Earlier text: A ComparisonA Plea for Our Periodicals.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS; As I have been traveling among our churches, I have been painfully surprised to find how few of our old Sabbath-keeping brethren and sisters take the REVIEW, Reformer, and Instructor. I find large churches where not one family out of six take any of them, and but very few take all three of them. This was not so once. Formerly, every Sabbath-keeper counted as much on having our periodicals as he did on having a Bible. They thought they could not live without them and keep up with the spirit of the message. In this they were right. My observation is, that those who do not take our papers soon get upon the background, become cold in their love for the present truth, and largely lose the spirit of the third angel’s message. I hope the time may never come when our people will feel that they can live without those silent messengers of truth. My brother, or sister, I write this to impress your mind with the importance of taking these periodicals. I am satisfied that you do not realize your duty in the matter or you would take them. I say nothing here about the SIGNS as that is designed more especially for a pioneer paper. All our own people east of the Plains should take the REVIEW, and then as many as possible should also take the SIGNS. 1. The REVIEW, the Reformer, and Instructor, virtually occupy the place of a pastor to all our churches and scattered brethren. Our situation is different from that of other churches. Nearly all other religious bodies have regular, located and settled pastors, who preach weekly, or at least once in two or three weeks, to every little body of believers. They depend upon these men for their instruction, admonition and encouragement. Without them they could not live. This we see everywhere. Among all the denominations, a church left without a regular preacher soon runs down, and their meetings are discontinued. This is natural. Men are so inclined to forget, to grow cold, and backslide, that unless, by some means, their consciences are appealed to, and their duties constantly set before them, they will become careless and cease their efforts. We see this so continually on every hand that I need not argue the point. We all know that it is so. But Seventh-day Adventists are a missionary people. Our message must be carried to the world. We have so few preachers that we cannot spare them to labor with our churches. Once in a year or two is about as often as most of our churches can have the labor of our efficient ministers; hence, unless we have some means of weekly communication with our people, the life of our churches cannot be maintained. To meet this urgent demand, the REVIEW, Reformer, and Instructor have been established and are maintained. This is especially true of the REVIEW. It comes to our homes every week just before the Sabbath day. The most earnest, devoted, and live preachers among us speak to us through it. To any one whose heart is at all in the work, nothing is more encouraging and enlivening than to hear of the progress of the work in the great harvest field, to learn of the conversion of souls to the truth, of the many victories which God gives to his truth in different places and departments of the work. Such news can only be obtained through the reports in the REVIEW. Again, we are constantly forgetting the evidences upon the present truth, which were once so clear to our minds. We may believe them still, but unless they are often revived and presented in a new form, they will become dim in our minds, and our faith will die out. The REVIEW exactly meets this urgent necessity. Every week it comes laden with strong, convincing arguments upon all points of our message. Then every paper contains some articles upon practical duties—duties in the family, duties in the church, duties in the world, duties to God, and duties to one another. Its warning voice is weekly lifted against the common dangers that constantly threaten every pilgrim everywhere. Earnest appeals are made to husbands and to wives, to parents and to children, to brothers and to sisters, to elders and to deacons, to church members, to sinners, and to backsliders. Now, my brother, or sister, you cannot afford to be without this instruction. You cannot estimate the worth of it in dollars and cents. Without it, you are certainly imperiling your soul’s salvation. Without it, you will be certain to backslide. Indeed, my experience is that the person has already gone far in backsliding who feels that he can get along without these periodicals. But by printing five thousand copies the expense is distributed among so many that it is but little for each one. 2. It is your duty to help support these periodicals. Every believer in the present truth knows that these papers are actually doing more every year for the cause than are our preachers. It would be simply impossible, under present circumstances, to maintain the work of the third angel’s message without them. But they cannot be published for nothing. They cost money—thousands of dollars yearly, which must be paid by somebody. If but few copies of our papers are taken, it makes the cost of each paper much greater than it would be if we had a large list of subscribers. The main cost of publishing a paper comes on the first copy. It takes just as much writing of manuscript, just as much editorial work, just as much type-setting, just as much proof-reading, &c., to print one copy of a paper, as it does to print ten thousand. This is the main part of the cost of a paper. After