p. 160 | Review and Herald, Vol. 33, No. 20. (5/11/1869)

Earlier text: THOUGHTS ON THE BOOK OF DANIEL

PAGANISM IN NEW YORK.—A STRANGE AND STARTLING SCENE.

It is a popular belief that Christianity is the established religion of the civilized world, and that the old Paganism has long since been destroyed, buried, and forgotten, but like all popular beliefs, this must be taken cum grano salis. True it is that the vast majority of the inhabitants of America and Europe profess at least a respect for Christianity, but equally true it is that the majority of the same inhabitants do not practice Christianity, and that a certain percentage of them do not even so much as believe in its doctrines, and are either quietly or openly infidels, skeptics, free-thinkers, positivists, or what you will, but certainly not Christians.

It is still further true that strange, startling as it may seem, even at the present day, even in the year of our Lord 1860, even in the very center of so-called enlightenment, the great city of New York, there exists a number of not only practical but actual heathen, of (professedly) pagans who cherish their own peculiar superstitions or creeds, and who adhere to their own idolatrous rites of worship. These nineteenth century civilized pagans embrace in the city of New York three distinct classes of beings. The Chinese, the lower order of negroes, and the mythologists, who still profess a faith in the poetical fables of ancient Greece and Rome. Let us consider each of these three classes in their order.

THE FOLLOWERS OF CONFUCIUS.—THE CHINESE OF NEW YORK.

Not many years ago the Fourth Ward was the home of an extensive Chinese colony, who filled Cliff street, Rose street, and kindred localities; but of late their numbers have lessened, from causes too many and too minute to mention in detail. A hundred or so of peddlers, and a hundred or so of sailors, are all that remain of China in New York; but as one-half of this number are married men with families, the whole Chinese population of the metropolis may be estimated at about four hundred souls. It is by no means complimentary to our boasted Christian civilization, but it is, nevertheless true, that although the Chinese may be theoretically Pagans, they are, so far as their lives are concerned, better than the average of Christians—at least of the Christians of the Fourth Ward.

Only one murderer has been known among them, and although they will not hesitate to cheat when they have the chance, they seldom figure in the police reports, even as sneak thieves, or as the perpetrators of petit larceny. They are inveterate gamblers, but they only play among themselves and after their own peculiar fashion; so that, on the whole, if they are an insignificant, they are also an inoffensive, portion of our population.

They peddle or work all day, as other men, and at night they return to their families or their boarding houses and devote themselves with assiduity to cards and opium.

In regard to their religious rites a few of the more devout Chinese are in the habit of worshiping their gods or josses under difficulties in the privacy of their domestic life; but the majority of these Orientals have merged into a state of indifference, both as to their own species of Paganism and our variety or varieties of Christianity. And suggesting them to our missionaries as decidedly difficult subjects for conversion, we pass to a brief notice of the heathen portion of the negro population of the metropolis.

THE NEGROES OF NEW YORK AND THEIR AFRICAN SUPERSTITIONS—“ROOTING” AND “SNAKE-EYED MARY.”

The negroes of New York are waiters, or caterers or white-washers, or plasterers, or washer-women, or stewardesses, and are generally quiet and inoffensive. In fact, in a police point of view, they are unexceptionable as a class. In comparison to their respective numbers three arrests are made of white men to one arrest of a colored man and brother, and considered by themselves, the negroes of the metropolis are by no means the most disgraceful or dangerous element of its population.

Their standard of intelligence, though far below that of the average white, is yet above the range that would be generally supposed, and they are deeply imbued with a religious spirit. In some cases this religion is simply superstition of the grossest character, totally inconsistent with the strides of Christianity. In fact, approximately computed, it may be stated that about 250 negro men and women (more men than women, however,) in this city of New York, are as grossly benighted, in a religious point of view, as are any of their naked brethren and sisters in the wilds of Africa.

