Our quarterly meeting was attended with the blessing of the Lord, and we trust it will result in lasting profit to the church. Most of the absent members were prompt in reporting. When all see the especial importance of promptness and harmonious action in church relation, and how greatly it increases the interest of such an occasion to hear a short and pointed testimony from each member, we think none that have a living interest in the all-important work of preparing for our Lord's coming will fail in this respect.
I would say that the present method of organizing Sabbath-schools is producing good results here. J. PHILBRICK.
INDIANA
By W. W. Sharp
Tent No. 2, Alexandria, July 15.
YESTERDAY the M. E. minister spoke on the Sabbath. He tried very hard to so mystify the subject that the people could not understand it, and then of course they would not make a change. I reviewed him in the evening before nearly four hundred people, and then put the question to vote. About seventy-five voted in favor of the seventh-day Sabbath; but not one voted that they believed Sunday is the Sabbath and thought they could give one verse of proof. Several more have taken their stand for the truth. One man put away his tobacco before he kept the Sabbath, and is making thorough work of reformation. Our meeting last Sabbath was a success. Some praised God for the truth, that had saved them from infidelity.
The interest the past week has been better than at any time before; therefore we shall remain some time yet, hoping that others will make a good start for the kingdom. W. W. SHARP.
Ayers's Last Meeting in Lazette
Bro. R. H. Brock gives the following additional particulars of Bro. Ayers's meeting in Lazette, Kan.:—
Bro. Ayers's last meeting was one long to be remembered. He spoke from Rev. 21:7. His remarks were very impressive, and almost the entire audience was in tears. Bro. A. thought it might be the last time he should ever be permitted to meet with us until we meet in the city of the great King. The closing prayer was particularly affecting. Sinners' hearts were melted and impressed with duty. As we sung the hymn, “We speak of the realms of the blessed,” Bro. Ayers passed through the congregation, taking each by the hand and exhorting all to be faithful.
Now, my dear brethren and sisters in the Lord, and especially those of you in the Kansas Conference, let us pray to God in behalf of our dear brother, the president of our Conference, that he may be restored to health again. The exceedingly warm weather has been very unfavorable for his afflicted limb, and has increased the swelling very much. May the Lord bless our dear brother.
Syracuse, Otoe Co., July 16
By H. Shultz; M. Hackworth
LAST Sabbath was a season of refreshing to us. The brethren from Weeping Water and Nebraska City spent the day with us; but, best of all, the Spirit of the Master was present. Hard hearts were melted, saints were made to rejoice, and all felt that it was good to be here. We presented the covenant, and eleven signed it. Three more have signed it since, and there are still others who are interested, for whose salvation we pray and labor.
Eld. Vose, Baptist, spoke against us a week ago last Sunday evening, and is to speak again this evening, on the Sabbath. Pray that truth may prevail.
H. SHULTZ.
M. HACKWORTH.
VERMONT
By A. S. Hutchins
Tent No. 2, Cabot, July 17.
Thirty-one discourses have been given here. The subject of the Sabbath has been well canvassed. Last first-day, the seal and the history of the Sabbath were presented. In the evening a sermon was preached founded on the words, “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian,” at the close of which, standing votes were called for with the following results: not one arose for Sunday, while some over thirty arose, thereby indicating their belief that the seventh-day Sabbath is sustained by the Bible. Following this some twelve or fifteen arose, thus signifying their intention to keep the Sabbath.
Real opposition has not come into the camp. On the contrary, there seems to be a general conviction resting upon the minds of the people that we preach the truth. From this people we receive many tokens of kindness in the line of conveniences as tenters. We find much visiting to do. Bro. Owen and Kellogg are earnest workers.
Bro. and Sr. Whitford, who furnish the music with an organ, add much to the interest of the meeting in this direction. A Christian lady with refined taste and good order can do much to win the respect and confidence of the people in caring for the family tent and visiting with ladies who visit the tent and attend the meeting. “Let all things be done decently and in order,” should be observed in our tent and camp-meetings, if anywhere.
