Earlier text: NO FAITH IN PROPHECYTHE CAUSE IN NEW YORK.
By S. N. Haskell
APPARENTLY the cause is brightening in this State. The Biblical Institute held at Rome has developed a class of young men who design to give themselves to the promulgation of the truth. I arrived at Rome, Tuesday, April 2, and remained there until the close of the Institute. At a special meeting called for this purpose, twelve young men manifested a desire to give themselves to the work of God. It was evident, upon consultation, that four new tents were needed to meet the necessities of the cause, in addition to the six already in the field, thus giving them ten for the present season. Bro. Saunders spoke for Pennsylvania, stating that the brethren in that State would purchase one tent, and he thought two, providing they could be run in those sections of Pennsylvania where there was a call to hear on present truth. This was freely consented to by the President of the Conference. Bro. E. S. Lane spoke in the same manner for his district, as did also Bro. Foy and Wm. H. Brown for theirs. Hence it was decided that the tents could be purchased without taking any systematic benevolence funds. This is as it should be, as this fund is insufficient to support the ministers now laboring in the State. There are many openings for the living preacher in different parts of the Conference, as the result of past missionary efforts. One danger in some localities in New York will be in flattering young ministers and expressing a feeling that they are having a hard time, etc. when really they are not doing more than one-half or one-third the labor which has been performed by the pioneers in the cause, who have labored more than a quarter of a century, year after year, with scarcely a day of rest. Bro. Smith gives two lectures a day, of one hour and a half each, including the time occupied in asking questions. He also devotes another hour and a half to rhetorical and grammatical exercises and giving such information as is invaluable to young preachers, besides keeping up his weekly correspondence for the REVIEW; yet he expresses no fears, and gives no special indications, of breaking down, and calls for no sympathy on that score. Others of our ministers have traveled thousands of miles during the past eight months, held not less than seven meetings every week, in some cases three meetings each day five days in the week, and they are in as good condition for labor as before. Preaching once each evening during the week and twice upon Sabbath and first-day leaves much time for visiting and study, without any danger of breaking down on the part of any able-bodied young man. The labors of Bro. and Sr. White, year after year, without taking scarcely a day of rest, should be an example to young ministers. If we are inspired with a love of the truth and of the work in which we are engaged, it will elevate the mind and prove an antidote for bodily infirmities. It is better to show a few signs of wear than to show rust. In New York, much, at the present time, depends upon the young men who are already engaged in the cause, and those just entering the work. The finances in this Conference are not in as good condition as in some others. But there is a disposition on the part of most of the brethren and sisters to come up. We hope for better days for New York. THE SUPPORT OF OUR MINISTERS.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
The proper support of our ministers is every year becoming a more important question. In the first place, the number of our ministers is increasing each year. In the second place, new missions are rapidly being opened by us. And in the third place, it is becoming impossible for our experienced laborers in the work to personally visit all our preachers, inspect their work, and determine what they should receive. The greater the number of our ministers, the more danger there is that laggards, and selfish men will enter the ministry simply for the pay. Moreover, the work is increasing so fast that our brethren are falling behind in the support of the various enterprises connected with the cause. Of course this is largely due to the lack of sacrifice on their part, but it is nevertheless a fact that must be considered. Our plan of systematic benevolence is in the order of God, and it has many advantages above any other system; and yet it unavoidably has some drawbacks. As conducted thus far, it does not throw each minister upon his own individual efforts as much as other systems do. For instance, among the Baptists, every minister is left to find a field of labor for himself, and to obtain pastorate if he can. If he is an energetic man, one that can build up, then his chances are good. Churches will call for him, and generally ministers are paid in accordance with the success they have, and their personal ability. If they fail to build up, they are soon dropped out of the list, and have to go at some other work. But this system has great disadvantages which we will not stop to name here. Among us every minister expects his pay regularly, without much regard to whether he is successful or not, or whether he builds up churches and brings in systematic benevolence or not. Of course, a man who accomplishes nothing at all does not expect support long; but if he receives a license and accomplishes anything, if a half dozen receive the truth under his labors, he thinks that is sufficient to warrant him in expecting support from the Conference. Hence some of our brethren have been granted licenses and credentials year after year, and have drawn regular pay from the Conference, and still expect to, notwithstanding125 they do not bring one dollar into the general treasury where they receive two from it. You may give these men a tent; you may donate them books; you may give them a hundred dollars to start with; you