“There exists upon the romantic territory, known as Long Island, an old negress who is known as Snake-eyed Mary. She is a goddess and a charmer—a divinity and a doctress combined. She is potent with spells, and mighty with herbs; she holds in her black hand the issues of life and death—so her black believers think, and they act accordingly. They visit her in awe and trembling, and even fall down prostrate in worship before her. Not long ago the coachman of a prominent New York politician—a fellow dark as the ace of spades—while driving on Harlem lane, leaped from the carriage, and refused to proceed further till a stick was removed from the road, which stick he alleged, had been placed there by Snake-eyed Mary to injure him, and to ride over which, or to touch which, with his own person, would have involved his certain death.

“And not long ago, at one of our police courts, a case even more singular transpired. An emaciated negro claimed the protection of the law against the designs of a surly black fellow, his enemy, who had betaken himself to Snake-eyed Mary, procured a liquid, sprinkling which around the stable where the complainant was employed, he had been enabled, so the plaintiff stated, to ruin his health and so to distract his senses, as to render life a burden. And this in New York and in the year 1869.

“There are also several darkies in this great city who earn a comfortable living as “policy dreamers,” announcing to their highly colored and credulous patrons what numbers, what combinations of numbers, what gigs and saddles, &c., will be lucky and draw prizes, and from Snake-eyed Mary and similar sources do these enlightened prophets draw their inspiration.”

The negroes, however, like the Chinese in our midst, are generally destitute of education, and beside all this, in the case of the latter the Paganism is, as it were, derived from their far-off native land, or inherited from their ancestors; but what shall be said of those who, educated, and accomplished, refined and fashionable, with white skins and Caucasian associations, are yet devoted to the effete idolatries of Greece and Rome? And yet such idolators do exist, in the very midst of our churches and our Sabbath Schools, within the sound of our Sabbath bells—although their existence is a profound mystery to the many—a secret to all but the initiated few.

THE IDOLATORS OF NEW YORK.—THE WORSHIP OF ANCIENT ROME AND GREECE REVIVED IN OUR MIDST.

Thus, a well-known scholar and professor of the classics, who resides in the upper portion of the city, and who is the center of a large circle of admiring friends, professes to believe (and confesses his belief to his intimates) that there is much truth as well as beauty at the basis of the ancient mythology. Another gentleman, well versed in ancient literature, goes still further, and absolutely offers libations and sacrifices to the gods of Greece, statues of whom are to be seen distributed in liberal profusion throughout his dwelling; while a third gentleman, of “eccentric turn of mind”—at least let us charitably trust so—is at the present moment employed upon a work “On the Evidences of the True Divinity of the Ancient Mythologies.”

Not only men but women are embraced in this category of modern Pagans. One of the most charming of our local poetesses asserts charmingly, in a letter to a friend, that she looks upon the old religions as she looks upon the roses, and upon the modern creeds as she does upon the lilies, and that for her part she does not admire the lily half so much as the rose. While a lady of high social position in our midst openly states that Christianity is only another form, and an objectionable one, of ancient so-called Paganism.

A certain palatial residence on Madison avenue has attached to it a species of small chapel, with stained glass windows; urns of fragrant incense and exquisite statues of the ancient gods scent and adorn it; flowers add to its beauty, and the tout ensemble of the chapel is charming—soft, poetical, as well as in no slight degree imposing.

And within this chapel a few weeks since on a Christian Sabbath morning one of the strangest scenes ever witnessed in the strange city of New York, transpired.

A number of men and women assembled themselves together for purposes of worship. A number of intellectual, educated, classically trained gentlemen and ladies of rank and fashion came together for devotional exercises. A priest and a priestess were present, but the worship was not that of the Christian divinity. The devotion was not of the orthodox persuasion; the officiating ministers were not ordained in any known religious denomination. The faith here practiced in this gorgeous private chapel by these fashionable and intellectual New Yorkers was that of the Ancients.

The religion here honored upon this Sabbath in the metropolis of America, was the same creed which had been transmitted from time immemorial to Homer, and from that blind old bard to the era of Socrates and Plato, and which had found a parallel in the land and in the days of Cincinnatus and of the Cæsars. In other phrase, the chapel was devoted to Mythological Paganism, and the worshippers assembled within were the Pagan votaries of an exquisite, but exploded mythology.

