Earlier text: THE LAW AND TESTIMONYWomanly Ministries in the Church.
By Sol.
The mission of the church is not only to publish the gospel of salvation and the righteousness of God, but, like Jesus himself, it is to be known as a divine friend in the locality where it is planted, having a care for the poor, and sick, and homeless, and lost. From it, as from the body of Christ, a healing virtue is to be felt to flow, and by remedial healing influences it is to uplift and purify the whole society of men in its neighborhood. Now, in such a view of the church’s ministry among men, it is plain there are specific duties which personal service and sisterly, motherly sympathies alone can discharge, and which I think constitute woman’s work in the church. I look more closely at these duties, and divide them into two classes, as they are to be fulfilled in the homes of the people, or in connection with institutions founded by the church. In the first class or category there is every kind of sympathetic, tender help which can be given by loving hearts to those who need our succor and which may mirror to them the greater love of our Lord in whose name it is done. How often our Lord exalts the honor and reiterates the importance of this service! The cup of cold water to the thirsty, the visit of consolation to the sick—these to the poorest, the least worthy, are great if done in his name; and great is the reward! We inevitably think of help in times of suffering, when we contemplate such Christian ministries as these; and I know of no preaching to the poor like that which steals into their hearts from the grace of women, who, inspired by love of Christ, visit the sick home to make it clean and pure, to assist in nursing, to cool the fevered head, or wet the white, burning lips. But that is, in fact, only one out of countless modes in which this kind of service to Christ may be tendered. There are blind, to whom an hour’s kindly chat or pleasant reading—aged poor, to whom a daughter’s visit to tidy their hearth and gladden their dim days—lonely women, to whom a sisterly word saving them from sin—gutter children, to whom a mother’s smile—may be a priceless boon, a glimpse of the heavenly love. Wherever and however kindness may be shown, and will be blessed, there let the church’s heart, the heart of its Lord, be shown. I would that in every neighborhood, instinctively, in trouble and suffering, men looked to the church, as Christ’s very presence among them, for such relief as he can blessedly give. We know how the Romish church has gained in every land, and is gaining in ours, an immense influence among the poor. And by what means? Not by their preaching—there is little of that with them—but by the sedulous, beautiful, gentle charities, the womanly service, of their sisters of charity. Their visits, shedding a tender grace in the homes they enter, give the poor a vision of the reality of the divine mercy, and win them to the faith of a church that inspires such ministries. Why should not all the redeemed women of every church—godly women who follow Christ—be sisters of mercy, doing such work for Christ? Why is not the church itself a sisterhood of mercy? And why is not the entrance of Christian women into the church to be accepted as their vow to consecrate some time and energy to unselfish, loving service to Christ and mankind?—Sol. How Shall Christians Treat their Enemies?
LET us hear what Jesus says on this very point. “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in Heaven.” Nothing could be plainer and more unequivocal than this language of the Prince of Peace, upon whose shoulders the government was to be and whose word ought to be law to every one who professes to follow him. And if it is not our law we cannot follow; for he says: “Whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: . . . And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man which built his house upon the sand,” etc. You know the result. Let us hear also the testimony of the apostle Paul, who once in his life before he became a child of grace, held very different views: “Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink; for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” Many Christians, or those who claim to be such, say by their actions if not in words, This is absurd and unreasonable. But what is it that is absurd? this doctrine of the gospel, or their faith? Certainly not the former. If we attempt to conquer evil with evil, then we are overcome of evil, and are in no sense conquerors, but are conquered; but God gives us a chance to become conquerors, and overcome evil with good. Now God is not only stronger than man, but infinitely wiser, and therefore knows better than we do how our enemies are to be conquered. But my enemy is doing very wrong and wickedly, and needs to be punished. Of course he is doing wrong, or how would there be any evil in him to overcome? But how is the Christian to meet that evil and to overcome it? Not with evil, but with good. In view of these plain doctrines of the gospel, and many similar ones which might be adduced, we cannot see how any Christian can under any circumstances feel like taking arms in his hands to shed the blood of his fellow-man. Now if this doctrine be true, and we hold it to be indisputably true, and not only true but one of the most vital principles of the gospel, how can Christians hold themselves excused for their lukewarmness and indifference to it? We presume that not one in ten of the professed followers of our dear Lord and Master are doing so much as putting forth a little finger to enlighten the world or propagate this sublime and glorious doctrine. Ministers of the gospel, ambassadors for Christ, study this subject, and do not shun or shrink from declaring the whole counsel of God in relation to it. Editors of religious periodicals, let your readers hear from you “in thoughts that breathe and words that burn.” Silence in the presence of crime is equivalent to sanction.—Sel. Our Hearts Troubled Amid God's Blessings
