Was anything more than the ten commandments engraven on the tables of stone?
What scripture proves that the first tables contained simply the ten commandments?
What scripture shows that the second tables were an exact copy of the first?
In Ex. xx, we find the ten commandments introduced with a short preface; what considerations show that this preface was no part of what was engraven on the tables?
Having now traced the Sabbath down to the time when sabbaths of another nature were introduced, to exist for a time contemporaneously with it, let us briefly recapitulate some of the important facts concerning it. Where was its origin?
What people were made its depositaries?
What was committed to that people besides the Sabbath?
With what did God proclaim it?
Where did he write it?
What features did this law as a whole possess?
Where was it placed?
Upon what is the Sabbath institution founded?
What is its great citadel of defense?
What does its place in the midst of the moral law, and beneath the mercy-seat, show?
CEREMONIAL SABBATHS.
We come now to inquire about the feasts, new moons and sabbaths peculiar to the Hebrews. How many feasts had they?
What were these feasts?
How many annual sabbaths had they?
What were these sabbaths?
In addition to these, what sabbaths were there relating to the land?
From what did the passover take its name?
What did it commemorate?
When did it begin, and how long continue?
What was its antitype?
What was the second of the Jewish feasts?
How long a time did it occupy?
How long after the passover did it occur?
What was done at this feast?
What was its antitype?
What was the third and last Jewish feast?
When was it celebrated?
What does it probably typify?
What was ordained in regard to the new moons?
What characterized the sabbath of the land every seven years, and the jubilee?
Were these feasts of the Hebrews ordained to be kept in the wilderness? or not till they had entered the promised land?
Were the new moons to be kept before they kept these feasts?
Could the annual sabbaths be kept before they kept these feasts?
Is the same fact true of the sabbaths of the land and the jubilee? [We are thus shown that these ordinances were prospective, to be kept by them after they entered into the promised land; but the Sabbath of the Lord was binding upon them when they came into the wilderness, and all through their sojourn there.]
Between these Jewish sabbaths and the Sabbath of the Lord, a strong contrast exists: what is the substance of Mr. Miller's view upon this point?
What is the first point of contrast between them and the Sabbath of the Lord?
What is the second consideration?
What was the difference between the Sabbath of the Lord and the Jewish Sabbaths, when they came into the wilderness?
Can we point to the very act of God, while leading this people, that gave existence to these sabbaths?
On the other hand, how is the Sabbath of the Lord referred to?
What may be said of the two kinds of sabbaths, in reference to their coming into the promised land?
For whom were the Sabbath of the Lord, and the annual sabbaths of the Jews, respectively designed?
What were the respective offices of each?
How does God speak of his Sabbath?
How are the sabbaths of the Jews designated?
Where did God write his Sabbath and deposit it?
In what were the ceremonial sabbaths embodied?
In what scripture does God plainly distinguish between his own Sabbath, and the Jewish festivals, and in what language does he do it?
How does Isaiah speak of the ceremonial sabbaths of the Jews?
How does the same prophet speak of the Sabbath of the Lord?
What prediction does Hosea utter concerning the annual sabbaths of the Jews?
When was this prediction uttered?
When was this prediction fulfilled in part?
When wholly fulfilled?
Where were the feasts of the Lord to be holden?
Did the observance of the Lord's Sabbath cease with the Hebrews, on their dispersion from their own land?
Why did it not then cease like the annual sabbaths?
What bearing did the observance of the Sabbath have upon the Babylonish captivity, and their restoration?
The Hebrew feasts being restored after the captivity, how long were they continued?
Before the destruction of the Jewish nation by the Romans, what had been accomplished in reference to the typical system?
The hand-writing of ordinances being abolished, how do we stand in relation to meats, drinks, holy days, new moons, and shadowy sabbaths?
Was the Sabbath of the Lord any part of the hand-writing of ordinances?
Was it, or could it have been, a shadow?
The day following the nailing of the typical sabbaths to the cross, what is said of the Sabbath commandment of the moral law?
Business Meeting of the Church in Battle Creek.
