“Then they that feared the Lord, spake often one to another.”
From Sister Hutchins.
BRO. SMITH:—My heart swells with gratitude to God this morning for his rich and abundant mercies bestowed upon his people. And as I look forward to the never-ending blessing that will finally rest upon the faithful, in the language of the Psalmist I exclaim, “Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things.”
Protracted infirmities have in a measure crippled my energies, but I still feel a deep and abiding love for God’s cause, his truth, and his people. These indeed grow brighter and more precious, and my love stronger for them, while the world looks more and more dreary. I am thankful that it is not my home. In my experience for some months past, I have had new, and increasing evidence of the sustaining and comforting power of the grace of God. Disease has taken a firm hold of my system. At times I have thought death had marked me for his victim, and that the grave would soon be my resting place. But the blessed hope has been like an anchor to my soul. And when tossed and beaten by affliction, ’tis true I have sometimes felt very sad, and much weighed down, thinking I must sink, or be swallowed up; but I have not been driven to despair. I could say with the poet, “My hope is on high, the angels sing and so do I.”
With feelings beyond expression, my mind has rested on the time when the people of God having gained the victory, will be welcomed into the city, and have a right to the tree of life. I have thought, shall I a worm of the dust, and one of the most unworthy of all God’s people, be permitted to be there, and put forth my hand and partake of that fruit, and the healing leaves? It may look like presumption to some, but through Jesus’ merits, I dare to hope! Blessed hope. No more shall we feel the effects of the blight of sin. No aching bleeding lungs there, for there’ll be no more sorrow. Praise the Lord, glory to his blessed name. He has purchased this salvation for us. It has cost the blood of the Son of God. But how few are willing to accept it as it is offered. The conditions they war with, and such rest on a false hope, rather than to have one that is well founded. It costs so much. But though it take all, I can glory in my gain. I’ll count it cheap enough.
But as I reflect on the past, I feel that I am a wonder of mercy, and in some measure a monument of God’s healing power. Repeatedly when I have been brought very low, and apparently beyond the reach of help, God has heard the fervent prayers of his dear children in my behalf, and rebuked disease. I have been greatly blest, and strengthened to stand at my post, and endure hardness, and conflicts with God’s people. I know God has worked for me, for there was no power in me to stand as I have. In view of these manifestations of God’s love and mercy, I feel that my obligations to him are greatly increased. I mean that my life, and the strength he gives me shall be entirely devoted to his service; I will praise him while I have my being. I think I can say I love the service of God. It is not irksome, for he is my love, and his loving kindness is better than life.
Dear brethren and sisters, the time of our sojourn here is short. The land we seek, is not one of blasted hopes and faded prospects. The dearest objects of our love will not there be torn from us by the ruthless hand of death, and the cup of sorrow be pressed to our lips. No, our salvation will be complete. The restorer will bring back the lost ones who rest in hope, and together with them we shall behold the bright shining face of Him who is the health of our countenance, and our God. And walking in its light we’ll ever have immortal health and beauty. All that is lovely, and pure, and valuable, is embraced in the christian’s hope. We are not grasping at shadows, nor following a phantom. It is a glorious reality, of which we have but a foretaste.
But we cannot expect to be made partakers of this great salvation, unless we fully and faithfully walk in the light of truth as it is revealed to us. The truth is a rock, and on it we may plant our feet in the fullest assurance of safety. There is harmony, consistency, and beauty in it. And if ever a people had cause for gratitude, and humility of heart, certainly those have who are walking in the light of the third angel’s message. If we get it established in our hearts, its powerful effects will be seen. The soul will thrive and grow strong under its influence. May none of us rest satisfied with a surface work, while the heart is unaffected. Heart work alone will stand the test. O then let us examine and know ourselves, and see that we are in the faith.
E. M. HUTCHINS.
Topsham, Me. Aug. 29, 1859.
Answering the Cry for Help
By Charles L. Palmer
From Bro. Palmer.
Bro. Smith: While reading Bro. M. E. Cornell’s report in No. 11, and hearing that people in the West were begging for books to read that they might learn God’s will and be made savingly acquainted with the glorious truths which we as a people profess to have; and having, profess to live out before the world, I was led to inquire, Are we doing all we can to let our light shine and benefit our fellow men? Have we paid our vows to God? Have we got all upon the altar a consuming sacrifice, acceptable with him? I was also led to inquire, How many are there among us who can hear this cry coming from a famishing people, calling upon us who have been blessed with the hearing of the messengers, with books and the Review to read, how many can fold their hands, stop their ears to the cry for help, and deceive themselves by saying, I cannot do anything, times are hard, I must provide for my family, &c. I believe if we look at it right the cry will not be unheeded.
