Earlier text: WisdomTuscola Monthly Meeting.
By John H. Waggoner
The Monthly Meeting in Tuscola was held the third Sabbath in September. I was very glad of the opportunity of meeting again with the friends in that county, though the state of my health was such as to give little encouragement that they would be much profited by my labors. Besides this, it was decided that in my letter announcing the time and manner of my coming, I did not mean what I said, and therefore I was not met at Saginaw as agreed upon. This left me some 8 or 10 miles travel on foot. By the kindness of a teamster I was permitted to put my satchel on his heavily-loaded wagon, and so passed my journey with comparative comfort. I think I can say, of a truth, that our meetings were very profitable. There seemed to be an earnest desire to arise, and get more heartily into the work. A spirit of lightness had prevailed among the young, which had almost destroyed their spirituality. I hope their resolutions to overcome may be carried out. Another danger I saw, which is prevailing to a considerable extent, that is, young believers, especially young females, forming unscriptural alliances in marriage. It is enough to make the servant of God weep to see how little effect the most faithful warnings have in this matter. But I know a father's heart, and have been made to realize the evil, and I gave a faithful testimony on the subject. While speaking on this, and kindred evils, there was much weeping, and I hope some were benefited. Oh! that the young would be admonished, and shun the snare of the enemy of their souls! Monday, the 21st, held meeting at Watrousville, and Tuesday I baptized six at Vassar, at 1, P. M., and commenced our meeting at half past two, which held till in the evening. I left there early on Wednesday morning. It would have given me pleasure to tarry with them longer, but circumstances prevented. I have always enjoyed my opportunities in Tuscola County, and this brief visit has still more endeared them to my heart. I believe there is a general desire and determination to get more fully into the work. They have felt too much as though they were afar off, outside of the field of active labor. I hope they will throw off this feeling, and realize that their responsibilities are just what all of God's saints have to bear, and they are as near to a throne of grace as any spot on earth, if they will only improve their privileges. J. H. Waggoner. REPORT FROM BRO. MATTESON.
By John Matteson
We have continued our meetings in Montcalm with good interest. Some prejudice is overcome, and the number of people in attendance is increasing. The habits of the people are so gross, and their minds so dark, that it will truly be a great wonder if they are ever transformed to become fellow-citizens and of the household of God; yet the Lord is with us, and the word has had good effect as far as it has been presented. There has been solemnity, and tears have been freely shed in the meetings. This place is in the town of Montcalm. It is in the pine woods, yet the soil is very fertile. The land yields more wheat to the acre than most other places in Michigan; and the people are very industrious and good farmers. But their industry borders on the extreme, and they work themselves to death. Oh! that there was as much eagerness to work for heavenly riches. Fruit does well here. The peaches are mellow and nice. Greenville is a good marketplace. And I could say much more in favor of the place; but I know, dear brethren, that the sons and daughters of Adam have become very unstable in this generation. Many of our brethren long for the fruits of Michigan, and think they must try to get there before the Lord comes. Well there is one kind of fruit in abundance here which you don’t like. Some call it fever and ague. It flourishes this fall in Greenville and vicinity. When I came to this town I stayed one week with a family where all four were down with it. The man’s sister came there to help them. Now she is taken violently with the same. In the house where I am now one is sick abed with the ague, and another half sick. In the next house I went to visit two women and two children who were sick with the same disease. In the fourth house the woman had just got about. The doctor had been successful in changing the ague into a swollen head, with which she now suffers terribly. In the fifth place the man had been sick about a year, with the rheumatism, and a poor