The fall term closes the 17th of this month. One week still remains. The attendance is not as good this term as it should be, yet, considering the fact that until within a few months no effort has been made to encourage attendance from abroad, but rather to discourage it, our numbers have met our expectation. The time has now fully come, when every effort on the part of all interested in the prosperity of our school, should be put forth to fill our building with worthy persons desiring an education.
By the providence of God, a school has been established to which you may send your children, where they will not be exposed to the influences which so largely prevail in other schools.
It was supposed that the need of such an institution was deeply felt by all those who had children to be educated and who deplored the necessity of sending to the public schools. Such, indeed, should hail with joy the announcement of the successful operation, thus far, of this enterprise. Successful to this degree: that a noble response has been made to the call for subscriptions for stock; that beautiful grounds have been purchased; that a building that does honor to such an enterprise has been erected, one that will accommodate triple the number now in attendance; that the current expenses have almost fully been met thus far by tuition received from the students (a fact that cannot be said perhaps of any other school, in the first years of its existence); that those who have come to enjoy its benefits have gone away with good reports; finally, that it has a good report from without, and many of our citizens with those in the surrounding country deem it a privilege to send their sons and daughters to share in the benefits of the discipline and the safeguards guaranteed to all in attendance.
It is an interesting fact that of the whole number of students that have come here this term, about one-fifth are from the city of Battle Creek and vicinity, and are from families not in the Advent faith.
Moreover, some have been refused admittance for the sake of guarding the interests of those comparatively innocent.
Battle Creek College exists for the benefit particularly of Adventists, and if God has deemed it a necessity, those have a duty whose necessities it is designed in the providence of God to meet. There are hundreds of young people in our ranks who would honor God and secure his blessing, if they would devote their lives to his service, and would at once seek that cultivation of heart and mind that would make them useful in his cause. Does not God hold parents accountable for the manner in which they treat this matter—whether they act promptly or pass the matter by with indifference? Parents can certainly afford to sacrifice in a matter of so much importance. Giving their children the advantages of mental culture under special religious influences, is the best legacy they can bestow upon them. It is an effort that God will certainly approve.
Let us, then, qualify ourselves for more efficient labor by cultivating heart and mind, particularly at this time, when we are called upon to prepare for a conflict in which our safety and triumph will depend on what we have done in the cause of God’s truth.
How much we shall accomplish will depend upon how much cultivation we possess and with what degree of zeal and discretion we apply ourselves. Certainly God is our dependence under all circumstances. Through him we triumph. Nevertheless, he requires us to make the most of our abilities by a judicious cultivation.
The cause of God must have laborers, devoted and efficient laborers. Are parents willing to give their children as a free-will offering to the cause of God? The work of God is great, and few have put their hand to it. When I contemplate its greatness, and see so few who are preparing for it, from so vast an army of our young, my heart is pained. Is there any doubt how God views the scene? It is certain that he would be pleased to have his people improving every opportunity presented to shield and instruct our young people. God is blessing our school. His Spirit is with us. It takes hold of the unsanctified, softens their hard hearts, and leads them to love his precious truth. The way is open. Who will come?
S. BROWNSBERGER.
A Supplement.
By S. B. Whitney
BEING much interested in the article in the REVIEW of Nov. 25, entitled “How to Work,” I thought perhaps the following from the Buffalo Daily Courier, of Nov. 24, might be interesting to others, and therefore offer it as a supplement to that article. It may help to explain why Mr. Moody is so earnest, and therefore successful. S. B. WHITNEY.
Evangelist Moody rigidly confines himself to enforcing the duty prescribed by the gospel for the time that now is, but he has also views of the future, and is a firm believer in the second coming of Christ. This doctrine he holds not in a general way, “but in our time,” he says, “it is no use attempting to work for this world. This Old Ark is going to sink, and the only thing to do is to get as many of the crew and passengers out of her as possible, and let her go down; and therefore the business of every Christian man and woman is to work and wait.” This is a view of things that is believed to be rapidly gaining ground at present throughout the Christian world.
