"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, if there be any praise, think on these things." Phil. iv, 8.
What an impressive exhortation is this! Happy they who heed it—and practice these virtues. Our Creator has endowed us with faculties to love and admire the beautiful, the noble, and the lovely. It inspires pure and noble thought, and refines the mind, to contemplate God in his works. What feelings of admiration and humility filled the bosom of the "man after God's own heart," when he broke forth in the following: "When I consider thy heavens, the works of thy fingers, the moon and stars which thou hast ordained, what is man that thou art mindful of him?" Ps. viii, 3. Such is the language and feeling of every renewed heart. Nature with all her loveliness is now spread out before us. Truly the tender mercies of God are over all his works. He causes his sun to shine and showers to descend which water the earth and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater. Isa. lv, 10. Truly as the poet says,
> Whate'er is beautiful or fair,
> Is but thine own reflection there.
At this point my mind is irresistibly carried forward to the glorious restitution which is soon to take place, when the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose, when we shall not build as we do here often and another inhabit, and plant and another eat, when the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
While listening to Bro. Loughborough on this glorious theme at the conference in H. recently, as he went on to describe the splendor and loveliness of the beloved city, while the Spirit of the Lord rested upon him and a happy smile lit up his countenance, and the tears of joy that coursed down the cheeks of nearly all present, and the heartfelt responses of amen and glory to God, were heard, what a thrill of joy pervaded my heart! I shall not attempt to describe it. It61was enough to strengthen the weak hands and confirm the feeble knees. Who that has a spark of the blessed hope in his heart would not quicken his pace?
Dear brethren, while we are often carried as it were to the top of mount Pisgah, and with the eye of faith take a view of the promised land, let us remember there are valleys also to pass through. We shall find much tribulation before we enter the kingdom. The Lord gird us up for the conflict is my prayer. The times of refreshing are just before us. The latter rain will soon descend. Happy they who are prepared to receive the gifts and graces then showered down.
A good brother once remarked that he wanted to live in such a manner that he might receive a sprinkling of the latter rain. Well dear brother, there was no mere sprinkling on the day of pentecost; for they were filled with the Holy Ghost is the record. O let us arise, and not be satisfied with present attainments, but resolve in the strength of Israel's God to do all his righteous will. May this be the heart-felt determination of every heart as we press on,
> Como joy or come sorrow whate'er may befall,
> An hour with my God will make up for them all.
Yes, it is our privilege to live so that we may receive a copious shower. Covet earnestly the best gifts. 1 Cor. xii, 31. The proclamation of the third angel's message is gathering out a people and purifying them by its searching and solemn truths, so that God can safely bestow or impart all the gifts and graces once enjoyed when the Holy Spirit came down like a rushing mighty wind in the former rain.
He will have a glorious church when he comes again to present to himself without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, holy and without blemish. Eph. v, 2. Think you, dear reader, this church will not enjoy all the gifts and graces that ever have been enjoyed by the church since the world began? Impossible.
There is another rain of a very different character, fearful in its nature, and fatal in its consequences, to fall upon those who have not fled for refuge and laid hold of the hope set before them. Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and a horrible tempest. Ps. xi, 6.
Be entreated poor sinner by one who loves your eternal interest. Seek, O seek a refuge in God. Seek righteousness, seek meekness, it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord's anger. Zeph. ii, 3. The Spirit and that lovely city with all its dazzling splendor invites you to come. Whosoever will let him come,
> The Spirit calls to-day,
> Yield to its power;
> O grieve it not away,
> Tis mercy's hour.
Soon will it be said, It is done. Christ will have finished his work as mediator. Mercy's door will close, and the kingdoms of this world which are now under the powers of darkness, will become the kingdoms of our Lord and his Christ and he shall reign forever and ever, amen.
Geo. Wright.
Marshall, Mich.
RELIGION.
By R. F. C.
There seems to be an idea abroad that if a person has "got religion" all is well. But there is a vast difference between religion, and true religion. The true is much more valuable than the false. Mankind are so constituted that it is natural enough for them to have some kind of religion; but if it is false, it is worse than none at all. The Lord says his people have committed two evils. 1. They have forsaken him, the true God; and 2. They have substituted something else in the place of true obedience to him. See Jer. ii, 13. It is better to shun this second evil, than to be guilty of both. Hence, no religion is better than a false one.
