From a study of the word of God, and through the light that the Spirit of God has given to God-fearing men, our people years ago declared the certainty of the progress and final triumph of the third angel’s message. They also saw clearly that that same word teaches that opposition of the bitterest kind, and of the strongest earthly sort, will be waged against that truth in the last days, and in that territory symbolized by the two-horned beast of Rev. 13; and for more than twenty-five years they have proclaimed this truth. And during the past few years we have seen in motion the machinery which is to establish the observance of Sunday on a legal basis, making it an offense against the Constitution to disregard Sunday.
The third angel’s message is going with power. Everywhere it carries conviction to those who hear it; and while a few, some of whom were professing Christians, and some of whom were not, embrace the truth, the rest learn that there is no Bible for Sunday-keeping. Finding this, many of those professors who refuse the truth, become blindly zealous in their defense of Sunday. That must be sustained, Bible evidence or not. So they raise the cry, “These Seventh-day Adventists are destroying the faith of the people in our Christian Sabbath, and are thus doing great harm. It must not be allowed.”
This is what they are beginning to say. Several times within a few days has this argument been presented to me. Said a man, “You do not convert to your faith more than one in fifty who hear you, and you destroy the Christianity of the other forty-nine; for before they hear you, they believe in keeping Sunday as the Sabbath, but afterward they have no faith in Sunday at all, nor do they keep Saturday. Perhaps twenty-five of them were Christians. Then you destroy the Christianity of twenty-five to convert one. You are doing more hurt than good.”
Our enemies will admit that we have a convincing truth, that every one who hears it is convinced by it; and then they will argue that it ought not to be preached because people will not obey it, and cannot afterwards go on violating God’s law with an easy conscience. Joined to their idols! I wonder if people didn’t advance the same idea to Noah, when he warned them to repent lest they be destroyed in the flood.
“Perhaps twenty-five were Christians”? That is a proportion vastly too great, as every one knows. Had he said “professors,” he would have been nearer right. But does God’s truth destroy the Christianity of Christians? Then let it go. Such Christianity (!) would not be worth nourishing. No, no; when a true Christian hears the truth of God, he obeys it, though the world be against him. “Fear not, little flock.”
But this argument is being used more and more, and as the power of the “loud cry” of the third angel is felt, the wakening hordes of the opposition will pull upon this string harder and harder, as they say to them that dwell on the earth, “Let us make an image to the beast.” Rev. 13. C. W. STONE.
ENCOURAGING
By Charles P. Whitford
IN REVIEW Vol. 51, No. 1, Bro. Smith calls our attention to an interesting article headed “Receipts,” and asks us all to read it. I have complied with his request, and have learned the following interesting facts:—
To receipts for REVIEW, $679.48
“ books by mail, 131.38
“ “ express, 74.20
“ “ freight, 366.42
S. D. A. E. Society, 42.50
Cash on acct., 239.80
Shares in S. D. A. P. Association, 9.00
To Mich. Conf. Fund, 461.41
“ “ T. and M. Society, 72.84
“ Camp-meeting Fund, 10.50
“ General T. and M. Society, 12.00
Total, $2092.43
To our mind, these facts and figures indicate strength and prosperity to the cause of the third angel’s message. We have every reason to feel encouraged. The truth is being firmly planted in every part of the world. Soon its work will be accomplished, and the Lord will come. May we all be ready to meet him and hear him say, “Well done.” CHARLES P. WHITFORD.
“THEY”? WHO ARE THEY?
By Roswell F. Cottrell
The ship’s crew, those who are fully enlisted and have all their interest on board, when speaking of the movements of the ship will say, We sailed so and so, or we expect to take this course or that. Consequently when one is heard saying that they have sailed this way or that, the natural inference is, that he does not belong on board, but is only a passenger.
So in the matters of the church, and the work in which we are engaged. Those whose hearts are in the work, being fully committed to its interests, will identify themselves with each advance movement. They will speak of what we have done, or intend to do; of the duties wherein we have been behind, and of the improvements which we, by the grace of God, intend to make. But when one says, They have done this or that; they have erred; they expect too much from us; and, perhaps, they are making money, we may safely infer that such ones count themselves out. Their interest is for themselves, and not for the common cause.