woman, with two little children, had well nigh used herself up trying to take care of him. In another place the man was about to die. The medicine had cured his ague into a disease that is likely to prove fatal. Shall I speak of more cases? I forbear. Many who would like to go to meeting cannot come, for they are sick. They have fruit, to be sure, but what good does it do them, when they can’t eat it?205 Health reformers may fare better here, it is true; yet health reformers have also been dangerously sick in this vicinity, with the same malady. I do not deny that this year is worse than usual, yet it is my opinion, from personal experience, that the climate of Michigan is not so healthy, in general, as that of Minnesota; and that there is no country on the face of this old, trembling earth, that has not got more curses and inconveniences than blessings. But in the kingdom of God all blessings are combined without the slightest touch of the curse. That is the land for me. That is the land of fruit, rich and sweet; and pleasures, pure and eternal. It is the goodly land which we are now soon going to possess. Let us try to get as many with us as we can, brethren, before the door of mercy closes. Greenville, Montcalm Co., Mich., Oct. 1, 1868. The Methodist minister, in a discourse last Sunday, stated that in the passage, “He breathed into him the breath of life,” instead of the singular, life, the Hebrew is in the plural, he breathed into his nostrils the breath of lives. Is this so? J. PHILO. Stanton, Montcalm Co., Mich. Such is said to be the meaning of the Hebrew. To English readers commentators give the expression thus: “Nishmath hayim, the breath of lives.” And granted that this is so, what follows? The purpose for which commentators dwell upon this peculiar expression is very apparent. They wish it to appear that man is endowed with a double life; life of the body and life of the soul, or temporal life and eternal life. We reply that if this proves immortality for man, it proves the same for the lower orders of animals. In Gen. vii, 22, a still stronger expression is used and applied to beasts and creeping things: “And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, . . . . all in whose nostrils was the breath of life.” This expression Jacobus translates thus: “All which had the breath of the spirit of lives in their nostrils.” And he gives the Hebrew as follows: “Nishmath ruah hayim.” Here we have the nishmath hayim of chapter ii, 7, all that is expressed there, and ruah in addition. And since the expression is thus applied to all the animals that move upon the earth, it is spoiled for the use which divines endeavor to make of it in favor of man. We believe it will be found true that every argument to prove the immortality of man drawn from the record of his creation, will prove the same for all breathing animals. Not that man is in no respect above the lower orders of animals; he is vastly superior to them in his organization and powers of mind; but none of the terms used to describe his formation, or to enumerate his endowments, are sufficient to prove him immortal. MEETINGS IN WISCONSIN.
By I. Sanborn
SINCE my last report a great change has been produced in the interests of the people here, by the use of the stay-away argument, which caused the congregation to become very small for two weeks past; yet there was some interest to hear. I closed my labors here last evening, having spent nine weeks with this people. Yesterday six were baptized. There are twelve keeping the Sabbath, and a few others that I hope will yet obey and keep all the commandments of God. Had it not been for the peace-and-safety criers here, there is no doubt but many would be keeping the Sabbath who probably never will. We trust and pray that the Lord may keep the little company here faithful, and add to their numbers such as shall be saved. They have their weekly and Sabbath prayer-meeting, which I trust they will keep up faithfully with their family devotions, and that they will thereby be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving themselves. I hope to be able to return again in the spring, and labor some more with them; for I think that by that time there will be others that will be ready to hear and obey the truth, if the little flock will only be faithful in the service of God, and let their light shine. I go now to other fields to labor. Pray for me that the Lord may give me wisdom. REPORT FROM CALIFORNIA.
