Earlier text: MR. SPURGEON ON THE LAW OF GODNO FAITH IN PROPHECY.
By Charles P. Whitford
I am acquainted with some who claim the Bible to be a revelation of God’s will to man, and yet, at the same time, say they do not believe the prophecies it contains. We read in Amos 3:7, “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secrets unto his servants the prophets.” That which is revealed becomes a revelation, and a revelation is something made known. Prophecy belongs to that portion of the Bible which may properly be called a revelation. The object of it is to forewarn the world of things to come, in time for all to make the necessary preparations. It is designed to reveal to us things of which we could not in any other way gain information. God never sends judgments upon the world unheralded. He does not punish men without giving them full opportunity to know for what cause the judgment is inflicted. Did our friends who have no faith in prophecy ever consider that about one-third of the Bible is of a more or less prophetical character? Do they ever consider that the old world perished by the flood because they did not believe in the prophecy of Noah, and that the Jews suffered famine and captivity because they would not believe in the prophecy of Jeremiah, who warned them of coming perils? And will it not prove as dangerous now to reject the prophecies which are given to warn us of present duties and dangers? We believe it will. There are no less than twenty-two distinct prophecies that point directly to the second, personal advent of Christ. One would suppose that all would be deeply interested in this important subject. And why are they not interested in it? Is it not because they do not wish the end to come, and therefore prefer to remain in ignorance? They are not ready for this event, but come it will, prepared or unprepared. We can assure you, dear reader, the sublime realities of the advent are already at the door. In Rev. 14: 6–12 there are brought to view three advent messages, all immediately to precede the second advent. The first was given from 1840-4, the second followed at once, and the third and last is now rapidly swelling into the loud cry, and will close with the coming of Jesus on the white cloud to reap the harvest of the earth. Only a few more years, and all will be over. The strife for money and power, the sorrow and crime,—all is about to close in the final day of the advent. You do not believe it? Ah! the proof is too full for unbelief. You may shut your ears and close your eyes, but it will come by-and-by, whether you believe it or not. We exhort you to interest yourselves in this deeply interesting and important subject. Let the signs of the times admonish you to make no delay. Do not wait to work out this or that plan, and then flatter yourself that you will be ready to investigate and obey the truth. Alas! that time seldom comes. Now is the time to work. The days are evil, therefore redeem the time. “CASTING ALL YOUR CARE UPON HIM.”
How much the anxieties of life are increased by forgetting the little but comprehensive word “all” of the text! What father might not learn a lesson from his child, with whom he is starting for a journey. His little boy says, “Father, you will have to carry the big bag; I cannot; and I will carry the little one.” The strong father smiles, and says, “I think you had better let me carry both.” They start. After a few minutes, the little bag becomes a great burden, and the child, overheated and weary, says, “Father, you had better take the little bag too.” One of the greatest lessons of life is for a child of God to let his Heavenly Father carry every burden; to cast all his care upon him. Little trials are a Christian’s great temptations. “Be careful for nothing; but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God.” “Truly,” says Archbishop Leighton, “the godly are much in the wrong to themselves by not improving this their sweet privilege. They too often forget this their sweet way, and fret themselves to no purpose; wrestle with burdens themselves, and do not entirely and freely roll them over on God.” Many a man who never doubts God’s care of the whole church, to the minutest particular, is tempted to distrust God’s interest in the little things that concern his own daily life. “Do I confide in him,” says the same writer, “for the steering and guidance of the whole ship, and shall I be peevishly doubting and distrusting about my bark in it?” The same age that invented the telescope, brought out the microscope. The same grace that reveals distant things as near, ought to discern our least cares as great to a Father’s love. “The very hairs of your head are all numbered.”—Christian Treasury. “Pray without ceasing,” says the zealous Paul;
But what means this? Must we not work, nor eat,
Nor take our rest? Is prayer to swallow all?
Are knees to serve in lieu of hands and feet?
Nay, I will show thee what is ceaseless prayer.
