There is no time more favorable for Tract and Missionary labor than the present. Long, winter evenings have come, and fall work is being closed up, so that people are having more time to read. These golden moments should be seized upon by the members of the Tract and Missionary Societies, and they see what, by the blessing of God, can be accomplished in enlisting the interests of our neighbors and friends in these truths that relate to the time in which we live. Special efforts should be made to extend the circulation of our periodicals. The Review and Herald we think the best religious paper in the land, and it can be had on a trial trip of six months for only fifty cents. Who is there among us but that has some friends who would become interested in it were they acquainted with its contents, and who would read the paper if their attention was properly called to it?
We do not propose to send it without giving any notice to the receiver; but should first converse with them about it, showing them the paper and suggesting that you propose to send it to them six months on trial, which will give them ample time to learn something of its character for themselves, and that then they can act their own pleasure about subscribing for it. Those sending it to friends should look after it, and if, at the expiration of the time for which it has been sent, they have no interest to subscribe for it, should see that it is stopped.
It is a mortification to those thus receiving a religious paper, six months or a year afterward, to receive a bill from the Tract Societies requesting pay for it when they never subscribed for it, and have no special interest in it; and it is not just the thing for the Tract Society to pay this sum; therefore, hereafter, in New England, we design in every such case to call on the one that sent the paper to pay arrearages. We think this is just and right. But those in New England,207who wish to act in harmony with the plan adopted at our annual meeting at New Ipswich, in November, the Society in that case will attend to it.
We expect that more of an effort will be put forth by our brethren and sisters this coming year than ever before, in obtaining subscribers for our periodicals, and judiciously distributing our publications. If we wait for an impelling power to come upon us and carry us through in this work, we shall, in the end, find ourselves fatally mistaken. The importance of the truth, and the interest we have in its advancement, should, while we see so much to be done, inspire us in the fear of God to put forth an effort to help forward this cause. Here is a field of labor, in which all can do something. Let the closet first be visited, and the heart become deeply imbued with the Spirit of God, then, with a tender heart, visit your neighbors and friends, ever remembering that while there are wayside hearers, and those represented as seed sown among thorns, and where there is no depth of earth, there is also good soil; and whenever the seed falls into it, it will bring forth fruit; not because there is virtue in us, but because the seed is the word of God, and the heart is in a condition to receive it.
We earnestly recommend systematic action in this matter, so that there may be no injudicious and extreme moves made. The benefit of each other's experience is much needed in this work, and to this end the quarterly meetings are peculiarly beneficial. We should become efficient and skillful workmen in these matters. There are none of us but what can improve so as to be more successful than we now are in Tract and Missionary labor. The work calls for consecrated hearts, sanctified judgments, that not only something may be done, but that which is done, be done in a manner that concerning it it may be said, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”
S. N. Haskell.
BE IN EARNEST,
By Mary A. Davis
Be in earnest; time is fleeting,
Soon it will be closed for aye.
Soon thou'lt yield the talents given;
Soon will dawn the eternal day.
Be in earnest; earth is fading,
All its flowers bloom to decay;
Seek a treasure fadeless ever,
Oh! secure it while ye may.
Jesus soon will call his loved ones
To their everlasting home;
There to dwell with him forever,
Be in earnest while there's room.
Strive to gain the rest that's promised,
E'en on the Paradise of God,
Where no death nor sin can enter,
Would you share that blest abode?
Be in earnest; darkly lowers,
Even now the pall of gloom.
Though earth's myriads still are heedless,
They must soon receive their doom.
Be in earnest; light is breaking
On the pilgrim's lonely way.
Lo! the morning star is shining,
Welcome, herald of the day.
Then press on! press onward ever,
Pause not, rest not by the way.
Soon you'll join the pure and holy,
In the realms of fadeless day.
MARY A. DAVIS.
North Woodstock.
By P. C. Rodman
HAVE been lecturing, and calling on the people, since my last report. Five or six are keeping the Sabbath now; others are convicted, and I hope some of them will obey and be true Christians.
Expect to remain here one more week. Shall then look for a place to lecture near by, so that I may be with them here on the Sabbath for a few weeks.
I am persuaded that my brethren are praying for me. Dear brethren and sisters, hope you will still remember us in your prayers.
P. C. RODMAN.
N. H., Nov. 25, 1872.
Since the above was in type, we have received the following additional report:
People here continue to come and hear the truth, but are very slow to decide. Seven have decided to keep the Sabbath, but one was a school teacher, and belonged in Thornton, ten miles from here. Her school has closed, and she has gone home. Another, a man sixty-five or seventy, not a permanent resident, has gone to Franconia, a town north, so that we only have five left; but others are investigating, and we hope some of them will obey soon. Pray for us, that wisdom may direct us, and that those gone to other towns may help to spread the light by being true to their convictions of truth and duty. Several have left the use of tobacco, who are not yet keeping the Sabbath.
