Earlier text: THE SKEPTIC METGod will reward us, not for what we designed to do, but for what we have done; not for what we were in feeling and personal devotedness, but for the practical proofs of such devotedness; not merely for theorizing correctly, but for carrying out these theories in practice. Resolutions, tears, prayers, good designs, unless sealed with a holy life, are but mockery. Making a debt to pay a debt, generally doubles the debt; and plunging into new and untried schemes of business just now as we look for the advent of Christ, seems to me like presumption. Christians should be cautious about soliciting or receiving aid in their business from the wicked world; although it may not be presently dangerous, yet Satan hides his viperous brood133 of evils deep beneath plausible plans, and often baits with golden dreams, and splendid prospects. Inquire of the Lord before you launch into any new scheme. David was a successful general, and a wise king; and herein lay the secret of his success; and whenever he moved rashly, and forgot to inquire of the Lord, disasters followed. So with other kings of Israel. Almost invariably this rule obtained: that whenever God was inquired of, he gave success; in that theocratic government we see displayed the weakness and impotence of a nation, when moving in their own strength; and their might and power when moving in the order of God. Beware of hasty steps and unsanctified desires which breed unwise plans, and lead us in dangerous paths, where serpents hiss, and scorpions lie concealed. I can't, says the weak brother, I can't pray in public, and in my family, and talk to my children. That is so, says Satan, you can't do it; and I wouldn't try. Your boys will laugh at you, and besides it is not your gift; let Bro. A. B. and C. do this, but you have no gift, and never had; what is the use of trying to do what nature never qualified you to do? Go on, and attend to your farm, only keep the Sabbath, and go to meeting, but as to trying to do what is contrary to your nature, do not do it. Pray in secret; that you can do, for there is no one to notice your awkwardness but God, and he don't care how awkward you are, if you are only sincere; but as to exposing yourself and your weakness before the brethren, do not do it. Another thing, I would not totally abstain from whiskey. An occasional dram when washing sheep, or when cold and wet, or sometimes when invited to give or take a treat, can certainly be of no harm to one so steady and correct as yourself; as to what these meddlesome brethren say to you, be sure you do not mind them, they are out of place. Why there is that pert brother, always into what does not concern him, let him know you can beat him, give him a rub next Sabbath in your exhortation. Oh, but you must take care not to speak too glib, or they will think you might overcome that bashfulness. Another thing, those long eloquent justifications of yours—why don't you see the brethren notice how gifted you are in this? Take care! or they will weigh you! What is the use of all this ado about the Sabbath, says Satan to sister —. You cannot come up to this tyrannical standard; God does not require such ridiculous strictness. Get supper on sixth-day about as usual, perhaps a little earlier, but as to getting the cows so early, and getting the milking done long before sundown, and cooking up such a host of victuals, it's all of man. Study your Bible and get into the spirit of it, just as you always have done, and God will be just as good as he ever has been, without all this puritanical self-righteous strictness. Show your independence. Some have an idea that religion is a gloomy thing, and having sincerely embraced it, they check all cheerful emotions, supposing that this is duty. Such should reverse the order, and check all gloomy, unhappy emotions, and nourish cheerfulness in thought and word. Cheerfulness is equally distant from fanatical gloom on the one hand, and from mirthful gayety on the other. He who expends his cheerful feelings in empty mirth, is like the engineer who lets his steam pass off in the escape-valve which is needed to propel the engine; while he who commands his cheerful emotions, and keeps them in strict obedience to law, always has a supply on hand, like the careful engineer who does not permit any loss of steam. Teachers have observed that young children are frequently poor readers in consequence of mistaking b for d, or q for p, &c. So he who cannot command his passion, has not yet learned the alphabet of holiness; such are in the primary department, as yet; among the babes. A man may outwardly keep the Sabbath, and do many good things, and may have a sort of love for good men, all resulting from a sort of refinement and correct taste, and have still a wicked unchanged heart, and Satan might give such a person brilliant experience in order to keep him from settling deeply into the truth. I am doubtful of all experience of God's love which comes to the rebellious, the stubborn, the willful transgressor. I say to you, beware of propping yourself up in a wrong course of life, by means of inward light. Perhaps it may be the all-deceivableness of Satan, by which he would if possible deceive the very elect. To rivet the chains of the deceived, Satan often grants false light: and to discourage the good he often infuses his own gloomy darkness. A good man tests his experiences by the word, and often asks himself, Am I the better for these experiences? Do they have a purifying, sanctifying influence upon my life? Am I strengthened by them in resisting sin, and in pursuing holiness? The wicked man is heedless in this respect, and quotes his experience to himself; when persecuted conscience painfully, partially waking from her stupor, with friendly admonitions, shows him the sand where rock should be, he turns (faint at the sight) to his experience, and leans upon the staff which one day will pierce his hand, and half comforts his soul, while poor conscience, insulted and abused, but helpless, sinks into