Bro. Smith :—I never felt more like sacrificing for the truth's sake than now. I wish to cast the little influence I may have on the side of the commandment-keepers; for I am sure they have the truth. A mere form of the truth will not save us. We must have the principle of God's law, which is love, deeply fixed in the soul, so that our entire being, with all that we have and are, may be given up to God; for not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
When I look back upon my past experience and view the way God in his goodness has led me, I can from a full soul exclaim, "O the depth of the riches, both of the wisdom, and knowledge of God: how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out;" for truly he has led me in a way I knew not of; for I had been taught that the Sabbath of the fourth commandment had been changed to the first day of the week; therefore it was the Sabbath for the gospel dispensation; and I must confess I looked upon those that were keeping the seventh day of the week for the Sabbath, as a poor deluded people, and I verily thought as Paul once did, that it was right to oppose them. I did not read my Bible and go to God as I ought to have done, and ask him for the truth, no, no; for the ire of the dragon was stirred in me.
A conference of Sabbath-keepers was to be held at the house of Bro. S. H. Peck, and Bro. and Sr. Ingraham were very anxious to have me go and hear, and then judge for myself; which I did, merely out of curiosity. I was prejudiced against them on account of the bad reports I had heard; but still I believed that some of them were honest, but in an error. But when I heard the unvarnished truth presented out of God's word so clear, from Bro. Burr, Ingraham and Hutchins, O how those words rung in my ears: "The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God;" but O how could I keep it when I had said so much against those that kept it.
The word that sent the truth home to my heart was quick and powerful. I did not dare to reject it. I felt that it was the truth; but the enemy of the truth was there also. He tried to make me think I had already heard too much, that I had better leave; but the promise of God came to my mind, where it says, Resist the Devil and he will flee from you: draw nigh to God and he will draw nigh to you. I felt the power of God upon me as I had not for years. I believed with my heart and I was willing to confess with my mouth. I could say as the blind man did, Whereas I was blind now I see. My prejudice was gone. I could rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. I could adopt the language of the hymn, "I must be in this band, hallelujah."
I am free, and have ever found it good to obey God and keep his commandments, notwithstanding the many trials I have had to pass through. I believe our trials will work out for our good if we only have patience to bear them. My prayer is, Lord let patience have her perfect work in my heart, that I may be enabled to stand here in these days of peril and danger.
I am glad the gifts are being restored in the church. I believe they are from heaven, given for the benefit of the church, I hope we shall appreciate them better.
My heart is often cheered, and my eyes melted into tears when I read the warm-hearted letters from the dear brethren and sisters, in the Review, scattered as they are in this wilderness world. To them I would say, Be of good courage; hold on a little longer, his strong arm will support you; he will not let the waters overflow you; he is the hope of his people; and he will gather them into his garner. Bear with meekness and patience the scorn, contempt and ridicule that is heaped upon you for the truth's sake. Christ said, Rejoice and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in heaven. I hope to have with the dear saints an abundant entrance into the Holy City, where we shall be permitted to eat of the fruit of the tree of life, and drink of the water of the river of life, where sorrow and sighing will flee away, and all tears will be wiped from our eyes, and we forever dwell in the presence of our God.
In hope of immortality. Betsey Morse.
Wolcott, Vt.
COMMUNICATIONS.
By A. R. Morse
"Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another."
From Bro. Morse.
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS:—My experience for more than thirty years in the cause of Christ has taught me the importance of living where my mind will be fruitful in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. I often think of the First Angel's Message—how we did but little else than search the word of God, and have all on the altar, and strive with all our might to be in readiness for the revelation of Jesus Christ from heaven.
Those days I think of with pleasure. They linger with sweetness in my mind. That scene of holy consecration I do not forget.
I think often of those dear brethren that were with us in the former messages. God grant they may see the light on the Third Angel's Message, and share with us the heavenly inheritance. How gloomy and dark was the scene after the time had passed! and how sweet and cheering was the light of present truth! It justifies the past, and lights up our way through to the glorious inheritance.
Dear brethren, we are now more than ten years from the commencement of the last note of warning to this fallen world. I would ask the solemn question. Are we doing all we can for the welfare of our fellow-men, in warning those that are without God and without hope in the world, of the soon-coming storm of God's wrath on the wicked; and to encourage the poor, tried and afflicted children of God. What an awful moment is this in which we live! All we do must be done soon. Brethren, let us gird on the armor anew, as we never have before. I hope to hear often through the Review from those dear brethren who have gone West. A. R. MORSE.
Wolcott, Vt.
Praise for Truth and Sanctification
By William H. Laughhead
From Bro. Laughhead.
Bro. Smith :—We feel to praise the Lord for his goodness to us and to those who are trying to keep the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus. The prayer of our Lord is, "Father, sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." My prayer is that we may have the truth on every point, and be sanctified through the belief of it. The Review is a welcome messenger, and we rejoice in the truth it brings to us; may the Lord give us understanding in all his ways, that we may be saved with the redeemed.
