I wish to inform you that our district is in arrears with the State society. This should not be allowed. We must pay up. Every member will be expected to hand in a report for the April meeting, and to accompany the report with a donation. Our officers will endeavor to collect all the money that is due the society from pledges, or from any other source. There are some who can sell books and take subscriptions for Good Health, all of which will help our finances. Four of our churches are in debt to the district. Our district secretary will wait on them with a statement of their indebtedness. Payment must be made. There are periodical accounts that are two years old. These must be settled.
We have a large field and a good one in which to labor. Very many can be found who are anxious to read the matter that is issued from our publishing offices, and we have organized for the purpose of helping them to this reading matter. God will not excuse indolence when it is so near the harvest time. It is for us to do our duty and be saved, or to excuse ourselves in a selfish, do-less shell, that cannot be penetrated by the genial warmth of God's Spirit nor by any appeal for a worthy cause; and thus be lost at last.
There are many scattered families of Sabbath-keepers who cannot meet with others on the Sabbath day; they seldom or never hear any preaching, and frequently have no opportunity to attend prayer-meetings. The Bible and our periodicals are the only religious teachers they have; and the family worship, morning and evening, is the only religious service they attend for months at a time.
I think it would be a good plan for every such family to organize a family Sabbath-school. It would make the Sabbath pass more pleasantly and profitably.
The new weekly Instructor furnishes dated lessons for every Sabbath, so that the scattered families can all be studying the same lessons that are learned from Sabbath to Sabbath in the schools. Then if they should at any time have opportunity to meet with any school, or any other family, all would have learned the same lesson, and would be prepared to unite in recitation and general exercises.
A family Sabbath-school should begin and close at a definite time, just like any other school. It would be better to have it held in the forenoon, beginning somewhere from nine to half-past ten, and continuing from an hour to an hour and a quarter. The exercises should begin with singing and prayer, and the interest would hold out better if there should be singing once or twice during the exercises, and at the close.
The parents can hear each other recite, and then hear the lessons of the children. In all cases where there are children in the family, the exercises should be adapted to their wants, and so conducted as to give them frequent change. In this way the hour will pass quickly and pleasantly, and the children will soon learn to look forward to their Sabbath-school with fond anticipations.
The general exercises may consist of reviews on former lessons, pointing out important places on the map, etc. The afternoon may be spent in reading, and in learning the lessons for the next Sabbath. Thus the Sabbath, instead of being a long, tedious day, will become a delight. Some families have been trying this plan with the most complete success, and we hope soon to hear from others.
Such schools should report to the State Secretary the same as other schools.
G. H. BELL.
DON'T MIX YOUR BUSINESS.
By Editor
THE business for many of our societies is done at the REVIEW Office, and yet it is not done by one clerk.
Perhaps the fact that business for General Conference, Michigan Conference, General Tract Society, Michigan Tract Society, Dime Tabernacle, Foreign Missions, etc., is all done under one roof, has led to the opinion that it would save us time, as well as some stationery to the writer, to put all kinds of business as close together as is possible. This is a great mistake.
Each kind of business has its regular clerk, who must read the whole letter in order to find out which part of it belongs to him. One letter often contains business that must go before five different clerks, and in the busy time of the year when hundreds of letters are received daily, each one of these clerks may be so hurried with other letters that this one must wait a day or two, and it may be five or eight days before all is attended to.
To T. & M. officers who do a large amount of business we say, Please use the printed blanks we have sent out, as far as possible. In every case, putting business for Dime Tabernacle on one sheet, book orders upon another, periodical business upon a third, and all miscellaneous business and correspondence upon a sheet by itself. Copy for the paper must of course be separate.
To those doing a small amount of business we say, Please put book orders and periodical business on separate sheets or parts of a sheet as far as is possible, and you will in so doing confer a great favor on REVIEW & HERALD.
LIFE MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL TRACT SOCIETY.