Have obtained six subscribers for Reformer, four for Instructor, and two for Review. The people are poor. Sold a few books, and have given away some.
P. C. R.
The Law of God.
By Albert Weeks
How much we need the rule of action God has given us, it being a perfect law. That anarchy would be the result of each individual's following the inclination of his own mind, is evident to all thoughtful minds. The acknowledged necessity of law results in the law of the land; but as none are free from the imperfections of our race, that law that is enacted by man is at best imperfect. The necessity, then, of having a law given by a Being who is not subject to our imperfections, is apparent.
In the ten commandments, given by God's own voice, we have a law in every respect worthy of the expression of the psalmist: “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.” Ps. 19: 7. That the law here referred to, that converts the soul, is the ten commandments, we find by a reference to Rom. 7: 12, where Paul says, The law is holy, and a particular commandment is holy, just, and good. The particular commandment to which our attention is called is the one that says, “Thou shalt not covet.” See verse 7. Then the law which Paul calls “holy” is the one that contains the commandment that converted him.
Our Saviour, when the young man asked him what he should do that he might have eternal life, replied, “Keep the commandments.” When asked, “Which?” our Saviour quoted those that the young man thought he had kept from his youth up. To show him that he had not in reality kept those commandments which point out our duty to our fellows, and when obeyed are but an expression of the love upon which they hang, he says, “If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor.” Matt. 19: 21. He had great possessions. Out of his abundance, he had nothing for the needy. Virtually, he was stealing from the poor. Thus our Saviour disproved his words: “All these things have I kept from my youth up.”
It seems strange that any Bible student should believe the moral law abolished. Nevertheless it is a fact that some, when they are proved to be transgressors of the law, instead of letting the law slay them, make an effort to slay the law.
I am glad that the above is not expressive of the faith of the denominations of our land as a body. The Bible Dictionary of the American Tract Society expresses that faith as follows:—
“The moral law, Deut. 5: 22; Matt. 5: 17, 18; Luke 10: 26, 27, is more important than the others, from its bearings on human salvation. It was written by the Creator, on the conscience of man, and sin has never fully erased it. Rom. 1: 19; 2: 12–15. It was more fully taught to the Hebrews, especially at Mount Sinai, in the ten commandments, and is summed up by Christ as loving God supremely and our neighbor as ourselves. Matt. 22: 37–40. It was the offspring of love to man, Rom. 7: 10, 12; required perfect obedience, Gal. 3: 10; Jas. 2: 10; and is of universal and perpetual obligation. Christ confirmed and enforced it, Matt. 5: 17–20, showing its demand of holiness in the heart, applying it to a variety of cases, and supplying new motives to obedience, by revealing Heaven and hell more clearly, and the gracious guidance of the Holy Spirit. Some have argued from certain passages of Scripture that this law is no longer binding upon Christians; that they ‘are not under the law, but under grace,’ Rom. 6: 14, 15; 7: 4, 6; Gal. 3: 13, 25; 5: 18; and the perversion of these passages leads men to sin and perish because grace abounds. Rightly understood, they harmonize with the declarations of the Saviour in Matt. 5: 17: [‘Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets; I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.’] To the soul that is in Christ, the law is no longer the arbiter of his doom; yet it still comes to him as the divinely appointed teacher of that will of God in which he now delights.”
May we all use the law of God as a mirror in which to see our sins. If we put away our sins, continuing to look into the perfect law of liberty, we shall be rewarded. In fact, if we keep God’s commandments, it is the best of evidence that we love him. 1 John 5: 2, 3.
ALBERT WEEKS.
Quarterly Meetings in California
Appointments.
And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of Heaven is at hand.
Quarterly Meetings in California.
PROVIDENCE permitting, Bro. and sister White will attend quarterly meetings in California, as follows:
Bloomfield, Sabbath and first-day, Dec. 21, 22.
Petaluma, Jan. 4, 5, 1873.
Healdsburg, 18, 19. “
For the present, the brethren and sisters of Green Valley are requested to attend at the other quarterly meetings as convenient.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
WHITE school-house, Burns, Wis., Saturday and Sunday eve, Dec. 28, 29, 1872.
Liberty Pole, Wis., Jan. 1, 1873. Meetings to continue four evenings. Brethren and sisters from a distance are invited to attend.
