THERE is, in the work of our salvation, a choosing, on both sides. And if God is ready and willing to choose us to salvation, it is of vast importance that we hasten and delay not, to make the choice on our part: "Choose ye this day whom ye will serve." Joshua could make a choice, and his God chose him. See Josh. xxiv, 14, 15, 22.
O how wonderful and full of comfort are the words of the Apostle in the concluding part of that striking prophecy of the present time, in 2 Thess. ii, 13. "But we are bound to give thanks to God always, for you, brethren, beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation, through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth." The loving Saviour that said of Mary, "She hath chosen that good part that shall not be taken away from her," died for us that we might have pardon, peace, and heaven; will we accept of these with all our heart?
"God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have everlasting life." O wondrous love! This life is in Jesus. If we choose him for our portion, all is ours. See 1 Cor. iii, 21, 22.
Say, dear reader, have you chosen the way of life? What is your decision? Perhaps you know that you are yet undecided, and that your condition is an unsafe one. Or it may be that you scarcely know how the matter stands with you. If so, wake up, lose not a moment's time, examine yourself by a few plain rules, and be no longer "double-minded." "For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord."
1. They who willingly neglect from day to day their salvation, are most surely in the way to death. Sin is the transgression of the law, and he that committeth sin is of the devil. Look over the list, and see.
2. The devil is very willing to keep himself out of sight of those whom he is deceiving. Therefore the first motions of sin should be watched with great fear, "lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled." See the Saviour's definition of sin in Matt. v. Now if you willingly yield to these inward motions of the violation of the law, be assured that your case is not a safe one. Are you thoughtful and careful about this world, and thoughtless about the next? Beware! beware!
3. Those who have chosen Christ, and do not neglect their salvation, have been made to see the sinfulness of sin, and have been led to true repentance. They have seen Jesus crucified for them—put to an open shame; and they prefer him to the whole world. "To you who believe, he is precious."
4. Their affections are on heavenly things. The world is only secondary, and valued only as it subserves the work of God, over and above their daily bread, for which they daily pray, and are thankful.
5. They manifest their faith by lives of holiness, by watching and prayer. They resist sin in all its forms. They have a sensible knowledge of a change of heart in the things pertaining to God and their souls.
Lastly, if in none of these signs you are able to determine your case, I beseech you to be reconciled to God. I earnestly entreat you to choose the way of life. Now is your choosing time. Many years you have not got. Soon the time of trouble such as never was will be upon us." See Dan. xii, 1. Probation's hour is almost closed; then mercy, sweet mercy will be no more. If you ever intend to "choose the good part that shall not be taken from you," do it now, without delay. JESSE DORCAS.
Fremont, Ohio.
THE LATTER RAIN.
By Mrs. R. Smith
We may look for a Pentecost season to dawn
When the saints through the purifying process have gone,
When Jesus' loved image in them we can trace,
Reflecting the glory of full sovereign grace.
Who then will not wish when this glory they see
To join in the song, Hallelujah, we're free!
Yea, free in the Lord, while our voices we raise
In victory's songs and hosannas of praise.
The true melting Spirit is felt from the Lord,
And light and instruction shine out from his word.
God's power is made known and his glory displayed,
While scoffers will feel that they need heaven's aid.
Who here long can stand with his sins unconfessed?
May all be searched out, and God's people be blessed.
Confess ye your faults, and thus honor your King,
And into his store-house your offerings bring.
'Tis a cross-bearing way by which heaven's obtained,
In humility's vale is the victory gained.
True love there prevails; and our sins are forgiven,
While union and strength mark the pilgrims for heaven.
MRS. R. SMITH.
West Wilton, N. H.
MARY HARLOW
By Mary Harlow
From Sister Harlow.
Bro. Smith : The Third Angel's Message seems to have some little effect upon the hearts of the people in this town. There are many that profess to love the Lord, but do not love to hear of his soon coming, or of the Commandments of God; this proves that their hearts are not right with God, but that they have walked after the imagination of their own heart, and after Baalam which their fathers taught them. Jer. ix, 14.
There has been quite a revival the past Summer in this place, but the words of the Lord spoken by the mouth of the Prophet have proved it to be a deceptive work. "They have begotten strange children : now shall a month devour them with their portions." Hos. v, 7. Two here have embraced the Third Angel's Message without hearing a sermon, for which we praise the Lord.
