Earlier text: Illustrating the Doctrine“A Standard for the People.”
By A. P. Lawton
“Go through, go through the gates; prepare ye the way of the people; cast up, cast up the highway; gather out the stones; lift up a standard for the people.” Isa. 62: 10. We believe that, as a people, we are fulfilling this command more nearly than any other people on the earth. All the sins and errors of the last days are, in the name of the Lord, with his word, met and answered. With the truth clothed with power from on high, one can chase a thousand; without this, we are as Samson shorn of his strength. Of what is being done, we have nothing to boast. We have much to fear, lest while we are made the keepers of other vineyards, we neglect to keep our own. Have we gone through the gates and prepared our own way? Have we gathered out the stones? Anger, wrath, malice, envy, jealousy, pride, covetousness, self-love, and self-esteem are impediments that must be removed before God can successfully work with us. While we preach to others the most solemn truths the world ever heard, what manner of persons ought we to be, that we may not only make a plain path, but be careful to walk therein; that the recording angel in our case may make a clean record. We, the same as others, have our own natural hearts to contend with, added to which, the dragon is waging an uncompromising warfare on the remnant, who keep the commandments of God, and have the faith of Jesus. The enemy is strengthening his fortifications, arranging his batteries, and making fearful discharges upon our frontiers. Hence, the warning of the apostle to be vigilant. The hatred of our grand enemy to Bible truth, is only equaled by his efforts to destroy it. In God, we are more than a match; more are they that are for us, than they that are against us. In the name of the Lord, we set up our banner. In the name of the Lord, we are well able to go up and possess the goodly land. God still lives, and his word will rise superior to all opposition. We fight, not as uncertainly. Eternal life, the victor’s reward, is worth the effort. Spiritualism is accommodating itself to every class. The bait is now thrown out by the name of Christian Spiritualist, by a Methodist minister, by the name of Watson. The title of the book is, “The Clock Struck One.” What spiritualism in the rough could not accomplish, this bait will be sure to do, dressed in this new garment, though it is the same child still. This is to deceive, if possible, the very elect. The caution to be vigilant is not amiss. Its need is more and more apparent. We must heed it, or all will be lost. We are in the enemy’s land, and have not a moment to waste upon ourselves or others, in this conflict with our foe; lest, while we sleep, the enemy will gain the time, and steal the deadly march upon us. The warning is given, and must be heeded. Who will heed and prepare for the issue? Who will throw themselves into the gap and wrestle against spiritual wickedness in high places, and in the name of the Lord and in his strength go forth to struggle and to conquer. The fields are ripening for the harvest. Soon it will be said to the angel, “Thrust in thy sharp sickle and reap; for the harvest of the earth is fully ripe.” The Landlord Who Refused to Sell Again
A YOUNG man entered the bar-room of a village tavern and called for a drink. The landlord said, “No, you have had too much already. You have had the delirium tremens once, and I cannot sell you any more.” He stepped aside to make room for two young men who had just entered, and the landlord waited upon them very politely. The other had stood by silent, and when the others had finished, he walked up to the landlord, and thus addressed him: “Six years ago, at that age, I stood where those young men are now. I was a man with fair prospects. Now, at the age of twenty-eight, I am a wreck, body and mind. You led me to drink. In this room I formed the habit that has been my ruin. Now give me a few glasses more, and your work is done. I shall soon be out of the way. There’s no hope for me. But they can be saved; they may be men again. Do not sell it to them. Sell it to me, and let me die, and the world will be rid of me; but for Heaven’s sake sell them no more!” The landlord listened, pale and trembling. Setting down the decanter, he exclaimed: “God helping me, that is the last drop I will ever sell to any one!” And he kept his word. Home Influence.
By Rev. Mr. Cuyler
If the father chiefly talks “money, money,” at home, he generally rears a family in the worship of the almighty dollar. If he talks mainly horses, games, and races, he breeds a batch of sportsmen. If fashion is the family altar, then the children are offered up as victims on that altar. If a man makes his own fireside attractive, he may reasonably hope to anchor his own children around it. My neighbor Q—— makes himself the constant evening companion of his boys. The result is that his boys are never found in bad places. But if the father hears the clock strike eleven in a club house or the play house, he need not be surprised if the boys hear it strike twelve in the gaming room or the drinking saloon. If he puts the bottle on his own table, he need not wonder if a drunken son staggers in by and by at his front door. When the best friend that childhood and youth ought to have, becomes their foe, the home becomes the “starting point” for moral ruin.—Rev. Mr. Cuyler. The Warm Hand of Sympathy.