OUR hearts are often troubled about many things, even in the midst of all God’s blessings. NOTHING is more becoming or natural in children than entire confidence in the promise and care of a parent. A father stands in a child’s mind as the embodiment of courage and power; the mother, of love and goodness. The feeling of trust is perfect. There is no anxiety on his part while father has the charge. There is a certainty that all is well. Neither sickness nor trouble diminishes this trust. It grows stronger then. Danger drives the little one to the parent’s arms, and there is a sense of security which is felt nowhere else. Now, “as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.” God has said that he is “a father of the fatherless,” and he promises to be our father, if we will be his children. Will a father let his child perish if he is able to save him? If he asks for bread, will he give him a stone? And can we not confide in our Heavenly Father’s promises, and trust in his ability to care for us! “Yes,” says one professing Christianity; “we can trust in him.” There is no difficulty in trusting in the Lord for food, when our granaries and store-houses are well filled; for health, when sickness comes not near our dwellings; or for prosperity, when the waves of adversity are all quiet. But let misfortune come. Let the greedy flame devour our dwelling and all our substance, and can we trust him to care for us then? Would a kind father pity his child, and care for all his needs? Yes, all his wants would be supplied; and how much more shall your Father which is in Heaven give good gifts to them that ask him. “Ask, and ye shall receive.” Can we trust in him? “The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger; but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing.” Can we believe it? We can leave our affairs with the Lord when all goes well; can we when all seems to go wrong? We can rest quietly in the hands of God when in health; can we when sick? What is confidence in God good for, if we have it only when we could get along very well without it, and it leaves us when we most need it? What is a ship good for that cannot be trusted to go to sea, but must be kept in harbor? or a sail that will split in the first gale? Patience, when there is nothing to bear; courage, when there is no danger; hope, when everything is within our reach—what are all these worth? But such is the trust that some people have in God; and when trial and adversity come, such a trust will be found worthless. We need a trust that will take hold on God in every trying hour, and hold on through whatever may come. Consider that as uncertain, which is felt in time of joy and prosperity. Look upon that only as genuine trust in God that does not fail in hours of darkness, when every earthly resource is cut off. If it fails not in time of trial, we may feel that we have something on which we can depend, and have confidence to say in the language of inspiration, “Although the fig-tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls; yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.”—Sel. REV. DANIEL MARCH, D. D., in “Our Father’s House,” draws the following beautiful picture:— “I have stood on the top of the high mountain when the sun was up in heaven filling the world with his glorious light. As I gazed around and beneath, I saw clouds ridged and rolling like the billows of the sea. I saw them far off and far beneath, advancing toward the rocky height on which I stood. In the distance they seemed like mighty masses of Parian marble, white as the drifted snow in the noonday sun. It was a delight to watch their ever-changing beauty as they sailed on the viewless air. The play of imagination easily transformed them into the white thrones of the cherubim; then again they seemed like the streaming banners of the armies of Heaven; and now, behold chariots of fire and horses of fire advancing with such restless might as to sweep away the summits of the eternal hills in their march. By and by they approached and smote the sides of the mountain far beneath, and they rolled upward swiftly, silently, till they reached the summit and shut out the light of the sun with their shadow. And then the bright forms, which seemed so mighty and glorious in the distance, proved to be nothing but a driving, darkening mist—a mere mass of shapeless vapor—disfiguring everything with its touch, and leaving no trace of beauty for the eye to rest upon while it went sweeping by. But in a moment the mist was gone. Again