First, ’tis a heart to prayer for aye inclined;
Next, that it be of all our choicest care;
Next, that we ask the Counselor to share
Each sorrow of the body and the mind;
Next, that we cease not till our good we find,
Like him who said, “I will not let thee part
Until thou bless,” next, that our spirits dart
Their pious glances, when they can, on high;
Last, that we bound each day with morn and evening cry. —Sel. The readers of the Review will remember the article published two weeks ago, headed “An Interesting Item,” giving an extract from a letter written by a lady in Massachusetts who had become interested in the Sabbath question, and who forthwith proceeded to stir up her neighbors. The deacon, her Sunday-school teacher, it will be remembered, promised the lady that he would have the question discussed, for her benefit, at the next teachers’ meeting. We have received another letter, and the following extract speaks for itself:— “I know you are interested to learn the result of our meeting at the deacon’s last night. The Sunday-school superintendent was there (a man who has studied for the ministry, and therefore ought to know something), one or two other deacons, and one of the smartest and most intelligent business men of the town (but, as yet, I believe, not a professor), and several ladies. Now, thought I, out of so much wisdom, education, and talent I shall certainly get satisfactory answers to my simple questions. The business of the meeting was attended to first; which consisted of a long, dry discussion about Manasseh, Hezekiah, Jeremiah, and Zachariah. About half past nine the deacon said,— “‘I am hurrying this through a little because I have another matter to attend to. A member of my class gave me last Sunday this question: “Who changed the Sabbath from the seventh to the first day of the week, and what right had they to do so?”’ “‘Said one (speaking immediately), ‘We have no right, and it never has been changed.’ But as he was the non-professor, the deacon passed over his answer and referred to the superintendent, who said,— “‘Why, I suppose because Christ arose from the dead on that day.’ “There was a pause in which, I said, ‘Well, are we to do away with the commandment for that reason?’ “One of the ladies remarked, ‘Why, I suppose we are to keep a seventh part of time.’ “‘But,’ said I, ‘the commandment says, Remember the seventh-day, and not a seventh-day.’ “Another lady turned to Col. 2:16: ‘Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a holy day, or of the new moon, or of the Sabbath-days.’ “That seemed a great help; they all seemed to breathe more freely for a moment. Then the deacon said, ‘Our Saviour held meetings with the apostles on that day, and that is one reason why we keep the day.’ “Said I, ‘As I understand it the command was given previous to that time, and Christ said, “I am not come to destroy the law, but to fulfill it.”’ “At that the deacon seemed to hesitate, and as it was getting late I said to him, ‘Let me ask you a personal question, Do you feel justified in keeping the first instead of the seventh day for these reasons?’ “He twisted around a little and replied, ‘I should not like to say Yes, neither should I like to say No, because I would not like to commit myself until I have investigated the subject a little more.’ “When I came away, I handed him that tract which you sent me, entitled, ‘Elihu on the Sabbath,’ and asked him if he would be so kind as to read it and tell me what he thought of it. He said he would do so, and also take it before the Association and see what they thought of it, and let me know. “I must confess I came home feeling a great deal dissatisfied, somewhat disappointed, and a little bit disgusted. I said to my husband as I came into the house, ‘Well, I am surprised to find how slim their reasons are.’ But I have not given it up yet. I mean to satisfy myself on these points, if possible.” It seems to us that some good must result from the investigation of the truth in that place. May God help the honest-hearted to see and obey. “TAKE HEED THAT YE BE NOT CONSUMED ONE OF ANOTHER.”
By Wm. Covert
“What good does it do?” I frequently ask myself, when I learn that one friend of the truth is trying to destroy the influence of another, “what is the use of it?” Our friends may not do just right every time, but let us remember that we are as fallible as they are. We ask God to have mercy upon us; and we should remember that he will hear their prayers as well as ours. We are often pained to learn that little differences are talked about, and magnified in the minds of would-be friends of truth, when they should disappear before the genial warmth of their hearts, as the morning dew before the rising sun. The Saviour could pray for his enemies, when they were purposely harming him. Can we not manifest enough of his spirit to forgive a brother or sister, when a wrong is confessed and forgiveness asked for? Why should our valuable time be worse than wasted in biting and devouring one another? The enemy knows that he cannot make us disbelieve the truth; but he does not care for that if he can make us, by our course, injure the cause more than if we had rejected the theory of the message. Let us cultivate faith in God, cultivate faith in the message, and cultivate faith in the brethren and sisters; for there is a great work before us, in which we must be united. Every shot should be fired into the ranks of the enemy, not one at a brother or friend, lest ye consume one another. Wm. Covert. ANOTHER VOICE FROM BABYLON.
