ThE historic eye of four thousand years looks down upon this point, the year 1866, and sees the issue fairly made up—is man capable of self-government. During that long, tedious march man has demonstrated a thousand times, and upon as many battle-fields, his capabilities to fight, has shown beyond question his physical prowess. And the last great showing on that issue was the grandest of them all, the crushing of the rebellion. The question for 1866 is to see if the broken fragments of war, a disorganized nation, can be harmoniously combined, "the many in one," by the diplomacy of peace, so that virtue and intelligence shall enable the people to make love of country its bulwark, and not its army and navy. For
"A union of hearts, a union of hands,
A union of lakes and a union of lands,"
must be the bonds of a Republic, or it ceases to be a Republic. Well, the result sought is the most important man ever attempted to accomplish.
But 1866 is a year of note to the world. As an epoch it stands at the head of consummating grand events. The four quarters of the globe, at the dawn of this year, stand in strange and significant juxtapositions, as to coming troubles. A net-work of surroundings, not the devisings of human ingenuity, mysteriously enthrall the nations. All Europe watches Turkey. That appears to be the key of the arch of government of that continent. The Suez canal during this year will make "Palestine the highway of nations," and knock the last prop from beneath the rotten bottom of the worm-eaten Ottoman Empire. In 1866 the Emperor of the French will control the "short line route" to the East. On the first of May he is to withdraw his troops from Rome and leave the Pope to take care of himself. And already that venerable successor of the "rock-bottom," Galilean fisherman is looking out for a home, and the "Empire of Malta," the "kingdom of the sea," is talked of.
There is not a nation on earth that is at rest. The great cry is, "More rights to the people." The British empire is troubled. Fenians and pauperism are causing the corruptions of that government to quake. But why numerate the trials of the nations and the people. They are without end.—Warren Republican.
Matters in Iowa.
By William S. Ingraham
BRO. WHITE: I reached this place last Friday, and find a bad state of things. I was requested by H. E. Carver, to preach yesterday, but declined until the following questions were acted upon :
1. All that believe that the great Advent movement under Wm. Miller and those connected with him, embracing in their faith the ending of the 2300 days of Dan. viii, 14, in 1844, was a fulfillment of the first angel's message of Rev. xiv, 6, 7, manifest it by standing up.
The second and third messages were then voted on. This placed things in a shape where I could see that some had given up their faith in the messages. I then claimed that as Eld. Snook had changed his views on some points of our faith, and as some present did not know exactly where he stood, justice demanded that he should answer the following questions by saying yes or no.
1. Do you believe that the two-horned beast of Rev. xiii, is a symbol of our government?
The answer was, No.
2. Do you believe that Sunday-keeping, as you have preached in the past, is the mark of the beast?
Answer, I am not decided.
3. Do you believe that the seventh-day Sabbath is the seal of the living God?
Answer, Not prepared to say.
4. Do you believe that the three messages of Rev. xiv, were given before the preaching of Wm. Miller?
Answer, I do.
Eld. Snook takes the position that the third angel's message was fulfilled in part by the Waldenses. This position will most surely involve a change of his faith on the seven last plagues. I have not seen Eld. Brinkerhoff, but am informed by those that have heard him talk and preach, that he agrees with Eld. Snook.
When we consider the changes these men have passed through within a few months' time, who can have confidence in their ability to lead out in any important work? So rapid has been their downward course that with great zeal they are trying to demolish the very truths that took them from the pit and clearly pointed out the way to shun the wrath to come. We deeply deplore their condition. The great truths of God's word do not propose to save any but those who continue obedient. A Hymeneus and Philetus could err from the truth, deny the resurrection, and overthrow the faith of some. Eids. S. and B. were in the midst of rebellion no longer ago than last June; and were made to realize to some extent, by the faithful labors of God's messengers at the Pilot Grove meeting, last June, the wrong course they were pursuing, and confessed their sins. But we find them again in a second rebellion worse than the first.
Knowing the object of these men, my duty demands that I should raise a warning voice. Let brethren beware of them.
WM. S. INGRAHAM.
Marion, Iowa, Jan. 7th, 1866.
We, the undersigned, were present when the questions referred to above, were asked and answered, and can testify that this letter represents the facts in the case.
ROBT. F. ANDREWS.
THOMAS HARE.
S. E. ARMSTRONG.
Read Your Bible Slowly.
