Earlier text: CONDITIONS OF BECOMING HEAVENLY HEIRSI. AND MY.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
MR. I, and My, his companion, are very important personages, very prominent individuals. If there is anything great, good, or smart, accomplished, Mr. I has done it. If there is anything valuable, anything worth having, My claims it immediately. I is the smartest preacher, the best farmer, the most benevolent person, the shrewdest financier, the bravest soldier,—in short, the big man in everything. If he should die, wisdom would perish with him, and the world would come to an end. What My does not own is not worth having. But, soberly, how often we are disgusted by hearing persons praise themselves and what they have done. No one likes to hear this in another. We all think the most of a modest, unassuming person, one who lets others praise him instead of doing it himself. Those who have any merit, find enough persons to praise them; those who have none have to blow their own trumpet. So if you see a man praising himself, and telling of his noble deeds, you may be sure that he is doing a job that no one else will do for him. Beware of him. D. M. CANRIGHT. DWELL ON SPIRITUAL THINGS.
By John Matteson
Whatever things are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report; if there be any virtue and praise, think on these things. Phil. iv, 8. There is a strong tendency with us to dwell altogether too much on earthly, perishing things, on the outward appearance and forms. There are many earthly things which it is our duty to think on; and it is even a virtue to study how to best perform such duties. For instance, to plan and arrange our earthly business in the way most pleasing to God, caring for our family, and those around us, living blameless, as good stewards before the Lord; or, to study the health reform, and dress reform, so that we can obey the laws of our being, and appear in plain apparel, yet clean and neat. But with229 all this, there is a strong tendency to let these things take up our minds too much, leaving too little room for the heavenly. Thus we can easily lose sight of the most important object of the health reform, viz., to make us more spiritual and heavenly minded. If we live for the kingdom of Heaven, let not the things of earth take up our attention too much. But whatever is lovely, pure, and heavenly, let us dwell much on such things. The lovely Jesus, his pure and holy life, his divine attributes, his humility and self-denial, his past, present, and future work, these should have room in our hearts. And the more we dwell upon things that are lovely and pure, the more lovely and pure will we become ourselves. Then the glorious kingdom, the inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, unfading—should not this occupy a goodly share of our thoughts, and enter into our conversation? The destined haven; the land ahead; the abiding city; the blessed and eternal home with Jesus in our Father's house;—for this we long, and pray, and weep. On this will we dwell. O earth, how dark art thou. Thy treasures charm me not. But Heaven, glorious Heaven! Let thy light shine brighter and brighter unto the perfect day. “INQUIRER” asks the following questions: 1. In the parable of the tares, Matt. xiii, 38, we read that the “good seed” are the children of the kingdom; but in the account of the same parable, Luke viii, 11, it says, “the seed is the word of God.” How shall this be reconciled? INQUIRER. ANSWER. Inquirer mistakes in supposing that Luke viii, 11, and Matt. xiii, 38, both refer to the same parable. One is the parable of the sower, and the other the parable of the wheat and tares. And being different parables, given to illustrate different subjects, there is no difficulty in the fact that the word, seed, is used in a different sense in one from what it is in the other. 2. We are told in Matt. xiii, 39, that “the harvest is the end of the world;” while in John iv, 35, it is declared that at the time of the first advent, the fields “were white already to harvest.” Is not this an apparent contradiction, and how shall a harmony be obtained? ANSWER. Harvest, literally, is the time of reaping grain and other fruits of the earth. It is, hence, put metaphorically, first, for people who are ripe for judgment, or salvation; and, secondly, for those who are ready for the reception of new truth. An instance of its use in the first sense is found in Joel iii, 13. “Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe;” and another in Rev. xiv, 15, where the gathering of the wheat, the saints, includes the destruction of the chaff, the wicked. In the other sense it is used in Matt. ix, 37: “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few.” So in the passages in question. In the parable of the tares it is used in the first sense, in John iv, 35, in the latter. 3. Again, in Acts xv, 10, the apostle Peter expostulates with his Judaizing brethren thus: “Now, therefore, why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?” Did not the apostle speak rather disrespectfully of the dispensations of God in such language? Was not that very law, of which he spoke, given to the Hebrews by the hand of Moses, through the Lord’s direction? How, then, could Peter be justified in speaking as he did? ANSWER. The ritual or ceremonial law, to which Peter here refers, was exceedingly burdensome to the Jewish people; so much so that in the opinion of Dr. Clarke, if God had not especially blessed their fields and their flocks to make them very fruitful, they could not possibly have borne it. This law, in all its multitude of particulars, was imposed upon them because of their transgressions. For this reason the yoke was put upon their necks, and it was doubtless designed to be heavy. Hence Peter only spoke in accordance with the facts in the case. HUMILITY.