TILL we have reflected on it, we are scarcely aware how much the sum of human happiness in this world is indebted to this one feeling—sympathy. We get cheerfulness and vigor, we scarcely know how or when, from mere association with our fellow-men, and from the looks reflected on us of gladness and enjoyment. We catch inspiration and power to go on, from human presence and from cheerful looks. The woman works with added energy, having others by. The full family circle has a strength and a life peculiarly its own. The substantial good and the effectual relief which men extend to one another is trifling. It is not by these, but by something far less costly, that the work is done. God has insured it by a much more simple machinery. He has given to the weakest and the poorest power to contribute largely to the common stock of gladness. The child's smile and laugh are mighty powers in this world. When bereavement has left you desolate, what substantial benefit is there which makes condolence acceptable? It can bestow upon you nothing permanent. But a warm hand has touched yours, and its thrill told you that there was a living response there to your emotion. One look, one human sigh, has done more for you than the costliest present could convey.—Thoughts for Weary Hours. True Liberty Respects the Rights of Others
TRUE liberty consists in the privilege of enjoying our own rights—not in the destruction of the rights of others. An invention which threatens to interfere greatly with our commerce is reported from Paris, and if it proves a success, it will probably have the effect of causing an entire revolution among the southern planters. This new discovery is a method of making sugar by uniting into a compound its constituent atoms of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. The inventor, M. Jouglet, says that the cost of production will be 50 cents per cwt., and he has already so far succeeded in establishing the utility of his invention that a company of manufacturers have been persuaded to purchase it from him for the comparatively moderate sum of $40,000. What the sugar planters and refiners will do if this discovery turns out to be as important as it promises, remains to be seen; but there is no doubt that if it is only partially successful, strange developments may be expected. The invention is said to be very simple, and one easily explained, and endless quantities of saccharine substance can, it is claimed, be manufactured by this new process in so short a time and at so small a cost as to preclude the possibility of competition.—N. Y. World. Business Proceedings of the Twelfth Annual Meeting of the S. D. A. General Conference.
By Geo. I. Butler; Uriah Smith
THE S. D. A. General Conference held its twelfth annual meeting, according to appointment, in Battle Creek, Mich., Nov. 14, 1873. The President, Geo. I. Butler, in the chair. Opening prayer by J. N. Andrews. Delegates being called for, the following responded:—
Eld. R. F. Andrews, Illinois.
P. Z. Kinne, New York.
Jas. Harvey, Indiana.
Eld. S. N. Haskell, New England.
Eld. Jas. White, California.
A. Vuilleumier, Swiss Mission.
Eld. John Matteson, Danish Mission.
Eld. Geo. I. Butler, Iowa.
Oliver Mears, Ohio. The smallness of the number of delegates present was owing to the shortness of the notice, which did not give all time to appoint delegates in due form. Brethren being present from different parts of the field, On motion, it was voted that the President appoint from those present, persons to act as delegates from the different Conferences. The following were appointed:—
D. A. Robinson to act for Maine.
A. S. Hutchins, “ “ “ Vermont.
C. Comings, “ “ “ N. England.
Eld. J. N. Andrews, “ “ New York.
Eld. J. H. Waggoner,
Eld. I. D. Van Horn,
Harmon Kenyon,
Harmon Lindsay,
A. W. Maynard,
Ira Abbey, Michigan.
Eld. John Matteson, “ “ Wisconsin.
Wm. Ings, “ “ Iowa. Bro. White made remarks explaining the call for a Conference at the present time. It was for the purpose of arranging matters preparatory to extending the work on the Pacific coast, sending a missionary to Switzerland, &c. Minutes of last meeting read and accepted. Amount on hand at the time of last report, March 3, 1873, $4,375.63
Amount received since last report, $4,663.00
Total, $9,039.63
Amount paid out since last report, $4,879.88
Balance on hand, Nov. 12, 1873, $4,159.75
E. B. Gaskill, Treas. On motion, it was referred to the Conference Committee to determine at what points in the meeting the annual addresses appointed at last Conference should be presented. On motion, the President appointed the following committees:—
On Auditing: Oliver Mears, Ira Abbey.
On Nominations: I. D. Van Horn, P. Z. Kinne, Jas. Harvey.
