p. 103 | Review and Herald, Vol. 28, No. 13. (8/28/1866)

Extracts from Letters.

Sister H. Clough writes from Springfield, Mass.: It is about twelve years since I first had my attention called to the third angel's message. I embraced it rather hastily, it was thought at the time, for I am usually slow to take hold of anything new. But as I look at it now, I did not step any too fast; and I am rejoicing to-day for what the message has done for me. And yet I feel that there is a great work still to be done to fit such a frail worm as I am, to dwell forever with the pure and the blessed in that glorious kingdom which is about to be set up under the whole heaven. My hope is that He that hath begun a good work in me will carry it on until the day of Jesus Christ.

Bro. A. D. Rust writes from Cato, Mich.: How very easy to understand the plain teaching of the Bible, that man is mortal, and that to obtain immortality he must seek by continuance in well-doing for eternal life.

Then let us live for God and work for eternal life, as those that must give account, that we may be brought again from the land of the enemy, and evermore have access to the tree of life.

Sister L. Conley writes from Owen Center, N. Y.: I am the only Sabbath-keeper in my family or neighborhood, and hence have not the privilege of meeting with others of like precious faith. But I love to read the cheering testimonies in the Review. Though the writers are all strangers to me, I love them, and long for the time to come when we shall, if faithful, meet to part no more. I thank the Lord that he at last gave me a heart to accept and obey the truth. Eight years I was willingly blind, determined not to be convinced that the Sabbath was binding. One year ago I decided to obey, but thought I could not be numbered with the “despised Advents,” I was so prejudiced against them as a class of people. Soon after I commenced keeping the Sabbath, I visited Lancaster, N. Y., and was present at the Monthly Meeting in July; I heard Eld. J. N. Fuller speak once. The Bro. and sisters then gave in their testimonies, and were so earnest and sincere, that I was completely won. But I lost a blessing even then, by being too proud to take part with them.

When I look at myself, I do not despair of any of my friends being given to go with me, if I ask in faith. I believe that I was brought to see the truth in answer to prayer. I had good friends praying for me. I wonder their faith did not fail, I was so bitter against them. I often exclaim with the Psalmist, “Bless the Lord, for he is good, his mercy endureth forever.” Pray for me, that I may lay aside, everything that keeps me from serving him with my whole heart, and go through with the remnant people to Mount Zion.

Sister E. Loop writes from Eldred, Pa.: I first heard the sound of the third angel's message six years ago. I thought it was the truth and embraced it as such, thinking I would never turn from it; but I found it to be true that the heart is prone to wander as the sparks are to fly upward. I turned away, and for two years I found no peace; but last summer I resolved, the Lord assisting me, that let what would come I would serve Him all the rest of my life. There are no words by which I can express the sorrow I have felt for my past disobedience; yet I have a hope, if I now prove faithful, of receiving eternal life when the Lord shall come to make up his jewels.

“How oft, alas! this wretched heart Has wandered from the Lord! How oft my roving thoughts depart, Forgetful of his word! “But sovereign mercy calls, return; Dear Lord, and may I come? My vile ingratitude I mourn; O, take the wanderer home.”

Turned Back.

By L. D. Santee

“He has turned back,” said a friend to me one day. It was a short sentence; but oh the sorrow, the anguish caused by those words. Who had turned back? A loved brother, bound to our hearts by many pleasant associations. We had rejoiced together; we had wept together; we had celebrated the ordinances of the Lord’s house together; we had covenanted together to keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. But he had turned back. Turned his back on the Law of God; turned his back on the Sabbath; turned his back on the pearly gates of the New Jerusalem; turned his back on the reward of the righteous, the earth made new. Parting with friends is always sad; but oh how sad when the prospect is that it will be eternal. While we are treading the rough and thorny path leading to Mt. Zion, they are traveling another road. But our sorrow is not unmixed with joy. Though all earthly friends should turn away from us, we still have a Friend who will never leave us. We are satisfied that probation is about to close; that the work of cleansing the heavenly sanctuary is nearly finished. Let this be our song while in the house of our pilgrimage, The Lord is soon coming, we will rejoice in his salvation. In a little while we shall stand before the Judge of quick and dead; but alas for the souls who in that day are weighed in the balance and found wanting! L. D. SANTEE.

Gridley, McLean Co., Ill.

Does God Hear Prayer?

