Earlier text: BUSINESS PROCEEDINGS OF B. C. CONFERENCELABORS IN N. Y. AND VT.
By D. T. Bourdeau
Bro. Smith: Since our labors in Montgomery, we have held meetings in Chazy, Brandon and Buck's Bridge. Our meetings in Chazy were for the benefit of Americans. We had quite a large and attentive congregation, and were glad of the privilege of laboring with Brn. Taylor and Czechowski. Brn. Taylor gave an interesting and effecting discourse on the subject of prophecy. We believe there is a good work to be done in Chazy. Brn. Czechowski and myself spent some time in visiting our French brethren. At Brandon we spoke three times with good freedom. Elder Hildreth (a Christian preacher) had an appointment in this place; but he cheerfully gave way, and listened attentively to our discourses. He appears to be a good man. His eyes were bathed in tears during the meetings. He backed up our remarks at the close of each discourse, and requested us to hold more meetings in his place. This we shall endeavor to do as soon as the way opens. Our meetings at Buck's Bridge were interesting and profitable to the church. Brn. Taylor and Lawrence were present, and two were baptized. The subject of sanctification or living holiness was the theme under consideration during these meetings. We were glad to see the brethren united, and determined to settle on principle, and to love and serve God because he is holy just and good. We would say for the encouragement of the church generally, that the brethren East are trying to settle deeper than feeling. The subject of holiness is being agitated, and they see the necessity of settling into the will and work of the Lord. Prejudice is also giving way and hindrances are being removed; and we have reason to believe that the cause will advance more rapidly. D. T. Bourdeau. "WE WOULD SEE JESUS."
By L. M. Gates
We read in the 12th chapter of John of certain Greeks among those that came up to worship at the feast, who came to Philip and desired him saying, "Sir, we would see Jesus." How many of us, scattered through the land, professing to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, can respond to this sentiment, and say from our inmost heart, We would see Jesus! Are we prepared to welcome him descending from heaven, with the voice of the archangel and the trump of God? Have we made an entire consecration of ourselves, our families, our property, our time, our talents, our all? Have we kept back no part of the price? Is all, all laid upon the altar, to be used for God and his glory at any time, or in any way he shall direct? Has God so given us of his Spirit that we know we dwell in him and he in us, and that his love is perfected in us, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin? How many of us, dear brethren and sisters, can lay our hands on our hearts, and before God in all sincerity say, "I am prepared for the coming of Christ?"
L. M. GATES. Trenton, Wis., Oct. 6, 1860. Is the legitimate work of the Spirit, so setting home the justice and goodness of God, and his law, as to alarm the transgressor, and set him to repenting, and calling him to the work of self-examination; and with such conviction comes the invitation, "Let the wicked man forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts, and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon." But just here the enemy has a word to say. He thus addresses the sinner: "These promises sir, are not for you: you have sinned beyond mercy, and now only wrath and anguish is your portion." If this does not succeed, he says, "You have not repented deeply; these promises cannot apply to one in your condition: you must get in greater agony, then you may apply them to yourself." Often has the enemy persisted in such endeavors until reason was dethroned, or despair settled like an incubus upon the soul. The Christian, perhaps, is encompassed with darkness and gloom. The Scriptures inform us that Job, and the prophets, and Christ himself endured great horror and distress of mind, anguish and distress of soul, and that their own sins had not brought this darkness upon them, but often burdens were laid upon them, and that the Christian should endure as seeing Him who is invisible, that man may rely upon the goodness and love of God, even in darkness and anguish of spirit; and while in the way of duty, even death cannot separate him from the love of God. But the enemy steps in just here, as he sees the Christian tried and tempted, and informs him that he is in darkness because of some hidden sins, or some unpardoned sins, and that his past assurances of God's goodness were deceptive, and that he is now suffering the just vengeance of God, who will in no wise accept him; and thus by causing distrust as to the work God has already done for him, he despairs as to the future. If the enemy succeeds here, he gains his victim. This darkness, says the tempter, is conviction for your sins, when perhaps the darkness is wholly a mist from Satan, and with this he thickens the gloom with such suggestions as best suit his purpose. Conviction is rational and collected. It does not lead to despair, or to darkness, but to the promises and encouragement of God's word, for the good Spirit wounds only to heal, while the enemy wounds to destroy. True conviction is calm and subduing; it melts rather than blasts; or if it breaks the heart in pieces, it points to a better, a holy state, a condition of entire happiness: it has nothing of despair or of desperation, nothing of fretfulness or of moroseness: these are accompaniments introduced by the enemy, and suggested by the evil heart of man. There are many phases of false experience connected with conviction: not necessary, but consequent upon the existence of evil; and the Christian should study the subject thoroughly, and know what his true state is, what sin is, and be immovable in the right, always looking to Jesus as the source of all light and truth.
