REV. 7:1-3. “And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the winds should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor any tree. And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God; and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.”
The chronology of the work here introduced, is placed beyond mistake. The sixth chapter closed with the events of the sixth seal; and the seventh seal is not mentioned until we reach the opening of chapter 8; the whole of chapter 7 is therefore thrown in here parenthetically. Why is it thus thrown in at this point? Evidently for the purpose of stating additional particulars concerning the sixth seal. The expression, “after these things,” does not mean after the fulfillment of all the events previously described; but after the prophet had been carried down in vision to the close of the sixth seal, in order not to break the consecutive order of events, as given in chapter 6, then his mind is called to what is mentioned in chapter 7, as further particulars to transpire in connection with that seal. Then we inquire, Between what events in that seal does this work come in? It must transpire before the departing of the heavens as a scroll; for after that event there is no place for such a work as this. And it must take place subsequent to the signs in the sun, moon, and stars; for these signs have been fulfilled, and such a work has not yet been accomplished. It comes in therefore between the 13th and 14th verses of Rev. 6. But there, as already shown, is just where we now stand. Hence the first part of Rev. 7, relates to a work, the accomplishment of which may be looked for at the present time.
Four angels. Angels are ever-present agents in the affairs of earth; and why may not these be four of those heavenly beings into whose hands God has committed the work here described; to hold the winds while it is God's purpose that they should not blow, and to hurt the earth with them when the time comes that they should be loosed; for it will be noticed, verse 3, that the “hurting” is a work committed to their hands equally with the “holding,” so that they do not merely let the winds go, when they are to blow; but they cause them to blow; they impel forward the work of destruction with their own supernatural energy. But the hurting process here brought to view does not include the seven last plagues. That work is given into the hands of seven special angels; this, into the hands of four.
Four corners of the earth. An expression denoting the four quarters, or the four points of the compass, and signifying that these angels, in their particular sphere had charge of the whole earth.
The four winds. Winds, in the Bible, symbolize political commotion, strife and war. Dan. 7:2; Jer. 25:32; The four winds, held by four angels standing in the four quarters of the earth, must denote all the elements of strife and commotion that exist in the world; and when they are all loosed, and all blow together, it will constitute the great whirlwind just referred to in Jeremiah.
The angel ascending from the east. Another literal angel, having charge of another specific work. Instead of the words “ascending from the east,” some translations read, “ascending from the sun rising,” which is a more literal translation. We understand the expression to signify manner rather than locality; that as the sun arises with rays at first oblique, and comparatively powerless, but increases in strength until it shines in all its meridian power and splendor, so the work of this angel would commence in weakness, move onward with ever-accumulating influence, and close in strength and power.
The seal of the living God. This is the distinguishing characteristic of the ascending angel. He bears with him the seal of the living God. From this fact and the chronology of his work, we are to determine, if possible, what movement is symbolized by his mission.
The nature of his work is evidently embraced in having the seal of the living God; and to ascertain what this work is, we therefore inquire what this seal of the living God is, which he bears with him.
1. Definition of the term. A seal is defined to be an instrument of sealing, that which “is used by individuals, corporate bodies, and States, for making impressions on wax, upon instruments of writing, as an evidence of their authenticity.” The original word in this passage is defined, “A seal, i. e., a signet ring; a mark, stamp, badge; a token, a pledge.” Among the significations of the verb are the following: “To secure to any one, to make sure; to set a seal or mark upon anything in token of its being genuine or approved; to attest, to confirm, to establish, to distinguish by a mark.” By a comparison of Gen. 17:11, with Rom. 4:11, and Rev. 7:3, with Eze. 9:4, in connection with the above definition, the reader will see that the words token, sign, seal, and mark, are used in the Bible as synonymous terms. The seal of God as brought to view in our text is to be applied to the servants of God. We are not, of course, to suppose that in this case it is some literal mark to be made in the flesh, but that it is some institution or observance having special reference to God, which will serve as a “mark of distinction” between the worshipers of God, and the wicked around them.
2. The use of the seal. A seal is used to render valid or authentic any enactment or laws which a person or power may promulgate. Frequent instances of its use occur in the Scriptures: In 1 Kings 21:8, we read that Jezebel “wrote letters in Ahab's name, and sealed them with his seal.” These letters then had all the authority of king Ahab. Again in Esth. 3:12, “In the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king's ring.” So also in chapter 8:8, “The writing which is written in the king's name, and sealed with the king's ring, may no man reverse.”