may give them all the moral support of our people; you may allow them to choose their own field of labor; and after they have labored there one, two, three, or even five years, they will still call for means; and yet after they have received from five hundred to a thousand dollars, and have had every dollar that has been paid in by those converted under their labors, still they are drawing from the Conference. Evidently there is something wrong somewhere. Either these men have missed their calling, or else the Conference is doing too much for them,—paying them more than their work is worth. We fear that these men have learned to depend upon the contributions of others till they do not make proper efforts to support themselves. It is a very fine thing for them to go into a place, and tell the people that they have not come after their money; that they ask no contributions; that they can pay their own expenses. That sounds very well there. It is very easy to tell the church, when they get one, that they will not be expected to do a great deal; but we imagine that those very ones would talk somewhat differently if they had to get their bread and board from their own converts. We think there must be a greater effort on the part of our ministers in this matter, or our treasuries will be unwisely exhausted. It is perfectly right when a man goes into a new mission, or even out into new fields, to help him with a tent, with books, and with money, but this should not last very long. A year or two, under ordinary circumstances in our own home fields, should be long enough for a minister to lean upon the Conference. He ought by that time to have a systematic fund in his own churches sufficient not only to support himself, but to help support the general cause. If this is not done, how shall the cause be sustained? If a man cannot do this, it is very doubtful if it is his duty to labor in this direction. Our foreign missions must be supported. Our printing presses must be established, our institutions must be built up, our tract and missionary work must be carried on, and many other things that pertain to the general cause. Every man and woman, and every church that embraces this truth, should take some stock in these enterprises. None should be content to simply support the minister who brought them the truth or who preaches to them. This is only a part of their duty. What shall we say of the labors of those men who, when they have had every dollar that their own converts bring into the treasury, still need help from the Conference year after year? They must not be surprised if they are soon left to shift for themselves. The fact probably is that they have so long been accustomed to look to the Conference for support, that they have not formed any habits of economy and self-reliance for themselves. Years ago, they left it for Bro. White to come around and talk money and raise the systematic benevolence. Latterly they have expected other brethren to do this, and have contented themselves with saying they are no financiers; that is not their business. But the field is becoming so large that no one of our leading brethren can go to all these churches any more; hence this burden must be laid upon the individual ministers. If they have neither taste nor talent for it, then they will have to be dropped out of the Conference. We simply say this to prepare the minds of our brethren for what will certainly come sooner or later. D. M. CANRIGHT. We reached home from the Rome, N. Y., Biblical Institute, April 10. During the three weeks of its continuance quite an amount of work was done. Thirty-five lectures were delivered in the regular Biblical course. Of these we gave thirty-one, besides speaking to the church six times and attending thirteen meetings devoted to literary and miscellaneous exercises. Bro. Haskell, during the few days he was with us, gave four of the Biblical lectures, and spoke six times besides, mostly on such practical themes as the genius of the missionary work, the spirit in which it must be performed, the best methods of labor, and such courses of action as offer the best assurance of success—subjects which it is of such vital importance for all to understand, and which he is so well prepared to present. The interest continued to the close, the members seeming all the while to increase in strength of purpose to make their connection with, and labors in, this glorious cause a complete success. We have faith in the most of these that they will do this. Another resident of Rome decided to cast in his lot with this people. He will assist, the present summer, in publicly presenting the truth. Others are almost persuaded, for whom there are strong grounds to hope. As we arrived in Battle Creek, on the afternoon of the 10th, we found the new building of the Health Institute, or Sanitarium, in the process of dedication. We took occasion to briefly look over the noble structure now finished, and exchange greetings with some of the old friends who were among the cheerful guests. A full account of the occasion will appear in the next REFORMER, and we need not speak further of it here. We find all hands busy, and all hearts full of courage and good cheer, drinking into the inspiration of the marvelous advancement of this work, hopeful for the on-coming future, and determined to meet faithfully and fully all its demands upon them. We are drawing near the grand finale of the work of the Lord upon the earth. A faith will be found with the little flock like that of apostolic times. Truth will be found sacredly cherished by them, gleaming like a pure, untarnished gem amid the rubbish of the earth. Some jewels will be gathered for the heavenly casket. The final triumph of the overcomer will be glorious. Happy he who shall be found ready to have a part therein! TRACT AND MISSIONARY WORK.
