If our heavenly Father had seen it to be better for us that we should be exempt, in a great measure, from the trials now incident to life, he could, doubtless, as easily have so provided for us. Aside from his declaration, and the recorded testimony of good men, we see in what way the afflictions of God's people yield, in rich clusters, the peaceable fruits of righteousness. "It is good for me that I have been afflicted," has been the sincere conviction of thousands who have uttered their groanings, as well as their gratitude, in the language of the singer of Israel. The bruised grape bleeds with its rich juice. A heart ripened under gracious influences knows not what that grace has done for it until pressure from without has come upon it. What brings forth wrath and bitterness from unsanctified hearts, is pretty certain to move the sweet fountains of the Christian's soul. Trial is a better test than prosperity. If we find our trials to issue in continued and ungrateful murmuring—if we find that they result in enmity to God and man—if they alienate us from the work of doing good—if they seal us up in iciness, then may we know or fear that we are not born of God. For so it is with the unsubdued heart.
We have sometimes seen those whom we thought among the most afflicted of all beings not only resigned but buoyant. An almost irrepressible elevation of spirits was maintained. Their every prospect seemed to us gloomy and dispiriting, and yet the heart glowed and poured out a stream of joyous emotions. We could not understand at once, but we have since learned. It is not in the nature of affliction, but it is in the nature of Christian submission and faith and love. It is an anomaly presented in every true Christian experience. Faith, love, triumph. The heart struggles against the lessons, and is not "apt" to learn them. It seems called upon to exercise a different temper; it shows fight in some way against God, or fate, or man. But if the heart is right, the bitter cup will be taken, and it will be turned to sweetness ere it is drained. "Cast down, but not destroyed." No, the irrepressible nature of religion causes the heart to triumph. It is stronger when cast down than it was before: strong in blessed, firm, peaceful consciousness before God; strong in a beautiful, burning, clear love for man, whose flame flickers not with the varying currents of human conduct. Knowing and feeling, to the bottom, its own faith, it has faith in others. Virtue, purity, goodness, exist in spite of the wrongs that many commit. The Psalmist complained to God that he had left his soul among lions, yet did he still know that God had made man a little lower than the angels. Precious is that love for God which comes from the heart which he hath broken; abiding is that Christian love for man, and strong that faith in Him, which lives and rules notwithstanding wrong and outrage. Christian, shrink not from affliction,
—"He doth but design
Thy dross to consume, thy gold to refine."
In uninterrupted prosperity we are strangers to some of the sweetest, most purifying feelings of the heart. They come not through prosperity. The rainbow emerges from the storm. The voice of God is on the waters. "They shall not overflow thee." We may not choose the shape in which trial may come. We cannot tell the lessons which we may need, the virtues to be wrought out, by which God will glorify himself through us. They will probably come in the way which we little expect, for we may most need the virtues correlative to the events which we think far from us. Sometimes a dear friend will be taken, to loosen us from earth, and create in us more interest in heaven, to know how blessed it is. Sometimes one is stripped of property, that he may altogether make the Most High his habitation, and feel what a refuge he is to his people. Sometimes enemies arise whose hatefulness is more than the slime of the serpents, and even then the heart triumphs in wishing them no evil. There are always wicked men in the world, and sometimes it is unavoidable to come in contact and collision with them. They obtain the victory when they can either overwhelm or anger. But they have given it to the Christian, in the last sense, when, while loathing their conduct, he can still pray for his enemies. In every place of trial, O Christian, think not that any strange thing hath happened unto you! Nor be disheartened. There is a principle within you which cannot be crushed. You shall smile while the waves spend their living force. God is your protector. "Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?" "My soul, hope thou in God, for I shall yet praise him who is the health of my countenance, and my God." "Cast down, but not destroyed." Others may not understand this philosophy, but the Christian does. In prosperity we have been weak as aspen, in affliction strong as steel. And when circumstances seemed most adverse and trying, then have we been most buoyant and exultant; when night gathered around with cold and dewy wings, then our songs arose, and we waited for the dawning of a glorious morrow. With those who trust in themselves, in their schemes and wickedness, it is not so. Their counsels come to nought, and they are snared in their own nets. O God! blessed are they who trust in thee, for they shall not be disappointed.—The Pacific.