By Uriah Smith
According to previous notice the members of the Church of Seventh-day Adventists of Battle Creek, Mich., convened at their house of worship on Sunday the 29th of March inst., Uriah Smith, one of the elders of the church, acting as chairman. The meeting was opened with prayer by Eld. Moses Hull. The following preamble and resolutions were read before the meeting, after which they were separately considered and unanimously adopted.
Whereas, We have believed that the providence of God has called Eld. James White to lead out in the proclamation of the truth of the third angel's message, especially in the Publishing Department, and,
Whereas, The reputation of a man occupying so public a position becomes to him a treasure above all price; and not to him only, but to all those who may be connected with the cause which he is engaged in promulgating; inasmuch as in no more effectual way could that cause be brought into disrepute, and its progress crippled and hindered, than by destroying the reputation of such a man; and,
Whereas, There are certain reports prejudicial to the character of Eld. White, as a man of upright and honest dealing, being extensively circulated through the country, and used to cut off his influence and that of his brethren, to shut the ears of the people against the truth, and to steel their hearts against its reception; therefore,
Resolved, That we, the church of Seventh-day Adventists of Battle Creek, deem it our duty to take measures to ascertain the grounds of the charges, complaints, and murmurs that are in circulation, that they may be sustained, and action taken accordingly, or may be proved to be groundless, and the envenomed mouth of calumny and slander be effectually stopped. To this end, be it further
Resolved, That we appoint Brn. U. Smith, G. W. Amadon, and E. S. Walker, a committee to take this matter in charge.
Resolved, That we hereby earnestly request all those for and near who think they have any grounds of complaint against Eld. White, all who have handed to him means that he has not appropriated as directed, all who think that he has wronged the aged, the widow, and the fatherless, or that he has not in all his dealings in temporal matters manifested the strictest integrity, probity, and uprightness, to immediately report their grievances, and the grounds upon which they have them, to Uriah Smith, chairman of the above named committee, that they may be received previous to the middle of May next.
Resolved, That we also hereby invite all those who have had dealings, more or less extensive, with Eld. White since the commencement of his public labors, to testify in what light they regard his dealings, so far as their knowledge or observation goes, and send in their testimony as above directed.
Resolved, That then this whole matter be laid before the approaching General Conference, the last of May next, that the brethren then assembled may take such action upon it, as in the premises they may deem proper.
Moved, by Bro. Hull that the proceedings of this meeting be published in the Review. Carried.
Adjourned sine die.
URIAH SMITH, Chairman,
E. S. WALKER, Ch. Clerk.
Battle Creek, Mich., March 29, 1863.
REMARKS.—The above resolutions are of themselves sufficiently plain and explicit, yet as chairman of the committee named above, I would urge upon all interested the necessity of prompt and immediate action upon resolutions 3 and 4. Those who are engaged in the circulation of the reports referred to in the foregoing proceedings, if they are acting honestly, think that they have grounds sufficient to sustain them. They now have not only an opportunity, but a request to bring them forward that we may see and examine them. And let it be understood by them that if they refuse to do this, it will appear that they have been acting without even a conviction of truth upon their side, which certainly will not place them in a very enviable light; and in this case it will not only devolve upon them to hereafter ever hold their peace, but it would be well for them if the memory of their past course could be blotted from the minds of mankind.
Let those also to whom the course of Bro. White appears unimpeachable, and who can from their own experience testify in his behalf, not fail to send in their testimony. Ample time is given for all to send in what documents they may wish, and yet there is none to lose. It is due to Bro. White, it is due to all sincere lovers of the truth, it is due to the precious cause everywhere, that this matter be followed to a final settlement. U. S.
Labors in Ohio.
By J. H. W.
THE meeting at Townsend was not what we desired, as it was not possible for the brethren to get their families there. In other respects it was up to our expectations. Brn. were in attendance from Milan, Norwalk, Clarksfield, and Wakeman.
