p. 208 | Review and Herald, Vol. 3, No. 26. (5/12/1853)

Earlier text: POSITION OF THE ADVENT HERALD ON THE SANCTUARY QUESTION

LETTER TO W. SHELDON.

By Marcia S. Avery

DEAR SIR:—As I have read several of your letters, warning people every where to beware of the teachers of the seventh-day Sabbath, and have heretofore, paid great attention to those warnings, and by hearing one side of the question only, (through the Advent Harbinger,) I considered the advocates of that doctrine, little or no better than Mormons, and I verily thought (by the numerous accounts of that paper) they were a deluded, fanatical, weak-minded set of beings; until of late, my prejudice though very strong, has been removed by hearing with my own ears, and seeing with my own eyes, and behold! how great the contrast. O how grossly have they been misrepresented. How unchristian and how unlike the example of Jesus or any of his true followers, have you, a professed minister of our blessed Saviour, heaped abuse and slander, upon those who claim to be enlightened Christians. My heart is pained to see it. O what language is this, how must it wound the heart of any true Christian! "Heaven-daring, God-provoking, Christ-insulting, Satan-originated, shut-door theory." O, how think you our Heavenly Father can bless you with his smiles while you harbor such feelings in your heart? I ask by what authority you use these dreadful words?

In the Harbinger of May 1st, 1852, as you speak of Sabbath-keeping, you call it "a shrewd device of the Devil," and furthermore state that you "have given it a thorough examination, and consider the whole system a trap of the Devil," and also that you "consider the system rotten to the core."—I think, now, that you have not examined the subject as thoroughly as you might, seeing that you labor under the great mistake, that they have no message for sinners, and that the door of mercy was closed in 1844. If you look at the subject candidly, you will at once discover that this is a grievous error, and one well calculated to deceive, and prejudice (still more) the minds of those that have not heard for themselves.

Now I must say that you have most wickedly misrepresented this class of God's people. I beg of you to read Matt. vii, 5: "First cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye." I would also ask you to remember the words of Paul to Titus, [Chap. iii, 2,] "To speak evil of no man; to be no brawlers, but gentle, showing meekness unto all men." Also, James i, 26: "If any man among you seem to be religious and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, that man's religion is vain." With such examples as these before us, why need we go astray? If we follow the rules of the inspired Volume we must do right, we cannot err. We learn from this Book of books, that "Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake."

Now I would ask in candor, have you not reviled? Have you not persecuted (most bitterly) those who are, for aught you know, true and honest Christians? Suppose you are personally acquainted with one or two individuals of that belief, who are not just what they should be; for this, will you cast a slur upon the whole? Are there none among you that have faults? Undoubtedly, there are. O, then let us search our own hearts, before picking out, and setting forth the faults of others. But if any are found "without sin among you, let him cast the first stone." Now if you call the keeping of the Sabbath, such a "pernicious error" a "device of Satan," and all this, why is it, I ask, productive of so much good? for I can testify that it has done great good in this vicinity. And I feel to rejoice, and bless God, that he has ever opened our hearts, and ears, that we might hear, and receive his glorious, his blessed, and present truth. Now I beg of you, as a friend, to take the advice given in Acts v, 38, 39, to "Refrain

from these men, and let them alone: for if this work be of men it will come to nought: but if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it, lest haply ye be found even to fight against God."

If you will only give me fair proof, from the Word, that it is wrong to obey the commands of God, or if you will give a "thus saith the Lord," that it is provoking God, and insulting his Son, to keep his law, or remember his holy day, then I will remember it no longer. But until you bring sufficient proof, as I know you never can, I will never desecrate his holy day.

