Earlier text: HISTORY OF THE SABBATHFALLING OF THE STARS IN 1833.
By Uriah Smith
THOUGH enough testimony has already been produced concerning the phenomenon of Nov. 13, 1833, to show that it far surpassed anything of the kind that had ever before been witnessed, and to establish it beyond doubt, as the fulfillment of Matt. xxiv, 29, Rev. vi, 13, &c., yet all will be interested in further particulars concerning it. Too much testimony can hardly be produced in reference to any of those great events, which inspiration has given us as signs of the end of the world, and the coming of the Son of man, and which are designed to arrest the attention of mankind, and arouse them to a preparation for that event. The meteoric shower of 1833, cannot be accounted for on any natural and scientific principles. God, in his word, had said that such a display should be given just before the appearing of the Son of man in glory; and when it did take place by an independent and direct exertion of omnipotent power, manifested because he had said he would do so, for a certain purpose, it became just as plain a declaration that the great day of the Lord was at hand, as though an audible voice from heaven had announced it in the ears of all the earth. Many are the witnesses who have testified that they thought at that time that the last day had come. Why were such thoughts as these connected with this event, unless, because the Saviour had said that such a scene should be witnessed as a sign of his coming? And so the record that thoughts of the Judgment day were at once suggested by the sight, many supposing that it had already come, settles the important fact that that event was in all respects sufficient to answer to the prophecy concerning it. Yet, how many are there now, even of those who witnessed it, into whose minds it ever comes as filling the important place that it does? The worldly and careless, may lose sight of these things, and in the roar of business or the giddy rounds of pleasure, banish from their minds all thoughts of the mighty events now hastening to burst upon us, and of the signs by which they have been heralded. But not so with those who love their Lord and his appearing. They love to hold in memory the fulfillments of his word, and watch for every fresh token of their approaching jubilee. They lift their eyes from the prophetic dial only to raise them to heaven from whence they look for their coming Saviour. Nor will their patience be much longer tested, nor they look in vain for the object of their hope. The following extracts are from some old copies of the Family Magazine, which have accidentally fallen under our notice, published in New York, in the year when the phenomenon occurred, and immediately following that event. A magnificent meteoric display was witnessed in this vicinity early on Wednesday morning. We learn from those whose privilege it was to see it, that the air was literally filled with shooting or falling stars for nearly two hours, say from four until toward six o'clock. They were seen shooting in every direction from a great height, and were falling in a continual brilliant shower toward the earth. As usual in such displays, their size and brilliancy were variable. A teamster who was on the road during the time, compared the scene, in this respect, to a heavy fall of snow, though the luminous bodies moved with incomparably greater celerity. Others say they were visible down to the horizon; some descending obliquely, but more generally in a perpendicular direction, and sometimes tapering off to a narrow stream. We do not learn that the hissing noise which sometimes accompanies these phenomena was heard on this occasion. The boatmen at the wharves, we understand, were greatly terrified at the apparent falling of the heavens. The papers since received from the different sections of the country speak of the atmospherical phenomenon. The Baltimore papers represent it to have been particularly splendid over that city. The American of Thursday says, the meteors were seen soon after midnight, and increased until the heavens were filled in every direction. About half past five, it seemed to197 rain fire. An appearance similar to that described by the correspondent of the N. Y. Daily Advertiser was seen coming toward the west till the bright trail formed the figure 3, after which the ends uncurled, turning toward the east till they came together, and after spreading into the appearance of a light cloud, being visible ten minutes, disappeared. Another writer says, the light in his chamber was so great that he could see the hour by his watch over the mantel. Supposing it to be fire, he sprang to the window, and beheld the fiery rain descending south and north, in torrents. Occasionally a large body of apparent fire would be hurled through the atmosphere, which without noise exploded, when millions of fiery particles would be cast through the surrounding air. The shed in his yard seemed covered with stars. The Gazette says, at twenty minutes past five, a meteor about six inches in diameter, probably the same spoken of above, exploded with considerable noise perpendicularly over the N. W. part of the city; the blaze was so splendid as to give the appearance of sunrise. It shot in the direction of the N. W. leaving a stream of light, which seemed a serpentine form, apparently of 30 feet in length, and lasted more than one minute. The same phenomena, though of unequal splendor, were seen at New Haven. The balls were of various sizes and degrees of splendor, mostly mere points. One was judged to be nearly as large as the moon—another shot off to the N. W. precisely as at Baltimore, leaving a phosphorescent train of peculiar