"I feel exceedingly distressed. There are several stand-points from which, for a long time, I have been trying to take observations, which should neither exalt our position unduly, nor unjustly depress it. And the result of these observations has been to greatly distress me.
"First, let us look for one moment, into the condition of things as it respects the ministry. Our number is exceeding small. This itself is a circumstance of weakness, which is truly discouraging, when we48consider the amount of labor demanded at our hands. Then, what a large proportion even of these are barely supporting a nominal existence. They have a name to live, but how feeble and inefficient are they. Of the number that are somewhat active, how many are crippled for the want of education, and that thorough mental training which is requisite for the development of one's self, and for extensive usefulness in this age of gigantic intellectual strife. But, farther, how dismal the fact that some, who have been reckoned among our most useful and successful ministers, are now, by the decisions of our ecclesiastical bodies, deposed or suspended—justly threatened with the ban of excommunication. O, 'how is the gold become dim, and the most fine gold changed?' This is sad.—Our candidates for the ministry, too, where are they? Indeed, have we any? Our young men of talent are turning their attention in other directions. For some cause, few hear and reply to the voice of the Lord calling to this work, 'Here am I, send me.' Either their hearts are not sufficiently imbued with the love of souls, or spiritual weakness, or some other cause, holds them back. This is to me a source of great anxiety; and whatever the cause of this delinquency may be, I would that it might be sought out, and remedied.
'Again, look at our churches. Now, it does not satisfy me, to say that 'it is a general time of backsliding and apostasy.' I take no comfort in that thought. Look, I say, at our churches. Several of the strongest of them are bound, hand and foot, by dissentions and internal broils—strong and leading brethren arrayed against each other—and this too in the kingdom of peace! In some instances, even church is arrayed against church, and others so far sympathizing with these that they are but little better off. What a sin and burning shame is this! Other churches are affected with a disease little less to be dreaded—lukewarmness. A death spell seems to have come over us; and so deep is this sleep, that even the thunders of Sinai do not disturb them! Or, if aroused somewhat, they immediately sink again to slumber, with the sluggard's song upon their lips, 'A little more sleep'—'a little more slumber.'—Hence, we have no revivals, or but comparatively few. Backsliders and apostates increase upon our hands, while sinners grow bold, and scoff at Zion and her King. Our sons and daughters, our pride, and the hope of the church, and strength of the state, are drinking in scepticism and infidelity, are becoming wanton, and refuse restraint. As for the counsels of the Almighty, they despise them; and as for his reproofs, they will not bear them. As for the gospel, they are not sensible that they need it, for they know not that they are diseased.—Their depravity is so deeply intrenched in their natures, that its presence is not seen.
'Finally, our Home and Foreign Missions need replenishing and extending. But where are our materials for the work? We are limited and circumscribed, on the right hand and on the left. We have neither the men nor the means to accomplish the purposes contemplated.
'Now, I am satisfied that this imperfect and defective sketch is not in any particular overdrawn. If so, what shall we do? Shall we give up and die? O for faith in God!—for strong faith! I feel that I need this faith—faith mixed with ardent, undying love!—that can remove mountains—that finds its anchorage in the throne of the Eternal.'
Standing Firm for the Sabbath
By Caroline A. Washburn
From Sister Washburn.
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—Although a stranger to you, yet I trust I am not a stranger to that Saviour who hath said, "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." I wish to express my thanks to you, and gratitude to God, for the instruction I have received through the Review and Herald. My knowledge of the third angel's message is confined alone to the word of God, and the light I have received from your paper. I do not have the privilege of meeting in conference with brethren and sisters of like precious faith. There is but one in this place, besides myself, that keeps the fourth commandment. Jesus, the Faithful and True Witness, says: "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the City."—There are those who profess to love God that would gladly lead us from his holy Sabbath, to an institution of Papacy. To such I can say,
"For Canaan I've started, and on I must go,
Till all the bright glories of Eden I know;
I've made no reserve, and I'm sure I'll not lack,
While onward I journey and do not draw back.
My soul is enkindled with rapture and love,
I fain would ascend to my Jesus above;
But nay, I must follow in his humble track,
And prove my obedience by not drawing back.
Then on let us press, for Jesus is near,
And strengthen each other with words of good cheer;
With zeal ever buoyant and courage ne'er slack,
Let's be true to our King and never draw back."
