“THE dead know not anything, neither have they any more a reward.” Eccl. 9:5.
The above text of Scripture is a plain statement concerning the unconsciousness of the dead; but those that do not choose to believe it, sometimes urge that it proves too much. Say they, “It proves the dead never have a reward.”
Do not those that urge this know that they are trying to overthrow the Bible, in saying that it proves too much and so proves nothing?
But let us see what idea is conveyed by the statement under consideration. The next verse reads, “Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion forever in anything that is done under the sun.” The idea seems to be that in the grave there is no knowledge, and that a reward cannot reach there; showing the necessity of a resurrection. This agrees with the language of Paul in 1 Cor. 15:16-18, where he says, if the dead rise not, they are perished; also verse 32, where he expresses himself as having no advantage if the dead rise not.
Thus we see that it is after the resurrection that a reward is received. While in the grave the dead have no reward, neither do they manifest love, hatred, or any emotion dependent upon consciousness; but wait till the resurrection, when they are judged according to their works, Rev. 20:13, and enter their reward.
A. WEEKS.
Smith’s Creek, Mich.
The Important Doctrine.
By Chas. A. Russell
WHILE reading the article from Bro. Butler, in REVIEW No. 21, entitled “Importance of the Advent Doctrine,” I was impressed with the truth of the positions taken.
It is commonly remarked that a person will show by his actions what his faith is, and of course he will not act in accordance with what he does not believe.
Now if the Lord is coming in our day, it seems to me that those who do not believe or realize it, give Satan great advantage over them, as he is well aware of the facts in the case, and is working with increased power to prevent as many as possible from overcoming, that he may not suffer for their sins. And it seems to me that in this time of moral darkness, the only thing that will stimulate us to sufficient action to overcome, is a realizing sense of the shortness of time and of our true condition.
I believe that if the positions of our people are worthy of any confidence; they are worthy of all confidence, especially must this be true in regard to the manifestation of the Spirit of prophecy. It is certain that the Testimonies are what they purport to be, or else from the enemy; and if they are not from the Lord, then we are truly the most deluded, and most to be pitied, class of people that ever existed. I must take one position or the other; for I do not believe the Lord will carry forward a certain work and claim it as his, while part of it is from another source.
The evidence of our whereabouts in the history of this world is clearly marked out in the word of God. As Bro. Butler has shown, we know that the coming of the Son of Man is near, even at the door; and those who receive the Testimonies as dictated by the same Spirit, have additional evidence of the nearness of that glorious event.
I feel like taking a decided position; for it has been my past experience, that just in proportion as I have realized the nearness of these things, I have made advancement in the work of getting ready to meet them, and have found that my faith and hope were proportionally increasing.
While bending over the dying couch of my only child on the ninth of September last, a bright lovely little boy, four years and a half old, the consolation afforded by the hope of the soon coming of Jesus, was worth more to me than all the wealth of earth. I feel that my main business shall be to get ready for that glorious day.
CHAS. A. RUSSELL.
Monterey, Mich.
The Ten Commandments as Divine Promises
DID you ever think of the ten commandments as ten promises? The grace to perform is implied. So with the requirement, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart”—the ability to do it is pledged in the very demand.
The Yoke of Christ Is Easy.
By B. F. Merritt
Why do so much injustice to our divine Master as to act as though he had placed a heavy burden upon us and his yoke was galling us? Learn of Him who was “meek and lowly in heart” how to bear it and you will find it easy.
It is true we are placed under restraint and obligation by this yoke; but we are only restrained from that which would do violence to us, and only obliged to do that which is for our good.
God does not burden us. It is incompatible with his nature to do so. God is love. He disclaims burdening his people. Read his controversy with them in Micah 6.
God takes delight in relieving his people. He says, “Cast thy burden on the Lord.” As a father delights to see his children free and happy, so the Lord delights to see us. It is because of unconsecration that the yoke seems a burden. Become meek and lowly in heart, and it will be easy.
B. F. MERRITT.
The Lord Is my Shepherd.
