The law of Christ hath made us free from the law of sin and death, which is the ten commandments. Romans seven and eight.
Answer. This objection takes in Paul’s argument in the seventh and eighth chapters of Romans. Hence we shall be obliged briefly to notice both. The position of our opponents on these two chapters is, that Paul is showing the contrast between the old dispensation and the new—is showing that we are no longer bound to keep the old law, but rather to be governed by the law of Christ. We believe that they make the same blunder in this objection that they did in the previous one. Paul has no reference whatever to any such thing, but continues the same subject that he had up in the sixth chapter, viz., the change which takes place in every individual at his conversion from sin to holiness. He first shows how the law condemns the sinner and yet is just and holy in doing it; and then, how the sinner obtains pardon and grace through faith in Christ and thereby receives strength to keep the law which he previously found himself unable to obey. Now let us read chapter 7:1. “Know ye not, brethren (for I speak to them that know the law), how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth.” He then proceeds to show by a simple illustration what he means by this statement. “For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law of her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.” Verse 2. Look at the illustration a moment. To-day, a woman in Minnesota marries Mr. Smith. Now the law of Minnesota binds her to Mr. Smith as long as he lives. There are three things then in the illustration. 1. The woman. 2. The husband. 3. The law. Now Paul says, “If the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.” Mark, that she is loosed from that law. But what is it that died in this illustration? Is it the law? Suppose that Mr. Smith dies, just as Paul says, does that abolish the law of Minnesota which bound her to Mr. Smith? How absurd that would be! No; the law does not die, and yet the death of Mr. Smith does loose the woman from that law; not because the law is dead, but because the person is dead to whom it bound the woman. Paul proceeds: “So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress.” Certainly, if while Mr. Smith lives she should marry Mr. Jones, she would be an adulteress; for the law does not allow her to have two husbands at a time. Paul goes on, “but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law, so that she is no adulteress though she be married to another man.” Yes, if Mr. Smith dies, then she is freed from the law of Minnesota and can now marry Mr. Jones lawfully. Bear it in mind that Paul twice says that if her husband dies she is loosed from the law, freed from the law. The same law which bound her to Mr. Smith now binds her to Mr. Jones. It will be seen that in all this illustration there is not the slightest reference to the death or abolition of the law; the law remains the same all the time. It is the husband that dies, not the law. Now did Paul know how properly to use an illustration? or did he not? We think he did quite as well as our opponents. If this illustration is a proper one, it is a very unfortunate one for the position of our opponents; for in his illustration, the law never died at all, while he declares by the death of the husband the woman is freed, loosed, from the law, and yet the law lives. Now the only question is, What is represented in the illustration by the two husbands. We understand it to be, not the old law and the new law, but the old man, the carnal mind, the body of sin, the unconverted man, to be represented by the first husband, and the Lord Jesus Christ, by the second husband. The following language of Paul we think settles this point: “Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.” Verse 4.
Here Paul plainly says, “My brethren, ye are become dead”—not that the law is dead; but it was these brethren who once died; and then who is the second marriage made with? This he as plainly states, that they should be married to him who is raised from the dead. In other words, while the old, carnal man lived, the law of God bound them down in condemnation to that old body of sin; but when that was dead, then they were united to Christ. The next verse confirms the fact that Paul is speaking here of their conversion from sin to righteousness. “For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.” Verse 5. “When we were in the flesh,” plainly means when we were unconverted; and has no reference to being under some former dispensation. He continues: “But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held.” Verse 6. The margin says, “being dead to that” wherein we were held. The American Bible Union translation says: “having died to that wherein we were held;” that is, the old man having died which kept us from being united to Christ, being dead we are delivered from the law, just as the woman was delivered from the law of Minnesota when Mr. Smith died. That it was not the law, but the old man that died, is put beyond controversy by the following language: “For I was alive without the law once; but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died. And the commandment which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me. Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just and good.” Verses 9–12. Here Paul says, “I died,” the law “slew me.” Now did the law die? or did Paul die? He says emphatically the law slew him. Then it was not the law that died, but the old man whom Paul here personates. Then hear his conclusion. If our opponents’ position be true, Paul should have concluded like this: “Wherefore the law is dead and abolished, it being a yoke of bondage.” But instead of such a conclusion he sums it up thus: “Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just and good.” This conclusion, as all can see, is in perfect harmony with the position we have taken, but utterly irreconcilable with the position of our opponents.