On Resolutions: J. N. Andrews, J. H. Waggoner, John Matteson.
On Preaching: The preachers present. Reports from laborers being called for, responses were made by Bro. Matteson, respecting the work among the Scandinavians. Many items of interest and encouragement were mentioned. Bro. White related many interesting incidents of his sojourn the past summer in Colorado. Met according to adjournment, and listened to the opening discourse by Eld. Jas. White, based on the 10th chapter of Revelation. Sunday, 4 P. M. Prayer by Eld. S. N. Haskell. Committee on Nominations reported by suggesting the following persons as officers of the Conference the coming year, who were unanimously elected:— President: Eld. Geo. I. Butler, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa.
Secretary: Sydney Brownsberger, Battle Creek, Mich.
Treasurer: E. B. Gaskill, Battle Creek, Mich.
Conference Committee: Geo. I. Butler, S. N. Haskell, Harmon Lindsay. The General Conference Committee reported through the Chairman in reference to the matter committed to their hands by the last Conference in reference to inducing proper persons to move to Battle Creek. He reported a number of families brought in, in this manner. Their action was approved by vote of the Conference. On motion, the committee were requested to continue their action for the year to come. The Conference Committee, having been intrusted with the matter of raising funds for a denominational school, reported through the Chairman. Fifty-two thousand dollars have been pledged. Most of the session was taken up with remarks by various persons. Adjourned to call of the President. The report of the Committee on Resolutions being called for, they reported the following, which were adopted:— 1. Resolved, That God has committed to us as a people two great truths which he holds us responsible to set before our fellow men, viz., the doctrine of the near advent of Christ, and that of the commandments of God, and the holy Sabbath. 2. Resolved, That while we must ever feel an interest in those who are looking for the return of the Lord, we deeply regret the opposition of many of the Advent people to the Sabbath and the law of God; and we cherish toward them no spirit of contention or of bitterness, but hope that with many of them a more candid spirit toward these great truths may yet prevail. 3. Resolved, That we recognize in the S. D. Baptists a people whom God has highly honored in making them in past ages the depositaries of his law and Sabbath, and that we desire, so far as practicable, to co-operate with them in leading men to the conscientious observance of the commandments of God. 4. Resolved, That we fully indorse the position taken in the paper read by Eld. Butler on Leadership. And we express our firm conviction, that our failure to appreciate the guiding hand of God in the selection of his instruments to lead out in this work has resulted in serious injury to the prosperity of the cause, and in spiritual loss to ourselves. And we hereby express our full purpose of heart faithfully to regard these principles, and we invite all our brethren to unite with us in this action. 5. Resolved, That our confidence is increased in the gift of the Spirit of prophecy which God has so mercifully placed in the third angel's message; and that we will endeavor to maintain an affectionate regard for its presence and its teachings; and we hereby request our Executive Committee to prepare or cause to be prepared a work giving our reasons for believing the testimonies of sister White to be the teachings of the Holy Spirit. 6. Resolved, That we behold the wisdom and goodness of God in the reforms which he has introduced among this people. And with deep regret we have noticed a declension from both the health and dress reforms. And we entreat our people to arouse and to make these subjects matters of conscience, and to take that stand which will make us an example to the world, and secure the approbation of God. 7. Resolved, That we feel the deepest interest in the work among people of other tongues, and recommend to our Executive Committee to take steps for the speedy publication of tracts and periodicals in other languages; and we heartily indorse the suggestion of Bro. White, not to wait for the cause to grow so strong among them that they can pay for these works, but to move out by faith as was done in the first publication of the REVIEW AND HERALD, believing that the true method of extending the cause in that direction is to furnish them with present truth publications. 8. Resolved, That we recommend to the officers of the different State Conferences, who arrange the quarterly meetings and missionary labor among the churches, to see that labor is bestowed upon the churches of other tongues in their State the same as upon those of our own nationality. 9. Resolved, That as a Conference we express our sincere approval of the action of our Executive Committee during the past year, involving, as it has, peculiar responsibilities in respect to the advancement of the work of God, and making more definite and plain the principles which should govern our action, as a people, and we believe that in these things they have had the special guidance of the Holy Spirit. 10. Resolved, That we consider it for the interests of the Tract and Missionary Societies to so consolidate their system by some general organization, that at the General Conference each Conference society may be represented, and thus uniformity of action be secured. Amendment. That the General Conference Committee be requested to prepare a plan to secure the object herein mentioned. A letter from the Missouri Conference was read by the President, and referred to the Gen. Conf. Committee for such action as they shall think is demanded. On motion, the President was authorized to appoint a committee of four to act with the Executive Committee of the Conference, in the formation of an Educational Society preparatory to the establishment of a denominational school. The following persons were appointed: James White, Ira Abbey, J. N. Andrews, and Uriah Smith. The General Conference Committee were instructed by vote of the Conference to appoint a delegate to the S. D. Baptist General Conference, in season for its next session. Adjourned. Geo. I. Butler, Pres.
