THIS class of professed Advent believers have had three disappointments the present year, at the time of the Passover, of the Pentecost, and of the Atonement, and still have fixed upon another definite day for the Lord's coming—the twenty-fourth day of the ninth Jewish month, which, they say, cannot be later than the 20th of Dec., 1859. This last time will be passed, and their fourth disappointment, for the present year, will be experienced, before this paper will reach the readers of the Review.
We might admire their persistency in this fruitless course, were it not for its tendency to prejudice people against the truth, and destroy faith in the Advent movement. They claim an increase of light—that their pathway shines more and more, while, with a strong hand, they overthrow their past work since 1854, and prove that their boasted light on the commencement of the 2300 days, which they have enjoyed for the past five years, was total darkness. They have seemed to discover a new starting-point from which to reckon the 2300 days, and of their former one they speak thus:
"In regard to the decree in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes to Nehemiah which has so much been relied upon in '64 and since, the most that can be said about it is, that it was a mere consent or permission to Nehemiah to go up and repair the walls and gates which had been partially broken down and burned since they were first built up by Zerubbabel and Joshua. Let any one read carefully the first and second chapters of Nehemiah, and they will readily see that all that was done by Artaxerxes was to simply grant Nehemiah his request, which differs very widely from giving a command to restore and build Jerusalem. In every sense in which it can be looked at, the permission granted to Nehemiah comes very far short of a command. That the walls of Jerusalem had been previously built up, since the return of the Jews to Jerusalem, and subsequently thrown down again between the seventh and twentieth years of Artaxerxes, is not only proved by Josephus, but it is sufficiently proved by Nehemiah himself. For how could Nehemiah be so much surprised on hearing that the wall was broken down and the gates burned with fire, if they had never been re-built since Jerusalem was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar, an event which Nehemiah could not have been ignorant of from the earliest period of his recollection. Josephus shows in book xi, chap. v, sec. 6, that the breaking down of the walls and burning of the gates, which surprised Nehemiah so much to hear about, was done by the neighboring nations, who did a great deal of mischief to the Jews, overrunning the country and pillaging it, and carrying off many of the Jews into captivity, even out of Jerusalem itself: and Josephus locates this event between the seventh and twentieth of Artaxerxes."
Such reasoning as this they would not hear in 1854 and onward; but now having received more light upon the point, the light which they then had was no light. Again, during the present year, as in years past, they have been looking to the feasts of the law, in order to fix upon a definite day for the coming of Christ. The first point of expectation this year was the Passover. That passing, they claimed he must surely come at the Pentecost. Then the increasing light showed that the day of the Atonement was the day. But since they have failed here, they have discovered that as "we are under the new covenant, we have been in great error in looking for the coming of Jesus at any point of time, fixed by his law for the fulfillment of any of its types." In this respect, then, their past light has been darkness.
When will these infatuated individuals cease their work of folly? Will they cease, or will they continue to set the day again and again for the coming of Christ, while they neglect the necessary preparation to meet that swiftly approaching day in peace? Will they ever have humility enough to return to the original dates as proclaimed in 1844—learn that the 2300 days ended there, receive the true light upon the cleansing of the Sanctuary, and see and keep the commandments of God contained in that true Sanctuary? Would that they might. They bear bravely the cross of all their disappointments. Would that they might as bravely bear the true cross of Christ. Would that they might see and acknowledge that the true time message was preached in 1844, and following down the track of prophecy lay hold on the present truth—the third angel's message? Then would they indeed see an increase of light upon the pathway, a light that would not prove the more feeble light of the past to be darkness itself.
They speak of the "mighty movement that was produced by time preaching, its effects on those who embraced it," &c., as a proof that they are right in preaching time over and over again, till, according to their own representation, there is "but one here and there" that has any confidence in it. Why not see that the mighty effect of preaching time in 1844 proves that God was in the work, and, consequently, that the time then preached was the true time. God does not set his seal to error; and if the time then preached was false, the whole movement was false, and was not carried on by the Spirit of God.
