For a time, our articles upon the subject of mutual obligation have been suspended for want of time to prepare them. We now resume them again, in the hope that we may be able to give them regularly to the close.
Last week we mentioned the very liberal and commendable action of our State Conferences in becoming responsible for the payment of all dues on our publications. We stated that the plan upon which our publishing work is conducted, makes such action on the part of our people simply reciprocal, rather than disinterested benevolence. If our publishing was carried on by one man, or by a firm, who should realize profits from it, any action on the part of our Conferences to be responsible for the payment of our periodicals would be regarded as misplaced benevolence. But the entire property of the Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association belongs to our people, and not to one man, or any set of men. And those who labor at our publishing house, from the little girl who folds papers, to the editors, receive moderate wages.
The REVIEW, Reformer, and Instructor, are the property of our people, and we are their servants. Men and women who labor in our publishing house at the present time, do so with the spirit of sacrifice, for the truth’s sake, for the sake of perishing souls, and for Christ’s sake. And the noble action of the State Conferences moves these laborers to feelings of confidence, love, and profound respect.
Here we would state that God has greatly blessed and prospered the work in which we are engaged, during the past two years. When we returned from the western camp-meetings two years since, to commence our personal labors for our Publishing Association, the stock of publications was very low, there was not five hundred dollars’ worth of stock on hand, we had no deposits at the bank, and we were paying ten per cent interest on six thousand dollars.
By the blessing of God we have paid all interest-bearing notes, we have six thousand dollars’ worth of stock, we have added to our publications not less than nine thousand dollars’ worth, have cash on hand to pay all bills, and have the new Office building nearly ready for use, which, with the usual liberality of our people, will be paid for by New Years’. In short, the Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association has fully recovered from the results of bad management during our absence from it on account of sickness, and never was as prosperous as at the present time.
Twelve years since we commenced appealing to our people to legally organize a Publishing Association, and take stock in it, so as to create capital sufficient to conduct our increasing publishing work to the best advantage. We then stated that could we all unite in such a work, there would be a business saving of considerable amount, which could be donated in our valuable publications to distribute in new fields. That statement has proved true. We are now happy to report that the Association could donate one hundred dollars’ worth of its publications each week, with its present industry and economy, and not feel the least crippled in its work. Thank God that we have lived to see the time when we can make so cheering a report of the strength and efficiency of our Publishing Association. Let all the friends of this Association join in offering grateful thanks to God for the victories with which he has already crowned the efforts of his people in this branch of the great work. At the opening of our new building we shall hold dedicatory services, and shall probably invite all our friends to join us in our offerings of devout thanksgiving to God, at their respective places of worship, who has so signally blessed and prospered our publishing interests.
Thank Heaven that the people who “keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ,” [“The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy”] are a united people. Their union is their strength. And to no one thing are they so much indebted for their existing happy state of unity, as to the gift of prophecy. This gift manifested among them has done them no harm. It has done them good, and only good. “By their fruits ye shall know them.” JESUS.
This matter of the gift of prophecy has existed in the progress of the cause of present truth from the very commencement. It is of so long standing, and is so fully known, and so well understood, that the sneers of the enemies of the cause have ceased to have influence. They simply evince the weakness of the positions of our opponents. The people see that sneers and foul misrepresentations are used to supply the want of Bible argument. So that stale slanders and sneering untruths, uttered for the ninety-and-ninth time, especially in those communities where Mrs. W. may address the assembled thousands at our camp-meetings, or where her works are read, become disgusting to candid people.
Brethren and sisters, the battle goes well. It is ours to stand fast in the cause of unpopular truth, however cross-bearing it may be. The man or woman who will be turned from Bible truth, sustained by the best evidences in Christian experience, by a sneer, is not worthy of a place with the people of God. In all the history of God’s providential dealings with his people in all past time, he has used the simplest means, and we may expect that in the closing work of God’s great salvation, he will use means so simple, and so far removed from what unsanctified wisdom would devise, as to try the pride of his people to the very core.
Our people are well organized. Our Church organization, State Conferences, General Conference, Systematic Benevolence, and Publishing organizations can hardly be improved. To say the least, the machinery works well.
Our people are, comparatively speaking, a very liberal and faithful people in point of means. The ministry is fully supported. Missionaries are well sustained, and there is a readiness to back up with their means all good enterprises for the advancement of the cause. Two years since the General Conference was in debt three thousand dollars. At our next General Conference there will be not less than five hundred dollars in the treasury, after all missionaries shall be paid.