U. Smith, Sec. Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association.
By James White; A. P. Van Horn
FOURTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING.
According to notice given in the REVIEW, the fourteenth annual meeting of the Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association was held at Battle Creek, Mich., on the 17th day of November, 1873, at nine o’clock A. M. The President, Eld. James White, called the meeting to order, and offered the opening prayer. The calling of the roll showed fifty-three stockholders present, representing two hundred and seven votes. The meeting thus organized, On motion, adjourned to the call of the President. Meeting called by the President, Nov. 17, at three o’clock P. M. Prayer by the President. The following report of the financial workings of the Association was read and approved:— Report to the Fourteenth Annual Meeting of the Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association for the year ending Nov. 12, 1873. Cash on hand March 3, 1873, $14,826.78
Received on Review, $7,844.33
“ Youth’s Instructor, 1,442.23
“ Accounts and Deposits, 43,191.05
“ Shares, 490.00
“ Donations and Legacies, 658.50
“ Job Work, 3,592.84
“ Sales, 10,578.40
“ Book Fund, 222.98
“ Educational Fund, 7,390.50
“ Mich. Conf. “ 4,438.69
“ Gen. “ 4,663.00
$84,512.52
Total, $99,339.30 Paid out on Acc’ts & Deposits, $40,612.53
“ “ for Stock, 9,476.88
“ “ “ Real Estate, 9,493.77
“ “ “ Office Labor, 8,804.81
“ “ “ Wood & Incidentals, 2,464.14
“ “ “ Type & Office Fixtures, 621.60
“ “ “ Writing MSS., 422.06
“ “ “ On Educational Fund, 242.01
“ “ “ Book, 1,261.26
“ “ “ Mich. Conf., “ 4,698.81
“ “ “ Gen. Conf., “ 4,879.88
Cash on hand to balance, 16,366.55
Total, $99,339.30 Total value of the Property of the Association, $88,160.25
Association holds Notes to the amount of, 2,505.32
Due on Book Account, 12,675.39
Cash on hand Nov. 12, 1873, 16,366.55
Total, $119,707.51 The Association owes as follows:
On Notes, $2,402.00
“ Book Account, 34,917.12
Total, $37,319.12 Assets after all debts are paid, $82,388.39
Assets as given in last report, 68,201.49
Increase during the year, $14,186.90 C. W. Comings, Treasurer. I hereby certify that I have carefully examined the books and accounts of the S. D. A. P. Association, and find them correctly kept, and that the above report of the Treasurer shows a correct statement of the financial condition of the Association according to my best information and belief. It was moved by a written motion by J. N. Andrews that a committee of three be appointed by the President to present an informal nomination of officers to be balloted for by the Association. Carried. The following brethren were appointed as said committee: J. N. Andrews, J. H. Waggoner, I. D. Van Horn. After consultation, this committee presented the following names for officers: President, James White; Vice-President, Harmon Lindsay; Secretary, M. S. Merriam; Treasurer, C. W. Comings; Auditor, Miss A. M. Driscall; Publishing Committee, James White, Geo. I. Butler, S. N. Haskell. The stockholders then proceeded to a formal nomination by ballot, which resulted in the full nomination of the officers presented by the committee in the order given above. By ballot, the stockholders elected by a unanimous vote the officers nominated. Moved, By J. H. Waggoner, that Eld. James White be elected Editor of the ADVENT REVIEW AND HERALD OF THE SABBATH. Carried. Moved, By J. H. Waggoner, that Virginia A. Merriam be elected Editress of the Youth’s Instructor. Carried. On motion, meeting adjourned to the call of the President. James White, Pres.
