Can ye not discern the Signs of the Times? Matt. xvi, 3.
Another Blow at the Papacy—Matters in the East.
SINCE our last presentment of political affairs, we have witnessed another struggle on behalf of the people, against the tyranny and corruption of the Papacy. Spain, proverbially blind, and acknowledged as the last great stronghold of Papal rule, has at last arisen from her slumbers, and dealt a blow at the old harlot, which will prove disastrous, if not fatal.
It has been a matter of some astonishment that she has remained quiet so long, but when we consider the actual condition of affairs in her midst, we need not wonder. Her population of 16,000,000 has been studiously blinded by their spiritual advisers, and kept at least a century behind their neighbors, in point of general intelligence. Ruled by fifty-five Archbishops and Bishops, 2,500 Canons and Abbots, 18,000 parish Priests, 24,000 Curates, and from 30,000 to 40,000 Monks and Nuns, we can imagine what obstacles those men have had to contend with, who sought to relieve the popular mind of the ignorance and superstition that brooded over them like a mighty incubus.
Financially speaking, the Papal Nuncio at Madrid acknowledges that Rome will lose 32,000,000 francs a year by the revolution. The Holy Father offered an asylum for the exiled Queen, which was accepted by her, but she is at present under French care. What the final result will be it is hard to determine, inasmuch as it is yet unsettled who shall be the future ruler. The Junta, which was formed provisionally, has been dissolved, and it is now expected that the people will proceed, by popular suffrage, to choose men who shall in turn select a ruler. It is also probable that a Monarchical form of government will be continued. Whether the priests, by their subtlety, will again succeed in shaping matters so as to favor their own ends, remains to be seen. A number of names have been suggested as successors to the throne, among which are Prince Napoleon of France, and Prince Alfred of England. Prince Napoleon, however, has written a letter to General Prim, advocating the claims of the House of Savoy, and Prince Amadeus, Duke of Aosta, second son of Victor Emanuel, and the brother-in-law of Prince Napoleon. The fact of Prince Alfred being a Protestant, is urged as a barrier against his assuming the royal honors. Time will soon determine the future of Spain, so far as a ruler goes.
The provisional government, now organized, has been recognized, first, by the United States, then, by the English, French, Prussian, Italian, and Portuguese Ambassadors. The French Minister and Papal Nuncio expressed their sincere wishes to maintain friendly relations with the new government.
The Ecumenical Council, which is to be held in December of next year, is looked forward to with great interest. The Pope has invited the Bishops of the Church of England to unite with them, as also, the Bishops of the East, who are not in communion with the Holy See, to whom he has issued an apostolic letter.
The Czar, however, does not relish any interference on the part of the Pope, with the spiritual rule of his people, as he himself claims to be their head, spiritually as well as temporally. Relative to this we find the following:
“A significant commentary on recent remarks on the attitude which will be assumed by the Emperor of Russia toward the forthcoming Roman Council of Bishops, has just been supplied by the Czar himself. His ukase, by which he subordinates the direction of the ‘United Greek Church,’ to the Ministry of Public Worship, is nothing less than an anti-Papal manifesto of the most uncompromising kind. These ‘United Greeks’ are precisely in the position which the Pope trusts that he and his council will persuade the separatist Greek Christians to assume; and the Czar has lost no time in informing his own subjects that whatever they may please to think about union with Rome, he himself is still their master, and the exercise of their religion is to be controlled absolutely by his State functionaries. The policy of Rome in the East, it should be remembered, has always been unlike her policy in the West. She requires a certain distinct recognition of the Papal Supremacy, and when that is secured, she allows the Greeks and Orientals to retain all their own peculiar customs, worship, and discipline. Their eucharistic offices remain untouched; the use of the Latin tongue is unknown; they use their own picturesque vestments, and their strange antique ceremonies—many of them far more ancient than the corresponding Roman ceremonies; and their clergy, excepting their Bishops, are allowed, and almost enjoined, to marry. All this, however, affects the Czar not a whit. It is the supremacy of the Russian crown which is involved in the simple fact of the recognition of the spiritual monarchy of the Pope; and therefore, everything of the nature of a compromise between the two autocrats is impossible. What effect may be produced upon hesitating Greek Bishops living beyond the Russian dominions by this last move of the Czar, it is, of course, impossible to foretell. But, judging by the rules of ordinary prudence, one would suppose that nothing could be devised more certain to throw the non-Russian Christians into the arms of the insinuating Pontiff. At the very least, the new ukase is a fresh proclamation of war between the two rival sovereigns.”
