Earlier text: A LITTLE WHILEIndications of the End.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
THE other day I was deeply interested in a job of carpenter's work, to have it done by a certain time. The carpenter told me it should be done by the time desired. Day after day I watched the work but could see little progress. Every thing looked to me about the same from day to day. Certainly I thought, precious time is passing and little is being done. But at length he was ready to put together what he had been at work upon; then how quickly it was done! More appeared to be accomplished in an hour than had been before in days. From this I can learn a useful lesson concerning God's work. I sometimes become impatient and almost discouraged by the apparently slow progress the cause is making from year to year. In some respects it would seem as though the work was almost at a stand still. The coming of the Lord would appear to be no nearer than it was years ago; but when we take a comprehensive view of the work in its connections, things are moving rapidly very rapidly, every year toward the final consummation. The closing message is to affect all nations and all classes of men, and even the earth itself in its physical condition. Morally, religiously, and politically, men must be prepared, be ripened, for the events that are to transpire at the coming of Christ. It is not only God's people that is to be prepared. They could make little headway in the work, if God did not previously prepare men's minds for the work. When God promised Abraham the land of Canaan, he could not then take possession of it “for the iniquity of the Amorites was not yet full.” Gen. 15:16. The Amorites must become ripe for destruction before God would drive them out, and give the land to his people. Four hundred and thirty years the seed of Abraham waited for that promise; they became a nation of slaves and apparently their hope was lost. But at last when the Canaanites are ripe for it, when the Egyptians are ready to act their part, and the Israelites theirs, what mighty events are crowded into a few years! How quick the building goes up after the materials are all prepared. Christ, the Messiah, was the great hope of the Hebrew people. Every prophet that came upon the stage pointed to him with glowing words of hope. All hearts were eager for his coming. Yet generations, centuries, ages, passed slowly by with no indication of his advent. And when he is born into the world, thirty long years still roll on before he begins his work. At length all things are in the right condition; then what wonderful events were crowded into three or four years! So it has always been with the work of God. Its preparation is slow and tedious. The hasty and faithless ones become tired, discouraged, and turn away from it. The faithful alone hold on to the end. But when all things are finally ready, with what astonishing rapidity the most wonderful events are crowded into a few days! Notice a few of the many ways in which we see all things preparing for the last loud warning and the final end. 1. When Jesus comes, the world is to be morally corrupt as it was in the time of Noah and Lot. Matt. 24:37–39. The last few years has produced such a terrible increase in moral corruption that thinking and observing men are noticing it and feeling alarmed about it. Every year it grows worse faster. 2. Religious formality, hypocrisy, and worldliness are to mark the nominal churches when the Lord comes. They are to so far degenerate as to even become the habitation of devils and every unclean and hateful bird. 2 Tim. 3:1–6; Rev. 18:2. Nothing is more marked than the rapid apostasy of the Protestant sects for the last few years. All their pious members, leading men, and periodicals confess it with sorrow. A short time ago one needed to be cautious how he spoke of the fall of Babylon; but now it gives little or no offence to the people. Indeed, they see it more readily than other points. All candid persons are coming to feel and acknowledge that a reformation must soon be effected in some way or religion will lose its hold on men. It is coming to be no uncommon thing for notorious liars, swearers, drunkards, adulterers, &c., to be members in good standing in churches. I know these things to be so. They are fast ripening for the cry, “Come out of her my people.” The following from The Nation is to the point:— “If religion is to retain much influence on human affairs, the church must return to its ancient ways. Not only must it rebuke immorality, but it must not furnish a sanctuary for criminals. It fell into that error once before, in evil days, and it atoned for it heavily. For, although it is doubtless true that the spectacle of corruption, and of successful and unabashed corruption, in every variety of form, is very debauching, and that the state of things in this city is very likely to demoralize profoundly a very large proportion of the generation which is growing up under it, and which retains no traditions of the earlier and better time, it is also true that the great cause of morality is never left without champions and defenders. The sight of ruffians on the judgment-seat, selling justice with ribald jokes; of ruffians in the legislature, selling laws; of ruffians stealing millions of poor men's money every year, and spending it in “toys and lust and wine;” of great bankers and merchants conniving at their theft and smiling on them, as they gorge themselves; of church members taking their wages to do their bidding and further their schemes—may well be believed to be playing terrible havoc with the manners of the millions of young men and women who, standing on the edge of the arena, are asking themselves the tremendous question, What weapons are lawful in this great battle of life? But then, it must not be forgotten that spectacles of this kind disgust and rouse, if not as many as they seduce, enough both to save society and avenge it.”
