THE following we copy from the Advent Herald, taken from the "London Quarterly Journal of Prophecy."
"During the six days man was to show how he could serve and glorify God in the common duties of life; on the Sabbath he was to show how God was to be served and glorified by acts of direct and unmingled worship. This is the principle of the great Sabbath-institute—a principle which runs through all ages—more so than ever in these last days, when men are either denying religion altogether, or endeavoring to eject it from every-day life, and confine it to a peculiar region of its own.
This seventh day God 'blest.' He uttered his mind concerning it, calling it a day of blessing, and in so doing, communicated to it (as it were) the power to impart blessing, that is, he made it the day in which he would specially give blessing. This is, then, the primary meaning and object of the Sabbath. It is the day on which God specially blesses man.—But more than this. It is added, he 'sanctified it.' He marked it off from all other days, as the tabernacle was marked off from all the tents of Israel. He drew a fence around it, which was not to be broken through. He set it apart for himself, just as he set the six days apart for man. It was to be his day, not man's, just as the altar was his altar, the laver his laver, not man's. And when, or where, or how has God's claim to a Sabbath been renounced? When has his setting apart been done away? Men speak and act as if this 'blessing,' this 'sanctification' of the day were a yoke not to be borne; as if the Sabbath were a curse, not a blessing; as if the Gospel had at length broken fetters forged in Eden by God for man! But no. The Sabbath was set up by God, and by him only can be taken down."
Knowledge of the True God.
It was said of Paul, by certain Epicureans, and Stoics, that he seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods. And when he found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD, and wished to declare him in an intelligent manner, the Apostle could do it with no greater clearness than by quoting the language of the fourth commandment, the only one that informs us who the living and true God, to be worshiped is, viz: the Lord of heaven and earth, that made the earth and all things therein.
No one will deny that the Athenians were infidel in the extreme. Acts xvii, 16. The city was wholly given to idolatry, therefore Paul's spirit was stirred within him, to present one of the greatest truths of God's word, and thereby give them right conceptions of the Great Creator.
So we see the conclusion is irresistible that the knowledge of the true God is found alone in the reason for keeping the Sabbath. Mark the language and compare it well. 'For [because] in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day &c.'—Ex. xx. 11. If the race of Adam had always observed this institution, would there ever have been an infidel in the universe? If not, Has God abolished the only institution that commemorates the Creation, and recognizes the living and true God, that should be worshiped! If this be answered in the affirmative, then God has abolished a knowledge of himself in the earth.
E. R. SEAMAN.
Rochester, N. Y., June 10th, 1852.
B A B Y L O N.
"And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, &c." Rev. xiv, 8.
The subject of the Babylon of the Revelation, its fall, &c., being the link that connects the past with the present, the first angel of Rev. xiv with the third, it is of the greatest importance that the correct view of Babylon should be given. For if the testimony of the third angel be presented to those who investigate subjects, and who must see good reasons before they can believe, they will most certainly wish to first understand the testimony of the angels that precede it. Those who might embrace the third message without inquiring for the first and second, would not be likely to stand a very fierce storm of opposition against the truth. Hence, those who teach the third message should be able to clearly define the first and the second. Certainly, if the period has arrived for the followers of Christ to have their attention called to the third message, the former ones may be understood.
It is not our design at this time to take up the two former messages, but only to notice briefly some points of importance relative to Babylon, which is the subject of the second, angel.
"Babylon comes from Babel, and signifies 'confusion or mixture.'" See Gen. x, 10; xi, 9. In this respect, at least, it well applies to the many religious sects, so widely differing in their creeds, and each professing to be the true church of Christ.—We are aware that this application of Babylon will appear harsh and uncharitable to many. But let such compare the one, united church of Christ, as set forth in the New Testament, separated from the world, with the many sects of the present day with all their confusion of doctrines, and united with the world, and we think they will no longer object to this application.
"God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints." 1 Cor. xiv, 33. It was the plan of God, and his will, that his people should be one. For this, the Son of God prayed: "Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth." "Neither pray I for these alone; but for THEM ALSO WHICH SHALL BELIEVE ON ME THROUGH THEIR WORD; that they ALL MAY BE ONE, as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be ONE IN US, THAT THE WORLD MAY BELIEVE THAT THOU HAST SENT ME." John xvii, 17, 20, 21.
