FIVE State Conferences have organized Sabbath-school associations, and have adopted the constitution published in the REVIEW of April 11. This constitution requires each school to report quarterly to the secretary of the State association. The necessity for this report is obvious. The State officers can be of little or no service to the various schools till they know their present standing as regards numbers, management, and course of study. When these are accurately reported and thoroughly understood, the officers will know the nature and extent of the work that must be done and where counsel and labor are most needed.
For the convenience of schools wishing to report, we have prepared a blank report to be filled out by the superintendent or secretary of the school and mailed to the State secretary.
To save time we shall at once send a liberal quantity of these reports to each State secretary. These should immediately be mailed to the officers of each Sabbath-school in the State.
The quarterly election of S. S. officers should be held at the time of the church quarterly meeting the first week in July. On the Monday following this meeting, the blank report should be filled out and mailed to the State secretary.
The State quarterly meeting of the Sabbath-School Association should be held on the third Sunday in July in connection with the quarterly T. and M. meeting.
If any superintendent shall fail to receive a blank report, he should write to the secretary, stating 1. The number of students in attendance; 2. The course of study adopted; and 3. The names and full address of the officers of the school.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
S. D. A. S. S. Association.
A LITTLE CONFUSED.
By A. S. HUTCHINS
It is customary in some Sunday-schools for all to repeat the ten commandments in concert. After the close of one of these schools not long ago, it was suggested that there is no proof for first-day observance in the fourth commandment. To this one of the teachers, an intelligent lawyer, remarked, “I don’t believe in theological humbuggery; I don’t believe in any day as being sacred.”
The superintendent of the school, another professional gentleman, expressed an opinion that all days should be kept holy; while the minister in charge seemed inclined to the opinion that first-day keeping does find support in the fourth commandment. It is not uncommon for an individual or individuals to take positions in vindication of Sunday-keeping as antagonistic and self-destroying as the above. And yet many of them do not seem to see or feel the weakness of their position.
In judicial proceedings, witnesses upon the stand testifying as diversely as men do for the first-day Sabbath, would, before any candid court and jury, invalidate their own testimony. In courts of justice, testimony is by no means always received as evidence. And why, with respect to the law of God, should strong assertions or mere inferences pass for proof?
The commandment enjoining the observance of the Sabbath of the Lord speaks clearly, defining the day of the Creator’s rest without ambiguity of terms or confusion in the obedience required. “The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God.”
Christians unanimously concede that this precept was binding upon the people of God under the former dispensation. Now if the law so enjoining its observance has been abolished, or so modified as to make it obligatory upon us to hallow every day in the week, or to sabbatize upon the first day of the week in place of the seventh, when, where, and by whom was this change made in the law of God? Who lived when the change was made? Who made the record of the fact, and who has assigned the reason for the change? If the first-day of the week is now the Sabbath, owned and blessed of God, when did the seventh-day cease to be binding, and the first day press itself up in its stead? Or when, clothed with authority from Heaven, did it supersede God’s rest-day? When was the time that Christians labored seven days and then rested upon the first day? Or when did two Sabbaths come in conjunction, the seventh day closing out the Sabbath of the former dispensation, and the first day introducing the glorious Christian Sabbath, removing the galling yoke of the fourth commandment to labor six days and rest upon the seventh, henceforth giving to Christians the day of rest prior to the labor of six days?
For the candid consideration of those holding to the change or abolition of the decalogue, we commend the following from Tappan’s Logic, pp. 482, 487: “When a law is once enacted by the proper authority, it must remain in force until the same authority repeals it; and the repeal must be as plainly stated as the original enactment.”
“Who will undertake the task of lifting up the first-day Sabbath, of placing it upon a scriptural basis, and honoring and crowning it with one ‘thus saith the Lord,’ as a day of sacred rest?”
A. S. HUTCHINS.
THAT'S NEAR ENOUGH.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
One of the most common answers we hear to the Lord's requirement to keep the seventh day is that it is not convenient and Sunday ‘will do.’ They acknowledge that, strictly speaking, the seventh day ought to be kept, but they think the other, though not just right, will do. On this they risk their souls for eternity. Let such notice how that kind of work stands the test in worldly affairs.
