FROM THE PASSAGE OF THE JORDAN TO THE BUILDING OF THE TEMPLE.
ACCORDING to the commonly received chronology, it was on the tenth day of the first month of the year 1451 B. C., that the Sanctuary made its entrance into the promised land. Up to this time the children of Israel, and consequently the Sanctuary, had no particular abiding place; but now the former are entering upon their promised inheritance, and the latter also begins to be more permanently located.
The first encampment after the passage of the Jordan was in Gilgal. Josh. iv, 19. But as it is our object to confine ourselves chiefly to the Sanctuary, we shall pass by all events with which it is not particularly connected. The taking of Jericho, therefore, in which the ark of God bore a conspicuous part; the destruction of Ai; the defeat of the various alliances formed against Joshua; and the division of the land by lot; we need not particularly mention; but we will pass on to that place to which after the conquest of the land the Sanctuary was removed from Gilgal; and that place was—Shiloh. "And the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh, and set up the tabernacle of the congregation there. And the land was subdued before them." Josh. xviii, 1.
It is while the Tabernacle is located at Shiloh, that we meet with the melancholy record that
GOD FORSAKES HIS SANCTUARY.
On account of the gross wickedness of the priests and people, [1 Sam. ii.] God forsook his habitation, and gave his glory, the ark of his covenant, into the hands of the enemy. Israel went out against the Philistines to battle; but when the battle was joined, they were smitten before them; for their own sins had shorn them of their strength.
They were now left to pursue a course which should show to themselves and others to how low an estate they had fallen. They doubtless remembered how in former times their fathers had been beaten by their enemies when they took not the ark with them to battle, as in case of the Canaanites; [Num. xiv, 44, 45;] though the real cause of this defeat, they seemed not to lay to heart; and how they had succeeded with it around the walls of Jericho. From this latter circumstance taking courage, they resolved that the ark should be brought forth: vainly supposing that that alone would preserve them, when the God of that ark had departed from their midst. Therefore the ark of the covenant of the Lord of hosts was carried forth, accompanied by its adulterous priests, into a sinful and God-forsaken army. But they soon learned, by sad experience, that the ark, of itself, was no safeguard against their enemies; that its presence would not hide from the eyes of the Lord their transgression, nor avert their punishment. They were again smitten before the Philistines, and fled every man to his tent; there was a very great slaughter; the ark was taken; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were slain.
Eli, the aged high priest, sat upon a seat by the wayside anxiously waiting the result of the engagement; for "his heart trembled for the ark of God." A messenger soon returned hastily from the army and in four brief sentences made known to him the sum of their misfortune: 1. Israel is fled before the Philistines. 2. There hath been also a great slaughter among the people. 3. Thy two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead. All this the old man bore with comparative composure; for there was another object for which he was even more solicitous than for these; the dregs of this tale of bitterness were yet to come: 4. AND THE ARK OF GOD IS TAKEN! And when mention was made of the ark of God, "he fell from off the seat backward by the side of the gate, and his neck brake and he died." The ark of God lay nearer the heart of this aged and venerable man than even the welfare of Israel or the fate of his two sons. In his anxiety for that, he had overlooked all other calamities; but when his hopes in regard to this were blasted and his worst fears realized, he could no longer endure the weight of such accumulated disasters: the powers of his nature gave way; and he found his own grave in the general calamity of his country.
So dark was the cloud which Israel's wickedness had raised to obscure the sun of their prosperity. They were now dishonored in the sight of the heathen. The name of the Lord would probably be blasphemed. The capture of the ark showed that the Lord had departed from them; and the destruction of their nation, and the ruin of their religion were to them no distant prospects. The language in which they embodied the burden of their woe, was this: "The glory is departed from Israel; for the ark of God is taken."
This may be thought an unnecessary digression. But we do well to study the examples that are left on record for our learning, that we may profit by them; to mark the causes which have brought disgrace and evil upon God's chosen people in ancient times, that we may avoid them. Especially may be learned from the record here given, the importance of cherishing the ark of God, that it depart not from our midst.