The cause is one. It is the cause of truth, and is for the salvation of men. In its prosperity we rejoice. If it is increased in strength, we feel that God is giving success to our feeble efforts. If our institutions are acquiring means to carry the work forward, we are enriched. And as the truth is spreading abroad to “many peoples, and nations, and tongues,” and kingdoms, we feel like sharing the labor, the sacrifice, and the joy. Our interest is all on board; and we know that our labor is not in vain in the Lord. There is a rich harvest to be gathered; and they that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
R. F. COTTRELL.
UNION, IOWA.
By George B. Starr
By the blessing of God, quite a change has taken place since I came here ten weeks ago. Then, there were no Sabbath-keepers here, but there was much prejudice, and no homes were open for my entertainment. Now, twelve have signed the covenant, and others are keeping the Sabbath. Prejudice is scarcely to be seen, and there are very few homes at which I am not welcomed. The work has not been without opposition. Eld. Noe, Methodist, spoke against us on the Sabbath. He preached the same sermon Saturday night and Sunday morning, taking the positions taught by Lee in his Theology. I had freedom in answering him at night, before the same audience. The result of his effort is, that one good family of eight grown members have taken their stand with us. They have taken hold of the truth in good earnest, stopping their saw-mill on the Sabbath, and starting it again Sunday morning. Such changes as this do my heart good, and I believe this family, and the others that have taken their stand here, will be ornaments to the present truth.
One week after Eld. Noe's effort on the Sunday question, another Methodist preacher, quite an old man, spoke on the immortality of the soul. He took his text from 2 Cor. 5:8, and delivered a discourse that was well received with the audience. The tide was considerably turned against us, and several expressed their doubts as to my ability to answer him. But God heard our prayers and gave greater liberty than I had ever enjoyed before. The tide was fully turned again, and the state of the dead set before the people more clearly than it had ever been in the past.
He was not ready to give it up yet, but asked the privilege of replying, saying, I had treated his positions candidly, and he intended so to treat mine in his reply. His request was granted. The house was crowded. He commenced by making sport of the stress we put upon the resurrection; said I would take his text in Corinthians, and take it back through the Old Testament to Genesis, around Behring's strait, and plunge it into the resurrection. This caused a great laugh, which he endeavored to keep up for two hours. Any one upon the outside would have had no thought that we were having a religious meeting. I replied to some of the Scriptures he presented, but took no notice of his witticisms. He again asked the privilege of reply, which I thought he had forfeited; but I concluded to leave it to a vote of the audience, which went two to one against his speaking again.
Since his departure, everything has gone on smoothly. We have held four or five Sabbath meetings, which were well attended. Several good testimonies have been borne, and several have arisen for prayers. Meetings closed Sabbath, Jan. 5, with no decrease of interest. The company here desire organization. May God help them to hold fast to the end.
Bro. G. V. Kilgore has come to unite labor with me. We commence to-night five miles southwest of Oskaloosa and two and a half miles from last work.
GEORGE B. STARR.
LONG ISLAND, ME.
By J. B. Goodrich
This place is about two miles from Cass Island, where we have just completed the organization of a church of sixteen members and s. B. to the amount of $41.60 a year. I find those that came out by reading, a very earnest class of believers. The most of them gave up the use of tobacco before I came here, and I have not seen any pork among them. They found that in the Bible the swine was placed among the unclean beasts, so they let it alone, and now tea is also excluded from their tables. But here, as in other places, there is a determined opposition against the truth. The minister advised them to keep away from our meetings, and some are very obedient; but the minister cannot keep them away from the Judgment, and when God shall judge every man according to his work, there will be a howling among the shepherds, and no way for them to escape the all-seeing eye of Him who keeps a faithful record of every man's life.
We are now holding meetings on Long Island, with some interest. From thirty to one hundred are out to hear.
J. B. GOODRICH.
INTERESTING ITEMS.