I had rather suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. While we have Jesus for our friend, the Spirit for our guide, why need we fear? If God is for us, who can be against us? My whole being says, Praise the Lord for what he is doing. The road looks plain. A wayfaring man, though a fool, need not err therein. It is my determination, God being my helper, to spend the remainder of my days in his service.
Yours, waiting for redemption at the appearing of Jesus, CAROLINE A. WASHBURN.
Georgia, Vt., July 10th, 1852.
STATE OF THE DENOMINATION
By T. B. B.
The following from the Sabbath Recorder shows the painful condition of the Seventh-day Baptist Denomination. This people have necessarily been more separate from the world than others, in consequence of observing the true Sabbath; and have taken a bold stand in reforms, and to enfranchise the enslaved.
And if this sketch "is not in any particular overdrawn," what must be the condition of those popular Sects, closely united with the world, and stained all over with the sins of which this nation is guilty?
STATE OF THE DENOMINATION.
It is a solemn thought, that "judgment must begin at the house of God." What the end will be of those who compose the Seventh-day Baptist denomination, when the judgment shall have passed, it may not be easy to say; but no one, we presume, will accuse us of uncharitableness, if we say, they will "scarcely be saved." 1 Pet. iv, 17, 18.
The same inspired writer who teaches that the righteous will scarcely be saved, also informs us of a way in which we may have an entrance ministered to us abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of Jesus Christ. 2 Pet. i, 11. It would seem, however, as if the most of us thought it quite enough to be saved "so as by fire." 1 Cor. iii, 15. But what if the fire consume us, ere the hand of mercy snatch us as a brand from the burning? Let those who are content to have just religion enough to get to heaven, think of this.
Three of our Associations have now passed their anniversaries for the present year; and what do we learn from their statistics, of the state of the denomination? Alas! alas! We are progressing, but not in that which would be the life of the churches. We are advancing, but not in the work of subduing the world to Christ. We are "rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing." Probably, there never was a time, when we enjoyed greater prosperity in this world's good.—But for all that, we are "wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked." Worldly-mindedness has eaten up our piety. With here and there an exception, our churches have diminished in numbers, instances of backsliding have multiplied, family religion is deplorably neglected, the power of the ministry is waxing feeble, and there seems to be a prospect that God is about to send upon us the worst of all curses, "a famine, not of bread, nor of water, but of hearing the words of the Lord."
One of our ministering brethren, who has labored long and usefully, in a communication which, we suppose, was not intended for the public eye, expresses himself with much feeling on this point, and very appropriately. He will excuse the liberty we take in publishing a part of his letter. Our readers will ponder the solemn facts upon which he dwells, and ask whether it is not time to clothe ourselves in sackcloth, and beseech God to take away our reproach. T. B. B.
Letter from Bro. Smith.
By Editor
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, as I think, contains much important truth, for which reason I wish for the current volume, commencing with the first number, and I will pay you whatever you may write me is the actual cost. But much more than that you need not expect, if the truth is mixed with error, as I anticipate.
One believing in the Ten Commandments, (not nine,) and hoping for "an everlasting possession," not "in the air," not "in the clouds" only during the "storm;" but in this earth renewed, with ABRAHAM, ISAAC, and JACOB.
RICH'D SMITH.
Sherbrook, C. E., June 14th, 1852.
REMARKS:—
We are encouraged, Bro. S., to learn that you think the REVIEW AND HERALD contains "much important truth." Some who have supposed that our views were all wrong, have since fully embraced them.
It is with pleasure that we send you the paper. The terms, you will see on the first page. But as you wish to pay the actual cost, we will make a statement of the cost of the paper; not for your benefit only, but for others also. One dollar a year, with our present list of names, should all pay, is no more than the actual cost. Including postage, which we have to pay on all papers sent to Canada East, it would cost us $1,25 a year.
The cost of a paper is affected by the circulation that it has. As the circulation of the REVIEW AND HERALD is not yet large, it costs as much as some papers two or three times as large.—If 2400 persons will each pay us $1 a year we can send them the paper weekly.
We are glad that nine-tenths of God's law does not satisfy you. It is all "holy, just, and good." Yes, brother S., the saints' possession will not be above the heavens, nor in the heavens. But "the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom, UNDER THE WHOLE HEAVENS, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High." Never, till the whole earth is made new, will Abraham, Isaac and Jacob receive the "everlasting possession."
Extract of a Letter from Bro. N. W. Rockwell.