Thus did sin disarrange the affairs of Israel; and the service of the Sanctuary was for a time interrupted. The ark with its mercy-seat and cherubim, which the "author of the book, Cozri," justly calls "the foundation, root, heart and marrow of the whole temple, and all the Levitical worship therein performed," was torn from it, and we must henceforth for a season trace them separately.
The Sanctuary abode in Gilgal seven years. Shiloh, the place to which it was then removed, appears to have been a considerable town about fifteen miles north from Jerusalem, and nearly in the center of the whole land. "Here," says Dr. Clarke, "the tabernacle remained one hundred and thirty years as is generally supposed;" but he gives us no special reason for this general supposition. The chronology given in the margin of our Bibles, certainly makes the time much longer; namely, from 1444 B. C., to 1141 B. C., which is 303 years. And if we take the account of Paul, we have a longer time still; for he says that after the dividing of the land by lot, God gave them (their fathers) judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet. Acts xiii, 19, 20. And it was not till after the call of Samuel the prophet, that the ark was taken from Shiloh, and captured by the Philistines.
How long the tabernacle remained there after the capture of the ark, we are not informed. But it does not appear that God's glory or the ark of his covenant, ever returned to that building. The next time the sacred historian introduces it to us, is in the days of Saul, about seventy-nine years later, when we find it at Nob, [1 Sam. xxi; Matt. xii, 3, 4.] which was about twelve miles west by north from Jerusalem. We again find it, twenty years later still, in the days of David and Solomon, at Gibeon. 1 Chron. xvi, 39; 2 Chron. i, 3. This was about eight miles north from Jerusalem. It here remained thirty-eight years, till the building of the temple.
But where is the ark of the covenant of the Lord? We left it at the battle of Eben-ezer, where it was captured by the Philistines, and the lament went up that the glory had departed from Israel; for the ark of God was taken. As it is an essential part of the Sanctuary, we will now go back and bring up its history.
It was retained in the land of the Philistines seven months. At Ashdod their god, Dagon, fell twice before it. As it was removed from thence to Gath, and from thence to Ekron, both these cities were sorely smitten on account of its presence. "So they sent and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines, and said, Send away the ark of the God of Israel, and let it go again to his place; that it slay us not, and our people." 1 Sam. v.
It was returned to Israel to Beth-shemesh. "And they of Beth-shemesh were reaping their wheat-harvest in the valley; and they lifted up their eyes and saw the ark, and rejoiced to see it." 1 Sam. vi, 13. But for presuming to look into that ark fifty thousand three score and ten men of them were smitten of the Lord. From thence it was removed to Kirjath-jearim, to the house of Abinadab, where it abode twenty years. It was during this period that all Israel lamented after the Lord. Chap. vii, 2. Then David gathered together all the chosen men of Israel and went to bring up the ark from Kirjath-jearim to Jerusalem, the city of David, to the tent which he had there pitched for it. 2 Sam. v, 1, 2; 1 Chron. xv; xvi. But on account of Uzzah's putting forth his hand to steady it, and being slain for his rashness, David was afraid, and "would not remove the ark of the Lord unto him into the city of David; but David carried it aside into the house of Obed-edom the Gittite. And the ark of the Lord continued in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite three months; and the Lord blessed Obed-edom and all his household. And it was told king David, saying, The Lord hath blessed the house of Obed-edom, and all that pertaineth unto him, because of the ark of God. So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom into the city of David with gladness." 2 Sam. vi, 9-12.
We have now traced the Sanctuary and the ark, both as to condition and place, up to the time when it was more permanently located in the glorious temple built by Solomon. The erection of this magnificent structure will therefore next claim our attention.
(To be Continued.)
THE THIRD ANGEL'S MESSAGE.