A. S. HUTCHINS.
I. SANBORN
By I. SANBORN
Tent No. 1, Weston.
We have not had large congregations, but there is a deep interest manifested by those who do attend our meetings. We are told that many who do not come into the tent believe that we have the truth and are interested in the progress of the meetings. Like Nicodemus, they come by night, standing around the tent to hear the truth. Ministerial advice and influence, heeded by many, cripple, for the time being, the progress of the message; and in the Judgment fearful indeed will be the account given by some from Weston, if no change be made.
About two hundred have favored us with a candid hearing. Some who cannot attend the meetings are reading their Bibles and our publications, and send for us to visit them.
Our Sabbath meetings are precious seasons. Few attend, but the heart-searching Spirit of God solemnizes the occasions. At our meeting yesterday seven arose very promptly, saying thereby that they were willing to keep all the commandments of God. After the sermon this afternoon, another expression of the same nature brought thirty to their feet.
Through the kindness of the people of God in the Green Mountain State, we are very comfortably and pleasantly situated. Bro. James White, of Jamaica, kindly supplies us with an organ, which is a great help. Bouquets and provisions are poured in by our newly found friends as well as by the older Sabbath-keepers, and we feel grateful to God that he thus verifies his promise to those who leave all to follow him. May prayers continue to ascend for tent company No. 1 of Vermont.
I. SANBORN
An Angry Man Opens His Mouth
AN angry man opens his mouth and shuts his eyes.
How to Hold Church Property Legally.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
SEVERAL instances have lately come to my knowledge where brethren have built a meeting-house, and had it deeded, either directly to the church or to trustees elected by the church. These brethren, not being informed in the case, suppose that this is legal; but the fact is there is nothing legal about it. Such churches have no title to their meeting-houses. So far as I am acquainted, the law of every State makes it necessary to have a separate and legally organized society, with articles of association carefully recorded in the county clerk's office, in order to hold church property.
Our simple church organization is not a legally organized body, and hence cannot hold property. As a great many meeting-houses are being built, the brethren ought to look after these things, lest a good deal of law should come in the future.
Sometimes in obtaining subscriptions to build a meeting-house we have made promises to let others use the house when not wanted by ourselves. Almost always this results in getting into difficulty and creating hard feelings. The best way is to make no such promises. Simply tell the people you propose to build an out-and-out Seventh-day Adventist church. You will get just as much help as you will to do the other way; and then your hands are free to do as you like. D. M. CANRIGHT.
Small Tracts for Tent-Meetings.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
It is necessary to give away more or less reading matter during every course of lectures, whether in a tent or a hall; but it is too expensive to give away our pamphlets or even the larger tracts. At the height of interest in a course of lectures, we find it a good thing to distribute a tract to every person in the audience about twice a week, when we have the largest attendance. But it would cost a great deal to give away 300 or 500 four-cent tracts or even two-cent ones. To obviate this difficulty, and to furnish a good assortment of small tracts covering the main points of our faith, we have prepared eleven eight-page “Tent Tracts.” They are numbered in the order in which they would naturally come in a course of meetings. They cost at wholesale only a half cent apiece. They can be used by the tract societies or by individuals just as well, if they like. Indeed, all the tract societies are coming more and more to use only the smallest tracts.
The names of the tracts are as follows:—
Tent Tract No. 1, Can We Know?
“ “ “ 2, Is it Near?
“ “ “ 3, Is Man Immortal?
“ “ “ 4, The Sleep of the Dead.
“ “ “ 5, The Sinner’s Fate.
“ “ “ 6, The Law of God
“ “ “ 7, What the Gospel Abrogated.
“ “ “ 8, One Hundred Bible Facts
Upon the Sabbath Question.
“ “ “ 9, Sunday not the Sabbath.
“ “ “ 10, The Christian Sabbath.
“ “ “ 11, Why not Found out Before?