Here is the great reason why the church should be one; that the world might believe that God had sent his Son to save lost men. But as the reverse has been the case, the confusion of this great Babylon has filled the world with infidelity.—There is another point of great interest in this prayer of the Saviour, as follows: "I have given them thy word, and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world." Verse 14. Here the true church of Christ is seen "not of the world," separated from it, consequently, hated by the world. This shows the worldly, popular churches of this day, which are united with the world, and loved by the world, not to be the real church of Christ.—We, therefore, conclude that the various sects, united to, and loved by, the world, in their divided and subdivided condition, with their confusion of creeds, have ever been worthy of the name of Babylon.
As the husband is the head of the wife, so Christ is the only lawful head of the church. As the wife should look alone to her husband to be protected and cherished, so the church should lean on no other arm than that of her lawful Head. But the churches of this day have formed an unlawful connection with the world, have gone after other lovers, and they are worthy to be represented by the family of harlots, [Rev. xvii, 5,] the daughters of the old mother, the Roman Catholic church. And how these daughters resemble their mother! Some indeed are older than others, but as they grow in strength of years the resemblance is more striking.
Heaven has provided ample means to secure the purity and unity of the church; but that means has been trampled underfoot by the wisdom of men. Said the Son of God, "If I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment. * Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth." John xvi, 7—13.
God's revealed truth is a unit. It has not so many heads and horns as the symbolic beasts of Daniel and John, but is one. While error has a thousand crooked streams, truth flows onward in one strait, even channel. And the Holy Comforter is sent down to guide the followers of Jesus into all truth.—This was God's plan. And if Christ's professed followers had ever stood separate from the world as the Word requires, and had been humble, meek and lowly, like their Pattern, so that the Spirit of truth would abide with them, they would have been guided into the one channel of truth, consequently, been one. Then the prayer of Jesus would have been answered in his professed disciples, they would not have composed this great Babylon, and the world would not have been filled with infidelity by reason of their confusion of doctrines.
The gifts of the Holy Spirit were given to secure the purity and unity of the church; but many of these being rejected, as belonging to the apostles alone, the church has been left to form human creeds, and finite wisdom has led benighted souls in almost every direction excepting the channel of truth.—Hear the great Apostle:
"And he gave some, apostles, and some, prophets, and some, evangelists, and pastors, and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come in the UNITY OF THE FAITH." Eph. iv, 11—13. Is it said that the apostolic church came to this unity of the faith, and that these gifts have not since existed? To this we reply, that those who tear down the unpopular gifts, on this ground, tear down the ministry also, for Paul places them on the same ground, and shows them to be of equal duration. Hear Paul again:
"And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healing, helps, government, diversities of tongues," 1 Cor. xii, 28. If God has set these gifts in the church, who has taken them away? If they have all been taken away, then those who profess to be called of God as "teachers" in the church, are engaged in a calling that ceased about 1800 years since. But, if it be said that a portion of the gifts were to cease at the death of the apostles, we ask, who is prepared to decide this matter, and tell which gifts were to cease? God, the one that set them in the church, has not told us, neither has Christ, or his apostles. Ah! This cutting and carving for the Almighty, has deranged the gracious gospel plan, grieved the Spirit of truth almost entirely away from the church, and she has been left to the guidance of finite wisdom, to wander a thousand directions from the fold of Christ, and unlawfully unite with the world, and form this great Babylon.
It is vain to talk of union, permanent and scriptural, where there is confusion of views, and separate interests. How often have different denominations united in protracted efforts for the conversion of sinners; and all would go on well till the time came to bend the converts to the different man-made creeds; then what confusion has followed, and what wounds have been inflicted upon the cause of Christ. No wonder that men have doubted the reality of the Christian religion.
Look at the so-called Union Conference of Advent believers, held at New York City a little more than one year since.—That union not being in sentiment, but for objects understood by those acquainted with the state of the Advent people, was short lived. Some of the most prominent leaders in that Conference have since manifested extremely unkind feelings toward each other through the columns of the Harbinger and Watchman. We here give a few texts from the epistles of Paul which show the true, and only safe position for the church to occupy:21
"Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.—1 Cor. i, 10.
"Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be like-minded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: that ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God.—Rom. xv, 5, 6.
