Earlier text: Remarkable Events of 1871WHILE a theological student at Rochester, I undertook a quasi-pastoral charge for a time, of a small country church some twelve miles distant, too poor to maintain a resident minister. As I could command leisure for the purpose, I used to visit the people of the community from house to house with the errand of the gospel in free and familiar personal talk. It was near nightfall of a lovely summer Saturday, that I called at the house of a prosperous young farmer, of whom I had previously heard as a man of excellent moral character, but whom I had never met before. I found him frank and friendly in manner, and there was no obstacle to easy conversation. After a few preliminary commonplaces exchanged between us, the transition was natural enough to the benevolence of God as displayed in the bounty of nature. My sentiments on this topic met a cheerful and ready response. “Strange,” said I, “that so few of us love God, when we all of us think him so good. Do you love him?” I asked suddenly and bluntly, just as I would have asked any other question which could imply no offense. “Why, as to that,” said he, “I should consider that everybody ought to love God.” “Yes, no doubt of that. Still the obligation to love him and loving him are not quite the same. You admit you ought to love him; now do you love him? How as to that?” It was rather closer quarters than he had prepared himself for. But he made up his mind to face his dilemma. “Well—yes—I believe I do love God,” he answered, manfully resolved to take a step forward without well knowing whether it would lead him. “You still answer a little uncertainly. You believe you love God. We generally know when we love any one. There are several pretty sure signs.” “For instance, if we love any one we think of that one often. This is so much the case that it has come to be an equivalent phrase. We say of one that we love, ‘I think a great deal of so-and-so.’ Isn’t this so?” “Yes. I am even more apt to say I think a good deal of a person than to say that I love him.” “Well, now, apply that test to your love for God. Do you think a great deal of God?” “Have you thought of him to-day?” “Couldn’t be certain that I have.” “Well, yes. I should say that I have thought of God within a month.” “And do you suppose you average a thought of God once a month?” “Is thinking of God twelve times a year thinking a good deal of God—is it loving him?” “There is another test. We are certain to talk of those whom we love. A mother knows who her son’s favorite companions are at school—he has so much to say about them. You can consider within yourself how much you spontaneously talk about God.” Something in the spirit of our conversation, I suppose it was, or perhaps it was wholly a heavenly influence breathed into the man, that made him not merely patient under this cross examination, but even desirous, apparently, to feel the probe thrust deeper yet into the quick. “One more test of love,” I said. “We are fond of doing things for those whom we love. You are industrious, honest, truthful, kind-hearted, your neighbors say. Why are you so? Have you a thought in it of pleasing God? Do you ever say to yourself, ‘Now this I will do, because it will please God, for I love him?’” That candid witness against himself confessed that he could not remember having ever in the whole course of his life done a single act for the sake of pleasing God. The evening drew on, and I bade him good-night. I never knew whether he found out afterwards how industry, honesty, truthfulness, and kindness, become transfigured from a task into a delight, when they are animated with the loving spirit of a conscious personal love to a personal God revealed and accessible in Christ Jesus.—Christian Weekly. Speak often One to Another.
By L. H. Densmore
“We mortals are apt to tire of the repetition of the simple testimony we bear here, to the goodness and mercy of God; and we are sometimes tempted to say nothing, because we cannot continually say something new. But may we not learn a profitable lesson from the course of these holy beings above, who never grow weary in the continual repetition of these words, ‘Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty;’ and to whom these words never grow old; because their hearts ever glow with a sense of his holiness, goodness, and love?” Thoughts on Revelation, p. 79. Gladly would I have tried long ago to write words of good cheer, but the thought of nothing new has kept me silent all these years that I have attentively read the REVIEW. Oh! for an elevated mind, that we may appreciate and thank God for the benefits we enjoy. I am separated, like many others, from those of like precious faith. But when the Sabbath comes, and all my neighbors and friends are busy with the labors and cares of this life, amid all this, the holy Sabbath is dear to me, and with the word of God and our publications relating thereto, with many longings, and some tears, for the assembly of our people, still I can say the Sabbath is my delight. Very dear to me is the health reform. Let us advance with the light, lest to us it become darkness. If I, by assisting grace, am able to subdue all the evil in my sinful nature, I shall dwell forever with our glorious Redeemer, and all those who are cleansed through his sufferings for mankind. L. H. DENSMORE. How I Became Interested in the Review.
