In all the past it has been invariably the case that, when God was about to bring some great evil upon a people, he has given them a warning of what he was about to do. There are numerous instances of this on record. Some of these instances are seen in the warnings given to the antediluvians, the Sodomites, the Ninevites, and the Jewish people before their final dispersion among all nations by the destruction of their city and temple. And, in fact, God has promised that he will not depart from this rule. “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secrets to his servants the prophets.” Amos 3:7.
Of all the evils that God has ever brought upon men, none have equaled those that are to come in the great day of the Lord, emphatically called the great day of his wrath. See Isa. 13:6-9; Zeph. 1:14-18; Rev. 6:17. According to all his past dealings with men, and according to his promise quoted above, we have a right to expect that God will send a warning to herald the approach of that great and terrible day. And this is clearly promised through the prophet Joel: “Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain; let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand.” This is a prophecy in the form of a command. It signifies that when that day is near at hand, the trumpet will be blown, the alarm will be sounded. And the people of God living at that time are to be the agents by which the warning is to be given. The command of God to them is, “Blow ye the trumpet,” etc.
We have an illustration of the fulfillment of a prophetic command on record. It took place when Christ rode into Jerusalem. Hundreds of years before the event, God had said by his prophet, “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem; behold thy King cometh unto thee; he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.” Zech. 9:9. When Jesus thus entered Jerusalem, the people did shout and rejoice greatly. And it was imperative—there must be shouting—accordingly Jesus said, “If these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.” It was a necessity, for the promise of God must be fulfilled. Even so the warning must be sounded by the people of God, just before the coming of the day of the Lord. God has promised it, and his word cannot be broken.
The terms of the promised warning are more fully given in Rev. 14:6-12. Here are given in detail the promised “gospel of the kingdom,” which should be preached in all the world for a witness, immediately before the coming of the end. Matt. 24:14. The burden of the first proclamation of the everlasting gospel is, “Fear God and give glory to him, for the hour of his Judgment is come.” Such a message must be heard by the inhabitants of the earth at the time when the coming of the Lord is at hand. Can this be done, and yet the day of the Lord come upon men as a thief in the night, that is, unexpectedly? Yes, it can, to those who do not believe the warning; and the Scriptures assure us that this will be the case.
These last messages of probationary time will be preached by men, though they are foretold under the symbol of angels. God has chosen men as his agents to preach the gospel; and when he commissioned his disciples to preach the gospel he said, “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” Men will therefore be the agents through whom the closing messages of the gospel will be preached. And it is certain that those who proclaim these warnings will be believers in the advent of Christ at hand. Those who do not believe that the Judgment, the coming of Christ, and the resurrection, are at hand will never preach these messages. This is self-evident.
And now the question arises, Do the signs of the times warrant us in believing that we are in the last days? Those who make the study of the prophecies a specialty, universally believe that the end is at hand; and the impression is growing in the popular mind that the day of the Lord and the battle of Armageddon are at hand. The fearful corruption of our times has called forth the acknowledgment from some who do not profess to be Adventists that the present state of society answers to the prophetic description of the last days, as given by Paul in 2 Tim. 3, and in other scriptures. If we are in the last days, and the coming of the great day of the Lord is at hand, then it is time that these promised warnings should be heard. When God's promises become due, they never fail of their fulfillment. Where are the promised messages of warning? Who are proclaiming them? There are about two hundred thousand Adventists in the world; and if the predicted warnings are being given, it is evident that they are being given by those who believe that the second coming of Christ is at hand.
But the grand test of these Advent, or Judgment, messages is upon the commandments of God and the faith of Christ. Those who proclaim and heed these warnings are described as those “who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” Now it is a fact that Adventists are not all agreed in respect to the commandments of God. Some hold that the ten commandments are not now binding; that they have been abolished, and superseded by the faith of Jesus. Do they fill the prophetic description? Not at all. To apply to them, it should read, “Here are they that are released from the commandments of God by the faith of Jesus.” They differ from the apostle Paul in that they make void the law through faith. See Rom. 3:31.
