[THE following article derives its interest not so much from the subject matter as from the source from whence it comes. It is from the Christian Chronicle; and we ask the reader to notice carefully the positions taken, and then ask himself the question how long the Chronicle would adhere to these positions if their legitimate sequences were urged upon it. Principles are here laid down which form an insurmountable bulwark around the immutability and perpetuity of the Sabbath, and are fatal to any change in the law and the consequent introduction of Sunday as the Sabbath; yet reasoning from past observations we think we offer no harsh judgment in saying that the Chronicle, if pressed upon the subject, would yield these principles, and abandon these positions, rather than give up the darling Sunday. We would however that they would continue right on in the following scriptural argument in which they run so well for a season.—ED.]
THE Sabbath is as old as creation, and its observance as old as the first man created. God worked six days in succession in completing the world which we inhabit, with the firmament that overspreads it, and when the finishing touch was given to the whole and he pronounced it all good, he rested on the seventh day and sanctified it. As Adam was made in the image of God, placed in the garden of Paradise, and opened his eyes on the beauties of a new made world as they burst on his vision from above and beneath, it was the holy Sabbath day, when all creation was one symphony of praise, and the first man solitary and alone employed every power and energy in the worship of his great Maker. The holy calm and quiet of the first Sabbath were never forgotten by him, nor failed to call forth his devout contemplations, his purest and best worship, even amid the ruins of the fall that were ever about him. On that day his sacrifices from the flock and herd were offered and holy fire descended to signify their acceptance in heaven. The patriarchs did the same through all their generations and we challenge any theologian, with all his modern wisdom, to prove to the contrary.
As the yoke of Egyptian bondage was struck from the neck of the Israelitish nation, and they were led out into the wilderness; as there God descended upon Mount Sinai, amid the blackness of darkness and the wildest displays of awe-stricken nature, and with his own finger wrote the tables of the law for the observance of the people through all future history, we find there the Sabbath written out in the most emphatic manner and in letters never to be effaced.—"Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy; six days shalt labor and do all thy work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God; in it thou shalt not do any work; thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy man servant, nor thy maid servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day; whereupon the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it." This commandment is from God, is a part of the moral law, and stands as imperishable as that law. The Jews observed it through all their generations and any infractions were visited with the severest penalties. When Christ came he acknowledged its divine origin, its unqualified claim on the whole time, soul and energy, and rebuked only the traditions and perversions that had worked in and taken the place of its spirit. None treated the Jewish temple with more reverence; none taught the people with more respect to the place and the day than he. He aimed only to banish what was hypocritical, secular and debasing to the soul, and turned it into one great temple of divine worship, where sacrifices, prayers, hymns of praise and holy teachings alone should be witnessed. With him the Sabbath was sacred to divine worship and deeds of benevolence. It was always lawful to do good on the Sabbath day; and what a rebuke was this to those old sainted Pharisees who with their fastings, long prayers and endless forms of worship, could yet be guilty in spirit of trampling on the whole moral law.
It is said by some that Christ often violated the law and taught his disciples to do the same. But there can be no greater mistake than declarations of this sort. As he was accused of this he declared in reply that he came not to destroy, but to fulfill it; and that one jot or tittle should never fail. The ceremonial law should cease, the traditions and perversions of the moral law should come to an end, but the moral law itself embracing Sinai's code should never be abolished. He came to fulfill, that is to illustrate its true meaning in his whole life and teachings, and to show to the world that that law which binds together the moral universe, is as permanent as the throne of God. Fix your eye on Christ, and see how he lived from first to last; hear his sublime words on the mount, and elsewhere as he spoke to the people, and there you may read the true meaning of that law which Christ came not to destroy, but to fulfill.
BOOKS! BOOKS!!
By James White
We are constantly publishing, and re-publishing Pamphlets and Tracts for circulation in the wide field. And while this work is increasing upon our hands, we feel thankful to God and his faithful stewards for the facilities so cheerfully furnished in the publishing department.