By D. T. BOURDEAU
We have held two Sabbath meetings, and given thirteen more discourses since closing our last communication for the Review. Also two opposition sermons have been reviewed by Bro. Loughborough; one given by Eld. Lippitt, on errors and tendencies of Adventism, and the other by Mr. Charles Mock, a leader of an Independent church in this place, against our position on the Sabbath question. At our Sabbath meetings some thirty were present. About ten have embraced the Sabbath, and others are deeply convicted, and seem to tremble at the cross. May they have grace and decision to take it up with cheerfulness. Some have doubtless waited to see what the preachers would have to say to build up the Sunday institution; but until now the efforts of the preachers in this direction have been very futile, and have rather turned in our favor, in giving us an opportunity to further vindicate the truth, and oppose error. In his last effort, Eld. Lippitt repeated much of what he had said on ascension robes, and Adventists’ being sensual; scoffed at the idea of the New Jerusalem being let down from Heaven; represented us as believing that God and Christ were no more than men; that God was simply a lump of clay, with the breath of life in it; and said that he had a thousand times rather be a Spiritualist than to believe these things. How the Professor could make such false statements with our works before him, was a query to our minds. Had he heard a discourse on the atonement, given in the tent three hours before, he might have been prepared to set forth our views in a different light, unless he was determined to misrepresent. Such kind of preaching may satisfy those who do not want the truth; but such as desire the truth, will not receive mere scoffing for a candid refutation of our arguments. He tried to make a point on the idea that Christians had been blessed so much on the first day of the week. How could this be if the Lord did not sanction the observance of that day? Query: Was there no other reason why the Lord should bless the church on Sunday? Would he not bless them for worshiping him on any day of the week? Have not Christians been blessed on other days of the week? Then how can men say that Christians have been blessed on the first day, because they kept that day as the Sabbath, especially as the observance of that day as the Sabbath has no foundation, or support, in the Scriptures, and supplants the ancient Sabbath of the Lord, which is enforced by the fourth commandment? Again, he said, How did it happen that the church was prospered and blessed while breaking one of the ten commandments? To which it was replied, that God winked at those times of ignorance, that he would not have favored his people if they had sinned in the light, and that now he commands men everywhere to repent. He used but one text in support of the doctrine of man’s consciousness in death, and that was the one setting forth the case of the thief on the cross. Luke xxiii, 42, 43. After giving our position, which was a complete refutation of his, he referred to the original, and said that there was a contrast between ὅταν and σήμερον upon which he based his argument. But what does this amount to? He might as well have said there is a contrast between “when” and “to-day,” without referring to the Greek; for this is as true of the English rendering, as it is of the Greek, with its punctuation. The contrast between the request of the thief, Lord, remember me when thou comest in thy kingdom, and the promise of Christ, as it stands in the text, depends wholly on the strength of a comma in the Greek as well as in our English version. But the comma did not exist in the original nor in the English language until the eighth or ninth century; so that it is not a sacrilege to remove it to produce a harmony. In the Greek, and in the English version, the comma is before to-day, making Christ promise the thief that he would be with him in paradise that very day, and thus producing a contrast, or opposition, not only between the promise of Christ and the request of the thief, but also between the promise of the Saviour and his own declaration to Mary, three days after, that he had not yet ascended to his Father. Jno. xx, 17. But by placing the comma after to-day, you make Christ promise the thief that day, that he should be with him in paradise, in the future, according to his request, and all is harmonious. Punctuated thus, the original reads literally, “Amen, I say unto thee to-day, With me thou shalt be [future tense] in the paradise.” Prof. Lippitt still clung to the Fathers, making the epistle of Barnabas the connecting link with the first century. This made it necessary for Bro. L. to read further from that epistle, and to bring out facts which, because of their vulgarity, indecency, and incredibility, we had never felt free to read before a congregation. Of course the responsibility was thrown on Prof. L. This turned the scales in our favor, and ended a long controversy on the Fathers. We do not expect to meet Prof. L. again, as he promised to no more speak on the subject. Mr. Mock’s main position was, that the precepts to love God with all the heart, and to love our neighbor as ourselves, were so much greater than the ten commandments, that they superseded them; that the law was binding on sinners, but that believers were far above it; that the precepts to love God with all the heart, and our neighbor as ourselves, were only a dead letter among the Jews; that because we were not justified by the law, and were not under the law, it had no binding force upon us, &c. In reply, Bro. L. showed that it was in keeping the commandments that we proved the genuineness of our love to God and man, 1 Jno. v; that there was danger