Earlier text: THE MATERIAL WORLD AN ILLUSTRATION OF THE POWER OF DEITYOur readers may remember the recent letter of Cardinal Antonelli, lamenting that owing to the “financial straits” of the pope, and the cruel “deprivation of his States of which he had become the victim,” he could not carry out his desire of sending a large contribution of articles to the Centennial Exhibition in this country, but must content himself by showing his sympathy for and admiration of the United States by sending a few specimens of mosaic and tapestry. The venerable and excellent William Howitt, who is now in Rome, has written a remarkable letter showing the fallacy and hypocrisy of the pope’s plea, in which he contrasts with the pope’s allegation of penury the real luxury he enjoys, and the wealth in which he revels. Mr. Howitt, addressing himself to the statements of the pope’s American letter, says:— “All this is in true beggars’ whine, which the church has made universal as far as its rule has extended. The deprivation of his States has been the finest thing in the world for the pope, and the means of working on the feelings of the whole Catholic universe, and of pouring into his coffers treasures such as his predecessors in their halcyon times never possessed. The fiction of his miserable imprisonment, with his lying on rotten straw, the open sale of little bundles of the fabled straws in most Catholic countries, the photograph of him peeping through his prison bars, with a soldier, with a musket and bayonet fixed, on each side of him—all these outrageous lies have drawn an actual river of gold from the bosoms of the silly popish pelicans that far outrivals the ancient Pactolus. By these means no less than twenty millions of francs have been poured into the papal chest during the year of jubilee just passed, and all this is described as the voluntary tribute of the faithful! And all this time, this so-called miserable prisoner has been living in a palace of eleven thousand rooms, crammed with such wealth as was never before collected in one place, not even in the Bank of England. Treasures of gold, of silver, of all precious gems, of the most beautiful and noble works of art, statues, pictures by the finest masters, bronzes, coins, medals, crosses sparkling with the most valuable diamonds, rubies, emeralds, etc.; vessels and ornaments in silver and gold of the most exquisite workmanship, by such masters as Benvenuto Cellini, of the richest arrases and tapestries, all these arranged in galleries miles in length, and this wretched prisoner attended by hundreds of guards in an old costume very like our Windsor beef-eaters, and by crowds of cardinals, monsignours, archbishops, bishops, priests, and lackeys without end.” “As for money, besides the 20,000,000 francs from Peter’s pence and jubilee indulgences in 1875, the imbecile ex-Emperor of Austria has left him $3,000,000, and rich arras and gold vessels to adorn his chapel. The Duke of Modena, the father-in-law of the ex-King of Naples and Count Chambord, has made him his heir, and it is said he will derive £10,000 sterling from that source annually. And yet the pope has the unparalleled impudence to tell the Americans that he cannot send much to their Exhibition because of his poverty.”—Sel. Looking Others in the Face When Speaking
WHEN you speak to a person, look him in the face. TAKE NO THOUGHT.
By Thomas Burridge
Oh, leave thyself to God; and if, indeed,
'Tis given thee to perform so vast a task,
Think not at all, think not, but kneel and ask.
O friend, by thought was never creature freed
From any sin, from any mortal need.
Be patient, not by any thought canst thou devise
What course of life for thee is right and wise.
It will be written up, and thou wilt read.
Oft, like a sudden pencil of rich light
Piercing the thickest umbrage of the wood,
Will shoot, amidst our troubles infinite,
The Spirit's voice; oft, like the balmy flood
Of morn, surprise the universal night
With glory, and make all things sweet and good.
