SR. P. K. CALKIN writes from Minnesota: It has scarcely been three months since I embraced the third angel's message, and I feel as yet quite unworthy to raise my voice toward Heaven, yet I thank God that he has given his only begotten Son to die for us, that we, through him, may obtain eternal life.
I had been for some time away from home at work. On my return, I found my parents, brothers, and sister, striving to overcome the power of Satan, and live for Christ, and him alone. They were quite happy, and I could resist the calls of God no longer, and, I trust, I have given myself to him, and he has forgiven me. I am again living some distance from home, where there is not one Sabbath-keeper except myself. I find trials and temptations hard at times, but through the strength of Jesus I will withstand them all.
A Lonely Believer’s Testimony
By M. Thurrer
SR. M. THURRER writes from Corinth: I am one of the lonely ones, there being only one in town besides my family. I love to read the testimonies. I delight in the law of God. I am trying to keep all the commandments of God, and am living out the health reform as well as I can. There is a great blessing in bearing the cross. I have, for some time, felt the duty of being baptized, and hope some of the messengers will come this way before long. I have ever since 1843 loved the Advent doctrine; and when I heard of the third angel’s message, I was not long embracing it. I sometimes fear I have been so unfaithful that I shall never enter the kingdom. Pray for me.
The Review a Help and Comfort
By J. E. Simonds
SR. J. E. SIMONDS writes from Union Co., Iowa: I have been keeping the Sabbath for the last eight months, and feel stronger, the Lord be thanked, than when I first started in the cause. The REVIEW has truly been a great help and comfort to me. It does me good to read in the Conference Department the testimonies of so many brethren and sisters who are still pressing on in that narrow path that leadeth unto life. I never heard an Adventist preacher, but I have read many good sermons through the REVIEW.
Repentance and Humiliation
By J. A. King
SR. J. A. KING writes from Dodge Co., Wis.: I am striving, by the help of the Lord, to see my wrongs, confess and forsake them, that I may find mercy, and be hid in the day of the fierce anger of the Lord. The last testimony from the Lord, through Sr. White, has led me to deep repentance and humiliation.
Putting on the Whole Armor
By T. S. Robinson
SR. T. S. ROBINSON writes from McKean Co., Pa.: The Lord has been very merciful to me, and has led me in a way that I knew not. I so often wander from him that I fear, after all he has done for me, I shall become a castaway. God forbid that I should be so ungrateful. I believe the whole truth, and, by the assisting grace of God, I hope to be sanctified thereby. Oh! how necessary that we get on the whole armor, that we may be able to overcome. My daily prayer is, that God's people will awake, and prepare to meet the Saviour when he shall come to gather his elect. My mother and sister are trying to live out the truth, which is a great help to me.
The Promises and Threatenings of God
THE child of God will soon know the full import of the precious promises,—the wicked will soon know what is meant by the terrible threatenings of God.
Note from California.
By D. T. Bourdeau
For the past two weeks we have tried to labor faithfully in public and from house to house. We have held nineteen meetings. Two of these were Sabbath meetings, at each of which two new ones spoke for the first time.
We have held in all sixty-five meetings, sold one hundred thirty dollars' worth of books to such as were interested. Most of these books were our small tracts. We have got eighteen subscribers for the REVIEW, fifteen for the Instructor, and one for the Reformer. The Reformer was introduced yesterday, after speaking on the health reform and Bible temperance. Shall probably get more subscribers. In addition to the above, we have given away some thirty dollars' worth of books to such as were interested. Most of these books were our small tracts.
We shall keep the tent up one week longer, after which I shall follow up the work in this place, while Bro. Loughborough will commence in some new field. The work before us is great. Pray for us.
D. T. BOURDEAU.
Petaluma, Cal., Oct. 12, 1868.
Quarterly Meeting at Pine Island, Minn.
By H. F. Phelps
WE wish to say one thing in regard to the coming Quarterly Meeting at this place, and that is, we extend a cordial invitation to all, far and near, to come up to the help of the Lord. Let us try to awake, and get in working order. But do not forget to come prepared to take care of yourselves, as far as possible, bringing provisions, bed blankets, horse feed, &c. And brethren who live nearest need not think they will be excused in this matter. The little few in this place are willing to bear burdens, and will bestow their hospitality, not grudgingly; but they wish, as far as they can, to be able to enjoy these meetings. We speak these things more especially for the sisters, upon whom usually comes so great a burden in the culinary department. We all need the benefit of such meetings, and so will try to bear each other's burdens.
H. F. PHELPS.
Infidelity Spreading.