Any or all of these can be had in any quantity at the REVIEW Office.
D. M. CANRIGHT.
The Dime Tabernacle.
By General Conference Committee
BLANK pledge papers, with full directions how to raise and forward the dimes, are prepared and sent out to very many from the REVIEW AND HERALD Office. Those who do not receive them can obtain them by sending to the REVIEW Office. GEN. CONF. COM.
Progress Department Matter
A portion of the matter which would properly come into our Progress Department, we put on the third page, for want of room in its appropriate place.
Defending the Sabbath in Wyoming
We learn from the Western Globe, published in Wyoming, Ont., that Bro. J. Fulton is having an interesting time defending the Sabbath against clerical opponents. The agitation is naturally making quite a stir in the community.
Adventist Factions at War
According to an eastern paper, the different factions of first-day Adventists are warring against each other in this manner: “If a certain preacher is to go into a locality by invitation, letters will be sent to that locality to head him off,” advertising him as a “devil’s proselyter.” It will not take long to “fight it out” on that line.
To Correspondents.
W. E. Clark: The recent article by Bro. Canright, “Why not Found out Before?” is one of a series of tent tracts written by him and can be had in tract form.
Is it consistent with our faith to belong to a lodge of Good Templars? C. S.
Ans. We have no “faith” in any secret organization whatever; and we do not think it consistent for any Christian to belong to any such order, whatever may be its name or professed object. No good work needs to hide behind the cover of secrecy.
1. Is it wrong to shave? 2. If so, where is the Bible proof?
Ans. 1. No. 2. Nowhere. Some claim that there are strong physiological reasons against cutting the beard. On that ground there may be valid objections against the practice.
Ans. All the difficulty lies in the use of the name Jesus for Joshua, the person referred to in the text. A paraphrase will make it plain. Thus: For if Jesus [Joshua] had [when he led Israel into Canaan] given them rest [the rest God had promised,] then would not he [God] afterward have spoken of another day [or period in which the invitation was still given to enter into God’s rest, as he did by David, after they had entered Canaan]. The rest is the Heavenly rest of which Canaan was a type. Nothing could be more absurd than to refer the language to a day of the week, and make it refer to the weekly Sabbath.
E. Lanphear: It strikes us that Sabbath-keepers who oppose the Bible view of the nature and destiny of man are guilty of the same inconsistencies, and the same fallacious reasoning in reference to that subject that Sunday-keepers are guilty of in reference to the Sabbath.
Answered by Letter: G. W. Colcord, E. P. Mansell, J. H. Waggoner, W. H. Littlejohn, E. Walworth, H. W. Jackman, H. W. Decker, R. Conradi, W. W. Jones, W. Dock, G. W. Rogers, S. W. Randall, Mrs. I. F. Howell, C. H. Maxwell, D. A. Robinson, G. C. O’Connor.
Question Answered.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
“Did the Roman Catholic Church grow out of the church established at Rome by the apostles?” A. H.
Ans. Yes. The most reliable history shows that the church of Rome was raised up by the apostles. We are certain that the apostle Paul was there several years. It was at first, like other early churches, a pure, Christian church. It continued such for a long time, probably for more than a century. It did not apostatize in one year nor even in a hundred years. The work of backsliding was a gradual one, as is always the case with any church.
On the start the bishop of Rome was no more than any other bishop; but, as that was the capital of the empire, the Roman church gradually grew larger and more influential, which, of course, gave more authority to the bishop of that church. Gradually he began to extend his authority over surrounding churches, until about five hundred years after Christ the bishop of Rome claimed jurisdiction over all the churches in Christendom.
D. M. Canright.
To Those Who Have Money to Loan.