We called for two thousand dollars for the mission in Europe. It came promptly, and is nearly all on hand. We called for one thousand dollars for a library fund. That came. And after several purchases there is the sum of eleven hundred dollars on hand. We called for a Book Fund of a few thousand dollars, and already about twelve thousand dollars have been received, and there remains in the treasury about six thousand dollars. This is the result of that unity and harmony that gives confidence and stability to the work. We do not believe that there can be found in the history of the Church for two hundred years past a people so faithful and true in sustaining the cause they profess as the Seventh-day Adventists. And what makes this more remarkable is the fact that their great liberality has been abused by some ministers among them, and by some who have handled their liberalities at headquarters. May God bless our dear, trusting people, and may their faithfulness inspire all our ministers, and all who stand at the head of the work, to equal faithfulness in a self-sacrificing life of devotion to the cause.
But, dear brethren and sisters, there is a much higher position for us to take. While we thank God that by his grace we as a people have gained victories, and that he has blessed our feeble efforts, yet we have cause to mourn that we are no more like our divine Master, and that we are doing so little to advance his cause.
The fields are all white ready for the harvest; but the laborers are few. It is a fact that we have less than fifty real efficient ministers, who have confidence and strength to meet opposition to unpopular Bible truth. Therefore it will not do for our people to wait until our preachers shall canvass the entire field. In fact, our people generally are comparatively feeble when they might be strong, and nothing will give them that spiritual strength they need but labor in the Master’s vineyard. There is missionary work for them to do which will benefit others, and result in equal good to themselves. And unless our people generally take hold of this work, it will remain undone.
Physical labor gives muscle and strength. There are thousands of invalids in our land waiting for the physicians to make them well, whose only hope of recovery is in action. Physicians may direct, and attendants may lift, and turn, and carry, and move them in wheel chairs, and take them out in carriages; but unless they use their own limbs and muscles, they will never regain strength.
The world is full of professors of Bible religion, who, in point of spiritual strength, are invalids. They wait for the minister to lift them on to Heaven. They are feeble, simply because they do not walk the heavenly way themselves. There are very many among our people who go the rounds of religious service in our meetings, and at home, who are utterly destitute of the spirit of labor for others. These are feeble because they do not work in the Master’s vineyard. They may get a good lift in the heavenly way at camp-meeting, or on other especial occasions, when the tide is setting strong heavenward; but they soon fall back to the old helpless position, there to remain until they are lifted again. These men and women will always remain spiritual invalids, with no real spiritual muscle, backbone, and strength, until they move out in the Master’s cause, and perform real labor in his vineyard.
We call attention to a plan upon which our people can all act in carrying forward missionary labor which is very much needed at this time. Already this work has commenced in different parts of the country. But we want the best plan, one that all our people, in all parts of the field, can adopt, and upon which they can put forth united and vigorous efforts. We now suggest the formation of societies in all parts of the field with the following:
CONSTITUTION.
ART. I. This Society shall be called the Christian Philanthropic Missionary Society of the Seventh-day Adventists of ———
ART. II. The objects of this Society shall be, 1. The proper distribution of our Tracts, Pamphlets, and Books. 2. Laboring, by correspondence and otherwise, for the encouragement and help of the scattered ones of like precious faith, for those who are falling back from discouragements, and to interest all within the reach of our influence in the great truths connected with the last message of mercy to the world. 3. To collect dues on our periodicals, and to obtain new subscribers.
ART. III. The officers of this Society shall be a President, Secretary, Treasurer, and an Executive Committee of ———, of which the President shall be one, and they shall be elected annually.
ART. IV. Any person may become a member of this Society, who is a member of a church of Seventh-day Adventists, by payment of the sum of ———.
ART. V. Each member shall keep a record of his or her labor, and report at such time as shall be required by the Executive Committee.
ART. VI. The funds to be employed by this Society shall consist of the money paid for memberships, and free-will offerings.
ART. VII. The Executive Committee shall have the general management and oversight of the work of this Society, both in disbursing funds and counseling in regard to labor.
ART. VIII. This constitution may be amended by a vote of two-thirds of the members present, at any annual meeting.