3. The principles and doctrines of the present truth are becoming widely known through all the country. We can not go into a town large or small but what there are more or less persons who have heard or read on present truth, and are favorable to it. All these things are silently but surely preparing the way for the closing work to be done quickly. God's eye is on all parts of the work, and he keeps all moving together. The progress of this work is not to be marked simply by the numbers who actually and openly embrace it. Far from it. Thousands are hearing and reading now who are thus being prepared to fully embrace it by and by. 4. The rapid extension of railroads, steam boats, telegraphs, printing facilities, &c., is preparing the way for the closing work to be done as it were in a moment, when all things are ready. Dan. 12:4. Nah. 3:3, 4. What could we have done in warning the world, with only the facilities for traveling and publishing of a century ago? Comparatively nothing. Thus we see God preparing the way before his people. 5. Notice the extensive efforts made the few past years to spread the Bible and the gospel among all nations, thus fulfilling Matt. 24:14. None shall have an excuse when the Lord comes. 6. See the field where providence has raised up the last warning. In America all nations are represented as in no other country in all the world at any time. Not a nation of any account but what has more or less representatives here. Through these all can readily and rapidly be warned. In short, the materials are all being worked out, are nearly ready, and soon the building will go up. Courage, friends, God is in the work. Only have patience and faith. A. C. BOURDEAU
By A. C. Bourdeau
When we wrote our last report, Oct. 16, 1871, we had been in South Huntington over six Sundays, and had held about fifty meetings, and three precious souls had decided to keep the Sabbath. Now there are eight who keep the Sabbath in Huntington, and others are deeply interested. While we held a few more meetings in H., we started an interest in the town of Starksborough, about four miles and a half south, on the way to Bristol, where we held thirty meetings. The attendance was large at every meeting, and the people were very eager to hear the truth, and to read our works, and we had to work fast to visit the several families who anxiously invited us to call on them. Monday evening, Oct. 30, Bro. D. T. Bourdeau spoke on the importance of obeying, having arranged to leave the next day to visit several families during the week, and to meet with the friends in West Bolton the next Sabbath. While he was speaking that evening, it seemed quite evident to all present that his work was nearly closed, and that he would very soon have to rest in the grave. During the past thirteen months of our labors together, and in laboring with other preachers, he has zealously done his part of the work; often going beyond his strength. But in this our state of affliction, the thought that during that time more than sixty precious souls west of the Green Mountains in Vermont have been led to embrace the Sabbath and to rejoice in the present truth, cheers our poor hearts, and we are encouraged to trust in the Lord for the future. I continued holding meetings in Starksborough, assisted by Bro. Evans; and the 4th of November held our first Sabbath meeting in that place, which was one of the best meetings I ever attended. Five were present from Huntington, and two from Bristol, whose cheering testimonies added to the interest of the meeting. Several new converts committed themselves in favor of the truth. At the close of the meeting, those who were fully decided to keep the Bible Sabbath were invited to rise to their feet, and twenty-two arose, fifteen of whom were new converts. Bro. Evans arranged to move to that place last week. Sabbath and first-day, Nov. 11 and 12, I held meetings at West Bolton. The weather was very unfavorable, and some of the friends did not attend; yet the meetings were very interesting, and a good start was made in organizing Systematic Benevolence. Bro. and sister Hutchins were present. As Bro. H. tried to do his part in the meeting, it was manifest that he too needs to be careful with regard to his health. Next Thursday, the Lord willing, I shall return to Huntington and Starksborough to continue the work there. It is earnestly desired that Bro. and sister White will visit these new friends in Vermont on their Eastern tour. Bordoville, Vt., Nov. 19, 1871. Debate with Elder Cotton on the Sabbath Question