This is the light in which it appears to me. If a poor, destitute, hungry, famishing fellow being comes to your or to my door to ask for a morsel of bread, or a bit of meat, could we excuse ourselves? Could we hide our covetousness behind the shallow pretense, I am not able, I have done so much, I must provide for my family first? No, no! We would not dare deny the hungry food; we would sooner (if we are truly children of God) deny ourselves a meal. We would suffer a little hunger first ourselves, that a fellow being might not perish, when it was in our power to relieve him.
This my brethren is the view I take of it. I well remember when I first heard the present truth, that I promised God that henceforth I would live to his glory. I believe God requires we should sacrifice for the cause of present truth; not simply give of our abundance; but that we should deny ourselves for Christ’s sake. I know that many apply the denial part only to denying ourselves of sinful pleasures; but this is not what God requires at our hands. He requires of us to suffer for his sake. How many of us have carried or are now carrying self-denial far enough to feel any want ourselves? How many are denying themselves of any of the comforts of life to send light and truth to the starving poor? Brethren, why should we not as well deny ourselves to feed those who are starving for God’s truth, as though they lacked for bread? Let us all examine ourselves, and that candidly, before God, and see if this cry shall pass unheeded. “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren ye have done it unto me.” “Show me your faith without works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”
Charles L. Palmer.
Colon, Mich.
GOD WILL PROVIDE.
“I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there.”—I Kings xvii, 4.
The history of Elijah is one of the most remarkable left on sacred record. Connected as it is with the description of a period of gross idolatry and sin in Israel, it challenges the admiration, even of the reader who sees nothing divine in it. Amid those scenes of civil wars, of rebellions, of murders, of plunder, and wickedness in high places, the story of Elijah, although interwoven with God’s terrible judgments upon the people, gives relief to the dark picture. It is like a brilliant star bursting through the gloom of a long, fearful night.
As we follow the history of a succession of kings, we read of Jeroboam, who “made Israel to sin,”—of Nadab, who continued to walk in the same sinful course as his father,—of Elah, who “provoked God to anger by his vanities,”—of Omri, who “did worse than all that were before him,”—and of Ahab, “who did evil in the sight of the Lord above all.” The time of their dominion was characterized by jealousies, conspiracies, and bloodshed, until of Ahab it is written, “he did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the Lord.” At this time, as suddenly as afterward the holy man is taken up into heaven, “Elijah, the Tishbite,” is brought into view, erecting the standard of the Lord of Hosts, and proclaiming his word to that sinful nation.
But apart from this, the eventful life of Elijah furnishes some of the most striking illustrations of the overruling hand and minute care of Divine Providence, and of the wonderful interpositions of the Almighty in behalf of his people. What a lesson of moral courage and confiding trust is contained in the first incident related of this prophet! Commissioned by God, in the days of this same wicked Ahab, to denounce a fearful judgment upon him and upon the land, and that judgment made to depend upon his own word; and a judgment too which would involve his own nature in the same suffering with the rest,—drouth and famine. What heart but must have fainted in delivering such a message, and to such a man! But the cause of truth and righteousness must be vindicated—the power of Jehovah and that of Baal tested in sight of that idolatrous nation; and he goes into the presence of Ahab, and says, “As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but by my word.
Now, what is to become of Elijah?136Though a prophet of God, he was a man, subject to like passions with others. His heart was by nature as ambitious for the applause of his fellow men and for the favor of a popular prince, as any. He had, too, the same physical wants,—he hungered and thirsted, and his feelings recoiled from suffering and death, like those of other men; and how can he, alone, expect deliverance from the impending desolation? His boldness has incurred the wrath of Ahab, which may pursue him to the death. His own honor is openly committed for the honor of his God; and before the nation and its wicked king will be sufficiently humbled to confess that the “Lord is God,” his famished nature may have perished, or from weakness cried for a suspension of the deserved visitation from abused justice. Perhaps he remembered the story, which had in childhood been taught him, of the dividing of the Red Sea that the chosen people might pass over unharmed,—of the manna which descended from heaven to feed them in the desert,—and the water which gushed from the rock, when they fainted for thirst; and his faith and holy purpose were strengthened thereby, as he went forth, a wanderer over the parched earth, beneath a burning sky. Day followed day, and no cloud appeared to give momentary promise of rain. Night followed night, but not a drop of dew distilled to refresh the withering plants. But Elijah's God is with him there, and says, “Get thee hence, and turn eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. And it shall be that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there.” What! a bird of prey be made a minister of mercy to the hunted and famishing prophet! How unlikely! and well might unbelief have made a common mind stagger in view of it. Had it been a dove which was to bring him sustenance, there would have been less room for doubt; for he would have thought of the dove which went forth over a deluged and destroyed earth returning to Noah with the pledge of appeased wrath, and of future plenteousness in her mouth. Yet Elijah went at the bidding of the Lord; and there, perchance under the shadow of an overhanging rock, made his abode. “And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook.”