In the same strain, verse 14, he says, “For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin.” So also, verse 22, “for I delight in the law of God after the inward man.” Did he delight in an old dead law, which never was better than a yoke of bondage? Strange that men can pervert the word of God to such unreasonable conclusions.
In the following verses Paul proceeds to show that while he consents with his mind to the law that it is good and just, and ought to be obeyed, and even resolves to obey it, yet notwithstanding this, the sinful propensities are so strong that they overcome the good intentions and resolutions; and instead of being able to keep the law of God he finds himself continually transgressing it. Thus he says: “For that which I do I allow not; for what I would, that I do not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh), dwelleth no good thing; for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would, I do not; but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man.” Verses 15–22.
I think all can see plainly that I have fairly represented Paul’s meaning in these few verses. He says that he delights in the law of God after the inward man, that is, in his mind he admires the law of God; its justice, holiness, and purity, and feels that it ought to be obeyed; but at the same time he finds all the inclinations of the natural man directly opposed to this law and constantly leading him to transgress it.
Thus he contrasts these two laws; for it will be noticed that he speaks of two laws, namely, the law of God and the law of sin which is in his members. Thus he says: “For I delight in the law of God after the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.” Verses 22–25. That “the law of sin” is here set in contrast with “the law of God,” none can fail to see. It will be necessary to bear this distinction in mind in order to understand what follows. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” Chap. 8:1, 2. Who are here spoken of? Those who no longer walk after the flesh; hence are converted men. Therefore this is true of them only. From what has the law of the spirit of life in Christ freed these men? From the law of sin and death. Is that the law of God, the decalogue? No; for we have before shown that this law of sin and death is the one which rules in the carnal man, and is directly opposed to the law of God. Christ Jesus has freed them from this law, not only by forgiving them their sins, but by giving them grace and spiritual strength to conquer and subdue their fleshly passions, and thus enable them to obey the law of God, which before they could not do.
In the next two verses Paul reaches the grand conclusion which he had been aiming at in all this argument, viz., that the very object of the grace which we receive through Christ is to enable the sinner to fulfill the law, which without the grace he never could do. Thus he says: “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh; that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh but after the spirit.” Verses 3, 4. Then there is something which the law could not do, which nevertheless the grace of God can enable man to perform, that is to properly keep the law of God. The law demands a strictly righteous and sinless life in every man. It says, “Thou shalt do this, and, Thou shalt not do that.” But simply requiring this does not enable the sinner to perform it; nor is the law able in any manner to give him strength to do it. The law can demand this and that, and punish the transgressor for his not doing it, but it cannot give grace and strength by which to do these things. Here the grace of Christ comes in and so strengthens us, that, says Paul, the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us who walk not after the flesh but after the spirit. Mark you, Paul does not say that the grace of Christ comes in to supersede and set aside the law as our opponents claim. No, no; but just the reverse of this, viz., that the righteousness of the law, or as the Bible Union has it, the requirements of the law, might be fulfilled in us.”
Finally, he says: “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” Verse 7. Here the grand difficulty with regard to the law of God is fairly stated. What is it? Is it that the law is dead? that it is a yoke of bondage? that it is abolished? that it is no longer to be obeyed? Oh no; but it is the carnal mind which is in the way, and which will not submit itself to this holy law of God. It must be slain and subdued before obedience can be yielded to the law. We fear that the same difficulty exists to-day with those who find so much trouble with the law of God. If they would try as hard to conquer and destroy the carnal mind as they do the law, they would soon delight in the law of God after the inward man.
D. M. CANRIGHT.
Wells, Feb. 13, 1873.
What is Needed?
By S. B. Whitney
UNDOUBTEDLY, all who have read Testimony No. 22, have been, more or less, impressed with the great and urgent necessity of a better preparation for the work committed to us as a people. Upon us are laid responsibilities more weighty and important than any other people were ever called upon to bear, and such as can be properly borne, only by those most fully qualified for them. But by the light given us, we can all see that we are all greatly deficient; and this calls loudly upon us to awake from our lethargy, to seek for the spirit of labor and sacrifice that characterized our divine Lord, to have our efforts vitalized by the Spirit of God; and our precepts strengthened by a godly life; remembering that every individual must do his or her part faithfully, in order that the work of the whole be accomplished.