But admitting that the true time message was then given, and that the Sanctuary to be cleansed was the heavenly; that the work of cleansing is the Atonement typified in the law; and we pass down the track of prophecy to the third and last message, which alone can prepare us for Christ's coming. Thus the light shines more and more unto the perfect day.
R. F. C.
F A I T H .
So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God. Dan. vi, 23.
Why was Daniel rescued by the angel? Because he believed in his God. Dear brother or sister, are you walking in darkness? Does it seem vain to pray? Does Satan fill you with gloomy terror and alarms? Does he try to distract your mind with care, while you would fain cast your burden upon God? Are your prayers hurried, anxious, almost distracted lest they should not be heard? Does your unworthiness rise up like a mountain between Christ and your soul? Do past sins which you had hoped were forgiven still present themselves as if for re-consideration? Is your mind tossed about in agony at the thought of being so far from God? Are you at a loss what to do to free yourself from this load of sorrow? Please stop where you are;45be calm and composed; get your Bible and read carefully the sixth chapter of Daniel. Think of one man's standing alone in a heathen land, among deadly enemies who were hunting for his life: finally cast among the furious lions! How dreadful! Think of it! Realize, if you can, what would be your feelings in a den of lions, those dreadful creatures of the desert!
Why do they retire, as if abashed? Why do they perhaps start back, as if with fear? Why is the man of God so calm? Simply this: he believed in God. As Paul says in his letter to the Hebrews, Through faith they stopped the mouths of lions. O it is faith, still, calm faith! no distraction, no noise, no terror nor fear, not a word of complaint, no sorrow, no pain, no aching heart, but firm faith, unmovable, beautiful faith, looking to God with steady eye and trusting heart, while sweet mercy pours salvation into the soul, healing its wounds, driving away its doubts, dissipating its fears, dispelling its clouds, illuminating its darkness, and lighting up that manly heart of his, until that den of lions seemed like a heaven.
Fear! Do you think that Daniel feared for a moment those cruel, ferocious monsters? Does a child fear while in the arms of its fond mother? Oh thou tried and tempted one, fix your mind here, hold it here, in this lions' den. Stay with this Daniel until you feel the same excellent spirit he had, of child-like, yet manly, faith. The godly man is no coward, fleeing before his shadow, while such faith animates his bosom. You never hear of Daniel's fleeing into the desert to get away from an Ahab or a Jezebel, because this excellent spirit was there, it was steady, even, firm. Oh who does not love the excellent Daniel!
Hold on, thou tempted saint, as Daniel did; for the just shall live by faith. You may pray a thousand years, yet without faith, and it would be as useless and idle as the passing wind. Yet you may exercise faith as you think of this example of Daniel, the beloved Daniel, still, noiseless faith, and you will realize the blessing of God, distilling like heavenly dew upon your soul, and as you realize this, take care to keep in this frame of mind. Do not trust to duties (true, they must be performed), but trust in the God of Daniel. Read, too, the eleventh of Hebrews, and notice how highly Paul exalts faith, the first stone in the structure. It lies close upon the foundation, Christ. Lay it broad and evenly, and keep it there. Cement it down with love, for he that doubts God cannot hope in his mercy.
J. C.
MAN IN THE IMAGE AND LIKENESS OF GOD.
By L. M.
The following is an abstract view of a discourse preached on the Sabbath to a Christian church, an extract of which appeared in a religious paper. The subject was, "Man in the image and likeness of God." It was explained, I should judge, in accordance with heathen philosophy, traditions of men, and Romish superstition, in substance as follows:
"What is the image and likeness of God, after which man was created? Is it a physical, or a spiritual image and likeness, or a combination of the two? The being created in his image and after his likeness, refers not to any physical attribute or appearance whatever, but a causative power, a creative energy—a being the same in kind as his Creator, differing only in degree. Such was the original condition and attributes of man.
