After careful consideration, it is decided to withdraw the appointment for camp-meeting for New York, Sept. 18-23. Our reasons for doing this are as follows:—
1. This date is so late that we could hardly expect suitable weather for holding a camp-meeting in the northern part of the State. Should the weather be wet and cold, as it is very likely to be, the attendance of the brethren would be small, while the outside interest would, as a matter of course, be but very little. Thus the main objects of the meeting would be lost.
2. It is highly important that our coming Conference should be well attended by delegates from all parts of the State; but the location of the fall meeting would make it very difficult to secure such attendance, it being so far removed from the central part of the State. A general meeting in the month of October, at Rome, N. Y., would doubtless secure a larger attendance of our people, and a much more general representation of our churches.
3. Owing to the largely increased expenses of our Conference operations during the present season in purchasing and running so many new tents, together with the financial embarrassment of our T. and M. society, the brethren feel hardly able to meet the expenses of a camp-meeting, which would be quite heavy if held on the same ground as last year, and still greater were we to change to a new ground.
4. Our large tent is so badly mildewed as to be unfit for use, and so would not furnish a suitable protection from the wet weather so liable to occur at this season of the year.
For these reasons, and others that might be named, we conclude to withdraw the appointment for camp-meeting, and suggest that in its place there be held two general meetings: the first at Wellsville, N. Y., the second Sabbath in October; the second to be held at Rome, commencing the Tuesday following and continuing over the following Sabbath; and that in connection with this second meeting our annual Conference and the annual meeting of our T. and M. society be held. This will give more time for the transaction of the business of these two meetings than could be secured at a camp-meeting, and this time will certainly be needed.
It is expected that Sr. White will attend these meetings.
Definite appointments for them will be made in due season.
N. Y. AND PA. CONF. COM.
WHAT DO YOU CALL IT?
By E. R. Jones
CALL what? The Sabbath of the fourth commandment.
“We call it ‘the old Jewish Sabbath,’ of course.”
But do you not know that the applying of improper means to persons or things is wrong, and that when the feelings of the heart are bitterness and enmity, the calling of an institution of God by a name of contempt or reproach is downright wickedness? Well, it is. When your attention was called to the Sabbath, and the observance of God’s holy day was pressed home upon you, in your determination not to obey, did you not call it, “The old Jewish Sabbath”?
Why did you do this? What were the feelings of your heart? Was it a real love for God and the honor of his name, a delight in the law of God after the inward man, Rom. 7:22, that led you thus to do? Ah, think again. God sees your heart. He understands it all. Was it not rather because of that carnal mind in you which is enmity against God, and is not subject to his law? Rom. 8:7.
In his word, God has said that it “is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God.” Christ said that he is its Lord. Mark 2:28. It is the Sabbath of the Lord Jesus, and we greatly dishonor the dear Saviour when we call it by a name of contempt.
Let us read what the Lord has said in his word that we should call it. “If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable.” Isa. 58:13, 14. Here he tells us what to call it. The old Jewish Sabbath, and a yoke of bondage? No, indeed. Call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable. He has further said if we do this we shall honor him; and if we also observe it as he has instructed us in this same scripture, the unfailing promise of the God of the Sabbath is, “Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord.” Precious promise!
Dear reader, may this delight in the Lord be yours.
E. R. JONES.
THE WORLD SHALL HEAR THE NEWS.
By R. F. Cottrell
The last message of the everlasting gospel is going “into all the earth, and its words unto the end of the world.” I have just been reading in Review of Aug. 22, of the first decade of the work on the Pacific slope. God has blessed the efforts of his people wonderfully, both in our own and in foreign countries. The nations of the Old World are hearing the truth. Every lover of God and the present truth has reason to rejoice, and take courage to labor on in this blessed and glorious cause. It moves with constantly accelerating velocity. As Bro. Loughborough suggests, during the next two years more may be accomplished than has been done during the ten last past. Who does not want to have a part in this work?