THE town of Scandia, in Minnesota, was settled by a colony of pious Swede Baptists. They are in the main industrious, praying farmers. During the first year of their settlement, some eight or nine years ago, the country was ravaged by grasshoppers—coming down from the North, and laying waste and desolate the most fruitful fields. What was to be done? The seed had been sown in faith, and the only visible hope for these worthy Scandinavians, for the coming winter, was in their crops. Would not God prevent the approaching destructive army if his throne was besieged in that regard? A few days more, and to all human probability, the attack would commence upon their fields; for such was the celerity and system of their movements, that the people had come to calculate with almost a certainty their arrival. In this dilemma, these praying men and women met, as a unit, to intercede God to turn the grasshopper aside from their fields. He did turn them aside. When within a few miles of their “town line,” this mighty army parted, went around on both sides of them, and again united a few miles below. Theirs was a faith which took hold of the arm of the Almighty, and would not let him go until he blessed them.

When war's clarion notes sent an electric thrill through the nation, the church of Scandia again prayed that God would designate the men to lay upon the altar of their adopted country. Nine stalwart men enlisted, and those that remained pledged one day for prayer, in each week, until their safe return from the bloody field. Never once, in three years, did that day of prayer fail to be observed. Let the pressure of the work season be ever so great, rain or shine, hot or cold, snow or mud, it was faithfully and promptly regarded till each of these nine soldiers of the cross, as well as their country, all bronzed by a Southern sun, but without a scar or scratch, knelt with the home band to return thanks for their merciful preservation, and the peace that once more smiled upon our land. Such instances, methinks, are sufficient to silence all caviling on the subject of prayer. Such simple, earnest, persistent faith, “moves the Arm that moves the world.”—Times and Witness.

JAMES SAWYER

By James Sawyer

From Bro. Sawyer.

BRO. WHITE: Present truth looks good to me yet. Every part of it as it progresses and becomes developed, enhances its value as a whole, and I feel as though I would like to say Praise the Lord. Why, the visions and the health reform after being railed at and attacked with vehemence, are proving to be also the work of the Lord; and he who dares to raise a finger against them is in gross ignorance indeed!

The testimonies to the church, given through the visions, have not been heeded by me as they should have been; hence I have erred at times where I should not, had I been more familiar with the warnings contained in them.

While the cause of the Lord seems to be gaining strength, wickedness is increasing. Around us we discover men giving way to every plan or way of success, except the plan of salvation. They are seeking no interest whatever in the future kingdom of Christ. Open blasphemy and foolish jesting are much employed in the common conversation of men. The rich, the worldly, the refined and the poor, seem to be greatly addicted to these and kindred vices. Few, very few, are appalled and awe-stricken as they hear these horrid utterances come from the lips of beings made in the form of God. The sensitive female's ear is not exempt from those horrid impressions and blasphemous expressions as formerly, but many of them, also, are as bad as the males. Will not the wicked world soon be ready to say, “Who is the Lord, that we should fear him?”

Of course, according to the Scriptures, calamities and woes must be heaped upon them for such transgressions. Cries of anguish will avail the transgressor nothing in the time of great trouble. The Lord who sitteth in the Heavens will laugh when their fear cometh. This increase of sin should warn me to be on my guard, lest I also be found naked. The Lord, let him be my refuge! My covert shall be under the wings of the Almighty. How good it is to trust in that strong arm! Oh that men would praise the Lord! But they will not, and indignation and wrath must finally come in like a whirlwind. It is my desire to have a pure heart that the Lord may hide me in the day of his fierce anger.

JAMES SAWYER

Cooperville, Mich.

Obituary Notices.

By A. S. HUTCHINS; A. C. BOURDEAU; H. MAIN

DIED, in Enosburgh, Vt., July 31, 1866, sister Caroline Sophia Saxby, wife of George Saxby, in the 29th year of her age. With our dear sister, the sun of life set at noonday. She fell while attending to some of the closing duties of a very hard day's work. A strange and sudden illness came upon her; she started toward her husband, but fell helpless into his arms, exclaiming as she fell, “George, I am dying; the Lord have mercy upon me! He will, I know he will!” These were her last words.

In less than one hour, that form so active through the day, was cold and silent. The busy scenes of the day were exchanged for the stillness of the night of death. The bereft husband, four orphan children, the broken-hearted parents, and other friends, mourn their irreparable loss together.

But two dear and only brothers, were not there. Elders A. C. and D. T. Bourdeau, whose hearts were cemented to the heart of this their only sister, by a thousand tender ties of love and affection, and the mutual hope of eternal life. No, these faithful servants of God, far from home in the harvest field of the Lord, must mourn their heavy loss a great distance from parents and companions dear.

