Earlier text: MORTAL OR IMMORTAL? WHICH?MEETINGS IN MASS. AND MAINE.
By A. S. Hutchins
BRO. SMITH: Since my last we have been visiting the churches in these states. The next Sabbath after our meeting in Fitchburg, we spent in Boston, and the Sabbath following, in Lynn. In each of these places we enjoyed some of the presence of the Holy Spirit. The brethren and sisters, at least some of them, seemed to feel the necessity of a closer walk with God. Their resolutions were good. But will they carry them out? Will they pay their vows unto the Most High? Some, we expect, will. O that all who profess a love for the soon coming of the Lord, and for the holy law of God, might deeply and fully realize the solemn time in which we live, and manifest their attachment to these sacred truths by holy living, and an entire consecration to God. It is greatly to be feared that some who have had much light on the present truth, and perhaps been numbered for some time with commandment-keepers, will soon find their hope rests upon a sandy foundation. Now is the time to heed the counsel to the Laodiceans, and get ready to stand when the Son of man cometh. From Mass. we came to this state. The first Sabbath and first-day we spent with the church in Portland. The Lord gave me some freedom in presenting the truth in this place. The brethren and sisters seemed strengthened and encouraged to press forward for the crown of life. The next Sabbath we also spent in this place, which we trust was a profitable season to us all. Here are a few lovers of truth, who seem to be striving for the kingdom in a lawful manner. On first-day we went to Falmouth, where I preached two discourses in a school-house to an attentive congregation; one on the personal and immediate coming of the Lord, and the resurrection of the righteous, and the other on the Sabbath. The Lord strengthened and aided much by his Spirit, and gave me good freedom in talking to this people, and we can but hope that some who listened to the evidences of our position there with deep interest will take a stand for the truth, who have not yet decided to. Bro. Daniel Cobb and his wife, of this place, decided to keep the Sabbath. Through the influence of Bro. George Cobb, (his brother,) of Brunswick, he was induced to attend our first meeting in Portland. He and his wife walked to the meeting (five miles) to hear preaching on the present truth for the first time. They said at the close of the meeting they felt at home. Said Bro. C., "I never attended a good meeting before." The next Sabbath they came again to meet with us at Portland; said they could not stay at home. Before we left their house they said they should keep the Sabbath. For years before, Bro. C. had not prayed in his family, but he took part with us in prayer around the family altar. O may the Spirit of God guide them into all truth, and graciously sustain them in keeping all the commandments of God, and they finally have right to the tree of life, and enter in through the gates into the city with the redeemed. Sabbath and first-day, Aug. 20th and 21st, we spent at Topsham. The few brethren and sisters here were together, and we felt some of the blessing of the Lord in our little meeting. The evening after the Sabbath there was a discourse preached on the signs of the times. A few were in to hear who manifested some interest in the subject. First-day forenoon I preached in a hall; also again in the evening. The Sabbath was the subject which I presented in the last meeting, and while showing the perpetuity of the moral law, and of the holy Sabbath according to the fourth commandment, the sweet blessing of the Lord rested upon me, and made me free indeed. Praise the Lord, that I ever saw that "the law is holy," "spiritual." "This is the sum of every part,
To love our God with all our heart;
That we should love our neighbor too,
And what we wish from him, should do." " 'Tis short, and sweet, and good, and plain,
Easy to learn and to retain;
May grace divine our souls renew,
And 'twill be sweet to practice, too.' " Last week I came to this place. Bro. C. Woodman accompanied me from Leeds. The brethren and sisters think our visit was ordered of the Lord. Their prayer has been for some time that he would direct some one this way to help them. Here we find some that give evidence of a desire to lay up a treasure in heaven. They seem to be getting ready for the coming of the Just One. Others who have some light on the present truth, and profess to keep the Sabbath, are evidently stumbling-blocks in the way of others. O that the church may soon be free from their blasting influence. On the Sabbath we had three meetings, and two yesterday at the school-house. In the forenoon quite a large congregation (for this place) was out to hear, most of whom seemed interested. In the afternoon not as many present, but with one or two exceptions there was good attention paid to our remarks. One old man broke in upon me several times while talking on the subject of the law of God; but there was too much candor possessed by our hearers, and too much interest felt in our subject to be much disturbed by his noise. Perhaps I need not add he was a no-law man. Evidently there are ears to hear the truth in this state, and we trust many hearts to obey it when they are enlightened. But how shall they hear without a preacher? and how shall they preach except they be sent? Yours in hope.
