The recent volcanic eruption at the Sandwich Islands leads us to inquire, Why such remarkable demonstrations? The like has never before occurred. Cities have been engulfed; lava has covered fair plains and fertile districts; but never have so many consecutive shocks filled the people of any country, at one period, with such terror.
“Is creation
Groaning for its latter day?”
The student of science will merely behold in it the grandeur of Nature’s fireworks. It will be another proof in geology of the internal fire of the earth. It will not be looked upon by the inhabitants of the earth as a judgment. It creates a little wonder in our busy minds, and then passes away.
There are three hundred volcanoes on this earth, and all but two are near the sea. There are two hundred of them constantly in action. And why should that one in the Island of Hawaii be singled out as the desolater of fair plains? Has not He who cares for the sparrow, forgotten the native of the Isles? Why has it become necessary that the sea should not know her bounds, but let her tidal waves rush ruthlessly away over trees and hills? Why are mountain peaks lifted bodily and carried away through the air over tree tops to settle down upon houses, animals, and persons, by the hundreds? Why do the coral beds, seemingly tired of their long repose and anxious to snuff the life-giving air, vie to reach the clouds of heaven? What means this great upheaving?
I consider it my privilege to draw some conclusions in regard to this matter, since I spent eighteen days on that island (Hawaii). It was six years ago. I was on the very ground where Captain James Cook fell, and visited his grave. Had a visit with the native judge of that district, Gen. B. Kalaare, from whom I received a present of Bunyan’s “Pilgrim’s Progress,” in the native tongue. I took dinner with him, and learned all I could of the history of the islands. This person was a member of the king’s council, or cabinet. The king of the islands was Kamehameha the Third. This native judge was a scholar, and acted towards me like a gentleman.
There had been missionaries laboring on the islands then for more than thirty years. There were schools, and some of the young men could converse understandingly on Geometry, Trigonometry, and other sciences. I attended the native church under charge of an American missionary, on Sunday. Other sailors also went. The missionary had no remarks to make to us, although we had been over two years away from any such place of religious worship. Why such neglect? thought I to myself. The minister did not offer to shake hands with any of us, although we were Americans like himself. I visited his beautiful garden, where were growing lemons, coffee, and many other tropical productions; saw the same preacher near his residence, who did not offer to notice me, and the only words in his sermon which were spoken in English were four—the interpretation of the text which the angel gave to Lot as he directed him to leave Sodom. Gen. xix, 17. The native words were, Ahole ole eke mauna—“Escape to the mountain.” Enough, however, of the discourse was understood to acquaint me with the fact, that his congregation were severely scolded for their Sodomitish customs.
I had gone but a few steps from the meeting-house door, when a Kanaka lady came out of the large crowd, and struck me on the pant’s pocket, to see if the money would jingle; (silver money then). The vanity of the natives was displayed in putting on whatever was fanciful, that came within their reach; and while one might have a covering on the head and be barefooted, another would have a covering for the feet and be bareheaded. In the language of surprise, I asked myself why this was so. Why had some acquired so much science and book-learning, and yet were so uncultivated in morals? A Yankee who had resided there for nineteen years told me that in all that time he had never known one to learn a mechanical trade. About ninety years ago when Capt. James Cook discovered the islands, there were about 80,000 inhabitants. The plague has visited the islands several times since; so that now there are probably 60,000 natives. Why have 9,000 of the Hawaiians been swept away during the past six years? Because they have transgressed the laws and broken the everlasting covenant, therefore hath the curse devoured this island. Isa. xxiv. Their fleshly lusts have warred against the soul. Licentiousness has driven away virtue, and angels have left them joined to their idols of Ease and Indulgence. That same lawyer and judge who invited me to partake of a repast of sweet potatoes and milk, sat down with his wife to a table near me, and both he and she picked to pieces with their fingers a raw, undressed fish, and ate it.
The natives had an abundance of poultry and swine. The flesh of these is much esteemed. They greatly enjoy their flesh-pots and tropical fruits. Productions being mostly spontaneous, but little time is used in cultivating the soil.
Why did Sodom and Gomorrah sink beneath brimstone and fire? Their sin was grievous. Herculaneum was deluged by a flood of lava, 80 feet deep, and the5busy streets of Pompeii were also deeply covered by a liquid flood of the molten elements of earth. They were both renowned and magnificent cities. Recent discoveries, however, made by digging down into them, bring to light many obscene figures and pictures, which plainly describe the character of the people who inhabited them. Their sin was also grievous. They were like unto Sodom, and the cry of them went up to Heaven. They, too, became ensamples to them who should live after.
