a number of others are convinced, and we hope will yet come out.
We labored under some discouragement occasioned by some who profess the truth in that vicinity not taking any vital interest—not so much as unbelievers. There is a great responsibility resting on such brethren. They stand as representatives of the truth, and it is condemned on account of their slackness and unfaithfulness. I find that the hardest places to succeed with these truths, is in communities where such unholy influences are exerted by professed brethren. They have a burden for everybody but themselves. They are all right. They do not need the benefits of the meetings, and can stay at home the most of the time, and let their unconverted neighbors go. It is poor encouragement to the outsider to inform him that such a brotherhood will be his if he embraces the truth. We hope these things will not be so longer. In many places the truth is crucified in the house of its friends. It now cries for mercy, but soon it will cry for vengeance. Let all brethren who want labor in their neighborhood see that they live so that their lives will be a good recommendation to the truth.
We hope for good results from our labors in Clarence, though every circumstance was against us. We are now ready to enter into active labor among our churches. Bro. Brinkerhoff will visit the churches north, and I will visit the brethren south. May God bless, and give great success to our weak efforts to advance his cause.
B. F. Snook.
Love for God’s Precepts
HE that has no love to God's precepts, will find there is something radically wrong in his religion.
Letters.
“Then they that feared the Lord, spake often one to another.”
This department of the paper is designed for the brethren and sisters to freely and fully communicate with each other respecting their hopes and determinations, conflicts and victories, attainments and desires, in the heavenly journey. Then they, says the prophet, that feared the Lord spake often one to another. We believe emphatically that we are living in that time. Therefore seek first a living experience and then record it, carefully and prayerfully, for the comfort and encouragement of the other members of the household of faith. Let this department be well filled with lively testimonies of the goodness of God, and the value of his truth.
From Sister Weaver.
BRO. WHITE : It cheers my heart to hear from brethren and sisters of like precious faith. I feel more determined than ever to try to be an overcomer and meet God’s chosen ones on mount Zion. I do not want to bury my talent. I want to work for the Lord. We are commanded to let our light shine; and I believe if we are Christians we shall. The religion of Jesus Christ will be our theme. I want to be an instrument in the hands of God of leading souls to Christ. My prayer is, O Lord, make duty plain, that I err not. I think it but a little while before our sorrows here shall cease; a little while before we shall behold the glories of Heaven, and have no more sadness to mar our peace; a little while before we shall be where lasting glory reigns, where storms and tempests will be o’er; a little while before we shall enter into that rest prepared for the people of God. What a great privilege to be a child of God! I think religion is worth giving up all else for. We have a hundred-fold in this life, and in the world to come, life everlasting. Glorious thought! If faithful a little longer, we shall reap our reward, and come off conquerors through him who hath loved us, and gave his life a ransom for us.
Yours in hope of eternal life.
CORDELIA WEAVER.
Cambridge, Niag. Co., N. Y.
From Sister Wakeling.
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: Thinking that it might be interesting to the friends of truth to hear the testimony of some of those who have lately started in the narrow way that leads to life, here in Memphis, I thought I would try to communicate a few facts for publication.
The cause of truth is being built up. In our meeting this evening, all of the brethren and sisters seemed to be striving for the same blessing, to have God's Holy Spirit, to guide us into the perfect knowledge of the truth as expressed in the word of God. We are anxiously looking forward to the happy time when the remnant shall stand with the Redeemer on the mount Zion, to sing the glad song of Moses and the Lamb. We feel thankful to the Lord for having permitted us to hear the last solemn warnings of the third angel's message, that the last gathering call has been sounded in our ears. There has been a great and good work done here; and, praise the Lord! we believe the work is still going on. The dear children and youth are becoming interested, and some have announced their determination to go with their parents to mount Zion. Oh, may the messengers of this truth be encouraged to go on and labor with renewed zeal in the great work.
Dear brethren, pray for the cause in Memphis, that we may all come off victorious through the blood of the Lamb.
Yours in the love of the truth.
SARAH J. WAKELING.
Memphis, Mich.
The Resurrection.
By J. D. Morton
THERE is no doctrine more clearly taught in the word of God than that man shall have a literal resurrection from the dead. Says Paul, 1 Cor. xv, 22, For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. Old men, little children, and the middle aged, alike have to "bow to sceptered Death." And the same will come up again when the trump shall sound to wake the sleeping dead.