Canaan, Me., Aug. 29, 1859.
A. S. HUTCHINS. MAGNITUDE OF PUBLIC WORKS IN THIS COUNTRY.
[The following article will be of interest to those who are watching the development of this country, as a fulfillment of prophecy.—Ed.] THE following bird's-eye view of a number of great public works in the United States which surpass anything of a similar character to be found in any other part of the world, is worthy of particular notice: The Julian aqueduct of Rome is two miles longer than the Croton aqueduct of New York, built by John B. Jervis and Horatio Allen, but the Croton carries more water than all the seven aqueducts of Rome put together, and more than any other aqueduct in the world, and is longer than any other except the Julian. The Illinois Central Railroad, built by Col. Mason, is the longest line ever constructed by one company, and in point of workmanship is equal to any European road. The National road, over the Cumberland mountains, built by the United States engineer corps, is more expensive and durable by far than the Appian way. The stone arch over Cabin John's Creek, on the Washington aqueduct built by Capt. Meigs, is about fifty feet greater span than any other arch in the world, and is more beautiful in proportion than the arch over the Oca, so celebrated for its magnificence. The tunnel built by Mr. Haupt, on the summit of the Pennsylvania Railroad, was a more difficult work than the tunnel under the Thames. The structures on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad at Harper's Ferry, and beyond the summit, built by Latrobe, and the Starrucca Viaduct, and the New York and Erie Railroad, built by Julius Adams, are equal in magnificence and excellence of workmanship to anything Brunel ever did in England or Moran in France. The Suspension Bridge over the Niagara River at Lewiston, built by Major133 Serrell, is 1,042 feet 10 inches in one span, and is 48 feet greater than any other single span in the world, being twice as great and quite as strong as Telford's celebrated bridge over the Menai Strait in England. The United States Dry-Dock at Brooklyn is the largest dry-dock in the world by many feet. The workmanship, done under the direction of Mr. McAlpine and Gen. Stuart, is equal, if not superior, to anything of the kind anywhere. The plates of iron used in the gates of this dock are the largest that had ever been made up to the time they were rolled. The flight of combined locks on the Erie Canal at Lockport, built by the State Engineers, are equalled only in one place in Christendom—(Sweden.) The Railroad Suspension Bridge built by Roebling over the Niagara is within a few feet of twice the span of Stephenson's great tabular bridge in England, the largest structure of the kind. It is 800 feet in one span, and is two stories high, the railroad being above the public highway. Nothing like it exists anywhere else. The Lighthouse on Minot's Lodge, being built by Capt. Alexander, is in a more exposed situation, and as far as proceeded with is more securely bolted together than the famous Eddystone lighthouse in England. The bridge at Wheeling, built by Charles Ellet, is exceeded in span only by the Lewiston bridge, and is heavier than it; it is the second largest span in the world, and is much more beautiful than the Fribourg bridge, its European rival. In carpentry we are unexcelled in the world. Such structures in timber as the dry-docks at San Francisco and Philadelphia, McCullam's and Col. Seymour's bridges on the Erie railroad, and branches, the timber viaducts on the Catawissa, built by Stancliff, Col. Long's bridges on the various New England railroads, and How's trusses at Harrisburg, have not their equals across the Atlantic. Then, again, in Europe many structures are built that might have been avoided—a few hundred feet of detour would have saved the great Box Tunnel. Now we maintain that the location of Sidell's division, for example, on the Erie, evinced more skill in avoiding the necessity of great structures, than could be shown in building them. The stones on either corner of the Exchange, in Boston, built by Rogers, are larger than any single stone in Cleopatra's Needle, and those now being put into the United States treasury at Washington, are much heavier than any stone of Pompey's Pillar, or the Pyramids of Egypt. As to the difficulties of location, there is no country where more science and skill have been brought to bear than in ours, and it is a remarkable fact that, in point of time last year, our average traveling was faster by two and a half miles per hour than in England, comparing our principal lines with theirs, while the charges on the American lines were but little over half the English rates.—Ex. THE COMING OF THE LORD DRAWETH NIGH.
