Earlier text: SELECTIONSTHE STATE OF THE DEAD.
By Editor
The Advent Herald in reviewing a writer on "The Doctrine of the Millennium," quotes his words as follows: "Our astute reasoner proceeds: 'And I saw thrones, etcetera, 4th, 5th, and 6th verses. It is first to be observed here, that these words are not spoken of the bodies of the saints, but of their souls. I saw the souls of them who had been beheaded for the witness of Jesus. This must be carefully borne in mind, because the error of the Millenarians is mainly due to a neglect of this distinction. They imagine a bodily resurrection, whereas St. John speaks of a spiritual one. It is not said that these souls lived again, but they lived and reigned with Christ, so that what is here said is spoken, not of a corporeal, but of a spiritual resurrection.'" To this the Herald replies: 'It is also "to be observed," that the souls spoken of are "the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus." Being beheaded, they must have been dead. "Them that were beheaded," is the antecedent of the relative "they," in the affirmation, "they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years." Their living is therefore antithetical to their having been beheaded; and living, those whose souls they were, were no longer in their previous headless condition. If only the souls lived, in what sense had they previously not lived? Living is a condition nowhere affirmed of souls disconnected from their bodies. For souls to live, is for them to be re-united to their bodies. As, when disconnected from the body, the soul is under the dominion of death and hades, it follows that for it to live, is to free it from that dominion. A resurrection cannot therefore be predicated of the soul independent of its connection with the body; and hence it is not a spiritual, but a bodily resurrection that is here symbolized.' We are happy to find the above testimony in the Herald, since, if we rightly apprehend, it has hereby witnessed a good confession to the truth. It is quite a good commentary on the passage referred to; [Rev. xx, 4, 5;] and its object is very laudable, namely, to prove a literal against a spiritual resurrection, or the resurrection of the body and not of the soul; but that it should, while defending this truth, bear such unequivocal testimony to the state of man in death, is what has arrested our attention. "Living," says the Herald, "is a condition nowhere affirmed of souls disconnected from their bodies." Therefore when man is in death, there is no living of the soul. Again: "As, when disconnected from the body the soul is under the dominion of death and Hades, it follows that for it to live is to free it from that dominion." It will not of course be freed from that dominion till the resurrection; therefore until the resurrection the soul does not live. Or, in other words, even if man has a distinct entity, called the soul, there is no consciousness between death and the resurrection. This is the conclusion we draw from the above extract. On this we are happy to find ourselves in agreement, believing as we do that it has the sanction of all the scriptures. AS WE EXPECTED.
By James White
WE are led to reflections upon the arts practice by Satan, to lead men from the truth of God's word. Those who embrace important truth, (those whom he cannot keep from the truth,) he will lead away if possible, and he will leave no art untried. In the Prophetic Expositor of May 1st, we notice a communication from H. V. Reed of Wisconsin, who has for about four years professed the Sabbath of the Lord. And, as we expected, from the course he has taken, find that he has given up the Sabbath. He says:— "Bro. Marsh:—After so long a time I take my pen to address you a few lines—hoping that what I am about to write will serve as encouragement to the brethren scattered abroad, and aid in strengthening them in the 'one hope,' &c. For some four years past I have believed and taught that the seventh day was the Sabbath of the Lord, and that christians in this dispensation were under obligations to observe the day as holy time, and that all who violated this command were under the penalty of God's command, &c. When I first embraced the gospel of the kingdom, I took the position that the seventh day observed was peculiar to one people, and one age; viz., the Mosaic. But owing to my want of a thorough understanding of the scripture teachings upon this point, my mind was beclouded by those who were better acquainted with the subject, and hence I was led astray." Had Bro. Reed held to the Third Angel's Message, which taught him to keep the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus, he would not have been left to make the fearful leap he has recently taken. But he chose to cling to the age to come, and, for a while, doubtless, endeavored to harmonize the Third Message with it. This hard task others in Wisconsin undertook. Satan well knew that the age to come would chill to death the soul, and root out finally the Message, so he would have them be sure to hold it fast.29Soon Satan stirred up the friends of disorder to fight against the REVIEW, the gifts, and against God's servants. Our poor young brother joined the disaffection, more or less, yet zealously taught the Lord's Sabbath. He had not yet reached the point for Satan's master temptation, viz., to break the commandments of God, and teach men so. Satan had other steps for him first to take. About this time D. P. Hall, led off in the field of strange vagaries, such as no Devil, no Spirit of God, and no resurrection of heathen and infants. He also gave the Messages of Rev. xiv, to the future age. After