Bro. C. W. Brooks writes from Huron Co., Ohio: I still am trying to make my way through, and I hope to be found in the great day with God's dear children. While all is turmoil and strife here, I thank God that his dear children can look to Christ, and find peace. Sometimes I am told that this “is a white man's government;” but I can look up to Heaven, and see a government free to all the children of the Lord. How true is that saying, “My kingdom is not of this world;” for I never heard one member of Christ's kingdom say to another, You are not a subject.
Bro. D. B. Welch writes from Alleghany Co., N. Y.: I am still trying to overcome by keeping the commandments, and to be found ready and watching when the Lord comes. Myself and wife are the only Sabbath-keepers in this place. There are some here who believe it should be kept instead of the first day; but they are not enjoying religion, and do not keep it. There is quite an interest to hear the truth, and some have expressed a wish that I would get some one to come here who could present it to them. I think if a preacher could spend a little time here much good might be done.
Sister M. L. Maxon writes: My heart is filled with thankfulness to see the onward march of present truth. How triumphantly, how gloriously, God is leading on his people to certain victory. The last link in the chain of revealed truth is now being fastened, and the faithful few are trying to obey God's physical, as well as moral laws. My heart swells with gratitude to see how heartily they are moving forward in the health reform. Soon it may be said of them as of ancient Israel, “And there was not one feeble person among their tribes.” I feel sweet union with the third angel's message.
Sister A. J. Goodrich writes from Hartland, Me.: For the first time I take my pen in hand to address the brethren and sisters through the columns of the Review. Two years ago last Spring, I had the privilege of having Bro. and sister Cornell come to visit us, and also heard him lecture. We saw that we were not keeping the right Sabbath, therefore we embraced the truth, and now we can welcome with joy the Lord's Sabbath, the seventh day, when it comes. I can say to-day that I am glad that I ever was led to see the truth and embrace it.
The work of reform is going on with me, and my prayer is that God will give me grace that I may be an overcomer at last. There are a few in this place who are striving for the kingdom. Last Thursday night we had a blessed meeting. Bro. Stratton gave us a sermon on order in the church, and home religion. May the Lord help us to have true vital piety at home, and then when we go out into the world our influence will tell on the side of truth and Christianity.
Bro. and sister W. Hoff write from Marion, Iowa: As we have lived in Iowa during a part of the rebellion, we feel to thank the Lord that he has inclined our hearts to hold on to the truth, and not be led away by the enemy. As for us, we feel to thank the Lord for the gifts that he has placed in the church for our edification and comfort. We love the Testimonies. We see nothing evil in them. Their teachings are all good; and if we will heed them they will make us better. They will make us more zealous. We realize that we are living in the last days. Our prayer to God is that we may be prepared to meet Jesus in peace when he comes in the clouds of heaven.
Bro. E. Styles writes from North Liberty, Ind.: There are yet a few here who love the third message, and we are receiving some light on the health reform. We have just had a visit from Bro. Bates, and we trust one of profit. Our hearts were made glad while listening to the expositions of Bro. B. on the health question, and other subjects. We want to be ready when Jesus comes. We had waited so long for a messenger, that we had become considerably discouraged; but now we can say we have had another feast from the Master's table. We hope in the future to see better days.
Sister M. Bean writes from Stowe, Vt.: I praise the Lord for the way in which he is leading his people. I rejoice in the health reform. It looks consistent that it should go with the last message. I may not derive so much benefit from it, as I am aged and infirm, as I should have done, if I had only known how to live, years in the past. Yet I can say that I am better for trying to live as set forth in the health-reform system. I have an aunt 86 years old. She has not eaten any meat, nor drank a cup of tea for about thirty-two years. She is generally free from pain, her mind clear and happy in a Saviour's love. It may be said of her that she is an Israelite indeed. My feelings are, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord my strength and my Redeemer.”
Sister A. J. Edmunds writes from Ann Arbor, Mich.: Paul says, “Follow after charity and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.” 1 Cor. xiv, 1. Do we love the testimonies as we should? When we are reproved by them for having some pet idol, do we willingly lay that idol aside, “and desire spiritual gifts?” I fear that we as a church do not “covet earnestly the best gifts,” but, like doubting Thomas, suffer unbelief to creep in when we should feel the most thankful. Nearly three years ago, the light in regard to the health reform was published. We read volume four when we were in a lukewarm state and thought we were rich and increased with goods, having need of nothing, and know not that we were wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked. Let us be zealous and repent, before God shall spew us out of his mouth. If we still neglect to heed the light that has been given, the wrath of God will come upon us as it did upon the children of Israel. The last plagues will soon be poured out. Who can stand? Only those that are pure. This reform is a part of the third message. We have a knowledge of the truth, and if we would have all the Christian graces, we must add to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience.