By S. C. WELCOME
BEHOLD he cometh! He who is to be crowned King over the whole earth! The signs are fast being fulfilled, the nations are troubled on every hand, everything in the moral and political world indicates that the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. The heavens have uttered their voice saying, The Lord is at hand! Yes, the sun has been shrouded in sackcloth, the moon has become as blood, the stars have fallen from heaven to warn the world of impending destruction. We have learned the parable of the fig-tree, and know that summer is near; the day of gladness to God's people. The third angel's message is being proclaimed through the length and breadth of the land, and soon shall we hear the blast of the last trumpet wakening the sleeping saints, and announcing the fact that the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ, and uttering the war-cry to his enemies. The many nations spoken of by Isaiah [chap. ii.] have been saying for a long time, that the law is yet to go forth from Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem,—he shall judge among the people—rebuke strong nations, they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks,—no longer lift up sword against each other, and learn war no more. The temporal millennium theory has been taught in the identical language that the prophet foretold, and he says God has forsaken them for it, and calls them strangers like the Philistines, pleasing themselves with the children of strangers, &c. He goes on to speak of their wealth, that their land is full of silver and gold; then of their idolatry, that their land is full of idols; of their hypocrisy, that the mean man boweth down, and the great man humbleth himself, therefore they are not to be forgiven. He exhorts this same people who have been prophesying peace, and affirming that the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it, to enter into the rock, and hide themselves in the dust, for the Lord is going to arise and shake terribly the earth. With this false teaching is connected the day of wrath; and who that will candidly look at the subject can fail to perceive that it is one of the strongest indications that the day of God's vengeance is right upon us. This peace and safety cry has been sounding for years, and nearly all the churches unite in the cry, "The Lord delayeth his coming." But the saint of God who has been taking heed to the sure word, sees in these things a fulfillment of prophecy; and while darkness is unshrouding the nations, the light of God's glory is soon to envelop the elect of God. The wicked must drink the dregs of the cup of wrath, but the saints will have wine on the lees, well refined. The time of trouble upon every soul of man that doeth evil, is at hand, but deliverance, rest and peace for the people of God. The wicked have been warned and entreated, they have heard the message, Come for all things are now ready; but all have made excuse. It is from the streets and lanes, the highways and hedges that a company will be gathered who will be worthy to sit at the table and partake of the marriage supper of the Lamb. But alas! when I think of the situation of the nominal church, my heart is pained within me. I see thousands there that profess to be the people of God, that reject the doctrine of the second coming of Christ. They see no beauty in it, it strikes terror to their hearts. I see a great similarity between the nominal church now, and the Jewish church when Christ made his first appearance. They looked for earthly pomp and splendor, so does the church now. They see not the fulfilling of prophecy, they beheld no signs; and even when God spoke from heaven with an audible voice, and announced the fact, "This is my beloved Son," they said it only thundered. So with the nominal church, "All things continue as they were;" "Where is the promise of his coming?" we see it not. If we tell them of the signs hung out in the heavens, why "these things have always been so." The Jewish church were not satisfied with those evidences which God gave them of his Son, and which had been foretold by their prophets, they demanded something else—a sign from heaven. So with the nominal church. They are not content with what has been given them, although they correspond exactly to what Christ and his apostles and holy men of old that lived before them foretold, and are therefore the only reliable evidences that could be afforded, yet they cry out for signs; for something that will demonstrate to their minds the fact that the Lord is at hand. But if they even could hear a voice from heaven announcing this thing, they would be just as likely to call it "thunder," as were the Jews. If they will not believe Moses and the prophets, if they will not heed the words of Jesus Christ himself, [Matt. xxiv, 35.] neither would they be persuaded though an angel from heaven were commissioned to bring to them the tidings, or one should arise from the dead. They are clad with unbelief as with an armor, it completely wards off the truth of God, so that it cannot reach the heart. The watchmen, the professed shepherds of the flock will have a fearful account to give when the day of reckoning comes. O, my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths. The Lord standeth up to plead, and standeth to judge the people. Isaiah iii, 12, 13. Howl ye shepherds and the principal of the flock, for the day of your dispersion is at hand. The Lord has been watching over his people, and nothing escapes his notice. Notwithstanding he has permitted them to be scattered to the ends of the earth, to eat the bread of adversity, and drink the waters of affliction, to be hated by the wicked, to be persecuted by many of his professed followers, yet he says, "Hear the word of the Lord ye that tremble at his word, your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, let the Lord be glorified, but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed." Isaiah lxvi, 5. Yes, he is to appear without sin unto salvation. "That awful day will surely come,
The appointed hour makes haste."