this the cost is small. So if we were to print only one copy of the REVIEW each week, that single copy would cost several hundred dollars. But by printing five thousand copies the expense is distributed among so many that it is but little for each one. Now we all belong to one family, the household of faith. As members of this family, it is our duty to share in the necessary expenses of the family. The publishing of our papers is an important item in this bill of expenses. If a part refuse to take it, the cost comes so much the heavier on the other brethren and sisters. Let us not think that this is simply a personal matter about which we can do as we please without affecting others. Let us bear our part like honest men and women, and then we can hope for the blessing of God. 3. Do not plead poverty as an excuse for not taking these papers. It is true there are a very few among us, some poor widows and a few others in very destitute circumstances, who are not able to take even the REVIEW; but these cases are few, and such persons should be supplied with the paper by their abler brethren. If you are not so poor as to make it necessary for your brethren to send you the REVIEW, then you are not too poor to take it yourself. The REVIEW, the Reformer, and the Instructor, altogether, at full price, only cost $3.50 for one whole year, twelve months, fifty-two weeks. Here is a large amount of the very best reading in the world for this small sum. I am sorry to say that I sometimes find brethren and sisters who claim that they cannot possibly take the REVIEW, yet they can, and do, find money with which to buy jewelry for themselves or children. They can find money to buy tea and coffee, and some of them even tobacco; yet they cannot take the REVIEW. This is a living shame. I know that the blessing of God does not and cannot abide in the hearts of such people. My brother, or sister, if this is your case, let me warn you to wake up to your situation before it is too late. If you are taking this course, as, alas, too many are, it will soon lead you entirely away from God and his people. There are many of our people who are laying out fives, and tens, and even hundreds of dollars on their dress, in household furniture, and the like, when articles much cheaper and plainer would do just as well and even better. It would be a small matter for them to save $3.50 in the course of a year, by buying a little cheaper article, or by doing without entirely. They could much better afford to do this than to do without our papers. If you have children they need the Instructor. To them it will be invaluable. They should be taught to read it, and to love it. If this is not taken, the devil will fill their young minds with something else. I blush for our people when I say that I know of persons who can send their children to the dance, to the show or circus, and yet they cannot take the Instructor for them. If these children grow up to despise the religion of their parents and become ungodly and wicked, these parents need not wonder at it. Indeed, if it is not so it will be a wonder. O my soul, how is it possible for Christian fathers and mothers, believers in the soon coming of Christ, to become so deluded by the devil. How to wake them up is more than I know. Then the Reformer is needed in every household. Some get the false idea that it treats only upon diet, upon what they shall eat and drink; and, hence, they do not care for it. This is a great mistake. That is but one item out of the many upon which it treats. There is excellent instruction in it upon everything pertaining to the household, articles that are invaluable, and that will be highly appreciated by everybody, whether they are health reformers or not. It is a household journal of the very best kind. It should be carefully read by all. It shall be one of the main objects for which I will labor in every church where I go this winter, to induce every family to take these periodicals. If we find families too poor to take them, then we will take up a contribution to obtain them for such individuals. Now, brethren and sisters, prepare for this. Lay aside a few dollars for this purpose to be ready when I come, or, better still, send it on beforehand. St. Charles, Dec. 7, 1875. P. S. But now that I have this article written I do not know what to do with it. If it is simply printed in the REVIEW, it will never reach but a few of the very ones for whom it is mainly designed—those who do not take these papers. How shall we get it before those who most need it—those who will never see it in the REVIEW because they never read it? I thought to appeal to the elders of each church to go to those who do not take the REVIEW and read this article to them; but I well know that very few of them have interest enough to do it. Legitimately, this is the direct and most important part of the work of our Tract Societies; and yet there are places where large numbers of our papers have been sent by members of this society to outsiders, while our own brethren do not take any of them. Hoping that others may know what to do, I leave it here. Sultan Repudiates Half of Enormous Debt
The sultan has gone into bankruptcy, and repudiated the half of his enormous debt. Before the recent revolt in his country his deficit was $25,000,000, and it has been greatly increased by that occurrence. He was given to great recklessness in living, and borrowed money wherever he could get it, and at any rate of interest. English speculators who indulged him are now repenting sorely of their folly. The National Reform Association.