Your brother in tribulation, and in hope of immortality at the appearing of our Lord Jesus.
WM. H. LAUGHHEAD.
Elmira, N. Y., Apr. 6th, 1856.
A Call for Preaching
Sister Trembly writes from Bath, Mich.:—"I have been a reader of the Review nearly two years, and it has been a welcome messenger to me. Great light has shone from the true Bible doctrine it teaches. I still feel to trust in God and hold on to the whole truth. Our numbers are but few; but we are striving to keep all the Commandments of God, and the Faith of Jesus. We have no preaching here but the Review. We want some preaching brethren to come here, and set forth the Third Angel's Message. There are some anxious to hear."
Relieving the Office Debt
Sister Barrows writes from Windsor Co., Vt.:—"I am sorry that the friends of the cause are so backward in meeting the wants of the Office. I hope the"
Faith and the Office Debt
church will all be willing to make a little sacrifice to relieve the Office of debt. Brethren and Sisters, where is our faith in the soon coming of the Saviour? How are we coming up to the Judgment to give an account to him who will judge the quick and dead?
The Review as Spiritual Nourishment
By Editor
Sister C. B. Spaulding writes from Moretown:—
“Although I am a stranger to you, I write a few lines to let you know that I receive the Review weekly, and am a lover of the truths which it advocates. It is almost all the preaching I hear, as I seldom have the privilege of meeting with the children of God.”
Encouragement in Keeping the Sabbath
Sister S. M. Allen writes from St. Lawrence Co., N. Y.:—"I have long felt it my duty to tend my warmest thanks, for the reception of the Review, which to me has been like water to a thirsty soul. The communications of the dear brethren and sisters encourage me also to live a cross-bearing life. I have been led to see that the doctrines taught in the Review, harmonize with the pure word of God. It has been about two years and a half since my companion and myself embraced the Sabbath of the fourth commandment; and I have been led to rejoice thus far that my eyes were opened although it has been a cross-bearing way. I have not had the privilege for one year of seeing one of like precious faith, yet I have been blessed greatly in contending for the Sabbath and hope it will prove like bread cast upon the waters."
The Seventh Day Is the Sabbath
Sister P. Barrows writes from Windsor Co., Vt.:
“I have been a firm believer for four or five years, that the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord our God, and no other can be; for it is impossible for man to change the day that God has sanctified to be the rest day. How inconsistent it looks for people to continue to transgress God's law, which the apostle Paul calls ‘holy just and good,’ for no other reason than that the first day of the week has been called the Sabbath, and has been observed as such, (since it was the best light they had,) by good Christian people.”
Press Together and Overcome Jealousy
Sister Emily J Paine writes from Barre, N. Y.:—
“I feel that we are living in a solemn time; and my prayer is that we may realize it more. Do we believe Jesus will soon leave the Most Holy place in the heavenly Sanctuary, and cease pleading for guilty man? Do we believe that when he does, every case will be decided either for life or death? If so, what manner of persons ought we to be, in all holy conversation and godliness, striving to overcome and get the victory over every sinful word, thought and feeling; that we may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. I do not mean to be of those that draw back to perdition, but of those that believe to the saving of the soul.
“Dear brethren and sisters, let us press together, be firm and united, and let those who have erred, be a warning to us. Was not jealousy the cause of the first murder that ever was committed, and how much trouble has since emanated from the same source. Let us then beware of the monster. May the Lord help us to cultivate a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God, of great price.”
Longing for Christ’s Second Advent
Bro. L. Crosby writes from Portage Co., Wis.:—
“For a time past I have been in possession of the Review and have read with profit many articles especially those explanatory of the many prophecies of the second Advent and the long-looked-for millennium. I was waked up to the subject by Wm. Miller's writings and still am of opinion that he was moved by the Holy Ghost to make the proclamation. All true believers since Christ ascended have anxiously longed, hoped and prayed for his second advent and of all that have lived since, we that now see and feel the abominations of earth, ought to raise the prayer, Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly.”
Spiritualism.
By John Byington
BRO. SMITH:—We should not be ignorant of the devices of the enemy in these last days. A man who was a school-mate with me in Vermont—a man of good natural and acquired abilities, and has been a Methodist preacher for twenty years, called on me, saying he had left his family in Wisconsin, going out as Abram did, not knowing whither he went. By conversing with him a little, I soon found he was a modern Spiritualist. He said the Bible as a whole was not a revelation from God. Paul wrote much from his own tradition and not from revelation. He thought the second coming of Christ took place about the time modern Spiritualism commenced, and we have had all the second coming of Christ we shall ever have. He thought men were not to blame for doing as they did, for they did not know any better, but a greater light or a new dispensation was being given them. I found he had become so wise by conversing with the spirits, it was in vain to present Bible truth to him.