of outgrowing the holy law of God too soon; that if the law of love superseded the ten commandments, they were not binding on the Jews; for they were commanded to love God with all the heart, and to love their neighbor as themselves, and God never gave them dead laws; that no righteous law could justify its violators; and that therefore no law should be kept, if Mr. Mock’s position was correct; that to be under the law was to be guilty, and shut up under the penalty of the law, which state could not exist if there was no law, &c. Mr. M. speaks again next Sunday afternoon; or, rather, he will then read from Paley’s evidences, and from the discussion between Elders Waggoner and Stevenson. Our congregations are not large, but the interest is increasing with our hearers; and we intend to remain weeks longer, as we have many more subjects to present in order to be thorough in our work. We visit much. The political excitement will forbid our pitching our tent again this season. We were happy to meet with Bro. Dr. Kellogg last Sabbath, on his return from the East. His heart is in the work, and he appears willing to do anything that the Lord may require him to perform to advance it, even if it should be to work with his hands to provide a home for preachers, and to furnish means to support them. He is at work at his trade for the present, and seems to be like a minute man, ready to help us at a moment’s warning. We now expect that he will enter with us in the tent enterprise next spring. This will certainly be a relief to us, and give us a better opportunity to visit, and give ourselves more fully to the work of the ministry without being confined so much to the tent, as one of us must necessarily be, when we have no tent master. We had hoped that some preacher would meet us on the immortality theme, as some are halting on this question. One was preparing to defend the doctrine of natural immortality, but concluded, upon the whole that it was wiser to let the subject alone. Petaluma, Cal., Sept. 24, 1868. NEARER, MY GOD, TO THEE.
By A. S. Hutchins
To the soul that panteth after God, as the hart panteth after the water-brooks, there is a peculiar sweetness in the hymn commencing with these precious words. How often do we sing it, and how frequently express, in prayers and exhortation, a desire to get nearer to God. But how many of us, from day to day, live in our families as though we really felt the necessity of being nearer to him? How many, by a holy, watchful, and prayerful life, convey conviction to those with whom they associate, that they are earnestly striving to come into a closer communion with the Most High? Does all our intercourse with the world, in buying, selling, and exchanging worldly goods, manifest that we would do unto others as we would be done by? Does self-denial, gentleness, meekness, and goodness, characterize us, as it would if we knew that we must get nearer to God, or be lost, forever lost? Do we, in all these, and in the development of other Christian graces, live nearer, my God, to thee, as well as exhort, sing, and pray, thus? In the Judgment it will avail nothing that we may have said, “Lord, Lord,” if we have not done his will. Is, then, dear brethren and sisters, our motto, Nearer, my God, to thee? If so, he will come near unto us, to bless us. “Draw nigh unto God, and he will draw nigh unto you.” Oh, precious promise! soul-reviving assurance! “The Lord is with you while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.” Oh! if we get nearer to God, we shall save many sad mistakes. Save, it may be, many unkind, unguarded, and uncharitable expressions. When at a distance from God, how apt we are with our tongues to wound and grieve tender hearts; hearts that sigh for sympathy, and words of love and kindness. And who can tell the depth of these wounds, or the severity of their pain? Show pity Lord, O Lord forgive. Teach us, O Lord, to be gentle with each other, “even as a nurse cherisheth her children.” “Nearer, my God, to thee,
Ev’n though it be a cross
That raiseth me;
Still all my song shall be
Nearer, my God, to thee,”
But does “all” our life show this to be the language of a heart fixed to be nearer to God, even though some great cross must be taken up, and daily borne? Oh!206 how many have thus sung, whom we fear are withholding their hearts and service from God, on account of the cross! We hope they will yet take it up, and prove their earnestness to get nearer to God. In the Scriptures we have an account of two brothers, who were desirous of sitting with Christ in his kingdom. Instead of making them a direct promise that they should be thus favored, the greatest possible honor that could be conferred upon one, he raises the question, “Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” They say unto him, “We are able.” And their subsequent lives showed that they were not of that class who say, but do not. In view of the crosses which lie before us, as commandment-keepers, and health reformers, how many of us, beloved brethren, can say, with John and James, We are able? To all such we say, Come, let us join in singing, in actual life, Nearer, my God, to thee. We invite you, too, sisters, to join with us in the sacred melody, for we remember that you have a cross to bear, which it seems hard for some to take up. Indeed, some of you seem to walk around the cross in the reform dress, as though it were a matter altogether immaterial. Do you really feel thus? We hope not. Again, we say, Let us raise the tone, and carry it through in our lives, Nearer, my God, to thee. And may we finally sing the glorious song of the triumphantly-happy victor, on the other side of Jordan. May we “Enter the place all free from sin,
Where life's pure waters gently flow.”