EDITOR OF REVIEW: You speak in REVIEW No. 25, present volume of the Association now seeking to amend the Constitution of the United States holding a meeting Tuesday, Nov. 9, and deciding in regard to a name. Where was that meeting held? Was it a convention? It was a general meeting of the Association, called for special business purposes, held in Philadelphia, Nov. 9, 1875. The report of the meeting was published in The Christian Statesman, of Nov. 20, 1875. Of the evening session it says:— “The evening session was well attended, and was altogether the most encouraging meeting in behalf of the cause held in this city for many years.” The subsequent action of the Executive Committee is reported as follows:— “The Executive Committee has since taken steps to obtain a charter of incorporation for the Society, and to secure an office which shall be a recognized head quarters for its operations, and depository of its publications, especially during the centennial year.” Is It Right?
By S. N. HASKELL
In REVIEW, No. 22, under the heading, “Is it Right?” Eld. Canright makes some inquiries, or suggestions, which call for an explanation. 1. Such books as Hymn books, Poems, Testimonies, etc., should not be sold at Tract Society prices, unless it be in some special case. 2. In the effort to relieve the Office from personal accounts it was thought best for ministers to purchase their books of the Tract Societies at wholesale prices, particularly in those Conferences which were a long distance from Battle Creek. 3. It is true that this would give the Tract Societies a profit on such books as are used by the Tract Societies. 4. It is supposed that all of our brethren and sisters have an interest in, and are members of, the Tract Society. 5. It is the business of the Tract Societies to raise money for the Book Fund, and all other funds, when necessary. Article III. of the Constitution speaks of the object of the Tract Society as follows: “To bring about, as far as possible, equality among our people in the payment of Systematic Benevolence, in accordance with the plan adopted, in taking stock in the Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association, and the Health Reform Institute, and in donating to other benevolent enterprises.” 6. Any person who joins the Tract Society simply to get more books for himself for less money, not only proves himself an unworthy member, but shows that practically he has none of the missionary spirit. In the True Missionary, which has been bound, and is for sale at the REVIEW Office, these are treated upon more at length. Chicago Communists Stockpile Arms Amid Labor Unrest
CHICAGO is nervous again in regard to a communistic rising. Preliminary meetings have been held, at which mass meetings of working-men have been arranged for, and steps taken to collect money for agitation purposes. The money is being spent for arms, a large quantity of which have already been purchased. The use they are to be put to can only be surmised. There can be no doubt that mischief is intended, and it is believed the trouble will not be confined to Chicago, as “the International” is in direct and intimate communication the country over. WILLIAMSTOWN
By Dudley Marvin Canright
This church is situated some seven or eight miles north of Jay, Michigan. The members of this church attended most of our meetings at Jay, but I went out to see them and had a meeting with them. There are seventeen Sabbath-keepers here, fourteen of whom belong to the church. They have been unfortunate in having a great many trials at different times. We found them in one at the present time. I saw no prospect of bettering their condition for the present, so did nothing about it. I hope that in time they may have a better understanding and come to work more in unity. The brethren here have done about the best of any I have found in taking our periodicals, pledging liberally on Systematic Benevolence and paying promptly. They raised their S. B. from $68.00 to $92.50, though a part of them pay theirs at Jay. Nov. 29, I went to Edenville, a place about thirty miles north-west of Jay. I found this company entirely disorganized. They have no meetings and pay no S. B. But few of them take our papers, and they are in a bad condition generally. There are thirty-five Sabbath-keepers here. Having but a day or two to spend with them in the middle of the week, I saw that it was too short a time to undertake to do anything for them. I think that with two weeks’ judicious labor things might be set in order here with most of them, so as to have a working church. I regret that I could not stay to do it. Bro. and Sr. Marsh pledged $28.00 S. B. for the coming year, and will probably pay more. We commenced meetings at this place Thursday evening, Dec. 2. The church here have done well in putting up a very good meeting-house. They have kept it neatly. They have a good bell, and everything is in order. A good list of our periodicals is taken here. Nearly every family takes the REVIEW, Reformer, and Instructor. This always speaks well for any church. When these are dropped the church soon runs down. Quite a number renewed their subscriptions, and several subscribed for the SIGNS at $3.00 per year. In the T. & M. work they have been ahead of the churches around them. All this is good. Except the first night, the brethren with their families attended all our meetings quite promptly; and we had a good attendance from without, so that our house was well filled at nearly every meeting, though