MARY HARLOW
Rubicon, Wis., Nov. 16th, 1857.
Letters of Encouragement and Faith
Bro. R. S. Bennett writes from North Brookfield, N. Y.: "I am thankful that I have ever found the Advent people who are looking for the coming of Jesus, and seeking to be prepared for the solemn events which are soon to take place. I am striving to take heed to the counsel that has been given to the Laodiceans, and think that I feel something of the importance of awaking unto righteousness and sinning not. The little church in this place are striving to arise in the strength of the Lord, and think that they feel a willingness to forsake all, that they may obtain a better and enduring substance. We have meetings here three times a week, and the Lord meets with us and strengthens us. We are determined to be faithful until we see the Son of man on the white cloud, and all the holy angels with him."
Sister Matilda Streeter writes from Pulaski, N. Y., Oct. 18th, 1857: "The Review has ever been a welcome visitor to me. When wearied with the toils of this life, and lonely and sad, I read the paper and find consolation and instruction, and I prize it next to my Bible. I believe the message to the Laodiceans was sent in the right time, and I have tried to give heed to it. Truly the Lord has been my helper; he is my shield and buckler, and I will put my trust in him. If I ever felt the need of watching and praying, I do now. Well might our blessed Saviour compare his disciples to lambs among wolves. I feel very lonely here. There is not one that keeps the seventh-day Sabbath, but myself and children. I have not heard a sermon preached for over two years. I feel discouraged and cast down at times, yet my Saviour has said, 'My grace is sufficient for thee.'"
"I want the brethren and sisters to call and see me if they can. I live in Pulaski, three miles from Richland Station. Bro. White's advice to parents and children was what I needed, and I want to profit by it."
Extracts from Letters.
SISTER B. E. Place writes from Oswego, N. Y., Nov. 12th, 1857: "I would say that I am striving for the faith once delivered to the saints. As I look back upon my past life, I see so much imperfection, and folly, and ignorance, it causes me to blush and cry unto the Lord for mercy and forgiveness; and when I realize how good the Lord has been unto me amid all my short-comings, that he has not cut me off as a cumberer of the ground, I feel to exclaim, How good is the Lord! and still hope in his mercy. I want to get low at the feet of my Redeemer, and learn of him who is meek and lowly in heart. I am trying to follow the admonition of that aged saint, to first deny self and then take up the cross and follow Christ.
"As there is but one in this place (five miles west of Oswego,) excepting myself that keeps the Sabbath I should sometimes feel a little lonely on that day, were it not that I remember the life of my Saviour when here, the garden, the crown of thorns and the cross. I remember also that there are some who have literally forsaken houses, lands and friends, and are trying to do the will of the Lord, not having any certain dwelling place, and that if I would reign with Christ, I must be willing to suffer with him. O I feel sorry that I have ever murmured or complained in the least of my lot in this life. The Lord forgive me, is my prayer, and grant me wisdom, patience, meekness, and a truly humble heart."
OBITUARY.
By Joseph Bates
DIED in Mattawan, Kalamazoo Co., Mich., Nov. 24th, 1857 Benjamin Allen, aged sixty-two years. In 1852 he embraced the Third Angel's Message, and commenced keeping the Sabbath of the Lord our God with others in Waterloo, Jackson Co., Mich. His friends suppose that he died of a Typhoid fever which attacked him soon after taking a sudden cold, and deprived him of life in about one week from a state of full strength and health. His brother and son removed his remains to Verona, Mich., at which place we were called to attend his funeral this afternoon.
Our prayer is that this sudden bereavement may be sanctified by the Father of all mercies to his afflicted family of children which are living in different States of the Union. JOSEPH BATES.
Battle Creek, Mich., Nov. 28th, 1857.
Three Sabbathkeepers in Brookfield
Sister L. N. Buzzell writes from Brookfield, Vt.: "I am striving to keep the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus. I praise the Lord for what I have felt in my poor heart the past week, of his goodness. I want to heed the faithful and true Witness, and buy the tried gold, the white raiment, and anoint my eyes with eye-salve that I may see. I like to read the letters in the Review from the brethren and sisters, and I think they like to hear from the lone ones that are trying to live so as to meet all God's dear children on Mount Zion.