By G. W. Colcord
At Chicago we had the pleasure of meeting Bro. and Sr. W. A. Shaw, who kept their first Sabbath on the 22d ult. I will quote from a brief written statement which I received from Bro. S.:
“Six months ago, T. M. Preble’s work on the ‘First-day Sabbath’ was placed in my hands. I read it carefully, and thought that I could have made a stronger argument for the first day myself. I reread the work, and compared his testimony with the Scriptures, and found he had no good foundation. I came in contact with the S. D. Adventist works, have read, have been convinced, and have acted. To the Lord be all the praise.”
On New Year’s day I dined with Bro. N. O. More, janitor of the railroad chapel on State St. Henceforth he and his wife intend to observe the Sabbath. They have read the REFORMER and love the reform. Bro. More and Shaw both received the23needed aid in their Bible studies by perusing the SIGNS, in the Y. M. C. A. rooms. Many indications are now furnished us proving that some of Chicago’s leading minds are considering the distinguishing points of our faith. Recently a minister acknowledged to one of our sisters that we are correct on the Sabbath question. A few days since, a conference of ministers considered the doctrine of the second advent. Frequently our friends are interrogated: “Have you a church in the city?” “Where do you worship?”
I pray my Lord to speed on the time, when, by his providence, this “Inter-ocean” city may be warned of the coming doom.
G. W. COLCORD.
THE SINNER'S PORTION.
By E. O. D.
Oh! where shall I hide while the storm sweeps by?
No place of refuge, no shelter nigh,
No shade of a rock in a weary land,
No oasis on the desert sand!
No mother's love, no father's home,
Can shelter this poor, doomed wandering one.
“Toil without recompense, tears all in vain;”
No hope now a future rest to gain.
No note can I strike in that glorious strain
That swells to the praise of Immanuel's name;
No part can I take in that chorus sweet
That blends with the sound of the dancers' feet.
No place have I in those bright spheres
Where God shall wipe away all tears.
No draught for me from the crystal tide
That flows the throne of God beside;
No seat on the bank of the river of life,
With the ransomed ones free from care and strife.
No rest for the weary, no light can I see
Placed in the window of Heaven for me.
I stood once the living fount beside,
But I would not drink from its healing tide.
I would not list to the Saviour's voice,
On the world's gay pleasures fixed my choice;
At my heart's closed door he waited long,
But I turned away with the giddy throng.
From the temple of Heaven, from the throne,
The Voice hath spoken: “It is done!”
“Too late! too late!” my anguished cry,
“The angel of mercy hath passed me by!”
Not yet hath that fearful die been cast;
Not yet hath the pitying angel passed.
Sinner, to-day look up, and see,
Heaven's gate is open still for thee.
O heed it now, the Spirit's cry,—
“Turn ye, turn ye, why will ye die!”
E. O. D.
Battle Creek, Mich.
NORTHERN ILLINOIS.
By G. W. Colcord
WINSLOW, Dec. 13.—Bro. A. A. John and myself held five meetings here for the public, besides enjoying one social season. Bro. Ballenger’s younger son made known his desire to be saved. In our business session, first-day, Bro. Brown spoke to the point with reference to tract work. Dist. No. 1 takes its quota of Annuals, and expects to pay for them. Our friends in this part of the State say they believe in the strict tithing system. Will they adopt the system, giving the Lord’s cause one-tenth of all their earnings, and thus prove themselves good stewards over God’s financial favors to them? I hope.
RIDOTT.—Bro. J. F. Ballenger held some meetings here some time ago. People have been reading, and now four of Bro. John’s friends are rejoicing in the light. For others we hope. I spoke to a few in a private house, eve of Dec. 16.
CHICAGO.—Dec. 28, I met Eld. R. F. Andrews in this city. Held, in all, five meetings, besides one short meeting conducted by Bro. Berg, in Norwegian. One was baptized and received by the Scandinavians. We organized a small church of Americans. G. W. Colcord.
TENNESSEE
By G. K. Owen
Gave sixteen discourses at Center Point, when we were requested to withdraw our appointments. We then visited from house to house. Six are keeping the Sabbath. Many others acknowledge its obligation, but think they must go with the majority. Sold some books, obtained one subscriber for the REVIEW, and two promised to take the REFORMER. G. K. OWEN.
CLAY CO., DAKOTA.