Bro. Reed had followed on in this direction, giving up truth and embracing error, ever learning some new and strange notion relating to the age to come, but never coming for once to a knowledge of the truth, then it was that he was prepared to turn from the holy commandment. But Bro. Reed will not be alone in this matter. Others who have received the same heretical sentiments, have drunk the same deadly draughts, will follow. It is impossible for the age to come and the Third Message to live together. Our pity is excited for these poor souls who are being led step by step, blindfolded, to ruin's brink. Could we help them how gladly would we do it; but many of them will not be helped. Dear readers, beware! Snares are set all about you. O beware of the arts of Satan to lead you away from the Message to destroy you. Will you also go way? Will you give up the Message you once loved? the Message which taught you to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus? God forbid! O let the departures from the Lord's Sabbath, of those who first gave up the Message, lead you to cling to it. There are many truths taught; but what is the present truth? This we must have now. There are many messages given; but what is the Message for this time? Answer. It is the Third Message. This God will bless. This is infallible. Men may err; but God and his Message are infallible. Amen. The word "soul," or rather the Hebrew and Greek from which it is translated, occurs in the word of God eight hundred and seventy-three times—seven hundred and sixty-eight times in the Old Testament, and one hundred and five times in the New. Also the word rendered "spirit," occurs in both Testaments eight hundred and twenty-seven times—four hundred and forty-two in the Old Testament, and three hundred and eighty-five in the New. Their aggregate use is seventeen hundred times. But notwithstanding the frequent use of these words, they are never once qualified by such expressions as "immortal," "deathless," "never-dying," &c., which so much abound in modern theology. Though the Bible speaks to us eight hundred and seventy-three times of the soul, it never once calls it an "immortal soul;" and though it tells us eight hundred and twenty-seven times of the spirit, it never once tells us of a "deathless spirit." TRADITION NO AUTHORITY.
By Joseph Clarke
In perusing lately Tytler's History, a few sentences seemed to my mind to cast light upon the present age and state of things. He says: "A supposition in many respects as absurd and irrational began to pollute the christian church in those ages, and still continues to maintain a very extensive influence. This was the worship of saints and relics. At Rome the bones of St. Peter and St. Paul, or rather, what were believed to be such, were removed from their graves one hundred and fifty years after their death, and deposited in magnificent shrines. In the following ages, Constantinople, which could boast no treasures of that kind within its own walls, had recourse to the provinces, and acquired from them the supposed bodies of St. Andrew, St. Luke and St. Timothy, after these had been dead for three hundred years. "But these sacred treasures were appropriated solely to the churches of the capitals of the empire. Other cities and their churches borrowed portions of these relics; and where they had not interest to procure these, their priests had dexterity to discover relics of their own. It was easier for the vulgar mind to approach in prayer the image, or simply the idea of a holy man—one who had been on earth, subject to like passions with themselves—than to raise their imaginations to the tremendous and incomprehensible nature of the Supreme Power: hence the prayers to the saints." The above quotation from Tytler's Universal History, vol. 3, book v, chap. iv, proves that the worship of relics, commenced in the early age of the church. Many suppose that the church was comparatively pure in those times. Another quotation from the same learned author: "In the time of Theodosius a majority of the saints voted an application to the emperor, to restore the altar and statue of victory; and the cause of Paganism was artfully and eloquently pleaded by the senator Symmachus, as that of Christianity by the celebrated Ambrose, archbishop of Milan. The dispute was managed on both sides with great ability. The argument of Symmachus was certainly the best that could be brought in support of his cause. He balances the certain effects of an adherence to ancient customs with the uncertain consequences of an innovation. If, says he, the past ages of the Roman State have been crowned with glory and prosperity—if the devout people have obtained the blessings they solicited at the altars of the gods, is it not advisable to persevere in the same salutary practices, rather than to risk the unknown dangers that may attend rash ambitions? The reasoning was plausible. But the arguments of Ambrose had a more solid foundation: he exposed the futility of that blind and indolent maxim, that ALL innovations are dangerous; he reproved that absurd veneration for antiquity which would not only maintain mankind in childhood and ignorance, but discourage every improvement of science, and replunge the human race into their original barbarism. After removing the veil which shut out the light, he displayed the beauty and excellence of the Christian system, and finally prevailed to the conviction of the senators against the able advocate of Paganism." Vol. 3, book v, chap. iv. Who does not discover in Symmachus the advocate of Paganism, the same serpentine thread of argument now used by the advocates of traditionary