Cain had religion; but it was not of a right kind—it did not lead him to a scrupulous obedience to God. He chose his own way, and probably thought that it would do just as well. But Abel's religion consisted in doing as the Lord had commanded. And as the approbation of God evidently rested upon him, Cain was exasperated. Abel's obedience condemned his disobedience. He was still unwilling to give up his false religion and embrace the true; and doubtless he was piqued at Abel for setting himself up as the only one in the world that was right. There was one argument still that might be used, and that is what might be called the knock-down argument. He that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit. All know the sequel. Cain had religion, but it was not of the right kind.
The worshipers of Baal were very zealous in their religion, and would have put to death all the prophets of the Lord, if they could. It was their religion that did this.
The scribes and Pharisees had an abundance of religion, and it crucified the Lord of life and glory.
Pagan Rome had religion, and the Papacy too; and the effect was the martyrdom of the saints of God. Multitudes of those that chose to obey God, and could not be persuaded that the opposing religion was just as good, if only lived out faithfully, fell the victims of false religion.
Hence, the question is not whether people have religion, but whether they have the right kind. True religion will cause men to deal justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with God. Obedience to God is to be placed above every other consideration. No extra faithfulness in a false religion can make amends for lack of this. That worship is vain which is of our own choosing. "But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." Matt. xv, 9. We may think to worship the true God; and yet if we do not follow his word, all will be vain, and worse than useless.
Infidels tell of how much evil religion has done in the world, how much bloodshed it has caused. Religion has done it; but not the true. It is the religion of infidels, pagans, and worst of all, hypocrites, professing the true religion. And these will make one more grand attempt to overthrow the religion of the Bible, but will be signally defeated.
R. F. C.
THE DESTINY OF THE UNGODLY.
By G. P. Wilson
"The wages of sin is death." Rom. vi, 23. Thus speaks the great apostle to the Gentiles. The apostle James also says [chap. i, 15], "Sin when it is finished bringeth forth death." God tells us by the mouth of Ezekiel [chap. xviii, 4], "The soul that sinneth it shall die." The sad truth in the matter is this: our first parents having partaken of the forbidden fruit, and thereby brought sin upon themselves and their posterity, the fearful sentence is pronounced upon all men, "Thou shalt surely die." "By one man [Adam] sin entered into the world, and death by sin, and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned." Rom. i, 12.
But what is death? For the benefit of some who do not seem to see clearly on this point, let us pause a moment and investigate. Death is defined by lexicographers, to be "mortality," "extinction of life," which is being, as Job says, "As though we had not been." Job x, 18, 19. For when life is extinguished in man, and his body returns to dust, nothing remains save the particles of his composition, which then take other forms in nature.
Such was the impending doom of all when the Son of God, Jesus Christ, came into the world. Man had violated the holy law of his Maker, and by Jehovah's immutable decree must suffer the fearful penalty of so doing, death. But "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John iii, 16. He came that by passing through them himself he might obtain the keys of hell and of death [Rev. i, 18], and have power to loose all who are bound therein. So that, "as by the offense of one [Adam] judgment came upon all men to condemnation, even so by the righteousness of one [Jesus Christ] the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life." Rom. v, 18. He suffered the penalty of Adam's sin, that we being set free from the claims of the broken law, might have life beyond the grave, and if obedient during our own individual lives, might enjoy the same to all eternity. See 1 Pet. ii, 24; i, 18–21; 1 Cor. xv, 21, 22; 2 Tim. i, 10.
But what, it may be asked, is to be the lot of those who, regarding not the atonement thus made for them, and denying the glad truth of redemption through Christ, go on still in transgression of God's law, fulfilling the desires of the natural heart? Answer. They are subject to the original penalty, death, though it is to take place in a different manner from the death consequent upon original sin. It is the second death. Rev. xx, 7–9. Says David [Ps. xxxvii, 20] "The wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the Lord shall be as the fat of lambs, they shall consume, into smoke shall they consume away." Again, "The wicked shall not be; yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be." Ps. xxxvii, 10. Obadiah says [verse 16], "They [the heathen] shall drink, and they shall swallow down, and they shall be as though they had not been." See also on this point, Matt. iii, 10, 12; Mal. iv, 1; Deut. xxx, 16–19; 2 Thess. i, 8, 9; Ps. lxviii, 2; Isa. lxvi, 24.