THOSE who have means which they wish to place where it will be perfectly safe while affording them a fair income will do well to invest in Health Institute Bonds. These bonds draw semi-annual interest at eight per cent, and are made as secure as government bonds. There remain a few thousand dollars’ worth of these bonds yet unsold. They are regarded as a strictly first-class investment by all good business men, and are now held at a premium of two and one half per cent. There is a likelihood of a still further advance, as rates of interest on first-class investments are steadily declining. Those who may wish to make further inquiries should address,
SANITARIUM,
Battle Creek, Mich.
Shall I Finally Overcome?
It is a question of the deepest interest, Shall I finally overcome and hear the “Well done”? The best estimate which we can make as to the probability is based on what we are doing from day to day. Are we making progress in that direction?
General Conference Committee Meeting Attendance
It is expected that one of the General Conference Committee, or one or more of the persons recommended by the Committee, will attend each of the above meetings.
Note to Sabbath-School Officers.
By Editor
In answer to many letters and inquiries about the S. S. work, we will state:—
The Constitution of the State S. S. Association will be re-published in the REVIEW Supplement for August.
Teachers' Class Record Books and Record Blanks are being prepared, and will be ready for orders in two weeks.
A S. S. Secretary's School Record Book will be issued soon.
The School Programme recommended in REVIEW of April 4, is as follows:—
A valuable farm recently owned by Eld. T. J. Butler, in Grundy Co., Mo. 159 acres, in good state of cultivation; 250 bearing apple trees, and abundance of small fruit of all kinds. Price $3,200, one-half down, balance in four years. For further particulars, address Eld. L. R. Long, Winstonville, Mo.
The address of the secretary of Dist. No. 10, Iowa and Nebraska T. and M. Society, is P. A. Holly, State Center, Iowa, as P. E. Ferrin has resigned to attend to other matters.
Agnes R. Lucas, Kirkland, Ill., can furnish no more names of readers for the Signs.
If any of the brethren or sisters found a large black silk serge parasol at East Madison depot the day the Wisconsin camp meeting broke up, June 4, they will confer a favor by writing to Louisa De Wolf, Clinton, Rock Co., Wis.
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 is credited pay—which should correspond with the Numbers on the Posters. If money for the paper is not in due time acknowledged, notice of the omission should be given.
$2.00 EACH. Mrs Augusta French 54-2, James Ville 54-1, P A Marvin 54-1, B Armitage 54-2, E Temple 54-1, B N Berry 54-1, John B Langdon 54-1, E M Pennock 54-2, A G Carter 54-1, C A Washburn 54-5, J M Green 53-24, T L Gilbert 54-6, Nettie Koon 54-2, Mrs Lovina Cressy 54-1, Peder Hansen 52-24, L P Harriman 54-1, D R Leighton 54-4, C M Chamberlain 54-5, K Haynes 54-2, C T Jensen 54-3, Mary M Swanson 54-1, Jacob Berry 54-1, Wm Martin 54-3, C F Worthen 54-1, Sarah Townsend 54-1, J M Rohh 54-1, G D Simms 54-4, D C Putnam 54-4, John D Kendall 54-4, Catharine Van Vrancken 54-4, W Strode 54-4.
$1.00 EACH. John Lorntz 53-1, Mrs Frank Lewis 53-7, A E Stutzman 53-1, Phebe Vedder 53-8, Mrs D Pierce 53-12, Lewis Wells 53-7, Mrs Jane Donnaman 53-8, Jens Mortensen 53-2, Joshua Philbrick 52-14, Talmage Wood 53-1, Sophronia Shirkey 53-1, Wm Shipton 53-4, Alex Paton 53-2, B M Bihard 53-4, Mahala Jackson 53-2, Mrs Sophronia Brewer 53-8, J H Agny 52-24, Del Huntley 53-3, C J Nelson 53-2, Susan Herrald 53-21, M Tryon 53-2, Cyrus Saxton 53-3, Rodney B Johnson 53-3, Chas Davis 53-3, D T Evans 53-8, Rena Watt 53-8, Jane M Hegg 53-3, E H Crampton 53-5, C Nelson 52-1, Leroy Burleson 53-2, Jos Ralston 53-1, Emily Shirley 54-1, John J N Allard 53-2, O A Richmond 52-24, Arvah Howe 53-4, Henry A Wood 53-4, H P Gould 53-4, A V Parkhurst 54-1, Edward Davis 53-12, Hannah Gulley 53-5, D Ballinger 53-7.