By Stephen Nelson Haskell
The tract and missionary work increases in importance as the work of God advances. The hearts of men and women everywhere are being prepared for the reception of the truth. The providence of God is preparing the way for the efforts of God's people to spread the message of Rev. 14:9-13. The subjects of the literal coming of Christ and the nearness of that event are advocated by such men as Moody. The religious press is teeming with discussions on the nature of man. The dogma of eternal suffering in a lake of fire is agitated by the clergy everywhere, and is largely repudiated. To us it seems that the providence of God is breaking up the public sentiment upon these theological tenets, that the truth may find its way to the hearts of the honest. The press in every part of the country has called the attention of the people to the existence of Seventh-day Adventists as a denomination. This lays upon the tract societies renewed responsibilities to spread a knowledge of the truth. Every lawful means of letting the light shine, of placing our publications in the hands of others, should be immediately seized upon, and every effort should be made to warn the world of its impending doom. God has given us the truth for this purpose. He has committed to us talents of ability to do this work, and talents of means whereby we can push it forward, and shall we do it? To those who are faithful it will be said, “Thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee the ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” But he who buried his talent in the earth, devoted it to worldly interests and selfish gains, was cast out where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. These are solemn times in which we live. The plan of securing a number of copies of THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES and remailing them to individuals has proved a great success. Interested readers have been found in different parts of the world where the English language is spoken, and in many instances individuals have embraced the truth. In one place a company of no less than forty are to-day rejoicing in the light as the direct result of this kind of labor. The Swedes, Danes, Germans, and French have thus become the glad recipients of the third angel’s message. Some churches have taken clubs of the SIGNS, but have not been so successful in obtaining interested readers, and have slackened their hand; but where they are successful the want of means limits their efforts. I am acquainted with one church that could use two hundred copies more than they can pay for. Said the secretary to me, “I have just received a letter, with the money for seven paying subscribers.” These were from the South. One preacher in South Carolina, who received the truth in this manner, is proclaiming the third angel’s message. God forbid that the hands of any should slacken in this work, as the necessity for diligence increases. The Italian mission is the fruit of this kind of labor; and at present it presents great advantages in spreading the truth throughout the islands of the Mediterranean, and in New Zealand, Australia, and Egypt. Already has a living preacher sailed for Alexandria, Egypt, to carry the message of the speedy advent of our Lord, and what are we doing to help this branch of the work? We cannot all go to Italy, but we can help with our means in this enterprise, and this will yield an eternal interest in the kingdom of God. Pledge papers have been received throughout the country whereby all can take an active interest in the mission. The tract officers and members have a duty here. These pledge papers should be placed in the hands of every Seventh-day Adventist, and subscriptions should be entered upon them in the form of one-hundred-dollar pledges, fifty, twenty-five, and so down to ten and five-dollar pledges. The time to lift in the cause of God is very short. What help is given must be given speedily. A few years more and it will be too late. The Lord is soon coming, and will require at our hands talents committed to us, with usury. The Spirit of God has spoken. His providence is far beyond our efforts. Souls are calling for the truth and perishing for want of it. Those to whom God has entrusted means, but who have withheld from sending the truth to these perishing souls, will have an unpleasant account to settle at the bar of God. May God help us to be wise while it is called to-day, that we may be prepared for what is