The Roman correspondent of the Pall Mall Gazette, furnishes the information that:
“A strong belief in the imminence of war exists in Rome, and that incessant exertions are being made to get the Pontifical forces into readiness for campaigning. General Dumont, the commander of the French army of occupation, is reported to have held a meeting of the superior officers of the Pope’s army a few days ago, to whom he said: ‘Gentlemen, get all ready. Soon, perhaps, you will be called to combat by the side of France, against the common enemy.’ These prospects are said to have put the Pope into excellent spirits, and he is reported to have exclaimed on a recent occasion: ‘I hope soon to assist at a final triumph over my enemies, and then I shall be ready to render up my soul to God.’”
The tone of the political press indicates clearly that no confidence is felt in the oft-repeated professions of peace, made by the sovereigns of the old world. Speaking of the age in which we live, the New York Herald says:
“The last ten years in Europe have been years of wondrous activity and change. Steam, the printing press, the electric telegraph, have given to hours the power and importance once possessed only by years. Many of the changes which are now taking place every day, would, fifty years ago, have been regarded as simply miraculous. The old prophetic language of Scripture, ‘Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased,’ has but to change its tense to be truthfully descriptive of the facts of today.”
Then turning its attention to the present condition of Europe, it comments as follows:
“The Empire of Austria, as it now is, hangs but loosely together. It is at best but a heterogeneous mass, and the mass is singularly combustible. Gallacia, Bohemia, and some of the Southern provinces are even now with difficulty held in subordination. A little spark would set them on fire.263If, however, Austria and Russia could agree, there would be no great difficulty in changing the map of Europe to the advantage of both. By giving Austria, Servia, Bulgaria, Wallachia, and so much of Moldavia as would make her mistress of the Danube, Russia might enthrone herself in Constantinople, and convert the Euxine into a Russian lake. Turkey is too weak to resist with any prospect of success, and Greece might be gratified by receiving an addition of territory commensurate with her ambition. These may be regarded by some persons as vague and unmeaning fancies, but they are fancies which enter largely into the calculations of the powers that be.”
How nearly do these politicians reflect the expectations of prophetic students, and yet how ignorantly! It is a truth that “the wise only shall understand.” Taking a general view of the unsettled condition of affairs, the editor gives answer to an important question as follows:
“Are we on the eve of another popular outbreak? It would not be rash, judging from present signs, to conclude that we are. We have one peninsula in arms, and another apparently ready to follow. We have France standing on the verge of a slumbering volcano. We have Germany in a state of suspense. We have Austria working her way through a severe ordeal. We have Belgium and Holland trembling at the prospect of being swallowed up by some one or other of their powerful neighbors. We have Great Britain in the agony of reform. How it shall all end we know not; but of this we are fully convinced, that the result will be a gain to the popular cause.”
“How it shall end we know not,” says the politician. Of course not, neither can he know, except by the unerring word of prophecy. God has told us how it will end. The storm will come—a time of trouble, such as the world never saw—and afterwards a day of rest for the people of God, which has been a subject of hope by them for ages past. Glorious day, soon may it come.
Turning our eyes eastward, we find events transpiring in harmony with the expectations of prophetic students. That giant power, Russia, is rapidly extending her dominion in Asia, thus preparing herself for the part she will perform in the drama of the last days. The telegraph informs us that “the Russians are making rapid progress in North Asia, and that the town of Calish had been captured.” Also that the Khan of Khokhan has sent an embassy to St. Petersburg to make offers of friendship and submission to the Czar.