the stupor of such a death, as the upas shades produce upon the unwary traveler. The good man is not always free from deceitful experiences, but he guards himself against them, as the careful merchant guards himself against counterfeit money; and if he is as faithful to his trust, as the merchant is to his cash account, he will soon become as quick to discern, and as firm to decide, as prompt to condemn or approve. He will judge righteous judgment, having tried the spirits which offer themselves. Bro. —, thinks there is a vacuum in the Review; that somehow or other it is not right; that Bro. —, is wrong in some things. Now we do not suppose that every position of every writer in the Review is infallibly correct, and in perfect accordance with scripture, but it is as nearly so as the united efforts of God's people can get to the standard, and we hope as an message rises, to get nearer to the standard, and we hope the brother will patiently wait until we arrive at the culminating point of the message, when we hope to attain to the perfect stature, and the watchmen see eye to eye. Meanwhile we would in a loving, friendly manner, ask the brother to wait patiently until we overtake him. THE CAUSE IN BERLIN, WIS.
By A. TABER
BRO. SMITH: For the encouragement of the scattered flock, I would say that a few of us here are striving for the kingdom by keeping the commandments of God and trying to obtain the true faith. We meet twice a week for prayer, and, by the blessing of God, renew our strength. We have been much encouraged by a visit from Bro. Allen, who was with us three weeks, and gave a course of lectures on the prophecies, which had the effect to bring some into the truth. Three were baptized at the close of the meeting, which make five this season in this place. The meetings were held in the Seventh-day Baptist house, and for a while there was a good degree of union, but when the straight truth in regard to the fallen condition of the churches was presented, many church members took offense and united to oppose the truth, thereby drawing a division line and widening the gap between the honest-hearted ones who are looking for the soon coming of their Lord, and daily trying to overcome by patience and well-doing, and those who feel at ease so long as they maintain a good standing in the church. It appears to me that the time is near at hand when the harvest will be fully ripe, when the tares will be bound in bundles preparatory to a final destruction, while the wheat will be gathered into the barn. In fact, it seems that nominal professors are anticipating the work of the gathering angel by binding themselves into bundles to oppose truth. Brethren and sisters, let us strive to ripen into sound wheat, remembering that green stuff, although it may be called wheat, will never do to go into the barn. God will have a perfect harvest, and that which is not ripe when the gathering angels sweep the world, will be gathered among the tares. Let us daily and hourly ripen. When a wheat crop is ripening if it stops its progress for one day, it is liable to be struck with the rust which may spoil the crop. We have barely time to ripen for the kingdom, and if we lose one day, that may cause a blight which may be the means of our meeting the reapers unprepared. Yours striving to make daily progress to meet my Lord. A. TABER. Berlin, Wis., Aug. 24, 1860. GOOD PROPOSITION.
By James White
Under this head we introduced extracts from a letter from Bro. S. H. King in No. 14, relative to raising means to put up an Office building, pay borrowed money, and have a fund sufficient to publish to advantage. To Bro. King's proposition Bro. F. T. Wales of Melbourne, Canada East responds as follows:— “Our Bro. S. H. King speaks my mind perfectly concerning the liabilities resting on the Office, &c. I can say with Bro. King, I am willing to help shoulder the burden. I for one am willing to set apart one day each month which probably will be about two dollars for each month if my heavenly Father gives me health, until the debt of the Office is paid up. “I am a mechanic, and my means are small, but I feel determined to do all that God will have me do until Jesus comes. “Dear brethren, it seems to me that if we are in the work as God would have us be, we can all do something for the welfare of the cause of God. I for one think much of Bro. King's proposition. Come brethren, let us try and set ourselves at work, and God will bless.” Let others speak out. The subject will doubtless be considered at the General Conference. We have no doubt but the enterprise will meet with general approbation. The brethren want the Office placed above embarrassment, and properly secured. It is now thought best to take the Office building and lot off the hands of the three brethren who own it, move the old Office back, and repair it, and build a new front sufficient for the business. This would require the sum of $2000. Add to this $1500 of borrowed money which the Office owes, and it makes $3500. Add to this, say $1000, necessary to raise the book fund so as to enable the Office to keep on hand a full supply of all our publications, and it makes the sum of $4500 to be raised instead of $6000, as suggested in No. 14. By purchasing the old Office building and lot, considerable will be saved, so that by a close calculation we arrive at the above figures as the probable sum. We wish to say that with punctuality on the part of subscribers the receipts for REVIEW AND INSTRUCTOR will equal their cost. Also, our present prices for books will fully meet their cost. Some may ask, “Why then call for more means?” For their information we will here state that the Office Book Fund is only $1500, which is only about one third the sum necessary to manage the book business properly. Let the church raise the means necessary for the Office building and to publish and keep on hand a good supply of all our books, and the Office will then fully sustain itself. Shall it be done? We hope to hear from the friends of the cause before the conference.