3. Where a seal is used. Always in connection with some law or enactment that demands obedience, or upon documents that are to be made legal or subject to the provisions of law. The idea of law is inseparable from a seal.
4. As applied to God. We are not to suppose that to the enactments and laws of God, binding upon men, there must be attached a literal seal, made with literal instruments. But from the definition of the term, and the purpose for which a seal is used, as shown above, we must understand a seal to be strictly that which gives validity and authenticity to enactments and laws. This is found, though a literal seal may not be used, in the name or signature of the law-making power, expressed in such terms as to show what the power is, and its right to make laws and demand obedience. Even with a literal seal the name must always be used. See the references above given. An last instance of the use of the name alone seems to occur in Dan. 6:8: “Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not;” that is, affix the signature of royalty, showing who it is that demands obedience, and his right to demand it.
(To be Continued.) U. S.
Wants of the Cause in the North Pacific Conference.
By Isaac D. Van Horn
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: Five years have passed since we arrived in this field, and a good work has been done. God has opened hearts to receive his truth, and many are rejoicing to-day at the prospect of soon meeting their Lord in peace. Sacrifices have been made in order to turn to the keeping of the down-trodden Sabbath of the Lord; but the prospect of soon entering into the city of God with all who do his commandments more than makes up for the crosses we bear here.
Although much has been done in this field, there remains much more to be done. Not half has been accomplished that might have been in the same time had the zeal and self-sacrificing spirit been manifested that the time of the world's history in which we are living demands.
There must be a general waking up and taking hold anew that the work may increase in power in this Conference. Let all unitedly put their shoulders to the wheel and employ all their ability, force, and talent to move on the cause of truth. We are drawing very near the closing day of mercy, and if ever anything is to be done in this field to save perishing souls we should begin now, and begin in earnest.
The third angel's message, the last message of mercy, is going to the world. It must go, and its friends must furnish the means to push it forward. Our love for it is shown by the sacrifices we make to sustain it.
One of the important points to be considered at our camp-meetings this year will be that of raising funds to carry on the several branches of the work. There are four special objects that demand our attention, and must have the support of our people in this conference.
1. The tithing system should be adopted by every believer of the present truth. Not one, whether a member of a church or not, should excuse himself or hold back. This is not a scheme devised by S. D. Adventists, but a solemn obligation laid by the Lord upon his people as early as the days of Abraham. Let every one take hold of this cheerfully that there may be means in hand to support those who give their whole time to preaching and building up the cause.
2. The T. and M. work must have means to place it in better condition than it is at present. We want the fund, known as the $300 T. and M. fund, increased to at least double that amount. This will enable the conference T. and M. secretary to keep a good assortment of our publications on hand and pay down for them, that the Office may not have to wait for means it needs to carry on its great work.
3. We must raise a camp-meeting fund of not less than $150. This is much needed to prepare suitable grounds for such meetings, and to furnish it with lumber, &c., that it may be a place both attractive to the people and suitable to worship God. These camp-meetings should be kept up, for, when rightly managed, they are a great help and strength to the cause.
4. We very much need a tent fund of at least $500 to purchase a new tent, to use in starting tent meetings in new places, and to carry on tent work in general. Our old tent we brought with us to this field, and it cannot be used much longer. It may hold together for one meeting this year, but by another year we shall need a new tent to be used in the western part of this conference.
And still another item, that of paying the help the Gen. Conference sends us to make the work at our camp-meetings successful.
Brethren and sisters of the N. P. Conference, we want you to seriously consider the wants of the cause as we have set them before you. You will see that not far from twelve hundred dollars must be raised in this conference during the coming year, and all this outside of your tithes. I entreat you to come up and take hold of this work in earnest. If all will lay plans to help the cause in these several branches the amount required can be easily raised. Let all murmuring cease, and that forever. Let your time, means, and talents be employed in pushing forward the cause we all so much love, that souls for whom Christ died may be saved, and when your labor is done and our Lord comes to give reward to his people, you will find to your own joy that you have been working for your own eternal good.
Now, dear brethren, we shall expect you to come forward with your pledges on these several points—at our camp-meetings, and we shall be much disappointed if the several amounts are not raised. I. D. VAN HORN.
The Paradise of Fools
A STATE of idleness is the paradise of fools.
Philosophy not Faith.