"If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, fulfill ye my joy, that ye be like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Phil. ii, 1, 2.
"Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace, and the God of love and peace shall be with you. Greet one another with an holy kiss." 2 Cor. xiii, 11, 12. See also, 1 Pet. iii, 8; Phil. iii, 16.
The Fall of Babylon
Is evidently a moral fall, and not her final destruction.—This may be seen from the order of events given, that she first falls, second, "becomes the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird," third, God's people are called out of her, and fourth, then her plagues are poured upon her, and she is thrown down with violence, "like a great mill-stone cast into the sea," and found no more.
"And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power, and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying; Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues." Rev.—xviii, 1—4.
After Babylon falls, and then becomes the hold of every foul spirit, &c. God calls his people out of her, to escape her plagues, yet future. Now, if Babylon's fall is her utter destruction, we ask how can she become a hold of foul spirits after she is destroyed? How will God's people be called out of Babylon after she is thrown down, like a great mill-stone cast into the sea? And how are her plagues to be poured upon her after she is destroyed, and is "found no more at all?"—Will those who confound the fall of Babylon with her final destruction, please answer these questions?
If the term Babylon be applied to the Roman Catholic church alone, then we inquire, When did she morally fall? The fact that she has always been corrupt, and about as low as she possibly could be, forbids the application of this moral change, or fall, to that corrupt church. Again, Babylon, signifying 'confusion, or mixture,' cannot be applied to the Roman church, she being a unit.
If it be said that the city of Rome is this Babylon, and that her fall is the burning of that literal city, then we would ask, How can the city of Rome "become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird" after it is burned? And how is it possible for God's people to be in Rome, (in order to be called out,) after that city is burned, and is thrown down with violence, like a great mill-stone cast into the sea by a mighty angel, and "found no more at all?" Will God's people be in Rome after that city is no more? Again, the people of God are called out of Babylon to escape her plagues. Rev. xviii, 4. But will they flee out of Rome after it is burned, to escape plagues, of which her being burned is her last plague? "Her plagues shall come in one day, death, and mourning and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire." Rev. xviii, 8.
The true application of Babylon is free from all these inconsistencies. The prophecy when rightly applied, will fit like the glove to the hand, being made purposely for it.
In our next we design to show, that the message of the second angel, "Babylon is fallen, is fallen, &c." [Rev. xiv, 8,] is in the past, and has been fulfilled in connection with the Advent movement, also the nature of her fall, and that the message of Rev. xviii, 1—4, "Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, AND HAS BECOME [after her fall] the habitation of devils, and the hold of EVERY FOUL SPIRIT, &c." is yet to be given, to call out the 144,000 from the great Babylon of apostate Christianity, preparatory to the coming of Christ.
We are happy to publish the article from Bro. Cottrell, on another page, and hope our friends will do what they can to circulate the REVIEW AND HERALD among Sabbath-keepers not particularly interested in the advent doctrine.
The Seventh-day Baptists, seeing the proclaimors of the advent bowing to an institution of Papacy, were not well prepared to receive the message. And is it not the purpose of God that those who have come to the knowledge of the Sabbath, should spread the light of the advent before this people, as the way may open before them?
TO THE BRETHREN AND SISTERS.
By Ellen G. White
As I have of late looked around to find the humble followers of the meek and lowly Jesus, my mind has been much exercised.
Many who profess to be looking for the speedy coming of Christ, are becoming conformed to this world, and seek more earnestly the applause of those around them, than the approbation of God. They are cold and formal, like the nominal church, that they but a short time since separated from. The words addressed to the Laodicean Church, describe their present condition perfectly. See Rev. iii, 14—20. They are "neither cold nor hot," but "lukewarm." And unless they heed the counsel of the "faithful and True Witness," and zealously repent, and obtain "gold tried in the fire," "white raiment," and "eye-salve," he will spue them out of his mouth.
The time has come when a large portion of those who once rejoiced, and shouted aloud for joy, in view of the immediate coming of the Lord, are on the ground of the churches and world who once scoffed at, and derided them for believing that Jesus was coming, and circulated all manner of falsehoods to raise prejudice against them, and destroy their influence.—If any one longs after the living God, and hungers and thirsts for righteousness, and God gives them to feel his power, and satisfies their longing soul, by shedding abroad his love in their hearts, and if they glorify God by praising him, they are, by these professed believers in the soon coming of the Lord, often considered deluded, and charged with having mesmerism or some wicked spirit.
