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Review and Herald, Vol. 32, No. 7.

TEN POPULAR OBJECTIONS TO THE SABBATH ANSWERED
Earlier text: MRS. JONES’ “MISSION.”

Adams Center, N. Y

By C. Lawton

From Sr. Lawton.

BRO. SMITH: Writing for the REVIEW I believe to be a duty, as well as a privilege, for all who can engage in this work. Bro. Waggoner says, articles in a devotional spirit, the true spirit of present truth, are always received with pleasure, and I can add, are always read with pleasure by myself, and I presume by hundreds of others. When I get the REVIEW I look it through first, if I cast my eye on a piece that breathes forth the spirit of devotion and consecration, I select this to read first. Our object in writing (or should be at least), is to do good, to make the paper interesting by relating rich experiences, stirring up each other's pure minds by way of remembrance, speaking often to each other, and so much the more as we see the day approaching. We must be wholly consecrated to God, to have our minds fruitful, our hearts devotional, to be partakers of the divine nature, to be imbued with the Spirit of Christ, that our thoughts may come fresh from the fountain head, that we may do each other good.
Brethren and sisters, Do we realize that probationary time is fast closing? Every moment should be more precious than gold, and improved to the best advantage. We should put forth special efforts for those in the church and out. Sr. White saw that many professing the truth would be lost. Our holy living, and earnest efforts may save some. God help us to let our light shine out, and make us wise to win souls to Christ, to roll upon us a burden for souls, to realize our responsibility, and whatever our hands find to do, do with our might, that it may be said of us, 'Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.' C. LAWTON.

Adams Center, N. Y

M. M. OSGOOD

By M. M. OSGOOD

From Sr. Osgood.

Dear Brethren and Sisters: Some of you may have wondered why I have been so long silent in our Conference department. I have been waiting, hoping to have a better report to bring—at least one that would be more encouraging. For nearly two years Satan has kept mind and body in a measure fettered with disease and debility. I can hardly think that Jesus is pleased to have it so, but believe he is ready to make me free, if I was only prepared to use my liberty aright.
During the last year, especially, these fetters have seemed peculiarly burdensome, and at times Jesus has listened to my prayer and severed some of the links. For this I feel grateful; but I long to be able to engage successfully in life's duties—to share with my brethren and sisters in bearing its burdens and responsibilities. I believed, when leaving the Health Institute, that I should gain in health and strength much faster than I have. I have tried to exercise faith, and “act towards being a well woman.” But faith has not made me such.
During this time Jesus has not left me comfortless. No, no. Often have I heard his loving voice, saying, “Come to me, weary child, and find rest.” I felt so weary, and so anxious to learn why the coveted blessing was withheld, that I would go, and for a while sit quietly at his feet to learn my lesson. I would ask Jesus to show me where I was wrong, and how to get right. Portions of my life were mapped out and spread before me; then portions of his which corresponded as to situation, or surroundings. With the eyesalve I was enabled to see how very unlike they were. My lines were crooked, blotted, and blurred, while his were true, distinct, and beautiful. I love to look at his, but the sight of mine fills me with shame and sorrow. I wanted to straighten the lines, and have the blots erased. I felt his hand guiding mine, and knew that angels stood ready to help me. Believing that my Teacher was pleased with my efforts, I worked earnestly for a time. When one defect seemed remedied he would direct my attention to another. As long as I would sit still he kept patiently teaching and encouraging. But I have not learned to make that my permanent seat. When I am rejoicing at my prayers, Satan comes along with something for me to do, and frequently succeeds, by flattery, or by suddenly surprising me, in leading me away. When I have done his thankless task I begin to think, and turning round find Jesus looking sorrowfully at me. Then I begin to realize what I have lost, and how I must have grieved my loving Teacher. With repentings, and shame, and bitter tears, I ask if I may come back, and, oh! what wondrous love, and long forbearance! he always says, “Come.”
I do not feel as though the past year had been wholly lost time, for I have had opportunities for examining my past life and present condition, and think I have seen my faults in a clearer light than ever before. I have made the Testimonies a constant and prayerful study, and find very many of the reproofs given to different individuals are applicable to me, and am trying to profit by them, and by those given in the Bible, as though they were directed to me, personally. The blessing of the Lord attends these efforts. There has been a great lack of humility, a lack of readiness to suffer inconvenience for the sake of promoting the happiness and comfort of others. At times a lack of sympathy, of forbearance, and love. Oh! I have lacked in all the Christian graces. Satan made me believe that I had knowledge which might be used in several spheres to advantage, when as yet I know comparatively nothing as I ought to know. Have thought myself to be something, when I was nothing; and while vainly puffed up by my fleshly mind, have supposed I could engage in work which was far beyond my capacity. I am ashamed to think I suffered myself to be so long deceived by him. But I do feel thankful for what the Lord is showing me. I dare not hope that I am entirely free from these deceptions and their effects, but I am trying to free myself. I want help, yet dare not ask the Lord to give it by sending faithful, personal rebukes to me, through his servant, for the deceitful heart is so prone to rebel. Yet my earnest prayer is, that he would prepare me to receive, not only willingly, but thankfully, such tokens of his loving care, when he sees they might be a help to me, if received and heeded. Let me say to those who have known me, and have been grieved with these manifestations of pride and selfishness, I am very sorry on account of them. Think I am earnestly trying to learn lessons of humility and self-denial, from the meek and lowly One. The lesson may seem short to some, but I have so much to unlearn and undo before I can study with success, that I sometimes tremble lest I shall not get ready soon enough to secure my Teacher's help in the finishing-up part. Will those whom I have grieved or wronged in any way, forgive, and pray for me? I will try to be zealous in the work of repentance, and persevering in that of reformation. The Lord helping me I will not rest until, through heeding precious truth, it has proved a sanctifying, saving blessing. Yours affectionately.