Mount Hope, Wednesday eve, Jan. 8, 1873. Meetings to commence at 7 o’clock each evening.
Waterloo, Friday and Saturday evening, Jan. 24, 25, 1873. DAVID DOWNER.
QUARTERLY meeting in R. I. at Curtis Corner, Sabbath and first-day, Dec. 21 and 22. There will also be a meeting of the T. and M. Society of District No. 1. This District embraces R. I. and Conn.
JABEZ C. TUCKER.
QUARTERLY meeting for the churches of Lapeer, Holly, Oakland, Memphis, Greenwood, Smith’s Creek and Almont, at Lapeer, Jan. 4, 5, 1873.
Ministerial help may be relied upon, as several of our preaching brethren are near by. We hope for a general attendance at this meeting. Make the sacrifice, friends, and come praying that we may have the blessing of the Lord upon us. WM. POTTER.
MONTHLY meeting for Cattaraugus and Chautauque Cos., N. Y., will be held at Randolph the third Sabbath and first-day in December. We hope to see a good turnout. A general invitation is extended. There will be teams at the station on Friday at 11 o’clock A. M. S. THURSTON.
MONTHLY meeting with the church in Cornville, Me., Dec. 21 and 22, commencing Friday evening at 6½ o’clock. We wish to see a general gathering of the friends of the cause. We hope all will come at the commencement of the meeting, and stop until its close. Let each come having a mind to work.
J. B. GOODRICH.
Gridley, Ill. Dec. 13–18.
Iroquois Co., “ 20–26.
(Where Bro. W. C. Price may appoint.) We hope to see all the friends of the cause in Iroquois County at this meeting.
Pontiac, Dec. 27–31.
Otter Creek, “ Jan. 1–5.
Vermillionville, “ 3–7.
Sereena, “ 8–13.
We are anxious for a general attendance of all the friends of the cause within the limits of the above meetings. We expect to give attention to the Tract and Missionary Society, and other important matters.
R. F. ANDREWS.
P. S. As our Conference is very much embarrassed on account of means, we expect our brethren will make their calculations to settle up all arrearages on their S. B., and, if possible, three months in advance, at these meetings.
R. F. A.
2d District at East Charleston, Vt., Dec. 14, 15.
3d “ “ Wolcott, “ 21, 22.
4th “ “ Bristol, “ 28, 29.
5th “ “ Jamaica, Jan. 4, 5.
The agents of the several churches should be prepared to report the working of the Society in the churches that they represent, at the quarterly meeting for the district to which they respectively belong.
While attending these meetings I will also meet the brethren at Sutton, Dec. 18; Johnstown, Dec. 24; and Andover, Jan. 1. Meetings to commence at 6½ P. M. except Sabbath and Sunday. Shall we not make up our minds to work for God, and to make a clean work in paying our Systematic Benevolence up to Jan. 1, 1873, at these meetings?
A. C. BOURDEAU.
The meeting for the scattered friends of Iroquois Co. (noticed by Bro. Andrews in this week’s REVIEW) will be held at Danforth Station, four miles north of Gillman, Dec. 20–26.
We invite all the friends to come praying that God will meet with us. Our monthly meeting here for the second Sabbath is postponed until Bro. Andrews comes.
WM. E. PRICE.
QUARTERLY meeting at Kibbeville, Ulysses, Potter Co., Pa., Dec. 28 and 29. All the members of the T. and M. Society of this church attend. Brethren from other churches are invited to attend. Can some one attend to speak on the occasion?
A. D. GALUTIA, Clerk.
Trial Volume of Review.
By James White
The first number of volume 41, which is to be the trial volume, will bear date of December 17, 1872. The time for its commencement is right at hand. The friends who wish to help us send this volume to 20,000 who do not now take the Review, should act immediately. Order it for your numerous friends at once. Do not wait until we have printed several numbers.
We shall commence the volume with a series of articles designed for that volume. We now design to occupy the first two or three pages of each number with the reasons of our faith and hope. Mrs. White designs to give a page of each paper suited to the reading public. We shall also look for a special effort to make the volume very excellent by all our contributors.
Now is your time, brethren and sisters, to get the truth before your friends. JAMES WHITE.
San Francisco, Cal., 940 Howard St., Nov. 29, 1872.
One Thousand Wanted.
By James White
The number of regular subscribers to the Danish Monthly, the Advent Tidende, is not sufficient to meet expenses, and it will require $1000 to make up the deficiency for 1872 and 1873. The friends are invited to promptly make up this sum. We will give $20, Mrs. White $10. James White.
William Miller.
