Review and Herald, Vol. 49, No. 10.
FRANCIS WAYLAND, D. D., ON THE SABBATHPage 1
Earlier text: OUR RESPONSIBILITYNOTES OF THE DISCUSSION IN KANSAS.—THE KINGDOM.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
10. Of course my opponent had to argue that Christ was now sitting upon the throne of David, was now in actual possession of that kingdom, than which nothing could be more absurd and contradictory to the Scripture. Two points alone upset his entire theory. I pressed them upon him in every speech, and yet he never noticed them in any way, shape, or manner. I would stop in my speech, turn to him, and appeal to him to put these points down in his notes, and then be sure not to forget them; but in his next speech he was entirely silent about them. Then I would repeat them again, and again he would fail to mention them. Everybody saw that it was because he could not answer them. The first point was this: Gabriel says Jesus shall reign over the house of Jacob forever. Is the house of Jacob the church of Christ? On the other questions he had taken such positions that now he dare not affirm that the house of Jacob was the Christian church. Secondly, I requested him to show how Christ was now sitting on the throne of David. If he could not show this, then of course he lost his question. The first time I asked him this question, he thought he had an answer ready, and so very triumphantly referred to 1 Chron. 29:23: “Then Solomon sat on the throne of the Lord as king, instead of David his father.” Notice the point: The angel said that Jesus should sit on the throne of David his Father; but where is Jesus now? In Heaven. On what throne is he sitting? On the throne of the eternal God in Heaven. But is that the throne of David? This my opponent attempted to prove by the above scripture. But what does it say? It simply states that the throne of David on which Solomon sat was the throne of the Lord. Very true, and so it was; for the earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof. All kingdoms are his. But how does this prove that the throne of the great God in Heaven, on which Christ is now sitting, is the throne of David? The reader will see that it does not prove it at all. Because the throne of David on earth belonged to the Lord, my opponent had to argue that therefore the throne of the eternal God in Heaven also belongs to David. What an absurdity! He never seemed to have thought of this difficulty. After I showed him his failure, he never attempted to refer to it again, though I pressed it upon him in every conceivable manner. Now that the throne of David upon which Christ is to sit is not the throne of God in Heaven is very plainly shown from the following facts: (1) David once had a throne on earth, while, at the same time, the throne of God was in Heaven. (2) David did reign over the twelve tribes on this earth. (3) That throne was cast down. Ps. 89:44. (4) God promised that this throne of David should be rebuilt. Amos 9:11. (5) God promised that it should be eternal. Ps. 89:19-34. (6) God promised that Christ in his flesh should sit upon this throne. Acts 2:29, 30. But his present kingdom is only a spiritual kingdom. (7) When Christ sits upon the throne of David, he will reign over the house of Jacob. Luke 1:33. But he is not reigning over the house of Jacob now. (8) Then the twelve apostles will sit on twelve thrones reigning with him. Matt. 19:28. But they are not reigning now. (9) His reign will be eternal. Luke 1:33; Isa. 9:7. Notice, not only the kingdom of Christ is to be eternal, but there is to be no end to his reign. Here is a square contradiction to the Campbellite position. They say that the reign of Christ ends when he comes and delivers up the kingdom to his Father. Thus their theory says, that of his reign there shall be an end, while Gabriel says, it shall have no end. (10) His kingdom will have no end. Luke 1:33; Rev. 11:15. But if he gives up the kingdom to his Father, then it must have an end. (11) But David’s throne was never in Heaven. Acts 2:39. This alone shows that the throne of God in Heaven is not David’s throne. (12) God’s throne in Heaven upon which Christ now sits was never David’s throne. David never sat upon it, never had it in any conceivable sense. Hence this is not the throne to which the promise relates. The Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David. How