M. M. OSGOOD

Oneida Co., N. Y., July 19, 1868.

An Old Hymn.

A few more days of pain and woe, A few more suffering scenes below, And then to Jesus we shall go, Where everlasting pleasures flow, And then we'll give him glory.
That awful trumpet soon will sound, And shake the vast creation round, And call the nations underground, And all the saints shall then be crowned, And give to Jesus glory.
Ten thousand thunders then will roll, And round the globe from pole to pole. How dreadful to the guilty soul, But nothing shall the saints control, They'll give to Jesus glory.
Come, parents, children, bond and free, Come, will you go to Heaven with me, That glorious land of rest to see, And shout with me eternally, And give to Jesus glory?
Then shall we weep and part no more When we have met on Canaan's shore; For Zion's warfare now is o'er; Such shouts were never heard before, And there we'll give him glory.
There tears shall all be wiped away, And Christians never go astray, When we are freed from cumbrous clay, We'll praise the Lord in endless day, And give to Jesus glory.
On Zion's brilliant mount we'll stand, And view that holy, heavenly land; With palms of victory in our hand, We'll shout with Heaven's triumphant band, And give to Jesus glory.
There all the saints shall join in one, And sing with Moses round the throne: Their troubles are forever gone, They'll shine with God's eternal Son, And there we'll give him glory.
The rose and lily there shall stand, In holy bloom at God's right hand. Oh! how I long for Canaan's land, And there to join the shouting band, And give to Jesus glory.

Gratiot Co., Mich., July 20, 1868

By G. W. Davis

From Bro. Davis.

DEAR READERS OF THE REVIEW: I have been deeply afflicted in the loss of my only son. He was a promising child, and I had consecrated him to the Lord, and taught him to lisp the name of Jesus; but yesterday I laid him in the tomb, and I feel to mourn. But I mourn especially on account of my own sins. Dear friends, if any one has a word of consolation for a penitent, I need it now, for my heart is wounded and bleeding before God. I hate my iniquities; they are grievous in my sight. Will those that know me forgive me for the past? And I do request the prayers of all, for I wish to be more devoted to the holy cause of truth, and my motto is, “Although He slay me, yet will I trust in him.” G. W. DAVIS.