“‘THAT IS NEAR ENOUGH.’—When we see a piece of work laid down with the remark, ‘That’s near enough,’ we know at once that it is not a first-class job. The employer may say ‘that’s near enough’ because he has taken the work at a price at which he cannot afford to do good work, or it may be a temporary repair in which time is of more consequence than first-class workmanship. If a workman makes use of the remark, we know that he has little pride in the job, and is satisfied to do inferior work; while if an apprentice says ‘that’s near enough,’ we conclude that he is not likely to make any reputation as an expert or good workman.
“Suppose a professor of mathematics were to say twice 2⅔ are 4; it might be near enough for the purpose to which he applied it, but it would not be near enough to maintain, much less to stake, his reputation as a mathematician upon.
“The difference in time necessary to convert the quality of a job from that denoted by ‘that’s near enough’ into that expressed by ‘that is a first-class job’ may be sufficiently worthy of consideration in many cases; but the confidence, expertness, experience, and interest in one’s work the latter gives and leads to, represent the best spent time an apprentice or workman can possibly employ, because such practice soon enables him to turn out first-class work in the same time formerly required to finish the job in a ‘that’s near enough’ style, and therefore converts him from an inferior or ordinary into a superior workman.
“‘That’s near enough’ has led to hundreds of so-called accidents, which have come down to us as mysteries. It makes hot bearings, throws shafting out of line, causes nuts to come loose, bolts to fall out, shafts to break, brings in the plumber to disturb the peace of our homes, leads to scamping, to botch work, and finally to ruin.”
“When the hands can lay down a piece of work and say ‘that’s near enough,’ the spirit of emulation has gone; the very expression is a confession of indifference as to quality without an equivalent or gain as to quantity.”—Scientific American.
That is the way men regard cheap work. Reader, how will the great God regard cheap religion? D. M. CANRIGHT.
The Current Against Denominationalism
The Christian Standard thinks every careful and candid observer must have observed a strong current of thought and expression against what is known as denominationalism, this latter being even now popularly considered as inconsistent with, and detrimental to, true religion. The Standard acknowledges itself unable to account for this. We think the true secret of the movement is found in the fact that the time is approaching for the fulfillment of Rev. 13:14.
SPIRITUALISM IN EUROPE.
By C. W. Stone
The following item from the New York Times will call to the reader’s mind the prophecy of John in Rev. 16:14,—“For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.” The Times says:
“What is called Spiritualism seems to be far more rampant in Europe than it is here. Like many American inventions, it meets with greater favor there than in the land of its origin. In London and the leading cities of Great Britain, spiritual séances are said to be a sort of entertainment as common as kettle-drums and dinner parties. They are very fashionable, and everybody who is anybody attends them. Pictures of mediums and materialized spirits, as they appear in open circle, are published in the English spiritual journals. Slade, whose tricks were exposed here, has received magnificent presents of watches, jewelry, and diamonds in Berlin. His séances have been attended in Germany and Russia by the highest nobility. In the capital of the former empire he exhibited to the chief of police, and the court conjurer, who narrowly watched the proceedings, made oath that the phenomena were not tricks. Mrs. Macdougall Gregory, widow of Prof. Gregory of Edinburgh university, is pronounced a firm believer. She gives spiritual receptions—so they are styled—and they are attended by high church dignitaries, some of whom are asserted to have proclaimed the truth of the new philosophy from the pulpit. The imperial family of Russia and Germany, Bismarck, Pres. McMahon, Gambetta, Gladstone, Disraeli, Browning, Carlyle, Tennyson, and all other renowned personages, are reported to be Spiritualists; but the report must be accepted, we suppose, as the Milesian stories that every noted man since the Ptolemies has, at some time or other, been born in Ireland.”
C. W. STONE.
ANOTHER REASON.