By John Norton Loughborough
“When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the Lord anointed thee king over Israel?” The choice of the Lord is of those who are little in their own sight, as in this case of Saul. So with David. He was the man after God’s own heart, when he was following the sheep. Those who keep thus humble, the Lord can teach, and help, and he will do it, as we see in the case of Solomon. He says to the Lord: “Thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father; and I am but a little child; I know not how to go out or come in.” Being thus humble, we see how God blessed him, till his heart departed from God. Humility is the only path of safety. Satan comes in, puffs up those who have responsibilities resting upon them, they go on in their own ways, and depart from the ways of the Lord. Blinded by Satan, like Saul, they may claim to be doing the commands of the Lord, when it is all human policy, all marked with the impress of the human instead of the divine. Thus they rush on, doing their own ways, under a misguided zeal, building themselves up instead of going in that humble channel where the Lord can work, until their career, like that of Saul, is checked by the teachings of the Spirit of the Lord, and they shown to be in rebellion against the Lord. As we look at the cases of the ancient ones, we readily see their faults, and think, had we been there, we would not have done thus; but oh! the deceitfulness of the human heart. How readily we fall into crimes similar to theirs. Not that we have the responsibilities of kingdoms upon us; but in responsibilities that concern the church how important that we walk carefully and humbly before God, that in all our course the Lord may help us. Wherein we have erred may God forgive. I speak on this as one who feels his own reproof, and wish myself to make amends for past errors by taking a humble position before the Lord and my brethren, abasing self, exalting at all times the Lord and his truth. Unless I move in that humble path, where God can guide and help, all my efforts to do good will be vain. May the Lord help, that thus I may fully recover myself from the snare of the Devil. May I ever feel my own weakness; for Paul saith: “When I am weak, then am I strong.” “Strong in the Lord and in the power of his might.” Amen. Petaluma, Cal., Oct. 9, 1868. MONTHLY MEETING IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.
By P. C. Rodman
Our first meeting at Washington school-house was well attended. We gave a short discourse on the importance of each one's taking heed to himself, from Luke xxi, 34. Bro. Haskell was present, and made some good remarks, all of which were listened to with interest. Sabbath morning, social meeting at 9½. Not so much interest as there should be in such meetings. At 10½, Bro. Haskell spoke on the love of God, from John iii, 16, in a very practical manner. It was instructing and comforting to the saints, leading us to feel our obligations to God, and his dear Son, who has bought us with his own blood. We spoke at 12½, on Family Government. How few of us understand the importance of this matter. If we should do our duty in this relation, parents and children, should we not have comparatively a heaven to go to Heaven in. May wisdom and strength be given by Him who giveth to all liberally. Social meeting in the evening at 6. Not as much freedom manifest as it is our privilege to have, still it was apparent that the Lord is moving on us, and is drawing nearer. Bro. Haskell spoke at 7, on the seven last plagues, of Rev. xvi, showing that they were still future, and our relation to them. Solemn, indeed, is the hour in which we live; the unmixed wine of the wrath of God soon to come down upon those whose names are not found written in the book of life. Shall our names be there? Sunday morning, social meeting at 9½. Quite good. At 10½ Bro. Haskell spoke on the Sanctuary. How interesting and important is this question to the remnant. We followed at 12½, speaking on Rev. iii, 8, showing that the open door, that is before the church, leads to the position of our faithful High Priest, where he is now to be found. Social meeting again at 6; a little more freedom on the part of some. Bro. Haskell spoke at 7, on Luke xiv, 18, showing that the three calls synchronize with the three messages, of Rev. xiv. Shall we be among those that begin to make excuse, or shall we obey the call, and prepare for the marriage supper of the Lamb, heed the True Witness, and be found clothed in white raiment? This work must be done soon, or we shall be left out of the number of God's dear people. How sad the thought! Can we afford such an end? We cannot. Then let us all make haste, delay not, but awake to righteousness, and sin not, lest coming suddenly he find us sleeping. We think this was one of the most profitable monthly meetings we have held. To God be the praise. REPORT FROM BRO. MATTESON.