Our last chronicle of progress on the part of this Northern Colossus, was the capture of Bokhara. The present announcement of the submission of Khokhan shows how Russian arms are feared as this country borders upon Bokhara, and would doubtless have been the next to bow to superior force, if the sagacious Khan had not submitted in a friendly manner. It has a population of about 3,000,000, mostly composed of Uzbeck shepherds and wandering Kirghese tribes. Along the rivers the soil is fertile, but elsewhere it is said to be thin and sterile. The summer heat is excessive, and the winters proportionately cold. The chief wealth consists in cattle, horses, sheep, and camels, but grain and fruits are raised to some extent. Cotton and wool are also staples of that country, and a very valuable variety of silk is produced. The people are described as being well formed, fair complexioned, quiet, and hospitable to strangers. The capital, Khokhan, is a city of about 50,000 inhabitants, and is situated in a fertile and well-cultivated valley on the Jaxartes. How soon we may be called upon to record another addition to Russian territory we cannot say, but one thing is certain, the arms of this giant power are not kept idle.
Whilst she is gathering under her wing, by entreaty and coercion, the millions of Asiatic tribes, she is not slack in her intrigues against Turkey. Her emissaries are continually at work, undermining Turkish influence, and, consequently, her power, in the provinces over which she bears rule. Relative to this, we submit the following:
“The Turkish authorities at Toultcha and Widdin have discovered that the Russian Consuls at those towns are distributing among the Bulgarians a great number of Russian prayer-books, evidently destined to serve as instruments of a propaganda against the Government of the Sultan. These books contain prayers for the happiness of the Czar of the Slavonians, Alexander II, and all his family, and for the success of his troops, who are described as having a mission to destroy the Mahometan and all other heterodox religions all over the world, and to subject non-believers to the sceptre of the Czar. After various blessings on the ruler of Russia, come a series of maledictions on Mahomet and his wives, and on the Sultan and all who willingly obey him. There is also a regular form of ritual to be used for the christening of Mahometans converted to the orthodox (Russian) faith, and a large portion of the book is occupied with hymns to be sung during the new crusade against Mahometanism, in which all true believers are invited to join.”
Thus we see how unremittingly the Czar works in preparing the way for the overthrow of the Sultan. It is well known that a great proportion of the Sultan’s subjects are not Mahometans, but are members of the Greek Church, of which the Czar is the acknowledged head. It is easy to see, therefore, how willingly these worshippers will submit to the rule of their spiritual leader, when an opportunity presents itself. “The Czar of the Slavonians” is the name assumed by Alexander II, as one around which all Slavonians are invited to rally. The Slavi of Europe and Asia have been for centuries divided into factions by reason of controversies which have shorn them of their strength. Numbering some 90,000,000, it is seen, by many discreet politicians, to be a power which, if united by any means, must prove a terror to all others. In view of this, we find numerous leaders have advocated such a union of late, and the idea has been fostered by Russia. The Slavi are urged to “drop their numerous family feuds, and consider themselves as one great nation, and their related languages essentially as one.” The idea has been seized upon with eagerness by Bohemian and other Slavi of Austria, who hope, by such a Pan-Slavic movement, to prevent their absorption by German and Hungarian races. It has also been advocated by able men in Poland and Russia, both literary and political.
Some advocate a federative union of all Slavi under a Democratic form of government, whilst others seek a union under the sceptre of the Czar. When it is remembered that of the ninety millions of Slavi nearly one-half are Russians, and that the claims of the Czar come backed up by wealth and political influence, it is not difficult to see that a Democratic union will never prevail, but a union under the Czar may. Truly it will be a power such as will strike terror into the hearts of all opponents, and will win glory for itself until overthrown by the King of kings.
We cannot do better, brethren, than keep our eyes fixed upon the movements of “the powers that be,” whilst they fill up the measure of their iniquity. Then, when the Gentile cup is full, the Lord’s hand will be visible in their overthrow and the raising up of the captive tribes of Israel from their scattered condition. Lord, hasten the day!—Herald of Coming Kingdom.
HEAR MY PRAYER, O LORD,
By L. E. Miller
The time of trouble, Lord, I see,
And fain would hide myself in thee;
Be thou my soul's sweet hiding place,
O let me see thy smiling face.
When fiery trials sorely press,
And Satan does my soul distress,
Lord, to the rocks, O lead thy child
Safe through this dark and tangled wild.
When by the archers wounded sore,
Thine aid, O Lord, I will implore,
Thou hast vouchsafed in time of need,
To shield thy flock; thy word I plead.
Go forward, saith the heavenly voice,
And faith in God bids me rejoice;
On him, oh! let our hearts be stayed,
While Satan's host shall be dismayed.
