THE recent convention of the Prohibitionists of the First Congressional District of Minnesota, passed the following resolutions:—
WHEREAS, The liquor traffic has become a great evil in our land and in our midst, dangerous alike to public morals, good government, and domestic happiness, its tendency being to demoralize society, incite crime, and develop poverty; and,
WHEREAS, in our opinion these are evils to cause alarm for the future of our commonwealth and our nation, and recognizing our rights as citizens of the State of Minnesota, and of the United States of America, to act as a body politic in co-operation with all good men for constitutional and statutory prohibition of the liquor traffic; therefore,
We as citizens of the First Congressional District of Minnesota, in convention assembled, do resolve,
First, That prohibition is the only sure way to exterminate this great evil.
Second, That prohibition or the conflict between the home and the saloon, is the great question of the day in American politics.
Third, That neither of the two great political parties give the people any promise or hope of constitutional prohibition.
Fourth, That the organization and maintenance of a prohibition party is a necessity.
Fifth, That if all temperance people would unite in this movement and vote prohibition it would result in a speedy and sure victory.
Sixth, That the lukewarm position of many of the ministers of the gospel on this subject is a great stumbling-block to the success of the cause.
Seventh, That we pledge ourselves anew to the cause and work in all honorable ways for the furtherance of the Prohibition party and its cause.
What Liquor License Amounts to.
IN the case of Dunlap vs. Wagner, reported in Volume 85 of the Indiana Supreme Court Reports, p. 529, it is decided that if one sell intoxicating liquor without a license, and the purchaser becomes drunk from drinking it, and in consequence of his drunkenness he inflicts injury on another, the person so injured may recover his damages from the seller of the intoxicating liquor. But if the seller of the liquor has a license to sell the liquor that makes the man drunk, and from whose drunkenness the injury results, then no damage can be recovered. Why so? Because when the State licenses one to sell liquor, it licenses every wrong that may result from a sale. Let us illustrate the point so that all can see it. A whisky-seller has no license from the State to sell intoxicating liquors. He sells liquor to B and makes him drunk, and in consequence of his drunkenness B falls from a buggy and is killed. The wife of B sues the liquor-seller for damages and recovers the sum of $5,000. D, another liquor-seller, who has a license, sells liquor to E and makes him drunk—he falls from a railroad car and is crushed to death. The wife of E sues the liquor-seller for her damages, but the court is compelled to tell her she can recover nothing. Why? Because the State, in the latter case, has authorized the damage to be inflicted on her. Will any man dare say the law that authorizes such a wrong as this is not an outrage on civilization? Yet we are told by timid political leaders that we must not mention these things; that to discuss them will injure the party.—Crawfordsville Journal.
The Prohibitionist’s Definition of Statesmanship
The Prohibitionist's definition of “statesmanship:” Heaping burdens upon the people in dealing with effects, and leaving the causes untouched.
Germany’s Increasing Crime and Immorality
Professor Scott of Chicago, who has had extensive opportunity for observation in Germany, says: "Germany is probably sinking in crime and immorality more rapidly than any other nation in Europe. In some of the cities half the births are illegitimate. In ten years saloons have increased by fifty per cent., and the people are fast becoming sodden with their beer-drinking."
High License.
By Editor
THE N. Y. Independent says of the high license bill, that “if it becomes a law and is properly enforced, will be a practical power for good.” We believe that the high license movement has done good; for wherever it has been tried, as far as we have yet learned, it has made thorough-going prohibitionists of its strongest advocates. What practical power for good to the cause of morality and temperance high license has been, it would be difficult to show, otherwise than we have stated, that it has made prohibitionists. In the same number of the Independent217in which we find the language quoted above, is a letter from Bishop Hurst, dated Des Moines, Iowa, in which he says:—
“No friend of the saloon wants to pay any money for license; and in some cases the high license actually increases the number of saloons. For example, here in Des Moines, where there were forty-five saloons paying a license of $250, when the license was put up to $1,000 the number of saloons ran up to sixty in six months’ time. It is not possible to give a solution of the fact. I simply state a result which was chronicled from day to day by the leading paper of the State, The State Register.”