"The attributes of matter are extension, size, density, figure. The attributes of spirit are life, activity, thinking, feeling, memory, intuition. We cannot conceive of dead spirit, or living matter. By no process of thought can we pass the attribute of one over into the other. To speak of matter as possessing life, thought, feeling, action, is to use words not only without meaning, but contradictory to all true meaning. So to talk about spirit having form, size, taste, is not only to use words without meaning, but utter nonsense. For the truthfulness of these statements we appeal (where? to the Bible? O, no!) to the intuitive affirmation of universal intelligence!"
Our theological philosopher, or lecturer, did not tell us whether the brute creation, such as the horse, dog, and others, were material or spiritual beings, or creatures; they appear to possess some of the attributes of both as described above, such as size, figure, form, ascribed to the material; and such as life, activity, thinking, feeling, ascribed to the spiritual.
Alfred, N. Y.
L. M.
READING.
By Geo. Wright
This is emphatically a reading age, and this is highly commendable, if a proper choice is made in what we read. Let us consider for a moment the character, nature and tendency of the reading of this fast age. Go where you will to places of any note, and news depots especially, and flaming posters meet your eye, announcing that a thrilling tale is just commenced in the Ledger and papers of the like stamp. Their immense circulation attests the character of the reading of the masses. Men partake largely of the character of what they read. How important then, if we would form characters for usefulness, that we make choice of those books and papers that are elevating in their tendency, that inspire noble thoughts and leave us happier and wiser after their perusal.
I assure you, dear reader, nothing of this nature, comparatively speaking, is to be obtained from the light literature that is sweeping over the land like a flood. Three-fourths of the matter of the New York Ledger, which, by the way, stands at the head of this class, is made up of such light, trashy reading. I can state from experience that all such reading is pernicious, and destroys a taste for good, sound, wholesome reading. What wonder then, that the Bible, the book of books, is neglected? Even the professed religious papers and periodicals are more or less tinctured with (if I may use the term) religious novels. The Ladies' Repository, which I took for several years, and which is acknowledged on all hands to stand at the head of its class, being conducted by an editor appointed by the general conference of the M. E. Church, contains one or two articles of this nature every month. When I reflect on the time I have lost on this worse than useless reading, I cannot be grateful enough for the change the Lord has wrought in my mind in this respect.
Reader, I would recommend to you that Book that is able to make you wise unto salvation. Happy is he who learns to love and reverence the Book of God when young, especially if it has grown with his years, and strengthened with his strength. Such, Paul tells us, was Timothy; from a child he had known the holy Scriptures. To the young especially I would say, Imitate his example; give all diligence to add to your faith virtue, and to virtue knowledge. If you would learn of him who spake as never man spake, read the Bible. Jesus says, I am the way. In short, if you would be thoroughly furnished unto all good works, read the Bible. Shall we who believe the Lord is near, even at the doors, neglect the blessed Book? The Saviour says, Search the Scriptures. We are required to give a reason of our hope with meekness and fear.
There are many aids to help us in the investigation of the Bible. The proclamation of the third angel's message, the messengers God has raised up have been and still are throwing great light on the sacred pages by their writings. Books on all important Bible subjects, relating to the coming and kingdom of our blessed Lord, and kindred doctrines, are being published at the Review Office at Battle Creek. I believe the hand of the Lord is in the work. These silent messengers are being scattered far and wide, and in connection with the living preachers, they are doing a mighty work. God bless them in their work and labor of love. Prominent among these, as a means of spreading the truth, stands the Review, which visits us so faithfully every week. I love to trace its past history, look it over from the commencement (which I have the privilege of doing). When I learn the deep poverty, privation and sacrifice those faithful souls endured who commenced publishing, and then see its present position, I am led to exclaim, Surely it is the Lord's doings, and it is marvelous in our eyes.
Brethren scattered abroad, let us not forget the wants of the paper. Bro. Smith has appealed to us to do our share in contributing towards making the Review still more interesting. Let us pour in soul-cheering, practical articles; calculated to make us wiser and holier, from which Bro. S. can select what he may deem profitable. Don't be discouraged if your first article does not appear; try again, and may God bless you in the effort. I hope there are none who forget to read it, or pay for it. In a word, let us do our whole duty in the fear of the Lord. We read, "They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever." Dan. xii, 3. Blessed promise!