Like this have been the dealings of God with his children in all ages of the world, to the present time; and with perfect confidence may they go wherever duty calls, assured that even the most forbidding circumstances can be made ultimately to conduce to their highest happiness and good. The dark wing of adversity, as it broods and settles like a pall over them, may bear beneath it a supply for their wants, or prove a shelter from the withering blight of some worldly influence. Those clouds which lower, and blacken, and hang heaviest in the sky, are those most richly freighted with vapor, and those upon which the bow of promise is the most gloriously set, as the surety of God's future remembrance and love.
Courage in duty, and firm reliance upon the faithfulness and mercy of our heavenly Father, should be inspired in every heart by the review of Elijah's history. Fed by ravens, and from the undiminished barrel of meal and unfailing cruise of oil, while made the agent of God's just indignation against sin, and honored by the immediate answer to his prayer by fire from heaven, to consume his sacrifice, when the power of Jehovah and that of Baal must be proved. That same God is thy God, Christian—tried, tempted, and afflicted Christian—and will as surely bring thee succor and sustenance. He knoweth thy frame, that it is built of dust, and that thy spirit will fail in times of extremity, unless with the extremity he makes a way of escape. Fulfil faithfully every duty required at thy hand, and if in their performance thou art hungry, he will send a raven to feed thee, and make the flinty rock distil water to give thee drink; or into sore trials and temptations, he will send an angel to strengthen thee for the conflict.
“The young lions do lack and suffer hunger, but they that wait upon the Lord shall not want any good thing.”—Home Journal.
APPOINTMENTS.
By James White
Providence permitting, we will meet with the brethren in General Conferences as follows:
Topsham, Me., Sept. 24, 25.
Washington, N. H., Oct. 1, 2.
Roxbury, Vt., " 8, 9.
Berkshire, " " 15, 16.
Buck's Bridge, N. Y., " 19.
Mannsville, " " 22, 23.
Brookfield, (Bro. Abbey's) N. Y., " 29, 30.
Lapeer, Mich, Nov. 5, 6.
North Plains, " " 8—10.
Wright, " " 12, 13.
Monterey, " " 19, 20.
We shall expect Bro. Loughborough to join us at the Lapeer Conference, and be with us at North Plains, Wright and Monterey.
Meeting at North Plains will commence in the evening of Nov. 8th. At Buck's Bridge, at 1 P. M.
JAMES WHITE.
Adversity Tests Virtue
By Jeremy Taylor
No man is more miserable than he that hath no adversity; that man is not tried whether he be good or bad; and God never crowns those virtues which are only faculties and dispositions; but every act of virtue is an ingredient into reward—God so dresses us for heaven.
A Contented Mind Is a Continual Feast
"A contented mind is a continual feast." "All trouble to such a man," says Leighton, "is only like the rattling hailstones on the roof of the house to him who sits at a sumptuous feast within."
"Turn, pilgrim turn, thy cares forego,
All earth-born cares are wrong;
Man wants but little here below,
Nor wants that little long."
Tent Meeting at Parkville, Mich.
By John Norton Loughborough; John Nevins Andrews
THE Michigan tent was pitched in Parkville, Aug. 9th. Our meetings continued up to the eve of Sept. 4th. We spoke to the people thirty-eight times. The interest was good from the very commencement of the meeting. People came from six to twelve miles to attend. One evening four two-horse wagon loads came twelve miles to hear. Sunday evenings we had more than our tent could hold, and as many as could hear gave good attention outside.