By M. B. Miller
For what? Why you should take the REVIEW. I speak of the Sabbath-school Department that it contains. Here are lessons for both the youth and the Bible-class. Many schools do not have a supply of the books containing these lessons, neither can they get them until there is a new edition. Until such time, the lessons will appear regularly in the paper. Then why not take the REVIEW? Every Sabbath-keeper, old and young, should attend the Sabbath-school. All should come prepared to take some part in the school, and how can they prepare unless they have something to direct them? The REVIEW at present contains this. Then is not all this another reason why the REVIEW should be in every family where there are Sabbath-keepers? Here is a good opportunity for elders of churches and Sabbath-school superintendents to do home missionary work. M. B. MILLER.
Patience
PATIENCE is among the Christian virtues what iron is among the metals. Its value is in its utility, and not in the show it makes. It comes to us on all occasions, great and small. For the want of it many prayers are hindered, and many really converted persons backslide. If you are defective in this most necessary grace, come to God for it. Wrestle with Heaven until you obtain it. No matter what your natural disposition may be, God can give you an even, quiet temper that nothing can disturb—the peace of God that passeth all understanding.
Review Notice.
By Editor
We will send the Review, while containing S. S. lessons, to Sabbath-schools, for four months for 50 cts.
Extra Papers.
By Editor
WE have on hand a quantity of the REVIEW of June 6, which contains so many interesting reports from foreign fields. These are very appropriate for missionary use, and we will furnish them to tract societies at $2.00 per hundred. Back numbers of any number of the paper, to a limited extent, can also be furnished for the same purpose at the same rate.
The Biblical Lectures.
It has been decided to make a change in the time of the Biblical course in the college. It has heretofore been given in the winter and spring terms. It is now decided to place it in the fall and winter terms, as a larger number come to attend through the fall and winter terms than through the winter and spring terms. Besides, many who desire to take the Biblical lectures, find it impracticable to remain as late as to the close of the spring term. The next course of Biblical lectures in the college will therefore begin with the next fall term, the last Wednesday in August.
The College.
By Editor
TO-MORROW, June 25, is the last day of the spring term, and closes the present college year. The students will spend the day at the lake resort near Battle Creek, where there will be speaking, singing, and other forms of Christian recreation suitable to celebrate the event. Bro. White will address the students.
The past college year has been one of very marked and gratifying prosperity, surpassing what could have been hoped at its commencement. The institution is growing in favor, and improving in efficiency.
The Trustees of the Educational Society and the College Faculty now turn their attention to the work and wants of the coming year. Profiting by past experience, they do not hesitate to promise more and better facilities for the year to come. They will spare no means at present attainable to make this institution the source of the greatest possible amount of good, mentally, physically, and spiritually, to all who attend.
We want to see the rooms all filled, and every department worked up to its full capacity.
For Little Ones.
By Editor
We take pleasure in announcing the appearance of No. 1, of a Progressive Series of Bible Lessons for the little ones—for beginners in the study of the Scriptures. By G. H. Bell. This is designed for infant classes in Sabbath-schools. 84 pp. Price, single copy by mail, 10 cts. To Sabbath-schools, by mail, $1.00 per dozen.
The Bible from Heaven.
By Editor
Such is the title of a work just issued at this Office, written and compiled by D. M. Canright. Though this is the same name, the book is not the same that we have formerly sold under this title. All the good of the old has been retained, and much new and important matter added. The book is what its name implies, a candid, forcible, conclusive argument to show that the Bible is not the work of men, but is the book of God. It is just the work to be put into the hands of honest skeptics and those who may be exposed to infidel influences. It will be equally acceptable to all who believe the Bible, whatever may be the peculiar creed he holds. 300 pp. Price, single copy by mail, 80 cts.
Hymns for All.
By Editor
We have just issued at this Office a small collection of hymns, for use at tent-meetings and in new fields, according to the action of the General Conference at its last extra session, March 1. It is entitled, “Gems of Song,” contains 96 pages and 119 hymns, every one of which will be found a gem. It is small in size, 3 by 4¾ inches, so that it can be carried in any pocket without inconvenience. To every hymn, with but few exceptions, reference is made to the book and page where the tune can be found. Printed on nice paper with plates made at this Office from new type. We predict that it will be received with favor by our people everywhere. Price, paper, 10 cts., flexible cloth, 15 cts.
EDITORIAL NOTES.