In conclusion I would say, I have found a perfect antidote for all this rage for reading politics, novels, popular dogmas, &c. It is this: Get the old man crucified with all his deeds, and the new man, Christ Jesus, put on. Thank God, when the power and glory of present truth takes hold of our mind and heart, the desire for these things flees away, like the morning cloud and early dew.
Dear brethren, while the god of this world is blinding the eyes of the people, and ripening them for destruction, let us who are of the day watch and be sober, do all in our power to spread the truth, that the jewels may be gathered, and we all saved soon in the kingdom of our heavenly Father.
GEO. WRIGHT.
Lapeer Mich.
LIFE LOST AND SAVED.
By A. Thayer
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it, and whosoever shall lose his life for my sake, shall find it. For what is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul? Mat. xvi. 25, 26.
These words of him who "spake as never man spake," were spoken on an occasion, and under circumstances adapted to clothe them with peculiar interests. Jesus had just begun to show his disciples that he must suffer, die and be raised again the third day. Peter took him aside (see Whiting's Translation) and rebuked him, saying, "Pity thyself" (margin). The Saviour turned and said unto Peter, "Get thee behind me, Satan, thou art an offence unto me for thou savorest not the things that are of God, but those that be of man."
He then enforces self-denial and following him, on the weighty considerations presented in the above text. Because whosoever will "pity himself," shall lose his life. If any man will come after me, let him deny himself. The glory of God in the salvation of man, was the great object for which he came into the world. Should he now "pity himself" or shrink from the cup he came to drink, this great benevolent plan would fail of accomplishment.
The whole human race must perish under the wrath of God. Jesus must incur the reproach of not counting the cost of his earthly mission; of being unable to finish what he began to build, thus forfeiting the confidence of all intelligent beings, and striking an effectual blow at the glory of God, not only in failing to redeem a lost world, but also in creating a universe merely to destroy it. What a triumph would Satan then have gained! Well might Jesus say "get thee behind me, Satan." But—
"This was compassion like a God,
That when the Savior knew
The price of pardon was his blood,
His pity ne'er withdrew."
For this cause came he unto this hour, to redeem unto God a peculiar people; to destroy death and he that had the power of death; to gain a complete victory over all the powers of darkness, and restore all things which God had spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began." And how gloriously worthy of confidence and love is a being, who would not shrink from such sufferings as he endured for the salvation of his enemies.
From this position let us consider the duty of self-denial here enforced by so divinely glorious an example. Will I be a disciple of Christ? Then I must "come after him." Like him I must not seek my own pleasure, profit or honor; but his who has bought me with his blood. He came not to do his own will, but the will of him who sent him. My will must be lost in his. Even Christ pleased not himself. I must please him who has chosen me to be a soldier. He left all the glory he had with the Father before the world was. I must seek the honor which cometh from God only. He became of no reputation. I must drink in so much of his Spirit as to be hated of all men for his name's sake. Though he was rich, he became poor. I must feel that46the silver and the gold and the cattle upon a thousand hills are the Lords, and employ so much of them as he commits to my care, precisely as he shall direct. In short, I must crucify the flesh, and have my life hid with Christ in God. I must continue in his love by keeping his commandments, even as he kept his Father's commandments, and abode in his love; notwithstanding iniquity abounds and the love of many waxes cold. I must forsake all and follow hard after Jesus, uncompromisingly bearing his cross, and seeking my all at his hand; and having done all that he requires, feel that I am still an unprofitable servant depending on Jesus' death for the free gift of eternal life.
A. THAYER.
Buckland, Mass.
L E T T E R S.
By S. C. Wellcome
"Then they that feared the Lord, spake often one to another."
From Bro. Wellcome.
