Earlier text: Sanctification: or Living HolinessSpiritualism as It Is.
By Editor
THE testimony of an opponent in favor of any truth, is acknowledged by all as the highest kind of evidence; so the testimony of a friend against any error, is evidence equally good, on that side of the question. We have received a tract entitled "Spiritualism As It Is," by Wm. B. Potter, M. D., New York. The writer is a Spiritualist lecturer, and offers his services to speak, hold circles, form societies, &c.; but unlike his co-laborers he feels called upon to denounce and expose the iniquities that inhere in that villainous system. He takes up the subject under four heads: Manifestations, Teachings, Tendencies, and Explanations. Under the heading of the teachings of Spiritualism, he says: "The teachings and theories given through the different manifestations, are as various as it is possible to conceive. Indeed, few of the devoted 'seekers after truth under difficulties' are aware of the endless contradictions and absurdities that are mixed up with the most exalted Truths and the most profound Philosophies. We have room for only a tithe of them, for we have not yet found the first question or subject about which they do not contradict each other. We have spent hours in reading and listening to long and very ingenious communications, through unconscious media, to prove that it is all the effects of mundane causes, and that there is no conscious identity of the spirit after the death of the body. That the spirit, like the body, decomposes after death and enters into new combinations. "We are taught that God is a person; that He is impersonal; that He is omnipotent; that He is governed by nature's laws; that every thing is God; that there is no God; that we are gods. We are taught that the soul is eternal; that it commences its existence at conception, at birth, at maturity, at old age. That all are immortal, that some are immortal, that none are immortal. That the soul is a winged monad in the center of the brain, that it gets tired, and goes down into the stomach to rest; that it is material, that it is immaterial; that it is unchangeable; that it changes like the body, that it dies with the body, that it is developed by the body, that it is human in form, that it is without form, that it is in but one place at a time, that it is in all places at the same time. "We are taught that the spirit world is on earth—just above the air—beyond the milky way. That it has but one sphere—three spheres—six spheres—seven spheres—thirty-six spheres—an infinite number of spheres. That it is a real, tangible world, that it is all a creation of the mind of the beholder, and appears different to different spirits. That it is inhabited by animals, birds, etc., that they do not inhabit it. That it is a sea of ether, that it is a plain, that it has mountains, lakes and valleys, that it is a belt around the earth. We are taught that the spirits eat food—live by absorption—live on magnetism—thoughts—love. That they control media by will-power, by magnetism, by entering media, by standing by their side, by an influence beyond our atmosphere, by permission of the Lord. "That spirits converse by thought-reading, by oral language. That their music is harmony of soul, that it is instrumental and vocal. That they live single; in groups of nine. That they marry without having offspring; that they have offspring by mortals; that they have offspring by each other. That their marriage is temporary; that it is eternal. That spirits never live again in the flesh; that they do return, and enter infant bodies, and live many lives in the flesh. That some are born first in the spheres, and afterwards are born on earth in the flesh. That the true affinity is born in the spirit world at the same time that the counterpart is born on earth. That all spirits are good; that some are bad; that all progress, that some progress; that none progress; that some retrogress and become devils. "We are taught that those that act the worst progress the fastest; that we must go through hell to get to Heaven; that a drunkard 'will become more noble than she otherwise could.' That sin is a lesser degree of righteousness. That there is no high, no low, no good, no bad. That murder is right, lying is right, slavery is right, adultery is right. That whatever is, is right. "That nothing we can do, can injure the soul, or retard its progress. That it is wrong to blame any; that none should be punished; that man is a machine, and not to blame for his conduct. That we must have charity; that we must not expose iniquity, because it will harden the guilty. "We are also taught that Spiritualists are apt to be worse than others. That time is not known in the spirit world. That new planets are peopled by spirits, taking on natural bodies, and propagating. That atoms of matter are in the form of men, and once had tails. That all things constantly give off images that are immortal. That the spirit of the tree exists in perfect form after the tree is burnt. That monads are God's thoughts and go through all forms of rocks, trees, animals, and at last become men. That we see by a positive radiation, that goes out from the eyes, and touches things. That thoughts are living entities, and may flow down the arm on to the paper, if that is burnt, they float around. That spirit is substance, in absolute condensation; that matter is substance, whose particles never touch. That sexual union is necessary to health and development, that it is a great help to media to get spiritual elements, but, if the parties are not adapted, it is a great injury and an awful wrong." &c. Such are some of the absurdities, follies, and contradictions, of Spiritualism. And the writer assures us that all these, and many more which he names, he has heard given by mediums or read in communications. A very attractive system is it not, to be entrusted with our eternal interests! And yet with all these