The people manifested their interest by purchasing $52 worth of books and charts. We obtained sixteen new subscribers for the Review, and when we left the place about 20 had come out on the truth. It was not thought proper to continue longer with the tent as the evenings were so cold that it was very uncomfortable holding meetings in the tent. There is such an interest awakened in surrounding communities to hear on present truth that we do not think it advisable to leave them. Bro. Loughborough will return next week to spend several weeks in the vicinity.
We would not forget in this report to express our thanks to Brn. Dodge and Kellogg for the aid they gave us in this meeting. The fore part of the meeting they traveled in the vicinity and removed many slanderous reports which were hindering many from coming to the meeting. They ferreted out, while traveling in their business, matters which we probably should not have heard of till our meeting closed. When these false reports were removed many were ready to hear without prejudice. If some of our brethren who were acquainted in Marshall could have spent some time in passing around the city during our meeting, false reports might perhaps have been stopped and we have had a better hearing.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
J. N. ANDREWS.
Battle Creek, Sept. 9th, 1859.
Note from Bro. Robbins.
By B. F. Robbins
Bro. Smith: We had an encouraging meeting at Port Allegany, Pa., the second Sabbath in August, though but few were present from a distance, as the notice of the meeting came too late; yet the Lord was with us, and we trust its influence was good upon the brethren and sisters, and the community around them. Some we left seeking the sanctifying power of the blood of Jesus which "cleanesth from all sin." One sister came from a distance to follow the Saviour in the ordinance of baptism, and was baptized in the Allegany river, and went home rejoicing. B. F. R.
Information Wanted.
By Lewis Griswold
Will any brother or sister, or any person whose eye may fall upon this notice, please give me information, if they can, respecting an old man by the name of Eli Terry, claiming to be an Indian root doctor. He is very tall, walks erect, is said to be 76 years of age, hair quite white, is a profane swearer, and a user of tobacco. I might describe him more minutely, but whoever has seen him once, will recognize him from these features. Any information respecting this person will be thankfully received. Brethren will beware of him. Address me at Battle Creek, Mich.
LEWIS GRISWOLD.
Battle Creek, Sept. 8th, 1859.
Letters.
Under this head will be found a full list of those from whom letters are received from week to week. If any do not find their letters thus acknowledged, they may know they have not come to hand.
J. W., W. H. H. Thayer, C. A. Ingalls, L. M. Jones, W. Carthy, S. J. Voorus, W. H. Ball, I. W. Stewart, H. S. Gurney, T. R. Warren, D. W. Johnston, B. M. Adams, E. S. Deaker, Z. Marsh, N. S. Brigham, B. F. Robbins, Jno. Clarke. A. H. Clymer, E. Goodrich, E. V. Wiard, L. Mead, M. E. Cornell, A. A. Farnsworth, A. Jacobs, Wm. Pratt, H. S. Lay, S. Treat, A. J. Richmond.
Receipts.
Annexed to each receipt in the following list, is the Volume and Number of the "Review and Herald" to which the money receipted pays. If money for the paper is not in due time acknowledged, immediate notice of the omission should then be given.
FOR REVIEW AND HERALD.
J. Smith 1,00, xv, 1. S. W. Rhodes (for L. M. Hill) 0,50, xv, 12. I. J. Andrews (0,50 each for B. Ralph and H B Larabee) 1,00, each to xv, 7. Dr. J F Williams 0,50, xv, 14. Dr. I. Howard 0,50, xv, 14. F. Campbell 0,50, xv, 14. H. Keeny 0,50, xv, 14. B. Wills 0,50, xv, 14. J. H. Aldrich 0,50, xv, 14. A. H. Adams 0,50, xv, 14. J. Heinbach 0,50, xv, 14. S. B. Shrauger 0,50, xv, 14. A. Reed 0,50, xv, 14. J. W. Childs 0,50, xv, 14. O. P. Bovee 0,50, xv, 14. A. Morrison 0,50, xv, 14. Mrs. J. Vanburen 1,00, xvi, 14. H. S. Gurney 1,00, xvi, 1. N. M. Denison 1,00, xiv, 1. L. R. Chapel 2,00, xvi, 1. L. G. Sprague 2,00, xvii, 1. E. A. Poole 2,00, xv, 1. A. Cartwright 5,00, xix, 1. Geo. Sanders 2,00, xiv, 1. S. Swan 2,00, xvi, 1. I. Abbey (3 copies) 3,00, xvi, 1. A. Petrie 2,00, xv, 1. H. Curtis (for Mrs. R. Spencer) 0,50, xv, 1. C. B. Preston 1,00, xvi, 1. R. C. Wellman 0,50, xvi, 1. H. C. Watkins (for Wm. Sabin) 1,00, xv, 1. D. Slauson 1,00, xiv, 1. Wm. W. Osborne 1,00, xvi, 1. Thos. Brockway 1,00, xv, 10. L. Drake 1,00, xv, 14. I. D Cramer 1,00, xvi, 1. E. V. Wiard 1,00, xv, 1. E. D. Cook 1,00, xv, 1. J. Palmiter 1,00, xvi, 1. B. Stillman 1,00, xv, 1. A. Putnam 1,00, xv, 1. L. Carpenter 1,00. S. Burlingham 1,00. G. W. Davis 2,00, xiv, 15. A. Barnard 1,00, xv, 1. C. Pangburn 1,00, xv, 1. H. Brigham 1,00, xv, 17.