By Editor
We do not know the author of the following, which we clip from an exchange. There is an important truth contained in it. "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." That which is provable is not a matter of faith. We believe natural truths because they may be demonstrated. We believe Scriptural truths because they are the word of God.
"How the dead shall arise is no question of my faith. To believe only possibilities is not faith, but mere philosophy. Many things are true in divinity which are neither inducible by reason nor confirmable by sense, and many things in philosophy confirmable by sense yet not inducible by reason. Thus it is impossible, by any solid or demonstrative reasons, to persuade a man to believe the conversion of the needle to the north, though this be possible and true, and easily credible upon a single experiment, unto the sense."
People and I.
SAID I to my wife: "My dear, I don't see why we should not stay where we are. We have lived in this house twenty years; our children were born here; some have died here. Every room has some recollection of our past life. I like the house—we like the house. It is convenient—it is get-at-able. Why should we go?"
"My dear," urged my wife, "it is so far down town; and the milliners and dentists are crowding into the street now; and, besides, what would people say? We should lose our place in society."
After this conversation, with variations, had taken place at least once a week for a year, seeing my wife in such great dread of what people might say, I began to think that very likely she was right, and I moved up town. I bought a tall, slim, brown stone-house, in a distinguished neighborhood, and felt that whatever people might say after that, they certainly could say nothing about me. Mistaken man! I had only placed myself, it seems, more conveniently to be observed, as I found on proposing to retain some of our old furniture.
My wife nearly fell into hysterics.
"Are you crazy, Mr. Smith? Hair-cloth furniture and three-ply carpets here? What would people say? We had better have staid where we were. There, such things at least were unheard of. Here, who do you suppose would enter the house the second time?"
It is no use to humor a woman half-way. I gave in; my wife had what furniture she liked, and I supposed that "people" were satisfied. Please to imagine my horror when I discovered that "people" were after me again. "People" were astonished that I attended an old-fashioned church, made up of plain people. "People" knew none of its church members. "People" were getting ready to say something—according to my wife—unless I hired a pew at once in the fashionable church near by. I was disposed to make a stand, for I loved the old church! I respected its honest members, and the pastor was my warm friend. But my wife had already been obliged to tell six distinct fibs to hide the facts about our church-going, and my daughters on various occasions had suffered agonies of mortification. What man, who is not a brute and a ghoul, would allow his wife to fib, and his daughters to suffer agonies, if he could help it? I hired the desired pew, and "people's" mouth was stopped.
Stopped! No it wasn't. "People" followed me up sharp, and were on the very verge of discovering that my wife and daughters assisted in the domestic work of the house. If "people" made the discovery fairly nothing less would happen than that my daughters' prospects in life would be blasted. That was not to be thought of, and we added two ladies of the Irish "persuasion" to our force.
Would you believe it, that I could not have done anything worse for myself? Before, "people" had been at the necessity of guessing about me and my affairs; but I learned now from my wife that these Irish ladies were spies for the "people" and were always about to say something, and if anything was vulgar or poor in my house, "people" would now be informed of it, by one of the ladies aforesaid, at first hand. Nothing remained now but to bring my house and style of living, if my means would allow, up to the standard of the two Irish ladies, who, I found, were very severe and very lofty in their notions.
I began to grow very anxious, and, my wife said, mean. Recent losses made my heavy expenses difficult to meet; but when I mentioned economy, "people" sternly and disdainfully refused to hear a word of the subject, and I was rather weaker in the knees and less able to hold my own, because of a dreadful incident that occurred about this time.
As I was walking down the street, who should I meet but Peter Parker, an old neighbor, and one of the best fellows living.
"Hillo!" says Peter, "I guess you have forgotten old friends. My wife says she hasn't set eyes on you since you moved."
"Not a bit of it," said I. "But we have been so busy. Mrs. Smith will be delighted to see you. Come home and dine with me today and see what you think of my new house."
Peter did not need much urging. Why should he? We had almost lived in each other's house. And forgetting all about "people" I walked home, jolly enough, with my arm tucked into Peter's and marched him straight into the parlor to surprise Mrs. Smith.
Mrs. Smith had company. Mrs. Smith was dressed in a mauve silk, and the girls in all the colors of the rainbow. Mrs. Smith turned white and red; she looked reproachfully at me and furiously at Peter, who, worthy man, saw nothing of it, but burst out in a great laugh and shook her hands, and shook them over again, and wouldn't let go of them.