Mind vs. Money.
By Uriah Smith
Two notable persons have recently died: Vice-President Wilson and Wm. B. Astor. The former died not worth a penny; and the whole civilized world is filled with expressions of respect for the man and grief for his death. The latter died worth one hundred millions, and having an income of several thousand dollars a day above all outlays, and scarcely a passing remark is made about the event. The former was a noble, generous, patriotic man; through the riches of his cultivated intellect a benefactor of the nation, a blessing to the race. The latter was considered a sordid, selfish, miserly man, setting such an example only as would curse any man to follow. Hence the one is honored, and the name of the other is left to perish with his hoarded gold. Mind triumphs over money. Henry Wilson with his empty coffers died infinitely the richer man. U. S.
Grateful Acknowledgment.
By John Nevins Andrews
The Review has come to hand, containing remarks from Bro. White relative to the work in Europe, and especially giving encouragement that Bro. D. T. Bourdeau will be sent hither. I am most grateful for these encouraging words. I am certain that the Lord is here in the Old World. It is not because the path is smooth, nor because the work is easy; but it is that I feel the burden heavy upon my soul, and that God is giving me testimony to bear that has some power to break through the darkness. The coming of Bro. Bourdeau will be the coming of Titus. This is a cheering prospect to me. For the most part we shall labor, no doubt, in separate fields, and perhaps quite remote from each other, but we shall be within supporting distance, and with God's blessing may render much help to each other.
Most sincerely do I thank Bro. White for the intimation that after a little he may come also. May he find a good work in France, Switzerland, and Germany, yes, and in other countries of Europe also. I cannot promise that this will be the case, but I do say from my heart that we will spare no effort to have it thus. And may a prosperous journey, by the will of God, be granted to him and to sister W. to come unto us.
My heart is more encouraged with respect to the prosperity of the work here than at any former time. God is certainly coming near to us for our deliverance. His arm is mighty to help and to save. There is but one thing that I desire upon earth: it is to witness the salvation of many souls, and to share in that salvation myself. If I have sought earthly good in time past, I seek it no longer. May I from this time live alone for Him who died for me.
J. N. Andrews.
La Coudre, Neuchatel, Nov. 14.
Short Crops in Europe.
The London Morning Post, of Oct. 23, has a Berlin dispatch of the 22d, saying the depression of trade is felt so keenly by the industrial classes that the government has been requested, as a means of preventing acute distress, to resort to the measure successfully adopted in the last two wars, the establishment of loan banks. The government has not as yet shown much inclination to accede to the request. Serious distress is anticipated among the industrial working classes during the coming winter, and apprehensions are entertained of a crisis in financial circles.
The same paper also says: “Russian correspondents to German newspapers give distressing accounts of the unparalleled failure of this year’s harvest. Never before, it is asserted, has a failure been so general in Russia, both in geographical extent and in comprehensiveness, with regard to the crops affected. Russians are still familiar with the distress resulting from failing crops, by their experience of the Samara famine. That, however, was merely a local famine. The present is general. The entire cultivated zone is deprived of its expected harvest. From Arol to the Crimea, and from Tambow to Podolask, it is the same tale, and there is no prospect of help, for there is no one to help—all are groaning under the same load. In other years, if there is a failure of crops, it attacks only one species, be it cereals, or roots, or grass. But this year all crops have suffered alike.”
No abatement of the floods in England is reported. Thirteen persons perished at Nottingham, and six at Burton-on-Trent. Fifty-five persons lost their lives in one week by shipwrecks on the eastern coast of Scotland.
Michigan Population Rises to 1,334,031 in Census
MICHIGAN’S population, as ascertained by the census just completed by State authority, is 1,334,031, an increase of 149,972 as compared with the Federal census of 1874.
Jay, Michigan.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
In company with Bro. Fisher, we came to this place, Friday, Nov. 19. We designed to remain only till Monday morning, but I soon saw that circumstances demanded a longer stay, so I took up my appointment at Edenville and staid here two Sabbaths.