Gratiot Co., Mich., July 20, 1868

R. F. PHIPPENY

By R. F. Phippeny

From Sr. Phippeny.

BRO. SMITH: I would again show my love and respect for my brethren and sisters in Christ, by penning a few lines for the REVIEW. I think I can say that my love for present truth has not abated. But I regret that I have not lived nearer my God. I realize how very necessary it is to be always on our guard against the wiles of the Devil. It has been more forcibly brought to my mind too, by a late occurrence here. Our large and commodious house of worship was burned to the ground on the night of the 20th inst. All agree that it was the work of an incendiary. The fire bursting out of the roof, and no ladder being in the place, and water being very scarce, it was impossible to save the building. The citizens of Ithaca did all they could, by taking off some of the doors, and removing the stoves, and some of the pipe out of danger's reach. They also offered us their school-house to hold meetings in for the present.
How sad my heart is to have to write these things. It seems as if Satan tried with all his relentless hate and power, to destroy the church at Ithaca. Members are dropping off, in different ways, some have been expelled, others withdrawn, &c. But thank God, I believe there are a few here yet that the Lord has an especial care for, and that are trying to overcome.
I think the trials we are having will be for our good, at least these things speak loudly to us to be on our guard against all evil. I feel that I must have eternal life, and that it will be cheap enough at any price. I only ask for sustaining and overcoming grace from on high, that I may go through to the kingdom. We had an encouraging meeting last Sabbath. The testimonies that were borne were earnest and solemn, each one seeming to realize the necessity of living nearer to God. Oh! that we may all live near to him, and finally be saved in his everlasting kingdom.

R. F. PHIPPENY

Ithaca, July 22, 1868:

A. B. BRANT

By A. B. Brant

From Bro. Brant.

BRO. SMITH: As the opportunity is offered us in the Conference department of the REVIEW, I will say a few words to the dear ones of our Heavenly Father's family, scattered over the length and breadth of the land. Although a stranger to most of those of like precious faith, they all seem near and dear to me, and as I read their cheering testimonies from week to week, my heart is strengthened and made glad, and I take fresh courage to run the Christian race, resolved to stand the storm, and fight the good fight of faith, and lay hold on eternal life. I am looking forward with joyful anticipation to the time when I shall, if faithful, meet all those dear ones face to face, whose names I so often see in the REVIEW. Meet them on Mount Zion, where the Lamb shall stand with his redeemed company.
Dear brethren and sisters, be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

A. B. BRANT

Faribault Co., Minn., July, 1868.

HARRIET M. SMITH

By Harriet M. Smith

From Sr. Smith.

DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: My heart is often made to rejoice by reading your cheering testimonies in the REVIEW. Living nearly five miles from Lapeer, and having care of my aged parents, whose health is very poor most of the time, I do not have the privilege of meeting with those of like precious faith very often. The REVIEW has been my teacher, with my Bible, and my preacher for nearly ten years. I should hardly know how to do without it. My daily prayer is, Lord bless the Publishing Association, and the writers for the REVIEW. I have often wished to write something to encourage some lone one, but felt that I was not worthy nor competent to write.
Dear brethren and sisters, pray for me, that I may meet with you on Mount Zion.

HARRIET M. SMITH

EMMA E. STURGES

By Emma E. Sturges

From Sr. Sturges.

DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: It has not been a lack of interest or zeal in the Master's cause that has prevented my writing to you through the columns of the REVIEW these many weeks. My father's feeble health, together with the household duties which devolve upon me, taxes my physical strength to such a degree, that the time I would occupy in writing, I am obliged to devote to rest. The brethren and sisters who have been disappointed in expected letters from me, will accept this apology for my seeming neglect, and will, I trust, remember sister and me in your prayers. Through the good providence of God, we have been permitted to identify ourselves with the chosen people of God, and humbly trust there has been joy in Heaven as our names have been written in the Lamb's book of life. It may be of interest and encouragement to some of the dear brethren and sisters that I met at the Lancaster Monthly Meeting, to know how the Lord has wrought for me since my return to Fairfield. The enemy of my soul was not long in attacking me. I have passed through a severe conflict, and for two weeks I struggled in darkness and doubt, fearing constantly that the powers of evil would gain the victory. But the Lord did not leave me thus; no, he sent his good angels to my rescue, and I can say with the Psalmist, “I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy; for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities; and hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy; thou hast set my feet in a large room.” Ps. xxxi, 7, 8. Oh! how good the Lord is to them that trust in him. My whole soul is in the work of overcoming. I have set my face as a flint toward Mount Zion, I cannot shrink or look behind, for does not everything tend to encourage us that this is the last, the final conflict! Oh! let there be deep heart-work among us, lest we be deceived and fail of gaining eternal life. I am more fully convinced than ever that time is short. We are nearing that time that shall try men's souls. Who shall be able to stand the great day of God's wrath? Are we ready to receive the latter rain, and having done all to stand? Are we perfect overcomers? Oh! if there is error, coldness, or indifference, creeping upon us, let us humble ourselves low before our God, and cry mightily for mercy; he will hear to-day, 2 Chron. xxiv, 27; to-morrow may be too late. Oh! let us, as God's remnant people, exhort one another, labor with and for the erring, to bring the honest into the way of all truth, so much the more as we see the day approaching.
“Let your lamps be trimmed and burning, And your loins be girded round, Waiting for our Lord's returning, Longing for the welcome sound. “Thus the Christian life adorning, Never need we be afraid, Should he come at night or morning, Early dawn or evening shade.”
Your sister striving for the kingdom.

EMMA E. STURGES

Fairfield Co., Conn.

YOUNG MEN

By H. L. H.

“I HAVE written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.” 1 John i, 14.

THE CHARACTER OF CHRISTIAN YOUNG MEN.

1. They were strong,—the glory of young men is their strength. Prov. xx, 29.
2. The word of God abode in them, and this is always a source of strength.
3. They had overcome the Wicked One,—this was a manifest proof of their strength.

STRENGTH IS MANIFOLD.

1. Physical. 2. Intellectual. 3. Moral. 4. Spiritual.

I. Young men need strength of all kinds.

1. They are workers, with much to do. 2 Cor. vi, 1.
2. They are sowers. Matt. xiii, 3; Ps. cxxvi, 5.
3. They are reapers. Matt. ix, 37, 38; John iv, 35, 38.
4. Workers in the vineyard. Matt. xx, 1–7; xxi, 28.
5. They are soldiers. 2 Tim. ii, 3; Eph. vi, 10–17.
6. They are beginning their work. 1 Kings xx, 2.

THEY WILL THEREFORE HAVE

1. Toils to endure. 2 Tim. ii, 3, 10; iv, 5.
2. Battles to fight. 1 Tim. i, 18.
4. Picket-duty and watching to perform. 2 Tim. iv, 4; 1 Cor. xvi, 13; 1 Pet. iv, 7.
5. Crosses and burdens to bear. Matt. xvi, 24; Gal. vi, 2, 5.
6. Lies and reproaches to live down. Matt. v, 11.
7. Temptations to resist. Jas. i, 14; 1 Cor. 10, 13.
8. Bad examples to overcome. Ex. xxiii, 2.
9. Satan to vanquish. Eph. iv, 27; vi, 12.
What can a weak man, a feeble man, do in such positions as these? Of all men in the world, young Christians need STRENGTH;—not puff, and bloat, and brag, but downright, quiet, reserved power; not only hammer strength for striking, but anvil strength to bear and never flinch.