Dear reader, the prophetic description of those who heed the last message of probation, and are to be translated at the coming of Christ, is, “Here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” Is it possible for any to be so deceived as to think that they are the people, while they break the commandments of the moral law and teach men so, holding that the commandments written by the finger of God have been superseded and done away by the faith of Christ?
Who are proclaiming the promised warning? It must be heard before the end, and the end is most evidently near. It is impossible that it should be preached by any but believers in the advent near; all others will be far from preaching it. And of Adventists none can be the people described but those who keep the commandments of God as well as the faith of Christ. And is there a class who teach the perpetuity of the whole moral law, in connection with the soon-coming of Christ? There is. And as John the Baptist understood his mission to be the fulfillment of the predicted “voice of one crying in the wilderness,” so these believe it to be their special work to proclaim the last warning to mankind, to prepare a people for the second advent,—a people who, instead of following the beast and his image, will “keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” And this message is going to “many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.”
Who believes the prophetic word of God? Who believes that God still lives, and is fulfilling his word of promise? The day of the Lord is at hand; and the Lord will do nothing, but he revealeth his secrets to his servants. He has promised a warning before the great and terrible day of the Lord shall come; and he is fulfilling his promise. Ancient prophets foretold these things; and the Spirit of the living God is moving his people to fulfill these predictions. He reveals these things to his servants; and those who believe his word and providence understand the work he has called them to do. By the aid of the Spirit they will fulfill their mission.
Already this message is being published in seven different languages. Several presses are employed in spreading the news, the good news, the gospel of the everlasting kingdom. In America it has spread from ocean to ocean, and several missionaries in Europe are sounding it forth by the voice and by the press. Oh! solemn thought. The trumpet of the final warning is being sounded. God has called upon his people to sound an alarm, and it is being sounded. He foretold these things by his ancient prophets and by his apostles, and he is fulfilling his word; consequently, unbelievers are left without excuse. The great white throne will remain immaculate, though we should not heed the warning, and so be lost. “The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord God hath spoken, who can but prophesy?”
R. F. COTTRELL.
DISCUSSION AT ROME, N. Y.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
Sabbath and Sunday, June 16 and 17, we held our last meeting with the church at Rome before our departure for the East. Quite a large number of brethren and sisters came in from the surrounding churches.
This was the time appointed for the discussion so long proposed. As we could not have the opera house Friday evening, we held the debate Sabbath afternoon at 3 o'clock, and Saturday evening at 8 o'clock, having two sessions of two hours each. We had a large audience both afternoon and evening, and the very best of attention. A prominent lawyer of the place was chairman of the meeting.
Eld. Widmer affirmed that the first day of the week had taken the place in the Christian church of the seventh day in the Jewish church. He brought his proof almost entirely from history. He began with Justin Martyr, A. D. 140, and then quoted all the usual testimony upon that point and not one word of Scripture. I pressed him hard upon this point, which made a deep impression against him. To evade the force of it, he affirmed that a written revelation was not so very necessary, after all, because the church existed a long time before the Old Testament was written, and the Christian church a long time before any of the New Testament was written; that many essential things are not written in the Bible at all, and we must go to the history of the church to learn these. We were astonished to hear such doctrine from a Methodist minister. It is the very corner-stone of Catholicism.
I showed that the fathers whom he quoted also taught prayers to the dead, making the sign of the cross, and other Romish superstitions. All his authors said was, that in the second and third centuries after Christ, Christians met together on the first day of the week. This was all. They did not claim it was the Sabbath, nor did Christians rest from their work upon it. I showed by overwhelming testimony that for several hundred years after Christ all Christians worked on Sunday. The elder admitted this, and even argued that it was right. He did not claim that Sunday was kept sacredly in the time of the apostles, nor for centuries after. He said it grew up gradually. In saying this, of course he gave us the whole question. In his last speech, he made a few references to the Bible, every time protesting that the passages quoted did not prove anything positively in favor of the first day. They only gave a slight intimation, which he found more clearly stated in after generations. All our friends felt highly pleased with the results of the debate. I have seldom felt better satisfied with a debate than with this.
