Earlier text: THE PARABLE---Matt. XXVWESTERN TOUR.
By James White
THE readers of the REVIEW generally, will be anxious to learn the state of the cause in the West, and will probably expect a brief statement of those things of interest, connected with our Western Tour. We shall, therefore, give a statement of facts, that the true state of the cause, and its progress may be known. The calls from Michigan for help, especially for nearly one year past, have been urgent. The brethren have often written like this, that if we could not come, to send some one of the eastern brethren. But no one has seen his way clear to visit this field, since Bro. Bates was here last Summer, till Bro. Loughborough came into this State a few weeks since. During this period, however, Brn. Case and Cornell have been active, and labored ardently, and God has blest their efforts. May 20th, we left the friends at Rochester, to fill our appointment at Mill Grove, N. Y. At Wende Station we found our aged Bro. Cottrell, waiting to convey us to the place of meeting. Bro. Cottrell is nearly eighty years of age, remembers the dark day of 1780, and has been a Sabbath-keeper more than thirty years. He was formerly united with the Seventh-Day Baptists; but on some points of doctrine has differed from that body. He rejected the doctrine of the trinity, also the doctrine of man’s consciousness between death and the resurrection, and the punishment of the wicked in eternal consciousness. He believed that the wicked would be destroyed. Bro. Cottrell buried his wife not long since, who, it is said, was one of the excellent of the earth. Not long since, this aged pilgrim received a letter from friends in Wisconsin, purporting to be from M. Cottrell, his wife, who sleeps in Jesus. But he, believing that the dead know not anything, was prepared to reject at once the heresy that the spirits of the dead, knowing everything, come back and converse with the living. Thus truth is a staff in his old age. He has three sons in Mill Grove, who, with their families are Sabbath-keepers. Our meetings in the place were well attended.—Several came eight and ten miles to hear, and manifested a good interest. But there is evidently a lack of real faith in the brethren in that vicinity. Their experience in the Advent faith has been short. A little more than two years since, they first heard of Advent Sabbath-keepers, by a notice of the REVIEW in the Sabbath Recorder. Since that time they have increased in numbers, and have grown stronger in the Advent faith. We ardently desire that those dear brethren may all be fully settled on all points of present truth, and share largely of the blessings of the gospel of Christ. According to appointment we met with the brethren in Tyrone, Mich., the 27th, 28th and 29th ult. The meeting was held in a barn, well prepared for the occasion. We were happily disappointed to find so many friends of the Lord’s Sabbath present. About twelve brethren and sisters came from Locke in one wagon, drawn by two yoke of young oxen, a distance of twenty-eight miles. One of them was the Sister Avery who wrote the excellent letter to W. Sheldon, recently published in the REVIEW. This will give a correct idea of the interest on the part of many to hear the truth in this new country. Some portion of the time of this Conference was a season of labor. There is a class of people in this region, called “Believers,” who profess to have much of the Holy Spirit; but it is very evident that some of them are influenced by a spirit that is decidedly unholy. Quite a number of them have recently embraced the Sabbath, and were at the meeting. We regard them as perfectly honest, and believe that God has led them to see the truth; yet they have much to learn, and some of them present at the meeting evidently knew not of what spirit they were of. They were happily but plainly corrected, and we are glad to say that they generally received reproof like Christians. The cause here has been in great danger through fanaticism, coming from the above named class; but if a strait forward course is taken, and those who still hold on to their false impressions and strange exercises are disfellowshipped by the brethren, the unholy leaven will soon be entirely purged out. We had good liberty in preaching the Word. Some of our social meetings were very interesting. The last evening was a season of great interest. By this time the fog was cleared away, and the Spirit of God came down, melting the hearts of the people, and causing them to rejoice. And many, as they look back on that season, can say as did the two disciples when on their way to Emmaus. “Did not our heart burn within us?” &c. It was very clear to all, that strange exercises in the hands, arms, &c., was not the result of the Holy Spirit; but some strange spirit that would lead anywhere but to the kingdom. And while the very atmosphere seemed as sweet as heaven, and the dear saints were meekly praising God in a calm, weeping, humble manner, with their hearts filled with love to God, false spirits were viewed in strong contrast. We hope that all present will ever remember the seal that God set to the truth of this matter. Bro. H. S. Case we had seen before. His face is still set towards Mount Zion. We have formed a happy acquaintance with Bro. M. E. Cornell. He is active in the cause, and his labors have been much blest. All the efforts of the Harbinger to crush him have only served to open the way before him, while he has humbly followed on in the work of his Master, and success has followed. The cause of truth, as far as we can now judge, is advancing gloriously. The brethren are growing stronger, souls are almost daily added to the church, and an interest is awakened all around to hear. There are brethren here who feel that they are the Lord’s stewards, and that he calls on them to help sustain the cause with their means. Our Conference in this place is at hand. Bro J. N. Loughborough will be with us. It is expected that an effort will be made at this meeting to do something for the cause in Wisconsin, Indiana and Illinois.