A church was organized, taking the name of Wakeman; Bro. Warren Coon, of Wakeman, elected Clerk, and Bro. J. Tillotson, of Milan, Treasurer. As the Brn. were scattered, and not all acquainted with each other, it was thought best to defer the election of elder till some future time. Bro. Geo. Smith was chosen to act temporarily. Another meeting was appointed to be held at Wakeman in four weeks (April 11). It was also resolved to have similar meetings every four weeks thereafter, at places to be designated from time to time.
The best of feeling prevailed throughout the meetings. The testimonies were encouraging, and the plan of systematic benevolence adopted cheerfully.
It is to be hoped that circumstances will permit the Brn. to bring their families to these meetings in the future, that the youth and children who are now interested in the truth may have the benefit of these gatherings and social meetings.
I remained in this place till this time by request to attend the funeral of Bro. Geo. T. Spencer. When I was in Ohio three years ago, I gave lectures in Portage which he attended, and obeyed the truth for a season, but afterward suffered various influences to divert him from the Sabbath, though he was always friendly to the cause. During the past winter I visited him, when his convictions seemed to be renewed, and he expressed regret that he had moved from Portage, and seemed to look forward to the time when he might be situated so that he could again keep the Sabbath.
He was intending to go to the meeting in Townsend on Sunday last, but on Sabbath an accident occurred which resulted in his death on Tuesday evening. In these hours of suffering his great regret seemed to be that he had not lived up to his duty, and he expressed the firm determination to keep the Sabbath if he was spared. But the opportunity is past. He was deeply penitent, and before he died manifested perfect submission and confidence in the Saviour. But this event has aroused my mind to the danger of compromising the truth, and delaying obedience. O that all who now believe the truth could realize what will one day be their feelings in reflecting on duties neglected, and opportunities unimproved. J. H. W.
Norwalk, Ohio, March 19, 1863.
The Cause in Ohio.
By Joseph Clarke
At last, after a long night of darkness, light is dawning upon the cause of present truth in Ohio. Thanks to our heavenly Father for the tokens of good which are beginning to appear.
In view of the great work to be accomplished, and desiring to use the best and most judicious means of forwarding the cause of present truth, the committee would earnestly address the friends of truth in Ohio, recommending such measures as they have united upon,142and as seem necessary, judicious, and in harmony with the work.
Past experience admonishes us to move with the greatest caution, wisdom, and humility, using the utmost care and circumspection, lest the enemy gain an advantage; and while we walk as sheep in the midst of wolves, let us see to it, that past mistakes and errors do not dampen our ardor, or quench our zeal.
First, then, as to systematic benevolence. The committee would recommend to the churches in Ohio, the following plan for their adoption:
That the S. D. A. churches in Ohio, send in (by the hands of the treasurers) an account of the amount pledged upon the systematic benevolence books, for the current year, as soon as possible; upon which the committee have concluded to levy ninety per cent., or nine tenths of the whole amount, which shall constitute a fund for conference purposes, to be sent in to the treasurer of the conference committee, I. N. VAN GORDER, PORTAGE, WOOD CO., OHIO, which funds will be expected in payments as follows:
Said payments to be made quarterly, or every three months, thus: the first quarter expires with the present month, so that the first installment will be due on the first of April; the second, by the first of July; the third by the first of October; and the fourth by the first of January 1864.
By strictly following out the plan herein stated, the committee believe that much expense and trouble will be avoided; as for want of system, the committee have heretofore not only been cramped for want of means, but have been compelled to use their precious time, in making laborious trips, over difficult roads, in getting together a few dollars, for the upbuilding of the downtrodden cause of present truth.
The church at Lovett's Grove, have pledged nobly, coming up monthly with their tithes and offerings until their pledges for the coming year, amount to $200,00 or more, and truly God is pouring out his blessing upon them: at Portage eight brethren and sisters, four of us brethren and some of us day-laborers, have pledged $130,00 for the current year, and we feel that it is truly good to serve the Lord in bringing our tithes into the store-house.
Perhaps little more need be said prompting to liberality, as testimonies on this subject have been abundant of late, both oral and written. Only let this admonish us: "He that soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly." And let this encourage us: "He which soweth bountifully, shall reap also bountifully." See 2 Cor. ix, 6.