By John F. Hanson; Lewis Johnson
We have held meetings at a place about twenty miles south-east of Swan Lake. We found eight Sabbath-keepers, who had moved here from Wisconsin. God has greatly blessed our labors. It seemed to us that he had been preparing the hearts of the people to hear his word. Nine were baptized, and a church of seventeen members was organized. One more has since joined them, making, in all, eighteen good substantial souls. A leader and other officers were chosen, and S. B. was pledged for the coming year, to the amount of $40. A Bible-class and a Sabbath-school were organized; and we obtained fifteen subscribers for our paper.
We feel that God has wrought a good work here in a short time, and our souls are drawn out in thanksgiving for his mercies. We now have two organized Danish churches in Dakota, numbering, in all, about seventy members; and we believe that many more will soon be gathered into the fold of Christ.
JOHN F. HANSON,
LEWIS JOHNSON.
NEW YORK AND PENNSYLVANIA.
Herkimer Co., and Rome, N. Y.
BEING at home over one Sabbath, I took the opportunity to visit and preach in several localities near by, where I had been invited to come, and on Sunday, Dec. 30, spoke in three different places, to good audiences, with freedom.
Jan. 5 and 6, by request of the president of our Conference, I was with the church in Rome, instead of the one in Pulaski as I had appointed. Our meeting was a good one. The ordinances and business of the church were attended to with order and promptness. The Lord gave freedom in speaking the word, and all seemed encouraged. Some of our old churches can profit greatly, if they will, from the example of this young church. The members have a zeal and interest in the work, and a desire to learn the best methods of performing it, which are commendable; and if they seek humility and consecration, they may be very useful. They are not without their trials, but these seem to be working for their good. S. B. WHITNEY.
Glensdale, N. Y.
THE work here is progressing finely. For the present we are holding meetings every night. New ones are starting to serve the Lord. One strong man arose for prayers night before last, who was “too full for speech,” but last night he talked and prayed in our meeting with much liberty. Two or three more expressed a determination to leave off the use of tea and tobacco. A few more have decided to keep the Sabbath of the Lord, and four or five will unite with our class this evening.
Our P. O. address, for the future, will be Glensdale, Lewis Co., N. Y., Box 42. JACOB WILBER.
Scott Center and Stanton Hill, Pa., Jan. 7.
HAVE continued meetings at these places during the week, but on account of the heavy snow and rough weather, the attendance has been so much lessened that I decide to hold no more meetings at Stanton Hill at present.
At Scott Center, about a half dozen acknowledge the truth, although they have not yet decided to obey it. Shall continue the meetings there this week, and visit from house to house.
I have obtained one subscriber for the SIGNS, one for the REFORMER, and three for the INSTRUCTOR. E. W. WHITNEY.
West Pike and Hector, Potter Co., Pa.
I WENT to Potter Co. Dec. 28, and remained seven days, speaking each day, with freedom. I spoke four times at West Pike and three times at the school-house in Hector. Here among the Alleghanies, I have found about twenty-four good people keeping the Sabbath. Eight or ten were observing the Sabbath when Bro. J. G. Saunders went there to labor. They need to have our views faithfully presented to them.
There are many good families here. One good feature of the work among these people is, that nearly all who keep the Sabbath take part in the prayer and social meetings. This is an important point to be gained in new fields.
I think Pennsylvania is a good field for labor, and hope some of our tract workers will enter this field, to prepare the way for tent-meetings the coming season. School-houses are open, the people are friendly, and willing to converse on the subject of the Sabbath. The tent that went to Potter Co. last summer left a good impression, and was a help to the cause in this part of the field. A. H. HALL.
WISCONSIN
Nasonville, Maple Works, and Hixton.
I HELD seven meetings with the church at Nasonville, Wood Co., besides visiting from house to house.
At Maple Works the Lord helped in preaching the word, and the church were encouraged. There is now quite a strong company here. They propose to build a meeting-house next summer.
Commenced meetings at Hixton, Jackson Co., Dec. 21. The church have had but little labor since the tent was here over a year ago, yet they have kept up meetings the most of the time. They pay S. B. and the added one-third, but need tracts and instructions. Hope Bro. Rice, of Dist. No. 13, will visit them soon, and help them in the T. and M. work.
C. W. OLDS.
Sturgeon Bay.