disgusting discrepancies on their polluted hands, Spiritualists will foam out their innate ravings over what in their estimation are a few contradictions in the Bible, asserting that on this account it is only fit to be trampled under foot! Under the head of the Tendency of Spiritualism, we quote the following which needs no comment: "The tendencies of Spiritualism, like its teachings, are too numerous to mention. We will but glance at a few of the most prominent: Free-Love, Progression, Individualism, etc. "One of the oldest, if not the most influential spiritual paper, has several noted Free-Lovers, and libertines, as special and honored correspondents. "Parting husbands and wives, is one of the notorious tendencies of Spiritualism. The oldest and most influential teacher of Spiritualism, has had two wives, each of whom he encouraged to get divorced before he married them. When one of the most eloquent trance speakers left her husband, he came out, and stated that he knew of sixty cases of media leaving companions. We heard one of the most popular impressionist speakers say to a large audience, that she was compelled by spirits to secede from a husband with whom she was living very happily. We lately heard a very intellectual, eloquent and popular normal speaker say, in an eloquent address to a large convention of Spiritualists, that 'he would to God that it had parted twenty, where it had parted one.' In short, wherever we go, we find this tendency in Spiritualism." He says again, p. 18. "The mass who are well disposed but easily influenced by bad example and immoral teachings, would be injured by the licentious and immoral example and teaching, so common, at present, in Spiritualism." Again, in pleading for an organization of orderly Spiritualists, he says, p. 21: "Licentiousness being a predominant (the italics are his) and notorious evil in Spiritualism, especial care and the utmost pains should be taken to exclude it, and every appearance of it." In regard to the spheres the writer informs us that "the first sphere is occupied by the vilest and most degraded whites, and gross, undeveloped negroes, indians and savages; that the second sphere is occupied by selfish, brutal, whites, and partly developed savages, and half-civilized people." p. 15. Then he says on page 16, that "no spirit can, by any possibility, magnetize any one more than one sphere below himself;" and "as all mortals, while in the flesh, are in the first sphere, it follows that no media on earth ever has been, or can be, magnetized by any spirit above the second sphere, and all claims of being directly controlled by spirits of the higher spheres, will, in every case, be found to be a mistake or a falsehood." He says also on p. 23: "Recollect that no spirit higher than the second sphere, ever has, or ever can personally control mortals, millions of claims to the contrary, notwithstanding." Again he says, p. 16, "Not one per cent of the manifestations have had a higher origin than the first and second spheres. These spheres being full of low, ignorant, deceptive, mischievous, selfish, and egotistical spirits, fond of controlling media, they have, by reading the minds of mortals, and picking up old poetry, essays, and the floating notions of the times, with a few facts obtained from higher spheres, passed themselves off, for our friends and relatives, and the great and good of all ages." A pretty good confession of the deception of this delusion, from whatever source it may come. Yet the writer exhorts his friends to stick to the indians, the tips, raps, and humble manifestations, and they will be sure to find enough to convince them of the existence of the spirit of man after death. Verily these "brutal whites" and half-developed "savages," have a great and lofty mission assigned to them! This theory of the occupants of the second sphere will probably account for the great number of indian spirits that have sought out their mediums. On this ground it doubtless happens that one with whom Seventh-day Adventists once had some acquaintance, now has for his communicating spirit a certain Indian chief, Owasso. (Be assured nothing less than a "chief" would satisfy the aspirations of the "reverend" character which he now assumes.) But this indian, chief though he is, is not yet developed enough, it seems, to read the time from the face of a clock, and is no more civilized than to wake up his medium by slapping him in the face with a ponderous boot! There are some specimens of humanity, which have become so gross that the Devil cannot reach them by personating any decent and respectable individual. But let him personate a slobbering idiot, or a brutal savage, and they will swallow down the delusion with evident gusto! But our author, in the vain expectation that light can be brought out of darkness, hopes to see a pure order of Spiritualism established, which he would denominate the "Angelic Dispensation." On this point he says, p. 20: "We say Angelic Dispensation to distinguish it from the Disorderly Dispensation of undeveloped spirits, which has, up to the present time (June, 1865), so greatly predominated, that Spiritualism is suggestive of Free-Love Affinities, Disorder and Sensualism. "After years of careful investigation, we are compelled, much against our inclinations, to admit that more than half of our traveling media, speakers and prominent Spiritualists, are guilty of immoral and licentious practices, that have justly provoked the abhorrence of all right-thinking people. They have been so powerful and persistent that nearly every effort by organization, or otherwise, to reform, restrain, or exclude them, has proved a failure. At the National Spiritual Convention, at Chicago called to consider the question of a National Organization, the only plan approved by45 the Committee, especially provided that no charge should ever be entertained against any member, and that any person, without any regard to his or her moral character might become a member." We need quote no further, nor make further remarks. Spiritualists, those of them who still wish to maintain a show of decency, will doubtless repudiate both Mr. Potter and his book; but it is just as good authority as any of their works. With all the other downward tendencies of the age, there is an increasing love for freedom from every moral restraint, and the unbridled practice of licentiousness, and every evil. Were it not so, Spiritualism would die for want of votaries. But as it is, it stalks through the land like a gigantic yet squalid specter, reeking with its Sodomitish pollutions, and gathering to its embrace the low the lecherous and the vile. The Last Outlines Filling Up.