"There are three of us here in Brookfield, who are trying to keep the Commandments. We meet every Sabbath, and I think we have the presence of the Fourth to grace our meeting. May we always have it, is the prayer of your unworthy sister striving to overcome."
Pressing Onward Toward Eternal Rest
Sister L. W. Adams writes from Northfield, Vt., Nov. 19th, 1857: "I feel encouraged many times in reading the precious truths, and the letters from the dear brethren and sisters in the Review, and I mean to try and press my way onward and upward towards the port of endless rest. I know we have a great deal before us, but if our trust is in the living God, he will carry us safely through. I feel poor and needy, and the weakest of the weak, but I am determined by the grace of God to follow on to know him, whom to know aright is life eternal. I believe that God is, and will still be with his faithful few."
A Lone Sabbathkeeper's Trials
Sister M. Jackson writes from Conway, Mich., Nov. 15th, 1857: "I have none to help me in the cause of present truth, as there is no one that keeps the Sabbath except myself. I have tried to keep it as well as I could for five years. My husband and some of my neighbors started with me, but they have gone back to the world again; but I feel determined to keep God's commandments forever. Pray for me that my faith fail not. I have many trials and hindrances, but I know the Lord is sufficient, if I put my trust in him, to bear me up.
"I think if we could have a meeting here there would be some that would come out and keep the Sabbath. We have a large, new school-house, and I wish we might have a meeting of God's people in it next Spring, if not before."
God's Grace Through Deep Trials
F. Cooper writes from Bath, N. Y., Nov. 8th, 1857:
"It is through the tender mercies of God that I still live and have a being. The Lord has been bringing me through deep trials of late, but the promise, 'My grace is sufficient for thee,' I found sure. The truth is dearer to me every day. My desire is to heed the counsel of the true Witness, and I mean by the grace of God to overcome and get through into his kingdom."
Heeding the Laodicean Message
Bro. L. Bean writes from South Hardwick, Vt., Nov. 14th, 1857: “I think the time has come for us to fully heed the message to the Laodiceans, let it have its full weight and bearing on our minds, and so deeply affect our hearts and lives, that it will be seen in all our actions and moves, which will declare plainly to all that behold us, that we are seeking a better inheritance than this earth can afford.”
APPOINTMENTS.
By Editor
THERE will be a Conference at Sutton, Vt., in the vicinity of Bro. Stephen Willey's, to commence Sixth-day, Dec. 18th, at 1 o'clock, and continue over First-day.
E. L. BARR.
Providence permitting, there will be a Conference at Bristol, Vt., to commence Dec. 26th, and continue over First-day, and longer if thought best. The meeting will be held at my house. Brn. Smith and Barr will attend. We hope to see Bro. Pierce at this meeting. Brethren in and out of the State are invited to attend.
In behalf of the Church. HENRY GARDNER.
☞ The P. O. Address of A. S. Hutchins is Parma, Mich.
F. Wheeler.—The V for J. W. is received.
"Thou art With Me."
By A. S. Hutchins
In the psalm from which we have selected these words David expresses his firm and unshaken confidence in the protecting care of the Lord. "The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." Ps. xxiii, 1, 2, 4.
And why should we not trust fully in the Lord? For "the good Shepherd giveth his life for the sheep." And if we confide in him and follow in his footsteps, he will withhold no good thing. "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
God has manifested his love to us in the most convincing manner, in giving his Son to die for us. And with the Apostle we may ask, "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" Rom. viii, 32.
"Thou art with me." O, cheering thought! O, blessed reflection! This consideration has sustained the people of God in the flood, in the Red Sea, in the fiery furnace, and the lions' den; and in stripes, in imprisonments, and in deaths oft; and amidst perils of waters, perils of robbers, perils of the heathen, perils in the wilderness, perils in the sea, and perils among false brethren.
In view of this buoyant reflection, the martyrs were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword; they wandered about in sheep-skins, and goat-skins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented. They wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
A time of trouble is just before us, when we shall greatly desire the presence of the Lord. Yea, when we must have it or fall amidst the plagues and lose eternal life.
Says David, "One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me: he shall set me up upon a rock." Ps. xxvii, 4, 5.
And again, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be troubled; though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah." Ps. xlvi, 1, 2.
But if we would feel this abiding confidence in God, we must walk in the light of all the present truth. It is not enough to be numbered with the remnant, we must have a living and deep experience in the work of the Lord; which we may have if we heed the counsel to the Laodiceans. Then may we confidently say of the great Head of the church, in every trial and conflict, "I will fear no evil; for thou art with me."