institutions? Shall we observe the festival Sunday because it is handed down to us from an early period by the church? By the same rule we must pay devout worship to the relics of St. Paul or St. Peter. As Symmachus maintained that the Roman empire had attained to a wonderful height of glory and renown under the patronage of heathen or pagan deities, so do the people now maintain that God has owned and blessed the festival of Sunday; and as Symmachus held that a change of their worship from Jupiter to Jesus Christ would endanger the Roman empire, so do many now fear to change from the observance of traditionary institutions, to the keeping of the holy law of Jehovah? How striking the thought the human mind has ever been rather in search of precedents than to know the Lord's will! Shall the authority of antiquity settle the question of right? If so then idolatry must be set up; for Paganism is almost as old as the race of man. What confidence can an honest, earnest, godly person place in those practices which have no foundation in the word of God, but rest wholly upon the authority of a corrupt church? so corrupt and degenerate as to seek in the earth for the decaying bones of a dead man, and so soon after the establishment of the Christian system? But we have still stronger and more conclusive evidence of the early departure of the churches from their primitive purity. I think that Christ's message to the seven churches of Asia, comprised in the iid and iiid chapters of the Revelation, gives an alarming call to them to reform, and that there existed at that early period, heresies which, if matured, would condemn those churches. The epistles of Paul and Peter, of James and John, abundantly confirm this opinion, so that we are sufficiently warned in the New Testament against putting confidence in church institutions when unsustained by revelation.
JOSEPH CLARKE.
Portage, Ohio. The following is from the London Record: - Understand your text.
- Avoid a display of learning—criticise in the study—teach in the pulpit.
- Divide your subject—it helps the hearers.
- Speak in short sentences—it helps the preacher.
- Use plain words—they are good for all sorts and conditions of men.
- Avoid parentheses—they trouble the speaker—they puzzle the hearer.
- Apply pointedly.
- Rebuke boldly.
- Warn lovingly.
- Encourage heartily.
- Preach frequently with your tongue.
- Preach always by your life.
- Remember your Master. Seek his glory, not your own.
Old John Owen says somewhere—'To preach the Word and not to follow it with prayer constantly and frequently, is to belie its use, neglect its end, and cast away all the seed of the gospel at random.' THE COMET.
By Roswell F. Cottrell
Did people read the Bible and believe it, they would never be alarmed about the world's coming to an end by a collision with a comet. The destiny of earth is too clearly declared in that word to admit of such a supposition. It is also contrary to reason to suppose that the works of the all-wise Creator will be dashed to pieces by accident, like two trains of cars meeting on the same track, or at cross-roads. But, with the Bible on the shelf, (it is not very often in their hands,) people can at one time ridicule "Millerism," and at another, upon the prediction of some astronomer, that a comet is coming in contact with the earth, begin to think that it may be so, and that "Millerism" may prove true after all. How much better would it be for such to read the Bible and learn what our views are, than "to speak evil of the things that they understand not," and yet be subject to such groundless fears. The wicked flee when no man pursueth. The body of the earth will exist for ever. It was not made in vain, it was made to be inhabited. Isa. xiv, 18. The glory of the Lord will finally fill it; and when that takes place, the inhabitants will dwell safely—there will be "no more utter destruction." But previous to this, the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the elements will melt with fervent heat, the earth also, and the works that are therein shall be burned up. But human probation will soon close. Not by some accidental smash, but by a vindication of God's righteous law, upon which men, (not excepting the great mass of professed christians,) are trampling with impunity. The warning Message is now being sounded, and the vials of wrath will surely follow. It will be a day of howling, especially with the shepherds—those who have broken God's commandments and taught men so. It is perfectly reasonable, as well as scriptural, that probation should close with such a vindication of the law of the Most High. R. F. C. Are you a christian? If not, do you ever expect to be? If so, when? If God should call you to your final account, what reason could you give for being impenitent? Might you not be a christian now? Delay not, then, now to seek salvation, lest you should put it off too long, or at last seek too late. Receive these questions kindly from one who may never meet you till the day of judgment. Think of them; think seriously; think prayerfully; think now.—Sel. A Constant Miracle.—The Bible itself is a standing, an astonishing, miracle. Written, fragment by fragment, throughout the course of fifteen centuries, under different states of society and in different languages, by persons of the most opposite tempers, talents and conditions, learned and unlearned, prince and peasant, bond and free; cast into every form of instructive composition and good writing, history, prophecy, poetry, allegory, emblematic representation, judicious interpretation, literal statement, precept, example, proverbs, disquisition, epistle, sermon, prayer, in short, all rational shapes of human discourse, and treating, moreover, of subjects not obvious, but most difficult—its authors are not found like other writers, contradicting one another upon the most ordinary matters of fact and opinion, but are at harmony upon the whole of their sublime and momentous scheme.—Sel. Striving to Overcome and Stand