By John Matteson
I PREACHED two weeks in Montcalm, with good interest. Then a Lutheran minister, being sent for, came from Wisconsin. The interest to hear was increasing to the last before he came. He preached only two sermons, one on sprinkling, and the other against the Sabbath. He was invited to stay and defend his side of the question; but no. Sunday afternoon he left the place, having made it his first and last point that the people must not go to hear me any more; by so doing, they would endanger their salvation. This was so much in harmony with their old prejudices and superstitions that he carried the day. The people could no more be persuaded to go and hear, at least at present. I have continued two weeks longer to try to have some meetings, and have visited from house to house. The number of attendants has been only from 6 to 8. On Sabbath, the 17th, I had a closing meeting. The Lord was present with us, as he had also been at the previous meetings, though we were but few. Some of our American brethren came to this meeting; also Bro. Jensen, and a Danish sister from Wisconsin. Eight persons have decided to keep the commandments of God, and five of them were buried with Christ in baptism. Two of them came out from the Baptist church, and the baptism of one was postponed. It was a solemn place and time when we descended into the quiet waters of a clear stream, and the Son of God seemed to smile upon us. May these dear souls truly walk in newness of life, and become the salt of the earth, that others may flock around them, and many more souls be saved in that vicinity before Jesus comes. In the afternoon we gathered for the ordinances of God's house, and were richly blessed. Then I took leave of these brethren, promising to come again when the Lord shall direct. Pray for us. I am now commencing meetings in Ashley, Kent Co., Mich. VISIT TO VERMONT AND MAINE.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
Monday, Sept. 28, I left Lancaster with Bro. Bourdeau, and the next day arrived at Enosburg, Vt. This was my first visit to this State. Was glad of the opportunity to form the acquaintance of so many good brethren and sisters. I enjoyed the meetings during the Conference much. The brethren seem to be firm and united in all the truth. This gives them strength. Monday, Oct. 5, I took the cars and came as far as Manchester, N. H., and stopped all night with Bro. Smith. The next day I met Bro. Rodman on the cars, bound for Norridgewock, Maine. In company with Bro. Winslow and Sr. Anna Hale we stopped that night in Skowhegan, at the good home of Bro. Asa B. Atwood. He and his family are whole-hearted in the truth, and are growing strong in the faith. The next day I returned to Norridgewock, after an absence of over five months. One had fallen in death since I left; a few had gone away; the rest were alive, and making some efforts to overcome. Thursday morning the Conference began. It was very manifest that this Conference was in its infancy, and that the churches, delegates, and officers have much to learn. I hope this Conference was a good school for them. Only a few delegates were present the first session, or even the first day. Not a single church had made a proper report of their standing; and the s. B. reports were in a very confused condition indeed. However, experience is a good school in which to learn. Probably it will be different in the future. It should, and will be if the officers do their duty. The sessions of the Conference were instructive and profitable to all. There was no opposing element during the whole Conference. The rebellious, fault-finding spirits of last Conference had either been converted, or had withdrawn themselves from all connection with the Conference. For this we thank God. The prospect now is that this element cannot long exist in the State. May the good work be complete. A goodly number of brethren and sisters came in on Friday, and we truly enjoyed a sweet, encouraging season Sabbath and Sunday. One feature was especially encouraging to my mind. The Conference, and all the people present, on Friday, unanimously expressed their regret for the opposition which Bro. and Sr. White received here in the past, and for the slowness of this people to receive all the truth, and live up to it. Then they solemnly promised God to do better for the future. As soon as we had done this, God did bless our meeting. As if to show that they