Take time even if you have but little time. A great mathematician once said, if his life depended upon solving a problem in two minutes, he would spend one of the two in deciding how to do it. So in reading the Scriptures. If you are pressed for time—and this ought to be a rare case—then spend the precious moments on a portion of a chapter. When you feel that the mind and heart are beginning to drink in the sentiment even of a single verse, then stop and drain the heavenly chalice, because the divine Spirit is filling thy cup. It is a true, solemn, and interesting thought that we are to wait, to linger, to tarry, for the blessing to come from the word before us.—British Messenger.
Indulgences and Purgatory
THE Pope has, at the request of several bishops, granted fifty days of indulgence to all the faithful who salute those they meet with these words, "Praised be Jesus and Mary;" and he who answers, "Now and forever," gains the same amount of indulgence. Each time these simple words are repeated, it saves fifty days of purgatory. Those moving in crowded cities can thus, in a morning walk gain thousands of years; but those less fortunate, who live in lonely country parts, can not make much use of this privilege. But, as Scripture says nothing whatever of purgatory and indulgences, the cheap privilege so liberally granted must prove quite illusory.—Montreal Witness.
Missionaries and Rum to West Africa
SEVEN pious missionaries (says the Congregationalist), sailed from Boston recently for West Africa, and twenty-nine thousand gallons of liquid fire in the shape of rum made a part of the vessel's cargo. Comment is unnecessary.
WM. H. WILD
By Wm. H. Wild
From Bro. Wild.
Bro. White: I welcome God's holy Sabbath day as it rolls round from week to week. The friends around are very kind to me. It is a true saying that whatsoever a man sows that shall he also reap, even in this life. If we sow the seeds of discord, and anger, and wrath, we shall reap the same.
Dear brethren and sisters of like precious faith, we all shall soon if faithful dwell in a land where our heavenly Father's will shall be done. I long for that brilliant morning to dawn that I may look upon Him who loved me so much as to give his life for me. What a blessed hope is ours! In this time of peril, it is surely as an anchor to the soul. We shall ere long see the blessedness there is in keeping all God's commandments. We have the precious promise of entering through the pearly gates of that golden city, and having a right to the tree of life. Yes, and even now we know that whatsoever we ask of him we shall receive, because we keep his commandments and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. Oh may he help us all by his Spirit to love him with all our hearts, and our neighbor as ourselves.
Your brother on pilgrimage to Mount Zion.
WM. H. WILD
Pleasantville, Iowa, Jan. 7, 1866.
Obituary Notices.
DIED, in Fairfield, Vt., Nov. 8, 1865, Eugene, infant son of Bro. J. J. and sister M. J. Herrick, aged 8 months. Words of sympathy were given on the occasion by Bro. D. T. Bourdeau.
A. C. Bourdeau.
DIED, in Enosburgh, Vt., Dec. 22, 1865, of Diptheria, Columbus, only son of Francis and Ellen Lee, aged 7 years, and 4 days. Little C. was a praying boy, and loved to keep the Sabbath, and we have reason to believe that in the resurrection morn he will come again from the land of the enemy.
A. C. Bourdeau.
Business Department.
By Editor
Remember This!
When you write to the office on business pertaining to your Review or Instructor, ALWAYS name the Post Office and State where your papers are received.
Such information must be given before we can give credits on the same, or change to any other Post Office.
Do you want credit given on your paper, it is not enough to say, please credit the enclosed amount on Review; but you should also plainly state, either at the heading of your letter or elsewhere, the Post Office and State where the same is received. The name of the town where you live is of no account in the transaction of your business unless it be the same as your Post Office.
Do you want your Review changed to another Post Office, it is not sufficient to say; "Please forward my paper to Boonsboro, Iowa", but you should invariably state from what place you wish it changed.
When you say give credit on "my" Review, be sure that you write in the name of the person to whom the Review is sent. It is true we have Scriptural authority for regarding husband and wife as one, but yet in regard to the matter in question we are constrained to regard them as separate persons, unless, forsooth, they both happen to possess the same name, in which case we should have no occasion to dissent from the Scripture rule.
When you wish credit given on your children's Instructor, do not say "our" Instructor, for on referring to our list, we not only do not find "our" there, but perhaps half a dozen bearing your family name. To whom then shall we give the credit? As we have not the pleasure of a personal acquaintance with all of our subscribers and their children, it is necessary that you should state the name, or names, to whom the Instructor is sent.
Also be careful to write all names and places distinctly and spell the same correctly, and do not forget to sign your name.
By remembering all this, you will not only save us a deal of trouble and perplexity, but secure the transaction of your own business with dispatch, and according to your wishes.
The above, of course, does not apply to those who are in the habit of presenting their business in a plain, brief, and understanding manner.
J. M. A.
Business Notes.