By H. Flower
Bro. Smith: I wish to say to the brethren and sisters that we are yet striving to keep the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus. We have been made sensible of the lukewarm state that we have so long been in. The message to the Laodiceans is received here, and we take courage while we hear the counsel of the true Witness to buy of him gold tried in the fire that we may be rich. My prayer is that we may be rich in faith, having all the fruits of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, long-suffering, meekness, &c.; for against such there is no law. Having on the whole armor of God that we may be able to stand in the great day, and having done all to stand. The brethren here are striving to gain the victory over sin and the world. I feel that there are higher attainments for me, and my aim is to struggle on till I obtain entire victory. I fully believe that we are having the last message of mercy that will ever be given to the church. The loud cry will soon be given, and our great High Priest will leave the Sanctuary, and the doom of the wicked will be fixed, while the saints shall inherit eternal life. We were comforted by the coming of Bro. Holt last March. His faithful labors here were blessed to the edification and comfort of the church in this place. The brethren are scattering some distance apart. Some of us have to travel five, and others nine miles to meet on the Sabbath. It is thought by some of the brethren that it is out of order to travel so far to meeting on the Sabbath. I would be glad if some of the brethren would give their views on the subject. Pray for us, brethren, that we do all things in a christian manner. Yours in hope.
Ronald, Mich., May 14th, 1857. H. Flower. Holding Fast Among the Scattered
By A. Taber
BRO. SMITH: We are watching, hoping and striving for the kingdom, but we feel like sheep strayed from the flock. We are alone, only two families of us any where near who believe the three angels' messages, and sometimes feel as though our Shepherd had gone out of hearing. We are determined to hold on to the faith, although we sometimes feel cold and almost disheartened. We rejoice to learn through the Review that others no better situated than we are, manifest a fixed determination to overcome every besetment and hold out to the end. When we consider the condition of the human family, the evident waxing worse of the wicked, the corrupt state of society, ministers preaching that Christ will come but not in our day, the world must be converted first, the gospel must triumph throughout the land first, the Jews must return to Palestine first, and this cannot be done in our day, we feel as though the cry of peace and safety is surely sounding in our ears, and we are led to cry out, What can be done? We have had some lecturing here by Bro. Stewart, but the people will not go out to hear. They refuse their meeting-house for Advent lectures, on the ground that the doctrine is too corrupt to be preached, while the house is open for everything else, political lectures on the Sabbath not excepted. It does seem to us that the cup of iniquity is full to the brim, and that God's vengeance must burst forth soon. We would be glad if some brother filled with zeal from heaven, could spend some time in this vicinity. We think that it might be the means of enlightening the minds of some before their fate is sealed for destruction. It is a great consolation to know that God is true and punctual, and that what he has promised he will perform; and we rejoice in believing that the time is close at hand when the last promise made to the human family is to be fulfilled. Go on, brethren, go on, sisters, and by the help of God we will be with you soon. In our lonely situation we need, and have a right to expect, the prayers of God's people, that we may be prepared with our lamps trimmed and burning when the Bridegroom comes. Yours in hope of a blessed inheritance among the saints. A. Taber. Berlin, Wis., May 17th, 1857. Watch and Pray to Overcome
By S. B. Warren
Bro. Smith : I would speak a few words through the Review in hopes to encourage others, as they have thereby encouraged me. The great work of overcoming and getting the victory, in which I have engaged, is no small work. I find it is a work in which I must be constantly engaged with all the powers of my mind. Our Saviour has recorded for our profit and instruction, "Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation." Whenever we cease to watch and pray, we may be sure that is the very moment which Satan will improve to lead us astray. I am more than ever convinced of the severe trials that await God's honest children but a little way in the future in their onward march to mount Zion. There is a great work to be done for us to fit us for the time of trouble just before us. It is certainly a fact which cannot be denied, that "men are waxing worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived." They are filling up their cup of iniquity. Satan has gone forth "with all power, and signs, and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish because they receive not the love of the truth that they might be saved." But those who love the truth, and whose delight is in the law of the Lord; those who are willing to