Earlier text: THE GUILT OF THOSE WHO CAUSE OTHERS TO STUMBLETHOUGHTS ON THE BOOK OF DANIEL.
VERSE 19. Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of Heaven. 20. Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God forever and ever; for wisdom and might are his; 21; and he changeth the times and the seasons; he removeth kings, and setteth up kings; he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding. 22. He revealeth the deep and secret things; he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him. 23. I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee; for thou hast now made known unto us the king's matter. Whether or not the answer came while Daniel and his companions were yet offering up their petitions, we are not informed. If it did, it shows their importunity in the matter; for it was through a night vision that God revealed himself in their behalf, which would show that they continued their supplications, as might reasonably be inferred, far into the night, and ceased not till the answer was obtained. Or, if their season of prayer had closed, and God at a subsequent time sent the answer, it would show us, as is sometimes the case, that prayers are not unavailing though not immediately answered. Some think the matter was made known to Daniel by his dreaming the same dream that Nebuchadnezzar had; but Matthew Henry considers it more probable that “when he was awake, and continuing instant in prayer, and watching in the same, the dream itself and the interpretation of it were communicated to him by the ministry of an angel, abundantly to his satisfaction.” The words, night vision, mean anything that is seen, whether through dreams or visions. Daniel immediately offered up praise to God for his gracious dealing with them; and while his prayer is not preserved, his responsive thanksgiving is fully recorded. God is honored by our rendering him praise for the things he has done for us, as well as by our acknowledging through prayer our need of his help. Let Daniel’s course be our example in this respect. Let no mercy from the hand of God fail of its due return of thanksgiving and praise. Were not ten lepers cleansed? Where are the nine? Daniel had the utmost confidence in what had been shown him. He did not first go to the king, to see if what had been revealed to him was indeed the king’s dream; but he immediately praised God for having answered his prayer. Although the matter was revealed to Daniel, he did not take honor to himself as though it was by his prayers alone that this thing had been obtained, but immediately associated his companions with himself, and acknowledged it to be as much an answer to their prayers as to his own. It was, said he, “what we desired of Thee,” and thou hast made it “known unto us.” VERSE 24. Therefore Daniel went in unto Arioch, whom the king had ordained to destroy the wise men of Babylon; he went and said thus unto him: Destroy not the wise men of Babylon; bring me in before the king, and I will show unto the king the interpretation. Daniel’s first plea is for the wise men of Babylon. Destroy them not; for the king’s secret is revealed. True, it was through no merit of theirs or their heathen systems of divination that this revelation was made; they were worthy of just as much condemnation as before. But their own confession of utter impotence in the matter was humiliation enough for them; and Daniel was anxious that they should so far partake of the benefits shown to him as to have their lives spared. Thus they were saved because there was a man of God among them. And thus it ever is. For the sake of Paul and Silas, the bands of all the prisoners were loosed. Acts xvi, 26. For the sake of Paul, the lives of all that sailed with him were saved. Chap. xxvii, 24. These are but specimens of the countless instances all along the track of time in which the wicked have been benefited by the blessings of the righteous. Well would it be if they would remember the obligations under which they are thus placed. And what saves the world now? For whose sake is it still spared? For the sake of the few righteous persons who are yet left. Remove these, and how long would the wicked be suffered to run their guilty career? No longer than the Sodomites were suffered, after Lot had departed from their polluted and polluting presence. Yet the wicked will despise, ridicule, and oppress, the very ones on whose account it is that they are still permitted the enjoyment of life and all its blessings. VERSE 25. Then Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in haste, and said thus unto him, I have found a man of the captives of Judah, that will make known unto the king the interpretation. It is ever a characteristic of ministers and courtiers to ingratiate themselves with their sovereign. So here Arioch represented that he had found a man who could make known the desired interpretation; as though with great disinterestedness in behalf of the king, he had been searching for some one to solve his difficulty, and had at last found him. In order to see through this deception of his chief executioner, the king had but to remember, as he probably did, his interview with Daniel, verse 16, and Daniel’s promise, if time could be granted, to show the interpretation thereof. VERSE 26. The king answered and said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, Art thou able to make known unto me the dream which I have seen, and the interpretation thereof? 27. Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, show unto the king; 28; but there is a God in Heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream and the visions of thy head upon thy bed are these. Art thou able to make known the dream? was the king’s doubtful salutation to Daniel, as he came into his presence. Notwithstanding his previous experience, the king seems to have questioned Daniel’s ability, so young and inexperienced, to make known a matter in which the aged and venerable magicians and soothsayers had utterly failed. Daniel declared plainly that the wise men, the astrologers, the soothsayers, and magicians could not make known this secret. It was beyond their power. Therefore the king should not be angry with them, nor put confidence in their inefficient superstitions. He then proceeds to make known the true God who rules in Heaven, and is the only revealer of secrets. And he it is, says Daniel, who maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. VERSE 29. As for thee, O king, thy thoughts came into thy mind upon thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter; and He that revealeth secrets maketh known to thee what shall come to pass. 30. But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but for their sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king, and that thou mightest know the thoughts of thy heart. Here is brought out another of the commendable traits of Nebuchadnezzar’s character. Unlike some rulers who fill up the present with folly and debauchery, without regard to the future, he thought forward upon the days to come, with an anxious desire to know with what events they should be filled; doubtless that he might the better know how to make a wise improvement of the present. It was for this reason that God gave him this dream, which we must regard as a token of the divine favor toward this king; as there were many other ways in which the truth involved in his dream could have been brought out, equally to the honor of God’s name, and the good of his people at that time, and the benefit of subsequent generations. Yet God would not work for the king independently of his own people; hence, though he gave the dream to the king, he sent the interpretation through one of his own acknowledged servants. Daniel first disclaimed all credit for himself in the transaction, and then to modify somewhat the feelings of pride which it would have been natural for the king to have, in view of being thus noticed by the God of high Heaven, he informed him indirectly that, although the dream had been given to him, it was not for his sake altogether that the interpretation was sent, but for their sakes through whom it should be made known. Ah! God had some servants there, and it was for them he was working. They are of more value in his sight than the mightiest kings and potentates of earth. Had it not been for them, the king would never have had the interpretation of his dream, probably not even the dream itself. Thus, when traced to their source, all favors upon whomever bestowed, are found to be due to the regard which God has for his own children. How comprehensive was the work of God in this instance. By this one thing of revealing the king’s dream to Daniel, he accomplished the following objects: 1. He made known to the king the things he desired. 2. He saved his servants who trusted in him. 3. He brought conspicuously before the Chaldean nation the knowledge of the true God. 4. He poured contempt on the false systems of the soothsayers and magicians. And 5. He honored his own name, and exalted his servants in their eyes. SACRED NOTIONS. No. 1.
By R. F. COTTRELL
PARDON me for the title. I only mean certain religious notions or fancies which are esteemed sacred by those who hold them. Almost every person has some of them, and they stand right in the way of the reception of the truth. The truth would be embraced if it only harmonized with the various notions of individuals—mere fancies which they hold as fixed facts and established doctrines. But if the truth is fully embraced, these notions have to be parted with, though the yielding of them be as painful as the pulling of eye-teeth. My early religious education was a cross between the doctrines of Seventh-day Baptists and those of the denomination calling themselves Christians. The true Sabbath was taught me from my infancy, and I thank God that I never have been tempted to give it up; but in other doctrines my bias was toward the Christian denomination, so that my proper appellation would have been Seventh-day Christian. A leading feature of the Christian denomination was the rejection of all human creeds. This I heartily embraced, and believe to this day that it is a sound plank in the platform. But it is the policy of Satan, when people are embracing truth, to mix in some error, some mere notion, which they may hold with all the assurance and pertinacity with which they hold the truth. And so it happened that with this truth a mere notion was connected, which was esteemed equally sacred with the truth. A motto with me was, “No creed but the Bible, and no name for Christians but such as is found applied to them in the Bible.” This connecting a mere whim with a truth so self-evident, was the cause of the difficulty in my mind in regard to choosing an appropriate name for ourselves, suggestive of the peculiar and important doctrines which we hold. It would have been a bad thing for me, though it would have pleased Satan well, had I gone down to perdition