By I. Sanborn
On account of a heavy rain storm, I did not reach my appointment at Liberty Pole till sixth-day evening, and even then I was hindered from having meeting, by one Elder Cotton, Disciple, who had been holding meetings in the place for two weeks, on purpose to be ready to compel me to enter into a discussion with him on the Sabbath question. I affirmed that the Bible taught that the seventh-day Sabbath is binding upon all men. We debated this question four sessions of two hours each. He affirmed that the Bible teaches that the first day of the week was kept by the apostolic church as the day for public worship, and as such, should be observed by all Christians. We debated this question three evenings. The arguments in favor of Sunday were the same old story, except that the Elder admitted that the breaking of bread by Paul and the disciples, Acts 20:7, was only the partaking of a common meal, which was new to me. I showed from Ex. 31:13–18, that God said to the children of Israel that they should keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations for a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between me and the children of Israel forever. I also showed from Jer. 31:31, and Heb. 8:7–12, that God made the new covenant with the children of Israel, and that all that receive the blessings of the new covenant, even from among the Gentiles, are the children of Israel, and therefore must keep the Sabbath as the sign that God has sanctified them; and that every true Christian is a sanctified Israelite; and that God has made the keeping of the seventh-day Sabbath a sign of that fact, which, according to God’s promise in Ex. 31:13, must continue as long as the new covenant, and will be kept by God’s new-covenant people, called by Paul, Israel. Gal. 6:16. “And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.” The Elder admitted that the argument I presented, showing so plainly the perpetuity of Israel, was correct, but claimed that the Sabbath was not binding upon them, notwithstanding God said they should keep the Sabbath throughout their generations. All the friends of truth are satisfied that the discussion did much good. The brethren and sisters were much strengthened, and we think much prejudice was removed. The next evening after the discussion we commenced our quarterly meeting, which was the first one in this church. Brethren from Victory, Bad Axe and Kickapoo Center were present, and we all shared largely of God’s free Spirit, especially on the Sabbath. On first-day, two were baptized and added to the church, and two more will be baptized next first-day, at Kickapoo. The church here have commenced the organization of a missionary society. An elder and deacon were ordained; so this church is now in a good condition to advance and grow in grace if they will only be faithful. There is no one thing that I know of that will sooner destroy the spirituality of a church than tardiness in getting together at the time appointed for meeting. For instance, we appoint nine o’clock Sabbath morning for prayer and social meeting. And the brethren and sisters come strolling along till ten or eleven, so that many do not get there till the prayer-meeting is past. Such meetings attended in that way are always lifeless, cold, indifferent meetings, and will soon destroy the influence and spirituality of any church. In 2 Tim. 4:2, Paul says, “Be instant in season.” But you say, This means the minister. I admit it, but does it not also include the people? It most certainly does; for why should God command the minister and not the people? Dear brethren and sisters, let us all be punctual in getting to meeting in time, and also in doing our duty after we get there. Thursday, Nov. 