But praise the Most High, for the morning cometh when they will meet the loved one, to part no more. Death, the last enemy, will be destroyed, and the saints will ascend to meet their coming Lord.

Sister S., and some of her friends had for some weeks, had an impression that she would not live long. Her death is supposed to have been occasioned by heating the blood with over-labor, which enraged a lingering disease of the system, and resulted in mortification of the brain.

I reached the place from my home, Aug. 2nd, just in time to speak some word of comfort to the mourning friends, and to a large congregation, convened at the S. D. A. meeting-house, at W. Enosburgh, from the words, “And the dead in Christ shall rise first.”

A. S. HUTCHINS.

DIED, in Knoxville, Marion Co., Iowa, June 30, 1866, Bro. John R. Topping, aged 76 years. He had been a firm believer in the third angel's message, and died in bright hope of eternal life when the Lord shall come to call forth the sleeping dead.

A. C. BOURDEAU.

DIED, in Brookfield, N. Y., July 1, 1866, Charlie H., son of B. and A. Hestler, aged 20 years. He and his brother were in the pond bathing, when he went to the bottom, and the friends with torches and hooks, after two hours' search, took him from that watery grave. Bro. C. was a member of the S. D. A. church in Brookfield, and was punctual at meeting, and ready to speak, pray, and sing. He has left a good evidence that he will rise in the morning of the first resurrection. But the church mourn, and feel that they have sustained a great loss; and a father and mother, broken-hearted, have resolved to consecrate themselves anew to the service of the Lord, and meet their beloved son when the Life-giver shall come.

H. MAIN.

Quarterly Meetings in Ohio.

By I. N. VAN GORDER; O. MEARS; H. HODGSON

BEING requested by the Conference to district the State, and arrange Quarterly Meetings, we make the following decision:

First, to include the State, for the present, in one district.

Second, we have arranged the State, for the present, for nine Quarterly Meetings, as follows:

1st. Lovett's Grove, and Portage. 2nd. Gilboa. 3d. Cass. 4th. Jackson, Green Spring, and West Townsend. 5th. Bellville, and Fredericktown. 6th. Wakeman. 7th. Strongsville. 8th. Geneva. 9th. Orwell, Chardon, and Wayne.

For the first quarter, meetings will be held as follows:


Portage,	Nov. 10, 11,
Gilboa,	" 17, 18,
Cass,	" 24, 25,
Jackson,	Dec. 1, 2,
Bellville,	" 8, 9,
Wakeman,	" 15, 16,
Strongsville,	" 22, 23,
Geneva,	" 29, 30,
Orwell,	Jan. 5, 6, 1867.

Let some one be selected at the close of each Quarterly Meeting, to appoint through the Review, the time and place of their next meeting.

I. N. VAN GORDER, } Ohio State O. MEARS, } Conf. H. HODGSON, } Committee.

Efforts for the Freedmen

Read “Links in the Chain of Violence,” given in another column. From such facts as there recorded, it would seem that the time has not yet come, when much can be done for the freedmen, at least in many parts of the South; and the efforts of some in their behalf, though well-intentioned, are premature.

The Ohio Conference.

By mistake the following portion of the Report of the Ohio Conference, was omitted in last week's Review:

“Committee on nominations reported, and it being afterward remodeled, was accepted and confirmed by vote of Conference. List of officers: I. N. Van Gorder, President; John Mears, Treasurer; Jos. Clarke, Secretary; Executive Committee, I. N. Van Gorder, O. Mears, H. Hodgson.”

Quarterly Meeting in Iowa.

By R. W. Kilgore

According to appointment through the Review, the churches of Pilot Grove, Palestine, and Washington, met in Quarterly Meeting at father Kilgore’s barn. Each church was well represented. All came in anticipation of having a good time, in which none, we believe, were disappointed. The meetings were conducted by our beloved and faithful Bro. Henry Nicola. The day was spent in prayer and social meetings.

Many cheering testimonies were borne, each rejoicing in the present truth, and telling of their love and confidence in the third angel’s message, praising the Lord that he has brought them out of darkness into his marvelous light. Though all seemed to realize their weakness and unworthiness, yet they felt determined by grace and strength given them, to overcome and press on in the strait and narrow way until the prize be obtained.

They also felt to praise God that the Gifts of his Spirit still remain in his church, especially the spirit of prophecy, upon which their souls loved to feast, and by which we were brought to the unity of the faith; also that God has given us the Health Reform as a great and special blessing, by which he is fitting a people for the scenes connected with the soon coming of his dear Son.

As we separated we felt that the Lord had been in our midst, and our spiritual strength had been renewed. Let God’s name be praised.