By Editor
THE position of Seventh-day Adventists relative to the past advent movement, and William Miller's connection with that movement, make it highly proper that we should at this stage of the work publish his life and views to the world, that the public may see him, his scriptural views, his faithful labors, and his godly life, in a true light.
We, therefore, design to give sketches of his life and writings in each number of Volume 41 of the REVIEW AND HERALD. Any facts, from any source, relative to his life, and any important articles from his pen, in papers, books, and in manuscript, not given in his Memoir, will be very thankfully received.
Our sacred regard for the work of God in the past second advent movement, and the love we cherish for the memory of the man whom God used in instituting that movement, will make our task of doing him justice before the people a very pleasant one.
We do not say that Wm. Miller was a Seventh-day Adventist. His faithful labors were closed by his decease before our specific message had begun to be felt, and to command especial attention. God led him in the great second advent question, to accomplish a specific work. The discussion of the immortality and Sabbath questions was evidently left for others.
Address, Eld. James White, San Francisco, Cal., 940 Howard Street.
Wanted.
Two copies of each of the following works:
Memoir of Wm. Miller, Advent Shield (paper covers as good as bound), F. S. Brown's Experience, Cook's Solemn Appeal.
Elds. S. N. Haskell and J. N. Andrews, of Lancaster, Mass., will please obtain them, and forward them to Eld. James White, San Francisco, Cal., 940 Howard Street. Second-hand copies, if complete, as good as any.
To the Directors of the Mich. Tract Society.
By E. H. Root
As I shall not be able to travel for some time to come, you had better give notice for the tract and quarterly meetings in your several districts yourselves, as you can suit the convenience of the brethren in your locality best. Also, we hope the agents in the different localities will see that all delinquents pay before the first of January, 1873.
E. H. Root.
Books! Books!
The following list of books we offer for sale for the especial benefit of those who wish to purchase holiday gifts for their friends. We offer none but what, on examination, have been found to be the best of this class of books, and comparatively free from popular theological errors. We offer them at publisher’s prices, post-paid:
The Great Reformation, by Martin, 5 Vols., $7.00
D’Aubigné’s History of the Reformation,
5 Vols., 4.50
Cruden’s Concordance, sheep, 2.00
“ “ muslin, 1.50
Bible Dictionary, sheep, 2.00
“ “ muslin, 1.50
The Old Red House, 1.50
Earthen Vessels, 1.50
Losses and gains, 1.50
The Court and Camp of David, 1.50
Pilgrim’s Progress, large type, 1.25
Biography of George Whitefield, 1.25
History of English Puritans, 1.25
Story of a Pocket Bible, 1.25
Captain Russell’s Watchword, 1.25
The Upward Path, 1.25
Ellen Dacre, 1.25
The Brother’s Choice, 1.15
Climbing the Mountain, 1.15
Two Books, 1.15
Awakening of Italy, 1.00
Hannah More, or Life in Hall and Cottage, 1.00
White Foreigners, 1.00
Lady Huntington, 1.00
Paul Venner, 1.00
Among the Alps, 1.00
Young Man’s Counselor, 1.00
Young Lady’s Counselor, 1.00
Poems of Home Life, .80
Nuts for Boys to Crack, .80
Edith Somers, .80
Songs for Little Ones, .60
Pilgrim’s Progress, .60
Bertie’s Birthday Present, .60
Memoir of Dr. Payson, .60
Mirage of Life, .60
Huguenots of France, .50
The Boy Patriot, .50
Springtime of Life, .50
May Coverly, .50
Glen Cabin, .50
The Old, Old Story, cloth, gilt, .50
Poems by Rebekah Smith, .50
Charlotte Elizabeth, .40
Save the Erring, .40
Blanche Gamond, .40
My Brother Ben, .40
Hannah’s Path, .35
Star of Bethlehem, .35
Father’s Letters to a Daughter, .30
Bible Stories, .20
Christian Use of Money, .20
Children of the Bible, .20
THE P. O. address of Eld. James White is, until further notice, 940 Howard street, San Francisco, Cal.
THE P. O. address of Chas. A. Russell, is Plainwell, Allegan Co., 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 received pays—which should correspond with the Numbers on the Posters. If money to the paper is not in due time acknowledged, immediate notice of the omission should then be given.
