THE first annual Conference of the Seventh-day Adventists of Wisconsin was held near Milton Junction, June 22–29, 1871, in connection with the Wisconsin Camp-meeting.
Conference convened in the tent, June 23, at nine A. M. Eld. Isaac Sanborn, President, in the chair. Prayer by Eld. John Matteson of Wisconsin.
Credentials of delegates were called for, presented, and examined. A delegation of twenty-two, representing seventeen churches, came forward. One church was not represented.
Voted, That Elds. James White and W. H. Littlejohn, and all members present of good standing in our churches, be invited to take part in the deliberations of this Conference.
Minutes of last session of Conference, were called for, read, and approved.
Voted, That Bro. George Tenney of Dell Prairie, and Eli Osburn of Kickapoo Center, be received as delegates to the Conference.
On motion, the Chair appointed the following committees: Auditing Committee, Brn. P. S. Thurston, O. H. Pratt, and Rufus Baker; Committee on Nominations, Brn. O. H. Pratt, H. Decker, and John Atkinson; Committee on Resolutions, Brn. P. S. Thurston, John Matteson, and B. F. Bradbury.
Adjourned to call of chair.
SECOND SESSION. June 25, nine A. M. Prayer by Eld. John Matteson.
Report of Nominating Committee called for, read, and accepted. Vote resulted in the election of nominees as follows: President, Isaac Sanborn, Johnstown Center, Rock Co., Wisconsin; Secretary, N. M. Jordan, Lodi, Columbia Co.; Treasurer, Alexander Paton, Lodi, Columbia Co.; Executive Committee, P. S. Thurston, Oasis, Waushara Co., Rufus Baker, Mackford, Green Lake Co.
Adjourned to call of Chair.
THIRD SESSION. June 25, six P. M. Prayer by Eld. John Matteson.
On motion, the following brethren were added to the Auditing Committee; viz., B. F. Bradbury, Simon Patton, and E. O. Hammond.
Treasurer’s report was called for, read and accepted.
On motion, credentials were granted to Elds. Isaac Sanborn and John Matteson.
On motion, licenses were granted to the following brethren; C. W. Olds, O. A. Olson, E. M. Crandall, P. S. Thurston, and J. F. Thompson.
The question of granting license to Bro. C. M. Joslin was referred to the Conference Committee.
Voted, That we pay the bill of $17.07 presented by the Illinois State Conference for posters, tent pole, and Conference book.
Adjourned to call of Chair.
FOURTH SESSION. June 26 at two P. M. Prayer by Eld. I. Sanborn.
Voted, To appropriate $100.00 to run the tent.
Voted, To pay the General Conference $200.00 to be applied on past dues.
Voted, That this Conference recommend that Elds. Isaac Sanborn and David Downer pitch the tent at Wautoma Village, Waushara Co., Wisconsin, immediately after this Conference.
Voted, That the $14.91 in Bro. C. W. Old’s hands be paid into the camp-meeting fund.
Church report showed a membership of five hundred and twenty-six fellowshiped in eighteen churches.
Number paying Systematic Benevolence, two hundred and sixty.
Amount of Systematic Benevolence pledged for the year, $2113.86.
Adjourned to the call of chair.
FIFTH SESSION. June 26, five P. M. Prayer by Eld. James White.
Voted, That the church at Liberty Pole be received under the watch-care of this Conference.
Voted, That the church at Kickapoo Center be received under the watch-care of the Conference.
On motion, the Danish church at Poysippi was received into this Conference.
The question of the ordination of Bro. David Downer came up. Remarks were made by several members of the Conference, including Bro. White.
Voted, That Bro. Downer be ordained to the work of the ministry.
Committee on resolutions reported the following, which were unanimously adopted:
1. Resolved, That the portion of Art. 2, Sec. 4, of the constitution of the Wisconsin State Conference which reads, “To audit and settle accounts with ministers,” &c., be amended so as to read as follows: “To audit and settle in connection with six lay brethren, appointed by the Conference, all accounts with ministers,” &c.
2. Resolved, That we express our thanks to the General Conference for the benefit which we have received during this Conference and camp-meeting through the faithful labors of Bro. and sister White, and Bro. Littlejohn.
