Earlier text: THE PAPACYWHO IS RESPONSIBLE?
By Dudley Marvin Canright
Roll back a dozen years, and see that vast army, hundreds of thousands, camping for months along the Potomac. “On to Richmond,” was the cry all over the land. But they did not go on very much. The response came back day after day, and through long weary weeks and months, “All quiet on the Potomac.” Nothing was done. What was the matter? Just one man was the matter. They had a poor leader—M’Clellan. Look again. See that other army, smaller by far, made up of the same material, no better men; but, shades of Napoleon! how they fight, how they march, how they fly through the country, how they storm forts and take cities! A horse can hardly keep up with them. We scarcely get news of the capture of one city before they have taken a dozen more. God bless these heroes. They walked through the heart of the rebellion, and took out its soul. What does this mean? Oh! a different man is at the head. Sherman is there. It is only one man that makes all that difference. And now, O ye presidents of our Conferences, this article is for you. Have you not seen, has it not been told you, has it never occurred to your mind what a wonderful difference there is in the progress of the work in a State when you get the right man at its head? Perhaps this thought has never struck you; but look and see. Show me a State that has a live, energetic, thorough-going, orderly man for a president, and I will show you a Conference that is doing something. Examine the field, and see if it is not so. On the other hand, you may take the very best field, with the best resources and the most flattering prospect, and put a dull, lifeless man at the head and everything stops suddenly, and everybody becomes discouraged. The offerings of the brethren cease, the preachers lose their zeal, the old churches go down, and things generally become discouraging. And this is reasonable. Everybody looks to the president to give the watchword, to lead off, and to keep things moving. If this is not his duty, then he has none. It is an old proverb that “the eye of the master does more work than both his hands.” The best overseer of a large number of hands is not the one who undertakes to do the largest day’s work himself; but it is the one who is here and there, and has his eyes on everything, seeing that all are at work, speaking a word of encouragement to this one, commending that one, stirring up another one, and seeing that each one is doing something. Now this is just what the president of a Conference should do. His business is to know about everything in the State, small and great, to know just the ability and gift of all his people, just where each one can work the best, and to see that he works there. He should be in constant connection with every minister; be familiar with the wants of the cause in the whole field; look after the elders of each church, and straighten up the books, examine the records of the clerks, the treasurers, and every officer in the Conference, to see that the records are kept right; and he should see that the ordinances are celebrated, etc. If there is anything encouraging, he should seize upon it immediately, and make the most of it, to encourage the brethren. If there is any progress in the cause, let it be known. *These are the things which stimulate men to work. He ought to have something in the REVIEW, if it is not more than ten lines, at the very least every other week, particularly if he can find anything to say that is encouraging. If he has the blues, and his faith in God and the truth is gone, and he has nothing but evil to report, he had better keep still. The market is already well supplied in that direction. Come, brethren, wake up. Let us hear from you. Every church and every man in your Conference is looking anxiously each week to see what you have to say about affairs in your State. If you say nothing, they naturally conclude that you are doing nothing, and furthermore that there is not much being done in the State any way. And so they will settle down very contentedly to do the same as you are doing. Observe what wisdom Paul had. He was constantly stirring up the brethren by what the other churches had done; and when that failed, he would write to the church and tell how he boasted of them, and tell them how confident he was that they would not prove that he had stretched the thing. Go thou and do likewise. D. M. CANRIGHT. *Newburyport, Mass., July 14. We are having a remarkable interest here. Our audiences have averaged during the past week about four hundred, though the attendance thus far has been confined mainly to the village and immediate vicinity. We have never seen more intelligent or attentive congregations than we have here; in fact, they are composed of the best class of people in the community. There seems to be a very general friendly feeling toward us through the town. Our posters announcing the meetings are prominently displayed in most of the stores and business places of the village; and though we have not as yet invited them to do so, citizens have very kindly furnished us with food, and oil for lighting the tent. We have a standing invitation for our entire company at one of the leading hotels of the place, the proprietor of which has attended all the lectures thus far. Although the meetings have been largely attended, good order has prevailed. Reports of the meetings are published in four of the weekly papers in the vicinity. We still request the prayers of God's faithful people, that we may have wisdom so to present the truth that some may be led to obey. B. L. WHITNEY. M. H. BROWN. Our meetings during the past week have proved a success. Some of the hopeful cases are decided on the Sabbath, as the result. Sunday, two were baptized. Perfect quiet and decorum were observed by all of the large number who witnessed the ceremony. As a number were prevented from going forward by sickness or a want of readiness, we decide to remain and have baptism again next Sunday, and give a more permanent character to the work. A few days since we passed through a storm that did an amount of damage estimated at $50,000 in this town, in unroofing buildings, blowing down buildings, chimneys, trees, fences, etc.; but our tent came out of it without a dollar's worth of apparent damage. The moral and religious elements are also becoming considerably disturbed, but these harm us but little if any more than the natural. The interest continues almost unabated. We had between three and four hundred out on Sunday evening. S. B. WHITNEY. Chautauqua Co., Tent No. 3.