because I could not relinquish a mere notion which I had connected with truth, and esteemed equally sacred. I am well pleased with the name, Seventh-day Adventist. It tells at a breath what we profess, and what the church of Christ that are to be translated, will be. When you tell an inquirer that you are a Seventh-day Adventist, if he knows the meaning of these simple words, you have suggested to him your faith and practice. It may lead him to a volume of reflections. But had we taken the name of Christian, Disciple, or Church of God—Bible names, but already appropriated to themselves by factions—after giving our name, to make it intelligible we should have to go through a long circumlocution of our faith and practice. I like our name, and like to tell it to the inquirer. And as it was not wrong for the disciples to be called Christians first at Antioch, some years after the commencement of the proclamation of the gospel37 of a risen and glorified Saviour, so it is no more wrong for the remnant of God's people, “who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ,” and are to be translated at the second advent, to be first called Seventh-day Adventists while they are embracing the last prophetic message of the gospel, and preparing for that advent. We can prove from the Scriptures that those Christians who will be found living upon the earth at the second coming of Christ, will be Seventh-day Adventists; for they will keep the commandments of God, and be found waiting for his Son from Heaven. Rev. xii, 17; xiv, 12; Isa. xxv, 9; Heb. ix, 28; Matt. xxiv, 46; Luke xii, 36, 37. But this article is long enough for the space it should occupy; therefore I must reserve further thoughts for a second number. R. F. COTTRELL. REPORT FROM BRO. VAN HORN.
By I. D. Van Horn
AFTER spending about two weeks at Battle Creek, resting, and preparing for winter, I started Dec. 4, to visit my parents and other relatives near Jackson. The 5th, I attended the Monthly Meeting at Jackson. We had a good meeting. Friends from Parma, Tompkins, and Leslie, were present. All were encouraged to press on and obtain the victory. Sabbath, the 12th, I spent in Tompkins. It brought many pleasant reflections to my mind to be in the society of those once more with whom I first united in church fellowship. I think my visit among them was not in vain. The following Sabbath I enjoyed a good meeting in Leslie. Brethren and sisters came in from Tompkins and Bunker Hill, and there was a much larger attendance than I had expected. The Lord gave freedom while we tried to impress on their minds the solemn times in which we are living. We traced down the prophetic periods, and showed definitely that the hour of Judgment began in 1844. We then examined the sanctuary question for a few moments, and as we saw that Jesus was now cleansing the heavenly sanctuary, we all felt the importance of being on the watch, lest the Lord coming suddenly find us sleeping. My visit at Leslie I trust has been for the good of the cause, and the encouragement of its friends. On Monday, Dec. 21, I started north to follow up my work in Blendon and Casnovia. On arriving at Blendon I was glad to learn that those who had accepted the truth were still holding on. I spent a week here, holding meetings almost every night, which gave new encouragement to all. On the Sabbath, three sleigh-loads of the brethren and sisters from Wright came over and met with us. The blessing of the Lord was with us, and we enjoyed a good meeting. There are a few here, who have lately accepted the truth, that love it, and are trying to carry it out. May the Lord help them. On my way to Casnovia I spent the last two days of the old year in Wright. I held two meetings with them. These were well attended, and we had freedom in declaring the word of truth. We made arrangements for monthly meetings to be held alternately with the churches in Wright, Blendon, and Casnovia. The first was appointed to be held at Wright, the 16th and 17th of Jan., 1869. The great object for which these meetings are established, is that the brethren of experience in the cause at Wright might be a help to those who have lately embraced the faith. New Year's morning we rode through a heavy snow-storm twelve miles to Casnovia. I was pleased to learn that nearly all that had taken hold of the truth, still remained firm. I labored among the friends here two weeks; during which time I gave twelve discourses, held four prayer and social meetings, and one business meeting. All these meetings were well attended. Many who have not taken hold of the truth, had not lost their interest to hear. We have hopes that some will yet accept the truth, and join the little band of believers here. In our business meeting we organized a church of twelve members. This was a good meeting. The Lord sanctioned the work by his blessing. Bro. E. Higley was chosen and ordained their elder. We organized a S. B. to the amount of $127.40 per year. They all express their hearty acceptance of this plan. May the Lord be with and bless them, and may they make sure work for the kingdom. Friday, Jan. 15, we came back to Wright to attend the Monthly Meeting. Most of the friends from Casnovia came with us, and there were some over from Blendon. We had four meetings, and the interest increased to the last. The Lord was with us. We all felt encouraged as one from Casnovia made a start to keep all the commandments of God. We all feel to praise the Lord for his goodness to us. LABORS IN MICHIGAN.