Many of these professed Christians dress, talk and act like the world, and the only thing by which they may be known, is their profession. Though they profess to be looking for Christ, their conversation is not in heaven, but on worldly things.
"What manner of persons" ought those to be "in all holy conversation and godliness," who profess to be "looking for, and hastening unto the day of God?" 2 Pet. iii, 11. "Every man that hath this hope in him, purifieth himself, even as he is pure." 1 John, iii, 3. But it is evident that many who bear the advent name, study more to decorate their bodies, and appear well in the eyes of the world, than they do the word of God, to learn how they may be approved of him.
What if the lovely Jesus, our pattern, should make his appearance among them, and the professors of religion generally, as at his first advent? He was born in a manger. Follow him along through his life and ministry. He was a man of sorrow and acquainted with grief. These professed Christians would be ashamed of the meek and lowly Saviour who wore a plain, seamless coat, and had not where to lay his head. His spotless, self-denying life would condemn them; his holy solemnity would be a painful restraint upon their lightness and vain laughter; his guileless conversation would be a check to their worldly and covetous conversation; his declaring the unvarnished, cutting truth would manifest their real character, and they would wish to get the meek Pattern, the lovely Jesus, out of the way as soon as possible. They would be among the first to try to catch him in his words, and raise the cry, Crucify him! Crucify him!
Let us follow Jesus as he so meekly rode into Jerusalem, when "the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice, Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. Some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples.—And he answered and said unto them, I tell you, that if these should hold their peace the stones would immediately cry out." A large portion of those who profess to be looking for Christ would be as forward as the Pharisees were, to have the disciples silenced, and they would doubtless raise the cry, Fanaticism! Mesmerism! Mesmerism! And the disciples spreading their garments and branches of palm-trees in the way would be thought extravagant and wild.
But God will have a people on the earth that will not be so cold and dead but that they can praise and glorify him. He will receive glory from some people, and if his chosen people, who keep his commandments should hold their peace the very stones would cry out.
Jesus is coming, but not as at his first advent, a babe in Bethlehem, not as he rode into Jerusalem, when the disciples praised God with a loud voice and cried, Hosannah; but in the glory of the Father, and with all the retinue of holy angels with him, to escort him on his way to earth. All heaven will be emptied of the angels. While the waiting saints will be looking for him, and gazing into heaven, as were the "men of Galilee" when he ascended from the Mount of Olivet.—Then, those only who are holy, those who have followed fully the meek Pattern will, with rapturous joy, exclaim as they behold him, "Lo, this is our God, we have waited for him, and he will save us!" And they will be changed "in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump," that wakes the sleeping saints, and calls them forth from their dusty beds, clothed with glorious immortality, shouting, Victory! Victory! over death and the grave. The changed saints are caught up together with them to meet the Lord in the air, never more to be separated from the object of their love.
With such a prospect as this before us, such a glorious hope, such a redemption that Christ has purchased for us by his own blood, shall we hold our peace? Shall we not praise God, even with a loud voice, as the disciples did when Jesus rode into Jerusalem? Is not our prospect far more glorious than theirs was? Who dare then forbid us glorifying God, even with a loud voice, when we have such a hope, big with immortality and full of glory? We have tasted of the powers of the world to come, and long for more. My whole being cries out after the living God, and I shall not be satisfied until I am filled with all his fullness.
The way to heaven is rugged. Briers and thorns are in the way; but we can with cheerfulness tread the rough pathway, knowing that Jesus, the King of glory, once trod it before us.
We will rejoice that we can follow in his footsteps, and be partakers with him of his sufferings, that we may finally partake of his glory.
What if reproaches are heaped upon me, even by those who profess to be looking for the Lord? What if falsehoods are kept in circulation by "whosoever loveth a lie" made ready to their hand? All this I can bear cheerfully. Why should I repine? My Master, the King of Glory, was treated a thousand times worse than I have been, and can I, a poor, unworthy creature, expect any better treatment in following Jesus, than he received? Shall I complain, when Jesus bore the scoffs and derision of his own people, the Jews, and was finally rejected and crucified by them for me? For my sins he bore all this. No, I will not complain; I will rather rejoice and be exceeding glad that I am accounted worthy to suffer for Christ's sake, that my reward may be in heaven. Only let me have an inheritance in glory, and it will be enough. For that, I can endure anything and everything. Heaven, sweet heaven—
"I long to be there, and the thought that 'tis near,
Makes me almost impatient for Christ to appear,
And fit up that dwelling of glory so rare—
The earth robed in beauty—I long to be there."