The following from the Independent of Jan. 30, is to the point. “To-day this world's sorest want is more Christ-like men and women. The preaching it needs is not only the precept, but the practice of a pure Heaven-born piety. A worldly, fashion-loving, covetous, cowardly church, will never save men from hell. But a church of living disciples, whose hearts have been cleansed by atoning blood, and whose lives are made beautiful by inward conflict and secret prayer, and made eloquent by noble, holy deeds, these are the preachers who shall win this wicked world to Jesus. Their voice is a trumpet. Their influence is salt. Their example is a light. Their lives are the sermons that shall wake the dead. But to be such preachers of Christ, we all need the ordination and the baptism of the Holy Spirit.”
This want, all, both ministers and people, should feel, and realize the responsibility resting upon us to supply it. May God help us to arouse, and heed the injunction, Hold fast . . . that no man take thy crown.”
S. B. WHITNEY.
Look on the Bright Side.
By D. T. Bourdeau
SOME are too liable to look on the dark side of questions. If there is an objectionable feature they are sure to see it, and where there is no objectionable feature, they often see objections, and are in danger of overlooking the clear evidences of truth, and blessings that lie across their pathway, and that surround them on every hand. To cherish such a turn of mind tends to unbelief, leads to ingratitude, and to murmur against God. How many blessings we have for which we should be grateful! Why not enjoy present blessings as we pass along? It is on this point that the Israelites failed in the wilderness. They never came to a point where they were really suffering for want of food or clothing. They had abundance of evidence that God was with them and would care for them. They had witnessed his miraculous power, and subsisted on the bread of Heaven; yet they were in constant fear that they would come to want. How sinful this was! This was making Him a liar who had said “I will never leave thee, not forsake thee.”
But are we not in danger of committing the same sin? Those who are in comfortable circumstances in point of means, but do not give of their wealth to sustain the cause for fear they may not be able to pay their debts, and that they may come to want some time, are fearfully guilty of this sin, and deprive themselves of the blessings connected with giving. The preacher who suffers reverses to make him overlook past success, and the favor of God which he so often enjoys in preaching the word and the value of even a few souls saved as the result of his labors, etc., is guilty of the same sin. When all Asia had turned away from Paul, did he weep because he had previously rejoiced in his success?
The bee gathers honey by the side of the most nauseous substances; and earth would be a heaven did we enjoy and appreciate the numberless and priceless favors of our merciful Heavenly Father. D. T. BOURDEAU.
The Ministry of Angels.
By Nellie F. Heald
“There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” Is not this a thought to awaken the deepest emotions of the soul? Joy among the angels! those pure and sinless beings, whose shining beauty has never been dimmed by a single stain; before whose dazzling brightness, men have fallen as if dead.
At the glad tidings of one repenting sinner, those bright, angelic hosts rejoice. Methinks they sing in louder, sweeter strains to the praise of Him who hath bought us with his blood.
And is all Heaven so interested in our salvation? Surely, we may be of good cheer; since they that be for us far exceed those that are against us. Though the foe that seeks our destruction is strong and artful, yet Christ and the heavenly angels are stronger. “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” The heavenly angels are trying to aid us in the arduous work of overcoming and fitting for Heaven. And, shall we be negligent or indifferent, when angels of light are swiftly flying on wings of love to strengthen and encourage us? Shall we yield to despair with such glorious aid?
These heavenly messengers will not compel us to yield to their influence. They are grieved away when we are careless and indifferent. They shun the society of the worldly and pleasure-seeking, and abide with those only who cherish their holy influence. “The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.”
Many are the instances recorded in the Bible in which the angels appeared to fallen man. They are God’s ministers, to execute his will. They “do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.” Angels of God met Jacob as he went on his way to meet Esau; and when Jacob saw them, he said, “This is God’s host.” At the birth of Christ, an angel appeared to the shepherds of Bethlehem as they watched their flocks by night. “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” In what seraphic strains did those angelic minstrels herald the birth of the infant Saviour. How it must have thrilled the hearts of those humble shepherds as they gazed in trembling adoration, and listened to the rapturous melody of the white-robed throng. Angels heralded the first advent of the Saviour. In their sweet anthems of praise they manifested their deep interest in man’s salvation.