The following is a list of the names and addresses of those who have paid for life memberships in the General Tract Society, and who have not been previously receipted:—
J. L. Prescott, North Berwick, Me.
H. M. Prescott, “ “ “
Eld. I. Sanborn, “ “ “
A. A. Bradford, West Rindge, N. H.
H. T. H. Sanborn, N. Scituate, R. I.
C. Lombard, “ “
M. J. Wyman, Ashby, Mass.
L. D. Cummings, Cornish Center, N. H.
Susie B. Dyar, So. Lancaster, Mass.
C. W. Cummings, Cornish Center, N. H.
John S. Smith, West Wilton, N. H.
A. R. Ball, Clinton, Mass.
Albert Belding, Kensington, Ct.
G. F. Haines, So. Lancaster, Mass.
Eliza Thayer, “ “
Eld. A. S. Hutchins, Irasburg, Vt.
Abby D. Hutchins, “ “
Anna W. Gould, West Wilton, N. H.
Edna D. Robinson, So. Lancaster, Mass.
O. A. Wilbur, Westmoreland, N. H.
Alonzo E. Ball, Clinton, Mass.
Mary T. Aldrich, Hinsdale, N. H.
Samuel Martin, West Rindge, N. H.
Mary L. Priest, So. Lancaster, Mass. ($8.50)
Maria N. Priest, Still River, “ “ ($7.50)
Rhoda Thayer, So. Lancaster, “
E. M. Kimball, Acushnet, “
Samuel W. Smith, West Wilton, N. H.
Louisa Tarbell, “ “ “
Caroline S. Lake, So. Lancaster, Mass. ($5.00)
Eld. R. F. Cottrell, Ridgeway, N. Y.
Eld. J. Fargo, Battle Creek, Mich.
Emma H. Woolsey, “ “ “
W. C. White, “ “ “
Mary K. White, “ “ “
Orville Forbes, Meredith Village, N. H.
Mrs. A. H. Hall, Madrid Springs, N. Y.
O. D. Washburn, Sacketts Harbor, N. Y.
J. P. Nourse, Chittenango Falls, N. Y.
C. A. Osgood, Mallory, N. Y.
E. C. and H. M. Hendee, Pinckney, Mich.
Wm. Ings, Southampton, England.
J. L. Ings, Bale, Switzerland.
David Carr, North Creek, N. Y.
J. F. Chubb, Howard City, Mich.
Chas. Lee, New London, N. Y.
D. Russell Keesee, N. Y.
Eld. G. W. Colcord, Rockford, Ill.
A. H. Hall, Madrid Springs, N. Y.
Eld. B. L. J. Whitney, Rome, N. Y.
E. H. Whitney, “ “
L. H. Priest, So. Lancaster, Mass. ($5.00)
H. S. Priest, Still River, “ “ ($5.00)
Eli Robinson, Beacon, Iowa.
Laura Vincent, Portville, N. Y.
W. A. Towle, Orleans, Mich.
C. P. Towle, “ “
C. Smith, Battle Creek, Mich.
THE GREAT STIR IN NORWAY.
The capital of Norway is greatly stirred over the present truth. In this week's report from Bro. Matteson, reference is made to a little leaflet that has been published and scattered all over Christiana. Its design is especially to arouse the theologians and clergy of that city to take active measures against the work performed by Bro. Matteson. We have just received a copy of the leaflet, and as it shows how deep-rooted the work of truth is getting to be in Christiana, and how stirred up the people are in regard to it, we take pleasure in translating it for the readers of the REVIEW.
The article starts out with the following question:—
“Are nearly all the shepherds of the churches of Christiana asleep, or what should and ought one to expect of priests and theologians, when error of the worst kind is preached and disseminated publicly?”