Why should our hearts grow faint, and fear,
When thou, hast said, Be of good cheer;
Thy warfare here will soon be done,
A robe, and crown, through Christ be won.
L. E. MILLER.
Obituary Notices.
Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth.
DIED, Oct. 2, 1868, in the town of Wadams, Stephenson Co., Ill., T. L. Brown, eldest son of Thomas and Susannah Brown, aged sixteen years, three months, and nine days. Bro. and Sr. Brown, although prostrate themselves with disease, are consoled with the bright and cheering hope of soon meeting their son where sickness and death never come. Remarks were made upon the occasion from John xi, 25.
C. H. ROGERS.
DIED, at the residence of the writer in Adams Center, N. Y., Nov. 11, 1868, Chloe, daughter of A. Damon, aged 9 years. We took little Chloe to our home in obedience to Gal. vi, 2. We laid her upon our couch; we watched her tenderly, day and night, administered to all her wants; but the enemy had pierced her life-power with one of his deadly arrows, and she fell asleep. Text: “Is it well with the child? It is well.”
C. O. TAYLOR.
DIED, at his residence in Adams Center, N. Y., Nov. 10, 1868, Bro. Henry Bunce, aged 59 years and 7 months. Bro. B. commenced his religious life in 1837 and there commenced observing the Bible Sabbath. He embraced the third message and its kindred doctrines when the tent was here in 1861. In his death a large circle of friends and kindred are called to mourn, a wife has lost a kind companion, four children a tender and loving father, and the church a worthy member. On the burial occasion we offered words of comfort from 1 Thess. iv, 18.
C. O. TAYLOR.
Faithful Amid Opposition
By O. Larsen
From Bro. Larsen.
BRO. SMITH: I praise God for his grace and mercy toward us poor pilgrims. For my part, I have firmly resolved to serve the Lord and wait for his glorious appearing. And I believe that the time is not far distant when Jesus will come. I want to keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. But I realize that I still have a great work to do to overcome, and that there are many things about me that will threaten and persuade me to keep back. It often looks hard when I see that so many try with all their might to make us give up the blessed hope and the faith once delivered to the saints. But yet I can praise the Lord, and often rejoice, when I am reviled, that I am permitted to suffer for Christ's sake; then I can pour out my heart in prayer to God for those who hate me, and I have the happy assurance that God will save me through grace for the sake of our blessed Redeemer. There are a few Sabbath-keepers in this place, and we meet every Sabbath. We do often rejoice in the blessing of God's Holy Spirit. Pray for us, that we may prove faithful, and at last meet with all the saints in the kingdom. O. LARSEN.
Racine, Wis.
Lectures Near Vermontville, Michigan
By A. O. Burrill; E. B. Lane
From Bro. Burrill and Lane.
Bro. Smith: Thinking a report might be interesting to those connected with the cause and acquainted with us, we submit the following:
We found no difficulty in obtaining a place to hold a course of lectures, 3½ miles north of Vermontville, Mich. After securing this location we ascertained that we were situated in a thickly-settled community, composed mostly of Methodists. By extensively circulating our notices we were favored with a full congregation, and there was manifestly a good interest awakening. We had not proceeded far before it could be evidently seen that the enemy was aroused. Appointments were given out conflicting with ours. Many false stories were reported about what we believed, such as that we deny Christ, know the day and hour of his coming, that we had been elsewhere breaking up prayer and class-meetings, &c., and finally we were harangued from their pulpits in very ungentlemanly terms, to say nothing of Christian courtesy. All this seemed to awaken a deeper interest to hear. The leaders, as expressed by one, were afraid of the results of these meetings, and succeeded in closing the house against us. We were, therefore, obliged to discontinue, notwithstanding the interest and prospects of good results.
We spent some time visiting and praying with those much interested, and supplying them with proper reading matter. Urgent requests were made that we should give a course of lectures with the tent next spring.
Although we gave but seven discourses, with the blessing of God we trust that some seed is sown on good ground, and will bring forth fruit unto everlasting life.
A. O. Burrill,
E. B. Lane.
ANNA MATTESON
By Anna Matteson
From Sr. Matteson.