This is not a very favorable showing toward its being “a practical power for good.” With all deference to the bishop we think it can be solved. But we waive that and quote yet once more from the Independent, from remarks on high license by Joseph Cook, in the prelude to his Boston lecture, March 10:—
“Constitutional prohibition, like statutory, would drive liquor-selling into obscure and disreputable quarters in cities. On the contrary, high license gilds the saloon. It converts the gin-hole into the gin-palace. It greatly adds to the respectability of the liquor trade. It thus builds up the power that threatens the home and good government.”
We think the editorial in favor of high license in that number of the Independent was pretty effectually neutralized by Bishop Hurst and Joseph Cook. But we must give one more short paragraph from Mr. Cook on the subject of license in general:—
“All license miseducates the people by making the State partner in unrighteous gains. All license of the liquor traffic means State permission to a man, for a consideration, to poison his neighbors, and manufacture drunkards, paupers, criminals, taxes, ruined homes, and lost souls!”
Surely, the people are waking up to the iniquities of the license system. We do not assume to mark out a channel of thought for everybody, but we cannot imagine how a professed Christian, a believer in the Bible, wherein we learn that drunkard-making is soul-destroying, can prefer high license or any license to prohibition.
"Messengers of the Churches."
By Editor
By this title the apostle Paul designated his brethren in the work of the Lord. As the work of the ministry is an important work, and fearful responsibilities rest upon those engaged in it, so must a great responsibility rest upon the churches whose duty it is to approve of and co-operate with the messengers. While they pray (as we hope they constantly do) the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers, it is their duty to watch for the development of gifts, and exercise a wise judgment both to approve that which is according to the mind of the Spirit, and reject that which appears to be raised by the enemy to mar the work of God, and spread confusion in the churches.
Had the churches indiscriminately accepted of all who have presented themselves as candidates for this office, the number of those endeavoring to preach the Third Angel's Message would doubtless have been ten times greater than it now is, while the truths that are now being brought so clearly and powerfully to bear on our present position, would have been obscured, and nearly lost amidst the rubbish of false and fanatical teachings. Sometimes our brethren grow weary, and almost discouraged at the slow manner in which the work seems to move; but when we consider the times in which we live, the confused state of the world in every class and department, the unpopularity of truth, and the nature of the opposition we have to meet, and then consider the experience we have passed through, and the great amount of truth that has been cleared of obscurities, and freed from objections, thus at once laying the foundation for a firm confidence on the part of those who have embraced the faith in the past, and a more powerful work in the future, we are led to exclaim, "What has God wrought!"
Some of our brethren, with feelings far different from those of Moses and Jeremiah, have considered themselves slighted and their rights infringed upon by the refusal of the church to sanction their efforts to preach the word. With some the trial is deep, and the wound lasting, merely because they cannot account for the feelings and impressions they have had on the subject.
Having carefully marked the course of several who have been nearly, or quite, ruined by a deception on this subject, we wish to offer a few words of caution to those who may be similarly impressed.
An individual hears and believes the truth, and of course desires that others may hear it also. His mind has been opened to new fields of thought and study, beyond the utmost bound of his former conceptions; and with ardent feelings he enters into conversation with those who are strangers to it all. They are interested, and perhaps astonished at his knowledge of Scripture subjects, and ask him if he is a preacher; perhaps expressing surprise that one of his ability did not preach. Flattered with his success, he repeats the experiment with the same result; and the coincidence of a few such remarks on his ability, duty, etc., he takes as providential, and concludes he has a clear call to the ministry. Then if the church opposes him he argues first his own deep impressions, and second the remarks of those who have heard him advocate the truth, and are best acquainted with his ability.