JAMES WHITE.
Jackson, Mich., June, 1853. Bro. Monroe’s Article.
By Editor
This interesting and instructive article, on another page, was accompanied with the following note: Dear Bro. White:—You see the fate of my communication on the "Sabbath and the Law," as found in the Harbinger for May 14th, 1853. It was rejected on the ground, as we think, that it would be no benefit to their side of the question, and possibly do it harm. Be that as it may, we shall not be likely again to trouble journals that can thus decline the publication of pieces, written with candor, and concern for the good of souls, and in favor of the Sabbath; more especially, after publishing so many hard and bitter things, both against the Sabbath, and Sabbath-keepers. No wonder such a paper is found panting for life. I felt it a duty from the Lord, to write for the benefit of his dear children—two classes of them. First those laboring under a mistake in relation to the Sabbath question. Second, to confirm those already in the truth on this subject. I sent it to the Harbinger because I thought it most needed there. And though it is now rejected I am clear; and whether joined to idols or not, I must let them alone. If but one precious soul can be benefited by it, or established in the truth of the Sabbath, I shall not esteem it lost labor. Would that it might be blest to the benefit of many. This would be an over-payment, for my feeble labors of love.13 Waldo, Me., May 29th, 1853. From the article referred to above in the Harbinger for May 14th, we quote the following as the principal reason why it was declined. "Because you present not one direct Bible evidence: but like all others who have attempted to maintain the position you take, you have offered nothing as evidence, but inferences, assertions, &c. These weigh nothing in the scale of truth. Give us one plain direct passage from either the Old or New Testament, without note or comment, that reads, that either a Jew or Gentile Christian is required to keep the Seventh day, or Jewish Sabbath, and we will not only publish it, but keep the day; your reasonings, inferences, suppositions and affirmations we do not want, nor any other uninspired man's; nothing but the plain word of the Lord will do. This you will give or abandon your theory, or be a dishonest man; for you well know that 'faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of the Lord.' Amen." We state these things that honest and candid minds may see the course pursued by the Harbinger in the investigation of Bible Truth, and determine for themselves whether or not it is characterized by that spirit of candid inquiry which should be a characteristic of a paper which publicly professes that its object is, "to obtain a correct understanding of the scriptures," and that "it is open for the free investigation of all Bible doctrines." We see by this, what kind of articles the Harbinger refuses to publish, and also its reasons for so doing; and we ask our readers to candidly examine the article and compare it with the objections presented by the Harbinger, and they can all readily determine whether they are founded on equity and truth, or whether they constitute one of those miserable ways that men have of evading questions which they cannot answer. It is often easier for people, to pass off as "assertions," "affirmations" and "suppositions," what they are unwilling to admit, than it is to furnish against them plain, scriptural objections, and often infinitely more convenient, especially for those who are willing to sacrifice truth at the shrine of party. "Remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy," (Ex. xx, 8.) and "The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God," (verse 10th.) and "The Sabbath was made for man," (Mark ii, 27.) are plain and direct passages from the Bible, which need no "note or comment." The divine mandate has gone forth and now stands against the world; it has never been revoked or changed; the record of such an event cannot be found; and those who can stifle conscience by calling these things, inferences, assumptions and assertions, do so at their own peril. Will the Harbinger, "give us one plain direct passage from either the Old or New Testament, without note or comment, that reads, that either a Jew or Gentile Christian," is required to keep the ("Jewish,") commandment, not to bow down to graven images? Surely your "reasonings" "inferences" and "suppositions" "we do not want," and indeed, "they weigh nothing in the scale of truth." "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of the Lord." "But this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their hearts, and should be converted, and I should heal them." Matt. xiii, 15. Scripture Texts on God’s Law
"Praise ye the Lord. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in his commandments." Ps. cxii. 1. "Rivers of water run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law." Ps. cxix. 136. "Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law." Verse 18. "It is time for thee, Lord, to work; for they have made void thy law." Verse 126. GIFTS OF THE GOSPEL CHURCH.