J. CLARKE. Report of Conference
By Editor
The Report of Conference is at present occupying so much of our attention that we are not able to prepare the usual amount of original matter for this department of our paper. "I would not if I could," says scoffing Indifference. "I could not if I would," replies downcast Despondency. They are both in the wrong; but our business is not now with the skeptic soul; it is only with our sincere but faint-hearted brother Despondency. He belongs to a large family. He is brother to Mistrust, and Littlefaith, and own cousin to a whole troop of Doubts, Fears, and Unbeliefs, besides being step-father to Lack-courage and Miss Much-afraid. Perhaps he or his may fall in with this paragraph, and we will have a friendly word with him and his velvet-footed friends. 1. What is it to be holy? Holiness is not monkish asceticism—nor is it Pharisaism—nor is it sour sanctimoniousness—nor is it the unattainable state of the glorified before the throne in heaven. It is simply the habit of being of one mind with God. It is the fixed permanent habit of the soul that hates what God hates, and loves whatsoever God loves, even though all this costs daily and hourly self-denial. It is the habit of living with the Bible as the rule of life, and Jesus Christ as the example. That this habit of heart and method of life are not unattainable, is clear from the fact that God commands us in his word "Be ye holy." Our heavenly Father never enjoins impossibilities upon his children. It is possible for you therefore, my friend, to be holy. The Bible speaks of scores of men as "holy." "Well, but those were extraordinary men," says one, "who lived in extraordinary times. They possessed wonderful gifts." So they did. And so may you. Their God is your God. Their promises are your promises. Their heavenly Father never gave their souls a more glorious tonic than these words—my grace is sufficient for thee. Open your too much neglected Bible and you will find the identical words there, and placed there too for your special benefit and support. That single passage was quite enough for Paul and Peter and John. It was a rock under John Calvin's feet. It sufficed for the Wesleys. It cured Martin Luther. The giants Chalmers and Edwards had nothing more. You have all they required. God's grace is enough. Have you ever sought the possession of that, sincerely, prayerfully, and practically? I fear not. I fear you have never tried to be holy. 2. Another says, "I have no time to cultivate heart-holiness. My business swallows up my time." Then, sir, you have too much business. The more business you have, the more of holiness you need to conduct it aright, and to keep from being spiritually engulfed and ruined beneath it. If you have no time to study your heart and study your Bible and your Saviour's example, then take time. If in no other way it be possible, take it from your eating and sleeping hours. What is far better, take it in the midst of your business, and let God be in your thoughts when in the counting-room, or amid the buzzing wheels of your manufactory, or behind the plow upon the hillside. You cannot well be a busier man than Daniel was when the cares of mighty Babylon rested on him: yet he found time to kneel down thrice in each day before his God. He did not serve the king any less faithfully for serving his Maker all the more faithfully. You cannot have a more constant pressure upon you every moment than the indefatigable Wilberforce. Yet the man who never neglected a poor outcast or a slave, never neglected his own heart, or his closet. We know not what occupation you pursue, but remember that presently your whole business will be with God, and he it is who commands "Be ye holy." 3. "But," says a third, "I live in the midst