sacrifice ease, honor, pleasure, property, and all for the cause of God, will not be drawn away by the deceitful workings of Satan. The Lord's faithful ones can claim the promise in Ps. xxxiv, "The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them." God's Spirit will not always strive with men. The last sealing truth is now being proclaimed. Many have decided already, and their decision is recorded. Others will soon decide, and their decision will be a final one. Men are now deciding either for life or death. The present age is one of the most solemn the world ever knew. I have been trying to count the cost of a journey to the celestial city, and I would say to my brethren and sisters who are with me bound to mount Zion, it is going to take all to buy the field. It will require every effort in our power, and the greatest self-sacrificing spirit on our part in order to gain an entrance through the pearly gates into the city. Our life must correspond with what we profess. I feel indeed like covenanting anew with the Lord to engage more heartily than ever in the great work before me of a preparation for the coming events of the future. I am sure if I had no strength but that of my own, I never could go through; but the Lord has said, "My grace is sufficient for thee." I believe the Lord has done a great work for me during the last year of my life; but more especially the last six months; and yet I find I have much more to do to be fitted for the coming of the Saviour. While my brothers and sisters in the flesh have, the most of them, gone over to Spiritualism, I am through the goodness of God left to hope in his mercy. O, the goodness of the Lord in preserving me and bringing31 me to a knowledge of his truth. May I ever praise him and dedicate my all to him. My ardent prayer to God is that my heart may be melted into tenderness, and that I may finally overcome, get the victory, and stand with all the redeemed on mount Zion. Yours in hope. S. B. Warren. Battle Creek, Mich., 1857. LETTERS
By James W. Raymond
"Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another." DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: The goodness of God to us, has been, and is still, very great: he cares for his children. "The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers." Praise his name! I readily concede the truthfulness of the position taken by the brethren in regard to the seven churches, and that the remnant constitutes the Laodicean church. But I do not wish to merely bow a theoretical assent to this truth; but to let it have its designed effect on my heart. As cutting and humiliating as the testimony to the Laodicean church is, it is not clothed in any too strong language to be applied to me, and, so far as I am acquainted, to the remnant in this vicinity. It will not do to trifle with this testimony, nor pass it lightly by, if we would evade the direful result of being spued out of the mouth of the Lord. May the Lord help us to be zealous and repent. The true and faithful Witness says, "I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot." We learn from this passage of holy writ, that it is by our works that our true condition is known. Will it not be known by our works when we have complied with the requisitions contained in the admonition to the Laodicean church? Verily it will. The Lord help me and all his children to be zealous and repent, and that forthwith; for soon the Sanctuary will be cleansed, the mercy-seat become inaccessible, and then it will be too late. The redemption of God's people is drawing very near. The signs of the times are portentous of solemn events, even the time of trouble such as never was, and the coming of the dear Saviour; but, dear brethren and sisters, we are not in darkness, that the day of Christ's coming should overtake us as a thief in the night. While darkness covers the earth, and gross darkness the people, a halo of light shines around our pathway, enabling us to descry the coming storm of divine wrath, which, in its devastating march, will soon pass through the earth, laying the land desolate, and destroying the sinners out of it. Solemn scene! Alas! who will be found in a waiting posture, having on the wedding garment? Dear brethren and sisters, we are fast approximating the time when the transition of God's people from mortality and corruption, to immortality and incorruption, will take place. Then the trials and afflictions, pains and sufferings, sins and adversities, to which we have been incident in this life, will mar our peace no longer. Then the sleeping saints will join in the glorious pean, O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? Then will the sleeping saints experience the verification of the promise found in Hosea: "I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues, O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from my eyes." No repentance then. Glorious scenes are soon to dawn on the pure in heart. And while we are in this dark and benighted world, it becomes us to live a prayerful and vigilant life; for Satan and all his votaries are conspiring to deceive and destroy, if it were possible, the very elect. The Lord save us from his illusive snares. I feel, for one, to heed the admonition to the Laodicean church; for I have been permitted, in a measure, to slake my thirsty soul from salvation's fount; and I therefore have no disposition to stop and quaff from the turbid streams of earth. "Well may you have courage, your cause is the Lord's,
Attested by signs, and with Scripture accords;
And though all the pow'rs of the dragon assail,
The truth, it is mighty, 'will surely prevail."