By A. O. Burrill; E. B. Lane
SINCE our last report, we have been laboring among a society of United Brethren, in the town of Chester, Eaton Co., Mich. We were cordially received by this people, who became much interested in the truths we presented. Our lectures were listened to with good attention, conviction evidently reaching the hearts of many. With these encouraging prospects, we gave seventeen discourses, which brought us to the time of their regular Quarterly Meeting. Had passed the testing points of our faith, and were not disappointed in our expectations of opposition at this time. I will here mention that Bro. Burrill was called away on account of sickness in his family, his place being supplied by Bro. Gage, who arrived during the closing discourse of their meetings, just in time to hear a volley of abuse from a professed minister of Christ. Many false statements were made concerning us as a people. Bro. G. deemed it necessary to correct one of the worst, and, as the result, was openly charged with dishonesty by the elder. Notwithstanding our right to the church in which we were laboring, was secured by paying a liberal rent, we were refused the house, that they might hold a protracted meeting; but the people were so much displeased with their arrangements that they finally took up their appointments. Had this concluded our difficulties, we should have felt quite fortunate; but at our next appointment, we were challenged to debate several leading points of our faith. This challenge was substantiated by a unanimous vote of the people. Bro. G. therefore accepted. His opponent, a presiding elder of the United Brethren society, also member of our State Legislature, having discussed some of these questions with Bro. R. J. Lawrence, was prepared to move very cautiously, keeping as clear as possible of the vital points of the orthodox views; therefore much that he advanced, was foreign to the subject, making it very difficult to meet him in debate. These discussions were attended by a crowded house, and the spirit manifested by the disputants seemed satisfactory to all. The judges not being willing to decide these questions, each person was left to decide for himself. We continued our labors some time after, giving twenty-nine discourses. A few have decided to obey the truth. May God help them to prove faithful, and at last be prepared to meet him with joy and not with grief, at his appearing. A. O. BURRILL.
E. B. LANE. DEERFIELD QUARTERLY MEETING.
By E. W. Darling
The Deerfield church held their Quarterly Meeting according to appointment Dec. 5 and 6. This church has been reduced by the members moving to other parts; yet quite a little company assembled, most of them coming from four to twelve miles. Eld. Stephen Pierce was present and gave three discourses. His words of exhortation, and faithful warning took good effect in the hearts of those that heard. Tears flowed, and some who had long held out against the Lord broke down and began to seek the way of life. Bro. Pierce seemed to have renewed his age, and was stirred with new life in the work of the Lord. We felt that he was God's ambassador, doing his work for the final Judgment, so soon to close in sentence upon all mankind. We hope that the long roads and dreary winters of Minnesota may not destroy his health, but may he still be spared, a father to the churches. Our social meetings were marked by confessions and resolutions to move forward with God's people; yet some still seemed indifferent. How much longer can the sinner safely put off repentance? How long before the lukewarm will be spued out? God knoweth. Let us beware. The little flock were much encouraged. One brother said this was the best Quarterly Meeting he had ever attended. The careful method of reading the Scriptures, introduced to us by the preacher, was worthy to be remembered. For example we are told by the apostle, If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God. What are the oracles? Stephen declares that the lively oracles were received by the fathers to give unto us, referring evidently to the law of God. Acts, vii, 38. And Paul claims this to be the chief advantage of the Jews. Rom. iii, 2. Thus we find the exhortation of the apostle, agreeing with the words of the prophet. To the law and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. Isa. viii, 20. By these scriptures we are admonished to frame our words according to the law of God.38 The subject matter of the discourse was quite similar to what has already been reported. There is however one point which I desire to notice. In Zeph. ii, 1, 2, the people of God are exhorted to gather together before the decree bring forth. This decree is usually called styled the decree of the image. Rev. xiii, 15; but our brother objected because that decree will never bring forth. He took the ground that this decree referred to the final closing sentence of the present session of the court of Heaven, which will soon bring forth in fearful consequence upon all mankind. “He that is unjust let him be unjust still; and he which is filthy let him be filthy still; and he that is righteous let him be righteous still, and he that is holy let him be holy still. Rev. xxii, 11. 