The alarming increase of iniquity at the present day is arresting the attention of the observing everywhere. To those who have not listened to the voice of the prophets, it appears strange. They cannot see why wickedness of every name and new and unheard of kinds, should be so much more prevalent now than in former years, or why men should be so much more inclined to evil. But the student of prophecy looks upon these things far differently. To him it would appear strange if it were not so; for he knows that by a hundred different chains of evidence the word of God gives unmistakable proof that we have reached the last days; and when the last days should come, the same word tells us that evil men and seducers should wax worse and worse, scoffers should multiply, iniquity should abound, and that it should be as in the days of Noah, when violence filled all the land. He therefore looks for such things, and expects them to increase more and more till the end; for the word of God never fails to connect. The following items give a little glimpse of the state of things upon which we are entering. Says a Hartford (Ct.) paper: "One of our Hartford policemen recently had occasion to arrest, in an adjoining town, a fellow who had been concerned in a burglary, and whom he had known in boyhood, the two being schoolmates and intimate friends. The person told the policemen that there was likely to be a great increase of burglary in Hartford and other cities from this time forth. He stated that the thieves and burglars were banded together in a secret organization which extended throughout the Union. These burglars, he said, have, in many cases, for the last three or four years, had no occasion to ply their avocation, having obtained all the money they needed in another way—as bounty-jumpers and substitute-brokers in large cities. Now, however, the war having ended, these fast gentry begin to find themselves getting short of funds, and this fellow's opinion was that they would return to their old business of house-breaking, and with their number doubled by the state of things existing for the last four years. In confirmation of the truth of this theory, our police say that they have had double the usual number of such cases during the last ten or twelve days. And we see the same marked increase of burglaries by armed and desperate fellows in various parts of New York State during the past fortnight. It would seem that with the close of the war a swarm of villainous desperadoes has been let loose upon the community." Says the Chicago Journal: "Crime is rampant in Chicago. It is impossible to doubt the fact, and it is folly to disguise it. Indeed, we could not conceal it if we would. . . . There is something for us to fear nearer to us than any rival city, or any envious commercial competitor. It is in our own midst. Our enemy is within our own walls. He is powerful, and as industrious as he is powerful. His name is crime. He loves darkness better than light, because his deeds are evil; but he walks abroad by day because he has learned audacity from success." "Our local columns teem with highway-robberies, house-breakings, pocket-pickings, and the marvelous achievements of the 'confidence' sharpers. The curtain of night is scarcely down before the villains are abroad and busy. In the early grey of the evening, on the most frequented avenues, the honest and unsuspecting citizen is hugged to silence in the arms of one garroter, while the fingers of another lift his watch from its fob, and his purse from its pocket." "A school was recently opened near Zanesville, Ohio, where burglary, pocket-picking, tricks in gambling, counterfeiting, &c., were actually taught. Quite a class of young boys had been organized when the existence of the 'institution' was discovered and at once terminated." Bribery and corruption stalk shamelessly in the community. Says an exchange: "Montreal—the headquarters of the rebel conspirators in Canada—must be a city of nice morals. On an examination into its police affairs, it appeared that some of the councilmen were under pay by the houses of ill-fame, and a fund was raised by the keepers of these houses to fee the police authorities to prevent arrest. Other members of the city government were paid to connive at various infractions of the laws." To obtain money, the most horrible outrages are committed. The atrocities of the inquisition are equalled, if not excelled. The Natchez Courier has particulars of a brutal outrage on the person of Mr. Henry Spann, living near Harrisonburg, La. It says: "The desperadoes demanded of Spann his money; when on being told he had none, they 'bucked' him, and procuring willow switches, a villain stood on each side, and whipped him until they extorted all his money, amounting to $1,600. They again made another demand for money, which was refused by Spann, on the ground of his having none. They then took the unfortunate man, 'bucked' him, and placed both his feet in the fire, literally roasting them. After this hellish deed they left, without procuring any more money. The next evening these villains returned, set fire to Spann's house, burning the same, as well as all his household effects and other property." Western Tour.