BRO. SMITH: I am interested more than ever in this last solemn work. I long for salvation, and desire, with God's dear remnant children, to be an overcomer. My daily prayer is, that we may cleanse ourselves from all-filthiness of the flesh and of the spirit, that we may be more like our dear Saviour. I want to love and serve him in all my conversation, when I meet with the brethren and sisters on the Sabbath, and when I attend to my daily labor at home. Oh! that the Lord may say also to me, in the day of his coming, “Well done, good and faithful servant, . . . enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” This glorious inheritance is worth all our self-denial. Heaven is cheap enough if we have to overcome a few wretched, sinful habits. Let us now try to live in accordance with that light which God has so graciously given us in these last days.
ANNA MATTESON
Oakland, Wis.
"HEART WHISPERINGS."
Rise! there is a world before thee,
One of sorrow and of strife,
Thou must learn full many a lesson
From the book of human life:
Bitter lesson—
How life's sea with pain is rife.
Rise! force back each bitter feeling!
Dash those useless tears away;
What tho' clouds are hovering o'er thee,
Out of night ariseth day.
Resolutions
Sure will find for thee a way.
Rise! be calm when storms are wildest,
Never yield to dark despair,
Brace each nerve up, for thy life scenes
May be oftener dark than fair;
And for changes
Every weak heart-string prepare.
Holy Fear, Doorkeeper of the Soul
ST. BERNARD calls holy fear the doorkeeper of the soul. As a nobleman's porter stands at the door and keeps out vagrants, so the fear of God stands and keeps all sinful temptations from entering.
Appointments.
And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of Heaven is at hand.
Providence permitting, we will hold meetings at South Lancaster, Mass., Dec. 4–7; Curtis Corners, R. I., Dec. 11–14; near Wellsville, N. Y., Dec. 18–21; Bowling Green, Ohio, Dec. 25–28.
James White,
Ellen G. White.
The next Monthly Meeting of the Orleans, Fair Plains, and Bushnell churches, will be held at Orleans, Mich., the first Sabbath in December. The Vergennes, Bowne, Orleans, and Stanton brethren are all invited to come and bring their children and friends that are interested in the truth along; and then, brethren, let us make a special effort for them, and we shall see how the Lord will help us. Meeting will begin Sabbath eve, and continue two days. Bro. Matteson is expected. We shall have our latest works at this meeting for the benefit of those who have them not: Life Incidents, Life of Bro. Bates, Advent Keepsake, and tracts. Brethren, come, determined to get good and to do good.
It would be well to bring your blankets and robes.
P. Strong.
Providence permitting, I will meet with the church in Parkville, Dec. 12 and 13. As this is the annual meeting for the election of trustees, we request all the members of the church to be present.
J. Byington.
The next Quarterly Meeting for the church of Monroe, Wis., will, the Lord willing, be held Dec. 12 and 13, 1868. We shall be happy to have as many as can come from other churches.
Joseph G. Wood.
Providence permitting, there will be a Quarterly Meeting at Rockton, Ill., Dec. 19, 20, 1868. All who can come are invited.
T. M. Steward.
The next Monthly Meeting of the churches of Greenwood Prairie, and Pine Island, will be held at Greenwood Prairie, where Bro. Gibson may appoint, Dec. 19, 1868. The second will be held at Pine Island, the third Sabbath in Jan. 1869. Come to these meetings, brethren, filled with the spirit of humility. Let us try to awake out of sleep. And do not forget to come prepared as far as you can to care for yourselves.
H. F. Phelps.
Monthly Meeting for Allegan Co., Mich., will be held at Monterey, Dec. 5 and 6. We extend an invitation to all the brethren and sisters who can make it practicable, to be at this meeting.
Charles Jones.
Providence permitting, a Monthly Meeting will be held with the church in Athens, Me., at Fellows Mills, commencing Dec. 11, and holding over Sabbath and first-day. Hope to see a general attendance from the different churches. Come, brethren and sisters, to labor for reformation and salvation.
Per order of Committee.
Providence permitting, I will attend the Monthly Meeting at Jackson, Mich., Sabbath, Dec. 5, 1868.
I. D. Van Horn.
Replies.
By JOS. CLARKE.