Well, the Lord has provided a way for us all to work. We have, by his providence, a system. The tract and missionary society gives each the opportunity to labor; and by this systematic labor much has already been done—much more than would have been done without a system. But it should have done much more; and it not only should in the past, but must and will in the future, do a mighty work in saving souls. By united and systematic effort much more can be done, than without a system.
Now if any are dissatisfied with our system, it is not enough merely to find fault; but they should devise a better. If the system is right, and there is a failure in working it out, instead of drawing off and going upon their own individual responsibility alone, they should take hold and help with all their might to work out the system.
Brethren, it is a great privilege to have a part in the present work of the Lord. Let us work while the day lasts. Oh, what will it be to hear the “Well done”! R. F. COTTRELL.
THE MICHIGAN CAMP-MEETING AT ORION.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
This meeting has been appointed for the special benefit of our people in North-eastern Michigan. The Battle Creek camp-meeting will be so far away that many of these friends would not attend. Then it will be so large that the advantages will not be so great for those who do attend as they will be at a smaller meeting. There will be no official business to attend to at the Orion meeting. All the time will be occupied in religious meetings.
All can see, therefore, that this is the meeting where they can enjoy the greatest spiritual advantages. This will be the only meeting of the kind which you can enjoy for another whole year. Hence we earnestly appeal to our people in that section of the State to make a zealous effort to come to this meeting. We expect our people to attend from the counties of Oakland, Macomb, St. Clair, Tuscola, Wayne, Genesee, Shiawassee, Saginaw, Sanilac, and Bay.
Bring your children, and unconverted and backslidden friends. A special effort will be made to reach them.
Several of our experienced ministers are expected to attend. I hope to be there also, and to see a good delegation of old friends.
D. M. CANRIGHT.
IOWA
Labor with the Churches.
I LABORED with Bro. Washburn at Garden Grove one week, Aug. 1-7, assisting him in starting a tent-meeting there. I left a good interest in many respects. Bro. Miller joined him the day after I left.
I spent Sabbath and Sunday, Aug. 10 and 11, with the church at Alton. Our meetings were quite good. I believe this church is trying to walk in the counsel of God. Quite a number have united with them the past few months, and we expect others will soon.
Monday, the twelfth, I went down to Platt township, where Bro. DeBord labored last winter. Here I found eight or ten keeping the Sabbath, most of them as the result of Bro. DeBord's labor. We labored one week with them, and endeavored to impress upon their minds the importance and sacredness of the truth, and its sanctifying influence upon the heart. We believe if these dear souls live out the truth, they will gather out a good church in their neighborhood.
Tuesday, the 20th, I commenced meetings in Indianola. I found this little company faithful to the cause. Nearly all that came into the truth last summer are still persevering, and the influence was very much in favor of the truth. Wednesday evening our hall was nearly full of interested hearers.
We had expected to remain here through the week, and to organize a church; but unexpectedly we were called East to attend the camp-meetings, so we closed our meetings Wednesday evening. The people were much disappointed, and we were sorry to leave them; but we believe God has a care for the little flock in Indianola.
E. W. FARNSWORTH.
Battle Creek, Aug. 26.
Carlisle, Aug. 30.
THE interest here is still good. The Sabbath question is fairly canvassed. The Methodist minister preached against the Sabbath, but was promptly reviewed by Bro. Morrison. Our old adversary of Winterset is coming next Sunday as an opposer of the truth. We shall remain as long as the interest seems to demand. The prospect at present is not very flattering.
T. A. KILGORE.
Garden Grove, Aug. 27.
OUR tent has been pitched in this place nearly four weeks. We have quite thoroughly canvassed the prophecies, the Sabbath, the immortality question, and the endless punishment of the wicked. Several have commenced to keep the Sabbath, and we have reason to hope for others. The interest has been good, notwithstanding some opposition, and it is still increasing.
C. A. WASHBURN. M. MILLER.
Bonaparte, Aug. 30.
FOR the past four days we have been engaged in debate with Rev. Hennigh, Presbyterian minister, on the Sabbath and life and death questions. Mr. H. is an elderly man who has been preaching thirty-six years, and is fluent in Hebrew, Greek, German, etc. He was selected as their champion by the ministers of this place, and I was challenged to meet him in discussion. One day more will close the discussion, but we can now see the end easily.