We have become fully convinced that tract distribution cannot be properly carried forward without an organized effort. It will not do to offer our publications to all who may ask for them, and send them out to strangers to scatter as they please. We have seen enough of this already. We learn from experience that the more careful ones, the very ones who would do this work best, are backward in asking for our publications, while those who would indiscriminately and carelessly throw our publications out, as you would feed chickens, are forward and urgent in their calls and demands for our publications. We say, let our publications go abroad everywhere, but let this work of distribution be done by societies well organized, whose officers shall have the oversight of it.
We have six thousand dollars’ worth of publications, all of them adapted to the wants of the cause at this time, that we offer to our people everywhere on the following terms, provided they will organize so as to properly do the work of distribution. We will first discount one third from advertised prices which will reduce the six thousand to four thousand. And then the Association will give one half, which will reduce the sum paid by organized societies to two thousand dollars, for six thousand dollars’ worth of publications. In other words, the Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association will furnish its publications to well-organized Missionary Societies at one-half the wholesale prices. And in those cases where their activity creates a large call for our publications, if there is a scarcity of means we will give more than one-half. For example, Bro. J. H. Cook of Mound City, Kan., writes:—
“Inclosed find $2.35, funds from our Tract Society; wish you to make selection as you think best.”
In view of the poverty of the great west in respect to ready cash we send forty dollars’ worth of publications to Bro. Cook, and give our brethren in that new and destitute field three-fourths of this sum.
Eld. C. O. Taylor sends us an order for $30 worth of publications accompanied with the cash. We forward $45 worth, and charge $15 to the Book Fund.
We have been thus explicit that all may understand our plans. If they meet the approval of our people, we shall expect a prompt and hearty response. Let the principle of mutual obligation be felt by all, and acted upon with vigilance.
We are brethren. God help us mutually to labor and faithfully toil, and sacrifice, and endure, till our work shall be done. The Constitution offered is simply suggested. We recommend uniformity, unless circumstances forbid.
In behalf of the Trustees of the Publishing Association, the writers and editors of our periodicals and books, and all the laborers and helpers at the publishing houses, we here say to our people everywhere, We are your servants, and solemnly promise to serve you, and labor in the cause of our adorable Redeemer, to the best of our ability.
And we ask of you your prompt and active co-operation, your prayers, and your liberalities as God has prospered you and shall put it into your hearts to give of your means to sustain the cause. Mutually let us labor, and battle for truth, victory and Heaven.
The United States in the Light of Prophecy.
By Uriah Smith
CHAPTER I.—PROBABILITIES.
The United States—what are they? Two hundred years ago, this question could not have been answered; it could not even have been asked. Now it can be answered by the dwellers in every quarter of the globe. Then a few small settlements of earnest men flying from the religious intolerance of the old world, dotted a narrow strip of coast line on our New England border. Now a mighty nation, with a vast expanse of territory stretching from ocean to ocean, and from regions almost arctic on the north to regions equally torrid on the south, embracing more square leagues of habitable land than Rome ruled over in its palmiest days, here holds a position of independence and glory among the nations of the earth.
And the sound of this new nation has gone into all the world. It has reached the toiling millions of Europe; and they are swarming to our shores to share its blessings. It has gone to the islands of the sea; and they have sent their contributions. It has reached the Orient, and opened as with a password the gates of nations long barred against intercourse with other powers; and China and Japan, turning from their beaten track of forty centuries, are looking with wonder at the prodigy arising across the Pacific to the east of them, and catching some of the impulse which this growing power is imparting to the nations of the earth.
Less than one hundred years ago, with three millions of people, the United States became an independent government. It has now a population of thirty-eight and a half millions of people, and a territory of three and a half millions of square miles. Russia alone exceeds this nation in these particulars, having forty millions more of people, and four millions more square miles of territory. Of all other nations on the globe whose laws are framed by legislative bodies elected by the people, Brazil, which has the largest territory, has not quite three millions of square miles; and France, the most populous, has not probably, considering her late reverses and misfortunes, a greater number of inhabitants than our own country. So that in point of territory and population combined it will be seen that the United States now stand at the head of the self-governing powers of the earth.