It is believed by many that there is no need of a literal resurrection from the dead; that when a man dies, he at once leaves this cumbrous clay, and soars above and there lives on amidst the shouts and songs of the happy throng in heaven. Could we believe this, we too would respond, There is no need of a literal resurrection from the dead.
But hear the apostle still further: Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead then is Christ not risen.1 Cor. xv, 12, 13. The apostle not only teaches by this that Christ rose from the dead, but that we must have a resurrection through him, and without this, we have no hope of the future.
The apostle further says: For if the dead rise not, then is Christ not raised. And if Christ be not raised, then your faith is vain: ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.1 Cor. xv, 16-18. This is the apostle's great cleaver. This must carry death to the popular theology of the day, that man enters upon his reward at death.
"So man lieth down and riseth not: till the heavens be no more they shall not awake nor be raised out of their sleep. Oh that thou wouldest hide me in the grave, that thou wouldest keep me secret until thy wrath be past; that thou wouldest appoint me a set time and remember me." Job xiv, 12, 13. Job looked forward unto the resurrection, and understood that man was to rest in the grave until that time. And while meditating on the time of trouble and the wrath of God as it is to be poured out on this guilty world, it is not strange that he should break out in the language we have just quoted: "Oh that thou wouldest hide me in the grave."
In the following verse Job asks the question, If a man die shall he live again? then proceeds to answer it in the following language: Thou shalt call, and I will answer thee. Job, with all the righteous from Abel down to the advent of our Lord, will answer this call by coming forth from their dusty beds when the trump of God shall sound.
But it is urged that it would be impossible for man to have a literal resurrection of the body; for, says the objector, how can God gather together the different particles of dust that have been scattered apart for thousands of miles? To such we would say in the language of our Lord, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the Scriptures neither the power of God.Mark xii, 24. Again, is it necessary that the same identical dust should be brought together to constitute the same person? May not the resurrection mean the same organism re-animated and brought to consciousness and life again? Those who have been partakers of the divine nature, and have sought immortality through Christ, will be raised incorruptible, and have eternal life; while the wicked will come up mortal, and therefore subject to the second death.
"But some men will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?" Paul illustrates this by the seed we sow or plant. The seed sown moulders to dust; and in due time behold a resurrection of that grain. Not the same identical body sown, but one like unto it; as the apostle has said, God giveth it a body as it has pleased him, and to every seed his own body.1 Cor. xv, 35, 38.
Are we not living near this solemn time to which apostles and prophets have looked with the deepest interest? We believe it; and it brings hope and light to God's people. It unfolds the future and removes the gloom and darkness that must otherwise have hung over the fallen race of man, and points to joys far brighter than this dark world can give, and bids us all prepare to meet our God.
Through the cares and vexations of life,
Through sickness, and sorrow, and pain,
Through the valley and shadow of death,
Our stay and our staff shall remain;
O! Lord, our soul waits for thee,
Our help and our shield thou shalt be.
And when our frail bark shall be cast,
By tempests and storms, ever near,
'Gainst the breakers which cumber life's stream,
Look aloft, and through faith, never fear;
O Lord, our soul waits for thee,
Our help and our shield thou shalt be!
Should sunshine, at times, gild the way
With glitterings which only allure,
And tempt us to sleep 'neath its rays,
We will look to the refuge secure;
O Lord, our soul waits for thee,
Our help and our shield thou shalt be!
Oh! 'tis sweet thus to know we may lean
On an arm that is able to save,
Secure, if we trust, from all harm,
From the cradle e'en down to the grave;
O Lord, our soul waits for thee,
Our help and our shield thou shalt be!
The Standard.
By S. Elmer
THERE'S many a creed in these last days
To which men pin their faith;
But this should be our care, to know
What inspiration saith.
To follow God's unerring word,
Which is the rule of right,
And strive to live so as to make,
His service our delight.
The word lights up the pilgrim's way;
It makes the simple wise,
To learn by it our duty now;
In this the secret lies.
And turning to the sacred chart
We find the precepts ten,
Are each most holy, just and good,
And binding still on men.
For at the first the Law was made,
Unalterably sure,
And so we read that these commands,
Forever shall endure.