the sun shone clear and bright upon the bald mountain. Again I could see the cloud as it rolled down the rugged steep till the air was of sufficient density to bear its weight. Then, again, it put on the shape and hues of glorious beauty, and sailed away in serene and gentle majesty upon the wings of the wind. “And I said aloud, in the solitude, This is a picture of life. So do all the forms of temptation appear, fascinating in the distance, and worthless in possession. When the tempter allures from afar, we see an angel form, and his voice sounds like the music of Heaven. But when he comes near, and we give him our hand, we feel the clutch of the demon, and we hear a voice that mocks at our misery. The rewards of worldly ambition, and the indulgences of worldly pleasure, seem so precious and beautiful, when seen afar, that we cannot wait to make them our own. But when they come near, and we grasp at the tempting prize, we fill our hand with the mist, and we draw it back to our bosom wet with the chill of death. When the gilded shadow which dazzled our vision and awakened our hope has come near and proved to be only such stuff as dreams are made of, then it passes away, and often, in the distance, it seems again as brilliant and alluring as before. If we would not spend our life in the chase of phantoms that lead to bewilder and dazzle to blind, we must turn our yearning hearts to Him who is the same yesterday, to-day, and forever. We must climb so high up the mount of faith that the clouds of doubt and fear will never darken our minds or deceive our hearts.” Rev. Mr. Murray, perhaps just in from a dashing drive on the Mill-dam road, asks: “What right has Park street church to use $600,000 worth of the Lord’s property so that it can give religious opportunities to only 1500 people in the morning, and about 800 or 1000 in the afternoon, when it might accommodate 10,000 or 15,000 every Sabbath?” Prof. Seeley replies: “The same right that its honored minister has to spend thousands on his farm and fast horses, when that money might send the gospel to large numbers of the heathen. We know no such distinction as Mr. Murray makes between private and ecclesiastical property. Individuals and churches are alike stewards of God’s bounty, and should use it to his glory.” It is not so much the large stars shining on a dark night that make the sky luminous, but the multitude of little ones all doing their best in their separate places. There are comparatively few of the large ones—not enough by any means to light up the infinite reaches of space between us and them—and so here is the need of the little ones. Are you pining in your place for the honor of a large star? Be content; your mission is just as high a one as that of the largest orb that shines. Though not equal in size, you may yet be in brightness. Keep steadily to your appointed place, making all the light you can, and you are the largest star in the eyes of the great God who ruleth over all.—Sel. To Correspondents.
By Uriah Smith
S. N. MEAD: In answer to your question how Zech. 14 is to be explained, in view of Paul's testimony in Gal. 4:25, 30, we reply, May not the testimony of Zechariah have reference to the New Jerusalem? D. HUGUNIN: For an exposition of Isa. 65:20, see REVIEW, Vol. 43, No. 1. What is meant by the expression, “The kingdom of Heaven is at hand,” Matt. 3:2? also “the gospel of the kingdom,” Matt. 4:23?—A. M. M. Ans. We think these expressions may refer to the new development in the plan of salvation about to be made, and the light and truth to be proclaimed among men, as the result of Christ's advent to this earth, and the work he was soon to accomplish in giving himself to die upon the cross. Was there any moral principle underlying the command prohibiting Adam from eating of the tree of knowledge, &c.? Gen. 2:17. If so, what?—A. M. M. Ans. Yes: the moral principle underlying the commandments not to have other gods or to covet or to steal; for all three of these commandments were broken by partaking of the forbidden fruit. J. W. PARKS: Commentators are generally silent, or very brief, on Deut. 14:21. And perhaps no explanation is necessary. If there were among the Hebrews such poor depraved Gentiles that they would eat that which died of itself, they might as well eat it, whatever the consequences. In regard to those texts which speak of seeing God, you will see upon careful examination that it was his face only that could not be seen, and that no man has seen it. MRS. H. E. P.: We suppose that Satan will be bound by having his sphere of action circumscribed, and subjects all removed from his power. The saints are all taken to Heaven, the wicked are all in their graves, and he is confined to this earth, when thrown back into original chaos. See Rev. 20; Jer. 4:23.