I spoke in our church four times, and Bro. Whitney, once. The audience was larger than at any time since the dedication. Sunday afternoon our house was filled. We received eight into the church, and then went to the water, where Bro. Whitney baptized eleven. It was one of the most interesting baptisms we have ever had. It was a beautiful day and a lovely place, and everything was conducted in the best of order. Some estimated that there were a thousand people present. We were glad to close up our meeting after the debate with such a scene. We enjoyed a good social meeting with the brethren on Sabbath morning.
D. M. CANRIGHT.
THE GOLDEN WEDDING OF THE POPE.
By Daniel T. Bourdeau
To-day, June 3, the Catholic Church in France celebrate, with great pomp, the fiftieth anniversary of the episcopal consecration of Pope Pius IX., who is receiving the congratulations of a great number of sovereigns. Valuable presents have been sent him for the occasion. Among these are the following: A magnificent gold cup enriched by precious stones, presented by the Duke of Aoste, the second son of Victor Emmanuel, in execution of a vow expressed by his dying wife; a rich carpet from the President of France; and a gold throne presented by the Catholics of Marseille, France.
France, who proudly styles herself “the pope’s eldest daughter,” takes the lead in this idolatry, and will not be backward in acting her part in oppressing commandment-keepers in their last conflict with the power of darkness. God pity France, and help us in persuading some of her children to flee from the wrath to come. D. T. BOURDEAU.
IS OUR S. B. READY?
By B. L. Whitney
As the time is near at hand when another quarter’s s. B. is due, we invite the attention of our brethren to this fact, and ask them personally to consider their responsibility in this matter.
If our s. B. is to be paid up promptly each quarter—and most of our brethren have pledged themselves to do this—it will require a personal effort on the part of each to accomplish it. There are special reasons why this should be done with us the present quarter, as it is a fact that the funds in our State treasury are nearly or quite used up, and still there is a constant demand for means to meet the expenses of the summer campaign. Will not all our brethren, and especially our s. B. treasurers, work together to the point of having every dollar of the s. B. due July 1 paid into the State treasury at the commencement of the quarter? We can accomplish this if all will work for it.
We ask the church treasurers to give each member of their churches a personal invitation to pay up what is due from him, if it is not paid without such invitation. We also request them to forward, without delay, to the State treasurer, Bro. Chas. E. Green, Sacketts Harbor, N. Y., what money they collect, as it is needed for immediate use.
Those of the scattered brethren who have made pledges, and are not situated so that it is convenient to pay them to any church treasurer, can send them directly to the State treasurer.
Every dollar pledged to the Conference will be needed for use during the present year, and we trust and believe that the brethren will remember this and act accordingly.
B. L. WHITNEY.
Wellsville, June 20, 1877.
THE EUROPEAN PROSPECT.
Rumors of the possible conclusion of the war by an early peace are to be dismissed and are wanting in any basis of substantial fact. That the Turks begin to feel their own weakness and to realize the improbability of foreign aid, is quite manifest. But it is also plain that Russia will not be satisfied with any concessions which the Turks are as yet disposed to make. The war is going on, deliberately and steadily. It is not a momentary frenzy, but the settled purpose of years, which is working itself out on the Danube and in Asia Minor, and it will not be lightly cheated of its prey. All the real gains of the conflict thus far have been in favor of Russia, and every motive of consistency, political wisdom, and religious faith prompt her to continue her operations. Greece is on the eve of insurrection, and a telegram of the 11th inst., from Athens, states that the Porte having finally rejected the demands of the Cretan Assembly, the Christian population of Crete are now firmly resolved to maintain their rights by force of arms. A general rising is expected. If this takes place, Turkey will be literally girt about on all sides with the flames of war.—Christian Statesman.
Perfect Love and the Poetry of Human Relations
PERFECT love has a breath of poetry which can exalt the relations of the least-instructed human beings.
SOUTHERN FRANCE.