II. How may young men be strong?

1. God gives strength. Ps. lxxxvi, 16; Isa. xl, 29.
2. We are born of the flesh with physical strength.
3. We must be born again to have spiritual strength. Rom. v, 6.
4. Hence, strength is as natural as life.
5. All strength may be improved or impaired.

STRENGTH MAY BE IMPAIRED AND RUINED

1. By idleness.
2. By gluttony.
3. By licentiousness. Prov. xxxi, 3.
4. By excessive effort. Eccl. vii, 16, 17.
5. By irregular and fitful courses of life.
6. By doing violence to our natures.

MORAL, MENTAL, AND SPIRITUAL STRENGTH ARE IMPAIRED BY

1. Falsehood. 2. Hypocrisy. 3. Covetousness. 4. Craft, low cunning, deceit. 5. Unfaithfulness to convictions, participating in sin, laughing at wickedness, following the multitude, etc.

STRENGTH IS GAINED AND RETAINED

1. By direct gift from God. Isa. xl, 29.
2. By the indwelling of his word. 1 Pet. ii, 2.
3. By exercise unto godliness. 1 Tim. iv, 7.
4. By patient endurance of trials. 1 Pet. v, 10.
5. By overcoming obstacles. Acts ix, 22.
6. By knowing our own weakness. 2 Cor. xii, 9.
7. By clinging wholly to Christ. 2 Tim. iv, 17; Eph. vi, 10.
8. By looking to things unseen. 2 Cor. iv, 16–18.
9. By being filled with the Holy Spirit. Eph. iii, 16; Col. i, 11.

III. Young men, if strong, can overcome

1. The Wicked One, whether in the guise of a lion or a serpent. Jas. iv, 7; 1 Pet. v, 8, 9.
2. The world's frowns or flatteries. 1 John iv, 4.
3. Self and sin. Prov. xvi, 32; 1 Cor. ix, 27.
Then they cannot be frightened, wheedled, flattered, or coaxed. They are strong; God is with them.
Let the young men, then, who are strong, give heed to the apostle's instruction: “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof; but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.”—H. L. H., in Christian.

Life Incidents—An Important Work.

The matter for this book having passed through our hands in the course of preparation for the press, we have given it a careful examination, and are thus enabled to speak of its merits. Its chief points of excellence are
1. An able and logical defense of the great Advent movement, as illustrated by the three messages of Rev. xiv, 6-12.
2. A vindication of the claims of “present truth,” in all its particulars, logically and scripturally set forth, and
3. Interesting incidents of real life and Christian experience, interwoven with just enough of doctrinal argument to interest the casual reader, and perhaps lead to further investigation of the truth.
All who have a love for the work in which we are engaged, and confidence that it has been and still is of God, will be deeply interested in this book, and should have a copy. It should also be placed in the hands of all who will read it, not only to explain to them our positions, and thus be a source of satisfaction to us, but to interest all who may read it in the great truths which it advocates.
G. W. Amadon, W. C. Gage.
Not having been engaged in the same department of the Publishing Office, I cannot say that it has passed through my hands, nor that I have yet examined it all with care; but I have read a part of it with care, and seen more or less of the remainder, and can heartily endorse the above remarks by Bro. Gage and Amadon.
When Bro. White commenced this work, I was specially interested in it for the following reasons:
1. We have no work sufficiently full on the relation of the first and third messages.
2. Many of our brethren have embraced the Advent doctrine under the third message, and therefore they know but little of the relation of the past Advent movement to our present work, except what they have received in the lectures they heard when they embraced the truth, which was not much, nor were their minds prepared to appreciate it so as to retain it all. Every one of them needs this book.
3. Bro. White is not only qualified to do this work, but from his experience in the first message, and the peculiar relation he has sustained to the work of the third message, it must appear to all that he is the only one who is well qualified. I firmly believe that it is in the order of God’s providence that he has undertaken the task, and am thankful that he has been able to accomplish it so successfully.
I believe this work will give a new impetus to the third angel’s message, and entreat all, not only to buy the book, but to read and study it with care, and with a humble and teachable spirit, that you may be blessed of God in examining these important truths.
J. H. Waggoner.
We heartily endorse the statements of Bro. Amadon, Gage, and Waggoner, in regard to this valuable book.
Those who read the first chapters, as published in the Review, are doubtless of the same mind, and now anxiously waiting for the completion of the work.
We bespeak a large and ready sale for this book. Every Adventist should have one.
Let the orders come in. The book will be ready in a very short time.
J. M. Aldrich, E. S. Walker.