—Thomas Burridge. Let us ask ourselves, in all candor, Are we growing in grace and in the knowledge of the truth? Are we really making any progress in the divine life, or are we retrograding? How is it with the reader? “Standing still” is certainly “out of order.” We cannot simply “hold our own,” neither going forward nor backward; we must, on the whole, certainly be adding to or taking from our store of Christian graces. It is well to give this matter some thought, and we cannot think very long without coming to a conclusion as to the facts in the case. If we can answer the following questions in the affirmative, we may be quite sure we are gaining ground; and it is necessary to ask ourselves these questions quite often, even daily:— Does our love increase for God’s holy Book? Do we delight more and more in reading the promises contained therein? Do we love family and private devotions better now than in months gone by? Do we love to attend divine services now better than in the past? Has our affection increased of late for the prayer circle, the covenant meeting, or class-meeting, as the case may be? Does our love for the people of God continually increase? Do we love sinners more now than before? Do we speak to them oftener about their souls? We must remember that all our graces, let them be of more or less value, can be added to or decreased from time to time; and it is our duty to see to it that we are making progress in the divine life, and that daily.—Golden Censer. A Christian worker from Boston was holding some evangelistic services in a neighboring town. At the conclusion of one of the meetings a deacon of the church came to him and said,— “So, you think that you are sanctified, do you?” “Well, yes, I rather think I am.” “Then you think that you can’t sin any more?” “Oh! no, I do not think that; I am afraid I shall.” “Well,” said the deacon, “I don’t think I am sanctified.” “No,” replied the brother, with a little hesitation and deliberation, “I should not think you were; you don’t smell like a sanctified man.” The deacon was soaked with tobacco from head to foot. The conversation closed; he went home and thought. For the first time in his life the idea dawned on him that there was any difference between the smell of a sanctified man and an old tobacco-user. He could not readily dismiss the matter from his mind. The words stuck to him, until at length he renounced the filthy weed, and now it is to be hoped smells more like a sanctified man. Surely when men lay apart “all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness,” pipes and tobacco will be quite likely to be discarded with the other abominations.—The Wayside. “Take no thought for the morrow,” that is, no anxious, fretful thought. Walk through to-day as well as you can, and God will undertake for your future. When you go forward out of to-day, to worry about to-morrow, you are over the fence, you are trespassing, and God will scourge you back into your own lot. When I have been fishing in the mountain stream, I have always found that so long as I kept a short line I could manage my fishing very well; but when I let my line run out, the stream took it down and there I was, at the mercy of every stick that stuck up in the stream, and every rock that jutted out from the banks. I lost my fish and I tangled my line; very likely I lost my footing also, and got over head and ears in the stream. Now, most men have cast out their line into life forty years long; when it ought to be but one day long. In consequence, they are not able to manage their tackle at all; but are pulled about after it, stumbling first into this hole, and then into that; slipping up here, and slipping down there, struggling and splashing about in far more distressed fashion than the fish at the other end of the line—and, as a general thing, there is no fish there. Haul in your line!—Sel. The Scotch say that “those that will swear will lie;” and some who do not wish to be considered profane, yet use “swear words” which might well be omitted. A little five-year old boy overheard a workman, who was repairing the sitting-room floor, drop an exclamation over some slight mishap. “That’s the first swear word I ever heard in my father’s house,” was the grave rebuke of the little boy. It so touched the rough man that he went to the mother of the boy and confessed his fault. While engaged on the job he never again lapsed into vulgarity or profanity. The boy, now a tall lad, wields the same influence over his mates. They understand that his part of the game is ended as soon as bad words are introduced. The knowledge that his father’s tongue was never polluted by profanity, together with his mother’s precepts, and a child’s natural desire to be like his father, have given this salutary bias to his early life. Boys, keep free from “swear words” of all kinds. They do no good whatever, but always defile and dishonor those who use them; and the habit once established is a bad one to get rid of. —The Child’s World. No don't. Don't keep your fine manners for fine days and fine company. It is so easy to be kind, social, courteous, when the sun shines, when the birds sing, when the roses bloom, and all sights and sounds chime in with your cheerful mood; when the gas-lights blaze, the music is merry, and smiles and words of flattery make a holiday for your vanity; but how easy, too, when nature is cross or sullen, to be cross and sullen with her; when there are no roses in the garden, no birds in the boughs, no sun in the sky, no gay company in the drawing-room; when it is dark, and drizzly, and lonely, and all the members of the family are dull and dispirited—is it then the kindly word that leaps first to your lips? Do your eyes smile of themselves? Do the little children grow glad and content in the sunshine of your cheer? Do their games and gleefulness gather inspiration from your presence and sympathetic helpfulness?—then, indeed your temper is tenderness itself, and you need no “exhortation” of mine; for you were born to brighten the day, and smiles quite outdo the sunshine. How blessed to the world is the boon of your being. But to you who are sullen, sour, and disagreeable, when you are not amused or flattered; when you are dull or disappointed, when fickle fortune does not favor your whims; to you whose temper is tart and whose faith frosty save in the very sunniest exposure, I do say, “Mend your manners.”—Sel. Peabody on Public Schools Then and Now
—Rev. Dr. Peabody, of Harvard University, thinks the public schools twenty-five years ago, with all their drawbacks and imperfections, did more for their pupils than our present costly institutions, with all their modern improvements. The latter are less practical than the former were. In history and geography they overload the child's mind with useless names and dates. They teach words rather than things. Few Ohio Children Attending School
—Less than half the children of Ohio go to school. The New England Camp-Meeting.