can a man be so blind as to say that this means the throne of God in Heaven? (13) David’s throne was cast down. Ps. 89:48. But God’s throne was never cast down. This shows that they are not the same. (14) The throne which Christ is to have was to be set up in the days of certain kings. Dan. 2:44. Eld. Shick claimed that this took place on the day of Pentecost. Very well; we ask, then, was the throne of God set up on the day of Pentecost? Had it never been set up before? or had it been thrown down? or was it now rebuilt? How absurd! (15) David was not a priest and king as Christ now is. Heb. 6:20; 7:1. (16) My opponent claimed that the church of Christ was the kingdom of God, which is certainly true, if he meant by that kingdom the kingdom of grace. But David never ruled over the church, was not the head of the church. The high priest was the head of that. (17) God’s kingdom was a kingdom which was to be restored. Acts 1:6. (18) Christ’s throne will remain in the new earth eternally; Rev. 22:5; while the kingdom which he now has will be given up to the Father at the second advent. (19) The church will end, and the kingdom of grace will end. 1 Cor. 15:23-28. (20) David’s throne was not set up at Pentecost. (21) Neither was the church first set up there, because we distinctly read that on that day about three thousand souls were added to the church. Then the church existed before that time. (22) All this talk about a kingdom’s being set up on the day of Pentecost is made up out of pure imagination. The record does not say one word about it. 12. It was not to be set up till after Rome was divided into ten parts. Dan. 2:31-44. 13. It was not to be set up till after the rise and fall of the papacy. Dan. 7:8-14, 23-27. But the papacy did not rise for over five hundred years after Christ, and is in existence yet; hence the kingdom of Christ is future. 15. The kingdom which Christ now has, and the throne upon which he is sitting are his Father’s, and are to be delivered up, and to end. 1 Cor. 15:23-28. 17. It was prepared from the foundation of the world; Matt. 25:34; Acts 3:19-21; hence it cannot be a Christian church first organized on the day of Pentecost. 19. Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Cor. 15:50. But flesh and blood are baptized into the kingdom of God, according to the teachings of the Disciple Church. 20. All these facts show that the kingdom of God referred to in Dan. 2:44, and Luke 1:31-34, is not the church of Christ, but is the kingdom yet in the future. Many interesting points remain in the debate upon this question, which I have not time to notice. The setting up of the kingdom on the day of Pentecost is one of the main pillars in the Disciple faith. When it falls, the main prop goes from under that system; and yet with our position on the kingdom question, they cannot meet us at all. Eld. Shick made a worse failure upon this question than upon any other we discussed. He got himself into several most absurd and amusing dilemmas. Each turn he made, he only got deeper into the mire. He felt this very sensibly, and so did his friends. Thus closed our debate. D. M. CANRIGHT. Sabbath at Battle Creek.
By C. W. S.
The exercises of last Sabbath, March 3, were of a very encouraging nature. It had been announced the week before that baptism would be administered, and the ordinances celebrated. The candidates for baptism were examined by the committee upon Sabbath eve. Sabbath forenoon I spoke upon the gifts, from John 14: 16. At 2 P. M. Bro. Smith spoke upon the Christian ordinances, baptism and the Lord’s supper. Then the congregation repaired to the riverside to witness the baptism of eighteen persons, by Elds. Fargo and Olsen. Eight of them have started to serve God recently. Thirteen are students at our College, and two are helpers in this Office. It was an interesting scene. Some who had been wearing gold, had laid it aside, choosing rather that pearl of great price. May God bless and guide them. In the evening the ordinances were celebrated. It was a solemn season. Four of those baptized will unite with churches in other places. The rest, and six others by letter, twenty in all, were received into this church. May the good work go on, and many others of the dear youth who are here be led to take a firm stand for the truth. The Resurrection.
By R. F. C.