—Paul in 1 Cor. 11:29, evidently refers to disorders in the Corinthian church, by which the Lord's supper was turned into an occasion of riotous and aristocratic feasting. Was Christ immortal before he came to this earth to die? J. H. We think most assuredly he was. The difficulty we suppose in the mind of the querist is how he then could die. This is a part of that “mystery of godliness,” incomprehensible to finite minds, that Christ could lay this aside, take “on him the seed of Abraham,” and so humble himself even to the death of the cross. G. W. R.: We do not understand that the period of the sealing is determined by the period of the sixth church, nor that any part of the time of that church was the period of the sealing. The sealing time is that covered by the sealing message, which bears upon its front God's seal, or Sabbath. U. S. THE position taken by S. D. Adventists, that the present is the period for the closing warning to the world, shows a great work to be done in the brief future. And evidences multiply from all parts of the world-wide harvest field that God’s hand has been set to the accomplishment of this vast work. We wish now to speak more particularly of the work in Europe. One mail before that which brought Eld. Andrews’s report of the discovery of more Christian Sabbath-keepers in Prussia by Eld. Ertzenberger, brought a letter from Eld. H. W. Decker, of Wisconsin, stating that he and Bro. Bartholph of that State had visited a company of Prussian Sabbath-keepers in the city of Milwaukee who believe in the soon coming of Christ, and have given up tobacco, and have a leader, not long since from Prussia, who is a good speaker. They receive a monthly magazine from Eastern Prussia, published in defense of the Bible Sabbath. Their leader says that there is quite a large society of Christians in that part of Prussia who observe the Sabbath of the Lord. The very next mail brought us the statements from Eld. Andrews that Eld. Ertzenberger had found another company of Christian Sabbath-keepers in Prussia, and that they had received the light from still another body in Eastern Prussia. Without doubt, Eld. Andrews and Eld. Decker both speak of the same body in Eastern Prussia. Three bodies of Christian Sabbath-keepers have been found in Prussia: First, the two score or more first found by Eld. Andrews; secondly, the eight souls recently visited by Eld. Ertzenberger; and, thirdly, those in Eastern Prussia referred to by Elds. Andrews and Decker. And it is quite evident that the first and the third did not know that each other existed, from the fact that Eld. Andrews learned nothing of the third and their magazine when with the first in Prussia. And now we wish to notice the remarkable agreement of these three companies of Christian Sabbath-keepers in Prussia in four important particulars, both among themselves and also with the Seventh-day Adventists in America: First, the Bible Sabbath; secondly, the second coming of Christ near; thirdly, Christian baptism by immersion only; and, fourthly, Christian temperance that excludes the use of tobacco. And what makes this agreement really wonderful is that the two larger companies knew nothing of each other, and that none of those in Prussia and the company in Milwaukee, Wis., had any knowledge whatever that there was such a body of Christians on the globe as the Seventh-day Adventists. We look upon our own existence as the wonderful work of God as we follow the car of Providence down the track of prophecy in the messages of Rev. 14: 6–12. But what seems still more wonderful in the existence of these Prussian Sabbath-keepers is their agreement among themselves and with us on the four points named, while having no knowledge of each other, or of our people. This can be accounted for in no other way than that God by his word and Spirit has moved directly upon the hearts of these Prussians, and put in their minds and written upon their hearts the very truths for this time which he was moving out men to preach and to publish in America. And be it understood that these Prussian Seventh-day Adventists do not trace their existence back in past centuries; but their conversion has been in the period of the third message, since 1844, when the temple of God was opened in Heaven, Rev. 11: 19, at the close of the 2300 days of Dan. 8, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament. How wonderful is the work of God! As we view this work in the light of the revelation and the providence of the great God, we are led to repeat the words of Eld. Andrews, “God has gone out before us. It is most certainly a call to us to follow.” In answer to Eld. Andrews’ inquiry, “What shall be done for Germany?” we answer, Let the light shine in Germany, to which thousands of S. D. Adventists in America will respond, Amen. The time has come for action. A thousand pages of our best tracts and pamphlets should be translated and printed in the German language before New Years. Urgent calls for our smaller works in German to circulate in our country have been growing more urgent for the last fifteen years. And now the call comes over from Europe. Our people are ready to contribute to any amount needed to meet the expense. Eld. Smith, Prof. Brownsberger, and Dr. Kellogg, who stand at the head of the work at Battle Creek, should at once provide for the accomplishment of this. Small editions should be hastened through the press for immediate use. If we wait to secure that degree of perfection we may desire, we may incur the displeasure of Him who requires the best we can do now, to be improved upon as we have opportunity. And may God make Eld. Ertzenberger a blessing to the German people, and may he raise up others who, with the aid of our publications in their language, shall let the light