WRITING from Neuchatel, Oct. 28., Bro. J. N. Andrews says:
“In the new edition of my Sabbath History, pp. 464–467, I have shown that there are many Sabbath-keeping Christians in Russia, and that their history dates back at least one century earlier than the reformation under Martin Luther. I have just met with an interesting confirmation of this statement. There lives in this vicinity a sister by the name of Pigueron, who with her daughter removed in 1871 to Roumania, a province of the Turkish Empire which borders on Russia. She returned last year. She states that the brother of her daughter's husband visited Russia, and on his return told her that there were people in Russia who keep the seventh day as the Sabbath. He said that they had churches, but that they were much scattered by persecution; that there are many of them, and that they kept it from their forefathers. I will in due time give a further account of these observers of the ancient Sabbath.”
The day after reading the above, I met, in Oakland, a Russian school teacher, who left Russia seven years since. He was well acquainted with many of the Sabbath-keeping Russians, has been in their houses, conversed with them, and partaken of their plain, frugal diet. He says there are many thousands of these Molokaners, that they are earnest believers in Christ, and even make more use of the New Testament than the Greek or Russian church. He said they were not brought out on the Sabbath, by missionaries but by their own investigations of the Bible.
They now have teachers and ministers among them, but they are those who have received their information and education among the Molokaners themselves. He says they are an intelligent, energetic people, and many of them quite wealthy. He stated that this sect commenced in Russia in Europe a long time ago, that they were considered as heretics, and dangerous to the religion of the empire, and were banished over the Ural Mountains, but that they prospered more after their banishment than before. Before their banishment they were serfs, or renters of land; but, since their banishment, many of them have become peasants, or moderate sized farm owners. We shall watch with interest for what Bro. Andrews shall say of them.
J. N. L.
The Cause in the East.
By John Norton Loughborough
SINCE our last issue numbers 22 and 23 of the Advent Review, our Eastern denominational paper, have come to hand. Its pages, as usual, are filled with good news of the progress of the cause in all parts of the field. There is a prospect of a large attendance at the Biblicial Institute, which is to hold from Dec. 15th for three weeks. Already is the spirit of revival manifested in the church at Battle Creek, and scores were forward for prayers in the Sabbath meeting of December 5. These are ominous signs that great good will result from the Institute.
Reports of labor show that a good work is going on wherever the ministers are preaching the truth. We especially notice interesting reports from Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Iowa and Kentucky. In some of these places fierce opposition has raged against the truth; but a signal victory crowns the truth in the end, and more than a score are brought out on the truth. It is evident that the Lord is on the side of his truth, and that he will bless the humble efforts of those who take hold with all their souls to push on this work.
J. N. L.
Where Are They?
By D. M. Canright
At our recent California Conference, nine persons received licence to preach in this State for one year. Nearly three months have already passed, but we see no reports of work by any of them. So far as we can learn, only one has attempted to go out and lecture. Do these brethren mean to use their licences? If so, for what are they waiting? The conference will not grant licences year after year to those who make no use of them. One year is enough to prove whether a man has talent, energy, and a burden of the work or not. So far as I am acquainted, those who have ever amounted to any thing have given good proof of their calling the first year by raising up one or more new churches. Indeed, our ablest ministers have had the best success the first year or two.
Those who fail to accomplish something the first year seldom do any thing afterwards. Hence we feel anxious to see our brethren here go to work soon. Now is the best time to do it. The evenings are long and the people have leisure to attend, and time to read. Why not begin now? Some are waiting till they get their debts paid; others till they get their business all settled up, so that they can give all their time to it. This is a mistake. It is not certain that any of these brethren can succeed so well that the conference can afford to assume the support of their families, and they are not able to live without receiving something. It is unwise therefore, to throw up their business and cut off all income till they have tried what they can do.
It is unwise for these poor men to go where they will have to board at a hotel, hire a hall, and have other expenses. Go out to some school house, which you can obtain without cost, and near enough so that you can board at home. What if you do have to ride or even walk, several miles each lecture? Begin Friday evening, and continue till Sunday night, then you can carry on your ordinary work and support your family. This will be as often as a beginner ought to lecture.