Recent articles in the Signs of the Times on this subject meet my approval. For many years I have seen no necessity for contending that the identical particles of dust must constitute the resurrected body. To the individual, the identity will be in the consciousness and memory; and to others, the form and features will be recognized, though without any blemishes or signs of the curse, but clothed in immortal beauty. Dust is but dust. The consciousness of identity is the thing to be desired. With this we will be content, and let the skeptic rear up his own theories, and then demolish them. We take no stock in them, and feel no loss, though they be utterly destroyed. R. F. C. NEW YORK.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
Mannsville and West Monroe.
I went to Mannsville Wednesday, Feb. 21, expecting simply to hold a business meeting in the day time, thinking there would be but a few out; but I was agreeably surprised to find their meeting-house well filled by ten o’clock in the morning. Nearly every one of the Adams Center church, fourteen miles distant, was there, and all the Mannsville friends were out. I saw that they were hungry for preaching, and that it would be a great disappointment to have only a business meeting. So after stating the condition of the cause in New York, the brightening prospect now before us, I preached a sermon on the solemnity of death, eternity, and the Judgment. Then I made an appeal for backsliders and sinners to seek the Lord, and invited them forward. There was very deep feeling in the meeting, and a ready response to the invitation. Sixteen persons, mostly grown up people, several of whom were heads of families, came forward. Some of these were backsliders, but quite a number had never made a start before. All but one then arose, and bore a good testimony. In the evening, our house was crowded, and I preached on the subject of conversion. Nearly all the friends from Adams Center remained over. We appointed a meeting the next day at ten o’clock, to carry on the well begun work. The Lord gave us freedom in preaching. The word took good effect. There was weeping all over the house. Again we invited them forward. Some were present who were not the day before, and made a start this time, so that about twenty-five in all made a start to serve God in this meeting. Then we had a most excellent social meeting. Hearty confessions were made, and stirring testimonies were borne. All felt revived. I have seldom enjoyed a meeting better than this. This is an old church, and it has passed through many trials. There are quite a number of wealthy men, and talented men and women in this church; but their testimony has nearly died out. They have largely ceased to sacrifice for the cause; and pride and dress have come in among them, and the Spirit of God has evidently gone out. A general revival of the work of God is what is needed. Our periodicals are not taken among them as they should be. There is an interest outside to hear, and they need a two weeks’ meeting here. I believe that a great work could be done for this people. We shall endeavor to bring it about if possible. Bro. Hall remains with them one week, to make permanent the work begun. We re-organized s. b. We did not have as much time for this as we should have had. The pledge of the entire church will be about $300. I did not ascertain what it was before. They voted to give one-third as much as the s. b. for the tract work. They also voted to adopt the system of regular quarterly meetings, the same as all the rest of the churches thus far have done. The more I think of this plan the better I like it. Friday, Feb. 23, we began our meeting with the West Monroe church, in the Methodist meeting-house in Mallory. There was a general turnout of all the brethren from the county. In this (Oswego) county is where the work first started. The first Conference, among Seventh-day Adventists was held in Bro. Arnold’s barn near here. Bro. Arnold was present, also Brn. G. W. Holt, Hiram Edson, F. Wheeler, and A. Ross, besides many other old hands in the cause. We had a large turnout from the outside. The house was filled every time, and the last time, crowded. I preached two sermons on the advent, and two on the Sabbath. It created a much deeper interest than we expected. It is said to-day that quite a number have almost or wholly decided to embrace the truth. I know that three have decided to keep the Sabbath. It is a shame to leave such an interest, but how to visit all our churches and still follow up these interests is more than I can see. Bro. Bowe