C. M. L
By Caroline M. Lunger
From Sister Lunger.
Bro. Smith: I praise the Lord for what I see and hear of the cause of present truth. It is three years this Summer since I began to keep the Sabbath of the Lord. Praise his name that we ever heard the sound of the Third Angel's Message. We were much strengthened by the preaching of Bro. Cornell. There is quite an interest awakening in this place. The harvest is plenteous but the laborers are few. My prayer is that the Lord will send forth more laborers into the field, that the Third Angel's Message may sound louder and louder till the jewels are all gathered.
It seems that darkness has covered the earth and gross darkness the people. They say, "If the Lord ever comes it will not be either in your day or mine," but we read of scoffers in the last days saying, Where is the promise of his coming? O that I may be prepared to meet my Saviour when he comes. I am striving in weakness to overcome that I may be of the number that shall inherit all things.
Yours in hope.
Caroline M. Lunger.
Portland, Mich., Aug. 31st, 1857.
P. S. If there could some one of the preaching brethren come here and give a course of lectures, I think it would do much good. There has not been much preaching in this place on the subject of the present truth.
C. M. L
The Bible True.
THE following reasons are offered for believing that the WORD OF GOD, embraced in the Old and New Testaments is true:
1. It is true, because those books give the only rational account of creation.
2. It is true, because they give the best code of laws in the world.
3. It is true, because they tell of events to come with a certainty that silences all caviling.
4. It is true, because they describe the character of man, the thoughts and intents of the heart.
5. It is true, because there is a general harmony throughout the whole. In every page, in every book, we find the same important pillars of truth. We find the same God, the same Saviour, the same Spirit, the same faith, and the same hope described.
These things show that God is the author of the Bible; and that holy men spake, and wrote, as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
Wakefield's Translation.
2 Tim. i, 10. "Jesus Christ, who hath destroyed death, and spread abroad the light of everlasting life by the gospel." ["Made clear"—Macknight.]
2 Tim. iii, 1-8. "Know this, that in late times" difficult seasons will present themselves; for Christians will become selfish, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, evil speakers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, irreconcilable, slanderers, intemperate, fierce, enemies to goodness, betrayers, rash, infatuated, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God; keeping to a form of godliness, but having cast aside the power thereof."
Philemon 21. "Refresh my feelings in the Lord"—not bowels as in the standard text, and which sounds much better.
Heb. vii, 3. "Of whose father, mother, pedigree, birth, and death there is no account"—i. e. Melchisedec.
Proposed Autumn General Conferences
By E. L. Barr; Stephen Pierce
From Brn. Pierce and Barr.
Bro. Smith: As we have not time now to give the readers of the Review the particulars of the West Wilton meeting, we would simply say that the brethren that tarried until First-day evening, after a due deliberation, concluded that further efforts with the Tent this season would not be profitable, but the present state of the cause did demand five general conferences this present Autumn, as soon as the brethren could be consulted in the different States and the necessary arrangements made as to places where to hold them, and the appointments given through the Review.
Should this move meet the approbation of the brethren generally, we should be glad to commence as early as the last of September or first of October, and have our first in Ct., second in Mass. one week later, the third in N. H., fourth in Vt., and fifth in Me. In order for this, the brethren in the different States will fix upon the places for holding these meetings and communicate the same to Bro. J. C. Day of Lancaster Mass. who will give the time through the Review as near as he can to the suggestion of the brethren and not have one appointment interfere with the other.
Now we wish to suggest a few questions for the candid and prayerful consideration of the dear saints, previous to the time of holding these conferences.
1. Is it not possible that after all that God has done for us as a people, that some at least that profess the present truth are now in imminent danger of being cast off by the great Head of the church with utter detestation. If so will it not be best for each individual member of the church to make an effort immediately to give a more earnest heed to the counsel of the Faithful and true Witness.