The angel said, “Here is the patience of the saints. Here are they that keep the commandments of God.” We must be a temperate, before we can be a patient, people. You know how impatient and nervous you feel when you have been without your accustomed rich food and cup of tea. I fear you do not speak and eat like Jesus, our lovely pattern, when you come home with that severe headache. Throw away tea, coffee, tobacco, and meat, eat but two meals during the day, drink but little while eating, never eat in the evening, and in a few weeks you will not have that headache. You will be surprised at the change you will observe in your little home. The angel will say of that household circle, Here is the patience of the saints; here are they that keep God's commandments.
Once my health was very poor, but since I have been trying to live as a person should live, it has been good. What I once loved I now hate, and what I now love I once hated. Brethren and sisters, let us set about this work of reforming with zeal, determined to help ourselves, then our heavenly Father will hear our prayers, and give us strength to overcome the sin which doth so easily beset. Jesus is soon coming, get ready, get ready. Sign after sign is fulfilling. When we shall see these things come to pass, know that he is near, even at the doors. While the learned men of our day are trying to find a scientific reason for the occurring of the signs, and by so doing are lulling the world to sleep, we should be awake lest that day come upon us unawares.
Our deliverance is near. Happy thought! Soon, a poor, despised, remnant people, who have been obeying the whole truth of the third message, will find a home in a better world, where sickness and sorrow are never known.
Sister E. Eaton writes from Whitewater, Wis.: I love the truth of the third message, and also the light that is being given on the health reform; and I mean to live it out. I welcome anything that will draw me nearer to my God. I rejoice when I see the evidences of the fulfillment of the prophecy of the two-horned beast. I feel that we are nearing home. But am I prepared for all this? No, I am vile yet, and should be discouraged if it was not for the precious promises of God. To those who are alone I would say, Let us not murmur, but bear every trial cheerfully, believing that we need it all to fit us for the kingdom to come, and to wean us from this vain world, and place our affections on things above. My desire is to overcome. I long to see Jesus, and the thought of seeing him soon is a joyful one to me.
Bro. A. B. Williams writes from Clinton, Wis.: I am glad to learn that our excellent paper is to be enlarged. I think I can well afford three dollars a year for it. So much good reading is cheap for only one bushel and a half of wheat, or three of corn, or one and a half day's work for mechanics. Who that is able to work can complain of the price? No lover of truth.
Bro. W. Worters writes from Livingston Co., Mich.: The Review is all the religious friend I have here; but, though alone, I am trying to live a Christian life. I have been keeping the Sabbath for about six years and a half, in the midst of opposition on every side; but thus far the Lord has kept me; and, by his assisting grace, I am determined to prove true to him to the end.
A. C. WOODBURY
By A. C. Woodbury
From Bro. Woodbury.
BRO. WHITE: For the first time I would say to the scattered brethren and sisters, that it cheers my heart when I read the testimonies of the followers of Jesus. My mind runs back to the time I first heard the third angel's message preached. I listened to a series of lectures delivered by Bro. Allen. Eleven embraced the Sabbath; but in a short time only one was found to be holding on to the commandments of God. The no-law doctrine took ten, myself with them. After living nearly two years keeping no day at all, the History of the Sabbath fell into my hands; after several weeks of hard study, myself and wife came out on the Sabbath again, and have stood firm ever since. I am thankful for the light that now shines. I would say to those who are doubting, if there are any such, to look to Him who has said that his Sabbath should be a sign between him and Israel for ever. Again Jesus says that they that do his commandments shall have right to the tree of life, and enter in through the gates into the city.
Yours, striving for eternal life.
A. C. WOODBURY
Darlington, Oct. 1866.
Growth and Perseverance in the Faith
By Margaret M. Stringer
From Sister Stringer.
BRO. WHITE: I am thankful that my unprofitable life was spared to hear the glorious news of the third angel's message from brethren Van Horn and Canright, when they were in this place a little more than a year ago. And I am glad my eyes were opened that I might see, and my ears that I might hear, and that I had a heart to receive, the truth. I am not at all discouraged but am determined to go on to “know the Lord, whom to know aright is eternal life.”