has a good building which he proposes to make over into a meeting-house. This is what ought to be done, and then it should be dedicated with a course of lectures. After preaching Sabbath morning, some good and feeling confessions were made by the old hands in the cause. Worldliness, backsliding, and trials in the churches, have prostrated the cause in this county. Probably it has been the darkest place in the State for the last few years. Our former meeting at Roosevelt helped the cause there considerably, though there is much yet to be done. Most of that church were here, and bore good testimonies. Sabbath afternoon, eight individuals came forward to seek God, some for the first time. Nearly all were grown persons. The West Monroe church has been terribly backslidden. They have dropped our periodicals, laid down family worship, in many cases, ceased to take part in meeting, gotten into trial, etc. We tried to help them as far as we could. Monday, after the others were gone, we spent all day with the church. It was a very encouraging and sweet meeting. All fully and solemnly committed themselves to return to God, take up all their duties, and renew their consecration. The tender Spirit of God was in the meeting, and tears flowed freely. One young man who came forward for prayers, now fully took his stand to keep the Sabbath and be a Christian. This rejoiced us much. Quite a number of business matters were attended to. All seemed greatly encouraged. The Vermillion church had been divided and blasted by foolish trials; and as they were nearly all at this meeting, we spent the whole labor of Sunday (except just time to run hastily to the meeting-house to preach two sermons for outsiders), from five o’clock in the morning till late in the evening, investigating this trial. This is always a tedious affair. The committee readily agreed on the decision, which was promptly accepted by all the parties. Solemn promises were made that they would now live in harmony, and work together. We have strong hopes that they will. Then there will be some hopes of an increase in that church. All feel that a good deal has been accomplished for the cause in this county. If these things prove permanent, which we hope they will, the way is now open for a rise in the cause here, and for an increase in numbers. D. M. CANRIGHT. Kirkville, Rome, and North Creek.
By B. L. Whitney; S. B. Whitney
I MET with the Kirkville church Feb. 17, 18. The brethren, by a unanimous vote, adopted the plan of paying regularly into the S. B. treasury for the Tract Society a sum equal to one-third their S. B. This will give a yearly income from this small church alone of nearly one hundred dollars. If all our churches would pay S. B. in proportion as this church has paid, our figures would be largely increased. Sixteen copies of the SIGNS were subscribed for. Tuesday evening, Feb. 20, I spoke to the friends at Rome. An interesting feature of the work here is the interest taken by the brethren and sisters in missionary labor. They have now an organized Tract Society, and have taken twenty-four copies of the SIGNS to use in the missionary work. Two more have taken their stand on the Sabbath. Spent Feb. 24 and 25 with the church at North Creek, Warner Co. Eld. Jacob Wilbur and Bro. A. P. Bump were here with me. In these two days we held eight meetings, besides devoting some time to business. Thirty-one copies of the SIGNS were subscribed for, also sixteen copies of the College paper. One brother, who has taken two hundred and fifty Almanacs, reports that although not able to spend much time in the work until after the middle of Jan., he has sold one hundred and fifty. He now takes one hundred and fifty more and says that could he have commenced in season and given his attention to it, he could easily have sold one thousand. We feel that the Lord has blessed us at this meeting. Especially in our closing meeting Sunday eve the Spirit of the Lord seemed to come in, in good measure; and the brethren parted with a renewed determination to be more faithful in the work of God. B. L. WHITNEY. I CAME to this place by invitation of Bro. A. D. Tracy, who has fitted up and furnished an unoccupied academy building that has come into his possession, for the express purpose of holding a course of lectures in order to get the present truth before his neighbors. Have spoken five times besides preaching in the Baptist church yesterday morning by invitation of the minister. The attendance has been good considering the number of inhabitants and the condition of the roads, and the interest seems to