Does not the Mauna Loa eruption form another evidence in the class of awful judgments that God executes upon shameful and wicked men? My captain, who had followed the sea for over thirty years, and had visited the Sandwich Islands many times during his sea life, in conversation while I was there, said, “I do not believe there are three virtuous native women on the Island of Hawaii.” Although I could not believe that, it did not then seem possible; but reasoning from analogy, we now conclude there are but few in the Mauna Loa district, who have the fear of God before their eyes; and yet, under the influence of the missionary society, which has been supposed to have done so much good!
Tell it not in America, whence go the missionary ships. Tell it not in New England, whence go hundreds of whale ships manned by men supposed to have been born in the land of steady habits; for the sins of the Sandwich Islanders may rest heavily upon them. The light of the Americans, as they have visited foreign lands, has been put under a bushel. The reform of the natives in the Sandwich Isles was not a thorough work. The use of the muscle, as well as the nerve, must be cultivated; and that person who does not develop, each day of his life, the osseous, the muscular, arterial, and venous systems, as a whole, will fall short of filling the purpose for which he was created. To be idle, is to give advantage to our great enemy. To be an idle Christian, will be to make a workshop for the Devil; and, as a man said to me not long since, “Show me an idle and lazy Christian, and I will show you a holy Devil.” JAMES SAWYER.
Scripture Notes.
BEARING FALSE WITNESS.
1 SAM. xxii, 9, 10. Then answered Doeg the Edomite, which was set over the servants of Saul, and said, I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech, the son of Ahitub. And he enquired of the Lord for him, and gave him victuals, and gave him the sword of Goliath, the Philistine.
There was no good reason why Doeg should at all mention Ahimelech’s conduct, which he knew did not proceed from malice; but if he must report it, he should have declared, how Ahimelech was imposed upon by David, and that he intended to show respect to Saul in that very action. But on the contrary, he spoke as if David came to take Ahimelech’s advice about his subsequent proceedings, and as if Ahimelech was joined in a conspiracy with David against Saul; though nothing could be more contrary to the truth than this insinuation! Doeg therefore slandered Ahimelech, and bare false witness against him, though the general charges adduced accorded with facts. (Ex. xx, 16; Matt. xxvi, 57–62.) It is observable, that Doeg, after Saul’s example, did not deign to call David by his name, but contemptuously spoke of him, as “the son of Jesse.”—Scott.
MAKING THRESHING-FLOORS.
CHAP. xxiii, 1. Then they told David, saying, Behold, the Philistines fight against Keilah, and they rob the threshing-floors.
Make a threshing-floor thus: dig the place thoroughly; afterwards sprinkle it well with the lees of oil, and give it time to soak in. Then beat the clods very fine; make it level, and beat it well down with a pavior’s rammer. When this is done, sprinkle afresh with the oil lees, and let it dry. This being done, the mice cannot burrow in it, no grass can grow through it, nor will the rain dissolve the surface, or raise the mud.—Cato De Re Rustica, in Dr. A. Clarke.
DAVID’S RELIGIOUS INTEGRITY.
CHAP. xxiv, 4–6. And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the Lord said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul’s robe privily. And it came to pass afterward, that David’s heart smote him because he had cut off Saul’s skirt. And he said unto his men, The Lord forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the Lord’s anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord.
The Lord intended to give David an opportunity of exercising faith, patience, and generous kindness; of showing the tendency and efficacy of his religious principles, the tenderness of his conscience, and the steadfastness of his loyalty; for the confutation of his accusers, a rebuke to Saul, and an example to all who read it. He was satisfied with performing his present duty; left his protection and future advancement to God; and deemed it an atrocious offense to “stretch forth his hand,” to hurt even so wicked a prince as Saul, and in defense of his own life.—Scott.
Who can help admiring David’s magnanimity and piety? What man but David, with a crown so near, would have resisted the temptation? Glorious moderation and fortitude of mind! Was ever resolution more generous and loyal?—Dodd, on ch. xxvi, 12.
CRIMINALITY OF SUICIDE.
CHAP. xxxi, 4, 5. Then said Saul unto his armor-bearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armor-bearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell upon it. And when his armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he fell likewise upon his sword, and died with him.