of irreligious associations. Everything is against me." We pastors often hear this excuse from members of our flock. So far from being a valid excuse for neglecting holiness, it is an urgent reason for cultivating it. There is all the more need of your letting your own light shine, if the surrounding atmosphere is as dark as Egypt. Ahab's court was a most unfavorable place for the growth of godliness. Yet in that court was an Elijah who bowed not the knee to Baal. Nero's palace was a chilling spot for the tender plants of grace. Did they droop and die there? We find an answer in that buoyant heart-message of heroic Paul, "All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Cæsar's household." This excuse brings up a kindred one. "I am driven about from pillar to post, and have no settled home. I am forever journeying, with no quiet home for meditation, and no sweet hallowed Penuels or Olivets of sacred life-long association." Neither had Paul. He was a bird of passage, with no abiding place for the sole of his foot. The roof under which he commonly tarried longest was the roof of a prison. John Wesley almost lived on the back of his pony. Whitefield was constantly in motion—the swift-footed courier of the cross. But they grew on the road. Like torches borne against the wind, they burned the brighter as they ran. And you, my itinerant brother, whether roaming the land or sea, whether in the rattling coach or steaming rail-car, whether the denizen of hotels or the lodger in the wayside inn, may realize an ever present Saviour who compasseth your path, and who can make your heart to burn within you as you walk with him in the way. Never can you travel beyond the reach of that divine injunction, Be ye holy. 4. "I am in trouble," says Mr. Despondency. "My mind is overborne by my griefs. I shall never be the man again that I was before I met with my losses." Neither was David the same man that he was before affliction came upon him. "It is good for me to be afflicted," was his testimony. Sorrow left him a better saint than it found him. No strains rise sweeter from a Christian's lips than his "songs in the night." Never do the stars of promise gleam so bright as when the sun of worldly prosperity has gone down. Many a man who forgot his God at the noonday has "sung praises at midnight," like Paul and Silas in Philippi's dungeon. For it is not only by toil, but by trial, that Christ ennobles, purifies, and sanctifies his people. He sometimes takes their estates away and leaves them nothing, but an empty purse and—a full Bible. He sends a messenger of love into their households with a shroud. The cradle over which the mother hovers slowly turns into a coffin; the little treasure that nestled so warm in her loving bosom lies cold enough under the grassy turf. But out from this tempest of trial comes the triumphant child of God, wet with the baptism of suffering, yet radiant as "mercy" rising from the river of death to the pearly gates, and as she cometh up she exclaimeth, "O! my God, thou hast tried me, but when thou didst try me, thou didst make me come forth as gold." The pressure of affliction affords no better excuse for the neglect of holiness than does the pressure of business or the adverse array of worldly associations. These are the very positions for the exercise of holiness. And with the command comes the promise of divine aid to obedience. Never, therefore, can you reach a point of prosperity so lofty, or a place in the vale of adversity so lowly; never can you be environed with an array of temptations so dense, or be screened by human authority so weighty, as to protect you from that solemn injunction of Almighty love, "Be ye holy in all manner of conversation."—Independent. POWER OF THE GOSPEL.
By Rev. B. F. Butler.