I praise the Lord; we have not met with many discouragements in this place. Since we were organized here last March there have been eight added to our number; and, praise his holy name, of all whom the Lord hath given us, we have lost none. I hope we may so let our light “shine before the world that others may be led to glorify our Father who is in Heaven.”
Although “Satan has desired” some of us, that he may sift us as wheat; yet I trust that these trials will but purify us and render our crowns more bright when we arrive at home. I want to always realize that our “light afflictions work out for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,” And I do “count it all joy” that I am found worthy to suffer affliction for Christ's sake, who has suffered so much for me. Knowing that “whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.”
I am truly grateful for the privilege of meeting with dear brethren and sisters and hearing their cheering testimonies. Our hearts seem by love together knit.
I often think of those lonely ones whom we sometimes hear from through the Review. It must be lonely indeed to pass our pilgrimage alone here in this cold, unfriendly world. But dear friends, lift up your heads, your redemption draweth nigh. The time is not far distant when “we will all be gathered home.”
“The road may be rough, but it cannot be long. We'll smooth it with hope and we'll cheer it with song.”
I am glad to see the move made in regard to reform in health and dress. I believe it will do us good if we live it out. Let us watch and be sober and so be prepared for the evil days that are about to come upon us. Let us be prepared that that day come not as a thief in the night. But let us have our “lamps trimmed and burning, ready to go out to meet the bridegroom when he cometh.”
Yours in hope of eternal life.
Vassar, Mich.
MARGARET M. STRINGER.
No Such Thing as a Small Lie
A lie may respect a SMALL THING, but there is no such thing as a SMALL LIE.
To the Brethren in N. E.
By John Nevins Andrews
I HAVE been thus far detained by matters of importance in this State. Providence permitting, I will shortly return to New England. It has seemed duty hitherto, to devote all our labor to the State of Maine. I think the result will clearly indicate, that in this we have stood in the counsel of God. It now seems to me that my own duty in Maine, for the present, is nearly accomplished. I think Bro. Canright will probably remain in the State to follow up the work. At least, if such should be his mind I should think it a proper arrangement.
In response to Bro. Rodman I will say that I hope soon to visit his field of labor and to unite with him in the work. Nothing but a strong conviction of duty that the work begun in Maine should be followed up has held us both there so long. The continued calls from other parts of N. E. have been a matter of continual anxiety. I hope shortly to answer these calls. Bro. Loughborough aided me in arranging a series of appointments, which I will give through the Review as soon as I can enter upon them. I trust Bro. Howard will join me in their fulfillment. I ask the continued forbearance of the brethren. There shall be no unnecessary delay on my part.
J. N. ANDREWS.
Rochester, N. Y., Nov. 6, 1866.
Appointments.
THE next Monthly Meeting for Allegan Co. will be held at the school-house in Otsego near Bro. Hilliard's, the first Sabbath in December.
J. BYINGTON.
THE next Quarterly Meeting of the Princeville church of Seventh-day Adventists, will be held at Princeville, Ill., Sabbath and first-day, Dec. 1 and 2. Bro. Sanborn and Andrews are confidently expected to be with us. We hope to see a general gathering. Come praying that God will meet with us, and that we may be fed with the "sincere milk of the word that we may grow thereby."
H. C. BLANCHARD.
PROVIDENCE permitting, I will be with the brethren in Bunkerhill, Sabbath, Nov. 17th. Will the Leslie brethren get word to Bunkerhill immediately.
Sabbath Nov. 24th, I will be at South Genoa.
JOHN BYINGTON.
PROVIDENCE permitting, I will meet with the friends in Coles Co., Ill., nine miles south of Charlestown, Dec. 14, and hold some meetings where Bro Wm. A. Doyl may appoint. Will continue as long as the interest demands. After which, I will endeavor to visit Lawrence Co., and follow up my labors there, which were broken off last winter by sickness. Will Bro. Doyl meet me with a team at Charlestown, Thursday, Dec. 13.
H. C. BLANCHARD.
THE LORD willing I will attend the monthly Meeting of the churches of Charlotte, Windsor, and Oneida, at West Windsor, near Bro. Carman's Sabbath and first-day Nov. 24th, and 25th. Two meetings in the day-time each day.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
To Correspondents.
QUESTION. Is it right for a Seventh-day Adventist to rent his farm to an unbeliever to work on the Sabbath, if the owner does not live on it? M. F.
Spring Grove, Wis.
Ans. We can see no wrong in it. A farm rented, is temporarily, in most respects, the same as sold; and if the believer does not reside on it, he is not, by renting the farm, admitting labor within his gates.