Our opponent proved to be tricky, abusive, and full of self-esteem; but we took the precaution to forestall him by rules and by properly framing the propositions, so that with bit and spur we managed quite easily. Truth has gained a decided victory,87which is accorded by nine out of ten who have heard. At the close of the first proposition, we asked those in the audience (400) who believed in the orthodox hell to arise, when just one man arose. Mr. H. took many novel and contradictory positions, which we will try to report next week.
A contribution of $6.50 was taken up by the audience for us last night. We confidently hope for a score of good souls here. We close in a week.
L. McCOY.
WISCONSIN
Clintonville, Aug. 30.
Have spoken eight times. The interest is good. The opposition at first became disorderly, and afterward tried church sociables and fairs; but “they that be for us are more than they that be against us,” and last night the chapel was filled with the best citizens of the village to listen to a discourse on the law. A few are stirred in their hearts.
S. S. Smith.
NEW YORK AND PENNSYLVANIA.
Tent No. 2, Newfane, N. Y., Aug. 28.
Closed our meetings in the tent Sunday eve, with a full tent. Two more were baptized in the afternoon. The brethren have engaged a hall for Sabbath and Tuesday evening meetings, till they get a better place. Held our first meeting there last evening.
S. B. Whitney.
Sinclairville, Chautauqua Co., N. Y.
During the week the attendance has increased. To-day, Sabbath, Aug. 24, we have had a large gathering and an excellent meeting. Melting, heartfelt testimonies came in quick succession, as one after another expressed gratitude to God for a knowledge of the truth, and a determination to endeavor to live it out faithfully. After meeting three were baptized.
When we pitched the tent here, there was not a Sabbath-keeper within miles, and very few had ever heard of our people. Twenty-six adults have embraced the truth; they have hired, paying rent in advance, a handsomely furnished public hall, where their regular meetings will be held. Bro. Frank Hall, our efficient tent master, has obtained seven more subscribers for the REVIEW.
Aug. 26.—There are many who acknowledge the truth, who, we believe, will yet join this company. The interest here is deeper now than it has been at any previous time. Under these circumstances, we take the tent to-day to East Gerry, four miles east, notwithstanding its leaky condition, and the need there is that we take time to provide a home for scattered loved ones ere winter sets in; but “Jehovah Jireh.” Have by request preached at a school-house there three times, and a good interest has resulted. Laboring there, we can each Sabbath help the work here. Truly we have occasion to exclaim, “The Lord is good.”
Our post-office address will be Vermont, Chaut. Co., N. Y.
Chas. B. Reynolds.
Tent No. 8, Osceola, Pa., Aug. 23.
The opposition discourse by the Presbyterian minister, spoken of in our last report, has been delivered. The Elder repeated the promise, that he would prove from the Scriptures the change of the Sabbath, and make it so clear that they could not avoid seeing it. He then proceeded with a mixture of Scripture references (which he read from the Concordance), assertions, and slang. As the minister is a man of acknowledged ability and learning, there was a general feeling of disappointment because of the weakness and unchristian character of his effort.
After the discourse, he announced that he would speak in the evening on the near coming of Christ, and answer the question whether those who teach it are sages, knaves, or fools. He advised his hearers to keep on plowing and sowing, and not give away their property as Adventists did in 1843. Bro. Raymond was present and took notes. Notwithstanding this meeting, the tent was well filled with an attentive congregation. These two discourses were reviewed in the tent, and the truth triumphantly vindicated before larger congregations than we have before had. The Elder’s course caused a general feeling of indignation, won for us much sympathy, and helped our cause greatly. Nearly a dozen have taken a stand for the Sabbath, and many more give fair promise of doing so soon. We ask the prayers of God’s people, that he will bless our labors.
D. T. Fero.
Tent No. 5, Lansingville, N. Y., Aug. 29.