Occupying a position altogether unique, this government excites equally the astonishment and admiration of all beholders. The main features141of its history are such as have had no parallel since the distinction of nations existed among men. 1. No nation has ever acquired so vast a territory in so quiet a manner. 2. No nation has ever risen to such greatness by so peaceable means. 3. No nation has ever advanced so rapidly in all that constitutes national strength and capital. 4. No nation has ever arisen to such a pinnacle of power in a space of time so incredibly short. 5. No nation in so limited a time has developed such unlimited resources. 6. No nation has ever existed founded on principles of justice so pure and undefiled. 7. No nation has ever existed in which the consciences of men have been left so untrammeled and free. 8. In no nation and in no age of the world, have the arts and sciences so flourished, so many improvements been made, and so great successes been achieved, as in our own country during the last fifty years. 9. In no nation and in no age has the gospel found such freedom, and the churches of Christ had such liberty to spread abroad their principles and develop their strength. 10. No age of the world has seen such an immigration as that which is now pouring into our borders from all lands the millions who have long groaned under despotic governments, and who now turn to this broad territory of freedom as the avenue of hope, the Utopia of the nations.
The most discerning minds have been intuitively impressed with the idea of the future greatness and power of this government. In view of the grand results developed and developing, the discovery of America by Columbus, not four hundred years ago, is set down as the greatest event of all secular history. The progress of empire to this land was long ago expected.
Sir Thomas Browne, in 1682, predicted the growth of a power here, which would rival the European kingdoms in strength and prowess.
In Burnaby’s Travels, published in 1775, is expressed this sentiment: “An idea, strange as it is visionary, has entered into the minds of the generality of mankind, that empire is traveling westward; and every one is looking forward with eager and impatient expectation to that destined moment when America is to give the law to the rest of the world.”
John Adams, Oct. 12, 1775, wrote: “Soon after the Reformation, a few people came over into this New World for conscience’ sake. Perhaps this apparently trivial incident may transfer the great seat of empire to America.” On the day after the Declaration of Independence he wrote: “Yesterday the greatest question was decided which ever was debated in America, and a greater perhaps never was, nor will be, decided among men.”
In 1776, Galiani, a Neapolitan, predicted the gradual decay of European institutions, to renew themselves in America. In 1778, in reference to the question as to which was to be the ruling power in the world, Europe or America, he said, “I will wager in favor of America.”
Adam Smith of Scotland in 1776 predicted the transfer of empire to America.
Governor Pownal, an English statesman, in 1780, while our revolution was in progress, predicted that this country would become independent, and that a civilizing activity beyond what Europe could ever know, would animate it; and that its commercial and naval power would be found in every quarter of the globe. Again he said, “North America has advanced, and is every day advancing, to growth of state, with a steady and continually accelerating motion, of which there never has yet been any example in Europe.”
David Hartley, wrote from England in 1777, “At sea, which has hitherto been our prerogative element, they [the United States] rise against us at a stupendous rate; and if we cannot return to our old mutual hospitalities toward each other, a very few years will show us a most formidable hostile marine, ready to join hands with any of our enemies.”
Count d’Aranda, one of the first of Spanish statesmen, in 1783 thus wrote of this Republic: “This Federal Republic is born a pygmy, so to speak. It required the support and the forces of two powers as great as Spain and France in order to attain independence. A day will come when it will be a giant, even a colossus formidable in these countries.”
Of these prophecies, some are now wholly fulfilled, and the rest far on the road to fulfillment. This infant of yesterday stands forth to-day a giant, young, vigorous, active, and courageous, and accepts with dignity its manifest destiny at the head of powers and civilizations.
Such, in brief, is the answer to the question proposed at the opening of this article. Another question immediately follows: Does the prophetic pen which has so fully delineated the rise and progress of all the other great nations of the earth, pass this one by unnoticed? What are the probabilities in this matter? As the student of prophecy, in common with all mankind, looks with wonder upon the unparalleled rise and progress of this nation, he cannot repress the conviction that the hand of Providence has been at work in this quiet but mighty revolution. And this conviction he shares in common with others. Governor Pownal, from whom a quotation has already been presented, speaking of the establishment of this country as a free and sovereign power, calls it “a revolution that has stronger marks of divine interposition, superseding the ordinary course of human affairs, than any other event which this world has experienced.” De Tocqueville, a French writer, speaking of our separation from England, says, “It might seem their folly, but was really their fate, or, rather, the providence of God, who has doubtless a work for us to do, in which the massive materiality of the English character would have been too ponderous a dead weight upon our progress.” Geo. Alfred Townsend, speaking of the misfortunes that have attended the other governments on this continent, says, “The history of the United States was separated by a beneficent Providence far from this wild and cruel history of the rest of the continent.” Again he says, “This hemisphere was laid away for no one race.”