By James White
IN THE REVIEW, Nos. 14 and 15, we have endeavored to show that the Message of the Third Angel is the last call of mercy to man, that it ripens the harvest of the earth, and that it is now being given. This position will appear plain to those who carefully examine the chain of Prophecy of Rev. xiv, in connection with parallel scriptures. How solemn the position of those who espouse this Message! How responsible! And with what carefulness should they seek to learn their duty before God, and with cheerfulness labor in his cause, in view of their soon expected rest, and the eternal weight of glory.
The warning must be given. This last, testing Message must go forth, and the nominal churches and the world must be tested by it. And certainly, believers in the Message must be the honored instruments in this great work. Our opponents will not proclaim the Message. Our enemies will not help forward this work. They will do what they can to hinder it. It must be proclaimed by men of God who have the Message in their hearts, and who love to preach unpopular truth for the truth's sake, and because they feel the "woe" upon them. It must be sent forth to the world by publications and the living preacher, with the means in the hands of those who profess the Message.
The great truths of the Message have been brought133out, and are at our command. God is moving with the Message, and the people in new fields will come out to hear it, notwithstanding the most vigilant opposition of the ministry. A brother writes from the Michigan tent, that in one place where considerable labor has been spent this season, thirty-one have been immersed, and about as many more have embraced the Lord's Sabbath in that place, and that the way is open for tent-meetings almost anywhere.
The time has come. O, ye servants of the mighty God of Jacob, the time has come to sound the alarm in earnest, to give the trumpet the certain sound. O church of Christ, professing the last Message! Arouse ye, and arise and put the armor on. Let your supplications and strong cries reach the throne for the Spirit of God to be poured out upon you, and upon the Messengers, and that the gospel seed sown may be abundantly watered. And with means in your hands send the Message forth, lest the blood of souls be found on your garments.
The time has come, not to build meeting-houses, and hold the messengers on ground where the harvest seems nearly ripe for the final reaping of the Son of man; but to go forth in the wide field and labor where work can be done. This is not the time to huddle together for the sake of the society of believing friends, or to get beneath some gourd in the great West. Such may find a worm at the root. But the time has come to sacrifice and work for God. The West appears to be the field of most successful labor. How important, then, that those in the West who have the Message in them, and those who move to the West, should consecrate themselves to the work of God, instead of burying themselves up in the cares of this life. O Lord, arouse thy people.
"Immersed in sloth and folly,
Thy servants, Lord, we see;
And few of us stand ready
With joy to welcome thee.
O wake thy slumbering people;
Send forth the solemn cry,
Let all thy saints repeat it,
The Saviour draweth nigh!
May all our lamps be burning,
Our loins well girded be,
Each longing heart preparing
With joy thy face to see."
J. W.
God’s People in Dark Times
God's people are like stars, that shine brightest in the darkest night; they are like gold, that is brighter for the furnace; like incense, that becomes fragrant from burning; like the camomile plant, that grows faster when trampled on.
TENT MEETINGS IN PENNSYLVANIA AND NEW YORK.
By John Norton Loughborough, Roswell F. Cottrell,; William S. Ingraham
At Smethport, McKean Co., Pa., our meeting commenced July 12th, and continued over two Sabbaths and First-days. Our congregations were fair, numbering perhaps from four to six or seven hundred, notwithstanding strong efforts were made to keep the people from the meeting. The Methodists appointed a grove-meeting in the vicinity on the second First-day of our meeting, which doubtless drew some away who would otherwise have attended. But some of their own number were too deeply interested in the present truth to be thus led off. They heard us through, and at the close confessed the truth and took a stand with the Sabbath-keepers. We heard of four that decided to keep the Sabbath, and many others showed their interest by supplying themselves with publications to continue the examination of the evidences of the faith. Our prayer for them is, that the Lord will lead them out of error into truth.
