p. 71 | Review and Herald, Vol. 8, No. 9. (6/26/1856)

Earlier text: TRUE REFORMS AND REFORMERS

Courage Amid Trials and Darkness

By Lucretia B. Abbey

From Sister Abbey.

BRO. SMITH:—I have long been thinking of writing a few words, to let the scattered flock know that we are still trying in this place, to live, and keep the armor on, though some portions of it are not as bright as would be well pleasing to our heavenly Father; especially our shield. Nevertheless we are, through the abundant mercy of our God, enabled to rejoice in his excellent name. Last Sabbath, week, we felt to take new courage, and covenant anew to overcome all our besetting sins, and the darkness that surrounds us, that we may be able to stand in the great day of the Lord, which is so near upon us. Signs that the great and terrible day of the Lord is near, are fast thickening around us. O how important to be in readiness for that day.

I do rejoice that my eyes have been opened to see the light that is now shining on our pathway, which leads to the celestial city; and also that my ears have been opened to hear the glad sound of "this gospel of the kingdom," which is soon to be set up, upon the new earth.

We are not without our trials; but these "light afflictions which are but for a moment, shall work out for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;" which will be revealed in us at the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ; when "he shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ; who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power."

O! how dreadful will be that day to those who are not in readiness, with what anguish of soul will they meet the eyes of their Judge. Our prayer is, Lord, drive stupidity from us, help us to arise and put on strength, and "gird up the loins of our mind, be sober, and hope to the end, for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." Our prayer for Zion is, that she may arise and put on her beautiful garments, "fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners."

We must have our lives tell that we believe what we profess to; words are of but little amount, compared to our example. O brethren and sisters, let us set right examples, not let it be said of us, "They say and do not." And now may the exhortation of Paul be heeded in the whole house of Israel, "See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men; rejoice evermore; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

"Quench not the Spirit; despise not prophesyings; prove all things; hold fast that which is good; abstain from all appearance of evil; and the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you who also will do it. Brethren, pray for us."

Yours hoping for a treasure in the New Earth. LUCRETIA B. ABBEY. North Brookfield, June 8th, 1856.

P. S. I would not be forgetful to express my gratitude to my heavenly Father, and also to my friends for the receipt of the Review, which brings glad tidings, which cheers us on our pilgrimage journey through this dark wilderness. My prayer is for those who write, that they may still be enabled to bring treasures new and old out of the store-house of our God. L. B. A.

Reports from Eastern Churches

By Joseph Bates

From Bro. Bates.

BRO. SMITH:—The second day after leaving Battle Creek, Mich., I arrived in Mill Grove, N. Y. Our meetings on the Sabbath and First-day, May 31st, and June 1st, were interesting, and we trust productive of some good. The brethren are manifestly desiring a spirit of devotedness, and strong desire to be ready for their coming Lord.

June 3d we spent with the church in Troy, N. Y. They are holding on, and manifest a strong desire to be in union with commandment-keepers in the Third Angel's Message. They invite the brethren to call on them as they pass. Inquire for them at the nail factory.

From Troy and Albany we took steam-boat down

the Hudson river to N. Y. city. The church here is small, but strong in the present truth, striving for the kingdom. Brethren passing through the city are invited to call at 276, Pearl street, at the residence of Bro. G. Andrews.

June 6th, came safely to my family. Praise the Lord for his abundant mercy, and preserving care for us while separated since last Autumn.

Sabbath, 7th inst., met with the church in Dartmouth, it being their monthly season to break bread. What a blessed privilege for the church militant! "For as often as ye eat this bread and drink this cup, ye do show forth the Lord's death till he come."

The churches in Fairhaven and Dartmouth I find are steadfast in all the truth for the remnant. This we all need, and with it a full and cheerful sacrifice of what we have, and an entire consecration of ourselves to God that we may be ready for the coming crisis. JOSEPH BATES. Fairhaven, Mass., June 12th, 1856:

OBITUARY.

FELL asleep in Jesus in Catlin, N. Y., May 24th, our beloved brother Marshall M. Truesdell, aged 27 years and 6 months. During his protracted sickness which was over two years, his sufferings were great; but in them all he manifested that meekness and patience that is seldom seen.