Great care has been taken in preparing our works for the press. They are printed upon the strictest plan of economy, so that they can be furnished at low prices. But we are very much dependent on the church of God scattered abroad for their circulation. What do you say, brethren and sisters? Shall the Steam Press keep moving? Do you want to send the present truth—soul-stirring Bible truth—to your relatives, friends and acquaintances everywhere? The Press and the Post Office department are at your service. Send your orders, and the amount of our published prices, and the truth shall be sent to them. Venture out, brethren and sisters, and cast bread upon the waters.
But we depend very much upon our active preachers to circulate our works. They, with their own hearts warm with the truth, proclaim it in the ears of the people, arrest their attention, and kindle in them a strong desire to read and learn more and more. That is just the time to present before them our publications.
We have never recommended a broadcast circulation of our works free. Neither do we recommend advertising them as free to those who have no money. But we do say that all our preachers, especially those in new fields, should be placed in circumstances so as to be able to hand out tracts to those who give evidence that they want them, and are not able to pay for them. Our Missionary fund has assisted some to spread the truth in new fields, and can more. We would say to our poor preachers, Lay not down the armor! Let your wants be known to the Missionary Board! They will help you, according to their judgment, as long as there are funds in the treasury. And the best way you can be helped from the treasury is to have the101amount sent to you in books from this Office at 40 per cent discount from published prices.
We wish here to recommend to our preachers, who are all colporteurs, as the cheapest and best way to get books from this Office, to take at least $100 worth at a time, and have them sent as Rail Road freight. We print large editions, and have tons of books lying in this Office. A portion of them may as well be deposited in good hands in the different States, as to be lying in the Office. We say, then, let our active preachers order our books, $100 worth at a time at least, and pay for them as fast as they sell them.
Or if churches, or individuals will send the cash with orders, we will send them books at 40 per cent discount from published prices. They can then help our preachers by letting them take them at cost. We say to our money men, Here is a chance to put out your money at better interest in the end than at six, seven, or ten per cent. The cause of Bible truth! The cause of the soon coming Saviour! The salvation of the poor perishing sinner! This is a noble cause. It is urgent, and calls on you for help. The bank of heaven never failed, and never will. We recommend to you, as the safest deposit, to put a few hundred dollars into publications at 40 per cent discount from published prices. There should be a deposit in each of the New England States, in New York, Penn., Ohio, Ind., Mich. Ills., Wis., Iowa and Minnesota. In some of these States there should be two or three. This arrangement would help preachers, help the Office, and help much to more widely disseminate Bible truth. Railroad freight is cheaper than postage, so save the difference to help your preachers. For instance, we send the History of the Sabbath by mail for $10 per 100, as freight where $100 worth of books is ordered, and cash with order, for $6 per 100. The postage would be $1; freight probably from five to twenty-five cents on 100 copies, according to the distance. Said Jesus, "Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost." This declaration was certainly designed to teach economy.
Some seem to fear if they get our books on their hands, that they cannot sell them all. We would say to such that we will take off their hands at any time, any amount of any kind of our books, and give them others in return, or pay them the money at what they are worth at this Office.
We say that the Steam Press should keep moving. Brethren and sisters, this will depend upon your faithfulness in circulating our publications. To those who are not visited by preachers with an assortment of books, we would say, You can get them through the mail, post-paid, at our published prices. It would be an advantage to the Office to send all our books through the mail, but we act for the general good, and say, Let them go out of this Office in large boxes, at lowest rates, and let the truth blaze abroad. J. W.
“CONDENSED” MORAL LAW.
By R. F. C.
Yesterday I heard a man complaining of some that say we must keep the commandments. Said he, Christ fulfilled those old commandments and we have nothing to do with them. I remarked that I understood that the ceremonial law of the former dispensation terminated at the death of Christ; but that the moral law remained in full force, and appealed to him if it were not so, specifying the code that says, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not commit adultery, and Thou shalt not steal. He replied that he believed that Christ did not abolish the moral law, but that he “condensed it down,” so that if we do by others as we would that they should do by us, it is all that is required of us.