MISCELLANEOUS. Y M C Association $1.50 53-9, R Eastman 1.50 54-4, J N Chandler 50c 52-15, Gen Theological Library 1.50 54-4, Juliet Pierce 1.50 54-4, Charles Kinney 50c 52-21, Sarah Waffle 50c 52-18, Flora Beattie 50c 53-8, Samantha Lyons 1.50 54-4, W P Merrill 50c 53-8, Rasmus Nelson 50c 52-20, E A Gifford 50c 53-8, I E Wilson 45c 52-20, J B Henry 1.50 54-1, Wright 1.50 54-4, Rebecca Hutchins 50c 52-18, F Lyman Collier 1.50 54-4, Carrie McIntyre 50c 52-18, S M Holly 3.60 55-21, Mrs L R Smith 75c 53-3, J S Thorne 1.50 54-3, P B Osborn 1.50 54-3, Geo Brown 75c 53-4, M Jones 1.50 54-4, A A John 85c 50-8, John A Cook 1.50 54-4, H W Burgess 75c 53-4.
Books Sent by Mail.
William Behrens 25c, J A Cunningham 25c, J Stover 5.65, A F Kellogg 10c, Menken Brothers 2.00, J M Little 25c, N P Manny 20c, W E Dawson 10c, Charles Clark 30c, G W Williams M D 25c, Dora Rowe 1.00, Wm Hausen 2.00, C Frederickson 1.00, John Roberts 3.00, J J Dean 16c, Eben Metcalf 10c, J Bartlett 1.70, A C Woodbury 50c, Mary Affolter 50c, W J Boynton 15c, O McGee 10c, Fred W Mitchell 10c, Mrs B G Allen 20c, C Nelson 50c, J T Crockett 81c, B Hinds 25c, A S Gillet 10c, J W Strong 10c, W Simpson 47c, David Allway 60c, E M Shayer 1.50, W R Carpenter 1.20, John G Long 25c, Helen E Cowles 25c, L S McClure 10c, W J Buckland 20c, Mrs Barah Henly 25c, S B Whitney 12c, Mrs O W Morey 20c, S Alexander 25c, Austin B Secrist 25c, Delia Fitch 25c, Mrs Sarah Casey 25c, A A John 15c, E Inman 10c, Criss 10c, Hugh Watt 30c, F S Ross 35c, D T Biggs 50c, Mrs Amos Sturgis 25c, Scott Kilgore 3.00, Frank Starr 1.50, Henry E Grow 85c, Mrs Thomas Greer 50c, S P Stone 25c, C O Taylor 40c, J G Matteson 10.33, A Olson 3.89, W H Littlejohn 40c, M B Burnham 75c, J P Farnsworth 65c, Mary L Williams 1.25, Mary Callum 44c, J J Rummery 44c, N J Burdick 1.32, J Collins 2.26, S T Burston 30c.
Books Sent by Express.
Mrs R C Horton $4.85, N O Moore 6.20, L McCoy 22.31.
Books Sent by Freight.
S M Holly $18.29, E G Rust $2.40, A W Jensen 0.40, D A Robinson $2.03, A R Meeks 19.80.
Cash Rec’d on Account.
Ind T and M Society per J D Shilling $36.25, Texas T and M Society per E G Rust 50.00, Wis T and M Society per M A Kerr 60.00, Va T and M Society, Robert Sawyer 3.50.
Gen. Conf. Fund.
Mrs M S Phelps $4.00.
European Mission.