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: Through the abundant goodness of God, I yet live, and am enabled to rejoice in Him, the God of my salvation. I have been brought very near the gates of death the past Summer, but found his grace all sufficient. His hand was laid beneath me; and upheld by his loving hand, what had I to fear? I felt that I was going home to walk the golden streets of the New Jerusalem; and although this poor body may moulder back to dust, yet by faith I could look forward to the time when the blessed Saviour should come to awake his sleeping saints, and give them a body like unto his own glorious body. O, what a blessed thought! to have an immortal body that shall feel no pain or sorrow! but it will be a glorious body that shall last through eternity.
But why should I have a hope like this when I feel that I am one of the least of His children, and altogether unworthy? I will tell you: Jesus came to call sinners to repentance. He shed his precious blood on Calvary that whosoever believeth on him might have eternal life. He gave himself a sacrifice for sin. It was accepted. Our sins were to be washed away by faith in his blood. He ascended to the Father and intercedes for dying men. He sent the comforter the Holy Spirit of promise, to win souls to himself. Ah, then! how could I resist the pleadings of that gentle Spirit, which was saying, "Come and drink of the waters of life freely."
Praise God, I did not resist it; but by its assistance was enabled to lay hold of that atoning blood by faith, and felt its cleansing power in my poor heart, and thus obtained a good hope through grace; and, thank God! it is not a little hope; but it is radiant with immortality. And although this was some years ago, yet I feel that same love in my heart to-day; and it is implanted still deeper, and burns brighter and brighter. I pray God it may continue to burn and increase until I lay down to rest, to await the coming of the Just One. Why, glory to God for this perfect love that fills the soul to overflowing! that burns with a holy flame in the heart to the consumption of everything unholy! O, blessed Savior! how can we praise thee enough for the way of life and salvation, which thou didst open to us through thy sufferings? When I think of the greatness, the fullness and the freeness of this salvation, my soul is lost in wonder, admiration and praise to God; and I feel like saying with the psalmist, "Blessed be the Lord God who only doeth wondrous things."
Brethren and sisters, how is it with you? Are you enjoying this perfect love in your hearts? Have you laid all upon the altar of Christ Jesus, and made an entire consecration of yourself and all you have and are to God? If not, then delay not, rest not, until your hearts are cleansed from sin. Oh, how many there are that are resting upon an old hope, and a form of godliness! half-christians, as some term them, but, in fact, no christians at all. The nominal churches are filled with such, and shall those who call themselves the remnant, follow in their footsteps down the formal road that leads to death? No, my brethren, God forbid. This remnant is to be a holy people; they always have been; and although thousands have professed to be his people, he accepts of none but such as are holy in heart and life. Oh, then awake out of sleep, and examine your hearts. Are they filled with love to God and man? Does God's spirit witness with your spirits that you are his children? If so, rejoice in him, the God and rock of your salvation. Let your hearts be filled with living love that may shine through you in your daily life. It will if you are the saved of the Lord. You cannot shut up the love of God in the soul. It will shine out. It will be spoken out, and lived out every day; and then the fountain of love seems to grow deeper and deeper day by day, for the spring from which the traveler drinks, that walks the highway of holiness, is inexhaustible.
But there are many of you that are striving to keep the commandments in the letter that have never submitted your hearts to God. You complain of your coldness, your sinfulness; and when you hear a brother or sister say that they love God with all their hearts, you groan within yourselves, saying, I wish I could feel as they do, but probably they don't have such trials as I do. But you mistake here; they have trials too, but they walk in the strength of Israel's God, they know in whom they have believed This privilege is yours too; for God is no respecter of persons. This coldness you complain of is the alluring breath of the enemy that he breathes upon you while he seeks to rock you to sleep in the cradle of carnal security. Oh, that God would save us all from cold, dead formality.
"Wake up brother! wake up sister!
Seek, O seek this holy state;
None but holy ones can enter
Through the pure, celestial gate.
Can you hear the thought of losing
All the joys there are above?
No my brother, no my sister,
God will perfect you in love."
I praise God that many are waking up to this subject, and begin to see the importance of taking God at his word, having full faith in him, believing, that when they ask him to create in them a clean heart, he will accomplish the work and not leave it half done. Shall we not all be willing to be made free from sin? Jesus did not die in vain. His blood can wash away the deepest stains that sin has made.