If Providence has thus been conspicuously present in our history, we may look for some mention of this government in that book which records the workings of Providence among mankind. On what conditions have other nations found a place in the prophetic record? First, if they have acted any prominent part in the world’s history; and secondly, and above all, if they have had jurisdiction over, or maintained any relations with, the people of God. And both these conditions are fulfilled in our government. No nation has ever attracted more attention or excited more profound wonder, or given promise of greater eminence or influence. And certainly here, if anywhere on the globe, are to be found a strong array of Christians, such as are the salt of the earth, and the light of the world.
With these probabilities in our favor, let us now take a brief survey of those symbols found in the word of God, which represent earthly governments. These are found chiefly, if not entirely, in the books of Daniel and Revelation. In Dan. 2 a symbol is introduced in the form of a great image. In Dan. 7, we find a lion, a bear, a leopard, and a great and terrible beast, which after passing through a new and remarkable phase, goes into the lake of fire. In Dan. 8 we have a ram, a he-goat, and a horn, little at first but waxing exceeding great. In Revelation 9 we have locusts like unto horses. In Rev. 12 we have a great red dragon. In Rev. 13 we have a blasphemous leopard beast, and a beast with two horns like a lamb. In Rev. 17 we have a scarlet-colored beast, upon which a woman sits holding in her hand a golden cup full of filthiness and abominations.
What governments and what powers are represented by all these? Do any of them symbolize our own? Some of these certainly represent earthly kingdoms; for so the prophecies themselves expressly inform us; and in the application of nearly all of them there is quite a uniform agreement among expositors. The four parts of the great image of Dan. 2 represent four kingdoms, Babylon, or Chaldea, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome. The lion of the seventh chapter also represents Babylon; the bear, Medo-Persia; the leopard, Grecia; and the great and terrible beast, Rome. The horn, with human eyes and mouth, which appears in the second phase of this beast, represents the papacy, and covers its history down to the time when it was temporarily overthrown by the French in 1798. In Dan. 8 likewise, the ram represents Medo-Persia, the he-goat Grecia, and the little horn, Rome. All these have a very clear and definite application to the governments named; none of them thus far can have any reference to the United States.
The symbols brought to view in Rev. 9, all are agreed in applying to the Saracens and Turks. The dragon of Rev. 12, is the acknowledged symbol of Pagan Rome. The leopard beast of Rev. 13 can be shown to be identical with the eleventh horn of the fourth beast of Dan. 7, and hence to symbolize the papacy. The scarlet beast and woman of Rev. 17, as evidently apply also to Rome under papal rule, the symbols having especial reference to the distinction between the civil power and the ecclesiastical, the one being represented by the beast, the other by the woman seated thereon.
There is one symbol left, and that is the two-horned beast of Rev. 13. On this there is more difference of opinion; and before seeking for an application, let us look at the ground covered by those already examined. Babylon and Medo-Persia covered all the civilized portion of Asia. Greece covered Eastern Europe including Russia. Rome, with the ten kingdoms into which it was divided, as represented by the ten toes of the image, the ten horns of the fourth beast of Dan. 7, the ten horns of the dragon of Rev. 12, and the ten horns of the leopard beast of Rev. 13, covered all Western Europe. In other words, all the civilized portion of the eastern hemisphere is absorbed by the symbols already examined, respecting the application of which there is scarcely any room for doubt.
But there is a mighty nation in this western hemisphere, worthy, as we have seen, of being mentioned in prophecy, which is not yet brought in; and there is one symbol remaining, the application of which has not yet been made. All the symbols but one are applied, and all the available portions of the eastern hemisphere are covered by the application. Of all the symbols mentioned, one, the two-horned beast of Rev. 13, is left; and of all the countries of the earth respecting which any reason exists why they should be mentioned in prophecy, the United States alone are left. Do the two-horned beast and the United States belong together? If they do, then all the symbols find an application, and all the ground is covered. If they do not, it follows, first, that the United States are not represented in prophecy; and, secondly, that the two-horned beast finds no government to which it can apply. But the first of these suppositions is not probable; and the second is not possible.
U. S.
The Scourge of Fire.
By J. H. W.
The last ten days stand unparalleled in history for terrible calamities by fire. Chicago suffered a heavy fire on the night of the 7th inst., but on the following night a fire broke out which destroyed the entire business part of the city. Our space will not allow us to give particulars; we scarcely know how to give a just idea of the aggregate.