be quite general. S. B. WHITNEY. I greatly rejoice as I report that the blessing of God has rested on the efforts put forth by his servants in Peoria and Knox Counties, since Jan. 20. It is all of God; I praise him. It will be remembered that in the notice of the meeting, it was announced that the propriety of selling our church at Princeville would be considered; but we had not long been together ere we all concluded that was not the theme upon which we should dwell. Our friends are now hopeful. Regular Sabbath meetings are to be held at Princeville and Eugene, excepting when monthly and quarterly meetings are to be conducted; then we shall expect all who can to meet to worship at P. Sabbath-schools are to be upheld, unless our friends forget Eccl. 5:4–6; and for this I do not look. One sister, who had married outside the ranks of Sabbath-keepers, was made glad to see her husband give himself to the Lord. Bro. Bliss baptized him last Monday. Another sister, after hearing on the solemn theme of Bible marriage, faithfully considered the subject, and governed herself, as I understand the matter, in keeping with heavenly wisdom. When will our young people learn to be wise? Ay, when will the parents be faithful to teach and tenderly guard their sons and daughters on this point? Brethren in the ministry, are we not guilty? Should not the subject of wedlock be considered in the light of the word? Two brethren had gone back to the tobacco habit; but they promised to “try again.” Five husbands and wives promised to keep the Sabbath, and began while we were still with them. A young man, a member of the M. E. Church, also embraced this precious truth. Will all “endure to the end”? Some appear to love to sacrifice of their means to publish the message; but others whom I meet excuse themselves, and “plead poverty,” and earnestly endeavor to avoid paying more than a very small sum into God’s treasury. This is too bad! But it is to be explained partly in this way: In the past some have been taught that all God required as a “tithe” was one-tenth of our net profits! whereas it is one-tenth of our entire income. When I see a brother or sister, while enjoying many of God’s temporal blessings, offer to pledge on our S. B. book the sum of two cents per week(!), I pray God to open the mind to see a true picture of their failings. “Will a man rob God?” Will he? Fearful question! I now hope for Princeville, with reference to S. B. as well as other duties. FREED FROM SIN.
By P. ALDERMAN
DELIGHTFUL thought that I shall be
From sin’s dominion ever free.
No enemy to vex my soul,
But love alone hold sweet control. Oh! can my guilt be all forgiven?
And I so vile obtain that Heaven?
Fain would I then this world despise,
And heavenward turn my longing eyes. Let no vain dream allure my mind,
Nor let me seek on earth to find
The joys that only wait above,
The purchase of a Saviour’s love. Dear Saviour, how I long to see
The wounded hands that bled for me,
And join with all the ransomed throng
To praise thee in an endless song! 'Tis sweet to serve while here we wait.
We soon shall reach Heaven’s pearly gate.
Oh! precious hours! Oh! time to fleet!
Make me for heavenly glories meet. MARYLAND
By R. F. Cottrell
I think I reported but very little interest at Calverton. Still, one has commenced to keep the Sabbath. I am now holding meetings at Woodberry, another suburban village of the city of Baltimore. Eld. Knight, a minister of an independent church, and the members of his congregation, receive us cordially, and are interested to hear. The prospect looks encouraging. Pray for the success of the truth here. The following notice of our work and people, I clipped from the Baltimore Sun:— “Elder R. F. Cottrell, a minister of the Seventh-day Adventists, from Ridgeway, New York, is at present attracting much attention from the inhabitants of Woodberry and surrounding country. He lectures in Knight’s Chapel on the prophecies. His followers believe in the second advent of the Saviour, but do not undertake to set the time, though believing it near at hand. They strictly observe Saturday as the Bible Sabbath, and hold that the time is come for the proclamation of the promised message of Rev. 14:9-12 to be given as the closing warning of the gospel age. The elder claims that this country is clearly indicated in prophecy, and that we are to have no king and no pope. The Seventh-day Adventists believe in the press. They have two publishing offices, in Michigan and California, with power presses, and have a paper at Basel, in Switzerland. They publish in seven or eight different