A. P. Van Horn, Sec. Letter from Iowa.
By E. M. Pierce
Dear Review: I wrote you once before from Omro, Wisconsin, saying I was not then a subscriber for the Review. Now, I take pleasure in sending the subscription for six months. Its teachings are dearer to me than victuals, drink, or raiment, and I would much rather be stinted in the necessities of life than do without it. Since I wrote before, we have emigrated to this country, and I don’t know that there are any S. D. Adventists near here. I should be glad to know of it, if there are any. There is a church of first-day Adventists at the village of Clear Lake. I desire to share the inheritance of the righteous, and believe that I may, if I strive as earnestly as I should. I fully realize the dangers which beset one who has started upon the pilgrimage for the celestial city. It seems as if Satan has guarded the191 whole pathway with snares of every description. I desire an interest in the prayers of all, that I may meet you all at the “heavenly meeting,” especially those whose writings have been instrumental in teaching me the way of truth. How much I would like to know them personally. Excuse this rambling note. It seems pleasant to think that it will meet the eye of one of like “precious faith.” I have not seen one for months with whom to exchange thoughts, but hope that the time is not far distant when some of our ministers will find their way here. Come, labor on:
Who dares stand idle on the harvest plain,
While all around him waves the golden grain,
And every servant hears the Master say,
“Go, work to-day”? Come, labor on:
The laborers are few, the field is wide,
New stations must be filled, and blanks supplied;
From voices distant far, or near at home,
The call is, “Come.” Come, labor on:
The enemy is watching, night and day,
To sow the tares, to snatch the seed away;
While we in sleep our duty have forgot,
He slumbereth not. Come, labor on:
Away with gloomy doubt and faithless fear!
No arm so weak but may do service here;
By feeblest agents can our God fulfill
His righteous will. Come, labor on:
No time for rest, till glows the western sky,
While the long shadows o’er our pathway lie,
And a glad sound comes with the setting sun,—
“Servants, well done!” Come, labor on:
The toil is pleasant, the reward is sure;
Blessed are those who to the end endure;
How full their joy, how deep their rest shall be,
O Lord, with thee. —Sel. California Quarterly Meeting at Bloomfield and Counsel
By John Norton Loughborough
My last report was made at Oakland, Oct. 28. Sabbath and first-day, Nov. 1, 2, I attended the quarterly meeting at Bloomfield. Quite a number of our brethren and sisters came in from other churches, and the meetings were interesting and profitable. In connection with this meeting our State officers of the Conference and Missionary Society came together to counsel on matters vitally affecting the prosperity of the cause in this State. We desire to so discern the signs of the times as to be moved to earnest action; to so understand our relation to God and our fellow men that we shall understandingly take hold of our labors for others; to so relate ourselves to surrounding circumstances, and so improve openings and opportunities to do good that we may not be cursed for doing “the work of God negligently,” Jer. 48:10, margin, but that we may receive the plaudit, “Well done.” It was decided, among many things, that our business agents of the different divisions of the Tract and Missionary Society in California send their business for the REVIEW Office to J. W. Bond, State Miss. Secretary, Healdsburg, Sonoma Co., Cal. and let him do the business direct with the publication Office, to save much confusion and mistakes that might otherwise arise. By writing to Bro. Bond, our agents can make all necessary arrangements with him. Sabbath and first-day, Nov. 8, 9, I was with the company at St. Helena, and had four interesting meetings. Eight were baptized on first-day. A Sabbath-school and Bible-class were organized, and a leader appointed. There are thirty-four names on the covenant at St. Helena. They have had several meetings by themselves, and report that they are blessed and encouraged to press on. In passing Napa, I saw that our people have their new meeting house raised, and work is moving briskly on. I saw one of the brethren at the depot, who told me that some $1250 had already been subscribed toward the house besides the $400.00 lot donated by an outside friend. This brother stated that they have very interesting and encouraging meetings. My desire is to see the work still move on in this State. If the three hundred and fifty Sabbath-keepers now in the State are all in earnest, and make it a personal, individual work to serve God; if they are not satisfied with the mere theory of the truth, but earnestly seek God that we may have the power of the truth, and God’s love in our hearts, then may we be like “the handful of corn in the top of the mountains, that shall shake like Lebanon.” So may it be. San Francisco, Cal., Nov. 12, 1873. Wisconsin: Meetings at Loyal Close With Twelve Converts
By H. W. Decker