beauty; which finally seemed the figure of a serpent folding itself up, until it appeared like a small luminous vapor, and after several minutes, was borne away eastward by the wind. The flashes of light were so bright as to awaken people in their beds. In Philadelphia the scene does not appear to have been so brilliant, or as accurately noted, as in Baltimore and New York. The atmospherical phenomenon was noticed, we learn, in all the towns around us. With one exception, as far as our reading serves, this appears to have been the most remarkable appearance of meteors that has been witnessed. Humboldt speaks of a similar exhibition, which he saw at Cumania, in South America, on the night of the 11th November—one day before the present instance—in 1779. The night had been cool and extremely beautiful: toward morning, thousands of fire-balls succeeded each other during four hours, in a regular direction from north to south. During that period, there was not an instant when any calculable space was not filled with them—most of them leaving luminous traces behind. In the same paper of Dec. 7, 1833, we find the following: One of the most striking and surprising features of the recent meteoric phenomenon, was its vast extent. We hear of it from the very extremities of the Union, from British America, and from a great distance at sea. It remains to be seen whether it was not co-extensive with the shades of night, and whether, therefore, it was not visible to one half of the inhabitants of the globe! So extraordinary was this phenomenon, that we deem it proper to devote ample room to the various descriptions of it as they come in from different and distant quarters. It will be a matter of record on the scientific and the historic page; and it may therefore well claim full notice in our columns. Extracts from various papers follow. A writer in the New York Daily Advertiser, thus describes the appearance on that morning, in this city: “About four o'clock in the morning a large meteoric body, resembling a globe of fire, exploded in the zenith of the heavens, and poured a continuous stream of flaming particles on the sky beneath. The increasing scintillations from this luminous globular body were showered down like drops of falling rain, illuminating the whole visible horizon, and scattering rich rays of light on each airy path as they fell. After this meteoric shower of fiery rain had for some time descended, a luminous serpentine figure was formed in the sky, which, on its explosion, produced a shower of fire equally brilliant and incessant. The inflammable particles then apparently cohering in one ignited mass, rolled up in a ball to the zenith; and from this lofty elevation burst, and shot out streams of electric fire from its luminous orb, which continued to fall until the hour of six in the morning, when the dawning day put an end to their glory and their flight.” From the Newark Sentinel of Freedom. The meteoric phenomena of the 13th were seen through the whole length and breadth of the country, presenting in most places a similar appearance. It is a little remarkable that the Aurora Borealis was observed at Buffalo and at Keene, N. H. as we learn it was, and not elsewhere. In some places the meteors appear to have been seen quite down to the surface of the earth. A correspondent of the N. Y. American, at Acquackanonk, in this county, says they varied in size from the bulk of a pea to that of a walnut, and were of various colors—red, blue, yellow and white. Several came within a foot of the writer's person, and one exploded close to his face, and instantaneously disappeared without any perceptible odor. The Sussex papers describe the exhibition in their vicinity as having been somewhat singular. The people seem to have been much alarmed. They thought that the stars had in reality 'shot madly from their spheres,' and that the whole economy of nature was returning to its original chaos. Daylight, which soon commenced dawning, by eclipsing the more distant stars, served to strengthen the illusion. Nay, so certain was one individual that several stars had actually fallen, that he felt seriously offended at a gentleman who doubted the possibility of such an occurrence. Another person says that he kept his eye upon the morning star, resolved that if that departed, 'he should give up all hope.' Some thought that the world was about to be destroyed—others that the day of judgment was at hand, with many more equally startling apprehensions.” From the Charleston Mercury: Those who were up before the dawn yesterday, witnessed a most glorious sight—one glance at which “were worth ten years of common life.” The temperature of the day before had been oppressive, the mercury ranging as high as 78 degrees. At night the atmosphere became cooler, but not so much as to make a fire necessary for comfort. About 10 o'clock, P. M. shooting stars were observed to succeed each other with unusual frequency, and continued to appear at short intervals during the night; but at about three o'clock in the morning, the wind, which had been from the west, having changed, and blowing with some freshness from the north-east, there was a burst of splendor throughout the firmament, and its entire concave was thronged with innumerable meteors, streaming athwart each other toward the horizon in every quarter, leaving long trains of light, as if millions of rockets were incessantly exploded. The literal showers of stars continued until day-light, the meteors of different size and brilliancy, thick as the leaves in Vallambrosa, or the flakes in a snow storm, falling, shooting, and exploding in glittering confusion, as if the whole starry host were reeling madly from their spheres. While