The congregation being ready and awaiting further developments, a sheep was brought into the chapel, a meek, dumb, soft-eyed sheep, who was led to the statue of Mercury, and was there by the fair priestess (clad in the graceful and commanding vestments of ancient Rome, and standing with uplifted knife) sacrificed to the heathen god.

Said we not truly that this Sabbath sacrifice to the god Mercury, in a private chapel on Madison avenue, in the Christianized city of New York, in the year of our Lord 1860, was one of ‘the strangest scenes ever witnessed in that strange city?’—Days’ Doings for March 20, 1860.

HOUSE TO HOUSE VISITATION.

A PRIVATE note from a town in Eastern Ohio, tells us of the way in which a work of revival commenced. The pastor having, by announcement from the pulpit, secured the attendance at an evening meeting of a large number of his members, explained to them how, in his judgment, the work of the Lord could be revived in the town and in the church. “Work,” remarked he, “will do it—regular, persistent, hard work from every one who holds a membership in the society, and feels that Christ has died for sinners, and is willing to save them.” After a twenty minutes’ talk, he obtained the pledge of ten men and thirty women to do the work of religious visitation, from house to house, for at least two weeks, beginning on the morrow. The visiting was commenced, as promised, and on the following Sabbath there were forty-five strangers at the eleven o’clock preaching service. By the second Sabbath the congregation had nearly doubled, and on the evening of that day thirteen persons rose in the congregation asking the prayers of God’s people. The following Sabbath there were twenty conversions and accessions, and at this writing the town was in a flame of revival.

God honors those who honor him. Feeble efforts are recompensed by feeble results. Hearty, united, and continued labor, he crowns with victory. Convince the world that your profession is a possession as well—a living, impelling heart-power, and you secure attention and consideration for your views.—Cincinnati Christian Advocate.

Scolding.

A LITTLE girl, not six years of age, screamed out to her little brother, who was playing in the mud:

“Bob, you good-for-nothing rascal, come right into the house this minute, or I’ll beat you till the skin comes off.”

“Why, Angelina, Angelina, dear, what do you mean? Where did you learn such talk?” exclaimed the mortified mother, who stood talking with a friend. Angelina’s childish reply was a good commentary upon this manner of speaking to children.

“Why, mother, you see we are playing, and he’s my little boy, and I’m scolding him just as you did me this morning, that’s all.”

The Aim

THE AIM.— Nothing is sufficient, unless, by the indwelling, ever-working Spirit, every thought, every word, every gesture, every look, every going, be “brought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”

THE teacher sheweth learning that sheweth Christ, and can be a means to distill God's graces into souls.

Obituary Notices.

Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth.

Died, in Trumbulle, Pierce Co., Wis., August 23, 1868, Marretta Elizabeth, oldest daughter of J. P. and M. M. Brooks, aged 2 years, 7 weeks and 3 days.

“We laid our loved one down, To rest till Christ shall come; And soon with robe, and palm, and crown, We’ll dwell with him at home.”

Died, at Pilot Grove, Iowa, April 5, 1869, of liver complaint and indigestion, Sr. Nancy Nicola, wife of Bro. J. C. Nicola, in her 28th year. Sister N. embraced the present truth about the year 1863. She was confined to her bed eleven weeks. She bore her affliction with Christian patience, not a murmur escaped her lips. She had but one request to make on her dying bed, and that was to her husband, that he would live out the truth. We fully believe by her anxious looks at her dear children as they surrounded her dying bed, that they with her husband will be the first ones that she will look for, when she awakes in the resurrection morning. Oh! may she not look in vain, but may they all be there. HENRY NICOLA.

Report from Bro. White.

By James White

SABBATH, May 1, we were with the church at Greenville. The place of worship was well filled with brethren from the region round about. Several of our Danish brethren were present. Our faithful Bro. Matteson has, in the hand of the Lord, done a good work among his people, as well as among the Americans.