Eli Wick: You send $1,00 to apply on Review for Margaret Currant, but do not state where she receives her paper. We must be informed on this point before we can give the credit.
A J Marsh: Yours containing fifty cents is received. You did not state what you wished to have done with the money.
N Aldrich: You say, "Will you please to forward my paper to Boonsboro, Boone Co., Iowa?" We will, as soon as we are informed where you now receive it.
Melissa J Myers: You write from Pleasant Valley, (State not named) and send $1,00 to be credited on your Review. We find neither Pleasant Valley, nor your name on our list. At Pleasant Corners, Ill., however, we find the name of Darius Myers. You also send $1,00 to be credited on John and Leonard Appleby's Reviews, West Plumb River. Their names and Post Offices we do not find on our mail list. Please explain.
Some one writes from Osceola, Iowa, and incloses $1,25 for Instructor, 50c for "my Instructor" and 50c for M Alexander, and 25c for Geo. Cory. No name to the letter.
Somebody writes from somewhere, without name or address, inclosing $1,00 for the Youth's Instructor, and says, "I wish to pay for William Burritt's, South Riley, Mich., and please credit the balance on my Instructor."
RECEIPTS.
For Review and Herald.
Annexed to each receipt in the following list, is the Volume and Number of the REVIEW & HERALD to which the money receipted pays. If money for the paper is not in due time acknowledged, immediate notice of the omission should then be given.
E A Berry 28-8, L Cresson 26-1, T T Brown 28-1, V Sumerix 27-1, Mrs E Buttrick 29-8, A Buel 28-1, S S Kimble 29-8, F Johnson 28-1, E B Wilcox 28-8, A Hopkins 28-24, W C Gage 28-1, Miss M A Nugent 29-9. Each $1,00.
J Buchanan 29-5, A D Smith 29-1, F T Wales 29-1, J Saxby 29-20, C Buck 28-7, J S Wicks 28-7, G J Hodges 29-8, E H Root 30-5, Mrs M Perry 29-1, H W Gorden 28-14, F Kettle for A E Walker 29-8, L S McClure 29-1, A Avery 29-1, W H Edson 28-17, H Pierce for Mrs L Clark 29-1, J C Gregory 28-17, M Wick 29-1, E Wick 29-1, Mrs C M Tenny 29-8, L Haskell 29-1, S A Cole 29-8, Dr J Grover 29-1, S A Miller 31-1, L Morris 30-1, J Atkinson 30-7, T Demmon 29-10, J Brazee 29-1, W Carpenter jr 29-1, H M Kenyon 28-1, L A Green 29-1. Each $2,00.
C W Allen 28-8, G F Locke 28-1, each 50c.
M Crumb 25c 28-1, J S Wicks for W H Kelly 75c 28-7, and S D Covey 25c 28-7, E Stafford $4,00 30-1, S A Snyder $3,00 29-1, Mrs E Wells $1,25 26-8, A Greenleaf 25c in full, T H Hubbard 25c in full, H Jager $1,50 29-8, M Wilkinson $1,50 29-8, J Richardson $1,50 27-14, W Jackson $2,50 29-1.
Subscriptions at the Rate of $3,00 per year.
D Boardman $3,00 29-6.
Review to Poor.
E R Whitcomb $1,25.
Books Sent By Mail.
M Moody 50c, P Erb $2,00, Mrs C M Tenny 50c, A P Casey $1,10, A J Rice 25c, E A Poole $1,00, W Livingston 50c.
Books sent by Express.
A C Bourdeau West Enosburgh, Vt. $13,25.
Cash Received on Account.
A C Bourdeau 75c, S A McPherson $6,25, J Clark $10,00, S Howland $61,50.
Gen. Conf. Missionary Fund.
J H Murray $10,00.
Michigan Conference Fund.
Church at Cato $6,45, Church at Wright $275,00, Church at Locke $5,00, J P Rathbun and family $8,00, Church at Hanover $15,00.
For Bro. White.
Church at Norfolk, N. Y. $4,60, C R Austin $3,00, Held by the Pub. Association as per notice in Review No. 7.
For Bro. Loughborough.
Church at Norfolk, N. Y. $2,00, C R Austin $2,00.
Brothers Van Horn and Canright’s Winter Campaign
By Editor
We would say to the brethren in Monterey that Bro. Van Horn is now on his winter's campaign with Bro. Canright, in the north-eastern part of the State, (Tuscola Co.), and hence could not respond to their call to hold meetings with them.
Note from Bro. Bates.