this grand and beautiful spectacle lasted, a permanent light as strong as moonlight was thrown through the windows of our chambers, and although the sky was without a cloud, there were flashes from time to time of the most vivid lightning. The unusual light aroused many from their beds, some supposing that the city was on fire. We learn that a gentleman who was off the bar, mentions that at sea the starry shower commenced so early as nine o'clock P. M. and continued till morning, and that many of the meteors seemed almost to strike the masts of the vessels. One meteor was observed in the north, under remarkable circumstances. Its first appearance was a burst of diverging stars radiating from a common centre; they afterwards re-approached and agglomerated themselves into a nucleus, which slowly moved horizontally, extending itself into a bending bar of light, remained stationary for several minutes, and gradually resumed the form of a single star, and vanished. From the Charleston Courier: We have been informed by Capt. Jackson, of the Revenue Cutter Jackson, who was at sea that night, at the distance of nine miles from the land, that the Heavens were illuminated with the meteors during nearly the whole night, as far as the eye could reach, in every direction: presenting a spectacle of uncommon magnificence and sublimity, attended with frequent explosions resembling the discharge of small arms. We learn also that a meteor of extraordinary size was observed at sea to course the Heavens for a great length of time, and then exploded with a noise of a cannon. Our devotions to the “sleepy god” debarred us the high gratification of being among the privileged spectators of the brilliant exhibition of natural fire works. Effects of the late Meteoric Phenomena.—The editor of the Columbia Spy, in reference to the late remarkable appearance of the heavens, says: Many of the people in the country were alarmed—some thought that the last day had arrived. A clergyman of a neighboring township, who is in the habit of holding social prayer meeting on Wednesday evenings, informs us that his meeting this week was composed of a large and attentive audience, which was such a remarkable circumstance that he could attribute it to no other cause than the alarm which had spread on account of the strange sights in the morning. I HAVE thought when leaving home to transact business with the world, how necessary to be armed with patience, wisdom, and every Christian grace, and to set a double watch over my heart and tongue, lest I might injure the cause of Christ, and by some impatient or idle word wound the feelings of a fellow-creature, or hurt the cause of truth. And when God has been so good as to hear my prayer, I have been happy indeed, and returned home rejoicing. But I did not think of any particular necessity for special watchfulness and prayer, on returning home, but rather a tendency like this, although I was at the time insensible of any such course of reasoning, yet virtually, and practically, and tacitly, such was the train of my meditations: "The Lord has helped me; now I'm going home, where I shall find help rather than hindrance. Now I can rest from such eagle-eyed watchfulness, and our conversation will be upon such subjects as pertain to present truth, and these secular subjects can be banished from my mind. I have not that call for special watchfulness which I had when I left home. O, what a privilege it is to have one's companion in the truth." On arriving home in this somewhat complacent mood, perhaps the first thing I see is some broken wagon, or lame horse, or the hay has been wasted, or something dreadfully provoking. Directly I'm in a trial, almost a pet, perhaps quite so; peace gone, complacency completely exploded. I've concluded one needs as much preparation of heart, as much watchfulness and prayer, at home as abroad, and it gives me much joy to believe and practice in accordance with this theory. Knowing When We Are Happy
It is a great blunder in the pursuit of happiness not to know when we have got it; that is, not to be content with a reasonable and possible measure of it. Prosperity attends the cause generally. There never was a time when our people were so ready to sustain it with their means as now. The subject of organization has finally triumphed, and the real friends of the cause feel relieved of a great burden on this subject, and now see good fruits. Systematic benevolence is a perfect thing. It has been a hard struggle to bring these about, but now we have the joy of seeing the good results. We as a people had gone as far as we could go without them. Without them, the future was hopeless; hence the general charge of the powers of darkness upon them. But the day is gained, and victory is again on the side of truth. But some localities are suffering from the bad results of opposing organization, systematic benevolence and the gifts. It is no more than could be expected that those who do not admire the equity and efficiency of the simple plan of systematic benevolence, but, rather cling to the use of tobacco, which is a violation of the rules of elevated worldly society, should doubt anything that should teach it. Our people are going on with reform. These soon find themselves far behind and discouragement comes over the cause in their locations. There are no divisions of any importance with us. Those things referred to are the result of blind prejudice. Some have not learned the old tried hands, or they would not so soon exchange them for comparative strangers. Our people are repenting, and learning better. May God forgive them. We are glad to see that Bro. Waggoner is current in Southern Iowa. May the blessing of God