I am not at all prepared to take your own testimony on this point, as it is not founded on the Word, and as I know, in direct opposition to it; for we read in 1 John ii, 3, 4, "And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments; he that saith I know him and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar and the truth is not in him." How, I ask, can we be following the devices of Satan, and at the same time act according to this scripture? If we can, what are our Bibles good for? I answer, nothing. No, we are not in danger of being ensnared by the arch deceiver, as long as we are striving to walk with Jesus, by following his examples, for he says, "I have kept my Father's commandments." John xv, 10. And again, "He that saith he abideth in him, ought himself, also to walk, even as he walked." 1 John ii, 6.—Now must we not, if we walk as did our Heavenly Master, keep all his Father's commandments? We certainly must if we love him. "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments; and his commandments are not grievous." You must acknowledge that, "Remember the Sabbath day," is one of these commands, and what policy it can be for any Christian to take from the ten, the fourth, grand precept, and thereby rob God of his just claims, I cannot see. O that all might be willing, to love, honor and obey God, by doing all he requires of them.

If you should deem my remarks too harsh, or censorious, forgive me, for I mean it not; but it has been my intention to promote no hardness, by using, according to the best of my abilities, a due proportion of Christian forbearance. And that you may yet be led to see, and acknowledge the perpetuity of the law of Jehovah, is the fervent prayer of your well-wisher,

Locke, Mich., April 3d, 1853. MARCIA S. AVERY.

Christ Our Gracious High Priest

By T. M. Steward

From Bro. Steward.

DEAR BRO. WHITE:—I have great reason to praise the Lord, that I ever heard the truth of the third angel's message, and that God opened my heart to embrace it, notwithstanding by so doing I lose my most intimate friends. But thank God, if I have the Bible on my side, I am safe, for Christ is my friend. And now I can view him as my Gracious High Priest, ministering in the Sanctuary, and true Tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. O if the world could only see the beauty of the present truth, how much more glorious would appear the plan of redemption. I can now say with the Psalmist: "O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day. Thou, through thy commandments, hast made me wiser than mine enemies." "Through thy precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way."—Ps. cxix, 97, 98, 104. Also verses 141, 142. "I am small and despised, yet do not I forget thy precepts. Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth." Again in the 165 verse, "Great peace have they which love thy law; and nothing shall offend them." My delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law do I meditate day and night. Truly I was in darkness, yea enshrouded in thick darkness; lost in gloom, but when the light began to break in upon my mind, how changed! all seemed to bear a new luster. The truth shone forth with more brilliancy than ever before. Now I can see that "the law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul."

I can now look forward to the time as not far distant when Christ will make his appearance in the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory, when the sleeping saints will be called forth to meet their Saviour in the air, and we who are alive will be changed in the twinkling of an eye, and be caught up with them to meet our Lord.

I fear that there are many of our Advent brethren who are making too much of minor points, and forming tests of christian character that God's word will not warrant. Let us be very careful, my dear brethren, and make the sure word of Prophecy our only rule of faith and practice. I believe the time has come when all that is not of the Lord's planting will be rooted up, when all error shall be plucked up, to give place to truth. I say, let truth have its full sway; cut ever so close. And we know it will triumph.—The truth has done wonders out West within the past six months. Yes, bless the Lord, it will triumph.—O that God would send forth more laborers into the field. Time is short. The day of probation will soon close. O what a solemn time, when Christ our great High Priest, shall leave the Holiest, no more to intercede between God and man, and leave the guilty exposed to the wrath of God. T. M. STEWARD.

April, 1853.

The Last Mighty Conflict

By Azmon Woodruff

From Bro. Woodruff.

DEAR BRO. WHITE:—We are now in the "little while," no mistake. The watching, patient, waiting time. Here is the patience of the saints, and here too, are they that keep the commandments of God, and have the faith of Jesus. What sobriety, what vigilance, what fervent supplication, and what an entire consecration on the part of the saints, now becomes necessary in order to obtain the entire victory over every word, thought and action. Jesus said truly, Without me, ye can do nothing. O, what need there is of the grace of God now. How cheering the promise, that Jesus will be with his people to the end of the world, and because he lives, we shall live also.—Yes, surely as the Lord liveth, his little flock, flock of slaughter, that have wandered through all the mountains, and been scattered in all the earth, who have been a prey to the heathen, and devoured by the beasts of the land, they shall surely be gathered. Eze. xxxiv, 11.