By M. J. R.
I TRULY have great reason to thank my Heavenly Father for the privilege of reading the REVIEW for some time past. It was brought into my family by a sister who was tarrying with us for a season. With no particular interest did I at first peruse its pages; for I was a little prejudiced against it on account of its being a strict advocate for the observance of the seventh-day Sabbath. I, not unlike most professors of religion, tried to flatter myself that the first-day was as near right as any; consequently I would skip over those pieces which treated of the Sabbath. But ere I was aware of it, my affections were drawn out after the paper, by reading those pieces which treated of practical religion. I soon lost my prejudice and became interested in the Sabbath question; and, by the assisting grace of God, I have been enabled to come out and take a bold stand in keeping and advocating it. I am all alone. My family are not at all in sympathy with the new arrangement, and there not being any near of like faith, at times it appears like up-hill business; but the Lord has promised never to leave or forsake us, and with such help as this we shall be sure to win. Through Nature to Nature’s God.
By M. E. P.
FLOWERS and sunshine, the bright green grass, the foliage of trees, the songs of happy birds, the soft, balmy air of spring-time, and the April showers, all speak the language of praise, and would inspire us to say with the psalmist, “All thy works shall praise thee, O Lord; and thy saints shall bless thee. They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power; to make known to the sons of men His mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom. Ps. 145:10–12. The works of nature are perfect; there is no deception about them. The colors of foliage and flowers are real, and beautiful, and harmonious. Who can find aught to compare with them? Truly these beauties of this fading earth are well calculated to draw our minds to those unfading glories that shall be lasting in the paradise restored. When this earth has been purified by fire, as we read in various portions of Scripture that it will be, when all things are created anew, and lovely, as at the first, there must then be perfect and sinless beings to inhabit it. So we are told by the word of God that it will be a people in whose mouth is no guile; a people that are pure in heart; that are poor in spirit, that are not boastful, nor proud, nor vain, claiming no righteousness but through the blood of Christ, and that are united in love and harmony. There will be no divisions there, no selfishness; and no discordant note in that new song which the redeemed will sing. Rev. 14:3. “No tears for the erring,
No warnings needed,
No counsel slighted,
No prayers unheeded. “No partings there,
No fond hearts riven,
No sins confessed,
No wrongs forgiven. “No aching head,
No weary feet,
No looks unkind,
No ‘bitter-sweet.’ “O let us strive
That home to gain,
Where comes no death,
No sin, nor pain.” A Difficulty Settled.
By Sel.
In the town of M——, Ohio, on its first settlement, Mr. B. owned a farm and mill privilege. Before long, Mr. W., a miller, came into town, and, by the assistance of his neighbors and consent of Mr. B., he improved the mill privilege by erecting a grist-mill and saw-mill. For many years, all went on amicably; but at length an uncomfortable feeling arose between the families of Mr. B. and Mr. W., which became somewhat serious and threatened a lawsuit. After many efforts to settle the difficulty, Judge B., a mutual friend to both parties, succeeded in bringing them to meet him at the dam. Taking Mr. B. alone, the judge asked him to make a private mark on the rock near the dam, showing how high he thought by the intention of the original contract the water was to be raised. He then took Mr. W. alone, and requested the same from him. When each party had made his mark, the judge found that Mr. B. had given Mr. W. one foot more than Mr. W. claimed. The difficulty was instantly settled; legal instruments were drawn, securing each his permanent rights, and peace was restored. How many difficulties and misunderstandings among honest men would vanish away if the real aims and wishes of the respective parties were fully known to each other. “Blessed,” said our Lord, “are the peacemakers,” rather than those who favor the popular side.