American Millennial Association Meeting
The “American Millennial Association,” by whom the Advent Herald is published in Boston, Mass., held its annual meeting at Providence R. I., Oct. 4th, 1866. From the report of proceedings we learn that Eld. J. Allen is to be employed the coming year, as Traveling Agent instead of Editor. Elder J. M. Orrock, is to be Resident Editor of Herald and Youth’s Visitor; and Eld. Canfield Resident Business Agent. The salary of the Editor is fixed at $900 per annum, of the Traveling Agent, $800, and of the Business Agent, $500. The Association has also a “Freedmen’s Mission” established at Edgefield, Tenn., under the charge of Eld. D. J. Robinson and wife, whose joint salary amounts to $1100 per year. For the purpose of erecting suitable buildings, and carrying forward the mission, the Association call for a fund of $5000.
Note from Bro. Byington.
By John Byington
BRO. WHITE: I spent the first Sabbath in November with brethren in Allegan Co., at their Monthly Meeting in Watson. The going being bad, there were but few out; but such as were, seemed encouraged to labor on still in hope of rest. I received three subscribers for the Health Reformer, several paid for the Review, and one share in cash was paid for the Institute.
First-day evening we had an interesting meeting in the school-house near Bro. Hilliard's. A friend spoke in the meeting of his conversion and mine nearly fifty years ago, when we were boys together in Charlotte, Vt. It brought things of interest fresh to my mind. I believe that Bro. is now a Baptist.
J. BYINGTON.
The Health Reformer.
BRO. P. C. RODMAN writes: I am much pleased with the Reformer, and shall introduce it where I go, as I have opportunity. In my judgment its work has an important relation to present truth. In short, it is clear to me that the Health Reform grows out of present truth, so that we cannot understandingly embrace the one, and not advance to the other, if we continue in the truth. The Lord help us to do so, that we may be free indeed, and at last be found having cleansed ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, and so perfect holiness in the fear of God and be received to the marriage supper of the Lamb.
Business Department.
RECEIPTS.
For Review and Herald.
Annexed to each receipt in the following list, is the Volume and Number of the REVIEW & HERALD to which the money receipted pays. If money for the paper is not due time acknowledged, immediate notice of the omission should then be given.
W Arnot 30-1, M E Rathbun 29-1, C Hemingway 30-1, C C Collins 29-1, H W Lawrence 30-1, H Goodrich 30-1, E Hallock 29-10, G Thew 29-1, J W Rose 30-1, J A Coon 30-1, P Gay 28-1, C E Phillips 30-14, J Vinger 30-1, F Palmer 28-23, each $1.00.
N P Dixon 29-1, G W Burnham 31-1, S Barnes 28-18, J C Chapman 29-1, Dr H T Hawley 31-1, H G Washburn 29-1, J Heald 29-1, T A Herrick 30-1, H White 31-1, each $2.00.
C Van Giesen $3.00 32-1, C J Stetson 50c 29-20, C R Gilbert 50c 29-20, G Grettenberger $3.00 30-3, C Wright $2.50 29-1, J Cole $2.50 30-1, L Wright 50c 29-1, N E Messenger 50c 29-13, C C Blanchard $1.50 29-11, Mrs J A Hoxie $3.50 31-1, Dr J Benton 50c, 29-24, A Breuson 50c, 29-24, J Hanson $3.00, 30-10.
Subscriptions at the Rate of $2.50 per year.
Harriet M Smith $2.75 31-1, E H Higley $3.00 31-1, N P Dixon $3.00 31-11, D H Sanborn $2.50 30-1, J Wilson $2.50 31-1, C Walter 50c 30-1, E D Wich $2.50 31-1, H Howe $2.50 30-1, H S Lay $2.50 31-1, J S Miller $2.50 31-1, Mrs C Manly $2.50 32-1, N G Sanders $2.50 31-1, A A Wilson $5.00 33-1, Lucia Morris $5.00 34-1, E R Tillotson $2.50 29-12, J Chase $2.50 31-11, S Rider $2.50 31-1, C A Washburn $2.50 30-14, H W Gordon $2.50 30-14, G Thew $1.25 30-1, Lucy H Winslow 50c 30-1, E R Kelsey $4.00 30-6, H G Washburn $2.50 31-1, Abbie Humley $3.00 31-1, C H T St Clair $2.00 30-4, Abagail James $3.00 31-1, Eliza Gardner 50c 32-1, A H Adams $2.50 31-1, S Reish $3.00 30-1, A Caldwell 50c 30-10, S Howland $2.50 31-10, F H Howland $2.50 32-1, Mrs Jane Morang $2.50 31-1, H C Winslow $2.50 31-1, Emma Quint $2.00 31-1, C Mack $1.00 29-20, Dr A Hull $1.25 30-1, S Simonsen $5.00 34-13, John Oaks $2.50 31-1.