In regard to such impressions, an ardent temperament, a misguided zeal, with even a small addition of self-conceit, will give them a strength and tenacity equal to any purpose. But of the judgment of those who have innocently been the instigators, at least in a measure, of such a movement, we wish to speak. Those who have urged him to preach are entirely unacquainted with the truth, and the qualifications of a messenger. A man of judgment and experience would attach no weight to their expressions; for though they may be honest and desirous to hear, yet they could not detect error, and distinguish between faith and fanaticism. In these matters the church alone is qualified to judge, and the Head of the church has constituted her the judge, to approve and ordain the messengers of the truth. If the churches stand in the light of truth, they will sympathize with those who are truly called of God, and be able to detect the work of the enemy.
We have had some sad experience on these points in the past, and as we look at the fulfillment of prophecy, we have reason to fear that, as the church increases in the grace of God, and the gifts of his Spirit, those counterfeits will increase, and greatly disturb the peace of the church, and hinder the work, unless we constantly watch against the encroachments of the enemy.
Some think that this is not a part of our work; that we are to preach the word, and leave others to act entirely according to their convictions. But this is a great mistake. Our labor would be of little avail did we not nurture and cherish what has been planted. Those who have been the instruments for the development of this message have toiled on through many cares and much anxiety, and they could only expect to incur the displeasure of their Lord by neglecting any part of their duty, and suffering the enemy to destroy the fruit of their labors.
Another danger in these cases is this: Some who have no duty in this work, and even after the church has so decided, will go on filling appointments, not professing to be qualified messengers, but only for the purpose, as they say, of getting up an interest, and thus preparing the way for the messengers. Let such understand that no messenger wishes to labor where an interest is so got up. "Getting up an interest," as it is called, is a particular thing, and requires care and caution. The veriest humbug in the world can easily get up an interest. We want to know how the interest is got up, and on what ground it is based. In such places we often conflict with what has been taught as present truth, and the community becomes distrustful. Our burdens are thereby increased, and time and labor lost.
Let none hereby judge that we are not praying for laborers, or anxiously watching for their development in the churches. All who appear to be called of God will be encouraged to go forward as is for their good, and the good of the cause, and we shall still earnestly inquire, "Who is sufficient for these things?"
But there is yet another danger to which the cause is sometimes subjected, by the misguided zeal of those who have been accepted as ministers. When once accepted and ordained, they assume that they may safely rest on their own judgment, and labor where and as they may see fit, without restraint from churches or Conferences. We do not believe in the arbitrary exercise of authority in any case, neither do we believe in breaking away from the restraint of properly constituted authority. God himself has made the laborers the messengers of the churches, and he will not regard with favor those who assume an independent position, and reject the counsel of their brethren.
That God has vested his church with authority is too clearly shown in the Scriptures to admit of a doubt. In the patriarchal age the father was the head of the household, and as life was lengthened out, and children increased to the second and third generation, he who was at first the head of a family became the head of a tribe. Afterward the Lord took his people out of Egypt, a race of oppressed bondsmen, and immediately he organized them, appointing a leader, and rulers. When the dispensation changed, and the kingdom was taken from the literal descendants of Abraham, the Lord did not then leave his people in confusion and anarchy, though he did not then set up his kingdom. He appointed officers of various kinds and grades, and declared that he who would not hear the church should be as a heathen and a publican. To some this may seem a hard sentence; but it is the declaration of the Head of the church himself, from which we have no right to turn.
Nor will it do for one to plead that God has called him to the work, and therefore no one has any right to advise or to control his action. "God is not the author of confusion, but of peace." Having clothed his church with certain rights and powers, he is jealous to have them regarded because they are of his own appointment. In proof of this we call attention to a case recorded in Acts 13:2, 3. The Holy Spirit spoke to the church, saying: "Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them." The Lord had called them to a special work, and now he calls upon the brethren to act their part in sending them forth to that work. "And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away." This made them in fact just what the Lord called them, the messengers of their brethren who sent them away. This is the order of the Lord; it is Heaven's own arrangement, and Heaven's blessing will ever rest upon those who recognize it and conform to it.