Bro. and Sr. Southwick, who had been standing alone in the immediate vicinity of the meeting, bearing reproaches from their former brethren for whose spiritual good they had labored much in time past, were strengthened and encouraged at this meeting. May the Lord bless them still, and reward them for their labors of love in behalf of his cause and his servants. And not them alone, but all his scattered people in that region, and especially those who have just embraced the truth.
Our next meeting was held at Westfield, Tioga Co., Pa., which commenced July 26th, and held two Sabbaths and First-days. The Lord be praised for what he has done and is doing in this place! A church of about sixteen had been brought out here through the instrumentality of the Review and the publications advertised in it, and were keeping the Lord's Sabbath before they ever heard a discourse on the present truth.
The Lord wrought for us here. A deep, and we trust an abiding interest was awakened in many minds. There were not less than a thousand persons present on each of the First days; and, though it was in the most hurrying time of haying and wheat-harvest, about two hundred attended each Sabbath. On the second Sabbath we had an interesting and refreshing season on the banks of the Cowanesque, a few rods from the tent. Three believers had presented themselves for baptism, and while the solemn rite was being administered, a fourth, a man who had been sprinkled and had been a prominent church member for years, became impressed with this divine institution, and his duty to obey it; and coming forward, said that if there was no objection, he wanted to be baptized. Accordingly he went down into the water and was buried with Christ by baptism and raised to walk in newness of life, by keeping the commandments of God.
There was a Christian church in the vicinity, which, we trust, contained enough Christians to entitle it to the name. Six of its members embraced the Sabbath, including their deacon, and, we think, their clerk. As near as we could ascertain, about a dozen embraced the Sabbath at this meeting. Two ministers attended who were, we think, convicted of the truth of our position, and we hope they will come out and take a bold stand with us. One of them has been identified with the Advent movement all through since 1843. He acknowledged that he had received some light. The other had, some years ago, taken a decided stand in favor of the gifts of the primitive church, teaching that God would heal the sick in answer to the prayer of faith, as in ancient days; in consequence of which he had encountered much opposition and persecution. At the close of the meeting he was asked what he would do in respect to the Sabbath. He replied, that the people had almost been ready to kill him for what he had preached, and that if he should come out on the Sabbath, he did not know but they would kill him. "But," said he "something must be done." The Lord help them both to take a decided stand, and if necessary, lay down their lives for the truth.
Some Seventh-day Baptists were present and manifested an interest to learn our views of prophecy. May the Lord help them to see the fulfillment of prophecy in the Advent Messages, that they may embrace the present truth, and keep, not only the Commandments of God, but the Faith of Jesus also.
About $20 worth of our publications were taken during the meeting, and are scattered abroad in all that vicinity. May the Lord water the seed sown and cause it to bring forth an abundant harvest. May his blessing rest upon his dear saints there. May they still be led by the Spirit of God, prepared for all their duties here, and finally for a place in his kingdom.
Our next meeting, which was appointed for East Genoa, in the Review, was held just over the line in North Lansing, Tompkins Co., N. Y. Here we had but two days meeting, commencing Aug 9th. About a thousand attended on First-day, and considerable interest was manifest. Here also we found some of the Christian denomination, and among them one young preacher, who, we hope, will embrace the truth. They promised to search for the truth, and we hope they will find and embrace it. Many supplied themselves with publications, and we trust that good will result from this meeting.
We found a number of kind friends near the tent ground; they have our thanks for their hospitality, and our prayers to God in their behalf. The Lord bless Bro. and Sr. Lane, who are lone pilgrims in that place, and give them the company of others to travel with them to mount Zion.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH,
R. F. COTTRELL,
WM. S. INGRAHAM.
Brookfield, Madison Co., N. Y., Aug. 19th, 1856.
Tent Meeting at Reading, Hillsdale Co., Mich.