The later reports more than confirm the first. A space one mile wide, east and west, and five miles long, was burned over, not even sparing buildings which were considered fire-proof. This gives the enormous extent of thirty-two hundred acres of burned buildings. Compared with this, former fires appear small. The great fire in Pittsburgh, Pa., in 1845, burned eighty acres. The fire in Portland, Me., in 1866, consumed property estimated at $10,000,000. The celebrated fire in London, in 1666, destroyed about £10,000,000 sterling. The destruction of property in Chicago is more than three times that in London, and over fifteen times that destroyed in Portland! The burning of Moscow was great in extent; but there was this important difference: most of the inhabitants had left the city, and much valuable property had been removed. It was probably premeditated as a means of defense against the French. But in Chicago it came without any warning, and the wind blowing a gale. The terrors of the nights of the 8th and 9th, in Chicago, can never be realized by those who did not pass through them there. So swift was its progress that thousands saved their lives only by hasty flight, not having time to collect their clothing, while many were surrounded in their homes and perished in the flames; 110,000 passed the night in the streets and parks, without shelter, or food, or sufficient clothing. The bodies of thirty women and children have been found outside the city who perished by exposure. The sufferings of that vast army of homeless ones cannot be described or realized. Every hotel and printing office, nearly every bank, all public buildings, most of the elevators, depots, &c., were destroyed, with the shipping in the river. In fact, the entire business part of the city is swept away.
The most intense excitement has been produced by this calamity in all parts of the country. Meetings were held in all the cities to take measures for relief. Large subscriptions have been raised, and great quantities of provisions have been sent in from every direction. Without the aid of the telegraphs to convey information, and of railroads to send relief, the suffering and loss of life must have been increased a hundred fold. The excitement is not confined to this country. In London and Liverpool relief meetings have been held, and relief committees appointed.
The effect of this calamity is felt on the business of the whole country. All the insurance companies in Chicago and Cleveland are probably ruined. Most of the Eastern companies are considered safe. If a panic is prevented, business will soon resume its usual course.
FIRES IN MICHIGAN.
Were it not for the overwhelming calamity which has befallen Chicago, and which has engrossed the attention of all for some days past, the whole country would stand appalled at what our own State has been suffering. The unusual drought of this fall has rendered the whole face of nature exceedingly combustible. Much damage has been done in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Indiana and other places; but no other State has suffered equal to Michigan. High winds have prevailed for nearly two weeks, which have caused the fires to spread with unprecedented rapidity, and the earth was so dry that it was impossible to stay their progress.
Whole villages along Lake Michigan and Lake Huron have been destroyed, not a single house, in some cases, being left. Farm buildings were burned without number; in many cases the inmates being awakened from their sleep by the crackling of the fires in their dwellings, escaping without even clothing themselves, while many have been surrounded and perished in their homes. A boat cruised along the shore of Lake Huron, and took in a large number who had been driven into the very water’s edge to escape the fire; these were taken to Port Huron and provided with clothing. And the heart sickens to think of the suffering of those too far from the water to find such a place of safety.
The number of villages destroyed cannot yet be ascertained. Holland city, Forestville, White Rock, Elm Creek, and several other villages are reported to be certainly destroyed. The terrible details will not be known for weeks to come, as many telegraph lines are cut off.
We do not give any extracts from the papers, as it would be impossible to find room for a small fraction of the facts at hand.
We cannot even hope that these terrible afflictions will produce any permanent reform, or humiliation before God for past sins. With this new evidence of the fleeting nature of earthly goods and blessings before their eyes, men will enter into the contest for their possession with renewed diligence. Chicago will be speedily rebuilt, and speedily again become the seat of business, and also of drunkenness and licentiousness. Again God will be insulted, his authority and majesty despised, till the final fires of the great day shall put an end to their being as well as their sins.
LATEST.
Since the above was written we have received further intelligence from the fire districts. Instead of the first reports being exaggerated, they did not near reach the awful reality. The first issue of the Chicago Republican estimates the loss far greater than those given. The note from Bro. Matteson, published in this paper, confirmed by other reports, shows that the number of acres burned over must be larger than we estimated above.