But some one will say, "The Lord blesses me without subjecting myself to any such arrangement, and gives me great freedom in presenting the truth." It is the misfortune of some people that they have the best freedom in their ministry when they can have their own way, unrestrained by the very authority which God has ordained. For the present time they think they are having a great blessing and great success; but time must show that they are making a great mistake. In departing from the order which the Lord himself has instituted, they grieve the Spirit, and leanness will come to their own souls, and their work will show defects, the converts never rising to a high plane of spirituality and soundness in the faith.
Paul wrote to Timothy: "And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully." 2 Tim. 2:5. This is a sentence which ought to be weighed carefully by every one, especially by those who feel called to bear great responsibilities. There is a zeal not according to knowledge—to the knowledge of God's way and order,—but it borders on fanaticism, and there it will end if not restrained or checked. Fanaticism is always zealous, because it is always self-confident. Faith has its boldness in the Lord, in conforming to his will, but is distrustful of self. Who realizes these things? "To whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?" This is a serious subject and we pray that the Lord will, at this time of peril, spare his people, and give not his heritage to reproach. Joel 2.
Pulpit Sensations.
By Editor
SOME of the best of the religious papers, and of the most thoughtful among religious teachers, have denounced the sensational style of getting up sermons and of advertising subjects which is so largely adopted at the present time. A late convention or meeting of preachers discussed the propriety of discarding entirely the system of advertising subjects of sermons, believing that it is proving detrimental to the best interests of the ministry of the gospel. But fashion has fetters stronger than iron, and the majority of those who fill the pulpits are as veritable slaves of fashion as are the misses who worship at the shops of the milliners. And the fashionable style is a great convenience to some people. It needs neither grace, study, nor a knowledge of the Scriptures to be sensational; and a crowd of tickled hearers is quite sufficient to tickle the vanity of the average sensational preacher.
We have seen many examples of this method of abusing the means of divine grace, but it is reserved for Oakland, California, to furnish the climax to all that has appeared hitherto. And, to our sorrow we record it, the theater (yes, that is the proper appellation) for this unseemly display is a Baptist pulpit. For the information of the readers, and that it may be seen that we are not overdrawing the case, we copy in full the printed notice now lying on our table, as follows:—
TRINITY BAPTIST CHURCH, OAKLAND.
Sunday evenings. “In Foro Conscientiæ, or Poe’s Raven Moralized;” in ten sermons. W. T. Fleenor, Pastor. Come and worship with us.
I.—MARCH 9TH.
CONVICTION.—“Rapping at my chamber door.”
II.—MARCH 16TH.
SAD MEMORIES.—“It was in the bleak December.”
III.—MARCH 23D.
BRACING AGAINST FEAR.—“To still the beating I stood repeating.”
IV.—MARCH 30TH.
MORAL MELANCHOLY.—“In there stepped a stately Raven.”
V.—APRIL 13TH.
APPEALING TO REASON.—“Perched upon a bust of Pallas.”
VI.—APRIL 20TH.
VAIN HOPES.—“On the morrow he will leave me.”
VII.—APRIL 27TH.
RESPONSE OF JUSTICE.—“Quoth the Raven, ‘Nevermore.’”
VIII.—MAY 11TH.
LOOKING TO GRACE.—“Is there balm in Gilead? Tell me, I implore!”
IX.—MAY 18TH.
LENORE.—“A sainted maiden whom the angels name ‘Lenore.’”
X.—MAY 25TH.
LIFTED INTO LIGHT.—“From out that shadow that lies floating on the floor.”
Ten sermons—Baptist sermons—are probably sufficient to give a fair elucidation of “Poe’s Raven.” But they will soon pass, and then what? The subject is rather sombre for popular use; the pastor might perhaps keep up the interest for some time by preaching from the “Pickwick Papers.” The Bible is exhausted; that is out of the question.