It then continues:—
“It has caused and still causes great dissatisfaction with the priests and theologians of Christiana, that nothing as yet has been done to refute and answer the publications that have been scattered abroad, and the many aggravating, blasphemous, lectures held in this city by a missionary from the Seventh-day Adventists in America. When the pure doctrine of the State church has clearly been shown to be radically false, as has been done by publications and public lectures, then it is not enough that the priests simply warn their members not to attend the meetings and listen to the lectures; because hundreds will attend anyway. Those who with a little insight into the doctrine of justification by faith, have followed the thread of these many kinds of lectures, will see that no more subtle way of undermining the fundamental principles of theology has ever been introduced into this country, so far as can be remembered. The writer of these lines, who for many years has been engaged in the missionary work, and therefore has had more than common opportunities to become grounded in the truths of the gospel, would venture to say that much Bible knowledge and Christian experience is needed in order not to be led away by the errors of this doctrine, and that many are being led away is already a well-known fact.
“Our common books of instruction for children, so far as some of the vital points are concerned, such as the question of the immortality of the soul and of endless torment, are not plain enough to even defend one's self with them; and when these points are subtly attacked by enemies of the truth, we can see with sorrow from the present case what the result will be; they do not spare anything of the existing doctrines, when their objects thereby can be attained. Many priests and theologians are always at hand with their domineering writings at the expense of the truth, as for instance when they take it in hand to tear down the work of a poor lay preacher, who, without pay and driven by the Spirit of God, devote themselves
MINNESOTA
Wrightstown, Otter Tail Co., Feb. 17.—We have been laboring with the Wrightstown church for the past three weeks. The outside interest has been good. Six have taken hold of the Sabbath, and the church has been much strengthened and encouraged. When we came, regular Sabbath meetings had been discontinued, as well as prayer-meetings and Sabbath-school. Besides this, but one family in the whole church took any of our papers. Regular prayer and Sabbath meetings have now been appointed, a club of the Instructor has been ordered, and a Sabbath-school will be organized.
N. BATTIN.
A. MEAD.
Maple Plain, Feb. 14.—We held our first Sabbath meeting last Sabbath. Six signed the covenant, and at least one more is keeping the Sabbath. Have held one meeting three miles from here, with a good attendance. To-night we go to a school-house a mile beyond. There is some interest there, and we hope for more; but prejudice is very strong. We hope to be remembered by the praying ones, that the Lord may give us humility and patience, and may bring light to those who are in darkness, through our labors.
D. P. CURTIS.
W. WALKER.
Birchdale, Todd Co.—Five have decided that the seventh day is the Sabbath. A United Brethren preacher came here and engaged the school-house I am using; but on being informed that I intended to go to the next neighborhood, where he has a church of forty-two members, he left me in possession of the field.
JAMES S. BROWER.
CHRISTIANA, NORWAY.
By John G. Matteson
Matters are very interesting and lively here. Our faith was attacked in one of the daily papers. After a hard struggle with the editor he was persuaded to publish our reply. It will go through seven or eight papers, and then be printed in tract form—32 pp.
The papers call for the priests to come forward and defend their old faith, and a little sheet is flying through town commencing thus: “Are nearly all the shepherds of the churches in Christiana asleep?” Further down the writer says, “After the pure doctrine of the State Church has, through print and public lectures, been clearly proved to be a forgery through and through, as is now done, the priests need to do something else than merely to warn the churches against attending and listening; for the people go by hundreds anyway.”
Such strong calls have, of course, awakened the shepherds, so that the Sabbath and immortality questions were discussed Sunday evening in three or more pulpits. Nevertheless more than one thousand people crowded our hall, so that every foot of ground was occupied. I spoke on the change of the Sabbath, and the Lord seemed to roll conviction on the minds of the people. The clouds from the thundering artillery around us were illuminated by light from Heaven, and the light appeared all the more beautiful by coming in contact with these dark bodies.
About fifty brethren and sisters are keeping the Sabbath, although this is quite a task just now under so great a pressure. We are greatly blessed in our Sabbath meetings, and are thankful to the Lord that he has caused his Spirit to rest also in the north country. Zech. 6:8.
Jan. 27, 1879. JOHN G. MATTESON.