By Editor
“Allow for the Crawl.” The poetry in another column will tell what this means; and the reader will there find something doubtless applicable to himself.
Improvement in Health
Bro. White is paying sedulous attention to those means which promise an improvement in health. He spends much of his time in the open air, but gives considerable attention to works which he is preparing for the press; and we have been happy to have his counsel in some of the board meetings of the different institutions located here.
Waggoner’s Articles on Baptism
By Editor
We are happy to announce that the late articles by Bro. Waggoner, in the REVIEW, on the subject of Baptism, including those on History and Time Immersion, are soon to be issued in pamphlet form. The call for them is general. More particular notice hereafter.
The Rejected Ordinance
By Editor
The articles by Bro. Littlejohn on The Rejected Ordinance, the washing of feet as a religious ceremony, are concluded in this number. These articles are a triumphant, irresistible vindication of that ordinance. As we have no works on that subject, these will be immediately issued in tract form, for the use of those who may wish to study the subject or defend the practice.
France and Southern Switzerland.
By D. T. Bourdeau
I have been under the necessity of visiting Valence, France, where I found the believers in great need of help. I did my best to supply their wants in visiting from house to house, and enjoyed more than ordinary freedom in giving five discourses, which the Spirit of God set home to the hearts of most of those who were present.
I have also spent fully two weeks in laboring earnestly with Bro. Gabert in and about St. Didier, France. There a discussion was urged upon me. God gave a signal victory, my opponent, who was said to be a champion debater, having but little to say in the last session. Instead of occupying thirty minutes (the time allotted to each speech), he did not exceed five or ten minutes, and the discussion occupied but one day instead of lasting about four days, according to written regulations. My opponent made fatal confessions, and was frank enough to admit that he was mistaken on one important point, a thing which, it was said, he had never before been known to do. This discussion was made necessary by the fact that I had been challenged even before leaving Switzerland.
I have organized S. B. with the few in Morges to the amount of about 120 francs a year. I shall enter a new field in a neighboring city next week, and I am glad that Eld. Andrews will be with me, at least a part of the time.
A preacher in Morges has been advertising us and our work in three papers, with the design of crippling our efforts. We thank him for his services; for, though he has associated us with false ideas, yet he has said some things about us that will arouse the curiosity of many.
June 7. D. T. BOURDEAU.
NEW YORK AND PENNSYLVANIA.
By S. B. Whitney
Tent No. 2, N. Y., June 19.
This tent was pitched at Newfane, Niagara county, the 11th, and meetings opened the 12th. This is a small country village, and we have a beautiful location on the principal corners. It is in the vicinity of the Olcott church, and a good degree of interest was manifest in the community before we came, which has since proved not to be all talk, for we have had a constant attendance of nearly a tent full. Last evening there were four hundred or more out, and the interest is increasing. The audiences are composed of the best people in society, and some attend from a distance of eight or nine miles. Reports of the meetings are called for by the daily papers of Lockport, nine miles from here.
We have an organ, and the brethren take a good interest in the meeting, attending regularly to assist in singing, etc. They are doing what they can to make the meeting a success. S. B. WHITNEY.
Brushton, Franklin Co., N. Y., June 10.
By M. H. Brown; H. H. Wilcox
We arrived here the 4th. Pitched our tent Thursday, and commenced public services Saturday eve.
Eld. Pike, first-day Adventist, held a tent-meeting here last summer, and several embraced the Advent doctrine and our views of man's nature and destiny; and here they are, without fold or shepherd. Although this field is an old one, yet we see many tokens of good already. Our congregations are made up in the main of the best class of the community, ranging in numbers from one hundred to two hundred. We have now held four meetings, with an increasing interest.
BRUSHTON, JUNE 17.—The interest here has increased up to the present time. We spent but a short time on the prophecies, just enough to get the ears of the people, and bring them to the Sabbath through the sanctuary and the messages.
Yesterday we took up the Sabbath question before large crowds that assembled in the morning, afternoon, and evening. The Spirit of the Lord was present in power to set home the truth, and the Lord blessed greatly. We labor on in hope and courage.
M. H. BROWN.
H. H. WILCOX.
TEXAS TENT.