"I declare," said Peter, "you have growed young and handsome. Fine feathers does make fine birds—don't it, Smith? I should say she was twenty years younger now."
"Thank you," answered Mrs. Smith, stiffly. And drawing herself up with dignity said aside to me, "How could you do such a thing? Clara and Herbert Eglantine are here to dinner."
It was all very fine to say, "How could you do such a thing?" but the thing was done. Peter was delighted in my house, with the girls, with every thing he saw. It was no use for Clara and Herbert at each of his sallies to put up their eye-glasses and look at him. Peter could not take a hint, and even I found myself thinking that he had grown decidedly vulgar, or my tastes had changed entirely.
I heard my daughters telling Clara privately that he was an old but excellent person, whom I had befriended and whom they allowed all sorts of liberties.
But just as I was thinking that this was a neat little shield against the sharp things that people would say, when informed by Mr. and Mrs. Herbert of what they had seen, that horrible Peter smashes my daughter's neat little lie after this fashion:
"I say, Smith, this is a world of changes, an't it? Why, I can scarcely believe that I am here, and that you own a house like this. Do you remember when you lived in the second floor of our house? In those days we rather thought we had the best of you."
Wasn't that a stunner? And what is more, it turned out that Peter was not so innocent after all! I hear that he tells the story every where, how when he found Mrs. Smith was going to put on airs, he brought down her colors before her grand friend. Not a blush of anger, not a gesture was on him; so that I tell my wife that it might have been better if she had received him kindly; but she insists that I was entirely to blame, and that the whole affair is another illustration of how an entire family may be dragged down from gentility by one person of vulgar tendencies.
In my secret heart I had rejoiced, for I supposed that people would now have so much to say that out of sheer desperation we might now do as we pleased—a consideration which I found very pleasing, as I began to be embarrassed by my expenses. I discovered, however, that instead, we were to double our exertions by way of setting ourselves right! This view was so exasperating, that the most patient of men, I was filled with wrath, against this shadowy persecutor, who was hunting and dogging me to my ruin. I determined that if he had a name I would find it out, and if he had a whereabouts I would go and remonstrate with him.
Full of this determination I went home to my wife.
"My dear," said I, "you are continually asking me what will people say, and because I did not know I have bought a new house, furnished it expensively, entered a new church, cut all my old acquaintances, and I find I have run myself seriously in debt. If I had been required to do all this, by any form of government, I should have denounced it as the greatest tyranny, and fought against it to the death."
"Dear me, what nonsense you do talk!" cried my wife.
"Nonsense or not," said I, "I am determined to know who it is that is badgering me out of all comfort. When you say 'what will people say,' who do you mean, Mrs. Smith?"
"La me!" answered my wife. "No one in particular; Mrs. Grundy, you know."
"You mean, then, that I bought this house for fear of no one in particular."
"Why, no. How queer you are! I mean folks, people who know us. There were the Judsons and the Piersalls, you know."
"O, the Judsons and Piersalls!"
At the first opportunity I hailed old Jacob Judson.
"See here, Judson," said I, "suppose we had staid in our old house, what would you have thought about it?"
"Why, I sincerely wish you had," answered Judson; "for as long as you staid, I said to Mrs. Judson, 'Well, the Smiths stay where they are. If they can stand it we can!' but as soon as you were gone, there was my big gun muzzled, and my wife she gave me no peace till we moved too."
"Humph!" said I, and then went off to find Ogden Piersall.
"Ogden," said I, "what is your real opinion about joining the church where you attend?"
"My real opinion!" Mr. Piersall looked puzzled. "Why, I don't know that I ever thought about it. I never heard any body say anything about it. It is a matter of taste and preference, of course."
Mrs. Grundy was not in the Judsons and Piersalls then. In the course of a week I examined the majority of my acquaintances, and found that, as a rule, they had been so busy about their own affairs that they had not thought of mine: or else their wives and daughters had been preaching up mine to them.
I went home and reported to Mrs. Smith.
"Dear me!" screamed Mrs. Smith, "you don't go around and talk in that way, do you? O, I wish you were like any one else! What will people say?"
"Mrs. Smith," said I, "give no more money to the missions sent out to convert the poor, ignorant savages from the folly of worshiping blocks and stones, that have no life in them, till the home missions have first converted those silly American women, who, blinder than the savages, worship things that have not so much claim to worship as a block, since they do not exist at all."—Ladies' Repository.