REVIEW the history of our religion. See it on the day of Pentecost, "beginning at Jerusalem;" melting into penitence the bigoted and cruel multitude whose hands are yet reeking with its Author's blood; spreading despite the power and malice of its enemies, through Judea and the surrounding provinces; gathering its trophies in the idolatrous cities of Asia; crossing into Greece; confuting the philosophy of Athens; invading Italy; entering the palaces of the Cæsars; flying with the Roman eagles, to the farthest corners of the earth; and reforming the habits and moulding the polity of nations the most diverse in their origin, circumstances, and laws. See its influence on the character of individuals; how it turns the proud, unsocial Jew into the disinterested lover of mankind: the persecuting Saul into the affectionate apostle; the heathen of Antioch into Christian confessors; the scoffers of Athens—the Epicureans, Stoics, and the careless votaries of folly and amusement—into penitent believers; the voluptuaries of Corinth into self-denying disciples; the idolaters of Galatia, and Ephesus, and Phil-lippi, and Thessalonica, into saints and martyrs. See it pouring into the bosom of the Roman, the new sentiments of humility; abolishing polygamy, slavery and174 the parental power of life and death; mitigating the penal law; confining, within just limits, that of divorce; and bringing back to connubial life the blessedness of Eden, by raising woman to the companionship, the duties, and the confidence for which she was designed. See it, in after ages, humanizing the ferocious Britain; softening the Vandal; and teaching mercy to the Goth. See it scattering throughout Europe the seeds of truth, and justice and humanity, and social order, from which have sprung those various institutions which render Christendom so superior in government, in knowledge, in the arts and charities of life, and in all the elements of individual, domestic, and national happiness, to the most favored portions of the Mohammedan and Pagan world. See it from age to age, repeating its miracles of mercy, in the transformation and improvement of human character; changing the vulture to a dove, the tiger to a lamb; teaching the revengeful to forgive, and the miser to be liberal; purifying the hearts of the unclean, the hands of the fraudulent, and the lips of the profane: making the proud man humble, and chastening the desires of the ambitious; filling the bosoms of the poor, the friendless, and the afflicted, with resignation, cheerfulness, and hope; converting, oftentimes, the abandoned drunkard and the profligate debauchee—the very plague-spots of the earth—into ornaments of society and benefactors of mankind.—Rev. B. F. Butler. KEEP DOING.
By Martha D. Byington
I ONCE heard a venerable and aged Christian say, "If we would avoid trials, we must keep doing." The remark was a good one, and since then I have often proved it a safeguard in seasons of danger. We may shun many of the wily snares of our latent foe by diligence and activity in the work of salvation. Indifference does not have a place in the heart of a Christian. Though our faith be tested and proved in our onward progress, yet this only spurs us to still nobler action; and we may attain to degrees of usefulness and true holiness, if we hope, believe and wait, and bear the cross, though like the Saviour we faint beneath the load, trusting those exceeding great and precious promises which are unmovable as the throne of God, standing replete in all the Christian armor, praying always with all prayer, and watching thereunto with all perseverance; having in our hearts the fruits and graces of the Holy Spirit, forgiving, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven us, doing good to them that hate us, cherishing that charity that beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things, ever rejoicing in the truth. Here is a lifetime of employment, and none will more than attain to the length and breadth, height and depth of the love of Christ. In thus acting for God, we shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of God. There is a sphere of holiness where we may abide the tempests which often close around our way and obscure the light of heaven; where light may reflect from lives of devotedness, and others be led to glorify our Father in heaven. Without this preparation we are exposed to the fearful breezes which will but impede our progress Zionward. But I would with all my heart adopt the sentiment of another, that we press on to that place where heavenly breezes may waft us thither; and though the billows at times roll high, and like David we are led to cry out, "All thy waves and thy billows are gone over me," yet we can say, The Lord will command his loving-kindness in the day time, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer to the God of my life. Thus each tempest only drives us onward toward the shore, and when all our tribulations are endured valiantly, the home of endless rest will open upon our gaze, and we find a place within the portals of the holy city, to go no more out forever. Then with uplifted eyes I'll turn
My wandering steps to yon bright dome,
Look up to greet the coming morn,
Which brings the weary traveller home. THE CONNECTION BETWEEN HOLINESS AND ETERNAL HAPPINESS.