Then if you don't raise up a church, you have not lost anything, while you have gained some experience that may help you another time. The first effort I made I had to quit the fifth evening for lack of an audience! I immediately went to another little school house, but had to close the third lecture for the same reason. I went in another direction and tried it again. This time I held out till the tenth lecture. By this time I had learned something and had gained some idea of how to go to work.
Brethren, don't wait to make some grand effort which will require you to break up your business, leave home and pay out your means for board, hall rent, &c. Enter the first opening you can find within reach, if you can't get more than ten hearers. Accept a private house, get a few of the neighbors together and see if you can interest them. Do it now. How many forty foot tents shall we buy next spring? But the conference will risk nothing on those who do nothing this fine winter. Will, life, energy are what are needed. If things don't "turn up," take hold, in the name of the Lord, and make them turn.
D. M. CANRIGHT.
Some people have softening of the brain, but the world suffers more from those who have hardening of the heart.
Thy Thoughts.
By E. F. Uhl
"For the word of God is quick and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Heb. 4 : 12.
How true, and yet how few are willing to abide by its teachings. We often see moral men, who probably all through their lives, are never found guilty of a visible, gross, wrong act. We look at such a one and are apt to say, "He certainly is worthy of heaven if any one is." Could we but get one glance at the heart, we would probably appreciate the saying of Christ. "For ye are like unto whited sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness." Matt. 23 : 27.
We need not go far in the world to find illustrations of these facts. Look in your own heart and see there where Christ should dwell. There we see the monster himself. My brother, let us not be deceived. Let us not imagine ourselves so far above our brethren who have not the light we have ; but let us take the position of the publican, who said, "God be merciful to me a sinner." Neither let us give up striving because we have a little more of the truth than some one else, but remember we shall have all the more to give an account for in the end, either for good or evil. May the Lord help us to go on, laboring and striving, for right. "There is resting by and by."
E. F. UHL.
Growth of the United States.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
THE following is from the Phrenological Journal, Nov. 1874.
“Postal Statistics.”
“THE growth of our postal system is simply an index to the growth of other interests. In 1790 the number of post-offices in the United States was 75, the length of post-roads in miles was 1,875 miles, the postal revenues amounted to $37,935 and the expenditures to $32,140. That was the day of small things in our postal system. . . .
“In 1873 the number of post-offices was 33,244, the length of the post-roads was 256,210 miles, the postal revenues were $22,996,741.57, and the expenditures were $29,084,945.67.”
This item alone indicates the rapid growth of our government since it was first noticed in prophecy. Truly could John describe it as “coming up.” Rev. 13 : 11. No other nation has grown so rapidly.
D. M. C.
A King on United States' Soil.
By John Norton Loughborough
King Kalakaua of the Hawaiian, or Cannibal Islands, arrived in San Francisco, Nov. 29th, and left for Washington, D. C., Dec. 5th. He is said to be the first king that ever trod on United States' soil. Great has been the excitement in San Francisco over the king. How few of the 200,000 here, who looked upon this king, realize that the "KING OF KINGS" is about to visit the world to bestow the gift of eternal life upon his "willing and obedient" subjects. J. N. L.
Patience.
By John Wesley
But what is patience? We do not now speak of a heathen virtue, neither of a natural indolence; but of a gracious temper, wrought in the heart of a believer by the power of the Holy Ghost. It is a disposition to suffer whatever pleases God, in the manner and for the time that pleases him. We thereby hold the middle way, neither despising our sufferings, making little of them, passing over them lightly, as if they were owing to chance, or second causes; nor, on the other hand, affected too much, unnerved, dissolved; sinking under them. We may observe, the proper object of patience is suffering, either in body or mind.