GOOD, TO-DAY.

By Editor

The position of Adventists in 1844, on some vital questions, is thus expressed in an article which appeared in their leading organ in that year:
“It is our opponents who have departed from the ‘standard interpretations,’ and ‘long established opinions,’ which ‘have been supposed to be settled beyond a doubt.’ They have given up their old opinions, and have departed from the faith. Our opponents have thus far failed to point out any essential error in our views. The doctrine of a terrene millennium has been exploded and scattered to the winds; the fabled restoration of the carnal Jews, has been shown to have no place in the word of God. The fourth beast has never been disproved to be the fourth kingdom; and the connection between the 8th and 9th of Daniel—the latter an explanation of the former—has never been invalidated. Sneers, and scoffs, and sarcasm, and ridicule, and falsehood, have been hurled upon us in thick profusion, but the word of God still standeth sure; our arguments have remained untouched.”
That portion of the foregoing extract relating to the 8th and 9th of Daniel, we have put in italics, as it has a bearing on our relation to other bodies of Adventists. This was a fundamental principle in the original Advent faith. It was considered a “standard interpretation,” an “established opinion,” and “settled beyond a doubt.” And it has never yet been invalidated. It is as good to-day as it was then. We still hold to it. Our opponents have “departed from” it. One of two positions had to be yielded on the passing of the time in 1844. It was necessary to give up (1.) the connection between Dan. viii and ix, or (2.) the idea that the earth was the sanctuary. On examination it was found that the earth could present no claim to being the sanctuary, while the connection between Dan. viii and ix, could not be invalidated. S. D. Adventists gave up the weak position, and retained the strong. Others gave up the strong, and retained the weak: with how much wisdom, the close student of prophecy finds no difficulty in determining, even now, and time will soon make apparent to all. Our opponents have thus far failed to show any truth in what we yielded, or any error in what we retained. Our arguments still remain untouched.

SUNDAY AND CIVIL LAW.

By James White

DR. EDDY, in an article in The Methodist on the opposition of the Germans to Sunday laws, and the disposition of politicians to favor them for their votes, says:
“It is time that these miserable pilots shall understand there are breakers ahead. Christian men have been pushed to the wall, and now they turn. Between God's law and party fealty they will hesitate not one moment. We tell these men, tell them coolly, yet sternly, that Christian men WILL NOT submit to the destruction of the holy Sabbath.”
Right there he has exposed the weakness of the Christian effort. If they could point to the place in “God's law,” where we are commanded to keep the Sunday; if they could show by the Scriptures that Sunday is the “holy Sabbath,” then might they make an appeal on the authority of God which would be effectual to restrain many who now disregard the day. But when German speakers at their festivals, as has been the case of late, openly challenge them to prove that the Sunday is a sacred day, or that it is obedience to God to do what he has never commanded, to attempt a reply is to further expose their weakness, and be again “pushed to the wall.” The last resort is to civil authority, and to this they are appealing. Here the issue will soon be taken. J. H. W.