By D. T. Bourdeau
We are now laboring on entirely new ground, hence our progress is slow. But we have had from time to time encouraging omens, indicating that God was opening the way before us. We have given between seventy and eighty discourses at our home and in other private dwellings. Have explained the immortality theme to the satisfaction of all, and have given the Bible doctrine of spiritual gifts, which has been a source of great encouragement to all. No other subject has helped us so much as this in inspiring confidence in the truth.
We have just had a great exposition in this city. Doubtless there were twenty-five thousand persons present on some occasions. I have formed some pleasant acquaintances, and have sent some of our works into many parts of these two departments, especially among the friends of Bro. Gabert. This brother has been very thorough in studying the truth, not only to satisfy his own mind, but also to be able to give a reason of his hope to others. He starts to-day with tracts, papers, and a chart, on a tour among his brethren, hoping to remove prejudice. He sent “The Sufferings of Christ,” to prepare minds to receive his testimony. We regard this an excellent tract to answer the objection that because we keep the law of God we neglect Christ as a Saviour. Let us pray for this dear brother.
Very unfavorable changes have been made in the French government of late. Mr. Jules Simon, the Minister of the Interior, and a staunch republican, has, in consequence of ill treatment, resigned his office, and has been replaced by a man who is not so favorable to liberty of speech and liberty of the press. I see from to-day’s paper that this new Minister is about to address a circular to all the prefects of France on the press and on religious meetings, which, we fear, will be very arbitrary. Most of the officials at the capital are partial to the Catholic clergy, and we expect hard times in France; but we feel more than ever determined to push on the work.
Last week one more was gained to the cause of truth in this city, and to-day a friend from a neighboring city leaves us with a strong inclination to walk in the light of the message.
D. T. BOURDEAU.
Ru du Parc 10, Valence, France, June 3.
THE MISSOURI CAMP-MEETING.
By George I. Butler
Receiving a call from the President of the General Conference, I attended this meeting, reaching the ground late Thursday night. The meeting seemed very small in contrast with the Iowa Camp-meeting, which I had just left. There were only ten or twelve tents on the ground and from fifty to eighty persons camping there. Probably not more than one-half as many were present as would have been had it not been so terribly rainy and had not the streams been so high. The Missouri River was said to be higher than at any other time since 1844. For days no train could cross it at Kansas City, and many other streams also were very high. Those who came did so at great sacrifice. The meeting was nearly a day late in commencing, from this and other causes.
The meeting was held about half a mile from Holden, a pleasant town on the Missouri Pacific Railroad, and close to the track, so close that we were somewhat annoyed by the passing of the trains. The outside attendance was at no time large, though on Sunday there was a fair congregation in the forenoon. A heavy shower in the afternoon about broke up the meeting for the rest of the day.
Bro. Waggoner was present, and labored efficiently in preaching the word. It was encouraging to see him after years of separation, though wearing additional marks of the touch of time, still cheerful and hopeful in the present truth. God bless the old pioneers in the work. Bro. C. F. Stevens and Smith Sharp, of the Kansas Conference, were present, and each spoke once. The rest of the speaking was done by Bro. W. and myself.
This camp-meeting, though small, was one of great labor and anxiety. The cause in Missouri has seemed to drag heavily for several years from a variety of influences, among which might be mentioned a lack of union among the ministry, a lack of devotion and zeal in bearing burdens among the people, too great sensitiveness at reproof, and other causes. Systematic benevolence was neglected till some of the ministers were almost compelled to labor with their hands, and great discouragement prevailed. It must not be forgotten, however, that from loss of crops by grasshopper raids, and bad seasons, the people had to labor under special difficulties. Our meeting dragged very heavily till Monday. I think I never in my life felt pressed under a greater load than during the first days of this meeting. The contrast seemed very great between this and our good Iowa meeting. Monday morning our meeting seemed to reach a crisis, and the clouds began to break away. The spirit of confession came in; a number came forward for prayers, and hearts began to rejoice. We had a very precious meeting Monday afternoon. Several would have been baptized had a suitable place been convenient.