3. Resolved, That we express our gratitude to God for the great prosperity which at present is witnessed in the Health Institute and Publishing Association, and that the rigid economy which now characterizes the management of those institutions should inspire God’s people with new courage and confidence.
4. Resolved, That we become responsible to the Publishing Association for the collection of all arrearages on subscriptions to the REVIEW, Health Reformer, and Instructor, on the part of individuals residing within the bounds of this Conference.
5. Resolved, That we recommend to our churches to pay their whole Systematic Benevolence to the Conference.
6. Resolved, That the proceedings of this Conference be published in the REVIEW.
Voted, To adjourn to the call of the President. ISAAC SANBORN, Pres. N. M. JORDON, Sec.
Iowa Tent.
By Dudley Marvin Canright; George I. Butler
AT the close of the La Porte City Camp-meeting, it was thought best to commence a course of lectures, as there seemed to be a large interest manifested at that meeting; hence the tent was moved into the city, and a regular course of lectures entered upon. But we soon saw that we had calculated on too much; for our congregation at the best was only small, and no real interest was manifested by those who did attend. After staying one week, our audience dropped down to only about thirty besides our own people; so we closed our meetings there.
This has taught us that it is not a good plan to follow a camp-meeting with a course of lectures. We believe the same thing was tried in Oneida, N. Y., Kilbourn City, Clinton Junction, Wis., and with like results. A camp-meeting is a large affair generally. It is attended by scores and hundreds of our people, with from a dozen to thirty tents; our best speakers are expected to be heard; above all, Bro. and sister White are expected to be there and speak. All this draws a crowd for a day or two, most of whom have no real interest to hear the truth.
To change from such a meeting as this, to an ordinary course of lectures, appears to the people as though the thing were about a failure; so if any should have some interest, they are ashamed to show it, and hence stay away. We hope to learn wisdom by the things we have suffered. We tried to improve our time while there by holding meetings with the church. We were much encouraged with the results, and hope we have left them in a better condition than they have been in before. The brethren were all very kind to us in providing for our wants.
Tuesday, July 4, we came to Leon, Decatur Co., Iowa. It is a village of less than a thousand people, twenty-two miles from the railroad, and twelve miles from the Missouri line. Here our tent is now pitched. It seems to be a promising opening. We hope for the prayers of our brethren, and for the help of God, in whose name we go forth to win souls from error to truth.
D. M. CANRIGHT,
GEO. I. BUTLER.
Report from Bro. Matteson.
By John Matteson
JUNE 15 to 18, I held meetings with the Danish church of Poy Sippi. We had quarterly meeting, and celebrated the ordinances. With much solemnity we remembered our own unworthiness, and great need of a sacrifice, and with gratitude to God we celebrated the memorials of the great condescension and wonderful love of the Son of God. Two willing candidates were buried with their Lord in baptism. It became our painful duty to drop two from our numbers, for long-continued disorderly walk.
The church now numbers thirty-two members. These pledged Systematic Benevolence for the coming year to the amount of $52.00. They are mostly poor. There are indications of spiritual prosperity among them, but there are many things yet to be overcome. May they strive to get their judgments sanctified by the truth, and be willing to give up all for the Lord.
June 21-27, I attended camp-meeting at Milton Junction, Wis. It is four years since I enjoyed a meeting of this kind with my brethren in Wisconsin, and met with them in Conference. It was very interesting and, I trust, beneficial to me to meet with so many old friends, and unite with them in the praise and worship of God. We were also blessed with the labors of those worn servants of God, Bro. and sister White, whom we esteem highly for their labor of love, through evil and good report, true to the cause, defenders of the truth. May they be much blessed and strengthened in the Lord, and preserved until his appearing.
JOHN MATTESON.
Neenah, Wis., July 6, 1871.
Do not Read Them.