By J. H. Waggoner; M. E. Cornell
Our meetings at this place commenced on Fourth-day, Aug. 6th, and continued over First-day, Aug. 17th. The attendance was good throughout, and considerable interest was manifested to hear the Message. A number of families of Adventists reside in the neighborhood, and some of them have decided to keep the Sabbath of the Lord. Many others confess the duty, and acknowledge the correctness of our views of the prophecies; but whether they will be willing to bear the cross for Christ's sake, time alone will determine. The prospects of the cause of truth would be truly cheering if all who acknowledge it would immediately obey it; but we are encouraged to persevere, knowing that in presenting God's truth "we are unto God a sweet savor of Christ in them that are saved and in them that perish"—that our acceptance with God does not depend on the number that receive our testimony, but on our faithfulness in the discharge of our duty.
Many provided for themselves books on the present truth, with the expressed intention of investigating the subject still further. The no-law and no-Sabbath sentiment has been urged with some vigor in this vicinity, but its influence is quite small at this time; and our confident expectation is that a prosperous company of Commandment-keepers will be raised up here to glorify God in the practice of his holy truth.
Having decided to return to Hillsdale village, by request, we defer any notice of our meetings there for the present.
"Think not that I am come to destroy the law." Do not imagine that I am come to violate the law. I am not come to make the law of none effect—to dissolve the connection which subsists between its several parts, or the obligation men are under to have their lives regulated by its moral precepts.
"It is worthy of note that the word, gamar, among the rabbins, signifies not only to fulfill, but also to teach; and consequently we may infer that our Lord intimated that the law and the prophets were still to be taught or inculcated by him and his disciples; and this he and they have done in the most pointed manner."
Trials and Strength
Our trials and strength are apportioned by infinite wisdom and love; this should check fear, strangle murmuring, and produce confidence in God.
PUBLICATIONS.
By James White
By direction of the Publishing Committee we have revised the list of Publications for the REVIEW. It will be seen that the prices cover both the cost of books and postage, when they are sent by mail.
This will enable those scattered in distant places to obtain books at the same cost as those who are visited by brethren who have them to sell. There are on hand about 2000 of our excellent Hymn Book, which can be sent by mail, and postage paid, for the reduced price of 60 cts. In morocco 65 cts. J. W.
The German Tract
By Editor
The German Tract is being written, and will be completed as soon as possible, considering other important duties of the writer.
TESTIMONY FOR THE CHURCH, No. 2.—I send out a quantity of this little Tract of 16 pages, post-paid. It is free for all. Those who esteem it a pleasure can assist in the publication of such matter. E. G. White.
United in Keeping God’s Commandments
By William C. Peck
From Bro. Peck.
Bro. Smith:—I long to see all the saints of God united as one man. I feel to praise the Lord for his goodness to me. I feel truly like a lonely pilgrim here, but I do delight in keeping the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus.
I have enjoyed some happy seasons since Bro. J. B. Frisbie has been with us. Eight miles seem short for me to go to meet with the children of God on the Sabbath. O how I love the law of God. We are living in perilous times.
I remain your brother looking and praying for immortality.
Wm. C. Peck.
Lockport, Will Co. Ill.
“AND being in an agony he prayed more earnestly.” Let me ask, dear brethren, do we in this scene of manifold temptations in this period of moral darkness on the world, and amid the ten thousand evils to overcome us, do we behold that lovely form of the Man of sorrows in his agony?
Behold him, in faith, bent on the cold ground at night, amid the pensive stillness of Gethsemane, the trembling flesh bathed in blood, sweat and tears, while the willing spirit, ready to go forward at heaven’s command, even unto death—was resisting the awful powers of darkness! What do we hear? Oh, virtues, strong cry, the Son’s obedient voice—methinks I hear the melting accents echoing through Kedron’s vale, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me, nevertheless not my will but thine be done.”
Brethren, this is a glorious example—Jesus did not faint and give up to the enemy after one effort in prayer—for he went away the third time saying the same words—nor did he yield to the cruel power that sought his ruin; but as the conflict grew more severe, and the sorrows of death filled his soul, he prayed more earnestly.