We enjoyed good freedom at this meeting, and felt that our plain remarks told upon the people. We closed our farming the 5th, and the 6th and 7th journeyed on to meet our appointment at Battle Creek. Through misunderstanding, an appointment was circulated for us in the town of Orange, Ionia Co., the 8th and 9th. After prayer over the matter, Mrs. W. decided to remain with Willie and Sr. Hall, and speak to the people at Orange, while I should come on to Battle Creek.

Here I was happy to meet Brn. Andrews, Canright, Cottrell, Van Horn, and others. The house of worship was crowded on the Sabbath, and the word of the Lord had free course. JAMES WHITE.

Notice.

By D. W. Johnson

I WOULD say to the brethren who may be going through this place, that I should be pleased to have them call on us at No. 20 Spring street. And if any of the preaching brethren can give us an appointment, we will do the best we can to get them a hearing.

D. W. JOHNSON. Springfield, Mass.

Western Conferences.

By General Conference Committee

WE would suggest that the Western Conferences be held in the autumn, in connection with camp-meetings.

It should not be expected that one or more of the General Conference Committee will attend the Western State Conferences in May or June, and also the camp-meetings in September or October. As the camp-meetings are more important, one or more of the Committee will attend them, and not the Conferences.

However, if it be thought necessary to hold the State Conferences in May or June, the State Conference Committees will please select their time and place at pleasure. GEN. CONF. COM.

Acknowledgment.

By John Nevins Andrews

Some time since I requested through the REVIEW that those who were interested in the subject of the Sabbath, whether in favor of or opposed to its observance, would write me any objection, criticisms or suggestions which they might have to offer relative to a new History of the Sabbath. Quite a number have responded, to whom in the multitude of duties pressing upon me I cannot at present write a personal acknowledgment of thanks. Will all such accept this note as an expression of thanks from me. If others have any thing to offer relative to the subject it is not too late to present it now. I have already bestowed much labor on the subject. There still remains much labor to perform. I hope to do my work faithfully. I trust the work will be kept within moderate limits. But the field is vast, the themes of thought and investigation are numerous, and the amount of labor to be performed is such as to require both time and patience, and I may add, persevering effort. I hope to present the subject in such a manner that it shall commend itself to the candid no-Sabbath, or first-day Sabbath man, as well as to those who accept the Sabbath of the fourth commandment as unchanged and still binding upon us. The question is one of sufficient magnitude to demand our candid, thoughtful attention. May we all treat it as those that must give account. J. N. ANDREWS.

New Work on the Sabbath.

By Editor

We welcome to our table a new contribution to Sabbath literature from the pen of Eld. T. B. Brown, Seventh-day Baptist. It is entitled, “Thoughts suggested by the perusal of Gilfillan, and other authors on the Sabbath.” We speak now from only a cursory examination of the work; but we have no fears in recommending it to all, and urging those who are interested in the spread of Sabbath truth, to give it a wide circulation. From paper to binding the mechanical execution is unexceptionable. Neatly bound in muslin, pp. 125. Price 75c. To ministers 60c.

Address, A. H. Lewis, Alfred Center, N. Y.

Report from Bro. Strong.

By Philip Strong

I CLOSED my labors in the town of Leighton, April 12. I have labored there in several districts the most of my time since December. Have baptized fifteen, and organized a church of twenty-eight members, which will be known as the S. D. Adventist church of Leighton.

Bro. James Pierce was chosen elder, and Ambrose Slade, clerk. Also organized S. B. among them, amounting to $171.60, and $140.00, are pledged to the Michigan State Conference. Others are interested, and attend regularly the Sabbath School and Bible Class and no doubt will embrace the truth if the brethren live up to their calling. The brethren here are beginners and have many things to learn, and desire the labors of the preaching brethren and the care of the Conference.

I have been blessed in trying to present the truth to others; for which I feel to praise the Lord. And I wish to get still nearer the Lord, that I may know more of his power, and be able to bear some humble part in the message. PHILIP STRONG.

Appointments.

And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of Heaven is at hand.

The May Monthly Meeting for St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., will be held in Chases Mills, instead of Norfolk, the 22d, and 23d. The ordinance of baptism will be administered at that time. S. B. WHITNEY. C. O. TAYLOR.