We held our first Sabbath meeting in Jamestown, Aug. 4, with good results. A number took their stand on the Sabbath. Three heads of families are firm in the truth. Our afternoon meetings are a power for good. The attendance is increasing, and the interest is spreading. The evening meetings are attended by very many of the same persons every evening. This we regard as more encouraging than immense numbers. Our hope and trust is in the Lord. CHAS. B. REYNOLDS. Glensdale, Lewis Co., Tent No. 5.
When we came to this place, nine weeks ago, we were entire strangers to every one, and we could not hear of a Sabbath-keeper in all this region of country; but the Lord has graciously opened the way before us, and has raised us up many kind friends. He has prospered our work, so that we have organized a class of sixteen; and we believe that others who have just commenced to “keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus” will soon be added to their number. Some have left off the use of tea and tobacco, and about seventy-five persons have signed our temperance pledge. We expect to administer the rite of baptism soon. JACOB WILBUR. A. P. BUMP. DANVERS, MASS.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
In the good providence of God we have come to the right place for our tent-meeting this time. I believe we have the largest interest I have seen in all my labors. We thought we had a great interest at Rome last year, and so we had; but thus far the interest is much better here, much more extensive. Danvers is nineteen miles from Boston and four miles from Salem. It has a population of about five thousand. No Adventists have ever preached here. We have held six meetings, and not a single time have we been able to seat our audience. Last night we packed every seat, put in all our available chairs, seated them on the stand and on boxes, and yet hundreds had to stand up. A long time before the hour appointed our tent was packed full, and we commenced our meeting, though scores were still coming. Nor is the interest just local. We find they are coming from the villages and cities around, two, four, six, eight, and even ten miles, from every direction. This is remarkable, when we consider that we are right in the midst of a densely settled country. There are villages and cities every few miles. Looking all over the country, it appears like one continuous city. If we were in the West, on the borders, it would not be strange to see people come ten miles with teams, but here it is wholly unexpected. All the leading Boston dailies, and other papers in all this section, have published excellent reports of our meetings. The reporters come to us for facts and our arguments, and give them just as we state them. Everybody seems to be friendly to us. When we came to inquire for a place for the tent, we told everybody just what we were—Seventh-day Adventists; and from the start we published in all the papers, and from the stand, what we believed, and what we expected to prove. Instead of hurting our interest, this is the very thing that draws the crowd. In the past, some have thought it good policy on going into a new place to keep all these things back, and never let people know who we are. I have fallen into that error myself, and have tried the same thing; but I have done it for the last time. Circumstances are changing. The position of our people is coming to be better known. People are anxious to learn more about us. All our neighbors, instead of being afraid of us, welcome us most heartily, and urge upon us every accommodation their houses afford, and anything they have. Already, without any invitation, the people bring in food, and invite us to their homes. Last night we took up a collection, and received over $12.00. Mr. Adams, one of the selectmen of the place, a gentleman of the highest reputation, the man who has the control of all the police force, furnishes us two or three policemen