Let us, my dear, tried brethren, learn of Jesus to endure temptation. Are your temptations great? is your present portion one of fiery trials? Remember Gethsemane; follow the footsteps of thy Master; “pray more earnestly” to Him who is able to save thee also from death.
His angels he hath made ministering spirits, to give them strength in the hour of trial. Brethren, may we love and serve him more.
Counsel on Prayer and Soul-Winning
In the time of prayer let no business divert thee from it, that is not of present necessity. When thou hast an opportunity of speaking a word135for the good of another's soul, defer not the doing till another time.
UP HIGHER!
By F. O. Hodge
Up higher! up higher! why cling to the sod?
'Tis not for thy good, or the glory of God.
Be zealous for truth, and be strong in the right—
Up higher, poor pilgrim, God dwells in the light!
And so when the city comes down from above,
With its light, and its joy, and its glory, and love;—
The city long looked for by prophets and seer,
When Christ in his glory as King shall appear,
That thou in that holy and glorified band
Redeemed from the earth, on Mt. Zion shall stand,
To dwell in His presence, through richest of grace
Delighting thyself in "abundance of peace."
F. O. HODGE.
Aug. 7th, 1856.
J. M. SANTEE
By J. M. Santee
From Bro. Santee.
BRO. SMITH:—It is with feelings of gratitude to God that I write to you; for if God had not opened my heart to receive the truth I should not have addressed you as brother, neither should I have loved that (poor and despised by the world) company of Commandment-keepers; but thanks to his name. He gave me to see where I was, and power to obey the call. Come out of her, my people.
I am now identified with those who are seeking by patient continuance in well-doing, for glory, honor, and immortality, and if faithful we shall soon be rewarded with eternal life.
My heart is sad when I see those who make such high pretensions to religion so opposed to the Commandments of God, as if God had altered the word that is gone out of his mouth; as though by celebrating the resurrection of the Son on the first day, the law of the Father was no longer binding upon them. The law that David said was perfect, converting the soul, is to them an imperfect one, in part at least, else why not obey it? But many when convinced of the requirements of God's law, will say it is not convenient to keep the seventh day, and if they keep one day in seven God will accept it.
Now on the same grounds if it should not be convenient to enter into our closet and pray to our Father in heaven, or to do any christian duty, especially if unpopular, may not we be excused? If we will do right if convenient, but because it is not always, we will do wrong, will not the will be taken for the deed?
O that man would consider! God is not mocked: whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. He that offends in one point is guilty of all.
J. M. SANTEE
West Cameron, N. Y.
Persevering in the Present Truth
By S. Treat
From Bro. Treat.
Bro. Smith:—Through the goodness of God I am still living, and although I live in a dark spot, I yet love the present truth, which teaches me that my journey's end is near.
I am surrounded with churches and church-members, yet I do not find myself benefitted by their precepts or example. My motto is, To the law and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this word it is because there is no light in them. And my prayer is to be sanctified through the truth; for I believe with all my heart that God's word is the truth, and if it is lived out it will lead us safely through the perils of this life, and give us a passport through the gates into the new Jerusalem. Is not this a sufficient motive to prompt us to persevere in the ways of well-doing.
I wish to have the Review continued, for I cannot well do without it.
Yours in hope of soon seeing the King in his beauty.
S. Treat.
Searsport, Aug. 10th, 1856.
Extracts from Letters.
By Editor
Bro. R. G. Weaver writes from Hudson, Mich., Aug. 16th, 1856:—"Bro. Smith, I first heard the glorious truths of the Third Angel's Message, and God's holy Sabbath a little more than three years ago last Winter. I commenced searching the Bible for testimony to prove the keeping of the first day of the week to be scriptural; but to my surprise there was not any.