By Uriah Smith
Owing to circumstances which delayed our departure from Battle Creek, we did not reach the Groveland camp-ground till Sabbath morning, Aug. 25. We came in company with Bro. and sister White, he being but partially recovered from a serious attack of illness of a few days before. He endured the journey well, but was unable to take part in the labors of the camp-meeting, further than to speak a few words of exhortation and good cheer Monday forenoon. These words the brethren were glad to hear, and they were rejoiced to meet him again, though deprived of his usual counsels and labors. Sister White spoke three times with great freedom and power. She was sustained in a remarkable manner, so that she felt to testify, what was also apparent to all, that it was not her own, but the strength of the Lord given to her. Sabbath afternoon, following a stirring address by sister W. on the founding of the Christian church, and the labors and difficulties of the apostles and early Christians, showing a striking parallel between their experience and our own, a call was made for backsliders and sinners to come to the Lord, and to signify their desire by a move in the congregation. About one hundred and fifty promptly responded by coming forward. After prayers, sixty of these in quick succession, bore earnest testimony in regard to their determination to serve the Lord. On Sunday, a rainy morning prevented a large gathering in the forenoon; but in the afternoon, three steam yachts from Haverhill landed about six thousand persons upon the grounds, the cars from all directions poured in their multitudes, and the country contributed its quota of teams and people. All the meetings were held under the large pavilion, 80 by 125 feet, which the New England Conference has purchased since its last camp-meeting. This was occupied to its utmost capacity, and crowds who could find no seats filled the grove. Upwards of 12,000 people, it is estimated, were present, the large majority of whom gave the best of attention as sister W. addressed them on the subject of temperance in a most impressive manner, going in her usual incisive style to the true source of reform on this question, and purging the table of hurtful articles of food and drink. These sources guarded, the grosser indulgences of tobacco and liquor in maturer years, would be all but impossible. A request was made for sister W. to speak again Monday evening in Haverhill, by the same parties who requested this last year, and who were so well pleased with the effort then. But an appointment had gone out for her to speak on the evening named in Danvers, where Bro. Canright and his company are having such an unparalleled interest. This appointment she filled, having a crowded tent and a most triumphant time. Monday forenoon, on the camp-ground she held up before the congregation, as a special warning to the young, the impressive lesson of Solomon's career: his advantages in the beginning, his trust in himself, the seductive influence of his idolatrous wives, and his final apostasy. And even in the time of Christ there was visible over against the temple on the opposite mountain, the debris of Solomon's idolatrous altars, standing as a solemn reminder of the danger of trusting in one's self and coming in contact with those influences which lead away from God. At this meeting, another opportunity was given for those who desired to seek the Lord to come forward for prayers. About two hundred responded this time. It was a very precious season. Steps were then taken to learn who were candidates for baptism. Thirty-eight gave in their names, among whom the writer may be permitted to mention, as a matter of special interest to himself, his natural brother, S. W. Smith, of West Wilton, N. H. After a short discourse by Bro. Canright on baptism, in the afternoon, these were buried in the waters of the beautiful Merrimac, a few rods from the camp-ground. Bro. Haskell was administrator; and it has rarely been our privilege to witness a pleasanter baptismal scene. The candidates, from the little boy in early youth to the aged matron, were perfectly calm and self-possessed. There was no struggling nor strangling, and as they came up out of the water, it seemed as if the light and glory of the new life to which they had arisen, shone from their happy faces. There were nearly fifty tents besides the mammoth meeting tent, which towered up amidst the pine foliage of the beautiful grove, like a little mountain of canvas. The number of brethren and sisters in attendance was larger than at any previous meeting; and many of these were converts of the past year. This was so much a matter of encouragement to the members of the Conference, that resolutions were offered in the business meeting, expressive of their gratitude to God for his blessings in this respect. This is considered the most encouraging camp-meeting ever held in New England. The feeling prevails that God is about to come near to his people here—as indicated by a willingness on the part of those unacquainted with our faith to hear and investigate the present message—and that we are to see the power of the truth to convert souls manifested in this part of the field. So let it be. U. S. NOTES FROM THE FIELD.