J. W. THE opinion has attained to some extent with many that an appeal to the opinions of others on Bible questions, is of no weight whatever, and should not be resorted to on any occasion. This view is no doubt partially correct, but should not be carried to an extreme. It is true that we should not pin our faith to the opinions of others, but ever hold the declarations of the Bible as paramount to all the theories and speculations of men. But while we do this it is also true that the opinion of the commentator and the Biblical critic, has an office to perform, and there are occasions when a legitimate appeal can be made to their testimony. The apostle Paul more than once availed himself of this privilege, in arguing with his opposers. Read his appeal to the Athenians as he stood in the midst of Mars' Hill to declare unto them the being whom they worshiped as the unknown god. In the course of his argument he says: “For in him we live, move and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, 'For we are also his offspring.' ” Acts xviii, 28. Now Paul would not, of course, appeal to heathen poets for the proof of his doctrine. His proof he drew from another source; and it was sufficient to establish his point; but in this case the words of the poet were in accordance with the truth; the Athenians held their poets in high repute, and attached great weight and importance to their declarations: Paul, therefore, brings in the testimony of the poet to give the greater weight to his testimony among those whom he was laboring to convince. A similar course he pursues while writing to Titus in Crete. He would condemn the Cretians on the testimony of one of their own people. Titus i, 12. Such we believe to be the legitimate use of the opinions of others: When they are in harmony with the truth, quote them in defense of the truth to those with whom they have or should have weight and authority. These thoughts have respect to doctrines or opinions merely. Information pertaining to matters of fact is legitimate from any source, and entitled to weight upon any question to which it relates. The following articles I clip from a secular paper of Aug. 22, and send them to you, as they throw light upon the present state of Europe, all betokening a speedy fulfillment of the long-wished-for event, the consummation of all things. PROSPECT OF A GENERAL EUROPEAN WAR—THE POLITICAL HORIZON DARK.
The London correspondent of the New York Tribune writes, In a few days, however, two or more brigades of regular Italian troops, six battalions of Sicilian rifles, and two batteries of artillery, will be ready to take the field, all in all, about 30,000 men. A regiment of cavalry is in course of formation, and 12,000 mobilized national guards, in fact, irregular insurgents, are under arms. With these resources, Garibaldi will soon be prepared to make an attack upon Naples, and to overthrow the confusion which is now reigning there. The officers of the fleet have openly declared that they will not fight against Italians; a portion of the army protest against the foreign regiments, and insist upon the order for disbanding them; the Royal Guards and the foreigners shout, "Down with the Constitution!" "Long life to Maria Theresa!" the Queen Dowager, who is at the head of the re-actionary party, while the lazzaroni and the children in the street greet one another with a hurra for Garibaldi! This state of things has seriously alarmed Austria, especially as in Hungary the demonstrations multiply, and Serbs and Croats openly express their sympathies with their former enemies of 1848. On the 8th of Aug. the Council of the Empire is to discuss the Budget, and the Hungarian members have selected this opportunity for a parliamentary attack upon the system of centralization prevalent in Austria. They will be backed by the Bohemian, Croatian, Serb and Wallachian members; a Dalmatian, too, has promised his vote; and then the opposition will muster strong enough to disturb the equanimity of the Cabinet and the Emperor. After having disclosed the defects of the present system, they