BELOVED BRETHREN AND SISTERS:—As I am separated from you all, I avail myself of the only means afforded me of communicating with you, which is through the paper. Time passes on, and has brought us down to the middle of 1853. What are our hopes, prospects and determinations? We have passed through severe trials, experienced many bitter disappointments, and although the work is progressing to some degree, yet we are far from realizing our desires and expectations. What then, shall we be discouraged? Will not God fulfill his word? Shall his promises fail? Have his people trusted him in vain? Impossible! He is a God of truth and faithfulness, and none of his words shall fail. But says the Apostle: "Ye have need of patience, that after ye have done the will of God ye might receive the promise." This, then, is the secret. He is testing the patience of his people, to see whether they will continue faithful to the end; and has declared, "He that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved."
Although, to the eye of the world, "All things remain as they were," yet, God's work is surely and steadily progressing; his elect are being gathered, and sealed for the kingdom; the wicked are being bound together more closely, and preparing for their final doom. Soon he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness. Then, "he that is filthy, will be filthy still; and he that is righteous, will be righteous still; and he that is holy, will be holy still."—The angel from the temple will say with a loud voice, to him that sits upon the cloud; "Thrust in thy sickle and reap, for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe."
Dear brethren and sisters, I feel like pressing my way onward and upward to the kingdom. This earth, all defiled by sin, and groaning under the curse, has no charms for me. I long to behold the inheritance of the saints, the earth made new,—decked with all its original beauty and glory, with the "Holy City, the New Jerusalem," for its Capital, and Jesus for its King and Lord forever. When the curse will forever be removed. Surely one glimpse of so much blessedness is enough to fill our hearts with holy joy and rejoicing, and spur us on to duty and faithfulness, overcoming every obstacle in our way, discharging every duty, that we may inherit the promised blessedness. "He that overcometh, shall inherit all things." "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life," &c. O the order, the beauty and the glory of the New Earth! where the commandments of God will all be kept in their perfection and purity. How glorious will the Sabbath appear then, when "all flesh shall come up to worship before the Lord."
The time draws near, and we are commanded to exhort one another, and so much the more as we see the day approaching. The night has been long, and dark and dreary, but the morning cometh. Let us therefore, lift up our heads with rejoicing, and press forward with new courage; for our redemption draweth nigh. A little more watching and prayer, a little more struggling with temptations and trial, and the conflict will be ended, the victory won, and we stand on Mount Zion shouting victory and glory.
May the Lord speed the work of gathering the elect under the true standard, "The commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus," and hasten the deliverance of his people, is my prayer.
Your sister waiting for redemption.
R. WHITCOMB
Munsonville, N. H., June 4th, 1853.
A. S. HUTCHINS
By A. S. Hutchins
From Bro. Hutchins.
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—It is thought a few words respecting the Conferences recently held at Wheelock, Vt., and at Eaton, C. E., may be a source of encouragement to the readers of the Review.
The Conference at Wheelock, held Sabbath and First-day, June 11th and 12th, was attended by about seventy Sabbath-keepers, from Northern Vermont and Canada East.
And though “that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan,” labored hard to preoccupy the place, yet, thanks be to God, the precious promise of the blessed Saviour was verified: “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Sabbath evening the Spirit of the Lord was copiously poured out upon his waiting, believing children, and the meeting progressed and terminated under the influence of the Holy Spirit. And if allowed to judge from the attention paid to the word spoken, the sober countenances and the falling tears, what might have been the convictions and feelings of the hearts of those present, to hear, we should really conclude that many felt deeply convicted that we have the truth, and that without keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, they cannot be saved.
The Conference at Eaton was held last Sabbath and First-day. Here we met with as many of the dear brethren and sisters from Canada as could be expected, considering the short notice, (the notice not being given till the close of the meeting at Wheelock.) Brn. Lindsey and Morse were present. The meeting on Sabbath, especially in the afternoon, was one of deep and thrilling interest, and really comforting and encouraging to all of God's children. On First-day the meeting was held in a barn, well prepared for the occasion.—Quite a number were present, who appeared to manifest but little or no interest for their soul's salvation; however, we have reason to believe that some were aroused to a sense of their awfully dangerous condition, while breaking the Sabbath of the Lord; and our fervent prayer is that they will henceforth remember the teachings of the Saviour: “If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.” At these Conferences we were favored with the labors of Brn. Lathrop and Sperry.
A. S. HUTCHINS
Wheelock, Vt., June 23d, 1853.
A Company Established in Present Truth
By Moses Dennis
From Bro. Dennis.
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—It is through the goodness of God, that I ever heard the present truth; and sweet is the consolation which it affords.
