We started from Marion on first-day, Aug. 3, on our way southward, in company with the brethren from Marion and Warren counties. We had much wet weather on the road, and a very tiresome journey, as there were ten of us with one wagon. I was led to reflect on the toils and expense of this meeting at Lisbon; so many Brn. taken from their fields at that season of the year was a great sacrifice, besides the hindering of our labors with the tent. A fearful responsibility rests upon the authors of this trouble.
On the way we were suspected of being a company of secessionists going south, and some persons followed us ten miles. They overtook us at the village of Pella; there they got a citizen to reconnoiter and ascertain our character. The person sent proved to be acquainted with most of our company, so the affair turned off with a laugh at the expense of our pursuers.
Our first meeting was at Knoxville. It would have been a relief to my mind if the report of the Lisbon meeting could have been before this meeting, and I think it would have been attended with good results; however, we tried to do our duty, and feel that the blessing of the Lord attended our efforts. Sympathy with error has been the destruction of many in that place, and jealousy (especially against the Review and its conductors) has proved the highway to ruin for others. But they would not be warned, and the consequences have come upon their own heads. Twenty-six members enrolled their names, and we expected others to come in. A few requested baptism.
At Sandyville we had some labor with the disorderly.119Some were brought to make humble confessions, and some were obstinate and were set aside as stumbling-blocks; and so the church went free. Ten were baptized on Wednesday the 13th. This was one of the most solemn occasions that I ever experienced in administering this sacred ordinance.
On Thursday we started for Decatur City, where we arrived before the Sabbath. On the Sabbath we designed our testimonies to be practical and timely, and therefore we dwelt mostly on the purity of the message, with a decided testimony against the filthiness of tobacco using. This was rejected by some; others would not accept the gifts; some would not confess their wrongs; and thus the number of those who were willing to receive the whole truth was reduced to eight, and these mostly of those who had been considered the weakest of the church. This poor people had been under the worst of influences. They would doubtless have stood much better had they been left to themselves, and not been misled by leaders who set before them the debasing example of tobacco chewing. Some said they had not been decided on the subject of the gifts as they knew nothing about the visions given to the church in the third angel's message. When Bro. Snook advised them to read them, Mr. Hanner appealed to them not to be led away from the Bible to visions, though he well knew that neither the visions nor ourselves ever led away from the Bible; certainly not so much as his example and precept in favor of a filthy practice. We were happy to express our thanks that the testimonies of God's Spirit and tobacco do not go together.
The committee entrusted to us the correspondence referred to in the report of the Lisbon meeting, with instructions to require confessions for the ill-timed complaints and unchristian and abusive expressions used toward us in letters from Decatur City. But instead of receiving suitable confessions, additional incriminations and unworthy insinuations were thrust upon us. In this however we were not much disappointed, for they who so long resist the truth on points of duty are left in darkness.
On Sunday afternoon we went to Oecola, and were there informed that it was the intention of some to prevent our going further. This we could scarcely credit, yet found it to be true. On the morning of the 18th, the deputy sheriff informed us that he had authority to forbid us leaving the place. As we were entirely ignorant of the nature of his "authority," and knew nothing of the instructions under which he was acting, it placed us for a while in a state of very disagreeable suspense. We found friends, however, in some gentlemen of the legal profession, who succeeded in convincing the official that his zeal was not according to knowledge. But as there was very much excitement in that part of the State, we were willing to heed the advice of our friends, and make our way homeward as soon as possible, or at least find some one authorized to give us a pass. Our friends in Oecola who were ardent Union men, passed a somewhat severe judgment on the action of those who stopped us. Though we were willing to allow the honesty of their intentions, the fact that inquiry was made while we were at Decatur when we would return, and that the statement was made that we would be arrested when we returned, looked rather suspicious. For surely if they knew before that they had authority to prevent our traveling when we returned, they must have known that they had authority to stop others before we returned. The experiment was commenced on us, though others suffered a like detention at the same time.
This little difficulty was the means of preventing our meeting with the friends west of Oecola. We mostly regretted this on account of the influence that had been exerted there by some professed friends of the message. The cause has deeply suffered in Decatur and Clarke Counties by the deathly influence of self-called messengers. All those who understand this work know that there is order in its operations; and that our organization is efficient. These self-called preachers, who have a message out of their own hearts to proclaim should not be for a moment countenanced by the friends of the cause.