“For sin shall not have dominion over you; for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? Shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid!” “Sin is the transgression of the law.” Those who are not under the law are not under the dominion of sin; because they have pardon and favor through Jesus Christ. Those over whom sin still has the dominion, are not under grace. Sin has the dominion over them, and holds them under the law—under condemnation to death. Who are the persons addressed, that are not under the law, but under grace? All that were in Rome, “beloved of God, called saints.” Chap. i, 7. They were not under the law. Is the law abolished? Would it be right for them to transgress its precepts? Shall they transgress the law, because they are not under the law, but under grace? The apostle answers most emphatically in the negative: “God forbid!” The law, then, remains just as it was before the Christians at Rome found grace or pardon; and it is still sin to transgress it. If we yield to sin, we are its servants—under its dominion—and cannot claim to be under grace. See verse 16. There is still such a thing as sin; and it has not become the transgression of the gospel. The apostolic definition of sin is, “The transgression of the law.” We are warned in the Scriptures of the danger of stupor, insensibility, and lukewarmness, in the service of God; and the term “sleep” is used to convey an idea of this condition. What is this sleep spoken of? Certainly the term is figurative. It is best understood by applying it to temporal matters. A farmer leaves his farm in the care of his hired man, for a time. Soon as the owner is absent, the hand becomes neglectful of business, the weeds grow on unmolested, the fences become dilapidated, the bars and gates are left open, the whole premises immediately show neglect. Cattle and other stock roam at large, or, in some cases, die for want of care. Crops are neglected, or gathered with waste and damage; and suddenly the owner returns, to find himself involved in pecuniary difficulty. What is the matter? Ah! his hired hand has been asleep; that is, he has been neglectful, idle, unfaithful. To apply this illustration: The farmer who leaves land in the care of his servant, may represent the Creator, who entrusts us with the care of our own souls’ interests, and the spiritual welfare of those who are more or less under our influence, or care. We neglect to keep our hearts, neglect watchfulness and prayer, or practice them so negligently that Satan comes in unawares; and evil thoughts, worldly plans and interests, come in and fill the soul. The Bible becomes a dry study; heart-work becomes tedious; prayer becomes a form; and watchfulness is hardly practiced, unless it is to watch for gain, and self-interest. All at once we are aroused by the voice of our employer, who calls us, by his servants, to awake. What have we been doing? Ah! the great trouble is, we have neglected our work given us by the Master, and Satan has come in, and taken the authority. He takes advantage of neglect, and directs those who should have obeyed the rightful Lord. Now how shall we awake? By doing our first works. First, by thorough repentance of past neglect and sin, and renewed consecration to God. Next, by going forward in duty, strengthening the things that remain, and are ready to die all around us; by watchfulness and prayer; by alacrity in the performance of every duty of life; religious duties first, let us remember, and temporal labors always secondary; awake, that is, awake to see and appreciate; to obey, to labor, to watch, with ear, and eye, and heart, and soul, the workings of God’s Spirit in ourselves and in others; to be lively and zealous, yet prudent and discreet; to see that the ear is sanctified, so that we may discern and reject the words of those who lead astray; and to accept the words of the Good Shepherd; to see that the eye is sanctified to discern what is displayed to seduce and charm us away from the path of rectitude, and to accept the influence of such displays of God’s works and power as are calculated to elevate the soul; that our eyes may be turned away from beholding vanity; to see that the tongue is sanctified, that no word of evil may be uttered, and thus Satan be served; but that words of purity and wisdom may be uttered by this ready means; to see that the heart is sanctified, that no evil may lurk in its hidden depths, no evil passions, nor low desires, but high and holy thoughts of God and Heaven, and love to our neighbor. Thus may all the five senses be sanctified, and holy; and all will subserve the Master’s work. Awake; that is, be alive to our Master’s work, attentive, ready, devoted, sincere, honest, pure from lust of gain. Oh! let us not mix the love of money with holy labors. Separate the secular from the religious, the common from the profane. Awake; that is, to study to do our duty, study to know it. I have not begun to tell you all it means. JOS. CLARKE. DOING FOR CHRIST.