1. Notice it does not say before the decree goes forth, but before the decree bring forth; that is, before the result of the decree or its execution be realized. 2. God does not warn men to fear and tremble at the decrees of men; but on the contrary the Saviour says, Be not afraid of them that kill the body. 3. The fierce anger of the Lord is spoken of in close connection as the result of the decree, and of not heeding the warning to gather into the unity of the faith, and to seek meekness and righteousness. 4. The fierce anger of the Lord is of far greater consequence to the people of God while on probation, than the wrath of man; and it is a duty to seek to escape the one; while it would be only foolish, at the present time, to be trying to evade the other. GOD IS NO RESPECTER OF PERSONS.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
It is strange how blind men will become in their opposition to God and his word. The other day a man brought up to me this objection against the word of God, viz., It says that God is no respecter of persons, and in another place it shows that God was a respecter of persons, for he destroyed the Canaanites and preserved the Israelites alive. * So he loved Abraham, and communed with him; but had nothing to do with the heathen nations around him. Hence it follows that God was partial, and a respecter of persons. But let us see in what sense God is a respecter of persons; whether it means that he respects alike both good and bad, saint and sinner, the pure and the vile, or whether it means something else. The whole passage reads thus: “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons; but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.” Acts x, 34, 35. Peter was a Jew, and had been taught that God loved the Jews above all other people, and that he did not respect the Gentiles. But when he saw that God was with Cornelius, a Gentile, he exclaimed as above that God equally respected and accepted in every nation him who feared God, and worked righteousness. It is these qualifications that God respects in every person of any nation. It does not assert that he respects alike both righteous and wicked. God destroyed the Canaanites because of their abominable wickedness. Deut. xviii, 9–12. He loved and blessed Abraham, “because,” says God, “that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.” Gen. xxvi, 5. If we first misrepresent God’s word, or misunderstand it, then it is easy to find contradictions in it. But when the great day of God shall reveal every secret, and expose every falsehood, then, even the lost will have to say, “True and righteous are thy judgments, Lord God Almighty.” May we say so now. MEETINGS IN MICHIGAN.
By Joseph Bates
Our last report was from St. Charles. From thence, Dec. 3, we came to Tittabawassee, Saginaw Co., where we were very kindly received and cared for by brethren and sisters in the Lord, who had recently commenced the keeping of the commandments of God and faith of Jesus in the third angel’s message, and erected a commodious and convenient house to worship in, under the labors of Bro. M. E. Cornell. From the 3d to 9th, we held eight meetings with them and one in Midland. They were encouraged, and many declared their determination to wait and watch for the return of the Lord from the wedding. Some had waxed cold, but resolved to press forward with the church and overcome. From Dec. 9 to 23, we were holding meetings with the four churches in Tuscola Co., namely, Tuscola village, Centerville, Vassar, and Watrousville. At Vassar our place of worship on the Sabbath was crowded with Sabbath-keepers from three of the above-named churches. At Watrousville, the following Sabbath, the brethren had so far completed their house of worship that nearly all the Sabbath-keepers in the county, with many of their friends, were pleasantly accommodated and interested in the meetings. Many were manifestly strengthened and encouraged while at the meetings, and in celebrating the ordinances of the Lord’s house, and professed an anxious desire to be “waiting and watching for the Master’s return, who is to bring the morning.” God grant that they may be found ready in that day. Centerville, the county seat, is increasing its population so fast with strangers from abroad, the brethren are anxious to have a messenger give a course of lectures in the village, and they will endeavor to sustain him. Dec. 24–28, we were visiting from house to house, and holding meetings with the church in Holly, Oakland Co. Two were added to the church. Brethren from Tyrone, Fentonville, and S. Genoa, came to the meetings. Many testimonies were borne in our social gatherings to the edification and encouragement of those present. How encouraging to hear the people of God declare their ardent desires to be in a waiting, watching position for the return of our Lord from the wedding. Our prayer is, that not only these and all which we have so recently visited, but all the remnant people of God, everywhere, may strive most earnestly to get into this important position. To strengthen and encourage our hearts to press forward unwaveringly in this heavenly work, let us bring to remembrance the work of the great camp-meeting gathering at Wright, the first week in September last, where this startling truth was presented to the waiting