will recommend provincial constitutions for all the different portions of the empire as the only possible remedy, and then give in their resignation. The Vienna Cabinet is well aware that such a resignation will be nothing short of the first sign of a revolution, and are therefore looking around for assistance. This is the real cause of the Toplitz Conference, which resulted in a complete understanding between Austria and Prussia; and if the Syrian difficulties have for a while detached from this coalition, we see England—that is to say, the Court and Cabinet—rather inclined to support the German princes, and the king of Belgium. A great European war is scarcely to be avoided. Though the Austro-Prussian Alliance which now extends over all Germany is for the present only a defensive one, still it cannot fail to soon become offensive in the face of the rapid extension of revolution in Italy. Napoleon sees his danger, and accordingly keeps 600,000 men under arms. In the course of August he is to have an interview with King Victor Emanuel at Monaco, between the French and Italian provinces, to arrange the future position and relations of the Empire and the Italian Kingdom—these natural allies against the coalition. The Latin races and the German nation are pitted against one another, but Revolution and Enthusiasm now side with the Latin League, while the German coalition represents the oppression of other nationalities, and centralizing despotism. The Oriental question complicates the situation still more, since Europe cannot now allow that Russia should annex the East, while the Western and Central Powers are making war against one another; and still the Sultan and Turkish Empire are past saving. They have wasted the respite given them by the Crimean war and the peace of Paris, without consolidating their power; and their doom is sealed since the fanaticism of Lebanon and Damascus have caused the indignation of the civilized world against a power unable to give protection to its subjects, and to prevent the most atrocious outrages. THE PERIL OF ENGLAND—A REMARKABLE CONFESSION.
The London Times, in an article noticing the late letter of the Emperor Napoleon says: "It is the policy of the Emperor of the French, for reasons which he believes to be quite sufficient, at a time when all Europe is only anxious to preserve peace with him and his invincible legions, to maintain an army amounting to four hundred thousand men, and, with few colonies or outlying dominions to protect, a navy, to say the least, of the most formidable dimensions. Our navy is our only guarantee for the existence of our vast trade and the retention of our Colonial and Indian Empire. Our navy depends on our dock-yards, our dock-yards depend on the force which we can spare for the defense, and on the fortifications which we can erect around them. Twenty-four hours' loss of command of the Channel is invasion. Twenty-four days' loss of the command of the sea is ruin to our credit, our commerce, our manufactures. The machine is so complicated that it will not bear the slightest or most temporary derangement." The above lines are significant and contain an extraordinary confession. The Times, in effect, says to the French Emperor that if he can obtain the control of the Channel but for twenty-four hours, he can invade Great Britain, and then throw his disciplined hundreds of thousands of troops on her shores. If he can hold the command of the Channel by a superior fleet for twenty-four days, he can ruin British credit, British commerce, and British manufactures! The British political fabric, we are told by the Times, is so complicated that it will not bear the slightest or most temporary derangement. This is certainly not a very enviable picture of British greatness! Louis Napoleon having no colonies to guard, and having an immense navy is able, by concentrating it all in the channel, while the British navy is distributed over the globe, to get that superiority for a few hours or a few days, which, the Times thinks, would be disastrous to England. To Correspondents.