coming on the earth. It was proposed that I should write out the principal points of the discussion at Danvers, Mass., between Eld. D. M. Canright, Seventh-day Adventist, and Eld. C. E. Barnes, first-day Adventist; but for two reasons I have not done so. First, the points, with two exceptions, were the same that are always brought up; hence there was little new to state, unless the whole argument were given, which would be too lengthy. Second, I have been unable to find the time. I now present a few thoughts. Eld. Barnes from the first labored under a difficulty. It was this: He did not believe in the sanctity of Sunday, and he did not wish the audience to know it. The argument, however, drew it from him, and he admitted that it might be a common, secular day, and stated that it was never called the Sabbath for twelve hundred years after Christ, and that the meeting of Christ with his disciples on the day of his resurrection did not make it a holy day. He argued that the Sabbath was not given to man until the law was given from Sinai, and based his argument on Deut. 5:15. Here he made one new argument. He said the word “keep” in that verse was from a Hebrew word, which, in the two thousand seven hundred times it occurs, is translated keep only twenty times, but make and made, over four hundred times; and that in Deut. 5:15 it should be translated thus: “Therefore the Lord thy God commanded thee to make the Sabbath day.” That was its origin. Eld. Canright showed that his Hebrew criticism was untrue, and also unscholarly. The same word is translated do; as, “Therefore ye shall observe and do them,” spoken of God’s commandments a great many times. To keep God’s laws and to do them are equivalent. To make them, God never invited man. Also when the word in the Hebrew means make it has a certain prefix which gives it that meaning. Eld. C. read this from the Hebrew Lexicon. In Deut. 15:5 it has no such prefix, and means simply to keep, as it reads. On the second evening Eld. B. made another new argument from Hos. 2:11. He said that “moadeem,” translated “solemn feasts,” means properly, “commemorative days;” and that the Sabbath was one of them, and that it has therefore ceased. The next day, Eld. C., seeing the error of this criticism, concluded that Eld. B. must be utterly ignorant of the Hebrew; so he visited him with a good brother, and asked him to show him that point in his Hebrew Bible. Well—his Hebrew Bible was not there just then. Eld. C. produced his own, and asked him to turn to the passage. After some hesitation, it turned out that he could not read the Hebrew, and he confessed that he did not know one Hebrew letter from another. Eld. C. exposed the falsity of the criticism, in the last evening’s debate; and handing his Hebrew Bible to Eld. B., offered to submit that whole point if he would read one verse in Hebrew. Eld. C. showed that the Sabbath was made for man (Mark 2:27), at creation (Gen. 2:1-3); and that sanctifying it there was really a command to Adam to keep it holy. The passover was given to commemorate the flight from Egypt (Ex. 12:11, 17, 26, 27, 42), and the Lord does not give two memorials for the same event. The Sabbath could not be, therefore, a memorial of the exode, as Eld. B. had claimed; neither would there be any fitness in it—a rest to commemorate a grand rush! No; the Sabbath is a memorial of God’s rest when he had created the world. Ex. 20:8-11. The question was, “Do the Scriptures teach that the seventh-day Sabbath of the decalogue, Ex. 20:8-11, is to be observed by Christians?” Eld. C. showed that it was observed by Christ’s disciples after his death (Luke 23:56), and by the apostles (Acts 13:14, 42, 44). That Christ recognized the Sabbath as existing forty years this side of the cross in prophesying of the destruction of Jerusalem, which occurred A. D. 70. Matt. 24:20. He showed that the Sabbath existed when John wrote the Revelation, near the close of the first century. Rev. 1:10. The Lord’s day is the Sabbath. That is the day, and the only one, he has ever claimed as his own. Ex. 20:8-11; Isa. 58:13; Mark 2:27. The result of this debate was greatly to strengthen the church at Danvers in the truth. Our social meetings following were the best we ever had. The brethren could hardly express their love for the truth, since they had seen so great a gulf fixed between it and error. DISCUSSION BETWEEN ELD. HAINES, SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST, AND ELD. MOULTON, FIRST-DAY ADVENTIST.