ENGLAND
By John Norton Loughborough
Two weeks have passed since my last report. I have now given seven discourses in Shirley Hall. We have also held three Sabbath meetings at our own home, which have strengthened the Sabbath-keepers here. The numbers and interest have steadily increased at the hall. The people have placed in our contribution box about one-third enough to pay the expense of the meetings. We are getting acquainted with interested parties as far as possible, and hope for some fruit of our labor.
Bro. Ings has a government license to sell our publications anywhere in Hampshire for one year. The license cost five shillings ($1.25). To use it in Southampton borough will require an indorsement from the borough police, which we can get for a sixpence (12 cts.). He will have to pay a like sum to use the license in any other shire (county). He has succeeded in making some sales already, but money is scarce among those to whom he has had access.
While laboring here, we are by correspondence gaining access to people elsewhere. We have already been solicited to place the Signs in one reading room at a seaport in Lincolnshire, and to furnish publications for distribution. We have to-day placed publications on a ship sailing to the West Indies.
The Lord has raised us up a friend, a near neighbor, a man in authority at the docks. Although not a Sabbath-keeper, he has volunteered to place our publications in the hands of responsible parties on ships sailing to the East and West Indies, intervening ports, and all parts of the world.
The principles of health reform are gaining ground in Great Britain. The secular papers of Southampton have of late admitted into their columns several articles on this topic from the editor of the Dietetic Reformer, and other parties. We have already opened correspondence with advocates of these principles, calling their attention to Good Health and our health publications.
Simultaneously with our arrival, the Southampton papers commenced to agitate the Sabbath question, on this wise: The teetotalers had opened cocoa rooms, where the laboring classes could get lunch without being tempted to liquor-drinking, as they would be in public houses. As the publicans were allowed by law to keep open their places certain hours on Sunday, a proposition came before the corporation owning and managing the five cocoa rooms to have them opened the same hours. This project was defeated by a vote of the stockholders, and this opened the Sabbath controversy. Some of these utterances of Southampton papers I give in another article.
We watch all these providences, and pray for God's Spirit to guide us aright. Above everything else we must have divine aid. We want to feel a love for souls. We want our hearts continually imbued with the spirit of Jesus. God does draw near and bless as we speak to the people. Pray that the Lord may help us.
Dec. 31. J. N. Loughborough.
Stanley Cottage, Fremantle, Southampton, Eng.
OHIO
Peninsula, Summit Co., Feb. 17.—We closed our meetings in Solon and commenced here a week ago. We occupy the town hall, and find a home with a S. D. Baptist family that have embraced the truth. Last Sabbath an old gentleman and his wife kept the day for the first time. Last night the hall was crowded.
In Solon six persons signed the covenant, and others will do so hereafter. We organized a Sabbath-school of twenty-five members. They are discarding tobacco, pork, tea, and coffee, and a desire to work is manifested.
R. A. UNDERWOOD.
E. H. GATES.
Corsica, Feb. 17.—Notwithstanding the hard times, our subscription for the meeting-house is large enough to warrant us in taking steps to hold it legally, and the brethren are gathering the material with a commendable zeal; and, no providence preventing, in a few months we shall have a house to preach the third message in. Being shut out of all public places, we thought it best to begin meetings in the country three miles from the village. We are having a good hearing.
Our last Sabbath meeting was very encouraging. We organized a class of thirty members, and there are ten or twelve more to come in. Yesterday the Sabbath-school was organized. Everything bids fair for a strong church here. Bro. Mann has been absent nearly a week, on account of sickness. Ohio presents very interesting and promising fields of labor. Everywhere we go the people are ripe for this truth. Thus far we have obtained thirty-nine subscribers for our periodicals.
A. O. BURRILL.
TENTS FOR INDIANA.
By S. H. Lane
We are anxious to procure means to purchase one new tent and a new top to an old one, and in order to do so we are under the necessity of raising $325. A small portion of said amount is already raised. We wish to secure the balance immediately, and we ask the leader of each church and company of Sabbath-keepers, where a person has not been appointed to take the matter in charge, to present it to the friends of the cause in his church or company. Let this be done throughout the entire Conference. Please attend to this matter immediately.