It is an impossibility to move man to action without an appeal to his hopes and fears; and every work that he performs is done with the expectation of gaining some good, or avoiding some evil. The Scriptures do not fail to take advantage of this principle when urging the Christian on to holiness. They clearly teach us that the amount of happiness which will fall to our lot beyond the grave, will be proportioned to our attainments in holiness during our pilgrimage through this vale of tears. The more useful the child of God is here, the more blessed will he be hereafter. Not even the smallest act, if performed with an eye to the glory of God, shall lose its reward; and every sinner that we are instrumental in saving shall glitter as a star in the crown of our rejoicing, forever. In "that day, when the secrets of all hearts shall be made known," every man shall receive a reward "according to the deeds done in the body," and certainly those who have been most diligent in their Master's cause, shall receive the greatest reward. But what is to qualify us for usefulness? Learning, talent, and wealth, are of no small value, and, when united with holiness of heart, they add greatly to the usefulness of him who possesses them. The duty of the church is not to neglect these things, but to use them for the advancement of the Redeemer's kingdom. But they are of but little value when contrasted with holiness; and the whole history of the church serves to confirm the position, that the holier a man is the more useful he will be. It was this that made successful ministers of Paul, Whitefield, Wesley, Emory, and Hedding. True, these men had talents that would have raised them to eminence in any of the walks of life; but had they been destitute of the deep baptisms of the Spirit that they possessed, they would never have been instrumental in turning many to righteousness. If this reasoning be correct, of how great value is holiness! But there is another view of this subject, that may be worthy of consideration. We know that in this life we cannot be happy unless our feelings accord with the circumstances by which we are surrounded. He who has no love of music derives no pleasure from the fact that his ears are saluted with sounds that would cause other hearts to thrill with emotions of joy. Let the unlettered person be introduced to the society of the learned, and he will find no pleasure in their conversation. How little pleasure does the sinner find in the service of God! To him the Bible is a dull book; and praising God an employment for which he has no heart. But change the dispositions of these characters, and then how different will be the emotions under the circumstances by which I have supposed them to be surrounded! But in heaven all is holy. The song that the glorified will sing above, is a song of praise to him who has redeemed them from all sin. He whose smile sends joy to their hearts, cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance; while the angels that gather around his throne have never been guilty of the least deviation from holiness; and earth's children will not be permitted to enter that palace of angels, and of God, until they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. And is it reasonable to suppose that an unholy person would be happy in such a place, even were it possible that he should be admitted there? Would there not be such a dissimilarity between his feelings and the society and employment of that place, as would render him miserable? The sooner we are cleansed from all sin, the better will we be prepared to enjoy heaven. If these things be so, how important is it that the child of God should immediately lay aside every weight, and the sin that doth most easily beset him. Every moment of delay lessens the amount of happiness that he will inherit beyond the grave. Shall we not, then, strive to gain an abundant entrance into heaven? The Father sent the Son, but equally true is it that the Son came of his own free will. Behold then this Being veiled in flesh. He has come to make himself an offering for sin—he has left the bosom of the Father and the glory of heaven, because his heart overflows with pity for man. Amazing love! how great the condescension! From the throne of the universe, he comes down to earth! No tongue can tell, no pen describe, the emotions of love which the Saviour felt. “He saw our race in ruin lie,
And pity brought him down.” In leaving heaven, he left honor; the hosts above bowed to him and delighted to reverence him as their King, and were swift to do his will. He came on no175 errand of ambition— “Nothing brought him from above,
Nothing but Redeeming love.” Sinner, behold the Lamb of God. To-day he invites you to look unto him. Listen to his alluring language. I am the only begotten of the Father—I descended from the celestial abode—leaving the glory which was eternally mine—and condescended to endure poverty, pain, reproach and death for you. Hear my proclamations of love and mercy. See in me the greatest pledge of the Father's tender regard. You flaming sword demanded your blood—but I am come to give it mine. I am the promised Messiah. To me the types and shadows of ancient times all referred. Abraham and Jacob, Moses and David, Daniel and Isaiah, and all the prophets of the Lord expected my coming; and lo, at the appointed season I appeared on the earth. For you I wept and prayed, and suffered and bled. Behold me as the only refuge for the soul—I can save and I destroy. Sinner, can you slight these calls from Christ? Can you treat with neglect his unbounded kindness? “Ye souls that are wounded, to the Saviour repair,
Now he calls you in mercy—and can you forbear?” EVERY true child of God will earnestly desire to be conformed to his will, not only in the way of submission, but in the discharge of active duty. The mind that is enlightened to discern the beauty of holiness, will desire to be arrayed in that holiness. The mind that perceives the excellence of the divine law will render all the obedience it demands. A spiritual view of the amiability of the divine character must excite the ardent aspiration to be conformed to that character. There are some who are satisfied with what they consider just religion enough to carry them to heaven. They regard it as they would the money requisite to bear the expenses of a journey—as the bridge which was strong enough to carry them safely over a chasm which could not otherwise be crossed. Of the genuineness of such piety we stand in doubt. There is little reason to believe that such persons have ever been spiritually enlightened to discover the vileness of their own hearts, or the purity of the law of God. He who is conscious of the defilement of sin must seek to be utterly delivered, not only from its condemnation, but from its contamination. Every one who has hope in Christ will endeavor to purify himself even as He is pure. But are such efforts consistent with being satisfied with low attainments in piety? How can such an one regard it as the very consummation of heavenly bliss not only to see Christ in glory, but to be like him? When the renewed heart pants after God, the living God, it desires him not only as the source of happiness, but as the Spirit of holiness. The prayer of the growing Christian is not only "Lift upon me the light of thy countenance, and grant me the joys of thy salvation," but "create within me a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within me; order my footsteps by thy word."—Central Presbyterian. The Fullness of Christ.