Ahithophel and Judas the traitor murdered themselves; and I do not recollect any other instances in Scripture of this practice; unless Abimelech be added, who, when mortally wounded, ordered his armor-bearer to despatch him; and Zimri, who burned his palace and himself in it. For suicide, whether from real or supposed insanity, or otherwise, seems to have very rarely occurred in Israel; while suicide among the Greeks and Romans, and other Gentiles, was considered as virtue, and never ascribed to insanity. So that the very numerous instances of self-murder, in this and other Christian countries, and generally considered as lunacy, have, in fact, no parallel, either in Israel, or among idolaters; and seem to be occasioned in this peculiar form, by an association of the Christian sentiment, that suicide is crime and murder, with a vain attempt in all parties to extenuate it, by ascribing it to madness. But when the character of the suicides mentioned in Scripture is considered, it confirms the opinion, which has been advanced, of the enormous guilt and direful consequences of this crime. (Ex. xx, 13.) Men, either madly presuming on the mercy of God, or despairing of it, in order to escape temporal sufferings or disgrace, despise his gift of life, and thus rush uncalled into his tribunal, by an act of direct rebellion against his authority, and in proud defiance of his justice, with the guilt of all their unrepented crimes on their heads! Yet so exceedingly has Satan blinded men’s minds, that this worst of murders has been held honorable in very many ages, places, and situations, and has often been committed out of vain glory, in imitation of, or from affection to, those who have obtained renown among their fellow-sinners. Saul’s sons and servants died in the performance of their duty to him and to their country; but he and his armor-bearer died in direct violation of God’s commandment.—Scott.
[Took a sword.] Took the sword, that is, his armor-bearer’s. If Doeg were his armor-bearer, then Saul and his executioner both fell by that weapon, with which they had before massacred the priests of God. So Brutus and Cassius killed themselves with the same swords, with which they stabbed Cæsar; and Calippus was stabbed with the same sword, with which he stabbed Dio.—Delany, in Dr. A. Clarke.
HANGING BODIES TO THE WALL.
VERSE 10. And they put his armor in the house of Ashtaroth, and they fastened his body to the wall of Beth-shan.
[To the wall.] Hooks are still seen on the outside walls of “Fort Emperor,” the citadel of Algiers, on which naked criminals were thrown, and exposed both alive and dead. And see Dr. Shaw. The preservation of trophies of enemies in temples erected to the Deity, is still kept up; witness the flags, &c., now in the “church of Alexander,” and other churches in St. Petersburg, “St. Paul’s,” London, “St. John’s,” Malta, that of the “Hotel of the Invalids,” Paris, &c.—Jenks.
THROWING AWAY A SHIELD.
2 SAM. i, 21. Ye mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew, neither let there be rain, upon you, nor fields of offerings; for there the shield of the mighty is vilely cast away, the shield of Saul, as though he had not been anointed with oil.
[Vilely.] It was always reckoned very scandalous, and a great crime, ever punishable with death, to cast away a shield, both with the Greeks, ancient Germans, &c.”—Gill. So the Spartan mother told her son to return from battle “with his shield, or upon it.”—Jenks.
WILFULNESS OF ISRAEL.
CHAP. ii, 8, 9. But Abner, the son of Ner, captain of Saul’s host, took Ish-bosheth, the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim, and made him king over Gilead, and over the Ashurites, and over Jezreel, and over Ephraim, and over Benjamin, and over all Israel.
The nation in general had rejected the judges, whom God had raised up for them, and had demanded a king; and, in the same rebellious spirit, they refused the prince whom the Lord had selected for them, who was a man of approved abilities and character; and preferred the surviving son of their rejected king, though in every respect an improper person.—Scott.
REPORT FROM BRN. LOUGHBOROUGH AND BOURDEAU.
By John Norton Loughborough; Daniel T. Bourdeau
Monday, June 8, we left Battle Creek, Mich., to fill our appointment at Lancaster, N. Y., on our way to California, having spent the previous Sabbath with the church in that place, to whom we gave two discourses, which we endeavored to adapt to the occasion. Several of the brethren and sisters accompanied us to the depot, where we had an affecting parting scene, which, with other past acts of kindness, strengthened our attachment to these dear friends, leaving an impression which we expect to retain as long as memory lasts.
Soon after leaving Battle Creek, we fell in company with a gentleman who had been to California, and who kindly gave us information respecting the routes, and the climate and seasons in the different parts of California, which was interesting to us, and showed us the necessity of taking advantage of the seasons in our labors in that distant land.