some of the time it was very rainy and muddy. Evidently the labors of the T. & M. Society have created an interest to hear in all our churches. I am sorry to say that we found our brethren and sisters too dull and backward in their social meetings. For some cause many of them have largely lost the real life, spirit, and power of the message. What they need is to be waked up and become more earnest and lively. They all seemed to realize this and confessed it. Sabbath afternoon there was very deep feeling in our meeting. About fifty came forward to confess their backslidings and their sins, and to seek God. Among these were twenty young people and children. Nearly all of those who came forward spoke with very deep emotion. It was indeed a very excellent meeting, and we hope that it will result in permanent good to the church. Prayer-meetings for the young people, and district prayer meetings for all, will be held now for some time, in order to make this a permanent work. On Sunday morning all were out. I laid before them the subject of S. B., stating how very slack our brethren are becoming on this point. In my visits among the churches thus far, I have been surprised to find how S. B. has run down among them. One-half of the churches do not even make any pledge whatever; among the churches that do still make some pledge, not more than a third of the Sabbath-keepers take part in it; and from one-third to one-half of what is pledged is never paid. Unless something is done to correct these things our S. B. fund will soon be a failure. One great cause of this failure is that our brethren have entirely neglected to follow the Bible plan, viz., that of giving the first fruits, or laying by a part weekly as God has prospered them. Instead of doing this they have used their means to meet every other obligation first, while pledges to God’s cause have been left to the very last part of the year. Then it seems like a large amount to have paid at once. They come to feel that it is a burden. They refuse to pay any more till they have paid up for the past. In a large number of cases the consequence is that the past debt remains unpaid and nothing is pledged for the future. This is all wrong. This is not Systematic Benevolence at all. After stating these facts, every one promptly took part in pledging for 1876, raising their pledge from $206 to $332. Then, by a rising vote, they solemnly vowed to God to lay apart one-tenth of all the money they received, just as fast as it was received till their pledge was paid. If they will do this, they will not only pay what they have pledged, but will pay it on time and do it easily. About $25.00 was immediately paid down for the next year. This is an assurance that they mean to keep their promise. I was quite tired, took cold, and so did not have very great freedom in preaching. Six joined the church and three were baptized. After the close of our meetings at St. Charles, which most of the brethren and sisters from Chesaning attended, as it was only some seven miles distant, I went up there on Tuesday and held an all-day’s meeting with them. Their meetings are held at a private house. There are ten members of the church and as many more Sabbath-keepers outside. I found that they had been in a very low condition for a year or two. Their meetings had entirely run down, and no S. B. had been pledged or paid for the year. Their elder, Bro. Milk, is one of our licensed preachers, and a man who might accomplish much good in the cause. But he had allowed his financial affairs to embarrass and discourage him till he had become of little service to the cause or to the church. At our meeting at St. Charles, he came out clear, and decided to take hold again and get into the work. When he stated his feelings and resolutions to the brethren at Chesaning, they all promised with him to renew their vows to God and seek him more earnestly, to revive their meetings, and make another effort to walk together in love and harmony. I have very strong hopes that this will be carried out. They pledged for the coming year S. B. amounting to $52.00. There has been a church here for fifteen years. During this time the inhabitants have greatly changed and the village has grown up, so that it appears to me to be a good place to present the truth anew. There are many such places in Northern Michigan where I think it would be more profitable to give a course of lectures than in some new place. The preacher would find a good and welcome home among the brethren. They would advertise for him and pay all expenses. Many have heard and read enough so that a long course of lectures need not be given. Two or three weeks would be plenty long enough. This would be quite sure to bring out from half a dozen to twenty. These added to the old members would make a strong church; whereas, if they were raised up alone in a new place, without any experience they would make a very weak church, and perhaps go down. I wish labor like this might be bestowed in several places where I have been. But it must be done by the right man. It requires more wisdom and prudence to do this than it does to go into an entirely new field. Almost always there is some little trial in our churches which the minister can fish up if he wishes; and some of our ministers seem to have a special liking for such things. Unless they have wisdom from God they do more harm than good. The weather is now rainy and bad. D. M. CANRIGHT. St. Charles, Mich., Dec. 6, 1875. Meetings in Ohio.