He was converted when he was eleven years old, and in the Spring of 1848 embraced the doctrine of the speedy coming of the Lord. He was the first in Catlin who embraced the present truth of the Third Angel’s Message; and he remained firm in it till his death. His godly example will long be remembered by those with whom he has associated. We deeply feel the loss of our dear brother, yet we mourn not as those who have no hope; for as we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

J. A. LOUGHHEAD. Elmira, June 14th, 1856.

Died at Waverly, Mich., June 13th, Sr. Dorothy Otis, aged 74 years. She had lived with her daughter, Sr. Lay, for more than 20 years previous to her death, and had been a great sufferer by neuralgia, most of the time. She had believed the present truth for some time, and died in hope.

This is a heavy stroke to Sr. Lay, as she had spent 52 years in her mother’s society; but she sorrows not without hope. A discourse was preached on the occasion by the writer from the words, "The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death." 1 Cor. xv, 26.

Trials of the Publishing Work

By Hiram Edson

From Bro. Edson.

BRO. SMITH:—Many are the cares, anxieties, and trials of the remnant in this time of their patient waiting for Christ. The record is emphatically true that "Here is the patience of the saints." It is through much tribulation that we are to enter the kingdom of heaven. It is tribulation that worketh patience, and patience experience, and experience hope, &c. It is the fiery trial that serves to purify unto the Lord a peculiar people zealous of good works. Especially do those who are connected with and have charge of the publishing department have their share of cares, anxieties and trials to encounter. This should be borne in mind by the scattered remnant, whose duty it is to stay up their hands and often pray the fervent effectual prayer that strength and grace may be given to sustain them, and wisdom from above and judgment to guide them in the faithful discharge of the important duties and responsibilities which devolve upon them.

The work of the Enemy is to alienate the feelings and divide and scatter the flock and throw the Lord's host into confusion, that they may fall an easy prey to his cruel power and be consumed. May the Lord in his mercy thwart his plans, and strongly unite the hearts of his waiting remnant, and give them to see that the spirit that would alienate their feelings and lead them to complain one against another, is from the accuser of the brethren, the destroyer of souls. United we stand, divided we fall.

May the Lord help his people to be strongly united, and help us to put away the pride of our hearts, and get where he would have us to be, in self abasement that his name alone may be exalted: then may the light of his reconciled countenance shine more clearly upon us.

Hiram Edson.

Martville, N. Y., June 15th, 1856.

Encouragement in Keeping the Commandments

By John Wilson

From Bro. Wilson.

Bro. Smith :—I am greatly encouraged in reading the Review and the letters from the brethren and sisters scattered abroad. It strengthens me and encourages me to go on and press forward; for I know if we prove faithful to the end, we shall receive our reward. I feel to praise God that there is a goodly number of us trying to keep his commandments. We hold our meetings on the Sabbath, and we hold a prayer-meeting on the beginning of the fourth day, and we feel that it is good to wait upon the Lord, for by so doing we feel that we are blest; and my prayer to God is, that we with all the dear brethren and sisters may by the grace of God be kept faithful, walking in all the ways of truth and holiness; for by so doing we shall enjoy eternal life.

If it is God's will I trust he will send some one of his ministering servants this way, as there are some that feel it their duty to be baptized.

John Wilson. Bowne, Mich.

The Original Sabbath

By Editor

From the Rochester Daily Democrat we clip the following:

“A Synod of Rabbins will shortly be held in Paris to discuss the propriety of transferring the observance of the Jewish Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday.”

We may soon be the only people who observe the original and true Sabbath.

Encouraging Gospel Meetings in Illinois

Bro. E. Everts writes from Round Grove, Ill.:—

"The way for the truth appears favorably opened. Calls to hear are raised and houses offered, and we have quite large and very attentive congregations. A deep feeling pervades, and quite a general acknowledgement of the Sabbath and kindred present truth. I would say, the congregations are willing to take the responsibility of appointing succeeding meetings when it is left to them to say whether they will have more meetings or allow us to attend to other 'Macedonian cries.'"

The Personal Devil

By Editor

The article on our first page will be read with interest at this time. Satan is well pleased in these last days when he designs especially to work with all power, to publish the story of his own non-existence. We consider it the more important to show up its absurdity now, as some have lent themselves to believe and circulate his fable, of whom we had hoped better things. The position that there is no personal Devil becomes a prolific fountain of deception and error. The word of God itself may finally by it be resolved into an absurdity, and the world into a great farce.

Don't be too Positive.

By Editor

We don't wish to be. But are you sure we are too positive? Are you sure that the positiveness is in us, and that the charge belongs to us? Have you ever heard us lay down as positive truth any assertions or mere opinions of our own? Then how do you charge us with being too positive? We dare not be less positive than the word of God; we dare not throw doubt over points which that declares certain. When that word expressly says that the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God, we cannot satisfy our consciences by saying that we guess it is, or we think it is, or it may be; for we know it's so, if the book lies not. Then the positiveness is not in us: it is in the Bible.