In nothing is there more need of care than in making replies, or in not making them. When one is rebuked for a wrong it seems fitting that a response be made, for many reasons: First, the one who corrects, wants to know how his hint is received. Second, the spectators want to know. Third, the offender wants to give vent to his feelings. And without some reply there is liability to mistake. Thus, when a person is rebuked, and is perfectly silent, one perhaps will say, he is sullen; another will say, he justifies himself; and another will say he is unjust; and so on. People will say anything which comes uppermost; when a word of confession and truthful explanation will stop all the mouths of the surmisers, and if the reply is right and humble it will go far to heal the injured ones.
JOS. CLARKE.
Immense Fossil Crocodile
THE fossil remains of an immense crocodile, says the Scientific American, have been found at the end of the Kansas Pacific R. R. The entire length of the skeleton is 125 feet.
Judgment vs. Mercy.
By John Nevins Andrews
THERE can be no mercy in the Judgment. Its object is to determine and to make known the exact truth with regard to every person. For this purpose God weighs us in his balances. What would balances be good for that would show favor to those who lacked the perfect weight? Whoever neglects or carelessly slights mercy now, because its conditions are too exacting, and flatters himself that he shall find mercy in the day of Judgment, is committing a fatal mistake. That day will reveal just what you are, and if you are found wanting it will be too late to retrieve your dreadful mistake.
J. N. A.
Note from Bro. Byington.
By John Byington
THERE was a good attendance at our last Monthly Meeting in Newton. We were some disappointed in not having one of the elders of the Battle Creek church with us, but the Lord did not withhold his blessing. The next Monthly Meeting will be in Convis, at the Austin school house, Dec. 12. Cannot Bro. Gage, or Smith or Amadon, meet with them? J. BYINGTON.
Objections to the Visions.
By D. T. Shireman
I HAVE read through the “Answers to Objections against the Visions,” and I think that every church in this State (Iowa) should send for at least 50 copies for free distribution among friends and neighbors. They have long expected such a book. They have heard the objections, why not read the answers? We have sent for them for the Marion church, and are placing them in the hands of those who will read.
D. T. SHIREMAN.
Loud Prayer.
By John Matteson
SUCH prayer is not expedient. It is not necessary nor right for us to wear out our lungs and throat like the priests of Baal in calling on God. The living God can certainly hear, so we need not pray so loud for his sake. And even if we ourselves could stand it, it would be kind in us to remember that we are surrounded by weak fellow-mortals, who may be more nervous than we are. We need not, by loud prayer, to work ourselves into a kind of excitement to gain the approbation of God; for he is pleased with the humble and contrite heart. We want the prayer of faith; a calm trust in God, prostrating ourselves before him with humble reverence. It answers all practical purposes in a meeting when we pray loud and distinct enough for all to hear and understand. The Lord has given us repeated testimonies on this point. I, for one, will try to heed them.
On the other hand it is also to be lamented that some pray so low that but very few can understand what they say. Dear brethren, let us try to learn, by the grace of God, to act harmoniously, get more of the sweet Spirit of Heaven, of faith and love, which will manifest itself in heavenly words and works, that we, at last, may be fitted for the kingdom.
JOHN MATTESON.
Report from Bro. A. C. Bourdeau.
By A. C. Bourdeau
WHEN I wrote my last report, dated the 3d of November, we had spent two weeks at Jamaica, Vt. We remained there one week longer. During our stay at Jamaica, the brethren were very free in favoring us with teams, which enabled us to visit quite extensively. The time that we did not spend in holding meetings, writing, or working on the meeting-house, we spent in visiting, especially in the evenings.
In our experience thus far in laboring in the cause, we have witnessed, almost invariably, that in visiting families from house to house, we have been enabled, by the assisting grace of God, to accomplish as much good, to say the least, as in any other kind of labor. In many instances, cases can be reached by this kind of labor, which it would seem could never be reached in any other way. This kind of work is not confined to ministers only; but private members of churches who are spiritual, and whose hearts are in the work, can labor successfully in this way, and thus accomplish good, and become useful in the cause. “Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him, let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way, shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.” James v, 19, 20.