By H. A. St. John
From Oct. 27 to Nov. 1, I held meetings with the church in Mendon, Mercer Co. No minister had visited them for about four years. Several who once obeyed the truth had become discouraged, and given up. It appears that a large and strong church might have been formed here if labor had been bestowed two or three years ago. An interest to hear, on the part of the public, was manifested at the commencement of our meetings which continued till the close. I think that a course of lectures would result in greatly strengthening the church in numbers and spirituality. The number of members at the beginning of our meetings was nine—increased to thirteen. The number paying Systematic Benevolence was nine—increased to twenty. The amount of S. B. was $81.80—increased to $129.61. Organized a Sabbath-school consisting of sixteen members; baptized one; ordained a deacon; celebrated the ordinances; tried to interest all to take hold in working for Christ in the T. & M. Society; and gave such instruction to clerk and S. B. treasurer as we thought necessary to enable them to do their business right. From Nov. 4 to 9, I held meetings with the Defiance church. Here we had free use of the new Christian church, which was very acceptable and convenient. This society also needed help very much. Some, with tears of repentance, confessed that they had been almost on the point of giving up the truth; but our meetings resulted very encouragingly. Our last was one long to be remembered because of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The number of members at the beginning of our meeting was ten—increased to twenty. They had not reported any S. B. for the past two years, although some had been paid irregularly; but S. B. was organized, number paying, twenty-eight, amount $84.76. Organized a Sabbath-school of thirty members; baptized two; celebrated the ordinances; and gave instruction to church clerk and S. B. treasurer. Others, I think, will join their number soon. I left them much encouraged. From Nov. 10 to 16, had meetings with the church in Bowling Green. These were laborious meetings, and, although we did not see all accomplished that we desired, yet we feel assured that a good work was done. Bro. O. Mears, the elder, rose above his discouragements, and resolved to take hold in the strength of the Lord and bear the responsibilities placed upon him. Another deacon was ordained. Organized S. B. for 1876. This is the largest church in our Conference, and they have ever done a noble part in bearing burdens. We long to see them striving together for the faith of the gospel. In all of the above meetings we have endeavored to enlist the youth and children in the service of the Lord, and to induce them to pay S. B. We think that children and youth should have a part and an interest in casting into the treasury of the Lord. Brethren in Ohio, let us have your prayers and co-operation. H. A. St. John. In the Field Again.
By J. H. Rogers
I LEFT home Nov. 26, and came to this place to look after the interest which was awakened during our tent-meeting last summer. All who came out are holding on and seem to be settling into the truth. I find much is lost by not following up the work commenced in a new field. This is the case in Howard County. Our labor with the tent was suddenly broken off by the call to the Conference and camp-meeting, and we could not return to follow up191 the work thus begun. I regret that this has been the case, but after returning home from Conference, sickness, family wants, &c., hindered, so that I could not go out before. To our brethren who have written to us, wondering why our preachers have not been out in the field this fall, I will say, Poverty is the cause. All are poor, and we must attend to supporting our families and preparing for winter. And with an empty treasury the committee could not relieve us and furnish expense money. This is a very discouraging condition to be in. Now, brethren, are we all doing what we can for the advancement of the cause? Have we all the spirit of sacrifice in this cause which we should have? I am satisfied that whenever we all, preachers, and churches, and scattered brethren, do all we can, the cause will not have to go bankrupt or begging as it has. So, now, brethren, let us all feel stirred up in this matter, seeing our brethren from abroad have taken hold again to lend us a helping hand. While we feel very thankful for what they have done and are doing, I acknowledge, for my part, it is embarrassing thus always to be carried by the General Conference when we might do more ourselves to keep the cause running. I hope to see all awake to duty, and that all will arouse and take hold with renewed energy, so that God will bless the work in our Conference. J. H. ROGERS. Salisbury, Mo., Dec. 1, 1875. IF I SHOULD DIE TO-NIGHT.
If I should die to-night,
My friends would look upon my quiet face
Before they laid it in its resting place,
And deem that death had left it almost fair;
And, laying snow-white flowers against my hair,
Would smooth it down with tearful tenderness,
And fold my hands with lingering caress;
Poor hands, so empty and so cold to-night! If I should die to-night,
My friends would call to mind, with loving thought,
Some kindly deed the icy hand had wrought;
Some gentle word the frozen lips had said;
Errands on which the willing feet had sped;
The memory of my selfishness and pride,
My hasty words would all be put aside,
And so I should be loved and mourned to-night. If I should die to-night,
Even hearts estranged would turn once more to me,
Recalling other days remorsefully.
The eyes that chill me with averted glance
Would look upon me as of yore, perchance,
And soften in the old familiar way.
For who could war with dumb, unconscious clay?
So I might rest forgiven of all to-night. O friends, I pray to-night,
Keep not your kisses for my dead, cold brow;
The way is lonely, let me feel them now.
Think gently of me; I am travel-worn;
My faltering feet are pierced with many a thorn.