23, I commenced meetings at Kickapoo Center, preached five times, had an ordinance meeting, ordained an elder, and baptized three. Monday, the 27th, I traveled twenty-eight miles, and preached in the evening to the Sand Prairie church. This is one of the strongest churches in the Conference, not in numbers, but in real sound moral worth. They have been an organized church about ten years, and have had their trials; but by the careful management of their elder, and the blessing of God, they built their meeting-house, and have always kept up their Systematic Benevolence. And never to my knowledge have they had to call on a minister to help them out of any trouble. And they are now becoming much interested in the missionary work as suggested by Bro. White in a late REVIEW, and are organizing. The churches at Liberty Pole and Kickapoo have also organized themselves into missionary societies. I hope all the churches in the Conference will immediately take hold of the work, and feel stimulated to action by what the New England Conference has done and is doing. See Bro. White’s report in REVIEW Vol. 38, No. 22. I hope all our brethren in Wisconsin will reread it carefully, and then carry out the work as promptly as the New England Conference has, especially in collecting and paying all dues on the REVIEW AND HERALD. Since leaving Liberty Pole, I noticed in the Vernon Co. paper that Elder Cotton is not satisfied with the discussion, because he did not have the privilege of discussing the immortality question. He also insinuates that I used deception with him in order to avoid discussing the immortality question when we discussed the Sabbath question. But I told him plainly the reason I could not discuss that subject then was for want of time on account of other engagements. But if we can agree on propositions, I will discuss that question with him in their meeting-house in Viroqua at some future time. I arrived home, Nov. 28, to see to the wants of my deeply afflicted family. My wife is now suffering severely by the very painful returning cancer that we hoped was removed last winter. Just how long I shall be kept at home by this affliction, I know not, but will wait on the Lord to open the way for me. I will say, therefore, to the brethren in Wausband Co., Please be patient, trusting in the Lord to help you to get along without preaching for a while longer, and I will visit you again as soon as the way shall open, so that I can consistently leave my family again. I would ask all to pray for us, that the Lord may bring us through this affliction better than when we entered into it. I. SANBORN. Johnstown Center, Wis., Nov. 29, 1871. He Giveth Snow like Wool.
By E. R. Dewey
Drop a piece of wool upon the floor. Do you hear it? No. It is noiseless. And this is altogether characteristic of divine operations. “What God does, is done so sweetly,
So completely,
And so still,
Every part becomes amazing,
While we’re gazing
At his skill.” Beautiful snow! how silently it falls! It makes no sound as it comes, it sends no herald to proclaim its advent, but silently and surely it falls, covering every twig and tree, till all nature is clothed in a pure, white garment. It covers all the rough places, hides every deformity. It crowns the lowly cottage with its pure wreath of white, as well as the mansion of the rich. How pure, how beautiful, it is before it is marred by man! Is there anything whiter than snow? You are almost ready to say, Surely, nothing can be; but the psalmist tells us that there is. See Ps. 51: 7. “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” Snow is often alluded to in the Bible for its whiteness, and for its cleansing qualities. “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow: though they be red like crimson, they shall be like wool.” Oh! sweet assurance! to have all our sins thus blotted out, and our hearts made pure and clean, “whiter than snow,” that we may be accounted worthy of receiving eternal life when Jesus comes. “Jesus! who on Calvary’s mountain
Poured thy precious blood for me,
Wash me in its flowing fountain,
That my soul may spotless be.” Make us All like Jesus.