$2.00 EACH. R S Webber 41-1, R A Umberhind 42-4, Isaac Andrus 42-13, Mrs A F Moe 42-12, James Ferrell 42-14, Carrie Ager 40-1, Mrs M J Bartlett 43-1, Wm B Hill 42-26, W W Putnam 42-16, J W Raymond 41-20, A G Hutchins 42-16, G Emmans 43-1, N Raymond 43-1, E A Poole 42-18, J T Richards 44-16, J H Bedford 43-1, Mrs H Beech 42-13, W H Edson 42-1, P Miller Jr 41-1, Russell Hoag 42-1, Henry Main 42-23, J Hebner 43-1, S A Kelsea 42-1, Rusha Evans 43-8, S J Miller 41-10, J A Hamilton 42-7, Wm Van Gieson 43-1, M J Clarke 43-2, S A Street 41-14, M A Dickens 43-1, Freeman Nichols 43-1, Geo Penfield 43-1, E Farrington 43-9, Jane Shorey 44-1, B Salisbury 43-1, R D Guild 42-10, James Breeden 42-11, Frederick Kettle 43-1, J P Zirkle 43-1, T Douglas 42-1, Mrs F Winchell 41-13, Carl Zwerman 42-26, I D Cramer 42-1, J Roushey 42-14, Robert Morton 43-20.
$1.50 EACH. W Brisbin 40-26, John Long 42-26, J C Revell 41-1, Louisa Hoxie 42-26, Sophia L Irish 40-1, Asa Hayes 42-14, H F States 42-12, F J Goodrich 39-14.
$1.00 EACH. John W Welton 42-1, Rosins French 41-26, Dr W J Mills 42-1, S Simonds 42-1, Mary A Beasley 42-1, T T Wheeler 41-9, Geo L Ashley 41-19, C M Nichols 41-1, L Martin 42-1, Jos Eaton 42-9, Emily Shively 42-26, Mary C Hodges 41-22, Hannah Smith 42-6.
MISCELLANEOUS. Julius Jacobson $3.00 40-25, Louisa Baker 5.00 43-1, E S Huntley 5.00 42-1, Sarah H Sweeney 50c 41-14, Mary E Terry 3.00 42-1, Mary J Dyar 50c 40-22, Henry Young 2.25 43-1, E A Belknap 4.00 43-3, S Thurston 50c 40-13, E E Jones 5.00 40-1, Willis R Chase 3.00 42-1, M W Neale 60c 42-6, Jane Demann 3.00 42-12.
Books Sent by Mail.
Daniel Bowe $1.00, Hamilton Resor 26c, S H Burlingham 20c, Bina R Jones 1.50, M W Steere 40c, E B Lane 84c, Nahum Orcutt 1.00, Mrs Francis Perry 4.40, Lucy H Winslow 25c, Noah B Hovey 25c, Fred Simonsen 25c, F Bummer 75c, P F Page 20c, S S Rizen 15c, S J Seibert 1.00, M A Reed 65c, Rufus Baker 2.50, L A Bramhall 35c, C A Hedengran 60c, Armsted Shumate 25c, T T Kendall 25c, Jane C Sheeley 1.15, R K Shoutz 31c, Harriet Everts 50c.
Books Sent by Express.
Geo. I. Butler, Winston, Mo., Via C. R. I. & P. R. R. from Chicago, $39.49. R. F. Cottrell, Medina, N. Y. 4.25. A. C. Bourdeau, Bordoville, Vt., 24.38. H. M. Kenyon, Almont, Lapeer Co., Mich., 3.87. J. Shively, Woodburn, Clarke Co., Iowa, 54.36.
Michigan Camp-meeting Fund.
Mrs Nathan Smith $1.00, S Rumsey 1.00.
General Conference Fund.
I D Cramer $1.00, Church at Olcott, N. Y. 100.00.
Michigan Conference Fund.
Church at Watrousville $5.20, Burlington 25.00.
Shares in S. D. A. Assoc.
Miss Matilda Hamilton $10.00, Isaac V Wible 10.00.
Donations for Advent Tidende.
James White $20.00, Ellen G White 10.00.
Shares in Health Institute.
F T Wales $25.00, Lucinda Wales 25.00.
Review to the Poor.
F L $1.00, M W 2.00, Jane Shorey 6.50.
Cash Received on Account.
Nahum Orcutt $10.60, R F Cottrell 4.25, J B Goodrich 17.30.
HYGIENIC BOOK FUND.
$40.00 EACH. Church at Olcott.
$5.00 EACH. A Graham.
$2.00 EACH. Richard Sisley.
The Review and Herald.
TERMS:
If paid in advance, ........................................ $2.00 a year.
If not paid in three months, ............................. $2.50 a year.
When ordered by others for the poor, .................... $1.50 a year.
One volume of 26 numbers on trial, ........................ 75 cts.
One volume “ “ sent to friends on trial, ................. 50 cts.