We appeal especially to our scattered brethren and friends throughout the State. Please aid us in this matter. If you donate liberally, we shall try to hold a tent-meeting in your locality as soon as we can.
Send your pledges and money to Dr. Wm. Hill, Rochester, Fulton Co., Ind. Send by post-office money order or draft. We must have the tents to carry on the work in this Conference next summer. Who will aid us?
S. H. LANE, Pres.
TO THE PENNSYLVANIA S. S. ASSOCIATION.
By Anna M. Oyer
That during the past few months there has been a mighty movement in the Sabbath-school work among us, we are all aware, and none can doubt that the Spirit of God has prompted it. Are we as an Association taking hold of this work as we should, earnestly, heartily? Or are we doing it “negligently”?
We are warned by multiplying evidences that “the great day of the Lord is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly;” and he has given us this work for the sake of the young. These truths, so precious to us of mature minds, have not always been presented to the children in the best way. But now God calls upon us to make special effort for them, and he will work with us. Will not every company of Sabbath-keepers in this Association do its duty in this direction? If you have not an organized school, elect a superintendent and secretary immediately, and keep a record of attendance. If there are any young persons, have a special class for them; they will feel more at ease and be more likely to become7interested. Do not let even one child sit uncared for in a corner, while the older ones discuss subjects beyond his comprehension. Take a club of the Instructor. Let the children have simple lessons adapted to their minds, and the best teacher to talk it over with them. Then let them invite in the neighbor’s children to help enjoy it, and get a paper to take home. Don’t be afraid of taking too many Instructors. Much good may in this way be done to those whom no other means would reach.
Brethren and sisters, we are responsible to the Lord for this work; and if we consider it a small thing, remember that “he that is faithful in that which is least, is faithful also in much,” Luke 16: 10; and it is the servant who is faithful over a few things that will, in the day of rewards, be made ruler over many things, and enter into the joy of his Lord.
ANNA M. OYER.
East Otto, Catt. Co., N. Y.
NEARER TO THEE.
Nearer, my God, to thee,
Nearer to thee;
E'en though it be a cross
That raiseth me,
Still all my song shall be,
Nearer, my God, to thee,
Nearer to thee.
—Mrs. S. T. Adams.
Nearer the sacred throne of grace,
Nearer the heavenly resting-place,
Nearer where tears shall never flow,
Nearer where pains we never know,
Nearer the angelic throng to greet,
Nearer to walk the golden street,
Nearer the overcomer's crown,
Nearer the seat beside the throne,
Nearer the crystal river's tide,
Nearer the tree on either side,
Nearer the holy angel throng,
Nearer to sing the glad new song,
Nearer the grand millennial joy,
Nearer that life without alloy,
Nearer still nearer, my God, to thee,
Nearer to all eternity.
Mrs. E. E. S. Burch.Cerro Gordo, Ill.
GEORGIA
By C. O. Taylor
On my way to Reynolds, Taylor Co., I spent a few days in the northern part of Brooks Co. One family commenced to keep the Sabbath, and three persons were baptized.
I also visited Worth and Dodge counties. In Worth Co. some have been keeping the Sabbath for a year; others have promised to keep it. In Dodge Co. I found a welcome at the home of J. H. Whitsett. He takes the Signs and Good Health, and his wife is keeping the Sabbath. He cleared and seated a new gin-house for me to preach in. He also told his hired help (six in number) that they need not work on Saturday. Mr. W. has never made a profession of religion, but he indorses our views on the Sabbath and some other subjects.
In Perry I found Bro. Killen and family strong in the truth. He has had some difficulty to get the church of which he was a member to take action in his case. They have at last passed a resolution to withdraw church fellowship from him, but not Christian fellowship. By request, I spoke in the court-house on the atonement.
On reaching home I found the brethren firm in the truth, and the outside interest unabated.