By John Flavel
Lord, the condemnation was thine that the justification might be mine; the agony thine that the victory might be mine; the path was thine and the ease is mine; the stripes thine and the healing balm issuing from them mine; the vinegar and gall were thine that the honey and sweet might be mine; the curse was thine that the blessing might be mine; the crown of thorns was thine that the crown of glory might be mine; the death was thine, the life purchased by it mine; thou paidst the price that I might enjoy the inheritance.—Flavel. There is only one thing that makes God weary, and that is sin; hence he complains, "Thou hast wearied me with thine iniquities." He that follows the Lord fully, will find goodness and mercy following him continually. As the present truth advances,
Purest love's revealed in some—
If there still should be offences,
Woe to him by whom they come. Judge not, that ye be not judged,
Was the counsel Christ did give;
For the measure we have given,
Just the same shall we receive. Jesus says, Be meek and lowly,
Nor assume to be a judge;
If we would be pure and holy,
We must love without a grudge. It requires a constant labor
Every precept to obey—
If I truly love my neighbor,
I am in the narrow way. Oft I've said unto my brother,
In thine eye there is a mote;
If thou art a friend and brother,
Hold and let me pull it out. But I could not get it fairly,
For my sight was wondrous dim;
When I came to see more clearly,
In my own there was a beam. If I love my brother dearly,
And his mote I would erase,
Then my light must shine most clearly,
For the eye's a tender place. Others I have oft reproved,
For a little scanty mote;
Now I wish this beam removed,
O! that tears might wash it out. Charity and love are healing,
These will give a clearer sight.
When I saw my brother's falling,
I was not exactly right. Now I'll take no further trouble,
Jesus' love is all my theme;
Little motes are but a bubble,
When I think upon the beam. PRAYER FOR HELP.
By A. L. Guilford
O how strong the spell that binds us,
In these dark and fearful days;
O how often Satan finds us,
Thoughtless, doing our own ways. Jesus, Saviour, pity, guide us,
Through the ills along our path;
O forgive, and help, and hide us,
From the storm of coming wrath. Lead us safely through the danger
Which along our course doth lie,
Though a lone and weary stranger,
Rest and home are up on high. When, O when shall we be holy,
Pure and spotless like our Head?
When like Jesus, meek and lowly,
Be to sin forever dead? Glorious thought! that comes to cheer us,
Sands of time are almost out;
Hour of triumph draweth near us,
Soon we'll hear the victor's shout. Soon we'll be beyond the power
Of our strong and cruel foe;
Cheering hope! thrice welcome hour,
When we leave these scenes below. Help us, Saviour, to grow stronger,
Leaning on thy gracious word;
Wait we then a little longer,
Till we hail our coming Lord. A. L. Guilford.