By R. M. Kilgore; L. J. Caldwell
Terrell, Kaufman Co., June 18.
CLOSED our work here with a precious Sabbath meeting. There are about forty reliable Sabbath-keepers here. Among them are Prof. Decherd and son, graduates, and their assistant teachers of the institute in this place. Another is a public speaker of talent. This is a strong company, well instructed in the truth.
Have visited about sixty families, sold about forty dollars’ worth of books, obtained six subscribers for the REVIEW, two for the REFORMER and about fifteen for the INSTRUCTOR. We have also sent 178 names to other States for the SIGNS. People read gladly, but till cotton comes in, money will be very scarce.
Yesterday, as we were packing up to move, Eld. Caskey, the big gun from Sherman, came, and demanded that discussion. As the rains prevented us from moving, we arranged, before a large audience, for five questions, six hours each. The discussion on the soul ended this P. M. Eld. C.’s friends and the community are disappointed in him, and vote his position untenable. The desire of the people forced7him to affirm the sacredness of Sunday. The tent is packed full. He admitted on Matt. 10: 28, that God can destroy the soul; and that eternal and everlasting do not always mean without end. We shall stay till June 24. The Lord is giving us strong men, and the work is cheering. Let us labor, pray, and wait.
R. M. KILGORE.
L. J. CALDWELL.
’TIS SWEET TO KNOW.
By J. S. Thorp
’Tis sweet to know there's a robe and palm
And a crown that wait for me;
When the Lord again to earth shall come,
Giving immortality.
’Tis sweet to know the city of God
Shall down from the heavens descend,
And the light of its glory shine abroad
Through ages that never shall end.
’Tis sweet to know that life and light
In that fair city shall reign;
That there shall come no shadow of night,
Neither sorrow, nor crying, nor pain.
’Tis sweet to know that “over there”
Sin never shall part us again;
But in those blest mansions bright and fair,
With Jesus we ever shall reign.
’Tis sweet to know that the saints of God
Shall fair and immortal be,
As they dwell by life's flowing, crystal stream,
In the shadow of life's fair tree.
’Tis sweet to know, though sorrow and care
May darken our pilgrimage way,
In a little while the saints will share
The peace of an endless day
J. S. THORP.
INDIANA
By W. W. Sharp
Tent No. 2.
We have held nine meetings at Alexandria, Madison county. The turnout is fair, and there seems to be some interest, yet not as much as I hoped for. Bro. V. Thompson is with me to help take care of the tent and assist in opening meetings, etc.
Brethren, remember tent No. 2 when you pray. W. W. SHARP.
ONTARIO
By John Fulton
Wyoming, June 18.
For the past few weeks we have been visiting the scattered brethren, and preparing for our tent labor. In the neighborhood where the school-house was burned, seven more have decided to live out the truth.
We are now at Wyoming, pitching our tent. Expect to commence meetings Friday evening, June 21. We ask the prayers of the brethren. JOHN FULTON.
Tent No. 10, Oswayo, Pa
By E. W. Whitney; H. E. Robinson
Tent No. 10, Oswayo, Pa., June 17.
We came to this place, June 10; but were unable to commence our meetings until yesterday, June 16. We held two meetings, afternoon and evening, and although it was very unpleasant in the tent and out of it, yet we had upwards of eighty attentive listeners at each meeting.
One man, the owner of the tannery in the place, has done all of our teaming, even sending his team twenty miles to the railroad for our freight, free of charge. Another, a merchant, has told us to come to his store for anything we may want. We have already had quite a number of invitations out. We feel thankful for these favorable indications.
There are none of our people within several miles of this place, but it seems as though the Lord had put it into the hearts of the people to help forward the work.
E. W. WHITNEY.
H. E. ROBINSON.
J. WILBUR
By J. WILBUR; A. P. BUMP
S. Harrisburgh, Lewis Co., N. Y., June 20.
Our meetings here are progressing finely. We are having the best interest at this stage of our lectures that we have ever witnessed. We have a tent full of interested hearers many times through the week, and when it is good weather Sundays the tent will not hold half of the people that come to the beautiful grove where our tent is pitched. Some come from ten to fifteen miles to attend this meeting.