Patience does not imply the not feeling; this is apathy or insensibility. It is at the utmost distance from stoical stupidity! yea, and at an equal distance from fretfulness or dejection. The patient believer is preserved from falling into either of these extremes, by considering who is the author of all his suffering, even God his Father. What is the motive of his giving us to suffer? Not so properly his justice as his love. And what is the end of it? Our profit, that we may be partakers of his holiness.—Wesley.
THIS is the last time I will be able to speak to our Missionary members, through the paper before the Quarterly meetings. I had hoped all the directors would act with promptness in the matter of appointing the officers which it devolves upon them to appoint. If they have done so, have they reported to the State Missionary Secretary the name of the district secretary of their district, and the name of the librarian and business agent in each church in their district? Sister Bush reports to me that she is only advised of the appointments in her own district, No. 5. Since writing the above I have received the list of officers from district No. 2.
You will see in Nos. 9 and 10 of SIGNS that I requested each director to send us a list of the books, tracts, pamphlets, Reviews, Reformers, Instructors, SIGNS, pass books, and blanks for quarterly reports on hand in each church. Reports of this kind have come in from districts No. 3, 4, 5 and 9. I have no report from the others. The object of these reports is to have just the standing of our State tracts, and tract fund appear on the State Secretary's book as we start out under the new constitution. Those who have reported will receive their supply of tracts, SIGNS, &c. immediately. . We will supply the other districts as we hear from them. I do not know what to send to each district unless I know what they now have.
Some are acting on the matter of obtaining new subscribers for the SIGNS, as you will see by reports in this number. Let each district take hold of it so that the reports at our Quarterly meetings may give a basis for a wholesome report at our State Quarterly meeting. Let there be activity, brethren, in the work assigned us. We have not a millennium to work in. What we do for the Master must be done quickly. Don't neglect these missionary matters until you have a "convenient" time to attend it, but up and at it. I asked a brother, the other day, if he had seen another brother on an important matter connected with our publishing and tent enterprises in this State. He said, "No!" he "had not happened to meet him." It seems to me God would be pleased in such cases for us to "make something happen," by going on purpose to see people on the Lord's work. We must each have an earnest desire in our hearts to do in this cause, and improve each and every opportunity in doing if we make progress. I hope all will pay particular attention to the reporting of what they do in the line of visiting, circulating tracts, or papers, and obtaining new subscribers for our periodicals. Let the directors in each district stir up all their members to the work.
Now as some of you will be left to yourselves to try your skill in conducting your Quarterly meetings, you may be glad of some instructions relative to it. I here insert a table of directions which I have received from our brethren East. I hope it may be of advantage to all our directors.
MANNER OF CONDUCTING QUARTERLY MEETINGS.
I. The Report of the previous Quarterly Meeting should be read by the District Secretary, and accepted, with such amendments as may be necessary.
II. Read the workings of the Tract and Missionary Society of the present quarter, but not to accept it till the next Quarterly Meeting, as it will not be complete till it embraces all the business of that meeting.
III. Next bring forward all other business that should come before the meeting.
IV. The director who (in absence of the President) presides over the meeting, can make such remarks at the reading of the Report by the Secretary (either before or after), as will more clearly give an understanding of the working and wants of the Society.
V. After the business, let the remainder of the time be occupied in relating individual experiences, and giving such instruction (which may often be illustrated by experiences related) as seems necessary to guard against extremes, and lead to a correct understanding of how to carry forward this work.
The Report of the present quarter might be written, taking up each church separately, something like the following:—
Church at —— has —— members; which have returned —— reports; which show —— families visited; —— letters written; obtained —— subscribers for Review, —— for Reformer, —— for Instructor, —— for SIGNS. Distributed —— Reviews, —— Reformers; —— Instructors; —— SIGNS. Distributed by loaning and otherwise, —— pages of tracts and pamphlets; value, $——. sold —— pages; value, $——.
FINANTIAL STANDING. Quarter ending — (which is the previous quarter), their account stood with the District, $——, (Dr. or Cr., as the case may be.) They have received during the quarter, —— pages; value, $——. Donated during the quarter, $——. Paid on memberships, $——. Which makes their present standing, $—— (Dr. or Cr., as the case may be.) After the report of each church is given, something like the above, give the sum total of the whole, with the standing of the District with the Tract and Missionary Society of the Conference.