Systematic Giving.
By Ellet Joseph Waggoner
(Concluded.)
THERE is a common objection to the tithing plan, that demands a brief notice. The matter of tithing is not spoken of directly by any of the apostles, nor are any of the churches enjoined by them to pay tithe. But the man who thinks to escape the payment of tithes by such a plea as this has overreached himself; for (1) Christ taught it, as has been shown in the comment on Matt. 23:23. That alone would be sufficient. (2) The commandment to pay tithe having been once made by God himself, it would remain in force forever, if not countermanded, and the reason for its continuance existed as in the beginning. Therefore if there was no mention made of it in the entire New Testament, it would not affect the case in the least. And, strongest of all, we find (3) that the teaching of the apostles, and of Christ himself, if strictly followed, would lead to the sacrifice, not merely of a tithe, but of all our possessions! Let us read and see.
Paul, writing to the Corinthians, says, “Ye are not your own; for ye are bought with a price.” We are, as a literal translation of Phil. 1:1 would read, “the slaves of Jesus Christ.” Our servitude, however, is a blessed one, for his yoke is easy, and his burden light. But a slave cannot hold property in his own right; all that he may acquire belongs to his master. Therefore since we are Christ’s by purchase, all that we have belongs to him. Then if we give him his just due, we will give, not one-tenth, but all that we have.
With this conclusion agree the words of Christ: “Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.” Luke 12:33. When the young man came to him inquiring the way to life eternal, “Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in Heaven; and come and follow me.” Matt. 19:21.
We do not wish to be understood as advising all indiscriminately to sell their property. We are to be guided by sanctified reason, and not by fanaticism. “To everything there is a season,” and if we stand in the counsel of God, we shall know when the time comes for us to part with our possessions. We need not hold it all, however, so that it may all be sold at once. If we study the lives of the reformers, and the most devoted Christians, we will find that they gave away nearly all they had, in their life-time, and died poor. Had they been intent on laying up treasure on this earth, they would not have given themselves so unreservedly to the work of preparing themselves and others for a better world; their interest would have been divided.
At the beginning of the Christian era was a time for men to sell all that they had. The cause of Christ had to struggle against fearful odds, to establish itself in the earth. There were but few Christians who had wealth, and those who had, “sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.” Acts 2:45. They had given themselves wholly to Christ, and therefore none of them said that aught of the things which he possessed was his own. Acts 4:32. Since then there has not been so great need, and even true Christians have not felt it their duty to sell out everything, although they held all subject to the disposal of the Lord; the Master did not call for it. “But the end of all things is at hand,” and before the end shall come there will be a conflict between truth and error, such as the world has never witnessed. Even now the enemy is coming in like a flood, and the Spirit of the Lord is lifting up a standard against him. Satan is mustering all his forces for a last, desperate struggle; he is determined to deceive the whole world. But the message of the third angel, warning men against the worship of the beast and his image (Rev. 14:9–15), and preparing them for the coming of the Saviour, must go with a loud cry. Means are needed more and more every day, to carry forward the great work; and as the conflict increases, and approaches its consummation, the loyal soldiers of Jesus, realizing that earthly wealth will soon lose all its value, will know that the time has come to sell, and will throw not only themselves, but all that they have, into the cause of truth.
How soon this time will come, we know not, but it is fast approaching. In ancient times the value of acquired property varied according to the nearness of the year of jubilee. At the year of jubilee, all land that had been sold returned to its original possessor. Lev. 25:8–16. If that year were very far off, so that a man might reasonably expect to spend a life-time on land that he should buy, he would have to pay nearly or quite its full value; but if the year of jubilee were near at hand, the land would bring but a small sum, since the buyer would have possession for only a short time. Well, the year of jubilee is just at hand. The redemption of God’s people draws nigh, and he will soon “proclaim liberty throughout all the land, unto all the inhabitants thereof.” The earth will then be given to him whose right it is (Eze. 21:27). Those, therefore, who are now putting their money into houses and lands, are being deceived. They are paying full price for that which is depreciating in value every day, and which will be worth nothing to them when the jubilee is proclaimed. In that day those who have still clung to their possessions, will cast their idols of silver and gold to the moles and to the bats, as worthless trash. May God grant, dear reader, that both you and I, ere that day dawn, shall have laid up all our treasure in Heaven, so that we may hail our expected Lord with joy, and receive an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away.