By C. W. Stone
The debate at Seabrook, N. H., six miles from Newburyport, Mass., was no less interesting. Eld. Moulton is of the same belief as Eld. Barnes, but a great deal more open in declaring it. The first two evenings the question was like that at Danvers. The third evening it was, “Resolved, That the Scriptures teach that there is no Sabbath or Lord’s day for the Christian church.” Eld. Moulton did not bring up anything new, and was very rambling, mentioning every point the first evening that he brought up at all. He was very rash in his statements, and used no reason at all. He said that Christ told the young man in Matt. 19:16-22 all that it was necessary to do to have eternal life; but said nothing about the Sabbath. He said that Paul, in Rom. 13:9, gave command for all that was necessary for Christianity; but he didn’t mention the Sabbath. He said the third time that all that a Christian need do is summed up in the decision of the Apostolic Council. Acts 15:28, 29. Eld. Haines showed that both Christ and Paul in the cases mentioned, omitted saying anything about false gods, image worship, and swearing, as well as the Sabbath; therefore, if their silence on the fourth commandment releases us from its observance, so of the first three; therefore a man may worship idols, and profane the name of God, and yet be a Christian according to Eld. M. Eld. Moulton in reply said, “The word ‘comprehended’ in Rom. 13:9 is a very broad term. If you love your neighbor as yourself, you wont swear before him.” Eld. Haines inquired, “Why not, if there is no command forbidding it? How do you know it is wrong? ‘For where no law is, there is no transgression.’ Rom. 4:15. If you know it is wrong to swear, while there is no law to tell you so, why not know that it is wrong to break the Sabbath under the same circumstances? But again, if this loving your neighbor as yourself keeps you from swearing before him, it certainly could not ‘comprehend’ the man away out behind the barn, who swears at his oxen when his ‘neighbor’ is not near.” Eld. Moulton, in his first speech the last evening, said that Lord’s day, Rev. 1:10, “as he was informed by an able Greek scholar,” meant the day of Judgment. In his last speech, having forgotten this, and wishing to heal the wounds he feared he might have made in the minds of some of his audience by sweeping away Sabbath and Sunday too, he said, “Now don’t think I would trample upon the Lord’s day,” “but still there is no command for keeping it.” Eld. Haines asked in closing, “What does he mean? Does he mean that he is not trampling on the day of Judgment? or has he forgotten that that is what he said ‘Lord’s day’ means?” Eld. M. said that the word “Lord” in that verse, as everywhere else in the New Testament, meant Christ. Eld. H. read Rev. 11:15,—“The kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ,” showing the falsity of that; for Lord and Christ here are certainly two different persons. Eld. M. could hardly use his last half hour. Finally, like Balaam (Num. 23:11), whom the Lord made to bless, when he would have cursed, Israel, he said: “If there is any Sabbath, it is the seventh day; for that is the only day God ever blessed. Do you wish to know where your Sunday came from? It rests upon the decree of the heathen emperor Constantine, issued A. D. 321. It is a Catholic institution from top to bottom.” Eld. Haines had great freedom in defending the truth, and though he has had the light himself but a short time, he was enabled to present it in a clear and forcible manner. He feels much strengthened himself; and we are satisfied that the debate has made an excellent impression on the minds of the people who heard. It was held in the first-day Adventist chapel, where Eld. Canright was refused a hearing in December, and where Eld. S. S. Brewer, of the same church as Eld. Moulton, had just finished a series of lectures designed to prove the holiness of Sunday. The people there cannot fail to see the discord in their own teachers, and the weakness of the position taken by all of them when compared with the Bible truth of God’s holy day. C. W. STONE. Forgiveness as Christ Forgave Us
It is amazing how many excellent excuses men make for not forgiving the wrong which is personal to themselves. The reasons for not forgiving are abundant; the reasons for excusing are scant. “Personal dignity forbids that I should be the first to offer forgiveness. I shall be misunderstood. My forgiveness will be thrown back in my face. It will make no difference; the offender will repeat the offense; I know him too well.” Might not Christ have said every one of these things? Is not his proffer of forgiveness discordant with pagan notions of divine dignity? Is not he misunderstood? Is not his forgiveness thrown back in his face? Do not sinners, though forgiven, repeat the old offenses with a wearisome monotony of sin? Even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.—Christian Union. Catholic Bishop Warns Against Mixed Marriages