By James White
At the time of our last report we were at La Salle, Ill., on our way to the Princeville meeting. The hotel keeper called us at 4 A. M. to take the cars at 4:30, after we had been kept awake till midnight by continual tramping and talking in the hall. We reached Chillicothe station at 7 A. M., where teams were waiting to take us and our baggage to the place of meeting. About one mile out of the village we stopped by the road-side to take breakfast consisting of crackers, venerable simply from age, buns which were imported from Battle Creek through the American Express, and one quart of sweet milk purchased of a farmer on whose borders we were being refreshed. As we had eaten nothing for eighteen hours, and then only crackers and buns at the depot, we enjoyed our breakfast with a keen relish, and were soon on our way, refreshed, for Princeville. We stopped during our meetings with the family of Bro. H. C. Blanchard, elder of the Princeville church, who did all in their power to make us comfortable and happy. The brethren hold their meetings in the Christian chapel, the largest of the three chapels in the place. Our congregations were not large owing to limited circulation of the appointment, bitter prejudice in the place, and perhaps some wrongs in a portion of the church which we tried to correct. We trust our meetings at Princeville will result in much good, although we cannot speak of much freedom in the word. It seemed to us that some of our brethren there were getting narrowed up too much in their views and feelings, and that instead of having a gathering influence, they were pursuing a course that would not only close the ears of those not in the faith, but would scatter the believers. We are happy to report that Bro. Blanchard has not felt disposed to take extreme positions, and we trust all the church in the future will be ready to hold up his hands while he endeavors to take a consistent, straight-forward course. It is a pleasure to here speak of the kindness of brethren Ferris and Dubois in taking us to the place of meeting, and that also of brethren Merritt and Johnson who cared for us at their homes, and took us to Chillicothe to take the cars for Iowa. J. W. R. F. COTTRELL
By R. F. Cottrell
The World's Conversion a Fable. No. 2.
WHEN our Saviour was asked of his disciples what should be the sign of his second coming and of the end of the world, he gave a sketch of events reaching over the period of the present dispensation to the end. Matt. xxiv, 5–14. As he approaches the end of the gospel age, after predicting the false prophets of the present day, he says, "And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." The perceptive faculties of some are so very acute, that they fancy they see the world's conversion in the fact that the gospel was to be preached for a witness to all nations. They forget that the gospel, as a witness, may condemn, and not convert, like the preaching of Noah, of whom it is said, "he condemned the world." Heb. xi, 7. Paul, speaking of the sound of the gospel, which "went into all the earth," says, "But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?" Rom. x, 16. Again, the context, instead of predicting the conversion of the world in the last days, foretells the very reverse—apostasy from love to Christ, of the "many" professors of his religion. "The love of many shall wax cold," "because iniquity shall abound." This plainly speaks of apostasy; for it cannot be said of those who never so much as professed religion, that their love has grown cold. I think Campbell's version says, "The love of the greater number shall cool;" clearly asserting that the majority bearing the Christian name will be involved in this almost universal apostasy. "But," says our Saviour, "he that shall endure unto the end"—he that shall stem the current of this general declension, and endure faithfully the opposition and persecution coming from the many that have turned against God and his truth—"the same shall be saved," saved from the general wreck, and accepted of Christ at his coming. In perfect harmony with this, is the testimony of Paul to Timothy. "In the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." 2 Tim. iii, 1–5. The last days of the dispensation will be distinguished, not by glorious, but by perilous times—not by the conversion of the world, but a falling away from the Christian faith, and by iniquity abounding among those who have the form of godliness; for it is said concerning all the abominable characters described in the text, that they have a form of godliness, but deny the power. Now, none can fail to see, who have any discernment in spiritual things, that this state of apostasy and corruption is prevailing to an alarming extent at the present time. What hope can reasonably be entertained that this state of things will suddenly change, and a corrupted Christianity not only work its own cure, but convert the world that is in the very depths of wickedness and degradation? Is it not self-evident, in the absence of all scriptures teaching the reverse, that the present state of declension and wickedness will increase till the cup of iniquity shall be filled to overflowing and draw46 down the vengeance of the day of God? And there are no scriptures which foretell the conversion of the world, but all are harmonious in teaching that "evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse," and a state