In the Saviour’s second advent, the angels will also take part, for we read, “The Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the angels with him.” Oh! who shall be able to stand? He that hath clean hands and a pure heart. Our words, our thoughts, and actions, should all be viewed in reference to that event; for we are assured that a faithful record is kept. We are under the watchcare of holy angels. Every word and act is carefully noted by them. Did we fully realize this, we would not be so careless.
O my soul, how does thy record appear in the gaze of Heaven—that record so stained by selfishness and sin? Well may we weep in view of our sins against Heaven and its matchless love. We should shrink from having our dear earthly friends read all our thoughts and motives, but do we realize that these stand revealed to the gaze of angels and of God? How carefully should we guard our thoughts, since from them emanate our words and acts.
“Beware of thoughts! they whisper to the Heavens;
Though mute to thee, they prompt the diamond pen
Of the recording angel.
Make them friends!
Those dread, seedplanters for eternity,
Those sky-reporting heralds,
Make them friends!”
NELLIE F. HEALD.
THE SILVER CUP.—
There is a story of a servant receiving a silver cup from his master, who suffers it to fall into a vessel of aquafortis; and, seeing it disappear, contends in argument with a fellow-servant, that its recovery is impossible, till the master comes on the scene and infuses salt water, which precipitates the silver from the solution; and then by melting and hammering the metal, he restores it to its original shape. A skeptic was so struck with this apologue that he renounced his dissent, and became a Christian.
We Are Not What We Appear
WE are not what we appear to be. On this side of the grave we are exiles; on that, citizens; on this side, orphans; on that, children; on this side, captives; on that, freemen; on this side, disguised, unknown; on that, disclosed and proclaimed as the sons of God.
Business Proceedings of the California State Conference.
By John Norton Loughborough; S. B. Bresee
The fifth annual session of the California State Meeting of Seventh-day Adventists, was held in Bloomfield, Feb. 15, 1873, commencing at 7 o'clock P. M. Meeting called to order by the President, J. N. Loughborough. Prayer by Bro. Ferguson. The State Secretary being absent, S. B. Bresee was chosen Secretary pro tem. Six churches were represented by nine delegates. The Woodland church was not represented. All brethren present were invited to take part in the deliberations of the meeting. Bro. and sister White were invited to take part. Report of the State Secretary of last year's meeting, read and accepted. A report was made on the resolution passed last year to contribute of our means to the Health Institute, Publishing Association, General Book Fund, and other general interests of the cause, made by the State Treasurer as follows:—
Paid from our State funds to
General Conference, $ 300.00
To S. D. A. P. Association, 420.00
Health Institute, 650.00
Book Fund, 353.00
Premium on Gold, 152.00
Hygienic Book Fund, 50.00
Total, $1925.00
Reports of ministers being called for, a written report from Bro. Kellogg was presented, also Bro. Loughborough's report, in writing, and a verbal report from Bro. Ferguson.
Treasurer's report read and accepted as follows:—
In the Treasury after the
State meeting, $ 13.82
Received during the year, 2092.37
Total, $2106.19
Paid out as per Treasurer's
book, $1387.06
Balance, $ 719.13
Paid by order of Auditing Committee during the State meeting, $ 108.79
Balance in Treasury after the
State meeting, $ 610.34
J. N. Loughborough, State Treas.
The chairman was authorized to appoint six laymen to act with the Executive Committee in auditing and settling Conference accounts with ministers. The Chair appointed as Auditing Committee, Brn. H. S. Stipp, J. W. Cassidy, T. B. Gourley, John Judson, J. W. Bond, and S. B. Breese.
The chairman was authorized to appoint a Committee on Nominations, and named Brn. G. D. Hager, W. T. Ross, and Wm. Harman, as said committee. Brn. White, Loughborough, and Ferguson, were chosen as a Committee on Resolutions. The following motion was then made:—
That this State organization now resolve itself into a Conference, to be known as the California State Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. After appropriate remarks upon the subject by Bro. White and others, the above motion was unanimously adopted.