It is a subject for serious thought, if not anxiety, that the papers which furnish full details of crimes, and the lives and sayings of notorious criminals, with illustrations of both themselves and their deeds, are eagerly sought after, and attain to immense circulations. It is also observable that a large portion of the news telegraphed to the daily press, is composed of the records of crime and its adjuncts, such as gaming, by billiards, base-ball, cock-fighting, and other such “sports” so called. Reports of murder and divorce trials, also, prove to be popular literature; for the demand regulates the supply, and the supply is enormous.
Now our advice to one and all is, to insist that reading resolutely pass over all such matter. The headings convey all the information you need concerning such things, and the perusal of the details is essentially demoralizing. You cannot touch pitch without becoming defiled; you cannot fill the mind with such prurient details as appear to have made up the testimony in a late murder trial in California, without soiling the heart and imagination. How easily such things are fastened upon the mind, and return to plague us in vain and wandering thoughts; while we have to study, if we would have what is good39and moral and religious at equally ready command. Even should the perusal of the story of iniquity not affect the foundation, it must necessarily sully or roil the stream. Therefore we say, Do not read them. Pass over the detailed reports of murder, divorce, and other criminal trials; of executions, of crimes, suicides, flashy and sentimental stories, races, fights, billiard-playing, base-ball matches, and discourage the reading of them by others with all your influence.
You cannot afford to read them. You ought to spend your time to better advantage, to say nothing of the moral or rather immoral influence exerted upon you. Do not plead, “Reading such things does not hurt me!” If you love to read them, you may be sure your heart is not right. The pure heart loves pure things. If you find anything in the records of vice and crime that affords a pleasurable mental excitement, you may be sure your heart needs cleansing. You need not be ignorant of what is going on in the world; but, generally speaking, the simple announcement of a crime and a clear statement of the facts in the case are all that should or need be made public. Let the sickening, polluting details be confined to the walls of those whose sad duty requires them to take cognizance of such things; or if published, let not the Christian make his brain a slop-pail for such corruption, but rather occupy the mind with whatsoever things are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report; and “if there be any virtue, if there be any praise, think on these things.” “And the peace of God, that passeth understanding, shall keep your minds through Christ Jesus.” —Advent Christian Times.
CONDENSE
By Rebekah Smith
The article which now you think
So perfect, and complete,
Would doubtless be, if half as long,
For printing twice as meet.
Once and again your thoughts condense,
Then what remains improve;
For matter must be weighty now,
The minds of men to move.
No preface does your piece demand
No introduction needs;
Select the wheat, but cast aside
The straw, and chaff, and weeds.
How many worse than wasted hours
Are spent foul works to read,
Fictions which poison heart and mind,
And basest passions feed.
Search for some richer gems than these,
Ideas new and rare;
Soon will you learn the good to save,
The valueless to spare.
With heart and mind thus disciplined,
And quickened every sense,
Let these three rules your pen control—
Condense, condense, condense.
REBEKAH SMITH.
West Wilton, N. H., June, 1871.
South-western New York.
By Robert F. Cottrell
SINCE my last report, I have spent two weeks holding meetings at Onoville, Cattaraugus County, a new field. Two embraced the Sabbath. While here, I visited a few Sabbath-keepers at Corydon, Pa., about three miles from Onoville. They came up to attend some of the meetings, and one came with them who recently embraced the Sabbath from reading, having never heard a discourse from one of our people.
Next I went to Eldred, Pa., where I spent a week. Here I had to bear a plain testimony, to free the cause from the evil influence of one who had been excluded from the church in Allegany Co. for sin, and instead of repenting, had taken a stand against us and was trying to draw away disciples after him. I hope our friends there will take my advice, and hold fast the message which is from Heaven. They were encouraged to hold fast. May God help them to do so.
The next Sabbath I met with the Allegany Co. church near Wellsville. Bro. and sister Lindsey and others from Ulysses, Pa., were present. Here I had the unexpected privilege of meeting with Bro. H. Edson of Oswego Co., who was visiting the churches in that region, and laboring for their encouragement and edification, and with good effect. The meeting was larger than any in that place for a long time, and very interesting. Three were received into the church by baptism.