A large church was raised up here some seven or eight years ago, and a large meeting-house was built. Things went well for a short time; but in consequence of the injudicious labor of certain brethren, they soon got into trial, and became greatly divided. A large number, more than half, withdrew from the church, quite a number gave up the Sabbath entirely, others backslid, but held on to the Sabbath. Nearly all the young people, who might have been saved to the cause, grew up irreligious.
They have had more or less labor here from time to time, so that they have maintained an existence as a church, and have kept up Sabbath meetings, though they were frequently thinly attended. In all, I found some seventy-five Sabbath-keepers here. Some idea of their backslidden condition may be formed from the fact that out of this large number only six took the REVIEW, but a few copies of the Instructor were taken, and not one copy of the Reformer. Their S. B. had run down to less than one hundred dollars per year.
We had a good turnout at our first meeting, Friday evening. Sabbath morning their large house was well filled. Brethren were present from St. Charles, Saginaw, Williamstown, &c. All the old friends of the cause in this section turned out en masse, children and all. I reviewed, in a few of my first discourses, the evidences of our faith, the prophecies, the messages, the Sabbath, the nature of man, &c. The brethren said that this sounded like old times, and revived memories of their first love for the truth. I gave them the history of the progress and present condition of the cause. This seemed to stir them a great deal. At the close of our two days' meeting, they were just where there was some hope of doing something for them. All voted to continue the meetings another week.
During the daytime, Bro. Fisher and myself visited from house to house, calling on nearly every family. We commenced our meetings each evening at six o’clock, with prayer and social meeting till seven, then preaching till eight. At eight I dismissed the formal meeting, and we spent three-quarters of an hour in a visiting meeting. We found this latter meeting the best of all. We advised the brethren to go to each other, renew their acquaintance, and make confession of their wrongs, their coldness, and their backsliding, and to invite their old friends back, and talk with the unconverted and the unbeliever. This broke down the coldness which had existed among many. Some said that this was as good as when they first embraced the truth; others said they thought it was better. We had some excellent social meetings. Nearly every time, several new ones would take part in them. Hearty confessions were made, wet down with tears. A general feeling prevailed, and was expressed, that better times were now come for this people, that old difficulties would be laid aside, and that they could now be stronger than ever before.
The evening before our last Sabbath meeting, I made an appeal to the unconverted and the backslider to come forward. Twelve intelligent young men and women came forward and made a start for the first time, and besides these several who had been on the background now expressed their desire to take hold anew. Sabbath morning we had one of the best social meetings I have enjoyed for a long time. A large number took part with the deepest feeling. Most of those who started the evening before spoke in this meeting. I then made a call for all who wished to start anew, those who had been entirely backslidden, those who had never made a profession, and those who now wished to commence the observance of the Sabbath, to come forward. A general movement was made and some eighty persons thus took their stand. This was a sight that encouraged us exceedingly. After this quite a number more spoke. Then we had a pleasant time in celebrating the ordinances. Five joined the church.
On Sunday morning we had a good turnout. Bro. James Munger was ordained elder, and Bro. Jeremiah Munger was elected and ordained deacon. Systematic Benevolence was re-organized, amounting to $280. I obtained twelve subscribers for the REVIEW, seven for the Reformer, and three for the Instructor. Several more promised to subscribe for the REVIEW in a few days. We obtained $28.00 for the Kansas and Missouri brethren, and $11.50 on the Pacific press, besides, several shares were pledged. Four who had given up the Sabbath came back and commenced its observance again. Six who had never kept it before now took their stand with us.
I feel very loth to leave this place now. A good revival spirit is among the people. Could this effort now be followed up for a few weeks, I feel confident that there might be a church here of one hundred good members. I hardly know what to do about it. I feel strongly tempted to come back in a few weeks and carry on the work. At present, Bro. Fisher and Stoddard, both preachers, will remain and hold prayer meetings in the different neighborhoods each evening, and a general meeting once a week, and also upon the Sabbath, for two weeks. We hope that they will do much good, and that others who are feeling deeply, but are now halting, will take up the cross. We shall be disappointed if they do not.