Yours seeking for immortality.
J. W. RAYMOND.
Wheeler, N. Y., May 17th, 1857. The Laodicean Message and Repentance
By C. Davis
BRO. SMITH: It may not be out of the path of duty for me to write a few lines for the encouragement of the scattered remnant. The message of the faithful and true Witness to us is meat in due season. I fully believe that it applies to the Sabbath-keepers. The true Witness says "I know thy works." My works were not righteous. I had been building, become some worldly-minded, and by my works was denying the faith I professed; but I thank the Lord that when the message came I felt rebuked, and that I must get out of that place. The way has been opened for me to sell that I had, to obey the testimony of Jesus in this, and to once more feel that I am a stranger and a pilgrim here, having neither houses nor lands, nor any certain dwelling place. We must keep all the Testimony of Jesus with the Commandments of God. My prayer is that the Lord would help me to be zealous and repent of all my wrongs, that I with all the saints may be found without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing; for the Lord will have a pure church, and by his help I will be among them. C. DAVIS.
Paris, Me., May 2d, 1857. Striving to Stand on Mount Zion
By S. A. Street
BRO. SMITH: I would say to the remnant scattered abroad that I am still striving to overcome, that I may stand on mount Zion. I feel that my faith is built on a firm foundation, the word of God; and my prayer is that I may be sanctified by his word. I find that I have many besetments to overcome, but I am striving to heed the counsel of the true Witness to be zealous and repent. I desire to obtain that gold tried in the fire, and to be clothed with white raiment, that I may abide the day of God's wrath, and be gathered with the saints of all ages to meet our Lord in the air. O, brethren and sisters, there is a prize before us worth striving for. Let us therefore lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and run with patience the race set before us. I love the Review and the truths that it advocates, and my prayer is that you may be sustained in your labors for the truth. From your unworthy brother.
S. A. STREET.
West Windsor, Eaton Co., Mich. A. E. DARTT
By A. E. Dartt
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: I have seated myself to enjoy for a few moments the great privilege conferred upon us, of speaking often one to another through the Review, and indeed it is the only medium of communication that I enjoy with sabbath-keepers at present, for I have not seen one for the last six months excepting my two young daughters. But notwithstanding my lonely situation, I am not in the least discouraged, but am daily looking forward with joyful anticipation to —that blest home
Where none shall sigh with pain,
Where hours of parting never come,
Nor human frailties stain.
We feel that God has called us out from the world and the surrounding churches to be a separate and a peculiar people, and I have long felt to mourn that there was so much lukewarmness among us as a body. I rejoice that the testimony to the Laodiceans has been so generally received, and that many of us are waking up to a knowledge of our condition. But is there not a great lack yet? Is there that strong and overcoming faith, that constant watchfulness and prayer, that burning zeal in the cause of God, that deep spirituality, that purity, in short that holiness of heart that there must be to stand before the Son of man? O let us examine ourselves in the light of God's precious word, and if we discover the least imperfection let us double our diligence that we may be found of him in peace. Let us constantly shut our eyes against the follies and vanities of the world, and fix them steadily on our great pattern. Let us turn away our ears from all unprofitable conversation, let us constantly watch our minds and see that no vain thoughts lodge within, and that even necessary cares and business do not unnecessarily occupy our minds; let us constantly ask ourselves, does this or that object tend to draw my soul nearer to God? if not let us discard it at once and be christians in earnest, and in nowise give the lie to our profession. I know this is a narrow way, but Jesus says, straight is the gate and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Matt. vii, 14. Awful words! “few there be that find it!” God grant that we may all be among that few. I desire an interest in the prayers of all God's people, that I may overcome through the blood of the Lamb, and meet them on mount Zion. Baraboo, Wis., May 12th, 1857. OBITUARY.