By Editor
"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints: for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ; till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ." Eph. iv, 11-14. "And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily, prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healing, helps, governments, diversities of tongues." 1 Cor. xii, 28. When the design of the gifts is clearly seen, then the importance of this subject will be understood. They were given for the perfecting of the church of Christ. When the apostolic church was pure and holy, having just learned the gospel from the Great Head of the church, and having been baptized with the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost, the gifts of the Spirit were given to them, for their edification and profit. And we have no Scripture evidence that they were designed for a limited portion of the gospel age, to be taken away from the church in a few years; but the proof is abundant that they were designed to exist in the church as long as the saints in their mortal state needed the teaching of the Bible and the Holy Spirit. It is universally admitted that a portion of the gifts exist in the church at this day, such as "the word of wisdom," and the "word of knowledge," and no one denies that "pastors" and "teachers" were to be in the church until its perfection. Then if a portion of the gifts were to remain in the church, why not all of them remain? Why should the professed church of Christ pick out from that catalogue of gifts, so freely bestowed by the Great Head of the church, those that suit them best, and trample the others in the dust?—It is sometimes asserted, by those who oppose the operations of the Spirit of God, that the gifts were designed for the apostles alone: but if this is true, then the church of Christ has been destitute of the "word of wisdom," "word of knowledge," and the gift of "faith" for about 1800 years, and those who have professed to be "teachers" and "pastors" have assumed a calling which ceased to exist at the death of the apostles. It is therefore very evident that all the gifts run parallel with each other, none of them ended before the rest, and that they were to extend quite through the gospel age. The gifts were given for "the perfecting of the saints," and as the church is in an imperfect state they are all needed. They were to be employed for this purpose "till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ." The church has never yet reached this state of unity, knowledge, fulness and perfection; therefore the gifts should not be dismissed until the object for which they were given is gained. It is admitted that they were necessary for the infant church in the days of the apostles, in confirming the covenant with "signs and wonders," and "gifts of the Holy Ghost." But let it be remembered that Paul's instructions, relative to the gifts, were given full twenty-five years after the week of confirmation, and the beloved John had his visions in the isle Patmos twenty-six years later still; therefore none should assert that the gifts of the Spirit were given merely to confirm the covenant. They were then necessary for that object; but they are ten-fold more necessary now, to bring together the scattered members of the body of Christ, and to perfect the church to stand in the great day of the Lord, and to be changed to immortality when Christ comes in his own, and his Father's glory. If the apostolic church needed the gifts to enable them to stand in their peculiar trials, how much more are they needed in the perils of the last days, to prepare the church to stand firm in the time of trouble "such as never was." But why, have the gifts of the Spirit been no more manifest in the church? We think the principal reasons are, first, because the church has been too blind to understand them, being almost destitute of the Spirit, and too proud to acknowledge them before the world, therefore has rejected those gifts, in which the Spirit of God is most manifested; and second, because many of those who have shared these gifts have made such poor use of them. Says St. Paul, "the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are FOOLISHNESS UNTO HIM; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." 1 Cor. ii, 14. There was a striking example of the truth of this text on the day of pentecost, when the Holy Ghost was poured out upon the disciples. The multitude were amazed, some "mocking, said, These men are full of new wine." But Peter shewed to them that those manifestations were a fulfillment of Prophecy, and the work of God. Whenever the church has become worldly, proud, destitute of the Spirit, and blind, they have not been able to discern the things of the Spirit, and have looked upon the operations of the Holy Spirit with suspicion. And in many cases the cry of "mesmerism" and "fanaticism" has been raised. The most heaven-daring and fatal example of this, was in calling the gracious work of the Spirit in the Midnight Cry, in 1844, mesmerism and