I HAVE now given a course of lectures in the town of Sevastopol, three miles from Sturgeon Bay. As the result, seven have decided to keep the commandments of God. Many others say we have the truth, but refuse to obey. We hope for some others to take their stand on the truth, as nearly all are convinced.
WE now commence a series of meetings at Bay View. A. D. OLSEN.
DANVERS, MASS.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
After being away from Danvers about two months, except to stay over night here once in a while, we came back last week, to begin labors again. Our church is done. It was all finished, to the turn of the key, before our meetings commenced. This is the way it ought to be. It is always bad to crowd in meetings when a house is about two-thirds done.
The building, the stoves, the seats, and everything complete, has cost $2050. Everybody admires the house. It suits me by far the best of any I have ever seen. Then it is so easy to speak in—it is just right. It is 32 by 52 ft., with 18 ft. posts. Over the entry, which is seven feet wide, is a fine prayer room, 10 by 26 ft., where the gallery usually is. We value this little room very highly. Inside, the house is finished throughout with ash, filled and polished. I think our brethren who are building, would do well to have a pattern of this house.
Sabbath day all were out. It was the end of the first quarter of our Sabbath-school. The secretary’s report showed an average attendance of ninety scholars for the three months, thirty of whom had not missed a Sabbath. Contributions for Sabbath-school, $62. The school has been very prosperous, and well conducted. We have good teachers and competent officers throughout the school. Interesting remarks were made on the occasion by several leading brethren.
Sabbath afternoon nearly one hundred Sabbath-keepers were present. Nearly all belong here, as we had not invited the brethren from abroad. It was an excellent meeting. Sunday morning the church came together, and raised toward $400 more on the house. This was better than we expected. In the afternoon came our dedication. Before the appointed time, the house was packed till not another could get in. Scores had to go away. The Lord seemed to favor us on every hand. The weather was fine. The music was the best we have ever had. Interesting and appropriate remarks were made by Eld. I. Sanborn, of Wisconsin, Eld. G. F. Haines, who has lately embraced the Sabbath, Eld. S. S. Mooney, another convert to the Sabbath, Bro. M. Wood, of Boston, and Bro. C. W. Stone. In the evening the house was again filled to overflowing.
I have now begun another course of lectures here, to continue as long as the interest requires. Two have lately taken hold of the Sabbath, quite a number are almost persuaded, and many are friendly. We feel thankful to the Lord for these blessings.
Again we ask for a large attendance at our State quarterly meeting at this place, Jan. 19 and 20.
D. M. CANRIGHT.
SCRAPS FROM THE MISSIONARY WORKERS.
By M. L. Huntley
The Vigilant Society at Battle Creek is taking four hundred copies of the SIGNS regularly. There are about a hundred members here who are actively engaged in sending out the SIGNS to different parts of this country, and to Europe, Asia, and Africa, besides some who are canvassing the city with Annuals, Plain Facts, the HEALTH REFORMER, etc., etc. They are weekly receiving letters like those from which the following extracts are taken. These have been recently received.
The following is from West Virginia. After ordering books for which he sends the money, the gentleman writes: “A word or two more. If a preacher could be sent here, much good could be done. Some weeks ago some friend sent me a few tracts. I began to loan them, and give away some of the papers. One brother from the Christian church has taken his stand with us for the Lord’s Sabbath; others are halting. Do send us a preacher.”
A lady from North New Portland, Maine, says: “I am interested in reading the SIGNS. I am one who wishes Bible instruction. Inclosed find one dollar. Send the paper as long as that will pay for it. I thank you for your kindness in sending the paper. God bless you in your work for him.”
The following is from Arkansas: “I have been keeping the Sabbath for three months. Mrs. Chapman [one of the workers at Battle Creek] has been furnishing me with papers and tracts. I shall ever feel thankful to her for the information I have thus obtained.”
The following is from Alabama, in response to a letter accompanied with the REVIEW and SIGNS: “I am delighted with my books and papers. I am going to give to the Lord one-tenth of my income during the next year. I want the SIGNS. I can hardly keep my REVIEW until I have read it, my neighbors are so anxious to read it. Inclosed find one dollar.”