—Sel. THE following is related of the celebrated Dr. Belknap:— Upon a certain occasion, in the presence of a vast and brilliant assemblage, a person more noted for his self-esteem than for his learning was speaking against the Christian religion in terms of the severest scorn and derision. Unfortunately for the orator, his remarks were overheard by the doctor, who, stepping up to him, asked: “Well, sir, have you found a religion that is better?” The scoffer, considerably abashed by this unlooked-for question, was forced to acknowledge that thus far he had not. “Well,” responded the Doctor, “when you have, let me know, and I will join you in adopting it.” The rebuke was as wise as it was just. Of all classes of sinners, certainly the religious scoffer is the least to be envied. No followers of Satan receive poorer wages, no transgressor against God shall be more severely punished.’ “Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed.” Valuing True Friendship in Adversity
VALUE the friendship of him who stands by you in the storm; swarms of insects will surround you in the sunshine. Minnesota State Conference
And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of Heaven is at hand. Providence permitting, I will meet with the Missionary and Tract Society in district No. 5 in quarterly meeting at Potterville, June 15 and 16. We hope to have a report from every member of the Society in this district. E. H. Root. Quarterly meeting of the S. D. Adventists at Ulysses, Potter Co., Pa., June 22 and 23. We hope for a general attendance of the brethren and sisters; for there will be important business to attend to upon first-day morning. Cannot some messenger be sent to help on the occasion, for such help is much needed. A. D. Galutia. Providence permitting, I will meet with the Johnstown church June 15, and have two meetings. If it is possible, I hope to meet every member of the church at that time. I. Sanborn. Greenwood, Mich., June 15, 1872. Lapeer, “ “ 22, “ “ Holly, “ “ 29, “ “ H. S. Gurney. Monthly meeting with the church at Norridgewock, Me., Sabbath and first-day, June 15 and 16, commencing Sabbath eve at half-past seven. Geo. W. Baker. Minnesota State Conference.
The Minnesota State Conference will hold its next annual session in connection with the camp-meeting to be held at Medford, Steele Co., commencing Wednesday June 19 and continuing to June 24. Let all the churches at once in this Conference take the necessary steps to represent themselves fully at this meeting by delegates. We hope that all the friends of the cause will make an extra effort to be at this meeting. Bro. and Sr. White are expected to be with us. Bring your families and interested neighbors with you. Be on the ground at the commencement of the meeting and stay until the close. Harrison Grant, D. McAlpine, J. B. Edwards (Minn. Conf. Com.). This meeting will be held at Lodi, Columbia Co., Wis., commencing June 28th, and continuing to July 1. Those coming from the west by railroad from Prairie du Chien will change at Madison for Lodi; from the east, at Madison for Lodi; from the north, at Watertown for Madison, and at Madison for Lodi. We hope all our brethren will make a general rally and come to this meeting to work for the Lord. Especially let every church send delegates, as we expect to organize a missionary society for this Conference. Bring all your interested friends, and let all bring tents that can, and plenty of bedding, with empty ticks. Come to stay till the meeting is closed. There will be provision and horse feed on the ground for all who wish it, at reasonable rates. Bro. and Sr. White are expected at this meeting. Will Bro. Downer see that the churches at Wautoma and Plainfield are organized, so that they may be properly represented at the Conference. P. S. Thurston, R. Baker, I. Sanborn (Wis. Conf. Com.). Wisconsin State Conference.
Providence permitting, this Conference will be held in connection with the Camp-meeting at Lodi, Columbia Co., Wis., commencing Wednesday evening, June 26, and continuing till the morning of July 1. We do hope all will try to be on the ground at the commencement of the meeting and stay till it is closed. Bring all your interested friends with you. We hope all the churches will represent themselves by delegate or by letter, each giving the number of its members, and the amount of Systematic Benevolence that they wish to pledge to the Conference the coming year. Bro. and sister White are earnestly invited to attend our Camp-meeting and Conference. P. S. Thurston, Rufus Baker, I. Sanborn (Wis. Conf. Com.). The Vermont Conference Tract Society will hold their first quarterly Tract and Missionary Meeting for each district as follows: 3rd district, at Wolcott, “ 15 “ 16.
4th “ at Bristol, “ 22 “ 23.