fanaticism. But it is a lamentable fact that a great portion of those who have had any of the gifts of the Spirit of God bestowed upon them, have soon become exalted, and have fallen. Such is the weakness of human nature that God has to bring his people through the furnace of affliction in order to save them. He often withholds his rich blessings from his people, lest they make a wrong use of them and perish. It was necessary that the Apostle Paul should have a "thorn in the flesh," lest "through the abundance of the revelations" he "should be exalted." It has too often been the case that when the Lord has bestowed any great spiritual blessing, or gift upon his children, that the church, instead of carefully watching over them to see that they still kept humble, has heaped upon them compliments and flatteries, which in most cases has exalted and ruined the brightest lights set in the church. If the Apostle had not had such an abundance of "visions and revelations of the Lord," he would not have needed a "thorn in the flesh." This proves that those on whom Heaven bestows the greatest blessings are in the most danger of being "exalted," and of falling, therefore, they need to be exhorted to be humble, and watched over carefully. But how often have such been looked upon as almost infallible, and they themselves have been too apt to drink in the extremely dangerous idea that all their impressions were the direct promptings of the Spirit of the Lord. And how often has it been the case that such have become self-righteous, puffed up, denunciatory, and finally gross fanatics, and the most efficient agents of the Devil to scatter wild-fire, and to divide the flock of God. "Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." Prov. xvi, 18. We think it is a fact that many of the greatest fanatics in the land, have once shared largely in the gifts of the Holy Spirit, but by not having good instruction, they have fallen through pride. This has had a tendency to cause the sceptical and prudent to doubt all the operations of the Spirit of God. And in this last hour of Satan's triumph, when he calls to his aid mesmerism, mysterious knockings, &c. to deceive the people, if God manifests his power, and employs any of the gifts of the Spirit, we may expect that a multitude of voices will be raised pronouncing it fanaticism, or anything save the work of the Spirit. But shall we sink in this mire of unbelief, and prize lightly the gifts of God's Spirit because some have made a bad use of them? God forbid. Men in their blindness and folly have dishonored every precious truth in the Bible, yet we shall not do well to think less of the Scriptures, or any portion of them, because many have made a bad use of them. Rather let the servants of the Lord preach the whole truth as revealed in the Word. The gifts of the Spirit should all have their proper places. The Bible is an everlasting rock. It is our rule of faith and practice. In it the man of God is "thoroughly furnished unto all good works." If every member of the church of Christ was holy, harmless, and separate from sinners, and searched the Holy Scriptures diligently and with much prayer for duty, with the aid of the Holy Spirit, we think, they would be able to learn their whole duty in "all good works." Thus "the man of God may be perfect." But as the reverse exists, and ever has existed, God in much mercy has pitied the weakness of his people, and has set the gifts in the gospel church to correct our errors, and to lead us to his Living Word. Paul says that they are for the "perfecting of the14 saints," "till we all come in the unity of the faith." The extreme necessity of the church in its imperfect state is God's opportunity to manifest the gifts of the Spirit. Every Christian is therefore in duty bound to take the Bible as a perfect rule of faith and duty. He should pray fervently to be aided by the Holy Spirit in searching for the whole truth, and for his duty. He is not at liberty to turn from them to learn his duty through any of the gifts. We say that the very moment he does, he places the gifts in a wrong place, and takes an extremely dangerous position. The Word should be in front, and the eye of the church should be placed upon it, as the rule to walk by, and the fountain of wisdom, from which to learn duty in "all good works." But if a portion of the church err from the truths of the Bible, and become weak and sickly, and the flock become scattered, so that it seems necessary for God to employ the gifts of the Spirit to correct, revive and heal the erring, we should let him work. Yea more, we should pray for him to work, and plead earnestly that he would work by the Spirit's power, and bring the scattered sheep to his fold. Praise the Lord, he will work. Amen. When the seventy returned, and told Jesus that the devils were subject unto them through his name he said to them, "Rejoice not that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven." See Luke x, 17-20. Jesus saw their danger, and gave them this caution to save them from exaltation. O, what