R. W. KILGORE.

Washington, Iowa, Aug. 12, 1866.

Appointments.

By R. F. COTTRELL.; C. O. TAYLOR.

Our next Monthly Meeting is to be held at Ridgeway, Orleans Co., N. Y., on the second Sabbath and first-day following, in September. On the old time again.

We will meet those coming on the cars at Medina, sixth-day, Sept. 7, at 3 o'clock. Meeting at the Free Baptist House, commencing Sabbath morning at 9. Let all come, and come to labor in the Lord. R. F. COTTRELL.

Bro. Fuller will meet with the church at Brookfield, Mad. Co., Monthly Meeting, the third Sabbath in September. C. O. TAYLOR.

P. STRONG

By P. Strong

The next Monthly Meeting for Allegan Co., Mich., will be held in Allegan, the first Sabbath in September.

It is hoped that there will be a general gathering. As these meetings are proving a great blessing to the cause, we wish all to partake with us.

P. STRONG

Business Department.

Business Notes.

We have the Instructor for 1865 bound in paper covers, at 25 cents per volume.

RECEIPTS.

For Review and Herald.

Annexed to each receipt in the following list, is the Volume and Number of the REVIEW & HERALD to which the money received pays. If the money for the paper is not in due time acknowledged, immediate notice of the omission should then be given.

W L Wheeler 29–16, H A Clough 29–18, Mrs S Lewis 30–5, Grace Holbrook 29–1, Henry Youngs 29–1, A Parsons 27–1, S Wright 29–1, S N Smith 29–1, R Hicks 29–1, Nancy Porter 30–1, T A Myers 30–13, A R Ballard 28–14, T Coburn 30–1, D Warren 29–1, M Thompson 27–1, L H Determan 29–9, each $1,00.

T Crouch 30–23, A Buel 30–1, N Youngman 30–13, Hannah Way 29–12, C Smith 30–13, Chas Smith 30–1, T Curtis 28–1, A H Cooper 29–14, J C Tucker 30–9, H Barnes 30–13, C S Fox 30–13, A Loveland 30–1, E Colby 30–1, Mary Fields 30–1, L Green 29–11, Job Spencer 28–25, Henry Bunce 30–11, E V Wiard 31–1, C F Worthen 29–11, F White 29–1, D Gorten 30–14, Hannah More 30–13, Mrs L M Bartlett 30–13, C P Finch 30–8, S R Nichols 29–12, each $2,00.

J Wall $1,50, 29–14, Eliza Gardner $5,00, 32–1, J Oldfield $1,50, 30–13, J Phillips $1,50, 30–13, D Beal $1,50, 30–13, J W Marsh $1,50, 29–14, Ann Smith $0,50, 29–13, S N Walsworth $3,00, 31–11, Eliza Jennings $1,50, 30–13, E P Holly $0,50, 29–13, A Lawrence $3,00, 30–1, A Knowles $1,50, 30–13.

Subscriptions at the Rate of $3,00 per year.

Josiah Wilbur $3,00, 29–18, Sibyl Whitney $3,00, 30–13, S D Barr $2,00, 29–10.

Cash Received on Account.

A C Bourdeau for W McPheter $1,62, for D T Shireman $1,88, Ole A Olson $7,50, J H Waggoner 50c.

Books Sent By Mail.

Maria A Hayward $1,37, I F Frauenfelder $2,28, M J Blinchelt $1,25.

Books sent by Express.

A C Bourdeau Washington, Iowa $14,25.

General Conference Missionary Fund.

A Sister $1,00.

Michigan Conference Fund.

Church at Wright $105,00. Church at St. Charles $65,00.

To Raise the sum of $500, for Bro. Cottrell.

Previously received $200,66, Ben Auten $5,00, Mrs. N Dennison $5,00, J P Hunt $5,00.

To Raise the Sum of $700, for Bro. M. E. Cornell.

Previously received $507,16, Daniel Carpenter $10,00, Ben Auten $5,00, D W Milk $10,00, M Wetmore $5,00, J P Hunt $10,00, Mrs. N Dennison $5,00.

For the Western Health-Reform Institute.

The following amounts are subscribed for shares in The Western Health-Reform Institute at $25,00, each share.

J E Titus $25. H C Miller $25. Mrs G W Pierce $25. Jesse Barrows $25.

On Shares in the W. H. R. Institute.

The following amounts have been paid on pledges previously given to the Health-Reform Institute.

O Mears $150. A A Dodge $25. Dan R Palmer $500. A C Hudson $5.

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