My last report closed with the Sabbath meeting at Bro. G. W. Edwards', July 9. I spoke in the evening at Bishop school-house, on reasons for Sunday-keeping. The Lord gave freedom, and the truth seems to be taking effect upon the hearts of some. Another man's appointments prevented our having meetings in the daytime on Sunday. Sunday night the house was full, and attention good. I left an appointment for Thursday evening, and the next day (Monday) came to Bro. Daniels'. Remained three days, holding meetings each evening. Thursday, the 14th, returned to Bro. Edwards'. Meeting that evening and evening following. These were solemn meetings. We felt as never before the importance of this time. When dismissed, the people seemed loth to leave the place.
The next day, Sabbath, according to previous arrangement, the scattered Sabbath-keepers of Napoleon, Paulding, and Ridgeland, came together in Bro. Edwards' barn, at 11 A. M., for prayer and social meeting. About twenty Sabbath-keepers, and a few others, were present. The Lord blessed, and some were helped in this meeting. Bro. S. E. Edwards, of Napoleon, who had wandered from the fold, like the poor prodigal, arose to return to his Father's house. May he not cease the struggle till he is free in God and his truth. May the professed Sabbath-keepers in this part of the State arouse from their lukewarmness, and come up to the help of the Lord. If they will do this, something may be done for their friends and neighbors. Let them get fully out of the way, and into the work, and then they may expect to see the work of God revived among them.
We are thankful to God for the omens of good we have already seen. His people are putting on new strength, and a reviving has commenced. May the work go forward.
Prayer-meeting at the close of the Sabbath, July 16, followed by our closing meeting in Bishop school-house. This was an excellent meeting. Quite a number acknowledged the truth as far as they have heard. We expect a few will obey. We hope to be able to hold more meetings with them at some future time.
Sunday, 17, went about sixteen miles to the grove mentioned in a former report, three miles from Ayersville. Quite a large audience assembled at 11 A. M. to hear Eld. Day on the Sabbath question, but were much disappointed, as he did not come. Illness was the reason assigned for his non-appearance. Eld. J. Gillespie gave a short discourse, and we followed with remarks. In the afternoon the people came together again, and we addressed them for about eighty minutes on the millennium.
After a tedious journey, we reached Mendon, Mercer Co., Ohio, July 22, and commenced meetings in Gross school-house Sunday afternoon. We trust that the Lord has directed. We ask an interest in the prayers of God's people, that we may accomplish some little good in the name of Jesus.
H. A. St. John.
Mendon, Mercer Co., Ohio.
The Poor of God's People.
By M. R. P.
“The Lord hath founded Zion, and the poor of his people shall trust in it.” Isa. 14:32.
As I came to this passage in my reading, lately, I felt peculiarly impressed as I noted the persons there especially designated. The poor of his people are to trust in Mount Zion.
Is it true that God's peculiar treasure shall be generally those who are poor in this world's goods, and will he bestow upon them especial favors? Or do the many promises to the poor and needy apply more particularly to the poor in spirit, the meek, the lowly in heart, the needy ones who cry earnestly to God for help?
Whether this is one or the other, we know at least that our Lord did seek out the poor and the outcasts and from the humblest walks in life, called those who were to be his disciples.
After reflecting as above, I began turning the leaves of my Bible, to search out the passages of special promises to the poor. I will give a few references which may be a pleasure and a source of comfort to those who will stop to search them out.
Oh! how full of encouragement are these gems of holy writ. “Precious also are thy thoughts toward me, O God.”
Dear reader, you who are poor in this world's goods, let us seek to be rich in faith, heirs of the promise, the eternal inheritance that awaits the faithful. The following are some of the texts for your encouragement:
BECOME full of your subjects, and then write. Let the cup overflow without tilting.
Condense, correct, strengthen, and, if necessary, rewrite the entire article.
Never write for a newspaper merely for your own improvement. As well might one fire a Derringer at his neighbor's head in order to improve his marksmanship. One reads a schoolboy's composition to see whether it is worthy of being read. We read newspapers with the idea that some one has read them before us, and pronounced them worthy of general perusal.
See that no manuscript is sent to the press until carefully revised—all the words carefully spelled, all proper names written plainly, all sentences made clear and grammatical, all personalities cast out, and all low, clownish, common-place phrases heavily erased.
Never get a bad spirit into your articles. If a man can think twice before speaking once, he can think a dozen times before committing his thoughts to paper. No weak, foolish things should ever flow from the point of one's pen.
Do not think that every pin you see in another's article is intended for you. It may have been stuck there to hold truth to truth, and not to make your own chair uneasy, nor to drain your ink-bottle into a rejoinder.
Study brevity, and find if possible the shortest road to what you want to say. It makes the head dizzy to whirl round in a circuit of sentences instead of being led straightforward to the point.