I feel greatly encouraged to see even so much accomplished, though it is but a small part of what I know ought to be done. The great difficulty which I find in these meetings is this: The brethren and sisters take so little interest in the meetings on the start that many of the very ones we wish to reach do not come out at all till we have been at work two or three days. The elders and leading brethren in the church make but a faint effort to get people out to meeting or to bring their children. They do not seem to expect that much is going to be done, and when we tell them what has been done in other churches, they do not seem to dream that it can be done in their place or families. About the time our meetings close they begin to wake up. Then they regret that they did not make greater efforts to get their friends out to meeting. This has been so in every place thus far. What course to take to stir our friends to start in right I do not know, but I shall try something.
I have never seen so much interest manifested to hear the truth at any time or anywhere as during my meetings thus far in Michigan. At almost every place I go, our houses are crowded night after night; and this in our old churches where they have had lecture upon lecture, and where the truth has been but poorly represented. The Lord is evidently giving us the ears of the people.
I feel very thankful to God for strength to labor as continuously and hard as I do. I have not become hoarse at all thus far, nor very tired.
D. M. CANRIGHT.
Jay, Mich., Nov. 30, 1875.
Nebraska Mission Report: Lectures at Falls City and Arago
By Matthew Wing
Nebraska.
SINCE my last report, I have been trying to do what I could for the spread of the truth. Surely we should esteem it a privilege to be co-laborers with Jesus in the salvation of souls. The Lord has blessed me with health and strength, and so far my lot has been cast among a kind and generous people.
I commenced lectures at Falls City, Aug. 28. Circumstances were quite unfavorable, and I did not meet with very good success. The minds of the people were wholly occupied with the social and political themes of the day. Church festivals, picnics, shows, and concerts were attended and enjoyed by all classes. Paul’s prophecy in reference to professed Christians (2 Tim. 3:1–5) is fulfilled wherever we turn our eyes. After giving thirty-two lectures only one decided to keep the Sabbath; but there was a good interest manifested by a number of the hearers, and I trust I did not labor in vain.
I commenced lecturing at Arago, Sept. 6. I found eight persons there who were keeping183the Sabbath. They were not thriving—were not even sustaining Sabbath meetings. Some of them had united with the Methodists, and had almost lost their interest in present truth. I was with them four or five weeks, lecturing every night. The number of my hearers was not very large, but the interest manifested was good. Three others embraced the truth, and eleven signed the covenant to keep the Sabbath. We organized a Sabbath-school and established Sabbath meetings. The Lord was pleased to bless our efforts, and I hope we shall see good results in the future.
Oct. 7, I gave two lectures at a school-house about five miles north of Arago. The Monday following, I joined Bro. G. V. Kilgore in his labor at the Harkendorff School-house, five miles north-west of Falls City, where he had been lecturing about four weeks. Four intelligent believers embraced the truth, and will unite with the little company at Salem. We are now engaged in a series of meetings at a place four miles north-east of Salem. Our labor will probably be in the vicinity of this place during the winter. This seems to be a good opening, and I hope we shall be able to do some good. I pray God that we may have souls for our hire. Brethren, pray for us, that God may bless us, and the preaching of the third angel’s message in Nebraska.
Matthew Wing.
Meetings in Vermont.
By A. S. Hutchins
SINCE my last report, have spent two Sabbaths with the friends in Essex Junction. Most of the number who embraced the Sabbath here manifest a growing interest in the truth. Meetings are held regularly each week. Bro. Bean recently spent a Sabbath here. Two have been baptized by him.
Our Tract and Missionary meetings have been seasons of encouragement to the different churches. At the Berkshire meeting three discourses were preached besides attending to the business. There was freedom in the worship of God on the Sabbath. Bro. D. A. Robinson preached one sermon, and Bro. C. W. Stone preached the evening following the Sabbath. It was a matter of gratitude to us all to hear Bro. S. say with much feeling and in tears, “I long for the time to come when I can labor in the cause of God, and become tired in the work as I now get exhausted in teaching.” There are other young men in Vermont upon whom the Lord has claims, who would do well to break away from friends and home cares, and do the will of the Master.