On account of small-pox breaking out in the town of Waterloo, Grant Co., Wis., the Seventh-day Adventist church did not hold their Quarterly Meeting, as was appointed to commence April 24. Therefore we now appoint it to commence June 12, and hold two days as follows: Prayer-meeting Sabbath morning, nine o'clock. Preaching at 11. Recess, and meeting again. Preaching Sunday at 10 A. M., and at 4 P. M. We hope all the scattered ones will make an extra effort to be there. Come praying the Lord to help us to get ready to stand in the Judgment. We especially invite all from Brodville and Tafton to come without fail, and all others who can. I. SANBORN.

Business Department.

Not Slothful in Business. Rom. xii, 11.

Business Notes.

WHO IS IT?—Some one sends us $10.00 “to advance the cause,” without name or address. The envelop was post-marked, Bowne, Mich.

RECEIPTS.

For Review and Herald.

Annexed to each receipt in the following list, is the Volume and Number of the REVIEW & HERALD to which the money receipted pays—which should correspond with the Numbers on the Posters. If money for the paper is not in due time acknowledged immediate notice of the omission should then be given.

$1.00 each. C E Cramer 34-9, S Bon 34-17, Church at Charlotte for H Shafer 34-1, A Shepard 33-10, S A Brundage 33-13, W Martin 33-17, Geo W Brackett 35-20, A G Gilbert 34-23, H Harrington 35-19, A L Ellis 34-16, M A Hiestand 33-9, T J Johnson 35-19, E S Johnson 35-19, E S Robinson 34-20, M Farley 35-19, J R Carlisle 35-1, L B Curtis 35-1, J B Brown 35-19, A F Brown 35-19, F Tucker 35-19, Wm Harrison 35-19, David Ford 35-19, Wm Gall 34-19, H St Clair 34-19, M Aderton 33-15, P G Lord 34-13, M J Clark 35-1, W Greenelee 35-1, J M Witts 34-1.

$2.00 each. J H Morrison 35-18, H Waltzer 35-17, J Carter 35-1, O S Clarke 35-18, Sarah Jackson 35-2, A Hoff 34-1, T Newman 36-20, Mrs D S Crandall 37-1, J M Kilgore 35-19, Margaret Wick 33-1, M Currant 35-13, J Helmer 35-1, Mrs P W Cotrell 33-9, E Stevenson 35-1, J M Palmer 35-15, Kate Beckwith 35-19, I Colcord 35-1, O F Allen 35-8, J M Ferguson 35-12, J Collins 35-1, B F Curtis 35-1, N Hubbard 35-1, E Farrington 35-9, Ross Brown 34-12, R Hardy 34-16, E F Phippeny 34-7, Mrs E Lewis 35-1, Mrs M Clark 35-20.

Miscellaneous. B Morrison $4.00 35-18, O G Hayes 2.25 33-8, Mary Victory 50c 34-19, Margaret Ridges 50c 34-19, Wm L Whitney 50c 34-19, Wm L Jix 3.00 35-9, T Butler 35c 34-15, John Goodwin 4.00 34-1, L M Bodwell 5.00 36-14, E Degarmo 50c 35-15, John Snow 2.50 35-1, W I Gibson 3.20 35-5, Dr H S Lane 50c 34-20.

For Review to the Poor.

D. R. $2.00.

Cash Received on Account.

H L Priest $1.50, C S Clarke 3.50, B F Curtis 3.00.

Michigan Conference Fund.

Church at Vergennes $20.00, Bowne 12.00, Salem Center, Ind., 12.50, Bunker Hill, 10.00, Orange, 25.00.

Books Sent by Mail.