By M. E. Williams
PERHAPS this petition is offered to God often without fully realizing what it implies. Do we, in reality, desire to lead the humble, cross-bearing life he did? Are we willing to deny self? Jesus’ whole life here was made up of self-denial. Ah! and what self-denial, to leave the realms of glory where he was adored and honored, and come to this world where he knew he would be derided and mocked, and put to the most shameful death. Are we willing to spend our time in doing good to others, instead of ourselves? This was the whole work of the Master. Did he do it grudgingly? Oh! no; but mourned over those who would not let him do them good; saying to Jerusalem, “How often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings; and ye would not.” Was he proud of his good deeds? Who might not have taken honor to himself, if not he? He might with propriety have sought the society of the rich, the noble, and the mighty: who if not he, the Son of God? But no, his chosen ones were of the humble poor. Should his professed followers then be seeking for the applause and honors of the rich and mighty? should the disciple desire to be above his Lord? Jesus gave all, even life itself, to save souls. How much are we willing to sacrifice to save them? Who has this end in view continually? Souls are perishing; can we be indifferent? Not if we would be207 like Jesus. He was rich, but for our sakes he became poor. Who has such love for souls as to be willing to follow their Lord in this respect? Many of their abundance give a little, to send the truth to others; perhaps even that grudgingly; and still souls are perishing for lack of the good we might do them. How much to you, is the value of a soul? A few dollars, perhaps a few cents, may be the means of saving one. Would you be Christ-like, wait not for opportunities to do good to come to you, but seek for them. Shall wasted opportunities rise up in the judgment against us? Nearly every day, some one comes in our way, to whom we might impart a knowledge of the truth; whom we should warn that the Lord is at hand; the Judge at the door. Are we faithful to do this? The vineyard is large, but where are the laborers? I see some busy at work, toiling early and late, instant in season and out of season. But oh! how many sluggards and drones are there; only stumbling-blocks in the way of sinners. And what will be the end thereof? The day for settling accounts is at hand. The Master will ask, Where are thy sheaves? where the souls thou shouldst have saved? where thy robe of white? This one is stained; covered with the blood of souls. Here is the crown thou mightest have worn, but it shall be given to another more worthy than thou. May God beget within us an earnest zeal, that with meekness we may do our duty faithfully to all; and help us that we may truly become like Jesus. But God will not make us like Jesus, though we ask it ever so much; unless there is a willingness in our hearts to be so. We are to work together with him, in this matter. Study his life; and then strive to be like him, humbly asking God for help. I think I do really desire to be as near like Jesus, as it is possible for poor, weak, erring mortals to be. The more I study his life, the more I love and reverence him. I am ravished with his loveliness, and I will strive every day to become more like him. A MOTHER'S LAMENT.
By H. M. Van Slyke
No place to pray, no altar here,
In parlor, hall, or plain;
No hand to guide, no heart to cheer,
I turn and search in vain. My God I love, his laws are good,
My all to him I owe;
My wayward will his love subdued;
To him I fain would go. The hosts of Satan press about;
My heart with pain will throb;
Till tired of life and mirthful shout,
I steal away to sob. Then Jesus comes with words of love;
“I’ve lived thy life before;
Despairing one, look up, above,
And view the shining shore. “I’ve trod this vale of tears for thee;
For thee I’ve prayed at night,
On mountains wild, by roaring sea,
That thou might see the light.” Oh! joy of all; that blest abode
Beyond this world of care—
Jesus my all—my father, God;
I’ll lift my heart in prayer. Aroostook Co., Me.
By J. B. Goodrich
I commenced meetings at the Dyer Brook school-house, Nov. 2. The interest has seemed to be very good. There have been from twenty-five to one hundred out to hear. The most are convinced that we have the truth, and a few have decided to keep the Sabbath. Others are hesitating at the cross. It is very evident that the Lord is at work with some, and I hope to see victory on the side of truth. Truly it seems that this is the compelling message, and will finally triumph. J. B. GOODRICH. Loving our Neighbor.