By J. S. Wilder
HOW BEAUTIFUL and touching are the words of the twenty-third Psalm: “The Lord is my shepherd!” How often has the fainting, trembling soul been blessed and strengthened by the sweet assurance, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” How sweet to realize in your own heart of hearts that though all earthly prospects may fade, though friends may pass away from our sight, and all the fond ties of affection be severed, yet if we can look up, and putting our hand into the hand of our Father, can say, “The Lord is my shepherd,” we are indeed blessed! Does not the good Shepherd gently lead his flock into green pastures and beside the still waters? Oh! let us remember in our day of trial and sorrow that the Lord is our shepherd; we shall not want.
It is but a short time since I commenced to keep the seventh-day Sabbath. I regret that I have lived so long disregarding God’s holy day. But now I seek for strength and courage to fight well the battle of this life, and gain eternal life at last.
J. S. WILDER.
New Jersey.
Dependence on One Another in Community
HE who thinks he can find in himself the means of doing without others is much mistaken; but he who thinks that others cannot do without him is still more mistaken.
Good Sabbath Meeting at Green Vale, Illinois
By Joseph Bates
Bro. J. H. Bates writes from Green Vale, Ill.: The few here are trying to live out the solemn truths of the third angel’s message. The Lord is truly good, and merciful to us to help us to see our faults, and give us a willing mind to try to overcome them, for which we thank his holy name.
Last Sabbath was a good day for us here. Some of our neighbors met with us, and one made a start to keep the Sabbath and live a Christian life; and while the good Spirit of the Lord was in the meeting and confessions were freely made, I could hardly refrain from weeping to think that I had lived these truths so poorly. Present truth never looked brighter. It never seemed to me more like a living reality than at the present time.
To Correspondents.
By Uriah Smith
J. W. Nicholson: The persons to whom you refer are mistaken when they represent us as believing that the first message closed in 1844. That message at first constituted the burden of the special movement which God ordained for the last days to prepare a people for the coming of his Son. Soon the second angel followed, adding another special truth to the proclamation. In due time the third angel followed with his proclamation, when the time came that the truths he had to utter were of leading importance. Meanwhile, the other messages do not cease, but continue a part of present truth; so that it may now be said that we have a three-fold message.
In reference to the objection that the proclamation from 1840 to ’44 could not have been correct because the Judgment work in the sanctuary did not commence till the latter year, we call attention to the language of the message. It does not say, Fear God and give glory to him for the Judgment is commenced, but, “the hour of his Judgment is come.” The word hour, when not used in a prophetic sense, means first, one of the equal periods into which a day is divided, and secondly, a brief and indefinite space of time. This is evidently the sense in which it is used in Rev. 14: 7; and in this sense its application would be broad enough to cover a few years before that Judgment work commenced, bringing us down to the opening of that work, and then yielding its place as a leading proclamation to a message based upon that change in the ministry of our Lord. As an illustration of the use of the word “hour” in this sense, see John 5: 25: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God; and they that hear shall live.” The hour had come; yet it was some time after this, before he raised any of the dead to life.
H. A. St. John: The word rendered graves, in John 5: 28, is μνημειον (mnemeion), and is defined to mean a tomb or sepulcher. It occurs forty-two times in the New Testament, and is twenty-nine times rendered sepulcher, five times tomb, and eight times grave.
F. Howe: The sophistry of our opponents on Matt. 28: 1, &c., is thoroughly exposed in the little tract lately published at this Office, entitled, Sabbaton. We send you a package to scatter among those who listened to the perversions of the elder of whom you speak.
U. S.
General Conference
Appointments.
And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of Heaven is at hand.
General Conference.
Providence permitting, the tenth annual session of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists will be held at Battle Creek, Mich., first-day, Dec. 31, 1871, at 9 o’clock, A. M., for the purpose of taking into consideration the general wants of the cause, and devising means for further advancing the work in those directions where the openings of the providence of God are manifestly inviting us. Let all the different State Conferences, and scattered brethren outside such Conferences, take immediate steps to represent themselves in the manner the constitution provides, and make such reports as it requires. It will be necessary that all delegates should reach this place at some time during the preceding week.