Forgive, O hearts estranged, forgive, I plead!
When dreamless rest is mine I shall not need
The tenderness for which I long to-night. North Windham, Maine.
By J. O. Corliss; R. S. Webber
MORE than ten weeks have elapsed since we first commenced meetings at this place; yet the way has not seemed clear to leave the work. After laboring eight weeks, and when there was every indication that a great work would be done, a Methodist preacher by the name of Fletcher was sent for to come and drive us out. He came and demanded the house (a union meeting house) all the time for one week. We offered to give him one-half of the time; but he would not accept it. He then threw in his appointments ahead for the next week for a protracted meeting, to continue as long as the interest demanded. His effort against us consisted in a series of lies which were easily shown to be such. We give one as a sample. He said one of our ministers told him that every one who did not keep the seventh day would go to hell. Upon being asked privately who told him so, he said, “Eld. Seavy.” “But,” we said, “Eld. Seavy is not one of our people, and does not keep the seventh day.” “I know it,” said he, “he believes just as Eld. Grant does.” “How, then, did he tell you what you stated?” we asked. “Oh!” said he, “that was another point. He said all that did not believe in the advent would go to hell.” We then wrote to Eld. Seavy concerning the last statement, to which he replied by saying it was an utter falsehood. We might refer to other statements just as glaring as the above, but forbear. Notwithstanding he was shown before the people in his true light, he persisted in his effort to crowd us out of the house for two weeks, or until the citizens drew up a petition with many names attached, and presented to us through a prominent lawyer of the place, and which reads as follows:— “Believing that every one has the right to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience—believing that the people in a free house of worship have a right to a voice in the matter as to who shall address them from the pulpit in such a house—believing that the course taken by the people who style themselves under certain religious denominations tends only to wrangling and dissensions, and believing that they have not conducted themselves with equity and fair dealing as regards the occupancy of our free house of worship; therefore, we, the undersigned, accustomed to attend religious worship in said house, in order to settle the present difficulty on the point of occupancy, respectfully request and invite the elders, Messrs. Corliss and Webber, whose upright bearing and Christian examples since coming to this place have tended greatly to interest and improve us, to address us from the pulpit in said church every other evening of the time that is not occupied by the regular engagements of our pastors, the Rev. Messrs. Wiswell and Trafton.” The line of conduct pursued by a few here has of course tended in a measure to drive away the tender feelings and impressions made in the past, yet we cannot tell what the result will be fully. A few have taken their stand on the truth, and we hope for others. We shall not leave the place until all is done that can be, and we feel clear in our own minds to do so. Brethren, pray for us. J. O. CORLISS,
R. S. WEBBER. Beloit, Mitchell Co., Kan.
By J. H. Cook
THE general meeting, in connection with the T. & M. Society quarterly meeting, was held according to appointment in Review. The reports from the members of the Society did not indicate much activity, yet some progress has been made, and there is an apparent disposition to do more the coming quarter. Reuben Warick, of Jewel Center, Jewel Co., was elected director in lieu of O. O. Bridges, of Beloit, Mitchell Co., resigned. Our meetings for worship were excellent. The brethren came in from six counties. Most of them are deprived of the privilege of attending meetings at home, and they appeared to come hungry for a good meeting. And while we tried to bear a straight, pointed testimony, speaking on the individual nature of the work for this time, the Holy Spirit seemed to press the truth home to hearts. A deep, solemn feeling prevailed, and many prayers ascended the hill of Zion, Lord, help me to see and overcome my sins. Our last social meeting was a season of great encouragement to all. Eleven prayers were offered in sixteen minutes. Twenty-seven testimonies were borne in twenty and a half minutes. And what was of deeper interest to us was the character of the testimonies and prayers. They were to the point, revealing the fact that each one began to realize that the great struggle for every individual in this work is a personal encounter with his own sins; and that he must get them under his feet before he can be said to be an overcomer. One confessed the sin which so easily besets him to be fretfulness; another, a sin of a different character; and testimonies to the point came up all around. It was truly an indication to me that these isolated brethren are loved of the Lord, and that he is disposed to bless them, if they only live humbly, and are obedient. These brethren have been almost entirely destitute of ministerial labor, some of them for years. We trust that, by the blessing of God, in the future their needs in that direction can be at least partially supplied. We are thoroughly satisfied that very much is lost by a lack of that pastoral care which should be extended to the scattered brethren. To save what we have first, and then reach out after others, seems to be the part of heavenly wisdom. Keep Pace with the Light.