This place is three miles from Ludlowville. It consists of a post-office, hotel, and church, surrounded by a rich farming community. Religious feeling seems to be nearly dead, and it is very difficult to waken an interest in the present truth. There has, however, been a great interest in some of the subjects, especially the exposé of Spiritism, and we hope for fruit from this effort.
The work goes on well at Ludlowville. Thirteen are now observing the Sabbath, several of whom desire baptism.
Geo. D. Ballou.
J. E. Robinson.
Tent No. 4, Mannsville, N. Y., Aug. 26.
The interest near Mannsville is still good. We are nearly through with the Sabbath question, and some have taken a stand with us, while others are waiting, for some of whom we have strong hopes.
Last Sabbath, brethren and sisters from Adams Center and Mannsville cheered and encouraged us by their presence and testimonies, and we were all cheered and encouraged by the presence of Bro. C. H. Williams, who has recently embraced the third angel’s message. In the afternoon, by invitation, he spoke to us from Gen. 3:21. He is rejoicing in the truth and is of good courage in the Lord. We shall continue meetings in the tent till about Sept. 10, and then labor in adjoining districts as the Lord may direct.
M. H. Brown.
H. H. Wilcox.
ILLINOIS
DuQuoin, Aug. 26.
WE closed our labors in this place last evening. The tent was crowded, and excellent attention was given as we presented a synopsis of the discourses delivered here during the past seven weeks. Thus we close with a good congregation, a good interest, and a good feeling on the part of the most of our hearers.
We leave many friends here. Thirty or more have promised to keep the Sabbath; twenty-three, I believe, have signed the covenant, and others will when it is presented to them. We have appointed a prayer and social meeting to be held on the Sabbath in our absence.
About one-half of these converts were not professors. A part, however, have been efficient workers in other churches. As they take hold of this work with some energy, we hope for a good, strong church.
There are many good openings for labor around here, and either Bro. O. or myself will perhaps return at the close of our camp-meeting. C. H. Bliss.
Belvidere, Aug. 26.
WE closed our meetings here Sunday evening, the 25th inst. The interest is higher now than it has been before. Our meeting on Sabbath was most encouraging. We have hopes that a good church will be raised up.
Our tent was needed for the camp-meeting, else we should not have left. We have arranged to come back immediately after camp-meeting, and finish up the work. We leave many warm friends here. May the Lord bless them, and lead them to love and serve him.
Brethren, pray for the work here.
R. F. Andrews.
ALABAMA
By A. O. Burrill
Atalla, Aug. 26.
It seems almost impossible for the people to break away from the net-work of tradition and superstition which has so long encircled them. We have been here two months. The desire to hear is as great as ever, all are kind to us, yet only twelve have signed the covenant; a few more are keeping the Sabbath. Nearly enough has been subscribed to build a plain, well-finished meeting-house, and we hope to see it completed before January.
Our tent master has the typhoid fever. This will make it necessary for us to remain here some time. The weather continues warm. The yellow fever has appeared both north and south of us, but has not manifested itself in Atalla. We are laboring each day to the extent of our strength.
Pray for us, brethren, the battle goes hard.
A. O. BURRILL.
THE SABBATH.
By Eliza H. Morton
O’er all the earth, in “days of old,”
A holy calm there fell;
A Sabbath sweet! A world at rest!
Its glory who can tell?
O’er all the earth, in days to come,
A Sabbath will be known,
When Jesus reigns as King below,
And sits on David’s throne.
O blessed day! O joyful rest!
My heart cries out for thee;
All flesh shall worship Zion’s King
And endless glory see.
ELIZA H. MORTON.
NEBRASKA
North Loup, Valley Co., Aug. 27.
We closed our meetings at Ord the 25th. The attendance has been good, and there has been a deep interest from the first. We found several keeping the Sabbath when we came here. They have been benefited spiritually, and encouraged by having a few others take a stand with them. Several others are deeply interested.
By earnest request, we commence meetings at North Loup this evening. This is a small country place, but it is surrounded by a thickly settled country. We shall doubtless remain here until time for camp-meeting. May the dear Lord open the hearts of the people to receive the truth, and give grace and wisdom in proclaiming it.