Let us, dear brethren and sisters, crave the suffering, crucifying part of religion. For we are to be purified and fitted for the kingdom through suffering. We must keep separate from the world, if we would have the love of God abide with us. As soon as we begin to be conformed to this world, just so soon God's Spirit begins to depart from us. But if we keep humble, live holy, harmless and separate from sinners, we shall see of the salvation of God. Let us strive to be Christians (Christ-like) in every sense of the word, and let our dress, conversation and actions preach that Christ is formed within, the hope of glory, and that we are looking for that blessed hope and glorious appearing of Jesus. Let us show to those around us, that this world is not our home, that we are pilgrims and strangers here.
My affections, interest, treasure, all, is in the bright world to come. I long to see the King in his beauty, whom angels adorate, and as they bow, cast their glittering crowns before him, and then touch their golden harps, and fill all heaven with their rich music.
Let those who break God's law and teach others to do so, denounce us as fallen from grace because we keep all ten of his immutable precepts, it will not harm us. We have the satisfaction of knowing, that while they curse, Jesus has pronounced a blessing. Says the true Witness, the only Begotten of the Father, "Blessed are they that do his [the Father's] commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the City." Rev. xxii, 14.
Think ye that the commandment-keepers will be sorry, and mourn when the pearly gates of the Golden City of God are swung back upon their glittering hinges, and they are welcomed in? No, never. They will then rejoice, that they are not under the bondage of the law, but that they have kept God's law, and therefore are free from it. They will have right to the tree of life, a right to its healing leaves. They will hear the lovely voice of Jesus, richer than any music that ever fell on mortal ear, saying, There will be no more sorrow, pain or death; sighing and crying have fled away.
"Our eyes shall then, with rapture,
The Saviour's face behold,
Our feet, no more diverted,
Shall walk the streets of gold;
Our ears shall hear with transport
The hosts celestial sing,
Our tongues shall chant the glory
Of our Immortal King."
ELLEN G. WHITE
To Correspondents.
By Editor
Bro. B. B. Brown—We sent you a Chart by the mail to Beloit, Wis., about the middle of April; also a letter. Were they received? Please write.
Bro. Darius Myers—We were happy to hear from you, dear brother. Have sent a very few small tracts; will send more if you wish. The Chart can be sent by Mail. Shall send it otherwise if possible.
Conference at Bangor
By Hiram Edson
From Bro. Edson.
DEAR BRO. WHITE: Our Conference in this place has just closed. The meeting has been one of much interest and profit to the dear saints in this place. The company of believers are united, and firmly settled in the present truth. The Word has had free course, and has run and been glorified. The blessing of heaven has rested upon the meeting. The sweet Spirit of the Lord has rested upon his people, and the melting power of his love has caused them to rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory, and to offer the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to God. An addition was made to the number of Sabbath-keepers.23
Some came with their minds prejudiced against this way which is every where spoken against, but felt their prejudice in a measure give way, and some confessed that God was with this people of a truth. The standard is planted here, and we are sure that the saints of God will rally around it. The Lord is at work in this region of country, bringing out, and making manifest his people. May the Lord speed the truth is my prayer.
Hiram Edson.
Bangor, N. Y., May 31st, 1852.
To Sabbath-keepers who have not heard The Third Angel's Message.
By Roswell F. Cottrell
DEAR BRETHREN:—The Lord will soon come. To those who look for him and love his righteous appearing, these few words are addressed. We, that have long observed the Sabbath of the Lord, have been looking forward with great desire to the time when this commandment of Jehovah, so long trodden down by the power that should “think to change times and laws,” should be restored. We have expected to see the Sabbath triumph. Perhaps we have expected too much from this sinful world.—The great mass even of professors of religion, will never yield obedience to this oracle of God. But after seeing the clear light upon it and rejecting it, their house will be left unto them desolate.