JAMES WHITE,
J. N. ANDREWS,
W. H. LITTLEJOHN. Gen. Conf. Com.
The S. D. A. Publishing Association.
The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association will hold its twelfth annual session at Battle Creek, Mich., Monday, Jan. 1, 1872, at 9 o’clock, A. M., to deliberate for the general interests of the Association, elect officers, and transact any other business that may come before the meeting.
JAMES WHITE,
URIAH SMITH,
J. N. ANDREWS,
J. H. WAGGONER,
L. P. BAILEY,
A. P. VAN HORN,
A. M. DRISCOLL. Trustees.
Providence permitting, the dedication of the meeting-house at Osceola will be held Dec. 8–10. We hope and expect to see a large turn out of the friends of the cause. This is an important meeting. Do not let business keep you away. Come early Friday and stay till Monday. Elders Butler, Morrison, &c., will be present.
D. M. CANRIGHT.
Quarterly meeting the first Sabbath and first-day in December next, at Clyde, Ohio. All the members of the church are requested to be present; we have business of importance to attend to. We would request those at Fremont that are interested in the truth, to come. Bro. Mears is expected, and Bro. Smith of Norwalk is invited. Dear brethren and sisters, Come praying that the Lord may be with us to assist us in doing all things right.
W. D. SHARPE, Clerk.
Quarterly meeting for the Seventh-day Adventist church of Avilla, Jasper Co., Mo., the second Sabbath in December. Bro. Blanchard is expected to be present. All that can attend are cordially invited.
D. N. WOOD, Clerk.
Quarterly meeting for the church of Avon, Rock Co., Wis., Dec. 16 and 17, 1871.
GEORGE McDOWELL.
Quarterly meeting for the churches of Mackford and Marquette, Wis., Dec. 2 and 3. A general attendance is solicited. We should be glad to have some of our preaching brethren present at this meeting if convenient. Meeting will commence Friday evening. Rufus Baker.
General Conference,
By Editor
ANNUAL MEETING OF THE PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION, DEDICATION OF NEW OFFICE BUILDING, HEALTH CONVENTION, &c., &c.
It is now thought best to hold our General Conference, and the annual meeting of the S. D. A. Publishing Association, about the time of the dedication of our new office building, Jan. 1st, 1872. The present state of the cause seems to demand this, and we give this early notice that the officers of our State Conferences, and our scattered brethren, may have time to represent the cause in all parts of the field.
We object to having the annual meetings of all our societies come off in one and the same week. It is too laborious for the working men, to hold them all in five or six successive days. We, therefore, propose that the annual meeting of the Health Reform Institute, and the Michigan State Conference, be deferred to come off at a general camp-meeting in June for Michigan, and for as many from other States as can be induced to meet with us. We think it would be much easier for those who have the burden of the work at such meetings, and result better for the advancement of the cause, to have this work divided, and attended to at two distinct gatherings, rather than to have it all crowded into a single week.
There are matters of general interest to the cause, of the greatest importance, which demand immediate attention, and action by the General Conference.
1. The proper distribution of labor throughout the entire field. Ohio, Indiana, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska and Minnesota are important fields, and if possible, one experienced, strong man should be in each of these States. And the New England Conference, New York, and Maine, should each have one such experienced, leading lecturer as Cornell, Canright, Butler, and others.
2. Our want of devoted ministers should be considered, and means should be taken to encourage and properly instruct men and women for the work of teaching the word of God. The fields are all white. And the Macedonian cry comes up from all parts of the country, and we have not men to fill a tithe of the calls. And there are more than one hundred men among us who, if they would consecrate themselves fully to God, and be well instructed during a few weeks, might go right out and preach and study as they go, and soon become able men in the word of God.
We recommend in the several States, where there are any considerable numbers of our people, brief courses of instruction which would sustain about the same relation to the cause of present truth, as what are called “Teachers’ Institutes” sustain to the educational interests of the several States. These are designed to instruct teachers in the best methods of education in our common schools. The course of instruction to which we refer, which might be completed in a few weeks, would be designed to instruct our devoted young men and young women, all over the land, in the principles of present truth, and the best methods of teaching them to the people.