METHODISM 100 YEARS AGO.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

In many places where Seventh-day Adventists now go to preach, they are branded as infidels, fanatics, a new sect, &c. The Methodists are generally about the most forward in bestowing these names upon us. But they seem to have forgotten their own recent origin, that these same names were once applied to themselves. I have before me a book printed in England just 100 years ago. In it I find the following passage:
“Where a contempt of Revelation having for some time spread amongst the people, we see them now become an easy prey to fanaticism and superstition; and the Methodist and the Papish Priest succeed, with great ease and silence, to the libertine, and freethinker.” Bishop Warburton’s Divine Legation, Vol. II, Book 3, Sec. 6, p. 295.
Here the Methodists are classed with fanaticism, superstition, popish priests, libertines and freethinkers. This was when they were a holy people. Are they called by these names now? No. The reason is obvious. D. M. CANRIGHT.

An Explanation.

By James White

It becomes necessary, sometimes, to take responsibilities in the Office of Publication which are not pleasant to bear. The postponement of the appointed Convocation Meeting in Wisconsin was an instance. Another was recently presented in an appointment for a large Campmeeting in Pleasantville, N. Y. This was the occasion of many unpleasant feelings with us, for we could not feel that the arrangements for the meeting were wise, or that the appointment was strictly in order without the sanction of the Committee. Such meetings are very important, and should be held under the best of circumstances. Ours is a peculiar work; it is not like that of other bodies, who get together to have a good time, feel well, and separate without any close, heart-searching work being accomplished. Feeling thus, we forwarded the proof to Bro. White, President of the General Conference. Fortunately Bro. Andrews was with Bro. White; he is on both the General Conference Committee and State Committee of New York. Our minds were much relieved to find that our action in withholding it was approved of.
We assure our brethren in New York that we have no disposition to get in the way of the work among them. We desire that they may be encouraged and spiritually advanced. We have done this for their good, as we trust it will prove, and think the Lord approves the step.
May the Lord help us all to walk in both the order and union of the work of present truth. J. H. W.

THE GOD OF SPIRITUALISM.

By J. H. W.

An editorial in the Banner of Light says: “The fundamental idea of Spiritualism is God, the Infinite Spirit, the animating life of all souls, inspiring all with his immanent presence,” &c. From their frequent mention of, and appeals to, God, we should be led to suppose that Spiritualists really believe in the existence of such a being; but again we often hear them ridiculing the Christian or Bible idea of God, and are at a loss to know what they do believe, if they have any belief on the subject.
Last year I attended some of the meetings of the Ohio State Convention of Spiritualists, where a prominent speaker made frequent mention of God. Knowing that he had been a Methodist preacher I presumed that he had retained that part of his former faith, till he explained as follows: “We do not believe in a personal God. When we speak of God we mean that combination of principles by which things exist in their present form.” Whether this is an intelligent “combination of principles” or not, I suppose they would not undertake to say. But that makes no difference; as the homage of Spiritualism would be more fitly offered to a stock than to an intelligent, holy Being. J. H. W.

THE TESTIMONIES.

By Jos. Clarke

NUMBERS 13, 14, and 15, have appeared in rapid succession, and each laden with weighty matter; each one interesting as possible, and each one is of the highest importance to us as individuals, and to the church. No one of these epistles may be directed to me personally, yet each has truth for me. I may not say, “that it is for such an one,” but it is for me.
I have always reverenced these testimonies as from God; they bear the impress of the divine; no dark doubts have ever clouded my mind on this head; but have I heeded them? God forgive my remissness; this I am persuaded is the counsel of the True Witness. O, my God, help me to receive these testimonies in such a sense as thou wilt approve!
Let scoffers deride this work, it will go on; praise the Lord, it is going on. Brethren, do not neglect these writings. Let no one rebel; these are the words of love—plain, truthful, candid; how can any one reject them?
Truly, this is a favored people, yet how ungrateful to God; how little we appreciate these signal favors; shall not our hearts glow with love to God even now? Shall we not thank him for these testimonies? Yes, and we will, with his aid, live them out.
JOS. CLARKE.
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