be with him and Bro. Brinkerhoof in raising the standard in that part of the field, where faithful testimony has been trampled under foot. But the cause will not stop because these persons choose to. God is giving our preachers a plain testimony which is listened to with great delight by its true friends, and they will move forward. Those who choose to hold back cannot expect the labors of our preachers, after they have rejected their testimony. They cannot help such. The cause in Michigan is firm, and onward. After taking shares in the Association to the amount of $2500, and donating nearly $1000, from S. B. funds, pledges to pay for new tent, and run it this season already amount to $714. With the love of God's word, and systematic action we can do anything to advance the cause of truth, and not feel it. Our two-days meeting has left a cheering influence. The Battle Creek church is enjoying peace and prosperity. Week ago Sabbath we baptized five. FORBIDDEN MARRIAGES.
By A. S. Hutchins
“NEITHER shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto his son.” Deut. vii, 3. Thus strictly were the children of Israel forbidden to form matrimonial relations with the nations around them, when God should bring them into the land of promise. The reason for this prohibition, is as plainly stated: “For they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods; so will the anger of the Lord be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly.” Deut. vii, 4. The sad consequences growing out of a departure from this restriction, in marriage connections, is further set forth in the last exhortation of Joshua before his death: “Know for a certainty that the Lord your God will no more drive out any of these nations from before you; but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until ye perish from off this good land which, the Lord your God hath given you.” Judg. iii, 5-8. Read also Ezra ix. Bearing these facts in mind, were the New198 ment silent on this important subject, it would become the Christian to move with the greatest caution, in the formation of the marriage alliance. He should beware with whom this close and permanent union is formed, lest he share in that repentance which is "too soon and too late." "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers." If it be objected that this instruction was not written with reference to this subject, it certainly may be used with profit here. Peter informs us that the husband and wife should walk, "as being heirs together of the grace of life." 1 Pet. iii, 7. "How can two walk together except they be agreed?" Paul has introduced the case of the believing widow (though the rule must of course extend to all). "She is," says he, "at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord." 1 Cor. vii, 39. Mark the restriction, "only in the Lord." We can pity and pray for those among us who have wandered from the Lord, and formed this union for life with the unbeliever. Be careful lest your heart be turned from the Lord, and you lose the bright crown of glory and the peaceful home of the blest. To others tempted to move thus, we would affectionately say, Beware! Satan may be plotting your ruin. In these forbidden alliances, it is far more to be feared that the believing companion will sink under the influence of the unbeliever, than to be expected that the unbeliever will be reformed by the believer. "Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."
A. S. HUTCHINS.
Barton Landing, Vt., May 1, 1862. REPORT FROM BRO. SNOOK.
By B. F. Snook
BRO. WHITE.—I have but little to report since my last, as I have done but little. My health failed me, so I was compelled to lay by during the last of the winter, and until recently. I rejoice that I am now apparently well so that I can go out once more. My heart is there, and I want to labor there. My happiest moments are when out heralding the glad tidings of great joy so near at hand. I visited the brethren at Laporte City, from April 23d to the 30th. I found the brethren holding their meetings, and getting along quite well. They are trying to advance with God's people, and make sure work for the Kingdom. They meet in their own house which is not entirely finished, but is quite comfortable. They are generally united on the truth, gifts and all, and are favorable to organization. May God keep these good brethren through faith unto salvation, ready to be revealed. May 1st and 3d we spent at Waterloo. I was made to feel happy when I heard that that little band are all holding on to the Sabbath, and keep up their meetings. We gave them pointed testimony on the gifts, &c., which we hope will do good. We hope when we go back, that we shall not be pained at seeing the brethren polluting themselves with tobacco, and that the sisters will have left off their jewelry, hoops, and some their artificials. Such things cannot unite with the last message to a ruined world. Our folks must study more to adorn themselves with that meek and quiet spirit, which in the sight of God is of great price. The church in Marion is doing well as can be expected under the circumstances. We had a good and happy conference meeting. We all rejoiced much to welcome into our midst our beloved brother Brinkerhoof. His preaching did us much good. It sounded right. It came from a heart warmed with pure heavenly truth. May God go with him on his way, and strew his earthly pathway with many joys. Oh how good and happy was the season we enjoyed with our brethren from various parts, all united in sending out the glorious news of salvation. May God bless these good brethren much, and give us a happy meeting on mount Zion. Marion, Iowa, May 13th, 1862. REPORT FROM BRO. HULL.