In regard to our own State, while later reports show that the work of destruction was not so complete in some cases as was supposed, it was far greater in general than first reported. Holland city was not entirely consumed, but nearly so. All the business part of Manistee is destroyed, and much suffering exists there. The number of villages burned is greater than previously stated, while the state of the telegraph lines prevents full information being given. The people of Michigan are loudly called upon to aid our own homeless and destitute ones. Vast sums will be necessary to make them comfortable, and to prepare them for the approaching winter. But the saddest tidings of all reach us from Wisconsin. In no part of the country has the loss of life been so fearful as in the north-eastern part of that State. The following which we copy from the Detroit Post appears to be reliable:
“JANESVILLE, Wis., Oct. 13. Governor Fairchilds telegraphed the following from Green Bay, in relation to the Wisconsin fires, to-night: ‘The appalling calamity has not been exaggerated. Over three thousand men, women, and children, are now destitute. The loss of life has been very great. Not less than five hundred persons have been burned at Peshtigo and vicinity, and three hundred on the eastern shore. Scores of men, women and little children are now in temporary hospitals, burned and maimed. What is wanted is money, clothing, bedding, boots, shoes, provisions of all kinds, not cooked, building materials, and everything needed by a family to commence life with. People are responding nobly, but there is no danger of too much being received. The destitute must be provided for during the winter.’”
“MILWAUKEE, Oct. 13. Col. C. B. Robinson, of the Green Bay Advocate, telegraphs to the mayor of Ludington, as follows: ‘The northern steamer is just in. Dr. Nichols, of your city, and other passengers, bring the terrible news that four hundred and seventy dead bodies have been found at Peshtigo and vicinity, and it is thought that the loss of life will reach seven hundred. This is exclusive of the east shore, where the loss of life is fearful.’”
It is reasonably supposed that not less than one thousand lives have been lost by the fire in Wisconsin. How many have been burned to death in Chicago and in Michigan cannot be known for some time yet, if ever. The daily papers are still full of details, which are well calculated to arouse the deepest sympathy. And we see that this feeling extends in every direction. Not only in England, but in Prussia and Austria relief meetings have been held.
We could wish to be spared the sight or hearing of any calamity equal to this scourge of fire; but we can but expect that such things will increase as we near the end of time. And it is saddening to reflect that the people, instead of being warned, will be rather familiarized with terrors, and set themselves more firmly to resist the warnings of the word of God. May the Lord prepare his people for the greater troubles which are approaching. J. H. W.
Wisconsin Tent.
By I. Sanborn; D. Downer
SINCE our last report we have continued tent meetings three weeks and meetings in a school-house one week, which with the week before reported make in all five weeks’ labor in Plainfield. The weather, part of the time, was quite cool and uncomfortable yet our congregations were quite good all the time.
Elder Ager preached one sermon in the tent in which he undertook to show that Sunday is now the Sabbath. He spoke two hours and a half; and we thought, and the people thought also, that he fairly fulfilled one prophecy which was to make his folly manifest unto all men. See 2 Tim. 8:9. Bro. Downer reviewed him in the evening before about five or six hundred people, and after he got through we took an expression to see how many believed that Eld. Ager had proved that the first day is the Sabbath, and but three arose, and one of them told me afterward that he thought he was voting for the seventh day. Then the elder wanted to preach again the next evening. So I took an expression to see if the people wanted to have him try it again. But not one would arise in favor of his preaching the next evening.
Eld. Chester, Methodist, then preached a sermon against the Sabbath, saying that he would show that keeping the first day is not a violation of the fourth commandment. Bro. Downer also reviewed him, making his error manifest unto all the people.
Eld. C. then put an appointment on our appointment for the next Sunday morning in the school-house. We therefore took ours up, and by invitation occupied a large hall. The district board and the citizens then locked up the school-house against Eld. Chester, so he was obliged to go two miles and preach in a grove. We continued our meetings in the hall which closed last Sunday evening, leaving a very deep and lasting impression upon the people. Twelve or fifteen have commenced to keep the Sabbath and serve the Lord according to his word, and we have reason to believe that others will soon join them in the good work, and get ready for eternal life.
Eld. Thurston and the Fish Lake church, will meet with the brethren and sisters in Plainfield every Sabbath, till Bro. Downer and I can return, which will be just as soon as we possibly can. Till then, we hope every one will give themselves to reading the Bible and to prayer, that they may grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; and thus let their light shine, and each one try to win another one, or more than one, to Christ. May the Lord bless Bro. Thurston, and give the wisdom of the Good Shepherd that he may be instrumental in persuading many to obey the Lord.