The cause is moving on in this part of Wisconsin. The church is rising under the influence of the spirit of God. Our motto is, "Holiness to the Lord." We have excellent meetings at Fish Lake on the Sabbath. My brother preaches there occasionally, and we have prayer and conference meetings; and we have felt the power of God in our meetings of late in a wonderful manner. Some backsliders have been reclaimed, and there is a deep feeling in that neighborhood. May the sanctifying power of God rest upon the scattered flock is the prayer of your unworthy brother in Christ,
S. C. WELLCOME.
Almond, Wis.
ORVIL JONES
By Orvil Jones
From Bro. Jones.
BRO. SMITH: I noticed a call in the Review for a communication from every believer in present truth in the land. I feel that I am of that number, and have an interest in the spread of the third angel's message; also in the welfare of deceived and perishing man. I am thankful for the Review, which imparts to us so much light upon the word of God, and for its faithful admonitions; also for the privilege of hearing through its columns from those of like precious faith.
It is truly heart-cheering to us to read communications from brethren and sisters with whom we have assembled in prayer and conference meetings in gone by days. I love to hear that they are still trying to live in obedience to all the requirements of God's word, in spite of the opposition which we are called to meet. I do not see anything which should discourage us from trying to keep the commandments and faith of our blessed Master. Precious promises are in the book of God for the encouragement of the faithful. When I read the history of the church from its infancy and see what the primitive Christians suffered for the cause of Christ, it makes me feel willing to bear all the trials of my time, if I may have an entrance into the city of the living God. To go forward is eternal life, backward is death.
Let me say to those if any there be, who are weighed down with temptations and surrounded with opposition, This has always been the lot of those that would follow the footsteps of Jesus. He says, My grace is sufficient for you. We have no reason to doubt. He knows all our infirmities, and the desires of every heart; he is able to save all that will put their trust in him. Everything indicates that probationary time is fast drawing to a close, and that we should be ready and on the watch, not sleeping as do others.
There are a few here that God in goodness and mercy has been pleased to lead out into the truth. There has been no preacher here but the Review and the books, together with the Bible. We shall be very glad to see some messenger here as soon as there is a way opened for them to come. I wrote to Bro. Ingraham in Minnesota to ascertain if he could come this way, but have received no answer yet: I intended to send means to pay his expenses, but have not been able to get it. Neither labor nor grain will bring the money here this winter. There are brethren and sisters about thirty miles from here, Bro. McCormick says some wish to be baptized. I think the brethren and sisters there and here should unite together in a church, for their own benefit and for the good of the cause. We could meet as often as circumstances would admit, and attend to the ordinances of the Lord's house. It seems to me that this is very important. Only those who have enjoyed such privileges know how to appreciate them. I should like to read more letters from the brethren and sisters at Avon and Hoosier Grove, also from Twin Grove and Monroe. And may God grant that we may all overcome is my prayer.
ORVIL JONES
Durand, Wis.
Church Growth and Christian Perseverance
By Asa Kimball
From Bro. Kimball.
Bro. Smith: I have nothing discouraging to write to the office with regard to the position we occupy as a church in this part of God's moral vineyard. The third angel's message, the Sabbath and other Bible truths, twining around the message, are gradually rising. The Church here is growing strong in the Lord and firmly united in brotherly love. Cases occur, however, where some grow weary, give way to temptation, and go back into the weak and beggarly elements of the world, but the vacancies are soon supplied by others who go on their way rejoicing. Hence the caution from the angel [Rev. iii, 11] "Behold I come quickly; hold that fast which thou hast that no man take thy crown." How glorious the promise, "Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation which shall come upon all the world to try them that dwell upon the earth."47
Our meetings for the past year have increased in interest. Sabbath meetings have been regularly kept up with great promptness on the part of some of the brethren and sisters to attend. Our meetings on the first day and evening which are held in different places in this vicinity are unusually interesting. In some instances, however, a warm opposition has been shown by unbelievers. Our meetings on Sunday evenings have been and are more fully attended than other religious meetings, the Congregationalists not excepted. Several instances have occurred where rooms have been crowded to overflowing, and requests have been sent us from near places to come and talk our Bible truth and faith to them; and as we move along in the straight and narrow way, we hear the cry of "union! union!" from almost every religious sect in the land. I believe this union cry to be the last trap of Satan. We could as readily unite oil and water as to unite Bible truth with the errors of the day.