By Moses Hull
FROM Oakland I went to Lapeer, April 30, and commenced meetings in the Court-house the evening of May 2. On account of a very severe cold which settled on my lungs, I feared I should not be able to interest the people; but in this I was somewhat mistaken, for the congregations and interest increased from first to last. I was happy here to form an acquaintance with many good brethren whom I hope to meet in the kingdom of God. Sabbath I tried to preach in the forenoon, but my health was so poor that I could not attend the social meeting in the afternoon, which, I was informed, was a good, stirring one. On the evening after the Sabbath I spoke to a good congregation of attentive hearers on the divine origin, and consequent purity, of Christianity. First-day I preached on the plan of redemption. The tears which could be seen on many faces told that they appreciated to some extent the love of the Father and his Son for our fallen race. As they saw that Jesus Christ gave up not only his seat at his Father's right hand, but actually "poured out his soul unto death" for us that we might live, their feelings seemed to be in harmony with the language of the poet: “O, for this love let rocks and hills
Their lasting silence break,
And all harmonious human tongues
The Saviour's praises speak.” After the forenoon meeting on first-day we retired to the water, where seven were baptized. On second-day four more were baptized. On first and second-day evenings I lectured on the third message. A deep interest was manifested. I was glad to see the Lapeer brethren set so good an example before the brethren and sisters from abroad in regard to the Sabbath. There was no cooking of potatoes, or baking, stewing, frying, or anything of that kind going on. They seemed to have learned that there was a "preparation-day," and that what they would bake, or seethe, must be done upon that day, and not upon the Sabbath. I make these remarks because I found brethren at other places slack in regard to the observance of the Sabbath. The church at Lapeer is now organized, and I think in good working order. There was a thorough work done in the organization-meetings. The brethren dealt faithfully with each other, and the result was good. Nearly all came into the organization. Taking this trip as a whole, I think it has been profitable, both to myself and those with whom I labored. I was much blessed. The brethren did not forget their duty in temporal matters. P. S. I deeply sympathize with the brethren at Chesaning, for I learn that they were disappointed. But even though I could have reached my appointment there, I doubt whether I could have accomplished half as much good as where I was.
M. H. PARTNERSHIP, SURETISHIP.
By Jos. Clarke
Asa, king of Judah, was approved of God in the early part of his reign. Hear the testimony: "And Asa did that which was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God." 2 Chron. xiv, 2. This and chap. xv, give an account of Asa's good deeds, his triumphs and prosperity resulting from his piety and obedience; but Asa fell in his devotion to God, and being threatened with war, instead of going to God he applied to Benhadad and formed a partnership with him. Contemplate the sequel: "And at that time Hanani the seer, came to Asa, king of Judah, and said unto him, Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the Lord thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand: for the eyes of the Lord run to and fro through the whole earth, to show himself strong in behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly; therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars." 2 Chron. xvi, 7, 8. Asa's apostasy and painful disease follow. Be sure to read it, ye who are voluntarily leagued with unbelievers. Jehoshaphat, successor of Asa, was a good king in the main, but he possessed his father's weakness, which had nearly cost him his life (see 2 Chron. xviii), and called forth the following rebuke: "And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer, went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the Lord? Therefore is wrath upon thee from the Lord." 2 Chron. xix, 2. But Jehoshaphat returned to his integrity, see verses 3-11, and chap. xx, 1-34; but his besetment again overcame him. "And after this, did Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, join himself with Ahaziah, king of Israel, who did very wickedly: and he joined himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish: and they made the ships in Ezion Geber." "Then Eliezer, the son of Dodavah, of Mareshah, prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, Because thou hast joined thyself with Ahaziah, the Lord hath broken thy works. And the ships were broken, that they were not able to go to Tarshish." 2 Chron. xx, 35-37. Those who come into the present truth, are frequently in company with unbelievers, previously to embracing the truth, and often it happens that some delay is unavoidable in dissolving such partnerships; but it will be clearly seen that to continue such connections voluntarily, or to enter into new engagements of this kind, is not only dangerous, but directly contrary to the word of God.