From this point nothing uncommon occurred, until we reached Windsor, C. W., in the evening. Here the third car before us in the train got off the track. There was no serious injury, nor loss of life connected with this occurrence; yet we were thereby detained nearly two hours, in consequence of which we broke our connection, and reached Rochester at 10 A. M. instead of 7 A. M. But we had a good night's rest in a sleeping car, and awoke in the morning, feeling that our journey thus far had been a source of refreshment to us; and we all felt that thus far the Lord had led us on, and that the prayers of our brethren and sisters were following us. We immediately came to Bro. J. B. Lamson's hospitable home, where we improved a few days in resting and making further preparations for the journey. We found no ready-made tent that was suitable for our mission, therefore ordered one made 60 feet in diameter, all new, for $480. But as the canvass of the N. Y. tent had been sold on account of its being so worn that it was unfit for use, leaving no use for the iron and tackle, the brethren offered us all that could be of service to us. In consequence of this, and because we left out the standards and small ropes, a deduction of $65 was made on the price of the tent, leaving the cost of the new tent at $415.
The Monthly Meeting held at Lancaster last Sabbath and first-day was an excellent meeting. We will ever look upon it as a bright spot in this journey, a spot where our souls were watered as we tried to water others, and where our spiritual strength, and that of others, was renewed. Every feature of this meeting seemed to be of an encouraging and reviving nature. The Lord gave unusual freedom and clearness in preaching, and there was a readiness, yea, an eagerness on the part of the brethren and sisters present to receive our testimony. We gave four discourses in all, on topics dwelt upon at the General Conference, besides taking part in social meetings and business transactions, and all the brethren and sisters responded to the truths spoken without being urged. The social meetings were lively and interesting, yet characterized with solemnity and a deep settling into the work of the message. Especially were we interested in Bro. Fuller's indorsement of the truths spoken, which evinced a consecration to, and a lively interest in, the work, a true missionary spirit, and a strong love for souls, blended with childlike simplicity. God is making this dear brother a blessing to his people in this part of the field. May the blessing of the Lord still attend his labors.
In a short business meeting, on first-day, the wants of the cause in its different branches were briefly set forth before the brethren, who at once pledged $184.50 for the Benevolent Association, and raised $133.50 for the California Mission. We were told that the brethren in this district would swell up the figures for these two objects to $400. This, we think, is doing well, considering that the brethren in this part of the State are not numerous, and that the meeting was simply a Monthly Meeting.
We were struck with, and tried to appreciate, the sympathy shown us on this occasion. The brethren and sisters seemed to be deeply affected by the thought of our leaving them, though most of them were strangers to us. They manifested that childlike simplicity, and spontaneous, fervent love, which are free from stiffness and extra polish, and which generally characterize brethren and sisters living in the country. May God increase in us all this childlike and fervent love for each other.
Last Sabbath we took dinner at Bro. Wallace Eggleston's, and after dinner Miss M. E. Tinkham, a school-teacher, who, though not a Sabbath-keeper, showed us much sympathy in our work, played and sung to us the following words, which, we trust, are expressive of the true sentiments of each of our hearts. May this dear friend soon identify herself with God's Sabbath-keeping children.
Let me go! I still would labor,
In the vineyard of the Lord;
For the fields are ready, whitening,
Jesus says so in his word.
Let me thrust the Spirit's sickle
In the fields already white;
Let me blow the gospel trumpet;
Let me do, with all my might.
Let me go and wear the armor
That my Father doth supply;
Let me cheer the broken-hearted,
Help the pilgrim on his way;
Let me point the poor and needy
To a boundless store of grace,
To a mansion in the heavens,
To behold the Saviour's face.
Let me urge, constrain, persuade them,
To forsake their sins so dear,
Lest the God of Heaven visit
Them with judgments most severe.
Let me tell of Pharaoh's troubles,
Of old Sodom's fearful hour,
Mercy's gone, now lingers judgment,
Oh! the fearful, fearful hour.
Let me stay a little longer,
Gathering for the garner great,
Golden sheaves; oh, precious jewels,
Stars in Jesus' crown complete;
Let me finish all my labor,
Then my armor I'll lay down, And with Jesus Christ, my Saviour,
Ever wear a starry crown.
Then I'll range the fields of Heaven,
And with angels ever sing
Hallelujah, glory, glory!
Hallelujah to our King!