And when we affirm without qualification that there is a time of trouble coming such as never was, that the great day of the Lord is near, that the King will soon descend from heaven to the joy of his saints, and to the terror and dismay of all his enemies, it must not be mistaken that these are assertions of our own, that we make them on our own authority, as though they were events of our own imagining. But we find them in the Word, and like faithful watchmen we must preach that word faithfully.

Tell us which is the greater evil, if these things be so, to be too positive, or not positive enough? Which is safest, if the end of all things is at hand, to get ready a year before it comes, or be an hour too late? We see no danger of being too positive on Bible truth; and we trust that on any point where the word of God will bear us out, we shall be permitted to be as positive as that word itself.

Sunday in New Orleans

In a late number of the New Orleans Creole is found the following:

"Fun enough to-day, (Sunday.) A crack race comes off at Metaric Course—betting will be high. All the theatres have splendid bills of attraction. A man must be hard to please, if, with our churches and amusements he cannot pass the day agreeably."

SABBATH-BREAKING LEAGUE

Encouraged by some support from government, "The National Sunday League" hitherto weak in numbers and in friends, is now growing and expanding. It has received many subscriptions within the last fortnight, and now announces a weekly journal, entitled The National Sunday League Record, to be devoted to the work of writing down the Sabbath. Every thing shows that the struggle will be long and arduous. We trust that Christians will not feel less interest, or use less exertion in this matter than those who are bent on taking from us the quiet English Sabbath-day.—London Record.

Tent Meeting

By J. H. Waggoner; M. E. Cornell

PROVIDENCE permitting there will be a Tent Meeting in Moscow, Hillsdale Co., Mich., commencing on Sabbath, June 28th, and holding over First-day, or as long as may appear to be duty. Meetings on Sabbath and First-day at 10 o'clock A. M., and at 12 1/2 and 8 P. M.

J. H. WAGGONER. M. E. CORNELL.

Appointment.

PROVIDENCE permitting, Bro. and Sr. White will hold meetings with the Brethren in Hastings, Sabbath and First-day, June 28th and 29th.

Business.

By Editor

J. A. Wilcox:—The paper is sent regularly to the address you name. If she or you will inform us what numbers are missing, we shall be happy to send them again.

Chas. O. Taylor:—Sr. Fairbanks' name is correctly entered on our N. X. Book, and we presume therefore duly mailed to her address. The paper sent to J. Bender was some time since returned; and as we can exercise no discretion in such cases, we supposed it was not wanted. How is this? Shall we send again? Canada money goes readily here. Your present remittance pays to the middle of Vol. IX.

H. S. Gurney:—R. Coggshall has paid to the commencement of the present volume.

Receipts for Book Fund.

By Editor

L. Wilcox, M. Philips, Dani. Eaton, J. V. Hull, each $5. Wm. Harris, E. Cobb, R. Lockwood, H. S. Gurney, J. Demerest, each $2. A. Lee $1.

Receipts and Pledges for Relief of Office.

By Editor

Of the following sums those that have been paid are so marked. The rest are pledges to be paid before the first of September next. We hope $200 will immediately be added, which will cover the liabilities of the Office.

Receipts.

By Editor

S. Putnam, L. Carpenter, Danl. R. Wood, J. F. Case, S. A. Proctor, M. Courter, S. Dunklee, H. Edson; each $1. C. O. Taylor $2. Geo. Holden, $0.25.

REVIEW FOR THE POOR.—S. W. Rhodes $1. H. Edson $2.

Books for Sale at this Office.

By Editor

RATES OF POSTAGE.

Books bound or unbound, not weighing over four pounds, for any distance under 3000 miles, when pre-paid, one cent an ounce. When not pre-paid, 2 cents an ounce.

Hymns for those who keep the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus. This is the title of our new Hymn Book prepared for the use of the Church of God scattered abroad. It is designed to promote not only public worship, but also social and family devotions. It is a selection of Hymns of poetic merit, expressing the faith and hope of the Church as set forth in the Scriptures of truth, free from the popular errors of the age. The Book contains 352 Pages, 430 Hymns, and 76 pieces of Music. Nearly every Hymn can be sung in some one of the pieces of Music, which will promote uniformity and correctness in singing among the Churches.—Price, 62 1/2 cents.—In Morocco, 70 cents.—Weight 7 8 ounces.