The Home Circle.
By George A. Hamilton
GARDEN OF THE HEART.
THE heart to a garden compare,
Let culture be thorough—indeed,
Plant none but the choicest things there,
The purest and very best seed.
Be thorough in culture,—be true;
Remove all the weeds as they start,
Then cherish the rain and the dew,
So that you develop the heart.
Be early in culture, begin
At the very first promise of spring;
Delay not, nor idle,—put in
The purest, best thoughts you can bring.
Dig deep through the soil,—very deep,
Turn the heart to the truth and the light;
Then you at the harvest may reap
The reward of the faithful and right
Be thorough in culture, in deed,
Remove all the weeds as they start;
Plant always the heavenly seed,
And this will develop the heart.
—Geo. A. Hamilton.
Have Patience.
By V. J. OLSEN
PATIENCE! How much we need it. My sister, you need it all through the day, liable as you are to be disturbed and fretted by the many little cares demanded of you in the home circle. My brother, you need it, whether working on the farm, or in the shop, or office. The teacher, trying the livelong day to impart lessons of wisdom, or directing the young feet in the paths of virtue, needs it. The minister, after sowing seeds of eternal truth needs it; as the growth of the precious fruit is many times tardy, and many times the seed falls on "places stony," or barren soil. Patience enables us to suffer with calmness; but often when not really suffering, we yield that calmness and peace which should ever characterize a Christain.
How much fathers and mothers need to exercise patience toward the little ones God has given them. If parents speak harsh and impatient words to their children, the children will soon not only manifest the same harsh and impatient spirit to brothers and sisters, but to their parents also. Such a home becomes a scene of discord and confusion on which God frowns, and from which the holy angels flee. Trials and differences arise in nearly every home, but if in trial we are met with frowns, cold reserve, and harsh words, the difficulty increases, and the family is farther from the right than before. On the contrary, let gentle words and kind actions rule, and difficulties will be easily surmounted; home will be a place where all its members will love to gather, and angels will linger round the loving scene.
Many are the testimonies of the divine word to the importance of patience. Says Paul, "But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness." James says, "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." A person who can, amid all the fret and worry of daily toil and care, retain a calm and unruffled spirit, who can bear with patience the little troubles of life, as well as greater ones, most nearly approaches perfection. This grace added to willing obedience brings to the possessor that peace, and confidence in God, which is of far greater value than all the treasures of the world. V. J. OLSEN.
Reports from the Field.
By John Norton Loughborough
Southampton, England.
At the time of my last report I was preparing to visit a family in Coxford to whom we had sent the SIGNS. I made the visit, and found the copy of the SIGNS was being read eagerly by four families, and then sent to another neighborhood ten miles away to do its work there.
I found the family deeply interested in all the truth. They invited in several of their neighbors, and I gave them a discourse in the evening, and left them more reading matter. On Monday evening of this week I held another meeting in their house with a larger audience. The interest is such that for the present I shall hold, at least, one meeting a week in this house.
Last night this devoted brother came to the meeting held in our house, and said that he and his wife should keep next Sabbath. He brought me, from the lady of the estate where he works, an invitation to call and visit her. This Christian lady has been reading our works, and is deeply interested. I have appointed to go there to-morrow.
Last Sabbath one more joined us in our Sabbath meeting. In the afternoon we organized a Sabbath-school. We had three classes, comprising seventeen scholars of Sabbath-keepers. Some others also came in; we expect more next Sabbath. In connection with our Sunday afternoon Bible-class we have commenced a Sunday-school for all who wish to attend. This calls in many children who are not with us on the Sabbath.
We are now sending weekly two hundred copies of the SIGNS through the post to all parts of England, Scotland, and Wales. We get many favorable responses, and thus hear of those interested on the sea, as well as those on land, and also hear of many who are interested, but do not reply to our letters.
Our tent is being rapidly hastened to its completion. During last week a friend, on learning that we were making this tent for a public meeting place, gave us $50 to aid in its purchase. All these things are tokens to us that the Lord's hand is set to the work, even here in Great Britain.
We now have about six meetings a week, which, with our writing and necessary missionary correspondence, keeps us busy. We are free in the Lord, and feel that his arm is beneath to strengthen us for our labors.
We would be pleased to get letters from all our friends in America, but as our reports in the SIGNS and Review are quite full, hope they will accept these as answers to theirs; by doing this it will save as much precious time. Our work increases both in amount and interest, and we will therefore try to find time to report every week.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
Williams, Cal.