an instructive lesson is contained in these few words from our Lord. By this we may learn that to possess the gifts of the gospel church is not so much a matter of rejoicing, but rather a cause of humiliation before God, and fear and trembling, lest a wrong use be made of them. But to have our names written in heaven, to know that God owns us as his, is a sufficient cause for any child of God to rejoice. We say then, that one great reason why the gifts of the Spirit are no more manifest among us, is because the church is not humble enough to hear them. Will the Lord trust those whose affections are still attached to this world, and who have a large share of pride left, with the gifts of the Spirit? If he should, it would be very likely to build them up in their errors, and ruin them. This he will not do. The latter rain is coming, and God is waiting to be gracious. The refreshing will come from the presence of the Lord, and it should be our concern to be ready for it, so as to share it largely. "And it shall come to pass in the LAST DAYS, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. And on my servants, and on my hand-maidens, I will pour out in those days of my Spirit, and they shall prophesy." "And I will show wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come." Acts ii, 19, 20. There are many things of importance to us in this prophecy quoted from Joel ii, 28-32; some of them we will notice. First, its fulfillment was to be in the last days. There can be no days later than the last, therefore the last days certainly extend to the Second Advent, and we should expect the manifestations of the Spirit mentioned in this prophecy, until that event. We admit that a portion of the prophecy was partially fulfilled in the out-pouring of the Spirit on the day of pentecost; but it is not possible to show that it was all then fulfilled, therefore it is perfectly plain that the entire prophecy has a complete fulfillment in the "LAST DAYS." Second, the signs in the sun and moon, the "wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath," were not seen on the day of pentecost. No one believes that they were. But it has been the unanimous and settled faith of those who have been looking for the Lord, that they were not seen until more than 1700 years after the day of pentecost. Third, there is no evidence that any of the disciples had visions on the day of pentecost, and it is not at all likely that any of them were asleep, dreaming dreams on that very exciting occasion.—They were exercised only with the gift of tongues.—Fourth, it will be seen by referring to Joel that this prophecy refers especially to the "remnant." "And it shall come to pass that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord [when the saints cry day and night, Luke xviii, 7] shall be delivered; [delivered out of the time of trouble, not converted;] for in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the REMNANT whom the Lord shall call." Chap. ii, 32. Finally we see that the out-pouring of the Spirit, the gift of prophecy and dreams and visions of the Lord, are to be sufficiently remarkable to constitute signs of the Second Advent, and that they are classed with the signs in the sun and moon; with "wonders in the heavens and in the earth." To the sceptic and worldly-wise this sentiment will probably seem heretical; but when compared with Joel ii. 28-32; Acts ii, 14-22, it will be seen to be truth. Heaven and earth will pass away, but God's word will stand. As God has ever distributed his spiritual blessings according to the necessities of his people, it is rational and right to conclude that the abundant manifestations of the Holy Spirit, mentioned by the Prophet Joel, and the Apostle Peter were designed for the "remnant," just before they enter the "time of trouble such as never was," the "great and terrible day of the Lord." Before the world was drowned with the flood, God interposed, and Noah was instructed to prepare an Ark. The Divine power moved upon the beasts, cattle, fowls, and creeping things, and they two by two, moved along into the Ark with Noah and his family, "and the Lord shut them in." Just before fire and brimstone was rained upon Sodom and Gomorrah, two angels were sent to hasten Lot in his escape. God shewed signs and wonders to his people in Egypt, through Moses and Aaron. He also parted the Red sea before them. When the powers of earth and hell were arrayed against Christ and his apostles, the covenant was confirmed by signs and wonders and mighty deeds of the Holy Ghost. And can we believe that the saints are to pass the perils of the last days, the time of trouble SUCH AS NEVER WAS, unaided by the power of the Spirit? Certainly we cannot. He, whose ways are equal, and who knows our wants, will pour out of his Spirit according to the prophet Joel, and will impart strength to the meek, to enable them to "stand in the battle in the day of the Lord." Those who "seek meekness" and "righteousness" will be hid in the day of the Lord's anger. Advent Review, Vol. I. No. 9. 1851. The Law.