meant what they had said, in a few minutes' time about $350 were pledged, and most of it paid, on different benevolent objects. This was the best that Maine has ever done in this direction. The Conference also donated $100 of its funds to the General Conference, $50 to the California Mission, and $50 to the Publishing Association. This is as it should be. There are able men, rich men, in Maine, who can do for the cause if their hearts are only in it. But they have been woefully behind in this in the past. The sure result has followed,—spiritual death. Now as they begin to do better, may God return unto them with his blessing. By the urgent request of the friends, I stayed another week at Norridgewock. A Mr. Fletcher, who claims to be a Methodist minister, and whom I met last winter at New Vineyard, was at Athens, opposing the truth all he could. He sent me a challenge to discuss the Sabbath question. So I went and met him. But he proposed so unreasonable and unfair a proposition for debate that I would not discuss with him. I drew up eight different propositions, either one of which I offered to discuss with him; but he would not. So we had no discussion, and he left the place. I stayed and preached to them, and reorganized s. B. to amount to $64. They are doing better here than I expected to find them. Hope God will encourage them in the truth. Returned to Norridgewock, and spent Sabbath and Sunday. They needed help very much on several points. 1. A spirit of the world and politics had gained230 a fearful hold on some. This will certainly ruin them unless they let it alone. 2. Several were getting the moving spirit. This is very bad. It soon ruins a church and does few or none any good. This I trust is now checked. 3. Disorder and confusion were entering largely into their Sabbath meetings. Children were not governed nor kept still; but allowed to run, and play, and talk, and cry, all through meeting. The officers in this church had not done their duty in this matter for fear of offending some one. The consequence was that God's house was dishonored, and his Sabbath desecrated. I showed them these things plainly. All acknowledged it, and steps were taken to secure better order in the future. On Sunday I was pleased to see proper order and silence, showing that it can be had. 4. Many were becoming somewhat discouraged and fearful. This is always bad. It destroys our spiritual life. I tried to encourage and comfort them with the promises of the Lord. Hope they feel encouraged. This is a large church, and an important place for the cause in Maine. It should not be neglected. They need much more labor and watchcare than small churches of 10 or 20 members. It cannot be reasonably expected but that among so many some will occasionally get into trial, neglect duty, do wrong, or even backslide. It would be a miracle if they did not. So they need continual watchcare to keep them in the path of duty. I, as well as others, have felt a deep interest for this church. I feel so still. But it is hard laboring for a church when they think that they know more than their minister, and when they want to give instruction rather than receive it, and when they find fault with what is done for them. This was the feeling of many here last spring, and this was the reason why we left them. I think that we moved right. Now there is a very different feeling here. They are willing to be taught and reproved. A few days' labor will do more for them now than weeks would have accomplished before. I hope they will continue to feel so, and then God will send them help. We had a very pleasant time in reorganizing s. B. No one found any fault, or pulled off. Most of them raised their figures from what they were last year. This was a very good indication of their condition. On Sunday, many of our old friends came in to meeting, and I enjoyed the privilege of talking to them. Monday, I came to Topsham and held a meeting at evening. Reorganized s. B. here also. Tuesday evening I stopped at Falmouth and held a meeting in the school-house. After preaching we reorganized s. B. Came to Portland the next day and did the same thing there. Thus closed my visit to Maine. On the whole, I feel encouraged about things in this State. I hope and pray that God will give his servants wisdom, zeal, and energy to sufficiently carry on the work here the coming year.
D. M. CANRIGHT.
Boston, Mass. REPORT OF MEETINGS IN MICH.