The work is not confined to Battle Creek, but in every part of the field where the missionary work is engaged in, letters are received of the same character as the above.
A missionary worker in the South, a sister who is a librarian, and takes eight copies of the SIGNS, informs us that three years ago she sent a package of old REVIEWS and some tracts to a relative of hers. The result was that he embraced the truth in less than one year. He walked forty miles to attend a quarterly meeting, was baptized, and joined the church. When the plan of forming clubs of the SIGNS was first agitated one year ago, he took eight copies, and has been an active worker since that time. He lives in Kentucky.
The following is a letter from one of our active sisters in Indiana: “We have some very good news to-day. I have been sending THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES to an old friend who lives in Illinois, and have written her many letters to remove her strong prejudices. Now, both herself and sister have commenced to keep the Lord’s Sabbath. She says they are very much blessed in keeping it, although they are alone, and do not have the advantages of meetings. They hope to be faithful and true. They are very grateful for the light which God has sent them, and are trying to help others to see it.”
The above is only a small part of what might be reported weekly from our missionary workers in this country, while our foreign correspondence in the different languages in which the truth is represented, is equally interesting. The cause is the Lord’s. The truth is his, and it is rapidly finding its way to honest hearts in every part of the civilized world. Patient, enduring labor will be rewarded, “and he that reapeth, receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal.” Shall we not commence 1878 with new zeal and consecration to the work of God? M. L. HUNTLEY.
INVENTION OF STEAM ENGINES.
By J. O. Corliss
The honor of first applying steam to vessels, as a propelling power, is generally attributed by Americans to Robert Fulton, of New York. When public speakers make this statement without qualification, as they sometimes do, their assertion is very apt to be questioned, and not without good reason. That Fulton did make the first successful attempt which brought steam navigation into general use throughout the world, is not disputed; though it is well known that he was anticipated, even in the United States, by Fitch. Nearly two hundred years before that, however, the idea of procuring motion by steam was started by Brancas, in Italy, and soon after, it was used in England by the Marquis of Worcester.
It is also further established by various documents found in the archives of Simancas, and published in Navarrete’s “Collection of Spanish Voyages and Discoveries,” that the first known experiment of propelling a vessel by steam was made at Barcelona, as early as the year 1543.
Blasco de Garay, a sea-officer, proposed to exhibit before the emperor Charles V. a machine by which a vessel could be made to move without the assistance of sails or oars. Ridiculous as the offer appeared, upon the man’s earnest solicitation the emperor appointed a commission to witness and report the experiment, which took place June 17, 1543, on board a small vessel called the Trinidad, then lying in the harbor. Without any visible mechanism, except a huge boiler of hot water and a complicated combination of wheels and paddles, the vessel was moved forward and turned about at pleasure. The assembled multitude, filled with astonishment, made the harbor resound with applause. With the exception of one man, who, for some reason was prejudiced against the inventor, the commission all returned a favorable report, and Garay was taken into favor by the emperor. Charles, however, was at that time taken up with some military expedition, and suffered the occasion of conferring a great benefit on mankind to be neglected for the work of bloodshed and devastation.
But this experiment at Barcelona, owing to the absence of the modern medium of communication,—newspapers,—was unknown to Fulton, as it was to the world generally at the time of making it. Hence the fact that a vessel was propelled by steam as early as the sixteenth century by no means detracts from the honors due to Fulton as being the first to bring steam, as a motive power, before the notice of the world. J. O. CORLISS.
AN APPEAL FOR HELP.
By D. H. Lamson
The V. M. societies of Dist. No. 8, located at Jay and St. Charles, wish present aid from the missionary workers in all parts of the field.
The church at Jay has thirty-one, and the church at St. Charles thirty-six, copies of the SIGNS, for which to furnish interested readers during 1878. Will those who can do so, send names of parties who will probably be benefited by the perusal of our pioneer paper, for the society at Jay to the president, Mrs. A. McGregor, or to the secretary, Mrs. Eleanora Irving, Jay, Saginaw Co., Mich.; and for the society at St. Charles, to the president, Mrs. Antoinette Guilford, or to the secretary, Mrs. Diantha Wilkinson, St. Charles, Saginaw Co., Mich.?