The Report of the previous meeting, which should be read first, might commence by stating when and where the meeting was held, and in such manner as is usual in giving such reports.
If money is raised for the Widow and Orphan Fund, or for any other enterprise, it should be stated, how much.
At the close of the meeting a copy of the Report should be forwarded at once to the State Secretary; for his Report respecting the working of the Society depends upon the Report received from the Districts.
The State Quarterly Report will take up each District separately, about as the District Quarterly Report takes up each church, and also gives the standing of the Tract and Missionary Society.
J. N. L.
District Director’s Benevolent Duties
By S. N. Haskell
Answer to J. W. B. of Dist. No. 2, in Signs No. 9.
It is supposed that the Director will become personally acquainted with each family of Sabbath-keepers in his district, and will visit and pray with them as circumstances require. Thus he will understand their spiritual condition, and if poor, their temporal necessities. Cast-off clothing, new garments, or cloth to make into garments for the poor, is gathered up by the Director from all parts of his district, with the co-operation of the brethren and sisters who may feel disposed to assist in the work. This is usually, and I might say nearly always given by friends of the poor. When there are families that need assistance, and that assistance can be rendered by the brethren and sisters acquainted with the case, and with the circumstances, it is not expected they will wait to draw from a fund by notifying the Director, etc.; but will remember the word of the Lord, and "not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother; but thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need in that which he wanteth ; and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him, because that for this thing the Lord thy God shalt bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto." Deut. 15:7-10.
In short, the brethren should be brethren of benevolence; and the sisters, sisters of charity. This spirit should live in the hearts of all, so that it can be said of them they are "given to hospitality." Or, as Paul said of Timothy, he would naturally care for others. Then it will be a privilege to do what can consistently be done by each individual as opportunities present themselves.
It is not unfrequent that the nature of the case is such that counsel of the more experienced is needed. Perhaps a husband dies and an estate is to be settled,—some move to be made that requires a general oversight by men of experience in such matters. Perhaps homes are to be found for children; or some widow has been cast out for the truth's sake; or sickness that requires more than ordinary attention. Perhaps means are needed beyond what could consistently be furnished by friends living in the immediate vicinity. Then the case should be referred to the Director, and if necessary, he refer it to the board of directors at the general Quarterly meeting, when the united counsel of those present decide what steps should be taken in the case. If it be necessary, means can be drawn from the general fund, but only by a vote of the directors present at any general Quarterly meeting.
But if the afflicted party refuse the advice and counsel of the more experienced brethren, and choose to pursue their own independent course, then our duty toward them is done, as far as assuming any responsibility in their case is concerned. Mutual obligation is the basis of the Christian religion. Christ saves none but those who comply with the principles of his righteous requirements.
The general fund is raised by any who may feel it a privilege to give. The money goes into the hand of the Treasurer of the State Tract Society, and is reported the same as the money for the Tract Society. It is drawn out by order of the President, who is introduced by a vote of the directors present at any general Quarterly meeting. It has never been the practice to entitle each district to draw what they have raised and no more, from the fact that in every conference as far as I am acquainted (and I am acquainted with every conference of Seventh-day Adventists on the east side of the Rocky Mountains), there are districts which the providence of God has so favored that they have never, as yet, been under the necessity of calling for help from the fund; and usually such districts are the best able to contribute to such a fund.
A spirit of sectionalism should be guarded against in the conference Tract Society. The different districts are only branches of one family. The spirit of gospel equality should be cultivated in the hearts of all. Paul defines it as follows: "For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened; but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want; that their abundance also may be a supply for your want; that there may be equality." 2 Cor. 8:13, 14.
The poor is Christ's legacy to the church. "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me," are the words of Christ when he comes to make manifest a decision which has already been made in the courts of Heaven. I fully believe that that which is needed to meet the necessities of all the worthy poor is intrusted to the church, and it is the guardian of such cases, and an asylum for the homeless. "Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?" Isa. 58:7.