The law convinces us of sin,
And teaches what is right;
Blessed are they who meditate,
And in it take delight;
For they will find an entrance through
Those gates of pearl so fair;
While those who disobey are left
Where dogs an sorcerers are.
The faith of Jesus, too, we need,
That we may watchful keep,
Lest he should, coming suddenly,
Find all of us asleep.
For by the signs we all may know
The time is drawing near,
When coming in the clouds of heaven,
Our Saviour will appear.
And those who would be found of him
Blameless without a spot,
Must have the robe of righteousness
Which our dear Lord hath wrought.
Then he will say, "Ye blessed, come;"
And we shall ever be,
Free from all sorrow, care and pain,
Through all eternity.
S. ELMER.
Ashfield, Mass.
Ancient Christian Zeal
ANCIENT CHRISTIAN ZEAL.—Good old Chrysostom, in his epistle to Cyriacus, said:
“Should the Empress determine to banish me, let her banish me; ‘the earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof.’ If she will cast me into the sea, let her cast me into the sea; I will remember Jonah. If she will throw me into a burning fiery furnace, the three children were cast there before me. If she will throw me to the wild beasts; I will remember that Daniel was in the den of lions. If she will condemn me to be stoned; I shall be the associate of Stephen, the protomartyr. If she will have me beheaded; the Baptist has submitted to the same punishment.”
Keeping God’s Commandments
Sister E. H. Higley writes from Lapeer, Mich. I am striving to keep the commandments of God, and have faith that Christ died for me, to atone for my sins. Oh that God would give me wisdom, and direct me, that I may ever be found in the path that leads to the kingdom—in that way cast up for his ransomed to walk in. I find more and more difficulties attending keeping the commandments every day and were it not for the help of the Bible aided by the Review I should despair; but I yield all to the Lord and pray him to keep me in the way I should go.
Obituary Notices.
DIED in Allegan, Allegan Co., Mich., after a distressing sickness of three weeks, Mary, wife of Bro. Thomas McDowell, aged 36 years.
Sister McDowell commenced keeping the Sabbath about five years ago. She was baptized by Bro. James White, and united with the church in Monterey at the time it was organized, some two years since, and continued in full fellowship with said church until her death. Our hope is that she sleeps in Jesus.
The court-house was well filled on Sunday with sympathizing brethren and friends, who listened attentively to the subject of the resurrection of the just at the second coming of Christ, founded on the words in Job xiv, 14. JOSEPH BATES.
Died of consumption, in Fairfield, Vt., Oct. 26, 1863, sister Alia Herrick, youngest daughter of Leander and Sapho Herrick, aged 18 years.
We visited her several times during her sickness, and found her resigned to the will of God. She spoke calmly of death, and said that her sleep would be short, and that her hope was in the resurrection of the just. She manifested much interest for the salvation of her unconverted relatives and friends, and urged the necessity of obeying the present truth, which she loved. A few moments before her death she collected her strength, called the members of the family around her, and exhorted them to obey the third angel's message. She also left messages for absent relatives, encouraging them to keep the commandments. Agreeably to her request the funeral sermon was preached by the writer from Rev. xiv, 13. “And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth; yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them.”
“She hath passed death's chilling billow,
And gone to rest;
Jesus smoothed her dying pillow—
Her slumbers blest.
“When the morn of glory, breaking,
Shall light the tomb,
Beautiful will be her waking,
In fadeless bloom.
“Where no wintry winds are blowing,
No burial train,
Crowned with gems celestial, glowing,
We'll meet again.”
D. T. BOURDEAU.
Died of consumption, in Groveland, Ills., May, 4, 1863, my sister, Marinda Cole, wife of Bro. James W. Cole, aged 24 years and 11 months.
She suffered much for about eight months. She leaves a husband and one child to mourn her loss. Sister Cole embraced the truth about ten years ago in Locke, Mich., under the labors of Bro. Cornell. About four years ago she removed to Illinois, and united with the church in Princeville, where she remained a faithful member until her death. T. T. BROWN.
Died of inflammation on the lungs, Nov. 24, 1863, in Allentown, Pa., whither he had gone on a visit, Isaac Clater, of Marshall, Mich., aged 72 years.
He had commenced anew to keep the Sabbath of the Lord. A sermon was preached in the Episcopal church from the words, The Lord is at hand. A very numerous company of relatives and friends were present.
AMANDA M. CLATER.