By G. W. Pond
A few months ago, while conversing with a minister of the gospel on the end of the wicked, I discovered another evidence of the confusion that exists among orthodox teachers relative to the teachings of the Bible, and, of course, another reason for the confusion of ideas that prevails among the different denominations of Christians. “Taking,” said he, “such words as death, destroy, eternal, &c., in their primary and ordinary sense, the Scriptures plainly teach the annihilation of the wicked;” and yet he believes and teaches that they teach just the opposite. Primary and ordinary, indeed! But how are we to understand them? Why not take them as they read, giving every word its ordinary meaning? It has always been taught by some, that in order to understand the Bible we must be highly educated. But here the “plot thickens;” if we take it as it reads, it will lead us into error and into the pit. Well might the prophet call these “perilous times,” when an otherwise intelligent man, a teacher of the people, will teach those who repose confidence in him, and look to him as their spiritual guide, such a doctrine as that, putting “light for darkness and darkness for light,” and substituting for God’s everlasting truth, “profane and old wives’ fables.” Very perilous indeed are these times to the people who will persist in “heaping to themselves teachers having itching ears;” who are willing to have “their ears turned from the truth, and turned unto fables.” Let us thank God, brethren, that he has left on record his will concerning us, which we are able to understand, and which is able to save us. Hence it is “profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” Burial Question and Dissenters in Parish Churchyards
Referring to the burial question and the proposition lately made in Parliament to throw open the parish churchyards to Dissenters, Mr. Beresford Hope is reported to have said that this, if carried out, “would be a virtual recognition of dissenting preachers as ministers of the gospel.” Appalling, isn’t it!—Intelligencer. “Pray without ceasing,” says the zealous Paul;
But what means this? Must we not work, nor eat,
Nor take our rest? Is prayer to swallow all?
Are knees to serve in lieu of hands and feet?
Nay, I will show thee what is ceaseless prayer.
First, ’tis a heart to prayer for aye inclined;
Next, that it be of all our choicest care;
Next, that we ask the Counselor to share
Each sorrow of the body and the mind;
Next, that we cease not till our good we find,
Like him who said, “I will not let thee part.
Until thou bless;” next, that our spirits dart
Their pious glances, when they can, on high:
Last, that we bound each day with morn and evening cry. —Sel. Live Up to Your Engagements
LIVE up to your engagements. The readers of the Review will remember the article published two weeks ago, headed “An Interesting Item,” giving an extract from a letter written by a lady in Massachusetts who had become interested in the Sabbath question, and who forthwith proceeded to stir up her neighbors. The deacon, her Sunday-school teacher, it will be remembered, promised the lady that he would have the question discussed, for her benefit, at the next teachers’ meeting. We have received another letter, and the following extract speaks for itself:— “I know you are interested to learn the result of our meeting at the deacon’s last night. The Sunday-school superintendent was there (a man who has studied for the ministry, and therefore ought to know something), one or two other deacons, and one of the smartest and most intelligent business men of the town (but, as yet, I believe, not a professor), and several ladies. Now, thought I, out of so much wisdom, education, and talent I shall certainly get satisfactory answers to my simple questions. The business of the meeting was attended to first; which consisted of a long, dry discussion about Manasseh, Hezekiah, Jeremiah, and Zachariah. About half past nine the deacon said,— “I am hurrying this through a little because I have another matter to attend to. A member of my class gave me last Sunday this question: “Who changed the Sabbath from the seventh to the first day of the week, and what right had they to do so?” “Said one (speaking immediately), ‘We have no right, and it never has been changed.’ But as he was the non-professor, the deacon passed over his answer and referred to the superintendent, who said,— “‘Why, I suppose because Christ arose from the dead on that day.’ “‘There was a pause in which, I said, ‘Well, are we to do away with the commandment for that reason?’ “‘One of the ladies remarked, ‘Why, I suppose we are to keep a seventh part of time.’ “‘But,’ said I, ‘the commandment says, Remember the seventh-day, and not a seventh-day.’ “‘Another lady turned to Col. 2:16: ‘Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a holy day, or of the new moon, or of the Sabbath-days.’ “‘That seemed a great help; they all seemed to breathe more freely for a moment. Then the deacon said, ‘Our Saviour held meetings with the apostles on that day, and that is one reason why we keep the day.’ “‘Said I, ‘As I understand it the command was given previous to that time, and Christ said, “I am not come to destroy the law, but to fulfill it.”’ “‘At that the deacon seemed to hesitate, and as it was getting late I said to him, ‘Let me ask you a personal question, Do you feel justified in keeping the first instead of the seventh day for these reasons?’ “‘He twisted around a little and replied, ‘I should not like to say Yes, neither should I like to say No, because I would not like to commit myself until I have investigated the subject a little more.’ “‘When I came away, I handed him that tract which you sent me, entitled, ‘Elihu on the Sabbath,’ and asked him if he would be so kind as to read it and tell me what he thought of it. He said he would do so, and also take it before the Association and see what they thought of it, and let me know.” “‘I must confess I came home feeling a great deal dissatisfied, somewhat disappointed, and a little bit disgusted. I said to my husband as I came into the house, ‘Well, I am surprised to find how slim their reasons are.’ But I have not given it up yet. I mean to satisfy myself on these points, if possible.” It seems to us that some good must result from the investigation of the truth in that place. May God help the honest-hearted to see and obey. Particular attention should be paid to the prayer-meetings. They are of vast importance, and when the prayer-meeting is neglected, the church is on the road to ruin. Farmers should not take the distance they may have to go so much into consideration, as is but too often the case, and make it an excuse to stay at home. There is nothing so wholesome to the inner man of a Christian as an hour spent in earnest prayer with his brethren in Christ. It tends to purify the mind, and keep people from going astray so easily. It is not only beneficial for those who have already found peace, but is instrumental in bringing others into the fold. Many cases can be cited relating to persons who have learned to realize the importance of looking after their spiritual welfare, and many have found salvation by having been taken to the prayer-meeting by a friend or neighbor. And when you go there, take an active part in it. Do not depend on others to make it a success. No matter how little you may be able to do, it will all help, if you will but do that little as well as you can. Say something when you get there, if possible. It requires no great power of oratory. No one there will expect to hear a flow of flowery rhetoric and unequaled eloquence. It is not always necessary to say very much, either. If you have but a single thought, and can express that thought in but a dozen words, do not hesitate to give utterance to it, for it may do a great deal of good—may save a soul.—Sel. “TAKE HEED THAT YE BE NOT CONSUMED ONE OF ANOTHER.”
By Wm. Covert
“What good does it do?” I frequently ask myself, when I learn that one friend of the truth is trying to destroy the influence of another, “what is the use of it?” Our friends may not do just right every time, but let us remember that we are as fallible as they are. We ask God to have mercy upon us; and we should remember that he will hear their prayers as well as ours. We are often pained to learn that little differences are talked about, and magnified in the minds of would-be friends of truth, when they should disappear before the genial warmth of their hearts, as the morning dew before the rising sun. The Saviour could pray for his enemies, when they were purposely harming him. Can we not manifest enough of his spirit to forgive a brother or sister, when a wrong is confessed and forgiveness asked for? Why should our valuable time be worse than wasted in biting and devouring one another? The enemy knows that he cannot make us disbelieve the truth; but he does not care for that if he can make us, by our course, injure the cause more than if we had rejected the theory of the message. Let us cultivate faith in God, cultivate faith in the message, and cultivate faith in the brethren and sisters; for there is a great work before us, in which we must be united. Every shot should be fired into the ranks of the enemy, not one at a brother or friend, lest ye consume one another. Wm. COVERT. Another Voice from Babylon.