By Joseph Bates
SEPTEMBER 25, Bro. William Carpenter took me from Jackson to Hanover. Here I held four meetings with the church on Sabbath and first-day, 26 and 27, which was encouraging and strengthening to those who love to walk in the way of God's commandments, and wait for the return of the Lord from the wedding. After the meeting, Bro. C. took me on a circuit of eighteen miles, to visit the scattered members and professed Sabbath-keepers. One, through trials and discouragements, had yielded up the truth, but confessed her wrongs, and promised to do and keep the commandments of God, and press on for salvation and eternal life, and have the REVIEW sent to her again. From Sept. 29 to Oct. 6, spent our time in visiting and holding nine meetings with the church and people at Hillsdale. On first-day we baptized seven, one of them Bro. W. Carpenter's son from Hanover. Five others joined the church in Hillsdale. The brethren were much encouraged, and especially strengthened in celebrating the ordinances of the Lord's house, and expressed their determinations to press forward, and be on their watch for the return of their Lord, lest he find them sleeping. JOSEPH BATES. South Bend, Ind., Oct. 21, 1868. REPORT FROM BRO. VAN HORN.
By E. D. Van Horn
I HAVE now been in Blendon a little more than three weeks, and have given twenty-seven discourses. The interest is good for a new place, and I continue to have quite good-sized congregations. The truth is taking effect on the hearts of some. Already about twelve have commenced to keep the Sabbath, and there are others who I think will decide soon. My work is not yet done here. I shall labor on as long as the interest may demand. I am much encouraged and feel to praise the Lord for his goodness in giving me his aid. Those who are receiving the truth here have never made a profession before, or have long ago given up, and yielded to the influence of the world. It has every appearance now of a good work being done here. May the Lord add his blessing, and bring such to the acknowledging of the truth as shall finally go through and stand on Mount Zion. Blendon, Mich., Oct. 26, 1868. AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT.
By D. T. Bourdeau
Since the General Conference, and especially of late, I have felt the need of a greater consecration to the Lord, and to the work in which I am engaged. As I look over my past life, I lament over the fact that, considering my privileges and calling, I have made very slow and poor advances in the divine life. And I am not without an influence. My lacks must have been felt by others, through my writings, and my private and public labors. I must die a greater, a complete, death to self, pride, and love of approbation. Time is short, mercy will soon close, and I must be thorough, and work fast. As I examine myself in the light of God's testimony to me, I also see that in my anxiety to do my duty with reference to my health, I have not given the Lord a chance to work. I have leaned too much to my own strength and understanding, and this is one great reason why I have had a hard time, and have made such slow progress in the direction of health. But I am thankful that my duty in regard to my health is marked out in a clear manner, and that help comes in time to save me, if I reform. God grant that I may. Wherein my lacks have been a source of grief to others, and have been an obstruction to the advancement of the cause, I wish to be forgiven. Pray for me, that I may make thorough work for the Judgment, and succeed in winning souls to the truth. Petaluma, Cal., Oct. 12, 1868. YOUR MISSION.
By L. E. Miller
OUR blessed Saviour is well pleased if we fulfill our duty, be it ever so small. There is a moral greatness in that person, who, amid the various changes of life, pursues the path of duty, and cheerfully accepts his lot, wherever it may be cast. It may be ours to minister to some of God's dear children, or care for our little ones, or bear with the infirmities of old age. Oh! that we might do it with cheerfulness and delight. Let us take care of the present, and do our duty; for this is all God requires of us. Let us remember that he requires nothing that is unreasonable or unjust. We may think that we might better glorify God in some other situation than the one we find ourselves placed in; but it is a lesson we must all learn, that he has placed us just in the position where we can best honor and glorify him. And whatever our trials, though ever so grievous, they are just the ones to purify and fit us to inhabit those bright mansions above. While we are called upon to minister unto others, let us remember that none of us liveth unto himself, but follow the example of our blessed Master, who went about doing good. Oh! let us weigh well the influence we exert around us from day to day, that it be on the side of truth and humanity, that the world may be better for our having lived in it; that some sorrowing heart may be comforted, the mourner's tears be wiped away, that we may make some sinking heart more light, and with the sweet promises cheer them into life and hope again. Oh! the Christian mission is a noble one. Then our life has not been in vain, and we have been preparing for a nobler, an immortal, life in the kingdom of God. These are solemn times. The perils of the last days are upon us. Oh! may the Lord help us all to realize the great responsibility that rests upon us, and may it be our highest ambition to perform faithfully the work assigned us by our Heavenly Father in the closing scenes of this world's history. The last message of mercy will soon close. Probation will be ended, our work done, and then a glorious immortality shall be ours. Shabbona, Ill., Sept. 2, 1868. POLITICAL ASPIRATIONS OF ROMANISM.