"I then commenced keeping the Sabbath; and I enjoyed more of the Spirit of God the remainder of that Winter, than I had for years previous. My companion took hold of the blessed truth with me, and Bro. Arthur Johnston, a Sabbath-keeper, moved into the place about that time, and we met together most every Sabbath; and the form of the fourth was in our midst to own and bless.
"Glory be to God that I ever saw the present truth. O may I ever walk before him so that when he maketh up his jewels I may be among that happy number, that will range those blissful fields of glory."
Bro. S. I. Twing writes from West Winsted, Ct. : "I have been a believer in Adventism for five years. Last Winter I received a few of your papers : in reading those and the Bible, I found that I was not keeping the Commandments of God. I gave the subject a thorough investigation, and found that the Sabbath should be kept as well as the rest of the commandments, which I have been trying to keep since last January. There is no one that I can converse with on the subject; therefore I wish you to send me the Review."
OBITUARY.
By M. E. Cornell
Bro. Jeremiah Hilton, aged forty six years, was buried alive in this village, Aug. 7th. by the caving of a well. He embraced the present truth at our late tent meeting and was baptized. He lived but three days after his baptism, but these were days of much rejoicing; for he seemed to be perfectly captivated with the truth.
We spoke on the occasion at the Presbyterian meeting-house from the words, "The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death."
It was a solemn time. A large audience listened with unusual attention to the evidences that death is an enemy, and that it will be destroyed at the last trump and resurrection.
The "blessed hope" looked more glorious than ever before. A good impression was made in favor of the glorious truths we hold.
Bro. Hilton leaves a family and number of children to mourn the loss of a kind and affectionate husband and father, but they sorrow not as those without hope.
Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord. Amen!
M. E. CORNELL.
Hillsdale, Aug. 18th, 1856.
A Coming Saviour.
OVER the Christian's engagements, habits and pursuits, whether social, professional, literary, scientific, or otherwise, the thought of a coming Saviour exercises a strong control.
If the love of gain besets him, the eternal riches which Christ at his coming will bestow, are to him an effectual counterpoise.
If the natural bent of his mind be the love of pleasure, the anticipated joys of the second advent are calculated to quench the unhallowed flame. If the love of ease, or a lethargic indolence besets him—if some favorite pursuit too much engrosses, or some master passion with galling bondage lords it over him—in either of these cases, and in any similar ones, what a motive is here presented to an energetic effort for deliverance.
Or is he naturally ambitious? In contemplating the glories of the future, how do all the objects of human esteem sink into insignificance? Or does the love of man's applause, or the dread of man's censure—those fearfully influential principles—do those too strongly appeal to the corrupt principles within? Behold in the anticipation of a coming Saviour a principle still more influential! For when a believing man has learned to realize the smile of an approving God, how little will he esteem the applause of his fellow men.
And when he has brought home to his soul a dread of that terrible denunciation, "Depart ye cursed," how little will he care that his name is now cast out as evil! The power of the world is disarmed by the vision of things invisible, and all its pomp and circumstance, its pageants and applause, its triumphs and its fame, all these have no glory to the mind imbued with heavenly faith, by reason of the glory which excelleth.
C O M M U N I C A T I O N S .
"Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another
POWER OF PRAYER.
By Ryland
Prayer has divided seas, rolled up flowing rivers, made flinty rocks gush into fountains, quenched flames of fire, muzzled lions, disarmed vipers and poisons, marshalled the stars against the wicked, stopped the course of the moon, arrested the rapid sun in his great race, burst open iron gates, conquered the strongest devils, commanded legions of angels from heaven.
Prayer has bridled and chained the raging passions of man, and routed and destroyed vast armies of proud, daring and blustering atheists.
Prayer has brought one man from the bottom of the sea, and carried another in a chariot of fire to heaven. What has prayer not done?—Ryland.
Religious Intolerance.
"This iron bedstead they do fetch,
To try our hopes upon;
If we're too short we must be stretched,
Cut off if we're too long."