C. L. Boyd. Daniel Nettleton.
Palmyra, Otoe Co., Aug. 27.
We closed our meetings in this place Sunday evening. Ten signed the covenant to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. May the Lord give them strength to endure unto the end. One brother laid aside his tobacco. We have had no open opposition, though there has been a great deal of backbiting on the part of both ministers and church members; but blessed be God who causes the wrath of man to praise him. Brethren, pray for us.
H. Schultz. M. Hackworth.
ALSTRUP, DENMARK.
By John G. Matteson
The harvest has come. The fields are full of grain. The people are very busy. There is no chance to hold meetings in the country except on Sabbath and first-day. I am very busy writing for the TIDENDE. Missionary letters are also called for every week.
Last week, after an absence of nearly three months, I visited the brethren in Tylstrup and held four meetings with them. I found the brethren seeking the Lord, and keeping the Sabbath faithfully, with a few exceptions. One family has moved to America, and some have moved to other parts, yet they have continued to hold Sabbath meetings.
We had meetings here Sabbath and Sunday. The last was well attended. We long very much for the brethren to come from America. This would be an excellent time for tent-meetings in some of the cities of Norway, and there are some who desire to see us. But I cannot manage a tent alone, and the time is flying swiftly. May the Lord direct in all things for his glory.
JOHN G. MATTESON.
Aug. 5, 1878.
· MINNESOTA.
By D. P. Curtis; N. Battin
Alexandria, Douglas Co., Aug. 27.
WE began our work here last Friday evening, Aug. 23. Our audiences have ranged from seventy-five to two hundred, with good order and attention. The present indications are that we shall have a good hearing.
We earnestly ask for the prayers of God's people. D. P. CURTIS. N. BATTIN.
KANSAS
Ft. Scott, Aug. 22.
OUR congregations have nearly doubled during the last few days. We have had but little public opposition. One more has decided for the truth. Shall continue here as long as the interest may demand.
J. Lamont. J. H. Cook.
Harrisonville, Aug. 25.
OUR Sabbath meetings in this vicinity are good, and not without some tokens of growing interest. One sister who embraced the truth last winter has just been baptized. A young minister of the Baptist denomination who has been preaching two years has lately embraced the Sabbath, but he is meeting bitter opposition. We believe he is firm and decided, and that he will in the future render efficient service in the cause of truth. In this and the adjoining county a deep interest has been awakened in many minds by our T. and M. society.
Pray for me, and for the cause here.
J. P. Henderson.
TENNESSEE
By S. Osborn; G. K. Owen
Cross Plains, Aug. 23.
We adjourned our meetings for a few days to visit the people, and give them an opportunity to rest. Resume them to-night. We expect opposition. Sixteen, at least, are keeping the Sabbath. As far as we can learn, nearly all who have heard acknowledge that we present the truth.
S. OSBORN.
G. K. OWEN.
INDIANA CONFERENCE.
By S. H. Lane; Margaret Fatic
The seventh annual session of the Indiana Conference of Seventh-day Adventists was held near Kokomo, Howard Co., Aug. 14, 1878. The Conference was called to order by the president, Eld. S. H. Lane. Prayer by Eld. S. N. Haskell. The minutes of the last meeting were called for, read, and accepted.
Voted, That the ministers present be invited to participate in the deliberations of the Conference.
Seven ministers were present. Eighteen churches were represented by eighteen delegates. Five new churches were taken into the Conference, and three were taken under its watchcare.
Adjourned to call of chair.
SECOND SESSION.
The Conference convened Friday, Aug. 16, at 5:30 A. M. Opened with prayer by Eld. S. N. Haskell. The president, having been authorized to do so, appointed the following committees: On nominations, Wm. Carpenter, J. T. Richards, Wm. Covert; on credentials and licenses, J. D. Shilling, Sanford Rogers, E. H. Wilhelm; on resolutions, Elds. W. H. Littlejohn and W. W. Sharp, and J. S. Shrock; on auditing, J. M. Rees, H. C. Winebrenner, John W. Covert, Jesse Wood, J. T. Richards.