It would be really amusing were it not that men are trifling with the law of God and their own lives, to witness the many silly inventions and contemptuous quibblings by which they seek to evade the authority and force of the fourth commandment. They admit the force of the other nine precepts of the decalogue; hence all their efforts to modify this law have reference solely to the Sabbath. To get rid of this, one would have the law abolished, another relaxed, another amended, another expanded and another condensed.
In Isa. xlii, 21, is a prophecy that is generally admitted to refer to Christ. It says, “He will magnify the law and make it honorable.” It would be difficult to understand how magnifying the law would make any less of it. Yet I have heard people say that Christ magnified the law, made it honorable and abolished it. But it seems that all the change that has been made in the law, either by magnifying or condensing affects only the fourth commandment, leaving the other nine precisely as they were before.
A certain minister who has formerly held that the Sabbath was abolished by Christ, has recently renounced that view, admitting that Christ confirmed or ratified every one of the ten commandments. And besides this he says that Christ magnified the law so that every day is the Sabbath. Thus he makes no difference between days and remains a no-Sabbath man still.
If men would be honest with themselves before God, they might easily see that the introduction of the new covenant affected the fourth commandment just as much as it did the other nine, and no more. But the ministers of these last days “have caused many to stumble at the law;” and God's word to them will soon be fulfilled. “Therefore have I made you contemptible and base before all the people, according as ye have not kept my ways, but have been partial in the law.”
R. F. C.
MEETINGS IN NEW ENGLAND.
By C. W. Sperry
DEAR BRO. SMITH : I have been greatly encouraged since I left home. I have been absent now eight Sabbaths, and visited many churches, and found an increase of interest in general.
The first Sabbath after leaving home I met Bro. Bourdeau at Roxbury, Vt., where several have embraced the truth since the conference last fall. Much interest is still manifest in that place. We expect to hold more meetings there on our return. We next visited the church in Jamaica, Vt., and found that the church had passed through much affliction, which weighed them down. Some trials had also discouraged some; but the Lord blessed and the church was strengthened.
We next visited Buckland, and Ashfield, Mass., where we remained over two Sabbaths. Found the brethren and sisters engaged in the work, and some out of their families have lately been converted and become praying souls. Four out of one family followed the Lord in baptism. The Lord is blessing the children in this place as the fruit of their interest in this work. They meet once a week to braid hats for the benefit of the cause; besides which, the children have a book of their own, containing their weekly donations on the systematic benevolence. Four of these children were baptized last fall, and the work is going on and prejudice is giving way. We had invitations from those not in the truth to hold meetings in their neighborhood, to which we complied only one evening, as our arrangements led us onward. The interest in this place is increasing.
From Ashfield we went to Kensington, Ct., where we rejoiced to see the progress made since the conference last fall, and hope and trust that the brethren will continue to grow in grace until they bear much fruit. We had so many invitations from different places to labor that we would have been glad to remain in that section for some time. After the first Sabbath in this place Bro. Bourdeau went to Hampton and remained over the second Sabbath, after which, I joined him at Hampton, where was a good interest to hear from those out of the truth. From several neighborhoods we were urged to go and hold meetings. We had meetings with good effect until duty called us to our appointments in other places.