every night, and takes as much interest in the meetings as ourselves. He helps seat the audience, looks after every little disturbance, etc. Books go off rapidly. We have distributed twelve hundred copies of our little tent tracts, “Can we Know?” and “Is the End Near?” They take copies of our little prophetic chart, at five cents apiece, faster than we can count them out. Yesterday afternoon, Bro. Stone spoke on Matt. 24, to a crowded tent. Scarcely a person moved for an hour and a quarter, though many stood up, and it was very warm. Well, we thank God, and take courage. This looks as though something might be done in New England. We reseat our tent to-day, so as to secure its utmost capacity. Of course, we feel a great anxiety about this interest, lest in some manner the enemy should come in and hinder the work; but we shall hope in God, and do the best we can. This interest settles it that I cannot attend any of the camp-meetings, except New York. Bro. Haskell and Israel are holding meetings at Newburyport, so as to secure what fruits there are there. D. M. CANRIGHT. TEXAS TENT.
By R. M. Kilgore
The meetings at Cleburne are still progressing, and the interest is increasing. Numbers are coming regularly five and six miles, and a few have come twelve miles. Eld. Philips (Disciple), from Cado, spoke in the tent yesterday. According to his view, the ten commandments are abolished. Dr. Johnson (Cumberland Presbyterian) from Paris, Texas, indorsed him, I review the position to-morrow night. Several are keeping the Sabbath. We are not able to tell the number, as we are hearing of new ones every day. We had our first Sabbath meeting last Sabbath. About two hundred and fifty were present. We are receiving calls constantly from those who are inquiring the way, and we are visiting from house to house. Bro. S. H. King is now with me, and will help in this branch of the work. We are of good courage in the Lord. R. M. KILGORE. KENTUCKY TENT.
By S. Osborn; Orlando Soule
At the close of the tent-meeting at Edmonton, to finish up the work we held a few meetings some three miles in the country, where the principal interest seemed to be. Nine signed the covenant to keep all of God’s commandments, and the faith of Jesus. Others said they would keep the Sabbath. These people are poor, and some of them never made any profession before; but by discarding the use of tobacco and other hurtful things, they show signs of genuine repentance. They still need quite a work done for them. We then moved, and set the tent at Glover’s Creek, Metcalfe Co., where we commenced meetings, Aug. 3. We have now given six discourses. Our congregations are large for this country, the attendance ranging from two hundred to two hundred and seventy-five. The following is an extract from an article published in the Glasgow Times, respecting our meeting at Edmonton:— “A little more than six weeks ago brought to our town Eld. Osborn, ‘the Seventh-day Adventist,’ who came hither to instruct the people in the wholesome laws of his new doctrine. The Elder preaches in a large tent, under whose capacious shadow can be found ample room, and easy accommodations in the way of seats, for the largest crowds. He is a man of more than ordinary ability. Thoroughly schooled in every rule of his faith, he walks forth upon the broad field of debate, and while standing in the very center of63 scriptural controversy, he analyzes with easy effort the most difficult problems. And with beautiful consistency he harmonizes scriptures which appear to be plain contradictions, and which have puzzled and vexed the stoutest energies of the most learned in Bible teaching, in our whole community. We have it from the Elder that he will leave here in a few days. To have him go from our midst is not our choice; but we hope wherever he may pitch his tent circumstances may bless him, as they have done here, with large and attentive crowds throughout his