languages.” In fifty-six hours from Toledo, we were set down in Dallas, Texas. We took the cars for Grand Prairie, distant twelve miles, where Bro. A. B. Rust resides, upon a fine swell of Texan Prairie. By the way, I will say that this is not a level prairie, but so undulating, as to be really a succession of hills, or long undulating swells of land, of great fertility and beauty. Bro. Rust is liberal in his course, yet he is firm in his adherence to the truth. He does not hesitate to pray with the families he visits, and his efforts are well received both by the freedmen and the old resident citizens. People are generally kind, hospitable, and considerate. Last evening, Parsons G. M. and F. Jordan, both freedmen, spent the evening here arranging for building a school-house for the freedmen, toward which, the citizens will assist. Until this is done, Mrs. Clarke will teach freedmen’s school in a tent. I am hoping to teach school in this vicinity. My visit with this company of young believers was timely, pleasant, and profitable. I found them all firm and rejoicing in the truth. I enjoyed the precious privilege of speaking to them, and they relished the plain, practical duties set before them. The attendance of outsiders was good all the time; and judging from the kindness and generosity manifested by them, there is evidently a very friendly state of feeling existing toward the cause we represent, throughout the entire vicinity. Seven new ones were baptized, and received into the church, and two more were received subject to baptism. The ordinances of the Lord’s house were celebrated for the first time here. But four had ever partaken of the emblems, and only two had ever witnessed the humble ordinance of feet-washing, yet all were blessed in the performance of this duty. Bro. M. Welsh was elected to fill the office of deacon, and Bro. N. R. Rigby was elected and ordained elder. R. M. KILGORE. THE meetings are still increasing in interest. The house is crowded every night. We are in the midst of the Sabbath question. Twenty-three signed the covenant last night, twelve of whom had never made any profession before. Many more are convinced. Six of the twenty-three live near Salem, in Jewell Co. They will unite with the society at that place. The Lord helped me in preaching the word. His Spirit is working mightily among the people. Sinners are being converted, and backsliders reclaimed. To his name we give all the praise. I still plead for the prayers of God's people, that I may ever keep humble, and live so that the Lord can use me in warning sinners. I closed my labors near Slash, Feb. 4. Sabbath meetings were established by effecting a union between those who embraced the truth under my labors at Slash and those near West Liberty. We shall soon be able to organize a church of from twelve to fifteen from this class. I commenced meetings Feb. 6 at a school-house located 10 miles farther north. I am now among a class of enterprising farmers. I had to defer meetings one week on account of sickness, consequently I have given but eight lectures as yet. A revival effort is being made by the Methodists within a mile of us, yet we have fair congregations. Wm. COVERT. “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth.” Died, of typhoid fever, Jan. 9, 1877, Mary Charlotta, eldest daughter of William and Emma Ferguson, aged six years and nine months. Discourse from Isa. 49:25. S. W. Bird. Died, near Wheatville, Crawford Co., Wis., Dec. 17, 1876, of diphtheria and croup, Arthur John, son of Geo. and Jane McDonell, aged eight years and five months. Funeral services by Eld. John Atkinson. Died, near Sharpsville, Tipton Co., Ind., Oct. 15, 1876, of cholera infantum, our dear babe, Matilda Jane Bringle, aged 17 months and 15 days. Jacob Bringle. Died, in Topsham, Maine, Dec. 24, 1876, Mrs. Dolly A. Getchell, aged 29 years. She was a faithful Sabbath-keeper for thirteen years. She leaves one child and a kind husband. Funeral sermon by R. S. Webber. Died, at his home in Arcade township, Wyoming Co., N. Y., Bro. Evan Jones, in the sixty-fifth year of his age. Funeral sermon by Eld. Colby, Baptist. Text, Ps. 17:15. He leaves a wife and one daughter. Chas. B. Reynolds. Died, near Collamer, N. Y., Feb. 10, 1877, from congestion of the lungs, after an illness of twenty-four hours, Nettie, infant daughter of Thomas and Ellen Maxwell. Funeral discourse by Eld. Washburn (Presbyterian) from 2 Kings 4:26. “As the sweet flower that scents the morn,
But withers in the rising day,
Thus lovely was this infant’s dawn,
Thus swiftly fled its life away.”