The Sabbath following was our monthly, or I might say, quarterly, meeting at Cottage. These meeting occurring in regular order at Cottage, East Otto, and Randolph, constitute a quarterly meeting in each place. This meeting, though small, was a meeting of interest and, I trust, of profit. A spirit of united effort in the cause is growing, and the interest without is spreading and deepening. Here I learned with joy that a family at Randolph had embraced the Sabbath since our meeting there a month ago—a family which, if faithful and earnest, will prove a real accession to the cause in that place. We also learned that at E. Otto a man from the adjoining town of Ashford came to their Sabbath meeting, who had resolved to keep the Sabbath.
There are about fifty, Sabbath-keepers in Cattaraugus County, and a few in Chautauqua. Only one small church is organized; but I hope that two others, and larger ones, will apply for admission to our Conference at its next session. I now go to labor a week with the friends at East Elma, Erie Co. They are moving for organization, so as to unite with the Conference.
R. F. COTTRELL.
July 9, 1871.
Kind Words.
By Sel.
AS THE breath of the dew to the tender plant, they gently fall upon the drooping heart, refreshing its withered tendrils, and soothing its burning woes. Bright oases they are, in life's great desert. Who can estimate the pangs they have alleviated, or the good works they have accomplished?
Long after they are uttered do they reverberate in the soul's inner chamber, and sing low, sweet, liquid strains, that quell all the raging storms that may have before existed. And oh! when the heart is sad, and like a broken harp, the sweetest chords of pleasure cease to vibrate, who can tell the power of one kind word? One little word of tenderness, gushing in upon the soul, will sweep the long-neglected chords, and awaken the most pleasant strains.
When borne down with trials and troubles of life, we are ready to sink, fainting by the way, how like the cheering rays of sunshine do kind words come. They disperse the clouds, dispel the gloom, and drive sorrow far away.
Kind words are like jewels in the heart, never to be forgotten; but, perhaps, to cheer, by their memory, a long, sad life. While words of cruelty are like darts in the bosom, wounding and leaving scars that will be borne to the grave by their victim.
Why is it, then, that we do not always seek, by kind words, to scatter sunbeams along the pathway of others?—Sel.
Getting Rid of Bad Habits.
I ONCE heard a minister say, “Suppose some cold morning you should go into a neighbor’s house and find him busy at work on his windows—scratching away, and should ask what he was up to, and he should reply: ‘Why, I am trying to remove the frost; but as fast as I get it off one square it comes on another;’ would you not say, ‘Why, man, let your windows alone and kindle your fire, and the frost will soon come off.’ And have you not seen people who try to break off their bad habits one after another without avail? Well, they are like the man who tried to scratch the frost from his windows. Let the fire of love to God and man, kindled at the altar of prayer, burn in their hearts, and the bad habits will soon melt away.”
Sir Walter Scott
SIR WALTER SCOTT relates in his autobiography that when he was a child one of his legs was paralyzed, and that when medical skill failed, a kind uncle induced him to exert the muscles of the powerless limb by drawing a gold watch before him on the floor, tempting him to creep after it, and thus keeping up and gradually increasing vital action and muscular force.
So God deals with us in our spiritual childhood and the weakness of our faith. He holds the blessing before us, so as to tempt us to creep after them. How weak our efforts; how slow our movements. But spiritual vitality is elicited, developed, strengthened, by those efforts and movements, slow and weak as they are.
Obituary Notices.
Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth.
My venerable father, Dea. John White, died at my residence at Battle Creek, Michigan, July 5, 1871, in the eighty-seventh year of his age. The funeral services were conducted by Bro. W. H. Littlejohn on the 8th. JAMES WHITE.
DIED, of consumption, in Center, Wis., July 12, at the house of her brother-in-law, my daughter Sophronia, the wife of Andrew Graham, aged thirty-three years. Since the summer of 1845 she has kept the seventh-day Sabbath with her parents, and was always very conscientious and faithful in all religious duties, but it was not until the year of 1852 that she gave her heart to God and was baptized.
She said in her last sickness that she had always suffered more or less from doubts and fears, but after she was taken sick she came to Jesus just as she was, and that she had found the right way, and ever since had no more fear. She suffered much at times, especially the last few weeks; but bore all with childlike submission, ever looking to the Lord for help to patiently endure; we would ever cherish feelings of gratitude toward those kind friends and neighbors who so often administered to her comfort. May the God of love reward them, and may we all be so led into obedience of the truth as to meet where there will be no more sin or death.