We have no better man for this work than Bro. Uriah Smith. He would need a good man with him to help move forward the enterprise, and give it success.
3. The subject of tract distribution, and general, organized missionary work among our people everywhere, now attracting the attention of our people, demands immediate action by the General Conference. Our periodicals must have a wider circulation. Our tracts and pamphlets, and our bound books, must go everywhere. We have the facilities for publishing for the million. We have the truth of God for this time to publish, and as a people, we have the money in our pockets to do the work. God is preparing the public mind, and now he calls upon all his people to enter the missionary field, to labor more or less, according to their ability and opportunity, and thus let the light shine.
God has blessed our publishing interests far beyond our expectations. The Association has at least twelve tons of publications on hand, all paid for, and fifteen tons of white paper on hand to print, and every sheet of it paid for. We are about to print ten thousand copies, in pamphlet form, of Eld. Andrews’ faithful exposure of T. M. Preble, and five hundred missionary agents are wanted to put this work into the hands of every first-day and no-day Adventist. It can be furnished at the rate of 1600 pages for $1.00 or without price when necessary. Our views have been basely misrepresented by many of these Adventists, and as we are not allowed to defend ourselves in their periodicals (with the single exception of the defense of Elders Waggoner and Andrews in Eld. Himes’ paper), we propose, as a duty we owe to ourselves, to an abused public, and to the God of truth, to review their positions, and expose their misrepresentations of ours, from time to time, and print large editions in pamphlet form for our people, scattered throughout the country, to put into the hands of those who should read our reviews and defense.
The present state of the cause demands immediate and decided action. We have but few efficient ministers, and some of these are fast wearing themselves out with double labor. Men are wanted who will give themselves to the work. Men are wanted who will consecrate their powers to God, and come so nigh to him that he will lay the burden of the work upon them. A thousand men and women are wanted as missionaries, who can, by faith, come so nigh Heaven as to feel the holiness and force of the divine law, and the love of Christ in dying for the transgression of it. The fields are all white. Who will enter the harvest with the solemn covenant to give themselves wholly to the Lord, and to the last gathering work? These are grave matters, and should be considered by General Conference at as early a date as is practicable to assemble.
Explanation.
By M. E. Cornell
My friends have wondered why I did not write oftener for the Review, and feared that I was discouraged by trials. No, friends, I am still hoping on, and the present truth never seemed clearer or more precious than now. I have tested its value this year. Give up under discouragement? No, never! True, I have been cast down, but not destroyed. The blessed hope is an anchor that holds every time. Too many precious promises for me to give up here. What if earthly friends should all fail and foes all unite, there is yet a Friend that sticketh closer than a brother. He will never, no, never forsake. I shall yet love and praise him more and more.
My resignation, for one year, was accepted last spring that I might recruit my wasted energies; but on arriving here I found Bro. Loughborough also worn down, and the tent campaign just begun. I saw no escape. I must yoke up again with my old fellow-laborer and help what I could. The climatizing process, with my trial, has rendered me unfit to write for publication. With improving health, and returning energy, I begin to feel like trying to report more frequently through our most excellent paper.
I send my Christian salutation to all my friends in Christ. If I have seemed to be unmindful of any, they have my reasons. I would be glad to hear from any. My address is San Francisco, California.
By God’s grace I hope to meet you all in the better country at last. M. E. Cornell.
To the S. B. Treasurers in Minnesota.
By H. F. Phelps
WHY do not all the S. B. treasurers of our churches respond promptly? It will take but fifteen or twenty minutes, at most, for those least accustomed to writing to make out a report. Four of these reports each year would take but about one hour’s time. But we cannot believe it is a lack of time or of willingness to spend the time. With some, it is, without doubt, a lack of interest or determination to do their duty. But with the greater number it is, perhaps, owing to the condition of their S. B. books. As many are behind on payment of their pledges, they think they will wait till they get a better state of things. But, brethren, you are not responsible altogether for this state of things. If you have set the matter before them in its true light, remembering it is Systematic Benevolence, and not compulsion, and still some are delinquent, then report, even if you have not received a cent. Your duty is to report once each quarter, even if there is nothing paid into the treasury.