P. Z. Kinne. Wrightstown, Otter Tail Co.
I began labor at this place Feb. 5, and have now given seventeen discourses. Last evening we asked all who had fully made up their minds to keep all the commandments to sign the covenant. It was signed by fifteen. We think others will sign when they have an opportunity. All that were present last evening bore testimony, the most of them for the first time in their lives. We feel like commending these dear souls to God, who is able to build them up and save them in the great day. I now visit those who have recently embraced the truth in Douglass Co., after which I shall return to carry the work still farther, if it is the Lord’s will. Pray for me. JOHN S. COLLINS. All who have resolved to move out seem firm. They were members of the M. E. Church, backsliders, and those who never had made a profession. Last Wednesday evening, the 14th, was their first prayer meeting. The Spirit of God was with us and we were much encouraged. Last Sabbath, the 17th, we organized a Bible class. On Sunday we presented the covenant. It was signed by eleven, and the proper church officers were chosen. D. C. Birch.
H. F. Phelps. A very interesting letter from Bro. Jesse Woods, of Indiana, states that while on a visit to Virginia on account of poor health about a year ago, two Adventist ministers came into the neighborhood, and commenced a course of Bible lectures. Notwithstanding he had become quite disgusted with denominations and creeds, he went to hear Elds. Lane and Corliss, and became convinced. On returning to Indiana, he resumed his employment as clerk in a store, and continued to resist his convictions for over two months, when he finally resolved to obey God. His employer told him that if he left the store on Saturday, he should have to dismiss him entirely. Says Bro. W., “I told him I would obey God rather than man if I starved in the attempt. I went home and kept the Sabbath of the Bible, and have kept it ever since, and still retain my position. I gave up the use of tobacco, tea and coffee; and I feel like a new man. I am convinced it was the filthy smoking that caused me so much sickness.
“My wife and I are the only Sabbath-keepers in this place, but we walk three miles to—— every Sabbath, where there is a faithful company brought out by Bro. Bartlett this winter. I feel to praise the Lord for the light; and I pray that I may keep humble and be faithful.” A LETTER FROM MISSOURI.
By Julia Lamb
Esteeming your excellent paper for the high tone of piety it inculcates, I wish to contribute my mite to its columns. We at Denver are enjoying the labors of our esteemed Bro. Geo. I. Butler, of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. Since Bro. Canright was here in Nov., many of the people are deeply interested in the great advent truths that have been laid before them so clearly by our beloved brother. It seems they cannot be misunderstood. The beauty and harmony there is in the Scriptures as taught by the S. D. A. Church lead us to exclaim, God has indeed shown us light on disputed points; viz., on the 2300 days, the sanctuary in Heaven, the two-horned beast, the three angels’ messages, especially the third angel’s message as belonging to the last times and bringing to view a people that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, or his teachings. It is true that truth exalts. The sanctuary is a theme that we as Christians would do well to dwell upon—the sanctuary in Heaven, where our great High Priest is pleading the merits of his own blood, by which our sins must be blotted out, as there is no other name in Heaven or among men whereby we can be saved. And seeing we have such a High Priest which is entered into the heavens, let us hold fast our profession. Another glorious doctrine (that is, to me) is the restoring of the visions to the church in these last days, showing clearly that we are living in close proximity to the time when we may expect the return of the nobleman, the Lord Jesus Christ, from Heaven. What harmony there is in the word of God when it is studied as it ought to be! Is it any wonder that there are so many in the churches sickly and ready to die, when the study of the prophetic word is even made a jest? They forget what Peter says in his second epistle, chap. 1: 20. We read that all Scripture is given by inspiration, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, and correction in righteousness, that the man of God may be thoroughly furnished unto every good word and work. How can we expect to be furnished unto every good word and work if we take the New Testament alone? Of course it teaches repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ; but how could we understand its teachings if we did not go to the Old Testament? There is beauty and harmony in the Scriptures. They present a chain of truth that links us to the throne of God. The first link is found in Gen. 1: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” The second is the creation of man in the image of God, showing the relation we bear to him as our Creator, and the right we have to call him Father. The third link is that recorded in Gen. 2: 1–3, the institution of the Sabbath. But man fell; yet God in his love and pity for him made him the promise that the seed of the woman should bruise the serpent’s head. This promise to the church is another glorious link in the grand chain. The shedding of the blood of Christ upon Mt. Calvary, and his resurrection from the dead, is the fifth link. By virtue of this blood, we may obtain the remission of our sins, and through him be reconciled to God. The last binding link is the resurrection from among the dead of all that are accounted worthy of eternal life. Truly we can say, “Firm as a rock his promise stands.” His children may stand secure though the heavens depart as a scroll. God will ever be a refuge for his people; and the events that are to occur on the earth will be made known to the righteous, that the coming of the Lord in the clouds of heaven may ever be before our minds. In the resurrection is the hope of his church, for blessed and holy are they that have part in the first resurrection; for on such, the second death hath no power. Watch and Pray.