The meetings in Dist. No. 2 also left a very salutary influence upon the Irasburgh and Charleston church. After the close of the meeting on first-day, Nov. 14, we rode some six miles in a snow-storm, and I baptized six, who, with six others, were added to the church. I obtained six subscribers for the SIGNS.
The meetings at Jericho last Sabbath and first-day seemed to inspire courage and good hope in the hearts of the church there. There was good freedom in preaching the word on the Sabbath, and a refreshing social meeting on first-day morning, preceding business transactions.
But we cannot forbear expressing the deep regret we feel that there are so few reports of missionary labor given by the brethren and sisters. Until there is more interest manifested by the majority of the brethren in the direction of laboring to reach men with our publications, and to otherwise labor judiciously for the salvation of souls, our missionary work will not be what it should be; it will not be what it must be to properly discharge our duty and to secure the approving smiles of Him who gave his life for us.
Dear reader, think of what Jesus has suffered and sacrificed for us, and then ask yourself the question, What have I done for him? We hope the good resolutions formed in our meetings may be carried out in the ensuing quarter; that God’s blessing may rest upon the workers; and that at the next series of quarterly meetings, life, and power, and spirit, may be given our business sessions by reports from the great majority instead of the minority. And we do hope that the hearts of our brethren and sisters will become so deeply filled with a love for this work that they will toil faithfully through the quarter and then come to the meetings prepared to remain to their close, instead of going home before the transaction of the business. God is blessing this branch of our great work to the salvation of souls. Oh! who will be among the workers? Who will be of the number to whom it shall be said by the Master, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant”?
I receive good reports from meetings in other districts, where I could not meet with them. On the whole, our Health Almanacs have been taken freely. In a new district (with few members), the smallest in the State, the director writes, “I think five hundred almanacs will be all we can distribute.” Let the faint-hearted in other districts think of this, and take courage for the work.
A. S. HUTCHINS.
Nov. 25, 1875.
Showing Yourself a Lover of Truth
SHOW yourself to be a great lover of truth so that the greatest credit may be given to your simple word.
Tonawanda, N. Y.
By S. B. Whitney
At the time of my last report I was lecturing in the Disciple chapel, but after about a week the house was taken from us for meetings of their own, and we were obliged to return to the hall. This sensibly affected our attendance, which was small at best, but I did not feel at liberty to leave, as some of the leading members of the church earnestly protested against their action and publicly declared their purpose to follow us to the hall, which they did.
I have labored under great discouragements, the weather being very unpropitious and the attendance very small, on one occasion being reduced to three persons, aside from Bro. Nicola and family, although we have advertised freely and done what we could to get the people out.
Still, I have had such encouragement as I seldom or never had before. The owner of the hall is the principal partner in a heavy lumber firm, and president of a banking house run by the same firm. He has attended every meeting but one; has steadily used his influence to get others to attend, advertising at his own expense, taking me into his carriage, driving to the clergymen’s houses, and giving them notices to read; has furnished the hall and warmed it, free of charge, and made me a donation of five dollars, besides freely entertaining me at his house. He sees the truth plainly and advocates the Sabbath, but does not see his way clear, as yet, to obey.
The cashier of the bank, however, who is one of the elders of the Disciple church, has informed me that he is convinced of the truth and must obey; and as he is a man of large influence among them, and a number of others of the same church are almost persuaded, we confidently hope for more fruit. Those interested are among the best in the church and community. Under these circumstances I have felt forbidden to leave the ground.
Some two weeks ago, having received an invitation to hold meetings at a place on the railroad about six miles from here, called LaSalle, and the hall being occupied so much of the time, I went there thinking I could look after the interest here at the same time. I obtained the Methodist house, but after holding a few meetings it was locked against me, which stopped my operations there for the time being, but learning that the trustees are not in sympathy with the move, but decidedly opposed to it, I visited them yesterday and obtained a written certificate for the use of the house for a series of meetings of indefinite length, and am to resume to-night, the Lord willing.