shine in Germany. This brother had a free ticket at our table and in our home during nine months when he was in America, and we feel that we have some claims on him as interpreter for the French and the German, should God send us to Europe. It is evident that Eld. Andrews needs the help of some one who can speak and write in French, and assist him in translating and publishing. And as Eld. D. T. Bourdeau has had his mind greatly exercised in reference to a mission to France, it may be the will of God that Eld. B. should join Eld. A. in the work in Europe, especially for those who read and speak the French language. Eld. B. is needed in this country where he has labored ardently and successfully, both with the Americans and the French. But God may have a still more successful field of labor for him among the crowded masses of the kingdoms of Europe to whom he could speak in his mother tongue. We can only suggest, and pray the Lord to direct and bless. There is the sum of nearly $3,000 in the missionary treasury at the disposal of the General Conference Committee. Eld. Andrews is one of that committee. We need not state that when he needs means for his own personal wants, or to publish, he has only to send his order to REVIEW AND HERALD, Battle Creek, Mich., and the required sums will be immediately forwarded. We make this statement for the benefit of those of limited circumstances who have had their sympathies greatly moved by Eld. A.’s frequent allusions to means in his reports. Before the treasury shall be emptied a thousand liberal and able friends of the cause will of their abundance cast in more. God speed the cause in Europe! Difficulties will arise in all parts of the wide field. Satan will tempt all the professed friends of the cause who hold themselves ready to be tempted, and will lead them directly across the path of the servants of God, to perplex, weary, sadden, and discourage them in their work. We should not give these persons coveted notoriety by spending words and time upon them. Many sores will work their own cure best. God help us to deal in principles, close and earnest, in love, and leave men and women to work out their own experiences with him. Our ministers should not be burdened with individual cases of members, but should be free to proclaim the message. It is of no use for them to try to carry those who will not go to God for a living experience of their own. It will not really benefit these persons, while it will greatly hinder our ministers in their work. May God guide his servants, and give them wisdom to avoid unnecessary burdens, and power to proclaim the last message. Such is the heading of an article which lately appeared in the Irish World. And Russia advancing, means, if we read the prophecy aright, advancement in one of the the most important and decisive prophecies relating to the present time. Dan. 11 : 45 ; 12 : 1. When nations have the power to carry out a long-cherished desire, it does not usually take them a great while to find a pretext. Russia has long cherished the wish to crowd the Turk out of Europe into his Asiatic dominions. According to the following article she now has the power to do this, or is fast acquiring it. But she seems inclined to array herself in such a panoply of strength that there shall be no doubt of the issue when the time shall come to strike. Every indication points to that hour as not far distant. We look upon the near future as crowded with momentous events, which shall signalize the oncoming of the time of trouble such as never was. Let us so live and labor as to be accounted worthy to escape the things that are coming upon the earth, and to stand before the Son of man. “Russia has conscripted into the army every able-bodied man from the age of twenty to sixty. At present, the regular standing army of that empire is one million of trained soldiers under arms, with a reserve to recruit from of at least four millions more, perhaps five millions! We are at no great loss to guess what these colossal forces are intended for—the extension of empire most undoubtedly, and that both eastward and southward. Whoever lives twenty-five years more on this earth will see Russian governors, soldiers, and priests in Constantinople, and also scattered along the banks on both sides of the beautiful Bosphorus. The Russian soldier is driven on by the Russian priest more than by the Russian emperor. The national church of Russia is the Greek Christianity. There is no pope or chief bishop at its head, as as in the Roman Hierarchy. The emperor is chief of the church, and their jealousies toward other forms of religion, whether Mohammedan, Christian, or Buddhist, are so intense that Russian governors, generals, and people, yield implicit obedience, and risk life to promote their behests. “We are not to be surprised, then, to hear of Russian advances. The emperor of Russia will advance until he meets the British soldier in India. He will annex Khan after Khan, annex Persia if its shah refuses him a passage through his mountains to the Indian Ocean. Russia must have a vent in the East through the Indian Ocean, in the South through the waters of Greece and the Mediterranean Sea, in the North through the Amoor and the Pacific Ocean, and westwardly by the Baltic. The latter is