At the second session, 9 A. M., Feb. 16, the following resolution was unanimously adopted:—
Resolved, That we request the General Conference to receive this Conference as a member of its organic body. Statistics concerning our numerical and financial strength accompany this resolution. A report of our standing as a Conference was then made as follows:—
No. of members in six organized
churches, 193
In one church partly organized, 20
Number of sabbath-keepers not in
churches, 25
Whole number of sabbath-keepers
in the State, 238
Amount of S. B. in six churches, $2151.51
One church S. B. not yet organized.
Committee on Nominations reported the following officers:—
President, J. N. Loughborough, Santa Rosa, Cal.; Secretary, S. B. Bresee, Santa Rosa, Cal.; Treasurer, T. M. Chapman, Petaluma, Sonoma Co., Cal.; Executive Committee, John Judson, Jackson Ferguson, Bloomfield, Sonoma Co., Cal.
On motion, the above board of officers were declared elected. The following resolutions were then unanimously adopted;
Resolved, That we express anew our recognition of the hand of God in the work of the third angel's message, which is calculated with its kindred truths to prepare a people for the coming of the Lord; and that we also accept it as a fulfillment of his prophetic word in connecting with this message the manifestation of the gift of prophecy, by which errors, sins, and liabilities to depart from the way of Scripture truth and holiness, are pointed out and corrected.
Resolved, That we hereby express our gratitude to God that in his providence it has been our privilege to enjoy the society and labors of Bro. and sister White upon this coast; and to listen to their excellent instruction and counsel. We deeply regret that they have been pained and burdened with our trials, and we hereby express our hearty approval of their labors to correct wrongs they found in our midst. Especially would we recognize the hand of God in the faithful reproofs given by the gift of prophecy through sister White. Our sympathies shall go with them as they return to the important General Conference in Michigan. We trust they may see their way clear to visit us again next winter, and that we shall be better prepared to receive them and make their stay pleasant.
Resolved, That we rejoice in what we have heard from the lips of Bro. White, of the leading and prospering hand of God in bringing the publishing department of Seventh-day Adventists to its present unembarrassed condition; and we recognize it as an evident token of the immediate and rapid spread of this truth, that we as a people have such excellent publishing facilities.
Whereas, We have heard a straight-forward statement of the trials and embarrassments through which the publishing interests have passed in coming up from small beginnings to their present successful achievements and triumphs, therefore,
Resolved, That it is with pleasure we express our conviction that God, in his providence, raised up Bro. White, blessing him with clear perception and business tact, to lead out in, and establish the Publishing Association upon a firm basis. From a careful examination of the past with the figures and facts before us, we claim, that his course is above the suspicion and calumny that some enemies of the truth would fain throw upon it; and we further assert, that any who will carefully examine the facts will see that his business course has been one of conscientious and unselfish interest for the success of the cause, and is in marked contrast with, and a standing rebuke upon, the self-serving financiering of most of the denominational publishers of this day.
Resolved, That we recommend our brethren and sisters to give more earnest attention to missionary labor, which is designed to give each individual an opportunity for personal efforts in advancing the truth.
Resolved, That the time of our annual Conference be changed to the fall of the year, to be held in connection with our camp-meeting.
Resolved, That the Executive Committee are hereby empowered to appoint, and arrange for a camp-meeting the coming fall, at such time and place as they see fit; and they are empowered to select such committee for camp-meeting as they deem necessary.
THIRD SESSION.
Met the 16th, at one P. M. Prayer by Bro. White.
On motion, the credentials of Bro. Loughborough were renewed, a license was granted to Bro. Ferguson, and the following resolutions were passed:—
Resolved, That Bro. Loughborough be authorized to purchase a new tent for California, of such size and arrangements as his judgment may dictate.
Moved, and carried unanimously, to pay for the new tent independent of our S. B. pledges.
Resolved, That we request Bro. White to represent this Conference in the next General Conference to assemble soon at Battle Creek, and we request the General Conference to take such action as they see fit relative to the wants of the cause on the Pacific coast.
Resolved, That the matter of reorganizing quarterly meetings be left to the Executive Committee.
A vote of thanks was given to the Bloomfield church for entertaining the Conference.
A brief session was held at the close of the service on the evening of the 16th, in which the following resolutions were passed.