O my brethren and sisters, let us see to it that we believe God's word, that we obey it in all things, for we must be judged thereby very soon. In a little while the eventful story will be told. Our destiny will be for ever sealed, either for weal or woe. Unto us it will be said, "Come ye blessed," or "depart ye cursed." The fearful pit, and the glorious city are just before us. In one of these our abode must be. We fix our own destiny. Let us remember this, and be in earnest to make our calling and election sure. Let us not fail of the grace of God. Let us not come short of the promised rest. We are sinners, but Jesus died. We are unworthy, but he is worthy. We are lost for ever without him. In his side then, let us take refuge. He will be a sure covert from the storm of wrath. He will suffer no harm to befall us. Though the fury of the Lord be poured upon the nations, and a great whirlwind be raised up from the coasts of the earth, and though the slain of the Lord be from one end of the earth to the other, yet it shall not come near us, if sheltered in Jesus. The thunders may roll, and the vivid lightnings flash, but bring no harm to us. The heavens may depart, and the earth be renovated with fire, yet our feet being firmly established on the Rock of Ages, we shall never be moved. God will say in that day, "Come my people, enter into thy chambers, and hide thee as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast; for the Lord cometh out of his place, to punish the inhabitants of the earth." Are we ready to meet our coming Judge? Let us ask ourselves this important question, Are we ready to stand at the bar of God at a moment's warning? O solemn thought! to be judged by him who knows our every thought, our every motive. O for a self-examination among the little remnant. Let it be the object of our lives to glorify God; and while we examine our hearts, if there is anything wrong in them, let us get rid of it by presenting ourselves living sacrifices to him. Seek for a refuge in Christ, wait for his appearing, and soon you will dwell with him in glory.
S. C. WELCOME.
Almond, Wis. Think of it! Waiting! Angels from the high court of heaven standing near thee, O lukewarm professor! to watch thy course, whether thou wilt heed the sweet, but hearty, counsel of the true Witness. And as they mark thy faltering steps, thy love of the world, thy haughty mien, thy pride, thy selfishness, thy stupidity and carelessness, or as they behold the frequent displays of thine anger and malice, and how thou justifiest thyself when thy fellows rebuke thee, then how sad those angels seem! Do they not turn away weeping to their Master's presence, with the wonderful account of a wretched sinner refusing the gracious offer of white robes, and a brilliant crown, and an immortal heirship to enduring riches? Then the strange, the unparalleled patience of our great high Priest, as he condescends to hear with solicitude the account of thy wavering counsels, how thou doubtest such love as his, how thou dost murmur and set thyself against the only hope that opens its friendly portals to welcome thee, how thou almost hatest reproof, and wouldest almost avoid the reprover that humbles himself to plead for thee, that troubles himself for thee, that givest his angels charge for thee, to watch over thee, to guard thee, to reprove thee, to wake thee from thy stupid slumber. But will Jehovah wait upon thee? True he has waited long, (134O miracle of love!) but will he wait? Beware! Once he said of Ephraim, "Let him alone, he is joined to his idols." Art thou joined to thine idols too? Dost thou worship thyself, or thy possessions? Is thy dignity easily touched? Is thy pride great, so that thou canst hardly bear to come down into the valley? Is thine honor very great, so that thou canst hardly bear to associate with the despised company that follow the man of sorrows? Dost thou hesitate? Dost thou sink down in view of the prospect? What if the good Shepherd should send thee a final message more plain, more cutting than any before? He, the great Physician, knows thine only remedy; he offers thee the bitter draught; wilt thou drink it? He drank a bitter cup for thee; wilt thou drink the cup sent in mercy, the only remedy