E. J. W.
Exchange of Laborers.
By Stephen Nelson Haskell
THERE is no calling more honorable than that of being co-workers with Christ in the salvation of men. It was arranged in the divine economy of grace, that men as well as angels should act a part in the work of God upon the earth. Each has a work to do, and no one can do the work of another. Christ revealed himself to Saul while he was on his way to Damascus, and showed him that he was a sinner, and was persecuting the Son of God in the person of his saints. He might have told him what he must do to be saved, but here was a work for his church to do; and Saul, afterwards called Paul, was sent to one of the very class that he intended to take to Jerusalem, to learn what he must do to be saved. Ministering angels also co-operated with218Christ, and were sent to inform one Ananias that he should arise and go and inquire for one Saul, "for, behold, he prayeth." And in the case of Cornelius, the angel of the Lord, instead of instructing him, told him to "send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter. He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea-side. He shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do."
Every person who yields himself to God becomes his servant, and has some part to act in the great plan of salvation. God has not left any branch of his work to any one man, or any one class of workers, or even to angels, who are ministering spirits; but he says to each one of his people, "Go work in my vineyard." When the Lord sent out his disciples, he selected men of different temperaments, and placed them together, thus showing that he would not have his work bear the stamp of any one man's mind.
The preaching of Philip led Simon to believe and be baptized; but "when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John." These disciples proved a great help to the young converts. They filled a place in the cause that would not have been filled had it been left to Philip alone. It was Peter who saw that Simon was not converted, although he had been baptized. "Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter; for thy heart is not right in the sight of God," were his words.
The work left to any one individual would soon bear more of the stamp of the human mind than of the divine; for none are perfect in judgment. It was the beloved disciple who said, "Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?" The same disciple at one time came to the Saviour and said, "We saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbade him, because he followeth not with us." But Christ reproved him in both instances.
If the early work of the church had been left to any one or any two of the disciples, it would have suffered loss. Christ knew this, and chose twelve, and there were many others who united with them in counsels from time to time to decide important questions. It was so in the days of Luther, and of other reformers. In France, England, Scotland, and every nation of Europe, God raised up men, who, acting in harmony, contributed to the Reformation of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. In all of the most permanent reforms the different judgments of the people have been blended, and the different gifts of the Holy Spirit have had their proper influence. "For the body is not one member, but many." The different gifts are as necessary to the perfect development of the church, as the different members are to the body. This has been verified over and over again in the experiences of churches and Conferences.
Nothing should be dreaded more than to have the work of God fall into ruts of which it would be impossible to get out. No two minds are constituted alike, and different men, reasoning from different stand-points, will suggest different thoughts, and present new ideas. "In the multitude of counselors there is safety." It is for these reasons that an exchange of laborers is good. No one person should remain for any great length of time in one place, without visiting other fields, thus giving him a different experience, and the churches a chance to expand beyond just his own ideas.
In the town of Princeton, Massachusetts, on the west side of a hill, stands a row of stately maple trees, but their limbs have all grown toward the east. This was caused by their position, which was such as to shelter them from all but the west wind. And thus it will be in the cause of God, where the influence of one mind and one chain of circumstances control the work. The prophet says of Ephraim, "Ephraim is a cake not turned,"—a cake burnt on one side, and unbaked on the other, and so uneatable. This describes the worthlessness of those who are so stereotyped in certain ways that they cannot advance in God's providence, neither can they see when good comes, and take new responsibilities as the way opens before them in the work of God.