John iii, 16. "That whosoever believeth in him should not perish." Perish signifies, "to be destroyed eternally." Webster. Jesus says [John xi, 26], "Whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die," the meaning of which no doubt is, "die eternally;" as faith in Christ does not exempt men from the death consequent on the fall of Adam. He himself suffered that death when he "humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." Phil. ii, 8.
Such is a portion of the scripture testimony concerning the end of them that obey not the gospel of God. 1 Pet. iv, 17. Much more might be adduced to establish the view herein maintained, but the little here made use of, I deem sufficient unless the argument contained in it be refuted by positive testimony from the Scriptures for a contrary view, which, so far as I am acquainted with them, does not occur in the sacred writings. The holy Spirit which dictated those writings does not deny in one place that which is positively asserted in another; and with no other view, in my opinion, can the scriptures on this subject be made to harmonize, than with the one here given; as also in the New Testament, hold up, viz., that "the wages of sin is death;" but that eternal life is the gift of God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom. vi, 23. And consequently is not to be shared in any sense whatever by those who deny both the Father and the Son.
COMFORT.
By J. CLARKE.
SOME seem to think that the great benefit to be derived from religion is the comfort it imparts; and they cannot abide the reproofs that the word administers. "Go ye up and prosper" [2 Chron. xviii, 11], said the false prophets to Jehoshaphat, but he was not content until the prophet of the Lord was called, viz., Micaiah the son of Imla, who could not be warped by the false prophets, who strove to have him give a comforting message, and thus agree with them; but the noble prophet answers their impudent instruction by stating that, "what my God saith, that will I speak." Verse 13. At present there are many who wonder why we who believe in the same God they believe in, cannot unite with them, and comfort them in their trials and temptations.
There is old Mr. H. and his wife, much respected by all for their devoted attachment to religion and the principles of Christianity, for a long life, and now old age finds them where the third message sounds in their ears. They like our papers; they are food for them, "as good as a sermon," says Mrs. H.; yet they cannot consider it important to put in practice all the law of God, still they wish us to walk with and sustain them, now as formerly, with them to worship God, and together with them travel the narrow way. To such we must say, that it is painful to us to tear ourselves from your company. We would love to pour the words of consolation into your ears, and to say to you, "Go up and prosper;" but with Micaiah the son of Imla, we must speak what God the Lord saith.
God is no respecter of persons. The child and the man of gray hairs are on the same platform as respects moral obligation; and no exceptions are made in favor of any, in the word of God; all must bow to its unyielding mandates.
The Bible is not all comfort. Why? Because man is a transgressor of the law; therefore he must have instruction and reproof. Reproof! how harsh that word sounds. Comfort! comfort! that is what most want now. Well then, obey, obey! then will you have comfort. There is a legitimate road to happiness; and if you desire comfort, then obey the word of the Lord. Then will you be comforted, as one whom his mother comforted.
Oh yes, there is a time coming when the command will be proclaimed, "Comfort ye my people" [see Isa. xl, 1, 2]; but when will it be? When her warfare is accomplished. Wo to him who comforts the transgressor; but when Zion's warfare is over, then will she be comforted. Thus, aged friends, may you be comforted, but only on conditions that you identify yourselves with Zion.
O then will Zion be comforted, when the last conflict is over, and the last enemy vanquished. Then, when Satan and his host is overthrown, will Zion be comforted, in that glorious city, where there will be no more pain.
Many think that we are very precise and strict, and that we abound in reproofs and corrections. But I ask what soldier ever asked to be comforted on the field of battle! Action! action!! says the word of command. Then when victory has crowned the brow of the conqueror, may he with laurels rest in the warm embrace of public gratitude, and pensioned, and honored may spend his life amid the harvests of plenty, and the applause of cotemporaries. But the soldier who sought ease and comfort on the battle field, may pine his life away in inglorious envy, and lost honor, and disgraceful neglect.
So the saint is now on the battle field of life, and when his commander shall call him to account, he will ask him not, How much comfort did you take, but, How did you fight.
J. CLARKE.
THE IMMORTALITY QUESTION.