The Committee on Nominations presented the following-named persons as officers of the Conference for the ensuing year: President, Eld. S. H. Lane; Secretary, Margaret Fatic, Mechanicsburg, Henry Co., Ind.; Treasurer, Dr. W. Hill, Rochester, Fulton Co.; Executive Committee, Eld. S. H. Lane, J. D. Shilling, Grovertown, Stark Co., Ind., Isaac Zirkle, Mechanicsburg, Henry Co., Ind.
Adjourned to call of chair.
THIRD SESSION.
The third session was held Monday morning, the 19th. Opened with prayer by Eld. S. N. Haskell.
The Committee on Credentials and Licenses reported, recommending that credentials be renewed to Brn. Wm. Covert, W. W. Sharp, and Alfred Sweet, and granted to Bro. J. M. Rees; that the license of Bro. Lloyd Caldwell be renewed; and that Brn. V. Thompson, J. T. Richards, and J. S. Shrock receive license.
The Committee on Resolutions presented the following, which were voted upon and accepted:
Resolved, That we recognize with gratitude the prospering hand of God in the encouraging progress which has generally attended the proclamation of the truth in this Conference during the present year, and that we will earnestly invoke the divine blessing on the efforts of the officers and ministers of this Conference for the year to come.
Resolved, That we recognize with great satisfaction the rigid economy which has marked the administration of our Conference affairs during the past year, and that we see in it the largest encouragement for great liberality on the part of all in donating of their means for the advancement of the cause of God, since they can feel assured that their donations have been applied strictly to the purposes for which they were granted.
Resolved, That we invite the especial attention of our brethren to the matter of their systematic pledges, to the end that all may come fully up to the requirements of the Bible plan of S. B. in every particular, so that our Conference funds may be replenished, and that the plans of the Conference Committee for the future may be so far enlarged as to meet the demands of the rising cause in this State.
Resolved, That we earnestly exhort all our scattered brethren throughout the State to send their S. B. pledges without delay to some one of our churches which may be situated near their place of residence, in order that they may thus bear their proportion of the burdens of the cause, and that the Conference Committee may be enlightened as to the full amount of the funds upon which they can rely as a basis for operations during the coming year.
Whereas, It is apparent that Bro. A. W. Bartlett holds views on the doctrine of sanctification which would be regarded as extreme by the majority of the members of this Conference, and
Whereas, it is manifest that trouble has already grown out of the promulgation of his sentiments, therefore,
Resolved, That we do earnestly request him to avoid hereafter the advocacy of his peculiar views on this subject among the churches and brethren in this Conference.
Resolved, That we unite in expressing our unwavering confidence in the final triumph of the third angel’s message, and our gratitude to God for the unparalleled success which attends its proclamation in both Europe and America.
Resolved, That we express our profound sympathy with Bro. and Sr. White in their arduous labors, and that we will not cease to pray to God that he will clothe them with health and strength to enable them to meet the great responsibilities which devolve upon them.
Resolved, That we recognize the hand of God in so directing our present camp-meeting that matters the most perplexing in their nature have been disposed of in a manner, we trust, satisfactory to Him; and that we exhort our brethren in all parts of the Conference to move in harmony with the resolutions which have been passed, so that union and harmony may characterize all our efforts.
The treasurer’s report was as follows:—
Received during year, $1122 21
Paid to ministers, $1000 21
Paid to Gen. Conf., 50 00
Amount paid out, 1050 21
Cash on hand to balance, $72 00
The report was accepted.
Voted, That the minutes of this meeting be published in the Review.
The following brethren were appointed as a camp-meeting committee: J. M. Rees, Kokomo, Howard Co., Ind.; Frank Zirkle, Mechanicsburg, Henry Co.; W. S. Harrington, Russiaville, Howard Co.; Elisha Cox, Thorntown, Boone Co.; John Covert, Sharpsville, Tipton Co., Ind.