True, we are not stretched upon the rack nor burnt at the stake, but we verily believe there is about as much persecution for conscience' sake now as in centuries past. The form has changed, while the spirit remains the same.
Everybody has a bedstead, if he is too poor to have anything else, on which to place his friends; and woe betide if they are too short or too long, unless they are possessed of the tortoise faculty of contraction and expansion, according to circumstances.
Everybody's bedstead is of exactly the right dimensions, because he constructed it by the Bible; therefore, all who do not agree in religious opinions with Everybody are "Infidels, Covenanters," and the like. As if no one but Mr. Everybody was capable of ascertaining the true meaning of the Bible.
The Rev. Mr. Fearless, a few years ago, began to read the Bible for himself, and before long he formed some new opinions and renounced some old ones. As soon as this, his heresy, began to be whispered about in the church, he was bound hand and foot and cast into the Procrustean bed. His quondam brethren pulled, and tugged, and stretched, till they were quite tired out; but, alas! the conscience of Mr. Fearless was not elastic enough to suit their purpose. Then began the trimming process. His views were too broad, his sentiments were too liberal; he did not make them wicked enough, especially the babies; for he even went so far as to say he did not think them accountable for the sin of Adam! Then he made God a great deal too good. So they hacked and hewed and chipped away till the edges of all their knives were turned, for Mr. Fearless' principles were made of "uncommon hard" stuff. Finally, becoming tired of trying to soften the conscience by flagellation, they concluded to abandon the enterprise, to "scourge him and let him go!" But this must not be done without some manifestation to the world, that they set their faces as a flint against such wickedness. So the big gun ecclesiastic was loaded, enough powder put in to make an explosion suited to the criminality of the case, a forked anathema hurled at his head, and Mr. Fearless was forbidden to preach the gospel of peace and good will to man.
And why? Just because he didn't suit their bedstead. What right had Mr. Fearless to embrace and teach doctrines not found in their church; not sanctioned by his "ministerial brethren?"
What right had he to believe truth, if it chanced to be a truth not contained in the Bible, or supposed by them not to be there?
Now, in the name of Christianity and brotherly love, in the name of justice and common sense, we beg to know if one truth is not as true as another? and we ask why Mr. Fearless is not entitled to an honorable dismission from the church to which he belongs, if his religious views have so changed that he cannot remain connected with it without violating his conscience? If Mr. Fearless moves to another town from pecuniary motives, he can obtain a dismissal and recommendation from the church; but if he desires to be true to himself and his God, and sees his line of duty in a direction not parallel to their articles of faith, then he forfeits all right to an honorable dismissal!
But Mr. Fearless is a good man; Everybody admits that. Mr. Fearless no doubt is sincere in his religious views. The world's people say they believe if anybody goes to heaven Mr. Fearless will. He has ever lived an honest, upright, moral life, confessed his sins to God and prayed for forgiveness, appears to love God and his neighbor as himself, and is happy here, and expects to be more happy hereafter. What, then, is the matter? Of what crime is Mr. Fearless guilty? Why, he is not sound in doctrine. He has been measured by the bedstead of the church and did not fit! Perhaps he believes that the spirits of the dead have power in this mortal state to speak to the living; perhaps that when the body dies the soul dies also, and lives not again till the Resurrection; perhaps that the world will come to an end in ten years; perhaps not till ten thousand, or never. Or it may be he believes there is only one God, and Jesus Christ was his Son; that the wicked will finally be annihilated; that all mankind will be saved; that all but a few elect will be lost. In fine, it matters not what he believes—one belief will guillotine as quickly as another, if it chances to differ from the creed of the church to which he belongs.
These things ought not to be so. If an individual's views do not agree with his church, let him no longer remain a member of that body, but let him come out honorably, not with their curses on his head because he honestly differs from them in opinion. Not till he is guilty of some immoral act, has the church a right to exclude. We could recommend charity and forgiveness, as Christian virtues which the church would do well to strengthen by a little more practice.—Life Illustrated.