Subscriptions at the Rate of $3.00 per year.
I Colcord $3.00 31-1, D C Frothingham $3.00 31-1, Rufus Baker $3.00 31-1, W Carpenter Jr. $2.15 30-12, E H Root $4.00 33-1, H J Bouffield $3.50 31-1, Eli Wick $3.00 31-1.
Donations to Enlarge the Review.
Sarah Green $1.00.
Cash Received on Account.
Geo. Booth for I Sanborn $1.40, C O Taylor 20c, I Sanborn $61.25, R F Cottrell $20.00, A C Bourdeau for D T Shireman $4.39, H Nicola $2.25, I D Van Horn $10.00.
Books Sent By Mail.
L D Ayers 65c, Jas. Hacket $1.00, Dr H T Hawley 17c, O F Brockway $1.05, J Hull $2.00, L Hacket 25c.
General Conference Missionary Fund.
Robert Ladley $10.00.
Michigan Conference Fund.
Received from Churches. Church at Battle Creek $25.00, Otsego 30.00, Watson $6.00, Burlington $31.25, Wright $100.00, Parkville $3.45.
For the Western Health-Reform Institute.
The following amounts are subscribed for shares in The Western Health-Reform Institute at $25.00, each share.
T Paton $25.00, A Paton $25.00, E R Tillotson $25.00, J Chase $25.00, A Wilson $50.00, L Morris $75.00, R G Cowles $25.00, Wm Carpenter $25.00, A A Cross $25.00, E H Root $25.00, Mrs H Root $25.00.
On Shares in the W. H. R. Institute.
The following amounts have been paid on pledges previously given to the Health-Reform Institute.
I Colcord $50.00, H Hilliard $25.00, F C Straw $25.00, Mary A Straw $25.00, R C Straw $25.00, T Paton $25.00, A Paton $25.00, E R Tillotson $25.00, Viletta Sanborn $475.00, I Sanborn $25.00, A Wilson $50.00, Lucia Morris $75.00, Wm Carpenter $25.00, G W Burnham $25.00, E H Root $25.00, Mrs H Root $25.00, H C McDearman 25.00, T F Cottrell $25.00, J A Gregory $15.00, A A Cross $25.00, Mrs G W Pierce $25.00, T T Wheeler $25.00, H Main $50.00, R Ladley $25.00, P E Ferriu $25.00, S Newton $50.00, E Lobdell $50.00.
Review Subscription Payments
By Editor
In looking over our list, we find that quite a proportion of our subscribers are now owing more or less on the Review. A new volume will commence in two weeks. From that point the Review will consist of twelve quarto pages weekly instead of eight as now, and the regular price will be $2.50 per year. It is desirable that as many as possible should pay up before the close of this volume, to enable the Association to meet the outlay consequent upon the enlargement of the paper. Please look to the labels on your papers, and if the figures say any less than 29-1, let it remind you that your subscription is behind; and let it be also a gentle yet earnest invitation to you to pay up. We feel that in this matter we are not appealing to enemies, from whom we might be obliged to compel payment, nor to the disinterested, from whom it would be necessary formally to demand payment, but to our friends, equally interested with us in the great truths we advocate, and ready, when reminded of duty, to do all in their power to aid in the progress of the work.
Let it be remembered, also, that payments for another year, are now in order.
GEN. CONF. COMMITTEE
All missionaries in the employ of the General Conference are hereby notified that the second Quarter of the Conference year ends Nov. 15th, and they will please make their reports to the General Conference Secretary immediately.
GEN. CONF. COMMITTEE
MICH. CONF. COMMITTEE
By Mich. Conf. Committee
The second Quarter of the Michigan Conference year ends Nov. 17th. All ministers in the employ of this Conference will please report their receipts for said Quarter to the Mich. Conf. Secretary. The S. B. Treasurers will also make their reports to the Secretary of funds paid to the Mich. Conference during said Quarter. All who have not paid their pledges to the Conference are requested to do so as soon as convenient. We are happy to say, that, for the most part, there has been promptness in the reports and payments this year.