But rejoice with me, brethren, the truth is even now triumphing with the honest. Those who love our Lord Jesus Christ, and are looking, and longing for his glorious appearing, and wish to be found of him in peace, without spot or wrinkle, are being led to see that they must keep all the commandments of God; that they may have right to the tree of life, and enter in through the gates into the City.
You doubtless remember the cry that went through the world, that the Lord would come in 1843. This message was derided under the name of Millerism, but not by those who loved the Lord and believed his word. He promised, before he left the world, to come again; and none who love him and understand his word, will ever scoff at the idea of his coming.—Just such a proclamation as this, is symbolized by an angel having the everlasting gospel to preach to them that dwell on the earth, saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him, for the hour of the judgment is come. Rev. xiv, 6, 7. Brethren, inquire carefully whether this scripture was not then fulfilled. Perhaps you are ready to say that the proclamation was false, because the Lord did not come, and therefore cannot be the fulfillment. To this I answer, that the Author of the prophetic word is not answerable for the mistakes of fallible humanity. His children oft fulfill his word, when they do not understand all about what they are doing. Concerning what took place when Christ rode into Jerusalem, which was a fulfillment of prophecy, it is said:—
“These things understood not his disciples at the first; but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him.” John xii, 16.
So the people of God, in giving this judgment hour cry, in connection with the termination of the 2300 days of Daniel, for lack of knowledge, said, then the Lord will come. But the Prophet said, “Unto 2300 days, then shall the Sanctuary be cleansed.” And the Revelator saw two other messages follow the judgment hour cry, before he saw the Son of man on the white cloud. Rev. xiv, 14. The error in regard to the event to take place at the termination of the days, does not prove that the preaching of time did not fulfill the prophecy of Rev. xiv, 6, 7, any more than that of the disciples, in supposing that Jesus would at that time restore the kingdom to Israel, proved that they had nothing to do with the fulfillment of that prediction in Zech. ix, 9.
It is not my intention to argue this question, but only to awaken in your minds the spirit of inquiry that you may examine the subject for yourselves.—The Holy Spirit, by the prophet Daniel, has given us definite time. Was it intended that we, in these last days, should “understand” this time, and be benefited by it, or is it impossible for us to understand it in this mortal state? If the last supposition is true, why was it given to us? And ought not Paul to have accepted this, when he said, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable”?
An angel was sent to inform the prophet Daniel, that seventy weeks were determined upon his people, and told him that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and build Jerusalem, unto the Messiah, should be 69 weeks. If Jesus was the Christ, these weeks were weeks of years. From the going forth of the decree, B. C. 457, to three years and a half after the crucifixion, (which was “in the midst of the week,”) is 70 weeks, or 490 days.
Ought not the Jews to be convinced from their own scriptures, that the Messiah has already been manifested? Most certainly. And yet they are looking to the future for their Messiah. Very well. If Jews ought to be convinced of this fact by time, surely Christians ought to know that the remainder of the 2300 days, from which the seventy weeks were “cut off,” are also ended. Take 490 from 2300, and we have 1810. To A. D. 34 add 1810, and we have A. D. 1844. “Then shall the Sanctuary be cleansed.” It is not a matter of small importance, thus anciently, and definitely foretold. Then it behoves us to inquire the meaning of cleansing the Sanctuary.
I would like to say more on the subject of time, but the limits I have prescribed for myself forbid. I wish, however, to call your attention to the effect produced by preaching definite time. It awakened a spirit of inquiry in regard to bible truth. They took their lamps and went forth to meet the Bridegroom. And though the lamps of the foolish have gone out, for want of oil in their vessels, those of the wise shine more and more, and will continue to shine till we come to the perfect day.
The judgment hour cry was opposed by the churches. They, who professed to love the Lord, began to disfellowship those who proclaimed him near. Meeting-houses were closed against this message. And they, who scarcely thought of a separation from the churches, were compelled as it were, to give the second angel's message, viz: “Babylon is fallen, is fallen.” Rev. xiv, 8. I remember well of hearing that the churches in the Eastern States were being torn in pieces by the advent doctrine. And why were not the churches which kept the Sabbath equally affected with the rest? Because they stood upon a truth which was not held by those who were preaching the Advent.