Brn. Waggoner and Steward, were here in May, and gave a number of lectures. The Lord has raised up a number in this place, who begin to believe the whole truth, and to obey the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. We have now a company of about twelve, who are established in the present truth; and others are still investigating.
Yours in hope, Moses Dennis.
Waukan, Winnebago Co., Wis., June 20th, 1853.
THOMAS B. MEAD
By Thomas B. Mead
From Bro. Mead.
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—I am striving to overcome. I feel a determination to go through, and see the end of the race. I feel it is good to serve the Lord. I want to love him more, and feel that the truth does have an abiding place in my heart. Yes, I believe the Lord is fitting up a people for translation, I want to live that I may be numbered with the 144,000, having gotten the victory.
Yours in love of the truth,
THOMAS B. MEAD
Lempster, N. H., June 20th, 1853.
The Cause in Springfield
Bro. W. L. Saxby writes from Springfield, Mass., June 26th, 1853:—The friends of the cause here, are all of one mind on the third angel's message. We have great reason to thank God for Bro. Bates' visit here to help us out of the fog in these last times.
The Watchman and Z. Campbell.
THE Second Advent Watchman for June 1st, announces the publication of "A New Tract," written by Z. Campbell, of which the Editor speaks in the highest terms. He states that by it is shown, "that our Saturday is the Jewish sixth-day," and, "those who keep Saturday, do not keep one minute of the Jewish seventh day." He further states: "This is emphatically a tract for the times, is utterly unanswerable in its positions, and should be in the hands of every Adventist, yea, of every reader of the Bible."
One might suppose, after reading such a notice, that a volume of great importance to the Christian world had appeared, and which would put Sabbath-keepers to a dead silence. But on opening a letter the other day, from Bro. Wm. L. Saxby, of Springfield, Mass., we found this "Tract." It contains two leaves only! One page is wholly occupied by a table of explanation, leaving the author about two pages and a half of coarse print!! In this space he has made assertions respecting different nations beginning their day at different hours, and that the beast changed the number of the days; (or that one seventh day is the true sixth;) but neglected to give his authority. We inquire, Has he any authority to give? If so, did he forget to give it? Or did he think his assertions sufficient authority?
He has but little to do with the Bible, as he refers to two texts only; Dan. vii, 25; Matt. xxiv, 36; but deals out sneers and scoffs like the following: "The seventh day fanaticism!"—"a mere bubble!"—"being burst, it sticks the whole mark of the beast on the hand and forehead of those who get it up!"—"stumbled into the same pit they have dug for their neighbors." Astonishing! What proof is this!!
But look at some of Mr. Campbell's assertions. On the first page he states that the "ancient Babylonians, Persians, Syrians and modern Greeks," began their day at sunrise, "twelve hours before the Jews," and the English six hours before the Babylonians—which is eighteen hours before the Jews. And the Sabbatarians begin six hours before the American time, which is twenty-four hours, or a whole day before the Jewish time."
Mr. Campbell here makes out his case by asserting that the "Babylonians" began their day twelve hours before the Jews, instead of twelve hours later, which seems more reasonable. It would then stand thus: Babylonians began their day at sunrise, twelve hours later than the Jews, the English at midnight, six hours later than the Jews, and Sabbath-keepers commence the day with Jewish, or, rather, Bible time. In this case all agree in numbering the days of the week.
But on the third page Mr. Campbell says, "It was the beast that changed the number, and not the Sabbath day."—But how is this? If the number had been changed by different nations beginning the day at different hours, as asserted on the first page, how did the beast do it? Did he change the number back again? Or, did he change it the other way, so as to make a difference of two days?
Mr. Campbell adds: "The Scripture does not say he shall change times and laws; but he shall think to change them; [Dan. vii, 25;] and no doubt he thinks he has changed them; but calling the sixth day the seventh does not change the day." This must be a foolish beast, indeed, that would think he had changed the "laws" of God by calling the sixth day the seventh! But will Mr. Campbell, or the Watchman, give us the history showing how and when the beast changed the number of the days of the week?
But what is Mr. Campbell's real position? On his third page, speaking of the error of Sabbath-keepers, he says:—"The error is not in the day, but in the number assigned to it by the beast." If we understand him, this is his position, that we do not err in keeping the weekly Sabbath; but the error is in the day on which we observe it. If this is his position, then all that the Watchman has repeatedly said of Sabbath-keepers, about "the old Jewish Sabbath," "bondage of the law," and "falling from grace," falls on Mr. Campbell's head, as heavily as on ours. But if this is not his position; if he holds to no Sabbath, then why does he say, "The error is not in the day"? All is wrong, if there is no Sabbath, and why labor to prove that the first day of the week is the real seventh?