congregation by Bro. and Sr. White, and Bro. Andrews, and set home to our hearts with power by the Spirit of the Holy One; and also Bro. Smith’s report of the same in Review for Sept. 15, 1868, particularly the following extract from the last paragraph in the first column: “Prominent among the the truths presented was the startling fact that the return of the Bridegroom from the wedding, is his coming out from the most holy place, whither he went in to the marriage in 1844. In what a solemn position does this place the church—waiting, not for the appearance of the Lord in the clouds of heaven, which is not to come unheralded; but for the time when his work in the most holy shall close, and the day of probation end. And this coming is to take place—at what hour we know not; this coming is to be sudden; at this coming we are to be ready to open unto him immediately.” “Jesus has left us word, ‘Watch ye, therefore; for ye know not when the Master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning; lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.’ We are waiting and watching for the Master’s return, who is to bring the morning, lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. “What time is here referred to? Not the revelation of Christ in the clouds of heaven to find a people asleep. No; but his return from his ministration in the most holy, laying off his priestly attire, and clothing himself with garments of vengeance, when the mandate goes forth, He that is unjust let him be unjust still; and he that is filthy let him be filthy still; and he that is righteous let him be righteous still; and he that is holy let him be holy still. “When Jesus ceases to plead for man, the cases of all are decided forever. This is the time of reckoning with his servants. Those who have neglected the preparation of purity and holiness, fitting them to be waiting ones to welcome their Lord, their sun sets in gloom and darkness, and rises not again. Probation closes. Christ’s intercessions cease in Heaven, and it is finally sudden upon all, and those who have neglected the purifying of their souls by obeying the truth, are found sleeping.” Page 94. “The Master has come, and instead of their being ready to open unto him immediately, they are locked in a worldly slumber, and are lost at last. “A company was presented before me in contrast with the one described. They were waiting and watching. Their eyes were directed heavenward, and the words of their Master were upon their lips, ‘What I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.’ ‘Watch ye, therefore, for ye know not when the Master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning; lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.’ The Lord intimates a delay before the morning finally dawns. He would not have them give way to weariness, nor relax their earnest watchfulness, because the morning does not open upon them as soon as they expected. The waiting ones were represented to me as looking upward. They were encouraging one another, repeating these words, ‘We are in the third watch, waiting and watching for the Master’s return. There remains but a little period of waiting now.’” pp. 95, 96. “The passing of the second watch has brought us to the third, and now it is inexcusable to relax our watching. The third watch calls for threefold earnestness. To become impatient now would be a loss of all our earnest persevering heretofore. The long night of gloom is trying, but the morning is deferred in mercy, because if the Master should come, so many would be found unready. God’s unwillingness to have his people perish, has been the reason of so long delay. But the time of the coming of the morning to the faithful, and the night to the unfaithful, is right upon us. By thus waiting and watching, God’s people are to manifest their peculiar separate character from worldlings. By our watching positions we are to show how truly we are strangers and pilgrims upon the earth.” pp. 97, 98. From the foregoing statements we learn that we are in the closing up of the third watch, (Mark xiii, 35,) which brings the morning, and the coming of said morning is now “right upon us.” Then our Lord returns from his ministration in the most holy place, and probation ceases forever. And also that “this is the time of reckoning with his servants.” “Blessed are all those servants whom the Lord when he cometh shall find watching.” “Watchmen on the walls of Zion,
What, O tell us, of the night?
Is the daystar now arising?
Will the morn soon greet our sight?
O’er your vision shine there now some rays of light?
“Light is beaming; day is coming!
Let us sound aloud the cry;
We behold the daystar rising
Pure and bright in yonder sky!
Saints rejoice now—your redemption draweth nigh.” Monterey, Mich., Jan. 8, 1869. P. S. In Review for Oct. 6, 1868, p. 197, column 2, 6th paragraph, I made an error of a few words relative to the watches, which I wish to correct, that it may read as follows: Most prominent among the truths presented was the startling fact that we are now in the closing up of the third watch which brings the morning (Mark xiii, 35); and the return of our Lord from the wedding (Luke xii, 36,) is not his coming in the clouds of heaven, as has been supposed, &c.