Though I made diligent inquiry, I could not learn that any officers were appointed or authorized to issue passes of whom I might obtain permission to leave the State. Thus I was diverted from my appointed course, and obliged to go to Iowa City to get a pass of the Governor. We stopped over the Sabbath at Dayton, which served to be providential for that church. Duty had there been neglected, and wrongs were going unconfessed; the church was bound. By setting aside stumbling-blocks light was restored; but this church, as well as others, must learn to be more prompt in dealing with wrongs, or expect to be in darkness.
There has been a feeling averse to discipline in most of the Western churches. In consequence of this their sympathies usually extend toward the erring more than toward the injured. The honor of the cause is not so dear to some as the feelings of individuals. There must be a reform in this respect before there can be a healthy growth in the truth.
Monday 25th inst. I parted with Bro. Snook at Iowa City, he taking the stage and I the cars for our homes. I am happy to say that our labor together was a pleasure to me; and, though others pressed trials and burdens upon us that we should not by right have borne, our short season of lecturing was a bright spot in my experience, especially as compared with that of last year.
J. H. WAGGONER.
Burlington, Mich., Aug. 31, 1862.
Christ Having Our Whole Hearts
IF Christ had our whole hearts, if we were entirely his, we should be more peaceful, happy, and holy.
Without Money and Without Price
WHAT Christ procured at the expense of his labors, sufferings, and death, we are invited to come and receive “without money and without price.”
Sin and Suffering
Those who are not afraid to sin, will be sure to suffer; the former produces the latter.
Indian Troubles in the West.
By W. Morse; F. W. Morse
We wish to state to our brethren abroad, that to the best of our knowledge, we can say none of our brethren have been killed by the savages in the late uprising, though some have fled from their homes, leaving their crops, herds, and household effects, subject to destruction. The depredation committed by the lawless tribe, the Sioux, is very great. Entire settlements have been murdered and the region west of the upper Minnesota laid desolate. Several closely contested battles have been fought in which the Indians manifested courage and desperation; in one instance killing 30 of our fighting men. The enemy has been driven and is believed to be on the retreat for the plains. Prompt measures are being taken to suppress the outbreak, and no fears are entertained that the foe will penetrate any farther toward the older portion of the State. It is generally believed that Missouri Traders have excited the Indians to rebel, and have furnished them with arms for this purpose. We have hitherto felt secure from the immediate horrors of the Southern rebellion, but we now find that we are not. The wild and barbarous tribes of Indians, led by rebels, may be regarded with terror even by those who are surrounded by the protection afforded by an old settled State. We are but 20 miles from a band numbering 1800 to 2000. We have lately visited their Reservation, and believe there is no danger from them; as they have but few arms, are well guarded, and entirely friendly.
Our trust and hope is fixed in God. We feel assured that he cares for us, and is mighty and able to save, in this our time of extreme distress. We request the prayers of our brethren.
In hope of final deliverance,
W. Morse.
F. W. Morse.
Deerfield, Minn. Aug. 29th 1862.
No Room for Jesus.
BECAUSE there was no room for them at the inn.—Luke ii, 7.
In this great caravansary, that forms man's resting place on his way from eternity to eternity, there is room for every interest but religion—for every friend but Christ.—Sermon.
Ah! little knew they of the guest immortal,
Who sought the inn at Bethlehem that day,
When, from the cold inhospitable portal,
The virgin mother sadly turned away.
The Roman's pride, the Pharisee's ambition,
Soldier and priest, might easy entrance win,
But Christ in vain entreated for admission—
There was no room for Jesus in the inn.
No room for Jesus! and the same strange story
Is spoken still by the same human race;
Still dying sinners meet the Lord of glory
With homes and hearts too full to give him place.
Minds, in whose spacious chambers, earthly learning
Usurps the kingdom heavenly wisdom claims;
Majestic wills, that endless glories spurning,
Chain down their energies to trivial aims.
Hearts, large enough to taste seraphic pleasures,
Created God's eternal love to gain,
That pour upon the world unworldly treasures,
These are the thresholds where Christ stands in vain.
No room for Jesus! There is never wanted
Room for the high, the wealthy, or the great;
Unasked, unsought, a place to them is granted—
Only Emanuel must knock, and wait.
No room for Jesus, when the hope of heaven
Enters no door his foot-prints have not trod,
When he alone to mortal man has given
Room in the holy Paradise of God!
No room for Jesus! Let the world take warning,
Lest it be called to hear its final doom,
And in the solemn resurrection morning,
It stands at heaven's gate to find "no room."
No room for Jesus! Lord, assert thy power—
Cast out all claimants that oppose thy grace;
We would not live without thy love an hour—
Earth is a desert, till thou show'st thy face.
O! only Saviour, all our idols leaving,
We yield Thee room within our fullest love;
Thy gracious word of promise still believing,
That Thou preparest room for us above.