Monroe, Wis. DIED in Sutton, Vt., Aug. 4, 1860, of palsy, Daniel Tilton, aged about ninety years. Bro. T. embraced religion some 42 years ago. He had a love for the doctrine of the second advent of the Lord under the proclamation of the first and second angels' messages. Nine years since, he with his companion and other members of the family, embraced the Bible Sabbath, from which time he has sincerely and devoutly loved the commandments of God. He loved God's word, and the people of God, and the hours of worship with them. His peace ever seemed like a river, deep, constant and unabating. He now rests beside his companion, who died one year before. DIED, September 14, 1860, at Marcellon, Wis., Esther Leonora, only child of J. N. and Mary E. Cahoon, aged one year, two months and eight days. Words of comfort were spoken to us by Bro. R. Cooper, from the text, “I am the resurrection and the life.” L E T T E R S.
By J. H. Curtis
“Then they that feared the Lord, spake often one to another.” Bro. Smith: Having studied for some time on the Sabbath question, and being convinced of the truth, I was led to desire a further knowledge of those that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Accordingly at the request of Bro. Lawrence, of Bangor, I accompanied him on a visit to the church at Buck's Bridge, N. Y., where for the first time I met with some of this people. They were all strangers to me, yet I soon found them brethren and sisters in Christ. As I entered their little house of worship the expression of many a joyful face told in plain words that they were happy in keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. We had the pleasure of listening to an able discourse from Bro. Bourdeau, from 1 Thess. v, 23. It was meat in due season to me, being the first Advent sermon I had heard since last February. After the discourse I had the pleasure of hearing the testimonies and experience of many of the brethren and sisters. Bro. Taylor, of Rouse's Point, was present, who addressed the meeting in an able and affecting manner, also Bro. Lawrence spoke words of comfort and consolation. On first-day two were buried with Christ in baptism. We also partook of the Lord's supper, which was the most solemn season I ever experienced. Never did it seem as then to carry me back to the time when our Saviour took the passover with his disciples. To conclude, I must say that this people is my people. Here I resolved to keep all the commandments. Here I united with what I call God's people. I am now determined to stand with them. My eyes are open. I see the truth. Thanks be to God for the way he has led me. My prayer is that I may ever be found keeping all the commandments, and be preserved blameless when the Saviour shall come to number up his jewels. Yours ever waiting for the coming of our future King.
J. H. CURTIS. A ZEALOUS divine, who had prayed earnestly that God would teach him the perfect way of truth, was directed to go to a certain place, where he would find an instructor. When he came to the place, he found a man in ordinary attire, to whom he wished a good morning. “I never had a bad morning,” replied the man. “That is very singular. I wish you may always be so fortunate.” “I was never unfortunate,” said he. “I hope you will always be as happy,” said the divine. “I am never unhappy,” said the other. “I wish,” said the divine, “that you would explain yourself a little.” “That I will cheerfully do,” said he. “I said that I never had a bad morning; for every morning, even if I am pinched with hunger, I praise God. If it rains, or snows, or hails; whether the weather be serene or tempestuous, I am still thankful to God; and therefore I never have a joyless morning. If I am miserable in outward circumstances, and despised, I still praise God. You wished that I might always be fortunate; but I cannot be unfortunate, because nothing befalls me, but according to the will of God; and I believe that his will is always good, in whatever he does or permits to be done. You wished me always happy; but I cannot be unhappy, because my will is always resigned to the will of God.” The Cause Is One
By J. Clarke
The cause is one, and brethren should not confine their benefactions to their own State, but let the streams flow abroad into new fields, and to the work in general. The work should not be sectionalized. Let us be one, of one heart, one mind, one motive, one law, one faith. The work in the West is one with that in the East. Ireland is as near as Ohio; aud Russia is as dear as Iowa. The messengers west are as much entitled to our sympathy and support, as if they were at our own doors. Let us inquire, each of us, of the Lord, What wilt thou have me to do, as to my efforts, and influence, and time, in order to invest all? Who needs my help? How shall I labor to best advantage?