Reader, watch these men, who oppose the Lord's Sabbath, with care, and you will find that many of them will argue two or more positions, perfectly destructive of each other. J. Turner, the resident editor of the Watchman is an example. In his notice of Mr. Campbell's Tract he says:
"Bro. Campbell has taken, without ever having seen our writings, precisely the same position we sustained in our discussion of this subject in the Bible Advocate in 1847."
But what was his position in 1847? We will quote his words from the Bible Advocate, Vol. III, No. 8, page 62. He says: "I must keep that day of the week which can be proved to be the seventh, for I then believed and do now believe that the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord our God."
J. Turner labored to prove that the first day of the week was the true seventh day, and professed to observe it as the Lord's seventh-day Sabbath. Some rejoiced through the Advocate that T. had embraced the Sabbath, and that he had shown that it came on the first day of the week. But they little thought that their leader would desert them in less than eight months, and take another position, perfectly destructive of the first. But this he did do, as will be seen by the following from the Advocate, Vol. IV, No. 11, page 85. Under the head of Judaism he says:
"We feel called upon to warn the Church of God against a special effort which is being made by a few wandering stars, see Jude, who have recently come to this state, to lead the unwary under the bondage of the law of Moses. We therefore give a few of the many reasons why the law of Moses should not now be regarded as binding on the Church."
But who are these that T. calls "wandering stars," that he charged with teaching the law of Moses? Answer, three Sabbath-keepers who were invited to attend a Conference at Rocky Hill, Conn. Did they teach that the "law of Moses" was "now binding on the Church? No. And T. knew better when he asserted that this was their object. But what did they teach? Answer, just what T. taught eight months before, viz: "That the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord our God." The difference was, they believed that the seventh-day Sabbath should be observed on the seventh day, while T. taught that it should be observed on the first day of the week. And because they differed with him on this point, he accused them of Judaism, and represented them as fallen from grace, as though they had rejected Jesus Christ and had gone back to the services of the Jewish law.
Now any person of common sense, who will look at this point a moment, will see that all those texts that the Watchman applies to Sabbath-keepers, will apply with equal force to all those who take the position of the Editor of that paper, that the first day of the week is the true seventh day, and ought to be observed. The Watchman holds out two positions in opposition to us, one completely destructive of the other. It cannot be that the Watchman is so "blind," that it does not see this. And to pursue such a course to deceive honest souls must be an awful sin in the sight of Heaven. We present these things to show the honest inquirer after truth, some of the "deceivableness of unrighteousness," practised by some who handle the word of God.
Brethren and sisters, you who have to meet the influence of the Watchman, we would say to you, Watch this professed Watchman closely. And if it does not at once renounce one of these two positions, expose it, that honest souls may be undeceived. To hold such positions, is, in reality, an imposition upon its readers, and an insult to the Lord of the Sabbath.
In our next we will show that a knowledge of the true seventh day has been preserved.
THE WEST.
By Editor
WE are happy to hear from Brn. Loughborough and Cornell, who are laboring in Wisconsin and Illinois, that they are blessed with health, good spirits, and freedom in Christ. We feel the deepest interest in their mission. The wide western field is opening, and there is a call for much labor there. Many are anxious to hear, and ready to believe the truth. We have no doubts but the Lord will raise up more laborers there to enter the field.
Those who have to travel long journeys in a new country, and often meet with prejudice, and a cool reception, and error in many forms, need the prayers of the saints. Brethren and sisters, pray in faith for these dear brethren who have gone west, that God may greatly bless their labors. He will hear and answer our prayers for this western mission:
THE REVIEW WEEKLY.
By Editor
MANY of our readers call for the Review weekly. And we are fully satisfied that the time has come when it should be issued as often. We shall probably be able to commence about the first of August, if our readers send the means to commence with. It will be necessary for us to purchase a quantity of paper before going East. To enable us to do this, and meet other expenses of a weekly paper, we must have a few hundred dollars the present month. There are some over $80 behind on the Review.
We would here state that in our opinion, it would be a proper way for the brethren to make up their donations for this Office, quarterly, and let all the friends of the cause be invited to help, however small their offering. We say that those who are benefited by the publications from this Office, should all help bear the expenses, without large donations from a few individuals.
And we here appoint the first day of the week, July 17th, for the friends of the cause to make up their free-will offerings for this Office.
We also design publishing immediately, two Tracts; cost of both about $300.
Letters.