The corpse was brought to Battle Creek, and the funeral attended by Eld. James White, when words of comfort were spoken from Rev. xiv, 13. PHEBE M. CHAMBERLAIN.
DIED, at Green Lake, Wisconsin, July 4, 1871, my beloved wife, Louisa O. West, after a sickness of seven weeks. She died with a well-grounded hope of a part in the first resurrection. She has led a devoted life over two years. She seemed perfectly resigned to the will of God, and when her voice was nearly hushed in death, she whispered, “Peaceful and happy.” She leaves a husband and two children and many friends to mourn her loss. N. S. WEST.
DIED, in North Liberty, Ind., July 5, 1871, Bro. Silas Carpenter, son of Wm. and Eliza Carpenter, formerly of Hanover, Mich., aged sixteen years, eight months, and twenty days. Bro. Silas embraced the great truth of the third angel’s message, and was baptized by Bro. Joseph Bates some four years since, from which time he lived a devoted Christian life. During his rapid decline for the last four months he bore his extreme suffering with great Christian patience, never uttering one murmuring word. We mourn his loss, but have faith that he will come forth at the call of the Lifegiver and be made immortal. A very appropriate and encouraging discourse was delivered on the occasion by Eld. Lawbon, a Methodist minister, from Matt. 5: 8: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” JAMES HARVEY.
Dress : a Conversation.
By John Norton Loughborough
MRS. A. Well, elder, I declare it is almost discouraging for persons to be picked at, and have so many stories told about them as they tell about me.
ELDER. Indeed, what is the trouble now? I am not posted in regard to the stories, and think we all have about all we can do to build over against our own house, without spending too much time in watching our neighbors. You are aware that I oppose backbiting, and claim if we see a wrong in a brother, our duty is to go to him in a proper spirit and tell him his fault to his face.
MRS. A. Well, somebody has started the story that I “went to Mr. ——'s to a dinner party on the Sabbath, dressed in the gayest manner possible.” Now, the facts are, I never went to a party to Mr. ——'s house, and I never went to his house on the Sabbath. I went there one Sunday to dinner, with my son and his wife, by invitation, and I don't think people need to find fault with that.
ELDER. Probably this can all be explained in this wise, sister: You know some people call Sunday the Sabbath. It might have been casually mentioned, at first, that you were at Mr. ——'s to dinner on the Sabbath, meaning Sunday. Others may have heard of it, and supposed it was on the seventh-day Sabbath, the day you profess to keep. We want to look upon all with all the allowance possible, and not think they are designing to injure us unless we have direct evidence to that effect.
MRS. A. Well, I have not so much charity, perhaps, as I ought to have, and I think it is a small matter any way to be noticing people's dress. I am sure I have not purchased any new dresses lately. My clothing is all old, and as for my gold chain, brooch, and cuff-buttons, I wear them when I go out into company; and it is necessary to do so, when you move in respectable circles.
ELDER. Well, sister, Christ is presented as our pattern, and we are admonished to learn of him; and there would be an amazing contrast between the silks, satins, and gold jewels of some, and the plain vesture of Christ.
MRS. A. I think it's small business to descend to notice such things, and I confess I do not want to associate with people who pick flaws with such little things. People that move in the circles I do, must dress according to those they associate with, or they will have no influence.
ELDER. I have always supposed that to be a Christian was to be like Christ, and we are admonished not only to have the mind that was in Christ, but he is given as a pattern, that “we should walk in his steps.” I should think it would be our duty to follow him, and go with the humble ones who are trying to imitate him, instead of dishonoring our profession for the sake of securing influence in what is called by men high circles. We should remember that what is “highly esteemed among men” may, after all, be “abomination in the sight of God.”
MRS. A. Well, my brooch and sleeve-buttons are useful articles, and I could not get along without wearing them.