Rome is not like the Bourbons in never learning anything, but she is like them in never forgetting anything. She learns everything, appropriates all cultures, all fashions, all the enginery of the most advanced civilization, the most delicate refinement of taste, everything that can be named; she makes it all her own, that she may advance the things which she “never forgets.” No matter how much the world outtravels her, no matter in what dusty and mouldy piles her dogmas lie, no matter how her spiritual prince on the Tiber may tremble and fly, or be propped up by foreign bayonet upon his throne, awaiting the doom of his temporal authority, she plots as keenly as ever, and does with might and main the thing within her reach, whatever it may be. Her great passion, however, is for the control of governments. Governments can tax the people and appropriate the public revenues. Governments control public-school systems, and sometimes undertake to endow or to support public charities. Governments that are free, and even republican, are sometimes overturned, and converted into despotisms; and despotisms, temporal and spiritual, are all akin, and naturally take to one another. Who among us has forgotten the efforts of Romanists, a few years ago, in this country to get possession of the school funds of the several States for their own sectarian use? For a time, they seemed to lay aside their slyness; they came out from their concealment and boldly announced their purposes. They put their chosen men into the legislatures, and bills in their interest took shape before the public eye, as though Popery were a thing to be supported by all republican commonwealths. Beaten here, they grew more quiet, but not less ambitious nor industrious. They now try to accomplish, through city governments, what they failed to do by the States. The States were found to have a preponderantly Protestant population. The foreign Romanists of this country do not cultivate the soil; they live mostly in the cities, and are supported mainly by common day labor. In New York, especially, where this class is so dangerously numerous, the Romish church is almost omnipotent, even controlling the legislation of the State, and absolutely owning that of the city. The vast sums appropriated to popish institutions by the Legislature of New York have become an old story, and but recently the Papal government of the city has given $25,000 to the Roman Catholic Asylum, known as the “House of the Good Shepherd,” an establishment which is entirely beyond the reach of public inspection. The whole hierarchy in the country is working in this spirit. Their government is at Rome, and ours, in all its shapes and powers, is meant to be used for its advancement. They cast the vote of the immense, degraded and ignorant population, solidly in any direction they please. They are presenting an unusually large number of candidates for office at present. Political names, of course, are given to their aims, but, after all, they are deeply ecclesiastical—more than anything else. The priests direct the vote, and they have no country, no opinions, no politics, but their hierarchy. Their adherents are never divided; their instinct is unerring; they go for themselves, and for none else.231 The immediate expulsion of the Jesuits by the revolutionary government of Spain is proof of the feeling of the Spanish people whenever it has the privilege of free expression. The Roman Catholics of Europe are, generally, content to remain members of the “Mother Church,” but they are, evidently, determined to put an end to its interference with civil and political affairs. They show an obvious purpose to confine it to its proper sphere. We shall, no doubt, be compelled in the end to deal in the same manner with Romanism in this country. Its attempts to build itself up through the control of State legislation, thus making itself a quasi State church, becomes every year more intolerable.—Methodist. Jesus, the name of names most sweet,
Jesus, the name with love replete,
Jesus, the name that calms each fear,
Jesus, the name we joy to hear. Jesus, who left the Father's love,
Jesus, who left the throne above,
Jesus, who came to earth below,
Jesus, who did our natures know. Jesus, by Judas' hands betrayed,
Jesus, in purple robes arrayed,
Jesus, with thorny crown that day,
Jesus, condemned and led away. Jesus they took to Calvary,
Jesus they nailed upon a tree,
Jesus they caused to bleed and die,
Jesus, they heard thy last great cry. Jesus now reigns in majesty,
Jesus now pleads for you and me,
Jesus now shares of joys untold,
Jesus now wears a crown of gold. Jesus, our refuge in this life,
Jesus, our all in pain and strife,
Jesus, our mediator, friend,
Jesus, our guide unto the end. Jesus, dear Lord, to thee we pray,
Jesus, dear friend, be thou our stay,
Jesus, dear Jesus, take us home,
Jesus, dear Saviour, quickly come. A RESPONSE.