We have not been favored with visits from the messengers for a long time. I think a good and efficient lecturer would be well received in this region; at least he would find ears to hear and some warm hearts to sympathize with. The perils of the last days are upon us, and the image [Rev. xiii, 15,] will soon be set up and begin to speak. O, may the Lord help us to be ready for the events of the world's crisis. Our redemption draweth near.
Asa Kimball.
Hampton, Ct.
SOLDIERS OF THE CROSS.
[Bro. SMITH: I send you a hymn which I clip from a sheet of music lately printed, which if you think proper, you will please insert in the Review.
S. C. WELCOME]
Ye valiant soldiers of the cross,
Ye happy praying band,
Though in this world you suffer loss,
Press on to Canaan's land.
CHORUS.
Let us never mind the scoffs or the frowns of the world,
For we've all got the cross to bear;
It will only make the crown the brighter to shine,
When we have the crown to wear.
All earthly pleasures we'll forsake,
When heaven appears in view;
In Jesus' name we'll undertake
To fight our passage through.
O, what a glorious time there'll be,
When we arrive at home;
Our friends and Jesus we shall see;
And God will say, "Well done!"
JOSEPH & FRANCES CARLIN
By Joseph & Frances Carlin
From Bro. and Sr. Carlin.
Bro. SMITH: We are truly living in a solemn and momentous time. And while the last work is being done for the remnant, and the work of purifying is going on, we feel like girding on the armor anew; for only those who obey all the commandments and do them will have right to the tree of life and enter in through the pearly gates into the city. And while the accuser of our brethren is going about seeking whom he may devour, and the accusing spirit of the Messenger party is leading some away into darkness, may the church awake and get ready for what is coming on the earth; for truly, if we look at the world at large, and behold the political strife among the nations, we cannot fail to see that the final crisis of this world's drama is just to close in upon us; and then, O then! there will be no opportunity to get a preparation; the sealing work will be over, the day of grace past, and then the solemn declaration will go forth, He that is holy let him be holy still; and he that is filthy, let him be filthy still. Then now while the work of separation is going on, and the precious are being separated from the vile, let us be found among those that shall gather with Christ, and not scatter abroad, that we may be of that happy number whose God is the Lord, and may be permitted to hear the blessed welcome, Come ye blessed of my Father, enter into the joy of thy Lord.
Yours truly, waiting for redemption.
JOSEPH & FRANCES CARLIN
West Milton, Saratoga Co., N. Y.
OBITUARY.
Died in Reedsburgh, Wis., Sept. 23d, 1859, of consumption, our eldest child, Julia Antoinette Towne, aged 22 years. She suffered much from a child, with an affection of the lungs, which she bore with much patience. She became serious at an early age, but never indulged a hope in Christ for herself till June, 1857, when Brn. Hart and Everts held a tent-meeting in Rubicon. She then fully embraced the Sabbath and third angel's message, and ever after endeavored to keep all the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Her strict obedience to her parents was marked by all that knew her. She was a peacemaker everywhere she chanced to be; her object always seemed to be to do right. Her health the summer past was much better than usual, until six days before she died. Four days previous to her death an abscess broke in her lungs, which caused much suffering, but not a murmur or
sigh escaped her lips. She was never entirely confined to her bed, but died in her father's arms, without a struggle or groan. Her faith in a resurrection to immortality through Christ, disarmed death of all terror. We feel greatly afflicted, but expect to meet our child soon, if faithful, where sickness, sorrow and death will never be known. Bro. J. Lock preached a very consoling discourse from 1 Cor. xv, showing the Christian's hope, to an attentive congregation.