J. WILBUR
A. P. BUMP.
East Aurora, Erie Co., N. Y.
By CHAS. B. REYNOLDS.
The weather was very cold and unfavorable while we were at Willink, the west end of this village. We held meetings every afternoon but one, although the attendance was not large. The majority of those who attended have embraced the truth.
After camp-meeting, although engaged for Jamestown, we realized that further endeavor should be made to help those almost persuaded, and decided to pitch the sixty-foot tent in the center of the village, half a mile east of the first location. Heavy drenching rain and bitter cold hindered. The interest was chiefly confined to those who attended at Willink. Sabbath, June 15, eight influential and substantial persons took intelligent and firm stand to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. These, with fourteen scattered ones who reside near enough to attend Sabbath meetings in this place, make a good little company. Organized regular Sabbath meetings, and appointed Bro. Ben Holmes, of Glenwood, leader. We never knew a company to start under more favorable auspices, and are confident of hearing a good report of their progress, unity, and zeal.
Monday, June 17, we shipped the tent to Jamestown, Chautauqua county, having advertised to commence meetings, Sabbath, the 22d. We expect Eld. B. L. Whitney and an efficient tent company.
Bro. I. Foy of Madison county, who has been with us since camp-meeting, has been indefatigable in canvassing, and in every way endeavoring to help in the work. Bro. Frank A. Hall has gained the love and respect of the people by his genial courtesy. He is becoming an efficient tent master, and is faithfully studying to become an efficient laborer in the vineyard.
CHAS. B. REYNOLDS.
ALABAMA
By A. O. Burrill
Gadsden, June 17.
Rain and storms have interrupted our meetings during the two weeks past. The storms of Alabama are much more terrific than those in the North. The Baptist minister announced that he would preach against the Sabbath, but his sermon turned out to be a bundle of personalities against me, intermingled with now and then something about the “Christian Sabbath.” In the review I made no reference to any of his slander, and used the time in setting the truth before my hearers. This has greatly helped the work here. He is to make another effort against us this week.
Our meetings are becoming known for forty or fifty miles around. The people are very slow to move, and when they have decided to keep the Sabbath they are very easily turned away. We shall remain here a few days more, then go five miles west to Attala, which will be our address till further notice.
A. O. BURRILL.
MICHIGAN
By W. H. Littlejohn
Labor among the Churches.
From June 7 to 10, inclusive, we were with the church in Otsego. On Friday evening and during the Sabbath, the weather was quite unfavorable because of the fall of rain; but our meetings, though small in point of numbers, were of interest and profit to those present. On Sunday the weather was favorable, and at our evening service the house of worship was well filled with citizens of the place, as the result of circulating a few small bills advertising our meetings.
We are becoming more and more satisfied that it does not pay to talk to empty benches, when, by putting forth a little effort and expending a few cents for paper and ink, we can obtain congregations of fair size. If what we preach is true, then the more persons we can influence to listen to it the greater will be the good accomplished.
On the morning of June 13 we took the cars for Leighton, where we remained until the following Monday. Having been disappointed in not obtaining the hall where we expected to hold our meetings, we withdrew to the Moline school-house, where we held services Sabbath and Sunday. The brethren put forth considerable effort to be present, some of them coming a distance of six or seven miles for that purpose. Our social meeting on the Sabbath was characterized by a good spirit, and quite a number of individuals not belonging to our denomination took part freely in the exercises, forgetting, for the time being, the differences in point of doctrine, and remembering only our unity in a common faith in Christ. On Sunday evening, at which time our closing meeting was held, the house was well filled with attentive listeners.
W. H. LITTLEJOHN.
Birmingham, June 17.
By John Orr Corliss; William Potter
COMMENCED meetings here in the tent, June 8, with a congregation of about one hundred. The interest has steadily increased, and last evening (Sunday) the tent would not accommodate all who came. Fully five hundred were present, and excellent attention was given. The immortality question has now been quite fully canvassed, and our views have been well received. The real testing point has not been reached yet, and of course we cannot tell what the future may develop; but we see no reason now why a good work may not be done here.
J. O. CORLISS.
WM. POTTER.