Nearly six weeks have passed by since the close of the 1st quarter, and all have not yet reported. But as those may have sent their reports, and they been lost in the mail, I will name them. Brush Creek, Tenhassen, Blue Earth City, Maiden Rock, and St. Cloud.
Hope I shall soon hear from these churches.
H. F. PHELPS.
News and Miscellany.
“Can ye not discern the signs of the times?”
The small-pox seems to have got a terrible hold upon Philadelphia. For the week ending November 4, the number of deaths was 567; for the year ending 1870, 2,168; in other words, there were sixteen times as many deaths from this disease last week as there are on an average during the year. The pest, it is said, was brought thither by Indian buffalo robes from infected tribes. These robes had been quarantined by the Government, but they were smuggled through.
The old Roman Catholic church of St. Basil, at Seville, Spain, has been opened for Protestant evangelical worship. The church buildings comprise a good day-school, and a Sunday-school is in full operation. In Seville there are now five congregations of Spanish Protestants, with Spanish evangelical preachers, and upward of 700 Sunday scholars.
INFLUENCE OF TEMPER ON THE VOICE. The influence of temper upon tone deserves much consideration. Habits of querulousness, or ill-nature, will communicate a cat-like quality to the singing, as infallibly as they give a quality to the speaking voice. That there really exist amiable tones, is not an unfounded opinion. In the voice there is no deception; it is, to many, the index of the mind, denoting moral qualities; and it may be remarked, that the low, soft tones of gentle and amiable beings, whatever their musical endowments may be, seldom fail to please; besides which, the singing of ladies indicates the cultivation of their taste generally, and the embellishment of the mind.
TRUTH IN BRIEF.—Anybody can soil the reputation of any individual, however pure and chaste, by uttering a suspicion that his enemies will believe and his friends never hear of. A puff of the idle wind can take a million of the seeds of a thistle, and do a work of mischief which the husbandman must labor long to undo, the floating particles being too fine to be seen, and too light to be stopped. Such are the seeds of slander, so easily sown, so difficult to be gathered up, and yet so pernicious in their fruits. The slanderer knows that many a mind will catch up the plague and become poisoned by his insinuations, without ever seeking the antidote. No reputation can refute a sneer, nor any human skill prevent mischief.
BE TRUE TO YOURSELF.—If a man will only start with a fixed and honorable purpose, in life, and strictly and persistently attempt to carry it out to the best of his ability, undismayed by failure or delay, the time may be long in coming, but come it will, when that purpose will be achieved.
Annexed to each receipt in the following list, is the Volume and Number of the REVIEW & HERALD to which the money receipted pays—which should correspond with the Numbers on the Papers. If money to the paper is not in due time acknowledged, immediate notice of the omission should then be given.
$1.00 EACH. D T Rodman 39-1, Sarah A Sweeney 40-1, H F Turner 39-14, E Booth 39-10, L H Phillips 40-13, E T Sumner 39-23, Mrs E C Day 39-23, A Christianson 39-24, M Arnold 38-15, Ira A Pixley 40-3.
$1.50 EACH. A Maillard 38 21, R Gilliland 40-23, Frank Kaufman 40-23, G A Wilson 40-23, Wm Gusset 40-23, A Shepard 40-1, W Watts 40-23, Martin Rood 40-23, Henry Branch 39-18, Sylvester M Rose 40-23, Joel Gatewood 40-23.
$2.00 EACH. Louisa Cowles 35-1, S Tomlinson 37-17, W G Buckland 40-20, J W Palmer 40-9, Mrs A F Moe 40-12, Asenath Ackles 40-10, M C Holliday 40-14, Dr J Grover 41-1, A H Erskine 40-10, C E Dalby 39-1, S McVettee 40-1, Amy Thomas 40-10, E Merrill 38-1, Mrs H Canright 40-23, A G Smith 41-1, Mrs H Kelley 34-9, J M Porter 40-22, Rufus Baker 41-1, B L Whitney 40-23, Mary Beach 44-1, John Cardell 40-19, A G Hutchins 40-16, M W Neale 41-1, Job Spencer 40-22, F N Saterlee 41-1.