J. CLARKE. Pressing Forward in Consecration
Sr. B. E. Place writes from Oswego, N. Y.: “We meet with the little church in this city once in two weeks. The Lord is working, I trust, for us, begetting within us (as a church) a hungering and thirsting after entire consecration. My prayer is that we may press forward and arise together, and not stop short of being fully prepared for every good word and work.” A Church Embraces Present Truth
Bro. Wm. Hunt writes from Spring Mountains, Ohio: “Thinking that perhaps it would be a satisfaction to some to hear how we are prospering in the present truth, I write you these few lines. It has been but a short time since we embraced the Sabbath of the Lord. Bro. Butler was here last March and gave a course of lectures. When I heard him the light shone so bright that I embraced the third angel's message. I did not know then whether there would be any to go with me or not; but thank God, there were others, among whom was my companion. When I read the letters from the brethren and sisters it makes me greatly rejoice in the Lord. It is my design to be up and doing while it is called to-day, to be ready for the kingdom. We have a little church here of ten members.” Sister Mary E. Cahoon writes from Portage City Wis.: ‐Dear Brethren and Sisters, though we have never met face to face, yet I feel there is a bond which unites our hearts, even the new commandment which Christ gave to his disciples. I am still striving to serve God. Although recently called to pass through deep waters of affliction, still I love him, and trust in him. ‐The little church in this place are still striving through many trials and much darkness to press onward toward eternal life. We are earnestly desirous that some of the messengers of truth should come this way. We seem to be forsaken by them, yet we believe not by God, and we are determined to trust in him and try to keep all his commandments, hoping ere long to sing with all the redeemed the song of deliverance.‐ The Church at North Liberty
Bro. A. Worster writes from North Liberty, Ind.: ‐I would say that the Review is a welcome visitor with us here, as it comes from week to week laden with the truths of the third angel's message. I think the church here is trying to rise with the message, and go with the remnant to mount Zion. We have been strengthened since Bro. Smith has come from La Porte to live with us, for which I feel to praise the Lord. Our meetings are very good, and the Lord meets with us and that to bless, and there are some enquiring and investigating to see if these things are so. O Lord, revive the work of grace in our hearts, is my prayer, that we may grow in grace and the knowledge of the truth. Brethren pray for us that we may gain the victory.” A Testimony to Present Truth
Sister C. Howlet writes from Potton, C. E.: “I praise the Lord that he ever brought me to see the present truth. I had been for some years a seeker after truth, expecting the path to shine more and more, and when Bro. Pierce came to our house with the Sabbath, I received it in the love of it. I could not bear the thought of breaking God's holy law, and acted up to the light given me. In so doing I was greatly blessed, and could understand the Scriptures much better. I wondered every one could not see it. If we love him we shall delight to keep his commandments, and they will not be grievous. I am thankful the third angel's message ever reached me. “I hope to be found doing His commandments that I may have right to the tree of life. In order for this I must purify my heart by obeying the truth. I want to be sanctified soul, body and spirit, that every word may be seasoned with grace, that I may do some little good, and glorify God while I live. I want to see more and more of a rising in the church. We must come up on high and holy ground in order to be where the Lord can work for us. It is but a year last July since I embraced the truth. “I hope our sisters that have been longer in the message will truly be mothers in Israel, realize the responsibility that is resting upon them, and shed a holy influence in the sphere in which they move. Our daily example is either for Christ or against him. He that gathereth not with him scattereth abroad. Our communication, our dress, all our deportment in life is for the truth or against it. I lament that we are so prone to sin, but if we have in time past fulfilled the lusts of the eye and the pride of life, let us now glorify God with our bodies and spirits which are his. I rejoice that grace may reign through righteousness unto eternal life. I long to fully reflect the image of Jesus, and breath the pure and holy atmosphere of a better world than this.” ANSWERS EXPECTED.—When we write a letter to a friend, we expect an answer. We wait for it. We are disappointed if it does not come. When we ask a favor from an intimate friend, we expect to receive it. If we are hungry, and go to the house of a friend and ask for food, we wait with the expectation of seeing it set before us. We do not ask for it, and then leave the house with the air of one who expected no favorable reply to his request. How is it with respect to our prayers? Do we expect answers to them? Do we wait for them? Are we disappointed when they do not come? Or do we go to the throne of grace and make our request, and then go away with the air of one who has no expectation of receiving that which he asked for?