5th “ at Jamaica, July 6 “ 7. A general attendance will be expected at each meeting. The agents of the several churches should be prepared to report the working of the Society in the churches that they represent, at the quarterly meeting for the district to which they respectively belong. Thus a report can be prepared by the agent of each district, to be forwarded to the Secretary, A. W. Stone, Richford, Vt., about the close of each quarter in the year. A. C. Bourdeau. Pres. of T. and M. Society of Vt. Conf. Hundred Mile Grove, Sabbath, June 22, I expect to meet Brn. Thurston and Baker at this meeting to help fit up the camp-ground immediately after. I hope they will not fail to come. I. Sanborn. Quarterly Meetings in California.
At our late State meeting, an arrangement was made for our quarterly meetings the coming year as follows:— Santa Rosa, June 22, 23.
Bloomfield, “ 29, 30.
San Francisco, July 6, 7.
Green Valley, “ 13, 14.
Petaluma, “ 20, 21.
Healdsburg, “ 27, 28. And then at each place once in three months. Preaching at each of the quarterly meetings, if the Lord will. Meetings on the Sabbath at 10½ A. M., communion immediately following this service. At the first round of quarterly meetings, steps will be taken to complete the organization and arrangement of our State Tract Society. The order and time of other exercises will be notified by letter. Executive Committee (Cal. State Meeting). Significant Items.
By F. A. Buzzell
The following items have been compiled for the Review by Bro. F. A. Buzzell, of New Ipswich, N. H.:— Prof. Young, the Dartmouth College Astronomer, witnessed a grand solar outburst April 2. The height to which matter was ejected was set at only 135,000 miles. Smith & Wesson, of Springfield, are running their pistol factory over time, rapidly filling orders for the Russian Government. Alexander evidently doesn’t mean to have “peace.” Great destitution and distress prevail among the people of the Russian city of Schemacka, recently destroyed by an earthquake. There is a dearth of provisions amounting to famine, and bitter cold, and more lives are lost from these causes than were destroyed by the earthquake.—Boston Journal. PAGAN, CATHOLIC, AND PROTESTANT.
The great Christian festival, which is a continuation of the pagan rejoicings in honor of the Goddess Eastor, has been celebrated here to-day in the most jubilant manner by Protestants and Catholics.—Washington Correspondent, Boston Journal. THE END, AS VIEWED BY AN ORTHODOX IN 1831.
The downfall of papal superstition, of Mohammedanism and of the Turkish Empire, are predicted events which must take place before the end can arrive; and that these events are not very far distant, who can doubt?—Extract from Sermon by Rev. Edward Payson, 1831. A letter from Shiraz, Persia, says of the famine in that locality: “You can form no idea of the distress here. The people in the villages eat the grass when they can get it, and at the slaughter-houses every drop of blood is lapped up or carried away by the starving poor.” Yokohama, Japan, July 22. A heavy typhoon at Kohl on the 4th inst. caused a loss of 400 lives. Several vessels also were wrecked, including the Pride of the Thames, and the captain, two mates, and steward, drowned. The damage to property is estimated at half a million of dollars.—Boston Journal. The thirteen new Woolwich “infants,” guns of thirty-five tons, now completed, are said to be the most powerful pieces of ordnance in existence in England or any other country. The guns are intended for the three large iron-clads now in course of completion—the “Thunderer,” “Devastation,” and “Fury.” Each of these vessels will carry four of the thirty-five ton guns. There is said to have been a steady increase through the centuries in the number of earthquakes. According to the best authorities there were in the fourth century, 21; in the fifth, 25; in the sixth, 31; in the seventh, 10; in the eighth, 11; in the ninth, 36; in the tenth, 17; in the eleventh, 51; in the twelfth, 68; in the thirteenth, 55; in the fourteenth, 58; in the fifteenth, 41; in the sixteenth, 110; in the seventeenth, 180; in the eighteenth, 680; in the nineteenth, 925. A new religion has appeared in India, and the person who professes to teach it declares himself an incarnation of Christ. He proscribes caste and teaches a higher code of life than that now in existence, but thus far has not had many followers. The Sikhs, it is said, are very favorably inclined toward Christianity, and their leaders have some idea of embracing it if they receive any encouragement from the Government. London, May 8. A telegram from Bombay brings intelligence of most disastrous floods in the southern part of British India. The town of Vellore, in the Presidency of Madras, suffered terribly, and many of the inhabitants were drowned. The number of lives lost is given at one thousand. Fifteen thousand inhabitants of the town lost everything they possessed, the water having washed away their houses and left them in a perfectly destitute condition. The dispatch of yesterday, stating that there had been a flood in Melbourne, whereby four hundred persons perished, is an error. It undoubtedly referred to the above-mentioned disaster. PARTICULARS OF THE RECENT EARTHQUAKE—TWO THOUSAND PEOPLE KILLED.