By Joseph Bates
Bro. White: The Allegan Co. Monthly Meeting, held in Allegan, Sabbath, Jan. 6th inst., was much the largest gathering of Sabbath-keepers that we have seen here on a like occasion. The social meeting was good. The Lord blessed and encouraged his waiting people. It was good to be there.
The next Monthly Meeting in the county is appointed to be held in Monterey, on the first Sabbath in February.
We are glad to hear that you, with your family have safely arrived at Battle Creek. We hope and trust that the Lord will continue to strengthen and cheer you to fill the place you have so long faithfully occupied. Joseph Bates.
To Correspondents.
By Editor
ANSWERED by letter, Eld. C. O. Taylor, J. N. Loughborough, E. P. Cram.
P. Nelson. We would prefer not to recommend any enterprise with which we are unacquainted.
Articles Declined. Hath Man any Pre-eminence over the Beast? The propositions discussed are so plain, that a simple statement of them would seem to be sufficient, without the formality of an argument.—Dialogue on the Immortality of the Soul. Lacks signature; and the argument, besides presenting the mortality of man in some instances, in a very objectionable light, is not sufficiently carried out.—Extracts from the "Progress of Religious Ideas," strikes us to be hardly to the point.
Articles Accepted. Glad Tidings. Report from Bro. Cornell. Letters from M. A. Nugent, M. F. Dibble, and A. J. Marsh.
Appointments.
THE next Monthly Meeting for northwestern N. Y. is to be held at Bro. J. H. Cottrell's in Ridgeway, Orleans Co., four miles northwest from Medina, on the second Sabbath in February. Teams will be at Medina on sixth-day, P. M., on the arrival of the mail train from the west, until which time those coming from the east will wait. Those who go by private conveyance will leave the ridge road at Murdock's Corners, between Jeddo and Ridgeway, and find the place one mile south.
R. F. C.
This Week's Review.
By Editor
We have not room in any number to call the attention of the reader to every article which we think would be of interest and profit to him; and we would by no means be understood as intimating that those pieces which we pass by are unworthy of perusal. We design to publish only that which will well repay the time and labor of a careful reading or close study as the case may be. Inasmuch, however, as long pieces are passed by, if any are, we would this week call attention to the article on the transfiguration. A perusal of it cannot fail to clothe with new interest the records which the evangelists give us of that wonderful scene. The proofs that it was a literal transaction, and above all that its object was to present a miniature of the glorious kingdom of Christ as it is shortly to appear, are calculated to lend to it attractions above every other representation of the sacred record. From an expression or two, we might infer that the writer regarded a person in death as in a conscious disembodied state. But as he considers that Moses was present as a real being, and a representative of the resurrected saints, he must have been present in his resurrected state, to be such representative.
— Bro. Sanborn's review of Elds. Law and Delap, contains extracts from Catholic works, which have several times appeared in past volumes of the Review. The paper has now many new readers to whom they will be of great interest.
— "To Correspondents." As will have been seen by the Review for a few weeks past, we have adopted the plan of informing correspondents as to the acceptance or rejection of their communications. We do this because it is not always convenient to publish immediately articles that are received, and we think it will give better satisfaction to all, to know what disposition is made of their contributions, even if they are rejected, than to be kept in suspense. It cannot be expected that everything that is sent to an office will be published. But this need not deter any from writing. If for any reason your communication is declined, the effort will at any rate have done you good, and you may receive some suggestion which will render you better prepared to try again. So let your pens keep moving. Write to the point and in the spirit of present truth, and let the Review go forth glowing more and more each week with the living testimony.
— From "Matters in Iowa," all should take warning. A number, and some whom we least expected, have in the past made shipwreck of the faith; and others we see fast following in their steps. From this we may learn the import of the many exhortations we receive from the word of God and other sources, to be steadfast, and of the startling testimony given some years since, concerning "a fearful shaking time before us, of which it would almost seem that we are now having the solemn fulfillment. "He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved."
— Report from Bro. Cottrell, and Quarterly Meeting in Carlton, are encouraging; and the believer will find good consolation in the article, "The Morning Cometh."
— We will only add further, Be in earnest, as you are poetically counseled to do on the first page, listen to "The Solemn Warning," on the third page, and heed Bro. Van Horn's exhortation not to be "found wanting." So will you be prepared for the coming of the Master, who is at the door.
"We are in the time of waiting,
Soon we shall behold our Lord,
Wafted far away from sorrow,
To receive our rich reward.
Keep us, Lord, till thine appearing,
Pure, unspotted from the world,
Let thy Holy Spirit cheer us,
Till thy banner is unfurled."