By JOS. CLARKE
I EXPRESS my thanks to Bro. White, for his kind words of caution, expressed in No. 16 of the REVIEW, those which refer to language used by me, which was, indeed, as he has said, manifestly improper. I also would express my regret that I have, in quite a number of cases, written to the Office hastily, upon subjects about which I was not wholly informed, and have erred, and have sometimes caused trial and needless pain to others whom I greatly respect and love. I would ask pardon of all whom I have thus hurt and wounded, and would also tender my hearty thanks to the editor of the REVIEW for his care in often withholding or correcting my faulty articles. I have been much benefited by the care and good offices of my brethren. Will they still continue their kindness and care for my spiritual welfare, and for my good in all things? and may the Lord pardon my negligence and erratic steps, and help me to walk humbly and wisely before him in all things. Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth. DIED, near Cameron, Mo., Emma, oldest daughter of Amos and Sarah E. Van Syoc, of congestion of the brain, while on the road from Kansas to Iowa, aged 4 years and 9 months. She lay sick of intermittent fever nearly one week. During her entire sickness she was perfectly calm and patient, and about 4 o'clock, first-day evening, she fell asleep without a struggle, to wait the resurrection of the just. With grief and sorrow the bereaved parents will try to prosecute their journey. AMOS AND SARAH E. VAN SYOC. DIED, April 7, 1868, Isaac J. Howell, of Appanoose Co., Iowa, aged 38 years and 8 months. His death was caused by the running away of his team. As he was walking along behind the wagon, the team becoming frightened and starting to run, he jumped upon the wagon to hold them. But failing to get control over them, he was thrown off and killed instantly. He leaves a wife and three children. He was a consistent believer of the truth, and rests in hope. N. JANE LUCAS
By N. Jane Lucas
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: Again I avail myself of the opportunity of writing a few lines for the Conference Department. If I can speak one word of encouragement to any one, I shall be amply repaid. I would here say that I love the blessed truths of the third angel's message, and by the help of the Lord I mean to live them out. I would honor God by keeping all his holy commandments, that I may finally stand on Mount Zion with all the redeemed. The work on the sanctuary and twenty-three hundred days, of Daniel viii, 14, by the help of the Lord, has been the means of shedding new light and glory around my pathway. In hours of trial, when cares of this world weigh heavily upon me, by an eye of faith I can look away to the sanctuary, and there behold Jesus, our great High Priest, as he ministers in the most holy place in the heavenly sanctuary. Oh! what heavenly light shines around my pathway. Surely, it is from above; and in view of the solemn work that is being done in the sanctuary, how careful we should be, dear brethren and sisters, to keep the whole law of God. Oh! I feel that I have much to overcome, that I may be ready to meet the Lord. I would here confess that I have been governed too much in the past by feeling; but by the grace of God I mean to be governed in the future by wisdom and the word of God. I do not think we shall go astray if we are governed thus. A short time ago, while talking with a man who professes to be a minister of the gospel, he made the statement, that in many places in the Bible where we have a thus saith the Lord, “It does not mean so,” but he failed to tell me what it did mean. I made up my mind that henceforth I would cling closer to the word of God than ever before. I believe if there was ever a time when Satan was trying his utmost to overthrow the Bible, it is now. May the Lord keep us from the wily snares of the Wicked One, that we may finally come off conquerors, and more than conquerors, through Him that hath loved us. A New Believer’s Sabbath Testimony
By J. B. Pratt