By G. W. Pond
A few months ago, while conversing with a minister of the gospel on the end of the wicked, I discovered another evidence of the confusion that exists among orthodox teachers relative to the teachings of the Bible, and, of course, another reason for the confusion of ideas that prevails among the different denominations of Christians. “Taking,” said he, “such words as death, destroy, eternal, &c., in their primary and ordinary sense, the Scriptures plainly teach the annihilation of the wicked;” and yet he believes and teaches that they teach just the opposite. Primary and ordinary, indeed! But how are we to understand them? Why not take them as they read, giving every word its ordinary meaning? It has always been taught by some, that in order to understand the Bible we must be highly educated. But here the “plot thickens;” if we take it as it reads, it will lead us into error and into the pit. Well might the prophet call these “perilous times,” when an otherwise intelligent man, a teacher of the people, will teach those who repose confidence in him, and look to him as their spiritual guide, such a doctrine as that, putting “light for darkness and darkness for light,” and substituting for God’s everlasting truth, “profane and old wives’ fables.” Very perilous indeed are these times to the people who will persist in “heaping to themselves teachers having itching ears;” who are willing to have “their ears turned from the truth, and turned unto fables.” Let us thank God, brethren, that he has left on record his will concerning us, which we are able to understand, and which is able to save us. Hence it is “profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” Live Up to Your Engagements
Live up to your engagements. Parish Churchyards and the Dissenters' Burial Question
Referring to the burial question and the proposition lately made in Parliament to throw open the parish churchyards to Dissenters, Mr. Beresford Hope is reported to have said that this, if carried out, “would be a virtual recognition of dissenting preachers as ministers of the gospel.” Appalling, isn’t it!—Intelligencer. CHANGELESS PROFESSORS.
By Spurgeon
ARTIFICIAL piety, like flowers in wax, droops not in the hour of drought, but the fair lily of true grace hangs its head if the rain of heaven be denied. True faith, like fire, has its attendant smoke of unbelief, but presumption, like a painted flame, is all brightness. Like ships at sea, true Christians have their storms, but mere professors, like picture galleys on the canvas, ride on an unruffled stream. Life has its changes; ’tis death that abideth the same. Life has its muscle, sinew, brain, spirit, and these vary in physical condition, but the petrified limbs of death lie still until the worm has devoured the carcass. Life weeps as well as smiles, but the ghastly grin of death relaxes not with anxiety or fear. Moab has no changes; he is “settled upon his lees; he has not been emptied from vessel to vessel.” “They are not in trouble as other men, neither are they plagued like other men.” As no weather can give ague to marble, as no variation of temperature can bring fever to iron, so to some men the events of life, the temptations of prosperity, or the trials of adversity bring little change. Yet it were better to ebb and flow forever, like the sea, than rot in endless stagnation of false peace. Better to be hunted by the hounds of hell, and so be driven to the shelter of the cross, than to dwell at ease and be fattening for the devil’s shambles.—Spurgeon. Particular attention should be paid to the prayer-meetings. They are of vast importance, and when the prayer-meeting is neglected, the church is on the road to ruin. Farmers should not take the distance they may have to go so much into consideration, as is but too often the case, and make it an excuse to stay at home. There is nothing so wholesome to the inner man of a Christian as an hour spent in earnest prayer with his brethren in Christ. It tends to purify the mind, and keep people from going astray so easily. It is not only beneficial for those who have already found peace, but is instrumental in bringing others into the fold. Many cases can be cited relating to persons who have learned to realize the importance of looking after their spiritual welfare, and many have found salvation by having been taken to the prayer-meeting by a friend or neighbor. And when you go there, take an active part in it. Do not depend on others to make it a success. No matter how little you may be able to do, it will all help, if you will but do that little as well as you can. Say something when you get there, if possible. It requires no great power of oratory. No one there will expect to hear a flow of flowery rhetoric and unequaled eloquence. It is not always necessary to say very much, either. If you have but a single thought, and can express that thought in but a dozen words, do not hesitate to give utterance to it, for it may do a great deal of good—may save a soul.—Sel. CHANGELESS PROFESSORS.