By J. H. Waggoner
I have before me an article, signed L. P. Judson, purporting to contain "forty-one reasons why we are not under the law." Now I do not know of any Sabbath-keeper who does not believe that we "are not under the law, but under grace;" but I conclude from the "reasons" that the writer does not know what Paul means by that expression. His fifth "reason," founded on Gal. ii, 19, 20, is as follows: "He says he was dead to the law, crucified with Christ, &c. And he furthermore says, "that the law has no more claims on a Christian than it has on a dead man." When did Paul become dead to the law? Not till he believed. Why did he die to the law?—Because he was a transgressor, and the law had dominion over him as long as he lived. When he died to the law did he remain dead? No: he was crucified with Christ, and as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so also he was raised to walk in newness of life. If his death was caused by his sin, could he walk in newness of life and continue in sin or transgression? He was dead to sin, and could not live in it, but if he sinned, he ceased to be under grace, and was again the servant of sin, as he was when under the law at first, before he was freed from it by death. Rom. vi, 1, 2, 14-16. How did he regard the law when he walked in new- ness of life? It was his delight; and he confessed that it was holy, just, good and spiritual. What law was it that he delighted in, that he called holy, &c.? The same that he died in, as shown in Rom. vi, vii. If man had always delighted in it, and not transgressed it, he would not have been condemned by it, and need not have died to it. "Reason" No. 11 is founded on Gal. iii, 10:—"Those who are under the law, are under the curse. So that, if the law is in force, the curse must be." Can it be possible that this was written in sober earnest?—Does the writer truly think there is no curse? Can he warn his fellow men to flee from the wrath to come—tell them they are under condemnation as sinners—that the wages of sin is death—and yet there is no curse! Would he contend that they were by nature, not under the law, not children of wrath, but children of grace? Eph. ii, 3. Does Mr. Judson believe that he was freed from the curse of the law while in a state of unbelief? See. Rom. iii, 23-26. If there is neither law nor curse, why are the commandment-keepers so often declared to be under the curse. Another "reason" is drawn from Gal. v, 22, 23:—Against those that have in their lives, the fruits of the Spirit specified "THERE IS NO LAW." Is not this a perversion of the scripture? 2 Pet. iii, 16. Why did Mr. J. separate the two first, which are the qualifying words of the last sentence in verse 23, from the last four words, and place the latter part of the sentence as a separate question in capitals? The Apostle enumerates the works of the Spirit, and says, "AGAINST SUCH there is no law," and every Sabbath-keeper believes this. The quotation as he gives it, is calculated to deceive, though it may not have been the intention of the writer. Again he says: "Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, and as the curse and law are necessarily united, we have nothing to do with either." Blind indeed must be the minds of any that can be deceived by such reasoning. The law and the curse are not necessarily united. Does the law curse or condemn an innocent man? Paul says, the law was ordained to life; [Rom. vii, 10:] the man that doeth them shall live in them; [Gal. iii, 12:] the doers of the law shall be justified; [Rom. ii, 13:] but all have transgressed the law, and are under it, subject to the judgment of God, and therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified. Rom. iii, 9-20. If God has ever given a law for man's observance, and "necessarily united" a curse to it, so that those who keep the law are condemned or cursed, is not God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? Rom. iii, 5. But what is the testimony? The oracles of God are effectual, or else he cannot judge the world; [Rom. iii, 2-6:] because by the law is the knowledge of sin, [verse 20,] and sin is not imputed when there is no law; [Chap. v, 13:] hence, the strength of sin is the law; 1 Cor. xv, 56. All have sinned, [Rom. iii, 9-20:] and the wages of sin is death. Chap. vi, 23. But those who cease to sin, or transgress the law, and become the servants of righteousness, receive the gift of God, eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom. vi, 1, 2, 13-18, 23. But can it be shown that the wages of keeping the law is death? Now I would ask, does Paul speak of more than two states or conditions, in any of his writings on this subject, namely: under the law; and under grace? Are we not under the law until we are through Christ brought under grace? But if we fall, from grace, what is our condition then, if there is no law, which we can again be brought under? Will some no-law friend answer? But if there is a law which we can again be brought under, by falling from grace, or disobedience, may not those who transgress it be under it now, and not under grace? And lastly, is it not a strong delusion of these last days to try to make void the law through faith, when God's word says it is established thereby? See 2 Thess. ii 11, 12; God shall send them strong delusion that they should believe a lie, that they all might be15 damned who believed not the truth, [thy law is the truth. Ps. cxix, 142,] but had pleasure in unrighteousness. And all unrighteousness is sin; 1 John v, 17;] and sin is the transgression of the law; [Chap. iii, 4.] hence they believed not the truth, but had pleasure in the transgression of God's law. Dear Brethren, let us gird ourselves anew to the conflict, and put on the whole armor of God, prepare to meet spiritual wickedness in high places. Be faithful and victory is sure. Removing the Land-marks.