2. Will it not be best for each church to so regulate its affairs that the conference, and the servants of God shall not be unnecessarily burdened. God’s Spirit grieved, and precious time lost. And if any matters of difference should remain that could not be settled otherwise, let them be resolved into mere questions by the parties previously, so as to consume as little time as possible.
3. Will not those who attend these conferences do well to so arrange their worldly affairs as to leave them all at home and some one to take care of them while they assemble with the saints to serve God and stay till the work before the conference is done.
4. Will we not prove that our interest in the present truth is paramount to every earthly consideration, by being present at the business part of the conference and not leave the faithful few to bear burdens that God designed should be borne by the entire church in proportion as he hath prospered them.
5. Is it not indispensably necessary that a strenuous effort should be put forth by the church to walk more fully in all of the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. And has not this neglect, been one great cause of our poverty and wretchedness.
6. If so shall we not do well to rally at these meetings and consecrate our entire all anew to God, make strait paths for our feet and throw our whole influence into the great scale of present truth in a manner that shall tell to those around us that whatever they have to do to be saved must be done quickly.
7. Shall we wait before we commence this all important work until we get our worldly affairs so adjusted that we can attend to it without any sacrifice of personal ease, or worldly comfort, or shall we attend to it now.
8. Is it not high time that every member of the church give some proof that they do seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness.
9. If we answer these questions in the affirmative (excepting the seventh,) have we not a great work before us.
10. Shall we expect that those we meet at those conferences have a mind to work and are doing their part of the same.
E. L. Barr.
Stephen Pierce.
Note from Bro. Byington.
By John Byington
BRO. SMITH:—I felt somewhat in trial last Fifth-day morning, as I left Battle Creek for Burlington. I was unacquainted with the church in this place, was alone, and more than this, my own weakness led me to cry out “Who is sufficient for these things?”
I providentially called on a family on the way to rest a little, where I found Bro. Sperry had called in like manner. They gave me refreshments, were very friendly, and wished they could attend meetings on the Sabbath; but they were some six miles distant.
The church kindly received me here. We had meetings Sixth-day evening, two on the Sabbath, and also on First-day evening. There was a crowded congregation in the school-house at this last meeting.
We endeavored to speak plain truths, which we thought no one need find fault with, on the subject of Christ’s literal coming again, some of the signs of the nearness of that day, and more, the importance of walking with God to be ready.
A Mr. Miller, an entire stranger to me, who said he had held meetings in the house of prayer at Battle Creek, arose to oppose our views of the Ten Commandments. I thought he got aside from the good Spirit that was in the meeting, for it was with us a free time. Without any reply, when he was through, we united in singing a song of Zion, in doing which the Spirit of God fell upon us, and we praised God for the peace we had within. We have a meeting this evening in a school house three miles from here.
Yours in hope.
JOHN BYINGTON.
Burlington, 2nd day, Sept. 14th, 1857,
New Works.
By James White
The Nature and Obligation of the Fourth Commandment, with Remarks on the Great Apostasy and Perils of the Last Days.
This is the title of a Tract just published. We certainly regard it as the best work published on the subject. It was written with much care by Bro. J. H. Waggoner, and is especially adapted to the wants of those who have not investigated the Sabbath question. We give the divisions of the work as follows:
What is the Law?
The Fourth Commandment.
Origin of the Sabbath.
The Sabbath was not Jewish.
The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God.
The Sabbath cannot be changed.
Our Saviour did not change the Sabbath.
Our Saviour kept the Sabbath.
The apostles kept the Sabbath.
The early Church kept the Sabbath.
The Waldenses kept the Sabbath.
Sunday-keeping a human ordinance.
Claims of the Seventh day and First day compared.
The Law and the Gospel agree.
The Last Days.
Our own times.
What do the prophets teach?
This work contains 68 pages, neatly printed with new Power Press, on No. 1 Book Paper, and is for sale at this Office for only $4,00 per 100, or six cents single copy. Postage paid when sent by mail.