In the selection of officers for the ensuing year, there was great perplexity among the brethren. There seemed to be no one in the Conference to whom the brethren could unitedly look to lead the Conference out of its difficulties. Things need to be re-organized, s. b. raised, and many worthy enterprises set on foot. A great pressure was brought upon me to induce me to serve one term as president of the Conference and T. and M. Society. I finally consented, with reluctance, and shall try to do the best I can to help matters, well knowing I shall need special help from God, or nothing will be accomplished. The brethren solemnly promised to rally unitedly, and take hold of the work of God the coming year. If these promises are kept, we shall see better days in Missouri.
There is no State where the people come out to hear more readily than in this, and I see no reason why the cause should not move forward, if all will enter into the work. After a short rest at home and preparation for a lengthy absence, I shall do what I can to help the cause in the Missouri Conference.
The meeting closed encouragingly, and the friends went home with new resolves. May God bless them, and may they see a greater advance the coming year than ever before. Two tents will be run in the State the present season. Quite a number have been brought during the past year to observe the Sabbath of the Lord, and there seem to be many openings. It seems to me the prospect for successful labor in the South was never so good as now. I expect to see great advancement in the South in the near future. We hope the friends in Missouri will remember that theirs is the pioneer Southern Conference, and take hold of the work with a new heart.
GEO. I. BUTLER.
Fairfield, Iowa, June 21, 1877.
WISCONSIN CAMP-MEETING.
By George C. Tenney
Our yearly meeting has just closed, and it is our privilege to report it a grand success.
It opened under unfavorable circumstances. It had rained nearly every day for a week, which greatly hindered the preparations and kept many from coming who had intended to do so. Besides, the times are so exceedingly hard that fully one-half our people who otherwise would have come were kept at home. These things, with the doubtful prospect of help from the General Conference to direct our meeting, caused a feeling of uncertainty and anxiety to rest upon all, and especially upon those having charge of the meeting. But the matter was taken to the Lord in a season of prayer, and in answer positive assurance came that he would lead to the glory of his name and cause. From that time, courage took the place of doubt, and not a murmur was heard from the lips of any, though we watched the trains with anxiety until the last moment.
Forty-five tents were on the ground, including three large ones, one of which was 60x100 ft. Meetings began Wednesday evening; but there was an intermission Thursday A. M. for the purpose of pitching tents. The weather became beautiful. All were in good spirits. The meetings were excellent, increasing in interest to the Sabbath.
The exercises on the Sabbath day began with a social meeting at 5:30 A. M., which was indeed a precious season. Immediately after breakfast, six prayer and social meetings were held in different tents, conducted by the several ministers. These meetings were held for the purpose of giving all who wished to do so an opportunity to participate; but ten o’clock came before this object was accomplished. These meetings were signally blessed. The forenoon discourse by Bro. Olsen, from 1 Pet. 3:9, “But ye are a chosen generation,” etc., was timely, and directed by the Spirit of the Lord to the hearts of the people. At 2 P. M. Eld. Decker spoke on the second coming of Christ; Bro. Sanborn followed with an earnest exhortation to the unconverted and backslidden to prepare for that great event. Sixty-five responded by going forward for prayers, and deep feeling pervaded the entire assembly. The meeting occupied most of the afternoon.
Sunday was a “perfect day in June,” and the people came in for miles, expecting to hear Bro. and Sr. White, or Eld. Waggoner who used to be well known in this vicinity. The disappointment, however, was accepted as such, and the best of order prevailed. While Eld. Olsen spoke on the signs of the times, at 10:30, the crowd was almost as silent as if in a church. At 2 P. M. Bro. Sanborn preached on the subject of the Sabbath. By this time there were, by estimate, four thousand people present, who paid good attention to the word spoken. After this service, the ordinance of baptism was administered to thirty-two candidates by Elds. Olsen and Decker. The crowd lined the semicircular bank of the lake. The scene presented the appearance of a vast amphitheater, and was very beautiful. In the evening Eld. Sanborn continued the subject of the Sabbath.