for thy dreadful disease? Waiting! God, and Christ, and angels, waiting for thee; not for thy wealth and power. No, no! The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof, and the nations are to him as the small dust of the balance. He forms the earth, and appointed the sea its bounds; he whirls the planets in their orbits, with unerring certainty, and ceaseless motion. Countless millions of suns give light and heat beyond our sphere, at his control; all the dignitaries of heaven bow low at his feet and cry, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord, while he blesses them with his life-giving Spirit. Waiting! Jesus, the bright and morning star, the brightness of his Father's glory, the express image of his person, stands at the door. What door? At the door of thine heart. Are not the night dews upon him, the damp, cold, chilling airs of earth, as he stands there knocking? Why stand his messengers there, with such patience and love? Ah? they wait to see if thou wilt open the door and admit the sweet Spirit of truth. But wilt thou open the door? Yes; but you cannot, perhaps. Why? Because there are so many things in the way. The true Witness has told thee of thy follies, thy besetments; get these out of the way, and the door of thine heart will open to the heavenly Comforter. Take away those impediments quickly, lest he tire of waiting, and spue thee out of his mouth. "NOW IS THE ACCEPTED TIME."
By Newman Hall
"AWAKE, thou that sleepest," awake now! "Seek the Lord while he may be found," seek him now! "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved," believe now! Confess to him your sins, ask pardon through his blood, rely on his atonement, implore the help of his Spirit, devote yourself entirely to his service! Do it now! "Strive to enter in at the strait gate" now! Offer the prayer, "God be merciful to me a sinner" now! Too much time has been wasted already. Lose no more. This may be your only opportunity. Seize it now! It is the devil who suggests it would be better to wait. "He was a liar from the beginning." Better to wait? Does death wait? Does the judgment wait? Will he himself wait as soon as he gets the signal to seize you as his prey forever? While you are waiting, does the wheel of your life stand still, and the thread of your probation cease to be twined? Have you an unlimited store of days to trifle with? Can you tell that when you next thrust your hand into that chest of opportunities you will not find it empty? May not the one you are now trifling with be the very last? Why do you act as if sure of twenty years? Are you sure of twenty hours—of twenty minutes—of a single second beyond this very now? What is it you are putting off to this uncertainty? The work on which depends the question of your final bliss or woe! If your house were in flames, would you wait till to-morrow before you tried to put out the fire? If your leg were broken, would you delay having it set? If you had been poisoned, would you put off taking an antidote? And will you postpone the saving of that soul which is infinitely more precious than all the world contains? Neglect every other business; trifle with your property, your health, your life; this would be wisdom compared with delaying for one day the salvation of the soul. But you comfort yourself with the thought that though you defer repentance till to-morrow, you are encouraging good intentions to-day! Of what value will they be, if you die before they are fulfilled? If the law apprehends you in the act of theft, will the plea avail that if you had escaped you intended to lead an honest life? If you linger in the city of destruction, will the purpose to flee screen you from the tempest of fire when it bursts? A good intention to be religious to-morrow is only a bad resolve to remain wicked to-day. But it shows you have some sense of the importance of repentance. This even may be gone to-morrow; improve it now! If you have difficulties to-day, you will have other and greater to-morrow. The devil, who persuades you to wait, knows that "you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin." Therefore the Holy Ghost says, "To-day, harden not your heart." Therefore we are to "exhort one another daily, while it is called