A Review of a Series of Discourses delivered by N. Fillio, in Battle Creek, Mich., March 31st, to April 4th, 1857, on the Sabbath question. By J. H. Waggoner.
This is the title of a work of 68 pages, just published, and for sale at this Office for $4,00 per 100, or 6 cents single copy.
We need not speak in recommendation of this work as it has been speaking for itself in several late numbers of the REVIEW in a manner to convince the reader of its inestimable worth. J. W.
Note from Bro. Saxby.
By William Saxby
BRO. SMITH: Please say in the REVIEW that my P. O. address now is Worcester, Mass., and that Brn. who are traveling East and West through this place, will find us half a mile South of the Western Depot.
We should be happy to have them call on us.
WILLIAM SAXBY.
Peace and Safety.
“MEN and women, take courage, the world yet stands. Instead of giving to yourselves trouble and fear of a sudden termination of things, make the best use of your time, study and become acquainted with the powers of earth and sky, and above all things, ‘know thyself,’ and you will find no time, or have no inclination to be troubled when the wind blows hard, the earth quakes, or the heavens show forth some strange phenomenon.”—Fowler & Wells, in Life Illustrated
Wakefield’s Translation.
Heb. xi, 14. “They who speak thus, show plainly that they are seeking their native country.”
Heb. xii, 17. “Though he sought it earnestly with tears, he found no way of changing the purpose of his father.”
APPOINTMENTS.
As it is desired by brethren in Bowne and Caledonia to have Conferences in both those places, I have concluded to appoint a general meeting in Bowne, Sept. 26th and 27th, which will accommodate brethren from Vergennes, Ionia, Hastings, Portland and Caledonia.
Also a Conference to be held in Caledonia, Oct. 3d and 4th, to accommodate brethren from Monterey, Grand Rapids, Otsego, Watson and Bowne.
Bro. and Sr. White are requested to attend these meetings, and any of the ministering brethren who may have opportunity.
J. B. FRISBIE.
PROVIDENCE permitting, we intend to hold a Conference, commencing Oct. 3d, near Catlin Center, N. Y. We have written to Brn. Rhodes and Cottrell to attend.
P. ROBINSON.
Catlin, Sept., 18th, 1857.
Meetings in Ct. and Mass.
By J. C. Day
BRO. SMITH: At our late meeting held at West Wilton it was deemed expedient to hold one Conference in each of the New England States to take into consideration what can be done for the cause of present truth, and to adopt such measures as may be thought best calculated to secure a harmonious action among the different States.
Bro. Barr was chosen to attend each Conference to lay before the brethren the design of the meeting.
The first meeting to be holden in Berlin, Ct., at the house of Bro. A. Belden, one mile east of the depot. Brethren in the State are especially invited to attend. Meetings to be held 26th and 27th of the present month.
Also one in the north part of Lancaster, Mass., to be held the 3d and 4th of Oct. Brethren in and out of the State are invited to attend.
In behalf of the brethren. J. C. Day.
Business Items.
By Editor
A. C. B.:—The poetry you send was published in No. 6, present volume.
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Receipts.
By Editor
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FOR REVIEW AND HERALD.
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FOR MICH TENT.
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Sacrificing
Sacrificing.—"Gather my saints together unto me," says the Lord by the Psalmist, "those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice." Ps. 1, 5. We are required to sacrifice our substance [Prov. iii, 9] and ourselves; or to be a living sacrifice. Rom. xii, 1. "A sacrifice does not increase, but decrease." In the accounts of sacrifices which we have, it is said that the flames consumed the sacrifice. What should we think of a sacrifice of which it might be said, "And the flames descended, and preyed upon the sacrifice, and it continually increased."
Christianity Under Trial
By Editor
We like a christianity that is strong enough to make itself visible under all circumstances, and is not lost beneath a doleful visage and murmuring words at every little trial that occurs. See the article in this number, “Cast down, but not destroyed.” Christianity, if allowed its proper place and office, will override the peculiar temperament and prejudices of the individual, and ever present to us a face upturned to catch the sunlight of heaven.