entire series of lectures.” WE have now, Aug. 8, been here just eight weeks. Have been required to give a “long pull, a strong pull, and a pull all together;” else we should not have succeeded. As it is, the Lord grants us some fruit, and to him we ascribe the praise. Bro. G. White has rendered us material aid with his printing press. We now hope to engage him to publish for all our tents during the season of 1878. Bro. Vickery has been with us here more than one-half the time. Many of our brethren and sisters near this city have manifested a zeal in aiding us. God will bless the devoted soul. Two weeks ago three were baptized, and eight more last first-day. We cannot state with definiteness how many are now observing the Sabbath as the result of our effort at this place; but we hope to organize a company of commandment-keepers at our next Sabbath meeting. Perhaps we shall give a second course of lectures in East Rockford, immediately after Conference. G. W. COLCORD. R. F. ANDREWS. WE have been here three weeks. We have quite a steady congregation through the week, and on Sunday evening we have about two hundred hearers. Since the farmers have finished their harvesting, our congregations are increasing, and there seems to be a growing interest to hear. We are among the English. They are members of the M. E. Church, and are quite slow to change their views; but among the outsiders, we have some warm friends. One tavern-keeper, Mr. McBride, gave us $5.00. The people listened, and were quiet, while we were speaking on the prophecies, and even the law of God; but when we took up the state of the dead, they could not keep still any longer. On Saturday evening, when we were speaking on the end of the wicked, one local preacher talked to a considerable length and kept asking questions. He bothered the congregation some time. At last we turned to 1 John 5:10, 11, and read it twice, and we heard no more from him that evening. The regular M. E. preacher spoke against us the next Sunday, and Bro. E. O. Hammond reviewed him in the evening before a large congregation, and had freedom. We shall stay here two weeks longer, if the interest continues as good as it is at the present time. J. R. WHITHAM. I. G. COLCORD. I asked the Lord that I might worthier be,
Might grow in faith and hope and charity;
And straight, “Go, feed my lambs!” he answered me. “Nay, Lord!” I cried. “Can outward deeds avail
To cleanse my spirit? Heart and courage fail,
And sins prevent, and foes and fears assail.” And still, “Go, feed my lambs!” was all I heard.
But should I rest upon that simple word?
Was that, indeed, my message from my Lord? Behold, I thought that he his hand would lay
On my sick soul, and words of healing say,
And charm the plague-spot from my heart away. Half wroth, I turned to go; but, oh! the look
He on me cast—a gaze I could not brook;
With deep relentings all my spirit shook. “O dearest Lord,” I cried, “I will obey,
Say what thou wilt. Only lead thou the way:
For following thee, my footsteps shall not stray.” He took me at my word. He went before;
He led me to the dwellings of the poor,
Where wolf-eyed Want keeps watch beside the door. He beckoned me, and I essayed to go
Where Sin and Crime, more sad than Want and Woe,
Hold carnival, and Vice walks to and fro. And, when I faltered at the sight, he said,
“Behold, I died for such. These hands have bled,
This side for such has pierced been.” He said, “Is the disciple greater than his Lord?
The servant than his Master?” Oh, that word!
It smote me like a sharp two-edged sword. And since that hour, if any work of mine
Has been accepted by my Lord as sign
That I was following in his steps divine; If serving others (though imperfectly),
My own poor life has worthier come to be,
And I have grown in faith and charity, Dear Lord, be thine the glory. Thou hast wrought,
All unaware, the blessing that I sought.
Oh that these lips might praise thee as they ought!