to-day!" The longer you wait, the harder will be the toil. You pamper two deadly foes—the habit of practising wickedness, and the habit of deferring repentance. You are daily becoming more of an adept in both these methods of suicide. Are you not then mad to think you will ever have a more convenient season than now? What? Find the path more readily when you have wandered from it more widely? Tear up a tree more easily when it is rooted more deeply? Draw a nail more quickly when it is clenched more firmly? Stem a torrent more safely when it rolls more rapidly? The poisoned robe clings to you every day more tightly: off with it now; lest if you wait, your very skin must be torn away with it! But suppose you were sure of repenting to-morrow, and that delay would not increase the difficulty: still you should repent now. Religion is a work for every day. There is so much to be done that those who are most diligent feel that there is not a moment to be lost. Besides, religion preserves from present evils, and bestows present blessings. Can you be delivered too soon from the dreadful sense of insecurity? Is it not a terrible thing to have the Ruler of the universe your enemy for even one day? Or do you think the list of your sins is not long enough, nor the Judge angry enough, nor hell hot enough, but that you must for another day labor to increase the store of guilt, and wrath, and punishment? Yet if you desire it, you may obtain his favor at once. Why wait? Can the poor be enriched, the sick be healed, the sorrowful be gladdened, the outcast be restored, too soon? Even if you should be saved hereafter, will you be no loser by having so long been busy heaping up rubbish which might have proved fuel for your own destruction, when you could have been gathering incorruptible treasure? But there is a still higher motive. Your Creator demands obedience now. Did he make you to be your own master? While you say you will serve him to-morrow, do you not rebel against him to-day? Though sure of a thousand to-morrows, ought you not to obey now? Should you not, with David, "make haste, and delay not to keep his commandments?" If not awed by his authority, will you not be won by his love? Will you trifle while the King of kings draws near to entreat a hell-deserving rebel to receive a free pardon purchased by the blood of his own Son? He offers to receive you into his own family, to number you among its children, to take you to dwell with him in blessedness forever. Treat not with indifference such love, lest the threatening should be fulfilled. "Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; I will also laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh. Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; for that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord: they would none of my counsel; they despised my reproof. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices." Oh, reject no longer the love of God! Provoke no longer his wrath! Now, now is the day of salvation. Even this book, small and insignificant as it is, has made your case more critical. Before the devil snatches up the seed it has sown in your heart; before any slight impression produced by it has faded away, lest such impression, by being effaced, should make you less impressible; give heed to its warning now. Now! for time is short, and death is near, and judgment threatens! Now! for in eternity it will be too late, and your very next step may land you there. The only season of which you can be sure is now. The only season in which you can work is now. The purpose may not last till to-morrow—fulfill it now. Fresh difficulties will flood the channel to-morrow—wade it now. The chain of evil habit will bind you more tightly to-morrow—snap it now. Religion has work for every day—begin it now. Sin exposes to present miseries—escape them now. Holiness confers present joys—seize them now. Your Creator commands—obey him now. A God of love entreats—be reconciled now. The Father from his throne invites—return now. The Saviour from his cross beseeches—trust him now. The Holy Spirit in your heart persuades—yield now. "Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation!"—Newman Hall. PERFECTION OF THE BIBLE.