If now and then your articles are rejected or necessarily omitted, do not cease to pray for the editor. Never cast the gun away that snaps at the game. Pick up the flint, and try it again.
Never complain at editorial corrections. If by mistake the sense of the article has been changed, that may be pointed out. Every business has its laws, its usages, its necessities.
No man ever writes for a paper, whether as editor or correspondent, but who may find it well to inquire of himself: What will be gained if this article is printed, and what will be lost should it never appear in type?—Gospel Herald.
A Call for an Advent Minister
By J. F. Wood
From Bro. Wood.
DEAR REVIEW: Though we are separated from the body of the church, and have to pass our Sabbaths as best we can, deprived of all church privileges, and surrounded by the busy world, who seem to be striving to see how much they can do on this day, yet we feel deeply interested in the cause, and are rejoiced to know the work is going forward. We read of your excellent camp-meetings and other gatherings with much pleasure, and wish that we could take a part. Yet we still think it is best to hold on and work, and pray, for the truth to be sent into this region. There are many souls here, some of whom we think are honest and will accept the truth. The country is large, and becoming thickly settled. We have a fine, healthy climate, pure water, and beautiful scenery. The professed church is, however, spiritually and practically dead. It has really no power. Four denominations have meeting houses, and a fifth, the Campbellites, who are becoming pretty strong, are about putting up another.
Now have we an Advent minister somewhere who would like to make this his field of labor? If we have, he would be warmly greeted by a small number here, who are trying to stand amid all the opposition of these times, in the keeping of the commands of God and faith of Jesus. We will pay the expenses of any such an one who will volunteer to come here. We are anxious to see this work move on even in this country, which is all our excuse for troubling you at this time. Pray for us lonely ones, brethren, and send us help as soon as possible.
Yours in hope of eternal life,
J. F. Wood.
Walla Walla Co., W. T.
Rejoicing in Sabbath Keeping
By M. S. Merriam
Bro. M. S. Merriam writes from Mass.: It is over two years since I and my family commenced keeping the Lord’s holy Sabbath, and trying to walk in all the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
I feel to rejoice that the Lord is soon coming for his waiting people. I want to be ready, that when he shall appear, I may appear with him in glory.
Camp-Meeting in Kansas
By F. Rousseau
F. Rousseau writes from Douglas Co., Kansas: We are glad to hear through the Review that Kansas is not forsaken, but that there will be a camp-meeting in this State if possible. The people here want a meeting. When our neighbors heard this news, they wanted to know where this meeting would be held, as they want to go to it. There will be a good turnout.
A Lonely Believer Awaits Christ’s Coming
By Sister M. J. Kay
SISTER M. J. KAY writes from Champaign Co., Ill.: I love to think of the coming of our Lord and Saviour; and I want to be ready to meet him in peace. I am trying to keep the commandments of God and faith of Jesus. I want to meet all the followers of Jesus in that better land. I am one of the lonely ones. I know of none of like precious faith in this place, and the people here know nothing about the Sabbath as yet; I trust they will ere long.
Annexed to each receipt in the following list, is the Volume and Number of the Review & Herald, to which should correspond with the Numbers on the Pastor's record. If money for the paper is not in due time acknowledged, immediate notice of the omission should then be given.
$1.00 each. Lizzie Case 37-10, Wells C. Nelson 38-10, Mrs. P. Bartlett 38-10, Calvin Ward 37-1, Henry Barr 37-10, B. F. Ford 37-10, C. S. Hart 37-10, L. M. Santee 36-1, A. H. Erskine 38-10, Gabriel Lloyd 38-10, Silas Harrison 38-10, Noah Cartwright 38-10, L. C. Shedd 37-10, John Carter 37-1.
$2.00 each. Frank Eaton 38-1, Josephine Mott 38-1, Russel Peters 38-1, M. T. Kay 38-1, C. D. Cole 38-1, J. F. Troxel 38-8, Sophia Post 37-24, J. House 38-1, John C. Revell 37-1.
Miscellaneous. E. B. Town 50c 36-20, Peter Jentoff 50c 37-10, Sigvart Sorenson 50c 37-10, Peter Henrikson 50c 37-10, E. R. Coggeshall $4.00 38-1.
Books Sent by Mail.
N. J. Bowers 12c, S. Vincent 35c, Philip Potter 79c, P. Strong $1.00, T. P. Finch 50c, J. H. Rogers 34c, E. B. Hawley 25c, Luther H. Robinson 17c, H. G. Buxton 1.95, O. H. Pratt 35c, R. T. Payne 17c, Aaron Aldrich 25c, John Hopkinson 25c, Melvin Randall 25c, Mrs. Jesse Hely 25c, A. Amburn 35c, J. M. Gallemore 1.00, A. S. Sillman 17c, I. Sanborn 5.96, T. D. Van Horne 4.00, N. M. Jordan 1.50, J. Armentberger 2.40, G. Hayes 2.75, Mrs. N. Thompson 35c, Mrs. Lizzie Sayr 35c, E. T. Foster 2.75, W. P. Andrews 2.50, M. J. Barrow 2.50, Mrs. M. McCormick 2.50, S. F. Ingersoll 3.00, Geo. Brooks 35c, Mrs. S. Johnstone 75c, J. C. Revell 25c.