JOSEPH CLARKE, Conf. Sec.
They are Mistaken.
By James White
MANY suppose that, because we believe in spiritual gifts, we are open to all manner of fanaticism, and ready to harmonize with everything that claims to be the Spirit of God. This is a great mistake. The gifts of the Spirit do not lead us into fanaticism—they correct it and secure us from its influence. In these days of strong delusion, no class is more free from fanatical impulses and extravagant notions than the true believers in the third angel's message, and the gift of prophecy connected with it; because no class is so well prepared to detect false impressions and evil spiritual influences. I am not particularly led to these remarks because I have recently had to meet such impressions, for these things are all along in our experience with the opposers of the present truth.
There are many at the present day who abhor Spiritualism, and profess much love for the Spirit of God and holiness of heart who trust in their feelings and impressions much more than in the word of God. A plain testimony from the Bible is not sufficient to convince them unless the Lord tells them to obey it. What a delusion! waiting for the Lord specially to indicate that it is his will for them to obey his word. Because of such the truth is evil spoken of; others are led to think that all who believe in spiritual gifts, set aside the Bible in like manner.
Some have said thus: "I believe in sister White's writings. I know by experience that God speaks to his people in these days, and I believe that the Lord reveals things to her, just as she says." "What do you believe about the Sabbath?" "O that's a matter of no consequence; what good will your Sabbath do you without holiness;" so sanctification through the truth is set aside. But notice what consistency. They believe that the Lord teaches sister White, just as she says; and she says she has been shown, that the Sabbath is of great importance; but they will not receive it. That is to say, they will not receive what the Lord shows aright. If such persons are led by spiritual influence, they cannot, with any reason expect us to harmonize with such spirits. We remember the sacred warning, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God. We know of no test equal to the Bible whereby to try them, assured that, as God is unchangeable, his Spirit will to-day speak in perfect harmony with what it spoke three thousand years ago.
There are many who are afraid to deny the visions, they have had too much evidence of their truthfulness; yet they are unwilling to receive and acknowledge them fully. They try to compromise the matter, by saying that they believe some parts of them, but some things in them they cannot believe. This is another sad mistake. They use them as they would mere human testimony. Can this be right?
On this point I offer the following suggestions, with which all must agree. The testimony of man may be taken with allowance; for however honest they may be, they are liable to mistakes; they may not fully understand whereof they affirm. Therefore, human testimony may be partly true and partly false; part may be received and part rejected. But with the Lord there is neither mistake nor lack of knowledge: therefore, any testimony professedly from the Lord is to be fully received or entirely rejected. For, if it is from the Lord it is all true; but if it is not from the Lord it is all a deception. Let all observe this rule, and not deceive themselves. The Lord is not honored by our believing part of his word. "Either make the tree good and his fruit good, or else make the tree corrupt and his fruit corrupt." The double minded receive no blessing; let us be of one mind, and trust alone in the one Spirit.
J. H. W.
Note from Bro. Cornell.
By M. E. Cornell
Bro. White : Since returning home from Iowa, though not engaged in new fields, in wearing labor, yet I have not been entirely idle. When I had been at home but one day, it seemed to be duty to go and assist Bro. Hull, at Allegan, where I spent Sabbath and first-day, and preached three times. Bro. H. was having large audiences, and good freedom in preaching the word. Finding that his health was improved so that he could manage the meeting alone, I went on to Monterey, where I had one meeting. I was glad to see how many the Lord has added to the church there. They number now about one hundred. The next two Sabbaths I spent in my father's neighborhood in Livingston Co. Preached four times, and three more were received into the organization. From what I have seen and heard of the results of organization, I am confirmed in the belief that it is owned and blessed of God.
I wish to say that I am decidedly in favor of your proposition to change the time for general and state conferences in Michigan. The last of May appears to be the best time, as tent operations can begin as early as the first of June.
M. E. Cornell.
Newton, March 17.
The Tongue.