J. Bates, E. L. Barr, E. S. Eastman, S. P. French, J. Lindsey, S. M. Bascomb, E. P. Butler, R. F. Cottrell, 2, M. Dennis, Z. Brooks, J. Byington, R. Hicks, F. Strong, J. B. Sweet, A. B. Pearsall, J. N. Luther, J. N. Loughborough 2, J. B. Frisbie, R. G. Lockwood, N. A. Pennoyer, A. A. Dodge, S. W. Rhodes, J. A. Loughhead, Z. Marsh, M. Edson, H. A. Church.
Receipts.
F. C. Castle, Wm. M. Smith, A. Preston, P. Alden, U. Bucklin, H. Cooper, J. R. Towle, E. Richmond, each $1; T. B. Mead, E Bugbee, P. Dickinson, D. R. Palmer, J. P. Kellogg, H. Lyon, D. Lyon, L. Johnson, H. Crosby, E. Goodwin, T. Pennoyer. E. Colby, S. B. Craig, B. Bryant, each $2; S. Nichols, 70 cents, J. Barrows, $1,50. J. Church, A. Loveland, a Friend, each 50 cents; R. Gosline. $1,75; C. Swan 75 cents.
For Tracts.
T. B. Mead, $2.70. P. Dickinson, $2. D. R. Palmer, $22. C. Smith, $14. J. P. Kellogg, E. Colby, each $3. A. B. Pearsall $15. U. Bucklin, 90 cents. F. Wheeler, 75 cents. Bro. Williams of Battle Creek, Mich. $4.
Withdrawal of Fellowship.
By E. P. Butler, Josiah Hart, A. R. Morse, Stephen Pierce, R. Lockwood, R. G. Lockwood
AFTER so long a time, the undersigned council, which were called to sit, on the trial on the part of the Church, occasioned by Brother W. Morse and Sister F. M. Shimper traveling together to teach the third angel's message, deem it necessary to give you the decision for publication.
A Church meeting was called some months previous; but the difficulty remained unsettled. After having ample time, and the privilege of choosing the council, they made choice of the first three undersigned names, and these requested the other three to sit in council with them. This council after patient deliberation on the subject of the trial, come to the conclusion that Sister Shimper has disregarded the voice of the Church and of God. We therefore advised the church to withdraw fellowship from her until confession be made.—We further advised to withdraw fellowship from Israel and Irene Camp for justifying the course of Bro. Morse and Sr. Shimper and disregarding the voice of the Church and the word of God.
E. P. BUTLER.
JOSIAH HART.
A. R. MORSE.
STEPHEN PIERCE.
R. LOCKWOOD.
R. G. LOCKWOOD.
Trials Among the Brethren in Vermont
By Editor
Being acquainted with the trials caused the Brn. in Vt., by the injudicious (then unyielding) course of Bro. W. Morse and Sr. F. M. Shimper, we fully agree with their decision. We have not the least idea that anything can be brought against their moral character. But their zeal for the cause, with a lack of knowledge, and right judgment, and an unwillingness to receive the counsel of the church has caused the Brn. in Vt. much grief.
The Paper’s Religious Purpose
By Editor
The remarks of Bro. Cottrell on another page, are to the point. We hope they will have a good effect on those who have a talent to write. It is our design that the Paper shall indeed be a religious paper, and strictly what it professes, the "Advent Review and Sabbath Herald."
Our Hymn Book
By Editor
Our Hymn Book can be had of Bro. Otis Nichols, Dorchester, Mass.
Appointments.
CONFERENCE AT ROCHESTER.—The Brethren in this city appoint a Conference to be held July 16th and 17th, at 109, Monroe Street. The Advent people in this city and vicinity are invited to attend.
There will also be meetings, to transact business of the Church, to commence the 14th at 2 o'clock, P. M., and hold over the 15th. Brn. Ingraham, Drew, Bates, Andrews, Rhodes, Holt, Poole and Edson, are particularly requested to meet with us, if possible. We hope to see some of our brethren from Canada West, and one or more from each Church in Western and Central New York, at this meeting. Those coming from abroad, may call on Brn. Orton, Seely, and Patten, or at 109 Monroe Street.
GROVE MEETING AT CATLIN.—Providence permitting, there will be a Grove Meeting in Catlin, Martin's Hill, N. Y., to commence Sabbath, July 23d, and continue over First-day.
WM. S. INGRAHAM.
[We will give notice in the next REVIEW, if we can meet with Bro. Ingraham at this Meeting.—En.]
PROVIDENCE permitting, we will hold meetings with the brethren as follows:—Union, Wis., Sabbath and First-day, July 23d and 24th; Oak Hill, the 30th and 31st; Alden, Ill.—a Conference—August 6th and 7th; Kingsbury, Ind., as Bro. J. Catlin may appoint, August 20th and 21st; Salem,—a Conference—the 27th and 28th; Jackson, Mich., evening of the 31st; Sylvan, evening of Sept. 1st.