By Spurgeon
Artificial piety, like flowers in wax, droops not in the hour of drought, but the fair lily of true grace hangs its head if the rain of heaven be denied. True faith, like fire, has its attendant smoke of unbelief, but presumption, like a painted flame, is all brightness. Like ships at sea, true Christians have their storms, but mere professors, like picture galleries on the canvas, ride on an unruffled stream. “Life has its changes; ’tis death that abideth the same. Life has its muscle, sinew, brain, spirit, and these vary in physical condition, but the petrified limbs of death lie still until the worm has devoured the carcass. Life weeps as well as smiles, but the ghastly grin of death relaxes not with anxiety or fear. Moab has no changes; he is “settled upon his lees; he has not been emptied from vessel to vessel.” “They are not in trouble as other men, neither are they plagued like other men.” As no weather can give ague to marble, as no variation of temperature can bring fever to iron, so to some men the events of life, the temptations of prosperity, or the trials of adversity bring little change. Yet it were better to ebb and flow forever, like the sea, than rot in endless stagnation of false peace. Better to be hunted by the hounds of hell, and so be driven to the shelter of the cross, than to dwell at ease and be fattening for the devil’s shambles.—Spurgeon. OUR WORK IN EUROPE.
By John Nevins Andrews
I have need to ask pardon that so long a time has elapsed since my last report; but in my own behalf I will say that it is almost impossible for me to find time to write reports, or even briefly to answer important letters. Before the arrival of our friends from America, I had thought that it might be duty to suspend our publishing work for a time. This would have cut off the greater part of our expense, and would have enabled me to give my time to other labor. But the coming of helpers from America changed all this. Instead of suspending our paper, it was evidently our duty, in the providence of God, to establish an office of our own, and to do our own work except that of the press. This we have proceeded to do. We have taken one of the rooms on the first floor of our hired house for our compositors, and we have thus fitted up our office without additional expense for rent. We added something to our stock of French type, and have bought a quantity of German type, sufficient for the printing of tracts in that language. We are now getting out tracts in German and Italian, in addition to our work in French. Bro. Ribton says that the proof-sheets are freer from errors than if they came from an office in Naples. He says that the compositors deserve great credit. I am much encouraged by this, because it shows that with proper care we can get out Italian publications. As we have now a good assortment of French tracts, we shall probably cease to print others for the present, and confine our French printing to the paper alone. We shall continue to print German tracts till we have a tolerable assortment of those most necessary. We think to do the same with respect to the Italian. We are making some progress in our work, though it may seem to our friends to be very slow. But the labor necessary in order to get under way in these languages, so that we can print them with tolerable correctness, is immense. It is the more difficult in that it must be performed in the midst of many perplexing cares. But persevering effort will, with the blessing of God, overcome all obstacles in every work the Lord assigns us to do. When we can use the press with facility in these three languages, we have a powerful agency by which to move the people of Europe. Some time since, Bro. Ribton sent me the name of a minister at Bari, on the east coast of Italy, requesting that our paper should be sent to him. This request was complied with, and now Bro. R. writes that this man has embraced the Sabbath. So God is at work upon the hearts of many by means of the publications. A few weeks since a man who lives in the department of the “High Alps,” France, wrote, saying that he had by accident obtained one number of our paper, and that he had read it with much interest. He was especially interested in what it contained concerning the prophecies and on the subject of baptism. He wished to obtain the back numbers, and that it should be sent to him regularly hereafter. We hope the light will shine among these mountains. I have received a letter from the pastor of the French church at Brighton, in England, who has received LES SIGNES from the commencement. He wishes some copies to distribute among his congregation, saying, “If this is really the work of God, it must be that some of my congregation will respond to it.” The pastor is himself convinced concerning the Sabbath and baptism, but lacks courage to obey. Perhaps some in his congregation may receive the truth from the numbers we send, and may obey it. I have again heard something from the Sabbath-keepers in Russia. One of our Swiss subscribers stated to Bro. Albert Vuilleumier recently that he lived among these persons in former years. He says that they are a good people, but that they regard some portions of the ceremonial law. This is all that I have from this source. Bro. Bertoli, of Naples, has learned that there are Sabbath-keepers at Corinth, in Greece. Bro. B. is now preaching the Sabbath and the advent of the Lord to the people in Northern Egypt. We send our paper to quite a number in Egypt, and to several on the island of Malta. Our friends