Why is it that California is so much stronger than many other Conferences of the same size? They have had a diversity of laborers, who have urged upon them the necessity of taking new responsibilities and additional burdens. This varied experience has given them strength, until there is no Conference in the country which will assume greater responsibilities and burdens, uncomplainingly, than they. Could they see that any more would advance the cause of God, there are men of means who would give their last cent, and then do as Barnabas did,—who, when he had given all, gave himself.
There were no two Conferences, a few years ago, that needed a change of laborers, for their growth, more than did the two North Pacific Conferences. The presidents of these Conferences needed new fields of labor, and it was thought best that the president of the Nebraska Conference take the place of Eld. Van Horn, whose wife's health needed a change of climate. This developed talent in Nebraska, and last year a zeal was manifested in that State worthy of being imitated by all of our Conferences. This change has greatly improved the health of Sister Van Horn, and an acceptable laborer has been found in Eld. Van Horn, to attend the various camp-meetings, and travel from State to State. Also a commendable step has been taken in the North Pacific missions, especially in Portland, Oregon. During the past year, a meeting-house has been erected, a reading-room opened, and a city mission established. From the "Year Book" it is seen that the average tithe, in proportion to the membership of the Conference, is more than any Conference in America, except one. Thus these changes have worked for the growth of the Conference, as well as for the good of the cause.
During the coming season these two northern Conferences should have further help. The work should be extended into Idaho Territory. We see no reason why Portland, Oregon, should not have the experience of Bro. Ings to help establish the missionary work there, before he starts East to help in the city missions of Chicago and New York. Eld. Corliss is now in Oregon. He may assist the work greatly in those Conferences, and after the spring camp-meetings, go over to Boise City, Idaho, and labor there for a season.
Nevada should not be forgotten in the distribution of laborers on the Pacific Coast. There are men and women in Nevada who should be at the school in Healdsburg, Cal., fitting themselves to labor in the cause as the providence of God opens the way. The cause is one, and the message we have is to reach the people everywhere. Every portion of the field should have the benefit of different gifts, so that the friends of the cause will receive the benefit of the various ideas of the different laborers.
May God speed the truth, and give it success in all of its branches.
S. N. HASKELL.
The Missionary.
By Editor
An Interesting Letter.
THE following letter cannot fail to be of deep interest to very many of our readers. It is from an old soldier in the cause of our coming Master and King. Adventists in all parts of the country know the writer by reputation: He first speaks of the SIGNS, which, of course, he must and shall have:—
DEAR BRETHREN OF THE SIGNS: I have written to Bro. Reuel Stickney, of Little River, Cal., and to Sister Robbins. Bro. Stickney has sent and paid for the paper in the past; I am not able to pay for it.
I am the oldest Advent preacher there is in Maine, if not the oldest believer. In the last part of 1839 and winter of 1840 I lived near to Dea. John White and Eld. James White. I was about as much older than James as I was younger than his father. We belonged to the same church, and we left the Ministers' Conference at the same time. I have been slow to believe, but am glad I do believe we live in the time when the two-horned beast is doing his work. I believe that beast is the United States.
I try to keep God's holy Sabbath. When God says a thing he does not go back. It would be a wonder if Jesus changed the Sabbath and did not tell his disciples of it. Could he have forgotten it?
My health is poor. Wife was taken sick Dec. 15, with a fever, and got out only last week. I took cold in January; it settled in my eyes; I have been almost blind. I only go as far as the barn. I can hear only loud talk.
I circulate a few tracts by mail. I do not claim or demand the SIGNS as one who has earned it, as I do not preach. But if any one will send it I will be thankful. I hope you can read this. I have to stop often for it hurts my eyes. Pray for me. People seem to hate those who keep the Sabbath, more than ever before, in my day.
NATHL. F. NASON.
Week's Mills, Me., March 16, 1884.
Encouraging Letter from Oregon.