closed by ice half of every year, but the vent by the Greek waters is ever open. To be master of the vent, he must have Constantinople, and to have Constantinople, he must be able to defy England. Now, the sultan owes principally to the money dealers of England a debt of one hundred and eighty millions sterling, about a thousand million of dollars. If the Turks and the sultan are wiped out, the English money-lenders will lose every penny of this money. Hence, they will urge on a war to sustain things as they are—the balance of power; but the emperor of Russia knows well how to check this move. The English Empire of India is a vast booty—thirty-one kingdoms to be robbed. True, they have been pretty thoroughly robbed already by the English; but the Russian thinks his turn has come, and would try a further squeeze. Hence his onward move. “The English press begins to talk big, and our generals begin to tighten their waist girths. Just hear the Telegraph, the London paper which represents the Liberals and Whigs: ‘The solid facts are there and speak for themselves. Reason laughs at the notion that the continuous and progressive labors of five-and-twenty years are the fruit of accident, and refuses to believe that operations so vast and sustained are not limbs of a policy stretching its arms from the Black Sea almost to the Himalayas, and having as its end aggression in Persia and Asia Minor. As we intend to maintain our imperial position in the East, we are bound to look forward, and hold ourselves prepared to grapple with an emergency which, sooner or later, is certain to arrive; always remembering that we did not seek the encounter, and that we shall be justified in employing all available means to overthrow an adversary who has advanced so far out of his way to cast down his challenge and court a struggle for empire.” —Irish World. Where Do you Stand?
By Roswell F. Cottrell
“OFFENSES will come;” causes of trial and of stumbling will arise. Whenever they do arise, it is of much importance to be found in the right position. Trials are to purify us, not to prove our ruin. Let us take the right position, though it may be painful, that we may be found approved. “I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest.” Not having had the privilege of meeting with the brethren for some time, I have not been particularly informed concerning the trial which I learn is agitating, in some measure at least, our portion of the field. But I have learned that it has been asked, “How does Bro. Cottrell stand in respect to this?” And it was inferred that I waited to see; as if I were non-committal. Now, since sympathy injudiciously exercised is almost sure to injure the ones to whom it is extended, it may be duty for me to show where I stand, and why. I will say, then, in a word, I stand with the body and with those long tried and proved in the work. “Do you venture to decide without hearing both sides?” I cannot be said to have heard either side. “Do you purpose then to go it blind?” I do not think I am blind; but think I can render a reason. I have been connected with this cause for nearly twenty-four years. I did not embrace the doctrine of the third angel’s message in process of fulfillment till I had weighed the evidences and was fully satisfied. I have many times re-considered, but have never recalled the decision. And when dissensions and factions have arisen, as that known among us as the “Messenger party,” about 1856, God, I think, has given me to reason like this: The evidence is perfect that the time is come for the third angel’s message to be proclaimed, and that the work is already begun. If this is so, this work is a special work of the Lord for the present time. And when the Lord does a special work, as, for example, the bringing of Israel out of Egypt, and leading them through the desert, his work moves on harmoniously, never revolutionizing in its course. Men may fail, for all are fallible, but the work which God inaugurated moves on from the beginning to the end. If a Moses falls short of the goal, he is succeeded by a Joshua upon whom he has laid his hands, that the entire work may be seen to be one. So God helped me to reason in my early experience in this work. And later, when, about 1860, I blundered into the gap on the question of organization (not the scriptural organization of the church, but a legal organization of a publishing association), and begun to see that I had rebellious sympathizers who were ready to follow my lead and uphold me in the wrong, it was given me of God to tell them plainly that if they wished to know my position, that they might join my standard and follow my lead, they would find me with the body. I had no intention to desert or rebel. This position on the unity of God’s work has proved safe thus far, and will prove safe every time. When God sets aside his chosen servants, the pioneers in this his work, we shall all know it. Till then, let every one know that he who disparages them, disparages the work in which they are engaged. My dear brethren and friends, let the language of our hearts be, Let reproach fall upon133 me; for I am sinful and it is my due, and, rightly improved, it will work for my salvation; but let not the blessed cause of God suffer reproach. R. F. COTTRELL. Our Faith.