By MARION E. BOURDEAU
"DEATH and life are in the power of the tongue." Prov. xviii, 21.
From these words we see the importance of ordering our tongues aright. If we speak aright we shall live, but if we speak wrong we shall die. The tongue was made to glorify God. We glorify God with our tongues when we praise him for his goodness, and speak in favor of his truth, and when we speak the truth in regard to ourselves and in regard to others. We should ever tell the truth; for the lip of truth shall be established forever; but a lying tongue is but for a moment." Prov. xii, 19.
Our words should be words of pleasantness. How agreeable it is to be in the society of those who talk pleasantly. But how unpleasant it is to be with those who speak angry words. Says Solomon, "There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword! but the tongue of the wise is health." "A soft answer turneth away wrath; but grievous words stir up anger." Prov. xii, 18; xv, 1.
We should not speak idle words. Says Christ, "But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned." Matt. xii, 36, 37. If those who indulge in idle conversation realized that for every idle word they speak they shall have to give an account, they would be more careful to not sin with their tongues.
Dear brethren and sisters, let us pray the Lord to give us wisdom and overcoming grace, that we may use our tongues aright, and that our words may be few and well chosen.
MARION E. BOURDEAU.
West Enosburgh, Vt.
Reformations and Learned Men.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
MEN frequently object to present truth because learned men, popular ministers, and doctors of divinity oppose it. They ask, "How is it that you Adventists know more than all the great and learned men in the world? If what you preach is the truth, why haven't they found it out? Why has God hid the truth from wise and prudent men, till the advent of you Millerites?"
It would appear that such persons have never read their Bibles nor the history of the church. For the benefit of such, let us look at some of the reformations which have been wrought in the church. If I mistake not, we shall find that such preachers and "holy divines" have always opposed any reformation which did not agree with their preconceived opinions of religion; and that "God hath chosen the foolish things of this world to confound the wise."
At the advent of Jesus Christ, the Jewish church had lost the spirit of its religion. The Jews strictly observed the ceremonies and minor points of the law, even to the tithing of "mint, anise, and cummin." They fasted twice in a week, and "except they washed their hands oft, ate not, holding the tradition of the elders." They loved to make long prayers to be seen and heard of men. But the weightier matters of the law, mercy and judgment, they had neglected. They had killed the prophets of God, and were given to the love of the world. They rejected the Spirit of God, till, as Jesus says, they had become like "whited sepulchres, which, indeed, appear beautiful outwardly, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness."
They made God's house a den of thieves, corrupted his word, and shut their eyes to the signs that were fulfilled before them; signs too which were read of in the synagogues every Sabbath. This applied not to the common people only, but principally to the priests and teachers in Israel.
Thus God was dishonored. Zion languished, and the faithful ones cried to the Lord for deliverance. But who will come forward to reform the church? The people naturally looked to the priests and divines to do this. For who was holier than the high priest? Who was better acquainted with the oracles of God than the sanhedrim? Or who knew better what to do than the priests? But while they are vainly looking to the scribes and Pharisees for a reformation, God is preparing to effect this by far different means.
At length John the Baptist comes, preaching repentance. The common people hail him as a prophet of God. But how do those shepherds receive him? Why, they say he is not of God, and that he has a devil. Thus they rejected the forerunner of Christ, though he came in fulfillment of the very scripture which they pretended to expound.
But lo! Jesus appears. He comes, not in the person of a high priest or some mighty prince, but, a humble man, working miracles to prove that he is of God. Surely the scribes and expounders of the law will acknowledge him. But no, they also reject the Lord, call him Beelzebub, a glutton and wine-bibber, and a friend of publicans and sinners. This is because he condemns their own ungodly deeds. Hence he finds his followers, not among the great and learned men, but with the humble fishermen, the poor, helpless, and despised.
But those "shepherds of the flock," fearful that others might believe on Jesus, accuse him of blasphemy, draw him before the rulers, condemn and crucify him. Thus "the kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered against the Lord, and against his Christ." Witness their persecutions of his apostles after him. How they beat and imprison Peter and John, kill Stephen, and persecute Paul. But in spite of them the reformation is wrought, and the church established.