By Editor
C. C. D. of N. Y.: If those to whom you refer have any reasons to present for the idea that Gen. i, 26, refers134 to the creation of man's immortal soul merely, and Gen. ii, 7 to the formation of the body exclusively, we should be happy to see them. But if they have none, if it is a mere assumption on their part, we should be disposed to treat it accordingly, namely, to pass it by as unworthy of notice. M. B. S. of Iowa: We are inclined to the opinion that the declaration of 1 Cor. xv, 22, is universal in its application, embracing all men; though the testimony of the next verse is certainly restricted to those who have fallen asleep in Christ. D. Chase: The dishonest or ignorant use which some try to make of the Greek of Matt. xxviii, 1, &c., has been so lately exposed in the REVIEW, that we do not think it necessary to go over the ground again. You will find remarks on that subject in REVIEW, No. 17, Vol. xv, and No. 21, Vol. viii. We send you one of the numbers. Federal Fugitive Slave Law
"Be it enacted by the senate and house of representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled (in addition to the act of 1789), "SEC. 5. That it shall be the duty of all marshals and deputy marshals to obey and execute all warrants and precepts issued under the provisions of this act, when to them directed; and should any marshal or deputy marshal refuse to receive such warrant, or other process, when tendered, or to use all proper means diligently to execute the same, he shall, on conviction thereof, be fined in the sum of 1000 dollars, to the use of such claimant, . . . commissioners, or persons to be appointed by them, to execute process as aforesaid, to summon and call to their aid the bystanders or posse comitatus of the proper county, when necessary to insure a faithful observance of the clause of the constitution referred to, in conformity with the provisions of this act; and all good citizens are commanded to aid in the prompt and efficient execution of this law, whenever their services may be required. "SEC. 7. That any person who shall knowingly and willingly obstruct, hinder or prevent such claimant, his agent or attorney, or any person or persons lawfully assisting him, her or them, from arresting such a fugitive from service or labor, either with or without process, as aforesaid, or shall rescue or attempt to rescue such fugitive from service or labor, from custody of such claimant, his or her agent or attorney, or other person or persons lawfully assisting as aforesaid, when so arrested pursuant to the authority herein given and declared, or shall aid, abet, or assist such person so owing service or labor as aforesaid, directly or indirectly, to escape from such claimant, his agent or attorney, or other person or persons, legally authorized as aforesaid; or shall harbor or conceal such fugitive so as to prevent the discovery and arrest of such person, after notice or knowledge of the fact that such person was a fugitive from service or labor as aforesaid, shall, for either of said offences, be subject to a fine not exceeding 1000 dollars, and imprisonment not exceeding six months, by indictment and conviction before the District Court of the U. S., &c." "Then they that feared the Lord, spake often one to another." DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS IN CHRIST: I will again address a few lines to you through the Review, realizing that it is a great privilege to have a medium through which we can address each other, and speak of the dealings of God to our souls, while scattered over this dreary earth, where we so much need each others' sympathy, counsel, and admonitions; and as I have for a few months past been deprived of the privilege of meeting with the children of God, until the last three weeks, and not having seen but one number of the Review since April, I have often been led to look back with pleasure to the happy scenes I have enjoyed with loved ones now far away. And as I remember how often my heart has been cheered by the epistles of those of like precious faith, I thought that perhaps some would be glad to hear where I am and how I am getting along. Well, I would say, I am still pressing my way on, with my eyes fixed upon the glorious city that is just ahead, striving to overcome, by the help of my heavenly Father, all the obstacles that are in my way, and persuading all that I can to go with me to the land of promise. My health had become so poor last spring that I concluded that it would benefit me to travel a few months in Minnesota. Accordingly I left my home in Almond, Wis., the first of May, and came by the way of Portage with Bro. G. W. Perry. We spent the Sabbath with the brethren there. I also met with Bro. and Sr. Steward, as they were returning from the Mackford conference. I had not seen them for a year, and my heart was truly made glad in meeting with them, and hearing from their lips again the words of truth. And I rejoiced the more also that I found them standing in the liberty of the gospel, rejoicing in full salvation. But I had to leave them and other dear friends, with the prospect, in my feeble health, that I should never meet them again on earth. O may God bless them in their labors of love, and make them instruments in bringing many souls to Christ, and then give them an abundant entrance into his coming kingdom. Leaving Portage I came to Goodhue Co., Minn., where I spent a few weeks with my brother, who is a physician. While there I went to Bro. Porter's neighborhood, expecting to meet Bro. Ingraham, but was disappointed, as he was holding meetings some fifteen miles from that place, and I was informed that Bro. Porter had gone to the meeting, so I did not see him. As I had made arrangements to come out West further, I could not go to the meeting. Finding my health somewhat improved by traveling and taking some medicine, I have been over much of the State, and as this is a very pleasant and healthy place, have concluded to stop here for a while. This is one of the finest countries in the West, and were it not for the curse that is resting upon it, with all the rest of the earth, it might be called a paradise. But in associating with the