FOR REVIEW TO POOR.
S. J. Voorus $1. A friend $1.
FOR MISSIONARY PURPOSES.
Church in Tompkins, Mich., (s. b.) $3. R. Sawyer $5.
FOR MICH. TENT.
J. Wilson $1. Church in Tompkins, Mich., (s. b.) $5.
Books and Accounts.
Books sent since Aug. 15. J. Clarke, O., 6c. E. Church, Ills., 65c. G. P. Wilson, Me., 6c. Wm. M. Graves, N. Y., 6c. J. M. Baker, N. Y., 15c. J. Spears, Mich., 10c. F. B. Bateman, Mich., 10c. R. Wagner, Ills., 15c. P. Erb, Minn., 10c. L. J. Richmond, Mass., 10c. E. Goodrich, Pa., 10c. N. Fuller, Pa., 5c. A. Shoemaker, O., 15c. E. Green, Me., 60c. S. H. Heacox, Wis., 13c. M. W. Hargrave, Wis., 66c. J. I. Farnsworth, N. H., $1,00. G. Farnsworth, Vt., 24c. A. Dyer, O., 6c. C. A. Ingalls, Wis., 10c. W. H. Ball, N. H., 60c. H. Folcott, Ct., 5c. N. S. Brigham, Mich., 15c. C. P. Buckland, N. Y., 15c. A. J. Richmond, Mich., 22c. A. H. Clymer, O., 60c. Wm. S. Ingraham, Wis., $10,00. J. W. Stewart, O., $10,00.
Sold on Acc't. G. Wright, 5c. J. A. Wilcox, 10c. J. K. Belnap, $1,00. R. F. Cottrell, $5,83. J. L. Edgar, $4,13. F. Wheeler, $15,63. J. A. Laughhead, $10,63. E. L. Barr, $7,00. H. S. Lay, $3,60.
Rec'd on Acc't. O. W. Hart, 15c. M. Hull, 50c. F. Wheeler, $11,24.
Minnesota Conferences
By Wm. S. Ingham
Providence permitting, there will be a Conference at Deerfield, Steele Co., Minnesota, to commence Oct. 14, 1859, at 2 o'clock P. M., and hold over Sabbath and first-day, and as much longer as thought proper.
Another Conference will be held at Bro. Moses W. Porter's, five miles north of Mantorville, Dodge Co., Minnesota, commencing Oct. 21st, at 2 o'clock P. M., and continuing over Sabbath and first-day.
I hope our friends will come together praying that success may attend our efforts to spread the truth in Minnesota. WM. S. INGHAM.
General Conference in Ulysses
By Nathan Fuller
PROVIDENCE permitting, there will be a general conference in Ulysses, Potter Co., Pa., the third Sabbath in September.
Brethren and sisters in Penn. and N. Y. are all invited to attend. We want Bro. and Sr. White to be here if they possibly can, also Bro. R. F. Cottrell.
In behalf of the church. NATHAN FULLER.
Preaching at Parkville
By John Norton Loughborough
Providence permitting, I will preach at the red school house one mile north of Parkville, St. Joseph Co., Mich., Sabbath, Sept. 17th, at 2 o'clock P. M., and on Sunday, the 18th, at 10½ A. M., and 7 P. M.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
Advent Conference at Willing
By B. F. Robbins
Providence permitting, there will be an Advent Conference in the town of Willing, Allegany Co., N. Y., near Bro. Josiah Witter's, on the second Sabbath in October, to hold over first-day. We hope the brethren in Ulysses, Willeyville and Port Allegany will be present, as many as consistently can, and all others scattered abroad of the same faith. B. F. ROBBINS.