Our meeting in Dartmouth increased in interest from its commencement to its close. Those who had opposed the truth came in and melted under the same. They took all the books we had and wished for more. The brethren expressed their surprise at the interest. It appears that brethren in different places have had hardly faith enough for themselves; but may the Lord increase their faith so that they can have some for others. This truth is of the Lord and will bear away the victory. We are thankful for the new acquaintance formed with the brethren in Dartmouth and Fair Haven. But as our time was limited, and the interest was so great in our last place, we concluded to return to Hampton, where we now are, and find some have come out on the truth, and more are interested. Upon both Sabbath and first-day we had good congregations. The evening after the Sabbath we met with the brethren and had a profitable time in attending the ordinances of the Lord's house, which the church had not enjoyed for some years, and some never. Some had kept but few Sabbaths. They were blessed and strengthened. Others tell me that they shall keep the Sabbath. I want to say for the encouragement of brethren scattered abroad that the interest is increasing in the East. And I hope the brethren in New England will wake up more and more to the work, and look less to their trials and more to Jesus, who is the author and finisher of our faith. May the Lord help us to put on the whole armor and press the battle to the gate.
C. W. SPERRY.
D. T. BOURDEAU.
Hampton, Ct., Jan. 1860.
P. S. Since writing the above we have had two more meetings, at the close of which ten or twelve arose and expressed their decision in favor of the truth, and their desires to walk in the same. Several came forward and subscribed for the Review. Also urgent invitations were given for more meetings in other parts of the town; and we are sorry that we are under the necessity of leaving to meet our next appointment.
C. W. S.
SABBATH-SCHOOLS.
By Geo. W. Amadon
A REQUEST.
DEAR BROTHER: I want to ask a few questions in regard to the best mode of conducting102Sabbath-schools. If it would not be too much trouble, please publish in the Review a synopsis of the most approved mode for conducting a Sabbath-school. It would not only be a help to those about to commence schools, but it would doubtless be a means of producing harmony of action in this direction. We desire to start a school in our place, where the children have been going to four different schools: their parents have been as different in their belief as Presbyterians are from Universalists. Now I think, as most of us read the Review something of this sort appearing in the paper in which they all delight, would make it comparatively an easy matter to go forward.
Yours for concentration of action.
JESSE DORCAS.
Tipton, Iowa.
REMARKS.—As Bro. D. has made this request, and as I have an interest in Sabbath Schools and Bible classes, I will briefly give my opinion. Hope that others who feel an interest in the Sabbath School enterprise will speak on this point too. As for myself, I don't pretend to understand the best method of conducting exercises of this character, but of course follow the best plan we have found out as yet. Perhaps it will be as well to state our manner of conducting the Sabbath School at Battle Creek as anything else that we could offer on this point.
We have a School here which numbers about fifty members in all—some forty scholars, seven teachers, and a superintendent. We meet after the forenoon meeting at half past eleven, and continue the School one hour. The exercises are commenced by singing some piece in which all can unite, and then follows a prayer, during which, of course, every member of the school kneels. On arising from prayer the teachers immediately commence hearing the classes recite their lesson, which is usually some six or eight verses of the Bible. These are committed to memory, and repeated in order by each scholar in the class—that is, the first scholar repeats a verse, his neighbor the next, and the other the next, and so on: or sometimes we let each scholar repeat the whole lesson, just as thought best. Then the teacher begins to ask questions on what they have recited, taking each verse in order as they come. And the scholars also ask questions if they choose, and after this manner the lesson is disposed of. We will suppose now that about three quarters of an hour have passed off in the school. Next the superintendent announces a change in the exercises, the teachers and scholars all suspend their communications, while he gives out the following lesson, and proceeds to make remarks upon the one already recited. In this way the minds of the whole school travel over the lesson pretty thoroughly. Here is a good chance also to exhort, encourage and interest the School which most certainly should be done. Perhaps some teacher wants to make a remark to the scholars, now is the time to do it; or some one wants light on a passage of scripture, and if there is any in the house he now gets it. By this time it is half past twelve and the hour is up. A hymn is now sung from the Youth's Collection of hymns, or the larger book—we use both—and the exercises conclude.
This is our manner of conducting the Sabbath School in Battle Creek. Whether it is the best or not we don't decide, but we can say this much, that our school, while following this plan, has thrived steadily with no perceptible abatement of interest. All of us—old and young—take great satisfaction in the Sabbath School at Battle Creek. We think it is an excellent means of grace to help the youth, an institution of God's own appointment.