Thus we see that those men who ought to have known and received the truth were the very ones to oppose it; and those who looked to them for an example, were led to crucify the Holy One of Israel. This, it would seem, ought to teach men to beware how they put confidence in popular or learned men. Though they may have great education, and ought to know the truth, yet the fact is, they are generally opposed to it. "I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes."
The church thus established by Christ and his apostles, kept the unity of the faith a number of years. But, as numbers increased, wicked men, as is always the case, crept into the church, and soon the mystery of iniquity, as foretold by Paul, 2 Thess. ii, began to do its work.
The church at Rome, founded by Paul, was at first noted for its piety. It sent out ministers to the surrounding cities, and the churches thus founded looked to Rome as to a mother. The authority of a bishop in those days, was proportioned to the city in which he lived.
Rome was the queen of the world; and if so, why should not her bishop be king of bishops? It was so. The other churches acknowledged the supremacy of the Roman bishop. In the 5th century, Theodosius II, proclaimed the bishop of Rome "ruler of the whole church."
Gradually, living faith died away, and external forms and ceremonies usurped its place. Now the church, instead of being united by faith, was kept together by canons, mitres, bishops, and popes. A few lonely souls walked in faith. But the majority were contending for worldly honors and preferments. Bishops, with sword in hand, fought for the right, not to feed, but to feed on, the flock. The pope claimed the sole right of explaining the Scriptures; and hence the word of God was soon corrupted, laid aside, and literally lost to the people. Instead of the Bible, priests and theologians studied the "fathers," many of whom had never heard of the gospel of Jesus. Thus heathenish doctrines were introduced into the church, which the church never taught. The most abandoned and licentious characters filled the pontifical throne. In this way the visible church continued for many centuries, through the "long and dark day," going further and further from God. Now and then a humble child of God appeared, but he was generally sacrificed upon the altar of superstition.
Such were the Vaudois in Piedmont, Wickliffe in England, and Huss in Bohemia. "Huss was the John the Baptist of the Reformation." The blood of his martyrdom watered the seeds of the Reformation, which afterward yielded such an abundant harvest.
The people had lost sight of God, religion, and morals. "There was no longer any thought of that faith by which we are made partakers of the Saviour's righteousness. Christ was regarded as a stern judge, prepared to condemn all who should not have recourse to the intercessions of saints, or to the pope's indulgences.143"The bishops no longer appeared in the pulpits, but they consecrated priests, monks, churches, images, and burial places, and all this brought a large revenue. Bones, arms, and feet were preserved in boxes of silver and gold; and they gave them to the faithful to kiss during mass."
The priests were degraded by the lowest buffoonery and heathenish profanations. "The very temples were converted into a stage, and the priests into mountebanks." Thus matters stood in the fifteenth century.
The need of a reformation was felt by all classes. The church itself acknowledged this. Bishops, cardinals, and popes convoked councils for the purpose of reforming their religion. But they used man's wisdom and carnal tools to do a spiritual work. They were all corrupt to the very center; and a "bitter fountain cannot bring forth sweet water." One of those same councils murdered John Huss whom God had raised up to do his work.
He only who uprightly walks
Through life's uneven way,
Who asks for heavenly wisdom
And guidance day by day ;
Who seeks in all his ways to bless,
And does the works of righteousness.
Who when his neighbor is assailed
By slander's poisonous dart,
Will never take up a reproach,
But act a nobler part ;
And when no good of him can speak,
Will on his tongue a "bridle" keep.
He in whose eyes a person vile
Contemptible doth seem,
His vision clear doth point him out
Unclouded by a beam ;
Whose feet are found in wisdom's way,
Who from all such will "turn away."
Who honoreth the pure in heart,
Whose trust is in their Lord,
Who taketh naught of unjust gain
Nor innocent's reward ;
He who all these things doeth well,
Shall in God's tabernacle dwell.
E. House.
Catlin. N. Y.