In conclusion we say: 1. It is a duty and privilege for each individual to feel to do what they can to relieve the afflicted. 2. The Director does what is consistent for his district to do, taking a general oversight of the same. 3. The board of directors step in to assist when needed, by counsel, finding homes, or appropriating the funds raised for that purpose, etc. 4. All co-operate together; first, in doing what they can individually do; and, second, in raising a fund to be appropriated by the directors when needed.
The clothing gathered up can be retained in the district, or sent to any point where most needed, and is of the easiest access. The Director has charge of it in his district while it is there. An account is kept from where, or from whom it is received; and where, and for what purpose it is disposed of. Also a record should be kept by the State Tract Society Secretary, of all funds paid out and for whom.
S. N. HASKELL.
So. Lancaster, Mass. Nov. 1874.
Questions and Answers.
By John Norton Loughborough
Bro. C. C., District No. 9, inquires, "What is to be done with the commencement we have made in this state on Vigilant Miss. Societies, and are their reports included in the Quarterly reports of their church and district?"
Reply. On this matter I wrote Bro. Haskell and will quote his answers. "The Vigilant Missionary Society is simply a wheel within a wheel. That is, it is an organization, in which a special point is made to correspond with any person or persons in any part of the world where there is any probability of doing them good. The reporting once in six weeks has nothing to do by way of filling out blank reports such as are filled out in reporting to the Tract Society; but it is general items of interest to the V. M. Society alone. I do not think you will make a success of that Society until you get your Tract Society well running."
Bro. W. H., District No. 2, says, "I would like some instructions in regard to starting a widow and orphan's fund in this district, and also how to conduct the Missionary meetings in general. I wish to start right.
Reply. You will find some wholesome instructions in Bro. Haskell's answer to J. W. B. of your district, relative to your first question. I would not advise any move to raise a fund, until after our State Quarterly meeting. It can be considered at that meeting by our board of directors and a move be made simultaneously in all the districts. On your question of conducting meetings, you will find instructions in the Missionary Department of this page.
Bro. A. W. E. District No. 3, asks, Can the Business Agent take from strangers to the truth half price subscriptions, or $1.00 for the SIGNS for one year?
Reply. Yes. If outside parties wish the paper and are disposed to give $1.00 toward it, take that, if they are not disposed to do more.
Bro. A. W. E., District No. 3, also inquires, Is it the Business Agent's duty to be able to show when each subscriber's subscription expires, to any of the S. D. A. Periodicals?
Reply. Yes, I shall soon furnish a list of subscribers to the directors of each District. They will furnish to the Business Agent of each church in their District who will then be prepared to act in collecting arrearages.
Bro. C. M. K., District No. 5, inquires, Are the pamphlets to be given to members?
Reply. If you mean to inquire whether pamphlets are to be given to members for their own benefit, I say emphatically, No! I hope none will be inclined to pay $1.00 to become a member of a tract society and then draw books simply for their own reading by the four or five dollars' worth. It is expected that members will pay for books they get of the Society for their individual benefit. It is proper for members to draw tracts to give away, also pamphlets. In most cases unless sending them off to a distance, it may be better for members to loan books and pamphlets, than to give them too freely. On this matter you can use discretion under the counsel of your director.
J. N. L.
To the Work.
By John Mavity
Now that our T. & M. Societies are organized under the new order of things, let us earnestly go to work in the good cause. Let us take Christ for our example who went about doing good. Surely this was missionary work. Too many are only willing to work in the Lord's vineyard when it brings credit to themselves. They are far from being ready to engage in the work when they see nothing but painful toil and sacrifice, and no prospect that their services will ever be acknowledged by their fellow men.
Some are willing to engage in the service of God when they can be shown some great work to be done, but have no heart to engage in the more humble labors that are suffering to be done, but which attracts no notice, save the all-seeing eye of God. We should not only work for the Master, but with that self-sacrificing and humble spirit that elicits no praise from our fellow men. If we do not feel the proper spirit to work in the good cause, we should at once seek heavenly counsel. To battle successfully we must have on the armor of light. We should have a growing interest in the blessed work. If we have not we have cause for alarm.