When we first organized, three years ago, we used Bro. Cottrell's Lessons, and have gone through the book twice. We would by all means recommend to every Sabbath School to begin with that book. It was written especially for Sabbath Schools, and as far as my opinion goes it is just the book for the purpose for which it was intended. Some, we understand, are using the "Bible Student's Assistant," and "Concordance to Scripture Subjects," as text-books in the Sabbath School, but we think it would be much better to use the "Bible Class" in their place, and let these occupy their proper place as books of reference.
The manner in which we employed the "Bible Class" was this: the lesson was recited to the several teachers, they bringing in Bible to correspond and amplifying as they thought best. Then the superintendent occupied ten or fifteen minutes in asking general questions on the lesson, talked some to the school, etc. He also heard each scholar and teacher recite a short verse of scripture. This they learned where they pleased, and as hardly any two would have the same text, we used to have a great variety of Bible, and it greatly added to the interest of our school.
A few words further and I close. I am glad that an interest is awakening in respect to the Sabbath-school. Brethren and sisters, it is a profitable and pleasant exercise. Here is a broad avenue where good may be done. Here is a chance to mould the tender heart, and accomplish everlasting good. "Just as the twig is bent the tree is inclined." If children are taught to think and act right when they are small, they will continue to do so afterwards. And how much good can be accomplished in the Sabbath-school, eternity alone will tell. We know that judicious training will save the young from sin now, and God's word assures us, from hell hereafter. I most earnestly hope that every one will feel called upon to work with all their might while the day lasts. If you can get half a dozen or more children together, organize, have your Sabbath-school regular, then you will do good, and when the Master comes, you will get your pay a thousand fold. Don't neglect to inform, to admonish, and to instruct the children. If Jesus Christ blessed them when on earth, he will bless them now, and bless those also who try to make themselves a blessing to the young.
The Lord help us all to work while the day lasts.
GEO. W. AMADON.
Battle Creek, Mich.
QUESTION.
By James White
HAVE you paid for those Books you ordered us to send to you, wishing us to wait a little while for our pay? Some have not. We find on our books some due from 6 cents up to $15; some of those sums have been standing four years: Well, pay up, and don't ask to be trusted for so small an amount again. Send the money with the order. This will save charging, and save the Office from losing much. We presume all mean to pay; but some forget, some backslide before they get ready to pay, and so it goes.
Therefore, we wish to have it understood that no small orders for books, to be sent by mail, will be filled unless the money comes with the order. J. W.
CONFERENCE AT ORION, MICH.
By John Norton Loughborough
OUR conference in this place, which has just closed, has been a season of interest, and we trust of profit to the brethren and sisters assembled. We hope it will also be saving in its influence on some of the many who listened with candor to the discourses given during the conference.
Quite a number of the brethren and sisters assembled from Lapeer, Shelby, and other places in the vicinity. Here we met with two brethren who had been reading the Review for a few months past, and had almost made up their minds to obey the truth. We hope they will step out, in the strength of the Lord, on the truths they have become interested in. We were glad to see at the conference Bro. Sanborn, of North Branch, a Baptist preacher who has lately taken a stand on the Lord's commandments.
Some sixty brethren and sisters assembled, and they, like the people of old who built the walls of Jerusalem, seemed to "have a mind to work." Our social meeting on the Sabbath was good. We had good liberty in preaching the word. Most of our meetings were held in Enterprise Hall, where from three to four hundred citizens sat on seats as rude as our tent seats and listened with attention to the truth. We expect some will take a stand on the truth as the result of this meeting.
Action was taken at this conference in relation to sustaining the Mich. tent the coming season. The conference voted that the churches in Shelby, Orion, Lapeer, North Branch, and East Thetford, would raise $150 to be used in sustaining the tent in Northern Michigan the coming season. These churches also invite the brethren in their vicinities to join with them in this enterprise. Vigorous efforts are being made by the committee appointed to raise this means. This action, it was desired, should be considered by the General Conference.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
Owasso, Mich., Feb. 1st, 1860.