A S Ames 50c, J Carter 25c, Hannah Clough 25c, H P Wakefield $1.00, C J Doty 1.12, Nathan Davis 1.00, A C Kinney 25c, Lucinda Gould 25c, M H Palmer 25c, J M Palmer 25c, Libbie Johnson 25c, H T Crowsell 25c, Z S Robinson 25c, H G Washburn 50c, S J Miller 50c, John Ferguson 12c, Stephen Walker 50c, J M Ferguson 50c, Eld G I Butler 75c, H T Cassidy 25c, Mrs E M Keesey 25c, E P Field 25c, David Ford 20c, Pliny Patten 1.00, T P Finch 20c, A S Hutchins 5.00, Melinda Slayton 25c, W I Gibson 40c, A M Pillsbury 1.00, S O Winslow 50c.

Books Sent by Express.

A Hoenes 664 7th St., Milwaukee, Wis., $5.00.

Shares in Publishing Association.

M M Andrews $10.00, Eld R F Andrews 10.00.

Received on Book and Tract Fund.

L Dahnos $10.00.

Receipts for Benevolent Fund.

John Andrews $10.00, O W Terpening 10.00, J W Andrews 10.00.

For California Mission.

J W Andrews $5.00, “E.” $2.00.

MICHIGAN CENTRAL RAILROAD.

GOING WEST.

LEAVE.	MAIL.	DAY EXP.	EVE. EXP.	NIGHT EX.
Detroit,......	6:35 A.M.	9:00 A.M.	6:00 P.M.	9:30 P.M.
Battle Creek,	12:40 P.M.	1:47 P.M.	11:33 P.M.	2:10 A.M.
Chicago, Arrive,	7:40 P.M.	8:00 P.M.	6:30 A.M.	9:00 A.M.

GOING EAST.

	MAIL.	DAY EXP.	EVE. EXP.	NIGHT EX.
Chicago,......	5:00 A.M.	8:00 A.M.	5:15 P.M.	9:00 P.M.
Battle Creek,	12:08 P.M.	1:47 P.M.	11:33 P.M.	3:10 A.M.
Detroit, Arrive,	6:05 P.M.	6:30 P.M.	3:45 A.M.	8:00 A.M.

THESE trains all run by Chicago time, which is fifteen minutes slower than Detroit time.

California State Gathering

Bro. Loughborough writes under date of April 14: “We have just had a State gathering of Sabbath-keepers in California, and entered into a simple State financial organization of which you have already received a full report. These Californians are desirous to make, as soon as possible, a self-sustaining mission. We think this will soon be done. Our State rally was a success. God was with us by his Spirit. Praise his name. Fifteen were baptized yesterday, eight new ones forward for prayers last night. We hold on here another week before pitching our tent at Santa Rosa, four miles off.”

The Birth of the Spirit

C. L. DAVIS: We believe the birth of the Spirit, John iii, 5, to take place at the time when our mortal bodies are to be quickened by the Spirit that dwelleth in us, Rom. viii, 11; that is, at the first resurrection.

Milk Sent to the Cheese Factory

By A. H. Robinson

A. H. ROBINSON: If the milk is taken from your premises to the cheese-factory before the Sabbath, we do not see how it would be a violation of the Sabbath on your part, if made up by others on that day, any more than in many other branches of business, where it is hardly possible to avoid the performance of labor on the Sabbath, for our benefit, by those who do not observe the day.

Employers Who Observe the Seventh Day

E. S.: Most families are willing to dispense with all work which can be performed on some other day, in favor of help who observe the seventh-day. If a family is not willing to do this, it would be our advice to decline to work for such family.

MORE SABBATH-KEEPERS.—

In the days of Elijah, God told the prophet that he reserved to himself seven thousand who had not bowed the knee to Baal, when the prophet thought that he was the only one who remained true to the God of Heaven. So there are in the world at the present time, probably, many more observers of the true Sabbath than we have any idea of. Items are occasionally coming to the surface, which show this. A short paragraph in the N. Y. Semi-weekly Tribune of May 4, 1869, reveals the fact that such Christians exist in Siberia, in addition to others of which we have before heard. It says:

There is a sect of Greek Christians in Siberia who keep the Jewish Sabbath (Saturday). Such sects already exist in the United States, in Germany, and we believe, in England.

The reader will recollect what was published a few weeks since respecting Sabbath-keepers in Hungary.