By O. F. Colwell
“Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation.” Matt. 26:41. These words of our divine Lord are indeed precious. With what comfort and cheer they come to us amid the temptations and trials of life! We are to be a separate people from the world; we are to shun its sins, vices, and temptations. Can we do it without watching and praying? It is well to employ a few silent moments before retiring at night in seeing how we have spent the day, whether it has been to honor and glorify our God. And when we are at work, though not on our knees, our hearts can flow out to God in prayer. Since God in his great mercy has shown me the light of present truth, I feel like praying and praising him all the time. There are five of us here, who are keeping the Sabbath. Our little prayer-meetings on the Sabbath are precious seasons. Our hearts are cheered to press on. God bless the dear Signs, which directed me into this glorious work. Brethren, watch and pray. I GAVE twelve discourses at Prairie Star. One aged brother commenced to obey the truth. I held meetings from Jan. 4 to Jan. 14 at the Maxon school-house. It was then thought best to change our meetings to a school-house three miles east, which we did. I have given about thirty lectures, have had good congregations and good attention. The result has been quite encouraging. I began meetings at Humboldt last Friday evening, and have spoken six times. The congregations so far are quite large and attentive. Pray for me. COMMENCED meetings in a school-house at Freeport, Dec. 29, and continued them until Feb. 12. There was no open opposition until near the last, when Mr. Michael, a Congregationalist minister, came and preached a discourse against the Sabbath. His arguments were extremely weak. He made many ridiculously false statements, which were calculated to prejudice the minds of the people against us. He said that those who were now preaching that the seventh day was the Sabbath were fit subjects for the pillory. The most of those that had been to hear what we preached were disgusted with him. I had good liberty in reviewing him. There are four that have decided to keep all of the commandments. I shall stay here a while longer, for there are others that acknowledge that we have the truth, but have not yet taken their stand upon it. Brethren, pray for me. BROKEN PLEDGES.
By A. H. Hall
The difficulty with some of our brethren is that they think that the church has no right to claim obedience to the rules in the church. In regard to the use of tobacco, some make solemn pledges to God and the church, then go and break them. Such will have to confess to God that they have broken that vow made before God and men, before they can ever get into his kingdom. But God says, he that confesses and forsakes his sins shall find mercy. There are men that would be in the church to-day, were it not for their idol, tobacco. It will surely keep them out of Heaven if they do not forsake it. Let such read the fifth chapter of Galatians. You all admit that it is a filthy habit; and God says that no unclean thing shall ever enter into the kingdom of Heaven. They feel hard when we talk of carrying out the rules of the church; but God will hold us responsible for this work. We have got to stand before God in the Judgment. In our zeal for the cause and to report success, there is danger of taking persons into the church that never ought to be there. This makes labor for some one following after to perform, and it is the hardest kind of labor. I believe that all the success we have we should report to the REVIEW, but in organizing we should use wisdom.