Resolved, That all moneys drawn from the State Treasury shall be by an order signed by the Executive Committee.
Resolved, That the minutes of this Conference be published in the ADVENT REVIEW.
Adjourned sine die.
J. N. Loughborough, President.
S. B. Bresee, Secretary.
D. DOWNER
By D. Downer
Wisconsin.
December 30, I met with the church at Liberty Pole, Wis. Our meetings were profitable and interesting. While there, I was overtaken with the worst storm I ever witnessed. The hills were blown bare, but the snow in the valleys was from three to fifteen feet deep, and crusted so hard that men could walk on it, in most places. I could not fill my appointments, as there was no travel on the roads.
January 8, I started on the drifts for Kickapoo church, 12 miles distant. This church is in a deep valley filled with heavy timber, consequently the snow was not drifted there. I held meetings one week. We had a profitable season. Three more took their stand with us to keep the commandments of God.
I then went to Mt. Hope where I expected to meet Bro. Sanborn; but sickness prevented his coming. I labored there three weeks. Nine more took their stand with us. Some have given up the Sabbath, but many are firm.
January 15 & 16, I organized a church. Nine were detained at home by sickness and other causes. I left a church of thirty-eight members. I was not expecting they could pledge a large amount of s. B., as they have built and furnished a meeting house lately. But it must be said to the credit of that church that they pay the largest s. B. in our Conference. It now amounts to $214; and when the remaining nine become connected it will doubtless be raised to $250 a year. The Lord, we believe, is in this. There is not a point in our good faith more essential for the prosperity of a church than to have them come up liberally in giving to God. I proposed to return some s. B. to them, as they have struggled hard to build a meeting house; but they refused to take it.
But opposition always rages when God works. The Methodists were holding protracted meetings in a school-house near by, and tried every means, seemingly, to destroy our influence. Failing in ordinary ways, they finally threatened to put me in jail. The minister reported me liable to five hundred dollars fine for criminal offenses, and went to the county seat to have me arrested. Some friend wrote me a letter, requesting me to leave before the sheriff found me, as he was after me. As I did not leave, a professed Christian undertook to try his skill in law, feeling sure he would soon have my feet in the stocks. He claimed that I had married a couple without being qualified. This was my crime; but I can state, for his information, that my ordination is recorded in Galesville, Trempeleau Co., Wis.
I am now at Waterloo, having a good interest, and expect that good will be accomplished. If the weather permit, I am soon going into another new field. I never before have had the confidence in this work that I have now. And it increases every day. My prayer is, Lord, direct by thy Spirit, till we reach the promised land.
D. DOWNER
Waterloo, Wis., Feb. 19, 1873.
TWILIGHT MUSINGS.
’Twas evening—the day-king had set in the west,
All nature was wearied and sinking to rest;
A spirit of sadness my spirit enthralled,
And I saw not the beauty the sunset unfurled.
I sat till the twilight had deepened and gone,
The mantle of night round the earth had been thrown;
All nature was hushed save the sighing of trees,
Or the low murmuring stream disturbed by the breeze.
Bright stars glittered round those homes of the blest,
But a phantom had won me—that phantom—unrest;
I had searched for a treasure, but earth had no power
To give what Christ bought in Gethsemane’s bower
I had sought midst the gay and the noble of earth,
But found not the pearl—that treasure of worth—
I had asked of the sages and learned men of God,
But they said ’twas not found on all the green sod.
Then I asked of my soul, Is this all of life,
These vain empty toys, this contention and strife?
In this world is there, then, not an aim nor a goal
That will bring rest and peace to this sin-shadowed soul?
And a voice from the gloom, a voice sweet and low,
Was wafted to me, “Soul, thy work thou shalt know;
My fields are all ripened, the reapers are few,
Thy work shall be gleaning—be faithful and true.
“In the heat of the day thou shalt toil, but faint not,
I have promised to shield thee, thou’lt ne’er be forgot;
Thy long-sought-for treasure on earth shall be given,
’Tis peace here, like a river, in eternity, Heaven.
“When temptation assails, and thou art cast down,
Then think of the rest, of the robe and the crown,
Think, too, how I suffered and died on the tree
Redemption to purchase—thee from sin to set free.”