By Editor
Editor of Review and Herald: In perusing your paper of June 19, I find a piece from E. Lanphear on "The Immortality Question," which you say was refused publication in the Sabbath Recorder; in which I think he misrepresents the action of the editor, the publishing committee, and Seventh-day Baptists generally. It is not my purpose to debate the subject, or answer his questions. I do not think they were all asked in Christian candor; for some seem to be asked in such a way as to try to cast contempt on the cause, or people, he wishes to refute, or win over.
I only wish to disabuse the minds of those of your readers who know less of the course taken by the editors of the Recorder, and of Seventh-day Baptists, than does Bro. L. Now Bro. Lanphear knows, as does every one familiar with the Recorder for years past, that the subject of his letter has been presented, almost, or quite, without control, by himself and others: until62it had become stale and tiresome to most of the patrons, and those whose organ it was designed to be; and now when they think best to stop awhile and let the chickens breathe, and allow something else to predominate, he is dissatisfied. And you, Mr. editor, are sorry the fight is not continued in the Recorder.
That question has been discussed in the Recorder years past, more than any other question in theology; and yet Bro. L. is bent on making the blue chicken continue the fight, by the threat of Mr. Wisconsin; and partly exhibits a similar one of his own, if human nature should chance to predominate a little more, when the instrument is drawn. I am not opposed to free discussion when properly conducted, yet I do dislike to hear or read the same things over and over, by the same, or other persons; and it has seemed that on this question, almost every one wished to ventilate themselves through the Recorder.
Again, after asking some questions, he says, "These are questions for my professed orthodox brethren to decide; ministers, of course, if laymen cannot be allowed to investigate for themselves. I never was really willing to come under priest rule," &c.
Now this would lead those not acquainted with the Seventh-day Baptists, to suppose they were like the Roman Catholics, under priestly government, which he well knows has no more foundation with them, than with those with whom he sympathizes and assimilates. I think that if much of the time, talent and paper now spent in wrangling and discussing questions, even of theology, were devoted to teaching humility and consecration to God, it would be for better for the world and the church. It appears to many, who have less combativeness, that very much of the debates of these days, whether oral or written, are designed more to "make the chicken whip," than to elucidate the truth, or present it in an inviting form.
I have written twice as much as I intended, for I only designed to let your readers know that the subject had been presented in the columns of the Recorder in all its phases ad libitum, by almost any one who could wield a pen; and also that the imputation that the priests did not allow the laymembers to investigate or speak for themselves, is entirely groundless.
Respectfully yours,
A. M. West.
Leonardsville, N. Y., July 1, 1860.
Note. We cheerfully grant Bro. West space to correct what he deems a false imputation. But while we readily admit that there may be such a thing as the readers of a journal becoming tired of the continued discussion of the same question, we cannot but query how it was that the Recorder so suddenly lost its interest in one side of the question, while the defense of the other went on with unabated vigor. If the object was really to give the "chickens" a chance to breathe, we should have expected that both would have the same privilege.—Ed.
BLESSED is that man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. Ps. cxxv, 5. As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the Lord shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity, but peace shall be upon Israel.
There was a time when twenty-three thousand of the children of Israel fell in one day. These had passed through the sea, and had eaten of the spiritual meat, and had drunk of the spiritual drink. They drank of that spiritual rock that followed them, and that rock was Christ. And with this number—twenty-three thousand—God was not well pleased; for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
Now these things were our examples to the intent we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted.
Now all these things happened unto them for examples, and they are written for our admonition upon whom the ends of the world are come.
Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall. Are there not some of the dear friends of the advent of our blessed Lord, who now stand in the position of looking for the Lord to come, that feel that they have done all, and still there is some requirement or commandment left unheeded? I ask the question, dear reader, and you can answer it.
Have you asked your Lord what you should do to be saved? If so he has answerd you as he answered the young man who asked him what he should do to inherit eternal life; he told him to keep the commandments.
Let us read what is said in 1 John ii, 3: "And hereby we do know that we know him if we keep his commandments. He that saith I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him."
The commandments of God, dear reader, we should be very particular to attend to, as in Eccl. xii, 13, 14, which read.
Dear friends, take heed lest you fall, and pray for your unworthy brother that he also may stand.
E. MACOMBER.
THE STANDARD.
By S. C. COURTER.