By N. W. Rockwell
DEAR BRO. WHITE: "Although we never saw each other, yet I trust that we are brought near by the bonds of unity in the glorious gospel of the Son of God. My soul is full of love and hope. I do hope to see you, and all the dear brethren and sisters, after our Lord comes and calls the sleeping saints from the cold embrace of death, and clothes them with immortality and eternal life, and changes the living saints in a moment in the twinkling of an eye. Oh, glorious hope that the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead, shall also quicken our mortal bodies, and fashion them like unto his most glorious body. It doth not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when he who is our life shall appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.
"The hope of an endless life in the presence of God and the Lamb, and among the just made perfect is blessed indeed.—But he that hath this hope in him, purifieth himself. Now are we to do this, but by faith and unfeigned love of the truth, walking in all his commandments blameless? I pray that we may be sanctified through the truth, his word is truth, and sealed by the Holy Spirit unto the day of redemption. But we cannot expect to be sanctified or sealed in disobedience to his will, or in the neglect of any of his commandments. We know that the commandments are holy, just and good.
"But it is surprising how some who profess to be looking for and loving the appearing of our Lord, not only neglect, but fight against the keeping of the Sabbath. Now I do very much fear that it is for want of the love of the truth. An honest soul, that is willing and anxious to know and do the will of his Master, will not long confer with flesh and blood, in consulting with his interest, friends or ease, but will sacrifice all for the love of his Master and the truth. Pardon my frank-ness in speaking thus freely. Some will appear to be willing to hear, and try to search for truth; others will fight against it, and when they fail in argument and inferences which they try to bring up to justify themselves in the error, will fly to slander and contempt, and name some one that they have heard of that keeps, or pretends to keep the seventh day, and ever come short in other matters. This will be a poor prop, or excuse for them in the great day of God's wrath, when those only, whose names are found written in the book shall be delivered.
"I feel greatly blest and strengthened in trying to keep the commandments. Our Saviour says, 'Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life,' &c. Here our Lord has referred us to the ten commandments of the Father—the immutable law of God.
"It is a pleasure, and I hope a profit, to have the Review and Herald. I hope you will send it to me, and I hope to be able and willing to do my duty in sustaining you.
"I am very lonely, there being no one within twenty miles, with whom I can associate, that keeps the Sabbath. O, how glad I was to have Bro. Holt and Edson look after, and find a poor, unworthy sheep, in the wilderness, and feed me a portion of meat. I shall, in all probability, have to travel more than forty days on the strength of that meat, before I shall be again fed in the same way. But thanks to my Master, he feeds me himself, when no shepherd finds me, in my quiet retreat.
"Pray for me, that my faith fail not."
Farnham, C. E., July, 11th, 1852. N. W. ROCKWELL.
The Cause in the West.
By Editor
WE are happy to hear that the cause of present truth is progressing in the West. And we would advise the friends of the cause to secure, if possible, the faithful labors of Bro. Joseph Bates who is now in that wide field.
Bro. Bates writes, July 15th, 1852:—"I wrote you a few days since, giving the time of Conferences in Milan and Cincinnati, Ohio. I have since learned of many more places in Wis. and Ill. to visit than I then knew of. I feel unsettled as to my labors this way, and probably shall till after the Conference here [Albion, Wis.] which commences to-morrow."
The Sabbath Recorder.
By Editor
WE have received several numbers of this weekly paper, published at No. 9 Spruce-Street, New York. It "is devoted to the exposition and vindication of the views and movements of the Seventh-day Baptist Denomination." Of its efforts to build up a particular denomination we have nothing to say.—Our views on this subject may be seen in the REVIEW AND HERALD Nos. 3 and 4 of the present volume. But we have been highly gratified with the scriptural and able manner in which the Recorder has defended the Sabbath of the fourth commandment.
The New Hymn Book
By Editor
The New Hymn Book is now ready. It contains 112 pages. Price—Well bound, 30 cents, in paper covers, 20 cents.
The postage on those sent by mail, which we shall have to pay, will be three or four cents, within 500 miles.
We design to send a quantity by Express to Jackson, Mich. where the friends in the West may obtain them of Bro. A. A. Dodge.
Letters received since July 5th.