Books Sent by Express.
O. F. Guilford, Castalia, Ohio, $1.00, W. O. Dungan, Aledo, Ill., $7.00.
Foreign Missionary Fund.
B. E. Worster $1.00, S. J. Hill 1.00, A. Gibbs 1.00.
Michigan Conference Fund.
Church in Alabama $12.00, Church in Holley 20.00, Church in Oakland 19.40, Church in Orleans 49.75.
Book Fund.
A. D. Love $10.00.
General Conference Missionary Fund.
R. Aldrich $2.00.
Cash Received on Account.
J. N. Loughborough $50.00, Wm. F. Graham for P. Strong $2.25.
Monthly Meeting in Cattaraugus Co., N. Y
Appointments.
And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of Heaven is at hand.
Monthly Meeting in Cattaraugus Co., N. Y.
OUR next monthly meeting is to be the first Sabbath and first-day in September, with the friends in East Otto and Mansfield, at the school-house near Bro. Clancy Crumb's. Inquire for G. Crumb, East Otto and Bro. Bartlett, near Mansfield Corners, if you are not acquainted. Come friends, and sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.
Let us ask ourselves whether we are going to be among those of whom Malachi speaks, that feared the Lord and spake often one to another. They shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels. Come to the feast. Come with the love of the Lord in your hearts, and you will receive a blessing. Cannot Bro. Cottrell or Reynolds meet with us?
By order of the church,
B. B. WARREN.
Cottage, Cattaraugus Co., N. Y.
PROVIDENCE permitting, I will meet with the church at Ransom Center, at their next quarterly meeting, Sept. 3 and 4, 1870.
JOHN BYINGTON.
THE next monthly meeting for the churches of Oswego Co., N. Y., will be held at Smith's Mills, the second Sabbath in September. A general attendance of the churches is desired.
In behalf of the brethren,
F. WHEELER.
THE next quarterly meeting for the churches at Little Prairie, Johnstown, and Oakland, Wis., will be held at Oakland, Sept. 3 and 4. Bro. Matteson is expected to be present. We hope for the Lord's blessing at this meeting. Come, brethren and sisters, in the name of the Lord.
A. OLSON, Elder.
THE next monthly meeting of the Jackson church will be held at Parma, on the first Sabbath of September. It is requested that every member report either in person or by letter, as there will be some arrangements to be made in relation to the camp-meeting.
E. P. GILES.
Preparation for the Judgment.
By Roswell F. Cottrell
Our probation is soon to close. The cases of all living upon the earth are soon to be decided. We are warned of the fact. The tribunal is in session, and we know not how soon our cases may be called. Yet how slow to realize it. How little stirred by such solemn and awful truths.
Observe the dying Christian who is sensible that his probation is about to terminate. How carefully he reviews his life. How anxious to confess every fault—to put away every sin—and to know his acceptance with God. How earnest to warn the living to seek Christ, to give their hearts to God, to give up the world, and to live in preparation for the world to come.
But how is it with us who know from prophecy fulfilled, and from the signs of the times, that the great decisive day is right upon us? Are we acting in accordance with this faith? Are we laboring like those who know they have much to do, and but little time in which to do it? Are we striving to save others, as it were pulling them out of the fire?
The great lines of prophecy of the four great kingdoms of the earth have been fulfilled. Signs in the sun, moon, and stars, have appeared. Light upon the prophetic periods of the Scriptures has been demonstrated; and the proclamation has been made, “The hour of his judgment is come.” And since these things have been done, according to the predictions of the word of God, the anger of the nations, and the holding of the winds for the sealing of the servants have been manifested, the sealing message, bearing the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, has gone forth, the powerful workings of Satan through Spiritualism, so abundantly predicted in the Bible, has been sweeping over the world, the demand for the image of the beast by the union of church and state, in our own beloved country, and the enforcement of the Papal institution of Sunday-keeping to the subversion of the law of the Most High, is organizing its host for immediate and decided action, and last of all, the consuming Papacy, as if in a death-struggle, is speaking those great words of blasphemy, on account of which the beast is to be slain, and his body given to the devouring flame. The Pope in his dotage, his power dwindled to next to nothing, is declared infallible, and all is fulfilled of him except his destruction.