By H. G. Buxton
Where are we living? In an age of awful soul-deception, even to some of God's elect, I fear; in the deeply solemn, closing moments of time, when each hour and moment of our lives is making a decision of vast, solemn, and eternal consequences; when occurs the “coming suddenly,” Mark xiii, 36, or bringing up of our individual cases before the judgment of final accounts. By the power of the Spirit of God, and the proclamation of his holy word, the heavenly “crier” announced that on the tenth day of the seventh month, A. D. 1844, the court of final accounts in Heaven had opened for the investigation of all the cases of God's children. Among the first comes the case of righteous Abel. No shaking of the heavens, or convulsions of the earth, or sounding of a message, announces to him that his case is on the stand. But he sleeps, and his case is tried. Not long does it take the heavenly court to decide the cases of all the righteous dead, then comes the righteous living. Pause, O my soul! let this thought rest with full weight upon thee; for in a few days hence thy case and the cases of thy brethren may come upon the stand unannounced. In every other instance when God moves to bring his children into the immortal kingdom, he announces the fact to them; but not in this, else there would be utter and endless confusion. But this thou knowest: thy case is immediately impending, and Christ has bought thee with his blood, and all thy thoughts, words, and actions, are so many witnesses, either for or against thee, that thou art doing or not doing for him. My dear brethren, are we doing for Christ? Perhaps you answer me by asking, What are you doing for Christ? Answer, I am resolved to seek a daily conversion to the truth, and a fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit by wrestling with him, and continuing in secret prayer. I can help to keep up family worship. I can speak and act kindly and sympathizingly to my companion, and so receive the same in return. I can be particular to speak kindly to, and set a good example before, all the youth and children, interesting myself in all their little minds by helping them in all that is innocent, by giving them the Instructor, or some instruction that will lead them to Jesus. I can work or study industriously through the day, and have my “conversation in Heaven”—a sure and profitable way of becoming perfect. James iii, 2. I can seek a meek and teachable spirit, and an addition of all the heavenly graces. I can regularly help in the Sabbath school and Sabbath meetings. I can give some of the means the Lord has given me, however little or much, to help spread the publications, and support the preached word. I can live out the health reform to the best of my ability, and help spread the light on the same by getting subscribers for the Reformer, by referring them to the Bible, How to Live, Tract on Dress Reform; and in the Spirit of Christ help remove their prejudices. I can do good to all, but especially to my brethren and sisters. I can help the lost, discouraged ones of the flock; and I can win souls to Christ. All of the above I desire to do better than I have done; but cannot only through Christ strengthening me. Then can I come out like the beaten and torn and bruised grain, the “finest of the wheat,” or “stand in my lot” in this great day of final and irrevocable accounts. My brethren, do we want “the spirit and power of Elias” to help “make ready a people prepared for the Lord?” Then let us raise our cry to the God of Heaven, and be mightily stirred and strengthened to do for Christ. H. G. BUXTON. MAY WE not learn a lesson from the Grecians, who in their games and combats gave the victors as their reward only a crown of olive leaves? Yet in preparing for these contests the combatants would subject themselves to the strictest discipline to obtain that honor that comes from