similar to that of the antediluvians and Sodomites will call for swift vengeance and sudden destruction from Heaven, making the earth empty and desolate, as predicted in numerous prophecies of the word of God. Reader, be entreated to make a speedy preparation for the terrible events of the tremendous day of the wrath of God and of the Lamb. Do not be deceived by the deceptive dreams of those who have a name to live and are dead—those who flatter themselves and others that there is a good time coming, that the world is to be converted, while they are lowering the standard of godliness to the very dust. Woe to the world when it shall be converted to such a type of Christianity! "The day of the Lord cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate; and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it." Are you prepared to escape those things that shall come to pass, and stand before the Son of man? Get ready, get ready! Now while mercy lingers for you, while Jesus yet pleads, make haste to avail yourself of offered pardon, by embracing "the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus." The life-boat is out—the last reformation is being preached—the last effort of a gracious God is being made to save men from the general wreck, and bring them into the ark of safety. The days of Noah are upon us, but a message has mercifully been prepared to gather out a people that shall be saved. Rev. xiv, 9–12. This message is doing its work. Hasten to embrace it, and live according to its teachings. So you may escape the wrath of the Lamb, and be able to exclaim with all the living saints in the day of Christ's appearing, "This is our God, we have waited for him, and he will save us; this is the Lord: we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation." Isa. xxv. Testimony Verified.
By M. E. Cornell
I was much interested in the facts published in the Review, confirmatory of the testimony of Spiritual Gifts Vol. iii, in regard to the origin of coal beds. In the same volume we have the following interesting testimony, in regard to the serpent medium, made use of by Satan to deceive our first parents. "The serpent had not the power of speech, but Satan used him as a medium. It was Satan that spoke, not the serpent. Eve was deceived and thought it was the serpent. This serpent was a very beautiful creature with wings; and while flying through the air, his appearance was very bright, resembling the color of burnished gold. He did not go on the ground, but went from place to place through the air, and ate fruit like man." Spiritual Gifts, Vol. iii, pp. 39, 40. In harmony with the above, we have the following from "Notes Critical and Explanatory on the Book of Genesis," by Melancthon W. Jacobus, Professor of Biblical Literature and Exegesis, in the Theological Seminary at Allegany, Pa. "The animal serpent is here primarily referred to, as possessing qualities which fitted it to be the agent of the tempter. Among all animal tribes which God had created, and which Adam, with his knowledge of them, had named, this one was more subtle than all the other beasts of the field. This term subtle is elsewhere rendered 'crafty,' 'prudent,' Job v, 12, Prov. xii, 16. As the human pair was to be tempted in regard to knowledge, there is deep meaning in this statement, that the serpent was the most subtle of all the animals. It is most likely that this animal was then, before the curse, the most knowing and prudent, as it is now everywhere the symbol of low artifice and degraded malignity. That there was a real serpent in this transaction cannot be doubted any more than we can doubt the real history throughout. Some have sought to turn this history of the temptation into an allegory. But it wears the same aspect of historical detail as the rest of the narrative. Others have understood that there is here only the animal serpent. But we understand the literal serpent as the agent of a superior being, who was the real tempter, not merely that Satan was now acting in the form of the serpent. It is plain that here was a person, having intellect and moral sense—having speech and reasoning powers, such as do not belong to the brute creation. Objectors say it is not likely that the Devil would have assumed such an unsightly shape, but a more attractive one. Yet this objection begs the question. We may suppose that this kind of serpent had originally a very attractive form, and received its more degraded and groveling habits in the curse. The term nachash is the term used in Num. xxi, 6; but with the Hebrew term 'seraph,'—translated, 'fiery serpent.' It is "the seraph serpent," which God there sent among the people. The term seraph in Hebrew means fiery. And this kind of serpent was probably a glistening creature, and may have been so far attractive, even after the fall, while the kindred terms of nachash mean brass and enchantment, all giving the impression of some bright, glowing, and fascinating appearance, as the original idea. And as 'the nachash' in Numbers seems to have been a flying serpent and seraphic, the whole idea is akin to that of 'an angel of light,' and would seem to be the basis of that New Testament reference to this transaction. The term nachash with a different adjective is used in Job xxvi, 13, of Satan, 'the crooked serpent,' and in Isa. xxvii, 1, of Leviathan,—where it may mean the nachash fallen." Fourth Annual Session of the Vermont State Conference.