By J. D. Rice
CLOSED our meetings in this place to-day. Have not accomplished as much as we had looked for. The attendance has been small; partly on account of the unfavorable weather, but mostly because there has been nearly every evening amusements of some kind, in the place, which they preferred attending,—"Lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God." Yet the truth has not been left without witnesses. Several are keeping the Sabbath, and a few have signed the covenant.
Expect to meet with the church at Arbuckle for a few days, the latter part of the week, when we expect to pitch tent at Willows, and begin a series of meetings.
April 20, 1879. J. D. RICE.
Schonberg, Iowa.
By John Harvey Morrison
SINCE my last report I have visited the brethren at Adel, Woodburn, and Afton. At two of the above named places they have had no labor for two years. At Adel I held meetings in the day-time from house to house with the brethren, and at night in the court-house. Had some good, spiritual meetings, and some outside interest. The brethren were encouraged, some backsliders were reclaimed, and one took his stand for the truth. I left some omens for good in all these places. They all adopted the tithing system.
April 4. J. H. MORRISON.
Jewell Center, Kansas.
By George H. Smith
COMMENCED meetings a few miles north of this place April 16, in a Disciple church. After the fourth discourse the house was locked against me. There were four other places offered, so I continued the meetings. I have spoken twenty-two times. Some have commenced to keep the commandments of God. GEO. H. SMITH.
April 15, 1879.
Christiana, Norway.
By John G. Matteson
The work is progressing. Souls are becoming settled in the truth; others are investigating all the time. Not a few of this little company are men and women who have come right out from darkness and sin into the light of the truth. Families that cared nothing for Christ before are now reading his word, and bend their knees in prayer. Their desire for liquor and tobacco, is overcome, and they are cultivating a taste for something purer and higher. The blessed hope is cheering many a soul. Many others are struggling to come to the light. About eighty persons are keeping the Sabbath, besides the children. Our Sabbath meetings are seasons of refreshing from the Lord.
We have beautiful weather this month. The air is fresh and invigorating; yet much sickness prevails, principally on account of ignorance in regard to the laws of health. And it has been a very hard month for many who are without work, and some without bread. With a few exceptions, our brethren have work; but wages are very low, and it requires quite a struggle to get along. The Lord has helped us hitherto, and in him we trust, knowing that he will do all things well.
Our tracts and papers are scattered. Several young men are active in bringing them out. Others get some occasionally. A brother from Sweden got quite a number of tracts to sell and distribute as he went on foot to his distant home in Sweden. So others, from different parts, are helping to spread the light. Soon the ships will go out from here to all parts of the globe. Oh that we had more men to help disseminate the precious truth of God.
March 25. JOHN G. MATTESON.
Walla Walla, Dayton, and Pataha.
By Isaac D. Van Horn
I, with my family left Salem and arrived in Walla Walla April 2. The quarterly-meeting here was well attended. The most of the members have adopted the tithing system.
April 8 and 9 I was with the Dayton church and found them united. This church is doing nobly in financial matters and in the T. and M. work. The Lord is blessing them and they are prospering. They are taking steps to build a meeting house.
The evening of the 10th, I spoke in Bro. Hopkins' neighborhood, near Tukama. The audience manifested much interest. I think this would be a good point to hold a series of meetings. Friday, I went to Pataha Prairie, where we had the tent last fall. We were much pleased to find them firmly established in the present truth. We held five meetings with them, baptized one brother, and organized a church of ten members. They fully and heartily adopted the tithing system. There seems to be, all through this country, an ear to hear the truth. Preparations are being made quite generally to attend the camp-meeting the 4th of June.
April 17, 1879. I. D. Van Horn.
Salisbury, Mo.
By George I. Butler
SEVENTEEN persons have signed the covenant, part of whom were keeping the Sabbath before. There are from fifteen to twenty more who are "almost persuaded," and some are keeping the Sabbath, at least partially. I shall be disappointed if there are not as many as thirty Sabbath-keepers here in a few weeks. GEO. I. BUTLER.
Henry County, Mo.
By J. G. Wood.
I HAVE given forty-three discourses in the North-west corner of Henry county. Eleven have signed the covenant to keep the commandments, and others are convinced.
J. G. Wood.
Henrietta, Wis.