ELDER. Let us see, you wear your brooch to fasten your collar. A jet, or vulcanized rubber pin, costing twenty-five cents, would keep your collar to its place, and look much more neat, plain, and tasty, than a cameo two by three inches, set on a gold plate, costing twenty-five or thirty dollars. Your gold cuff-buttons one inch in diameter are worth from ten to fifteen dollars. Your cuffs could be secured with nice jet buttons not costing over twenty-five cents.
MRS. A. I don't care anything about them. I'd just as willingly wear an old rag or piece of pewter as my brooch, so far as my own feelings are concerned, but then we are responsible for the influence we exert upon others.
ELDER. That is true; and you would not wear pewter or an old rag, for that would not be neat or tasty. I am glad you feel responsible for the influence you exert upon others. But, sister, have we any right to take a course to influence others contrary to the express teachings of the Bible?
MRS. A. If your people should all dress in that plain manner, you could never gain influence over such persons as Mr. —— and ——. You ought to think it an honor to have people come in among you that move in such high circles.
ELDER. Well, I do not know as it helps the cause any to have persons espouse it that feel above the simplicity of the truth. And as for these men you mention, with all their avaricious, over-reaching disposition, and pride, what could we do with them? What help would they be to us? God is not so straitened for means as to have the standard of truth lowered to gain them. I say here, that unless such men can come down to the simplicity of the gospel, I would rather they would not come among us, for it is no benefit to them, or to the cause of God.
MRS. A. I have thought your preaching would have a better influence if you did not say anything about dress. Preach the great and glorious truths, and let these little things alone.
ELDER. Well, sister, what should I better do? “Preach the word,” as Paul admonished Timothy? Or cripple the truth, and come down to pander to the follies of the age? How can I do otherwise than proclaim against these things, when Paul says for women to “adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array.”
MRS. A. That is only Paul's opinion. You know there were some things which he said were only his opinion.
ELDER. Paul says, “If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.” Wherever he has said anything that was not the commandment of the Lord, he has taken express pains to tell us so. Peter also speaks on this matter in a similar manner to what Paul does.
MRS. A. I was not aware that Peter said anything about it.
ELDER. Oh, yes! Peter says: “Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel. 1 Pet. 3:3.”
MRS. A. Well, they did not mean we should not wear any gold, but that we should not go to excess and pride in these things. I don't think, actually, that the Lord cares what we wear, if we don't have our affections on it. I do not believe in going to excess in this thing. I never did care anything about finger-rings, and could see no use in them.
ELDER. Why was it not just as easy for Peter and Paul to say, Don't have your affections on your dress, as to say in plain terms, not to “put on” or “wear” gold. You are aware that when people pattern after another, the tendency is for each person to go a little farther than his pattern. For instance, if you wear those articles you are pleading for, the next one might plead for four or five finger-rings; and the next one, for a bracelet; and so on, without limit. Now you say these texts condemn extremes in jewels and dress; and, as you question the manner in which I apply them, won't you be so kind as to tell me where to lay down a line of distinction, so that, in instructing the people, they may know what is excess in jewels.
MRS. A. Well, don't say anything about it at all, let every one's conscience be the guide in these matters.
ELDER. But, sister, you are aware that conscience is the result of instruction. To have a good conscience, the mind must be properly instructed. The poor Hindoo mother who throws her child into the jaws of the crocodile, is prompted to it by her conscience; she is instructed that he is the river god, and that his open jaws are an invitation to her to give her child to her god. Our minds should be instructed by the Bible, and our conscience be such that we should “tremble at” the Lord's word. We should not seek to please ourselves, and bring God's word to our terms.
MRS. A. I think it is descending to small particulars to pay any attention to such things, and in dress I think every one should be left to do as they please.
ELDER. Well, sister, it would be a strange way to train children, to let them always do as they please. Christians are admonished as “new-born babes to receive the sincere milk of the word,” that they “may grow thereby.” How else shall we make progress than by being admonished of our errors, submitting to the Lord's word, and putting away our sins?
MRS. A. Well, it will only bring the frown of other denominations upon us to be so particular.