BRO. J. B. PRATT writes from Ottawa Co., Mich.: I have recently become a Sabbath-keeper and a believer in the second Advent doctrine. I believe that the law and the gospel go hand in hand. I now believe that the ten commandments stand just as God first gave them; that the fourth has never been changed by divine authority; and that, through grace, we are enabled to keep the law, which, by this means, I am striving to do. I, also, now believe that we have no immortality only as we gain it through faith in Christ, obedience, and a faithful continuance in well doing. I also believe that Jesus is now in the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary, finishing up his work of atonement, and that it is court week, as Bro. White told us at the camp-meeting. I firmly believe in the third angel’s message, and I want a part in it with God’s humble people. It is only about six weeks since I embraced this faith. I believe it is the truth, and I love it and want to do what I can to sustain it. I have a family of a wife and five children; am a poor man and out of health, and am peddling to support my family; but purpose to give one-tenth of my income to the cause. ALONG a coast, three thousand miles in length, the light of day was serenely shining, when suddenly a motion of the solid earth was felt, a darkening of the heavens seen, and a strange, dismal sound heard by millions. The waves of the sea rushed to meet those of the land, and thirty thousand people were dead. Terror whitened the faces of unnumbered survivors, in whose ears were ringing the cries of distress which rose from the lips of the dying. It seems to us that one lesson of such a catastrophe is the final conflagration of this planet, which shall usher in the judgment of all its inhabitants, since Adam looked upon the Eden he lost by his sin. How plainly it reveals the treasured means of the world's destruction! Who can say that, according to fixed natural laws, these are not preparing “nature's funeral pile,” just as, on a comparatively small scale, they shook down cities, and buried their inhabitants? In God's own time, the trumpet of the Archangel will sound the signal; the “heavens pass away with a great noise, and the elements melt with fervent heat; and there shall be no more sea.” Then what cries of alarm and wild despair will rise above the tottering mountains and rending rocks, refusing to hide the disloyal and lost from the face of the Lamb, whose finished work of redemption made its theatre no longer of any more worth than the scaffolding of a finished and glorious temple, taken down to be burned for fuel.—Am. Messenger. H. M. LASHIER
By H. M. Lashier
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: I am thankful to my Heavenly Father for the light he has made to shine upon my pathway, and that he gave me a heart to receive and a desire to walk in the light. I can say with the Psalmist, “The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.” “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” How many precious promises we have to encourage us on in our weary pilgrimage. Although the way may seem dark, and we may have trials and temptations, sorrows and afflictions, to pass through, He has promised that his grace shall be sufficient for us. Let us be faithful to the end, that we may be among the waiting ones when Jesus comes. Soon his intercessions for us will close. I desire, while mercy lingers, to be zealous and repent, that my sins may be blotted out, and my name retained in the book of life. The REVIEW is all the preaching we have. I hope some messenger may feel it duty to come here and proclaim the last notes of warning to a perishing world. “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few.” My prayer is that the Lord will send forth laborers. Oh! that we may feel the burden of the great work before us, a burden of soul for sinners, and try, by our earnest entreaties, our daily walk and conversation, to lead them to the Saviour. I desire to know what the will of the Lord is, and fill well my allotted place, so that when the Judgment is pronounced I may hear the welcome “Well done.” Present Truth and Health Reform
By Elvira A. Sevy
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: Never has present truth seemed so precious to me as it does now. The world, with its allurements, has but little charms for me. I am trying to live out present truth in all its parts. The health reform has done great things for me and my family. It found us, like Lazarus, sick and sore; but it has healed us almost entirely. Praise God for his goodness in bringing these things before his people. To those who are standing in doubt in regard to the reforms, I would say, God never requires anything of us, but what is for our good. Although it may be crossing to our carnal nature, yet beneath the cross lies the crown. I have just finished reading the last REVIEW, and feel very much cheered, as I do every week. May God bless all that are connected with it in its publication, and all those that are connected with the work of God in any way. ELVIRA A. SEVY.
Clinton Co., Mich.