I have just closed a series of meetings at Loyal, Clark Co. Twelve decided to keep the Sabbath. Obtained four subscribers for the Review, and two for the Instructor. I feel very grateful to the Lord for his blessing and help which I have realized through this meeting. H. W. Decker. Brodhead, Wis. “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth.” Died, in Whitewater, Walworth Co., Wis., Oct. 21, 1873, of consumption, after an illness of about ten months, our daughter, Genie Smith, aged twenty-one years, ten months, and seven days. Genie embraced present truth under the labors of Bro. Sanborn, and united with the Johnstown church about eight years ago. She was a patient sufferer and died in hope of a part in the first resurrection. Funeral discourse by Eld. Wells, Methodist. Died, Nov. 2, 1873, at his residence in Newton Co., Mo., Bro. J. L. Bland, aged fifty-seven years, nine months, and four days. Bro. Bland was a member of the Christian church for thirty years, and lived in that light until the spring of 1870. He then embraced the whole truth, and has been an ardent lover of God’s law and a consistent Christian, and has greatly encouraged the lonely company of Sabbath-keepers who are struggling here to be overcomers. Died, at her home near Sparta, Monroe Co., Wis., Sept. 18, 1873, sister Betsey M. Smith, in the fifty-second year of her age. Sister Smith died in full hope of a part in the first resurrection when Jesus, who is our life, shall appear. She leaves a husband and three sons to mourn their loss. May they feel the importance of preparing to meet her where sickness and death will never come. She chose as a text for her funeral discourse, 1 Cor. 15: 55-58. Died, near Elpaso, Ill., at his daughter’s house, Oct. 30, 1873, our dear father, J. B. Merritt, in the sixty-second year of his age. Although he suffered much for several months with rheumatism, which terminated in quick consumption, yet he seemed willing to bear all the pain which, in a wise Providence, was his portion, and was resigned to the will of God. Father professed faith in Christ when a young man, and was baptized and united with the Christian church. He taught his family to fear and obey God. At Gilboa, Ohio, sixteen years ago, he heard the lectures of Elds. Cornell and Holt, in which he was deeply interested. He then gladly received the light, and desired to dedicate himself more fully to God, and walk in obedience to all his commandments. He was baptized, and ever after observed the Sabbath of the Lord. We deeply feel our loss, but the blessed hope sustains us. We buried him at Princeville, where he will rest till the Redeemer, of whose coming he loved to hear, shall call forth his ransomed. May we be prepared to meet him in the resurrection. REV. MR. BELL was always punctual.—Whoever might be late at meeting, at the funeral, or anywhere else, they all knew that Mr. Bell would not. If called to attend a wedding, his foot was on the door-step and his hand on the bell-handle when the clock was striking the hour. It was, at first, quite annoying to his flock to go according to their old habits to a funeral, and meet it on the way to the grave, or go to a wedding, and to find it over before they thought of getting there. So old Mr. Slow waited on the minister to ask him why he “was always in such a hurry, and so afraid of being too late.” “Well, my good friend, I will tell you; and if, after hearing me, you do not think I am right in this thing, I will try to alter.” “That’s surely fair,” slowly said Mr. Slow, as if afraid to commit himself. “When I was a young man, and had been preaching only a few months, I was invited to go to a distant town and preach to a destitute people. I went for some weeks, and then returned home for a few days, promising to be back, without fail, the next Sunday. Well, I had a pleasant week among my kind relatives, and was so engaged that I hardly thought of my solemn duties, till Saturday returned, and then my sister and a beautiful friend of hers persuaded me to go out a little while in the little boat Cinderella, on our beautiful lake. The day was fine, and Cinderella spun and darted under my oars as if a thing of life. When we got ashore, I found it two o’clock, and I knew the cars started in fifteen minutes! “I left the ladies, and ran home, and caught up my carpet-bag, and ran for the depot. I saw the cars had arrived. I heard the bell ring. With all my strength I ran—I saw them start. I redoubled my efforts, and got within fifteen feet of the cars! Oh, for thirty seconds more! Thirty seconds too late! No more! The next day was a fair, still, sweet Sunday. My mountain people gathering, coming down from the glens and following the rills, filled the house of worship. But there was no minister; and the hungry sheep had no shepherd to feed them! He was thirty seconds too late!” “There was a poor, old blind man, who lived four miles from the church, and seldom could he get to meeting. That day he ate breakfast early, and his little granddaughter led him all the way down the mountain to the church. How weary, sad, and disappointed he was! There was no minister to speak to him. He was thirty seconds too late!” “There was a sick child up one of the glens of the mountain, and she had been inquiring all the week for her minister. She was so anxious to see him, and have him pray with her. How she hailed the day when he would be there! But no! he was not there. “There was a great gathering of children to the Sunday-school. And their little eyes glistened, for their minister promised to preach them ‘a little sermon’ to-day; but he was not there. He was thirty seconds too late!” “That poor old blind man never came to the church again. He was too feeble, and never heard another sermon or prayer. The minister was thirty seconds too late!” “That little girl was dead before I got back, and I could only shed tears over her corpse! I had been thirty seconds too late!” “On my bended knees I asked God’s forgiveness, and promised him, that if possible, I would never again be thirty seconds too late!” “And now, Mr. Slow, am I right in my punctuality?” “Well, I guess it don’t look quite so unreasonable as it might!” And if it is not well to put off the things of life, is it safe to put off preparation for eternity?— Sel. “Watch the Gaps.”