A. S. HUTCHINS.
Battle Creek, Nov. 26th, 1857.
Uzziah, King of Judah
By Joseph Clarke
Was the tenth sovereign in succession from Rehoboam, and from the secession of the ten tribes, and in the life and history of Uzziah, are three things, worthy of our studious attention.
The first is found comprised in 2 Chron. xxvi, 5, "And as long as he sought the Lord, God made him to prosper," and to verse 16 is a glowing account of his success, both in the arts of war and of peace. "And his name spread far abroad; for he was marvelously helped, till he was strong." His power and fame spread far abroad. His wealth was abundant. What could he wish more? Why was not ambition sated?
The second part in the life of Uzziah, is his pride, the bane of his prosperity. "But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction." Verse 16. Thus far all had been prosperity, and wealth, and power, and popularity; these begat pride. Now, O Uzziah! thy pride shall be thy destruction. For as he went into the temple to burn incense, vanity and proud ambition impelling him, and the priests of the Lord's house resisting him, we now come to the third and final act of Uzziah, in verse 19, and the sequel. "Then Uzziah was wroth, and had a censer in his hand, to burn incense, and while he was wroth with the priests, the leprosy rose up in his forehead; and they thrust him out, yea himself hastened to go out, because the Lord had smitten him," and for the rest of his life he dwelt in a house by himself, being a leper. Oh, could we see the dire effects of pride upon our race, how humble we should be, how lowly, and meek. O Lord, help us to learn from this example.
JOSEPH CLARKE.
Receipts.
By Editor
Annexed to each receipt in the following list, is the Volume and Number of the 'Review and Herald' to which the money receipted pays. If money for the paper is not in due time acknowledged, immediate notice of the omission should then be given.
FOR REVIEW AND HERALD.
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Books for Sale at this Office.
By Editor
Hymns for those who keep the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus. This Book contains 352 Pages, 430 Hymns, and 76 pieces of Music. Price, 60 cents.—In Morocco, 65 cents.
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Churches and State Power
By R. F. C.
Those brethren who desire to reform and regulate the political matters of the Two-horned Beast, will do well to consider well the selection in another part of this paper, headed, "Rocks and Shoals." If the Papal Church, by her illicit connection with the kings of the earth, became the Mother of Harlots, do not all churches who follow her example, by attempting to control the affairs, or seeking the protection of the State, prove themselves genuine daughters of the mother? R. F. C.
What Will?
If the preaching and the works of Noah would not move the antediluvians to prepare for a coming flood, we know not what would. If the solicitations of Lot could not affect the obdurate hearts of his sons-in-law, we know not what would. If the fulfillment of prophecy, and the Spirit and power that attended the earthly ministration of the Saviour, would not remove the vail from the darkened mind of the Jews, and lead them to acknowledge the Messiah, and avert a threatened and miserable destruction, we know not what would.
So now: If the alarming spread of immorality and infidelity, will not dispel the idle dream of a world's conversion, and awaken in the minds of men, forebodings of coming evil, what will?
If signs in the sun, moon and stars, and upon the earth distress of nations with perplexity, as foretold by the Saviour, will not lead men to seek further instruction from his lips concerning this world's future, what will?
If the many chains of prophecy given to enlighten earth's children in regard to the close of the probationary and the commencement of the eternal state, which cannot possibly be extenuated beyond this generation, will not convince men that time's last sands are falling, what will?
If the fact that the last of three warning messages to precede the coming of the Son of man, is now going forth, will not lead people to an earnest and speedy preparation, what will?
If the view of our great High Priest performing his last work for men in the tabernacle above, will not lead to a thorough confession and forsaking of sin, what will?
If the threat to be utterly rejected by the Saviour as a nauseous and loathsome thing unless we speedily repent, will not move us to that repentance, what will?
If the figure of our Saviour standing without and knocking for admittance, will not melt our hearts in tenderness—will not enlist our utmost sympathy, and make us haste to give him an unreserved, an unlimited welcome, what will?
If in reply to any of these questions, you cannot tell what will, then know that they are final considerations; and we have no right to expect that more or stronger inducements will be placed before us to move us to action. And if we are not affected by any of these things—what then!