Bible Tracts Bound in Two Volumes. These Volumes are of about 400 pages each, and embrace nearly all of our published Tracts. We are happy to offer to our friends the main grounds of our faith in a style so acceptable.—Price, 50 cents each.—Wt. 9 oz. each.

Sabbath Tracts, Nos. 1, 2, 3 & 4. This work presents a condensed view of the entire Sabbath question.—184 pages. Price 15 cents.—Wt. 4 oz.

The Sanctuary and Twenty-three Hundred Days, by "J. N. A." This work presents a clear exposition of Daniel viii and ix, points out distinctly the commencement and termination of the 2300 days, shows what the Sanctuary is, and the nature of its cleansing, and explains the disappointment of the Advent people in regard to time, and the true position of those who are now waiting for their Lord.—Price 12 1/2 cents.—Wt. 3 oz.

The Three Angels of Rev. xiv, 6-12, particularly the Third Angel's Message, and the Two-horned Beast. This work maintains the fulfillment of Prophecy in the past Advent movement, and is of great importance in these times of apostasy and peril.—148 pages.—Price 12 1/2 cents.—Wt. 2 oz.

Review of Crozier. This work is a faithful review of the No-Sabbath doctrine as set forth in the Advent Harbinger by O. R. L. Crozier. It should be placed in the hands of those who are exposed to that heresy.—Price 6 cents.—Wt. 2 oz.

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The Four Universal Monarchies of the Prophecy of Daniel, and the Kingdom of God, to which is added a condensed view of the 2300 days and the Sanctuary.—Price 8 cents.—Wt. 2 oz.

The Sabbath, Containing valuable articles on 2 Cor. iii; Col. ii, 14-17. Who is our Lawgiver? The two hills of Matt. v, 18, Consistency, &c.—Price 5 cents.—Wt. 1 oz.

The Law of God. In this excellent work the testimony of both Testaments relative to the law of God—its knowledge from Creation, its nature and perpetuity—is presented.—Price 12 1/2 cents.—Wt. 2 oz.

The Atonement, This work opens a wide field of Bible truth, and will be found a valuable assistant in the study of the great theme on which it treats.—196 pp.—18 cents.—Wt. 4 oz.

Man not Immortal: the only Shield against the Seductions of Modern Spiritualism. Without the great truth that man is not immortal, and that the dead know not anything, none are prepared to stand against wicked spirits, in high places. We commend this work on the Immortality question, as an able discussion of the subject.—148 pp.—12 1/2 cents.—Wt. 3 oz.

An Examination of the Scripture Testimony concerning Man's present condition, and his future Reward or Punishment. By this work is shown in a clear and connected manner the unconscious state of the dead, and the final destiny of the wicked; so many it has been objected to works which have been published on this subject that objections have not been thoroughly answered. In this work we consider all objections to the mortality of man and the death of the wicked fairly and fully met.—Price 18 cents.—Wt. 4 oz.

Why Don't you Keep the Sabbath? Extracts from Catholic works.—Price 5 cents.—Wt. 1 oz.

Signs of the Times. This work presents the historical facts concerning the signs in the Sun, Moon and Stars, points out other signs of the soon coming of Christ, and contains an exposure of Spirit Manifestations.—Price 12 1/2 cents.—Wt. 2 oz.

Last Work of the True Church.—Price 7 cents.—Wt. 1 oz.

Perpetuity of the Royal Law.—Price 5 cents.—Wt. 1 oz.

History of the Sabbath.—Price 5 cents.—Wt. 1 oz.

The 2300 Days and Sanctuary by "U. S."—Price 5 cents.—Wt. 1 oz.

The Celestial Railroad.—Price 5 cents.—Wt. 1 oz.

Christian Experience and Views.—Price 6 cents.—Wt. 1 oz.

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Youth's Instructor.—Vols. 1 & 2.—Price 25 cents a Vol in paper covers.

POEMS.

Home Here and Home in Heaven, with other poems. This work embraces all these sweet and Scriptural poems written by Annie R. Smith, from the time she embraced the third message till she fell asleep in Jesus.—Price 25 cents.—Wt 4 oz.—In paper covers, 20 cents.—Wt. 2 oz.

Time and Prophecy. This work is a poetic comparison of the events of time with the sure word of Prophecy.—Price 25 cents.—Wt. 4 oz.—In paper covers, 15 cents.—Wt. 3 oz.

A Word for the Sabbath. This work is an exposure of the false theories in regard to the Sabbath.—Price 5 cents.

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