J. B. REPORT FROM BRO. MATTESON.
By John Matteson
I LABORED one week in Ashley before I went to Stanton. The Baptists had the entire control of the neighborhood, so it was impossible to get a fair hearing. Yet there was an aged couple in that place who did gladly receive the truth. I stayed in their house while there, and they kept one Sabbath with me. Their hearts were made glad by the truth, and they wanted to prepare for the coming of the Saviour. This brother is eighty-three years old. He has used tobacco since he was twelve years old; but when he understood that we must cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh if we would meet Jesus in peace, he at once quit the use of the filthy weed. I feared that he would be sick for a while. “John,” said he, one morning, “I feel better every day since I left that filthy habit.” How did you get rid of it so soon? “The Lord has made me whole; I hanker after tobacco no more, but rejoice in the Lord.” Brother Tobaccouser, go thou and do likewise. I have lately heard from these aged friends that they are firm and rejoice in the truth. Our Danish brethren in Montcalm Co. are also doing well. Two more have embraced the Sabbath since I was there. They have interesting Sabbath-meetings. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. Last Monday evening I finished my meetings in Stanton for the present. I have labored there seven weeks. In the school-house we have had a very convenient place for meeting. A strong effort was made to shut us out, but did not prove successful. Some of the most influential men in the place stood up for equal rights. There has been a strong current of opposition in private. Baptists and Methodists have tried hard to keep people away from meeting; yet some of their own members would attend to the last. The tongue of slander has been very busy. Miserable stories have been peddled about Sr. White and S. D. Adventists in general. Stanton is a bad place for such things; yet we have had a good hearing. The attendance has varied from 40 to 100. Much prejudice has been overcome, and the last meetings were best attended. There were six Sabbath-keepers in the place before I came. Twelve more have decided to keep the commandments, and others are investigating, who we trust will come along. We have had very interesting prayer and Sabbath meetings, where all felt the influence of the Holy Spirit. A lawyer in the place, who is a member of the Baptist church, has attended most of the meetings. He tried twice to oppose; first the immortality question, and afterward the Sabbath. The last time he got so divided against himself that he recalled some of his own statements. Last evening he again requested to speak. He said he was afraid some had become unsettled on general truths of the gospel, and he wanted to warn them against it. He was invited into the stand. Requested to open by prayer, but excused himself. Received permission to occupy the time first. Spoke nearly half an hour. Stated what S. D. Adventists believed concerning the second coming of Christ, state of the dead, immortality, destruction of the wicked, and the Sabbath. Said that none of these theories, except the Sabbath, effected our practice. Reasoned so much in our favor that it left quite a good impression on the people. Said he himself was unsettled about the Sabbath. If the seventh day was still holy, we certainly ought to keep it, by all means; but if the first day was holy we ought to keep that; yet no direct testimony was found in the Bible for keeping the first day. I spent a few minutes to try how much light there was in him on the law and the testimony, and then went on to preach a parting discourse to an attentive and interested congregation. Then we had a class-meeting. About 30 stayed. Many solemn and affecting testimonies were given. Brethren Hodges and Philo are appointed to lead the meetings. We have organized a Bible Class, and their regular meetings will be as follows: Prayer-meeting every Wednesday evening, and Sabbath, 10, A. M., Bible Class Sabbath, 2, P. M. We would be glad to have brethren from a distance meet with them whenever39 you can do so consistent with other duties. Then please keep in mind two things when you go: Be punctual, and don’t come and disturb the meeting one hour after it has commenced. I think this would be well for all our brethren to remember and put in practice at all meetings. Come to take part in the meeting, that you may encourage others by your own lively hope. If you have not got a lively hope as yet, try hard to get one; it is high time. Hasten to make sure of the immortal inheritance before Jesus leaves the heavenly temple. May the Lord help and bless the brethren in Stanton, and help them to live for eternity. I intend next to labor in Alaiedon as long as the interest demands, commencing about the middle of January. My address will then be Mason, Ingham Co., Mich. Till then, I will rest and try to be ready for another effort.
JOHN MATTESON. Eden, Ingham Co., Mich., Dec. 31, 1868. Salvation Through the Cross
THERE is no salvation of the soul, no hope of everlasting life, but in the Cross.