Jos. CLARKE. RULES FOR HOME EDUCATION.
THE following are worthy of being printed in letters of gold, and being placed in a conspicuous position in every household: 1. From your children's earliest infancy inculcate the necessity of instant obedience. 2. Unite firmness with gentleness. Let your children always understand that you mean exactly what you say. 3. Never promise them anything unless you are sure you can give them what you promise. 4. If you tell a child to do anything, show him how to do it, and see that it is done. 5. Always punish your children for willfully disobeying you, but never punish in anger. 6. Never let them perceive that they can vex you or make you lose your self-command. 7. If they give way to petulance and temper, wait till they are calm, and then gently reason with them on the impropriety of their conduct. 8. Remember that a little present punishment, when the occasion arises, is more effectual than the threatening of a greater punishment should the fault be renewed. 9. Never give your children anything because they cry for it. 10. On no account allow them to do at one time what you have at another time, under the same circumstances, forbidden. 11. Teach them that the only sure and easy way to appear good, is to be good. 12. Accustom them to make their little recitals the perfect truth. 13. Never allow of tale-bearing. 14. Teach them that self-denial, not self-indulgence, is the appointed and sure method of securing happiness. L E T T E R S.
By C. Monroe
“Then they that feared the Lord, spake often one to another.” DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: At an hour like this, so full of peril, so near the close, I rejoice to see you rising, or struggling to rise, in holiness and fitness, to meet our soon returning Lord. This is a good sign. When, in autumn, we see birds of passage clustering, and pluming their wings, we know what it means. It tells of winter at hand. It is a signal of their departure to a warmer region; and they are soon199 gone. Thus of the church of God. It is a "flock" of emigration. They have now reached the autumn, late autumn, of their stay here. Hence, we see them, as by a heavenly instinct, gathering, and uniting—not in person, but principle—pluming the wings of their "holiness and love;" thus signifying, "the hour of their departure at hand." They go to a more genial clime; and stay till the winter of "the indignation is over-past;" and return in the spring of "Paradise Restored," with songs, and everlasting joy upon their heads,” no more to be routed by wintry blasts, or deadly foes. The spring is an emblem of heaven, or of that boundless spring of glory that awaits the saints. How sweet to contemplate life's dreary "winter past;" and the rain of adversity "over and gone!" Yea, the earth made new, and adorned with flowers and loveliness, before unknown. “The time of the singing of birds come"—the birds of paradise—“and the voice of the turtle," turtle-dove, “heard in the land"—emblematical of the heavenly dove, whose voice is sweet and lovely. If to hear nature's cheerful voice at the vernal hour, is so ravishing, how must we “melt and die away, at sounds of heavenly harps,”—the full-toned swell of the heavenly choir! To lose that bliss, how great the loss! But we are near, to win or lose the prize. The Lord is coming. Upon the pivot of the moment the matter turns! The real saints must be ready, must win the prize; for, for Him, they have given all. Hence, when he appears, they are ready to exclaim, in prophetic terms, "Lo, this is our God, we have waited for him, and he will save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for him; we will be glad, and rejoice in his salvation." And are we ready, brethren, all ready to meet our God? This is the point. Our all is here pending. We can neither be too well, nor too soon prepared. In the reverse, the danger lies. We must take leave of earth, as perhaps, we never yet have done—its fashions, follies, vices, idols, all—making a clean sweep of "all that offends"—all that would chain us here, or hinder our upward flight. We must flee such things, as Lot fled Sodom, "flee for life, look not behind us, remember Lot's wife," who fell a lasting, melancholy monument of disobedience, and of God's displeasure;—beware, lest we fall from our own steadfastness, but grow in grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. This is our duty, our felicity, our safety. The end of all things is at hand. "Of signs, there's no mistaking. The great Messiah's near." Let us be sober, and watch unto prayer. Destruction is in the land; war is raging, "with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood!" Men are falling like stubble, swept by a mighty conflagration! Blood and carnage stain the deep, and "clothe the ground in crimson!" Headlong, by thousands, men are sent into eternity, with hands stained in each other's blood! O Lord, "gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men." Many, up to the present moment, are said to be fast asleep; and many more are very drowsy. Surely, brethren, this is no time to sleep; though many will sleep till waked by the last trump! O come, let us arise. How can we slumber amid such deep-toned, prophetic "voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and earthquakes," that are summoning the nations to their last account. HUMILITY.