By V. M. L. Cottrell
“Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” God does not command us to love him with an indifferent or lukewarm love, but to love him even as we love ourselves. Do we do this? Are we as forgiving to our neighbor as we are to ourselves? When he is in need, are we as ready to assist him as we are to assist ourselves? When he rejoices, do we rejoice with him? When he mourns, do we comfort him? When he is cold, do we warm him? When he is hungry, do we give him food? When he is naked, do we clothe him? When he is sick, do we stand by his bedside and minister unto him? If he is in danger, do we warn him? When he strays from the path of truth and virtue, do we take him by the hand and gently lead him to Jesus? If we do, then in truth do we love our neighbor as we love ourselves. If we do not, then do we come short of God’s commandment. Brethren and sisters, let us think of this. Read the last part of Matt. 25. How fast it flies! Soon it will be gone, and eternity will take its place. Can we keep pace with it. Do our actions correspond with our faith, and the time in which we live? Do we economize our time, and give all we can spare from other necessary duties of life to the cause of God, in doing good to others? or do we spend it in pleasure-seeking? in visiting? or any way to please the carnal mind? Do we realize that time is precious? and every moment that is wasted, or not improved to the glory of God, is sinful in his sight, and will be brought into judgment? If we partook of the spirit of our Master, who went about doing good, and who suffered with hunger and fatigue in ministering to the wants of others, our hearts would be in the work, and we should find no time to use unnecessarily for ourselves, but our hearts would yearn over those who have not the light of present truth. We should put forth a mightier effort to get the truth before them. Oh! that a deeper sense of the shortness of time, and our accountability to God, might rest upon us. The great day of God's wrath hasteth greatly. Soon the great controversy with mankind will be closed up. There is no time to spare. If we have any part to act in life's closing drama, we must be about it; and while we may feel deeply humbled under a sense of our unworthiness and inability to fill even the smallest place, we must not get discouraged, but do what we can. Oh! may we obey the truth by living out all the light. Then shall we feel its sanctifying power resting upon us, which will fit us for our place wherever it may be. Monterey, Nov. 20, 1871
By Joseph Bates
SINCE my last report, Oct. 29, I have been visiting Sabbath-keepers in Oceana Co., where a church was recently organized in the township of Grant by Bro. Philip Strong, G. W. Newman elected Elder, from Nov. 4 to 15. Our Sabbath and first-day meetings were deeply interesting, especially the last. Some of the brethren have from ten to fifteen miles to travel, and strangers come also quite a distance to learn about the keeping of the Sabbath and the soon coming of our dear Lord and Saviour. Others beside Sabbath-keepers are anxious to hear a course of lectures. Many strangers are seeking employment on the railroads which are progressing northward up the western shore of the lake through villages and settlements which have been difficult to reach heretofore on account of bad roads. From what I learned, the way is opening daily for the spread of the good news of the coming kingdom of our Lord and Saviour. I was with the church in Monterey last Sabbath. The, whooping cough has prevailed here with the children to such an extent that our day schools and Sabbath-schools have been suspended for weeks. Thank the Lord the afflicted are getting better, and the schools are about commencing again. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of Heaven is at hand. PROVIDENCE permitting, the tenth annual session of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists will be held at Battle Creek, Mich., sixth-day, Dec. 29, 1871, at 9 o’clock, A. M., for the purpose of taking into consideration the general wants of the cause, and devising means for further advancing the work in those directions where the openings of the providence of God are manifestly inviting us. Let all the different State Conferences, and scattered brethren outside such Conferences, take immediate steps to represent themselves in the manner the constitution provides, and make such reports as it requires. It will be necessary that all delegates should reach this place at some time during the preceding week.
JAMES WHITE, } Gen.
J. N. ANDREWS, } Conf.
W. H. LITTLEJOHN. } Com. The S. D. A. Publishing Association.
THE Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association will hold its twelfth annual session at Battle Creek, Mich., Monday, Jan. 1, 1872, at 9 o’clock, A. M., to deliberate for the general interests of the Association, elect officers, and transact any other business that may come before the meeting.
JAMES WHITE,
URIAH SMITH,
J. N. ANDREWS,
J. H. WAGGONER, } Trustees.
L. P. BAILEY,
A. P. VAN HORN,
A. M. DRISCOLL. QUARTERLY meeting for the churches of Orleans, Fairplains, Orange, Vergennes, and Bushnell, at Orleans, Jan. 6 and 7, 1872.