My mind has been dwelling considerably of late on the subject of holiness; the state we must attain to in order to be translated as were Enoch and Elijah. Now is there but one, or are there many standards? I can see but one right standard, that is the word of God. He commanded his ancient people to be holy. Ex. xxii, 31; xxiii, 13; Lev. xi, 44, 45; xx, 7, 8. We see by these few texts that they were to walk circumspectly, and keep all his precepts, his statutes and laws. And does he require less of his people now? I think not. His moral law is the same as when spoken at Sinai. God is the same pure, holy being now that he ever was; but the mystery of iniquity which had already begun to work in Paul's day, and which has since developed itself in various ways, has perverted the right way, and turned the truth of God into a lie, would have us think God changeable, or that he does not require perfect obedience now, since Jesus died, as though he had given us license to break his Father's law. But hear what the blessed Saviour, who gave his life a ransom for us, says. In his sermon on the mount he enforces his Father's law under the penalty of being least in the kingdom of heaven. See Matt. v, 17-20. He commands us to be perfect. Verse 48. Paul says [Rom. xii, 1, 2], I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.
My dear brethren and sisters, let us see to it that we raise the standard as high as the word of God. We see that the sifting time has come, when many, we fear, are turning from the holy commandments. The question comes home with force to my trembling heart,
Will ye also go away? I feel to say in the language of a good old hymn,
"Dear Lord, with such a heart as mine,
Unless thou hold me fast,
I feel I must, I shall decline,
And prove like them at last.
"Yet thou alone hast power, I know,
To save a wretch like me;
To whom, or whither, should I go,
If I should turn from thee?
"Beyond a doubt I rest assured
Thou art the Christ of God,
Who hast eternal life secured,
By promise and by blood.
"No voice but thine can give me rest,
And bid my fears depart;
No love but thine can make me blest,
And satisfy my heart.
"What anguish has that question stirred,
If I will also go?
Yet Lord, relying on thy word,
I humbly answer, No."
May we all overcome, is my prayer.
S. C. COURTER.
West Windsor, Mich.
BREVITITIES.
By J. CLARKE
EXHAUSTLESS. Talk of draining the ocean, but not of exhausting the fountains of truth. The more you draw upon them, the more you find.
HOLDING BACK. What should we think of a team that could only be made to hold back? Yet some seem to feel it duty always to lag along in the rear, or find fault with the workers. Press together.
HONESTY. A man may think himself honest, while his neighbors and friends have a different opinion. A truly honest man is honorable in his dealings. Not only does he observe the “mine,” and “thine,” as to property, but he endeavors to be highly honorable in his dealings with all, and most carefully to preserve his good name. His good name is better in his eyes than choice silver; gold is worse than lost, at the expense of his good name. How he would dread to have people distrust him, and he is only a man of the world. He despises religion, because he has been cheated by some elder, or deacon, or layman; and now he prides himself upon his honesty. But if the man of the world finds honesty to be the best policy, how much more the Christian, who is only a pilgrim and a stranger here, and is looking for a city that hath foundations. What has the pilgrim here to do with money and other wealth, except to use it as a good steward in his Master’s work? A grasping spirit is dishonest in its tendency and influence, it is a greedy love of gain; and though the outward rules of honesty are unbroken, a keen-sighted world will yet see it, and smile contempt. The world know when the Christian acts up to his profession in this particular; and they are very watchful of us in this very thing: here, too, is the most vulnerable point in many professed followers of Christ. Many a one has held out against other temptations, but has finally fallen a victim to this. This grasping spirit breaks the Sabbath, disgusts both good and bad men by its meanness. It hardens the heart, and blunts the moral sense. It makes enemies needlessly. It shuts up the bowels of charity. It cheats the treasury of the Lord. It narrows down every noble and manly sentiment of the mind, and transforms a man into a sort of ill-favored machine, on which is inscribed in glaring capitals, Sold for money! For one I hate this greedy spirit. It is wholly disgusting. There is not a feature of it that is comely. God hates it. The Saviour, the angels, and the good, hate it. It is disgusting to all the pure and the holy. Away with it from the church. It does not belong there, any more than drunkenness does. Away with it, dear brother or sister, if you possess it in any degree. Be noble, honorable, liberal, but correct in all your dealings.
HYMN.
At early dawn of day,
My soul to God shall rise;
I'll give him thanks, I'll praise his name,
For all his hand supplies.
CHORUS.—There'll be no more sorrow there,
There'll be no more sorrow there,
In heaven above where all is love,
There'll be no more sorrow there.