By M. J. Chapman
A GAP is “an opening in anything made by breaking or parting; an entrance, a passage.” Most children, of farmers especially, understand the meaning of the words in the above heading; for what child has not been instructed by its parents or guardians, at some time, to watch an entrance into a field to prevent cattle, or anything which might do mischief, from going into it while they were gone to secure their crops, expecting soon to return with a load through the gap thus made? Sometimes a number of playmates are left together to do this work, and it occasionally happens that they are so playful they forget the task assigned them, allowing some destructive creature to enter and accomplish a work of ruin before they are aware of it. They then understand the importance of watching. If they had watched, the mischief would have been avoided. Like the good man of the house, if they had watched, the thief would not have entered. As I was examining my heart a few evenings since, I discovered gaps, or weak places, where the enemy sometimes gets the advantage, and while querying how I could best overcome him, these words came forcibly to my mind: “Watch the gaps.” My mind quickly reverted to my childhood days, when I sometimes engaged in this work with neighboring children. I felt that if it was important to watch then, how much more so in the work of overcoming sin. There are many avenues, or entrances, to the heart, and we have an enemy that employs a large force in the work of seeking possession of that field. He stations his guards and pickets in every available place, while he himself plans the siege. He knows full well the meaning of the word, watch, and that his chance for accomplishing his purpose is small, save at times when his opponent is off his guard. He avails himself of every such opportunity, rushes in his forces, and does his work of destruction. The power of the enemy is very great, and as he is always prowling around to find an unguarded gap, how necessary that we ascertain every place where he can possibly gain admittance, and secure it against his attacks. We certainly should not be less zealous than he, for he desires our eternal ruin; on the contrary, if we are successful in closing all these avenues against him, we shall be among the victors when the warfare is done. We cannot conquer so powerful a foe in our own strength; but there is One stronger than he, who will help fight our battles if we place implicit confidence in him. Let us seek wisdom from this Source to aid us in discovering all these avenues, and then, instead of making them wider by yielding to temptation, in his strength let us cast impregnable bulwarks about them, thus defeating Satan in his efforts to wound us with his fiery darts. “Take Jesus for thy trust;
Watch while the foe is near;
Gird well the armor on,
Watch till thy Lord appear.” The Dress of Civilized Women.
I do declare that I think it would be better to die and get out of torment at once than have to rise every morning for some forty or fifty years, and box one's body up in a sort of compressive armor, hang weights to one's hips, and more weights upon one's head—which last are supported by the roots of the hair; put one's feet into shoes a number too small, and not of the right shape, and with heels like stilts; and then set about doing the whole duty of woman with a cheerful face and a spry air, for from fifteen to seventeen mortal hours out of the twenty-four. That there are so many women who are not frightened into a decline at such a prospect, and that they bravely undertake to do it—nay, more, that they even dream that, under such disadvantages, they can work side by side with an unshackled man, and that they die in trying to do it, certainly says much for their courage, but very little for their common sense. A man's dress, to a great extent, is fashioned for comfort. He has contrivances for suspending the weight of his clothing from his shoulders. If the east wind blows, he can turn up his coat collar, button himself up snugly, slouch his hat over his eyes, thrust his hands into his pockets, and brave the weather. But imagine a woman removing her hat or bonnet from the angle at which fashion says she must wear it, on account of the weather, or turning any of her “fixtures” up to protect her neck and throat, or buttoning anything that was unbuttoned before, or sticking her hands into her pockets! She would be taken for an improper character out on a mild spree, or for an escaped inmate of a lunatic asylum, should she endeavor, by any impromptu arrangement of her habiliments, to save her health.—Science of Health.