HUMAN INTERPOLATION.
By Cornelia Rice
Two days since I heard a zealous teacher discoursing on the text "The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord;" and to avoid the conclusion that the sentence will ever be literally executed upon the wicked, he said, "It does not read shall be death but 'is death.' Shall be death is 'human interpolation.'" He then went on to tell us what "death" was. Adam died that death the very moment he partook of the forbidden fruit [no interpolation here], he was banished from the presence of God who no more conversed with him in the "cool of the day." Now my Bible reads that this was the very time in which God came and spake to him, after he had eaten the forbidden fruit;
and it also reads that Adam lived some nine hundred years and then died. That he became the subject of death the day he ate I believe.
Again let us try this "human interpolation" on other texts. "To us a child is born," said the prophet some seven hundred years before the event took place. Read Isaiah, chap. liii and believe it to be "human interpolation" to refer it to the future and what sense would it make? Had Christ already come? Had he been numbered with the transgressors? Had he made his grave with the wicked and rich in his death? How easy to put darkness for light and light for darkness. Deeply is my heart pained as I see the people listen to such teaching as the truth of God.
Again we were told it was death to holiness and godliness here and would finaly result in death to happiness and glory hereafter, which was the second death. But not dead yet; they live on in eternal misery; for said he, Would you be honest and investigate the Scriptures you would find more proof for the continuance of the misery of the wicked than you can for the happiness of the righteous. Those who did not believe it were branded as atheists.
Said the preacher, You take from underneath God's glorious throne one of the foundation stones and may as well take the rest. I had some secret thoughts about our glorious union being cemented by the blood of the slave; but it is a faint comparison to the throne of God being built on the miseries of the damned.
But why should I repeat the fabulous teaching of the day? I bless God that I have the Bible to read. I bless his holy name that I ever listened to the third angel's message. How true it is that those that have listened to it see a glorious light shine out upon all the Bible, while all others with whom I am conversant call it a dark book.
Again I thank the Lord that we have the Review. It comes a welcome messenger; but I often wish I could hear through its columns from dear brethren and sisters whom I know to be more capable of writing than myself. My apology is, I seldom meet with those to whom I can speak out the feelings of my heart. Pardon me then for speaking through the Review, should I speak oftner than some others. I rejoice to hear that we may expect the labors of Brn. Andrews and Loughborough in N. Y. May they come in the name and spirit of the Master we will constantly pray; and that we may be co-workers with them in sustaining them is also my desire.
May God speed on his work and his kingdom.
CORNELIA RICE.
Folsomdale, N. Y.
PRINCIPLE AND FEELING.
By Jos. Clarke
A PRINCIPLE is a rule and when applied to morals, means a rule of action. A person who lives without any fixed rules of life, as the libertine, the gambler, the drunkard &c., we call unprincipled persons because their passions (feelings) sway them. Such persons have no fixed rules. Their desires and natural feelings of heart impel them on to crime. Not so with the man of principle. He with fixed rules of action keeps the warm impulses (feelings) of his nature in subjection. He tries his feelings by the ten perfect rules of life, and when they do not agree with these rules, he hushes these servants into silence.
Fire is said to be a good servant but a hard master; so it is with feeling; when kept in subjection it is to the well disciplined mind what fire is to the steam engine; a stimulant, a powerful agent for good. But when feelings rule they are like the flames which envelope the handiwork of man, and consume his treasures, leaving distress and desolation in their train.
A man of principle may not always have as much feeling as is requisite to a well balanced character; yet if he perseveres in the cultivation of all the rules of life laid down in the Old and New Testaments, his feelings will eventually come up to the point required; for the faith of Jesus is an infallible guide to perfection; and perfection has its foundation in principle; and pure principles do when thoroughly carried out as surely beget right feelings, as does the sun cause the day.