My errors I'll confess,
His pardoning grace implore,
And trust to Christ's own righteousness,
While I his name adore.
CHORUS.
The appointed cross I'll bear,
I'll heed affliction's call,
And make it my peculiar care,
To render good to all.
CHORUS.
My soul shall drink her fill,
From full salvation's well,
My heart shall joy to do his will,
My life his wonders tell.
CHORUS.
Then let the morning shine,
The sun illumine the day,
The sacred lamp of truth divine,
Shall light me on my way.
CHORUS.
Trials in the Way of Duty
Troubles frequently meet us in the way of duty; they are designed to try our constancy, courage, and sincerity: think not, I am going wrong, because tried; but wait on the Lord, and he shall save thee.
Pressing Forward to the Heavenly Rest
E. M. Davis writes from Ionia, Mich. : "I rejoice in the Lord that he ever gave me a desire (for it is certainly the Spirit of the Lord that calls us to leave our evil ways) to give heed to the third angel's message, and see that I was treading under foot (though ignorantly) God's holy rest-day. My determination is now, by the grace of God, to take his word for the man of my counsel. Although I do not feel within me that peace and quietness of mind at all times that some seem to enjoy, and have many doubts that I shall not be permitted to enter into that rest prepared for the people of God, yet I am determined to press forward. The blessed hope is before us. The eternal weight of glory is yet to come. The resurrection of the just, when all shall receive their recompense and reward is yet future. I am thankful that probation has not yet closed; that Christ has not yet laid aside his priestly garments and taken up his kingly robes, but is yet an advocate with the Father."
"Man loves to build castles in the air; he allows his imagination to take a wide scope; but after all it is a dream, it is all vanity. But in heaven there is something that is not vanity; here is something worth striving for; here is something that no mind in its most refined state of cultivation can ever have a true conception of. Shall we not then brethren and sisters strive to overcome. Let us all therefore with David desire that one thing of the Lord, and that seek after; to wit, to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of our life. Ps. xxvii, 4. Let us hunger and thirst after righteousness. Matt. v, 6. Let us love God with all our hearts; and "this is the love of God that we keep his commandments [1 John v, 3]; and in so doing there is great reward. Ps. xix, 11. When I recount my unprofitableness in the present cause, I fear and tremble lest a promise being left me of entering into his rest I should seem to come short of it. Hebrews iv, 1. Brethren and sisters, how many of us professing this present truth shall be sealed and translated, or raised at the first resurrection, over the subjects of which "the second death hath no power." What an awful thought that any of us may come short of it, and be doomed to suffer the pangs and agonies of the seven last plagues, when the unmingled wrath of God shall be poured without mixture upon the ungodly. And this is not the end. After a lapse of 1000 years, another scene is brought to view, at the close of the great day of the Lord God Almighty, when while under the influence of the last great deception of the Devil, being gathered together, Gog and Magog in battle array encompassing the camp of the saints about and the beloved city, fire comes down from God out of heaven and devours them. This is the second death. This is 'indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish;' 'everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord,' &c. 'What manner of persons then ought we to be in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat.'"
Keeping the Commandments of God
Sister A. R. Sheldon writes from Montgomery, Vt.:
“It has been but a few months since I commenced keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Some here think it is a sin for any one to keep the old Sabbath. They say that Christ came and did the commandments away, and that we have nothing to do with the old letter. But I find a passage in the Bible which reads, 'Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments and shall teach men so, he shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven.' Christ says, 'Think not that I am come to destroy the law or the prophets; I am not come to destroy but to fulfill.' Again, Christ says to the young man, 'If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.' If he came to destroy why would he be so particular? My Bible tells me to leave father and mother and sisters and brothers. I am going to take the Bible for the man of my counsel, and try to live up to it as fast as the light shall shine on my pathway. I first heard the truth from Brn. A. C. and D. T. Bourdeau, who came into our neighborhood to preach. I received the truth, and I can praise God for it.”
Extracts from Letters.
Bro. S. Treat writes from Searsport, Me.: “For the encouragement of the little flock scattered abroad, I would say, the Lord is good, blessed be his holy name forevermore. I am not yet tired of the way, though it costs many a struggle to pursue it. I feel that by the grace of God I have gained some victory over my evil propensities, and the way looks brighter. I think I believe without a doubt that we are living under the sound of the last message of mercy that will ever be offered to this guilty world. If so, O how important that we all awake to duty and gird on the whole armor, and fight manfully the battle of the Lord; and in order to obtain victory in pursuing this warfare, we must cut loose from the world, and possess our souls in patience, and constantly keep a meek and quiet spirit, which in the sight of God is of great price. Our weapons of warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; praise the Lord!”