Monday morning, we had the best social meeting that many of us ever enjoyed. One hundred and fifty testimonies were given in an hour. The rest of the day was taken up by business sessions of the Conference and T. and M. Society. They passed off harmoniously. In the Conference the officers of last year were retained. Five new churches were admitted, and the old churches were reported in better condition than for years. Five tents will be in the field this season, manned as follows: No. 1, I. Sanborn, J. P. Jasperson; No. 2, H. W. Decker, O. A. Johnson; No. 3, W. Olds, S. S. Smith; No. 4, Geo. C. Tenney, H. W. Reed; No. 5, N. M. Jordan, A. D. Olsen.
T. and M. reports show more work done than in any previous year. In the closing meeting Monday evening, the different ministers spoke briefly, and at its close Bro. B. Carter was ordained as elder of the church at Lisbon. The camp broke up at an early hour this morning, and our dear people went to their homes with fresh courage for the conflicts of another year. May God bless them. The experience of the meeting has, no doubt, been good for all, people and ministers; and though we missed the presence of Bro. and Sr. White, whom we all love as servants of Christ, and whose counsel we greatly esteem, we thank God for the prosperity of this cause, which calls their attention to new fields of labor. And we have resolved to do what we can to encourage them in their labor of love.
We were glad to have with us Bro. Wm. Armstrong, of Chicago, who makes most of our tents. He has taken up the cross of the Sabbath, and identified himself with our people. The meeting has been reported in five papers, and one sermon on the Sabbath was furnished in advance to the Chicago Times, and published June 18. The laborers in Wisconsin are thankful for the prosperity of the cause in our State, and go out to battle once more, with renewed courage in the Lord.
GEO. C. TENNEY.
Portage, Wis., June 19.
THE WORD OF THE LORD.
By Mary A. Davis
“As the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater; so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” Isa. 55:10, 11.
As the snow comes down from heaven,
And the rain, to bless the earth,
To robe the fields in verdure,
To give the flowerets birth,
To gladden the busy sower,
The reaper’s toil to crown,
With the vineyard’s purple clusters,
And the wealth of the wheatfields brown,
E’en so, saith our Heavenly Father,
Is the message I send forth;
Its mission shall not be fruitless
To gladden and bless the earth.
It may come with the roar of the tempest,
Or silently fall as the dew;
It may glow in the rays of the morning,
On the heavens serene and blue;
With the rush of the mountain torrent
Sweeping on to the distant main,
Or the chime of the gliding brooklet,
That sings to the sunny plain;
In Sinai’s awful thunders,
In the desert still and lone;
To the watching child in the temple,
To the king upon his throne;
In notes of stern reproving,
In gentle loving tone,
Hearest thou Jehovah speaking—
It is he, and the end is one:
The earth shall resound with music,
The mountains and hills shall sing;
Instead of the thorn and brier,
The myrtle and fig-tree spring.
In the valley the rose and lily,
On the mountain the cedar’s crown;
The beauty of Carmel and Sharon,
The glory of Lebanon.
It shall laugh into bud and blossom—
The barren desert sand,
And the gushing of living fountains
Shall be heard in the thirsty land.
O Beulah! the fair, the chosen,
In thee doth the King rejoice;
The days of thy grief are ended
With the sound of the Bridegroom’s voice.
Thy walls shall be called Salvation,
And Praise each shining gate;
No more shalt thou be Forsaken,
Nor thy land be Desolate.
Awake! awake, O Zion!
Let thy song of triumph ring.
Put on thy robes of beauty,
Prepare to meet thy King.
Thou wilt need no sun for brightness,
No moon nor stars by night;
The Lamb shall dwell within thee,
Thine everlasting light.
There shall rise no note of sadness,
For sorrow and sighing flee;
Therein shall be joy and gladness,
And the sound of melody.
Rejoice! for the King hath called thee,
The Lord of hosts his name:
He hath made thee a crown of beauty,
And a royal diadem.
Rejoice! for his word hath prospered,
His will on the earth is done;
The conflict of ages ended,
Thy King hath the victory won.
Mary A. Davis.
Battle Creek, Mich.
NEW YORK.