ELDER. But, are you not aware that the Methodists in their discipline protest against wearing gold, and refer to these testimonies in Timothy and Peter to enforce their position? If they fail to live up to their discipline, that is no reason why we should fail to live up to the Bible. On this coast, where there is such a tendency with the masses to go into excess in dress and pleasure-seeking, I think it is important for those who would have the Lord's favor, and “shine as lights in the world,” to carefully seek in all things to comply with his word.
MRS. A. Well, I had thought of being baptized and uniting with the church, but I do not wish to connect myself with a people who are going to watch me all the time. I presume I can find somebody who will baptize me. As for organization, I am suspicious of it.
ELDER. I presume, sister, there are many who will take in members, and let them do about as they please, if they keep up a form of religion; but the question is, whether such things are going to stand the test of the Judgment. It seems to me it is the proper way to learn all our wrongs here, and put them away, that we may be prepared for the Judgment. I should not wish to belong to a church that watched me to pick flaws with my endeavors to do right. But if they watched over me for good, and meekly tried to instruct me in the right way, above all people, I should consider them my best friends.
MRS. A. Well, I must be going. Good day. ELDER. Sister, do not decide these matters hastily. Pray over them carefully; consider us as your friends.
The above is the substance of a conversation which occurred in this county between myself and a sister who had begun to keep the Sabbath, but did not see fit to give up the world. I give it in this form trusting it may lead some one to serious thought on the matter of dress, if they are inclined to “pride of life” and “lust of the eyes.”
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
The Traveler in the Snow.
A TRAVELER was crossing a mountain height alone, over almost untrodden snows. Warning had been given him that if slumber pressed down his weary eyelids, they would inevitably be sealed in death. For a time he went bravely along his dreary path. But with the deepening shade and freezing blast of night, there fell a weight upon his brain and eyes which seemed to be irresistible. In vain he tried to reason with himself, in vain he strained his utmost energies to shake off that fatal heaviness. At this crisis of his fate, his foot struck against a heap that lay across his path. No stone was that, although no stone could be colder or more lifeless. He stooped to touch it and found a human body, half buried beneath a fresh drift of snow. The next moment the traveler had taken a brother in his arms, and was chafing his hands, and chest, and brow, breathing upon the stiff, cold lips, the warm breath of a living soul; pressing the silent heart to the beating pulses of his own generous bosom.
The effort to save another had brought back to himself life, and warmth, and energy. He was a man again, instead of a weak creature succumbing to a despairing helplessness, dropping down in dreamless sleep to die. “He saved a brother, and was saved himself.”—English Hearts and English Hands.
THE BIBLE.
Some writer gives the following analysis of the Book of books, the Bible:—
“It is a book of laws, it shows the right and wrong. It is a book of wisdom, that makes the foolish wise. It is a book of truth, which detects all human errors. It is the book of life, and shows how to avoid everlasting death. It is the most authentic and entertaining history ever published. It contains the most remote antiquities, the most remarkable events and wonderful occurrences. It is a code of laws. It is a perfect body of divinity. It is an unequaled narrative. It is a book of biography. It is a book of travels. It is a book of voyages. It is a book of the best covenant ever made—the best deed ever written. It is the best will ever executed, the best Testament ever signed. It is the young man’s best companion. It is the school-boy’s instructor. It is the learned man’s master-piece. It is the ignorant man’s dictionary, and every man’s dictionary.”
LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE.—
The Christian lets his light shine by constantly living and acting as Christ, his Master, would have done in his position. He seeks out the miserable and befriends them, he relieves the poor, he counsels the young, he restores the erring, he reforms the vicious, he opens his heart in sympathy with the sorrowing, he shares in the joy of the happy, he bears with the impatience and anger and ill-nature of men, he is kind at home, courteous abroad, upright in his beneficence, deliberate and charitable in his judgments of others, more ready to suffer wrong than to do wrong, prompt to redress injuries, slow to inflict them, firm and decided in doing right himself, and condemning his own faults with rigor, forgiving and endeavoring to repair the faults of others.
Profanity
PROFANITY never did any man the least good. No man is the richer, or happier, or wiser for it. It commends no one to any society. It is disgusting to the refined; abominable to the good; insulting to those with whom we associate; degrading to the mind; unprofitable, needless, and injurious, to society.