By L. G. Meeker
WHILE the children of Israel were journeying toward the promised land or the earthly Canaan, they encountered many things that should serve as warnings to the followers of Christ in the “time of the end.” For instance, as long as they were obedient to the divine will, during the dark and gloomy hours of night, when perhaps, wild animals were lurking upon every side of them, and their pathway was beset with impediments that would have made it quite impossible for people to travel without the aid of some light, a pillar of fire went before them. Thus God gently led them through all the difficult places and he was their guide and luminary. When they were thirsty, he gave them water from the solid rock; when they hungered, he fed them upon the food of angels. He gave them also a list of animals sometimes used for food, of which he said, “Of their flesh shall ye not eat, and their carcass shall ye not touch, they are unclean to you.” Lev. 11:8. Quite prominent upon this list, we find the flesh of the swine. This Infinite Wisdom foresaw would defile their bodies and generate disease, both in themselves and their offspring. But though God had expressly said of the swine, “He is unclean unto you,” the Jews persisted in eating the forbidden flesh. They also refused to hear the pleadings of Moses, and repeatedly transgressed the law of God by profaning his holy Sabbath and bowing down to graven images. Therefore, God withdrew his light from them, denied them the privilege of entering the promised land, and caused them to wander forty years in the wilderness of Sin, until death closed their miserable career. The fate of those who are at the present time journeying toward the heavenly Canaan will be similar if they neglect to keep pace with the light which is leading them through the last-day perils to the New Jerusalem. If we are disobedient, God will withdraw from us and forbid our entering the holy city, as surely as he forbade the Jews from entering the land of Canaan. The command relating to the Sabbath day is just as obligatory now as it was then; and shall we set the commandments of Jehovah at naught? Shall we continue to trample upon his holy law? Will Seventh-day Adventists, who have accepted the message of the third angel, refuse to keep pace with the light of truth? God will not always bear with us. The time is fast coming when ignorance will not be an excuse. The truth is being brought so plainly before the people that nothing but immediate action can save us from the “wrath of the Lamb.” May God give us strength to perform every known duty. Sabbath-keeping Peddlers and Canvassers.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
THERE are many legitimate and honorable ways of making a living besides simply laboring with the hands. Keeping store or grocery, buying and selling, canvassing, peddling, &c., &c., may all be conducted in a righteous and honorable manner, so that both the community and the person carrying on the business may be benefited. To all these we have no objection. Still in this age of deception, lying and cheating, there is great danger to those who practice these callings. If our brethren must go to dickering, peddling, canvassing, and the like, they must be exceedingly careful or they will bring trial upon themselves and a reproach upon the cause. As to dealing in patent rights, it would seem that there has been enough said upon that point, both directly by the Spirit of God through the testimonies, by our preachers, and through our papers. Yet, notwithstanding all this, we are sorry to know that there are some who profess to believe present truth who will go right against this light and knowledge in these things. But the particular point to which I wish to call attention in this article is this: A Sabbath-keeper starts out through the country peddling, canvassing, or selling patent rights. Persons of this class are generally very talkative, loud in their professions of faith in the present truth, and are very anxious to find those of like precious faith wherever they may chance to go. If possible, they are sure to arrive at the house of some Sabbath-keeper just at meal time, or just at night, and especially just before the Sabbath. They do not wish to stop among unbelievers. They would go a good ways to find a Sabbath-keeper, particularly one with whom they can stop from Friday night till Monday morning. And this not once nor twice in a place, but generally. As to paying, of course they do not expect to pay a brother or sister for such a privilege. Or, if they do, they expect to pay much less than they would anywhere else, and even this must be taken in their wares. Brethren do not wish to turn such persons away positively, nor do they wish to seem little or unbrotherly in charging them; and so these spongers go around the country living off our brethren and saving their own means. Worse than this, as they claim to be Sabbath-keepers, our brethren will trade with them when they would not with any others. They will trust them as they would nobody else, and when they get bitten and deceived by them, as they often do, it hurts them and the cause. I feel like emphasizing the advice which has so often been given to these peddlers, viz., If you must follow this business, keep away from our brethren and pay your bills honorably as honest men. And to our brethren we say, Give such men a wide berth and a cold shoulder. Do not feel that you are doing God service by encouraging them in this course. D. M. CANRIGHT.