By S. N. Haskell
The message of Rev. 14:9-12, is world-wide in its application. It is a warning against the unmixed wrath of God. Wrath having no mixture of mercy has never been experienced by any, and cannot be as long as Christ is presenting his blood before the Father. The prophet thus describes the time when his intercessions will cease: “I beheld, and there was no intercessor.” “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still; and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still; and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still; and he that is holy, let him be holy still.” This message, therefore, can apply to none other than that generation which will live in the closing work of probation. By comparing Rev. 14:10 with Rev. 16:1, 2, 11, it will be seen that the very individuals who reject the warning of the third angel will not only drink of the first vial of the unmixed wrath of God, but will also suffer the fifth plague. To be consistent, then, with our faith we should avail ourselves of every lawful means for the spread of this truth. For these truths must find their way into every community and family where there may be honest hearts. If this is God’s work, we cannot be too much devoted to its interest, nor make too great sacrifices for its advancement. It should demand our most serious attention. It is worthy of our most earnest thought, in order to devise and carry into effect such measures as will bring these truths before the public mind. This is a world-wide message destined to warn the world of its approaching doom. To warn is to give previous notice, to admonish, to notify by authority. All that have any knowledge of this truth should feel a burden of the work resting upon them. Parents should so feel the importance of this matter that their children will partake of its inspiration and feel an anxiety to do something to help forward the cause of God. Children can do something. They can not only make an investment of their pennies where it will pay large interest in this life, but fruit will be seen of their lives in the kingdom of God. Last year, when the effort was made to get the Hygienic Almanac into the families of the city of Boston, the children of Bro. Wood and others went from house to house and sold a large number of them. Many would purchase because a child offered them for sale. The time has already arrived when this almanac enterprise should again be engaged in. And this fall, instead of distributing fifty thousand copies, the Hygienic Almanac, at the very lowest estimate, should find its way to one hundred and fifty thousand firesides in this country. This can be done; and shall we expect anything less of our Tract and Missionary Societies than three times the amount done last year? New England with less than three hundred members distributed about five thousand copies last year. This year they have already ordered five thousand, and they make no calculation of distributing less than twice that amount. A very large proportion of the money paid for the almanacs by the Tract Societies can be returned from the sales made, if a proper course is taken. To help the Tract Societies, let our brethren pay the regular price for them; then let those not interested in the faith have them for a smaller sum, enough, however, to cover all expense. Large orders should come in at once from every Tract Society in the country, that the almanacs may be placed in the hands of the directors and members immediately. Every family that will give it a place at their fireside, and keep it for reference, should have one. City and country should be canvassed. Stores should be supplied, and wherever they will be judiciously distributed, let them find a place. The officers of the various Tract Societies should be awake to this movement at once. We entreat you, brethren, not to let the flood of drug almanacs crowd out that which is not only as good as any almanac, but which will also impart light and truth. It should not be true in this matter that the children of this world are wiser in their generation than the children of light. To my certain knowledge there was not a Conference last year, with the exception of one or two, but regretted that they did not send for larger orders to commence with. Don’t calculate too small. This work must go; the public must be notified of these principles. With the almanac, do not forget the health tracts, and especially “Healthful Cookery,” also the Reformer. And what has been said in reference to the health publication is also true in reference to our denominational works. What has already been done in the missionary work in the past is but a drop in the bucket to what must be done. With our present system of missionary labor this can easily be done. Brethren, sisters, and children, should take a part in this work as above indicated. We have not less than five thousand individuals who have paid their dollar and thus have become members of our Tract Societies, and all of these have friends to whom the almanac would prove a blessing, and by whom it would be appreciated. As every family wants an almanac, why not place in their hands the best, while it is in our power to do it? God will accept every effort if done in his fear. The times demand action from consecrated hearts. Other branches of the missionary work should not be neglected, but all should be carried forward together. The distribution of the almanacs, however, like the harvest, must be attended to in its proper time. This movement among the Tract Societies should not prevent those not connected with the societies from sending in their orders for them. For the benefit of those who do not have the advantages of the quarterly meetings, a few words may not be out of place in reference to the manner of doing business for the Tract Societies. It is generally understood that the business is to be done through the director, the district secretary keeping an account of the same, that he or the district secretary shall notify the State secretary, and that the business with the Office shall all be done by the State secretary. In some cases, where a director lives far out of the way, other arrangements can be made by the Tract Societies, and individuals may send directly to the State secretary. But, where such arrangements are made, whether it be orders for books and tracts, names for our periodicals, or whatever the nature of the business done, the district secretary should be notified of it, that a debt and credit account may be kept.