inhabitants, I find that I am still on the old earth, where sin reigns predominant; and notwithstanding the beautiful face of the country, yet man has corrupted his way upon it, as in the days of Noah, and the weary pilgrim, finding nothing here to charm him, and no place to rest, sighs and looks away with longing eyes to the haven of rest, to the earth made new, where flowers far more beautiful than prairie flowers, bloom, never to decay, where the tree of life grows that yields delicious fruit, and the beautiful stream that maketh glad the city of our God. I have had opportunities to talk with many this summer on the subject of our hope, but Oh, the darkness that hovers over the land! It is like the Egyptian darkness that can be felt. I find but a few that are looking for the coming of the Saviour, only, as they say, he comes in spirit every day; and but very few who are seeking for immortality through Christ. Many think they have eternal life now in them, and that Christ comes at death and takes their immortal, invisible souls away beyond the bounds of time and space to an imaginary heavens. Oh what a hope is this! that stands on a foundation outside of the word of God; for surely, if nothing but my immortal soul is going to heaven, I should lie down in despair, and say with the infidel, that I was taking a leap in the dark. I find that the true doctrine of the Bible is rejected by the mass of professed Christians, and the Bible is but a book of fables, meaning what it does not say; and they call all that believe that a man is a soul the most dangerous infidels in the world. I find many too that contend for gospel faith, as they call it, without a law, except the law of faith, that the gospel is a command, &c. And because we believe that Christ is the end of the law for righteousness, only to such as believe in him, and that a man that has true gospel faith must and will walk in obedience to all God's commandments, they tell us we are under the old Jewish law. O may God pity the poor benighted ones who have been led astray by false teachers. When I arrived at this place I found Bro. Rew's family formerly of Ripon, Wis., and a sister Burgess formerly of Lynn, Mass., keeping God's holy day. We had a prayer-meeting appointed three weeks ago on the Sabbath, and although there are but few of us, our meetings are very interesting; for the Lord meets with us to bless, and we expect to see the salvation of God in this place. There is no other prayer-meeting in the place although there are about two hundred inhabitants and many of them professors. They have preaching here, every Sunday, two and three meetings in the day. Baptists, Methodists, Campbellites and Universalists. The people turn out well, and are starving for the bread of life. Many say they want to hear an Adventist. I think the truth would be received by many if it could be preached. The Sabbath question is being agitated in the Bible-class, and I think is doing good. I had some books with me that I have distributed, and am striving to give all the light I can, God's grace assisting me. Cannot Bro. Ingraham come here with the tent? We are twelve miles from Mankato and thirty from Cleveland. I wrote to Bro. Porter at Milton, to get him to come, but fear he did not get my letter. If Bro. Ingraham can come, we will do the best we can for him, and I think he can do much good. May the Lord direct in this matter, and if he can come, I should like to have him write me. Brethren and sisters, pray for us, that the Lord may work among us in mighty power, that the truth may flourish in this western country. Garden City, Blue Earth Co., Minn., Aug. 24, 1860. B. L. CLARKE
By B. L. Clarke
Bro. SMITH: I do not find any prayer-meetings here of any kind. I find a few who are looking for their Saviour, but they are so scattered over the prairie that it is difficult to often meet. I find no Sabbath-keepers here in this place, but still I am striving to keep the Sabbath, and all the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. Although I am here alone, I trust that I shall have your prayers that I may stand, and having done all, stand with my loins girt about with truth, choosing135rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. I often think of the many precious seasons that I have enjoyed in Anamosa and Fairview. I would say, Be strong in the Lord, building up yourselves in the most holy faith. Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. I am not discouraged, but I am still striving to get ready for the kingdom, that I may find shelter in the great day of trouble beneath the balmy wing of Jesus. and and be accounted worthy to stand with the innumerable company on the sea of glass. From your unworthy sister, looking for redemption. I WOULD GO.
By Huldah Holford
I would go with you, dear brethren,
To mount Zion's shining plains;
For I almost see the glory,
Where the King eternal reigns. I would go with you, dear brethren,
I am coming very slow;
Lead me, for I need assistance
In this dreary world of woe. I would go with you, dear brethren,
O that God would speed my flight!
May I rise with the third message
To those worlds of glory bright. Let us watch in patient waiting,
For the Lord is coming soon;
Hark, I hear the scoffer scoffing!
Omen of the day of doom. Yes, the signs are fast fulfilling,
They are thickening all around;
All proclaim the storm is gathering,
Soon the last loud trump will sound.
Huldah Holford. PROGRESS OF APOSTASY.
By J. Clarke
Some affirm that there is no such moral fall as is asserted to be in the church and world. Let such note the following from the Advocate and Guardian, Vol. 26, No. 9: "Upon the best authority we assert that pauperism and crime are swelling to a height which threatens to overflow all our former social and moral landmarks, and to blight society itself with an intolerable scourge." Still more startling is the statement that thirty-eight per cent of all this wretchedness is native born. The cost of pauperism and crime (in N. Y.) in 1858, was $800,000. The problem of city evangelization is one of the most difficult which could task our powers. THE FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW OF 1850.