C. O. TAYLOR.
IOWA
By J. B. Bennington
Liberty Corners, Marion Co., Feb. 19.—We organized a Sunday-school here Dec. 1, 1878. The interest and attendance thus far have been good. Have held several meetings at this place during the past month. Two that have been reading our publications and attending our lectures have commenced to keep holy the Sabbath of the Lord. Bro. J. G. Johnson, of Monroe, has aided me in my meetings at this place.
J. B. BENNINGTON.
MASSACHUSETTS
By T. Cottle
Dartmouth, Feb. 17.—This little church has been enjoying a refreshing season for the past two weeks. Bro. S. S. Mooney has been holding meetings here; four or five have taken a decided stand to keep all God's commandments, and many others are deeply interested. Perhaps Bro. Gilbert Collins's friends in the West will be pleased to learn that he and his wife have taken a noble stand in the cause, which greatly encourages our hearts. The meetings still continue, and we earnestly desire the prayers of all God's people.
T. COTTLE.
VIRGINIA
By I. SANBORN
Page Co.—I am still laboring in this county. Twelve have signed the covenant, and steps have been taken toward church organization. A great many others are keeping the Sabbath, who will, I think, unite with us as soon as they overcome the tobacco habit. Some are waiting for their friends to unite with them. I expect to organize a Sabbath-school, if the people can raise money to take a club of the Instructor. It requires a great deal of patient labor to accomplish much, as the people are slow to move. This makes the labor wearing. But there are precious souls all around us who will follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth.
There are calls for preaching in two other places, one five miles and the other three miles from Zion, where I now am. I took a hard cold when I came into the State, and the weather has been so changeable that I have not fully recovered from it yet, but by careful treatment, and the help of the Lord, I have kept about my work. I hope all interested in this mission will pray for me. I. SANBORN.
TENNESSEE
By G. K. Owen
Paradise Ridge, Cheatham, Co., Feb. 18.— We found the church here in a very critical condition. We commenced work immediately in the Baptist church, which had not previously been opened to us, and have given twenty-five discourses besides holding several special meetings with the brethren. After our meetings commenced, a mob spirit was aroused, and threats were made to stop us before the end of the week, or lay the church in ashes; but an unseen Hand stilled the tempest, and we have since had good order and interested congregations, notwithstanding bad roads and bad weather. A few have commenced to keep the Sabbath, and many are undecided, in which state this people generally tarry long, and then come out on the wrong side. Prejudice seems almost to have disappeared. We hope a good work has begun in the hearts of our brethren and sisters here, that will go deeper until every lamp is trimmed and burning.
This is a hard field, and without the help of the Lord and the abiding presence of his Holy Spirit, our efforts will be in vain; therefore pray for us. G. K. OWEN.
MICHIGAN
By E. B. LANE
Lansing.—Three or four families, with as many single members, constitute the little company of Sabbath-keepers at Lansing. They met on New Year's day, and donated and pledged over twelve dollars to the Oakland church and Dime Tabernacle, and about nine dollars to the T. and M. work. At our business meeting they heartily indorsed the tithing system, and took a club of thirty-seven copies of the Signs.
Our T. and M. labors in Dists. 10 and 14 closed here. I found pleasant fellow-laborers in the directors, Brn. Carman and Woodhull; and I trust much good has been done. All have come up nobly on the tithing system and other church business, and especially in taking the Signs. The subscription in Dist. No. 10 was raised from 68 to 207; that of Dist. No. 14, from 64 copies to 178. Who can tell the good these papers will do, if judiciously circulated? E. B. LANE.
TO THE FRIENDS OF THE CAUSE IN TEXAS.
By Robert M. Kilgore
DEAR BRETHREN: I wish to say a word concerning our finances. At the late camp-meeting it was decided that Texas ought to run two tents the coming season. There are two young men who are ready to man one tent, and we confidently expect Eld. J. H. Morrison to assist with the other.
Our old tent is so worn that, as it now is, it is worthless for tent-meetings. It may do to use during our camp-meetings, but that is all. We have ordered two new tents from Chicago, and our tent season is just upon us. Now what can we do without means to pay for and run these cotton churches? The General Conference make us a very liberal offer, provided we will help ourselves all we can. I am sure you are more than willing to do this.