As a helper, I would advise all to subscribe for that indispensable little sheet, the True Missionary, which only costs 50c per year. Every number is filled with words of courage, of counsel and of instruction from the pens of those whose very souls are swallowed up in this glorious cause.87We who have seen the light, we who have heard the last message of mercy, have a fearful responsibility resting upon us, and we cannot afford to loose any means whereby we may warn souls of the impending crisis that is close upon us.
Some Christian fortitude may be called for to successfully breast the waves of opposition and trial that may beset us at every step of our progress, but we should press on to the end, trusting in the heavenly promises for those that are faithful. May God help us to do our duty and be found faithful servants to the last, is my prayer.
JOHN MAVITY.
Impatience.
WHY are we so impatient of delay,
Longing forever for the time to be?
For thus we live to-morrow in to-day,
Yet that to-morrow we may never see.
We are too hasty; and not reconciled
To let kind nature do her work alone;
We plant our seed, and like a foolish child
We dig it up to see if it has grown.
The good that it is to be we covet now,
We cannot wait for the appointed hour;
Before the fruit is ripe, we shake the bough,
And seize the bud that folds away the flower.
When midnight darkness reigns we do not see,
That the dark night is mother of the morn;
We cannot think our own sharp agony,
May be the birth-pang of a joy unborn.
Into the dust we see our idols cast;
And cry that death has triumphed, life is void!
We do not trust the promise, that the last
Of all our enemies shall be destroyed.
With rest almost in sight the spirit faints,
And heart and flesh grow weary at the last,
Our feet would walk the city of the saints,
Even before the silent gate is passed.
Teach us to wait until Thou shalt appear
To know that all Thy ways and times are just;
Thou seest that we do believe and fear,
Lord make us also to believe and trust!
Report of Progress.
By Editor
THE work is advancing slowly, yet we trust surely. Some are taking hold of the work of obtaining subscribers, others are waiting for a more convenient season. We hope all will take hold cheerfully, and promptly of this work.
NEW SUBSCRIBERS.
Since our last report, in No 10, we have received subscribers from our Missionary workers, as follows: Paid subscribers for SIGNS. District No. 1, none: No. 2, five: No. 3, one: No. 4, none: No. 5, three: No. 6, none: No. 7, three: No. 8, none: No. 9, eight: Total, twenty. Trial Subscribers. No. 1, none: No. 2, none: No. 3, five: No. 4, one: No. 5, none: No. 6, none: No. 7, six: No. 8, three: No. 9, three: Total, seventeen.
Napa Co.
BRO. CHURCH writes from St. Helena, Nov. 29th. "Dear Bro. Loughborough : Perhaps a few lines from here might be of interest to you. We are getting along very well. We have had splendid meetings since the camp meeting. All seem to take new courage in the Lord, and in the absence of help, all seem to want to be helpers. We have had a visitor from Oregon with us three or four Sabbaths. She is a sister of Mr. S—. She has attended our meetings and become very much interested. To-day she kept her first Sabbath. She says she never will forsake it. She was a Baptist, and appears to be a very candid and good woman. May the Lord help her to 'prove all things and hold fast that which is good.'
"We intend to try and hold our next Sabbath meeting in our new church, we feel to thank the Lord that we are able to build as good a one as it is.
"I just received a letter from my niece in Fresno Co. She said they rejoiced in the truth very much. She said she had not used any tea, coffee, nor pork since camp meeting.
We are glad to hear that the interest is good in San Francisco. May many souls take their stand for the present truth there. I wish you could be with us next Sabbath as we intend to meet in our new meeting house. I forgot to say that Bro. A. H.—has come out strong on the truth here since camp meeting."
"We expect that the True Missionary will merge into the Review, as a new paper will be issued east of the Plains to fill the same place as the Signs on the Pacific coast."
S. N. HASKELL.