Then I said, “Lord, thy bidding I’ll evermore do,
The crown and the cross ever keeping in view;
With thy love in my heart and peace flowing on,
I’ll watch, toil, and pray, till I hear thy ‘well done.’”
—Sel.
Canada: Meetings Among Scattered Brethren in P. Q
By A. S. Hutchins
Canada.
By request of Bro. L. Bean, I accompanied him to P. Q., where we held meetings at four different points. Our brethren are quite scattered here. It is at some sacrifice that they keep their meetings up. We are thankful that they choose to make this rather than forsake the assembling of themselves together. To meet with us in Compton, Brn. Bates and Claxton drove some twenty-five miles. Bro. Hool and son, the same distance to get to Linda. Here we held six meetings in the school-house, near Bro. Claxton's.
There seemed to be but little interest in this place to hear the word of life preached, except on the part of the brethren and sisters. Yet, we felt that the visit with our friends here was not lost, as they all seemed much encouraged and strengthened to press forward for the prize. It is not often that any of our preachers come here to labor. Indeed, the brethren do not expect much preaching, yet they feel, and say, “the cause is one.” They promptly pay their S. B. in their currency, giving the Conference the premium. Several joined the T. and M. Society, and aided in the poor fund.
We feel a lively interest in the prosperity of the cause of truth with these dear brethren. In past years, they have had much to weaken their hands, and discourage them, spiritually. While some have been set adrift upon the sea of fanaticism and rebellion, and know not whither they are floating, there are a few in P. Q. who love the cross-bearing way of truth and righteousness, and highly prize union with the people of God.
With gratitude of heart, I call to mind the sweet visit and much-needed rest at Bro. Claxton's, a few days. Thirteen years have rolled away since visiting here before. May God bless the parents, and may their children with them find life eternal.
The labor of Bro. Bean, both in public and around the fireside, were appreciated. Oh! how much the solemn and all-important work of bearing the last message of mercy to dying men needs active, faithful, and godly ministers and helpers, who bear in their bodies the “marks of the Lord Jesus,” in every circle and family where they go, living epistles, “known and read of all men.” And oh! how sad to hear it said of a minister of the gospel, “When he is in the desk, he ought never to come out; and when he is out, he ought never to go into it.”
Says Peter, “Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but, willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.”
“If love to God and love to men
Be absent, all my hopes are vain;
Nor tongues, nor gifts, nor fiery zeal,
The work of love can e’er fulfill.”
A. S. Hutchins.
Feb. 23, 1873.
Knoxville, Iowa.
By B. Auten
Bro. Nicola has just closed a series of thirteen meetings here, which commenced Feb. 12, which we believe were among the best and most important meetings ever held at this place.
Trials occurred here ten years ago which brought discouragements upon us, from which we had never been able to recover, and since which time we had been gradually backsliding. Some had gone back to tobacco, tea, coffee, pork, &c. We had long since felt we had reached a point where preaching alone would not benefit us.
Under these discouraging circumstances, our meetings commenced; first, by visiting from house to house, talking with, and praying for, those who were far from God. In this kind of labor the Lord greatly blessed, and it was evident to all that engaged in these exercises that God is more willing to give his Holy Spirit to them that ask him than earthly parents are to give good gifts to their children.
For the first few meetings, things looked rather dark. It was evident that confessions should be made and wrongs righted, but it seemed hard to come to the point.
Bro. Nicola labored hard and faithfully, to show the necessity of making this an individual work. To get ourselves right before God was a greater work than we had anticipated, but the Lord wrought for us greatly. A spirit of self-examination and true confession came into our midst to such a degree that each one's greatest burden seemed to be to get the beam out of his own eye and get his own heart right before God. We have all the evidence we could ask for that souls were converted to God. We believe that the brethren made a clean work, with two or three exceptions, and that the cause of truth stands better here than it has since our first difficulty occurred.
At our last meeting, Bro. Minos Miller was unanimously elected and set apart to the office of deacon by prayer and laying on of hands. Nine united with the church. Others are ready to join us as soon as they see us bring forth fruits meet for repentance. How important the work of self-examination. My prayer is that we may continue this work until we shall have developed such characters as will stand the test of the Judgment.
Truly there has been a great work wrought for us, for which we will give our Heavenly Father all the praise.