By Ellen G. White
On Thursday, August 23, our little company, consisting of Eld. Smith, my sick husband and myself, accompanied by sister Ings, left Battle Creek for the camp-meeting at Groveland, Mass. This movement of ours required considerable faith. To judge from appearances, it looked like presumption for my husband and myself to attempt the journey. I had been, and was still suffering much from a severe cold, taken while on the Indiana camp-ground, and had been under treatment at our Sanitarium, being much of the time a great sufferer. My husband had been laboring incessantly to advance the interests of the cause of God in the various departments of the work centering in Battle Creek. His friends were astonished at the amount of labor he was accomplishing. Sabbath morning, August 18, he spoke in our house of worship. In the afternoon his mind was closely and critically exercised for four consecutive hours, while he listened to the reading of manuscript for Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. 3. The matter was intensely interesting, and calculated to stir the soul to its very depths, being a relation of the trial, crucifixion, resurrection and ascension of Christ. Before we were aware of it he was very weary. He commenced labor on Sunday at five o’clock in the morning, and continued working until twelve at night. In this time he accomplished a great amount of business. The next morning at about half-past six he was attacked by giddiness, and was threatened with paralysis. We greatly feared this dreaded calamity; but the Lord was merciful, and spared us the affliction. However, his attack was followed by utter physical and mental prostration; and now indeed it seemed impossible for us to attend the Eastern camp-meetings, or for me to attend them, and leave my husband depressed in spirits, and in feeble health. On Wednesday we had a special season of prayer that the blessing of God might rest upon him, and restore him to health. We also asked for wisdom that we might know our duty in regard to attending the camp-meetings. The Lord had many times strengthened our faith to go forth and work for him under discouragements and infirmities; and at such times he had wonderfully preserved and upheld us. But our friends pleaded that we ought to rest, and that it appeared inconsistent and unreasonable for us to attempt such a journey, and to incur the fatigue and exposure of camp life. We, ourselves, tried to think that the cause of God would go forward the same if we were set aside, and had no part to act in it. God would raise up others to do his work. I could not, however, find rest and freedom in the thought of remaining absent from the field of labor. It seemed to me that Satan was striving to hedge up my way, to prevent me from bearing my testimony, and from doing the work God had given me to do. I had about decided to go alone, and do my part, trusting in God to give me the needful strength, when we received a letter from Bro. Haskell, in which he thanked God that Bro. and sister White would attend the New England camp-meeting. Eld. Canright had written that he could not be present, as he would be unable to leave the interest in Danvers, and also that none of the company could be spared from the tent. Eld. Haskell stated in his letter that all preparations had been made for a large meeting at Groveland; and it was decided to have it, with the help of God, even if he had to carry it through alone; and that when once he had made this decision the bitterness of death was past. This statement of the situation brought a burden upon me, and I was more than ever convinced that it was my duty, sick though I was, to go forward in faith to the work, trusting God to give me strength. We again took the matter to the Lord in prayer. We knew the mighty Healer could restore both my husband and myself to health, if it was for his glory to do so. It seemed hard to move out, weary, sick, and discouraged. At times I felt that God would make the journey a blessing to us both, if we went trusting in him. The thought would frequently arise in my mind, Where is your faith? God has promised, “As thy days, so shall thy strength be.” I sought to encourage my husband; he thought that if I felt able to undergo the fatigue, and to labor in camp, it would be best for me to go; but he could not endure the thought of accompanying me, in his state of feebleness, unable to labor, his mind clouded with despondency, and himself a subject of pity to his brethren. He had sat up but very little since his sudden attack, and seemed to grow no stronger. We sought the Lord again and again, hoping that there would be a rift in the cloud, but no special light came. About an hour before we stepped on board the train, my husband and myself had a special season of prayer. We then both decided to walk out by faith without evidence, and to venture all on the promise of God. Upon taking our seats in the car we felt that we were in the path of duty. We rested in traveling, and slept well at night. About eight o’clock on Friday evening we reached Boston. There was no train that night to take us out to Groveland, but we took the first train in the morning. When we arrived at the camp-ground, and stepped from the car, the rain was literally pouring. We found our brethren waiting for us at the station, which was just outside the camp, and they protected us with umbrellas till we were safe in the tent. Elder Haskell had labored constantly up to this time, and excellent meetings were reported. There were 47 tents on the ground, besides three large tents, the one for the congregation being 80 by 125 feet in dimensions. The meetings on the Sabbath were of the deepest interest. The church was revived, and strengthened, while sinners and backsliders were aroused to a sense of their danger. Sunday morning the weather was still cloudy, but before it was time