Rome.
Our actual church membership here is now about fifty. Quite a number more will join soon. Probably Bro. Hall will give another opportunity for baptism next Sabbath. The general interest seems to be as good as ever. Nearly all who have embraced the truth are still faithful. Quite a number are growing strong in the work. But there is danger of trouble and trial here as elsewhere. With all the admonition and warning we have given, some must busy their tongues with other people's matters. Such persons should be dealt with faithfully.
Thus ends my labor in New York for the present. I have never enjoyed laboring in any field better than here, and I leave them with many regrets. We now go to New England for a short time, to labor in new places.
D. M. CANRIGHT.
Pulaski.
Our attendance and interest keep up remarkably, considering that it has rained more or less nearly every day during the past week. There is a favorable feeling toward us in the community generally. Several of the clergymen attend the meetings. The Baptist minister, especially, treats us very courteously. Had the tent about full yesterday P. M., and still more in the evening.
S. B. WHITNEY.
West Valley, Cattaraugus Co.
BRO. WELCH and myself labored at this place and in two school-houses four miles distant, about seven weeks. A spirit of inquiry was stirred up in the minds of many who had never before given their attention to the doctrines taught by S. D. Adventists. As a result of our labors, eight in the village of West Valley have accepted the truth. These friends will unite, as soon as possible, with the West Otto church. Several others are convinced that we are right, and still others are half convinced.
We obtained several subscribers to our periodicals.
I now go to Smethport, Pa., to assist Bro. J. G. Saunders in running the tent.
GEO. D. BALLOU.
THE PACIFIC COAST.
[Abridged from the SIGNS OF THE TIMES.]
Dallas and Salem, Oregon.
The interest at Dallas, Polk Co., is still increasing. June 3, three good meetings were held, with larger audiences than at any previous meeting. Bro. Van Horn says that having traced down most of the lines of prophecy, they are now examining the third angel’s message, the law, and the Sabbath question. The people seem to receive these subjects well.
Bro. Van Horn spent Sabbath, June 2, with the church at Salem. At the close of the discourse, five united with the church. One of these, an intelligent Catholic lady, was baptized. The church now number thirty-two. They are preparing to enter into the T. and M. work, and will be ready to organize a society in a few weeks.
Dixon, Cal.
BEN. HEALY AND STEVENS have been laboring here about five weeks. The congregation have averaged about one hundred. Several are keeping the commandments, and there is a prospect of others coming out soon.
Among the Scandinavians in Minnesota.
By C. Nelson
Since my last report, I have been laboring at Lake Johanna, Pope Co. The Lutheran minister bitterly opposes the truth. The people here are very ignorant and very much prejudiced; but there are some here who love the truth. June 3, two were baptized. We had a profitable time. The Spirit of the Lord rested on us, and many were moved to tears.
June 4, I visited a little company of Sabbath-keepers in Swift Co. We had eight good meetings. Two were baptized. A church of eight members was organized, the ordinances were celebrated, and a Bible-class was formed. If these brethren are faithful more will soon be added to their number. A few are keeping the Sabbath, and are favorable.
I returned to lake Johanna, the 14th. Five more were baptized, and a church of nine members was organized. We celebrated the ordinances. Brethren, remember this young church in your prayers and also your unworthy brother.
C. Nelson.
MISSOURI CONFERENCE.
By Wm. Evans; D. C. Hunter
The second annual session of the Missouri Conference of S. D. Adventists convened at Holden, Johnson Co., Mo., June 15, 1877. The President, Wm. Evans, in the chair. Prayer by Bro. J. G. Wood.
There were six ministers present, belonging to the Conference. Credentials were presented by twelve delegates, representing nine churches.
On motion, Bro. Geo. I. Butler and J. H. Waggoner, sent by the General Conference, and Chas. Stevens and Smith Sharp, of the Kansas Conference, were requested to take part with us in our deliberations.
On motion, The church at Rolla, with fourteen members, and the church at Winnegin, with twenty members, were admitted into this Conference.
On motion, Union Star church was dropped from the Conference, the membership to be transferred to Winslow.
