other means of preserving unity, namely, human creeds. These creeds secure a sort of unity to each denomination; but they have all proved inefficient, as appears from the New Schools and Reformed of almost every creed-bound denomination under heaven. Hence the many kinds of Baptists, of Presbyterians, of Methodists, and of others. There is not an excuse for this state of things anywhere to be found in the book of God. These sects are not on the foundation of unity laid by Jesus Christ, and taught by Paul, the wise master-builder. And the smaller sects who reject human creeds, professing to take the Bible as their rule of faith and practice, yet rejecting the gifts, are not a whit better off. In these perilous times they shake to fragments, yet cry, The Bible! the Bible! We, too, would exalt the Bible, and would say to those who would represent us as taking the gifts instead of the Bible, that we are not satisfied with a part of the sacred volume, but claim as ours the Bible, the whole Bible, the gifts and all.

All the denominations cannot be right, and it may not be wrong to suppose that no one of them is right on all points of faith. To show that they cannot have their creeds and the gifts too, that creeds shut out the gifts, we will suppose that God, through chosen instruments taken from each sect, begins to show up the errors in the creeds of these different denominations. If they received the testimony as from Heaven, it would spoil their creeds. But would they throw them away and come out on the platform of unity taught by Christ, Paul, and Peter? Never! They would a thousand times sooner reject the humble instruments of God's choice. It is evident that if the gifts were received, they would destroy

human creeds; and that if creeds be received, they shut out the gifts.

4. When we consider the great apostasy of the church, the corruption of her pure doctrines, and her sojourn of 1260 years in the wilderness, we are not surprised that we do not find on the pages of her sad history any clearer records of the manifestations of spiritual gifts. We would here call attention to a work entitled "Miraculous Powers," published at the Office of the REVIEW AND HERALD, in which may be found testimonies from not only the eminently pious, but from many of the learned, and from some of the most reliable historians, fairly representing the faith of the church upon the subject of spiritual gifts. We do not rely upon the testimony of men as proof of our position; but after being established in the doctrine of the perpetuity of spiritual gifts from the plain testimony of God's word, it is a matter of unspeakable joy to find that on this vital doctrine our faith is in harmony with the good, the humble, and the prudent, ever since Christ said to his first ministers, "These signs shall follow them that believe."

Infinite wisdom has doubtless withheld the gifts to a great extent lest Satan take advantage of the ignorance and weakness of the people of God, and push them over into fanaticism. Many who have supposed that they were favored with manifestations of the Spirit of God, have regarded themselves as being quite out of danger. They soon became lifted up with pride in spiritual things, and were Satan's easy prey.

If it was necessary that Paul should have a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet him, lest he become exalted through the abundance of revelations with which he was favored, it is a reasonable conclusion that all who seek to walk with God, and share all the spiritual

blessings of the Christian age, are also in danger of exaltation and the wiles of the devil. If he can push one such to extremes and fanaticism, he disgraces the vital part of Christianity, and gains a greater victory than in holding a hundred souls in cold formality. The history of Luther, the Wesleys, and others, who by the power of a living faith led the church from the dark shades of error and formality to a clearer light, proves the necessity of the mind's being well balanced with caution. And he who sees no need of caution here is not far from some delusive snare of Satan. But in walking softly and humbly before God, in strict watchfulness and fervent prayer to be kept by the power of God from the wiles of Satan, there is safety. God has great blessings in store for his people, and will bestow them as fast as they can make a right use of them to their good and his glory.

CHAPTER XI.

THE PUBLISHING DEPARTMENT.

THE publishing work of the S. D. Adventists has grown to strength and great efficiency from a small and humble commencement. The first volume of the Review was printed upon an ordinary hand-press, at Paris, Maine, in the year 1850. Patrons were then so few that no subscription price was given, the paper being supported by donations from the friends of the cause, who were generally poor. The most rigid economy was necessary that it might maintain an exist

ence.

The second volume was printed at Saratoga Springs, N. Y. The growth of the cause was

slow. That which was gained in numbers was accomplished by great sacrifices and incessant toil. The accession of two or three preachers, and writers, and a corresponding increase of patrons, improved the condition of things; but up to this time the terms for the Review were gratis, the paper still being supported by donations.

May 6, 1852, the first number of volume three was printed at Rochester, N. Y., with material donated by our people. The cost of hand-press and types was seven hundred dollars. The present terms of the Review, two dollars per year in advance, were first made in June, 1855. By this time the paper was self-sustaining. The office remained at Rochester until October, 1855, when it was moved to its present location, Battle Creek, Michigan.

From this point the especial blessing of God attended the work, and as men were raised up in all parts of the field to proclaim the message of present truth, there was a more rapid increase of supporters; and it was soon seen that the hand-press was insufficient to supply the demand for our publications.

In 1857 a very encouraging change took place in the publishing department of our work. Twenty-five men were found in our feeble ranks, who cheerfully donated one hundred dollars each, for the purchase of a power-press and engine, which were put in successful operation in our wooden building, erected in 1855, the limited dimensions of which were 22 by 30 feet. This printing machine was then regarded the best for fine work. The excellent service it has done the past twenty-three years has contributed much to the reputation which the Review Office has earned of turning out the best printing done in the State.

Printing by steam was an important event in the history of our publishing work. The circulation of the Review and Youth's Instructor increased rapidly, new works were published, and new editions of those in print were issued. The building then occupied, which at first, before the introduction of the steam-press, seemed extravagantly large, soon proving to be too small for the work, an adjoining building was rented as a store-room of our publications and printers' stock. The pressing need of more room, and the inconveniences of the rooms then occupied, led to the conception of the plan, and the erection of the

first brick building, two stories high, in the form of a Greek cross, the main portion 26x66, the transverse section 26x44, as here represented. This building was located on the site of the first, at the south-east corner of Washington and West Main Streets. The plan of the building was not copied from any other. It was originated for the work to which it is so admirably adapted, the light pouring in through its ample windows on all sides of editors, compositors, pressmen, folders, and binders.