To those who pledged to the tent fund at our meeting in Dallas, July 1, 1877, I would say that I should be glad to hear from you at once, whether you have paid your pledge or not. If you have paid a part or all, please state the amount, and to whom you paid, and when. If you have not paid, you would help us greatly by doing all you can at this time. Send by draft or registered letter to the treasurer, James Gage, Peoria, Hill Co., Texas, who will return a receipt for the same.
Those who pledged to the tract society at the Rockwall camp-meeting, and have not yet paid, will greatly assist in the work in this our time of need by forwarding the same, or as much of it as possible, to the State T. and M. secretary, Miss Maggie J. Dickerson, Peoria, Hill Co., Texas, or handing it to your librarian if you are connected with a church.
To the scattered friends of the cause who have not pledged to either of these funds I would say that you have now an opportunity to help us with your donations to these funds at a time when it will render us great relief; and we urgently request you to do all you can, and as soon as you can. Let none think that because they are isolated, and do not see us face to face, they are therefore relieved from obligations to the cause of God in rendering to the Lord their tithes and offerings. Who will want it said to them in the day of final reckoning, “Ye have robbed me”? Let all throughout the State, brethren, sisters, and children, fully adopt the Bible plan of returning to the Lord his own, and we shall have enough and some to spare for other fields.
When money is sent to the Conference treasurer, James Gage, a report of the amount should in every case be sent to the Conference secretary, A. S. Chrisman, Covington, Hill Co., Texas. This is done that a correct account may be kept with the treasurer.
All T. and M. money must be sent to Miss Maggie J. Dickerson, State secretary of the tract society, who will return a receipt for the amount.
R. M. KILGORE, Pres.
READING MATTER FOR THE SOUTH.
By C. O. TAYLOR
If any of our people wish to send me a box of back numbers of Reviews, Reformers, or Signs, they will please correspond with me at Reynolds, Taylor Co., and not send any papers without writing me.
I am much pleased with the interest our brethren take in sending reading matter South. I can testify to the great good it has done. It is discouraging to write, and get no answer, as some of our people have done. I cannot say how it is in all such cases; but many who have not answered letters addressed to them are much interested, and have received some light. In some instances they intended to write, but put it off till they were ashamed, or the card or letter got lost and they did not remember the address. I speak from personal knowledge when I say that the reading has done good in several cases of this kind.
I do a great deal of labor where I see no present fruit. An editor in Brooks Co. said to me, “You have no idea of the change your views have made in the sentiments of the people,” We are to cast our bread upon the waters.
C. O. TAYLOR.
Obituary Notices.
“Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord, from henceforth.” Rev 14:13.
FELL asleep in Jesus, Jan. 5, 1879, in Fairhaven, Mass., our dearly beloved mother, Mrs. Hannah B. Chase, widow of Daniel Chase, aged 83 years, 10 months, and 19 days. She embraced the religion of Christ in her youth, and the Advent doctrine under the labors of Father Miller in 1842. With her husband she embraced the Sabbath at the time Bro. Joseph Bates commenced its observance, and for more than twenty-five years she has been a member of the Seventh-day Adventist church of Dartmouth. She loved the third angel's message. Her life was that of a consistent Christian, and, beloved by all who knew her, she passed away with perfect trust in the Lord. Our hearts are saddened by the loss of one so dear to us, but we hope to meet her where there will be no more pain. Funeral address by Eld. Goodell (Methodist). MARY P. SHAW.
DIED in Lind, Waupaca Co., Wis., Feb. 2, 1879, Christena M., only daughter of James and Sophia Christophersen, aged 13 years. Words of comfort by Bro. C. Michaelsen. MRS. C. L. HALL.
DIED of lung fever, at Clarion, Sedgwick Co., Kansas, Jan. 25, 1879, Frank Arden, only son of Bro. George E. and Sister Ellen Griffin, aged 11 months and 3 days. Funeral discourse from Jer. 31:15–17. R. F. BARTON.