Monday, Nov. 9, at 4 o’clock A. M., Bro. Pike, with Bro. Brown’s horse and carriage, very kindly assisted us by taking wife and self to the Manchester station, a distance of sixteen miles. The day following we reached home, and found several letters to be answered, among which was one by Bro. A. Stone in behalf of the brethren in East Richford and vicinity, asking for help in making a start to build a house of worship. In East Richford there is no meeting-house for any religious society; and if the church there could gather sufficient strength and courage, with a little assistance from others who are willing to put their shoulders to the wheel, they might build a meeting-house, which, doubtless, would be conducive to the upbuilding of the cause in that section. I shall endeavor to meet with the church there next week, and the propriety of making a move in this direction will then be considered.
Our meeting in Enosburgh, last Sabbath, was very encouraging. We feel an increasing desire to draw nearer to God, and to become more consecrated to his service.
A. C. BOURDEAU.
Bordoville, Vt., Nov. 17, 1868.
Minnesota Conference Report
By Henry F. Phelps
According to the instructions of the Minn. Conf., at its last session, and after waiting almost two months since the quarter expired, I now report. The churches have all reported, some quite promptly; and I have received reports from all the ministers, except Bro. Wm. S. Ingraham.
HENRY F. PHELPS, Sec.
Pine Island, Minn., Nov. 23.
BUSINESS AND PERSONAL.
A limited space will be given under this head for Business Notices from the brethren, at 20 cents per line for each insertion. Parties must give good reference as to their standing and responsibility.
WANTED.—A strong, healthy woman, of good moral character, who is able to do all kinds of housework, who is a good washer, and can do common sewing, and is willing to live hygienically. Address Dr. WM. RUSSELL. Health Institute, Battle Creek, Mich.
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 Papers. If money for the paper is not in due time acknowledged immediate notice of the omission should then be given.
$1.00 each. E H Richmond 34-1, Lewis Bush 34-23, Drawer No. 2341, J Schneider 34-1, W Brink 34-1, H Lockwood 32-9, J Lautz 34-1, R Stewart 33-21, Geo Lindsay 34-21, E Elmer 33-1, S J Hersom 33-20, F Good 34-1, L Clarke 33-22.
$2.00 each. B Wright 34-16, A Belden 34-9, J Craig 33-14, V Powers 32-14, J W Merrifield 32-1, V O Cahill 34-17, Kate Babcock 33-1, S Drake 36-1, J A Gifford 34-1, M Aldrich 34-22, T M Foster 34-1, L Hackett 33-21, W G Levens 34-6, A Andrews 32-9, M M Nickerson 35-1, R M Frink 34-20, L A Kettle 34-23, W S Moon 35-1, H Main 34-23, W S Fairchild 34-1.
Miscellaneous. Elizabeth Rice $4.00 34-9, A B Castle 75c 34-2, Mrs J T Orton 5.00 36-21, J E Freeman 4.70 35-1, L M Jones 3.00 34-1, W Lawton 5.82 2 copies 35-1, B Hostler 4.00 34-9, T T Wheeler 5.00 35-9.
Cash Received on Account.
L W Carr $2.00, Joseph Clarke 5.00, H F Phelps 9.00, L M Jones 6.00.
Books Sent by Mail.
Louis Dysart 44c, Mary Bower $1.74, W S Foote 50c, L M Locke 87c, A O Burrill 4.39, Julia A Williams 1.00, N S Brocken 1.50, E J Andrews 50c, Mrs M V Darling 30c, Wm Boynton 2.00, C H Bliss 30c, T Alverson 1.00, Ruth Roe 2.87, C M Nichols 50c, J S Brookens 92c, Mary Zimmerman 3.60, R M Frink 1.00, A M Mann 50c, A H Clymer to different persons 2.00, C B Reynolds 85c, W Lawton 2.24.
Books Sent by Express.
W T Hutchinson Warren Ohio $17.00.
Michigan Conference Fund.
Church at Vergennes $20.00.
General Conference Missionary Fund.
Ill & Wis Conference $40.00, Iowa Conference 43.50, New York Conference 200.00, Church in Roosevelt N Y 50.00.
Received on Book and Tract Fund.
J E Freeman $5.00.
Receipts for Benevolent Fund.
L Dysart $2.82, A Friend 5.70, M House 5.00, O A Olson 10.00, H Olson 10.00, Asa Olson 5.00, A Hostler 1.00, Maria West 2.00.
For California Mission.
A Olson $5.00, Betsey Olson 5.00, O A Olson 5.00, L A Kettle 1.00.