Let the names of no unknown persons be sent, but rather the names of those who would receive the paper with pleasure, and read it with profit.
As far as possible, please observe the following rules: 1. Write correctly and plainly the name of the person to whom the paper is to be sent, and of the post-office, county, and State. 2. Please inform us, also, whether the individual is a gentleman or a lady, the age, as nearly as can be ascertained, and the occupation. All these items may aid materially in subsequent correspondence.
And now, Christian helpers, in whatever part of the field you may be, in this, or other States, or in foreign lands where the English language is spoken, do not hesitate a moment, but send names, and may you be blessed, as we hope to be, not only in time, but in eternity.
D. H. Lamson, For the Societies.
COURTESY
By Gail Hamilton
There is perhaps no single quality that does so much to make life smooth and comfortable—yes, and successful—as courtesy. No man can be agreeable without courtesy, and every separate act of incivility creates its little, or large, and ever-enlarging, circle of displeasure and unhappiness. One does not wish to go through life trying to be agreeable; but life is a great failure if one goes through it disagreeable.
Yes, believe me, you may be very learned, very skillful, very accomplished. I trust you are: I hope you will become more so. You may even have sound principles and good habits; but if people generally do not like you, it is because there is something wrong in yourself, and the best thing you can do is to study out what it is and correct it as fast as possible. Do not for a moment fancy it is because you are superior to other people that they dislike you, for superiority never, of itself, made a person unlovely. It is invariably a defect of some sort. Generally it is a defect arising from training, and therefore possible to overcome.
For instance: two girls in the country have each a pony phaeton. One drives her sisters, her family, her guests, her equals, and never thinks of going outside that circle. Another does the same; but, more than this, she often takes the cook, the laundress, or the one woman who often is cook, laundress, housemaid, all in one. And to them the drive is a far greater luxury than to her own comrades, who would be playing croquet or riding if they were not with her. Now and then she invites some poor neighbor, she takes some young seamstress or worsted-worker to town to do her shopping; she carries the tired housewife to see her mother, she drives a widowed old mother-in-Israel to some gathering which she could not otherwise enjoy. These are not charities. They are courtesies, and this bright-faced girl is sunshine in her village home.
Another thing in which she excels is the acknowledgment of courtesy, and this is itself as great a courtesy as the performance of kindness. If she is invited to a lawn party or a boating picnic, whether she accept or not, she pays a visit to her hostess afterward, and expresses her pleasure or her regrets; and she pays it with promptness, and not with tardy reluctance, as if it were a burden. If she has been making a week's visit away from home, she notifies her hostess of her safe return and her enjoyment of the visit, as soon as she is back again. If a bouquet is sent her—too informal for a note—she remembers to speak of it afterward. You never can remember? No; but she does. That is why I admire her. If she has borrowed a book, she has an appreciative word to say when she returns it; and if she has dropped it in the mud, she does not apologize and offer to replace it. She replaces it first and apologizes afterward, though she has to sacrifice a much-needed pair of four-buttoned gloves to do it! Indeed, no other person has so little apologizing to do. She does everything promptly; and you may notice that what we apologize for chiefly is delay. We perform our little social duties, only not in good season, and so rob them of half their grace. It takes no longer to answer a letter to-day than it will take to-morrow. But if the letter requires an answer instantly, and you put it off day after day, your correspondent is vexed, and your tardy answer will never be quite a reparation. Remember that no explanation, no apology, is quite as good as to have done the thing exactly as it should be in the first place.—Gail Hamilton.
Obituary Notices.
“Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth.”
FELL asleep in Jesus, Dec. 5, 1877, at Blockville, Chautauqua Co., N. Y., sister Abbie Hamilton, aged 25 years. Sister Abbie came home to her parents last summer, suffering from what proved to be disease of the heart. Finding her friends deeply interested in the tent-meeting then being held in Blockville, she too attended, and as the truth was made apparent she gladly embraced it. She was an amiable, earnest, consistent Christian, beloved by all who knew her. She leaves father, mother, brothers, and sisters to mourn their great loss. Their sorrow would be inconsolable but for the glad hope of meeting her on the morning of the first resurrection. The church feel deeply their bereavement; but in their grief adopt the words of our sister, “Simply to thy cross I cling.” Funeral sermon by the writer. Text, Rev. 14:13.