By E. R. Seaman
SOME who have acted a conspicuous part in giving the judgment-hour cry, when remarking on the prophetic periods, and chronological dates, which have been looked to with such intense interest in times past, have confessed to the world, that they had been mistaken in looking for the Lord; for, say they, if we had seen the end of those periods, we should have realized our hope. It will be seen by this statement that they, with all the experience of the past, are not satisfied with the lapse of ten years since the termination of the periods on which they would base the evidence of the coming of the Lord, and are among the number of those who are still removing the Land-marks. But as this class, although they preach some great truths, encouraging and interesting to the Christian, have not followed down the track of prophecy, so as to have the true light on our present position, they cannot be considered to be giving meat in due season, or present truth. If I am not mistaken, the language of Ezekiel xii, 22, and onward is very applicable to this time. "What is that proverb that ye have in the land of Israel, saying, The days are prolonged and every vision faileth?" How many times this rebellious house has fixed for the termination of the days, I know not; but they have all failed, and all will fail. And this unhallowed work, if I understand the text, will continue until God speaks the time himself. The 26th verse affirms it. And the remaining portion of the chapter shows the position of those who are vainly looking for definite time, or for many days or years to come, when the judgments of God are just impending. The 5th verse of the xiii chapter plainly teaches what ought to be done, in view of these things, in this time of peril. Please compare this with Isa. viii, 16. The law of Jehovah is to be bound up and sealed among the disciples, that they may be able to stand in the battle in the day of the Lord. Surely, this daubing with untempered mortar shall not stand. Great hailstones shall fall, and a stormy wind shall rend it, and the wall shall be no more, nor they that daubed it.—The God that made the heavens and the earth, that spoke the holy law, in thunder tones, from Sinai's Mount, will speak the time. Amen. The little remnant, on whom the dragon's wrath is poured will understand it. I would ask, if the 70 weeks are a part of the 2300 days, as we have always supposed, and if this period has not run out, how shall we prove that Christ was the true Messiah, and that he came at the time appointed? I know of no discrepancy in chronology of more than four years, in fixing the birth of Christ, with chronologers of any note. Then, certainly, this stretching time out of joint, leaves our dates and periods to the mercy of every dreamer. And no marvel that the infidel and scoffer say, where is thy God? But I am thankful that there is now a company coming up on the breadth of the land, who can see the providence of God in calling them out to serve him, and can follow by faith their Great High Priest, whose position, being changed, is now made manifest in the Heavenly Sanctuary, and patiently wait his return from the wedding. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come and will not tarry. And while some may regard it as dishonesty or willfulness in not confessing the past Advent movement all a mistake, or a failure, I can say with a clear conscience, before God, that it is a very small matter with me to be judged with man's judgment. True, I did expect my Lord in 1843 and '44, and did not see him. But the prophetic fulfillment and experience in Advent history, when compared with the teachings of our Saviour, make the past all plain, and lighten up the glorious future. And, now, when I hear sinners exhorted to come to the mercy-seat, how my soul is pained, when I think of that despised and broken precept, the fourth commandment, that lies just beneath it; the mercy-seat being the cover of the Ark. So that while the law of God cries for vengeance, the blood of Christ is sprinkled on the mercy-seat, to appease its severity. Thus "mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other." Ps. lxxxv, 10. So we see that Jesus' blood does not abolish that holy law, but satisfies justice. Let us remember this, when we come to the mercy-seat, and keep all his commandments, that we may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. "There is a place where Jesus sheds
The oil of gladness on our heads;
A place than all besides more sweet,
It is the blood-bought Mercy-seat."
Rochester, N. Y. E. R. SEAMAN.