London, April 29. Particulars of the late earthquake in Syria show that the fatalities were not greatest in Antioch, but heavier in the country in the vicinity. A letter from Antioch, April 4th, says: “The American Protestant Church was severely injured and four Americans were killed. All the members of the families of the Missionaries are safe. The number of persons killed in Antioch is less than three hundred, but sixteen hundred people in the surrounding towns and country where the shocks were as severe, if not greater than here, were killed, and this number may be increased. The distress of the people will be only temporary, as the crop prospects are good. The supply of provisions on hand is moderate. Correspondents of London papers praise Rev. Mr. Powers, the American missionary, for assiduity in administering to the relief of the afflicted people.”—Boston Journal. Medford, Steele Co., Minn., June 19-24. Lodi, Columbia Co., Wis., “ 26 to July 1. Tract and Missionary Department.
By Editor
A column, more or less, of the REVIEW might be devoted each week to this department, giving reports, short and to the point, from meetings and from individuals, in the interest of the different Tract Societies. Many incidents must occur, as this work is prosecuted, which will be of great interest to all lovers of the truth; and besides this, weekly reports of the workings of this agency would keep the subject constantly before the people. Shall we have a department of this kind till some other agency is provided for the presentation of such reports? Sunday Opening of Public Libraries Debated
The question of opening the public libraries of our large cities on Sunday is eliciting a good deal of discussion. Leading denominational papers argue against it with great fervency; and the Baptist ministers of Boston unitedly enter a formal protest against it. Because certain parties clamor for a laxer observance of Sunday, some can see nothing in it except the waning away of the power and influence of the Sunday institution, seeming not to look into the matter far enough to see that this agitation is just what is calculated to call out the strength of the other side. Sunday-keepers would make no move if they did not see that the institution was in danger. The Anti-Sunday Movement.
The following paragraph shows that those engaged in opposing the Sunday in the interest of no-Sabbath, are not the educated, reading, and intelligent classes. In the N. Y. Observer, of last week, we find the following:— The Mercantile Library was thrown open on Sunday last, and the attendance demonstrated the folly of the clamor that has been made in favor of it. The Herald and World say that about 100 men and one woman visited the reading room; and as the number of members is several thousands and the rush would be made on the first Sabbath, it is quite plain that there was no demand for the very doubtful measure. The N. Y. Herald says: “Unhappily for this first Sunday of the new era, the statistics, it must be admitted, by no means bear out the wretched exhibits which the statements of the anti-Sabbatic faction led people to expect.” The church of Rome takes naturally to fraud and deception to carry on her work. Wherever darkness and ignorance prevail sufficiently, she sets these means immediately at work. Moral and intellectual light place her at an immense disadvantage. Hence her efforts to keep the masses in darkness. The following paragraph shows what she is doing to-day among the ignorant freedmen of the South:— A Pious Fraud.— The Boston Watchman and Reflector gives an account of a curious letter, which, it is said, is being circulated among the more ignorant of negroes in the South in connection with the endeavors made by the Roman Catholics for their conversion to Catholicism. This letter is claimed to have been found near Iconium, 65 years after the crucifixion of our Saviour, and to have been written by Christ himself. It bears also the signature of the angel Gabriel! Among sundry commands in the letter is one to finish labor every Saturday evening by 6 o'clock, and to fast five Fridays in the year, beginning with Good Friday. Plagues and curses are threatened to those who may not put faith in the letter; and the simple possession of a copy of it is sufficient, it is promised, to keep off all danger and secure all conceivable property. The copy of the letter from which the Watchman & Reflector makes this summary was brought to one of the Home Mission secretaries by one