By Editor
R. F. Cottrell, E. Harmon, O. Nichols, J. C. Bowles, J. Lindsey, R. Smith, F. Wheeler, S. Everett, E. A. Miller, J. N. Andrews 3, E. L. Barr, S. Howland, W. Morse, R. A. Sperry, S. W. Rhodes, H. A. Churchill, M. C. Andrews 2, G. W. Holt 2, Joseph Bates 2, L. Drew, H. S. Case, C. Bourn, J. A. Loughhead, J. Hart, L. Mead, H. S. Gurney, N. N. Lunt, D. Upson, J. Lindsey, F. Strong, C. A. Washburn, E. P. Butler, W. Morse, M. R. Bates, Wm. A. Raymond, J. Abbey, R. Moran, W. P. Andrews, J. Hart, W. Bryant, Wm. S. Ingraham.
Extract of a Letter from Sr. E. Lindsey.
By E. Lindsey
"I HAVE had some trials, but by patiently enduring them they have worked for my good. Praise the Lord, we have the promise, if we keep his commandments we shall abide in his love, so we have no reason to be discouraged. The Lord is with us, and we know we have the truth; and though we meet with trials and seeming difficulties, still we know the Lord has a tender care for his people, and if we are humble and obedient, he will draw his covering over us. And if we press our petitions to the throne, we shall receive answers of peace to our souls. I praise God that his truth looks brighter, clearer than ever, and is surely destined to triumph. I am thankful for the light that now shines upon his word. How sweet is holy communion with God's people, now while his law is shining in our hearts."
"I want to be found with the humble few who are striving to keep the commandments. It is the law of God that will judge us at the last day, and how careful we should be to obey the truth, that shall make us free. I trust in the Lord, and expect, and receive strength from him. I do feel like pressing forward, and striving to overcome."
A stranger in this land of woe
I long have wandered here;
A treasure has my Bible been,
It speaks my Jesus near.
When Christ in glory shall appear,
To make this earth our home,
To change his waiting, living saints,
And wake those in the tomb.
O, then, with patience, let me wait,
Though long the way and drear;
For in his own appointed time
He surely will appear.
Melbourne, C. E., July 11th, 1852. E. LINDSEY.
Hold Meetings for One Week
By Editor
We would suggest the propriety of holding meetings, where circumstances will admit, twice the length of time they are usually held. It is often the case that lecturing brethren labor hard against a tide of opposition all through a meeting of two or three days. And when the opposition is broken down, and the way is open to accomplish great good, they leave to attend other appointments, and leave the ground for the opposers of our faith to cast a blighting influence, before the word has taken deep root. Whereas, if they had remained sufficient time to give more fully the reasons of our hope and faith, those interested would have been enlightened and strengthened so as not to be affected either by the sophistry or slander of those who teach the abolition or change of God's law. We give it as our opinion that in many cases meetings should hold one week.
Appointments.
By Editor
PROVIDENCE permitting, I shall attend Meetings in the following places: West Hartford, Vt., July 24 and 25; Northfield, Vt., July 31 and Aug. 1; Morristown, Vt., Aug. 7 and 8; Irasburg, Vt., or vicinity, Aug. 14 and 15. JOSEPH BAKER.
I PURPOSE to meet with the Brn. in Bennington, N. H., at the house of Bro. Martin, July 24th, and 25th: at Bro. Whitcomb's, in Munsonville, July 31st, and Aug. 1st.
Brethren, let us come together strong in the Lord.
SAMUEL EVERETT.
[Bro. Everett's appointment came one day too late for our last paper.]
Change in Eastern Travel Plans
By Editor
After attending our appointment at Coughdenoy, we shall be obliged to return home, and not go East at present as we intended. If arrangements can be made so that we can leave the Office about the middle of August, notice will be given in the next paper.
For Printing Materials.
By Editor
Lucinda Woodworth, $2; C. B. Preston, $4; Edwin Lothrop, $4; Horace Patten, $5; Robert Barnes, $5.
Receipts.
N. Luther, O. Frizzle, J. C. Claxton, D. Barnes, H. Hopkins, R. Moran, B. L. Smith, J. Pomeroy, L. Edmunds, H. Patten, E. Farnsworth, J. Whipple, J. Day, H. Flowers, M. Edson, E. Richmond, E. Eastman, Sr. E. Potter, E. A. Poole, C. Glover, N. W. Rockwell, each $1.
B. Bryant, D. Daniels, B. Stillman, P. Folsom, E. Lothrop, L. Hastings, E. Taylor, L. J. Hall, J. G. Heath, C. S. Hurlbut, each $2. J. Barrows, $3; A. B. Pearsall, S. W. Flanders, each $5. P. Lampson, P. Collins, D. R. Wood, each $1.25.
C. Gould, Sr. Graager, L. Johnson, M. S. Davie, each 50cts.