This meeting was held at West Enosburgh, Vt., Friday, June 16, according to appointment. Meeting opened with prayer by Eld. J. N. Andrews. Credentials of delegates were then called for and read by the Chair. Twelve delegates were present, representing eleven churches. The Secretary not being present, A. C. Bourdeau was appointed Secretary pro tem. On motion of A. C. Bourdeau, Bro. J. N. Andrews was invited to take a part with us in our deliberations. The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. The reports from the churches were read by the Secretary. The ministers belonging to the Conference being invited to read their reports on labors, receipts, and expenses, the following brethren responded: S. Pierce, A. Stone, A. S. Hutchins, and A. C. Bourdeau. Bro. Andrews read the report from D. T. Bourdeau. On motion, the Chair was authorized to appoint a committee of seven to nominate officers for the ensuing Conference year, whereupon the following brethren were appointed to constitute that committee, viz., J. N. Andrews, A. S. Hutchins, A. Stone, H. Bingham, L. Bean, Wm. White, and H. Peck. Adjourned to half-past 2 o'clock P. M. Afternoon session. Prayer by Bro. Hutchins. The Treasurer's report was then called for and accepted, showing the following result: | Cash in Treasury at close of last Conference year, |
$124.77 |
|---|
| Received during the year, |
608.12 |
| Total, |
$727.89 |
| Paid to ministers, |
$621.55 |
| Paid to D. T. Bourdeau, expenses to Battle Creek, Mich., |
25.00 |
| Paid on Missionary Fund, |
50.00 |
| Cash on hand to balance, |
31.84 |
| Total, |
$727.89 |
The erection of the meeting-house at Enosburgh was brought up for the consideration of the Conference; and in view of the fact that such a house is needed for State Conferences and large gatherings, and that the church in Enosburgh have contributed largely to this enterprise, and is the only church in Vermont which is sufficiently numerous to bear the burdens in entertaining such meetings, on motion of Bro. J. N. Andrews it was Resolved, That the Chair be authorized to appoint a committee to solicit means to meet the indebtedness incurred by A. C. Bourdeau in the erection of the meeting-house and shed belonging to it. Brn. H. Bingham, F. T. Wales, and E. Colby were appointed a committee to solicit means from the brethren present, and the following brethren were appointed a committee to solicit means from the friends in their respective localities: M. Gould, F. T. Wales, A. Cross, I. Stanhope, E. Colby, S. W. Willey, A. Stone, H. K. Pike, L. J. Hall, and W. G. Kendall. Adjourned to Sunday morning, at half-past 7. Met according to adjournment; prayer by A. C. Bourdeau. On motion of Bro. Andrews it was Resolved, That the churches belonging to this Conference be requested to settle up their s. B. fund to June 1, and then organize their s. B. so as to commence their financial year with the Conference year, and that our preachers are expected to see that this work is done at once. Resolved, That we request the churches to devote their whole s. B. fund to the Conference treasury, and that the clerk of each church is requested to make immediate returns to the Conference Secretary of the amount of their s. B. fund for the ensuing year. Voted, That the church at Jamaica be received into the Vermont Conference. The credentials of the following ministers were renewed: Stephen Pierce, Albert Stone, D. T. Bourdeau, and A. C. Bourdeau. The committee on nominations reported as follows: For President, S. Pierce; Secretary, D. T. Bourdeau; Treasurer, A. C. Bourdeau; Executive Committee, S. Pierce, D. T. Bourdeau, and A. C. Bourdeau. The report of the committee was accepted, and the brethren named were elected to the respective offices to which they were nominated. Moved, That the doings of this Conference be prepared by the Secretary to be published in the Advent Review. Carried. Adjourned to the call of the committee. S. PIERCE, President,