men. What, then, shall not Christians submit cheerfully to do, if it only fits them the better to run the Christian race, and fight the good fight of faith, with the promise that we shall, if we strive lawfully, be crowned with glory, honor, immortality, and eternal life? We lose nothing in denying ourselves and bearing the cross here. If it subjects us to suffering we have the promise that we shall also reign with Christ if our suffering is caused by our love and obedience to the truth. If in obeying the Lord we are made poor in this world, we may be rich in faith, an heir of the kingdom which he has promised to them that love him. If we are less honored by men by being servants of Christ, Jesus has said, “If any man serve me, him will my father honor.” John xii, 26. So if father, mother, brother and sister, wife and children, houses and lands, all have to be abandoned, yea, and even life itself, there is this consolation, that we shall receive an hundred fold in this life with tribulation, and in the world to come life everlasting. What an honor to receive such a boon! What! to live as long as angels, Christ, and God, and in the society of such as Abel, Enoch, Job, Daniel, and a host of others, and see God? Truly we must be pure in heart, and if in heart we shall be in conduct, conversation, and all. What! to reign with Christ on his throne, shall we not need to be meek and righteous indeed? Shall we not need to cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God, that we may prove what is that good and acceptable will of God? Dear brethren, be not deceived. God is not mocked. Whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap. And to reap approval of God and be honored of him at last, we must sow to the Spirit. In doing this, we shall be led into all truth, obeying it because it is truth, and we shall receive all honor at last when error and sin shall be among the things that were. Think you that any one that is made immortal will regret the self-denial it cost, or the cross borne to obtain such an end? When I see some so unwilling now to obey the truth, I fear they do not appreciate the sufferings of Jesus in their behalf. Think you his feelings governed him in the garden, or on the cross? or his appetite or pride in the hour of temptation in the wilderness? Reader, how are you governed? by the law of God and of your being, or are you still lawless in some degree? If so, do take hold anew in the work of seeking honor, immortality, and eternal life, remembering we are not crowned except we strive lawfully. Let all strive to form characters that they may be honored to stand on Mount Zion with the Lamb. See the characters of such described in Rev. xiv, 4, 5. “These are they which were not defiled with women; for they207 are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the first fruits unto God and the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile; for they are without fault before the throne of God.” Amherst, N. H., Sept. 15, 1868. Interest in Present Truth
By S. Treat
BRO. S. TREAT writes from Bangor, Me.: I can assure you that I have never felt a deeper interest in the present truth than at the present time. Within the last year, adverse winds have blown so that I have had about as much as I could do to stem the current, and make any progress in the divine life. But, thank God, my interest for the truth has not abated in the least. I love God's word, and I love the ADVENT REVIEW better than any other paper; because it adheres more strictly, as I think, to the teachings and principles of the Bible, than any other in the land. I think the REVIEW harmonizes the Bible in all its parts; and as I read the cheering testimonies from the brethren and sisters scattered abroad, my soul rejoices, and I praise the Lord for what he is doing in various places. The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice. ALMOST HOME.