for the people to assemble the sun shone forth. Boats and trains poured their living freight upon the ground, as was the case last year. Elder Smith spoke in the morning upon the Eastern question. The subject was of special interest, and the people listened with the most earnest attention. It seemed to be just what they wanted to hear. In the afternoon it was difficult for me to make my way to the desk through the standing crowd. Upon reaching it, a sea of heads was before me. The mammoth tent was fully seated, the seats having comfortable backs. These were all filled, yet thousands stood about the tent, making a living wall several feet deep. My lungs and throat pained me very much, yet I believed God would help me upon that important occasion. My text was, “To him that overcometh,” etc. Rev. 3:21. The Lord gave me great freedom in addressing that immense crowd upon the subject of Christian Temperance. I labored to show that temperance must be lived out in our homes; that our children must be trained to temperate habits from the cradle, in order for them to be firm of principle, correct in their morals, and able, not only to withstand all temptations to intemperance themselves, but to wield a powerful influence over others in favor of the right. In their ignorance or carelessness, parents give their children the first lessons in intemperance. At the table, loaded with injurious condiments, rich food, and spiced nicknacks, the child acquires a taste for that which is hurtful to him, which tends to irritate the tender coats of the stomach, inflame the blood, and strengthen the animal passions. The appetite soon craves something stronger, and tobacco is used to gratify that craving. This indulgence only increases the unnatural longing for stimulants, liquor-drinking is soon resorted to, and drunkenness follows. This is the course of the great highway to intemperance. While speaking my weariness and painful throat and lungs were forgotten, as I realized that I was speaking to a people that did not regard my words as idle tales. The discourse occupied over an hour, with the very best attention throughout. There were many more attentive listeners than we had on a similar occasion at the same place last year, because of the greater number of comfortable seats, which accommodated a third more than those of last year. As the closing hymn was being sung, the officers of the Temperance Reform Club of Haverhill solicited me, as on last year, to speak before their association on the following evening. Having an appointment to speak at Danvers I was obliged to decline the invitation. They then desired me to speak one week from the following Monday, but as we expected to attend the Eastern camp-meetings, we could not comply with this request. Monday morning we had a season of prayer in our tent in behalf of my husband. We presented his case to the great Physician. It was a precious season; the peace of Heaven rested upon us. These words came forcibly to my mind, “This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” We all felt the blessing of God resting upon us. We then assembled in the mammoth tent, and my husband, in his feebleness, was able to meet with us, and spoke for a short time, precious words from a heart softened, and aglow with a deep sense of the mercy and goodness of God. He spoke to the point of bringing the believers in the truth to realize their privilege of receiving assurance of the grace of God in their hearts; that the great truths we believe should sanctify the life, and ennoble the character, and have a saving influence upon the world. The tearful eyes, and sympathizing looks of the people showed that their hearts were touched and melted by his remarks. We then took up the work where we had left it on the Sabbath, and the morning was spent in special labor for sinners and backsliders, of whom 200 came forward for prayers, ranging in years from the child of ten to gray-headed men and women. More than a score of souls among them were setting their feet in the way of life for the first time. In the afternoon thirty-eight persons were baptized, quite a number delaying baptism until they returned to their homes. Monday evening I stood in the stand of the Danvers tent. A large congregation was before me; I never stood in the presence of a more intelligent looking people; they were evidently of the best class of society. The tent was full, and about 200 persons stood outside the canvas, unable to find room inside. I went into the stand with great weariness and trembling. My throat and lungs were very painful, and in a state of congestion; but I had found comfort in pleading with God for help in this emergency. I knew that if any degree of success attended my labors, it would be through the strength of One mightier than I. Committing myself to God, I commenced to speak from the words of Christ in answer to the question of the learned scribe as to which was the great commandment in the law: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind,” etc. Matt. 22:37-39. The blessing of God rested upon me, and my pain and feebleness were forgotten. Before me were a people whom I might not meet again until the Judgment; and the desire for their salvation led me to speak earnestly, and in the fear of God, that I might be free from their blood. Great freedom attended my effort, which occupied one hour and ten minutes. Jesus was my helper and his name shall have all the glory. The audience was very attentive, I had the pleasure of speaking with quite a number who had lately embraced the truth. There is a growing interest in Danvers. The community is stirred, and many have received the light, and have been led into the path of holiness and obedience. May the good work progress, and sinners continue to yield their hearts to God. We returned to Groveland on Tuesday to find the camp breaking up, tents being struck, our