Then with bright-robed seraphs, worship
Round the Father's great white throne,
Always crying, Thou art worthy,
Thou, my God, and thou alone.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH,
D. T. BOURDEAU.
Victor, N. Y., June 16, 1868.
P. S. The 12th inst., I had the privilege of performing the rite of holy matrimony between Eld. J. N. Loughborough and Sr. M. A. Newman, at the residence of Sr. Newman's father, in Victor, N. Y. I believe the Lord is in this union; and may it alleviate the wound that has been made in our dear fellow-laborer, and may our present Sr. Loughborough be truly a help-meet to her husband, and to us in our important mission. We welcome her as a laborer in the Lord's vineyard.
I would here say that we appreciate the pecuniary aid that we are receiving from the friends of the cause, and will try to make such a judicious use of the means placed in our hands, that our brethren will have no occasion for lessening their confidence in us. We will use all lawful economy in the application of means. Bro. Loughborough has already entered into negotiations with agents of ship companies, offering inducements to have a reduction made on our fare, and we have already had an offer of a reduction of $50 in the fare of each, thus saving $200 in this thing. And this is done in an honorable manner. To-day Bro. Loughborough has gone to New York to make final arrangements, settle on which line we are going, secure proper berths, etc. Perhaps all are not aware of the distance to California. It is 5875 miles from New York City to San Francisco, Cal., by way of the Isthmus of Panama. So this cannot be a pleasure trip as some have supposed. We would express our gratitude to those who have sent us letters of sympathy and encouragement, to Rochester, N. Y.; but would here say that our friends should not expect that we will answer all their letters. To do this would impose a greater task upon us than we could well perform, and hinder us in our important work. It would take most of our time to correspond with from fifty to one hundred of our friends. Think of this, you who wonder why we do not answer your letters. You, perhaps, have from one to five to correspond with, and most of you have no reports or sermons to write. Don't you see that it would be ten or twenty times more laborious for us to hold a regular correspondence with you all, than it would be for you to correspond with us and a few others? How would you feel if you kept us from writing one or more sermons for the REVIEW, or important articles for the Reformer or Youth's Instructor? Or if by hindering us by causing us to write many letters when we ought to rest, or labor to save souls who are deciding for life or death, you should greatly exhaust us and unfit us for labor, and prevent us from reaching those who are on the brink of ruin, and whose salvation depends on the course we pursue toward them? But some will say, Your wife can write. Yes, she can write, and I intend to have her favor me on this point. But she has something else to do besides writing. There is keeping house for us, cooking, taking care of her clothing and our own, traveling at times, visiting, laboring in meetings, and watching for every opportunity to help us and others in the Lord. Our women do not follow us to be waited upon and play ladies, without taking any special burden; but they follow us to work, to stand by us shoulder to shoulder, to save perishing souls. Do not, therefore, expect too much from them in the line of writing.
Now let none take an extreme view of these remarks. Let your letters come in like clouds full of rain to water and refresh a weary and thirsty land, with the expectation that the fruit we bear under your watering will be partaken of by others, if not by yourselves. And again we ask to be remembered in your prayers.
D. T. B.
COMMON AND SACRED THINGS.
By Jos. Clarke
“And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the clean and the unclean. And in controversy they shall stand in judgment; and they shall judge it according to my judgments; and they shall keep my laws and my statutes in all mine assemblies; and they shall hallow my Sabbaths.” Eze. xliv, 23, 24.
Some principles of action, as explained by the Apostle Paul, have been sadly misunderstood; and none have been more perverted than the principle here brought to view: that of the difference between profane and holy things.
In a certain case, he speaks of a class of festivals, and makes the broad assertion, that he that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. Therefore it is inferred that Paul here breaks down the distinction between holy time and common time, as set apart by the Creator at the beginning, and makes every day alike. See Rom. xiv, 5, 6.
Paul also speaks of meats and drinks in the same manner. Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect to an holyday, &c. Col. ii, 16.
It is not my object, here, to enlarge upon what Paul did mean in these texts; but one thing is certain: it is generally taken as evidence that there is no such thing as holy time; that all days are alike in this respect, and all kinds of food are allowable; and that, if you choose to eat turtles, snails, rats, eels, shell fish, or whatever you please, there is no distinction to be made, except as appetite may dictate.
Many who do not stop to investigate, suppose that the vision of Peter tends to the same conclusion; when the sheet was let down with all kinds of animals upon it, clean and unclean, that Peter was here instructed to use as food all kinds of unclean animals, as well as those which were called clean.