DIED of diphtheria, in Thetford, Genesee Co., Mich., Jan. 26, 1879, Ernest P., second son of E. Z. and C. G. Sanborn, aged 7 years. We hope to meet him when the Lifegiver shall come. Appropriate remarks were made by Eld. John Wilson, Disciple, from Job 14:14. E. Z. AND C. G. SANBORN.
DIED of consumption, in Victory, Vernon Co., Wis., Jan. 7, 1879, Carrie Nettie, daughter of James and Elizabeth Bailey, aged 13 years. No funeral services were held at the time; but when Eld. Decker was in Victory, Feb. 8 and 9, an appropriate discourse was delivered from Job 14, for the consolation of the bereaved parents and friends. J. MESSERSMITH.
DIED in Peterborough, N. H., Nov. 26, 1878, Bro. Abisha Tubbs, aged 87 years and 6 months. Bro. Tubbs embraced the truth in the spring of 1863, when it was presented in Peterborough by Bro. Bourdeau and Hutchins, and he has since been a consistent member of the S. D. A. church. He was feeble and could not go out to meetings, but very much enjoyed them at his own house, and highly prized the REVIEW. L. W. HASTINGS.
NOT SUSTAINED.
By M. M. KENNY
AN INTERESTING CORRESPONDENCE.
“Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the Lord, and their works are in the dark.” Isa. 29:15. We have had a forcible illustration of this text here this winter. While I was attending the T. and M. Institute at Sigourney, Iowa, the Presbyterian Minister came, and preached on the Sunday Sabbath. He said he understood the Greek, and that in Matt. 28:1 the word translated “week” should have been rendered “Sabbath.” One of the leading men in the neighborhood asked him if he was sure he was right. He said he was. He then told the minister he would give him $25 if he would prove it to him. It was finally agreed that they would leave it to Professors Carpenter, Laughlin, and Jones, of Oskaloosa, and they gave the subject a careful examination, and gave a written statement, which I send for publication, as several of the brethren are anxious to have a copy of it. M. M. KENNY.
Bluff Creek, Iowa.
“MR. J. H. ENGLAND: Dear Sir, In the matter of translation mutually referred to us by yourself and Rev. Russell, we beg leave to say that we have taken the matter into some careful and impartial consideration, and find that it is true that in each of the eight occurrences of the words “first day of the week” in the New Testament (viz., Matt. 28:1; Mark 16:2, 9; Luke 24:2; John 20:1, 19; Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:2), the Greek Sabbaton is found in the original. But it is not true that the word should always be translated by the English word Sabbath. On the contrary, we find no authority for so translating the word except when it refers to the seventh day. It should never be so translated when applied to the first day of the week. The word when found in the plural of the third Greek declension and in the neuter gender, is very commonly and correctly rendered week. Hence the literal of Matt. 28:1 would be ‘and late in (the) week, when it was on the point of dawning into (the) first of (the) week,’ etc.
“Of the six different standard translations in our possession, none of them has translated any one of the eight cases named above by the word ‘Sabbath,’ when in our common version we have ‘the first day of the week.’ Greenfield in his lexicon defines the term (singular and plural) ‘Sabbath: a period of seven days, a week.’ To this agree standard lexicographers. All the above-named cases are in the plural except Mark 16:9 (Sabbaton), and Greenfield’s Greek Testament makes this plural (Sabbata) in the margin. In Luke 18:12, we read: ‘I fast twice a week’ (Sabbatou). Of course it would be nonsense to say, ‘I fast twice on the Sabbath.’ We know of no reason for rendering the term in the several passages referred to by the word Sabbath, nor do we know of any standard authorities who do thus render it.
“Yours truly,
“G. T. Carpenter, Pres. Oskaloosa College.
“G. H. Laughlin, Prof. of Greek.”
“MR. J. H. ENGLAND: Dear Sir, I have examined with some care the passages to which you recently called my attention, and will say that, in my judgment, they are very well translated in our English version.
“Very truly,
“S. A. Jones, Prof. Greek, Latin, & French.”