— Sel. Meetings recently held with the church in West Bolton and Jericho, with visits from house to house in every Sabbath-keeping family, have resulted in good to this church. I was with the friends here two Sabbaths. We also held one meeting on first-day, and some evening meetings. The Lord has been very good to this people. The truth has gathered some precious souls, and held them from apostasy, while others around them, professing godliness, have gone far into darkness. Last Sabbath I held the last meeting with them. I tried to set forth the dangers and high privileges of the church in these last days, showing from the Scriptures how many of the first house of Israel fell through unbelief, and a spirit of murmuring, and that these things are written for our admonition, that we, in the closing hours of time, should guard ourselves on these very points. Brn. Hubbel Smith and Daniel Fuller were chosen and solemnly set apart by ordination to act as elders of the church. May God bless them, and their families, and the church. Three were received into the church, and our good meetings closed with the celebration of the ordinances of the Lord’s house. A. S. HUTCHINS. I spent Sabbath, Aug. 4, with the church at Logan. We had a good meeting. One sister has been keeping the Sabbath three years alone, but at this meeting her husband joined her, saying that he was now ready to go with this people. Almost every one in the house bore testimony. May the Lord continue to bless this company. J. BARTLETT. The work of the Lord is still progressing in this county. In the Merrick school-house, six miles north-east of Van Wert, Bro. R. A. Underwood has held twenty-one meetings. On every occasion after the first, the house was too small. Sometimes less than one-half that came could get in the house. This was Bro. Underwood’s first effort, and the Lord crowned it with success. In the short space of seventeen days, he held twenty-one meetings, obtained one subscriber, sold ten dollars’ worth of books, and with the help of the Lord, brought from fifteen to twenty precious souls to the observance of the Lord’s holy Sabbath. Bro. Guilford continues the work, while Bro. U. returns home to arrange to attend school at the B. C. College. May the Lord bless him and his worthy companion, while they shall attend our excellent school to prepare for greater usefulness in the Master’s vineyard. Wisconsin Tent No. 4 Fall River Meetings Report
By George C. Tenney; H. W. Reed
Our meetings in Fall River closed Monday evening, Aug. 6, after holding almost six weeks. Bro. Decker was with us the last ten days. On account of harvesting, our attendance during the last week was small. On Sunday, Eld. Gorman, Baptist, preached against the Sabbath. Being a man of learning and candor, the people could not be brought to decide until they had heard him. Three hundred were out to hear Bro. Decker review him. Many are convinced of the truth, a few have embraced it, and we do not feel that the results of the meeting have yet been reached. The busy season prevents our staying longer now, but we shall soon return to follow up the work, when we think there will be a company brought out. The elements have been stirred to their very depths; but society has become settled, and people are slow to move. Instead of going to Poynette, as we had thought of doing, we are now on our way to Vernon Co., where there is a deep interest to hear. Our address will be either Victory or Retreat, which it will be we can tell better when we have been there a while. Letters directed to either of these places will reach us. GEO. C. TENNEY.
H. W. REED. (Abridged from the SIGNS OF THE TIMES.) July 27, Bro. Healey and Stephens held their first Sabbath meeting in this city. Thirty took their stand to keep all of God’s commandments. Most of these were keeping their first Sabbath. Bro. J. L. Wood commenced meetings here on the evening of July 20. The interest to hear is good. Meetings were to begin in this place July 29. Bro. Rice and Brorsen closed their meetings at Pacheco, July 23. Nine signed the covenant, and several others are keeping the Sabbath. Bro. Van Horn reports that the interest here is still good. The third angel’s message and the Sabbath question have just been introduced. Some express a decided approval of the truth presented. ARE YOU GOING TO CAMP-MEETING?
By Charles P. Whitford
Such is the inquiry frequently made, and too often we hear the reply, “I do not know.” “Times are so hard, and there is so much to be done, I guess we shall not go this year.” But can we let these precious privileges pass by on such pretexts as these, and secure the approving smiles of Heaven? If the Lord is soon to come, do we not need the benefit of every such means of grace? You may perhaps answer, “Yes; but it is not convenient for me to go.” But is “convenience” the rule by which we should decide duty? If all decide upon that principle, how many, think you, would attend the meeting? In REVIEW of July 20, 1876, Bro. J. Clarke says on this subject: “Now I will tell you what you had better say when any one asks you if you are going to camp-meeting, say, ‘Yes; I am going if I possibly can.’ Having said this, you will feel better, and more disposed to go; and in a few days it is very likely that you will see your way so plainly that you will wonder how you could have been so stupid as to say, ‘I do not see how I can go to camp-meeting; times are so hard, and I have so much work to do. I cannot leave home so long,’ etc. The fact is, you cannot afford to stay at home from camp-meeting. . . . It is not every day that you can hear such speakers as attend these meetings. Then, consider, too, that angels from Heaven, with special power from God, will be present; and if you invest liberally in your camp-meeting outfit, with a loving heart, God will repay you by reviving you at this meeting, and this will be worth infinitely more to you than gold or stock in banks.” “Soon camp-meetings will cease; . . . and then all will rest; the wicked in dishonorable graves, and the righteous in light ineffable and full of glory. Of what value is wealth now, except to be used in the cause of God? Of what value is life, if not to be used in the work of God? And our time, whose is it but the Lord’s?” Come, then, to the camp-meeting. Come in humble faith, expecting God will bless you. LAKEVIEW, MICH.