No room for Jesus! Terrible and dreary
Would be a life, a death, by Thee unblessed.
Dwell in us here, and give our spirits weary,
Room with Thee, Lord, in thy eternal rest.
Resolutions and Inclinations.
By J. Clarke
MEN resolve and re-resolve, and thus resolutions are broken repeatedly, until (very often) the person who makes them becomes discouraged and gives up trying to reform. His mind has been enlightened, he sees he must conform to the word of God or be lost; he resolves, and, full of courage, he is sure he shall keep his vows. But temptation comes, and his resolutions are swept away as the winter floods sweep the floating ice, once so firm and solid. Again he resolves, and again, and again, until often he sinks in despair, or runs madly in what he terms the sphere fate has allotted to him.
Why is this? Ah, his mistake lies in this: when he made his vow to reform, he either forgot, or overlooked, the fact that inclination was stronger than resolution. He did not consider that the inclinations or affections of the heart, strengthened by habit, were as much stronger than the resolutions of the understanding, as the floods which swell the waters of the mighty stream are stronger than the ice with which the frosts of winter have encased it.
A man will, in the end, follow his inclinations, or affections; for the present, circumstances may hinder him, or fear, or interest, may lead him to deny his darling sin; but according to the laws of nature he will eventually follow the bent of his inclinations.
The Scriptures truly teach that the carnal mind cannot become subject to the law of God; and here in a nutshell is the whole doctrine of man's moral inability, about which men called divines have wasted much paper, ink, lungs, and temper.
Well, then, what shall the poor man do, who has resolved, and re-resolved, again and again, until he has lost all respect for himself, and almost lost his hope in God?
Why, the case is plain: let him (if he has become fully convinced of his own utter helplessness) cry to God to change these unwholesome inclinations, these vile, perverted affections, and set up Jesus Christ in the heart. Let him cry to God that Jesus may be formed within him the hope of glory; or let him cry to God as David did, "Create within me a clean heart, and renew within me a right spirit."
Now he has got the clue, (the secret of the Lord is with them that fear him), he needs no new and oft-repeated, oft-broken resolutions now. No, for with his newly-formed acquaintance, the pure Spirit of God dwelling within him, he runs with joy in the way of God's commandments, the law written on his heart has reversed his inclinations and affections; the knot is untied, the mystery solved.
J. CLARKE.
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 in due time acknowledged, immediate notice of the omission should then be given.
S. Treat 2,00,xxi,1. S. P. Loder 2,50,xxi,1. A. W. Smith 2,25,xxiii,1. J. D. Hough 4,00,xxiii,1. W. P. Ballard 1,00,xxi,6. Anna Maria Clarke 1,00,xxii,1. O. Scott 2,00,xxii,14. Sarah J. Voorus 0,50,xxii,1. M. R. Place 3,00,xxi,1. L. Eggleston for Mrs. M. Chapman 1,00,xxii,14. C. H. T. St. Clair 1,75,xxi,20. Wm. Barden 3,00,xx,1. J. Berry 1,00,xxiii,1. L. L. Loomis 0,50,xxiii,1. M. H. Lyon for W. C. Lyon 0,50,xxi,14. M. G. Kellogg 3,00,xxiii,1. A. H. Adams 1,00,xxi,1. A. D. Love 2,00,xxii,1. D. Robbins 1,00,xxi,4. A. C. Gilbert 2,00,xxi,18. J. Gorham 3,50,xxii,13. R. Hoag 1,00,xx,1. W. Carpenter jr., 1,00,xxii,1. D. Carpenter 1,00,xxi,1. W. B. Castle 0,75,xxi,9. A. G. Wilber 2,00,xxi,14. J. M. Brown 1,00,xxi,15. A. H. Pervorse 2,00,xx,14. J. Durham 1,00,xx,2. G. Stone 2,00,xxiii,7. T. Lane 1,00,xxi,14. J. Lane 1,00,xxii,1. H. Moore 2,00,xxii,10. D. M. Stites 1,00,xxii,1. S. Lane for Sherman Inman 1,00,xxi,15. A. Fitzgerald 7,00,xxi,1. S. Lane for Mrs. Mears 0,50,xxi,1. S. Lane for C. J. Lane 0,50,xxi,22. A. H. Hilliard for C. P. Bullock 1,00,xxii,15.
For Shares in Publishing Association.