“Although I have gained some victories, I do not find myself entire, wanting nothing. I find that when I would do good, evil is present with me. It is exceedingly hard for me to control my thoughts, and bring them under subjection to the will of God; but by the help of the Lord, I mean to keep struggling for entire victory, and to this end I humbly ask the prayers of all God's saints. For, says Paul, if ye live after the flesh ye shall die, but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. Rom. viii, 13, 14. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth; but if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John i, 6-9.”
“The Lord help me to keep all the commandments of God and the sayings of Jesus, and then I hope, with all the saints, to be permitted to enter in through the pearly gates into the city of the New Jerusalem to go no more out forever, and to share in that inheritance which was promised to Abraham and his seed after him, for an everlasting possession. O glorious promise!”
“If this should meet the eye of any impenitent sinner, be invited by one that loves your soul, to come and go with us, and we will do you good; for God has spoken good concerning Israel.”
Walking the Narrow Path
Sister M. M. Buckland writes from Carlton, N. Y.:
“I am still trying to obey God by keeping all his commandments, and striving to walk in the narrow path that leads to life. I feel very thankful for the light of present truth. I rejoice that I have ever heard the sound of the third angel’s message, and that I had a heart willing to obey it. It is nearly two years since I commenced keeping the Sabbath of the Lord, and I feel that I have been greatly blessed in so doing. I have no desire to turn back from this good way; for I feel that my only safety is in obedience to the Lord. I have set out to serve the Lord, and I must not go back; but by the grace of God assisting me, I am determined to press my way onward, and strive to make heaven my home. I feel that it is a great thing to be indeed a follower of the meek and lowly Jesus; and to have every word, and thought, and act, right in the sight of God. It seems that the way grows more straight and narrow every day; and I feel that I need much grace and strength to enable me to go through to the kingdom; but my trust is in the Lord, and I do believe that if I lean upon his strong arm he will lead me safely through.
“I long to be filled with the sweet Spirit of Jesus, and to fully reflect his lovely image. I want to be wholly the Lord's and I am willing, if I know my own heart, to give up everything, that I may be indeed a child of God. I want to be ready for the coming of Jesus; and it is my determination to strive earnestly to overcome every besetment, that I may be found worthy of a crown of life at the appearing of my Saviour.”
Self-Examination for Overcoming
Bro. A. B. Warren writes from Disco, Mich.: ‐As from week to week through the Review we receive cheering accounts from different parts, of the progress of the third angel’s message, we rejoice to know that the Law and the testimony are going forth conquering and to conquer. I hope and pray that new messengers may be raised up in all parts of the land very soon to call the people of God out of Babylon, and many sinners to repentance. We often hear the pertinent request, Pray for me that I may be an overcomer. The way to do it is for each to go into a thorough self-examination, until we get a perfect knowledge of ourselves, then set a watch over every passion or besetment by which we are overcome, and let the main spring of that watch be the love of God kept up by secret prayer.—[sic]
A Lonely Believer’s Appeal
Sister C. E. Gazin writes from Indian River, N. Y.: "I desire to say a few words through the Review to the brethren and sisters whose words of admonition and encouragement have so often cheered and strengthened me. I thank God for the privilege of reading the paper, as it is all the preacher we have. It has been almost two years since we have had any words of consolation from those of like faith; but praised be the Lord, his word and his grace is sufficient; he is a present help in time of need. How good is he to show us our faults, and help us to correct them. I have been trying for some time past to get nearer the Lord, and the more I try, the nearer the Lord draws to me. O praised be the name of the Lord for condescending to look upon such an unworthy worm of the dust.
"We would be very glad to have some of the preaching brethren come this way and hold meetings in this place if they should feel it duty to do so; but if duty calls some other way, we say, Go sound the message to fallen man; and the prayer of your unworthy sister shall attend you. Brethren and sisters, you who have the privilege of mingling your voices in prayer around the throne, remember the lonely ones. I believe the time will soon come when the children of God will meet to part no more."