By D. H. Sanborn
True meekness is not merely
A lowly seat to take;
And then to look with envy,
On every higher state;
And constantly within us
To cherish the desire,
That some one soon would bid us,
Saying brother, come up higher. 'Tis not to fret or murmur
At the chastening of the Lord,
And say that I in justice
Ought not to fare so hard;
But to bow in meek submission,
To all the Lord shall give;
Saying, better are his dealings,
Than I'm worthy to receive. O teach us Lord, the lesson,
That we're so slow to learn,
Our pride displays our folly,
Which ever way we turn.
O give the lamb like spirit,
The heart subdued by grace,
That knows it has no merit,
And loves a humble place. D. H. SANBORN.
North Branch, Mich. ThE Spirit of God can make use of any agency to bring sinners to repentance and faith in the Redeemer. Commenting once upon the words, "The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib; but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider," the speaker sought to impress upon his people how strangely guilty the human heart is, despising the goodness of God and forgetting his very existence. Three or four days after, a farmer who had been present was giving provender to his cattle, when one of his oxen, evidently grateful for his care, fell to licking his bare arm. Instantly with this simple incident the Holy Spirit flashed conviction on the farmer's mind. He burst into tears, and exclaimed, "Yes it is all true. How wonderful is God's word! This poor dumb brute is really more grateful to me than I am to God, and yet I am in debt to him for everything. What a sinner I am!" The lesson had found its way to his heart, and wrought there effectually to lead him to Christ.—Am. Messenger. THERE are those among Sabbath keepers, who seem to think that, because their brethren are benevolent, they should bestow their charities upon them. They draw largely upon the sympathies of others without even thinking that they are as equally favored with the good things of this life as those from whom they expect help. Such as draw upon the charities of the benevolent, are very stinted in their free-will offerings, (if free they are,) being too poor to give, but never too rich to receive. They seem not to realize that "it is more blessed to give than to receive." They do not feel the high responsibility that rests upon each steward of their Lord's money, how they give and to whom they give. The word of God enjoins upon every one to give. If any be too poor those that are able, should help such to a mite, that none come before the Lord empty handed. But the requirement is as plain not to give to the rich or to those in equal circumstances to pamper pride or to gratify covetousness, but solely for the glory of God, for the advancement of his precious cause, to help the needy and afflicted. O that the people of God may overcome selfishness, then can they do unto others as they would have them do unto them.
F. B. WHEN I was a young man, there lived in our neighborhood a farmer who was reported to be a very liberal man, and uncommonly upright in his dealings. When he had any of the produce of his farm to dispose of, he made it an invariable rule to give good measure—rather more than could be required of him. One of his friends, observing him frequently doing so, questioned him why he did it—told him he gave too much, and said it would not be to his advantage. Now mark the answer of this excellent man. "God Almighty has permitted me but one journey through the world, and when gone, I cannot return to rectify mistakes." Think of this. But one journey through the world!—Ex. THERE is a deep pathos in this lyric of Tennyson, which may apply more truly to those shut out from the marriage supper of the Lamb, than to those into whose lips he put it. Late, late—so late—and dark and chill the night!
Late, late—so late—but we can enter still.
Too late, too late! ye cannot enter now. No light had we, for that we do repent.
And, learning this the bridegroom will relent.
Too late, too late! ye cannot enter now. No light,—so late—and dark and chill the night!
O! let us in, that we may find the light!
Too late, too late! ye cannot enter now. Have we not heard the bridegroom is so sweet?
O! let us in, though late, to kiss his feet!
No, no—too late! ye cannot enter now.