CHAS. B. REYNOLDS.
OUR only remaining child, John Elmer Paul, died of diphtheria, near Washington, Ia., Nov. 12, aged 3 years, 10 months, and 14 days. This is the second bright little boy we have laid in the grave, to await the sound of the trumpet on the resurrection morn. Only a short time to us, and but a moment to them, and if we are faithful we can clasp them to our arms again.
HAMILTON AND JENNIE PAUL.
DIED of consumption, in Haverhill, Mass., Dec. 7, 1877, sister Dolly Roke, aged 32 years and 9 months. For the last ten years she has been an earnest Christian and a lover of present truth. Beloved by all who knew her, she leaves a large circle of friends to mourn their loss, among them her aged mother; yet they mourn not as those without hope. Remarks at the funeral by the writer, from 2 Sam. 14:14.
D. A. ROBINSON.
MY mother, M. M. Russell, died on Sunday afternoon, Dec. 30, and was buried on New Year's day. She died a patient Christian and a loving mother, and was firm in her faith. The text at the funeral was the 14th chapter of Job.
M. A. ALLMANN.
JOSEPH DOMPIER died of consumption, in Jamaica, Vt., Oct. 12, 1877, in the forty-fourth year of his age. Bro. D. was brought up a Catholic, but he embraced the truths of the third angel's message nearly sixteen years ago, and from that time endeavored to live a consistent Christian life. He leaves a wife and four children.
LOREN D. CRAM.
EMMA, only daughter of Miles and Sarah Newton, died of consumption, near Oakley, Saginaw Co., Mich., Dec. 3, 1877, aged 8 years, 9 months, and 26 days. A father, mother, and three brothers mourn her loss, but not without hope. Funeral sermon by Eld. Cramer, Methodist, from Matt. 6:8.
MRS. A. L. HANNA.
A Point Well Taken.
The story is told of a clergyman, who, after preaching an interesting sermon on the “Recognition of Friends in Heaven,” was accosted by a hearer, who said: “I like that sermon, and now I wish you would preach another on the recognition of people in this world. I have been attending your church three years, and not five persons in the congregation have so much as bowed to me in that time!”
EVILS OF GOSSIP.
We have known a country society which withered away to nothing under the dry rot of gossip only; friendships once as firm as granite, dissolved to jelly, and then ran away to water, only because of this; love that promised a future as enduring and as stable as truth, evaporated into a morning mist that turned to a day’s long tears, only because of this; a father and a son were set foot to foot with the fiery breath of an anger that would never cool again between them; and a husband and a young wife, each straining at the hated leash which in the beginning had been the promise of a God-blessed love, sat mournfully by the side of the grave where all their love and all their joy lay buried, and all because of this. We have seen faith transformed to mean doubt, joy give place to grim despair, and charity take on itself the features of black malevolence, all because of the fell words of scandal, and the magic mutterings of gossip. Great crimes work great wrongs, and the deeper tragedies of human life spring from the larger passions; but woeful and most mournful are the uncatalogued tragedies that issue from gossip and detraction; most mournful the shipwreck often made of noble natures and lovely lives by the bitter winds and dead salt-waters of slander,—slanderous words so easy to say, yet so hard to disprove, throwing on the innocent all the burden of demonstrating their innocence, and punishing them as guilty if unable to pluck out the stings they never see, and to silence words they never hear. Gossip and slander are the deadliest and cruelest weapons man has ever forged for his brother’s heart.—All the Year Round.
THE SEED.
By Sel.
The farmer planted a seed,
A little, dry, black seed;
And off he went to other work;
For the farmer was never known to shirk,
And cared for what had need.
The night came with its dew,
The cool and silent dew;
The dawn came, and the day;
And the farmer worked away
At labors not a few.
Home from his work one day—
One glowing summer day—
His children showed him a perfect flower;
It had burst in bloom in that very hour,
But how, I cannot say.
But I know if the smallest seed
In the soil of love be cast,
Both day and night will do their part;
And the sower who works with a trusting heart
Will find the flower at last.