On motion, The company at Winslow, with twenty-four members; the company at Utica, with twenty members, and the church at Green Top, with eighteen members, were taken under the watchcare of the Conference.
The President appointed the following committees: On Nominations, Bro. J. G. Wood, C. H. Chaffee, and L. R. Long. On Auditing, D. C. Hunter, John Piepmever, Wm. Milman, John Berkey, Frank Hall, and O. P. Baker. On Credentials and Licenses, John Snyder, I. H. Hobbs, and John F. Klostermyer. On Resolutions, J. H. Waggoner, J. M. Gallemore, and I. W. Rogers.
Adjourned to call of Chair.
SECOND SESSION.
The Conference was called to order June 17. Opened with prayer by Bro. Waggoner. The account of Bro. T. J. Butler was presented, and referred to General Conference Committee.
The secretary presented the following report from the churches: Number of members last year, 322; losses: by death, 1; apostasy, 8; removal, 22; total, 31. Additions, 147, making our present number 438, showing a gain of 116 during the year.
The financial reports, not being ready, were referred to Executive Committee.
The Committee on Nominations reported as follows: For President, Geo. I. Butler; Secretary, D. C. Hunter, Nevada, Mo.; Treasurer, Wm. Evans, Hamilton, Mo.; Executive Committee, Geo. I. Butler, J. F. Klostermyer, and L. D. David.
Report accepted.
On motion, The President was authorised to appoint a Camp-Meeting Committee.
Committee on Credentials and Licenses reported as follows: For Credentials, Bro. J. G. Wood, J. H. Rogers, C. H. Chaffee, and L. R. Long; for Licenses, H. Woodruff and J. M. Gallemore. All other applications were referred to the Executive Committee.
Committee on Resolutions reported as follows:—
Resolved, 1. That we are thankful to the General Conference for sending Bro. Waggoner and Butler, to help in our camp-meeting; that we will try to profit by their timely testimonies and faithful teachings; and that we will try to be more faithful in the future.
2. That we recognize more than ever the hand of the Lord in the great work before us, under the third angel's message; and that we realize the necessity of drawing nearer to the Lord, consecrating ourselves to his service, and patiently and faithfully doing the great work.
3. That we recognize in the fulfilling signs, in our own and other countries, evidence that the end is at hand, and that it becomes us to be watchful unto prayer.
4. That we express anew our confidence in the work of the third angel's message and the special means which God has appointed to carry it forward in the earth; and that we believe the testimony of Jesus, or the spirit of prophecy, is an essential part of the work necessary to perfect the saints, and prepare them for the coming of the Lord.
5. That the churches in this Conference be requested to hold their quarterly meetings and make reports, as suggested by the General Conference Committee in REVIEW, Vol. 49, No. 23.
6. That we return our thanks to the Missouri Pacific Railroad, and to the citizens and authorities of Holden, for their courtesy.
Adjourned. Wm. Evans, Pres. D. C. Hunter, Sec.
INDIANA
Thorntown, Boone Co., Tent No. 1.
This is the third week of our meetings in this place. The interest still continues good. Our congregations range from two to six hundred. Some have commenced the observance of the Sabbath. We have many invitations to visit among the people. We find many interested, who listen with candor to our views. Books sell quite freely.
Monday, June 18, our tent was struck by a severe wind storm and blown down. It was damaged to the amount of several dollars. The citizens kindly donated, without solicitation, enough to repair it. The Christians kindly offered us the use of their large house of worship, and we held two meetings in it while our tent was being repaired.
People come in to attend the meetings who live five and ten miles away. Pray, brethren and sisters, that our labor may be blessed here.
S. H. Lane.
A. W. Bartlett.
L. Caldwell.
Twelve Mile, Cass Co.
We have presented the Sabbath question to the people. Some are keeping the Sabbath; others are much interested. The congregations are small through the week, owing to the busy season, but large on Sunday. Some are buying books, and are searching to see whether or not these things are so.
We hope for several others, and earnestly pray that we may have grace to do our part.