The general tenor of Scripture is forgotten; and conclusions are arrived at, wholly at variance with well-known scriptural principles, contrary to sound reason and philosophy. The sloven justifies his filthy habits from the conversation of our Saviour, respecting eating with unwashed hands. See Matt. xv, 11-20. The filthy tobacco-chewer comes off clear, because the Lord said, Not that which goeth into the mouth, defileth a man, &c. Matt. xv, 11. Important principles lying at the very foundation of morality and holiness, are, by this leveling process, laid even with the ground; and no-law, no-Sabbath principles, and no-law, no-Sabbath men and parties arise, as a matter of course.
Men do not arrive at such dreadful positions at a leap; it required about five centuries, to fully develop the Man of Sin, and ten to fill up his measure of iniquity; and it has been a long time since men first attempted to level sacred with common things.
The great lesson of the Israelites in the wilderness was to teach them reverence. To do this, cost the lives of all the adults in that proud and numerous host. Those bold and audacious men, who feared not to murmur, and find fault with God and with Moses, fell like trees before the hurricane, and withered like grass, because they would profane the name and authority of God.
God commanded that no fire but the holy should be used in burning incense; but the rash, unthinking men, Nadab and Abihu, while heated with wine, used common fire for this purpose, and their untimely end is recorded for our instruction. See Lev. x, 1-11. Here we find Aaron and his sons directed to refrain from strong drink, that they might distinguish between holy and common things. Again, the terrible doom of Korah and his followers was the consequence of their want of reverence for God and his appointments.
At the present day, this want of reverence is a thousand fold greater than ever before. Men calling themselves Christians, and even professed ministers of Christ, do not hesitate to ridicule and treat lightly the law of God, and some, yea, many, who take pride in calling themselves the disciples of Jesus, cast aside, practically, the Old Testament as a statute long out of date; and the effect of such a state of things is apparent. The generation now coming upon the stage of action, many of them having no idea of any such thing as a Sabbath of holy time, and uniting in their idea of a Sabbath, that of a religious holiday, and associating with it a form of worship kept in existence by a lifeless church, they imbibe very low ideas of religion and its principles.
Under such an influence, the generation now on the stage of action has been educated; in the city and the country, in the church, the school, and the family, this idol has met their eyes; at every turn in life, hypocrisy and dead formality have forced themselves upon their attention; and if, perchance, here and there a sincere, good man or woman has endeavored to show them the way of life, it has been generally under such disadvantages, that truth is shorn of half her power.
At this time, the Sabbath reform comes to view. And how many, who outwardly keep the holy day, fail to reverence it as holy to God; yet this is a first and most important step in the path of the true worship of God; for how can he worship God, who does not reverence him? And how can he reverence God, who does not reverence his day?
Under existing circumstances, can we wonder that men are irreverent and thoughtless of God and of his requirements? Jos. CLARKE.
A PARABLE.
By James Russell Lowell
Said Christ, our Lord, “I will go and see
How the men, my brethren, believe in me.”
He passed not again through the gate of birth,
But made himself known to the children of earth.
Then said the chief priests, and rulers, and kings,
Behold, now, the Giver of all good things;
Go to, let us welcome with pomp and state
Him who alone is mighty and great.
With carpets of gold the ground they spread
Wherever the Son of man should tread;
And in palace chambers, lofty and rare,
They lodged him and served him with kingly fare.
Great organs surged through arches dim
Their jubilant floods in praise of him;
And in church, and palace, and judgment hall,
He saw his image high over all.
But still, wherever his steps they led,
The Lord in sorrow bent down his head;
And from under the heavy foundation stones,
The Son of Mary heard bitter groans;
And in church, and palace, and judgment hall,
He marked great fissures, that rent the wall
And opened wider, and yet more wide,
As the living foundation heaved and sighed.
“Have ye founded your thrones and altars, then,
On the bodies and souls of living men?
And think ye, that building shall endure,
Which shelters the noble, and crushes the poor?”
“With gates of silver and bars of gold,
Ye have fenced my sheep from their Father’s fold.
I have heard the dropping of their tears,
In Heaven, these eighteen hundred years.”
“O Lord, and Master, not ours the guilt;
We build, but as our fathers built.
Behold thine images, how they stand
Sovereign and sole through all our land.