Bishop Burgess of the Roman Catholic Church in Michigan has issued a pastoral, calling attention to the increase of marriages between Catholics and Protestants, or infidels. He warns his people against the practice, declares it contrary to the laws of the church, and says that when such marriages are solemnized by magistrates or by ministers of other churches they are null and void in the sight of God and of the church. THE meeting at West Union was held April 4-7. There are very few of our brethren in this place. About a year ago they built a small meeting-house which would seat about seventy-five persons. Of course it was not large enough for our meeting, so the Baptists very kindly gave us the use of their house. But we found the outside interest very small; perhaps fifty or a hundred attended our meeting. This was much less than we had had at any other place, and these were not particularly interested. There were about seventy-five of our own brethren present, and we enjoyed very good seasons with them, and they seemed to receive the word with much interest and profit. This part of the State has been left without labor for years, and the brethren are somewhat discouraged on this account, very few having embraced the truth lately. We think that some of the many laborers should work in this section of the field. It is the pleasantest part of the State, and probably would be just as good a field as the southern part, if not better. We spent a half day in instructing them in keeping our books, another half day on the T. and M. work, and a good share of Sunday on s. s. We found that the brethren very much needed instruction on these points. I think the time was profitably spent. Systematic benevolence pledges were made to the amount of $400. We now ask our brethren in all parts of that Conference to take hold and raise their pledges as these brethren have done, as the means are very much needed. Thus closed my four weeks’ labor in Iowa, with Bro. Farnsworth. We hope the Lord may bless these efforts to the good of the cause in this State. As I have several things which I wish to say, bearing upon the cause there, which would make a report too long, I will put them in separate articles, hoping that the friends will read them. Battle Creek, Mich., April 12. This has been one of the old battle fields, being one of the first churches organized in the State. Most of the friends that came out years ago had moved away. But there were a few lamps left that have continued to burn brightly, and the result of our labor we feel is largely owing to the influence of such. About twenty-five in the vicinity are now keeping the Sabbath, and we have some reason to believe others will yet come out on the Lord’s side. We shall commence meetings near here again soon. The meeting at this place closed on Sunday night. The Lord was with us, and we had a good meeting. Six were added to the Logan church. This church is growing in the knowledge of the truth. On Sunday evening we celebrated the ordinances. The Spirit of the Lord came into our midst. May the Lord continue to bless this church, that they may be a shining light in the world. AFTER attending the meeting at State Center, the 22d, I came back here March 29. About thirty were present at our Sabbath meeting, although it was a very stormy day. Some were keeping the Sabbath for the first time. I sold here twenty-five dollars’ worth of books, and obtained six subscribers for our papers. Shall meet with them again April 20. There are enough here that acknowledge the truth to make a large church. May the Lord help them out of the “valley of decision.” A GOOD WORK has recently been done in this vicinity by Chas. E. Whitlatch. By my request, he spoke at our school-house on the second advent of Christ. Many believed, and some were affected to tears. The people were unanimous in their desire to hear him the next evening on the Sabbath. Accordingly he spoke to a large and attentive audience. He thoroughly demonstrated the obligations of the Sabbath, and showed that Sunday-keeping is not of Christ, but of his self-styled vicegerent, the antichrist of Rome. He complied with the request of the audience to speak the next evening on the same subject. After services, he asked all that believed the seventh day was binding to arise, and several stood up. He then asked all that believed Sunday was the right day to keep to stand up, and not one in the audience arose. A few have commenced to keep the Sabbath; others say they will do so, while many are investigating. A Methodist minister who heard his discourse admitted that the seventh day is the Sabbath. Surely the Lord is blessing his people. The seed has been sown here, and may a large harvest be reaped in due season. MET with the church at Decatur City, April 6 and 7. Nearly all were present, and took part in the social meeting. We celebrated the ordinances, and elected officers. Letters were granted to seven of our members, who will join in some other locality. May God bless them in their new homes. This leaves our little church with sixteen members, in harmony and union. Peoria, Hill Co.