brethren saying farewell, and ready to step on board the cars to return to their homes. This has been one of the best camp-meetings I have attended. Before leaving the ground Elders Canright, Haskell, my husband, sister Ings, and myself sought a retired place in the grove, and united in prayer for the blessing of health and the grace of God to rest more abundantly upon my husband. We all deeply felt the need of my husband’s help, when so many urgent calls for preaching were coming in from every direction. This season of prayer was a very precious one; and the sweet peace and joy that settled upon us was our assurance that God heard our petitions. In the afternoon we started for South Lancaster, to rest at the home of Eld. Haskell. He took us there in his carriage, by easy stage85 across the country. We preferred this way of traveling, thinking it would benefit our health. We are now resting at the good, quiet home of Eld. Haskell, enjoying the peace of God, and rejoicing that we have been so wonderfully sustained on our journey, and in our work. ILLINOIS CAMP-MEETING.
By Joseph Harvey Waggoner
The Illinois Camp-meeting was a success in every respect. It was well attended by the churches in the State. There was a blending of the doctrinal and practical in all the preaching, and the prayer and social meetings were characterized from first to last by deep devotional feeling. We do not say that it could not be improved in some respects, but we think all parties look back to it with satisfaction and gratitude. The grounds were not large, just large enough for a meeting of that size, lacking convenience for teams. The water was decidedly bad, and not easy of access. The ground was so thickly set with young timber that it looked like an impossibility to set so many tents there, but when all was arranged, neat and clean, the trees seemed to add to the beautiful effect. A lady from Clinton said, “This looks like paradise!” The people of Clinton and the surrounding country were entirely ignorant of us as a people, the present truth not having been preached there. Having heard reports of the Adventists as a wild fanatical set, they were free to express their disappointment. We were informed that some known as “rowdies” had regularly organized their forces to invade the camp, and many of the citizens expected the meeting would be broken up, but there was no disturbance. The most disorderly of the place returned with the report that there was no chance for “a time” on that ground. On Sunday morning, a collection was offered by prominent citizens, and taken up by themselves, and though the sum collected was not large, it was gratifying as an expression of their good will. The hope was freely expressed that next year’s camp-meeting would be held with them, and that our views might be preached there more fully. In response to a call for the unconverted and for backsliders a goodly number came forward, about twenty of whom desired baptism. At the early meeting on Monday morning some remarks were made on baptism, mostly in answer to questions which had been proposed, and the result was that twenty-six were baptized, about half of them making their first start in the Christian life there, and most of them new in the faith. Almost everything in the meeting did credit to the cause there except the singing. An organ was used, but it failed of the desired effect; time seemed to be utterly disregarded. It is a pleasure to record the fact that in the last three camp-meetings I have attended there has been an entire absence of that light spirit of singing which is so apt to intrude itself into these meetings, and which is so destructive to true devotion. At a camp-meeting, I once gave out a common metre hymn, requesting that it be sung in the tune given in our book—a beautiful plain piece of church music, and not new. I was greatly surprised when the leader stated they could not sing it, for the same company would sing by the hour in their tents the most difficult pieces in the Sunday-school books with which the land now abounds. Many of the pieces in these books are pleasant to the ear as singing exercises, but often both the words and music are better adapted to religious dissipation than to real devotion. All our people should cultivate a taste for pure church music. The meeting in Illinois was marked by the number of credentials and licenses issued. Every licentiate should set his mark for success, and if even a majority of these succeed a great work in Illinois will be the result. Who will succeed? who will fail? These are questions soon to be determined by results. The number in attendance in Illinois was not nearly as large as in Indiana and Ohio, but some came a long distance, and considering that nothing was known of our faith in that country the interest was remarkable; second only to that in Newark, where the people were prepared for the meeting by faithful and judicious tract work. We have been strongly impressed this summer with the fact that God is giving us both the ears and hearts of the people. Our privileges and responsibilities are fast increasing. Great victories lie before us in this truth, for a great work is yet to be done. They who work in faith and in humility will see the salvation of God. Yet the opposition will be strong, and it is organizing itself. Several teachers who have heretofore had no difficulty in taking schools have informed us that now they are rejected solely on the ground that they are Adventists, although they do not intrude their views into the schools. It is a noteworthy fact that Catholics are not thus rejected, but are largely employed as teachers throughout the country, though they are known to be opposed to our system of common schools, and are proverbial for proselyting among children. “Ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.” Loveland, O., Aug. 29, 1877. SVENDSTRUP, DENMARK.