S. B. WHITNEY.
December 1, 1875.
Meetings in Rossville and Volney, Iowa
By C. A. Washburn; F. A. Barlow
Iowa.
At the time of our last report, we had just commenced holding meetings in Rossville, Allamakee Co. We remained about three weeks. The Baptist friends kindly granted us the privilege of using their house of worship, for which they have our thanks. The people of this place seemed willing and anxious to hear the evidences of our faith. We also held a few meetings in Volney, four miles from Rossville. A few embraced the truth, two of whom have since united with the Waukon church. We sold some books, and obtained a few subscribers for the REVIEW, on trial.
We attended the quarterly meeting at Waukon, Oct. 2, 3. We feel to thank God and take courage for his blessing received during this meeting, especially while celebrating the ordinances. Two were baptized, and one united with this church.
C. A. WASHBURN,
F. A. BARLOW.
COME
By M. A. Davis
“The Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”
O WANDERER, heavy laden, come,
The Saviour calls to-day;
Within the fold there yet is room,
Why, then, remain away?
Come to the Great Physician, come!
His touch will make thee whole;
Bow to his yoke, and thou wilt find
Rest for the weary soul.
For thee he toiled up Calvary’s side;
For thee he bowed his head and died.
The city of God in her loveliness,
Her palaces and towers,
With Heaven’s own sunlight falling soft
On her bright, immortal bowers,
The river of life, the crystal sea,
Life’s tree with its fruitage fair,
And the angel harpers bid thee come
To dwell ’mid the glory there.
Wouldst thou enter those shining gates of day?
Turn, then, from the glitter of earth away.
We have heard, and we gladly echo the call,
Come from the fields of strife,
Come to the pastures cool and green,
Come to the fount of life.
Long we to broken cisterns sought,
But they left us thirsting still,
And we turned with joy to the living stream
That flows from Zion’s hill.
Unsealed to man on Calvary’s brow,
Through earth’s dark plains it floweth now.
Ho, every one who thirsteth, come,
Drink from the healing tide.
Why seek to quench thy fevered thirst
Earth’s turbid streams beside?
Come to the living waters, come!
To-day they freely flow;
Drink from this stream, and nevermore
Soul-thirsting shalt thou know.
While Jesus pleads there yet is room,
Whoever is athirst may come.
And whosoever will may come;
Turn thee, why wilt thou die?
Delay not, lest thou be too late,
And he not heed thy cry.
E’en now the day is waning fast,
’Tis Mercy’s last sweet call;
Soon Justice will the scepter sway,
Soon will the darkness fall.
Haste thee, oh haste! ere thou seek to hide
In terror from the Crucified.
Battle Creek, Mich.
M. A. DAVIS.
Obituary Notices.
“Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth.”
Gently fell asleep, Oct. 27, 1875, our darling daughter, Clara Eliza, aged ten months. Her disease was cholera infantum and erysipelas. We trust our little one will be given us again if we are faithful till the Lifegiver comes.
Simon P. & Clara Loop.
Died, at Sheridan, Ill., Sept. 18, 1875, Robert F., son of Bro. and Sr. Alfred Nettlingham, aged ten months. The disease was cholera infantum, which continued only one week ere death closed the eyes of this innocent little one. The funeral sermon was preached in the S. D. Adventist house of worship, at Sheridan, Oct. 31, 1875. Text: 2 Sam. 12: 23.
G. W. Colcord.
Died, near Hebron, Wis., of whooping cough and teething, our infant son, Arlington James, aged seven months. Our hearts are sad, but we hope to meet our darling again in the morning of the first resurrection. Blessed hope!
Rosina Garlock.
Died, in Waterloo, Grant Co., Wis., Nov. 12, 1875, Emma A., adopted daughter of Edward and Emma A. Robinson, aged three years and eleven months. Funeral services were held at the Adventist church. Words of comfort were spoken to the mourning friends from the 14th chapter of Job.