By L. E. Miller
A little while longer, only a little while longer, and then this mortal shall put on immortality. This sweet thought has been making music in my heart today, and I have often whispered the words, Only a little while longer, and then shall we reach our heavenly home in the paradise of God. Farewell, then to sorrow and sighing. No tears in that blessed land, no weary, burdened hearts, no broken friendship, no more scorn and reproach when we enter the pearly gates of the New Jerusalem, and hear the joyful welcome, Well done. Oh! how sweet will be the rest that remaineth for the people of God, who have come up out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them nor any heat. For the Lamb, which is in the midst of the throne, shall feed them, and lead them unto living fountains of water. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. How cheering to my heart are these sweet promises, as I see by the signs on every hand that we are nearing the beautiful city of our God. Time's career is closing. Probation will soon end. How solemn the thought. Jesus will soon say, “He that is filthy let him be filthy still, and he that is holy let him be holy still. O my soul, what preparation art thou making to receive the king of glory? Art thou redeeming the time because the days are evil? Art thou robing thyself in bridal array? Hast thou the tried gold and the eyesalve? Alas! alas, the great day of his wrath is coming, and who will be able to stand. We must work while the day lasts. These golden opportunities will soon be past. Our cases will soon come to Judgment, and pass the solemn test. Awake, O thou that sleepest, arise, and shine, for thy light is come. Break the strong fetters with which Satan has bound thee. Come away from earth's vain allurements. Lift thy thoughts homeward. View those bright mansions which Jesus has gone to prepare for all those that love his appearing. Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit, and even here, by faith, we catch glimpses of our heavenly home, and sigh to be there. Oh! let us be vigilant, for our adversary goeth about, like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour; but Jesus is a strong tower into which the righteous run and are safe. Let us remember, help is laid on one that is mighty and able to save, even to the uttermost, all that come unto him. Will you come? Will you listen to the sweet invitation of Jesus? Whosoever will let him come and partake of the waters of life freely. Oh! praise the Lord, Heaven is free to all that will come. Oh! let us make sure work for eternity. Let it not be said of us, dear reader, He is joined to his idols, let him alone. Oh! dreadful state of deep despair to wake when it is too late. Our eternal destiny will soon be sealed. Oh! may we all be ready and waiting when our glorious Deliverer shall come, and hear him say, Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. God’s Pity for His Unworthy Children
By C. H. Cole
SR. C. H. COLE writes from Marshall, Mich.: Oh! what condescension on the part of God to do so much for his remnant church! He brings us near by the way of the cross. I know it sometimes looks heavy to us lonely ones. We are as a wonder unto many. We often feel as Job felt, when he said, My friends scorn me, but mine eye poureth out tears unto God. But the thought that we are on the Lord's side, cheers our fainting spirits, and gives us courage to continue in the path of duty. I feel that I am wonderfully indebted to God for his longsuffering and mercy toward me. I would that it were in my power to return to him suitable offerings. All I have given him is simply nothing but a sinful heart to make pure. Words cannot express how much I thank him for preparing my heart to receive present truth, that I may be hid in the day of the Lord's anger. When the great day of his wrath is come, who shall be able to stand? The overcomer will be able. I must overcome. I have feared that the Lord would become weary of me, because of this continued cry of unworthiness. I confess I am still unworthy, but now he reminds me of his pity. Bless his holy name. Yes, like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. For knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. “Precious promise! how I love thee!
I will claim thee as my own;
For I need thee—greatly need thee,
Since I cannot stand alone.” A Call for Adventist Families to Settle in Minnesota
By M. Risinger
SR. M. RISINGER writes from Renville Co., Minn.: I would be truly glad if some of our Seventh-day Advent brethren and families who are needing homes, and who are strong and capable of adorning our precious faith as it deserves, would move out here while chances are good. Our neighborhood is being settled up with families from the Eastern States who are making rapid improvements, and who are intelligent and well-to-do kind of people. The Presbyterians have an organized church here. They know but little about our people. I have given the REVIEW to several of their leading members to read. One man said the sermons in our paper were better than their ministers preached on Sundays. It would be a great privilege to me to attend one of our meetings once more; but I feel to mourn that I have lived so far from duty. I have prayed that my sins might be forgiven, and I have the sweet assurance that my Saviour hears my prayer. Employment, Famine, and Beer Houses
It is said there are fifty thousand persons out of employment in the city of New York. The crops have failed in Russia, and a famine, more terrible than that of last winter, is expected. The Roman Catholics have appropriated $600,000 for their church-extension projects in the south. The latest innovation in New Orleans is a lager beer saloon for ladies, which is said to be well patronized. If the beer houses in London were put together, it is said the row would be a mile long. What an ocean of frothy filth issues from that mile in a day.