How are the mighty fallen! Never was there a time when close watching was more necessary than the present. The Devil's agents are awake to their work, and up and doing. It is time we all awake. The dreadful day draws near. John Byington.
P. S. The gentleman above referred to was a great tobacco eater, and was asked if the spirits had taught him it was wrong to use it. He replied the spirits had told him it was right for him to use tobacco. He said the mansions the Saviour was going to prepare were spiritual circles, and he was in the sixth circle. J. B.
Books for Sale at this Office.
By Editor
RATES OF POSTAGE.
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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, 62½ 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.
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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 12½ cents.—Wt. 3 oz.
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Man 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.—12½ cents.—Wt. 3 oz.
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POEMS.
Home Here and Home in Heaven with other poems. This work embraces all those 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.
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Liberal discount on these works where $5 worth is taken.
Address URIAH SMITH, Battle Creek, Mich.
GENERAL CONFERENCE.
By Editor
THERE will be a General Conference at Battle Creek, Mich., to commence Sixth-day, May 23d at 3 o'clock P. M., and hold over Sabbath and First-day.
A Business meeting will be held on Second-day, the 26th, when the Church Book Fund, Tent enterprise and the wants of the cause at large will be taken into consideration. A general attendance from Michigan, and a full delegation from other States and from Canada is solicited. The Church at Battle Creek will entertain all who come for the worship of God, according to their best ability. Churches abroad will meet the expenses of those they send as delegates.
Come, Brethren, let this be indeed a General Meeting, at which there shall be a general interest as well as attendance. Come prepared to engage in the worship of God, and to work for the spread of Bible Truth, and the advancement of the cause.
In behalf of the Battle Creek Church.
J. B. FRISBIE.
JAMES WHITE.
Tobacco and Tea.
By James White
AMONG those who profess faith in the Third Message are probably no less than 1000 families who have left (or should immediately leave) the use of tobacco and tea. The average expense to each family could not be less than $10, yearly, making in all the round sum of $10,000 saved (or should be) by the friends of present truth in leaving the poisonous (to say nothing of the extremely filthy character of tobacco) weeds of tobacco and tea. This sum would be sufficient to sustain thirty Missionaries in new fields of labor. What a shameful fact, that there are those among us, professing much zeal in the cause, who are too poor to pay for their paper, or help the preacher who may visit them. Yet they contrive to raise the cash to purchase tobacco and tea! J. W.
To Correspondents.
By Editor
R. T. Payne:—In reply to your question on Rev. i, 7, we can only say that the expression, "Behold he cometh with clouds, and every eye shall see him," is the one used to designate his second coming; but we see not how every eye can see him until the resurrection of the wicked at the end of the thousand years. The intent of the passage, therefore, we think must reach to that time.
Bro. E. L. Barr is requested to give his P. O. Address.
Spiritualism and the Jews.
By Editor
We learn the following particulars concerning a "Circle of Spiritualists," from the Israelite, of Apr. 4th, as reported by Dr. Lilienthal, its associate Editor. The question was asked of the spirit who was communicating:
"Do you know something about our Saviour?"
"Saviour?—Saviour?—there is no Saviour, no man can be saved by another one, every one has to stand the ground on his own responsibility."
"That is true, good and correct, shouted the majority of the assembly."
The Dr. being asked at the close what he thought of the manifestation, replied:
"I cannot explain them, being but the first time present at your meetings. But it surprises me, that if a Jewish minister boldly would step forward, declaring: 'there is no Saviour, no man can be saved by the merits and actions of another being, every one has to stand the ground on his own responsibility,' what would people say? All kind of frantic prejudices and predilections would be aroused, and the poor Jews would fall a victim of their untimely assertions. But now, your spirits maintain such principles, you put implicit faith in it, and are convinced of this truism as well as of your own individual existence. I, the Jewish minister, of course, can be but highly pleased with the result of this evening's entertainment. I feel more than gratified with your assurance, that more than three millions in these United States belong to your new sect, it is at any rate a great advancement toward truth, and in this respect I wish you success and prosperity."
Business.
By Editor
J. A. Laughhead:—We are not able to give you the information you desire.
H. Lockwood:—Your present remittance pays to the commencement of the present volume.
J. Alexander:—You will find your dollar for INSTRUCTOR receipted in No. 4, Vol. IV, of that sheet.
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Those who wish the Hymn Book pared small with their names on the cover will please send us their names immediately. J. W.
Receipts.
By Editor
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Bro. O. Davis writes from North Fairhaven, Mass.: "We are striving to hold fast the blessed truths of God's word in the patience of the saints. It is very dark around us here, and it is only by holding fast to the word of the Lord that we are enabled to have light in our dwellings. O for more confiding trust in that Word! that we may be saved in the hour of temptation, that is to try all that dwell on the face of the earth. May we ever be led by him who bought us with his own life."