But those who loved the Lord, and wished to be found of him without spot and blameless, in searching the sure word, began to see that there was no authority in that word for a change of the day originally sanctified by God as the Rest-day. When honest people see this, they obey God rather than man. So they were led along down the track of prophecy to the third angel’s message. Rev. xiv, 9—12.
“And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast, or his image, or receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God,” &c. “HERE is the patience of the saints; HERE are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.”
In this message is brought to view two classes.—One class worship the beast and receive his mark; the other keep the commandments, (not nine of them only,) and have the faith of Jesus. If you examine this subject, you will see clearly that the mark of the beast is that institution of the beast by which he attempts to set aside the commandment of the Most High, thinking himself able to “change times and laws.”
But I was about to tell you the result of preaching definite time. It has finally resulted in turning hundreds, and perhaps I might say thousands, to the Sabbath of the Lord. This you will say is good fruit.—Very well. Can a corrupt tree bear this good fruit?
Now I know you will wish to examine the subjects here briefly hinted at. You will make known your wishes by addressing a letter to JAMES WHITE, editor of the ADVENT REVIEW AND SABBATH HERALD, Rochester, N. Y., “Terms—Gratis. It is expected that all the friends of the cause will aid in its publication, as the Lord hath prospered them.”
Listen to no cry of “fanaticism,” or, “shut door,” but send in your names for the paper.
Yours for the truth,
ROSWELL F. COTTRELL.
Mill Grove, N. Y., May 25th, 1852.
Watch for Christ’s Return
"And to them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation." Heb. ix, 28.
"If, therefore, thou shalt not watch, I will come upon thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee." Rev. iii, 3.
LETTERS.
By William S. Ingraham
From Bro. Ingraham.
DEAR BRO. WHITE : I have returned from my tour south, in connection with Bro. Baker, and will give you a brief account of the meetings we held in different places. I did not attend the conference at East Bethel, from the fact that the appointment did not reach me until it was too late, but was informed by the brethren that the Lord was present to help and bless his people. I met with Bro. Baker in Lebanon, N. H., and started with him for Unity, according to appointment.—Our meeting in this place was somewhat interesting. One came in for the first time to hear the truths relative to our position, and became much interested in the third angel's message. From Unity we journeyed to Ashfield, Mass., and found a few brethren strong in the present truth, and hungry to hear the word of the Lord. The saints of the Lord in this place were strengthened, and our souls refreshed.—Others were convicted, and we were in hopes there would be an addition to the little company. We visited an adjoining town, (Hawley,) and held one meeting, and left them fully satisfied. Something remains to be done by some of God's servants in that vicinity. On our way to Ware, we stopped with Bro. S. Everett over night; found them somewhat afflicted. His daughter, Bro. Higgins' wife, had been sick for some time. God heard prayer in her behalf, and she was enabled to walk about the house when we left.
Our meeting in Ware was one of trial, but in the midst of discordant notes, some were enabled to understand the voice of the good Shepherd, and came out in favor of the truth. A number of preachers came out to hear during our stay in this place. Is it not astonishing to find our Advent preachers taking the position of the no-Sabbath. They have been driven from the first-day by arguments deduced from God's word, and to avoid the conclusion to which we have come, a refuge must be sought somewhere.
If the lot of our Advent preachers should be among the Turks, undoubtedly they would contend for the observance of the sixth day of the week; but as this is not the case, and as they dread to take a public stand so singular and peculiar as the observance of the Lord's day would place them in, the next subterfuge is the no-Sabbath ground. I am glad we have found the through train, and if we continue faithful, we'll sing among the redeemed in the kingdom of God, beyond this world's confusion.
On our return from Massachusetts we visited the brethren in Atholl. We had an extra time there, some embraced the truth. God will raise up a good company in that place. We shall soon visit the brethren in Canada if the Lord permit. The appointment will be given through the REVIEW AND HERALD.
Touching my own prosperity, I would say, I have made some advancement in the heavenly way of late. Never did the way look more narrow to me than now. Sometimes when I have a view of the way, my soul cries out, Let the saints go through; but as for me it is a doubtful case. But when I view the City just before us, and compare it with this world, where confusion is trampling on the heels of confusion, my soul cries out, By the grace of God I'll conquer the world, the flesh and the devil, escape the plagues of the damned, and shout victory with all the saints in the City of our God.