Yes, thank heaven, the salvation of the faithful and tried ones, is nigh to be revealed. Jesus said, fear not little flock, &c. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you. One more mighty conflict, with principalities, and powers, with the rulers of the darkness of this world, with the image beast, and dragon hosts, that have declared war (or will soon) against him who will sit upon the horse, and against his enemy.

One mighty struggle more, and the work will be ended. Amen. The dragon hosts, the beast, and false prophet, and every living being on God's footstool, that stand in opposition to Jehovah, and the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus, will surely meet with a final and everlasting overthrow, and God's redeemed from among men will triumph gloriously. And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High. Lord speed the day, when he whose right it is shall reign.

Yours in hope of eternal life, AZMON WOODRUFF. Schroeppel, Os. Co., N. Y., April 24th, 1853.

INDEX TO VOLUME III.

By Editor

A Brief Sketch of the Past,	PAGE.
An Incident,	5
A Pressing Want of Bible Argument,	8
A Paper for Children,	16
A Cry of Peace and Safety,	37
A Word of Caution,	38
Albion, Wis., Conference,	40
Answer to a Letter containing Objections to the Sabbath,	53
A Fitness for the Kingdom,	87
A Palpable Falsehood,	115
A Cutting Reproof,	128
An Extract from Miller's Exposition of Matt. xxiv,	139
An Extract of a Letter from Wm. Miller,	157
Babylon,	173
Bro. Shear's Communication,	20, 28
Be of Good Cheer,	57
Boylston Meeting,	64
Cleveland, O., Conference,	72
Conversation on the Sabbath Question,	77
Communication from Bro. Masten,	106
Communication from Bro. Seely,	108
Church Organization,	109
Consider,	135
Close of the Volume,	173
Defense of the Truth,	204
Duty of Parents to their Children,	13
Delaying Obedience,	53
Definition of Bible Names,	58
Dangers to which the Remnant are Exposed,	104
Destruction of the Wicked,	164
Every Great Truth is plainly stated,	181
Eternal Life,	5
Eastern Tour,	40
Experience of Bro. Masten,	80, 96
Extract of a Discourse By John Wesley,	86
Exposition of Nebuchadnezzar's Dream,	89
Extract from Dr. Payson,	126
Exposition of Daniel 7th Chapter,	134
Extract from J. B. Cook,	150, 153
Fair Investigation,	157
From the Remarks of O. R. L. Crozier on the Sabbath,	4
Faith,	8
Familiar Spirits,	81
From Finney's Purpose of God,	104
Gospel Benefits,	125
Have Courage,	113
Holiness of Heart,	49
Heaven Desired,	59
Heavenly Objects,	89
Hints to promote Harmony in a Family,	102
Harmony of Zechariah xiv,	139
He Sleeps in Jesus,	180
Hear us, then Judge,	192
Is Sunday the True Seventh day?	208
If Christ is your Law-giver, Who is your Mediator?	54
	174

New Work.

By Editor

We have just published a Tract of 40 pages, entitled, "A Refutation of the Claims of Sunday-keeping to Divine Authority; also, a Lengthy Extract from the History of the Sabbath. By J. N. ANDREWS.

Youth’s Instructor Delayed

By Editor

The Youth's Instructor is delayed for want of good paper to print it on. It will be out in about one week.

Reuben Loveland’s Post Office Address

By Editor

Bro. Reuben Loveland's Post Office address is North Hyde Park, Vt.

Appointments.

By Editor

PROVIDENCE permitting, we will hold Conferences as follows: Mill Grove, N. Y., May 21st and 22d. Tyrone, Mich., the 27th, 28th and 29th. Jackson, Mich., June 3d, 4th and 5th.—Ed.