Feelings are indispensable to practical godliness;103but this distinction must be kept in mind, that feeling be in subjection to principle, not principle swayed by feeling.
In the church of Christ are individuals who have various degrees of these qualities. To illustrate: A. is a person of warm feelings, but his principles need to be strengthened in order that he may be prepared to resist the temptations which are sure to overtake him; while on the other hand B. is a person of well established principles, but rather cold in his feelings. Now if A. and B. could but see their true positions, they would see that they are to be a mutual help to each other in the path of life. A.'s warmth of feeling should invigorate the cold nature of B. while at the same time A. should be strengthened by the vigorous manly piety and sound principles of his brother B.
Such being the true state of the case how very painful it is to see A. and B. wrangling, just because their characters are not equally balanced. A. accuses B. of want of feeling, while B. accuses A. of want of principle; thus the true object of the brotherhood is prostrated and Satan rejoices in having his own way.
Why brethren, we are differently constituted. There is a great variety of character among us, and God does not require that B. should be of the same height and weight of A., but be of the same mind in Christ; build up each the other. Peculiarities of character are not to be leveled by cutting B. down to the level of A., but by bringing these peculiar traits under the great law of love, and thus uniting the different members into one body.
Jos. Clarke.
THE TEMPEST STILLED.
THE wild winds burst o'er Judah's hill,
Far pealed the raging billow;
The fires of heaven flashed wrathfully—
As Jesus pressed his pillow.
The light, frail bark was rudely tossed
From surge to dark surge leaping,
The sails were torn and oars were lost,
Yet Jesus still lay sleeping.
When o'er that bark the loud waves roar'd,
And blasts went howling round her ;
Those Hebrews roused their slumbering Lord,—
Lord save us or we founder !
He spoke, Ye troubled winds be still,
The chafed winds sank reposing,
As wild herds rest on Judah's hill,
When calm day light is closing.
And turning to those startled men,
Who watched the wave's subsiding;
He spoke in mournful accents then,
These words of righteous chiding.
O ye who thus fear wreck and death
As if by heaven forsaken,
How is it that ye have no faith ?
Or faith so quickly shaken?
Oh when those doubters saw with dread,
The wondrous scene before them;
Their limbs waxed faint, their courage fled,
Strange awe came creeping o'er them.
This, this, they cried is Judah's Lord !
And power divine arrays him !
For lo he doth but speak the word,
And winds and waves obey him.
Faithfulness in the Last Days
Bro. J. Ayers writes from Brooklyn, L. I.: "Through the great goodness of the Lord I am still in the land of the living. O how good the Lord has been to me. He has taken care of me and mine under circumstances of trial and temptation, fully known only to him who knoweth all things; and I desire to testify to these things to the glory of his holy name. I am fully satisfied that we are living in the last days and O how good the Lord has been to show us the truths belonging thereto. I understand it to be of the utmost importance that we all, as the remnant of the Lord's people, make diligent and faithful use of these truths by seeking to experience their sanctifying effect upon our own hearts and lives, and also diffusing their light and saving influence to the perishing around us."
LETTERS.
By S. Whitney
"Then they that feared the Lord, spake often one to another."
From Sister Whitney.
Bro. Smith: As the Review comes to us from week to week as welcome as water to a thirsty soul, we look eagerly into the department of correspondence; for there we feel that we are personally addressed; and when we hear from one who is struggling on alone, or with some members of their family, our sympathies are all awakened and we feel a strong desire, and raise a fervent prayer to Him who bears us when we pray, that it may be with that family, as well as ours, as it was with Noah's, that the entire family may be saved. Then various queries arise in my mind respecting that ancient and renowned family.
Query. 1. Did all the family believe the word of the Lord, or were they only saved by obedience to the father? 2. If Noah had refused to build the ark through unbelief or obstinacy, could his wife and children have built it and saved themselves, when God has ordained that wives shall be subject unto their husbands in everything? If not, is there not an awful, a fearful responsibility resting upon the husband and father?