That infidelity is rapidly spreading on both continents is very apparent to any careful observer, and we see nothing to check its progress but the very truths for the belief of which some of us are called “infidels.” Satan has always tried to sanctify error, and cause it to be honored among men, and to brand the truth with the title of “infidelity.” Let us not be sneered or ridiculed away from the good old way, but hold fast to the faith once delivered to the saints. The following from an earnest and able writer in one of our exchanges, says:
“A distinguished American preacher, lately returned from Europe, has given an account of what he saw and heard. He gives us to understand in his work, ‘Impressions of Europe,’ that the science and philosophy, the intelligence and the political tendencies of the people of Germany, are all leaning against ‘evangelicism’ as maintained in the Protestant Church. He makes the painful statement that the universities, as a rule, are favoring the secular and non-religious view and feeling, and after referring to a report that one of the most venerable and popular of the professors had openly boasted of his atheism, and that few scholarly men, not tied to official necessities, have the courage to treat miracles with the least respect, and some other things looking in the same direction, he inquires: ‘Is it possible for Christianity as an institution or a religion to survive the prevalence of opinions so radically destructive as this?’ This is a question so serious in its import that it is worthy of a thoughtful and serious answer. The contest undoubtedly is great, and the aspect of the sky is stormy.”—Herald of Kingdom.
The Work Moving.
By James White
WITH a strong desire to furnish the poor, and many of those who have not sufficient interest to purchase, with my recent work on the great advent movement, I called on my friends to assist me in the work; and they have come up nobly. I am now distributing the book freely to the Lord's poor, and am furnishing ministers to do the same, for which I charge the fund, now being raised, only 60 cents a copy, for this work of 376 pages.
As the fund has increased, I have added to the works to be given, The Law and Gospel, God's Memorial, Little Will, and Bro. Smith's Review of Objections to the Visions. Other works of this kind will be added to the catalogue as means are furnished. I now call on all the friends of the cause to help me in this work. Those who have unpaid pledges, and all who wish to help in this good work, may forward their liberalities to Elder James White, Battle Creek, Mich. J. W.
God Blesses His Truth.
THE following note, just received from a lady in New Jersey, will be interesting to our readers. It shows that God is blessing his truth, and the importance also of scattering, with a liberal hand, the publications which set forth the reasons of our faith.
A. W. A.
MR. J. M. ALDRICH: Dear Sir, Providentially, as I believe, one of the little “Rays of light” sent out by your Publishing Association, was wafted to my notice. My attention was arrested by the title, “Which Day do You Keep, and Why?” I read it carefully, and examined all the texts of Scripture quoted, feeling that it was a ray of light, indeed, and that God had sent it to me.
For three or four years I have been seeking earnestly and prayerfully for truth, during which time I have learned much that is very precious to me; and the glorious doctrine of the speedy coming of our blessed Lord, is among the cherished hopes that now rejoice my heart. I know of but few in this place who profess to “love His appearing,” but hope and pray that the good seed scattered by the few will yet spring up and bear fruit to the glory of God.
I am thirsting for the good things you are publishing. Please send me a catalogue, and a copy of the ADVENT REVIEW AND SABBATH HERALD. Should like to learn at what period in the Christian era Sunday took the day God blessed and sanctified in the beginning. Oh! why do Christians thus hide the light of the Holy Scriptures? G. M. D.
NOTE. The elevation of Sunday into the place of the Sabbath, was a gradual work. The first law for Sunday-keeping was the edict of Constantine, in A. D. 321, enforcing it as a heathen festival. When Constantine, two years later, professed Christianity, this edict was left unrepealed, and Sylvester, then bishop of Rome, with the shrewdness which has ever since characterized the popes, availed himself of that law of the empire, to enforce Sunday upon the church as a Christian institution. For a full history of this matter, and other points of interest, see History of the Sabbath by J. N. Andrews.—ED.
Appointments.
And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of Heaven is at hand.
PROVIDENCE permitting, we will hold meetings as follows: Kensington, Conn., Nov. 7. South Lancaster, Mass., Nov. 13-16. Where Bro. Rodman may appoint Nov. 20-23. JAMES WHITE. ELLEN G. WHITE.
MONTHLY Meeting in Rhode Island, for November, will be held with the church at Curtis Corners, Nov. 21 and 22. There will be a meeting the 20th, at 6½, P. M. We hope to see the largest gathering of Sabbath-keepers at this meeting that we have ever had in Rhode Island. Come brethren, ten or more from Block Island, Dartmouth, Abington, Conn., and all around. Come to pray, exhort, and encourage each other. Come with hearts filled with the love of God, and be blessed of him whose favor is life.
Let the isolated and lonely ones be sure to come. Read Mal. iii, 16-18; Heb. x, 24, 25. Those coming by rail will stop at Kingston depot, four miles from the meeting. There will be conveyance. P. C. RODMAN.
P. PATTEN: There is nothing due on M. S.'s REVIEW.
RECEIPTS.
For Review and Herald.
Annexed to each receipt in the following list, is the Volume and Number of the REVIEW & HERALD TO which the money received pays,—which should correspond with the Numbers on the Posters. If money for the paper is not in due time acknowledged: immediate notice of the omission should then be given.