By Dr. Gausen
OPEN now the Bible; study its fifty sacred authors, from that wonderful Moses who held the pen in the wilderness, four hundred years before the war of Troy, down to the fisherman, son of Zebedee, who wrote fifteen hundred years afterwards, in Ephesus and in Patmos, under the reign of Domitian; open the Bible, and try, if you can, to find any thing of this sort there. No. None of those blunders which the science of every successive age discovers in the books of those that preceded it; none of those absurdities, above all, which modern astronomy points out, in such numbers, in the writings of the ancients, in their sacred codes, in their systems of philosophy, and in the finest pages even of the fathers of the church; no such errors can be found in any of our sacred books; nothing there will ever contradict what, after so many ages, the investigations of the learned world have been able to reveal to us of what is certain in regard to the state of our globe, or of that of the heavens. Carefully peruse our Scriptures from one end to the other, in search of such blemishes there; and while engaged in this research, remember that it is a book which speaks of every thing, which describes nature, which proclaims its grandeur, which tells the story of its creation, which informs us of the structure of the heavens, of the creation of light, of the waters, of the atmosphere, of the mountains, of animals, and of plants;—it is a book that tells us of the first revolutions of the world, and foretells us also the last; a book that relates them in circumstantial narratives, exults them in a sublime poesy, and chants them in strains of fervent psalmody; it is a book replete with the glow of oriental rapture, elevation, variety and boldness;—it is a book which speaks of the earth and of things visible, at the same time that it speaks of the celestial world and of things invisible;—it is a book to which nearly fifty writers of every degree of mental cultivation, of every rank, of every condition, and separated by fifteen hundred years from each other, have successively put their hand;—it is a book composed first in the center of Asia, among the sands of Arabia, or in the deserts of Judea, or in the fore-court of the temple of the Jews, or in the rustic schools of the prophets of Bethel and of Jericho, or in the sumptuous palaces of Babylon, or on the idolatrous banks of Cheber; and afterwards at the center of western civilization, amid the Jews with their manifold ignorance, amid polytheism and its ideas, as well as in the bosom of pantheism and its silly philosophy; it is a book the first writer of which had been for the space of forty years a pupil of the magicians of Egypt, who looked upon the sun, and stars, and the elements, as endowed with intelligence, as reacting upon the elements, and as governing the world by continual effluxes;—it is a book the first chapter of which preceded by more than NINE HUNDRED YEARS the most ancient philosophers of ancient Greece and of Asia, the Thaleses, the Pythagorases, the Zaleuces, the Xenophaneses, the Confuciuses;—it is a book which carries its narratives even into the field of the invisible world, even into the hierarchies of the angels, even into the remotest realms of futurity, and the glorious scenes of the last day;—well then, search through these 50 authors, search through these 66 books, search through these 1189 chapters, and these 31173 verses . . . search for one single error of those thousands with which ancient and modern books abound, when they speak either of the heaven or of the earth, or of their revolutions, or of their elements; search, but you will search in vain.—Dr. Gausen. The following, from Dr. Hatch, the husband of Mrs. Cora Hatch, the noted trance-speaking medium, will give some idea of the moral influence of Spiritualism. The Dr. does not charge Mrs. Hatch with anything impure, but shows very clearly the general tendency of this great anti-christian, and anti-Bible movement.—The Dr. has had a most favorable and conspicuous standpoint of observation, and is prepared to speak from evidence founded on facts. He says:— “The most damning iniquities are everywhere perpetrated135 in Spiritual circles, a very small per centage of which ever comes to public attention. I care not whether it be Spiritual or mundane, the FACTS exist, and should demand the attention and just condemnation of an intelligent community. Look at the iniquities which have been committed within the past two weeks in this city, and that too by Spiritual mediums who claim to be controlled by angels. It is worse than useless to talk to the Spiritualist against this condition of things, for those who occupy the highest position among them, are aiding and abetting in all classes of iniquities which prevail amongst them. The abrogation of marriage, bigamy, accompanied by robbery, theft, rapes, are all chargeable to Spiritualism. I most solemnly affirm that I do not believe that there has, during the past five hundred years, arisen any class of people who were guilty of so great a variety of crimes and indecencies as the Spiritualists of America. “For a long time I was swallowed up in the whirlpool of excitement, and comparatively paid but little attention to its evils, believing that much good might result from the openings of the avenues of Spiritual intercourse. But during the past eight months I have devoted my attention to a critical investigation of its moral, social and religious bearing, and I stand appalled before the revelations of its awful and damning realities, and would flee from its influence as I would from the miasma which would destroy both soul and body. Spiritualism and prostitution, with a rejection of Christianity, are twin sisters, which every where go hand in hand. With but little inquiry, I have been able to count up over 70 mediums, most of whom have wholly abandoned their conjugal relations, others living with their paramours called ‘affinities,’ others in promiscuous adultery, and still others exchanged partners. Old men and women, who have passed the meridian of life, are not unfrequently the victims of this hallucination. Many of the mediums lose all sense of moral obligations, and yield to whatever influence may for the time be brought to bear upon them. Their pledges, the integrity of their oaths are no more reliable than the shifting breezes of the whirlwind, for they are made to yield to the powers which for the time control them.”