of the colored Baptist preachers who had been engaged in the distribution, supposing it to be genuine and all right. On the subject of raffling at church fairs, so common in these days, the late Dr. Nadal said: The church raffles are as complete specimens of gambling as the Crosby Opera House Lottery—and either of them is as real gambling as the operations of the faro bank or the card table. In our church fairs, in addition to the countenance and respectability, as in the “Opera House Raffle,” we give to gambling the sacred sanctions of religion. It is the church spreading her hands and saying grace over every faro bank and gambling hell in the country. The raffles of the church tend to remove religious and moral scruples; the last breakwater that holds back the threatened inundation of gambling. If the church fiddles, the world will dance of course. Like priest, like people. The church’s raffles are felt, however unconsciously, in every bet on every race horse—at every card table—in every art lottery—aye, in every prize fight. When the bride of Christ raffles, and pockets her gains amid the smiles of gay ladies and flattering beaux, every gambling hell rises in dignity. Whatever wrong there may be in the gambler’s calling, the church shares it in principle in her raffles: and the only difference between her and the regular gambler in this respect is, that he, perhaps, does his rudely, profanely, in a place set apart to sin, while she does hers, genteelly, piously, and in the church or lecture-room. This abuse of holy things, this profanity, this prostitution of the sacred offices of the church, ought to be stopped. The church has been poor, and can afford, if need be, to be poor again: but she cannot afford, whatever may be the bribe, to be the pimp of worldly lust. We therefore bow, penitently under the world’s accusations, and confess that we deserve the scourge of the old proverb, “Physician, heal thyself.” “Can ye not discern the signs of the times?” NEW YORK, May 27.—Capt. Allston, of the Retriever, a steamer lost during the terrible storms which prevailed during the Newfoundland seal fishery this spring, reports the total wreck of 42 vessels, including several steam ships. The number of lives imperiled by these disasters amounts to nearly 4,000, of which very few have yet been accounted for. THE Eternal City seems to be the wickedest place in the world, if the following statistics are to be believed: It is said that in Rome there are 237 times as many chances of being murdered as in England, and 333½ times more than Prussia. In England, it is shown that one murder occurs yearly for 178,000 inhabitants; in Holland, one for 163,000; in Prussia, one for 200,000; in Austria, one for 57,000; in Spain, one for 4,113; and in Naples, one for 2,750; but at Rome there is one homicide for every 750 of the inhabitants. THE pope has caused a letter to be addressed to the “College of Theologians” at Rome, “forbidding hereafter any of its members, or any other member of the Church of Rome, publicly to confute Protestant preachers;” which looks as if the recent discussion between three Protestant ministers and three Roman ecclesiastics, in that city on the question whether St. Peter was ever in the city of Rome, did not result as the pope anticipated.—American Protestant. German Army Strength Returns for 1873
The army returns for 1873 show the force to be maintained in that year in the German Empire to number four hundred and one thousand six hundred and fifty-nine men, of whom sixteen thousand nine hundred and fifty-five are officers; ninety-one thousand seven hundred and forty-two horses, and one thousand six hundred and seventy-two surgeons. The infantry force absorbs two hundred and seventy-seven thousand seven hundred and seventy-six men in one hundred and thirteen regiments. There are to be, as at present, ninety-four regiments of cavalry. THE PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN.
The following Presidential tickets are now in the field; Greeley and Brown, Cincinnati Conventionists; Davis and Parker, Labor Reform; Mrs. Woodhull and Douglass, Woman’s Rights; Black and Russell, Prohibition; Adams and Howard, A. S. S. And there are, perhaps, two more to come. Here is room enough for a choice. If paid in advance, $2.00 a year. If not paid in three months, $2.50 a year. When ordered by others for the poor, $1.50 a year. When ordered by friends, for their friends on trial, $1.50 a year. Address REVIEW & HERALD, BATTLE CREEK, MICH.