James White $120,00. Ellen G. White $30,00. Dan R. Palmer $100,00. A Friend $30,00. J. P. Kellogg $30,00. Geo. W. Amadon $10,00. Martha D. Amadon $10,00. J. F. Byington $10,00. Martha L. Byington $10,00. Sarah J. Voorus $10,00. Leander Graves $10,00. A. H. Adams $10,00. William Hall $10,00. Lucinda M. Hall $10,00. John W. Bacheller $10,00. Albert Kellogg $10,00. Harriet N. Smith $10. Eliza Walker $10,00. Elbert B. Lane $10,00. Theodore B. Lewis $10,00. Cornelia A. Cornell $10,00. A. D. Love $10,00. J. L. Adams $5,00. Theodore V. Canright $5,00. John Durham $2,00.
Donations to Publishing Association.
S. B. Warren $1. J. D. Hough $2,50. R. C. Hunnewell $1. Church at Battle Creek, Mich., $50. A. G. Carter $3.
Cash Received on Account.
I. C. Vaughan $2,20. S. H. King, by J. N. Loughborough, $9,12.
Petitions.
It may be inferred that the ascending angel's cry to the four angels of Rev. vii, 2, to hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, symbolizes the united petition of God's loyal people to the court of heaven, for the winds now blowing to be held. Whether this inference be warrantable or not, existing facts certainly call for such a petition—not to the President nor to the Legislature that may be now in session; but to Him who has "this nation in his own hand, and will suffer no victories to be gained faster than he ordains, and no more losses than he sees fit." Such a petition, offered in the name of Jesus, will be respected and heard in heaven, while it is almost certain that our friends of the World's Crisis, and our brethren in Iowa, who are petitioning to other sources, are to be disappointed, and make themselves objects of unnecessary ridicule and suspicion. So great a lack of faith could hardly be expected in any that bear the Advent name. In times of peril, true faith stands forth with calm and fearless trust in God.
General Conference.
By Editor
AGREEABLY to the wishes of the brethren at Monterey, we will say that the first religious service will be the dedication of the new house of prayer, Sabbath, Oct. 4, at 10 o'clock, A. M. It is expected that the meeting of the Association will be adjourned to second day, and that there will be two discourses on first-day.
It is hoped that the brethren will arrive on sixth-day in season to find their homes for the night before sunset. Those who design to go in company with the Battle Creek teams, will please arrive in season to start on sixth-day morning at 5 o'clock. If any come by railroad, they should stop at Kalamazoo; but be sure to address L. M. Jones, Allegan, Mich., in season to reach him one week before the time of meeting, that he may know just how many to provide carriages for. The distance from Kalamazoo to Monterey is thirty miles. Brethren can be taken from and to the cars in farm-wagons for a reasonable price.
Meetings in Vt. and Canada.
By A. C. Bourdeau
Bro. White: Sabbath Aug. 19th, I met with the few commandment-keepers at Fletcher Vt. The meeting was encouraging. I was happy to see that the truth had accomplished a good work among the honest. Since the close of the tent meetings the ministry of the place have made a labored effort to oppose the truth, especially on the subjects of the Sabbath, and Life and Death; and three or four individuals, having seen the weakness of their arguments, and the consistency there is in the truth, have taken a decided stand among commandment-keepers. I believe that others will soon join with them in keeping all the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.
Last Sabbath, I had the pleasure of meeting with the brethren and sisters in Sutton, C. E. A goodly number came to hear the word. The Lord gave much freedom in proclaiming the pointed truth. It is hoped that the good resolutions which were made will not be forgotten. A mere profession will never save any one. Says James, "Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." James i, 22.
On first-day I attended a meeting in S., held by Eld. Chapin, of Shefford, C. E. The people came together en masse expecting to hear a discussion on the subject of the Sabbath. Eld. C. refused to discuss then. In his lecture he made the following statements: "There is no love in the law of ten commandments." "The command for keeping the first-day of the week as the Sabbath, is in the new covenant, on the fleshly tables of the heart." "God rested at creation, on the first-day of the first week, of the first month, of the first year of time."
The candid Bible reader has no need of any note or comment to show him the fallacy and inconsistency of these statements.
There will be a discussion between Eld. Chapin and myself in North Sutton, C. E., commencing on Thursday, Sept. 18, at 1 o'clock P. M.
The proposition agreed upon for discussion is as follows: Do the Scriptures teach that the seventh-day Sabbath was made at creation, and that the Sabbatic observance of the seventh-day of the week is obligatory upon Christians? I will affirm. Eld. C. will deny.
A. C. BOURDEAU.
West Enosburgh, Vt. Aug. 28, 1862.
APPOINTMENTS.