MISCELLANEOUS. Henry Hearns $3.00 40-1, M Salisbury 3.00 41-1, J McGregor 3.90 41-24, Jane Shorey 5.00 42-1, A Stafford 50c 38 22, S A Rowland 6.00 40-1, Wm Penniman 2.45 41-12, J A Silley 2.64 38-23, Dolly Dadman 2.62 38-23, S Simonds 2.62 39-16, M L Hunkin 7.00 40-1, J S Miller 2.50 39-14, Delia Huntley 3.00 41-6, H T Goslin 1.10 39-23, A W Shepherd 2.50 41-6, Wm Carlile 5.00 40-6.
Books Sent by Mail.
P Strong $6.96, J Sawyer 25c, W W Wilcox 15c, A J Kerr 85c, M A Conrad 50c, A G Smith 50c, J E Allen 15c, Wm Cottrell 1.00, A W Shepherd 3.10, Wm Wright 1.15, S H Vedder 15c, S E Stringer 1.15, B W Powell 1.00, A W Cummings 3.50, L M Cowles 1.00, B F Cottrell 1.00, J V Himes 1.80, L Day 3.00, J McGregor 20c, D P Wyatt 10c, A J Scott 28c, James W Ellis 40c, Thos B Brown 1.00, A Christianson 20c, H M Payne 1.10, Enos Terry 3.00, Mrs E L White 15c, Abram Wright 25c, I T Andrus 50c, Mrs T Martin 10c, Lizzie Demas 10c, E A C Stebbins 25c, H F Goslin 90c, G S Kelsea 75c, C R Sipes 20c, A Lewis 1.15, M Wood 1.15, S A Cardell 10c, J Shearer 50c, P R Mills 20c.
Shares in S. D. A. P. Association.
Ann Stem $10.00, Rebecca Stem 10.00, D M Canright 10.00, Clarinda I Doty 10.00, Mrs A F Moe 10.00, T Smith 10.00, A Smith 10.00, S N Wheeler 10.00, Allen D Smith 10.00, W J Cross 30.00, V O Cross 20.00, E Mott 5.00, “Now Paid” 10.00, W H Kynett 10.00, Jacob Lemley 10.00, W G Bralliar 10.00, F N Satterlee 10.00, Lewis Wilson 10.00, John Hanson 10.00.
Books' Sent by Express.
D P Ingraham, Porter Station, Ind. $3.50.
Donations to Health Institute.
C S Clarke $5.00, S M Clarke 5.00, Mary L Fields 5.00, A friend (thank-offering) 5.00, John Hanson 10.00.
Shares in the Health Institute.
W V Field $25.00, W J Cross 25.00, V O Cross 25.00, W G Bralliar 25.00, Lewis Wilson 25.00.
General Conference Fund.
Julia Brezee s. B. 5.00, Frank Starr s. B. 7.50.
Michigan Conference Fund.
Church at Orleans $70.00, Ithaca 35.00, Greenbush 20.00, Vergennes 20.00, Leighton 11.25.
Sabbath Reformer Monthly and Sabbath Recorder Purchase
We learn from the S. S. Gem, the S. D. Baptist youth’s paper, published at Albion, Wis., that J. E. N. Backus, its editor, is about to start a monthly for old as well as young, entitled “The Sabbath Reformer.” The American Sabbath Tract Society have voted to purchase the Sabbath Recorder, the organ of the S. D. Baptists, and assume its publication. G. E. Tomlinson is to have exclusive control of its editorial department. Their publishing house is to be located at Alfred Center, N. Y.
Invitation to Sabbath-Keepers Passing Through Terre Haute
By Uriah Smith
Sabbath-keepers passing through Terre Haute, Ind., are invited by Mrs. H. Parsons, living on North 5th St., 4 doors north of Vandalia R.R., east side, to give them a call. U. S.