from America have rendered very important help. Bro. Ings has made the stands for the cases of type, and done all the work for which we should have needed a carpenter in fitting up our office, and he has done very much to aid in many ways. Sister Ings has set our German tracts, and also the greater part of what has been set in Italian. Sister Sisley has acted as the foreman of our office. We have been getting our work so arranged that I need not be here for the future only occasionally. I have used all diligence to get our affairs in such condition that I can do my part of the work while out in the field. We have almost accomplished this. I have not forgotten the counsel of the General Conference Committee with regard to other labor besides that of publishing; but providential circumstances have compelled me hitherto to give my principal attention to the publishing work. I believe that it is now possible for me to make an immediate change, and I have a very great desire to do so. Bro. Ertzenberger has given much time to the careful revision of our tracts that have been printed in German. These revised tracts we are now printing for him as rapidly as we can do the work. We shall soon have a sufficient assortment to meet his most urgent wants, and then we shall cease to print German tracts for the present. Bro. Ertzenberger will immediately enter a new field of labor at some distance from our friends where he now is. Under his faithful labors these friends have made much progress in Christian experience, and are well established in the truth. They can now do well without his labors, and he will hereafter only be with them after considerable intervals. The friends in Germany sustain Bro. Ertzenberger wholly, and they have sent 250 francs to aid in the printing of the German tracts. Bro. Ribton is laboring very energetically at Naples. In almost every letter he speaks of additions to the number in that city. Yet his situation is very trying. He has to sustain himself against a very violent opposition from nearly all the Protestant ministers of Naples. He is also exposed to danger from violent men in the streets. One of the recent meetings in his hall of worship was broken up by fire works, which were thrown in and exploded among his hearers. But his labors are unremitting, and God blesses them to the conversion of some. Several of those who have received the truth from him are capable of becoming helpers in the work. The people of Italy seem willing to receive the truth. There are some things which are calculated to make the Sabbath truth easier to be understood by Italians than by most other nations. Thus the only name for the seventh day in Italian is Il Sabato, the Sabbath. With them the day begins and ends at sunset. At that moment the bells ring to mark the commencement of the new day, and then every Catholic lifts his hat, not in honor of God, but of the Virgin Mary. The severe and dangerous sickness of sister Bourdeau during the entire winter has greatly crippled the labors of Bro. B., and has considerably hindered my own work. Several times it has been supposed that she was dying. I have made three long visits at Morges during this time of distress. God has been pleased to hear prayer, and there is now a good prospect that her life will be spared. Bro. B. has made great efforts to preach the truth at Morges, but he has had to labor under serious disadvantages. Probably there will be ten or twelve to obey the truth. Bro. Gabert, of Valence, France, has been making some efforts to preach the truth, and has had some success. He has to meet great opposition from the Protestant ministers, and is extremely embarrassed by the laws of France. The laws would permit us freely to preach the Sabbath or the Advent faith, if we could go into the temples of any denomination. Otherwise we are forbidden, except to a few persons who may be invited to a private house. This law gives the existing denominations the power to be very ungenerous and oppressive toward those who would present the law of God, and they gladly take advantage of it. To show how oppressive are these laws, I will say that when Bro. B. and I were in Paris last spring, we called at the office of the American minister to consult him as to what could be done to obtain the privilege of preaching in France. The secretary of Legation stated that recently a Congregationalist minister who was his personal friend desired, during the period of his sojourn in Paris, to establish prayer-meetings at his own house. He asked the secretary to intercede for him, and the secretary made a personal effort with the French government in behalf of this minister. The answer was, “He can hold such service in any temple which may be opened to him, but not in his own house.” We hope soon to print the first number of an Italian paper. This will probably be published at first as a quarterly; after a time, if God shall prosper our effort, it will be printed monthly. Bro. Ribton is already translating matter for this new paper. A German paper must also be commenced. Probably it will be necessary to adopt the same plan as that proposed for the Italian. We have an immense task before us, but we have the strong arm of God for our support. The truth of God is of such value that no efforts nor sacrifices should be spared by us in its advancement. Our Lord is coming, and then he will reward every man according to his work. Our time for labor is short. We must work while the day lasts; for the night cometh in which none can work. Bâle, Suisse, March 23, 1878.