Clam Lake, Antrim Co., June 17.
By J. Sisley; R. T. Sisley
NOTWITHSTANDING we have met with a good deal of open opposition on spiritual gifts and the Sabbath question, our meetings are still well attended. On June 16 we had our first Sabbath meeting, which was very encouraging to us. Although quite stormy, between thirty and forty were present, most of whom, by a rising vote, expressed themselves desirous to become Christians. Quite a number are keeping the Sabbath, while others are yet investigating.
One of us will remain here to carry on the work, and the other will seek a new field of labor. We still implore an interest in the prayers of God's people.
J. SISLEY.
R. T. SISLEY.
NEBRASKA
By Chas. L. Boyd
Oakdale, June 16.
The Northern Nebraska tent is now at Oakdale, Antelope county. Meetings commenced last Thursday evening. The place is small and the attendance not large, but the interest seems to be good. The Methodist minister withdrew his appointment, and attended our meeting on Sunday. I expect Bro. Nettleton to join me soon.
Brethren, will you not be co-workers with us, by praying for the prosperity of the work? CHAS. L. BOYD.
VERMONT
By I. Sanborn
Windham, June 17.
SINCE my last report, we have held meetings here when the circumstances would permit, and have visited from house to house. We know of seven that are now keeping the Sabbath; and many others say they believe we have the truth, but they want to read, and study the Bible more before they decide. I find that the people here are held by orthodoxy as with iron bands, and it requires much patient labor to bring them to an open acknowledgment of the truth. But I think many will come out by and by.
We expect to pitch the tent in Weston this week, and commence meetings next first-day. Pray for us. I. SANBORN.
TENNESSEE
By S. OSBORN; G. K. OWEN
Goodlettsville, June 18.
We continue to have large congregations. Last Sunday evening it rained during services, and the tent being crowded, the seats on one side all went down, causing some disturbance; but order was soon restored, and the discourse on the mark of the beast proceeded without farther interruption.
The plain truths presented do not, as yet, seem either to offend or convert, but still appear to interest, the people. We earnestly request the people of God to join us in prayer that his Spirit's converting power may attend the truth. The hospitality of the people begins to manifest itself in many ways, in friendly calls with supplies for our table, etc. We see some indications that continuing the effort here may result favorably for the cause of truth. This gives us courage to labor on in this place.
S. OSBORN.
G. K. OWEN.
Reports from Several Fields
REPORT.—On the 28th ult., a telegram called me to attend a funeral at this place. See the obituary notice. Although the meeting was held in the midst of the week, and the people were hurried by their work, yet from the village and surrounding country the attendance was general. This furnished us an excellent opportunity to present our views on the dying saint's sustaining hope. The testimony was well received, and it was manifest that prejudice yielded. A few here are endeavoring to obey the present truth, and for others we hope.
Mr. VERNON.—The first three days in this month I spent at this place. Held a few meetings and visited. Friends from Webber Grove met with us. Remember the Lord is soon coming! therefore be faithful “a little while,” and a crown of life will be yours.
ELLIOTTSTOWN.—During the week ending June 10, I had the privilege of laboring in Brn. Shonk and Morrison's late field. The Lord has been gracious, and some success has crowned their efforts. Twenty-five are now keeping the Sabbath, where a few months ago there were none. I immersed two, seventeen signed the “band-covenant.” As soon as others put away the idol tobacco, we may immerse others, and more fully organize. Some were not present to sign. G. W. COLCORD.
J. BARTLETT
By J. Bartlett
Ogden, Boone Co., June 17.
The tent-meetings are still in progress in this place. The interest is good considering all the circumstances. As soon as our tent was up, the alarm was taken, and an invitation was sent to Des Moines City for some men to come and lecture on temperance. They had their bills out to commence the same night that we did. They came and continued night after night.
Last night, and the night before, the tent was full, notwithstanding there were meetings in all the churches. They have meetings every night this week, but I do not think they can keep the people away from the tent. The people are very kind to us. They invite us home with them, so our expenses are but a trifle. The Lord is at work with some, and we hope to see a good work done here. We feel the need of the prayers of the people of God.