By E. W. Tompkins
EDITOR SIGNS: I have been a close reader of your excellent paper for the last year. I must say it is a good religious paper. It has been sent to me through the kindness of one of your brethren. I have studied the word of God to see whether the doctrine that you teach will bear comparison with it, and I have found that it does, or nearly so. I find one point in regard to the soul of man in which I think the Bible differs from you. If I understand your writings aright, you claim that the soul of man is the same as the body of man. Now I think the Bible teaches differently; it teaches that the soul and body are two separate parts. I have believed in the second advent of Christ for a long time. The doctrine hardest for me to give up was the first-day or Sunday-Sabbath. I was convinced of the sin of using tobacco by reading your paper, and gave it up last fall, after using it over twenty years; and now I am convinced that the seventh day of the week is the Sabbath of the Lord, and have commenced to keep it. I have searched the word of God, and find that it is taught so there; it was a hard cross for me, but I am willing to bear it for Jesus' sake. I am now a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, but I expect I will be turned out for keeping and teaching God's commandments. I wish to know whether the Adventist Church receives members from the Baptist Church without rebaptizing, and please send information in regard to the discipline of the church, and oblige,
Yours, &c.,
E. W. TOMPKINS.
Dora, Coos Co., Oregon.
The Anglican Church and Incense
THE Anglican Church seems to be accelerating its speed Romeward. In a church paper recently appeared an advertisement which reads: “The Order of the Sacred Redeemer is prepared to supply pure and flagrant incense at 3s. 6d., 5s., 7s. 6d., 10s., 16s., and 24s. per pound. Samples post free for 4d., 6d., 8d., and 1s. Address Rev. Superior, The Priory.” A letter also appears from a correspondent proposing the formation of “a Society for Promoting the use of Incense in our Churches.”—The Christian at Work.
Lost Opportunities.
EACH period of life has necessities and opportunities of its own, which belong to it, which must be met and realized in it, if they are ever met and realized at all. If opportunities go by, therefore, they are lost. Life lived, cannot be lived over again. The possibilities of childhood, for him who has passed out of it, are behind him, and there they ever will be. He who has gone beyond youth cannot go back to his youth again and gird himself for the growth of that period. He who is treading now amid the stern scenes of life's meridian, cannot start again and climb the eastern slope. If age has come and the shadows have begun to lengthen, there is no vigorous manhood to be extracted—little if any of the work of manhood that can now be done. Rivulets run into rivers; rivers pour into the sea; vapors rise out of the sea, to be borne back over the hills, whence they came, and there distil and flow, a second time, a third time—possibly a thousandth time—through the same channel to the sea. This is nature, but there is nothing in the economy of life corresponding to this. No river of humanity runs back into a rivulet; no sea back into a river. There is but one voyage from the cradle to the grave. . . . It takes no far look to find the poor, the sick, the sad, the lonely, the tearful, the stricken-hearted. The opportunities are many—unremitted.
The trouble often is that we wait for large things to command us, and slight the invitation of little things close on us. A word frequently is of wondrous cheer to some sad heart. A little offering of remembrance—so small that it seems hardly worth while to carry, or send it—may relieve a want that is immediate and intense. Life is made up, not of large things that cost and dazzle, but of words and deeds thrown into the hours as they hurry by. . . . There was a motto on the temple of Delphos which read: "Know thy opportunity." This is one of the great lessons of life which should be learned early. Many do with opportunities as children do at the seashore—fill their little hands with sand and let the grains fall through, one by one, until all are gone.
After all it is contact of soul with soul that wins. God brings men of all classes close to us, that we may love them, and reach them with the truth. Some are scarred all over with sin and crime; are so degraded and repulsive that we shrink from contact with them; but they are men, and down deep within them there is a yearning for the life of God.
This is your time to warn and save. Here is your opportunity. Don't miss it. You cannot do to-morrow the work of to-day. He whom you would save will be elsewhere, or other things will engage you.—Sel.