On the first Sabbath in October, 1862, there will be a meeting of Seventh-day Adventists in Cass, Ohio. We invite the brethren of the different churches of Ohio, as many as can, to attend, as we design to attend to the church ordinances. We hope the brethren will come with a spirit of prayer. We want to see the cause moving forward. JAMES BAKER.
I would give notice that the next quarterly meeting of the Seventh-day Adventist church at Marquette, Green Lake Co. Wis. will be the second Sabbath in September at Marquette. We cordially invite the brethren and sisters from abroad to come up to the meeting and may the Lord meet with us and bless, and we be furthered on toward heaven and immortal glory. A. THOMAS. Marquette, Green Lake Co. Wis. August, 25, 1862.
I appoint to commence meetings in Charlotte, Mich., Thursday evening, Sept. 18, where the brethren may appoint, and remain over Sabbath and First-day. MOSES HULL.
Providence permitting the Minnesota Conference of Seventh-day Adventists will assemble at Deerfield Steele Co. Minn., the first Sabbath and first-day of Oct. 1862, according to a vote at the last session. A general invitation is extended to the brethren and friends throughout the State to meet with us on this occasion. Come prepared to care for yourselves in part. WASHINGTON MORSE. JNO. BOSTWICK.
NOTE—It has been proposed that some laborer of experience attend State Conferences. We hereby request that some one come to our aid at this meeting. Especially do we urge this request if Bro. White is not coming to Minnesota this fall. We are in great need of assistance. Cannot some one respond to our call? We will pay the expense of the journey here. We would also improve this occasion to state to the brethren here, that on account of the confusion resulting from the Indian outbreak, the oldness of the tent, and existing trials, the tent will not be pitched again this season. W. M. J. B.
Vermont State Conference.
Providence permitting, the first session of the Vermont yearly Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, will be held at Wolcott, Vt., Sabbath and first-day Oct. 4 and 5, 1862. Let the churches be fully represented by delegates agreeably to action taken at the last Vt. Conference. See REVIEW Vol. xx, No. 5. It is hoped there will be a general gathering of the brethren and sisters from Vt. and C. E. at this meeting. The object of this Conference is to advance the cause of God in our midst by seeking for a greater degree of Bible union and Bible holiness, to take into consideration the tent enterprise for the year 1863, and to transact other business thought proper when met. Dear brethren and sisters our time to work for the Lord is brief, and fast passing away. To all who realize this and desire to receive or impart good, by coming to worship the Lord of hosts at this Conference we say, Come. It is desired that all should come prepared to take care of themselves as far as possible. A. S. HUTCHINS, } A. C. BORDEAU, } Conference. D. T. BORDEAU, } Committee.
The Association.
By Editor
THE receipts look well this week. Bro. Palmer, as is his custom, sets a good example in making up the $2500. Battle Creek church makes a second strike for shares receipted in this No. to the amount of $350, besides the donation from S. B. of $50. This church has taken stock in the Association to the amount of $1150, about one-seventh of the entire amount raised. Our brethren, east, west, north, and south, who are in union with the work, will esteem it a pleasure to manifest a corresponding zeal in removing all debt from the Association. Let it be done before the Conference. Should it fail to be done, we shall at once make a third strike for stock.
Systematic Labor.
By Editor
We are glad to see our brethren waking up to the subject of systematic labor. Let our preachers be comfortably and happily situated in different parts of the field where they can be more easily supported and where they can labor to the best advantage. There is too much room in the wide field for them to labor under the disadvantages of treading on one another's heels, and many liberal, free, warm-hearted friends in different parts of the field to attract them out where room is plenty. Here comes a call from Ionia:
BRO. WHITE—"After reading the article on systematic labor in No 8 present Vol. a large majority of the brethren living in and about Ionia, while attending the tent meetings, came together to consider the matter set forth in the above article, and unanimously invited Bro. J. N. Loughborough, to come and locate in the village of Ionia, Mich. We now wait to hear from Bro. Loughborough, and also for organization that property may be legally held by the churches before taking any further action in the matter.
In behalf of the brethren. E. M. DAVIS.
Ionia, Aug. 26th 1862.
The brethren at Green Bush, Clinton Co., Mich., call for a preacher to settle among them. Also brethren Howland and Lunt call in behalf of the brethren in that State, to settle in Maine. Send in your calls, brethren, before Conference.
Appointments Postponed
By Editor
In consequence of the sickly season, war excitement, fear of the Indians (doubtless groundless), excited feelings over our article entitled, "The Nation," and the General Conference so near, requiring extra labor in the Office, we shall not be able to fill our appointments at Orange, Ionia, Greenville, Vergennes, Caledonia, and Wright. Bear with us, brethren, the right time has not come yet.