By O. A. Johnson
SOME over half-a-dozen have commenced to observe the Sabbath in this place. Among the number is a first-day Adventist minister who has opposed the seventh-day Sabbath. Many more are almost persuaded.
April 15. O. A. JOHNSON.
Sheridan, Mich.
By Orlando Soule
THE interest has gradually increased during the nearly seven weeks that I have been here, and a good work has been done. Twenty-two have decided to serve God and keep his commandments, most of whom were non-professors. Several have erected the family altar. Eleven have united with the church. April 15. Orlando Soule.
Albion and Raeville, Neb.
By Daniel Nettleton
MARCH 10-20 I was at Albion. Two more have taken a stand for the truth.
April 5, 6, I was at Raeville. Two were baptized, and two united by letter. This church was organized nine months ago with thirteen members, and now numbers thirty-one. DANIEL NETTLETON.
Good Health.
Tobacco Mania.
THE New York Evening Post says:—"The case of M. O'C—, the Fair Haven groceryman who was taken to the almshouse a day or two ago, is a sad one. He is only twenty-eight years old, and has a wife and two children. When he came to this country he was the owner of property to the value of some ten thousand dollars, which had been left to him as his share of his father's estate. He became an habitual and inveterate smoker, and his nervous system became so affected that his brain was injured, and insanity followed. Dr. Francis Bacon and other physicians warned him of the danger of smoking so much, but he failed to give up the habit. He was sent to the Middletown Asylum, and there, deprived of the means of gratifying his appetite, improved, and was discharged as cured. But, once out, he again resorted to narcotic stimulants, and again became insane. This is the second time he has been sent to the almshouse. The bulk of his property, it is said, is gone."
"And yet," says the Congregationalist, "a great many professing Christians, even ministers of the gospel, use tobacco, with no seeming regard as to its effect on their own bodies or the influence of their example in the world."
Dr. Burroughs, of Iowa, says in his Journal:—"It is authentically stated that there is a young man in Battle Creek, Michigan, that is suffering with delirium tremens from the use of tobacco. This is not the first case of the kind that has come under our observation; a man died with this terrible disease in Monee, Illinois, a few years ago, who was never known to use any kind of liquor, but was an inveterate user of tobacco. We should be temperate in all things."
Don't Stimulate the Young.
If you give a healthy young man of twenty, who has never tasted either, a cup of tea or coffee, says the Boston Post, it will keep him awake all night. If you give to one who has never drank either, fermented or distilled liquors, a glass of beer, wine, or weak whisky and water, it will make him more or less dizzy, and, perhaps, give him a headache. If you persuade one who has never smoked, to try a cigar, it will probably nauseate him, and for a time make him severely sick.
Now, what is the conclusion from these facts? Simply that tea, coffee, fermented and distilled liquors and tobacco are in their nature medicinal; are, in brief, drugs, and that, at least while the body is growing, while it still has a superabundance of vital force, it does not need either the preservative properties of tea or coffee, or the digestive and tonic one of wine, beer, brandy, or the soothing one of tobacco, to keep in health and well-being, but that, on the contrary, when the youthful system is in its natural state and either is offered it, disturbance, more or less pronounced, is the result.
What terrible responsibility, then, do not mothers and fathers incur, who from babyhood allow their little children to drink tea and coffee—nay, before the little things would think of asking for it, tempt them to sip it out of their own teaspoon!
Admit the Sun.
Don't shut out the sun, even though your carpets suffer a little under his ardent gleam. We are more active under the influence of the sun-light, and can think better and act more vigorously. Let us take the most airy room in the house for our living-room—the workshop, where the brain and body are built up and renewed—and let us have a bay-window no matter how plain the structure, through which the good twin angels of nature—sun light and pure air—can freely enter. Dark rooms bring depression of spirits, imparting a sense of confinement, of isolation, of powerlessness, which is chilling to energy and vigor; but in bright rooms is good cheer. Even in a gloomy house, where walls and furniture are dingy and brown, we have but to take down the curtains, open wide the window, hang brackets on either side, set flower-pots on the brackets, and let the warm sun stream freely in, to bring health to our bodies and joy to our souls.
An Error in Diagnosis
A young man of North Hill sat down at the piano, and began singing for the physician's daughter, "There's a sigh in the heart." Just then the old gentleman came in. "Young man," he said severely, "you are entirely mistaken. It isn't a sigh. There may be a sigh from the lungs, but from the heart, never. You have made an error in diagnosis. What are the symptoms?"