M E Trotman $1.00, Zina Trotman 25c, Two Sisters of Clarence, Iowa, one 3.80, the other 1.20, Mrs Louise Smith, Italian, 10.00, “M M,” Italian, 1.00, T L Gilbert 5.00, John S Smith 50.00, Thomas Bickle 10.00, M S Southwick 5.00, Robert Sawyer, Italian, 2.50.
Danish Mission.
John Lorntz $5.00, L Clausen 10.00, Jense Olsen 10.00.
Share in S. D. A. P. Association.
S N Haskell $10.00.
Mich. Conf. Fund.
St. Charles per J M Wilkins $15.00, Marshall per Lou Smith 12.14, Wright per C Buck 21.00, Hillsdale per C M Stone 22.65, Muir and Lyons 23.30, Sarauac 19.60, West Plain 10.48, Orange 8.25, Matherton per O B Stiles 1.00.
S. D. A. E. Society.
M A Coates $5.00.
Mich. T. & M. Society.
Dist 10 per Geo H Randall $40.27, Dist 9 per D Mallin 100.00, Battle Creek church 108.11, Dist 2 per L A Bramhall 59.61, Dist 8 per J M Wilkinson 10.00, Marshall, added ⅛, 2.86, Dist 3 per Burlington 8.65, Dist 4 Burlington, added ⅛, 6.48, Dist 6 per F Howe 60.77, Dist 13 per M F Mullen 18.50.
APPOINTMENTS
“And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of Heaven is at hand”.
Indiana·Camp-meeting.
This meeting will be held at Kokomo, Howard Co., on the same ground occupied last year, Aug. 14-19, 1878.
We hope to see a general rally of all our brethren and sisters and friends from all parts of the State. Induce those in your neighborhood who are interested to attend; it may be the means of their embracing the truth. Come, praying the Lord to bless in the meetings.
Ample provision will be made on the ground for man and beast. IND. CONF. COM.
Illinois Camp-meeting.
By G. W. Colcord
It is decided to hold the Illinois camp-meeting at Bloomington, Aug. 27 to Sept. 3. We have secured two lots, one for an encampment, the other for teams. Good walks to the grounds. We expect to advertise our people and work in this city of perhaps more than 12000 inhabitants, by holding this series of meetings very near the center of the town. We hope to run three excursions. Definite word soon. Prepare now! G. W. COLCORD.
Texas General Meeting.
By R. M. Kilgore
There will be a general gathering of all the friends of the cause in Texas, at Rockwall, Rockwall Co., commencing Aug. 8 and continuing till the 13th.
The general quarterly meeting of the Texas T. and M. Society will be postponed till this meeting, and will then hold its sessions. Let each church society have its reports sent in to the secretary immediately after the quarterly meeting. Be punctual.
The Sabbath-school work will receive especial attention at this meeting. Let all come prepared to take hold with zeal and earnestness.
Opportunity will be afforded for baptism. R. M. KILGORE.
Meetings at Corunna
By M. B. Miller; H. J. Spicer
We will have meeting in the tent at Corunna, Mich., Sabbath, July 27, at 3 P. M. and 8 o'clock in the evening. A general invitation is extended to the brethren and sisters throughout the county.
M. B. MILLER.
H. J. SPICER.
Kansas Camp-Meeting Announcement
By J. H. Cook
I DESIGN, no providence preventing, to hold a camp-meeting some time in the month of September in South-eastern Kansas, probably near the south-west corner of Crawford county. The definite time and place will be given in due time. We give this now, that all may have timely notice. This meeting will be for the special benefit of this part of Kansas; but a cordial welcome will be extended to all who may come.
J. H. Cook.
Meeting at Douglas, Michigan
By E. R. JONES
There will be a meeting in the tent at Douglas, Mich., Sabbath, July 27, at 10:30 A. M., and each Sabbath after until notice shall be given in the meetings.
All our people within a reasonable distance are invited to attend. E. R. JONES.
Meeting at Otsego, Michigan
By J. Byington
The Lord willing, I will meet with the church in Otsego, Mich., Sabbath, July 27. J. BYINGTON.