By A. O. Burkill; Will Ellsworth
Since our last report, one week ago, six more have decided to obey the truth. Though we have been here nearly six weeks, the interest is increasing, and the work is extending farther into the country. Eighteen have now decided to keep the commandments since we came to this place. Yesterday forenoon, Eld. Bowers, first-day Adventist, spoke to nearly three hundred people on the subject of the two covenants. He took the usual position that the ten commandments constituted the first covenant, and closed by saying that he considered no day binding on us, only as far as the law of the land prohibited work on Sunday, thus leaving us without a Sabbath. He is a very candid man, and well versed in the Scriptures. In the evening, the tent was again well filled to listen to a review of his position. The Lord gave much freedom, the Elder being present with the rest. We feel certain that this effort will decide more in favor of the truth. Next Sunday the Elder speaks at the tent on the destiny of the wicked. The two Sabbath-keeping families living here before we came, by their labor in the T. and M. work, and by consistent lives, have carried a very strong influence for the truth. If all our scattered brethren would consider what they might do, many would be more careful in their daily walk and conversation. We earnestly desire and request the prayers of all our brethren. A. O. BURKILL.
WILL ELLSWORTH. DODGE CENTER, MINN.
By L. H. Ells; D. P. Curtis
We closed our work here last night, so far as public labors are concerned. We have given, in all, thirty-seven discourses, including those given on the Sabbath. Our congregations have been very unsteady, ranging from thirty to one hundred and fifty. Only a few besides our own brethren have attended regularly. We have had freedom in presenting the word, and excellent attention has been paid. Perfect quiet has reigned in and around the tent. We have had no open opposition; but the ministers of the place have busily plied the stay-away argument among their congregations. Harvesting has largely taken away the people for the last ten days. A few are deeply interested, and we think that some will take hold of the truth. Two united with the church last Sabbath. One of us will remain here during the harvest, and follow up the work with the interested ones. L. H. ELLS.
D. P. CURTIS. INDIANA
By W. W. Sharp; Wm. Covert
We have been at Somerset four weeks. The temperance excitement has interfered much with the interest of our meetings. We had one temperance mass meeting in our tent. Our congregations have averaged from sixty to four hundred. We have spoken thirty-seven times, sold fourteen dollars’ worth of books, held three Sabbath meetings, and eight or ten are keeping the Sabbath, and several others are interested. We now move our tent to the camp-ground, but shall return with it after camp-meeting; for we feel that our work is not done here. We hope for more. For a few weeks I have labored some in the T. and M. work in the vicinity of Thayer. Most of the people are poor, and involved in debt; yet twenty have taken the HEALTH REFORMER and forty-one the YOUTH’S INSTRUCTOR. A United Brethren elder at a Methodist’s house near by took up the YOUTH’S INSTRUCTOR, asking what denomination published it. When told, without further investigation, he cautioned the Methodist against allowing it to be read in his household. But after complying with an urgent request to examine it thoroughly, he had to acknowledge that he found nothing in it contrary to the Bible, and confessed that he had been too hasty in condemning it. The people are generally willing to read our tracts. Pray, brethren, that the truth may accomplish much good here. Our meetings still continue, with good interest. We have given thirteen discourses. Our tent was blown down last Monday evening; but the sisters came in and repaired the rents, so that the tent is in as good condition as it was before. We are thankful to our friends here for the kindness shown us. We are in the midst of the Sabbath question. To-night we speak on the mark of the beast. J. H. COOK.