—March 31 and April 1, we organized a church of twenty-six members at this place. The s. s. pledge amounts to $277.00 for the year. Quite a number of others who are in union with us in the truth will unite with us soon. When we came to this county last fall, there was not a Sabbath-keeper in it. A large majority of these brethren we found smoking and chewing tobacco, and the sisters dipping snuff. One family consisting of the parents and four children, the youngest of whom is a little girl three or four years of age, were all using it profusely. The mother learned the art of dipping snuff while being dandled upon her father’s knee. The husband tells me that $100 would no more than cover the family expenses for tobacco annually. With tobacco, this dear family have laid aside tea, coffee, and pork. In our little company of about forty who meet together every Sabbath, thanks and praises ascend to the God of all grace for freedom and deliverance from bondage to bad habits, for the light and liberty they have found in believing the present glorious truth, and for their experience in receiving Christ anew. On Tuesday P. M. ten were baptized in the presence of a large concourse of people. We also organized a legal society and adopted articles of Association, in order to legally hold the church property. Cleburne, Johnson Co.—I met with the church here in their quarterly meeting, April 6 and 7. All were in their place at an early hour Sabbath morning. Their meeting-house not being fully inclosed, we met for worship in Bro. Dillen’s house. It was literally packed. It was truly encouraging to see the zeal manifested by these dear brethren and sisters, their earnestness and willingness to perform their duty. The Lord blessed greatly in preaching and in the social meetings. Our communion season was indeed a refreshing one. Two were received into the church, and two were baptized. Here we also organized a legal society. Although the friends are poor, they have nearly inclosed a very neat little house of worship. The meeting of the T. and M. society showed activity on the part of its members, nearly every one reporting. The reports under “my donation” and “one-third” clearly showed that there was a readiness to sacrifice. We are now on our way to labor with the tent. Bro. L. Caldwell goes with us. We crave the prayers of God’s people. NEW YORK AND PENNSYLVANIA.
We can still report progress here. Our Sabbath meetings continue to grow better. There are about twenty-five good substantial persons now keeping the Sabbath, quite a share of whom were either backsliders or had never made a profession of religion. They have a weekly evening prayer-meeting arranged. Last evening I spoke, by invitation, at Blossburg, a town five miles from Covington, to an attentive congregation, with good effect. We have the usual opposition to meet, but it does not hinder the work. We expect others to be gathered in. I leave them now for a few days, but design to return soon to look after the interest and perhaps give some lectures at Blossburg. Wellsville, N. Y., April 7. Our quarterly meeting yesterday and to-day was very interesting. The Niles Hill church met with us Sabbath morning, and the Lord was with us and blessed us, and we were encouraged to be faithful, trusting in his holy name, doing his will in keeping all the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. We are a little flock, surrounded by adverse influences,—there being eight large and popular churches here, yet the Lord is with us, and that to bless. Sabbath afternoon, Bro. Babcock, pastor of the Scio Seventh-day Baptist church, preached a good sermon from Luke 22:42. After the sermon we had another Conference meeting, and two members united with the church, making five additions since our organization, and we trust there are others still to follow. First-day morning we held a business meeting in the interest of the T. and M. work. Some interesting reports were made, and two new members were added to our society. May we grow in grace, increase in numbers, and finally receive the reward promised to the saints of God. FLAT ROCK.—On Tuesday evening, March 26, we had a good hearing at Flat Rock. Here, again, we were made to realize the crying need of laborers. Almost everywhere we go, we have encouraging audiences; but we must press on, and leave hungry souls behind. Of the eighteen or twenty brethren in Illinois to whom credentials and licenses were granted last year, some are at work in the field, winning souls; others are arranging home matters so as to labor in the tents the coming season. Oh that all would more fully realize the importance of this work! Who will be there, a crown to wear,
Among the saved in glory?