A. C. BOURDEAU, Secretary. A Double Entity.
By D. Arnold
It is an old saying, "There are none so blind as those who will not see." How often do we see this verified in those who persistently cling to some error that has no foundation only in the creed of the church, and made popular by the great majority's believing it, while to the most casual observer who is not biased by prejudice, superstition, and bigotry, its inconsistencies are most glaringly apparent. For instance, the idea of a double entity, or two real beings after death, and but one before. How often do we hear preachers of the orthodox stripe saying on funeral occasions, "Our brother is not dead, but is ranging the sweet fields above; his hands are handling the harp of gold, his feet are walking the golden streets, his eyes are viewing the glorious beauties of the New Jerusalem," and similar expressions. But while performing their services at the grave they tell us, "We here deposit our brother in the dust, here to sleep until the trump of the47 resurrection morn shall awake him again to life and immortality." Now how is this? Did death from one create or produce two real beings, having eyes, hands, feet, and all the other organs necessary to constitute real beings? Or did the one who, while the funeral obsequies were performing, was so happily employed in Heaven, leave that blissful place and descend to earth, and while with slow and solemn pace the procession moved toward the open grave, enter the narrow house and take up its abode in the dark and silent tomb, there to rest till the morn of the resurrection? Now, friend "Orthodox," which of these positions will you take? To be consistent with your own preaching you are bound to take one or the other. Or will you with Solomon take the more consistent and scriptural position that "the dead know not anything?" Eccl. ix, 5, or with the Psalmist, "His breath goeth forth, . . . in that very day his thoughts perish?" Ps. cxlvi, 4, or with Paul, "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off?" Heb. xi, 13, or with Christ, "For thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just?" Luke xiv, 14. Tithes and Offerings.
By R. F. Cottrell
WITH my substance I will honor
My Redeemer and my Lord;
Were ten thousand worlds my manor,
All were nothing to his word;
Hallelujah !
Now we offer to the Lord. While the heralds of salvation
His abounding grace proclaim,
Let the saints of every station
Gladly join to spread his fame;
Hallelujah !
Gifts we offer to his name. May his knowledge be promoted;
May the sealing message go;
Be to him these gifts devoted,
For to him my all I owe;
Hallelujah !
Run, ye heralds, to and fro. Praise the Saviour, all ye nations,
Praise him, all ye hosts above;
Shout with joyful acclamations,
His divine, victorious love:
Hallelujah !
By this gift our love we'll prove. Selected and altered for Review, by R. F. Cottrell. DIVINE ASSURANCE.—"And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth." 1 John v, 6. "He that believeth on the Son of God, hath the witness in himself." 1 John v, 10. "Ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry 'Abba Father.'" Rom. viii, 15. "Who hath also sealed us, and given us the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts." 2 Cor. i, 22. "God hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit." 2 Cor. v, 5. "In whom also, after that ye believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance." Eph. i, 13. "And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption." Eph. iv, 30. "Because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying 'Abba Father.'" Gal. iv, 6. "And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us." 1 John iii, 24. "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God." Rom. viii, 16. Truly the Christian's assurance is a most blessed one; and well may it be termed "the full assurance of faith." The Holy Ghost is Heaven's own testifier, whose testimony forever precludes the possibility of doubt. "He shall testify of me," said Jesus. He it is that worketh in the believer the nature of Jesus, and then beareth so sweet a testimony to his blessed work. Reader, have you this divine assurance that you are a child of God? To live in the heart of a true friend is the highest social bliss. But true friends are very rare, and as precious as they are few in number. True friendship hath its basis in a pure heart, and is rich in love to all, but especially to those who have a heart capable of perfect reciprocity. "He that will have friends, must show himself friendly." There is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother, who is evermore to be confided in and to secure his friendship is indeed the chief good.—Sel.