“Our task is hard, with sword and flame
To hold thy earth forever the same,
And with sharp crooks of steel to keep
Still as thou leftest them, thy sheep.”
Then Christ sought out an artisan,
A low-browed, stunted, haggard man,
And a motherless girl, whose fingers thin
Pushed from her faintly, want and sin.
These set he in the midst of them,
And as they drew back their garment hem
For fear of defilement, “Lo! here,” said he,
“The images ye have made of me.”
—James Russell Lowell.
Happiness
HAPPINESS.—Happiness is like sleep; it comes of itself to the healthy soul—it cannot be found by seeking. If you seek happiness as an end, you will not find it. It is not given as the reward of earnest searching; it comes as naturally to him who lives for duty as sleep comes to the eyelids of the healthy laborer after the honest toils of the day. Happiness will come and dwell in the soul that invites it. It is vain to seek it—it flies from the approach of the pursuer, while it nestles in the bosom of him who lives for God.
UP-HILL BUSINESS.
By E. M. Brant
Sometime last fall, as I was riding to a little Sabbath gathering, in company with two others of like faith, we met a Baptist brother, who, in his remarks, made the following observation: “I think you will find it up-hill business, keeping the seventh day for the Sabbath.” I thought as we passed on, Surely we do. I have often thought of the remark since, and soliloquized thus:
Up-hill business, is it, to follow Christ? Well, he says, John xii, 26, “If any man serve me, let him follow me.” Did he keep the seventh-day Sabbath? None deny that he did. Was it not up-hill business all the way from the manger to the grave? I understand the term to signify hard labor—toiling on, with difficulties to be overcome. Was it not hard for him to come to his own, and have his own receive him not? Was it not hard to toil, hungry and thirsty, without where to lay his head? to have his acts of mercy attributed to Satan? Twenty years of self-denying toil for those he came to save, was not easy; but the steepest part of the ascent was left for the end of his journey, when his soul was troubled, and, with the sins of the world laid upon him, he ascended Olivet, there to agonize till he sweat, as it were, great drops of blood falling to the ground. The top of the hill was not yet gained. He must be scourged, mocked, spit upon, crowned with thorns, set at naught, and then bear his own cross up Calvary’s hill, till he faint under it; and yet the top was not reached. Ah! who shall attempt to describe the anguish of soul and body, as on the cross he hung, for man’s redemption? No wonder the heavens became sackcloth, and the rocks rent! Surely it was up-hill business for the Lord of glory thus to live and die. Be astonished, O my soul, and wonder and adore; but faint not at the difficulties of the way. Though thy name be cast out as evil; though thy kindred and former friends despise thee; follow Christ in seeking to do good to others. Though thy motives be impugned and attributed to the movings of Satan, weary not in thy efforts; for thou bearest not the cross alone—Jesus is near to sustain thee. Though the hill sometimes appears steep, it vanishes at the sight of the steeper hills of Calvary and Gethsemane. But what is to be the end of those who have no hill to climb? who travel in roads made smooth and easy to popular opinion? Are they followers of Christ as dear children? Surely we wish them well, but would choose for ourselves the narrow way—the way of the cross, having fellowship with the sufferings of Christ, that we may be partakers of his glory. E. M. BRANT.
Faribault Co., Minn.
Bearing the Cross.
By Earnest Christian
Do you refuse to perform the work God would set you about, because of the trouble and responsibility involved? Many do. They love ease. But wherein do we take up the cross if we consult our own preferences merely, in what we do for the Lord? The very idea of a cross implies something contrary to our natural inclinations. And Jesus says, that to be his disciples we must take up our cross daily. Then we are not to have our choice. The irksome duties that lie just before us are the ones we must first perform. Do them for Jesus’ sake, and they will become pleasant. With Charles Wesley say:
“Thy holy will be done, not mine:
Be suffered all thy holy will.
I dare not, Lord, the cross decline;
I will not lose the slightest ill,
Or lay the heaviest burden down,
The richest jewel of my crown.”
You who profess to be the children of God, you make a sad mistake when you manage to escape from responsibilities which God would lay upon you. The greatest burdens would bring the greatest blessings. If you have the true religion you will not be afraid of trouble for the sake of Jesus. You will count all things—ease, reputation, comfort—yea, life itself—but loss in comparison with the pearl of great price. If you have friends, you gladly suffer inconvenience in their behalf. Then why should you not for that friend who sticketh closer than a brother?—Earnest Christian.