When I hear from those who have numbers around them of like precious faith, so that they can assemble together and exhort one another as they see the day approaching, I feel a hope springing up in my soul that the light will shine and some will see their error and hear the last message, though as yet they put it far away.
It is about six months since I finished counting the cost of hearing the "sayings of Christ and doing them not;" and I testify that the "work of righteousness is peace" in the midst of war, and calmness on "tumult's wheel;" and I trust the "effect shall be quietness and assurance for ever."
I thank God that four of six children feel that it is their duty to keep all God's commandments, and are striving to turn their feet into his testimonies. We feel that we have a little church in our house, but we do feel much the need of instruction from the messengers. God has graciously sent a few this way to encourage and instruct us in our own home, and we have felt that it was indeed a blessing to us, and have believed that the Lord would return it a hundred fold into their bosoms. God grant they may come unto us again, especially Bro. Taylor, if he feels that this is God's order, I am sure he will make an effort to come. If it is not God's will we cheerfully resign it all. The truth shines clearer every day, and my attachment to it grows stronger. I feel that it would be easier to part with life here than to yield my right to the tree of life in the city of God. My soul is full of glory. O, I long to see Jesus, that I may be like him. God bless all the dear ones who love him, and keep his commandments is the prayer of your humble sister in Christ.
S. WHITNEY.
Extracts from Letters.
Bro. H. C. Whitney writes from Knoxville, Iowa, Jan. 30th, 1860: “Last Sabbath eve and also on the Sabbath we had a good meeting, and surely the Lord was with us. It astonishes me to see the brethren so united in the bonds of love to God and love one towards another. When I think that only a few months ago we were all in Babylon, these truths make my heart glad; and may the Lord speed on the good work. I thank the Lord for sparing me to hear the present truth.”
Contending for the Third Angel’s Message
Bro. J. Baker writes from Cass, Ohio: “I still feel like contending for the faith once delivered to the saints. We have opposition, but it only adds wings to my faith and confirms me more and more in the third angel’s message. I believe that the message of the third angel, as it is now published to a sinful world, will arouse the different sects to indignation. The advent doctrine has been called an emanation from the dark infernal regions of hell, by a minister of the M. E. Church, for the reason that they have had in progress a protracted meeting for the last eight days, and it seems to be a perfect failure; and they charge the fault all on a few adventists who live near their meeting house. I feel like striving with all my powers to get ready for the Lord when he shall descend with the trump of God, to awake the sleeping saints. I want to be found entire, wanting nothing.”
Keeping the Sabbath and Understanding the Messages
Bro. H. Nicola writes from Richmond, Iowa: ‐For about sixteen months I have been trying to keep the Sabbath of the Lord our God, but having had no experience in the former advent movement, it has taken considerable investigation on my part to see the harmony of the three messages. I now feel that what is done must be done quickly. I am truly thankful to God that it has ever been my lot to be permitted to learn these precious truths.‐
The Cause Is Prospering
Bro. B. F. Robbins writes from Wellsville, N. Y., sending three new subscribers, and saying, "The cause is prospering in this section. The Lord be praised. Amen."
Beginning to Keep God’s Commandments
Bro. E. M. Davis writes from Ionia, Mich.: "Since writing to you last, making inquiries concerning books, &c., I am rejoiced to say, I have commenced keeping God's commandments. I feel to thank him that I had the light of the present truth brought to my view. The word of God appears to me as never before. I now search it with pleasure, finding therein no contradictions as in time past. How I love to read the book of Revelation, and especially that part of it speaking of the glorious coming of our Lord! I now see the three angels' messages in the present and past movements of the advent brethren."
Striving to Overcome
Bro. S. A. Street writes from West Windsor, Mich.:
“The little church here are still striving to overcome. My prayer is that we may get the victory and be permitted at last to sit down with Christ in his kingdom.”