By John G. Matteson
Svendstrup is in the district of Han, about twenty miles from Alstrup. A rich man from this place attended our meetings in S. Saltum, and was so well pleased with what he heard that we had to promise that we would visit his neighborhood also. He has a beautiful grove, where both political and religious meetings have at times been held. Last Tuesday he sent his conveyance after us, and in the afternoon about one hundred and fifty people were gathered to listen to a lecture on the signs of the times. During the next two days we held two meetings, and although it rained, there were not a few out. The last day there were about one hundred and twenty in the house. They unanimously invited me to visit them again after the harvest, to teach them the word of God more fully. Friday afternoon we went to Oland, a small island about nine miles off. Here also we had a house full of attentive and interested listeners, whom we promised to visit again. Oland is a small, fruitful island which comprises one parish. It has one church, one manor, and two villages. There are some Baptists and Mormons there. We were then taken back to Alstrup by the kind friend who had conveyed us to Svendstrup. Several have died of scarlet fever in the vicinity of S. Both of the children in the family where we stopped were sick. My wife has also had an attack of the same disease, but she is now improving. It has rained unusually hard this week, and the latter part of the summer, and the water stands higher than it has before in sixteen years. Many have thereby sustained great loss, as their hay is under water. On Sunday it cleared up. Over a hundred people came to our meeting in Renbaek, notwithstanding the muddy roads. The melting influence of the Spirit of God was in our midst, and many hearts were deeply moved. In the afternoon, the people thronged to the large barn in Saltum, where we hold our meetings, and filled it. There were about five hundred present, among them the priest and three school-teachers. One of the school-teachers read an article he had written, which he regarded as giving arguments against keeping the seventh day and reasons for keeping Sunday. Many showed that they were displeased with it, by beginning to talk and to show signs of impatience. After this article had been completely answered, the priest himself stepped forward and tried to explain to the people that it would not do thus to confine ourselves to the Bible. What would then become of the many customs which were recognized in the church? No; we must follow the Christian church, which is about two thousand years old, and which is led by the Spirit of God. When this well-known Catholic claim had been made, he asked several questions in regard to faith and baptism, which were all answered by the plain word of God. I invited further inquiry, but at last they said that they had no more questions to ask. I then asked the priest to give me a definite answer to two questions I wished to ask him: 1. Have you found any text in the Bible which commands us to keep the first day of the week, or which shows that God has blessed or sanctified that day? 2. Are not the ten commandments binding upon Christians in the new dispensation? To the first question, he answered, “No, I have not.” To the second, “Yes, certainly.” Thus our opponents publicly admitted that our views on these points were in harmony with the Bible. But if the ten commandments are binding upon Christians in the new dispensation, and if the word of God has not abolished or changed the Lord’s Sabbath, we come to the indisputable conclusion that the seventh day is the Sabbath for Christians, and that we honor God by keeping it holy. But we serve God in vain by teaching such doctrines, which are the commandments of men. I then spoke about the great foundation for Christianity—love. I believe that the Lord blessed these words to the good of many souls, and that the efforts of the priest and his assistants to oppose our work have been instrumental in enlightening many in regard to the great truths of the Bible, and in opening hearts and doors to us. The people here in general receive the truths of the second advent of Christ, and the gospel of his death and resurrection finds a welcome response in many hearts; but old customs and habits are much stronger here than in America, and people do not forsake that which is evil, and cleave to that which is good, very readily. But we will labor on patiently, and hope through the grace of God to gather in souls for his kingdom. Alstrup, pr. Brinderslev, Denmark, Aug. 14.