L. D. SANTEE. PROVIDENCE, VA.
By G. W. Woods
I preached here four evenings. On Sabbath morning, everybody was at work as usual. But as God has promised to dwell in his house, I could go and meet him there. I went and earnestly prayed that God would give me some precious souls to attend the next Sabbath meeting. He heard my prayer. I left the house strengthened. I preached every evening the next week, and on Sabbath morning I again went to the house of God, and found twenty present. After a short discourse, nine bore testimony in favor of the seventh-day Sabbath, and expressed a determination to obey God in keeping his commandments. We had a good meeting. I hope God will give me many precious souls for my hire, and that I may meet them at the coming of the Lord. “LORD, TEACH US HOW TO PRAY.”
By E. P. D.
Dear Saviour, when ought I to pray?
At morn, or at the close of day;
In youth, or when my hair is gray?
Tell me, dear Lord, when should I pray? “Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1 Thess. 5: 17, 18. Dear Saviour, where ought I to be
When offering up my prayer to thee?
Are homes of wealth the favored place
Where I should go to seek thy face?
Or should I go to church to pray
Upon each weekly Sabbath day? “But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.” Matt. 6: 6. Dear Saviour, tell me how to pray.
Will words suffice to turn away
The wrath of thy dread Judgment day?
Should I stand up to offer prayer,
With affected grace and saintly air?
Should I repeat, in solemn tone,
And wring my hands, and sigh, and moan,
And say, O Lord, again and again,
And often say, Amen, amen?
Tell me, dear Lord, is this the way
In which thou’st taught thy saints to pray? “And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues, and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily, I say unto you, They have their reward. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do; for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.” Matt. 6: 5-7. Oh! let the clouds of darkness part.
Let light divine illume my heart.
While on thy breast my head I lay,
Oh! teach me, Lord, the better way;
Dear Saviour, teach me how to pray. “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.” Matt. 6: 9-14. THE SABBATH NOT ABOLISHED.
By Thomas Dick
LET us now suppose, for a moment, that the Sabbath and its exercises were universally abolished from the civilized world. What would be the consequences? The knowledge of the true God, which the institution of the Sabbath, more than any other means, has tended to perpetuate, would soon be lost, his worship abandoned, and religion and moral principles buried in the dust. In pagan countries, where the Sabbath is unknown, the true God is never adored, the soul of man is debased, and prostrates itself before the sun and moon, and even before demons, monsters, insects, reptiles, and blocks of wood and stone.—Thomas Dick. A WRITER asks the following pungent questions: When the following classes were taken out of our churches, how many would be left? All who will not pay just debts. All who are hypocritical. All who are deceitful, and talk about others behind their backs. All who go into debt without a prospect of paying the same. All who are proud and scornful, holding themselves above their fellow-men, and shunning those who are less fortunate than themselves. All who worship money more than they do their Creator. All who speculate on the ignorance of others. All who think more of a wicked rich man than they do of a pious poor one. All who oppress the poor. All who make long prayers for the sake of being heard and seen of men. All who are vain and self-conceited. When these, and a good many others that could be mentioned, are taken out, some churches will be left without a member. The religion of Jesus does not have any of the above defects. It makes the true convert cheerful, hopeful, and charitable, disposed to visit the widow and orphan, and to keep unspotted from the world. It does not make one proud and scornful, but, on the contrary, makes one desirous of doing good to the weak and humble, and of being kind to all as opportunity may offer. Oh, that we had less pretension in our churches, and more genuine Christianity! —Tenn. Baptist.