S. H. KING. QUARTERLY meeting at Blendon, Mich., Sabbath, Dec. 16. Will some messenger please attend?
ADOLPHUS SMITH. QUARTERLY meeting at Beaver Dams, Schuyler Co., N. Y., Jan. 6 and 7. Friends from the west via N. Y. and Erie railroad will leave the cars at Corning; those from the east will stop at Watkins. This will be an important meeting; therefore let all who come prepare themselves to labor as humble representatives of the closing message.
JOHN LINDSEY,
S. A. H. LINDSEY. QUARTERLY meeting of the Hundred Mile Grove church, Wis., January 6 and 7, 1872. We hope to see a large gathering of the friends of the cause.
N. M. JORDON. QUARTERLY meeting for the churches and scattered brethren of Hillsdale Co., Mich., at Hillsdale, Sabbath and first-day, Jan. 6 and 7, 1872. Cannot some minister attend?
J. R. STONE, Clerk. Novel-Reading.
By Wm. E. Morton
This fascinating sin just as effectually poisons the mind as a deadly drug does the system; and yet how wide-spread is the evil. The habitual novel-reader is just as much a slave to his appetite for fiction as the drunkard is to his for liquor, or the smoker to his for tobacco. I know the above to be true from experience, and I would send forth a word of warning to those who are addicted to this habit, especially among the children of Sabbath-keepers. The following is a sketch of my own experience, and if it awakens a sense of this great evil in the breast of one poor soul, so as to lead him to abandon the practice, it will have accomplished its purpose. I commenced to read the N. Y. Ledger when only seven or eight years of age; but as I grew older, I found that that did not satisfy my mind’s desire for exciting reading. I must have more. So dime novels were added to the list. Still the cry was for more. And thus it was continually; the more I read, the more I wanted to read, until it was my whole aim and desire to procure some new story. And then I was lost to all external things until that was finished. The last four years, I read from four to six of the weekly papers each week, and every story book and novel I could obtain, which was a great many. At last, the habit got such complete control of me that I could not read the Bible, the REVIEW, or any of our publications. I found no enjoyment in meeting, and for nearly one year I did not attend meeting on the Sabbath with my parents, but stayed at home to read stories. And now, at the age of only twenty-two, I find my memory greatly impaired, though I am naturally very quick to learn, with a power of memory naturally strong. No one can realize how keenly I feel the loss, and how bitterly I regret the misspent years of my life. I had seen the evil for a number of years, and at times made up my mind to abandon the practice; but had not the courage to do so. At last, there came a time that I must make a decision one way or the other. My mother had been sick for some five weeks, when one night father called me up at 3 o’clock, and there, as I supposed, by the bedside of my dying mother, I gave the required promise. From that hour she seemed to rally. The same week I went to camp-meeting, and there started for the kingdom. Blessed be the name of the Lord! for he has given me strength to keep my promise. I can truly say that I now take more enjoyment while reading one chapter in the Bible than I ever did in all the novels I ever read. Dear reader, are you addicted to this great sin? If so, stop! stop now, ere it be too late. Don’t wait to see the end of that continued story, for by the time that is finished you will become interested in another one, and be no nearer leaving off than at first. I have tried it, and know this to be so. Oh! I beg of you, don’t waste any more of these precious moments in novel-reading. Soon Jesus is coming! He is even now at the door. Then let us work while the day lasts, that we may make our calling and election sure; for soon the night cometh in which no one can work, and are we ready? Pray for me that I may prove faithful, overcome every sin, and at last meet you in the kingdom. Thought-Hives.