’Tis he who’ll bear, with cheerful air,
The cross, and tell its story. KEENVILLE.—During the last four days of March, we held a series of meetings at Keenville. One was baptized; three joined the church; S. B. was re-organized for 1878. Here the prejudice is giving way, and our labors are bestowed on larger congregations than hitherto. WEBBER GROVE AND MT. VERNON.—As the result of our labors during the past week, in connection with previous efforts, one has been reclaimed, two have commenced to keep the Sabbath, and one has been baptized. For the present the friends at Mt. Vernon unite with the church at Webber Grove. In regard to the payment127 of S. B. pledges we may say, Webber Grove church is among the most prompt of the churches in Illinois. G. W. Colcord.
April 10, 1878. C. H. Bliss. Elliottstown, Effingham Co., April 9. We held meetings in a district a few miles from Watson, and as a result, six are keeping the Sabbath. March 2, we commenced meetings at Elliottstown. The congregations range from fifty to one hundred and fifty. Have spoken nine times. The Disciples have kindly granted us the use of their house of worship. G. F. Shonk.
D. Morrison. [Tune—“Battle Cry of Freedom.”] We will rally round the standard, we'll gather once again,
Believing the gospel of the kingdom;
We'll gather from the hillside, we'll gather from the plain,
Believing the gospel of the kingdom. The kingdom forever! All hail the glorious
Away with all error, believe the truth and sing,
Whilst we gather round the standard, gathered once again
Hearing the gospel of the kingdom. We are gathering to the call from the East and from the West,
Believing the gospel of the kingdom.
We will help to swell the numbers, with our Bibles in our hands,
Believing the gospel of the kingdom.
Cho. We will welcome to our numbers the honest, true, and brave,
Believing the gospel of the kingdom;
And although we may be poor, we shall never be afraid,
Believing the gospel of the kingdom.
Cho. We are joining in the call, in the East and in the West,
Believing the gospel of the kingdom;
Offering life to the world, in the land of heavenly rest,
Believing this gospel of the kingdom.
Cho. Sinners, hear the joyful news of the advent of our King,
Believing this gospel of the kingdom;
Repent and reform, and with us join and sing
Of the glory of the gospel of the kingdom.
Cho. The nations of the world, by the word of God foretold,
Show signs of the coming of his kingdom;
But they soon will give their place to the seed of royal race,
Who believe the gospel of the kingdom.
Cho. Come, give us your hand, and give to God your heart,
And we will wait for the coming of the kingdom;
Come join our little band and we never more will part,
But will reign with the Saviour in his kingdom.
Cho. Farewell, careless sinner, for you we feel alarmed!
O, come and be safe in Jesus' kingdom;
For he will shortly come, and the earth and all things burn,
Then the saints will all be safe in Jesus' kingdom.
Cho. Be faithful, fellow soldier, our work is almost done,
Preaching the gospel of the kingdom;
Then a crown of life we'll wear when we are gathered home,
To ever praise the Lord in his kingdom.
Cho.