PROVIDENCE permitting, I will hold meetings with the brethren, on my way west, as follows:

Tyrone, Mich., May 14th and 15th. Jackson, Mich., the 17th, at 5 o'clock P. M. Battle Creek, the 19th at 5 o'clock P. M. Bedford, Mich., May 21st and 22d.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.

Letters.

C Jones, S Dunten, M Leadbeater, N W Rockwell, D Arnold, D H Hilton, E Cray, A A Dodge, A S Hutchins, E Goodwin, S H Peck, J Lindsey, A Schryver, S Hall, H C S Carus, C Bacheller, M S Prior, Wm S Ingraham, M A E Townsend, J M Stephenson, H O Niehols, C Munroe, T M Steward, L Wilkinson, J Whitmore, F A Wilson, Wm M Smith, H Myers, W Phelps, H S Gurney, S T Cranson, R W Avery, A Avery, J E Clark, J N Loughborough.

Receipts.

G S Miles, L Thomas, L P Barnes, F Barnes, D Chase, Sr Rogers, S Witherel, M D for Lewis Dickinson, J Hadlock, N H Schooley, M Churchill, A B Pearsall, I Lyon, J M Mills, a Friend, each $1.

E Taylor, J A Tilton, S Griggs, L Dickinson each $2, Wm Dawson, C M., S Benson, each $3; H A Churchill, $4; R E Sinkler, S Barnes, B Clark, each 50 cents; J Woodard, Wm White, each 75 cents; A Abbey, 25 cents; L S for E E Hammond, $1.88.

For Tracts.

I T Day, $4.50; E R Seaman, $10; G W Nelson $4.50; H Lyon $2; A Woodruff, $1; S T Cranson, 90 cents.

HEAR US, THEN JUDGE.

By Editor

THE ADVENT REVIEW, in looking over the past—in "calling to mind former days," when the candle of the Lord wonderfully shone around the Advent people—has copied many excellent articles written about 1843. Some of these articles were written by persons who have since renounced the sentiments therein contained. Therefore we have endeavored to be particular in giving credit for the articles, to state the time that they were written. We have given several articles from the Midnight Cry the past year, and among them are those choice productions of GEORGE STORRS on Dan. ii, vii, viii, and ix. We also gave an article from his pen, in No. 21, on The Return of the Jews. Just before that number went to press, we left the city, and, unfortunately, no credit was given to the article. But in No. 22, we gave the following note.

" The lengthy article on the return of the Jews in our last, should have been credited to the Midnight Cry of 1843."

The Bible Examiner for April 1853 (George Storrs Editor and Publisher) comes out on us in an unsparing manner, charging us with "dishonesty" for publishing the article on the return of the Jews, as it says, "without one hint that it is not now, and has not been approved by us for eight years past."

To this, we reply that, we much regret the date of this discourse was not given. We also regret that we did not state that George Storrs had renounced a portion, at least, of the truth contained in that discourse; for we never had the least desire to conceal this fact. Our object in publishing it was for the truth it contains, and, as stated respecting a discourse of his on Daniel, to "show the position taken by the whole Advent body" in 1843.

We also much regret that the Editor of the Examiner should so rashly charge us with "dishonesty," and then withhold from us his paper containing this charge. Had it not been for the kindness of a brother in Massachusetts, who sent us the April number of the Examiner, we might have been ignorant of the charge to this day.

Whether the course pursued by the Examiner is, or is not, just, and in accordance with the gospel of Christ, we now leave the sincere to judge.

We are glad to hear that the Lord blessed the labors of Bro. Loughborough at Fredonia. We feel deeply interested in his western tour. Bro. L. has left all to proclaim the present truth, and the brethren will do well to aid him with their prayers, and necessary means.

WHEN 1600 readers will each pay $2 a year, we will send them the REVIEW weekly, and, also, be able to send it to 1000 without pay. What say, brethren? Shall we have a weekly Paper?