A., & A. N. TOWNE.
DIED at Rouse's Point, Clinton Co., N. Y., Nov. 16th, 1859, Mrs. Achsah Thurber, in the 78th year of her age.
Sister Thurber was born in Athol, Mass., came to this place in 1804. About forty years of her life she bore the name of Christian. Her religious interest for about thirty years was connected with the Presbyterian Church. When the message of Rev. xiv, 6, 7, was proclaimed, she took no great interest in it. When the doctrine of unconsciousness in death, and utter destruction of the final wicked, was agitated, she remarked that she would be very sorry to have her children believe such a doctrine. When some began to remember the Sabbath, and work on Sunday, she said she would not set so bad an example before her family as to work on Sunday. But for the last ten years she has been a noble Berean in searching the Scriptures daily, whether these things are so, and to her astonishment she found that the Bible taught what she at first opposed, and thought to be great errors. She died in firm faith of all the solemn truths now advocated through the Review, and was often heard to say that she did not believe these unpopular doctrines because man said so, but that she had read them in her Bible.
As she learned the will of her heavenly Father by his revealed word, she moved forward in the path of duty. At the advanced age of seventy she saw that she had never been baptized. She did not wait for the multitude, or for numbers, but with one other she was buried with Christ in the waters of blue Champlain. She kept the Sabbath for the last four or five years, and called it a delight.
Her sickness was short—about nine days—but quite severe. I saw her on Monday evening. She said her mind was not as light as she could wish. We bowed by the bed-side, and asked the Father of lights to let down its rays upon her. I saw her the next evening; she was calm and resigned. She said, Pray that I may be spared from severe pain in my last hours; for she was sinking fast. I saw her the next evening, Wednesday, but she was too far gone to speak or notice much. We bowed again around the dying bed of the saint of God, and was led to thank him for his truth and power that sustained and strengthened in an hour like this, and prepared his child to "lay her head on Jesus' breast, and breathe her life out sweetly there."
At 12 o'clock the breath of life returned to God who gave it; and as we gazed on her face, cold in death, we could still see the calm, resigned and happy state of her mind in the last moments of her life. She was not left to die alone—no, angels were there. During the hours of the holy rest we laid her body in the grave, where the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are at rest.
When asked, while her mind was yet clear, Do you expect to go to heaven at death? No, I expect to sleep in Jesus. O that sweet sleep, how I long to enjoy it! was her ready answer. There in the silent tomb she sleeps, and there she will remain until that bright morning of the first resurrection, when she will come forth clad in immortal glory to live forever in the vigor of youth, to have a right to the tree of life, to enter in through the gates into the city, to enjoy the smiles of her Saviour, and the society of the redeemed multitude, during the ceaseless ages of eternity.
We shall miss her from our society, and our prayer circle on the Sabbath, where she always added an interest, by her whole-hearted testimony in favor of the mercy of God, the love of Christ, and the teaching of both. But her work is done, while others are left to finish theirs.
C. O. TAYLOR.
Raised from Sickness Through Prayer
By M. H. Leonard
From Bro. Leonard.
Bro. Smith : I am not weary of the way. My trust is in the God of Israel; he will save us. The Lord is soon coming; then we shall see him as he is—our lovely Saviour that has redeemed us.
I believe God hears the cries of his children and will answer their prayers when in accordance with his word. James says: "The prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up;" also, "Confess your faults one to another and pray one for another that ye may be healed." I would say to my brethren abroad, that in answer to prayer, God has raised me up from a sick bed. My disease was the lung fever. While it was raging, my good brethren came in, and with my family prayed earnestly for my recovery. The Lord heard prayer. I immediately got up and dressed myself, when a few minutes before, it was with much difficulty and pain that I was moved in bed. Praise the Lord for his goodness to me.
The third angel is doing his work. Soon the harvest will be past and the summer ended; let us see that our souls are saved.
Yours in the Lord,
M. H. LEONARD.
Burlington, Mich.