By George W. Morton
BRO. SMITH: I have just laid my dear father Philander Morton, in the silent tomb. He embraced the Third Angel's Message in the Summer of 1854, and he has zealously endeavored to keep the Commandments of God and the Testimony of Jesus. He fell32 asleep in Jesus, Apr. 27th, 1857. His age was forty-nine years and eight months. A Testimony for Present Truth
By Eliza Scoville
Bro. Smith: I have a desire to add my feeble testimony in favor of the glorious cause that I have enlisted in. Although I do not feel capable of saying any thing that will be instructing to others, yet I find that we all have one talent and it is our duty to improve it. I believe we are living under the last message of mercy, and I can say for one that I am truly thankful that it has found way to my heart, and I have been inclined to give heed to it while there is mercy to be found. I believe the time will soon come when they that are filthy will remain so still. My desire is to arise from this lukewarm state and buy the pure gold tried in the fire, and the white raiment, and have my eyes anointed with the eye-salve that I may see and understand what the will of the Lord is, and by his help try to obey it. I feel to praise the Lord for what he is doing for his people in the West, and I hope the time is not far distant when some more in these parts will be brought to see the present truth. I feel that we need much grace and strength to stand in these times of peril and darkness. But the promises of God are sure that his grace shall be sufficient for our day; praise his holy name! When I read the communications from the brethren and sisters scattered abroad, some of those, too, that I have met in the praying circle, and mingled my voice with theirs in prayer and praise to our heavenly Father, it cheers my heart and gives me strength to hold on, hoping we shall soon meet again in that kingdom where parting will be no more. O may the Lord help us all to be faithful and endure unto the end that we may receive a crown of life. Your unworthy sister in the Lord.
ELIZA SCOVILLE. The Cause of Present Truth Rising
By Thomas Brown
Bro. Smith: The cause of present truth in this section of country, so far as I am acquainted, is on the rise. The few in this place are trying to overcome that they may sit down on Jesus' throne, as he has overcome and set down upon his Father's throne. I spent the Sabbath three weeks ago with the church in Locke. So far as I can learn the sweetest union prevails in the church. They are all trying to overcome. When I saw and felt the union that prevailed in the church in Locke, my mind was carried back to four years ago this Spring when we embraced the present truth. The testimony of Brn. Cornell and Holt has had a good impression on the church. Those that were reclaimed under their labors hold on to the truth with much firmness. May the Lord bless and strengthen them, and all the dear brethren and sisters in the Lord. Yours trying to overcome.
THOMAS BROWN.
Corunna, Mich., May 18th, 1857. J. L. EDGAR
By J. L. Edgar
BRO. SMITH: As I have been greatly edified and comforted by reading the communications from dear brethren and sisters of like precious faith, I feel like giving in my testimony on the Lord's side. I can truly say the Lord is working for his people. I feel that the Lord has been merciful in sending his servants this way. We were striving to overcome, as we thought, but O, what feeble efforts we made. Bro. Cornell came laden with precious truth. The Spirit accompanied the word, and O, what a melting season! Wives confessing to their husbands, and husbands to their wives, sister to brother, and brother to sister. O! what a getting ready; how we felt the need of tearing away the rubbish from the door and letting Jesus come in. How rich we thought we were. We had got hold of the truth, but the truth had not got hold of us. The word was spoken in power and in demonstration of the Spirit. The Lord worked, and Satan tried to hinder; but the cause of the Lord moved on gloriously. We have good reason to believe many were convicted of present truth, but had not moral courage enough to cut loose from the world; but bless the Lord! two young ladies took a bold stand for present truth by turning their backs on the world, and following their humble Pattern down into the water. Eight others were buried with Christ in baptism, and arose to walk in newness of life and cast their names in with the poor despised remnant, feeling willing to have their names cast out as evil for Christ's sake. My prayer is that they may be faithful till Jesus comes, for the day hasteth greatly. For yet a little while and he that shall come, will come and will not tarry. Heb. x, 37. Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. James v, 7, 8. So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. Heb. ix, 28. The brethren and sisters are striving to arise. Bowne, Mich., May 13th, 1857.