And are we living and acting as though we believed that all these signs predicted in the sure word, would pass by and the end not come? If we believe, where is our corresponding action? O, let us be wise. Let us act upon our faith. Let us be in earnest to save souls from ruin. Let us prepare for the Judgment which is right before us. Let us cherish the spirit of Him who gave himself for us, who sacrificed all on our account. Let us improve the little time remaining, in striving, in a self-denying, self-sacrificing manner, to save souls for whom Christ died. May God arouse us, and help us to work, ere the time for working shall be past. Oh God! give me a part in thy work.
R. F. COTTRELL.
Note from Illinois Tent.
By T. M. Steward; R. F. Andrews
We have held thirteen meetings in the tent since we came to Northville. We had about 200 hearers the first evening. We have now about 350. A great many are young people. Last Sunday in the forenoon and evening we had 600 hearers. The people are evidently becoming interested. Books are going off quite lively.
This has the name of being a very hard place, yet the people treat us with civility and respect. We are trying to humble ourselves, and draw near to God, that we may have grace to do his work effectually.
We ask an interest in the prayers of all that love the prosperity of this cause.
T. M. STEWARD,
R. F. ANDREWS.
Northville, LaSalle Co., Ill., Aug. 17, 1870.
Books.
H. G. Buxton, and others: The price of Dobney, on Future Punishment, is 91c. post paid. D'Aubigne's History of the Reformation (by express) $4.50. Mochand's Church History can be had for $4.00. Rawlinson's Ancient History $5.50.
Change of Address
By James Britzenberger
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS. As I shall leave this country very soon, I would say, Do not write to me again to any place in this country, but direct your letters, which will be welcomed at all times, to Switzerland, as follows: James Britzenberger, Tramelan, Jura bernois, Switzerland. Closed mail, via England. JAMES BRITZENBERGER.
Notice to the Churches of the Wisconsin Conference.
By I. Sanborn
The P. O. address of our Secretary, N. M. Jordon is Lodi Columbia Co., Wis. That of our Treasurer, Alexander Patten is also Lodi, Columbia Co., Wis. Money can be sent to him in P. O. orders, or in Drafts on Chicago. Please make your quarterly reports to N. M. Jordon.
I. SANBORN.
Report from Wisconsin Tent.
By I. Sanborn; D. W. Downer
We have now given thirteen discourses on the promises and mortality of man with a steadily increasing interest. Yesterday the Methodist preacher preached a sermon against us on the immortality question, which we reviewed last evening in the tent with much freedom.
The Elder was present to hear it. I invited him to preach on the subject again, if he was not satisfied; but he said before he left, that he should drop it and say no more about it. The public seem much pleased with the truth thus far. Everything now looks promising for a good work.
Pray for us.
I. SANBORN.
D. W. DOWNER.
The Pope’s Peril in Rome
THE serious reverses of the French in the war with Prussia, are causing the infallible pope to act very much as Belshazzar did when he saw the handwriting on the wall. France finds it necessary to withdraw the French troops from Rome for home defense. These troops are all that has kept the pope in his position for years; and their withdrawal is the signal for the rallying of the patriotic Italians for the resistance of his usurpations. They are now hovering on the borders of his dominion to seize upon his temporal possessions, as soon as French bayonets shall have left that vicinity. The pope beseeches the empress of the French for at least one ship for his defense; and there is serious talk of his being obliged to leave Rome immediately for other quarters.
Government Responses to Papal Infallibility
Even at this time, when the pope by the promulgation of the dogma of infallibility is asserting in the face and eyes of the common sense of the nineteenth-century his claim, in the broadest sense, to rule the consciences of men, and control the governments of earth, these governments are taking occasion to remind him that they yet have some rights which he is bound to respect. The Hungarian government has given notice that those bishops who voted against the dogma, shall not be deprived of any of their rights or privileges. And the response which Austria makes to the definition of the infallibility scheme, is the abolition of the famous concordat which granted such powers to the Roman clergy. This step, the Methodist asserts, cannot fail to lead to a separation of church and state in that kingdom.
Evangelical Alliance Postponed
The Evangelical Alliance, or, in other words, the Protestant, Ecumenical Council, which was to have assembled in New York in September, has been postponed on account of the European war, the delegates from Europe not being able, under the present circumstances, to attend. To several of these it has been assigned to speak in reference to the projected Sunday law.
Urgent Call for Labor in Goodlettsville
We have received an urgent call for labor from Goodlettsville, Davidson Co., Tenn. There are four persons there who are Seventh-day Adventists in faith and sympathy, who wish to be baptized and unite with some church. They do not wish their letter published, but the response they want is, in their own words, “a good Seventh-day Adventist preacher.” This work should be done in our section. They cannot meet the expense of all coming North to attend a S. D. A. meeting; but they will support a preacher while there. Who can respond?