$1.00 each. Mary C Romine 34-19, D O Shear 33-20, C M Nichols 33-1, Miss L J Lyttaker 34-17, W B Dennison 34-17, A Chenoweth 34-17, W Berry 34-17, M E Thompson 34-17, A G Barnett 34-17, A F Ensey 34-17, J L Wilbert D D S 34-17, T M Chapman 34-17, Mrs W Sloper 34-17, Mrs A A Prescott 34-17, Mrs S H Bonfoey 33-5, M McIntosh 33-17, M Adsit 33-1, J Garner 33-18, E Robinson 33-18, H Robinson 33-13, A Worster 33-1, A Reynolds 34-17, L H Hunting 34-1, M Ferry 34-1, C P Sweat 32-17, S Gaily 33-19, J G Brown 34-1, C L Gregory 33-19.
$2.00 each. S Sellers 34-13, O A Richmond 34-17, L H Ellis 34-6, O L Taft 34-19, E Kincaid 33-5, M E Green 34-9, W Carpenter 35-12, Mrs L A Sprague 34-14, A King 33-21, T Alverson 34-18, J L Herrick 34-17, C F Saxby 34-17, J Leland 34-8, H Clough 34-19, C R Rice 34-12, E B Clarke 35-1, M E Trowbridge 34-19, W Dungan 34-19.
$3.00. C Smith 33-1, J Terwilliger 32-14, J R Styles 35-12, A Worster 34-14.
Miscellaneous. Eld J W Robinson 50c 33-18, A Cole $2.50 33-1, E Van Deusen $2.50 35-1, H Barrett 1.50 33-14, H C McDermott 1.25 33-9, W Stillman 6.00 35-14, Geo McCall 1.50 33-9, H C Crumb 3.75 33-1, A Bliss 2.75 34-15, E M Kimball 1.50 33-1, M Child 1.50 34-7. Advertisement, H Horton 50c.
Instructor to the Poor.
Mrs S H Bonfoey 25c.
Cash Received on Account.
J Hiestand $4.95, A O Wells 1.25, A C Bourdeau 1.00, E Johnson 1.00, J Bates 10c, G I Butler 1.00, H F Phelps 5.00.
Books Sent by Mail.
Mrs A Fenstemaker $1.12, M C Romine 55c, S J Thayer 60c, J P Harriman 15c, L H Ellis 3.79, A Westbury 50c, E Kincaid 75c, M Van Dorn 25c, J Marvin 50c, A Withington 50c, G M Dodge 25c, W M Thornton 2.25, J F Terrill 15c, J M Adams 55c, A G Dunham 1.13, S H Bonfoey 1.00, P Cornell 1.12, L J Hall 2.75, D G Price 50c, Geo McCall 15c, H C Crumb 1.25, D B Staples 25c, W J Hardy 5c, T Alverson 15c, D R Palmer 2.00, E Johnson 75c, J Hull 50c, L H Hunting 4.00, E M Kimball 25c, E Livingston 1.12, C R Rice 55c, J B Pratt 1.86, E M Crandall 1.50.
Books Sent by Express.
H T Hawley $3.00.
Michigan Conference Fund.
Church at Hanover $20.00, Gaines 30.00, Jackson 56.00.
General Conference Missionary Fund.
J Brundage $10.00, C R Rice 5.00.
Received on Book and Tract Fund.
Mrs Palmer $2.00, J F Sindlinger 5.00.
Receipts for Benevolent Fund.
Mrs Palmer $3.00, Mrs Chamberlain 1.00, E Johnson 25c, J F Sindlinger 2.50, B M & E P Osgood 2.00.
For California Mission.
H B Hayward $5.00, S N Carpenter 5.00, E Carpenter 5.00, S & E M Haskell 5.00, J F Sindlinger 2.50.
Christ and Sabbath Observance
By John McMillan
JOHN McMILLAN. We would say to your friend that Christ never sanctioned, by word or practice, the performance of any work upon the Sabbath but works of necessity and mercy. His object was to strip from the institution the burdensome traditions with which the Pharisees had loaded it; and he purposely performed works which were forbidden by their traditions, and then proceeded to show that such works were lawful, or in accordance with the Sabbath law, which they had misinterpreted and abused. If any one can find warrant in this for now disregarding the Sabbath entirely, he must take the responsibility for so doing. Prejudice or self-interest will find a way around the plainest command, or the clearest argument in all the Bible.
Answers to Biblical Questions
By I. LAMB.
I. LAMB. Obscure prophecies relating to the eternal state will be all understood when the time for their accomplishment comes, by those who are so happy as to share in them. The earth is not made new till after the second resurrection; but during the thousand years that intervene between the first and second resurrection, the saints reign with Christ in the New Jerusalem above. See John xiv, 2, 3; 1 Pet. i, 4; Rev. xiv, 1–5; xv, 2, 3; xx, 1–5, &c.
The Nicolaitans were the followers of one Nicolas of the first century of the Christian era, an evil character who taught a community of wives, regarded adultery and fornication as things indifferent, and permitted the eating of things offered to idols. See Rel. Encyc., Clarke, Kitto, &c.
The nearest minister to you is Bro. D. M. Canright, Lancaster, Mass.
Passive and Lukewarm Christians
By J. H. W.
“WHEN the thief has no opportunity for stealing, he considers himself an honest man.”
There is a lesson in the above for passive or lukewarm Christians. J. H. W.