By J. B. Frisbie
We have been accused of not quoting this law correctly. We have therefore taken pains to procure the law, and copy out the part that we make use of to show the dragon voice from the dragon mouth of the two-horned beast, showing how it makes us all slave-catchers, under a penalty of one thousand dollars' fine, or six months' imprisonment. Sister M. E. Cook writes from Fontanelle, Iowa: "I am trying to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. We do not have the privilege, like some of you, of meeting the brethren and sisters to worship God; but I would say to all those who are deprived of this privilege, Let us be faithful, and look to God for help in this day of trials. O how much we need to watch and pray while we are surrounded by so much evil." Bro. A. Belden writes from Moore's Forks, Clinton Co., N. Y.: Truly our hearts are made glad when we hear of the progress of the glorious truths we love, and the unity of the people who compose the church of God. Although we are privileged but seldom to meet with those of like faith, yet we are striving to so live that we may meet all the children of God in the city above." Sister S. J. Bostwick writes from Pleasant Grove, Minn.: "Dear brethren and sisters: For the first time I write to you, feeling it a duty to give in my testimony on the side of the Lord. It is now over a year since I first saw that all the commandments were binding, and have been trying to keep them. But O how much I lack! I find that it takes but a trifle to break a commandment, and if we break one of the least commandments we are guilty of all. "Keep yourselves unspotted from the world. How are we to do this? Is it by following the fashions of the day? This does not look reasonable; for Paul, in his writings, plainly speaks against women's putting on gold or pearls or costly array; and in speaking of the men he says, I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands without wrath and doubting. Now can men of fashion who are taken up with things of this world, live in accordance with Paul's teachings? In another place he says, But godliness with contentment is great gain; for we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain that we can carry nothing out; and having food and raiment let us therewith be content. And in another place in the Bible it reads on this wise: For every idle word we shall give an account in the day of judgment. "But ye, brethren, are not in darkness that that day should overtake you as a thief. Brethren and sisters, let us be faithful until Christ shall make his appearance the second time without sin unto salvation. O how I long for that glorious day which will soon dawn and set death's captives free! But shall we all be ready and looking for him? I so hope. Let us follow in the footsteps of our meek and lowly Saviour, who came into the world to save sinners. He says, If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own, but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. If we try to do right, and try as far as in us lies to live peaceably with all men, then what if the world does hate us? We need not mourn, but rejoice, and pray without ceasing, and in everything give thanks. Pray for me, brethren and sisters, that I may hold out faithful unto the end, and at last have right to the tree of life, and enter in through the gates into the city." SARAH CLARKE
By Sarah Clarke
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: A short time since a friend said to me, “I am in the dark the most of my time, and I was thinking yesterday of every member of our church (United Brethren) to see whether there was one to whom I could go for light, comfort or consolation, or advice what to do; but not one could I think of that could help me in the least.” Truly we can say, Babylon is fallen, on the authority of such testimony as this. This is also a fulfillment of the words of the prophet Isaiah, where he says, To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, there is no light in them. Truly those who have the third message, the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus; have great reason to rejoice and praise the Lord. David says, The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; and he also says, Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in his law doth he meditate day and night. The Work Advances in New York
By L. R. Chapel
Bro. Smith: I once more take my pen to write a few lines. I feel truly thankful for the light of truth which shines forth from the word of the Lord. When I reflect on the time in which we are living, and the great work there is to do, and see how tardily it seems to move, my daily prayer is, O Lord stir thy people to renewed engagedness in thy cause. But still I am thankful that God is at work in bringing out his honest people from the rubbish and darkness that envelops the world; for surely darkness covers the earth and gross darkness the people. And while worldly-mindedness, pride, popularity, and the fashions of the world characterize the professed followers of Christ of the present day, I feel thankful that God has a people who are endeavoring to overcome all these things, and to have pure hearts and clean hands, that they may be prepared to stand before the Son of man. The work of the Lord is moving onward in the State of New York. The tent enterprise seems to be blessed of the Lord. There has a goodly number embraced the truth through that means. The third angel's message is onward, and what most concerns me, is the question, Shall I keep pace with it? Shall I be an overcomer, and be prepared for the kingdom of God? Yours in hope of eternal life. L. R. CHAPEL.
Palermo, N. Y.