By T. L. Cuyler
Every man we meet is a walking thought-hive. To our eye, it is hidden; but to God’s eye, it is a hive of transparent glass. For there is not a thought in our hearts, but lo! O Lord, thou knowest it altogether! The thoughts which nestle within us, and issue from us in language and in actions, determine our moral character. “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.” A man is known by the company he keeps. So the thoughts which we harbor within us, and which go out through the doors of our mouths and our hands, determine our real characters. A holy man gives house-room only to pure and noble and goodly thoughts, and he is constantly striving to bar up door and window against foul and wicked intruders; out of the treasure-house within him proceed all the beautiful deeds and white-winged words that are a blessing unto others. Habitual thinking determines a man as either Christ’s or Satan’s. A sensualist is only a filthy thinker. The walls of his mind are hung around with lascivious pictures; his inmost soul is a brothel. Do a man’s thoughts run continually upon the bottle? Then he is a drunkard. Does another man’s thought-hive send out its winged messengers every hour to gather honey from God’s word, and his world of nature? Then is he a devout and happy being. In such a man, God dwelleth by his Spirit. One of the highest of spiritual luxuries is the enjoyment of pure and exhilarating and sublime thoughts. To such a devout and happy thinker, a prison would be a palace. “I thought of Jesus,” said holy Rutherford, “until every stone in the wall of my prison cell shone like a ruby.” Wherefore let us keep our hearts—our thought-hives—with all diligence, for out of them are the issues of our life. And no one can handle the pitch of a wicked, or obscene, or abominable thought for any considerable time, without being fatally defiled thereby. There is no greater torment than to be an unclean, or an intensely selfish, or corrupt thinker; this is the genuine demoniac possession. Such a one is “grievously vexed with a devil.” To go through some men’s hearts would be like a walk through Sing Sing penitentiary. Every room has a rascal in it. Out of such hearts proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, covetousness, pride, blasphemy. What a hell in advance, to be doomed to live in such a habitation of the devil! All thoughts have their germs. The surest way to kill a sin is to kill it in the egg. At the very moment when a wicked thought is born, is the right time to strangle it. These little snakes soon become the anacondas that strangle conscience and destroy character. How important, too, is the nursing into active life and strength of every good and holy suggestion and aspiration. A noble career depends on the treatment given to the infant ideas that are born in the soul. The best of these are the direct product of the Holy Spirit. To quench a good thought is to “quench the Spirit;” and the everlasting damnation of millions has been the result of this very sin against the infinite love.—T. L. Cuyler. Wellsville, N. Y., Nov. 29, 1871
By Josiah Witter
THE church in Allegany Co., N. Y., feel it duty to caution all against being imposed upon by a “wandering star” by the name of Green, who came to them with fair professions and an assumed name (that of Harry Harding), and succeeded in marrying a respectable young lady, after which it was discovered that he had a wife and four children living in Pennsylvania within a day’s drive of this place. Also, there is a middle-aged man, of low stature, light hair, bald headed, and pock-marked, who was excluded from this church for the crime next to murder in the decalogue, some two years since, and who, instead of showing signs of genuine repentance, has taken up a warfare against a portion of our faith, while he professes to keep the Sabbath, and is laboring to injure our influence among the people by false representations of what we hold and teach, to create prejudice with those without, and lead astray the weak and wavering. His case would not be noticed thus publicly, but for the possibility that he may turn up in some other place, and if he should, he is sure to appear as a preacher, for preach he must and preach he will; to which we have no objections, if he will preach his own creed and not deceive the people in respect to S. D. Adventists and the truths which we hold and teach. Wellsville, N. Y., Nov. 29, 1871
Religion Laid Aside Among Worldly Company
THE Christian who has put aside religion because he is in worldly company, is like a man who has put off his shoes because he is walking among thorns. Sabbath Adventists Invited to Call in Wellington
By O. T. Noble; J. A. Noble
S. D. ADVENTISTS passing through Wellington, Ohio (on the C. C. C. & L. R. R.), are cordially invited to give us a call. O. T. NOBLE, J. A. NOBLE. Obituary Notices.
By J. B. Benington
Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth. Died, in Monroe, Iowa, Nov. 5, 1871, of typhoid fever, Lottie May, only child of J. B. and Maggie K. Benington, aged one year, four months, and twelve days. We have laid her away to rest peacefully until the resurrection morn. Then we hope, by the grace of God, to meet her never to part again.