The Record of Daily Life
LET every dawn of morning be to you as the beginning of life, and every setting of the sun as its close; then let every one of these short lives leave its sure record of some kindly thing done for others, some goodly strength or knowledge gained for yourselves; so from day to day and strength to strength you shall build up indeed, by art, thought, and by just will, an ecclesia of which it shall not be said, “See what manner of stones here,” but, “See what manner of men.”
Love
WITH love, the heart becomes a fair and fertile garden, glowing with sunshine and warm hues, and exhaling sweet odors; but without it, it is a bleak desert covered with ashes.
The Day of Rest.
By Sel.
I THINK with a shudder, sometimes, of what life would be without the Sabbath, if day after day the great wheel of the world went round with its ceaseless clatter, never a rest in motion, never a pause in sound. I speak of the Sabbath only in its original meaning, as a word that signifies rest. And in this sense it is by most men, and ought to be by all, esteemed as the very greatest of all blessings which Almighty Benevolence has bestowed on man. The worst Sabbath-breaker of all is the ingrate who is not thankful when the Sabbath comes round. He may go to church three times a day, and be austere in all outward observances, but he breaks the Sabbath in his heart if he rejoices when it is over. There are many kinds of worship, and I am humbly disposed to think that the giving of thanks is not the least acceptable of them. If it be true that laborare est orare, we are praying during six days of the week and may devote the seventh to praise. He who thoroughly enjoys his day of rest lives from morning till night in a state of thankfulness to the Almighty; the incense of praise is continually rising from his heart. I do not envy the man who does not hail the advent of the Sabbath and rejoice in the rest which it vouchsafes.—Sel.
Hold on to the Truth
HOLD on to the truth, for it will serve you well.
Appointments.
By John Nevins Andrews; J. M. Lindsay; E. B. Gaskill
And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of Heaven is at hand.
Camp-Meeting for New York and Pennsylvania Conference.
After a careful examination of all the openings that seemed to be worthy of attention, the camp-meeting committee decide that the best place for our meeting this year is at Kirkville, Onondaga Co., N. Y., on the same ground that we occupied two years since. The New York Central Railroad Co. furnish better facilities for reaching Kirkville this year than heretofore. The time table for Kirkville will be given soon through the Review.
We earnestly invite the labors of Bro. and sister White, and of such other help as may accompany them from the west, to preach to us the word of God. We will do what lies in our power to prevent burdens of other kinds from coming upon them, but we feel the need of their faithful testimonies, and we trust not to be disappointed.
We invite our brethren from all parts of our conference to rally to this meeting. Our general meeting comes only once a year, and we cannot afford to lose the good which is in store for us. We invite every church to come, and also every company of believers in whatever place they may be situated. Come with your tents and your bedding, prepared to take care of yourselves. Those who come alone should bring bedding, so that they can sleep in the large tent, and thus care for themselves. There will be a provision stand upon the ground.
We earnestly invite all our friends to prepare their hearts to seek God. Begin now by putting away all your idols, and by humbling your hearts before him. And remember that none should appear before God empty. Come prepared to do something in aid of every good work for which appeals may be made. Let us have a general rally to this feast of tabernacles. Our meeting will be held August 10-15.
J. N. ANDREWS, } New York,
J. M. LINDSAY, } Conference
E. B. GASKILL, } Committee.
JENIEL GANIARD
By Jeniel Ganiard
QUARTERLY meeting for the church of Waterloo, Grant Co., Wis., will be held at their house of worship July 29, 1871. We hope to see all the brethren and sisters present, and as many from abroad as can come.
JENIEL GANIARD
Health Convention.
By James White
THERE will be a convention of the friends of health reform at the Health Institute, in Battle Creek, July 27, 1871. There will be speaking at 11 A. M., hygienic dinner at 1 P. M., and speaking at 2 P. M. The friends of health reform in this city and vicinity will do all in their power to make ample provisions for the consistent friends of health reform, who may attend from abroad, and for those in the city who receive invitation by letter. A cordial invitation is extended to all our friends in Michigan and other States.